Hong Kong: SJ attends seminar in Beijing Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, along with a Hong Kong delegation, attended the second seminar on the legal challenges and coping strategies under the Belt & Road Initiative in Beijing today. The seminar is organised by the State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and co-organised by the Department of Treaty & Law of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the Department of Justice. The event allowed Hong Kong's legal sector to introduce to Mainland enterprises the strength of Hong Kongs common law system and explore how the city's legal services can help them to go global. It also enabled Hong Kongs legal sector to analyse how Mainland enterprises can make use of the citys professional services to complement the strengths of Hong Kong enterprises, so as to promote the high-quality development of the Belt & Road Initiative and assist the country's high-standard opening up, contributing to the country's market development together. In his opening remarks, Mr Lam stressed that amid the complicated international environment these days, state-owned and private enterprises may inevitably have to face legal challenges and risks when going global. He added that Hong Kong is duty-bound to support state-owned and private enterprises to overcome such legal challenges and risks. Mr Lam said he hoped that the seminar, which the Hong Kong legal sector attached great importance to, would establish good communication channels between Mainland enterprises and the city's legal profession. The seminar consisted of three sessions featuring representatives from the SASAC and MOFCOM as well as business leaders and senior legal professionals as speakers, attracting more than 150 participants including representatives from 86 state-owned enterprises and private enterprises. The first two sessions introduced to the audience the strength of Hong Kong's common law system and legal opportunities for Mainland enterprises to go global as well as the challenges and coping strategies of the legal and compliance risks under the Belt & Road Initiative. During the third session, representatives from enterprises and relevant organisations shared their practical experiences on using Hong Kong legal services to support enterprises in making foreign investments. Question-and-answer sessions were included in all three sessions for deepening the exchanges and mutual learning between Mainland enterprises and the Hong Kong legal profession. In the evening, Mr Lam met students and representatives of relevant Mainland authorities participating in the Summer Attachment Programme for Hong Kong Law Students in the Mainland in Beijing to gain a better understanding of their internship experience. Mr Lam will conclude his visit and return to Hong Kong tomorrow. This story has been published on: 2023-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Ukraine marks Independence Day under tight security Xinhua) 08:45, August 25, 2023 KIEV, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine marked the 32nd anniversary of its Independence Day on Thursday under tightened security measures. While addressing Independence Day celebrations at Saint Sophia Square in Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced his belief that Ukraine is capable of maintaining its independence. "We will not lose grip on Ukrainian independence. We are all united by this feeling," Zelensky said. During the official ceremony, Zelensky awarded Ukrainian soldiers, who participated in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with state awards. An exhibition of destroyed Russian weaponry and military equipment was held on central Khreschatyk Street, showcasing tanks, howitzers, fighting vehicles, and remnants of intercepted missiles. In many regions across the country, however, public events were banned due to concerns of fresh attacks. Ukraine obtained independence from the Soviet Union on Aug. 24, 1991, which is celebrated as the country's Independence Day. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Photo: The Canadian Press A Hudson's Bay department store is seen in Toronto. Hudson's Bay is reviving its outlet model with a discount store in Toronto's east end. The department store chain says it is converting an existing Hudson's Bay store at Eglinton Square in Scarborough to an outlet. The outlet will sell home goods and apparel, including accessories, intimates and footwear for women, men and children. Hudson's Bay spokeswoman Tiffany Bourre says discounts are expected to be as deep as 75 per cent. The new outlet comes years after Hudson's Bay experimented with discount stores, opening some in Toronto and Montreal, but both eventually closed. Hudson's Bay has been working to revamp its image with a new loyalty program launched this week and partnerships with MEC and Forever 21. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday attended the first-ever Regional Review Meeting of North-Eastern States of India on AYUSH organized by the National Ayush Mission, Assam and the States Health & Family Welfare Department in Guwahati, said an official statement. Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sarma said the North-eastern States can immensely contribute towards the further spread of practices such as Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, and homeopathy among the residents of the country. Referring to Ayurveda, yoga, among others, as time-tested practices, Chief Minister Sarma said AYUSH is gradually rising in prominence as the focus tilts towards holistic well-being. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National Ayush Mission to propagate the practice of traditional system of treatments and medicine and to provide a boost to related educational infrastructure and ensure quality control, Sarma stated, adding that these efforts gradually have started to bear fruits as AYUSH gains international recognition from numerous quarters. He added that initiatives such as International Yoga Day too are contributing greatly towards raising the awareness of the general public across the globe about the health benefits associated with the practice of the ancient Indian tradition of yoga. Chief Minister Sarma also stressed upon the need to capitalize on the opportunities that have been created with the recent mainstreaming of AYUSH practices across the country. He called upon the youths from across the country in general and those from the North-eastern States in particular to make the best use of the entrepreneurial opportunities the AYUSH sector is offering, while adding that at present, as many as 40,000 units of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are involved in production of AYUSH-related items and that the sector can accommodate a much greater number of production units owing to the steady increase in demand such products. Referring to the North-eastern region of the country as a treasure trove of economically viable plants and herbs with medicinal properties, Sarma said the eight States of the region must strive to attain a status similar to that of Kerala in the field of tourism for traditional medicinal healing and cure. This would contribute towards the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry and create a good number of employment opportunities in the region, he added. The Chief Minister expressed concern at the trend of AYUSH doctors and practitioners often prescribing allopathic medicine to their patients. This can be attributed to a lack of pride regarding AYUSH among some of the practitioners of alternative and traditional forms of medicines, Sarma said, adding it has now been proven through various research works that traditional forms of treatments such as Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy is highly effective and have no side-effects as often seen in the use of allopathic medicines. Chief Minister Sarma exuded confidence the North-eastern States would emerge as one of the hotspots of AYUSH practices in days to come. He thanked the Union Minister of AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal and AYUSH Ministrys Minister of State Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai for their ministrys relentless attempts to propagate the practice of traditional forms of medicines and treatments. Union Minister of AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai, Manipur Minister of Health, Family Welfare & AYUSH Sapam Ranjan Singh, Assam Minister of Health & Family Welfare Keshab Mahanta, Sikkim Health Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha, Arunachal Pradesh Health & Family Welfare Minister Alo Libang, Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Mizoram Health Minister R. Lalthang Liana, along with a host of other dignitaries, were also present. (ANI) The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a travel advisory in view of the G20 Summit rehearsals to be held on August 26 and 27. The G20 Summit is slated to take place on September 9-10 at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan. "In view of the #G20Summit rehearsals to be held on August 26th, 27th, 2023 from 0900 hrs to 1230 hrs, traffic regulations will be effective on various roads. Kindly follow the advisory," the Delhi Traffic Police said in a message on X. In a notice posted along with the tweet, the Delhi Traffic Police said that there will be "regulations on the movement of traffic" at various points. "Rehearsals for G-20 Summit shall be held on 26th & 27th August 2023 from 0900 hrs to 1230 hrs. In order to facilitate the carcade rehearsals, there will be regulations on the movement of traffic at the following points," the notice read. The Traffic police stated that commuters might experience congestion on the list of roads and junctions listed in the notice. Motorists have been requested to have patience, observe traffic rules and road discipline and follow directions of Traffic Police personnel deployed at all intersections, the advisory read. People are also requested to plan their journey in advance with sufficient time at hand to avoid inconvenience, it added. Earlier in the day, Special CP Traffic SS Yadav in an address to the media said that restrictions on vehicular movements will be imposed from the night of September 7. "Another major restriction will be imposed on commercial vehicles', SS Yadav added. However, there will be leeway for ambulances or vehicles carrying essential goods," he stated. "There will be no restriction on the movement of ambulances, medical services or the people who are needing medical assistance coming by whatsoever mode of transport...", said the Special CP. Adding further, he said, "We are establishing a special ambulance assistance control room which will have a dedicated helpdesk". Special CP Yadav, "We will be issuing a detailed traffic advisory which will give you information about various types of modes of transportation available. The main summit venue is in New Delhi so there will be restrictions in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area. It will be a controlled zone in which authorised vehicles or visitors will be allowed". The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil society. (ANI) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday said that through the G20 Presidency, we have expressed our collective future in business and trade, having agreed to map global value chains, enable the active contribution of least developed countries, create a large database for MSMEs and commit to digitalisation and paper-free international trade. He noted that India stands for open government and expanding international trade. He was speaking during the Trade Ministers Session of the B20 India Summit 2023 in New Delhi on 25 August. The summit is being organized by CII, the Secretariat for the B20 India. Goyal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has articulated that the Global South should have a greater say in decision-making and high policymaking bodies. He said that MSMEs contribute significantly to economic activities around the world, provide jobs to millions and are truly the gems of most economies. MSMEs, due to inability, small size, and lack of information are not able to encash several opportunities as we would like them to. We shall strengthen the databases that will help in greater participation of the MSMEs in international trade and economic activity, he said. HE Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister, Government of Bangladesh thanked India for inviting Bangladesh to the G20 and expressed that these deliberations and the outcomes thereof have the potential to greatly help businesses in the country. He said as we move towards becoming a middle-income country in 2026, we are very interested to see how our collaboration with India works out. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Canada said that the Indian diaspora in Canada works seamlessly with India thanks to the shared heritage, which is a tremendous asset. HE Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President and European Commissioner for Trade, The European Union said that the EU has committed to becoming climate neutral by 2050. One of the instruments of becoming climate neutral the EU has adopted is putting the price of carbon on economic activity. "To avoid discrimination and promote fair practice, we are putting the same price of carbon on domestic producers as on imported goods," he said. Dombrovskis said that the EU shares one single market, making it the global trading superpower. There is a need to strengthen ties with reliable partners around the world to ensure diversified and resilient supply chains. It is also in this spirit that we relaunch negotiations with India Democracies in the world, which want to work together for global peace and prosperity, need to join forces and deal with complex geopolitical situations in current times, he said. Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Trade Minister, Republic of Indonesia expressed that he has a strong will and commitment to forge a close relationship with India as the potential between the two nations is enormous. I attempt to be the bridge between the two countries so we can overcome all the trade barriers, he added. HE Dukgeun Ahn, Minister for Trade, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea said that the country is not just looking at reducing tariffs and expecting more shipments but wants to build an industry ecosystem in the green and renewable energy system, semiconductor, EV and aerodynamics sectors. He expressed confidence that the efforts of India and South Korea to upgrade their relationship will give momentum for the industry sector in the two countries to work together and build an industry ecosystem that aims for a better future. Talking about non-tariff barriers and increasing protectionism in countries, HE Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Sultanate of Oman noted that one way of addressing the issue is by adopting rule-based fair and equitable trade promoted in the G20. He also talked about the deepening trade and historic relationship between the two countries and said that Oman is looking forward to an FTA between the two nations. The Rt Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities, Government of United Kingdom said that India and the UK are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. Talking about several geopolitical challenges, she said that a lot of things are happening around the world and underlined the need to build resilience in trade. HE Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Swiss Confederation said that Switzerland exports smart FDI. Switzerland is one of the most innovative countries. We are known for quality products for all sorts of versatile instruments, high-precision tools, etc. We believe we can assist India in becoming the premier manufacturing and service place in the world. Smart FDI is not just money, she said. Artieda said that pitching India to the Swiss is easy as everyone sees the opportunities. Goyal added that the Swiss also bring innovation to the table. Switzerland is very strong on R-D, particularly in pharmaceuticals. I believe India has significant skill and talent to help Swiss companies do the same things faster and at a more competitive price to make medicines for the whole world, he added. Goyal highlighted that traditionally US and India used to have many disputes, however, more recently, the two countries have resolved 6 out of the 7 ongoing disputes bilaterally, in a first for WTO. Adding to the conversation, Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative (USTR), United States of America said that disagreements are inevitable, but underlined the political alignment of wills to resolve issues as much as possible. She said that the bilateral resolution of the disputes is a template-breaking pattern the US and India have demonstrated. Goyal said that UAE and India, in a historic milestone, had recently concluded their FTA in 88 days, the fastest-ever negotiated comprehensive economic partnership in the history of the world. Expanding on the subject, HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Chair, of WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference and Minister of State for Foreign Trade, United Arab Emirates said that the two countries looked at the bigger picture. How we are going to bring value to our people. Transparency, trust and reliability between the two nations were the critical factors and key drivers of the conclusion of the agreement." Chandrajit Banerjee, Head, of B20 India Secretariat and Director General, CII noted that the summit was being attended by more than 1,500 delegates from 55 countries. (ANI) Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have demonstrated that paper cups, that are left in the environment, can also harm the planet because they contain harmful substances. Reports that plastic pollution is infecting every area of the planet and every living creature hassped up the transition to alternate materials. The coffee latte you buy at the corner kiosk and take with you now arrives in paper cups, occasionally even with paper lids. However, if that cup is left in the wild, it might also cause harm to living things. In a study examining the impact of disposable cups made of various materials on the larvae of the butterfly mosquito, researchers at the University of Gothenburg provide evidence for this. We left paper cups and plastic cups in wet sediment and water for a few weeks and followed how the leached chemicals affected the larvae. All of the mugs negatively affected the growth of mosquito larvae, said Bethanie Carney Almroth, Professor of Environmental Science at the Department of Biology and Environmental Science at the University of Gothenburg. Paper is neither fat nor water-resistant, so paper that is used in food packaging material needs to be treated with a surface coating. This plastic protects the paper from the coffee in your hand. Nowadays, plastic film is often made of polylactide, PLA, a type of bioplastic. PLA is often regarded as biodegradable, meaning that it can break down faster than oil-based plastics under the right conditions, but the researchers' study shows that it can still be toxic. Bioplastics do not break down effectively when they end up in the environment, in water. There may be a risk that the plastic remains in nature and resulting microplastics can be ingested by animals and humans, just as other plastics do. Bioplastics contain at least as many chemicals as conventional plastic, said Bethanie Carney Almroth. Some chemicals in plastics are known to be toxic, others we lack knowledge about. Paper packaging also presents a potential health hazard compared to other materials, and its becoming more common. We are exposed to the plastics and the associated chemicals via contact with food. Bethanie Carney Almroth and her research colleagues report their results in a scientific article inEnvironmental Pollution. In the article, they reason about the major shifts that are required to mitigate the continuing damage to the environment and threat to our health caused by the plastics pollution crisis. When disposable products arrived on the market after the Second World War, large campaigns were conducted to teach people to throw the products away, it was unnatural to us! Now we need to shift back and move away from disposable lifestyles. It is better if you bring your own mug when buying takeaway coffee. Or by all means, take a few minutes, sit down and drink your coffee from a porcelain mug, said Bethanie Carney Almroth. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly proposed permanent membership of the African Union in G20, and if all goes through, the grouping might soon become 'G21', Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Thursday. Addressing a press conference on Indias participation at the 15th BRICS summit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that PM Modi wrote to the leaders of G20 about the inclusion of the African Union. "PM Modi wrote to the leaders of G20 about the inclusion of the African Union in the G20. We have strongly proposed it as a permanent member of the G20. So, it should probably become G21 if it all goes through," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said at the press conference. He further said that PM Modi also laid emphasis on the protection of big cats under the International Big Cat Alliance. "He (PM Modi) spoke of something which is deeply at the heart of South Africa and many African countries, the protections of the big cats, the five big ones in South Africa under the International Big Cat Alliance. He established something important for all the BRICS countries, a repository of traditional medicines among the BRICS countries, he added. Kwatra further said that the major outcome of the BRICS Summit was the decision of the BRICS leaders to expand its membership to include six new members, Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and UAE. PM Modi highlighted that the BRICS Business Forum is one of the key pillars of Intra-BRICS partnership...He spoke about an important element, the need to develop resilient and inclusive supply chains...And, the importance of mutual trust and transparency in the intra-BRICS country," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, PM Modi also had a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping in which he highlighted India's concerns at the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh with the two leaders agreeing to direct their relevant officials "to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation". He said PM Modi in his conversation with the Chinese President underlined that the maintenance of peace in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China ties. "Prime Minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China border areas. Prime Minister underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship," Kwatra said. "In this regard, the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," he added. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Thursday that discussions on trade settlements in national currency have been very positive within the BRICS framework. "Conceptually, he added, "Trade settlement in national currency, we have already started working on it, not just as a discussion or a talking point but also on the ground cooperation." "We are also pursuing trade settlements in national currency with several other countries. So, if it becomes a point of highly advanced discussions in the BRICS and the BRICS countries agree to do trade settlement in national currency, something which is of a great promise within BRICS," Kwatra added. During the summit, PM Modi highlighted the BRICS Business Forum as one of the key pillars of intra-BRICS partnership. Giving details, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "PM Modi highlighted that the BRICS Business Forum is one of the key pillars of Intra-BRICS partnership, amongst the BRICS countries. He added that PM also embraced the need to develop resilient and inclusive supply chains to avoid disruptions in pharmaceutical supply chains. He added, He (PM) also spoke about an important element, the need to develop resilient and inclusive supply chains. We all saw during COVID-19, how the disruption in the pharmaceutical supply chains was so adversely affected. Many countries efforts to provide health security to their citizens. South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg from August 22-24. The alliance comprises five nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa became Chair of BRICS on January 1 under the theme: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism." PM Modi said that the Global South is not just a diplomatic term but represents the shared history of these countries against colonialism and apartheid based on which modern relations are being reshaped. He further said that India has given high importance to relations with Africa. Adding to this, he said that India has opened 16 new embassies in Africa. "Today, India is Africa's fourth-largest trade partner and the fifth-largest investor country," he added. "Be it power projects in Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda, sugar plants in Ethiopia and Malawi, technology pass in Mozambique, Cte d'Ivoire and Eswatini, and, campuses built by Indian universities in Tanzania and Uganda, India has always prioritised capacity building and infrastructure development of African nations", PM Modi said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi congratulated leaders and people of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE over their full membership of BRICS and said India has always supported the expansion of the organisation. He said India will also contribute to other countries wanting to join as partner countries of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). (ANI) Chinese President Xi Jinping during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and people, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Friday. The Chinese President met PM Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said. PM Modi during the conversation with Xi, highlighted India's concerns at the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh with the two leaders agreeing to direct their relevant officials "to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation". Addressing a press conference on Indias participation at the 15thBRICS summit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi had interactions with other BRICS leaders during the summit. He said PM Modi in his conversation with the Chinese President underlined that the maintenance of peace in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China ties. "Prime Minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China border areas. Prime Minister underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship," Kwatra said. "In this regard, the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," he added. (ANI) The Indian Diaspora in Athens, Greece has expressed excitement and happiness over Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming visit to the country. Managing Director of Startup Greece Organization Thanos Paraschos said it is very important to have leaders like PM Modi. I am here to welcome PM Modi to Greece. We have seen remarkable progress in the technology that has contributed to the world, in the last nine years. Yesterday, was a remarkable day for humanity, we saw the efforts of India Space technology come to life, Paraschos told ANI. We are very proud and honoured to have PM Modi in our country. It is very important for us to have leaders like PM Modi. India and Greece have to work together to build strong ties and to make the world a better place, he added. Daljeet Singh who has been living in Greece for the last 30 years, said, "...It felt good to know that PM Modi is coming here...It was great of him to open the corridor to Pakistan (Kartarpur Corridor)...We will welcome him with 'Bhangra'..." A chef in Athens, Jitender, said: "...PM Modi is arriving here, we are all very happy. The entire Greece is very happy. He is most welcome. We congratulate him for the Chandrayaan Mission..." Prior to the PMs visit, members of the Indian diaspora in Greece were seen raising slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Modi ji zindabad' Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Greece on August 25. PM Modi on Thursday emplaned for Greece on the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He departed from Johannesburg,South Africa, where he was attending theBRICSsummit. During his visit toGreece,PM Modiwill receive a ceremonial reception on his arrival and will also hold meetings with the Greek President and Prime Minister. The PM will meet his Greek counterpartKyriakos Mitsotakis, the leaders will discuss ways to further deepen the ties between the two nations. He will also interact with business leaders from both countries. He will also have an interaction with the Indian community inGreece. A business lunch hosted by the Greek PM is also scheduled during the visit.PM Modiwill also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens and interact with the Indian community there. MEA said in a press release, "Following his visit toSouth Africa, Prime Minister will pay an official visit toGreeceon 25 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E. MrKyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister ofGreece. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister toGreecein 40 years." It further said, "India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties." (ANI) Former US President Donald Trump has been released on bond after completing the booking process at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, according to jail records, CNN reported. Jail records show that the former US President was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday (US local time) night in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. He was at the jail for about 20 minutes. Trump on addressing reporters after being arrested and released from jail, said: I did nothing wrong, CNN reported. Trump described the criminal case against him as a travesty of justice. We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest, he said. Trump was released after he agreed to a USD 200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys. The former president covered the cost of the bond by putting 10 per cent toward it and he worked with a local Atlanta bonding company Foster Bail Bonds LLC, sources told CNN. Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. His odds of being released without a cash bail were slim in Georgia. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here. Earlier on Thursday, Trump surrendered at theFulton County jailin Atlanta to be booked on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgias 2020 election results, CNN reported. Protestors gathered outside the jail could be heard yelling against District Attorney Fani Willis, who charged Trump and 18 others in the election subversion case. Lock Fani up! the former president's supporters chanted, as per CNN. Trump landed at Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Thursday. Prior to Trumps arrival, law enforcement amped up security outside of the Fulton County jail. More than ten agencies from the Metro Atlanta area were at the scene. Canine units were deployed to make sure there were no explosives and drones could be seen flying in the air. Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis (D) gave Trump, his 18 co-defendants a deadline of Friday at noon to voluntarily surrender after indicting them last week. According to The Hill, the jail has gained a reputation for its poor conditions. An investigation into the facility was opened by the Justice Department last month over concerns that an individual died there covered in insects and filth. The sheriffs office has since announced that another inmate who was being held on a shoplifting charge, died in the jail Thursday. The state judge overseeing the case has approved two defendants bond agreements. John Eastman, an attorney involved in strategizing a scheme to submit false slates of pro-Trump electors, agreed to aUSD 100,000 bond, and Scott Hall, who is charged in connection with an elections office breach, agreed to aUSD 10,000 bond, court filings show. Willis charged the 19 co-defendants in a 41-count indictment last week focused on racketeering charges. It is the fourth set of criminal charges Trump faces, according to The Hill. (ANI) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Athens, Greek students from a Bollywood dance academy in Athens are preparing to perform at the Indian diaspora event. The students could be seen dancing to the tunes of the Oscar-winning song 'Naatu Naatu' PM Modi will visit Greece today at the invitation of Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years. Choreographer Suman Rudra said: "We are very excited that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to our country. We have prepared something special for him. This is the first time Greek women will participate in the Indian diaspora to welcome our prime minister. We promote Indian classical dance forms, culture and Indian festivals..." Director of the first Bollywood dance academy in Greece, Anna Dimitratou sang the 'Bole Chudiyan' song from the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. A student from the Bollywood dance academy who will perform in front of PM Modi in Athens, Greece, said: "We are really excited, it is his first visit to Greece. We are really honoured. I have been here for six years and have learnt Indian dance form Bharatanatyam..." Meanwhile, the Indian Diaspora in Athens, Greece expressed excitement and happiness over PM Modis upcoming visit to the country. Managing Director of StartupGreeceOrganization Thanos Paraschos said it is very important to have leaders likePM Modi. I am here to welcomePM ModitoGreece. We have seen remarkable progress in the technology that has contributed to the world, in the last nine years. Yesterday, was a remarkable day for humanity, we saw the efforts of India Space technology come to life, Paraschos told ANI. We are very proud and honoured to havePM Modiin our country. It is very important for us to have leaders likePM Modi. India andGreecehave to work together to build strong ties and to make the world a better place, he added. Daljeet Singh who has been living inGreecefor the last 30 years, said, "...It felt good to know thatPM Modiis coming here...It was great of him to open the corridor to Pakistan (Kartarpur Corridor)...We will welcome him with 'Bhangra'..." Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Greece on August 25. PM Modi on Thursday emplaned for Greece. He departed from Johannesburg,South Africa, where he was attending theBRICSsummit. During his visit toGreece,PM Modiwill receive a ceremonial reception on his arrival and will also hold meetings with the Greek President and Prime Minister. The PM will meet his Greek counterpartKyriakos Mitsotakis, the leaders will discuss ways to further deepen the ties between the two nations. He will also interact with business leaders from both countries. He will also have an interaction with the Indian community inGreece. A business lunch hosted by the Greek PM is also scheduled during the visit.PM Modiwill also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier inAthensand interact with the Indian community there. MEA said in a press release, "Following his visit toSouth Africa, Prime Minister will pay an official visit toGreeceon 25 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E. MrKyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister ofGreece. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister toGreecein 40 years." It further said, "India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties." (ANI) The Fulton County Sheriffs Office has released a mug shot of former US President Donald Trump, CNN reported. Jail records show Trump was placed under arrest and booked as inmate No. P01135809. Meanwhile, the former US President has been released on bond after completing the booking process at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, according to jail records, CNN reported. Jail records show that the formerUSPresident was placed under arrest and booked at theFulton County jailon Thursday (USlocal time) night in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. He was at the jail for about 20 minutes. Trump on addressing reporters after being arrested and released from jail, said: I did nothing wrong, CNN reported. Trump described the criminal case against him as a travesty of justice. We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest, he said. Trump also addressed the other criminal cases pending against him, saying, This is one instance but you have three other instances. This is election interference. Trump was released after he agreed to aUSD 200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys. The former president covered the cost of the bond by putting 10 per cent toward it and he worked with a localAtlantabonding company Foster Bail Bonds LLC, sources told CNN. Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. His odds of being released without a cash bail were slim in Georgia. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here. Earlier on Thursday, Trump surrendered at theFulton County jailinAtlantato be booked on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgias 2020 election results, CNN reported. Protestors gathered outside the jail could be heard yelling against District Attorney Fani Willis, who charged Trump and 18 others in the election subversion case. Lock Fani up! the former president's supporters chanted, as per CNN. Trump landed atAtlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Thursday. Prior to Trumps arrival, law enforcement amped up security outside of theFulton County jail. More than ten agencies from the MetroAtlantaarea were at the scene. Canine units were deployed to make sure there were no explosives and drones could be seen flying in the air. Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis (D) gave Trump, his 18 co-defendants a deadline of Friday at noon to voluntarily surrender after indicting them last week. According to The Hill, the jail has gained a reputation for its poor conditions. An investigation into the facility was opened by the Justice Department last month over concerns that an individual died there covered in insects and filth. The sheriffs office has since announced that another inmate who was being held on a shoplifting charge, died in the jail Thursday. The state judge overseeing the case has approved two defendants bond agreements.John Eastman, an attorney involved in strategizing a scheme to submit false slates of pro-Trump electors, agreed to aUSD 100,000 bond, and Scott Hall, who is charged in connection with an elections office breach, agreed to aUSD 10,000 bond, court filings show. Willis charged the 19 co-defendants in a 41-count indictment last week focused on racketeering charges. It is the fourth set of criminal charges Trump faces, according to The Hill. (ANI) A few hours after a post on 'X' - earlier known as Twitter, of former US president Donald Trump, Tesla's chief executive officer, Elon Musk, on Thursday (local time) reacted to the same, and called it 'next level'. On his social media account X, Elon Musk reshared Trump's post and said, "Next-level". https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1694903930981884041?t=NjcsTqp0I96C-6xoljkKIA&s=08 Earlier in the day, Trump shared his mugshot with the link to his site.This came a few hours after his surrender in Fulton County, Ga. in the Georgia election subversion case. "ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!" he wrote while sharing the mug shot photo on X. It was the first time Trump posted on the social media platform since his account was suspended shortly after the January 6 riots at the Capitol. His last tweet was on January 8, 2021, when Trump said that he would not attend the inauguration of then-US President-elect Joe Biden. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th," Trump said in a tweet on January 8, 2021. His account on X was reinstated this year after Elon Musk purchased X and renamed it, but Trump had not posted on there before Thursday. In the latest development in the Georgia election subversion case, Trump surrendered himself in Fulton County jail in Atlanta, but later he was released on bond, according to jail records, CNN reported. Jail records show that the former US President was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday (US local time) night in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. He was at the jail for about 20 minutes. Trump on addressing reporters after being arrested and released from jail, said: I did nothing wrong, CNN reported. Trump described the criminal case against him as a travesty of justice. We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest, he said. Trump also addressed the other criminal cases pending against him, saying, This is one instance but you have three other instances. This is election interference. Trump was released after he agreed to a USD 200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys. Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here. (ANI) Bhutan and China have agreed to expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement the Three-Step Road Map to resolve long discussions between the two countries. In the joint statement, released by Bhutan's Foreign Ministry, both countries met for the 13th Expert Group Meeting (EGM) in Beijing, which was co-chaired by Letho Tobdhen Tangbi, Secretary of the International Boundaries of Bhutan and Hong Liang, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Since 1984, talks between Bhutan and China have largely focused on two separate areas of dispute, including Doklam and other areas in Bhutans West, near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction, and the Jakarlung and Pasamlung valleys located near Tibet to Bhutans North. Building on the consensus reached at the 12th Expert Group Meeting, the two sides had candid, friendly and constructive discussions on continuously implementing the MoU on the Three-Step Road Map for Expediting the Bhutan-China Boundary Negotiations. One of the important outcomes of the 13th EGM is the establishment of a Joint Technical Team on the Delimitation of Bhutan-China Boundary which held its first meeting on the sidelines of the 13th EGM, according to the release. The two sides also agreed upon keeping the positive momentum of frequent Expert Group Meetings, holding the 14th Expert Group Meeting on the Bhutan-China Boundary Issues as soon as possible and maintaining communication on holding the 25th Round of the Bhutan-China Boundary Talk. The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere in keeping with the ties of friendship and cooperation between Bhutan and China, as per the release. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the Hotel Grande Bretagne with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' 'Modi, Modi.' After landing at the Athens International Airport, PM Modi reached his hotel, where he would be staying for his day long visit and met the Indian diaspora who were eagerly waiting for his arrival. Outside the hotel, the Indian diaspora were ween waiving the tricolour and some of them were also beating drums to mark PM Modi's visit, the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit the country. The Indian community expressed their joy upon PM Modei's arrival in Athens, Greece. One of the Indian diaspora members said, "I am very happy that PM Modi is here. After 40 years, the PM came. last time, then-PM Indira Gandhi arrived in Greece. Narendra Modi has been the PM for the last 9 years and he made a good name for India in the world. I am very proud that PM Modi came." Meanwhile, Sanjiv Kumar, a Businessman, staying in Greece for the past 26 years, said, "It was a great moment for us that PM Modi arrived in Athens. it gives us great pleasure. In the Greek community, we have a good name the 'Indians', always we have a good name. We are feeling very good. People love him." At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also brieflt interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. Earlier today, the PM arrived in Athens and was welcomed by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. PM Modi was also greeted with a ceremonial reception. His visit to Athens came after the Johannesburg's visit, where he was attending the BRICS summit. "Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community," PM Modi said on his micro-blogging site X (formerly known as Twitter). "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just arrived here from Johannesburg after attending the 15th BRICS summit," Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi also posted a video on X. Bagchi said, "A packed day of engagement lies ahead in Athens. He will little later lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Thereafter, he will meet the president of Greece and then hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece." "He will also meet with business leaders from both sides. Before departing, he will have an interaction with the community who are all excited to receive him after the success of the Chandrayan mission," he said. A business lunch hosted by the Greek PM is also scheduled during the visit. The Prime Minister would also interact with the Indian diaspora in Greece. Previous high-level exchanges between the two countries have also included a visit by former Presidents of India, late APJ Abdul Kalam and former President Ram Nath Kovind in June 2018. The Greek President had also paid a state visit to India in 1998, and the then Greek Prime Minister had visited India in 2008. (ANI) National Security Advisor of US, Jake Sullivan convened the national security and senior G20 representatives of the Quint (an informal decision-making group consisting of the United States and France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the European Union) at the White House to discuss the ensuing G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi, according to a White House release. The participants discussed their unified support for the G20 and Indias G20 Presidency, as well as their commitment to ensuring strong outcomes in New Delhi, including demonstrating the G20s role as the premier forum for economic cooperation, driving an affirmative and ambitious agenda for developing and emerging countries, and making progress on evolving the multilateral development banks to be more responsive to shared global challenges, the official release informed. The G20 Summit is slated to take place on September 9-10 at the recently-inaugurated state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam convention centre at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Many heads of state and diplomats including US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to be attending the G20 Leaders' Summit. The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in Delhi, under India's presidency will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies. Sullivan also convened the Quint national security advisors of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom at the White House on Thursday. Noting that it is also Ukraines Independence Day, participants reiterated their enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression for as long as it takes, and to aiding it in its reconstruction. The national security advisors stressed that Russias sovereign assets in their nations jurisdictions will remain immobilized until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine, and examined further ways to hold Russia accountable for the destruction it has brought in its illegal war. The national security advisors also reaffirmed the importance of putting Niger back on a path to constitutional order, and support for the Economic Community of West African states leadership role in resolving this crisis. They discussed a range of other strategic issues, including an exchange of views on the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East, the release said. (ANI) The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has condemned the visit of a delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to East Turkistan in China. On August 17, a delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) led by Ambassador Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, arrived in China to meet with Chinas Vice Foreign Minister, Deng Li, and other Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials. The delegation will also visit East Turkistan to observe the living conditions of the Muslim community, WUC informed in an official release. The OIC falls into the trap of Chinese propaganda machinery by believing they can observe Uyghurs living free without any religious or cultural repression, says WUC President Dolkun Isa. Islam and Uyghur culture are being showcased to visitors, while millions of our people are prohibited, criminalised and punished from practising their religion.With this visit the OICacts in complete disregard to the ongoing genocide perpetrated against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims of East Turkistan, he added. Since 2014, with the Strike Hard Campaign the Chinese government has linked the religious practice of Islam to extremism and terrorism. The enacted restrictive legislations criminalise and punish any signs or practice of Islam. Uyghurs are under constant surveillance as all expression and the physical manifestations of the Uyghur cultural and religious identity are eroded, the release further said. Though according to Article 1 of their Charter, OIC vowed to safeguard the rights, dignity and religious and cultural identity of Muslim communities and minorities in non-Member States. However, the OIC members stayed silent during the mass burning of religious books and of the Quran by the CCP. The OIC continued to be silent as Uyghurs are being subjected to gross human rights violations in the form of torture, rape, forced labour and arbitrary detention in modern concentration camps, the World Uyghur Congress (WYC) said in the release. It further condemned the complete disregard for Uyghur lives and called on the OIC to uphold their own moral values and principles and not be complicit in the crimes of the Chinese government. OIC member states must collectively denounce the systematic persecution of Uyghurs, the WYC said. "Freedom and human rights must be held as core values and the OIC cannot stand blind witness to the destruction of the fundamental human rights of Uyghurs and their genocide. We remind the OIC delegation that Islamic values are universal and should be protected everywhere. The organisation should remain true to its commitment to being an advocate for the elimination of discrimination against Muslims in all forms and manifestations," the release said. (ANI) The main emphasis now is a special military operation, the Kremlin spokesperson said. Putin had also skipped the recent summit of BRICS countries in South Africa and addressed the gathering via video link. India holds the G20 Presidency this year and the G-20 Summit will be held from September 8-10 in New Delhi. The summit will have distinguished guests from all over the world. The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world's 20 major developed and developing economies, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation. The International Criminal Court (ICC) had earlier in March issued an arrest warrant for Putin and another Russian official. The warrant is believed to be one of the first charges against Putin for war crimes in Ukraine, part of a global effort to hold theRussian president and theRussian Federation accountable for atrocities beginning with the full-scale February 2022 invasion. Putin has been accused of alleged war crimes. The warrant cites him and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, commissioner for children's rights in the Office of the President of theRussian Federation, for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children fromRussian-occupied territory toRussia. The Kremlin has however refuted the allegations, noting it does not cooperate with the ICC. On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. The invasion has killed tens of thousands on both sides. Russian forces have been accused of mass civilian casualties and of torturing capturedUkrainian soldiers. Earlier in July, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain initiative, an agreement that had permitted Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports a year ago, despite the war, to help alleviate a global food crisis. (ANI) Photo: The Canadian Press The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C. Canada's current wildfire season is devastating evidence of the effects of climate change, scientists say, but for some conspiracy theorists, the thousands of square kilometres of burnt ground isn't enough to convince them. Instead, space lasers, arsonists and government plots to restrict people's movement are some of the causes of the fires, according to fringe online circles. But despite being fringe, these theories are widely circulated and boosted by social media algorithms. People turn to conspiracy theories to help them make sense of disasters like the recent wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, in British Columbia or the Northwest Territories, said Eric Kennedy, associate professor at York University's school of administrative studies. "Some of the conspiracy theories about wildfires create simple villains, or simple evil characters 'this is Bill Gates, this is the World Economic Forum, this is a particular evil actor, said Kennedy, who studies decision-making in emergency contexts, particularly wildfires. Sometimes the simple stories are very appealing. Sometimes it's about fitting into an existing world view and making things make sense within that paradigm." Kawser Ahmed, political science adjunct professor at University of Winnipeg, said almost all conspiracy theories have a spark of truth but are distorted to attract attention or fuel outrage. Forest fires, he said, are spectacular events like terrorist attacks that draw attention before the full facts come to light, and in the ensuing uncertainty, conspiracy theories fill in the gaps in information. But such theories harm those who are fleeing the fires and those who are fighting the blazes, he noted. Cliff Chapman, BC Wildfire Service director of operations, said conspiracy theories "really hit me and, I think, our organization in a really big way." He told reporters that firefighters, who return home after a 14-hour gruelling shift, turn on their phones and see negative social media posts about the fires and their work. "We are doing everything that we can to try to protect those homes," Chapman said. "We're doing everything that we can to try to make sure that people can get home as fast as they can. And so it has a big impact on our staff." Conspiracy theories also risk affecting people who are victims of forest fires, like those forced from their homes, Ahmed said. They are vulnerable, stressed out and sometimes suffer from a lack of confidence in authorities, so it is easy to fall into the trap of a conspiracy theory, which offers a more clearly defined villain, he said. "This is what I'm really worried about," he said. "Once they even go back home, they could become more antagonistic against institutions, governments, police." Scientists are blaming climate change for the severity of Canada's wildfire season. A study by the U.K.-based World Weather Attribution group released this week says greenhouse gas emissions made Quebec's fire weather about 50 per cent more conducive to fire between May and June. But conspiracy theorists play down or deny the link between climate change and wildfires, and invoke ideas of eco-terrorism, arsonists and environmental extremists to explain what's happening, Ahmed said. "It's easier to sell." Ahmed said conspiracy theories have been around as long as time but were easier to contain to certain areas or communities before the era of mass communication. "But now, the ability of a single human being to spread something which has no basis in science or in rationality, and is illogical, is enormous." Social media algorithms accelerate the spread of conspiracy theories because once someone clicks on one link, other links on similar topics pop up, creating a feedback loop that reinforces false beliefs, he said. "It will take you to a very defined trajectory." Studies have shown that the misinformation that gets the most attention is scary, emotional, moral or ideological, and easy to process, said Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta. "The wildfire misinformation checks all those boxes. Add fear and uncertainty and you have a perfect mix." Chris Russill, associate professor at Carleton University's school of journalism and communication, said journalism is one way to correct such misinformation. The "poverty of local news," he said, compounded by Meta's decision to block news content in Canada, is aiding in the spread of bizarre wildfire conspiracy theories. "It's created a condition in which this unreliable information can circulate in a more unchecked way." Kennedy said conspiracy theories can cause diminishing trust among people, which could reduce compliance with evacuation orders. Solutions at "lots of different levels" are required to snuff out conspiracy theories, he said. The most important thing that people can do is to be "very careful" when they find information that confirms their belief, he said. At an institutional level, Kennedy said, emergency management agencies need to earn public trust and not take it for granted. People who are forced out of their homes during wildfires sometimes feel their needs aren't being understood by government agencies that may not fully appreciate how disruptive an evacuation is, he said. "Agencies can perhaps continue to invest in and do an even better job at listening to those concerns and responding to them in a way that builds trust," he said. "It's not something that happens overnight, or just with an ad on Facebook. We need to see this not as a problem of fact-checking alone, but really about building trusted relationships in our institutions and our organizations." Describing India and Greece as a "natural match," Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the foundation of the ties between the two countries is ancient and strong. In a joint press statement with the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, PM Modi said, "Greece and India are a natural match between two ancient civilisations of the world, between two ancient democratic ideologies and between two ancient trade and cultural relations. The foundation of our relationship is ancient and strong..." Prime Minister Modi further emphasised that it is after a long gap of 40 years that any Indian Prime Minister has come to Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983 by Indira Gandhi. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. "After a long gap of 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister has come to Greece. Still, the depth and warmth of our relations have not decreased. So, the (Greek) PM and I have decided to take India-Greece relations to a strategic level," PM Modi said. "We have decided to increase our cooperation in the areas of defence & security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, new & emerging technology and skill development and strengthen our strategic partnership," PM Modi added. PM Moditoday commenced his visit toGreeceby paying tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier inAthens. Later on, he received a ceremonial guard of honour. India andGreeceenjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modiwas conferred with theGrand Cross of the Order of HonourinAthens,Greece. President ofGreeceKaterina N SakellaropouloufetedPM Modiwith the Grand Cross after the latter called on the former during his day-long official visit toGreece. A special honour reflecting the strength of India-Greece partnership. PM @narendramodi conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by @PresidencyGR Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou, tweeted the Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi. TheGrand Cross of the Order of Honouris conferred by the President ofGreeceto Prime Ministers and eminent personalities who by reason of their distinguished position, have contributed to enhancing the stature ofGreece. Thanking the Greek President, PM Modi tweeted,"I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held delegation-level talks with his Greek counterpart Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (ANI) North Korea has lost another satellite. The reclusive nation failed in its latest attempt to put a spy satellite in orbit after encountering a rocket stage-separation issue. North Korea's Chollima-1 rocket carrying its Malligyong-1 satellite suffered an anomaly during the third stage of its Wednesday (Aug. 23) flight, according to the Associated Press . During the launch attempt, some Japanese citizens were instructed to take shelter as the North Korean rocket flew over islands near Okinawa. Warnings about this launch came just days ago , when North Korean officials told the Japanese Coast Guard that it was planning a liftoff this week. Related: North Korea's 1st spy satellite has been pulled from the sea after launch failure: report ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This latest failure comes nearly two months after North Korea lost its first Malligyong-1 satellite into the Yellow Sea due to an unknown launch anomaly. The country's National Aerospace Development Administration announced it will make a third attempt in October after it analyzes this latest failure, adding that "the cause of the relevant accident is not a big issue in terms of the reliability of cascade engines and the system," the Associated Press reported. The South Korean government claims many of the technologies that North Korea used to design its spy satellite were stolen by hacking groups, Reuters reported . Protecting sensitive spaceflight technologies from cyberattacks and theft has become a pressing issue worldwide; just this month, the United States' National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) issued a bulletin advising private space companies of the threat of intellectual property theft and cyberattacks. RELATED STORIES: North Korea launches satellite to space Did North Korea lie about its big ICBM test launch? North Korea says its rocket launch failed, 1st spy satellite lost The failed launch comes as the militaries of the United States and South Korea engage in military exercises designed as a show of strength and stability in the face of an increasingly aggressive North. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden also met this month to discuss a three-way security agreement aimed at strengthening alliances to counter the obstinate North Korean government and its pursuit of intercontinental ballistic missile technology. North Korea successfully placed a satellite into orbit in 2016 to coincide with the 74th birthday of the nation's late leader Kim Jong-Il, the second supreme leader who ruled from 1994 to 2011. The spacecraft, an Earth-observation satellite called Kwangmyongsong-4, decayed and fell from orbit on June 30, 2023. Police say theyve arrested a suspect in a string of home break-ins that could have been coordinated by a South American crime group. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said they cant share the suspects identity yet because of the ongoing investigation locally and federally. The break-ins happened between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. Police said after an unspecified incident on Parview Drive in south Charlotte, they were able to identify the suspect and file charges against him in both Mecklenburg and Union counties. ALSO READ: Burglars target high-end south Charlotte homes to steal guns, jewelry, cash ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The suspect was taken into custody in Virginia. Police said during the investigation, they learned that the suspected South American crime groups have a reach that extends far beyond Charlotte. Detectives said theyre sharing information with regional and international law enforcement agencies. CMPD said theyve seen an increase in similar incidents being reported from people in south Charlotte, but those arent related to the South American crime groups. However, those reports have led to the arrests of two men: 22-year-old DeniJay Moore and 35-year-old Matthew Morency. ALSO READ: Its just not fair: Residents at south Charlotte apartment complex fed up with break-ins Police said anyone who believes their home has been broken into should call 911. Anyone else with information about a home break-in is asked to call 704-432-TIPS, or leave information anonymously by clicking here. Below are some tips from CMPD to help prevent your home from being targeted: Use deadbolts Install window locks Have good exterior lighting If you have an alarm, make sure its operational and registered Notify trusted neighbors when going out of town (WATCH BELOW: Police investigating string of home break-ins in Ballantyne) A new study found that people who took adult education classes have a lower risk of developing dementia. A new study found that people who took adult education classes have a lower risk of developing dementia. There are certain habits, like exercising and eating nutritious foods, that are synonymous with healthy aging. A new, large-scale study highlights another method that middle-aged and older adults should also add to the mix: Learning. Research published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience suggests that people who took part in adult education classes had a 19% lower risk of developing dementia within five years compared to folks who did not take classes. Participants self-reported attending adult education classes, but the frequency or type of class was not included. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The study consisted of data from 282,421 people ages 40 to 69 in the U.K. Biobank who enrolled between 2006 and 2010. Participants were followed for an average of seven years. Approximately 1.1% of participants developed dementia during the study period. Researchers found that those who took part in adult education classes had a greater subsequent retention of fluid intelligence score, the study stated, which essentially means the ability to recall new information that changes over time, explained Dr. Zaldy Tan, the director of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimers and Memory Disorders at Cedars-Sinai in California. Answers to questions like, What did you have for breakfast? or What are you doing this weekend? are examples of fluid intelligence, Tan said. In contrast, crystallized intelligence is information that will be the same today and 20 years from now like the answers to Where did you go to college? or Where are you from? Tan noted. Fluid intelligence is more reliant on short-term memory ... so, a lot of my patients even those who have mild dementia, or mild cognitive impairment their crystallized intelligence is great, Tan said. As mentioned, participants fluid intelligence benefitted from adult education classes, and so did their non-verbal reasoning performance (the ability to use logic and visual reasoning to come to an answer). Their reaction time and visuospatial memory (like the ability to understand distances and the size of items in relation to others) remained the same. These are all key factors in healthy cognition. Some of the earliest warning signs of dementia include difficulty finding the right word and trouble constructing sentences. Study participants were given a number of tests to measure these categories. The tests were given on the enrollment visit and the third assessment visit, which took place four to eight years apart, depending on the person. While the study did not specify what kinds of classes were best, adult education, in general, was shown to decrease dementia risk. While the study did not specify what kinds of classes were best, adult education, in general, was shown to decrease dementia risk. Tan said the results are refreshing but not surprising. The reason is, we know that as we get older, our opportunities for learning new things tend to decrease, he explained. For example, you may be retired, so you might not have as many opportunities to learn new things as you did at work. Or your kids may be living outside of your home, so you dont have the mental stimulation of raising a family. So, those things are all built into our day-to-day lives to challenge us ... but as we transition into later life, late middle age and beyond, we have to be more deliberate with making sure that we have enough intellectual stimulation and that we keep our minds healthy, Tan said. Similar to keeping our hearts and muscles healthy by exercising, learning something new is a way that we exercise our minds, Tan said. Additionally, when it comes to attending a class, you have to get yourself there (this study was done pre-pandemic, so virtual classes were less prevalent), which requires mental stimulation and learning as well. You have to think about how youll get to the class, plan your route and be ready to meet new people once youre there. Its all new information your brain has to be ready to take in. Its not just the topic of what is being discussed in the adult education class, but the whole process is cognitively stimulating, Tan said. For this reason, in-person classes are preferable, he noted. Whenever we learn new things, we know that we form new connections between brain cells, Tan continued. Whenever you make these connections, you increase what we call brain plasticity. Plasticity is [the] ability of our minds and our brains to adapt to change. And that is the theory why people, for example, who have higher degrees of formal education have less risk of developing dementia later in life. Additionally, Tan said you should think of exercising your brain as cross-training. While doing things like adult education classes is important, those alone arent enough. Its important to talk to your doctor about what else you can do to keep your brain healthy, which could include getting enough sleep, controlling your blood pressure, working out and not smoking, according to Tan. The more we can cross-train our cognitive abilities, the better off we are in the final tally, Tan said. While this is promising and exciting research, study authors said randomized controlled trials need to be conducted to determine if theres a direct link between the two. Tan echoed this, saying: Association is not causation. We cannot say that just attending adult education classes is going to prevent you from developing dementia, but it certainly helps, it looks like. Related... Work can be a fulfilling endeavor for some and a daily grind for others. For many its just what you do to pay the bills. Still, who you work for can make a huge difference. There are many types of companies to work for in South Carolina, but some are better than others. Be it higher pay, more benefits or quality working conditions, certain companies just have more to offer. But how can you know which employers are the best without getting hired there first? Global media company Forbes recently partnered with market research firm Statista to survey 70,000 workers at companies with a minimum of 500 employees in all 50 states and the district of Columbia. The workers were asked if they would recommend their employer to others and to evaluate that employer based on diversity, working conditions, compensation packages, potential for development, company image and more. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The participants also assessed other employers not their own. All the surveys were anonymous. The number of companies on each states list vary by the size of its companies and workforce. Forbes listed a total of 55 companies for South Carolina. Below are the top 10 best companies to work for in South Carolina. To review the complete list, click here. 1. Google Total workers: 156,500 Headquarters: Mountain View, California CEO: Sundar Pichai Industry: IT, Internet, software and services Year founded: 1998 2. Roper St. Francis Total workers: 6,000 Headquarters: Charleston CEO: Jeffrey DiLisi Industry: Healthcare and social Year founded: 1929 3. U.S. Department of the Treasury Total workers: 100,000 Headquarters: Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of Treasury: Janet Yellen Industry: Government services Year founded: 1789 4. Publix Super Markets Total workers: 240,000 Headquarters: Lakeland, Florida CEO: Randall T. Jones, Sr. Industry: Retail and Wholesale Year founded: 1930 5. Michelin Group North America Total workers: 124,900 Headquarters: Greenville CEO: Yves Chapot Industry: Automotive Year founded: 1950 6. MUSC Health Total workers: 25,000 Headquarters: Charleston CEO: David J. Cole Industry: Healthcare and social Year founded: 1824 7. Fort Mill School District Total workers: 2,500 Headquarters: Fort Mill Superintendent: James Epps Jr. Industry: Education Year founded: 1930 8. Duke Energy Total workers: 28,000 Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina CEO: Lynn J. Good Industry: Utilities Year founded: 1904 9. Honeywell International Total workers: 34,000 Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina CEO: Vimal Kapur Industry: Engineering, manufacturing Year founded: 1927 10. BMW Group Total workers: 149,475 Headquarters: Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey CEO: Oliver Zipse Industry: Automotive and suppliers Year founded: 1916 Men in Sardinia make it past 100 years old with stunning regularity. The traditional work of shepherding goats and sheep on the mountainside may be key to their longevity. Sardinian men also prioritize happy hour and naps, and avoid chronic stress. Biohacker bros and millionaires hoping to extend their lifespan and enjoy more time on Earth are consistently toying with novel ways to maximize productivity and, essentially, cheat death. The tech exec and venture capitalist Bryan Johnson has a strict daily eating routine that ends at 11 a.m., and he even once tried injecting some of his son's blood to infuse himself with youth (that didn't work). Other longevity-seekers are popping pills such as metformin and rapamycin or putting their faith in supplements such as NMN . But in areas of the world where men already live beyond 100 with stunning regularity, a big key to living longer, healthier lives seems to be organically managing stress and taking time to live in the moment. Instead of maximizing productivity, men who actually crack 100 prioritize happy hour with their friends. Italian mountain men have unusually high odds of living to 100 A shepherd tending to his herd in Ogliastra, Sardinia. Massimiliano Maddanu, Getty Images. In Sardinia, men accidentally figured out something unique about longevity long ago. The island is home to the highest concentration of male centenarians on the planet. (In the US, 100-year-old women outnumber men by a factor of almost six to one, but in Sardinia, the ratio is more like one to one.) ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Men's work is one of several interwoven factors that make Sardinia one of the world's five Blue Zones, a longevity hot spot . Sardinians live in steep, stairwell-dotted towns where everyday life is like a gentle but consistent StairMaster workout. Traditionally, Sardinian men were shepherds, tending to their flocks on the mountainside, work which required a significant number of steps. "They spend time with their animals, they're up in the hills walking, they take naps and by happy hour, they're usually back in their villages sharing a glass of wine with their friends," Dan Buettner , an author and longevity expert, said in the forthcoming Netflix docuseries "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones," premiering on August 30. Perhaps the original quiet quitters , these men consistently end their workday on time and head off to check in with their people afterward, laughing and teasing each other over a glass or two of their regional, antioxidant-rich vino called Cannonau. "It's not that these shepherds here don't have any stress. It's just that they seem to have not a lot of chronic stress," Buettner, who also has a forthcoming how-to book about Blue Zones' secrets for living longer, said. "Men in Sardinia work, but they don't appear to be especially stressed out at work." Managing stress and connecting with people is a tried and true longevity recipe Chronic stress is a driver of many of the diseases that are associated with aging and can lead to premature death. The glucose spikes and inflammation associated with our body's stress response can, over time, lead to more diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. But, if we can overcome our daily stressors and find ways to navigate issues like lost sheep or sick members of our herd, we keep stress in check. "This sense of active coping, where you can resolve the problems that you are given, is a very important part of mental health, cognitive longevity, and stress resilience," Dr. Mithu Storoni, a neuro-ophthalmologist featured in the docuseries, said. Along Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, another longevity hot spot highlighted in the docuseries, men abide by similar ideas about balancing work and stress. "I work from 6 to 10," 86-year-old Juan Carrillo told Buettner. Carrillo's often toiling with a hand ax or machete, chopping logs for firewood, working up a sweat. The work is intense but relatively brief. "Now, with my old age, I think that you have to rest," he said. 86-year-old Juan Carillo taking a break after work. Netflix In the afternoon, Carrillo makes time for leisure and connection. "I like to go out and treat myself," he said. Some days that means going out to the bar and dancing, shaking his hips and enjoying a cold beer with friends. "In Nicoya, just like all the other Blue Zones, people would never do a couple hours of work when they could be enjoying their family, or taking a siesta, or interacting with their friends," Buettner said. "They slow down to make time for things that really matter to them." Read the original article on Insider A 15-year-old boy needs surgery after Delaware state troopers are accused of nearly beating him to death following a ding-dong-ditch prank, according to his family. Now an investigation is underway as one trooper is suspended. It happened while the teen and his three friends were playing ding-dong-ditch a prank where you ring a doorbell and run away before someone answers the door the evening of Aug. 21, the boys aunt wrote in a Facebook post. The friends unfortunately knocked on the door of a Delaware state troopers home and ran away, the aunt wrote,, adding that the trooper wasnt home at the time. The troopers family informed him of the prank that was captured on the homes Ring doorbell camera footage, according to Tara Murphys post written on behalf of her sister, the teens mother. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As the 15-year-old and his friends headed home that night in the area of Elsmere and Wilmington, two state troopers stopped them, the post said. The two state troopers arrested my (nephews) friends, then beat the living hell out of (my) nephew, Murphy wrote. She shared several photos of her nephews injuries, including images showing his face bloodied and swollen. McClatchy News contacted Murphy for additional comment on Aug. 25. Delaware State Police said its aware of a social media post alleging a teenager was assaulted and injured while being detained by a trooper during an investigation in an Aug. 23 statement shared to Twitter. One trooper accused of assault has been suspended as an investigation involving the Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility is underway, according to state police, which didnt identify the trooper. Body camera footage prompts investigation State police launched their investigation after reviewing body camera footage on Aug. 22, according to their statement. We are also investigating whether or not there was any failure to intervene by other DSP personnel who were present at the time of the incident, police said. We assure you that a comprehensive investigation is underway and we are examining all available evidence. McClatchy News contacted a state police spokesperson for additional information on Aug. 25 and was awaiting a response. Troopers called ambulance after teens beating, aunt says In Murphys Facebook post, she wrote her nephew has a concussion, needs eye surgery and is covered in bruises, scrapes and scratches. After her nephew was beaten, the troopers called an ambulance for him, she said. Internal Affairs and Detectives are currently involved, but refuse to share any information with my sister regarding the two state troopers who (ASSAULTED) AND ALMOST KILLED my fifteen year old nephew, she wrote. Murphy emphasized the teen and his friends were unarmed and that they have consistent stories about what occurred that evening. Never once in the police academy are police officers trained to assault unarmed minors with their bare hands to the point of almost death, while their belt buckles are strapped with a gun, pepper spray, etc., Murphy wrote. State police wrote in their Aug. 23 statement more details will be provided when available. Cops rip out mans dreadlocks and slam him to ground during NC traffic stop, suit says Dad died emaciated in California jail cell littered with feces and trash, lawsuit says Cops yanked man from car, beat him during traffic stop then tried to hide it, feds say Photo: ThinkStock A former North Vancouver man has been fined over $5,000 for reporting false information about a acarjackinga near Lions Bay in July 2020. A former North Vancouver man who crashed his Tesla on the Sea-to-Sky Highway and then lied to police, telling them he had been carjacked has been handed a $5,750 fine and told to pay back almost $1,300 for towing and storage of his vehicle. Arya Forouzandeh, 35, was handed the sentence after pleading guilty in North Vancouver Provincial Court, Aug. 24 to one charge of providing false information under the Insurance Vehicle Act. A criminal charge of reporting an offence when it was not committed was stayed by the Crown. Crown counsel Kevin Masse said Forouzandehs Tesla Model S was reported abandoned on the highway near Lions Bay at around 3 a.m. on July 12, 2020. The vehicle had collided with a concrete barrier, scraping the passenger side of the car and causing the front passenger wheel to fall off. The cars airbag had also gone off in the crash. Police who found the vehicle and tracked the owner registration to Forouzandeh and tried to call him, said Masse, but received no answer. Man told RCMP he was carjacked Soon after, however, Forouzandeh called 911 to report that he had been carjacked and had to walk to Horseshoe Bay for help. Squamish RCMP towed the car for forensic examination, said Masse, while North Vancouver RCMP officers were sent to talk to Forouzandeh. He told police he had been driving back from Squamish around 1 a.m. when he saw a man at the side of the road, waving his hands. When he stopped, Forouzandeh said the man got into his car and told him to give him everything and move. Forouzandeh described the man as looking Mexican and being scrawny with long curly hair. He told police he gave the man his phone and Apple watch and he drove off south in the Tesla while Forouzandeh walked to Horseshoe Bay and called a cab. Squamish RCMP officers had doubts about the story, however, and called Tesla to find out if the vehicle itself could contain any clues about what happened. The officer later learned that Forouzandeh had also reported the alleged "carjacking" to ICBC, the court heard. Later, Forouzandeh and his girlfriend attended the Squamish RCMP detachment to give statements, where Forouzandeh repeated his carjacking story, this time describing the carjacker as fat and having a short beard with some white hair in it. A police sketch artist created a portrait based on Forouzandehs description, said Masse, but no suspects were ever identified. Squamish RCMP retrieve sensor data from Tesla Meanwhile, police investigators had extracted a USB drive from the vehicle, which contained information about the Teslas movements prior to the crash. Sensor data showed that the vehicle had been driven from Squamish to the site of the crash without stopping, said Masse, and that nobody else had entered the car at any point in that journey. Therefore, the carjacking described by the accused could not have occurred, he said. The data indicated the Tesla had accelerated to a high rate of speed before the crash, he said. Forensic evidence also revealed the DNA on the airbag that deployed on the drivers side was Forouzandehs, he added. Forouzandehs lies led to a waste of numerous police resources, said Masse. Man also refused breath sample in separate incident In the same court appearance, Forouzandeh also received a $3,900 fine and a one-year driving ban for refusing to give a breath sample when stopped by police on St. Andrews Avenue in North Vancouver on Feb. 27, 2022. Police had stopped Forouzandeh for driving his Tesla with no lights on at night. But when officers approached the vehicle, he smelled of alcohol and gave unintelligible answers to questions, said Masse. When officers asked for a breath sample, Forouzandeh replied, No, no. Not doing it. He then became aggressive, swearing at police and punched one officer twice in the chest, the court heard. It took multiple officers to gain control of him and put him in the back of the police car, said Masse. Forouzandehs lawyer Tony Tso said his client has struggled with impulsivity throughout his life but has sought counselling since the incidents and moved away from North Vancouver. In handing down his sentence, Judge Joseph Galati told Forouzandeh the joint submission from Crown and defence lawyers was very lenient. Youre getting a break, he said, adding, Matters could have been a whole lot worse. The problem with lying is once you start down the path of lying, you have to continue down that path, he warned. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates from a point-in-time study that 33,129 veterans lacked permanent housing at the end of 2022. The estimated number in Missouri as of December was 476. This is a reduction of 4,123 homeless veterans nationally, or 11% between 2020 and 2022, and a nearly 55% reduction since HUD started tracking the homeless veteran population in 2009. A recent $150,000 U.S Department of Veterans Affairs grant means a free legal clinic at the University of Missouri can expand its scope of work to aid veterans and further reduce the number of veterans without a permanent home. The Veterans Outreach Program will help attorneys connect with veterans experiencing homelessness with the goal of offering legal assistance so those veterans can access compensation from the VA for service-connected disabilities and health care, the university said in a news release. The veterans clinic also will help with applications to change a discharge status. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement When veterans are discharged from service, the classification they receive can have significant impacts on their care in the VA, said Brent Filbert, veterans clinic director, adding there are two primary things the outreach program will do to ensure a veteran can find permanent housing. "A veteran who was in Afghanistan or Iraq who was in combat may come back with mental health issues, traumatic brain injury or physical trauma. Or they may have a discharge that prevents them from getting disability compensation or health care, and we work to get that rectified," Filbert said in the release. The grant will allow the university to hire an outreach program manager who can connect homeless or soon-to-be homeless veterans with legal services. The program also will work with the rural veteran service program, Tigers for Troops, through the veterans clinic. I think most students really appreciate the opportunity to have that hands-on experience, said Angela Drake, who founded the veterans law clinic in 2014. The students come in and they get two or three clients and they're told what they need to do for their clients. Then we meet with them weekly to make sure they don't run down rabbit trails, but they do the actual research. The clinic simulates the practical experience of being in a real law firm. More: #PancakesForRoger marks fifth year supporting MU Law School veterans clinic Law school students who participate in the legal clinic are supervised by attorneys who specialize in veterans law. Half of the clinic's clients are Vietnam War vets, Drake said. It can take several years for discharge upgrades to be granted and claims appeals to be accurately decided by the VA, processes that often require legal representation for the veteran to succeed, the university said. The legal clinic helps veterans navigate the "the hamster wheel of appeals, which, when done successfully, can change the direction of a veterans life, Drake said. People can contact the veterans clinic by calling 573-882-7630 or emailing mulawvetclinic@missouri.edu. More: How a Mizzou law school student, a veteran and doctor, connects law school and medical school Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: MU's veterans law clinic gets $150,000 grant to aid homeless vets Five defendants accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia have surrendered hours before the deadline Friday. According to Fulton County Jail records, Robert Cheeley, Jeffrey Clark , Misty Hampton (also known as Emily Misty Hayes), Michael Roman and Shawn Still surrendered early Friday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The five were named in an indictment accusing former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Earlier in the week, defendants John Eastman, Mark Meadows, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, Ray Smith, David Shafer, Harrison Floyd, Rudy Giuliani , Sidney Powell , Scott Hall and Cathy Latham all surrendered at the Fulton County Jail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump turned himself in at the jail Thursday night. He was booked and quickly released. Robert David Cheeley works as a lawyer in Alpharetta. He is accused of presenting video clips to state legislators showing election workers handling ballots at State Farm Arena and claiming that the poll workers were double- and triple-counting votes. RELATED STORIES: Jeffrey Bossert Clark is a lawyer whom Trump nominated as Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Clark is accused of drafting a letter on government letterhead in December 2020 stating that the U.S. Department of Justice has significant concerns about fraud that may have affected the election outcome in Georgia and other states, even though no such concerns existed. Misty Hampton is a former election supervisor for Coffee County. Hampton was present when Trump supporters accessed voting data. A video she recorded just after the election raised questions about the security of voting machines and captured the attention of Trumps team. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Shawn Micah Tresher Still is a Republican senator who served as one of the 16 alternate Republican Electoral College electors who signed documents falsely claiming Trump won. He also sued to decertify Georgias presidential election results based on allegations of problems with voting equipment in Coffee County. The suit was voluntarily dismissed three weeks after it was filed. Michael Roman, according to the indictment, helped organize slates of phony Trump electors purporting to represent the electoral votes from battleground states, including Georgia. According to jail records, the only defendants who have not surrendered at the jail are Stephen Lee and Trevian Kutti. The deadline to turn themselves in is Friday at noon. IN RELATED NEWS: 18 defendants in Trump Georgia case have posted bail: Heres what they paid Every one of the 19 defendants in the sweeping Georgia election interference case centered on former President Trump have surrendered at the Fulton County Jail, where they were booked and released on bonds agreed to with District Attorney Fani Willis (D). All but one of the defendants paid between $10,000 and $200,000 to be released from custody ahead of a future trial over charges that they joined a criminal enterprise to overturn Georgias 2020 election and keep Trump in office. The other defendant Harrison Floyd, a leader of Black Voices for Trump did not reach a bond agreement with Fulton County prosecutors and is detained at the local jail. Here are the bond amounts for each defendant and how they bailed out of jail. $200,000 Donald Trump Trumps attorneys negotiated a $200,000 bond for the former president earlier this week ahead of his surrender. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It marked the first time that Trump, who faces 13 counts, had to post bail upon being booked in his criminal cases. Trump used a third party to post his bond, jail records show. CNN reported that Trump paid 10 percent of the amount to a local bail bonds company in fees so that it would cover his bond. This practice is known as a surety bond. That would mean Trump paid $20,000 to the company, which guarantees it will cover the $200,000 bond if the former president doesnt show up for court. $150,000 Rudy Giuliani Longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani, who faces 13 charges in the case, agreed to a $150,000 bond. Giulianis role in the alleged criminal enterprise centers on his efforts to spread false claims of election fraud, particularly to members of the Georgia Legislature, whom he allegedly tried to convince to join in a fake electors scheme to benefit Trump. The former New York City mayor also paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. He was spotted walking into a bail bondsman office in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, after surrendering at the local jail. Its unknown how much Giuliani paid for his surety bond to a bail bonds company, but the maximum a company can charge under Georgia law is 15 percent of the bond amount. $100,000 Mark Meadows Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows agreed to a $100,000 bond and surrendered at Fulton County Jail on Thursday afternoon. He faces two charges in the sweeping case: a racketeering charge and a charge of solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer. The solicitation charge is tied to his attendance at a call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R), where Trump urged Raffensperger to help him find enough votes in his favor. Like Trump and Giuliani, Meadows paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. John Eastman John Eastman, an attorney who forwarded memos that spurred Trumps pressure campaign on then-Vice President Mike Pence, agreed to a $100,000 bond. He faces nine counts. According to jail records, Eastman paid his bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, which enables defendants to only pay 10 percent of their bail amount upon being booked. Jeffrey Clark Former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark agreed to a $100,000 bond Thursday afternoon. Like the others, Clark is charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, but he also faces a charge for criminal attempt to commit false statements and writings. Trump had planned to appoint Clark as U.S. attorney general so he could launch an investigation into his baseless claims of election fraud. Clark posted bail by using a surety bond, according to jail records. Jenna Ellis Former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis also agreed to a $100,000 bond. She turned herself in at the Fulton County Jail on Wednesday. In addition to the racketeering charge all defendants face, Ellis is charged with soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer a charge tied to her presence at a Georgia Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing where false claims of election fraud were pushed. She has denied any wrongdoing. She posted bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. Kenneth Chesebro Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro agreed to a bond of $100,000. Chesebro faces seven charges in the Georgia case, mostly stemming from his role as a key coordinator of the fake electors plan. He drafted several memos devising a strategy for the plot, including ideas for how the fake electors could mimic the real ones. He surrendered Wednesday and paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. Sidney Powell Sidney Powell, a lawyer for former President Trumps 2020 campaign, agreed to a $100,000 bond. A key surrogate of Trumps false election fraud claims, Powell faces seven charges in the Georgia case most linked to her alleged role in an election equipment breach in Coffee County. She paid her bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. $75,000 Stephen Lee Illinois pastor Stephen Lee charged in the case for allegedly attempting to influence Georgia election worker Ruby Freemans testimony agreed to a bond of $75,000. Hes charged with five counts and was the final defendant to surrender. He paid his bond using the 10 percent program, according to jail records. Trevian Kutti Trevian Kutti a former publicist for rapper Ye, previously known as Kanye West agreed to a $75,000 bond Thursday afternoon. She faces three counts in connection with pressuring Freeman to make false statements about her role in helping administer the election. Kutti paid her bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. David Shafer David Shafer, the former Georgia Republican Party chairman who signed documents purporting to be a presidential elector, agreed to a $75,000 bond. He is charged with eight counts, including impersonating a public officer, forgery, false statements and attempting to file false documents. Shafer paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. Cathy Latham Retired teacher Cathy Latham, who served as the chairwoman of the Coffee County Republican Party, agreed to a $75,000 bond. Lathams role in the alleged enterprise stems from the Coffee County election equipment breach. She also signed documents purporting to be a presidential elector. Latham faces 11 charges and posted bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. $50,000 Ray Smith Ray Smith, a Georgia-based attorney who worked for Trump in the wake of the election, agreed to a $50,000 bond after being charged with 12 counts. Smiths charges largely focus on his statements at Georgia state Legislature hearings in December 2020 and his assistance with the fake electors plot. He posted bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. Robert Cheeley Robert Cheeley, another Georgia-based attorney, also agreed to a $50,000 bond after being indicted. Cheeley faces 10 counts, most of which relate to the fake electors plot. He also faces a count of false statements and soliciting a public officer to violate their oath over his participation in a Dec. 30, 2020, Georgia legislature committee hearing. Cheeley posted bond by using the 10 percent program, according to jail records. Michael Roman Michael Roman, a former Trump White House staffer who reportedly worked as director of election day operations on Trumps 2020 campaign, agreed to a $50,000 bond. Roman faces seven counts in connection with the fake electors plot, including charges of conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer and conspiracy to commit forgery. Roman posted bail via a surety bond, according to jail records. $10,000 Shawn Still Georgia state Sen. Shawn Still (R) is the lone sitting officeholder charged in the indictment. He assumed office earlier this year. Still agreed to a $10,000 bond in connection with the seven counts he faces. It is a signature bond, however, according to jail records, meaning Still does not have to cough up any funds as long as he shows up to his future court appearances. Signature bonds are often granted to defendants in Fulton County when their charges are minor or if it is their first time committing a crime, according to the W. Scott Smith law firm in Atlanta. Scott Hall Scott Hall, a bail bondsman himself, was the first of the 19 defendants to surrender, doing so Tuesday morning. He agreed to a $10,000 bond after being charged in connection with his alleged involvement in the Coffee County breach. He faces seven counts and posted his bond using the 10 percent program, jail records show. Misty Hampton Misty Hampton is the second defendant who was given a signature bond, meaning she didnt have to provide her $10,000 bail amount. Hampton was Coffee Countys election supervisor and allegedly helped facilitate the election equipment breach there. She faces seven charges linked to the breach. No bond Harrison Floyd Harrison Floyd, a leader of Black Voices for Trump, was the lone defendant to surrender without negotiating bail in advance. Floyd faces three counts over accusations of trying to convince Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman to make false statements about election operations on Election Day 2020, under the guise of offering her help. He surrendered at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday afternoon and has not yet been released, according to jail records. Floyd was also arrested earlier this year after he allegedly assaulted an FBI agent. The district attorneys office and Floyds attorney did not return requests for comment about his detention. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. From Arthur Fletcher and Cesar Chavez to the beloved Pasco health care worker Martha Galvez, more than 300 names were suggested for two new Pasco schools already under construction. In all, some 600 Pasco community members sent in their favorite choices. Two naming committees will now meet over the next month to recommend up to five suggestions that will be forwarded to the Pasco School Board. The board will review the finalists at its Oct. 10 meeting and then pick the names for the two schools at an Oct. 24 meeting. The district hopes to have the details wrapped up by Nov. 1 to incorporate the names into the design of the schools. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mascots and school colors will be picked later. The district also has started the process of redrawing its boundaries to incorporate the new schools. Voters earlier this year approved a 21-year, $195.5 million bond measure to build a third comprehensive high school at 6091 Burns Road and a 600-student technical high school in east Pasco. District policy says the names must be meaningful to residents. Chiawana High School, for example, which opened in 2009, was named for the Native American word for big river or father of water, referring to the Columbia River. Names of living people will be avoided and cannot conflict with the names of other schools in the district or surrounding districts, says the policy. Several surveyed community members suggested names based around the regions unique geographical features. Those included: Desert Sky or Desert Vista High School Sage or Sageview High School West Pasco High School Palouse High School Great Forks High School Snake River High School Juniper Dunes High School Basin or Columbia Basin High School Dust Devils High School A full list of the names can be read on the districts website at psd1.org. Patricia Sullivan Roach One name stood out as a favorite among hundreds of suggestions. About 20 proposed naming the new high school after Patricia Sullivan Roach, a 12-year Mark Twain Elementary librarian who died in 2012. She is well-known for her tireless work in the Tri-City community, as well as her involvement with Lourdes Medical Center, the Pasco Library board, the Franklin County Historical Society and Museum, and St. Patricks Parish. She was one of the first babies to born at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in 1921 and graduated from Pasco High School in 1939. Roach also served as the first Miss Pasco in 1941, according to survey responses. She was inducted into Pasco High Schools Hall of Fame in 2004. Construction crews were busy doing site work Thursday, Aug. 17, as the Pasco School District met nearby to break ground on the future site of its third comprehensive high school, which will open in fall 2025. Arthur Fletcher Arthur Fletcher known as the Father of Affirmative Action was the first Black person elected to the Pasco City Council and stood as a national figure in the march for civil rights. He was an adviser to several Republican presidents and was the first Black candidate to run for statewide office. Fletcher served in the U.S. Army starting in 1943 until he was injured while fighting in Europe in World War II. He went on to get involved in government contracting and organizing the Black vote. In 1964, he moved out to Eastern Washington to work at the Hanford nuclear site. After serving the city of Pasco and a failed run for Washington lieutenant governor, Fletcher went on to serve as Nixons assistant secretary of labor and later as executive director of the United Negro College Fund. Martha A. Galvez Martha Galvez was a beloved Pasco health care worker who served thousands during her 27-year career as a nurse. She grew up the fourth in a household of nine siblings. At age 10, her parents uprooted their lives in Guadalajara, Mexico, to move to Pasco and give their kids a better life. She graduated from Pasco High School in 1989 and from Columbia Basin Colleges nursing school in 1994, according to the Washington State Nurses Association. During her tenure as a birth center nurse at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Galvez brought more than 3,000 lives into the world. She said her job was more of a calling than a career. Sacajawea The famous Shoshone translator with the Lewis and Clarks Corps of Discovery. The expedition camped two nights in October 1805 with other Native Americans at the site of modern-day Pasco at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers. Sacajawea Historical State Park now commemorates the historic site. The Pasco School District broke ground Thursday at the future site of the districts third high school, which will open Fall 2025. The 300,000-square-foot facility at Road 60 and Burns Road will serve 2,000 students living in Northwest Pasco neighborhoods. Voters approved a 21-year, $195.5 million bond measure earlier this year for the school and several other projects. James Pruitt James Pruitt was a longtime Tri-City resident, youth counselor and civil rights leader who was the first Black employee to work for the city of Pasco. He worked in the police and community relations department. He arrived in the Tri-Cities from Mississippi in 1948, moving here to work at the Hanford nuclear site. He described his new home as very, very prejudiced and very racist. He became a leading Black voice for the east Pasco community during its days of heavy racial segregation. Gladys Sutton Coleman The first Black female student to attend and graduate Pasco High School in the 1920s, Gladys Sutton Coleman was a beloved trailblazer in the Pasco community. She served as a missionary and as well as an accomplished pianist. She also worked for the president of Whitman College in Walla Walla at one point. She is widely known for her devotion to the service of others. Cesar Chavez Cesar Chavez was the well-known California civil rights leader, community organizer, environmentalist and farm labor activist. He founded the organization that would later go on to become the United Farm Workers labor union. U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy meets Cesar Chavez on March 14, 1966, in Delano and pledges his support to the United Farm Workers and its strike against grape growers. He was a 1994 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Shortly after graduating from the eighth grade, Chavez was forced to work the fields to help his family following an accident involving his father. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy. He went on to get involved in union organizing, advocating for better pay and safer working conditions, and fighting for the recognized dignity of all farm workers. He succeeded through non-violent boycotts, pickets, fasts and strikes. Jeffrey Dong A 40-year Pasco educator known for turning his students into history buffs, Jeffrey Dong touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of students. He also served as a Pasco School Board member. Dong originally grew up in Seattle, where he received his teaching degree at the University of Washington. He moved to Pasco in 1967 for his first teaching job at Pasco High School and made the area his home. He was awarded the Crystal Apple Award in 2002 for his dedication to teaching. He died in 2013. Two women held in Suffolk County jail say they had encounters with the Gilgo Beach killings suspect Rex Heuermann, describing the meetings with him as violent and aggressive, sheriffs department spokesperson Vicki DiStefano said Thursday. The alleged encounters with the two female sex workers are believed to have happened more than a decade ago, said DiStefano, noting the women expressed concern for their safety during the time they say they were with Heuermann. The information was uncovered as part of ongoing interviews by the Suffolk County Sheriffs Department human trafficking unit, which was created to help those incarcerated have access to services and support they need to recover. Since Heuermanns July 13 arrest, the unit has been interviewing sex workers, as well as showing a picture of Heuermann to women, to see if they recall any interactions with him. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement So far, five women have given information considered helpful to authorities, DiStefano said. The unit, which started in 2018, is also working with the Nassau County jail and Rikers Island in New York CIty to see if other connections with Heuermann exist. CNN has reached out to Heuermanns attorney for comment. Heuermann was arrested July 13 in New York City, where he worked as an architectural consultant, and charged with murder in the deaths of three of the Gilgo Four women whose remains were found in 2010 along a short stretch of Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach. He has pleaded not guilty in the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. The 59-year-old architect is also the prime suspect in the disappearance and killing of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, but he has not been charged in that case. Heuermann was first identified as a potential suspect in early 2022, shortly after a multi-agency task force was formed to examine cold cases involving nearly a dozen sets of human remains found along Long Islands South Shore between 2010 and 2011, including the Gilgo Four. CNNs Ray Sanchez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A fifth of the Russian soldiers who fall into Ukrainian captivity surrender voluntarily, said Kyrylo Budanov , head of Ukraines Defence Intelligence. Source: Budanov, in an interview with Krym.Realii (Crimea.Realities, a project by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Quote: "It's definitely around 20%. It's just [those Russians say]: I'm scared, I don't care." Details: Budanov added, however, that the so-called "exchange fund" [the stock of prisoners who can be swapped - ed.] in Ukraine is much smaller than in Russia. Quote: "We have much less, it's true, because the Russian Federation seized a terrifying number of hostages here in the early days of the invasion, including civilians, retired members of the security forces, people they just thought would cause problems for them, and so on. That's why our numbers, unfortunately, are lower. We need to understand that." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Details: Budanov refused to name the exact number of captured Russians because it is a state secret, but at the same time he expressed the opinion that "unfortunately, we wont be able to catch up with those [Russian - ed.] figures". Background: In February, the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that since 15 September 2022, the I Want to Live project had received more than 7,600 applications from Russians and residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to surrender. I Want to Live is a government project designed to help the military of the Russian Federation and Belarus safely surrender. The project was launched in September 2022 by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which operates with the support of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A 21-year-old student at the University of Washington was fatally stabbed more than 100 times by her stepfather as she was trying to defend her mother from his abuse, authorities said. In court documents obtained by HuffPost, police said that Angelina Tran, 21, apparently woke in the middle of the night on Aug. 7 to commotion coming from the familys kitchen in their home in Beacon Hill, Seattle. The documents allege that Tran saw her mother being beaten by her stepfather, Nghiep Kein Chau, 54, and stepped in to intervene at the cost of her own life. Angelina Trans intervention allowed her mother to escape and hide in a nearby bedroom, but the defendant did not stop his attack, prosecutors said in a criminal complaint against Chau. Chau has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder and is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 31. Angelina Tran, 21, was reportedly a student of human-centered design and engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. A professor said she was Angelina Tran, 21, was reportedly a student of human-centered design and engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. A professor said she was "passionate about designing for accessibility and inclusivity. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to a police probable cause statement, security camera footage from Aug. 7 shows Chau punching Trans mother in the face at least 15 times before Tran confronted him. She then stepped in between Chau and her mother to get him to stop, authorities said. Chau allegedly continued to strike Trans mother and then struck Tran in the face as well. Her mother was able to break free and run down the stairs while Tran was holding onto Chau, until they both fell near a folding dog kennel in the middle of the room, according to the probable cause document. Police said Chau then dragged a piece of the dog kennel, with Tran on top of it, toward a kitchen cabinet and opened a drawer containing multiple knives. Chau began stabbing Tran as she fought back, according to police, and continued to stab his stepdaughter even after she stopped displaying any signs of life. Chau allegedly took breaks as he was stabbing Tran, and told police that he changed his clothes at one point because he was cold from being covered in blood. In the court documents, police described video footage that showed Chau pausing his attack on Tran to search the home for Trans mother, whom he allegedly told police he also intended to kill. Trans mother was hiding nearby and had called 911. Police said they arrived to the grim sight of Trans mother visibly upset with fresh bleeding injuries to her face, accompanied by Trans grandmother. According to court documents, police found Chau injured, with blood all over him and holding a bloody knife. Upstairs, police said they found Trans obviously deceased body in the kitchen. According to court documents, Chau and Trans mother had been together for the past 19 years and married last year. Chau allegedly told officers that he and Trans mother had been arguing over money and that it violently escalated when he hit her. Trans supporters have posted a fundraiser on GoFundMe for the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging in memory of Tran, who they said had a passion for helping elders. Her radiant smile was a source of immense joy, and though the ache of her loss is deep, we believe Angelina would want us to stand strong and keep our smiles bright, the fundraiser read. Victor Balta, a spokesperson for the University of Washington, told HuffPost in an email that the school was shocked and saddened by the death of one of its students. Our hearts go out to Angelinas family and loved ones, Balta said. Counselors and other resources are available for students, faculty and staff, and we encourage those in need to use them for support during this very difficult time. Julie Kientz, professor and chair of human centered design and engineering at UW, described Tran as an incredible student who was passionate about designing for accessibility and inclusivity. She was involved in several directed research groups, including one on designing a toolkit for peer support for community safety and another on analyzing wilderness medicine data from a Southeast Alaskan field site, Kientz said. Kientz added that Tran was active in several organizations on and off campus. Angelinas instructors shared with me that she was a superb student and very enthusiastic about design research. I know she will be greatly missed, Kientz said. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 women have reported being the victim of physical violence from their intimate partner in their lifetime. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Related... Police suspect foul play in the death of a 22-year-old woman who was found dead in the wood line near a vehicle engulfed in flames. Cobb County police are investigating the death of Beauty Couch of Austell, Georgia, the department said in a news release on Aug. 24. Couch was a roller-skating Instagram influencer, with 147,000 followers on the social media app. The Austell Fire Department received a call about a brush fire shortly after noon on Aug. 23, according to the release. When the responders arrived, they found a vehicle on fire. Austell police went to the home of Couchs family, who told investigators that she most often drove the vehicle and hadnt been seen since the previous morning. Police returned to the area where the vehicle was found and located Couchs body in the wood line, the release said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Austell police requested the assistance of Cobb County police, who are investigating the case as a homicide, according to the release. Friends, family and followers of Couch expressed dismay over her death. If yall know my baby cousin and have any answers to what happened please contact us, one person wrote on Facebook. We want answers!!!!! Messages of rest in peace and skate in peace filled the comments under Couchs posts on Instagram, where she is known as @beautykatera. In an interview with Bold Journey published Aug. 11, Couch spoke out about overcoming anxiety and negativity to pursue what she loved. My generosity comes from my past, she told Bold Journey. Often in elementary I was bullied for my size. At home I was taught that everyone is their own person and are beautiful in their own way. Being kind was always the environment I grew up in. She said she got into skating in 2020 after doing it when she was young. I fell in love with the music and never stopped since then, she said. Skating gives me a peace I never thought I could experience. Austell is a city in the Atlanta metro area. Two pose as firefighters to break into home evacuated in wildfire, Washington cops say Childs body found in search for missing 2-year-old, Georgia police say. What we know Mom missing for two years identified after remains found in rural Georgia, deputies say 22-year-old swimmer dies trying to reach shore on Lake Lanier, Georgia deputies say Three Crimean Tatars, Ruslan Asanov, Ametkhan Umerov and Remzi Nimetulayev, were remanded in custody in a pre-trial detention centre for two months by the Russian-controlled Kyiv court in Bakhchysarai, Crimea, on the evening of 24 August. Their homes had been searched by the Russian secret services. Source: a message from the lawyers of the detained Crimean Solidarity activists Details: According to their lawyers, Nimetulayev and Asanov were charged with "organising the activities of a terrorist organisation" and Ametkhan Umerov with "participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation". The activists pleaded not guilty. On 25 August, the Russian court in Crimea was also due to determine the pre-trial restriction for three more activists who had been detained the day before: Seydamet Mustafayev, Eldar Yakubov and Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Quote from lawyer Edem Semedlyaev: "It is clear from the [case] materials that the FSB officers provided to the court that [the security forces] have been bugging the Crimean Tatars households for several years and recorded some alleged meetings there. The testimony of two concealed witnesses who allege that they attended some conspiratorial meetings was used [to initiate the case]." Background: At four in the morning on 24 August, Russian security services broke into the homes of six Crimean Tatars to carry out searches. All six are social activists and parents of several children. The activists have been repeatedly detained at rallies in support of other Crimean Tatars who have been convicted in politically motivated cases. Refat Chubarov, the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, said these actions by the invaders were revenge on the Crimean Tatars for the third summit of the Crimean Platform, which was held in Kyiv on 23 August, as well as fear of the imminent liberation of Crimea. On 22 August, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said Russia has provided no information about the state of health of Bohdan Ziza, a Crimean political prisoner and artist who has been on hunger strike for 17 days. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Educational Service District 123s board of directors announced Thursday a list of finalists they will interview next week to fill Semi Birds seat on the Richland School Board. Bird and two other school board members Audra Byrd and Kari Williams were recalled and removed from office earlier this month over a surprise vote they made last year to make COVID face masks optional. The decision to recall three of the boards five members left the governing body without the majority quorum it needs to hold meetings. Because of that, ESD 123 is tasked by law to appoint one person so that it can function again. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This situation where the board does not have a quorum because of a certain situation is extremely rare, said ESD 123 Superintendent Steve McCullough. In order for the Richland School Board to approve payroll, to approve a budget or budget extension to make any action that is legal, they have to have a quorum. ESD 123 Superintendent Steve McCullough Once ESD 123 appoints a new board member, the Richland School Board will begin soliciting applications to fill the seats vacated by Byrd and Williams. Eleven Richland community members submitted applications for the seat. The ESD 123 board unanimously voted at its regular meeting Thursday to narrow that number down to three. These three finalists will be interviewed by the ESD board at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29: Scott Butner Jeffrey Estes Lindsay Lightner Following a closed-door executive session to discuss their qualifications, the ESD board will then appoint one to the board. That appointee will take the oath of office at the Richland School Boards next meeting, Aug. 31. But Birds seat is subject to reelection this fall. The top two vote-getters from the Aug. 1 primary Chelsie Beck and Nino Kapitula will face off in the Nov. 7 general election to replace him and earn a four-year term. They will take the seat after the election is certified. This is the first time in perhaps several decades that a school board in Washington state has had a majority of its members recalled by a public vote. Who are they interviewing? Scott Butner is a local photographer and small business owner who spent nearly 30 years as a research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. Jeffrey Estes also worked at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. His career spanned 28 years, and he retired in 2016 as director of the STEM Education and Outreach program for PNNL. Lindsay Lightner is a career-track assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Washington State University Tri-Cities, where she coordinates multiple education programs. The Tri-City Herald has filed a public records request for the names of the eight other applicants for the position. Over the past day, 35 combat engagements took place at the front; the Ukrainian Defence Forces maintained their offensive on the Melitopol front, consolidating their positions. Source: General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 25 August Quote: "The Ukrainian Defence Forces maintain their offensive on the Melitopol front, consolidating their positions and conducting counter-battery efforts. Over the past day, the Air Force made 10 strikes on areas where [Russian] personnel were concentrated and 1 strike on a Russian anti-aircraft missile system. During the day, units of Rocket Forces and Artillery hit an anti-aircraft missile system and three Russian artillery pieces at firing positions. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Details: At the same time, during the day, the Russians launched 2 missile and 39 air strikes and carried out 72 attacks from multiple rocket launchers. The forces and means of the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed two Kalibr cruise missiles and one Shahed-136/131 attack UAV. A total of 35 combat clashes took place during the day. On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians carried out mortar and artillery attacks on more than 25 settlements. On the Kupiansk front, the Russians launched airstrikes near Kyslivka and Pishchane (Kharkiv Oblast). Four settlements of Kharkiv Oblast came under artillery and mortar fire. On the Lyman front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near Novoiehorivka in Luhansk Oblast. They carried out airstrikes near Chervonyi Stav in Kharkiv Oblast, Tverdokhlibove, Makiivka in Luhansk Oblast, and Vesele in Donetsk Oblast. More than 30 settlements came under Russian artillery fire. On the Bakhmut front, the Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near Klishchiivka in Donetsk Oblast. More than 25 settlements were damaged by Russian artillery shelling. On the Avdiivka front, the Russians carried out unsuccessful offensive actions near Pervomaiske in Donetsk Oblast. The settlements of Novokalynove, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sieverne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske (Donetsk Oblast) came under artillery fire. On the Marinka front, the Defence Forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops near Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. The Russians carried out an airstrike near Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Kurakhove, Novomykhailivka, Kostiantynivka and Hostre in Donetsk Oblast came under artillery fire. On the Shakhtarsk front, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled attacks by Russian troops near Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. The Russians carried out airstrikes near Vuhledar, Vremivka, Blahodatne, Staromaiorske and Urozhaine (Donetsk Oblast). More than 10 settlements were damaged by Russian artillery shelling. On the Zaporizhzhia front, the Russians carried out airstrikes near Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne and Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia Oblast). More than 20 settlements were damaged by Russian artillery fire. On the Kherson front, Khreshchenivka, Dmytrivka, Mykilske, Kherson and Dniprovske (Kherson Oblast) came under Russian artillery fire. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Yessa Harun Nena, 20, of Midvale, was arrested Wednesday after being charged in connection with a gang-related shootout in November that let one man dead and another injured. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A third man who police say was involved in a gang-related shootout at a Millcreek convenience store in November that left one person dead and another critically injured has been arrested by police. Yessa Harun Nena, 20, of Midvale, was charged Tuesday in 3rd District Court with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony; failing to respond to an officer's signal to stop, a class A misdemeanor; and a no-bail warrant was issued. Unified police officers tracked him down Wednesday night and arrested him. Nena's charges come nine months after Houssein Musse, 18, and Salman Farhan Ahmed, 19, of Salt Lake City, were each charged with murder and three counts of discharge of a firearm, first-degree felonies. On Nov. 11, Talib "Kunda" Ahmed, 18, was shot four times and killed in the parking lot at a 7-Eleven, 4051 S. State, about 12:30 a.m. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police say two vehicles a Lexus and a Chrysler 300 had entered the store parking lot at the same time. Musse and Salman Ahmed exited the Chrysler and began walking toward the store, according to charging documents. Talib Ahmed exited the passenger side of the Lexus and followed Salman and Musse into the 7-Eleven. A short time later, all three men walked out. Salman Ahmed walked out first, followed by Talib Ahmed and then Musse. "All three walked toward the north side of the building, when the shooting began," the charges state. Three others who were in the Lexus then exited the vehicle and ran toward the fight. "Two of those males, one of whom was later identified as Yessa Harun Nena, pursued Salman and Musse as they fled from the parking lot," the charges state. "When Nena reached the driveway into the parking lot, security video from an RV lot across the street captured what appeared to be a single muzzle flash coming from the area of Nena's extended arm." The gun Nena allegedly fired had not been recovered as of Tuesday, court documents state. The occupants of the Lexus carried Talib Ahmed back to their car and drove him to the emergency room of Intermountain Medical Center, where they dropped him off and then fled, the charges state. "Talib was pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival. The driver of the Lexus began driving away from the hospital, and was pursued by Murray police officers. The officers signaled the Lexus driver to stop, but the driver refused to pull over and fled from the officers, who terminated the pursuit soon afterward," according to the charges. Salman Ahmed was also injured in the shooting. Police say he was shot in the abdomen and taken to a local hospital in critical condition but survived. When detectives questioned Nena in January, he denied being the driver but allegedly admitted he was in the Lexus. Surveillance video, however, showed that Nena was in the driver's seat, the charges state. Prosecutors have requested that Nena be held in the Salt Lake County Jail pending trial due to his history of fleeing from police and not showing up to court. According to court documents, Nena fled from Murray police on April 16, 2022. He was charged in that case "but has failed to appear for at least four mandatory court hearings." He also ran from Salt Lake City police on Feb. 8, according to the charges, but failed to show up for a court hearing in that case. In another case, he has failed to show up to court five times and has failed to show up to court four times for a charge in Taylorsville Justice Court, the charges state. The next court hearing for Salman Ahmed and Musse is scheduled for Sept. 12. Nena is the brother of 23-year-old Joshua Harun Nena, of Midvale, who owned the Lexus. Two days after the shooting, he called police and claimed his car had been stolen prior to the shootout, according to charging documents. When detectives questioned why he waited two days to report his car as stolen, Josh Nena allegedly said he was "going through a lot" with the death of his cousin, Talib Ahmed. When police pointed out that Ahmed was in the Lexus prior to being fatally shot and that they would be reviewing more surveillance video, Nena changed his story, the charges state. Josh Nena was also charged with obstructing justice, a second-degree felony. He is scheduled to be back in court in November. Four Massachusetts towns have been ranked among the top 25 hottest zip codes for people to move to in the United States. Realtor on Thursday announced its ninth annual Hottest Zip Codes in America list and people in those zips are paying a pretty penny to live there. The suburbs of five major metropolitan areas -- Boston, New York, Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis -- are represented on Realtors list for the first time in five years. Affordability isnt the only priority for American homebuyers in 2023. Proximity to cities is now key as many companies call workers back to the office, according to Realtor. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As many companies continue to call employees back to the office, were seeing a surge in home shoppers who are seeking a desirable combination of cost and convenience within commuting distance of major metropolitan areas, said Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for Realtor.com. In addition to affordable markets, this years list also features some higher priced areas close to large urban cores, which will likely appeal to buyers who are concerned with finding the right mix of size and amenities within reach of a nearby city center. Andover checked in at No. 4 on the list with a median home listing price of $1,117,000 as of June 2023, the report showed. Data also indicated that homes in Andover are on the market for about 19 days with an average of 3.3 property views before a sale is made. Of the top 50 hot zips, only Livermore, California, had a higher median home listing price of $1,410,000. Attleboro ranked 20th on Realtors list, Westfield was 21st, and Shrewsbury was 22nd. Four communities in Connecticut and one in Maine also cracked Realtors top 50. The top 10 hottest zips ranked as follows: 43230 , Gahanna, Ohio 06489 , Southington, Conn. 07450 , Ridgewood, N.J. 01810 , Andover, Mass. 18064 , Nazareth, Pa. 46322 , Highland, Ind. 48183 , Trenton, Mich. 06851 , Norwalk, Conn. 14534 , Pittsford, N.Y. 63021 , Ballwin, Mo. Check out Realtors full list here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Five more of former President Trumps co-defendants surrendered at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta early Friday morning, according to jail records. All but two of the 19 co-defendants in the case have now surrendered in advance of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) deadline of noon Friday. In the hours following Trumps surrender, co-defendants Robert Cheeley, Jeffrey Clark, Misty Hampton, Michael Roman and Shawn Still surrendered, booking reports show. They all previously negotiated their bail and were released after being booked. Two of the newly surrendered defendants are actively attempting to move their charges to federal court. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Clark, a former Justice Department official whom Trump wanted to appoint as attorney general to investigate his baseless claims of election fraud, had attempted to block his arrest as he attempts the move, but a judge rejected the effort earlier this week. Still, who signed documents purporting to be one of Georgias valid presidential electors and is now a state senator, filed to move his charges shortly after Trumps surrender Thursday night. Two of the other co-defendants who surrendered early Friday are also alleged to have involvement in the fake electors plot. Cheeley, a Georgia-based attorney, faces 10 counts in the indictment over the accusations. Roman worked on Trumps 2020 campaign and is charged with seven counts. Hampton, meanwhile, is accused of helping facilitate an election equipment breach at an elections office in Coffee County. The developments leave two defendants who have yet to surrender, with just hours until Williss deadline. They have both already negotiated their bond packages. The duo comprises Trevian Kutti, a former publicist for rapper Ye, and Stephen Lee, an Illinois-based minister. They are accused of influencing an election worker. Harrison Floyd, a leader of Black Voices for Trump who is also accused of influencing the election worker, is the only defendant to surrender without previously negotiating bail. He surrendered Thursday afternoon and was detained in the jail overnight, booking records show. He has not been released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. All five members of the Dunham family - Jason, Melissa, Renee, Amber and Evan - were found dead Thursday night inside their Lake Township home on Carnation Avenue NW. Police said it's an apparent homicide-suicide. LAKE TWP. A coworker was concerned when she hadn't heard from Melissa Dunham in two days. She asked authorities to check on her. When Uniontown police officers arrived at the Dunham home Thursday night, they found packages at the front door, accumulated mail in the box and all of the family's vehicles at the residence. Police entered the Carnation Avenue NW residence with a neighbor's help and made a gruesome discovery inside. They found Melissa and Jason Dunham and their three children dead in their bedrooms from an apparent homicide-suicide, the Uniontown Police Department said. All died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Harry Campbell, chief investigator of the Stark County Coroner's Office. He said they were pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He identified them as Jason, 46, Melissa 42, and their children Renee, 15, Amber, 12, and Evan, 9. Officers believe the incident was a domestic dispute that became deadly. It is being investigated as a quadruple homicide-suicide. No other people were believed to be involved. Uniontown Police Chief Michael Batchik said Jason Dunham's handgun was used in the shooting, but it was not known as of Friday afternoon who fired the shots. He said both adults had permits to carry concealed weapons. "For me, this is the worst one I've ever been involved with in 23 years in law enforcement, and I've spent all 23 years out here in Uniontown," Batchik said. Uniontown police had no reports or records of previously responding to the Dunhams' address, according to a dispatcher. The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called Thursday night to help collect and document evidence. BCI spokesman Steve Irwin said updates will be provided through the Uniontown Police Department, which covers a portion of Lake Township. Who was Melissa Dunham? According to LinkedIn, Melissa Dunham was a partner at Bober Markey Fedorovich & Co., an accounting firm based in Fairlawn. The firm announced in June that she had been appointed as a new partner. She specialized in corporate tax returns, according to the firm's site. Melissa Dunham had received many accolades, including a Woman of Professional Excellence award presented by the Womens Network and the 30 For the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber in 2019. In a YouTube video from the chamber, she talked about her love for the Greater Akron community. Its a wonderful community to raise our children," she said. "I love being a part of community support services and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. And the school districts are amazing. They challenge my children. And its a great place to live, thrive and theres many opportunities in this small community. She was involved with the Girl Scouts and said her daughters were learning to be risk-takers and leaders while in the organization. "I really enjoy working with young women and little girls to be the best that they can be, she said. In the video, Melissa Dunham also mentioned that her family loved to go camping and that something people might not know about her is that she was certified to teach archery. "We are devastated by the shocking and tragic news of the deaths of Melissa Dunham and her family," Bober Markey Fedorovich Chief Operating Officer Sara M. Martin said in a prepared statement. "Melissa was an esteemed member of the BMF leadership team and a close friend to many of our associates. Melissa's contributions during her 18 years with our firm have been immeasurable. "Our thoughts are with Melissa's family and friends as we grapple with this heart-wrenching loss. During this difficult time, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing counseling and any necessary assistance. Melissa's legacy will forever be etched into the fabric of our BMF community." Elizabeth Bartz, CEO of Akron-based State and Federal Communications, had known Melissa Dunham for at least 10 to 15 years as Bober Markey Fedorovich handled its accounting. Melissa Dunham was her main contact. Bartz said she was devastated by the news. Shes a great Girl Scouts mom. She would always have her daughters send me their cookie order forms. They would deliver them in person and write me thank you notes, Bartz said. Jason Dunham's LinkedIn profile says he worked in sales and business development at POS Highway in Hartville. The company provides point-of-sale systems for businesses. Melissa Dunham, seen with her husband Jason, submitted this photo to the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce for her 2019 recognition as one of its "30 For the Future" honorees in 2019. Neighbors recall Jason and Melissa Dunham family Next-door neighbors have fond memories of the couple and their children. Edmond Gazdacko said the couple moved in 18 years ago before they had children. He and his wife Denise got along with their neighbors and never had any issues with them. Weve watched all three of the kids grow up. Weve always enjoyed them," he said. "Weve just never had any issues. Weve been blessed to have great neighbors all the way around. Its a really tough situation for us. He recalled seeing Jason Dunham smoking meat or grilling on the back deck of the familys split level home. Edmond Gazdacko was the first person inside the house after police arrived Thursday. He said he asked to enter first because the Dunhams' dogs, Tank and Bader, would obey him. He said the children were in the Scouts. He said they played with his own grandchildren when they visited. Children from both families gathered for a baseball game in the Gazdackos' yard when their grandchildren visited from Oklahoma earlier this summer. Melissa was a wonderful mother," Denise Gazdacko said. "She was involved in Girl Scouts a lot. And they did everything involving the kids. The part behind doors, we dont know. She said Jason Dunham helped the Gazdackos put up their basketball hoop. She also said he was a nice man but controlling. Each girl had their own thing. Amber loved the garden," Denise Gazdacko said. "The gardens beautiful. Their dad made sure that they had it perfect. Amber would do the baking and gardening. She would bring us cupcakes. She always was bringing us cookies or cupcakes that she made. And she would do something cute with them like they had little surfboards and palm trees on them. And then Renee was more of the tomboy. Her dad made her do all the hard yardwork and stuff, Denise Gazdacko said. Their younger brother was eager to play with her grandchildren, she said. Another neighbor, Rebecca Gyoker, said she had not met Jason Dunham, but had met Melissa Dunham a couple of times. She seemed like a really, really, really sweet person, she said. My favorite part of the kids was they were kids. They were always outside playing with the scooters and basketball, and just what kids should do. You dont see that stuff nowadays. They were always outside and playing and just living life. She said she waved at the children every morning while they waited for the bus as she was leaving for work. Gyoker has offered to keep the family dogs, whom she believes are missing their human companions. When you saw the dogs, you saw the kids. When you saw the kids, you saw the dogs, she said. Denise Gazdacko said the Dunham family had started spending more time inside recently. That kind of concerned us somewhat," she said. Passerby Jim Schrock of Hartville expressed sorrow about the Dunhams' deaths. Its just always sad when domestic disputes go to that extreme, sad that they can't work things out," he said. "It always takes an effort to work out problems. Lake Local mourns loss of three children The three children were students at the Lake Local School District. Expert advice: Need help talking to your kids about Uniontown murder-suicide? Local experts offer tips Lake Local Superintendent Kevin Tobin said the students were in ninth, seventh and third grade. The district mobilized its crisis response team. Counselors, mental health professionals and other resources met with students and staff, he said. "We are working through this as calm and compassionate as we can," Tobin said. Renee Dunham, Tobin said, was heavily involved in the band. The band was slated to attend an away football game Friday night at Boardman. "This is going to impact them. They are a family and it is almost two years to the day when we lost another band student after surgery," Tobin said. "It's a very, very tragic incident and we will just rally as a school community and as Lake Local community." Carnation Avenue in Lake Township, Ohio He added the pastoral society and other agencies will help the staff and students, as well as the community. A vigil for the family will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in Hartville Memorial Park behind Lake Elementary School at 225 Lincoln St. SW in Hartville. It is being organized by the Lake Girl Scout Service Unit and Cub Scout Pack 45. Includes reporting from the Akron Beacon Journal. Where to get help If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The following resources also are available any time of day: Stark County Crisis Hotline: 330-452-6000 Crisis Text Line, text 4hope to 741-741 Trevor Project Lifeline for LGBTQ youth: 866-488-7386 Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 Military & Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press 1 Military & Veterans Crisis Text Line: 838255 CommQuest Detox at Aultman Hospital: 330-830-3393 Learn how to make your home a Safe Home by removing unnecessary risks for substance abuse and suicide at starkmhar.org/prevention-resources/safe-home. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Uniontown Ohio shooting kills 2 adults, 3 children in murder-suicide When police arrived at a home in northern Ohio to perform a welfare check on Thursday evening, they were met with a gruesome sight: five people, including three children, dead in an apparent quadruple murder-suicide. It was a domestic dispute that turned deadly, officers believe. The bodies of the Dunham family Jason, 46; Melissa, 42; and their children Renee, 15; Amber, 12; and Evan, 9 were discovered in their home in Lake Township, about 15 miles outside Akron. Police were responding to a request for a welfare check at about 7:30 p.m., Uniontown Police said in a statement. Harry Campbell, chief investigator of the Stark County Coroner's Office confirmed their identities. It wasn't clear who police suspect fired the shots. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police said no other people are believed to be involved at this time. The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, called in Thursday night to help collect and document evidence, will be involved in the investigation. Family members couldn't be reached or declined to comment to USA TODAY Friday. The deaths stunned neighbors, school officials and others who knew the Dunhams, who were involved in activities such as band, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. How did they die and who did it? All died as the result of multiple gunshot wounds, according to Campbell. He said they were pronounced dead at the home at 9:52 p.m. Uniontown Police Chief Michael Batchik said Jason Dunham's handgun was used in the shooting, but it was not known as of Friday afternoon who fired the shots. He said Jason and Melissa Dunham both had permits to carry concealed weapons. Batchik said one of Melissa Dunham's coworkers asked police to check on her because she had not heard from Melissa in two days. A police officer and a sergeant arrived at the home to find packages at the front door and accumulated mail in the box. All the family's vehicles were present. Police entered the home with a neighbor's help. They found family members in their bedrooms. The chief said the crime was the worst he has seen in his career. "For me, this is the worst one I've ever been involved with in 23 years in law enforcement, and I've spent all 23 years out here in Uniontown," Batchik said. Uniontown police had no reports or records of previously responding to the Dunhams' address, according to a dispatcher. 'Very tragic': School community impacted by 3 kids' deaths Lake Local Schools Superintendent Kevin Tobin said he was notified last night around 9 p.m. by the Uniontown police chief. He said the students who perished included a ninth grader who was in the band and a seventh grader, both girls, and a third-grade boy. Five people were found dead Thursday night at a Lake Township home on Carnation Avenue NW, the Uniontown Police Department said in a statement. The school district mobilized its crisis response team, Tobin met with administrators and counselors this morning, and administrators alerted parents and staff. "We have counselors and others meeting (with kids) as we speak," Tobin said. "We are working through this as calm and compassionate as we can." The ninth grader was heavily involved in the band, which was slated to attend an away football game Friday evening. "This is going to impact them. They are a family and it is almost two years to the day when we lost another band student after surgery," Tobin said. "It's a very, very tragic incident and we will just rally as a school community and as Lake Local community." Melissa Dunham remembered as active member of community Melissa Dunham pictured in a screengrab from a 2019 Greater Akron Chamber YouTube video. Dunham, along with her husband Jason and their three children Renee, Amber and Evan were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in their Lake Township home, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Melissa Dunham was a partner at an accounting firm in Fairlawn, Ohio, according to her LinkedIn page. She had just been appointed as a partner in June, the firm, Bober Markey Fedorovich & Co., announced. Dunham had spent nearly two decades at the company and specialized in corporate tax returns. Jason Dunham worked in sales and business development at POS Highway in Hartville, Ohio, according to his LinkedIn. "We are devastated by the shocking and tragic news of the deaths of Melissa Dunham and her family," Bober Markey Fedorovich Chief Operating Officer Sara Martin said in a statement. "Melissa was an esteemed member of the BMF leadership team and a close friend to many of our associates. Melissa's contributions during her 18 years with our firm have been immeasurable." Dunham was recognized with a Woman of Professional Excellence award presented by the Womens Network and the 30 For the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber in 2019. Dunham spoke fondly of the Greater Akron community in a video for the local Chamber. Its a wonderful community to raise our children, " she said. "I love being a part of community support services and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. And the school districts are amazing. They challenge my children. And its a great place to live, thrive and theres many opportunities in this small community. She was involved with the Girl Scouts and said her daughters were learning to be risk-takers and leaders while in the organization. "I really enjoy working with young women and little girls to be the best that they can be, she said. In the video, Dunham also mentioned that her family loved to go camping and that she was certified to teach archery. Elizabeth Bartz, CEO of Akron-based State and Federal Communications, knew Dunham for more than a decade and said she is devastated by the news. Shes a great Girl Scouts mom. She would always have her daughters send me their cookie order forms," said Bartz, whose company was a client of Dunham's firm. "They would deliver them in person and write me thank-you notes." Melissa Dunham, seen with her husband Jason, submitted this photo to the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce for her 2019 recognition as one of its "30 For the Future" honorees in 2019. Neighbors share memories of Dunham family The next-door neighbors remembered the Dunham family fondly on Friday morning. Edmond Gazdacko said the couple moved in 18 years ago before they had children. He and his wife always enjoyed having them as neighbors and never had any issues with them. He said the three children were in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and they played with his own grandchildren when they visited. Children from both families gathered for a baseball game in the Gazdackos' front yard when their grandchildren visited from Oklahoma earlier this summer. His wife Denise Gazdacko said Melissa Dunham was a wonderful mother and her husband Jason helped the Gazdackos put up their basketball hoop. She also said Jason Dunham was a nice man, but controlling. She said one of the girls often did yardwork and the other was the kind who would make elaborately decorated cupcakes. Their younger brother was eager to play with them and the neighbors' grandchildren, she said. Another neighbor, Rebecca Gyoker, said she had not met Jason but had met Melissa a couple of times. She seemed like a really, really, really sweet person, she said. My favorite part of the kids was they were kids. They were always outside playing with the scooters and basketball, and just what kids should do. You dont see that stuff nowadays. They were always outside and playing and just living life. She said she waved at the children every morning while they waited for the bus as she was leaving for work. Gyoker has offered to keep the family dogs, whom she believes are orphaned now. When you saw the dogs, you saw the kids. When you saw the kids, you saw the dogs, she said. Family annihilation: Murder-suicides a growing problem in US There's a name for cases where someone kills at least two kinds of family members, such as a spouse and children: family annihilation. They're often murder-suicides. There have been at least 227 cases of family annihilation across the country since 2020, according to an analysis of media reports and data from the Gun Violence Archive published last month by the Indianapolis Star and USA TODAY. That's an average of one family annihilation every five days. The death toll: over 700. Family annihilations happen in Texas more often than any other state. Just over a week before the Dunhams were found dead, police in Oklahoma City found another family killed in an apparent murder-suicide that included three children, ages 2, 5 and 9, and two adults. Police said 28-year-old Ruben Armendariz shot his wife he was separated from and three kids before turning the gun on himself in what they dubbed a "massacre." This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio murder-suicide: Uniontown police say 5 dead in Lake Township A slight majority of Americans said they believe former President Trump is guilty in both of his federal criminal cases, according to a new Politico Magazine/Ipsos poll released Friday. About 51 percent of respondents 14 percent of Republicans and 88 percent of Democrats said Trump is likely guilty in the federal case in which he is charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and conspiracy against rights. Another 52 percent answered the same for the former presidents alleged mishandling of classified documents. Federal prosecutors allege Trump headed a scheme to overturn the 2020 election results with fraudulent Electoral College votes. They have proposed a Jan. 2 start date for a trial, and the poll found about 60 percent of Americans want the trial to take place before the majority of the 2024 GOP primary elections. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A similar percentage of respondents said he should stand trial before the primaries in his classified documents case. The partisan split on trial timing has worsened since a similar poll in June, researchers noted. In the previous poll, 46 percent of Republicans said Trump should stand trial before the 2024 general election, while now only 33 percent of Republicans share that opinion. A majority of Americans surveyed in the new poll also believe the Justice Departments charging decisions were not politically motivated, 59 percent, going against claims made by Trump and other Republicans. Trump and others have often claimed the Justice Department has been weaponized by the Biden administration to attack politically. The trials are also expected to have a negative impact on Trumps popularity, according to the poll. While a sizable minority, 44 percent, of respondents said the trials will have no impact on their opinion of Trump, about a third including a third of independents said a conviction would make them less likely to support the former president. The poll surveyed about 1,000 people online last week. It has a margin of error of about 3 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A $6.5 million federal grant will allow the Center for Excellence in Child Well-Being at the University of Missouri to train child care workers throughout the state in social-emotional learning. "We're ready to go," said Julie Allen, center director. "Our first training is scheduled Sept. 1." Some advertising and promotion is in the works and the program's website is up. Laine Young-Walker, associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the MU School of Medicine and lead author of the study, interacts with a child at MU Health Care. The quick turnaround is possible because a $6.6 million grant was used to launch the training in centers that are part of the childcare subsidy program over the past year, Allen said. It was a more limited rollout, she said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Both grants are from the American Rescue Plan Act and come through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. "This time it's open to all child care providers statewide," Allen said. Workers are compensated $100 for the three-hour training and receive materials after the training ends, she said. The concept of social-emotional learning is one that not all child care workers are familiar with, Allen said. It involves helping children to manage their emotions and express their emotions in acceptable ways, she said. The Center for Excellence in Child Well-Being is equipped to provide the training, she said. "We are really focused on supporting children's mental health," Allen said of the center's work. Laine Young-Walker is chair of the department of psychiatry in the University of Missouri School of Medicine and oversees the center. While the physical development of children is a focus of parents and childcare workers, social and emotional development doesn't always receive as much attention, Young-Walker said. A child who bites is exhibiting a behavior, but the training provides tools for recognizing the emotions behind the behavior, she said. "It really is a preventive measure for success in the future" for the children, Young-Walker said. A very young child probably won't play with other children, but instead play individually, if side-by-side, Allen said. Called parallel play, it's a typical developmental stage, but the training can help workers recognize it, she said. "They may not have knowledge of social-emotional development," Young-Walker said. Caregivers can become frustrated when children have conflict or challenging behaviors, Young-Walker said. "It's really a workforce development issue," Allen said of the training. The training for workers can benefit children when they start school, Young-Walker said. "This grant is an excellent opportunity for us to intervene early and really set them on the path to kindergarten readiness," Young-Walker said. "The social emotional regulations is really a key piece" to kindergarten readiness, Allen said. Most of the training will be in-person, in libraries and schools and on-site at large day care centers, Allen said. "We make sure we offer it locally in all areas of the state," Allen said. There are some virtual training options, she said. Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Federal grant funds training for Missouri child care workers Overall, there were nearly 1,000 incidents of police violence reported in 2020 during the protests. The March on Washington wasnt just a watershed moment for the civil rights movement. It was an anomaly compared to other events from the 1960s to today, when Black protestors have felt the wrath of the police. In 1963, police released their dogs, swung their batons and used water hoses on peaceful protesters during the civil rights protests in Birmingham. In Cambridge, Maryland, that same year, police used tear gas to disperse citizens protesting discriminatory policies. Now six decades later, despite the March on Washingtons drive for civil rights, Black people still suffer indignity and injustice when they exercise their right to peacefully protest. The country saw that during the summer protests in 2020 when citizens took to the streets to condemn the killing of George Floyd and racial injustice in America. A scene from The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, photographed by Marion S. Trikosko, Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. Now six decades later, despite the March on Washingtons drive for civil rights, Black people still suffer indignity and injustice when they exercise their right to peacefully protest. (Photo Credit: Universal Images Group/Getty Images) Research from Harvard University notes the George Floyd protests across the country in 2020 were mostly peaceful. Still, police officers used tear gas, batons and rubber bullets on demonstrators across the country. In New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis and Portland confrontations between demonstrators and police officers became violent. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In Denver, for example, police fired pepper balls at a car containing Shaiitarrio Brown and his pregnant girlfriend, Brittany King. A video shows a visibly upset Brown exiting his car after it was struck by a projectile, the Denver Post reported. After a verbal exchange with police, the video shows cops opening fire. The city of Denver paid Brown and King, who were injured in the incident, a settlement of $325,000. Overall, there were nearly 1,000 incidents of police violence reported in 2020 during the protests. Max Dimas, who took part in a Floyd-related protest in New York City, said hell never forget how police in Brooklyn spoke to and dealt with protesters and how he saw their actions as hostile. It was crazy. I understand being aggressive with the people who were just using the [rallies] to cause destruction but they were going after people who were just marching and chanting, Dimas told theGrio. We have a right to call out our government when they fail us, Dimas said. Thats our right as Americans, he said. Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum previously had another take when he told The New York Times, American police simply were not prepared for the challenge that they faced in terms of planning, logistics, training and police command-and-control supervision. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post 60 years after the March on Washington, Black protesters still catch the ire of police appeared first on TheGrio. Roughly 88,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente, 40% of the Oakland-based companys national workforce, will begin voting on Saturday on whether to strike starting Oct. 1, leaders of the Kaiser Permanente Coalition of Unions announced Thursday. At a news conference, several Kaiser employees sought to remind the public that they were the people caring for and supporting patients in hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic and that they, as both employees and members, are dismayed by how staffing shortages are eroding the quality of care at Kaiser. Liz Grigsby, a respiratory therapist at Kaisers Roseville Medical Center, described how she is still haunted because she was unable to fulfill a promise she made to a new mom who lost her life to COVID-19. Just after giving birth, she had a desperate plea: Please, please, Liz, dont let me die, recalled Grigsby, as she fought back tears. I worked with her for several days. She sought comfort and connection to a familiar face to anchor her during her fight, and that face was mine. I made a promise to her to stay by her side to come back and to provide the support she desperately needed. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Because there was a shortage of staff, Grigsby said, she was unable to make it back to her patient before she died. Years later, Grigsby said, her facility still does not have enough respiratory therapists. Researchers have said that an untold number of health care workers likely suffered psychological setbacks known as moral injuries during the pandemic because they violated their own moral compass or witnessed someone doing so. Do I check on that (emergency department) patient that is suffering from an asthma attack? Grigsby asked rhetorically, Or do I go to the person that is in (the intensive care unit) who is so short of breath or do I go to (the neonative intensive care unit) with that micro-preemie baby that a mother just delivered? Its a crisis a situation that leaves our hands tied and our hearts heavy. Kaiser Permanente, in a statement issued after the coalitions news conference, said that, like all health care organizations, the company has been experiencing staffing challenges driven by the pandemic and its lasting effects. For health care systems, this has been made worse by the backlog in care and the increase in needs and acuity across the country, Kaiser officials said, but the company is working to hire 10,000 new people for coalition-represented jobs in 2023. To date, they said, more than 6,500 positions have been filled. While Kaiser Permanente has experienced the same pressures, through diligent work and an unwavering commitment to our people, we have weathered these staffing challenges better than most health care organizations, company leaders said. Kaiser Permanentes average employee turnover rate of 8.5 percent, as of June 2023, is significantly lower than the rate of 21.4 percent across health care. Talented people who recognize the value of our current wage and benefit offerings want to work at Kaiser Permanente, which is why about 96 percent of candidates for coalition-represented positions accept our employment offerssignificantly above the industry average. What do Kaiser employees want? Dave Regan, president of the largest union in the coalition, and other speakers at the news conference said the company had long ago ceded its place as a health care industry leader. After the unprecedented trauma of the pandemic, Regan said, the SEIU-UHW membership expected Kaiser to do right by them. After all, he said, the company is expected to rake in more than $100 billion in revenue this year. The coalition submitted an economic proposal to the company that called for a $25 minimum wage for its members and annual pay increases that would equal 7% in the first year of a four-year contract, 7% In the second year and 6.25% in each of the last two years. The company has yet to counter with a comprehensive proposal on wages, Regan said, but offered a $21 minimum wage starting in 2026. That offer, Regan said, shows a lack of respect for not only the 58,000 members of his union, the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, but for all coalition members. Thousands of Kaiser employees live in Honolulu, Los Angeles, Seattle and other areas of the nation with a high cost of living, Regan said, and they cannot cover all the expenses of caring for their families on wages of $17, $19 or $21 an hour. Kaiser also has not been bargaining in good faith, Regan said, leading the union to file a dozen charges of unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Kaiser has not provided regional operating margins and other information that would assist the union in evaluating mandatory bargaining issues, he said, and company negotiators tried to force the coalition to limit the size of its bargaining team. Why do unfair labor claims matter to potential strikers? Labor expert Kate Bronfenbrenner of Cornell University said the NLRB will evaluate whether the companys actions meet the level of an unfair labor practices. Typically, the agency said on its website, it takes 7 to 14 weeks to investigate charges and deliver a decision, though some cases may take longer. The company cannot decide size of the bargaining team, and theres some great precedents on this (issue), said Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research in Cornells School of Industrial and Labor Relations. In the 80s, the hotel and restaurant employees, Local 26 in Boston, had 100 members on the bargaining team and the company didnt want to bargain with them, but they had to because the union gets to choose who is on their bargaining team. The allegations of unfair labor practices matter. Under federal regulations, strikers cannot be terminated or permanently replaced if the NLRB determines that their employer committed unfair labor practices, and when the strike ends, the striking employees are entitled to have their jobs back even if the company hired other individuals to do their work. Kaiser leaders said the coalitions claims about bad-faith bargaining are unfounded and counterproductive. In addition to the minimum wage proposal, they said, the companys negotiators also sent the union a proposal on improvements to the performance sharing bonus plan. Because union officials must conduct the strike vote to employees in seven states and the District of Columbia, it will take at a few weeks to get final results. An authorization vote does not necessarily mean the coalition unions will strike, and they must give the company a 10-day notice of their intent to strike to allow time to get contingency workers in place. Since UPS settled its labor negotiations with the Teamsters, the Kaiser contract negotiations have now become the largest single-employer labor negotiations occurring in the United States. Kaiser established a labor partnership with about 75% of its employees 26 years ago, and the company has long said the agreement has helped management and labor work together to ensure quality care. Nurses begin a four-day strike at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet on Aug. 22, 2023. The nurses will return to work at the hospital on Saturday morning. (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune) Nurses on strike at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet will return to work Saturday morning as a four-day walkout for increased wages and higher staffing concludes. The strike was initially planned for two days by the Illinois Nurses Union. After a strike was announced, Ascension announced a four-day lockout of union nurses. Ascension has said in news releases that the hospital group is contractually obligated to replace nurses for at least four days during any sort of strike action. Advertisement More than 500 nurses picketed outside the hospital this week. Some shared their concerns about staff retention and working conditions at St. Joseph, which is Joliets only major hospital. Some striking nurses attempted to return to work Thursday morning, at the end of the original two-day strike period. Video footage provided by the union shows that nurses were turned away at the door by armed security guards. Advertisement Ascension brought in privately contracted nurses to cover the work of striking nurses from Tuesday through Friday. The union estimates each replacement nurse was paid around $7,000, plus food, travel and lodging. Vera Appiah-Dankwah, who has worked as a nurse at St. Joseph for 12 years, told the Joliet City Council that scab nurses pay this week was more than she makes in a month. Many nurses are returning to work in low spirits, extremely worried about the standard of care which fragile patients received in their absence, said nurse Janet Nonog. Nonog has worked on the hospitals rehabilitation floor for 20 years. She said shes especially concerned that elderly patients may have suffered during the strike. Thats on my conscience, Nonog said. Many nurses feel torn, Nonog said, between concerns about the state of their patients and conviction that the strike was necessary. She called on Joliet residents to continue advocating on behalf of the nurses as they return to work. St. Joseph wont listen to us, but we want to do whats right, Nonog said. I have to protect our community here. I need to do something. The strike came about amid tense contract negotiations between the union and Ascension, which have been going on since May. Nurses complaints with Ascension proposals for a new contract include the idea of planned raises decreasing over years of service. Advertisement The hospitals suggestion fails to offer competitive raises to retain those who have worked at the hospital for decades, nurses told the Chicago Tribune earlier this week. Ascension canceled a bargaining meeting on Aug. 15, the day after the strike was announced, and has said it will not return to the table until Sept. 8. This bargaining timeline has not changed as a result of the strike. In a statement to the Chicago Tribune this week, Ascension called the strike disheartening and said the hospital would remain open during the strike. The hospital also said it would continue to negotiate in good faith. Ascension, the largest Catholic and nonprofit hospital chain in the nation, acquired St. Joseph in 2018. About 350 nurses have left the hospital since, including 120 who worked in the intensive care unit. Strikes also accompanied contract negotiations with Ascension in 2020, and a 61-day strike preceded the first union contract for St. Joseph nurses in 1993. Throughout the strike and broader contract negotiations, the Illinois Nurses Association has been working with local political leaders including Joliet Mayor Terry DArcy, state Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, state Rep. Lawrence Walsh Jr., D-Joliet, and state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Romeoville. Advertisement On the picket line, strikers were also joined by state Sen. Meg Cappel, D-Shorewood and State Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville. At a Joliet City Council meeting this month, DArcy criticized Ascension for pushing what he described as a profit-driven agenda rather than approaching contract negotiations in good faith. During the four days of the strike, nurses at Ascension hospitals in Michigan and Texas also reached out with messages of solidarity. A closing rally at 5:30 p.m. Friday will mark the end of the four-day picket. Joliet is about 50 miles southwest of Chicago. FILE PHOTO: Mifepristone, the first medication in a medical abortion, is prepared for a patient at Alamo Women's Clinic in Carbondale By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - GenBioPro Inc, which sells a generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, has lost a bid to overturn West Virginia's near-total ban on abortion. U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers in Huntington late Thursday rejected the company's argument that West Virginia's ban must be struck down because it conflicts with the federal government's decision to approve and regulate mifepristone for medication abortion, dismissing most of the company's lawsuit. Chambers, who was appointed to the bench by Democratic then-President Bill Clinton, said the U.S. Supreme Court "has made it clear that regulating abortion is a matter of health and safety upon which States may appropriately exercise their police power." He said the abortion ban regulates healthcare providers, not GenBioPro itself, even though it makes it more difficult for the company to sell its products. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Chambers did allow GenBioPro's claims challenging West Virginia's ban on the use of telemedicine for medication abortion to go forward, finding that that ban conflicted with federal law. The effect of that ruling will likely be limited, however, since West Virginia's abortion ban contains only narrow exceptions for nonviable pregnancies, medical emergencies or cases of rape that are reported to law enforcement. "While it may not sit well with manufacturers of abortion drugs, the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that regulating abortion is a state issue," West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said in a statement. "I will always stand strong for the life of the unborn." "We are confident in the legal strength of our claims and are considering our next steps in the fight to ensure access for patients who need this essential medication," GenBioPro CEO Evan Masingill said in a statement. GenBioPro filed its lawsuit against West Virginia in January. Around the same time, a North Carolina doctor sued that state over its effective ban on telemedicine abortion, in which the drug is prescribed through a remote consultation with a healthcare provider and dispensed by mail, saying it conflicted with federal law and interfered with her practice. That case remains pending. Anti-abortion activists last year separately sued the federal government in an effort to pull mifepristone off the market altogether. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week handed them a partial victory, ordering restrictions on mifepristone, including a ban on prescribing it via telemedicine, and limiting its approved use to the first seven weeks of pregnancy, instead of 10. That order remains on hold while President Joe Biden's administration appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court. Medication abortion accounts for more than half of U.S. abortions, and has drawn increasing attention since the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last year overturning its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which had legalized abortion nationwide. Since then, at least 15 of the 50 states have banned abortion outright, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Other states, such as South Carolina, have banned it after around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Jonathan Oatis) Not all mature forests in Washington State are protected, but there is a movement afoot to change that. Environmental groups RE Sources and The Center for Responsible Forestry in Bellingham held a rally this week to show their support for protecting mature forests. Mature, or legacy, forests refers to sections of forest that are technically too young to be protected. Old growth forests are protected by the state and contain trees that have not been logged, allowing some to grow 100 years or longer, while mature forest have been logged sometime before 1945, then allowed to grow back naturally. The science is clear that mature, structurally complex forests help build resilience [and] they help buffer nearby ecosystems and communities from the impacts of climate change. Forests are a natural solution to combating climate change, Kaylee Galloway, Whatcom County Council member said at the rally. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More than 100 people attended the rally Tuesday evening at the Maritime Heritage Park Amphitheater. The goal was to spread the message that these mature forests need to be protected, and will eventually turn into old growth forests if given the chance. Forests aid in the fight against climate change by taking carbon out of the air and storing it. This carbon can be released and sent back into the atmosphere when forests are logged. Healthy forests can also absorb rainwater and reduce flood intensity, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Trees also release moisture and can cool the area around them, leading to less heat waves, according to researchers at MIT. Varying tree species line a trail in a Washington State Department of Natural Resources-managed forest near Deming, Wash. The science is clear that mature, structurally complex forests help build resilience, they help buffer nearby ecosystems and communities from the impacts of climate change, Galloway said. Other speakers included Alex Harris with RE Sources; Carly Lloyd with the Center for Responsible Forestry; Snohomish Count Council member Megan Dunn; environmental attorney Peter Goldman; Muckleshoot tribal elder Jeffery Thomas, and Jewell James, a Lummi Nation totem pole carver. This global warming is true, people are hurting, people are burning. Look at Hawaii, they couldnt outrun the fire. They couldnt run 80 miles per hour, can we? The fire is coming, in your lifetime its gonna be here, James said. The rally was held at the same time board members of the state Department of Natural Resources were on tour in Bellingham. The board manages the Department of Natural Resources, and decides when and what sections of forest to sell off for timber cutting. DNR owns over two million acres of forest in Washington State. No Natural Resources board members attended the rally though they were invited, Harris said. Jewell James talks to the crowd at the rally to protect mature/legacy forests on Tuesday Aug. 22 at the Maritime Heritage Park Amphitheater. These are actually amazing and really good people, Harris said. These are bad systems, and that is what we are here to change. The profits made from logging in the state is used to fund education, although many at the rally believed there are better ways to find this funding. People come to our region to hike and bike and experience Whatcom County and the forests. How lucky are we to get to live in this amazing place? It is a place we have to fight to protect, Galloway said. In the public consciousness, OpenAI is the obvious winner of the meteoric AI boom. For a runner-up, you might consider Midjourney or Anthropic's Claude, a high-performing competitor to ChatGPT. Whether any of those players will figure out how to effectively monetize that buzz is widely debated. But in the meantime, someone has to supply the hardware to run all that viral generative AI and for now, that's where the money is. Enter the Nvidia Corporation, a newly trillion dollar company that's making so much dough off its gangbusters AI chips that its revenue has more than doubled from last year, quickly becoming the undisputed backbone of the AI industry. Per its latest quarterly earnings report, Nvidia's revenue now sits at a hefty $13.5 billion, and the spike in its profits is even more unbelievable: a nine times increase in net income year-over-year, shooting up to $6.2 billion. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In other words, there's no question that AI is a gold rush and regardless of whether any of the prospectors hit pay dirt, it's currently Nvidia that's selling shovels. That's a surprising twist. If you've heard of Nvidia in years past, it was more than likely for its gaming hardware. Now, selling parts to PC gamers accounts for only a modest portion of its colossal revenue. That reality has been quietly shifting for a while. Before AI took the tech sector by storm over the past year, the first hint of Nvidia's strange new trajectory was arguably cryptocurrency. As Bitcoin and its ilk swelled in value over the past decade or so, aficionados quickly discovered that the company's graphics processing units (GPUs), long adept at summoning virtual worlds in a home computer, were powerful engines to mine crypto. Predictably, they started to open huge server farms that devoured electricity, filtered it through GPUs, and churned out digital assets sometimes tearing apart communities and leaving environmental destruction in their wake. Nvidia's leadership seemed nonplussed by the phenomenon, with the company's chief technology officer Michael Kagan saying earlier this year that the tech "doesn't bring anything useful for society." But "AI does," he told The Guardian. "With ChatGPT, everybody can now create his own machine, his own program: you just tell it what to do, and it will." So far, time is bearing out that thesis, at least financially. This quarter, Nvidia's AI hardware division took in a record $10.3 billion in revenue over three quarters of its total sales, vastly outperforming crypto or gaming. The company's success has arguably been a long time coming. Either through good luck or good planning, Nvidia got a healthy head start in AI hardware over its competition. "We had the good wisdom to go put the whole company behind it," Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang said in an interview with CNBC in March. "We saw early on, about a decade or so ago, that this way of doing software could change everything," he added. "Every chip that we made was focused on artificial intelligence." In 2006, still a juggernaut of gaming hardware, it released CUDA, a parallel computing platform that allowed power-hungry AI models to run on Nvidia GPUs far faster than those of its competition. Suddenly, developing AI became a lot cheaper, and a lot faster. It took more than 15 years for the results generated by AI to catch up, but when they did, there was no arguing with results. Today, Nvidia's flagship AI product is the H100 GPU, and pretty much everyone with their fingers in the generative AI pie wants to get their hands on as many as possible. And if not the H100, currently in short supply, then its predecessor the A100. Notable customers include Microsoft, which reportedly spent north of several hundreds of millions of dollars buying thousands of A100 chips for OpenAI, as part of its $1 billion partnership with the then-startup in 2019. It was because of that investment and Nvidia's hardware that OpenAI was able to build ChatGPT. In fact, the hype has become so profound that entire countries are snapping up the chips: the Financial Times reported earlier this month that Saudi Arabia had bought 3,000 H100s, selling for up to $40,000 apiece, with the United Arab Emirates vacuuming up thousands more. And so is everyone else. According to one estimate, Nvidia has now cornered up to 95 percent of the AI GPU market. Needless to say, many are vying for Nvidia's throne. Other computer hardware heavyweights like AMD and Intel are currently dumping billions of dollars into developing their own machine learning processors. So are Google and Amazon. Even Microsoft, in the hopes of weaning off the GPU giant's pricey hardware, is reportedly creating an in-house AI chip. Perhaps its competitors see an opening in Nvidia's lagging output. The H100, which only shipped last September, is still expected to be sold out through 2024, and to satiate the AI industry's voracious appetite, Nvidia allegedly plans to triple the production of it going forward. At any rate, Nvidia's absolute bonanza of a year shows few signs of stopping in the near future. By its own projections, it's is set to steamroll into the next quarter with a steep climb in revenue to $16 billion. And that's striking for all the headspinning hype around AI's capabilities, the source of the go-to muscle behind the technology has remained unchanged. More on: Googles Search AI Says Slavery Was Good, Actually Nearly a century after German neurologist Hans Berger pioneered the mapping of human brain activity in 1924, researchers at Stanford University have designed two tiny brain-insertable sensors connected to a computer algorithm to help translate thoughts to words to help paralyzed people express themselves. On August 23, a study demonstrating the use of such a device on human patients was published in Nature. (A similar study was also published in Nature on the same day.) What the researchers created is a brain-computer interface (BCI)a system that translates neural activity to intended speechthat helps paralyzed individuals, such as those with brainstem strokes or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), express their thoughts through a computer screen. Once implanted, pill-sized sensors can send electrical signals from the cerebral cortex, a part of the brain associated with memory, language, problem-solving and thought, to a custom-made AI algorithm that can then use that to predict intended speech. This BCI learns to identify distinct patterns of neural activity associated with each of the 39 phonemes, or the smallest part of speech. These are sounds within the English language such as qu in quill, ear in near, or m in mat. As a patient attempts speech, these decoded phonemes are fed into a complex autocorrect program that assembles them into words and sentences reflective of their intended speech. Through ongoing practice sessions, the AI software progressively enhances its ability to interpret the user's brain signals and accurately translate their speech intentions. The system has two components. The first is a neural network that decodes phonemes, or units of sound, from neural signals in real-time as the participant is attempting to speak, says the studys co-author Erin Michelle Kunz, an electrical engineering PhD student at Stanford University, via email. The output sequence of phonemes from this network is then passed into a language model which turns it into text of words based on statistics in the English language. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement With 25, four-hour-long training sessions, Pat Bennett, who has ALSa disease that attacks the nervous system impacting physical movement and functionwould practice random samples of sentences chosen from a database. For example, the patient would try to say: Its only been that way in the last five years or I left right in the middle of it. When Bennett, now 68, attempted to read a sentence provided, her brain activity would register to the implanted sensors, then the implants would send signals to an AI software through attached wires to an algorithm to decode the brains attempted speech with the list of phonemes, which would then be strung into words provided on the computer screen. The algorithm in essence acts as a phones autocorrect that kicks in during texting. This system is trained to know what words should come before other ones, and which phonemes make what words, Willett said. If some phonemes were wrongly interpreted, it can still take a good guess. By participating in twice-weekly software training sessions for almost half a year, Bennet was able to have her attempted speech translated at a rate of 62 words a minute, which is faster than previously recorded machine-based speech technology, says Kunz and her team. Initially, the vocabulary for the model was restricted to 50 wordsfor straightforward sentences such as hello, I, am, hungry, family, and thirstywith a less than 10 percent error, which then expanded to 125,000 words with a little under 24 percent error rate. While Willett explains this is not an actual device people can use in everyday life, but it is a step towards ramping up communication speed so speech-disabled persons can be more assimilated to everyday life. For individuals that suffer an injury or have ALS and lose their ability to speak, it can be devastating. This can affect their ability to work and maintain relationships with friends and family in addition to communicating basic care needs, Kunz says. Our goal with this work was aimed at improving quality of life for these individuals by giving them a more naturalistic way to communicate, at a rate comparable to typical conversation. Watch a brief video about the research, below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaWb1ukmYHQ Tourists visit the redesigned pyramid, which was a museum for the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, in Tirana Tourists visit the redesigned pyramid, which was a museum for the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, in Tirana By Fatos Bytyci and Florion Goga TIRANA (Reuters) - A museum built in Albania in the 1980s to honour longtime Communist dictator Enver Hoxha is being transformed into a computer training centre for young people, removing a final vestige of the country's isolated and repressive past. The building once displayed personal possessions and huge photographs of Hoxha, who cut off Albania from the outside world under harsh Stalinist rule for 40 years, expanding literacy and health care but leaving most Albanians in regimented poverty. Now the ex-museum, re-designed by Dutch architect Winy Maas , is preparing to host hundreds of young Albanians keen for training in computer technology and coding - part of the government's drive for closer links with the European Union. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The original architects, which included Hoxha's daughter Pranvera, designed the building in the shape of a pyramid glorifying the leader as an Egyptian-style pharaoh. The museum was finished in 1988, three years after Hoxha died and two years before reclusive Communist rule collapsed, giving way to democracy. Leon Cika, one of the museum's original curators, said that at the time it was completed, as Soviet-dominated regimes across eastern Europe were starting to crumble, he sensed it would prove "the last shovel for a monument to communism" in Albania. Indeed, after the anarchic crash of Communism in the southern Balkan nation, the building's pyramid-like flanks - preserved in the renovation - were used by children as a slide in the absence of playgrounds. The renovated, circular exterior consists of staircases that local and foreign visitors climb to gain a panoramic view of the capital Tirana, which has evolved into a modern, bustling city. The cubistic interior features what look like sets of stacked containers, which will serve as classrooms, rising several floors to the original glass cupola. Albanians were for years divided over how to adapt the building in keeping with their developing democracy, with some bitter over Hoxha's repressive legacy demanding it be razed, and others wanted to preserve it as an architectural icon. In subsequent years, it hosted a nightclub, TV station and even NATO officials during the alliance's intervention to halt the war in neighbouring Kosovo in 1999. "It was an architectural monument like no others," said Ilda Qazimllari, director of investments in the office of the Tirana mayor. "On the other hand, the initial idea was to have a mausoleum to celebrate (Hoxha) and that's why people wanted to erase the only symbol left from communist times. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci, editing by Mark Heinrich) On Wednesday, a private jet traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed a half-hour after take-off. Very quickly it was revealed that Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed on the passenger manifest. Simultaneously, social media footage of the crash showed an aircraft missing a wing falling out of the sky. It seems increasingly likely that Prigozhin, Dmitry Utkin, the military commander of Wagner, and the top leadership of the Wagner group were eliminated in the crash. Most analysts believe the crash was the result of Vladimir Putins score-settling for Prigozhins June insurrection that briefly threatened the Putin regime. US officials told the Wall Street Journal Thursday that the crash was a result of an assassination plot, most likely a bomb aboard the plane. How Prigozhin Could Wreak Havoc From Beyond the Grave The next few months following the Wagner insurrection and the elimination of Wagner and nationalist challengers will provide a window into whether the prospects to wind down the Russia-Ukraine war are viable without a decisive Ukrainian military victory. At minimum, we will quickly learn if Wagner has the capacity to seek retribution against Putin and his allies. Moreover, the death of Prigozhin will suppress other Putin challengers, and warn those that do come against Putin that if you come at the king, you best not miss. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It seems that Wagner is decapitated, but thousands of well-armed fighters remain in Russia, Africa, and Syria, with 6,000 fighters reportedly taking refuge in Belarus as part of Belarusian President and dictator Alexander Lukashenkos brokered peace to end the insurrection. Statements by Wagner mercenaries issued on social media channels indicate their intent to take revenge on those responsible for an attack on Prigozhin. The conditions seem ripe for more violence and Wagner reprisals. But with the Wagner leadership wiped out, the capacity of the private military company to threaten the Putin regime is dubious and greatly diminished. Within the Russian Ministry of Defense this is likely seen as a fitting end to Prigozhin and Wagner after Wagner forces shot down six aircraft and killed dozens of military personnel in their march on Moscow. Prigozhins death likely buttresses Putins leadership. Prighozin has been seen by some analysts as a potential successor to Putin. While such a scenario was far-fetched, Putin didnt miss the warm welcome that Prigozhin and Wagner fighters received in Rostov-on-Don during the insurrection, and the shows of support the mercenary boss enjoyed after it. A cameraman films a wreckage of the private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin near the crash site in the Tver region, Russia, August 24, 2023. REUTERS/Marina Lystseva Like so many other peoplejournalists, opposition leaders, political opponentsPrigozhin after his failed insurrection was destined for prison or, more likely, a violent death. If the conclusion of the intelligence community does confirm that Prigozhin was murdered by Putin, it would not mean a change in tactics, or a significant departure from Putins past precedentsafter all, he has murdered many opponents in his more than two decades in power. Instead, it signifies that the war has propelled Russia into a period of increased lawlessness and violence. More important may be the implications of Prigozhins death for the Ukraine war. The reality might be that conditions have been set for more latitude for Putin to start negotiations and wind down the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The elimination of Wagner after that of Surovikin, the hawk-general calling for a full mobilization and shift to war footing, and Igor Girkin, the nationalist firebrand responsible for the conduct of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2014, weakens the nationalist wing pushing for a more aggressive warand may ease pressure on Putin for a continued, expanded war. This could open up the possibility of Russian negotiations to end the war later in the fall. Putin has neutralized a key voice for the nationalist block attacking him for being weak on Ukraine, sent a message to other nationalist critics that he will not tolerate their criticism, and enabled a freedom of maneuver on a less hawkish approach to Ukraine. While there is not a real shift away from Russias maximalist rhetoric for subduing Ukraine, and destroying it as a free independent state, the suppression of nationalist challengers may be followed by the testing of the possibility of negotiations when the results of Ukraines offensive are clear. By then, Putin could be on the horns of a dilemma: whether to conduct another mass mobilization that is internally destabilizing, or pursue negotiations that allow him the possibility of retaining Crimea and the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk occupied since 2014. Russias willingness to negotiate may not end the war, as the Ukraine government is not likely to accept the continued occupation of large parts of Ukraine. But serious negotiations may present opportunities to reduce the violence against Ukraine outside of the front lines. And so, in some sense, the death of Prigozhin may accelerate the possibility of peace. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Nine alleged Kansas City gang leaders and members are charged in a sweeping federal indictment as they stand accused of crimes that include racketeering, drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors for the Western District of Missouri announced the charges on Thursday after five were arrested in a massive law enforcement operation, which relied on 140 law officers from various area agencies and included search operations at 16 residences. Alleged gang leaders facing charges in the conspiracy are Steven Bizzle Lee, 38, of the Park Side Greasies; Charles Chucky D Williams, 35, of the Click Clack Gang; and Travis L. Cook, 30, of the South Benton Gang. Prosecutors say the three men oversaw a confederation of gangs, under an umbrella called South Park Click, to profit from a drug trade network bolstered by violence and intimidation. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Others involved in the criminal enterprise, prosecutors allege, are Richard Scritch Johnson, 24; Deion Wommy Alford, 23; Ewon Won Kelley, 33; Myreku L. Frazier, 30, Anthony Dee Hunter, 25; and Jacequin Noodles Boswell, 30. The latter are accused of crimes that range from participating in drug trafficking to the attempted enforcement of an open murder-for-hire contract on a rival drug dealers head. Federal prosecutors are calling for all nine defendants to be held without bond, citing a serious risk they may obstruct justice by injuring or intimidating witnesses, among other reasons. Prosecutors say the racketeering conspiracy dates back to 2008 and has ties to neighborhoods in Kansas Citys East Side. Specific instances of alleged violence include a murder contract that prosecutors say was opened in December 2017. Lee, the alleged leader of the Park Side Greasies, is accused of orchestrating attempts to have a rival drug dealer, identified in court documents as Victim 1, killed. Two of the other defendants made unsuccessful attempts to carry that out, prosecutors allege, including an instance in late 2018 when gunshots were fired on 34th Street. More recently, prosecutors allege in January 2021 that Johnson and Alford fired upon multiple vehicles whose occupants were believed to be rivals of the Park Side Greasies. One person, described by prosecutors as an uninvolved citizen, was injured in the shooting. Beyond drug dealing, prosecutors say the group was involved in robberies and burglaries and illegally obtained firearms to further their criminal activity. Along with arrests Thursday, police seized nearly 30 firearms, including two machine guns, and undisclosed amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and cash. The major case is part of a local Justice Department initiative called the KC Metro Strike Force, which is composed of federal and local investigators focused on drug trafficking and gang violence. It was launched in Kansas City in 2019 as part of a larger project to address organized crime in major cities around the country. In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt tasked the Inland Waterways Commission with studying how to better manage rivers. The commissioners recognized a need for interstate coordination. Two commissioners Gifford Pinchot and William John WJ McGeewent further. They asked Roosevelt to invite the countrys governors to Washington to discuss water and natural resources. Roosevelt complied, inviting the governors of all the states and territories, along with representatives from hundreds of civic, economic, and media organizations, to the White House. The resulting Conference of Governors, beginning May 13, 1908, and lasting three days, offered a glimpse of collaboration that extended beyond normal boundaries of party, state, and industry. The conference represents a not-so-distant precedent for todays efforts to extend our political thinking beyond narrow parameters. The New York Times reported 44 governors attending, though the published proceedings identified 36. Alongside them, four at-large members were invited to represent the publictycoon Andrew Carnegie, railroad executive James J. Hill, labor leader John Mitchell, and Democratic mainstay William Jennings Bryan . 500-some representatives from trade associations, unions, publications joined as observers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The opening dinner included Supreme Court Justices, and members of the Cabinet and Congress. But the tone of the following days conference was serious, even somber. According to Roosevelts opening address, Conservation as a National Duty, nothing less than the continuance of the Nation was at stake. During the 50-minute speech, the president asserted the importance of cooperative planning and for elevating community rights over individuals pursuit of riches. In the past we have admitted the right of the individual to injure the future of the Republic for his own present profit, Roosevelt said. The time has come for a change. Others shared this view. The following day, railroad executive James J. Hill spoke on The Natural Wealth of the Land and Its Conservation. Hill spent most of his allotted time offering chilling statistics of shrinking forests, diminishing ores, and declining soil fertility. He argued that these statistics represented a bleak economic future and a violent political future, borne out of desperation and poverty. As the conference concluded, the governors approved a slate of resolutions and presented them to President Roosevelt. The declarations final line announced the governors intent plainly: Let us conserve the foundations of our prosperity. After three days, the governors were eager to discuss collaborating on other matters, such as extradition laws and divorce standards. They resolved to meet regularly thereafter. That commitment eventually turned into the National Governors Association, which now meets twice a year. Another effect of the summit: Roosevelt appointed the National Conservation Commission, which would inventory the nations resources. The commission produced a three-volume report detailing the nations dwindling stocks of resources, including estimated dates for when they would be exhausted. These achievements were all the more striking because the Progressive Era was not harmonious. Progressives saw themselves in a battle between good and evil on behalf of the people versus the interests. Muckraking journalists took down corruption from city halls to corporate boardrooms. Roosevelt used government power to tame big business. One of the biggest victims was James J. Hill himself: Roosevelt ordered the investigation that led to the 1904 Northern Securities Co. v. United States case that broke up Hills holding company. Still, the participants overcame these differences and set their eyes on the nations shared future. Pinchot later wrote that the Conference of Governors had a conception of the land they lived in that was brand new, and suggested history might remember the conference as one of historys turning points. Today, Roosevelts concerns about the risks to the continuance of the Nation have transformed into warnings about global catastrophes. Twenty-first-century environmental concerns extend beyond accounting stocks of national resources. Now, researchers aim to identify thresholds of global ecological viability. Meanwhile, the common good is more elusive than ever. Coming together over future shared interests feels like a faraway ambition. Imagine a similar conference today, in which Joe Biden invited Gretchen Whitmer, Ron DeSantis, and Elon Musk to share a stage. Commitments to base politics and baser instincts would produce only vitriol and communicate only enmity. The 1908 Conference of Governors may not have been the grand historical turning point Pinchot imagined, but it can be a touchstone for us today. A common commitment beyond party, nation, personal interest, and the present must be possible again for the good of the planet and its people. Adam M. Sowards is an environmental historian and writer. His most recent book is "Making Americas Public Lands: The Contested History of Conservation on Federal Lands." You can find his work here. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The time American governors and moguls prevented environmental catastrophe [Source] An American tourist from California was made to apologize after blasting a fog machine laced with marijuana on a busy street in Phuket, Thailand, to promote his business back home. Key details: The incident occurred along Bangla Walking Street in Patong Beach on Aug. 18 at around 2:30 a.m., according to the Phuket Provincial Polices Facebook post in Thai on Sunday. For promotion: Authorities said the man, an American tourist identified as Angkhan Vorac Chhieng, 55, was using a fog machine filled with marijuana, described in an Instagram post as a "kush cannon," while walking down the crowded, busy street. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More from NextShark: Couple violently attacks Indigenous Filipina nurse distributing face masks in New York subway Chhieng reportedly said he was trying to promote his cannabis dispensary, Kush Life, which is in California. Confronting him: Using surveillance cameras to track him down after receiving reports of his behavior, authorities were eventually able to locate Chhieng at a hotel in Bangla Walking Street. More from NextShark: 'Extremely absurd': China responds after Biden calls Xi Jinping a dictator His reaction: Chhieng reportedly apologized for what happened after being confronted by the police, claiming that he did not know his actions were inappropriate. He also apologized for hurting Phukets tourism image. Leaving Thailand: Chhieng, who reportedly arrived in Bangkok on Aug. 15 before traveling to Phuket, left Thailand on Aug. 19. Legal but with rules: While it is legal to use cannabis in Thailand, whether that be for medical or recreational purposes, tourists still have to follow some ground rules. For example, cannabis is prohibited in public spaces such as schools, malls and temples, and going against the rules can result in a 25,000 baht (approximately $712) fine and a three-month prison sentence. More from NextShark: Rising Fiction Writer Anthony Veasna So Passes Away at Age 28 Athletes come out of the water at Monroe Harbor and head toward the transition area during the Life Time Chicago Triathlon on Aug. 29, 2021. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Cultural and maybe literal gridlock is coming to the Chicago area this weekend, including with lots of live music and the Great American Dog Show at McCormick Place. Read on. Chicago Triathlon A reminder for anyone headed downtown that the Chicago Triathlon is this weekend. The main event is Sunday in Grant Park and the lakefront, with the bike portion shutting down Lower Wacker and southbound lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The International (Olympic) distance race is a .93-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike and 6.2-mile run, with the Sprint roughly half that. Come cheer on your athlete or just watch the action, with the best vantage points in Grant Park itself. Free trolleys will circle the park. Advertisement Race stages start from 6 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Sunday in Monroe Harbor, with the finish line at 900 S. Columbus Drive; www.chicagotriathlon.com Chalk Howard Street This chalk art festival in Rogers Park is back outdoors and in-person for the first time in three years. Watch as street artists transform Howard Street with 2D and 3D artwork. If you want to express your own creativity, you can reserve a chalk square for $25. The event will also include live music such as Fruteland Jackson and Urban Rhythm. Advertisement 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 26 east of the Howard Red Line CTA stop between Paulina Street and Ashland Avenue; free, more information at howardstreetchicago.com/chalk-howard-street Chicago Korean Festival The Korean American Association of Chicago presents this festival of Korean culture with food, a K-pop contest and a hanbok fashion show. Learn about Korean calligraphy and traditional games and participate in a kimchi workshop. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Maggie Daley Park 337 East Randolph Street; free, more information at eventbrite.com Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys performs during the Corona Capital music festival in Mexico City on Nov. 19, 2022. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) Arctic Monkeys The English rockers are in town this weekend, touring with songs from their upcoming album The Car and joined by the Irish band Fontaines D.C. 8 p.m. Aug. 27 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; resale tickets from $120 at www.unitedcenter.com LatiNxt Music Festival This two-day festival celebrates Latin music and arts with a focus on new trends. The event is curated by Future Rootz, a group of Latinx musicians, artists, tastemakers and cultural innovators. Performers include DJ Rosa Pistola, DJ Mo Mami and Combo Chimbita. 2-11 p.m. Aug. 26 and 2-8 p.m. Aug. 27 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; free, more information at navypier.org\ Boyz II Men and The Isley Brothers Its a first time at Ravinia for soul icons Boyz II Men and The Isley Brothers, with lawn seats still available as of press time. Advertisement 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Ravinia Festival, Lake Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park; tickets $61 at 847-266-5100 or www.ravinia.org Boyz II Men, shown in 2022, will perform Aug. 26 with the Isley Brothers at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Disturbed The metal bands Take Back Your Life Tour is coming to Tinley Park this next week with guests Breaking Benjamin and Jinjer. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park; tickets from $29.50 at www.livenation.com Rick Springfield What more could you want from an end-of-the-summer show called the I Want My 80s Tour? Springfield is joined by The Hooters, Paul Young and Tommy Tutone for an evening on the river in Aurora. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; tickets from $39 at 630-896-6666 and paramountaurora.com/riveredge Somos Un Solo Pueblo The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance joins with Chicago Philharmonic, Cuerdas Clasicas de Chicago and AfriCaribe this weekend to present Somos un Solo Pueblo, Mexico y Puerto Rico as a free concert in Millennium Park. The evening celebrates the music and heritage of two of the citys largest Latino communities. Advertisement 6 p.m. Aug. 26 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park; free, more information at www.praachicago.org A Yorkshire terrier is groomed on the last day of a show hosted by the International Kennel Club of Chicago at McCormick Place in 2014. The new Great American Dog Show follows on the heels of the International Kennel Club of Chicago. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Great American Dog Show This family-friendly event is a great place for animal lovers. Meet and play with more than 200 different dog breeds, watch demonstrations and competitions, and get advice from animal experts. Plus, a kids zone will offer free face painting, bouncy houses and other activities. And dont worry if youre a cat lover a ticket to the Great American Dog Show also includes admission into the Great American Cat Show. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 25-27 at McCormick Place Lakeside Center, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive; single-day tickets are $35 for adults at greatamericandogshow.com Pizza City Fest This two-day event aims to highlight the areas pizza artisans while also educating the public about how to make better pizza at home. General admission tickets include your choice of 10 slices from 20 different pizza vendors, as well as drinks, sides, salads and sweets. There will also be book signings, panels, seminars and demos, as well as live performers and music. Noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 26-27 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; single-day tickets are $95 at pizzacityfest.com Warhol This summers exhibition on the life and work of artist Andy Warhol at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art is drawing to a close. Its been accompanied by a number of lectures and other special events; next up is a talk in Belushi Performance Hall by Thomas Kiedrowski, author of Andy Warhols New York City ($10 or free with tickets to Warhol). Advertisement Through Sept. 10 at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; tickets $25-$40 at 630-942-4000 and Warhol2023.org [Source] Conservative author and commentator Ann Coulter is facing backlash after targeting Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy in a post on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this week. What she wrote: Coulter suggested that Haley and Ramaswamy Indian American candidates vying for the GOP presidential nomination, alongside engineer Hirsh Vardhan Singh are involved in some Hindu business. Without elaborating, she said it was not our fight. Nikki and Vivek are involved in some Hindu business, it seems. Not our fight. Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) August 24, 2023 More from NextShark: Rebel Wilson slammed online for Dubai trip months after coming out Background: Coulter made the post amid the first Republican presidential debate, which was hosted by Fox News on Wednesday night. Among its highlights was Haley and Ramaswamys fiery exchange over the subject of U.S. aid to Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The facts: Hinduism was not mentioned during the debate. Ramaswamy is a Hindu Cincinnati-born entrepreneur, while Haley, who was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, converted to Christianity from Sikhism. More from NextShark: Woman becomes TikToks Gym Auntie after wholesome encounter with fitness influencer Reactions: Coulters words quickly drew accusations of racism. One X user called her a racist troglodyte. "Yes, I'm sure Sikh turned Christian Nikki Haley has 'Hindu business'. Thank you for this braindead take," another wrote. "Everyone shocked that Ann Coulter said something racist hasn't been paying very close attention," commented another. More from NextShark: 'One nation under God': Ex-Trump adviser's call for one religion in the US draws condemnation Ramaswamys response: Ramaswamys team has responded to Coulters comment. In a statement to The Hill, communications director Tricia McLaughlin said Coulter can tweet whatever she wants to while pointing out Ramaswamys support from Christian voters. Vivek has traveled this country and is very grateful for the warm support he has received from Christian voters across the country, McLaughlin said. Vivek shares and lives by the same Judeo-Christian values that this nation was founded on and that the way Vivek lives his family life offers a positive example for their own children and grandchildren. Tangent: The New York Times is also getting flak for publishing an opinion piece co-authored by Coulter. The article, which long-time Times columnist Frank Bruni and political consultant Stuart Stevens co-wrote, analyzed the recent debate. More from NextShark: Japanese fans go viral for cleaning up everyone's mess at the World Cup again Western and other interested governments should enforce so-called A2/ADzones over Ukrainian objects of strategic interest to their countries. Shortly after the start of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Kyiv made an official request to NATO to make the entire Ukrainian airspace a no-fly zone for Russian flying objects. Thousands of Ukrainian and pro-Ukrainian media activists launched a global campaign to "close Ukraines sky." NATO, however, immediately rejected Kyiv's request, apparently fearing an escalation to World War III. What was lost in the heated debate over an all-Ukrainian no-fly zone were some non-Ukrainian national security interests on Ukraine's territory. Recent Russian attacks on grain storage facilities and ports on Ukraine's Black Sea and Danube coasts illustrate this point. The rising world grain prices following the Russian attacks are less problematic for Ukraine than for grain-importing countries. The social, political, and perhaps even military implications of rising food costs in poor countries can be far-reaching. Read also: Ukraines Black Sea strategy ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The majority of Russian airstrikes in Ukraine's hinterland do not have purely military objectives. Many attacks target civilian infrastructure to terrorize or demoralize the Ukrainian population. Russia's attacks on Ukrainian food exports also have the purpose of softening Western resolve. Moscow is aware that new waves of hunger migrants from Africa will move less toward the Eurasian Economic Union than toward the European Union. There, their arrival will often electorally benefit pro-Russian radical right-wing parties, such as the so-called Alternative for Germany. It is surprising that those - not only Western - countries whose national interests are being violated on Ukraine's territory and whose armies would be able to defend them are not doing so. This omission is all the more astonishing given that Russia uses only unmanned aerial vehicles, i.e. missiles and drones, over Ukraine. The Russian army does not even use manned flying objects directly on the front lines. It operates only over Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine with aircraft and helicopters. Grain fields, stores, and transportation infrastructure are not the only objects in Ukraine that are important to other countries. The safety of Ukraine's nuclear power plants, including the decommissioned Chornobyl NPP, should also be of high interest to dozens of governmental and intergovernmental agencies in Brussels, Berlin, Geneva, Vienna, and so on. But that appears to be the case only to a limited extent. Large swaths of EU territory are dotted with closed or restricted geo-zones where drone flight is banned or regulated. A few hundred miles to the east, Russian missiles and drones with warheads of various sizes can operate near nuclear power plants free from Western interference. Will the EU impose entry restrictions on Eastern European nuclear particles once they enter the air and the wind blows west? Will the EUs Frontex border service send radioactive clouds knocking on the EU's door back to their country of origin? An equally bizarre story lies behind the posting and secondment of Western diplomats and other bureaucrats in Ukraine. Hundreds of European and non-European government officials come to Kyiv for more or less long business trips. They do so even after the Ukrainian capital has become a constant target of weekly unmanned Russian airstrikes since October 2022. Many of these officials represent countries with strong air power and air defense forces. But neither on the way from Ukraine's western border to the capital nor in Kyiv itself do these deployed, seconded, or visiting state officials enjoy the protection of their high-tech armies. Instead, they must rely entirely on Ukrainian air defenses and security installations. Among other foreign diplomats and politicians, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had to hide in a shelter during a Russian airstrike on Kyiv's city center (later confirmed by Moscow) when he officially visited Ukraine in late April 2023. Willing Western and non-Western countries should form a coalition to declare certain places in Ukraine as vital to their national interests and a no-go area for drones as well as missiles. They should jointly decide how to technically implement such A2/AD zones as well as seek Ukrainian government approval for their actions. It should be made clear to Moscow that any direct or indirect threats to the physical security of the citizens of such a coalition would be neutralized. Such a new policy would be seen by many observers as threatening an escalation into World War III. However, such caution is both normatively questionable and empirically exaggerated. When it comes to defending existential self-interests, such as the physical security of nuclear power plants and diplomats in Ukraine - the West and other countries cannot compromise. The lives and health of EU and other foreign citizens are at stake. This cannot be negotiable. On the contrary, compromising on elementary European security interests could create the impression in Moscow that Russia can go even further than hitherto in endangering non-Ukrainian citizens. From recent historical experience, the fear of escalation is also unjustified. Russia has been using only unmanned aerial vehicles in the Ukrainian hinterland for many months. By comparison, in 2015, the NATO member state Turkiye shot down a manned Russian jet over Syria due to a non-threatening 17-second violation of Turkish airspace. One of the two pilots of the Russian fighter-bomber was killed. In response, Russia imposed economic sanctions on Turkiye, but they were soon lifted. A few months later, there was a rapprochement between Moscow and Ankara, and later friendly meetings between Erdogan and Putin again. Read also: What Russia could do in the Black Sea There has also been a recent implicit test of this issue in the Black Sea. Russia announced in July 2023 that it would not renew the 2022 grain export agreement and would now consider all ships going to Ukrainian ports as hostile. Moscow de facto threatened to bombard them from the air. Subsequently, however, foreign shipping between Ukraine and the grain importing countries continued under surveillance by NATO reconnaissance aircraft. Despite the Kremlin's unmistakable threatening gestures, there were no attacks on foreign ships. The Turkish example of 2015 and the recent Black Sea example illustrate that, with clear communication and decisive defence of elementary self-interest of the West, escalation can be avoided. It is not readily possible for hawks in the Russian leadership to start a Third World War based on understandable Western self-protecting measures. The dividing line between the Russian-Ukrainian war on the one hand and the safeguarding of foreign interests in Ukraine on the other must, of course, remain recognizable. As long as this is the case, the West can and should take the justified risk of enforcing A2/AD zones over select strategic objects in the Ukrainian hinterland in close consultation with Kyiv and open communication with Moscow. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A patriotic voter sits at a voting kiosk and selects his choices in a party primary in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Voters are casting their ballots in party primaries in a number of county and statewide elected offices. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) Think of it as the Mississippi Primaries: The Sequel. On Tuesday, voters in the Magnolia State will head back to the polls to resolve a handful of state legislative contests from the Aug. 8 primaries in which no candidate reached the vote majority needed to advance to the November general election. Six runoff primaries, three apiece for Republicans and Democrats, will be held in House districts scattered throughout the state, stretching from the northern border with Tennessee to the southern tip of the Gulf Coast. In District 66, located in heavily Democratic Hinds County and including parts of Southwest Jackson, two candidates are vying to replace outgoing Rep. DeKeither Stamps, who is running for the state Public Service Commission. Fabian Nelson, owner of a local real estate firm, faces Roshunda Harris-Allen, an alderwoman for the city of Byrum and a professor at Tougaloo Colleges School of Education. Nelson, who would become the states first openly gay lawmaker if elected, led Harris-Allen in the Aug. 8 primary, 43% to 31%. In District 115, located in Harrison County on the Gulf Coast and including Biloxi, former police officer Zachary Grady and Biloxi City Councilmember Felix Gines compete to replace retiring GOP Rep. Randall Patterson in the Republican runoff. Grady was the top vote-getter in the primary, receiving 47% of the vote to 38% for Gines. If elected, Gines, who switched parties in December, would become one of only two Black Republicans to serve in the Mississippi House since Reconstruction. The other will be Rodney Hall, a recent aide to GOP Congressman Trent Kelly and former Army veteran who won the Republican primary in District 20 earlier this month and faces no opponent in November. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Additional Republican runoffs will be held in District 2 in northern Mississippis Alcorn County and District 105 in Perry, Greene and George counties east of Hattiesburg, while Democrats will also hold runoffs in Districts 69 and 72 in Hinds and Madison counties in central Mississippi. Control of the Mississippi House is not at stake in November, as Republicans hold a solid majority in the chamber. Heres a look at what to expect on election night: ELECTION DAY Polls close statewide at 8 p.m. ET or 7 p.m. local time (CT). WHATS ON THE BALLOT The Associated Press will declare winners in six primary runoff elections in Mississippi: Republican contests in Districts 2, 105 and 115 and Democratic contests in Districts 66, 69 and 72. The winners will advance to the general election on Nov. 7. WHO GETS TO VOTE The runoff primary is open to registered voters in districts where no candidate received a majority of the vote in the Aug. 8 primary. Voters in the runoff may only cast ballots for the same party as they did in the primary. Republican primary voters may only vote in a Republican runoff, and Democratic primary voters may only vote in a Democratic runoff. Registered voters who did not vote on the Aug. 8 primary may participate in either partys runoff in their home district. DECISION NOTES State legislative runoffs tend to be relatively low-turnout affairs in which a handful of votes could decide the election. This may slow the race-calling process in particularly close contests where just a few absentee or other untallied ballots could play a decisive role in determining the result. The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. There are no mandatory recounts in Mississippi. WHAT DO TURNOUT AND ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE As of July 28, there were 1.9 million active voters registered in Mississippi. The state does not register voters by party. Turnout in the Aug. 8 primary for governor was about 18% of registered voters for Republicans and about 9% for Democrats. In 2019, turnout was 19% for Republicans and 15% for Democrats. The number of votes cast for runoffs tends to trail that of the initial election. In the Aug. 8 primary, the six districts that were forced into runoffs posted vote totals of just a few thousand each, the largest being District 105 with about 6,400 votes cast and the smallest being District 115 with about 1,700 votes cast. Relatively few Mississippi voters cast ballots before Election Day. The state does not allow in-person early voting and allows absentee-by-mail voting only for those who provide a valid excuse. In the 2018, 2020 and 2022 state primaries, only about 4% voted by absentee ballot. The state reported a total of 2,601 absentee ballots received across all runoff districts as of Tuesday, out of almost 6,106 total absentee ballots requested by voters. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day of the runoff, Tuesday, and must be received by Sept. 6. HOW LONG DOES VOTE-COUNTING USUALLY TAKE In the Aug. 8 primary for governor, the AP first reported results at 8:19 p.m. ET. The election night tabulation ended shortly after 3:08 a.m. ET with 94% of the votes counted. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the 2023 elections at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2023. __ In this story published August 25, 2023, The Associated Press erroneously reported that Tuesdays runoff primary is limited only to voters who cast ballots in the Aug. 8 primary election. Voters who did not participate in the Aug. 8 primary may participate in the Aug. 29 primary in districts where no candidate received a majority of the vote. Voters who did cast ballots in the primary may only vote for the same party in the runoff as they did in the primary. FILE - Tennessee Sen. Paul Rose, R-Tipton, speaks on his bill allowing faith-based adoption agencies to decline to place children with same-sex couples because of their religious belief during a legislative session, Jan. 14, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. On Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, appellate judges revived a couple's lawsuit that alleges a state-sponsored Christian adoption agency wouldn't help them because they are Jewish and argues that a Tennessee law protecting such denials is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Appellate judges have revived a couple's lawsuit that alleges a state-sponsored Christian adoption agency wouldn't help them because they are Jewish and argues that a Tennessee law protecting such denials is unconstitutional. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals ruled that Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram have the right as taxpayers to sue in the case, as do six other taxpayer plaintiffs in the case. The ruling overturns a lower court's determination in June 2022 that none of them had legal standing. The case can now proceed in the trial court. The lawsuit against the state challenges a 2020 law that installed legal protections for private adoption agencies to reject state-funded placement of children to parents based on religious beliefs. Much of the criticism of the law focused on how it shielded adoption agencies that refuse to serve prospective LGBTQ parents. But the Rutan-Rams alleged they were discriminated against because they are Jewish, in violation of their state constitutional rights. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In their lawsuit, the married couple said the Holston United Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville barred them from taking Tennessee state-mandated foster-parent training and denied them a home-study certification when they attempted to adopt a child from Florida in 2021. The state Department of Children's Services later provided the couple with the required training and home study, then approved them as foster parents in June 2021. The couple has been foster-parenting a teenage girl they hope to adopt. They also want to foster at least one more child, for whom they would likewise pursue adoption, the ruling states. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which filed the lawsuit on the couple's behalf, called this week's ruling an important victory. This loving couple wanted to help a child in need, only to be told that they couldnt get services from a taxpayer-funded agency because theyre the wrong religion," said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. Liz and Gabe deserve their day in court, and Americans United intends to see that they get it. A spokesperson for the Tennessee attorney general, Amy Wilhite, said their office is reviewing the court's decision. A representative for Holston United Methodist Home for Children did not immediately return emailed requests for comment on the ruling. The home is not a defendant in the lawsuit. During a 2-1 trial court ruling in 2022, the judges in the majority said the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue, and did not rule on the constitutional protections in the lawsuit. The judges did, however, downplay some of the lawsuit's arguments against the law, writing that it does not single out people of the Jewish faith as a disfavored, innately inferior group. They also found that the services the couple sought would not have been state-funded, saying the scope of Holstons contract with the state is for services for children in the custody of the State of Tennessee. Before the adoption law change, some faith-based agencies had already not allowed gay couples to adopt. But the 2020 law provides legal protections to agencies that do so. The Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church has said the Holston United Methodist Home for Children is a separate entity from the conference, a group of some 800-plus congregations based in Alcoa, Tennessee, after the two organizations in 2002 agreed to not accept any legal or financial responsibility for the other. A bank robbery suspect escaped in a vehicle that had five children inside, North Carolina officials said. Now the man considered armed and dangerous is on the run, according to WITN and the Rocky Mount Police Department. Officers in a news release didnt share attorney information for the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Montrell Pitt. The robbery was reported at a PNC Bank on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Police said Pitt went to the bank with an edged weapon and demanded money from the teller. Officers in an email to McClatchy News wouldnt share how much money Pitt is accused of stealing or other details about the weapon they believe he used. But they said Pitt got into a stolen Toyota Tacoma pickup truck after the robbery. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Pitt is accused of abandoning the pickup and getting a ride from a woman. Her five children were in the vehicle at the time, according to police. The mother was found in nearby Edgecombe County and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, accessory after the fact, and five counts of child endangerment, police said. She was taken to the Nash County jail and given a $1 million bond. Pitt ran from the vehicle and was still at large as of Aug. 25, police said, asking the public to be vigilant. He has arrest warrants accusing him of robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and five counts of child endangerment, according to police. An investigation continues, and officers urge anyone with information to call them at 252-972-1450 or 252-972-1411. People also can contact Crime Stoppers at 252-977-1111 or use the Text-A-Tip program, which allows users to text RMPOL and a message to the number 274637. Police said the kids werent hurt during the getaway ride, and another family member was taking care of them. Rocky Mount is roughly 60 miles northeast of Raleigh. Veteran with so much to live for killed in Family Dollar robbery, NC loved ones say Suspected bank robber leads 115-mph wrong-way chase on interstate, NC cops say ALANSON The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District is working to restore operations to the Crooked River Lock in Alanson after an electrical malfunction on Thursday, Aug. 24 caused the lock to be shutdown to recreational boat traffic. The Crooked River Lock in Alanson is shown. Replacement parts for an obsolete safety module are expected by Sept. 15 to restore the lock to full functioning capability. Boaters will not be able to navigate between Crooked River and Crooked Lake during this time. Emmet County first alerted the Army Corps of Engineers of the lock malfunctioning Thursday, but a team from the Soo Locks traveled to the lock Thursday and determined it was a failed limiter switch, repaired the problem and returned home. At about 6 p.m., the Emmet County staff who operate the lock on behalf of the Army Corps under an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources notified the Soo Locks staff that the lock was again malfunctioning. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Army Corps staff determined the module would require replacement parts, which have been sourced and ordered. Local options are also being explored to possibly fix the inoperable lock sooner. The Crooked River Lock ensures water levels are maintained through the 36-mile Inland Waterway system, providing recreational boating opportunities for thousands of Northern Michigan residents each year. The locks perform about 10,000 lockages per year. The lock had a temporary malfunction on July 4, but Army Corps technicians were able to return it to full operation within 24 hours. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Army Corps working to restore Crooked River Lock in Alanson after malfunction Nearly 50 years after he retired from the Army, Capt. Joe Ronnie Hoopers service record remains one of the most astonishing testaments of bravery in the services long history. When the day came to hang up his uniform for the last time, the Piedmont, South Carolina, natives awards included two Silver Stars, six Bronze Stars, eight Purple Hearts, and a slew of other accolades, including the U.S. militarys highest commendation for valor, the Medal of Honor. Hooper earned that last award on the evening of Feb. 21, 1968, during the Battle of Hue a bloody month-long fight that would leave thousands dead and begin to shift public perception of the war in the U.S. That day, Hooper would be credited with 22 confirmed kills. Then a staff sergeant, Hooper was on his second deployment to Vietnam when he was tasked with leading a squad of Delta Raiders Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 101st Airborne Division in an assault on a heavily defended Viet Cong position on the far side of a stream that stretched 20 feet from one side to the other. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Viet Cong, however, were ready, and unleashed a steady hail of small arms, machine gun and rocket fire that pinned down the majority of Hoopers men. A few soldiers, with Hooper leading, managed to avoid the barrage long enough to push across the stream and come face to face with a series of enemy gun positions. The rest of the unit soon followed. As friendly casualties mounted, the soldiers focus began to shift to evacuating the wounded. Hooper himself was seriously injured as he retrieved a hobbling soldier, but he refused medical attention, turning back instead and charging and destroying three enemy bunkers with his rifle and grenades that had been tormenting the advancing unit. Hooper, left, receiving the Medal of Honor alongside Army Sgt. 1st Class Fred Zabitosky and Army Spc. Clarence Sasser. (DoD) Two more enemy combatants who had just shot an Army chaplain were then spotted by the staff sergeant. Hooper promptly shot them both before moving the wounded chaplain to safety. Gathering his men to sweep the rest of the area, Hooper spotted three more enemy emplacements, small buildings where riflemen were still peppering the advancing U.S. forces. Hooper wasted little time attacking one after another, and was decimating the last of the three sites when he came face to face with a North Vietnamese officer. The officers rifle jammed and Sgt. Hooper was out of ammo as the enemy tried to escape, Lonnie Thomas, a soldier who served under Hooper, told the Pentagon in 2019. But Sgt. Hooper chased him down and stabbed him with his bayonet. Hooper then turned his attention to a small enemy-held building facing the front of the Delta Company assault. Storming the structure alone, Hooper once more deployed a deadly combination of rifle fire and grenades to eliminate its inhabitants. He then reorganized his men into an assault formation, despite bleeding severely from multiple wounds, and pushed forward until reaching the Viet Congs last line of resistance. To the left flank of the advancing men was a chain of four enemy bunkers that unleashed hell when they spotted the weary soldiers. Once more, the shrapnel-riddled Hooper waited for no one, sprinting along the enemy line and dropping grenades into each bunker, killing all but two of the enemy fighters. After locating and destroying two more enemy fortifications, Hooper spotted a wounded soldier laying in a nearby trench on the other side of open terrain but the staff sergeant was out of ammunition. Near Hooper was Thomas, who said he called to [Hooper] and tossed him a .45-caliber pistol that he could use on his way to the wounded soldier. No sooner had he caught it and turned than he came face to face with an NVA raising a rifle to Sgt. Hoopers head, Thomas recalled. Sgt. Hooper calmly shot the man dead with the pistol, then carried the wounded man back to safety. And yet, Hooper was not done, maneuvering instead to eliminate three more NVA officers before positioning his men into a line of defense. Only then did he finally acquiesce to receiving medical treatment a full seven hours after the fight of his life began. Sgt. Hooper in one day accomplished more than I previously believed could have been done in a month by one man, and he did it all while wounded, Sgt. George Parker, who served with Hooper, said in a Defense Department press release. It wasnt just the actual count of positions overrun and enemy killed which was important. But far more so was the fantastic inspiration he gave every man in the company. Hooper was presented the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon on March 7, 1969. He would be commissioned as an officer before retiring from the military in 1974. At the time of his retirement, the Army had credited him with 115 confirmed enemy KIA. Tragically, Hooper passed away at the young age of 40 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Read his full Medal of Honor citation here. FORT LIBERTY A Laurinburg man has been charged in December 2020 slayings of a Special Forces soldier and a veteran whose bodies were found at Fort Liberty. In a news release Friday, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said that Kenneth Maurice Quick Jr., 23, was indicted Aug. 1 on charges including murder, conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, firearm and obstruction charges and two counts of the use of a firearm causing death. The charges are related to the slayings of Master Sgt. William LaVigne II, 37, and Army veteran Timothy Dumas Sr., 44 identified in the federal indictment by their initials. The new release states that Quick allegedly committed first-degree murder by shooting one person on then-Fort Bragg property, on Dec. 1, 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In addition, it is alleged Quick used a firearm to murder a second victim that same day, the news release states. The murder of the second victim was (allegedly) in relation to a separate charge for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The bodies of LaVigne and Dumas found Dec. 2, 2020, in the woods accessible to the public near a training area along Manchester Road. Timothy Dumas Sr., left, and William Lavigne III The indictment also alleges that Quick conspired with other persons, known and unknown to the Grand Jury to distribute cocaine between Nov. 25, 2020, and Dec. 1, 2020. The record further alleges that Quick shot and killed T.D. Sr. on Dec. 1, 2020. The court records state that while allegedly trafficking cocaine, Quick caused the death of W.J.L. II by using a firearm and attempted to dispose of the body of W.J.L. II, and that he attempted to conceal the bodies Dec. 1, 2020. LaVigne's certificate lists his cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. Dumas cause of death is listed as gunshot wounds to the chest and head. Master Sgt. William Lavigne has been identified as one of the soldiers found dead at a Fort Bragg training area in December 2020. The records alleged that on either Dec. 2 or Dec. 3, 2020, Quick obstructed justice by attempting to move and burn a truck belonging to T.J.D. Sr. The case has been under investigation by the FBI and Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. According to an FBI poster seeking information in the slayings, LaVignes gray 2015 Chevrolet Colorado truck was found at the crime scene. Dumas 2014 Dodge Ram truck was found abandoned, and apparently burned, at an undisclosed location. The news release alleges that Quick was a felon at the time of the deaths and knowingly possessed ammunition, while also obstructing justice by attempting to dispose of the body of one of the victims. Quick is currently serving nearly 5 years in federal prison for a February 2023 conviction of possessing a firearm as a felon in Scotland County in May 2022, federal court records show. Charges of cocaine trafficking were dismissed in that case. Prior charges for Dumas and LaVigne At the time of his death, LaVigne was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command and had been in the Army for 19 years. His death certificate states his last home address was in Hope Mills. Dumas, a resident of Pinehurst, joined the Army in 1996 and served for 20 years as a property accounting technician, according to records. He retired from the Army in March 2016 as a chief warrant officer 3. In an April 2021 interview with Rolling Stone, LaVignes father, Billy LaVigne Sr. said that despite meeting most of his sons friends and associates, There was never no mention of this Dumas. LaVigne and Dumas were each scheduled to appear in court on unrelated cases in the months after their deaths according to court records. LaVigne was supposed to be in Cumberland County District Court on Jan. 15 for a Feb. 17, 2020, hit-and-run charge, court documents state. Dumas was scheduled to appear in Forsyth County District Court on Dec. 17 on charges of breaking and entering, communicating threats and impersonating a law enforcement officer for allegedly breaking into an apartment in Walkertown in Forsyth County with the intent to terrorize and injure an occupant of the building, on April 11, 2020. The record states Dumas yelled, police open the door after knocking. LaVigne also was involved in other Cumberland County cases that never resulted in charges, records show. On March 21, 2018, at his Anhinga Drive home, LaVigne shot and killed his friend, Army Sgt. 1st Class Mark Leshikar. The LaVigne and Leshikar families had just returned from a trip to Disneyland. The Cumberland County Sheriffs Office investigated and declared the death justifiable homicide. Six months later, LaVigne was indicted Sept. 1, 2018, on felony charges of harboring an escapee and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place to manufacture a controlled substance. Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West told the Fayetteville Observer in 2021 that authorities were trying to locate an individual who had warrants for various property crimes when they found the suspect at LaVignes home. While at the scene, drugs were also found. As the case progressed, West said others involved in it, including the property crime suspect and a woman who was also at LaVignes home during the time when the drugs were found, took responsibility for the drugs and were prosecuted. Charges against Lavigne were dropped, West said. LaVigne's father told Rolling Stone that after Leshikars death, his son changed. He said he last spoke to his son on Thanksgiving, a few days before his death, and that he sounded somewhat normal, but also seemed anxious and preoccupied. LaVigne was expected to serve another two months in the Army before retirement. He was planning on coming home and building a log cabin on our property, his father said. Its the last thing we spoke about. Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Arrest made in 2020 Fort Liberty 2020 of Special Forces soldier, veteran Lucky number 13. Talk about a stroke of film noir fate! The 2023 edition of Noir City Chicago, the annual celebration of mean streets and what the French call malchance, gathers a weeks worth of cinematic crime, passion, punishment and extreme shadows for screenings of 18 films, mostly on 35mm film, at the Music Box Theatre. Advertisement But theres some debate about the film noir genre, if it is a genre. Presented by the Music Box and the Film Noir Foundation, the 13th annual festival spans a category-defying range of work, including a singular noir Western (Blood on the Moon, 1948, with Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Geddes and Robert Preston), a seminal shot-in-Chicago example of Hollywood giving semi-documentary neorealism a shot (Call Northside 777, with James Stewart in 1948) and the lesser-known Chicago Deadline (also 1948, a very big noir year). That one stars Alan Ladd and Donna Reed in a drama, filmed partly in Chicago, about a newspaper reporter and a party girl whose downfall makes for tantalizing copy. If you like film noir, you likely know and like Eddie Muller. His Noir City festivals, now in several cities, have become mainstays, and they work hand-in-glove with his hosting duties for the weekend Noir Alley programming on Turner Classic Movies. His Film Noir Foundation isnt mere fandom; with the foundations curatorial guidance and advocacy, a considerable list of noirs, many in danger of extinction, have been restored and screened around the world. Advertisement Muller introduces nine screenings at the Music Box this weekend, including Bogart and Bacall in Key Largo; Orson Welles sense-defying thriller The Lady From Shanghai, starring Welles and Rita Hayworth; and Call Northside 777. Mullers foundation cohort and fellow author Alan K. Rode handles the rest. Our interview has been edited for clarity and length. Q: Eddie, I love your three-word definition of film noir: suffering with style. But is film noir a genre or isnt it? A: Ive settled on defining it as Hollywoods only organic artistic movement. Thats the way I look at it. Theres no reason for these movies to look and feel and sound the way they do, other than the artists themselves who made that happen. Just like Impressionism was a movement, and Expressionism was a movement, noir was a cinematic movement. Turner Classic Movies' "czar of noir" Eddie Muller on the set of his "Noir Alley" show. (Turner Classic Movies/Turner Classic Movies) Q: You put it this way in one interview: Give the (French film) critic Nino Frank credit for coining film noir as early as 1946. But trust me, no one in 1940s Hollywood thought they were making films noirs. A: Nobody called it film noir in Hollywood at the time. Organically, all of a sudden in the early 1940s, crime movies, even some war movie and Westerns, so many different films worked in this particular visual style. Its an artistic movement that pretty much rose in the early 40s and was fading out by the mid-1950s. By then, Hollywood needed to get audiences back in the theaters after the advent of television. Everything was widescreen and Technicolor; the whole noir look and feel was basically siphoned off movie screens and ended up, in a lot of cases, on 50s and early 60s television. Q: With the shadows and silhouettes and striking compositions of so much noir, thanks to the noir masters of lighting like John Alton, would you say its largely a cinematographer-driven movement? A: Well, I think its important to consider the contribution of all the artists involved. From a writing standpoint, by the 1940s you could actually create movies in which the protagonists were the bad guys, more or less. Double Indemnity. The Suspect. The protagonist is plotting to commit murder. We cant discount the writers contribution; its the dialogue in film noir that people love, and the language of noir that keeps it popular the particular hardboiled vernacular of this type of story. Q: Can we talk about the two Chicago noirs in this years Noir City lineup? Advertisement A: Call Northside 777 was a big hit in its time. And Chicago Deadline wasnt, even though it won the Mystery Writers of America award for best film that year. Its largely forgotten, and Im glad were able to resurrect it. Were showing what might be the only 35mm print in existence. Im always amazed Alan Ladd is an overlooked movie star of that era (best known for Shane today). The Alan Ladd version of The Great Gatsby in 1949 plays like a film noir, unlike any other version of F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel told on screen. It reeks of noir. Alan Ladd and Donna Reed star in the 1949 film noir drama "Chicago Deadline." (Noir City Film Festival/Music Box Theatre) Q: What do you get in a Chicago noir you dont get in a New York or Los Angeles noir? A: Interesting question. I have a flip answer when someone asks about New York versus LA noirs: In New York noirs, the camera tilts up and down; in LA noirs, the cameras pan side to side. And in San Francisco, the noirs go all over the place because of the hills. Chicago cant really escape its image of the gangland world, and the shadow of Al Capone. Neither of these Chicago noirs were showing are gangland movies, per se. But Call Northside 777 flashes back to a crime committed at the height of Prohibition. And there are underworld forces dragging Donna Reed down in Chicago Deadline. In Europe, at the height of noir, with any movie that was set in Chicago if it didnt have the word Chicago in the title, they put it there! So with The Narrow Margin (1952), which starts with a train leaving Chicago, the title became The Path of the Chicago Express, or something like that. Q: I bet Chicago Deadline will be new to most people. This years Noir City lineup has a lot of better-known titles: Key Largo, The Big Clock, The Lady From Shanghai. There are so many this year that vie for most film noir-sounding title. For me its a tie between He Walked By Night, I Walk Alone, Cry of the City and The Naked City. Advertisement A: Over the years my programming strategy for Noir City has evolved. Once upon a time it was imperative to me to show off: Look at these rarities! Then after a while you realize: Huh, I guess thats why the auditoriums only a third full (laughs). So you have to balance things. Its good strategy to show a well-known title. There are plenty of 25- and 30-year-olds who havent seen Rita Hayworth or Humphrey Bogart on a big screen. Q: What was the first noir you saw as a kid? A: The first one that really registered was Thieves Highway, 1949, Jules Dassin. It was set in San Francisco, which is where I grew up. I was so intrigued by seeing the city that didnt exist in its 1949 form anymore, and I became fascinated by how movies become the artifact of their time, preserving what was once there. People respond to the anthropology of the moviegoing experience. In Chicago, I have diehard fans that, once they see the new lineup, and they realize theres a Chicago movie in it, theyll send me these fantastic lists of locations, of where they shot what scene. Movies are the collective memory of the culture. Its as close to time travel as we can get. Noir City Chicago runs Aug. 25-31 at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; $9-$12 for individual screenings, all-festival passes $85-$100, musicboxtheatre.com Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. Advertisement mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune MANILA (Reuters) -Australia has a security interest in the South China Sea and will work more closely with the Philippines on joint patrols, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Friday as he observed military exercises with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. More than 2,000 Australian and Philippine defence personnel, as well as U.S. Marines, are participating in amphibious landing and air assault drills, with two Australian navy vessels, HMAS Canberra and HMAS ANZAC, conducting bilateral exercises with the Philippine Navy. The joint exercises, a first for the two nations, come amid renewed tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. Marcos spoke to journalists after Friday's beach landing drill in Zambales, near the South China Sea, which he watched with binoculars, accompanied by Marles and Philippines Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Philippines want a closer working relationship with the militaries of regional neighbours, Marcos said. "It is an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventualities, considering there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region," he said. At a joint news conference with Teodoro, Marles said the first joint patrols of the South China Sea by the two navies would "happen soon". He reiterated support for 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated sweeping Chinese claims to the South China Sea and said, "we are two countries committed to an idea of a world in which disputes are determined by reference to international laws". The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan have claims to certain areas of the South China Sea. Most of Australia's trade goes through the South China Sea, and upholding international rules is a shared strategic interest with the Philippines, he earlier told ABC radio. "A whole lot of damage can be done to Australia before any potential adversary sets foot on our shores, and maintaining the rules-based order in Southeast Asia, maintaining the collective security of Southeast Asia, is fundamental to maintaining the national security of our country," he said. Australia, Japan and the Philippines conducted a joint patrol last week, although a U.S. navy vessel did not take part as planned, he said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he will make the first visit by an Australian leader to the Philippines in 20 years next month to discuss defence cooperation. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Karen Lema in Manila. Editing by Gerry Doyle) The United Auto Workers Union (UAW) has been fighting for a new contract, with better safety protections and pay for its workers, at GM's Ultium Cells plant in Warren, Ohio for months. There have been multiple incidents regarding worker safety that are being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the Ultium plant, and the latest involved a dangerous chemical spill over the weekend. According to The Detroit News, Ultium spokesperson Katie Burdette said that operations in the area are paused until a third-party company finishes cleaning and containing the leak. The black slurry that covered the ground is as hazardous as it looks, as it contains n-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP), a chemical used for dissolving polymer that contains battery materials like aluminum, lithium, and manganese. While there's no federal exposure limit to NMP, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that NMP "presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use." The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) says that NMP can affect the nervous system, cause fetal issues, and even lead to infertility. Cadillac Lyric assembly Ultium Cells reported the incident to OSHA, which has opened an investigation to find out what happened and how the company handled the incident. Add it to the list, as there were already five open OSHA investigations into the Ultium plant, making this one the sixth. And that's in addition to the five OSHA investigations that already closed, which resulted in three fines, totaling $31,078. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Why aren't Ultium workers protected by the same UAW contract as other GM plant workers? Because Ultium LLC is a separate entity that's owned both by GM and LG Energy Solutions. Previous union agreements don't apply to such joint ventures, which is something the UAW feels is intentional, so automakers can skirt master-labor wages, according to Bloomberg. GM disagrees, saying the joint venture was done to take advantage of LG's intellectual property. Since existing UAW agreements with GM don't apply to Ultium workers, they aren't protected in the same way in case of injury. Thankfully, there are no known injuries from the chemical spill at the Ultium plant over the weekend. However, OSHA will continue its investigation into what caused the spill and what safety precautions are in place. At the same time, the UAW is continuing to fight for Ultium plant workers to have the same union protections as the rest of its members. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com The United Auto Workers said Friday that members voted overwhelmingly to authorize the union to call strikes against Detroits Big Three automakers if they fail to reach new contracts next month, forcing the next major showdown in a year of U.S. labor unrest. The UAWs agreements with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis North America all expire the night of Sept. 14. The union said that 97% of members who cast ballots were in favor of walking off the job if their demands arent met by then. Specifically, 98% of workers at Ford, 96% at GM and 95% at Stellantis approved of authorizing strikes. The strike vote does not guarantee work stoppages will happen, but it puts them on the table if the UAW isnt satisfied with negotiations. Shawn Fain, the unions new president, hammered the automakers in a video conference Friday, saying they were riding high on profits while workers scraped by. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Big Three dont care about workers or consumers, Fain said. They only worship at the altar of profits. He added, They cant stand that were finally fighting back. This week, union leaders started joining workers in practice pickets held outside auto plants demonstrations meant as a show of strength and solidarity as the contracts expiration nears. Fain has called Sept. 14 a deadline, not a reference point, maintaining that the union will call strikes rather than extend negotiations if deals havent been reached. They cant stand that were finally fighting back.UAW President Shawn Fain The UAW has 150,000 members working under the contracts at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep brands. Negotiations for new four-year contracts at all three companies began in July. According to the union, the automakers juicy profits mean they can afford to pony up for significant raises. Fain rolled out an ambitious economic proposal for contract talks earlier this month, including an immediate 20% pay hike followed by 5% annual increases, The Wall Street Journal reported. The union is also demanding that the automakers eliminate any tiered compensation schemes in which workers earn different rates for the same work. UAW President Shawn Fain has taken a more militant approach to bargaining than his predecessors. UAW President Shawn Fain has taken a more militant approach to bargaining than his predecessors. Fain insisted that the union is not asking for too much. The last 10 years have been the most profitable in Big Three history, he said. Instead of investing that profit in us, the workers who made it, they squandered it on giveaways to rich investors and the CEOs. Compared with his predecessors, Fain has taken a more militant approach to talks with the Big Three. He won the unions top position earlier this year as an insurgent candidate who argued that the UAW had given automakers too many concessions over the decades. The union had just recently switched to a system in which members would elect their leaders directly rather than through delegates, leading to the ouster of the unions long-empowered administrative caucus. Signaling a break with the past, Fain declined to publicly shake hands with the Big Threes chief executives to open this years negotiations. Instead, Fain and other leaders did a members handshake and greeted workers at assembly plants. The union said it recently increased strike pay money that workers would receive through the union during a work stoppage to $500 per week. The UAW said it has $825 million in its strike fund. The autoworkers contract fight is one of several high-profile labor battles this year. Hollywood writers have been on strike against studios for more than 100 days, and Hollywood actors for more than 40. During his conference Friday, Fain said the UAW supports those workers in their fight, adding that companies across industries are trying to drive down wages. You have our backs and we have yours, he said to the writers and actors. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced an autumn full of events in Ukrainian diplomacy. He also said that Ukraine would adopt legislative changes to protect Ukraine from those who would weaken it the following week. Source: Zelenskyys evening address Quote: "We are also preparing our new international events for the autumn, new steps in relations with partners that should strengthen Ukraine. The autumn will be eventful in terms of our diplomacy We are already preparing for next week. There will be some special internal political meetings. They are already scheduled. Regarding legislative decisions... Something that will definitely protect our state from all those who are trying to weaken it, who, unfortunately, do not think about Ukraine, even though they hold positions in the state system. The strength of Ukraine has no alternatives." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy thanked the defenders, in particular the paratroopers of the 80th Air Assault Brigade, who are fighting hard on the Bakhmut front. He also mentioned the 68th Jaeger Brigade, which is killing the Russians on the Lyman front, and the 12th Operational Brigade of the National Guard, which is delivering the results Ukraine needs on the Kreminna front. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the 46th Airmobile Brigade for their strength on the Orikhiv front and the 59th Motorised Brigade for their strength on the Donetsk front. Zelenskyy thanked Rocket Forces, including the 27th Petro Kalnyshevskyi Rocket Artillery Brigade and the 107th Kremenchuk-based Rocket Artillery Brigade for their accuracy on the Zaporizhzhia front. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Is the era of truly peaceful vacations over? One Redditor spotted unskippable ads during their recent South Florida vacation, ruining an otherwise quiet beach day. The video, shared to the Anticonsumption subreddit, shows an aerial ad flying just off the shore with a giant QR code on it and the caption, You cant adblock this. Another ad shows an image of a woman holding a semi-automatic rifle, with the caption from Lock and Load Miami that read, shoot machine guns. My vacation to Miami Beach is getting ruined by unskippable ads, the Redditor writes. Not only are aerial ads like these disturbing to see, but because theyre attached to planes, they contribute to pollution and negatively impact air quality, particularly in densely populated areas. They also require the use of dirty energy sources that contribute to planet-heating gases during sourcing and production. Aerial ad aircraft also create noise pollution, which can not only disrupt your quiet vacation, but it can also disturb wildlife and disrupt their normal behaviors. So this is gross and frustrating, but whats also bothering me can you even scan a [QR] code while its being flown through the sky like that? Also, I cant ad block you but you also cant force me to scan your stupid code, writes one Redditor. They note that its even more frustrating that it seems like theyre just trying to prove a point and being extremely wasteful in the meantime, but I take comfort in the fact that its highly unlikely they see any return on investment for those ads. Not only did it ruin your vacation, it ruined my morning coffee, writes one Redditor. Their marketing guy is a genius. Another user summed it up in a single word. Cringe, they write. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. We are back this week with a host of delectable food for you to try on the SouthCoast. There is no shortage of culinary delights to try in the area, if you are having a hard time choosing where to go, we've got you covered. We've compiled a list of meal deals, special events, and mouth-watering offerings at local eateries. This week we have everything from Country Fest to Lobster Fest, to smoked BBQ and cold craft beers, head out for a drive and make your next meal a memorable one! Lobster Fest is here It's Lobster Fest every Wednesday and Thursday at Krave Restaurant and Bar. Lobster lovers, get ready for quite a treat every Wednesday and Thursday Krave Restaurant and Bar is bringing you Lobster Fest. A feast of delicious crustaceans for two for only $50. This seafood haven gives you a pitcher of sangria, lobster rangoon, and your choice of lobster mac n cheese or a lobster roll. Indulge in this special this week at 1856 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement New Bedford Eats: Grab something delicious for breakfast, brunch, or dinner Dig into a Cape Verdean delight this weekend Try something new at Restaurante Algarve by ordering the Katchupa. Have you ever tried Katchupa? Its a traditional Cape-verdean dish that consists of corn, beans, fava beans, and pork being plated up at Restaurante Algarve on Saturdays and Sundays. The weekend also offers cozido a portuguesa, which is a Portuguese boiled dinner. Both comfort dishes are waiting for you at 128 County St., New Bedford. Wednesdays are for Fish and Chips Wednesdays are for $10 Fish and Chips at The Vault. There is some exciting news from The Vault this week, they are now going to be open on Wednesdays. Celebrating the extra day of service every Wednesday you can get the $10 Fish and Chips dine-in special. Crispy fish and fries with tangy cole slaw and tartar sauce are on the menu at 791 Purchase St., New Bedford. Dockside dining: Places on the SouthCoast to dock your boat and enjoy a meal Its time to get a little bit country Dust off your cowboy hat and grab your boots, Country Fest is headed to Cisco Brewers New Bedford. Two days of country tunes, mechanical bull riding, boot and hat vendors, and the best part house-smoked BBQ and food truck treats. The two-steppin is happening Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10, say howdy and get a little rowdy at 1482 East Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford. Daves BBQ Bar now open at Daves Diner Dave's BBQ Bar is now open at Dave's Diner, 390 W. Grove St., Middleboro. The wait is over! Daves BBQ Bar is now open at Daves Diner, 390 W. Grove St., Middleboro. The bar offers all kinds of cocktails, beers, margaritas, and frozen treats. The BBQ Bars food menu is sizable. Theyve got beef brisket chili, clam chowder, and various salads. Burgers come with various BBQ toppings, plus theyve got wraps and sandwiches, like a Cajun shrimp poboy, and the Texas grilled cheese sandwich, with BBQ beef brisket, bacon, or BBQ pulled pork, American cheese and grilled Texas toast. BBQ specialties include brisket and pulled pork, as well as St. Louis-style pork ribs. Theyve also got chicken fajitas, El Paso shrimp, and arroz con pollo. For a full list of menu options, visit www.davesbbqbar.com, and be sure to bring your appetite! Cold brews and mouthwatering food Craft Beer & Food Truck Festa will be a fun filled day with tasty brews, yummy bites, and upbeat tunes. You dont want to miss out on the culinary paradise headed to Madeira Field from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept 9. Craft Beer & Food Truck Festa is sure to delight all you foodies with offerings from gourmet sliders to tantalizing tacos, juicy BBQ to delectable desserts, there's something to satisfy every craving. Elevate each dish with a diverse selection of craft beers and cultivate camaraderie among the community. There are limited tickets to the event with admission costing $10. You can get yours at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/craft-beer-and-food-truck-festa-tickets-626484400707?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse&fbclid=IwAR3lCm8tuBz8Bd0UEaF9Ksol_9JJ_1Qdn96u0Mp1MAqC9iEYngMD69x8-Cg. The pink box is finally headed to the SouthCoast A variety of Crumbl Cookies sold in the iconic pink box. SouthCoast residents have been patiently waiting to be able to order that iconic pink box of Crumbl Cookies since the location announcement at the beginning of this year. Well, you won't have to wait much longer to be able to get the SouthCoast's first taste of the freshly baked cookies as Crumbl Cookies is officially opening its Dartmouth location next month. To enjoy their weekly rotation of cookies head over to the grand opening on Friday, Sept. 1 in the Dartmouth Town Center at 452 A State Road, Dartmouth. The wait is over: Dartmouth is about to get a whole lot sweeter as Crumbl Cookies sets grand opening date Do you have a special deal, menu item, or food-related events to entice the local foodies? Share it with us at fharrington@s-t.com. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: SouthCoast offering lobster, BBQ, and craft beers: nb eats On Wednesday night, eight Republican presidential candidates gathered in Milwaukee for the first GOP primary debate. There was a lot on the line for each of them. But there was also an enormous amount at stake for the news organization that hosted the debate: Fox News. Consider the cross currents that the two Fox moderators, Martha McCallum and Bret Baier , had to deal with: First there was Trump, who refused to participate and lashed out at Fox and its talent, including Baier, on social media. Then there was Tucker Carlson, McCallum and Baiers former star colleague who is in messy litigation with the network, and who nabbed Trump for himself and counter-programmed the evening with an interview that aired simultaneously with the Fox debate. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Then there was Rupert Murdoch hovering in the background. In the days before the debate there were new reports that the man who runs Fox, MacCallum and Baiers boss, has his own strong feelings about who the GOP nominee should be. If that isnt enough, on the eve of the debate, several candidates who didnt qualify to be on stage threatened to sue. Add to that the challenges of being the ones asking the uncomfortable questions in that arena on Wednesday. The candidates are primed to pounce on you if it serves their political interests. The boisterous crowd of partisans could turn on you at any moment. So what was it like behind the scenes at the Fox News debate? How did the hosts prepare, including for a possible last-minute appearance by Trump? What did they think of the highly caffeinated Mike Pence interrupting them at every turn? What was the deal with DeSantis and Christie during that one hand-raising moment? And whose idea was that UFO question, anyway? On this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, host and Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza asks Martha and Bret those questions and a lot more as they bring us inside what is perhaps the most important event of the GOP primary so far. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office released what will go down as one of the most historic photos in American history on Thursday: The mugshot of former President Donald Trump . Here it is: Trump surrendered himself to authorities in Georgia for his fourth arrest Thursday evening, and while hes already gone through the process multiple times, this is the first time he or any current or former commander-in-chief has had his mugshot taken. Earlier this month, Trump and 18 of his allies were charged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in a sprawling RICO indictment resulting from a lengthy investigation into efforts to overturn Georgias 2020 election results. Several of Trumps co-defendants including coup architect John Eastman, former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows have already surrendered to authorities. UPDATE: Nine defendants indicted along with former President Donald Trump had been booked into the Fulton County jail by August 23. Here are their mug shots. More details: https://t.co/9rNKzxUPhX : Fulton County Sheriff's Office pic.twitter.com/r84YEhJmQp Atlanta Journal-Constitution (@ajc) August 23, 2023 Multiple co-defendants decision to smile in their booking photos can be seen as an act of defiance against what they perceive as an unlawful persecution of their efforts to keep Trump in power. Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for Trump who was booked Wednesday, explained to The New York Times that those who mock me, my former client, and my God want to see me break and they arent going to get that satisfaction. Ellis made the mugshot her profile picture on Twitter. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Fulton County authorities broke with fellow prosecutors who had granted requests to forgo an official booking photograph in Trumps previous arrests. County Sheriff Pat Labat stated publicly that he didnt care who Trump was, and that he would receive the exact same treatment as any other defendant being processed by the county. Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesnt matter your status, well have a mugshot ready for you, Lebat told reporters earlier this month. The image is already primed to become one of the most remarkable photos in the history of the country. Lara Trump, daughter-in-law to the former president and a surrogate for his campaign, told Newsmax on Wednesday that the mugshot will be the most famous mugshot in the history of the world. Its gonna backfire on them, she said. Its going to be on posters in peoples dorm rooms, its going to be on t-shirts. It is going to be a flag flown by people who love this country because theyre backing Donald Trump. Social media waited for the image with bated breath and a whole lot of memes. The hashtag TrumpMugShot began trending on Twitter Thursday morning, and refused to budge throughout the day. Some Trump allies, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), are even working up their own mock mugshots in solidarity with the former president. I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Bidens top political opponent, Greene wrote along with the hashtag #MAGAMugshot. The distribution of the image through merchandise and media is also a certainty, as the mugshots of Trumps co-defendants are already plastered on print-on-demand websites like Etsy and Redbubble. Trump will certainly take full advantage, as well. The former president is already selling merchandise on his campaign website featuring a fake version of the mugshot over the words NOT GUILTY. The real thing will likely make its way onto official campaign merch faster than you can say cheese. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko admits that Russian forces invaded Ukraine from Belarus at the start of the full-scale war in 2022 and reiterates his support for Russia. Despite this avowal, Lukashenko claims he supports neighboring states territorial integrity during a meeting with Chinas defense minister in Minsk. The European Commission reallocates nearly $150 million in funding once meant for Russia and Belarus to projects in Ukraine and Moldova due to Russias full-scale war. Lithuania closes two of its border crossings into Belarus, citing threats to its national security. The U.S. calls its citizens to leave the country following the closure. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Belarus designates some poems written by the father of Belarusian literature extremist. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us Lukashenko admits Russian forces invaded Ukraine through Belarus in 2022, says it was unexpected Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko admitted that Russian forces invaded Ukraine from Belarus at the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to Lukashenko, some Russian troops, who he claimed were in Belarus as part of planned military exercises, crossed the Ukrainian border from the territory of Belarus on Feb. 23 and 24 of last year. He claimed it was unexpected, adding that blame should not be directed toward him as no Belarusian troops were involved. Meanwhile, Lukashenko said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not pressuring Belarus to directly join Russias full-scale war, noting that Minsk would only send troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine if Ukrainian forces entered Belarus. But we will always help Russia they are our allies, he added. Read also: With the world looking away, Russia quietly took control over Belarus He justified his decision not to commit troops by saying that Russia has enough manpower and equipment and does not need Belarusian forces. To involve Belarus what will that give? Nothing, Lukashenko said in an interview with Belarusian state media on Aug. 17. If you Ukrainians do not cross our border, we will never participate in this war. While Belarus has not sent forces to fight alongside Russia in the war, it has permitted Russia to use its territory to attack Ukraine. Lukashenko has also publicly backed Russias war. Lukashenko also said he believes Russia has achieved its goals during its full-scale war against Ukraine, adding that Kyiv and Moscow should sit at the negotiating table to discuss the future of the Ukrainian territories Russia has illegally occupied. Negotiations should begin without preconditions. This is classic of any diplomacy, Lukashenko said. We need to sit down at the negotiating table and discuss everything and Crimea, and Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk. Kyiv says that peace talks are only possible if Russian troops withdraws from Ukraine. Lukashenko meets with Chinese defense minister in Minsk Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko met with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu in Minsk on Aug. 17 to discuss military and economic cooperation. The purpose of my visit to Belarus is precisely the implementation of important agreements at the level of heads of state and the further strengthening of bilateral military cooperation, Li said, without providing further details. During the meeting, Lukashenko claimed he supports a multipolar world, territorial integrity, and unity of the borders and territories formed after World War II, adding that his regime is committed to non-interference in the internal affairs of states. China and Belarus share the same main ideas of the current and future world order, Lukashenko continued, thanking China for its cooperation. Lukashenkos claim that he supports neighboring states territorial integrity came the same day that he admitted that Russian troops invaded Ukraine from Belarus at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Read also: Chinese defense minister claims strategic partnership with Belarus Li arrived in Minsk on Aug. 16 for the second half of his six-day visit to Russia and Belarus, during which he discussed bilateral military cooperation and visited Belarusian military facilities. In recent years, under the leadership of Alexander Lukashenko and Xi Jinping, the relations between Belarus and China have been continuously strengthening, developing, and moving forward, Li told Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, adding that Minsk and Beijing have truly fraternal relations. Li began his trip in Moscow, where he attended the Moscow Conference on International Security, during which senior defense officials from over 20 friendly states, including Belarus, Iran, and Myanmar, discussed military cooperation. Lis visit to Russia and Belarus comes amid growing Western attempts to isolate the two countries over their role in the full-scale war against Ukraine. EU reallocates funds for Russia, Belarus to Ukraine, Moldova The European Commission announced on Aug. 16 that it will reallocate 135 million euros ($147 million) in funding once meant for Russia and Belarus to projects in Ukraine and Moldova. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said the decision to terminate the collaboration with Russia and Belarus is the result of the brutal war of Russia against Ukraine. The funding package is part of the Commissions Neighborhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument. The Commission first halted its collaboration with the co-belligerents in March 2022 following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and reassigned 26 million euros ($28.2 million) to Ukraine and Moldova. Read also: Kyiv, Moscows opposing attitudes toward Soviet past shape two different futures This recent decision means the remaining funds for the 2021-2027 period will also be redistributed to bolster the EUs programs in Ukraine and Moldova. These programs include the improvement of cross-border transportation links, development of healthcare services, facilitation of educational and research projects, and enhancing institutional capacity. This will help strengthen collaboration between EU regions and local stakeholders with Ukrainian and Moldovan partners, Ferreira said. Lithuania shuts 2 border crossings with Belarus Lithuania closed two of its border crossings into Belarus on Aug. 18, citing a changing geopolitical situation, smuggling, and threats to national security. Vilnius didnt specify its reasoning behind the decision, although Lithuanian politicians have pointed to the Russian Wagner mercenary in Belarus. Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia, which all share borders with Belarus, have expressed growing concern over the threats presented by nearby Belarusian military drills, the Wagner Groups presence in the country, and the ongoing influx of migrants amid the Minsk-engineered migrant crisis. According to Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite, the Baltic states and Poland will meet on Aug. 28 in Warsaw to discuss a coordinated approach to border closures with Belarus to reduce threats. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics announced on Aug. 17 that he had called a National Security Council meeting to discuss the situation at Latvias borders with Russia and Belarus. The Lithuanian Transport Ministry said the closures are temporary and will not fundamentally affect the situation at the border, noting that traffic from the Tverecius and Sumskas crossings will be redirected to the Medinikai checkpoint. A considerable number of Lithuanian citizens continue to use Minsks visa-free regime to travel to Belarus, often to take advantage of the lower cost of goods at duty-free shops by the border. According to Belarusian statistics, at least 170,000 Lithuanian citizens have entered the country so far in 2023. The Lithuanian government has discouraged its citizens from visiting, placing signs by the border that state, Do not travel to Belarus. You may fail to come back. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry denounced the closures, claiming they are politically motivated attempts to prevent Lithuanian citizens from visiting Belarus. Following the crossings closure, the U.S. urged its citizens to leave or avoid travel to Belarus. Belarus designates 2 poems by 19th-century author extremist The Belarusian Prosecutor Generals Office designated two poems by 19th-century Belarusian poet Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkevich, who is considered the father of Belarusian literature, extremist material on Aug. 17. Belarusian authorities also applied the label to a foreword to his works by Yazep Yanushkevich. Dunin-Martsinkevichs poems, titled The Winds Are Floating and Conversation of an Elderly Man, relate to the 1863 January Uprising, a nationalist rebellion led by Belarusian-Polish revolutionary Kastus Kalinouski against the Russian Empire. Dunin-Martsinkevich was at the time accused of disseminating ideas harmful to the authorities. He was arrested and imprisoned, although his direct participation in the uprising was never confirmed. The move sheds light on the expanding restrictions imposed by Lukashenkos regime on dissent and artistic expression in Belarus. The Belarusian Information Ministry has a 600-page-long repository of materials considered extremist, which includes anything from Telegram channels that oppose the regime to fictional literature pieces by contemporary Belarusian writers. Wagner's short stint in Belarus The Spotlight segment provides readers with the historical context of contemporary events in Belarus. Dictator Lukashenko allegedly helped broker a deal for Wagner Group Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his troops to relocate to Belarus after their armed mutiny in late June stopped short of reaching Moscow. Prigozhins armed insurrection began in Russia on June 23 and, before it abruptly came to an end, looked poised to soon break out into open, large-scale violence. Prigozhin announced on July 19 that his mercenaries were in Belarus for a short time following several announcements the week prior to their arrival. Read also: Putin confirms death of Wagner leader Prigozhin Whats happening on the front is a disgrace that we dont need to take part in, Prigozhin said. We need to wait for the moment that we can show what were worth in full. So a decision has been taken that we will be here in Belarus for some time. The first six convoys of Wagner Group mercenaries arrived in Belarus, Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported on July 18. A private plane has reportedly crashed in Russia's Tver Oblast, with the Wagner Group's boss Yevgeny Prigozhin listed as one of the passengers, Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported on Aug. 23, citing Russias Federal Agency for Air Transport. According to the airline, Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin were on board the private jet, Russia's Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya) said on Aug. 23. The future of the Wagner Group, and their mercenaries in Belarus, is now unknown. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Wladyslawa Domaradzka, 73, in her home on Chicagos Northwest Side on Aug. 23, 2023. She was arrested on Aug. 8 for trespassing at St. Adalbert Church in Pilsen. According to Domaradzka, she entered to try to save the stained glass and relics that the officials were getting rid of. She had a court hearing Wednesday morning, but the archdiocese didnt show up and her case was dismissed. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) A wooden rosary around her neck and a white tuft of hair combed neatly over her forehead, a 73-year-old devout Catholic sat on a hard wooden bench in a Cook County criminal courtroom Wednesday morning, holding her hands in her lap, ready to face charges. Wladyslawa Domaradzka, of Norwood Park, was facing a judge because of trespassing charges. As a widow with no children, Domaradzkas religious community is her family, and she was arrested in part because of her strong faith. Advertisement Its my church, Domaradzka told the Tribune with the help of a Polish translator before her court hearing. I want to pray. Domaradzka was arrested Aug. 8 for trespassing while protesting the removal of stained glass windows and art from her beloved but shuttered church, St. Adalbert in Pilsen, fighting for what she believed was inhumane treatment of a sacred space to her and many in her community. Advertisement Constructed in 1874 to serve Polish immigrant families, the church, a fixture of Chicago with a multicultural history and looming towers, has been a point of contention for the past four years as former congregants have fought to keep it open after its last Mass in 2019. Former St. Adalbert congregants the St. Adalbert Rosary Group continue to pray outside. Domaradzka said she still goes to St. Adalbert every Friday to pray. [ St. Adalbert Church in Pilsen to be sold: This is erasing our history, our legacy ] St. Adalbert Church is now part of St. Paul Catholic Church in Pilsen, about a mile southwest, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago. When St. Adalbert closed, Cardinal Blase Cupich attributed the churchs closure to declining parish populations and at least $3 million in renovations. Activists spent years trying to protect the church, and on Aug. 7, the city held a meeting where the church received preliminary historical landmark, according to a spokesperson from the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. This is a monthslong process that involves multiple hearings and a vote by City Council. The parish is completing work it began several weeks ago to protect the property and the sacred items in the church which were being repeatedly vandalized and destroyed. The preliminary landmark status vote by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks does not affect the efforts of St. Paul Parish to protect these items, the archdiocese said in a statement Wednesday. Chicago police detain protesters including Wladyslawa Domaradzka, left, who refused to move from in front of a truck preparing to transport the La Pieta statue from St. Adalbert Catholic Church on Nov. 29. 2022. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) The day following the preliminary historical landmark the day of her arrest Domaradzka and a few other devoted former parishioners went to the church around lunchtime. To Domaradzkas surprise, she said, she walked inside and saw archdiocese officials removing relics and stained glass. She remembered entering St. Adalbert and asking for a reason why the items and art were removed from the church. She said officials closed and latched the door behind her by putting a two-by-four across the handles. After officials locked the door, she said, her friend Izabella Sadowska called the police. Sadowska sat next to Domaradzka at her court hearing. Advertisement Sadowska said calling the police backfired. Archdiocese officials refused to tell the 73-year-old woman why they were removing items from the church, Sadowska said, so Domaradzka stayed. She told them she came to pray, and that they were taking action that was in violation of the building law. But when the police got there, they decided to arrest her, her friend recounted. When Domaradzka was arrested, she said she was crying, scared and confused. She was handcuffed and brought to the 1st District police station in the South Loop. To the relief of the 10 former parishioners who went with Domaradzka to court in Garfield Park Wednesday morning, her case was dismissed because the archdioceses didnt show up with a witness, said her attorney, David Drwencke. The archdiocese had a duty to send a representative, he said, but failed to do so. Outside court Wednesday morning, Domaradzkas entourage stood in the heat and humidity and expressed outrage at the archdiocese for allowing the church to close, and proceeding to remove glass and art from inside. Domaradzka was handed a plant of pink roses. This is the most support Ive ever had. Typically there will be family, Drwencke said. But not this level of support, and its clear that not everybody is family. Advertisement The churchs history is layered. In 1912, it was rebuilt following a fire. The former congregation has maintained its Polish roots though Polish immigrants have since dispersed from Pilsen, a neighborhood that is now home to a large Hispanic community. Despite receiving preliminary historical landmark status, the church is currently under contract with a Anew Holdings, LLC, according Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, whose ward includes the church property. Sigcho-Lopez said he received a letter Aug. 10 from the company confirming their contract, asking to open up conversation with neighborhood stakeholders. More than 20 leaders, including preservation groups, responded unanimously saying they couldnt accept the companys proposal, Sigcho-Lopez said. Neighborhoods are made stronger because of community gathering sites like St. Adalbert, he said. We hope we can collaborate to preserve the landmark, as we just started the preliminary process. Special spaces that mean a lot to our communities are port of entries for immigrants. Felix Gonzalez, the attorney representing Anew Holdings, LLC, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Anina Jakubowski, who grew up in Pilsen and attended St. Adalbert as a child, still goes to St. Adalbert every Sunday to say a rosary for her mother, who also attended the church. She calls their group of former parishioners the Faithful of St. Adalbert. Advertisement A church is supposed to be a public face, she said. So why are they locking the doors? Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Last fall, the archdiocese had the replica of Michelangelos La Pieta statue moved from St. Adalbert to St. Paul . Protesters at the time told the Tribune the move would bring the space to a point of no return. The statue depicts Mary cradling Jesus body on her lap after the crucifixion. The work permit cleared workers to create a 6-by-7-foot hole in a wall on the east side of the church, following months of complaints from advocates. The move was originally delayed due to a permit issue. [ La Pieta statue at St. Adalbert Church is moved after months of protests ] Andy Bobak, 46, who stood outside with the group of Faithful, said that the church is their way of bringing Poland with them. She (Domaradzka) didnt rob a bank. She didnt shoot anybody, he said. This is war. Pray with us to save St. Adalbert Church. Friday vigil 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Uniting in prayer, a sign on the side of the church reads. Advertisement Scaffolding currently covers its centuries-old tan brick towers, and prayer stations are set up along the plywood covering its base. nsalzman@chicagotribune.com The Belleville News-Democrats journey toward a more digitally focused, sustainable future takes its biggest step yet later this year. We will transition to a 24/7 digital product with two days of high-quality print editions beginning Oct. 30. The print editions will publish Wednesdays and Sundays and be delivered by mail, arriving on the same day as publication, in most cases, alongside your regular mail delivery. The Sunday newspaper will arrive on Saturday because of the U.S. Postal Services delivery schedule. Single copies also will be available at select retail locations. The eEdition will continue to publish seven days a week at bnd.com and in our digital app. And well continue to publish news digitally throughout the day, every day. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Were also improving your digital experience. Over the next few months, were excited to launch a tablet program, new community calendar and portal for submissions, better eEdition navigation, a refreshed homepage that will provide unique experiences for our readers, and much more. This is another key move for us in the digital transition of the news industry and a vital step toward the sustainability of the Belleville News-Democrat. The Belleville News-Democrats roots run deep in this community. Established three years before the Civil War, we are one of the oldest businesses in the city of Belleville. The BND has been serving Belleville and southwestern Illinois since January 1858, when the Rev. Williamson F. Boyakin published the first edition of the Belleville Weekly Democrat. Over the past 165 years, as times changed, the BND evolved to meet readers needs, but one thing that has remained steadfast through generations of journalists in our newsroom is a commitment to providing strong local news coverage. We plan to continue that commitment for decades to come. Increasingly, residents of southwestern Illinois get their news from their phones, tablets and computers. As a result, weve become much more digitally focused. Readers of bnd.com and our eEdition often see our best work before our print readers. Since earlier this summer, our eEdition has included a section of stories that were published after our print deadline or are scheduled to run in print at a later date. For the BND to continue to provide you with essential coverage of our region, we must transform our business to thrive in 2023 and beyond. Todays announcement, part of that transformation, is about changing the way we deliver the news, but not the way we cover it. Our award-winning journalists will continue to provide in-depth reporting, accountability coverage, breaking news, service journalism and stories that reflect life in the metro-east. And weve added two new members to the BND newsroom team to help with this coverage: Joshua Carter, a photojournalist and reporter, and Kelly Smits, our education and environment reporter. Our coverage over the past few months is a good example of what you can expect on your digital apps, the website, in the eEdition and in your twice-weekly print edition as we move ahead. Heres a sampling: In other words, we will continue providing coverage that serves the public, connects communities, makes a difference and answers your most important questions. If youre already a subscriber, thank you for supporting the work we do and investing in local journalism. (Be sure to activate your digital access at bnd.com/activate.). If you arent a subscriber, please consider doing so to help the BND continue as southwestern Illinois strong, independent source of news and information that people need to fully participate in civic life. In the coming days, subscribers will receive correspondence from our customer service team regarding next steps. That team can be reached at 1-800-559-6378 or customerservice@bnd.com.com. Thanks again for reading and supporting the BND. Jeffry Couch is editor and general manager of the BND. He has been the editor for over 19 years. You can contact him at jcouch@bnd.com. When Beyonce brought her concert to Miami Gardens this month, politicians were there to groove with reliable social companions: campaign donors. Three elected officials played host in a trio of sky boxes for the sold-out concert at Hard Rock Stadium on Aug. 18, selling spaces to donors to cover the costs and generate extra cash for their political organizations. The VIP concert options came from Democrats representing three levels of government: U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, state Senator Shevrin Jones , and Oliver Gilbert, chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission. READ MORE: Beyonce sizzles in silver for her Florida concert: Hottest show I think Ive done ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Jones, Gilbert and a Wilson representative confirmed the fundraisers, where donors received seats in suites purchased by the office holders political committees. It was an amazing concert, Jones said. He said the concert was part of a multi-day gathering with donors who raised up to $10,000 each for his political committee, Florida Strong. He said about two dozen people were there for the Beyonce event but not all were donors. Gilbert declined to reveal how much donors paid to join him in a Hard Rock Stadium box rented by Common Voices, his political committee, a few day after his 51st birthday. Two people who spoke to him said some donors paid about $2,500 to attend, though contribution levels varied. Common Voices purchased a box and varying sponsorship levels were available to attend the concert, Gilbert said in a text message. Donor amounts were not known for the Wilson event. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson kicks off her reelection campaign for Congress representing Floridas 24th district during an event at Briza on the Bay restaurant at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Miami, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The mini Beyonce donor bashes capture the social activities that frequently pair elected officials with the lobbyists, government vendors, developers and corporate executives who bankroll political campaigns. Common practice among Florida politicians Anthony Rodriguez, a Miami-Dade commissioner and a former Republican member of the Florida House, played host to donors and their families at a Central Florida ranch resort in 2021, people familiar with the event said. The getaway came months after he filed for the 2022 commission election that he won after raising more than $1 million. His political committee, A Bolder Florida, paid about $27,000 in September 2021 to Westgate Resorts River Ranch & Rodeo, which boasts Florida Glamping and luxe teepees on its website. When he was a Republican candidate for Miami-Dade commission, Bryan Avila held a donor getaway at the Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key for his political committee, Fighting for Floridas Families. Campaign records show a $24,000 expenditure at the Keys resort in September 2021. Avila later left the commission race to run for the Florida Senate, where hes serving his first term. Florida Republicans regularly hold donor events in Pebble Beach, California, and reports for the Florida Senate Democrats campaign committee shows multiple California expenditures for vineyard tours and dinners. For the Beyonce concert, Gilbert wasnt the only municipal office holder in the Common Voices box. Fellow Miami-Dade Commissioner Kevin Cabrera was there and he said he paid $278, which Gilbert told him was the cost of a ticket. Miami Commissioners Alex Diaz de la Portilla and Chair Christine King both also confirmed attending but didnt say if they paid for their tickets. I am a big Oliver Gilbert fan, and its an honor to help him continue to serve his community, Diaz de la Portilla said in a text message. I dont attach a cost to friendship. Oliver Gilbert speaks to the crowd during his swearing-in ceremony as the new chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday, December 15, 2022. People involved in political fundraising events emphasized that the more lavish outings like concert boxes, retreats and cross-country donor trips are common practices across Florida. When he was a Democrat in the Florida Senate, lobbyist Oscar Braynon II branded donor weekends on Miami Beach as the Oscar Braynon Experience. Donors rented their own rooms at the Fontainebleau, but the political committees Braynon raised money for as a Democratic leader provided bottle service at the LIV nightclub, morning-after IV hydration treatments and a bus trip to a night on the town in Miami. Braynon, a partner at the Southern Group, said donors committed as much as $25,000 for the event and that he often had more people wanting to attend than he could accommodate for the popular getaway. Miami is fun, he said. This article was updated to correct a reference to Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Oliver Gilberts birthday. By Hannah Lang (Reuters) -Cryptocurrency brokers, including exchanges and payment processors, would have to report new information on users' sales and exchanges of digital assets to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under a proposed U.S. Treasury Department rule published on Friday. The rule is part of a broader push by Congress and regulatory authorities to crack down on crypto users who may be failing to pay their taxes. A proposed new tax reporting form called Form 1099-DA is meant to help taxpayers determine if they owe taxes, and would help crypto users avoid having to make complicated calculations to determine their gains, the Treasury Department said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It would also subject digital asset brokers to the same information reporting rules as brokers for other financial instruments, such as bonds and stocks, Treasury said. Under the proposal, the definition of a "broker" would include both centralized and decentralized digital asset trading platforms, crypto payment processors and certain online wallets where users store digital assets. The rule would cover cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin and ether, as well as non-fungible tokens. Brokers would need to send the forms to both the IRS and digital asset holders to assist with their tax preparation. The new requirements stem from the $1 trillion 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included a provision that aimed to increase tax reporting requirements for digital asset brokers. It instructed the IRS to define what firms qualified as crypto brokers and provide forms and instructions for reporting. It also extended reporting requirements for certain cash transactions of more than $10,000 to digital assets. At the time the bill was passed, it was estimated that the new rules could bring in close to $28 billion over a decade. The Treasury proposed that the rules would be effective for brokers in 2025 for the 2026 tax filing season. "This is part of a broader effort at Treasury to close the tax gap, address the tax evasion risks posed by digital assets, and help ensure that everyone plays by the same set of rules," the Treasury said in a statement. The crypto industry had mixed reactions to the proposal. Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith said in a statement that if done correctly, the new rules "could help provide everyday crypto users with the necessary information to accurately comply with tax laws." Miller Whitehouse-Levine, CEO of the DeFi Education Fund, a lobbying group focused on decentralized finance, said the proposed approach would neither make filing taxes easier nor improve tax compliance. "Today's proposal from the IRS is confusing, self-refuting, and misguided. It attempts to apply regulatory frameworks predicated on the existence of intermediaries where they don't exist," he said in a statement. The IRS currently requires crypto users to report on their tax returns many digital asset activities, including trading cryptocurrencies, regardless of whether the transactions resulted in a gain. Users are required to make that calculation themselves, and the platforms on which digital assets trade do not give the IRS that information. Several Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, urged the Treasury in a letter sent earlier this month to quickly implement the rules, arguing that otherwise tax evaders and crypto intermediaries will continue to game the system. The Treasury Department and the IRS are accepting feedback on the proposal until Oct. 30. They will also hold public hearings on the proposal on Nov. 7-8. (Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington, editing by Deepa Babington and Michelle Price) President Bidens reelection campaign on Friday launched an ad to bash Republican presidential candidates over their support for a national abortion ban, targeting women in battleground states. The one-minute ad, entitled These Guys, will run for two weeks digitally through YouTube and Connected TV. The campaigns first post-debate ad is part of a 16-week, $25 million advertising campaign. It will run in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Reproductive health care decisions are among the most personal a woman will ever make. They are choices that should be made between you and your doctor. And, the last people who should be involved are these guys, the ad reads. It includes a clip from former President Trump bragging about being behind the end of Roe v. Wade, highlights that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a six-week abortion ban in his state, and includes a clip from Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) saying he would sign the most conservative pro-life legislation if he were president. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It also has a line from Trump saying there has to be some form of punishment for women who receive abortions. The ad touts that Biden and Vice President Harris are determined to restore Roe v. Wade and wouldnt allow a national abortion ban to be signed into law. As long as they are in office, decisions about your body will be made by you, not by them, the ad reads, showing Trump at the end. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage On Wednesday, MAGA Republicans came to the debate stage and boasted about their support to strip women of the right to make their own health care decisions, campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a Friday statement. President Biden and Vice President Harris stand with the overwhelming majority of Americans against these bans, and for codifying Roe into law. She added that there will be more ads highlighting Bidens support for women, aiming to hold Republicans accountable for their positions throughout the 2024 cycle. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden on Friday chimed in on former President Trumps mug shot, saying his top political rival is a handsome guy after he was booked in Fulton County, Ga. When asked about the mug shot, Biden told reporters, I did see it on television. Handsome guy. Trump on Thursday evening surrendered to Georgia authorities after being charged on 13 counts related to seeking to overturn the states 2020 election. He took a mug shot, making him the first former president in history to do so. They insisted on a mug shot, and I agreed to do that, Trump told Fox Digital after the fact. This is the only time Ive ever taken a mug shot. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Earlier this week, Trump was interviewed by former Fox host Tucker Carlson, which aired at the same time as the first Republican primary debate. Biden told reporters Friday he didnt have an interest or inclination to watch the interview. The president also bashed the GOP debate, arguing that the candidates vying to challenge him for the White House didnt talk about issues. I dont remember them speaking to any of the issues, Biden said. There was a lot of talk. But what are they going to do to deal with economic growth? What are they going to do to deal with the notion that maintaining the job pace that we have now? What are they going to do to deal with education? he asked. Biden spoke to reporters while on vacation in Lake Tahoe, Nev. The president was leaving a Pilates studio with his family, including his daughter Ashley Biden . For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden chuckled when asked about his predecessor Donald Trumps mug shot taken at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr Biden was asked by Bloomberg about the photo when coming out of a pilates and spin class in Lake Tahoe, California. The president said he saw the image on TV. Handsome guy. Wonderful guy, Mr Biden said. Mr Biden was booed by bystanders as he approached the press. He said he watched at least an hour and twenty minutes of the first Republican debate, which didnt feature Mr Trump. The president said he didnt learn much from the Milwaukee showdown. I dont remember them speaking to any of the issues, he said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I dont quite get where theyre going, he added. I didnt learn much. President Biden on Former President Trump's mugshot: "Handsome guy. Wonderful guy." pic.twitter.com/xbsuStN2Z0 CSPAN (@cspan) August 25, 2023 More follows... President Biden and Vice President Harris will meet with the family of the late Martin Luther King Jr. next week to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Biden and Harris will meet with members of the King family Monday, a White House official said, exactly 60 years after then-President Kennedy and King met in the Oval Office on the morning of the march. Biden and Harris will also meet with others involved in organizing the March on Washington, a White House official said. The president will host a reception Monday evening and deliver remarks for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Monday will mark 60 years since the March on Washington, when roughly 250,000 people gathered on the National Mall to push for civil rights and equality and King delivered his I Have a Dream speech. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement March on Washington turns 60 with miles to go The 1963 march helped lead to a host of new laws, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The landmark legislation banned segregation in public places and prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Biden and Harris have sought to make equity a key part of their agenda since taking office. Biden has signed executive orders aiming at protecting voting rights and advancing racial justice. He also recently designated a national monument to honor Emmett Till, the Black 14-year-old who was killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi in what became a pivotal moment for the Civil Rights movement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden on Thursday spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to mark 18 months since Russias invasion and discuss training Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets. The two leaders discussed the commencement of training of Ukrainian fighter pilots and assurance of expedited approval for other nations to transfer their F-16s to Ukraine upon completion of training to increase Ukraines defensive capabilities, according to a readout from the White House. The call also came on Ukrainians Independence Day. Last week, the U.S. approved the transfer of F-16s from the Netherlands and Denmark, after months of Ukraine pushing its Western allies for the fighter jets. While delivery of the aircraft and arrival on the battlefield could take months, and while Ukrainian pilots still need to train on the F-16s, Kyiv could deploy the aircraft as soon as next spring or summer. In May, Biden said European allies would train Ukrainian pilots on the fighter jets, marking a reversal in the stance. A coalition of 11 allies agreed at a major NATO summit in July to begin training Ukrainian pilots in August. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Biden on the phone with Zelensky on Thursday also expressed his admiration for the people of Ukraine and their bravery on behalf of the American people. The president reiterated the U.S. commitment to support Ukraines defense against Russian aggression for as long as it takes, and to hold Russia accountable for its actions, according to the readout. Earlier Thursday, Biden recommitted the U.S.s support to the country to celebrate its Independence Day. His comments come the morning after Republican presidential candidates debated whether more aid should be sent to Ukraine. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis both said they would cut off U.S. funding to Ukraine when asked about Bidens request to Congress for $25 billion in more aid to the war-torn country. Biden, in a statement, said Americans are united against Russian President Vladimir Putin. And, on Wednesday, Biden suggested Putin could be behind the plane crash in Russia that may have killed Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was listed as a passenger. Prigozhin led the so-called March of Justice that aimed to topple Moscows military leadership earlier this summer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 29: Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) Almost every major corporation in the United States made sweeping claims about their commitment to racial equity in the wake of George Floyd. Five of the biggest banks including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, U.S. Bancorp, and Wells Fargo pledged to provide billions of dollars to the cause. Three years later, Representative Ayanna Pressley is asking the question we all want to know: What happened to all of that money? In a letter sent to the five major banking institutions on Wednesday, Pressley urged them for an update on their financial commitments. Read more ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement However, Pressleys letter requests a full audit of their racial equity spending and where they are in their commitments. Pressley the banks until October 23, 2023, to complete the request. In her letter, Pressley also stressed the culpability of the major banks in fostering economic inequality. Since the founding of this country, the financial industry has benefitted greatly from systemic racism, and banks have been lead actors in the discrimination, exploitation, and degradation of Black communities in particular, she wrote. There is no denying that the banking system has historically entrenched disparities in our country, denying Black people opportunities to grow our wealth and achieve financial prosperity. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Mayors across the country are navigating a difficult dance as they aim to revive cities ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, trying to figure out how hard they can push workers to return to the office without jeopardizing union support. President Joe Biden and billionaire Michael Bloomberg have recently echoed calls by Democratic mayors including Muriel Bowser of the District of Columbia and Eric Adams of New York to dial back remote-work policies that have hollowed urban cores and drained city coffers. Those efforts have created tension with labor groups that often play major roles in big-city politics. Democratic city leaders see getting employees to give up remote work as the easiest way to return their communities to pre-pandemic levels of economic vibrancy, and theyve focused attention on government workers because of their limited ability to influence private-sector policies. But those efforts arent sitting well with municipal employees, who are just as enamored of flexible work arrangements as their corporate contemporaries and just as willing to fight to keep them. That conflict could mean trouble ahead for Democratic politicians who have relied on labor support and seek to fashion themselves as pro-union. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It's incredibly good politically to be pro-union because that is a base within the Democratic Party, but at the same time, this is where the rubber meets the road, said Avery Cohen, who served as an aide to former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and is now vice president at the Democratic strategist firm SKDK. Municipal workers are your voters and are typically engaged. So if they don't see you as a champion of their interests, it is a vulnerability. While mayors across the country are dealing with the problem, no city highlights the tension better than the District of Columbia, which is trying to wrangle its own personnel while also dealing with the fact that 23 percent of its downtown office space is owned or leased by the federal government and about one-third of workers in the city are federal employees. A welcome sign for Bowser came this month with the White House directing agencies to aggressively execute on increased in-person work this fall, triggering immediate union pushback . Similar struggles are occurring in cities across the country, including Austin, Texas, where unionized worker protests against a return-to-office policy set to take effect Oct. 1 succeeded in getting the date pushed back to Jan. 1. There is a lot of tension right now, said Carol Guthrie, business manager for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union local representing Austin city workers. Workers want flexibility. The city is missing a huge opportunity to attract workers. A tight labor market that has presented more options for skilled workers has added another layer of complication for city leaders already dealing with restrictions imposed by collective bargaining agreements and political considerations. And that has only strengthened unions resolve in demanding flexibility, according to Sarah Dennis Phillips, San Franciscos head of economic and workforce development. There's one factor about a minimum amount of days in the office, and for our case, it's three in order to hopefully do your job effectively, she said. At the same time, we do have a family-friendly workplace that allows you to put accommodations in place. Those are the kinds of things particularly in negotiations with the unions that we need to make sure we offer flexibility on because supporting our workers is a political issue. The persisting popularity of remote or hybrid work even as more people have returned to the office have some urbanists questioning whether Democrats should be tying their hopes for economic recovery with getting workers back into offices. Thats not pro-worker, said Richard Florida, a professor at the University of Torontos School of Cities. Thats pro-revenue. Office work is not the future of work. But even as mayors begin to account for that prospect with initiatives like Bowsers effort to increase downtown foot traffic and consider converting unused office space to housing, theyre not giving up hope of winning workers back. And there are signs of progress in places like San Francisco, where city leaders have cheered as companies like Meta , Google and Lyft have announced plans to bring workers back on site on a regular basis. Its the moment of truth right now, said Uwe Brandes, faculty director of Georgetowns Global Cities Initiative and a member of the advisory group for the District of Columbias Comeback Plan. Were over the pandemic. And now we have to try to figure out what is going to be the compelling narrative for people to come back to their downtown office buildings. Finding success, whether in the form of restoring central cities to their pre-pandemic state or creating a new paradigm, could burnish the economic bona fides of Democratic mayors in ways that could provide political dividends down the road. But the sticky labor issues brought by hybrid work, spurred by the pandemic, continue to be a thorn in the side of urban mayors more than three years after the onset of Covid. So many issues that emerged from the global pandemic totally disrupted our economy, said Sharon Carney, chief of staff for D.C.s deputy mayor for planning and economic development. I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all solution, but there's certainly a value to being in the office with colleagues. And I don't think that precludes the opportunity to create flexibility for workers. Other city officials were more blunt: My kids want to eat candy for every meal, Dennis Phillips said. Thats just not possible. Chicago police officers salute their fallen comrade outside United Missionary Baptist Church after the funeral service for Officer Clifton Lewis in Chicago on Jan. 5, 2012. (William DeShazer/Chicago Tribune) A Cook County judge on Friday denied a mans bid for a new trial in the troubled, yearslong saga stemming from the killing of off-duty Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis in 2011. After hours of arguments from attorneys, Associate Judge James Linn turned away the effort to secure a new trial for Alexander Villa, one of three men who were charged in Lewis killing but the only to be convicted. Advertisement Mr. Villa was a suspect from Day 1, Linn said, adding, The only question I have to decide is did he get a fair trial. I conclude that Mr. Villa did get a fair trial, Linn continued, adding that the newly presented arguments now would not have been likely to change the outcome of the trial. Advertisement Lewis family declined to comment after the hearing. Villas friends and family offered brief messages of love and support as he was led out of the courtroom. The ruling came after months of motions, arguments and new attorneys, with those for the defense alleging that hidden or disregarded evidence allowed police to zero in on a suspect who was clearly innocent. Defense attorney Jennifer Blagg said the Chicago Police Department and federal investigators overlooked crucial cellphone GPS records while detectives with tunnel vision remained hyperfocused on Villa, despite mounting evidence that pointed to his innocence. The jurors would be entitled to hear this evidence, Blagg said in arguing for a new trial for Villa. CPD had this evidence, CPD knew about this evidence and did not disclose it. Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Blaggs arguments came during a lengthy hearing before Linn, who also presided over Villas initial criminal trial and is expected to retire this month. About 15 of Villas supporters were present in court. Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis (Chicago Police Department) Lewis was shot and killed by two masked men in December 2011 while working a second job as security at a West Side convenience store. Cook County prosecutors initially charged Villa, Tyrone Clay and Edgardo Colon in the case, which in recent years has been plagued with problems, including allegations that police and prosecutors buried evidence. A jury convicted Villa of Lewis murder in 2019, but he has not been sentenced. In a surprise move in June, prosecutors dismissed charges against Villas two co-defendants, Colon and Clay, after months of contentious hearings and a labor-intensive process by the city to try to comply with discovery obligations. Advertisement A motion to appoint a special prosecutor, as well as another to compel the testimony of prosecutors previously assigned to the Villa case, were both denied. Two new prosecutors were assigned to Villas case earlier this year. Blagg, who joined the case to replace Villas former attorney, Michael Clancy, also unsuccessfully argued to have the case transferred from Linn to another judge. Among the CPD detectives involved in the investigation, Blagg said, were Sgt. Sam Cirone and Marc Leavitt. Cirone, promoted for merit, was also heavily involved in the investigation of the killing of David Koschman by a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley. CPD records show Leavitt has cleared more homicide cases for the department than any other detective from 2012 through 2022. Members of the Gastonia City Council say theyre frustrated over a bill that would change the voting process in Gastonia for the first time in 60 years. A bill in the legislature would require voters to only select city council members from the area where they live, instead of voting for citywide seats. Robert King, the current chairperson of the Gaston County Republican Party, told Channel 9s Ken Lemon he favors the bill, which was introduced by Republican state Rep. Donnie Loftis. SEE MORE: Gastonia councilman could block Pride Month proclamation Id say its good policy, King said. King was a city council candidate in 2021, and he was one of three people vying for the First Ward seat, which represents east Gastonia. He believes he could have won if people living in the First Ward were required to vote for candidates living in the First Ward. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There are a lot of folks who feel disenfranchised by the representative residing in their ward not being the person that gets elected, King said. Democrats who favor the council believe the bill introduced will dilute the Democratic vote. I dont really see a value because there is representation on the council as is, said David Brown with the Gaston Democratic Party. Jim Gallagher is one of the two Republicans on the Gastonia City Council, but both of them oppose the proposed bill. By doing this, it will divide us, Gallagher told Lemon. ALSO READ >> Its our history: Gastonia community leader highlights importance of Juneteenth Gallagher joined council members who said they werent informed before the bill was introduced, and they want it removed. Gallagher said that right now, the city council has to consider the needs of all residents, but separating voters by wards will change that. Lets create a clique over here and try to stop the funding for them and make sure we get funding over here, he hypothesized. The city council has asked for a meeting with their legislative delegation, hoping the lawmakers can block the voting bill. It has already passed in the state House. (WATCH: Gastonia Honey Hunters to play ball amid financial problems) In many ways, Donald Trump is remarkably easy to understand. As shown by his decades of public and private behavior, he is driven by what appears to be pure rage, lacking any real emotional control or self-regulation beyond what is necessary to momentarily appear "normal" as a means of fulfilling his short-term goals and needs. Such a pattern of behavior fits with how mental health and other professionals have consistently described Trump as being a sociopath if not a psychopath, possessing "dark charisma" in his role as a political cult leader and someone who is deeply attracted to violence and corrupt power. Trump's pathologies especially his paranoia and projection were on full display during his "interview" with Tucker Carlson Wednesday night. Trump's ability to intimidate and menace those who would potentially dare to oppose him was also manifest during the first Republican 2024 primary debate, which aired at the same time. As I observed on Twitter, these Republican candidates are a "Bunch of people trying to out MAGA King MAGA Donald Trump. Why vote for the cheap imitators? Trump is going to destroy these people." In fact, Trump is already destroying Ron DeSantis and his other potential rivals for the nomination, who are for all intents and purposes just auditioning for cabinet positions in his second regime. Donald Trump is not a riddle or a puzzle. He is who and what he says and presents himself to be. However, given Trump's diseased mind and demonstrated lack of critical self-reflection, he may not even understand his own inner drives and motives. To make sense of such a dangerous mind requires skilled outside observer(s), who Trump trusts enough to speak (relatively) honestly and candidly within his limited ability to do so. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Michael D'Antonio is one such person. He is the author of the biography, "Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success". His other books include "High Crimes: The Corruption, Impunity, and Impeachment of Donald Trump" and The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence". In this wide-ranging conversation, D'Antonio explains that Trump is increasingly dangerous and not broken or cowed because of his criminal trials and upcoming election. D'Antonio also warns that televising Trump's criminal trials will serve as an opportunity for the ex-president to perform and grandstand as he exerts even more power and control over his MAGA followers. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity: Donald Trump is much more than a man; he is a character and a symbol. That is how fascism and other such political imaginaries function. Signaling to that, several years ago you told me something that I refer to often as it was so profound and insightful. You said that Trump told you that he is a character in his own story and that he is writing it and is also the main character. Given Trump's multiple criminal indictments 91 counts so far and the real possibility of going to prison, how is Trump feeling right now? He is not 100 percent in control of his own narrative anymore. I believe that Trump is scared. And I also believe that he is imagining himself as Superman suffering under the effects of kryptonite. This is one of the dramatic moments of the story where Superman is on the ground, and his cape is pulled around his shoulders. The reader of the comic book is thinking, "Oh, no, I hope Superman can get up!" Trump imagines himself as Superman in that moment, trying to figure out how to get up, stand tall and defeat this army of enemies. Trump actually told me that his life is a comic book. He thinks of himself as the star of that comic book story. Donald Trump is also someone who dreamed of being a dramatist. Trump wanted to produce, write, and direct films. Trump has a natural storytelling ability but his stories are more like comic books and cartoons than film. What is Donald Trump's personal kryptonite? Trump's kryptonite is the withdrawal of attention, such a vacuum would destroy him. Psychologically, it would be a nightmare for him. In the course of these upcoming criminal trials, Trump's big mouth and talking too much is endangering him. But he's already established the record that the prosecutors want. Trump has already implicated himself in these conspiracies. I don't know if he needs to say anything more to get in trouble. The judges who are hearing these cases are likely not going to put him in jail for violating their instructions. But Trump's talking too much is going to get him in trouble during the actual trials. You wrote a biography about Trump. You literally sat across from Trump and got to know him on a human level. How are you feeling watching these truly historic events unfold? I long ago became afraid for our country and afraid of him. In fact, I was afraid of Trump when I was dealing with him. He has a menacing way about him. Trump easily flips between charm and menace. I believe that those are the only two speeds that are in his gearbox so to speak. Trump wants to charm you; if he can't charm you, he will bully you. Cognitively, it is really hard for me to accept that he is going to be held accountable for his behavior. Prosecuting Trump does not constitute accountability. Convicting Trump is what accountability requires. I have my doubts. These prosecutors have a more difficult task than many people understand. Looking at Georgia for example, Fanni Willis has done a tremendous job, and the narrative of Trump's alleged criminality that she has documented is very important. But with that number of defendants, 19 including Trump, the trial has the potential to be a circus and if there is anyone who can perform at a circus it is Donald Trump. Trump will get on the trapeze, and nobody will be able to get him off. As I have written about extensively, Donald Trump is a professional wrestling heel and a supervillain. He is a gifted performance artist. As I see it, Trump also has great comedic timing. He knows his audience and how to give them what they want. That is a real skill. Help me work through the following dilemma: Trump's trials need to be televised for the good of the nation. He and his MAGA movement are a sinister threat to the nation's well-being and the American people, and the world needs to see him put on trial and suitably punished. However, I am deeply concerned that Donald Trump is a master performer and that he will put on a spectacle during the trial and that will fuel his followers even more. How are you thinking through the puzzle? I agree with you. Your observations are especially true if Trump is put on the stand. Everybody seems to think that no defense lawyer would allow him to testify. But I can imagine Trump insisting on it, saying that "I can handle this better than you can handle it". Trump has said that he is a better lawyer than anyone who's ever represented him. He is the same man who when president said that he is a better general than all of his generals. Donald Trump is a man who believes there are no limits to his own abilities. Trump could also take the stand during his trial as a type of political play. This is one of the challenges of putting Trump's trials on television. Trump could be martyred on live television as far as his followers are concerned. He knows how to play that role. I have to imagine that Trump considers himself to be Christ on the cross. Again, many of his MAGA followers would think of him the same way. There is so much peril, in every direction, by putting Trump on trial and televising it. I can imagine Donald Trump being on trial and he stands up and gives a Hitler-like speech where he claims to be a martyr, some type of fascist MAGA Jesus-God. Trump tells the camera, speaking directly to his followers that, "I'm being sacrificed for you!" Those themes are already omnipresent in his speeches, fundraising emails, interviews and the like. It has to make him more powerful. It is a stretch to believe that these trials will be resolved before the 2024 Election but the one in Georgia may be. Fanni Willis seems to be determined to move quickly. Imagine Trump being able to use his being put on trial in a campaign commercial or online propaganda film. If the authorities won't let Trump have the video footage, then he could use reenactments or drawings of the trial. Trump would be the narrator. He would say something like, "You saw them come after me. You saw how I prevailed and defeated them. So, if I can vanquish this enemy, and they were gathered all around me, how can I not defend America from all the threats that she faces?" Many of Trump's followers would be even more energized than they already are. The religious right is also waiting for that type of drama where Trump is the martyr and victim. It is a great opportunity for them to rally around him. What is Trump's capacity for critical self-reflection? What is his interior life like during this moment? Does Trump really understand the seriousness of the danger that he's in in terms of being in prison for the rest of his life or sentenced to home confinement? What do you think is going on inside his mind? I do not believe that Trump would allow himself to think about it deeply for more than a minute or two at a time. Reflection is for weak people. Weak people obsess over what's happening to them. Real men don't do that! Real men take action and vanquish their enemies! Also, Trump has a profound inability to take in and make permanent anything that is not useful to him, anything that's inconsistent with his sense that he is right about everything. Where these legal cases are concerned, he may tremble a little bit for a moment. Remember, Trump is a man, who in his mind, is at war 24 hours a day. In the end, Trump will just go back to thinking about himself as a man in a foxhole as a way of avoiding what is happening to him that is unpleasant or upsetting. Trump is a fabulist with a troubled relationship to reality. What happens to such a man and personality when and if he is held accountable under the law? When he can't bend reality to his will, and his fantasies can't save him? I'm thinking about Paul Manafort. If you recall, he had the most expensive suits. He actually had to sell some of his wardrobe to pay restitution. When he was prosecuted, he lost the money and the clothes, and he was brought down low. Manafort was reduced to being a guy who looked like a man who was psychologically, physically and spiritually defeated. I don't know if this is what would happen to Trump and if he would suffer the same kind of collapse. And I don't think he has the type of goodness inside of him that would allow him to adapt to an outcome he would consider tragic, meaning his being convicted and put in prison or somehow confined. Trump could be reduced to a pathetic presence. Few of us who are good human beings would take pleasure in that. We would be relieved for our country. It would be justice but seeing Trump reduced so low and made so pathetic but wouldn't be something, in my opinion, that a reasonable person would relish. It would be yet another tragic aspect of Trump's presence in our national life. What do you think it will do to us, the American people and the nation, to see Trump put in prison, humiliated, and brought down like that? He is a former president with all of the symbolic gravity and meaning that has with it. I'm really afraid that our country's democracy crisis is not going to end even if Trump is removed from the scene. The United States, like every other country, has an authoritarian element to its political personality. If Trump is put in prison which would be justice done such an outcome would be a scandal and an outrage to10s of millions of people. It is reasonable to be nervous and afraid. My big hope is that Trump's followers and the other people who are authoritarians and fascists, will lose hope and energy if Trump is gone and just go back to their regular lives. That would allow the rest of us to go back to our lives and have some sense of normalcy. Being on guard against Trump and his movement and what it represents is exhausting. As we are learning more about Jan. 6, Trump and his cabal's crimes, and what will inevitably come out during the trials, has anything surprised you so far? When he ran the Trump Organization, it was a very simple vertical operation with him at the top. There were only a handful of operatives who had any authority and responsibility. Trump does not trust many people. In the case of Jan. 6 and the alleged coup plot, the number of people he trusted to make the conspiracy happen was far greater than he's engaged with in the past. What I find particularly shocking is how Trump was able to get attorneys to do his bidding as part of this alleged plot. Presumably, these are people who passed the bar, took constitutional and criminal law courses, and had responsibilities per their oaths as officers of the court. These attorneys were seeing a conspiracy, and then they willingly took part in it. It is a testament to Trump's persuasive and bullying capabilities. Trump is a man who, for a certain kind of person, inspires attachment and loyalty. What's very strange to me is that Trump has made it very clear that he will betray you if necessary, and that he will not reward you as promised. Yet, the world is full of people who are going to try to earn Trump's loyalty at their own peril. Considering Trump's reaction to the indictments and his lashing out, is he crazy like a fox? Just disturbed? I am of the opinion that this is part of a concerted propaganda and larger communications strategy. Again, Trump knows his public and voters. He is tied with Biden in many polls and basically tied in the Electoral College. Trump is going to be the Republican nominee and he is destroying DeSantis. This is going to be a very close presidential election. There are occasions when Trump is very calculating and smart. He tests boundaries and ideas to see what he can get away with. For example, calling Fanni Willis a "racist". She is a black woman just doing her job, but is somehow a "racist" against him and his followers for daring to prosecute him? Calling Fanni Willis a "racist" is pretty rabid and crazy. If it doesn't work out to Trump's advantage, he will evade and deny saying it. Or claim he was misunderstood or was just kidding. Trump is almost like a comedian who tries out bits at local comedy clubs before they go on tour because they want to see what works. Trump sees no benefit in taking responsibility for anything. Responsibility is for suckers; evading it is what a champion does. And Trump considers himself a champion, of course. As has been well-documented, during his time as a real estate and casino developer, Trump behaved like and viewed himself as a type of mobster. He had close affiliations with organized crime in the New York area. Now Trump is being charged under the RICO laws which were created to bring down the mob. The universe does have an ironic sense of humor as the saying goes. I wonder if Trump may actually believe that charging him under the RICO laws is actually a good thing. If Trump is a person who admired wise guys and thought of himself as the equivalent of a mafia don, and the authorities are now using a legal means that was devised to go after the mob to go after him, then Trump is going to think, in his twisted mind, that "Well, I'm gonna fight like a mobster." That explains the jury intimidation and the witness intimidation by Donald Trump. He wants to put potential jurors and potential witnesses on notice that if they go after him, he's going to go after them. The same is true with prosecutors and judges. Trump believes that if he can intimidate and threaten them and get his way then he is a Mafioso "Dapper Don". This is an amazing and almost unbelievable story. Imagine Donald Trump's saga is a movie and there is the obligatory scene where Trump calls you, his biographer, from prison. He is seeking your counsel. Would you pick up the phone? What would you say to him? I absolutely would take the call. I think only a fool would not take the call in that circumstance, because Trump is still someone who has been president, and he's going to be famous and infamous forever. If Trump were to say to me, "Mike, I finally realized what happened and I'm finally really suffering for it". I would tell him that you're experiencing your own humanity for the first time in your life, and you're understanding what it's like to care. Now, you may only be caring about yourself. But I suspect that you're also caring about your legacy, which means that you're caring about what people think about you and what the future holds for your reputation. Maybe what you can do to redeem yourself a bit Donald, is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and perhaps the truth will set your mind free. It certainly would do a lot for the country. Read more about Trump's trials This [ban] is not the answer. We have to do other things; we have to educate, counsel, treat. Stop the ban its not the answer, said Gwen Carr , mother of Eric Garner. Earlier this week, Black leaders held a virtual press conference to voice concerns over the federal governments efforts to ban menthol nationwide. Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr. president & CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association said this ban is going to have a disproportionate, negative impact on Black and brown communities in America. In this photo illustration, packs of menthol cigarettes sit on a table, Nov. 15, 2018, in New York City. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing a ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Menthol cigarettes make up 35% of U.S. cigarette sales. (Photo Illustration by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) We oppose any form of racial targeting, racial profiling, and discrimination, he added. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans in April 2021 to ban menthol cigarettes. The administration plans to introduce final rules on the ban this month. Some oppose a nationwide ban on menthol and believe it will place Black and brown Americans at risk of being wrongfully targeted by law enforcement, like what happened in the case of 43-year-old Eric Garner. In 2014, a Staten Island police officer killed Garner while placing him in a chokehold during an arrest for illegally selling cigarettes. Garners mother, Gwen Carr, attended the virtual discussion and shared her thoughts opposing the ban. Even though the medical profession says that its not going to be a policing issue, theyll [Law Enforcement] be the ones imposing the consequences [of a menthol ban], she said. This [ban] is not the answer. We have to do other things; we have to educate, counsel, treat. Stop the ban its not the answer, she added. Dr. Rahn Bailey, former president of the National Medical Association, stated, The laws we call well intentioned, these little unintended consequences can be so averse to certain communities. Rather we should use education, training, and advocacy, we try to use a legal consortium that very often is averse, non-productive, and problematic for people who are marginalized and least likely to defend themselves, she continued. Dr. Winston Price, former president of the National Medical Association stated that a ban is not what is needed, but instead, We need a diverse, racially mixed leadership at FDA and at HHS to address these problems with our communities in need. Packs of Newport cigarettes are seen on a shelf in a grocery store in the Flatbush neighborhood on April 29, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Chavis stated, There is no reason to rush this ban, and he compared efforts. Its interesting, while on one hand they approve marijuana, they want to ban menthol cigarettes; I think its contradictory, he said. To date, at least 10 states including Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland and New York have introduced legislation to ban nicotine products. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Black leaders raise concerns over federal menthol ban appeared first on TheGrio. There has been a recent spate of Ukrainian drone attacks - LIBKOS/AP A Russian naval base in occupied Crimea was rocked by an explosion on Friday as Ukraine appeared to launch its largest ever drone attack. Plumes of smoke were spotted rising above a military training base in Perevalne, near the city of Simferopol, where Russias 126th Coastal Defence Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet was stationed. Both Ukrainian and Russian sources suggested drones had slipped through Moscows defences to damage the facility. The Russian defence ministry earlier said its forces had thwarted an attack after its forces downed 42 drones near the occupied peninsula. The attack would be Kyivs largest aerial assault on Crimea to date and comparable to many of Russias biggest barrages on Ukrainian cities. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It was described as the most massive drone raid on Crimea in recent months by one popular Russian blogger. Ivan Federov, the Ukrainian mayor of the Russian-controlled city of Melitopol, announced the apparent explosions at the military base in Perevalne. He wrote on the Telegram messaging app that 300 injured Russian troops were sent to a hospital in nearby Simferopol. Terrorist activity Russian military blogger Boris Rozhin, who has 830,000 subscribers, said most of the Ukrainian drones had been shot down or taken out by electronic warfare systems. Nine drones had managed to fly to the Perevalne training ground, where they were jammed by the electronic warfare. But several of these UAVs landed on the site, damaging two Kamaz lorries, he added. There is no data on casualties or damage to infrastructure. Russias defence ministry on Friday morning claimed nine of the drones were destroyed over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, appearing to confirm Mr Rozhins report. It said 33 more were suppressed by electronic warfare and crashed without reaching the target. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, said that relevant air defence systems work quite effectively when asked about the strikes. He described the recent spate of Ukrainian drone attacks as terrorist activity because for the most part, it is aimed at residential buildings. Obviously the same terrorist activity is also relevant for Crimea. And all necessary measures are being taken there, he said. In the past week, Ukrainian forces have significantly increased attacks on Russian targets in Crimea, targeting its military logistics and efforts to resupply occupational forces in southern Ukraine. The strikes on Friday marked the third consecutive day of Ukrainian assaults on the peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. Major-General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraines military intelligence, said in a broadcast interview that he hoped the increased focus on Crimea would remind people that its liberation is not far off. It will not end there, he added. There will be a ground operation, there will be the return of our territories. On Thursday, Ukrainian commandos damaged a Russian Air Force radar base on the Crimean coast in a daring amphibious raid. Special forces operatives landed in small boats near the resort village of Mayak, on the peninsulas western tip, before knocking out several radar systems, shutting them down for months. Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraines HUR, said the commandos had also killed or seriously wounded at least 30 Russian troops before escaping. On Wednesday, Ukraine announced it had destroyed an S-400 missile battery, one of Russias most sophisticated air-defence systems, in a drone strike on the Crimean peninsula. Rozhin said: The choice of targets for the strike is quite understandable: important airfields, air defence position areas, training camps. Kyiv has yet to comment on the aerial bombardment of Crimea. Elsewhere, Russia claimed it had detected and destroyed a Ukrainian S-200 missile over the Kaluga region, which borders the Moscow region. The area is home to the Shaykovka air base, which is home to Russian Tu-22 bombers used to launch missiles at Ukraine. Flights to and from Moscows main airports were briefly halted, the Tass news agency reported on Friday, without any reasoning. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. This is part of Airplane Mode, a series on the businessand pleasureof travel right now. I climbed aboard the train in Hamburg, Germany, just before midnight, already looking forward to the breakfast of warm cardamom buns and milky coffee I would get upon waking up in Copenhagens central train station. I had tried to catch a more comfortable sleeper trainthe kind with bunk beds, private rooms, and a dining carbut even though two other trains make the same trip nearly every single night, every bunk was booked, and not just for this random Monday night. The sleeper train business is booming this summer. Across Europe, the bunks on overnight trainsonce viewed as a fading anachronism in an era of cheap EasyJet and Ryanair flightsare sold out, and even tickets for simple seats are hard to come by. The resurgence is being driven by concerns about climate change and the emissions from those cheap jet flights. But environmental consciousness is also making Europeans rediscover the perks, efficiencies, and subtle luxuries of overnight rail travel. Schedules are largely crafted so travelers can board downtown in one major city in the late evening, eat dinner, doze off, and wake up at their destination in the morning. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement My fellow passengers on this rather spartan Danish overnight train skewed younger; many of them were lugging stuffed hiking backpacks. My seatmate, a New Zealander on his way from Prague to Denmark for a music festival, told me that taking overnight trains has allowed him to save on hotels or hostels while skipping the taxi ride to airports located far away from city centers. Trains are the way of the future! he said before pulling on his headphones. I rolled my sweater into a pillow and folded myself into my upright seat as best I could. Overnight trains will take you from Paris to Vienna. From Rome to Munich or Vienna. From Berlin to Zurich, Stockholm, Brussels, or Budapest. From Zurich to Hamburg or Prague or Zagreb. From Milan to Sicily. From London to Penzance, at the far western end of England, or even from Stockholm across the Arctic Circle to the port town of Narvik in the Norwegian Arctic. Its both a very efficient and also affordable way of traveling, said Chris Engelsman, a co-founder of the sleeper train startup European Sleeper, a private Dutch cooperative that launched a BrusselsAmsterdamBerlin night train to widespread publicity earlier this year. But actually more important is the feeling of adventure, the romance of it: getting on the train, late at night, seeing the lights of your hometown disappear, peeking out of the window in the middle of the night, and then, in the morning, youre in a different city and a different landscape. That, for me, is so attractive. As a native Midwesterner, I kept thinking about the often-spotty rail connections and obscene travel times on Amtrak service back home in the United States. Wouldnt this sort of scheduled intercity serviceboard in the evening, arrive in the morningmake the average eight-to-12-hour trip between scattered points in North America far more pleasant? As I tried to doze off, the iconic train scenes from Alfred Hitchcocks classic North by Northwest kept popping into my mind, especially when Eva Marie Saint tells Cary Grant, in the dining car of the overnight train from New York City to Chicago, Its going to be a long night, and I dont particularly like the book Ive started. (I was also less than tempted by the door stopper on East German history Id packed in my bag.) That movie hit the big screen in 1959, just as intercity rail travel in the U.S. was at its final peak and on the cusp of collapse. The train carrying Grant and Saint westward, the New York Central Railroads famed 20th Century Limited, would be canceled within the decade. The New York Central Railroad itself would collapse in a desperate series of mergers that consumed rail operators in the late 1960s and early 70s and ended after most railroads offloaded passenger service onto the newly created Amtrak and focused on pushing up profit margins by going a lot bigger on freight operations. When Amtrak started in 1971, they literally killed two-thirds of the trains that were running and took them right off the rails, David Peter Alan, a longtime rail advocate and a contributing editor for Railway Age magazine, told me when I finally caught him by phone this summer. (He was in northern Manitoba on a two-week trip crisscrossing Canada by rail and the occasional bus.) Despite tweaks in service, Alan said, Amtrak hasnt added to its overall lineup of long-distance routes or made serious efforts to increase options, such as pairing a daytime train with a parallel overnight offering, in the decades since. In Europe, too, night trains recently appeared to be in imminent decline as booming budget airlines offered fast, cheap connections across the continent and gobbled up market share. A number of major European railroads scrapped night train service, including Germanys Deutsche Bahn, which decided in 2016 to shut down its fleet of sleeper trains. Austrias state-owned railway OBB decided to step in, scooping up many of Deutsche Bahns sleeper cars and taking over several routes with sleeper trains. The Austrian gamble on overnight railrebranded as Nightjetcame just before Swedish environmental activists, including Greta Thunberg, coined and popularized the term flygskam (flight shame) in an effort to stigmatize air travel, in what turned out to be a major boon to OBB. In general, traveling by rail produces significantly less pollution and climate-warming emissions than flying does, although just how much varies. A 2020 analysis by the European Environment Agency found that rail travel is the most climate-friendly choice (but that solo car road trips could in some cases be worse for the climate than long-distance flights). Electric locomotives, which are favored by many European railways (and used on most of Amtraks Northeast Corridor, though few other places in the U.S.), are generally far cleaner than diesel enginesbut the source of the electricity powering the trains can make a substantial difference, with renewables and nuclear plants generating far fewer emissions than coal-fired power does. With a new kind of awareness, growing numbers of regular travelers in Europe are now checking for alternatives before booking a flightand when a night-train alternative exists, the trains are fully booked, said Bernhard Rieder, a spokesman for OBB. Perhaps on a Tuesday in November youll find a private cabin, but the rest of the year the train is completely full. During the summer holidays, demand is so stiff that even upright seats in regular train cars are nearly all sold out. The biggest thing holding back sleeper train dominance in Europe, in fact, is the lack of available sleeper cars. Most railroads stopped investing in overnight trains decades ago, leaving only a dwindling number of aging trains outfitted with bunks or sleeper compartments. The startup European Sleeper has struggled to find enough sleeper cars to operate routes and has had to hold off on expanding operations despite strong demand for tickets. Its something that OBB is now trying to address, spending 700 million euros to buy 33 brand-new sleeper trains from Siemens that should be delivered sometime before the end of the year. New tunnels, faster trains, and upgraded, high-speed tracks will also likely put new trips in OBBs sights, including overnight service covering distances as far as Berlin to Rome, Rieder said. The kind of rambling, continent-crossing, multiday journeys favored by Amtrak in the U.S. are out of the question for OBBs business model. The ideal overnight, Rieder said, should leave one city between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and arrive between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. the next day (10-ish latest!). We are not talking about pure holidaymakers taking five days to go from Chicago to L.A., which is a nice experience for them, but its not a business, Rieder said. If it comes to crossing the continent, then take the flight. It makes no sense to go from Warsaw to Lisbon on a train. OK, if you want, if youre a freakbut we dont talk about freaks. We talk about real travelers going for business, for vacation, or for family visits. The decline of sleeper trains in North America began much earlier than in Europe, as interstate highways and rapidly expanding airline networks proliferated. After commercial passenger rail collapsed in the late 1960s, long-distance train travel coalesced into only a handful of lengthy routes, many of them running over 24 hours, even without factoring in delays. If you go back to before the 1960s, there were overnight trains all over the place. Leaving Penn Station every night, there were dozens and dozens and dozens of overnight trains going to here, there, and everywhere: Florida, Chicago cars that ran through Los Angeles, San Francisco, all over the place, said Jonathan English, a transit policy expert and fellow at New York Universitys Marron Institute of Urban Management. People could take the overnight train and it was the most common means of travel. Ive ridden overnight trains in the U.S. too, but largely in the sense that the sole daily train happened to stop somewhere in the middle of the night. Sleeper trainswith beds, rooms, dining cars, and portersdo make up a core part of Amtraks offerings, but they differ dramatically from the kind of overnight service favored by European travelers, which pairs cities with convenient evening departures and morning arrivals. To do night trains like theyre talking about in Europe, then you need more frequency, said James McCommons, a journalist and frequent train rider who spent a year on Amtrak writing a book about the systems history. Sometimes theres only one train a day going through a major city. Sometimes it goes through in the middle of the day. Sometimes it goes through the middle of the night. And thats why no one rides it. English, at NYU, remarked that overnight trains in North America have tended to slip into the attraction in themselves category. He added: Its more like a cruise than a means of transportation. Alan, the contributing editor for Railway Age magazine, said that operational conflicts with freight railroads, which own the vast majority of track outside the Northeast Corridor, would prohibit the expansion of night trains in the U.S. anytime soon. The only connection on Amtraks current schedule that would work for a traditional overnight connection, Alan said, is between Memphis and Chicago. But he quickly rattled off dozens of other connections that would work in theory. The Maple Leaf line, between New York City and Torontothe two biggest cities on the Eastern Seaboardtakes about 12 hours, but runs only during the day. Also, L.A. to San Francisco is a natural fit for a sleeper train, Alan told me, with the trip currently taking about 11 hours on the winding existing tracks. California is supposedly building a high-speed rail connection between the two cities, although the first small segment of the line, in the sparsely populated Central Valley, is currently massively over budget and years behind schedule, casting doubt over when, or even if, the line will ever be completed. Could consumer demandfueled by nostalgia, or perhaps some American flygskamever revitalize this type of travel in the United States? Overnight trains, especially for business use, are a wonderful idea. They kept the railroads going for a long, long time, Alan said. If they could come back, he said, theyd be good for anywhere you can name that would be anywhere from eight to 12 hours apartperfect for a good nights sleep. Members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters in Londonderry in 1972 - Getty Images The trial of a Bloody Sunday soldier can use witness statements more than 50 years old, a judge has ruled. Soldier F, a former paratrooper who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney in 1972 when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters in Londonderry. The soldier is also charged with five attempted murders. During committal proceedings on Friday at the magistrates court in Derry, District Judge Ted Magill said he was satisfied the statements from five soldiers can be dealt with in a fair, just and reliable fashion by a trial judge. He ruled that the evidence of a sixth witness cannot be admitted. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The judges ruling centred around a bid by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to use evidence statements given to the 1972 Widgery Report and to the Royal Military Police by other soldiers in the Bogside on the day. James Wray (left) and William McKinney died on Bloody Sunday - Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Judge Magill said: I am satisfied that the trial process is fully capable of dealing with these, as with all other evidence, in a fair, just and reliable fashion. The judge said the defence have a wealth of material by which they can contest the case at trial. He added: I have found nothing to persuade me that there is any unfairness in the admission of the hearsay statements of these five witnesses, reiterating and re-emphasising, that I am not the trial judge. Ciaran Shiels, lawyer for many of the Bloody Sunday families, said it was a positive and satisfactory ruling. Lawyer Ciaran Shiels says the ruling is a significant move forward - Jonathan McCambridge/PA He said: Five of those witnesses evidence is now admitted as evidence before this court. It is a significant move forward. It is a step closer to the families seeing Soldier F being committed and sent forward for trial. Those proceedings will be in Belfast, it will be a Diplock trial. Mickey McKinney, brother of victim William McKinney, said: We look forward now with renewed confidence to Soldier F being formally returned to stand trial for murder and attempted murder as expeditiously as possible. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. By Valerie Insinna and David Shepardson (Reuters) -Boeing has recently identified a new 737 MAX quality problem involving supplier Spirit AeroSystems that has resulted in improperly drilled holes on the aft pressure bulkhead, the planemaker said on Wednesday. Boeing said the defect will delay near-term deliveries and the company is evaluating whether it could cause it to miss its annual delivery target of at least 400 737s this year. Boeing shares were down 2.7% and Spirit shares fell 6.1% in afterhours trading. The new supply-chain snag is the latest issue to impede deliveries of the cash-generating MAX following Boeing's disclosure of a problem in April that Spirit had improperly installed brackets joining the aft fuselage to the vertical tail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Boeing confirmed that the latest issue will delay the first MAX 8 delivery to Malaysia Airlines, which had scheduled an Aug. 28 arrival event. Spirit said that because it uses multiple suppliers for the aft pressure bulkhead, not all 737 fuselages are impacted by the new "elongated" hole problem. "Based upon what we know now, we believe there will not be a material impact to our delivery range for the year related to this issue," Spirit said. So far, Boeing believes the defect is limited to a portion of its bestselling MAX 8 model, but the company is evaluating whether older-model 737 Next Generation jets are also impacted. It is unclear how many jets will need to be fixed, and how long it takes to complete rework will vary depending on the condition of the aircraft, Boeing said. "We continue to deliver 737s that are not affected," said Boeing, which said the issue was "recently" discovered but did not provide further clarification. Spirit said it has implemented changes to its manufacturing processes to correct the issue. The Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of the issue, which does not affect safety of flight. Trade publication The Air Current first reported that Spirit was responsible for the work on the aft pressure bulkhead. (Reporting by Valerie Insinna; Editing by Chris Reese and Muralikumar Anantharaman) The city of Eagle is no longer suing its former arts commission chairman, who had allegedly signed vendor contracts without City Council approval. Eagle Mayor Jason Pierce told the Idaho Statesman by phone Thursday that the two vendors, Elle Phillips Design Inc. and Blue Chip Media LLC, decided to settle the lawsuit and would not expect payment from the city. According to the citys lawsuit, which was filed in December, Mark McAllister contracted the two vendors, agreeing to pay them a little over $9,000, despite the city code requirements that arts commission contracts receive council approval. The vendors were expecting to work for the city for its Arts Stop program. In 2021, the program sought to add spoken or sung literary art to Eagles collection of public art. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I feel terrible for the vendors, they are small local businesses and I hope that measures are taken so that this kind of thing never happens in this community ever again, McAllister told the Statesman by phone. The city sued to ask the court to determine whether it was responsible for repaying the invoices, but during litigation the vendors approached the city and asked to settle the matter, Pierce said. The lawsuit between the city of Eagle and McAllister was dismissed June 29 without prejudice, meaning the Eagle sue McAllister if a similar problem arose again, Pierce said. The settlement was first reported by BoiseDev. How much should city mayors make in Idaho? These two could see substantial raises next year More coffee, more soda. Town houses for young adults. A wider highway. Coming near you Another attack over LGBTQ issues is shocking, but no surprise to experts who have watched the growing extremist rhetoric against LGBTQ people over the last two years. Meanwhile, we reported exclusively this week that federal prosecutions over threats are at an all-time high, and are expected to stay that way in the tense political climate. And a far-right Twitter account that mocks people makes posts that precede disruptive bomb threats in California and Oklahoma. Its the week in extremism. Public schools face bomb threats in Tulsa, Davis after posts by LibsofTikTok At least twice this week, targets of the far-right X account LibsofTikTok received bomb threats after the account tweeted about them. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement On Monday, a library in Davis, California, received a bomb threat that included hate speech, according to local police. The library and a nearby school were evacuated. The library in Yolo County entered the spotlight online after public speaking event. When a group of speakers started out by calling female transgender athletes biological males, a librarian asked them to leave. That interaction was caught on video, and a far-right backlash from LibsofTikTok and others ensued. On Wednesday, a school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, received two bomb threats the day after LibsofTikTok tweeted about the schools librarian, who had posted a tongue-in-cheek video on social media saying she wasnt finished pushing her woke agenda on kids. ("My radical liberal agenda, she wrote in the post, is teaching kids to love books and be kind.") Some parents pulled their kids out of school in response to the threats and more controversy ensued when states schools superintendent retweeted LibsofTikToks post with his own comment "Woke ideology is real and I am here to stop it" about the same time as the bomb threats. In both incidents, authorities determined the bomb threats were not credible. Pride flag shooting in California no surprise Last Friday, authorities say, a 27-year-old man shot and killed Laura Ann Carleton, a mother of nine in a small mountain community east of Los Angeles, apparently after disparaging the Pride flag she displayed outside her store and shouting homophobic slurs at her. Police said the shooter posted anti-LGBTQ content on social media. A Pride flag ripped off its flag pole is seen outside the entrance to the Mag.Pi clothing store in Cedar Glen, near Lake Arrowhead, California, on August 21, 2023. The owner of the store, Laura Ann Carleton, was fatally shot Aug. 18 by a man who "made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag," according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. From USA TODAY: In shooting over store's Pride flag, predictions of violence again become reality Its just the latest such attack and, while shocking, comes as no surprise to extremism experts. Social media accounts in the name of the shooter posted conspiracy theories spread by far-right extremists and mixed anti-abortion posts and Bible verses with posts equating "Pride Month" to the word "demon" in the weeks before the attack. While this type of rhetoric is nothing new in America, over the last two years the LGBTQ community has become the central focus for far-right extremists and influencers. The far-right has been largely silent about the Carleton shooting: It's hard to imagine a really clear gain they would have by trying to do reality-denial on a situation that is just so black-and-white, extremism expert Jared Holt told USA TODAY. Threats against public officials, others are spiking Recent months have seen high-profile incidents of suspects being arrested or shot and killed after making threats against public figures online. New data shows the number of federal prosecutions for making threats spiked last year, and is on track to hit a new high in 2023. A man holds a flag as law enforcement officers investigate the home of Craig Deleeuw Robertson in Provo, Utah, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. There were more federal prosecutions for threats in 2022 than in any of the previous 10 years, according to research from the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. We're on track to meet, if not surpass, the number of federal arrests when it comes to communicating threats against public officials this year, said Seamus Hughes, a senior researcher on the University of Nebraska team. Exclusive: A man was killed after threatening Biden. It's not just him: Threats are on rise across US Experts worry the number of threats and potentially deadly confrontations with law enforcement is only going to increase in the tense political climate. Statistic of the week: 22% Thats the increase in hate crimes in the 10 largest cities in the United States last year compared with the year before, hitting a record high, according to new data released today by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The center, which has tallied hate crimes across the nation since 1999, also found that the number of hate crimes reported to police in 42 major US cities rose 10% last year. The full report will be released next week. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tulsa bomb threat, Davis bomb threat: LibsofTikTok posts preceded both The number of Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Belarus is gradually decreasing as they depart for Russia, State Border Guard Service's spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on Aug. 25. The official said that Wagner forces had started to leave in "not significant" numbers even prior to the reported death of Wagner's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin during a plane crash in Russia's Tver Oblast on Aug. 23. The gradual departure of Wagner mercenaries from Belarus has become even more apparent after their boss's presumed demise, Demchenko added. Prigozhin and other senior Wagner leaders, including his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin, were listed as passengers of the private Embraer Legacy plane that crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in Tver Oblast while flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg. All 10 people on board died in the crash. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Russian media: Private jet crashes in Russia, warlord Prigozhin listed among passengers In June, the mercenary leader launched a short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin, capturing the city of Rostov and marching toward Moscow before abruptly ending the insurrection less than 24 after it began. Following an undisclosed deal allegedly brokered by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, Wagner mercenaries were allowed to leave for Belarus. Camps for the mercenaries were set up in the country as they started providing training to the Belarusian military. However, reports appeared in August that the mercenaries began to leave Belarus, allegedly due to low pay. Ukraine's National Resistance Center reported one day after the Embraer Legacy plane crash that Wagner convoys are on their way from Belarus to Russia. Satellite images have also shown that the camp in the village of Tsel near Asipovichy, used by the mercenaries, is being dismantled. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Xi says ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran on multilateral platforms Xinhua) 09:07, August 25, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran on BRICS and other multilateral platforms, so as to push for healthy and robust development of multilateralism. Xi made the remarks when meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi congratulated Iran on becoming a member of BRICS, stressing that it is a historic event that the BRICS summit, with joint efforts of all parties, has made the decision to expand. All the new members are countries with important influence, Xi said, expressing confidence that they will have a major impact on the world. Xi said since Raisi's successful visit to China in February this year, the two countries' departments have wasted no time to implement the consensus reached between the two leaders, which has achieved positive results. Xi said he is glad that with the joint efforts of China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have achieved reconciliation, which promoted security and stability in the Middle East. China is ready to consolidate its friendship with Iran, deepen mutual trust, continue to support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and push for more progress in China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi added. For his part, Raisi said Iran highly appreciates and thanks China for supporting Iran in becoming a full member of BRICS, which will provide fresh momentum for the development of Iran-China relations. He said this is conducive to strengthening coordination between the two countries on multilateral platforms, and will also help better advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi. Raisi expressed gratitude for Xi's important role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, adding that the expansion of BRICS shows that unilateralism is going downhill. Iran's determination to deepen the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership is unswerving, Raisi said, adding that Iran stands ready to make joint efforts with China to further enhance the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries and actively advance the Belt and Road cooperation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) John Edgar Jack Seitz was mayor of Des Plaines for eight years in the 1980s and before that had served for 14 years as an alderman in the northwest suburb. Seitz also taught business and marketing classes at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines now known as Oakton College for more than two decades. Advertisement He was a phenomenal leader, said retired Oakton professor George Heyman, who shared an office with Seitz at the college. One of his innovations was becoming a part-time mayor of Des Plaines instead of the position being full-time. He was very politically astute and very caring of people. Seitz, 92, died of natural causes on July 10 at his home, his daughter Janet said. A Des Plaines resident, he had been battling many health challenges, she said. Advertisement Born in Detroit, Seitz came to the Chicago area for college, and he earned a bachelors degree in journalism from Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism in 1952. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea, rising to the level of lieutenant colonel. After his active duty concluded, Seitz returned to the Chicago area and began working for the National Safety Council in 1955 as a statistician. The next year, he shifted gears to work for Continental Casualty Co. as a copywriter and account supervisor, and then in 1958 he joined Chicago-based Encyclopaedia Britannica as a contest and awards manager. While working, Seitz earned an MBA from Northwestern University in 1960. He left Encyclopaedia Britannica in 1964 to join United Airlines in the firms advertising and promotion department, and he rose to become assistant to the director of promotion before leaving United in 1971. Seitz decided to change careers that year, when he began teaching business and marketing classes at Oakton. Seitz and his wife, Marilyn, settled on living in Des Plaines after a friend from his Marine Corps Reserve unit had purchased a new house there. They liked the area so much that they bought the lot next door and built their own home in 1962, he told the Tribune in 1986. John "Jack" Seitz (Family photo) Seitz soon became involved in a civic group that was fighting a local rezoning proposal before the Des Plaines City Council. That led to a role as a GOP precinct captain, and then in 1967, Seitz ran for and won a seat as alderman. Seitz was reelected in 1971, 1975 and 1979. As an alderman, he chaired the citys Fire Committee, and in 1973, he convinced his colleagues to set aside funds to implement a paramedic program to be run by the Des Plaines Fire Department, with firefighters trained to be paramedics. In late 1974, the department placed its first mobile intensive care unit in service. Seitz won election as mayor in 1981. Advertisement I felt things werent moving fast enough, Seitz told the Tribune in 1986. I wanted redevelopment to proceed at a faster price than I perceived it was happening. Seitzs campaign included a pledge he soon implemented to return the position of mayor from a $32,500-a-year full-time position to a $9,600-a-year part-time post. One of my continuing goals in this office is to improve the efficiency of government, he told the Tribune. I know thats a general statement, but there always are little things you can find to make it run better. Other issues Seitz grappled with during his two terms as mayor included the redevelopment and revitalization of Des Plaines central business district. He founded the Des Plaines Economic Development Commission in 1982, and he oversaw a variety of work, including the construction of a new train station and plans for a $34 million residential and commercial development nearby. Seitz also was a forceful advocate for his community in battling with the city of Chicago over noise and air quality from nearby OHare International Airport. And he was a major promoter of Des Plaines as an economic engine in its own right, with a daytime population of almost 100,000 that was driven by office and light manufacturing workers. Im tired of the attitude that were a suburb of Chicago, he told the Tribune in 1986. We dont have to depend on someone else to keep going. Advertisement Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Seitz and the village administration also dealt with two major floods that caused problems in Des Plaines in 1986 and 1987. In addition, he served as president of the Northwest Municipal Conference, a consortium of northwest suburbs, from 1988 until 1989. Seitz lost reelection in 1989, but voters also defeated his opponents pet campaign plank a referendum proposal to convert Des Plaines to a form of government in which the post of mayor is a full-time job, with the power to hire and fire department heads. After retiring from Oakton in 1992, Seitz spent considerable time traveling, including to all 50 states and to the Arctic Circle. He also traveled to Europe and Asia. In addition to his daughter, Seitz is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Marilyn; three other daughters, Laura Seitz-Peirson, Mary Seitz-Pagano and Jeanine Seitz Sappenfield; three sons, John, Paul and Ed; 19 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services were held. Goldsborough is a freelance reporter. Advertisement To purchase a death notice, visit https://placeanad.chicagotribune.com/death-notices. To suggest a staff-written obituary on a person of local interest, email chicagoland@chicagotribune.com. Boston police are seeking the publics help in identifying an individual in connection to a larceny in downtown Boston. Police say that a female stole five purses valued at approximately $15,000 around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in the area of 310 Boylston Street. The suspect is described as a female with a dark complexion, in her mid-20s, who is tall and heavy set and has short curly hair. She was seen wearing spandex shorts and crocs, police say. Anyone with information is asked to contact District A-1 Detectives at (617) 343-4571. Community members wishing to assist in this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 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 RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Brazil's Institutional Relations Minister Alexandre Padilha said on Friday that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will announce a cabinet reshuffle after coming back from a trip to Africa, although the exact date of the move is yet to be determined. The leftist president is widely expected to make some changes in his cabinet in order to secure more support to his administration in Congress, naming some members from centrist and center-right parties as ministers. Padilha said Congressmen Silvio Costa Filho and Andre Fufuca - members of the conservative Republicans and Progressives parties, respectively - will both join the executive, but did not give further detail on which portfolios they would have. The expected cabinet reshuffle will help the government advance its legislative priorities in Congress, Padilha told reporters. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Among the government's top legislative agenda items are the reform of Brazil's complex tax system and approval of proposals by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad to increase tax revenue to contain its fiscal deficit. (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier; Editing by Kylie Madry and Alistair Bell) A Brevard County judge has sided with county officials in an eminent domain battle against State Rep. Thad Altman and other beachfront property owners near Indialantic, ending a standoff the county had said was holding up beach renourishment. The Aug. 1 order from Circuit Judge Curt Jacobus allows the county to seize access rights to the sandy beaches behind the four beachfront homes along Highway A1A, including one owned by Altman's family trust. The county has sought rights to the properties since 2018 as part of renourishment efforts along Brevard's "Mid Reach" shoreline. It plans to grant public access to the parcels west of the high tide line, currently the private property of the homeowners, which county staff said was necessary to secure federal funding for the project through the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. More: Eminent domain case over private beaches ropes in Rep. Thad Altman ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The owners of the four properties in the lawsuit were the last holdouts along the Mid Reach a 7.8-mile stretch of coast between Patrick Space Force Base and Indialantic preventing release of the funds, according to staff reports to the Brevard County Commission. This Indialantic home, owned by a trust run by Rep. Thad Altman, is one of a handful at the center of an eminent domain suit filed by Brevard County. The county seeks an easement along the private beach behind the home for its "Mid Reach" beach renourishment project. An attorney for Altman and two of the homeowners declined to comment. Altman is currently running for the County Commission District 5 seat currently held by Commissioner Jason Steele. Steele was appointed in June to replace outgoing Commissioner Kristine Zonka, who stepped down to lead the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County. Don Walker, a spokesman for Brevard County, also declined to comment, citing the possibility of continuing litigation in the case. The defendants have disputed the county's claims in court filings, arguing that it has repeatedly sought more land than it needed and low-balled them on compensation for the valuable property. They have also questioned whether federal funding was even necessary for the project. Blake Gaylord, an attorney for Hubbard Investments, one of the property owners in the case, said his client didn't have a problem with the project itself, but rather with the idea it couldn't be done without forcing them to give up their rights. More: An Indialantic boardwalk could actually be the latest shot in an eminent domain fight "The only reason public use is necessary is to obtain federal funds," Gaylord said. "That's something that we're weighing: on what level does Brevard County have to show it actually needs the federal funds, not that the funds would be nice to have because it's someone else's money?" Jacobus noted in his ruling that the county had given no testimony that the project could not be completed using only state and local funds, which carry no such condition. A decision whether to appeal the case was "under discussion" by the defendants, Gaylord said. This Indialantic beachfront property is one of several at the center of an eminent domain suit filed by Brevard County. The county is seeking a portion of the private beach behind the home for an easement related to the "Mid Reach" beach renourishment project. Mike McGarry, beaches, boating and waterways manager for Brevard County, said the County Commission still needed to award a contact for the renourishment work, which will likely happen in November. Restoration of the Mid Reach beaches could begin as soon as late November or December, McGarry said. This latest ruling was the most recent development in the years-long court battle, spanning multiple rulings and attempts from the county to seize rights to the properties. A prior decision in the county's favor was overturned on appeal in 2020. It subsequently abandoned a second effort without explanation earlier this year before refiling the case for a third time in February. Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com. Follow him on X: @EricRogersFT. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard wins case to seize beaches from Florida rep, other homeowners Knoxville engineer Barry Thacker believes strongly in the value of education and local history, as Carolyn Krauses third and last article in our series on Coal Creek history shows. This article draws on Thackers recent talk on Coal Creek history in Oak Ridge. In 2000, Thacker founded the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation Inc., which has awarded college scholarships to former students of Briceville Elementary School. In this article we learn how Briceville students performed research as Coal Creek Scholars for a Harvard professor, leading to a better understanding of Welsh life in Tennessee. *** The largest collection of books in the United States on Welsh literature and history is housed at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Some of the books on Welsh life were donated to Harvard by David Thomas, a mining engineer of Welsh ancestry who lived in Coal Creek and whom Barry Thacker portrays in his Coal Creek history talks. Thomas inherited from his father a library of books written in Welsh language in America. Coal Creek Scholars from Briceville who provided information that helped with the writing of the 2012 book The Welsh of Tennessee by Eilrug Davies, professor of Welsh literature at Harvard University. The Harvard collection grew after Briceville Elementary School students on a field trip in 2000 discovered in the Wiley cemetery the headstone of Henry Wiley, who was one of the original landowners in the area where the Coal Creek Mining and Manufacturing Company is located, Thacker said. The students also came across the headstone of the father and mother of David Thomas; it showed that his parents were both born in the same town in South Wales. The students posted their discoveries on the internet, arousing the interest of Eirug Davies, professor of Welsh literature at Harvard University. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Dr. Davies was so excited by their findings that he traveled to Briceville to meet with the students who discovered the headstone, Thacker said. He wanted to put the pieces together of how the Thomas collection of Welsh language books got to Harvard. He brought a flag of Wales and presented it to the students. Partly inspired by annual Eisteddfod celebrations that featured poetry and essay writing competitions, Thacker said, Welsh writers in America published books in the Welsh language in the 19th and 20th centuries. Such an achievement was not possible in Wales because the British banned the speaking of the Welsh language (until 2011). Barry Thacker took Briceville Elementary School students on a field trip to Militia Hill near Coal Creek (now Rocky Top) to witness the firing of a cannon. It is like the ones used by the Tennessee National Guard to defeat the Welsh miners opposing convict leasing in the 1891-92 Coal Creek War. Dr. Davies learned that Bees Thomas, the father of David Thomas, was an avid collector of books. His library of books in the Welsh language was one of the most extensive in the area. In 1915, David Thomas donated his fathers collection of Welsh language books to Harvard University, which he found out had been preserving Welsh literature and history. Over the next dozen years after the visit of Dr. Davies, several Briceville students did research for him at the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville, Thacker said. These Coal Creek Scholars searched its archives and found Welsh language books that Dr. Davies translated into English. As a result, he uncovered some interesting facts about local Anderson County and Coal Creek history, as well as Welsh life in Tennessee. The professor would then send what he had found to the students, and they would go to the East Tennessee History Center and corroborate his information, Thacker said. He used his English translations of books written in Welsh to document the lives and present a history of the Welsh of Tennessee and particularly the Welsh in Coal Creek. In 2012, Dr. Davies published a book titled, The Welsh of Tennessee. The Coal Creek Scholars examined old prison records from 1881 to 1892. They wanted to find out which of the 131 convicts who died from forced labor in the Anderson County mines lost their lives during service at the Coal Creek mine. The students sought to identify the convicts buried under fieldstones on the hillside above the Coal Creek mine owned by the Knoxville Iron and Coal Company. The students also tried to determine how the Coal Creek mine convicts died. (Many of the convicts were young Black men arrested for petty crimes in Nashville and Memphis.) The students found that Henry Clyburn died of dropsy, George Brown died of typhoid fever and Sam Morris was killed trying to escape from the mine. Their findings were reported in the April 2, 2006, edition of the Clinton Courier News. Eilrug Davies, professor of Welsh literature at Harvard University, presented students at Briceville Elementary School with a flag of Wales. Thacker likes to tell students the inspirational story about a member of the Harmon family. When Powell Harmon died in the 1902 Fraterville Mine explosion, his eldest son, Condy Harmon, was a 15-year-old student at Briceville School. He wanted to continue his education, but he felt obligated to support his family by working in the Cross Mountain mine. He never married or had children. He died at the age of 24 in the Cross Mountain mine explosion in 1911. In 2011, Harmans from four different states traveled to Anderson County for a memorial service recognizing the 100th anniversary of the death of Condy. He was a family hero because of the sacrifices he made. He is buried beside his father in Longfield Cemetery in Rocky Top, near Norris Dam State Park. The headstone of the graves of the Welsh-born parents of Coal Creek mining engineer David Thomas was discovered by Briceville Elementary School students. Thacker has taken Briceville Elementary School students on field trips to teach them Coal Creek history. When he took them to Militia Hill to witness the firing of a cannon like the ones used by the Tennessee National Guard to defeat the Welsh miners in 1892, the students said, This is the best field trip ever! To help celebrate their Welsh and Appalachian heritage, Thacker has recruited students in Briceville to plant hybrid American chestnut trees to restore mine sites to their original natural condition. Appalachia was once covered with chestnut trees until they were infected by a parasitic fungus that was accidentally introduced from Asia to North America around the turn of the 20th century. Over the last 40 years the American Chestnut Foundation has come up with a hybrid chestnut tree that is resistant to the blight, Thacker said. Since 2009, the Coal Creek students have been planting those trees on area coal mines. The chestnuts thrive on the acidic soil of the reclaimed mines. In the article Prints of Wales in an edition of the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Fred Brown wrote, Welsh immigrants may not have discovered America, but they did leave their mark on our history and culture. The cover of the book The Welsh of Tennessee by Eilrug Davies, professor of Welsh literature at Harvard University. *** Thank you, Carolyn, for an excellent capture of Barry Thackers magnificent work to preserve the history of Coal Creek. His exceptional efforts have produced admirable results and will benefit generations to come. The history of the coal mines and people who were included in the Fraterville and Cross Mountain mine disasters are better remembered for his untiring work. New forests of blight-resistant hybrid chestnut trees, including some planted by Briceville students, are thriving on the reclaimed mountain coal mines of Anderson County. D. Ray Smith, writer for the Historically Speaking column. Carolyn Krause This article originally appeared on Oakridger: How Briceville students helped a Harvard prof reveal Welsh life here President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a BRICS family photo during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa On the same day that a jet reportedly carrying Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was blown out of the skies above Russia, Vladimir Putin was preening over a Brics summit he will undoubtedly see as a diplomatic coup. The five-country bloc has voted to admit Saudi Arabia and several other countries in an attempt to increase its influence. The argument goes that the new alignment will have sufficient weight to present an alternative power base to the American-dominated Western alliance. If this is so, then Joe Bidens administration will have to take much of the blame. His handling of relations with Riyadh has resulted in considerable tensions, and it is on his watch that Saudi Arabia has resumed diplomatic relations with Iran in a deal brokered by Beijing. That Riyadh will now be joining the expanded Brics alongside Tehran is a further marker of Mr Bidens diplomatic blunders. Nor is Saudi Arabia the only Western ally tempted to deepen relations with Beijing and Moscow. The United Arab Emirates and Egypt are also set to join the bloc in a move which is unlikely to be welcomed by Washington. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But it is also important to avoid getting ahead of ourselves in announcing the end of the Western-led order. Putin addressed the summit by video link as he faces an arrest warrant for war crimes; even his friends in South Africa found the prospect of his presence a step too far. The past year has proved bruising for autocracies. Russias military is, if not a paper tiger, certainly not on par with those of Nato, while its gas blackmail has failed. Iran faces internal turmoil, and China a brewing financial crisis. The Brics, for all the hype, are no alternative to the West yet. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. An illustration featuring both the Russian and Ukrainian flags behind the silhouettes of soldiers. IherPhoto / Getty Images. Russia had a plan to conquer Ukraine in about a week. A year after it tried to execute that plan, Russia's army was in a fierce, bloody battle for a small, strategically insignificant city it had already reduced to smoldering rubble. Six months later, Moscow was on the defensive, engaged in World War Istyle trench warfare, with casualties to match. Here are some key moments in Russia's war in Ukraine. Feb. 24, 2022 Russia invades Early on a Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of his "special military operation" to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine. Within hours, Russian missiles rained down across Ukraine and Russian forces invaded from the north, east and south. Ukraine put up fierce resistance and got its first rallying cry later in the day when a group of 13 border guards on tiny Snake Island were told by a Russian warship to surrender. "Russian warship, go f--- yourself," the guards responded. Feb. 25 Zelenskyy rallies Ukraine Amid the chaotic opening hours of Russia's invasion, rumors spread that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had fled the country the U.S., in fact, had offered to extract him before Kyiv fell. ("I need ammunition, not a ride," Zelenskyy reportedly replied.) Zelenskyy and other top officials posted a video from the streets of central Kyiv early Friday, assuring Ukrainians that "we are all here defending our independence, our state, and it will remain so." March 2 Russia captures Kherson As Moscow's northern offensive floundered, Russian forces were making progress in the southeast. Kherson, the capital of Kherson Oblast, was the first major city to fall in Russia's unsuccessful coastal push toward Odesa. March 29-30 Russia abandons Kyiv offensive Russia's first tacit acknowledgment its invasion wasn't going well was its "planned regrouping of troops" away from Kyiv and surrounding areas. April 3 Ukraine discovers Russian atrocities in Bucha Russia's hasty retreat from Kyiv's suburbs revealed evidence of summary executions, beheadings, torture, rape, and other atrocities. The savagery was particularly evident in Bucha, and Putin reportedly awarded medals of valor to the brigade that brutalized the town. April 14 Ukraine sinks Russian flagship Moskva The guided-missile cruiser Moskva, Russia's Black Sea flagship and the warship instructed to "go f---" itself, sank after an explosion that Moscow blamed on a fire and Ukraine attributed to a strike by its Neptune anti-ship missiles. The sinking of the Moskva was an embarrassing blow to Russia, whose warships pulled back from Ukraine's coast afterward, reducing the threat of an amphibious attack on Odesa. April 18-19 Russia officially pivots to 'next phase' of war Russia shifted its troops from the Kyiv offensive to Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, and the amassed forces launched a broad attack there on April 18. Ukraine called it a "new phase of the war." Moscow announced the "next phase" of its invasion on April 19. May 18 Sweden and Finland apply to join NATO Sweden and Finland, citing Putin's bellicosity toward his neighbors, dropped their longstanding official neutrality and applied on the same day to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Putin had listed NATO expansion among his reasons for invading Ukraine. May 20 Russia completes bloody conquest of Mariupol Russian forces attacked Mariupol on the first day of the invasion. Ukrainian defenders put up a fierce fight, eventually making a last stand at the sprawling Azovstal steelworks complex. The final Azovstal defenders surrendered May 20. Russia's brutal siege of Mariupol included a March 9 missile strike on an active maternity hospital and the bombing of Mariupol's Drama Theater on March 16, which killed hundreds of the people sheltering inside. Mariupol completed Russia's "land bridge" to occupied Crimea. July 3 Russia captures Lysychansk, all of Luhansk Oblast Russia's push to seize the Donbas effectively culminated with its July 3 capture of Lysychansk, giving Moscow complete control of the Luhansk province. Ukraine had withdrawn from Lysychansk's sister city, Sievierodonetsk, on June 24, after a weeks-long battle in which Russia pounded the city to rubble. Aug. 29 Ukraine launches first big counteroffensive Ukraine began a campaign to retake Kherson and push Russian forces east of the Dnipro River. The counteroffensive's launch followed months of foreshadowing and weeks of preparatory strikes on Russian supply lines and ammunition and fuel depots. Sept. 21 Putin declares 'partial mobilization' Putin, bowing to pressure from military leaders, announced a "partial mobilization" to replenish Russia's depleted invasion force with up to 300,000 conscripts. The draft was unpopular and sparked unusually large protests and an exodus of hundreds of thousands of draft-eligible Russian men. Sept. 30 Russia 'annexes' 4 regions Putin announced the annexation of the partially occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces three days after Russia declared victory in referendums it staged on Feb. 23. The referendums and illegal annexation were dismissed as shams by the West and Ukraine. Oct. 2 Ukraine recaptures Kharkiv in lightning strike With Russian forces amassing in Kherson to repel Ukraine's southern counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack on northern Kharkiv province on Sept. 6, starting a three-week rout that recaptured hundreds of square miles including the key cities of Izium, Kupyansk and Lyman. Oct. 8-10 Ukraine disables Crimea bridge, Russia retaliates In a blow to Russian pride and logistics, a truck bomb exploded on the $3.6 billion Kerch Strait Bridge connecting Russia to Crimea, rendering it impassible for months. Ukraine eventually claimed credit for the attack, and Moscow retaliated by launching waves of missile and drone strikes against civilian targets in cities across Ukraine. Nov. 11 Ukraine recaptures Kherson Ukrainian forces poured into a cheering Kherson two days after Russia ordered its troops to withdraw across the Dnipro on Nov. 9. The recapture of the only regional capital Moscow was able to occupy during its invasion was a huge embarrassment for the Kremlin. Feb. 9, 2023 Russia launches spring offensive Russian forces began a renewed campaign to capture the entire Donbas region, attacking heavily fortified Ukrainian positions using tens of thousands of new conscripts. Russia's "troops are ill-equipped and ill-trained, and because of that, they're incurring a lot of casualties," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Feb. 16. May 21 Russia claims conquest of Bakhmut The battle for Bakhmut, the longest and bloodiest of the war, ended a year after it began, long after the city had become more symbolically important than strategically significant. When Russian forces floundered, the private militia known as the Wagner Group took over the fight. Wagner claimed victory over the gutted ruins of Bakhmut on May 21, after having lost at least 10,000 fighters in six months. Ukraine has continued fighting for Bakhmut with some success. June 8 Ukraine launches second big counteroffensive After months of hints, feints, pleas for discretion, and deliveries of Western armaments, Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in eastern and southeastern Ukraine in early June. Within days, Ukraine had recaptured several small villages near the Donetsk-Zaporizhia border, but Russian defenses, including heavy fortifications and miles-wide minefields, have kept Ukraine's progress slow. June 23-24 Wagner mutinies Wagner eventually handed control of Bakhmut to regular Russian forces and then pulled back into Russia, where group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin staged a brief mutiny. The short-lived uprising rattled Putin's government and marked the end of Wagner's participation in the Ukraine war. Prigozhin is said to have died in a suspicious plane crash on Aug. 23. You may also like Homepage Two Binghamton residents face felony charges after exchanging gunfire with a Town of Maine homeowner Wednesday evening during a reported home invasion attempt. The Broome County Sheriff's Office identified the suspects as Jayvon Phillip, 21, and Rozlyn Warthen, 31, both of Binghamton. Around 10 p.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to an address on Bradley Creek Road in Maine for the report of an attempted burglary and shots fired, the sheriff's office said. Arriving deputies established a masked individual, later identified as Phillip, had been actively attempting to unlawfully enter the home, and then pointed a firearm at the homeowner. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The homeowner exchanged gunfire in front of his residence with the suspect, firing two rounds while the assailant fired eight shots. Public safety Brooklyn man sentenced to 10 years in prison for Broome County illegal weapon possession Phillip sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and fled from the scene before the arrival of patrol units, the sheriff's office said. Sheriff's detectives arrived to investigate the incident and determined the homeowner, who was not injured, defended himself and was within his legal rights. Investigators concluded Phillip and Warthen went to the residence armed with illegal handguns in attempts to burglarize the home, the sheriff's office said. In addition, detectives believe the attack was not random, and the homeowner was specifically targeted. Phillip was being treated at a local hospital for his gunshot wound when he and Warthen were arrested. As a result of the investigation, the sheriff's office charged Phillip and Warthen with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted burglary, and first-degree criminal use of a firearm, all felonies. They were both arraigned and committed to the Broome County Jail without bail. The investigation is continuing. Anyone who has information related to the incident is asked to call the Broome County Sheriffs Office Detectives Division at 607-778-1196, and reference Case 23-19174. Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Broome County home invasion ends in shootout, homeowner wounds suspect Attorneys for Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger have filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him after his highly anticipated quadruple murder trial was delayed indefinitely. Mr Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial on Wednesday less than two months before proceedings over the University of Idaho student slayings were set to take place. The 28-year-old is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one charge of felony burglary related to the November 2022 killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle at their off-campus Moscow home. On Thursday, Mr Kohbergers defence team filed a motion to dismiss all the charges against him, on grounds of a biased grand jury, inadmissible evidence, lack of sufficient evidence, and prosecutorial misconduct by withholding exculpatory evidence, according to recent court documents. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The motion is just one of several Mr Kohberger plans to file, including a plan to strike the death penalty, which the prosecution is seeking. Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing, on 18 August, at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho (AP) Prosecutors announced earlier this year that they would be seeking the death penalty in the quadruple murder case. Due to a bill signed into law in March by the states Republican Governor Brad Little, which went into effect on 1 July, Mr Kohberger could face the firing squad if convicted of the murders. Death row inmates are to be executed by firing squad only if the lethal injection is not available. Mr Kohberger was due to stand trial on 2 October, but that date has been delayed. Anne Taylor, the lead public defender, told the court on Wednesday that one of the significant factors that determined the decision was inadequate time for proper legal counsel ahead of the planned 2 October start. Prior to officially approving the trial postponement, the judge confirmed with Mr Kohberger many times, ensuring he understood the rights he was forfeiting and his intent to proceed. Mr Kohberger responded, Absolutely. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed in November (Instagram) Mr Kohberger, enrolled as a PhD student in Washington State Universitys criminal justice programme, was arrested in December in connection with the murders. He was subsequently extradited from their parents residence in Pennsylvania back to Idaho. Law enforcement established Mr Kohbergers connection to the case when DNA recovered from his parents home corresponded with DNA identified on a knife sheath discovered at the crime scene. The sheath for a military or Ka-Bar style knife was found partly under Mogens body after she and Goncalves were found stabbed multiple times on Mogens bed on the third floor of the home. DNA on the button clasp of the sheath was then found to match that of the 28-year-old accused killer. His defence claimed earlier this month that he was out on a solo drive on the night of the murders. Prosecutors have tied him to the murders, in part, through surveillance footage showing his white Hyundai Elantra travelling to and from the crime scene. Mr Kohbergers attorneys have sought to cast doubts on the strength of this DNA evidence, in particular the use of genetic genealogy. Last week, Mr Kohbergers defence asked prosecutors to share the lab results of three unidentified male DNA samples reportedly found at the crime scene. Prosecutors argued that they have provided everything and that they cant provide something that doesnt exist. There has to be some level of trust in discovery. You are all sworn attorneys, Mr Judge said. Mr Kohberger, enrolled as a PhD student in Washington State Universitys criminal justice programme, was arrested in December in connection with the murders (PA police) Shortly after Mr Kohbergers arrest in January, Goncalves family members voiced their support for the death penalty. The grieving relatives, along with all the parties involved in the high-profile case have since been banned from speaking to the media about the ongoing proceedings. But on Wednesday, the Goncalves family shared their thoughts on their Facebook page: Please pray for our family today. We are afraid he is going to waive his rights to a speedy trial. If he does, trial will not be starting on Oct 2nd and it is very likely that it wont take place for years. We want to get this trial over. Just thinking it could be years absolutely kills me. The family later thanked the community for their support after learning that his trial would be delayed. I want to send a HUGE Thank you to EVERYONE that supports us. We TRULY have an ARMY OF LOVE standing right next to us. There are no words for what you all do for us on a daily basis. I wish I could meet each one or you in person and give you a hug and thank you . Things are going to get rough, please stick with us. We need The Goncalves Army OF LOVE every step of the way. We love you all! God bless! Russian servicemen guard a road toward a private jet crash near the village of Kuzhenkino, Russia, early on Aug. 24, 2023. Officials say a private jet crashed over Russia, killing all 10 people on board. Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) Its not entirely clear that the Embraer Legacy 600 jet that crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in Russias Tver region Wednesday carried Yevgeny Prigozhin, the warlord and oligarch who headed up the Wagner Group of mercenaries and who in June defied Vladimir Putins orders to sign a contract placing his troops under Defense Ministry command. But its clear that British and American security forces believe Prigozhins jet was shot down by the FSB intelligence agency on Putins orders. Im sure itll be presented as an accident, the former head of British intelligence agency MI6 told Londons Daily Telegraph, and there will be an element of doubt, but everyone in the West will come to the same conclusion that this is Putins revenge on people who challenge his power base. Advertisement Some might say that Prigozhin, hardly a choirboy, knew the risks when he had his troops march on Moscow in a coup attempt in June. He who lives by the sword, the saying goes, dies by the sword. Or, in this case, the Russian Federal Security Service, whose director reports directly to Putin. [ Editorial: Yevgeny Prigozhin embarked on mutiny, but long ago, Vladimir Putin betrayed his nation ] Perhaps that explains the James Bond-like language some Western politicians previously used to describe the situation. If I were he, Id be careful what I ate. Id keep my eye on my menu, President Joe Biden joked about Prigozhin during a joint news conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki last month. Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum on July 20, CIA Director William Burns accurately called Putin the ultimate apostle of payback and picked up his bosss theme: If I were Prigozhin, I wouldnt fire my food taster. Advertisement Thats all good for headlines but now lets remember that reportedly there were 10 people, including a crew of three, on a jet that can be seen on video plummeting to the earth, as if from an explosion caused by a bomb. Perhaps all could be said to have been weaved from Prigozhin cloth, but most likely at least the pilots and flight attendant were just trying to make a living and survive in what clearly is one of the most brutal societies in living memory. As for the aviation tragedy, first of all, I want to express my sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims, Putin said on camera Thursday in remarks that could have been scripted by a spy novelist. He promised inquiries. Dont hold your breath for the truth. Putin will bob and weave and bob some more, making idiots of truth-seekers. But were just as concerned about what happened this week when the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa joined Putin in closed-door discussions on the possible expansion of their so-called BRICS economic bloc (an acronym taken from the first letters of the countries names). Putin, who finds it tricky to travel, appeared by video link, but the leaders of the other nations nonetheless joined in conversations with a man who surely appears to be a murderous assassin who brooks no opposition. Frankly, it beggars belief, and those other leaders should be ashamed of themselves. How do you hold conversations with such a man? Do you shower afterward? Which brings us to the first Republican presidential debate Wednesday night. Yevgeny Prigozhin, top, serves food to then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in November 2011 at Prigozhin's restaurant outside Moscow. (AP) We make no direct comparison between Putin and Donald Trump. Trump is not an assassin; his alleged offenses, yet to be proved in court, mostly were against democratic procedure and driven by an out-of-control ego and a desire to stay in power despite having lost an election. But as weve said many times before, Trump drew in other people whose lives he then proceeded to ruin; some showed up in mug shots this week. Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Opinions vary as to how much that mitigates their guilt, if at all. But we all know that Trump, so to speak, was piloting the Jan. 6 plane. There was a crew, and there were passengers too. Advertisement The Republican debate showcased some smart, lively candidates with a variety of opinions. We think Republicans have many better choices than Trump, such as the individuals standing on that stage. In time, that range of choices will narrow, as it must if Trump is to be defeated and defeated he must be. But we remain amazed at how few of these candidates are willing to repudiate the man who has brought the GOP to its knees. Only Chris Christie clearly spoke out against supporting the former president if Trump is convicted of a crime, or multiple crimes, as various grand juries seem to think he may well be. Christie said the GOP needs to stop normalizing this conduct, and he got booed for his trouble. Take the boos, Christie, and stick to your guns. And we have some advice for newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy: Youre a smart man, and youve wisely set up your brand to be that of a truth-teller. But your positions of going soft on Putin and arguing against full-on support for America getting behind Ukraines right to exist as an independent nation are as morally repugnant as those of the world leaders who allowed Putin to join them in a summit with blood likely on his hands. Youve got plenty of time left to walk back all that, Vivek. Get on the right side of whats right. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Osage County Sheriffs Office in Oklahoma has released a journal entry from Dennis Rader more known as the serial killer BTK. The journal entry, deputies say, alludes to the killer being out of the Wichita area when Cynthia Kinney of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, was reported missing in 1976. The journal entry is titled PJ-Bad Wash Day. In part, Rader says he had problems getting in or to much noise factor of a house and would watch a nearby laundromat for a possible victim. New evidence links BTK to 1976 missing person case Missing Person: Cynthia Kinney of Pawhuska, Oklahoma (Courtesy: Osage County Sheriffs Office) The sheriffs office highlighted C-9 in the entry and said it references a chapter in an unpublished manuscript that intended to give details on all the murders he actually committed. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Osage County Sheriffs Office also showed the missing person flyer for Kinney in 1976. On it, it shows Kinney as a 5-foot-1-inch woman weighing approximately 100 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes who was last seen at the Osage Laundry on June 23, 1976. The sheriffs office says it started investigating Kinneys case again after new discoveries tied Rader to Kinneys disappearance. Nearly 50 years ago, investigators suspect Rader was installing security equipment at a bank in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Across the road was a laundromat, the last place anyone saw Kinney. That link led the Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden to start looking at Rader as a suspect in her disappearance. Oklahoma deputies search Kansas property formerly owned by BTK; BTKs daughter speaks out She was taken mid-morning in the week, Virden said. A lot of his crimes occurred between eight and noon in the week when he worked for ADT. The release of Raders journal entry comes as Osage County deputies searched the former property of Rader in Park City on Tuesday in connection to several missing persons cases, including Kinneys. Rader maintains he has no involvement in Kinneys disappearance. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Dennis Rader, the prolific serial killer known as BTK, has been named the prime suspect in two unsolved killings in Oklahoma and Missouri, authorities announced Wednesday. Investigators searched the former property of Rader, who was convicted of killing 10 people in Kansas in a bloody spree from the 1970s to the 90s, as the search for connections to unsolved cases continued. Deputies from Osage County, Oklahoma, were in Park City, Kansas, on Tuesday searching a property Rader once owned. He remains incarcerated in Kansas following his 2005 sentence to 10 consecutive life terms. Convicted serial killer Dennis Rader, known as the BTK strangler, walks into the El Dorado Correctional Facility in El Dorado, Kan., in 2005. (Jeff Tuttle / The Eagle via AP file) Our investigation has led to additional unsolved murders and missing persons that are possibly connected to BTK, Osage County Undersheriff Gary Upton said Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In a news release, the Osage County Sheriffs Office said the search was closely tied to the disappearance of Cynthia Kinney, who was reported missing from Oklahoma in 1976. Rader had lived in Park City for years, and two of the murders he admitted to committing were in the area. The site is now an empty field. Two concrete blocks were moved to allow investigators to dig, The Wichita Eagle reported. Investigators from the Osage County Sheriffs Office, along with Park City police, were at the site. This ongoing investigation has uncovered potential connections to other missing persons cases and unsolved murders in the Kansas and Missouri areas, which are possibly linked to Dennis Rader, the sheriffs office said. At this stage, Dennis Rader is considered a prime suspect in these unsolved cases, including the Cynthia Dawn Kinney case, the sheriffs office said in its news release. Upton said Rader was also the prime suspect in the death of 22-year-old Shawna Beth Garber, whose body was found in McDonald County, Missouri, in December 1990, The Associated Press reported. Rader, who called himself BTK, standing for, bind, torture and kill, was arrested in February 2005. He pleaded guilty in June 2005 to 10 murders from 1974 to 1991 in Wichita and Park City. At his trial, Radar recounted how he led a double life: Before the public, he was a church congregation president and Boy Scout leader, while behind the curtain he wrote down violent rape fantasies, had hit kits bags with rubber gloves, rope, tape, handcuffs and bandannas and taunted police by describing his killings before he was caught. Kerri Rawson, Raders daughter, was 26 and living in Michigan when her father was arrested. We went from being best friends to him walking me down the aisle, camping, hiking, moving me all over and taking care of me, teaching everything youd want to know about the outdoors. We went from that to my 26-year-old self losing my father, she said on NBCs Dateline this year. Having everything I knew about my father being told that its a lie. She said in a Wednesday statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she has been helping with the reopened investigations into Kinney and Garbers murders. She said that on Tuesday she learned investigators were at the Park City site where my childhood home originally stood. She said she became aware in January about the Kinney case and in June about the unsolved murder of Garber. That month, she contacted the McDonald County Sheriffs Office in Missouri to offer her assistance on the latter case. From there she was connected to Osage County authorities and has been assisting on both cases. Ive returned since to the Osage County SO to work in a volunteer capacity as an active agent of LE, assisting on these two cases, she tweeted. Including visiting my father twice at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. Rawson told NBC News that she hadnt seen her father for more than 18 years, but in her work as an agent, interviewed him to try to help find closure for the families of unsolved cases. I could have gone in there sad, or could have gone in there, you know, shell-shocked, Rawson said in that interview. But I went in there very focused on trying to get answers for Cynthia Kinneys family and Shawna Garbers family. Shes also helped point investigators to locations that were significant to Raders life and may hold additional clues. Rawson said she hopes that a cold case BTK task force can be formed to fund and power the investigations into other potential victims. I will continue to partner closely and heartily support all LE agencies and offer my volunteer assistance, Rawson said. Together, daily, we can make a difference. Lets keep working together to solve these cases for these families. They deserve all that we can give them. Upton, the Osage County undersheriff, said that the new evidence links the serial killer to two additional victims. Asked if the number of victims could be even higher, he said its possible. Its not out of the realm of possibility, Upton said. You have to remember that Dennis Rader was a very active serial killer for what, going on 30 years? Thats a long time. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Bunnell Elementary principal, teacher placed on leave after assembly singles out Black students A principal and teacher are on administrative leave after an assembly singled out Black students at Bunnell Elementary School. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Flagler County Schools is apologizing, saying the intention was to encourage the group of fourth and fifth graders to perform better on tests. On Thursday, interim superintendent Lashaika Moore said nothing about the assembly was appropriate and that the assembly should have never happened. Now, there is an investigation into how and why it did. Moore issued a formal, public apology nearly a week after the assembly separated black students from their classmates. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] My main point was to speak with the families that were impacted and so that remains a priority, she said. One page of a Powerpoint presentation used during the assembly was titled The Problem, followed by a bullet point that says (African Americans) have underperformed on standardized assessment for the last past three years. Only 32% are at Level 3 or higher. Other slides offered competitions as solutions and fast-food incentives for students who got their scores up. Read: Flagler Schools criticized for hosting assembly that singled out Black elementary students Why an assembly of this style was chosen, I am not sure but I am confident that is likely going to come out, Moore said. Superintendent Moore is holding a public forum next week for parents and community leaders to share concerns and solutions. She said further action could be taken against school staff depending on what the investigation finds. Read: INVESTIGATES: Does EPA lead pipe survey hold water? [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. When she met Jaynie Crosdale, Abbey Moore was skeptical they would get along as roommates. They were both leaders, blunt and loud. But Moore was wrong. The two women became fast friends during their nine months sharing a prison cell at Chillicothe Correctional Center. We didnt meet in the best of places, Moore said. They made the most of it, though. On the outside Crosdale was released first in 2017 but went back for two months in 2018 Moore said they remained in touch at first, but eventually fell out of contact. A few weeks ago, memories of her friend came flooding back to Moore as Clay County prosecutors announced Crosdales body had been found June 24 in a blue barrel in the Missouri River. It took the Missouri State Highway Patrol one month to come back with a positive ID. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The chilling discovery came after authorities spent months searching for Crosdale, putting her photograph and name up on Kansas City highway billboards. She was sought as a potential witness in connection with the investigation of alleged rapist and kidnapper Timothy M. Haslett, accused of imprisoning another Black woman in his Excelsior Springs basement. The high-profile criminal investigation captured national attention. It has also been closely watched in Kansas City, as questions were raised about whether authorities were taking cases of Black women who were unaccounted for seriously after Kansas City police discounted reports that a serial killer targeting Black women was on the loose. Authorities have yet to say how Crosdale, 36, died or when she disappeared. Her body was in an advanced stage of decomposition when kayakers found the barrel in Saline County, about 65 miles east of Kansas City. Relatives of the woman largely shied away from media attention. One reached by phone for comment on this story declined an interview with The Star but said she is going to be missed. Another who spoke to The Star in January said Crosdale had not been in contact with the family for about two years. Neither wished to be identified. Earlier this month, FOX News reported that before Crosdale went missing, she started spending more time with her family, citing a relative who did not share her name. Ill always remember just how happy she was, the family member said. She would do anything in the world for anybody. Friends of Crosdale, reached by The Star after her death was announced, said she was a light to others, despite what they believed to be a difficult upbringing. One of those friends, Moore, 41, of Mt. Vernon, says she remembers Crosdale as a good woman who left the world in a horrific way. She believes Crosdale was a God-fearing person who hoped to one day set out on a different path. She was just a really good person, Moore said. And thats not the person that the police ... or the courts know or Prospect (Avenue) knows. She was just Jaynie. She was like a butterfly. She was everywhere. She loved people and people love her. A brand new start For 16 months, beginning in 2016, Crosdale was incarcerated in Chillicothe for an involuntary manslaughter conviction. The conviction stemmed from a car crash involving a pedestrian on Sept. 22, 2015, in Kansas City. Crosdale was arrested after a woman was struck by a vehicle near Independence and Bales avenues. Crosdale told police the woman was threatening her, so she picked up a stick to defend herself. Witnesses told police they saw Crosdale chase the woman with a stick, but never hit her. As the woman, 46-year-old Angela McCrackin, stepped backward to get out of the way, she was struck by a car headed west down Independence. McCrackin died in a hospital four days later. Crosdale pleaded guilty to a Class C felony in January 2016. Cecilia Palmer, 27, of St. Joseph, said in a way, prison offered Crosdale a chance to begin again. She hadnt lived a normal life in such a long time, said Palmer, who shared a housing unit at Chillicothe with Crosdale. When she came into prison it was like a brand new start. Moore, the former cellmate, said she could usually hear Crosdale coming from way down the hall with fresh gossip. Often, her stories would start with, Oh my God, you are not going to believe this Some nights they would gather their rations from the commissary and fashion meals. Crosdale liked tamale pies and potato wraps. And when they were finished, Crosdale always insisted on giving any leftovers to women who could not afford to buy extra food. They confided in one another. Less so about their pasts. More about their futures and fears. Crosdale spoke of traveling to places with sparkling water and palm trees, of going to college, of taking a family she dreamed of starting to Disney World. Its the hope of most people in prison, Moore added. Crosdale kept a Bible next to her bed and was very into God, Moore said. On the anniversary of Moores fathers death, Crosdale prayed over her friend as they cried together. She wouldnt leave your side until you were better, Moore said, later adding: She wouldve been a really good therapist. In her final weeks in prison, Moore said her friend became quiet and irritable. Asked what was wrong, Crosdale said she wasnt sure she was ready to go back to society yet. It scared Moore, who could hear the fear in her friends voice. If she had been given the help that she needed when she got out, the resources, I think Jaynie would have done all the things she said she was going to do, Moore said. Moore said she wants more people to learn about Crosdales life. Charismatic and boisterous, Moore said, Crosdales eyes sparkled like she was a cartoon whenever she smiled. Palmer hopes Crosdale is remembered for her positivity and energy. It seemed like she had a really good head on her shoulders and potential to do better in life, Palmer said. Break in kidnapping, rape case Efforts by authorities to locate Crosdale early this year came in response to her alleged connection with a case that first broke in Excelsior Springs in October. On Oct. 7, another woman escaped from a home on a quiet Excelsior Springs street seeking help from neighbors. That woman, identified in court documents as T.J., said she had been held against her will by a man she knew only as Timothy. She said he chained her up in a small basement room he had built, where she was raped and whipped. When police arrived, she told them she had been held captive there for about a month. And she offered another cryptic detail: Her captor had killed two people and, if he found her, would kill her too. As the woman was being taken to the hospital, she pointed to the house where she said she had been held. The resident, Haslett, 40, who lived there with his elementary-school aged son, was arrested that morning and booked into the Clay County jail. A Clay County grand jury later indicted him on a nine felonies, including charges of kidnapping and rape. Haslett has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. For months, detectives with Excelsior Springs police and the Clay County Investigative Squad worked on the case without making much of their progress public. Then, on Aug. 1, the Clay County Prosecuting Attorneys Office announced a motion to increase Hasletts bond, currently set at $3 million, ahead of his upcoming Oct. 9 court appearance, because Crosdales body had been discovered. A judge ruled against that motion, saying that while the details of the witness being found dead are concerning, there was no reason to increase Hasletts bond as prosecutors have not charged him with crimes related to Crosdales death. But authorities say there is evidence that Crosdale was at Hasletts home at some point before she disappeared. They also say she is believed to have been there before T.J. escaped in October. Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson holds a press conference at the old Liberty Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Liberty, Mo. Thompson announced the nine felony charges by way of grand jury indictment in the case of Timothy M. Haslett Jr., a 40-year-old Excelsior Springs man accused of keeping a 22-year-old woman captive in his basement for weeks. During an interview with The Star, Excelsior Springs Police Chief Greg Dull said police suspect Haslett of being connected to Crosdales death, including because police discovered blue barrels on Hasletts property during a days-long search in October. The barrels, Dull said, appear to be advertised for commercial uses, such as storing solvents and petroleum products. He said they do not look like the ones you typically see at a hardware store. The fact that (Crosdale) was found in a blue barrel that is very similar to the blue barrels that he had on his property, and the fact that she was there at his property, we would be remiss if we didnt look at him as a potential suspect, Dull said. Detectives also investigated the statements made by T.J. that Haslett had killed two people. But Dull said upon further questioning, she told them she never witnessed anyone else being harmed. She was repeating what Haslett had told her, Dull said. Now, was he telling her this to manipulate her and control her? Or was that true? At this point, we still dont know. Like T.J., Dull said Crosdale was never reported missing to police something he finds sad. Dull added that if there are other victims, he also doesnt believe theyre been reported missing. I think that its sad that (police) continue to try to shift the focus from public safety to personal responsibility, Michele Watley, founder of the nonprofit Shirleys Kitchen Cabinet, said in response to Dulls latest comments. At the end of the day, there has been a total lack of transparency. She noted that a website created by the Excelsior Springs Police Department to keep the public informed on the Haslett case has only been updated twice since October. Watley is a member of the advisory board The Star formed after its The Truth in Black and white, project in 2020. Area residents continue to question whether the processes and policies of local law enforcement agencies contribute in part to an environment where community concerns about missing people Black women in particular are simply going unheard or unreported. For example, Watley said, the decision by police to broadcast Crosdales photo and information in a way that Watley said looked more like a most wanted poster than a plea to the community for help is a glaring example of why the community does not trust the police. She said the community is owed as much information as possible both about the Haslett case and about how to report someone missing safely. She said the conversations that began in the community last fall around missing Black women prove as much. I think its validated that the police departments need to educate their community and equip this community with the information and tools that they need to keep folks safe. I think the community is owed as much information as possible. The Stars Bill Lukitsch contributed to this report. Former President Donald Trump was the highlight of Fox News, CNN and MSNBC coverage Thursday following the release of his mugshot after surrendering to Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Sean Hannity and Alina Habba Discuss the Case on Fox News On Thursday night, Sean Hannity spoke to Trumps legal spokeswoman, Alina Habba, about the political prosecution that Trump is facing on Hannity. This is unprecedented, Hannity said. Weve never had a former president ever indicted. Weve never had a chief political rival of the opposition party ever treated like this before. Habba said from a legal standpoint, the cases against Trump are garbage. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Georgia case has been requested to begin trial on March 4, 2024. The following day is Super Tuesday, One of the most important primary days for anybody that is running for president, Hannity said. He then asked Habba if she thought it was possible for Trump to run a campaign while dealing with four separate trials successfully. Habba claims this is all by design. The judges cant move, they dont want to move, and they want a speedy trial, but theyve had years and years and years to investigate these cases, but they didnt bring it till now, and now they need a speedy trial. Its political election interference. Related CNN Trump will use mugshot for political advantages On The Source with Kaitlan Collins on Thursday night, former Trump national security adviser John Bolton was asked by Collins what it was like for him to see Trumps mugshot. I thought it was, as with most things Trump does, carefully staged, Bolton said. They must have thought about what look they wanted. He couldve smiled, he could've looked benign. Instead, he looks like a thug. Bolton added that he thinks it was intended to be intimidating for the prosecutors and judges. Collins then asked Fulton how he thinks Trump will use his surrender to Fulton County Jail to his political advantage. Fulton responded, I think in the same way hes used the other three indictments, and I think the evidence is that the indictments have proven the law of diminishing marginal utility if anything. Theyre undercutting his support, theyre building it up. MSNBC Trumps mugshot will be infamous In The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell, ODonnell spoke of the impact that Trumps mugshot will have on the nation. The first mugshot ever taken of a former president of the United States, ODonnell said. According to ODonnell, Trumps mugshot will instantly become the most famous mugshot in the history of photography. He added that the impact of this mugshot will last hundreds of years and be taught in history books, where the only presidential mugshot will live forever. That mugshot will define the lowest point in the history of the American presidency, ODonnell said. Related HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP John Snowling, the man who police say shot nine people, killing three, at a California biker bar Wednesday night, lived in southeastern Licking County. Snowling, 59, a retired police sergeant, purchased a 7-acre piece of property with Amy Marie Snyder at 18277 Brushy Fork Road SE, in Hopewell Township on Nov. 29. One of Snowling's eight victims in the shooting was Marie Snowling, his estranged wife who was wounded, but survived. Snowling was fatally shot by Orange County Sheriff deputies. The couple married in 1988 and separated in 2020. Col. Chad Dennis, of the Licking County Sheriff's Office, said the department served divorce papers to Snowling on Feb. 1 at his Hopewell Township home. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The divorce proceedings were ongoing and the case was scheduled for a mandatory settlement conference in November. They have two adult children. The shooting unfolded as a cover band entertained guests during the bars popular weekly spaghetti night. Snowling entered the bar, walked up to Marie Snowling and immediately shot her without saying a word, authorities said. In an image from video, authorities work at the scene of a fatal shooting Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in rural Trabuco Canyon, Calif., in Orange County. (ABC7 Los Angeles via AP) Some patrons froze and others ran as bullets flew inside the bar before Snowling went out to the parking lot and continued to fire, witnesses and authorities said. Officials said Snowling traveled from Ohio. It was unclear when he arrived in Southern California, where he still owns property in Camarillo. Authorities identified one of the dead as John Leehey, 67, of Irvine, California. The other two werent named, including the woman dining with Marie Snowling. After being shot, the woman exited the bar and was able to make it to the roadway before dying, Barnes said. All nine people shot were adults. Marie Snowling was conscious and speaking but remained hospitalized Thursday, Barnes said. Her father, William Mosby, of Lake Forest, told The Orange County Register, that John Snowling could not deal with the divorce. John Snowling had worked for the police department in coastal Ventura, northwest of Los Angeles, from 1986 to 2014. Orange County Sheriff's detectives search John Snowling's Camarillo home on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. The retired Ventura police sergeant was named as the gunman in a deadly Trabuco Canyon shooting Wednesday night, where he was fatally shot by deputies. Dennis said the Licking County Sheriffs Office has not been contacted by police in California and probably will not be involved, except maybe for a copy of the divorce papers. The Associated Press contributed to this report. kmallett@newarkadvocate.com 740-973-4539 Twitter: @kmallett1958 This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: California shooter Snowling killed three, lived in Licking County Ohio GLENDALE, Calif. A 22-year-old man accused of leaving a toilet that he claimed was a bomb at the Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale, California, has been arrested, according to the Glendale Police Department. Timothy Taratchila, of Burbank, was arrested Thursday on allegations that he made a false bomb threat, the GPD said in a news release. (KTLA) According to police, at about 8 p.m. Thursday, Taratchila placed an object resembling a toilet at the Americana, along with a note claiming the toilet was a bomb, KTLA reports. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The shopping center was evacuated until after 11 p.m. when the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department determined the paint-covered toilet was safe. Timothy Taratchila is shown in this mugshot released by the Glendale Police Department on Aug. 25, 2023. Through witnesses and surveillance footage, Taratchila was identified as the person who placed the toilet there, police said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Taratchila was being held at the Glendale Police Department in lieu of $15,000 bail. He was due to appear in Glendale Municipal Court on Friday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Sherri Papini, the Northern California mother who was convicted of faking her own kidnapping, has been released from federal prison and transferred to a halfway house under custody of federal authorities based in Sacramento. Last fall, Senior U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb sentenced Papini to 18 months in prison for the 2016 kidnapping hoax that prompted an extensive search that ended when she returned three weeks later, claiming she had been being abducted at gunpoint by two Latino women. At the Sept. 19 sentencing hearing, Shubb called Papini a manipulator who lied to police, her own family, her community and her psychiatrist. Federal Bureau of Prisons records show Papini, the 41-year-old Redding-area mom, was being housed by the Residential Reentry Management Field Office in Sacramento. Her release date was scheduled for Oct. 29 of this year, six months earlier than her original release date. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Sacramento-based field office manages halfway houses and home confinement cases in federal jurisdictions that span Northern California, the Bay Area, northern Nevada, Hawaii and Guam. The city in which Papini is being housed was not clear. Residential Reentry Management Field Office in Sacramento did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Officials have said an ex-boyfriend helped her leave her Redding-area home and hide out 600 miles south in his Costa Mesa apartment for three weeks as Papinis husband and friends raised frantic alarms about her disappearance and the supposed kidnapping became worldwide news. Papini reappeared on Thanksgiving morning near Woodland in 2016, with a chain around her waist and one arm. She repeatedly told law enforcement that she had been kidnapped by two Hispanic women and she told them she had been abducted at gunpoint, Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Alegria told the judge in July 2022, when she was convicted. Papini pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of making false statements and admitted she made up the kidnap story that riveted the nation five years ago. The mail fraud charge stems from her use of more than $30,000 she received from the California Victim Compensation Board, which she spent on therapy sessions, ambulance services and $1,000 to buy window blinds for her home. At the sentencing, Shubb noted that Papini had taken also taken money in Social Security disability payments and more than $49,000 from a GoFundMe account set up after the purported kidnapping. The judge ordered her to pay $309,902.23 in restitution but said there is little hope Papini will be able to repay the money. FBI agents and Shasta County sheriffs investigators continued to probe the case and in 2020 matched DNA found on Papinis clothing when she reappeared to that of the ex-boyfriend, who told investigators he had helped her disappear. Papini was arrested in early March 2022. Prior to her release to a halfway home, Papini had been held at the Federal Prison Camp for Women at Victorville, a medium-security federal prison in San Bernardino County. Canada has appointed Natalka Cmoc as the new Ambassador to Ukraine, replacing Larisa Galadza in the post, the Canadian government said in a press release on Aug. 24. Cmoc is an expert on Ukraine with extensive experience and understanding of the support provided by Canada. She has previously worked as an analyst for the Canadian International Development Agency. Read also: US, Canada impose new sanctions against Russian banks and MIC Fluent in Ukrainian, Cmoc has deep ties with the Ukrainian community both in Ukraine and Canada and is prepared to deepen Canadian-Ukrainian relations at all levels. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Ukraine gives Canada its military Wish List for Canadas CANSEC defense Russias illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine has had major political, economic, security and environmental impacts across the globe, and Canada continues to work with its partners to mitigate them, the message quotes Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. Read also: Russian airline threatens to sue Canada over seized aircraft I would like to express my most sincere thanks to Larisa Galadza, who has done a tremendous job in building and fostering an excellent relationship with Ukraine over the last four years, and I would like to congratulate Natalka Cmoc, who will continue this important work over the coming years. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Two teens cross the 2000 block of Chicago's West Adams Street with the United Center, right, located nearby, on Aug. 24, 2023. The Democratic National Convention will be held at the United Center in August 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) A year is an awfully long time to spend planning a party. Unless youre trying to drum up $90 million to pay for it. Chicagos turn in the national spotlight hosting the Democratic National Convention starts in fewer than 365 days. Organizers hosting the event are already looking ahead to the made-for-TV gala, and have begun leaning on corporations and wealthy donors in Illinois and across the nation to help cover the costs. Advertisement For Chicago Democrats and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, its time to deliver on their promise that they can come up with the cash they pledged to finance the spectacle that will unfold between Aug. 19 and Aug. 22, 2024, at the United Center and McCormick Place. Pritzker who promised the Democratic National Committee the convention would be debt-free as a selling point when Chicago was vying against New York and Atlanta to host it sounded confident recently about the cash flow trajectory and the overall convention vibes. Advertisement [ Vintage Chicago Tribune: The whole world is watching to the Macarena the citys political convention past ] Amid concerns his own personal wealth would give other potential Democratic donors alligator arms as they wait for him to pick up the convention tab, the billionaire governor said lots of people are cutting checks, and that wont be a problem. Fundraising is going very well. It is, Pritzker said at the recent Illinois State Fair. Ive made some of those calls. I can tell you. Things are going very well. Were pleased. We know what pace weve got to be on to meet the deadline. I am absolutely satisfied. Building off of Chicagos labor-first bid to host the Democratic National Convention, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter and Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with other labor leaders and stakeholders, gather to finalize the 2024 convention labor pact during a news conference at McCormick Place West on July 25, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Although DNC officials would not say exactly how much theyve raised so far, many involved in putting on the convention acknowledge theres still quite a way to go to get to the goal of a little over $90 million. Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor and a key Democratic ally, said that while the total amount needed is large, individual donors want to be able to say they were in on the convention. People across the board know how important this upcoming election is going to be, Reiter said. They also want to be part of whats going to be an incredible economic event for the city of Chicago thats really going to put the city on display. A person close to the convention organizing effort said donors have been stepping up, and fundraising will ramp up after Labor Day. [ While DNC coming to Chicago might provide good vibes, experts say economic boost might be overhyped ] The donations so far have come from a broad base of contributors locally and across the country, said the convention official, who declined to be identified because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter. The moves further boost the feeling among organizers they will reach their goal, even though everyone involved knows $90 million will be a big lift and all involved need to continue to keep the fundraising pressure on until they get there. People have been contributing regardless of the governors wealth, which has been a non-factor in the fundraising drive, just as it was in convincing the Democratic National Committee to select Chicago for the once-every-four-years event, the convention leader said. Advertisement Rather, Democrats want to be in Chicago because the city and the state of Illinois exemplify the diversity and the policy priorities the party wants to highlight in the presidential election, the official said. Still, the task is daunting. The $90 million target for Chicago 2024 is unprecedented. When Chicago last hosted the Democrats, in 1996, organizers raised a total of around $32 million, a mix of corporate cash and in-kind donations, and contributions from the city and state. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 23 After President Bill Clinton's acceptance speech, thousands of balloons descended from the ceiling of the United Center in Chicago at the 1996 Democratic National Convention. (Charles Osgood/Chicago Tribune) In Philadelphia in 2016 the last presidential election year in which the party conventions were in-person before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 festivities to go virtual the Democratic convention committee raised around $70 million. About $10 million of that came in the form of a grant from the state of Pennsylvania. And Democrats this year are desperate to avoid the financial shortfall of the Charlotte 2012 convention, when the host committee raised $24 million, then had to borrow $8 million afterward from an energy company to cover additional costs. Meanwhile, Republicans, who on Friday announced Houston would host the partys 2028 convention, are shooting to raise around $70 million for their 2024 convention in Milwaukee. Advertisement The discrepancy in part can be attributed to higher costs in Chicago. Democrats also pledged to use union labor to set up and run the convention at the United Center and McCormick Place, as well as at hotels where conventioneers stay, with national and local Democratic officials joining Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson here last month to herald the signing of the labor-peace agreement to showcase their allies in labor. Those across-the-board union wages will drive up the bottom line. [ West Siders want a seat at the table when Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago: Its important that they invest in our people ] Yet for Chicagoans in neighborhoods that have long struggled particularly parts of the West Side in the shadow of the United Center the fear remains that theyll get left out. They worry the big party to nominate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for a second term will descend for four days next August, then depart without giving them a shot at a share of the host convention funds that go toward paying companies and their employees to build the convention sets, host parties and transport delegates, set up the technology infrastructure for the media frenzy, put up tens of thousands of attendees in hotels and lease offices for the many Democratic functionaries who will run the event. Chicago officials have pledged to make it a top priority to get West Side residents a seat at the convention table. Promising to help underserved Chicagoans see some of the money makes political sense at this point in the planning process however, it likely will remain unclear how well the Democrats delivered on that promise until after theyve left town. Children and adults play at Park No. 578 in the 1900 block of West Maypole Avenue near the United Center, seen in the background, on Aug. 24, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Johnson has made his residency in the West Side Austin neighborhood central to his identity as a mayor whos committed to lifting up communities that have long gotten short shrift. At the signing of the convention labor-peace agreement with union leaders and Democratic Party officials, Johnson said the convention in particular presents an opportunity to help Chicagoans in majority Black and Latino communities whove frequently been shafted, because everyone associated with the event is committed to making sure that neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment that there is real assurance with the execution of our agreement. Advertisement [ Democrats gather with union leaders for convention labor agreement ] Late last week, Johnson reiterated that to take advantage of the convention platform and show Chicago is a world-class city means we must look for every possible opportunity to integrate all of Chicago, and every corner of this city, into this convention. Thankfully, there is alignment among all of us stakeholders including longtime friends of Chicago at the Democratic National Committee in Washington to uplift and highlight our great city, he said in a statement to the Tribune. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who represents much of the West Side, has pledged he and other members of Illinois Washington delegation will press the Democratic National Committee to secure Black businesses dont get left behind when contracts and jobs are awarded ahead of the event. Convention Chair and Chicago native Minyon Moore added her voice to the chorus Thursday, issuing a statement promising were committed to ensuring communities across Chicago feel as though they are a part of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. As someone who grew up on Chicagos Southside and have worked with many community leaders on the Westside, I understand the opportunity this poses, particularly for communities that have been underserved, Moore said. The Democratic Party believes in equity and opportunity, and were bringing those values with us to Chicago. But there have been precious few specifics, and the clock is ticking. August 2024 will be here in no time at all. Chicago Tribunes Jeremy Gorner contributed. Advertisement jebyrne@chicagotribune.com rap30@aol.com Construction of new soccer fields at Mosaic Park in Bartow in December. The city manager is proposing an increase in property tax rates in the upcoming budget to deal with degraded public facilities and low city salaries. Some Bartow residents are in sticker shock after getting their tax notices, which show proposed increases of as much as 33% on certain taxes that the city says are needed to fund its 2023-24 budget. City Manager Mike Herr said without additional funding for salaries, parks, public safety and infrastructure the city is at risk of losing its sovereignty. On its current fiscal path, Bartow will be absorbed by Polk County government. Herr told the City Commission on Aug. 21 during a work session that his first couple of months on the job he was inundated with emails from residents who wanted more recreational and quality-of-life amenities, despite recent social media posts listing projects that should be cut from the budget. We cannot take care of the things we have, he said. I know what kind of condition these parks are in. And it's sad. It is sad to think that the county seat would let its infrastructure get to a point where it is today. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Now, if that's what the average Bartownian wants, then you're welcome to have at it," he said. "But if you want to have a good lifestyle, a place where people can enjoy and have a better quality of life, then let's keep an open mind. I'm not asking you to agree with me, I'm asking you to listen to me." He also said that if the city wanted to continue as a chartered city, as voters had approved, then improvements to the city were needed. Or Polk County will eventually consolidate the city. And if that's what you want for your future, then you're going to get that, he said. Can't we afford just a little bit more for a quality of life for our citizens and our kids? According to the city website, the proposed increase would take the property tax rate from 4.608 mills to 6.108. A mill is $1 in tax per $1,000 in assessed value of a property, meaning the new rate would be $6.108 per $1,000 of value. This increase compares favorably to neighboring communities, the city said. At the 6.1080 rate, the City would have the fifth lowest millage rate of all cities in Polk County. Conservative fiscal policies of the past have resulted in a healthy cash reserve but at a cost of postponed maintenance and replacement of key facilities and critical infrastructure, the city said. But to stay on the same financial path, This risks failure and threatens public health and safety." The additional tax revenues raised would go toward salary increases to attract and retain talented workers, building and road maintenance, a new fire substation to reduce response times and amenities such as a possible swimming pool and upgrades and replacement of existing recreational facilities. Other funding priorities include centralizing public works, solid waste and fleet buildings to run those departments more safely and efficiently, technology upgrades, improving city sanitary sewer inspection, sewer rehabilitation to prevent overflows, and a pavement resurfacing program. The budget also includes funds for nonprofits including the Bartow Economic Development Council, Bartow Chamber of Commerce and Mainstreet Bartow Inc. to help expand the local economy. The bigger budget would be funded with more than just a tax increase. Cash reserves also would be tapped for capital improvements without the risk of depleting all reserves for potential emergencies, the city said. But some residents have taken to Facebook to air their disgust with the sudden jump in tax rates. Attempts to reach users on the social media site were unsuccessful. The assessed value of a property is determined after homestead exemptions are applied. Further, there are several exemptions for senior citizens and veterans. A 25,000 homestead exemption applies to people owners who live in at their property. And an additional $25,000 exemption applies to the first and third $25,000 of assessed value in homesteaded properties. The median price of a home in Polk County in July was $320,000, which is down 4.9% from the same period last year, according to Redfin. Clear Springs Governor approves special district to manage massive development in Bartow The city has hired an outside financial consultant, Raftelis, to develop financial forecasts for Bartow with different options for city commissioners to consider. Among those options: With no millage rate increase, cash reserves would likely run out sometime by fiscal years 2026 or 2028. The city would be forced to offer noncompetitive wages with resulting retention and recruitment gaps for staff, and would not invest in degrading infrastructure and facilities. In a second scenario, without a millage Increase but an investment in infrastructure with cash reserves, the city would run out of funds to make further investments by fiscal year 2026, which would not be financially sustainable because reserves are needed to balance the budget each year. Or lastly, with a 1.5 mill increase adopted and $15.5 million from cash reserves, the city could invest in people, infrastructure and facilities, while maintaining a responsible level of cash reserves. The city has a series of three public meetings to gather public input on the proposed budget. Each meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. on the following days and locations: Tuesday at the Commission Chambers, 450 N. Wilson Ave. Wednesday at the Polk Street Community Center, 1255 Polk St. Sept. 5 at Carver Center S. Gym, 520 Idlewood Ave. S. For further information, visit the citys website at www.cityofbartow.net. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Bartow proposes steep hike in taxes to fix neglected infrastructure A migrant vessel rammed into a Palm Beach Sheriffs Office boat after deputies intercepted the vessel near the Jupiter Inlet Friday morning, authorities say, damaging two engines. Bazaeluis Francois, 30, the vessels captain, is now charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a police officer. A little after 9 a.m., Palm Beach County Sheriffs Marine Unit deputies intercepted the vessel east of the Jupiter Inlet, the Sheriffs Office said in a news release. After the deputies made contact with Francois, he rammed the boat into the deputies vessel, damaging two engines. The release did not say how extensive the damage was. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Sheriffs Office helicopters and additional marine unit vessels pursued Francois vessel, the release states. As soon as he beached the vessel north of the Juno Beach pier, road patrol deputies and Jupiter police officers apprehended him. The Sheriffs Office has 14 migrants detained, who they will turn over to Border Patrol. The release did not say what country or countries the migrants are from. No one was injured, according to the release. The investigation remains active. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) paid northeastern Louisiana a visit Wednesday. Cassidy served as the keynote speaker at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce breakfast where he briefed local elected officials on infrastructure and development in the region. Among the audience were mayors Staci Mitchell of West Monroe, Friday Ellis of Monroe, Gerald Brown of Richwood, Matt Talbot of Sterlington, Betty Alford-Olive of Bastrop, State Reps. Pat Moore (D) and Foy Gadberry (R), and Sen. Katrina Jackson (D). During his speech, the senator highlighted the I-20 railroad between Dallas, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia, which will have stops in Shreveport, Bossier, Ruston and Monroe. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Foy [Gadberry] brought the idea to me, why can't we have an Amtrak line going through North Louisiana? He kind of put that bug in my ear and so we've worked with Amtrak. So now we are probably about two years away from an Amtrak line connecting Atlanta to Dallas with Monroe and Ruston and Shreveport with stops in between," Cassidy said. "You can live in Monroe but say you want to go to Dallas for a day, you'll just work on your computer, your iPad the whole way there. You'll work on your iPad, your computer the whole way back but you're going to live in Monroe. You're going to live in West Monroe and that person in Dallas, they can come here just that way." He touted the economic growth in rural Caldwell Parish with $5 million road to their port and the renewable diesel plant coming to the area. "What is the going to mean for economic development in Columbia," Cassidy said. "That is community transformative. It is going to increase the tax base. It's going to increase the value of the property of those who own. It's going to bring jobs to those who don't have jobs. It's going to bring a future for the kids who are kids there now. That is fantastic." When visiting Dallas or Houston to meet with investors, Cassidy said they are looking at bands across northern and southern Louisiana due to the state's "perfect geology" for storing carbon fuel in the ground. "In fact when we were working on the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and my team was working with me, I remember thinking, if you want to lower carbon you've got to go where industry has a lot of carbon and that us, and you've got to where there's geology and we've got the geology. So if we all go down on this and if we really work hard on this, we're going to set it up to where Louisiana is going to really go well." There is $27 billion of investment planned for Louisiana's economy and it's going to continue to grow, Cassidy said. "I can tell you about this $2 billion project," Cassidy said. "This $4.5 billion project but it's all a part of that energy transition, and it's going to be on the south. It's going to be on the north and it's going to bring prosperity to our state that we have not seen in a while." Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1. Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer. This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Cassidy talks economy, rail at Monroe Chamber of Commerce An Illinois Army veteran had an unexpected reunion after receiving a call from an animal shelter 16 hours away, according to a Facebook post by city government officials in Temple, Texas. Shawn Bowden never thought he would see his cat Ace again after he went missing in 2016, officials said. Bowden adopted Ace in 2009 in Alabama, according to WFAA. In 2016, the two moved to Fort Cavazos, due to Bowden being in the Army. One night a thunderstorm rolled in, knocking out a screen window in Bowdens home. After that, Ace was nowhere to be found, according to the news outlet. Bowden looked for Ace for a few months, putting up fliers and offering rewards, but never found him. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I figured I hope he had a good life, Bowden told WFAA. That was kind of the end of the story. Then, on July 25, Bowden received an unexpected phone call from an animal shelter saying they found Ace, WFAA reported. Mr. Bowden received a phone call from Temple Animal Services notifying him that Ace had been discovered as a stray and identified him through his microchip, the Facebook post read. The post states that Bowden drove 16 hours to be reunited with Ace. Microchipping is a simple act of love that ensures your pet always finds their way back home! the Facebook post says. Roughly 7.8 million cats are microchipped, according to cats.org. The Ohio State University reported that in a study, five out of 53 shelters recorded information on animals entering the shelters with a microchip. The study showed that owners were found for 63.5% of stray cats with microchips. Dog reunited with Texas family years after going missing. She remembers her name Elusive big cats are lurking around CA neighborhood, photos show. People are alarmed Cougar cub with eye-catching fur born in Nicaraguan zoo. See the rare cat (The Hill) Federal health authorities are laying out plans for taking on this years respiratory viral season, with officials emboldened by the new spate of preventive medications the U.S. has gathered heading into the fall and winter. We are in our strongest position yet to be able to fight COVID-19 as well as the other viruses that are responsible for the majority of fall and winter hospitalizations, namely flu, COVID as well as RSV, a CDC official said in a press call on Thursday. COVID-19 cases rise, CDC recommends updated vaccine They cited the high rate of COVID-19 immunity 97 percent among U.S. individuals 16 and older for helping the country get into a stronger position. They acknowledged, however, that immunity is not a guarantee of protection and noted the new vaccines and antibodies at hand. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Officials on Thursday reaffirmed the updated COVID-19 shots made by Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are expected to rollout in mid-September. The new mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna will be fully licensed vaccines for individuals 12 years of age and older, though they will be under an emergency use authorization for children 11 and younger. Novavaxs protein-based vaccine will also be made available under an emergency use authorization, with officials saying these differences in licensing mainly have to do with when the license applications were submitted. Stop using these two types of eye drops, FDA warns Officials stated the protection the vaccines provide against the now dominant EG.5 omicron subvariant is robust while adding its still too early to know their effectiveness against the recently detected BA.2.86 strain. An FDA official stated the benefit-risk assessments of the updated shots demonstrated a clear reduction in hospitalization and death. While there is no official recommendation as of yet, officials said the potential for seniors or immunocompromised people needing a second COVID-19 vaccine dose this time around has been built into the vaccination program, with one official saying an additional shot may be reasonable a few months after the first. This year will also mark the first time people will have access to preventive medicines against RSV. Two RSV vaccines have been approved for adults over the age of 60, one preventive monoclonal antibody has been approved for infants and toddler and a vaccine administered to pregnant mothers so they can pass on immunity to their newborns has recently just been approved by the FDA. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Health Newsletter The RSV monoclonal antibody Beyfortus has been added to the federal Vaccines for Children program, meaning it will be available for free to children who are uninsured, Medicaid eligible, American Indian or Alaska Native or underinsured in a plan that doesnt cover vaccines. Still, these medicines need to be injected into peoples arms as opposed sitting unused in storage in order to be effective. Companies including Pfizer have forecasted uncertainty over how popular their COVID-19 vaccines will be during this years campaign. When pressed on getting people to take the vaccine, a CDC official said, Its one of our top priorities, and were pulling out all the stops. We cant speculate or predict where it will ultimately land, but our goal is for that number of uptake to be as high as possible, they said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Republicans on the House Small Business Committee pressed Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Thursday for answers on proposed energy-efficiency standards for ceiling fans. The proposed standards were first published in the Federal Register in June, and the comment period closed earlier this week. According to the Energy Department, the rule as applied to standard residential ceiling fans would cut fan-related electricity costs by about 40 percent relative to the least efficient fans currently available. The House panel presented the rules as burdensome to ceiling fan manufacturers, particularly smaller ones. This proposed rule would decrease the maximum estimated energy consumption permissible for large diameter and belt driven ceiling fans, committee Republicans wrote. This rule would require numerous small business fan manufacturers to redesign their products and may put between 10 and 30 percent of small business ceiling fan manufacturers out of business. It appears that the Department of Energy may not have properly considered small entities during this rulemaking process. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement An Energy Department spokesperson told The Hill this aspect has been mischaracterized, saying in an email that the one-time total conversion cost would be about $107 million for all manufacturers. The incremental cost to consumers is $86.6 million annually, while the operating cost savings are $281 million annually both at a 7 percent discount rate, the spokesperson said. The savings are more than triple the incremental costs. The spokesperson noted the standards, which are required by Congress, would not be in effect for five years and would save Americans up to $369 million per year, while substantially reducing harmful air pollution a crucial fact that some have conveniently failed to mention. The House committees letter was signed by Chairman Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), as well as Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) and Jake Ellzey (R-Texas). Some House Republicans also spoke out against the proposal, including Salazar and Rep. Ben Cline (Va.). Efficiency standards for home appliances have become culture war flashpoints under the Biden administration. The administration has restored a number of efficiency rules rolled back under the Trump administration, including for shower heads, water heaters and gas furnaces. The most umbrage, however, has been reserved for efficiency regulations over gas stoves, beginning last year when Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. approved a request for information on hazards associated with the devices, which the CPSC formalized in March. Although Trumka has said there are no plans to ban gas stoves, House Republicans have introduced formal legislation this year to legally prevent such a ban. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) invoked that earlier controversy to dismiss furor over the proposed fan rules, tweeting, We are not coming for your ceiling fans. Has anyone lost their gas stove yet? For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education is the newest school district to file a lawsuit against multiple social media giants in the wake of reports that they have negative effects on students mental health. The board filed the lawsuit Friday against Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram, Google (owner of YouTube), ByteDance (owner of TikTok), and Snap Inc. (owner of Snapchat), saying their products have been causing harm to students, damaging youth mental health, and burdening school districts, according to a news release Friday. SEE MORE: NC AG, Charlotte leaders address social media, substance abuse among kids ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Channel 9 obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which is nearly 200 pages long. It uses studies to outline how social media algorithms affect students perceptions of physical appearances. It also claims that the companies engage in tactics to get students addicted to their products, including screenshots of YouTube playlists and Instagram feeds. For the Charlotte school board, its members say that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has had a challenge of providing mental health resources to the student body amid rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, a statement said. The Boards decision to take legal action reflects our unwavering commitment to the welfare of our students and to ensure that social media corporations are held responsible for their contribution to the mental health challenges faced by CMS students, said Elyse Dashew, the boards chairperson in a statement. The board is being represented by at least four law firms, according to court documents. Several of these firms are also representing other districts in a massive multi-district lawsuit that was filed on March 10. Several districts in South Carolina, including Clover and Fort Mill, have also sued the tech giants, Channel 9 previously reported. RELATED: SC school districts join class action lawsuit against different social media companies Channel 9 reached out to all four companies for a comment on Friday. So far, Google is the only company to respond to Channel 9s request. Protecting kids across our platforms has always been core to our work. In collaboration with child development specialists, we have built age-appropriate experiences for kids and families on YouTube, and provide parents with robust controls, said Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda. The allegations in this complaint are simply not true. >>You can find a county-by-county guide to mental health resources at this link. (WATCH: Amid racist incidents in North Carolina, experts see increase in hate speech posts on social media) The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is getting a system that will help investigators with theft cases by tracking whats being sold at pawn shops. On Monday, Charlotte City Council approved spending about $158,000 each year on a contract with LeadsOnline LLC, which CMPD says is used by hundreds of agencies across the country. CMPD says the tech provided by LeadsOnline will let officers keep better tabs on what items are being pawned in local shops. State law requires pawn shops to keep records of everything thats sold, but its not clear how quickly investigators can get access to those records. Police say the new system will help them to recover stolen property across multiple jurisdictions. (WATCH: Off-duty officer opens fire on robbery suspects after pawn shop owner shot, deputies say) Eighteen people, believed to be migrants, were found dead following a wildfire in Evros region Eighteen people, believed to be migrants, were found dead following a wildfire in Evros region By Alexandros Avramidis and Karolina Tagaris EVROS, Greece/ATHENS (Reuters) -In the charred Greek landscape close to the border with Turkey, a group of blackened corpses lay amid the ashes of what was once a lush forest that offered migrants the perfect cover to cross into the European Union. Two of the dead found this week were children. A group of 18 migrants were found on Tuesday near the village of Avantas in northeastern Greece where a fierce wildfire swept with devastating speed, one of hundreds across the country fuelled by high temperatures and whipped up by gale force winds. A 19th body was found on Thursday in another area of the forest. Near Avantas, seven to eight of the bodies were found huddled together in what appeared to be a final embrace. Others were buried in the wreckage of a shelter destroyed by flames. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "They realised, at the last moment, that the end was coming," said Pavlos Pavlidis, the coroner called to the scene on Tuesday to examine the bodies that have been burned beyond recognition. "It was a desperate attempt to protect themselves." A little more than two months after hundreds of migrants perished at sea off Greece trying to reach Europe from Libya, another group taking what had appeared to be a safer route were stopped not by a rickety boat but by the fierce force of nature. Satellite images from before and after the wildfire show the devastation wrought along a route that has proved popular among migrants from the Middle East and Asia. Swathes of greenery have been turned into a barren moonscape, trees turned into sticks of charcoal. Vegetation that was meant to offer protection to evade the Greek police turned into a death trap. The only spot of colour in the area where the bodies were found were two blue medical gloves left behind by investigators. In the early days of the fire, George Hatzigeorgiou, president of the Avantas community, said he spotted three groups of migrants in the area. "There was a woman with a child, the woman was wearing a headscarf, and the fire was 100 metres away," Hatzigeorgiou said, recounting how he and a friend honked to get their attention. "I begged them, in English, to go to the village square. They kept saying 'police, police'. They were afraid they'd get arrested," he said. "I told them its better to go to the square and get arrested than to burn alive." The people who perished in the forest are presumed to be among thousands who cross into Greece from Turkey every year via the fast-flowing Evros river which delineates much of the land frontier between the two countries. Of the 18,700 arrivals to Greece last year, a third were via land, United Nations data shows. Nearly 4,000 people have crossed Evros this year, and Greek police say there was an uptick in August. Hatzigeorgiou says he often finds bags and backpacks with Turkish liras or packets of medicine in Turkish discarded around the village by people on the move. "We've been seeing these people for many years, almost daily," he said. "I've found hundreds such things." Rights groups and the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR have long accused Greece of mistreating those at the border and sometimes forcibly pushing them back to Turkey, a practice which is illegal under international law. In a statement after bodies were discovered on Tuesday, Adriana Tidona, migration researcher at Amnesty International, said authorities "have systematically responded with unlawful forced returns at the border, denial of the right to seek asylum and violence." Greece denies the accusations, saying its "strict but fair" migration policy protects the EU's borders. At the morgue, Pavlidis has collected DNA samples from the bodies, the only way they will ever be identified. "You cannot see their face, you cannot see anything," he said. Only a couple of watches and two rings survived. Fires in the area are still burning and Hatzigeorgiou fears more bodies will be found in the forest. "For me, it's almost certain," he said. (Additional reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; writing by Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Police arrived at a Chevron gas station in SeaTac after getting reports of an armed robbery and possible shooting Thursday night. A store employee got shot in the arm but was able to call the police before being taken to the hospital. Witnesses say that there were two or three suspects who had ski masks on. Police say they dont know yet if the same suspects are related to any other recent robberies. Updates will follow shortly as more information becomes available. This booking photo provided by Fulton County Sheriff's Office, shows former President Donald Trump on Aug. 24, 2023, after he surrendered and was booked at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office) Former President Donald Trump surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a U.S. ex-president. He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey, flashing a thumbs-up through the window of his sport utility vehicle as his motorcade left. A booking photo released by authorities shot Trump, wearing a navy suit and red tie, angrily scowling at the camera, his brows furrowed as he stares into the lens Advertisement Unrepentant but subdued after the brief jail visit, he insisted as has repeatedly has that he did nothing wrong and called the case accusing him of subverting election results a travesty of justice. If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election, he told reporters on the airport tarmac before boarding his plane. Advertisement Trumps surrender to law enforcement authorities, the fourth time this year, has become by now a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president, and current candidate, being booked on criminal charges. But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail rather than a courthouse. It occurred not in a liberal bastion like New York or Washington but rather in the heart of a battleground state seen as vital to the 2024 presidential race. And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the proceedings. His jail visit created a remarkable split-screen visual during a 2024 Republican primary contest in which he remains the leading candidate, coming one day after a debate in Milwaukee where eight of his leading rivals sought to exploit Trumps absence by standing out from the pack. Trump landed in Atlanta shortly after 7 p.m. and was driven to jail for the booking process. Wearing his signature white shirt and red tie, he offered a wave and thumbs up as he descended the steps of his private plane. He completed the process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair. The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted. Since then, hes faced federal charges in Florida and Washington, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime. Giuliani surrendered on Wednesday and posed for a mug shot. Meadows, who had sought to avoid having to turn himself in while he seeks to move the case to federal court, turned himself in Thursday. Bond was set at $100,000. The criminal cases have spurred a succession of bookings and arraignments, with Trump making brief court appearances before returning to the 2024 campaign trail. Hes turned the appearances into campaign events amid a far lighter schedule than his rivals, with wall-to-wall media coverage that has included news helicopters tracking his every move. Advertisement The campaign has also used the appearances to solicit fundraising contributions from his supporters as aides paint the charges as part of a politically motivated effort to damage his reelection chances. As Trump was en route from New Jersey to Atlanta, his campaign sent a message saying, Im writing to you from Trump Force One, on my way to Atlanta where I will be ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME. District Attorney Fani Willis had given all of the defendants until Friday afternoon to turn themselves in at the main Fulton County jail. Just ahead of his expected surrender, Trump hired a new lead attorney for the Georgia case. Prominent Atlanta criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow took the place of another high-profile criminal defense attorney, Drew Findling, who had represented Trump as recently as Monday when his bond terms were negotiated. But by Thursday Findling was no longer part of the team, according to a person with knowledge of the change who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Sadow, who has represented a rapper, Gunna, who pleaded guilty last year in a racketeering case also brought by Willis, said in a statement that the president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him. We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open minded jury finding the president not guilty, he added. Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system. Advertisement Its not the first time this year that Trump has shaken up his legal team either in the run-up to an indictment or in the immediate aftermath. One of his lead lawyers, Tim Parlatore, left the legal team weeks before Trump was indicted in Florida on charges of illegally hoarding classified documents, citing conflicts with a top Trump adviser. Two other lawyers, James Trusty and John Rowley, announced their resignations the morning after that indictment was returned. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He said in a social media post this week that he was being prosecuted for what he described in capital letters as a perfect phone call in which he asked the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to help him find 11,780 votes for him to overturn his loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden. The Fulton County jail where Trump surrendered has long been a troubled facility. The Justice Department last month opened a civil rights investigation into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jails psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month. He did not spend much time there. His attorneys and prosecutors had already agreed to a $200,000 bond, plus conditions that include barring the former president from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case. Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments in which a defendant appears in court for the first time generally happen after a defendant surrenders at the jail and completes the booking process, not on the same day. That means Trump may have to make another trip to Georgia in the coming weeks though the Fulton County Sheriffs Office has said some arraignments in the case may happen virtually if the judge allows. Or he could waive Trumps arraignment. Tucker reported from Washington, Colvin from New York. Associated Press writer Sudhin Thanawala contributed to this report. Chicagos COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to steadily rise after reaching pandemic lows earlier this summer. City health officials say the rise doesnt present an urgent threat to the public but shows the coronavirus is still spreading and merits attention. Its a good reminder that COVID is here, that COVID can make an impact, said Massimo Pacilli, the Chicago Department of Public Healths disease control deputy commissioner. The pandemic isnt gone. While there is some desire of putting it behind us, COVID is with us. The city is averaging 11 hospitalizations per day, up from 7.8 the week before and 1.4 in mid-July, city data released Thursday shows. Similarly, laboratory-confirmed cases have jumped to 119, up from 98 the week prior and 30 in mid-July. The indicators both remain at low risk levels, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The small increase has been underway since Chicagos virus indicators hit pandemic lows in July, Pacilli told the Tribune Wednesday. Hospitalizations and cases have been growing at a linear rate, he said. But the steady increase does not present an urgent threat to the public, he added Wastewater monitoring a useful indicator in light of the publics declining participation in laboratory testing also shows COVID-19 levels in the citys sewers are increasing, Pacilli said. However, it is hard to predict the timing and magnitude of the viruss waves, he said. The health departments tracking shows omicron subvariants remain dominant in the city, meaning people who are vaccinated or have recently had COVID-19 are well protected against severe illness, Pacilli said. The city expects to begin administering booster shots when the updated vaccine designed with omicron in mind is approved by regulators and distributed by manufacturers in September or October, he said. Pacilli emphasized that the increases have been occurring while the city is still at low risk levels as he encouraged people to get vaccinated and isolate when sick. Its not an all-or-nothing, he said. We need to continue doing that which helps keep these numbers in the green space. Researchers have recently identified a new variant appearing across the world with significant mutations, Pacilli said. The omicron subvariant, BA.2.86, appears effective at spreading broadly, but its too early to tell how the mutated virus strain will spread, he said. The large number of mutations in this variant raises concerns, but it is too soon to know the real-world impact on immunity, Pacilli said of the variant some have nicknamed Pirola. Regardless of an individuals health status or medical conditions, people might opt to wear masks during higher-risk activities like time spent in airplanes or in crowded spaces, said Dr. Aniruddha Hazra, an assistant professor of infectious disease and global health at University of Chicago Medicine. Hazra urged people to take nuances of comfort levels and risk into account. Making these small changes really can be beneficial, he said. People who are older or immunocompromised are at a higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 and should be more cautious than others and mask in crowded spaces, said Dr. Mary Hayden, director of Rush University Medical Centers infection diseases division. She said she anticipates continued increases in COVID-19 cases, as well as jumps in seasonal viral illnesses like the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, as school begins and cold weather pushes people inside. I expect we will be seeing more, but Im not terribly concerned or terribly worried. I dont think people need to be incredibly worried right now, Hayden said. Northwestern long-COVID study For some, COVID-19s effects can extend beyond short-term illness. Potentially debilitating long-COVID symptoms can leave patients with lasting cognitive impairment, altered lung function and higher heart rates, according to a study released in July by Northwestern Medicines Comprehensive COVID-19 Center. A new study released Wednesday by the center suggests millions of people who never tested positive for COVID-19 may have such lingering symptoms. Because they dont have a positive test to prove they got sick, they might miss out on care, the centers co-director Dr. Igor Koralnik said. There is a large population in the U.S. and world who are the negative long-haulers. Those patients have been rejected and stigmatized because they have all the symptoms, but they dont have a positive COVID test, Koralnik said. Most post-COVID clinics dont accept people who havent gotten positive tests, Koralnik said. Research on long COVID often excludes them too, he said. The people who havent tested positive but experience the diseases lingering symptoms face delays in getting the care they need, he added. Koralnik estimates nearly 10 million Americans who dont have an official COVID-19 diagnosis have experienced the neurological manifestations of long COVID. They deserve the same access to care and inclusion in research studies, the study he co-authored says. When the Northwestern center tested 29 long-COVID patients, researchers detected antibodies or T-cell responses indicating COVID-19 exposure in 12 of them. Koralnik said the researchers couldnt test more patients because the testing is expensive, and COVID-focused research involving patients who have never tested positive doesnt garner funding. There are far fewer patients in hospitals now, and the COVID-19 emergency has ended, Koralnik said. But the virus is still spreading and infecting people, and new variants will emerge, he noted. Long term, a COVID-19 infection can still hurt cognition, make work more difficult and seriously impede life, he said. People need to realize that long COVID is really the pandemic within the pandemic, Koralnik said. The less people are going to mask and social distance, and the more the virus is going to evolve and mutate, we are going to continue to see a steady number or even an increase in long-COVID patients. The first president of the United Farm Workers was Cesar E. Chavez. Correct? Wrong! Delegates at the inaugural UFW convention held Sept. 30, 1962 at the since-demolished Edison Social Hall in southwest Fresno voted 28-11 in favor of Jesus Martinez, a farmworker from Pinedale. Manuel Ayala of Stockton was a distant second. The rules required the union leadership be filled by someone who worked in the fields. Chavez, who left the fields to organize farmworkers, did not qualify. He was instead unanimously chosen as the unions general director. That history lesson was given by retired educator Dr. Paul Garcia last Saturday at the 50th commemoration of La Huelga General, as the UFW grape boycott is known. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A lot of people think when you talk about the farmworkers union, they think it all happened in 1965, said Garcia during a 14-minute presentation before a crowd of more than 100 inside a classroom in the Old Administration Building. Dr. Paul Garcia spoke about the birth of the UFW at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the United Farm Workers grape strike at Fresno City College on Aug. 19, 2023. Garcia was among several speakers who spoke, either in person or on video, about the farmworkers grape boycott and the ensuing civil rights battle. The birthplace of the UFW is significant enough for Garcia and other members of El Concilio de Fresno to request the Fresno City Historic Preservation Commission recognize the site and place a marker at what is now a private residence. As you can probably guess, organizing farmworkers was very difficult in 1962 because many lived in labor camps; many lived in small, rural communities; many spoke only Spanish; many had no transportation, said Garcia, who will make his request to the commission on Monday (Aug. 28) If the commission approves the request, the city council will take it up most likely on Sept. 28.. Agustin Lira spoke about the early days of Teatro Campesino during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the United Farm Workers grape strike at Fresno City College on Aug. 19, 2023. Forty-two delegates from throughout the state showed up for the meeting. They followed Roberts Rule of Order. Dolores Huerta led the Pledge of Allegiance. The delegates determined monthly fees of $3.50. The delegates also made motions to establish a credit union and to have a hiring hall to avoid contractors from taking advantage of the workers. They also adopted Viva La Causa (Long Live the Cause) as the unions official motto. Chavez was elected president in January 1963 when Martinez failed to attend UFW meetings and the bylaws were changed. The UFW grape boycott started in 1965 and continued until 1970 when 40 table grape growers signed three-year contracts. In 1973, growers turned to the Teamsters for new contracts. Dolores Huerta delivered a video message at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the United Farm Workers grape strike at Fresno City College on Aug. 19, 2023. Dolores Huerta, the unions longtime secretary-treasurer and now head of her own foundation, said the grape strike was devastating for the farmworkers. She spoke via video. There were many thousands of farmworkers who went on strike, said Huerta. They lost their homes. They lost their cars. There was a lot of deprivation that happened. But, they were very, very determined. Huerta, 93, said those huge sacrifices paid off in better pay and essentials like toilets in the field, drinking water, rest periods and reasonable work hours. Were not there yet, said Huerta in a 4-minute message. She said farmworkers need a pension plan so that when they retire from this really hard work that they do they will have some kind of an income to live on. Huerta called them essential workers who deserve the same kind of salaries and benefits that other essential workers get, like the firefighters, the police officers and the health care workers. Other viewpoints on the general strike Growing up, Gloria Hernandez picked nuts, grapes, oranges, lemons, everything except strawberries. When the grape strike began, she was home because she kept getting fired because I kept asking for better working conditions. Gloria Hernandez spoke about her role in the 1973 grape strike called by the United Farm Workers during a commemorative event at Fresno City College on Aug. 19, 2023. She started helping her mother drop off burritos to striking workers in Fresno County, then graduated to translating/interpreting between the people and the deputy sheriffs. When the arrest came down, I got promoted to La Capitana. Hernandez worked for the UFW and California Legal Assistance helping farmworkers. She was among hundreds who were jailed in Fresno County for picketing. We went to jail because we were fighting for our rights, said Hernandez, who was 19 at the time. It was fighting for our lives because people died. People got beat up in jail. We got treated like animals, worse than animals. Growers, she said, went to court and got injunctions against farmworker protests. Hernandez said the UFW movement led to more Latinos going into professions like education, health and law. A collection of UFW buttons was displayed at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the United Farm Workers grape strike at Fresno City College on Aug. 19, 2023. In a video documentary, Tanis Ybarra recalled he wanted to work for the UFW after returning from Vietnam. He was among those who got arrested for protesting against the injunctions and spent days in the Fresno County jail. My brother and I, then eventually my mom and my sisters, all joined and we all got arrested at least four times, said Ybarra. Teatro Campesino co-founder Agustin Lira and Patricia Wells-Solorzano performed songs that were popular during the movement. Mujeres Valientes sang De Colores, a song favored by Chavez. The event was organized by the Chicano Youth Center. Lake City Police Department is investigating after a 12-year-old girl was shot and killed in her home. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to police, at around 9:06 p.m., officers with Lake City PD responded to a home on Northwest Long Street and found the girl suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers and EMTs conducted First Aid at the scene, but the girl succumbed to her injuries. Not long after, officers with the Columbia County Sheriffs Office secured the area, and the crime scene was processed by investigators with the police department, sheriffs office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read: JSO: Shooting investigation underway in San Souci area Investigators are speaking with the victims family and possible witnesses. In addition, a Columbia County Sheriffs Office victims advocate responded to assist the family. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Lake City PD at 386-752-4343 and speak with Investigator Sapp. Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold. Read: Crowd packed Legends Center to hear Mayor Deegan address concerns in District 10 [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. BEIJING (Reuters) - China's defence ministry on Friday urged the United States to stop "arming" Taiwan, after the U.S. State Department approved a possible $500 million sale to the island of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment. "China urges the U.S. side to effectively fulfil its commitment not to support the independence of Taiwan, to immediately stop arming Taiwan, and to stop enhancing U.S.-Taiwan military ties," ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said in a statement. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Edmund Klamann) Gen Zers in China are wearing temporary tattoos of fake belly buttons as part of a new trend. The tattoo is worn above the navel to make the wearer's legs appear longer. While creators defend the trend as something for fun, others are concerned about the message it sends young women. Young women in China are wearing fake belly button temporary tattoos in an attempt to alter the appearance of their body proportions. The temporary tattoos, which work by dampening the top of the sheet with water to transfer the design onto the skin, are typically worn a few centimeters above the navel. By raising the belly button line, it gives the appearance of a shorter torso and longer legs. The curious trend has Chinese netizens divided, with some enthusiastically joining in, while others are criticizing it for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. One creator told viewers the trend is just for fun and that it is not supposed to provoke body anxiety There isn't an option to embed videos from the site so I've included screenshots. The fake belly button is designed to be placed a few centimeters above the person's actual belly button. Screenshot from Xiaohongshu. In a video posted on July 11, ShiYiTongYa, a 22-year-old college student based in Shanghai, according to her profile, revealed that she paid 2.8 Chinese yuan ($0.38) for a sheet of 16 temporary tattoos. She showed footage of herself applying one on her navel. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "It's quite natural and I think it looks better than my real belly button," ShiYiTongYa told viewers. "In normal situations, no one's going to come up to me, scrutinize my belly, and figure out if my belly button's real." ShiYiTongYa said that she had immediately placed an order after she saw the creator LiangBuZhengYy, who has over 927,000 followers, doing the trend. In LiangBuZhengYy's video, which was uploaded on June 29 and has over 81,000 likes, she recommended that people put a bandaid on their real belly button if they are afraid that people will notice that they have two belly buttons. She suggested that if people ask why there is a bandaid on your belly, you should tell them that you just had a baby. She added that the tattoos are just for fun and that they are not supposed to provoke body anxiety. LiangBuZhengYy recommended that people put a bandaid over their real belly button to hide it. Screenshot from Xiaohongshu. LiangBuZhengYy also suggested that people could use the fake tattoos to make it seem like they're wearing a crop top in the summer if their mom won't let them wear one because she's afraid they'll catch a cold. In a post about the trend on China's popular social media app WeChat, another user also wrote that these tattoos can help prevent the lower abdomen from getting cold because they can make it appear that your lower belly is exposed, without actually exposing it. Meanwhile, other creators are posting videos of themselves doing the trend using makeup and stickers. Some creators are showing people how to use makeup to draw fake belly buttons. Screenshot from Xiaohongshu. Some viewers are questioning if the trend promotes unhealthy beauty standards While most people reacted shocked or amused by the trend, some were critical of it and questioned why we can't just appreciate our bodies as they are. One commenter questioned the beauty standards it promoted by asking, "Can't we like cute short legs?" Others commented that the trend looks "ugly" because it makes people's bodies appear out of proportion and it makes the wearer look like they have no waistline. This isn't the only bizarre trend that has been popularized by Gen Zers in China Fake belly buttons aren't the only quirky beauty-enhancing tools growing popular among young Chinese women on social media. Previous trends this year have included gel shoulder pads to give the appearance of broader, more angular shoulders, and even padded underwear that gives the illusion of a bigger butt. In May, one TikToker called out Chinese celebrities for wearing these products and promoting unrealistic beauty standards. This embedded content is not available in your region. Over the years, there have also been several controversial viral challenges in China about body proportions. The "bellybutton challenge" tested girls' figures by seeing if they could touch their belly button by reaching it around behind their backs, while the "collarbone challenge" tested how many coins one could hold on their collarbones. In 2016, the "A4 waist challenge" saw women holding up pieces of paper in front of their waists to measure its width against theirs. Similarly, that trend saw a huge backlash online mostly from women outside of China rebelling against it. Read the original article on Insider Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. China has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign targeting its hospitals, pharmaceutical industry and insurance funds as it grapples with mounting economic challenges and long-standing public frustration about high costs in the behemoth health care sector. More than 180 hospital leaders, including Communist Party secretaries and hospital heads, have been put under investigation so far this year, according to state agency China News Service, with at least 10 of those voluntarily surrendering since June. Thats more than double the number of such cases last year, according to other state media reports. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Reports and rumors about the campaign have dominated local headlines and social media in recent weeks, with state news agencies broadcasting examples. One involved the president of a small hospital in southwestern Yunnan province alleged to have skimmed more than $2.2 million off the purchase of a medical device for cancer treatment in a 2021 case recently highlighted by anti-graft officials. Multiple provincial-level departments have come on board with the crackdown, which was publicly launched by 10 national agencies last month a remarkable level of coordination for such a campaign, even within a decade of anti-corruption efforts under Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Some areas have set up hotlines for phoning in tips about corruption in the sector, according to state media. Shanghai earlier this summer launched a system of cash rewards for reporting illegal activities under the purview of its market supervision agency with the number of investigations in the health care sector nationwide expected to grow further in the coming months. The speed at which local governments carried out probes, and the severity of penalties meted out, are impressive, Ren Jianming, head of the Center for Integrity Research and Education at Chinas Beihang University, told state media. At least one state media report has described the campaign as unprecedented in the depth, breadth and intensity of targeting the health care sector. Experts agree the campaign is Chinas most far-reaching effort to date to address what is widely seen as an entrenched issue within an industry where cost has a direct impact on the well-being and household budgets of Chinese families. Beijing has not said why it has chosen to ramp up its efforts now, and experts have questioned whether cracking down on corruption will address systemic issues fueling the problem. But the campaign comes amid growing public concern over Chinas economic slowdown and rising unemployment and the government is under pressure to respond to public grievances and stimulate growth. Targeting graft in the sector has the potential to bring down health care costs, as well as divert public attention from other problems and redirect blame for issues plaguing the sector. It can also enable debt-strapped local governments to gather sorely needed funds as they emerge from three years of costly Covid-19 controls. Doctors conduct an emergency treatment drill at a hospital in Zhejiang province earlier this year. - CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty Images Why now? Chinas health care system has long been rife with accusations of hospitals over-prescribing treatments to inflate bills or taking kickbacks from pharmaceutical representatives to procure and prescribe overpriced medicines, which in China are distributed at in-house pharmacies. Despite wide health insurance coverage, absolute costs of health care can be a heavy burden for many in China. Hospitals are the front line for these issues, as they generally take on a role that might be served by a primary care physician in other countries like the United States, in addition to other services. Concerns about health care costs spilled onto the streets earlier this year as elderly residents in at least two cities gathered to protest changes to their insurance coverage. And the burden of health care costs on families and the system is only expected to rise as Chinas population ages. Anti-corruption efforts may be one way to address issues of affordability, according to Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. But it also sidesteps more urgent reforms of the public health system, and shifts focus away from the governments own responsibility at a time when it may have little ability to fund reform, he said. Despite the countrys impressive economic growth of recent decades and efforts to improve oversight in the health care sector, experts have long pointed to insufficient funding for public hospitals and low salaries for medical workers as areas that incentivize unscrupulous and profit-driven behavior in hospitals and are in need of reform. And now China faces slowing economic growth. Given the economic slowdown and the shrinking fiscal revenue, the debt-ridden local governments really dont have the capabilities to invest more in the medical sector and corruption continues to be an issue, said Huang. If you dont invest in the medical sector then the peoples dissatisfaction will continue to rise, so they need a scapegoat to solve that problem medical representatives, hospital managers, doctors are forced to become that scapegoat, he said. People wait in the emergency department of a hospital in Beijing amid a surge of Covid-19 cases at the start of the year. - Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images Local governments are under financial stress as they grapple with a sharp drop in revenue amid a property slump, and the lingering effects of budget-draining Covid-19 controls, which were only lifted late last year. Chinas pandemic-era restrictions on movement, like lockdowns, also hit hospitals, shrinking revenue and deepening deficits, according to Xi Chen, an associate professor at the Yale School of Public Health. When an industry is in a deficit, usually the most immediate response is to have an anti-corruption campaign, because such a campaign can find funds, Chen said. So far, the crackdown appears geared that way. A number of local governments have recently set up clean accounts for health sector workers to turn in illegal gains before the months end, according to state media. In one case last month in southeastern Guangzhou, authorities stood to reap more than $700,000 in fines and confiscated funds linked to alleged bribery. In focus in the campaign are payments and other perks exchanged between representatives of pharmaceutical companies and hospital administrators or procurement officials, a form of graft which can pass inflated treatment prices on to the consumer, among other issues like the management of medical funds. Finding ways to lower costs by reducing corruption in a bloated industry could also help free up peoples discretionary income and stimulate spending elsewhere in the ailing economy, experts say. A medical worker stands beside people lining up for Covid-19 testing at a hospital in Shanghai in 2020. - AFP/Getty Images Unintended consequences? Chinas National Health Commission last week vowed the multi-agency effort would combat profiteering, kickbacks and improper use of medical insurance funds. The campaign would cover the entire chain of production across pharmaceutical industry as well as medical institutions and funds, the NHC said in a statement. Late last month, the graft-busting Central Commission for Discipline Inspection underlined the heft of the campaign, holding a video conference calling for stronger efforts in the fight against corruption in the health care industry. And there are signs the industry is bracing for wide-ranging impact. The CSI medical services index, which tracks Chinas largest listed pharmaceutical companies on the Shenzhen stock exchange, dropped over 5% in the past month as of Thursday amid a sell-off. At least two Chinese health care companies have also paused initial public offering (IPO) plans amid heightened scrutiny due to the crackdown, Reuters reported earlier this month. In July, two executives from Chinese pharmaceutical companies, chairman of Shanghai Serum Bio-Technology Fan Zhihe and Winning Health Technology Groups chair Zhou Wei were placed under investigation, according to stock exchange filings. But experts have also warned about the potential for the campaign to negatively affect doctors and advances in health care . In a widely circulated statement, Sun Ningling, a cardiovascular medicine specialist at Peking University Peoples Hospital, said she supported anti-corruption efforts, but objected to blanket suspicions about academic conferences, which can provide a platform for medical progress. Her comments followed local media reports on such conferences being canceled after agencies flagged these events as conduits for drug companies and their representatives to lavish doctors and hospital leadership with gifts and payments. There have also been concerns that the campaign could stigmatize doctors, a profession that already has a history of facing violence from patients or their families. Backlash against doctors could dissuade young people from joining the field, which would have a significant impact on health services in China in coming years, experts say. The NHC appeared to try and address this concern in its recent statement, stressing that medical workers shoulder the sacred responsibility of saving lives, helping injuries, and maintaining the health of the people. (Their) hard work should be fully recognized, it said. CNNs Mengchen Zhang and Laura He contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com State and federal lawmakers are pushing to regulate foreign ownership of U.S. real estate because of fears that Chinese entities are creating a national security risk by amassing swaths of U.S. farmland, some of it near sensitive sites. A review by NBC News of thousands of documents filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, shows very few purchases by Chinese buyers in the past year and a half fewer than 1,400 acres in a country with 1.3 billion acres of agricultural land. In fact, the total amount of U.S. agricultural land owned by Chinese interests is less than three-hundredths of 1%. But the review also reveals a federal oversight system in which reporting of foreign ownership is lax and enforcement minimal. Any foreign individual or entity that buys or leases U.S. agricultural land is required by federal law to report the transaction to the USDA within 90 days, yet some were not reported for years in one case, more than 20 years. And in that same time period, no one has been fined more than $121,000 for failure to make such a report. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement NBC News was able to review filings on foreign purchases and leases of agricultural land, meaning both farm and forestry land, from 35 states since Jan. 1, 2022. The vast majority of the transactions were European wind power companies leasing land from U.S. farmers to build wind turbines. One Italian wind company disclosed 40 new leases of farmland in just one rural Illinois county. The same company had leases in at least four other states. In those 35 states, NBC News found 11 purchases by Chinese entities that had been reported to the USDA from Jan. 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Several of the disclosures were not recent sales, and at least one was a repeat of a previous disclosure. Another was not reported to the government till it had been revealed in the media. Smithfield Foods reported that it bought 186 acres in 2022 and 2023 in Missouri and North Carolina, adding to its existing U.S. portfolio of less than 128,000 acres, according to a company spokesman. Formerly a U.S. owned company, Smithfield Foods was bought by a Chinese firm in 2013. There are important issues to be addressed between the U.S. and China, said Jim Monroe, Smithfields vice president of corporate affairs. Ownership of U.S. agricultural land is not one of them. The Syngenta tent at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill., in 2017. (Daniel Acker / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Syngenta Group filed six disclosures of a total of 772 acres spread across Iowa, Florida and California, but the purchases had already been reported to the USDA when they were made under the companys former owner, a Swiss company. Syngenta was bought by a Chinese firm in 2017. Saswato Das, a spokesperson for Syngenta, told NBC News the company owns or leases a total of 6,000 acres in the U.S. Das said that Syngenta uses a significant portion of its U.S. land for research on its products that is required by the USDA or the Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies require that the company test the seeds and chemicals it plans to sell. All of these activities are conducted on fields and farms in the U.S. to benefit American farmers, said Das. A Hong Kong company that had bought 365 acres in North Dakota did not disclose its purchases to the USDA until CNBC revealed national security concerns had been raised about the lands proximity to Grand Forks Air Force Base. The proposed location of the Fufeng Group corn milling plant in Grand Forks, N.D. (Ben Brewer / Bloomberg via Getty Images) After CNBC wrote that the purchases by Fufeng USA were raising alarms in Washington, a local USDA official contacted the company to ask about disclosure of foreign ownership, according to USDA filings reviewed by NBC News. Two weeks later the company complied, filing disclosures showing it had made three purchases for a total of $9.5 million to build a wet corn milling biofermentation plant. Eric Chutorash, chief operating officer of Fufeng USA, dismissed concerns the plant could be used to spy on the Air Force base. I cant imagine anyone that we hire thats going to even do that, Chutorash said. When asked if he could definitively say it wouldnt be used for espionage, he responded, Absolutely." But due to the opposition of local, state and federal officials, development of the Fufeng plant was stopped. Fufeng still owns more than 300 acres in Grand Forks, according to the county recorders office, a footprint less than a quarter the size of the average family farm in North Dakota. Weak enforcement Historically only about 3.1%, or 40 million acres, of the nations 1.3 billion acres of agricultural land has been owned by foreigners. Almost half of the foreign-owned land is forest. USDA records show that a third of the 40 million foreign-owned acres are held by Canadian interests, while Chinese interests hold less than 400,000 acres. But the share of agricultural land owned by foreign interests is increasing, according to the USDAs Farm Service Agency, and the pace at which the foreign share is growing has also risen. While it grew by an average of 800,000 acres yearly from 2011 to 2015, it rose 2.2 million acres per year from 2015 to 2021. In the name of national security, members of Congress have called for tougher laws to regulate foreign land purchases, criticizing existing efforts by the USDA to police disclosure. Over the past 10 years just six companies have faced penalties for late filings or failing to file, according to USDA data. Two Canadian firms were penalized for late filings in 2013. A Swedish company was fined a year later. After that there were no penalties until a Japanese firm was fined in 2019. In 2021 two Chinese entities were together fined more than $135,000 for failing to disclose their purchases of more than 130,000 acres along the southern U.S. border in Texas more than 20 years earlier. The penalty letter that the USDA sent to one of the firms, Brazos Highland Properties LP, shows that the company filed its disclosure 8,017 days late. The government said in its letter that given the long delay the original amount of the proposed fine had been $21 million, but that the agency decided to reduce it to $120,216.38. That sharply reduced amount was the largest fine the agency had imposed in 20 years. The two companies, Harvest Texas and Brazos Highland, paid their reduced fines three months later, according to USDA documents. They also abandoned plans for a wind farm on the land after significant local opposition. The members of Congress who want to tighten controls on foreign ownership say its true scope is hard to gauge when enforcement is lacking. In late July, the Senate passed a ban on China, Russia, North Korea and Iran buying American agricultural land, but its unclear if the amendment will make it into the final defense spending bill that will go to a vote in Congress this fall. One of the sponsors of the amendment, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has also proposed adding the Food and Drug Administration and the Agriculture secretary to conduct oversight of foreign purchases to ensure that reporting is timely and accurate, as welling as adding USDA staff to monitor purchases. She also proposes that any purchase or lease by a foreign entity that exceeds 320 acres or land valued at more than $5 million be subject to review. In a statement, Ernst said, Any acre of land that the Chinese Communist Party can use against the United States is a threat that must be taken seriously. We have already witnessed the danger their malign influence poses in our backyard as they bought critical land near our military installations. We need to bolster the law because currently, USDA is not fully able to enforce or police foreign investment. "Thats why Im working across the aisle with Democrats to protect our agriculture security that would require CFIUS [Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States] to do its job, modernize USDAs process to protect our land against our adversaries, and ensure China cannot use any loophole against us. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com For a generation of Chinese who grew up knowing nothing but boom times, 2023 is proving to be a bit of a downer. Yes, there's the relief of exiting coronavirus controls, but the Chinese economy is not roaring into a post-pandemic recovery. Instead, houses aren't being sold, families aren't spending, and recent graduates either can't - or don't want to - find jobs. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. "Optimism isn't really appropriate if you're a realistic person, and most people are pretty realistic," said Yang Aha, a 24-year-old accounting graduate who has been living with her parents in Guangzhou for months while she searches for work. "Everyone is just trying to muddle through." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Chinese government expects the economy to grow by 5 percent this year - only half the rate recorded in 2008, when Xi Jinping became vice president - but economists are warning that target is looking unachievable because of a looming property market bust and local government debt crisis. With growth expected to slow further over the coming decade, it will be difficult for China's gross domestic product to overtake the United States or hit its target of doubling by 2035. Even if Xi is not in power then - he would be 81 by then, but could theoretically serve for life - it will still be difficult for Xi to make good on his more immediate promises to deliver "common prosperity," his catchphrase for curbing inequality by sharing China's newfound wealth evenly across society. Already, the economic slowdown is fraying the weak, implicit understanding with ordinary Chinese people that has allowed the Communist Party to remain in power throughout decades of economic opening: Accept Communist Party rule without protest, and we will deliver a better future for you and the country. The Chinese Communist Party's legitimacy still relies heavily on ordinary Chinese feeling their lives are improving, and Xi knows that, said Ling Chen, an assistant professor at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. "So far nobody can challenge him politically. But economic performance is always the very core of the regime's legitimacy and that affects how well he can govern the country," Chen said. Now Xi has replaced promises of material wealth with demands for political loyalty, and told young people to suck it up and "eat bitterness" for the good of the nation. The good thing about being an authoritarian leader is that there are few people to dissent. A decade of intense campaigns to instill discipline and oust corrupt or disloyal officials means there are no obvious challengers to Xi, or even any obvious naysayers in the system. The bad thing, however, is that the buck stops with Xi. "The economy is in a tough place right now," said Randal Phillips, a former CIA station chief in Beijing who now runs HFBB Associates, a strategic consultancy focused on China. He estimated it was in the worst shape in 35 years. "That is an Achilles' heel politically for Xi," Phillips said, because Xi has ultimate responsibility for China's economic predicament - and coming up with the solution. Because he has amassed so much personal power and has stacked the top echelons of the Chinese Communist Party with loyal lieutenants, Xi bears more personal responsibility than his predecessors when things go wrong. Although Premier Li Qiang is technically in charge of the economy, he was appointed to the position because he is close to Xi. If he cannot steward China out of this situation, and avoid the stagnation many emerging economies face when they run out of cheap labor, that could undermine Xi's credibility as a tough but effective custodian of China's rise. While an earlier-than-expected end to China's economic miracle is unlikely to shake Xi's iron grip on power, close observers of Chinese politics say, a loss of faith in China's future could snowball into a form of quiet resistance. The general despondency among young Chinese is already hamstringing the economy. Huge numbers have stopped working. Youth unemployment figures reached a record 21.3 percent in June before the government suspended monthly releases, citing a revision to the surveying methodology. Some economists think the actual number could be closer to 50 percent. Although they aren't shouted in the street, this passive protest movement has its own slogans. Recent graduates talk about "lying flat" by doing as little work as possible to get by. They become "full-time children" who live at home with their parents. To respond to Xi's call to work hard for the good of the nation is a recipe for "involution," meaning you'll put in a lot of effort but end up with nothing to show for it. In one sign of how bleak many young people feel about the future, China's birthrate has plummeted to a record low and the population is shrinking. Xi doesn't, however, have the tools to deal with the current economic slump that his party has used previously. In the past, when downturn loomed, the response was a massive stimulus of debt-fueled property and infrastructure construction. This approach dragged China's economy out of the 2008 global financial crisis. It also gave the Communist Party leaders a newfound sense of confidence that the United States and its market liberalism were broken and Beijing's model of state-guided development worked. Xi took things further by regularly voicing his belief that the "East is rising as the West declines" and accusing the United States of being the largest source of "chaos" in the global economy. But those policies that appeared to be successful in 2008 have now come back to haunt China. The cash crunch facing local governments and real estate developers is a direct result of overinvestment, analysts say. Returning to the old approach could alleviate immediate pressure only to risk a spiral of indebtedness and an even larger later crisis. Furthermore, foreign companies aren't feeling so bullish about China any more. Direct investment fell to a record low last quarter, in a sign of deep concern about economic head winds and politically motivated policy under Xi. Executives point to a drumbeat of recent moves by the Chinese authorities that have made them feel unwelcome. Police raids on international consultancies timed to coincide with an expanded national security law. Unpredictable disruptions from coronavirus lockdowns that continued long after the rest of the world had moved on. Sudden regulatory crackdowns on growth sectors like mobile payments or private tutoring that wiped out over a trillion dollars in technology companies' market value. "Xi Jinping did not create all the current economic problems," said Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. "But the timing, where suddenly all these crises manifest across so many different issues simultaneously, the explanation for that really is politics and geopolitics." Xi has made clear that Communist Party control and national security should be prioritized as much as - or sometimes more than - growing the economy. Now, he appears to be looking for an economic response that avoids additional financial risks. The policy response has so far been tepid, even as China's central bank acknowledged that the economic recovery was proving "tortuous." This is especially true for real estate, which accounts for about a quarter of economic growth and two-thirds of household savings. "The problem is that they know it's dangerous, but they can't keep pushing up prices," said Chen of Johns Hopkins. "Now that the bubble is starting to burst, the more that they try to persuade people to buy houses, the more people realize the situation is serious." Liberal Chinese economists have recommended that China consider direct cash transfers to boost spending and confidence. But analysts say that this idea of going all-in on a shift to consumption runs counter to Xi's ideal vision of a state-dominated economy built around advanced manufacturing. Li, the Chinese premier, has been focusing on introducing new support measures for businesses. But many leading private entrepreneurs remain cautious. "The question," said Phillips, "is how many bricks can be pulled out of the structure before it becomes unstable?" - - - Pei-Lin Wu in Taipei, Taiwan, and Theodora Yu in Hong Kong contributed to this report. Related Content As the Maui fires raged, senior victims had to fend for themselves Despite shooting, hope fades for gun laws in Tennessee special session A terrifying fire struck Maui in 2018. Officials were warned of a repeat. Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand at their podiums during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee. (Morry Gash/AP) The first Republican presidential debate provided an opportunity for candidates to make their cases directly to a national audience, and some of that attention is translating into fundraising boosts. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has taken in $450,000 since Wednesday nights debate, with an average donation of $38, campaign spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said on Thursday. Advertisement Ramaswamy, a political newcomer who occupied center stage in the absence of current GOP front-runner Donald Trump, scored several memorable moments during the debate, criticizing some rivals as super PAC puppets who were using ready-made, preprepared slogans to attack him. [ Key moments from the first 2023 Republican presidential debate ] Ramaswamy, has largely been self-funding his campaign and raised more than $7.7 million in the second quarter, finishing with more than $9 million on hand. Advertisement At least one candidate, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, made a direct fundraising appeal onstage Milwaukee, asking viewers in his closing remarks to go to his campaign website for more information or to make a contribution. Former President Donald Trump, who is the early front-runner for the nomination, skipped the debate. [ Donald Trump attacks rivals in online interview with Tucker Carlson while skipping presidential debate ] Other campaigns didnt immediately respond to messages Thursday about their post-debate fundraising, but some donors are talking. After being briefed in Milwaukee by top campaign staffers for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, donor Hal Lambert said he was pleased with his chosen candidates performance. Everyones extremely happy, Lambert said in an interview. I think he did extremely well. I think he stayed out of the bickering on stage. Pete Snyder, an investor and DeSantis donor, said the governor was strong, and forceful and able to get his message out without distraction. [ Donald who? Fox barely mentions Trump in first half of debate until 10-minute indictment discussion ] The DeSantis campaign has not provided details about what it has raised, but Snyder said, Its showing with the contributions that are coming in. We had a huge day. A handful of candidates had gotten creative in their fundraising appeals in order to meet the Republican National Committees 40,000 minimum unique donor requirement for debate participants. Some of the ploys worked, such as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgums giveaway of $20 Biden Relief Cards in exchange for donations as low as $1 The North Natomas property where a new Chipotle Mexican Grill sits sold earlier this month for $4. 95 million, the highest price per square foot paid for any of the chains drive-thru locations that opened this year. Sacramento brokerage firm, Hanley Group Real Estate Advisors, completed the sale of the 2,347-square-foot building on just over an an acre of land at 2650 Arena Blvd. in Natomas Crossing on Aug. 8, the same day that the property tenant, Chipotle, opened its doors for business. We procured multiple competitive offers and had plenty of backup interest once the buyer was in escrow, said the groups Executive Vice-President Bill Asher said. The location visible from the Interstate 5 Arena Boulevard offramp and next to a planned Costco, all part of the Quad District mixed-use development, helped secure the strong price for the property. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Sacramento County property records show the seller of the Chipotle site was Chase Partners, a Southern California developer of retail stores, restaurants and industrial properties. The buyer was a Los Angeles area couple, Jose and Lilly Tan. Chase had brought the unimproved land back in 2022 for $1.7 million, property records show. Asher said Chipote had signed an initial 15-year lease. The rent was not disclosed. Real estate observers agree the new Chipolte location is a testament to rising land values in a new upcoming area of Sacramento and a reminder of that old real estate mantra , location, location, location being a key driver of property values. Will Austin, who is CoStar Groups director of market analytics for Sacramento, said it makes sense that the sale of the Chipotle property received a high price. This is new construction at a highly visible intersection, he said. He said the buyer will be able to collect rent from Chipotle on a long-term lease and would likely be able to sell the land at a higher price. What will Quad District become? Austin said companies like Chipotle are willing to pay high rents for desirable locations, and the future opening of Costco will only enhance the desirability of the area. The Chipotle and the 160,000-square-foot Costco, which is expected to start construction in the next few months, are part of a new area of North Natomas called the Quad District. Ultimately, if all goes as planned, the Quad District will resemble a new city. More than 2.4 million square feet of office space, one million square feet of retail, hotels, a new Kaiser Permanente Hospital, and more than 850,000 square feet of multifamily residential units are scheduled to be constructed over a period of years. The area today is mostly vacant land, except for Chipotle and other recently opened businesses: a Chevron gas station, a Starbucks, a Wendys and Local Kitchens, a food hall. However, the growth of North Natomas extends beyond the Quad District. Housing developments under construction line I-5m and the former Sleep Train Arena is being developed into a major new hospital and medical school. Austin said companies like Chipotle see North Natomas as an area that is under retailed, even though it is growing. The value in Natomas right now is there is a lot of construction going on, a lot of people who are relocating from other parts of Sacramento, he said. The entrance to the former U.S. Embassy, which has been turned into an anti-American museum, is seen n Tehran, Iran, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Seventy years after a CIA-orchestrated coup toppled Irans Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, its legacy remains contentious and complicated for the Islamic Republic as tensions stay high with the United States. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Seventy years after a CIA-orchestrated coup toppled Iran's prime minister, its legacy remains both contentious and complicated for the Islamic Republic as tensions stay high with the United States. While highlighted as a symbol of Western imperialism by Iran's theocracy, the coup unseating Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh over America's fears about a possible tilt toward the Soviet Union and the loss of Iranian crude oil appeared backed at the time by the country's leading Shiite clergy. But nowadays, hard-line Iranian state television airs repeated segments describing the coup as showing how America can't be trusted, while authorities bar the public from visiting Mossadegh's grave in a village outside of Tehran. Such conflicts are common in Iran, where Death to America can still be heard at Friday prayers in Tehran while many on its streets say they'd welcome a better relationship with the U.S. But as memories of the coup further fade away along with those alive during it, controlling which allegory Iranians see in it has grown more important for both the country's government and its people. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Maybe the U.S. did this out of fear of the emerging power of the Soviet Union, but it was like wishing for an earthquake to get rid of a bad neighbor, said Rana, a 24-year-old painter who like some others who spoke to The Associated Press gave only her first name for fear of reprisals. For Iranians, the rancor has never melted. The August 1953 coup stemmed from U.S. fears over the Soviet Union increasingly wanting a piece of Iran as Communists agitated within the country. The ground had been laid partially by the British, who wanted to wrest back access to the Iranian oil industry, which had been nationalized earlier by Mossadegh. Though looking initially like it failed, the coup toppled Mossadegh and cemented the power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi . It also lit the fuse for the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which saw the fatally ill shah flee Iran and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini usher in the theocracy that still governs the country. Today, several who spoke to the AP about the coup and possible relations with the U.S. put it in the context of Iran's ailing economy, which has been battered by years of sanctions after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Lower tensions with the U.S. will bring more money for my business, said Hossein, 47, who runs a canteen for cab drivers in southern Tehran. "Now taxi drivers spend less compared to the past years and it is because of these bad relations, sanctions. I know about this bitter history but it should come to end sometime soon, added Majid Shamsi, who works as a parcel carrier in central Tehran. Young people in Iran seek a better life and it cannot come as a result of enmity with the U.S. Even during increasingly common protests by teachers, farmers and others in Iran, some of the regular chants include: Our enemy is here; they lied to us (that the enemy) is the U.S. Iran today should accept a deal with the U.S. like what it did to release dual nationals, added teacher Reza Seifi, 26. "I need it for my better future, for a better future for all. But like with the exchanges with the U.S., there are limits to how far Iran's government will go in remembering Mossadegh. Last weekend, State television's English-language Press TV aired a segment with a journalist standing on Mossadegh Street in northern Tehran. However, over the last 20 years, police have restricted access to those wanting to visit his grave in his ancestral home in the village of Ahmadabad, some 90 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of Tehran. In the village, tall walls and a locked gate keep those wanting to pay their respects out, while officers question those who look like they don't live there. Some found other ways to mark the 70th anniversary of the coup. I could not go to his grave to pay tribute but I have visited the graves of his supporters and allies like Hossein Fatemi, said Ebrahim Nazeri, 32, as he, his wife and two children stood at the graveside of Fatemi, Mossadegh's foreign minister who was executed after the coup. He was a hero like Mossadegh. Another visitor to Fatemis grave, teacher Ehsan Rahmani simply said that the U.S. planted hatred in the hearts of Iranians through the coup. For Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , the 1953 coup represents what he views as the continued threat from the U.S., whether that be from economic sanctions or the nationwide protests that have gripped Iran after the death last year of Mahsa Amini. On Thursday, Khamenei told members of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard that Washington had planned to overthrow the country's theocracy through a coup like in 1953 through its military. Iran carried out mass executions and purges of its regular military after the revolution. The enemies tried to undermine and paralyze the revolution by creating continuous crises," Khamenei said, according to a transcript on his official website. They then plotted to put an end to the revolution with a measure similar to the coup that took place on August 19, (1953). However, the (Guard) thwarted it. This is the reason why the enemies have so much hatred and animosity towards the Guard. The Guards chief, Gen. Hossein Salami, in reply, vowed to expel American forces from the region. His remarks came amid a major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of U.S. troops boarding and guarding commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil shipments pass. However, some remain hopeful Iran could reach a detente with the U.S., as it recently did with Saudi Arabia. I dream that the supreme leader allows talks and better relations with the U.S., said Mohsen, 29, a furniture shop salesman in northern Tehran. "He allowed the restoration of ties with Saudi Arabia. He can allow the same for the U.S. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The dog days of summer are accompanied by a familiar chirp. The sometimes-hissy, sometimes-clicky noises of cicadas fairly large insects with long wings are the soundtrack to hot evenings in the Carolinas. And copperheads, our regions familiar venomous snake, often have cicadas for dinner. That means youre extra likely to spot the snakes this time of year, as cicadas are emerging to shed their shells and sing their summer songs. The News & Observer chatted with Jeff Hall, snake expert and wildlife biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, to learn more about snake and cicada activity this time of year and what that means for the rest of us. What are cicadas? What do they look like? Cicadas are medium to large insects with long, transparent wings, which are held peaked over the body when at rest. Theres one species of them in North Carolina. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Often, the most deafening choruses of annual cicadas are during the hottest days of the year, leading to another common name for this group: the dog-day cicadas, Hall said. Annual dog-day cicadas are large, stout, dark insects with lighter markings and greenish markings on the wings. These occur every summer. There are seven species of them in North Carolina. Periodical cicadas have reddish-orange eyes, and they are usually seen by the thousands. These emerge on longer cycles, either every 13 or 17 years. In warm months, male cicadas sing a shrill mating call to attract females. After mating, females jab their eggs into the bark or twigs in a double row up to four or five inches long, according to NC State Extension. Tiny pale nymphs hatch six to ten weeks later and drop to the soil. There, they burrow in for years. While in the soil, the nymphs feed on the roots of many kinds of trees. Cicadas are sometimes incorrectly called harvest flies (but theyre not flies) or locusts (which are grasshoppers). Learn about singing insects, including crickets, katydids, and cicadas, at Lake Crabtree County Park on July 30. When do cicadas emerge in NC? Cicada larvae begin making their way from their underground nests to shed their shells starting early June and ending late September, Knue 101.5 reported. In North Carolina, annual cicadas come out during the hottest days of the year, which are often in July and August. A periodical brood is not expected in our state 2023 (though some have been popping up early in the Asheville area). But remember, the annual cicadas show up every year, so that doesnt mean NC is cicada-free. There is a massive emergence expected in 2024, Gene Kritsky, dean of behavioral and natural sciences at Mount St. Joseph University, told Asheville.com. A cicada nymph emerges from its exoskeleton shell. Do summertime cicadas mean more copperheads? No, the presence of cicadas does not mean more copperheads. What it may signify is a greater opportunity for people to see copperheads at times, Hall stressed. This is especially true around oak trees, which support good populations of cicadas. Thats because cicadas primarily in the nymph or larval form, although they also will eat freshly molted adults are a common prey item for copperheads. As cicadas are emerging, copperheads may congregate in numbers to take advantage of the relatively easy meal of nymph cicadas emerging from the soil and climbing up the trees to shed their skins and morph into adults, Hall said. Copperheads are most active at dusk this time of year, hoping to beat the sweltering daytime heat like the rest of us. This also corresponds to the time that cicada nymphs often emerge to go through metamorphosis (though some do this during daytime). Juvenile copperhead. Note the yellow-tipped tail. (Safely) watch copperheads, cicadas this summer Cicadas can be pretty much anywhere theres soil and trees, though they especially love large oaks. If you have large oak trees on your property and you notice large numbers of cicada nymph skins left behind from molting, you might go out in the evening just around dark or a little after and see if you get a glimpse of this fascinating interaction between copperheads and cicadas, Hall said. Be safe about it make sure you have a good light and watch your step as you investigate. But you might be treated to some really amazing wildlife theater! How to identify a copperhead snake Adult copperheads have the following characteristics: Pattern: The hourglass-shaped patterns on their backs look like Hersheys Kisses. It can be tricky to rely just on markings, especially if you havent seen many copperheads in person or you only caught a quick glimpse of it. There can be a lot of variation in color and pattern with flecks and specks between the kisses, said Talena Chavis, certified wildlife relocation expert and owner of NC Snake Catcher in Cary. Color: Copperheads are brownish-gray. They easily camouflage within dry leaves and wood debris. Newborn or very young copperheads have the same color and pattern as adults, but their brightly tipped tails make them stand out. It has a light brown, coppery or tan (sometimes grayish or pinkish tan) background color, with strongly contrasting chestnut brown crossbands shaped like an hourglass or dumbbell, the Wildlife Resources Commission says. Length: Adult copperheads can grow to about three feet long. For a detailed look at the copperhead snake, visit newsobserver.com/news or ncwildlife.org. Its baby copperhead season in NC. Heres what to know about the juvenile snakes Why copperhead snakes like coming onto our front porches and how to keep them away Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is about to open a mental health facility in College Hill that will make the hospital the largest inpatient mental health provider of any childrens hospital in the United States. The William K. Schubert, M.D., Mental Health Center at 5642 Hamilton Ave. is more than two-thirds larger than the Cincinnati Children's center it replaces, with 83 private rooms for patients that can accommodate overnight space for families and privacy for families' involvement in their chilldren's progress, hospital officials said. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was planned for 9:30 a.m. Friday, with a move-in date set for Oct. 18 and outpatient clinics to transition there Oct. 16. William K. Schubert, M.D., Mental Health Center in College Hill, a Cincinnati Children's facility. Pediatric mental illness is one of the most pressing health issues of our time, Dr. Steve Davis, president & CEO of Cincinnati Childrens said in a statement announcing the ribbon-cutting. These children deserve our best ideas, our most courageous strategies, our long-term commitment, and our utmost compassion. With the opening of this facility, we have another tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients, families and staff in terms of improved access and the quality of care we deliver. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The 160,000 square foot building was made possible through a $30 million donation from the Convalescent Hospital Fund for Children, which provided an additional $6 million donation to for programmatic needs. Total cost of the project was $108 million, according to hospital officials. Design features of the new center include: A Family Resource Center providing families support space where they can find and review mental health information and resources, make calls, use a computer, or take a break throughout the visit. An enhanced educational center offering programs including as Therapeutic Crisis Intervention a trauma-sensitive approach to caring for kids who are experiencing a crisis. Therapeutic treatment spaces designed around the concept of moving patients throughout the building much like they would experience in school providing them with different views throughout the day. A room at Cincinnati Children's new William K. Schubert, M.D., Mental Health Center in College Hill. Michael Sorter, director of the division of Cincinnati Children's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry called the building "a giant step forward" in what Cincinnati Children's will be able to do for children and families. He said the center will house an expanding group of evidence-based programs that will provide the most advanced care for children and adolescents. Surge in youth mental health concerns coincides with opening The center's opening comes during a nationwide youth mental health crisis that has reached into Greater Cincinnati. More: How hard is it for Cincinnati kids to get mental health help? 2,000 are waiting on 1 list While the new center will allow for the care of many more kids than the current one, Dr. Joe Luria, Cincinnati Children's vice president of mental health operations, said the best way to address the need for more mental health care is through prevention, early detection and early treatment. That's done best in schools, primary care offices and the hospital's outpatient sites, he said. Luria noted that Cincinnati Childrens is helping to address the need, with therapists in schools, supporting integrated behavioral health in primary care offices and developing new outpatient mental health sites. The hospital opened one in Norwood in October 2020 and is planning an East Side facility, expected to open in two years. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Children's to open William K. Schubert Mental Health Center A handful of civil rights advocacy groups that were called on to help Lexington police craft policy around their new camera software system are not in agreement on whether the department should be using the program at all. Fusus, a camera software that allows the city to link traffic cameras, license plate readers and privately-owned security cameras on a voluntary basis, has been heralded as an impactful investigative tool to solve crimes quicker, according to Lexington police Chief Lawrence Weathers. But even as the city has made efforts to listen to outside groups, concerns over privacy remain. Obviously privacy is a big issue for us, said Kungu Njuguna, a policy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union in Kentucky. Its our wish that they would not use Fusus. Its not something that we support in terms of mass surveillance. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Lexington police met with the ACLU, the NAACP and the Lexington Human Rights Commission on April 11 to show them the Fusus software and address any concerns. The meeting occurred about one week before Mayor Linda Gorton publicly announced she was designating $150,000 in the city budget to implement the program. Njuguna said one of the ACLUs biggest concerns was the camera integration process, which gives police live access to any camera in the city that has been opted into the system. At its height, that means the government can have someone on camera at almost every second of every moment of every day, and thats concerning, Njuguna said. People who have not been accused of any crime are literally under surveillance at all times of the day everywhere they go within Lexington. Lexington police said earlier this week only authorized personnel have access to the cameras within the system. Police say they will only use those private cameras if theyre within range of a call for service. Njuguna said police did listen to the ACLUs concerns and altered some of their policies at the ACLUs request, so the organization is hopeful to see positive results. For the most part they made the changes we requested, Njuguna said. Its kind of like if youre going to do a bad thing, at least you do it in the least bad way. Susan Straub, a spokesperson for the mayors office, said she wasnt aware of the ACLU expressing concerns directly to the mayor but the mayor was willing to meet with the organization if needed. Other groups support police use of Fusus While the ACLU has concerns about privacy, representatives of the NAACP and the Lexington Human Rights Commission came away from Aprils meeting feeling good about Lexington polices use of Fusus. Whit Whitaker, president of the of the NAACP in Lexington, said it could be a good tool for law enforcement as long as its used appropriately. What we support is any tool that helps to deter crime, and that its used in an honest and equitable way, and that it has deep audit controls and policies to prevent misuse, Whitaker said. Whitaker couldnt say whether or not he trusts police to use the technology responsibly. He also added that communication and transparency needs to be a continued priority regardless of whether Fusus is used successfully. Regardless of whether or not the program works, you have to take in consideration peoples feelings, Whitaker said. Raymond Sexton, director of the Lexington Human Rights Commission, said they looked at the issue of new surveillance technology through the perspective of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability and other protected classes at the meeting and came away feeling good about Fusus. There was nothing said or done in that meeting to raise any red flags, that this would adversely impact a particular group of people, Sexton said. Sexton said he appreciated Lexington police for seeking their feedback. He said they also sought the commissions feedback when they introduced body-worn cameras and the Flock license plate readers. Theyre pretty good at reaching out to us and getting our feedback before (doing) something that could be controversial, Sexton said. Police policy limits access to cameras Only authorized personnel have access to the camera registry and its only available in the real-time intelligence center, according to police. The coordinator of the intelligence center will choose who gets to access the footage, and regular audits will be conducted to ensure the video is used correctly, according to the police departments policy on managing the system. The coordinator of the intelligence center is picked by the police chief. Footage from traffic cameras will be held for 60 days while footage from the city-owned video system will be held for 30 days, according to the departments policy. Footage linked to a criminal investigation will be stored in the digital evidence management system, according to police. Camera registry data wont be available to police either, only the camera owner. Additionally, Fusus policy only allows camera owners to adjust their cameras settings, and they cannot be overridden by police. Hundreds of cameras added to system Businesses, community partners and citizens have the option to include their cameras into the Fusus software if they choose, and some already have police said 201 cameras had been either registered or integrated into their system Wednesday. By Friday morning that number had eclipsed 400, according to police data. When residents register their camera, it lets police know where the camera is, but doesnt give investigators access to the camera feed. Integrating a camera does give them access to the feed, which police say will only be used when an incident occurs nearby. Read the full article on Motorious Choose from a Modern Camaro SS, '66 Mustang, Willys & 20s Fords. Get ready, classic car enthusiasts! The much-anticipated Billings Sale by Classic Car Auctions is right around the corner, and this year it's setting the collector world abuzz with an unparalleled lineup of vintage gemsall at no reserve. Whether you're an investor, a hobbyist, or just someone who appreciates the artistry and engineering of yesteryears, this auction promises a rare opportunity to acquire iconic models without a minimum price tag. From elegant roadsters to muscle-bound coupes, this event is not just a sale; it's a celebration of automotive history. So mark your calendar, rev up your passion, and prepare to bid on timeless classics that could drive straight into your collection. Stay tuned as we delve into the compelling lots that will soon go under the hammer. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 1928 Ford Model A Step back in time with this stunning 1928 Ford Model A 2 Door Sedan, a true testament to the golden era of American automotive history. Set to go under the hammer with no reserve, this beauty boasts an alluring Blue on Black exterior accented by tasteful gray pinstripes and matching gray wheelsa color palette that conjures nostalgia while commanding attention. Skillfully restored at an unspecified point in its storied life, the car's interior is no less impressive. Featuring gray upholstery that complements the exterior, the cabin offers both aesthetic and practical amenities. The floor is thoughtfully designed with both a rubber mat and carpet, optimizing comfort and reducing cabin noise for a serene driving experience. As described by the seller, this Model A remains "pretty much restored to original" and promises to be a "fun car to drive." Originating from a cherished collection in Central Montana, the car is now offered for sale due to the recent passing of its owner. Though details about its restoration history are limited, what's undeniable is the love and care that have gone into maintaining this classic. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of Americana at the upcoming Classic Car Auction's Billings Sale. This is a rare opportunity to bid on an enduring symbol of style and innovation, all without a minimum price tag. See it here. 1927 Ford Model T Roadster Hot Rod Gearheads and hot rod enthusiasts, buckle up for a thrilling ride down memory lane fused with modern horsepower! A show-stopping 1927 Ford Model T Roadster Hot Rod is ready to steal the spotlight at the upcoming Classic Car Auction's Billings Sale, with the incredible perk of no reserve. This isn't just a vintage car; it's a roaring testament to classic-meets-contemporary American muscle. Under the hood, this unique Model T boasts a 350 V8 engine paired with an automatic transmission, ensuring that it doesn't just look goodit performs. The custom exhaust adds an extra level of auditory exhilaration, making it as much a feast for the ears as it is for the eyes. Sporting Weld Racing rims and oversized 31x16.5 R15LT Hoosier tires, this hot rod is the epitome of retro cool with a modern twist. And the customizations don't stop there. The Roadster features a durable canvas top and a meticulously designed interior, complete with tilt steering for added comfort and control. However, as reported by the seller, potential bidders should note that the car does have weak brakes requiring attention and a rear-end leak. Like the 1928 Model A, this 1927 Model T Roadster also hails from a treasured collection in Central Montana. Sadly offered for auction due to the recent passing of its owner, the car embodies a lifetime of automotive passion. Information about its build may be limited, but its allure is unmistakable. If you're in the market for an eye-catching classic that packs a modern punch, look no further. This 1927 Ford Model T Roadster Hot Rod is a riveting blend of history and performance, all set to go under the hammer without a minimum bid. Don't miss your chance to own this American icon reimagined. See it here. 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS-RS Prepare for a modern thrill with a vintage soul: the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS-RS is revving up to join the lineup at the Classic Car Auction's Billings Sale. The most exhilarating part? This high-performance machine is set to sell at no reserve. If you've ever dreamed of owning a modern classic that combines heritage with horsepower, here's your chance. Equipped with a robust 6.2L V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, this Camaro isn't just about good looks; it's a powerhouse on wheels. Thanks to significant under-the-hood upgrades, it boasts an astonishing 580+ horsepower, ready to offer a driving experience that is nothing short of exhilarating. Adding to its appeal is the well-appointed leather interior, offering both comfort and style. The RS Package amplifies the allure, including HID headlights, a rear spoiler, and striking 20" wheels that complement its muscular build. Though it has a very clean interior, the exterior is in equally good condition, save for a minor dent on the lower driver doora small blemish on an otherwise immaculate canvas. As enthusiastically reported by the seller, "This car is beautiful! Runs great and moves Fast!" It's clear that performance and aesthetics combine to make this Camaro a truly compelling package. Coming from a prized collection in Central Montana, the car has been greatly enjoyed but is now being offered at auction following the recent passing of its owner. While specific information about the under-the-hood upgrades is limited, the car's reputation for speed speaks volumes. Don't miss the opportunity to own this modern marvel, melding iconic design with unrelenting power. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer looking to break into the car enthusiast world, this 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS-RS presents an unparalleled chance to acquire a piece of automotive brilliance without a minimum price tag. See it here. 1966 Ford Mustang GT Hardtop Prepare to fall in love with a piece of automotive history that's as American as apple piethe 1966 Ford Mustang GT Hardtop. This vintage gem is taking center stage at the 11th Annual Montana Classic Car Auction, hosted by the Classic Car Auction Group, and it comes with an added allure: no reserve. If you've ever harbored dreams of owning a Mustang, especially a GT with that iconic 289 V-8 engine, this is your moment. Under the hood, this Mustang boasts a 289 V-8 Engine paired with a 4-barrel carburetor, feeding your nostalgia while delivering robust performance. A 4-speed manual transmission enhances the driving experience, letting you feel every gear change, every rev, every pulse of American engineering. As reported, it's a "nice running car," a straightforward but telling endorsement of its mechanical condition. The car features a rust-free body, further solidifying its well-preserved status. Its interior is described as nice, though the carpet is in need of replacementa minor project for anyone eager to restore this beauty to showroom condition. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 2, in Billings, MT, and be sure to register to bid on this and other classic wonders at the auction. You can consign your own cars and register to bid at Classic Car Auction. Don't miss the opportunity to become the proud owner of this 1966 Ford Mustang GT Hardtop. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply someone who appreciates the allure of a classic American muscle car, this no-reserve lot offers an unrivaled opportunity to acquire a true legend of the open road. See it here. 1961 Willys Wagon Adventure, history, and restoration collide in the 1961 Willys Wagona true off-road classic that's set to excite bidders at the upcoming Classic Car Auction's Billings Sale. The best part? This iconic Jeep is available at no reserve, offering an unparalleled opportunity to acquire a piece of automotive and cultural history without a minimum bid. Completed around 2017, this Willys underwent a meticulous frame-off restoration that revitalized its every nut and bolt. It doesn't just look good; it drives like a dream. At its heart lies the Super Hurricane 6 Cylinder Engine, rebuilt to original glory and promising a drive that's as enjoyable as it is nostalgic. Even more impressive, this vehicle has been driven very little since its restoration and has been diligently stored indoors, safeguarded from the elements. The result? A "real nice" running machine that embodies the essence of the Willys legacy. Whether you're a seasoned collector, an off-road enthusiast, or simply someone with an eye for timeless classics, this 1961 Willys Wagon offers something special. It's not just a vehicle; it's a piece of American history, a symbol of the adventurous spirit that the Willys brand has epitomized for generations. Don't miss your chance to make this classic your own. Set to go under the hammer with no minimum price tag, it's a rare opportunity to own a fully restored, passionately preserved piece of Americana. This Willys Wagon promises to not just turn heads, but to steal hearts as well. See it here. The 11th Annual Montana Classic Car Auction takes place on September 2nd. This is an awesome bookend event to the summer Classic Car driving season in the Northern Rockies! Hosted by the Classic Car Auction Group, the 11th Annual Montana Classic Car Auction is held at the Metra Park Expo Center in Billings, Montana. This location provides a great indoor setting for the Auction with 100 cars expected. Register to bid online or in person. Along with the auction, attendees can take in the Burn the Point Weekend, a fundraiser for the Chase Hawks Memorial Association Crisis Fund. The event includes a classic car parade and street dance in downtown Billings Friday night and a classic car show Saturday, also at the Metra Park grounds. Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is the latest district to join in a national fight against social media platforms, alleging they harm childrens mental health and cause behavioral problems in classrooms. The districts board filed a lawsuit in federal district court Thursday against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram; Google; ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok; and Snap Inc., which owns Snapchat, to hold defendants accountable for the addictive nature of their social media products, according to a news release. The social media addiction has led to the district to provide more mental health resources to its student body, amid rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, according to the lawsuit, and now schools are struggling to meet the surging demand for mental health services. The Charlotte Ledger first reporter on the suit. The Boards decision to take legal action reflects our unwavering commitment to the welfare of our students and to ensure that social media corporations are held responsible for their contribution to the mental health challenges faced by CMS students, Elyse Dashew, CMS board chair, said in a news release. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Wall Street Journal reported in July that nearly 200 school districts had joined the litigation against social media platforms, along with hundreds of suits by families alleging harms to their children from social media. Other NC districts will join Janet Ward Black and Emily Beeson, of Ward Black Law in Greensboro, told The Charlotte Observer Friday they are representing additional school boards around North Carolina that will be filing suit in the near future. Black says CMS aims to initiate a transformation of the platforms to make them safer. The district also is seeking accountability and financial support. There is not a set monetary amount the schools are seeking, Spokesperson Hannah Gallagher told the Observer. They are looking for both funds to abate the crisis theyre facing and changes to the design of social media to avoid the harms that the products have been causing. Law firms in Baltimore, Delaware and San Francisco also are representing districts. Social media companies intentionally design their platforms to get young users addicted to their services and exploit their developing minds for profit, said Phil Federico, an attorney representing CMS. We plan to compel social media companies to fully address the harms caused by their platforms and compensate school districts for the resources theyve been forced to utilize to try and mitigate this youth mental health crisis. Lawsuit: kids struggling More than a third of 13- to 17-year-old kids report using one of the social media platforms, almost constantly and admit this is too much, according to the lawsuit. Yet more than half of the kids report they would struggle to cut back on their social media use. Suicide rates for youth have increased 57%, and emergency room visits for anxiety disorders have increased 117%, according to the lawsuit. In the decade leading up to 2020, there was a 40% increase in high school students reporting persistent sadness and hopelessness, and a 36% increase in those who attempted to take their own lives. In 2021, one in three girls seriously considered attempting suicide, according to the suit. The Wall Street Journal reports later this year a judge is expected to consider a tech companies motion to dismiss the cases on grounds the conduct allegedly causing the harm is protected under the internet liability shield known as Section 230. Congress approved Section 230 in 1996, which says that internet companies generally arent liable for third-party content on their sites. Spokespeople for Google, Snap and Meta told the Wall Street Journal that protecting kids is the core of their work. The Meta spokeswoman told the Journal: the company wants to work with schools and academic experts to better understand these issues and how social media can provide teens with support when they need it. Three Georgia Republicans who falsely claimed to be electors for Donald Trump and are now charged alongside him in a sprawling racketeering indictment brought by local prosecutors say they took the steps they did because Trump, then the sitting president, told them to. In a series of court filings this week, those false electors, who became part of Trump's last-ditch bid to subvert the 2020 election, said it was Trump and his campaign lawyers who urged them to sign the false documents, claiming they were necessary to preserve Trump's flailing court efforts to reverse his defeat to Joe Biden . That exhortation from Trump's campaign lawyers, they said, amounted to federal government permission to take the actions they did. The three false electors making the argument are David Shafer, a former state GOP chair; Shawn Still, now a state senator; and Cathleen Latham, a local GOP official. Mr. Still, as a presidential elector, was also acting at the direction of the incumbent president of the United States, an attorney for Still argued Thursday in a court filing seeking to transfer the case against him to federal court. The presidents attorneys instructed Mr. Still and the other contingent electors that they had to meet and cast their ballots on Dec. 14, 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Latham similarly argued that she was acting "at the direction. of the President of the United States." And Shafer in a similar petition seeking to move the Fulton County case to federal court contended that he "and the other Republican Electors in the 2020 election acted at the direction of the incumbent President and other federal officials. The filings underscore the strains and tensions likely to emerge as Trump and his 18 codefendants march toward trial. The three Republican activists say they should effectively be immune from state prosecution because they believed they were carrying out a federal function with the blessing of the incumbent president and a phalanx of his lawyers. Now, they stand charged with racketeering, forgery, and other crimes related to their decision to falsely claim to be legitimate presidential electors. In the weeks after his defeat at the polls to Biden, Trump and his campaign urged state and national GOP officials to assemble slates of would-be presidential electors in seven states where Trump had filed legal challenges to the results. Campaign attorneys and a cadre of outside lawyers including several charged alongside Trump in the indictment argued that those activists should meet and cast electoral votes on Trumps behalf on the same day the legitimate presidential electors met to vote for Biden. Though the Trump campaigns attorneys told many of them that the effort was necessary to preserve Trumps chances to prevail in ongoing legal challenges, Trump eventually used the existence of these illegitimate slates to provoke a controversy on Jan. 6, 2021, pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to recognize and count the unofficial electoral votes instead of Bidens. Prosecutors in those states and Washington, D.C., have scrutinized the false electors in numerous criminal probes. In Michigan, all 16 false electors were recently charged with felonies for their role in the effort. The three codefendants' arguments are part of an effort to pluck their cases out of the state courts and instead have their legal fate decided by a federal judge in the Northern District of Georgia. They contend that because Trump effectively instructed them to cast the ballots based in part on legal advice from campaign and party lawyers they were acting with the imprimatur of the federal government. That entitles them to immunity from state prosecution under the Constitutions supremacy clause, they say. Evidence amassed by the House Jan. 6 select committee as well as special counsel Jack Smith revealed that Trump called RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel a week before the Dec. 14 vote and put her on the phone with attorney John Eastman, a key driver of the false elector effort, to emphasize the importance of assembling the alternative slates. The bids by Latham, Shafer and Still have been less prominent than similar efforts by Mark Meadows, Trumps former chief of staff, and Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official, both of whom made failed emergency efforts to prevent the Fulton County district attorney from arresting them. U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones has set an Aug. 28 evidentiary hearing to consider Meadows effort and a Sept. 18 hearing to consider Clarks. The former president and his co-defendants Donald Trump made history once again on Thursday as the first-ever former US president to have a mugshot taken. However, the 45th president was far from the only notable face to have a booking photo taken this week. A handful of the other 19 defendants being charged in the case turned up earlier in the week for processing. Among them was Sidney Powell , a Trump campaign attorney, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani as well as former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows . Below we take a look at all 11 individuals and their relationship to the Georgia election case. Ms Powell, a Trump campaign attorney, is accused of accessing voter data in Coffee County and hiring the firm that accessed the voter system. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement She spread rhetoric about election fraud, even raising the supposed involvement of deceased Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez during a press conference with Mr Giuliani. Ms Powell faces seven counts, including two counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud. The former mayor of New York City had his mugshot taken after surrendering to the authorities in Georgia on Wednesday. Once Mr Trumps lawyer, he was at the forefront of the campaign claiming widespread fraud. Mr Guiliani has been charged with 13 counts, including violating multiple state laws as part of a criminal enterprise that pressured state officials to reverse Mr Trumps defeat. Mr Trumps former White House chief of staff and former North Carolina congressman is facing two counts in Georgia: one count of racketeering and one count of solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer. Mr Meadows was on the line during the infamous phone call that saw Mr Trump pressure Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find him more votes. Ms Ellis is a former member of Mr Trumps legal campaign team. She faces two counts: one count of racketeering and one count of soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer. Mr Eastment allegedly created the legal blueprint for Mr Trump to steal the 2020 election. He faces nine counts, including two counts of conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, and has a bond of $100,000. Mr Cheseboro, a Trump campaign attorney, allegedly orchestrated the fake electors plan. Among the seven counts against him are two counts of conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree and two counts of conspiracy to commit false statements and writings. As Georgia bail bondsman and Trump operative, Mr Hall allegedly took part in the scheme to illegally breach election equipment in Coffee County, Georgia. Hall is facing seven counts and has a $10,000 bond. Mr Shafer is a former state senator and Georgia GOP chair, now facing eight charges in relation to election fraud. They include one count of racketeering, three counts of false statements and writings, two counts of forgery in the first degree, one count of impersonating a public officer, and one count of attempting to commit filing false documents. As a Georgia Lawyer, Mr Smith allegedly advised Mr Trumps fake electors and falsely testified to the state legislature that fraud had taken place in 2020. Mr Smith is facing 12 counts, including three counts of solicitation of violation of oath by public officer. As the former Coffee County Republican Party chairwoman, Ms Latham allegedly allowed the breach of the countys voter system. She is facing 11 counts, including two counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud. Mr Floyd, the executive director of Black Voices for Trump, allegedly took part in the movement to pressure Ruby Freeman to falsely confess voter fraud. Floyd was charged with three counts and his bond has not yet been set. Earlier this year, he was charged with attacking an FBI agent working on the Justice Departments investigation. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The Aurora City Council recently approved an amendment to the citys HOME program to pave the way for the completion of two affordable housing projects. The council last year approved using $2.9 million of its HOME Investment Partnerships allocation toward the projects along with $600,000 from its Community Development Block Grant funds, both federally funded programs. Advertisement The projects involve remodeling two former West Aurora elementary schools into a total of 47 workforce housing units, a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The units will be in the two former schools - the old Lincoln School at 641 S. Lake St., and the former Todd School at 100 Oak Ave. - as well as a new building that has been built next to the former Lincoln School. Advertisement The projects also include a 5,000-square-foot public health facility, to be run by VNA Health of Aurora, to provide free and subsidized care and community-based initiatives for use of residents with West Aurora School District school-age children. The VNA Health facility will be at the former Todd School location. The projects are being developed by Oak Brook-based Visionary Ventures, and will be owned and managed by Fox Valley Apartments, which also will be the name of the buildings. The projects were structured as a three-entity partnership between the city, Visionary Ventures and Fox Valley Apartments. Chris Ragona, Community Development manager in the citys Community Development Division, has said federal officials want the HOME money to only flow to the property owner - Fox Valley Apartments - and not to the developer, Visionary Ventures. According to Ragona, the amendment will remove the developer from the flow of funds documentation so that the funds are shown as being provided by the city directly to the property owner. Ragona said HOME funds are just one of 11 funding sources being used for the work at the two former schools. He said the amendment would not change the funding provided, the rent limits and utility allowances, the rule saying the units will remain affordable housing for 30 years, and the citys ability to enforce requirements of the HOME program, and to monitor and assist tenants. Ragona told the City Council recently the work at the former Lincoln and Todd schools should be finished by early January 2024, with full leasing of the properties by next spring. Advertisement The housing is for working people, who must pass background checks and income-eligibility requirements, as authorized by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The state group has made available to the developers low-income housing tax credits to fund the bulk of the development. Visionary Ventures has said the apartment units will be a mix of studio, and one-, two- and three-bedroom units for tenants at 30% to 60% of the areas median income. That means the units are for people making between $18,000 and $63,000 a year, depending on family size. Tenants would pay for electricity for lights, cooking and air conditioning, and the landlord would pay for heat, water, sewer and garbage pickup. slord@tribpub.com Columbia artist Jenny McGee speaks Wednesday night at Les Bourgeois Winery during Columbia's celebration of the arts event from the city's Office of Cultural Affairs and the Columbia Arts Fund. McGee's collage print of the Katy Trail was selected as the 2023 City of Columbia commemorative poster. When people think of outdoor activities in Columbia and Boone County, they may end up at a park, hiking, rock climbing or even riding their bike on the Katy Trail. The trail is one community feature Columbia artist Jenny McGee chose among various scenes from Boone County to highlight through the medium of paper collages. One of her versions of the Katy Trail was selected for this year's City of Columbia Commemorative poster. "I love and appreciate the value of the Katy Trail and what it brings to our community. It is such an asset," McGee said. "It (also) is meaningful to my family. We have biked on the Katy and taken so many trips as a family on the Katy. It is a conduit to health and wellbeing." McGee was honored in a ceremony Wednesday night at Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport. Also recognized was Jill Womack, founding executive artistic director of Theater Reaching Young People and Schools, or TRYPS. Womack was unable to attend, but the award was accepted on her behalf by Corey Dunne, the theater's new executive artistic director. Columbia artist Jenny McGee's medium is in collages and one she made of the Katy Trail was selected as the City of Columbia's commemorative poster for 2023. She was honored in a ceremony Wednesday night at Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport. The Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs each year selects a piece of art to serve as the city's commemorative poster, intended to "showcase the vitality and beauty of mid-Missouri and the significance of the arts." The poster program started in 1992. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement McGee is offering 5x7-inch prints for just the cost of shipping. This includes the Katy Trail collage she made for the 2023 poster. Other options include The Burr Oak at McBaine and the Columns at the University of Missouri. The Celebration of the Arts is an event organized by Office of Cultural Affairs and the Columbia Arts Fund. The office oversees annual arts funding supported through city funds. The Columbia Arts Fund is part of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri. It's an endowment fund also created by the city in which to support individuals and organizations in the arts. Guests at the 2023 Columbia Celebration of the Arts on Wednesday look at an art print collage of the Katy Trail created by Columbia artist Jenny McGee. Her piece was selected as the City of Columbia commemorative poster. McGee was born in the Phillipines in 1978, but was raised in Missouri. She spent a portion of her life in El Salvador in Central America. She is a breast cancer survivor and an event program notes she uses her art "as a tool to express emotions and emulate the courage and beauty found within each of us." "(Boone County) is an incredible place to be an artist and to live in, and it is also such an honor to join the group of other artists who have this award. Columbia just welcomed me with the most open heart, from healing facilities for cancer, to art facilities at Orr Street to Access Arts to Columbia Art League," she said about when she moved to the city 12 years ago. "It is such an honor to know that the proceeds of this poster goes to support the arts." This and past years' posters dating back to 1992 can be purchased from the Columbia Convention and Visitor's Bureau at 300 S. Providence Road. Corey Dunne, TRYPS Children's Theater executive artistic director, accepts a special recognition Wednesday on behalf of Jill Womack, TRYPS founder and emeritus executive artistic director, while choking back tears during the 2023 Columbia Celebration of the Arts at Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport. TRYPS originally was conceived when Womack was studying her master's in fine arts at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. She then brought it to Columbia, founding the youth theater in 1999. "During her tenure, Womack produced and directed over 100 productions and raised over $4 million for the company through education programming, plays, outreach, grants and events" said Mayor Barbara Buffaloe. "She has touched the lives of thousands of young people across mid-Missouri. She created a safe space for children to be themselves." Dunne, who took on the theater directorship 13 months ago after Womack's retirement, is the person who nominated Womack for the annual arts celebration special recognition. "I have worked on-and-off with TRYPS since 2006. So, Jill has also been a huge part of my life. It is not just your children, your families, your friend's children who have been touched by her, but me as well. My life has completely changed and I would not be here or who I am without her," Dunne said, choking back tears. "Thank you, Jill, for that." Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 2023 City of Columbia commemorative poster is Katy Trail collage In the first couple of years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter Hotez, an expert in vaccines and tropical medicine at Baylor University, found Twitter to be "a useful and at times almost essential tool for timely and important exchange of information." The platform banned the most aggressive anti-vaccine and anti-science trolls, leaving a relatively safe space "for mainstream physicians, epidemiologists, and biomedical scientists to share their unpublished findings" or make others aware of recent postings on professional sites. After Elon Musk acquired the site in October 2022, he reopened its gates to trolls trying to counteract sound science with misinformation and outright lies and attacking responsible researchers with harassment and death threats. (He has also rebranded the site as "X," for no discernible reason.) Twitter has become such a toxic place that you almost wonder, when is it no longer constructive to post on it. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Timothy Caulfield, University of Alberta "Now its just a cesspool of trolls and bots" dispensing hate, Hotez says. He no longer allows users to post replies to his tweets because of the trolls' torrent of "death threats and fascination with Nazi and other hate symbols." And he has reduced all his activities online. Hotez is not alone in mourning the disintegration of this once-indispensable social media platform. Scientists are abandoning X in droves, according to a recent survey by Nature. Of the survey respondents, "more than half reported that they have reduced the time they spend on the platform in the past six months and just under 7% have stopped using it altogether." The survey attributed the decline in usage to Musk's "largely unpopular changes to Twitter, including cutting down on content moderation; ditching its blue-check verification system in favor of one that grants paying members additional clout and privileges; charging money for access to data for research; [and] limiting the number of tweets users can see." And it was conducted before Musk said the platform would eliminate the ability to block harassers. Concerns about the decline of X as a source of reliable information extends beyond the scientific and academic communities. During the apparent coup attempt in Russia in June, journalists noticed its relative uselessness at helping them find real-time, breaking information from the ground and sifting fact from fakery, due in part to Musk's trashing of its account verification system. Public safety officials such as weather forecasters and emergency managers have expressed fears that the site's deterioration will interfere with their efforts to disseminate urgent messages to residents of a crisis zone and inundate them instead with dangerous misinformation from unverified but seemingly genuine accounts. Read more: Column: The Damar Hamlin injury provokes a wave of ignorant anti-vaccine propaganda Sure enough, during the Maui fires, X quickly became filled with conspiracy theories about the disaster's cause. Still, it's in the scientific and academic communities where Twitter's onetime promise seems to have evaporated the most. Only a few years ago, using Twitter "became almost the norm," says Timothy Caulfield, an expert in science communication at the University of Alberta and a veteran debunker of pseudoscience. "Academics and scholars were encouraged to go to places like Twitter to build their community, to disseminate their research and to create content the general public, policy-makers and the media could access." As long ago as 2014, Twitter stood out in a Nature survey as a general, nontechnical social media site that researchers could consult on their own initiative to follow discussions, discover peers and content, post their own work and follow and comment on scientific discussions. By late 2022, in the pre-Musk period, more than a third of all scientific papers were getting tweeted, according to a group of European researchers; in the first 12 months of the pandemic, they found, "more than half of all journal articles on COVID-19 ... were mentioned at least once on Twitter." Despite the political discord caused by the pandemic, Twitter remained a valued "sounding board, megaphone and common room," Nature reported last December, calling the platform "a place to broadcast research findings, debate issues in academia and interact with people who they wouldnt normally meet up with." By then, however, scientists were already anxious about the platform's continued value as a communications tool. Read more: Column: By embracing anti-Fauci and QAnon conspiracies, Musk tests how low Twitter can sink Almost immediately after taking ownership of Twitter on Oct. 27, Musk eviscerated its content moderation team. On Nov. 23, Twitter announced that it is "no longer enforcing the COVID-19 misleading information policy," which had been in place since early 2021 and was crucial in suppressing dangerous disinformation about the pandemic. For some researchers, the last straw was a Dec. 11 Musk tweet in which he stated, "My pronouns are prosecute/Fauci." The tweet did more than mock the LGBTQ+ rights movement, members of which often post their preferred pronouns online; it aligned Musk with the witless efforts of right-wingers like Florida's buffoonish Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, to turn Anthony Fauci, a revered expert in virology and immunology, into a villain even a putative criminal because of his advocacy of sound anti-pandemic policies. University of Washington biologist Carl T. Bergstrom wrote on the social media platform Mastodon that Musk's tweet was "the straw that broke the camel's back" for him, prompting him to leave Twitter. "You can't have meaningful and productive scientific collaboration on a platform run by a right-wing troll who denies science when its results are inconvenient to him and just simply to hear his audience cheer," Bergstrom wrote. Fauci had already received death threats from members of this benighted group, resulting in the government placing him under the protection of armed federal agents. Asked about the Musk tweet, Fauci labeled Twitter, accurately, "a cesspool of information." Read more: Column: Elon Musk's engagement with the far right on Twitter is out of control Musk's vast reach on Twitter, Fauci said, "stirs up a lot of hate in people who have no idea why theyre hating theyre hating because somebody like that is tweeting about it." That's not to say that the platform was ever devoid of misinformation or even harassment, Hotez and Caulfield agree. But the tools existed to wean them out, and the balance of good versus bad tended to tip toward the former. "In the early days, 10% to 20% of the replies and engagement I got were negative trolls and harassment," Caulfield told me. "Now, it's 90%, and for some of my posts, 100% trolls, harassment, death threats." Topics that have been infected with right-wing ideology bring out the most toxic responses, Caulfield says, such as vaccines, LGBTQ+ issues and climate change. "Twitter has also always been a forum for threats against scientists, but its gotten worse under Elon," agrees Angela Rasmussen, a virologist who studies the virus that causes COVID-19. "Previously, enough threats would result in suspension or removal from the platform. Now its a free for all, with people openly threatening others with physical and sexual violence, saying unguardedly bigoted things and unambiguous hate speech, and sometimes getting unvarnished praise from Elon for doing so." Today the question in many scientists' minds is where to find an alternative to X. There's no scarcity of choices the social media sites Mastodon, Spoutible, Bluesky and Threads (a service of Meta) have all offered themselves as Twitter-like platforms, as have many others. But none has yet come close to the critical mass of users that the old Twitter assembled, nor the ability to curate one's own set of accounts to follow or followers to accept. Most lack the ease of use valued by experienced Twitter users. And the very abundance of options works against any one of them supplanting X in the near term. As a result, many scientists and other users are hanging on to X, hoping that a single alternative will emerge or, more optimistically, that X's glide path will be reversed before it becomes utterly worthless. Caulfield, like many other users, already has found himself thinking harder before tweeting about research that might draw out the trolls, racists, Nazis and other ghouls whom Musk has welcomed back onto the platform. "Twitter has become such a toxic place that you almost wonder, when is it no longer constructive to post on it," Caulfield says. "It's gotten really dark. I've always thought that if we leave, we just make room for more trolls, more misinformation, more rage, and to have science-informed content on Twitter remains important, because you don't want the dark forces to win. That's still my position, but I'm wavering." Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Rep. Burgess Owens , R-Utah, speaks at The Dollars and Sense of Second Chance Hiring: A Utah Employer Engagement Forum, hosted by Right on Crime, at the Little America in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Rep. Burgess Owens said Congress should take a lesson from the Beehive state in developing the right attitude towards reforming the criminal justice system. Utah is a place of empathy, Owens said. This is the place where we can make the changes that were talking about with criminal justice because we have the heart and we have the ability to articulate what it looks like and examples of what it looks like. Owens drew on his background as someone who grew up in the deep south and who went on to win a Super Bowl as a member of the motley crew Oakland Raiders, to describe the importance of having a culture of second chances, particularly when it comes to hiring those who have run afoul of the law. We are a nation of second chances, Owens told the Deseret News after. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He said there should be more opportunities for those who have been in prison, who have made sure theyve changed their thought process, that want to go out and just have a chance to build their own dreams. And we should be a country that allows that to happen. The congressman, who has represented Utahs 4th Congressional District since 2021, was the final keynote speaker at Tuesdays Right on Crime employer engagement forum. He spoke before a room of around a hundred business executives, law enforcement officers, formerly incarcerated individuals and community activists who were gathered in The Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Brett Tolman, Right on Crime executive director, and Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, talk at The Dollars and Sense of Second Chance Hiring: A Utah Employer Engagement Forum, hosted by Right on Crime, at the Little America in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, speaks at The Dollars and Sense of Second Chance Hiring: A Utah Employer Engagement Forum, hosted by Right on Crime, at the Little America in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Brett Tolman, Right on Crime executive director, moderates. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, signs an autograph for Garrett Eschrich at The Dollars and Sense of Second Chance Hiring: A Utah Employer Engagement Forum, hosted by Right on Crime, at the Little America in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, speaks at The Dollars and Sense of Second Chance Hiring: A Utah Employer Engagement Forum, hosted by Right on Crime, at the Little America in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Brett Tolman, Right on Crime executive director, moderates. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Speakers and panelists included Right on Crimes executive director and former U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman, Mike Mower, a senior advisor to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, representatives of the Utah Department of Corrections and founders of nonprofits aimed at easing the transition from prison to self-reliance. Our hope is to impact each individual state, and this country, in a positive way, providing policy changes, data and research to affect the criminal justice system, Tolman said at the top of the program. And one of the most important ways to lower recidivism, to reduce crime in our communities, is also the exact same way that you restore hope in your communities and the fabric and strength of your families, and that is through gainful employment. Started as a national campaign of the conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation in 2007, Right on Crime supports conservative policies that save taxpayer funds by focusing on reforming offenders and decreasing the likelihood of repeat offenses. The organization has a lobbying and organizing influence in 14 states, including Utah, and hopes to expand to 25 states in coming years. Tuesdays event sought to educate local business leaders and those already involved in offender-reentry programs about the win win situation that exists when the current labor shortage meets the untapped labor potential of formerly incarcerated individuals who are often discriminated against in hiring processes. Utahns face a grave reality when leaving prison. If we expect to reduce crime and create safer communities, we must provide opportunities for redemption, Katie Stahl, Right On Crimes Utah Director, said in a statement. Stahl explained that the forum was intended to bring together Utah employers with existing public programs, resources, and agencies to bridge the gaps and create opportunities for dependable and engaged employees. While making reference to his time as an Oakland Raider, Owens said the topics being discussed at the forum were his true passion and are what motivated his run for public office in the first place. If my legacy is about the NFL, then Ive failed, he said. My legacy should be about education. Its about giving the next generation the chance to truly live their dreams. Owens said he sees education as the most important factor to breaking cycles of recidivism, which is why when he entered office his first priority was to join the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which also oversees the countrys juvenile justice system. Dave Durocher, The Otherside Academy executive director, shakes hands with Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, at The Dollars and Sense of Second Chance Hiring: A Utah Employer Engagement Forum, hosted by Right on Crime, at the Little America in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Owens work as founder of the Utah-based nonprofit Second Chance 4 Youth, which educates young people in employment skills with the goal of putting an end to intergenerational incarceration, was praised by the executive director of The Other Side Academy, David Durocher, who said Owens embodied the concept of second chance hiring because he hired some of the academys graduates. And Owens was lauded by Tolman as one of Congress few champions on the issue of criminal justice reform. But when asked about specific things he would do in Congress to reform the justice system, Owens said voters were responsible for sending legislators to Washington, D.C., that have this sense of empathy and returned the conversation to Utah, emphasizing the need for the states penchant for innovation to be applied to criminal justice reform at the local level. Utah, theres no better state that understands what empathy is all about, a second chance with hard work and innovation, Owens said. So we can be literally the tip of the spear in terms of criminal (justice) reform, and I look forward to being part of that process. When I think of people like Gov. Ron DeSantis, and others, who are trying to delete or bury the history of African Americans, I am encouraged by the efforts of those like Dr. Marvin Dunn and Dinizulu Gene Tinnie, who fight tirelessly to keep our history alive for future generations. On Aug. 16, during the heat of the day, the 83-year-old Dunn, a noted retired professor and historian, led a Teach the Truth protest march from Booker T. Washington High School in Overtown to the Miami-Dade County School Board, which is about three miles south of the school. And Tinnie, also a noted historian who has studied the Middle Passage and the African slave trade, encourages the descendants of enslaved African to join him each year on the second Sunday in June at Virginia Key Beach for the annual Sunrise Ancestral Remembrance of the Middle Passage. The event is held to remember the souls who died as they lay bound together in chains in the belly of slave ships on their way to America. Many Africans did not survive the journey and died due to the inhumane way they were treated aboard those ships. Tinnie doesnt want us to forget hence the early-morning annual celebration, where African descendants are encouraged to bring fruits to be placed on a raft made of tree branches and palm leaves. Some attendees also bring flowers, which are laid on the raft along with the fruits. The gesture is a symbol of what the slaves did not have as they lay chained together, on their way to a future of more bondage and certain death by the violence of slavery. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Near the end of the commemoration at Virginia Key, the tallest men in the group of attendees carry the raft as far as they can and then push it out to sea. It is a sad and sacred sight to watch as the waves carry the raft out to deeper waters. Once while standing on the shoreline watching the ritual, I wondered how many of my ancestors were caught up in the slave trade. I thought of what their contributions would have been to help make America ever greater and this world a better place, had not they been brought to these shores as slaves. It is a blessing, yet sad, to know that neither I nor my children or grandchildren will ever know the depths of the pain the slave trade caused my ancestors as well as all humanity. According to Tinnie, Aug. 23 was the designated day to commemorate the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. The day is observed globally. However, Sunday, Aug. 27, is the day that the remembrance will include Key West and the abolitionists who fought against all odds to rescue and save many Africans from a horrible life of slavery. Omowale Osunkoya, center, Ricardo Martinez and Dinizulu Gene Tinnie, right, salute the offerings that the ocean takes away during the Annual Sunrise Ancestral Remembrance of the Middle Passage on June 17 , 2006. The ceremony honors the land and the Native populations as well as the memory of the millions who perished during the forced ocean crossing over the centuries. According to Tinnie, it was in 1808 that further importation of African captives into the U.S. was outlawed. This was done largely because of the success of the Haitian Revolution, which was mainly fought and won by African-born enslaved laborers. At that time, Key West served as a vital stopover for ships engaged in the coastwide domestic slave trade routes from the Upper to the Lower South. Although being thrust in the midst of the highly profitable and perverted commerce of trading and selling human beings as though they were livestock, Tinnie said Key Westerners took another route and their city became a haven and refuge for Africans rescued from becoming slaves. It is unknown just how many Africans were saved from being sold on auction blocks into a life of brutality and slavery. In 1827, the African survivors of the illegal Spanish slave ship Guerrero, which was wrecked just off Key Largo, were rescued by salvors who brought them to Key West. And in 1860, on the eve of the Civil War, 1,432 Africans aboard three American-owned slave ships bound for Cuba were captured by the U.S. Navy and were also brought to Key West. There their detention for 12 weeks became a national sensation among journalists and curiosity-seekers, and it heightened the debate about slavery in the U. S. Congress. It was during the Africans detention that the citizens of Key West, as well as government officials including U.S. Marshal Fernando Moreno, showed their generosity to the Africans by providing food, clothing and blankets. The people of Key West even built housing for the African refugees. Even so, Tinnie said, 295 of the rescued Africans, mostly children and youths, never lived to be returned to Africa. They died due to the horrible conditions they endured on the slave ships, and they were buried at the site of the African Cemetery, where Sundays observance will be held. So as the sun sets Sunday (Aug. 27) on the southernmost shores of Key West, about 200 hundred people will gather at Key West African Cemetery at Higgs Beach on Atlantic Boulevard, to not only remember the slave trade that kept millions of Africans in bondage for nearly 250 years, but also to commemorate the lives of the Abolitionists, who fought against slavery. Tinnie said the International Remembrance has ... particular important in Key West, because of its geographic location as being the nations closest point to the major historic human trafficking routes known as the Middle Passage, or so-called transatlantic slave trade to the Americas as the Caribbean. The August 23 date commemorates the beginning of the Haitian Revolution in 1791, to underscore the fact that the primary and most successful Abolitionists were Africans themselves, who inspired powerful and courageous allies throughout the hemisphere and beyond, Tinnie said. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural organization (UNESCO) declared the international day in 1998, and it was first celebrated in Haiti that year before receiving global recognition. The commemoration program will include prayers, history-telling, performances, and an open-mic Village Talk. It is free and open to the public. Reach Bea L. Hines at bea.hines@gmail.com The claim: Marines neutralized a FEMA convoy fleeing Maui wildfires An Aug. 22 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a TikTok video of a woman reading a Real Raw News story aloud with a screenshot of the article in the background. United States Marines on Friday neutralized a FEMA convoy that fled fire-stricken Lahaina for Haleakala National Park, the woman reads. The post was shared more than 3,000 times in two days. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False A Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson says the claim is false. The claim originated from a website with a long history of publishing misinformation. Story is from website known for misinformation The claim is completely false, FEMA spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said in an email to USA TODAY. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The story, which was originally published Aug. 20 by Real Raw News, goes on to claim that after the Marines attacked the FEMA convoy, they downed a helicopter attempting to rescue the survivors from Mount Haleakala, the highest point on the Hawaiin island of Maui. Fact check: Maui fires spark baseless conspiracy theories about directed energy weapons Such an attack certainly would make headlines across the globe, but there have been no reputable news reports of it taking place. USA TODAY reached out to the Marines for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The Department of Defense is one of FEMAs strongest partners during disaster response and recovery efforts, Edwards said. The Maui wildfires which have killed at least 115 people and destroyed more than 2,800 structures across the island since Aug. 8 have become a consistent topic of misinformation. USA TODAY has debunked claims the fires were started by a light beam, were linked to artificial intelligence and were intentionally set. Real Raw News routinely shares misinformation. It often publishes fabricated stories about "white hats" trying to undermine "the deep state" either with acts of violence or by arresting government officials and other high-profile people. A disclaimer on the website's "About Us" page states it contains humor, parody and satire. But that notice is not included in individual stories on the website. USA TODAY has previously debunked fabricated stories by Real Raw News, including false claims that the CEO of vaccine manufacturer Pfizer was arrested and that Russia destroyed all of its COVID-19 vaccines. USA TODAY reached out to Real Raw News and to the social media users who posted and shared the video for comment but did not immediately receive responses. The Associated Press and PolitiFact also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources: Jeremy Edwards, Aug. 23, Email exchange with USA TODAY Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, Marines did not attack FEMA convoy fleeing Maui fires | Fact check [Source] Three defendants have been ordered to pay conservative journalist Andy Ngo $300,000 for their role in the infamous milkshake attack that left him with a brain injury in 2019. The attack: Ngo, 36, was covering a protest organized by Rose City Antifa in Portland, Oregon, on June 29, 2019, when a mob began attacking him with eggs, containers and milkshakes reportedly infused with quick-dry cement. He was also punched, kicked and hit in the head with plywood hard-edged sign placards and carbon-hardened tactical gloves, as per his civil suit. More from NextShark: Myanmar swimmer withdraws from Tokyo Games as protest to ongoing coup The aftermath: Ngo was hospitalized for multiple injuries, including lacerations, bruises and a brain hemorrhage. He also suffered short-term memory issues, post-traumatic stress disorder and persistent anxiety as he continued to receive multiple threats. The compensation: On Monday, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai ordered the trio of no-show defendants Madison Denny Lee Allen, Corbyn Katherine Belyea and Sammich Overkill Schott-Deputy to each pay $100,000 in damages. Two other defendants, John Hacker and Elizabeth Renee Richter, were found not liable earlier this month. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ngos response: In a statement, Ngo, who now resides in London, described Mondays victory as a small vindication after the disappointing verdict on Hacker and Richter. He said collecting the damages will be a steep battle due to the defendants history of evasion, but he remains determined to hold Antifa and its members accountable for their violent attacks. More from NextShark: Kang Daniel apologizes after his comments about 'Street Woman Fighter' spark sexism accusations At least four people have been killed and others are being treated for gunshot wounds after a mass shooting at a popular bikers bar in Californias Orange County. The Orange County sheriff said those killed included the suspected gunman, identified by The Orange County Sheriffs Department as John Snowling, 59. Three people died and six others were injured before Snowling was killed by law enforcement. The fatal victims have been identified as John Leehey, 67, Tonya Clark, 49, and Glen Sprowl, 53. The incident began with a domestic dispute between the gunman and his wife. Snowling, a retired law enforcement officer with the Ventura Police Department, opened fire on his wife Marie Snowling and her dining companion. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Sheriff Don Barnes said on Thursday that Snowling then continued shooting indiscriminately. A man who approached Snwoling as the gunman retrieved more weapons from his vehicle was fatally shot. Ms Snowling had filed for divorce in December 2022, according to The Los Angeles Times. A neighbour of the couple told the outlet she had moved in with her ailing mother while Snowling was spending most of his time in Ohio, where he owned a property. Key Points Gunman was retired police officer, Orange County authorities told One weapon recovered from the scene, police say At least four dead in shooting at historic California biker bar Victims names are released 23:39 , Andrea Blanco The Orange County Sheriffs Department has identified the fatal victims as John Leehey, 67, Tonya Clark, 49, and Glen Sprowl, 53. We stand in mourning alongside the family and friends of Tonya, John and Glen. We continue to extend our sincerest condolences to all who knew and loved them, the department said in a statement on Friday. These three members of our community were tragically killed Wednesday in a shooting at Cooks Corner in Trabuco Canyon. Please join us in wishing their loved ones comfort during this extremely difficult time. Gunman in Cooks Corner shooting identified as retired police officer John Snowling 20:26 , Andrea Blanco The suspected gunman in Wednesday nights shooting at a bikers bar in California has been identified as retired police officer John Snowling. The Orange County Sheriffs Office said Snowling, a former officer from the City of Ventura, died during a confrontation with law enforcement. Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said he couldnt confirm whether Snowling was killed by deputies but said it was safe to assume so, local news station KTLA reports. The violence broke out around 7pm at the Cooks Corner bar. Four people, including the suspected gunman, were killed. Read more: Gunman in Cooks Corner shooting identified as retired police officer John Snowling Who was alleged gunman John Snowling? 18:56 , Andrea Blanco The suspected gunman was identified on Thursday as retired police officer John Snowling. The Orange County District Attorneys Office said that Snowling had been employed by the Ventura Police Department from 1984 until his retirement in 2014. According to an article published in 2012, Snowling led a patrol task force within the agency. Local media reports said that the incident began as a domestic dispute between the shooter and his wife, Marie Snowling. The Orange County Sheriffs Department said it was looking into reports that the suspect first shot his wife at the bar. Gunmans wife was wounded during the attack but survived 17:27 , Andrea Blanco Snowlings estranged wife Marie Snowling was shot during the altercation. Despite earlier reports that she had not survived the attack, her father William Mosby told The Orange County on Wednesday that Ms Snowling is recovering from her injuries at Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo. Her friend in the bar said she was shot in the lower jaw, Mr Mosby told the outlet. Im extremely relieved, what I heard was the worst. Mr Mosby described Snowling as a crazy husband who couldnt cope with Ms Snowlings request for a divorce. Who are the victims? 15:22 , Andrea Blanco Police only named one of the fatal victims: 67-year-old John Leehey of Irvine, California One of the other two victims was a woman dining near Marie Snowling, The woman exited the bar and reached the roadway before succumbing to her injuries. John Snowling travelled from Ohio to carry out the attack, officials say 15:18 , Andrea Blanco The Orange County Sheriffs Department said on Thursday that Snowling opened fire on his estranged wife Marie Snowling, her dining companion, and another man who approached him as Snowling tried to retrieve more weapons from his vehicle. Snowling then started shooting indiscriminately, police said. Snowling killed three people and wounded six others before he was taken down by police within minutes of starting the carnage. Marie Snowling, who was shot in the face, survived the shooting and is recovering in hospital. Sheriff Don Barnes said that Snowling did not exchange any words with his estranged wife before the violence unfolded. Mr Barnes highlighted that although the Cooks Corner may have been a bikers bar thirty years ago, it is now a place for families and the community to gather. Deputies were at the scene within two minutes and located Snowling in the parking lot of the Cooks Corner. He then reportedly began shooting at deputies with a shotgun and struck a patrol cars windshield. The four weapons seized by authorities had been purchased legally. Mr Barnes said Snowling travelled from Ohio, where he owned a property, before the shooting. A domestic dispute spilled into historic biker bar Cooks Corner. It ended with a mass shooting 13:30 , Andrea Blanco It began just like any other Wednesday night at the popular biker bar. Motorcycle riders and enthusiasts had gathered for drinks, food and fun with friends at Cooks Corner, one of the most famous biker bars and restaurants in southern California. But, this one night took a devastating turn when a gunman opened fire, leaving at least three people dead and many others injured. The Independents Faiza Saqib reports: What we know about the Cooks Corner biker bar shooting Three weapons seized by police 12:30 , Andrea Blanco A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation who spoke with the Los Angeles Times under the condition of anonymity said that Snowling had three guns: two handguns and a shotgun used during his confrontation with police. The Orange Countys Sheriff Office told KTLA on Thursday that it could not be confirmed whether Snowling was struck by deputies gunfire but that it was safe to assume so. More than 460 mass shootings in US this year so far 11:30 , Andrea Blanco So far this year, the US has witnessed at least 465 mass shootings, according to the nonprofit group Gun Violence Archive. The US crossed 400 shootings mark in July, the earliest ever recorded in a year since 2013, it said. The Independents Alex Woodward filed this report last month: Americas mass shooting crisis, in numbers John Snowlings estranged wife recovering from gunshot wound, family say 10:30 , Andrea Blanco Snowlings estranged wife Marie Snowling was shot during the altercation. Despite earlier reports that she had not survived the attack, her father William Mosby told The Orange County on Thursday that Ms Snowling is recovering from her injuries at Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo. Her friend in the bar said she was shot in the lower jaw, Mr Mosby told the outlet. Im extremely relieved, what I heard was the worst. Mr Mosby described Snowling as a crazy husband who couldnt cope with Ms Snowlings request for a divorce. Neighbour says John Snowling was standofish 09:30 , Andrea Blanco According to the Los Angeles Times, Marie Snowling filed for divorce in December 2022. A neighbour of the Snowlings told the Times that he believed the Snowlings marital issues stemmed from Ms Snowling wanting to go out more often, while her estranged husband wanted to stay at home. John was always kind of a standoffish kind of person, James Goldsmith, 68, told the outlet. He wasnt the most personable guy, not that I can say that there was anything really negative. He wasnt the type of neighbour that youd get the warm fuzzies from. Mr Goldmisth said that Ms Snowling had moved out and now lived with her mother after she filed for divorce last year. Snowling had recently bought a home in Ohio and was spending most of his time there, Mr Goldsmith said. I think it reached a point where it felt like life was passing her by because he didnt want to do anything, Mr Goldmisth told the Times. He would barely maintain the house. I think she wanted to have friends and live life and thats why I think she made the move that she did. Its sad that he couldnt allow that and let her live her own life. Estranged wife was the target, official says 08:30 , Andrea Blanco A law enforcement official who spoke about the shooting under the condition of anonymity told The New York Times that the suspected gunman was targeting his wife Marie Snowling when he carried out the Thursday attack at Cooks Corner. Ms Snowlings wife was injured but survived the attack, according to her father. John Snowling, a retired law enforcement officer, was killed during the confrontation. Three other people died in the carnage, while six others were wounded. WATCH: Witness describes scene following Cooks Corner shooting 07:30 , Andrea Blanco Authorities have yet to release victims names 05:30 , Andrea Blanco Four people were killed during the attack, and six others were injured during the violence. Two of the wounded remain in critical condition. Local officials have not identified the victims, but family members and friends have confirmed that Marie Snowling, the gunmans estranged wife, is among the injured. She is being treated for gunshot wounds. Im devastated, California senator calls for end to gun violence in America 04:30 , Andrea Blanco Expressing his sorrow after the shooting, California state Senator Dave Min issued a statement urging an end to the scourge of gun violence. Im devastated at the news of yet another mass shooting tonight, this time at Cooks Corner, a historic bar in the heart of Orange County, he said. Who was the alleged gunman? 03:30 , Andrea Blanco The suspected gunman was identified on Thursday as retired police officer John Snowling. The Orange County District Attorneys Office said that Snowling had been employed by the Ventura Police Department from 1984 until his retirement in 2014. According to an article published in 2012, Snowling led a patrol task force within the agency. Local media reports said that the incident began as a domestic dispute between the shooter and his wife, Marie Snowling. The Orange County Sheriffs Department said it was looking into reports that the suspect first shot his wife at the bar. WATCH: Shooting at Cooks Corner in Orange County Friday 25 August 2023 00:30 , Andrea Blanco Ventura Police Department offers condolences to families of Cooks Corner shooting victims Thursday 24 August 2023 23:30 , Andrea Blanco The suspected gunman who opened fire on a crowd at the Cooks Corner bar on Wednesday night was identified on Thursday as former Ventura police officer John Snowling. Snowling was employed by the agency from 1984 until his retirement in 2014. Our hearts weigh heavy with the distressing incident at Cooks Corner, Ventura Police Department Chief Darin Schindler said in a statement following the tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with the families of the victims, the survivors, and the Orange County deputies who swiftly responded to the scene. This incident deeply affects us all. Snowlings wife filed for divorce a year ago Thursday 24 August 2023 22:30 , Andrea Blanco According to the Los Angeles Times, Marie Snowling filed for divorce in December 2022. A neighbour of the Snowlings told the Times that he believed the Snowlings marital issues stemmed from Ms Snowling wanting to go out more often, while her estranged husband wanted to stay at home. John was always kind of a standoffish kind of person, James Goldsmith, 68, told the outlet. He wasnt the most personable guy, not that I can say that there was anything really negative. He wasnt the type of neighbour that youd get the warm fuzzies from. Mr Goldmisth said that Ms Snowling had moved out and now lived with her mother after she filed for divorce last year. Snowling had recently bought a home in Ohio and was spending most of his time there, Mr Goldsmith said. I think it reached a point where it felt like life was passing her by because he didnt want to do anything, Mr Goldmisth told the Times. He would barely maintain the house. I think she wanted to have friends and live life and thats why I think she made the move that she did. Its sad that he couldnt allow that and let her live her own life. Suspected shooter targeted estranged wife, official says Thursday 24 August 2023 21:12 , Andrea Blanco A law enforcement official who spoke about the shooting under the condition of anonymity told The New York Times that the suspected gunman was targeting his wife Marie Snowling when he carried out the Thursday attack at Cooks Corner. Ms Snowlings wife was injured but survived the attack, according to her father. John Snowling, a retired law enforcement officer, was killed during the confrontation. Three other people died in the carnage, while six others were wounded. It began like any normal night at historic biker bar Cooks Corner. It ended with a mass shooting Thursday 24 August 2023 20:12 , Andrea Blanco A regular night at a popular biker bar took a devastating turn when gunfire broke out. The Independents Faiza Saqib reports: What we know about the Cooks Corner biker bar shooting Gunman in Cooks Corner shooting identified as retired police officer John Snowling Thursday 24 August 2023 18:14 , Andrea Blanco The suspected gunman in Wednesday nights shooting at a bikers bar in California has been identified as retired police officer John Snowling. The Orange County Sheriffs Office said Snowling, a former officer from the City of Ventura, died during a confrontation with law enforcement. Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said he couldnt confirm whether Snowling was killed by deputies but said it was safe to assume so, local news station KTLA reports. The violence broke out around 7pm at the Cooks Corner bar. Four people, including the suspected gunman, were killed. Read more: Gunman in Cooks Corner shooting identified as retired police officer John Snowling Gunmans wife was wounded during the attack but survived, father says Thursday 24 August 2023 18:00 , Andrea Blanco Snowlings estranged wife Marie Snowling was shot during the altercation. Despite earlier reports that she had not survived the attack, her father William Mosby told The Orange County on Wednesday that Ms Snowling is recovering from her injuries at Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo. Her friend in the bar said she was shot in the lower jaw, Mr Mosby told the outlet. Im extremely relieved, what I heard was the worst. Mr Mosby described Snowling as a crazy husband who couldnt cope with Ms Snowlings request for a divorce. Cooks Corner was hosting Spaghetti night when shooting unfolded Thursday 24 August 2023 17:25 , Andrea Blanco Cooks Corner is a popular, longtime watering hole for the biker community in Southern California. Many motorcycle riders and enthusiasts gather there on weeknights and during the weekend for live music, open-mic nights or just a cold beer after a long ride. The biker bar was hosting its usual spaghetti night when violence broke out on Wednesday night. John Snowling identified as shooting suspect Thursday 24 August 2023 16:52 , Megan Sheets The shooting suspect who was killed after gunning down nine people - three fatally - has been identified as former police officer John Snowling, according to the Los Angeles Times. Citing police sources, the outlet said Snowling was a retired sergeant with the Ventura Police Department. Snowlings wife was said to be among the shooting victims. Suspected shooter was targeting estranged wife, official says Thursday 24 August 2023 16:25 , Andrea Blanco A law enforcement official who spoke about the shooting under the condition of anonymity told The New York Times that the suspected gunman was targeting his wife when he carried out the Thursday attack at Cooks Corner. His wife was among the dead on Thursday. The suspect, a retired law enforcement officer, was also killed by police. Two other people died in the carnage, while six others were wounded. Survivor claims shooter spared pregnant womans life Thursday 24 August 2023 15:13 , Andrea Blanco A man who survived the shooting on Wednesday night told CBS that he barricaded himself in the kitchen until the shooting ended. The man also said he heard a woman pleading for her life, reportedly telling the shooter: Please dont shoot me, Im 5 months pregnant. The suspected shooter, believed to be former law enforcement, allegedly told her: Get out of here Suspected shooter was retired law enforcement officer Thursday 24 August 2023 14:19 , Andrea Blanco According to initial reports, a retired law enforcement officer opened fire at the bikers cafe called Cooks Corner. The gunman has been shot dead by deputies who responded to the scene, local TV station KCAL News reported, and is among the death toll of four. There were multiple victims and the injured were being taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, the Orange Country Sheriff said in an earlier post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Estranged wife of suspect against dead - report Thursday 24 August 2023 09:30 , Shweta Sharma The wife of the suspect shooter was among those who were killed in the shooting on late Wednesday at Cooks Corner in rural Trabuco Canyon in Orange County. A law enforcement official, who was not authorised to speak due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, said the suspect was targeting his wife, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the New York Times. The suspect, who was shot dead in a confrontation with the deputies is said to be a retired police officer at an agency elsewhere in Southern California. 465 mass shootings in US this year so far Thursday 24 August 2023 09:00 , Shweta Sharma So far this year, the US has witnessed at least 465 mass shootings, according to the nonprofit group Gun Violence Archive. The US crossed 400 shootings mark in July, the earliest ever recorded in a year since 2013, it said. Police say tragic event weighing very heavy on Trabuco Canyon community Thursday 24 August 2023 08:50 , Shweta Sharma Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said officers arrived two minutes after the 911 calls. At that point, a deputy-involved shooting occurred and that involved multiple deputies, he said. Its an absolute tragic event and something that I know is probably weighing very heavy on the entire Trabuco Canyon community. Cooks Corner, its a staple here, Undersheriff Hallock said. One weapon recovered from the scene, police say Thursday 24 August 2023 07:27 , Shweta Sharma Orange County undersheriff Jeff Hallock said one weapon has been recovered from the scene. The officers gave little new details about the shooting and said the investigation is ongoing. Providing an initial timeline, they said police received multiple 911 calls at 7.04pm and two minutes later deputies arrived at the scene, with gunshots being heard in the background by dispatchers. At 7.08pm a deputy confronted the shooter, which led to a deputyinvolved shooting involving multiple deputies. The undersheriff said it was too early to confirm when he was asked if the shooting ensued after a domestic dispute. Press conference begins Thursday 24 August 2023 07:11 , Shweta Sharma Orange County police call it a very difficult night and said deputies arrived on the scene very quickly. Police say that they want to remind everyone that they are just three hours from the time the shooting occurred and they have a number of victims and they are interviewing witnesses. Police are working with 30-40 witnesses. It is a complex and detailed scene, an officer said. Gunman was retired police officer, Orange County authorities told Thursday 24 August 2023 07:07 , Shweta Sharma The gunman who opened fire at Cooks Corner in rural Trabuco Canyon was a retired police officer with the Ventura Police Department, department Cmdr Mike Brown was told by Orange County authorities. According to the Ventura County Star newspaper, he worked at the police department from 1986 to 2014, Mr Brown said. Orange County authorities have not yet publicly confirmed details about the gunman, including his name, nor how the shooting unfolded, but planned a news conference for late Wednesday. Two people among six wounded in critical condition at hospital Thursday 24 August 2023 06:53 , Shweta Sharma Six people who suffered injuries were taken to hospital after the shooting at the popular bikers cafe in Orange County. Five of them suffered gunshot wounds, the sheriffs department posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Two people were in critical condition, Providence Mission Hospital, a trauma center in Mission Viejo, said in a statement. Orange Country Sheriff to address press conference Thursday 24 August 2023 06:18 , Shweta Sharma Orange County Sheriffs Department is now preparing for a media briefing at El Toro Rd and Marguerite Parkway. The media briefing is scheduled for 10.45pm, the office said. Scene of shooting a popular bar dating back to 1884 Thursday 24 August 2023 06:09 , Shweta Sharma Cooks Corner, where the mass shooting broke out on Wednesday evening, is a popular, longtime watering hole for the biker community in Southern California. It is considered to be one of the most famous biker bar & restaurants in Southern California, its website says. Many motorcycle riders and enthusiasts come there on weeknights and during the weekend to enjoy live music, open-mic nights or just a cold beer after a long ride. Hours before the shooting, several patrons were stopping by Cooks Corner for an afternoon drink and meal. Rows of motorcycles and bikes framed the gravel entrance where plaques describe the storied history of the bar built in 1884. Weve experienced major earthquakes, forest fires, floods, recessions and other disasters, the bar wrote on its website. Weve gotten through all of them and came out stronger. I'm devastated, California senator calls for end to gun violence in America Thursday 24 August 2023 06:00 , Shweta Sharma Expressing his sorrow, California state senator Dave Min issued a statement urging an end to the scourge of gun violence. Im devastated at the news of yet another mass shooting tonight, this time at Cooks Corner, a historic bar in the heart of Orange County, he said. My statement on tonight's mass shooting in Trabuco Canyon. pic.twitter.com/xWNYCgEbbF Senator Dave Min (@SenDaveMin) August 24, 2023 First visuals from the scene Thursday 24 August 2023 05:45 , Shweta Sharma Visuals from the scene from outside Cooks Corner cafe show the mass deployment of police vehicles and ambulances in rural Trabuco Canyon in Orange County. Cooks Corner stands as a popular hub for the motorcycle community in Southern California. Numerous motorbike riders and passionate enthusiasts regularly visit this spot on weeknights and weekends, drawn by live music, open-mic sessions, and the simple pleasure of a chilled beer following an extensive ride. At least 5 people are dead and 6 people wounded in Orange County, California at Cooks Corner biker bar. Police say the shooter is a retired police officer, who began shooting after a domestic dispute pic.twitter.com/SnDwH57vYq Slauson Girl (@slausongirlnews) August 24, 2023 California governor monitoring situation after shooting Thursday 24 August 2023 05:41 , Shweta Sharma California governor Gavin Newsom was monitoring the shooting and coordinating with local officials, his office said. He said more details of the shooting are awaited. We are monitoring the shooting in Orange County and are coordinating with local officials as more details become available. Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) August 24, 2023 At least four dead in shooting at historic California biker bar Thursday 24 August 2023 05:36 , Shweta Sharma At least four people, including the suspect, have been killed and six others wounded in a mass shooting at a well-known bikers bar in Trabuco Canyon, California. According to initial reports, a retired law enforcement officer opened fire at the bikers cafe called Cooks Corner. Read our full report. At least four dead in shooting at historic California biker bar Four dead including gunman in California bar shooting Thursday 24 August 2023 05:36 , Shweta Sharma A mass shooting has killed four people and six others are injured after a man opened fire at the popular bikers cafe Cooks Corner in Southern California. Incident scene at Cooks Corner is static. We are in unified command with @OCFA. Confirmed 4 deceased at scene, inc. the shooter. 6 transported to hospitals, 5 reported w/gunshot wounds. Officer-involved shooting occurred during the incident. No deputies injured, the Orange County Sheriffs Office said in a tweet. The suspect, who is believed to be a retired law enforcement agent, was reportedly shot dead by deputies. Thursday 24 August 2023 05:24 , Shweta Sharma Welcome to The Independents live blog on the shooting at Cooks Corner bar in Californias Orange County, where at least four people have died. (Bloomberg) -- A member of Thailands influential Shinawatra clan and two leading banking executives are among contenders for the finance ministers job as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin picks his team to run Southeast Asias second-largest economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra , former finance chief Kittiratt Ra-Ranong, Arthid Nanthawithaya, chief executive of SCB X Pcl, and Payong Srivanich, who heads state-run Krung Thai Bank Pcl, are probable candidates, according to analysts and local media. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Theres also a possibility that none of them might get the job, with Thai-language newspaper Krungthep Turakit speculating Srettha, a former property tycoon, will keep the ministry under his charge as he plans to urgently rollout policies to fire up the $500 billion economy. On Friday, the prime minister was non-committal about doubling up as a finance minister, but said his Pheu Thai, which is leading an 11-member coalition, will keep the key economic ministries. The cabinet line-up may be announced in three to four days, and lawmakers set to be appointed as ministers will have their qualifications assessed from Monday, the party said in a statement, citing Srettha. Read More: Coalition Quagmire Awaits New Thai Leader After Thaksins Return The nation is at a critical juncture, Srettha said this week, adding his government will push policies that will foster economic development and usher in changes at the macro as well as household levels. The choice of the finance chief and measures to accelerate growth will be keenly watched by investors, who have fled Thailand since the May election. The finance chiefs first challenge will be to finalize the state budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 in the backdrop of a slowdown in China, Thailands top trading partner, a looming drought and near-record household debt. Data this week showed the economy grew at 1.8% in the second quarter, among the lowest rate of expansion in Southeast Asia. Against the backdrop of a sharp slowdown, a finance minister with credibility and solid background will be critical for Thailand to boost its economy.said Burin Adulwattana, chief economist at Bangkok-based Kasikorn Research Center. The financial markets will watch closely who will become the finance chief. Here are the potential finance minister candidates: Srettha Thavisin While theres no immediate precedence of a prime minister doubling up as the finance head, Srettha may be tempted to keep the ministry under his watch given his more than three-decade experience in the private sector. Srettha is an economics graduate from the University of Massachusetts and holds an MBA from Claremont Graduate School in the US. He worked at luxury builder Sansiri Pcl for more than three decades before resigning as its president and chief executive in April. He has been a strong advocate of fueling economic growth with fiscal stimulus including Pheu Thai Partys flagship digital wallet program that promises 10,000 baht ($284) each to all Thais 16 years old that may cost an estimated 560 billion baht. Srettha will also have to follow through his partys pledges such as a 70% hike in minimum wage, household income guarantee of 20,000 baht per month and tripling of farm profits to lift economic growth to 5%. Kittiratt Na-Ranong A former deputy prime minister and finance chief under Yingluck Shinawatra s government, Kittiratt is seen as the most seasoned politician in the running for the job. Before becoming a minister, he was the chief executive of the Stock Exchange of Thailand. While a minister, his reputation was sullied by constant clashes with the central bank governor, stemming from their opposing economic views. In 2013, Kittiratt told reporters that he had contemplated firing Prasarn Trairatvorakul, the central bank governor at the time. Paetongtarn Shinawatra After having been passed over for the prime ministers job, 37-year-old Paetongtarn, may be looking to gain some experience as a minister. A high profile ministry like finance might just match her stature as the political heir apparent to Thaksin. But her lack of experience in government and limited role in running the family businesses may go against her, according to Thai media reports. Paetongtarn is the largest shareholder in her family controlled real estate firm SC Asset Corp. Top Bankers Krung Thai Bank president Payong, 54, is the president and CEO of the large state bank and also leads the Thai Bankers Association. He holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and often articulates the banking industrys views on various economic and financial issues. Arthid, leads SCB X, the most-valuable Thai lender in which King Maha Vajiralongkorn is the largest shareholder. The banking veteran has been an advocate of modern technology and blockchain in banking. Under his watch SCB X has been actively developing fintech business and investing in startup companies outside Thailand. If the new finance minister can provide a clear view as well as timeline for the new economic policies, especially the stimulus measures that would be quite positive for the market, said Poon Panichpibool, a strategist at Krung Thai Bank. The lack of clear policy direction seems to be keeping investors, especially foreign investors in a wait and see mode. --With assistance from Patpicha Tanakasempipat. (Updates with Sretthas comments in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Several habitats for threatened shorebirds and spawning horseshoe crabs will be protected for five years after a federal judge in Charleston approved a consent order that stops three groups from harvesting the arthropods from dozens of South Carolina beaches. Red knots a threatened migratory shorebird rely on horseshoe crab eggs for survival, with each bird fueling up on hundreds of thousands of the crabs eggs in South Carolina on the way to the Canadian Arctic, according to previous reporting by The State Media Co. But that food source has been threatened because horseshoe crabs have been harvested by pharmaceutical companies, who use the crabs blue blood to detect bacterial toxins. Companies in Europe and Asia have switched to using a synthetic copy of the ingredient, which does not require horseshoe crabs to be captured or bled, The State Media Co. reported. Defenders of Wildlife and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League filed a lawsuit in 2022 under the federal Endangered Species Act against the state Department of Natural Resources director and Charles River Laboratories International. The environmental groups claimed that, among other things, moving female horseshoe crabs from the shore to containment ponds violated Section 9 of the Act because red knots look for eggs on the shoreline. The section says its illegal to import, export, or take endangered species for any purpose, including commercial activity. Using the containment ponds caused the unpermitted take of red knots, the lawsuit said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to the Coastal Conservation League, the federally threatened red knot has experienced a population decline of over 85% in recent decades. On Wednesday, a final consent order signed by United States District Judge Richard Gergel prohibits horseshoe crab harvesting on over 30 of South Carolinas beaches for five consecutive harvesting seasons, from March 15 through May 31. The entire harvest season is defined as March 15 through June 30. The companies can harvest in June, because environmentalists said red knots have left for the Arctic by then. Additional permitting conditions that further protect horseshoe crabs during the collection process are also required. Harvester boats will be equipped with GPS monitoring to record collection locations that will then be reported to the state Department of Natural Resources. Catherine Wannamaker, Southern Environmental Law Center senior attorney representing the Coastal Conservation League and Defenders of Wildlife, called it a landmark settlement that represents a huge milestone for the states wildlife and people who care about it. According to the order, all areas of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge will continue to be off limits for horseshoe crab collection and processing. On Aug. 7, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined commercial horseshoe crab harvesting during spawning season was incompatible with the purposes of the refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System mission. We successfully and collaboratively secured protections for South Carolinas coast, including the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, said Ben Prater, Defenders of Wildlife southeast program director. This agreement will help maintain the integrity of essential habitats for horseshoe crabs, their spawning grounds and critical food sources for imperiled wildlife including migratory birds like the red knot. Defenders of Wildlife is a national nonprofit conservation organization that works to protect native animals and plants in their natural communities. The order also restricts the temporary placement of female horseshoe crabs into containment ponds, which hold the taken arthropods before they are bled by pharmaceutical companies. Charles River Laboratories, one of the defendants in the lawsuit filed by Defenders of Wildlife and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, is the only company harvesting horseshoe crabs in the state for biomedical purposes. Previously, Charles River spokesperson Samantha Jorgensen said the company had worked with the state DNR for nearly 40 years to oversee the annual collection and release of horseshoe crabs. We are glad that Charles River has agreed to increased protections for red knots and to conduct its operations in South Carolina in a more sustainable way, Wannamaker said. While the order stops Charles River contractors from harvesting on several beaches up and down the South Carolina coast during harvesting season, it does not limit taking horseshoe crabs from other areas, including marshes. Gregory Marshall, corporate vice president and general manager of Charles Rivers microbial solutions division, said the agreement allows for for continued conservation of both horseshoe crabs and red knots, while maintaining the security of the biomedical supply chain. Horseshoe crabs play a vital role in ensuring patient safety, and we are glad to have come to an amicable resolution, Marshall said. Charles River will cover the cost of an independent monitor, who will report to the court and parties to ensure compliance with the joint agreement, according to the order. The order is effective through June 30, 2028. Closed beaches According to the order, Charles River, Marsh Point and Gault Seafood are not allowed to harvest horseshoe crabs from the following beaches from March 15 to May 31 for the next five consecutive harvesting seasons. Bay Point Island Bay Point Shoal Bird Key-Stono Bulls Island Capre Romain National Wildlife Refuge Capers Island Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary Daufuskie Island Deveaux Bank Dewees Island Edisto Island Folly Beach Fripp Island Harbor Island Hunting Island Hilton Head Island Isle of Palms Joiner Bank Jones Island Kiawah and Seabrook Island Little Capers Island Marsh Island North Cape Island North Island Pine and Otter Island Pritchards Island Raccoon Key Complex and White Banks South Cape and Lighthouse Island Sullivans Island Tomkins Island Turtle Island From left, Jim Plocher, Dave Roth, Barbara Peck and Margaret Hornback, who all moved to Bardwell Residences since the independent and assisted living facility opened earlier this year in the renovated old Copley Hospital campus, are quickly finding out how much their lives have intersected over their many decades of living in the Aurora/Montgomery area. (Denise Crosby/The Beacon-News) When Dave Roth heard the name of the new neighbor moving in across the hall of his senior living facility in Aurora, he couldnt help but smile. Jim Plocher. Advertisement It was the surname that so quickly took the 82-year-old former English teacher back to his childhood, when he was 6 years old and first met 11-year-old Jimmy at an event hosted by Oswego Prairie Church. The two boys lived just a few miles as the crow flies from one another on farms that had been established by their pioneer families in the 1840s, around the same time Kendall County was surveyed, he told me. Advertisement And their childhoods were spent not only in worship together but helping their fathers work this land around Wolf Crossing, which included threshing rings, crews that neighboring farmers would put together to help one another gather those many acres of oat fields. Plocher remembers being the water boy. Roth recalls his job on the straw blower and also the delicious food served during those labor-intensive harvests as the women would enjoy friendly contests each year to see who could cook the best meals for the hungry workers. Reconnecting some 70 years later was one of those pleasant small-world surprises for both of these long-ago farm boys as they transitioned over the last few months from their homes in Montgomery and Aurora to their third-floor independent living apartments at Bardwell Residences on the East Side of Aurora. Roth and wife Elaine were on a waiting list and one of the first to move into this new senior facility after it opened in the spring as part of the renovated old Copley Hospital site. Plocher, who was celebrating his 88th birthday on the day we met, lost his wife and daughter last year, and moved across the hall in July after completing rehab for a broken hip. But even more than a surprise, they both insist, this unexpected reunion has been a blessing, as the two men now spend much of their time reminiscing about those good ole days that dont seem all that long ago. There are a lot of memories we can share, says Roth, who after a stint in the Army taught for 36 years at Traughber Junior High School in Oswego. And it sure beats talking politics because these days if someone doesnt agree with you then you are the enemy, said Plocher, who had a 36-year career with Nicor and like his neighbor served in the Army. Advertisement Turns out Roth and Plocher arent the only two of Bardwells nearly two dozen residents who recently discovered a shared history. While sitting in the dining room a few weeks ago, Margaret Hornback, who moved to the senior housing center in June, saw new resident Barbara Peck walk in, and immediately recognized her as someone who had been in and out of her life since her early 20s. Both had been longtime and active members of the University of Illinois Extension Homemakers Council, which brought them together frequently as they built their homes figuratively and literally in the Aurora/Montgomery area, raised their families and volunteered their time. Hornback, who quit school at West Aurora High School at age 17 to get married, had three children and became an accomplished musician and roller skater she still plays the piano and did not hang up her skates until age 68 as well as a faithful election judge over many decades. Peck, 91, raised 13 children and became a librarian and genealogist who co-authored The History of Montgomery, Illinois in Worlds and Pictures, an impressive hardcover book that includes a photo of the tiny home where she was raised that is one of the villages oldest houses and now, painted bright yellow, stands in front of Village Hall as a historic landmark and museum. Mostly the two women, who are in assisted living apartments, like to talk about homemaking stuff, said Peck, who lives with Stanley, her husband of 71 incredible years. Advertisement Its nice to see someone who knows your background, added Hornback, who has been widowed for 17 years. They know what you have done and where you have come from and you dont have to explain yourself over and over. The Beacon-News Twice-weekly News updates from the Aurora area delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Roth nods in agreement. And as he leafs through Pecks history book that Hornback has long had in her possession, he remarks on more landmarks, more names, which spark additional memories. As we chatted, all four residents discovered other ways life has connected them. Three have had to bury at least one child; Roth and Peck were both born at the long defunct St. Joseph Hospital, while Plocher and Hornback got their start at old Copley. And the group was not only familiar with the history of Bloomhaven campus that Bardwell is part of, they watched closely as its transformation took place over the past few years. The senior living facility that opened in May now has 21 residents in 18 apartments that consist of independent, assisted and combination apartments, and the memory care unit on the sixth floor will be ready for occupancy in the next month or so, according to Becki Drake, director of marketing and sales. While some questioned her decision to move out of the 1920s Aurora house her father and grandfather built and where she lived for most of her life, Hornback was quite proud to report that visitors to her new home always come away impressed, not just with how spacious the apartment is her piano easily fits but also with the facilitys many amenities. Its such a beautiful building. Im so glad they revamped it, said Hornback, who also gave birth to her children at the old Copley and was at her husbands side when he went through cancer there. Advertisement Living here is like coming home. dcrosby@tribpub.com A night out with family members turned deadly during a parking lot fight outside a bar on the west side of Indianapolis, according to investigators. Ten months after the fatal shooting, 28-year-old Mario Pena was extradited back to Indianapolis on Thursday and is now facing a murder charge. Luis Medina-Hernandez, 30, was killed in the early morning shooting in the 6300 block of West 34th Street on Oct. 16 of last year. Investigators found surveillance video of 10-15 people fighting in the parking lot before the shooting. The video showed that during the fight, a man walked up behind Medina-Hernandez and shot him at close range in the back, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Detectives spoke with several witnesses, including Medina-Hernandez's wife and other family members. The family was out together at the bar, with some members preparing to leave and others ordering from a food truck in the parking lot before Medina-Hernandez was killed. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The fight was sparked when one man yelled at a vehicle that was about to back into a pedestrian in the parking lot. The pedestrian thought the man was yelling at him and they started fighting, according to the probable cause affidavit for Penas arrest. More news: Car fleeing police crashes into Fishers home, injuring person inside Several other people got involved in the fight, witnesses said. "She then went on to say that Luis (Medina-Hernandez) got out of the car with the intention to fight to defend his family, the affidavit reads. Another witness from the parking lot provided police with a video they took of the shooters car as drove away. Two days after the shooting, the investigator received an anonymous tip with information that was partially correct on the suspects license plate number, according to the affidavit. Police used this information to track the vehicle, which had been stopped for a traffic violation in June of 2022. Body camera footage from the traffic stop showed Pena driving the vehicle. He looked identical to a man a witness identified as the shooter in a video from the bar, the affidavit reads. The Marion County Coroners Office determined Medina-Hernandez was shot in the back and declared his death a homicide. Pena was charged in connection with the shooting in March and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested in Texas on an unrelated charge and held in custody until he was extradited back to Marion County, where he was booked Thursday. An attorney for Pena was not yet listed in online court records before publication of this article. Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Man arrested in deadly Oct. 2022 shooting Updated COVID-19 booster shots will be available to the American public in mid-September, government officials told some media outlets on Friday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the new vaccine dose, designed to target currently circulating variants of the virus, in the coming weeks, officials from the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told CNN, speaking on the condition of anonymity. An unnamed CDC official also confirmed the details with NBC News. Our goal, our imperative, our task is to make sure were using those tools, the CDC official told NBC News of the new boosters. Vaccination is going to continue to be key this year because immunity wanes and because the COVID-19 virus continues to change. Updated vaccines are expected to be available for people 12 and up from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax, the officials said. All are reportedly designed to fight the XBB.1.5 subvariant, which is slowly losing its dominance, but testing shows that the doses are also effective against the newly dominant EG.5 strain. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Officials are hoping for a higher uptake of this vaccine. Just over 20% of adults received last years bivalent booster. The timeline reported Friday would bring vaccines to market slightly sooner than officials have previously indicated. Earlier this month, CDC Director Mandy Cohen told NPR that health officials anticipate there being a new COVID booster available probably in the early October time frame. Fridays news comes as the U.S. experiences a late-summer uptick in COVID-19 cases, though the count is drastically lower than last summers surge. Still, the number of new COVID-19 hospitalizations leaped 21.6% this past week, marking the fifth straight week of climbing admissions, the CDC said this week. The CDC also said earlier this week that it expects hospitalizations to climb over the next month, with 1,100 to 7,500 daily COVID-19 hospital admissions likely reported on September 18. Those figures have prompted some places to revive dormant mask mandates, including several hospitals, at least one university and a Hollywood studio. Related... The vice chair of the Conservative Political Action Coalition has resigned from his longtime position on the organizations board and is calling for investigations into the groups top leader and its financial practices, among other issues. Charlie Gerow, an attorney and communications executive who has served on the board of CPAC and its parent organization, the American Conservative Union, for nearly two decades, submitted his letter of resignation on Friday. The situation at CPAC has become such that I felt compelled to resign, Gerow said when reached afterward. Gerows resignation follows months of turbulence at the prominent conservative organization, where Chair Matt Schlapp earlier this year was sued by a former Herschel Walker Senate campaign staffer over allegations of sexual assault. Board member and treasurer Bob Beauprez resigned from his position in May, citing concerns over the organizations financial reports, while Randy Neugebauer and Mike Rose also stepped down from the board earlier this year. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Just last week another board member, Timothy Ryan, also resigned, according to a person with knowledge of the organizations operations. Ryans resignation has not previously been reported. The series of departures by longtime board members as well as high staff turnover within the organization in the last year have not prompted any meaningful changes at CPAC, Gerow said. Schlapp has denied accusations of misconduct. Under Schlapps tenure, the organization has expanded its slate of international CPAC conferences while featuring the Republican Partys top stars at its gatherings each year, though Schlapp has aligned himself closely with Trump. With his departure, Gerow is calling on the board to authorize an independent investigation into sexual battery allegations made against Matt Schlapp, as well as an independent forensic audit of the organizations finances, he said in a statement to POLITICO. Gerow also urged the board to obtain a written lawyers opinion that the organization is fully complying with its own bylaws as well as D.C. statutes concerning nonprofits. And he suggested that the CPAC board conduct a thorough review all the exit interviews of the large number of staff who have recently left. After publication of this story, CPAC posted on social media a video of Gerow speaking on stage at a 2022 conference and complimenting Schlapps leadership of the organization. We took Mr. Gerows public comments as being truthful, and we have no reason to doubt them now, the organization, in an unsigned statement, said of Gerows past praise. The organization also said the board had not planned to grant Gerow an additional term. CPAC remains committed to compliance, the statement said, adding that they need a board that is unified toward the goal of defeating the left and winning on important issues. The CPAC board over the past couple years has increasingly been filled with allies of Schlapp. Prior to Schlapp, Gerow served on the board under two other ACU chairs, David Keene and Al Cardenas. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect spelling of Randy Neugebauer's last name. When it comes to building a sustainable settlement on Mars, the technological and engineering challenges are steep. But they take a back seat to the Human Resources department. Forget sophisticated vehicles or sensitive instrumentationthe most temperamental, fragile things we send to the Red Planet will be humans. After all, NASAs Opportunity rover roamed Mars for 14 years, separated from Earth by a half-hour communications delay, scoured by dust storms and irradiated by cosmic rays, and never complained or got into a fight with a colleague. Humans, though, will be sequestered in a confined space about the size of a small RV for three years, James Driskell, a research psychologist at the Florida Maxima Corporation, says of most plausible NASA Mars mission scenarios. Driskell and his company have consulted with the space agency and the US military on the psychological issues of crews in isolated and stressful situations. In tight quarters, people get angry at each other. Current Mars plans, such as NASAs proposed Artemis mission, would send astronauts there and back on a three-year round trip. But you can imagine how stressful dynamicsdanger, isolation, other peoplemight increase on a permanent base or research station, if crews stayed for a decade (or forever). Or, rather than using your imagination, you can rely on the computer simulation of a Mars settlement produced by George Mason University Computational Social Scientist Anamaria Berea and her colleagues. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In a forthcoming study that hasnt yet undergone full peer review, Berea and her colleagues detail how they used an agent-based modeling approacha computer system not all that different from a large video gameto calculate the survivability of different population sizes of Mars settlers. Theyve incorporated personality types, too, for the long haul. They came to two main conclusions: that only a few tens of initial settlers are needed to create a sustainable colony, and that people with more agreeable social traits did better for themselves and the larger settlement. [Related: Rodent astronauts suggest trips to Mars will make us anxious, forgetful, and afraid] The new study originated as a response to other papers suggesting that between 100 and 300 people would be the minimum necessary to begin a sustainable settlement on Mars. The nonprofit Blue Marble Science Institute, which studies questions of planetary science and habitability, contacted Berea to see whether her team could verify the other studies minimally viable population numbers. Berea says she had a better idea: Creating a simulation for a space habitat that included human, social, and behavioral factors. Berea and her team at the computational social sciences department had created simulated humans, who were assigned a set of skills necessary for running a Mars settlement, such as producing food or maintaining life support systems. Each faux settler had one of four aggregate personality types: There were the agreeables, highly social and low in scores of aggressions or competitiveness; socials, extroverts with a bit more of a competitive edge; reactives, who were more still competitive and fixated on fixed routines; and neurotics, highly competitive people with difficulty coping with changes in routine or boredom. Settlement members could die in accidents, or due to health conditions determined by the available food and life support resources, but could also be replenished by resupply shuttles every 18 monthsthe researchers chose not to model sex and reproduction. After running multiple computer models for more than 20 simulated years, the study authors found that settlements could begin with far fewer than 100 settlers and remain sustainable, despite accidents or dips in food supplies. The lowest number to kickstart a sustainable settlement was 22 people, but that is not a hard limit, according to Berea. It's somewhere between 10 and 50, she says. It's in the tens; It's not in the hundreds like the other papers were saying. [Related: NASA rover finds evidence of carbon-based chemistry in Martian crater] They also found that agreeable personality types were the most likely to survive to the end of each simulation run. But Bera is careful to note that the agentsthe algorithmic representations of humansdo not remain static through the simulation, just as people, whatever their personalities, change over time. The neurotic that puts his or her foot down on the planet on day zero might not be the neurotic on day 100. They interact, and they adjust, she says. This can be seen in real-world Mars mission simulations, such as the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) missions, which places crews of six people in a simulated Mars habituated on the rocky lava slopes of Mauna Loa. There, its vital to anticipate the ways people change over time. For the first few weeks, usually of people living under stressful conditions, they can still kind of have a honeymoon period where everyone's still very polite and patient and can kind of get along despite some challenges, says astrobiologist Michaela Musilova, the former director of HI-SEAS from 2018 until 2022. Usually after the first few weeks is when people really start to struggle and if they're not prepared for it properly. That struggle could take the form of depression or rudeness with other crew members or mission control. Over the 30 simulated Moon and Mars missions for which Musilova served as commander, she found the answer was to consciously forge bonds between crew members using shared meals and evening recreation, such as karaoke. The more the crew bonded, the longer the honeymoon period lasted and even when it wore off, the crew still behaved politely towards one another, she says. Musilova also found that selecting as diverse a group of people as possible, in terms of skills, life experience and ethnicity, helped ensure a better functioning team. Thats one thing that Berea and her colleagues didnt modelall of their simulations contained equal numbers of the four personality types they had defined, rather than trying to build teams composed of different proportions of different types of people. Purposefully screening for personality is something Driskell notes is important for building teams going into difficult and isolated conditions. What type of trait profiles do we want in that team? That sociability and extraversion is really good, but you don't want a team full of it, because then they're going to really want to just interact and get along and talk, Driskell says. At the same time, he adds, you have people who are very competent and follow the rules and keep things running, but who are just a complete pain to live with. Everybody's got an example of somebody who was extremely technically adept, but you just could not get along with them, he says. I guess Elon Musk is a good example. Neither human nor computer simulations of Mars missions can ever fully predict the experience of putting human boots on the Red Planet, but each approach also takes a different slice of the problem. Computer simulations such as Bereas and her colleagues can give researchers some idea of the large-scale population dynamics and psychology of a Mars settlement over many years. A 12-month HI-SEAS Mars mission, meanwhile, helps tease out real-life psychological nuance you cant get from a computer model. Berea hopes to do more to integrate both approaches in the future, noting that NASA has just launched a new Mars analog mission, the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) in the Mars Dune Alpha habitat. Once they are done with that project, it would be great to get the data and compare that with our model for validation, she says. The head of the body at the centre of the Andrew Malkinson scandal was under fire on Friday night after it emerged that she was in Montenegro promoting her holiday home business at the height of the controversy. Helen Pitcher, the chair of the criminal cases review commission (CCRC), has been criticised for refusing to be publicly questioned over the bodys double rejection of Mr Malkinsons appeals against his wrongful conviction for rape. He spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit despite DNA linking another man to the offence being uncovered by government forensic scientists three years into his sentence in 2007. The Court of Appeal ruled in July that he had been a victim of a miscarriage of justice. Last week The Telegraph revealed how Ms Pitcher holds eight further posts including chairing the judicial appointments commission, a charity, a business consultancy, and a membership network for heads of public bodies. She is also a non-executive director of United Biscuits and a surgical health provider to the NHS. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement On Friday The Guardian revealed that on the day serious concerns were raised about the CCRCs handling of Mr Malkinsons case, she was apparently photographed barefoot by a boat outside a mussels bar in Montenegro promoting her holiday home business. Andrew Malkinson: I hope an inquiry will look at the CCRC chairs decision not to offer me an apology - Rii Schroer Under the caption Having an amazing time at Milos Mussels bar, the image was uploaded by the company she co-directs, Perast Paradise Properties, to LinkedIn and Instagram on Aug 15. A further comment beneath the picture from Ms Pitchers own LinkedIn account read: Fabulous place and Milos a great host. A spokesman for the CCRC said Ms Pitcher was on a lunch break while working remotely from Montenegro that day and that she did not manage her own social media. They would not comment on whether she was still in Montenegro. All staff at the CCRC work remotely. Ms Pitcher said: The CCRC is a remote-working organisation, and I sometimes work from a property I own abroad. The disclosure comes just 24 hours after Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, announced an independent inquiry into the role of the CCRC, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in the scandal. Ms Pitcher posted: Having an amazing time at Milos Mussels bar from Montenegro - Istankov/iStockphoto The CCRC rejected two appeals by Mr Malkinsons lawyers despite the discovery of the DNA on a crime specific piece of clothing from the victim. After being shown the picture, Mr Malkinson told The Guardian: If the chair of the CCRC was enjoying mussels and a boat trip in Montenegro while refusing to be interviewed about the CCRCs mishandling of my case, well that says it all. Do her staff find that acceptable? The CCRCs current leadership is simply not serious about wrongful convictions. I hope an inquiry will look at the CCRC chairs decision not to offer me an apology, despite her organisations failings costing me an extra decade in prison for a crime I did not commit, he said. In a defence of its chair, the CCRC has published a statement on its website that Ms Pitcher was contracted to work 10 days per month but, in the last financial year, worked for almost 40 per cent more than she was required to do. It said her other roles required a combined average of five hours per month. It said the independent Commons justice committee had endorsed her role as chair of the judicial appointments committee after scrutinising her capacity to carry out both roles. It said Ms Pitcher was unable to give interviews until after a barrister-led review into its handling of Mr Malkinsons case because she does not want to pre-judge it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The eroticism in the drawings greets you first the bold colors come second. There is no shortage of skin here. An exhibit at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum aims to do exactly what its title suggests: Breaking the Rules. Starring the late gay artists Paul Wonner and William Thilophilus Brown, the exhibit is a celebration of gender morphism and the human body that can only be described as ahead of its time. (The exhibit is scheduled to close its four-month run on Aug. 27.) Among the subjects portrayed here are male nudes some affirming and others challenging the traditional strictures of masculinity. Opinion ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In the triptych Seven Views of the Model with Flowers, the men hold delicate bouquets, appearing to be in melancholic thought. Just a few feet away, The Referee, rich with Cubist influences, shows athletes engaging in vigorous combat. My personal favorite, Standing Bathers, brings a youthful wistfulness, featuring adult men about to skinny dip. Museums like the Crocker are becoming a valuable, financially accessible haven for queer representation as classrooms around the country have come under fire amid anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. As of May 2023, over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures, and a record-shattering 70 were made into laws: banning gender affirming care for transgender youth, restricting drag performances and censoring books. Most recently, in the Golden State, at Southern Californias Chino Valley Unified School District, the school board passed a measure to notify parents if their child tells a teacher or notes on a form that they want to be referred to by a name or pronoun different than the one listed on their birth certificate. This means that children who are not yet ready to come out to potentially unaccepting parents will be forced to do so if they choose to outwardly embrace their gender identity at school. In the realm of pronoun usage, proponents of anti-LGBTQ laws claim that it isnt gayness or transgenderism they explicitly disapprove of. Rather, they say that sex and nudity have no place in education, and that queer literature has been exploited to indoctrinate young children who have not yet developed a concept of gender fluidity yet. Museums, however, which are arguably just as public and educationally-oriented, have largely been spared even as public education remains a battle ground of LGBTQ rights. Families with young children frequent New York Citys Metropolitan Museum of Arts Greco-Roman or Egyptian sections, where statues with exposed genitalia and pottery depicting sex scenes are on broad display. In New York City, the MoMa and American Museum of Natural History form a quintessential staple of the elementary and middle school field trip experience. Descriptions of prostitution and domestic violence underneath drawings go relatively unnoticed compared to All Boys Arent Blue, a non-fiction book for young adults by George M. Johnson, banned in 29 school districts. Even coursework like Advanced Placement Psychology are victims, with the College Board saying that it was effectively banned in Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis instructed superintendents that teaching foundational content on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal under state law. There is also the classic example of children films, which have notoriously struggled to produce queer protagonists and are discouraged, perhaps now more than ever, to do so. It is very clearly not art that offends, but rather the non-traditional romance, the newness of queerness to some straight people the very real and present love stories that make them uncomfortable. This is a problem, because this is not a question about education anymore, its a question about acceptance, which pervades every aspect of how a human being is treated by others. There is a misunderstanding of how important sexuality, and its liberation, are to individuals who cannot easily identify with a heteronormative love story, whether that story involves other partners or just themselves. In a popular episode on his show, English broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan justified his refusal to call others by their non-traditional pronouns by rhetorically asking: Why cant I identify as a Black lesbian? What he, and other like-minded critics have discounted, are the lived experiences of people who have spent decades or even lifetimes grappling through gender self-discovery and feeling a strong, emotional connection to a different gender. Critics are picking and choosing the parts of the LGBTQ+ movement they believe are relevant, just like how museums are deemed a more appropriate form of sex education than the classroom when all along, there are undertones of resentment against trans and gay people from those who say so. We seem to only be comfortable appreciating the expression of sexuality as relics, as pieces of history behind glass protectors or propped up in the center of the Crocker Art Museum. We find it so much easier to appreciate through the lens of critique and contemplation about a works meaning than through direct respect toward a living, breathing person. While any form of representation is important for a marginalized community, in this case with museums delivering a counter narrative to school legislation that aims to erase LGBTQ history, it is worthwhile to note that sexuality, its oppression, and LGBTQ people are not just history that belongs in museums. As artistic spaces continue to serve as a powerful means of breaking the rules, politicians now have the task of making sure that that extends to classrooms and all other components of a growing persons education. Queer people are here, they are present, and they will continue to exist, changing the world in the most beautiful, evocative ways. In several of the most populated U.S. counties, Black women remain less likely to carry a pregnancy to term than other racial groups, primarily due to avoidable systemic failures. HOUSTON Tonjanic Hill was overjoyed in 2017 when she learned she was 14 weeks pregnant. Despite a history of uterine fibroids, she never lost faith that she would someday have a child. But, just five weeks after confirming her pregnancy, and the day after a gender-reveal party where she announced she was having a girl, she seemed unable to stop urinating. She didnt realize her amniotic fluid was leaking. Then came the excruciating pain. I ended up going to the emergency room, said Hill, now 35. Thats where I had the most traumatic, horrible experience ever. For Tonjanic Hills first pregnancy, she had no insurance and only one prenatal visit before she had a miscarriage at 19 weeks. But in her second pregnancy, she had coverage and care from a high-risk pregnancy specialist. Though she was on bed rest for months and had to have an emergency cesarean section at 34 weeks, her premature twins are now preschoolers. I believe God and the high-risk doctor saved my twins, she says. (Brandon Thibodeaux for KFF Health News) An ultrasound showed she had lost 90% of her amniotic fluid. Yet, over the angry protestations of her nurse, Hill said, the attending doctor insisted Hill be discharged and see her own OB-GYN the next day. The doctor brushed off her concerns, she said. The next morning, her OB-GYNs office rushed her back to the hospital. But she lost her baby, Tabitha Winnie Denkins. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Black women are less likely than women from other racial groups to carry a pregnancy to term and in Harris County, where Houston is located, when they do, their infants are about twice as likely to die before their 1st birthday as those from other racial groups. Black fetal and infant deaths are part of a continuum of systemic failures that contribute to disproportionately high Black maternal mortality rates. This is a public health crisis as it relates to Black moms and babies that is completely preventable, said Barbie Robinson, who took over as executive director of Harris County Public Health in March 2021. When you look at the breakdown demographically whos disproportionately impacted by the lack of access we have a situation where we can expect these horrible outcomes. In fact, Harris County ranks third, behind only Chicagos Cook County and Detroits Wayne County, in what are known as excess Black infant deaths, according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. Those three counties, which also are among the nations most populated counties, account for 7% of all Black births in the country and 9% of excess Black infant deaths, said Ashley Hirai, a senior scientist at HRSA. The counties have the largest number of Black births but also more deaths that would not occur if Black babies had the same chance of reaching their first birthdays as white infants. No known genetic reasons exist for Black infants to die at higher rates than white infants. Such deaths are often called deaths of disparity because they are likely attributable to systemic racial disparities. Regardless of economic status or educational attainment, the stress from experiencing persistent systemic racism leads to adverse health consequences for Black women and their babies, according to a study published in the journal Womens Health Issues. These miscarriages and deaths can occur even in communities that otherwise appear to have vast health resources. In Harris County, for example, home to two public hospitals and the Texas Medical Center the largest medical complex in the world, with more than 54 medical-related institutions and 21 hospitals mortality rates were 11.1 per 1,000 births for Black infants from 2014 through 2019, according to the March of Dimes, compared with 4.7 for white infants. The abundance of providers in Harris County hasnt reassured pregnant Black patients that they can find care that is timely, appropriate, or culturally competent care that acknowledges a persons heritage, beliefs, and values during treatment. Regardless of income or insurance status, studies show medical providers often dismiss Black womens questions and concerns, minimize their physical complaints, and fail to offer appropriate care. By contrast, a study of 1.8 million hospital births spanning 23 years in Florida found that the gap in mortality rates between Black and white newborns was halved for Black babies when Black physicians cared for them. In 2013, Houstonian Kay Matthews was running a successful catering business when she lost the daughter shed named Troya eight months and three weeks into pregnancy. Matthews hadnt felt well shed been sluggish and tired for several days, but her doctor told her not to worry. Not long afterward, she woke up realizing something was terribly wrong. She passed out after calling 911. When she woke up, she was in the emergency room. None of the medical staffers would talk to her, she said. She had no idea what was happening, no one was answering her questions, and she started having a panic attack. It kind of felt like I was watching myself lose everything, she recalled. She said the nurse seemed annoyed with her questions and demeanor and gave her a sedative. When I woke up, I did not have a baby. Matthews recalled one staffer insinuating that she and her partner couldnt afford to pay the bill, even though she was a financially stable business owner, and he had a well-paying job as a truck driver. She said hospital staffers showed minimal compassion after she lost Troya. They seemed to dismiss her grief, she said. It was the first time she could remember feeling as if she was treated callously because she is Black. There was no respect at all, like zero respect or compassion, said Matthews, who has since founded the Shades of Blue Project, a Houston nonprofit focused on improving maternal mental health, primarily for Black patients. To help combat these high mortality rates in Harris County, Robinson created a maternal child and health office and launched a home-visit pilot program to connect prenatal and postpartum patients with resources such as housing assistance, medical care, and social services. Limited access to healthy food and recreational activities are barriers to healthy pregnancy outcomes. Studies have also shown a connection between evictions and infant mortality. For Hill, not having insurance was also likely a factor. While pregnant, Hill said, she had had just a single visit at a community health center before her miscarriage. She was working multiple jobs as a college student and did not have employer-provided medical coverage. She was not yet approved for Medicaid, the state-federal program for people with low incomes or disabilities. Texas has the nations highest uninsured rate, with nearly five million Texans or 20% of those younger than 65 lacking coverage, said Anne Dunkelberg, a senior fellow with Every Texan, a nonprofit research and advocacy institute focused on equity in public policy. While non-Hispanic Black Texans have a slightly better rate 17% than that overall state level, its still higher than the 12% rate for non-Hispanic white Texans, according to census data. Health experts fear that many more people are losing insurance coverage as COVID-19 pandemic protections end for Medicaid. Without full coverage, those who are pregnant may avoid seeking care, meaning they skip being seen in the critical first trimester, said Fatimah Lalani, medical director at Houstons Hope Clinic. Texas had the lowest percentage of mothers receiving early prenatal care in the nation in 2020, according to the states 2021 Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies Databook, and non-Hispanic Black moms and babies were less likely to receive first-trimester care than other racial and ethnic groups. Babies born without prenatal care were three times as likely to have a low birth weight and five times as likely to die as those whose mothers had care. If Hills miscarriage reflects how the system failed her, the birth of her twins two years later demonstrates how appropriate support has the potential to change outcomes. With Medicaid coverage from the beginning of her second pregnancy, Hill saw a high-risk pregnancy specialist. Diagnosed early with whats called an incompetent cervix, Hill was consistently seen, monitored, and treated. She also was put on bed rest for her entire pregnancy. She had an emergency cesarean section at 34 weeks, and both babies spent two weeks in neonatal intensive care. Today, her premature twins are three years old. I believe God and the high-risk doctor saved my twins, she said. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai. The post Dangers and deaths around Black pregnancies seen as a completely preventable health crisis appeared first on TheGrio. After Hooters laid off dozens of employees from a North Carolina restaurant during the early COVID-19 pandemic, mostly white workers and those of a lighter complexion were rehired, a new federal lawsuit says. Prior to the coronavirus-motivated layoffs in March 2020, 51% of the 43 Hooters Girls who worked at the restaurant were Black or darker-skinned, according to a complaint, which says they regularly faced racial discrimination and hostility at the Greensboro restaurant. Such hostility included comments from managers about how light skin-toned servers were more presentable as dark-skinned employees hair and appearances were the subject of their jokes, the complaint says. Out of the 43 Hooters Girls, 13 were called back to work in May 2020 and 12 were white or lighter-skinned, according to the complaint filed Aug. 24 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of former employees. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This reflects a marked shift in the racial composition of the restaurants Hooters Girls workforce, the EEOC said. The agency is suing Hooters of America, LLC, accusing it of race and color discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. McClatchy News contacted Hooters for comment on Aug. 24 and didnt receive an immediate response. Before Hooters failed to recall and/or rehire some employees because of their race, according to the EEOC, white employees were given preferential treatment from managers. The complaint accuses managers of being friendlier to white and lighter-skinned Hooters Girls and assigning them preferred shifts. With the lawsuit, the EEOC seeks to recover back pay and compensatory and punitive damages for former Hooters Girls and aims to prevent future discrimination at the Greensboro location. When recalling employees from a layoff, it is critical that employers examine their selection criteria to ensure they are objectively verifiable and free from racial bias, Melinda C. Dugas, a regional attorney for the EEOCs Charlotte district, said in a statement. Federal law protects employees from race-based decision making in the terms of employment, including in layoff, recall and hiring decisions. Steakhouse hires then fires worker after learning theyre pregnant, feds say Company routinely removed minority health aides because of patient requests, feds say Dominos manager mimicked a slave owner at work and was later promoted, feds say The death penalty is off the table in the case of August Cassano. Cassano, now 69, was serving a life sentence at Mansfield Correctional Institution for aggravated murder when he was assigned a new cellmate, Walter Hardy, in 1997. A few days later, Cassano allegedly killed Hardy by stabbing him 75 times with a prison shank. Hardy suffered wounds to his head, neck, back and chest. Cassano was in prison after he and an accomplice shot a bartender through the heart during a 1976 heist in Akron. He was convicted of aggravated murder and robbery. August Cassano Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled that Cassano should get a new trial in the local case. The appeals court said a judge had erred by not granting Cassano's request to be his own counsel, a violation of his constitutional rights. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher said there were several factors in her decision to remove the death penalty specification. Projected expenses were a primary concern. Considering time for trial preparation and possible expert witnesses, Schumacher said, "We were looking at $300,000 from the defense side." The prosecutor said another consideration was a recent trend in which jurors have not often recommended the death penalty in such cases. Schumacher said the defense could raise the issue of Cassano having a "serious mental illness" that could also remove the death penalty specification. Defense attorneys had previously asked judge to remove death penalty specification In an April hearing, defense attorneys asked Phil Naumoff, Richland County Common Pleas Court judge, to remove the death penalty. August Cassano, in orange, was in Richland County Common Pleas Court on Monday for a hearing. Cassano was in a wheelchair and looked down at the floor during the proceedings, seemingly disengaged. Akron attorneys Donald Malarcik and Jacob Will were appointed to represent Cassano for the current case. Malarcik made his argument to Naumoff, calling the death penalty in Ohio "arbitrary, capricious, racist and wrong." "This isn't just my opinion," he said, referring to a report issued by Attorney General Dave Yost. Yost called the death penalty "an indictment of Ohio's broken capital punishment system." Malarcik continued on that theme. "It is imposed in a discriminatory manner," he told the judge. "The No. 1 factor is the race of the victim." In Cassano's case, Hardy was white. Malarcik said the death penalty is not a deterrent and pointed out that 38 states have either abolished it or not imposed it in the last five years. "The idea that the death penalty is a deterrent does not add up," Malarcik said. Cassano reportedly has numerous health issues The defense attorney said Cassano is no longer a threat to anyone, pointing out his client lives with heart problems, diabetes and hepatitis. "He cannot walk without a walker or cane," Malarcik said. He added Cassano has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. In addition, Malarcik said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a moratorium on executions in Ohio, noting none of the required drugs are available. "There is no humane way we can carry out a humane execution in the state of Ohio," the defense attorney said. In a phone interview Thursday morning, Schumacher said of the defense attorneys, "They are doing their due diligence, I will say." In Cassano's Akron case, he was recently denied parole. Schumacher said he will not be up for parole again in that case for 10 years. Cassano, an inmate at Southern Ohio Correctional Institution in Lucasville, is scheduled for trial here on Oct. 17. If convicted, he could still get 30 years to life in prison. "I can still guarantee he dies in prison," Schumacher said. mcaudill@gannett.com 419-521-7219 X (formerly Twitter): @MarkCau32059251 This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Prosecutors remove death penalty specification in Cassano case The move in Clarendon Hills to go from two scheduled Village Board meetings each month to one isnt as drastic as it sounds on the surface. The Village Board approved the change Monday Aug. 21, following discussion over the past few months. Advertisement Even under the previous schedule, during January, June, July, August, November and sometimes December, it was common for the village to cancel one of the two meetings in those months due to holiday conflicts, Village Manager Zach Creer said. So, really this is something like moving from 18-20 meetings a year to 12 plus special meetings. Regularly-scheduled board meetings will now be conducted on the third Monday of each month, rather than the first and third Mondays. The exception will be any scheduled meeting during the week of Thanksgiving and in January for Martin Luther King Day, both which will be moved to the second Monday of the month. Advertisement By adhering to this schedule, we avoid conflict with Memorial Day, 4th of July, New Years Day, Election Day, and Labor Day, all of which occur around a first Monday of a month, Creer said. He said special meetings of the Village Board will be called as needed, and the meetings of the Zoning Board of Appeals/ Plan Commission will move from the third Thursday of each month to the first Thursday to allow for a quicker turnaround for landowners and developers. Along with believing village business can be handled with one Village Board meeting each month, there is another factor that led to the change at this time, We have had a lot of trustees resign over the last few years or decide not to run again, Creer said. The number one comment we received from outgoing trustees is that the time commitment was too much for these volunteer positions. I think moving to one meeting a month is one way to try to make it easier for residents to commit to public service, particularly in this day and age where most families are two earner households with not a lot of spare time. Creer said he believes making the move to one meeting each month strikes a delicate balance with transparency. Additional meetings do provide more time for people to weigh in, but they also often can require people to show up at multiple meetings in order to make sure they feel they are heard on an issue or to ensure the vote goes the same way on second reading, he said. An elongated process can be confusing to the public, as to when the actual decision occurs. Creer said development issues tend to attract the largest audiences at Village Board meetings. He expects two Zoning Board meetings, under the normal planned unit development process, and at least one Village Board meeting to be part of the process. Advertisement We have also been taking an extra step to have a premeeting on certain developments with the Village Board before Zoning Board to allow for the board and public to weigh in on whether or not the development is an appropriate use of the Planned Unit Development Process or deserving of TIF support, he said. Creer noted that Clarendon Hills being a small town, and one with an organizational model with relatively few or no levels of middle management between the executives and the front line employees, lends for residents being heard when they want. I take phone calls, answer emails, and get stopped on the street daily by people with questions about village business, he said. Aside from personnel issues and legal issues, where it is impractical or improper, the public gets the exact same information as the Village Board does on decision making. We pride ourselves in transparency, and I do not think one meeting a month will change that. Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. Kenneth Gay, left, and attorney Kenneth Lezin in 2000 after he was sentenced to death in the killing of LAPD Officer Paul Verna. After his conviction was tossed by the California Supreme Court, Gay was retried this summer. (Boris Yaro / Los Angeles Times) For the second time in four decades, an alleged armed robber has been convicted in the 1983 killing of Los Angeles Police Officer Paul Verna. Kenneth Gay, 65, was convicted Friday of murder and a weapons offense in connection with the decades-old slaying. Gay was retried this summer after his conviction was thrown out on appeal. Jurors deliberated for about two weeks, though there were some delays in the proceedings after one juror tested positive for COVID-19 and the San Fernando courtroom where the trial was held partly flooded during Tropical Storm Hilary. For weeks, many of Verna's loved ones and several uniformed police officers lined the courtroom observing testimony. Some let out sighs of relief when the jury's verdict was read late Friday afternoon. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "It's not exactly happiness. We've been in trial for 11 weeks and to have the jury be out so long, it was agonizing," said Verna's widow, Sandy Jackson. "But the end result was what it should be. [Gay] should not be out among us." Verna's two sons, who were 4 and 9 years old at the time of the shooting, both went on to join the LAPD as well and appeared in court throughout the trial, Jackson said. Under California law, Gay who has been incarcerated for roughly 40 years already must spend the rest of his life in prison because he was convicted of murder with special circumstances. Prosecutors alleged Gay, his partner in crime Raynard Cummings and their girlfriends shot and killed Verna to escape responsibility for engaging in a brutal string of robberies across the San Fernando Valley in the weeks leading up to the shooting. During his closing arguments, L.A. County Deputy Dist. Atty. Eric Siddall displayed pictures of several of their robbery victims with ugly bruises, and noted how the couples went to Las Vegas to get married and celebrate their spoils between crimes. Read more: 2 Convicted of Killing Officer, Could Get the Death Penalty Both men had discussed killing police officers who "got in their way" during their crime rampage, according to Siddall, boasts that turned into brutal foreshadowing when Verna pulled them over while they were driving a stolen vehicle on June 2, 1983. They know that if theyre caught with a gun or with a stolen car, theyre going back to prison," Siddall said. As Verna was questioning the driver, prosecutors allege, Cummings fired one shot from a revolver inside the car, stunning the officer. Gay then exited the car and emptied the gun into Verna's body, prosecutors told the jury. As he lay dying, prosecutors said, Verna managed to scribble information about the car on a field identification card, aiding in the suspects' capture later on. When police caught up with Gay and Cummings in San Diego County, arresting officers said they found Verna's stolen service weapon near Gay as he hid in the back seat of a car. Prosecutors described it as a "trophy." Both men were convicted of killing Verna at their initial trial in 1985 and were later sentenced to death. But Gay's death sentence was thrown out in 2020 after the California Supreme Court decided his initial trial lawyer was incompetent. A second jury was assembled to decide whether Gay should face life in prison or execution. He was again sentenced to death, but that verdict was also reversed after the state Supreme Court decided a judge erred in barring Gay and his attorney from presenting mitigating evidence during the penalty phase. Read more: LAPD officer's alleged killer stands trial again after conviction in 1983 case was tossed Gay has always maintained that Cummings was the sole shooter, something his former co-defendant has strongly implied in testimony and recorded jailhouse conversations that were put before the jury in San Fernando. Cummings, 66, took the stand on Gay's behalf during his most recent trial but never flat-out confessed to killing Verna in court. He was sentenced to death and remains incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison. Defense attorney Monnica Thelen, however, said in her closing argument that Cummings had admitted on multiple occasions in recorded jailhouse conversations to killing Verna. I was feeling it was kind of cruel to take someone with you when the person didnt have nothing to do with it," Cummings said at one point, according to Thelen. Thelen dismissed the prosecution's argument that Cummings handed the gun to Gay as "ridiculous." But Cummings' then-wife, Pamela, took the stand to validate that claim early in the eight-week trial. She has long maintained that Gay was the sole shooter and took a plea deal at the initial trial to testify for the prosecution. Thelen has dismissed Pamela Cummings' testimony as error-riddled and a desperate attempt to shift blame from her then-husband, though Pamela told the jury she hadn't spoken to Raynard Cummings in 20 years. Gay's fight for a new trial lasted decades. Gay has argued that his former attorney, Daye Shinn, took the role under fraudulent circumstances, advised him to admit to incriminating details and failed to introduce exculpatory evidence. Shinn was disbarred and has since died. As she wrapped up her closing arguments earlier this month, Thelen told jurors that while Verna's murder was certainly a tragedy, so was Gay's time in prison for a murder he was merely a witness to. The evidence shows the sole killer in this case has already been held accountable," she said. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Over 1,000 years ago, multiple Mayan men were decapitated at a temple in modern-day Mexico. Now, archaeologists have unearthed their skulls, shedding light on the culture and health of the Mayans, a people who once inhabited a wide swath of Latin America. The remains were uncovered at the Moral-Reforma Archaeological Site in the jungle of southeastern Mexico, according to an Aug. 23 news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Five skulls, in addition to fragments of other bones, were found buried under less than a foot of soil. All of them belonged to males between 17 and 45 years of age. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Based on observed cut marks, archaeologists determined at least two of the men had been decapitated at a nearby temple during the Late Classic Period, which lasted from 600 to 900 A.D. Additionally, all five skulls were elongated, indicating the men had their heads artificially deformed at a young age. The practice, which would have been accomplished through splinting, was typically associated with the upper echelons of Mayan society. Cranial modification may have been done to prevent infants from falling ill and to emulate Mayan gods portrayed as having long heads, according to a study published in the Journal of Anthropological Sciences. Three of the skulls also contained dental cavities, indicating the men regularly consumed carbohydrates, likely from corn, archaeologists said. One of the skulls also contained a jade stone embedded in a tooth. Dental modification was common among the Mayans and was practiced among people of varying social status, according to the book Ancient Maya Teeth. People polished, filed and drilled their teeth, sometimes attaching decorated pieces of pyrite and jade. The remains of more than 40 Mayans have been uncovered at the archaeological site during the most recent excavation season, archaeologists said. Google Translate was used to translate a news release from INAH. Stone wall uncovered in Italy was a Roman temple 2,000 years ago. See what remains Mysterious shipwreck overgrown and unidentified found by diver in Canada, video shows Bumpy baby creature found on sky islands in Vietnam and discovered as new species Women marching during the Women's Equality Day protest in New York City on August 26, 1971. It was designated as Womens Equality Day by the U.S. Congress in 1973. Credit - Peter L. GouldImages Press/Archive Photos/Getty Images August 26, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Womens Equality Day. Proposed in 1971 by Bella Abzug, the formidable feminist organizer and federal lawmaker from New York, and passed as a joint resolution by Congress in 1973, Womens Equality Day recognizes the fight for womens suffrage and hard won ratification of the 19th Amendment. Around the time Womens Equality Day was first envisioned, Abzug joined forces with other leaders and activistsGloria Steinem, Shirley Chisolm, and Fannie Lou Hamer among themto form the National Womens Political Caucus (NWPC). Through both endeavors they sought to acknowledge that political representation belongs at the center of the quest for gender justiceand, according to the NWPC archives, that legal, economic, and social equity would come about only when women were equally represented among the nations political decision-makers. Historically, women in the United States have participated voraciously in civic life, registering and voting at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1980. Black women show up at the polls and in voter mobilization efforts in even greater numbers, with turnout rates of upward of 66% in 2020. In July 1972, Steinem wrote for the newly launched Ms. magazine, Black women come out stronger on just about every feminist issue, whether it is voting for a woman candidate, ending violence and militarism, or believing that women are just as rational as men and have more human values. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The same article by Steinem forecasted, Weve been delivering our votes [and] now women want something in return. Nineteen seventy-two is just the beginning And in many ways, it was. That year, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) handily passed the U.S. Senate and seemed destined for swift ratification. Chisolms public serviceas the first Black Congresswoman, followed by her groundbreaking 1972 presidential campaignaltered the discourse about whether White Male Only remained a qualifier to lead the nation. And by January 1973, the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, affirming a constitutional right to abortion. Read More: Women's Equality Day Is a Reminder That the Fight for Womens Rights Didnt End With the 19th Amendment Fast forward half a century, and Vice President Kamala Harris shattered the White House glass ceiling. Womens overall leadership on Capitol Hill has continued to climb, reaching an all-time high in the 118th Congressjust over 28% (149 members). In the House, women broke records in the 2022 midterms, with 124 now serving, 27 of whom are Black and 18 are Latin. Women now comprise nearly a third of all legislators and elected executives, including a record 12 serving as governor. And still, the U.S. remains far from achieving fully representative governance compared to womens actual population footprint; this is especially so for women of color. The U.S. pales in comparison to womens political authority in much of the world, too, including among peer democracies. As for the other advances on the 1972 agenda? The ERA remains unfinished business and is still not enshrined in the Constitution. And Roe was overturned on June 24, 2022 by the Supreme Courts new conservative supermajority in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Backlash to the ERA, and the very text of the Dobbs decision, crudely distort the principles undergirding Womens Equality Day and the goals of the NWPC. Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the majority opinion for Dobbs, claimed womens political advancement itself is an antidote to the Courts reversal of a fundamental right. Of this, he wrote, Women are not without electoral or political power. It is noteworthy that the percentage of women who register to vote and cast ballots is consistently higher than the percentage of men who do so. Yes, women are now doing exactly that: running for office on, and voting consistently, overwhelmingly, and successfully for abortion rights everywhere the issue has appeared on the ballot since Dobbs. But there are obvious flaws in Justice Alitos appeal to womens electoral and political powerand, for that matter, to the NWPCs founding documentssuggesting gender parity alone should be a singular or even sufficient metric for achieving feminist goals. It is exponentially hard to out-run and out-vote anti-democratic maneuvers like partisan gerrymandering, voter suppressionor, as we just saw in Ohio, an attempt to raise the threshold for winning a citizen-led ballot initiative as a way to stymie abortion rights. (The Ohio measure was soundly defeated on August 8 in a special election.) These are not examples of one-off transgressions or piecemeal degradation of our democratic systems, but rather deliberate and systemic mechanisms for defying the popular will. It is why decidedly anti-feminist policy outcomes persist, like book bans in the name of parental rights or the maddening inability to advance common sense gun safety measures. It is how 14 state legislatures succeeded in outlawing abortion since Dobbs, despite public polling in favor of abortion rights reaching record highs. Womens Equality Day was initially a way to express the belief that, as noted in public policy scholars Zoe Marks and Erica Chenoweth's 2023 article in Ms., a democracy in which "half the population is subordinatedpolitically, socially, economicallyis not a true democracy at all." 50 years later, we must be clear that womens autonomy, well-being, and rights are inextricably tied to the integrity and durability of our democratic systems. As we look ahead, two states, Michigan and Minnesota, offer hope. Both have committed to reforms that increase voter participation, fair representation, and direct democracy; in turn, both have seen feminist priorities thrive, from codifying reproductive care and establishing green energy goals, to expanding paid family leave and protecting trans youth. As we trace the 50-year arc of Womens Equality Day, among the lessons we might glean today: womens voices and votes surely matter, transformative change is possibleand the fight for robust democracy is, at its core, a central and urgent feminist goal. Contact us at letters@time.com. The Department of Justice is suing SpaceX, alleging it's been discriminating against asylees and refugees in its hiring practices. The lawsuit, filed Thursday, asserts that the Elon Musk-led company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act between 2018 and 2022 by outright rejecting asylee and refugee job applicants. "Our investigation found that SpaceX failed to fairly consider or hire asylees and refugees because of their citizenship status and imposed what amounted to a ban on their hire regardless of their qualification, in violation of federal law," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, in a statement. It's a troubling development for the space company, alleging serious blindspots in its hiring practices and tracing some directly back to Musk. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Lending credibility to the claims, it's also far from the first time a Musk-led business has been accused of discriminating against employees. A group of former Twitter employees, for instance, accused the company earlier this month of sex, race, and age discrimination. Tesla in particular has been accused of wave after wave of discrimination and labor law violations. Earlier this year, 240 Black factory workers in California accused the company of "rampant racism." And now, the Justice Department's lawsuit says that SpaceX made wrongful statements in at least 14 job postings, with the company claiming that it could only hire citizens and lawful permanent residents under "export control laws," despite there being "no such hiring restrictions," according to the statement. The Justice Department's lawsuit also cites Musk directly, pointing to a 2016 video, in which the mercurial CEO wrongfully claimed that "a normal work visa is insufficient to work at SpaceX unless the company can obtain 'special permission from the Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State.'" In a June 2020 tweet, Musk also claimed that US law requires anybody who wants to be hired by SpaceX to have "at least a green card." In its lawsuit, however, the Department of Justice pointed out that "'US persons' working for US companies can access export-controlled items without authorization from the US government." "A 'US person' under [International Traffic in Arms Regulations] and [Export Administration Regulations], includes a US citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, a refugee, or an asylee," the complaint reads. The department alleges SpaceX rejected any candidates who were listed as refugees or asylees, wrongfully claiming it wasn't possible to hire them under ITAR. As a result, only one employee out of the roughly 10,000 people SpaceX hired from September 2018 to May 2022 was an asylee, the complaint alleges. The Justice Department is now seeking "fair consideration and back pay for asylees and refugees who were deterred or denied employment at SpaceX due to the alleged discrimination." "Through this lawsuit we will hold SpaceX accountable for its illegal employment practices and seek relief that allows asylees and refugees to fairly compete for job opportunities and contribute their talents to SpaceXs workforce," said Clarke in the statement. SpaceX has yet to respond to requests for comment by ABC News and CNN. More on SpaceX: Elon Musk Is Apparently Making the US Government Quite Nervous Charles Gladstone, a descendant of former plantation owner John Gladstone, delivers an apology on behalf of the Gladstone family at Georgetown University in Georgetown, Guyana, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The descendants of a 19th-century Scottish sugar and coffee planter who owned thousands of slaves in Guyana apologized Friday for the sins of their ancestor, calling slavery a crime against humanity with lasting negative impacts. Behind are Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana Paloma Mohamed Martin, left, and Guyana Reparations Committee Chair Eric Phillips. (AP Photo/Chris Leung) GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) The descendants of a 19th-century Scottish sugar and coffee planter who owned thousands of slaves in Guyana apologized Friday for the sins of their ancestor, calling slavery a crime against humanity with lasting negative impacts. Charles Gladstone , a descendant of former plantation owner John Gladstone , traveled to Guyana from Britain with five relatives to offer the formal apology. It is with deep shame and regret that we acknowledge our ancestors involvement in this crime and with heartfelt sincerity, we apologize to the descendants of the enslaved in Guyana," he told an audience at the University of Guyana. "In doing so, we acknowledge slaverys continuing impact on the daily lives of many. Neither Guyana President Irfaan Ali, who on Thursday demanded reparations and lashed out at the descendants of European slave traders, nor other senior government officials were in the audience of a couple hundred students, university staff members and representatives of grassroots organizations. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement During his speech, Gladstone announced that his family would create a fund for various unnamed projects in the country as part of a meaningful and long-term relationship between our family and the people of Guyana. In writing this heartfelt apology, we also acknowledge Sir John Gladstones role in bringing indentured laborers to Guyana, and apologize for the clear and manifold injustices of this, he said. John Gladstone was the father of 19th century British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone and received more than 100,000 pounds in compensation for hundreds of slaves. A renowned 1823 slave revolt took place on his estate at Success Village on Guyanas east coast. The Demerara rebellion was crushed in two days with hundreds of slaves killed. Some enslaved people were beheaded and had their heads planted on poles on the way to Georgetown, Guyana's colonial and current capital, as a lesson to others with similar ideas. Outside the auditorium where Gladstone made the apology, a handful of protesters shouted Murderers! and held signs reading, The Gladstones are murderers and Stolen people, stolen dreams. The leader of the protest, Cedric Castellow, dismissed the apology as perfunctory and said Britain and other European countries owe Guyana and the Caribbean billions of dollars in reparation payments. The British government and others benefited from the slave trade, their descendants and heirs, Castellow said. They owe us, and the legacy will affect future generations as well. Some protesters slipped into the auditorium. One began to shout at the end of the apology and was shushed by the universitys vice chancellor, Paloma Mohamed, who asked them not to embarrass Guyana. Gladstone also demanded that the British government start meaningful discussions with a 15-nation Caribbean trade block known as Caricom that is seeking reparations and hired a law firm to examine its case for financial compensation from Britain and other European nations. We also urge other descendants of those who benefited from slavery to open conversations about their ancestors crimes and what they might be able to do to build a better future, Gladstone said. Among those who traveled to Guyana for Fridays apology was former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan. Earlier this year, her family apologized to slave descendants in Grenada because her ancestors owned hundreds of slaves in that eastern Caribbean island. It seems that the momentum for the global reparations movement is being led by the Caribbean and its intellectuals, Trevelyan told The Associated Press after Gladstones speech. People like us support the Caricom ... plan, and I really hope that the British government will begin negotiations with the Caribbean in the near future. A handful of nations have apologized for their role in slavery, including the Netherlands. Two days after she watched fires consume Lahaina, first-grade teacher Mindi Cherry stood in the ashes of her classroom. King Kamehameha III Elementary School, where she had taught for 13 years, had burned to the ground, only its aluminum roof left behind. As a teacher, she feels helpless. She doesnt even know where most of her students are right now. And as a Lahaina resident and mom of a seventh grader, she says shes also in limbo. She cant go to school, Cherry, 46, told NBC News. Shes already lost her home. As September approaches, families who lost everything to the fires are trying to regain a sense of normalcy. A big part of that is getting their kids back in school, and so far, they say their options are limited. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Theres state-backed online classes, but many families say they cant afford to replace the computers that burned in the fires. Parents can enroll their kids in school on the other side of the island, but many dont have cars or even an address they can put down when registering. Above all, parents and teachers told NBC News, they want their kids close by, surrounded by their friends who experienced the same trauma, and they arent ready to leave Lahaina behind. Theyre fighting to keep their kids in school there. Our children need to be with people that understand what they have gone through and feel the same things that they have gone through, said Pakalana Phillips, a Native Hawaiian resident of Lahaina who lost her home in the fire. Once youve lost the people that are native to the land that have been living there for generations, you lose that heart and soul that makes Lahaina so unique. Mindi Cherry, 46, and her daughter Grace Cherry, 12. (Courtesy Mindi Cherry) Parents and teacher have limited recourse Schools in Lahaina are all currently closed, along with many of the schools in West Maui. Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Intermediate and Princess Nahienaena Elementary survived the flames and are currently being assessed. We are awaiting results of environmental testing to be sure that the air, water and soil are safe so that we may return to campus, said Derek Inoshita, communications specialist with Hawaii Public Schools. The King Kamehameha III Elementary campus was damaged beyond repair. Inoshita said that the state government will be aiding the district, but that there are currently any plans to rebuild or federal aid is still up in the air. Schools in central and south Maui have been accepting students from Lahaina and other west side towns affected by the fires. Many are reaching capacity, according to a release on Wednesday. But even with bus options being offered by the state, parents are worried about the emotional toll of letting their kids make the journey. They would have to drive through and see all of the ashes, Cherry said. Students and teachers who dont want to leave Lahaina are pushing for other options, including using ballrooms of West Maui resorts as temporary satellite campuses. Cherry says she sees that as a far better option than online school, which her daughter is currently enrolled in. Even though Im going to be displaced and living in Wailuku for who knows how long, I would rather teach on the West Side, she said. And if the intermediate school opens back up, I would rather have my kid go there than stare at a screen all day. Inoshita said the district is weighing such options. Though her temporary housing is east of Lahaina, Cherry says her daughter wouldnt thrive in a new school after all shes been through. Im not going to put her with people she doesnt know, and say, OK, figure it out, she said. She would shut down. Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. King Kamehameha Iii Elementary School. This school is rated above average in school quality compared to other schools in Hawaii. (Michael Siluk / UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images file) Locals want to be consulted For lower-income immigrant families in Maui, information about where to get help or how to enroll their kids in school is inherently harder to access, says Maui-based immigration attorney Kevin Block. Many of his clients are scared to even let their kids out of their sight. People are in phase one, theyre still trying to find each other, he said. The air still smells like smoke. Everybodys just rattled. Once the resorts open, tourists come back and work resumes for many in Lahaina, getting their kids to and from a far-away school may be out of the question. Hawaii Public Schools announced this week that a meeting with West Maui parents and community members is on the books for Aug. 30. But Block wishes teachers and parents were consulted before this point. They just feel like theyre not being heard, he said. Residents say theyre doing as much as they can to restore their schools and community, but they wish the government was playing a more active role. Phillips, who lost a multigenerational ancestral home in the fires, says enough has been lost and taken from Lahaina. If the state encourages families to enroll their kids elsewhere, she fears they wont return. The more families you have leaving Lahaina, its harder to rebuild, she said. Our community are the ones that are reaching out to do that, our government needs to step in. Even if we have to live in tents until we are able to rebuild our homes, theres an important factor in having the families actually physically be in Lahaina. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Governor Mike DeWine is sending state resources to Clark County to help cut down on violent crime. In Springfield alone, there have been eight homicides just this year. The first time DeWine announced this violence reduction work was last week in Cleveland when city leaders asked for state help. The second rollout of the work is now in Clark County. >> Man learning how to drive crashes into Springfield church We have to be asked before we come in. So we have our system works. Thats the way we like it. So they asked us to come in and assist, DeWine said. DeWine announced the state has started offering Springfield police and Clark County deputies extra staffing with state troopers, an aircraft from the highway patrol, plus intelligence from the state, among other resources. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The focus of the teams is going after violent criminals, primarily those who have guns but should not. Former Clark County prosecutor, Andy Wilson, is now the director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. >> Clark County deputies ride to school with Northwestern students He detailed some of the work the task force did overnight Thursday into Friday in Springfield. He said they found eight people violating their parole. Two of those felons were illegally carrying guns, Wilson said. Wilson said illegal guns werent the only things they got off the street. We recovered drugs, including meth, cocaine, crack, and pills, Wilson said. News Center 7s John Bedell asked Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliot how the initiative helps solve and prevent violent crimes in the city. Again, it just goes to show working together, it makes safer operations for our community, Elliot said. The goal is to create a safer community for everyone to live, work, enjoy their lives and thats thats our goal. DeWine said the task force is going to continue its work over the next few days in Clark County. On Aug. 23, 2023, during the first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, a user on X (formerly Twitter) posted a video that purported to show candidate Vivek Ramaswamy calling climate change a "hoax," followed by a clip from months earlier in which he said climate change was "real." The post in question was captioned as follows: "Vivek Ramaswamy just said climate change is a hoax. But check out what he said 5 months ago." Vivek Ramaswamy just said climate change is a hoax. But check out what he said 5 months ago. #GOPdebate #rumble2024debate pic.twitter.com/BOJM4sIoS0 Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) August 24, 2023 In this story, we'll first take a look back at Ramaswamy's earlier remarks that appeared in the video. They came from a March 2023 podcast interview. We'll then examine what he said at the debate and provide context. March 2023: Podcast Interview On March 5, 2023, Ramaswamy appeared on the podcast "The Takeout," which was hosted by CBS News' chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett. Around 20 minutes into the interview, Ramaswamy was asked by Garrett about "COVID-ism," which Ramaswamy said he believed was "just one of the many secular religions we've embraced in America." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ramaswamy also referenced "climate-ism," saying that, "It's in the veneer of science, both with COVID-ism and climate-ism, we've created a religious conviction in a single-sided agenda that has actually nothing to do with the problem you're purporting to solve." Later in the interview, Ramaswamy called climate change itself "real." As The Associated Press and many others have repeatedly and credibly reported, Ramaswamy's statement was true, given that "overwhelming scientific evidence shows global warming and climate change are real and caused by human activity, including human-caused carbon dioxide emissions." Ramaswamy explained, "I'm not denying the underlying reality that global surface temperatures are going up, and, in part, due to human activity. But what I'm denying here and rejecting is the religious fanaticism to say that that needs to be the end-all, be-all purpose of human action, when, in fact, the end-all, be-all purpose of human action should actually be human-flourishing itself. And I think that's what the religious zealotry misses here." In other words, on March 5, Ramaswamy said that climate change was real and that human activity was part of the problem, then added that he had differences with the way he saw others attempting to solve the issue. August 2023: The First Debate During the debate on Aug. 23, Fox News host Martha MacCallum asked the eight candidates onstage, "So, we want to start on this with a show of hands. Do you believe in human behavior is causing climate change? Raise your hand if you do." Ramaswamy did not raise his hand, which was an indication of the silent answer, "No." Instead, he went on to say that, "My hands are in my pockets." This moment stood in stark contrast to the March interview in which Ramaswamy said that climate change is "real," and "I'm not denying the underlying reality that global surface temperatures are going up, and, in part, due to human activity." With his hands down at the debate, Ramaswamy then said three times, "The climate change agenda is a hoax," the context of which was spelled out in the March interview, as well as his own social media posts, including one that referenced "climate change policies that threaten U.S. prosperity." Conclusion The X post containing the video that was in question claimed, "Vivek Ramaswamy just said climate change is a hoax. But check out what he said 5 months ago." The implication was that he had reversed his position. But that wasn't exactly what Ramaswamy said. He said, "The climate change agenda is a hoax," by which it appears he meant some or all of the existing government policies and proposals meant to address the problem of climate change the "climate change agenda" are a "hoax." Causing further confusion, Ramaswamy refused to raise his hand when the debaters were asked to do so if they believe human behavior causes climate change. Whether he intended it or not, it appears most people took him to be saying he believes the notion of human-caused climate change itself is a hoax. For further coverage of additional remarks made by Ramaswamy at the first debate, we recommend readers visit a PolitiFact fact check that examined the accuracy of his remark, "The reality is more people are dying of bad climate change policies than they are of actual climate change." Sources: Cercone, Jeff, and Amy Sherman. "More Deaths from Climate Policies than Climate Change? Scientists Say Ramaswamy's Claim Is Baseless." PolitiFact, 24 Aug. 2023, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2023/aug/24/vivek-ramaswamy/vivek-ramsaswamys-misleading-gop-debate-claim-abou/. "Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy on 'The Takeout' | March 5, 2023." YouTube, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5NRK1gjX_U. Fraser, Terrence. "Climate Crisis Is Real and Stems from Human Activity." The Associated Press, 16 July 2021, https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-967359390899. Tulp, Sophia. "Temperature Graph Misrepresented to Deny Climate Change." The Associated Press, 19 Jan. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misleading-climate-change-graph-418146648172. "Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie Exchange Jabs: 'Bought and Paid For.'" YouTube, Fox News, 23 Aug. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YUbCUlKRdo. @VivekGRamaswamy. "The Real Emergency Isn't Climate Change, It's the Man-Made Disaster of Climate Change Policies That Threaten U.S. Prosperity." X, 17 Aug. 2023, https://twitter.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1692268898278859006. College student Alexa Kate shared her disappointment on TikTok about her dorm room. Kate uses a wheelchair and had requested an accessible unit with a bathtub. Instead, she was given a non-accessible room with a bathtub she can't use. A college student who uses a wheelchair shared her disappointment on TikTok about her dorm room, after she requested an accessible room but got a non-accessible one with a bathtub. Alexa Kate, who studies at Chapman University in Orange, California, said she requested a "wheelchair-accessible unit with a bathtub" at her college's housing office. But what she was given was a non-accessible room with a bathtub one she wouldn't be able to get into. In the video's caption, Kate wrote that the housing officer must have thought she meant she "must prefer to have a bathtub even if the unit is not accessible." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "What did they think I was gonna do??" she wrote, asking if they thought she "would just magically be able to walk." Kate also responded to several comments, explaining the situation further, and expressing her frustration. "In what world does my PREFERENCE for a bathtub overpower my NEED for accessibility," she said in a comment. She also asked "what good" a bath was if she couldn't even get into it by herself. "Do they think the bath is for decoration?" she said. This embedded content is not available in your region. People commented on Kate's video, sharing similar experiences. One person said she was put in a wheelchair inaccessible dorm because she had requested an "all female" one, and they had prioritized that instead of accessibility. "Genuinely starting to think housing departments think if our other preferences are met we will just be cured," Kate replied. One person said they had been given a bath over a roll-in shower they requested, and another said she had been put in an apartment on the second floor with no elevator. "Oh my god," Kate replied. People with disabilities are a protected class in the US, meaning college campuses are legally obligated to ensure all environments including their classrooms, libraries, and dorms are accessible. Chapman University is a private university, which means that according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), it is required to meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design when constructing all new buildings. It also states that with existing buildings, "architectural barriers" that restrict the movement of disabled people should be removed, so long as it is "easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense. "Whether or not something is readily achievable depends on the overall financial resources of the university," it reads. Kate commented on her video after a few hours, saying her university was "going to modify the bathroom to be accessible" for her. Some people responded asking what kind of modifications would be made. "The whole apartment is still not gonna be ADA compliant," Kate said. "However they are installing a transfer bench and bars so I can use the bathtub! :)" Insider reached out to Chapman University for comment. Read the original article on Insider Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor, on Thursday claimed that former President Donald Trump was merely seeking a recount when he demanded Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger "find" enough votes to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. Trump called Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021, and pressured him to "find" the 11,780 votes he needed in order to declare him the victor. Raffensperger's office had completed a recount of the votes the month prior at Trump's request, marking the third time public officials counted the state's votes, which Trump lost each time. Turley, who was a Republican witness during Trump's first impeachment inquiry, told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Trump was merely seeking another recount when he made the call. "I think this is criminalizing the challenging of elections," Turley said during the segment. "Basically, you have a Democratic prosecutor saying, 'How dare you challenge a Democratic victory?'" ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He then compared Trump's attempts to push public officials to congressional Democrats voting against certifying the former president's 2016 victory. "But in Donald Trump's case, he insists that he does believe that Georgia could have been flipped with a recount. And the way [District Attorney Fani Willis] portrayed that phone call to Raffensperger I think is really evidence of the bias and unfairness of aspects of this indictment," he added. "You know, it makes perfect sense when you're challenging an election to say, you know, 'I only need around 11,000 votes,'" Turley continued. "So, if you do a statewide review, that's not a lot in a state like Georgia. That's not criminal. That's making a case for a recount." get a load of Jonathan Turley defending Trump's call when he asked Georgia election officials to find votes for him. clown stuff pic.twitter.com/8SRrnjS90L Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 15, 2023 The Trump-Raffensperger call is one of the more than 160 acts listed as evidence of an alleged plot to overturn the 2020 election in the indictment handed up by an Atlanta grand jury earlier this month. The former president was charged with 13 counts related to his efforts, one of which pertains to claims Trump made in the call, and is one of 19 defendants. According to The Washington Post, Turley leveled a similar argument in Trump's defense earlier this month, asserting in another Fox News appearance that the "more obvious explanation" for Trump's request during the call was that he was advocating for a recount. "The Georgia officials were saying that further state recounts might not be necessary. It would be natural for Trump to say, look, you only need to find 11,000 to turn the outcome of this election," he said. "So I don't need that many votes. Thus, a state recount is justified." The Post notes, however, that 11,000 votes is a pretty sizeable sum when it comes to a recount. While recounts in federal or statewide races may scrounge up a few hundred votes that were uncounted or miscounted the first time, those random omissions typically benefit candidates randomly with changes in results being much smaller than the uncovered votes. "It's only in the closest races that a recount can make a difference and 11,000-plus votes is not a particularly close race in that sense," wrote WaPo columnist Philip Bump. Bump went on to detail the call between Trump and Raffensperger in the analysis of Turley's defense, pointing out that the former president never once asked for a recount during the exchange and outlining the "litany of suppositions about where there might have been errors or flaws in the votes cast" Trump had said. "All of which is to say that Turley's argument is obviously weak. A candidate simply hoping to ensure that all avenues were closed even after months of scrutiny and multiple recounts would receive information that those avenues had already been demonstrably closed with resignation and acceptance," Bump concluded. "That was not the way Trump received Raffensperger's pushback." Turley himself even criticized Trump for the phone call when The Post first reported it in 2021. "Telling Raffensperger to 'find' the votes on the Saturday before the certification is breathtaking," he wrote on Twitter, the platform rebaranding as X, linking to the article. "I am as mystified by the request as I am the logic. Such an opportunistic move to secure the 16 electoral votes would not work to change the outcome." Telling Raffensperger to "find" the votes on the Saturday before the certification is breathtaking. https://t.co/RAFqu6A41L I am as mystified by the request as I am the logic. Such an opportunistic move to secure the 16 electoral votes would not work to change the outcome. Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) January 3, 2021 Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Turley walked back his 2021 comment in a statement to Mediate two weeks ago, arguing that he was misinformed about the conversation because the "transcript presented a sharply different context and meaning." "The next day, I gave interviews on those differences and I then ran a column stating that the transcript shows a clear alternative meaning," he said in the statement. "I later wrote on the errors in The Post account of the calls. To its credit, The Post admitted the errors in its original story. I stated, as I have continued to state, that reasonable people can disagree on that meaning." However, Turley's account, Bump says, is misleading. While the outlet did correct an article about a different call where Trump attempted to pressure Georgia officials, the article linked in his tweet remained accurate. "Notice how he conflates the two, describing them as the 'Post account of the calls' and suggesting that it was our error that misled him," Bump said. "In reality, the error was and continues to be his own." Legal experts called out Turley's defense on social media. "I'm not asking every law professor out there to agree with my view. But would a fourth recount weeks after certification and just a couple of days before Congress convened have changed the election? No. This argument is obscene. Simply because it is devoid of logic and reason," wrote Georgia State Law Prof. Anthony Michael Kreis. "There's just no way if someone understood the basics of what happened in Georgia or cared to look at the timeline of events in at least a superficial way, that the Trump phone call comes off as a casual chat," he added, pointing out that "One might also want to ask why anyone felt the need to record the phone call if the entire episode was so innocent. It sure seems that folks had reason to be suspicious of Trump's overtures." Longtime Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias called Turley's defense of Trump "more proof that Jonathan Turley is Mike Lindell with tenure," referring to the MyPillow founder who continues to espouse election conspiracy theories while facing multiple defamation lawsuits. More proof that Jonathan Turley is Mike Lindell with tenure. https://t.co/AuAtSqCw0I Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) August 25, 2023 "A disgrace to my profession," wrote Eric Segall, the Ashe Professor of Law at Georgia State University. A disgrace to my profession. Man, Turley, Eastman, The Dersh.Ugg. https://t.co/LBauGMjEhB Eric Segall (@espinsegall) August 25, 2023 Read more about the Fulton case Homicides were reported this past week in Chicago Heights and Harvey, and a Riverdale man was shot to death this week in Chicago, according to the Cook County medical examiners office. In Chicago Heights, an 18-year-old Calumet City man, Jaden Miller-Stone, of the 400 block of Clyde Avenue, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest in the 200 block of 16th Place, according to the office. Advertisement He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 4 a.m. Aug. 20, and his death was ruled a homicide. In Harvey, 41-year-old Cordero Fuentes suffered a gunshot wound at his home in the 300 block of West 150th Street, according to the medical examiners office. It was not clear whether he was shot inside or outside his home. Advertisement He was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:44 a.m. Tuesday, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the office. A 24-year-old Riverdale man, Aaron Bynum, of the 13800 block of South Wabash Avenue, suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the 3900 block of West Cermak Road, Chicago, according to the office. He was pronounced dead at 12:13 a.m. Thursday at the scene and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the office. In Calumet City, a Hammond, Indiana, man died early in the morning of Aug. 18 after suffering multiple gunshot wounds in the 300 block of Paxton Avenue, according to the medical examiners office. Thomas D. Robinson, 28, of the 800 block of Indiana Street, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the office, which ruled his death a homicide. The medical examiner also reported that Antoine Price, 54, of the 14400 block of South Kimbark Avenue, Dolton, suffered a stab wound to the chest at his home. It was not clear if the stabbing took place inside or outside the home. Price was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in Chicago, and pronounced dead just before 5 p.m. Aug. 17, according to the medical examiners office, which ruled the death a homicide. mnolan@tribpub.com A doctor in Japan took his own life after working more than 200 hours of overtime in a month. His family said he developed depression after not taking a day off in three months. Deaths by overwork in Japan are so common that there's a unique word for it karoshi. A 26-year-old doctor in Japan took his own life last year after working more than 200 hours of overtime in a single month, his family said. Takashima Shingo had been working in the gastroenterology department of the Konan Medical Center in Kobe in central Japan when he died by suicide last May, according to the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi. The family's lawyer said that Takashima had not taken a day off for three months, and had worked 207 hours of overtime in the month immediately preceding his death, CNN reported. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He was deemed by the Nishinomiya Labor Standards Inspection Office to have developed depression from working such long hours, which led to his death, his family said in a news conference last week, according to the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi. According to remarks made by the office and reported on by the newspaper, Takashima "had just become a medical specialist and was assigned the same kind of duties as senior doctors, being instructed to write reports and give conference presentations, which led to extremely long working hours." His mother, Junko Takashima, told a press conference on August 18 that her son had become pale and his room littered with trash in the lead-up to his death, according to The Mainichi. She said that her son would complain that life was "too hard" and "no one would help him," according to CNN. Takashima's brother, who was not named, said at the press conference that the doctor worked an "unbelievable number" of hours, CNN reported. He added: "I don't think the hospital is taking a solid approach to labor management in the first place." The hospital at a press conference rebuffed claims that it was responsible for the doctor becoming overworked and dying, per CNN. According to the news outlet, a spokesperson said: "There are many times when [doctors] spend time studying on their own and sleeping according to their physiological needs. Due to the very high degree of freedom, it is not possible to accurately determine working hours." The hospital did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Japan's culture of chronic overwork leading to deaths is a well-known problem, which governments have tried to remedy for decades. Ever since the late 1970s, there has been a word to describe the troubling phenomenon karoshi, which literally means death by overwork. There have been numerous examples of karoshi in recent years, such as when officials concluded in 2017 that the 2013 death of a reporter for Japan's national broadcaster NHK died from congestive heart failure due to overwork. The problem of karoshi is particularly apparent in Japan's health sector, according to academic literature. A 2022 study published in the BMJ found that many Japanese resident doctors showed "a tendency to experience burnout and suicidal ideation" as a result, in part, of overwork. Read the original article on Insider You wont stumble upon The Project Lounge by accident. Hidden along the railroad tracks in South Biloxi and tucked into a cropping of building that run together is a bar and restaurant that doesnt rely on flash to attract customers. In fact, the opposite is true. Once youve spotted the banner hanging over a wooden frame that guards the front door, youll slip through into total, smoky darkness. For a moment. Soon the candlelit tables and thin LED strip above the bar will bring the cozy room to light. The old movie posters and photographs that line the walls begin to come into focus. Theres plenty of tabletop seating and a long row of seats at the bar. The Project Lounge bar and restaurant in Biloxi serves the best burger on the Coast. This is the building that claims the Coasts best burger. I was here to learn why. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement They grill it in front of you, just behind the bar. Its dressed in the traditional styling of an American burger: lettuce, tomato, onions and mustard over a beefy patty with a side of potato chips. It also comes with mayo if you want, as well as cheese as an add-on. I like a good burger. Its not typically something Ill order when Im out, though. This is the Mississippi Coast, Im throwing down crawfish and pasta everywhere I go. But this burger right here was done right. They dont go to any extra length to make it anything other than what it is. Its cooked to order perfectly, arriving juicy and savory. It comes with a bun that holds the flavor well without sogging up. Maybe the best part of this meal was the price tag: $9. Thats it. For a quiet, cozy vibe and a genuinely good burger the bank did not go broke. The folks that rolled in around the lunch hour consistently ordered the same thing. If you havent joined them yet, its time to find The Project Lounge. If you go, remember to bring cash with you. Where is the Project Lounge? Address: 208 Iberville Dr., Biloxi When is the Project Lounge open? Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily The Project Lounge bar and restaurant in Biloxi serves the best burger on the Coast. The US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against SpaceX on Thursday for allegedly refusing to consider hiring asylum seekers and refugees. According to a DOJ statement, Elon Musk s rocket and satellite company routinely discouraged applicants because of their citizenship status from at least September 2018 to May 2022, thus violating the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The DOJ argues SpaceX, in multiple job postings and public statements, "wrongly claimed" that federal export control law regulations forced the company to only hire US citizens and green card holders. The allegedly willful misinterpretation of the law was repeatedly and publicly echoed by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In June 2020, for example, Musk posted to X (formerly Twitter) that U.S. law requires at least a green card to be hired at SpaceX, as rockets are advanced weapons technology." But as the DOJs announcement notes, the jobs in question werent only advanced engineering and tech roles, but a variety of other positions, including welders, cooks, crane operators, baristas, software engineers, marketing professionals, and more. According to the DOJ, SpaceX falsely claimed to be legally prohibited from hiring refugees in a total of 14 job postings, public announcements, and other online recruiting communications. According to the INA, employers cannot discriminate against hiring asylees or refugees unless a specific executive order, government contract, law, or other federal regulation prevents them. In this instance no [such situation] required or permitted SpaceX to engage in the widespread discrimination, argues DOJ representatives. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement [Related: SpaceXs Starship launch caused a mini earthquake and left a giant mess.] Musk, however, has already doubled down on his and fellow employees previous assertions via an August 24 post to X, claiming SpaceX was told repeatedly that hiring non-permanent US residents would violate international arms trafficking laws. This is yet another case of weaponization of the DOJ for political purposes, added Musk, who purchased the social media platform formerly known as Twitter in October 2022. Lawyers like Rebecca Bernhard, a partner at Dorsey & Whitney specializing in employment-related issues involving work visas and immigration challenges, doubt the validity of Musks defense. While it is lawful for an employer to refuse to provide employer-sponsorship to a potential employee (for example, by not sponsoring the individual for an H-1B), it is not lawful to require that the employee be a US citizen, she explains via email. Bernhard argues that while, There are other classes of immigrants who have work authorization in the US and do not need employer sponsorship To require someone be a US citizen would discriminate against these individuals. One potential exception, however, are employers subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Bernhard notes that, it appears the DOJ is claiming SpaceX fraudulently relied on this exception. While I cannot comment on whether SpaceX is subject to ITAR or EAR, I can state that the DOJ takes the anti-discrimination provisions of the INA very seriously, aggressively enforces them, and interprets the ITAR and EAR exceptions very narrowly, adds Bernhard. The DOJ filing seeks fair consideration and back pay for those affected by the alleged discriminatory practices. Donald Trump returned to the platform formerly known as Twitter to blast out his mug shot and direct supporters to his website. Donald Trump returned to the platform formerly known as Twitter to blast out his mug shot and direct supporters to his website. Political candidates are already raising money off of Donald Trumps mug shot, an early indicator of how the stunning image of a former president getting arrested is being used in an attempt to enrich campaigns. Trump made the seemingly unprecedented choice to use his own mug shot for digital fundraising after his arrest Thursday on charges that he tried to subvert the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. In his first tweet since Jan. 8, 2021, the former president blasted out the photo with a link to his website, where supporters are asked to make a contribution to evict Crooked Joe Biden from the White House and SAVE America during this dark chapter in our nations history. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trumps campaign plastered the mug shot on beer koozies, mugs and T-shirts that say, NEVER SURRENDER! Trumps mug shot, the first resulting from his many legal troubles, also appeared Friday in a fundraising plea from Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) that promises to direct all defense pledges to Trumps campaign, despite the fine print stating that her joint-fundraising account gets to keep $99 of every $100 raised a division of fundraising spoils that isnt uncommon. Blackburns campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the fundraising tactic. Democrats, however, may end up using the image just as much or more than Republicans to argue that Trumps four criminal indictments make him unfit for office. Both parties are going to use Trumps mug shot to raise money, Mike Nellis, the founder of Authentic, a Democrat-focused digital marketing and fundraising agency, told HuffPost. Its catnip for online donors, for both the left and the right. No doubt about it. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the fundraising arm of House Democrats, used the mug shot Friday in a fundraising appeal with the subject Donald Trump ARRESTED from a sender labeled BREAKING NEWS. (If youre lucky enough not to be on any of these lists, then know the over-the-top nature of political fundraising emails is nothing new.) Both parties are going to use Trumps mug shot to raise money. Its catnip for online donors, for both the left and the right.Mike Nellis, a digital fundraiser for Democrats A representative with the DCCC told HuffPost that Democrats have been fundraising off of Trump for ages, often with good results. Both sides have successfully monetized Trumps earlier indictments and impeachments. But given the fierce competition for online donors during the slow end-of-summer weeks and the uniquely evocative nature of Trumps mug shot, theres likely to be an onslaught of new appeals from across the political spectrum. Both sides have incentive to keep using it in fundraising appeals, said Jake Sticka, a partner at Rising Tide Interactive and digital advertising consultant for Democrats. On the right, it conjures up the resentments that Trump has long trafficked in that were the bedrock of a lot of his previous appeals, he added, referencing Trumps penchant for proclaiming himself the victim. I think it plays right into their general fundraising strategy. And for Democrats, it does a lot to crystallize the criminality that folks see in the former president, he said. Its an iconic photo that voters should prepare to see quite a bit over the next 18 months, Sticka added. To the extent that in a year from now were going to be talking about Trumps crimes, no photo does a better job of succinctly communicating that in a visual fashion. Asked whether they will advise clients to use the image, both Nellis and Sticka said it depends on the specific client and their message. For somebody whos running in a more conservative district, Im unlikely to recommend using it, Nellis said. Sticka said Democrats should avoid the temptation to respond to every little thing that Trump says. Despite Trumps liberal use of his own image to bolster his presidential campaign, Trump adviser Chris LaCivita threatened others against doing the same, even though its very unlikely the Trump campaign would have legal grounds to prevent it. If you are a campaign, PAC , scammer and you try raising money off the mugshot of @realDonaldTrump and you have not received prior permission WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU you will NOT SCAM DONORS Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) August 25, 2023 If you are a campaign, PAC, scammer and you try raising money off the mug shot of @realDonaldTrump and you have not received prior permission WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU you will NOT SCAM DONORS, tweeted LaCivita, whose boss has done far sketchier things to bring in money. Trumps campaign website features a Personal Note from President Donald J. Trump beneath his conspicuously placed mug shot: Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME, it reads, before asking donors to contribute in increments of up to $3,300 the maximum individual donors are allowed to give to a single campaign. Donald Trump just posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, for the first time since January 2021. He shared a picture of his mugshot, a link to his website, and the words "never surrender." Trump had been silent on the platform since Elon Musk reinstated his account, following his ban. Former President Donald Trump has finally broken his silence on X, the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter, posting a picture of his mugshot and a message to his more than 85 million followers. Trump, a prolific tweeter during his presidency, hadn't posted since January 2021. His account was suspended that month after right-wing extremists stormed the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to overturn the result of the November 2020 election. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But Elon Musk reinstated Trump's account in November 2022 after buying the social-media platform and polling its users on whether the former president should be allowed to return. Trump, however, hadn't posted until now, instead putting updates on Truth Social, his own platform. "The bottom line is, no, I am not going back to Twitter," Trump told Fox News in April 2022 after Musk announced the acquisition. Trump surrendered to law enforcement in Georgia on Thursday evening on charges alleging he conspired to illegally overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. His mugshot, the first of an ex-president charged with crimes, was released shortly after. In his first post on X in more than 30 months, Trump shared his mugshot and a caption, which read: "Never surrender." He also added a link to his website, which redirected visitors to a page asking for donations to the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee. The webpage similarly featured a picture of his mugshot, with accompanying text alleging that Trump was placed in custody "despite having committed no crime." Trump uploaded the post on Thursday evening. By 5 a.m. ET just over seven hours after it was posted the photo had been viewed 83 million times, X said. It also had more than 200,000 reposts and had been liked nearly 850,000 times. Prior to that, Trump's last post was on January 8, 2021, when he said: "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th." Read the original article on Business Insider When I was a kid, my oldest brother wrote to me from prison about having to stuff towels under the cell door to keep rats out. As an adult, I visited a South Carolina prison with then-Coastal Carolina University Head Coach Joe Moglia and the football team and saw posters about a program designed to curb sexual assault. That was not long after an inmate sent me a crude photo taken by a contraband cell phone of the immediate aftermath of a stabbing that left a man dead in his cell. A horrified friend, a fellow inmate, was crouched over him wearing a blood soaked-South Carolina Department of Corrections jumpsuit. Issac Bailey Ill never forget the day our family got word of an ongoing prison riot in 2018 that turned into one of the deadliest in modern U.S. history. As the hours ticked by, we did not know if one of my brothers was among the seven prisoners killed or the dozens severely injured inside Lee Correctional Institution. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There is a two-tiered justice system, just as Donald Trump s defenders have been proclaiming. Its just that Trump has always benefited from the tier in which prosecutors are slow to advance cases, the public is primed to cry politics if their favorite politician is charged, and where rich defendants have an arsenal of well-paid lawyers at their disposal. Trump never had cops mistakenly break into his home, guns pointed at his face, the way Yolanda Irving and her children did in Raleigh in 2020. The police were looking for drugs and guns but raided the wrong house. And Julian Betton of Myrtle Beach remains paralyzed for life after cops broke into his apartment without notice, shot him and lied about the shooting. Trump knows nothing of that tier, where such horrors are commonplace. Thats true even if Trump and his 18 co-defendants in the Georgia voting fraud case were ordered to surrender at a jail where an inmate was found dead and covered in bed bugs and lice, a jail so bad the sheriff referred to it as a humanitarian crisis because of overcrowding, rampant violence and spotty air conditioning. What youll see in these wheelbarrows are shanks. Right now, they total over 1,100 shanks, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat told the Washington Post. These are pieces of the building that have been ripped apart, fashioned into knives, fashioned into deadly weapons. Trump wont be subject to shank-wielding inmates. He wont stay long enough to break a sweat, unlike prisoners subject to the full force of the summer heat up to 110 degrees indoors. Hes rich. Hes white. He has power and influence. He might pose for a mugshot, but theres little chance hell spend any time inside the worst parts of that jail. Despite his ability to take a trip around the world at the drop of a hat, the judge is unlikely to consider him a flight risk and deny him bail. He will be treated as innocent until a jury decides beyond a reasonable doubt hes guilty, a luxury not a right in the wrong tier of the system. His freedom before trial means hell face no pressure to plead guilty the way poor defendants do every day with the false hope of getting back to their families sooner, desperate not to lose the low-wage jobs they rely on to make ends meet, realizing too late that a guilty plea will make them poorer and less employable, pushing them further to the margins of society even if they are innocent. Trump and others like him get to design and redesign the system. Thats how they remain in the tier of the system with constitutional protections that are supposed to be available to every American but often are only fully guaranteed for the elite. Trumps tier means he can become president even if found guilty because of the support of Americans who champion laws that strip voting rights from those convicted by the other tier of the system. There is a two-tiered system. But it wont be dismantled and become fair and humane until men like Trump find themselves having to stuff towels under their cell doors to keep the rats out the way my brother did. Issac Bailey is a member of the McClatchy Opinion team in North and South Carolina. Al Capone and Mick Jagger have both famously had their mugshots taken Mick Jagger. Al Capone. Martin Luther King. Ever since he was indicted, speculation has swirled about whether Donald Trump would join the gallery of politicians, celebrities and infamous villains with a police mugshot. In theory everyone arrested in the United States has their photograph taken. It is part of a ritual of arrest - including being handcuffed and subject to what Americans call a perp walk, or being led into custody - that mixes public humiliation with a demonstration that everyone, rich or poor, is equal before the law. Famous political mugshots include that of Rosa Parks , after her famous bus ride in 1955. Martin Luther King was arrested dozens of times, but his most iconic mugshot is from 1956 in Montgomery, Alabama, where he was arrested for involvement in the bus boycott. Mug shot of Martin Luther king taken following his arrest with activist Rosa Parks for disorderly conduct in Montgomery in February 1956. - ARCHIVIO GBB / Alamy Stock Photo Mugshot of H.R Haldeman during his Watergate conviction in 1975 H. R. Haldeman, Richard Nixons chief of staff, stands straight backed and immaculately dressed in his shirt sleeves after he was arrested following the Watergate scandal. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Theres one of a young Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, with a cheery grin on his face after being caught driving without a licence in 1977, and American gangster Al Capone looks similarly relaxed in his mug shot from the 1920s. Bill Gates after being caught driving without a licence in 1977 - Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department Mug shot of Al Capone smiling circa 1925. - Hulton Archive Some musicians have found their rock star credentials burnished by a good mugshot. David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix all look fairly unimpressed in separate arrests for narcotics possession. Mick Jagger's mug shot after being arrested for drug possession in 1967 - Kypros/REX Jimi Hendrix following his arrest on charges of possessing drugs in 1969 - Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo David Bowie after being arrested for drug possession in 1976 - Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo Not everyone wears their mugshot so lightly though. British actor Hugh Grant looks visibly uncomfortable in his after he was arrested in 1995 for having sex in his car with prostitute Divine Brown. Hugh Grant's mugshot after being arrested for lewd conduct in Los Angeles. - Dave Lewis / Rex Features Mr Trump made history as the first US president to have his mugshot taken when he surrendered at Fulton County Jail in Georgia on Thursday. During his previous indictments in Washington DC, Florida and New York, officials opted to use existing photographs of the former president, rather than taking their own. But in Georgia, where the 77-year-old arguably faces his most legally treacherous case to date, Pat Labat, the Fulton County Sheriff, has indicated why Mr Trump was treated like anyone else. It doesnt matter your status, well have a mugshot ready for you, Mr Labat said earlier this month. Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices. Mr Trump looked defiant in the 'carefully staged' mugshot Will the sympathy and outrage elicited in his base by the sight of a former president in handcuffs outweigh the distaste of swing voters? It is clear from the striking photograph that Mr Trump opted for a scowl of defiance. One Republican strategist who knows Mr Trump told the BBC in April that the former president would have considered all those fine details, including facial expression and what he should wear on the perp walk. Ty Cobb, an former White House attorney, predicted that the former president will use the mugshot to boost fundraising efforts as he eyes a return to the White House in next years election. I would expect the mugshot will be forwarded to Trumps PR [public relations] people and theyll be raising money off of it before he leaves the jail, Mr Cobb told CNN. This article was originally published on April 4, 2023, and has been updated. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Donald Trump will likely make money off his history-making mugshot by plastering it on T-shirts and campaign merch Former President Donald Trump 's mugshot taken at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 24, 2023. Fulton County sheriff's office Donald Trump might make new campaign merch soon featuring his Georgia mugshot. He has previously said he wanted to make a spectacle out of his arrests. Georgia's law allowing public mugshots could finally grant one of Trump's wishes. Former President Donald Trump finally got that mugshot he's been waiting for. This year alone, he's faced five indictments in four cases that charge him with a whopping 91 criminal counts. But it was only the latest case against him from the Fulton County DA's office, which accuses him and 18 others of creating a criminal enterprise to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results that gave him what he dearly sought. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Before Trump was hit with his first indictment in April from the Manhattan DA's office, The New York Times reported that Trump wanted to make a spectacle out of the arrest and secretly loved the idea of being publicly perp-walked through the streets of Manhattan. The ex-president even wondered if he should smile for his mugshot, according to the Times. And the Guardian reported Trump was hoping to be handcuffed. Trump's advisors were gung-ho about capitalizing on the mugshot, according to Rolling Stone, and wanted him to plaster the photo onto campaign merchandise as part of a fundraising push ahead of the 2024 campaign. But New York doesn't make mugshots public like Georgia does, so the Trump campaign had to get creative. Immediately following that first New York indictment, the Trump campaign started advertising a new T-shirt featuring a clearly fake mugshot of the former President emblazoned with the words "NOT GUILTY." And in the months since the indictment, his team has sent out dozens of fundraising emails making allegations of political persecution and suggesting that the Justice Department and Biden administration are out to get him to suppress his 2024 candidacy. Former President Donald Trump steps off his plane as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Now that he has the public mugshot he wanted, Trump's team might swap out the fake mugshot on his campaign merch for the real one. On Thursday, Trump rolled out a fundraising plea entirely based on the Georgia indictment and his arrest. "Isn't it interesting that I went my entire life without ever getting arrested," the fundraiser states. "But suddenly out of nowhere, once I decided to run for president as a political outsider and fight for the forgotten citizens of our country, I get ARRESTED FOUR TIMES within the span of just 5 months?" The former president, who made his career out of being a bombastic television figure and businessman, even timed his arrival in Georgia so that it would be captured on primetime TV. His private jet left New Jersey at 5:25 p.m. ET and arrived in Georgia right after 7 p.m. ET. At 7:45 p.m. ET, Trump was booked at the Fulton County jail. He self-reported to be 6'3", with strawberry blonde hair, and weighing 215 pounds 24 pounds less than White House doctors reported him to be in 2018. An hour after his mugshot was released, Trump used it in the latest fundraising plea on his website. Several other co-defendants in the Georgia RICO case have already surrendered to authorities, including the former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and other conservative lawyers who worked on Trump's post-election efforts like John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell, and Kenneth Chesebro. Read the original article on Business Insider The long-awaited and unprecedented mug shot of Donald Trump has been released following his arrest on Thursday on charges related to his efforts to change the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Trump was processed after his arrest at the Fulton County jail, whichis notorious for its deplorable conditions for inmates, CNN reported. Georgia officials had insisted on Aug. 1 that Trump would not be given special treatment if indicted by the Fulton County grand jury, which happened two weeks later, and that he would have his fingerprints and mug shots taken when booked. Donald Trump's mug shot. Donald Trump's mug shot. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesnt matter your status, well have a mug shot ready for you, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said, according to WSB-TV. The mug shot is the first to be taken of a U.S. president as well, as the first one of Trump, even though hes been indicted three other times this year, according to Axios. Trumps first indictment arrived in March after the Manhattan district attorney presented state charges related to hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election. In June, Trump faced a federal indictment, this time for his mishandling of classified documents at his resort in Mar-a-Lago. On Aug. 1, a third indictment, also federal, was handed up, focused on his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. On Aug. 14, Trump was indicted along with 18 defendants over efforts to change the 2020 presidential election results in his favor in Georgia. The former president now faces a total of 91 criminal charges. The trials for each case are expected to start next year, and Trump, who is a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, could face several years in prison if found guilty. The entirety of the Georgia trial which has a proposed start date of March 4, 2024, just a day before primary elections in several states could be the first to be broadcast live on TV due to a state law that allows cameras in judicial proceedings with the judges approval, NBC News reported. CORRECTION: This story has been amended to note that Trumps mug shot was taken during his arrest, not his arraignment. Related... Former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities in Georgia on Thursday, arranging a prime-time slot for the latest arraignment linked to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Trump turned himself in at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta a day before the deadline given by District Attorney Fani Willis . Her office indicted the former president and 18 co-defendants earlier this month over what prosecutors describe as a broad criminal enterprise meant to overturn Georgias 2020 election results. Charges include racketeering and forgery, among others. Trump used the hours before his arrest to insult Willis and announce what time hed be going in. I have to start getting ready to head down to Atlanta, Georgia, where Murder and other Violent Crimes have reached levels never seen before, to get ARRESTED by a Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney, Fani Willis, for A PERFECT PHONE CALL, and having the audacity to challenge a RIGGED & STOLEN ELECTION, Trump wrote in a post on the social media platform Truth Social. THE EVIDENCE IS IRREFUTABLE! ARREST TIME: 7:30 P.M. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Fulton County Sheriffs Office has installed security measures around the jail in recent days, warning of a hard lockdown surrounding Trumps arrest. Trumps bond has been set at $200,000, and pretrial release terms prohibit him from intimidating his fellow defendants or witnesses in the case. A squad of those facing charges have presented themselves to authorities in recent days, including John Eastman, who allegedly played a central role in the effort to overturn the election, and bail bondsman Scott Hall. The full list of co-defendants includes many of the former presidents lawyers, advisers and aides who allegedly worked to keep him in power: attorney Rudy Giuliani, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , lawyer Sidney Powell and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark . Clark and Meadows had attempted to have their arrests deferred as they filed motions to get their cases moved from state to federal court, but Willis refused this week. I am not granting any extensions, Willis wrote in an email to Meadows attorney on Tuesday. I gave 2 weeks for people to surrender themselves to the court. Your client is no different than any other criminal defendant in this jurisdiction. More than half of Trumps co-defendants have already turned themselves in to the Fulton County Sheriffs Office, ahead of Willis Friday deadline. In a court request submitted Thursday, Willis asked for a trial start date of Oct. 23 for all the defendants, after Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro demanded a speedy trial on Wednesday. The following day, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set Chesebros trial to begin Oct. 23. However, that order does not apply to any other defendant. In response to Chesebros speedy trial request and Willis proposed trial start date, Trumps attorney moved to distance the former president from the other defendants. In court documents, Trumps legal team said they opposed the pretrial scheduling and announced their intention to sever his case from Chesebro and other defendants who demand speedy trials. Related... A shootout Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, lasted over six hours. "Thousands" of shots were fired over the course of the incident, police said. As a result, officers from multiple departments were placed on leave after firing their weapons. After a standoff between a gunman and law enforcement in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania lasted over six hours, the gunman is dead, and dozens of officers have been placed on leave. The chaotic scene unfolded Wednesday morning in Garfield, a neighborhood at the east end of Pittsburgh, around 11 a.m. when a man later identified by NBC News as William Hardison Sr. was served an eviction notice and pulled a weapon out, the Allegheny Sheriff's Department told CNN. After hours of shooting and evacuation orders, the twelve Pittsburgh and federal departments involved in the incident announced that many of the officers involved in the shootout had been placed on leave. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Hardison Sr. was a father and veteran; his son, William Hardison Jr., said his father was a good man who was "spiraling," per WPXI. Another woman told CBS during the standoff that Hardison Sr. was a "teddy bear" and a "jokester," and wished police would allow her or Hardison's girlfriend to speak with him. Residents were urged to evacuate the houses nearby when the shootout began, according to the Pittsburgh Public Safety Twitter account. Per CBS, Pittsburgh police chief Larry Scirotto estimated "thousands" of shots were fired over the course of several hours, but did not have exact numbers. By 5:08 p.m., according to Tweets from the PPS account, the man was pronounced dead. Dozens of officers were placed on leave after the event for shooting their weapons during the stand-off, according to ABC-affiliated station WTAE. Scirotto said that officers will be given an evaluation to ensure they are ready to return to work, per CBS. A spokesperson for the Allegheny Sheriff's Department, Mike Manko, said to Insider in an email that officers would undergo a psychiatric evaluation before being cleared for work. In police best practices, it is typical for officers who are the subject of an investigation to be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation's results, according to the US Department of Justice. Manko confirmed to Insider they had 16 deputies on administrative leave, and the Allegheny County Police said they had 12 deputies on administrative leave. Both agencies declined to make other comments, citing the Pennsylvania State Police leading the investigation. According to NBC, 47 officers from the Pittsburgh Police Department, who did not respond to Insider's request for comment, are also on leave for the next three to five days. Allegheny County Police lists over 210 officers on their website, and the 2023 operating budget for the city of Pittsburgh said the department had 900 uniformed officers. The Pennsylvania State Police also declined to comment in response to Insider's requests. Read the original article on Insider The driver of a pickup truck who police say caused a horrific head-on crash on Highland Drive on Aug. 16 that left a woman trapped in her vehicle for nearly an hour, was charged on Thursday. | Cottonwood Heights Police Department The driver who allegedly caused a horrific crash on Highland Drive resulting in a woman being trapped in her car for an hour, claims he was extremely drowsy and was reaching for his drink under his seat when he slammed into the victim's vehicle. Santiago Jacob Hernandez, 22, of Millcreek, was charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with negligently operating a vehicle resulting in serious injury and possession of a weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felonies; drug possession, a class A misdemeanor; possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor; and not having a license, an infraction. On Aug. 16, just before 9 p.m., a pickup truck heading north on Highland Drive crossed four lanes of traffic and collided head-on with a Honda sedan near the off-ramp of I-215, near 6580 South. The truck then bounced off that vehicle and hit a second vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, head-on, according to charging documents. The truck ended up on top of the Toyota, crushing it's hood and trapping a 33-year-old woman inside. One witness told prosecutors that the pickup "slammed head-on into one car and ran up and over the second car instantaneously," the charges state. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It took emergency crews nearly an hour to extricate the woman from her vehicle. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition but was later reported to be "stable," according to police. An update on her condition was not available Friday. Hernandez told police he had been working all day and felt drowsy while driving home, according to the charges. He claimed he was headed to a car wash but missed the turn and was in the process of turning around when "his drink fell under the brake pedal and he was not able to push the brake. Hernandez stated he kicked the drink out, bent down to pick it up, and began feeling tired again. Hernandez stated that, 'it was like lights out. I was conscious but my eyes shut,'" the charges state. Hernandez allegedly said he smoked fentanyl three days prior and "believed that part of the withdrawals was being extra drowsy," according to the charges. During a search of his truck, police found a plastic bag "containing 14 blue pills marked with 'M30' that officers identified as Percocet fentanyl pills." Investigators drew Hernandez's blood for testing. Toxicology results were still pending Friday. A gun was also found with the drugs in the pickup. Police say Hernandez does not have a driver's license. Prosecutors have requested that Hernandez be held in the Salt Lake County Jail pending trial, noting that he is charged in another case in which he is accused of stealing a gun, but he "has failed to keep in contact with his defense attorney and failed to appear at his last hearing," which was six days before the crash. Durham Mayor Elaine ONeals plan to form a task force on controversial development rules appeared dead in the water Thursday afternoon until it wasnt. At the end of the City Councils work session, ONeal asked for approval for the task force, saying she had already asked council members DeDreana Freeman and Leonardo Williams to lead it. Both are running for mayor this fall. Whatever happens in November I do believe this is a unique opportunity for our citizens to participate in learning about how you actually get in the weeds of building out a city, ONeal said. Freeman and Williams, who frequently cast opposing votes on development, would give the task force balanced leadership, she said. The mayor was seeking a task force after the council delayed a vote on SCAD Simplifying Codes for Affordable Development Monday night. Developers who proposed the rules asked for the delay to get fuller buy-in from the citys planning staff. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Dozens of people had filled City Hall for the meeting. They included many neighborhood opponents who said the rules, which ease or remove some building requirements, would harm neighborhood character with no guarantee of new, long-term affordable housing. Supporters say the proposed changes could help the city meet the demand for more housing by eliminating parking minimums, encouraging building on small lots, and allowing more creative design of accessory dwelling units and townhomes. ONeal read a list of names Thursday of people who want to be on the task force, including at least two professors, several neighborhood critics and others she said support the changes. But the council had questions and concerns. Very technical document I dont understand what the task is of the force, Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton said. Some of the folks that are on there have already staked out a position. Quite honestly some of the names I heard are folk who have spread things that are demonstrably untrue about this document. Im not against the task force, Middleton added. I dont really understand what the charge is to the task force and what Im supposed to be looking (for) as a decision-maker from them. ONeal said the task force could simplify SCAD for the public and explain why the city is considering it. You have a number of community players on both sides who have staked out a position, ONeal said. But you also have a general public who is not understanding that very technical document. The question, the mayor continued, is what is the majority of the people in Durham who are going to be affected by these decisions, how are they going to know what were doing and why were doing it? Its not so much for this body but for the 355,000 (people of Durham) and the generations that are going to come behind (them) and how thats going to play out in their lives. But Council member Jillian Johnson said she did not think a task force was necessary. The citys professional staff has explained the rules clearly in an unbiased and neutral position, she said. If a task force is created, members should be vetted and not picked from a group of residents who happen to show up at a meeting and volunteer, she said. I dont have confidence that this group of people will be able to do what youre asking them to do, that theyll be able to cohesively explain this proposal to the public when they have vastly differing opinions of what the proposal means, Johnson said. Council member Javiera Caballero said she also wanted to see task force members appointed through a more formal process. Durham, you see it for yourself ONeal, who is not running for re-election after a single term in office, was ready to give up. Thank you and I appreciate yalls consideration, but I knew it was going to go exactly like that, so Im not surprised, she said after the council members comments. We will forgo the formation of the task force, she said, then turned to the camera and added, Durham, you see it for yourself. She then moved to adjourn the three-hour meeting. But after stirring around the council dais, ONeal saw she had moved too quickly. Middleton said Friday he reminded the mayor she had not asked for a vote. The council then voted 4-0 to move ahead with a task force, with Caballero, Freeman and Middleton joining the mayor. By then Johnson had left the council chambers for an appointment. Williams and Council member Monique Holsey-Hyman were absent. The proposed SCAD rules are scheduled to return for council consideration Nov. 20, after this falls elections but before the newly elected council takes its seats. The Durham Report Get headlines and updates about the Bull City in The Durham Report, a free weekly digest delivered to your inbox every Thursday, featuring stories by our local journalists. Sign up for our newsletter here. For even more Durham-focused news and conversation, join our Facebook group "The Story of my Street." Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz speaks to the media after casting his ballot on the day of Israel's general election outside a polling station in Rosh Ha'ayin AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch supreme court ruled on Friday that two Israeli former military commanders, including ex-defence minister Benny Gantz , are immune from civil prosecution in the Netherlands in a case brought over the deaths of six Palestinians in an Israeli air strike. The ruling upheld a December 2021 Dutch appeals court finding that Gantz - a career soldier turned politician - and ex-air force commander Amir Eshel, as then-high-ranking Israeli officials carrying out government policy, could not be held liable in a Dutch civil case, "irrespective of the nature and seriousness of the conduct alleged against them". The plaintiff, Ismail Ziada - a Dutch national of Palestinian origin - said he lost his mother, three of his brothers, his sister-in-law and his nephew in the attack, which took place in Islamist Hamas-ruled Gaza in 2014 when Gantz was Israeli armed forces' commander-in-chief. In the suit, Ziada sought unspecified damages against Gantz under Dutch universal jurisdiction rules, which allows countries to prosecute serious offences committed elsewhere. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There is no further appeal possible against the supreme court's decision. Human rights groups have accused both sides of war crimes during the seven-week war in Gaza in 2014. According to U.N. figures, about 2,200 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed in that conflict, including up to 1,500 civilians. Sixty-seven Israeli soldiers and six civilians in Israel also died, according to Israeli military and health officials. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Stephanie van den Berg; editing by Mark Heinrich) A second Tri-Cities man has been sentenced in a drug deal that used a 4-year-old to deliver 10 pounds of meth in a Spider-Man backpack. Earlier this year Rafael Muniz De la Mora was sentenced to 12 years in prison for delivering the methamphetamine to Amado De La Mora Cardenas at a Pasco car wash. Now Cardenas has been sentenced by a federal judge to more than 11 years in federal prison for his role in the drug ring, He previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure meth. Cardenas, who is from Colima, Mexico, will also serve 5 years of federal probation after he is released from custody, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Federal prosecutors say Cardenas and an accomplice, Carlos Madrigal-Deniz, set up a meth deliver from Muniz-De La Mora in Sept. 2020. Madrigal-Deniz was also sentenced to 12 years in prison. When they met at the Pasco car wash, the preschooler got out of Muniz-De La Moras Mercedes SUV wearing a Spider-Man backpack that prosecutors say was stuffed with 10 pounds of meth. Muniz-De La Mora then escorted the child over to Cardenas Chevy Cruz and got in. The two men and the child then left the car wash and were stopped by the Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force. The backpack with the meth was found in the car next to the preschooler. The investigation began when the Metro Drug Task Force began looking into an organization suspected to be involved in trafficking meth in the Tri-Cities and Connell. This impactful sentence is yet another great example of the public safety partnerships that are in operation every single day to keep the Tri-Cities area safe, Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero said. We appreciate the commitment from our Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force, the DEA, US Border Patrol, and the US Attorneys Office in holding those who are providing illegal narcotics to our communities accountable. The Metro Drug Task Force is headed by Kennewick police and includes investigators from agencies all over the region. This case saw cooperation from the Drug Enforcement Agencys Tri-Cities office, Border Patrol, Richland Police, Kennewick Police, West Richland Police and Pasco Police. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref said it was particularly troubling that they used a child in their drug deal, and praised the agencies working together to put a stop to it. I commend the collaborative efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement to identify Mr. De La Mora Cardenass drug trafficking activities and to prevent him from further distributing this poison in our community, Waldref said in the news release. David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division, said this case is a sad example of how far drug traffickers are willing to go. A sign displays a temperature of 116 degrees in Sacramento on Sept. 6, 2022, during a record-breaking 10-day heat wave that killed an estimated 395 people, according to the California Department of Public Health. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The record-breaking, 10-day heat wave that baked California in September 2022 pushed temperatures up to 109 in Long Beach and 116 in Sacramento and the power grid to its limits. It also killed 395 people, according to a new estimate by state health officials. That's more than four times as many deaths caused by Californias deadliest wildfire . The fact that it took nearly a year for the public to find that out, and that officials can't say how many people fell ill or died in other severe heat waves in recent years, shows they still arent treating heat waves like the urgent disasters they are. The excess-death analysis conducted by the California Department of Public Health is a step in the right direction by state officials who have pledged to better monitor and respond to extreme heat. But it still took too long, and comes after years of doing nothing to get an accurate count of heat-related deaths , even as the state suffered some of its worst heat waves on record. Read more: Editorial: Heat waves are disasters. Why don't they get federal disaster relief? ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Californians shouldnt have to wait a year after a disaster for the death tally. We need routine and timely tracking and reporting of heat-related illnesses and deaths, so that authorities dont keep grasping in the dark and can be held accountable for their response as the deadliest climate-fueled disasters become more frequent and dangerous. In the analysis of the heat wave from Aug. 31 to Sept. 9, 2022, health officials used data from death certificates to calculate what is known as excess mortality, the number of additional deaths above what would normally be expected. By comparing those 10 days to other periods during the summer of 2022, their analysis found a 5% increase in deaths, or 395 more, than would be expected absent the heat wave. It also yielded distressing data on the heat wave's unequal toll. Coastal counties in Southern California were the hardest hit, accounting for 80% of excess deaths. And the populations with the biggest increase in deaths were working-age people between ages 25 and 64 and Latinos. That contrasts with past research that has found that the very young and very old are at greatest risk of dying. And it suggests authorities are failing to protect workers from this worsening climate hazard. Read more: Editorial: Climate change is roasting L.A. The city can save lives by requiring A/C in rentals California Public Health Director Tomas Aragon said the analysis was a response to a Los Angeles Times investigation in 2021 that found state officials were chronically undercounting heat-related deaths. Heat is such an insidious killer because it acts as a general stress on the body and exacerbates a wide range of health conditions, including heart, lung and kidney problems. Healthy people working outdoors or exercising are at higher risk of heat stroke. Heat-related deaths are often recorded as caused by heart attack, respiratory failure, dehydration or accidental causes and are dramatically underreported in official records. Read more: Editorial: Should we name heat waves? It's worth a try to save lives There is an inherent lag to counting excess deaths because death certificates can take months to finalize. But the state's analysis used death records obtained in March, and public health experts say the health department is still moving too slowly and question why it took officials nearly a year to put out a relatively straightforward estimate. David Eisenman, a professor of medicine and public health who co-directs the UCLA Center for Healthy Climate Solutions, said the state needs to do more robust, peer-reviewed excess-death studies but should also be conducting rapid assessments released within a few months after major heat waves. Read more: Editorial: Biden says hes practically declared a climate emergency. Why won't he do it for real? State health officials should complete these excess-death estimates annually, and for every major heat wave, starting this year. And if they won't commit to doing so, California lawmakers should step in and require it. One-off studies aren't enough. A similar analysis years ago found that a severe heat wave in California in 2006 killed more than 650 people. But California officials did little to confront the problem in the intervening years. The state needs a consistent way to gauge whether actions like the development of a heat wave ranking and early warning system, tougher workplace safety standards and cooling infrastructure such as air conditioning, trees and reflective pavement are making a difference. Last year the California Legislature allocated $10 million a year for the Department of Public Health to develop a statewide system to track, report and respond to heat-related illnesses and other climate-related health conditions in real time which the department hopes to have up and running in early 2024. Real-time information on emergency room visits and 911 calls can be used while a heat wave is unfolding to detect which parts of the state are being hit hardest and target the response. Combined with other actions, such as requiring air conditioning in housing and making heat waves eligible for federal disaster aid, such measures could make progress against a largely preventable cause of death that officials at all levels of government have failed to address adequately. But we'll never know unless they start consistently tracking the death toll. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. To build high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future 09:12, August 25, 2023 By He Yin ( People's Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and South Africa should be strategic partners of high-level mutual trust, development partners for common progress, friendly partners of deep mutual understanding and goodwill, as well as global partners that safeguard justice. President Xi made the remarks when holding talks with his South African counterpart President Ramaphosa during a state visit to South Africa on Aug. 22 local time. What he said charts the course and provides guidance for further developing China-South Africa ties. The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the development of China-South Africa relations in the new era and international and regional issues of mutual interest, and they reached important common understandings, injecting strong momentum into elevating the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership and building a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future. In the past 25 years since China and South Africa established diplomatic ties, their relationship has achieved leapfrog development - from a partnership to a strategic partnership, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership. It is one of the most vibrant bilateral relations in the developing world. Especially in the past 10 years, the relationship has thrived and entered a "golden era." As the situation evolves, how to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership remains a topic that both sides need to work on. The key to the strong relationship and profound friendship lies in the mutual support by the two countries and the two political parties in pursuit of their respective development, Xi said when meeting with Ramaphosa. South African sinologist Paul Tembe said that Xi's every visit to South Africa has promoted the development of South Africa-China ties, which is an intangible but enormously meaningful gift. Comradeship and brotherhood are inherent to the bilateral relationship. The special bond of "camaraderie + brotherhood" between the two countries has traversed a long span of time and defied the obstacles of mountains and oceans. "Each of my visits to South Africa gave me new impressions. But the deepest is invariably the brotherly sentiments we have toward each other," Xi said in a signed article published on South African media. Ramaphosa described China as a sincere brother, friend and partner of his country, saying that China has provided valuable support to South Africa in its struggle for national independence and liberation as well as its national development. He also mentioned China's timely support for his country during the COVID pandemic. During this visit, the two sides reaffirmed their respect and support for each other's sustainable social-economic development paths and just transitions. South Africa pledged continuous support for China on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns. China reiterated its respect and support for South Africa's efforts to safeguard its national interests and social economic development and to better the livelihoods of its citizens. This fully demonstrates that China and South Africa are strategic partners of high-level mutual trust. Mutual benefit and win-win results are the hallmark of China-South Africa cooperation. South Africa was the first African country to sign the Belt and Road cooperation document with China. It has been China's biggest trading partner in Africa for 13 years in a row, as well as one of the African countries with the largest stock of Chinese investment. Xi said that with a focus on Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the nine programs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as well as the 10-Year Strategic Program of Cooperation, the two sides need to consolidate cooperation in areas of strength and foster new growth points for cooperation. Close ties between the two peoples are a vivid example of amity between the two countries. Xi said the two countries should strengthen exchange and cooperation on vocational education and youth employment, ramp up cooperation on tourism, and support closer technological cooperation and joint research by scientific research institutions and businesses. The two presidents witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, new energy and electricity, agricultural products, special economic zones and industrial parks, blue economy, science and technology innovation, and higher education. As development partners making progress together and friendly partners enjoying mutual understanding, China and South Africa will deliver greater benefits to both peoples. The China-South Africa relationship has gone beyond the bilateral scope and carries increasingly important global influence. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. China and South Africa, as natural members of the Global South, should all the more work together. China and South Africa agreed to continue supporting the development of BRICS in all three pillars of cooperation and to collaborate with all BRICS members to deepen practical cooperation in various fields and achieve progress in terms of BRICS membership expansion. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in international affairs and multilateral institutions, jointly uphold the UN-centered global system, an equitable international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations, based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including to uphold the rights and interests of developing countries jointly and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two countries' collaboration in the multilateral arena fully demonstrates their determination to be global partners with a commitment to justice. They will definitely make new contributions to building a more just and equitable global governance system. The China-South Africa relationship is standing at a new historical starting point. To carry forward the friendship, deepen cooperation, and strengthen coordination is a common aspiration of both countries, as well as a call of the times. Under the guidance of the two heads of state, the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership will definitely be lifted to new heights and contribute more strength to China-Africa cooperation, South-South cooperation, and to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era and a community with a shared future for mankind. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) It was Aug. 24, 2021, that, in the wake of Andrew Cuomo s meltdown, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul became Gov. Hochul, to shape her own record and legacy in New Yorks top job. She squeakily passed her biggest political test last year, winning reelection more narrowly than expected in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans more than two-to-one. On other consequential tests, her record has been decidedly mixed but she seems to be learning as she leads. The clear lowlight of her term thus far was the unwise selection out of the gate of Brian Benjamin as lieutenant governor. Hochul did so despite flapping red flags in this newspaper and elsewhere, and the decision backfired spectacularly when the feds arrested Benjamin on corruption charges last April. Though a judge tossed the most serious charges against Benjamin, that hardly counts as vindication. In the rest of her first year-plus in office, Hochul spent much of her time and energy reaching for an elusive brass ring called Democratic Party Unity, which is to say she avoided tough fights against the further-left progressives who set the agenda in the Legislature. She signed into law extremely partisan, gerrymandered districts, which were ruled unconstitutional by the courts. She gamely tried to attack New Yorks single biggest economic crisis by goosing housing production but when suburban Democrats squawked, she quickly buckled. So too, when she tried further refining a pretrial detention law passed by the Legislature and signed by Cuomo back in 2019, she settled for minor adjustments. Taking baby steps, she seemed to think, was the price of keeping the party together and winning a term in her own right. The only priority for which she seemed prepared to go to the mattresses was construction of a new stadium for her beloved Buffalo Bills. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Once elected to a full term, Hochul has mostly wielded power more freely and more wisely. We said mostly: Her nomination of Hector LaSalle as chief judge was substantively solid, but politically ham-handed, forcing a do-over with Rowan Wilson, who is far more politically palatable to left-leaning lawmakers. In her second budget cycle, she managed to push through another round of pretrial detention reforms, and she fought harder for a comprehensive set of policies to spark new housing supply in New York City and especially its suburbs, including production targets for every locality and a requirement allowing denser housing near transit. It was precisely the right medicine for the states chronic illness yet again, the Legislature rejected it. But this time, we couldnt fault the governor. She also gets high marks for the politically easy but necessary task of reinforcing New Yorks abortion and gun laws in the wake of two disastrous Supreme Court decisions last summer. The wind was at her back in both cases, but she did the right thing. Last and the opposite of least, the verdict is out on an ongoing crisis that could be administration-defining: Handling the migrants. Hochul has been too hesitant to take charge, leaving Mayor Adams to try to answer the challenge with the limited resources and tools at his disposal and constrained by the right to shelter. She needs to do better, and she needs to do better soon. ___ Social media companies are receding from their role as watchdogs against political misinformation, abandoning their most aggressive efforts to police online falsehoods in a trend expected to profoundly affect the 2024 presidential election. An array of circumstances is fueling the retreat: Mass layoffs at Meta and other major tech companies have gutted teams dedicated to promoting accurate information online. An aggressive legal battle over claims that the Biden administration pressured social media platforms to silence certain speech has blocked a key path to detecting election interference. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. And X CEO Elon Musk has reset industry standards, rolling back strict rules against misinformation on the site formerly known as Twitter. In a sign of Musk's influence, Meta briefly considered a plan last year to ban all political advertising on Facebook. The company shelved it after Musk announced plans to transform rival Twitter into a haven for free speech, according to two people familiar with the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive matters. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The retrenchment comes just months ahead of the 2024 primaries, as GOP front-runner Donald Trump continues to rally supporters with false claims that election fraud drove his 2020 loss to President Biden. Multiple investigations into the election have revealed no evidence of fraud, and Trump now faces federal criminal charges connected to his efforts to overturn the election. Still, YouTube, X and Meta have stopped labeling or removing posts that repeat Trump's claims, even as voters increasingly get their news on social media. Trump capitalized on those relaxed standards in his recent interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, hosted by X. The former president punctuated the conversation, which streamed Wednesday night during the first Republican primary debate of the 2024 campaign, with false claims that the 2020 election was "rigged" and that the Democrats had "cheated" in order to elect President Biden. On Thursday night, Trump posted on X for the first time since he was kicked off the site, then known as Twitter, following the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Musk reinstated his account in November. The former president posted his mug shot from Fulton County, Ga., where he was booked Thursday on charges connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. "NEVER SURRENDER!" read the caption. The evolution of the companies' practices was described by more than a dozen current and former employees, many of them speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer sensitive details. The new approach marks a sharp shift from the 2020 election, when social media companies expanded their efforts to police disinformation. The companies feared a repeat of 2016, when Russian trolls attempted to interfere in the U.S. presidential campaign, turning the platforms into tools of political manipulation and division. These pared-down commitments emerge as covert influence campaigns from Russia and China have grown more aggressive, and advances in generative artificial intelligence have created new tools for misleading voters. Experts in disinformation say the dynamic headed into 2024 calls for more aggressive efforts to combat it, not less. "Musk has taken the bar and put it on the floor," said Emily Bell, a professor at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University, where she studies the relationship between tech platforms and news publishers. For the 2024 presidential election, misinformation around races is "going to be even worse," she added. The social media platforms say they still have tools to prevent the spread of misinformation. "We remove content that misleads voters on how to vote or encourages interference in the democratic process," YouTube spokesperson Ivy Choi said in a statement. "Additionally, we connect people to authoritative election news and information through recommendations and information panels." Meta spokeswoman Erin McPike said in a statement that "protecting the U.S. 2024 elections is one of our top priorities, and our integrity efforts continue to lead the industry." Yet it is already changing what some users see online. Earlier this month, the founder of a musical cruise company posted a screenshot on Facebook appearing to show Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) falsely signing a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to become police officers and sheriff's deputies. "In Illinois American citizens will be arrested by illegals," reads the post, which has been shared more than 26o times. Fact-checkers at USA Today, one of dozens of media organizations Meta pays to debunk viral conspiracies, deemed the post false, and the company labeled it on Facebook as "false information." But Meta has quietly begun offering users new controls to opt out of the fact-checking program, allowing debunked posts such as the falsified one about Pritzker to spread in participants' news-feeds with a warning label. Conservatives have long criticized Meta's fact-checking system, arguing it is biased against them. Meta Global Affairs President Nick Clegg said the ability to opt out represents a new direction that empowers users and eases scrutiny over the company. "We feel we've moved quite dramatically in favor of giving users greater control over even quite controversial sensitive content," Clegg said. McPike added that the new fact-checking policy comes "in response to users telling us that they want a greater ability to decide what they see." YouTube has also backed away from policing misleading claims, announcing in June it would no longer remove videos falsely saying the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. Continuing to enforce the ban would curtail political speech without "meaningfully reducing the risk of violence or other real-world harm," the company argued in a blog post. These shifts are a reaction from social media executives to being battered by contentious battles over content and concluding there is "no winning," said Katie Harbath, former director of public policy at Facebook, where she managed the global elections strategy across the company. "For Democrats, we weren't taking down enough, and for Republicans we were taking down too much," she said. The result was an overall sense that "after doing all this, we're still getting yelled at . . . It's just not worth it anymore." - - - The 'big lie' test For years, many of Meta's trust and safety teams operated like a university. Driven by curiosity, employees were encouraged to seek out the thorniest problems on the platform - issues such as fraud, abuse, bias and attempts at voter suppression - and develop systems to help. But in the last year and a half, some workers say there has been a shift away from that proactive stance. Instead, they are now asked to spend more of their time figuring out how to minimally comply with a booming list of global regulations, according to four current and former employees. That's a departure from the approach tech companies took after Russia manipulated social media to attempt to swing the 2016 election to Trump. The incident transformed Mark Zuckerberg into a symbol of corporate recklessness. So the Meta CEO vowed to do better. He embarked on a public contrition tour and vowed to devote the company's seemingly infinite resources to protecting democracy. "The most important thing I care about right now is making sure no one interferes with the various . . . elections around the world," Zuckerberg told two Senate committees in 2018, the same year a Wired cover depicted him with a bruised and bloody face. In the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, social media companies ramped up investigative teams to quash foreign influence campaigns and paid thousands of content moderators to debunk viral conspiracies. Ahead of the 2018 midterms, Meta gave reporters tours of its so-called "war room," where employees monitored violent threats in real-time. Civil rights groups pressured the platforms - including in meetings with Zuckerberg and Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg - to bolster their election policies, arguing the pandemic and popularity of mail-in ballots created an opening for bad actors to confuse voters about the electoral process. "These platforms were making all sorts of commitments to content moderation and to racial justice and civil rights in general," said Color of Change President Rashad Robinson, whose racial justice group helped organize an advertising boycott by more than 1,000 companies including Coca-Cola, The North Face and Verizon following the police murder of George Floyd. They instituted strict rules against posts that might lead to voter suppression. As Trump questioned the validity of mail-in ballots in 2020, Facebook and Twitter took the unprecedented step of attaching information labels such as, "This claim about election fraud is disputed" to scores of misleading comments. Google restricted election-related ads and touted its work with government agencies, including the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force, to prevent election interference campaigns. In early January 2021, rioters incited by Trump assaulted the U.S. Capitol after organizing themselves, in part, on Facebook and Twitter. In response, Meta, Twitter, Google and other tech companies suspended Trump, forcibly removing the president from their platforms. The moment was the peak of social media companies' confrontation with political misinformation. But as the tech giants grappled with narrowing profits, this proactive stance began to dissolve. In the summer of 2021, Meta's Clegg embarked on a campaign to convince Zuckerberg and the company's board members to end all political advertising on its social media networks - a policy already in place at Twitter. Meta's decision not to fact-check politicians' speech had triggered years of controversy, with activists accusing the company of profiting off the misinformation contained in some campaign ads. Clegg argued the ads caused Meta more political trouble than they were worth. While Zuckerberg and other board members were skeptical, the company eventually warmed to the idea. Meta even planned to announce the new policy, according to two people. By July 2022, the proposal had been shelved indefinitely. Internal momentum to impose the new rule seemed to plummet after Musk boasted of his plans to turn Twitter into a safe haven for "free speech" - a principle Zuckerberg and some board members had always lauded, one of the people said. After Musk's official takeover later that fall, Twitter would eventually rescind its own ban against political ads. "Elon's position on that stuff definitely shifted the way the board and industry thought about [policy]," said one person who was briefed on the board discussions about the ad ban at Meta. "He came in and kinda blew it all up." - - - The Musk factor Almost immediately, Musk's reign at Twitter forced his peers to rethink other industry standards. On his first night as owner, Musk fired Trust and Safety head Vijaya Gadde, whose job it was to guard the companies' users against fraud, harassment and offensive content. Soon after, just days before the midterms, the company laid off more than half of its 7,500 workers, crippling the teams responsible for making high-stake decisions about what to do about falsehoods. The cuts and the evolving approach to moderating toxic content prompted advertisers to flee. But while advertisers were leaving, other tech companies were paying close attention to Musk's moves. In a June interview with the right-leaning tech podcast host Lex Fridman, Zuckerberg said Musk's decision to make drastic cuts to Twitter's workforce - including by cutting non-engineers who worked on things such as public policy but didn't build products - encouraged other tech leaders such as himself to consider making similar changes. "It was probably good for the industry that he made those changes," Zuckerberg said. (Meta has since laid off more than 20,000 workers, part of an industry-wide trend.) Musk reinstated high-profile conservative Twitter accounts, including Jordan Peterson, a professor who was banned from Twitter for misgendering a trans person, and the Babylon Bee, a conservative media company. Musk also brought back Republican politicians including Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), whose personal account was banned for violating the platform's covid-19 misinformation policies. He simultaneously suspended the accounts of journalists including Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell, CNN reporter Donie O'Sullivan and others who reported on Musk. A spike in hate speech on the site followed as users tested boundaries. The political winds facing Silicon Valley were shifting, too. Trump's 2020 election rigging claims had inspired a slew of Republican candidates to echo his rhetoric, cementing election denialism as a core Republican talking point. In a May poll by CNN, 6 in 10 Republican voters said they believed Trump's falsehoods that the 2020 election was rigged. Soon after Musk's Twitter acquisition, scores of Republican candidates and right-wing influencers tested Meta, Twitter and other social media platforms' resolve to fight election misinformation. In the months leading up to the midterms, far-right personalities and GOP candidates continued to spread election denialism on social media virtually unchecked. Mark Finchem, the Republican candidate seeking to oversee Arizona's election system as the state's secretary of state, made a fundraising pitch on the eve of the 2022 election, falsely arguing on Facebook and Twitter that his Democratic opponent, Adrian Fontes, was a member of the Chinese Communist Party and a "cartel criminal" who had "rigged elections" before. When Twitter, seemingly in response to journalists' questions, appeared to restrict his account, Musk declared he was "looking into" complaints that Finchem was being censored. Later that evening, Finchem was back to tweeting his message. He thanked Musk "for stopping the commie who suspended me from Twitter a week before the election." Last year, Meta dissolved the responsible innovation team, a small group that evaluated the potential risks of some of Meta's products, according to a person familiar with the matter, and simultaneously shuttered the much-touted Facebook Journalism Project, which was designed to promote quality information on the platform. "What was once promoted as part of an essential component of Meta's role in helping secure democracy, election integrity and a healthy information ecosystem, appears now to have been expendable," said Jim Friedlich, executive director of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, which served for two years as a lead partner in helping execute Facebook's journalism grantmaking. Now, Meta is eyeing ways to cut down on having to referee controversial political content on its new Twitter-like social media app, Threads. Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who led efforts to build Threads, said earlier this year that the platform would not actively "encourage" politics and "hard news," because the extra user engagement is not worth the scrutiny. But even as it tries to retreat from the political culture wars, there's no hiding from the coming election. Soon after the company launched Threads, Meta started warning users who tried to follow Donald Trump Jr. on the new social network that his account has repeatedly posted false information reviewed by independent fact-checkers. Trump Jr. posted a screenshot of the message on rival Twitter, complaining that "Threads not exactly off to a great start." A Meta spokesperson responded by saying, "This was an error and shouldn't have happened. It's been fixed." After the incident was over, Clegg told the Post he hopes in the future such politically fraught debates will disappear. "I hope over time we'll have less of a discussion about what our big, crude algorithmic choices are and more about whether you guys feel that the individual controls we're giving you on Threads feel meaningful to you," he said. Related Content 5,000 pilots suspected of hiding major health issues. Most are still flying. As the Maui fires raged, senior victims had to fend for themselves Despite shooting, hope fades for gun laws in Tennessee special session Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) named the lowlight of the first GOP presidential debate as he knocked Republican candidates for saying theyd support Donald Trump if he becomes the partys nominee even if hes convicted of a felony. Six of the eight candidates on the debate stage raised their hand on Wednesday after Fox News Bret Baier asked whether theyd back the former president as their partys choice if hes convicted in a court of law. CNNs Dana Bash asked Hogan on Thursday how the debate moment which audience members cheered sums up where the party is at the moment. Well that was the lowlight of the entire debate, Hogan replied. I mean, I was embarrassed and disgusted by it. Look, weve got to let the court cases play themselves out. ... Everybody is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but no man is above the law, not even the president of the United States. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And for six people to raise their hand and say I would put a convicted felon in the White House, its just beyond comprehension, he continued. I mean in most states, convicted felons dont even have the right to vote. Theyre not registered voters but we would put them in the White House. The two candidates who did not say theyd back Trump if convicted were former federal prosecutors: ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The debate crowd peppered Christie with boos after he said that someones got to stop normalizing this conduct while Hutchinson argued that Trump could be disqualified from becoming president under the Constitution. I was amazed that only Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson stood up and said they would follow the Constitution and the rule of the law, Hogan said. H/T: Mediaite Related... Escambia County's lawsuit against Clerk of Court and Comptroller Pam Childers over the county's local retirement plan for commissioners is heading to a trial after a judge denied Childers' two motions for summary judgment. The lawsuit is over Childers' refusal to issue payments for Escambia County's controversial local retirement plan for county commissioners. Childers argues the plan amounts to an illegal pay raise of 58.68% for the three commissioners participating in it. At the same time, the county contends the more than 20-year-old plan is legal, is the same cost to taxpayers as the Florida Retirement System, and that Childers cannot block the payments. After having her own lawsuit against the county over the program dismissed, Childers had sought to end the county's case with two motions that respectively asked the judge to rule on the definition of compensation under Florida law and the interpretation of a key law the county cites for its authority to create the program. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Okaloosa County Circuit Court Judge William Stone issued two orders on Wednesday denying Childers' motion. More legal arguements: Judge in Escambia County v. Pam Childers legal dispute wants additional legal arguments Questions before judge: Lawsuit over Escambia County retirement contributions now in the hands of judge In both orders, Stone said that for the motion to be considered, there cannot be any dispute of a "material fact" in the case. With the two sides disputing the definitions of the laws, Stone said there was a material fact in dispute, so granting the motion was not appropriate. The ruling clears the way for a bench trial before Stone, where he can make a ruling on the meaning of the law in question and whether Childers has the ability to block the payments. Troy Rafferty, an attorney with the Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm, who is representing the county in the case for free, praised Stone's rulings. "The judge made a thorough analysis of law and everything that was argued and presented and came to the right conclusion, and that is, we need to have a trial," Rafferty said. "And we're going to have a trial." Rafferty said he took the case to represent the county because he believes Childers' decision to withhold payments is motivated by "political vindictiveness" and that she is wasting taxpayer money with the legal fight. Childers steps in: Escambia County comptroller mandates rate cut for controversial county retirement program "I think the taxpayers need to know how much money the clerk is spending on lawyer fees, filing motions, and fighting this not paying rightful benefits under the law because of political vindictiveness," Rafferty said. "That's all it is." Childers told the News Journal she is ready to go to trial because the issue reaches beyond Escambia County, and it will affect taxpayers in all local governments across Florida. "As the clerk and comptroller, had I not said anything or raised the point of law, they would have voted themselves (more than) $250,000 in back pay," Childers said, referring to the 2021 proposal by Commissioner Steven Barry to provide backpay to commissioners and senior leaders who he said didn't know about the existence of the plan. "And they would have also continued to vote themselves a rate that increases (each year) and has increased to 59% to a private pension. Who in Escambia or who in the state of Florida gets a 59% pension? I know I might sound like a broken record, but it's so egregious." This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia County's lawsuit against Pam Childers heading to trial By Andrius Sytas VILNIUS (Reuters) - Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas faced pressure to resign on Friday after reports that her husband has part ownership of a company that has kept operations in Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine. Two major Estonian newspapers called on her to resign and two opinion polls found a majority of respondents thought she should step down. Kallas has said she does not believe her husband's companies have done anything wrong, while her husband said he was selling his stake in the company in question. Kallas, who has urged European businesses to cut ties with Moscow, has been a leading critic of Russia in the European Union and NATO, and was considered by some to be a potential future secretary general of the military bloc. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported this week that Stark Logistics, an Estonian company in which Kallas' husband Arvo Hallik indirectly owns a 25% share, has been supplying an aerosol container factory in Russia, owned by another Estonian company. It has earned 1.5 million euros from serving the factory since the beginning of the war, Estonian daily Eesti Paevaleht reported. President Alar Karis and the leader of Social Democrats, the minority partner in Kallas' coalition government, called on Thursday on the prime minister to provide a detailed explanation. Kallas told reporters on Thursday that while she did not have detailed knowledge of her husband's business, she was satisfied with his explanation that the company is only helping the other company while its Russian operations are wound down. "What I am absolutely certain and confident about is that my husband's companies are not engaging in any immoral activity", Kallas was quoted by ERR as saying on Wednesday. "They don't even buy fuel from Russia to avoid leaving a single euro or coin in Russia", she added. Postimees, a major daily, said in an editorial on Friday that the prime minister had been evasive with her answers. "We didn't get any answers on Wednesday or Thursday, and there is no reason to believe we will hear any on Saturday or Sunday. As a result, Postimees gives the prime minister the friendly advice that she start packing up today, to avoid leaving under even more shame, in the future", it said. Eesti Paevaleht, the other major daily, suggested Kallas should hand in her resignation and then face a vote of confidence in parliament. ERR reported that two opinion polls conducted by the Institute for Societal Studies/Nordstat and Turu-uuringute showed a 57% and 69% respectively of respondents thought Kallas should quit. HUSBAND CUTS TIES WITH COMPANY Kallas' husband announced on Friday he would sell his stake in the company and resign from its board of directors, ERR reported. "We (the company) discussed the issue of transport for our client (in Russia) on several occasions, and we believed that we were doing the right thing, helping the right people and saving a good Estonian company, otherwise we could not have done it", ERR quoted Hallik as saying in a statement. Kallas, who has lent sums of up to 350,000 euros to her husband's business, according to her statement published by BNS news wire, in December banned the Estonian state-owned railway company from transporting Russian nickel that does not fall under sanctions, saying it must not have any business dealings with Russia or Belarus. Kallas' liberal Reform party, in power since 2021, won a general election in March, taking 37 seats in the 101-member parliament. She crafted a coalition with the liberal Estonia 200 party and the Social Democrat Party to command 60 votes. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Frances Kerry) The TikTok logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen which displays the TikTok home screen, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Boston. Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe are facing one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people encounter online. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) LONDON (AP) Starting Friday, Europeans will see their online life change. People in the 27-nation European Union can alter some of what shows up when they search, scroll and share on the biggest social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook and other tech giants like Google and Amazon. That's because Big Tech companies, most headquartered in the U.S., are now subject to a pioneering new set of EU digital regulations. The Digital Services Act aims to protect European users when it comes to privacy, transparency and removal of harmful or illegal content. Here are five things that will change when you sign on: ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement YOU CAN TURN OFF AI-RECOMMENDED VIDEOS Automated recommendation systems decide, based on people's profiles, what they see in their feeds. Those can be switched off. Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, said users can opt out of its artificial intelligence ranking and recommendation systems that determine which Instagram Reels, Facebook Stories and search results to show. Instead, people can choose to view content only from people they follow, starting with the newest posts. Search results will be based only on the words they type, not personalized based on a user's previous activity and interests, Meta President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg said in a blog post. On TikTok, instead of being shown videos based on what users previously viewed, the For You feed will serve up popular videos from their area and around the world. Turning off recommender systems also means the video-sharing platforms Following and Friends feeds will show posts from accounts users follow in chronological order. Those on Snapchat can opt out of a personalised content experience. Algorithmic recommendation systems based on user profiles have been blamed for creating so-called filter bubbles and pushing social media users to increasingly extreme posts. The European Commission wants users to have at least one other option for content recommendations thats not based on profiling. IT'S EASIER TO FLAG HARMFUL CONTENT Users should find it easier to report a post, video or comment that breaks the law or violates a platform's rules so that it can be reviewed and taken down if required. TikTok has started giving users an additional reporting option for content, including advertising, that they believe is illegal. To pinpoint the problem, people can choose from categories such as hate speech and harassment, suicide and self-harm, misinformation or frauds and scams. The app by Chinese parent company ByteDance has added a new team of moderators and legal specialists to review videos flagged by users, alongside automated systems and existing moderation teams that already work to identify such material. Facebook and Instagram's existing tools for reporting content are easier for people to access," said Meta's Clegg, without providing more details. YOU'LL KNOW WHY YOUR POST WAS TAKEN DOWN The EU wants platforms to be more transparent about how they operate. So, TikTok says European users will get more information about a broader range of content moderation decisions. For example, if we decide a video is ineligible for recommendation because it contains unverified claims about an election that is still unfolding, we will let users know, TikTok said. We will also share more detail about these decisions, including whether the action was taken by automated technology, and we will explain how both content creators and those who file a report can appeal a decision. Google said its expanding the scope of its transparency reports by giving more information about how it handles content moderation for more of its services, including Search, Maps, Shopping and Play Store, without providing more details. YOU CAN REPORT FAKE PRODUCTS The DSA is not just about policing content. Its also aimed at stopping the flow of counterfeit Gucci handbags, pirated Nike sneakers and other dodgy goods. Amazon says it has set up a new channel for reporting suspected illegal products and content and also is providing more publicly available information about third-party merchants. The online retail giant said it invests significantly in protecting our store from bad actors, illegal content and in creating a trustworthy shopping experience. We have built on this strong foundation for DSA compliance. Online fashion marketplace Zalando is setting up flagging systems, though it downplays the threat posed by its highly curated collection of designer clothes, bags and shoes. Customers only see content produced or screened by Zalando, the German company said. As a result, we have close to zero risk of illegal content and are therefore in a better position than many other companies when it comes to implementing the DSA changes. YOUR KIDS WON'T BE TARGETED WITH DIGITAL ADS Brussels wants to crack down on digital ads aimed at children over concerns about privacy and manipulation. Some platforms already started tightening up ahead of Friday's deadline, even beyond Europe. TikTok said in July that it was restricting the types of data used to show ads to teens. Users who are 13 to 17 in the EU, plus Britain, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein no longer see ads based on their activities on or off TikTok. It's doing the same in the U.S. for 13- to 15-year-olds. Snapchat is restricting personalized and targeted advertising to users under 18. Meta in February stopped showing Facebook and Instagram users who are 13 to 17 ads based on their activity, such as following certain Instagram posts or Facebook pages. Now, age and location are the only data points advertisers can use to show ads to teens. On Thursday evening, Donald Trump strode into Georgias Fulton County Jail to turn himself in for 13 criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election resultshis fourth time doing so this year. The former president was expected to follow typical procedure, just as his fellow co-defendants did earlier this week. In typical Trump fashion, the 2024 presidential candidate teased his surrender on Truth Social, ARREST TIME: 7:30 P.M.timing that had been prearranged by his legal team so that his booking would be televised during prime TV viewing hours, according to the Guardian. (Trump was required to surrender no later than noon Friday, Aug. 25.) As he entered the jail, he was flanked by Secret Service and his legal team, including new lawyer Steven Sadow, who was hired the same day Trump planned to turn himself in. Despite Thursdays surrender becoming almost routine at this point, it was the first time hes had to actually turn himself in at a jail. (For his prior three indictments, Trump was booked at a courthouse.) Heres what likely happened once he got there: Typically, defendants enter a jailhouse and undergo fingerprinting and a medical screening. According to jail records, Trump is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds20 pounds lighter than what was disclosed during his last official White House physical, according to the Washington Post. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement So far, Trump has been able to evade a mug shot. Ahead of Trumps booking, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat told the media that the former president would be treated just like anyone else accused of a crime. Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesnt matter your status: Well have a mug shot ready for you. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office typically releases booking information, including mug shots, daily at 4 p.m. Eastern time, which is how the public got to see the mug shots of Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, and other co-defendants this week. But befitting the former presidents notoriety, Trumps was released Thursday evening. Donald Trumps mug shot. Handout/Getty Images Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Judge Scott McAfee set a $200,000 bail for Trumpthe first time a prosecutor has set bail for the former president among his four indictments. Heres how it breaks down: $80,000 is for the racketeering charges, and then there are $10,000 apiece for each of the other counts he faces. Trump used an Atlanta-area bonding company to cover that bail, paying only 10 percent of it upfront on Thursday. The release came with specific conditions. As part of Trumps consent bond order, his attorneys agreed that he would not intimidate any person known to him to be a codefendant or witness in this case or to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice, which includes anything he puts on social media, including reposts. It is likely going to be contentious: Just last week, Trump posted on Truth Social that Georgias former lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan shouldnt testify to a grand jury. Hes already made risky comments on social media about his other indictments, which resulted in Department of Justice special prosecutor Jack Smith requesting a protective order that limits what Trump and his attorneys can do with the evidence given to them during discovery. Willis has also requested that all 19 co-defendants be arraigned the week of Sept. 5. They will have the option to appear virtually, so its not clear if Trump will make another trip to Georgia then. Willis initially requested a trial date in March 2024, but after co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro filed a motion for a speedy trial, she bumped up the date to Oct. 23. Trumps lawyer has already pushed back on that, since his team wants to delay it as long as possible, preferably until after the election. At any rate, theyll have to schedule it around all the other possible trials. Before Trump boarded a private jet back to his residence in Bedminster, New Jersey, he addressed reporters and repeated his false claims that the 2020 election was rigged, affirming, yet again, I did nothing wrong. On Thursday, the former mayor of Atlanta appeared at the Fulton County Jail after prosecutors booked the indicted president on charges of plotting with 18 allies to rig the 2020 election. Keisha Lance Bottoms recently found herself in the crossfire of irate Donald Trump supporters after being mistaken for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis . On Thursday, the former mayor of Atlanta appeared at the Fulton County Jail after prosecutors booked the former president on charges of plotting with at least 18 allies to rig the 2020 election. Bottoms, who served as Atlantas mayor for four years between 2018 and 2022, recalled on CNN how Trump fans yelled lock her up and wrongly mentioned Willis name. White House Public Engagement Adviser Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks at a press briefing on Jan. 13 at the White House in Washington, D.C. Bottoms found herself recently heckled by supporters of indicted former president Trump on Thursday at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) When I pulled up, they thought that I was Fani, and they started chanting it at me as well and just walking through crowds, Bottoms said. It was a lot of hatred out here. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Following the former presidents use of the phrase riggers a subtly racist play on the N-word to criticize his opponents, Willis has been subjected to a barrage of racist online harassment, according to The Guardian. The prosecutor wrote to Fulton County commissioners and judges earlier this month before publicizing the indictment, alerting them of the escalating tensions. She explained that she and her team had been subjected to racial threats and voicemails since she started looking into Trumps effort to rig the election in Georgia two years ago. Trump took to his social media site Truth Social on Monday night, hours after Willis had announced the indictments, to demand the dismissal of all charges and to assert his innocence. He did not specifically mention Willis but claimed the prosecution was pursuing the wrong criminals. They never went after those that Rigged the Election, Trump wrote, The Guardian reported. They only went after those that fought to find the RIGGERS! Right-wing websites like Patriots.win and Gab quickly reacted to Trumps reference to the racist epithet. Numerous derogatory social media posts about Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, contained the phrase. The Georgia indictment accuses Trump associates of harassing the two Black Fulton County poll workers, going so far as to falsely accuse them of election fraud during the 2020 vote count. Calls for violence have rapidly increased on far-right websites since the allegations were made public on Monday night. Several Gab posts advocated for the hanging of Willis and the grand jurors who presented the charges. Remarks on Patriots.win blended wordplay with explicit incitement for violence. Trump increased his social media smears against Willis who plans to take the criminal case to trial in March 2024 as her investigation neared its conclusion, accusing her of prosecutorial misconduct and being racist. Trump has a history of criticizing prosecution teams and judges whose decisions with whom he disagrees. Bottoms, who now serves as the White Houses senior adviser for public engagement, has long been vocal about her opposition to the twice-impeached president and his MAGA rhetoric. According to ABC News, in 2022, she backed President Joe Bidens prime-time speech warning of the damage MAGA Republicans face to American democracy. In his remarks, Biden criticized the former president and his supporters, saying they represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic. Bottoms maintained then that the president talked positively about the nation but warned it needed to call out hatred. This MAGA Republican agenda, this hate-filled agenda we saw incite violence on our nations Capitol, has no place in a democracy, Bottoms said at the time, ABC reported. And if we are not calling it out, which is what the president did, then our country, everything that our country is built upon is in danger. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Ex-Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms heckled by Trump supporters mistaking her for prosecutor Fani Willis appeared first on TheGrio. Appeal trial of former French president Sarkozy on corruption charges at Paris court PARIS (Reuters) -Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will stand trial in 2025 on charges of corruption and illegal financing related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid, the financial prosecutor's office said on Friday. Sarkozy, who remains an important figure in French politics although he no longer holds any elected post, has always denied the accusations. "There's not even the smallest inkling of proof," he said in an interview in 2018. The conservative former president, in office from 2007 to 2012, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted in the case. He is also fighting various other legal cases. In this case, he will stand trial over charges of "concealment of embezzlement of public funds, passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime punishable by 10 years in jail", the prosecutor's office said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Among the 12 others facing trial in the case are Sarkozy's former right-hand man Claude Gueant, his then head of campaign financing Eric Woerth and former Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux. An initial hearing is set for March 7, 2024, the prosecutor's office said, with the trial itself scheduled to take place between Jan.6, 2025 and April 10, 2025. Sarkozy, 68, lost an appeal in May against a 2021 conviction for corruption and influence peddling. His legal team promised to challenge that at France's highest court. Sarkozy's conservative predecessor, the late Jacques Chirac, was found guilty of corruption in 2011, four years after he left office. (Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Bertrand BouceyWriting by Dominique Vidalon and Ingrid MelanderEditing by Frances Kerry) A Georgia Republican indicted alongside former President Donald Trump in the sprawling Fulton County racketeering case blamed Trump and his campaign for his role in the fake elector scheme. State Sen. Shawn Still, the only Republican lawmaker indicted by a grand jury earlier this month, "as a presidential elector, was also acting at the direction of the incumbent president of the United States," his attorney Thomas Bever argued Thursday in a court filing flagged by Politico. "The president's attorneys instructed Mr. Still and the other contingent electors that they had to meet and cast their ballots on Dec. 14, 2020." The filing came as Still, like several other defendants, seeks to move his case to federal court, arguing that he was acting under the direction of a federal officer the incumbent president. The attorney also argued that he is immune from state prosecution under the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. Still's filing echoes arguments made by fellow co-defendant and former Georgia GOP Chairman David Shafer, whose attorneys also said in a filing that he and other electors "acted at the direction of the incumbent President and other federal officials." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Still's attorney said in the filing that Shafer called a meeting of prospective electors at the Georgia Capitol building on December 14, 2020, where a Trump attorney told them it was necessary for them to meet to preserve the campaign's challenge of the election results in the state. "Per the attorney's advice and under the belief that the contingent vote was necessary to preserve the right to lawfully contest the election, Mr. Still cast a contingent ballot in his capacity as a contingent presidential elector," the filing said. Legal experts said that the developing dynamic was likely part of Willis' strategy when she charged Trump alongside 18 other defendants. "One of the advantages of charging many defendants is that their defenses are often inconsistent. Willis had to expect that the fake electors would point the finger at Trump and his attorneys," tweeted former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti. "When defendants start pointing fingers at each other, it usually spells trouble for the higher ups," agreed former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman, calling it an "increasingly dicey legal situation for Trump." Shafer's attorneys similarly sought to move the case to federal court, arguing that he was acting at Trump's direction. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. "Attorneys for the President and Mr. Shafer specifically instructed Mr. Shafer, verbally and in writing, that the Republican electors' meeting and casting their ballots on December 14, 2020 was consistent with counsels' advice and was necessary to preserve the presidential election contest," his lawyers argued. Georgia State Law Prof. Clark Cunningham told CNN on Wednesday that Shafer's argument "could be devastating for the former president." "Shafer explicitly places the entire responsibility for the fake electoral scheme squarely on Donald Trump," he told the network. "He says, 'I was acting at his personal direction.' He does that because he's trying to get into federal court under a law that says even if you're not an officer of the United States, if you are acting under the officer's direction, you can get to federal court. He is making that statement to get to federal court, but at the same time implicating Trump directly in the fake elector scheme." 8.22.23 3:25 PM ET True Legal Intelligence on Display as Brianna Keilar @brikeilarcnn hosts Professor Clark Cunningham W. Lee Burge Chair in Law & Ethics, Georgia State College of Law @ClarkGSULaw and CNN Legal Analyst Legal Analyst Norm Eisen @NormEisen (6:03 ) pic.twitter.com/wGieNzVBU9 Jeff Storobinsky (@jeffstorobinsky) August 22, 2023 Read more about this topic FILE - A Mexican flag waves in front of The National Palace, the office of the president, in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo, at sunrise, April 24, 2023. Mexico's general elections, including presidential, are set for June 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) With the 2024 Mexican presidential election less than a year away, political analysts and academics warn of a wave of fake news and disinformation making the rounds on the internet, a trend they deem especially worrisome as some of the falsehoods seem to come from the party in power and the president himself. Fake news has long been disseminated during electoral campaigns in Mexico and the current electoral cycle is far from being the exception. Since June, when Mexico's ruling party, Morena, and the country's main opposition parties launched their internal proceedings to pick their contenders for the 2024 race, The Associated Press Spanish-language fact-checking team found about 40 fake publications across social media platforms, favoring or discrediting members of both sides of the political spectrum. Political observers and academics say it is worrisome that, on occasions, unsubstantiated accusations against members of the opposition have come from President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador himself. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Clearly the president has been a factor in generating the type of misinformation that ends up being polarizing, said Manuel Alejandro Guerrero, a professor of social and political sciences at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. He points at a recent incident in which Lopez Obrador and his supporters accused Xochitl Galvez, a presumptive opposition presidential hopeful at the time, of planning to end a host of popular social programs implemented by his government if she were to win the presidency. Galvez decried the presidents comments as false and in early June secured a judges order guaranteeing her right of reply and allowing her to respond in person at one of his daily morning press briefings. Not long after, she formally entered the presidential race as a candidate of a broad opposition coalition the historically leftist PRD, the conservative PAN and the PRI that ruled Mexico for 70 years. Despite the denials of Xochitl herself, what we see here is a lie that is taken on again and again, sometimes from circles very close to the president," said Guerrero. Morena did not respond to a request for comment about accusations of being behind falsehoods regarding the opposition. In recent months, the Spanish-language fact-checking team at AP found several publications on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook, asserting the same falsehood about Galvez that she would end the president's social assistance programs if she were to be elected president. Most of the misleading content about Galvez came from accounts affiliated with Morena or Lopez Obrador, the team found. But AP also found several false publications disseminated online against former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, one of Morenas main contenders for the presidency. One of those publications erroneously asserted that Sheinbaum was not born in Mexico, but in Bulgaria, thus making her ineligible to run for office. Sheinbaum took to her social media accounts, calling on people to say no to fake news. She even displayed her birth certificate publicly in a campaign video, proving she was, in fact, born in Mexico City. In early June, false publications and a widespread campaign of disinformation plagued a local election in the northern state of Coahuila, with dozens of posts seeking to discredit Mexico's electoral authority known as INE. Among the falsehoods that circulated online was a claim that the markers handed out to voters to cast their vote could be easily erased, thus making it possible to vote again, giving rise to electoral fraud. AP's fact-checking team previously debunked that claim, which has circulated on numerous occasions before, including during the 2021 midterm elections in which the INE was repeatedly the target of fake news. Karen Lomeli, who leads digital efforts at the PAN, accused the government and the governing party of using a network of bots to promote falsehoods about the opposition. It's a strategy that they bring with all the force of the government, said Lomeli. I think this is going to spread, because we live in a very polarized country. For Guerrero and other academics, the avalanche of fake news and electoral disinformation will only get worse as the country enters yet another presidential race. The risk of disinformation in contexts of low democratic institutional strength, as is the case in Mexico and many other Latin American countries, is the impossibility of reaching an agreement between the different political groups," said Guerrero. There is simply too much noise. Explosions were heard in the city of Odesa on the night of 24-25 August. The air defence forces tried to repel a Russian missile attack on the city. Source: Suspilne; Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; defence forces of Ukraine's south Details: Suspilne reported about the explosions in Odesa at around 04:00. The defence forces of Ukraine's south announced that air defence systems were operating. Locals were urged not to film the air defence systems operation and to stay in shelters. Earlier, the Air Force warned Odesa Oblast residents that there was a missile threat to their oblast. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Administrative and industrial buildings, an outpatient clinic, residential buildings and cars were damaged as a result of Russian shelling of the Kherson and Beryslav districts of Kherson Oblast on 24 August, with one person killed and others injured, including a child. Source: Kherson Oblast police on Facebook; Operational Command Pivden (South) on Telegram Details: The police are recording the effects of the Russian attacks on critical and civilian infrastructure on the right bank of Kherson Oblast. The Russians landed another blow on peaceful settlements in the Kherson and Beryslav districts. They targeted residential and critical infrastructure facilities using multiple-launch missile systems, artillery, mortars, tanks and UAVs. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The attack damaged administrative and industrial buildings, an outpatient clinic, residential buildings and cars. In Shyroka Balka, a 35-year-old tractor driver came under fire while ploughing a field to stop the spread of the flames. One of the shells hit the tractor, and the driver was killed on the spot. The Russians bombarded Mykolaivka, wounding a 67-year-old man. The settlement of Burhunka also came under artillery fire, which damaged a police car. The Russians fired at suburban areas in Mykilske, injuring a 77-year-old man. The city of Kherson once again was subjected to massive bombardment, with explosions heard around the clock. The Russian forces ruthlessly tried to destroy infrastructure facilities, targeting industrial sites and peaceful residential areas in the Korabel and Dnipro districts. The bombardment damaged apartments in high-rise buildings, private houses and cars. The city centre came under dense Russian fire, where a projectile hit a house, injuring a 6-year-old girl. She was diagnosed with a blast injury and shrapnel wounds to her hip, back and legs. Investigative and operative teams from local police units, experts and bomb disposal technicians collected material evidence and documented the aftermath of the shelling, while ambulance workers assisted casualties and firefighters extinguished fires and cleared the rubble. Over the past day, the police responded to 361 statements and reports from citizens who stated criminal offences and other incidents. Ten criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 438 "Violation of the laws and customs of war" of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! An F/A-18 Hornet jet crashed Thursday night in the vicinity of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. The crash occurred on government property east of the air station at 11:54 p.m. local time, the installation said in a statement Friday morning. The aircraft was operating out of the Marine air station but was not part of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is headquartered out of it, according to the statement. It was not confirmed whom the plane belonged to or was operated by. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, the statement reads. An investigation has begun. We will provide more information as it becomes available. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Marine Corps concludes final carrier deployment with F/A-18 Hornet Capt. Michael Scaccia, a Marine spokesman, told Marine Corps Times that officials at the San Diego installation were working to determine details of the mishap, including whether the aircraft was the one-seat or two-seat version. The crash was first reported by a local CBS affiliate. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department told the CBS affiliate that it had a helicopter flying over the scene of the crash searching for the pilot. The Marine Corps has been phasing out the aging Hornets and replacing them with F-35B Lighting II jets. (NewsNation) Embattled Republican New York Rep. George Santos says he remains focused on his duties as a congressman despite facing a 13-count indictment on allegations he diverted campaign funds for personal use. He generally denied the allegations and declined to comment about the criminal case during a wide-ranging interview Thursday on NewsNations Dan Abrams Live. Im challenging everything, Santos said of the criminal charges, as well as a House Ethics Committee investigation. I did nothing wrong: Trump surrenders at Fulton County Jail Santos tenure in Congress has been mired by allegations that he lied about his resume which he admitted and a criminal indictment. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Santos has been charged with and pleaded not guilty to duping donors, stealing from his campaign and lying to Congress about being a millionaire, all while cheating to collect unemployment benefits he didnt deserve. Among the allegations, prosecutors say Santos created a company and then induced supporters to donate to it under the false pretense that the money would be used to support his campaign. Instead, they say, he used the money for personal expenses, including designer clothes and credit card and car payments. Santos declined to comment on the criminal case but said he never spent a single penny of campaign money for personal items. Had I deviated all this money from the campaign, I wouldnt have won, he said. The allegations against Santos have made him a recognizable name and face, a rarity for a freshman in the House that has 435 members. It is what it is, you just take it day by day at this point, Santos said. Im human, Ive made mistakes, I move on. Ive done the apology, Ive made those apologies, as sincere as I could. At this point, if I continue to put any effort into that, then Im reneging on the civic duty that I have to serve the constituency, which is where Im putting all my focus on. Reelection bid Santos troubles began in December 2022, a month before he was sworn into the House, when the New York Times published a story poking holes into parts of his biography, including his education, charitable efforts and basic work history. He told people he was a wealthy Wall Street dealmaker with a substantial real estate portfolio who had been a star volleyball player in college, among other things. In reality, Santos didnt work at the big financial firms he said employed him, didnt go to college and struggled financially before entering politics. He claimed he fueled his run largely with self-made riches earned from brokering deals on expensive toys for wealthy clients, but the indictment alleges those boasts were also exaggerated. He later admitted to lying about his resume and apologized, but said it wouldnt stop him from serving in Congress. In a poll earlier this year, 78% of voters in New Yorks Third Congressional District said Santos should resign. He says hes not going to. Instead, hes focused on his reelection bid and welcomes a Republican primary challenger. Santos has run twice, both times uncontested. I could have as little as 30% (support) and coast to victory in a primary, he claimed, citing internal polling showing more pro-Santos primary voters than anti-Santos voters. (Other primary candidates) are going to split up the anti-Santos vote. He noted other politicians under indictment have won reelection, including former New York Republican Rep. Chris Collins, who was indicted on insider trading and charges of lying to federal agents. In 2020, he plead guilty to giving his son nonpublic information about a drug company and was sentenced to 26 months in prison. Santos says hes acted nothing but ethically while in Congress, giving voters a reason to vote for him. My conduct as a member of Congress has been above reproach, he said. Im confident, and Im proud of the work that Im being able to do despite being besieged by the media. Immigration policy In the eight months hes been in office, Santos has echoed fellow Republicans calls for hiring more border agents and getting U.S. Customs and Border Protection a bigger budget. Hes also alleged that at least a handful of asylum-seekers in his New York district have been arrested for robbery. He recently visited the southern border and wants New York City leaders to more aggressively combat an influx of migrants to the city. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants north, including to New York, and the city has been grappling with where to house them. Santos said Mayor Eric Adams should do more, such as declaring an emergency or sending the migrants elsewhere. Return to sender. The buses are coming, say, Governor Abbott, here, theyre your problem, too, Santos said. Is it the best solution? No, but we need to draw a line and say we cant take them. He called on the U.S. government to close the border and only allow migrants to enter at ports of entry. if we put them through the proper channels, we slow the intake, he said. We have a capacity, we just need to draw the line and stop saying we dont have a capacity. The Associated Press and The Hill contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Claim: A viral photograph represents former U.S. President Donald Trump 's actual mugshot after he surrendered to Fulton County, Georgia, authorities on election interference-related charges Rating: Rating: True On Aug. 24, 2023, former U.S. President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities in Fulton County, Georgia, following his indictment on 13 charges related to election interference in the 2020 presidential election. Shortly after his arrival at Fulton County's Rice Street Jail, authorities released a mugshot of the former president: Though the fourth time the former president has surrendered to authorities following an indictment, this was the first case in which law enforcement had announced that Trump's mugshot would be taken. On Aug. 2, 2023, before any indictment had been handed down, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said during a press conference that Trump would be treated like anyone else. "It doesn't matter your status. We'll have mug shots ready for you," Labat said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Though several faked photos preceded this mugshot, this is the first time a former U.S. president has had such a photo taken. AI-generated mugshots went viral in March 2023 after Trump announced he would be arrested in New York's hush money investigation, and also in April 2023 when Trump surrendered to New York authorities those charges. On the morning of the Fulton arrest, another faked mugshot went viral. Because this image was officially released by authorities in Fulton County and confirmed by multiple outlets, matches the format of the co-defendants that have already been booked, and because its existence was expected, the claim is True. Sources: Donald J. Trump Indictment 08.15.23. Fulton County Sheriff's Office, https://fcsoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donald-J.-Trump-et-al.-Indictment-08.15.23.pdf. "No, This Image Doesn't Show Donald Trump's Mugshot from Fulton County | Fact Check." USA TODAY, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/08/24/purported-trump-mugshot-circulating-widely-was-fabricated-fact-check/70668689007/. Accessed 24 Aug. 2023. "Trump's Mug Shot Released." NBC News, 25 Aug. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-arraignment-georgia-indictment-live-updates-rcna100652. Umontuen, Itoro. "Georgia Was Mentioned 48 Times in Federal Indictment of Donald Trump." Georgia Public Broadcasting, 2 Aug. 2023, https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/08/02/georgia-was-mentioned-48-times-in-federal-indictment-of-donald-trump-0. "Will Trump Get a Mug Shot? What We Know about His Georgia Arrest and Booking." Yahoo News, 16 Aug. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/will-trump-get-a-mug-shot-what-we-know-about-his-georgia-arrest-and-booking-210615932.html. Claim: The only defendant in the Georgia 2020 election tampering case against Donald Trump to be held without bond after surrendering to authorities was the former director of "Black Voices for Trump." Rating: Rating: True Following a steady stream of high-profile Trump allies surrendering themselves to the Fulton County, Georgia justice system, claims that the only defendant not released that same day was the head of "Black Voices for Trump" went viral on social media: The claim was true. Harrison Floyd, former director of a group named Black Voices for Trump, did not post bond after surrendering to Georgia authorities. He faces charges related to alleged efforts to intimidate election worker Ruby Freeman into making false statements. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As mandated by the Fulton County District Attorney, all 19 defendants in Georgia's election interference case against Donald Trump surrendered by Aug. 25, 2023. At the time of this reporting, the only person whose booking record did not indicate they had been released was Harrison Floyd, who posted a video to X, formerly known as Twitter, of himself driving to jail on Aug. 24, 2023 while listening to the Kanye West song "Jail": Floyd allegedly worked with former Kanye West publicist Trevian Kutti and Georgia pastor Stephan Cliffgard Lee in an effort to intimidate election worker Ruby Freeman. As described in the Georgia indictment, Floyd was allegedly tapped for the role because he was Black: On or between the 15th day of December 2020 and the 4th day of January 2021, Stephan Cliffgard Lee solicited Harrison William Prescott Floyd, an individual associated with the organization Black Voices for Trump, to assist with his effort to speak to Ruby Freeman, a Fulton County, Georgia , election worker. [Lee] stated to [Floyd] that Freeman was afraid to talk to [Lee] because he was a white man. [...] On or about the 4th day of January 2021, Trevian C. Kutti traveled to a Cobb County Police Department precinct in Cobb County, Georgia, and met with and spoke to Ruby Freeman for approximately one hour. [Floyd] joined the meeting by telephone. [Kutti] and [Floyd] stated to Freeman that she needed protection and purported to offer her help. [...] [Kutti, Floyd, and Lee] committed the felony offense of Solicitation of False Statements and Writings [...] by soliciting, requesting, and importuning Ruby Freeman, a Fulton County, Georgia, election worker, to engage in conduct constituting the felony offense of False Statements and Writings. It is unclear, presently, what issue or issues prevented Floyd from bonding out of jail. The Huffington Post reported that "Floyd remains jailed as of Friday afternoon due to not having a prearranged bond set like the others." Of the three, both Kutti, who is Black, and Lee posted bail and were released after surrendering. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, suggested that an arrest in May 2023 on Federal charges of assaulting an FBI agent could have played a role: Earlier this year, he was charged and arrested in Maryland after allegedly attacking an FBI agent that was involved in the Justice Department's investigation to overturn the 2020 elections, The Washington Post reported. The previous arrest could have complicated Floyd being able to negotiate a bond agreement with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, which has not commented on the matter. According to the federal complaint in that case, Floyd attacked an FBI agent attempting to subpoena him to appear before a Maryland grand jury convened as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the events surrounding the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. As summarized by Huffington Post: Two agents attempted to hand Floyd the subpoena in person as he was returning to his Rockville home. The agents said they first called Floyd, whom they knew to be a retired Marine and professional MMA fighter, and spoke with him over the phone in a recorded conversation. They introduced themselves as federal agents and said they needed to serve him a federal grand jury subpoena. [...] The FBI agents said Floyd refused to accept the subpoena while outside his apartment, and that he ignored one agent's display of their badge. An agent stuck the document in his front door as Floyd was closing it on them, according to the complaint. As the agents started to exit down a staircase, they say, they heard Floyd yelling from behind them. He then allegedly rushed down the stairs at them screaming obscenities. Floyd allegedly struck one of the two agents in the chest, knocking them backward while yelling in their face. He allegedly backed away after the second agent flashed the firearm secured at their waist. As part of his release from Federal custody in May 2023, prior to being indicted in Georgia, authorities mandated among other things that he avoid breaking any state or federal laws. Because the only defendant arrested in the Georgia election interference case who was not immediately released from their custody was Harrison Floyd, and because he was the former director of Black Voices for Trump, the claim is True. Sources: Case 8:23-Mj-01217-AAQ Document 1. 3 May 2023. Case 8:23-Mj-01217-AAQ Document 8 . 15 May 2023. "Harrison Floyd, Trump's Only Ally Who Will Spend Time in Jail, Surrenders." Ajc, https://www.ajc.com/news/former-black-voices-for-trump-director-harrison-floyd-booked-at-fulton-jail/VZ7G5YTWXVHVTOORRDU7MR7KHA/. Accessed 25 Aug. 2023. INDICTMENT - The State of Georgia v. Donald Trump et Al. Fulton County Superior Court, 14 Aug. 2023, https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/georgia-indictment-trump/daed97d37562a76f/full.pdf. Saric, Ivana. "Full List: When Trump's 18 Co-Defendants Surrendered in Georgia." Axios, 22 Aug. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/trump-codefendant-surrender-georgia-jail. "Who Is Trump Ally Harrison Floyd, The Only 2020 Defendant Held Without Bond In Georgia?" HuffPost, 25 Aug. 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-supporter-harrison-floyd-held-without-bond_n_64e8abbae4b03cccf419d007. The claim: Maui wildfires were intentionally set to turn island into a 15-minute city or 'smart city' An Aug. 16 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) features a screenshot of a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding the recent wildfires in Maui. So they deliberately burn Maui to the ground to jump start their Hawaiian Smart City agenda, reads the text in the post. The post also claims that the JUMPSmartMaui project will turn the island into a 15-minute city and references climate lockdowns. Other versions of the post continue to circulate on X, Instagram, and Facebook. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False The post gets multiple elements of the claim wrong. There is no evidence that the Maui wildfires were intentionally set as part of an effort to convert the island into a 15-minute city, smart city or otherwise. The cause of the fires has not yet been determined, but officials say red flag conditions and strong winds from nearby Hurricane Dora were likely factors. No evidence Maui wildfires deliberately set by government The deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century, the fires in Maui have killed at least 115 people and destroyed upwards of 2,800 structures across the island since Aug. 8. The disaster prompted the Hawaiian government to declare a state of emergency on Aug. 9. USA TODAY previously reported that a combination of weather and climate-related factors created what the National Weather Service calls red flag conditions on the island. Those factors which include gusting winds (fuelled by nearby Hurricane Dora), low humidity, lack of rainfall and dry vegetation can lead to increased risk of fire danger. Fact check: No evidence Maui wildfires intentionally set in 'land grab,' contrary to posts While the exact cause of the fires is still being investigated, Department of Defense spokesperson Jeffrey Hickman previously told USA TODAY the claim the fires were deliberately set is a baseless social media narrative. Hawaii Gov. Josh Greens office previously told the Associated Press there is no truth to the horrendous assertion that the fires were deliberately set. Post conflates '15-minute cities' concept, old renewable energy plan The post references the 15-minute cities concept created by Carlos Moreno, a professor at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. The basic concept is that all essential services are accessible to all city residents within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. But the urban design framework has no connection to the Maui wildfires, as USA TODAY has previously reported. The post also appears to conflate the 15-minute cities concept with smart cities and the JUMPSmart Maui Project. The project aimed to establish electric vehicle charging infrastructure and smart-grid EV technology, according to John Harrison, program director for the Maui Economic Development Board. But Harrison said the program, which began in 2011, concluded successfully in 2017 and is no longer active. Furthermore, it was absolutely not a goal of the project to turn Maui into either a 15-minute city or a smart island," Harrison said. The Maui Economic Development board is not aware of any plans to turn Maui into a smart island or 15-minute city, he told USA TODAY. Fact check: No, Maui fires not linked to energy weapons, AI, smart cities, weather modification Some of the social media posts making this claim also mention the Hawaii International Conference for System Sciences, which has been held across the state since 1968. The event, which most recently convened in January, has been known worldwide as the longest-standing working scientific conferences in Information Technology Management, with panels and presentations featuring experts from upwards of 60 countries, according to its website. USA TODAY has previously debunked other erroneous claims about "15-minute cities," including that they are actually climate change lockdowns, that they will permanently limit citizens mobility, and that the East Palestine train derailment was designed to forcibly impose a 15-minute city in Cleveland. USA TODAY reached out to the Instagram user who shared the post for comment but did not receive an immediate response. The Associated Press also debunked this claim. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No evidence Maui fires designed to create 'smart city' | Fact check Donald Patience is believed to have been the victim of a 'targeted attack'. White labradoodle puppies were shared on his Facebook A suspected dog thief took a stolen labradoodle to a grooming salon for a haircut moments after the owner was killed in a burglary gone wrong, it has been claimed. On Tuesday, father of three Donald Patience, 45, was found dead at his home in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester following reports of a burglary in progress. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has launched a murder investigation and said the incident was believed to have been a targeted attack. The force has appealed for any information about activity near Mr Patiences home address in the four days leading up to his death amid suggestions his attackers monitored his movements before carrying out the alleged burglary. Mr Patience's cause of death was ruled as 'suspicious' after a post-mortem Three men have now been arrested on suspicion of murder. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Two suspects, aged 27 and 41, have been bailed pending further enquiries while a 39-year-old man remains in police custody. After the burglary, which police were called to at around 10:30am, one of the suspects allegedly took the labradoodle to a dog grooming salon just 160 feet away from the scene of the crime. Police have asked for anyone who may have seen Mr Patience walking his labradoodle to contact them Mick Hewitson, 58, who runs the Dog Shop said: I had only just opened up and this young man came in and asked me if I would do his dog for him, cut his hair. The dog was an off-white labradoodle. Id never seen the man before but he seemed calm. He told me his boss had gone to Scotland and he wanted to get the dogs hair cut while he was away. Ive got a sore shoulder and the dog was a big thing so I told him I couldnt do it at the moment. Probably about 30 minutes later I looked outside and that same man was being arrested and the police were looking after the same dog. The labradoodle is now being looked after by the relevant authority, police said. Mr Patiences ex-wife, Kirsty Leigh Banks, paid tribute to her former partner describing him as an amazing father who adored his children. She added: We are all truly heartbroken at this news and we are all struggling to come to terms with his death. The cause of death has not been revealed but was ruled suspicious following a post-mortem examination. Home in Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, where Mr Patience was found - Zenpix Ltd/Paul Cousans A back window to what appears to be the kitchen was smashed - Paul Cousans/Zenpix Det Chief Insp Rachel Smith of GMPs major incident team said: First, as a force, we would like to pass on our condolences to Donalds loved ones at this extremely distressing time. We are doing all we can to get the answers they deserve and find out what has happened. Since we were made aware of this incident earlier this week our investigation has been swift and precise, with three arrested because of our enquiries, with one at the scene at the time of the suspected burglary. I would like to reassure the local public, as I understand there will be alarm when finding out about this, but we are confident it is a targeted attack. DCI Smith said they were looking to speak to anyone who had knowledge of any activity near Mr Patiences address on Ainsworth Road since Aug 18, four days before the killing. On Friday, the house remained cordoned off and forensic officers were coming in and out of the property. The back window of the house was smashed and blue tarpaulin could be seen in the rear garden. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. FILE - A patient prepares to take the first of two combination pills, mifepristone, for a medication abortion during a visit to a clinic in Kansas City, Kan., on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. West Virginia can restrict the sale of the abortion pill, despite federal regulators' approval of it as a safe and effective medication, a federal judge has ruled Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) West Virginia can restrict the sale of the abortion pill, despite federal regulators' approval of it as a safe and effective medication, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers determined Thursday that the near-total abortion ban signed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice in September 2022 takes precedence over approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Supreme Court has made it clear that regulating abortion is a matter of health and safety upon which States may appropriately exercise their police power, Chambers wrote in a decision dismissing most challenges brought against the state by abortion pill manufacturer GenBioPro, Inc. in a January lawsuit filed in the state southern districts Huntington division. Since the U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that provided nationwide access to abortion, most GOP-controlled states have enacted or adopted abortion bans of some kind, restricting abortion pills by default. All have been challenged in court. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Legal experts foresee years of court battles over access to the pills, as abortion-rights proponents bring test cases to challenge state restrictions. In West Virginia's case, regulation of medical professionals is arguably a field in which the states have an even stronger interest and history of exercising authority, than the federal government, Chambers decided. GenBioPro, Inc., the countrys only manufacturer of a generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, had argued that the state cannot block access to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drug. Chambers dismissed the majority of the manufacturer's challenges, finding there is no disputing that health, medicine, and medical licensure are traditional areas of state authority. In a statement Friday, GenBioPro CEO Evan Masingill said the company remains confident in the legal strength of its case and is considering next steps. GenBioPro was founded on the belief that all people should have access to evidence-based, essential medication and will continue to use all legal and regulatory tools available to ensure access for all, he said. The decision was lauded by West Virginia Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. While it may not sit well with manufacturers of abortion drugs, the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that regulating abortion is a state issue, he said in a statement. I will always stand strong for the life of the unborn. Chambers will allow a challenge by the manufacturer concerning telehealth to proceed, however. Congress has given the FDA the right to dictate the manner in which medications can be prescribed, and the agency has determined that mifepristone can be prescribed via telemedicine. Morrisey said his office looks forward to arguing the telehealth issue: We are confident in the merits of our case. Mail-order access to the drug used in the most common form of abortion in the U.S. would end under a federal appeals court ruling issued Aug. 16 that cannot take effect until the Supreme Court weighs in. The decision by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned part of a lower court ruling that would have revoked the Food and Drug Administrations 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. But it left intact part of the ruling that would end the availability of the drug by mail, allow it to be used through only the seventh week of pregnancy rather than the 10th, and require that it be administered in the presence of a physician. Those restrictions wont take effect right away because the Supreme Court previously intervened to keep the drug available during the legal fight. The panels ruling would reverse changes the FDA made in 2016 and 2021 that eased some conditions for administering the drug. President Joe Bidens administration said it would appeal, with Vice President Kamala Harris decrying the potential effect on abortion rights, as well as on the availability of other medications. It endangers our entire system of drug approval and regulation by undermining the independent, expert judgment of the FDA, Harris statement said. Abortion rights advocates said the ruling poses a major threat to abortion availability following last years Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to abortion. There is virtually no precedent for a U.S. court overturning the approval of a drug that the FDA has deemed safe and effective. While new drug safety issues often emerge after FDA approval, the agency is required to monitor medicines on the market, evaluate emerging issues and take action to protect U.S. patients. Congress delegated that responsibility to the FDA not the courts more than a century ago. Mifepristone is one of two pills used in medication abortions. The other drug, misoprostol, is also used to treat other medical conditions. Health care providers have said they could switch to misoprostol if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain. Misoprostol is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies. The U.S. Department of Justice notified Kansas City in mid-2021 that it was investigating racial discrimination within the Kansas City Fire Department. The public only became aware of the federal investigation two years later, when The Star revealed Wednesday that the Justice Department had for months been interviewing Black firefighters. In an interview Friday, Mayor Quinton Lucas said officials held public discussions about race and gender discrimination within the fire department, which city leaders have tried to address. But he acknowledged the public was not made aware of the Justice Department investigation. I dont think there was in any way an endeavor to hide that information from anyone, Lucas told The Star. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement City Attorney Matthew Gigliotti was notified of the probe in a July 2, 2021, letter from Kristen Clarke , the assistant attorney general for the agencys Civil Rights Division. The investigation, she wrote, would determine if the fire department engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against Black people in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Justice Department is separately investigating the Kansas City Police Department over its employment practices following a Star investigation in 2022 that found KCPDs Black officers face racism from within. When KCPD was notified of the federal probe last year, then-Interim Police Chief Joseph Mabin released a statement about it the same morning. I am committed to ensuring every member experiences a safe and fair work environment and every applicant receives fair treatment throughout the hiring process, Mabin said at the time. It remains unclear who at City Hall knew about the Justice Departments probe into the fire department. But when the city was alerted to it, the public was not informed. Speaking from his office Friday, Lucas told The Star the police and fire situations were different. Lucas believed the police department released a statement after a Justice Department letter about that probe was leaked, triggering a response from the force. In the case of the fire investigation, he said, there was likely not a communication to an external party. Communications between the citys attorney and City Council, he added, are confidential unless there is reason for disclosure. He noted he does not call a press conference every time the city is sued. I dont think that there is a concern about trying to mask what is the substantive issue, Lucas said. On Friday, the city provided The Star the Justice Departments letter announcing the KCFD probe after the newspaper had asked for it since Wednesday. In it, Clarke said the Justice Department had assigned a senior trial attorney to the investigation. Our investigation is based on publicly available information that suggests the KCFD may be engaged in hiring practices that discriminate against Black applicants for the position of entry-level firefighter, in promotional and assignment practices that discriminate against Black firefighters throughout the ranks and in maintaining a hostile work environment for Black firefighters throughout the ranks, Clarke wrote. KCFD letter of investigation by Ian Cummings on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. The city was notified of the federal investigation about seven months after The Star published a series of stories in late 2020 detailing systemic racism, segregated fire stations, lack of promotions and sex discrimination within the department. Lawyers for Battalion Chief Stephen Seals, who is Black, made the first publicly known reference to a federal investigation in a lawsuit filed last week. His attorneys said he was first contacted by the Justice Department in January 2022. Early this year, weeks after a report assessing the culture within the department was released, DOJ investigators reached out to the city seeking additional information and the names of other individuals to interview, according to a senior city source whose office is involved in the matter. Three Black firefighters told The Star this week that they were interviewed within the last year about racism they have faced within the fire service and their complaints of a hostile work environment. They named others who have been interviewed, as well. Some people who were members of the council at the time recalled learning of the investigation in 2021, while others did not. Several did not return calls seeking comment. Councilwoman Andrea Bough, 6th District At-Large, said she became aware of the investigation in 2021. But former Councilwoman Katheryn Shields, who represented the 4th District At-Large from 2015 until earlier this month, said she did not recall any email or briefing about it. Former two-term Councilman Dan Fowler, who until this month represented the 2nd District, also said he could not recall being informed of it. The feds, in my experience, keep everything close to the vest until theyre ready to tell somebody, said Fowler, who is a lawyer. The Rev. Vernon Howard Jr., president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, said the civil rights community was not surprised that city leaders knew about this very important information but did not share it. Our past protests and ongoing advocacy and education, we are pleased, have in some way been heard, Howard said. The lack of transparency, inaction, and complicity on the part of the city manager is the reason we have no confidence in his ability to address the scourge of racism in the KCFD and within the broader municipal government framework. In a statement, City Manager Brian Platt said since his first day in office, city leaders have worked to transparently improve conditions across departments, including KCFD. Over the past three years, we made substantial progress in creating a safer workplace for all employees and are committed to improving each year to come, Platt said. Since The Stars investigation in 2020, the fire department has made strides toward making its ranks more inclusive, city officials said. On his first day in office in December 2020, Platt emailed council members calling the behavior described in The Star absolutely unacceptable and vowed to take aggressive steps to end discrimination and harassment in city departments. In May, the KCFD saw its largest and most diverse recruitment class yet, with 110 prospective firefighters. The department also conducted job fairs to diversify its ranks, created a mentorship program for new employees and hired a diversity officer. But several current and former Black firefighters say little has changed. They are still subjected to poor treatment, limited promotional opportunities and fear of retaliation when they speak out. Lucas acknowledged there is still concern among firefighters about assignments and promotions. Mayors, city managers and other council members have come and gone over the years, he said, yet the problem persists. At a certain point one has to ask What is not changing? Lucas asked. The Stars Mike Hendricks contributed to this report. A man in Mooresville was arrested on Wednesday for numerous drug charges, including selling Fentanyl pills made to look like Oxycodone. Police searched a residence on North Academy Street where they found Albert Rhyne Stewart, 57, who was selling Fentanyl from the house. This embedded content is not available in your region. As a result of a search warrant, detectives seized near 30 grams of raw Fentanyl, 161 Fentanyl pills made to look like Oxycodone pills, small amount of various other drugs, and $1,320 cash. Stewart faces the following charges: Three Counts of Trafficking Opiates Three Counts of Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Substance One Count of Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute a Schedule IV Controlled Substance Felony Possession of Cocaine Felony Maintaining a Dwelling and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mugshots: 5 arrests made in major Waxhaw narcotics bust, sheriff says When he was arrested on Wednesday, he was still on probation for a 2021 arrest related to other drug charges. In 2019, Stewart was released from prison after 6 years due to numerous narcotics-related offenses. His criminal history dates back to 1987. He was placed in the Iredell County Jail under a $800,000 secured bond. (WATCH: ) Washingtons Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is pushing to label the western gray squirrel as an endangered species. This comes in the form of a proposal from WDFW to change the squirrels listing from its current status as threatened. Its estimated that between 468 and 1,405 western gray squirrels remain, spread across three groups in the Puget Trough, Klickitat, and Okanogan regions. None of the three current populations seem to be large enough to avoid a decline in genetic diversity and at least two may suffer from the negative effects of inbreeding, WDFW says. The western gray squirrel was first listed as threatened in 1993. If the proposal to make it endangered is approved, it would come with a handful of measures designed to conserve the species. That would include higher penalties for harming or killing them. Seen more often in Washington is the non-native eastern gray squirrel, which can be mistaken for its threatened western counterpart. Eastern gray squirrels were first introduced in the state in the early 1900s, and are the most common tree squirrels found in Washingtons urban areas. Two F-16 fighter jets intercepted an civilian aircraft that flew into restricted airspace Friday morning over Lake Tahoe as President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden vacationed in the resort community along the California-Nevada border. The North American Aerospace Defense Command deployed the Falcons along with a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter. The civilian aircraft violated a Temporary Flight Restriction area around Lake Tahoe over California and Nevada skies shortly before 8 a.m., according to a NORAD news release. The fighter jets dispensed flares to gain the attention of the civilian aircrafts pilot, NORAD officials said. The flares might have been visible to the public on the ground. Flares were employed with the highest regard for safety of the intercepted aircraft and people on the ground, NORAD officials said. The flares burn out quickly and completely, and there is no danger to people on the ground when dispensed. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Biden family is staying at billionaire Tom Steyers house, which they are renting at fair market value, the White House has said. Steyer was among the Democrats who ran for president in 2020. The house is in the Glenbrook community on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. The trip to Lake Tahoe is a family vacation. No political appearances were on the public calendar. The 10-nautical-mile flight restrictions, according to the FAA, continue through 4:45 p.m. Friday. A large search effort just outside a military base in San Diego on Friday discovered the body of a U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot, authorities say. "With a heavy heart, our condolences go to the Marine's family during this time," said a statement from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in North Carolina. The pilot, who was the only person onboard, was not immediately identified. According the statement, the identities of service members are not released until 24 hours after their family has been notified. Late Thursday, just before midnight, a F/A-18 Hornet crashed on government property east of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, according to a base news release. The fighter jet belonged to the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The cause of the crash remains unknown, military officials said. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. The F/A-18 Hornet is the first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft, according to the U.S. Navy Office of Information. It was designed "for traditional strike applications" and was used extensively during Operation Desert Storm. The supersonic fighter jet has been described as the "the workhorse of Marine Corps tactical aviation." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fighter jet pilot killed in crash near Miramar base in San Diego The final defendant accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia has surrendered. According to Fulton County Jail records, Stephen Lee surrendered one hour before the deadline Friday. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates live on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Lee is a police chaplain from Illinois. He was named in an indictment accusing former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. He is accused of being at the center of an effort to intimidate Fulton County poll worker Ruby Freeman. Lee paid a surprise visit to Freemans home in mid-December 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police body cam footage shows Lee acknowledging that he had knocked on Freemans door and offered to provide pro bono service to her. Afterward, Lee allegedly asked Harrison Floyd, another defendant, to arrange a meeting with Freeman to discuss an immunity deal in exchange for a false admission of committing election fraud. RELATED STORIES: Lee is the seventh and final defendant who needed to surrender Friday. An hour before Lee was booked, Trevian Kutti surrendered at the jail. According to Fulton County Jail records, Robert Cheeley, Jeffrey Clark, Misty Hampton (also known as Emily Misty Hayes), Michael Roman and Shawn Still surrendered sometime after midnight Friday. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Earlier in the week, defendants John Eastman, Mark Meadows, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, Ray Smith, David Shafer, Harrison Floyd, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Scott Hall and Cathy Latham all surrendered at the Fulton County Jail. Trump turned himself in at the jail Thursday night. He was booked and quickly released. IN RELATED NEWS: Finland has announced 94 million euros ($101.5 million) in its 18th military aid package for Ukraine, the Finnish Defense Ministry announced on its website on Aug. 25. For operational reasons and to ensure that the aid will safely arrive at its destination, specific details on the package's contents and on the manner of its delivery are not disclosed, the press release said. The country's President Sauli Niinisto approved the tranche today on Aug. 25 based on the proposal by the government. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that the 18th package was being prepared already during his visit to Kyiv on Aug. 23. "The support of Finland and our allies to Ukraine remains unwavering," Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen commented on the latest aid. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "The core issue in terms of the future security order in Europe and in Finland is to be able to curb Russia's aggression against Ukraine." The Finnish government pointed out that the total aid provided by Helsinki to Kyiv amounts to 1.8 billion euros ($1.9 billion), including 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in military assistance, including the latest package. Finland announced its 17th tranche of military aid worth $114 million on July 6, containing anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition. Just like in the case of the most recent package, the specific details of the package remained undisclosed. Read also: Norway dedicates $140 million for Ukrainian energy infrastructure Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto decided on 25 August to provide Ukraine with an 18th military aid package, further to a proposal by the government. Source: Finlands government, as reported by European Pravda Details: Replacing the defence assets contained in this package will reportedly cost Finland approximately 94 million. The total value of all Finnish defence aid packages provided to Ukraine so far is about 1.3 billion. Quote: "The support of Finland and our allies to Ukraine remains unwavering. The core issue in terms of the future security order in Europe and in Finland is to be able to curb Russia's aggression against Ukraine," Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkinen said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement No further details regarding the contents of the package, its delivery method and its schedule are being provided for operational reasons and to ensure the safe arrival of the aid at its destination. "Both Ukraine's needs and the resources of the Defence Forces were taken into account when deciding on Finland's additional assistance," the statement reads. Background: The preparation of the new military aid package was first announced by Petteri Orpo, the Prime Minister of Finland, during his visit to Kyiv on 23 August "There are things there that are really needed: heavy weaponry and ammunition," Orpo said, commenting on the contents of the aid package. Earlier, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that Russian propaganda directed against his country is intensifying. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A lawyer from Palm Beach County has filed one of the first legal challenges to disqualify Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential race under a clause in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment. Boynton Beach tax attorney Lawrence Caplan filed the challenge in federal court in the Southern District of Florida citing the amendment's "disqualification clause" for those who engage in insurrections and rebellion against the United States. The amendment was ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, during Reconstruction, and also addressed the citizenship status of freed slaves and the re-integration of the defeated Confederate states back into the Union. Applying the 14th Amendment's disqualification rule to Trump has been a rising talking point this month. Legal scholars, including from conservative corners, have advocated for it. And state elections officials have conceded they are having discussions about how they would respond if a challenge is lodged. But constitutional scholar Kevin Wagner said invoking the amendment to kick Trump off the ballot is an endeavor that faces significant legal, constitutional and political hurdles. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "There's a legitimate argument that one can make surrounding the plain wording of the 14th Amendment and the accusations of what the president did on Jan. 6," said Wagner, a professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University. "But I think it's a harder lift than people think and at the end of the day you have to find someone that's willing to enforce it." Reconstruction era 14th Amendment punished insurrections, rebellions The amendment's Section 3 addresses the disqualification of any U.S. citizen from holding office if "having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof." On Thursday, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office released the mugshot taken of former President Donald Trump. Caplan's filing asserts that Trump's actions on Jan. 6, 2021 violated the amendment and asks that he be barred from seeking the presidency and from appearing on the ballot in Florida's 2024 presidential primary next March 19. "The bottom line here is that President Trump both engaged in an insurrection and also gave aid and comfort to other individuals who were engaging in such actions, within the clear meaning of those terms as defined in Section Three of the 14th Amendment," the document said. Trump has steadfastly denied wrongdoing. On Thursday evening, before departing Atlanta following his booking on criminal charges related to the 2020 election, Trump again asserted he was simply challenging vote counts and claimed the indictment in Georgia is "election interference." "What has taken place here is a travesty of justice," he said. "We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong and everybody knows it. Attorney who filed challenge to Trump on ballot said issue is 'crystal clear' On Thursday, Caplan told the USA Today Network - Florida that his reading of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment "makes it very clear" that disqualification is a remedy "if you are accused of insurrection or interfering with the electoral process." He said the indictment brought in Washington, D.C. by special counsel Jack Smith lays out how Trump violated the amendment. "It's crystal clear that that one case is exactly the kind of charges that are referenced in this 14th Amendment Section 3," said Caplan. "It's one of those things that if you're an honest broker, if you're an honest judge, and you read the amendment and you look at the facts of the case, you walk away and say, 'He's barred.'" Caplan and a growing chorus of legal scholars say the amendment does not require a conviction in the courts but simply a finding that he violated the clause. Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after surrendering at the Fulton County jail. The 800-plus page report issued last year by the congressional committee that investigated Trump's role in alleged efforts to thwart the electoral process, as well as accusations he incited the violence on Capitol Hill that day, are grounds for disqualification, they say. Caplan's challenge is among the first 14th Amendment-related objections lodged against Trump in a federal court. However, discussion of the 45th president's disqualification has surged in the past week. Legal scholars, state elections officials also mulling potential implementation of the 14th Amendment Retired conservative federal judge J. Michael Luttig and liberal constitutional scholar Laurence Tribe on Aug. 19 wrote an article for The Atlantic in which they delineated reasons why the 14th Amendment disqualification should be applied to Trump. Also this month, law professors William Baude of the University of Chicago and Michael Stokes Paulsen of the University of St. Thomas wrote a detailed 126-page report explaining why the 14th Amendment applies to Trump. Intriguingly, both Baude and Paulsen are active members of the conservative Federalist Society that has been a principal player in ushering forward conservative jurists across the United States, including on both the U.S. and Florida high courts. More: Booking photo of Donald Trump made public after arrest in Georgia election case The topic also came up during Wednesday's GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson raised the potential that Trump might be disqualified under the amendment's provisions. Earlier that day, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in an interview on MSNBC that she has held talks with election officials in other states about the potential challenges to Trump's placement on the ballot. Benson said that when "the time is right" she would seek an opinion from Michigan's attorney general. She expects a constitutional challenge to Trump's candidacy will be litigated and the courts will have the "final say" on the outcome. In the time being, she acknowledged she has been discussing the possibility with her peers in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Georgia, where Trump turned himself in on Thursday following his indictment for interfering in the state's 2020 election count. "We are talking with colleagues in similarly situated states ... who will make a legally grounded decision, not a political one," Benson said. "We recognize that the four of us will likely need to act in concert, if we act at all. All those discussions are happening. We recognize the seriousness of this issue." FAU's Wagner agrees that the 14th Amendment may not require Trump's conviction on any charges for it to be invoked. "What makes it tricky is it doesn't say you don't have to be convicted. It just says you have to engage in it," he said. Nonetheless, despite the cacophony of constitutional chatter, Wagner said he thinks applying the 14th Amendment to Trump will be a challenge because of the scarcity of legal precedents. "The problem here is that there is no real case law, there's no dominant interpretation that we can all look at and agree that this is how it is done," he said. A highly anticipated booking photo. A notorious jail. The Donald Trump arrest recapped Many of the U.S. Constitution's amendments and principles, from freedom of the press to search and seizure laws, have been amply litigated over time. As such, it's easier to forecast how those rights might be applied or limited by court rulings. Some of the 14th Amendment's other provisions have been significantly litigated. For example, they served as the basis for landmark rulings like the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education school desegregation case and the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision. Notably, too, Wagner said, the 14th Amendment was invoked in the U.S. Supreme Court's Bush v. Gore decision that ended the 2000 Florida presidential vote recount and granted the Sunshine State's election-deciding electoral votes to Republican candidate George W. Bush. "So, what you're getting is legal scholars, and pretty good ones I might add, saying that if you look at how this was done historically, and what they wanted to do when they did it, then ultimately it means that he can't run," said Wagner. "Now, does it? I don't know. I haven't seen a Supreme Court case saying this and we've never disqualified a president that I've been aware of under this provision." Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida attorney's 14th Amendment lawsuit aims to disqualify Trump Florida lawmakers are promising to be better prepared during the next legislative session to tackle a law that prevents certain families from seeking medical malpractice wrongful death lawsuits. The calls for change are coming as grieving loved ones share their stories with Channel 9 investigative reporter Karla Ray. From Marta Crews, who says a medical mistake led to her adult special needs son dying in a Lake County hospital, to Cindy Jenkins, whose 25-year-old daughter Taylor died after doctors failed to diagnose internal bleeding from a crash in Osceola County, more voices are joining the call to change Floridas so-called Free Kill Law. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The sad part about it is that there is traction because there are always new cases, Melody Sandberg-McDonald said. Shes the founder of the Florida Medical Rights Association, a grassroots group thats pushing lawmakers to change the statute to allow families of those over the age of 25 who have never been married or the adult children of those who die due to medical malpractice, to seek civil damages. Read: More Free Kill families speaking out against controversial Florida law This week I had three new inquiries on the website, she said. If everyone was held accountable, then we would see fewer malpractice cases. But lawmakers have tried, and failed, to change the law, including Central Florida Representative Johanna Lopez, who sponsored the most recent legislation that never even made it to a committee hearing. This is this is a bill to guarantee safety, Representative Lopez said. Read: Lawmakers again try to finish off Floridas free kill legal loophole Lopez plans to bring more stakeholders to the table for the next legislative session, pointing out no other state has such an exception. Were not living in the 1990s anymore, were in 2023. So we have to be aligned with the rest of the nation, because this is about our rights, Lopez said. But medical malpractice defense attorney Tom Dukes of Orlando says a change could lead to more frivolous lawsuits, meaning higher healthcare costs for everyone. Read: Floridas medical malpractice law: Who does it actually protect? It costs in three ways. One, defense of medicine; two, insurance premiums, both health insurance and malpractice insurance premiums; and three, the talent [leaving] the state of Florida, Dukes said. Cindy has filed complaints with the Florida Department of Health, which could lead to fines being placed against the practitioners. It is business as usual, Jenkins said. Our lives have been ripped apart, turned up, and theyll never be the same again. Read: Crew-7 to lift off overnight from Space Coast Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Florida lawyer is challenging former President Trumps ability to run for president in 2024 under the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment, citing the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Lawrence Caplan, a tax attorney in Palm Beach County, filed the challenge in federal court Thursday, pointing to a clause in the amendment that says those who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the government cannot hold office. The challenge was first reported by The Palm Beach Post. The bottom line here is that President Trump both engaged in an insurrection and also gave aid and comfort to other individuals who were engaging in such actions, within the clear meaning of those terms as defined in Section Three of the 14th Amendment, Caplan wrote in the filing. Assuming that the public record to date is accurate, and we have no evidence to the contrary, Trump is no longer eligible to seek the office of the President of the United States, or of any other state of the Union. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Caplans challenge is one of the first questioning the legality of Trumps 2024 bid, though Trump is also facing criminal charges at both the state and federal level over his actions to undo the results of the 2020 vote. The former president is currently the far-and-away front-runner in the GOP presidential primary. In an interview with The Hill, Caplan said that someone had to take the lead on challenging Trumps candidacy. This is a scary, scary guy, and if hes president, I think were all on the way to fascism, he said. Theres no law that says we have to remain a democracy forever. In the filing, Caplan wrote that the facts of his case are undeniably simple. In 2016, Trump won the presidential election, and in 2020, he lost it. The following Jan. 6, Trump encouraged a throng of supporters to march to the Capitol, saying hed be right there with them, Caplan wrote. As we are well aware, the throng marched on the Capitol, forced their way into the Capitol building, ransacked the rotunda area, and even made their way into several offices of representatives and senators, he wrote. The 14th Amendments disqualification clause was written in the context of the Civil War, meant to bar those who had joined the Confederacy from serving in state or federal office. But it would theoretically still apply to those who engage in future rebellions or insurrections against the U.S., according to Cornell Universitys Legal Information Institute. Caplan told The Hill that he did not originally believe Trumps role in the Capitol attack could disqualify him from becoming president again. That changed when he read an analysis by former 4th Circuit Appeals Court Judge J. Michael Luttig and Harvard legal scholar Laurence Tribe. In an article published last week in The Atlantic, Luttig, a conservative, and Tribe, who is liberal, contended that Trumps efforts to remain in power after losing in 2020 place him squarely within the ambit of the disqualification clause. Trumps grand jury indictments in the Washington, D.C., federal case and the Georgia case probing those efforts make his disqualification automatic, Caplan said. Trump surrendered to authorities on the Georgia charges Thursday evening, becoming the first former U.S. president to have a mug shot taken. The common sense of it is that the law says that someone whos indicted for causing an insurrection is automatically ineligible to run for federal office, Caplan told The Hill. Whether the Capitol attack rises to the level of an insurrection under the law is a question still hotly debated among both legal scholars and politicians. In his filing, Caplan wrote that one can certainly argue that the clause has not been thoroughly tested. But he countered that is only because the U.S. has not otherwise faced an insurrection against our federal government such as the one while we faced on January 6, 2021. Caplan told The Hill on Friday that he is not an overtly political person. He said his first job out of law school was working for the National Security Agency so nobody could say that Im not a patriot and that he has voted for Republicans in the past. The law is the law, Caplan said. Well see whether or not the judges have the guts to follow the law. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Polytechnic University President Randy Avent thanked state legislators from Polk County for helping to fund the Applied Research Center, the latest building on the Lakeland campus. The Florida Polytechnic University board of trustees has appointed the leader of a committee that will search for a successor to President Randy K. Avent. The trustees approved the appointment of board Vice Chair Beth Kigel on Monday as chair of the presidential search committee. Kigel, who joined the board in 2020, is vice president of HNTB Corporation, an infrastructure solutions firm, based in its Miami office. Avent, who has served as president of the Lakeland school since it opened in 2014, announced in July that he plans to resign next summer. Avent said that he will take a brief sabbatical and return to Florida Poly as a faculty member. Cliff Otto, chair of the board of trustees, will appoint the other members of the search committee, Florida Poly spokesperson Lydia Guzman said. The committee will include representatives from the State University System of Florida Board of Governors, the Florida Poly board of trustees, the Florida Poly Foundations board, faculty, administration, students, alumni and the community, Guzman said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Details on searches for presidents of state universities used to be open to the public. The Florida Legislature passed a law last year that exempts most of the process from public-records requirements, keeping candidates names secret until finalists are chosen. Professor of professional practice Southeastern hires former Lakeland Regional Health CEO Elaine Thompson In some recent cases, including the search at the University of Florida last year, committees have selected only one finalist, who was then hired. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Chair chosen to lead search for next president of Florida Poly Updated as of 8/25/2023 at 11:30 a.m. ET Oh, how the tables have turned. The school administrators who tried to discipline the Black students of Bunnell Elementary were disciplined themselves amidst the school districts investigation. Read more The report says parents called the assembly a form of bullying and consider removing their children from Bunnell because they no longer feel safe there. The Good Grades or Die Tryin Assembly A Florida school district launched an investigation after an elementary school pulled its Black students into an exclusive assembly addressing their test scores. In that meeting, the children were warned that if they didnt get good grades, theyd end up dead or in jail. You read that right: in a state where teaching grade-schoolers that slavery had fringe benefits, its now also a thing in at least one district to blame the students rather than the adults for low performance on standardized test scores. And rather than finding solutions that amount to parents, educators and policymakers doing better, the chosen remedy is warning the third and fourth graders at Bunnell Elementary School in Flagler County, Fla., that they were on a path straight to jail or hell if the scores didnt come up. Uh...warning all the Black kids, that is. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The students were pulled out of their class Tuesday for a hastily-made together PowerPoint presentation on grade averages, per First Coast News. The Black students were referenced in a section titled The Problem and were described to have under performed on standardized assessments for the last three years. When 41 percent of students should be at a level three or higher for the ELA/Math subjects, only 32 percent were performing. Though, in addition to building morale and offering solutions to help the children excel in their testing, parents say their kids were given a disturbing warning about what their future looks like if they get bad grades. Read more from FOX35 Orlando: FOX 35 News spoke with the two students, with their parents permission. The two students were pulled from class on Friday to attend the special assembly. When they got to the assembly, the 9-year-olds realized that it was being held just for the Black students in the school. I was embarrassed, said Kenadee Robinson. Because they put us in the cafeteria because of race. And, the color of our skin. Jeff said the assembly scared him because of what one of the teachers told the Black students. I didnt like how he said if we dont have high scores that we could get shot, dead, or end up in jail or on the side of the road, explained 9-year-old Jeff. It made me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. I dont want to go to school now because I dont want to end up in jail, the side of the road or get shot or anything. Standardized tests have long been criticized for racial bias due to the consistent achievement gap between white students and Black students test scores. I mean, one of the founding fathers behind the standardized test, Carl Brigham, believed Black people were inferior and therefore, could harm the education system. - to tell the truth about standardized tests is to tell the story of the eugenicists who created and popularized these tests in the United States more than a century ago. Eugenicists today are commonly considered to be racist but somehow many Americans consider their tests to be not racist, whatever that means, said author Ibram X. Kendi in a statement in 2020. Interim Flagler Superintendent LaShakia Moore issued not just one but two statements trying to make amends after parents responded to the incident with outrage - each of which came right ahead of her interview to be superintendent full-time, per FlaglerLive. The report says the head of the Office of Professional Standards is currently leading an investigation into the incident and the findings may result in disciplinary action. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Meteorologists are closely watching a disturbance near Honduras that, early models show, could affect Florida next week. Its too soon to know where exactly the system may strike or how strong it will be, but state officials have already started preparing. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to prepare for the potential tropical system. Residents should remain vigilant and prepare for possible impacts early next week, he posted on X. Ive signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation for Invest 93L. Issuing this order today ensures communities have time to prepare for the storm system which could have impacts along the Gulf Coast next week. Floridians should have a Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 26, 2023 Also brewing in the Atlantic are Tropical Storm Franklin, which could be a hurricane this weekend, and three other tropical disturbances, including a new one in the far east Atlantic. Florida doesnt have to worry about these systems for now, but Bermuda may feel the edges of Franklin. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Here are the forecasts from the National Hurricane Centers 2 p.m. Friday update: Florida officials watching new tropical system The system to watch is an area of low pressure off the northeastern coast of Honduras. The hurricane center said it could become a tropical depression late this weekend or early next week as it drifts north over the Caribbean Sea and into the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. As of Friday afternoon, chances of it becoming a depression were at 40% in the next two days, 80% in the next seven a slightly higher figure than earlier in the day. The hurricane center started watching a fourth disturbance in the Atlantic on Friday afternoon. Early storm models were inconsistent at first but for the last few runs have shown a tropical storm headed toward Floridas west coast by Tuesday or Wednesday. What the system will find by the time it gets to the Gulf is still up in the air. Waters are warmer than normal, which could fuel a potential storm, but theres also quite a bit of unfriendly wind shear in the Gulf for the next few days. Its a fine line whether the upper winds over the Gulf will enhance the system or deter it from strengthening, Bryan Norcross, a hurricane specialist at Fox Weather, posted on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. The strength of a potential system weighs heavily into the path it could eventually take. Andy Hazelton, an associate scientist at the University of Miami and NOAAs Hurricane Research Division, said that a weaker system could move faster and strike lower in the state, while a slightly stronger system could be drawn more to the Panhandle region. ECMWF ensemble continues to hint at a couple possible scenarios for a Gulf system: 1) Weak system moves quickly across S FL. 2) A slightly stronger system (due to more erosion of the trough and more time over the warm Gulf) moves up towards the FL Big Bend area. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/oHNbB27GGU Andy Hazelton (@AndyHazelton) August 25, 2023 The next storm name is Idalia. Tropical Storm Franklin on track to become hurricane Tropical Storm Franklin was foundering a bit in some high wind shear, a storm shredder, on Friday, and lost a little strength Friday morning. But forecasters said the storm was still in good shape to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds over the weekend as it moved northeast, possibly skirting Bermuda. As of the 11 a.m. Friday advisory, Franklin was moving east-southeast at 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Tropical Storm Franklin weakened slightly Friday morning. Three other disturbances still brewing in Atlantic The hurricane center was still tracking the remains of former Tropical Storm Emily, which was just a trough of low pressure about 950 miles east of Bermuda. It could regenerate into a tropical depression or storm during the next day or so, but forecasters keep lowering those chances. It had a 10% chance of forming in the next two or seven days, a drop from Friday morning. The second disturbance, another area of low pressure midway between the Cabo Verde Islands and the northern Lesser Antilles, could become a tropical depression by early next week. It had a 20% chance of forming in the next two days and a 50% chance in the next seven. The hurricane center started tracking a third disturbance Friday afternoon, a tropical wave expected to move off Africas west coast next week. They gave it no chance of forming in the next two days and a 20% chance of strengthening into a tropical depression in the next seven days. Just hours after a federal jury Thursday convicted Democratic insider Tim Mapes of perjury and obstruction of justice, Democrats who had split from ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan condemned the conduct of Madigans former right-hand man and Republicans once again called for reform in ethics-challenged Springfield. But some of the biggest cheers came from those who worked with Mapes or within his orbit while he served for years as Madigans chief of staff, House clerk and executive director of the state Democratic Party. Among the most notable was Sherri Garrett, who worked in the clerk and speakers offices and publicly came forward with allegations that for years she endured and witnessed harsh behavior by Mapes, saying it was often sexual and sexist in nature. My experience speaking out about the sexual harassment I endured in 2018 was painful and more painful was knowing that there were countless others like me who were too afraid of Mr. Mapes to come forward and speak their own truths, Garrett said. I hope that those individuals feel some relief today, as I know I do. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mapes conviction closes a major chapter in a career that saw him serve as a Madigan confidant and political enforcer for years before he was forced out amid the accusations by Garrett and others and a legislative inspector general report that stated Mapes engaged in conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose and effect of creating an intimidating, hostile and offensive working environment. Following his ouster, Mapes was drawn into the federal investigation into Madigan and was charged with lying to a grand jury to protect the former speaker, who faces his own corruption trial next year. Garrett said in a statement that Mapes trial shed light on the way he and the rest of the inner circle of that (Madigan) organization worked to discredit those of us who were speaking out about our toxic work environment. Former Madigan campaign worker Alaina Hampton was also among those who blew the whistle on the Madigan organization, accusing a top Madigan political operative of sexual harassment. Hampton, in a statement Thursday, called Mapes verdict an important step in the direction of full justice, saying theres also more to be done. She described her experience as a symptom of a toxic culture, which started at the top. Tim Mapes was as close to the top as it gets, Hampton said. Through these court proceedings, we have all had the chance to read the transcripts and listen to the recorded phone calls of Mapes and his closest colleagues strategizing in their efforts to undermine the Me Too movement in Illinois. None of it comes as a surprise. Two lawmakers who were among the 19 Democrats in 2021 to vote to oust Madigan as House speaker also denounced Mapes behavior in light of the verdict. Todays verdict is a vindication for those who, over the years, were willing to stand up and speak out in the face of injustice and abuse by Mapes and his boss, said state Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago. Rep. Stephanie Kifowit told the Tribune that Mapes actions were unfortunate and she thinks the new leadership in the House has made working there a whole different feel than under Madigan. More dialogue. More openness. A far better working environment than it was back when I started, said Kifowit, an Oswego Democrat who has served in the House since 2013. Thursdays guilty verdict comes a little more than three months after four other defendants were convicted in federal court of bribery conspiracy and falsifying business records in a Madigan-related corruption scheme involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison. Madigan and one of the ComEd 4 defendants, former ComEd contract lobbyist Michael McClain, are scheduled to go to trial next year on separate racketeering charges that allege an array of corrupt acts, including the ComEd scheme as well as a similar but smaller set of allegations involving AT&Ts Illinois affiliate. Mapes conviction, though, once again highlighted efforts made by the Democratic-led legislature in the last two years at ethics reforms and whether such efforts are sufficient. Shortly after Madigan left office in 2021, and before his own indictment last year, the legislature passed a series of measures aimed at preventing lawmakers from lobbying their former colleagues right after leaving office. The measures also required additional disclosures from officials on personal financial interests, among other things. A spokesman for Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Mapes conviction advances the cause of cleaning up state government and sends a message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in Illinois. Since taking office more than four years ago, Pritzker has been clear about the need to root out corruption and instill transparency and honesty at every level of state government, spokesman Alex Gough said in a statement. But some good-government groups, along with a former legislative inspector general and some GOP lawmakers, have highlighted what they view as weaknesses with the Democratic-led measures, including that the changes dont give the legislative inspector general enough independence to pursue allegations of misconduct by legislators. We have had too many glaring reminders that we must eliminate bad actors, self-serving politicians, and corruption from our statehouse, and this is just another verdict to prove it, House GOP Leader Tony McCombie of Savanna said in a statement. It would be appalling if (House) Speaker (Emanuel Chris) Welch did not move forward legislation House Republicans have filed to address ethics and instill public trust in our government. McCombies subordinates stressed at a Thursday Zoom-based news conference that ethics reform needs to continue being a priority. Were toward the end of August. The summer is almost over. Tim Mapes has been found guilty. The ComEd 4 have been found guilty. Speaker Madigan is headed to trial. And we have no indication that the Democrats have done anything on ethics reform, said McCombies floor leader, Rep. Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis. In the spring legislative session, Democrats passed ethics legislation calling on companies that provide equipment or services for automated traffic law enforcement, such as red-light cameras, from making a campaign contribution to any political committee established to promote the candidacy of a candidate or public official. Pritzker signed the measure into law and its main House sponsor was state Rep. Bob Rita of Blue Island, who testified on the governments behalf in the ComEd 4 and Mapes trials. Welchs spokeswoman, Jaclyn Driscoll, called the ethics changes passed in the House over the years comprehensive, noting some Republicans have voted against them. Speaker Welch has always said he believes in due process, and a guilty verdict is a signal the law is working, Driscoll said. However, if (McCombie) has any ideas on how to strengthen federal perjury laws, were all ears. Kifowit, the Oswego Democrat, said she thinks the legislature will always need to review the need for more ethics training and that laws aimed at ethics reforms are never one and done. We are always striving to have a government that the people can trust and have faith in, she said. jgorner@chicagotribune.com dpetrella@chicagotribune.com A former Illinois Capitol Police investigator involved in a 2021 car wreck that killed two people in Christian County was sentenced to 18 years behind bars earlier this week. Robert Milton Hodson, 48, of Taylorville changed his plea to guilty to a single charge of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol in May after originally pleading not guilty. Hodson, who lost his job with the state, faced 20 years in prison. At 100, Evelyn Brandt Thomas reflects on working every day and her company's early days Haley Anne Shoot, 19, and Zaydin J. Dudra, 20, both of Taylorville, were killed in the wreck on Illinois 48 near East 1550 North Road between Taylorville and Stonington on April 8, 2021. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Illinois State Police said Hodson was traveling north on Illinois 48 when he crossed into the left lane in his 2018 Jeep Wrangler to pass another vehicle and struck Shoot's car head-on. A third person was injured but survived the crash. The sentence must be served at 85% followed by 18 months of mandatory supervised release. Contact Steven Spearie: (217) 622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Former Illinois Capitol Police investigator sentenced to prison ATLANTA Former President Donald Trump turned himself in at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday night to be booked on felony charges in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Trump arrived at the jail shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET in a presidential-style motorcade and was booked, fingerprinted and photographed for a mugshot within minutes, according to jail records. Trump was quickly released, according to the records. He was in and out of the jail in about 20 minutes. Image: Former President Donald Trump was booked at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on Aug. 24, 2023. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office) I have to start getting ready to head down to Atlanta, Georgia to get ARRESTED by a Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney, Fani Willis , Trump, 77, said Thursday afternoon in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he also exaggerated the crime rate in Atlanta. Arrest time: 7:30 p.m., he added in all capital letters. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump, 77, left his summer home in Bedminster, New Jersey, shortly before 4 p.m. ET and took his private plane to Atlanta, where he was indicted last week on racketeering and conspiracy charges. He gave a thumbs-up to the cameras as he walked off the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. After arriving at the jail, Trump was to be processed and then released under the terms of a $200,000 bond agreement his attorneys struck with Willis office this week. Booking records listed his height as 63 and his weight as 215 lbs., which would be 29 lbs. lighter than at the time of his last White House physical in 2020. The source of the jails information is unclear and appeared online before he arrived at the jailhouse. A date for his arraignment has not yet been announced. Trump has maintained hes not guilty of any wrongdoing and has accused Willis, a Democrat, of election interference for charging him since hes again running for president. The majority of Trumps 18 co-defendants in the sprawling case have already surrendered, including his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who was booked Thursday afternoon before being released under the terms of his $100,000 bond agreement. Willis set a deadline of Friday at noon for the defendants to turn themselves in before arrest warrants would be issued. Trump shook up his legal team Thursday morning ahead of his trip to jail, replacing lawyer Drew Findling with attorney Steven Sadow. Sadow said in a statement to NBC News ahead of Trumps appearance that he should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him. We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open-minded jury finding the president not guilty. No trial date has been set. Willis initially proposed a trial date in March, but on Thursday recommended the trial start on Oct. 23 after one of the defendants in the case, Kenneth Chesebro, filed a motion for a speedy trial date. Trump, whos said this and the three other criminal trials hes facing should be delayed until after the 2024 presidential election, then filed a motion saying that he opposes the request and that hell file be filing another motion to sever his case from Chesebros and any other co-defendant who files such a demand. In a ruling late Thursday, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee signed on Chesebros request and the DAs proposed trial date, but added that, At this time, these deadlines do not apply to any co-defendant. Charlie Gile reported from Atlanta, and Dareh Gregorian from New York. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Michael Gilpatrick holds a copy of his intake photo from New Hampshire's youth detention center as he and other former residents of the Youth Development Center, now called the Sununu Youth Services Center, hold a rally outside the Statehouse in Concord, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, to press for a federal investigation into their claims of physical and sexual abuse. (AP Photo/Holly Ramer) CONCORD, N.H. (AP) Frustrated former residents of New Hampshires only youth detention center are pushing for a federal investigation into allegations of decades of abuse. The Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, previously called the Youth Development Center, has been under criminal investigation by the state since 2019. Ten former workers and an 11th who worked at a pretrial facility in Concord were arrested in 2021. Close to 1,000 men and women have sued the state alleging physical, sexual or emotional abuse. But the slow pace of the criminal and civil proceedings has some calling for the federal Department of Justice to step in. Get the state out of it, because theyre not looking to give us real justice, said Charles Glenn, who spent several years at the facility in the mid-1990s. Theyre complicit to sexual physical violence in this institution for over 40 years because for over 40 years, theyve done nothing. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Glenn, 42, helped organize a rally Friday afternoon in Concord where several former residents and their supporters spoke. He did not attend because he is serving a 30-year-to-life sentence for second-degree murder, but his fiancee spoke on his behalf. In his lawsuit, Glenn alleges he was raped by three workers at the youth center and beaten by a dozen more, suffering multiple broken bones. Glenn said in a phone interview that the abuse started within a week of his arrival, when he came out of his room one night after having a nightmare and was dragged back in, put in restraints and beaten. I kept screaming and crying, and I was scared to be in there, and they wrapped a towel around my face to muffle the screams, he said. The abuse escalated when he was moved to another housing unit, Glenn said. We were combative verbally, and they wanted to demasculate us and humiliate us and do something that would break us," he said. Corrine Moon, 40, who spent three years at the facility in the late 1990s, said workers in the girls cottage looked the other way when male staffers from other dorms showed up at night. "They were just as sick as the men who would come and rape us. They never seemed to question why my abuser would come to my room in the middle of the night and close the door behind him," she said. I never knew when I would get a surprise visit in the middle of the night. She and others argued it is a conflict of interest for separate teams from the attorney general's office to both prosecute alleged abusers criminally and defend the state against allegations in the civil lawsuits. We want an apology from the state of New Hampshire, and we want a federal investigation, Michael Gilpatrick, who spent several years at the facility in the 1990s, said in an interview. We don't want them to continue belittling us. Michael Garrity, spokesperson for the New Hampshire attorney general's office, said Friday the state's criminal investigation remains active. He referred questions about a possible federal investigation to the U.S. attorney's office. A spokesperson there said she could neither confirm or deny the existence of any investigation. In similar cases elsewhere, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement in 2022 with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice after finding state officials were violating the rights of incarcerated youths by failing to protect them from fights, forcing them to spend days or weeks in isolation for minor offenses and failing to provide mental health treatment when they threaten to harm or kill themselves. In 2021, federal investigators said isolation practices and lack of mental health services at a Connecticut facility were seriously harming children. The Justice Department also is examining whether children in five Texas youth detention facilities have been protected from physical and sexual abuse by other residents and subjected to excessive use of sedation drugs and isolation. The New Hampshire youth center, which once housed upward of 100 children but now typically serves fewer than a dozen, is named for former Gov. John H. Sununu, father of current Gov. Chris Sununu. Lawmakers have approved closing the facility and replacing it with a much smaller operation, likely in a new location. ___ This story has been corrected to state that Charles Glenn's sentence is 30 years to life, not 40 years to life, and that his fiancee, not wife, spoke on his behalf at the rally. Just a day after turning herself in at the Fulton County Jail, former Trump attorney Sidney Powell filed a motion in court demanding a speedy trial. Any defendant against whom a true bill of indictmentis filed with the clerk for an offense not affecting the defendants life may enter a demand for speedy trial at the court term at which the indictmentis filed or at the next succeeding regular court term thereafter, the motion filed Friday said. Powell is the second defendant who was indicted in the Georgia election investigation to ask for a speedy trial. Former Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro has also asked for a speedy trial, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis responded to his request with an October court date, which a judge later signed off on. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Attorneys for former President Donald Trump have since filed their own motion to stop the trial from being moved up and has asked for a scheduling conference. So far, no date has been set for that hearing. RELATED NEWS: Powell allegedly coordinated with SullivanStrickler, an Atlanta data company, to obtain breached elections data from Coffee County, Ga., in Jan. 2021. Local election officials reportedly gave the group access to equipment that was meant to be protected. SullivanStrickler billed Powell more than $26,000 for its work which also included attempts to access similar election data in Antrim County, Michigan, and Clark County, Nevada. State investigators called it criminal behavior. Powell also allegedly tasked people with identifying Georgia residents who could serve as plaintiffs in suits contesting Georgias election results. She is being charged with violation of the Georgia RICO Act, conspiracy to commit election fraud (two counts), conspiracy to commit computer theft, conspiracy to commit computer trespass, conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy and conspiracy to defraud the state. RELATED NEWS: MOUNT HOLLY A Willingboro woman has received a five-year prison term for engaging in a sexual relationship with a student she met while substitute teaching. Kameelah Kareem, 43, was a substitute teacher at the Alternative School at Bookbinder in Willingboro when the offenses occurred between November 2019 and March 2020, said the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. An investigation began early last year after authorities learned of the relationship between Kareem and and a 15-year-old student. Search for geocaches led to tragedy South Jersey teacher found dead from heat had just retired Kareem pleaded guilty to sexual assault earlier this year, the prosecutors office said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement She previously agreed to relinquish her substitute-teaching credentials in December 2022. Kareem was sentenced earlier this month by Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger in Mount Holly. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey substitute teacher sentenced for sex offense with student A Fort Worth crane company subjected four Black employees to racial discrimination and harassment, including hanging nooses in the workplace, according to a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit filed Thursday against TNT Crane & Rigging Inc. In a news release, the EEOC said TNT Crane & Rigging created a hostile work environment for the Black employees through the open display of nooses and white supremacy symbols, along with being subjected to derogatory terms and racial slurs by employees and managers. The EEOC also charged the company, which has over 40 branches in the United States and Canada, with retaliating against a white employee for raising allegations of race-based discrimination at its Fort Worth branch. The employee reported the racial discrimination and harassment, which included a noose in the workplace, to multiple levels of management and HR, according to the EEOC press release. However, the company took no effective action, the EEOC said. Management reduced that employees hours and pay following his complaints, the suit says, and the employee resigned. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A representative of the company could not immediately be reached Friday for comment on the lawsuit. In the suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, the EEOC seeks compensatory damages and punitive damages for the four Black employees. Additionally, the EEOC seeks back pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages and reinstatement or front pay for the white employee. The allegations violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race and prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report discriminatory treatment, the EEOC said. We would hope that after 60 years of statutory protections of federal anti-discrimination laws, we could have moved far beyond the grim and hate-fueled threat messages of nooses and Nazi symbols, said Dallas EEOC Regional Attorney Robert Canino in the release. The U.S. courts, however, remain an effective forum by which we can educate the public and ensure compliance through monetary and injunctive remedies. TNT Crane & Rigging filed for bankruptcy in 2020, according to court documents. The company was restructured as a private company in October 2020 with a new ownership group and received a $225 million loan. Mark Irion took over as the companys new chief executive officer in March 2023. The newest season of The Bachelorette just wrapped up with a Georgia woman with Charlotte ties ending up with a proposal on the blissful tropical island of Fiji. Charity Lawson, 27, who previously was on the 27th season of The Bachelor, became the Bachelorette after her elimination in week 8. During the Women Tell All special earlier this year, Lawson was asked to be the next Bachelorette and, well, the rest is history. Her dating pool began with 25 men from around the country, ultimately ending up with two on the season finale, Joey Graziadei and Dotun Olubeko. Torn between the two suitors, Dotun and Joey met the Lawson family, with Joey passing effortlessly and Dotun having less of an advantage. However, Charity said there was a lot that viewers didnt see during filming. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He had a beautiful conversation with my sister. But, also, both of my parents both giving him their blessing that also wasnt shown, she said. During the tearful episode, Joey went first to propose to Charity. But before getting down on one knee, Charity turned him away and said goodbye. Then, it was Dotuns turn, and Charity happily accepted his proposal. Both jumping out of their skin with joy, Dotun said he couldnt wait to do everything with Charity and that his experience on The Bachelorette was just a taste of their future. Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko navigate a live studio audience on The Bachelorette. While looking for love on The Bachelor, NC nurse found herself in awkward situations The Bachelorette in Charlotte That journey just might begin in Charlotte, where Charity was living before she went to film The Bachelorette in March. Her brother, Nehemiah, lives in Charlotte, where he practices at SouthPark Pediatric Dentistry. In the last few weeks that Charity has been back, shes been laying a little bit of roots here in North Carolina. One thing she knows about Optimist Hall, so shes in good standing. Im so dependent on my brother a little bit. Ill be like, Can you give me recs, and obviously we know Kylee (Russell) shes there, so when I am there, we go and do things together, Charity said. As for putting roots in one spot, Charity said Charlotte could be an option later on. For now, shes about join the next season of Dancing With The Stars, so she and Dotun will be out in Los Angeles filming for a while. It could be Charlotte well see. Ill have to bring him down there to visit, she said in regards to moving back to the Queen City. Charity Lawson, 27 a Georgia woman with Charlotte ties chats via Zoom days after season finale of The Bachelorette. [Your ultimate, interactive guide to the Charlotte regions 75+ breweries.] I found the love of my life Dating amid a sea of options can be hard, but Charity said she had fun with it and never got mixed up with who was who, because everyone had such different personalities. Overall, Charity said her reality TV experience was overwhelming in the sense of being the center of attention and addressing a room full of men a bit intimidating, she described. But it also allowed her to step into her confidence and grow. I found the love of my life. I can say, and fully encourage anyone who wants a growth experience, that this is the one for you. It 100% without a doubt works, she said. Deborha Perez, mother of Jose David Lopez, the 15-year-old killed in the March 2022 shooting outside East High School, gives a victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing for Romeo Perdomo, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Four times Thursday, Deborha Perez took the stand to confront her son's killers. Jose David Lopez, 15, was killed outside East High School on March 7, 2022, in a drive-by shooting that also critically injured Jessica Lopez and Kemery Ortega, then 16 and 18, respectively. Prosecutors charged 10 teens, all juveniles at the time, with murder and other offenses, and all have now reached plea deals. On Thursday, four of them Gumaro Marquez-Jacobo, Henry Valladares-Amaya, Daniel Hernandez and Manuel Buezo were sentenced to terms ranging from probation to 60 years in prison. What led to the shooting? Attorneys for some of the defendants have described the shooting as gang-related. Police have said some of the teens are believed to be involved in gangs, and that the shooting appeared to have been in response to relatively trivial disputes. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Rather than having a schoolyard fight or just avoiding that person, this is how they handle it, Des Moines police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek said in October 2022. Perez, who spoke at all four hearings, said she understands the actual target of the shooting to have been her other son, Jose's brother. Either way, she said, her life has been forever changed. "You guys broke my family, the family I work very hard for as a single mother, waking up to go to work to put a roof over my childrens heads," she said during Hernandez's sentencing. Previously: 10 teens, 6 guns, 42 bullets complicate trials in killing outside East High Marquez-Jacobo: Probation for aiding and abetting The shortest sentence Thursday went to Marquez-Jacobo, now 19, who was not present at the shooting but pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and other offenses. According to court filings, he gave one of the suspects a gun, and after the shooting gave several of them a ride in an attempt to avoid apprehension. Prosecutors agreed to recommend two years of probation in lieu of a four-year suspended sentence. Marquez-Jacobo told the court that "I regret every single thing I did that day" and asked for a second chance. Perez, though, said he was just as culpable as the others in her eyes, and pointed to the letters of support he received from his family. "To me, you aided to his death," she told him. "Your accomplishments hurt me because you took that away from me. Jose could have given me all that. Your parents are proud of you? Thats good. That must be really nice. I dont get that." Valladares-Amaya gets 50 years for shooting into crowd Valladares-Amaya, now 19, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two charges of willful injury. He admitted in previous hearings that he had fired a revolver from one of the vehicles toward the group that contained the victims. His plea deal called for a sentence of up to 50 years, with no mandatory minimum term. Prosecutor Jim Hathaway said Valladares-Amaya provided assistance to investigators after the shooting. Valladares-Amaya told the court that "I accept full responsibility for my actions and I very much regret them," and that he had learned to be more mindful of the consequences of his actions. Perez, though, told him forgiveness wouldn't come quickly from her, and Ortega, who wrote a statement read at three of the hearings, described the seizures and severe headaches she has experienced since recovering from the gunshot wound to her head. "Because of you I have to suffer with these the rest of my life," she wrote, adding, "You killed one person, and now he doesnt get to live his life and prosper." 60-year sentence for Hernandez Also now 19, Hernandez pleaded guilty in December to the same charges as Valladares-Amaya: second-degree murder and willful injury. In court and in court filings, he has admitted to aiding and abetting the killings, but without specifying exactly what role he played. Under his plea deal, he received a term of up to 60 years in prison, with no mandatory minimum. Like the other teens, Hernandez spoke briefly to apologize to the victims and their families. "Nothing I can say or do will fill the hole in your hearts," he said. "I will live with my regret for this for the rest of my life." Buezo: 'I am as responsible as the people who did shoot' Buezo, the last teen sentenced Thursday, was the driver of one of the three vehicles used in the shooting. Now 19, he too pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and willful injury. Under his deal, the court agreed to suspend all but 20 years of his sentence. Both Hathaway and defense attorney Julio Gomez acknowledged his remorse and willingness to help investigators, including agreeing to testify against other suspects had they gone to trial. Buezo apologized to the victims and said he deeply regrets that he didn't stop the attack when he had the chance. "I had enough time to make a difference. I had options. I could have slammed on the brakes, I could have turned the truck around, I could have gone to a different area but I took the easy route and continued to drive," he said tearfully. "... Even though I didnt plan on the shooting, even though I didnt shoot the gun, I am as responsible as the people that did shoot." Perez, who has repeatedly castigated other defendants for the many opportunities they had to turn back, told him his words hit home. "Out of the 10 kids, I felt every word you said," she told him. "Im not saying Im forgiving you. Im just saying I hope you do have enough time to really mature and become a better man." Where the other cases stand As of Thursday, seven of the 10 charged in the shooting have been sentenced. Kevin Martinez and Braulio Hernandez-Salas were both previously sentenced to 20 years in prison, and Romeo Perdomo was sentenced to life in prison with the opportunity for parole. Three more have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Octavio Lopez Sanchez Jr., Nyang Chamdual and Alex Perdomo all have sentencing dates set before the end of the year. William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at @DMRMorris. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 4 teens sentenced in drive-by shootings outside Des Moines' East High Fox News showed its audience a mug shot of former President Trump after he was booked on criminal charges in Fulton County, Ga., on Thursday. Lets just take that in for a second, host Jesse Watters said as the image of Trump scowling and looking into the camera was displayed on the screen. You do see some anger in the eyes, and I dont like the ghoulish coverage of it. Watters suggested CNN, a frequent foil of Trump and various other hosts on Fox, had the mug shot leaked to them before the rest of the media, adding, That tells you everything you know about the process. CNN was among the first news outlets to publish Trumps mug shot. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Watters is one of many Trump supporters who host a prime-time show on Fox, the top-watched cable news channel. Trump has been sharply critical of the conservative media giant for months over its coverage of him and skipped Wednesday nights GOP debate hosted by the network in part because of what he has called a hostile relationship with the outlet. The GOP front-runner for president in 2024 by double digits according to most polls, Trump was charged in Georgia last week along with more than a dozen of his lawyers and associates in connection with his efforts to overturn the states election results. It was his fourth criminal indictment this year, with the three others relating to his personal business dealings, handling classified documents and efforts to stop the congressional certification of President Bidens 2020 presidential victory. Trump has maintained his innocence in all of his criminal cases and has said the prosecutions he faces are political in nature. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Free Living Farm is an organic working farm in Petersham established in 2021 by Cara Germain and Michael Zueger. The couple firmly believe in using responsible practices that work with ecology, growing vegetables, herbs and fruit on 1.5 acres. And, its paid off. The Community Supported Agriculture farm has a strong membership and list of people waiting to hear when new spots may open; a farm stand on the property at 87 Maple Lane, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; a booth at the Sunday Sturbridge Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Sturbridge Town Common. Timberyard Brewing Company in East Brookfield also uses Free Living Farm fresh salad mixes and vegetables on its menu.Germain said the farm hasnt been impacted by recent storms. Our crops are doing great, and were picking pretty much everything in season, she said. We are very fortunate. Tomatoes, radishes, summer squash, cucumbers, lettuces, Asian greens, carrots and herbs are just a few examples of crops. Our corn is a little late and hard squashes will be ready by early fall, said Germain. The farms small apple orchard took on some damage as a result of the freeze in May, she said, and apple blossoms froze. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In Massachusetts, the state Department of Agricultural Resources reports that at least 75 farms have been hurt by recent flooding, with about 2,000 acres in crop losses at a minimum value of $15 million. Germain said Free Living Farm is part of an amazing piece of property owned by Karen and Dave Davis, who ran the long-standing family business, Sweetwater Farm. The owners now lease three parcels of their land, according to Germain. In their early 30s, Germain and Zueger first met in California in 2013. Shes originally from Auburn, daughter of Deborah Germain of Worcester and the late Steven Germain. A graduate of Worcester State College, she majored in biology and minored in chemistry. Her passion for farming and the outdoors is the result of life experiences that involve volunteer work with conversation programs, up and down the West Coast, learning about native plants and restoring habitats, all which played a large part in her love of plants and growing. Zueger grew up in Illinois and carries with him, a friendly Midwestern vibe as well as an appreciation of the rural country life. In college, his focus was natural resource management, spending summers collecting forestry field data in places like the rugged backcountry of Southeast Alaska. The couples colorful journey is posted at www.freelivingfarm.com. In short, the couple have had many fulfilling life experiences, including an organic farm apprenticeship in Warren, Maine, and work on a permaculture fruit/nut/coffee farm in Hawaii. Before leasing the Petersham property, they worked for the iconic organic farmer Eliot Coleman at his Four Season Farm in Harborside, Maine, a memorable time for the couple, said Germain. Coleman is an author, agricultural researcher and educator and proponent of organic farming. Germain and Zueger also ran a farm in Brookfield for four years. Germain is at the heart of operations at Living Free Farm as crop planner, harvest and CSA leader, people person, display designer, dreamer and recipe compiler. She loves to cook and share nutritious food, exercise and engulfs herself in historical fiction. Zueger is the farms systems guy, tinkerer, soil fertility and plant health fanatic, maintenance, tools and supply person, basic mechanic and carpenter and financial/business person and researcher. In Worcester, I recently chatted with Germain at one her CSA box pickup spots. She said at a young age she never dreamed she would one day be a farmer, admitting vegetables werent that important to her as a kid. Now, I cant get enough, she laughed. At the farm, the couple pays careful attention to maintaining a healthy soil ecosystem. Healthy soil, healthy plants, said Germain. See more about farming methods on their website. Last August, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern visited farms in his district, including Free Living Farm. Germain said she and Zueger talked to McGovern and guests about their diversified vegetable farm, describing their farming techniques, strategies, challenges and rewards. Germain is a home cook and regularly tucks a sheet of recipes into CSA boxes. Members learn nutritional values of vegetables, how to store and cook them, updates on whats happening at the farm, etc. The couple now raise meat birds (chickens) and plan to grow a variety of small berries as early as next season, said Germain. Note: Dahlias are grown on the farm and Germains dried flower arrangements are available in early fall. We have great customers, said Germain about CSA members and the people who regularly shop the Sturbridge Farmers Market. The day I talked to Germain a customer had dropped off a cake for the couple. Its not unusual for customers to gift a dessert or even a bottle of wine, said Germain. On the farms website, youll find a farm store, where you can shop and order produce after Oct. 8. We wait until the Sturbridge Farmers Market closes, said Germain, explaining that farm store orders are delivered to the Sturbridge Town Common on Sundays, or picked up at Free Living Farm. Thanksgiving orders have to be made a week before the holiday, she said. Big farm news is that Germain and Zueger will be married Sept. 30 on the Petersham property. Germain said the couple has a wedding planner, but she plans to make the floral arrangements. She also will make a surprise treat for guests. When October rolls around, harvesting is pretty much done and things slow down at the farm, said Germain. Its my time to shine, she said. I love fall. The couple also looks to a getaway during the winter season. We love to discover new restaurants and cafes, said Germain. Especially, if theyre farm to table. A couple with a lot to celebrate. This season, try Cara Germains recipes for Radish Salsa, Beet Burgers or Potato, Leek Soup with Celeriac. RADISH SALSA 2 cups chopped radishes small red onion, chopped 1 scallion or shallot, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon minced fresh chile (jalapeno or Thai), or hot red pepper flakes, to taste 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Put all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more chile, lemon juice or salt as needed. Makes 2 servings or more. BEET BURGERS 2 cups grated raw beets (about 2 large beets, with skin peeled) 1 cups cooked quinoa or millet 1 cup toasted sunflower seeds cup sesame seeds cup minced onion cup bread crumbs, optional 1 tablespoon olive oil, or less 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (can substitute other flour) 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 to 3 tablespoons tamari soy sauce 1 egg, beaten teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste Note: Beet patties are baked, but you can fry them instead. Put a little olive in a saute pan before cooking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In large bowl, combine beets, quinoa, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, onion, bread crumbs (if using), egg, oil, flour, parsley, garlic, tamari and cayenne. Add salt and pepper to taste. At this point, test if you can make a beet patty that stays together. Add more quinoa or flour until a patty doesnt fall apart while baking. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until firm. Carefully flip halfway during baking time. Makes about 10 burgers, depending on size. POTATO, LEEK SOUP WITH CELERIAC 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 leeks, diced (use white and light green parts only) 1 small yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 to 2 medium sized celeriac, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 2 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes Hefty pinch of salt 4 cups vegetable stock or bone broth, plus more if needed 1 to 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped Coconut milk or heavy cream, optional Heat the oil in a large heavy bottom pan over medium high heat. Add leeks and onion and saute, stirring occasionally for about 8 minutes. Add garlic, celeriac, potatoes and salt. Stir well. Add the vegetable stock or bone broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. At this point, you can add cup milk or heavy cream. Remove from heat and let the soup cool for a few minutes before transferring it to blender on high speed. Pure until completely smooth and creamy. Note: you also can use an immersion blender. Return soup to pan and keep warm until ready to serve. Makes 2 to 3 servings, depending on size bowl used. If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Hoppin': Farm finding success through responsible agriculture PARIS (Reuters) - French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin - whom President Nicolas Sarkozy said would be a good future head of state - warned on Friday of the risk that far-right politician Marine Le Pen could win the next presidential election in 2027. Darmanin gave interviews to both La Voix du Nord paper and RTL radio on Friday, as he prepared to host a political meeting on Sunday. Le Pen lost to President Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the 2022 election, echoing an identical outcome in the 2017 vote. "The fact of the matter is that in five years' time, a victory for Madame Le Pen is quite probable," Darmanin told La Voix du Nord, in an interview published in Friday's paper. "If we let a large part of the working class and middle class go over to Marine Le Pen, the professional classes will not support us in the second round. On Sunday, I will say that this aspect of society is crucial. That is what could get Marine Le Pen elected in 2027, not questions on migration," he added. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Darmanin is yet to say if he will run in the 2027 election. But the French Constitution would bar Macron from running for a third mandate, and in the background potential candidates in the centre-right and conservative camp - including him, but also Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire - are already positioning themselves for that ballot. (This story has been corrected to change the last election date to 2022 in paragraph 2) (Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Bertrand Boucey; Editing by Ingrid Melander) Concerns over how youths and adults at a nearby center for special-needs clients might react to noise and traffic from a proposed car wash prompted Fresno City Council members to reject the developers plans. Several dozen clients and staff from the Rivendell Adult Community Center at McKinley and Fine avenues, in east-central Fresno near Fresno Yosemite International Airport, showed up at Thursdays council meeting to protest against the automated drive-through car wash proposed by property owner Mohamad Assad. Xiamy Ly-Yang, CEO of Rivendell Community Inc., was joined by a cadre of clients from the center who have autism and other developmental disabilities, along with parents and staff. The proposal included blower dryers at the end of the enclosed wash tunnel, as well as a series of stalls where customers could vacuum dirt and debris from inside their cars. I strongly believe that a car wash is not the best fit for our neighborhood and the businesses that are currently operating there, Ly-Yang wrote in a letter to the city contesting the project approval. A car wash will bring a lot of noises and ruckus, from their large machines and noisy vacuum to music from their customers cars. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ly-Yang told The Fresno Bee that Rivendell has about 120 clients, with about 50 at the site on any given day. She was joined Thursday by parents and staff from the center who said loud noises and additional traffic could trigger significant anxiety for students who are often sensitive to over-stimulation and uncontrollable outbursts, including possibly darting outside and potentially into traffic in the driveway, parking lot or adjacent streets. Assads attorney, Brady McGuinness, noted that car washes are a use that is allowed by right under the citys light-industrial zoning which includes the 0.7-acre site at the northwest corner of the intersection. If developed properly and developed right, these are a nice supportive use for these (zoning) districts, especially with office use nearby, McGuinness told the council. The intensity if it is not something that is going to impose circumstances where there are going to be significant effects. Additionally, he added, There has to be a finding that the project presents unusual circumstances, and not some subjective belief that this could potentially cause these problems. The car wash was approved by city Planning Director Jennifer Clark in December, but it was appealed to the Fresno Planning Commission by City Council President Tyler Maxwell, whose east-central Fresno district includes the project site. The site plan for a proposed car wash at the northwest corner of McKinley and Fine avenues in east-central Fresno included a drive-through wash tunnel along McKinley Avenue, as well as stalls where customers could vacuum out their vehicles. It would have been adjacent to a building, at the top of this image, that houses several businesses including a community day center for autistic and other special-needs clients. Following a pair of public hearings in March and May, planning commissioners denied Maxwells appeal and approved the project, setting the stage for Maxwell to request an appeal to the full City Council. The city planning staffs recommendation was for the City Council to deny the appeal and allow the project development to move forward. Several council members acknowledged that the citys codes allow certain uses including car washes in the light-industrial zone without substantial environmental review in most instances. Our zoning outlines by-right development, but by-right development and the city municipal code also call for us to look at the local (context) in which that development is being proposed, Councilmember Miguel Arias said. And in this case, the residents of Fresno with special needs autism, health conditions that are highly sensitive to noise, who were there first, need to be considered for the significant impact that it would create for them. Its going to be far more difficult to find a quiet neighborhood for such as population with so many needs than to find a new location for somebody to wash their car, Arias added. Maxwell, who brought the appeal to the council, said that after listening to the arguments and reading the materials presented by the citys planning staff, he felt the car wash is expected to be injurious to the property immediately adjacent to the proposed project, and as such could adversely affect the surrounding area. In making the motion to deny the permit application, Maxwell said the project does not comply with portions of city codes that require a project to not be injurious to the surrounding area. Council members voted 6-0 to reject the car wash proposal, with Counclimember Luis Chavez absent. Orlando Ramirez, a development consultant for Assad, said after the meeting that the project team has to regroup to figure out what to do with the property. He said he believed the developer had tried to allay the concerns of neighbors, but were consistently told no to any plan that included a car wash. This has been nothing but an uphill battle, Ramirez said. McGuinness, Assads attorney, added that he was surprised by the councils action. But he declined to say what actions might follow as a result of the vote. The Rivendell center has been in existence since 2005, and relocated to the site at McKinley and Fine avenues in 2018, Ly-Yang said. Ly-Yang was happy with the vote, and said there could be other uses for the site that would be less disruptive to her clients. The staff often take some of the higher-functioning clients from the center on walks in the neighborhood, including to nearby fast-food restaurants on busy McKinley Avenue. We were proposing maybe a shop, a sandwich shop, she said. I told them that me and my staff and clients would actually go there and be patrons. That would be more compatible, more friendly. Anything else thats friendly, Ill be the first one to support, she added. A Fruitland man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading guilty to an assault charge earlier this year in which his girlfriend was seriously injured. Anderson Buck, 40, of Fruitland, a member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury on April 28 in federal court. The charge stems from a Nov. 17, 2022, incident in which Buck and his girlfriend were drinking alcohol and driving around the area of Nenahnezad, according to court documents and a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico. The release states that after his girlfriend passed out in the passenger seat of Bucks vehicle, he drove to a friends house and left the woman while he went inside. Buck consumed more alcohol before leaving the house an hour later. When he arrived back at his car, Buck tried to wake the woman before becoming frustrated and driving away, the release states. Bucks friend reported the woman was unconscious and uninjured when the couple departed his house. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Buck and the woman arrived at his familys compound approximately 30 minutes later, the release states, where one of Bucks relatives came outside and saw Bucks girlfriend slumped over in the car with a bloody face. When he was asked what had happened, Buck told his relative, She was talking (expletive). Bucks relatives called the police, while Buck fled the compound on foot before police and medical personnel arrived at the scene. After his mother later brought him in to be interviewed by law enforcement officials, Buck told authorities that he and his girlfriend had driven to an unknown residence, where three unknown women had beaten his girlfriend, the release states. But an investigation turned up evidence that the woman had been beaten in Bucks vehicle, rendering his version of events inconsistent with that evidence. Bucks girlfriend was hospitalized in an intensive care unit for several weeks while suffering from a blown-out eye socket, brain bleeding and other injuries, according to the release. She later was released to a rehabilitation hospital, but she died on April 18, 2023, from a variety of maladies. Buck entered his guilty plea 10 days later and was sentenced to three years and one month in prison, the release states. He will be subject to three yeas of supervised release after completing his sentence. The case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI and the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Buck has a lengthy criminal history in addition to his most charge. Since 2003, he has been arrested four times for aggravated DWI or aggravated DUI, pleading guilty three times and being convicted once. He also pleased guilty in 2008 in Bernalillo County to aggravated battery on a police officer. Buck was sentenced to prison and probation in most of those cases, but in a 2014 case in Farmington Magistrate Court, he was entered into a treatment program at the Four Winds Recovery Center and sentenced to drive with an ignition interlock device for the rest of his life. A June 2016 charge in Farmington Magistrate Court against Buck for criminal damage to property was dismissed. Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e. This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Fruitland's Anderson Buck pleaded guilty to assault charge in April (Bloomberg) -- The leader of South Koreas biggest opposition party said Japans release of treated water from the ruined Fukushima nuclear plant is an affront to humanity, even as his rival President Yoon Suk Yeol supported it. Most Read from Bloomberg Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, called on Tokyo to halt further releases. The issue of discharging polluted water is a provocation to all of us, the people of the Earth, he said in a Bloomberg News interview Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Political wrangling has erupted after Yoon, a conservative who defeated Lee in the race for the countrys top office, stood by Japans decision to discharge over a million tons of treated radioactive water into the sea. While the plan has been ruled to be in line with global safety standards, it hasnt assuaged the concerns of China and South Korea. Surveys show most South Koreans oppose the move and on Thursday, China banned all Japanese seafood imports. Read: Why Japan Will Release Fukushima Water Into the Sea: QuickTake It is difficult to agree with the statement that it is scientifically safe, Lee said from his office. If its safe, why dont they use it in their own country? He added that Yoons government hasnt done enough to address concerns of the people. The two political rivals will battle it out again at nationwide elections in April when Lees Democratic Party will try to keep its majority in parliament. Lee has been hampered by a series of legal issues that raised questions about his leadership in the party and could cloud its performance at the polls. Lee was indicted in March on charges including breach of duty and bribery. He has been in court and questioned by prosecutors several times after that. Some prominent party members are concerned Lee has become a liability and may not be able to focus his attention as he deals with legal matters ahead of the vote, said party lawmaker Kim Jong-min. Prosecutors this week charged Lee with third-party bribery in connection with a company that allegedly transferred about $3 million illegally to North Korea to facilitate a Lee visit to Pyongyang, Yonhap News Agency and other media reported. Lee denied the charges, saying his opponents are using this as political leverage. It seems to me that the intention is to try to defuse or mitigate the incompetence and the failures of this administration and its violations of the people through these judicial attacks, Lee said. Support for the Democratic Party has waned since the current conservative government took office in early May 2022, sliding to 30% from 41%. Yoons ruling party has also seen its support drop to 36% from 40%, according to Gallup Korea surveys. While Lee has fervent support among the countrys left-wing, his national backing is weaker. A separate Gallup poll in June showed 60% disapproved of Lees role as leader of the Democratic Party while 32% approved. If Yoons People Power Party takes control of parliament, the conservative group is likely to push through economic policies that include taking on powerful labor unions, reducing regulations on businesses as well as tax cuts for companies and on real estate transactions. Lee said he is focused on policies aimed at improving livelihoods and narrowing income inequality. He also backed a universal basic income. Critics contend the handouts are a populist move that could add to the countrys debt. I believe the sooner we introduce it, the less painful life will be for our citizens, Lee said of the universal basic income, adding that rolling it out at 1 million won ($760) per person a year for a start is completely doable. Read: Bank of Korea Keeps Rate Restrictive as It Looks to Jackson Hole Here are other highlights from the interview: China: There are aspects of our relationship that have become so adversarial that its really hurting our economy. We need to try to separate the military-security issues from the economic issues a little bit more. Supplementary Budget: The relationship between national debt and household debt is actually inversely proportional, but weve taken it to the extreme of shifting the responsibility for running the economy to households. North Korea: Even though we are constantly competing and confronting each other, we should never give up our efforts for peace. In any case, we are in such a geopolitical position that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is closely related to the situation around the world, so it is important for us to have a strong defense and security system along with cooperation from our neighboring countries. --With assistance from Shinhye Kang and Emily Yamamoto. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Jury selection for the trial against Young Thug and his associates may show how difficult the process will be for Donald Trump 's case. Evan Agostini/Invision and Robert F. Bukaty/AP Fulton County has spent eight months picking jurors for the trial of Young Thug and his associates. Many potential jurors have said they could face financial hardship by participating in a long trial. The county could face similar hurdles in the election interference case, a former prosecutor says. Two major racketeering cases are unfolding in Fulton County, Georgia. One involves the prolific Atlanta rapper Young Thug and his associates, who prosecutors allege are all part of a "criminal street gang" called Young Slime Life or YSL. Defendants, including Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, have maintained that YSL is just an artist label. The other involves a former US president and 2024 GOP frontrunner, Donald Trump, and 18 co-defendants. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has accused Trump of being a part of a conspiracy to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He was booked on Thursday at Fulton County jail. The cases look at two very different sets of players and worlds, one which concerns allegations of murder, drug deals, and other crimes, while the other examines the proceedings of an election and accusations that a former president and his associates attempted to interfere with that process. "They're so different," Melissa Redmon, clinical assistant professor at the University of Georgia School of Law and a former deputy district attorney for the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, told Insider. "And they're difficult for different reasons." But prosecutors may still see similar hurdles in the election case as they have already confronted in the YSL trial namely the jury selection process. In the past eight months, the Fulton County courthouse has been slogging through more than 2,000 potential jurors for the Young Thug trial. And, according to local news station WANF, not a single juror has been selected as of the beginning of August. Many potential jurors have sought hardship deferrals because they claimed they could not afford to sit in on a trial that will go into the next year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. "It's very uncommon to have to sift through that many jurors," Redmon said. "Typically you would have 45 jurors in your typical case to select from highly sensitive matters like sex crimes. In cases that may go a little longer, you may get up to 60 or 70." Any time there's a case that may last more than several weeks, courts can expect to face jurors who cite some form of hardship that wouldn't allow them to hear a long case, and this is likely true for courts anywhere in the US, Redmon added. The election interference case will also likely see jurors who seek hardship deferrals. There are 41 charges for a total of 19 defendants, and because the district attorney has brought RICO charges, the trial will be lengthy, Redmon said. A RICO case often involves presenting information that may not be immediately relevant to a particular defendant on trial but relevant to "establishing the overt acts of the conspiracy," which means more witnesses and, thus, a longer trial, the professor said. The Trump case is also politically sensitive. The judge and lawyers will have to ask potential jurors if they can hear a case impartially despite their personal beliefs or political leanings. For the trial against Young Thug, one woman was asked if she was familiar with the rapper, The New York Times reported. The woman said she knew Young Thug and would make sitting in on the case "surreal" but that she would be fair, according to the report. Similarly, jurors will be questioned about their political beliefs and if they will be able to put that aside in the Trump case. This doesn't mean that lawyers can object to a juror just because they are a registered Democrat or Republican, Redmon said. In that case, a court wouldn't have any viable jurors. "There has to be a prejudice or bias that's so fixed that it would impact their ability to judge the credibility of the witnesses and the credibility of the evidence being presented to them," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider PORTSMOUTH The citys popular Prescott Park which sits on the banks of the Piscataqua River is now home to a flock of Canada geese, which are soiling the pristine grounds with their droppings. Peter Rice, the city's public works director, acknowledged, Weve been dealing with this issue for a long time." City staff have been working to drive the geese out of the park and stop them from fouling the large grass areas and walkways for at least three years, Rice said. Geese are persistent Canada geese roam the grounds at Prescott Park in Portsmouth Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. You can chase them off but they just keep coming back, Rice said in an interview this week. We continue to explore options about how to deal with this but its very difficult. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement City staff understand why residents and out-of-town visitors to Prescott Park are dismayed by the geese and their droppings. The park is also home to the Prescott Park Arts Festival, which presents plays and concerts on the park stage all summer. We know this is an ongoing challenge. Its an annoyance when people are trying to enjoy the park and theres geese feces on the ground, Rice said. The issue came again to the attention of city officials this week when a resident sent an email about the problem to the City Council. Resident raises health hazard concerns Canada geese, seen at Prescott Park in Portsmouth Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, have been a persistent problem over the years, with some calling their droppings a health hazard. Kristin Logue told the City Council that the geese at Prescott Park have become more than a cool thing to see. They are a health hazard. Bird droppings are abundant where children play, people place their blankets for shows and where people walk, she said in an email to the council. When my son was young the pigeons played in the water pools, and it was easy to say don't go there. She wrote geese and their droppings have been an issue for other communities, and she believes that geese hate dogs. Maybe letting people walk their dogs leashed at the park would help. I am not a dog owner but just a suggestion, she said. What city health officer has to say Canada geese roam the grounds at Prescott Park in Portsmouth Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Health officer Kim McNamara said the city's staff have had a lot of discussions about this. We live in a natural environment and Canada geese are part of our natural environment, she said during an interview Thursday. We completely understand the concerns about droppings. Theyre unpleasant to say the least. Staff has reached out to both representatives of New Hampshire Fish and Game and USDA Wildlife Services about the issue, McNamara said. What we have learned is they do carry bacteria, parasites and viruses that can be transmitted to other birds and waterfowl, she said. Its not known if they can transmit to humans. Portsmouth: City moves closer to 'millions of dollars' deal to upgrade 'sketchy' downtown area Exposure to geese and their droppings can also lead to a risk of e coli for other birds, McNamara said, but again theres an unclear risk of transmission to humans. You would of course never want people to be near something like that when theyre eating, she said. She advised people who see geese droppings when they visit the park to move to another area, rather than simply laying a blanket down. Id never call anything like that safe, even though theres thought to be a low risk of transmission to humans, she said about just covering the droppings. You never want to take any chances, particularly with kids and hand-to-mouth activity. Geese can also be aggressive toward humans, McNamara said, but that is typically when they lay their eggs in early spring. It's not surprising that the geese have made a home at Prescott Park, she said. Its a very inviting habitat, McNamara said. They like open space beside water. Mayor hearing complaints about geese, too Mayor Deaglan McEachern said he has noticed both the presence of geese in the park, and also their droppings. And sometimes when he jogs by the geese in the morning, they hiss at me, McEachern said. In terms of geese droppings, the mayor acknowledged as a father to a couple of young girls, its definitely something you notice. I dont know if its worse this year than in years past, McEachern said, adding he knows its been a problem for at least a few years. With that great green space, and less green space out there, its going to be an inviting spot for residents, tourists and unfortunately geese as well, McEachern said. The mayor said he saw the email about the issue, and also reported that people have reached out to me to tell me its a problem. They want me to do something, and well see if theres more that we can do, he said. Portsmouth seeking humane solutions In 2018, the Pease Development Authority passed a wildlife management plan to protect airplanes from bird strikes at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. The plan included killing wildlife if necessary, after a turkey hit an engine of a KC-135 tanker as it was landing, and destroyed it. McEachern and McNamara stressed repeatedly the city is looking for humane solutions to the geese problem. I dont think were at the point where were going to be shooting the geese. If the geese are eroding peoples quality of life, I want to make sure we can respond to it in a thoughtful manner, McEachern said. We dont want to shoot them, we would like them to poop somewhere else. He emphasized that despite the issue, everybody loves Prescott Park because it feels like youre in nature on the water. Its probably the best place in America, he added. Its really tough to imagine a better place where you can go and it doesnt cost a penny. Festival working with city City Councilor John Tabor is also the chairman of the arts festivals Board of Directors and is aware of the problem. The festival and the city are both working every way they can to keep them out of the park in as humane a way as we can, Tabor said Thursday. Housing development: Chinburg's plan for six new homes in Portsmouth advances. Here are details. He added that hes not aware of any elevated levels of complaints from festival goers about the geese. In fact, he said, the problem is worse when theres not a show. By having a show were keeping them from landing, he said. Tabor also credited city and festival staff for continuing to work to try to address the problem. No easy solutions City staff truly understand the concerns brought up by people about geese in the park, Rice said. They are pervasive, and they are tenacious, he said. They keep coming back. In 2020, the city announced it would use guns firing blanks to scare off geese. In 2021, Portsmouth turned to fireworks to create noise to scare geese. The city has considered multiple techniques to drive off the geese this year, including noise devices which set off occasional booms, Rice said. But such a device would obviously be concerning for abutters, he said. Thats not something were really interested in at this point." City staff has explored a number of things to address the issue and talked to a number of communities, Rice said. Theres not a consensus of what works, he added. Will the geese fly away? City staff believe the geese at Prescott Park are migratory, McNamara said. If thats true, she said, they likely will be congregating for a very short period, she said. They will probably solve their own issues, she said. McEachern acknowledged its a difficult problem to solve. We can increase our efforts and we will do that, he pledged. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Geese droppings soil Prescott Park: Portsmouth NH seeks solutions Russia has been settling people from the Russian Federation in occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast to ensure favorable results in planned illegal sham elections, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Aug. 25. The Russian occupation authorities have provided newcomers with the abandoned homes of local residents in several settlements of the oblast, according to the military. Simultaneously, Russia is increasing pressure on Ukrainian residents to obtain Russian passports. According to the U.S. research group Ukraine Conflict Observatory, these tactics include denial of medical services, social benefits, the ability to drive and to work, and even overt threats of violence or intimidation. Moscow's goal is to secure positive results of the planned sham voting in order to create the "desired image for the Russian media," the General Staff said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The report noted that due to a "negative experience" organizing sham referendums last fall, the "vote" will be held in a hybrid format, including voting at polling stations and visits of the occupation authorities' representatives to apartments and houses. Starting from Aug. 30, Russian-controlled officials will start visiting the residences of locals and collect the votes, the General Staff said. Russia illegally declared the annexation of occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts on Sep. 30, 2022, after a sham referendums. Russia and its local proxies used coercion and mass falsification to produce favorable results, claiming nearly 100% support in some areas. In May this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing regional "elections" in the occupied territories, planned to be held in September this year. Read also: Ukrainians under occupation face deportation, loss of property after Putins new order Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE - George Soros, founder and chairman of the Open Society Foundations, attends the Joseph A. Schumpeter award ceremony, June 21, 2019, in Vienna, Austria. Open Society Foundations plan to significantly curtail their work in Europe and lay off much of their staff on the continent, the foundations' leaders told staff in Berlin, according to an internal email and several current employees, who say the decision is painful and perplexing. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Open Society Foundations plan to significantly curtail their work in Europe and lay off much of their staff on the continent, the foundations' leaders told staff in Berlin, according to an internal email and several current employees, who say the decision is painful and perplexing. The planned European cuts, as described in an internal email viewed by The Associated Press, would represent a historic break with the roots of billionaire philanthropist George Soros ' support for civil society through education, human rights work and policy research, which started in his native Hungary more than three decades ago. The strategic change coincides with Alex Soros, Georges son, announcing a shift to a new operating model the board adopted at the end of June, its first major move since he took over as head of OSFs board of directors in December. Grantees in Europe say OSF has not directly communicated the proposed strategy change to them, contributing to a sense of disbelief. The Open Society Foundations is changing the way we work, but my family and OSF have long supported, and remain steadfastly committed to the European project, Alex Soros said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement An OSF spokesperson said the foundations remain committed, to the promotion of democracy and the fight against authoritarianism in Europe, and to the civil society sector that is crucial to those causes. Grantees told The Associated Press that a withdrawal of support for human rights, political participation or digital protections in the European Union would be a strategic mistake and questioned whether the foundations had made a final decision to do so. They also said the lack of communication and uncertainty is damaging to OSFs reputation. OSF supports work on a wide range of issues that touch on vulnerable populations, democracy and independent media among other topics. 80% Berlin staff cut proposed An email from Thorsten Klassen, director of OSFs Berlin office, which was sent to Berlin staff on July 20 and was seen by The Associated Press, said, the new approved strategic direction provides for withdrawal and termination of large parts of our current work within the European Union. The email continued that the shift was made in part because the EU has provided public funding for human rights and pluralism and OSF wants to reallocate its resources elsewhere. The foundations have proposed to cut 80% of staff in their Berlin offices, the email said, though all the proposed layoffs are subject to negotiations with labor unions. OSF also proposed to cut at least 60% of staff in Brussels and an unclear number in London, several employees told the AP. The staff members spoke on the condition of anonymity as the foundations have told them not to speak with the press and because they fear repercussions. In January, OSF told staff in Barcelona that their office would close and most of the staff there have since chosen to leave. OSF's leadership plans to complete the planned layoffs by January. OSF did not dispute these figures when asked for comment. The recalibration of our work in the European Union is part of larger organizational changes, an OSF spokesperson said, adding they will continue to fund civil society groups across Europe, including those working on EU external affairs, along with support for European Roma communities. A model built for opportunity The new opportunity model was adopted by OSF's board on June 28 and is laid out in a 12-page document that offers some clues but little clarity about the foundations' immediate future plans. The foundations will reorganize around opportunities rather than programs, with opportunities defined as bodies of work organized around clear ambitious goals. What those opportunities will be has not yet been defined another source of bitterness for some staff about the proposed cuts to their programs. How can OSF be sure they do not want to continue their work in Europe if they haven't decided yet what their future priorities will be, staff members asked? Grantee organizations shared the feeling of disenfranchisement. Here we are, probably hundreds of groups around Europe, and we have no idea why this decision came to be, said Marta Pardavi, co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a human rights group and longtime recipient of OSF funding. "When we look at the European Union, we really dont see a justification for even decreasing support for human rights and democracy and for support for marginalized groups." She and others pointed to the war in Ukraine, the erosion of the rule of law in Hungary and Poland, the election of a far-right government in Italy and almost in Spain, as reasons to question the future of democracy in Europe. The new European law regulating social media platforms is another example of pressing and ongoing work that involved OSF, staff said, as well as proposed legislation about artificial intelligence. A June report from the European Artificial Intelligence & Society Fund found OSF provided core support to a significant number of nonprofits working on the regulation of AI in the EU, along with two other foundations. This leaves the landscape vulnerable to any change of priorities from those funders and several grantees raised the current strategic discussions in some of these foundations as a cause of concern, the report said. Will cuts help conservative movements? Unlike other major donors or the European Commission, OSF often provides nonprofits fast and flexible funding rather than project-based grants. That is in addition to strategic support, legal research, communications advice, networking and the staff's own expertise. OSF itself has a strong voice within the EU advocating for policies and engaging decisionmakers, staff and grantees said. In that way, it is far more than a simple source of funding and also more difficult to replace, they said. Part of what sets OSF apart from other philanthropies is contained in its name, Pardavi said, Its called Open Society Foundations. Its not called George Soros or Alex Soros Foundations anymore. She and others like Alberto Alemanno, professor of law, HEC Paris, worry that OSF's withdrawal from civil society in Europe will open the door for philanthropies supporting conservative social movements to gain ground. All of a sudden you will see that there are many more opportunities for different forms of philanthropy to enter into the European space by basically supporting organizations that at the moment are very marginal, like those pushing anti-abortion rights or pushing against LGBT rights, he said, adding that those donors, "will find much easier access in Europe because there would be a lack of countervailing forces. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. [Source] George Takei recently argued that Republicans are "scapegoating" the LGBTQ+ community and recalled his experience being scapegoated as a member of the Japanese American community during World War II. Key details: Takei, 86, wrote about the issue for a The Big Picture op-ed published on Substack on Aug. 17 with the title The Ugly Danger of Scapegoating. Remembering the past: In the post, the "Star Trek" star recalled how he and his family were relocated to a racetrack in Santa Anita, California, when he was 5 years old. There, they lived in a horse stable for months before being transferred to a Japanese internment camp in Rohwer, Arkansas. The string of events occurred as a result of the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Someone to blame: Takei noted that he and around 125,000 other people of Japanese descent were sent to those camps because America needed someone to blame, making them a scapegoat. More from NextShark: Freida Pinto to join Apple TV+'s Surface Season 2 Takei then wrote that over 80 years later, he is once again witnessing scapegoating, but this time, it involves another community he is part of: the LGBTQ+ community. Calling them out: Takei called out politicians such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed into law a ban on gender-affirming medical care, such as hormone therapy, for minors in the state earlier this year. "Enter the scapegoating. Armed with dangerous tropes from over 50 years ago, where gay and trans people are labeled as 'groomers' who are a danger to children, wily politicians such as Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida began a campaign to drive us out, to erase our families and identities in education, in library books, and in our own communities. They even targeted retail stores that supported us during our month of Pride." More from NextShark: 'Masked Singer: Latest episode shows Rudy Giuliani's controversial unmasking, Ken Jeong's walkout A dark reminder: Takei stated that he is "alarmed that the fearmongering and hate" against communities such as the transgender community are just the beginning." I have seen where scapegoating, if left unchallenged, leads. And it is a very dark place, indeed, he wrote. Actions to take: Takei ended his post by stating that "we must do more than call the scapegoating out." More from NextShark: Gemma Chan and Harry Shum Jr. to star in Crazy Rich Asians spinoff "We must provide safe harbor for communities affected, and we must demand coordinated, federal-level responses that deter and prevent such abuses in the first place. All of us have a role to play to ensure what happened before in America does not ever happen again. In 2024 we, and our allies, must vote as if our lives depended on it because they do." A woman was arrested after officials say they found a puppy inside a hot car with drugs. Hall County Sheriff officials said on Aug. 22, deputies received reports of a puppy locked inside a hot car in Gainesville. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The puppy, believed to be six to eight weeks old, was locked in a parked car with the windows slightly cracked at the intersection of Broad Street and Henry Ward Way. Deputies said the vehicle was not running and was parked in direct sunlight. When deputies arrived, they got into the car without damaging it and rescued the puppy. Infrared thermometer readings for the car interior indicated it was between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The puppy was placed in an air-conditioned patrol vehicle and was given water. TRENDING STORIES: While looking for identifying information for the vehicle owner, deputies found a syringe of methamphetamine inside the car. Authorities identified the owner as 26-year-old Brittany Deanne Hardy of Whittier, North Carolina. According to the investigation, Hardy had been away from the car for approximately 45 minutes. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Hardy was charged with cruelty to animals and possession of methamphetamine. Hall County Animal Control and Enforcement took possession of the puppy. The puppy is expected to be OK. IN OTHER NEWS: ATLANTA A Georgia faith leader representing more than 530 churches is calling upon Gov. Brian Kemp to publicly oppose Republican efforts to remove or discipline Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis . Willis, a Democrat and the first Black woman to serve in the position, has become a lightning rod for attacks by supporters of former President Donald Trump, who was indicted by grand jury along with 18 others in a case Willis brought alleging a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Many state and national GOP lawmakers, not to mention Trump himself, have criticized Willis as a "partisan hack" and have proposed launching investigations and pursuing sanctions against her over the case, which marks the fourth indictment against the former president amid his bid to return to the White House. "We strongly call upon you to make it publicly known that you do not support the calls of those who seek an investigation of (Willis)," Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, head of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia, wrote in a letter sent Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The letter, obtained exclusively by USA TODAY, comes at time when Republican governors are cracking down on liberal-leaning prosecutors and it cites a state law signed by Kemp this year creating a new panel, dubbed the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, that can discipline, remove or apply measures against prosecutors who are not following the law. Georgia Republicans pitched the change as an oversight policy, which Kemp celebrated in May as a way to hold "rogue or incompetent prosecutors" accountable. The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A statement from Kemp would "put to rest this divisive, polarizing, partisan and inflammatory attempt to disrupt our state and its people," according to Jackson, who notes how Kemp testified to the grand jury in the case and has rejected Trump's false claims that the presidential contest was stolen in previous public comments. Worry for Willis rooted in Ron DeSantis removing Florida prosecutor Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition on Nov. 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. A Florida prosecutor suspended by DeSantis will remain out of office after a federal judge on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, ruled that he does not have the power to reinstate the prosecutor despite the removal violating the First Amendment and Florida Constitution. Concerns over Willis's removal and the demand that Kemp assure the public have been raised by her supporters and other Democratic allies largely due to the criticism she has faced. Jackson, a prominent and outspoken voting rights leader in the state, was among the grassroots activists along with the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Georgia NAACP and Black Voters Matter, who rallied in support of Willis in downtown Atlanta this week. "As a result of the indictment there has been outrage, cries of hatred, racism and violence," he said. The letter to Kemp also comes on the heels of Democrats and their allies denouncing a move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who last month suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell, an elected prosecutor for Orange and Osceola counties. DeSantis, who is running against Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, contended that Worrell, who like Willis is a Black Democrat, failed to pursue appropriate charges in serious cases. Jackson emphasizes in his letter there is no evidence Willis has acted in a partisan way or violated any laws in the election interference case against Trump. Such action is, "totally unnecessary and inappropriate," he wrote. New commission 'only real possible risk' Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks during a news conference at the Fulton County Government building on August 14, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. A grand jury today handed up an indictment naming former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies over an alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. Clark Cunningham, a law professor at Georgia State University, told USA TODAY there are only limited circumstances in which Kemp could remove Willis from office. In Georgia, the only direct power a governor has to suspend a district attorney is if they are indicted for a felony. If the district attorney is then convicted, the governor can remove them from the position. Additionally, if a district attorney's office becomes vacant, the governor has the power to appoint a replacement until the next election. But Cunningham pointed out how the new panel mentioned in Jackson's letter has the power to remove a district attorney. He called it the "first of its sort in the country," saying a similar commission in New York can only recommend disciplinary actions against a prosecutor. "The only real possible risk of her being removed would be through this new Prosecuting Attorney's Qualifications Commission," Cunningham said. Republican officeholders have appointed all of the members of the commission, which will begin accepting complaints Oct. 1. And there's already one person in line to file the first complaint. Georgia state Sen. Clint Dixon said earlier this week he "will be ready to call for an investigation" once the committee begins, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. House Judiciary launches investigation August 7, 2023: Fulton County Sheriff officers block off a street in front of the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia. The heightened security is in place as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to announce a possible grand jury indictment in her investigation into former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election in the state. Willis is facing growing scrutiny outside of the Peach State, especially with Trump's allies in Washington. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to her on Thursday launching an inquiry into whether she coordinated with federal officials for the indictment of Trump. The committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, demanded information from Willis regarding any communication she had with the Justice Department, the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith who also indicted Trump and executive branch officials. They set a Sept. 7 deadline to receive correspondence. "Your indictment and prosecution implicate substantial federal interests, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated," Jordan wrote in the letter. Jordan also questioned Willis's motivation for the indictment, the timing of filing ahead of an election year and for her office coordinating with Special Counsel Smith during the investigation. Jordan also writes that Willis launched a new campaign fundraising website days before the indictment highlighting the Trump investigation and claimed the forewoman of the special grand jury Willis convened "bragged during an unusual media tour" about subpoenaing Trump. It isn't the first time House GOP lawmakers went after a prosecutor. Jordan previously demanded answers from Alvin Bragg, who charged Trump in New York with falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to an adult film actress. Three House Republican chairmen called the indictment politically motivated. Jordan also subpoenaed a former prosecutor in Bragg's office, Mark Pomerantz, who has written a book about his time in the office. MTG speaks out against Willis, rallies to Trump's defense Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) ORG XMIT: DCCK104 Hours before Trump surrendered to authorities, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, addressed reporters along with the former president's supporters, and detractors, outside the Fulton County Jail where she condemned the prosecutor. "My comment to Fani Willis is we're going to make sure that she loses her job," she said. Greene, who called Willis a "disgrace" also previously called for Congress to defund Smith's special counsel after he indicted the former president. In the wake of the Trump indictments, other House Republicans have seized on the anger about the GOP base in attempt to carve out new criminal justice rules. Rep. Russell Fry, R-South Carolina, in April introduced a bill dubbed the No More Political Prosecutions Act that would allow current or former presidents and vice presidents to move their own civil and criminal cases from state courts to federal courts. "This isnt about the rule of law. This is about a radical prosecutors political career. This is about keeping President Trump out of the White House. This is, and always has been, about election interference," Fry posted on the platform X, formerly Twitter, after Trump was arrested in Georgia. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia governor pressured to publicly back Fani Willis in Trump case Kristopher Coody, a former Georgia sheriff, resigned and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery for inappropriately touching Judge Glenda Hatchett in January 2022. According to the Associated Press, Coody was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine and complete 400 hours of community service. Shortly after receiving his sentence on Monday, Coody announced his guilty plea and resignation in a statement. To be clear, I had no intent to touch Ms. Hatchett inappropriately, he also noted in the statement, WMAZ reported. Unfortunately, I acted in a careless manner and for that, I have taken full responsibility for my actions. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Coody had served as sheriff since 2017. Hatchett addressed the court, explaining her experience pre- and post-trial. My entire professional career, I have been involved in supporting victims, she said. I have seen in my courtroom so many victims over the years. She continued, To be on this side of this is very difficult. It is important for the defendant and everyone present to understand the horrific effect this has had on me. This has cut me to the core. Cobb State Court Judge Carl Bowers, who presided over the case, apologized to Hatchett for her experience and how long the case took. He also thanked her for attending Mondays hearing. In addition to probation, community service and the fine, Coody must complete a psychosexual evaluation and an alcohol and drug course. Pugh said hes already done the latter. Bowers also instructed him to refrain from contacting Hatchett. If he violates that order, Bowers made his stance clear. I will lock you up, he said on Monday. Not a threat, simply a promise. Hatchett is known for starring in her arbitration-based reality court shows, Judge Hatchett (2000-2008) and The Verdict with Judge Hatchett (2016-present. FILE - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon at The Classic Center, Aug. 8, 2023, in Athens, Ga. A federal judge in Atlanta has blocked Georgia from enforcing part of a new law that restricts doctors from prescribing hormone therapy to transgender people under the age of 18. Judge Sarah Geraghty granted a preliminary injunction on Sunday, Aug. 20. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, file) Georgia is the latest state to have its transphobic healthcare ban put on ice. On Sunday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the states law that bans trans minors from receiving hormone therapy. The plaintiffs filed suit right before the law went into effect in July. U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty wrote that the law amounts to discrimination on the basis of sex. The desired outcome of the banned treatmentsas no one disputesis to begin a physical transition so that the adolescent patients development and appearance do not conform to those expected of the patients birth sex, but rather to the patients gender identity, Geraghty wrote. In other words, S.B. 140 therefore bans the use of cross-sex hormones only for those whose gender identity and [or sex at birth] are incongruent, and only for the purpose of achieving gender-nonconforming physical characteristics. Read more ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Of course, its not all good news when it comes to gender-affirming care in the courts: An appellate court let Kentuckys ban on transgender care for minors go into effect, and the same thing happened in Tennessee. Last week, North Carolinas Republican supermajority voted to override Gov. Roy Coopers (D) veto against a bill banning gender affirming care for minors. The issue seems destined for the Supreme Court, which I cant say is good news. But for the moment, it appears that the majority of judges even in red states agree that this blatantly political attack on healthcare for an oppressed class of people is unconstitutional. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. FILE - In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard, a leak from Nord Stream 2 is seen, on Sept. 28, 2022. Germany's top security official says she hopes prosecutors will find sufficent evidence to indict whoever carried out last year's attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. (Swedish Coast Guard via AP, File) BERLIN (AP) Germany's top security official says she hopes prosecutors will find sufficient evidence to indict whomever carried out an attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea last year. Explosions on Sept, 26, 2022, damaged the pipelines, which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany. Who was responsible for the sabotage, which added to tensions over the war in Ukraine as European countries moved to wean themselves off Russian energy sources, remains a mystery. Germany, Sweden and Denmark have investigated the attack though been tight-lipped about their findings. I hope that the (German) federal prosecutor will find enough clues to indict the perpetrators, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine published Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement We must bring such crimes to court, she said. It also strengthens citizens' confidence in the state of law when it succeeds in clearing up such complex cases. In July, European diplomats told the U.N. Security Council that investigators found traces of undersea explosives in samples taken from a yacht that was searched as part of the probe. But they said it wasn't yet possible to reliably establish the identity or motives of the perpetrators, or whether a specific country was involved. Officials voiced caution in March over media reports that said a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage. German media reported then that five men and a woman used a yacht hired by a Ukrainian-owned company in Poland to carry out the attack, and that the vessel set off from the German port of Rostock. German federal prosecutors at the time declined to comment directly on that and other reports, but they confirmed that a boat was searched in January and said there was suspicion that it could have been used to transport explosives to blow up the pipelines. Der Spiegel and ZDF television reported Friday, without naming sources, that technical data leads investigators to believe that the the group on the yacht was in Ukraine before and after the attack. The federal prosecutor's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have accused the U.S. of staging the explosions. Ukraine has rejected suggestions that it might have ordered the attack. Asked about the political consequences if a link between the perpetrators and Ukraine were to be confirmed, Faeser told Der Spiegel: I'm not speculating. She noted that prosecutors were conducting Germany's investigation and said she could only make assessments when it is concluded. The undersea explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russias main natural gas supply route to Germany until Russia cut off supplies at the end of August. The blasts also damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. BERLIN (Reuters) - German prosecutors said they are investigating the attempted murder of Berlin-based Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko after she was one of three Russian exile journalists who experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning. Kostyuchenko, a foreign correspondent who exposed alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, last October experienced extreme disorientation, abdominal pain and swollen extremities on a train journey from Munich to Berlin. "When I got out at the train station, I realized I couldn't figure out how to get home," she wrote two weeks ago in the literary journal n+1. "I knew that I needed to transfer to the subway, but I couldn't figure out how." Two weeks ago, investigative portal The Insider reported that doctors they had consulted had said her symptoms were consistent with poisoning. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We can confirm that an investigation into the attempted murder of Elena Kostyuchenko is pending," a spokesperson for Berlin prosecutors said on Friday. The Insider reported that two other Russian woman journalists living in exile experienced poisoning symptoms in the same period: in May 2023, Natalia Arno, president of the U.S.-based Free Russia Foundation fell ill in Prague. In October, radio journalist Irina Babloyan fell ill in Tbilisi. Kostyuchenko and her doctors initially believed she was suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, and by the time full tests were run, it was too late to test for poison residues or anything that would confirm poisoning. German prosecutors declined to give further details of their investigation, citing its sensitivity. Until it closed, she worked for Novaya Gazeta, the independent newspaper that won the Nobel Peace Prize for its reporting on Russia and which counts Anna Politkovskaya, the journalist murdered after reporting on Russia's wars in Chechnya, among its former staff. Since then she has been working for Vilnius-based Russian news website Meduza. Now living in hiding, Kostyuchenko said the impact of the poisoning was still with her. "I'm truly exhausted though I have work to do," she told Reuters. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt, Editing by Rachel More and Giles Elgood) By David Shepardson (Reuters) -A joint venture battery plant said on Thursday it will hike the wages of workers at its Ohio plant by an average of 25% after some U.S. senators blasted the facility for paying workers as little as $16 an hour. Ultium Cells, a joint venture of General Motors and LG Energy Solution, said workers must still ratify the interim wage increase that takes effect Aug. 28. The UAW said the increase is worth $3 to $4 an hour for workers. The interim wage increase will be retroactive to December 2022 and some workers will receive between $3,000 to $7,000, based on hours worked. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Providing this wage increase is the right thing to do for our team members," Ultium said. Workers voted in December to join the United Auto Workers union but have not yet reached a contract. "We continue to bargain in good faith with the UAW to reach a comprehensive contract for our employees, including a final wage scale," Ultium said. UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement "after months of public pressure and worker organizing, Ultium was forced to take a first step towards economic justice for the workers who are powering GMs electric vehicle future." GM, Chrysler-parent Stellantis and Ford Motor are in negotiations to reach new labor agreements cover 146,000 workers before the current contracts expire on Sept. 14. The UAW will disclose the results of a strike authorization vote Friday. Democratic senators and the UAW have heavily criticized Ultium for paying low wages at the Ohio plant and noted some make just half as much as workers did at a nearby shuttered GM assembly plant. Fain has said it would take an entry level worker at Ultium 16 years to earn as much as GM CEO Mary Barra, who received $29 million in compensation in 2022, makes in a week. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, and other senators wrote in July it was a "national disgrace that the starting wage at any current American joint venture electric vehicle battery facility is $16 an hour," arguing it represents "poverty-level wages" amid "extreme financial gains for the companies, executives, and investors." In July, a group of 28 senators including Senate Majority Chuck Schumer urged automakers to include battery workers under the national labor agreements. Ultium rejected that idea. (Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio) 14th Amendment, Section 3: A new legal battle against Trump takes shape Former President Donald Trump's legal battles are piling up: in Washington, Georgia, New York -- the list goes on. But even if all of those cases work out in his favor, advocates say a new legal challenge could still sideline him. Separate from the criminal cases, over the past few weeks a growing body of conservative scholars have raised the constitutional argument that Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election make him ineligible to hold federal office ever again. That disqualification argument boils down to Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, which says that a public official is not eligible to assume public office if they "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against" the United States, or had "given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof," unless they are granted amnesty by a two-thirds vote of Congress. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Advocacy groups have long argued that Trump's behavior after the 2020 election fits those criteria. The argument gained new life earlier this month when two members of the conservative Federalist Society, William Baude and Michael Stokes Paulsen, endorsed it in the pages of the Pennsylvania Law Review. PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts as he holds a campaign rally in Erie, Pa., on July 29, 2023. (Lindsay Dedario/Reuters) "If the public record is accurate, the case is not even close. He is no longer eligible to the office of Presidency," the article reads. Since then, two more legal scholars -- retired conservative federal judge J. Michael Luttig and Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Laurence Tribe -- made the same case in an article published in The Atlantic. "The disqualification clause operates independently of any such criminal proceedings and, indeed, also independently of impeachment proceedings and of congressional legislation," they wrote. "The clause was designed to operate directly and immediately upon those who betray their oaths to the Constitution, whether by taking up arms to overturn our government or by waging war on our government by attempting to overturn a presidential election through a bloodless coup." The argument even got raised on the Republican presidential debate stage in Milwaukee this week. "Over a year ago, I said that Donald Trump was morally disqualified from being president again as a result of what happened on January 6th. More people are understanding the importance of that, including conservative legal scholars," Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said, eliciting a mix of cheers and boos from the audience. "I'm not going to support somebody who's been convicted of a serious felony or who is disqualified under our Constitution." Baude and Paulsen maintain their theory is "self-executing." They say that means that public elections officials don't need special permission from lawmakers to disqualify Trump from the ballot: if they believe the argument is valid, they can disqualify potential candidates on their own. Not only that, the scholars argue, the election officials are legally required to do so. "No official should shrink from these duties. It would be wrong -- indeed, arguably itself a breach of one's constitutional oath of office -- to abandon one's responsibilities of faithful interpretation, application, and enforcement of Section Three," Bode and Paulsen write. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump campaigns at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 12, 2023. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) Alternatively, ordinary citizens could file challenges on the same grounds with state election officials themselves. Either scenario is almost certain to face legal and political blowback, and the argument could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. The most immediate hurdle for those disqualification efforts might be timing as the legal challenges must be brought during specific time periods that vary depending on the state where they are brought. Plans materialize at state level On Tuesday, Bryant "Corky" Messner, a lawyer who lives in New Hampshire, became the first person to announce concrete plans to do just that. Messner was endorsed by Donald Trump when he ran for a New Hampshire's U.S. Senate seat in 2020. Now, he says that as a veteran and a graduate of West Point, his civic duty compels him to try to keep Trump off the ballot. "I really don't view myself as turning on Trump, as odd as that sounds," he told ABC News. "I love this country. I've served this country. I've taken an oath to this country. My sons are serving right now and I believe someone's got to step up to defend the Constitution." Messner first announced his plans on a local radio show, NH Today, on Tuesday morning. He says he is still doing initial legal due diligence on the topic and finding a lawyer to bring the case. He plans to finance the legal challenge himself and through his own personal network. New Hampshire's Secretary of State Office confirmed to ABC News that Messner met with Secretary of State David Scanlan Friday to discuss Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. "Secretary Scanlan will be conferring with the New Hampshire Attorney General and other legal counsel on this issue; however, he believes any action taken under this Constitutional provision will have to be based on Judicial guidance," Anna Sventek, communications director for Scanlan, told ABC News in a statement. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), another legal advocacy group, is also pursuing a push to this effect. Last September, CREW was successful in its effort to remove a New Mexico county commissioner from his post due to his participation in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. PHOTO: In this June 17, 2022, file photo, Otero County, New Mexico Commissioner Couy Griffin speaks to reporters as he arrives at federal court in Washington, D.C. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP, FILE) A district judge in New Mexico barred Otero County commissioner and "Cowboys for Trump" founder Couy Griffin, citing a clause in the 14th Amendment that prohibits those who have engaged in insurrection from serving. Griffin was convicted of a misdemeanor trespass charge. The judge's ruling was the first time in 150 years that the provision has been used to disqualify an official and the first time that a court has ruled the events of Jan. 6 were an "insurrection." Griffin was arrested on Jan. 8, 2021, on a federal misdemeanor trespassing charge related to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Griffin was convicted of the charge on March 22 and sentenced on June 17 to 14 days time served, ordered to pay $500 restitution, pay a $3,000 fine, complete community service and one year of supervised release. Following Trump's announcement that he would make a third bid for the White House, CREW released a statement saying it would work to ensure that Trump is disqualified from ever holding office again. "We warned him that should he decide to run again, we would be taking action to ensure the Constitution's ban on insurrectionists holding office is enforced," a statement from CREW said. "Now we will be. Trump made a mockery of the Constitution he swore to defend, but we will see that it is defended." In an interview with ABC News, a CREW official said its focus now is doing whatever possible to keep Trump off the ballot. "I will say we are focused on winning. We are not focused on getting our name in the paper ... We are focused on bringing the strongest cases possible in order to win and hold the former President accountable. And we are making the strategic choices in order to effectuate that," CREW Executive Vice President and Chief Counsel Donald Sherman said. MORE: Judge removes local official for engaging in Jan. 6 'insurrection' Free Speech For People, an organization that unsuccessfully challenged the candidacies of several members of Congress in 2022 under the disqualification clause of the 14th Amendment, also plans to take similar actions to attempt to prevent Trump from running for office. The organization plans to pursue two different paths. The first path involves sending a letter to all 50 secretaries of state asking them to exercise their authority to rule that Trump is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The second path, when the timing is right, they said, is to file legal challenges to Trump's eligibility for office using state law procedures where available. Ron Fein, a lawyer involved in the organization's effort to prevent Trump from holding office, told ABC News that they are prepared to take on the former president. "We're prepared to challenge Trump's candidacy in multiple states. We're not going to tell him which states and when in advance," Fein said. "We have assembled top-notch legal teams and are working with voters in these multiple states and partners outside as well." Trump's campaign team is preparing for the challenges, telling the Washington Post in April the former president is being targeted. "What these undemocratic organizations are doing is blatant election interference and tampering," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement to the Washington Post. "They are not even trying to hide it anymore and it is sad they want to deprive the American people of choosing Donald Trump -- the overwhelming front-runner by far -- as their President. History will not judge them kindly." Trump has denied any involvement in the attack on the Capitol. ABC News has reached out for comment to Trump's campaign team. Challenges ahead Still, as the efforts to keep Trump off the ballot for his alleged role around the attack on the Capitol and efforts to overturn the election grow, constitutional scholar and political science professor Kevin Wagner told ABC News in an interview the challenge to the former president's candidacy faces an up hill battle, due in part because there is no consensus on if Jan. 6 was an insurrection. "The challenge here is that the 14th Amendment isn't necessarily self-executing. In other words, it doesn't just automatically happen and there is some question about what it means to be engaged in insurrection or rebellion and how that is defined. The challenge for us is that historically, it hasn't been well-defined," Wagner, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, said. "The question is about what is "participating in a rebellion or an insurrection." There is dispute and people feel strongly what happened was essentially an insurrection -- and it's often referred to that way fairly regularly -- but others have suggested that this was a protest that may have gotten out of hand -- and may have even become criminal -- but didn't rise to a level of a rebellion or an insurrection. And the provision of the 14th Amendment really turns on how it is that we assess what happened," he said. 14th Amendment, Section 3: A new legal battle against Trump takes shape originally appeared on abcnews.go.com There it is, Republicans. We now have a booking photo of former president and current criminal defendant Donald Trump, and that face scowling in the unflattering light of a county jail is the face of your political party. That image is your avatar. The man in that photo, arrested on charges of racketeering and election interference in Georgia, his fourth arrest this year, is the man you have let define you. The MAGA king. The almighty grievance peddler. The con man bilking your fellow voters with sleazy emails that would make a Nigerian-prince-themed scam artist blush. In this handout provided by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, former U.S. President Donald Trump poses for his booking photo at the Fulton County Jail on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump was booked on 13 charges related to an alleged plan to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Trump and 18 others facing felony charges have been ordered to turn themselves in to the Fulton County Jail by Aug. 25. He was missing at Wednesday nights GOP presidential primary debate, too good, too high-up in the polls to grace the stage with his presence. So what Americans saw was a mirage. A make-believe look at what todays Republican Party would have to offer if Trump wasn't around, and dominant. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It was a collection of prattling wannabes, people like Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pretending they have what it takes to out-Trump Trump alongside people like Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence pretending the party theyve devoted their lives to still cares about anyone remotely serious or, for that matter, remotely conservative. Who won the GOP debate? Ron DeSantis needed to be someone else at the Republican debate. Sadly, he was himself. Donald Trump's booking photo will surely become a marketing tool for him Trump won that debate by not being there, avoiding tough questions and letting his absence be the center of attention. He won the day after the debate by being arrested, again sucking up all the oxygen in the news cycle. And hell all-but-certainly win the GOP presidential primary by hocking T-shirts with his booking photo on them and wailing about how cruel the world is to totally innocent, rich white men like him and how he is the one true protector of whatever hackneyed version of real America his followers think must be preserved. As of Thursday, he's favored by nearly 52% of Republican voters, according to Five Thirty Eight's polling average. His nearest competitor, DeSantis, is favored by just under 15% of voters. Former President Donald Trump steps off his plane as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta./Alex Brandon) ORG XMIT: GAAB304 The photo released by the Fulton County jail late Thursday was striking because never, in our nations history, has a former president had that particular type of photo taken. Just as never, in our nations history, has a former president, much less a leading candidate for a partys presidential nomination, faced more than 90 state and federal charges ranging from conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government to violating the Espionage Act. In a normal version of America that I hope exists in an alternate universe, Trumps political career would be in a toilet, probably the one at Mar-a-Lago he kept boxes of classified government documents next to. But thanks to a willfully duped Republican Party, one that gladly grasped the hand of a raging narcissist and tra-la-lad along until the country was one Vice President Mike Pence decision away from Trump executing an attempt to overturn a free and fair election, Trump is thriving politically. Among Republican voters, he seems to gain popularity with each indictment, and I imagine this new photo will give him another boost. Trump leads primary pack: Republican voters want Donald Trump. And his vice president? How about more Trump? The scope of Trump's awfulness is staggering, yet Republicans cling to him Pause for a moment and consider all of this. Despite everything losing the 2020 presidential election, being a drag on the 2022 midterms, constantly posting near-incoherent nonsense on his social-media platform Trump remained untouchable among most Republican lawmakers and pundits. Now, after four grand juries in four different locales saw sufficient evidence to indict him, after he turned himself in to Georgia authorities and got his booking photo snapped the day after the partys first big debate, he remains untouchable. Republican presidential candidates (L-R), former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are introduced during the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 8 presidential hopefuls squared off in the first Republican debate as former U.S. President Donald Trump, currently facing indictments in four locations, declined to participate in the event. Republicans can trot alternative candidates out onto a Trump-less debate stage. They can say, in ways subtle or direct, that their party is not defined by the man in the Fulton County jail photo, the innocent-until-proven-guilty fellow in the federal-courtroom sketches. But that is all a lie. Donald Trump is the face of the Republican Party. He, in all his loutish, conspiracy-theory-peddling glory, has infected every drop of blood in every vein in that particular political body. 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. Trump always says he won, always says he's innocent. It will never stop He said he won the election that he lost and a majority of Republicans believe that to be true. He said he is innocent of every crime hes charged with, and has effectively never done anything wrong, and a majority of Republicans believe that to be true. Even if he stumbles in the presidential primaries, he will declare victory or say it was rigged, as he did in 2016 when Sen. Ted Cruz won the Iowa caucuses, and a majority of Republicans will believe that to be true. Aug 24, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Trump supporters at Fulton County Jail intake center in Atlanta, GA. A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia indicted former president Donald Trump and 18 other defendants with 41 charges related to tampering with the 2020 election. All defendants have been ordered to turn themselves in by August 25.. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY If he again loses the presidential election whether he campaigns in person or from a prison cell he will declare victory. And guess what will happen? Will Trump go to prison? Four reasons Donald Trump might want to campaign from jail If you're a Republican, you're part of the party of Trump. There's no separating yourself You can say youre a non-Trump Republican, and I certainly hope you will, as its at least a step in the right direction. But now and for the foreseeable future, there is no Republican Party separate from Trump. The Fulton County jail photo that dropped Thursday and set the internet ablaze? Thats the face of the GOP. If you call yourself a Republican, you should spend a good few minutes staring at it. Because he is you. And for that, you have no one to blame but yourself. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Twitter @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don't downplay Trump's arrest, photo. GOP must face who they are Jarveon Hudspeth, the 21-year-old who was fatally shot by a Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputy in June, was shot through his lungs and heart, Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing his family, said at a press conference Friday morning. Crump said the bullet wound was part of his legal investigation's independent autopsy. Similar independent autopsies were conducted after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer and after Tyre Nichols was beaten by Memphis police officers. "A trained police officer jumped into the car with both feet on a routine traffic stop, created a life or death situation and shoots a 21-year-old Black male in his lungs, and the bullet traveled through his heart," Crump said at the press conference. "And we're saying that's good policing? How is that good policing?" The statement from Crump gives additional detail about what happened to Hudspeth a day after the Shelby County District Attorney's Office released segments of the deputy's body and dash camera footage, along with a two-second clip from a nearby resident's Ring doorbell camera. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Crump was on stage at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, in the same chapel that Nichols' funeral was hosted in, and joined by Hudspeth's family and the family of another Black man who died in Memphis police custody Aug. 11. Footage of the incident released Thursday showed a deputy pulling Hudspeth over, but it is still not clear what he was pulled over for. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said Thursday, prior to the video being released, that the deputy also could not remember why he initiated the traffic stop. During Friday's press conference, Crump and Hudspeth's mother, Charlotte Haggett, said they also were not told why the initial stop occurred, with Haggett adding that she asked the DA's office if the deputy had called dispatch before pulling Hudspeth over. "We were told that the officer never called [the traffic stop] in," Haggett said. "My thought was when you get called in for a traffic stop, the officer calls it in. They call it in to protect themselves and to protect the citizens that they're stopping. But that never happened. During the whole altercation, that never happened." Body camera footage shows the deputy asking for Hudspeth's license, which the 21-year-old handed over, and for his insurance. It is not clear what Hudspeth said in response to the insurance question. Attorney Ben Crump motions with his hand while speaking about how the Shelby County Sheriffs deputy who shot and killed Jarveon Hudspeth jumped into Hudspeths vehicle while surrounded by Hudspeths family and the family of Courtney Ross, who died in the custody of the Memphis Police department, during a press conference for both families at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 25, 2023. The deputy tells Hudspeth to get out of the car and as Hudspeth exited the car, he could be heard telling the officer his firearm was in the car, but the deputy's response was not clear. The deputy asks if Hudspeth has anything in his pockets, to which he responded "No, sir." The deputy then said he was going to search the car, a white Ford Mustang, but Hudspeth got into the driver's side door. The officer then jumped into the car as well, which then began to accelerate. Eventually, the officer fell out of the car, but the exact moment shots were fired was not clear in the video. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which has taken over the investigation into Hudspeth's death, said Hudspeth died on the way to the hospital, but Haggett said Crump's autopsy report showed the 21-year-old died "within minutes" of being shot. When Bonner first spoke to press about the shooting in June, he had said the deputy was dragged for 100 feet. Haggett, in her remarks Friday, said the video showed "that officer voluntarily" jumping into the vehicle. "I just want to say that the narrative that Sheriff Bonner told the world, the nation within hours of my son passing, that the officer was dragged ... and the way that Sheriff Bonner spoke about it, already had in their minds that my son was a criminal and that he should be dead," she said. "... From what I saw, my family saw, about a week ago, that officer voluntarily jumped into the vehicle. He wasn't in fear for his life. Anybody that was in fear for their life would call for backup." Jarveon Hudspeth's mother publicly speaks for the first time since video release Crump and Haggett on Friday tried to illustrate similarities between Hudspeth's death and Nichols' death. Both men died after an encounter with law enforcement during a traffic stop. Both men died near their homes as well. According to Haggett, Hudspeth died about seven houses away from hers. Nichols was caught by police and beaten under 100 yards from his mother's home. At Friday's press conference, Haggett also pointed to the necklace she was wearing, which she said was filled with her son's ashes, as part of her remembering him. Charlotte Haggett, the mother of Jarveon Hudspeth, who was shot and killed by a Shelby County Sheriffs deputy, holds a necklace she said has her sons ashes in it as a tear runs down her face during a press conference at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 25, 2023. "To wear my son's cremated ashes around my neck this morning, I want justice for my son," she said. "My son was trying to get home. He was seven steps from home. He was trying to get home because I could protect him, even if I was coming outside to watch or help him. That was my son. That was my baby." Haggett had previously said she was not informed of her son's death until two days after the traffic stop. Friday, she said she first knew something was wrong when she texted him but got no response. She then called his best friend the following day to see if he had heard from Hudspeth, which he had not. Then Haggett went to Whole Foods, where Hudspeth worked, to see if he was there. He was not. After that, she started calling the local jails, which also were dead ends. "The sheriff's department, which patrols my neighborhood, said they hadn't heard anything and that they didn't know anyone by his name," she said. "Then we call the hospitals. No one had been there." Eventually, someone sent her a Facebook post that showed his car on Allendale Road, where he eventually crashed. "We immediately start calling the sheriff's department again," Haggett said. "The lady told me, 'OK, we will send someone to your home to fill out a missing person's report.' No one ever came. We call a couple hours later, and we ask again. She said, 'Yes ma'am, Miss Haggett, we have the report, we will send someone to do a missing person's report.' But, mind you, my son was already gone the day before ... they ran his license plate, they knew who he was, but no one reached out to me." Charlotte Haggett, the mother of Jarveon Hudspeth, who was shot and killed by a Shelby County Sheriffs deputy, becomes emotional while speaking about her son and how she still watches the door camera footage of him leaving her house for the last time during a press conference at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 25, 2023. In the month following her son's death, Haggett said she slept on the couch "to be close to the door just in case he ever came home." "I have looked at the Ring doorbell from that day for almost two months now, just so I can see an image of him leaving home, just so I can see him in the physical," Haggett said through sobs Friday. "But to see him in that video my children, we're so close. They're grown, but we're so close." Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Jarveon Hudspeth shot through lungs, heart, attorney Ben Crump says [Source] Alphabet Inc.'s Google has removed a slew of negative reviews for the Uyghur Forced Labor Checker, a Google Chrome extension designed to expose brands associated with forced Uyghur labor. About the app: Developed by the Human Rights Foundation, the tool works by notifying internet users about businesses linked to forced Uyghur labor. In 2022, it garnered recognition through a Webby People's Voice award for public service and activism. The Uyghur Forced Labor Checker resonates with many users who are concerned over the alleged forced labor in China's Xinjiang region. The U.S. government and other entities have accused China of perpetrating acts of genocide against the Uyghur population, involving forced labor as a significant facet. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement An orchestrated attack: Earlier this year, the extension experienced a surge in unusual activity, including a barrage of one-star ratings on Googles platform, according to Bloomberg. In May, the Human Rights Foundation's legal team alerted Google to what it deemed to be potential manipulation of its feedback system aimed at undermining the tool's credibility. More from NextShark: Chinese Athletic Association proposes smoking ban in response to viral chain-smoking marathoner Claudia Bennett, the legal and program officer at the Human Rights Foundation, disclosed the erratic download pattern as a calculated bot attack. The reviews bore distinct hallmarks, including cartoon avatars, nonsensical names and broken English. Phrases like "Malicious slander" and "Leakage of privacy" permeated these reviews, indicating a concerted effort to tarnish the tool's reputation. Google's response: Google has since removed the suspicious reviews, which the Human Rights Foundation attributed to a disinformation campaign. In a statement to Bloomberg, a Google spokesperson noted its diligent monitoring of the Chrome Web Store and reiterated its policy of removing reviews violating its guidelines. However, despite the reviews being apparently orchestrated, the company did not identify who they thought was behind them. More from NextShark: Boston Dynamics Robot Dogs Just Danced to BTS and Were Obsessed Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Tesla under investigation after steering wheels come off while driving Second influencer dies of 'drinking challenge' in China GOPs Buck says Trump needs to tell all Americans to stand down Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said former President Trump needs to tell all Americans to stand down and avoid violence as his four indictments progress through the judicial system. I think he absolutely needs to tell all Americans to stand down and allow the judicial system to take its course, Buck said in an interview on MSNBC. We trust judges, we trust juries, we trust appellate courts. This isnt over till its over. I think that sending a very clear message, and also having a surrogate send a very clear message, that violence will not be tolerated is appropriate, he added. Buck spoke with MSNBC ahead of Trumps surrender at Fulton County Jail on Thursday, where he became the first U.S. president to have his mug shot taken. Trump was indicted alongside 18 others by a Fulton County grand jury Aug. 14 over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The day before his surrender, Trump hinted in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson about the possibility of political violence. [Theres] a level of passion and hatred Ive never seen, and thats probably a bad combination, he said in the interview, which was released just minutes before the first Republican presidential primary debate. Trump, who is the clear front-runner in the race for the Republican nomination, did not attend the GOP debate in Milwaukee. I have never seen such spirit, and such passion, and such love, and Ive also never seen, simultaneously and from the same people, such hatred of what theyve done to our country, he added. Buck, who is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has notably distanced himself from allegations, popular among his colleagues in the Republican Party and Freedom Caucus, that federal law enforcement agencies are unfairly targeting Trump and conservatives. I think the allegations are very serious, Buck said on CNN in June, after Trump was indicted on federal charges over his handling of classified materials. I think there were national security implications from having documents in an unsecure area. I would not feel comfortable with a convicted felon in the White House, he added at the time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A GOP congressman is astonished over Trump 's polling numbers despite his four criminal cases. "I'd be down to 1%, my wife would change the locks on the doors," said Rep. Tim Burchett. Trump has over 50% support and leads DeSantis by over 35 points in national polls, per FiveThirtyEight. A Republican congressman marveled over the fact that, despite being indicted four times, President Donald Trump's primary polling numbers remain so high. Less than 24 hours after Trump surrendered himself to Fulton County prosecutors and had his mugshot taken in after his Georgia grand jury indictment, Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee took the opportunity to highlight how strong Trump's polling numbers are. "If they had me in a mugshot, my numbers, I'd be down to 1%, my wife would change the locks on the doors," Burchett said. "You know, but Donald Trump? It's a mystery, but his numbers still rise." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Burchett added he thinks voters are "ticked off" by the multiple law enforcement investigations into Trump and the perception of political motivations from the prosecutors themselves. According to an average of national GOP primary polls deemed "major" by FiveThirtyEight, Trump's averaging 51.6% support, or 36.8 percentage points ahead of the presidential candidate in second place, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Taking a look at Trump's average support throughout 2023, the average support in national polls for Trump's candidacy increased from about 43% at the start of the year to 51.6% despite the four indictments levied against him. Trump's polling is so high among Republican voters that he bowed out from the first GOP presidential debate on Wednesday. Weeks before the debate, he said he would watch to see who he wants as his potential running mate. "Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President!" Trump wrote on his social media website, Truth Social. At the debate, the slate of candidates was asked whether or not they'd support the embattled former president if he wins the nomination but simultaneously gets convicted of any of the 91 felonies prosecutors allege he's committed. Only two of the eight candidates onstage said they wouldn't back Trump in that event: Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Hutchinson added he thinks Trump is "morally disqualified from being president" again, while Christie said the former president's conduct had to stop being normalized. Read the original article on Business Insider Far-right lawmaker Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) introduced articles of impeachment Friday against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin , accusing the Pentagon chief of ignoring key intelligence and pushing through a chaotic 2021 retreat from Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members. Mills formally introduced the resolution to impeach Austin just one day ahead of the two-year anniversary of the deaths of the service members. High-level officials in this administration blatantly ignored intel that Americans and our allied partners in Kabul would be left behind in harms way unless the U.S. corrected course in our withdrawal, Mills said in a statement. As a result, nearly 200 people, including 13 American servicemembers, were murdered at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan two years ago, he continued. Because of this clear dereliction of duty, today I am introducing articles of impeachment for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The American service members and dozens of Afghans were killed Aug. 26, 2021, when two suicide bombers attacked Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport. The resolution introduced by Mills says Austin engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors for failing to properly plan for the withdrawal despite having at least eight months to prepare. The Florida lawmaker also slammed Austin for strategic and moral blindness by forcing a hasty retreat that failed to protect American and Afghan lives. Mills pointed to a messy U.S. withdrawal from Bagram Airfield in July 2021. The Americans left the Afghan forces in charge of the military installation without notifying the new commander. When the Taliban took control of the base in August, they released thousands of prisoners, including Abdul Rehman Al-Loghri, one of the Abbey Gate bombers. Its unclear how much support the resolution will have in the House. Republicans have expressed intense passion over impeaching Biden administration officials but have yet to follow through. The effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has died down, and a resolution from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to impeach President Biden also went nowhere. The U.S. began its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in summer 2021 and completed the retreat by the end of August. The pullout allowed the Taliban to take control of the capitol of Kabul and initially left behind thousands of Americans. Republicans were enraged by the withdrawal and have held hearings in the House this year spotlighting both the chaos and the deaths of the American troops. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) is also investigating the withdrawal. However, he has faced numerous delays, clashing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken over retrieving the necessary documents and information. Mills said Friday it was not enough for Congress to hold committee hearings, calling for more action. We must start taking real action to address the complete failure of this administration, the conservative lawmaker said. The fact that it has been two entire years without any member of this administration being held accountable is unfathomable. That changes today, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) sent a letter requesting that the White House return transcripts, including the testimony of Secret Service agents and employees. to the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol. Loudermilk, the chairman of the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, began an inquiry into the Jan. 6 committee in March. In the letter, which he sent to White House special counsel Richard Sauber, Loudermilk called for the transcripts of testimonies to the Jan. 6 committee of multiple Secret Service agents or employees who were assigned to former President Trump on January 6, 2021, to be returned to the House in their original, unaltered format. I am willing to discuss any redactions you believe are necessary prior to these records being released publicly, Loudermilks letter read. If you assert that some of the records are classified, we are prepared to receive and store them in the appropriate classified setting. In the letter, Loudermilk also requested that the transcripts be returned to the House by 5 p.m. Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The letter was first obtained by NBC News. On Tuesday, the White House said it was still reviewing the transcripts in a letter to Loudermilk obtained by multiple news outlets. According to the outlets, the White House said it is adding redactions to the transcripts. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rising GOP support for the U.S. taking unilateral military action in Mexico against drug cartels is increasingly rattling people on both sides of the border who worry talk of an attack is getting normalized. Wednesdays Republican presidential primary debate featured high-stakes policy disagreements on a range of issues from abortion to the environment but found near-unanimous consensus on the idea of using American military force to fight drug smuggling and migration. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made the strongest pledge on the stage with his response to Fox News moderator Martha MacCallums question asked whether he would support sending U.S. special forces into Mexico to take out fentanyl labs, to take out drug cartel operations. Yes. And I will do it on day one, said DeSantis. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The governors eagerness reflects a growing normalization of the idea, which Republicans have embraced from the campaign trail to the halls of Congress. Even more moderate GOP candidates such as former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott have suggested support for some version of unilateral military action across the Rio Grande. Former President Trumps hawkish approach to the bilateral relationship has led the way in mainstreaming the idea. As president, he sought Pentagon advice on launching missiles into Mexico, according to A Sacred Oath, a memoir by former Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Esper talked Trump down, but the proposal still casts a shadow on U.S.-Mexico relations. I believe any action that is unilateral by the United States vis-a-vis Mexico, especially by U.S. uniformed forces, be they police or military, would be completely counterproductive to United States-Mexico relations, said John Negroponte, who served as permanent representative to the U.N. under President George W. Bush and as ambassador to Mexico under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Mexico is our largest trading partner. We share a 2,200-mile border and we have inter-relationships that are extensive and across an entire spectrum of issues such as migration, trade, people-to-people relations and environmental concerns. I believe such action would be extremely ill-advised, Negroponte said. Over the past century, bilateral relations have eased from the brink of war to deep collaboration on that catalog of issues, though many in Mexico remain distrustful of U.S. influence. The last major U.S. military intervention in Mexico ended in 1917, as the latter countrys revolution entered its final phase. Known then as the punitive expedition, the mission led by Gen. John Pershing saw 10,000 U.S. combatants deployed to northern Mexico over the better part of a year. Better commercial and cross-border relations came with decades of political stability in Mexico, culminating in the signature of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1992. While cooperation has only intensified since then, open and direct collaboration between U.S. and Mexican security forces remains elusive; the Pentagons long-term goal of better integration with the Mexican military hit a speed bump amid Trump-related tensions. But a century of progress could be erased overnight, a Mexican official told The Hill. Any military intervention in Mexico would be a monumental setback for the U.S. and would derail the bilateral relationship. It can destroy the North American trading bloc and worsen the security situation, triggering a wave of migration in the region. Now, bilateral tensions are being stimulated on both sides of the border, with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pursuing an internal image of defiance against the United States. Its been made worse obviously in the process by President Lopez Obradors denial of Mexicos role in fentanyl trafficking the fact that he says that fentanyl isnt produced in Mexico which is absurd because its own armed forces parade seizures of labs and of fentanyl being produced in Mexico, said Arturo Sarukhan, who served as Mexican ambassador to the United States from 2007-13. In many ways, Lopez Obrador unwittingly has fanned the flames of anger, vis-a-vis Mexican positions on law enforcement collaboration, so its the perfect storm. Despite the political pressures that driven in part by a frantic search for solutions to the opioid epidemic, a few cooler heads remain. On the debate stage Wednesday, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) opposed the unilateral use of U.S. military or police force in Mexico, harkening back to his experience as head of the Drug Enforcement Administration. We cannot be successful against the cartel unless we bring in Mexico as a partner. We have to use economic pressure to accomplish that, said Hutchinson, though he added that Lopez Obrador has not been helpful. Former Vice President Mike Pence lauded Hutchinsons appeal for economic pressure, but said he would engage Mexico the exact same way as the Trump administration to ensure security cooperation. Hutchinson, who also served as the top border security official when the Department of Homeland Security was created in 2003, was more channeling the approach of the pre-Trump GOP. What Hutchinson said last night is a clear reminder of the way the GOP would go about addressing issues of transnational collaboration in the fight against transnational organized crime with countries like Mexico, said Sarukhan. But the post-Trump GOP, according to its opponents, is a ticking time bomb. I think what youre seeing is the unraveling of a political party in real time, said Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. The idea of unilateral military action is a placeholder for a lack of policy proposals in other fields, said Castro, but he warned the idea is already snowballing. What happens is, somebody popular in their party starts talking about it, and then the other candidates start parroting it. And after time, their base takes it on as a core idea and gets behind it. And then the base starts demanding that every Republican in the country, whether theyre running for president or school board, agrees with this idea. And thats the evolution of this whole thing. And thats whats gonna happen here. If something doesnt change, thats whats gonna happen here. Pressed for further comment on DeSantiss hard-line position, his campaign said he will do what is necessary to stop the deadly flow of Fentanyl and other narcotics from the Mexican drug cartels. Ron DeSantis rightly didnt back down to the Experts(TM) during COVID and he likewise wont let them keep him from securing our southern border, said press secretary Bryan Griffin. Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), a global crisis negotiator who served as U.S. permanent representative to the U.N. under Clinton, warned that military action in Mexico would both backfire and fail to solve the underlying issues. It shows the nativist shift of the Republican Party from internationalism to irresponsible diplomacy. It would be a disaster if there were any military action against Mexico a foreign policy disaster for the United States, he said. Plus, it makes no sense to resolve the problem, Richardson added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In recognition of the 25th anniversary of Lauryn Hill s solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, theGrio breaks down how her incorporation of Christian, Judeo, and Islamic references elevated the album into classic status. There are many ways that music lovers describe the unforgettable, all-consuming occasion of listening to a transformative album. One such phrase is a religious experience. To call Lauryn Hills debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a religious experience is subjective, complimentary, and quite literal. What makes Miseducation such a potent, poignant artistic statement is Hills constant inclusion of Abrahamic scripture, meaning that she references from the Christian, Judeo, and Islamic faiths, which all connect to the character of Abraham, the father of Israel. Hills incorporation of such doctrine in her lyrics, particularly her raps, displays, broadly, incredible wisdom, and, intricately, cerebral agility of her rap style. Lauryn Hill performs onstage during day 1 of the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture on June 30, 2023, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE) Music and religion are the foundation of Black American music. From the times of the Transatlantic slave trade, enslaved Blacks have used music aimed at the Maker to either increase the dragging hours in the unforgiving sun on Southern plantations or as coded language to escape said terroristic conditions for greener pastures in the Northern states. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Gospel music begat each subsequent Black American genre and subgenre since the 18th century. Black artists have long used religion and the Scriptures to express their worldly desires and aspirations, from Ray Charless Hallelujah, I Love Her So to Princes I Would Die 4 U. Hip-hop artists have also utilized their platform to put their spirituality on a pedestal. Acts like Rakim, X Clan, and the Wu-Tang Clan have all incorporated teachers of the Five Percent Nation into their lyrics and song themes. When Hill released her debut album, her wordplay showed that religion played a significant role in her everyday existence. Throughout the album, Hill juxtaposed biblical references to passages, events, and characters from the Quran and the Torah in numerous ways. One way included taking others to task for their unsavory behavior. Final Hour is an implicit warning for evil and ill-informed people to stay aware of the apocalypse as they accumulate money and power. While attempting to reverse the hypnosis of society by choosing righteousness and poverty over wealth and iniquity, she rhymes that she wont allow the evil ones to sway her: I remain calm reading the 73rd Psalm. Psalm 73:12 reads, Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Hill is speaking of the lecherous people in hip-hop culture who forsake integrity for the sake of materialism. Lost Ones, the scathing album opener, is a lyrical takedown of her former Fugees bandmate and one-time lover, Wyclef Jean. In the song, she accuses Jean of attempting to impose power over her and exuding dishonesty after he ascended in mainstream popularity and economically. When she says, Gained the whole world for the price of your soul, she speaks of the passage Mark 8:34; For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? One line she spits, What you throw out comes back to you, star, warns him of the karma that awaits him. Its a direct interpretation of Galatians 6:7: For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. She also raps, The chain of Shatan wasnt made that strong, a reference to the Islamic name for Satan from the Quran and how he is chained to hell during Ramadan. Her intermingling of the two faiths appears in other parts of the album. Doo Wop (That Thing) looks at how sex and ego lead to immorality from both the male and female perspectives. Her first verse is aimed at an anonymous woman who gives up her body to an undeserving man: Talking out your neck, saying youre a Christian, A Muslim, sleeping with the jinn, Now, that was the sin that did Jezebel in. Jezebel is a woman from the Bible whos name has become a shorthand derogatory term for a loose woman. The surrounding rhymes about a Muslim, sleeping with the jinn, not only talk of an Islamic man lying down with a jinn or wild card, but plays on how Jezebel converted Ahab, King of Israel, to a different faith, seen as worse than being a fornicator. Hill even uses Gospel and Kemetic imagery to separate herself from her rap peers. In her incredible verse on Everything is Everything, she refers to herself as a Street Baptist while stating that her faithful wordplay elevates her and hip-hop culture in a way that other MCs are too afraid or inept to do: You cant match this rapper-slash-actress, More powerful than two Cleopatras, Bomb graffiti on the tomb with Nefertiti, MCs aint ready to take it to the Serengeti. The title of Forgive Them Father comes from Jesus pleading with God to forgive the Hebrews and Romans who ridiculed him as he was being crucified. During the song, Hill continues her onslaught on deceitful people, singing about the time-honored tradition of lying and betraying those close to us, singing, Like Cain and Abel, Caesar and Brutus, Jesus and Judas, backstabbers do this. Despite her criticism and critiques of wayward people, whether individuals or otherwise, Miseducation finds Hill leaning into her faith during joyful, empowering points of her life. Hill expresses her spiritual love most explicitly in To Zion. Zion is referring to the name of her firstborn son, who is the subject of the lyric, explaining that she chose to have her child rather than get an abortion at the behest of her confidants. She speaks of angels coming to her, telling her to kneel down and pray and saying her son is a beautiful reflection of His grace. The hook, the joy of my world is in Zion, turns out to be a double entendre. Zion is not only her sons name but also the Hebrew representation of the holy city of Jerusalem. This is no accident in life or on the album. In Every Ghetto, Every City, Hill goes down memory lane of her childhood in New Jersey, or as she says in the chorus, the New Jerusalem. So, Zion represents her past, present, and future salvation and source of joy. Hill closes the album with Tell Him, a beautiful, acoustic love ballad to a man she loves on the surface. However, Hill thinly veils the track as a tribute to Jesus Christ. In the opening verse, Hill sings, Let me be patient, let me be kind, a loose reinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13, Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. She ends the second verse with, I know Im imperfect, and not without sin/But now that Im older, all childish things end, which speaks of 1 Corinthians 13:11: When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. The end of Tell Him leaves little doubt that Hill is singing to the Messiah, as she sings, what we now know is nothing compared/to the love that was shown when our lives were spared. She is speaking of Christs sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind, as stated in Isaiah 53:12, For He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Hill used this project as an attempt to reprogram the Black community. The albums title came from Dr. Carter G. Woodsons 1933 novel, The Mis-Education of the Negro, which spoke about how Black Americans were indoctrinated by their white oppressors. Hill addressed her own take on our communal confusion with lines like look at where you be in, fake hair like European, fake nails done by Koreans, and who made these rules, were so confused, easily led astray. The usage of scripture throughout this album indicated that Hill wants her people to follow her lead by leaning onto faith as a beacon to salvation and paying attention to Abrahamic scriptures to illustrate that we can see the future coming if we pay attention to the Gospels that were here before us. Five Grammy Awards and 10 million copies later, Hills message seems to have not fallen on deaf ears. Although it remains the only studio album of her solo career, despite lawsuits, a jail stint, and chronic lateness to live concerts, fans still flock to see her perform this body of work. Her boldness was a precursor to Kendrick Lamars deft uses of Christianity and Black Israelite doctronie on multiple platinum albums like good kid, m.A.A.d. City, To Pimp a Butterfly, and DAMN. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill succeeded in connecting to the people it was aimed for, 25 years later, standing as a timeless mixture, where hip-hop meets scripture, developing negative into a positive picture. Matthew Allen is an entertainment writer of music and culture for theGrio. He is an award-winning music journalist, TV producer and director based in Brooklyn, NY. Hes interviewed the likes of Quincy Jones, Jill Scott, Smokey Robinson and more for publications such as Ebony, Jet, The Root, Village Voice, Wax Poetics, Revive Music, Okayplayer, and Soulhead. His video work can be seen on PBS/All Arts, Brooklyn Free Speech TV and BRIC TV. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post The Gospel according to Lauryn: How the Scriptures influenced The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill appeared first on TheGrio. In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a shortage of amphetamine mixed salts, the active ingredient in Adderall. At the time, the FDA indicated that the shortage could last until March 2023. But the shortage has persisted into August. Now, as students start a new school year, many of them will be forced to go without an essential medication, and government agencies continue to deny their own role in the shortage. A prescription stimulant, Adderall is primarily used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can cause inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and it can result in "impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning," according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Last week, The New York Times detailed the struggles of parents and children who are unable to access necessary medication. The shortage has even affected alternative medications. Takeda Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of Adderall competitor Vyvanse, announced in June that it was "experiencing low inventory of Vyvanse capsules due to a manufacturing delay compounded by increased demand," which it expected to persist into September for certain dosages. Michael Ganio, senior director of pharmacy practice and quality for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, told PBS NewsHour in July that medicines like Ritalin and Concerta have only been "intermittently available" during the Adderall shortage. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement When it first announced the shortage last year, the FDA blamed "ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays" at Teva Pharmaceuticals, the largest manufacturer of both name-brand and generic Adderall. But as Reason detailed at the time, the government also played a role in the shortage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) allowed physicians to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth appointments; at the same time, parents began noticing symptoms of inattentiveness in their kids who were stuck at home attending school over Zoom. As a result, ADHD diagnoses soared among children. Adults were not immune, either: The number of Adderall prescriptions among patients aged 2244 increased 15.1 percent between 2020 and 2021, more than twice the rate of increase from the year before. (Adderall can also be used to treat eating disorders and narcolepsy.) The DEA is empowered by federal law to set annual production quotas for all Schedule II narcotics, including amphetamines. Once it sets the quotas, companies apply for a piece of the total and are forbidden from manufacturing more than their allotment. Despite seeing a sharp increase in prescriptions for ADHD treatment, and in spite of an FDA-reported shortage, the DEA kept the same 2022 levels for its 2023 amphetamine quotas. Earlier this month, the FDA and DEA put out a joint statement to address the continuing shortage. The statement noted that "for amphetamine medications, in 2022, manufacturers did not produce the full amount" allowed under the quotas. While the agencies "cannot require a pharmaceutical company to make a drug, make more of a drug, or change the distribution of a drug," they nonetheless "called on manufacturers to confirm they are working to increase production to meet their allotted quota amount." But there's more to the story than manufacturer supply. State and local governments sued the three largest pharmaceutical distributors and Johnson & Johnson over claims that the companies had contributed to opioid abuse and deaths. In February 2022, the companies settled for $26 billion and cracked down on potentially suspicious orders of controlled substances from independent pharmacies. As a result, many pharmacies were limited in the drugs they were able to order; some were banned altogether. So on the one hand, the DEA declined to raise the limits in 2023 that would allow manufacturers to make more Adderall, even in the face of a declared shortage. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by state and local governments caused pharmaceutical distributors to cut off the supply of drugs like Adderall to pharmacies across the country. And now, as the new school year begins, countless students will be without needed medication that would help their classroom achievement. The post Government Continues To Deny Its Role in Adderall Shortage appeared first on Reason.com. The government fired Serhiy Kruk as head of the State Emergency Service, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced on his Telegram channel on Aug. 25. Kruks Deputy Director Volodymyr Demchuk will take over his duties. Read also: Shmyhal confirms dismissal of Shkarlet and Ryabikin, announces their replacements in cabinet reshuffle An internal review within the State Emergency Service concluded and further personnel decisions will be determined based on its findings, Klymenko stated. Several officials of the State Emergency Service were investigated by the State Bureau of Investigations in August. The Bureau believes that due to their actions, Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi and other members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs perished in a plane accident on Jan. 18. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Rumours can weaken Ukraines focus on victory, Zelenskyy tells MPs as scandals prompt dismissals The government dismissed Mykola Chechotkin from the position of State Emergency Service head on Nov. 10, 2021, a role he had held since 2015, Prior to his appointment, Serhiy Kruk had been the chief of the State Emergency Service in Rivne Oblast in western Ukraine. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian forces shelled the village of Podoly in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast at around 6:30 a.m. local time, injuring and hospitalizing a 59-year-old civilian man, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Aug. 25. The shelling also damaged a residence and caused a fire in the village of Petropavlivka in the Kupiansk district. According to Syniehubov, Russian forces launched multiple strikes on residential areas in the Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv, Chuhuiv, Izium, and Kupiansk districts in the oblast over the past 24 hours. The village of Yurchenkove in the Chuhuiv district was shelled from multiple rocket launchers, damaging three houses, power lines, a shop building, and destroying a private car. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Shelling in Vovchansk in the Chuhuiv district, damaged a civilian enterprise building and three houses, causing a fire. No casualties were reported. Due to its close proximity to the Russian border, Kharkiv Oblast is subjected to near-daily attacks. Read also: Ukrainian soldiers on Independence Day: We, our families, future still in danger Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An Illinois family is remembering their son, an FGCU student who drowned at a lake Wednesday while boating with friends, as a kind, old soul whose personality, smile and laugh were infectious. During a Thursday morning press conference, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno had identified the late student as Graham McGrath, 19. Graham McGrath, whose family lives in Kankakee, Illinois, died roughly one week before his 20th birthday. Kankakee is about an hour south of Chicago. "Graham (Grahamy as I called him) was a kind, old soul at the ripe age of 19," his father, Timothy McGrath, wrote in a statement. McGrath said his son could make anyone smile, adding that he was confident, smart and sensitive. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "He could and would talk to anyone about anything. He had a special, beautiful way of engaging people and asking them questions about themselves," McGrath wrote. "He was full of life, exciting and fun to be around, and someone his friends and family could always count on to be there without exception and under any circumstances. To know him was to love him." A leader among his family, father says Timothy McGrath said his son was "extremely family oriented and focused." "He was the proudest uncle and godfather of his 2-year-old nephew, Pierce," Timothy McGrath wrote. "He loved him dearly." Graham McGrath was the third of four siblings, his father said. "He was the glue between them keeping in frequent contact, often being the mediator and coordinator of communication and activity," Timothy McGrath wrote. "It was nearly a guarantee that either myself or my wife (or both of us) would hear from him at least once a day." Graham McGrath would call, text and share songs that he liked or resonated with him, Timothy McGrath said in the statement. "Graham treasured his friendships, young and old," Timothy McGrath wrote. "If you were in his circle, you knew it. He cared deeply about his friendships." Graham McGrath was pursuing his passion at FGCU Pamela McCabe, spokesperson for the university, said Graham McGrath was a sophomore. Timothy McGrath said his son was in FGCU's construction management program, pursuing his passion for construction. "He was a summer intern for a major commercial construction company for the last two summers and was extremely excited about his future in the industry," Timothy McGrath wrote. "He had big dreams and goals and I have absolutely zero doubt he was going to achieve them all and then some." Graham McGrath 'loved by all,' fraternity brothers say The Lambda Xi chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha took to Instagram, where they shared their condolences for Graham McGrath, who they said was "was loved by all" in the fraternity. A memorial for 19-year-old Graham McGrath is set up at Lake Como in Fort Myers on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Authorities recovered McGraths body from the lake Thursday morning after an approximately 16-hour search. "Graham had a kind soul as his smile was able to be seen by all," the fraternity wrote. "His ambitious character and his gravitating personality was able to show what it means to be a true PIKE." The university's president, Aysegul Timur, wrote the "entire FGCU community is devastated by the loss" of Graham McGrath. "Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to Graham's family, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, his friends and all members of our Eagle community as we cope with this unfortunate tragedy," Timur wrote. A photo of McGrath singing karaoke sits at a memorial for him at Lake Como in Fort Myers on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Timur and Marceno had been in "constant contact" throughout the search efforts, she wrote. Marceno confirmed Thursday that searchers found Graham McGrath's body around 11 a.m., some 16 hours after he went missing. A call alerted them around 7 p.m. Wednesday. Detectives continue to interview the other 13 people from the boat. Marceno said the boat is a wake boat designed to go slow, but create a wake of 4 to 5 feet. Authorities said Graham McGrath fell overboard. They said his body didn't show any signs of trauma. Lake Como, where the incident happened, is shared by the university and the nearby Miromar Lakes living community. McCabe said FGCU has restrictions for the use of their Waterfront area, which is not intended for public use. She said it consists of a designated swimming and sunbathing area for students, who may check out boats with their student IDs. The swimming area is only open for use when lifeguards are present, she added. McCabe said the university doesn't believe Graham McGrath was with other fraternity members when the incident happened. Students and friends dropped off flowers and mementos in Graham McGrath's honor at the Lake Como beach. "Grahamy was such a special, caring, young man and son," Timothy McGrath wrote. "We are in shock and disbelief. The largest holes have been left in our hearts. We will miss him dearly and will always treasure our memories together." Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Illinois family mourns FGCU student who died in Fort Myers lake Great Falls city officials listen intently as local juvenile crime and addiction specialists speak about the rise of violence and addiction among young people in Great Falls. From left to rignt are City Manager Greg Doyon, Police Chief Jeff Newton, Fire Chief Jeremy Jones and City Attorney David Dennis. With 10 weeks to go before the Public Safety Levy election, city officials gathered for a second time for a panel discussion to describe current conditions within Great Falls police, fire and legal departments, and to explain why the city is asking voters to approve a $10.7 million property tax increase on Nov. 7. The levy would add roughly $280 annually to the property tax bill on a $200,000 home. Wednesday nights meeting at Marshall Family Hall in the Alliance for Youth building was similar in some respects to a larger public meeting held at the Mansfield Theater last June, where city officials reminded the public that Great Falls voters have not approved an increase in funding for public safety services in 54 years. Since then the citys population has remained fairly stable, but Great Falls geographic footprint has expanded from 18 square miles, its size in 1969, to more than 26 today a 44% increase and fire and emergency medical calls have increased by 700%. This Public Safety Levy question has been in the making for over 20 years, City Manager Greg Doyon said. It has been the primary topic for every budget that Ive done for the city of Great Falls. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While the message at Wednesdays panel discussion was similar, its focus changed. Hosted by Great Falls/Cascade County Crimestoppers, the Aug. 23 meeting was more specifically focused on how the increase in crime and substance abuse is impacting the city's youth. In addition to various Great Falls department heads, the panel this time included law enforcement officers and social service providers who work directly with young people on a daily basis. Our assaults with a weapon have just about tripled in the last five years, said Shanna Bulik-Chism, who serves as warden for the Cascade County Juvenile Detention Center. Out of the 183 youth from Cascade County that we held last year we had 36 that were charged with assault with a weapon. That doesnt include partner/family member assaults with a weapon, that doesnt include aggravated assaults, that doesnt include the sexual assaults. Its crazy to see the crimes that are happening now compared to when I first started, she added. At one point about four months ago I had five youths in the Juvenile Detention Center for homicide. Id like to say that were seeing improvement, but ever since COVID were seeing our court systems backed up and were still paying the price for that. Shanna Balik-Chism, warden of the Cascade County Juvenile Detention Center, speaks about the rise in violent crime among central Montana youth. The Cascade County Juvenile Detention Center is a 24-bed, long-term facility that provides a safe, secure environment for criminally charged youth, ages 10 to 18 years old. Detention services are primarily provided to the North Central Region. According to information provided by Bulik-Chism, the Juvenile Detention Center housed 26 Cascade County youth between the ages of 10 and 18 last year who were convicted of having physically assaulted either an adult caregiver or a sibling. Not only are we seeing more partner/family member assaults, were seeing repeated PFMAs where youth are chasing parents with machetes, knives, all sorts of weapons. And officers are not just coming in once, theyre coming in three and four times. Thats scary, Bulik-Chism said. Bulik-Chism said that the increase in youth crime is closely linked to drug use. Not only are more of the countys young people using drugs and alcohol, the types of drugs they are using are becoming more potent and addictive. "We urinalysis test every youth that comes into our building and about 89% of our youth that come in are either under the influence or test positive for some sort of alcohol or drug, she said. We used to test for five substances, we now test for 14. We have youth who are testing positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, barbiturates you name it and theyre coming in positive for it. Not only are more local young people engaging in criminal activities, more are also being exposed to and becoming victims of them, said Sgt. Katie Cunningham, who heads both the Great Falls Police Departments Special Victims Unit and the departments School Resource Officer (SRO) program. As far as the Special Victims Unit goes, we investigate all child deaths, child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, malnourishment, all that kind of thing, Cunningham said. One of the biggest pushes weve had recently is our drug endangered children. A lot of people probably dont even know what that is. A drug-endangered child is a child who has been exposed to drugs because of their caregivers misuse, she explained. They know they use drugs. They make that choice, but they have no idea theyre exposing their kids to it because they think if I go smoke it in the garage its not going to get on me, its not going to get on my child. We have kids testing positive for fentanyl. I cant believe we havent had a child die yet. GFPD Sgt. Katie Cunningham speaks about the shortage of resources to address a rise in juvenile crime and sexual assaults in Great Falls. Sex crimes against children are also on the rise. Cunningham said that since joining the Special Victims Unit shes seen a significant increase in this category of offense. When I was an investigator, I had about 100 cases a year, she explained. We had three investigators at the time, so we had about 300 cases a year between the three of us. Just in the last 24 hours Ive assigned three cases to one investigator. Weve got to do what we can to keep kids safe, but I worry that the wheels are going to fall off because theyve already kind of started to. The volume of sexual assaults against child in Great Falls has now reached the point that SVU investigators are being forced to make hard choice on which cases to investigate. We have to decide which child sex crimes we investigate, and I cant begin to tell you how difficult that is, Cunningham said. To get these referrals across my desk and say, 'Im sorry, I believe that you were abused, probably by your own caregiver or parent, but I cant do anything to help you because you are no longer in danger.' Its heart-wrenching. Staffing woes The disturbing increase in crimes committed both by and against young people in Great Falls is occurring before the backdrop of a police department that falls short of staffing standards. In 2009, the Great Falls Police Department asked the citys taxpayers to approve a levy request that would have added 17 new employees to its roster. That proposal failed overwhelmingly, with 60% of voters rejecting the request. Great Falls Police Chief Jeff Newton said the law enforcement staffing standard across the United States is to have a minimum of 1.8 sworn officers per 1,000 citizens in the community. By that standard, Great Falls, with a population of slightly more 60,000, should have a minimum of 109 officers. The GFPD is currently budgeted for 92, but 10 of those positions remain unfilled due in large part because the workload for police officers in Great Falls is so demanding. During 2022, because of short staffing, we had a combined total of 13,531 hours of overtime work to backfill the shortage, Newton said. If you equate that to 2,080 active-duty hours per officer per year, thats six and a half officers. Great Falls Fire Chief Jeremy Jones (right) drives home a point during Wednesday's Public Safety Levy panel discussion. Seated to the left of Jones are Police Chief Jeff Newton and City Manager Greg Doyon. The shortage of police officers means that the Great Falls Police Department must consistently prioritize calls for service. On average, the GFPD receives 140 to 150 calls requesting a response each day, or about one every 10 minutes. Newton emphasized that the department will eventually respond to every call it receives, but it may take hours to respond to a non-injury vehicle collision and days to respond to a low-level property crime. Weve become reactive and not proactive, Newton said. Were having to prioritize our calls for service not only in the street but also in our investigations bureau, which means we can only investigate the worst crimes that come in and sometimes the property crimes have to get pushed down. Our SVU detectives are having to prioritize those crimes as well, he added. Theyre all heinous, especially when they involve children, but theyre being forced to look at the worst of the worst, focus on those and get to the others when they can. That is the reality of where were at in our capacity to provide service to the community. The same staffing dilemma extends to Great Falls schools, where four SROs are all thats available to provide service to the 11,000 students and staff at the citys 25 schools. On a daily basis our school resource officers get no break, Cunningham said. They work from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 in the afternoon and they dont take a lunch break, they dont to schedule doctors appointments, they dont get to go to school kids programs, they don't get to do those things. Theres literally no time. Theyll be sitting in an office talking with a student who had a (vaping device), and all of a sudden, theyre getting an emergency phone call from an elementary school because theres a child standing on a desk throwing things and they need law enforcement intervention, she continued. This is a daily occurrence." The overall wear and tear on these SROs; how long can they take this? Cunningham asked. The hardest part for me is seeing the wear on them every single day. Line item break down of Fire Department and Police Department operational requests from the proposed Public Safety mill levy request The severity of violence SROs encounter at the citys schools is also mounting. Statistics from the Cascade County Juvenile Detention Center show that in the past year, 10 youths were charged with assault on a police officer, 14 with resisting arrest and 35 with obstructing a police officer. This last year was just outrageous, Cunningham said. I cant even begin to tell you how violent kids have gotten with the school resource officers; how violent the schools have gotten. Its taken a long toll on our officers. We definitely need a couple more SROs. If passed by voters, the Public Safety Levy would allow for that addition of 22 sworn police officers, plus three additional support staff and equipment to the Great Falls Police Department. Judiciary impacted as well While felony offenses are all prosecuted at the district court level, the backlog of cases is also having a dramatic impact on the Great Falls Municipal Court. City Attorney David Dennis said the municipal courts three prosecutors and three support staff process a little over 10,000 citations a year. The majority of these are settled out of court, but a significant number of alleged offenders do opt to go to trial. If you specifically look at misdemeanor criminal prosecutions, we prosecute just over 4,000 misdemeanor criminal cases a year, about 50 more that the Billings City Attorneys Office prosecutes with half the number of prosecutors, Dennis said. In our office each prosecutor is handling about 1,400 criminal cases a year, in addition to all the traffic citations and the other cases theyre handling. In Great Falls, trial day in the municipal court is each Wednesday. Dennis said each prosecutor typically handles 13 to 14 trials bench trials each week. The heavy load means that prosecutors frequently have little time to speak with victims or witnesses and may not of had an opportunity thoroughly examine case files. The witnesses get called up, and Im thinking through my direct examination on-the-fly, he said of a typical day in municipal court. If theres a defense council, Im thinking about my cross examination on-the-fly. Thats how it works for our office when were trying cases. Thats just not how it should work. The prosecutors come in with bags under their eyes, observed Municipal Court Judge Steve Bolstad. They are tired out and Im sitting there yelling at them because maybe they didnt get a hold of something. Its a very difficult position. The police are also under great strain, he added. Theyre shorthanded and sometimes they come in not ready for a trial because theyve been out the night before on some incident that kept them busy. Then they have to come into my court in the morning. Ten community leaders formed the panel in attendance at Wednesday's Public Safety Levy discussion The Great Falls Municipal Court is struggling with its own staffing shortage. Currently the court does not employ either a jury clerk or a compliance officer, a situation that has made it more difficult to seat a jury and to ensure that those convicted of an offense pay their fines or restitution to their victims. Prior to COVID we started seeing an increase in mistrials because we could not seat a jury, Bolstad said. If we go past 180 days and the defendant hasnt continued, it becomes a speedy trial problem. The case is dismissed. We were calling 30 (potential jurors) for every trial setting and we generally got anywhere from two to 12 to show up, he explained. In order to increase the odds, we started pulling 50 (potential jurors). Now we get maybe 20, and we can seat a jury with 20 people. My clerks do the best they can, Bolstad continued. They try to contact jurors the night before, make sure their addresses are correct and make sure they are going to show up, but it is still lacking. We have a lot of people who do not want show up for a jury trial and sit in a jury for a day. Line item break down of operational requests from the Great Falls Municipal Court and City Attorney's Office for the proposed Public Safety mill levy The primary job of a compliance officer is to follow up on defendants convicted of an offense and to make sure they comply with the courts order, but they have other responsibilities as well. They also reach out to many of the mental health cases that we have, Bolstad explained Many of these people just need somebody to help them get through the programs. What does that mean for Great Falls? Hopefully, fewer people downtown that are just lingering and being swept aside or dying on our sidewalks. If passed by voters, the Great Falls Public Safety Levy would add a fifth prosecutor to the City Attorneys Office, plus a jury clerk, a compliance officer and various support staff and equipment for both the Municipal Court and City Attorneys Office. Bolstad, who spent his childhood in Great Falls, harkened back to 1969, which was the last time Public Safety Levy passed in Great Falls. At the time, Great Falls was booming economically, whereas Butte was facing the collapse of its mining industry. At the time, the Anaconda company was still going, Boeing was out at Malmstrom Air Force Base and we had a lot of things going on for us, he recalled. We had a superb police force, and we had a superb fire department. However, the people of Butte were going through a hard time and there was a lot of crime. I love Butte, I love the people of Butte. They are resilient, but I fear thats what we may become, Bolstad said. This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls levy to address crisis in youth crime, addition Greece is set to end its contract with Russia for maintaining Tor-M1 and Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems and is reportedly looking to transfer these systems to Ukraine through intermediary countries, Pronews.gr reported on August 25. In a leaked classified document from the Greek parliament, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias noted that there won't be any new contracts for the procurement of spare parts or the upkeep of short-range air defense systems. Read also: Zelenskyy calls on Greece to help with Black Sea security This development signifies a countdown towards their eventual obsolescence, as available spare parts are projected to last just a few months. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement President Zelensky has urged Greece to transfer these air defense systems to Ukraine and to ensure the safeguarding of Black Sea waters. The contract for the continued support of these systems in the upcoming years was valued at over 102 million euros. Read also: Greece announces support for Ukraine's NATO membership Greece entire stockpile of the systems include 21 Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems and 38 Osa-AKM systems, Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Greek authorities have arrested dozens of people on arson-related charges as deadly wildfires the largest ever recorded in the European Union rage across the country. Wildfires in Mount Parnitha, north of the Greek capital Athens, are still out of control Friday, with more forest destroyed overnight. The biggest fire front line in Greece remains near the northeastern town of Alexandroupolis, in the Evros region. The burned body of a man was found on a rural road near Dadia national park, near the border with Turkey, state media AMNA reported Friday. Earlier this week, 18 people were found dead near a village in northern Greece. The fire brigade said Tuesday they may have been migrants. Another person was killed in a fire northwest of the capital Athens on Monday. Destroyed corral where eighteen bodies were found following a wildfire near the village of Avantas. - Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters Greek police have made 79 arson related arrests, Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis told public broadcaster EPT Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement What is happening is not just impermissible, but obscene and criminal, Greek Climate Crisis Minister Vassilis Kikilias said in a statement. You are committing a crime against the country. You will not be spared. We will find you and you will be held accountable in Justice, Kikilas added. With more than 73,000 hectares burned, the fires in Alexandroupolis are officially the largest wildfires ever recorded in the European Union, according to EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic. Wildfires have intensified around the globe, providing a stark reminder of how the climate crisis is upending lives and inflicting billions of dollars a year in damage. While wildfires are often ignited by lightning strikes or human activity, they are becoming more frequent because of human-caused climate change. Scientists found, for instance, that climate change made the extreme weather conditions that fueled the 2019-2020 destructive fire seasons in Australia 30% more likely to occur. We must continue strengthening national and collective prevention and preparedness efforts in view of more brutal fire seasons, Lenarcic said Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Across Greece, wildfires have burned through 1.3 billion square meters (130,000 hectares) so far, an EU record, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. On Friday, CNN witnessed helicopters coming every couple of minutes, dropping up to 11 tons of water on to the wildfires. Officials also told CNNs team in Parnitha that helicopters had to stop working overnight, which made containing the fires more difficult. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A tropical system has taken shape and is tracking into the Gulf of Mexico, and AccuWeather meteorologists warn it could evolve into a hurricane as it continues on a path toward Florida. Tropical Depression Ten formed on Saturday afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 30 miles per hour. By early Sunday morning, winds had increased to 35 mph. Once winds reach or exceed 39 mph, it will become a named tropical storm. The next name on the list of tropical storms for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is Idalia. The newly formed system is expected to continue strengthening through Sunday and into the start of the new week before it eventually makes landfall in the United States. Strengthening to a tropical storm is likely prior to the end of the weekend. A satellite image of Tropical Depression Ten on Sunday morning. (AccuWeather/RealVue Enhanced) AccuWeather meteorologists were monitoring a broad area of low pressure near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula since late last week, the feature that eventually became better organized and strengthened into Tropical Depression Ten. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement One factor that limited development on Friday was an abundance of wind shear, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said. Wind shear is a strong breeze from one direction or changing directions that can often have a negative impact on tropical systems. As the wind shear lessened, it opened the door for the system to strengthen into an organized tropical system. "Rapid development and strengthening could take place in the eastern Gulf of Mexico where the feature transitions from a tropical depression to a Category 1 hurricane in the span of 24 hours," Douty warned. A tropical depression has a defined circulation with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. A tropical storm is much better organized and has maximum winds ranging from 39-73 mph. A Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale has sustained winds of 74-95 mph. Water temperatures are quite high in the eastern Gulf and generally range from the middle 80s to near 90 degrees Fahrenheit. AccuWeather noted early on during the hurricane season that any tropical system that ventures into these waters has a significant chance of strengthening rapidly. Interests in the area from southeastern Mexico and western Cuba to the U.S. north-central and eastern Gulf coast should closely monitor the progress of the strength and track of this tropical system. Into Monday, clusters of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms will slowly consolidate and could pose dangers from flash flooding and damaging winds from parts of southeastern Mexico to western Cuba. Similarly heavy squalls that develop over the nearby waters may be a risk to small craft. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP To raise public awareness of this near-coast tropical threat, AccuWeather meteorologists began to refer to the system as a tropical rainstorm and initiated a track map as of Friday afternoon, 24 hours before the tropical depression formed. At this early stage, the tropical depression could track anywhere from Naples, Florida, to Mobile, Alabama. Conditions are likely to deteriorate over the eastern Gulf of Mexico from the Florida Keys to much of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula and northward to part of the coastline of the Florida Panhandle from Monday to Tuesday night. How significant winds, wave action and storm surge get as well as where the heaviest rains evolve will depend on the track and intensity of the tropical system. A weaker system will tend to be more sprawled out and may affect a broad area with localized flash flooding in Florida. A quickly strengthening system is likely to be more compact with an area of damaging winds, storm surge and flooding rain in part of the Florida Peninsula and part of the Florida mainland from Tuesday to Wednesday. At this time, people along the Gulf Coast of Florida to the Alabama Panhandle should review their preparation with the chance of a landfalling tropical system from Tuesday night to early Wednesday. However, rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds and building seas will likely precede the arrival of the tropical system by 12 hours or more. Enough rain may fall, perhaps several inches or more, to lead to areas of inland flooding in low-lying areas beginning as early as Tuesday in central and northern Florida, according to AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist Eddie Walker. "Tropical-storm-force winds with gusts ranging from 40-60 mph are likely in much of northern and central Florida with stronger gusts of 60-80 mph along part of the central and northern Florida Gulf coast," Walker said. "These conditions could shift westward or southward and could be worse, depending on the intensity and track of the tropical system from Tuesday to Wednesday." Travel conditions are likely to deteriorate with the potential for significant airline delays with flights coming into and departing central and northern Florida from Tuesday to Wednesday. Steering breezes are likely to carry the system northeastward perhaps along the southern Atlantic coast from Wednesday night to Thursday. Should the system emerge over warm Gulf Stream Atlantic waters along the southeastern coast of the U.S. by Thursday, re-organization and further strengthening is possible. However, should the system remain over land, a gradual loss of wind intensity would occur and drenching rain may initiate flooding over the southeastern U.S. mainland. Simultaneously, a weather front will stall over the mainland of the Southeast from Monday to Wednesday. Localized flooding downpours and gusty thunderstorms are likely to occur well away from the track of the tropical system from the panhandles of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to Georgia and the Carolinas. Airline delays and slow travel on the highways in this zone are likely. 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. A mourner left flowers Thursday in remembrance of those killed the previous night at Cook's Corner, a landmark biker bar in Trabuco Canyon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Marie Snowling was among the regulars at Cook's Corner, a popular bar and restaurant on Santiago Canyon Road in Trabuco Canyon. She especially liked to go on Spaghetti Night, when the roadside pub offered all-you-can-eat pasta for $8. On Wednesday, her neighbor Mary Talian knew Snowling was out. She looked out the window of her mobile home in Orange all night as she waited for Snowling to come home. Talian would learn later that Snowling had been taken to the hospital, the victim of a mass shooting at Cook's Corner. John Snowling, Marie's estranged husband and a former Ventura police officer, entered the bar and immediately opened fire on her, authorities said. She was struck once, but survived, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said. He did not say anything to his wife before he shot her, Barnes said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read more: Cook's Corner patrons stunned by mass shooting: 'Its a tragedy' James Goldsmith, 68, who lived two doors down from the Snowlings in Camarillo for more than two decades, said that Marie Snowling had separated from her husband a few years ago and moved out to live with her ailing mother in Orange County. Goldsmith said he knew the former couple was going through "marital issues" but never heard any shouting or saw the police come by because of domestic disputes. Snowling wanted to go out more and complained that all her husband wanted to do was stay at home, he said. John was always kind of a standoffish kind of person, Goldsmith said. He wasnt the most personable guy not that I can say that there was anything really negative. He wasnt the type of neighbor that youd get the warm fuzzies from. On the other hand, Marie was an "absolute sweetheart" and a "really nice person," Goldsmith said. She was the more social of the two, he said, and he would often see her walking her dog outside. When Goldsmith's son was younger, he played with the Snowlings' son. Court documents show Snowling separated from her husband in 2020. She moved to Orange County to take care of her mother, who was in hospice. After her mother died, she moved into the small mobile home park in Orange, where she often checked in on Talian and picked up groceries for her. Snowling took over as manager at the park in the last several months, Talians daughter, Carol Franke, said. The job was a perfect fit, Franke said, because Snowling is a consummate professional and also a people person. The first words out of her mouth are always, How are you? or How are the kids? She never talked about herself, Franke said. Marie celebrated other peoples wins. Thats just who she is. Another neighbor, Denise Craft, agreed that Snowling was a personable neighbor. She knew about the divorce and said Snowling's estranged husband had taken their dog. She said Snowling invited her to Cooks Corner on several occasions. We talked about going sometime, said Craft, who has lived in the Orange neighborhood for the last 20 years. We just hadnt gotten around to it. Read more: Orange County mass shooter identified as ex-cop targeting estranged wife, sources say Talian said Snowling always took her calls. "She never would not call me back, she said. Even if she was out at Cooks Corner, she would step out from the music and talk to me. Thats how I knew that something was wrong last night when she didnt call back." Snowling was among nine people injured in the gunfire Wednesday night at Cook's Corner, an Orange County biker bar at the juncture of El Toro, Santiago Canyon and Live Oak Canyon roads that doubles as a family-friendly dining spot. By the time the attack was over, four people including the gunman were dead. Besides Snowling, five others were wounded and taken to area hospitals. An attorney who represented Snowling in divorce proceedings, Kenneth Henjum, said her family was reeling and asked for privacy. "We are awaiting further information from the medical professionals regarding Maries current condition," he said in a statement. Read more: What we know about Cook's Corner mass shooter John Snowling Snowling filed for divorce in December, citing "irreconcilable differences," records show. She had been married to her husband for nearly 32 years. Tristan Tegroen, who represented John Snowling in the divorce, said he didn't get the sense any one issue had prompted the split. The two simply felt their marriage had run its course, he said. John was living in Ohio and she was here, and they were living apart." Their divorce case was "low-key," Tegroen said, bereft of any signs of rancor or ill will. Marie Snowling did not seek a restraining order against her husband or raise accusations of abuse. "If you look at the filing, there was no rush to grab money from the guy, he said. A lot of times, theyll try to get temporary alimony. There was none of that. Tegroen declined to specify which assets were at issue in the case but said they included John Snowlings police pension and real estate. He described John Snowling as composed, good memory, detailed. I think with his background, it made sense he had those attributes. Honestly, this came as a horrible shock to me, Tegroen said. There was nothing on the radar to suggest he might do this. Read more: Why so many mass killings? Families and experts seek answers Talian said the neighborhood is still reeling from news of the shooting and is eager for Snowling to return home. She started a new life here and just got her home painted, she said. She was excited about that. Times staff writers Hannah Fry and Richard Winton contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The sixth Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo will feature Turkmenistan as the event's guest of honor, according to a Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) press conference on Thursday. The expo is hosted by the MCT, the National Radio and Television Administration, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the provincial government of Gansu. This year, it will run from Sept. 6 to 7 in Dunhuang, Gansu. Turkmenistan's national museum will play a leading role in organizing exhibition events for the guest of honor country's culture, art and merchandise, MCT official Peng Yubin said. Over 1,200 domestic and overseas guests have been invited to the opening ceremony, and the expo will feature forums, exhibitions and performances, said He Xiaozu, head of Gansu's provincial department of culture and tourism. Economic cooperation fairs and seminars on the radio and television sector will also be held during the event, according to the press conference. After a year and a half break, H&M is ready to resume work in Ukraine H&M is set to reopen its outlets in Ukraine. Swedish clothing retailer H&M Group plans to reopen most of its Ukrainian outlets in November, according to an official press release. Read also: Over 2,000 companies wait for approval to exit Russian market KSE The company is already preparing for the reopening of most H&M stores, wherever feasible. Further details regarding specific store reopening schedule will be announced at a later date. Read also: Ukraines central bank improves economic growth forecast for 2023 "After extensive discussions with global and local stakeholders, we are ready to begin the process of reopening most of our stores," said Memet Arisoy, Regional Manager East Europe at H&M. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The retailer temporarily closed all stores in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The company has been in constant dialogue with its Ukrainian colleagues and has continued to pay salaries. H&M also provided temporary employment opportunities for colleagues who were forced to leave for neighboring countries. Earlier, it was reported that H&M decided to exit its business from Belarus. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Watch John Kings full report on reaction to the debate on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360 at 8 p.m. ET. Betsy Sarcone is nowhere near done looking for a presidential candidate, but the first Republican primary debate did reorder her shopping list some. My personal favorite was Nikki Haley, Sarcone told CNN of the former South Carolina governor after watching Wednesdays debate at her Urbandale home in the Des Moines suburbs. She had a lot of commentary on different topics where I said, Wow, I agreed with everything she said right there. Chris Mudd, who owns a solar energy company in Cedar Falls, is still enthusiastically for the candidate who skipped the debate: front-runner Donald Trump . ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But of those on stage, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy stood out to Mudd. Im for the USA, Mudd said in a text message moments after the debate in Milwaukee wrapped up. Trump represents that best in my opinion. Vivek sounds great. Sarcone and Mudd are part of a group of Iowa voters CNN is tracking as part of a voter-focused 2024 reporting project, beginning in Iowa because it votes first in the GOP nominating contest, and then expanding as the campaign unfolds over the next 14 months. The goal is to watch the presidential race through the voters eyes and life experiences, and see what, if anything, leads them to change their voting preferences or, at this early stage in the nominating process, at least how they stack their favorites. Betsy Sarcone, right, watches the GOP debate with her parents Russ and Susan Sanders. - Allie Malloy/CNN To be clear, this is anecdotal reporting and should not be considered a scientific sampling of public opinion. But it is helpful, and at times telling, to track how voters from different slices of the Republican electorate view the same event. To that end, these were the two biggest takeaways from our group: Haley made a strong impression, and Ramaswamy stirs an undercard version of the Trump GOP divide. Haley first. As the only woman in the GOP field, there is potential opportunity for her in the fast-growing Des Moines suburbs, where Trump is weakest and where many moms like Sarcone talk openly of trying to wrest the Republican Party back from him. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis topped Sarcones list when we first visited earlier this month. He is still very much on that list. But after watching the debate with her parents, Sarcone had this to say when they both said Ramaswamy was too aggressive and would have trouble winning swing voters. So you want a DeSantis-Haley ticket? Sarcone interjected. Then, quickly, this: Haley-DeSantis. Maybe Haley-DeSantis. She wasnt afraid to go toe to toe with them, Sarcone said. But she also came across as not nasty, but knowledgeable. Theres a difference. Priscilla Forsyth, a Sioux City attorney, caucused for Trump in 2016 and voted for him in the 2016 and 2020 general elections. But she wants a new candidate and said of the debate: Nikki Haley really helped herself. Forsyth said it was honest for Haley to say there are not enough votes in Congress to pass a national abortion ban, and she liked her tone. She was also the one who said Get control of this debate and that needed to happen. Chris Mudd supports Trump. - Jeremy Moorhead/CNN Even Trump supporter Mudd took notice of Haley, who served as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations. This is Mudd earlier this month: Im not a big Nikki Haley fan. Ive just never really connected to her. I dont know why. This is Mudd, still for Trump, after the debate: Nikki Haley made good use of her time. The Ramaswamy divide With Trump boycotting, it was Ramaswamy who consistently pleased the debate hall crowd with praise of the former president and embrace of most of his MAGA positions and grievances. Mudd loved it. Trump was a great president like Vivek said tonight, he texted. Forsyth, though, saw enough to cross Ramaswamy off her list. A big change. This was Forsyth in our initial interview a few weeks ago, after attending a Ramaswamy event: I was extremely impressed with Ramaswamy. I really got the feeling hes brilliant. Hes got energy. Hes young. I really liked him. But she had a different take after the debate: He just isnt grown up enough to be president. Hes trying to be Trump, but he just isnt. His inexperience showed. Priscilla Forsyth wants a new candidate but wasn't impressed by Ramaswamy's debate performance. - Jeremy Moorhead/CNN Sarcone and her parents had the same negative reaction to Ramaswamys debate performance. Her mother, Susan, used the term abrasive a turnoff in the suburbs but perhaps not across the GOP in the era of Trump. Some Trump people may have found that attractive about Ramaswamy, right? Betsy Sarcone said. So he might pull some of that crowd. Who knows. Still looking for a consensus alternative to Trump One last takeaway that benefits Trump: different opinions, for now, among the suburban mothers in our group who hope that one consensus Trump alternative emerges before Iowa kicks off the voting in January. Jaclyn Taylor manages construction projects. Earlier this month she was souring on DeSantis because of a little stir around him. But the debate put the Florida governor back atop her list. DeSantis has been elevated to me, Taylor said. He was concise in his answers and he wasnt reactive to the people around him. Jaclyn Taylor is interested in DeSantis. - Jeremy Moorhead/CNN Taylor said she lost interest in South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott watching the debate, and would keep Haley as a possibility but scored her a little weak on her top issue, the economy. Sarcone is the flipside of the suburban split. She put DeSantis first in our initial meeting. Now Haley has that spot. That benefits Trump, whose lead in Iowa and nationally in primary polling is beyond formidable. But both Sarcone and Taylor stressed they were not locked in. And Sarcone made clear getting rid of Trump is her top priority and so things could change. Can she win, right? Sarcone said of Haley. So thats my main question. She personally would be my favorite candidate right now. But DeSantis, at this point, looks more viable. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (Bloomberg) -- The fate of the Wagner Group, the mercenary company behind Vladimir Putin s murkiest operations from Africa to Ukraine, is in doubt after Russian authorities said that its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin , was on a private jet that crashed, killing all aboard. Most Read from Bloomberg The crash over Russian territory occurred exactly two months after Prigozhin led his fighters on an abortive mutiny that posed the greatest threat to Putins near quarter-century rule. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Heres what you need to know about Wagner and its role since the mutiny. What is the Wagner Group? Founded by Prigozhin in 2014, Wagner is a private military company that supported Kremlin objectives on battlefields in Ukraine, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa, where its been accused of committing human rights abuses. At its peak, Wagner had about 50,000 mercenary recruits many of them ex-inmates recruited directly from prison fighting in Ukraine. The US designated the group as a transnational criminal organization earlier this year, and Wagner has been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK and the European Union. Wagner has a murky legal status, and mercenaries are technically illegal in Russia. The group operates independently of the nations official armed forces, and had recently sought to rebuff Moscows demands that its recruits sign formal contracts with the military. The issue was a driving force behind the mutiny, which was directed at Russias military leaders rather than Putin himself. The group is also linked to lucrative oil, gold and other businesses in some countries where it operates outside Russia. Whats happened to Wagner since the mutiny? The Wagner fighters that came within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of the Kremlin and killed at least 13 Russian pilots on their march avoided punishment under a deal that saw them dramatically turn back. Some, including Prigozhin himself, then relocated to neighboring Belarus, whose leader helped broker the deal to end the mutiny. It wasnt clear how many took up an offer to sign up with the Defense Ministrys forces. But Prigozhin popped up in Moscow within days of the failed mutiny, attending talks in the Kremlin with Putin in a shock to observers whod predicted the Wagner founders exile. In another apparent affront to Putins authority, Prigozhin was pictured mingling with African leaders at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg last month. The mercenary group was also allowed to keep most of its extensive and profitable operations in Africa, where it played a key role in extending the Kremlins influence on a shoestring, sometimes offering military services in return for access to mineral resources. What will happen to the Wagner Group now? Its unclear because some of Prigozhins top lieutenants were also on the plane, leaving a major void at the top of the organization. Those men include Dmitry Utkin, a former military intelligence officer who has been a key figure in Wagner since its founding in 2014 to support a Russian-backed insurgency in eastern Ukraine, which laid the groundwork for the current conflict. Valeriy Cherkaskov, who ran Wagners sprawling business operations in the Middle East and Africa, was also on board, authorities said. There have been indications that Wagners business empire might be taken over by other Russian groups or government agencies, but that hasnt been confirmed. What will this mean for Russias invasion of Ukraine? The impact on the conflict is likely to be muted because Wagner had lost or withdrawn most of its forces from Ukraine before the mutiny following months of bloody fighting around the city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian officials said only about 2,000-3,000 Wagner fighters remain in the country, down from a high of nearly 50,000. Its unclear if those will be absorbed into regular Russian forces. Where else are Wagner forces operating? The group has operatives in Syria, Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo and they appear to be staying put, at least for the moment. There were some indications that the Kremlin would seek to take over control of the units but those were never confirmed. The companys nominal independence from the government gave the Kremlin a fig leaf of deniability that was useful diplomatically. (Corrects spelling of Prigozhin in third section of story that was first published on Aug. 24) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A man who is charged with rape and burglary in 2019 in Bellingham was an emerging tribal youth leader in Alaska, the Bellingham Herald has learned. Shawaan Jackson-Gamble, 25, was arrested on Aug. 10 in King County on an outstanding warrant from Whatcom County. He is charged with second-degree rape and second-degree burglary. The rape charge alleges the female victim was incapable of consent because she was either physically helpless or mentally incapacitated at the time, according to court records He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Aug. 18. Jackson-Gamble was a student at Northwest Indian College in Bellingham from 2018-21, according to the school. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In 2019, the year the alleged crimes occurred in Bellingham, Jackson-Gamble was selected to be an emerging leader on the executive council for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes in Alaska, according to their website. The Bellingham Herald has reached out to the tribe for comment on Jackson-Gambles current criminal charges. In February 2023, Jackson-Gamble was selected to hold the first-ever Alaska Native Tribal Seat on the The North Pacific Fishery Management Council. According to the NPFMC, Jackson-Gamble resigned and no longer holds that seat. In January 2023, Jackson-Gamble was chosen as one of the Indigenous Stewardship Fellows by the First Alaskans Institute. His staff page was taken down so it is not clear whether he is still part of the organization. The Bellingham Herald has reached out to the First Alaskans Institute for comment. Jackson-Gamble was released from the Whatcom County Jail on a $6,000 cash bond on Aug. 10 and allowed to travel back to Alaska following his release while his case is pending, according to previous Bellingham Herald reporting. Background Court records show Jackson-Gamble was invited over to his female friends apartment in Bellingham. A woman who was staying over at the friends house told police that after the three spent the night drinking and playing board games, she went to bed alone and fully clothed. Jackson-Gamble also left the apartment and the door was locked by the female friend. In the early morning of Oct. 25, the woman allegedly woke up naked next to Jackson-Gamble. She told police she did not remember what happened and did not give consent. Jackson-Gamble then proceeded to sleep on the couch in the living room and later on, the apartments keys were found there after he was gone, court records show. The woman immediately reported to police what happened after going to the hospital for treatment. A warrant was issued for his arrest three years later in October 2022. According to court records, Jackson-Gamble does not have to appear for his Oct. 11 status hearing but will be required to be present throughout his jury trial, which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6. The status hearing is meant to determine the state of the case. Resources If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support: Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616. Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153. Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org. Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015. Tlils Taaaltha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips. WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/. If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement. To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM. Its a presidential portrait thats sure to go down in history. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office in Georgia publicly released a mug shot of former president Donald Trump, inmate no. P01135809, after he was booked at the facility Thursday evening on 13 felony counts stemming from his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in that state. Trump and 18 of his allies, who are also in the process of surrendering, were named in a 98-page indictment last week that outlines a long list of alleged crimes, including racketeering (under Georgia's RICO laws), conspiracy to commit forgery, filing of false documents and soliciting a violation of oath by a public officer. The Georgia indictment is Trumps fourth since leaving office in January 2021. Read more from Yahoo News: ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Why it matters: Even though its also Trumps fourth time being booked and processed on criminal charges, Thursday was the first time his mug shot was taken. It also came one day after the first 2024 Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, which he notably skipped. Prior to the indictment, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat indicated that, if charged, Trump would be subject to the regular booking process for criminal defendants, which includes fingerprinting and posing for mug shots. Thursday was also the first time Trump had to surrender at a jail. Following his three previous indictments, the former president was able to turn himself in at the time of his arraignments at federal courthouses in Miami and Washington, D.C., and at the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Whats next for the Georgia case: In a court filing Thursday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proposed a new trial date of October 23, 2023, after defendant Kenneth Chesebro asked for a speedy trial. Willis also proposed the week of Sept. 5 for all 19 defendants to appear for an arraignment, in a court filing last week. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office previously noted in a press release that the booking process is separate from an arraignment for criminal cases in Fulton County. In this case, some arraignments/appearances may be virtual as dictated by the presiding judge, the statement added. Read more on Yahoo News: Will the Georgia trial be televised? If Trump appears in person for the arraignment, this will be the first criminal hearing of Trumps in which TV cameras will be allowed inside the courtroom. Georgia law allows photography and live video inside the courtroom as long as it doesnt interfere with or disrupt the proceedings. The same rules are expected to apply when the trial gets underway though there may be exceptions. Clark Cunningham, a law professor at Georgia State University, predicted that certain testimony might not be televised because a witness is really risking their life, noting that there have already been death threats against others involved in the cases against Trump. I would think that they would want to keep the camera off the jury box the whole time, Cunningham said. Photographers were briefly allowed inside the Manhattan courtroom where the former president was arraigned in April. Trumps other two arraignments took place in federal courtrooms, where not even cellphones were allowed. Anyone who ever had any familiarity with the clergy understands just how busy we are on a daily basis with meetings after meetings. So the idea of bringing clergy together from different faith traditions into one room can feel like herding cats. I include myself in that mix of multi-tasking mania that seems to be part of the calling of hearing Gods message for us to serve. Yet, there are some unique moments when we can get them all together and one of those moments may have just arrived in Hilton Head. On August 29, at 7 pm the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina will play host to an interfaith celebration on behalf of the Town of Hilton Head. Our goal is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the town and in addition observe the 360th anniversary of the first sighting of Hilton Head. The town has invited faith community leaders to organize a service of thanksgiving for these blessed events. I am proud to share that we will have a wonderful selection of clergy and choirs presenting a unified message of thanksgiving for the blessings which God has bestowed upon us all by being able to live here as well as reflections about where we are going too. The fact that clergy and their musical partners will be presenting themselves sends a clear message that unity is possible. Maybe that will send a message to a broader constituency of community leaders that that kind of unity is desperately needed. In this case what is also beautiful is to see how town staff and the clergy have worked together in preparing for this special evening. Government and the faith community can work together without chipping away at the venerable wall of separation between church and state in American society. Over the past few years we have had a variety of meetings between our town leaders with faith community leaders. These meetings have been so important towards educating our faith leaders about the pressing issues going on in our community. At the same time our town leaders have benefited as well by realizing that faith community leaders are an important component of what makes Hilton Head unique and a great place to live. One of the things we will see at this event is the striking diversity that we have in our faith leaders. That includes gender, LGBTQ, religious diversity between different faith traditions and race. We probably have more women senior pastors today than ever before. And our faith leaders volunteer their time in the larger community just as they exude their congregants to do as well. We have quite a few faith leaders who serve as volunteer chaplains for both the Beaufort County Sheriffs Department and the Hilton Head Fire department. There are many other areas that clergy give of their time and energy beyond their own duties to their congregants to make Hilton Head the place where we are all proud to reside. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The overarching theme of the event of celebrating our history comes from Psalm 118:1 which says; O give thanks to the Eternal; for God is God; because Gods loving kindness endures forever. We are all grateful for the beauty of the land we live in and the ocean and sea life that we marvel at when we sail or fish or just gaze at the beauty of Gods creation. We also have a fascinating history and the fact that the religious community, especially the African American Community were amongst the first to establish churches deserves our respect. First African Baptist Church was founded in 1865 and St. James Baptist Church was established in 1886. One of the oldest buildings in Hilton Head is Queen Chapel African Methodist-Episcopal Church, located on Beach City Road (map) and founded in 1865 by missionaries. It served as a house of prayer for enslaved people on the Pope Plantation.We will acknowledge that history at this convocation of joy. It is all part of the spiritual heritage that the past has bequeathed to us as residents of our community. No matter how effective the pastor is at preaching a sermon the beauty of the service always comes down to the music. Whether it is a soloist or a choir, it is the music that turns the soul loose. It is the sounds of our friends in the congregation singing their hearts out that brings us back and solidifies that sacred community. Regular every day people enter the house of worship and put on a robe and led by the minister of music transform themselves to being messengers of God to elevate the worshippers closer to God in prayer and reflection. The music can make us smile and it can draw us to tears as well. Rest assured that our master of music, Lavon Stevens, will provide us with a spiritually uplifting experience. The clergy community has a social conscience too. True that we all have different viewpoints about God and about politics too. We have may have different positions on theology which overlap into modern day politics in the secular and or religious worlds. Yet we definitely have so much more in common in the work we do from performing lifecycle events, listening to the problems of our congregants, and working with the board of directors of our respective congregations. So we too can use this opportunity to see in each other that despite differences we have in our religious traditions we have all chosen the calling to serve God and our communities. The clergy are just as concerned about the moral and economic vitality of our community as anyone else. They are concerned about housing for the working families and feeding communities in dire need of assistance. They see like we do that not everyone lives like many of us do and are blessed with such resources. They have a conscience born out of their commitment from the biblical Prophets to the New Testament to care for those in need. Please join us for an inspiring evening to celebrate our past as we move forward into what I believe will be a bright and productive future. Link to the event page https://hiltonheadisland360-40.org/events/interfaith/ (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong has struggled to regain its appeal as a global retail paradise since the city reopened this year, underscoring the damage caused by years of isolation to its $360 billion economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Tourists arent coming in the same numbers as they did before protests in 2019 and pandemic restrictions in the following years made Hong Kong a no-go zone. Visitor arrivals in June were 42% below the same month in 2018. The result is weak consumer spending. The value of retail sales that month were the lowest for any June since 2011, after stripping out 2019-2022 figures. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The picture is a markedly different one from last decade, when ever-rising numbers of mainland tourists crowded the citys streets and clamored for luxury goods. In 2018, visitor arrivals totaled 65 million, up 11% from the previous year, putting Hong Kong among the most popular tourist destinations globally. That year the city held the crown for having the worlds most expensive retail district as international brands competed to get a slice of that spending, a title its since lost. Hong Kongs fading allure as a shopping hub is one of a number of challenges the former British colony faces as it seeks to resuscitate the economy and global image. Its historically vibrant finance sector is shedding jobs amid a dearth of deals, while office rental prices have plunged after some businesses shifted to Singapore. US sanctions means leader John Lee is unable to travel to many countries in the West, hobbling his ability to bolster ties in the wake of the controversial national security law. Even if mainland tourist numbers pick up more substantially, Chinese visitors are unlikely to spend in the same way as before. Tumbling home prices and rising youth unemployment have shattered consumer confidence, while the economic outlook appears bleak. A rapidly depreciating yuan is also making Hong Kong more expensive. The local currency, which is pegged to the greenback, is trading near its strongest level versus the yuan since 2008. Many mainland tourists now prefer local cafes and restaurants as opposed to shelling out for fine dining and luxury goods, according to Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades. On average, they spent around HK$500 ($64) a day on food before Covid, Wong said. Now they spend slightly more than half that amount. As an illustration of how Hong Kongs fortunes have dimmed, local media reported that a shop space in the tourism district of Tsim Sha Tsui was recently leased for 70% less than Burberry Group Plc paid for it in 2014. The newest tenant is a Chinese jewelry brand. People are looking for experience beyond shopping only, which is probably the old model that Hong Kong had, said Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis. Weak spending by visitors is likely to weigh on the local economy, which is showing signs of strain after rebounding in the first quarter of the year. The government this month lowered the top end of its growth target for 2023, saying tourism and consumer spending would be major drivers of expansion for the rest of the year. Unless tourists come back to pre-2019 levels, Hong Kongs growth will slow down in the second half, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, a senior research fellow at Bruegel. The government launched a series of campaigns this year to attract visitors and repair the citys image, including a Hello Hong Kong tourism campaign, airline ticket giveaways and bringing film stars and influencers to Hong Kong. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in a recent blog post the city needs to improve its competitiveness and ability to attract tourists, adding that the city will launch more events, such as night bazaars and exhibitions. Aviation constraints may also be limiting travel. Hong Kongs airport, previously the worlds third-busiest in terms of international passenger volume, is operating at 60% of capacity compared with pre-Covid levels, largely due to a shortage of workers. Hotels are also yet to return to levels of service seen before the pandemic. Transportation and logistics capacity is greatly affecting how many tourists can come and stay overnight in Hong Kong, said Caspar Tsui, executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners. As tourism numbers remain low, Hong Kongers arent taking up the slack. Instead theyre choosing to travel into the mainland where goods and services are cheaper, helped by the slumping yuan. In June there were some 5 million trips by locals to mainland China, about 80% of the comparable period in 2018, according to data by the Census and Statistics Department. It is not worth shopping in Hong Kong, said Crystal Chan, a 22-year-old university student whos visited neighboring Shenzhen five times in the past three months. Even the citys world famous nightlife has been affected. Bars in the citys commercial districts are taking in 70% of the monthly revenue they used to make before the pandemic, according to Chin Chun-wing, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar and Club Association. Cliff Wong, an employee at a local university, said he used to go to bars with friends as many as four times a week. After many of his friends left the city due to pandemic controls and political tensions, Wong now meets up less than once a week on average. --With assistance from Filipe Pacheco. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House GOP leaders gathered earlier this summer to discuss a jarring problem with their 2024 campaign strategy: They lacked strong recruits in too many critical districts. The field was so sparse, in fact, that nearly everyone on the leadership team committed to help close the gap, according to five people familiar with the strategy who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly. As Republicans launched their concerted campaign to woo on-the-fence recruits into a 2024 cycle already dominated by former President Donald Trump , McCarthy, and his top deputies Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) met with candidates to ratchet up their sales pitch. They flew many potential hopefuls to Washington to make the case in person. Weeks later, Republicans are making progress in their bid to grow their narrow and unruly majority. While a few holes still remain most notably in Maine and Alaska party strategists said their recruitment worries have largely abated as Labor Day approaches. Their efforts may bear fruit come the 2024 general election, when former President Donald Trump's front-running performance in the presidential primary could culminate in a polarizing presence at the top of the ticket. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Republican candidates have jumped into swing-seat races in Nevada (Heidi Kasama) and Pennsylvania (Maria Montero, Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Mercuri), with more expected to follow soon. Hudson declared himself thrilled with how well its going, saying in a statement that McCarthys entire leadership team acted as incredible partners. That list of forthcoming launches in battleground areas includes two of the GOPs most eagerly courted recruits. Alison Esposito, a former NYPD officer who ran for lieutenant governor in 2022, is preparing a run against Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.); and former Green Beret Derrick Anderson is moving toward a bid for the seat Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) has indicated she will vacate to run for governor. McCarthy and Dan Conston the head of the Congressional Leadership Fund, a top GOP super PAC have aggressively wooed the Virginian. Other anticipated GOP candidates include Colorado state Rep. Gabe Evans, who plans to challenge Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo for her suburban Denver seat and former Ohio Senate candidate Jane Timken, who's considering a run against freshman Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) though the state could see new maps. In addition, businessman Rob Bresnahan Jr. and Air Force veteran Jon Slick Baum are weighing bids in northeast Pennsylvania to take on Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright in his Trump-friendly district. Both could self-fund. Thats on top of other notable recruitment success stories in blue seats where Republicans hope they can at least force Democrats to spend: Stockton, Calif., Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a leadership favorite, is challenging Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.); John Quinones, the first Puerto Rican Republican to win a seat in the Florida House, is taking on Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.); and Labcorp executive Prasanth Reddy is running against Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.). Two other sought-after candidates are still in the potential column, but former Connecticut state Sen. George Logan is likely to seek a rematch with Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes; and Randy Niemeyer, a trucking company owner and county GOP chair, could take on Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Ind.). Still, big deficiencies remain in the GOP's plan for two Trump-friendly states. Recruiters privately admit that they are struggling to find opponents for Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) or Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska). Republicans are determined to find an Alaska recruit who can pass the Murkowski test after the states centrist GOP senator, Lisa Murkowski, who endorsed Peltola last cycle. Recruitment has been particularly tough this year for both parties, each of which is likely facing a historically unpopular presidential nominee atop the ticket. Democrats are relying heavily on failed 2022 candidates, while Republicans involved in recruitment admit that Trump's early surge and swarm of indictments has given some prospective candidates cold feet. Strategists in both parties also identified a general malaise fatigue thats affecting donors as well as candidates themselves. In short, as politics grows seemingly uglier by the minute, potential recruits are questioning why they should run at all. The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced Friday that Houston will host the 2028 Republican National Convention. I am excited to announce Houston as the host city for the 2028 Republican National Convention. After a smart business decision made by the RNC last spring to allow us to select the next convention city earlier than ever, we are looking forward to seeing Houston in the spotlight come 2028, RNC Charwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a release. RNC committee members voted to select the biggest city in the Lone Star State as the seat of the convention five years out. The announcement for the 2028 host comes a year before the party hosts its 2024 event. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), in the RNCs release, welcomed the convention to Houston, which he described as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, a thriving center of economic development, and a cultural leader of Texas. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) said Houston knows how to host a major convention and said the event keeps us on the global stage. The 2024 Republican National Convention is set to be held in Milwaukee next July, the same Wisconsin city that hosted the partys first presidential primary debate earlier this week. The dates of the 2028 event have not yet been announced. Todays announcement is a historic step for the Republican Party, and the beginning of a successful partnership between the city of Houston, the state of Texas, and the Republican National Committee. Republicans will stand united in Houston in 2028 as we execute a memorable convention in the Lone Star State, Anne Hathaway, chair for the RNCs site selection committee, said in the release. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. First U.S. Republican presidential primary debate focuses on abortion, Trump Xinhua) 09:27, August 25, 2023 WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The first U.S. Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday night revealed the GOP divide on abortion and former President Donald Trump. The debate held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin saw the participation of eight White House contenders from the Grand Old Party: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Trump, the runaway favorite among Republican voters in national and state polls, skipped Wednesday night's debate. In a pre-recorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which was posted on social networking platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Trump attacked his Republican challengers. Abortion was a hot topic at the debate. The candidates held different opinions on a 15-week federal abortion ban. No candidate said they would sign a six-week federal abortion ban. Pence endorsed a 15-week federal abortion ban while Haley questioned the possibility of passing such legislation, pointing out that there are not enough Senate votes. DeSantis and Burgum, who have signed six-week abortion bans into law in their own states, stopped short of saying they would do the same federally. Trump was another topic that drew heated exchanges among the candidates. When asked by a moderator for a show of hands on whether they would support Trump if he eventually wins the Republican nomination, six candidates raised their hands, some of them hesitantly. Christie and Hutchinson spoke against Trump. Pence defended his decision to reject Trump's pressure to overturn the 2020 presidential election. "He (Trump) asked me to put him over the Constitution. And I chose the Constitution." DeSantis tried to dodge the question of whether Pence did the right thing on Jan. 6, 2021 by carrying out his duty to verify the election of Joe Biden as president. DeSantis argued that a "rehashing" of the issue would play into the hands of the Democrats. Pence dug in and asked DeSantis to answer the question. "I've answered this before ... Mike (Pence) did his duty. I've got no beef with him," DeSantis said and quickly moved on. The exchanges over Trump triggered jeers and boos from the audience. At a point, a moderator had to intervene to ask the audience to stop booing Christie and to allow the debate to continue. Other topics included climate change, homelessness and crime, education, the Ukraine crisis, and foreign policy. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) An exhibitor cooks chicken imported from Thailand at the Thailand pavilion of the Belt and Road International Cooperation Pavilion during the 19th Western China International Fair (WCIF) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 29, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Massive advances have occurred through jointly building the Belt and Road over the past decade, said a Chinese government official. In a recently published signed article by Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's national economic planner, the official said that over the past 10 years, China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents on the joint construction of the Belt and Road with 152 countries and 32 international organizations, covering 83 percent of the countries with which China has established diplomatic relations. Infrastructure connectivity has become more accessible through Belt and Road cooperation, Zheng said, citing various landmark projects, such as the China-Europe Railway Express, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and the China-Laos Railway. The China-Europe Railway Express has reached 211 cities in 25 European countries, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has connected China's central and western regions with more than 300 ports in over 100 countries, said Zheng. From 2013 to 2022, the import and export of goods between China and countries along the Belt and Road increased by an average of 8.6 percent annually, Zheng said, adding that their cumulative two-way investment has exceeded 270 billion U.S. dollars. In the overseas economic and trade cooperation zones built by Chinese enterprises in the countries along the Belt and Road, 421,000 local jobs were created over the past decade, Zheng said. "It is estimated that by 2030, the joint construction of the Belt and Road would have helped lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty in the relevant countries," Zheng said. A page and a sergeant at arms regroup during the 2022 Texas State Republican Convention on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Credit: Briana Vargas for The Texas Tribune WASHINGTON Houston will host the 2028 Republican National Convention to select the party's presidential nominee for that year. I will say the RNC was blown away when we came to Houston, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said during a news conference announcing the decision. The 2028 convention will showcase the very best of Houston, the very best of Texas and the very best of the Republican Party. The RNCs 168 members voted to choose Houston on Friday morning in Milwaukee, the site of next years convention and the first Republican primary debate earlier this week. The announcement came uncommonly early five years before the convention and a year before the 2024 convention. McDaniel brought up the partys efforts to reach out to Hispanic voters in the selection of a city in Texas, where conservative Hispanic candidates have progressed in long-time Democratic strongholds in South Texas. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We all know that Hispanic voters have been shifting toward the Republican Party. Texans like Monica De La Cruz and Tony Gonzales and Ted Cruz and Mayra Flores have been front and center leading that charge in 2022," McDaniel said. McDaniel thanked Houstons Democratic Mayor Sylvester Turner, Gov. Greg Abbott and the citys host committee in their efforts to bring the convention to the countrys fourth largest city. Texas is the heart of the conservative movement, Abbott tweeted following the announcement. Together, well secure Republican victories up and down the ballot to chart a brighter course for our party and our nation. Despite their party differences, McDaniel said Turner was a great partner in selecting the host city and helped put together one of the best bids I have ever seen for any city for any convention. Turner selected real estate developer Ira Mitzner to head the citys bid committee and worked closely with Houston First Corporation to lobby to host the convention. It's our job at Houston First to book events of all sizes, from Super Bowls to conferences and international events, and to keep Houston on the global stage so that we can continue to be top of mind as a destination, Houston First CEO Michael Heckman said. The Republican National Committee convention does just that. State Republicans were ecstatic to host the convention, which is expected to take place during the summer of 2028, though the exact dates are not set. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, tweeted, Texas continues to be a model for the nation of individual freedom, conservative values, and economic growth, and theres no better place to experience all the Lone Star State has to offer than the Bayou City. Texas has hosted the RNC twice before: 1984 in Dallas and 1992 in Houston. The full program is now LIVE for the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 21-23 in Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations coming to TribFest. Panel topics include the biggest 2024 races and whats ahead, how big cities in Texas and around the country are changing, the integrity of upcoming elections and so much more. See the full program. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that "peace plans" cannot end the war in Ukraine, but only a "truce". Source: 24.hu news outlet quoting Orbans speech at the conservative festival Tranzit in the Hungarian village of Tihany, as reported by European Pravda Details: Orban stated that the war in Ukraine cannot be stopped by "having a 'peace plan' and waiting for something to happen first, there must be an early, immediate and unconditional ceasefire". "Europe's first mistake was to globalise this war. The only country that said on the day the war broke out that it should be localised was ours... The strategy of the West is that Ukrainians fight and die, and we give them money, information and weapons," Orban said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He added that this "strategy" did not work because Ukraine has a smaller population, "so we should send our troops, but no one dares to do that". Orban went on to mention the "significant price" that Hungary and the entire European Union are paying to support Ukraine: "We have already sent 70 billion and now we are discussing whether to send another 50 billion, while the EU needs every cent to regain its competitiveness." Background: Representatives of the Hungarian authorities do not hesitate to repeat the lies of Russian propaganda. In particular, the day before, the Minister of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Gergely Gulyas, said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had not brought "any significant results" and that Budapest's position on negotiations was justified. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! While parked at a highway rest stop in the middle of the night, two hunters heard screaming and barking, Michigan police said. Then they heard two gunshots ring out into the darkness on Aug. 24, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said in a news conference. Afterward, the pair spotted a car speeding away from the scene and a lifeless body lying on the ground, Swanson said. The hunters, who were driving from Canada to Ohio, called 911, and deputies arrived at the Vienna Township rest stop around 3 a.m., according to Swanson. Deputies examined the body, which had sustained two gunshot wounds, and identified the deceased as a 59-year-old Flint man. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement About an hour later, dispatchers received a call from a Flint residence, the sheriff said. The caller stated that a family member had showed up to their house with a gun. The family member, a 29-year-old Flint woman, then left the home in the same vehicle seen fleeing the rest stop, Swanson said. Using surveillance tools we have within the county, the vehicle was located, disabled and it was there that the suspect was taken into custody, Swanson said. A dog found in the vehicle was also secured. We believe this was a domestic that had some other entanglements that will be released later, Swanson said. The case will be presented to a Michigan prosecutor so that the woman can be charged, Swanson said. The names of the individuals involved have not been released. A representative for the Genesee County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Aug 25. Vienna Township is located about 80 miles northwest of Detroit. Woman with blood all over her body found handcuffed and shackled, Arkansas cops say Body found in south Charlotte by patrolling officer, CMPD says. It was a homicide Mom killed in crash as son passes tractor-trailer and collides with van, PA cops say Read the latest updates from Saturday: Dozens of Florida counties under state of emergency as hurricane forecasters track storm A developing tropical system in the Caribbean which isn't even a depression or storm yet is moving toward the Gulf of Mexico and could affect Florida by next week, forecasters said. "The chance of a tropical depression or storm forming has increased, especially for later this weekend into early next week," said Weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. "This system would most likely impact Florida around Tuesday or Wednesday, but it's too early to determine the magnitude of any impacts." The next named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will be Idalia (pronounced "ee-DAL-ya"). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Last year's 'I' storm (Ian) also came from the western Caribbean and headed for the west coast of the Florida peninsula, but mercifully as of now there is zero indication of anything like that happening this time around," University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy said on his blog Thursday. What does the hurricane center say? The National Hurricane Center is on board with development of this system, giving it an 80% chance of formation: "Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system during the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this weekend or early next week while moving generally northward over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and eastern Gulf of Mexico." "Interests in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, western Cuba, and Florida should monitor the progress of this system," the hurricane center said. Dolce said that while Gulf waters are plenty warm for a depression or storm to form, wind shear is a possible limiting factor: Wind shear is the change in wind speed and direction with height and is usually a hostile factor that prevents the formation of storms, he said. "The likelihood that a hurricane could hit Florida is low at this time," Dolce said. The National Hurricane Center is giving the system a 70% chance of development within the next seven days. Gov. DeSantis prepares Florida for possible storm With Florida in the potential path of the storm, officials have begun to prepare. On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis' official schedule showed he had a call with Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. Later, DeSantis posted on X, formerly Twitter: Ive directed @KevinGuthrieFL & the FL Emergency Management team to prepare for a potential tropical system currently moving across the Yucatan Peninsula. Residents should remain vigilant and prepare for possible impacts early next week. Follow @FLSERT for updates. Spaghetti models for Gulf storm "Spaghetti models" comprise a broad array of forecasting models. As of Friday afternoon, the models pictured below are projections based on performance of previous storms and potential wind shear, and not the high-level ensemble models forecasters use to project a path once a storm forms. The latest on Tropical Storm Franklin Elsewhere in the Atlantic basin, Tropical Storm Franklin continues to spin in the Atlantic Ocean. Franklin is forecast to remain well out to sea, likely strengthening into a hurricane over the next couple of days, the hurricane center said. In the U.S., the only expected impact from Franklin will be along the Atlantic coastline, with rough surf and coastal erosion the main effects. A weather service forecast office in North Carolina said: "Tropical Cyclone Franklin is forecast to pass well east of NC Monday into Tuesday and produce long-period swell across the NC waters. This swell, in combination with a King Tide cycle early next week could result in some beach erosion and ocean overwash across the Outer Banks." Also in the Atlantic, a pair of tropical disturbances far out to sea are unlikely to affect land, the hurricane center said. One of them could become a tropical depression by early next week. Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network; Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHC watching storm near Gulf of Mexico: Could it hit Florida? Members of the Idaho State Board of Education seek to disqualify Attorney General Raul Labrador from his lawsuit that alleges the board members violated government transparency law. In a hearing Thursday, the boards private attorney asked a district court judge to disqualify Labrador because a lawyer from his office gave the board legal advice when it held a closed-door meeting to consider a deal allowing the University of Idaho to buy a for-profit college. State Board of Education members, who also serve as regents for U of I, said in court declarations that they relied on advice from Deputy Attorney General Jenifer Marcus that the closed-door meeting was legal. It is fundamentally wrong to sue a client after a lawyer from the same office advised that the action was legal, Trudy Hanson Fouser, a Boise attorney representing the State Board of Education, argued Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Labrador also had a phone call with the boards executive director, Matt Freeman, hours before the attorney general filed a complaint alleging the secret meeting in executive session violated Idahos Open Meeting Law. Freeman may have shared confidential information during the call that could be used in the attorney generals lawsuit, Fouser argued. What we are asking for is a level playing field, she said. Deputy Attorney General Timothy Longfield argued Thursday that nothing in the attorney generals lawsuit is based on information shared during the phone call, and the State Board already obtained equal footing by hiring a private attorney. That should ameliorate any issue, any harm, Longfield said. Its the second time this summer that state officials have challenged Labradors ability to investigate or take legal action against them. The attorney generals office is required by law to provide legal advice and representation to state agencies and officials. Earlier this month, 4th Judicial District Judge Lynn Norton ruled that Labrador had a notable conflict of interest when his office began investigating officials with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare over how it distributed federal child care grants. An attorney from Labradors office advised health officials that the grants were legally distributed, and Labrador cant investigate whether the client violated the law on the same issue, Norton ruled, before directing Labrador to appoint an independent prosecutor. Idaho EdNews first reported that the State Board of Education is seeking to disqualify Labrador. Differing accounts of critical phone call Fourth Judicial District Judge Jason Scott on Thursday noted Nortons decision but signaled that his primary concern is the phone conversation between Labrador and Freeman. In a court declaration, Freeman said that Labrador and Solicitor General Theo Wold, who was also on the call, asked several probing questions about U of Is negotiations with the University of Phoenix, the Arizona-based for-profit university that would be acquired by the Idaho institution if the deal goes through. I spoke openly and freely because it was not until the end of the conversation that Ms. Marcus and I were told the attorney general was going to file a complaint, Freeman told the court. I would not have discussed this information had I known the attorney general could use it to support filing a complaint. The attorney generals case hinges on whether U of I had competition to buy the University of Phoenix. The Open Meeting Law requires that all meetings of government boards be open to the public. But the law exempts preliminary negotiations among public officials that involve matters of trade or commerce and competition with governing bodies in other states or nations. Wold told the court that Labrador believed U of I was the only bidder to buy the University of Phoenix, and at the outset of the call, Labrador told Freeman that he intended to file a lawsuit. I explained that if the board would cure its violations, the attorney general would be happy to dismiss this lawsuit, Wold said in the court declaration. At no point in this call, or at any time, has the attorney general sought or obtained privileged or confidential information from the board. Labrador understood that it was the standard practice of the prior attorney generals administration to give state employees a courtesy call before filing an open meeting lawsuit against their agency, Wold told the court. Former attorney general weighs in In a court declaration, former Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said he required attorneys in his office to contact the target of potential litigation and invite a resolution of the issue before a lawsuit was filed. However, if a lawyer from the attorney generals office had incorrectly advised the state agency that a closed-door meeting was legal, the state attorney would not take an enforcement action, Wasden said. Instead, the attorney generals office would have helped the agency correct its mistake and Wasden would have required training for the attorney and state agency, he said. It would not have been appropriate for me to punish my client for following my advice whether that advice was correct or incorrect, Wasden said. Scott said he planned to rule on the boards motion to disqualify Labrador within a week. Meanwhile, the overall case against the State Board likely will continue. Board members maintain that Labradors claims are meritless. The board last month supplied letters from the University of Phoenix and its financial adviser showing that U of I competed with two other universities and a private entity in its bid to buy the for-profit school. CHICAGO Orland Park-based minister the Rev. Stephen Cliffgard Lee, who was named along with 18 others in a criminal indictment that includes former President Donald Trump , is set to turn himself in to Georgias Fulton County Jail on Friday, according to his lawyer, David Shestokas. Lee faces five counts including influencing witnesses, racketeering and conspiring to commit false statements. The charges, announced Aug. 14 by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, center on allegations that Trump, Trumps colleagues and some supporters attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. We were pretty much astounded at his inclusion in this group, Shestokas said, confirming his client will plead not guilty. This case is so incredibly dangerous to the United States of America. The Superior Court of Fulton County announced Tuesday Lees bond is $75,000. Shestokas said Lee does not have the funds to pay the 10%, or $7,500, that is required by Fulton County to be released from jail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There is some possibility of him going into custody on Friday, said Shestokas, who ran for Illinois Attorney General in 2022 but came in third in the Republican primary. We dont know that for sure yet. The Illinois Family Institute, a nonprofit based in Tinley Park, has set up a donation page on its website for those interested in supporting Lees legal bills. He needs a good defense, said David E. Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute. The political pundits Im listening to, both moderate and conservative ... are saying that the charges that are being brought against him are garbage. Smith said about $3,500 was donated to the legal fund between Monday, when it was posted, and Thursday afternoon. Shestokas confirmed that while he has not been paid any money raised for Lees legal bills, funds will first go to cover his bond. The indictment against Lee regards allegations about his interactions with Fulton County poll worker Ruby Freeman. Freeman was falsely accused of committing election crimes by many of the defendants, the indictment reads. It also alleges that in December 2020, Lee traveled to Freemans home, spoke to her neighbor and knocked on Freemans door. The indictment states Lee made this visit with intent to knowingly engage in misleading conduct toward Ruby Freemen, by purporting to offer her help, and with intent to influence her testimony. The indictment also connects Lee to several of the other defendants via phone records. While there is video evidence of Lee knocking on Freemans door, Shestokas said there is no evidence a crime was committed. He said Lee has performed religious duties in the aftermath of tragedies such as the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center and the more recent Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest music festival shooting. At this particular moment in time, moment in history, there was a crisis going on in America, going on in Georgia, Shestokas said. Its not an unusual place for him to be. Shestokas said no one with the Fulton County district attorneys office reached out to his client since a Kendall County judge ruled in November 2022 that they did not have enough evidence to compel Lee to testify before the grand jury. Pastor Lee is indicted for knocking on a couple of doors, Shestokas says. This goes to the heart of ... free speech. Faithful America, a Christian social justice group, issued a statement saying the allegations alone is cause for Lee from being expelled from ordination. A petition to call for his expulsion gathered more than 18,600 online signatures between Monday and Thursday afternoon, according to its website and executive director, the Rev. Nathan Empsall. By participating in this misinformation and these attacks on democracy, (Lee) helped create that environment that led to those racist threats and that political violence, Empsall said. Jesus stands for truth and not misinformation. Representatives of Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park, where Lee has been serving, have not returned messages, nor has the case been directly mentioned in services. In an announcement during this past Sundays service, shared on YouTube, Lee said questions would be fully addressed during a closed congregation meeting after the service, though the purpose of the meeting was not stated. Just guessing you may have some questions about some things, Lee said. He also said he had meetings scheduled this week with people from the denomination to cross ts and dot is. My main concern is for you folks here, just so you know that, Lee told the congregation. Thats the priority and I have confidence in that. Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Friday, August 25, 2023. Zelenskyy pledges to safeguard Ukraine's unity in a powerful speech onIndependence Day in St. Sophia Square. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an emotional speech on Sophia Square in the center of Kyiv on Ukraine's Independence Day, Aug. 24, 2023 the second time the national holiday has been held under conditions of full-scale war in the country. Land of the proud, heroic and brave Zaluzhnyi hails Ukrainians on Independence Day Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief, congratulated Ukrainians on the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence in a video posted on Telegram on Aug. 24. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Prigozhins alleged death deliberate terrorist act, Ukrainian intelligence believes The plane crash in Russia, in which Wagner mercenary company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was allegedly killed, was a deliberate terrorist act, Andriy Yusov, spokesman of the Main Intelligence Directorate or HUR of the Ministry of Defense, said on Aug. 24. Ukrainian intelligence reveals bold operation to raise flag in Crimea onIndependence Day Ukrainian special forces raised the state flag in Crimea, a Ukrainian territory that has been under Russian military occupation since early 2014, during a bold raid on the Russian forces there. Hungarian president sidesteps Orban to reset relations with Ukraine report Hungarian President Katalin Novak has taken steps to reboot Hungary's diplomatic relations with Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 24. Zaluzhnyi convinced Ukrainian forces on verge of breakthrough report Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi has told U.S. officials that Ukrainian forces are on the verge of a breakthrough in their southern counteroffensive, The Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 24, citing an unnamed U.S. official. Ukraine develops economic recovery plan for Crimea, says PM Shmyhal Ukraines government has outlined an economic model for the development of Crimea within the Strategy for the peninsulas recovery after its liberation from Russia, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Aug. 23. SBU chief Malyuk on how Crimean Bridge was attacked twice Wrapped explosives on a pallet, unusual drones, and confused FSB NV reconstructed two top-secret special operations by Ukraines SBU security service, aimed at Putin's crown jewel, the Crimean Bridge. US imposes additional sanctions over deportation of Ukrainian children The U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has expanded sanctions against individuals and entities involved in Russias illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, OFAC said in a message on its website on Aug. 24. Norway confirms plans to equip Ukraine with F-16s Norway will transfer a number of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the Norwegian government said in a press release on Aug. 24, citing PM Jonas Gahr Stre. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to intensity efforts to deescalate tensions at their contested border, in a rare face-to-face meeting since a deadly clash strained relations more than three years ago. Modi and Xi, who are in Johannesburg for the BRICS economic group meeting, had a conversation on the sidelines of the summit, Indias Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters Thursday, one day after the Chinese leader mysteriously skipped a key event. Face-to-face meetings between the leaders of India and China, the worlds two most populous nations, are rare. The disputed border has long been a source of friction between New Delhi and Beijing, with the agitation spilling into a 1962 war that ended in a Chinese victory. In the ensuing years, an ill-defined de facto border called the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has split the two nuclear powers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement (Modi) underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas, and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalization of the India-China relationship, Kwatra said. In a statement Friday, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations among other interests. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, it added. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region. The meeting, which will be seen as a step toward mending their fraught relationship, comes one week after India and China engaged in their 19th round of talks to resolve their border issue. The two sides had a positive, constructive and in-depth discussion on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Modi and Xi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan in September last year, but did not engage diplomatically. They had a brief conversation weeks later on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) leaders meeting in Bali, Indonesia. Tensions between the two countries soured significantly after a deadly clash in Aksai Chin-Ladakh in 2020, and escalated last December when a brawl between troops from both sides in the Tawang sector of Indias northeastern territory of Arunachal Pradesh resulted in minor injuries. In April, Indias defense minister told his Chinese counterpart that violations of their shared border erode the entire basis of relations between the two neighbors. Since the 2020 clash, India has taken several steps to push back against perceived threats from China, including banning social media platform TikTok and other well-known Chinese apps, saying they pose a threat to sovereignty and integrity, while also moving to block Chinese telecoms giants Huawei and ZTE from supplying its 5G network. More recently, the two countries have seemingly cracked down on reporters and have few or no accredited journalists on the ground in each others territory. Amid rising nationalism in both countries, concerns in New Delhi of Beijings increasing assertiveness has also bolstered Indias relationship with the United States, including via the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad a grouping of Japan, the US, India and Australia widely seen as a counterweight to China. China earlier this year boycotted a G20 tourism meeting hosted by India in the Himalayan territory of Jammu and Kashmir, citing its opposition to holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory. India and Pakistan both claim the disputed Kashmir region in its entirety. Indias decision to host this years SCO virtually meant that Modi and Xi did not have an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting. Xi is also expected to attend the G20 leaders summit in New Delhi next month. CNNs Nectar Gan contributed reporting For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This photo taken on July 3, 2023 shows robotic arms working in the welding workshop of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua] While lingering headwinds have fueled concerns over global growth prospects, multiple indicators have pointed to the resilience and strength of the Chinese economy. In the first half of the year (H1), China recorded a 5.5-percent GDP expansion, the fastest among major economies globally. This impressive performance was followed by robust growth in major economic indicators in the first seven months of 2023, with value-added industrial output and retail sales of consumer goods continuing to post steady increases. Since the second quarter, several international organizations and institutions have revised their forecasts for China's economic growth this year upwards. The World Bank, for instance, raised its China growth forecast to 5.6 percent in June from January's projection of 4.3 percent. Besides solid economic fundamentals, China has also secured growth in key areas such as grain and energy supply. The country's annual grain output has steadied at over 1.3 trillion jin (650 billion kg) in recent years, while its power generation climbed 3.8 percent year on year during the January-July period. New growth momentum is also building amid the country's transition to innovation-driven growth, with progress reported in several major sci-tech projects. The C919, China's first homegrown large jetliner, made its commercial debut in May, while its first domestically-built large cruise ship completed its undocking in June, all of which bear testimony to China's growing strength in innovation. Development of emerging sectors of strategic importance, seen as new drivers of growth by analysts, has also picked up pace in the first seven months of this year, as highlighted by the steady growth in high-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors. In particular, exports of new energy vehicles more than doubled year on year in the first seven months to 636,000 units, an encouraging performance against the backdrop of flagging global trade. Gu Yan, a researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), noted that innovation as a primary driving force for development has become stronger in the country, saying that it will facilitate industrial upgrading and encourage the emergence of new business models. To further energize business vitality, Chinese authorities have pressed ahead with reform, unveiling a 31-measure guideline to bolster private economy and a document aimed at furthering opening up. These policy measures have lent support to private economy, with the number of new self-employed households registering double-digit year-on-year growth in H1. Looking ahead, China's growth prospects are well underpinned by its super-sized market and the development potential amid its efforts to foster a new development paradigm, analysts said. With a population of 1.4 billion, the largest middle-income group in the world and continuous consumption upgrading, China's market holds great appeal among ambitious businesses across the globe. The upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services 2023, for instance, had attracted over 2,200 enterprises as of Sunday, with more than 500 of them being either Global Fortune 500 companies or industry-leading enterprises, data showed. Zhang Zhanbin, a researcher with the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China's urbanization rate stands at 65.22 percent, well below the 80 or even 90 percent recorded in developed economies, thus boasting great development potential. In addition, China has broadened its development space by opening up wider to the outside world. Since the beginning of this year, demand for China-Europe freight trains has been running high, while cargo transported via the China-Laos Railway increased by more than 90 percent year on year. Such an opening-up pace will continue unabated, with Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the NDRC, pledging that the country will open its door wider. "China's development is set to provide more opportunities for the world and inject strong impetus for the global economy," said Zhao. A campaign sign for a Southeast Asian woman running for Cary Town Council was found vandalized Thursday evening. Sarika Bansal, an Indian American, was attending the Town Councils regular meeting when she a friend texted her about the sign. Her face on the sign was seemingly scratched off and a photo of a Black persons face was superimposed over her face. Bansal said the sign was found in the Highcroft Village neighborhood in west Cary. Thats in District D where she is running for a council seat. As of Thursday night, Bansal did not know if any other signs had been defaced. This was shocking. ... Even after the meeting, I usually walk down and talk to the council members but I couldnt because I was so shocked, Bansal said. I came home, I had my dinner, and my phone started going crazy because it was all over social media. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement She plans to file a police report on Friday morning. t is a class 3 misdemeanor in North Carolina for a person to steal, deface, vandalize or remove a political sign that is lawfully placed. Asian population in Cary growing Bansal is the only person of color running for the council this year. If elected, she would become the second woman of color and the first Indian American to serve on the Town Council. Cary is home to over 180,000 residents, and Asian Americans make up 20% of the population. West Cary needs sustainable leadership, Bansal said. Having diversity on the Town Council is going to help bring the change that we need today. A small business owner and resident of Cary, Bansal started her business, Raj Jewels, in Morrisville five years ago. She has been active in local government in recent years. Last year, Bansal sought the District D seat after Ya Liu won election to the state House in November. Bansal and current Councilman Ryan Eades, who was appointed, were the two finalists for the seat. Carys municipal election is Oct. 10, weeks before the countys Election Day on Nov. 7. On the ballot this year are the candidates for the towns mayor, one at-large seat, District B and District D. Bansal, Eades, and newcomer Rachel Jordan will face off for District D. Since announcing her campaign, Bansal said she has been met with support. The Indian-American community is extremely excited, Bansal said. Im happy, and I feel motivated to work hard for this beautiful town that I call home. Harrells family in their statement said the shooting violated the U.S. Constitution and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Departments Use of Force policy, which was revised in 2020 to say officers are prohibited from using deadly force unless under certain circumstances. One circumstance in the policy says officers can use deadly force if they believe the person is fleeing for any felony that threatened or resulted in death or serious bodily injury, if the officer reasonably believes that the person will cause death or serious bodily injury to another unless immediately apprehended. The second circumstance says officers may use deadly force if they feel its necessary to prevent or defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person. In their attorneys statement, Harrells family said neither circumstance applied in the shooting. An influencer has sparked a debate about whether her actions at the supermarket are completely normal or totally taboo. On Aug. 18, lifestyle influencer Cecily Bauchmann posted a pair of TikTok videos of herself grocery shopping at a Publix supermarket in Tennessee. In the first video, she takes us from her car to the store and through the aisles of the supermarket in a little over two minutes, but its the second, shorter, 12-second video of Bauchmann in the checkout lane that has sparked a heated discussion. I also opened this in-store, Bauchmann says in the video. Holding her now-empty pack of spicy salmon sushi, she giggles while talking to a grocery store cashier off camera. Im sorry, I was so hungry. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This sushi-scarfing moment was captured in her first video, when she picks up the 12-roll pack of sushi before checkout. So freakin good, she says with a mouth full of sushi. Her video in the checkout lane with the caption, OPENING FOOD IS A NORMAL THING AT THE GROCERY STORE K? has gone viral, with more than 4 million views and plenty of commenters weighing in with their opinions on the matter. And while the mom of four has garnered some support from folks who get a little peckish while grocery shopping, there are many who think snacking in the supermarket before paying is a big no-no. My aunt used to do this it was embarrassing lol, commented one TikTok user. Never done this, taught to never do this, wrote someone else. not me because it isnt mine until I pay for it in my head its considered stealing, wrote another commenter. Idc how hungry I am, Id never do this, wrote yet another user. Bauchmann did not respond to multiple requests for comment from TODAY.com. But Bauchmann seems unfazed by the criticism, responding to some comments and admitting to one commenter that she has gotten looks while eating in the grocery store. It feels so illegal , wrote another TikTok commenter, to which Bauchmann responded, Sometimes but I like to keep life interesting . One popular response to Bauchmanns video brings up the perspective that she might be getting away with this behavior due to white privilege. I have realized that if youre Black, this is a big no-no. You cant open a pouch for your child, you cant give them a strawberry or grape because of how youre looked at, there are no kind eyes, there are no rose-colored glasses, you are villainized, TikToker Shamelessly Jessilynn says in her video. She admits that shes also guilty of snacking on groceries before buying them, but being in an interracial marriage caused her to think differently. I didnt realize that I was causing my husband issues in the grocery store with our two year old, Jessilynn says. The experience of racial profiling in U.S. retail stores is so widely shared that Black Americans and academics have a term for it: Shopping while Black. No hate to this creator. I love her. I think she goes all out for her kids, Jessilynn adds. Its just an opportunity to have a conversation and make people aware of the little things that are privileged that we may not think about all the time. yea i would never think about opening something before buying it, i dont want someone thinking im stealing, commented one user under Jessilynns video. Im Mexican and Ive been followed in small shops before just by having items in a cart. I could never eat items inside, way too scared, wrote another. Im stressed just opening my purse to grab my chapstick bc its the same one they sell when Im in store, commented someone else. This article was originally published on TODAY.com NEW YORK Rev. Al Sharpton remembers first meeting Eric Adams , then a transit cop, at one of his rallies in the late 1980s after hed cut ties with a group of civil rights leaders after they called Black police officers pigs. They were unlikely allies, brought together by shared rivalry. We backed into each other and then embraced, Sharpton said in an interview at his midtown Manhattan office. They bonded, he said, because we had the same adversaries in the Black activist community, referring to the leaders whod called Black officers pigs and wanted to ban white people from their ranks. Four decades later, Sharpton and Adams New Yorks second Black mayor talk or text weekly. But despite that early, enthusiastic hug, the reverend is still reluctant to fully embrace Adams, largely because of differences around public safety and the specter of another Eric Garner-type police killing. Since Adams entered office in January 2022, Sharpton has not been to City Hall or Gracie Mansion. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While Sharpton is a national spokesperson for victims of police brutality, Adams is a retired police captain whose commitment to meaningful NYPD reforms is uncertain. Still, the futures of two of New Yorks most powerful leaders are inextricably linked: Sharptons support is crucial to the mayor winning a second term. And Sharpton wants to avoid another Black mayor losing reelection like how Rudy Giuliani soundly defeated incumbent David Dinkins, the citys first Black mayor, in 1993. Theyre both alpha male and theyre both at the top of their game at what they do, so neither one of them is going to compromise themselves, said former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who has known Adams and Sharpton since the trio came together to protest the 1999 police killing of Amadou Diallo. If at times theres going to be disagreement or a clash, thatll happen. But you see a lot of that behind closed doors, Diaz Jr. said, who now works for a consulting firm that counts Sharpton as a client. Sharpton is much more progressive than Eric Adams, but there is a level of respect. Theres a comradery and theres obviously a brotherhood that stems back decades. Two areas of disagreement surfaced in back-to-back incidents in the spring. First, a white former Marine named Daniel Penny put Jordan Neely, a Black homeless man who was acting erratically on the subway, in a fatal chokehold in early May. Who thought it was alright for this man to choke a brother to death and go home to see his family? Sharpton said while eulogizing Neely at a Harlem church. Who gave the order it was alright to release him? He knew the answer. It was Adams police department. The mayor was careful not to condemn Penny, saying at the time, We cannot just blatantly say what a passenger should or should not do in a situation like that. Adams later told POLITICO in a telephone interview that he and Sharpton wanted the same thing: justice. But he had a responsibility as mayor to stabilize the city following the potentially explosive incident that many progressive elected officials and Sharpton saw as racially motivated vigilantism and conservatives viewed as a good Samaritan effort gone tragically awry. As we deal with our economic recovery, as we deal with tension in this city, as the leader of this city, I must make sure that I strike the right balance and that is what I did, Adams said. Neely was eventually charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. He pleaded not guilty and the case is ongoing. Then, just a month after the deadly subway encounter, a federal monitor found that a controversial NYPD anti-crime unit Adams revived was performing illegal stop and frisks mostly of Black and Hispanic New Yorkers. The data worried Sharpton. So he contacted the mayor, who testified against the unconstitutional use of the policing tactic under the Bloomberg administration. Ive reached out to him and he says, This is not the stop and frisk we protested. This is protecting citizens without profiling them, Sharpton said. I said, We need to look at the data. And he says, Whatever questions you want, lets sit down and go through it. Adams offered to present the numbers to members of Sharptons National Action Network headquarters in Harlem. Im concerned and Im probably going to take him up on doing a forum, Sharpton told POLITICO in June. The event hasnt happened. Hawk Newsome, who co-founded Black Lives Matter Greater New York, said in an interview that hes troubled by Sharptons reluctance to criticize Adams for the report. Ninety-seven percent of the people stopped are Black and Brown and one-quarter of the stops are completely illegal, Newsome said. How on earth could a civil rights leader not hold him accountable? The mayor and Newsome keep an open channel of communication even though the two have clashed over Adams reinstatement of the anti-crime unit. We text. When something really egregious happens, I text him and say, What are you going to do about it? Ninety percent of the time he sides with the police, Newsome said. Hes enforcing broken window policing, which study after study says is ineffective. Hes brought back stop and frisk. Hes criminalizing skin color. These are Giuliani practices. In the past, Al Sharpton would have protested this man, Newsome said of Adams, who is a former Republican. Sweatsuit Al Sharpton is what I call young Al Sharpton, who is a force to be reckoned with. Sweatsuit Al Sharpton would have been fighting Eric Adams the way we do, Newsome said. It was us who were in the streets fighting to get justice for Jordan Neely, he added. Incidentally, Sharpton was wearing a sweatsuit the first time Adams remembers crossing his path during a 1987 protest of a jury verdict in the Howard Beach race attack. The incident was reminiscent of the demonstrations led by Newsome and others who occupied the subway tracks in May to protest Neelys death. Adams, who was a transit cop in 1987, was aboard one of the trains that Sharpton forced to a halt while protesting the verdict. I saw him walk down the tracks in a jumpsuit. I said, Whats this guy doing? Adams remembered. Thats when he got on my radar. Five years later, in 1992, Adams put his life and reputation within the NYPD on the line for the civil rights leader. Sharpton was running for the United States Senate a year after hed been stabbed during another Brooklyn protest march. Eric remembers there was a demonstration somewhere and a guy, a police officer, said over the walkie talkie: Al Sharpton showed up. Should I let him in or shoot him? Sharpton recalled. Eric called me and said, Look. We want to give you police protection when we off duty and I said, Really? He said, Man you got them little girls. I know you think youre Superman, but you got to look out for your family. Sharpton agreed and they announced the security arrangement at the prominent Brooklyn church of Rev. Floyd Flake, then a U.S. congressmember. He came and announced it, which I thought was a very bold thing to do, Sharpton said. Hes standing up against police officers and saying they shouldnt have said that on the walkie talkie. It was around the time that Adams, who joined the department to try to eradicate racist practices from within, helped start a group called 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care. I remember the organization coming forward and saying, Listen. We cant take this for granted that something could happen to a civil rights leader under our watch, Adams said. Despite that unique shared history, Sharpton did not endorse Adams in the Democratic mayoral primary in 2021. He is close to Ray McGuire, a Black Wall Street executive, who ran against Adams in the crowded primary and had the backing of the citys Black financial class. His daughter Ashley Sharpton, who calls the mayor Uncle Eric, did give Adams her endorsement. After Adams won the primary and then the general election, Sharpton dedicated himself to making the citys second Black mayoralty a success. He even backed the mayors crackdown on retail theft, decrying the fact that city pharmacies were so besieged by rampant thievery that they were locking up my toothpaste. Sharpton had bought into Adams tough-on-crime approach while critics said the mayor was taking too hard a line on crimes of poverty. Sharpton was also instrumental in helping Adams secure changes to the states bail laws, which the mayor said were creating a revolving door of justice despite a lack of evidence tying recidivism to people released from jail under the new measures. The laws seeking to end cash bail were notably inspired by the 2015 death of a Black Bronx resident named Kalief Browder. The 22-year-old hung himself after languishing in a city jail for three years because his family couldnt afford his $3,000 bail on a robbery charge that was later dropped. Sharptons involvement in the bail negotiations has troubled some Black elected officials like City Council Member Crystal Hudson who told POLITICO she wished the reverend would bring top political leadership together on other, more positive issues like affordable housing or education. New Yorks Congressional Republican candidates hammered on the laws during the midterms, stoking voters fears about crime that helped them secure enough seats to retake the House. Adams told POLITICO he wouldn't have been able to get the rollbacks without Sharpton convening the states top Black elected officials including the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly to set a tone for productive negotiations. He played a crucial role. He was a reasonable voice. Got us in a room, Adams said. Sharpton said he decided to play the role of convener to meet the historic moment. We cannot have this level of Blacks in high office that weve never had and you all are not talking. For his part, Adams is quick to praise Sharpton, whose nod is key to that same type of turnout that could have prevented former Mayor David Dinkins early ouster. He called Sharpton the premiere civil rights leader of today. The mayor also described him as a confidante, friend and older brother. For me to have a personal relationship with him is no different than someone having a personal relationship with Dr. King during his time, Adams said. An aide to Sharpton said he had not visited the mayor at his official Gracie Mansion residence or his City Hall office in response to critics like Newsome who claimed the civil rights leader had become too much of an insider to serve as a check on Adams. But Sharpton said he talks to Adams once to twice a week about big picture issues like policing and the migrant crisis. We touch base frequently and Im talking about direct, Sharpton said. I think most people in City Hall know that he and I talk direct. Sharpton believes in the bigger political ambitions of Adams, who once called himself the face of the new Democratic Party. Sharpton reasoned, One of the things I think people dont think about is, we dont have a hugely strong bench in the Democratic Party and with him being the mayor of the largest city in the country and as visible as he is, I think that he absolutely has a future in national politics. Adams, in the reverend's telling, would agree. At the end of the hour-long interview at his midtown office this summer, Sharpton said there was one thing he wanted to tease Adams about. He recalled a visit Adams made to his office shortly after he was elected. The newly minted mayor walked around the spacious suite, noting framed photographs that hung on the walls of Sharpton with Nelson Mandela and Sharpton with former President Barack Obama. Wheres my picture? Sharpton recalled Adams asking. I told him, I have no mayor in here. To which he replied, Im more than a mayor. A version of this also appears in the Aug. 25 Recast newsletter. For more coverage of race, identity and politics, subscribe to The Recast here. Vivek Ramaswamy has described himself as an outsider, accusing rivals for the Republican presidential nomination of being bought and paid for by donors and special interests. But the 38-year-old Ohio-based venture capitalist, whose sharp-elbowed and angry display stood out in the first Republican debate this week, has his own close ties to influential figures from both sides of the political aisle. Related: Combative Vivek Ramaswamy emerges as surprise focal point of GOP debate Prominent among such connections are Peter Thiel, the co-founder of tech giants PayPal and Palantir and a rightwing mega-donor, and Leonard Leo, the activist who has marshaled unprecedented sums in his push to stock federal courts with conservative judges. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ramaswamy is a Yale Law School friend of JD Vance, the author of the bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy who enjoyed success in finance before entering politics. At Yale, Vance and Ramaswamy attended what the New Yorker called an intimate lunch seminar for select students that was hosted by Thiel. Last year, backed by Thiel and espousing hard-right Trumpist views, Vance won a US Senate seat in Ohio. Thiel has since said he has stepped back from political donations. But he has backed Ramaswamys business career, supporting what the New Yorker called a venture helping senior citizens access Medicare and, last year, backing Strive Asset Management, a fund launched by Ramaswamy to attack environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies among corporate investors. Vance was also a backer. Ramaswamys primary vehicle to success has been Roivant, an investment company focused on the pharmaceuticals industry founded in 2014. The Roivant advisory board includes figures from both the Republican and Democratic establishments: Kathleen Sebelius, US health secretary under Barack Obama; Tom Daschle of South Dakota, formerly Democratic leader in the US Senate; and Olympia Snowe, formerly a Republican senator from Maine. Ramaswamys links to Leo recently the recipient of a $1.6bn donation from the industrialist Barre Seid, believed to be the biggest ever such gift, but now reportedly the subject an investigation by the attorney general of Washington DC are many. As reported by ProPublica and Documented, Ramaswamy has spoken at retreats staged by Teneo, a group Leo chairs and which aims to connect high-powered conservatives, to crush liberal dominance in American life. Other Teneo speakers have reportedly included Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor polling ahead of Ramaswamy in the Republican primary, and the former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who trails Ramaswamy and clashed with him on stage in Milwaukee. ProPublica also linked Thiel to the genesis of the Teneo group. According to a document seen by the Guardian, Ramaswamy became a Teneo member in 2021. Elsewhere, Ramaswamy is a board member of the Philanthropy Roundtable, a group with ties to Leo, and a member of the Federalist Society, the Leo-driven group which works to stock the courts with conservatives. Ramaswamy has also spoken to and received an award from the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), a group of Republican state treasurers. In June, in South Carolina, the Post and Courier newspaper reported that last year, before launching his presidential bid, Ramaswamy attempted to leverage his [Republican] connections to gain access [for Strive] to lucrative contracts to manage pension funds [with] total assets of $39.6bn. Similar pushes were mounted in Missouri and Indiana, the paper said. Curtis Loftis, the South Carolina state treasurer, told the Post and Courier there was nothing improper about such approaches. Asked about Ramaswamys claims to be an outsider in light of his links to rightwing donors, activists and establishment figures, a campaign spokesperson told the Guardian: Vivek has lived the American dream and has had tremendous success in business. Theres a colossal difference between someone who has friendships and business relationships with wealthy individuals and politicians who change their policies and positions to please their Super Pac donors, they added. In the Wisconsin debate, Ramaswamy flourished in the absence of Donald Trump, the former US president who faces 91 criminal charges but nonetheless leads Republican polling by huge margins. Amid speculation that Ramaswamy might end up Trumps running mate, Reed Galen, a Republican operative turned co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, called Ramaswamy a classic 2020s America tech bro bullshit artist Trump for the 21st century. Ramaswamys claim to be an outsider, Galen said, was part of his fundamental understanding that Maga [the pro-Trump Republican base] wants him to show that the rest of these people [in the primary] are politicians. Hes willing to be the showman the outsider. Anti-establishment. If anything is there, I dislike it because its there. You know, Im going to have fun with this. Im not going to take it seriously because youre a bunch of hacks and goons. Related: Rightwing activist Leonard Leo under investigation in Washington DC But in another sense, regarding Ramaswamys ties to the likes of Leo and Thiel, Galen said: I think that hes an insider. He walks into a room with Leonard Leo and says, What do you need me to do? And theyre like, Heres what we want you to do. Heres what we need you to do. Right? Do I think [Ramaswamy] cares about [issues like restricting] abortion? No, not particularly. I dont think he has a firmly held belief on it. But if he thinks that it will help him, and in exchange for that Leonard Leo will throw a little chicken feed of the $1.6bn that old man gave him, to help him? Sure, what the hell? He didnt ever think hed get this far. So now hes just gonna push it as far as he can. Ramaswamy, Galen said, was closely tied to a world of donors and non-profits in which Leo is certainly at the center. And this movement only moves in one direction, and its toward the darkness. Its towards authoritarianism. And its because it finds people like Ramaswamy. And the more that all these other candidates will now attack him, they will drive him further and further into the arms of those people. The body of a 22-year-old woman with an Instagram following for her roller skating was found near a burned car in Austell, Georgia, on Wednesday, police said. Authorities suspect foul play after discovering the remains of Beauty Couch, a dancer and roller-skater known online as Beauty Katera, following a report of a brush fire on Wednesday afternoon, the Cobb County Police Department said in a statement. Beauty Couch, 22, shared her love of dancing and roller-skating with her thousands of online followers. Beauty Couch, 22, shared her love of dancing and roller-skating with her thousands of online followers. When the Austell Fire Department arrived on the scene, the brush fire turned out to be a vehicle fully engulfed in flames, Cobb County police stated. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police said they responded to the address where the torched vehicle was registered and learned that Couch, who often used the car, had not been seen since the previous morning. Upon returning to the site of the fire, police said, officers found a body matching the 22-year-olds description nearby. On Instagram, Couch shared dozens of photos and videos showing her passion for dance and roller-skating with her 150,000 Instagram followers and more than 90,000 TikTok followers. She gave lessons in the Atlanta area. Couchs followers filled her posts with comments expressing their shock over her death and their hope that anyone with information would come forward. Kimberly Couch, Couchs mother, told local news outlet WAGA that she was devastated to hear the news of what happened to her daughter. They burned my babys car up. They burned her car up. They treated her like she was a dog. I dont like that, Couchs mother told WAGA. In a separate interview with WSB-TV, Kimberly Couch described her daughter as a sweet girl. She was a friend to everybody. She loved going skating. She loved going to work. She loved her clothes. She loved wearing her hair so pretty, she said. She added that she wants whoever is responsible for her daughters death to pay for what they did. They took a part of my life from me. They took a part of my heart, she told WSB-TV. Related... This article was originally published in Iowa Capital Dispatch. Des Moines Area Community College is a harder target for cyberattacks and scams than it used to be, President Rob Denson said, but it takes constant effort and vigilance to stay that way. He and his staff will receive fake attachments, fraudulent messages from people claiming to be coworkers and applicants with intentions of taking financial aid and running rather than attending classes almost every day, despite best efforts to head them off. Threat actors are always looking for you to let down your guard, he said. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter In efforts to keep campus safe, some Iowa community colleges are having to put increasingly more time, manpower and money toward cybersecurity efforts. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Aaron Warner, CEO of cybersecurity company ProCircular, said community colleges are targets for bad actors because they house a lot of sensitive information, their student populations see continuous turnover, and theyre made to be as accessible as possible. The often-chaotic time just before school starts is also utilized by cybercriminals, as faculty and staff are busier and less likely to catch suspicious emails or other activities. Its an unfortunate byproduct of the fact that theyre a community organization, Warner said. They are designed to interact as best as possible with the community. Bad guys take advantage of that. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced employees to work from home, Warner said the opportunities to conduct cyberattacks expanded. Gone was the castle-and-moat style of keeping sensitive information on one secure network as data was transferred onto home computers and laptops. The risk of a successful cyberattack or intrusion didnt so much rise as become more distributed, he said. DMACC and Iowa Central Community College have already faced in real time what ProCircular simulates for training a breach in cybersecurity. Iowa Central Community College was hacked in 2018, and DMACC saw a breach in 2021. Both colleges amped up security efforts in response, which they still keep up today. Colleges work to stop ghost student scam One problem DMACC has worked to curb is ghost students, or applicants who use fake or stolen identities to seek financial aid. Denson said the college started seeing more fraudulent applications around two years ago, coming in groups from certain areas in different states and filing for loans without any intent of actually attending classes. For around a year, DMACC staff have been calling every applicant to confirm their identity before putting their information into the system, Denson said. While this practice has cut down on ghost student applications, its not the easiest task to undertake. In fall 2022, DMACC admitted more than 1,600 full-time, first-time students. Admissions staff and recruiters called each applicant and recorded the confirmation of their identity in the DMACC system a time-consuming process, Denson said, as many students arent easy to reach over phone or email. Its a terrible use of time, its not the best use of their skills, but its something weve got to do, Denson said. What we dont want to do is get a fraudulent app inside of our learning management system. At its peak in late July 2022, Denson said the college was receiving around 15 fraudulent applications a day. Since implementing this practice, Denson said that number has decreased significantly, but one or two a day still pop up. Denson said the amount of time and manpower needed to verify so many applicants pulls people away from their other work. We would rather have recruiters out recruiting and advisors talking to students about their career, rather than verifying somebodys identity, he said. In order to lower the risk of a fake student infiltrating Iowa Central Community Colleges systems, President Jesse Ulrich said staff purges all records of inactive students those who applied but never signed up for classes or interacted with the college in any way every semester. Cybersecurity is costly Staff and faculty at both community colleges receive training on how to spot and report phishing, and receive random test phishing emails. Iowa Central Community College has members of its IT team dedicated to servers and infrastructure, and DMACC has a cybersecurity expert on retainer. Security software, training and insurance all require funds, Ulrich said, which could be used in other areas of the college. Anytime you are putting more resources into cybersecurity, whether thats through people, software, paying more for insurance; all of those things pull from the general fund or other areas of our funds to be able to really meet the core purpose of community colleges, Ulrich said. Both colleges have cyber insurance; Denson said the colleges annual insurance cost is five times what it was, and the deductible has doubled. Even divulging details on its cybersecurity insurance could put the college at risk, Ulrich said, as threat actors will look through public records to determine how well-insured schools are and use that in attacks. Its kind of a lose-lose situation for higher ed when were put in that situation, he said. However, having these safeguards isnt really a choice, Denson said its a necessity, and one that isnt going away soon. According to SonicWalls 2023 Cyber Threat Report, educational institutions were cyber criminals top targets for malware attacks. At the recent annual Community Colleges for Iowa conference, Ulrich said cybersecurity was among the top 10 challenges facing higher education today. ProCircular works with more than just community colleges to evaluate cybersecurity efforts, but the leaders at colleges Warner has met are among the most understanding of the issues and how to tackle them, he said. Much of the companys training involves ensuring people know what to look for, how to respond in the event of a breach and helping them allocate resources in the right areas. U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn introduced legislation in April to help curb cyber attacks against K-12 schools by increasing available resources, expanding cyber attack prevention information sharing and improve national tracking of cyber attacks. While no bills targeting cybersecurity in higher education have been introduced, a spokesperson for Nunns office said they are working with as many entities as possible to help tighten cybersecurity across the board. Community Colleges for Iowa Executive Director Emily Shields said there has been interest in the state Legislature in working to curb cybersecurity breaches in higher education, but many of the best practices suggested in discussions are already being practiced by community colleges. When it comes to funding, Shields said colleges would rather see more dollars go into general funds than specific silos like cybersecurity, as it allows them to be more flexible in allocating resources. The organization has worked to help keep colleges informed about cybersecurity threats and avenues to help fend off attacks, in the event one does occur, she said. The conversation always is not if this is going to happen in your college, its when, Shields said. Everybodys anticipating. You will have cyberattacks, probably plural its making sure youre ready for that. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter. China looks forward to in-depth discussions with the United States on resolving their differences on the economic and trade fronts during a visit by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo next week, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. China will state its position on economic and trade issues to the US during Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao's meeting with Raimondo, and hopes to advance pragmatic cooperation, said Shu Jueting, spokeswoman of the ministry, at a news briefing. "We have noted that China and the US have recently encountered some difficulties and challenges in bilateral trade and investment, which are closely related to the series of unilateral and protectionist measures taken by the US side," Shu said. The essence of China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutual benefit and win-win results, and serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, Shu said. "China will continue to raise relevant economic and trade concerns with the US and strive to create a fair and stable business climate for enterprises of both sides to carry out trade and investment cooperation," Shu said. The US Department of Commerce said in a statement on Tuesday that Raimondo will make stops in Beijing and Shanghai from Sunday to Wednesday for talks with senior officials and US business leaders, and hopes for constructive discussions on issues relating to the US-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by US businesses, and areas for potential cooperation. Raimondo's visit is scheduled just weeks after US President Joe Biden's signing of an executive order to block and regulate US high-tech investment in China covering sectors like advanced computer chips, micro electronics, quantum information technologies and artificial intelligence. Raimondo will be the fourth high-level US government official to visit China this year. Her visit comes close on the heels of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Presidential Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry. This marks the latest in a recent series of senior US government official visits in the hope of mitigating increasingly strained relations between the world's two largest economies, said Wei Zongyou, a professor at the Center for American Studies of Fudan University in Shanghai. The Biden administration hopes to increase high-level exchanges and dialogue between the two sides, so as to minimize misunderstandings and miscalculations, manage differences, improve US-China relations and seek pragmatic cooperation, Wei said. Businesspeople on both sides appear to be eager to find out whether the meeting will take a step toward resolving such issues as additional tariffs, suppression of Chinese high-tech enterprises, abuse of export controls and blocking US high-tech investment in China, Wei said. A day before the Chinese Commerce Ministry's announcement of Raimondo's visit, the US Department of Commerce removed 27 Chinese entities from its Unverified List a roster of businesses that are subject to stricter export controls as the US government was unable to complete customary checks. a large space station in the shape of an H floats in front of a blue and white planet Space debris flying towards the International Space Station forced an evasive maneuver Thursday (Aug. 24). A Russian module on the International Space Station (ISS) turned on around 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT or 6 p.m. in Moscow) to move the orbiting complex away from space junk . NASA confirmed the maneuver via e-mail. "On Thursday, the International Space Station's Zvezda service module engines were fired for 21.5 seconds ... to maneuver the complex away from the predicted track of an orbital debris fragment," NASA officials wrote. The space station moved its orbit down towards our planet by about 1,640 feet (500 meters), added a Russian-language report from Russian state media outlet TASS, translated by Google; the average altitude of the ISS above Earth is roughly 250 miles or 400 km. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement NASA's email, and an earlier agency blog post, said the orbit adjustment will not have any impact on operations in what is a a busy 24 hours for the space station. Related: How often does the International Space Station have to dodge space debris? The Progress 85 cargo craft is expected to arrive at the ISS around 11:50 p.m. EDT Thursday (0350 GMT on Friday, Aug. 25). Hours after that arrival, the SpaceX Crew-7 quartet of astronauts will rocket up to the ISS as well. They are scheduled to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 3:50 a.m. EDT (0750 GMT) on Friday and you can watch coverage here at Space.com, via NASA Television. Their planned docking will happen Saturday (Aug. 26), which will also run live here at Space.com through NASA. RELATED STORIES: Clearspace-1 space debris cleanup target in orbit just got struck by space debris 6 types of objects that could cause space debris apocalypse SpaceX Starlink satellites had to make 25,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in just 6 months and it will only get worse Course corrections by the ISS have happened more than 30 times since 1999 and the need is accelerating as more satellites and space junk accumulate in orbit. It is unclear how close the debris passed by the space station this time, or whether it was a natural or artificial piece of debris. In general, however, such flybys happen from relatively afar. NASA's guidelines monitor the ISS for any debris coming within a "pizza box"-area shape of space around the station's orbit, which is roughly 2.5 by 30 by 30 miles (4 by 50 by 50 kilometers) with the ISS at the center, according to agency officials. Tracking comes via the U.S. military, which can follow flying pieces as small as 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter. This story was updated at 2 p.m. EDT with updated information from NASA. Wagner is likely to no longer exist as a quasi-independent parallel military entity after the almost certain assassination by Russian President Vladimir Putin of Yevgeny Prigozhin , the Private Military Companys (PMC) sponsor, its founder Dmitry Utkin and head of logistics and security Valeriy Chekalov, says a daily report by the Institute for the Study of War. Source: ISW Quote: "The death of Wagners central leadership disrupts Wagners ability to reverse the effects of the Kremlins and the Russian Ministry of Defences (MoD) campaign to weaken, subsume, and destroy the organisation following the 24 June armed rebellion." Details: The Russian Defence Ministry has reportedly set up private military companies that recruit current and former Wagner members to take control of Wagner's operations abroad. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Russian sources claim that the Kremlin has refused to pay the Belarusian government for the deployment of Wagner in Belarus, and financial problems have already led to a reduction in payments, forcing Wagner fighters to resign. Satellite images from 1 and 23 August show that Wagner members have dismantled almost a third of their tents at a camp in Tseli, Asipovichy, Belarus, over the previous month. The Ukrainian Resistance Center also reported on 23 August that an unidentified number of Wagner fighters in camps in Belarus have begun preparing to return to Russia. "[This is] suggesting that the effort to weaken Wagner may have resulted in a notable flight of Wagner personnel from the contingent in Belarus, "the ISW notes. Quote: "The central Wagner leadership had brought Wagner to the height of its independence during the offensive to capture Bakhmut and was attempting to retain some semblance of that independence in the aftermath of Wagners rebellion. The elimination of this central leadership likely ends any remaining means Wagner had to operate independently of the Russian MoD. It remains unclear whether the Kremlin intends for Wagner to completely dissipate or intends to reconstitute it as a much smaller organisation completely subordinate to the Russian MoD. A third option restoring Wagner as a quasi-independent organisation under a new commander loyal to the Kremlin is possible but unlikely." Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The Institute for the Study of War believes that reported deaths of Wagner Group leaders Yevgeny Prigozhin , Dmitry Utkin, and Valery Chekalov will prevent the organization from resisting efforts by the Kremlin and Russian Ministry of Defense to weaken, subsume, and destroy the organization in the aftermath of the June 24 armed rebellion. Calling the deaths in a plane crash an almost certain assassination, ISW reports that the elimination of this central leadership likely ends any remaining means Wagner had to operate independently of the Russian Ministry of Defense. After gaining notoriety for their brutal participation in the battle for Bakhmut, Prigozhin led the infamous mercenary group through an aborted uprising in late June after publicly criticizing and denouncing Russian military leadership. The rebellion saw Wagner fighters shoot down Russian military aircraft before a settlement brokered by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ended the uprising, resulting in Wagner relocating personnel and equipment to camps in Belarus. Putin initially referred to the incident as treason and betrayal and vowed to hold those responsible to account. In a brief address, Putin referred to Prigozhin as having a difficult fate and as someone who had made serious mistakes. He also emphasized that Prigozhin had achieved the necessary results both for himself and what I [Putin] asked him for for a common cause, as in these last months. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement ISW speculates that Putins comment implies that Prigozhin had been fulfilling Putins orders recently and throughout their acquaintance, but indicates that Prigozhins loyalty through the years was not enough to offset the serious mistake of launching a rebellion against the Russian military leadership. In previous assessments ISW has theorized that Prigozhin did not intend to oust Putin but rather wanted to force Putin to fire key members of Russias military leadership. The exact cause of the plane crash has yet to be verified and multiple sources have offered varying explanations, from alleged surface-to-air missiles, to bombs and other sabotage. ISW has also reported that the Wagner Council of Commanders has yet to release a public statement following the downing of Prigozhins plane. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Military intelligence reports raid into occupied Crimea; Putin says Prigozhin likely dead Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Jackson family is claiming assault after what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop turned violent at the hands of a Madison County Sheriff's deputy in the early morning hours of July 7. In a press conference held at the Jackson-Madison County branch of the NAACP on July 26, the family, alongside their attorney Marcus Lipham, discussed the incident and how their experience has continued to haunt them. The Jackson Sun, along with other news outlets, have submitted records requests to the sheriff's department that could not be fulfilled due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. The Madison County Sheriff's Office released two statements on July 12 and July 26, detailing that it is their policy to "refrain from discussing open investigations." Ashley Thomas comforts her brother Reem Cooper as he talks about the physiological effect his encounter with Madison County deputies during the Jackson-Madison County NAACP Press Conference on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The family shared their account of what happened that night. Family details a 'life-changing' night At approximately 2 a.m., Reem Cooper, his sister Ashley Thomas, and Cooper's 15-year-old son Remington made a trip to the Walgreens on the corner of Campbell Street and Highland Avenue to pick up Cooper's medication. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Before making their way back home, Cooper recalled seeing officers, who he believed to be observing his family at Walgreens, sitting in their vehicle across the street in the CVS parking lot. As the rain poured down, he added that the inclement weather along with the bright lights beaming from the deputy's car as he passed him, made it difficult to see which lane he was in. When Cooper veered out of a lane, in what he noted as "the passage that was safest," he noticed the deputy's car begin to tail him. Lawyer Marcus Lipham speaks with Ashley Thomas, Reem Cooper's sister, as JMC NAACP President Harrell Carter speaks during the Jackson-Madison County NAACP Press Conference on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Upon pulling over, he detailed Deputy Nickell's demeanor as being "immediately aggressive." Cooper, who suffers from a heart condition, asked the deputy to get a supervisor after approaching the driver's side window, according to Thomas who was sitting in the passenger seat. The deputy refused and removed Cooper from the car. "And to Jacob Nickell, at the moment my brother said 'I have a heart condition, can you get a supervisor please?', not only did they immediately take the taser and go right to my brother's chest, taser to skin, and tase him repeatedly," she said. "If you would've stopped my brother's heart, which he could have, then what would we have done?" With tears in her eyes, Thomas described the early morning of July 7 as "life-changing." "It shouldn't have happened to us and I don't want you to feel that this is something to be normalized," she said. "That going to the store just to get some medicine, as we were, is something to be criminalized. I can tell you that the actions of that officer that night were tremendously excessive. The force that was used against me and my family, against my brother, was horrific to me." Cooper described the force that Deputy Nickell used to put his hands behind his back as comparable to "twisting a door knob to its fullest extent." Cooper's teenage son Remington was also pulled from the car and assaulted. Ashley Thomas, sister of Reem Cooper, speaks during the Jackson-Madison County NAACP Press Conference addressing police behavior on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. "My nephew is not the same anymore. A little boy who had to experience being a criminal. Thrown to the ground, arrested, tased. Tase marks on his little body," Thomas said. She added that in addition to being scared of what may happen next to his father, Remington has had difficulty sleeping and "jumps at everything." In addition to the ongoing medical issues and inherent bills, Thomas noted that the psychological impact of the incident has been the most significant. Though the family is pursuing legal action, there is little that can be done while the sheriff's investigation remains open. "The mental crumbs that we have to piece together, I don't believe that we can because we will never forget that night," she said. Family claims deputy's pattern of abuse Deputy Jacob Nickell, one of two deputies involved in the Cooper incident, has had a history of similar behavior, according to Lipham. "I have an extensive history with this deputy, and it's not good," he said. "He's displayed these types of behaviors in other situations." Lawyer Marcus Lipham speaks during the Jackson-Madison County NAACP Press Conference addressing police behavior on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. He went on to detail two prior situations where Deputy Nickell similarly used excessive force, leading him to subsequently bring the cases involving the deputy's actions to the attention of the district attorney. In sharing other incidents, Lipham explained that Nickell has been able to avoid consequences for his use of force by operating under the guise that is a direct result of a suspect evading or resisting arrest, even if that is not the truth. "I would suggest that if the sheriff's department and the district attorney go to each incident that this deputy is involved in where there is a charge of resisting arrest or evading arrest, they'll find that there is more and more of these types of situations of excessive force," Lipham said. Lipham suggested that the district attorney seek assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to do an independent investigation of the sheriff's office to ensure "a fair opinion of what needs to be done to correct these actions of these officers." "In my opinion, he should be in jail. Force is sanctioned by law, and if it's not sanctioned force, it's an assault. He should have went to jail," he said. Madison County Sheriff's Office: An 'internal investigation' After the family filed a formal complaint with the sheriff's office on July 11, the department released a statement on July 12 describing the complaint as having "immediately triggered an automatic internal investigation" and concluding with the assurance that "transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust of our community are of the utmost importance to the Madison County Sheriff's Office." Ashley Thomas hugs her brother Reem Cooper after the end of the Jackson-Madison County NAACP Press Conference addressing police behavior on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Approximately 40 minutes before the NAACP held its press conference for the family on the morning of July 26, the department released an additional statement, once again noting that though the Cooper investigation remains in progress and that further details cannot be provided, its anticipated conclusion would be the following week. "Rest assured that as soon as the internal investigation is concluded, and the District Attorney has had the opportunity to review the findings, the Madison County Sheriff's Office will provide a comprehensive update to the media and the public." One month after its expected completion, the investigation remains in progress as of Aug. 24. "I'd like to see something done about this matter," Cooper said in his final statement. "It was unjust." This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Traffic stop turned violent at hand of Madison Co. deputy, family says [Source] A bereaved family in Japan is considering suing the operator of a hospital that allegedly worked their son to death. What happened: Takashima Shingo, 26, a resident physician at Konan Medical Center in Kobe City, took his own life in May 2022. According to his familys lawyers, he worked more than 207 hours in the month before his death and had not taken a day off in three months, NHK reported. What he said: Takashima left a final note for his parents. In it, he thanked them for reaching him one last time and explained that he tried not to do this, but its the limit. In a press conference last Friday, his mother said he repeatedly told her that no one is looking out for me. She believes the work environment put him over the edge, CNN reported. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More from NextShark: Judge grants bail to Indian, Pakistani 'PUBG' couple days after their arrest What the government is saying: In June, the Nishinomiya Labor Standards Inspection Office ruled Takashimas death a work-related incident caused by extremely long hours. However, it is unclear if this determination holds the hospital accountable in some capacity. What the hospital is saying: In a separate press conference last week, Konan Medical Center denied any knowledge of the young doctor being overworked. Its records reportedly reviewed by a dedicated committee of outside doctors and lawyers show that Takashima had worked 197 hours and 36 minutes of overtime in April 2022, followed by 133 hours and 15 minutes in May. There are many times when (doctors) spend time studying on their own and sleeping according to their physiological needs, a spokesperson added, as per CNN. Due to the very high degree of freedom, it is not possible to accurately determine working hours. More from NextShark: No jail time for man who shoved 92-year-old Asian man with dementia in Vancouver, says judge The big picture: Japan has an alarming record of deaths linked to overwork, a social phenomenon known as karoshi. The government reportedly accepts around 200 karoshi claims per year, but activists estimate the actual numbers are as high as 10,000. If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255. More from NextShark: Extremely inhumane: Japanese inmates sue govt. for notifying them of execution just hours beforehand Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Bruce Lees Close Friend and Top Student Taky Kimura Passes Away at 96 Two years after the disappearance of Illinois State University student Jelani Day, his loved ones are still seeking answers. Jelanis mother Carmen Bolden Day said she is still putting pressure on law enforcement, demanding them to solve the case of her son, who was last seen on the Illinois State University campus on Aug. 24, 2021. Im going to keep on doing everything in my power to add pressure to make them do their job, to make them think about Jelani every freaking day because I need to know what happened to him. I miss him. I miss him so much. I just want him to know that I love him dearly and that Im not gonna stop fighting for him. Im not gonna stop looking for the people that did this to him, Carmen told ABC 7 Chicago. The heartbroken mother said she tried to call her son a day after he disappeared, but he didnt answer her calls. The young mans body was found in the Illinois River in Peru, Illinois nearly two weeks later. His car was also found near this location in a wooded area with the license plates missing. The coroner said that he died from drowning. Carmen, however, said her son didnt kill himself. Meanwhile, the FBI said its giving a reward to people who come forward with information related to the case. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The FBI continues to solicit tips seeking information related to the death of Jelani Day and a reward remains available for members of the public providing significant information, the agency said in a statement. In an interview with Kendall Rae on her True Crime show, Carmen explained why Jelani was so special. He was that kid that was curious and so smart, she said. He would get his stuff done, get his work done. The teacher would call me and say Jelani, hes a good student, good kid, but he just doesnt wanna stop talking. Hes always playing.' Jelani was a standout athlete who earned a scholarship for track and field. He also stayed busy with several clubs and organizations at school. As a graduate student, Jelani was studying speech pathology. The weekend before he went missing, the Illinois student went to Texas to help his sister move into grad school. When he came back from Texas, Jelani called his mother to let her know that he has returned safely. Also at that time, as his father was battling cancer, Jelani had decided that he would donate bone marrow to help his dad because he was found to be the closest match. But everything changed when Jelani suddenly disappeared shortly after coming back from Texas. It was the director of clinical education at Illinois State University who first became concerned when the star student didnt show up to his class or the meeting he had scheduled with her. The concerned educator alerted police, who then alerted the family. Carmen said she called and texted her son repeatedly, but never got an answer. The heartbroken mother, who suspects foul play in her sons disappearance, said he is never the type of person who would go anywhere without telling somebody he knows. MADISON Ten Republicans who signed paperwork claiming to be electors for Donald Trump in 2020 after he lost reelection should not face criminal charges, U.S. Sen Ron Johnson said Friday. The Republican senator described the actions by the group of Wisconsin Republicans as "political activity." He made his comments a day after the former president was arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, on charges that he attempted to overturn 2020 election results in the state, the fourth criminal case he faces while campaigning for a second term in the White House. The group of Wisconsin Republicans who signed the fake elector paperwork are not facing criminal charges, but Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said earlier this month those participating in the fake elector scheme should be held accountable. "The fact that we are criminalizing political activity, that's a danger to our democracy. It shouldn't happen," Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel following a roundtable focused on barriers people face after incarceration. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Johnson said the use of alternative electors were "nothing new," referencing a situation where Democrats in Hawaii submitted alternate electors for the 1960 presidential election despite a certification that Republican Richard Nixon won the state. However, the 1960 race in Hawaii was still undergoing a recount at the time of certification that eventually found Democrat John F. Kennedy won the state over Nixon by a margin of about 100 votes, according to The New York Times. This is different than the 2020 election, when Wisconsin and other competitive states that narrowly voted for Biden had already completed recounts cementing his victory in the state. "It's a way to preserve a legal position, should courts rule that there were issues in the election. Democrats have done this, Republicans have done this," Johnson said. Johnson also said he has not been subpoenaed in a federal grand jury investigation into President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election result. The group of GOP electors were at the center of an indictment handed down Aug. 2. Johnson was not mentioned by name in the indictment, but the document mentions an incident in 2021 involving one of his aides texting a staffer to former Vice President Mike Pence , informing him that Johnson wanted to hand Pence the votes from fake electors in Wisconsin and Michigan. More: Sen. Ron Johnson wanted to hand-deliver fake electors' votes to Mike Pence on Jan. 6, texts reveal Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin said earlier this month that there should be "some level of accountability" for those who participated in the plot. There has to be accountability for perpetrating the big lie, she said in Port Washington. We know who won the election in Wisconsin. The folks who oversee the election said it was the most secure election we ever had. While Michigan's attorney general has charged the state's false electors, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul has not said whether the state is looking into charging Wisconsin's fake electors. That group includes Republican Wisconsin Elections Commission appointee Bob Spindell and Andrew Hitt, then the chairman of the state Republican Party. A jury trial in a civil lawsuit against the Republican fake electors will take place in Dane County Circuit Court in September 2024, just weeks before the presidential election. Tyler Katzenberger and Hope Karnopp can be reached at tkatzenberger@gannett.com and hkarnopp@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ron Johnson says Wisconsin fake electors shouldn't be charged A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request from a group of Maryland parents to require Montgomery County Public Schools to allow them to opt their children out of lessons with LGBTQ books. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman found that the parents, who are suing the school district over its decision to get rid of the opt-out policy, are unlikely to succeed on the merits and denied their request to keep the policy in place while the case proceeds. Three sets of parents sued the Maryland school district in May after it said it would no longer allow parents to opt their children out of lessons that used a slate of newly approved LGBTQ-inclusive books. The parents argue that the books contradict their sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage, human sexuality, and gender and that the lack of an opt-out policy violates their childrens First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement However, Boardman noted that every court that has addressed similar questions about mandatory public school curriculums has found that mere exposure in public school to ideas that contradict religious beliefs does not burden the religious exercise of students or parents. The judge found that the Maryland parents failed to show that the lack of an opt-out policy would result in the indoctrination of their children or coerce their children to violate or change their religious beliefs. The parents still may instruct their children on their religious beliefs regarding sexuality, marriage, and gender, and each family may place contrary views in its religious context, Boardman wrote in Thursdays order. No government action prevents the parents from freely discussing the topics raised in the storybooks with their children or teaching their children as they wish, she added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A transgender pride flag sits on the desk of a lawmaker during debate on Senate Bill 14, which bans puberty blockers and hormone therapy for trans kids. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune A Texas law banning transgender youth from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy will go into effect next week after the state attorney generals office filed to block a judges temporary injunction against Senate Bill 14. In her decision Aug. 25, state district court Judge Maria Cantu Hexsel wrote that SB 14 interferes with Texas families private decisions and strips Texas parents of the right to seek, direct, and provide medical care for their children. In response, the attorney generals office filed an appeal with the Texas Supreme Court, a move that automatically pauses Cantu Hexsels injunction and will allow the law to go into effect Sept. 1. The attorney generals office said such medical treatments are unproven and pushed by some activists in the medical and psychiatric professions in a statement announcing the appeal Aug. 25. Following the state's appeal, the plaintiffs filed an emergency request asking the Texas Supreme Court to again temporarily block the law. On Aug. 31, the state's highest court denied that request, ensuring SB 14 will take effect on Sept. 1. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Texas lawmakers passed SB 14 during this years regular legislative session, in addition to several other pieces of legislation affecting the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Texas families and doctors sued the state in July with the hope of blocking the law. They argued SB 14 violates the Texas Constitution because it strips parents rights to make decisions about their childs health care and discriminates against transgender youth by prohibiting access to this population specifically. Cantu Hexsels injunction would have blocked the state attorney generals office, the Texas Medical Board and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission from enforcing the law. She wrote that transgender youth and their families would suffer probable, imminent, and irreparable injury if SB 14 went into effect while the legal battle ensues. A trial is set to begin May 6. The judge indicated the lawsuit would likely succeed. Agreeing with the plaintiffs, she said that SB 14 was unconstitutional because it violated parents rights to make decisions about their children, infringed on doctors freedom to practice medicine and discriminated against transgender youth by withholding access to health care. This Act was passed because of, and not in spite of, its impact on transgender adolescents, depriving them of necessary, safe, and effective medical treatment, the judge wrote. In a hearing last week, medical experts testified to the efficacy of transition-related care in alleviating mental health issues associated with gender dysphoria a medical term for the distress someone experiences when their gender identity doesnt match their body. Defense attorneys called doctors and other experts to discredit the existing evidence that supports the use of puberty blockers and hormone treatments on transgender youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria. They argued the risks of these drugs and transition-related surgeries, which are rarely performed on children outweigh the benefits. In the larger medical community, there is less debate over the use of these treatments. Leading medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association support the use of transition-related care for people under 18. Alex Sheldon, executive director of GLMA, an association of LGBTQ+ health professionals that is one of the plaintiffs, hailed Cantu Hexsels ruling before the attorney generals office appealed it. This ruling stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of Texas families and the medical expertise of GLMA's health professional members, who with each testimony have clearly demonstrated that gender-affirming care is evidence-based, life-saving care, Sheldon said in a statement Aug. 25. Although this was just one battle of many, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fight for the rights of trans youth and health care providers offering gender-affirming care in Texas and throughout the nation. Texas lawmakers joined 19 other states attempting to ban the use of transition-related care. The prohibition is popular among Republican voters in Texas over 85% of whom support some restrictions on this health care, according to an April poll by the Texas Politics Project. Similar to Texas law, restrictions to transition-related care in other states have faced legal challenges in recent months. In June, a federal judge ruled that Arkansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors is unconstitutional because it violates the due-process and equal-protection rights of transgender children and their families. Federal judges in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee have also blocked those states laws from going into effect. An appeals court intervened to allow Tennessee to implement its ban, and the Kentucky federal judge lifted the injunction he issued, allowing the law to go into effect. The full program is now LIVE for the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 21-23 in Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations coming to TribFest. Panel topics include the biggest 2024 races and whats ahead, how big cities in Texas and around the country are changing, the integrity of upcoming elections and so much more. See the full program. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Three leaders and six members of a group of street gangs in the Kansas City area were indicted by a federal grand jury this week for their roles in an ongoing criminal business. The business involved armed violence, including murder schemes, drive-by shootings and illegal drug trafficking, according to the Department of Justice. Court documents detail July KCK killing, stabbing in Argentine neighborhood The nine gang members have been identified as: Steven K. Lee,38 also known as Bizzle and SB Charles V. Williams, 35, also known as Cheese and Chucky D Travis L. Cook, 30, also known as Trav Richard B. Johnson, 24, also known as Scritch and Rich Deion D. Alford, 23, also known as Wommy Ewon R. Kelley, 33, also known as Won Myreku L. Frazier, 30, also known as Rekus Anthony D. Hunter, 25, also known as Dee Jacequin Boswell, 30, also known as Nunu and Noodles ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement All nine were charged in a six-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City last week. That indictment was unsealed and made public Thursday upon the arrests and initial court appearances of three of the suspects. 74-year-old man enters guilty plea in 2019 death of Overland Park teen Lee, Williams, Cook, Kelley, and Hunter were all arrested in an operation on Thursday. Johnson and Alford are already in custody in connection with other charges. The operation involved more than 140 law enforcement officers from multiple local and federal agencies and searches of 16 residences associated with gang members. Court records say during the searches and arrests, officers confiscated 27 firearms, two machineguns, 1,069 rounds of ammunition, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, and bulk cash associated with the gangs. The DOJ says additional seizures are still in the process of being logged into evidence. Independence man charged for intentionally striking, killing Liberty woman with vehicle According to the indictment, seven of the suspectsLee, Johnson, Alford, Kelley, Frazier, Hunter, and Boswellwere members of an organized criminal enterprise, a gang called the Park Side Greasies, which is centered around the intersection of 33rd Street and Park Avenue in Kansas City. Members of Park Side Greasies allegedly engaged in acts of violence, including murder, conspiracy to murder, armed assault and robbery, and drug trafficking. According to the indictment, Lee is the leader of Park Side Greasies. Williams leads Click Clack Gang and Cook leads South Benton Gang. Members of the three gangs maintain regular communication and frequently cooperate for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking and violent crimes, creating a union of gangs known as South Park Click. The gang alliance was memorialized in a 2013 song entitled For Da 30s, the indictment says, which includes the verse South Park Click. Thats South Benton, Park, and Click Clack. If somebody got shot, close your mouth we probably did that. McDonalds or Wendys, we dont give a (expletive). You wont move until the paramedics pick you up. Man pleads guilty to pistol-whipping, robbing man at Leavenworth apartment The indictment says the gang leaders, members, and associates of the business, promoted a climate of fear in the community through repeated waves of gunfire, assaults, and destruction of property, among other crimes of violence and intimidation, the indictment says. They used and threatened to use physical violence to suppress challenges from rival criminals and others who threatened the enterprise. They enhanced their reputation for violence by killing, attempting to kill, and otherwise violently confronting people who challenged them. They enriched themselves, and funded the operations of the criminal enterprise, with the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking, robbery, and burglary, according to the indictment. The indictment charges all nine of the suspects in one count of participating in a racketeering conspiracy since at least Jan. 1, 2008. They allegedly engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity, including multiple acts and threats of murder, robbery, and drug trafficking as part of the criminal enterprise. The indictment charges all nine in one count of participating in a drug-trafficking conspiracy since at least Jan. 1, 2008. They allegedly conspired to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, PCP, alprazolam, oxycodone, and marijuana. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The indictment charges Lee, Johnson, Alford, Kelley, Hunter, and Boswell in one count of participating in a murder conspiracy since at least Dec. 8, 2017, in aid of the racketeering enterprise. Lee allegedly issued a contract for the murder of a rival gang member. Boswell located and attempted to shoot the victim in the area of 34th Street in Kansas City, but the victim successfully got away. Hunter shot at the victim on Dec. 30, 2018, reporting to Lee that they had exchanged metal. Kelley located the victim on Jan. 1, 2019, but was unable to execute the contract because too many people were around. Grandview man sentenced for meth scheme linked to two killings On Jan. 28, 2021, Johnson allegedly fired at multiple vehicles, believing them to be occupied by rivals, causing an injury to an uninvolved person and damaging property. Johnson is charged with one count of aiding and abetting another person to attempt to murder and to assault another person with a dangerous weapon, a Glock 9mm handgun. Johnson is also charged with one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. China will strengthen monitoring of nuclear-contamination risks of marine aquatic products to ensure their safety quality, said a Chinese official Thursday. People gather to protest the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) decision on releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of the TEPCO in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. [Photo/Xinha] Japan's discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean is selfish and irresponsible, the official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement responding to a media query. The ministry attaches great importance to the safety of aquatic products and will strengthen monitoring of marine aquatic products in accordance with the national standard of restricted concentration of radioactive substances as part of efforts to protect the interests of the Chinese people, said the official. The official also said it will closely monitor the potential harm caused by nuclear-contaminated water released into China's marine fishery to protect the sector's healthy development. LEAVENWORTH, Kan. A 59-year-old Easton, Kansas man pleads on charges connected to a deadly crash last month involving a UTV vehicle. Gregory Zule led guilty one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of driving under the influence. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Zule was under the influence of alcohol on July 15, according to court documents, when he crashed a UTV vehicle he was driving in rural Leavenworth County. Court documents say following the crash, Zule told Leavenworth deputies he swerved to miss a deer, causing the vehicle to roll. His wife died in the crash. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Sentencing for Zule is set to take place on October 6. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. If youre on the job hunt in Kansas, one of the 797 openings posted as of Friday on the states employment portal might be a good fit for you. Of those, 27 positions are located in Sedgwick County. But if youre OK venturing farther, Shawnee County has the most state job openings (270), followed by Pawnee (44), Miami (42) and Labette (38). Twenty-five jobs are labeled as statewide. To navigate the states website, visit the portal at admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs and select which counties youd like to view on the left of the screen. From there, you can click through and view each jobs description and qualifications. Most of the jobs have a salary listed, as well. Here are four various statewide jobs with a starting salary of $70,000 or more. Salary could be dependent on education and experience, among other factors. Field Survey Project Manager Salary range: $76,960 to $91,332.80 ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Agency: Kansas Department of Transportation Job description: This person will look over the preliminary survey activities for the Bureau of Right of Way, manage the internal resources and coordinate consultant surveys and resources used by the bureau, among other land-surveying responsibilities. Qualifications: The successful candidate must have a land surveying license. The preferred candidate will have two years of supervisory experience and five years of highway route supervising experience. Local Bridge Engineer Salary range: $84,926 to $86,964.80 Agency: Kansas Department of Transportation Job description: This position oversees coordination of bridge design and other federally funded projects. The engineer advises and mentors other team members on engineering issues and design, hydraulics, hydrology and all parts of bridge inspections. Qualifications: Applicants must have a bachelors degree in engineering from an accredited school and a Kansas-recognized professional engineers license. PMO/Information Systems Manager Salary: $75,150.40 Agency: Department of Children and Families Job description: This person is responsible for managing resources and training for project managers and working with the portfolio manager to select projects. This person reports on various projects performance and keeps track of the progress and outcomes. Qualifications: The successful candidate must have a bachelors degree in computer science or similar field. They must also have five years of experience in information systems or seven years in information systems and analysis. Director of Cybersecurity Cluster Development Salary range: $70,000 to 80,000 Agency: Department of Commerce Job description: This position works with other state agencies in developing a cybersecurity cluster in Kansas. Other responsibilities include managing workforce development initiatives revolving around the demand for more cybersecurity professionals, build relationships with private firms and more. Qualifications: Applicants must have an associates degree or higher in computer science or a related field, as well as three years of work experience or five years experience in project management. Trevian Kutti, an ex-publicist for Kanye West, was among the final seven co-defendants in Donald Trumps election interference case to surrender in Georgia with just a few hours to spare. Kutti, whos accused of posing as a crisis manager to try and manufacture a voter-fraud confession from local election worker Ruby Freeman, turned herself over to authorities at 10 a.m. Fridayjust two hours before the court-mandated deadline. She flashed a big smile in her mugshot. Along with other co-defendants, Kutti is accused of going on a crusade to convince Freeman to falsely confess to secretly dragging suitcases stuffed with fake ballots into the vote-counting processa baseless conspiracy that Trump, Rudy Giuliani , and other election deniers parroted for weeks. At one point, Kutti even showed up at Freemans home and told her that she was in danger, and had just 48 hours before unknown subjects would come after her, a police report said. A responding copstill thinking Kutti was a crisis managersuggested they continue chatting at a police station, which was recorded on video. Freeman was later found to have done nothing wrong. From left to right: Michael Roman, Shawn Still, Jeffrey Clark. Fulton County Jail The six other co-defendants to surrender between Trumps booking on Thursday evening and Fridays noon deadline were Trump campaign official Michael Roman, Georgia state Senator Shawn Still, former Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark, former Coffee County elections supervisor Misty Hampton, Atlanta attorney Bob Cheeley, and Chicago pastor Stephen Cliffgard Lee. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Lee, who was the last of the 19 co-defendants to turn himself in, surrendered at the Fulton County Jail around 11 a.m. Friday, with just an hour to spare. He was able to bond out after the MAGA podcaster Silkof Diamond and Silkcut him a check for $3,500 and fundraised for him on her Thursday night podcast, Lees attorney, David Shestokas, told The Daily Beast on Friday. Shestokas said Silk, whose real name is Herneitha Hardaway, told her listeners that Pastor Lee needs to be in church Sunday, and urged them to donate to a defense fund. The Nervous Pastor Swept Up in Trumps Racketeering Case The seven final co-defendants to surrender all face charges of violating the states RICO Act, along with other various charges. Roman is accused of using his campaign position to organize slates of phony pro-Trump electors to represent the electoral votes from battleground states, including Georgia. He is charged with conspiring to impersonate a public officer, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, two counts of conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, and conspiracy to commit false statements and writings. Still was one of the 16 alternative electors who met after the 2020 election to cast votes for Trump despite Joe Biden winning Georgia. Hes accused of signing false papers that said he was a legitimate presidential electorsomething he now claims he did at Trumps behest. He could be suspended from the state Senate while his case plays out. Clark is accused of nearly sending an official DOJ letter to election officials in Georgia that was filled with lies about voter fraud, including a baseless claim that investigators had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election. He faces a count of attempting to commit false statements and writings. From left to right: Misty Hampton, Bob Cheeley, Stephen Cliffgard Lee. Fulton County Jail The election supervisor Misty Hampton is accused of allowing Trump supporters to illegally access voting data in rural Coffee County. She told The Washington Post last year that she allowed election deniers to access the data because she didnt trust the 2020 results herself. She faces charges of conspiracy to defraud the state, two counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud, conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy, conspiracy to commit computer trespass, and conspiracy to commit computer theft. Cheeley is the only defendant facing a charge of perjury. Hes accused of presenting video clips to the Georgia Senate that he claimed showed election workers triple-counting votes in Atlantasomething authorities determined was a lie. Hes also accused of participating in a pressure campaign against the then-speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, David Ralston, to try to will him to act on Trumps election lies. Lee is accused of trying to intimidate the same election worker as Kutti. He faces charges of criminal attempt to commit influencing witnesses. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Trevian Kutti, a former publicist for Kanye West and R. Kelly, surrendered to authorities in Georgia on Friday on charges related to her role in the scheme to overturn the states 2020 election results. Kuttis arrest comes after Donald Trump turned himself in Thursday evening, and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark surrendered early Friday morning. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis gave the former president and his 18 co-defendants a deadline of Friday at noon to stop by the county jail for booking. Stephen Lee, a pastor from Illinois, was the last of the 19 total defendants to do so, arriving shortly after Kutti. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Kutti and Lee were both granted a $75,000 bond earlier this week. They were indicted after trying to pressure a Georgia election worker into falsely admitting she was working to rig the election against Trump, as was Harrison Floyd, a former director of Black Voices for Trump who turned himself in earlier this week. Trump allies, including Rudy Giuliani , falsely alleged that election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss were part of a scheme to deliver additional, fraudulent votes to Joe Biden. Lee visited Freemans home in December 2020 but was turned away. Kutti visited Freemans home on Jan. 4, 2021, with Kutti lying that she was a crisis manager who was trying to help Freeman. Freeman ultimately called the police, and bodycam footage taken later at the station shows Kutti trying to pressure Freeman into admitting wrongdoing. I cannot say what specifically will take place I just know that it will disrupt your freedom and the freedom of one or more of your family members. You are a loose end for a party that needs to tidy up, Kutti told Freeman. Kutti then put Floyd on speakerphone, and Floyd told Freeman that she would go to jail if she didnt confess. Freeman and Moss would later appear before the House Jan. 6 committee to testify about how the conspiracy theories about them upended their lives. It has turned my life upside down. Moss told the committee. I dont want anyone knowing my name I just dont do nothing anymore, I dont want to go anywhere. I second-guess everything that I do. Its affected my life in a major way, in every way. All because of lies. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Donald Trump has now been arrested for the fourth time after Fani Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, charged him with racketeering and election meddling in her state as he sought to overturn Joe Bidens victory in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. But Mr Trump was not alone: 18 co-defendants were also named in the 98-page document, including the former presidents attorneys Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman and ex-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. One of the more surprising names on the list was that of Trevian Kutti, a one-time publicist for the rapper Kanye West, who wore a wide grin as she surrendered for arrest on 25 August. Ms Willis accuses Ms Kutti, 51, of witness intimidation in the indictment, claiming that she travelled to the home of election worker Ruby Freeman in January 2021 as part of an attempt to pressure her into confessing that Mr Trumps bogus election fraud narrative was true and that a giant conspiracy to defraud voters at the ballot box really had been carried out on Mr Bidens behalf. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to the indictment, Ms Freeman became scared after Ms Kutti warned her she would be arrested unless she came forward within 48 hours and duly called the police, whereupon an officer arrived and took both women to a nearby police station. Ms Kutti was then recorded on bodycam footage issuing further threats to Ms Freeman. Trevian Kutti is seen in her mug shot (Fulton County Sheriffs Office) A spokesman for Mr West, who has legally changed his name to Ye, told Reuters in 2021: Trevian Kutti was not associated with Kanye West or any of his enterprises at the times of the facts that are reported in these articles or since these facts occurred. The Independent has since contacted his representatives for further comment. Ye had made a half-hearted attempt to run for the presidency himself in 2020 and has recently claimed that he will not only run again in 2024 but that he has asked Mr Trump to be his running mate. The Republican front-runner is highly unlikely to accept, however, and the prospect appears remote indeed at the time of writing after Ye endured a nightmarish end to 2022 thanks to a series of self-inflicted scandals that began in October when he chose to appear at Paris Fashion Week alongside far-right commentator Candace Owens wearing matching White Lives Matter T-shirts. Matters only got worse when he subsequently appeared on the Drink Champs podcast and made a series of vicious antisemitic comments, also falsely claiming that George Floyd the Black man murdered by police officers in Minneapolis in May 2020, sparking international protests had been on drugs at the time, bringing further condemnation and a $250m lawsuit from the deceaseds family. Kanye West and Donald Trump (Getty) Doubling down on his remarks and issuing further slurs on Twitter, Ye ultimately lost a string of lucrative sponsorship deals with the likes of Adidas, Balenciaga, Gap and Skechers before ending the year with a disastrous appearance on Alex Joness InfoWars show in December in which he expressed his admiration for Adolf Hitler, finally losing his Twitter account when he followed that up by posting an image of a swastika inside the Star of David. In the middle of that rolling furore, Ye had brought the controversy to Mr Trumps door when he invited white supremacist and Holocaust-denier Nick Fuentes to dinner at Mar-a-Lago on 22 November, forcing his host to claim afterwards that he had not known the latters track record when he welcomed the rappers campaign manager inside. A source told Axios, however, that Mr Trump had allegedly said of Mr Fuentes at the meal: I really like this guy. He gets me. Not pleased about the ensuing bad publicity, which brought angry condemnation from both sides of the aisle, Mr Trump was forced to go on the defensive and insist that he did not share Mr Fuentess views, touting his favourable policies towards Israel while in office as evidence. Before all that, Ye had previously sought out Mr Trump with unannounced visits to Trump Tower in New York City in November 2016 and the White House in October 2018, on the second occasion sporting a red MAGA cap and enthusiastically proclaiming that it made him feel like Superman. Surrounded by baffled photographers and staffers in the Oval Office, the men discussed a wide range of topics, from North Korea to prison reform, mental health and even Yes designs for a new hydrogen-powered iPlane before he was politely ushered out to allow the commander-in-chief to resume his duties. Kellogg Community College has been named the No. 1 community college in Michigan by personal finance company WalletHub. BATTLE CREEK Kellogg Community College is the No. 1 community college in Michigan, according to new rankings from WalletHub. The personal finance company released its list of 2023s Best & Worst Community Colleges on Aug. 15, awarding KCC the top spot in the mitten state based on 19 key metrics, including the cost of in-state tuition and fees, student-faculty ratio and graduation rate, among others. KCC also ranked among the top 5% of community colleges in the U.S., coming in at 33rd nationwide out of a sample of 668 community colleges. "The WalletHub report affirms what our community already knows about Kellogg Community College: KCC is the most accessible and affordable option for area students looking to pursue higher education, a fact further evidenced by data that shows more high school graduates in Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties choose KCC than any other college or university in the state," KCC officials said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement WalletHub created the list to provide prospective students with an at-a-glance comparison of the quality and affordability of various institutions, to determine where students can receive the best education at the lowest price. During the 2022-23 academic year, tuition and fees for full-time, in-state enrollment at a public two-year college averaged $3,860 per year versus $10,950 at a public four-year institution and $39,400 at a four-year private school. "Students who earn their general-education credits at a community college before transferring to an in-state public four-year university can potentially save a lot of money, WalletHub officials said in the report. Other than serving as an affordable, and in some cases free, option for education, community colleges have a number of attractive qualities. They often provide more flexible schedules, smaller class sizes and rigorous coursework. Some even go beyond two-year programs to offer four-year bachelors degrees. These qualities appeal especially to students who need to balance their studies with other commitments, such as family and work. The full list of rankings is available at wallethub.com. KCC welcomes back students for the first day of the fall semester Monday. Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: KCC ranked No. 1 community college in Michigan by WalletHub Theres a chance the beef sitting on shelves in your local grocery store has traveled more than you lately. While it mightve been raised anywhere in the U.S., that cow likely spent its final days in a feedlot out west before being processed and shipped again across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a relatively small number of feedlots market 80-85% of the countrys fed cattle. Much of the cattle feeding operations are concentrated in the Great Plains. A Kentucky farm is trying to provide a more-climate friendly alternative to that well-traveled beef. Mt. Folly Farm in eastern Clark County has been raising crops and cows using climate-smart techniques that will live out their lives on local pasture before being processed and sold locally. These cattle are different, because theyre feedlot free, said Ben Pasley, the CEO of Mt. Folly Enterprises. There (are) no antibiotics, no growth hormones and they live their entire life here. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mt. Folly Farm, along with Eastern Kentucky University and a bevy of other partners, received a nearly $5 million grant from the USDA to build a network of 100 farmers across the Ohio River Valley that would raise beef and other farm products using climate-smart techniques. As part of the grant, farmers will be financially incentivized to adopt more climate-friendly practices. Mt. Folly Farm which is owned by Laura Freeman, the founder of Lauras Lean Beef has been practicing climate-smart techniques for years. Part of the goal of the program will be to build a climate-smart beef brand that would launch next year. Wouldnt it make more sense if (beef) was bought here, killed here, processed here, ate here? Alice Melendez, the project lead for the grant, said at a tour Tuesday of Mt. Folly Farm. What is climate smart? Farmers can take on a range of land management practices which lower greenhouse gas emissions or trap more carbon, one of the gasses most commonly associated with global warming. The National Resource Conservation Service, a branch of the USDA, has a long list of climate-smart practices. As long as youre implementing those practices, youre climate-smart farming, Melendez said in an interview. The amount of carbon sequestered by those practices can be measured. Dylan Kennedy, a Kentucky farmer focused on regenerative agriculture and the grants field lead, will be in charge of going out to farms who join the program and gathering that data for the USDA. Kennedy is trained in land health by the Savory Insititute, a global anti-desertification non-profit. Faculty and students at EKU will work to verify the data and make sure the grants mandates are followed. John Settimi, the EKU agriculture professor charged with the project, said the NRCS provides software that can model how much carbon is being stored by climate-smart practices. Additionally, theyll be taking soil samples from farms to measure the carbon content. Through photosynthesis, plants capture carbon all the time, Settimi said. Carbon can be trapped in the plants biomass and in the soil, reducing the amount in the atmosphere. The reason why the government is funding all this is because plants are essentially the absolute best way that we have right now of capturing carbon, Settimi said. Dylan Kennedy, a Kentucky farmer and field lead for a Mt. Folly Farm USDA grant, teaches a farm tour about rotational grazing at Clark Countys Mt. Folly Farm. What do climate-smart practices look like? On a recent farm tour, Mt. Folly Farm demonstrated some of its climate-smart practices, many of which encourage carbon-absorbing plant growth. Cattle there feed via rotational grazing, Kennedy said. Instead of allowing the cows to freely graze an entire field down to the dirt, temporary electric fencing is put up to limit their grazing to only a portion of the field at a time. Meanwhile, grasses and cover crops in other parts of the field can grow and recover from previous grazing. The larger plants capture more carbon and when they eventually break down, will improve the health of the topsoil. The cows will graze on one portion for a few days before being moved into a different, more grown-up section of the field. Our goal is to have our livestock on less than 10% of our land at any given time, Kennedy said. The farm also makes and uses biochar an ancient technique of burning organic materials at a high heat to produce a fine charcoal that can be spread in a field to improve soil health. They plant more trees around the farm and near streams something theyre hoping to encourage grant participants to do more. Many of these techniques may already be known to farmers but may not be fully implemented. A 2018 USDA survey estimated that a little under half of the livestock producers in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia use rotational grazing. The grant would allow participating farmers an up to $10,000 cost-share assistance and a $1,500 incentive. Those interested can sign up on the Lauras Mercantile website. Digital media and privacy experts explain why parents should think twice before sharing images with personal information about their kids online. Digital media and privacy experts explain why parents should think twice before sharing images with personal information about their kids online. As soon as August rolls around, social media feeds begin to fill up with parents sharing their kids first-day-of-school pictures. You know the ones: a smiling kiddo holding up a chalkboard sign (or a piece of paper for the less Pinterest-y among us) with their name, age, school, teacher, interests and hobbies. Although these photos are a sweet way to commemorate a new school year, posting them online poses some potential risks, experts say. So its good for parents and caregivers to be more intentional about what theyre sharing online, why theyre sharing it and with whom. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement One concern with posting these popular back-to-school photos on social media is that the images themselves and the information in them could be used by scammers, cybercriminals and other bad actors,Iskander Sanchez-Rola, director of privacy innovation at the cyber safety company Norton, told HuffPost. Posting personally identifiable information of your children on social media can open a can of worms for digital and physical threats, he said. Scammers can also easily identify a child by searching their full name or reverse image searching a photo of their face shared online, Sanchez-Rola added. If your child is old enough to have social media like Facebook or Instagram, cybercriminals can use their name and image to find their account and directly contact them. Kaitlin Allair Tiches, a research librarian with the Boston Childrens Digital Wellness Lab, cautioned against posting details like your childs full name, birthday and school name online, as this information could be used for financial fraud or to try to gain access to their data or that of their family members, she said. Allair Tiches cited a 2018 study from the bank Barclays predicting that sharenting the term for parents sharing photos and information about their kids online will be linked to over 7 million identity fraud incidents annually by 2030. Remember that its possible that pictures you post on social media can be used by people you dont even know in ways you dont intend, though some of them are rare. Its an unfortunate reality that photos shared innocently online can end up being used by others outside of your network.Kaitlin Allair Tiches of the Boston Childrens Digital Wellness Lab, Its an unfortunate reality that photos shared innocently online can end up being used by others outside of your network, whether for advertising or even on sites containing child sexual abuse material, Allair Tiches said. For safety reasons, you may not want to share the name of your childs teacher or school online. Otherwise, anyone can know where your child is a majority of the day, Monday through Friday, Sanchez-Rola said. Sharing hobbies and extracurriculars also clues in where your kids spend time after school. Any nuggets of personal information about your kid found online can help scammers make their schemes seem more legitimate. For example, if they know the name of your kids teacher or school, they can personalize a phishing message, known as spear phishing, with these details to appear more convincing, Sanchez-Rola said. Devorah Heitner is an expert on young peoples relationship with online media and author of the upcoming book Growing Up In Public: Coming Of Age In A Digital World. She acknowledges there are potential risks involved with posting these first-day-of-school pictures online. However, many parents are sharing about their kids on the internet this way today, so posting one of these photos doesnt make your child uniquely vulnerable to harm, she told HuffPost. There are a lot of elementary schoolers on the internet. Most of them will not be, for example, stranger kidnaps because they were shared on social media. So I think we dont want to overstate that risk, Heitner said. Its not just about safety, though. Before posting, consider, too, your child's right to digital privacy. Before posting, consider, too, your child's right to digital privacy. Beyond concerns about safety and fraud, these popular back-to-school posts should open up an important conversation about honoring our kids right to privacy online, Heitner said. Ideally, you should ask your childs permission before posting about them on social media. Were offering them the opportunity to say, No, which is really important because having that boundary and having to get consent is a really important way for them to learn about boundaries and think about their own public image and their own reputation, Heitner said. For a younger child who may not understand the concept of social media, you could say something like, Is it OK for me to share this picture outside of the family? Heitner suggested. You can ask older kids if theyre OK with you posting it on your account and discuss who follows you or can see what you share. Before posting, think about your child as a future self-conscious teenager, Heitner advised. For example, you might think sharing a picture of your kindergartener in their Sesame Street overalls and Paw Patrol backpack is adorable. But in a few years, they might be mortified by this. Its natural to want to post about your kids online, especially when so many of your friends are sharing pictures, stories and updates about their families, too. That being said, its important to balance your desire to connect with other parents with your kids privacy, Heitner said. We should really make sure were finding our community as parents in other ways, Heitner said. I really sympathize with parents needs for community and support and visibility, but I think we shouldnt do it at the expense of our kids privacy. Heres what parents can do better to protect their kids online. Experts share steps parents can take to help protect their families online. Experts share steps parents can take to help protect their families online. There are ways to still share moments and milestones with family and friends while mitigating the aforementioned risks. Heres how to approach it more safely and, as Allair Tiches said, with an eye to your childs wellbeing. Check your privacy settings. One way to better protect your kids digital safety and privacy is by limiting the number of people who have access to what you share on social media, said Sanchez-Rola. This can be done by making all accounts private and by removing anyone from your friends and followers lists that you either dont know or dont want to have access to photos of your children, he said. Some social networks, like Instagram, allow you to create a Close Friends list that will share some stories only with a subset of followers. Do a social media audit every so often. In addition to going through your followers periodically (and not accepting new follow requests from people you dont know), look through old posts to see if theres anything you might want to take down. Do you need all those old pictures up there? Heitner said. Ive sometimes made my settings more private on a picture later on. Talk to your kids about this audit process, too. Its a great way to train them and get them ready for their own social media experiences, Heitner said. Consider not posting your kids full name or face online. In the images you post, you could cover their face with an emoji or have your child facing away from the camera. Its ultimately up to parents to decide how much of their kids lives they want to showcase on social media, Sanchez-Rola said. He added that some parents choose to refer to their child by a nickname online rather than sharing their legal name. Have ongoing conversations with your child about posting online. Start talking about this with them when theyre young, then keep the dialogue going as they age. Ask them what theyre comfortable having shared about them online, Allair Tiches said. For younger children, this may be simply showing them the photo and asking if you can post, she said. As they get older, you can add in conversations about the reach and permanence of online posts and about online privacy and security. For teens and older children, you can ask if they would share the post on their own social media page and why or why not, Allair Tiches continued. Lots of kids worry that their friends or schoolmates could see embarrassing posts of them online, and what may be a silly photo or video to you may seem very embarrassing to them. You can also tell your kid how you decide what to post about yourself online and what to keep offline. These open conversations and respect for your childs right to consent can foster positive online habits, trust and healthy communication, Allair Tiches said. Be sure to talk to your family and friends about your preferences, too. Let your inner circle know what you are and are not comfortable having them share or repost about your child on their own social media pages, Allair Tiches said. And remember, there are other ways to share pictures and special memories that dont involve posting them online for a wider audience. Allair Tiches said, Consider sharing photos with loved ones through a private album application or through private messages, like texts. Related... The mother of an Akron woman who was shot and killed in July 2020 told her daughters killer Friday that she felt the pain her daughter endured. When Calvin Thompson shot Janine Surgen in the head, Brenna Surgen said she felt a sharp pain in her head. When the Akron teen continued to shoot Janine, Surgen said she had pains in her chest and trouble breathing. I felt what you did to her, Surgen told Thompson during his sentencing in Summit County Common Pleas Court. I felt her take her last breath. You didnt just kill her that day. You killed me. Brenna Surgen, mother of slain Janine Surgen, 20, gives her victim impact statement at the sentencing of Calvin Thompson for the shooting death of her daughter in July of 2020, in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross' courtroom. Surgens emotional comments were among the highlights of a long and tear-filled sentencing for Thompson that included comments from both the victim and Thompsons family members. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More: Akron teen pleads guilty in shooting of 20-year-old woman in broad daylight Thompson, who was 16 at the time of the shooting and is now 19, pleaded guilty in June to aggravated murder with a three-year gun specification. Attorney Walter Madison fills out a form as Calvin Thompson watches before the start of Thompson's sentencing for the July 2020 shooting death of Janine Surgen. Thompson was sentenced to life in prison. Judge Susan Baker Ross sentenced Thompson Friday to life in prison with possible parole after 23 years. This was the penalty agreed upon by the attorneys. Thompson is among three arrested in shooting in broad daylight Thompson is among three males arrested in the July 3, 2020, shooting of Janine Surgen, 20, in Akron's Kenmore neighborhood. Surgen was found with multiple gunshot wounds about 12:45 p.m. near the corner of 27th Street and Waterloo Road. She was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where she was pronounced dead. Janine Surgen, 20, of Akron Within a half-hour of the shooting, police pulled over a white Kia that matched the description of the vehicle that witnesses said was involved in the shooting. Police arrested driver Jaleel Sojouner and passengers Thompson and Xavier Tolbert. Soujouner, 28, of Columbia, Georgia, has a trial scheduled in Ross court in December. Prosecutors say they determined that Tolbert, 19, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, had little involvement with the incident. Tolbert agreed to testify against his co-defendants and has a weapons charge pending in Summit County Juvenile Court, with this case expected to be settled after Sojourners case is concluded. Prosecutor calls Surgens slaying senseless Prosecutors say they are unsure of the motive for the shooting, though Sojouner had been in some type of relationship with Surgen. They said the slaying also could have been related to drugs. Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Jennie Shuki said this is one of the most senseless murders shes ever seen. She said a surveillance video shows Thompson walk up to Surgen, shoot her in the head and then continue shooting her after she fell. Its going to remain in my head, she said. Its just awful. Surgens family members express their grief and anger Family members of both Thompson and Surgen attended the sentencing, with many of Surgens loved ones wearing T-shirts featuring her picture. Kathy Vanhoose, grandmother of slain Janine Surgen, 20, gives her victim impact statement at the sentencing of Calvin Thompson for the shooting death of her granddaughter in July of 2020, in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross' courtroom. Kathy Vanhoose, Janines grandmother, said the loss of her granddaughter had a negative impact on many in her family, with several of them suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and receiving counseling. She said they have struggled in school and with their jobs. Life as we knew it ended with hers, Vanhoose said. More: Grieving mother paints mural for children lost to gun violence in Kenmore Vanhoose said shed like to see Thompson never released from prison and promised that family members will be at his parole hearings. She said she thinks Thompson should be required to watch the video of him shooting Surgen on the anniversary of her slaying. I dont believe someone who could commit such a cold-blooded murder can be rehabilitated, she said. The only thing youre sorry for is that you got caught. Krystle Penn, a cousin if Janine Surgen, wipes away a tear as she listens to family members speak during the sentencing of Calvin Thompson, who pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in Surgen's shooting death. Krystle Penn, Janines cousin, said her cousin had a loud mouth and an infectious laugh. She said Janines name will be kept alive by those who loved her. She said she wont speak Thompsons name and hopes that her cousin haunts his dreams. May your soulless, heartless ass rot in prison for what you have done, she said. Thompson and his father apologize to Surgens family Calvin Thompson, the father of the younger Calvin, said he grew up in foster care and spent time in prison, but this is the worst thing that has happened in his life. He said he has worked hard to provide for his family; he drives a truck and his wife works for the city of Akron. He said his son never wanted for anything and he told him to be careful with whom he associated. Calvin Thompson wipes at a tear as he talks about his son, Calvin Thompson at the sentencing of his son for the July 2020 shooting death of Janine Surgen, in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross' courtroom. I feel I failed my child as a father, he said. Im sorry we had to cross paths this way, he told the Surgen family. Walter Madison, the defendant's attorney, said the elder Thompson told him he would do the time for his son if he could. Thats how much we love our children, Madison said. Madison said many people want to know why this happened, but he said his client might not even know. The attorney said the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic affected people in strange ways. Perhaps this is one of them, he said. There were more than just health consequences. The younger Thompson said before he was in jail, he couldnt go a day without drugs. He said people manipulated him. Calvin Thompson waits for his sentencing to start in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross' courtroom for the shooting death of Janine Surgen in July of 2020. Thompson pled guilty in June to aggravated murder with a gun specification. Theres no excuse for what Ive done, he said. Im sorry for what Ive caused. I wish I could choose me instead of her. Thompson said he hopes the Surgen family can forgive him someday and that he can forgive himself. Every day I spend in prison, I will do everything I can to become a changed person, he said. Ross urged Thompson to take advantage of the resources available to him in prison to improve himself. I do believe in rehabilitation, she said. I do believe people can change. I dont believe it happens overnight. Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Calvin Thompson gets life in prison for Akron woman's fatal shooting When an Afghan pilot was this week granted asylum in Britain following a campaign by The Independent, he was overjoyed. But his happiness was overshadowed by fears for his wife and children who like thousands of others remain in mortal danger under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Two years since the fall of Kabul, those suspected of working alongside the toppled UK-backed administration live in isolation, poverty and fear, still with a target on their backs. Every day, they risk being subjected to forced disappearances, torture in prison and extrajudicial killings, despite the Taliban promise that it would not seek revenge. The situation is dark, according to human rights workers documenting the Talibans killings and spree of imprisonments against Afghan nationals who worked in the Ashraf Ghani administration. They warn there has not been any improvement in the treatment of those affiliated with the previous West-backed administration since 2021. The pilots case underscores the grim reality faced by scores of so-called collaborators with the West. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, 31 per cent of the human rights violation cases recorded by international monitor groups have involved former military servicemen, such as the Afghan pilot, 26 per cent involve former police officials and 22 per cent were former provincial goverment workers. And these figures only represent the confirmed cases, says Qasim Wafayezada, the former minister of information and communication in the Ghani administration. He adds: Certainly he [the Afghan pilot] would have faced the same fate. Zaman Sultani, south Asia researcher at Amnesty International, agreed that the situation is very bleak for Afghans who were part of the foreign security forces. Taliban flags fly at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, in September 2021 (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Amnesty has investigated several cases of extrajudicial killings and the majority of these people were found to be members of the former government and security forces, he told The Independent . In addition to the obvious, these members are facing the threats of forced disappearances, torture, and detention. We are seeing that the Taliban is accusing these former members of not handing over their weapons or they still have the linked positions in order to level charges against them. So it is clear that the Taliban is still looking for ways to harass them. The threat of forced disappearance or extrajudicial killing would not have stopped with the pilot himself, experts warn. Taliban attempts to seek reprisals typically trickle down to targets families as well, including their children. Taliban fighters patrol a neighbourhood in Kabul, days after it fell to the group (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Weve seen cases where the Taliban could not hunt down a member of former security officials so they went after their family, said Mr Sultan. In one particular case he investigated, even cousins were targeted. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has recorded 218 extrajudicial killings between August 2021 and June this year. Arrests frequently result in bodies being found within days, months or, in some cases, not at all. In that same time, UNAMA has recorded at least another 800 human rights violations against former Afghan government officials and security forces. In June last year, the Taliban attacked the home of a man linked with the former government and killed six members of the ethnic minority Shia Hazaras: four men, a woman and a girl. Meanwhile, one family member, who has not been named for security reasons, described how they found the body of their son, who served as a police officer in the former interior ministry. They said they saw signs of many bullets in his body and said that dogs had eaten some part of his body. The man was arrested just 10 days after the Taliban takeover when he was returning to Kabul. Some Taliban fighters had spotted his photos with ministry officials. Another man who served with the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) recounted his abuse while being detained by the Taliban. They told me: You have supported the Americans to kill Mujahideen and the Afghan people. You are an infidel. You are not a Muslim. You are a dog of the Americans. The Americans evacuated their good friends but their dog is still here. You will receive punishment for what you have done against the Taliban in the past, the former security member told the UNAMA. The former air force lieutenant fled the regime and came to Britain across the Channel on a small boat (The Independent) Incidents such as extrajudicial killings spiked in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Kabul, but Amnesty officials said that did not necessarily mean the situation has improved now. There are still recent cases of extrajudicial killings being recorded in Afghanistan up until the present day, Mr Sultan said. The former air force lieutenant, who fled the regime and came to Britain across the Channel on a small boat, was granted asylum this week after a five-month-long campaign by The Independent. But he has been told it could take at least nine months to make a successful family reunion claim, so that his young family can join him in the UK. His loved ones also face a risky journey to Pakistan just to provide their biometric details to the British authorities for the visa application. The UK government demands the process is done in person, and there are no offices left in Afghanistan. Rather than having to wait in limbo in Pakistan for many months, campaigners called on the government to make this family one of the exceptional cases in which biometric fingerprinting can be done once they are brought immediately to safety in the UK. Chinese Premier Li Qiang has stressed the importance of adhering to reform and opening-up, forging ahead with innovation, creating new advantages for high-quality development, and making solid progress in advancing Chinese modernization. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. in south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 23, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province from Tuesday to Thursday. On Tuesday, Li inspected Dongguan Yutong Optical Technology Co., Ltd., and encouraged the company to continue its work and rely on innovation to open up new space for development. He observed a demonstration of new products and technologies at Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, and expressed a wish to promote deep industry-university-research integration further and strive to make greater progress in core technology breakthroughs. At the China Spallation Neutron Source, Li stressed the importance of unremittingly strengthening basic research, and of contributing to achieving China's self-reliance and strength in science and technology. On Wednesday, Li inspected BTR New Material Group Co, Ltd., SmartMore Corporation Limited, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd., and Huawei. He commended the achievements the enterprises have made in innovation and development, encouraging them to continue working toward the top international level and gain a competitive advantage in the market with their technologies and products. Li urged relevant parties to continue optimizing government services and creating a favorable environment for the development of enterprises. At a construction site of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link, Li urged efforts to advance the project's high-standard and high-quality construction so that the mega project will be able to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area better. When visiting the Qianhai Kerry Centre on Wednesday, Li heard a report on the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and underscored the need to give full play to its location and policy advantages, contributing to cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Li hosted a symposium during his inspection tour and listened to reports from relevant government departments and heads of companies based in Shenzhen City and Guangdong Province. During the symposium, he said that China is in a critical period of economic transformation and upgrading. He underlined the importance of maintaining the country's determination to promote high-quality development, and of continuing efforts to shift its growth model, improve its economic structure, and push for greater growth momentum. Efforts should be made to promote scientific and technological innovation, increase investment in basic research, focus on cultivating innovative enterprises, and accelerate the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, Li said. He stressed the importance of implementing reforms to stimulate the vitality of various business entities, accelerate the construction of a unified national market, and create a first-class business environment. He urged efforts to introduce more creative initiatives in the steady expansion of institutional opening-up, stabilize international market shares, and make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign capital. Li fully affirmed Guangdong's achievements in economic and social development, and expressed hope that Guangdong would be at the forefront of the advancement of Chinese modernization and strive to make greater contributions to the overall development of the country. Minnesota Democrats Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Ilhan Omar raised eyebrows on Friday, posting photos of themselves with shirtless firefighters on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The lawmakers apparently visited a pavilion set up by the Minnesota AFL-CIO at the Minnesota State Fair, which began Thursday and ends on Labor Day, according to its website. State Fair pro tip: You dont want to miss the Minnesota firefighters at the @MNAFLCIO, Klobuchars caption on her post featuring multiple buff firemen. Can confirm, Omars caption on her post read. Social media users responded with enthusiasm to the eye-catching posts. Ali Vitali, a journalist for NBC, called Klobuchars post iconic, in a response on X. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This is the day she became my president, comedian Samantha Bee said in her own response to Klobuchars. [L]ove to see our lawmakers support first responders, one X user commented. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tourists are such easy targets for scammers. Just ask Adrian Dinulescu, who booked a four-star hotel for a week in Santorini, Greece, this summer. The property had almost perfect reviews, but when he showed up, he found the place was a dump. "No towels, no soap, no clean sheets," recalled Dinulescu, a student from Suffolk, England. Check outElliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone! Ah, the what-you-see-isn't-what-you-get scam. That's an old favorite with a new twist this year: it's happening more often because of record-high demand. But there are additional swindles out there, including scams involving deception, distraction and petty theft. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Scammers will always take advantage of current circumstances," said Paige Schaffer, CEO of Iris Powered by Generali, an ID theft protection company. "And with more people traveling again, they have taken notice and action." Taking a trip this fall? Here's the one travel tip you should follow Should phone calls be allowed on planes? You probably won't like the answer. Can you avoid these travel scams? Let's skip right to the solution. The newest tourism scams are not only preventable; they're sometimes reversible. Dinulescu, who had prepaid $500 for his room through Booking.com, appealed to the online travel agency. He sent photos of the trash bags in the hallway and the beds without sheets. In response, Booking.com credited him $80 a good start. But what about the rest of the money? Booking.com promised to investigate, but the weeks started to drag by. Finally, he asked me to help. I contacted Booking.com to ask about the fake four-star hotel in Santorini. A representative contacted me shortly after that. "I wanted to let you know that Adrian will be receiving a full refund," she said. No one is safe from the newest tourism scams Even experienced travelers can get taken by the latest scams. Milosz Krasinski was on a road trip through Europe this summer when he fell for this swindle: At a gas station, he found a makeshift gift shop selling vignettes at a reduced rate. (A vignette is a mandatory sticker that shows you've paid your road taxes.) He bought it. "It was a counterfeit," he said. "It looked like the real deal but wasn't registered in the official system." And you probably can guess what happened next. A police officer pulled Krasinski over when he was driving through Prague. Krasinski was embarrassed to have wasted $17 on a 10-day vignette. But the London-based web consultant was more worried about what he would have to pay in penalties. "It was a jarring moment, realizing I'd been scammed and that I might now be facing a hefty fine," he said. "But the police officers were incredibly understanding. They explained to me the vignette scam and how it targets unsuspecting tourists. Instead of fining me, they instructed me to head to the nearest official point of sale to purchase an authorized vignette." Travel scams What kind of travel scams are out there? Scams that target travelers come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Here are the major ones: Games of chance. If you see anyone playing a three-card monte or a shell game, keep walking. It's a confidence game, and you will lose money. I've seen it all over the world. The gift scam. That's where a scammer tries to give you a bracelet, a ring, or a flower and then pressures you to pay for it. If someone offers you something, especially in a touristy area, say "no." Money swindles. From ATM skimmers to shady merchants who give you incorrect change or counterfeit money, money scams are everywhere. Pay by credit card where possible, and always check to ensure they're charging you the right amount. Avoid using cash. Taxi overcharges. You get into a cab, and oh no! the meter is broken. The result is a huge overcharge. It happened to me twice in Indonesia last month. Call an Uber or get a taxi using an app. The worst tourist scam I've seen lately is the shady business of moving a decimal point when someone charges your credit card. So a $20 souvenir costs $200 or $2,000. Most visitors are too distracted to notice the switch, and by the time they get back to the States, it's too late. If you have a reliable credit card, you can dispute the charge under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Don't be a casualty: Hotels are returning fire in the 'junk fee' war You can do this! Pro travel advice on surviving summer 2023 What are the new tourism scams? Scams evolve as tourists get smarter. Shell games become more sophisticated. Money scams get smarter. Here are some of the "innovations" to look for: Distraction techniques. Scammers are using new distraction techniques, such as asking for directions or pretending to be lost, to divert your attention while an accomplice steals your belongings. "Stay alert and keep a close eye on your valuables in crowded areas," advised Pallavi Sadekar, the head of operations at VisitorGuard.com. The "helpful" local. With more Americans going overseas, the helpful local scam is making a comeback, say insiders. Michael Donovan, who runs a site about New England, said he's seen more so-called "helpful" locals in his international travels. "They offer to guide you, only to steer you toward a friend's expensive shop or charge outrageous fees," he said. Donovan recommends being cautious of overly friendly locals. Waiting for you to let down your guard. Mike Ballard, director of intelligence for Global Guardian, an international medical and security service provider, said the newest scam in the book is a version of the oldest one. "It's petty theft or other opportunistic crimes in major tourist areas, public transport, or crowded areas like public transit hubs and markets," he said. How can airlines curb bad behavior? Start by providing better service. 'People became more entitled': Enough with bad tourists ruining everyone's experience How to protect yourself from tourism scams You don't have to fall victim to these tourism scams. You already know the biggest travel scams if you've made it this far in the story. You also know the up-and-comers. The best piece of advice I've heard is: Pay attention. "Be aware of your surroundings," said Carrie Pasquarello, CEO of Global Secure Resources, a risk mitigation and threat assessment planning company. "Keep an eye on your belongings when someone strikes up a conversation or asks you a question." Location matters too. A new tourist scam index compiled by the U.K. site Quotezone.co.uk found that tourist hotspots in France, Spain and Italy are the places you're likeliest to get scammed while you're in Europe. Also, pack your common sense when you go somewhere. The friendly local who is offering to show you the sights is too good to be true chances are, there's a scam behind it. The taxi driver with a dark meter? Move on. Also, stay away from games of chance or friendly natives who want to give you gifts. And if someone tries to distract you, keep an eye on your belongings. I saw a pretty sophisticated distraction technique on a recent visit to Christchurch, New Zealand. As I passed a crowd of kids, one of them said to me, "Sir, you dropped your wallet." I instinctively reached for my billfold showing him exactly where I had my cards and money. I knew what would happen next. He would text his friend a block away and tell him where I was keeping my wallet. I switched directions, avoiding what might have been an unpleasant confrontation. The scammers are coming for you this fall. Don't let them get you. Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Look out! These new tourism scams are coming for you A Columbus jury on Monday will weigh the guilt or innocence of two men accused of armed robbery and murder in a 2020 fatal shooting that caused a car crash. Their deliberations follow closing arguments Friday, when attorneys debated the credibility of two men who were with Quincy Atkins on April 18 when the 20-year-old was shot three times in the back while trying to escape in his Dodge Charger. Those witnesses, Dwayne Jackson and Anthony McGhee, were so reluctant to testify against defendants TyShaun Sylvester and Jessie Lee Harper that they often refused to answer questions without being ordered to. The defense attorneys said they were lying. The prosecutors said they were scared. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Look at their mannerisms, Sylvesters attorney William Kendrick told the jury, walking to the witness stand and mimicking the witnesses staring at the floor while being questioned. Does this strike yall as telling the truth? Defense attorney William Kendrick makes a point during closing arguments. He said prosecutors never showed the jury recordings of the witnesses interviews with police, because the police didnt trust their statements. We know they lie, Kendrick said. Thats just the truth of the matter. Harpers attorney Sirena Saunders, also emphasized the prosecutions reliance on Jackson and McGhee to make their case. If you dont believe them, they have nothing left, she said. The evidence Prosecutors Sadhana Dailey and Ray Daniel told jurors that Jackson, McGhee and Atkins went to a vacant house at 2900 Cusseta Road to meet Sylvester, who on Facebook offered a Romanian-made Draco semi-automatic for sale. Prosecutor Ray Daniel speaks to jurors during closing arguments. Harper showed up, as they arrived to examine the gun, and he pulled a pistol on them as Sylvester pointed the Draco, demanding their valuables. The pair took a gold chain from McGhee, a cell phone from Jackson and a 9-millimeter pistol from Atkins, the witnesses said. Atkins told them more valuables were in the trunk and popped it open, then tried to drive off when they went to the rear of his Charger. Both suspects started firing as Atkins, mortally wounded, circled across Cusseta Road and crashed into a house at Betjeman Drive, prosecutors said. Everyone else ran away afterward, and no one involved called 911. Others who were nearby reported the gunfire around 5 p.m. that Saturday. On April 28, 2020, police looking for the two suspects saw them in a red Jeep Patriot on Cusseta Road near Andrews Road and tried to stop it, officers said. Sylvester jumped out and ran, discarding a book bag with two guns in it, and Harper drove the Jeep onto railroad tracks before abandoning it. Both suspects escaped, but were captured that May. Inside the Jeep, officers found the 9-millimeter that was taken from Atkins during the alleged robbery, investigators said. The guns found in Sylvesters backpack also were 9-millimeter pistols. But none of those guns was the one used to kill Atkins, a firearms expert testified, and no bullets or bullet casings found at the seen were 7.62-millimeter rounds the Draco fires, though some bullet fragments found remained unidentified. Kendrick hammered on that. Physical evidence in this case is the evidence that does not lie, he told jurors, of the bullets and casings adding, All 9 millimeter, none from a 7.62. He has alleged McGhee and Jackson were the ones who set Sylvester and Harper up for a robbery that went awry. Dailey countered that McGhee and Jackson were reluctant to testify because they saw the suspects gun down their friend, and did not want to be known as informants who cooperated with the police. They were reluctant to testify because they were scared to death, she said, later adding, They didnt want to be labeled a snitch. Thats what murderers count on: Dont snitch. Senior Assistant District Attorney Sadhana Dailey speaks to the jury during closing arguments. She said that under Georgia law, both Sylvester and Harper participated in the crimes of murder and armed robbery, whether Sylvester fired the Draco or not: They are parties to the crime: in for a penny, in for a pound. When the police tried to detain and question them, they fled, she said, and officers found Atkins gun in the car they abandoned. The defendants wouldnt have Quincys gun if the victims were lying, she said of Jackson and McGhee. Of the suspects running from police, she added, Thats evidence of guilt. Sylvester ran from police twice. He was captured on May 5, 2020, after jumping from another vehicle officers were trying to stop, and running into a strangers home in the Benning Hills area, authorities said. He surrendered after a brief standoff. Harper was caught on Luna Drive later that month. After closing arguments, Judge John Martin decided to let jurors go for the weekend, telling them to return at 9 a.m. Monday to begin their deliberations. Sylvester and Harper both are 26 now, and face life without parole if convicted. Each has a prior felony conviction. Besides murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault, they face charges of using a gun to commit a crime and being convicted felons with firearms. Sylvester has a June 3, 2016, conviction for first-degree burglary, and Harper was convicted December 18, 2019, for selling marijuana, according to their indictment. The Kremlin on Friday denied it had anything to do with the plane crash believed to have killed Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, viewed by many as a revenge assassination for the mercenary chief's aborted mutiny two months earlier. Speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a hit on Prigozhin is an absolute lie, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said early Friday, Russian state media reported. Few facts have so far been established and forensic tests are still needed to confirm Prigozhins death, Peskov told reporters in a regular briefing call, according to the state news agency Tass. The official results of the investigation will be published, he added, according to the RIA news agency. Prigozhin was listed among 10 people on board an executive jet that crashed Wednesday in the Tver region, leaving no survivors, according to Russian authorities. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There has been no official confirmation that Prigozhin's body was found or identified, and it remains unknown what brought the plane down. Yevgeny Prigozhin shows Russian President Vladimir Putin around his factory outside St. Petersburg on Sept. 20, 2010. (Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP file) Putin broke his silence about the crash late Thursday, calling Progozhin "a man with a complicated fate, who has made many serious mistakes in his life." Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons press secretary, said at a briefing Thursday that the Defense Departments initial assessment is that Prigozhin was likely killed. He added that there is no information to indicate a surface-to-air missile hit the aircraft, pushing back at reports suggesting it as the cause of the crash. Two U.S. officials told NBC News that intelligence gathered so far points to sabotage. One of the officials said a leading theory is that the aircraft was downed by an explosive on board, but they do not have enough information to say that with certainty. Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny against the country's military leadership in June, but stood down in a deal with the Kremlin that saw him exiled to neighboring Belarus. He later said he never intended to topple Putin, but went against the top military brass to preserve his mercenary force. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , a close Kremlin ally who brokered the deal for Prigozhin after his unsuccessful rebellion, said Friday that Putin could not be behind the incident. "I cannot imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is to blame," Lukashenko said, according to state news agency Belta. "This work is too rough, too unprofessional" to be the Kremlin's handiwork, he surmised. Peskov said it's unclear yet if Putin will attend Prigozhin's funeral if he in fact perished in the crash, because the president has "a busy schedule." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Kremlin toughens requirements for companies that want to leave Russia The Russian government is ramping up pressure on foreign companies planning to abandon the Russian market, demanding ever larger discounts on buyout deals, Reuters reported on Aug. 25, citing informed sources. Read also: After Prigozhin's death Kremlin to try to take control over Wagner mercenary company, says ex-CIA director In addition to the Kremlin already demanding a 50% discount on all foreign buyout deals, Russian authorities are also requiring direct monetary contributions to the state budget of no less than 10% of the price. Some transactions are then met with demands for further discounts before the government greenlights them, sources say. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to officials at Russia's Finance Ministry, they "do not force a reduction in final sale prices, but may adjust [value] assessments during the process." "Preparing a deal by the relevant department can take up to six months," the ministry noted. The pricing of companies can also be "adjusted" by Russia's Economy Ministry and the Central Bank. Read also: Zelenskyy says Ukraine to sign deal with firms ready to enter Crimea after liberation A government commission overseeing foreign investments needs to approve deals involving companies from so-called unfriendly countries. Banks and energy companies also need personal approval from Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to sell. According to market sources, for some companies the additional discount may amount to 2030%. Read also: Danone retires Prostokvashino brand from Ukrainian market Its like an unpredictable black box, noted one source. Another confidant revealed that deals exceeding $100 million are particularly at risk of rejection. They also added that the recent price revisions slow sales, forcing companies to consider alternatives. On July 16, Putin signed a decree to take over assets of major food industry companies Baltika Breweries and Danone Russia. Read also: Carlsberg to sell its Russia business by summer Denmarks Carlsberg Group, which owns Baltika Breweries, announced plans to exit the Russian market in March 2022. In June 2023, it was reported that they had agreed to sell their Russian business, without revealing the details of the deal. Carlsberg later expressed "shock" at Putin's decision to effectively nationalize their Russian assets. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Paul Flores takes a sip of water during the trial against him for the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart in the Monterey County Superior Court in Salinas on Aug. 16, 2022. (Brittany Tom/NBC News Dateline) Were often taught that we reap what we sow. Or to put it in more modern terms, we get what we deserve. That may help explain many of the initial reactions to news of the attack on Paul Flores, who is serving a life prison sentence for murdering Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. Many saw the attack as a crude form of justice. Hooray! one person posted on Reddit, and got several upvotes. The prisoners will do to Paul Flores what the wacky liberals didnt have the guts to do, another person wrote. There was a general certainty that the attack must be payback for the murder of Smart, who went missing from the Cal Poly campus on May 25, 1996. Due largely to a bungled early investigation, Flores wasnt tried until last year. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement To be clear, we dont know much about the attack only that it happened Wednesday morning in the prison yard at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga. Another inmate attacked him with a bladed weapon, either cutting or stabbing him in the neck. Flores was initially listed in serious condition but is expected to make a full recovery, according to his attorney, Harold Mesick. There has been no confirmation of a possible motive, and probably never will be, but thats not stopping the rumors. Im trying hard to muster any sympathy for him There were other, more thoughtful responses as well. Im sure he has some family who love and care about his well-being, but Im trying hard to muster any sympathy for him, was one. Thats understandable. Celebrating the attack as something that was deserved is not. It condones prison violence and conveys admiration for those who would take it upon themselves to mete out the justice that a soft-on-crime society fails to deliver. Do we really want to go there? Arent California prisons already violent enough? This year alone, not a month has gone by without at least one incarcerated person dying of a suspected homicide at a state prison, according to news releases issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In all, 13 have died so far this year. In addition, one incarcerated person was shot by a correctional officer as he was strangling a cellmate. Most of the men were serving life sentences for first-degree murder. Another had been convicted of molesting a child. One 22-year-old was serving 2 years and 8 months for firearms offenses. Did they all deserve what they got, or was this a failure of our prison system to keep them safe? In which case, do we really want to glorify a violent act in prison just because we believe it was deserved? Do we truly believe in eye-for-an-eye justice? The fact remains that Paul Flores was tried, convicted and sentenced to state 25 years to life in prison, which means he may be eligible for release someday. That may not be harsh enough for some people, but its what our system of justice has deemed appropriate. That same system acknowledges that incarcerated people are to echo the words of prison reform advocates capable of redemption. If we dont believe that, we might as well give up on them altogether and strip the word rehabilitation from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Gov. Gavin Newsoms plan to transform San Quentin into a rehabilitation center? Forget about it. We prefer the old-fashioned, eye-for-an-eye system of justice, which is the message we send when we applaud any acts of violence in prison. We dont believe the majority of Californians want to head in that direction; they support the goal of rehabilitation. But heres the thing: We dont get to pick and choose who is worthy of rehabilitation. Regardless of how we feel about Flores, we can and should support a system that can provide all incarcerated people with safe and humane treatment and a road to redemption. This has been updated to include more recent information on the attack. The man convicted of murdering Cal Poly freshman Kristin Smart was seriously injured in the neck during a prison attack Wednesday, his lawyer told The Tribune on Friday morning. Paul Flores was transferred to Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga earlier this month. According to his attorney, Harold Mesick, prison officials kept Flores in isolation for two days a standard procedure, Mesick said before reevaluating where he should stay in isolation or be moved into the general population. Mesick said Flores was in the prison yard Wednesday morning when another inmate attacked him with a bladed weapon. It is unclear whether Wednesday was his first day in the yard. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Flores was either stabbed in the neck or cut in the side of the neck, Mesick said, contradicting reports from Your Own Backyard podcast host Chris Lambert and Santa Barbara television station KEYT-TV. Flores throat was not slit, Mesick said. Paul Flores, left, appears with defense attorney Robert Sanger in Monterey County Superior Court in Salinas on Friday, March 10, 2023. A jury convicted Flores of murdering Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. Flores was promptly transferred to an outside hospital in serious condition, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said. Flores condition had improved to fair by Thursday morning, the CDCR said, and he was later transferred back to the Coalinga prison. Mesick will not have a chance to speak with his client directly until next week, he said, but has been in close communication with the prison and Flores mother, Susan. I prayed for his full recovery, Mesick said, And I believe he will make a full recovery. Mesick added that Flores parents are happy that their son is OK. A jury convicted Flores of murdering Smart on Oct. 18 after a three-month trial. He was sentenced to 25 years to life for the crime in March. A separate jury acquitted his father, Ruben Flores, of helping his son conceal the crime. Flores was transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano in March before being moved to Pleasant Valley State Prison in August. Aside from the capital city of Tbilisi, where 40 miles away Russian occupying troops are stationed in Georgias South Ossetia region, the danger of unjust peace is also felt in Batumi, the countrys tourist hotspot on the Black Sea coast. Over the horizon lies Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimea. Drive two hours north of Batumi along the coast, and Russian troops also occupy another of Georgias regions Abkhazia. Russia invaded Georgia in August 2008, capturing Abkhazia and South Ossetia and shattering the foundation of the rules-based international order. On the invasions 15th anniversary, Russian troops continue to occupy one-fifth of Georgia, violating the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement, and lasting peace seems far off. Russian aggression against Georgia is not only limited to military occupation. The Kremlin, both overtly and covertly, continues to employ all components of hybrid warfare, from propaganda, domestic interference, and corruption, to exerting malign influence to derail Georgia from its democratic development and Western integration. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Kyiv, Moscows opposing attitudes toward Soviet past shape two different futures This has also facilitated state capture in Georgia by Russian-made oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who maintains power through informal rule, and the promotion of kleptocracy, Russian-style propaganda, disinformation-spreading troll factories, and societal divisions. Russian-promoted state capture in Georgia has happened both gradually and suddenly. On the one hand, by consolidating power under the guise of democratization and false promises of pro-Western foreign policy, and on the other, by suddenly unleashing anti-Western propaganda in Georgia, openly embracing authoritarianism, and resisting Western sanctions on Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Georgians have protested not only its governments pro-Russian moves, like its attempt to impose a Russian-style foreign agents law to undermine Georgian civil society and independent media, but also its attempts to do business as usual with Russia in general. This has all happened under the Wests watch, which has indirectly supported the self-deceptive notion of normalizing relations with Russia for the sake of strategic stability. Relatives of Georgian servicemen killed during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War visit their graves during a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the war, at the memorial cemetery in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Aug. 8, 2023. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV/AFP via Getty Images) Some Western politicians and analysts warn against humiliating Moscow, arguing that both Tbilisi and Kyiv should compromise on their territorial sovereignty and Western direction in order to restore regional stability. For Russia and other predatory authoritarian states understanding, this position means that the West is trading the values of freedom and democracy for temporary security. This is the surest recipe for further aggression by revanchist Russia in Europe and beyond. Georgias experience pre- and post-invasion is proof. At the 2008 Bucharest Summit, NATO failed to offer a clear path to membership for either Ukraine or Georgia. The Wests indecisiveness emboldened Putins aggressive revisionism, permitting Moscow to move ahead with the invasion and occupation of Georgia. While the West did prevent Georgias complete occupation and economic collapse, it failed to hold the Kremlin politically and economically accountable. A few months after Russias invasion of Georgia, the West granted Moscow a reset button and soon resumed business as usual. Read also: Batu Kutelia: Lessons from Georgia of geopolitical procrastination Putin responded by moving troops into Ukraine in 2014 and subsequently launching a full-scale invasion in 2022 apparently, Russia calculated it would receive the same response from the West. As Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, said three days before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine: ... it is like that line from the famous book by Bulgakov: never ask for anything, they will come to you themselves and offer everything. This is how developments unfolded in 2008-2009. They came to us and suggested resuming relations across the board. This statement confirms that the unjust peace in Georgia emboldened Russian aggression in Ukraine. If Russias actions in Ukraine garner the same global response, it will only generate further and larger-scale aggression, because Russias aggressive nature is rooted in its history and system of governance, not its individual leaders. Until Russia is pushed back, Moscow will remain the source of instability for the foreseeable future. Russian land grabs and malign activities in Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and beyond are vivid examples of the failure of the policy of appeasement toward the aggressor. Georgia, once known for its effective democratic transformation and labeled as the beacon of liberty, is now on the verge of a quiet withdrawal from the West. Appeasement of Russia has also undermined one of the most important strategic projects: linking Europe and the Black Sea region with Central Asia by bypassing Russia with respect to energy, transportation, strategic materials, and more. Protesters take part in a demonstration outside the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on March 8, 2023, to protest government plans to introduce a "foreign agent" law reminiscent of Russian legislation used to silence critics. (VANO SHLAMOV/AFP via Getty Images) It is now up to the Georgian society to overcome this challenge, make an effort to revert the countrys democratic backsliding, and get back on track toward democracy and Western integration, which has overwhelming public support. The Free World also has the responsibility to, as well as for strategic self-interest in, back Georgian democracy, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and Western integration with decisive and consistent policies. Assuming that we might face, as Russian politician and scholar Yury Afanasiev put it, the inevitable collapse of the historical and cultural phenomenon that is still known as Russia, like the Soviet Union it cannot be saved. Russias withdrawal from its democratic neighbors must be achieved and followed by strong Western action. Besides Russias military defeat in Ukraine, it is also important to curb the transnational network of enablers of Russian aggression and hold them accountable. More effective efforts at countering Russias internal propaganda are also needed to help Russians break from the lies and illusions of Moscows brutal authoritarian governance and given them a chance to transition from its colonial identity. Read also: Ukrainian soldiers on Independence Day: We, our families, future still in danger A strong and united NATO is critical for securing the democracies in Russias periphery, from Scandinavia and the Baltics to the Black Sea and the Caucasus. Fulfilling the 2008 Bucharest Summits decision to accept Ukraine and Georgia to NATO, as well as inviting Ukraine to NATO at the upcoming Washington Summit, would be essential steps toward a peaceful Europe. A comprehensive Black Sea strategy should also be launched, increasing NATO presence in the region and boosting the resilience of its allies and partners. A victory that brings about the full restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, its reconstruction at the expense of Russia, the withdrawal of Russian conventional and hybrid forces from Georgia and Moldova, the curbing of Russias global network of kleptocrats, oligarchs, and propaganda, and holds Russia accountable for its war crimes would be a victory of democracy over authoritarianism and the only way to achieve a stable peace in Europe. It can not be seen as the humiliation of Russia. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Lara Trump , daughter-in-law to former President Trump, said she believes his booking on criminal charges in Georgia on Thursday solidified his chances at winning the 2024 election for president. She decried the case against Trump as a political prosecution in a Fox News interview on Thursday evening. I dont think it will work. I think people understand what is going on, and I think tonight just solidified Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States, she said. Trump holds a large lead in GOP primary polling taking over half of Republican support in polls, on average but polls head-to-head with President Biden are near a tie. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement That will change soon, she said, as Republican voters will understand the gravity of their need to vote. His poll numbers continue to rise every single time they try to throw something like this his way because I think it becomes more and more obvious to the country what theyre trying to do and why it is so dangerous why this precedent can not succeed here in America, she said. Lara Trump said that Democrats are trying to cut fat off the Constitution, and damage the foundations of the U.S. democracy, echoing complaints from Trump himself. I kinda feel like this is our last chance to save this country, she said. Trump turned himself in on Thursday at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, a procedural step in his sprawling racketeering case in Georgia state court. Prosecutors allege that Trump headed a plan to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia by creating a slate of fake electoral college votes. His 18 co-defendants include his attorneys, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. The trial in the case will start on Oct. 23 for at least one defendant, former Trump attorney Kenneth Cheseboro, who demanded a speedy trial in a court filing. Prosecutors are expected to ask for all 19 defendants cases to start on that date, which Trumps attorneys have already opposed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The last of 19 defendants in the Georgia election indictment surrendered Friday just an hour before the noon deadline. Among them is former President Donald Trump . They all face RICO charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Stephen Lee was the last defendant to turn himself in. Channel 2s Michael Seiden was at the Fulton County Jail Friday when Lee walked out after posting bond. Lee remained silent, but the attorney for the Illinois pastor, David Shestokas, had plenty to say. He told Seiden that his client would plead not guilty to the charges hes facing and turned himself in last because he couldnt come up with the bond money until late Thursday night. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement My client has never met the president. Hes had no association with the president, Shestokas said. Lee is accused of traveling to the home of Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman where prosecutors say he participated in a plot to pressure her into falsely admitting that she committed fraud against Trump during the 2020 election. RELATED STORIES: I guess Ive seen this happen with some Jehovahs Witnesses and people from the Latter-Day Saints and this is a pastor, Shestokas said. This guy should actually be considered an American hero, not a criminal. His comments came on the same day that six other defendants turned themselves in ahead of the noon deadline. Among them is Jeffery Clark, a former senior Justice Department official who is charged with trying to use his position to help overturn the 2020 election. There has been some confusion over Harrison Floyd. He spent the night in jail Thursday after he did not negotiate his bond before his arrest. Officials told Channel 2 Action News that Floyd was expected to face a judge Friday at the jail but when we arrived, a deputy told said he wouldnt be facing a judge. It appears he may be spending another night behind bars. Also, the first hearing in this case is set for Monday, where Mark Meadows will try to get his case moved to federal court. RELATED NEWS: The last of 19 defendants charged in Georgia over efforts to subvert the states 2020 election results to keep former President Trump in power have surrendered at the Fulton County Jail, records show. Trevian Kutti and Stephen Lee, both of Illinois, turned themselves in Friday morning. Their charges are linked to efforts to pressure Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman into making false statements about her role in helping administer the election. Kutti, a Chicago publicist who worked with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is charged with influencing witnesses and conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings. A pastor in Chicagos suburbs, Lee faces five counts among them the same charges Kutti faces. All 19 defendants, including Kutti and Lee, are also charged with violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act a charge rooted in combating organized crime. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The two Illinoisans agreed to $75,000 bail bonds, which they each paid using Fulton Countys 10 percent program. The program enables defendants to only pay 10 percent of their bail amount upon being booked. Trump, who is also charged in the case, surrendered at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday evening. Like all his co-defendants, Trumps height and weight were recorded, a mug shot was taken, and he was given a prison identification number P01135809. Trump used a third party to post his bond, jail records show. Now that all the defendants have surrendered, arraignment dates will be set where they will formally hear the charges against them and enter a plea. An arraignment date has already been set for one defendant in the case, Kenneth Chesebro. A lawyer and key coordinator of the fake electors plan, Chesebro demanded a speedy trial a request that requires an expedited trial plan under Georgia rules. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set Chesebros arraignment for Sept. 6 and the trial date for Oct. 23. The timeline is significantly faster than the already-ambitious one Willis originally requested, which would have started the trial in March. Willis asked for the new timeline to apply to all 19 defendants, which Trumps legal team quickly opposed. Trumps counsel requested to sever his case from Chesebro and any other co-defendant requesting a speedy trial. McAfee wrote in his order that the ruling only applies to Chesebro at this time. Willis previously said that she is seeking to hold the arraignments for all the defendants the week following Labor Day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Latvia has transferred another Mi-17 military helicopter to Ukraine's Air Force, Latvian Defense Minister Inara Murniece said in a Twitter post on Aug. 25. The National Armed Forces of Latvia have delivered another Mi-17 helicopter to Ukraine, said Murniece. Read also: Almost 500 Russian troops, two attack helicopters eliminated over the past 24 hours Ukraine is successfully fighting and regaining more and more occupied territories. Latvia will stand with Ukraine side by side until total victory of Ukraine! Read also: Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia highlight Belarus threat to NATO In July 2022, Latvia gifted Ukraine with four Mi-17 and Mi-2 helicopters. Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, Latvia has been providing both humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement For example, on April 21, the Latvian government decided to hand over to Ukraine all available Stinger MANPADS it had, which have proven effective on the battlefield. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine FILE - A U.S. Coast Guard boat and Kitsap, Wash., County Sheriff's Office boat search the area near Freeland, Wash., on Whidbey Island north of Seattle, Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Representatives for all but one of the nine passengers killed in a seaplane crash near Washington state's Whidbey Island are suing the flights charter operator and aircraft manufacturer, saying the companies are responsible for the victims deaths. The three lawsuits, filed Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 in King County Superior Court, say the companies are responsible for the victims deaths, The Seattle Times reported. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) SEATTLE (AP) Representatives for all but one of the nine passengers killed in a seaplane crash near Washington state's Whidbey Island are suing the aircraft's charter operator and its manufacturer. The three lawsuits, filed Tuesday in King County Superior Court, say the companies are responsible for the victims deaths, The Seattle Times reported. The lawsuits name Northwest Seaplanes and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, along with other aviation entities, as defendants. The single-engine De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter that crashed was owned by Northwest Seaplanes. The pilot and nine passengers died Sept. 4, 2022, when the plane, traveling to the Seattle suburb of Renton from Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands, crashed into Mutiny Bay near Whidbey Island. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The crash was entirely preventable and the aviation companies are liable for damages, one complaint alleges. All the lawsuits are similar in their allegations and in the descriptions of the pain and suffering they say the victims faced just before their deaths. Representatives for the estates of Lauren Hilty, 39, who was 8 months pregnant at the time; Joanne Mera, 60; Gabrielle Hanna, 29; and Sandra Williams, 60, filed one wrongful death lawsuit. Mera was a business owner from San Diego. Hanna was a Seattle lawyer on her way home from a friends wedding. Williams was a civil rights activist who founded a community center and Black newspaper in Spokane. Representatives for Hiltys husband, Ross Mickel, 47, and Remy Mickel, their 22-month-old son, filed the second lawsuit. Hilty, Mickel and Remy were returning to their home in Medina, Washington, from a Labor Day weekend trip. Representatives for Rebecca and Luke Ludwig, a Minnesota couple who had two children, filed the third lawsuit. Longtime commercial pilot Jason Winters and passenger Patricia Hicks, a retired teacher and Williams partner, also died in the crash. A preliminary investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board found a component that moved the planes horizontal tail stabilizer had come apart. This left the pilot without the ability to control the aircraft's pitch, causing it to plummet in a near-vertical descent into the water. Nate Bingham, an attorney representing the Ludwigs families, said Thursday the plane crashed because of an antiquated design with a single point of failure. The lawsuits allege the defendants and their subsidiaries should have maintained and inspected the aircraft and had a duty to ensure a safe flight. Northwest Seaplanes and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada did not respond Thursday to requests by the newspaper for comment, and attempts to reach the companies by The Associated Press were not immediately successful. Northwest Seaplanes said last year it was heartbroken over the incident and was working with the FAA, NTSB and Coast Guard. The tropics are waking up. And that means we should wake up, too. While we keep a wary eye on the systems tracked by the National Hurricane Center, its time to prepare for the worst. Like knowing about evacuation orders. Will you have to leave your home? When? And where will you go? Here are the emergency websites, phone numbers and social media accounts you should save in South Florida for evacuation zones and other vital information: (If you want to read about a specific county or topic, click from the options below. If not, just scroll to read the full article.) What do you want to know? Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade Countys Office of Emergency Management supports the communitys disaster preparedness and has a variety of useful resources including hurricane preparation guides and information on emergency evacuations, Red Cross shelters, storm surge. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement For tropical storm and hurricane specific information, including on evacuation zones, visit miamidade.gov/hurricane Phone: Call 311 for general information and to report problems including price gouging, downed traffic signs and street lights. You can also sign up to receive emergency alerts by email or text. Text Join MDC to 34292. If you want to opt out later, you will need to text STOP to 34292. If you feel your life is in danger, call 911. If you cannot call, text 911. If texting, enter 911 in the To field, then enter your location and a short description of the emergency and hit send. Do not send pictures, videos, emojis, group messages, slang, abbreviations or web links. App: You can download ReadyMDC to your Apple or Android smartphone for up-to-the minute hurricane info. Emergency evacuation assistance program: If people need assistance with evacuation and sheltering because they require special transportation, have no transportation or have medical needs that prevent leaving the area on their own, they are encouraged to register with the county by calling 305-513-7700. You should not wait until an evacuation order is given to request being added to the registry as resources are limited. The county says residents in assisted living facilities or nursing homes dont qualify for this program because those businesses must have their own emergency plans. Shutter installation assistance: The county has a year-round first-come, first-served paint and hurricane shutter loan program that helps homeowners with a low to moderate household income to have the exterior of their home painted or accordion hurricane shutters installed. Keep in mind that a lien will be placed on your home. Seniors and adults with disabilities who already have shutters (that were obtained from Miami-Dade County) and need help installing them ahead of a storm can also request help through Miami-Dades Residential Shuttering Program, which operates during hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30). If a storm is approaching, you will receive a phone call to find out if you need help. To learn about both programs, visit the countys website. X (formerly Twitter): Miami-Dade County @MiamiDadeCounty Miami-Dade Emergency Management @MiamiDadeEM Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava @MayorDaniella Miami-Dade police @MiamiDadePD TIP: Check to see if your citys mayor, commissioners and police department are active on social media. If they are, its a good idea to follow them. Miami Mayor Francis Suarezs X name, for example, is @FrancisSuarez and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelbers is @MayorDanGelber. Miami and Miami Beach police can be found on X at @MiamiPD and @MiamiBeachPD. KNOW MORE: Dont be stupid in a hurricane. Avoid these 8 things that can hurt or kill you Broward County Broward Countys Office of Emergency Management supports disaster preparedness and offers useful resources including hurricane prep guides and information on emergency evacuations, Red Cross shelters, storm surge. For hurricane information, including evacuation plans and maps, visit broward.org/hurricane Phone: Call 311 for general information. You can also sign up to receive emergency alerts by phone, text or email. Sign up at https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085614962#/login If you feel like your life is in danger, call 911. If you cannot call, text 911. If texting, enter 911 in the To field, then enter your location and a short description of the emergency and hit send. Do not send pictures, videos, emojis, group messages, slang, abbreviations or web links. If you only want emergency notifications, you can text AlertBroward to 888777. You will then need to provide your ZIP Code. Emergency evacuation assistance: Broward County recommends that those who are at higher risk of needing help due to disability, frailty or health , regardless of age, and choose to stay during a hurricane or other emergency should sign up for their Vulnerable Population Registry. Residents should register in advance (dont wait for a storm to be in the forecast) either online or by calling 311 because resources are limited. You can also preregister to request transportation to a shelter by calling 954-831-3902 or TTY 954-831-3940. Learn more at broward.org/atrisk X: Broward County Office of Emergency Management @ReadyBroward Broward County Mayor Lamar Fisher @LamarPFisher Broward Sheriffs Office @browardsheriff TIP: Check to see if your citys mayor, commissioners and police department are active on social media. If they are, its a good idea to follow them. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis is on X at @DeanTrantalis. Fort Lauderdale police can be accessed at @ftlauderdalepd. KNOW MORE: Whats the worst thing you can do in a hurricane? How to avoid harm in a Florida storm Monroe County Monroe Countys Office of Emergency Management supports the communitys disaster preparedness and has resources including hurricane prep guides and information on emergency evacuations and Red Cross shelters. Evacuation maps and info: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/897/Evacuation-Information Phone: 305-294-4641. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085614966#/login If you feel youre in danger, call 911. If you cannot call, text 911. If texting, enter 911 in the To field, then enter your location and a short description of the emergency and hit send. Dont send pictures, videos, emojis, group messages, slang, abbreviations or web links. Special Needs Registry: Those with a disability who may need assistance in leaving during a hurricane or other disaster can preregister with the countys Special Needs Registry Everbridge Application Portal. This may take time so dont wait until the last minute because the Department of Health medical staff will need to review applications. X: Monroe County BOCC @monroecounty Florida Keys Sheriff @mcsonews KNOW MORE: Hurricane season is here and we have some advice on how to deal with a Florida storm School Updates If a storm is forecast to hit South Florida while class is in session, parents and students should check email, their school website and social media for information on closings and openings. Miami-Dade Public Schools Website: http://www.dadeschools.net/ X: @MDCPS Superintendent Jose Dotres @SuptDotres Miami-Dade schools police: @MDSPD Broward County Public Schools Website: https://www.browardschools.com/ X: @browardschools Superintendent Peter Licata @SuptlicataP Monroe County School District Website: https://www.keysschools.com/ X: @keysschools Archdiocese of Miami Website: https://www.miamiarch.org/ X: @CatholicMiami Superintendent Jim Rigg: @RiggJim College and university students should check their email, monitor local news and their schools social media accounts. Statewide National Hurricane Center will provide information on wind speed, the storms development and its potential track. Website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ X: @NHC_Atlantic National Weather Service will provide various forecast information including rain chances and potential hazards. Input your ZIP Code for the most accurate forecast. Website: https://www.weather.gov/ X: @NWSMiami is for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. @NWSKeyWest is for the Florida Keys. Gov. Ron DeSantis on X: @GovRonDeSantis Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on X: @AGAshleyMoody To report price gouging, call 866-9NO-SCAM or report it through the free No SCAM app available for Apple and Android smartphones. Florida Division of Emergency Management: Website: www.floridadisaster.org. X: @FLSERT Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie on X: @KevinGuthrieFL Power, TV, phone and Internet Florida Power and Light Website: fpl.com/storm X: @insideFPL To report or check the status of an outage, visit: https://www.fpl.com/my-account/web-outage.html#wors/mainTab/phoneTab To report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line, call 800-468-8243. If you are in danger, call 911. Florida Keys Electric Cooperative To report or check the status of an outage, visit: fkec.com/outage-center/. You can also report an outage by calling 305-587-9256 or 800-858-8845. You can also text 451-83. To report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative says to call 911 and then to call the utility at 305-587-9256. X: @FLKeysElectric Keys Energy Services To report or check the status of an outage, visit keysenergy.com. To report a dangerous condition, such as a downed power line, call 305-295-1010. If you are in danger, call 911. X: @KeysEnergy Xfinity To report or check if a service outage has been reported in your area, sign into your account and check the Status Center. TIP: Once the storm is over, if youre in need of internet, you can find a nearby Xfinity hotspot to use. Xfinity also has a website with other useful information for when a storm hits at xfinity.com/Response. AT&T To report or check if a service outage has been reported in your area, sign into your account online at att.com or use the myATT app. TIP: Once the storm is over, if youre in need of internet, you can find a nearby AT&T hotspot to use. Other websites, phone numbers to know Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Website: www.fema.gov X: @fema App: Download the free FEMA app on your Apple or Android phone for real-time alerts, emergency shelter locations, disaster recovery centers. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline People in emotional distress or who are considering suicide can call 800-273-8255 for free 24/7 confidential support. Starting on July 16, 2022, people can call 988 for the helpline. For Spanish, call 888-628-9454. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 800-273-8255. Its also a good idea to write down the phone numbers of family members and put the paper in your hurricane kit, just in case something happens to your phone. A memorial plaque and tree honoring the late state Sen. Cal Anderson was replaced on the Capitol Campus Friday, Aug. 25, after the original flowering cherry tree was removed for safety purposes and sparked an uproar. The Department of Enterprise Services announced that the memorial would be relocated after the Washington State Standard reported that the agency was under fire from Lt. Gov. Denny Heck , Sen. Marko Liias of Mukilteo and other state leaders for removing the tree without notice. I consider the unilateral removal of the Cal Anderson tree and plaque to be a desecration, Heck told the Standard. A tree planted next to the Washington State Capitol in memory of the late Sen. Cal Anderson, the first openly gay member of the Washington state Legislature, was chopped down earlier this month.. It was one of several trees removed because they were dying. A July 26 news release outlined the agencys plan to remove several dying Kwanzan flowering cherry trees on Cherry Lane next to the Legislative Building, but did not mention that the Anderson tree was among them. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement DES acknowledged and apologized for the communication oversight. We have deep respect for (Andersons) leadership and bravery, and extend our sincere apologies to his supporters and family, Jennifer Reynolds, an agency spokesperson, told the Standard. Gov. Jay Inslee called on DES to replace the tree and restore the memorial. Crews working for DES planted a new 16-foot Kwanzan Cherry Tree and reinstalled the memorial plaque Friday. Cherry Lane was closed throughout the day between Water Street and Sid Snyder Avenue Southwest. Anderson, of Seattle, was a respected veteran, legislator, friend to many on the Capitol Campus, and champion for civil rights, DES said in a press statement. Anderson was the first openly-gay state legislator in Washington, and one of his priorities included extending civil rights to the LGBTQ+ community. He also proposed laws that would have allowed doctors to euthanize terminal patients, as well as voting rights laws that would automatically register residents to vote. Anderson served as a state House Representative starting in 1987. He died of AIDS in 1995 after serving for less than a year as state Senator. In addition to the memorial on the state Capitol Campus, Cal Anderson Park in Seattle was named after the late lawmaker in 2003. Prior to his time as a state lawmaker, Anderson served as a court reporter for the Armys 23rd Infantry Division. For his investigations as the lead court reporter in the My Lai massacre, he was awarded two Bronze Stars. He left the Army in 1973. In its news release DES noted that the trees along Cherry Lane will be removed in approximately four years when the road is also replaced. DES said they will work with stakeholders in the meantime to find a new location for Andersons tree and an updated memorial. A memorial plaque for late state lawmaker Cal Anderson was removed, and later replaced, on the Capitol campus this week. California legislators are backing another state worker union in the hopes that Gov. Gavin Newsom will swiftly deliver them a new contract. Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, an Inglewood Democrat, authored a letter that calls on Newsom to provide a contract that delivers pay parity for state scientists. Fifty additional lawmakers, including Sacramento Democrats Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Sen. Angelique Ashby, signed onto the letter in support. The roughly 4,000 scientists represented by the California Association of Professional Scientists have spent nearly three years bargaining over a contract that they say should include raises of up to 43%. Those pay bumps would address long-standing salary disparities both within the scientists bargaining unit and between themselves and the state engineers. Earlier this year, CAPS rejected a proposal that fell far short of those numbers. Some members even called the offer pitiful. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement We recognize that its beyond time for us to get these people some better salaries, McKinnor said. I wanted to make sure that I reached out and let the governor know that were concerned and that we support them. State scientists oversee a wide variety of public duties, such as ensuring food safety, protecting air and water from pollution and stewarding the states natural resources. McKinnors letter argued that without competitive wages, California wont be able to retain highly qualified scientists to perform these critical functions. McKinnor cites state data that found new scientists generally leave state service after five years about the minimum amount of time it takes to develop expertise in a particular field. This will hurt California, as the projects and policies that are overseen by State Scientists are unable to keep up with the turnover rate, the letter read. McCarty signed the letter because many state scientists call his district home, he said, and they deserve to be fairly compensated. Weve asked a lot from them during the pandemic to keep California going, and we need to do right by them, he said. Theyre not trying to get rich theyre public servants. Jacqueline Tkac, chair of the CAPS bargaining team, was using sticky notes to mark the days since the union submitted its economic proposal to the state in May. She stopped counting this week after 105 notes overwhelmed her desk. I feel really inspired by how many signatures we were able to gather, said Tkac of the letter. It definitely boosts morale at the bargaining table. For Tkac, a victory at the bargaining table looks like the state acknowledging the salary disparities and laying out a solution to fix them nothing less. If we accept anything less than equal pay, who wins here? she said. Its up to us to stand up to the state until they provide equal pay for equal work. McKinnor, who chairs the Assembly committee on Public Employment and Retirement, is also carrying a bill that would commission a study of the salary structure within the scientists bargaining unit. AB 1677 is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committees suspense file awaiting judgment next week. Associated Press incorrectly portrayed fire science Associated Press' crackpot reporting misportrays fire science. Sure, wildfires burn dead trees and woody debris, but the same fires burn live trees, standing and green, and the trees milled, laid flat and nailed. For the record, forest scientists like Chris Maser note that snags have more life by cell count than live trees, due to bugs, fungi and bacteria. Fire is as essential as rain in forests and prairie lands. Fires cap tree density, and fewer arboreal bio-umps mean more water and wetter fuels, resistant to extreme wildfires. Scientists McLaughlin, Kaplan & Cohen calculated a boost in water yield for southeast coastal watersheds if forests return to native longleaf pine and prescribed fire. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Not all wildfires are equal. Wet spring burns may burn only litter layers insomuch as fall burn combust the duff layer under the litter layer. High-intensity, high-severity fire, as in New Mexico, are caused by fire suppression a 100 years of suppressing fires builds fuel so that fires burn into the subsoil, killing burrowing mice that would re-emerge to poop and inoculate the soil with mycorrhizal spores that grow trees. Sterile soils, even seeds in pine seedling sawdust cubes, die from lack of spores. New Mexico is overrun with an invasive, cheatgrass, that not only supports fire but encourages it in its reproductive niche. Florida hosts the National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center where burn bosses are trained to conduct prescribed burns. California has just inaugurated a Prescribed Fire Claims Fund where property owners can be compensated for losses from a escaped fire. Even the city of Bloomington practices prescribed fire at Griffy Lake. Newspapers foster public contentions by misreporting fire science and the ecosystem services of wildfires that reduce overstocked tree populations and free up water in the West. Bud Hoekstra, Bloomington No expensive surprises in the city, please Dear council members and fellow taxpayers, Several years ago, we all learned that the city had purchased an armored vehicle for $250,000. Were not sure why it was purchased or what it will be used for or where the money came from. The members of the council do not remember approving it, although they had. As I understand, its been used twice, and not for emergencies. Next week, the city council is considering the next city budget. I urgently request that the members of the council give every item on the budget serious scrutiny describing the purpose of the appropriation of the item, the source of funding and the urgency of the expenditure. The Hopewell project, the complicated organization of the streets, the controversial reorganizing of the Showers building, the bicyclist, and pedestrian needs all represent very large expenditures. These expenditures have not been transparent nor justified and with no public debate about priorities. Were facing a change of administration in several months and it would behoove members of the council to keep in mind that priorities may be adjusted with a new administration. We have not had an audit in Bloomington for five years, and until weve had an official audit, no huge expenditures should be made without full transparency and justification to the satisfaction of the public as well as the council. No more expensive surprises. Charlotte Zietlow, Bloomington Auction starts today: Column: The H-T archive auction gives buyers a chance to preserve history Upset with recent and proposed road changes Mayor John Hamilton wants to close the road through Lower Cascades Park before his term of office finally expires. From the time this idea was first proposed, it has been opposed by a majority of Bloomington residents. But Hamilton keeps trying. This road closure is a vital part of his plan to disrupt automobile traffic throughout Bloomington. This is purported to make Bloomington more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Hamilton started out innocently enough with speed bumps being installed as traffic calming devices. Bumps were soon followed by traffic lanes being restricted by extending curbs into traffic lanes or by painted bike lanes. Next came pedestrian islands for crosswalks. These measures are nuisances but tolerable. But then Hamilton upped the ante beginning with the mutilation of Seventh Street. With that insanity under his belt, Hamilton turned his attention to Cascades Park. But even this is not enough for him. It has actually been proposed to make Walnut Street and College Avenue two-way streets. Thats nuts. It is hoped the incoming administration will end this nonsense. If Hamilton wants to make a final gesture before leaving office, he should lay off of Cascades Park and undo the destruction of Seventh Street. Charles Aiken, Bloomington Demand negotiations between Ukraine, Russia Fifty years ago in Vietnam, looking up at the stars, with my shoulder blade blown out and a bullet lodged in my chest, I remember thinking, Oh, now I get it. Recently drones exploded in the Kremlin, the equivalent of our White House. Putin, a man who doesnt bluff, declared that if Russia is attacked, he will respond in a way that will make the living envy the dead. Perhaps you disagree with me that we backed Russia into an existential corner, where it was forced to invade Ukraine. But we can all agree that instead of farmers in black pajamas or mullahs hiding in caves, were dealing with a country with 8,000 nukes. A country that burned Moscow rather than capitulate to Napoleon. A country that absorbed 27 million dead and ate their shoelaces rather than surrender to Hitler. I feel like were living in Jonestown, where zombie-like believers march toward the stage to drink cyanide-laced Kool-Aid, while bullies shout down the reluctant. If youre waiting for the talking heads or our leaders to come to their senses, forget it! Folks who displayed blue and yellow flags were well-meaning. But now its time to show greater courage. Demand negotiations! John Linnemeier, Bloomington A Supreme injustice Clarence, man, how dare you?! The news reports don't scare you? The gifts you take are huge, and make up a deluge. They mean to buy, in short, decisions of the Court. You're massively corrupt and morally bankrupt. You've trashed the Court's good name. Sir, have you no shame? Gene Arnholt, Bloomington A consideration for the county's new jail While I appreciate the hard work our local representatives are doing regarding a final decision on a new jail location, I implore them to step back and consider the following: 1. Do we really need to move the Courts? 2. Do we really need to spend tens of millions of dollars on this? 3. Doesn't it seem more logical and better for the taxpaying public to find a fair and more reasonable solution downtown? Answers: 1. No. 2. No. 3. Yes. As I have been saying for over 30 years, the three houses right across from the Justice Building need to be bought and razed to the ground to build a new jail there. Perhaps the problem is, I assume, that those in control of this decision are not thinking as business persons would. Again, step back, think, don't fall for major costs when it is not necessary. County taxes went up 30% or more last year. Please think and change your focus. Roy Graham, Bloomington This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Letters: Monroe County jail, Bloomington budget, fire science Trump attorneys John Eastman , left, and Rudolph W. Giuliani stand outside the White House during the "Save America" rally on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) To the editor: Lawyer John Eastman, who faces disbarment in California over his effort to assist former President Trump in overturning the 2020 election result, was characterized by an attorney for former Vice President Mike Pence as a "serpent in Trump's ear." This characterization, while correct, is misleading. It's correct because it accurately indicates that Eastman was giving Trump fallacious legal information, and it's reasonable to believe that Eastman knew he was doing that. But it's misleading because it implies that Trump was simply given bad advice by a lawyer. The reality is that Trump was actively seeking such a "serpent" to give him a justification, any justification, for preventing certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Eastman and Trump acted as a pair of rattlesnakes and were attempting to destroy our rule of law with their poisonous venom. Its appropriate that Eastman is facing disbarment in California and that both he and Trump are facing criminal charges in Georgia. David Michels, Encino .. To the editor: The State Bar's rushed attempt to disbar Eastman is a shameful kangaroo court. In the usual case where civil or criminal proceedings are pending relating to the bar charges, the bar delays the discipline until the court makes its decision, particularly where there is little or no risk of harm to clients, and 5th Amendment rights are at stake. Why not here? Because the bar is still embarrassed by the Tom Girardi matter. Now it wants to pose as the guardian of democracy in a case that is 90% political, going after somebody who is a pariah of the local legal establishment. This is a piece of cake for the prosecution, which can just latch onto U.S. District Judge David O. Carter's "more likely than not" prejudgment of Eastman's guilt. It's enough for the ordinary guy to hope Eastman beats the rap and throws egg on their face, for the system's sake. Tom Weiss, Woodland Hills The writer is a lawyer. .. To the editor: I don't know which is more disconcerting that Eastman was a law professor, or that he was the dean of the law school where he taught. What did he teach his students? I hope they can now look to him as an example of what might happen when people think they are above the law. Eastman is now worried about losing his California law license. He needs to lose his law license, just as a District of Columbia Bar panel recommended for Rudy Giuliani. Linda Shabsin, Diamond Bar This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Lil Baby recently launched his For the People Foundation, a nonprofit organization amid the rappers efforts to give back to the community. One of the projects includes opening up a music class at several HBCUs. The rapper has partnered with companies such as Apple to help him with the rollout, he told XXL. I got a nonprofit called For the People Foundation. I teamed up with someone else, and were going to open up a music class in different HBCUs, Lil Baby said. Its definitely going to be something super, super big. And its actually going to roll out, like, everywhere. Im going to do some things with Apple and different services and stuff, so youll definitely see it. The Atlanta native is also building a small community center in his neighborhood. Lil Baby also has several artistic projects coming up. He shared he is releasing an album this summer but hasnt disclosed an official date. Lil Baby is currently on tour and will be performing in 24 cities across the country. Supporting acts include GloRilla, Hunxho, an Atlanta artist on the rise, and Rylo, for whom this marks his first tour. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Glo [is] really for the girls. I want to make sure I tap into the females, he said. Touring is super important to me, Lil Baby said. At first, I didnt really understand it, but as I continue to tour and, my tours continue to get bigger and bigger, and its more profitable and gives my fans a better experience. Touring is definitely a main part that you dont want to miss. But a lot of artists do miss it, I see. Touring is definitely one of those steps you dont want to miss. My debut manga is dropping real soon. And Its HARD so buy @AXE at @Walmart before June 15th and scan your receipt at https://t.co/lgSONEc4lG to unlock #shonenbaby #axepartner pic.twitter.com/qYrd7TsPDL Lil Baby (@lilbaby4PF) June 8, 2023 The rapper also recently announced the release of his manga, co-produced with AXE. Entitled Shonen Baby, its a play on his stage name and a reference to the shonen genre of Japanese manga geared toward teenage boys (think One Piece, Naruto and My Hero Academia). The Shonen part means a bunch of action, a bunch of adventure, the rapper said. Donald Trump , who has led a literally gilded life, got a close look Thursday at the grimy Fulton County Jail the kind of facility where, if he is convicted of the charges brought by Dist. Atty. Fani Willis , he may spend the rest of his life. He couldnt have liked what he saw. Trump surrendered for booking the night before the deadline set by the district attorney prosecuting him in the alleged plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election result in Georgia. Trumps moments inside the jails booking center were supposed to be marked by their ordinariness. County officials strove to treat the former president and his alleged co-conspirators like other defendants subject to the less than dignified procedure. But Trump did receive some special treatment that distinguished him for the worse even from some of his 18 co-defendants in the sprawling racketeering case. He is now subject to a detailed set of conditions in return for the continued privilege of staying out of the countys notoriously decrepit jail. In addition to posting $200,000 bail, he must not intimidate any co-defendant or witness in the case or otherwise obstruct the administration of justice. And the court included another condition tailored to Trump by specifying that the communication restrictions apply to social media posts and reposts. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read more: Litman: What makes the Georgia indictment of Donald Trump so different from all the others Trumps agreement to these conditions and Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfees duty to protect court personnel and witnesses from intimidation and the jury from bias provide ample authority to muzzle and punish Trump should he continue engaging in incendiary rhetoric about the case. But Trumps track record provides every reason for concern that he will ignore his obligations and essentially dare the court to impose a gag order, hold him in contempt and put him in jail. No one in the system wants that. Like U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the federal election interference case, McAfee is certainly aware of the ferocious blowback that would result from even briefly locking up the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for president. The question, however, is whether Trump will leave the judge any choice. He may be determined to flout the order, concluding that he will be celebrated as a rebel for defying the authorities and a martyr if they bring him to heel. The showdown will only reinforce his claims that the Deep State is coming for him and by extension his supporters. It will also raise the prospect that his rhetoric will inspire some crazed adherent among them to attack Willis or another player in the case. The ugly fact is that, as on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump may unleash violent forces he won't be able to control. Whether the case will remain in Fulton Countys jurisdiction is still in dispute. Several of Trumps co-defendants including his onetime chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former Assistant Atty. Gen. Jeffrey Clark are already trying to move the case to federal court. Among other advantages, a federal forum would draw from a broader and potentially more pro-Trump jury pool than in Fulton County and would likely preclude televising the trial. But Trumps own prospects of removing the case to federal court on the grounds that it concerns presidential acts are remote. Courts have already held that his alleged criminal conduct was outside even the outer perimeter of his official duties. Read more: Column: Trump's indictment is a historic first. Here's why more are likely to follow Trumps exposure in Fulton County is in some ways even more acute than in any of the other three indictments that name him. Because the case alleges state crimes, the presidency would give him no power to pardon himself or anyone else being prosecuted, reducing his leverage over the other defendants. Kenneth Chesebros motion for a speedy trial is one early example of a co-defendants self-interest taking precedence over Trumps interests. McAfee agreed to schedule Chesebro's trial for Oct. 23, and Trump's team moved for their cases to be separated from each other. Former Georgia Republican Party Chair David Shafers motion this week to move his case to federal court also demonstrates this threat to Trump. Shafer argues that he and the other fake presidential electors acted at the direction of Trump and other federal officials. His filing includes a transcript in which Ray Smith, a Trump team lawyer and another co-defendant in the case, told Shafer and others that they were duty-bound to execute the phony elector scheme to support the president and the Constitution. And there's a strong possibility that one or more of Trump's 18 co-defendants, not to mention the 30 or so unindicted co-conspirators, will cooperate with prosecutors because the evidence against them is strong and any evidence they can provide against higher-level players, especially Trump, will be valuable. If it comes to it, incarceration is a nightmare even for those not accustomed to the high life. Trump might nevertheless be able to forestall justice for himself, if not prevent it altogether, if he becomes president again. It's my view that the Supreme Court could find that the Fulton County proceedings would have to be held in abeyance until the end of his term. And who knows what damage to the rule of law Trump may have wrought by then? There are reasons to believe the Fulton County case is unlikely to be completed before the November 2024 election. But it wont be going away either. For Trump, conviction and incarceration in Georgia remain among the most frightening perils in the legal minefield awaiting him. Harry Litman is the host of the Talking Feds podcast. @harrylitman If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LIVINGSTON COUNTY Just two months after a devastating hailstorm left homes, businesses and farms damaged in Livingston County, a series of thunderstorms and a possible tornado are digging up bad memories. Drone footage shows trees downed Thursday, Aug. 24, on the Lang family property on Judd Road in Fowlerville. Sirens blared in multiple towns after what the National Weather Service called "an extremely large and dangerous tornado" was spotted near the county line in Williamston before crossing into Fowlerville on Thursday, Aug. 24. At first, NWS expected the tornado to reach Howell around 9:55 p.m. and Brighton around 10:10 p.m. but the threat diminished. Weve confirmed that strong tornado south of Williamston did roll into Livingston County," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Steve Freitag. "Were confirming a tornado in Livingston County sort of where the West Branch Red Cedar River is on Wallace Road, just south of I-96. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "(It) entered there and trekked pretty close to that West Branch Red Cedar River, went through Cedar Road and then it probably reached roughly where I-96 and North Nicholson Road intersect." The winds reached up to 90 miles per hour when the tornado entered the county," Freitag said. "South of the tornado trek, there were 90 mile-per-hour straight line winds, producing snapped trees and uprooted trees." Damage shared by residents included downed trees, blocked roads and widespread power outages, though it wasn't immediately known how many locals, if any, were injured. At least two died in Ingham County and three in West Michigan. In Fowlerville, Brandon Lang and his family were directly in the path of the tornado, they said, at their home on Judd Road. The family of four took cover in a three-foot-deep crawlspace beneath their house. A 28-year-old tree on Lang Road in Iosco Township was uprooted during a storm on Aug. 24. We were ... on a dirt slab with concrete walls, cinder blocks around us, which was the foundation. I figured that was the safest place to be, Lang said. We hid in there. And then, I think it was 9:55 (p.m.) or 10 is when the tornado hit. It lasted about five minutes and then it went calm. It was extremely calm and quiet and then, five minutes later, it hit back again. We were just holding on to each other, praying that we weren't going to die. After the tornado passed through a second time, they said, the family got into their car and drove to the nearest Walmart to take cover. Drone footage shows trees downed Thursday, Aug. 24, on the Lang family property on Judd Road in Fowlerville. We booked it as fast as we could to the Fowlerville Walmart," Lang said. "We wanted to just get to an open area without trees because I was like, We can't make it through a second time, a second hit (to) our house is going to take us down. We just drove as fast as we could, dodging trees on the dirt roads, going through peoples yards because there was no way to get out." Residents in Iosco Township suffered damage, too. Tanya Caswell was in the bedroom of her home on Lang Road when a large, 28-year-old tree uprooted and landed on the roof above her head. It's a big beautiful tree, or it was, Caswell said. It was like three big trunks, nice (and) widespread and it's down. The tree roots are probably twice as tall as me. The tree didnt break through the roof, and neither Caswell nor her husband were injured, but the crash gave them a scare. It was very loud," she said. "I screamed. Drone footage shows trees downed Thursday, Aug. 24, on the Lang family property on Judd Road in Fowlerville. When surveying her neighborhood Friday morning, Caswell saw downed trees and powerlines, and even a trampoline. In the early morning hours, more than 27,000 customers of DTE and Consumers in Livingston County were without power. As homeowners still work to repair damage from the hailstorm in June, some wonder whether Livingston County is a beacon for bad weather. An uprooted tree in South Lyon, on the border of Livingston County, following a severe thunderstorm Thursday, Aug. 24. I would say this summer has been a little bit above average in terms of activity, but I also do think there's something to the point that we get more reports due to the population (in southeast Michigan)," Cromwell said. "I wouldnt say (it's) necessarily hit more than other (parts of the state). I would just chalk it up to an unusual year." Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Just hours before Thursday night's storms, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency, promising to "get first responders and emergency crews on the ground the resources they need to keep people safe." Contact Cassandra Lybrink, Patricia Alvord and Tess Ware at newsroom@livingstondaily.com. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: 'Praying we weren't going to die': Fowlerville family talks surviving Thursday's tornado Fair Use"/> Updated as of 8/25/2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET The autopsy results for 8-year-old Jenesis Dockery are finally in but leave us with more questions than answers. Read more Fon Dockery said his 8-year-old daughter, Jenesis, and her 5-year-old sister were dropped off at a family babysitters house on July 25 in Cumberland County, Nc., per ABC News. Within the hour she was dropped off, Dockery received a call from the sitter that Jenesis had been shot in the head by the sitters 11-year-old son. She died two days later, just before her birthday. By Aug. 11, the sheriffs office executed a warrant for the juveniles arrest and charged him with manslaughter and larceny of a firearm. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Its still unclear at the moment how the boy even ended up with the firearm given how quickly the incident occurred but thats seems to be the question for every other incident where a child ends up with a gun. It may honestly be more common than we know. Read more from a 2022 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics: A study from Inquiry Epidemiology found that children often perceived guns as a toy or believed it was unloaded, leading to an accidental death. Often, the firearms were left no only accessible but also unlocked. The study also found the shooters are friends of the victims. North Carolina alone has a sinister trend of children being accused of gun crimes. According to ABC 11 News, over 5,400 children have faced a juvenile petition for weapon-related offenses. Just before this incident, two weeks ago, police say a 10-year-old boy shot and injured his one-year-old brother. These tragedies are also on a national scale. At the top of this year, a 6-year-old boy climbed on top of his moms dresser, took her firearm from her purse and shot his teacher in Virginia. The latest shooting occurred in Jacksonville, where a 9-year-old accidentally shot a 6-year-old boy, per News4Jax. Only 31 states have placed restrictions on gun accessibility. Who knows how many other children are casually exposed to a firearm without knowing its a deadly weapon? More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A Cook County judge on Friday denied a mans bid for a new trial in the troubled, yearslong saga stemming from the killing of off-duty Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis in 2011. After hours of arguments from attorneys, Associate Judge James Linn turned away the effort to secure a new trial for Alexander Villa, one of three men who were charged in Lewis killing but the only to be convicted. Mr. Villa was a suspect from Day 1, Linn said, adding, The only question I have to decide is did he get a fair trial. I conclude that Mr. Villa did get a fair trial, Linn continued, adding that the newly presented arguments now would not have been likely to change the outcome of the trial. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Lewis family declined to comment after the hearing. Villas friends and family offered brief messages of love and support as he was led out of the courtroom. The ruling came after months of motions, arguments and new attorneys, with those for the defense alleging that hidden or disregarded evidence allowed police to zero in on a suspect who was clearly innocent. Defense attorney Jennifer Blagg said the Chicago Police Department and federal investigators overlooked crucial cellphone GPS records while detectives with tunnel vision remained hyperfocused on Villa, despite mounting evidence that pointed to his innocence. The jurors would be entitled to hear this evidence, Blagg said in arguing for a new trial for Villa. CPD had this evidence, CPD knew about this evidence and did not disclose it. Blaggs arguments came during a lengthy hearing before Linn, who also presided over Villas initial criminal trial and is expected to retire this month. About 15 of Villas supporters were present in court. Lewis was shot and killed by two masked men in December 2011 while working a second job as security at a West Side convenience store. Cook County prosecutors initially charged Villa, Tyrone Clay and Edgardo Colon in the case, which in recent years has been plagued with problems, including allegations that police and prosecutors buried evidence. A jury convicted Villa of Lewis murder in 2019, but he has not been sentenced. In a surprise move in June, prosecutors dismissed charges against Villas two co-defendants, Colon and Clay, after months of contentious hearings and a labor-intensive process by the city to try to comply with discovery obligations. A motion to appoint a special prosecutor, as well as another to compel the testimony of prosecutors previously assigned to the Villa case, were both denied. Two new prosecutors were assigned to Villas case earlier this year. Blagg, who joined the case to replace Villas former attorney, Michael Clancy, also unsuccessfully argued to have the case transferred from Linn to another judge. Among the CPD detectives involved in the investigation, Blagg said, were Sgt. Sam Cirone and Marc Leavitt. Cirone, promoted for merit, was also heavily involved in the investigation of the killing of David Koschman by a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley. CPD records show Leavitt has cleared more homicide cases for the department than any other detective from 2012 through 2022. In a state where doctors perform more than 70,000 abortions a year, the next few months are pivotal to how much access Floridians will have to the procedure. Activity on multiple fronts is underway to make Floridians aware of whats at stake and fight back against new abortion restrictions approved since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The 15-week abortion ban that became law in Florida in 2022 could become a six-week limit within the next few months. Here is where the pushback is happening. In court In Florida, the main battleground is in the state Supreme Court. After lawmakers passed a 15-week ban in 2022, seven abortion clinics and physician Shelly Hsiao-Ying Tien filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality. On Sept. 8, justices will hear arguments over whether a privacy clause in the Florida Constitution protects abortion rights. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement If the justices agree the clause protects abortion rights, then women would have the right to have the procedure up until fetal viability, which is about 24 weeks. Florida had allowed abortion through 24 weeks of pregnancy for decades prior to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. If justices rule the clause doesnt protect abortion rights, the outcome would trigger a six-week ban passed by the state legislature earlier this year. The new six-week limit would go into effect 30 days after the courts ruling. Already two restrictions effect abortion: As a result of a recent court decision, women in Florida must wait 24 hours after seeing a doctor in person to get the procedure. And Florida law now requires anyone under 18 to get consent from a parent or legal guardian before having an abortion. Reproductive rights advocates consider the six-week ban equivalent to the elimination of abortion in Florida, asserting that 66% of women dont even know they are pregnant at six weeks. If the six-week ban were to go into effect, that would be even more hardships for people, said Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates. Most people dont know they are pregnant at six weeks, especially if they are not trying to get pregnant. And then, with all the other restrictions we have in Florida, it really makes it an insurmountable barrier. At the polls Another battleground is the voting polls. A coalition of groups in May began a drive to allow Floridians to vote to pass a constitutional amendment to ensure abortion rights. First they have to gather enough signatures to get the amendment on the ballot. The amendment would allow abortion rights up to fetal viability, which has generally been interpreted as about 24 weeks of pregnancy. So far, the coalition has gathered 600,000 signatures of the 891,523 verified signatures required to get the proposed amendment on the ballot. The goal is to get the Florida Supreme Court to sign off on the ballot language and get the amendment to voters in November 2024, at the same time people are choosing the next U.S. president. At the polls, it would take 60% of the voters to change the state constitution. In 2022, voters supported abortion rights in six states. Round two would be voting for it, but for now were just trying to get it on the ballot, said Mary Eakins-Durand, field manager for Equality Florida. Raising public awareness At a roundtable assembled Monday by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, reproductive rights advocates talked about a third place their efforts are focused: The battle for public support. They believe many Floridians are not yet aware that a six-week abortion ban could become law. They want to raise awareness and convince Floridians that abortion is a healthcare issue rather than a religious or political stance. Wasserman Schultz emphasized the need to educate the public that it is rare for anyone to be cavalier about having an abortion. There are a lot of emotions tied up in the decision. Petition organizers say they encounter a complete unawareness of change in Floridas abortion law. At the mall, collecting petition signatures on a busy Sunday afternoon, most of the people we spoke to had no idea about the 15-week ban we currently are living under and the six-week ban to come, said Sabrina Javellana of the Reproductive Freedom Collective of Broward County. They dont know about parental consent and a 24-hour waiting period. Theres so much outreach education that we need. Diamond Delancy, organizing program manager for Planned Parenthood of Southeast and North Florida, said young people are a target group for education. The youth are very, very fired up, she said. We had a student organizing summit about two weekends ago with 75 students from 18 different colleges who are ready to take that petition back to their colleges and get their folks to sign it. Maria Rodriguez of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus said she is working to educate to people of all ages and faiths in the Hispanic community. She recently educated her grandmother. who is a devout Catholic, on why abortion is about a womens healthcare rights. We want to make sure once this petition initiative gets put on the ballot that we connect with the Hispanic community and tell them why this is important, Rodriguez said. What were saying isnt working. We need to make sure that were looking outward to see how can we message and what can we say that really opens minds. In health care clinics Another venue where abortions rights advocates are pushing back are the clinics. Planned Parenthood in Florida has expanded its hours and hired more patient navigators at its 18 locations. The navigators help women find clinics outside the state and are preparing to ramp up with the threat of a six-week limit by years end. With the 15-week ban we already are busy and have more need for all-around referral services, said Goodhue of Planned Parenthood. Now we are coordinating with other states and have a memo of understanding in place with other independent providers and Planned Parenthood providers to send people if we need to. In addition, Goodhue said Planned Parenthood clinics have expanded their services to focus more on birth control We are trying to do more vasectomies and were packaging birth control/Plan B kits, she said. We also are providing pregnancy tests. Recognizing legal abortion as a option may narrow, Goodhue said the clinics are now offering prenatal care. ------- CHICAGO Longtime Democratic insider Tim Mapes was found guilty Thursday on perjury and obstruction of justice charges alleging he lied to a federal grand jury in an attempt to protect his longtime boss, former House Speaker Michael Madigan . The jury of six men and six women deliberated for about five hours before delivering the verdict in U.S. District Judge John Kness courtroom. Mapes, 68, of Springfield, faces up to 20 years in prison on the attempted obstruction count, while perjury calls for a maximum of five years behind bars. Mapes, dressed in a gray suit and light green tie, kept his legs crossed and showed little or no reaction to the verdict. As the jury was led out, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked something, and also appeared to be looking at his smart watch. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Within minutes of court adjourning, Mapes strode rapidly out of the courthouse into the 100-degree heat and was followed down Dearborn Street by cameramen and reporters. Neither Mapes nor his attorneys commented to reporters. The decision marked the conclusion of a nearly three-week criminal case that centered on relatively straightforward charges yet delved deeply into the behind-the-scenes political intrigue of the scandals that rocked Madigans office and ended his decadeslong grip on power. Mapes is also the second member of Madigans inner circle to be convicted by a jury in the past several months, delivering yet another blow to Madigan as his own wide-ranging federal racketeering trial looms next year. In May, Madigans longtime confidant, Michael McClain, was found guilty along with three others in a bribery conspiracy to funnel payments from Commonwealth Edison to Madigan associates in exchange for the speakers influence over the utilitys legislative agenda in Springfield. Madigan and McClain are co-defendants in next years trial, set to begin April 1. But they both played major roles in the governments case against Mapes, who served as Madigans chief of staff, House clerk and executive director of the Madigan-run state Democratic Party until he was unceremoniously ousted in a 2018 #MeToo scandal. Madigan, McClain and Mapes were described as the three major players in a triangle of power that held sway over the longtime speakers Democratic House caucus, government operations and major grip on statewide politics. One of the more memorable moments in the trial came when Democratic Rep. Bob Rita of Blue Island used his hands to draw a triangle as he told jurors that Madigan sat at the apex and that McClain and Mapes occupied the two remaining corners. That rough organizational chart was well known in Springfield, dominated the flow of legislation in the House and the Democratic politics designed to keep Madigan speakera post he held for a national record 36 years.ho used to charge up and down the speakers podium and bark orders at will during legislative sessions in the ornate Illinois House of Representatives. Mapes faced a single count of perjury based on seven alleged lies outlined in his indictment and a single count of attempted obstruction of justice based on numerous statements allegedly designed to impede the grand jury investigation into the Madigan-McClain case. The obstruction count carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison while perjury could put Mapes behind bars for as long as five years. The panel sent out only two notes during the deliberations Thursday, asking for copies of the grand jury transcript of Mapes questioning as well as the indictment. The judge promised to send hard copies back to the jury room. Mapes, 68, of Springfield, is charged with perjury and attempted obstruction of justice in an indictment accusing him of repeatedly lying during his appearance before the grand jury investigating Madigan and his vaunted political operation. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the obstruction count, while the perjury charges carry up to five years behind bars. Though the charges were fairly straightforward, the trial has been filled with political intrigue surrounding the decline of Madigans grip on power, including testimony about the #MeToo-era sexual harassment scandal that consumed the speakers office and led to Mapes abrupt ouster in June 2018. In her closing argument Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz told the jury that Mapes, who had served as Madigans chief of staff for more than 25 years, was an insider who was behind the curtain of Madigans often-secretive political organization, and could have given the grand jury key insight when he testified under a grant of immunity on March 31, 2021. Many of the allegedly misleading statements had to do with Mapes failure to recollect anything about Madigans relationship with longtime confidant Michael McClain, and whether Madigan continued to give McClain political assignments after McClains retirement from lobbying in 2016, according to prosecutors. If the defendant had been honest, he would have been a star witness, Schwartz said. But he did everything he could to obstruct the process to minimize his participation, to act as if he was clueless. Mapes attorney, Andrew Porter, blasted those allegations in his closing argument, saying Mapes did his level best to provide truthful answers. He also accused prosecutors of asking open-ended questions and failing to provide Mapes with any corroborating materials that might refresh his recollection of years-old conversations.. Saying Mapes could have been a star witness assumes, without evidence, assumes that Tim Mapes knew whether Madigan and McClain were discussing these topics, Porter said. And he didnt. ... He couldnt remember what he didnt know. Porter also said Mapes had no motive to lie, particularly since Madigan had forced his resignation over harassment and bullying allegations that Mapes had denied. The government throws out (it was to) protect the boss. ... Why would he fall on his sword for a guy who kicked him to the curb three years before? Porter asked the jury. Over eight days of testimony, prosecutors presented 14 witnesses and dozens of wiretapped phone conversations, emails and other documents in an effort to prove that Mapes was lying. The prosecutions case also included the audio of Mapes entire grand jury testimony, offering a rare glimpse into a secretive process and illuminating how big-time political corruption investigations play out behind the scenes. Mapes, who in addition to being Madigans chief of staff also served stints as executive director of the state Democratic Party and the clerk of the House, chose not to testify in his own defense. ____ The 61-year-old Maryland woman was a dedicated lottery player, but she had never won more than $50, she told lottery officials. She broke that record when she won $50,000 from a scratch-off ticket, officials said in a release on Aug. 24. I started shaking because I was so happy, the Pasadena resident said. She revealed to lottery officials she hadnt told anyone but her daughter about her big win. For the 50th anniversary of the Maryland Lottery, the organization released $50 scratch-off tickets in a game called 50 Years! with a top prize of $5 million. The woman is a regular scratch-off enthusiast, according to lottery officials. She bought four tickets, and one of them revealed a $50,000 prize, the release said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement She has worked as a caterer for the last 20 years, she told lottery officials. She added that she plans to use the prize money for home improvements and to help out some family members. The 50-year anniversary scratch-off game launched in February. Two $5 million top prizes and two $50,000 prizes remain, according to the release. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Lottery winner started screaming over $20,000 prize, but then she kept scratching Stepmom scratched her lottery ticket and went ghost white. Now she has big plans Worker on break in Uptown Charlotte buys lottery ticket at 7-Eleven and wins big Daughter checks moms lottery ticket. Prize leaves their family jumping up and down When chefs Justin Sherrer and Lisetty Llampalla opened the Little Havana gem Doce Provisions in 2016, the restaurant was called a gift to its neighborhood by the Miami Herald. A comfortable, relaxed space just north of Calle Ocho, Doce Provisions continues to serve contemporary Cuban cuisine in an unpretentious way, gaining praise from such sources as Bon Appetit, which earlier this year urged readers to try the restaurant in its cover story on the growing Miami food scene. Doce Provisions also earned a nod from the Michelin Guide, which called the spot a backyard oasis like no other. Now Sherrer and Llampalla are widening their scope with the new Social 27 Supper Club, which they call their love letter to the Cuba of the 1940s and 1950s, where supper clubs were all the rage. With Doce Provisions, which also has a location inside the Shoma Bazaar food hall in Doral, Sherrer and Llampalla focused on food. At Social 27, now open on the western part of Eighth Street, their focus doesnt so much stray as expand, encompassing cuisine but also music, classic Cuban cocktails and the cultural ties that bring a community together. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The concept of Social 27 Supper Club is to create a space where people can come together to enjoy the best of Cuban cuisine while experiencing the infectious energy of Miami, Sherrer said. We want to provide not just a meal but a memorable experience that resonated with both locals and visitors. Owners of Little Havanas favorite spot for beer open a new pizza joint next door Another room inside Social 27 Supper Club in Little Havana. The 3,100-square-foot restaurant has options for dining indoors or outdoors. Colorful murals by Miami-based artist Diana Didi Contreras adorn the walls, while the menu highlights Cuban specialties. Youll find items like tiradito Cienfuegos (crudo with charred sofrito, leche de tigre, avo, smoked salmon eggs and boniato chips) and pork croquetas, as well as a buratta brulee torched with confit tomato and mango marmalade. Other dishes can be shared, like Mar & Terra (a New York strip plus prawns) or the 2-pound Tomahawk Ribeye. The cocktail menu offers many nods to Cubas history like the Papa Doble (a Hemingway daiquiri), the Mango con Sal (with Tequila Blanco, mango, lime and agave with a salt rim) and the El Viejo Fashioned (an Old Fashioned). A daily happy hour offers a cheaper way to try out such classic cocktails as the mojito or Cuba Libre as well as bar bites like ahi tuna tacos, chorizo croquetas or pork belly chicharron. Llampalla said that Social 27 is a logical extension of what she and Sherrer have created in Miami (they also operate Little Bird by Doce Provisions in Brickell). Our journey began at Doce Provisions, and with Social 27, we are taking it a step further by combining our love for food with the pulsating rhythms of Miamis music scene, she said. Its an exciting evolution of our culinary vision. The bar at Social 27 Supper Club in Little Havana, from the creators of the beloved Cuban restaurant Doce Provisions. Social 27 Supper Club Where: 2555 SW Eighth St., Miami Hours: 4-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 4-midnight Friday; noon-3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-midnight Saturday; noon- 9 p.m. Happy hour 4-7p.m. weekdays. Reservations: OpenTable or 786-703-9210 More information: www.social27miami.com This retro Cuban restaurant bar in Miami was named the best in the United States A 23-year-old Lubbock rapper accused of gunning down a homeless man walking in a neighborhood near downtown Lubbock two years ago was found not guilty Friday following a week-long trial. Tazmin Paul, who performs under the alias of 806Taz, has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center since his Aug. 11, 2021 arrest, in connection with the deadly shooting of 41-year-old Seattle Salazar near the intersection of 16th Street and Avenue U. The not guilty verdict came Friday afternoon following a trial that started Monday in the 364th District Court. 1 arrested in deadly Central Lubbock shooting He was one of two people facing a murder charge for their roles in the deadly shooting. Murder carries a punishment of five years to life in prison. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Jesus Tijerina, 26, is being held at the Lubbock County Detention Center while he awaits trial. Deadly shooting in central Lubbock Their charge stems from a Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes investigation that began about 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, 2021, when police officers were called to the intersection for reports of shots fired. Responding officers found Salazar in the south east corner of the intersection. Witnesses at the scene told officers they saw two Hispanic men in an older model white Chevrolet SUV circling the 2100 block of 16th Street before multiple gunshots rang out in the neighborhood. Officers found videos from security cameras they believed recorded the vehicle used in the shooting and identified Tiejerina as one of the occupants. Tijerina told investigators the day after the shooting that he was driving the vehicle, a 1999 white Chevrolet Suburban, which was owned by his employer but that he was allowed to use. A search of the vehicle yielded two .22 shell casings, which resembled the shell casings found at the scene of the shooting. He said Paul was his passenger and he was giving him a ride home after work. He said as they approached Lubbock High school, Paul repeatedly claimed that someone was following him. Tijerina said they were traveling west and stopped at a stop sign when Paul drew a pistol and fired several rounds. They continued westbound, turned southbound on the next street, then turned east on the next street where he told Paul to get out of the vehicle. Tijerina reportedly said Paul exited the vehicle and walked away. He reportedly said that after the shooting, Paul sent him text messages including instructions for disposing the murder weapon. Another text message included a screen shot from local news about the shooting. Murder trial proceeds Prosecutors and defense attorneys worked most of Monday paring a pool of 63 potential jurors into a 12-member panel with one alternate juror. On Friday, District Judge William Eichman ruled that Paul's rap lyrics in the song, "Man Down," will be admissible in the guilt-innocence phase of the trial if prosecutors could show the lyrics describe the way Salazar was shot and killed. In the song, Paul sings: "Know this [expletive] is going to be shocking/if I catch a [expletive] walking/he trying to play me like I'm a [expletive]/you know how I rock it/I pull up on a [expletive] quick with that [expletive] stick/get that [expletive] hit for a couple of bricks." A video for the song was uploaded about five days before the deadly shooting. Under Texas law, character evidence is generally inadmissible in the guilt-innocence phase of a trial. However, an exception could be made if the evidence can prove the defendant's motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identify, absence of mistake or lack of accident. Eichman said during the hearing that he understood many lyrics depicting violence and murder are solely artistic expressions. He cited artists including Johnny Cash who sang about shooting a man in Reno "Just to watch him die" and Freddie Mercury, whose lyrics in "Bohemian Rhapsody" described killing a man. But neither musicians were accused of killing people in the ways they sang about - or at all. In Paul's case, he said prosecutors would have to link him to Salazar's homicide then show that his raps were based on reality. "But you got to show that first ... If it is shown that this murder was committed this way, then it's admissible," he said. "It's a fact issue for the jury to decide at that point." Prosecutors also plan to play a portion of Paul's interview posted on the 806er, a YouTube Channel that interviews local hip-hop artists, in which he says, "I'm rapping about how I'm living, so you can feel my emotion on that ho." Paul's defense attorney, Michael King, argued that the lyrics prosecutors plan to prejudice jurors against his client. "... the introduction of the video and lyrics serve one purpose: to demonstrate to the jury that Tazmin Paul wrote explicit and violent lyrics, which consequently, and would enable the jury to view him as a violent and aggressive individual." In his motion to exclude the lyrics, King referred to a trial in which Eichman presided over also involving Treshon Stokes, a local rapper charged with trafficking cocaine. "While the lyrics to Tazmin Paul's songs are incredibly violent, as are the lyrics to many rap songs, the instant case is distinguishable from (Stoke's case) in that crucial way: Tazmin Paul's lyrics are a fictional account of the 'gangsta' lifestyle, while Stokes' lyrics described his day-to-day events," King wrote. In Stokes' case, Eichman also allowed prosecutors to present Stoke's lyrics to jurors. To prove Stokes intent to sell drugs, prosecutors published a redacted video of Stokes song, Juice in the Da City that was posted on YouTube and viewed more than 100,000 times. In the video, which was shot a month before his arrest, Stokes rapped about drug trafficking with a crew. The video also featured four of the five men arrested with Stokes. Put a cookie in the pot and white that ----- into a lobster, was one of the lyrics jurors heard. An expert witness said "cookie" was a reference to crack cocaine and the lyric was about making money selling drugs. Stokes' defense attorney, Charles Chambers, told the white, mostly middle-aged jurors that his client was an artist putting on the persona of a drug dealer in his music and was singing about what hes observed on the streets in the east side of Lubbock. It just happens to be what's popular, Chambers said. And a person has a right to sing what they want to without it being used to send them to the pen. A jury found Stokes guilty as charged and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock rapper Tazmin Paul found not guilty of murdering homeless man Baby Alvin was just four weeks old when he died at the Countess of Chester Hospital Two families who believe their babies may have been killed by Lucy Letby want police to investigate, The Telegraph can reveal. Parents of infants treated at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to kill six others, have raised concerns about the way their children died. Both mothers could be considered vulnerable one is from Lithuania and does not speak much English, while the other has learning difficulties and struggles with reading and writing. Both believe Letby was present when they were at the hospital with their children. The nurse appeared to have signed one babys baptism book, while the other infants father recognised Letby from media coverage of the trial. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police contacted the families during their initial investigation but they were not included in the original case, which concluded earlier this month. We dont believe weve had justice Detectives are now working through the admissions of 4,000 babies to neonatal units at the two hospitals where Letby worked and looking for any suspicious incidents in which she may have been involved. Emily Morris, whose one-month-old son Alvin died in the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit after he was christened in 2013, told The Telegraph: We dont believe weve had justice. On Friday, Rishi Sunak said he wanted the inquiry into Letbys crimes to be led by a judge to ensure there is a strong, independent voice who can get to the bottom of what happened. The Prime Minister said: Obviously this was one of the most despicable, horrific crimes in our history and its really important that we get answers, particularly for the families of the victims. Downing Street said the Government had not yet decided whether the inquiry should be put on a statutory footing, meaning it would have the power to compel witnesses including hospital bosses to attend. It comes amid growing anger over the alleged failure of hospital managers to take action after concerns were raised about the killer nurse. Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of the NHS, will hold an urgent meeting next week to discuss potential new powers to discipline hospital managers for serious misconduct. On Friday, it emerged that Tony Chambers, the Countess of Chester Hospitals former chief executive who has been accused of shutting down concerns about Letby was paid up to 80,000 by the trust for nine months after he resigned. It is understood that, for six months of that period, Mr Chambers was seconded to another trust and spent a further three months preparing for the secondment. Letby will die in jail after being sentenced to a whole life order by Mr Justice Goss for her campaign of child murder that showed a deep malevolence bordering on sadism. Addressing the 33-year-old at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, he said: The babies you harmed were born prematurely and some were at risk of not surviving, but in each case you deliberately harmed them, intending to kill them. Letby began working as a student at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2010 and first worked on its neonatal unit that year. She went full-time on the ward in January 2012, although she also undertook short placements at Liverpool Womens Hospital. Ms Morris, 35, said her son Alvin was born three weeks early in January 2013. Four days after the birth, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy (MD), an inherited genetic condition that causes muscles to weaken progressively. While MD can prove fatal for some infants, many people with it live into their 20s and 30s. She and her partner Mark Lewis, 39, said hospital staff told them that Alvins condition was mild and that he had been progressing well on the unit. They had him baptised there, marking the occasion with a christening book signed by family and staff. In neat cursive a style seemingly identical to Letbys handwriting in diaries seen during the trial one message reads: To Alvin, with love on your special day, Lucy x. The killer was caring for Alvin in the 24 hours before his sudden death in February 2013, his mother recalled. She was in the room the day he died, said Ms Morris, who remembers hearing Letby complaining to a colleague in the nursery that she did not feel well and needed to go home. And a couple of hours afterwards, he just died. Thats why I still think in my heart that she did something to him. The message in Alvins christening book A second mother whose two-day-old baby died on the unit in 2015 has also called for detectives to re-examine her daughters case. Police investigating Letby contacted the couple in 2017, although the investigation did not progress. But the babys father said he recognised Letbys face during coverage of the trial, fuelling their concerns that she could have been involved. The little girl, described only as M at the parents request, was born at just over 40 weeks after a healthy pregnancy. Her mother said the delivery did not go to plan and her daughter was born during an emergency caesarean on Sept 2 2015. Doctors were concerned that the baby could pick up an infection and moved her to an incubator in the neonatal unit to be treated with antibiotics and monitored. Soon, they said she was already improving. But in the early hours of Sept 4, staff woke the mother in the middle of the night to inform her that her daughter had become seriously unwell. Doctors attempted resuscitation, but the baby died. The mother said the first post-mortem results showed nothing, but a second carried out by a hospital in Liverpool found the infant had a rare heart defect and lung failure. During the trial, the jury heard how some of the babies Letby has now been convicted of harming had damage to their heart or lungs. The mother also said she had noticed dark spots on her daughters chest, another symptom the court was told emerged on many of Letbys victims. She urged police to re-investigate, saying: I cannot say for certain if she is responsible, but the entire situation always seemed weird to me because the entire pregnancy was fine and no one said anything was wrong with my daughter. The first day that my baby was born, they told me everything is fine with her. The revelations come as executives running the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust during the period in which Letby killed babies are facing increased questions about their handling of the scandal. In a statement, Jane Tomkinson, the acting chief executive officer of the trust, said it will be supporting the ongoing investigation by Cheshire police, adding: Due to ongoing legal considerations, it would not be appropriate for the trust to make any further comment at this time. Cheshire Constabulary said the operation is committed to a complete and thorough investigation into the full period of time that Lucy Letby was employed as a nurse and that the families of all babies who are part of this investigation have been informed and are supported. I still think in my heart that she did something to him Ms Morris, from Deeside in north Wales, said it just makes me feel sick, looking at that page after discovering that Letby appeared to have written in her son Alvins christening book. His christening at the hospital on Feb 1 2013 was supposed to be a special family occasion, but Ms Morris recalled that it was overshadowed by the clingy and controlling behaviour of Letby. She watched all my family like a hawk, she said. My whole family noticed that she was staring them down when they were leaning over the pram. She recalled that Letby showed the same kind of behaviour on the ward, adding: The other nurses were no problem they didnt lean over your baby unless they had to. She seemed to be doing it on purpose sometimes, saying constantly: The blanket is dirty, she said. Alvins death, barely a month after he was born on Jan 2 2013, shocked Ms Morris and her partner. It felt inexplicable. Emily Morris and Mark Lewis lost their child Alvin when he died at four weeks old - Andrew Price/View Finder Pictures He was born three weeks early and diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at four days old. Ms Morris knew all too well how serious that disease can be. Two years earlier, in 2011, she had given birth to a little girl, Charlene, who was diagnosed with severe MD. Tragically, Charlene also died when she was two months old, but the two childrens short lives were very different. The family said the little girl had been much more unwell than Alvin, whose condition was mild. She was suffering, but Alvin wasnt. He was happy, she said. Her son was initially placed in nursery one, where the sickest babies were cared for, but was later moved to nursery three, which Ms Morris said is quite a good room and where you start to build up to go home. While doctors counselled Ms Morris and Mr Lewis ahead of Charlenes death, nothing could have prepared them for being called back into the neonatal unit to see Alvin, only to be told he had already died. They put him in my partners arms and said: Im sorry. Hes already gone, said Ms Morris. The family felt they did not have any answers. They didnt do a post-mortem, she said. With Charlene, they said: Do you want a post-mortem? and I said: Yes. But with Alvin they didnt, but they knew what Charlene had died of. Like Alvin, Charlene was born at the Countess of Chester Hospital, but was later transferred to Alder Hey in Liverpool, where she died. Alvin didnt live as long as Charlene did, which is wrong. If he had the condition mildly, what happened? she asked. This has been going around our heads and nobody has been out to talk to us about it. Alvin had been 'happy' before his death, say his parents One day in 2018, a police liaison officer knocked on her door and started asking questions about Alvins death. He wouldnt speak to me on my own. He said: I want your partner or your brother there, said Ms Morris. When the officer said they were re-examining her son Alvins death, she replied: He died years ago, why are you bringing him up? Ms Morris recalled learning about the police investigation into Letby. As she and her family heard more about the crimes for which the nurse is now convicted, they realised she could be responsible for Alvins sudden decline and death. After the first few police visits, Ms Morris said the liaison officer called her to say that they had found something in Alvins case. But when they visited her house a couple of days later, she was instead told we didnt find anything and that the force didnt agree to take it further. Ten years have now passed since Alvins death, and all Ms Morris has left to remember him by are a few photographs, a teddy bear and a christening book that appears to be signed by a serial killer. She wants police to re-investigate. My pregnancy went fine but my daughter died at just two days old The parents of M, who died after two days at the Countess of Chester Hospital, have questions about how their apparently healthy baby could have died so suddenly. Although her pregnancy had been smooth, when Ms 19-year-old mother arrived on Sept 2 2015, her delivery did not go to plan. Shortly after being told it was time to push, the emergency lights came on and doctors intervened. She has little memory of the events that followed, save that she woke up following her caesarean section and was told by her husband that she had given birth to a girl. When the mother asked to see her child, who was in an incubator, she was told not yet because the baby needed to be examined. The newborn had been moved to the neonatal unit for monitoring, and doctors said she was being given antibiotics because they were concerned that she could have inhaled some potentially infectious amniotic fluid. The mother recalls the medics saying her daughter was already improving and would be back with her parents by the following day. She was permitted a 30-minute visit, which would prove to be the only time she ever met her baby girl. In the early hours of Sept 4, the mother was woken in the middle of the night to be told the situation had become urgent and was taken to see her daughter, who was being resuscitated. Medics were unsuccessful in their attempts, and the baby died. The experience was shattering for the couple, who struggled to cope. Now that the shock is over, Im thinking, why did I only spend half an hour with her? the mother told The Telegraph. But when I was told that she would be with me tomorrow, I thought that there would be plenty of time for us to be together, that I needed to rest, and so we went back to the ward. Eight years on, and it looks possible that the role played by Letby might finally bring some answers. The infants father remembers seeing the nurse and believes she may have been involved in the care of his daughter. The couple have watched the trial from Lithuania, where they now live, and have begun to wonder about the circumstances in which their daughter died. Looking back, they now feel concerned about a rash and marks they saw appear on their daughters body. Her first post-mortem examination showed nothing, but the second found she had a rare heart and lung defect. The problem was not picked up on scans before the birth, fuelling the mothers fears that something or someone else caused her death. In my heart, I dont believe that it was some kind of heart defect, said the now 29-year-old, who has gone on to have two more children. In 2017, a police officer contacted her about the death of her daughter. He told us that there were suspicions, that this and that could have happened to your baby, she said. The mother recalls how the officer said they were investigating a nurse, and that there were many similar events, namely related to the heart and lungs, prompting suspicion over her daughter. Following this, the couple returned to Lithuania and, while they received several emails from a second officer, nobody contacted us again. Now that Letby has been convicted, she wants the case to be re-investigated. Looking back, she can see that when we left Chester Hospital, nobody gave us any answers. We were in shock, she said. There was only one question for us: why did this happen? With the prospect of a forthcoming police investigation, it is possible at least some of her questions might be resolved. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The iconic Luger pistol is synonymous with the Germany military. Commonly depicted in movies and video games, the pistol is commonly thought of as the standard Wehrmacht sidearm of WWII . However, while the Luger was issued, it was not Germany's primary pistol during the war. In fact, production didn't continue past 1942. An American soldier sorts through surrendered German pistols including Luger P08s and LP08s, c. 1945 (U.S. Army) In 1898, Georg Luger designed the Pistole Parabellum . Better known as the Luger pistol, it was first adopted by the Swiss military in 1900. The next year, Germany began testing the Luger. After the pistol's caliber was changed from 7.62x21mm to 9x19mm, the Luger was adopted by the Imperial German Navy in 1904 as the Pistole 1904. Four years later, the German Army followed suit and adopted the Luger as the Pistole 1908. The LP08 was a precursor to the submachine gun (Public Domain) Germany first fielded the Luger in combat during the Maji Maji Rebellion in German East Africa . Soldiers complained about the pistol's grip safety, which was removed in the later P08 model. When WWI broke out, Luger production increased to equip all German Army units. The Lange Pistole LP08 model, also known as the Artillery Luger, was also created. It featured a stock, longer barrel and could accept drum magazines. Early warplanes used the LP08 before machine guns were fitted to aircraft. German Stormtroopers used the weapon to great effect in the trenches, even after the introduction of the MP 18 submachine gun. The Luger was popular with German officers who could dictate that they be issued one (Public Domain) After WWI, the Treaty of Versailles restricted Germany to possess just 50,000 pistols and completely banned pistols and submachine guns with stocks. During the interwar years, as Germany rebuilt its military, the army sought to replace the expensive Luger. In 1938, the Walther P38 was selected as the German military's new sidearm. It offered similar performance to the Luger at half the price. However, after WWII started, the conversion of production lines from the P08 to the P38 slowed. As a result, the Luger remained in production until September 1942. In November 1943, the German Army took its last delivery of Lugers and refused to accept any more. Maj. Winters accepted an unfired Walther PP from a surrendering German officer (HBO) In addition to the P38, German officers were also issued the Walther PP and shorter PPK during WWII. Designed in 1929, the Polizeipistole, or police pistol, was wisely used by law enforcement. The Polizeipistole Kriminal PPK featured a shorter grip and barrel and was designed for criminal investigation officers needing a smaller and more concealable weapon. In contrast to the on-screen portrayal in Band of Brothers , Major Dick Winters accepted a German officer's Walther PP as part of his surrender and Adolf Hitler reportedly committed suicide with his PPK. An American soldier guards German POWs with a captured P38 (U.S. Army) The Germans fielded more Walthers than Lugers during WWII and the older pistol was more desirable as a war trophy for Allied troops. The prestige of a captured Luger outweighed that of a Walther and soldiers desperately scoured the battlefield for one of their own. German soldiers learned of this preference and reportedly rigged Lugers with land mines or grenades. Still, Allied troops brought home thousands of Lugers from the war and the pistol's fame overshadowed the historically more common Walther. Still, the Walther PPK earned Hollywood status of its own as the preferred sidearm of James Bond. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. BRICS leaders agreed on Thursday to invite six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to join the group. [Photo/Xinhua] BRICS leaders agreed on Thursday to invite six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to join the group. The six countries' membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit. "We value the interests of other countries in building the partnership of BRICS," said Ramaphosa. Through the summit, BRICS has begun a new chapter in its efforts to bring about a world that is fair, inclusive and prosperous, he added. Speaking at the press conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping called the BRICS expansion historic and a new starting point for BRICS cooperation. The expansion reflects the resolution of the BRICS countries to unite and cooperate with other developing countries, meets the expectations of the international community, and serves the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries, Xi stressed. He added that the expansion will also inject fresh vitality into the BRICS cooperation mechanism, and further strengthen the forces for world peace and development. Calling it "a great moment for Ethiopia" as BRICS leaders endorsed the country's entry into BRICS, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in a statement that "Ethiopia stands ready to cooperate with all for an inclusive and prosperous global order." On social media X, formerly known as Twitter, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that his country "respect (s) the vision of the BRICS leadership and appreciate (s) the inclusion of the UAE as a member to this important group." In a statement, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi pledged to work with other BRICS countries to "raise the voice of the Global South with regard to the various issues and development challenges we encounter in order to promote the developing countries' rights and interests." "With more members, there could be more ideas and resources for the group," said Joao Pedro Rosario Yabala, media delegate at the BRICS Summit. "Right now we are experiencing a historic moment." BRICS leaders met in Johannesburg from Aug. 22 to 24 to discuss issues including deepening BRICS cooperation and the group's expansion. Many emerging markets and developing nations are considering joining BRICS, and more than 20 countries have filed applications, said Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Li Kexin at a briefing. It has demonstrated BRICS's attraction and appeal, as well as the enthusiasm and willingness of emerging markets and developing countries to collaborate, Li added. Under the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism," this year's summit was also focused on promoting the common interests of the Global South. In their interviews with Xinhua, African officials, experts and reporters said that BRICS's championing for developing countries' interests has sparked the interest of Global South countries in joining the group. "We believe that by bringing in new members, (it) will further strengthen the cooperation amongst ourselves," South Africa's BRICS Sherpa Anil Sooklal told Xinhua. "More importantly, it further strengthens cooperation among countries of the Global South in addressing our common challenges and common issues that confront (us)," said Sooklal. "With its economic, financial and technological capabilities, as well as a clear future vision, BRICS has the strength and ability to lead the world towards a wide development process and make the global economic system more just and equitable," said Abdel-Sattar Eshrah, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Egyptian-Chinese Business Council. Global South countries want to join BRICS because the group advocates "win-win cooperation and mutual respect with other countries of the world," he said. For Katja Hamilton, finance and healthcare editor at Africa's premier B2B news site Bizcommunity, BRICS is expected to create new prospects for the African continent's growth. This year's BRICS summit and the group's expansion demonstrate the BRICS mechanism's vitality and its attraction to emerging nations and the Global South, she said. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko denied reports of Wagner mercenaries leaving Belarus following the reported death of the groups founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin , according to the state-controlled news agency Belta. "Wagner lived, Wagner lives, and Wagner will live in Belarus, no matter if some don't want this. Prigozhin and I had built a system for how Wagner would be deployed in our country, Lukashenko told a press conference on Aug. 25, cited by Belta. His statement comes a day after Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Belarusian service published satellite images showing that a camp for Wagner Group fighters in Belarus' village of Tsel was being actively dismantled. Why do we remove extra tents - we don't need so many. The core (of Wagner contingent in Belarus) remains here, someone went on vacation, someone decided to live apart altogether, claimed Lukashenko, commenting on the RFE/RL report. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Pentagon: Wagner no longer a factor on the battlefield in Ukraine Within a few days, everyone will be here, up to 10,000 people. There is currently no need to keep them here. They are not running away." Ukraines State Border Guard Service has also said that the number of Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Belarus is gradually decreasing. Wagner forces had started to leave in "not significant" numbers even prior to the plane crash reportedly killing Prigozhin, after which the departure became more apparent, according to the Services spokesperson. Read also: UK Defense Ministry: Prigozhins death to cause destabilizing power vacuum in Wagner Prigozhin and other senior Wagner leaders were listed as passengers of the private Embraer Legacy plane that crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in Russias Tver Oblast on Aug. 23. All 10 people on board died in the crash. On Aug. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Prigoshins death. The likely cause of the crash was a bomb onboard or "some other form of sabotage," according to unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal on Aug. 24. Ukraine's National Resistance Center reported one day after the Embraer Legacy plane crash that Wagner convoys are on their way from Belarus to Russia. In June, the mercenary leader launched a short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin, capturing the city of Rostov and marching toward Moscow before abruptly ending the insurrection less than 24 after it began. Following an undisclosed deal allegedly brokered by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, Wagner mercenaries were allowed to leave for Belarus. Camps for the mercenaries were set up in the country as they started providing training to the Belarusian military. At the Aug. 25 press conference, Lukashenko claimed he hadn't given Prigozhin any security guarantees after the failed mutiny attempt, Belta reported. "First of all, I was not supposed to ensure Prigozhin's safety. Second, our conversation never went into it," the Belarusian dictator said. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NEW BEDFORD Detective Lavar Gilbert managed to drive himself to the hospital after being shot in the face while undercover on the night of July 17. Chief Paul Oliveira called it miraculous. Gilbert was able to take all that in stride but he was dismayed with the loss of a favorite shirt, stained with his blood, and now evidence in a criminal investigation. "The first thing he said when he came to after being shot in the face and driving himself to the hospital - on the doorstep of death - was that he was worried about his jersey," said Frank Occhipinti, resident Cincinnati Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Agent-in-Charge. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It was a new Cincinnati Reds Elly De La Cruz jersey, and Gilbert was upset that it had been ruined. New Bedford police officers and federal ATF agents were at St. Luke's Hospital to monitor the condition of their brother officer. Cincinnati law enforcement officials send their regards - and a signed Cincinnati Reds Elly De La Cruz jersey - to Detective Lavar Gilbert. The 17-year veteran New Bedford Police officer has also been a member of a joint Task Force with the ATF for the last decade. It's one of about 60 joint ventures with the ATF and local police departments to curb gun violence across the nation. Occhipinti said it took only a day or two before ATF Boston called his office with a special request: Could he reach out to the Cincinnati Reds organization and see if a replacement jersey could be provided? "So we took it from there," Occhipinti said. How the Cincinnati Reds and Elly De La Cruz responded Cincinnati police officers, also members of the Task Force, joined in and the Reds were contacted. The Reds not only provided a jersey. They provided a jersey signed by the 21-year-old Reds' shortstop, though Elly De La Cruz rarely gives autographs. Cincinnati Police Lt. Eric Vogelpohl, also a Task Force member, said it was the first item the Reds have had him sign. "That's his first and only one so far," Vogelpohl said. The Reds not only provided a jersey. They provided a jersey signed by the 21-year-old Reds' shortstop, though Elly De La Cruz rarely gives autographs. Club ownership was involved from the start and owner Bob Castellini's wife, Susan, was "instrumental in making this happen," Vogelpohl said. Occhipinti said he and a couple of Cincinnati police officers assigned to the Task Force flew here last Friday to present the jersey to Gilbert. They were joined by a contingent from New Bedford PD, ATF's Boston Field Division, Boston PD officers, and U.S. Marshals. In all about 30 people visited Gilbert at his home to present the jersey to him. Gilbert was overwhelmed and appreciative, Occhipinti said, though still dealing with his recovery. What to know before you go: Great Feast of the Holy Ghost at Fall River's Kennedy Park "It's a small community, the law enforcement community nationwide," Occhipinti said. They wanted to show support for their fellow officer, wounded in the line of duty. "We wanted to pay him back in a good way and see if we could make this happen for him," he said. And Occhipinti stuck up for his colleague from Red Sox country wearing a Reds' jersey. "It just so happens he's a big fan of the player, not necessarily the team," he said. Graeter's Ice Cream and Montgomery Inn sends food to Massachusetts police officer To sweeten the deal, literally, the Cincinnati area's Graeter's Ice Cream shipped Gilbert ice cream And since you can't live by sweets alone, the Cincy-area's Montgomery Inn shipped him some ribs. Vogelpohl said the ice cream is "really, really good." Legend also has it that Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope were fans of the ribs. Heading to Ohio?: Is Montgomery Inn's barbecue sauce one of the best in the US? Bon Appetit says so How about their ice cream?: Corn-gratulations! Graeter's Ice Cream releases 4th bonus flavor and it's a-maize-ing How is Detective Lavar Gilbert doing Gilbert was released from his initial hospital stay July 21, and continues to recover at home. The investigation into Gilbert's shooting is ongoing. One arrest has been made. Cheybane Vasconcelos-Furtado, 20, is being held without bail and is charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, two counts of wanton destruction of property over $1,200, as well as one count each of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon-serious bodily injury, carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Cincinnati Reds, police give jersey to injured New Bedford detective In the 17 years Shannon Ross spent behind bars, phone calls with family helped him get through tough times. They helped him maintain his mental health, and when he was released from prison, he felt like the weekly communication eased his transition to life outside of prison. Ross, 39, spent nearly half of his life in prison for a murder he committed at 19. After he was released in September 2020, he became a first-time dad. He completed his bachelor's in prison then got a Master's in Sustainable Peace Building at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after he was released. He credits some of his success since being released to the phone calls that kept him in close contact with his parents hearing their encouragement and keeping him informed on the things he would have otherwise missed, like birthdays and anniversaries. I was lucky. My family could afford it, although I know many families cant, said Ross, founder and executive director of The Community, a nonprofit newsletter and organization working to help recently incarcerated people transition back into society. Shannon Ross He estimates his parents spent between $15,000 to $17,000 to receive phone calls from him in prison. Wisconsin is one of a dozen states where bills have been introduced or are being drafted allowing for free or reduced calls in jails and prisons. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Why? Mounting evidence that maintaining family ties not only helps inmates, it improves outcomes for their children and reduces violent incidents in prisons. Currently, Wisconsin has some of the highest rates for calls from prisons and jails and is considering upping the fees it charges inmates for sending e-mails. Sharon McMurray, executive director and CEO of Table of the Saints, Inc., a group that helps incarcerated people make a positive transition back into the community and family life, said the phone calls from prison are a vital lifeline for the parent and the family. Especially in Wisconsin, which leads the nation in Black incarceration rates. One of every 36 Black Wisconsinites is in prison, according to the Sentencing Projects 2021 report, The Color of Justice. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in State Prisons. The report noted that Blacks represent just 6% of the states population but comprise 42% of prisoners. We know how expensive everything is now, and people make tough choices daily. One choice they should not have to make is talking to their incarcerated loved ones, she said. While phone calls are essential, McMurray said she didnt think phone calls should be free. The price should be reduced, but Im unsure if they should be completely free. People should still need to earn the right to use the phones, she said. High incarceration rates and fees to maintain family ties In Wisconsin, inmates' phone calls in state prisons are six cents per minute, and prisoners are given a maximum of 20 minutes per phone call. So, the total cost for a 20-minute phone call is $1.20 plus a $3 to $6 surcharge every time someone puts money into an account to add money for a phone call. Milwaukee County Jail calls are 21-cents a minute, but calls at other jails across the state can range from $1.80 for a 15-minute call in Jefferson County to as much as $14.77 in Green County, according to a Prison Policy Initiative survey of 30 counties. Last year, a plan for free calls for inmates at the Milwaukee County jail was blocked due to to budget concerns. The survey shows Wisconsin has among the highest costs of a 15-minute in-state call from a jail, at $21.97. The only states with higher average costs are Arkansas at $24.82 and Michigan at $22.52. West Virginia charges the least at $1.80. While the costs of six cents a minute for a prison call may seem like just pennies to most, keep in mind that while the states Black population is 7%, African Americans make up 38% of the prison population, and due to the large wealth gap in the state, Blacks only make 42 cents for every $1 whites make. Inmates and families need more affordable deal, but it should not just be limited to phone calls, Ross said. Starting Sept. 1, for example, inmates will pay 15 cents per email, up from the 10 cents they currently are charged. They nickel and dime inmates every chance they get. Its not right because if you look at who the inmates are, they are already poor, he said. More: Many Wisconsin counties earn thousands from jail phone calls. Inmates and their families pay costs A 2021 investigation by The Post-Crescent and study by the Prison Policy Initiative found that Wisconsin inmates and their families were being gouged by telecommunication companies. The concept of making phone calls more acceptable financially to inmates is not a new one. Two years after pledging to make phone calls free to their 13,000 people incarcerated in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Board issued a deadline in July to make phone calls accessible by Dec. 1. The board said the decision comes after growing pressure from advocates and attorneys who say inmates and their families among the states poorest residents are being extorted due to the steep prices. In 2021, Connecticut became the first state to make all prison phone calls free. Since then, California, Colorado, and Minnesota have followed. Children who remain in contact with incarcerated parents do better in school The changes are being driven by evidence that maintaining family ties is better for everyone. A study by The Marshall Project shows that a phone call helps inmates to keep up with the going on in their family lives, reduces the chances they will go back to prison after they are released, and help improve the outcomes for their children. In the U.S., 1.7 million children have parents incarcerated in prison, and millions of additional children have a parent incarcerated in jail, according to the report Childrens Contact With Their Incarcerated Parents. The study showed: Children who had contact with their incarcerated parents reported fewer feelings of alienation toward that parent than children who had no contact calls, visits, or letters. Children with incarcerated parents who get phone calls, visits, or letters are least likely to dropout of school or get suspended. An analysis of 92 incarcerated mothers with young children found that children who visited and talked to them on the phone were likelier to express warmth, closeness, and loyalty to their mothers. Another factor for moving toward free or reduced cost phone calls: the safety of corrections officers. The more communication inmates have with their loved ones decreases the rate of violent incidents in prison by 20%, according to the 2013 study Ways of Coping and Involvement in Prison Violence. Former inmates say phone calls, family contact kept them going Over the years, I have taken dozens of phone calls from prisoners who wanted to talk to me about their cases or inform me about the abuse they deal with while incarcerated. When I worked on the project, Life Correction: The Marlin Dixon Story, which chronicled the life of a young man who was sentenced to 18 years behind bars at the age of 14 for his part in the mob beating death of Charlie Young Jr. in 2002, I started communicating with Dixon via letters and calls eight months before he was released from prison in 2020. Dixon said the phone calls to his mother kept him going when he wanted to give up. He knew it was sometimes hard for his mother to scrape up the money for calls, so when he started working behind bars, he used his money to make calls home. When you are locked up, people on the outside keep living," he said. "They travel, have birthdays, go to parties, and sometimes you dont have anything going on when locked up. Those calls are all you need to keep going." James E. Causey started reporting on life in his city while still at Marshall High School through a Milwaukee Sentinel high school internship. He's been covering his hometown ever since, writing and editing news stories, projects and opinion pieces on urban youth, mental health, employment, housing and incarceration. Email him at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on Twitter @jecausey. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: States moving to free phone calls for inmates to boost health, safety. The human Y chromosome, the determinant of male sex, has finally been completely sequenced. What it unveils could prove crucial to understanding the Y chromosome's puzzling origins, and pertinently how it affects male fertility. You can thank two teams of researchers for the breakthrough, who published their findings in a pair of separate studies in the journal Nature on Wednesday. To some, this news may be confusing. The Human Genome Project announced twenty years ago that it had fully sequenced human DNA, and it was a big deal then so what gives? The reality is that 2001 announcement may have been a little premature. There were still a few gaps, mainly in the two sex chromosomes, X and Y though in the opinion of many geneticists, those gaps were impossible to decipher with the technology available at the time. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "The Y chromosome just kept being pushed aside," Charles Lee, director of the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Connecticut, and co-author of one the studies detailing the sequences, told New Scientist. Humans typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in total. The X and Y chromosomes are different from the rest. When paired, as XY, they develop a male child. Put two Xs together, and a female develops. Part of the appeal of tackling the Y chromosome in particular is how cryptic it is, as it's believed to have evolved far more rapidly than its counterpart. As a consequence, it's also accumulated an enormous amount of repetitive, seemingly junk DNA. Compared to the X, the Y chromosome also carries far fewer protein-coding genes. The X chromosome only got the full sequencing treatment three years ago, using a new form of tech that allowed scientists to read thousands or even millions of DNA bases in one go. Before, scientists could only painstakingly glean a couple hundred. That technology is what now made it possible to decode the even more cryptic Y chromosome. If you think of the Y chromosome as a jigsaw puzzle, imagine it having millions of pieces nearly indistinguishable from the rest, which all must be placed in the exactly correct order, and not interchangeably. That's what scientists were up against. But if you can gather thousands of these DNA pieces already assembled in big chunks, the challenge becomes a little easier. Along with the fully sequenced chromosome, an additional 43 Y chromosomes, gathered from a diverse selection of males, were extensively sequenced. "The biggest surprise was how organized the repeats are," said coauthor of one of the studies Adam Phillippy at the National Human Genome Research Institute, in a statement about the work. "It could have been very chaotic, but instead, nearly half of the chromosome is made of alternating blocks of two specific repeating sequences known as satellite DNA," he added. "It makes a beautiful, quilt-like pattern." One key area of the Y chromosome that was decoded is known to affect sperm production. The repetitions in the Y's genes in this area can sometimes disrupt male fertility. With a complete sequence, scientists can determine exactly why that is. Overall, the combined research determined that this specific Y chromosome has 106 protein-coding genes. 42 were found that were new, but many still appear to be repeats. Follow-up research will have to determine if all that repetitive DNA can be salvaged from its reputation as mere 'junk' but now that it's been fully mapped out, keen researchers worldwide will have a lot to work with. More on genetics: Henrietta Lacks' Family Is Finally Getting Paid by the Biotech Company That Stole Her Cells ALLIANCE Police have charged a 60-year-old man from Jefferson County with three traffic offenses, including one felony, in connection with a traffic accident that seriously injured an 83-year-old woman Tuesday. The defendant was charged Wednesday in Alliance Municipal Court with failing to stop after an accident, obstructing a criminal investigation and failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. A police complaint filed with the court said the charge of failing to stop after an accident was a felony due to the severity of the victim's injuries. The complaint said she suffered three broken ribs, had both ankles broken, and may have other internal injuries. It said she has several scrapes and cuts that were bleeding profusely due to her being on blood thinners. The defendant, who is from the Amsterdam area, hit the woman while she was walking in a crosswalk at East Market Street and South Arch Avenue late Tuesday morning. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The police complaint says the defendant was asked by uniformed officers at the scene if he had seen anything there, and told them that he had not. The complaint said this obstructed and impeded officers in the performance of their duties during the investigation of the crash. "The defendant failed to provide his information to officers on scene or anyone else even though he was still present as firefighters and police arrived on scene," the complaint said. "Then he left the scene without ever providing any information or admitting to being involved." According to police, video from a security camera helped them identify the defendant, who was driving a silver Jeep Cherokee. The suspect was arrested Thursday. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday. Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance police charge Amsterdam man, 60, with leaving crash scene after elderly woman struck A man was arrested on Tuesday and accused of forcing his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend to break up with her and then killing him in an effort "to get her back," court documents say. According to Phoenix police, at about 10:30 p.m. Monday, officers responded to an apartment complex near East Earll Drive and North Seventh Street for reports of a missing person. Police said the caller told them they had not seen or spoken to their friend, 25-year-old Harry Doan, since Sunday. The friend told police that Doan was in Phoenix for job interviews and staying at that apartment complex, court documents said. It wasn't immediately clear where Doan was visiting Phoenix from. Upon arrival at Doan's complex, officers looked through the blinds and saw a man lying face down on the bed. Officers knocked, but the man did not answer, prompting officers to enter the lock code to the door and gain access to the residence. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to court documents, when officers entered the bedroom, they could see Doan had been fatally injured with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. Detectives ruled out suicide after they were unable to find a weapon, his cellphone or a wallet at the scene. However, an Apple Watch was found sitting on the bedside table and displayed a message from a woman, which turned out to be Doan's girlfriend. According to court documents, she told police that her ex-boyfriend, 26-year-old Rene Penaloza, had been trying to rekindle his relationship with her and that Penaloza had contacted Doan telling him to stay away from her. According to court documents, investigators asked her to call Penaloza and confront him about Doan's death, whereupon he admitted to killing him, shooting him in the face three times, because he loved her. His cellphone location also placed him in the area of Doan's unit on Sunday between the hours of 6:40 and 7:30 p.m., court documents said. Penaloza told his girlfriend that he had also taken Doan's phone, wallet and anything with his name, throwing them all away in different locations across the Phoenix area, court documents said. Penaloza was tracked down by police throughout the Phoenix area and, according to court documents, he fled several times when confronted by officers. He was ultimately found and arrested in Tucson on Tuesday with the help of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Court documents said that after being arrested, Penaloza told police that on Sunday, he knocked on the door of the apartment where Doan was staying and when he answered the door, Penaloza pointed a gun at him and forced his way into the residence. He then forced Doan to break up with his girlfriend over text, which Doan did. Fearing that Doan would continue to pursue her, Penaloza shot at him three times, successfully hitting Doan in the head on the third try, court documents said. He also told police that his ex-girlfriend was "treating him better" after having received the breakup text from Doan. According to court documents, Penaloza told detectives, "It hurts because I had to go to this extent to get her back. It was working too. I took the risk because I wanted to see if I would really get her back. I was right, if I never got caught, then cool. Well, not cool, because I just killed somebody." Penaloza was booked into a Maricopa County jail on a $1 million bond and is facing multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder (one premeditated and the other during the course of a crime), one count of burglary, one count of kidnapping, and one count of armed robbery with a deadly weapon. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Court records: Man kills ex's boyfriend in Phoenix to win her back A man in New Mexico was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison after being accused of attacking his longtime girlfriend and leaving her unconscious body in a wheelbarrow, federal officials said. Evan Haceesa, 29, of Nageezi on the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder in connection with the August 2022 killing of his girlfriend of 10 years, according to an Aug. 23 news release by the U.S. Attorneys Office for District of New Mexico. Haceesa is accused of attacking the woman, referred to in the release as Jane Doe, at his dads house on the Navajo Nation, officials said. What brought about this tragedy is multi-faceted; however, alcohol and jealousy seem to be the prime movers, Haceesas lawyer, Martin Juarez, said in a sentencing memo on behalf of his client. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement McClatchy News reached out to Juarez on Aug. 25 and was awaiting a response. The woman told Haceesa she should have stayed with her last boyfriend, and then he started attacking her while drunk, according to the sentencing memo. The man punched the mother of his two children continuously until she fell unconscious, the release said. Hes also accused of kicking her body in the attack that lasted between 10 and 15 minutes, federal officials said. Haceesa then put the womans body in a wheelbarrow before going to bed, according to the release. Navajo police responded to reports of domestic violence and arrived to find the woman unclothed and unresponsive in the wheelbarrow, the release said. She was airlifted to San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington where she had surgery and was put on a ventilator, officials said. She had blood and air in her abdomen, bleeding in her small intestines, a nose fracture and a partially collapsed lung, the release said. After getting worse and undergoing two more surgeries, the woman died in September 2022, officials said. After being released from prison, Haceesa will face five years of supervised release, officials said. Nageezi is about 130 miles northwest of Albuquerque. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Dispatcher sends SOS text before she is shot, killed by husband, Arkansas cops say 19-year-old found dead in field after she was kidnapped from park, California cops say Nephew kills uncle with wood splitter after he said he was the mans father, feds say A man is dead after he drove into a streetlight in Georgetown early Thursday morning, according to the Seattle Police Department. At about 4 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a report of a driver stuck in their car after colliding with a streetlight near the intersection of Airport Way South and South Lucille Street. According to police, witnesses said the driver was speeding southbound along Airport Way South before they lost control and crashed into the streetlight. Firefighters with the Seattle Fire Department removed the unconscious driver from the car. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center. However, the 28-year-old man died from his injuries at the hospital. A 30-year-old man died Wednesday in the Bronx minutes after an undercover New York police sergeant threw a cooler at him, knocking the man off a motorbike. The New York Police Department in a statement Thursday said the man, Eric Duprey, was "attempting to flee from the police" when Sgt. Erik Duran threw the picnic cooler at him. Duran, 35, has been suspended without pay, according to police officials. An investigation into the incident and Duran's use of force is being led by the New York State Attorney General's Office in conjunction with the NYPD's force investigation division. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "The NYPD is committed to ensuring that there will be a full, thorough, and transparent investigation of this incident to determine the facts and to take the appropriate steps forward," the statement said. What happened to Eric Duprey? Duprey, the father of three children, was riding a motorbike through the University Heights neighborhood in the West Bronx on Wednesday evening when he encountered Duran. According to The Associated Press, surveillance shows Duprey driving on a sidewalk toward a group of people, including Duran, who was not in uniform. As Duprey drew closer, the sergeant can be seen on video picking up the cooler and hurling it at Duprey. Duprey then lost control of the bike and crashed violently. Minutes later, he was dead. Police say Duprey was trying to evade police custody on a friend's motor bike after he was caught selling drugs in an undercover drug sting. Mother calls police account 'all lies' Dupreys mother, Gretchen Soto, told the AP the police narrative was all lies." He wasnt fleeing. He wasnt fleeing. He was just on the motorcycle talking to me on the video chat. And he passed by that place when all of a sudden the call cut out," she said. Soto told the AP her son lived in the Bronx, worked as a delivery driver and had three children, ages 3, 5 and 9. They left three fatherless babies, Soto said. Im going to get justice. Sergeant abused his authority during a stop last year Duran has worked for the NYPD for 13 years. In September, he joined the Bronx Narcotics Unit, which was the group carrying out the operation Wednesday evening. He has been recognized by the department dozens of times for what it deemed excellent and meritorious police service, according to a police personnel database. Durans disciplinary record includes a substantiated complaint last year for abusing his authority during a stop, according to the citys Civilian Complaint Review Board. The Associated Press contributed to this story This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man dies after NPYD officer throws cooler, knocks him off motorbike Timothy C. Johnson pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder for his role in the 2021 shooting death of Chandler Sweeney, a 23-year-old Springfield man investigators believe was caught in the crossfire of his new roommate's feud with two other men. Johnson, 34, and Paul Morales, 30, were both believed to be involved in Sweeney's death, an altercation police say stemmed from the two men visiting a West Chestnut Street home with the intent to rob Ricky Rose, an alleged drug dealer. Investigators believe a bullet from Morales' gun killed Sweeney, who appeared to have recently met Rose after renting out a room to Rose and is believed to have no connection to his dealings. Witnesses said Rose was shot in the leg by Johnson. Morales was charged with second-degree murder under the traditional definition. Johnson was charged under Missouri's felony murder rule, which states that someone is culpable for murder if they commit a felony (in this case, unlawful possession of a firearm) and someone dies as a result. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Rose was also charged with murder because prosecutors believe his illegal drug activity led to the altercation with Morales and Johnson both with alleged ties to the gang "Gangster Disciples" and ultimately the death of Sweeney. Sweeney, who worked in Real Estate prior to his death, had posted an ad for roommates on Facebook months before his death, according to relatives who spoke to local media about the case. Johnson recently pleaded guilty to a federal felon in possession of a firearms charge. His sentencing for the charge is slated for Sept. 12. Johnson was also convicted of armed robbery in 2010. He is scheduled for sentencing in November by Judge Kaiti Greenwade. Morales, who faces a litany of charges in connection to the crime, begins his trial for Sweeney's death on Oct. 2. Rose has a pre-trial conference set for Oct. 18 in other cases. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Man pleads guilty to murder in Springfield roommate's 2021 death Flash Photo released by Investigative Committee of Russia on Aug. 23, 2023 shows the crash site of a private plane in Tver Region near Moscow, Russia. [Photo/Investigative Committee of Russia handout via Xinhua] Russia's Federal Agency for Air Transport has confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner military group, was on the passenger list for a plane that crashed near Moscow on Wednesday. The agency said earlier that an investigation had been launched into the cause of the plane crash in the Tver Region, noting that Prigozhin was among the passengers. A private Embraer plane en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed in the Tver Region on Wednesday, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said, noting all the 10 people on board were killed in the incident. According to the website International Aviation HQ, the Brazilian Embraer Legacy 600 model executive jet that crashed has only recorded one accident in over 20 years of service, which was not due to mechanical failure. However, Embraer aerospace company said it had not provided maintenance for the aircraft since 2019, complying with international sanctions imposed on Russia. The plane showed no sign of problems until a precipitous drop in its final 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data. Local residents heard two bangs before the crash and saw two vapor trails, the Grey Zone Telegram channel posted. Tass news agency said the plane had been in the air for less than half an hour and had caught fire on hitting the ground. U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on reports that a plane reportedly carrying Prigozhin had crashed in Russia, according to the White House press pool. "I don't know for a fact what happened, but I'm not surprised," Biden said when asked about the crash. "We have seen the reports. If confirmed, no one should be surprised," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said via her account on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. Prigozhin was accused of attempting to carry out an armed rebellion in Russia this June. On June 24, Prigozhin entered the headquarters of the Russian armed forces' Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don. However, Moscow and Prigozhin reached a compromise through the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. An old fountain sits next to the University of Cincinnati (UC) Arts & Sciences Hall on Thursday, June 29, 2023, on UC campus in Cincinnati. A man posed as a resident advisor during a sexual assault that happened early Thursday at an apartment complex that provides housing for University of Cincinnati students, officials said. Cincinnati police are investigating the incident, which happened around 3 a.m. at The Deacon, an off-campus apartment building on Straight Street that's just a three-minute walk from the university's main campus, UC's Department of Public Safety said in an email to students. The man also implied he had a weapon, but no weapon was ever seen, officials said. The university is encouraging students to ask for official university identification, also known as a "Bearcat Card," if they encounter someone unfamiliar who claims to be a UC employee. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police have yet to release any information about whether a suspect has been apprehended. Anyone with information about this incident should call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man posed as UC employee in sexual assault at off-campus apartments Arizona man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in the metro-east. According to the documents filed with the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jimmy Carrasco, 28, of Glendale, Arizona and Luciano Gomezllanos-Martinez, 45, of Mexico, participated in fentanyl trafficking in Madison County in 2021. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Carrasco and his passenger Gomezllanos-Martinez, 45, of Mexicao, on Interstate 70 on Oct. 5, 2021. Officers recovered approximately 771 grams of fentanyl and 616 grams of heroin hidden inside during a vehicle search, according to court records. Trafficking in fentanyl and heroin is trafficking in death and ISP will root out and pursue drug traffickers with everything weve got, said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Gomezllanos-Martinez, originally from Mexico, was sentenced in January to three years and 8 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal drug possession and illegal reentry charges. According to court documents, he was deported from the United States on March 9, 2017. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Illinois State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Kapsak prosecuted the case. A 62-year-old Durham man was shot and killed Thursday on the same street where another man was killed and a woman was shot in December. Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 2400 block of Ashe Street in East Durham at around 5:02 p.m. Thursday. The victim, Maverick Deran Tatum, was found suffering from a gunshot wound, police said Friday. This embedded content is not available in your region. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police are investigating and have not identified a suspect. Another double shooting on same street Police responded to a double shooting on Ashe Street on Christmas morning last year just a few blocks from Thursdays shooting. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The shooting in the 2700 block of Ashe Street on Dec. 25, 2022 left a man dead and sent a woman to the hospital. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator D. Hall at 919-560-4440 ext. 29319 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves. What Durhams latest crime report says On the day of the shooting, Police Chief Patrice Andrews gave an update to the City Council on Durhams crime data from the first half of 2023. As of Aug. 19, 128 people have been shot in Durham this year, 25 of those fatally. In the second quarter of 2023, the report states there were 466 shooting incidents in Durham. Police define shooting incidents as an event reported to police involving the criminal discharge of a firearm, and does not include accidental or self-inflicted shootings. However, not all shootings are reported to police. While some additional gunshots are detected through the citys ShotSpotter system, the true number of shootings in Durham is currently unknown. Through the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system recently implemented in parts of the city, police response time is faster than the response time to top-priority 911 calls, Chief Andrews said. In many situations, police are notified by ShotSpotter faster than a person can recognize gunshots, call 911 and have police dispatched, The News & Observer reported. According to the latest crime report, police response times are lagging by over 30 seconds from a goal of a five-minute and 48-second response time for Priority 1 calls. The average response time by Durham police for a top-priority 911 call is six minutes and 21 seconds. Search Triangle homicides using this database and map Colleen Hammond contributed to this report. A man is behind bars after officials say he led deputies on a chase. Hall County Sheriff officials said on Aug. 22, a Flock camera on Candler Road detected a stolen car around 6:45 p.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When a deputy attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver fled towards Gainesville and hit a pickup truck. It is unclear if anyone was inside the pickup truck during the collision. Another deputy followed the driver to West Ridge Road and Bradford Street Extension, where he saw the stolen car driving down the railroad tracks. TRENDING STORIES: ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Officials said the vehicle soon became stuck on the tracks, prompting the driver to exit the car and flee on foot. The driver, identified as 48-year-old Michael Allen McCombs, was arrested after a K9 team located him. McCombs told deputies he was homeless and provided no city of residence at the time of his jail booking. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] He was charged with theft by receiving, possession of Schedule IV drugs, drugs not in original container, and numerous traffic offenses, including fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving and driving without a license. Authorities added that McCombs had a probation warrant for the city of Gainesville and an active warrant for Athens-Clarke County. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the hit-and-run on Candler Road caused by McCombs. IN OTHER NEWS: The real estate industry has captured the attention of Black Americans as they have begun investing in hopes it will positively impact their lives, which is pivotal when discussing the wealth gap between the Black community and other races. When people imagine the American dream, owning a home with a white picket fence is usually included. There are several options for people who want money and want to invest. One of the best-proven ways has been through real estate. The housing market is more predictable, and they can get a return on investment in multiple ways. Last year, the profitable business market raked in $514.10 billion, according to Statista. With such an overflow of money, an investor in the industry can achieve their wildest dreams. Unfortunately, the reality of home ownership in Black communities has differed significantly due to the United States housing history. It hasnt reflected the picture its painted since racism was a significant part of the infrastructure. Discrimination practices enforced by the government and real estate industry stemming from racism made it harder for Black Americans to purchase homes nationwide, Forbes reported. Black Americans face significantly more obstacles when it comes to realizing the American dream of homeownership, from mortgage denials to low property appraisals and much more, George Ratiu, manager of economic research at Realtor.com, told the publication in February 2022. As a result, the Black homeownership rate currently remains the lowest in the country, underscoring how the challenging Covid housing market has compounded long-standing systemic issues faced by todays Black buyers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement One of the most known tactics used was redlining, which is racial discrimination in housing that allowed the government to pick where Black citizens could live, typically areas that were unsafe and dangerous to invest in, according to The New York Times. In response to this oppression, former President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Fair Housing Act, included in the expanded version of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, to combat the disadvantages infringed upon minorities, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Despite the influence of these tactics that still linger, Black people arent letting possible challenges stop them from purchasing a property or becoming an investor. Blavity spoke with multiple people in the field and discovered three main reasons Black people use their resources and talents to invest in real estate. Generational Wealth According to Capital One, generational wealth refers to financial assets that are passed down through families to children, grandchildren, and beyond. That is beneficial and can end financial hardship, creating a debt-free future for loved ones. While white American families are generations in of leaving valuable property to their heirs, its not something commonly seen in the Black community, although it happens. Generation X and Millennials, with a hint of Baby Boomers, are actively trying to do this. I chose real estate as a business venture after the 2008 real estate crash because I worked for a company that helped people try to keep their homes. I quickly realized a good portion of the people I was helping were Black. I had a minor in real estate, so I took a couple of classes and got licensed to help my people make the right decision when buying a home. Started investing in real estate when I realized I couldnt hand my kids my real estate business without them having to do anything, Jerold Smith, real estate agent and investor, said. After getting married and pregnant during the pandemic, I wanted to do something from home while still making great money, Heather Jackson, a real estate agent, shared. One thing I wanted to focus on was generational wealth and how others obtained it. While doing research, I discovered how Black people have been held back from prospering in the real estate market for so long. I also discovered that there is a huge community of investors, gurus and mentors that are giving out free games to anyone that will listen. Financial Freedom It costs money to survive, which makes capital a vital key to success, so most would say another part of the American dream is breaking free from the shackles of survival mode and living a comfortable lifestyle that gives them the option to leave their 9-to-5 job and do more passion-driven things stress-free. With the uncertainty in the workforce and dealing with massive layoffs, people like me are looking for other sources of income. I hope to not rely on my corporate job someday soon and allow my real estate investment to replace what I am making, Daytona Burch, a Texas homeowner, told Blavity. I understand there are few instances that real estate doesnt increase in value, even in lower-income communities. With the right selection of properties, I will receive a monthly income as well. Its two for one. Also, my ROI is much higher than any interest-bearing account. I will leave real property to my family that will continue to grow in value, Chiketha Williams, a real estate investor, commented. Flexibility Through Entrepreneurship Some people want to break free from reporting to someone and prefer to work for themselves. Becoming a business owner is challenging, but it offers flexibility because entrepreneurs can set their schedules instead of having to work typical office hours. It was honestly freedom. I wanted to control my own time. My family owned land and had been in construction for a long time; it came naturally to me. I gained an infinity for it over time, and it became second nature to me, Michael White, co-owner of a construction company, explained. Once the doors open, you can see what it can do for you, and it can change your life. It was a win. It takes a while to cultivate the business, but once you do, its great. The journey began as a transition from teaching into something that gives me more control over my time for my family. It evolved, by the grace of God, into something greater, Kiara Freeman remarked. Now Im in charge of Dallas-Fort Worths Womens Real Estate Investors Network group. My passion now is learning with the group and sharing what Ive learned. Its amazing to watch and encourage others on their journey from the sidelines to first flips! There are many reasons to invest in real estate. Purchasing a home with a long-term appreciation value is a massive benefit, along with receiving passive income if its a rental property. Buying and flipping properties can also become quite lucrative. If youre interested in real estate and need help figuring out where to start, heres a great beginners guide. Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted a mocked-up mugshot on X on Thursday, a gesture of solidarity with her ally Donald Trump , who turned himself in to Fulton County officials the same day to face state charges that he conspired to subvert the 2020 election. I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Bidens top political opponent, Ms Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote on X, referencing the local prosecutor leading the case against Mr Trump and 18 associates. I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Bidens top political opponent. Persecution, not prosecution. #MAGAMugshot pic.twitter.com/BLAJ16g6Je Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) August 24, 2023 Ms Greene added the hashtag MAGAMugshot to the post. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The post from the far-right Ms Greene likely wont make it into the history books, but Mr Trumps potential mugshot surely will. Georgia officials have suggested the former president will be booked and photographed like any other defendant in Fulton County. Unless someone tells me differently, we are following our normal practices and so it doesnt matter your status, well have a mugshot ready for you, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat said at a press conference this month. This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information. University President Claudine Gay wrote in an email to Divinity School affiliates that she is thrilled to welcome Marla back to Harvard. Marla F. Frederick is the first woman and first Black female named dean of Harvard Divinity School in its 207-year history. Frederick currently serves as a professor of religion and culture at Emory University and will begin her tenure at HDS on Jan. 1, 2024, according to The Harvard Crimson. Students walk through Harvard Yard, April 27, 2022, on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP Photo by Charles Krupa, File) After joining Harvards faculty in 2003, she received tenure in 2010. Frederick spent 16 years as a professor in Harvards African and African American Studies Department. Her departure from Harvard to Emory Universitys School of Theology in 2019 came when many Black faculty members were leaving Harvard for peer institutions, according to the university. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement University President Claudine Gay wrote in an email to Divinity School affiliates that she is thrilled to welcome Marla back to Harvard. I am confident that Marlas leadership qualities, her academic stature, her wide-ranging curiosity, her collaborative mindset, and her thoughtful and caring approach to all she does will combine to make her an excellent new dean, Gay added. Speaking to the Harvard Gazette, a University-run news publication, Frederick called HDS a place bustling with conscientious faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends, who are committed to the work of justice and human flourishing informed by deep study. I look forward to joining the HDS community in developing religious and civic leaders for our increasingly complex and diverse society, she shared. Screenshot of Marla Frederick, the first Black woman to lead Harvards divinity school. (Credit: Harvard Divinity School/YouTube) University Provost Alan M. Garber told the Harvard Gazette that Frederick is the right person to lead HDS in the years to come. Marla deeply understands the unique role and influence of the Harvard Divinity School, and why it is a cherished institution, Garber said. Gerber said Frederick recognizes the challenges and opportunities facing the school and will bring a fresh perspective informed by her service both within and outside of Harvard. The universitys outgoing Divinity School dean, David N. Hempton, joined the faculty in 2012. He announced in October that he would step down at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. Professor David F. Holland of New England church history will serve as interim dean from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. The post Marla Frederick becomes first Black woman to lead Harvards divinity school appeared first on TheGrio. A federal judge rejected a request for an injunction from some Maryland parents opposed to their children being exposed to LGBTQ+ topics at school. There are specific lessons mandated within the school systems curriculum that parents want to opt their kids out of. They involve LGBTQ-related issues and books. A group of Montgomery County Public Schools parents had asked the judge for an injunction that would have immediately permitted them to remove their kids from English classes where LGBTQ-authored books were being used. They claimed that not allowing their kids to skip those topics went against the religious views of a students parents. The parents claimed it was urgently necessary to issue an injunction to protect their kids from the districts curriculum. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It wasnt enough for U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman, who denied the injunction. Thursdays ruling sets aside the issue, but it is unlikely to calm community tensions as children begin school on Monday. A parent who said she prioritizes exposing her children to books with information on a wide range of topics told Washington, D.C.s NBC affiliate WRC that she supported the ruling. I think its really important that everybody is included, that kids get exposure to people who are not like them, Mara Greengrass said. The school district maintains that its curriculum is inclusive and that it is teaching children lessons in tolerance, the station reports. The parents suing the school district filed the lawsuit because they believe MCPS infringes on their religious views. They believe not allowing them to opt their kids out of sexual instruction violates their rights. Those on the right believe that merely discussing the existence of LGBTQ+ people is somehow sexualizing children. In their eyes, its against their religious rights to have a school teach their children the reality that human beings are diverse and deserving of equal rights. They aimed to be able to opt their children out of lessons involving LGBTQ+ books immediately. At a hearing on August 9, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, Eric Baxter, argued that classroom discussions that promote questions about sexuality or gender identity violate the parents religious beliefs. Officials from the school system state that reading books about and written by various people, including LGBTQ+ individuals, is not a form of sex education. As the lawsuit goes through the court system for a final ruling, parents who want to opt their kids out of lessons continue to make noise. On Thursday afternoon, those opposed to LGBTQ-inclusive instruction plan to protest outside the Montgomery County Public Schools building. Mass. healthcare network brings back staff mask mandate amid dramatic increase in COVID cases A Massachusetts healthcare network has reinstated a masking policy for all staff members in clinical settings amid a dramatic increase in COVID-positive employees in recent weeks. In a statement sent to caregivers on Thursday, Umass Memorial Health announced the return to masking as a protective measure for our staff and patients. We have continued to see a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19-positive employees over the past two weeks, which has led to exposures of both fellow caregivers and patients, the statement read. In response to this, as a protective measure for our staff and patients, effective immediately we are requiring mandatory caregiver masking for all patient encounters in all licensed clinical areas. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Wastewater COVID numbers in Massachusetts soared in late summer ahead of possible fall wave Masks will not be required for common areas, but masks are strongly encouraged given the increased spread of the virus. Mask use is also encouraged for patients and visitors, but its not required at this time. Should we continue to see increased transmission rates, we will need to further expand the mask requirement to include anyone who enters the building, the statement added. The healthcare system noted that it will continue to monitor the viral trends closely and reevaluate the mandate in four weeks. The recent uptick in cases comes as CDC and WHO officials keep a close watch on a new highly mutated variant known as BA.2.86. As new COVID-19 variant takes hold, should you get a booster? Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW On Thursday night, more than 100 people showed up to Mayor Donna Deegan s latest Community Conversation addressing concerns in District 10. The discussion ranged from youth violence to housing and lack of activities for the community. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The feeling of being neglected in the district is something that Action News Jax heard people talk about previously and it was brought up again. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Its something the mayor and councilwoman JuCoby Pittman say is going to change and action will take place. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A massive crowd packed the Legends Center, asking Mayor Deegan and Councilwoman Pittman to address issues throughout the district. Concerns over infrastructure, housing, public safety, food deserts and neglect in the district were the major focus. You can go and complain about it but nothing gets done, Sharon Brasby, a neighbor of the area said. Mayor Deegan said the increased budget for parks will help District 10s quality of life. A major discussion revealed the city is in the process of buying a controversial liquor store in Brentwood. Protests started after learning it would be built across the street from a private charter school. Read: Funding for Mayor Deegans new Chief of Diversity and Inclusion nixed by council committee Will be in contact with property owner attorneys trying to put together a terms sheet, a city official said. With the liquor store potentially on its way out, residents brought up other concerns about a medical examiners office that might be built near the school as well. We will be meeting internally with the mayors office and general counsel office to find out how to come up with a solution because zoning may not be appropriate for it, Pittman said. Councilwoman Pittman also says this was an eye-opening meeting for the mayor and promised changes moving forward. Next week Im coming back to do a deeper dive... committees that residents can serve on so we can get the work done, Pittman said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Many said they dont want funding for the district to be swept away -- the mayor mentioned those who live here are long overdue for changes to be addressed. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Namibia in various fields, including in clean energy, and will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Namibia, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Johannesburg on Thursday. Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Namibian counterpart, Hage Geingob, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi said President Geingob is an old friend of the Chinese people, who has deep affection for China. The Chinese side greatly appreciates the president's firm support for China's position on issues of core interests, and his delivering justice and speaking out for righteousness in international affairs. Xi pointed out that China and Africa share similar historical experiences and hard struggle, adding that China insists on equality and mutual respect between big and small countries. The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people to successfully build socialism with Chinese characteristics, while at the same time taking efforts to push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said. Through proposing a series of initiatives such as the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said, China offers opportunities to developing countries to realize joint development and prosperity, and fights for more equal rights for developing nations. For his part, Geingob said Namibia and China enjoy long-term friendship. China is an all-weather friend, and even more so a friend who can count on when in difficulty. The Namibian side is deeply grateful to China's firm support in the various causes of fighting for national independence and emancipation as well as national development. He said as a leader of a global major country, President Xi has led the Chinese people to achieve remarkable accomplishments, and treats African leaders with equality and humility, which is very touching. The Namibian side has been greatly inspired by the thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics, and is exploring a modernization path with Namibian characteristics, Geingob noted. Namibia firmly supports China, welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Namibia and stands ready to work with China to push for greater development of bilateral relations, he added. Maui County is suing its local power utility, alleging the company negligently failed to turn off its power lines, exacerbating the deadly wildfires that ravaged the island and killed at least 100 people. The lawsuit filed Thursday claims the Hawaiian Electric Company should have known to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of electricity, and to keep vegetation properly trimmed and maintained so as to prevent contact with overhead power lines and other electric equipment. Failures to maintain equipment or turn off power during high winds caused by a passing hurricane, combined with drought conditions on the island, made fires from downed lines more likely, the suit claims. Turning off power, a procedure that other utilities perform during high fire and wind risk, could have easily prevented severe and catastrophic losses, county officials added. The utility company said in a statement it is very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Our primary focus in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy has been to do everything we can to support not just the people of Maui, but also Maui County, the company said. Witness accounts claim that sparks came off power lines downed in extremely high winds, causing fires. At least 115 people died in the ensuing fires with about 400 people still estimated to be missing, making it the countrys deadliest fire in the last century. The utility has also been sued by a group of Maui residents making the same allegations. A suit from its investors alleges the company failed to disclose that its wildfire protections were inadequate. The companys stock has dropped by about 18 percent since the wildfires began early this month. Nearly the entire town of Lahaina was destroyed in the blaze. Federal disaster aid has flowed onto the island to assist those displaced by the wildfire. Total damage was estimated to exceed $5.5 billion by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Jonathan Allen and Joseph Ax KIHEI, Hawaii (Reuters) -Hawaii officials have released the names of 338 people still missing more than two weeks after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century swept through the resort town of Lahaina. The list, compiled by the FBI, includes only people whose full names are known and who were reported missing by someone for whom authorities have verified contact information. "The 388 names are a subset of a larger list," Steven Merrill, a special agent from the FBI's Honolulu field office, told a press conference in Maui on Friday. "I don't want to lose sight of the fact that we still have hundreds of other names where we still need more information." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In the hours after the list was published, the FBI had received reports that about 100 people on the list were accounted for, which agents were working to confirm, Merrill said. The death toll from the Aug. 8 fire on the island of Maui stands at 115, but officials have warned that figure is likely to rise. Search teams are still sifting through Lahaina's blackened ruins, although officials said that process was nearly complete on Friday. In releasing the names late on Thursday, authorities urged anyone who knows that someone on the list is safe, or has additional information that might help locate them, to contact the FBI. Officials also encouraged relatives to submit the names of anyone else still missing and to provide DNA samples to assist in identifying remains. The number of families that have provided DNA is lower than authorities had hoped, making a difficult job even more challenging. Officials had said earlier in the week that they had a running list of 1,000 to 1,100 people still unaccounted for. But they warned that the tally included some people with only a single name, some duplicate listings and some people whose gender was not clear. As of Thursday afternoon, an additional 1,732 people initially reported missing had been found, officials said. Many families have waited anxiously for news of missing loved ones since the fire tore through Lahaina, fueled by high winds from a passing hurricane and dry conditions. Survivors, some of whom jumped into the Pacific Ocean to escape the flames, have said they had little or no warning, prompting officials to launch reviews of the island's emergency alert protocols. The fire is the deadliest in the U.S. since a 1918 forest fire in Minnesota and Wisconsin killed more than 450. On Thursday, Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric for failing to shut down its equipment despite warnings that the high winds could knock down power lines. The company said it was "very disappointed" that the county was suing while an investigation was still underway. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen in Kihei and Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Julia Harte and Brad Brooks; Editing by Frank McGurty and Jonathan Oatis) LAHAINA, Hawaii A group of farmers, activists and lawyers is rallying behind a top water official who was reassigned after the catastrophic wildfires, saying he has become a scapegoat in the ongoing finger-pointing about how the fires grew out of control so quickly. Kaleo Manuel, who was a member of the state Commission on Water Resource Management when three wildfires erupted on Maui on Aug. 8, has come under intense scrutiny after a land developer wrote a letter to him accusing the water commission of delaying additional water resources during the blaze. But Manuels advocates question the facts and motives behind West Maui Land Co.s claim that the water commission had a hand in delaying a water diversion, and behind the state governments decision to reassign him as criticism mounted. M. KALEO MANUEL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, Commission on Water Resource Management (Courtesy Hawaii.gov) Maui taro farmers Charles and Lauren Palakiko have joined a growing chorus of Native Hawaiians demanding that Manuel be reinstated. Charles Palakiko said in an interview that West Maui Land Co., which supplies water to parts of Lahaina, is using the fires as a pretext to tap into his stream, which he needs to maintain his farm, where he grows the vegetable used in Native Hawaiian dishes. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Kaleo had nothing to do with it, Palakiko said. Theyre trying to destroy us, and theyre blaming him. Manuel did not respond to requests for comment. Developer seeks more water during the wildfires Glenn Tremble, an executive with West Maui Land Co., wrote to Manuel in an Aug. 10 letter reviewed by NBC News claiming the water commission delayed approving the companys request on the day of the fires to divert more water to its reservoirs, which Tremble suggested firefighters could have used to slow the blaze, which destroyed most of Lahaina. In the letter, Tremble said that an unnamed water commission representative instructed the company to contact a downstream farmer for permission but that the farmer, who was not named, did not immediately respond. Tremble said in the letter that the water commission approved the diversion five hours after the initial request but that the company could not reach the equipment it needed to make the adjustment because the fires had spread. The letter asked the commission to suspend the water diversion rules for the company during the declared emergency period, which would have allowed it to divert more water for fire prevention, and it sought changes to the rules that would allow its reservoirs to be filled during fires. In a written response the same day, which was reviewed by NBC News, the commissions chairperson, Dawn Chang, said she would grant the companys requests. After Trembles letter was reported by local and national news outlets, Manuel was criticized by conservative pundits and politicians, including Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. In a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, Ramaswamy said the alleged delay was connected to the DEI agenda but did not explain how the two might be linked. "DEI" is an initialism for "diversity, equity and inclusion." The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Aug. 16 that Manuel had been reassigned to a different division. It did not say which one, and it said in the statement that it would not comment further on the matter. This deployment does not suggest that First Deputy Manuel did anything wrong, the announcement said. 'A great deal of water conflict on Maui' But Gov. Josh Green seemed to suggest at a news conference after the fires that Native Hawaiians were stymying efforts to divert water even during emergencies. One thing that people need to understand, especially those from far away, is that theres been a great deal of water conflict on Maui for many years, Green said last week. Its important that were honest about this. People have been fighting against the release of water to fight fires. Ill leave that to you to explore. Greens office declined to comment further. The cascade of decisions and statements from government officials has alarmed and angered farmers and activists. Palakiko, the taro farmer, contests the core argument that water from his stream could have helped fight the fires, because, he said, his stream is not connected to the Lahaina water system. The nearest reservoir, owned by West Maui Land Co., is best accessible by helicopter, Palakiko said, but hurricane-force winds prevented aerial crews from conducting water drops. Palakiko said he immediately allowed the developer to use his stream after a company employee called and texted him on Aug. 8 around 3 p.m., two hours after West Maui Land had contacted the water commission, according to Tremble. Palakiko said he is unaware of any earlier attempts by the company to contact him, even though Tremble said in his letter that we had already made a concerted effort to contact the one downstream user. Palakiko said he agreed to the water diversion with the understanding that the company return the water flow after the fire was contained. More than two weeks later, his water allotment remains below its usual levels, he said, adding that a West Maui Land Co. employee told him this week that the developer was still drawing water from the stream. In a text message to NBC News, Tremble said that the request for more water was purely for fire prevention. "Green fields and wet perimeters help with fire prevention," he said, including a photo of a burned portion of developed land with a singular saved home that he said used his company's irrigation system during the fires. Tremble said there was precedence for the Maui Fire Department drawing from their reservoir, and that the fire department used water from them in 2022. Residents demand water official get his former job back West Maui Land Co. and its subsidiaries have a history of conflicts with Manuel and the water commission, which in 2018 fined a water company tied to the organization the maximum penalty of $1,500 for building a concrete dam on the Olowalu stream without permission, local media reported. In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency fined the company $96,221 for cesspool violations. In March 2022, Manuel wrote to Tremble saying the company was in violation of water usage regulations and had drawn stream water beyond the set limits. The commission recommended a $470,000 fine before a settlement was reached, according to the local newsletter Environment Hawaii. There was no intent to violate the law, Tremble said at the time, according to Environment Hawaii. We apologize. Manuel, who assumed his appointed position in 2019, was an important connection between developers and the native community, Lauren Palakiko said. Right now, were back to square one, she said. Were at their mercy. Theyre playing God with us. Two Maui residents sued the Commission on Water Resource Management and its chairperson, Chang, on Monday, asking that Manuels reassignment be reversed and saying they believe the move violated state law mandating a public comment and meeting process. The plaintiffs attorney, Lance Collins, said he believes the developer is using the aftermath of the fires opportunistically. West Maui Land has finally found its opportunity to get everything it ever wanted, he said. And theyre threading it very carefully to do it. And at least at this moment, they seem to be successful, even though all of these actions are not actually based on law. In a text message to NBC News, Tremble said, "We have worked with Kaleo Manuel for years, and we respect his commitment and integrity." Tremble added, "The Attorney General recently announced that she is investigating all matters leading up to and during the fires. We leave the investigation to the Attorney General." Diverted stream feeds an ancestral taro farm Charles Palakiko, who also grows other native crops on his small, ancestral farm in Lahaina, said his family has been working for generations to restore the land and the streams after they turned dry and fallow when sugar plantations shut down. Charles and Lauren Palakiko grow Taro which is a root vegetable on their farm that is used for native Hawaiian dishes. (Alicia Victoria Lozano / NBC News) Palakikos farm, a lush oasis brimming with fruit trees and taro plants swimming in cool water, is surrounded by property owned by West Maui Land. His family has stewarded the plot for generations, having acquired control of it under terms of the Kuleana Act, which provided land parcels to Indigenous families and their descendants starting in the mid-1800s. Taro connects us, as people, to the land, he said. We look at it like an older brother that sustains and feeds us. The taro on Palakikos farm is descended from plants his father grew when the family moved back to its ancestral land in the late 1980s. Since then, Palakiko and his relatives have built a traditional irrigation system that winds through the taro patches and keeps water constantly flowing through their property. Taro requires constant running water, and if it dries out or stagnates, root rot sets in, and the plants will die. Palakiko family on their farm. (Alicia Victoria Lozano / NBC News) Hawaiis water wars intensified after sugar plantations, which kept the land fertile, started to close in the 1990s and the 2000s. David Jung, a tour boat captain who has lived and worked in Lahaina since 1970, said the decline of the sugar cane industry on Maui has led to dryer upland fields. As sugar cane mills closed, the once-highly irrigated land has been built over with subdivisions or overrun by invasive grasses prone to drying out, he said. Lahaina had sugar cane for close to 100 years, said Jung, whose home and office burned down as he escaped Lahaina on one of his boats. Those fields were managed and irrigated, and sugar cane that is irrigated does not burn. When they took out sugar cane, they let all that wild grass grow, and its not irrigated. Its an incredible tinderbox now and thats your tinder for wildfire. Mana Shim, an advocate for Native Hawaiian rights, has seen the states water woes grow more complex as developers and wealthy people from the continental U.S. gobbled up beachfront property. The tangled system that has evolved must balance the interests of Indigenous communities, business owners, residents and tourism. The complexity of it really serves the developers, she said of efforts to fast-track water allocations. Blaming Manuel is very strategic. Lozano reported from Lahaina and Goggin from New York City. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com LAHAINA, Hawaii - The Hawaii power utility believed to have started the deadly Lahaina fire removed damaged power poles and other equipment from a key fire scene, potentially affecting evidence that is part of an official investigation into how the blaze ignited. Hawaiian Electric - which acted quickly to restore power on the island after Aug. 8 - hauled away fallen poles, power lines, transformers, conductors and other equipment from near a Lahaina substation starting around Aug. 12, documents show, before investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrived on scene. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Those actions may have violated national guidelines on how utilities should handle and preserve evidence after a wildfire and deprives investigators the opportunity to view any poles or downed lines in an undisturbed condition before or after the fire started, according to court documents, letters and other records obtained by The Washington Post. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "If a lot of equipment is already moved or gone by the time investigators show up, that's problematic because you want to observe where the equipment was relative to the ignition site," said Michael Wara, who directs the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University. "Maybe there was a homeless encampment, kids, or a power line down on the ground where the ignition occurred. But once you move these things it's much harder to understand what happened." In a statement, Hawaiian Electric spokesman Darren Pai said the company has been "in regular communication with ATF and local authorities and are cooperating to provide them, as well as attorneys representing people affected by the wildfires, with inventories and access to the removed equipment, which we have carefully photographed, documented and stored." ATF usually responds to bombings and shootings. This is only the agency's third wild-land fire investigation, a spokesperson said. Usually, the U.S. Forest Service serves in this role, but since the Maui fires were not on any national forest lands, ATF has become the primary federal investigative force. While the causes of the fires in Lahaina - as well as others in the Upcountry region of Maui - are still under investigation, there is mounting evidence that Hawaiian Electric's wind-damaged equipment sent sparks into the dry, overgrown vegetation surrounding its poles. As The Post first reported, the utility did not shut off power in advance of high winds, though it said it took some other preemptive measures. Now, it is facing at least nine lawsuits for its role in allegedly sparking the Maui wildfires, including the one that destroyed Lahaina and killed at least 115 people in the nation's most deadly blaze in a century. One of those was filed Thursday by Maui County, which is suing the utility for "inexcusably" not shutting off power despite being warned that high winds were coming, and not maintaining equipment and surrounding vegetation to "properly ensure that they would not cause a fire." ATF investigators arrived on the island last week to help with "determining the origin and cause of the wildfires there." But by then, utility crews had cleared much of the site near the substation off Lahainaluna Road and moved damaged equipment to a warehouse. Hawaii, unlike California, does not have a state fire agency such as Cal Fire that immediately deploys investigators to fire scenes to ensure evidence is preserved. Such investigators help to preserve important details at a fire scene, such as flash marks on conductors, or globs of aluminum or copper that might have melted and fallen into the brush below, experts said. Starting Aug. 10, a law firm representing more than two dozen Lahaina families asked Hawaiian Electric two times to preserve evidence, according to correspondence obtained by The Post. The next day, one of the utility's attorneys replied that Hawaiian Electric's main focus was the safety of first responders actively fighting the fires, displaced residents and restoring power. The company said it was "taking reasonable steps to preserve its own property." However, because so many local, state and federal agencies were on the ground to fight the fires and clear debris, it was "therefore possible, even likely, that the actions of these third parties, whose actions Hawaiian Electric does not control, may result in the loss of property or other items that relate to the cause of the fire. "Hawaiian Electric will take reasonable steps to preserve evidence but cannot make any guarantees due to the rapidly evolving situation on the ground, which also is not within our control," the letter said. In response, attorneys quickly submitted a temporary restraining order to stop Hawaiian Electric from greatly altering the scene where it's believed the first fire in Lahaina started, court documents show. On Aug. 18, a judge signed an interim discovery order, which detailed how the utility should handle evidence around the "suspected area of origin." There is a process for how utilities should handle the site where it is believed a fire started. The National Fire Protection Association states that "the integrity of the fire scene needs to be preserved. . . . Evidence should not be handled or removed without documentation" and the scene cordoned off with tape or flags. Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission, which oversees Hawaiian Electric, has yet to comment on the fires. It also did not respond to multiple requests for comment over the last two weeks on whether, through its investigative arm, the commission is conducting a probe into what might have caused them. "The commission has been completely silent on this whole event which is terribly frustrating," said Jennie Potter, a former utilities commissioner who retired nine months ago. In court documents and letters from a Hawaiian Electric, the utility said it removed the equipment because the company does not "own or control the land or public streets beneath its facilities in this area. By Aug. 12, the utility had retained Munger Tolles & Olson - the same law firm that represented Pacific Gas & Electric, the beleaguered California utility found responsible for starting the deadly 2018 Camp Fire. To "preserve potential evidence related to the fire," the utility said, it hired a California-based "cause and origin expert" - which also helped PG&E on several Northern California fires - that has been handling the removal of equipment to a warehouse. Many experts and financial analysts have been comparing Hawaiian Electric's case with that of PG&E, California's largest utility and one of the United States' largest investor-owned electric utilities. It filed for bankruptcy in 2019, facing billions of dollars in liability claims for the Camp Fire and other deadly wildfires. California utility officials had also fined PG&E and SoCal Edison for altering or not properly preserving evidence after a fire before investigators arrived. PG&E is not the only utility that has faced legal troubles for removing evidence from a fire scene. After a disastrous spate of fires in Oregon in 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against PacifiCorp for the blazes. The case focused on the utility's destruction of evidence, said Timothy DeJong, an attorney for the plaintiffs. In June, a jury found the utility had played a significant role in starting those blazes and owed plaintiffs $73 million. "The experts had no chance to review the physical evidence," said DeJong. "As a result, much of the evidence about causation came from eyewitnesses who saw power lines arcing and sparking or starting fires." Hawaiian Electric was familiar with PG&E's troubles, filings show. Last summer, it noted that utility companies can be held liable when it comes to sparking or spreading a wildfire, and cited PG&E's "$15 billion settlement" with victims as an example. "The risk of a utility system causing a wildfire ignition is significant," the company wrote. Residents who live near where the fire started say that the power company reacted quickly. By the time Ryan Gazmen returned to his home off Lahainaluna Road on Aug. 11, he said a nearby broken pole whose top had snapped off had been fixed. The afternoon of Aug. 12, a Post reporter visited the area where residents say and videos show the initial fire ignited. In a dirt alleyway across from the Hawaiian Electric substation, there was a damaged pole lying on the ground, the top of it haphazardly sitting in some nearby trees, with lines coiled up and pieces of a pole stacked around it. Experts who examined the photo questioned why the material was left there without tags or being taped off from the public. About a week later, that equipment was gone. In comparison, within hours of the Camp Fire igniting, CalFire arson investigators arrived at PG&E's transmission towers where they suspected the blaze ignited and assessed the ground, noticing the fire's burned path, according to a report from the Butte County district attorney. "Looking up, the investigators saw a detached line hanging down into the steel superstructure of the high-voltage transmission tower," the report said. They immediately launched an investigation. In a news conference last week, Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura said that 400 out of West Maui's 750 poles were damaged or destroyed in the wind storm and fires, and 300 out of 575 transformers were visibly damaged. The substation off Lahainaluna Road was destroyed. Data from Whisker Labs, a company that uses an advanced sensor network to monitor grids across the United States, found numerous incidents in the power grid late on Aug. 7, knocking out power. The power came back on at 6:10 a.m. the next day, the data shows, and then went back off again at 6:39 a.m. It was during that time that a fire sparked in the grass by the Lahainaluna substation, according to residents and the Maui Fire Department. A spokesperson for Maui Fire Department said that crews had contained and "cleared" the blaze around 12:45 p.m. Engines left at 12:47 p.m., which was "an appropriate amount of time," he said, and there were two other fires burning on the island demanding their attention. At 2:55 p.m., several residents all recalled smelling smoke, and two called 911. The Maui Fire Department confirmed those calls and said an engine in the area was on the scene within five minutes. At first, firefighters had the blaze in check, but a gust of wind sent flames down the hill in front of them. That was the blaze that tore into downtown Lahaina, resulting in Hawaii's most destructive and deadly fire ever. Related Content As the Maui fires raged, senior victims had to fend for themselves Despite shooting, hope fades for gun laws in Tennessee special session A terrifying fire struck Maui in 2018. Officials were warned of a repeat. NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams administration is aggressively pursuing a new legal strategy for rolling back the citys right-to-shelter mandate and wants city lawmakers to ramp up public pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul for not doing more to alleviate the worsening local migrant crisis, the Daily News has learned. Top aides to Adams divulged the new details about City Halls migrant response in a private Thursday afternoon virtual briefing with members of the City Council and the state Legislature. Lisa Zornberg, Adams newly-appointed chief counsel, touched on the new front in the administrations bid to scrap the citys right-to-shelter rule after Republican lawmakers on the call pointed out that the mayors original request to do so appears to have stalled in court. We are exploring aggressively other legal strategies to bring a semblance of common sense and relief back to this space, Zornberg told the politicians. So I hear you, and Im on the job less than two weeks, and I can tell you this is my top priority. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Asked to elaborate on what that strategy looks like, Zornberg said shes not at liberty to say amid the pending court case. But I do want to repeat that were not being lazy, she said. We think that there needs to be legal strategies to deal with this crisis in the same way that there needs to be operational strategies, political strategies, and were going full steam on that front as well. The decades-old right-to-shelter mandate, which requires the city to provide a bed to anybody who needs one, is being targeted for suspension by Adams administration because the mayor says its impossible for his team to comply with it at a time when there are more than 59,000 migrants living in local shelters. The case for lifting the mandate is being brought by Adams administration in Manhattan Supreme Court. Lawyers for Hochuls administration, which is a party to that case, have in recent court filings lambasted the Adams administrations handling of the migrant crisis, accusing City Hall of using state-provided resources in an inefficient way. But in Thursdays briefing, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams chief adviser, said its Hochul who should face public criticism for not doing more to help the city tackle the crisis and urged the lawmakers on the call to join her in haranguing the governor. We need our city partners to work with us to pressure the governor into understanding that this is a statewide issue, Lewis-Martin said. Earlier in the day, Hochul delivered a live-streamed speech from Albany, in which she called on President Biden to provide the city with more federal space for housing migrants and urged him to expedite work permits for newly-arrived migrants. But Hochul stopped short of calling on Biden to declare a federal emergency over the migrant crisis a key request from Adams that would open up new funding streams. The governor also did not pledge to sign an executive order that would prevent upstate counties from blocking the transfer of migrants from the city, another ask from Adams. Lewis-Martin took particular offense about Hochuls decision to not address those two points in her speech. The governor was on TV today, and she made it clear, in her mind, this is a New York City issue, she said. Later in the call, Lewis-Martin said of the other request: The only way the president will consider a state of emergency is if it comes from the governor, and shes not doing it. Addressing the lawmakers on the call, Lewis-Martin urged them to travel to Albany and directly press the governor for action. We cant be the ones thats driving it because then theyre going to say, Oh, its from the office of the mayor, she said. You all know what to do, and we need you to do it, she continued. If you need talking points, we can provide that ... For the governor not to [ask Biden to] declare a state of emergency in New York and to state this is only New York Citys problem is wrong. A spokesman for Hochuls office did not return a request for comment late Thursday. Amid the heightened friction between their teams, Adams and Hochul still agree that the Biden administration must do more to help with the citys crisis. However, Bronx Councilwoman Diana Ayala, a Democrat who leads the Councils General Welfare Committee, said on Thursdays briefing that shes not hopeful that Biden will do much. I find it very unlikely that the federal government is going to do the right thing here, considering that theres an election year next year, and Im just being really honest about that, Ayala said. Politics and immigration dont mix well. _____ The delivery of F-16s to Ukraine could take anywhere from six to eight months due to prerequisites that need to be met before the jets make their way to Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told European Pravda in an interview. Ollongren said that while pilot training has already begun, the number of pilots trained needs to increase so that there are enough trained personnel to use the F-16 fighters in combat. Following Denmarks pledge to provide Ukraine with the jets, eight Ukrainian pilots and 65 personnel arrived at a military base in Skrydstrup to begin training on the jets, the Danish Armed Forces announced on Aug. 22. Kajsa also said that work is underway in Ukraine to build the proper infrastructure and advanced weapon systems for the fighter jetscrucial for their use in the war. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "From the Netherlands' perspective, we need all prerequisites to be met first. Namely, that the crews are trained, that we understand that the infrastructure is ready, and that we have not only the aircraft but also spare parts, the necessary weapons for them, and so on. With this in mind, we have realistic expectations for next year," the Minister told European Pravda. Ollongren highlighted ongoing discussions about the specific transfer terms, which includes multiple countries. "We have not yet decided on the exact terms, and it depends not only on us. This is also an issue where the United States has an important voice. And where Ukraine's voice also counts," she said. Denmark and the Netherlands have pledged to provide dozens of their own F-16s to bolster the Ukrainian Air Force. On Aug. 24, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store confirmed that his country would provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Read also: Air Force: F-16 jets can change course of war in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Greece will not sign new contracts with Moscow on maintaining Russian-made air defense systems in the Greek military's arsenal and may instead send them to Ukraine via third-party countries, the Greek news outlet Pronews.gr reported on Aug. 24, citing a leaked official document. No new contracts means that the 21 Tor-M1 systems and 38 Osa-AK/AKM systems that Greece acquired around 20 years ago may be left without spare parts within months once the current stocks run out and that they would soon be decommissioned, the outlet reported. The Greek military's own supplies of spare components are already low, as the government was not even fulfilling its current contract on purchasing spare parts and components from Russia, the news report said. According to the classified document from Defense Minister Nikos Dendias that was leaked through the Greek Parliament, the contract to support the systems for the coming years would amount to over 102 million euros ($110 million). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While the outlet writes that the batteries will "probably" be sent to Ukraine through third-party countries, it does not specify the timeframe or who might these intermediaries be. Greece has provided Ukraine with military assistance in the past, including BMP-1 armored vehicles, small arms, and ammunition. However, Athens has been hesitant to supply more modern or higher-grade weapon systems such as Leopard 2 tanks in order to maintain its defense posture against Turkey. Most recently, the Greek government has pledged to join the international effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, which Kyiv is expecting to receive from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. Read also: Greece wants to help rebuild Odesa Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russian 126th Coastal Defense Brigade in occupied Crimea was hit on Aug. 25, Ukraine's military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov confirmed to the media outlet Liga.net. The brigade was reportedly struck in the village of Perevalne in the Simferopol district. The settlement is located around 270 kilometers from the nearest territories controlled by Ukraine on the west bank of the Dnipro River and over 300 km from the closest Kyiv-held lands on the river's east bank. Yusov told Liga.net that it's not the first strike against the 126th brigade and cited the intelligence chief saying, "Ukraine can now inflict damage and carry out operations in any point of the occupied Crimea." There are reports of killed and wounded Russian soldiers as a result of the strike, but they have yet to be confirmed, added Yusov. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In the early hours of Aug. 24, Ukrainian forces reportedly landed on Russian-occupied Crimea and raised the Ukrainian flag as part of an operation with the Navy. A source in Ukraine's Military Intelligence told Ukrainska Pravda that the raid is not "the story of one day, but a long-term operation." While few details can be released as the operation is ongoing, its success shows that the peninsula is not just within reach of Ukrainian strikes but also within reach for its military personnel, the source said. Read also: Increased attacks on Crimea disrupt Russian logistics, attempt to derail its southern defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. It was special moment when TC Bakery landed a location inside the Tallahassee International Airport because it was the first Black woman-owned bakery to achieve such an accomplishment. According to WTXL, after Jennifer Young, the owner of TC Bakery, was heavily affected by postpartum depression after giving birth to her twins, she turned to baking to cope. To get started, she used recipes from her fathers cookbook. I had my twins. I was suffering with PPD so bad. I needed an outlet for my anxiety, Young told the news station. I picked [up my dads cookbook] and I just started baking as an outlet to release my anxiety. Since this was a passion project, she began whipping up recipes in her kitchen. Soon after, her newfound hobby turned into TC Bakery and quickly started garnering attention from the Tallahassee community because of the delicious homemade recipes influenced by southern-inspired flavors. As interest in her baked goods grew, she started partnering with local businesses that also began selling her exclusive sweet treats. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Its going to be the best cake you ever had in your life, a TC Bakery employee said. Dont get much better than that. The Florida residents business has now become a staple in the Tallahassee community, so it was only right that the next move for the TC Bakery was a partnership with the Tallahassee International Airport to continue the companys expansion. When the deal closed, Young became a part of the citys history, which was more than she imagined since people nationwide and worldwide can now taste her desserts when passing through the airport. They wanted to start having local businesses in the airport and he [an airport corporate employee] came across TC Bakery, and he thought that it would be a great partnership. We went, we met with them one day filled out the paper work, and its been on and popping ever since. She added, In 2023, its amazing that history is still being made! S. Korean opposition lawmakers protest against Japan's nuke wastewater discharge Xinhua) 09:28, August 25, 2023 Lee Jae-myung (2nd, L, front), chairman of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party, and parliament members protest against Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, despite raging opposition from both at home and abroad. (NEWSIS via Xinhua) SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Lawmakers of the South Korean main opposition Democratic Party on Thursday protested against Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, pushing for bills to legislate the right to indemnity claims against the Japanese government. "Despite international concerns and opposition, Japan eventually chose the worst environmental catastrophe against humankind. Just as Japan infringed on the Pacific with guns and swords during World War II, it now threatens the entire humankind with radiation," Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said in an emergency general meeting of the party lawmakers at the parliamentary building. "The day of Aug. 24, 2023 will go down in history as a day when Japan committed another crime against humanity that will never be erased. Together with the entire world, I strongly condemn Japan," Lee said. Lee vowed to fight to the end against Japan's "heinous crime of environmental destruction" to turn the ocean into a dumping ground for nuclear wastewater, adding that his party will push for bills to support the affected fishermen and the fishery industry. Despite public concerns and raging opposition from both home and abroad, Japan started releasing the first batch of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean earlier in the day. The Democratic Party proposed a set of special safety measures bills to ban the import of all fishery products feared to be exposed to the nuclear-contaminated wastewater, including seafood from Fukushima and other regions. Under the bills, the country-of-origin regulation would be strengthened to prevent processed food, made of seafood from Fukushima and other dangerous regions, from being distributed here, while recognizing radioactive wastewater damage as a fishing disaster to support the fishing industry. The bills also sought to legislate the right to indemnity claims against the Japanese government by creating a fund first to support the affected, such as fishermen, merchants, and those processing and distributing fishery products, and demanding reimbursement from the Japanese government later. Together with civic group activists, some of the Democratic Party members rallied against the Fukushima wastewater discharge near the presidential office in central Seoul. "Japan committed a criminal act of damaging the ocean that is a common asset of humankind. (Japan) will pay the price for sure," Woo Won-shik, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said in the demonstration. Woo pointed out that the wastewater discharge was in clear violation of international agreements such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter. One activist who participated in the rally urged the South Korean government to file a lawsuit with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea against the Japanese government for violating international laws and causing huge damage to neighboring countries. The protesters shouted slogans of "Dead against dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean," holding placards that read "Japan must store radioactive wastewater on its soil," and "Japan must stop an international crime of marine dumping." A group of South Korean university students were apprehended after attempting to enter the Japanese embassy in Seoul in protest of the Fukushima wastewater discharge, according to local media. Sixteen students, who attempted to break into the Japanese embassy right after the start of the wastewater dumping, were blocked and arrested by police on charges of trespassing and the assembly and demonstration act violation. About 40 other fellow students held a press conference near the Japanese embassy against the wastewater discharge before being dispersed by the police. Meanwhile, protest rallies against the dumping were reportedly staged across the country, including those near the consulate general of Japan in the southern resort island of Jeju and the Japanese consulate general in the southeast port city of Busan. People gather to protest against Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater in Busan, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, despite raging opposition from both at home and abroad. (NEWSIS via Xinhua) People gather to protest against Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, despite raging opposition from both at home and abroad. (NEWSIS via Xinhua) People gather to protest against Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, despite raging opposition from both at home and abroad. (NEWSIS via Xinhua) People protest against Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater in Busan, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, despite raging opposition from both at home and abroad. (NEWSIS via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with his Malawian counterpart Lazarus Chakwera on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China supports Malawi in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to continuously offer whatever help China can to the country in its socio-economic development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Johannesburg on Thursday. Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Malawian counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi said he appreciates Chakwera for upholding the one-China principle since taking office. It is hoped that China and Malawi can continuously support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, push for new results in practical cooperation between the two countries, and promote ever-new development of bilateral relations, he said. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Malawi and other developing countries, and advance the development of the international order in a more equal and just direction, he said. For his part, Chakwera noted that China is always the first to lend a helping hand to Malawi when the latter faces difficulties, adding that during his recent visit to China, he was not only warmly received, but also truly felt that China is Malawi's true friend, brother and partner. Malawi firmly adheres to the one-China policy, he said, adding that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi is conducive to the common development of developing countries. Chakwera added that Malawi is willing to continuously deepen friendship and cooperation with China. Though little is publicly known about Yevgeny Prigozhin's family, many of them help run his vast business empire. Multiple members of his family have been subject to Western sanctions. Prigozhin's family includes his chocolatier wife and equestrian daughters. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was presumed dead on Wednesday after a Wagner-affiliated private jet crashed in Russia's Tver region outside of Moscow. Prigozhin was listed as one of the passengers of the plane, according to Russia's civil aviation agency. The warlord had mounted a failed coup against Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, before turning back his army after a deal was negotiated. On Thursday, Putin expressed his condolences to the families of all ten passengers on board the crashed plane. At the time of writing, Prigozhin's family has not publicly responded to the condolences. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Prigozhin's family members many of whom were subject to Western sanctions from 2022 onward have had varying levels of involvement in Prigozhin's business empire, the Financial Times reported in April. The full extent of Prigozhin's wealth is unknown, but after the June mutiny, Putin said Prigozhin's Wagner group had received 86 billion rubles, or around $1 billion from the Russian state between May 2022 and May 2023. And Prigozhin's catering business once earned him the moniker of "Putin's Chef," clinching state contracts estimated to be worth $3.1 billion. The Wagner Group did not respond to a request for comment sent by Insider. There was no public contact or social media information available for the Prigozhins and their legal entities, according to Insider's review. Here are the five Prigozhins you should know about. Violetta Prigozhina, his mother, successfully contested sanctions from the EU Violetta Prigozhina, mother of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Molfar OSINT agency Prigozhin's mother, Violetta Prigozhina, was first added to the EU's sanctions list in 2022. In March, she won an appeal against those. Sanctions against her subsequently were lifted. The EU's General Court stated in a press release released in March that the links between Violetta and her son were based "solely on their family relationship and is therefore not sufficient to justify her inclusion on the contested lists." The 83-year-old opened an art gallery in 2018 in St. Petersburg, called "Colors of Life," according to the FT. Violetta declined to comment to the FT. And in December last year, Prigozhina launched an art show, "Save, Don't Destroy," about the importance of preserving cultural monuments. In an attached press release for the show, she wrote, "I would like to thank my whole family for creating the exhibition." His wife Lyubov Prigozhina is a pharmacist-turned-businesswoman Lyubov Prigozhina, wife of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Molfar OSINT agency Lyubov Prigozhina, Prigozhin's wife, is a pharmacist-turned-businesswoman and the owner of Agat LLC, a subsidiary of Concord Management and Consulting LLC, a company founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to the Swiss and French sanctions lists. Lyubov was added to the sanctions list by the US Treasury Department and the EU in 2022. Little is known about Lyubov, but the New Izvestia, a Russian news outlet, described her as a prolific businesswoman who owns several resorts, a chocolate factory, and a retail outlet called Chocolate Museum in St. Petersburg. His son, Pavel Prigozhin, used to fight alongside the Wagner Group Pavel Prigozhin, son of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Molfar OSINT agency Pavel Prigozhin fought alongside the Wagner Group in Syria and received Wagner's "black cross" for his military service, the FT reported, citing his father's social media posts. Pavel was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2022, which stated that he, alongside his mother and sister Polina, played "various roles in Prigozhin's business enterprise." The department did not disclose further details on how they were involved in his business empire. As part of the announcement, the Treasury Department wrote that Pavel controlled three companies: Lakhta Park, OOO; Lakhta Park Premium, OOO; and Lakhta Plaza. It is unclear what these companies do. In December, Pavel was at the center of speculation that his Telegram posts had given away the location of Wagner troops to a Ukrainian missile strike. Insider could not find any public acknowledgment from Pavel on these allegations. Polina Prigozhina, one of his daughters, used to be a prolific equestrian Polina Prigozhina, daughter of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Molfar OSINT agency Polina Prigozhina and her younger sister, Veronika, have competed in hundreds of equestrian events outside of Russia at the same time that their father, Yevgeny, was railing on Telegram against "traitors" among Russian elites that sent their children abroad per the FT. Polina, 31, has competed in over 600 contests and has won two of them, according to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. Her wedding at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg in 2015 was lavish, featuring streams of flowers cascading from the ceiling of the former imperial residence. Polina had complained at the time that it was difficult to secure so many flowers for the wedding, Bild German newspaper reported in June. Polina was also named by the US Treasury Department as playing a role in Prigozhin's business empire. His other daughter, Veronika Prigozhina, has not been subject to public sanctions from the US and EU Veronika Prigozhina, daughter of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Molfar OSINT agency Very little is known about Veronika Prigozhina, who is thus far the only member of Prigozhin's immediate family not publicly known to be sanctioned by the US or EU, according to data from OpenSanctions. The FT reported that Prigozhin seems to have taken advantage of this to evade sanctions, citing Russian corporate records that indicate Veronika became the owner of a company that controls a St. Petersburg hotel in 2022. The 18-year-old has competed in over 100 equestrian contests, with her last appearance recorded by the federation made in February 2022, according to data from the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. Read the original article on Business Insider [Source] Ashley Park recently collaborated with Meryl Streep on an emotional duet in Only Murders in the Building . Key details: The song was featured in Grab Your Hankies, the third episode of the third season of the hit Hulu show. The episode follows Oliver Putnam (played by Martin Short ) as he looks for a way to get his murder mystery play Death Rattle put on Broadway. He decides to turn his stage play into a musical, and aspiring star Loretta Durkin (Streep) ends up performing the song Look for the Light with fellow actor Kimber Min (Park) in it. After the episode aired on Aug. 15, Hulu released a video of the full song on YouTube. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More from NextShark: South Korean indie artist Cheeze releases new EP Blank What people are saying: Several fans were amazed by Streep and Parks duet, with one YouTube user writing, Meryl is captivating, as always, but Ashley Park adds such a beautiful harmony that elevates the piece to another level. Bravo! Great choice. Meryl Streep is simply phenomenal, another YouTube user commented. Ashley Park does an outstanding job and they compliment [sic] each other so beautifully. Behind-the-scenes details: Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, one of the composers of the song along with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, told The Hollywood Reporter that it truly felt like a dream to work alongside Streep and write for her. More from NextShark: Belle Mariano becomes first Filipino woman to win Outstanding Asian Star at Seoul Drama Awards Bareilles then talked about her experience working with Park, who also joined Only Murders in the Building for its third season. Ashley Parks glorious counter melody was added later, and I got goosebumps the first time I heard it, Bareilles said. For Streep: Pasek and Paul, the songwriters behind La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen, revealed that Look for the Light was created with Streeps voice in mind, and Parks part was added later on. More from NextShark: Stray Kids and P1Harmony complete KCON LA 2022 Lineup Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! 'Queer Eye' star reveals racist bullying led him to try skin lightening: 'I know now bleaching is a form of self-harm' A National Guard of Ukraine serviceman whose alias is "Komar" ("Mosquito") dreamed of joining the army, but when he failed to graduate from a specialised military academy, he realised that it would not be easy to fulfil his wish. The man is from Luhansk Oblast but has lived in Kyiv for a long time. Komar went to Odesa in 2021, where he wanted to be selected to get into the Marine Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a sniper, the National Guard reports. Komar passed the physical and psychological tests, but says that due to the large number of applicants wanting to become snipers, he did not succeed. Quote: "There were 16 people for one position. There were other positions available, but I wanted to be a sniper," Komar says. Military serviceman "Komar". All photos: National Guard of Ukraine ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He was called up for military service in Chernihiv Oblast in the same year. Komar managed to take the oath [swearing allegiance to the Ukrainian people - ed.] in January 2022, and he went to war in February. "On 24 February, I came off duty, just went to bed, and was woken up by an alarm. My first thoughts were: "Well, why today?" the soldier recalls. The first battles broke out in the city's streets when the Russian troops entered Chernihiv. Then Komar took up the position of an armoured personnel carrier mechanic and driver. The man says that he and his brothers-in-arms became encircled in the building of the Oblast State Administration on that day. The most terrible thing is to see the death of civilians, the soldier says "We started talking to our more experienced fighters and asked them what percentage of us would survive. Everyone said that the chance was minimal. Everyone started calling their relatives, including me. We said goodbye to our parents, informed them that this would be our last fight, and thanked them for bringing us into this world at all. What followed was a very difficult battle, which is difficult to remember," the National Guardsman recalls. Komar adds that the most difficult thing was to see civilians die as a result of Russian fire. It was in Chernihiv that the soldier received his first injuries he was burned by shrapnel from a mine that exploded five metres away. All 7 wheels were punctured in Komars armoured vehicle due to the explosion. "I don't even remember how I managed to drive off. Three or four soldiers took turns to help me turn the steering wheel. I don't know how I was driving before that," the man says. "I want to become a psychologist it's a big responsibility, and I'm not afraid to take it on," the man said. The guardsman received a commendation for his service the "For Valiant Service" medal, as well as the medal of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "For Exemplary Military Service" , third degree. Now Komar wants to become a military psychologist to help soldiers returning from the battlefield. "I want to help all those who have come from the front line, to raise their morale. I would like to work at the front line as well. If you have a psychologist working with you on the line of fire, it is much easier to endure and survive everything. I know that returning from hell, you can bring a person back to normal life, but you need to work with them a lot," Komar added. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Sean Johnson walks with his girlfriend Angela Taylor to check out thier Frenchtown Villas Monroe home in Newport, Mich., on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, after a heavy band of storms hit the region on Thursday. The couple looks as they pass a home at the corner of Chalet and Killy that was destroyed by the storms. (Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press via AP) Widespread damage was reported across Michigan after high-speed winds from severe storms knocked over trees, damaged buildings and homes, left hundreds of thousands without power and killed five people over Thursday night. Multiple tornadoes are the suspected cause of the damages reported. One EF-1 tornado was reported north of Grand Rapids and another one east of Lansing believed to have made its way into Livingston County, according to reporting by the Detroit Free Press. An EF-1 tornado also struck west of Belleville and an EF-0 tornado struck Canton. Five other possible tornado locations were under review in Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, Detroit Free Press reported. However, only one or two might end up being declared tornados, and likely fall under weaker classifications. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Tornadoes classified as an Enhanced Fujita Level 0 have winds ranging 65 to 85 miles per hour while an Enhanced Fujita Level 1 is a tornado with wind gusts ranging from 86 to 110 miles per hour, USA Today previously reported. Both are known to cause damages to a home's outside structures like roofs, windows, or gutters. Damages to homes, buildings, or roadways due to fallen trees are also possible. The tornado remained on the ground in Livingston County for a mile or less before weakening and lifting, Dave Gurney, a meteorologist with the weather service's office in Oakland County's White Lake Township told AP. Officials with The National Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan will be assessing damages made from two suspected tornadoes on Friday, according to the NWS website. One in central Kent County and the other in northeast Ingham County, the NWS reported. More: Power outage map: Severe storms leave over 600,000 without power in Michigan, Ohio Five dead after tornadoes sweep the state Dozens of vehicles drive through a flooded section of I-94 and Livernois, in Detroit, on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (David Rodriguez Munoz/Detroit Free Press via AP) One woman and two children died in west Michigan after two vehicles collided with one another as a result of the rain caused by the storms, the Kent County Sheriffs Office told ABC affiliate WZZM13. The man driving the family and the single driver in the other car were transported to the hospital to have injuries treated. Michigans capital, Lansing, has reported two deaths so far. One woman died after a large tree fell on her home and one person was killed on Interstate 96 in the Williamston area, The Lansing State Journal reported. More than 25 vehicles along I-96 were severely damaged and there were several people seriously injured in addition to the two people killed. The highway was closed in both directions from Williamston Road east to M-52, the State Journal reported. County officials have warned residents to avoid barricaded roads and exercise caution when cleaning up debris since many power lines are still down, according to a Facebook post by Ingham County Management. Michigan counties declare state of emergency A tree sits damaged after severe weather in Kent County, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. A strong storm powered by winds up to 75 mph has downed trees and power lines across Michigan, torn roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. (Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP) The states Emergency Operations Center was activated Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer due to excessive flooding from a previous rainstorm in southeast Michigan, the Detroit Free Press reported. There were over 400,000 customers without power in Michigan as of 6:54 a.m. ET Friday, according to PowerOutage.US, USA Today reported. Flooding was recorded all over Detroit streets and in the tunnels leading to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, AP reported. It is expected to continue to impact freeways throughout the day Friday, the Free Press reported. Whitmer wants to provide support to affected communities as they respond to the impacts of flooding," AP reported. Wayne County Executive Warren Evans is seeking disaster relief for residents after the latest round of damages. Flat Rock, Gibraltar and Canton are all facing severe flood damage. County officials also sent out a health advisory warning to Canton residents to avoid contact with Lower River Rouge because the city had to discharge partially treated wastewater. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, said she visited flooded neighborhoods, Detroit Free Press reported. Rockwood got 7 inches of rain in four hours. Belleville set the record nationally and got 7.3 inches. These communities just don't have sewer systems that can handle that, Dingell said. Several residents across various Michigan municipalities have dealt with damaged vehicles, flooded basements and power outages over the past 24 hours. The single best course of action moving forward is getting people as prepared as possible to handle damages caused by extreme weather. Apparently, these storms have become our new normal, Miller said. This has been like a tropical storm, and both government and residents will need to make appropriate preparations whenever possible, Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller told AP. Contributing: Darcie Moran, Nushrat Rahman and Chanel Stitt, Detroit Free Press; Lansing State Journal; Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tornadoes in Michigan leave 400,000 without power and kill five A portion of the far side of the Moon looms large just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this image taken November 21, 2022, by a camera on the tip of one of Orions solar arrays. The darkest spot visible near the middle of the image is Mare Orientale. In 2022, NASAs Artemis I mission traveled 1.4 million miles into space. When the Orion spacecraft flew by the moon, future trees were on board. The uncrewed spacecraft contained seeds for five tree species, including sweetgums, Douglas-firs, sycamores, loblolly pines, and giant sequoias. After the 25.5 day mission, the Forest Service successfully germinated the seeds. Now, community organizations and schools across the United States now apply to receive a seedling grown from one of the tree seeds that flew by the moon that will grow to become official Artemis Moon Trees. [Related: Artemis Is solar panels harvested a lot more energy than expected.] NASA and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service will distribute the Artemis Moon Tree seedlings in an effort to create new ways for communities home on Earth to connect with humanitys exploration of space for the benefit of all and promote STEM in the classroom and beyond. Institutions that can apply for a seedling include universities, museums, science centers, organizations that serve K-12 schools, and government organizations. Applications are posted here and are due by Friday October 6. Seeds for five tree species that flew on the Artemis I mission. CREDIT: NASA/USDA Forest Service. The Artemis I Mission launched on November 16, 2022 and was the first integrated test of NASAs latest deep space exploration technology: the Orion spacecraft itself, the all-powerful Space Launch System rocket, and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center. Orion returned to Earth after 25.5 days in space, where it journeyed 270,000 miles away from Earth, orbited the moon, and collected crucial data along the way. A plush Snoopy zero-gravity indicator, LEGO minifigures, and three moonikins, were also aboard the spacecraft with the Artemis seeds. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement NASAs Artemis moon trees are bringing the science and ingenuity of space exploration back down to Earth, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. Last year, these seeds flew on the Artemis I mission 40,000 miles beyond the Moon. With the help of the USDA, this new generation of Moon trees will plant the spirit of exploration across our communities and inspire the next generation of explorers. [Related: Before the Artemis II crew can go to the moon, they need to master flying high above Earth.] The Artemis seeds are also the second generation of Moon Trees. In 1971, Apollo 14 Command Module Pilot Stuart Roosa, carried hundreds of tree seeds about the mission as a part of his personal kit. Roosa was a former Forest Service smokejumper, a group of specially trained wildland firefighters who are often the first to respond to remote firefighters. When Apollo 14 returned, the Forest Service germinated the seeds and the first generation of Apollo Moon Tree seedlings were then planted around the United States. NASA and the Forest Service hope that this next 21st Century generation of Moon Trees carry on the legacy of inspiration launched over 50 years ago. The seeds that flew on the Artemis mission will soon be Moon Trees standing proudly on campuses and institutions across the country, Forest Service chief Randy Moore said in a statement. These future Moon Trees, like those that came before them, serve as a potent symbol that when we put our mind to a task, there is nothing we cant accomplish. They will inspire future generations of scientists, whose research underpins all that we do here at the Forest Service. The captain of a boat police say was smuggling migrants rammed a Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office patrol boat driven by a deputy trying to intercept the vessel Friday morning, the agency said. The deputy was patrolling east of the Jupiter Inlet around 9 a.m. when he tried to stop the suspected migrant boat, sheriffs office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. The boat captain then used his vessel to ram the police boat, damaging two engines, Barbera said. The captain beached the boat just north of the Juno pier and was met by road patrol deputies, who arrested the captain, identified as 30-year-old Bazaeluis Francois. They also took 14 migrants into custody, Barbera said. No one was injured in the incident. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The U.S. Border Patrol ended up taking a total of 17 migrants into custody from the boat. One person is from the Bahamas and 16 others from Haiti, Chief Patrol Agent Walter Slosar said in a statement. Bazaeluis faces two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, Barbera said. Former Vice President Mike Pence , a typically mild-mannered and relentlessly on-message politician, took the gloves off during Wednesday nights GOP primary debate as his campaign looks for a spark. Pence frequently interrupted and talked over other candidates and rivals, ensuring hed get attention on the debate stage. He repeatedly confronted rival candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is polling ahead of Pence and seen as ascendant, lashing out that the 38-year-old was a rookie and telling him at one point that hed speak more slowly to make his argument clear. By the end of the evening, Pence led the candidates on stage in terms of speaking time at more than 12 minutes. It was a big surprise to many of those watching, though whether it will provide the missing spark to his so-far sluggish campaign is a major question mark. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I did not have Mike Pence will keep things spicy on my debate Bingo card, former Fox News host Megyn Kelly wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Multiple former Trump administration officials described Pences approach as aggressive and refreshing for a man they said they personally respect, but were unsure how he fit into the current GOP primary landscape. I thought that Pence came out firing a little bit. He wanted to show he was aggressive because the knock on him is hes just kind of so straight-laced that hes not a fighter that the GOP is really looking for right now, so I think he tried to prove some of that, Hogan Gidley, a former Trump White House and campaign official, said on the Line Drive Podcast after the debate. Jeb Hensarling and Scott Reed, co-chairmen of the Pence-aligned Committed to America super PAC, argued Pence won the debate by taking the fight to his opponents. Mikes character, experience, and sense of resolve were repeatedly on display throughout the night making it clear no one is more battle-tested and prepared, the two said in a statement. Pence told donors on a post-debate call Thursday that he believes its important for voters to see the differences between candidates in terms of who will stand up for conservative values, and he pledged to continue taking the fight to his opponents moving forward, according to an official on the call. Pence initiated the first big exchange of the evening roughly 15 minutes into the debate, taking aim at Ramaswamy. You got people on this stage that wont even talk about issues like Social Security and Medicare. I mean Vivek, you recently said a president cant do everything. Well, I got news for you, Vivek Ive been in a hallway, Ive been in the West Wing. A president in the United States has to confront every crisis facing America, Pence said. Ramaswamy shot back that his plans for boosting the economy were not complicated, adding that he did not understand where Pences comment was coming from. Let me explain it to you, Vivek. Ill go slower this time, Pence said, adding that it was not the time for a rookie in the White House. Pence later clashed with Ramaswamy over U.S. aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia, with Ramaswamy arguing the federal government should be cutting off military assistance to the war-torn nation and Pence insisting the U.S. could focus on problems both domestic and international. Pences actions on Jan. 6, 2021, were also central to a portion of the debate, and the issue forced others on the stage to weigh in on whether they agreed with his refusal to reject electoral votes at Trumps behest. The former vice president said when he launched his campaign in June that he felt Trumps actions that day were disqualifying, and he reiterated Wednesday his belief that Trump asked me to put him over the Constitution. And I chose the Constitution, and I always will. That comment caught the attention of Trump, who skipped the debate and instead sat down for an interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, where he said he had not spoken to Pence in a long time. I never asked Mike Pence to put me above the Constitution. Who would say such a thing? A FAKE STORY! Trump wrote on Truth Social. For all of Pences criticism of Trumps actions after the 2020 election, he was among the six candidates who raised their hands Wednesday and said they would still support Trump as the potential GOP nominee, even if he is convicted in any of his four criminal cases. Pence came into the debate with his conservative credentials well established, but strategists had long questioned whether he could break through in a primary where many voters seem to respond more to personality than policy, and where he still faces a chilly reception from some Republicans for his refusal to reject the 2020 election results, something he did not have the authority to do. Pences team took a victory lap after the debate, believing the former vice presidents performance showed he is qualified to govern from day one in a way others, like Ramaswamy, would not be. A Pence campaign official said they received donations from more than 1,000 small-dollar donors overnight following the debate. Pence has already qualified for the second Republican primary debate next month in California. The question is whether Pences assertive strategy at the first debate will do much to shake up the primary race. Recent polls have shown Trump leading his next closest rival by more than 40 percentage points nationally and by similar margins in early voting states like Iowa, where the Pence campaign is focusing much of its attention and resources. A CBS News poll conducted days before the debate showed Pence polling at 5 percent nationally, behind Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Ramaswamy. Pence also faces an uphill battle in winning over swaths of the Republican primary electorate who remain loyal to Trump and hold a grudge over his break from the former president on Jan. 6. An Associated Press-NORC poll conducted Aug. 10-14 found 41 percent of Republicans have a favorable view of Pence, compared with 42 percent who have an unfavorable view. A Fox News poll conducted Aug. 11-14 found Pence with a 45 percent favorability rating among self-identified Republicans, well behind Trump, who was at 78 percent. I thought Mike Pence showed a little fire, a little gumption, said Tim Murtaugh, who worked on Trumps 2020 campaign. I just dont think it makes a dent, he added. He did fine for what he set out to do, but I dont see how he advanced anything. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Military families who are looking for ways to save money should check out their commissarys sidewalk sale event in September. Some of the categories of items that will be offered at increased savings include food and pet food, baby products, paper towels and toilet paper, trash bags and cleaning products. Items may vary by location. Information was not immediately available about the range of discounts that will be offered on top of the overall 25% savings commissaries offer, compared to local civilian stores outside the gate. These outdoor sales events are typically scheduled for three or four days over a weekend, and the dates vary by commissary. Some are happening soon, such as Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia, and which are kicking off their sales on Aug. 31, Sales at 27 other stores begin on Sept. 1. At the end of September, sales begin at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, and New Orleans Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Louisiana. Customers should check the commissary website for specific sales dates for commissaries close to them. Dates are subject to change, so check back closer to your commissarys sales date. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement These sales are specific to stateside locations and Hawaii, but overseas customers should check with their local stores to see what other specific promotions might be happening in their store. Customers should take stock of their supplies, and the space they have available to store the items and to get the items home in their vehicles. In the past, commissary sidewalk sales, sometimes called case lot sales, have offered a variety of bulk items. It also pays to do some comparison shopping of items you need before you embark on your foray into the commissary sidewalk sale. These sales may be especially helpful for families who have just made a permanent change of station move and are restocking their pantries. Commissaries got a big boost from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last September when his Taking Care of Our People initiative pumped more money into commissaries in order to cut prices at the register. By removing the 2017 Defense Department requirement that commissaries had to make a profit to offset operational costs, Austin enabled commissary officials to drop prices by 3% to 5% across more than 40,000 products in their stores. Theyre saving customers an average of at least 25% on every grocery basket that leaves the store, said Defense Commissary Agency Director John E. Hall. Those eligible for the commissary shopping benefit include active duty, Guard and Reserve members, military retirees, Medal of Honor recipients, and their authorized family members. Veterans with any Department of Veterans Affairs documented service-connected disability rating became eligible for commissary shopping, as well as Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. MARTINSBURG, W.Va. A little girl killed by a stray bullet. Gang disputes resolved with deadly gunfire. Legally bought firearms that ended up in the hands of criminals. The only place where the guns used in any crime nationwide can be traced back to their original buyer is inside this unassuming government building in the mountains west of the nation's capital. Here, an assembly line of workers leafs through thousands of paper records of gun sales. Others feed those documents through rapidly whirring scanners, and still others call gun makers and dealers, digging up leads for thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More than 1,800 trace requests arrive daily. "Every single trace is treated as if that might be the piece of information that helps law enforcement solve that crime," said Neil Troppman, who leads the National Tracing Center for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Loaded An occasional series examining the rising levels of gun violence in Minnesota, the proliferation of legally purchased handguns used in crimes and the technological advances that make them more deadly than ever. Part 1: The life of a gun Part 2: Firearm tracing hampered by law But tight resources and congressionally imposed limitations make following the trail of the firearms used in crimes that much harder: the 900 million records held at the ATF, plus the millions still sent in each month by sellers who go out of business, must be converted into static images and pulled up by hand because a 1986 law bars the ATF from creating a searchable database for its gun records. The agency, leaning on 65 full-time employees and 400 contractors, now sits on an 18-month backlog of documents needing to be processed. This work continues as police seize and investigate more guns than ever before, and as investigators put a greater emphasis on studying the shell casings left behind after shootings. !function () { "use strict"; window.addEventListener("message", (function (a) { if (void 0 !== a.data["datawrapper-height"]) { var e = document.querySelectorAll("iframe"); for (var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"]) for (var r = 0; r e.length; r++)if (e[r].contentWindow === a.source) { var i = a.data["datawrapper-height"][t] + "px"; e[r].style.height = i } } })) }(); In Minneapolis, investigators processed nearly 1,000 guns last year up from 692 in 2019 and more than 10,000 casings each of the past two years, more than double the total processed in 2019. St. Paul police are now seizing more than 600 guns used in crimes per year since 2020. And statewide, the ATF recovered and traced 4,514 firearms linked to crimes in 2021, up more than 20% from 2017. Until late last year, the ATF's backlog forced it to install 40 shipping containers in the Tracing Center parking lot, each holding 2,000 boxes of paper records. They had to be moved out of the center because their weight imperiled the building's structural integrity. Despite these hurdles, this work together with that of forensic scientists in Minnesota is still generating important leads for federal prosecutors testing new strategies in a sprawling, ongoing Minneapolis gang case that unwound a yearslong campaign of gun violence. And it recently helped find the handgun used to kill 6-year-old Aniya Allen with a stray bullet in 2021, even as justice still eludes her family. "These guns have really gotten into the hands of the wrong people," said K.G. Wilson, a longtime community activist who spent years aiding families of those killed by gunfire before Aniya, his granddaughter, was caught in the crossfire. Leila Navidi, Star Tribune Some firearms transaction records arrive at the ATF's Tracing Center in log books, above; others arrive in tatters, at top. Either way, an assembly line of workers must prepare and scan the records by hand. More than 1,800 requests for tracing arrive every day. When a gun is used in a crime in Minnesota, police have two main paths for investigating the weapon. First, they can call up the ATF's Tracing Center to piece together the gun's history if it's in their possession and they know its serial number. Forensic scientists in Minnesota and other states can also turn to high-powered microscopes and 3-D imaging to document thousands of spent cartridge casings left behind when a bullet is fired, and the unique markings each gun imprints on them. These "fingerprints" can help identify the gun used in a shooting and determine whether it is linked to other crimes. That's how federal prosecutors built the ongoing racketeering case charging dozens of alleged members of the Bloods and Highs street gangs in Minneapolis. Using elevated charges approved by the Justice Department, prosecutors are linking together a trail of deadly shootings and other crimes that unfolded between 2014 and 2021. Investigators in Minneapolis matched a single shell casing removed from Allen's body two years ago to a handgun retrieved from a man caught with fentanyl during a traffic stop last year. By further tracing that firearm, they concluded that the gun was probably among a dozen bought by a suspected straw purchaser still under investigation, according to unsealed court records. Taken together, these methods are seen as the twin pillars used to solve crimes that often involve firearms changing hands many times. Tracing guns used in Minn. crimes More than 20,000 firearms were recovered and tracked in Minnesota from 2017 to 2021. Of those, roughly 80% can be linked to known purchasers. Guns were traced to Robbinsdale as a point of origin more than any other city in Minnesota. Yuqing Liu, Star Tribune Source: ATF But there's a gulf between the two strategies: as one marshals the latest technological advances, the other is stuck in a tightly constricted lane. Efforts to modernize the ATF Tracing Center failed amid a 2022 bipartisan push for new gun laws after mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y. Objections have centered on the privacy rights of lawful gun owners not involved in criminal activity. Requests nationwide for help tracing firearms have soared from 490,844 in 2020 to 623,654 last year the highest on record. The ATF is forecasting a new high of 675,000 requests this year. More than half of all trace requests from local police agencies involve records from closed businesses that are now kept by the ATF in West Virginia, Troppman said. Everything must go into a filing system to be searched by hand whenever police need help finding details about a gun linked to a crime. If police need help probing the history of a gun bought from one of the country's 75,000 still-active dealers, Tracing Center workers will call the dealers to gather details about the gun's legal retail history. Most requests are classified as "routine," but Troppman said the ATF fields up to 20 "urgent" trace requests per day, such as mass shootings, homicides or anything the requesting agency deems time-sensitive. Most urgent requests are completed within 48 hours. "If we can shave a second or two off of every single trace, when you do the math, that's huge," Troppman said. Leila Navidi, Star Tribune A contract worker at the ATF National Tracing Center scanned firearms transaction records from retailers who have gone out of business. To capture the full picture of a gun's history, forensic scientists at several labs in Minnesota test-fire seized guns and examine the microscopic markings left behind on shell casings picked up from crime scenes. At the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in St. Paul, analysts use a metal water tank or devices that trap casings as they test fire and collect the spent casings for review. Because the gun's steel is harder than the metal bullets, it leaves a unique microscopic striation on the shell casing of each bullet fired. Leila Navidi, Star Tribune Forensic scientist Carey Hall displayed examples of latent prints in a lab at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. BCA forensic scientist Travis Melland sat down one recent afternoon in St. Paul and fed one of those cartridge casings into a device connected to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). It captured three-dimensional images of the head stamp of the cartridge case, and picked up injector marks, firing pin impressions and images of the place where the gun struck the cartridge case cover. The images are sent to the ATF's Correlation and Training Center in Alabama, where analysts and a specialized algorithm sift through thousands of such images daily to try to match them to other shootings. The ATF returns its "lead sheets" of these results to the agencies within 24 to 48 hours. "That's one of the values of this being a national system but also having multiple agencies involved with it," said Steve Swenson, a forensic science supervisor at the BCA. "It allows that information sharing to really help develop those leads and turn those leads into actionable intelligence." The BCA, which does this testing for nearly 400 law enforcement agencies, received nearly 1,000 firearms for review in 2022 up from 390 in 2018. "We see more people with guns than we've ever seen before," said Drew Evans, superintendent of the BCA. William McCrary, special agent in charge of the ATF's St. Paul division, believes the increase in guns sent for review may reflect two developments: booming gun crime, but also local police agencies more often asking the ATF to help trace firearms. Those two factors are behind the shrinking "time-to-crime" measurement the amount of time between a gun's purchase and its use in a crime recorded by the ATF, McCrary said. That average was 6.27 years in 2021, down from 7.34 in 2020 and 8.43 years in 2019. Minnesota's average is dropping at a rate nearly identical to the national trend. Not long ago, NIBIN was often used to make the final confirmation that a particular gun was used in a crime, McCrary said. That meant that analysts often recorded hits long after a crime had been solved. !function () { "use strict"; window.addEventListener("message", (function (a) { if (void 0 !== a.data["datawrapper-height"]) { var e = document.querySelectorAll("iframe"); for (var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"]) for (var r = 0; r e.length; r++)if (e[r].contentWindow === a.source) { var i = a.data["datawrapper-height"][t] + "px"; e[r].style.height = i } } })) }(); Now the ATF and other law enforcement prioritize recording and comparing ballistics evidence at the start of investigations. "It gives the detectives something within 24 to 48 hours as opposed to 24 to 48 months to go on, and all that helps us break the shooting cycle, because today's victim is tomorrow's shooter is the next day's witness," McCrary said. The Minneapolis Police Department is the only agency in the state with its own gun lab, and Shannon Johnson, the lab's director, said all shell casings linked to crimes are processed with its own NIBIN machine. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger has made cracking down on violent crime a priority in his second term as the top federal prosecutor in Minnesota. Using NIBIN earlier in gun cases is becoming as routine as collecting DNA and fingerprints from suspects, said Luger, who leads a violent crime subcommittee of about 40 U.S. Attorneys from around the country. "We try to focus on the most violent offenders gang members and others who are associated with multiple shootings to focus our attention and to focus our resources," Luger said. "NIBIN plays a critical role because we can fairly quickly determine how often this gun has been used in other shootings, where and when and if there are other cases being prosecuted related to those shootings. We can quickly determine who this shooter is associating with." Leila Navidi, Star Tribune Forensic scientists Katie Hook, at top, and Carey Hall, center, showed how the firearm reference collection is used at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A lab technician, above, put a cartridge casing in a tracking machine, demonstrating how the BCA uses the NIBIN system. Leila Navidi, Star Tribune Forensic scientists Katie Hook, at top, and Carey Hall, above left, showed how the firearm reference collection is used at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A lab technician, above right, put a cartridge casing in a tracking machine, demonstrating how the BCA uses the NIBIN system. When gunfire claimed the lives of his Minneapolis neighbors, K.G. Wilson would rise at all hours to comfort their families. For six of those years as a peace activist in the city, Wilson had his granddaughter Aniya Allen to comfort him back home. "As she started getting a little up in age, she thought she was becoming a big girl and I'd always tell her, 'you ain't no big girl. You're Papa's baby,'" recalls Wilson, who left behind life in a gang in the 1980s and 1990s for one of activism. Aniya was in the back seat of a car when it got caught in the crossfire of a gun battle in north Minneapolis one evening in May 2021. A single bullet struck her in the head, killing her. Now, Wilson's days start by checking his phone to see if Minneapolis homicide detectives can tell him "we got justice, we got him." "And that hasn't happened for every day for two years," he said. Wilson left Minneapolis two years ago. He now lives in St. Paul and works security at a Holiday gas station. He says he can no longer serve Minneapolis as a peace activist because so many of his days are clouded by anger and sadness. He wears a black ballcap with ANIYA in bold white letters and freely hands out rubber wristbands that say "Justice For Aniya Allen." According to recently unsealed federal search warrants, the ATF linked the gun used to kill Aniya to someone who bought 13 firearms around the Twin Cities metro area between March 2020 and June 2022: seven Glocks, four Tauruses, one Canik and one Rock Island Armory pistol. The Star Tribune is not naming the suspected straw buyer because he has not been charged with a crime. But according to search warrant affidavits, he allegedly bought the Glock 19 pistol later used in the May 2021 shooting that killed Aniya and paralyzed a 19-year-old man. MPD forensic scientists recovered discharged cartridge casings from an intersection and in an alley near the gun battle. A projectile removed from Aniya's body by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner was also consistent with a 9mm bullet. Almost a year later, in March 2022, Minneapolis police recovered a Glock 9mm pistol during the arrest of Gregory Jones, who later pleaded guilty to fentanyl possession with intent to distribute. MPD police test-fired that gun and entered its cartridge casings into NIBIN. The results showed that the gun was linked to two shootings: Aniya's killing in May 2021 and a November 2020 shooting. An MPD spokesman said that the investigation into Aniya's killing is ongoing. According to the court documents, investigators did not believe Jones was connected to the shooting but believed he obtained the Glock several months after it killed Aniya. Leila Navidi, Star Tribune A memorial for 6-year-old Aniya Allen, who was caught in the crossfire of gang violence in north Minneapolis. Federal warrants show the ATF linked the gun used to kill Aniya to someone who bought 13 firearms around the Twin Cities metro area between March 2020 and June 2022. But justice still eludes the family. The use of NIBIN and gun tracing to zero in on the city's most prolific shooters was on full display with this spring's launch of the racketeering case charging 45 alleged members of two prominent Minneapolis street gangs. Steve Dettelbach, the director of the ATF, traveled to Minnesota for the announcement of charges. He applauded the twin investigative approaches, saying "we can link together separate incidents and identify the trigger pullers better than ever before." It is among the biggest gang cases ever prosecuted in Minnesota, and includes shootings dating back to 2014 involving at least two dozen victims. Further charges are emerging against members of the Lows, another prominent Minneapolis gang locked in a violent rivalry with the Highs. The current gang probe follows in the footsteps of a conspiracy case nearly a decade ago that marked the first time federal prosecutors in Minnesota used NIBIN to illustrate how shooters shared their guns. That 2014 case charged 11 people with buying guns illegally and like the ongoing prosecutions involved accounts of the guns being passed around for use in crimes. Marques Armstrong Jr. was one of those defendants and 19 at the time of his indictment. Before Armstrong was sentenced to more than four years in federal custody, the lead prosecutor in the case dubbed him a "virtual one-man crime wave," citing 14 pending criminal cases. Not long after his release from prison, Armstrong resurfaced on law enforcement's radar and he had clearly caught up with emerging illicit technologies that have made illegal guns more dangerous than ever. One morning in late 2021, Armstrong led police and ATF agents on a high-speed pursuit in Roseville as they sought to arrest him for violating release conditions related to the federal case and a separate state assault conviction. His Jeep jumped a curb, swiping a tree and spinning out. The collision broke an axle and flung off both rear tires. Armstrong ran away from the Jeep and police chased him, eventually stopping him at gunpoint. Officers noticed that Armstrong wore an empty satchel, so they retraced his path through a wooded area nearby. There they found a black Glock 26 firearm with a small pin attached to the rear of the gun's slide. Investigators around the country have been recovering thousands of little devices just like the one attached to Armstrong's gun "switches" or "auto sears" that are turning semi-automatic pistols into handheld machine guns. Star Tribune staff writer Jeff Hargarten contributed to this story. Leila Navidi, Star Tribune KG Wilson placed a new cross this month at the memorial for his granddaughter Aniya, slain in May 2021. Police believe the same gun used to kill her was used in another shooting in November 2020. The cross was made by Travis and Rachel Jensen, who lost their daughter Vanessa Jensen to stray gunfire in 2021. Credits Reporting Stephen Montemayor and Jeff Hargarten Photography Leila Navidi Graphics Yuqing Liu and C.J. Sinner Editing Eric Wieffering and Abby Simons Copy Editing Catherine Preus Design Bryan Brussee, Josh Jones and Josh Penrod Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran on BRICS and other multilateral platforms, so as to push for healthy and robust development of multilateralism. Xi made the remarks when meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi congratulated Iran on becoming a member of BRICS, stressing that it is a historic event that the BRICS summit, with joint efforts of all parties, has made the decision to expand. All the new members are countries with important influence, Xi said, expressing confidence that they will have a major impact on the world. Xi said since Raisi's successful visit to China in February this year, the two countries' departments have wasted no time to implement the consensus reached between the two leaders, which has achieved positive results. Xi said he is glad that with the joint efforts of China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have achieved reconciliation, which promoted security and stability in the Middle East. China is ready to consolidate its friendship with Iran, deepen mutual trust, continue to support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and push for more progress in China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi added. For his part, Raisi said Iran highly appreciates and thanks China for supporting Iran in becoming a full member of BRICS, which will provide fresh momentum for the development of Iran-China relations. He said this is conducive to strengthening coordination between the two countries on multilateral platforms, and will also help better advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi. Raisi expressed gratitude for Xi's important role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, adding that the expansion of BRICS shows that unilateralism is going downhill. Iran's determination to deepen the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership is unswerving, Raisi said, adding that Iran stands ready to make joint efforts with China to further enhance the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries and actively advance the Belt and Road cooperation. A hiker who went missing on a solo 11-day trek in Wyoming has been found dead, according to a sheriffs office. John Diepholz, 64, of Minnesota, started his journey Aug. 5 into the Wind River Range, the Sublette County Sheriffs Office said in an Aug. 24 Facebook post. Deputies said he was reported missing on Aug. 21 when he didnt contact family after Aug. 16, his expected return date. In the days after Diepholz was reported missing, deputies said they searched for him via helicopter and on foot. Search and rescue members also interviewed more than 200 people hiking the area, the sheriffs office said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement On the fourth day of searching, search and rescue members found Diepholz dead above Spider Lake, deputies said. It was not the outcome any of us wanted, but we can at least bring some closure to all involved, deputies said. Diepholz died from injuries sustained during a fall, deputies said. We are broken but fortunate to have answers and some closure, the mans niece wrote on Facebook. Sublette County is about 145 miles southeast of Yellowstone National Park. 66-year-old climber dies in 1,200-foot fall from Oregon mountain, rescuers say Hiker felt called to Colorado mountains after terminal diagnosis. She vanished there Madera deputies recover hikers body after a Southern California man fell in a forest The Rowan County Sheriffs Office released information Friday about a 48-year-old woman who has not been in contact with her family since January 2021. READ: Allisha Watts boyfriend arrested, charged with murder The sheriff is asking for the publics help to find Karen Lorraine Green who could be familiar with many areas, including Charlotte, Matthews, and Indian Trail. Her last known address was in Rockwell. Green is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighs between 145 and 170 pounds. She has brown hair, green eyes, and a faint birthmark on her leg. She could be going by Karen Lamoreaux and driving a white passenger vehicle. Call the police if you have information. VIDEO: Dad arrested, missing Concord boys found safe in Missouri, police confirm A Mississippi police officer involved in the arrest of a 10-year-old for urinating in a parking lot behind his moms car is no longer with the Senatobia Police Department. Senatobia Police Chief Richard Chandler took to the departments Facebook account on Monday, Aug. 21, to share the news, adding that the other officers connected to the incident will subjected to disciplinary actions. Mississippi mother Latonya Eason speaks to local outlet after her 10-year-old son was arrested for urinating in public. (Credit: Screenshot Fox13/Facebook) As a result of this investigation, one of the officers involved is no longer employed, and the others will be disciplined. We will also have mandatory Juvenile training department-wide, just as we do every year, the police chief said in the statement. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Related:How Did Yall Forget My Baby?: Nebraska Toddler Dies After Being Left In a Day Care Van for Hours on a Hot Day; Driver Is Charged The announcement did not clarify whether the departing officer was terminated or resigned, and details about the nature of discipline for other officers were not provided. It was, however, noted that the officer violated the departments training on how to engage minors during the Aug. 10 arrest. We appreciate the publics patience while we investigated this incident. We deeply value your trust and support, and we are dedicated to continually improving and learning from our mistakes, Chandler continued. One of the mistakes made during the emotional arrest was to place the teary-eyed boy, whose name is Quantavious, in the back of a patrol car and haul him to jail. While there, he was charged not only for public urination but because he was left unsupervised. The officers did not handcuff the elementary school student. The police chiefs statement shared details on what happened a day after the incident to the childs mother, which resulted in the boys mother being arrested. Chandler wrote that the boys mother, Latonya Eason, visited the SPD to discuss an unrelated civil issue. The officers were informed of her existing warrant from the Justice Court and got in touch with the Tate County Sheriffs Office to take her into custody. Click here to read more. When her son was arrested, Eason was visiting her lawyer. A GoFundMe account states this visit was not related to the Tate County Sheriffs warrant. She was allegedly seeking legal assistance from a local attorney because she was having a difficult time getting her kids enrolled in school due [to] their housing displacement. The crowdfunding campaign, set up by Mississippi On the Move, is to help the housing-insecure family find shelter. The goal is to raise enough money to pay 3-5 months rent, obtain utility services, and assist with personal hygiene items and other housing things for the family as they try to get back on track. Within three days, the campaign raised $5,515 of $10,000. The mother also shared her Cash App and is receiving donations through that app. While the family is looking for a new home, this incident is still at the forefront of the mothers mind. In a WREG interview, Eason said she was considering suing the Senatobia Police Department over the arrest. As Missouri lawmakers were considering the most anti-LGBTQ bills of any state, the state health department quietly scrubbed youth sexual health and LGBTQ resources from its website. Lisa Cox, the spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, emailed the agencys website team in late January directing the removal of links from the websites adolescent and teen health information page. The page, which is housed within the Healthy Families section of the website, directs users to health care resources for teens, parents, educators and providers. The removed resources, according to emails obtained by The Star, included links to sexual health providers in Missouri, LGBTQ youth groups and other groups that provide sexual health care information. Roughly 15 minutes after Coxs email, an information technologist with the Office of Administration emailed back saying that the resources had been removed. The links are no longer available on the website. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Other emails obtained by The Star appear to show DHSS staff discussing whether some resources on the agencys website were too controversial in Missouri. The emails, provided to the newspaper after a records request by American Oversight, a progressive government watchdog group, illustrate the lengths that the health department went to remove teen health care resources amid an onslaught of legislation aimed at the LGBTQ community. One former employee with direct knowledge of the situation and who was employed at the time told The Star in an interview that the removal of the resources was part of a larger pattern of political pressure from outside and within the health agency. The former employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retribution, said this pressure played a major factor in the employees decision to leave the agency this year. There was a lot of political pressure given the content of teen pregnancy prevention and just anything around LGBTQ health and wellness faced a lot of pressure to be censored, the former employee said. That was something that I faced repeatedly throughout my time at DHSS. When asked about the removed links, Cox told The Star in an email that DHSS staff located hundreds of external resource links during audits of the agencys website as it prepares for a new site. She said some of the links were dead and others directed people to pages inappropriate for the public health department to house, causing DHSS to establish a standard of removing non-governmental links from the website. A couple of the links you referenced below were advocacy groups with a fundraising mechanism built into their homepage. Some included political content, Cox said. Im not able to comment on personnel matters, but the employee did not have access to be able to add links to the website, Cox added in a follow-up email Friday morning after the story appeared online. At least one other state health agency has made a similar move in the last year. In Virginia, the administration of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in May quietly took down LGBTQ youth resources from a state website after a conservative media outlet questioned the links, the Washington Post reported last month. It was the third time the administration had removed information from the website, the newspaper reported. At the time the behind-the-scenes discussions were happening in Missouri, lawmakers were in the first month of this years legislative session and considering nearly 30 bills targeting LGBTQ issues. Republican lawmakers later approved a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and legislation barring transgender student athletes from playing on teams that match their gender identity. Heather Sawyer, the executive director of American Oversight, said that the departments removal of resources illustrated a chilling effect caused by the anti-LGBTQ legislation and the states near-total ban on abortion, which went into effect last year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal right to an abortion. With attacks on reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights on the rise, political concerns, including whether information about contraceptive methods and resources for transgender Missourians are too controversial, are overriding the need to ensure that all Missourians have access to critical health care information, Sawyer said. A spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican who has played a major role in the states anti-LGBTQ push, said the attorney general was not aware of the removed resources. A spokesperson for Republican Gov. Mike Parson declined comment, directing questions to DHSS. Controversial resources Coxs initial email, sent Jan. 20, directed the agencys website team to remove the following resources, which were available for teens, parents, educators and health care providers: Power to Decide, a nonprofit that provides information about contraceptive methods and sexual health. Missouri Family Health Council, a network of low-cost sexual health providers in Missouri. Amaze, a Washington, D.C.-based group that provides animated sexual education videos. Sex, Etc., a website that provides sexual health information for teens, including stories written by teen staff writers. Gender Spectrum, a California-based nonprofit that provides information about gender diversity. Trans Student Educational Resources, a national group that provides resources to transgender youth. GLESN, a group that provides resources to educators to create gender-affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. Theyve been removed. Thanks, the information technologist with the Office of Administration emailed back minutes later. Cox, in a statement to The Star, said that each bureau within the agencys Division of Community and Public Health was at the time conducting a similar audit of links being shared on their pages. She said one of the links discovered during the audit, for example, directed users to a foreign gambling site. Three days later, on Jan. 23, emails between Cox, Lori Brenneke, the director of the agencys Division of Community and Public Health and Steve Cramer, a deputy director at DHSS, show that the staff members were still reviewing whether the resource links had been removed. Cramer, in an email to Cox, wrote that when sharing with Lori, we think it might be helpful to have a larger discussion because a number of the resources listed could be seen as controversial. Cox, in a follow-up to Cramer, wrote that after speaking with Brenneke, she was looking to only allow external links from governmental pages. Im sure we will get some pushback. Let me know if you want to talk that through further. Cramer responded that this would be good practice and asked whether Cox was referring to state or federal governmental pages. I ask because there could be times when the information on a federal level site that may be controversial in MO, he wrote in the email. Cox, in response, requests that Cramer and Brenneke take a look at the website before non-governmental links are removed in order to ensure that required trainings will not be disrupted, stating that Its not as simple as I thought it might be. The emails appear to show additional links that were to be removed from the website, but the attachments were not included in the records obtained by The Star. Political decision Some Missouri lawmakers, in statements to The Star, criticized the decision to remove the resources, painting it as politically motivated amid the broader legislative push to regulate reproductive and LGBTQ issues. Missourians need access to medically accurate information to make healthy decisions. DHSS scrubbed these links not because the information was deemed inaccurate but because they thought it might offend certain elected officials who want to impose their beliefs on others, state Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, said in a statement. Arthur said families across the state will suffer, once again, because of a political decision in Jefferson City. State Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican, said in an interview that he would have to research the issue further. However, he said, the agency may have just been cleaning up its website so people can get verifiable information. I think it is important to do a self-audit and if thats what were doing, then I think that is appropriate, he said. We want to provide correct information. Not hearsay and/or opinion but actual information if its coming from the state health department. Cox, the DHSS spokesperson, said that she directs changes to the agencys website daily and looks forward to significant improvements to the site next year. While its not a hard rule, in most cases, we plan to include state and federal resources on our website as appropriate, she said. After her initial statement, Cox did not respond to two follow-up requests, including questions asking whether the links were removed in response to pending legislation or the overall climate surrounding sexual education in Missouri. Isaac Yoder took a gamble on his Capitol riot case. Charged with four misdemeanors, the Missouri locksmith who breached the Capitol on Jan. 6 dressed in Revolutionary War gear turned down a deal with the government to plead guilty to one count, a strategy that for many other defendants has resulted in a sentence of probation. Yoder opted instead for a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth. In May, the D.C. courts senior judge found him guilty on all four counts. And on Friday, Lamberth sentenced Yoder to 12 months in prison on two counts each and six months on the other two counts each. The terms are to run concurrently, which means he will spend a year in prison. Lamberth also ordered 12 months of supervised release, fined Yoder $1,000 and ordered him to pay $500 restitution for the more than $2.9 million in damage to the Capitol. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Yoder was charged in July 2021 with four misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; violent entry and disorderly conduct in the Capitol; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol. He faced a maximum three years in prison and fines of $210,000. The government had recommended a sentence of 13 months incarceration, 36 months probation, 60 hours of community service, $500 restitution and a $16,646 fine the same amount authorities said Yoders sister raised for his defense on a crowdfunding site Jail time was justified, the government said in a court filing last week, because Yoder lied to prosecutors about his actions on Jan. 6. On that day, he climbed a scaffolding and entered the Capitol amid shattered glass, a broken door and blaring alarm with an ornamental sword hanging in a scabbard on his belt and carrying a flag on a pole. And he showed no remorse for his actions, the government said, including when he spoke at a gathering in southwest Missouri in July to honor Capitol riot defendants. Such a sentence protects the community, promotes respect for the law, and deters future crime by imposing restrictions on his liberty as a consequence of his behavior, the Justice Department said in the filing. In his own sentencing document filed Thursday, Yoder, of Nevada in southwest Missouri, asked the judge for probation and community service if the court feels it is appropriate. This case has been a valuable lesson and is one to never be repeated, the filing said. But Yoder also argued that he was not one of the rioters who caused physical damage, assaulted police officers and in many other ways disgraced the hallowed halls of the U.S. Capitol. His crime is based upon his entering the U.S. Capitol and walking around public areas within the Capitol for less than 20 minutes, the filing said. At no time does the government allege that he was violent, was chanting political statements, or had damaged any property. He followed police orders and exited when he was specifically told to do so by an officer. Yoders filing said that shortly after entering the Capitol, he climbed on top of a pile of broken wooden furniture and tried to discourage others from violence. He soon stopped, it said, because it appeared no one was listening. After circulating through the Crypt area, Yoders court filing said, an officer asked him to leave and he complied. He said he made his way back to his family and his vehicle and they drove home to Missouri. Yoder met with the FBI after his arrest in March 2021 and admitted entering the Capitol, it said. Mr. Defendant Yoder further cooperated by voluntarily giving the FBI agents his cell phone and some of the colonial attire he wore on January 6, 2021, the court filing said. Yoder turned down an offer by the government last year to plead guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol and later requested a bench trial. Lamberth conducted the trial in March and decided the case. At his trial, Yoder said he had entered the Capitol through a fire exit and that police did not prevent him from going inside. But Lamberth wrote in his guilty verdict in May that Yoder had decided to go into the Capitol after his brothers told him that former Vice President Mike Pence had folded by refusing to block the certification of the election and that other rioters were fighting with police. Yoder did more than simply go inside, however, Lamberth wrote. Yoder made a speech to other rioters atop a pile of broken furniture, walked around the hallways and Crypt in colonial gear with a flag and sword, and allowed other rioters to take photos with him, all adding to the chaos and further impeding efforts of the police officers to clear the building. In its sentencing memorandum filed last week, the government said when Yoder testified at his trial, he falsely cast himself and other rioters as welcome guests at the Capitol and said that police seemed to have complete control. But Yoders public statements made after the riot and even after he was found guilty, the government said, demonstrate his intent to obstruct the certification of the election and his complete lack of remorse for his crimes. He remains animated by his belief that the election and the events of January 6 itself was fraudulent. Prosecutors said Yoder was interviewed at the Truth and Light Freedom Festival in Rogersville, Missouri, last month, an event organizers said was designed to celebrate and raise money for Jan. 6 defendants. During the post-trial interview, Yoder accepted no responsibility for his criminal conduct and instead blamed the government for the events of January 6, the sentencing document said. Yoder appeared to agree with the interviewers characterization that the Court was a kangaroo court, the government said. He also acknowledged that there was an ongoing fundraising effort for his defense. The defendants sister created a GiveSendGo donations page for Isaac Yoder aka George Washington Legal Defense and has raised at least $16,646, the document said. The website indicates the funds will be received by Isaac Yoder and that Yoder is quickly incurring significant financial debt from the efforts to defend himself, the government said. However, since the inception of the case, Yoder has been represented by court-appointed counsel. Yoder should not be able to capitalize on his participation in the Capitol breach in this way. Yoders court filing Thursday included 16 letters from friends, family and business associates who described him as an honest, hard-working, trustworthy man who had earned respect from the church and community. His in-laws called him a gifted and godly young man. A longtime acquaintance said he was a person of excellent character and integrity. Another described him as a sincere patriot, desirous of only good for his country and fellow Americans. Some, however, sharply criticized the government and defended Yoders actions on Jan. 6. Leaving aside our complete disgust with the travesty of convicting this man in the first place, we want to instead focus on what he means to our community, wrote Jerry and Cyndia Haggard, of Nevada. Since you hold his fate in your hands, we implore you to remember your robes and position are supposed to represent justice, not an agenda. This country has been bruised enough by the spectacle of unaccountable government. Please do not add to the unraveling of our nation through an unjust sentencing of this gentle soul. And Jason Claspill wrote: I am taking my valuable time to write this letter as a sign of support for Isaac and his legal actions on January 6th, a day that has been wildly blown out of proportion. He has my support, and I hope others will peacefully exercise their rights to protest in the future. Mobilisation measures are being enhanced in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. Source: Roman Semenukha, deputy head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, during an interdepartmental meeting for implementing of mobilisation measures Quote: "To execute the plans set by the state, the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration is strengthening its cooperation with the regional recruitment and social support centre to carry out the mobilisation measures. We also continue to help our defenders in every way possible." Details: The acting head of the Kharkiv Regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support, representatives of the territorial departments of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine (SBI), the National Police of Ukraine, district Territorial Centres for Recruitment and Social Support, as well as the heads of district military administrations and the hromadas in Kharkiv Oblast, participated in the meeting. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The participants have discussed the steps of cooperation between the bodies that facilitate or conduct mobilisation measures in the territory of Kharkiv Oblast. They also outlined steps to establish commissions on the territory of district military administrations and settlements in the oblast to consider issues related to the strengthening of mobilisation measures. Background: On 23 August, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the military command called on him to allow them to mobilise more people for the war effort. On 25 August, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that Russia was considering recruiting an additional 450,000 people to its army. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Three young boys were trapped inside a submerged car after their mother is accused of leaving them behind, police in Virginia say. Now the 27-year-old faces multiple charges in connection with the Aug. 21 incident. Bystanders sprang into action to rescue the kids, all younger than 10, when their mom drove into a retention pond and walked away with them still inside, Newport News police said in a news release. Officers were called at about 9:30 p.m. Witnesses cut the children from their seat belts and pulled them to safety as the car continued to sink, the release said. All three escaped without injuries. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement They reacted quickly from what I hear, so thats a blessing, Ryen Collier, who lives in the area, told WAVY. Meanwhile, officers went looking for their mom and found her at an apartment complex nearby, according to WTKR. The woman reportedly attacked and spat at officers when they tried to arrest her, the station reported, citing court documents. She was taken to a hospital where she attacked another officer multiple times, police said. The woman was arrested on several charges including public intoxication and reckless driving, according to the release. She also faces three counts of child endangerment. Her kids were evaluated at a local hospital and are expected to be OK, police said. They are now in the care of Child Protective Services. Police Chief Steve Drew praised the bystanders for their quick action. Because of your efforts, these three children escaped this incident, unharmed, Drew said in a statement. I am so grateful for your quick thinking and bravery. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing. Newport News is about 70 miles southeast of Richmond. Man accused of killing 8-year-old forces childs mom to recount the slaying in court Dad finds disturbing videos of his toddler on girlfriends phone, Oklahoma cops say Childs body found in search for missing 2-year-old, Georgia police say. What we know A Pennsylvania man was traveling west on a highway when he decided to pass a tractor-trailer by entering the eastbound lane, authorities said. But as he was in the opposite lane of traffic, his Kia Optima collided head on with a Ford Transit van, according to the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department. The police department was called to the crash, in Penn Township near the Lebanon County line, at 2:22 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. Responding officers found the drivers mother Bethany Welch, 41, of Palmyra was killed in the crash, authorities said. She had been traveling in the front passenger seat of the Optima. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Her son and the driver of the Transit were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Preliminary evidence suggests that the son, also of Palmyra, may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, according to the release. Police do not believe his mom was wearing a seat belt when the fatal collision occurred. The investigation is ongoing and final outcomes, conclusions, and or associated charges are pending, police said. Northern Lancaster County is about 70 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Driver swerves off road and into mailboxes, killing woman getting her mail, cops say Three killed when truck slams head-on into public transit bus, Georgia troopers say 12-year-old dies in head-on crash as family drives home from funeral, loved ones say A Montana man was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Thursday for threatening Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in voicemails to his office. Kevin Patrick Smith pleaded guilty to making threats against a senator in April. According to investigators, Smith called Testers office multiple times in 2022, and in one day left five voicemails where he called the senator a pedophile, threatened to kill him and made fun of the FBI. I want you to understand something very, very clearly, he said in one voicemail. You stand toe to toe with me. I rip your head off. You die. You can send your fing decrepit FBI. I dont care, he continued. Call that a threat. Then the FBI. Send your little decrepit pieces of shit my way. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Capitol Police identified Smith, and Tester was assigned additional security at his Montana residence and district office until police could speak to the man. He told federal investigators he disagreed with Testers politics, and the calls were meant to encourage Tester to change his views. After being interviewed by police, Smith continued to call Testers local district office several times a day, according to investigators. Those calls also contained violent threats including threatening to shoot the senator. Smith was arrested in February and has remained in custody since. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WELLS, Maine Advocates for public beaches are feeling bolstered by their discovery the owners of intertidal properties in Wells are not paying taxes on the land they've prevented people from enjoying for years. For a local group, Our Maine Beaches, the claim is the latest development in a longstanding case, still being litigated, about whether the public should be able to enjoy a wide variety of uses in three intertidal areas along Moody Beach that property owners are asserting are their own private land. Intertidal zones are stretches of beaches between the high- and low-water marks. Advocates for allowing expanded public use of intertidal spaces across Maine's beaches march on Moody Beach on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Attorney Benjamin Ford, who represents Our Maine Beaches, said he and his fellow researchers drew their conclusion about the absence of tax payments on intertidal zones a few weeks ago when examining the property records of the three landowners named in their lawsuit: Judys Moody, LLC, OA2012 Trust, and Ocean 503, LLC. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Previous story: Judge allows portion of Maine beach intertidal zone access suit to move forward During an interview on Aug. 22, Ford wanted to make clear what he and Our Maine Beaches are asserting about the three plaintiffs they are challenging in court. In fairness, its not that they havent been paying taxes, Ford said. Its that theyre not being billed. According to Wells Town Manager Michael Pardue, the town assesses the concentrated value of a beachfront property from its road to its seawall. The value of intertidal zones cannot be captured due to the ebb and flow of tides, he added. "We value the property as stated in the deed," Pardue said. Attempts to reach attorneys representing the property owners were unsuccessful. In a press release on Aug. 18, Our Maine Beaches said one examined record showed one of the properties fronting Moody Beach as measuring 7,261 square feet. Using a simple online measuring tool and a satellite photo, the attorneys measured the lot only from the street to the seawall, or the portion that is above the mean high tide. In doing so, they say they came to roughly the same measurement: 7,233 square feet. These property owners are claiming to own all the way to the low tide line, Ford said. But if you measure the land all the way to the low tide line, it would be three or four times the size listed in the tax records. Ford said examinations of other records of properties along the beach produced the same results. These records show that these individuals do not pay a dime in taxes to the town of Wells for what they claim to be a private beach, Ford said. Attorney Benjamin Ford, of the Portland-based law firm Archipelago, is seen here advocating for his clients during a press conference at Moody Beach in April of 2021. According to Ford, his researchers also investigated whether the price of the land per square foot was higher because the land was situated on the claimed private beach. Ford said they compared the price per square foot of the Moody Beach lot with lots of a similar size on Wells Beach, a public beach. The two prices were nearly identical, Ford said. If they actually paid taxes on the land they claimed to own, their tax bill should be three or four times higher than it is today, Ford said. Emboldened by its claims, Our Maine Beaches held a march and a rally at Moody Beach on Aug. 19. Generally, municipalities vary when it comes to whether or not they tax intertidal zones affiliated with private beachfront properties, according to Kennebunkport Town Assessor Becky Nolette. "The most important thing is consistency," said Nolette. If, for example, a municipality taxes down to the low-water mark of one beachfront property, then it must do so for all beachfront properties in the community, she added. Nolette refrained from discussing the assessing procedures in other communities but did speak of the one in hers. "In Kennebunkport, we do not assess down to the low-water mark," Nolette said. A sign at the boundary between North Beach in Ogunquit and Moody Beach in Wells, shown here in September 2017, advises beachgoers that Moody Beach is private "to the low water mark." Even a few years ago, when Kennebunkport was involved in its own public-private court case involving homes and intertidal zones at Goose Rocks Beach, the town only assessed beachfront properties down to sea walls, Nolette said. The state does not weigh in on assessing such properties, according to Nolette. More: How The Colony is reinventing itself with a new hotel building and a year-round market What does this mean for the lawsuit? Ford said he did not know if his determination would have any concrete legal bearing on the case brought forth by Our Maine Beaches. He added, however, the conclusion he and others have drawn supports their case in principle. The facts on the ground add moral support to the legal arguments we are making in court: the intertidal land belongs to the people of the state of Maine, he said. It always has, and it always will. The case has a long history, with the latest developments occurring as recently as this spring. Back in May, Our Maine Beaches asked the Maine Superior Court for a ruling that asserts many uses of the states beaches and intertidal lands are legal and allowed under current law. The court has not yet ruled on the request. A sign at the boundary between North Beach in Ogunquit and Moody Beach in Wells, shown here in September 2017, advises beachgoers that the beach to the left is private and the beach to the right is public. In its motion, Our Maine Beaches stated that legal language going back to colonial times clearly intended to protect many public uses along the coast. Ford wrote that public authorities wanted to permanently protect beaches for everyone when they crafted language and laws more than 300 years ago. Back then, Ford added, all uses of beaches could be neatly summed up in three words: fishing, fowling and navigation. Ford noted that circumstances change over time and argued that it is just common sense that, as beach usage evolved over the centuries, the laws original intent was always meant to be preserved. The motion listed 36 activities, from scientific research to birdwatching to building sandcastles, and argued that each one is included in a key definition, accepted by the courts, that spell out the publics right to use beaches and intertidal lands. Carriage House Motel: New owner has big plans for historic hotel in Wells, Maine Lawsuit filed in 2021, but dispute goes back decades In April 2021, Ford filed a lawsuit in Portland that sought to return private beaches along the Maine coast to the public. The plaintiffs included both commercial and recreational beachgoers, and the suit took aim at eight defendants, including the three from Wells. Residents Peter and Cathy Masucci, of Wells, are among Fords clients. Others live in such communities throughout Maine and also in Massachusetts. In summer 2021, attorneys for the owners of private beaches filed motions to dismiss the case altogether. In April 2022, Superior Court Justice John ONeil granted the motion to dismiss the case, as it pertained to intertidal land owners in Harpswell and Friendship who were in a dispute with individuals who were harvesting rockweed on their property for commercial purposes. Coast Encounters: How to count the bubbles on sea spaghetti with Coastal Carol But ONeil also gave Ford and his clients a lifeline. When it came to the three Wells defendants, the judge only granted their motions to dismiss in part asserting that the property owners did indeed own their intertidal land but leaving vague the question of what constitutes acceptable public use. Our Maine Beaches saw the opening and filed that motion for a summary judgment in May. In an interview at the time, Ford said his clients want to correct what they believe is a judicial error that the court made regarding land at Moody Beach in the 1980s. In 1984, homeowners along Moody Beach in Wells accused local and state authorities of failing to treat beachgoers on their private beaches as trespassers. The homeowners asked the court to prohibit the public from using the beach in front of their properties, not only on the dry sand but also the intertidal zone, according to a report on public shoreline access produced by the Maine Sea Grant College Program, the Maine Coastal Program, and the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. Two years later, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled the colonial ordinance enacted in the 1640s is part of Maine's common law. That ordinance had acknowledged private ownership of beachfront property as including the intertidal zone, extending all the way to the low-tide mark. It had also recognized the public's right to fish, fowl and navigate on privately owned tidelands, according to the report. In 1989, in Bell v. Town of Wells, known as the Moody Beach case, the state's top court ruled that the only public rights recognized in intertidal areas are those that were outlined in the colonial ordinance: fishing, fowling and navigating. That means beachfront property owners along Maine's coasts have property rights all the way down to the low-tide area, except for an easement to allow the public to engage in those three permitted activities. Ford said Maine courts have addressed a nearly continuous string of cases involving intertidal lands since the 1989 decision. Ford once more asserted that the public should have a right to enjoy intertidal spaces, but added that those who own them should pay taxes for them. So long as they say they own the land, they should pay taxes on it, he said. You shouldnt be able to call the police to escort grandparents and children off your beach unless youre paying taxes on it. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Our Maine Beaches: Land that's not taxed must be open to public Mugshots Of Trump And Co-Defendants Go Viral As Social Media Goes In | CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images Tell us if youve heard this one before: Former president Donald Trump was arrested this week on criminal charges. As Trump surrendered after his fourth criminal indictment this time in Fulton County, Georgia, where he and a host of others face criminal RICO charges for attempting to overturn the 2020 election the news of Trump being arrested has perhaps grown stale. However, because Atlanta doesnt play, this new set of charges is the first time that Trump, as well as a host of codefendants, have gone through the full arrest process, including having their mugshots taken and publicly released. And social media has been going IN on Trump and company as the pictures hit the internet. Even before Trump showed up in Georgia to be processed at the Fulton County jail, X (formerly known as Twitter) was awaiting the release of his picture, with #TrumpMugshot trending. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The greatest mugshot of all time about to hit the internet, one user wrote. The greatest mugshot of all time about to hit the internet #TrumpMugshot pic.twitter.com/SbMotfrySp (@DBGotNextt) August 24, 2023 The wait for the mugshot lasted most of Thursday, as Trump arrived in Fulton County around 7 p.m. and was processed shortly after. Several fake mugshots circulated throughout the day before the genuine picture emerged after 8 p.m. ET, featuring Trump looking quite mad. Trump's real mugshot has finally been released by the Fulton County Sheriff. pic.twitter.com/qso5cCnpbb chris evans (@notcapnamerica) August 25, 2023 One person compared Trumps mugshot to that of former Mafia boss John Gotti. Gotti and Got 'em pic.twitter.com/yjQhcAObLN Truth Hurts (@TruthHrtzz) August 25, 2023 Another post presented Trump, former host of The Apprentice, as an outgoing contestant of another reality TV competition. Donald Trump you were in the bottom two this week and your photos were not good. But I can tell youre going places. Just not with us. Im sorry but you are no longer in the running towards becoming Americas Next Top Model pic.twitter.com/dFDRWRZwHq Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) August 25, 2023 Journalist and music industry veteran Naima Cochrane predicted the image will spark the Black Twitter Photoshop Olympics. This bout to be the Black Twitter Photoshop Olympics https://t.co/URAwUOI1l0 Naima Cochrane (@naima) August 25, 2023 So far, the internet has not failed to deliver, putting Trump in a variety of scenarios. 60 Days In Fulton Co. Jail pic.twitter.com/3oT1q6khFh Hart (@fotosbyfidel) August 25, 2023 One user posted a video compilation that turned Trump into everything from an anime character to an album cover. #TrumpMugShot made somethin with all the edits that have been going around lately lmao pic.twitter.com/KC4iqupWeu Moose (@hahamoose) August 25, 2023 Trump himself, never one to pass up an opportunity for self-promotion, used the mugshot as his return post to the X social media platform, making a defiant post with the mugshot. Trump wasnt the only person to have their picture taken at the Fulton County jail. By the time the former president surrendered on Thursday, at least nine of his codefendants had surrendered and been processed at the jail. A number of people found particular satisfaction in seeing Rudy Giulianis mugshot, given his history as a prosecutor who used RICO charges against organized crime and a mayor who heavily policed Black and brown communities in New York City. Blogger Chanteezy tweeted, The slum of South Brooklyn is getting what he deserves. Karma. The slum of South Brooklyn is getting what he deserves. Karma https://t.co/DTSXfHowQX The Chanteezy Is Real (@iamchanteezy) August 24, 2023 Writer and activist Maya Contreras analyzed the odd smile that Jenna Ellis chose to display in her mugshot, seeing it as a possible attempt to hide guilt. I knew Jenna Ellis was going to smile in her mugshot. I looked up the #1 reason people smile in their mugshot. The answer? They were intoxicated and unaware of what they are doing. The 2nd reason? Attempting to control the narrative. The latter would be my guess for Ellis. pic.twitter.com/rzvPOfdaRy Maya Contreras (@mayatcontreras) August 23, 2023 Jules Morgan noted that Atlanta-based lawyer Ray Smith, who helped Trump as he attempted to challenge thousands of votes in Georgia, looks like a creepy hit man. Whoa, Ray Smith looks like a creepy hit man. Look at his eyes. https://t.co/tlm1Gcferd Jules Morgan (@glamelegance) August 23, 2023 By Thursday, an array of nine mugshots of Trumps codefendants started making the rounds on social media, drawing comparison to a criminal version of the Brady Bunch. Good morning to everyone not part of The Shady Bunch. We have another mugshot coming today. pic.twitter.com/T8qCNVWrhl FROKristin (@FROkristin) August 24, 2023 Jemele Hill had a slightly different take, declaring, Each one of these folks look like the villain in an SVU episode. In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous . Each one of these folks look like the villain in an SVU episode. pic.twitter.com/oxWqVvdUaU Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 23, 2023 And one imaginative X user reimagined the group as Batman villains. While we wait for the ring leader, here's those Gotham City mug shots in one handy image #TrumpMugShot #RudyMugShot pic.twitter.com/OlRoATdsvy HappyToast (@IamHappyToast) August 24, 2023 Hours before Trumps surrender, Harrison Floyd head of Black Voices for Trump turned himself in; unlike the others, he did not reach a bond agreement and remains in custody. I guess he ain't get that "you can't do what they do" speech at home. https://t.co/eABJ840BO7 Naima Cochrane (@naima) August 24, 2023 With these mugshots spread across everything from memes to merchandise, expect to see these pictures across the internet for some time to come. And given the slew of criminal charges these people face, expect to see them on the news and in courtrooms for the foreseeable future as well. From cockroaches to dripping ducts, South Carolina health inspectors found numerous violations at Myrtle Beach-area restaurants this week. The state releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Horry and Georgetown counties. Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings this week. RWay Pizza and Family Tavern Location: 13088 Ocean Highway, Unit 1, Pawleys Island Grade: C, 78% for a routine inspection on Aug. 16 The inspector found cockroaches in the dry storage area. Debris and food had built up on the kitchen walls and under the equipment. Chemical spray bottles were stored with rolling pins and some bottles were unlabeled. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A required followup inspection was held on Aug. 23 and the restaurant got an A grade. Read the full report for RWay. Conway Mart (called Food Shoppe on Google Maps) Location: 1300 U.S. 501 Business, Conway Grade: B, 78% for a routine inspection on Aug. 15 The business agreed to voluntarily close after the inspector discovered none of the refrigerators kept food cold enough. In addition, one hand sink had a pork butt in it and another was missing soap and paper towels. When an inspector returned the next day, the walk-in cooler was being repaired and no food was in it. The Sun News attempted to reach the facility but the phone number didnt work. Conway Mart got a B grade for the Aug. 16 follow-up inspection. Read Conway Marts routine inspection report. Conch Cafe Location: 1870 N. Waccamaw Drive, Murrells Inlet Grade: B, 79% for a routine inspection on Aug. 15 The inspector discovered fruit cups stored in ice intended for consumption. A HVAC duct dripped onto kitchen prep tables and food was stored below a leaking fan. Food on the cookline was not kept cold enough. A required follow-up inspection has not yet been held. Read Conch Cafes full report. Litchfield Restaurant Location: 12223 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island Grade: A, 83% for a routine inspection on Aug. 17 An inspector saw flies all around the kitchen and food stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. An employee didnt wash their hands in between changing gloves. The kitchens vents had dust on them. A required follow-up inspection was held on Aug. 23 and the restaurant got an A grade. Read Litchfield Restaurants full report. NASA asked private companies to figure out how to make commercial supersonic flight "a reality." Mach 2 to 4 planes, flying up to 3,045 mph, could be used on 50 established flight routes, per NASA. This comes as NASA is starting to test its own X-59 supersonic plane to make sonic booms quieter. NASA has reached another milestone in its plans to develop supersonic planes that could take passengers from London to New York in under 1.5 hours. The agency announced Tuesday that Boeing and Northrop Grumman had been awarded contracts to develop roadmaps to make "Mach 2-plus travel a reality." The companies, along with other industry partners, will develop concepts for planes that could reach up to 3,045 miles per hour or up to Mach 4. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement By comparison, modern-day aircraft travel up to roughly 600 miles per hour, per NASA. The Concorde, a discontinued supersonic jet, had a top cruise speed of about 1,340 miles per hour, or just above Mach 2. NASA has determined that there is a passenger market for supersonic flights on about 50 existing commercial flight routes, per NASA. The designs will be "really important" to NASA's advanced high-speed travel strategy, said Mary Jo Long-Davis, manager of NASA's Hypersonic Technology Project. To make supersonic flight a reality, it needs to become quieter The news comes as NASA begins testing its own supersonic plane. NASA's X-59, developed with Lockheed Martin, was been designed to break the sound barrier while reducing the loud sonic boom to a "sonic thump," the agency said in a statement last month. NASA's X-59 is pictured near its runway at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, on June 19, 2023. NASA/Lockheed Martin This is an important experiment because non-military supersonic flight over land has been banned by federal regulations for over 50 years in the US. The ban, implemented in 1973, was "strongly influenced" by public surveys saying people were often startled by the loud sound and scared it could damage their property, per NASA. A sonic boom can produce around 110 decibels of noise, about the same amount as an explosion or a thunderclap, according to NASA. With its X-59, NASA wants to set new noise standards for supersonic flight industries by reducing "annoying sonic booms to something much quieter,'" said John Wolter, lead researcher on the X-59 sonic boom wind tunnel test. NASA said the X-59 was moved out of its construction site and is now being subjected to ground tests to ensure it is safe for flight. The agency aims to fly the X-59 over select communities in 2025 to see if they find the noise acceptable. "We're definitely ready to write a new chapter in the history of supersonic flight, making air travel over land twice as fast, but in a way that is safe, sustainable, and so much quieter than before," Peter Coen, NASA's mission integration manager for Quesst, a mission designed to reduce the noise of supersonic flight, said in a statement in April. Read the original article on Business Insider Update: Liftoff of Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon Endurance carrying NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station at 3:27 a.m. EDT Saturday. Shortly after, the first-stage booster landed back at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Landing Zone 1. Thursday night at Kennedy Space Center, NASA and SpaceX teams stood down from a first attempt to launch three astronauts and a cosmonaut to the International Space Station, setting the stage for another attempt this weekend. The next opportunity to send NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov to the space station for a six-month stay is planned for 3:27 a.m. Saturday from pad 39A at KSC. A little less than 18 hours later the same day, SpaceX teams are set to attempt a launch doubleheader with the company's latest Falcon 9 Starlink mission slated to fly from nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Follow FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team live launch coverage beginning three hours before the liftoff of Crew-7. What caused the SpaceX Crew-7 scrub? Just before 11 p.m. Thursday, the countdown clock at KSC paused, and NASA confirmed the called-off attempt shortly after. SpaceX later posted to social media that the "new launch date provides teams additional time to complete and discuss analysis." SpaceX and NASA are now targeting no earlier than Saturday, August 26 for Falcon 9 to launch Dragon to the @space_station. The new launch date provides teams additional time to complete and discuss analysis. The vehicles remain healthy and crew is ready to fly pic.twitter.com/ojWTwRTS8v SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 25, 2023 NASA on Friday morning said in a blog post that "after performing an extra data review, teams decided to take additional time to reconfirm required factors of safety and operational margin on one of the Dragon spacecrafts environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) components." "All ECLSS valves on the Crew-7 and Crew-6 Dragon spacecraft are performing normally, and performed as expected in all preflight testing," the blog post said. "The new launch date provides teams additional time to complete the analysis and thoroughly review the necessary data ahead of launch." The latest weather report from the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron projected conditions around the spaceport to be 95% "go" for a Saturday liftoff. Only a slight chance of cumulus clouds was listed as a concern. Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings Meet the crew: NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts land in Florida ahead of liftoff to the space station What's next for NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 mission? When it does launch, the Crew-7 mission will be the first of NASA's Commercial Crew Program to fly with only one U.S. astronaut onboard and the first time a foreign astronaut will pilot a Crew Dragon since missions with SpaceX began in 2020. After liftoff in a first-time occurrence for a NASA crewed mission the Falcon 9 first-stage booster will somersault and target a landing back at the Cape's Landing Zone 1 about eight minutes after liftoff which will generate middle-of-the-night sonic booms. After separation from the Falcon 9's upper stage 12 minutes into the flight, the Dragon Endurance spacecraft and its four occupants will spend about 30 hours in orbit "chasing" the space station. An autonomous docking attempt is slated for 8:50 a.m. Sunday. When is the next SpaceX Starlink launch from Florida? Another SpaceX mission, Starlink 6-11, is set to fly from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station a little less than 18 hours after the Crew-7 liftoff. That mission is set to liftoff at 9:05 p.m. EDT Saturday from the Cape's Launch Complex 40. If needed, teams have three additional opportunities during the window, which extends until 11:04 p.m. Space Force forecasters last projected conditions for that mission to be 95% "go." "With little moisture to tap into, northeasterly flow will bring only very isolated low-topped showers over the Space Coast," a report released Friday said. "Therefore, the primary concern during the launch window will be the Cumulus Cloud Rule." For the latest schedule updates, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule. Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on X.com at @AlteredJamie. Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: After scrub, double SpaceX launches set for Saturday from Florida Meet the newest, four-legged bundles of joy at the Nashville Zoo: a clouded leopard cub and a banded palm civet kit. The zoo recently added the adorable arrivals to its nursery, part of ongoing animal conservation efforts. The male clouded leopard cub, not yet named, was born July 18 at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The banded civet kit was born Aug. 12 at Nashville Zoo. He too is waiting on a name. Getting to know Nashville's newest cub The cub was brought to Music City for hand rearing and mating, where the local zoo serves as a national leader in clouded leopard breeding and care. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Clouded Leopard Species Survival Plan chose the Nashville Zoo to oversee the cub's development and mating pairing. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Weve been breeding and raising these cats since 1991 and have learned a lot about this process, Dr. Heather Schwartz, the zoos director of Veterinary Services, said in a release. We hand rear our cubs because it allows this normally nervous species to become acclimated to the sights and sounds of human interaction, typical in an exhibit environment." The cub will remain in the zoos Veterinary Center nursery until it is old enough to be moved to a larger habitat on the property, eventually being introduced to a suitable mate. A clouded leopard cub born July 18 at the Oklahoma City Zoo has made its way to Nashville Zoo, where it will be raised and bred. You can watch the cub live in the nursery online at https://www.nashvillezoo.org/veterinary-center. Clouded leopards are native to tropical lowlands in Southeast Asia countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh. The species is considered vulnerable to extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, due to deforestation, poaching and pet trade. Researches estimate around 10,000 clouded leopards survive in the wild. It is one of the rarest species to track as it is among the most elusive. Zoo president and CEO Rick Schwartz said clouded leopard males can be aggressive when introduced to females. "This can cause serious, even lethal injury to the females," Schwartz said. "Hand rearing this species lowers aggression and increases the chance of successful mating." The Association of Zoos and Aquariums now recommends hand rearing for all cubs of this species. A cute kit from Asia A banded civet kit was born at Nashville Zoo Aug. 12. The new animal will be trained as an ambassador for the zoo. The banded civet kit was removed from its mother due to inadequate milk production; the newborn will be hand-raised in the nursey and eventually become an ambassador animal, educating the public about the species and its native environment. Palm civets are small nocturnal mammals native to the rainforests and jungles of Southeast Asia. It's categorized as a threatened species due to habitat loss from deforestation, agriculture, plantations, water damming and hunting. Nashville Zoo has successfully bred the species since 2015. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Zoo welcomes clouded leopard cub and clouded leopard cub The National Organization for Women (NOW) PAC has endorsed President Bidens reelection bid, the campaign announced Friday in the groups earliest-ever endorsement for a presidential reelection campaign. NOW PAC lauded Biden and Vice President Harris for their work on womens equality and rights long before they walked into the White House but highlighted the administrations creation of the Gender Policy Council, its push to codify Roe v. Wade and the nomination of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, among other accomplishments. This is our earliest endorsement for a presidential reelection campaign because the Biden-Harris administration has and continues to place womens issues at the forefront, not through words but through actions, said Christian Nunes, NOW PAC chairwoman and NOW national president, in a statement. Nunes called the Biden-Harris administration the firewall against extremist attacks on womens rights, from access to abortion and contraception to pay parity and equity. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While every election is consequential, the 2024 election will make or break our democracy. And as always, women will be on the right side of history because we will continue to break feminist turnout records. We have no choice because all of our rights are on the line, Nunes said. Biden-Harris 2024 Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement the team is honored by the NOW PAC endorsement and plans to work with the organization to mobilize women in historic numbers to reelect the president next year. 57 years since the founding of NOW, the stakes of this election for women couldnt be higher, Rodriguez said. She noted comments from MAGA Republicans during the GOPs first presidential primary debate, which took place Wednesday night in Milwaukee, in favor of a nationwide abortion ban. President Biden and Vice President Harris havent been afraid to fight against MAGA Republican attacks on womens rights. They have delivered on key issues for American women during their time in office and are committed to codifying Roe v. Wade into law, Rodriguez said. NOW PAC, the political arm of the largest grassroots feminist organization in the U.S., endorsed the Biden-Harris campaign in their first run for the Oval Office in August 2020, less than three months before Election Day. Fridays endorsement for Bidens reelection bid comes more than a year before Election Day 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo have less than five months to say their farewells to the iconic giant pandas who've been at the zoo for nearly 23 years. The two adult giant pandas, Mei Xiang (female) and Tian Tian (male), and their cub Xiao Qi Ji (male) are returning to China by Dec. 7. An agreement between the zoo and China Wildlife and Conservation Association brought the panda pair to the U.S. on December 6, 2000. The adult pandas were supposed to stay for a decade as part of a research and breeding agreement, but the program with China was extended several times. The once-endangered species are now designated as "vulnerable," following a population growth of nearly 17% between 2007 and 2017. The International Union for Conservation of Nature upgraded giant Pandas on the global list of species at risk of extinction, according the World Wildlife Fund. Only 1,864 wild pandas remain in the wild, mostly in China's Sichuan Province. History of giant pandas in US zoos Over 50 years ago, The National Zoo received its first pandas from China, Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling, as an effort to save the species by breeding them. The Zoo's giant panda team works closely with colleagues in China to advance conservation efforts around the world, according to the zoo's conservation biology institute. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mei Xiang has given birth to seven cubs while at the zoo. Four of her cubs are living, and three died before adulthood. As part of the agreement with China, cubs must be returned by age 4. When Mei Xiang gave birth to Xiao Qi Ji in August of 2020, she became the oldest giant panda to have a cub in North America. Once the three giant pandas return to their homeland from Washington, D.C., only four giant pandas will be left in the U.S.: Lun Lun and Yang Yang, and their offspring Ya Lun and Xi Lun, all of which live at Zoo Atlanta. May 21, 2021; Washington, DC, USA. Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji, left, celebrates his 9-month birthday with his mother Mei Xiang, 22 years of age, as visitors make their return to the Smithsonian National Zoo on May 21, 2021 in Washington. The National Zoo opened for the first time on Friday since November 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY The younger cubs at Zoo Atlanta are expected to travel to China in 2024, the zoo says. The adult pandas are expected to return as well, as there has been no discussion about extending the loan agreement instated in the mid-1990's, according to the zoo. The Memphis Zoo returned their panda, Ya Ya, in April after a 20-year loan agreement with China ended, according to The Associated Press. Memphis and the San Diego Zoo, which sent two giant pandas to China in 2019, were the only other zoos in the U.S. to house pandas. Farewell Ya Ya: Giant panda returns to China after 20 years at Memphis Zoo A much-needed moment of pure joy: Giant panda at National Zoo gives birth to cub This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Zoo's iconic giant pandas head to China in December Join Native News Online Publisher Levi Rickert and Staff Reporter Darren Thompson on tomorrow's Native Bidaske as they interview Mona Perea (Dine) and Loni Bernally (San Ildefonso Pueblo), who handled artist service for the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts about the 101st Santa Fe Indian Market. SWAIA hosted the 101st Santa Fe Indian Market to crowds celebrating American Indian culture, art, fashion, and people. The legendary Indian fine arts market has attracted crowds from all over the world for 101 years and continues to bring talent, tradition, and appreciation for American Indian culture and arts. Thompson was on the ground last weekend at the 101st Santa Fe Indian Market, and his photo gallery has been the most-read article on Native News Online this week. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Perea and Bernally will share the highlights of last weeks Santa Fe Indian Market. They will discuss how some of the top Native American artisans are part of a legacy of their families who have had art entries in the Indian Art Market for decades. Perea, who has been in education the majority of her adult life, uses her talents to work directly with the hundreds of Native American artists who have entries in the Indian Art Market. Bernally, equipped with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Indigenous Liberal Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), has committed her talents to ensure the artists feel welcome at the Indian Art Market. Tune into the live stream on Friday, August 25 at 12 p.m. EST. on the Native News Online Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net An epidemic-prevention worker in a protective suit stands guard at the gate of a residential compound as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks continue in Beijing An epidemic-prevention worker in a protective suit stands guard at the gate of a residential compound as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks continue in Beijing By Bernard Orr BEIJING (Reuters) - China's abrupt move to dismantle its strict COVID-19 regime, which unleashed the virus onto its 1.4 billion residents, could have led to nearly 2 million excess deaths in the following two months, a new U.S. study shows. The study by the federally funded Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle was taken from a sample of mortality data published by some universities in China and internet searches. It found an estimated 1.87 million excess deaths from all causes occurred among people over 30 years of age between December 2022 and January 2023, and were observed in all provinces in mainland China except Tibet. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement China's decision last December to end the three-year zero-COVID policy, which included mass-testing and stringent and persistent quarantine lockdowns, led to a massive surge in hospitalisations and deaths that health experts say were largely unreported by the government. The study, published on Thursday in JAMA Network Open, said the number of excess deaths far exceeded official Chinese government estimates in January that 60,000 people with COVID-19 had died in hospital since the zero-COVID policy was abandoned a month earlier. In the study, researchers performed statistical analysis using information from published obituaries and data from searches on Baidu, a popular Chinese internet search engine. "Our study of excess deaths related to the lifting of the zero-COVID policy in China sets an empirically derived benchmark estimate. These findings are important for understanding how the sudden propagation of COVID-19 across a population may impact population mortality," researchers wrote. China's National Health Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. Global health experts repeatedly called on China to reveal more data as reports of rising hospitalisations and deaths started to surface, and especially as the threat of new variants became a concern. China stopped reporting official daily death results at the end of 2022. The World Health Organization says there have been 121,628 COVID deaths in China, out of a total global toll of almost 7 million. In a rare move, one Chinese province briefly published data on its website in July showing cremations jumped 70% in the first quarter of this year that was later taken down. In February, China's top leaders declared a "decisive victory" over COVID. But the virus is still making its rounds in the country and on Thursday, Beijing health officials said COVID is still the number one infectious disease in the capital, according to Chinese state media. Officials cited a new Omicron variant, called EG.5 or "Eris" nicknamed after the Greek Goddess of strife and discord, as the current dominant strain across China. "The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention said the proportion of the new variant EG.5 increased from 0.6% in April to 71.6% in August, becoming the dominant strain in most provinces in China," the Global Times reported. (Reporting by Bernard Orr; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) The Netherlands will hand over all its F-16 fighters to the Ukrainian Armed Forces but retain a few for training Ukrainian pilots. Source: Kajsa Ollongren , Dutch Defence Minister, in an interview with European Pravda Details: "We have 42 of them but some of those airplanes will be used to train Ukrainian pilots. The others we will transfer to Ukraine," Ollongren said. The minister explained this by saying that training for pilots never ends. "It's not going to be necessarily in the Netherlands. Were looking at the training center in Romania. You always continue training. For as long as you use F-16s, you will train new pilots, and you will have the need for also this training center," said Ollongren. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The minister noted that the Netherlands has been doing this for 40 years. "You cant train just one batch and then stop the training. It has to be a continuous process," Ollongren added. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could count on all 42 F-16s which the Netherlands has at its disposal, but will not receive them immediately. Kajsa Ollongren considers that a realistic timeframe for the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine is six to eight months because several prerequisites must be met before this can happen. For more information, watch the video Conditions for F-16s, permission to strike Crimea, and where pilots will be trained. Interview with the Dutch Defence Ministry. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A 62-year-old man is facing charges in connection to the death of a toddler left in an extremely hot vehicle for hours outside an Omaha, Nebraska, day care. Ryan Williams, a driver for Kidz of the Future II Childcare Center, was charged with child abuse neglect resulting in death after being accused of leaving a 1-year-old child inside the van, KETV reported. RaMiyah Worthington, 1, was left in a van outside a day care for hours. She was later pronounced dead. (WOWT/Screenshot) Omaha police said the child, identified as RaMiyah Worthington, was inside the van for about six hours on Aug. 21, per the report. When authorities arrived at the scene, Worthington was unresponsive. Related: I Break Down Every Day Since: Drunk Driver Who Killed 6-Year-Old, Grandfather and 2 Other Children Heading for Ice Cream Was Going Over 120 Mph, Police Say; Mom Wants Maximum She was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced dead. Court records revealed that her body temperature was 109 degrees, the outlet reported. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Worthington and her siblings were picked up by Williams that morning, according to WOWT. Both of them were unloaded upon arrival, while the toddler remained inside the car. Speaking with police, Williams said that nine children were in the van that day. When they got to the day care, and as he was taking them out of the vehicle, one child did not want to go inside the center, the news station reported, citing an affidavit. Another employee came outside to assist with the boy, and Williams closed the door, allegedly failing to double-check if all the children were out, the report said. When he was ready to do his afternoon run, he discovered Worthington in the back and called law enforcement. Click here to read the full story. The incident is under investigation, and the state Department of Health and Human Services announced an emergency order to temporarily close the day care until further investigations can take place, WOWT reported. Worthingtons loved ones gathered in front of the day care center to protest on Tuesday, calling for accountability. My baby did not come home. Her siblings did, her mother, Sina Johnson, told KETV. She didnt. How did yall forget about her? Yall picked all of em up, took em off the van. How did yall forget my baby? In addition, the family created a fundraiser seeking donations to cover the funeral and expenses for Worthingtons other siblings. It has raised nearly $30,000, surpassing its original goal. Joseph Hart, a former Kansas City priest and retired Wyoming bishop whose tenure was clouded by a string of sexual abuse allegations deemed credible by two U.S. bishops but dismissed by the Vatican, died Wednesday. He was 91. His death was confirmed late Wednesday afternoon by the Diocese of Cheyenne. Hart had been dealing with health issues for years and had recently entered hospice care. Hart had been the subject of abuse allegations spanning more than three decades and was the target of two criminal investigations in Wyoming that both ended without charges being filed. He also was one of several priests featured in Procession, a highly acclaimed 2021 Netflix documentary about clergy sexual abuse. News of Harts death evoked a strong reaction from sexual abuse survivors and their families. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement May his victims know that they are believed, said Ed Gavagan, of New York City, who grew up in Cheyenne and whose allegations against Hart led to the criminal investigations. And may the families of those victims who died without knowing that fact be comforted by the community of survivors who worked against all odds to expose both the abusers and the long, shameful collusion of the Catholic Church in hiding their sins. Darrel Hunter, who with his two brothers was among the minors Hart was accused of abusing in Kansas City decades ago, said the death was difficult to process. Upon learning of his death, as a victim of abuse by Joseph Hart when I was a boy, I can only express profound disappointment in his failure and that of his church to bring about a just solution for the harm that he caused to so many families, he said. Hart had maintained his innocence over the years. After the Vatican exonerated him in 2021, his attorney, Thomas Jubin, said in a statement that the allegations were unwarranted and accused Steven Biegler, the bishop of Cheyenne who pushed for an investigation, of grandstanding. Bishop Hart has had to live under the cloud of these allegations for many years, especially so since Bishop Biegler was installed as Bishop of Cheyenne and began this divisive, irresponsible and unfathomable campaign against his predecessor, Jubin said. Despite this, Bishop Hart asks me to convey that he continues to pray for all involved in this case so that they may find peace and healing. He now asks, and I ask, too, that he may now be afforded peace in the twilight of this life as he prepares to meet his God in the next. The Cheyenne diocese had remained responsible for Harts care until his death. Born Sept. 26, 1931, Hart was a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph from 1956 to 1976. He became auxiliary bishop of Cheyenne in 1976 and was bishop from 1978 until retiring in 2001. Allegations against Hart first surfaced in 1989 and 1992, with two Missouri men alleging that Hart had sexually abused them when they were boys and he was a priest in Kansas City. Church officials at the time found those allegations not credible, but the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese helped one of the men buy a pickup truck and paid for his counseling. The diocese also paid for counseling for two sisters of the other man. In 2018, Bishop James V. Johnston found those allegations to be substantiated. In 2002, Gavagan accused Hart of sexually abusing him as a boy when his family lived in Cheyenne. Authorities in Cheyenne concluded there was no evidence to support the allegations. But in July 2018, Biegler then the new bishop of Cheyenne announced that the diocese had reopened its investigation into Hart. Biegler said the previous investigation was flawed and that a second man had come forward alleging sexual abuse by Hart. Both mens allegations, Biegler said, had been deemed credible and substantiated. Wyoming authorities, spurred by the Cheyenne diocese, opened a new criminal investigation. If charged, Hart would have become the highest-ranking Roman Catholic cleric in the country to face criminal prosecution for sexual abuse of a minor. Though the alleged abuse occurred decades ago, Wyoming unlike most states has no statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions, so charges can be filed years later. In August 2019, the Cheyenne Police Department recommended that Hart be charged. By September 2019, the Diocese of Cheyenne said it had received a total of six credible allegations against Hart. According to the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese, Hart was named by 10 individuals in lawsuits regarding child sexual abuse claims in that diocese dating from the 1970s. Those claims were part of two settlements of $10 million each that the diocese entered into in 2008 and 2014 in cases involving dozens of victims and numerous priests. In September 2019, the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese said it had received four additional allegations against Hart in the past year. In 2020, a special prosecutor assigned to the criminal case in Cheyenne declined to file charges against Hart, citing insufficient evidence. That decision, Biegler said, didnt mean the alleged victims were not credible. I commend the victims who have spoken courageously about their abuse, Biegler said in a strongly worded statement. I also stand behind the determination made by the Diocese of Cheyenne that allegations of sexual abuse against former Bishop Hart are credible. In January 2021, despite both Bieglers and Johnstons findings that the allegations against Hart were credible, the Vatican cleared him of seven accusations that he sexually abused minors and said five others could not be proven with moral certitude. But the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also issued a canonical rebuke to Hart, the Cheyenne diocese said, for his flagrant lack of prudence as a priest and bishop for being alone with minors in his private residence and on various trips, which could have been potential occasions endangering the obligation to observe continence and that would give rise to scandal among the faithful. Hart also was rebuked for his disregard of the urgent requests that he refrain from public engagements that would cause scandal among the faithful due to the numerous accusations against him and the civil and canonical investigations and processes being conducted in his regard, the Cheyenne diocese said. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith reminded Hart that restrictions placed upon him by Pope Francis in 2018 remained in force, the diocese said. Those restrictions prohibited Hart from having any contact with minors, youth, seminarians and vulnerable adults and from presiding or participating anywhere in any public celebration of the Liturgy. Biegler, clearly disappointed in the Vaticans exoneration of Hart, had a message for the accusers who had come forward. Today, I want the survivors to know that I support and believe you, Biegler said in the dioceses statement. I understand that this announcement will not bring closure to the survivors, their family members, Bishop Hart and all those affected. I will continue to work and pray for their healing and for all involved in these painful and distressing matters. In the Diocese of Cheyenne, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect the most vulnerable and to accompany those who have been harmed on a journey of healing. The Cheyenne diocese said the accusations against Hart involved 11 males and one female. Moral certitude is held to be equivalent to beyond a reasonable doubt, the standard of proof required for a criminal conviction, it said. These findings do not equate to innocence; rather, a high burden of proof has not been met, the diocese said. Johnston issued a statement on the Kansas City-St. Joseph dioceses website at the time, saying the case was of special interest because several of the accusations against Bishop Hart originated from our diocese, dating to the time when he served here as a priest prior to becoming a bishop in Cheyenne in 1976. This has been a long and often difficult process, especially for the survivors and their families who bravely shared their stories, Johnston said. I am grateful for the courage and perseverance of those who brought this matter to a point of decision; the survivors, their families and Bishop Biegler. Just five months earlier, as the Vatican was still investigating Harts case, Gavagan had received a letter from Pope Francis in response to an emotional letter hed written the pontiff. Gavagan had described what hed endured and asked Francis to remove Hart from the priesthood and strip him of the authority that his arrogance and vanity have used to cover his evil. Now, Hart is very close to death, Gavagan wrote. But whatever awaits him after this life needs also some measure of earthly judgment and accountability. He has evaded all of it so far by using his office and the church as protection. Francis responded in a letter dated Aug. 20, 2020. Reading your letter, I felt pain, indignation and great shame in learning that a brother bishop had done these things, he wrote. Your letter ends with, I need your help. For my part, I will make every effort to help. Please know that I am close to you, and allow me to say that, since reading the letter and beginning to reply, I myself have been brought to tears. I ask your forgiveness and I promise that I will seriously concern myself with this matter. Washington Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has issued subpoenas to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and a former chief investigator in his office compelling them to testify at a hearing Monday over Mark Meadows ' effort to move his prosecution over an alleged attempt to reverse the outcome of Georgia's 2020 election to federal court. Willis revealed the subpoenas in a pair of filings with the federal district court in Atlanta on Thursday that included the notices commanding Raffensperger and Frances Watson, former chief investigator of the Georgia secretary of state's Investigations Division, to testify at the hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday. Raffensperger's office did not have a comment. The proceeding ordered by U.S. District Judge Steve Jones will focus on the attempt by Meadows, former President Donald Trump 's last White House chief of staff, to move his criminal case from the Fulton County Superior Court to federal district court. Meadows is among the 19 defendants charged in the state racketeering case brought by Willis over an alleged scheme to overturn Trump's electoral loss in Georgia. He faces two counts for allegedly violating Georgia's racketeering law and allegedly soliciting a Georgia public officer to violate his oath of office. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Meadows agreed to a $100,000 bond, according to a court filing, and he was booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday. Then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows speaks to the press in Statuary Hall at the Capitol on Aug. 22, 2020. / Credit: Gabriella Demczuk/Getty Images Meadows argued that his case should be heard in federal court because the conduct detailed in the indictment related to his work a White House employee, and his status as a federal officer protects him from being arrested and brought to trial in state court. "Nothing Mr. Meadows is alleged in the indictment to have done is criminal per se: arranging Oval Office meetings, contacting state officials on the President's behalf, visiting a state government building, and setting up a phone call for the President," Meadows' lawyers told the court last week. "One would expect a Chief of Staff to the President of the United States to do these sorts of things." Trump's former chief of staff had asked Jones to postpone his surrender to Fulton County law enforcement Willis imposed a deadline of noon Friday for Meadows and the others charged to turn themselves in as his attempt to move his case out of state court is litigated. Jones, though, rejected Meadows' request, writing in an order that federal law doesn't allow for interference by a federal court at this point in the case. "The clear statutory language for removing a criminal prosecution, does not support an injunction or temporary stay prohibiting District Attorney Willis's enforcement or execution of the arrest warrant against Meadows," the judge said. Willis has opposed Meadows' attempt to move the case to federal court, calling it "baseless and in direct contravention with the requirements of the law." "Here, the defendant does not allege that his prosecution is taken in bad faith, that there is no hope of obtaining a valid conviction, or that it is being taken to harass the defendant," she and prosecutors in her office wrote. "The defendant is simply requesting that this Court prevent him from being lawfully arrested as any criminal defendant would be after indictment on felony charges by a grand jury." The indictment returned by the Fulton County grand jury last week notes that Meadows participated in a Jan. 2, 2021, call between Trump and Raffensperger, during which the former president urged Georgia's secretary of state to "find" 11,870 votes, the number needed for Trump to defeat Joe Biden in the state. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks to the media about early voting progress on Oct. 25, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. / Credit: Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images Meadows also traveled to Cobb County, Georgia, on Dec. 22, 2020, and attempted to observe the signature match audit being performed there by Georgia Bureau of Investigation officers and the secretary of state's office, even though it wasn't open to the public, according to the indictment. He allegedly spoke with Watson and others, who stopped him from entering the place where the audit was being conducted. The 98-page charging document claims Meadows arranged a Dec. 23, 2020, call Trump made to Watson. During the call, Trump falsely claimed he won the November 2020 election in Georgia and told Watson "when the right answer comes out you'll be praised," according to the indictment. Meadows allegedly sent Watson a text message on Dec. 27, 2020, asking whether there was "a way to speed up Fulton county signature verification in order to have results before Jan 6 if the trump campaign assist financially," the indictment states. Jan. 6, 2021, is the date Congress convened to tally state electoral votes and reaffirm Mr. Biden's win. The joint session was disrupted when a violent mob breached the Capitol building, leading to a pause in the proceedings. Meadows' lawyers told the court that these acts forming the basis of the charges against him "all fall squarely within his conduct as Chief of Staff." Conservatives' positions on climate change in spotlight after GOP primary debate U.S. believes alleged Prigozhin plane crash caused by onboard explosion Bison returning from brink of extinction in Yellowstone An aerial view shows the storage tanks for treated water at the inactive Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan on Aug. 22. An aerial view shows the storage tanks for treated water at the inactive Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan on Aug. 22. Japan began pumping treated radioactive water from the defunct Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, capping off a yearslong saga that pitted fearful local fishermen and neighboring countries against Tokyo officials and scientific evidence showing that releasing the water poses less danger than keeping it in storage. In March 2011, a tsunami flooded the generators powering the backup cooling system for the reactors at the atomic power station on Japans northeast coast, triggering the worst nuclear meltdown since 1986s Chernobyl. Since then, the Tokyo Electric Power Company has continued circulating cold water through the disabled reactors to keep the radioactive fuel cool. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Its a routine process employed by most of the 400-some commercial nuclear reactors operating in the 32 countries that use atomic energy. Once the water cycles through the reactors, utilities such as TEPCO filter out the most dangerous radioactive materials that form during the splitting of uranium atoms. One major radioisotope remains: tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen that is virtually impossible to strip from water. Too weak to penetrate human skin, tritium is considered one of the least harmful radionuclides. There is no data that shows tritium causes cancer in humans, though experiments on mice forced to ingest very large daily doses of tritium throughout their lifetimes tended to develop cancer and die younger than their counterparts who hadnt, according to a 2021 paper in the Journal of Radiation Research. Tritium is difficult to detect in the environment, making large-scale epidemiological research challenging. To play it safe, regulators around the world have typically set limits for releasing tritium into waterways at levels far below than what naturally occurs from cosmic rays and even lower than what sewage treatment facilities spew into rivers, bays and oceans. A South Korean activist holds a placard that reads A South Korean activist holds a placard that reads "SOS!! Pacific Ocean!" during a protest against the planned release of wastewater from Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific, outside City Hall in Seoul on Aug. 22, after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the release will begin on Aug. 24. As such, nuclear operations typically just dilute so-called tritiated water and release it into large waterways where the isotope is indistinguishable from naturally occurring levels of tritium. Outside of anti-nuclear activist circles, where decontextualized information about the risks associated with atomic energy is rife, these routine releases of tritium usually garner little attention. But over the past 12 years, TEPCO has accumulated more than 1 million metric tons of tritiated water in tanks stored in Japan enough to fill 500 Olympic-size swimming pools. Those stockpiles are nearing capacity and, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, risk another accident if an earthquake or giant wave causes the tanks to leak tritium in uncontrolled volumes. So, after lengthy debates, the Japanese government decided to pump the heavily diluted tritiated water into the Pacific. The main problem with the release is that it sounds bad. But it actually isnt, Nigel Marks, a physicist and nuclear expert at Curtin University in Australia, said in a statement. Similar releases have occurred around the world for six decades, and nothing bad has ever happened. Ironically, the very people drawing attention to the Fukushima releases are those who face the most potential harm from fearmongering over tritium. And an uproar that results in further turning away from nuclear energy will almost certainly guarantee more use of fossil fuels with devastating ecological consequences. The continuing concern is like shooting yourself in the foot; the more you complain about it, the more people are going to assume theres a problem even though there isnt.Paul Dickman, senior fellow at Argonne National Laboratory Among the loudest local opponents of Japans plans are fishermen who fear the releases would trigger bans on imports of their seafood, much as neighboring nations blocked shipments of some Japanese farm products after the Fukushima accident. The continuing concern is like shooting yourself in the foot; the more you complain about it, the more people are going to assume theres a problem even though there isnt, said Paul Dickman, a senior fellow at the Argonne National Laboratory, the U.S. governments premier nuclear research center. For me at least, the problem has been that people dont actually read what is being proposed. The French nuclear fuel plant at La Hague discharged more than 12 times the total content of all the tanks in Fukushima in 2018 alone without harm to people or the environment, according to Tony Irwin, a nuclear engineer at the Australian National University. South Koreas Kori nuclear power plant discharged more than four times as much tritium into East Asian waterways as Japan plans to release from Fukushima. Still, nearly 8 in 10 South Koreans told the pollster Gallup in June that they were worried about Japans plan. The government in Seoul loudly protested the Fukushima release for months before finally relenting in July, announcing that its researchers had determined that the amount of tritium would be less than 1/100,000th compared with the level in the surrounding waters gauged in 2021, which is scientifically negligible. More tritium is created in the atmosphere than is produced by nuclear power reactors, and it then falls as rain, Irwin said in a public statement. Ten times more tritium falls as rain on Japan every year than will be discharged. The discharge limit for release of radioactive water at Fukushima is 1/7th of the World Health Organisation standard for drinking water. The discharge is ultra-conservative. The tsunami-disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is seen from Namie Town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 24. The tsunami-disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is seen from Namie Town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 24. Chinas fast-growing fleet of nuclear reactors discharges huge volumes of tritium into waterways each year. Yet, in a move widely seen as part of Chinas geopolitical jockeying with its former colonizer and regional rival, Beijing emerged as the most vocal national critic of Tokyos decision. At a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called Japan extremely selfish and irresponsible and accused its World War II-era foe of treating oceans meant for the common good of humanity as a sewer for Japans nuclear-contaminated water. Earlier this week, the partly self-governing Chinese city of Hong Kong slapped restrictions on imports of Japanese seafood and seaweed. The fight over tritium isnt just happening in East Asia. In the United States, New York and Massachusetts passed state-level laws to block the company Holtec International from releasing tritiated water from two shuttered nuclear power stations near New York City and Boston. Since the radiation falls under federal jurisdiction, the statutes are likely to be overturned in court. But the episodes show how controversial the issue remains, with local news outlets characterizing the proposed discharges as dumping radioactive waste into waterways. But unlike so-called forever chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which resist water and oil and are widely used in nonstick materials and firefighting foam, and were only recently recognized as major cancer-causing pollutants by federal regulators radiation and its effects have been picked over for over a century, said Kathryn Higley, a radiological health scientist at Oregon State University. Weve been studying radioactivity for more than 100 years. We have a pretty darn good idea of what the effects of radiation are and what the doses are needed to cause those impacts, she said. The dose makes the poison. Its not radioactivity thats everywhere from natural sources. Its how much of it is being released and where is it going. Related... A lawyer for Lutheran pastor Stephen Lee, who was indicted in the Fulton County, Georgia election case, said the bond amount is excessive. David Shestokas told the Chicago Sun-Times that a bond agreement for Stephen Lee has been reached with authorities, set at $75,000. I think thats an excessive bond. Hes a pastor. These are not folks that do things to get wealthy, Mr Shestokas told the outlet. Theres no reason to believe hes a flight risk. I advised them that he is not a wealthy man and wouldnt be able to make bond. The attorney also said that Mr Lee will turn himself in on Friday morning, the deadline for defendants to voluntarily surrender. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The publication previously noted that Mr Lee, 70, is a pastor at Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park, Illinois. The pastor was indicted along with 18 others, in a group that includes former President Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia. Mr Lee is charged under the RICO Act and faces two counts of criminal attempt to commit influencing witnesses, conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings, and influencing witnesses. Mr Lee was discovered at the home of election worker Ruby Freeman in December 2020 after a 911 call. He allegedly repeatedly knocked on her door, later telling officers that he was working with some folks to help Ruby out and get some truth. Body camera footage of Mr Lee outside the home of election worker Ruby Freeman (Cobb County Police/Reuters) He then sought assistance from Trevian Kutti, a former publicist for Kanye West, and Harrison Floyd, an organiser for Black Voices for Trump, both of whom were also indicted. The News After former U.S. President Donald Trump and 18 other criminal defendants turn themselves in to the local jail in Fulton County, Ga. next week, all eyes will be on the timeline of the trial in the massive racketeering case. District Attorney Fani Willis wants the trial to start March 4, 2024, a date that legal experts agree is ambitious. One defendant in the case has already formally pushed back on that timeline. For context on how long it could realistically take, heres a look at a past racketeering case in the same courthouse that ensnared over two dozen defendants and ended up being the longest trial in Georgia history. Know More In 2013, a grand jury indicted 35 Atlanta Public Schools teachers and administrators accused of participating in a scheme to illegally change students standardized test scores. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Just like in the Trump case, the defendants were charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, and Willis was the lead prosecutor on the case. The case was complex to begin with, and a litany of pretrial motions only lengthened the time it took to get to trial. By 2015, when the trial finally began, most of the defendants had pleaded guilty. Of the 35 indicted, 12 went to trial, and 11 were found guilty. The trial itself lasted eight months, the longest in Georgias history. And proceedings in the case have continued into this year, as some of the convicted educators sought reductions in their sentences. The APS cheating scandal case will likely lose it title as the states longest trial to the ongoing RICO case in Fulton County against alleged members of the Young Slime Life gang, including rapper Young Thug. Jury selection, which began in January, has yet to be completed. The View From Trump's co-defendant Former Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Clark , one of the alleged co-conspirators charged in the Trump case, was the first to formally dispute Willis six-month trial start. In a filing Thursday, a lawyer for Clark said the DAs office has no earthly idea whether any of the proposed dates fit the calendars of any, much less all of the dozens of busy attorneys who will be involved in representing the Defendants. He also said prosectors need to understand the magnitude of motions that will be filed. Clark accused Willis of setting a politically-motivated trial timeline, saying she is trying to stake out a place at the head of the line of prosecutors seeking the prize of trying the former President before the 2024 presidential election. The View From Gov. Brian Kemp Speaking at a conservative conference in Atlanta on Friday, the Georgia governor said that despite what dates anybody is asking for, its not going to happen before the election. It was part of Kemps message that Republicans should focus on taking back the White House in 2024 instead of stupid distractions like relitigating the 2020 election. Kemp has no say over the dates of the trial; thatll be decided by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who was assigned the case. It could also be influenced by other factors, like Trumps three other criminal cases and whether some of the Georgia defendants have their cases moved to federal court. A beach in Olympic National Park in Washington is pictured in this 2017 file photo. | Chuck Wing, Deseret News Theres nothing quite like a sunny day on the beach. The warm sun on your skin, breeze in your hair and a shoe containing human remains next to you in the sand. Yes, you read that right. According to the Times Colonist, on July 27, a shoe with human body parts was discovered on Gonzales Beach by a man who lives in the area. He reported his findings to the British Columbia Coroners Service. It is currently under investigation. As morbid as it sounds, feet washing up on shores may be more common than one might think. The most recent detached foot discovery is one of many found in recent years. A Wikipedia page made solely for human feet found in the Salish Sea said that since 2007, around 20 human foot remains have been discovered along the coastline of Washington state and British Columbia, Canada. Is it a result of foul play? There are many theories on what the reason could be behind the number of decomposing feet being found along the northwest coastline. Over the years, some have suspected natural disasters such as tsunamis or plane and boat crashes that are expected to have casualties. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Others have even thought it could be the work of a serial killer in the area or a victim of organized crime violence. Related Officials from both Canada and the U.S. have canceled out foul play throughout the years. Kathy Taylor, a former forensic anthropologist at the King County Medical Examiners Office, told Vox in 2017 that it is a result of living in a densely populated area. As of 2021, around 8.76 million people live in cities surrounding the Salish Sea. Our footwear plays a vital role Shoes, especially sneakers, are designed with much more buoyancy than they used to be, causing them to float rather than sink. Dr. Karan Rajan, a surgeon for the United Kingdom National Health Service in England, posted to social media his explanation of what is causing decomposed feet to show up on the shoreline. It is actually the footwear industry, Rajan said. When a corpse falls to the ocean floor, its quickly set upon by scavengers. These scavengers are lazy feeders and prefer to eat the softer parts of our bodies first. Some of the softest parts of us are around the ankle. Rajan said that because of this, scavengers will eat what they can get, causing the foot to stay inside the shoe when detached from the rest of the body and float to the surface. Sneakers made in the last decade often have gas-filled pockets in their soles (that) makes them particularly unsinkable, per Insider. Why, specifically, the Salish Sea? If shoes are making detached floating feet more common, why are decomposed feet not showing up everywhere? Parker MacCready, a professor of oceanography at the University of Washington in Seattle, told National Geographic it has to do with four realistic causes: tides, rivers, winds and ocean conditions. Through different studies, the research found that the Salish Sea has the ideal properties to ensnare feet in its waves. First, its an unusually large and complex body of inland water, which acts as a trap. ... Second, the prevailing winds are westerlies, so they bring stuff in from the ocean rather than pushing it out to sea, MacCready explained to National Geographic. And finally, what MacCreadys model does not explain, but he points out, You see a lot of folks wearing sneakers at the beach in the Pacific Northwest, where many choose to hike among the slippery rocks. Taken together, all these factors plus the cold deep waters and healthy scavenger populations make the Salish the ideal foot magnet. A 31-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal car accident that claimed the life of a Nebraska woman last year in Tuscaloosa. DaQuisha Meshunda Frank of Tuscaloosa was charged in the Aug. 4, 2022, death of Charlotte Leigh Wallin, 45, of Imperial, Nebraska, said Stephanie Taylor, a spokeswoman with the Tuscaloosa Police Department. Taylor said the Wallin family was in Tuscaloosa for University of Alabama freshmen move-in when the accident occurred. Four of the family members were walking along the sidewalk on the south side of Jack Warner Parkway between Hackberry Lane and Marrs Spring Road when Charlotte Wallin was struck by a car. Wallin was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center, then airlifted to UAB Hospital where she died from her injuries the following day. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Frank told officers she was driving eastbound when she lost control of her 1999 Buick Century and drove onto sidewalk. She then steered the car toward the median and came to a stop in the westbound lanes. Taylor said investigators determined Frank was aware that her rear brakes were faulty, and they recovered a set of replacement brakes that were in the back seat of her car but had not been installed. Investigators also say Frank was driving under the influence of marijuana and speeding at the time of the accident. Taylor said Frank was driving 60 miles per hour in 50 miles per hour zone. Frank was served Wednesday night with the warrant charging her with manslaughter. She was released from the Tuscaloosa County Jail after posting $30,000 bond. Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Woman charged in 2022 death of Nebraska woman during UA move-in day The NGO Save Ukraine has arranged the return of 11 more Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia and occupied territories, the organization's head Mykola Kuleba said on Aug. 25. This mission brings the total number of children rescued by the organization to 161, according to Kuleba. Save Ukraine has helped people fleeing war zones since 2014. Over the past year, it launched a program to return children forcibly transferred by Russia back to Ukraine. On Aug. 24, the U.S. State Department imposed sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Russia's forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova claimed on July 31 that 700,000 Ukrainian children had been brought to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in a mass deportation of Ukrainian children. Read also: Explainer: What we know about Russias deportation of Ukrainian children She said about 4.8 million Ukrainians have been "accepted" into Russia and claimed most children arrived with relatives. The numbers include 1,500 children who lived in orphanages or state institutions. More than 19,500 children have been identified by the Ukrainian government as having been deported. Almost 400 of them have been brought back to Ukraine. A Yale School of Public Health study shows that Moscow has established a whole "network of re-education and adoption facilities" in Russia and occupied Crimea, with 43 camps where Ukrainian children have been held since Feb. 24, 2022, already identified. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children during Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A seamster makes a Russian flag in Niamey, Niger, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Since the coup, Nigeriens have been waving Russian and Wagner flags at protests, fastening them to car windows and selling them in the streets. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) Nigers junta authorized troops from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso to come to its defense and asked the French ambassador to leave the country Friday, raising the stakes in a standoff with other West African nations who are threatening force to reinstate Nigers democratically elected president. The junta leader, Brig. Gen. Abdrahmane Tchiani, signed two executive orders authorizing the "security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene on Niger territory in the event of aggression, senior junta official Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi said late Thursday, after hosting a delegation from the two countries in the Nigerien capital, Niamey. Sidi did not provide further details about the military support from the two countries whose military regimes have said any use of force by the West African bloc ECOWAS against Niger's junta would be treated as an act of war against their own nations. The Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs said French Ambassador Sylvain Itte was asked to leave Niger within 48 hours in a letter that accused him of ignoring an invitation for a meeting with the ministry. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The letter dated Friday, a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press, also cited actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger. France has consistently acknowledged only the authority of Nigers elected President Mohamed Bazoum , still detained by the junta. Paris reiterated Friday night that only legitimate elected Nigerien authorities have a say about the fate of its ambassador. The invitation of troops from Mali and Burkina Faso as well as the expulsion of the French ambassador show a very strong alignment between the regimes of the two countries and that of Niger "in terms of having a very strong anti-Western and pro-authoritarian orientation," said Nate Allen, an associate professor at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Before last month's ouster of Bazoum, Niger, a former French colony, was seen as the West's last major partner against jihadi violence in the Sahel region below the Sahara Desert, which is rife with anti-French sentiment. The French Embassy in Nigers capital, Niamey, was attacked in the early days of the July 26 coup. The military leaders of the coup have requested help from private Russian military company Wagner to stem extremist attacks. The status of the request following the death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash this week is unknown. ECOWAS said on Friday that along with the African Union, it stands against the use of private military contractors. The junta's agreement with Mali and Burkina Faso was the latest of several actions taken by Niger's mutinous soldiers to defy sanctions and consolidate a junta they have said would rule for up to three years, further escalating the crisis after last month's coup in the country of more than 25 million people. The ECOWAS Commission president, Omar Alieu Touray, said Friday that the bloc's threat to use force to reinstate Bazoum was "still on the table, rejecting the junta's three-year transition plan. Eleven of the bloc's 15 countries, not including the military-ruled countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger itself, have expressed commitments to deploy troops to restore democracy in Niger once a decision is made to intervene. The bloc would in the meantime continue to explore diplomatic options to reverse the coup, Touray told reporters in Nigerias capital city of Abuja. The latest of such diplomatic efforts came Thursday when Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is the chairman of the regional bloc, sent a delegation of Islamic leaders to speak with the junta. Touray said the West African heads of state would decide on when to use force whenever it feels like all diplomatic means have failed. ECOWAS cannot just fold its hands, he asserted. Details of what has been called the ECOWAS standby force have not be released. Regional officials have suggested any military intervention would be like the force deployed in Gambia in 2017 to force Yahya Jammeh out of power as president after he refused to concede an election loss. The junta has been exploiting grievances among the population toward Nigers former colonial ruler, France. It also has accused Bazoums government of failing to do enough to protect the country from Islamic extremists, and has asked the Russian mercenary group Wagner for help. On Friday, Niger also faced new sanctions when the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation which has signed $750 million in grant programs with the country since 2008 suspended operations that focused on improving agriculture, women's literacy and roads in Niger. The coup was contrary to the principles of democratic governance, the U.S. agency said. ECOWAS already has joined Western and European countries in imposing sanctions against Niger, including cutting the supply of its electricity from Nigeria and the closure of borders with the countries' neighbors. Touray acknowledged Friday that those sanctions have resulted in serious socio-economic crises in Niger, but said the sanctions were for the interest of the people of Niger. ___ Associated Press journalist Baba Ahmed in Bamako, Mali, and Elaine Ganley in Paris, France contributed to this report. Nikki Haley , a Republican presidential candidate, said she wants to up the full retirement age. She proposed increasing the full retirement age for "people like my kids in their twenties." The idea is wildly unpopular, according to polling. GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said she thinks the US' retirement age is "way too low" and needs to be increased. In an interview with Bloomberg Markets on Thursday a day after she attended the first GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee, Haley said the country should increase the retirement age in an attempt to address possible Social Security and Medicare insolvency. "The way we deal with it," Haley said, "is we don't touch anyone's retirement or anyone who's been promised in, but we go to people like my kids in their twenties when they're coming into the system, and we say the rules have changed." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Asked by Joe Mathieu what is the "right age" she'd propose, Haley didn't have an exact answer but said that "65 is way too low" and needs to be increased in relation to the average US lifespan. While she mentioned 65 as too low, Congress upped the full retirement age in 1983 to 67 years old for anyone born in 1960 or later. Though Haley argues that the increase is necessary to avoid Medicare and Social Security going bankrupt, she'd likely face massive resistance from constituents if she attempted such a change. According to a Quinnipiac poll from March 2023, nearly 80% of respondents opposed upping the retirement age even three years to 70 years old. Haley's retirement proposal isn't the first time she's talked about age during her campaign the 51-year-old has stated on several occasions that she believes politicians over 75 should be required to take cognitive competency tests. The idea to submit politicians to competence tests arose as the two party's leading candidates, Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump, are 80 and 77 years old, respectively, and the average age of members of Congress continues to rise. In 2020, Trump revealed he was previously administered a Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which physicians use to screen for cognitive impairment or dementia. Though "difficult," he bragged about receiving an unblemished 30 out of 30 score. Haley's campaign did not respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider By Jason Lange WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump leads Ron DeSantis by nearly 40 percentage points in the race for the Republican presidential nomination even after declining to debate the Florida governor and other rivals, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Friday. The survey found that half of Republican respondents who followed the party's first debate on Wednesday were more open to DeSantis' bid - good news for a campaign banking on the event boosting his profile after a summer slide in opinion polls. But it showed DeSantis remained stuck in distant second place with 13% of support of Republican respondents while Trump, the former president, had 52%, marginally higher than the 47% he received in a Reuters/Ipsos poll in early August. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The two-day poll gathered online responses from 1,004 U.S. adults, including 347 Republicans across the country, and had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 6 percentage points in either direction for Republicans. DeSantis and seven other Republican hopefuls took part in the Milwaukee debate while a pre-recorded Trump interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson posted simultaneously on X, formerly known as Twitter, aimed to siphon away viewers. Trump said before the debate he saw no political benefit to taking part given his enormous lead in opinion polls, despite his indictments in four separate criminal cases. The results of the Reuters/Ipsos poll appear to have borne that out. While DeSantis stood center stage in the debate, he was overshadowed for much of the raucous two-hour event by tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who clashed with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and other candidates. Still, about half of Republican respondents said they were more likely to support DeSantis based on what they had heard about the debate. About four in 10 Republicans said they were more likely to back Ramaswamy or Haley based on the debate. Many had not warmed to Ramaswamy and Haley enough, however, to say they were now backing their bids. Only 5% of Republicans said they outright backed Ramaswamy while only 4% supported Haley, similar shares to what they had before the debate. Former Vice President Mike Pence had 6% support from Republicans, but only one in five Republicans who followed the debate said they were now more open to supporting him. Some 59% of the Republicans polled had followed the debate, with 19% saying they watched it live and the rest saying they had watched some clips or saw news coverage about it. Forty-one percent said they hadn't seen or heard anything about it. In a hypothetical match-up between President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, the larger pool of respondents, including Democrats and independents, were asked who they would pick "if the election for president were held today." Trump had 38% to Biden's 32%. The rest said they weren't sure, wouldn't vote or would pick someone else. On Thursday, Trump's mug shot was released after he was booked at an Atlanta jail on more than a dozen felony charges as part of a wide-ranging criminal case stemming from his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia. (Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Ross Colvin and Howard Goller) Norway allocated $140 million (1.5 billion NOK) to ensure the import of gas and electricity to Ukraine, Ukraine's Ministry of Energy has announced. The funds will be distributed through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and are aimed for the repair and maintenance of critical electricity infrastructure and emergency power supply in areas affected by hostilities, as well as for the purchase of gas for emergency storage, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy. The aid was announced after a delegation from Norway, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, visited one of Ukraines damaged energy facilities with Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko. "The energy sphere is one of the key areas where we cooperate and support Ukraine," Gahr Stre reportedly emphasized. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The assistance follows an additional package of military aid announced by the Norwegian government that includes anti-aircraft missiles and mine clearing equipment, as reported by Reuters. The government of Norway has pledged to allocate $8.2 billion in 2023 for assistance to Ukraine as part of a five-year aid package. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Military intelligence reports raid into occupied Crimea; Putin says Prigozhin likely dead Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE PHOTO: View of the drug product manufacturing laboratory in biologics and sterile injectables, Catalent, in Brussels FILE PHOTO: View of the drug product manufacturing laboratory in biologics and sterile injectables, Catalent, in Brussels By Maggie Fick (Reuters) -Novo Nordisk Chief Executive Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen said on Friday he was confident Catalent would resolves its problems making Novo's hugely-popular weight-loss drug Wegovy as the company scrambles to boost output to meet soaring demand. "I am confident in that," Jorgensen said at a Reuters Newsmaker event, when asked about the issues Catalent has had. Reuters reported in July that Catalent's factory in Brussels that fills Wegovy injection pens had repeatedly breached U.S. sterile-safety rules in recent years and staff had failed to perform required quality checks. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "These are not easy products to produce ... now we are leveraging contract manufacturers and also there is a learning scale, there is a ramp scale," he said, as he held up one of the self-injection pens, which he noted contains a glass vial that must be filled in sterile conditions. He said very few companies could make such products at scale. Novo hopes to have a third external facility filling and finishing the injection pens by 2024, Jorgensen said. The Danish drugmaker has previously said it expected to add the third line in the second half of this year. Even so, it will be "quite some years" before the company can satisfy the whole market for Wegovy, Jorgensen said. Reuters reported this week that Novo had hired Thermo Fisher as its second contract manufacturer for Wegovy. Jorgensen reiterated that, given the runaway demand for Wegovy, the "massive" ramp-up of production of the injection pen was unprecedented. "I think it would probably be hard to find any other examples in drug history of anything that has been ramped as much," he said. (Reporting by Maggie Fick;Editing by Josephine Mason and Mark Potter) A Costco in Japan began selling Starlink hardware on Thursday, according to a report from Impress. The Costco is reportedly selling Starlink's standard hardware at a discount until September 11. This is reportedly the first time Starlink hardware has been sold in a physical store. Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has begun selling its products in physical retail outlets for the first time, according to social media posts and a report in Impress, a Japanese publication. On Thursday, a Costco store that recently opened in Kadoma, in the Osaka Prefecture of Japan, reportedly began selling Starlink's standard hardware, according to a report from Impress. Costco and Starlink did not respond to Insider's request for comment. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement On its website, Starlink says its standard hardware is best for everyday internet usage like making video calls, online gaming, and streaming, but it also offers more high-performance hardware that allows customers to use the internet even when they're on-the-go. The report noted that according to Starlink this is the first time its products have been available in a physical store. In time, the hardware will be available in 32 other stores, the report noted. The Costco in Kadoma, Osaka will sell the kit for 36,500 or around $250, according to Impress. As part of the promotion, customers will also receive 13200 or around $91 that can be applied to Starlink's monthly usage fee, Impress noted. The usage credits can be applied to Starlink's Residential mode, which is geared towards fixed locations, and the Roam mode, which can be used anywhere in the world, Impress said. Starlink's hardware is also available for purchase on Costco's website for those in Japan. Starlink which played an important role in helping Ukraine overcome Russian cyberattacks last year aims at providing internet service to users in remote locations. The company said it had Starlink had over 1.5 million subscribers as of May, and the service is available in over 48 states and 55 countries. The service has become so sought after that people have even started renting out Starlink kits for $25-$30 a day on Facebook Marketplace in recent months. Read the original article on Business Insider Memphis-Shelby County Schools is set to have a new legal chief. Kenneth M. Walker II, the districts general counsel and chief legal officer, is stepping down from his position to become general counsel at the Austin Independent School District in Austin, Texas. His last day will be Sept. 4. We are proud of the legacy Kenneth himself a proud District graduate leaves behind at Memphis-Shelby County Schools, said interim Superintendent Toni Williams, in a press release. He is a passionate advocate for students and a consummate professional. Austin Independent School District is gaining a tremendous value in Kenneth. Kenneth M. Walker II is stepping down from his role at MSCS. According to his LinkedIn page, Walker joined MSCS as associate general counsel in July 2016. In February 2019, he was named deputy general counsel. He was then named interim general counsel and chief legal officer in January 2020, before scoring the permanent post in April 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Taking the reins from Walker at MSCS is Odell Horton . Jr., a longtime Memphis attorney whos held high-level roles. Horton Jr. was the assistant attorney general with the State of Tennessee from 1987 to 1990. From 1990 to 2000, he was an assistant and associate general counsel with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and from 2000 to 2005 he was its vice-chancellor. He was then vice president and general counsel with Memphis Light, Gas and Water from 2005 to 2007, before becoming a partner at the law firm Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs. Odell Horton Jr. is set to become MSCS' next chief legal officer. Horton is a graduate of Wooddale High School, Morehouse College, and the University of Tennessee College of Law. He's also active in the community. Horton has served on the Pink Palace Family of Museums Board of Trustees, as a member and secretary of the board of the Memphis Urban League and is the former chairman of the University of Memphis Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change. In addition to this, he is a member of the Memphis Chamber of Commerce board of directors and a board member at Elmwood Cemetery. Horton is the son of the late Odell Horton, who, when named to the bench, became the first Black judge in West Tennessee since Reconstruction. The federal building at 167 N. Main St. was renamed the Odell Horton Federal Building last year. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Odell Horton Jr. named Memphis-Shelby County Schools general counsel A 43-year-old man is facing serious felony charges for allegedly assaulting an older person in Kansas Citys River Market and then carjacking an off-duty KCPD sergeant who stopped to help. Van Calvin Callahan Jr., of Kansas City, allegedly attacked a man with a bottle near a bus stop around 11 a.m. Tuesday at Third Street and Grand Boulevard. The assailed man pulled a handgun from his pocket, leading to a struggle that ended with Callahan holding the gun, according to an affidavit filed in federal court Thursday. The KCPD officer, identified in court documents as Sgt. Selvir Abidovic, was in plain clothes and driving his personal vehicle, a BMW, when he was flagged down by a Kansas City Area Transportation employee. He got out of the car and called out to Callahan to stop. Callahan allegedly raised the gun, pointed it at Abidovic and pulled the trigger. It did not fire, as the gun was empty. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The off-duty sergeant ran for cover, according to the affidavit, while Callahan got in the drivers seat of his idling BMW and drove off. Abidovic then went to help the man on the ground, who was taken to the hospital with lacerations to his head and knees. Uniformed Kansas City police officers arrived after the car was stolen. They were told the vehicle contained two other firearms, including a KCPD service weapon. It also had a GPS tracker. A witness captured video of the assault with a cellphone and handed it over to police. It included a still image of a man bleeding on the ground as an assailant, identified by police as Callahan, appears to stomp on him. Also acquired was surveillance footage from a KCATA bus, which captured video of Callahan attempting to board and then assaulting the man, according to the affidavit. Roughly an hour after police were called, the off-duty sergeants stolen car was spotted on the other side of the state line. A high-speed police pursuit, assisted by helicopter, followed the BMW. A female passenger was let out of the car during the police chase, according to the affidavit. She told investigators Callahan was high on PCP. The police pursuit continued until Callahan lost control and crashed into a house in a Kansas City, Kansas, cul-de-sac. He was arrested a short distance away after fleeing on foot and booked in the Wyandotte County jail on charges of eluding police. Reached for comment Thursday, Sgt. Jake Becchina, a KCPD spokesman, said in a written statement that Abidovic stepped in to protect someone even though he was out of uniform. Becchina said Chief Stacey Graves was aware of the situation and made mention of it to KCPD staff and violence reduction partners during a weekly meeting Wednesday. She was proud, he said, of Abidovic for stepping up to help an injured citizen in need during a dangerous situation. Prosecutors charged Callahan with carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a violent crime and illegal gun possession. The second of the three offenses carries a maximum punishment of life in prison. Callahan made his first court appearance before a federal magistrate judge Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors filed a motion seeking to have him held in federal custody until trial. Callahan was ordered to remain in custody pending the outcome of a detention hearing Tuesday. Ohio's Secretary of State Frank LaRose speaks during a Ohio's Secretary of State Frank LaRose speaks during a "rosary rally" on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, in Norwood, Ohio. Republicans in Ohio are still trying to pass their anti-choice agenda, even after voters in the state successfully thwarteda ballot initiative earlier this month that would have made it harder to pass a pro-choice constitutional amendment this fall. In November, voters will consider a ballot initiative that seeks to enshrine abortion rights and other reproductive freedoms into Ohios Constitution. But the five-member Ohio Ballot Board, led by anti-choice advocate and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, on Thursday approved anti-choice language to be used in the initiative, which may confuse voters. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The approved summary language uses unborn child instead of fetus. It does not include any language about the right to make decisions about miscarriages, fertility treatments or contraception even though thats a significant part of the proposed amendment. The approved summary language is also longer than the original supplied by pro-choice organizations behind the initiative, meaning the board cant argue it needed to trim the summary that would appear on ballots. Below are screenshots of the original summary language and the newly-approved summary language from LaRose. Screenshot of the original summary wording included in the abortion rights constitutional amendment. Screenshot of the original summary wording included in the abortion rights constitutional amendment. Screenshot of the newly-approved summary wording from LaRose. Screenshot of the newly-approved summary wording from LaRose. Having worked extensively on drafting this, I do believe its fair and accurate, LaRose said of the approved summary language in a Thursday meeting. LaRose did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. Pro-choice advocates are calling the language intentionally vague and misleading. Secretary of State Frank LaRose today exploited the Ohio Ballot Board process in a last-ditch effort to deceive and confuse Ohio voters ahead of the November vote on reproductive freedom, Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, one of the main groups advocating for the amendment, said in a press release on Thursday. Abortion is legal through 22 weeks of pregnancy in Ohio, but a six-week abortion ban has been temporarily blocked in court and awaits a ruling from the Republican-dominated Ohio Supreme Court. The constitutional amendment would prevent the state from banning abortion before fetal viability, around 22 to 24 weeks. LaRose gave the deciding vote to approve the language in a 3-2 final vote. The Ohio secretary of state was a vocal advocate for the August ballot measure, Issue 1 an initiative to raise the threshold for altering the state constitution from a simple statewide majority vote to 60%. Although a simple majority has been the standard in Ohio for over 100 years, anti-abortion advocates in the state called for a special election to raise the vote threshold in a preemptive attempt to block the pro-choice constitutional amendment. The summary language created by LaRose and the rest of the ballot board does not change the meaning or intent of the actual constitutional amendment. The full text of the amendment will be available at boards of elections on voting day, and LaRose told the Ohio Capital-Journal that posters including the full text will be available at polling locations. But only the summary will be on the ballots Ohioans take into voting booths. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights and other abortion rights advocates had requested that that ballot language mirror the full constitutional amendment to ensure accuracy and transparency. By using the full text, voters will see for themselves the language they are being asked to approve and can make a free and independent decision on this fundamental question, an attorney for the petitioners wrote in a letter to LaRose earlier this week. The Nov. 7 vote on the pro-choice constitutional amendment will also be called Issue 1, adding more confusion for both abortion rights advocates and opponents given that the August special election on raising the vote threshold was also called Issue 1. Related... Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt speaks with Marilyn Luper Hildreth to a group Aug. 19 before a reenactment, including a marching from Frontline Church and a sit-in at Kaiser's Grateful Bean, in Oklahoma City for the 65th anniversary of the Oklahoma City sit-in movement. Sixty years after thousands of Americans gathered for the March on Washington and heard the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 's "I Have a Dream" speech, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt will speak on the same steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Thousands again will gather Saturday for the 60th anniversary, in what is being called a continuation rather than commemoration of the march that called for a more equitable America. Holt announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he had been invited to speak at the event and is honored to represent OKC and mayors. "I think the moment certainly resonates with themes I have spoken about before, including the need to keep striving for equal opportunity and the necessity of working together to get things done," Holt told The Oklahoman. "Im also pretty determined to ensure Clara Lupers name is uttered on Saturday." I am excited to share that I have been asked to speak Saturday on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/ErhORajfp4 Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) August 24, 2023 Connection between OKC and March on Washington Oklahoma City civil rights activist Clara Luper brought herself and others to the March on Washington, Aug. 28, 1963. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Luper led the sit-in movement that launched the desegregation of many OKC restaurants and businesses using King's notion of nonviolent resistance the 65th anniversary of which was commemorated nearly a week ago. Joyce Henderson, a sit-in participant and attendee of the 1963 march, said Luper loaded them up in two buses to head to D.C. Henderson, who was 16 at the time, said she was surprised by the "thousands of people" there, and it opened her eyes to how all-encompassing the issues of segregation and racial discrimination were. "I discovered not only did we have issues in Oklahoma City and Oklahoma, but the whole United States wanted equality for everybody," she said. "Not just for one race of people, but for everybody regardless of race, creed or color." Clara Luper, Oklahoma educator and civil rights activist, appears in a 1988 photo. How to watch 2023 March on Washington The main program, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, will be broadcast live on C-SPAN and starts at 10 a.m. central time. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Mayor David is speaking at the 2023 March on Washington MANASSAS, Va. If there was any doubt about former President Donald Trump s grip on his party following the near-unanimous show of hands from his rivals at this weeks debate that theyd support him if he was convicted of felonies, consider this scene from the other campaign trail this year the one for the Virginia legislature. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin , stumping for a state senate candidate, had just finished remarks in a diner about his turnaround job in once Democratic-dominated Richmond. Youngkin is hoping to help his party claim full control of the legislature and then may make a late entry into the presidential race. Still wearing an apron from a brief stint cracking eggs in the kitchen, the governor argued that this Novembers battle for control of the General Assembly represents the single most consequential election in the country because everybodys watching us. It was a characteristically energetic pitch from the ever-sunny wealthy financier. His upbeat presentation and fundraising prowess are why Virginia Democrats are increasingly alarmed about this years election more on that below and why so many of Youngkins fellow donor class swells are swooning over his hoped-for 2024 candidacy. Thats not the campaign many in the GOP rank-and-file are thinking of, however. They already have a candidate for next year. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I dont know how you dont go for Trump, Rick Weland told me after Youngkins pitch in the Washington exurbs, the sort of place that has doomed Republicans since the former presidents initial victory. The landlord of the strip mall thats home to the Juke Box Diner, Weland had no doubt about Trumps viability against President Biden because the felony charges the former president is facing are bullshit and explained that Trump is the only play for the Republican Party because hes a proven commodity. Kenny Loveless, who works at a tailoring shop in the strip mall and sat across the table from Weland, added that Trumps base is still solid and firmly all behind him. What we need, interjected Weland, is someone like a DeSantis or a Youngkin or a Nikki Haley or a Rick Scott to run beside him and take over after hes done in one term and carry that whole support system that hes got into the next round of elections. Eight summers after Trump emerged as the man to beat in the 2016 GOP primary, the same yawning gap persists today as when he mocked John McCain for being captured in Vietnam and then said in the first debate that our politicians are stupid and he may not support the partys eventual nominee. Its the difference between what so many of those politicians, and their contributors, want their party to be and what it is. Trump horrified GOP leaders with his attacks and refusal to commit to backing the party standard bearer, but the voters were unbothered. Today, most all of Trumps opponents vow to support him as the nominee, even as a convicted felon, because theyre worried if they don't, those same voters will very much be bothered. The former president may not have been on stage for the first debate this week, but he had a representative who brought important clarity. Say this about Vivek Ramaswamy , hes offering an important public service by exposing the 2024 race as a Potemkin primary, making clear that he is effectively running as a down-payment on a future race, at which point he hopes to gather support from Trumps base. What Ramaswamy lacks in subtlety he makes up for by illuminating the fundamental state of the party. The only question now is what exactly hell extract from Trump, and if he gets it in writing, as part of his campaign to fashion a new meaning of Rino running in name only. This is not to say that the race for the Republican nomination is a fait accompli, that Trump is a lock to be the nominee. Because theres also the matter of, forgive me, his being locked up. Theres essentially three groups of non-Trump candidates in this years GOP race, with some overlap. There are those, like Ramaswamy, who are in the campaign almost entirely as an investment for future prospects and earnings. Then there are those nearing the end of their careers as mainstream elected officials looking at you, former and soon to be former governors who believe their resumes should matter with voters more than every bit of evidence suggests is the case. And lastly are the hopefuls who arent wholly blinded by vanity and believe its worth running just in case primary voters come to realize the risk of nominating Trump, perhaps after some of those indictments become convictions. Yet the outcome of any such trial may not be known before he seals the nomination early next year. The more immediate challenge for those actually hoping to claim the nomination next year is coalescing the anti-Trump vote around themselves. But that the needed coalescence around one Trump alternative isnt in every candidates interest. Do you think Ramaswamy, just to take one name from the headlines, wants to wait until 2032 to run again if one of his non-Trump rivals secures eight years in office? Having Trump as the nominee, win or lose, at least ensures an open primary four years from now. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis clearly is in the race to win, but hes bumping up against not only his own shortcomings but the inherent challenge of running in whats really two parties under the same roof. DeSantis refuses to hug Trump a la Ramaswamy but also has no appetite to frontally attack him in a way some donors want for fear of alienating GOP voters, who recoil from such critiques because thats the language of the other tribe. Just listen to the boos in the crowd at former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or the routine invoking of the blue teams cable networks after such attacks on Trump. So DeSantis is left to run on a mix of his biography, criticisms of Biden and attacks on Trumps right flank that depend on the dubious salience of matters such as, say, the former president's deference to Anthony Fauci on Covid policy more than three years ago. Its the sort of strategy that can get overwhelmed on a debate stage when others clearly are making a choice about how to run vis a vis Trump. More ominous, its also a strategy that wont quiet longings for Youngkin to enter the race. With his attempt to make suburbia safe for Republicans again this fall and nudge his own party to embrace early voting which he has deemed securing the vote in a bow to the post-Trump GOP the Virginia governor is hoping to show the way to the GOP on two problems that plagued them under the former president. If he can do that, hed have an anti-Trump message, one with the benefit of being both potent and implicit, and would emerge from this years off-year elections as one of the biggest winners. He would also have something to offer beyond having won a single campaign for Virginias one-and-done governorship. This is where political Washington will look, what happens in Virginia, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told me this week. Warner knows what sort of bounce Youngkin, whos already receiving fawning coverage in the Rupert Murdoch press, would get from rich men north of Richmond by holding the House of Delegates and winning a majority in the senate of Virginia, a state that hasnt been carried by a GOP presidential nominee for nearly two decades. I just dont get why this isnt a higher priority for the DNC and the White House, said the senator of this falls legislative races in the Old Dominion. Warner told me that he and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) have both telephoned Jennifer OMalley Dillon, Bidens top political aide, and asked for additional DNC money for Virginia. The White House has signed off on some and, Im told, there will be more dollars sent to Richmond this fall. We just need a sense of urgency, said Warner, who has also spoken to White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, adding that its not only Biden but also national progressive groups committed to the environment, gun control and voting rights who also must tune in to otherwise local races with candidates they dont know running in jurisdictions they cant pronounce. This is personal for Warner, up for re-election in 2026, who suffered a near-death political experience the last time there was a second-term Democrat in the White House and has no appetite to run against an emboldened and just-departed governor. For his part, Youngkin has had no problem raising dollars from his own out-of-state allies this year, in part because he can tease them with the prospect of using the legislative races as his springboard to run for president and deliver those contributors from Trumpism. Whether or not hed actually run or just pocket those pleas and reemerge, relatively unsullied, as the 2028 Republican savior is an open question. Those who know Youngkin say its only a matter of when, that he ran for governor to run for president. As he made his way around the neon-lit and Elvis-appointed Jukebox Diner, though, even his biggest admirers didnt think that time was now. Linda Catir, who threw her arms around Youngkins torso three times to show her gratitude, said she didnt want him to run until he fixes Virginia, where hes only been governor for just over a year-and-a-half. And did Catir have a favorite in this years race? Oh yeah, Trump, she said. I love Trump. Benjamin Johansen contributed to this report. A year is an awfully long time to spend planning a party. Unless youre trying to drum up $90 million to pay for it. Chicagos turn in the national spotlight hosting the Democratic National Convention starts in fewer than 365 days. Organizers hosting the event are already looking ahead to the made-for-TV gala, and have begun leaning on corporations and wealthy donors in Illinois and across the nation to help cover the costs. For Chicago Democrats and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, its time to deliver on their promise that they can come up with the cash they pledged to finance the spectacle that will unfold between Aug. 19 and Aug. 22, 2024, at the United Center and McCormick Place. Pritzker who promised the Democratic National Committee the convention would be debt-free as a selling point when Chicago was vying against New York and Atlanta to host it sounded confident recently about the cash flow trajectory and the overall convention vibes. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Amid concerns his own personal wealth would give other potential Democratic donors alligator arms as they wait for him to pick up the convention tab, the billionaire governor said lots of people are cutting checks, and that wont be a problem. Fundraising is going very well. It is, Pritzker said at the recent Illinois State Fair. Ive made some of those calls. I can tell you. Things are going very well. Were pleased. We know what pace weve got to be on to meet the deadline. I am absolutely satisfied. Although DNC officials would not say exactly how much theyve raised so far, many involved in putting on the convention acknowledge theres still quite a way to go to get to the goal of a little over $90 million. Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor and a key Democratic ally, said that while the total amount needed is large, individual donors want to be able to say they were in on the convention. People across the board know how important this upcoming election is going to be, Reiter said. They also want to be part of whats going to be an incredible economic event for the city of Chicago thats really going to put the city on display. A person close to the convention organizing effort said donors have been stepping up, and fundraising will ramp up after Labor Day. The donations so far have come from a broad base of contributors locally and across the country, said the convention official, who declined to be identified because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter. The moves further boost the feeling among organizers they will reach their goal, even though everyone involved knows $90 million will be a big lift and all involved need to continue to keep the fundraising pressure on until they get there. People have been contributing regardless of the governors wealth, which has been a non-factor in the fundraising drive, just as it was in convincing the Democratic National Committee to select Chicago for the once-every-four-years event, the convention leader said. Rather, Democrats want to be in Chicago because the city and the state of Illinois exemplify the diversity and the policy priorities the party wants to highlight in the presidential election, the official said. Still, the task is daunting. The $90 million target for Chicago 2024 is unprecedented. When Chicago last hosted the Democrats, in 1996, organizers raised a total of around $32 million, a mix of corporate cash and in-kind donations, and contributions from the city and state. In Philadelphia in 2016 the last presidential election year in which the party conventions were in-person before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 festivities to go virtual the Democratic convention committee raised around $70 million. About $10 million of that came in the form of a grant from the state of Pennsylvania. And Democrats this year are desperate to avoid the financial shortfall of the Charlotte 2012 convention, when the host committee raised $24 million, then had to borrow $8 million afterward from an energy company to cover additional costs. Meanwhile, Republicans, who on Friday announced Houston would host the partys 2028 convention, are shooting to raise around $70 million for their 2024 convention in Milwaukee. The discrepancy in part can be attributed to higher costs in Chicago. Democrats also pledged to use union labor to set up and run the convention at the United Center and McCormick Place, as well as at hotels where conventioneers stay, with national and local Democratic officials joining Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson here last month to herald the signing of the labor-peace agreement to showcase their allies in labor. Those across-the-board union wages will drive up the bottom line. Yet for Chicagoans in neighborhoods that have long struggled particularly parts of the West Side in the shadow of the United Center the fear remains that theyll get left out. They worry the big party to nominate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for a second term will descend for four days next August, then depart without giving them a shot at a share of the host convention funds that go toward paying companies and their employees to build the convention sets, host parties and transport delegates, set up the technology infrastructure for the media frenzy, put up tens of thousands of attendees in hotels and lease offices for the many Democratic functionaries who will run the event. Chicago officials have pledged to make it a top priority to get West Side residents a seat at the convention table. Promising to help underserved Chicagoans see some of the money makes political sense at this point in the planning process however, it likely will remain unclear how well the Democrats delivered on that promise until after theyve left town. Johnson has made his residency in the West Side Austin neighborhood central to his identity as a mayor whos committed to lifting up communities that have long gotten short shrift. At the signing of the convention labor-peace agreement with union leaders and Democratic Party officials, Johnson said the convention in particular presents an opportunity to help Chicagoans in majority Black and Latino communities whove frequently been shafted, because everyone associated with the event is committed to making sure that neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment that there is real assurance with the execution of our agreement. Late last week, Johnson reiterated that to take advantage of the convention platform and show Chicago is a world-class city means we must look for every possible opportunity to integrate all of Chicago, and every corner of this city, into this convention. Thankfully, there is alignment among all of us stakeholders including longtime friends of Chicago at the Democratic National Committee in Washington to uplift and highlight our great city, he said in a statement to the Tribune. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who represents much of the West Side, has pledged he and other members of Illinois Washington delegation will press the Democratic National Committee to secure Black businesses dont get left behind when contracts and jobs are awarded ahead of the event. Convention Chair and Chicago native Minyon Moore added her voice to the chorus Thursday, issuing a statement promising were committed to ensuring communities across Chicago feel as though they are a part of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. As someone who grew up on Chicagos Southside and have worked with many community leaders on the Westside, I understand the opportunity this poses, particularly for communities that have been underserved, Moore said. The Democratic Party believes in equity and opportunity, and were bringing those values with us to Chicago. But there have been precious few specifics, and the clock is ticking. August 2024 will be here in no time at all. Chicago Tribunes Jeremy Gorner contributed. jebyrne@chicagotribune.com rap30@aol.com When Mark and Debbie Johnsons band, M Street, took the stage at Cooks Corner in rustic Trabuco Canyon on Wednesday night, the crowd was boisterous and happy. The five-piece group is a regular on the Orange County cover-band circuit, playing a wide repertoire of classic-rock chestnuts at local venues like the House of Blues and yacht clubs around the Newport Beach area, where the Johnsons, married for 39 years, live. The couples guitar-playing next-door neighbor, Ed Means, joined the group six years ago. While their musical careers have sometimes taken them to studios like L.A.s Sunset Sound, backing artists from Eric Clapton to Alan Parsons, M Street is a proud cover act, regulars at Elks clubs and American Legion halls. They had performed at Cooks Corner, a rowdy 90-year-old biker bar, before on its outdoor patio. This time, they were headlining on the indoor stage. There were a couple of birthday parties and all the regulars you could tell people knew each other, said Debbie Johnson, 63, one of the bands singers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement We had a lot friends come out; it was a perfect setup, agreed Mark Johnson, 62, the bands keyboardist. M Street, with Means, drummer Brian Lynch and bassist Dave Stretch, was a few songs into its 7 p.m. set, midway through Fleetwood Macs Rhiannon, when members heard loud bangs across the venue. The musicians wear sound-muting in-ear monitors while performing, so they couldnt immediately tell what the noises were. I thought it was a poorly conceived birthday gag, Debbie Johnson said. Was it firecrackers, or balloons popping? Mark Johnson remembered thinking onstage. Then I saw the gunman stand forward, far enough where his gun was exposed in front of a speaker. Someone yelled, Shes been hit! and all hell broke loose. Read more: Ex-cop was gunning for estranged wife, then shot randomly, killing 3 and wounding 6 at O.C. bar The gunman was John Snowling, a retired officer from the Ventura Police Department. He had come in search of his estranged wife, Marie Snowling, a regular at Cooks. Snowling brought three handguns and a shotgun, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said Thursday afternoon. This first person I saw him shoot was the birthday girl, at very close range, Debbie Johnson said. He kept moving and shooting. People were dropping to floor. The Johnsons were closer to a side of the stage where they could duck behind speakers, near a metal door that opened to the outdoor area. The rest of the band, however, were in the middle of the stage. The shooter was within three feet of us, Mark Johnson said. He looked at the band, then pointed at them and took shots. He stepped out of the doorway and I thought he was done. But then I heard shooting outdoors, and I started trying to secure the door. Debbie Johnson scrambled across the stage, tending to her bandmates and audience members, lying in pools of blood across the floor. They found bassist Stretch, who told them, I think Im grazed. Then they saw guitarist Means by the drum set. He was holding his stomach and not looking good, Debbie said. He showed me his arm, and I can see two holes in it. Mark Johnson found a bar patron who had a concealed weapon, and said they attempted to fire back at Snowling outside. Hes still running around outside shooting, so we were trying to track him. I thought, See if we can open the door to the parking lot and take some shots, but we got a barrage of bullets back at us. He had plenty of ammo. I couldnt even give you a number of shots he took, Debbie Johnson said. Fifty? More? The Cooks staff were protecting the other side of the building closer to the kitchen. But we were truly fish in a barrel. The scene at Cook's Corner on Wednesday. (OnScene.tv) Mark Johnson called 911. Law enforcement reportedly arrived within two minutes of the first emergency calls, and began firing on Snowling. The dispatcher said to stay low so they know youre good guys, Mark Johnson said. Law enforcement sources told The Times that, minutes after arriving, sheriffs deputies had pinned Snowling down beside a silver truck, where they shot and killed him. We cant begin to describe the relief when we saw the sheriffs, Mark Johnson said. Read more: Cook's Corner patrons stunned by mass shooting: 'Its a tragedy' Snowling killed three people and injured six at Cooks. The six injured, including Marie Snowling, were taken to Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo on Wednesday night. Two were in critical condition a woman who was shot in the jaw and a man who was shot in the chest, according to James Chisum, a spokesman for the hospital. The woman was later transferred to UC Irvine Medical Center. The four other victims, including M Streets Stretch (shot in the hip) and Means (shot in his arm), were in stable condition but still hospitalized as of Thursday afternoon. For Mark and Debbie Johnson, the Cooks tragedy is their second brush with a mass shooting at a concert. One of Marks employees at his real estate research firm was shot twice at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas in 2017, where 60 people died. Humans are resilient, but this is unique when you feel this vulnerable, Debbie Johnson said. The bands equipment is still locked up at Cooks, and probably will stay there throughout the investigation. Stretch and Means are expected to make a full recovery. The Johnsons expect the band to return to performing, eventually. I cant imagine turning into hermits and not enjoying making music, Debbie Johnson said. As a band, were a family. Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Uptown Charlotte became the scene of a life-threatening shooting Friday morning. The shooting happened around 2 a.m. on East 6th Street and College Street, right around the corner from the Spectrum Center. This embedded content is not available in your region. MEDIC says one person was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Channel 9 has reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to learn if a suspect is in custody. This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates. (WATCH: One killed in south Charlotte shooting) One year after unveiling a broad plan to address CTA service and safety challenges, President Dorval Carter touted decreases in crime on the transit system and service that runs more closely to schedule, helping to limit the prevalence of ghost buses and trains. But the CTA still faces challenges running all of its scheduled service, agency data shows, and riders complain of wait times between buses and trains. Key to running more service is hiring and retaining more operators, but the CTA has not yet met its staffing targets for the year. The data marks the progression of the first year of Carters plan to address unpredictable wait times, crime and ghost buses and trains, which show up on digital trackers but fail to arrive in real life. The agency has been plagued by complaints about service, safety and conditions since ridership plummeted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. By spring, the average number of riders had ticked back up to about 59% of pre-pandemic levels. As the complaints mounted, Carter found himself under pressure from riders, advocates and lawmakers. He remains in the hot seat as Mayor Brandon Johnson builds his administration, and declined to answer questions about whether he had met with the new mayor. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I am very happy doing what Im doing right now, and continue to work at this job every day to meet the needs of the city of Chicago, he said. In his update, Carter highlighted Chicago Police Department data showing violent crime on the CTA was down 13% through July, and overall crime was down 9%. A Tribune analysis of Police Department data in 2022 found the rate of violent crime on trains that year or the number of robberies, homicides, more aggressive assaults and batteries and other instances of violence per million rides had also dropped for the first time since the pandemic emptied trains of many riders, but it remained more than twice as high as in the years before the pandemic. Carter highlighted additional police officers, private unarmed security and security dogs added to the system throughout 2022. The CTA did not immediately provide the number of security guards currently patrolling the system, but in December spokesman Brian Steele said the agency had about 300 scheduled each day, and 50 K-9 teams. Carter also said the CTA was working with the states attorneys office on the prosecution of people accused of committing crimes on the CTA, such as banning those charged with serious crimes from the system. The CTA said nine people recently charged have been banned from transit as a condition of their bond. Im not suggesting that crime does not happen on CTA. I think we all know that it does, Carter said. But I think its important to keep in mind that we have 900,000 people ride CTA every day, and when you look at the number of people who ride our system, its pretty clear that crime is not the major component of a customers experience on CTA. He also highlighted improvements in the reliability of CTA buses and trains, pointing to decreases in the number of large, unexpected gaps in service. In July, the agency ran 88% of its scheduled trains and 96% of scheduled buses. Both figures marked improvements over the past year. Trains and buses that run as scheduled help reduce instances of ghosting, because trackers rely on both scheduled and real-time service. The less discrepancy between the two, the more accurate the trackers will be. Trackers are also undergoing upgrades. But a Tribune analysis of CTA data in 2021 found that in the two months before the pandemic shut down Chicago, the CTA ran a higher percentage of its scheduled trains: each line ran at least 92% of scheduled trips. And to make service more reliable, the CTA has changed schedules in an attempt to match them to the number of operators available to drive buses and trains, leaving some riders complaining about wait times between buses and trains. I tend to make the point that this is more realistic service, Carter said. To say that I had service scheduled that I was never providing, doesnt really mean that is a (service) cut when I do this. In July 2023, the average wait times between trains on the Red and Blue lines, the CTAs two busiest, during morning rush hour were about seven and nearly eight minutes. During evening rush hour they were about 7.3 and eight minutes, the CTA said. The CTA was not able to immediately provide comparisons to prior years or for other routes. Carter said the goal of his plan is to get back to pre-pandemic frequency and quality of service. He couldnt provide a timeline to do so, but said it will come down to staffing. This is not a quick and easy process to accomplish, and we are constantly working that problem every single day, he said. I wish I could tell you that in six months well be back to full service again. In July, the CTA employed the equivalent of 3,400 full-time bus operators, and 709 rail operating employees. Both remained below the budgeted head counts of 3,707 bus operators and 839 rail employees, but Carter said the CTA has been hiring more people than are leaving, which will allow the agency to begin looking at how to boost service levels. Still, even if the CTA reaches the head count targets set out in its 2023 budget, they will remain below target pre-pandemic head counts. For 2020, the CTA planned for 3,815 bus operators and 1,810 rail operating positions, budget documents show. Carter said the target head count reflects a goal, and for many years the CTA was below the target but still provided full service. As the CTA adds more employees this year, it can begin adding back service, he said. To draw back more riders in a competitive job market, the CTA has held hiring fairs and offered financial incentives to help with hiring and retention. The agency also has a plan to refresh employee spaces, such as break rooms and restrooms, Carter said. Starting pay for both bus and rail operators is now $29.65 per hour, which rises to $39.53 per hour after three years, the CTA said. Morgan Madderom, a member of the commuter advocacy group Commuters Take Action, said she has noticed service becoming more reliable on the bus she takes to work most days. And the group is pleased to see the CTA publishes more data publicly about its operations. But still, by her groups calculations the service changes have amounted to cuts to the number of buses and trains scheduled to run each week. Instead, the group would like to see service added, she said. Were glad theyre running closer to schedule, but theyre still not running often enough, she said. And were only going to lose more ridership if trains and buses arent running often enough to rely upon. Carters plan also called for the creation of a chatbot to allow riders to report issues to the CTA in real time. That is set to be introduced to the board next week, he said. Amid heightened awareness of people living on trains, the CTA last year signed a $2 million agreement with the citys Department of Family and Support Services for outreach and support services for riders who are homeless, as well as for those facing mental health or substance abuse challenges. Another tenet of the plan called for taller ADA-compliant entry gates to be installed to help prevent fare evasion, and the CTA data shows 24 have been installed so far. The agency said it did not yet have enough data to measure how effective they have been. The good news is that our ridership is growing, Carter said. The reality is that were going to have to continue working hard to keep that number moving forward. sfreishtat@chicagotribune.com For Republicans hoping to avoid a third consecutive Donald Trump nomination, the main finding of the new NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll was not encouraging, with the former president swamping Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , his nearest rival, 42% to 19% in Iowa a 23-point margin. But the history of the Registers polling in Iowa also seemed to offer these same Republicans a glimmer of hope. As the graphic below shows, Trumps sizable lead is not the largest ever enjoyed by a Republican at this early point in a caucus campaign cycle. And, crucially, we have seen one previous GOP candidate Bob Dole, in the 1996 election cycle lose more than 40 points of support between roughly this point and the actual caucuses. The polling leaders at this point ahead of past Iowa GOP caucuses. The implication for 2024 is clear: If someone has bled that much support before, surely it can happen again. And it wouldnt take nearly as dramatic a plunge for Trump to lose his lead, which is only half of what Doles was at the start of the 96 campaign. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But a closer look at the numbers reveals some key differences between then and now, and those differences suggest Trumps 2024 edge may be more durable and his challengers task much tougher. First, some quick context. When Dole began his campaign, he was the Senate majority leader and the clear national front-runner, having finished second to George H.W. Bush in the previous open GOP primary race, in 1988. Dole had romped to victory in Iowa by double digits in the 88 campaign, leading him to later dub himself the president of Iowa. So when Dole entered the 96 race his third stab at the White House it was considered a foregone conclusion that hed win Iowa again. That was the backdrop for the release of the Registers first Iowa poll, in the late spring of 95. Dole was in first with 57%, followed distantly by Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas at 11%. None of the eight other candidates or potential candidates tested by the Register were in double digits. Fast-forward to the caucuses in February 1996, and that gigantic Dole lead had all but evaporated. He ended up winning, but only barely, with a mere 26% of the vote. Television commentator Pat Buchanan finished second with 23%, and former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander was right behind him with 18%. For Dole, it was a jarringly close call, one that would portend a shocking defeat to Buchanan in New Hampshire eight days later although ultimately Dole would go on to win the nomination. So, yes, Dole did squander nearly all of that 46-point lead that hed started out with. And for all we know, Trump could end up surrendering most or all of the 23-point Iowa lead hes now sitting on. But a look one level deeper than the horse-race numbers uncovers some key differences between the two situations. The first is that Doles initial support was clearly soft. In that 1995 Register poll, only 28% of Doles supporters said their minds were made up to vote for him; 67% said they were open to backing someone else. The numbers for Trump in the 2023 poll are exactly reversed: 67% of his current supporters say their minds are made up, and they are not open to the idea of supporting other candidates. Plus, 72% of respondents overall in that 1995 poll said their minds werent yet made up, compared with 52% in 2023. That means the atmosphere was more volatile and the potential for Dole to lose significant ground was apparent from the start. To compare the polls is to recognize that Trump may have already locked down more support than Dole ended up receiving in the actual caucuses. The media-political universe of 1995 was also vastly different than today, with cable news still a relative novelty there was no MSNBC or Fox News yet and the internet in its infancy. In other words, it was harder for candidates to gain exposure to wide audiences. This is another reason Dole, with two previous Iowa campaigns under his belt, opened with such an enormous polling lead. The 1995 Register poll found that 98% of Iowa Republicans knew enough about him to have an opinion and that 86% viewed him favorably. Only two other candidates had at least 70% name recognition among Iowa Republicans: Buchanan (83%) and Gramm (70%). Half of the 10 names included in the Register poll were unknown to more than 50% of Republicans. Our new poll, by contrast, shows multiple candidates with near-universal familiarity to Iowa Republicans: 98% have an opinion of Trump, 97% for DeSantis, and 95% for former Vice President Mike Pence. More than half of the likely caucusgoers in our poll expressed favorable or unfavorable views of all eight candidates who were onstage for this weeks debate. In the media-political universe of 2023, candidates tend to be more familiar to voters much earlier than they used to be. So while simple name recognition clearly accounted for a big chunk of Doles 95 polling lead, Trump is dominating against a field that Iowa Republicans know a lot more about. Ultimately, the case of Doles near-disastrous plunge may not actually offer that much hope to Trumps foes. The situations are just too different. Then again, there still may be a silver lining here for them. It has to do with the much higher name recognition that candidates now tend to enjoy. DeSantis, as noted, is already almost universally known to Iowa Republicans. And, at least so far, they like the Florida governor, with 66% expressing a favorable view of him in the new poll, a point higher than Trumps number. And DeSantis isnt alone. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina is viewed favorably by 59% of Iowa Republicans and unfavorably by just 17% just about half of Trumps 33% unfavorable score. Its not translating into massive support right now, but there is broad goodwill among Iowa Republicans for at least two of Trumps challengers, and its possible more will join the club after Wednesdays debate. And where theres broad goodwill, theres always hope for a campaign that they may yet convert it into support the kind of support that could give Trump a run for his money. All of which is a long way of saying: Its not whats similar between 1995 and 2023 that should give non-Trump Republicans hope. Its whats different. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Prosecutors in former President Donald Trumps four criminal cases are knee-deep in producing millions of pages of discovery to ensure he receives a fair trial. The discovery process is not simply a lot of work. It is a land mine for prosecutorsone that has sunk other high-profile cases, such as the 2008 prosecution of then-Sen. Ted Stevens. In the Trump case, the prospects of a discovery errorparticularly an accidental oneare significant, and prosecutors must be careful to prevent their cases from imploding on a national stage with some of the highest stakes imaginable. For 60 years, the Supreme Courts Brady doctrine has required prosecutors to turn over all evidence to a defendant that is favorable and material. In many cases, the Brady disclosures are straightforward. In a murder case, for example, favorable evidence might be an eyewitness pointing to someone else as the possible shooter. Favorable evidence also includes anything that would discredit a prosecution witness, such as expressions of bias or prior inconsistent statements. To demonstrate a Brady violation, the defendant needs to show that the withheld evidence was material. If a defendant raises the Brady claim midtrial, the defendant must show that the withheld evidence would lead to an acquittal. If the defendant raises the Brady claim after trial, he also has the burden of showing that he would have been found not guilty if the evidence had been disclosed. Materiality can be an obstacle to defendants winning Brady appeals, but in a complicated factual case like the ones involving Trump, the materiality standard can be easier to meet. In the Trump cases, prosecutors are stitching together a narrative with the testimony of many witnesses who each contribute small but key pieces of the puzzle. If evidence that is withheld would have undermined any one of those puzzle piecesfor example by contradicting a key witnessthat may be enough. So how do the Trump prosecutors avoid committing a Brady violation? Well, the first step is to know the types of circumstances in which they happen. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Prosecutors commit Brady violations in three common situations: First, some prosecutors intentionally hide evidence. Second, prosecutors commit Brady violations because they dont understand the law and inadvertently fail to disclose required evidence. Third, prosecutors fail to turn over evidence held by other members of the prosecution team, such as police officers who work outside the prosecutors office. The first two scenarios seem unlikely in the Trump cases. The whole world is watching, so it would be absurd for special counsel Jack Smith and the other prosecutors to intentionally hide evidence. And it seems doubtful that these prosecutors, knowing the stakes, would make a legal mistake about their discovery obligations, rather than simply erring on the side of disclosure. The third scenarioturning over all evidence held by the prosecution teamis the trouble spot. The Brady doctrine provides that prosecutors must turn over evidence not just from their own files but also from the files of everyone on the prosecution team, even if the prosecutors have personally never laid eyes on the evidence. The special counsel team, of course, includes prosecutors and FBI agents who have been working on the Trump cases day and night. But thats not all. There are other federal prosecutors outside the special counsels office, such as those who prosecuted the hundreds of defendants who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Courts have said that the prosecution team includes other prosecutors with information about the defendants case. Then there are the national security agencies involved in gathering evidence about the attack on the Capitol and the big lie to overturn the election. Federal courts have said that these agencies are part of the prosecution team that must produce Brady evidence. Will the special counsels office be able to check through those files? And then theres the House of Representatives Jan. 6 committee, which undertook a lengthy investigation of the events at the heart of the D.C. and Georgia criminal cases. Congress is not a law enforcement body. So, in theory, the committee and its dozens of staff are not part of the prosecution team. But we are in uncharted territory. We know little about how closely the special counsels team worked with the Jan. 6 committee behind the scenes. It is therefore not outside the realm of possibility that a court could consider the committees work to be potential Brady material. Given the scope of the crimes alleged against Trump, there is a mountain of evidence spread all over Washingtonnot to mention New York, Georgia, Florida, and elsewhere. Highly competent prosecutors have flunked their Brady obligations in far less complicated situations than this. The special counsel (and prosecutors in Georgia and New York) should therefore have eyes in the back of their heads to look for all possible Brady evidence. Because the goal of any prosecutor is not just to win, but to do so in a way that ensures that the process is fair and that any convictions will be upheld on appeal. Editors Note: David Orentlicher is the Judge Jack and Lulu Lehman Professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he specializes in constitutional law and health law. He also serves as a Democrat in the Nevada Assembly. Eve Hanan is the associate dean of faculty development and research and professor of law at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she specializes in criminal law and procedure. The views expressed in this commentary are the authors own. View more opinion at CNN. Former President Donald Trump s surrender to the authorities in Georgia Thursday on charges of racketeering, forgery, false statements and other crimes, as well as his three previous arraignments in separate criminal probes, reflects an important reality: Trump allegedly violated the law on many occasions, and he should be held accountable through criminal prosecutions. Indeed, it is essential to bring Trump to justice for his assaults on the electoral process. David Orentlicher - R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Creative Services But prosecutors should not stretch criminal laws in ways that would be unfair to Trump and that would open the door to unwarranted prosecutions of others. Yet thats what Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is doing in Georgia, particularly with her indictment of the former president under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Eve Hanan - Courtesy Eve Hanan Not surprisingly, there are other criminal laws that are straightforward and appropriate to invoke against Trump. (He has denied wrongdoing in all the cases against him.) For example, special counsel Jack Smith was on solid ground when he charged Trump in federal court in June with the mishandling of classified documents after Trump allegedly took documents with sensitive national security information when he left the White House, stored them in unauthorized locations and showed some of them to people who did not have security clearances. Hes pleaded not guilty and cited a range of legal arguments. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Similarly, if the allegations behind the election-related counts from Smith and Willis are true, it is appropriate and necessary for Trump to face charges for trying to prevent the counting of peoples votes, influence the testimony of witnesses, present fraudulent slates of electors in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and engage in other misconduct. But Willis doesnt stop there, and her invocation of RICO charges in particular raises concerns. Legislatures enacted federal and state racketeering statutes to ensure that prosecutors can effectively dismantle organized crime groups, most notably the Mafia, by criminalizing participation in an enterprise with criminal goals. Because participation in the enterprise is the heart of the crime, conviction of a RICO defendant only hinges on proving that the person took some actions toward the objective of the enterprise. Drawing on the affiliation with a targeted group makes it easier to prosecute individuals whose criminal actions might otherwise be seen as minor. To the extent that participants are charged as co-conspirators, all can be prosecuted for the crimes of their co-conspirators. This makes it easier for prosecutors to go after mob bosses who rely on their underlings to commit their crimes, but also for minor participants to be prosecuted for the crimes of others. But RICO statutes do not limit their definition of enterprise to Mafia-like organized crime groups which has unfortunately paved the way for Willis and other prosecutors to bring RICO charges for all kinds of alleged conspiracies. Any group of people, no matter how small, can constitute a RICO criminal enterprise if they conspire together to commit one of the many crimes specified in the RICO statute at the state and federal level. They need not represent an existing group, either. In a 2001 indictment in Miami, for instance, federal prosecutors applied RICO to a pair of union officials who took union funds for personal use. In another controversial case, Willis in 2013 indicted more than 30 school administrators and teachers for cheating on state standardized tests. Though facilitated by legislatures and approved by courts, the expansion of RICO statutes violates a fundamental principle of fairness: Criminal laws must clearly inform people about what they may and may not do. A statute directed against organized crime does not clearly speak to efforts to overturn an election. While Willis and other prosecutors have stretched RICO far beyond its intended role before, this is the first time RICO charges have been brought against a former president, and their use here demonstrates their seemingly limitless bounds. Moreover, when RICO is brought into the picture, the claim of a broad criminal enterprise can turn more people into potential defendants even if they might have done nothing wrong. A suspect doesnt necessarily have to be a member of an alleged enterprise to be accused of participating in the conduct of its affairs. Some defendants may never have realized they were involved with the enterprise, or that the enterprise even existed. In a 2016 New York case, federal prosecutors pursuing a gang swept up 120 suspects, nearly all of whom were indigent, yet did not allege gang membership for nearly half of them. Ultimately, only 69 of the 120 defendants were convicted of violating RICO, and, for 35 of those convicted, the only predicate act of racketeering was the sale of marijuana. This is no surprise: Even among members of street gangs, estimates indicate that only a small minority are involved in crime. Casting a wide net can also raise serious First Amendment issues. To justify her RICO charges against Trump, Willis must point to particular acts by the former president that advanced the alleged criminal enterprise. She must also do the same in a separate RICO case she has brought against rapper Young Thug (Jeffery Lamar Williams) for allegedly founding and participating in a violent street gang, charges that Williams denies. Among the particular acts identified in the cases, Willis cited lyrics from Williams songs and the following tweet from Trump: Georgia hearings now on @OANN. Amazing! (OANN stands for One America News Network, a right-wing TV network.) Song lyrics and a promotional tweet are not criminal; indeed, they ordinarily count as speech protected by the Constitution. If protected speech can be criminalized in a RICO prosecution, First Amendment freedoms will be eroded. RICO also can turn minor crimes into serious ones, since RICO statutes often raise the penalties for criminal misconduct under the theory that coordinated criminal acts are worse than the same crimes committed by individuals. But criminal law is designed to punish individual, not collective, guilt. In Willis case, she has filed multiple charges alleging false statements and writings. Those charges ordinarily carry a prison sentence of one to five years under Georgia law. By using RICO, Willis has given the defendants a potential prison sentence of five to 20 years. This also means that the punishment may no longer fit the crime. Moreover, the prospect of an unduly harsh sentence can lead innocent defendants to plead guilty to a lower sentence. The principle of accountability for Trump is critical, but so is the principle of a fair system of justice. Prosecutors can hold the former president responsible for any serious misconduct without invoking RICO and compromising the principle of fairness that protects us all. Perfectly adequate laws against election fraud, obstruction of an official proceeding, influencing witnesses and other alleged misdeeds by Trump can be employed without setting dangerous precedents or raising questions about the integrity of what is already a politically divisive case. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Editors Note: Bill Carter covered the media business for more than 25 years at The New York Times. He has also been a contributor to CNN, and the author of four books about television, including The Late Shift. He was the Emmy-nominated writer of the HBO film adaptation of that book. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN. Fall TV! Premiere week! Promos everywhere. Whos going to be a breakout star? Magazine covers. Predictions of whats a hit; whats a flop. So much excitement! Bill Carter - Fred Conrad Wait; is this the History Channel? Surely this is not a description of fall TV, circa 2023. If somebody is doing a magazine cover now, on what used to be called the fall season of television, it would surely have a different headline. Not Fall TV. Whod care? Fall of TV, maybe. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The idea that anyone outside industry executives and their immediate families were working up unbridled enthusiasm about the launch of new scripted series on broadcast networks, or anywhere in the dimming universe known as linear television, was already on the level of a Saturday Night Live sketch. And that was before two creative guilds shut down all work in television and movies. Fall TV has not been a significant cultural thing for the better part of a decade, as streaming has thoroughly overrun the former method of program distribution. But when the writers announced their strike in May, and the actors followed in July, the chances for TV even surviving in diminished form seem to be shrinking quickly toward zero. And this has been a massive, grand Titanic of a business model, generating billions in revenue for network owners, studios that produced programs and sometimes even individual shows. The vessel supported an enormous, sprawling crew of artists and artisans, including the writers and actors who did the creative work. All it took for them to secure financial security through residual payments was landing on one long-running show. Then it all sank. For the writers and actors, the lifeboats they have landed on streaming shows are less grand and less safe, as they are losing billions for their owners. That leaves the surviving writers and actors tired of doing all the rowing for a lot less reward. In 2006, I wrote a book, Desperate Networks, about the rocky future of the old model of the television business: Studios produced shows; networks paid to license them; networks sold commercial time to advertisers hungry to reach mass audiences; studios re-sold the shows in syndication or on cable for even more profits. Everything depended on finding big, broad hits. The model hung on in more or less stable form for most of the first two decades of this century, shored up, beginning in 2000, by reliance on a new form called reality TV, and continued belief in the salvation of the big hit. Then, the viewers started leaving for a world where they didnt have to pay for a bundle of cable channels they didnt want, only for streaming channels they believed offered higher quality content. And they didnt have to watch commercials. In reaction, the barrel-scraping of reality concepts has been ever more evident on broadcast networks in recent years. Does anyone really believe NBC or CBS or ABC or Fox or could ever manage to find another Seinfeld, CSI, Lost or The X-Files that would grab the attention of the nation? The schedules networks announced in May looked like a patchwork of formulaic ideas, more reality fare and shows that few people would believe were still on the air. Greys Anatomy? Thats still on? I used to really like that when Sandra Oh was on. When did she leave the show? Ten years ago. Why cant broadcast networks generate a good show? They can, especially in the sitcom form, which streamers really dont try to replicate. Abbott Elementary on ABC is a superb show for any time and any platform. Ghosts on CBS is a solid comedy. But theyll never be hits of the magnitude to turn around that business. And, for now anyway, they wont even be on because of the strikes. Instead, it will be just a tiny few new episodes of scripted shows. One strategy seems to be borrowing shows from network-sister streaming channels. CBS is bringing over the Paramount hit Yellowstone, starting with its premiere episode (first aired in 2018). If things really get desperate this time, maybe they can try to dredge up even older fare. A lot of people may now have seen Lost the first time around. It made more than 120 episodes. ABC could run three hours a week and cover about 10 months. Imagine how much time CBS could fill with CSI. That was on for more than 330 episodes. Or maybe the networks could emulate the record business. When a band would break up, a record company would inevitably put out a Best of album. Fox could try that with The X-Files just the good episodes with Mulder and Scully. NBC had endless episodes of ER, not all of them memorable. It could still fill hours with the best ones. Sure, most of those episodes are already on somewhere on a streaming service. But they dont get much attention there, buried in the stacks of those libraries of shows. Sound unlikely? Consider Suits, another show buried in the streaming stacks. It originally ran on the USA cable network beginning in 2011 and was recently added to Netflixs lineup. It has racked up more than 3 billion minutes of viewing each week on Netflix and Peacock. Now maybe it takes a princess in the cast (Meghan Markle was a co-star in the series), but in contemporary television terms, those definitely qualify as big hit numbers. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On Thursday, like every American journalist and many Americans period I waited all day for former President Trump's mug shot. Then my husband finally pointed to the TV and yelled, "Blue Steel!" (the Zoolander resemblance was uncanny). As Trump's feral scowl graced every news platform, I watched an overwhelming and understandable catharsis saturate the nation's top cable news networks, with commentators treating the mug shot as a victory or declaring it justice. Now, I did experience some satisfaction as newsrooms plastered the former presidents mug across platforms while he faces an astonishing list of charges. However, I am also a harm reductionist who sees a once-in-two-centuries opportunity. Read more: Litman: Donald Trump just saw the inside of a jailhouse and possibly his own miserable future ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement At long last, the mug shot the most journalistically fraught photo format is having the moment we need to change a media convention that has always disproportionately harmed our country's most vulnerable populations. Trump, as an extremely powerful figure, may seem like an exception to the rule. But his picture is the ultimate case that pokes a hole in the logic that newsrooms use to defend publishing these photos. Its time for newsrooms to abandon mug shots altogether, with very few exceptions. For the last 15 years I've taught journalism at Temple University, and I run a community newsroom in Kensington, a North Philadelphia neighborhood with an intersection of our society's most oppressed populations (its also the neighborhood that has been trotted out like a prop by GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy). Ive seen over and over how easily these groups including Black and brown communities, migrants, single parents, sex workers, the unhoused, veterans and others with high risk of trauma and limited economic opportunities are criminalized. Mug shots feed that system. Read more: Commentary: Mugshots from Georgia and the first GOP debate upstage Trumps predictable interview with Carlson The supposed arguments in their favor concern public safety that they alert the public of a potentially dangerous person, confirm an arrest and avoid confusion as to which individual (who might have the same name as others) was accused. But thats not the effect they usually have in reality. Kensington, while a stunningly resilient community, is overwhelmed by poverty and poor health outcomes, and it is engulfed by one of the country's largest open-air drug markets. Here, many peoples life circumstances combine with their environment to push them into the drug market, selling, using or both. Unsurprisingly, many of them get arrested (particularly if they belong to groups that are over-incarcerated nationally such as Black Americans and people with mental health or substance use disorders). Their mug shots become fodder to splash across a page. But for what gain? Mug shots publicize the identity of people who have not yet been convicted. Even when people are found guilty of the crime for which they were arrested, the publics need for that visual information is so minuscule that the harm of publishing overwhelms it. Its much less likely that a mug shot will, say, prevent an arrested individual with limited resources from fleeing their jurisdiction than that it will fuel local gossip: Hey! The neighbors son got his second DUI! Even so, as researchers have noted , local news outlets rely on the criminal justice systems steady flow of mug shots to increase advertising revenue with minimal production. This, despite the stigma mug shots create for people who, unlike Trump, aren't public figures and are experiencing their worst moments. Theres also no evidence that these photographs deter crime. While some news outlets and projects, my startup newsroom included, have taken a firm stance against mug shots, influential organizations remain resistant. For example, the Associated Press, long considered the gold standard for journalistic style and ethics, has already published relatively strict guidelines on using artificial intelligence. Yet the APs mug shot ethical standards are weak, buried under their 2021 decision to stop publishing the names of individuals accused in "minor crime briefs." The only credible public safety argument to use a mug shot is when a person presents an active threat, such as someone on the run for a violent crime, and no other clear recent photo is available. Trumps mug shot does not fit that category though it is undoubtedly the strongest case Ive seen for newsrooms running a booking photo purely for public interest. But even this instance shows how thin the arguments for mug shots are. In Trumps case, there is certainly no other former president named Donald J. Trump, so theres no need for a photograph to resolve that issue. While some may want a picture as proof that Trump was actually arrested, there are other ways to verify arrest. Yes, I felt some schadenfreude seeing a mug shot of Trump, who has so often thrown baseless accusations of criminality toward my city and others. But is the satisfaction of a broken criminal justice system catching up to someone like Trump reason enough to engage in a practice that is overwhelmingly harmful? It's not. Trumps mug shot may well be the definitive U.S. photo of 2023. But lets hope that it helps advance a wider conversation about moving away from photos that label mostly ordinary people as criminals before theyve even had the chance to go though the justice system. Jillian Bauer-Reese is an associate professor of journalism at Temple University and the founder of Kensington Voice, a community hub and newsroom in North Philadelphia. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Phoenix-area advocacy groups issued a statement opposing the arrest of an advocate for people experiencing homelessness during Wednesday's clearout of a block of "The Zone," Phoenix's largest homeless encampment. Sophia Dancel of Unsheltered Phoenix was arrested during the city's clearing operation of Ninth Avenue south of Jackson Street. Police say she was booked under preliminary charges for trespassing and resisting arrest. Dancel was released later in the afternoon that same day. In a joint statement, 11 local organizations called for those charges to be dropped. "We are also calling on state and local leaders to condemn the political prosecutions and violence carried out by Phoenix Police," the statement reads. Activist Sophia Dancel (on ground, center) is taken into custody during a Zone cleanup on Ninth Avenue, south of Jackson Street in Phoenix, Ariz., on Aug. 23, 2023. The organizations cited an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the Phoenix Police Department. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "The fact that this arrest happened while the department is under a Department of Justice investigation for several civil rights violations, including retaliatory targeting and arrests of police critics and their treatment of the unsheltered community, is a slap in the face not only to Phoenix residents but the DOJ as well," the statement says. The groups that issued the statement were Mass Liberation AZ, Black Phoenix Organizing Collective, Fund for Empowerment, BLMPhxMetro, Poder in Action, Fuerte Arts Movement, Cihuapactli Collective, Unemployed Workers United, Housing Initiative Project AZ, Chispa and White People Against White Supremacy. The Phoenix Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the statement. Helen Rummel covers housing insecurity and homelessness for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@gannett.com. Coverage of housing insecurity on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Advocacy groups oppose activist's arrest during 'Zone' clearing Its been almost 60 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his now iconic I Have a Dream speech. >>TRENDING: Their faces were glowing; Northwestern community cheers on students heading back to school This weekend, thousands will gather at the Lincoln Memorial for the anniversary of that moment and the March on Washington. The nonviolent protest brought more than 250,000 people crowded around the Lincoln Memorial to call for racial equality, civil rights, and jobs. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others pushed for and ultimately were successful in getting civil rights and voting rights legislation through that was really kind of a big, gigantic step for the country, said Dr. Clarence Lusane, Howard University professor. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement >>TRENDING: Police: Deadly Trotwood crash being investigated as intentional act Lusane said the 1963 March on Washington was a major turning point for the country. Martin Luther King III and his wife are organizing the march along with Rev. Al Sharpton who now runs the National Action Network. Theyve teamed up with more than 100 partners from civil rights organizations to groups representing minorities, women, clergy and the LGBTQ plus community. This years theme not a commemoration, a continuation. Leading up to this weekend, Kings son said despite major progress over the last six decades, theres still work to do. He said we need to rededicate ourselves to the mission my dad gave his life for. >>TRENDING: 5 dead following domestic dispute in Northern Ohio Lusane say many of the issues that Dr. king addressed in the 1960s continue today as well as new challenges. What worries me today is not only the racial disparities and how those have a direct impact, but the attack on democracy, said Lusane. One of the really heralding times is that were seeing a push back on the gains that have been made over the decades in voting right, in access to education. Its a call to action that some say theyre ready for. >>LOCAL NEWS: Local area school district to hand out free backpacks today We still have a long way to go to keep those rights that we have right now to continue to fight for the generation that has yet to come, said CeeJay Joseph, Houston resident. On Monday, August 28, President Biden and Vice President Harris will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. A White House official said they will meet with organizers of the march, community leaders and members of the King family during the afternoon. Talita DeNegri at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School in 2017. DeNegri recently resigned from her position as principal after a student sexual misconduct investigation found the school had not taken action consistent with its core beliefs and values. A newly hired executive assistant at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics comes from another school accused of ignoring sexual harassment complaints. The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics this month announced it has hired Talita DeNegri, who resigned from Mount St. Mary Catholic High School in December 2021 after an investigation revealed the school under her leadership failed to address student complaints of sexual abuse. Her hire comes just weeks after the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in Oklahoma City was served with a lawsuit from a former employee, alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and a toxic and misogynistic culture have gone unchecked for years. Oklahoma Watch Former employee files suit against OSSM, accusing school of ignoring sexual harassment The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, a publicly funded, residential school for academically gifted juniors and seniors, was the focus of an Oklahoma Watch story published Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to the lawsuit, filed by Keli Pueblo, who worked at the school for six years: A male administrator made explicit comments about womens bodies; a former dorm director was hired despite having been charged with driving under the influence and having two temporary restraining orders against him; male professors spoke sexually toward students, faculty and staff; a longtime vice president had multiple affairs with women on campus, including in his office. The school on Aug. 2 announced on its website and Facebook page that DeNegri was hired to work with President Tony Cornforth, who in June was named the schools new president. Cornforth declined to be interviewed by Oklahoma Watch but, in a written statement, said he was absolutely committed to continuing a professional, positive, and healthy workplace at OSSM. At Mount St. Marys, a parochial school in Oklahoma City, DeNegri and other school leaders were accused of fostering a toxic environment, covering up reports of sexual abuse and blaming victims, as originally reported by The Oklahoman. Students in 2022 filed a lawsuit against Mount St. Marys, alleging the school fostered a rape culture and the victims didnt know it was a systematic problem until the story was reported in the news. A federal judge Monday granted the schools motion to dismiss, agreeing with the schools legal argument that because more than two years had passed, the statute of limitations has run out. In the judges order, he noted that the students can amend their claims. More: Student sexual misconduct probe finds school at fault; OKC principal resigns Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSSM new hire came from another school accused of ignoring harassment An alleged statement by Othal Wallace, who is accused of killing Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor, that police knew what he was "capable of" will be allowed at trial, a judge ruled during a hearing Friday. Wallace, 31, was charged with first-degree murder in Raynor's shooting June 23, 2021. The 26-year-old Raynor remained hospitalized until his death on Aug. 17, 2021. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty if Wallace is convicted at his trial, which is scheduled to begin next month in Clay County. At Friday's hearing, attorneys argued motions about evidence that will or will not be allowed at trial. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to police, after Wallace was arrested in Georgia, he said: You know who I am. You know what Im capable of and it could have been a lot worse. Defendant Othal Wallace talks with his defense team, Friday, July 28, 2023, during a hearing in Judge Raul Zambrano's courtroom at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach. One of Wallaces defense attorneys, Terry Shoemaker, argued the statement should be excluded from the trial saying it was prejudicial and unrelated to the accusations in Daytona Beach. Theres actually no probative value to those statements, Shoemaker said. Seventh Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza said the statement related to the shooting in Daytona Beach and should be included. Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano ruled that jurors would be allowed to hear the statement. Officer Jason Raynor's shooting Raynor was patrolling in an area of Daytona Beach on June 23, 2021, because residents had complained of criminal activity, police have said. Raynor went to question Wallace who was sitting in a car outside of an apartment building at 133 Kingston Ave., where Wallace was living with his girlfriend and their children, according to reports. Police said Wallace shot Raynor in the head. Raynors gun was found still in its holster. Wallace was arrested on June 26, 2021, when a task force found him hiding in a treehouse in DeKalb County, Georgia, near Atlanta. Judge bars marijuana evidence for now While the judge ruled that the statement would be included, he denied a prosecution request for now to tell jurors that marijuana was found in the tree house where Wallace was arrested. Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak argued that the marijuana was relevant because they believe that Raynor suspected that Wallace had marijuana when he encountered him that night. Zambrano said this was the first time he had heard of drugs being involved in the case. Urbanak said once the state presents evidence at the trial it would be clearer. Zambrano denied the state request for now and said that the marijuana claiml could not be introduced at trial unless he approved it first. But prosecutors will be able to tell jurors something else that was found in the tree house: the Glock 17 pistol they said Wallace used to kill Raynor. Prosecutors said they also found a living will in the tree house. Zambrano did not rule on whether the will would be admitted as evidence. Wallace's Instagram statements Defense attorneys and prosecutors argued about additional statements made in videos Wallace posted to Instagram. Urbanak said one audio statement was posted by Wallace after Raynor was shot: I want yall to know something, man. I love yall. I want yall to know something, man, the prosecutor read in court. I love yall. Black Power. Stay strong as a nation. Keep (expletive) fighting. Move (expletive) forward. Don't let these (expletive) pigs (expletive) with you. I love y'all. Black Power and Shalom." Urbanak said Wallace posted a video on Instagram before the shooting referring to blood on his boots, which showed premeditation. That apparently referred to a statement posted on June 7, 2021: "1 Day I Will Take Great Pride And Honor In Getting Me Some Pigs Blood On My Hands And Boots," it reads. "I Pray Against My Enemy And Wish Death To All Who Are Oppressive To The Black Culture Black Power!!" Defense attorney Tim Pribisco said the statements were not relevant and were made in the context of the politics in the country; he said they did not show Wallace was pre-planning a crime. Judge Zambrano admitted the statements, saying they were relevant. "It's a pretty damning statement," Zambrano said. Zambrano said social media provides an insight into a person. "They do offer a window inside your soul when you start putting out what you're thinking for the whole world to see." Wallace, attorneys, prosecutors and the judge will gather again on Sept. 5 in the Clay County courthouse when they will begin to pick a jury. The trial was moved there after defense attorneys argued that the case had received too much publicity in Volusia County. Zambrano said he hopes to have a jury selected by Sept. 8 and to have opening statements on Sept 11. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Accused cop killer Othal Wallace's statement to be allowed at trial Thousands of people in the region are still without power due to strong storms overnight. The South Park and Bethlehem-Center school districts closed Friday due to power outages. Some other schools in the area were delayed. As of Friday night, Fayette County had the highest power outage numbers still being reported. Pittsburgh-area school closings and delays Flooding was also an issue in some areas. In Penn Hills, a driver was rescued when their car became disabled on a flooded road around 2 a.m. At 11:40 a.m., Duquesne Light sent Channel 11 the following statement: Following early Friday mornings severe weather across the region, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) is continuing to safely work around the clock to restore service as quickly as possible. Service has already been restored to more than 15,000 customers, leaving less than 1,000 customers without service. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Because of the extensive and widespread damage, the estimated time of restoration for all customers is around 11 p.m. this evening, with many customers being restored sooner. Strong storms overnight quiet to passing showers Friday; muggy with highs in 80s Customers can report any downed wires or outages by calling 1-888-393-7000 or clicking here. Current outages reported by West Penn Power by county are below. Customers can report outages by clicking here. A strong storm system passed through our service area overnight causing widespread damage. Crews will be working around the clock to restore service to customers as quickly and safely as possible. If you are without power, please report your outage using one of these options pic.twitter.com/SNM2QvgDiy West Penn Power (@W_Penn_Power) August 25, 2023 Call 911 immediately if you see a downed power line. Assume all downed lines are energized and dangerous. Click here for a look at current Duquesne Light outages. Click here for a look at current West Penn Power outages. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: PITTSBURGH ACTIVE SHOOTER: Suspect dead after police shootout in Garfield Pittsburgh active shooter: What we know about the suspect, William Hardison Sr. 40 Pittsburgh police officers on leave after hours-long shootout ends with suspects death VIDEO: Law enforcement officials react to active shooting situation in Garfield DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts The Panama City Beach City Council on Thursday approved the second reading of an ordinance to increase the city's water and sewer rates next fiscal year. PANAMA CITY BEACH The City Council on Thursday approved a contract with a company that will serve as a lobbyist for the city and help secure grant funding. The company, Floridian Partners LLC, is based out of Tallahassee and has worked with the city for the past three years. It will be paid $6,250 a month to help Panama City Beach secure as much grant funding as possible from the state and federal governments. The money will in turn be used to help fund future local developments and projects. "If we can maximize our grant funding, then we don't have to look to the residents to provide support," Councilmember Mary Coburn said. "Panama City Beach is one of 27 cities in the state of Florida that does not have an ad valorem (property) tax. ... For us to be able to do some of these projects, if we didn't have (grant) funding, we would not be able to do it." She said an example of such a project is the development of a new K9 facility off Gulf Boulevard, near the city's utilities department, for the Beach Police. City Council members on Thursday voted to accept a $1 million grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to help fund the $1.6 million project. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Officials said during the meeting this project would not have been possible without Floridian Partners' help. More power: Panama City Beach Council gives city manager more decision-making power in emergencies Coburn, along with Mayor Mark Sheldon, said any local funding used on the partnership between Panama City Beach and Floridian Partners is money well spent. PCB paid the group about $55,000 last year and got a return of approximately $4 million in grants. "I would say that is a really good return on our money," Coburn said. "I'm definitely thankful for them," Sheldon said. "They're a major asset to our city, that's for sure. ... They do a great job, not just on funding, but moving the (grant) process along, which sometimes is ... a slow process." This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach hires Floridian Partners LLC to lobby for city PATERSON The citys lawyers this week dropped their appeal in Community Improvement Director David Gilmores employment case, essentially ending a 20-month attempt to fire the outspoken critic of the mayor. Attorney Kenneth Goodman on Tuesday filed a notice with the New Jersey appellate court saying Paterson was withdrawing its appeal. Gilmore, in an interview Thursday morning, said he never thought the city had any basis for its appeal, considering the strongly worded opinions by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission and an administrative law judge overturning his termination. Gilmore noted that the judges ruling said he had been the victim of a conspiracy of other employees who created the allegations against him. David Gilmore is shown by Front St. in Paterson where Felix DeJesus was last seen a year ago. Family and friends gathered to mark the one year anniversary since Felix DeJesus was last seen. Thursday, February 2, 2023 Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-The Record I think it was posturing, Gilmore said of the citys aborted appeal. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mayor Andre Sayeghs administration did not respond to a message seeking its comments for this story. The mayor is out of New Jersey on a family vacation. Earlier: Paterson's David Gilmore returns to work, 18 months after he was fired Why was Gilmore terminated? The state commission and administrative judge voided the Sayegh administrations termination of Gilmore in December 2021 over a female employees allegations of sexual harassment. Gilmore told Paterson Press that the city already has given him his back pay of $127,068 for the time he was out of work. The city also is on the hook to pay Gilmores legal fees in the employment case, which he said came to about $100,000. Gilmore resumed work in his $78,000 job at the end of June. He said the return has been trying. Im sitting in an office working with the same people who falsely accused me, he said, and theres been no action taken to protect me. Court battles loom Gilmore already had a federal political retaliation lawsuit pending against the city at the time he was fired. After his termination, he filed a second defamation lawsuit against Paterson involving the sexual harassment allegations. Both of those cases are pending in court. Gilmores supporters, including community leaders and City Council members, say Gilmores vindication in the employment case has put him in position to collect a large payment from Paterson in his civil litigation. Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: City will not appeal David Gilmore's reinstatement Police were forced to shoot and kill an aggressive dog after the animal attacked a man and woman in Peabody late Thursday night, officials said. Officers responding to a report of a dog attack in progress on Endicott Street around 10:45 p.m. found a man and woman standing on top of a car suffering from serious injuries, according to the Peabody Police Department. The dog in question was also said to be still acting in an aggressive manner, trying to get to its owners. When one of the officers noticed that the man was bleeding heavily, he tried to get the couple down from the vehicle, but the dog began to attack them again. The dog, who family members described as a pit bull mix, latched onto the womans head and began shaking her, police said. Fearing for the womans safety, an officer then used his service firearm to neutralize the dog. Both victims were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. The man is still being treated, while the woman has since been released. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Officials are now working to determine why the dog attacked its owners but a preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the woman tried to intervene when the animal somehow escaped their home and started chasing after their cat. Police noted that they havent had any prior involvement with the owners or the dog before. State police are assisting Peabody police with an investigation. Dog attacks couple sending them to hospital. #Peabody police shot and killed dog on Endicott to stop it. They say dog belonged to the couple. Family says the dog was a pitbull mix. It ran after their cat and the woman intervened. #boston25 pic.twitter.com/gjVVExu1N7 Katie Brace (@KatieBraceNews) August 25, 2023 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 Genital squeezing at jail is "not related to a legitimate penological purpose" and not protected by qualified immunity. Sometimes it seems like the doctrine of qualified immunityunder which police officers and other agents of the state are protected from legal liability for some abuses and mistakeshas no limit. So it's nice to see courts at least occasionally reject ridiculous qualified immunity claims, like the idea that squeezing a detainee's genitals during a strip-search is proper and standard procedure. Indeed, "squeezing a detainee's penis hard is not a 'proper part of a search,'" a federal appeals court has held. The case, before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, was brought by Wilbert Glover against Minnesota corrections officer Richard Paul . Paul strip-searched Glover while Glover was jailed at the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center in St. Paul in 2015. Paul "made me take off my jumpsuit strip search me took his hand and grasp my penis squeeze it hard and gestures," Glover alleged. After the incident, Glover sought medical care and filed a complaint against Paul, alleging that the corrections officer had violated his constitutional rights. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Paul responded by claiming that he "never touched [Glover's] genitals or otherwise touched him inappropriately" and that even if he had, he was protected by qualified immunity. The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota rejected Paul's argument, concluding "that Paul's alleged actions violated Glover's clearly established constitutional right to be free from excessive force in the form of sexual assault or abuse," as the appeals court describes it. In an August 24 ruling, the court affirmed the district court's ruling. "On appeal, Paul maintains that he is entitled to qualified immunity," noted the 8th Circuit judges in their decision: Qualified immunity protects governmental officials from suit under 42 U.S.C. 1983 unless a plaintiff shows that the official's alleged conduct violated a clearly established right of the plaintiff.Because Glover was a detainee at the time of the incident, his relevant constitutional rights arise under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.A detainee alleging an excessive use of force must show that the force used against him was objectively unreasonable. Paul argues that he did not violate Glover's clearly established right under the Fourteenth Amendment. He maintains that no constitutional violation occurred because "manual contact with a detainee's genitals may be necessary as part of a search." And he says that there is no evidence that the strip search or his actions during the search were performed for an improper purpose. In determining whether Paul is entitled to qualified immunity, we must accept facts that the district court assumed were supported by sufficient evidence.In the order denying qualified immunity, the district court stated that squeezing a detainee's penis hard is not a "proper part of a search," and that the "action does not seem inadvertent nor does Paul assert it was." The court explained that a "jury could find that squeezing a prisoner's penis hard during a strip search is not penologically necessary." We infer from these statements that the court assumed that a jury could find that Paul intentionally squeezed Glover's penis hard in a manner that was not related to a legitimate penological purpose. Viewing the facts in the light most favorable to Glover, a jury could find that the alleged conduct constituted sexual abuse or assault. We accept that some contact with a detainee's genitals may be necessary and proper during a legitimate strip search, but Paul's alleged conduct was intentional and gratuitous, and thus exceeded the legitimate purpose of a search.A reasonable official would have understood that the conduct alleged in Glover's verified complaint constituted an unreasonable use of force that violated a detainee's right under the Fourteenth Amendment. Full decision here. FREE MINDS The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is fighting a West Virginia University policy requiring faculty to "accept and encourage change that is for the greater good." Last month, FIRE wrote @WestVirginiaU expressing concern about a new policy requiring faculty members to "accept and encourage change that is for the greater good." WVU ignored us. But we're not giving up that easily. https://t.co/mATxEe7O6S pic.twitter.com/uafql8rI3P FIRE (@TheFIREorg) August 23, 2023 FREE MARKETS Biden administration pushes double talk on tariffs: The White House sayscorrectlythat tariffs are taxes that raise prices on American families. Yet, they continue to defend Trump's near-universal tariffs on steel + alum and $335B of goods from China. Biden could repeal these taxes today with the stroke of a pen. pic.twitter.com/7kf3TJXWf7 Halie Craig (@haliecraig) August 24, 2023 QUICK HITS Donald Trump's mug shot from Fulton County, Georgia, was released yesterday. The former president is using it as a campaign promotion, posting it to Twitterthe first time he's posted since CEO Elon Musk reinstated his account: The latest Reason crossword is out. Paper and bamboo straws were supposed to be better for the environment, but they're full of potentially toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a new study finds. "PFAS were more frequently detected in plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo," than in plastic straws, note the study authors. "The presence of PFAS in plant-based straws shows that they are not necessarily biodegradable." Three men who say they were coerced into confessing to a murder they didn't commit had their convictions thrown out on Thursday. The menEarl Walters, Armond McCloud, and Reginald Cameronwere between the ages of 17 and 20 at the time of their initial interrogations. Each spent between nine and 29 years in prison. A federal court has partially dismissed pharmaceutical company GenBioPro's lawsuit against the state of West Virginia over its restrictions on abortion pills, rejecting GenBioPro's claim that the state's ban on abortion pills is preempted by federal law. The court said "GenBioPro could challenge West Virginia's prohibition on telehealth access to the drug because it's still up to the FDA to decide how a drug can be provided to patients," reports ABC News. Coming soon to porn in Texas: The Texas anti-porn law will force all adult websites to post nonsense "HEALTH WARNINGS" about supposed "brain harms" from watching porn, and orders ALL consensual sex content among adults to have "child trafficking" warnings. So I asked the Texas Health Dept., and: https://t.co/muZihmmVNE Gustavo Turner (@GustavoTurnerX) August 24, 2023 Wednesday's Republican presidential debate drew 12.8 million viewsalmost four times the number of viewers Trump's CNN town hall earlier this year pulled in. South Carolina's Supreme Court has upheld a six-week ban on abortion, after voting down a similar ban back in January. A ballot initiative that "would limit the size of pot farms and severely restrict any modifications to existing ones" has qualified for California's March 2024 election, notes SFGATE. "The local farmers are warning that passing the initiative would destroy the local commercial cannabis industry." "The principal and a teacher at a Florida Elementary school have been placed on paid administrative leave after staff singled out Black fourth- and fifth-graders and pulled them into assemblies about low test scores," reports USA Today. The post Penis Squeezing Not Protected by Qualified Immunity appeared first on Reason.com. A brown-and-white male French bulldog that was allegedly abandoned by its owner at the Pittsburgh International Airport is doing well in foster care and is up for adoption. A Pennsylvania dog allegedly abandoned by its owner at Pittsburgh International Airport is up for adoption, while the owner is being charged with animal cruelty and neglect. The Allegheny County Police Department, which found the male dog "unattended in a stroller" in the airport's short-term parking earlier this month, in a social media post, said the dog was up for adoption and that charges have been formally filed against its owner for "intentionally" abandoning the dog. "We can now share charges have been filed against the dogs owner," read the police statement. "Investigators determined (the owner) intentionally abandoned the dog near short-term parking before boarding a plane to a resort destination in Mexico." The police are charging the dog's former owner with animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment. Charges have been issued via summons. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The owner's preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 16, an Allegheny County police spokesperson told USA TODAY. It is illegal to abandon a dog under Pennsylvania law. A brown-and-white male French bulldog that was allegedly abandoned by its owner at the Pittsburgh International Airport is doing well in foster care and is up for adoption. French bulldog left in a stroller On August 4, police responded to a call early in the morning that a male dog was found unattended in a stroller". Officers attempted to use the dogs microchip but failed to contact the owner. The owner tried to take her brown-and-white male French bulldog with her on a flight departing from Pittsburgh International Airport, authorities told The Associated Press. But the dog was denied boarding by the airline because it did not meet the criteria for an emotional support animal and did not have a proper kennel as required, the AP reported. Security camera footage showed the owner leaving the ticket counter and then pushing the dog in the stroller toward the airports short-term parking lot and seen headed to an area where the dog was found unattended 40 minutes later, authorities told the AP. A woman left her dog near the parking lot when on her way to a resort destination. 'It's like she never left us': 3 years and 300 miles later, Texas family reunited with lost dog Celebrate your favourite pup: National Dog Day 2023 is Saturday When the accused owner returned from her trip on August 10, a county police sergeant was waiting for her, AP reported. The owner admitted leaving the dog behind because the airline wouldnt allow it on the plane but said she arranged for her mother to come and pick up the animal from the airport. She also allowed the police to view her text conversation with her mother, but authorities said they did not find evidence of immediate arrangements being made. The owner's mother told the police that she only found out about the incident when her daughter's ex-husband shared a news story about the dog being left at the airport. Meanwhile, the dog is currently in the care of rescue shelter Animal Friends of Pittsburgh and is doing well, police said. In January, a New Jersey man left his dog tied up outside of the Des Moines (Iowa) International Airport when he was told he couldnt fly with the dog without a kennel. He continued to board his flight and was charged with a misdemeanor. The dog has since been adopted by another family. More: This dog lived at a shelter for 942 days before being adopted. This is his story. Contributing: The Associated Press Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pennsylvania dog owner faces charges of animal cruelty for leaving pet The combat effectiveness of the Wagner Group is no longer a factor in Russia's war against Ukraine, Pentagon spokesperson General Pat Ryder said during a press briefing on Aug. 24 in response to a question about the presumed death of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash. Following Wagner's short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin in June, Ryder said that the Wagner Group was no longer taking part in the war in Ukraine, but according to Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, some Wagner forces had remained in southern Ukraine and eastern Luhansk Oblast. The U.S. official noted that Prigozhin's mercenaries had been the "most effective combat force on the battlefield" in Ukraine. Wagner fighters played a crucial role in the protracted siege of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, which ended in Russia's capture of the city in late May. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Regarding Prigozhin's death, Ryder stressed that despite the media's focus on the mercenary boss's apparent demise, Wagner remains the real threat, as it is "an international criminal organization, and has conducted horrific acts, both on the battlefield and elsewhere." Read also: Russian media: Private jet crashes in Russia, warlord Prigozhin listed among passengers Following an undisclosed deal between the Russian authorities and Prigozhin after the rebellion, some of the mercenaries reportedly left for Belarus to provide training support to the Belarusian military, or to various countries in Africa where Prigozhin had engaged in a number of illicit activities. Ryder said that Wagner's future role in African countries remains unclear, adding that the group has been involved in military or criminal operations in places like Burkina Faso and Mali. "I don't think anybody's going to discount the potential for danger when it comes to that group or the remnants of that group," he added. As for Belarus, some Wagner fighters reportedly began leaving the country due to low pay. Their exit has been further expedited by the recent report of Prigozhin and other Wagner leaders' deaths in a plane crash in Russia's Tver Oblast. Read also: Media: Satellite images show Wagner camp in Belarus being dismantled Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Mercenaries from the Wagner Group are no longer a factor in Russia's war against Ukraine. Source: US Department of Defense Press Secretary Brigadier General Patrick Ryder at a briefing, writes European Pravda Details: Ryder said the Wagner Group's role as a combat force "largely for all intents and purposes, is no longer a factor on the battlefield in Ukraine." Ryder recalled that after the rebellion of the Wagner Group two months ago in Russia, these forces were actually withdrawn from near Bakhmut and the battlefield in general. Quote: "But for all intents and purposes their combat effectiveness has been diminished. And they are no longer a significant factor when it comes to the conflict inside Ukraine." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He also pointed out that the Wagnerites essentially "were Russias most effective combat forces on the battlefield" in Ukraine. Background: Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland, has stated fears that after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mercenaries of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) would be controlled directly by the Kremlin, which will make them even more dangerous. At the same time, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda believes that the likely death of the head of Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, does not particularly affect the security situation. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A farmer in Great Britain has made international headlines because people are posing naked in his field of sunflowers. The news made Leavenworth farmer Jacob Thomas laugh out loud. Has he ever caught folks in the buff among his blooms? Fortunately not, laughed the owner of JET Produce and Meats. Its the question of the moment for farmers like Thomas who grow the flower Latin name Helianthus annuus in the Sunflower State. They report this is not a trend on this side of the pond and if it was they would not encourage it. They run family businesses, after all. Thomas typical visitors, he said, are moms and their kids. They go to see flowers, not fannies. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement News outlets from CNN to The New York Times have spread the story this week of Stoke Fruit Farm, off Englands south coast, and its recent plea on Facebook. Reminder to all we are a family area and please keep your clothes on in the sunflowers! We are having (an) increase of reports of naked photography taking place and this must not happen during our public sessions please! the farm begged in its post. Farm owner Sam Wilson told CNN hes had about six cases of people posing naked in the sunflowers this season. Weve always had people take risque pictures but this is the first year its been a problem, which is why weve put signs up, he told CNN. He posted one of those caution signs with a red slash mark. It shows a hand dangling a bra and the caption: no topless. Grinter Farms, the larges sunflower field in the Kansas City area, is expecting blooms in early September. But they arent expecting nudity. To our knowledge, we havent had naked posers in the sunflower field, Kris Grinter, who runs the farm east of Lawrence with her husband, Ted, told The Star Thursday. That being said, the UK story is everywhere, so we may get some copycats this year. Heck, if I was my lovely young self, I might be tempted. Sunflowers, Thomas said, are just so shiny and fun that it makes you happy and I guess some people are just happier without clothes on. The most unique photo hes ever seen taken with his sunflowers happened this year. A woman from India posed in traditional garb and it was just stunning and beautiful to see her with the purple dress on, against the yellow flowers. His sunflower season finished up last weekend, He was busy with a customer at his farm market when he took the phone call from The Star. He told his customer the newspaper was calling about someone naked in a sunflower field. And they want to know if it was you? the customer asked him. Kansas farmers say they dont want people posing naked in their sunflower fields. Thats become a problem for one British farmer who has gone viral. Giggling girls Jay Shively runs Berry Hill UPick Farm in Berryton, Kansas, right outside Topeka. Two of his sunflower fields have peaked and have been mowed. But a third should be bursting with blooms by the end of September, shortly after he opens Sept. 23 for the pumpkin season, he said. Has he ever caught anyone au naturel in the flowers? Not technically, he said. Shively recalled one night in 2018, just a year after he and his wife opened their farm. It was getting dark and he heard some girls giggling in one of the sunflower fields. He could see flashes of light in the darkness so he knew they were taking pictures. Just the way they were giggling, I knew something was up, he said. They later tagged the farm on Instagram. From their post he deduced they were University of Kansas students and one had posed topless, holding his bodacious, big-headed sunflowers to cover her chest. He didnt really care, he said, because there was no one else around. But his sunflower fields are so small there would be no way of getting away with that during the day, he said. But thats been 2018 and I havent seen anything like that or heard anything like that since, Shively said. Why are people stripping off? There is little evidence on Instagram that a trend is afoot, suggesting the British farmers experience is an anomaly. Most of the Instagram images that pop up of naked people with sunflowers were created for commercial use. The go-to-pose is strategically holding the flowers to hide bare breasts. (Some varieties with larger heads seem more suited for the task.) No one has ever asked local professional photographer Merry Ohler to do a naked photo session in a sunflower field. Not that she would. She specializes in senior and family portraits, but sunflowers are one of her favorite subjects to photograph. She has devoted an entire page to her sunflower work on her website, MerryOhler.com. People around here have fallen in love with sunflower photo sessions, she writes there. But, she told The Star, her subjects are always clothed. She created her own family tradition around the flowers. Before the beginning of each school year she rousts her two children out of bed before dawn and heads to the sunflower fields at Grinter Farms to watch the sun rise over the flowers. Naturally, she documents the moment. (Grinter reports on Facebook that its sunflowers, planted in mid-July, should bloom around the first part of September and typically last two weeks.) The sunflowers are beginning to come into their own at Grinter Farms. Ohler said she doesnt understand this whole get-naked-in-the-fields thing, unless there is something enticing, exciting about flowers that live briefly, a fleeting photo opp. I dont know. Maybe thats what people are thinking, Ohler said. Sunflowers are beautiful, sunflower fields are beautiful. But I dont get the whole stripping down Maybe, Shively said, people are so overwhelmed by the beauty that famously inspired artists like Vincent van Gogh that they simply cant help themselves. Maybe being out in nature and its pretty and they feel pretty, they get a little more risque, I guess, Shively said. I guess more people feel free when they get out in the wild. Please keep your clothes on Farmers and photographers warn about the inhospitable reception awaiting anyone who walks, stands or otherwise moves around naked in a field of sunflowers. The fields are dirty and dusty and get muddy after rain. (Why do you think you dont see many brides in white dresses posing in a sunflower field?) The prickly hairs on the stems are scratchy. And the bees! There are tons and tons of bees out there, said Ohler. I would not take anyone allergic to bees out there. I tell my clients if they have any kind of allergy they need to bring appropriate medication. Thomas, the farmer in Leavenworth, warned about bugs, too. Sunflowers are host to a lot of insects, and so some of those insects will maybe sting or bite you, Thomas said. Definitely lots of bees, but also things like grasshoppers can bite people if they so choose. And praying mantis. Shively said he would probably reject a request to pose nude in his fields, unless we figured out some date and time the public wouldnt be there. And I dont even know then. Id probably have to talk to my wife. Sedgwick County is increasing access for voting in person on Election Day while making it less convenient to vote by mail. The county will have 30 new polling sites for next years presidential election, but it will not send out advance ballot applications to registered voters. The County Commissions 4-1 Republican majority voted Wednesday to reallocate Election Office funds, opting to boost the number of polling sites instead of mailing the advance ballot applications, as was the initial plan in County Manager Tom Stolzs 2024 budget proposal. I love the idea of having more poll sites. Ive been wanting this for so long, said Commissioner Jim Howell, who introduced the motion and said the 15 additional polling sites that had already received funding in the 2024 budget simply werent enough. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Voters can still get a mail ballot. They will have to download an application and send it to the Election Office via mail, email or fax. Instead of sending advance ballot applications to all voters, the county will send a postcard with information about voting in Sedgwick County to each household with a voter. We do need 30 polling sites. I totally agree with you, Commissioner Howell, Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater said. That is a very good tradeoff with the mailer not the application, but the mailer will provide all the ways you can vote, all your early voting sites, it will provide a QR code with a link to the application if you want an advance by mail application. She said many of the countys 83 polling stations are overcrowded, including some to which more than 7,000 registered voters have been assigned. Prior to 2022, the Election Office had sent out mail ballot applications to voters in every statewide election since 2008. Last year, the County Commission voted to send out the informational postcard instead of a mail ballot application. Roughly 20,000 fewer voters cast a mail ballot than in the 2018 midterm. Democrat Sarah Lopez was the only commissioner to vote against the fund reallocation, saying the move creates an accessibility issue for voters who cant get to the polls. We have set a precedent in the past of sending [ballot applications] out especially in presidential years, Lopez said. So, while I agree with some of this, I dont agree with not sending the applications out. I totally agree with you that it is not a necessity, but it provides better access for everybody, Rainwater responded. But its a very costly endeavor, and with budget cuts that everybodys talking about, I totally understand why youre trying to make best use of taxpayer money. But absolutely, I support advance by mail applications and advance by mail ballots. She noted that theres nothing stopping outside groups from sending advance ballot applications to voters, as long as they dont expressly endorse a candidate. The Free State Committee, a nonprofit corporation formed by Democratic political strategist Levi Henry, sent mail ballot applications to targeted voters ahead of the Aug. 1 city and school primary. Howell said he encourages voters to show up to the polls instead. My personal opinion is, poll sites are more secure, and when you walk out [after] you cast your ballot, you know your vote counted, Howell said. You mail it in, youre kind of subject to lots of things that might go wrong. We know that from canvassing. Weve seen that before. . . Its just that people sometimes dont read the instructions well or something. But Rainwater said concerns about the security of mail-in voting are unfounded. Its secure, she said. We do incredible signature verifications that go through every ballot that we receive through the mail. The United Nations has numerous special rapporteurs, who are independent experts chosen by the Human Rights Council to look into a variety of concerning human rights issues and present their findings. There are more than two dozen human rights themes for which theres a special rapporteur, covering everything from the rights of migrants to the right to food. Given my profession, I make an effort to track what the special rapporteur on violence against women and girls is investigating. The current special rapporteur, Reem Alsalem of Jordan, produced an investigative report in June, concerning, in her words, a colossal miscarriage of justice, happening against predominantly mothers and their children, which has been largely invisible because the injustice is being administered in family law courts by official justices acting for the state. What she found is important, for this is happening in many countries, including the United States. A troubling trend The injustice Alsalem found was in custody proceedings. While historically courts all over the world, even in the West, favored the fathers right to custody of children in a divorce (and still do in many nations), in the West, that default was reversed and then settled into a general trend toward joint custody. The current assumption is that maintaining contact with both parents is in the best interests of the children. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Arguably that is true, except in cases where domestic violence and/or sexual abuse have occurred. Such cases are not rare; for example, in the U.S., 1 in 15 children experience domestic violence each year. Children who have seen one parent battered by the other are four times more likely to experience direct abuse by the batterer as well. Half of all young children who are sexually abused are abused by a family member. Daughters of battered mothers are 6.5 times as likely to be sexually abused by their fathers. While women are also perpetrators of child abuse, note that these crimes are strongly gendered: between 75% and 95% of those arrested for domestic violence are male; in familicide, 94% of the killers are male. There are cases, then, where the best interest of the child may not be served by joint custody, or even by contact with a parent who has been abusive. That seems straightforward, doesnt it? Related Alsalem found it is not straightforward at all. Her investigative report, with submissions from dozens of countries, found a pattern of ignoring intimate partner violence against women in determining child custody cases (and) where mothers making such allegations have been penalized by law enforcement and/or the judiciary responsible for determining custody cases. How could it be possible that domestic violence is a less important matter in determining the best interests of the child? Alsalem explains: Protective mothers are placed in an invidious position, in which insisting on presenting evidence of domestic violence or child abuse may be seen as attempts to alienate children from the other parent, which could result in the loss of primary care or contact with their children. As soon as parents are judged as being alienating, implacable or failing to listen, their actions or inaction can be prejudiced. As a result, allegations of domestic violence remain side-lined, (reducing) domestic violence to a minor conflict. She continues: The consequences of biased custody decisions can be catastrophic, resulting in specific incidents when contact has been awarded to fathers with a violent history, in the death of children, and women and children being placed at gunpoint. In some cases, women have been imprisoned for violating custodial rights and protective restraining orders have been overturned. The empirics are damning: Alsalem points out that when parental alienation is accused, mothers are twice as likely to lose custody as fathers; when mothers are accused of alienation, they are stripped of custody 44% of the time. Furthermore, she notes that in one study, over half of mothers in custody battles were accused of parental alienation. Junk science? The concept of parental alienation, however, has a very sketchy history. Richard Gardner, a psychologist, developed the concept in the mid-1980s, and insisted that the more a child was resistant to a particular parent, the more this demonstrated that parental alienation by the other parent was happening. The idea that a child might have very good reason to stay away from a particular parent was ignored. Noteworthy is the fact that parental alienation as a syndrome is not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association or the World Health Organization, nor is it listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Some have called it junk science. Gardners legacy (he died by suicide in 2003) has been devastating. Imagine a case where the father of a child has indeed abused her. The mother attempts to raise the allegation in court with evidence. The very allegation is seen as proof of parental alienation, and sole custody is awarded to the father on that basis. Furthermore, the judge may order a reunification camp, and the children are taken away that very day by police officers, loaded onto a plane, and flown to a distant locale, under orders not to have any contact with their mother for months, perhaps over a year. The mother may even have to confess in writing to alienation as a condition of ever seeing her children again. If a mother is a citizen of another country, she may be forced to bring the child back to the abusive parents country and into the abusers custody under the Hague Abduction Convention. Experts describe how Kafka-esque it all is, in an article in The Bristol (U.K.) Cable: Before separation, a non-abusive parent is expected to safeguard their child and could even be told they may lose the child if they fail to leave the abuser. After separation the same court and social care system may tell the victim that failure to facilitate contact could result in loss of the child. In one case, the newspaper reported, When Tanyas ex-partner tried to contact their child, in breach of a court order, Tanya was told by her own solicitor that should her child express fears about the father, Tanyas response should be to dismiss those fears and instead tell the child the father is no threat. Anything else could be seen as evidence of alienation of the father. Not only are mothers cowed, but abused children themselves must fear that the courts will hand them over to their abuser if they tell the truth about the abuse they have suffered, and so they are effectively silenced and forced to acquiesce to the abuse. Deadly consequences Is this all far-fetched? Hardly. This happens even in Utah. And sometimes the consequences are deadly. In one case from 2022, former New York police officer Michael Valva was awarded full custody of his son despite the fact or likely because of the fact that the childs mother provided evidence that Valva was a dangerous man. Valva accused the mother of parental alienation. Upon taking custody, Valva then abused the boy to death. The cases are innumerable, tragic and horrifying. That is why it is imperative that Utah State Sen. Todd Weiler follow through on his promise to bring before the 2024 Utah Legislature a bill that would enshrine federally endorsed principles modeled on Pennsylvanias Kaydens Law to better ensure the best interests of Utah children. Those principles include: Custody hearings must explicitly take into account past and present abuse, and such allegations must be investigated by trained professionals. Protection orders must also be taken into account. A court may not remove custody from or prohibit contact with a parent who is competent, protective and not physically or sexually abusive; and with whom the child is bonded or to whom the child is attached. Any reunification treatment that cuts off contact with such a parent may not be ordered by the court. Judges, magistrates, guardians ad litem, attorneys and so forth must undertake at least 20 hours of professional training on the effects of domestic abuse and coercive control on children. The best interests of the child must be safeguarded. The judicial process meant to ensure that outcome is failing our children. Its time for legislators in Utah and across the country to step up to the plate and fix this; in the meantime, its incumbent on judges to respect these wise principles as if they were already state law. Valerie M. Hudson is a university distinguished professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and a Deseret News contributor. Her views are her own. Retired Army Gen. David Petraeus said the plane crash that killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin this week was likely an assassination by Russian President Vladimir Putin and proved Russia is a mafia state. I think that Putin saw that his image at the very least, if not the reality was that he was seen as weakened by this. He was obviously directly challenged by someone he created, Petraeus said in a NewsNation interview Friday. Prigozhin, a longtime Putin ally who led the Wagner mercenary group that fought for Russia in Ukraine, attempted a short-lived mutiny against Russian military leadership in June. He had challenged Putin directly, and although there was a finesse, there was a way out for him arranged by President Lukashenko of Belarus, it was pretty clear, I think, to most observers that he needed to avoid open windows, umbrellas on sunny days and, and ultimately, of course, a plane that presumably had an explosive in it, Petraeus continued. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Kremlin has denied allegations Prigozhin was killed by the government. Putin also fired the general responsible for overseeing air forces in the Ukraine war this week, who was believed to be a Prigozhin ally. Putin has resolved this problem, hes shown whos in charge, Petraeus said. And we see again, that this is not a normal Russian Federation. This is again, a mafia state. In his first remarks after Prigozhins death, Putin said Thursday that the mercenary leader had contributed greatly to Russia but had made mistakes. He made serious mistakes in his life, Putin said in an address. But he added that Prigozhin, achieved the necessary results in his life, both for himself and when I asked him to do so for the common goal. The Wagner Group has extensive operations in Africa and the Middle East, including a presence in Niger after a military takeover of the countrys government. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has slowed in recent months as Ukraine continues to receive material support from Western allies. Ukraines long-anticipated counteroffensive has not delivered on its promises, allies say, but Petraeus said that doesnt mean the war is headed in the wrong direction. It is premature to judge that the counteroffensive has already failed, or that it is going to fail. Its just an open question. War is an uncertain endeavor, no plan survives contact with the enemy and we saw that already, Petraeus said. The Ukrainians were not able to do what they had hoped they would do, which was a combined arms offensive to blast right through the minefields. They took tough losses, including some Western fighting systems. And so theyve adapted, and they now are engaged in really much more of a setting of the conditions for an eventual breakthrough, if they can achieve it, he continued. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- The Philippines is stepping up efforts to make sure people around the world can see for themselves what it says are aggressive acts by Chinese ships in the South China Sea in a bid to pressure Beijing to change its ways. Most Read from Bloomberg The Southeast Asian nation has released videos and images of at least eight incidents involving Chinese vessels so far this year, often via social media including a mission this week to resupply an outpost that the Philippines said China at one point tried to block. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement That compares to around three similar releases during the six-year presidency of Rodrigo Duterte , according to Philippine coast guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela. The government of Duterte who fostered better ties with Beijing and set aside a 2016 international court ruling affirming his countrys sea claims tended to prefer releasing written protests. See: Philippines, Australia Conduct Joint Drills Near Disputed Sea We are becoming more loud in telling the world that we need to expose Chinas bullying behavior, Tarriela said in an interview in Manila on Wednesday. By pursuing that tactic, Manila hopes countries like the US and those in the European Union would unite and tell them what youre doing is wrong, its illegal, he said. The strategy underscores the lengths the Philippines has to go in its persistent confrontation with China, which has the worlds largest navy by number of vessels and claims most of the South China Sea despite the protests of other nations in the region. In January, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised the issue with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing, prompting the two sides to establish a link for diplomats to discuss maritime issues. A month later the two nations were again bickering, this time over a Chinese ship aiming a military-grade laser at a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea. After that incident, the Philippines released images of a Chinese coast guard vessel pointing the bright green beam at the Philippine ship. The device, which can be used to aim weapons, caused temporary blindness to crew, the Philippines said at the time. There are some signs the more visual strategy is changing Chinas behavior at sea, said Tarriela, who pointed to this weeks delivery of supplies to the rusty warship serving as a military post in the Second Thomas Shoal. The success of that mission stands in contrast to one that China thwarted earlier this month. Afterward, officials from the Philippine coast guard, military and Foreign Affairs Department held a rare public briefing to display photos and videos of Chinese coast guard ships firing water cannons toward its supply vessel. Chinas actions were later criticized by the the Pentagon, Japan and Australia, which this week held military exercises with the Philippines near the South China Sea. The Philippines and Australia are also eyeing joint patrols in the disputed sea, the nations said in a statement Friday. Australias Defense Minister Richard Marles observed drills on Friday north of Manila where troops simulated retaking lands captured by foreign enemy forces. More: Why Marcos Is Inviting the US Back to the Philippines: QuickTake Tarriela said Chinese ship captains have changed some of their tactics since the Philippines stepped up its release of videos. Theyre now tailing Manilas vessels from a greater distance than before and leaving areas after realizing their actions are being recorded. After the Philippines conducted the resupply mission, Chinas coast guard said it made temporary special arrangements to allow it to proceed. Chinas Defense Ministry didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. When it comes to international relations, anything that you publicize that has a reputational cost for China, hits a nerve with the Chinese, said Tarriela. --With assistance from Jing Li. (Adds details from Philippines, Australia statement in 10th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Phoenix police. A Phoenix man is facing numerous felony charges after being accused of picking up a teen girl in Georgia, bringing her to Arizona to reside in his house and sexually assaulting her. On Saturday, Phoenix police officers arrested 27-year-old Blane Patterson at his home near Seventh Street and McDowell Road where the 14-year-old girl, who was reported missing in Georgia last month, was found safe. According to court documents, Patterson admitted to having met the girl on social media when she was 13 years old. During the investigation, he referred to her as his girlfriend and said he "struggled with guilt over the relationship" as he knew it was criminal, court documents said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The girl and Patterson had been talking on social media for a year and would exchange nude pictures and videos weekly, court documents said. They had arranged a plan for Patterson to drive to Georgia, retrieve her, and take her to his home in Phoenix, according to court documents. On July 28, the 14-year-old girl was reported missing in Lafayette, Georgia, after being last seen at her friend's house. She left a note behind which suggested she "may be suicidal" and referenced going to be with a person known to her family as deceased, according to police reports. Following her disappearance, officers learned through recovered text messages and social media accounts that the girl was speaking to Patterson and discussed the meet-up. Police requested the help of the FBI, which delivered the basic subscriber details and IP addresses from Patterson's recently deleted social media account, according to court documents. A silver Nissan Verse with an Arizona license plate was also documented arriving in a park near the girls last known location. The registration was traced back to Phoenix and belonged to Patterson, according to police reports. After obtaining this information, Phoenix police and FBI agents began surveillance on a Phoenix studio apartment that Patterson was renting. Law enforcement soon searched the place and found Patterson and the girl in bed partially nude together, according to court documents. The teen was taken to the Family Advocacy Center in Phoenix to be interviewed. When police interviewed Patterson, he claimed that he knew her age at the time of the abduction and said that the girl asked him to rescue her from her home in Georgia because she said she had been sexually assaulted by multiple men close to her, according to police reports. Patterson did not verify or attempt to report these claims nor report these allegations to authorities. The girl told investigators that she expressed to Patterson that she was depressed and suicidal and he offered to drive to Georgia and bring her back to Phoenix to live with him. She made no mention of being sexually abused in Georgia and did not fear going home, according to police reports. Patterson admitted to performing sex acts on the drive back to Arizona with the girl. He said there were seven incidents of sexual assault once back in Arizona and he had recorded at least two of them, according to court documents. According to Maricopa County Superior Court records, Patterson is facing four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and other charges including kidnapping, custodial interference and luring a minor for sexual exploitation. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix man in custody in kidnapping, sexual assault of Georgia teen A teenager is in custody after authorities say he was involved in a west Phoenix shootout in May that left a man with 17 gunshot wounds and a baby grazed by a bullet. Zakary Jacob Carrillo, 19, of Phoenix, is facing charges of second-degree attempted murder, according to court documents. On the night of May 5, Carrillo, according to charging documents, encountered a man holding a baby in the area of 43rd Avenue and West Thomas Road and shot him, while a bullet hit the infant in the head. Carrillo admitted to Phoenix police to have shot at the adult victim, arguing he did so in self-defense but voiced doubt he was responsible for the baby being shot, according to a probable cause statement. The victim told police the shooting transpired when he was approached by a young man and a friend of the man at a bus stop, court documents show. The victim told police that the young man told him, "Are you ready to die tonight?" then pulled a silver gun and fired at the man who fled with his life after sustaining gunshots and shooting back with his own firearm, charging documents detail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A bullet from the shooting struck a car stopped nearby at a red light on West Thomas Road and hit a 6-month-old in a car seat, according to charging documents. The infant's skull suffered a fracture, court documents detail. Officers found the man with 17 gunshot wounds and the injured baby at a Circle K, along with a mother and a 2-year-old, court documents mention. On June 8, detectives with Mesa police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driving without headlights. During that stop, police located a 9mm handgun in the possession of the passenger, who police identified as Carrillo. The weapon was preliminarily traced back to the firearm that shot the victim in May. Court documents do not specify why police searched the vehicle or the passengers inside, only adding later that the driver and Carrillo live about a mile from where the shooting happened and that they fit the description given to police by the victim. It wasn't immediately clear if Carrillo was questioned or arrested that day. In July Phoenix police obtained a search warrant to go through Carrillo's Facebook activity and found he had been searching a news website the early morning hours following the shooting. According to police, Carrillo would "search news websites and or watch the news to find out what investigators know about the crime" that has been committed," court documents say. Police arrested Carrillo on Wednesday, after serving a search warrant at his home. Court documents do not specify what police searched for or found at his residence. After Carrillo was arrested, he told police he shot at the victim multiple times, striking him twice after having seen him man pull a gun, according to court documents. Carrillo said his friend had pulled his gun first out of retaliation for how the man looked at him. Carrillo also told police he knew there was a baby who was shot, but he did not call police because he did not know what to say, according to court documents. He declined to write a letter apologizing for the baby being shot because he did not think his gun struck the child, the probable cause statement notes. As of Friday morning, Carrillo was being held on a $1 million bond with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 1, court and jail records show. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix teen suspected of shooting man 17 times, injuring baby The Gray Fire has destroyed hundreds of homes in Medical Lake, Washington. Courtesy of Colby Bepple. The Gray Fire was first sparked on August 18 in Medical Lake, Washington, a town of 5,000 in Spokane County. The fire has burned through more than 10,000 acres so far and is 68% contained as of August 25. The flames have killed one person and destroyed at least 326 structures, fire officials told Insider. On August 18, a small fire started near a small town in Eastern Washington. And then, as winds picked up across the region, the nearly 5,000 residents of Medical Lake, Washington received a Level 3 Evacuation Order. That means: "Go now." The Gray Fire has now killed one person and destroyed at least 326 structures, a public information officer from Washington's Northwest Incident Management Team Seven told Insider. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Flames have ripped through more than 10,000 acres of land in Medical Lake and the surrounding region in Spokane County, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Northeast Division. And with thousands of people displaced due to evacuation orders or destroyed homes, the Gray Fire devastated the community. As the flames left the town and moved elsewhere, Colby Bepple a former firefighter with nearby Grant County went into Medical Lake on Sunday on his own to assist those who needed it. He documented his visit by photographing the devastation caused by the flames. This story was updated on August 26 to clarify that Colby Bepple is a former, not current, firefighter in Grant County, Washington. Over the last week, the flames destroyed 326 structures, though it is not yet clear how many of them were residential homes Damaged debris in Medical Lake, including a truck with scorch marks. Courtesy of Colby Bepple The Gray Fire in Medical Lake is the second-largest wildfire now burning in Washington A view of a residential road in Medical Lake with burned debris and smoke-filled air. Courtesy of Colby Bepple The largest is the Oregon Fire, which has burned more than 11,000 acres in northern Spokane County. It is located about 40 miles away from the Medical Lake fire, according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources. In the initial days, warm and dry winds throughout the region fueled the fire, according to the National Weather Service Burned debris and scorched trees in front of a lake shoreline in Medical Lake. Courtesy of Colby Bepple Smoke from the fires also impacted air quality throughout the region, the National Weather Service reported. The Gray Fire grew so dangerous that nearby hospitals were forced to shelter in place for four days Trees, metal debris, and a car scorched by fire in Medical Lake. Courtesy of Colby Bepple From August 18 to August 22, staff and patients at Eastern State Hospital and Lakeland Village Residential Habilitation Center remained under a shelter-in-place order, according to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. While some are slowly being allowed back into Medical Lake, officials are calling on residents to exercise caution as firefighters continue their work Charred trees and vehicles in Medical Lake. Courtesy of Colby Bepple The Washington Department of Natural Resources warned residents to be mindful of potential hazards and to be extra careful in areas recently downgraded to lower evacuation levels. As of August 25, the Gray Fire is 68% contained, according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Read the original article on Insider The Chicago Cubs scored twice in the top of the 10th inning on Ian Happs single and right fielder Connor Joes error to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 on Thursday night at PNC Park. Joe hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th to draw the Pirates within a run but they fell to 0-7 against the Cubs this season. Thomas Hatch (1-1), who came on to start the 10th, took the loss. Read the full recap from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh here. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: PITTSBURGH ACTIVE SHOOTER: Suspect dead after police shootout in Garfield Pittsburgh active shooter: What we know about the suspect, William Hardison Sr. 40 Pittsburgh police officers on leave after hours-long shootout ends with suspects death VIDEO: Law enforcement officials react to active shooting situation in Garfield DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Amira Fox was the first person to take the podium Friday in Orange Countys cavernous jury assembly room. The sharply-dressed state attorney from Lee County a heavily conservative part of the Sunshine State stared at the men and women in front of her with a gaze formed by decades as a prosecutor. Its already difficult to cover duties in a large circuit, she told the committee. This would become impossible if the circuits were shrunk. The plan that drew Fox, nine of her fellow state attorneys and 40 public defenders, attorneys, lawmakers and members of the public to Orlando Friday was a proposal to consolidate Floridas 20 judicial circuits into a handful of so-called super circuits. It would mean the elimination of many elected state attorneys like Fox and public defenders, while throwing judges, clerks and attorneys from well-established routines. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The idea first came from House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast), who pitched it to the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court as a way to cut costs, increase efficiencies and make justice more uniform throughout the state as Gov. DeSantis was criticizing then-9th Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell for her progressive policies. Many privately believe the governor is behind the consolidation effort. READ: Law enforcement officer shoots man to death in DeLand However, everyone outside of Tallahassee including all 50 speakers Friday appears to hate the idea. The farther away we take our court system from the voters, the farther away they trust this branch of government, 5th Circuit Public Defender Mike Graves explained. The opposition crossed the usual political lines and came in many forms. Some said a cheaper justice system wasnt better and called state lawmakers hypocritical for siphoning away much of the cash the court system generates. READ: Invest 93L likely to strengthen into a tropical storm or hurricane moving toward Florida next week Others, like Fox, said consolidation would erase rhythms and practices established over decades and cause travel times for prosecutors and attorneys to stretch to extreme lengths, creating a logistical nightmare. Time and time again, though, the speakers said lawmakers would do nothing but hurt a voters ability to have their chosen community members represent them. You lump us in with these large, densely populated counties, we lose our voice, Cliff Wilson, public defender of the rural 3rd Circuit, explained. READ: Crew-7 to lift off overnight from Space Coast Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis (D-Ocoee) was blunter. This consolidation plan reeks of judicial gerrymandering, she scoffed. There is considerable support for re-examining the judicial circuit boundaries, which have not been touched since the 1960s when Foxs district was formed. Since then, Floridas population has grown by nearly four times over, but the number of elected prosecutors and public defenders has stayed the same. READ: Orange County to pump funds into mentorship program for at-risk youth Its resulted in Florida having 7x fewer elected prosecutors and public defenders than the average state, one speaker noted. The circuit at most risk of consolidation the Florida Keys provided some of the most pointed feedback to the effort. They declared that if they were merged with Miami, as Renners letter insinuated, Key West voters would be eliminated from having any say over who prosecutes and sentences them. All of our judges will be chosen by Miami-Dade County, one attorney lamented. READ: Florida lawmakers promising to tackle free kill law again The public defender for that circuit pointed out it was faster to drive to the Miami courthouse from Orlando than Key West. Speaker Renners office has yet to detail how consolidation would make for a more efficient system in a state that has grown by more than five million residents since 2000 while also adding additional courts of appeal to handle caseload in that same time. In a written statement, the Speakers office wrote, We want to explore what economies of scale are present in large circuits as well as what advantages smaller circuits offer to potentially harness greater efficiencies and cost savings through from some form of thoughtful consolidation of effort, adding, These savings could then be used to increase wages and resources for our court personnel and those working for our prosecutors and public defenders. This request for review is a responsible, first step to understanding whether we can optimize our court system to best serve Floridians in the 21st Century. The committee assigned by the chief justice is tasked with telling lawmakers if Renners idea is a good one by the end of the year. They appear to be listening to the feedback thus far. Some committee members have expressed their reservations about consolidation in passing. However, theyre restricted to just that question, and cannot recommend increasing the number of circuits if they believed that would achieve Renners goals. The process is still in the early phases. Another listening session is scheduled for October in Tampa. Throughout the next week, attorneys and the public are invited to take a survey to make their views known. The survey can be found here, responses are due by September 1. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Composite of Jared Bridegan, left, who died in an ambush-style murder on Feb. 16, 2022, after leaving the home of ex-wife Shanna Gardner, upper right, in Jacksonville Beach. She is charged in the murder plot along with Henry Tenon, center right, and Mario Fernandez Saldana, bottom right, who is married to Shanna. Jared Bridegan had a new family and a nice life in St. Augustine. But he also had a turbulent relationship with his ex-wife in Jacksonville Beach and her new husband. Probably sounds similar to a lot of other acrimonious divorces. Not exactly. His ex-wife and her husband, both in jail awaiting their death penalty trial, are accused of conspiring to kill Bridegan and orchestrating it with another accomplice. What happened to Jared Bridegan? On the evening of Feb. 16, 2022, Jared Bridegan had just dropped off his 9-year-old twin son and daughter to his ex-wife's home in Jacksonville Beach and was headed back to St. Augustine where he lived. With his 2-year-old daughter in the car, he stopped because of a tire on the road near the exit of The Sanctuary neighborhood. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In what police believed from the onset that this was a planned murder, he was shot multiple times as he apparently attempted to move the tire. His vehicle's hazard lights were still blinking with his daughter sitting in her car seat unharmed. Police said nothing appeared to have been stolen and his wife had just spoken with him and said nothing seemed out of the ordinary. This also was his regular route where he was expected to be. Who was Jared Bridegan? He was a 33-year-old Microsoft executive and father of four. He had two children with ex-wife Shanna Gardner-Fernandez who lived in Jacksonville Beach and two with current wife Kirsten Bridegan in St. Augustine. Who was arrested in Jared Bridegan's death? In this video image from an officer's body camera, Shanna Gardner is escorted out of her West Richland, Wash., home for her Aug. 17 arrest in her ex-husband Jared Bridegan's murder plot in Jacksonville Beach. On Jan. 25, 2023, Jacksonville Beach Police Department Chief Gene Paul Smith and State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced the arrest of Henry Arthur Tenon, then-61, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder with a weapon, accessory after the fact to a capital felony and child abuse. Tenon pleaded guilty on March 16 and agreed to testify against Mario Fernandez Saldana, who was arrested that same day in Orlando. The 34-year-old husband of Jared Bridegan's ex-wife is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse. Jacksonville Beach murder plot: Bodycam video shows Shanna Gardner's arrest in ex-Jared Bridegan's murder plot On Aug. 17, 2023, Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Lee Gardner (who at the time went Shanna Gardner Fernandez), was indicted on the same charges. She was arrested in the state of Washington where she was living. Nelson said prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against her and Fernandez Saldana. Who is Henry Tenon? Henry Tenon listens to the judge at his first court appearance on Jan. 26 facing multiple charges in the death of Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville Beach. Tenon has nine arrests in Jacksonville on minor offenses, according to jail records. He was already in jail awaiting trial for Aug. 18 charges of possession of a weapon by a felon and driving with a suspended or revoked license on a third or subsequent conviction. That arrest report stated he had a shotgun in the trunk during a traffic stop. He had rented a home in the 5200 block of Potomac Avenue from Fernandez Saldana, the State Attorney's Office confirmed. What led to Henry Tenon's arrest? The top two images are from surveillance cameras showing the vehicle being sought. The lower photo is an image of a similar blue Ford F-150 Crew Cab pickup truck with running boards, police said. Authorities have said his pickup truck that was captured in nearby security video led to him being investigated. An arrest warrant states that Tenons financial records from his bank showed three handwritten checks from Fernandez Saldana in October 2022. Phone records also showed Tenon and Fernandez Saldana had communicated 35 times that February. What was the motive for killing Jared Bridegan? An arrest warrant states "the investigation into Bridegans background revealed a highly acrimonious divorce from his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and a contentious relationship with both Gardner and Fernandez Saldana." What happened in the divorce between Jared Bridegan and Shanna Gardner? Gardner is from Utah and met Bridegan while visiting a friend in Florida in 2009. They married in 2010 in Salt Lake City. At some point, they moved to Connecticut and started having trouble involving her and her personal trainer, according to Fox News, although she denied to the Times-Union that she had an affair. She filed for divorce in February 2015 and sought primary custody of their twin children. The court file has about 300 entries and motions. Gardner-Fernandez accused Bridegan of "disturbing and abusive behavior" toward their children, and he accused her of spying on him and treating him "in a disparaging manner in front of the children." One document states: "The parenting plan is clearly an issue and the parents are unable to agree. The disagreement of the parents this point now extends well beyond mere timesharing and goes to issues of the mental health and well-being of the children." Another motion for relief states: "The husband is a stay at home father while being a full time student throughout the marriage., completing his Bachelor of Arts degree and is presently engaged in an online Master of Arts program... The wife has provided the sole support to the family through regular and recurring gifts from her family to the parties as well as from trusts and/or other family related funds. The parties have regularly received a stipend from the wife's family exceeding $8,500 per month which has enabled the husband to further his degree programs." Gardner declined to comment on the details of the divorce with the Times-Union, explaining that "I don't see any good in airing our dirty laundry. ... Our relationship was pretty complicated and remained pretty complicated." Who is Shanna Gardner-Fernandez? Shanna Gardner has a light-hearted moment while leaving her first court appearance on Aug. 18 in the state of Washington to face charges in Florida in the 2022 death of her ex-husband Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville Beach. Gardner-Fernandez, then 35, is Bridegan's ex-wife. She drew immediate scrutiny due to the couple's ugly divorce and not attending his funeral or initially speaking out. She and Bridegan were married in 2010 and divorced in 2015. They shared custody of the twins. She married second husband Mario Fernandez Saldana in 2018 and runs a baking company beachbaked904. "I feel for Jared's family and what they are going through. I can't even imagine," she told the Times-Union in June. "I have tried to be respectful. I have tried to give them space." Before her husband's arrest, Action News Jacksonville, citing Fox News Digital, reported Gardner-Fernandez quietly moved across the country with the twins to a home recently purchased by her parents in West Richland, Wash. They noted it was not with her husband. She also now goes by Gardner, according to her publicist. Why did Shanna Gardner hire an attorney so early? Early on, she hired prominent Jacksonville defense attorney Hank Coxe to help protect her family from the publicity and sensationalism that included invasive photos of her and her children at a local park and implications she was involved in the shooting. She said the intense media coverage has "become very loud," and it made her children feel unsafe. "My kids are 10. They understand everything that is going on," she told the Times-Union. "They see this and they are scared, terrified and struggling." Who are Shanna Gardner's parents? Her parents are Sterling and Shelli Gardner, co-founders of the highly successful Stampin Up! arts and crafts company and fixtures in the Mormon community in Utah. Who is Mario Fernandez Saldana? Mario Fernandez Saldana is led into a Duval County courtroom on April 4 to face charges in the Jared Bridegan murder case in Jacksonville Beach. Gardner told the Times-Union in June that her husband manages rental properties and has been a big supporter during the ordeal. Fernandez Saldana and Gardner met at CrossFit gym in 2018, where he was a maintenance man, according to an arrest warrant. He also was the subject of a Jacksonville Beach incident because a neighbor felt he was intimidating her because she feeds stray cats that he didn't like. She said he intentionally walked his pit bull right up to where she was feeding them, according to the 2018 incident report. He said he was just walking his dog and it was nothing malicious. The officer advised him about the municipal ordinances involving dangerous dogs and suggested he contact animal control if he has a problem with feral cats. Fox News also reported other run-ins and threats involving Fernandez Saldana over the cats. Do Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana face the death penalty? State Attorney Melissa Nelson said prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against the couple. How many years in prison does Henry Tenon face? By agreeing to plead guilty to second-degree murder, Tenon will be sentenced to at least 15 years in prison and up to life, according to the plea agreement. In accepting the March 16 guilty plea for second-degree murder with a weapon, the "state waives the sentencing guidelines, defendant agrees to testify truthfully against any co-defendants, state will drop counts 2, 3 and 4 at the time of the sentencing," the agreement reads. Those counts were for charges of conspiracy to commit murder, accessory after the fact to a capital felony and child abuse. "Both parties acknowledge that the sentencing court will give weight to the defendant's life expectancy, his early and continuing cooperation in the prosecution of co-defendants and will hear all parties, including members of the victim's family in considering the appropriate sentence," the agreement reads. What happened at Henry Tenon's arraignment? Tenon pleaded not guilty to all counts on Feb. 13, just three days shy of the anniversary of Bridegan's death. Bridegan's widow was there and saw him in person for the first time. She said she is praying for his family and urged him to cooperate. "Henry, if you get to hear this, please choose now to do the right thing," Kirsten Bridegan said. "Please help us to receive justice sooner rather than later and allow us and your own family to move forward and focus on healing as quickly as possible. Please help us in this nightmare that we are living every single day." Who is Kirsten Bridegan? Kirsten Bridegan and daughter Bexley, 2, look at the flames on their candles during a vigil April 19, 2022, at South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground in Jacksonville Beach. Dozens came out to honor the memory of Jared Bridegan, killed on Feb. 16 near the exit of The Sanctuary neighborhood in Jacksonville Beach in front of his toddler. Kirsten Bridegan, who has two young children with Jared as his 31-year-old widow, previously was an account manager before taking on the role of full-time mom. She has been proactive in trying to make sure Jared's story isn't forgotten, creating the Instagram account "JusticeForJaredB" and the Bridegan Foundation but also is sometimes fearful for her and her family's safety. Jared Bridegan: Vigil shows 'outpouring of love' for St. Johns County man gunned down in front of toddler daughter She also is determined to help children who are taken to law enforcement under these circumstances awaiting for family to arrive. She created "The Bexley Box" and is working on getting them into local police stations and sheriff's offices. The Bexley Box will be filled with diapers, sippy cups, snacks, toys, blankets, stuffed animals and pre-mixed formula. She told First Coast News in her rush to get to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department that night, she didn't think about what to bring and not knowing the hours they'd be there. These were the images on a flyer for Jared Bridegan's April 19, 2022, vigil in Jacksonville Beach. What did Kirsten Bridegan say about Henry Tenon's arrest and did she know him? Kirsten Bridegan told WJXT TV-4 it is "pretty clear that someone knew his route, his schedule. I have felt since the beginning that this was planned, this was thought out, and this was specific to Jared. So Im not surprised that they announced that Henry Tenon someone that we have never heard of, that Jared did not know wasnt alone in this. What did Kirsten Bridegan say on 'Dr. Phil' about Jared Bridegan's ex? When asked on "Dr. Phil" what she thinks about Gardner, who has publicly said she had nothing do with the attack or knows what Jared may have been involved with, Kirsten Bridegan was uncomplimentary. I have never found Shanna to be a truthful person," she said, according to Action News Jax. "So I dont put a lot of weight into what she said. But Im glad that she is on camera stating some things. The fact that she seems to me to be trying to be emotional, theres no tears, theres no real emotion there, doesnt come across as genuine to me. What did Jared Bridegan's widow say after Shanna Gardner's arrest? Kirsten Bridegan tearfully talks about her late husband's twin children still being kept away from her family following the arrest of his ex-wife Shanna Gardner on Aug. 17. "For 547 days we hoped and prayed that this day would come," Kristen Bridegan said. "From very, very early on, everything in my body and soul told me she was behind it," she said. As for the twins Abby and Liam, she said they have been "kept away and isolated from us" while living with their mother Gardner, stepfather and maternal grandparents. "Despite my constant requests to see or speak to them, I have been denied and continuously ignored," she said tearfully. "... I plead with the Gardners to put the emotional and mental well-being of Liam and Abby above all else and allow them to reconnect with us. We are their family, we love them... Let our children be siblings again and put them first and do what's right." What did Jared Bridegan's brother have to say about what happened? I wont get into specifics, but I did have several conversations with Jared, where he did express concerns that something like this could happen to him, Adam Bridegan told WJXT TV-4. He did have concerns on his life. What did Shanna Gardner's parents say following her arrest? The Kirton McConkie Law Firm in Salt Lake City, Utah, provided the following statement on behalf of Gardner's parents, Shelli and Sterling Gardner: Words cannot accurately express the depth of our sadness. Family is our top priority. We love our daughter and are focused on supporting her and our entire family as we help our grandchildren navigate this difficult and very confusing time. For their sake and all involved, we caution against further speculation and request privacy as the legal process runs its course. In the meantime, we are thankful for the continued support, thoughtfulness and prayers being so generously shared by friends and loved ones. Was there a reward for information leading to an arrest in Jared Bridegan's death? The reward is up to at least $55,000. Anyone with information in the case can contact the Jacksonville Beach Police Department at (904) 270-1661, First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477 (TIPS) or the ATF at Tampatips@atf.gov. Are any more arrests expected in Jared Bridegan's case? In announcing Shanna Gardner's arrest, State Attorney Melissa Nelson said it would be her last update in the case. That indicates authorities likely don't suspect any others were involved. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Shanna Gardner, Mario Fernandez, Jared Bridegan: Everything to know A fire department in Plum is warning people about a vendor scam. Someone has been soliciting vendors and food trucks for community events to be held on the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Departments property at 415 Old Abers Creek Road for weekends in September and October. The department says no one has been given permission or booked their facility. They urge anyone with questions to check their Facebook page or contact them at info@holidayparkvfd.org. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: BIG WINNER: $5 million-winning scratch-off lottery ticket sold locally Fundraising efforts underway for family of tow truck driver hit, killed on Parkway West 17 people indicted for drug trafficking in Pittsburghs Northside neighborhoods VIDEO: Preventing tragedies: Gas leak warning signs & safety tips DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Intelligence sources in the UK and Ukraine are discussing whether Andrey Averyanov, the head of the Russian military intelligence unit that poisoned the Skripal family [Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer and double agent for British intelligence services, and his daughter ed.] with Novichok [a group of nerve agents ed.] in Salisbury, could have been involved in organising the murder of Yevgeny Prigozhin , the leader of Wagner Group. Source: European Pravda, citing publication of the British portal i Details: Averyanov's name is not the only one discussed by Western intelligence agencies in connection with the alleged death of the Wagner Group terrorist leader, but he is suspected because of his involvement in the ousting of Prigozhin from Africa. Two British intelligence sources, former and current, said that Averyanov led the operation to replace the Wagnerites in Africa with 20,000 Russian military personnel and had a "long-standing hostile relationship" with Prigozhin. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A source in Ukrainian intelligence also noted that the Ukrainian security services are investigating the theory that Averyanov was involved in the explosion of Prigozhins plane. Andrey Averyanov heads unit 29155 of the Main Directorate of the Russian General Staff Russian military intelligence. According to The New York Times and Bellingcat, this particular unit is linked to numerous murders, including the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in 2018. The same unit is involved in the investigation of a bombing of an ammunition depot in Vrbetice, Czechia, in 2014, an attempted murder of a Bulgarian arms dealer in 2015, a campaign to destabilise Moldova, and a failed coup attempt in Montenegro in 2016. Background: On Wednesday evening, Russian media and the Federal Air Transport Agency reported that a plane crashed in Russia. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, was among the passengers. It is reported that all 10 people on board were killed, including Prigozhin's deputy Dmitry Utkin, alias Wagner. British intelligence believes that the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin will have a deeply destabilising effect on the private military company. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A man is facing charges in connection with a sexual assault at a CUF apartment complex that offers housing to University of Cincinnati students, according to Cincinnati police. Kadarius Short, 24, was arrested Friday on charges of rape, aggravated robbery and kidnapping, officials said in a news release. The incident happened around 3 a.m. Thursday at The Deacon, an off-campus apartment building on Straight Street that's just a three-minute walk from the university's main campus, UC's Department of Public Safety said in an email to students. Short is accused of posing as a UC resident advisor, officials said, adding he also implied he had a weapon, but no weapon was ever seen. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The university is encouraging students to ask for official university identification, also known as a "Bearcat Card," if they encounter someone unfamiliar who claims to be a UC employee. Short was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center just after 3 p.m. on Friday, jail records show. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should call the Cincinnati Police Department's personal crimes squad at 513-352-3542. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police arrest man accused of posing as UC employee in sexual assault The San Luis Obispo Police Department arrested a registered sex offender on suspicion of inappropriately touching a juvenile in a local business on Saturday. Jonathan Davis, 48, followed a girl younger than 14 into an unnamed business in thee 800 block of Higuera Street on Saturday at about 11 a.m., the agency said in a news release. The girl informed officers that Davis grabbed her buttocks and attempted to pick her up, the release said. The victim and a nearby sibling then yelled for their mother and Davis walked away but remained inside the store, the release said. The mother confronted Davis about touching her child, instructed him to stay inside the store and called 911. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Davis was previously convicted of annoying or molesting a child under 18, according to police. Davis was arrested on suspicion of charges of annoying or molesting a child younger than 18, assault and battery and a lewd or lascivious act on a child under 14, along with a five-year enhancement for a previous conviction of a serious or violent felony, the agency said. Davis was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail with bail set at $150,000. He remained in custody as of Thursday. Police arrested a man Friday morning who led them on a chase from Key Biscayne to a State Road 836 on-ramp, hitting a patrol car and a passenger car along the way, according to law enforcement. The chaotic pursuit came after a confrontation outside a business at 180 Crandon Blvd. in Key Biscayne, said Officer Michael Vega, a Miami police spokesman. The man, who has not been named, pulled out a case containing a rifle and demanded that a man inside the business come outside, Vega said. The man heard sirens approaching and left the case on the ground, driving off in a BMW SUV, Vega said. A Miami-Dade police dispatcher requested help from Miami police around 11:40 a.m. as the car drove along U.S. 1, Vega said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police lost sight of the BMW, but spotted it again at 11:50 a.m. traveling near 641 NW 12th Ave., Vega said. As the chase continued, the SUV rear-ended a car on Northwest 17th Avenue and 7th Street and drove off. On the 17th Avenue on-ramp to State Road 836, the BMW crashed several times into the guardrail, Vega said. The driver abandoned his car and ran away. Miami police officers found him on 17th Avenue right off of 836 and arrested him. FORT PIERCE A 21-year-old man died and a 54-year-old woman was wounded in a shooting Thursday, Fort Pierce police stated Friday. Police about 6:12 p.m. Thursday went to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of North 27th Street regarding shooting activity, police said. Investigators reported finding the man and woman injured with gunshot wounds. They were taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce where the man died. The womans injuries were not considered life threatening. Police did not release the identity of the 21-year-old man. Investigators are looking for a silver Toyota Camry (2018 2023) that went into the apartment complex before the shooting, and then left at a high rate of speed. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The shooting comes a day after another fatal shooting in Fort Pierce. The deadly shooting Wednesday happened at Rocket Fuel in the 3200 block of South U.S. 1, an arrest affidavit states. Brandon Gregory Kormanec, of Sebastian, 33, died, and Brigham Lesleigh Miller, 23, of the 1800 block of East Royal Tern Lane in Fort Pierce, was arrested on a first-degree murder charge. Those with information about the Thursday shooting are asked to contact Detective Troy Carter at 772-467-6856 (office), 772-332-9646 (cell) or tcarter@fppd.org. Information also can be supplied anonymously via Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-TIPS. 'Had the biggest heart': Vietnam veteran, 73, found dead in SUV 'Explosive growth': Where are new fire stations planned in St. Lucie County? Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: One dead, one wounded after Fort Pierce shooting North Carolina is giving law enforcement more tools to investigate serious crimes involving juveniles. Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 186 into law Friday. It allows police to release the name, picture, and alleged offense of juveniles charged with serious crimes who are on the run. Kids yall are killing: Mothers who lost children to gun violence share their stories Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell says this will help law enforcement better protect the public. Its based on showing the community that were doing our jobs to protect them from dangerous individuals and the juveniles that have committed these type of crimes, he told Channel 9. I mean, these are dangerous individuals that need to be apprehended as soon as possible. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The information will only be released in instances a petition has been filed to transfer a case to adult court. The new law requires police to remove all information from the internet once the juvenile has been taken into custody. (WATCH BELOW: Gut check: CMPD concerned about juvenile crime heading into summer) UAE president welcomes BRICS membership Xinhua) 09:31, August 25, 2023 DUBAI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday welcomed his country's inclusion in BRICS, a bloc of emerging economies. "We respect the vision of the BRICS leadership and appreciate the inclusion of the UAE as a member of this important group," he said on X, a social platform previously known as Twitter. The decision was made by BRICS leaders on Thursday during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. "We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world," he added. BRICS is an acronym for five emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. On Thursday, the group agreed to invite six more countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to join the bloc. The six countries' membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A police officer is in a critical condition after he was struck by a train while trying to rescue a man from the tracks. Nottinghamshire Police said that one of its officers was taken to hospital after he was seriously injured responding to concerns for a mans safety in Balderton, near Newark-on-Trent. Officers scrambled to a section of railway tracks near Newark Northgate station at about 7pm on Thursday. Police said that a distressed man was found with severe injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. But during attempts to help the individual, one officer was hit by a train. He remains in a critical condition at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, where the man he tried to save is also receiving treatment. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Kate Meynell, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, said: This is a truly devastating incident that has left one of our officers very poorly in hospital. We are supporting his family and ensuring that he gets all the care and support he needs. This was also extremely traumatic for all those who attended the scene, some of whom provided immediate medical assistance while the ambulance was on its way. Officers and police staff put themselves in danger every day to keep the public safe and from harm and I personally want to say how eternally grateful and proud I am of them all. Officers scrambled to a section of railway tracks near Newark Northgate station - Newark Advertiser/SWNS An investigation into the incident is being led by British Transport Police. A BTP spokesman said: Officers were called to the line near Newark Northgate station, Newark-on-Trent at around 7.10pm last night (Aug 24) following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Following the initial report, British Transport Police learned the incident followed Nottinghamshire Police responding to a concern for welfare report. Officers attended alongside paramedics, where one man was found to have sustained non-life-threatening electrocution injuries, and another man, a Nottinghamshire Police officer, had sustained life-changing injuries and sadly remains in a critical condition. Both were taken to hospital where they remain. Neighbouring police forces sent their condolences to the officers after details of his injuries emerged. Ch Supt Paul Timmins of Lincolnshire Police tweeted: This is what most police officers do most of the time... put others before themselves. Prayers for my colleague, their family and friends. Robert Jenrick, the Immigration Minister and MP for Newark, wrote: My thoughts and prayers are with the police officer critically injured in the line of duty at Newark station. Terrible incidents such as this remind us of the bravery of those serving in Notts Police and police forces across the country. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The suspect in a stabbing attack was killed during an early-morning confrontation with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, according to CMPD. It happened around 12:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, in the 5000 block of Roundstone Way, and investigators say officers arrived at the apartment to find an attack in progress. The stabbing victim survived, but remains hospitalized with multiple life-threatening wounds, CMPD said in a news release. Update from Chief Jennings on Officer-Involved Shooting in the North Division pic.twitter.com/5ENFyWjUtk CMPD News (@CMPD) August 25, 2023 Officers responded to a domestic disturbance call. ... Upon arrival, officers feared a threat inside the apartment and entered, CMPD said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Officers observed a lethal threat to the victim and one officer discharged their service weapon. The subject was pronounced deceased on the scene. Identities of the suspect and victim have not been released. The Observers news partner WSOC reports the suspect was male and the victim was female. No officers were injured, officials said. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will lead an investigation into the shooting and the officer involved will be placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. Baby dies after pregnant mom shot in stomach, NC cops say. Man charged with murder Good Samaritan stops to aid car crash victim and gets his truck stolen, NC cops say Trooper stops to help stranded driver and gets shot in the chest, NC cops say It might shock you to know that the first and only audience question at the first GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee was from a young conservative concerned about climate change. Unfortunately, when asked to raise their hand in response to the question of whether they believed climate change was real, candidates didnt exactly seize the opportunity. Considering nearly 70% of young Republicans are concerned about climate change, this was far from a winning message. Yet the mainstream medias obsession with the lack of hand-raising and The New York Times characterization of the conversation as chaotic doesnt paint the full picture. The question actually led to an important discussion that exposed candidates stances on the issue. In fact, one candidate, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley , stated clearly that climate change was real and that we need common-sense solutions to solve it. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The young person who posed this question to the presidential hopefuls on stage was Alexander Diaz, a conservative climate activist for the American Conservation Coalition. ACC is the largest right-of-center youth environmental organization in the country, with more than 20,000 members nationwide. Young people will soon make up a majority of voters, and climate change is a top issue for them. Instead of stumbling to answer a simple question, Republicans should leave a legacy on climate change by owning the issue and offering solutions rooted in conservative values if not, they may face tough odds at the polls. Dont believe me? Dial testing showed a resounding negative reaction to Vivek Ramaswamys comments about climate change being a hoax, not to mention the overwhelming boos his out-of-touch statement was met with during the debate. On the other hand, dial testing veered strongly in a positive direction when Nikki Haley confirmed she believed climate change was real, stating: We do care about clean air, clean water. We want to see that taken care of, but there is a right way to do it. Haley proposed actionable solutions to solving the problem emphasizing the need for American leadership and competition with adversaries like China. Candidates Asa Hutchinson, Doug Burgum, and Tim Scott also attempted to productively engage with the question during the short time it was offered. As my colleague Benji Backer, executive chairman of the ACC, said, the climate question was historic because of the way it voiced the concerns of young conservative voters. That we didnt get an immediate hand raise speaks to how much work we have left to do, Backer told the Guardian. Young people will never vote for a candidate that doesnt believe in climate change Republicans deserve to lose if they are climate deniers and dont have a plan. A conservative approach to climate change promotes innovation, brings jobs and manufacturing back home, punishes our adversaries, and unleashes American energy. One would be hard-pressed to find a GOP candidate who outwardly disagrees with these kinds of solutions, yet sitting idly by on climate change wont win over voters. All Republican presidential candidates must champion climate solutions going forward. Conservatives can no longer get away with sitting on the sidelines, especially if their goal is to win elections. The next Republican candidate must lead on climate change for the partys sake and the sake of our country and future generations. Sarah Jensen is a Policy Associate for the American Conservation Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing young people around environmental action. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, and Hungary support the extension of the EU ban on Ukrainian grain imports until the end of 2023, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said on Aug. 25, as cited by Reuters. "I want to say that even if it fails, some countries will introduce their own restrictions. Our declaration is clear," Telus told a press conference. According to the official, the five countries' agriculture ministers also back subsidizing the transit of Ukrainian grain and want other products to be added to the list of prohibited imports, such as raspberries in the case of Poland. Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland would not open its borders to Ukrainian grain imports if the EU ban is not extended. On May 2, the European Commission imposed a month-long ban on wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds to "alleviate logistical bottlenecks" related to these goods in the five countries. The ban was extended on June 5, set to expire by Sep. 15. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In exchange, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia pledged to cancel their unilateral restrictions on these and other products from Ukraine. They are still obligated to transport these products elsewhere. Cheap Ukrainian grain has been flooding the EU market since the beginning of the invasion, helped by the bloc waiving customs duties and import quotas to keep Ukraine's agricultural sector running. Low-price grain prices prove too tempting for local buyers and traders, undercutting local producers. Read also: Ukraines grain overload sours countrys relationship with key allies Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Was it merely revenge? A warning to others? Though his death is still to be officially confirmed, Yevgeny Prigozhin has likely met the fate of so many before him who have danced with Putin and lost his trust. But there may also be far more to the story, and no doubt more to be revealed. For its part, the Kremlin Friday denied that Vladimir Putin had ordered Prigozhins assassinationspokesperson Dmitry Peskov called such speculation an absolute lie. If Prigozhins initial March on Moscow was indeed a hastily planned spasm of anger at the Russian military, why wasnt it stopped immediately? Could there have been some intent by the center to let it play out enough to identify and sweep up others of dubious loyalty, or was it truly a counter-intelligence failure at the highest levels? And if so, will some others, who should have detected his preparations but failed to do so, quietly disappear? Alexander Vindman: Prigozhins Death Could Speed Peace in Ukraine Had Prigozhin sensed that his rising popularity had already made him a target? Was he manipulated by someone close to Putin to make his moveand then, before being eliminated, used to enable Russia to deploy more forces into Belarus and rope Belorussian dictator Lukashenko into greater support for Putins war? ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While we dont know the inner workings behind the drama, we must be cautious in proclaiming discord and weakness inside Putins leadership circle. Putin has modeled his wartime leadership style on World War II Soviet leader Joseph Stalin: Every protest or dissent is used to identify enemies and tighten control. He has arrested demonstrators, dampened the anguish of grieving mothers, eliminated oligarchs, tightened laws against dissent, and re-engineered even greater punishment for his leading political Russian opponent, Alexei Navalny. Putin has maintained control of the information space inside Russia, blocking news and communications with the West. He has wrapped himself in the Russian language of sacrifice and patriotism, and he has maintained the support of the vast majority of the Russian people. Unlike former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he has thus far succeeded in evoking the deepest Russian feelings of pride, resistance, and resilience in the face of staggering casualties on the battlefield. Putin has no doubt been scheming and struggling to open a northern attack from Belarus against Ukraine, to break supply lines to the West and isolate Kyiv. The Prigozhin caper may turn out to have helped him advance this effort. Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin looks on before a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping with representatives of civic organizations, business and media communities at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 4, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Ilnitsky/Pool/File Photo Putin prides himself in his excellence in Jiu-Jitsuusing his opponents momentum against him. While it may bemay betrue that the Prigozhin affair exposed a certain crack in Putins day-to-day control of events, he has nevertheless shown himself capable of Jiu-Jitsu at the highest levels. In the West we too often imagine our opponents are mirror images of ourselveswe must not make this mistake with Putin. He is cunning, remorseless, and relentlessly determined to regain control of Ukraineto the extent of eradicating a people and their culture. The deaths of hundreds or thousands mean little to him. He doesnt honor agreements, respect laws and customs, or accept any restraint on his actions, unless it temporarily advances his purpose. He seems to view himself as at war with the West, with NATO and the United States, in which crushing Ukraine is merely the first stage. He has said this openly and repeatedly. Weve been reluctant to acknowledge this. Putin, on the other hand, must be looking at the U.S. political scene, as well as politics in Germany and elsewhere in the West, and seeing vulnerabilities and weaknesses in our support for Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine will end when Putin decides he cant win. The Prigozhin affair should underscore the nature of Putin, and warn us that we must avoid wishful thinking and take him ever more seriously. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Yevgeny Prigozhin flew across Africa trying to salvage contracts there, the WSJ reported. But his mission ended abruptly when his plane crashed over Russia on Wednesday. Per the WSJ's investigation, Prigozhin was racing to stop the Kremlin from dismantling his empire. Yevgeny Prigozhin spent his final days crisscrossing Africa in a frantic attempt to protect his global business empire from Kremlin plans to take it over, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The Journal said it reconstructed his movements from interviewing government and military officials, defectors from his Wagner Group, and from evidence like chat logs and flight data. Prigozhin died Wednesday when a private jet carrying him and others crashed in the Russian countryside on its way to St. Petersburg. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement On Friday, the Kremlin denied that it ordered Prigozhin's death, despite widespread assessments from experts and intelligence agencies that it was indeed an assassination. Per the WSJ's account, the plane crash cut short an effort by Prigozhin to maintain his sprawling network of mercenary deals. On his last foreign trip last week, The Journal said he visited two African countries to shore up support from foreign allies there. The report said he was in the Central African Republic last Friday, where he met officials in that country and also rebels fighting in neighboring Sudan. The next day, it said, he moved on to Mali, another state where Wagner has interests. The Journal said that Prigozhin found himself in a race with the Kremlin, which was at the same time trying to win over Wagner clients to have them deal directly with Russian officials instead. The respected Institute for the Study of War reported, citing Russian military bloggers, that the Kremlin was doing its best to dismantle Wagner's presence in the Middle East and Africa, by forming new private military companies from existing Wagner personnel. The Wagner boss established one of the world's most mysterious and complicated corporate organization, which included enterprises in media, logistics, mining, cinema, and catering in addition to his mercenary activities, according to an investigation by the Dossier Center. Per The Journal, other sources of income for Prigozhin include gold from Sudan, and diamond and timber from the Central African Republic. It remains unclear what is going to happen to the sprawling network now that its leader is no more. Read the original article on Business Insider UK Defence Intelligence believes that the death of the Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin will have a deeply destabilising effect on the mercenaries. Source: UK Defence Intelligence update on 25 August, as reported by European Pravda Details: On 23 August 2023, exactly two months after the mutiny by the Wagner Group, an Embraer business jet affiliated with the Wagner PMC crashed near Tver, between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Russian authorities claim that 10 people on board the aircraft died, including Prigozhin, Wagners financier. Quote: "There is not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was onboard and he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. However, it is highly likely that he is indeed dead. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The demise of Prigozhin would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on the Wagner Group." More details: Prigozhins personal qualities hyperactivity, exceptional daring, results-oriented and extreme brutality permeated Wagner, UK Defence Intelligence states and adds that it is unlikely that there would be a successor who could match these qualities. Quote: "Wagners leadership vacuum would be compounded by the reports that founder and field commander Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov also died." Background: The United States does not yet have comprehensive information about the situation regarding the plane crash that may have been carrying Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, but believes that he was most likely killed. Earlier, Reuters, citing two US officials, reported that the plane carrying Wagner Group leaders was likely to have been shot down by a missile fired from Russian territory. Meanwhile, The New York Times and Associated Press, citing informed sources, reported that Western intelligence considered an explosion on board to be the likely cause of the crash of the plane carrying the Wagner leader. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Oleksii Reznikov , Ukraine's Defence Minister, believes that the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin , financier of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), proves that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin should not be negotiated with, as he cannot be trusted. Source: Reznikov in an interview with Welt Quote: "Prigozhin's death made Putin weaker. That has shown the world: If Putin decides on any agreement with anyone and breaks it, it means he can no longer be trusted... It's the behaviour of gangsters, and the Kremlin behaves like gangsters, like criminals." Details: He said the death of the Wagnerites' leader would not affect the wars course, as "the Wagner Group, in fact, no longer exists". ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Reznikov explained that mercenaries were a major force a year ago, but now "they are defeated". Background: The Wagner PMC fought in Ukraine, especially actively in the city of Bakhmut, but in late spring, they relocated to field camps. On 24 June, the Wagner PMC started an armed rebellion in Russia due to a conflict with the Russian military command, but in the evening of the same day, after a conversation with Alexander Lukashenko, self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Yevgeny Prigozhin said his mercenaries were heading back to the field camps. The criminal case against Prigozhin in Russia was closed, and he was to "go to Belarus". On 11 July, the Belarusian Defence Ministry claimed that an "experience exchange" between mercenaries of the Wagner PMC and the Belarusian Armed Forces would occur at Belarusian training grounds. On 14 July, mercenaries trained with units of the Belarusian Territorial Defence Forces near Asipovichy, Mogilev Oblast. On the evening of 23 August, a small plane crashed in Russia's Tver Oblast, and the Russian Federal Aviation Agency claimed that the list of passengers included Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner PMC. The Grey Zone Telegram channel, which is close to the Wagner Group, claimed that Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane had been shot down by air defence fire. A terrorist attack on board was reportedly being considered as a line of enquiry regarding the crash of Prigozhin's plane. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A portrait of Yevgeny Prigozhin is seen at the makeshift memorial in front of the circus building in Rostov-on-Don, on Aug. 24, 2023. Credit - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images The predictability of brazenly atrocious and baroque violence in Russian court politics does not make it less shocking when it actually happens. And this week it has happened in all senses with a fiery vengeance. Are you able to forgive? an interviewer asked President Vladimir Putin in March 2018. Yes, but not everything, he replied. What is it impossible to forgive? ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Betrayal, replied Putin, speaking as a Russian spy who had worked for the British, Sergei Skripal, lay apparently dying after being poisoned in Salisbury, England by Russian assassins. More From TIME This week, it seems it was the turn Yevgeny Prigozhin , the billionaire oligarch, catering tycoon, mercenary chieftain, and recent mutineer, when his private jet was either blown up by a bomb or was shot down. He is presumed to have been killed. Prigozhin was the head of the Wagner mercenary force and its commander Dmitry Utkin and other Wagernians (nicknamed the Musicians on military Telegram accounts) were also aboard the plane. As was a young and completely innocent air hostess named Kristina Raspopovaanother victim of careless Russian potentates. But as usual in todays Russia, we know very little about what is really happening within the tiny inner circle of the Putin court. It is clear that so far even supposed "security experts" are just reading the same Telegram accounts as the rest of us. We have not seen Prigozhins body and his death cannot be confirmed but both the Russian state and Wagner sources say he is deadso he most probably is no longer amongst the living. Given the rules of power in Putinist Russia, no one is surprised that Prigozhin was killed, only that the interval between his mutiny and his killing was so longtwo monthsand so tortuously inconsistent that it exposed the weakness of Putin. Russian rulers are experts in targeted violence that can be both entirely predictable but kinetically surprising. The rise and fall of Prigozhin reveals many threads that run throughout Russian history and remain acutely relevant now. It also chronicles the depletion of autocratic prestige, state power, and competent management, and it further raises the threat of the disintegration of Russia itself. First, all of this is a symptom of personal power, one man rule, the habitual system of autocracy in Russia throughout its long history. One cannot say dictatorship is the only way Russia could have developed and that democracy is impossible; far from it, but its tendency is overwhelming. Putin has shaped a modern version of autocracy, held together by his personal power, ability to play off his potentates, and offer glory and stability to his people. His decision to "roll the iron dice"Bismarcks great expressionof war has not only led to the death of an estimated 500,000 people, many of them innocent Ukrainian civilians, but also placed his own rule under impossible stress, revealing a decaying state dominated by coercion, feuding, incompetence, mendacity, and venality. Yet it turned out Putin was inept at running his own court and could not prevent Kremlin rivalries playing out online and then exploding into open rebellion on 23 June 2023 when Prigozhin led his forces to seize Rostov and then advance on Moscow. We may never know the real deal brokered by Putins client Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko to stop the advance, but Putin, ashen and lacking his trademark swagger, was forced to go on TV to denounce Prigozhins treason. Russian rulers are accustomed to face rebellions and crush them but they generally did so with considerably more elanand more vivid violence. Peter the Great rushed back from his Great Embassy to Europe to torture thousands of rebel musketeers in specially-constructed torture chambers. Catherine the Great unleashed her generals to crush the Pugachev rebellionthey sailed floating gallows down the Volga. Nicholas I facing the mutiny of elite Guards regiments in the streets of Petersburg bombarded them with artillery. Putin acquiesced in Lukashenkos shadowy agreement and even met Prigozhin who was allowed to fly around the world, recently visiting his Musicians in Africa, wielding a Kalashnikov and full desert fatigues. Members of Wagner group stand on the balcony of the circus building in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. Roman RomokhovAFP/Getty Images The rise of Prigozhin (Putins chef, hotdog-seller) is not some exotic freak of nature: he is just the latest in a long line of court favourites whose ascendancies are the inevitable result of personal power at its most supreme. Some imperial favourites were amazingly talentedCatherine the Greats co-ruler Prince Potemkin was the greatest statesman of the Romanov dynastyand some notNicholas IIs Rasputin was the most talentless. But when these favourites lose the protection of their patron, their falls are vertiginous for their power and wealth arouse vicious jealousy amongst the traditional elites. The great favourite of the last reign, Boris Berezovsky, a Jewish mathematician charmed the ursine, cantankerous, crapulous President Boris Yeltsin and vitally his influential daughter Tatiana, with his nervy worldly dynamic style, made billions from owning Sibneft and Aeroflot. Fatally he played some role in anointing Yeltsins successor, Putin, who swiftly resented Berezovskys presumptuous interference. Escaping into exile, his death reportedly by hanging in the bathroom of his Surrey mansion may have been either a howl of despair or an efficient mission by Putins assassins. (The British police have been cloddishly slow to realize that Russian agents were using all methods, including efficient poisons, to kill victims in Britain.) Prigozhin, one of Putins St Peterburg circle, received massive financial prizes: catering and later military contracts worth billions. But he was also one of more energetic and competent managers that Putin trusted: it was he who set up the troll-farms Putin used to undermined the democracy of the Chief Enemy (America) and it was he who helped create the Wagner mercenary group that allowed Russia to run a cost effective and aggressive but deniable foreign policy. Who can forget the amazing sight of Russian mercenaries fighting their way across the Syrian desert to take the ancient city of Palmyra, once in ancient times the capital of Empress Zenobia and her Middle Eastern empire? When Putin launched his wars against Ukraine, initially in 2014, then fullscale in 2022, and the military turned out to be ill-led and ill-supplied, Prigozhin provided his vicious Wagner stormtroopers who distinguished themselves with their resilience and atrocities. Emulating Stalins use of convict conscripts in his Shtrafbats in WWII, he recruited in prisons. He had deserters executed with sledgehammers, glorying in violence justified by nationalism. That was where Prigozhin intensified his feud with Putins long serving magnates Defense Minister Shoigu and Chief of Staff Gerasimov. Putins failure to control that feud has exposed his own limits. Prigozhin became the condottiere of his own private army, funded by the state. He was not the only one: the Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov is also effectively a warlord with his own private forces. It is a sign of Russias weakening state that Putin allowed non-state players to command their own armies in the first place. Read More: What Comes After Putin's Rule in Russia Prigozhins criminal backgroundhe served time in prison and seems to have killed someone in his youthwas another feature of the Russian power culture. It was the Bolsheviks who merged criminal culture with that of the state. The revolutionary Sergei Nechayev had declared in his 1869 Revolutionary Catechism that We must unite with the world of adventurous gangs of criminals, the only genuine revolutionists in Russiaan idea that influenced Lenin, Stalin, and their generation. Once in power, they endowed their new secret police the Chekas with powers of arbitrary violence unthinkable in the era of the tsars. The Romanovs under Nicholas I had invented modern secret police organs but for all their violent suppression of rebellions, they rarely assassinated enemies or traitors outside or inside Russia. Lenin and Stalin disdained their softness: the end always justified the means. Before power Stalin raised cash in spectacular bank robberies and protection rackets while liquidating traitors. In power, their Cheka harnessed the esprit of a military-religious order of knights with the atrocious violence of a gangster hit squad. Even as Cheka developed into a vast bureaucracy of the NKVD and later the KGB, it became the elite corps of Soviet state. When the Soviet Union collapsed, KGB officers, now working for the new organs the FSB and the SVR, regarded themselves as knightswhat their director, and now one of Putins top henchmen, Nikolai Patrushev, called a new nobility but it was a nobility that encompassed the corruption, greed and murderousness of a Mafia family. President Putin himself revelled in that culturehis swaggering threat to liquidate Chechen terrorists even sitting on the lav was a deliberate statement of that murderous machismo. In the secret police and intelligence organs, there is a special prestige to assassinations which are known vividly as , mokroye delo (Wet Work). The mechanism whereby Putin orders killingsand to what extent they are signed off on paper or by secret verbal orders and to what extent they are perpetrated by courtiers seeking to win favour is unknown of course. Sometimes Putin is likely to be involved in planning such operations; other times not. We do not know. Sometimes the killers may be Chechens maybe organized by Putins other feral favourite, his tributary ruler of Russias Chechen republic, Kadyrov. Sometimes the killers are FSB or GRU spies; other times gangster hitmen on semi-official business. In the case of Prigozhinif indeed he is dead and if this was the work of a missile it would have required coordination between FSN or the military intelligence GU to ensure that the right people were on the private jet and the Air Defence, not an organization frequently used for Wet Work, to bring it down. A bomb is simpler. Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation after an armed rebellion declared by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, in Moscow, Russia, on June 24, 2023. Gavriil GrigorovKremlin/Sputnik/AP Russian rulers must always exist in a state of ferocious vigilance. The direction of secret police organs is almost their first duty and perennial interest. But also espionage is thrilling for leaders it is one of the exciting parts of the job for any leader, even in democracies. Stalin personally ran the organs himself, directing everything through henchmen, most famously two NKVD commissars, Nikolai Yezhov, who was untalented, unstable and always out of his depth, and Lavrenti Beria, his fellow Georgian who was highly capable, efficient and sadisticand almost managed to succeed Stalin as Soviet leader. But Stalins NKVD potentates were much more important than Prigozhin they managed vast organs and many millions of people. Stalin believed killing was an invaluable political toolboasting to his Bulgarian ally Georgi Dmitrovwe do it by bloodlettingbut he was also fascinated by Wet Work, enjoying the devising the complex murder plots such as the killing in a "car accident" of the beloved Yiddish Soviet actor Solomon Mikhoels who was actually kidnapped, given a fatal injection and then placed n the street to look like the victim of a car crash. The violence that Prigozhin flaunted was very much a part of Putinist culture as it was in Stalins time: Putin has never approached the scale of repression that Stalin unleashed during collectivisation, his famines and then his Terror. The death toll runs into untold millionsit will never be exactly known. It is a different time now and Putin is not Stalin in many ways. But targetted killing has always been part of his system: his accession saw a spiral of killings of his enemies or inconveniences to his power, from that of Galina Starovoitnova, the Duma member who promoted western democracy when he was still FBS director, to Anna Politovskaya, the investigative journalist, in 2006 and ex-deputy-premier and critic Boris Nemtsov in 2015, and famously the poisoning of his chief opposition Alexei Navalny in 2020. While abroad dissidents and double-agents from Alexander Litvinenko to Sergei Skripal were targeted for murder with exotic poisons from the biological weapons laboratory. Since the Ukraine war started, destabilizing and reshaping the secretive tournament of rivals and clans into a frenzied cagefight for money and power, the killing spiral has become unpredictable and widespread: bankers, oil executives, bureaucratsand sometimes as a gruesome warning, their mistresseshave been murderedthrown out of windows, drowned in pools, poisoned. Many businessman who expressed skepticism about Putins war now found that their rivalswho many well have been FSB potentatescould forcefully grab their companies and sometimes liquidate them, too. Putin proudly declared in 2018 that betrayal of the secret services was unforgivable and however long it takes, the state and the Organs will take vengeance. Putin and his Chekist potentates adopted the old Stalinist rule that any traitor must be hunted down and killed. The secret police always followed this rule, even spreading the rumour that the '60s double agent GRU Colonel Oleg Pentkovsky was executed by being incinerated alive at a secret police crematorium in a ceremony attended by selected officers. It may even be true. Every autocrat identifies totally with the state and its servants: Putin does not need to choose between state and personal betrayal. But treason is even more bitter if the traitor is a personal friend and protege like Prigozhin. Peter the Great was outraged by the betrayal of his close long-serving ally Ivan Mazeppa, the Ukrainian Cossack Hetman of Zaporizhian Host and Left-Bank Ukraine for twenty years. His story is very relevant today. Mazeppa feared that Peter was about to grant the Hetmanate to his intimate Russian friend Prince Menshikov so when the Swedish King Charles XII invaded Ukraine in 1708, Mazeppa agonized what to do. Charles offered him independence. Mazeppa defected to the Swedes. Peter was incensed and sent Menshikov to liquidate everyone in Mazeppas capital. He was keen to kill Mazeppa too but the Hetman died of natural causes soon after he and Charles lost the battle of Poltava in 1709. Even more personal was the betrayal of Peter by his own eldest son who plotted against him and then defected, escaping to Vienna in 1716. Peter lured him back promising securitybut on his return he tortured him to death. Peter is Putins hero. Photographs of his sumptuous yacht were revealed by opposition researchers online and even there he had a statuette of the first emperor of Russia. No matter how close the traitor, the traitor had to die. Prigozhin was an intimate courtier of Putin and it seems that Putin continued to protect Prigozhin even when he was ranting in his baritone roar against Shoigu and Gerasimov as they played political games, starving his Wagnerians of ammunition and support. But sometime in the meatgrinder of Bakhmut, the desperate fray turned his head: Prigozhin started to identify himself and his Wagner troopers as blood-spattered heroes of Russias war against Ukraine and anyone who held them back as traitors to the Motherlandeven Shoigu, maybe even the President himself. Some of the Russian Armys best fighting generalsGeneral Armageddon Surovikin the most prominentsympathized with Prigozhin and despised the cowards at headquarters. The rebellion of June 23 this year crossed every line. It was a humiliation for the President. Not just the personal betrayal of Putins protege on whom he and the state had showered billions but also a political betrayal that exposed to the world the incompetence and corruption of Putins command and conduct of the war. Putin spoke of Prigozhin with almost paternal sadness like a son he had had to sacrifice: "I have known Prigozhin from the beginning of the 1990s," Putin said with a strange wistfulness. "He was a man with a complex fate. Sometimes he made mistakes; sometimes he got results--for himself and in response to my requests, for a common cause. He was a talented person. No one believed Prigozhin would remain amongst the living for long. Putin could not punish Prigozhin until the Wagner group was pacified and until he had identified, arrested, and dismissed any sympathetic generals. It seems Surovikin was arrested and sacked as commander of air defence the day before Prigozhin flew too close to the sun. Then Putin received Prigozhin at a meeting of Wagner commanders. That must have taken some of his arctic self control. He allowed Prigozhin to appear on the sidelines of his conference with African leaders, many of whom would have known the condottiere since Wagner troops were present in their countries. A week ago, Prigozhin was reportedly in Africa, probably Mali boasting that Wagner was making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free. He growled that the temperature is plus 50 degrees Celsius in Mali but he did not realize it was getting even hotter at home... A screen grab captured from a video shared online shows Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Russian private security company Wagner, holding a rifle in a desert area while wearing camouflage in a video for the first time after his rebellion against the Russian administration, in an unspecified location in Africa on August 21, 2023. Wagner Telegram/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images It is said that the FSB had urged Putin to let him liquidate Prigozhin at once; Putin was more cautious. There were loose ends to tie up. But also there was something else there: he was teasing the loudmouthed braggart Prigozhin, letting him feel safe and preen on his online channels, even flaunt that he was still alive, still in business. Stalin did the same with his enemies such Nikolai Bukharin who reflected sadly that Stalin was a master of dosage. Putin too is a master of dosage. It seems that Putin has deliberately beheaded the snake that is Wagner. Presumably its troops will be broken up or signed up by more reliable mercenary outfits. It is unknown who will take over Wagners role as Russias African vanguard. In Russia, the mystique of powerfrom Peter the Great to Lavrenti Beria and on to Putin todayis often won by the capricious deployment of violence: now with this killing, Putin has to some extent restored his mastery. If Prigozhin was indeed on the plane this was an execution plain and simple. It was not just a bullet in the head but a spectacular strike. It was a state hitWet Work gone large. Yet this turbulence in the inner circle, the rise of warlords, the open feuding, the killings, the rebellion by a protege, now the execution of a courtier by his masterall of this augers ill for Russia and presages the deterioration of the Russian state. Perhaps even a new Smutathe Time of Troubles that almost destroyed Russia in the civil wars of 1598-1613 and again in 1918-21. One man one problem, no man no problemas Stalin and his henchmen put it. , . Except in this case many problems remain. The war for a start. Wagnerites may seek their own vengeance: what if they have admirers in say Putins bodyguards? And amongst his exploits Prigozhin has broken Putins myth of invulnerability and the taboo against elite revolt. Ultimately if the tsar stumbles it will be those closest who wield the dagger. Here the president and officials of a huge empire and powerful nuclear-armed intergalactic modern state conspiring to liquidate one of their own intimates, behaving like narco-trafficantes or the cutthroats of a small town in Renaissance Italy. Yet So far Russia s grandees and people are rallying to the Motherland and its ruler; its huge army is holding. Putin is the master again of violence but he is damaged. Yet a weakened tyrant can rule for a long time. And war grinds on Simon Sebag Montefiore is the author most recently of The World: A Family History of Humanity and earlier of The Romanovs and Stalin: Court of the Red Tsar Contact us at letters@time.com. BALTIMORE It was around midday that Dallis Glover walked along North Eutaw Street, just past Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore, carrying a 25-ounce can of Natural Ice beer in late June. Glover, 59, was a block from his home in the Paca House Apartments, which provides supportive housing for residents with low incomes. He had quit his job while grieving the recent deaths of his mother and fiancee, and found himself relying on alcohol to dull his pain. He didnt know new States Attorney Ivan Bates had announced June 1 that he would resume prosecuting petty crimes, like drinking in public. When a Maryland Transit Administration Police officer approached him, Glover said, he tried tossing the beer in a trash can, but the officer grabbed his hand. Officer Courtney Green wrote a criminal citation charging Glover with possession of an open container of alcohol, according to court documents. The citation listed a court date: Aug. 21, 2023, at the Eastside District Court. On Monday, Glover rode the bus to court, took a seat in the courtroom and approached the table where lawyers sit when the prosecutor called his name. Assistant States Attorney Patricia Deros explained that his charge, a violation of the Baltimore City Code, carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail or a fine up to $1,000. She offered him a deal: Complete five hours of community service and shed drop his charge. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Glover accepted, becoming one of only a handful of people whose cases on the August dockets were resolved that way, according to an analysis by The Baltimore Sun. In response to The Suns request to the Maryland Judiciary, the District Court in Baltimore provided a copy of each citation assigned to an August docket. Of the approximately 70 citations, nearly half were dismissed. More than a dozen were postponed and 16 nearly 25% resulted in arrest warrants being issued because people didnt show up for court. When Bates started the Citation Docket, he touted it as distinguishing him from his predecessor, Marilyn Mosby, also a Democrat, who discontinued the prosecution of low-level offenses. Bates said the goal was to avoid arrests and prosecutions, instead diverting defendants to community service and wraparound help. Our goal is not to prosecute, Bates said at the time, asking for patience as he rolled out the program and dealt with any initial hiccups. Our goal is to hold people accountable for these quality-of-life crimes. Bates declined an interview about the citation docket, which held its first round of court dates in July, saying he would talk about how its going Wednesday at a hearing of the City Councils Public Safety and Government Operations Committee. His office declined to provide data in advance of the hearing. Spokespersons did, however, provide answers to some of The Suns questions. Critics remain concerned Bates policy will lead to unnecessary arrests and prosecutions that wont make Baltimore, which has averaged more than 300 homicides a year for the last eight years, safer. They predict long-term trends will show enforcement disproportionately targeting marginalized communities, and describe a host of consequences from summoning someone to court for loitering, trespassing and open containers. Bringing police back into the business of policing low-level offenses means, by definition, bringing them back into address poverty, mental health struggles, addiction, when we know that criminal justice intervention is not the most effective response to those challenges, said Heather Warnken, director of the University of Baltimore School of Laws Center for Criminal Justice Reform. We are creating unnecessary interactions and ongoing inequities. The District Courts in East, South and West Baltimore each host a citation docket once a month. In August, each of the dockets concluded within an hour, with the one in West Baltimore ending in about 15 minutes. The volume of cases for the first two citation dockets was less than anticipated, said Terri Charles, spokeswoman for the Maryland Judiciary, in an email. The District Court will continue to fairly, effectively, and efficiently adjudicate cases should the volume increase. Many of the cases dismissed this month were people cited for conducting business without a license. If a defendant got a license before the court date, prosecutors moved to drop the charges. In other cases, officers mistakenly issued a citation for a more serious charge. Some whose charges got dismissed were people whose cases were held over from July to give them an opportunity to complete community service. The courts community service program sends representatives to citation dockets to arrange opportunities for people to complete their hours. Bates office also is partnering with the nonprofit Helping Other People through Empowerment Inc. Known as HOPE, it provides employment, mental health and drug treatment resources. That organization sends staffers to citation dockets, but its unclear how many people its helped. HOPEs leaders did not respond to multiple requests for an interview, and Bates office declined to provide the number of people who received wraparound services over the first two months of citation dockets. A range of law enforcement agencies issued the citations that populated the dockets, including Amtrak Police; the Comptroller of Marylands Field Enforcement Bureau; the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission of Maryland, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. Maryland Transit Administration Police issued citations to the most defendants whose cases were on the August dockets, with 23, The Suns analysis found. Spokespeople for that agency did not respond to requests for comment. The Suns analysis showed Baltimore Police issued citations to five defendants on the August dockets. The departments consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice lays out guidelines for how officers address quality-of-life crimes. It says the least intrusive enforcement is the most appropriate option, with warnings and counseling preferable to citations, and citations preferable to arrests. At the departments quarterly hearing Thursday on the consent decree in federal court, Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said he was OK with officers writing few citations, saying the threat of them has helped reduce unwanted behaviors. Whats happening is usually when our officers show up, either their mere presence or them saying, Hey, you cant do that, usually abates the behavior, Worley said. The citation docket process begins with an officer issuing a citation, which is supposed to list a specific courthouse, date and time to appear, according to Bates office. That person shows up to court and, if they are eligible, a prosecutor will offer community service in exchange for dropping the charges if they complete the service hours. Prosecutors also are supposed to offer wraparound services, like drug or mental health treatment. (Bates office doesnt offer community service to people who have pending charges or are on probation for crimes of violence or those involving handguns.) If a person doesnt show up for their day in court, the judge typically reschedules their appearance for the next months docket and mails a summons to the persons last known address. For those who havent appeared for the second date, judges have been granting prosecutors requests for arrest warrants. The Suns analysis found problems with the citations that could explain why many defendants didnt show up for court: More than half of citations didnt list a court date, while others directed defendants to the wrong courthouse. About 40% of the citations heard on the August dockets were issued before June 1, when Bates announced the new policy and publicized specific citation docket dates. A work in progress, Deros, the prosecutor, told District Judge Diana S. Smith, who presided Wednesday over the citation docket in West Baltimore. Only one of 16 people who had cases scheduled on Smiths docket showed up to court that day. Over the three days of citation dockets in the week of Aug. 21, Smith and her colleagues issued arrest warrants for offenses such as open containers, drug possession, theft and disorderly conduct. If people are experiencing unstable housing, the address they may give in good faith to the police officer may no longer be the address theyre living at the when that summons is mailed, said Alycia Capozello, deputy district public defender for Baltimore. It calls into question whether citizens received adequate notice prior to a warrant being issued for them, a warrant that will result in them being incarcerated. Thats not to mention the potential challenges with, and consequences of, someone showing up to court, Warnken said. When you are talking about people who disproportionately are struggling financially, and maybe trying to survive, the amount of effort and resources it takes to show up for a court date cannot be overstated ... practical, tangible needs, like being able to miss work, like being able to get the child care you need, like paying for and navigating the public transportation system in this city, Warnken said. To get to District Court in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Kimani Roberts, a 20-year-old from West Baltimore, missed work and relied on a former teacher to drive him to South Baltimore. Roberts citations had listed the wrong courthouse: East Baltimore. He said he went there for his July court date. He never heard his name called, then found out where he had to go in August. I wouldve had a warrant out for my arrest, said Roberts, if he had missed the second court date. The communication needs to be better. Warnken added theres an emotional cost of going to court for people who are vulnerable or marginalized. After paying the fare to ride the bus to court, Glover recalled telling his sister and daughter where he was. He said they were concerned, but he had waited to tell them because its a shame. He hadnt wanted his daughter to worry. He didnt want his sister to feel like her brother is not trying to do the right thing. The citation docket felt like a positive experience to Glover at first. Hes OK with doing community service and agreed to work with HOPE, expressing optimism that his experience cleaning and maintaining floors will make it easy for the organization to help him find a job. But his familys concern weighed on him. Upon reflection, he said, he wished the officer had just given him a warning, told him about the policy change and left it at that. A citation is a citation, Glover said. Stealing bubble gum is stealing bubble gum. Im not trying to get away from that. But cant you all find something else to do? Baltimore Sun reporter Lee O. Sanderlin contributed to this article. After a decade of monitoring and cleanup efforts, the Multistate Environmental Response Trust continues to work with residential properties potentially contaminated with creosote from the former Kerr-McGee Wood Treatment Facility. The facility at 2800 W. High St. treated railroad ties from 1907 until 2004. The ties were treated with creosote a mixture of chemicals that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified as a probable human carcinogen and contaminated the soil and groundwater on the plot and the surrounding area. The Multistate Trust, a private entity created as part of an earlier legal settlement, has been working on monitoring, studying and cleaning up pollution from the site since 2011. Creosote entered the soil and water during the operations by dripping onto bare soil as part of the wood treatment process and through unlined lagoons where creosote was separated from the water as it sank to the bottom. On Wednesday evening, the Multistate Trust, in coordination with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, hosted a meeting at the Library Station for neighbors and community members to hear updates about their work. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement So far, domestic well samples, public drinking water samples and residential soil samples have all returned with contaminant levels below the regulatory limits that would pose risk to health. Multistate Trust Program Director Tasha Lewis said quarterly monitoring of drinking water will continue. Multistate Trust Program Director Tasha Lewis presents proposed additional residential soil sampling for creosote contamination from the Kerr-McGee site in Northwest Springfield to the community at the Library Station on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. She said the main focus will now shift toward addressing the Golden Hills Detention Basin, an area a half-mile north of the facility, where creosote has been found and which is hydraulically connected to the facility, meaning water flows directly from the facility to this area. Currently, the basin is fenced in and has a hazardous waste sign in front of it. Lewis said the goal is to one day see the fence and sign removed and have the area be safe for neighbors. The Multistate Trust hopes to install constructed treatment wetlands that beautify the area while also treating the contaminated water. Lewis said the preliminary timeline for the project is to get the pre-design work plan approved by MoDNR by the end of the year, begin construction in 2025 and have it completed in 2026. "If we can stop that contamination from going into the Woodlawn Spring branch, that then starts to get to the space where we have much more confidence, I would say, that we wouldn't have any more real concerns about the potential impact to the public water supply sources," she said. The sampling of drinking water will continue at least until the work on the basin is completed. Then, decisions about whether or when to stop quarterly sampling could be made. Focus on residents Lewis said those living by Kerr-McGee sites both in Springfield and elsewhere in the country are disproportionately affected, whether that be by the stigma of trying to sell a home, possible health effects or the loss of jobs following the facility's closure. At the heart of the cleanup efforts has been protecting the community from further exposure to hazardous chemicals by collecting various samples to measure levels of contamination. When it comes to surface soil sampling, Lewis said they will focus on sampling the first row of houses north of the facility abutting West High Street between Golden and Fulbright Avenues. She said this is due to finding out from residents about historic flooding on the street which could have lead to further contamination of surface soil on those plots. Surface soil includes the first three feet of the soil that can be contaminated by substances entering the soil from the top, which can pose the greatest risk to residents of a home. One of these properties has already been sampled with results expected in September. Next steps also include the replacement of residential sewer lateral pipes. Lewis said around 30 properties will receive new pipes, mainly concentrated to the northeast of the facility where the majority of contamination has been observed. This will be done in two phases with the first phase focusing on the neighborhood north of High Street between Fulbright and Clifton. She said properties were selected based on their proximity to the facility, previously observed contamination on video footage by the city and whether the pipes have any cracks in them. All replacement will be done at no cost to the residents, commercial and industrial properties are not included. "It's a large coordination effort," Lewis said. "It will be intrusive ... We're going to be digging in your backyard." The road ahead Lewis reported that as of June, the Multistate Trust has recovered more than 6,500 gallons of creosote since 2011. While it sounds like a large number, it is likely a very small amount considering how much was potentially dumped within the 100 years of facility operations. "Yes, that's good news, but that's not very much," Lewis said. "That's a drop in the bucket when we look at what happened over the long term." Since 2004, more than 91 million gallons of contaminated groundwater has been treated or discharged. Lewis said this is a hard and lengthy process especially after it rains as a lot more water infiltrates the ground. They are trying to find solutions. Options include a slurry wall around a portion or entirety of the area or planting trees that would pull up the water and contamination from the surface in a process called phytoremediation. Some of these options are more expensive than others and the karst topography of the area complicates installation of these options. Lewis said the current process of pumping and treating the water is an expensive one and will not be sustainable for the long term. As these efforts continue, Lewis said she hopes that 2024 can offer more time to look toward the future and reuse of the site. "We want to turn this vacant land and this facility into a community asset," she said. More: Funding becomes a concern as expensive cleanup continues at contaminated Springfield site Councilman Abe McGull, Mayor Ken McClure and City Manager Jason Gage were among those who attended the meeting. Councilwoman Monica Horton was there before the meeting began, speaking to Lewis individually and visiting with community members. McGull asked about any health assessments performed with residents around the facility to understand any adverse health effects the contamination could have inflicted. Michelle Hartman from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said no such assessments have been conducted but a cancer inquiry can be requested by the residents. This was the second meeting of its kind this year. The first one took place in February. More information and all the documents associated with the site can be found online at springfield.greenfieldenvironmental.com. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Kerr-McGee site cleanup focuses on contaminated basin Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, describing him as a talented businessman who made some serious mistakes in his life. However, there are competing theories as to exactly what happened to cause the crash of Prigozhins business jet in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, yesterday. This was the first time the Russian president had referred directly to Prigozhins crash and the first concrete Russian government confirmation that he was dead. Following initial reports of the crash, there had been much speculation as to whether or not Prigozhin the architect of an attempted coup in Russia in late June had actually been on board. https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1694750637005631835?s=20 You can read our initial report on yesterdays crash of the Embraer Legacy 600 business jet associated with Prigozhin, as well as subsequent updates, here. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He was a man with a difficult fate, Putin said, during a meeting at the Kremlin today. He achieved the needed results both for himself and for a joint effort that I had asked him about during the last months. This was almost certainly a reference to the war in Ukraine and very likely specifically the efforts of mercenaries from the Wagner Group in the months-long battle that led to the capture of the city of Bakhmut. Putin also offered condolences to the families of all 10 people on board the jet. Among them was also Dmitry Utkin, right-hand man to Prigozhin, who some suggested may have been the real leader behind the Wagner Group enterprise. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1694665181756850628?s=20 The crash site seen in an image courtesy of Planet Labs. (Planet Labs) The Russian leader said that Prigozhin had returned to Russia from Africa on Wednesday, after which he had met with some officials, although their identities were not specified. A screen grab from a video shared online shows Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group, holding a rifle in a desert area, in an unspecified location in Africa on August 21, 2023. Photo by Wagner Account/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Putin has promised a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Initially, at least, the crash had been widely attributed to a Russian surface-to-air missile, with reports also now highlighting the possibility of some kind of explosive device had been placed aboard the aircraft. A law enforcement officer works at the site of Prigozhins plane crash near the village of Kuzhenkino, Tver region, on August 24, 2023. Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images Reuters today reported that unnamed U.S. officials still believed that a surface-to-air missile originating inside Russia likely shot down Prigozhins plane. This hypothesis has now been challenged, however. During Thursdays Pentagon briefing, spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder brought the surface-to-air missile theory into serious question. We assess that information to be inaccurate, Ryder said of those reports. Were continuing to assess the situation Im not going to have any further information on how or why the airplane crashed, Ryder added. https://twitter.com/phildstewart/status/1694722059082105087?s=20 https://twitter.com/nancyayoussef/status/1694735896669548712?s=20 There are questions now over whether a bomb may have been placed aboard the Embraer jet, or perhaps some other kind of sabotage undertaken. A report from the Associated Press, citing anonymous U.S. and Western officials, asserts that a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment has found that the crash was caused intentionally by an explosion. That would seem to suggest some kind of explosive device on the plane, but no other details have so far been provided. The onboard explosion theory is also put forward by the New York Times, which reports that U.S. satellite intelligence systems did not detect a missile launch, and there is no other evidence a surface-to-air weapon took out the plane. The explosion could have been caused by a bomb or other device planted on the aircraft, though other theories, like adulterated fuel, were also being explored, the New York Times added, again quoting unnamed U.S. officials. As The War Zones Tyler Rogoway observed yesterday, if a missile was fired at Prigozhins jet carrying, either from the ground or the air, U.S. intelligence would very likely know about it, thanks to the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) also likely the system that the New York Times was referring to. You can read more about SBIRS, and how it works, in this previous story, suffice it to say, SBIRS should conceivably have been able to have seen a missile launch and it and the plane exploding if thats what happened, versus a signature that just shows the plane exploding. https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1694558484644380681?s=20 Meanwhile, other theories continue to swirl, some of them, perhaps not surprisingly, being more grandiose than others. Already, some fake reports are also starting to circulate. According to a report from the Kyiv Post, relatives of one of the flight attendants on the flight, Kristina Raspopova, had spoken of strange manipulations with the plane before the last flight. The relatives, who said they were provided with this information by Raspopova herself, claim that the jet was taken away for some short-term and incomprehensible repairs. At this stage, this cannot be independently verified. https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1694602315464925440?s=20 All of this speculation, of course, may well feed into the Kremlins wider plan to obfuscate what actually happened. Adding to the confusion over the crash would seem to serve Putins interests, bearing in mind the recent animosity between him and Prigozhin. Putin had known Prigozhin since the 1990s and he had previously been a close ally. However, tensions between the two came to an extraordinary head following the Wagner putsch in June. https://twitter.com/SamRamani2/status/1694446698511179901?s=20 According to a report today in the Wall Street Journal, Russias state-run media has already begun spinning contradictory suggestions from blaming Ukraine to suggesting that a rival of Prigozhin planted a bomb aboard his plane. As for the possibility of foreign interference, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that his country had nothing to do with the crash. The Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted Zelensky telling journalists today We had nothing to do with it. Everybody realizes who has something to do with it. https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1694695225673871770?s=20 https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight/status/1694839851999191093?s=20 The longer-term effects of Prigozhins death will take some time to become clear, although it appears there may already have been some developments concerning the operations of the Wagner Group in Belarus, where the private military contractor group set up shop after the failed coup attempt earlier this summer. Based on recent satellite imagery, there are suggestions that the base used by the private military contractor near the Belarusian city of Asipovichi may have begun to be vacated. However, this may not be directly connected to Prigozhins death, with the same analysts suggesting that the camp may have begun to be scaled back several days in advance of the plane crash. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1694720668376670345?s=20 Africa is another geographical location where Wagner has a significant footprint and it remains to be seen just how the groups operations will continue here, especially bearing in mind the close personal connections that Prigozhin had established with political and industry leaders there. In particular, the Wagner Group had talked big about its potential influence in Niger, where a coup took place in late July and the situation remains very fluid. https://twitter.com/leonidragozin/status/1693886155366727996?s=20 Clearly, we know the Wagner group has many tentacles, some military in nature, some criminal in nature in Africa, Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ryder said today. I dont think anybody is going to discount the danger of that group, or the remnants of that group, Ryder added. He confirmed, too, that U.S. officials will continue to monitor the Wagner Groups activities in Africa. Back in Russia, meanwhile, there have already been threats of retaliation over what the group and its supporters see as a Kremlin-orchestrated assassination. https://twitter.com/michaeldweiss/status/1694430797258732024?s=20 https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1694449848169189519?s=20 Wagner does still have powerful supporters in Moscow and there is already talk of major fissures within Kremlin circles. Some say that taking out Prigozhin could result in deeper divides that could become increasingly troublesome for Putin. However others question if backlash over Prigozhin's potential assassination could translate into a genuine threat to Putins grip on power as the optics of Prigozhin's death could send a chill through those in Russia's power structure that are thinking of defying Putin. All in all, the fallout from Prigozhins death is, as with much in modern-day Russia, extremely hard to predict. But with its global influence as regards Russian warfighting and politicking, the loss of the Wagner Groups leader will have repercussions far beyond Moscow. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com Those predicting the decline of Russian influence in Africa after Yevgeny Prigozhins suspected assassination could not be more wrong. Mateusz Morawiecki, Polands prime minister, is right to think that, under Putins direct control, Wagner will become even more effective and more dangerous. He was talking about the threat in Eastern Europe, but the same applies elsewhere in the world, especially Africa where Wagner has fuelled instability, bolstered authoritarian regimes and plundered natural resources. We dont yet know how Wagner will be restructured or led in the post-Prigozhin world, but those are second order questions. The most important fact is that the groups malignant political, military and economic activities will undoubtedly endure. They are far too valuable for Moscow to allow them to wither, given the groups ability to insert itself in key strategic regions and fuel anti-Western sentiment. To see how effective this has been, just look at the influence they have over the government of Mali. As commercial contractors, Wagner fighters are able to project Russian military force where its open use would be politically impossible. Economically, too, the group is crucial, generating huge revenues for the Kremlin war chest from gold, diamonds and other minerals, often smuggled out of Africa to evade Western sanctions. As the war wears on, Moscow will need not only to maintain these activities but also expand them, and getting rid of Prigozhin may have helped to enable that. It removes a man who had become too powerful and allows Putin to secure greater loyalty from African governments that he maintains in power with the help of Russian mercenary services. That Prigozhin, even after the aborted coup, was allowed to meet national leaders and diplomats at last months Africa-Russia summit in St Petersburg is a testament how seriously the Kremlin takes this matter. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In many cases, African leaders are firmly locked in to their proxy relationships with Russia, whoever is in charge. An adviser to President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic, which is heavily dependent on Wagner, made clear that relations with Russian contractors would not change after Prigozhins demise. They will find another chief, he said. Indeed, working relationships will be maintained by Wagners country managers, who are likely to remain in place despite their bosss death; their allegiance to their own pay cheques surpassing all else. Wagner fighters are no strangers to such changes. The group has continually morphed from one structure to another as circumstances dictate, with an impenetrable web of subgroups, partnerships, and political and financial beneficiaries. It might possibly retain the identity that has become familiar to the leaders who hire its guns, although it might also be convenient to do a rebrand, obfuscating its actions and helping to evade sanctions. Many of its components can easily be absorbed into some other Kremlin-controlled entity such as Redut, a mercenary group affiliated to Russian military intelligence, the GRU. If anything, Russian mercenary operations on the African continent will become even more effective as Wagner funds become virtually unlimited. This growing threat is a dangerous part of a much bigger problem for the West as Russia and China race ahead in Africa while doing all they can to drive out Western influence and economic leverage. In Britain we have been far too slow to recognise and counter the strategic threat from Wagner and other Russian private armies. Sanctions have been imposed, but the Government has been dithering for months over whether or not to designate it a terrorist organisation. Now Western democracies must urgently find a way to fight fire with fire in Russias new form of warfare. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Turkey's President Erdogan meet on the sidelines CICA summit in Astana MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to hold talks in person with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan soon, the Kremlin said on Friday, as Ankara attempts to persuade Moscow to return to the Black Sea grain deal. The deal, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022 to help alleviate a global food crisis, allowed grain shipments from Ukraine's Black Sea ports. However, Moscow quit the deal last month, complaining that an accompanying agreement to facilitate Russia's own grain and fertiliser exports was not being implemented. Asked about Erdogan's invitation to Putin to visit Turkey to discuss the deal and other pressing issues, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "There is an understanding that this meeting will take place soon." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We usually synchronize announcements of such visits with our partner countries. We will announce shortly when and where it will take place. The meeting is being prepared, and is being prepared very thoroughly," he said. Earlier, Russia's state RIA news agency reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would visit Russia, but it gave no details. Putin told Erdogan in a phone call on Aug. 2 that Moscow was ready to return to the Black Sea grain deal as soon as the West met its obligations with regard to Russia's own grain exports. Russia's grain and fertiliser exports are not subject to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its military actions in Ukraine. But Moscow has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have been a barrier to shipments. Global grain prices have risen since Moscow let the deal expire on July 17, while Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters. Nearly 33 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain was exported during the year that the Black Sea deal was in operation. (Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Vivek Ramaswamy s presidential campaign is seeking to capitalize on his fiery GOP debate performance that found the 38-year-old millennial at the center of attention for much of Wednesday night. The first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee at times turned into a split-screen between Ramaswamy and several GOP contenders taking jabs at the Ohio biotech entrepreneur over his lack of political or foreign policy experience. In the process, the upstart politician got plenty of airtime and attention, and he demonstrated his GOP primary rivals see him as a threat. His campaign said it will now look to build on the attention as Ramaswamy crisscrosses his way through the early presidential states. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He dominated, said Ramaswamy senior adviser Tricia McLaughlin. I mean I think the entire GOP establishment was against Vivek, and that just shows what a threat he is. She said Ramaswamy would make remarks at the RNC summer convention before heading back to Iowa and New Hampshire. Hes already done 190 events it might even be north of that at this point. Hes the candidate whos getting out there and meeting voters, and that matters in states like Iowa and New Hampshire, McLaughlin said. She noted that the campaign has not been focused on TV advertising, though well start playing that game here soon enough. The first GOP debate was seen as the first real opportunity for Republican presidential candidates to introduce themselves to primary voters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has largely stood in second place in national and local polls and was an early favorite to come under attacks. Instead, it was Ramaswamy who a few months ago was almost entirely anonymous to much of the public who fielded much of the attacks from more experienced politicians, including former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley , former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Ramaswamy smiled throughout many of the attacks, appearing as if he was enjoying the jabs from opponents. He wants to hand Ukraine to Russia, he wants to let China eat Taiwan, he wants to go and stop funding Israel, Haley said at one point in the debate. You dont do that to friends. What you do instead is you have the backs of your friends. Ramaswamy shot back at one point: I wish you well in your future career on the boards of Lockheed [Martin] and Raytheon. You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows, Haley retorted. Ramaswamys performance earned mixed reviews from pundits, some of whom found him glib or obnoxious. But most agreed he had won the lions share of attention on the night. A poll released by The Washington Post, FiveThirtyEight and Ipsos showed 29 percent of probable GOP primary or caucusgoers who tuned into the debate felt DeSantis performed best, with 26 percent saying the same about Ramaswamy. Some Republican strategists said the criticism from the likes of Christie, Pence and Haley solidified Ramaswamy as a credible, serious candidate. Its an absolute win. It is a clear acknowledgment that he has arrived, so to speak, within this primary race, said Iowa GOP strategist Jimmy Centers. No one attacks those who are irrelevant, Centers said, later adding, If Im on the Ramaswamy team, I would be very pleased that others are acknowledging the credibility of his candidacy. Former President Trump notably offered praise of a candidate sometimes described as a millennial Trump. The former president posted a video of Ramaswamy during the debate in which he said, President Trump, I believe, was the best president of the 21st century. This answer gave Vivek Ramaswamy a big WIN in the debate because of a thing called TRUTH. Thank you Vivek! Trump wrote on Truth Social. David Brody of Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that Ramaswamy won the debate. He was articulate, comfortable, smiling, coherent, succinct and oozing intellect throughout. His closing statement was genius. He clearly was getting under the skin of many of the traditional old guard politicians on stage, Brody said. Im sure that was by design but I think a little less overt aggression against them will help him next time. Extremely impressive performance! But others questioned whether he could be a viable alternative to Trump in the primary. I think he started out strong, but I think he did not wear well as the debate went on, said New Hampshire-based strategist Mike Dennehy. First and foremost, I would say is his unwavering defense of Donald Trump. It is beginning to look suspicious. This primary campaign is about Donald Trump and an alternative to Donald Trump, Dennehy said. So while Ramaswamy has had some success, it begs the question . if he is able to take the mantle of alternative to Donald Trump, how will he debate and beat Donald Trump? The other Republican presidential campaigns are publicly brushing off Ramaswamys debate performance. During last nights dominant debate win, Americans saw Ron DeSantis highlight a strong conservative record as governor and share a bold agenda to reverse our nations decline and revive America as the next president. If anyone should be worried about losing voters, it should be Joe Biden and the other Republican candidates, said a senior DeSantis official. Ken Farnaso, a spokesman for Haleys campaign, while posting a clip of Haleys attack on Ramaswamy, said on X that 23 seconds into this clip youll see the standing ovation and hear the deafening cheers @NikkiHaley gets for speaking some hard truths: Vivek Ramaswamy doesnt have any foreign policy experience and will make America less safe. Ramaswamy remains a heavy underdog to Trump, as the former presidents indictments have done little to slow down Trumps wide lead in the primary. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage But Ramaswamys campaign argues polling showing him surpassing candidates like Pence and Haley shows theyre on the right track. We just got past the first debate. I mean hes currently beating [a] former vice president, sitting governors and sitting senators and former U.N. ambassador, McLaughlin said. This is a guy who no one knew who the heck he was. He did introduce himself to the country last night, but we still got a lot of work to do catching up on getting people to know who he is, how to pronounce his name and what he stands for, and I think were on our way, she added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The sibling brothers were arrested Wednesday after L.A. police raided Polo G s mansion looking for Trench Baby, who reportedly stayed there. Sibling rappers Polo G and Trench Baby were arrested Wednesday and later released following a search of the older MCs mansion in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department said on Thursday that they raided the home of Taurus Polo G Bartlett, 24, searching for his younger brother, 18-year-old Taurean Trench Baby Bartlett, in connection to a robbery, according to The Los Angeles Times. After two successful album releases, the older Columbia Records artist purchased his $4.9 million mansion in Chatsworth, where his brother reportedly stayed, in June 2021. Polo G performs onstage during Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park on Oct. 3, 2021 in Austin, Texas. The Chicago-born rapper and his younger brother, Trench Baby, were arrested in Los Angeles on Wednesday. (Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images) Wednesdays raid and the brothers subsequent arrests stemmed from an LAPD investigation into a robbery at the youngers Granada Hills home. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement LAPD allege the victim visited the suspect, who they believe to be Trench Baby, on the evening of Aug. 15. Police claim the suspect brandished a weapon and demanded that the victim transfer money to his bank account and empty his pockets. Detectives secured a search warrant for the younger Bartletts house after identifying him as the main suspect. However, as part of their investigation, authorities discovered he was residing with his brother, so they acquired a separate search order. Police said they discovered an illegal short-barrel rifle while searching Polo Gs mansion and vehicle, which led to the multi-platinum artists arrest. Pictures and video of the raid TMZ acquired showed the siblings being taken away from the home in handcuffs. Los Angeles County prison records show the 24-year-old was released on his own recognizance, while the 18-year-old was released late Wednesday after posting a $100,000 bond. Polo Gs attorney, Bradford Cohen, told media outlets police refused to allow us access to our client, which is also an illegal and unethical practice, and someone will have to answer for these new wrongful actions. Cohen has worked with rappers in the past, including Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. It was unclear if the younger Bartlett had hired an attorney. Raised in Chicagos drill scene, Polo G went double platinum upon his 2019 debut album, Die a Legend. Ten tracks from his second LP, Goat, released a year later, landed on the Billboard Hot 100. He released his third album, Hall of Fame which opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2021, a few days after purchasing his Chatsworth estate. The rapper announced the release of his fourth album, H.O.O.D P.O.E.T, last week. All three of his prior LPs have sold over 2 million copies or units each. Trench Baby, who started rapping with his brother serving as an inspiration and mentor, has performed several tracks aside him. The older Bartlett has a Sept. 12 court date scheduled, and his younger sibling will appear the following day. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Rappers Polo G and Trench Baby arrested, released in Los Angeles appeared first on TheGrio. It's finally here: Donald Trump's mug shot. The former president and lifelong criminal finally got the moment he's no doubt been expecting all his life. He was booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday, in a RICO case filed by District Attorney Fani Willis that describes him as the leader of a "criminal enterprise" that tried to steal Georgia's 2020 presidential election. For most people, being arrested on organized crime charges would be a low moment, but Trump and his alleged co-conspirators are leaning into it. They've all tried to strike poses meant to be menacing or carefree in their mug shots, and have celebrated their walks of shame on social media. Sadly, this makes sense. As I've written before, MAGA leaders self-consciously identify as villains, from the way they dress to the bad-guy rhetoric they employ. Trump's "I am your retribution" speech, for instance, gave of strong "wishes he were Tom Hardy playing Bane in a Batman movie" vibes. The Georgia 19 are, for the most part, pampered country-club types, but play-acting as fictitious master criminals is an excellent chance to fundraise by burnishing their malevolent image with the MAGA faithful. Unsurprisingly, Trump used the moment to return to Twitter. With his usual delusional grandiosity, he declared, "NEVER SURRENDER" over a photo taken on the day that he, um, surrendered. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. A friend of mine who's a critic often tells me that he tries not to assess a film or theater performance through the lens of his own personal taste. Instead, he asks what the creators were trying to accomplish and whether they met their own goals. That view shapes the tawdry task of reviewing the mug shots of the Five-Iron Cartel. The five-point scale I'm using here is not a measure of their moral worth, which is zeroes across the board. Our task here is to rate how well the members of the Trump cartel struck their poses of cartoonish evil. Donald Trump: 1/5 Donald Trump Former President Donald Trump poses for his booking photo at the Fulton County Jail on Aug. 24, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images) Trump spent months hyping up the idea of his mug shot. He's tried desperately to romanticize his criminal indictments, as if he were Bonnie and/or Clyde. MAGA has been doing their part, donating more money after each set of charges and pretending he's a sex symbol, a la Frank Sinatra circa 1938. But without the glamour shot of Trump holding his prisoner number, it was a hard sell to the point where he actually sold merch featuring a fake mug shot so fans could feel the fantasy. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement With expectations set that high, he was bound to fail. Even so, this is a major disappoinment. Despite spending hours on his hair and makeup, Trump still looks disheveled. His eyes are bloodshot. His combover has a disturbing unnatural sheen and those overgrown eyebrows are an unfortunate reminder that, as he told the magistrate judge in Washington a few weeks ago, his age is "seven-seven." Trump also undermined his efforts to seem like a hardcore maverick renegade by describing his hair color as "strawberry" on his booking form. (Seriously: strawberry?) He also complained to Newsmax, "I had never heard the word 'mug shot.' They didn't teach me that at the Wharton School of Finance." Even one point out of five may seem generous, but at least he managed not to smear his makeup on his collar. No doubt Trump thinks the photo is "perfect" and "beautiful." He also listed his height at 6'3" and his weight at 215 pounds, another reminder that there's no limit to his delusional self-assessment. David Shafer 4/5 David Shafer Former Georgia State Sen. David Shafer poses for his booking photo on Aug. 23, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images) This photo is drastically overexposed, but that only adds to the ominous effect of this mug shot of David Shafer, the former Georgia Republican Party chair. Let's give credit where it's due: Shafer isn't a nationally famous villain like your John Eastmans or your Rudy Giulianis. But in one flash-heavy moment, he went from a guy you never heard of before to someone you hate with every fiber of your being. As far as villain entrances go, it's not quite Darth Vader emerging from battle smoke to gaze on the fallen bodies of the Rebel Alliance. What it lacks in drama, however, it makes up for in seedy menace. You worry that he will somehow persuade you to buy a flood-damaged Grand Cherokee (or the swampland where it died) or cheerfully start telling you about the 20 bodies buried under his basement. Chilling. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Jenna Ellis: 5/5 Jenna Ellis Former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis poses for her booking photo on Aug. 23, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images Is this photo tasteless? Absolutely. Is Ellis failing to take this situation seriously? 100%. Is that a grin one wants to see wiped off her face in record time? Totally. Nonetheless, one must give former Trump aide Jenna Ellis her due for hitting all the marks. As a fundraising ploy, her s**t-eating grin surpasses all Trump's bragging that he would "proudly be arrested" in Georgia. One can hold out hope that Ellis' bravado will dissipate when confronted with the reality of this situation. For the moment, however, she's done everything she can to impress the rubes and scare up more hard cash for her legal defense. Since Trump ain't footing her legal bill, it's no surprise Jenna is hustling. Rudy Giuliani: 0/5 Rudy Giuliani booking photo Rudy Giuliani, former personal lawyer for former President Donald Trump, poses for his booking photo on Aug. 23, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)The owner of a Manhattan apartment you can have for a cool $6.5 million turned in the most satisfying mug shot at least for those of us who long to see the insurrectionists pay for their misdeeds. Rudy's not even trying for that "eff you, liberals" vibe that most of the geniuses behind the Country Club Coup are aiming for. He just looks like a beatdown dog. Perhaps that's because, unlike his fellow defendants, Giuliani has personally (and successfully) prosecuted wealthy criminal defendants on RICO charges. He knows that ending up in the hoosegow is a real possibility. He can't even pretend to be happy about it. Or maybe he's just hung over. Either way, this counts as a massive fail when it comes to opening the wallets of the MAGA faithful. He better hope that apartment sells soon, or he may end up being represented by an Atlanta public defender. Sidney Powell: 3/5 Sidney Powell booking photo Attorney Sidney Powell poses for her booking photo on Aug. 23, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)If someone unfamiliar with the Chardonnay Conspiracy were asked what this lady was charged with, they might guess it had to do with the arsenic found in the creme brulee she'd served to her sixth husband. "Kraken" lawyer Sidney Powell was always going to have a hard time overcoming her Chanel silk blouse sensibilities to refashion herself into a truly scary figure. The dead-eyed stare certainly helps. No one thinks she's capable of stabbing Janet Leigh to death in a shower, but you definitely want to keep a close eye on your Scotch-and-soda when she's around. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. John Eastman: 1/5 John Eastman John Eastman, former lawyer to former President Donald Trump, poses for his booking photo on Aug. 22, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)Look, there's no doubt that this guy, one of the chief architects of the "fake electors" plot, has a disturbing affect. I doubt even John Eastman's wife would be surprised if he were picked up on peeping-Tom charges. But Eastman has failed to embrace the creepiness that truly makes him unnerving. Instead, he portrays himself in media interviews as a true heir to the American Revolution, like he's about to grab a musket and have a run at the Redcoats, shouting, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Johnny boy, you hid in your fancy library while the Capitol insurrectionists you inspired ran over the barricades. If you want to scare people, you'd do a lot better by leaning into the panty-sniffing darkness just below the surface of your personality. Ray Smith: 5/5 Ray Smith Georgia lawyer Ray Smith poses for his booking photo on Aug. 23, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)I don't even know who this Ray Smith character is. Fox 5 Atlanta describes him as "a business, real estate, election and probate litigation attorney." But if you told me this was the guy they arrested for the Gilgo Beach murders, I would believe you. Mark Meadows: 1/5 Mark Meadows Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows poses for his booking photo on Aug. 24, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)Donald Trump's last and most consequential White House chief of staff (I won't even try to list the others) went the ill-advised route of trying to look like a tough guy in his mug shot. Instead, he looks like the guy who just found dog poop on his well-manicured lawn and wants to blame you for it. You don't scare anyone, Mark. This photo is more likely to remind folks of how former Meadows aide Cassidy Hutchinson described his Jan. 6 behavior in her testimony to the House select committee: slumped on the couch, listlessly scrolling through his phone as a mob stormed the Capitol. Kenneth Chesebro: 2/5 Kenneth Chesebro Former Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro poses for his booking photo on Aug. 23, 2023 in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)Unlike Eastman, his fellow alleged conspirator in the "fake electors" plot, Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro actually did join the crowd that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Though he apparently shied away from actual violence.) So you might think he'd do a better job looking like a true baddie for the Fulton County jail staff. Alas, along with his meme-worthy surname, Chesebro looks like a guy who just called the chef out from the kitchen to complain that his Angus steak was absolutely not medium-rare, dammit. Despite the weak facial expression, Chesebro gets a bonus point for the strongly villainous hairdo, bringing his score up to just below mediocre. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.: 0/5 I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Bidens top political opponent. Persecution, not prosecution. #MAGAMugshot pic.twitter.com/BLAJ16g6Je Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) August 24, 2023 Being so thirsty for your own mug shot that you end up faking one is always likely to be an epic fail, but Greene makes it even more pathetic by flashing a beauty pageant grin. Her little photo shoot is part of a larger MAGA trend of putting your own face into the Fulton County mug shot frame, with results cringeworthy enough to revive the "OK boomer" catchphrase of a couple years ago. These folks may think they're serving up Sex Pistols, but they're really just giving us Blink 182. That ought to serve as a welcome reminder that no matter how hard they strive to spin fascism as a countercultural movement, there will never be anything cool about MAGA. Read more about the endless MAGA circus A mans attempt to inspire false arrests of government officials in North Carolina and more than 30 other states has landed him behind bars and hell be there for the next 10 years. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina on Friday announced the sentencing of the man who was initially accused last year of putting bounties out for arrests of elected officials, including sheriffs and judges. Prosecutors say he admitted to running a website called the Peoples Bureau of Investigation, where he promoted fake legal documents purportedly connected to a fictitious federal court system. The scam which encouraged everyday citizens to make arrests was entirely made up. The Charlotte Observer first reported on the case in late 2022 when judges in Charlotte spoke out about safety concerns surrounding the shadowy online vigilante group which was accusing them and hundreds of other elected officials across the country of treason and environmental crimes. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Timothy Dever, 57, of Illinois, is the man behind the Peoples Bureau of Investigation, federal prosecutors said. Before being sentenced Thursday, he pleaded guilty to five counts of aiding and abetting interstate threatening communication. Although Dever claimed to have writs of execution which, in legitimate legal circumstances, refers to a judges order in asset disputes the circumstances Dever referred to were baseless. According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, Dever promoted the writs as a mechanism for removing federal, state, and local officials from their positions, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in the statement Friday. His website allowed others to download the bogus forms as well as other documents and videos that explained the purpose of the writs and how to serve them, the statement said. In one video, Dever claims citizens could arrest a sheriff, a judge and a governor, who they claimed to have been convicted in the highest court of the land, according to court records. The website he ran made public names home addresses, and personal information of the hundreds of government officials Dever falsely claimed had been convicted under the fake writs. Darris Gibson Moody, a North Carolina woman, also pleaded guilty to making an interstate threatening communication, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news statement. Shes been sentenced to serve two years in prison and three years on supervised release. Moody was a like-minded PBI group member who accused her targets of having been convicted of corruption, environmental charges, and even treason, the statement from prosecutors said. Moody used the PBI website to generate fake arrest writs for 57 individuals, most of whom resided in the Western District of North Carolina, including sheriffs, judges, and other government officials and private individuals and used software to fax the fake arrest notices to the recipients. Both Dever and Moody are in federal custody and will be held in a federal prison facility, officials said. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Dena J. King called Devers activities anti-government. Devers anti-government rhetoric and fake arrest writs were more than a nuisance. They put hundreds of lives at risk, said King. Those who shared Devers warped ideology, including Moody, became self-proclaimed bounty hunters that turned innocent victims into targets of harassment, intimidation, and death threats. But, unlike Dever and Moodys sham court proceedings, my office has legitimate authority to hold these defendants accountable for their actions. Packages of specific frozen vegetables sold at Kroger and Food Lion stores are being recalled. Check your freezer! Batches of Kroger brand frozen vegetables have been recalled due to potentially deadly listeria contamination. Twin City Food Inc. is voluntarily recalling bags of frozen sweet corn and mixed vegetables sold at Kroger and Food Lion. According to a notice posted on the United States Federal Drug Administration website Monday, the Stanwood, Washington company said its "Not-Ready-To Eat" Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) Super Sweet Cut Corn and Mixed Vegetables in retail bags may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. What is listeria? Listeria is an organism that can cause serious or fatal infections in children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems, the FDA reported. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Healthy people can also suffer symptoms including fever, headaches, nausea, stiffness, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and the infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, USA Today reports. So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection to the recall. What products are included in the Kroger, Food Lion recall? Twin City Food Inc. voluntarily recalled a batch of frozen vegetables due to potentially deadly listeria poisoning on Aug. 1, 2023. The affect brands are: Kroger, Food Lion and Signature. Here are the specific lot numbers and expiration dates of the affected products listed by the FDA. People who bought the frozen vegetables are urged not to consume them and to throw them in the trash or return them to the store where they bought them for a refund. Here are the universal product codes (UPC) and lot numbers for the Kroger, Food Lion and Signature Collect items under recall: UPC: 35826005090. Lot number: 50183. UPC: 35826079855. Lot number: 53072. UPC: 35826079855. Lot number: 53622. UPC: 11110865854. Lot number: 82352. UPC: 11110849625. Lot Number: 53122 UPC: 11110849625. Lot number: 53412. UPC: 11110849625. Lot number: 82942. UPC: 11110849625. Lot number: 83012. UPC: 11110865786. Lot number: 53052. UPC: 11110865786. Lot number: 53112. UPC: 11110865786. Lot number: 82932. UPC: 1110865786. Lot number: 83012. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 52842. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 53042. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 53272. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 53542. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 50043. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 50033. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 82352. UPC: 11110849618. Lot number: 82842. UPC: 21130090655. Lot number: S5716. For more information, visit fda.gov. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kroger recall on frozen mixed vegetable, corn: Listeria contamination A job fair for furloughed Republic Steel workers will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Foltz Community Center at 224 N. Wood St. in East Canton. CANTON The job fair on Thursday for furloughed Republic Steel workers has been moved to a new location in East Canton. The event will now be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Foltz Community Center at 224 N. Wood St. Barbara Bennett of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce said concerns about the weather and hosting the job fair outside of the Steelworker Local 1200 Union Hall prompted the move. The chamber and the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership are working with the steelworkers union to coordinate the job fair. Bennett said many of Republic Steels 200 hourly and nearly 100 salaried workers have expressed interest in attending. More than two dozen companies, including local manufacturers, plan to participate and out-of-state companies continue to inquire daily about the event, Bennett said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Republic Steels parent company, Grupo Simec, announced on Aug. 10 that it would indefinitely idle steelmaking operations in Canton and Lackawanna, New York, and was immediately furloughing roughly 500 steelworkers. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Republic Steel worker job fair moved to East Canton's Foltz Center Support among Republicans for restrictions on guns has dipped a year after Congress passed the bipartisan gun safety bill, according to a poll released Friday. Only 32 percent of Republicans surveyed now say they want more expansive legislation on guns, which is down from 49 percent in July 2022, The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found. Independents support for more expansive legislation also dropped from 72 percent last year to 61 percent in the new survey. Among Democrats, 92 percent currently want stronger gun laws, consistent with polling in July 2022. The U.S. has topped more than 400 mass shootings so far in 2023. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The poll also found bipartisan support for enforcing background checks on all potential gun buyers. Sixty-eight percent of Republicans were in favor of it, as were 93 percent of Democrats. Additionally, there is even stronger bipartisan support for preventing mass shootings. Eighty-five percent of all Americans say its important to prevent mass shootings, including 95 percent of Democrats and 81 percent of Republicans. The poll released Friday also found that 7 in 10 Americans are in favor of courts preventing people who are considered a danger and havent been convicted of a crime from owning a gun. Almost 6 in 10 of those surveyed 58 percent want to ban the sale of AR-15-style rifles, and 42 percent said they would support a law to let trained teachers and administrators carry guns at schools. The bipartisan gun safety bill that passed last summer was the most far-reaching gun violence prevention legislation in decades. The legislation enhanced background checks for gun purchasers younger than 21, made obtaining firearms through trafficking a federal offense, clarified the definition of a federally licensed firearm dealer, allocated $750 million to help states administer red flag laws, and aimed to close the so-called boyfriend loophole. Earlier this month, President Bidens reelection campaign received endorsements from four major gun safety groups, including Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady and Team ENOUGH, Community Justice Action Fund and Giffords. The survey released on Friday included 1,165 adults and was conducted Aug. 10-14. It has a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Republican voters may be more open to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) after his performance at the first Republican debate earlier this week, according to a new poll. A Reuters-Ipsos poll taken in the two days since the debate found that roughly half of Republican respondents who followed the event were more open to a bid from the Florida governor. DeSantis still trails former President Trump, though, with 13 percent support from Republicans to Trumps 52 percent. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage The former president saw a boost from 47 percent before the debate to 52 percent afterward, even though he didnt take the stage with his fellow candidates. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement After months of suspense over whether hed participate, Trump skipped the event and released a sit-down interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson as the Republican National Committees debate went on air. A Washington Post, Ipsos and FiveThirtyEight poll of potential Republican voters who watched the first GOP debate found that DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy performed best, with 29 and 26 percent of respondents giving them that label, respectively. That poll also found the share of respondents who say theyre considering casting their ballots for Trump dropped from 66 to 61 percent, while DeSantis went up from 62 to 67 percent on that front. Conducted Aug. 24-25, the Reuters-Ipsos poll surveyed 347 Republicans and had a credibility interval of plus or minus 6.4 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Republican presidential debate Wednesday highlighted how a 15-week federal ban on abortions has become a key marker in the partys struggle to coalesce around a position on the crucial issue. Candidates are trying to walk a tightrope by staking out a pro-life position that wont turn off a majority of voters in a general election, while also trying not to alienate the anti-abortion movement. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, as the only woman on stage, pushed for a consensus solution that included banning late-term abortions. Even though she has endorsed a 15-week federal ban, she sounded the alarm that pushing for an extreme position could alienate women voters. Haley said she was unapologetically pro-life but insisted that a federal abortion ban is a hypothetical situation that wont happen due to political reality. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Dont make women feel like they have to decide on this issue, when you know we dont have 60 Senate votes, she said. Former Vice President Mike Pence hit back at Haley, saying consensus is the opposite of leadership and calling for a minimum standard in every state. Rather than discussing their own positions, some candidates were eager to try to flip the script and highlight what they said was Democratic extremism. What the Democrats are trying to do on this issue is wrong, to allow abortion all the way up to the moment of birth, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said. However, DeSantis dodged questions about whether he would support a six-week abortion ban at the federal level, like the one he signed earlier this year in Florida. Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) has been among the most consistent supporters of a 15-week ban in the GOP field. We cannot let states like California, New York and Illinois have abortions on demand up until the day of birth, he said Wednesday. That is immoral. It is unethical. It is wrong. Those statements earned applause, which abortion rights experts said was the point. Reframing the issue as an attack on Democrats makes it easier to defend 15 weeks as a reasonable middle ground. Greer Donley, associate professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, said focusing on late-term abortions has historically been successful for the anti-abortion movement, especially since Democrats have seemed reluctant to engage in any pushback. Their focus on later abortions, I think, has historically served them very well. But I think its an old script, and Im just not sure its going to be as effective as it used to be, Donley said. In the post-Roe era, people are seeing the harms that can happen to women in states with strict abortion bans at any point in pregnancies, she added. Even though support for later-trimester abortions doesnt poll as well as support for earlier abortion, a June Gallup poll showed record-high support for second and even third trimester abortions. Were in this kind of paradigm-shifting moment. Peoples opinions on abortion are shifting quickly, way quicker than they ever have before, Donley said. Still, GOP leaders and anti-abortion groups are pushing hard for candidates to unite around the notion that abortions after 15 weeks shouldnt happen. In an interview with Brian Kilmeade on Fox News after the debates, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel alluded to the candidates differences, but suggested there was agreement on a larger issue. They were different on the federal, McDaniel acknowledged. But I think they all had a consensus that as a country, when a baby feels pain at 15 weeks, we should all agree that this is a bridge too far and we should not be having abortions. While some activists want candidates to go even further than 15 weeks, theres a growing frustration at those who try to dodge the issue completely. Tonights Republican presidential debate made it clear who is and is not prepared to be a National Defender of Life. Some were bold in sharing the plight of the unborn in half the country where brutal late-term abortions continue at any point in pregnancy for any reason, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said in a statement. The position taken by candidates like [North Dakota Gov.] Doug Burgum, that life is solely a matter for the states, is unacceptable, she added. The push to coalesce behind a 15-week ban is relatively new. In the states, it gained traction in 2018 when Mississippi passed the law that would ultimately be used to challenge Roe v. Wade. Prior to last year, the leading anti-abortion bills in the Senate would have banned the procedure after 20 weeks. The most recent 20-week bill, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), was defeated in a procedural vote in 2018. Then last year, Graham introduced a bill banning abortion nationally after 15 weeks, which he painted as an easy political compromise that every Republican should be able to support. But the bill was introduced just ahead of the midterm elections and divided Senate Republican leadership. It gave Democrats an easy campaign message, because it brought into stark relief the differences between Democrats who wanted to preserve abortion access and Republicans who wanted to restrict it. The idea behind 15 weeks seemed kind of random originally, said Mary Ziegler, a legal historian and law professor at the University of California, Davis. A lot of the leading anti-abortion groups started with 20 weeks because that was when you could make a plausible, but not super plausible, claim that fetal pain was possible. Then Mississippi, in a bid to be the most pro-life state in the nation, went to 15 weeks, and other Republicans rallied around it, Ziegler said. Still, Ziegler said it doesnt make sense to continue asking the candidates about a 15-week federal ban because its not something a president can control. Yet there are other levers available to the White House. A Republican president could roll back current administration policies aimed at easing abortion access, issue executive orders that recognize fetal personhood or impose financial penalties on progressive states and state institutions or universities that receive federal funding and have liberal abortion laws. But because of the partys desire to coalesce around something, Ziegler said she expects more attacks on Democrats. Its much easier to talk about what Democrats think and say is bad than it is to actually take a position, especially when the position is almost certainly going to anger one of the constituencies the GOP needs to win, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Scene MILWAUKEE For once, the candidates got to run the debate stage. That included the candidate who wasnt there. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shut down a show-of-hands question about whether human behavior is causing climate change, and Fox News moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum dropped it. Mike Pence sparred with Vivek Ramaswamy about minutiae until Nikki Haley begged the hosts to get control. Neither moderator brought up Donald Trump for an hour, in a (successful) ploy to keep conservatives from switching the channel. We spent an hour talking about policy, Baier said late Wednesday night, after DeSantis waltzed around a question about Pences refusal to overturn the 2020 election. Former President Trump is beating you by 30, 40 points in many polls. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The first debate of the 2024 GOP primary showed the success of a 10-year plan, by the Republican National Committee, to make a headline-hungry media less relevant and give candidates more space to speak. No candidates created a next-day problem for themselves; Pence and Haley landed attacks on Ramaswamy that theyd previewed in the run-up to the debate. And Donald Trump crashed every gate, with a team of his surrogates showing up in media and spin rooms that theyd been warned not to enter security was even given photos of them after the former president boycotted the event. As the debate wrapped up, Donald Trump, Jr. and fiance Kimberly Guilfoyle , herself a long-time Fox News personality, roamed the media center. They talked about how many views the ex-presidents interview with Tucker Carlson was getting 90 million, the presidents namesake said and decried the network for not letting his supporters join the spin room officially. The candidates that theyve been boosting while simultaneously trying to cut down Trump for, what, the last two years? didnt perform as they had hoped, said Trump, Jr. So, they cant have someone who can, maybe, serve as a representative of my father. He called the debate a set-up. Guilfoyle added that it was un-American and against the First Amendment. But it was also a ratings hit, one that helped each candidate. Davids view Were probably watching the end of the traditional, TV-era campaign debate, at least for Republicans replaced by a more candidate-friendly format that has to compete with free online media. No candidate walked offstage with a limp, and each did themselves some good. That was what the Republican National Committee had hoped for, in a post-2012 autopsy that recommended a tighter grip on the process, with fewer debates and friendlier moderators. Much of this ire was focused on CNN that cycle: Moderators asked Newt Gingrich about his failed marriages, Ron Paul about whether an uninsured comatose man deserved to die, and CNNs Candy Crowley fact-checked Mitt Romney while he was debating President Obama never again, Republicans said. But Fox News came in for fire during the 2016 election cycle, too their moderators were arguably the toughest on Trump of anyone, even using video clips of him contradicting himself in one late debate, and he boycotted the networks pre-caucus Iowa debate entirely. After his primary and general election victory, there was even more pressure from the GOP base to protect the candidates from moderators like Megyn Kelly, who Trump infamously said had blood coming out of her wherever after their debate. On Wednesday, the moderators seemed more focused on giving the candidates enough room to be their best self. The exposure from Wednesday night was crucial for the lesser-known Asa Hutchinson and Doug Burgum, and vital for Haley. All of them got their first real attention without endless questions about Donald Trump, and Haley got to deliver her electability message that Trump is the most disliked politician in America. Democrats have tried to minimize the risk from these events for their own candidates, too. The party has not let Fox News host a debate since 2007, when the Democratic front-runners heeded progressive activists and scuttled a planned one in Detroit. But even outlets that conservatives see as hopelessly liberal could knock Democrats off-message. It was on NBC News, four years ago, where each Democrat agreed that their healthcare plans would provide coverage for undocumented immigrants, which Republicans saw as a gift. Eight years earlier, it was NBCs Tim Russert who pressed Hillary Clinton on whether she supported proposed drivers licenses for non-citizens in New York, prompting a stumble that hurt her campaign. Republicans in Milwaukee didnt get the same pressure. Not only did DeSantis shut down both attempts to get him on a yes-or-no question, neither Republican from South Carolina was pressed on the state supreme court upholding a six-week abortion law. Instead, they got to deliver the message that anti-abortion groups were craving; in Tim Scotts words, that states like California, New York, and Illinois have abortions on-demand up until the day of birth. Even the word woke, seen constantly on Fox News in coverage of corporate and academic progressives, was mentioned just once, reflecting new thinking on how the term might mean little to swing voters. Polling from Ipsos and the Washington Post found that every candidate onstage improved his or her image with the debate, and the only post-game grumbling came from Chris Christie, who told CNN on Thursday that the stage was completely out of control. But the view from Trump allies was that the party was still letting the media shape impressions of the candidates. Kari Lake, one of the Trump surrogates who seemed to be everywhere in Milwaukee, told Semafor that the party needed to take an even stronger hand not that Trump would show up if it did, of course. I think that the RNC, in future debates, should not cede control to a network, Lake said. Especially a network whos already made it perfectly clear where they stand out there with Ron DeSantis, or anybody but Trump. The View From The Moderators MacCallum and Baier did an after-action interview with Politicos Playbook podcast, recapping why they asked what they asked and sometimes regretting that the candidates didnt say more. We had a lot more questions on education, school choice, some of those issues, said MacCallum, and in some cases we let them go because one of the candidates had brought them up and they had sort of battled it out over it on their own. Baier had hoped that a question about Rich Men North of Richmond would get a more personal response; asked of DeSantis, it prompted him to recite part of his stump speech, including a jab at Hunter Biden. Notable In Compact, Jon Askonas sees the TV debate dying off, a casualty of the breakdown of consensus reality. In The Atlantic, McKay Coppins describes the magical thinking afflicting candidates who played it safe and might end up like all of Trumps other opponents. (Bloomberg) -- Republicans will hold their 2028 national convention in Houston, the party announced Friday in an unprecedented move to pick its next convention city even before theyve held their Milwaukee convention in 2024. Most Read from Bloomberg The selection of Houston moves the convention from a competitive battleground state next year to a more reliable Republican stronghold albeit one that has been trending toward Democrats in recent election cycles. Democrats havent won Texas in a presidential election since 1976, but narrowed their losses from 9 percentage points in 2016 to 5.6 points in 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The 2028 convention will almost certainly be the first in 12 years where Donald Trump isnt running for president, marking a historic inflection point for a party on which he has placed an indelible stamp. Convention cities are as much about facilities and logistics as they are about politics, and the fourth-largest city in the US has plenty of hotel capacity for the event. Houston is a special events city; we know how to host a major convention, said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, in a statement. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said deciding on a host city early was a smart business decision. The GOP last held its convention in Houston at the Astrodome in 1992, when it nominated President George H.W. Bush in his unsuccessful bid for a second term. That convention was split by an insurgency from conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and the head of a leading anti-abortion organization called on Republicans to go on offense in the debate over abortion access Friday. Conway and Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post that some candidates on the stage at the first Republican presidential debate Wednesday were boldly pro-life, but others were not. They said Republicans have been shockingly silent about abortion in the year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which had established a constitutional protection for abortion rights. One of the most harmful things Republicans said about abortion over the past year was nothing. Many panicked and chose to bury their heads in the sand, allowing their opponents to attack them while missing an opportunity to share a positive pro-life vision for the future, they said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Only two candidates in the GOP debate former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) directly said they would support a federal 15-week abortion ban. Other candidates signaled that they support greater restrictions on abortion but avoided declaring their support for a specific proposal. Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said she is unapologetically pro-life but reiterated past calls she has made for finding consensus on the issue. She has pointed to the required 60 votes needed for legislation to advance in the Senate as a reason she believes the chances of passing a federal abortion ban are slim. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum argued against a national ban, saying it should be left to the states and citing the Constitutions 10th Amendment, which leaves power not granted to the federal government to the states. Conway and Dannenfelser said the states rights argument should not stand, arguing that these individuals would not be silent for other issues such as crime and homelessness. They said Republicans must take four actions to win hearts, minds and votes on abortion: clearly define their position, support mothers and children, openly talk about abortion and call on Democrats to reveal their positions on the issue. They cited a poll showing majority support for a 15-week ban as evidence that Republicans must proudly adopt and articulate that policy. They said advocates should speak about the issue with love, not judgement, and push for legislation that provides greater resources for pregnancies. Conway and Dannenfelser said Democrats need to be challenged on what limitations, if any, they support for abortion. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel expressed similar sentiments following the debate Wednesday, saying the GOP is not going to win in 2024 if members do not talk about abortion. She said she was very pleased to see the issue come up at the debate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The RNC Friday chose Houston for their 2028 national political convention. The decision was made in the RNC summer meting held in Milwaukee. Photo by skeeze/Pixabay Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Houston will host the 2028 GOP national convention, according to Politico, citing a decision made Friday in a private meeting of Republican officials. "After a smart business decision made by the RNC last spring to allow us to select the next convention city earlier than ever, we are looking forward to seeing Houston in the spotlight come 2028," Ronna McDaniel, chair of the RNC, said in a statement to Politico. Houston's Toyota Center will host the GOP's 2028 convention general session. One possible factor in picking Houston was the GOP effort to attract more Latino voters. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "As the nation's most diverse and inclusive city, we believe Houston represents the future of the United States, and our aspirations for the country," said Michael Heckman, the president and CEO of Houston First Corp. "We're excited to show off these attributes and our hospitality. We do it every day, and we look forward to doing it again in 2028." Houston last hosted a national political convention in 1992 for George H.W. Bush's nomination. The decision was made by the RNC's 168 members during a summer meeting in Milwaukee. No specific dates were announced. Dallas, Miami, Jacksonville and Nashville were also under consideration. Republicans will convene in Milwaukee for their 2024 convention. It's no surprise President Joe Biden is pursuing policies that use the feds to manage trade rather than allowing the marketplace to operate in a free and efficient manner. He's a tool of the unions, which are about "protecting" existing jobs and boosting members' wages (and their dues). Unions therefore fight against innovation. I often discuss the concept of "creative disruption." As Investopedia defines it, "Creative destruction is the dismantling of long-standing practices in order to make way for innovation and is seen as a driving force of capitalism." If you believe in capitalismand freedom, for that matteryou can't also try to lock in the economy. If you support innovation and economic growth, you have to accept disruption. If I have an idea for a better mousetrap, that necessarily threatens businesses and workers who make the current ones. That's why corporations and unions spend so much time on political action. They want the government to put its thumb on the scales and "protect" their industries. That squelches economic activity, deprives consumers of better goods, and limits the creation of new jobs. It deprives entrepreneurs of the fruits of their creativity, but the "seen" trumps the "unseen" in the political arena. Politicians see jobs that exist but don't see the ones never created because of their policies. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement We all know how California unions lobbied for the passage of Assembly Bill 5, which tried to outlaw most contracting work. The unions are angry that tech companies have developed new work models that give workers flexibility. Unions lose their powerand the dues they collectwhen new economic ideas circumvent the old 9-5 factory and cubicle model. AB 5 caused so much economic disruption and so many job losses that the Legislature (and voters) exempted 100-plus industries. Because of his ideological blinders, President Joe Biden has nonetheless tried to impose similar anti-contractor laws at the federal level through regulatory fiat. He also has promoted the FAST Act, which embraces a European sectoral-bargaining model for fast-food restaurantsi.e., it places a union-dominated government panel in charge of setting working conditions and wages in an entire industry. Big surprise that it's modeled on California legislation. Less known, the administration is doing the union's bidding when it comes to our nation's trade policies. This is from The New York Times in April: "Since President Biden came into office two years ago, the United States has declined to pursue new comprehensive free-trade agreements with other countries, arguing that most Americans have turned against the kind of pacts that promote global commerce but that also help to send factory jobs overseas." That policy, which provides tax credits to U.S. electric vehicle and battery manufacturers, is angering other nations. In response, as the article notes, the president has created a "complicated work around" that involves signing individual trade agreements with complaining countries. Free-trade agreements are problematic in that they include all sorts of complicated regulations, but they're fine to the degree that they promote more open trade. The best solution is to open the doors to trade (perhaps with some limits involving the protection of intellectual property), rather than have bureaucrats manage it, but that would mean angering politically powerful domestic industries and unions even if it would make the rest of us richer and freer. Reason's Eric Boehm has explained that Biden's trade war with China has become extremely expansive, as the administration "targets exports and investments in any technology the U.S. government deems vital to national securitya category that may be nearly limitless, given the government's propensity for stretching the limits of that term." Essentially, the president is viewing trade through a "military lens." It's an excuse to protect domestic manufacturers and unions. The Republican Party used to be the party of free trade, but in its current "national conservative" iteration isn't much different than the Democratic Party on these issues. Donald Trump likewise promoted a trade war with China and strongly supported tariffs. His steel tariffs may have protected some steel jobs, but, as the Cato Institute found, "caused higher steel prices that in turn hurt other U.S. manufacturers, resulting in approximately 75,000 fewer manufacturing jobs than would have otherwise existed in the absence of the tariffs." Why is free trade a good thing? Here's Ronald Reagan from a 1988 radio address where he took on growing Democratic calls for protectionism: "We should beware of the demagogues who are ready to declare a trade war against our friendsweakening our economy, our national security, and the entire free worldall while cynically waving the American flag. The expansion of the international economy is not a foreign invasion; it is an American triumph, one we worked hard to achieve, and something central to our vision of a peaceful and prosperous world of freedom." The current president should listen to that addressand so should his Republican challengers. Instead, Donald Trump is proposing a 10-percent automatic tariff on all imports and called for a "ring around the collar" of the economy. That would mean a policy even worse than Biden's. This column was first published in The Orange County Register. The post Republicans Should Be Pouncing on Biden's Opposition to Free Trade appeared first on Reason.com. Fifty-five whales likely a family unit recently became stranded on a beach in Scotland. Only one survived after rescuers were able to provide treatment and help it back into the sea, The New York Times reported. What happened? On July 16, the coast guard, police, and volunteers found 55 pilot whales beached in northwest Scotland. The group consisted of both adults and calves. By the time rescuers arrived at the Isle of Lewis, only 15 of the whales were still alive, according to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue. They were likely all in the same family, a unit traveling together for decades, Daren Grover, general manager of Project Jonah New Zealand, told The New York Times. Why is mass beaching concerning? This isnt the first major beaching event for pilot whales. No other whale species within their range is involved in as many mass strandings, per the International Whaling Commission. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Last fall, 230 pilot whales were beached on Tasmanias western coast. In 2011, about 70 of these cetaceans became trapped in shallow waters off the coast of Scotland, where rescuers were able to help save 20 of them. This is just one more challenge facing pilot whales. Though not considered endangered, they face a deluge of threats, including becoming entangled in fishing nets and absorbing contaminants like heavy metals from their prey. Plastic waste and increasingly acidic ocean waters due to planet-warming gases are threatening all marine wildlife scientists predict that we may lose more than half of all ocean-dwelling species by 2100 if we dont change course. Whats being done about mass strandings? A number of organizations across the globe are dedicated to marine rescue. In the case of this most recent beaching event, British Divers Marine Life Rescue coordinated the response. Upon arriving on the scene, the organizations marine mammal medics administered first aid to the 15 surviving whales. Ultimately, only one of them successfully made it back out to sea. While more than 50 responders participated in the rescue efforts, they faced some major challenges. The Isle of Lewis is only accessible by ferry or plane. Plus, the rescue charity was short on volunteers and equipment. Communication was difficult because of scarce cellphone signals there. What causes mass beachings? Unfortunately, researchers havent quite pinpointed the cause of these mass beachings, but they have a few theories. Some think that mistakes in navigation could accidentally lead the animals to unexpectedly shallow waters, while others posit that they could be affected by anomalies in Earths geomagnetic fields from solar storms. Whales can also be thrown off by sonar or taken off track by a sick or injured pod member. In the case of this beaching, a team from the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme collected tissue samples, but a final conclusion could take months to determine. The rescuers discovered one of the dead whales had a vaginal prolapse, and they suspect that the entire pod may have come ashore because she was giving birth. What can I do to help? If you encounter a beached whale or dolphin, do not attempt to return the animal to sea before a rescue team has arrived. If you are in the United Kingdom, you can contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, which is available via a 24-hour hotline. In the United States, you should contact a local stranding network. Other countries and territories have similar resources. While waiting for help to arrive, do not cover the animals blowhole or handle its tail. Instead, stay quiet and provide rescuers with an exact location and details about the animal. You may also need to support the creature in an upright position, cover it with wet sheets or towels to keep it moist, and provide shade and shelter. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. As the nation commemorates the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, an event that called for freedom and opportunity for Black Americans, controversy around education standards has raised concern about how this historical moment will be taught in schools. Over the past year, states have passed legislation that limits what aspects of Black history can be taught in schools, from slavery to racism and civil rights. These new laws have left advocates worried over whether the March on Washington will be taught at all. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been part of the fight for civil rights since he was a teenager, told The Hill that efforts to suppress the learning of Black history is an endeavor to inhibit progress. I never thought I would see a time that people would celebrate trying to erase and edit history, Sharpton said. We need to tell people that despite the fact we were chattel slaves, we were able to struggle and get to a Black president. That can be a glorious story, but you take the glory out of the story when you want to take the pain and the suffering out. Anytime you have an edited story, you underestimate the intellect and ability of the American people to understand our growth. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The new school year has kicked off with a spate of bans on books, many of which discuss Black history or were written by Black authors and touch on racism, slavery and Black identity. Proponents of the bans argue these books and the history they tell could be construed as violent and divisive. In February, PEN America reported that 50 education gag orders on race were introduced in 16 states, with 34 orders focused on K-12 schools, four focused on colleges and universities, and 12 that targeted both. Many of these gag orders borrowed language from an executive order by former President Trump that created a list of divisive concepts that could not be taught in federal training programs. Though this order was revoked by President Biden, language limiting teachings that could make a student feel discomfort, anguish or guilt has been included in many of the gag orders. Allan Lichtman , a professor of history at American University, said hes grievously worried about whats going on in Republican-controlled states like Florida and Texas, where he argues they are trying to impose a Republican orthodoxy on the teaching about civil rights and race in America. This orthodoxy says you cant teach that there are still lingering effects of discrimination. You cant teach that discrimination is still embedded in things like health care, education, housing, law enforcement and other areas, Lichtman said. Not because theres a body of scholarship which says that. Quite the opposite. There is no such body of scholarship and the vast consensus of scholarship is: There are lingering effects of discrimination. Everything was not solved in the 1960s. And discrimination is still embedded in every important institution in this country, he added. Florida has come under heavy fire for its educational laws. At the start of this year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis s administration rejected the College Boards Advanced Placement course on African American studies, arguing its content is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value. Then, in June, the states Board of Education approved new standards for teaching African American history, including a rule directing teachers to instruct on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. The standards drew swift scrutiny, and Vice President Harris has been vocal in her rebuke of the Sunshine State, accusing extremists in Florida of pushing propaganda on children to soften the harsh realities of slavery. Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity in our world, Harris has said in her criticism of the standards. Shes also called it ridiculous to have to say that enslaved people do not benefit from slavery. Lichtman said Floridas new curriculum on Black history is profoundly distorted, taking particular issue with the line about skills. The workgroup behind the new standards provided examples of enslaved people who purportedly acquired beneficial skills but those examples erroneously included people who were never enslaved, Lichtman pointed out. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a July statement that the Sunshine States standards are an attempt to bring our country back to a 19th century America where Black life was not valued, nor our rights protected. Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, also accused DeSantis of pursuing a political agenda guaranteed to set good people against one another, and in the process hes cheating our kids. But DeSantis, who is running for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election, has defended his states education standards. And he accused the vice president of crafting a fake narrative about the curriculum and invited her to Tallahassee to discuss the matter, an invitation Harris publicly refused. But Florida isnt the only state to come under fire. Just two days before the school year was supposed to start this month, the Arkansas Department of Education said it would not recognize the AP African American studies course even as AP European studies remains available for credit. Surviving members of the Little Rock Nine expressed their disappointment in the states decision, while some school districts including the Little Rock School District will continue to offer the course. The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) said it supports the incorporation of African American history standards broadly, but argued its deeply concerned by the substance, inaccuracies, and misrepresentations of this strand and sounded the alarm about the negative impact on students and teachers. The gerrymandering of curriculum is quite troubling, said Ashley Rogers Berner, director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, speaking broadly of history education in America and arguing that its not taught at all efficiently in this country and lamenting politicization of history teaching on both sides of the aisle. Multiple perspectives is not the same as indoctrination, she said. Thats not indoctrination, thats exposure. If youre in a heavily right-wing community, teachers need to present the left-wing side for their student to look at, examine. Likewise, if youre in a blue state, you need to have your teachers bring you the best of a reasoned, conservative viewpoint. Its part of being an educated person, Rogers Berner said. Even as some states are cracking down on teaching this bleak aspect of American history, others are finding ways to grapple with the horrors of slavery, Jim Crow and racism. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), the nations third elected Black governor and the states first, said his state is being intentional in reconciling with its dark history. Our history is our strength. Our history is our foundation, our history is the thing that reminds us every single day that nothing is impossible, that no matter what it is that we are facing, you can look back at your history and understand both as a nation, but also for African Americans and people of color, Moore said. Theres this excuse thats being made that, oh, were doing it because we dont want students to feel discomfort, or we dont want students to feel guilt, Moore continued. Thats not true. Its not that they dont want certain students feeling guilt, its that they dont want all students feeling empowered. Because when you know your history, nothing intimidates you. Moore was straightforward about Marylands painful history with Black Americans. His state had been the home of powerful Black Americans over the years including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Thurgood Marshall. But, Moore said, Maryland is also the home of discriminatory housing and transportation policies, the battle of Antietam and violent lynchings throughout the post-Civil War era. Its a burden that we have in the state of Maryland that I know is not unique to the state of Maryland, Moore said. Our history is complicated, and its a complicated history of a state and a complicated country when it comes to the issue of race relations and economic growth. When you know your history, nothing intimidates you. I dont flinch, and I dont flinch because I know my history, Moore added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. RICHMOND, Ind. A Richmond man convicted of dealing in a narcotic drug has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Kelvin Snow, 34, had pleaded guilty to a Level 2 felony carrying up to 30 years in prison. In recent days Wayne Circuit Court April Drake imposed a 15-year sentence with three years suspended. Snow was arrested by members of the Wayne County Drug Task Force in November 2021. In a traffic stop in the 400 block of North 22nd Street, officers said they seized more than 113 grams of cocaine, nearly 58 grams of heroin and a small quantity of marijuana. Task force members said the arrests of Snow and two other men followed a lengthy investigation prompted by citizen complaints. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In other court news: Sentencings: A Richmond man convicted of dealing in cocaine has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Marcus Jay Glover, now 43, was arrested by the Wayne County Drug Task Force in August 2022. According to police reports, cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana were seized after a traffic stop in the 600 block of South Eighth Street.' He was sentenced by Wayne Superior Court 1 Judge Judge Charles Todd Jr. after pleading guilty to a Level 3 felony. According to state Department of Correction records, Glover had previous convictions for dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug, possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug and driving while intoxicated. Also in Wayne Superior Court 1, Joshua H. Wooten, 28, of Richmond, received a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty to dealing in cocaine, a Level 3 felony. Wooten was arrested in a May 2022 raid that saw Drug Task Force members seize more than 22 grams of cocaine along with a pound of marijuana and more than $28,000 in cash from a home in the 700 block of South Eighth Street. The Richmond man's record included earlier convictions for aggravated battery and dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Richmond man sentenced to 12 years for dealing conviction Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, the former South Florida Democratic congresswoman running for Senate in the increasingly red Sunshine State, says GOP incumbent Rick Scott is losing support even within his party. Mucarsel-Powell, who served one term in the House and was the first South America-born member of Congress, launched her challenge Tuesday and received a key endorsement from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm Friday. We need her leadership in the Senate to keep our children and communities safe, to defend Social Security and Medicare, and to protect womens reproductive rights from the hands of extreme Republicans like Rick Scott, said Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), chairwoman of Bold PAC, the CHCs campaign organization. Any Democratic challenger against an incumbent Republican in Florida faces an uphill battle, but Mucarsel-Powell says that in the case of Scott, the climb is not so steep. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Rick Scott is the least popular politician in Florida and in Washington, D.C. And look, hes going to do everything in anything to attack me, because he wants to keep the power of that office. He has used that office to enrich himself, she said. The 2024 Senate calendar largely benefits Republicans, who have no truly vulnerable incumbents up for reelection, while Democrats are defending seats in states including Ohio and West Virginia. According to the Cook Political Report, those two Democratic seats are toss-ups, and another five lean Democratic, while nine of 11 Republicans up for reelection are rated as Solid R. The other two, Scott and Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), are rated as likely winners. Still, that slight window of opportunity has attracted 10 Democrats, including Mucarsel-Powell, into the primary to challenge Scott. Scotts campaign quickly reacted to Mucarsel-Powells announcement. Wed like to welcome yet another failed congressional candidate to the crowded Democrat primary. Former Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell is a radical socialist who voted 100% of the time with Nancy Pelosi during her short tenure in Congress, which is why the voters of South Florida booted her out of office the first chance they got. Floridians already rejected her once and they will reject her again, said Scott campaign communications director Priscilla Ivasco. Mucarsel-Powells perspective is that the bespoke statement from a powerful incumbent is a sign. The fact that they responded shows that theyre scared. Lets start there. Im very proud of my record; when I started running in 2018, I didnt come from politics, I had worked at [Florida International University] for many years expanding access to health care, she said. She also touted her 2018 win over former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), who had secured reelection in a finicky district notorious for flipping party allegiances. Mucarsel-Powell lost reelection in 2020 to Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fla.), then-mayor of Miami-Dade County, in an election where Democrats lost their two-district foothold in the Miami area. She said Scott is more vulnerable than public ratings would indicate, given his record in the Senate. Ive been talking to Republicans and Democrats alike. He does nothing, nothing for the state. He does nothing for families here. He voted against every piece of bipartisan legislation that has come for a vote in Washington, D.C., said Mucarsell-Powell. And on top of that, lets remember that Rick Scott voted to overturn the election. He has become such an extreme politician, and Americans are done with that. Floridians are done with extremism. Scott, who in January 2021 voted to reject Pennsylvanias electors from the 2020 presidential election, has publicly butted heads with GOP Senate leadership. He unsuccessfully challenged Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) to lead Senate Republicans and has engaged in a public feud against the powerful GOP chief. Still, Scott has the upper hand as an incumbent who has won three statewide elections since his first gubernatorial run. On Friday, the Latin Builders Association, a South Florida group that bills itself as the largest Hispanic construction association in the United States, endorsed his reelection bid. And though GOP leadership is unlikely to go out of its way to support Scott, a failure to recapture control of the Senate would be seen as a massive loss for McConnell. Still, Democrats see in Scott the closest thing to a vulnerable Senate Republican with few allies, and some are eager to strike. One of the things that I have learned and that Ive realized and I think that Rick Scott completely lacks, is actually listening to the people that are living here in this state. Ive been feeling that shift and Ive been getting calls from Republicans, Democrats, independents, to please step up, to please go and represent them in D.C., because this man has done absolutely nothing, nothing for our state, Mucarsel-Powell said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tropical forests ranging from South America to South East Asia face a new threat; leaves may not be able to photosynthesize when their temperature gets too hot. Without this essential process, the worlds forests face threatening potential consequences, according to a recent report published in Nature. A group of scientists from the U.S., United Kingdom, Brazil, France and Australia found that photosynthesis begins to fail when leaves temperatures reach 116 Fahrenheit. Although this temperature seems steep, leaves can heat up much more than the air temperature, according to the report. Tropical forests play an essential role in sustaining life and regulating the global climate. They are home to half of all species found on land. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy. Most life on earth depends on photosynthesis. It is the number one source of oxygen in the atmosphere and forms the base of Earths food web. Heres what the report found The report found that 0.01% of leaves are passing the critical temperature threshold, meaning their ability to photosynthesize fails. Although this percentage is small, its expected to increase as temperatures continue to climb due to global warming. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Tropical forests can handle about 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit of increased temperatures before they reach a turning point. If warming exceeds this threshold, the percentage of leaves passing the critical temperature threshold could rise to 1.4%. This could potentially cause major leaf loss and death to the entire tree. Effects of climate change: Disasters, weather and agriculture impacts. Explainer: What is carbon dioxide? Here's what to know and a look at how it contributes to global warming. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Global warming could threaten photosynthesis in tropical rainforests Renewable energy is becoming big business, and some companies are taking advantage. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe recently called out those he claims are not walking the walk, saying, Theres far too much greenwashing in the system, according to The Verge. Scaringe took issue with organizations that buy renewable energy but dont create new capacity for renewable energy. [They] pay a teeny little incremental amount more to get the ability to pat ourselves on the back and say were using renewable energy, he said. Scaringe was touting Rivians 100-megawatt virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with a Kentucky solar farm built atop a former coal mine. The VPPA means Rivian has agreed to buy power from the solar farm once its operational, even though it wont directly be using the clean energy. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Essentially, VPPAs help create a market for the energy before the project is complete, making it easier to get financing. Rivians CEO claims that VPPAs are vital for many of these renewable energy projects to get up and running, reported The Verge. Rivian partnered with BrightNight and The Nature Conservancy on the $1 billion project at Starfire Mine, which was once one of the largest coal mines in the United States. The EV manufacturer stated that the site will have the capacity to power more than 170,000 homes per year. Significant investments in infrastructure will be critical to solving the climate crisis, but how we invest is just as important as how much we invest, Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, said. We need to ensure both people and the planet are central to these decisions, especially in communities like the Appalachians that have powered America for centuries and have tremendous natural resources. The solar industry in the U.S. had its best first quarter in history at the start of 2023, and the Solar Energy Industries Association expects the market to triple in size over the next five years. But Scaringe wants more than just talk from his competitors. If companies arent making the commitment to purchase the power, which then makes the project financeable, these projects wont happen, he said. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-shot candidate in the Democratic primary for president who has based his campaign on conspiracy theories, will speak in Olathe Saturday at a conference hosted by an anti-vaccine group. He is slated to speak Saturday afternoon at a Freedom Revival in the Heartland event hosted by Kansans for Health Freedom, an organization that has sought to undercut the power of public health officials in Kansas and undercut vaccine requirements for adults and school children. The conference is at the Olathe Embassy Suites and is sponsored by the Childrens Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization Kennedy founded. Although the conference is not a formal campaign appearance, Kennedy is hosting a private campaign fundraiser Saturday evening at an undisclosed restaurant in the Kansas City area. Kennedys campaign did not respond to The Stars request for comment. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Public health advocates say Kennedys candidacy and platform pose a risk as he uses his famous family name to advance long disproven myths about vaccines. Those ideas have gained momentum in recent years as anger over COVID-19 prevention measures and vaccine requirements pushed once fringe positions into the mainstream. At a time when weve already have public confusion and fear this could lead to a further decline in vaccination rate and a danger to public health, said Becky Christensen, state campaigns director for the SAFE Communities Coalition, a national pro-vaccine group. Though Kennedys candidacy is unlikely to succeed, he is polling second in the Democratic primary for 2024 with support driven in part by his famous family name. Kennedy is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy, a U.S. attorney general and senator who was assassinated while running for president in 1968. A recent poll from the British pollster YouGov and Yahoo News shows Kennedy trailing incumbent President Joe Biden by 52 percentage points with only 7% of support among Democratic primary voters. Kennedy has falsely claimed the COVID-19 vaccine killed more people than it saved and has suggested the pandemic itself was a government conspiracy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has consistently said the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. Standard childhood vaccines, the agency says, are important tools to prevent serious illness. Kansans for Health Freedom was a driving group behind efforts in the Kansas Legislature to roll back the power of public health officials and vaccine requirements. In 2021 the organization lobbied lawmakers for a special session to push back on COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Its members have testified about unproven risks from COVID-19 and other vaccines. Debbie Mize, the organizations vice president, said she does not consider the group anti-vaccine but that she opposes any sort of mandate. Though Kansans for Health Freedom does not make political endorsements, Mize said they invited Kennedy to speak at the event because of his reputation as a renowned speaker in the health freedom movement. While others are dismissed for their positions, Mize said, Kennedy is not. I believe Mr. Kennedy is not going to be shut down, Mize said. He knows the truth about a whole lot of things. And he knows that if we dont fight for our rights to live in a free nation we will lose it. And I think theres a whole lot of people that are resonating with that message right now. Christensen, with the SAFE Communities Coalition, said that notoriety is precisely what makes Kennedy concerning. His family name helps him get meetings with lawmakers and governors that others may not have access to. As lawmakers continue to face pressure from anti-vaccine activists to roll back vaccine requirements Gretchen Homan, board president at the Kansas chapter of the American Association of Pediatrics, said she worries those policies could make it harder for families to access vaccines. Within her own pediatric work, Homan said, she sees very little skepticism over vaccines and finds that families want their child to have access to a key prevention tool. I think its less common than the political discussion makes it seem, she said. The far majority of families schedule appointments, want to be vaccinated on time. They want to keep their kids safe and healthy. Three Moxi robots went live at MultiCare Capital Medical Center this week, continuing a recent trend for the health care system that began earlier this year. The robots, which can travel along hallways, enter rooms and even push elevator buttons, are designed to reduce the trips and steps previously taken by employees to retrieve medication or supplies. They do not interact with patients. The robots were first introduced at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital in Spokane and so far have saved staff about 5 million steps, according to health system data. By having the robots do this kind of work, hospital employees, whether its nurses or other positions, can focus on their primary job and do not have to constantly travel between departments, said Shanon Watkins, chief nursing executive. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Capital Medical Center also does not have a pneumatic tube system, common to some hospitals to send information and materials, plus the hospital, like many in the area, faces increased patient volumes while it deals with industry-wide labor shortages. The robots are in use at Deaconess, Tacoma General, Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital, Capital Medical and by early fall, Good Samaritan in Puyallup, said MultiCare spokesman Scott Thompson. The robots are the product of Diligent Robotics, a five-year old business based in Austin, Texas. Chief Executive and co-founder Andrea Thomaz and her staff have been on site the past four weeks to tune the machines to the needs of the hospital and staff, she said. Thomaz earned her doctorate in machine learning and robotics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other business happenings The eagerly awaited Nordstrom Rack, which disclosed plans earlier this year that it was coming to Olympia, has set a time and date for the opening of its west Olympia store, the longtime Northwest retailer announced. The 32,000-square-foot store at 1200 Cooper Point Road SW will open at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7. The grand opening will feature light bites, gift card giveaways, coffee and more, according to the business. Nordstrom Rack is the companys off-price, sister-brand department store chain founded in 1973. Nordstrom last had a store in this area at South Sound Center in Lacey in the early 1990s. It was called Nordstrom Place Two. A sign on the Nordstrom Rack building alerts passersby to the opening date. Happy Hour Olympia, a downtown Olympia wine bar at the corner of Capitol Way and State Avenue, will close, the business announced on social media. We have big news and were so sorry to tell you that Happy Hour will close at the end of this month, the post reads. Its been an amazing ride and we will miss you! We will be open regular hours through Thursday, August 31st! Meanwhile, Sound and Vision Living, a downtown Olympia home decor store that used to be on Fourth Avenue, opens at its new address at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, said co-owner Nicole Durden, who runs the store with business and life partner, Dan Durden. Nicole said they loved their old location, but feel the new site at 114 Capitol Way N. is in a busier area and has the walkability the previous location did not have. Sound and Vision Living sells new, mid-century modern and vintage items for the home, including furniture, as well as gifts and art. The business is open 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. The Creative Office, a longtime office supplies business in downtown Olympia, has acquired Crains Total Office, which operated in space on Fourth Avenue East at Quince Street Northeast. All employees at Crains became employees of The Creative Office on Aug. 1. Our teams will continue to provide the service and expertise of space planning and design, and installation as well as the furniture, office supplies, printing and promotional and logo wear for customers, said Crains Total Office President Greg Seals in a statement. Crains Total Office now operates out of The Creative Office location at 721 Legion Way SE. The Creative Office is a retail business, but doesnt operate a traditional storefront, President Lowell Gordon said. Customers can call to order their supplies, or order them via the Creative Office website, then pick them up at the Legion Way address, he said. Oly Arts, the eight-year-old multiplatform publication focused on arts and cultural events in South Sound, has transitioned to a nonprofit, the organization announced. The publication will still be based in Olympia but will now expand coverage to Tacoma and surrounding areas, according to a news release. Leaders of the new Oly Arts nonprofit are arts writer Alec Clayton, online publication expert Gabi Clayton, creative director John Serembe and visual artist Lynette Charters Serembe. Founder and author Ned Hayes serves on the board of directors for the new nonprofit. I am excited to see what this new team can do with Oly Arts Im glad the publication has a great future, said Billy Thomas, the former owner and publisher, in a statement. During his tenure, Thomas created the Oly Arts magazine, a format which is being continued on a quarterly basis by the new nonprofit team, according to the release. Oly Arts plans to expand and grow both its print and digital formats, per the release. Washington State Employees Credit Union has established a donation account and is accepting contributions to aid relief and recovery efforts on Maui following the wildfire that destroyed the town of Lahaina. Members of WSECU can visit any branch or call the contact center to make a contribution to the account. Donations will be accepted through Sept. 1, 2023, and then sent to the Hawaii Community Foundations Maui Strong Fund. WSECU employees have already donated more than $2,000 and the credit union has reached out directly to those members who live on the island. If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com. ROCHESTER Haydee Rivera-Nadeau, the Somersworth woman charged in the shooting death of a Rochester woman in May, has been indicted by a Strafford County grand jury for two special felony charges of second-degree murder, and another Class B felony charge of falsifying physical evidence. Rivera-Nadeau, 65, allegedly shot and killed Lisa Stanley Rocheleau, 54, her former girlfriend, on May 1 at Rocheleau's place of business, Action Title Services, located in the Professional Arts Building at 40 Winter St. in Rochester. Rivera-Nadeau could face up to life in prison if convicted of the special felonies, according to Micheal Garrity, spokesperson for the New Hampshire attorney general's office. Court documents filed by prosecutors reveal details of the killing, including an alleged incident at Rocheleau's home prior to the shooting at the office. Stalking incident alleged more than a week before shooting Prosecutors allege Rivera-Nadeau followed Rocheleau to her home on April 20, where she photographed, confronted and threatened her over a new relationship Rocheleau began after she and Rivera-Nadeau had broken up, according to court documents. Rivera-Nadeau is charged with stalking in connection with this incident. Haydee Rivera-Nadeau Rivera-Nadeau allegedly followed Rocheleau to her office on May 1, where there was another confrontation. Rivera-Nadeau allegedly pointed a gun at Rocheleau's face and shot her. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A security guard at the Winter Street offices told police he observed a woman matching the description of Rivera-Nadeau enter the building, carrying a bag, which was later determined to have held a plant, according to prosecutors. The guard asked if he could help her, but she replied she knew where she was going. Rocheleau's body was discovered by a relative after he and others could not get in touch with her and he went to the office to look for her. More local news: Developer says Somersworth apartment project may be canceled. Here's why. Court documents state Rivera-Nadeau had told a different version of the fatal incident to an employee of her pest management company, who was interviewed by investigators. According to the employee, Rivera-Nadeau claimed she had gone to Rocheleaus office to deliver a plant and had a gun with her. She explained the gun had clicked at one point and Rocheleau had moved toward her. Then the gun fired accidentally, striking Rocheleau in the head. She admitted that she got scared and fled because she didnt think the police would believe it was an accident. Rochester police responded to the shooting. At the time, Rocheleau was alive and was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital's trauma unit, where she died 10 days later on May 11. On May 12, an autopsy by state Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mitchell Weinberg determined Rocheleau's cause of death was a gunshot wound and her manner of death was homicide, authorities said. After the shooting, Rivera-Nadeau, who is in custody at Strafford County House of Corrections in Dover, fled to the area of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was arrested May 3 and extradited to New Hampshire. The initial attempted murder charge was upgraded to second-degree murder after Rocheleau died, following more than a week in intensive care at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Cathy Barton with Lisa Stanley Rocheleau, right, in happier times. One second-degree murder charge alleges Rivera-Nadeau caused Rocheleau's death by shooting her with a gun. The second murder charge alleges she caused Rocheleau's death in a manner that exhibited extreme indifference to the value of human life. The Class B charge of falsifying evidence alleges that Rivera-Nadeau, knowing that an investigation was imminent, made an effort to hide/conceal the gun used in the crime. That crime is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Nadeau-Rivera is also charged with a misdemeanor stalking charge for the April 20 incident That could carry a one-year prison term. Public defender Eliana Forciniti is listed as the attorney in Rivera-Nadeau's defense. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rivera-Nadeau is scheduled to be arraigned at 11 a.m. Sept. 6 at Strafford County Superior Court in Dover. If you need help Seacoast Media Group provides the following information as a public service while making no judgment about the guilt or innocence of the suspect in the crime described above: Haven is a violence prevention and support service for men, women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence. Havens 24-hour hotline is 1-603-994-SAFE (7233) or visit havennh.org. This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Haydee Rivera Nadeau indicted in murder of ex-girlfriend MADISON U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson joined a growing group of Republicans calling on newly sworn-in liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz to recuse herself from cases involving the state Legislature's electoral maps. "She absolutely should recuse herself," Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Friday at an event in Madison. "She's obviously biased in this case and she should not be judging on it." Johnson also suggested he would support lawmakers impeaching Protasiewicz if she did not recuse herself. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said earlier this month that the Legislature could consider impeachment proceedings against Protasiewicz if she does not recuse herself from redistricting cases. "They have their constitutional duties and responsibilities as well, and that may be the next step," Johnson said. "But hopefully she'll do the right thing." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Johnson spoke to reporters after a roundtable event on barriers people face after incarceration. A former campaign spokesman for Protasiewicz did not immediately have a reaction to Johnson's comments. Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, called Johnson's claim "ridiculous" and said those who want Protasiewicz to recuse from the redistricting case were asking her to sideline her duty to do "the people's work" as an elected justice. He also said Johnson's suggestion that impeachment could be on the table if Protasiewicz doesn't recuse herself was "partisan hackery." "That's especially rich commentary from a guy who tried to hand a fake set of electors to the Vice President [Mike Pence] during the [2020] presidential election," Pocan said. "This is a guy who has no credibility. He is a U.S. Senator, but he's also a joke by most standards." Johnson's comments come as Wisconsin Republicans ramp up pressure on the state Supreme Court's new liberal majority, which is considering taking up redistricting lawsuits directly filed to the high court. In motions filed with the court made public Wednesday, the Legislature's Republican majority asked Protasiewicz to recuse herself from cases involving the state's electoral maps, which were drawn by Republicans. Justice Protasiewiczs campaign statements reveal that her thumb is very much on the scale in this case, Republicans said in their motion. In a written dissent related to the redistricting cases, conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley also criticized Protasiewicz for not recusing herself. "These four justices will adopt new maps to shift power away from Republicans and bestow an electoral advantage for Democrat candidates, fulfilling one of Protasiewicz's many promises to the principal funder of her campaign," Bradley wrote last week. While running for a seat on the court, Protasiewicz called the maps "rigged," but didn't commit to recusing herself from redistricting cases. She promised to recuse herself from cases brought by the state Democratic Party, which donated almost $10 million to her campaign. State Sen. Van Wanggaard told the Journal Sentinel this week that Protaseiwicz should take herself off the case. "She said a lot of things while she was running. She said a lot of things after she was elected," he said. "When you say you're going to lean one way or the other before it's even come out, that's prejudicial." The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, which Wanggaard chairs, held a hearing Tuesday on the appointments of three members of the state Judicial Commission. Republicans questioned how the commission handles cases of recusal when a judge has commented publicly on a case. "Judges have the First Amendment right to express their beliefs, said Janet Jenkins, one of the unconfirmed appointees. A lot of times, people think recusal is necessary when it's not provided for by statute or by rule. Jenkins said judges can share opinions on political issues but cannot reveal how they would rule on a case. The two other appointees echoed that stance. Several members appointed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers who have been serving on the commission without being confirmed are now receiving confirmation hearings. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu did not respond to questions about whether the appointees would be taken up by the full Senate, and Wanggaard said he had not spoken with LeMahieu. Tyler Katzenberger and Hope Karnopp can be reached at tkatzenberger@gannett.com and hkarnopp@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ron Johnson says Protasiewicz to recuse from Supreme Court maps cases Russian forces launched 39 attacks at communities along the Sumy Oblast border on Aug. 24, causing a total of 269 explosions, local military administration reported on Telegram. The Russian military shelled nine communities, inlcuding Esman, Krasnopillia, Bilopillia, Khotin, Shalyhyne, Znob-Novgorodske, Velyka Pysarivka, Seredyna-Buda and Druzhbivka. Multiple weapons were deployed against the region over the course of the day, including mortars, artillery, and unguided aerial missiles, according to the Ukrainian military. Kransopillia community, located in the historic region of Sloboda Ukraine some 42 kilometers away from regional capital Sumy, was attacked with mortars and artillery while Bilopillia and Esman were attacked with unguided aerial missiles. There were no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Sumy Oblast is located on Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia. It has been the target of daily Russian shelling and attacks from across the border since parts of the oblast were liberated from Russian troops in early April 2022. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Military intelligence reports raid into occupied Crimea; Putin says Prigozhin likely dead Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Aug. 25 that its air defense forces destroyed 42 Ukraine-launched drones over the Crimean Peninsula and one missile over Kaluga Oblast. The ministry said nine drones were destroyed by air defense forces while 33 were suppressed by electronic warfare and crashed over Crimea without reaching their targets. Mikhail Razvozhaev, the head of the illegal Russian occupation government of Sevastopol, claimed Russian air defense shot down a few drones on the city's outskirts. According to preliminary information, no damages or casualties have been reported following the attack. Ukraine rarely acknowledges its involvement in attacks within Russia. However, in recent months, there has been an increasing assertion from Kyiv that targeting Russia's military infrastructure is contributing to its efforts in the counteroffensive. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ukrainian forces landed on the Crimean coast at the beach near Maiak, a village on the northwestern tip of Crimea and raised the Ukrainian flag this morning as part of an operation with the Navy, Ukraine's Military Intelligence said on Aug. 24. Maiak is less than five kilometers from Olenivka, where Ukraine reported to have destroyed a Russian missile defense system on Aug. 23. Intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov told Ukrainian media that he could not release detailed information on the operation, but that it "had the characteristics of a raid." Read also: Ukraine war latest: Military intelligence reports raid into occupied Crimea; Putin says Prigozhin likely dead Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed overnight on Aug. 25 that its forces had shot down an S-200 missile launched by Ukraine over Kaluga Oblast. Around the same time, Russian Telegram channels reported explosions in Russia's Kaluga and Tula oblasts. Russian state news agency TASS also reported overnight that two of Moscow's airports had been shut down. The ministry reported on the alleged S-200 strike at around 1:30 a.m. local time. Just prior, Russian Telegram channels published footage of what appears to be air defense firing against an aerial target, supposedly over Obnisk, Kaluga Oblast. The city of Obnisk lies in the northeastern part of Kaluga Oblast, just around 100 kilometers from Moscow, and around 370 kilometers from Ukraine's border. The Ukrainian outlet Liga noted that the modified S-200 missiles have a range of up to 360 kilometers but it is unlikely that they would have been stationed near the border. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement TASS reported that the airspace over Moscow's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports was closed at around 1 a.m. local time, without naming the reason. In the past few weeks, the Russian capital has become the target of several drone strikes, often leading to the temporary suspension of air traffic. The Russian Telegram channel Shot also published a video of active air defense, allegedly capturing the downing of the S-200 missile not far from the Shaykovka military airbase in Kaluga Oblast, roughly 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The airport recently came under a drone strike that led to damage to several Tu-22M3 bombers, Ukrainian military intelligence reported. However, it is not clear from the footage published by the channel whether the projectile in question is indeed the S-200 missile. Russian Telegram channels also claimed that explosions were recorded in Tula Oblast at around 1 a.m. local time. Several hours later, Russia's Defense Ministry said that 42 drones were detected over the territory of Crimea, nine of which were allegedly shot down and 33 eliminated through electronic warfare means. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. There have been multiple reports of strikes against targets on Russian territory. Officials in Moscow have claimed several drone attacks against the city in the past few weeks. Russia's military airbases in Novgorod and Kaluga oblasts were also targeted in drone strikes that led to the destruction or damage of several strategic bombers, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. Read also: Russia claims destroying 42 drones over Crimea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia has not suspended mobilisation and is considering the possibility of conscripting an additional 450,000 people, Kyrylo Budanov , Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, has said. Source: Budanov, in an interview with Krym.Realii (Crimea.Realities, a project by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Quote: "Now they are considering the option of conscripting an additional 450,000, although this issue has not yet been fully resolved." Details: Budanov emphasised that mobilisation in the Russian Federation has not stopped. Last autumn, they conscripted about 350,000 Russians. But covert mobilisation continues all the time, and currently 20,000 to 22,000 people are called up every month. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "In itself, this leads to the next question: why such a number if the losses are, as they say, negligible? Well, you will see that the truth is somewhere in the middle," Budanov explained. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Smoke in the sky of Ukraine after the missile was shot down (illustrative photo) Ukrainians sleepy after Independence Day celebrations were awoken by air raid sirens in the early hours of Aug. 25 as explosions were heard across southern Ukraine after Russia attacked Ukraine with four missiles and an attack drone. "All five targets were destroyed by the Ukrainian Air Force," the Ukrainian Air Force emphasized. NV is following the aftermath of Russia's nighttime attack on southern Ukraine. Russia launched air and sea missiles from the Black and Azov seas, confirmed Ukraines Air Force Command. The following missiles were launched in the direction of the southern regions from Su-34 aircraft: ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Two Kh-59 guided missiles from the Black Sea Two Kalibr cruise missiles from a small missile ship in the Sea of Azov One Shahed UAV was also launched from the area of Primorsko-Akhtarsk. The missiles were destroyed in Odesa Oblast, and the attack UAV was destroyed in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Russia attacked the Chornomorsk area with two missiles, believed to be of the Kh-35/59 type. Both were destroyed according to Serhiy Bratchuk, head of the Public Council at the Odesa Oblast Military Administration. A second attack on Odesa Oblast came later, at about 3:44 a.m., with Kalibr missiles. Explosions were heard in Odesa just after 4 a.m., according to public broadcaster Suspilne. An air raid alert was declared in the region. Ukraines Air Force command reported a missile threat in the region. At 11:46 p.m., the Air Force reported that air defense systems were operating over Odesa. Enemy tactical aircraft were active in the southern and southeastern directions according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The Odesa Oblast State Administration urged residents to stay in shelters. Explosions were heard in Zaporizhzhya, news outlet Hromadske reported. Another blast was heard in the city of Kropyvnytskyi late on Aug. 24. Rescuers and police were working at the scene, said the head of the Kirovohrad Oblast State Administration Andriy Raykovych. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukraine's arduous counteroffensive is "far from over," General David Petraeus has said. Even the US military would struggle to face the extensive defenses Russia has mounted, he said. Nonetheless, with enough pressure the Russian line can "suddenly break," he wrote. As Ukraine struggles to make substantial gains in its counteroffensive, General David Petraeus says that Russia's front line may yet falter under pressure. The former top general and CIA director brought his experience in Iraq to the picture as he laid out why he believes Ukraine can still push through Russia's formidable defenses. "I'm guardedly optimistic, with qualifications," he told CNN. Ukraine can potentially "crack the line in a couple of places," he said, adding that the fate of the battle will then depend on the Russian reaction. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In an opinion piece for The Washington Post, written jointly with the military scholar Frederick Kagan, he urged patience with Ukraine's effort, saying that it was only in its early stages. The push might be 10 weeks old with only modest gains so far but it's likely to continue at least four months, they wrote. "Defenders can hold for a long time and then suddenly break, allowing an attacker to make rapid gains before the defense solidifies further to the rear," they wrote. "The Ukrainians aim to generate exactly this effect and there is reason to think they can." Members of the SPG-9 anti tank recoilless gun crew fire the gun onto Russian positions near the occupied Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on August 14, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Holding them back is a formidable network of minefields, trenches and anti-tank "dragon's teeth" that stretch the 600-mile length of the front line. Faced with this, even the US would struggle, Petraeus told CNN. "The truth is, we could not have done this," he said. The only times the US has faced similar situations was in Iraq, he said. But then the US had huge advantages in its air force boasting total air superiority and its vast numbers of personnel, heavy armor, and breaching devices. Ukraine "has adapted very impressively" to the situation, he told CNN. To describe its tactic, he and Kagan cited Admiral Tony Radakin, the head of the British military, who called it "starve, stretch and strike." "Ukraine is applying pressure on their opponent until something breaks, at which point they will commit their reserves and strike," Petraeus and Kagan wrote. According to multiple reports, Ukraine had to switch tactics earlier in the push after losing multiple heavy armored vehicles. Now, it appears they are turning to artillery to pummel Russian forces before heading through on foot. "When the conditions are right, they're picking their way through these minefields now," Petraeus told CNN. "They can't mount combined arms through these, and they're starting to achieve small but significant advances in at least two areas." Ukraine's 82nd Air Assault Brigade. Facebook/82nd Air Assault Brigade Those areas, in the Zaporizhzhia region, include Robotyne where Ukraine's elite 82nd Air Assault Brigade has recently been deployed. Ukrainian forces have also retaken some ground in the outskirts of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, which Ukraine ceded to Russia in May after a grinding, bloody defense. The assessment comes against a backdrop of growing worries in the media and among lawmakers who have questioned US military aid to Ukraine. In mid-August The Washington Post cited anonymous members of the intelligence community casting doubt on Ukraine's effort, predicting it will not achieve its goal of retaking the crucial city of Melitopol. Insider was unable to independently verify that. Security expert Patrick Bury told Insider that he shared the same outlook, however, saying that the chances of a "knockout blow" are decreasing as time passes. Read the original article on Business Insider The Russians are actively moving towards Berdyansk and Rozivka Active movement of Russian military towards Berdyansk and Rozivka, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, was recorded in temporarily occupied Mariupol, Mariupol mayoral advisor Petro Andriushchenko reported on Telegram on Aug. 25. An "unusually large" number of fuel trucks were seen moving toward Berdyansk. For the first time this summer, trucks with manpower were seen moving through Mariupol in the direction of Volnovakha. Read also: Ukraine makes certain successes in the southeast as it crawls toward Berdyansk and Melitopol A significant increase in the presence of Russian troops was reported in the Mariupol district by Andriushchenko, adding that trucks with ammunition were seen moving towards Berdyansk. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Moscow created a development plan for the temporarily occupied Mariupol, where it plans to increase the citys population by about 300,000 through migration from Russia, said the Defense Ministry's National Resistance Center. Read also: Explosions reported in Russian-occupied Berdyansk, and near Mariupol Strike announcements were being made in the city on the day when Russia plans to hold sham "elections of council members," Mariupol City Council reported on Aug. 17. Mariupol has been occupied by Russian invaders since May 20, 2022, after several months of defense by Ukrainian soldiers. Preliminary reports indicated that Russia killed at least 25,000 people in Mariupol through the bombing of residential areas and civilian infrastructure. To hide traces of their crimes, Russia brought mobile crematoria to Mariupol and forced local residents to bury the dead in mass graves on the outskirts of the city. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a mutiny against Russia's military, is thought dead after a plane crash. Some security officials and Soviet experts said Putin is likely behind the crash. But a Kremlin spokesperson told the BBC on Friday that the accusations are an "absolute lie." Russia said Friday that it is an "absolute lie" that President Vladimir Putin ordered the death of Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a conference call that there was "lots of speculation" around the fiery plane crash that killed seven passengers and three crew members in the Tver region outside of Moscow on Wednesday. Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on the private plane. "In the West of course this speculation comes from a certain angle," Peskov, according to the BBC. "It's all an absolute lie. Of course, when we talk about this issue we should be guided only by facts." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We don't have many facts at the moment, the facts need to be clarified during the official investigation which is being carried out now," he added. It is unclear how the jet crashed, but there has been long-standing suspicion that Prigozhin could face revenge from Putin after the Wagner chief led a short-lived armed uprising in June against Russia's military. The mutiny failed, and while Prigozhin was exiled to Belarus, he continued to do business with his catering company in Russia. After a day of silence, Putin spoke on the suspected death of Prigozhin on Thursday, saying in a televised Kremlin meeting that the Wagner leader, who was once his ally, was a "man of complicated fate" who made "serious mistakes." "I want to express my sincere condolences to the families of all the victims, this is always a tragedy," Putin also said, according to CNN, adding, "Preliminary information suggests that Wagner Group employees were also on board." Few in the West believe that Putin was not behind Prigozhin's suspected death. The UK Ministry of Defense on Friday said it was "highly likely" that Prigozhin died in the plane crash, although it said there was no "definitive proof" the warlord was aboard the flight. US officials also said they are still working on the assumption that Putin was behind the crashed flight. An assassination ordered by Putin represents the "best explanation" for Wednesday's plane crash, experts previously told Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Friday scolded U.S. President Joe Biden for expressing his lack of surprise that Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had been killed in a plane crash and cautioned that it was not appropriate for Washington to make such remarks. Biden on Wednesday said he was not surprised by reports about Prigozhin's death, adding that not much happens in the country that President Vladimir Putin is not behind. "Im not surprised," Biden said. "There is not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind, but I dont know enough to know the answer." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said such remarks illustrated Washington's disregard for diplomacy. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Still, it is not for the U.S. president, in my opinion, to talk about such tragic events of this kind," Ryabkov was quoted by the state TASS news agency as saying. Putin sent his condolences to the Prigozhin's family on Thursday, calling him a talented businessman who knew how to look after his own interests and who could, when asked, do his bit for the common cause. But he also described Prigozhin as a flawed character who had made some bad mistakes. "I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families of all the victims. It's always a tragedy," Putin said in televised remarks made during a meeting in the Kremlin with the Moscow-installed chief of Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. "I had known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the start of the 90s. He was a man with a difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life." (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge/Andrew Osborn) Russian forces launched attacks against 10 oblasts over the past day, killing at least one civilian and injuring at least 10 more, including a child, local officials reported early on Aug. 25. In Donetsk Oblast, six people were injured in Russian attacks, Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported. Five residents were wounded in the shelling of Kurakhove on Aug. 24. The artillery strike damaged a local supermarket, an administrative building, five high-rise buildings, and other civilian property, the governor said. Russian strikes further injured one person in Avdiivka and damaged multiple residential buildings across the oblast, according to the report. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In Kharkiv Oblast, a 59-year-old man was injured and hospitalized following a Russian strike against the village of Podoly in the Kupiansk district on the morning of Aug. 25, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Russian forces carried out attacks also against Petropavlivka, Yurchenkove, Vovchansk, and other settlements, damaging residential houses, shops, power lines, and cars, the governor said. In Kherson Oblast, one person died and three more were injured, including a child, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. The Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported that a Russian strike killed a tractor driver on Aug. 24 while he was working on a field in the Stanislav community. The same day, Russian forces targeted a residential area in the center of Kherson, damaging a house. Three people were injured, including a seven-year-old girl, the governor said. Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts also came under attack but local officials reported no casualties. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Military intelligence reports raid into occupied Crimea; Putin says Prigozhin likely dead Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Ministry of Defence of Russia claims that the Russian air defence forces shot down a missile fired from an upgraded S-200 air defence system over Kaluga Oblast. Source: Russian Defence Ministry on Telegram Details: Russian occupiers said that a modified Ukrainian S-200 missile tried to attack the territory of the Russian Federation, but it was allegedly detected and destroyed by the air defence system over the territory of Kaluga Oblast. Before that, Russian media reported that a series of explosions rang out in Kaluga and Tula oblasts on the night of 24-25 August, and Moscow's Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports were suspended. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russia's Investigative Committee said on Aug. 25 that it had seized flight recorders from the scene of a plane crash that reportedly killed Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin . The investigators are reportedly conducting a "detailed inspection of the scene" and examining the 10 bodies found at the site to identify them. "Currently, items and documentation that are important for establishing all the circumstances of the crash are also being seized, and the necessary forensic examinations will be appointed," the Committee added. The private Embraer Legacy aircraft crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in Tver Oblast while flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg on the evening of Aug. 23. Russian warlord Prigozhin, who had launched a short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin in late June, is presumed dead in the crash. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While the cause of the plane crash is currently unknown, flight-tracking data indicates that in the last minutes of its flight, the plane made erratic climbs and descents before dramatically dropping almost 2,500 meters per minute, after which the transmission of altitude data stopped. The Russian Investigative Committee has initiated a "criminal case" following the plane crash due to the alleged violation of traffic safety rules and air transport operations. On Aug. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Prigoshin's death. The likely cause of the crash was a bomb onboard or "some other form of sabotage," according to unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal. Read also: Media: Satellite images show Wagner camp in Belarus being dismantled Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An Mi-8 helicopter similar to the one that landed (REUTERS) A Russian helicopter pilot defected to Ukraine after reportedly being "lured" during a six-month intelligence operation, Ukraine claims. Ukraines GUR military intelligence agency said an Mi-8 helicopter landed at a Ukrainian airfield with the pilot and his unsuspecting crew members, without specifying when. It comes after a Russian military blogger claimed in recent weeks that a helicopter crossed the border with three people on board after it had lost its way, but Ukraine now claims this was a deliberate move. "This was a GUR operation, spokesperson Andriy Yusov said on Wednesday. The aircraft moved according to the plan. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "You will need to wait a bit, work is being conducted, including with the crew. Everything is fine, there will be news." Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda cited unnamed intelligence sources saying the agency worked for months to convince the pilot to cooperate and fly the aircraft to Ukraine. The report said the helicopter landed in eastern Ukraine with the pilot. Two other crew members who were unaware of the plan were subsequently "liquidated". Ukrainian military journalist Yuriy Butusov said the helicopter was fully operational and would serve in the Ukrainian armed forces after being examined. According to The Guardian, Russian blogger Fighterbomber, presented the cross-border flight as an accident originally, saying: "The crew, for some reason, lost their bearings and crossed the border. Realising where they landed, they made an attempt to take off, but were shot while the helicopter was on the ground. Presumably, two board members died and the commander was taken hostage. If true, the news of such a defection would come as a huge blow to Moscow as it has struggled to establish air superiority in Ukraine. Just days ago it was reported that a supersonic Russian bomber was destroyed in a drone attack hundreds of miles from Ukraine. Ukraine is also awaiting the delivery of dozens of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands. However, the planes will only be handed over once after the pilots are trained, which will not happen until next year. Russian forces carried out 39 attacks on settlements in Sumy Oblast on 24 August, with 269 explosions recorded. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on Facebook Details: The Russians fired mortars (15 explosions) and artillery (18 explosions) on Krasnopillia hromada. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] There was a mortar attack on Velyka Pysarivka hromada (30 explosions). Fire from mortars (33 explosions), artillery (14 explosions), AGS grenade launchers (32 explosions), SPG guns (4 explosions) and tanks (2 explosions) was recorded in Bilopillia hromada. A Russian helicopter also fired rockets (four explosions). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In Esman hromada, the Russians used a helicopter to fire rockets (4 explosions), artillery (10 explosions) and mortars (10 explosions). The Russians attacked Khotin hromada with artillery (6 explosions) and mortars (11 explosions). They also deployed grenade launchers and dropped VOG grenades (one explosion). MLRS (23 explosions) and mortar attacks (12 explosions) were recorded in Shalyhyne hromada. Mortar attacks (three explosions) were recorded in Znob-Novhorodske hromada. The Russians hit Seredyna-Buda hromada using artillery (9 explosions), mortars (2 explosions) and AGS grenade launchers (20 explosions). A mortar attack (six explosions) was carried out on Druzhba hromada. There were no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! New cases of abduction of children have been recorded in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Russian occupiers have been taking them to Russian territory. Source: Ukraine's National Resistance Center Details: The National Resistance Center reported that the so-called Russian administrations continue to take Ukrainian children to Russian territory. Quote: "Regular cases of taking children from TOT (temporarily occupied territories) to sanatoriums and recreation centers on the territory of the Russian Federation under the pretext of rest and recovery have been recorded. In particular, the sources of the National Resistance Center report on the stay of Ukrainian children in the territory of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic of the Russian Federation and the Novosibirsk Region." Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has obtained the flight data recorders from the plane belonging to Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin which crashed on 23 August. The Russian authorities say that Prigozhin was on board and was killed. Source: Russia's Investigative Service Quote: "During the initial investigative actions, the bodies of 10 victims were found at the crash site. Molecular genetic examinations are being carried out to establish their identities. The investigators have seized the flight data recorders and are conducting a detailed examination of the scene. Items and documentation relevant to establishing all the circumstances of the crash are also being seized, and the necessary forensic examinations will be ordered." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Details: Following the crash, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case regarding the violation of the rules of safety and operation of a vehicle (Article 263 of the Criminal Code). Background: On the evening of 23 August, a small plane crashed in Russias Tver Oblast. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency said Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, was listed as having been on board. The Telegram channel Grey Zone, which is close to the Wagner Group, claimed that Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane had been shot down by air defence fire. It was also reported that a terrorist attack on board is being considered as a line of enquiry regarding the crash of Prigozhin's plane. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency posted a full list of the passengers on the plane that crashed in Russias Tver Oblast on the evening of 23 August. Yevgeny Prigozhin is on the list. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin was taking revenge for the humiliation caused by the Wagner Group mutiny and ordered the assassination of their leadership. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had nothing to do with the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin in Russia. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The Russian invaders have intensified pressure on the residents of the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, forcing them to obtain Russian passports. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 25 August Details: The General Staff said a requirement is being introduced which would mean that payment for utility services, internet and mobile phone bills is impossible without Russian citizenship, a move which intensifies forced passportisation. "An increase in the number of Chechen servicemen, brought in to intensify the pressure on the local population in this area, has been spotted. They behave quite aggressively and take a tough attitude regarding curfew violations by the local population," the General Staff said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The General Staff also said the Russian occupiers plan to hold so-called elections in a mixed format in one of the temporarily occupied settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This will take the form of "show" voting at polling stations and door-to-door voting. "They want to start visiting houses in advance. Representatives of the occupation authorities will start going door-to-door to collect votes starting from 30 August this year. In addition, there are people in the area brought in from Russian Federation territory by the Russian authorities and resettled in the abandoned houses of local residents. Such actions show the occupiers are preparing for vote falsification and creating the right image for the Russian media," Ukraines Armed Forces reported. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Donald Trump has been booked and processed into a Georgia county jail in connection to an election interference indictment, making him the first former president ever to be arrested on RICO criminal charges. In a whirlwind series of criminal indictments Trump faces, this particular indictment is connected to his alleged role in working to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state of Georgia. He, alongside 18 co-conspirators, are all charged in a sweeping RICO indictment that accuses them of making combined efforts to prove that the election was stolen, a fraudulent claim that has been debunked by state and federal election officials. Former President Donald Trump mugshot after being arrested in the Georgia RICO election interference case after they allegedly worked to overturn the election results in Georgia. (Photo: Fulton County Sheriffs Office) Trump slammed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on his Truth Social platform on his way to being booked and processed on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Click here to read more. Why is there so much MURDER in Atlanta? Why is there so much Violent Crime? People are afraid to go outside to buy a loaf of bread! Trump wrote. One big reason is that failed District Attorney, Fani Willis, who is campaigning and fundraising off get Trump (much like the others!), doesnt have the Time, Money, or Interest to go after the real criminals, even the REALLY Violent ones, that are destroying Atlanta, and its once beautiful culture and way of life. Related: Hey, You Stupid Slave Ner: Vile Texas Woman Threatens to Kill Black Judge Overseeing Donald Trumps Election Interference Case In Federal Court Other indicted individuals of note in this case include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani , former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, and former state senator and former chair of the Georgia Republican Party David Shafer. Attorney John Eastman (left), former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, and bail bondsman Scott Hall (right) have all been arrested in the Georgia RICO election interference case after they allegedly worked to overturn the election results in Georgia. (Photos: Twitter) Following the special investigation led by Willis, she ordered that all 19 people surrender themselves to state authorities by Aug. 25. This is yet another SAD DAY IN AMERICA! Trump wrote. An Atlanta judge set Trumps bail at $200,000. As part of his bond agreement, Trump cannot contact any of his co-defendants except through his legal team. He was also directed to make no direct or indirect threat of any nature against the community, including posts on social media or reposts of posts made by another individual. He has made direct attacks against Fani Willis, calling her a racist and falsely alleging that she dated a gang member. In a more recent attack, just days before his surrender, he called Willis crooked, incompetent, & highly partisan in a post on his social platform, Truth Social, among a plethora of posts and reposts on his rising poll numbers. Hundreds gathered outside of the jail Thursday to show the former POTUS support. Some are suggesting black people are getting paid by Trump supporters to show up outside Fulton County jail in Atlanta ahead of #Trump's arrival. pic.twitter.com/Kif2VHxFTE Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) August 24, 2023 MTG: Tonight, I joined hundreds of Patriots at the Fulton County Jail to support President Trump during his persecution by Communist Atlanta DA Fani Willis. I will never stop supporting President Trump and I will vote for him from jail if I have to! #TrumpArrest#DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/DxnOLASVa5 HumanDilemma (@HumanDilemma_) August 25, 2023 About 45 minutes after Trump left the jail, authorities reported a bomb threat at the Fulton County Courthouse, according to MSNBCs Kyle Griffin. K-9 units and police were deployed. NBC News: The Fulton County Sheriff's office responded to a bomb threat at the Fulton County Courthouse, the sheriff tells @NBCNews. K-9 units and police are en route. Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 25, 2023 Ahead of his surrender, Trump also restructured parts of his legal team and hired Steven Sadow, the attorney who represented the rapper Gunna in the Georgia YSL RICO indictment. Sadow replaced the lead attorney on Trumps team, Drew Findling. The president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him, Sadow said in a statement. We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open-minded jury finding the president not guilty. Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system. Trumps former associate White House counsel, James Schultz, told CNN that Trumps legal team will have to keep a close eye on Trump and work diligently to make sure he abides by the bond agreement. The other defendants dont face such extensive bond agreements as Trump does. According to The New York Times, each of the 19 people indicted in this case face five- and six-figure bonds but are only required to come up with 10 percent of the amount. As authorities prepare to take all the defendants into custody by the Friday deadline, Fani Willis is preparing the next steps in the case. She just filed a motion requesting that the trial date for Trump and his co-defendants take place on Oct. 23. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community has increasingly become dangerous over the last few years. Throughout the country, far-right extremists have targeted transgender people, and Republicans have enacted legislation to remove their rights and erase them from society. More than 550 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation have been introduced in states around the country this year, and more than 80 have become law. People were encouraged to show more pride this year than usual to counter the narrative that LGBTQ+ individuals are dangerous or a threat to society. Lauri Carleton did the same. However, her allyship led to her death. The owner of the Mag.Pi Boutique in the Southern California town of Cedar Glen was shot and killed last week for displaying a Pride flag. She was a 66-year-old straight cisgender mother who was merely expressing solidarity with LGBTQ+ people by displaying a Pride flag. Last Friday, she was confronted by a 27-year-old man about the flag. After a dispute where she refused to take the flag down, the man shot and killed Carleton. The gunman was shot and killed by the police shortly after. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Advocate wanted to know from its readers how people felt in the aftermath of the Carleton's killing. Do you feel safe displaying a Pride flag in front of your home or business in the wake of this tragedy? we asked. Chad Banks from Wyoming responded on Facebook. We live in Wyoming and proudly display a flag. It wasnt without a bit of hesitation and trepidation though, he wrote. On Instagram, Aamon Carver expressed a similar sentiment. When it comes to displaying his pride, he is mostly comfortable. Our flag was recently cut down leaving the tips of the colors in shreds hanging from the bent flag pole, he wrote. Our son walked out for his first day of preschool to find the flag that we only took down once for him to wear as a cape for the local pride festival earlier this summer. Many people, however, are afraid to express themselves publicly. I do not feel safe, but I wish I did because I would love to fly a big trans flag out front. The area I live in is very rural and I live alone. I dont need to advertise to the local rednecks that Im here and make myself a target, wrote one Instagram follower. Brad Antwine responded, I grew up in Texas from the 60s to the 80s and never felt safe, which is how I still feel to this day. Renee Adler said she doesnt feel safe displaying a Pride flag. Every day Im afraid to talk about the LGBTQ+ community in public because I dont know what will happen, she wrote. Thats why every time I see our community or allies mindlessly attacked or slaughtered, a part of me dies inside. Because it shows that even though we have had progress it can be taken away in a second. A person on Threads responded by posting a photo of their Jeep with several Pride flags in the rear. Last time I flew my flags on my Jeep I got several waves and thumbs-ups. Only one person gave me the finger; and that was from a coward who did it and sped off. Love is still winning despite these public assaults, the person wrote. Several others remained defiant. I went out and bought 2 more pride flags after this incident. I refuse to be intimidated and shamed back into the closet again, they wrote. Another person said, The flag has flown in front of my home since I moved in. Wont take it down no matter how unsafe these people want to make us feel. "We live in Boise, Idaho, and there have been several times my wife and I have considered taking down our flag because weve felt unsafe, but we keep it up for the kids," Instagram user mizzboo wrote. "Weve had so many young people ring our bell just to thank us for flying it, and that makes it worth outing ourselves a hundred times over." How do you feel about displaying your Pride flags? Sacramento residents could see another sales tax measure on the ballot in November 2024. The measure, proposed by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg , would raise the sales tax rate countywide by one half of a percentage point. A third of the revenue would be used to build affordable housing, while the remainder would be used to improve light rail, buses, sidewalks and bike lanes. Steinberg proposed the city and county, through the Sacramento Transportation Authority, vote to place the measure on the ballot. That would require votes to place it on the ballot from the Board of Supervisors, as well as the city councils representing a majority of the county population. We are the capital city of the most important and dynamic state in the union, said Steinberg Friday during a State of the City event at a new midtown affordable housing apartment complex called ARY Place. Today I choose to elevate a set of these challenges that are front and center for the state and nation but dont get nearly the attention or the resources they deserve in our region, our county and our city. These challenges are literally life and death. Im talking about climate, Im talking about clean, affordable transportation, Im talking about the desperate need for more housing. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement If voters approve it, the sales tax in the city of Sacramento would hit 9.25%. That would be up from 8.75% the level its been at since voters approved Measure U in 2018. If a person were to spend $1 in the city, they would pay just over 9 cents in sales tax. Sales tax in Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova would also be 9.25%. Sales tax in the rest of the county would range from 8.25% to 9.75%, according to state data. Sales tax rate in Placer and Yolo counties are 7.25%, though some Yolo County municipalities, like Davis and West Sacramento, are higher at 8.25%. While a 9.25% sales tax would be high for the region, its still lower than several Bay Area counties. Alameda Countys sales tax is 10.25%. Because the measure would be placed on the ballot by elected officials, not by signatures, it would need to collect over 66% of the votes from residents to pass. Last time a similar transportation measure went to the voters, in 2018, it was shy of that. In 2022, Measure A only needed 50.01%, but also fell short. Steinberg said the new measure is significantly different due to its climate focus. Each past measure put a big emphasis on new roads, Steinberg said. Some money to fix roads, and less than half set aside for transit and safer streets ... The voters in 2022 saw right through it. Mayor Darrell Steinberg hosted his final panel discussion of the State of the City on Friday at ARY Place Apartments, an affordable mixed-income community. He discussed the future of Sacramentos climate, clean transportation and the Affordable Housing Act of 2024. Apartments pricey in Sacramento The so-called Climate, Clean Transportation, and Affordable Housing Act of 2024 would raise $8 to $9 billion over 40 years, Steinberg said. A third of the new money would be spent on transit, specifically for light rail, increasing service on existing lines, adding light rail cars, and adding Bus Rapid Transit, Steinberg said. The other third would be spent on making it easier for people to bike or walk around town instead of drive fixing roads, improving crossings, and installing protected bike lanes similar to the new bright green barriers recently installed in midtown. Steinberg mentioned Marysville Boulevard in North Sacramento as one deadly street in need of $20 million of such work. More than 140 people killed by hit-and-run drivers in Sacramento County since 2018, a Sacramento Bee investigation found the highest in Northern California or the Central Valley. The last third would be spent to create more affordable housing, including units for low-income workers, students, and homeless people, Steinberg said. It would also be used to keep people in their housing through emergency rent and mortgage payments. The average rent for a typical one-bedroom unit in the city is now about $2,300, and a two-bedroom is $3,150, according to national rental firm Apartment List. Thats more expensive than Portland, Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville and Dallas. The city has recently been awarded for new affordable housing, such as ARY Place at 17th and S streets, but there are not nearly enough units to meet demand. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency recently received 9,451 applications for new Mirasol Village units in the River District. Only 300 will get a spot. Three Sacramento council members earlier this month proposed a controversial package of policies called Sacramento Forward aimed to create more affordable housing, including a ballot measure. The three council members who proposed that package, Katie Valenzuela, Mai Vang and Caity Maple, support the measure the mayor announced, Valenzuela said. This is a part of what we were imagining for Sacramento Forward, said Valenzuela, who said she has been talking to the mayor about the topic. We may propose an additional ballot measure for housing, depending on how much housing money we think we can get through the mayors measure. Valenzuela did not specify what type of tax increase an additional ballot measure would include. Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen hugs Mayor Darrell Steinberg on Friday after he hosted his final panel discussion on the State of the City on the future of Sacramentos climate, clean transportation and the Affordable Housing Act of 2024. Deputy Public Defender Brandon Mata sits next to Liliana Carrillo during her arraignment in Kern County Superior Court in 2021. Carrillo has pleaded not guilty to murder in the deaths of her three young children. (Alex Horvath / The Californian) Two years after telling a reporter on tape that she had killed her three young children, a San Fernando Valley woman was ordered this week to stand trial in their slayings. Liliana Carrillo, 32, is accused of drowning her 6-month-old daughter, Sierra; her 2-year-old son, Terry; and her 3-year-old daughter, Joanna, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. The criminal complaint also includes an allegation that Carrillo used a knife as a deadly and dangerous weapon on her youngest daughter. Read more: Mother charged with killing 3 young children in Reseda apartment In June 2022, Carrillo pleaded not guilty to three murder charges. She is scheduled to appear for a hearing in L.A. County Superior Court on Sept. 7. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The children's grandmother found them slain in their Reseda apartment on April 10, 2021, prompting a massive hunt for Carrillo, authorities said. Carrillo had fled north on Highway 65 but crashed her car about 10 miles outside Delano, authorities said. When another driver came to her aid, she allegedly carjacked the motorists truck. After a long-distance chase , she was eventually arrested in Tulare County. In an interview from jail after her arrest, Carrillo told a reporter for Bakersfield's NBC affiliate, KGET-TV Channel 17, that she had killed her children because she feared their abuse and sexual assault at the hands of others. Read more: Mother unraveled in depression, QAnon-style conspiracies in months before she killed 3 kids I wasnt about to hand my children off to be further abused, she told the reporter. Carrillo was involved in a child custody dispute at the time with the children's father, Erik Denton, whom she had accused of sexual abuse. Denton denied abusing the children. Carrillo said on tape that she had killed her children softly, hugging and kissing them while doing so. Her last message to the three children was, I love you, and Im sorry, she said. According to Denton's account in court papers, Carrillo was extremely paranoid and erratic, and increasingly prone to bizarre claims, including that she was solely responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and that his San Joaquin Valley hometown of Porterville was beset by a pedophile ring. In a petition to a Tulare County judge, he said that Carrillo had struggled with postpartum depression for years and had expressed thoughts of suicide, self-medicated with marijuana and in recent months had lost touch with reality." I am afraid for my childrens physical and mental well-being, Denton told the judge before he was granted physical custody in March 2021. But Carrillo apparently refused to hand over her children. The L.A. County child welfare agency and the Los Angeles Police Department were alerted, on numerous occasions, that Carrillo was a danger to the children, according to interviews by The Times with Denton and his family, along with court records and sources familiar with the investigation. But social workers opted to keep the children with their mother, according to records and interviews. After the deaths of his children, Denton and his family accused police and child welfare agencies of not acting on the red flags about her behavior, which included a desperate plea with police that she might kill the kids, Dentons cousin told The Times . In 2022, Denton filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Los Angeles County and the city accusing social workers and the LAPD of repeatedly ignoring warnings about the danger Carrillo posed and of failing to follow the law. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The city council of Savannah, Georgia, voted Thursday to rename a downtown square after Susie King Taylor, a Black woman who once taught slaves to read and write. The change marks the first time a Savannah square has been specifically named after a woman and a person of color. Its one thing to make history, its another thing to make sense, and in this case, were making both, Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II said during Thursdays city council meeting. Susie King Taylor was born to enslaved parents in 1848. She moved to Savannah when she was seven to live with her grandmother, who arranged for her to receive clandestine schooling due to Georgias severe restrictions on education, according to the Library of Congress. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement During the Civil War, she became an Army nurse and organized a school to teach emancipated slaves to read and write. She later opened more schools for Black students and wrote a memoir about her experience during the war as an African American woman. The town square that will now bear her name is a popular tourist attraction in Georgias oldest city in the state. The square was originally named after John C. Calhoun, a former vice president of the United States who owned slaves and defended the institution of slavery. What he stood for is not what Savannah stands for, Johnson said. The effort to change the squares name began in 2021, according to the Coalition to Rename Calhoun Square. The council voted to rename the square last year and considered 300 name submissions before choosing Taylor. In 2020, a statue of Calhoun was removed from a square in Charleston, South Carolina. Clemson University also removed his name from its honors college, CNN previously reported. The university was built on Calhouns plantation. Johnson said the city will be installing signage not only about Taylors accomplishments but Calhouns history and the reason why his name was replaced. Its important that we dont erase history, its important that people who come long after us understand the time that we are in today, Johnson said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukraines SBU security service has arrested a Ukrainian businessman suspected of working with Russian occupation authorities in southern Ukraine to illegally export grain to Russia, the SBU said in a message on its website on Aug. 25. The SBU alleges that the owner of one of the leading agricultural holdings in Zaporizhzhya Oblast organized wholesale supply of grain and other produce from his companies that operate on Russia-occupied territory of the region. Read also: Erdogan to travel to Russia for meeting with Putin on extending grain deal The investigation established that for "unhindered" business conduct on the temporarily occupied territory, the businessman and his accomplice, who stayed in occupied Berdyansk, changed registration and began paying taxes to Russias state budget. Harvests of wheat and other agricultural products produced by the suspect were transported to Russia through the port of Berdyansk. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Russia reinforcing Berdyansk from temporarily occupied Mariupol The businessman was arrested in Kyiv after moving there from Berdyansk following its seizure by Russian troops in 2022. According to the investigation, when the man moved to the capital, he arranged remote control over his companies, while in Berdyansk, his partner carried out actual management of the enterprises. Read also: SBU chief Malyuk on how Crimean Bridge was attacked twice During searches at his residence and office in Kyiv, cash, documents, and computer equipment with evidence of criminal conduct were found. The businessman-turned-collaborator faces up to five years of imprisonment with property confiscation. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine After the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld a heartbeat abortion ban Wednesday, abortion providers object that the ruling offers no definition for what a fetal heartbeat even means. In a footnote of its majority opinion, the court explicitly said that specific definition should be left for another day. The states abortion ban has generally been accepted to stop the procedure at six weeks after conception, but medical experts and abortion providers are questioning that rule, noting that a fetus isnt formed until 8-10 weeks into a pregnancy, and the hearts four chambers are not formed until 18-20 weeks. The groups filed to challenge the courts ruling Thursday, seeking clarity on what fetal heartbeat means and asking the court to suspend the abortion ban while that clarification is being decided. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement That failure to answer this question leaves Respondents the only abortion providers in the state in an untenable position, the plaintiffs wrote. Faced with the specter of the severe criminal and civil penalties the Act imposes on anyone performing an abortion in violation of the ban Respondents had no choice but to stop providing abortion services to South Carolinians whose pregnancies have progressed past approximately six weeks, they continued. The portion of the courts ruling in question also drew criticism from Chief Justice Donald Beatty, who wrote in dissent: [The opinion] does not resolve the anomaly appearing on the face of the legislation regarding the timing of the fetal heartbeat ban. Specifically, the law defines a fetal heartbeat as cardiac activity, or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart, within the gestational sac. Abortion providers and medical experts argue that that definition is more in line with the formation of the heart at 18-20 weeks, instead of the widely understood six-week ban in the law. South Carolina Republicans expect legal challenges to the law to continue. It wouldnt surprise me at all if Planned Parenthood keeps fighting, state Senate Majority Leader A. Shane Massey said Wednesday, adding that the law is really very clear. Beatty was the only justice to go against the laws constitutionality. Concluding the 2023 act is valid while remaining silent as to its timing and without clearly rejecting any implication that it is reinstating what is at least perceived to be, effectively, a six-week ban is concerning to me, he wrote in his dissent. The fear of political retribution in this matter is palpable. Medical experts have also cast doubt on the definitions included in the bills text. These medical definitions they tried to put forward are legislative and put forward by people who dont practice medicine, Dr. Dawn Bingham, chairwoman of the South Carolina section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told The Associated Press. This language creates uncertainty among medical providers who may be unsure theyre legally allowed to terminate a pregnancy. South Carolina is one of three states that have passed so-called heartbeat bills, the others being Georgia and Ohio. The Ohio measure is being challenged in counts and is not in effect. Florida also passed a six-week abortion ban this year, which is pending based on legal challenges to other state anti-abortion laws. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley s presidential campaign is seeing increased interest after her widely lauded debate performance. Her presidential campaign says it received more online donations in the first 24 hours after the debate than in any other single day of her campaign, which kicked off in February. The campaign, however, did not release specific financial figures. Haleys campaign said traffic to the campaign website has increased tenfold, viewership on the campaigns YouTube and other social media surged, and the former ambassador to the United Nations was the second-most Googled candidate following the debate. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Going into the first Republican primary debate polling in the single digits nationally, Haley came out taking shots at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and at frontrunner Donald Trump himself. After the debate, commentators on Fox News said Haley did well. I think Nikki is going to get a second look from some people, said Kellyanne Conway, a commentator and former Trump White House staffer. A Washington Post poll after the debate found 29% of debate watchers believe DeSantis performed the best; 26% said Ramaswamy performed the best; and 15% said Haley. Haley also saw the percentage of people who would consider voting for her increase to 46% after the debate, up from 29% pre-debate, the greatest improvement out of anyone in the field, according to the Washington Post poll. Her favorable rating increased as well to 65%, up from 51% pre-debate. OAKLAND CITY, Ind. The East Gibson school board formally inked an agreement with its superintendent Thursday afternoon that will see him fired for poor performance. The superintendent, James Allen Wilson, was arrested in Vanderburgh County Saturday morning for allegedly crashing his vehicle while under the influence of prescription drugs. On Monday, Wilson failed to appear at his first court hearing to face misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated. Wilson had been notified of the school board's intent to seek his termination prior to his arrest, on Aug. 14, according to a formal agreement publicly released at the conclusion of Thursday's meeting. Board members held the public meeting in a crowded lecture room at Wood Memorial High School, during which they affirmed that Wilson would be terminated as the East Gibson superintendent though he will receive pay and benefits for the next three months. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As of Aug. 14, Wilson had a 10-day deadline to request a hearing before the board, according to school board attorney Jason Spindler. Through his attorney, Wilson requested the hearing, but both sides agreed to a resolution. Before Thursday's meeting, Spindler said Wilson signed an agreement to resolve his employment status. The board publicly approved that agreement Thursday, but members did not take questions from the public audience or respond to statements attendees made during a brief public comment period. East Gibson School Board members held a public meeting Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, to formally ink a termination agreement with its superintendent, James Allen Wilson. Days before Wilson's arrest, WFIE-NBC14 News reported that he had been barred from East Gibson school property a claim officials were reluctant to verify. Only after Wilson was arrested for a second time Monday, on a charge that he failed to appear in court, did the board confirm Wilson had agreed not to enter school grounds prior to his arrest. During the public comment period, some meeting attendees voiced concern that board members failed to adequately communicate with parents regarding Wilson's employment status and his subsequent arrest. "You could have said something," one speaker said. "I don't want it to feel like a personal attack... But this is ridiculous the lack of communication." Another speaker criticized officials for communicating through the media rather than with parents directly. According to a copy of Wilson's termination agreement, which the board provided to reporters and the public, Wilson has agreed to "irrevocably" resign from his position as superintendent. The board in turn has stated its intention to hire an interim replacement. In exchange for signing the termination document, Wilson has agreed not to sue the school corporation or its board, assuming he receives pay from August through November. He will also receive his employee benefits, though he cannot receive any additional compensation for unused sick days or vacation days. Additionally, both Wilson and board members are barred from making any "disparaging comments" about each other. "The board and Mr. Wilson, through their respective counsel, negotiated the terms of an agreement under which he would voluntarily resign," the agreement states. "The board has approved those terms as set forth in a written document, and that document is public record. Neither board members nor Mr. Wilson will have any future public comment about the matter." Spindler told the Courier & Press that Wilson's termination for alleged poor performance does not pertain to any criminal matter or other investigation. Gibson County Sheriff Bruce Vanoven has also publicly stated his office is not investigating any member of the school corporation. Spindler told the Courier & Press that Wilson, prior to his arrest, had voluntarily agreed he would not come onto East Gibson school property. "It had nothing to do with concerns over what risk he may expose our student body to," Spindler said. "Nothing at all... It's like if you work at a bank or a lot of places and you get terminated, you get escorted out, you turn over your keys, you turn over your key fob, and you're escorted out of the property." Spindler further clarified that the agreement had nothing to do with Wilson doing anything "wrong" that would make him a danger to students or school property. After Wilson's initial arrest, he posted bond at the Vanderburgh County jail and was released on his own recognizance. According to court records, police in Gibson County arrested Wilson for a second time on Monday after he failed to attend his initial hearing. In the days since, a Vanderburgh County judge has ordered Wilson to attend a drug and alcohol treatment center in Bloomington, Indiana, and ordered him to appear in court again in September. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: East Gibson school board fires James Wilson from superintendent post Oklahoma state Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters is pictured Thursday during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. The appearance of what looked like a campaign website Thursday encouraged the notion that state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters was starting a bid to become governor three years before the 2026 election. "Launching Soon," was the big headline on the site. "Ryan Walters for Oklahoma Governor." The site included a closeup photo of some Capitol-looking stone columns and a countdown clock ending in October. "This is not from us," was the immediate response from Matt Langston, Walters spokesperson and close adviser. The fact that Gov. Kevin Stitt can't run for reelection again in 2026, because of term limits, invites speculation about who might be interested in succeeding him. A number of elected Republican officials in addition to Walters might be considered logical possibilities, including the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the state auditor, labor commissioner, members of Congress and others. Ryan Walters for Governor web site that his spokesperson says is fake. However, none of them have been more focused on keeping himself in the public eye than Walters. He has maintained a steady stream of videos featuring himself and has expressed strong and controversial viewpoints and unsupported allegations about the "terrorist" teachers' union, schools accepting Chinese funding, "indoctrination of students," the teaching of "demented ideologies," and sexually explicit and inappropriate LGBTQ+ books in school libraries. Ryan Walters facing criticism over resharing video linked to bomb threats, prompting demands for impeachment from legislators The day after a state school board meeting in which he expressed satisfaction with the resignation of the Tulsa schools superintendent he had called for, Walters distributed a self-congratulatory video saying: "The strong action taken by me and the State Board of Education serves notice that we mean business." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Earlier in the week, a Tulsa elementary school received bomb threats after Walters retweeted an altered version of a school librarian's TikTok video. More: Criticism for Ryan Walters intensifies after 3 days of bomb threats at school in retweeted video The threats prompted Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, to call upon legislative leaders to initiate impeachment proceedings against Walters. Due to Ryan Walters' persistent weaponization of his office, three bomb threats have been made against an Elementary school, putting innocent lives at risk. I call upon @SpeakerMcCall and @Sen_GregTreat to immediately start the impeachment process and let us vote to remove Rep. Mickey Dollens (@MickeyDollens) August 24, 2023 Dollens said Walters' "persistent weaponization" of his office was "putting innocent lives at risk." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'Ryan Walters for Governor' website not real, superintendent says U.S. Rep. Scott Perry leases office space in two buildings owned by a prominent real estate magnate from Cumberland County who has been charged with assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. In addition to being the Republican congressman's landlord for two of his district offices, Lowell Rector Gates, 63, is also a supporter of the congressman, he and his wife having contributed thousands of dollars to Perrys campaign committee since 2014. Gates' real estate concern, Linlo Properties, rents office space to house the Republican congressmans district offices in Cumberland and Dauphin counties to the tune of $5,639 a month, according to congressional and property records. Lowell Gates on the West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021. Linlo, which Gates operates with his wife, Linda, owns the office buildings that house two of Perrys district offices one at 800 Corporate Circle in suburban Harrisburg and another at 4999 Louise Drive in the Rossmoyne Industrial Park near Camp Hill. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to campaign finance records, Gates and his wife have contributed $17,050 to Perrys campaigns since 2014, including $5,600 from Gates in 2019 and 2020 and $2,800 from his wife in 2020. Such a relationship is not explicitly prohibited by House rules. According to the House office lease agreement, The Lease or Amendment is entered into at fair market value as the result of a bona fide, arms-length, marketplace transaction. The Lessor and Lessee certify that the parties are not relatives nor have had, or continue to have, a professional or legal relationship (except as a landlord and tenant). Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania speaks during a town hall meeting with a politically divided crowd at the Hummelstown Fire Department station on Tuesday. Perry's connection to Jan. 6 probe Perry, a leader of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, was among those who led the charge to persuade Congress and others to overturn the results of the 2020 election in favor of former President Donald Trump now twice indicted for his attempts to reverse the results of the election. Perry, according to the House Select Committee that investigated Jan. 6, introduced now-indicted former Justice Department environmental attorney Jeffrey Clark to Trump to carry out an alleged scheme to persuade state legislatures to overturn the presidential election by filing fake Electoral College electors. In August 2022, Perry reported that the FBI had seized his cell phone in its investigation into Jan. 6 and the attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Cell phone seizure: YDR, others sued to unseal warrant for Perry's phone Jan. 6-related charges against Gates On Aug. 5, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, Gates was charged with attacking police officers with a flagpole during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Specifically, according to the complaint, he faces six felony and misdemeanor charges for his conduct that day. According to the criminal complaint, Gates told FBI agents that he went to Trumps rally on Jan. 6 but didn't stay for the entire speech, opting instead to proceed to the Capitol with the mob. He allegedly told the FBI that he stood by some scaffolding and watched as police sprayed chemical repellent into the mob, saying he would have been pissed if he had been sprayed in the face. Shortly after, he was exposed to the pepper spray and pulled his jacket over his head. He felt he did not deserve to be sprayed, the FBI agent wrote in the complaint. Lowell Gates holding a Trump flag on the West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021. He told the FBI that he did not take any actions in retaliation for being sprayed. According to the complaint, Gates said he generally had a lot of fun. Police body camera video, though, depicted Gates approaching a group of officers and use a flagpole to assault them, according to the criminal complaint. Another video that had been posted on social media also depicted the assault, the FBI agent wrote in the complaint. That video, the agent wrote, showed Gates stopping to pick up something which he then threw at the group of police officers. Shortly thereafter, Gates raised his flag pole like a spear and lunged at the officers, striking at them three times. Scott Perry column: 1984 Biden was right control spending before raising debt ceiling Major commercial real estate owner Gates has a high profile in the Harrisburg and West Shore region as a leading developer, his business owning numerous commercial and residential properties. A graduate of Dickinson College, he holds a law degree but opted to go into the real estate business with his wife. The Omni Realty Group identified him as one of central Pennsylvanias largest commercial real estate landlords. Gates dabbled in local politics and was elected as Cumberland Countys Jury Commissioner in 2009. Since then, he has donated to campaigns and causes. He and his wife donated $33,500 to statewide candidates in 2022, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. That included a $20,000 contribution from his wife Linda to Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano. Gates did not return a phone call seeking comment. Perrys office did not respond to an email and calls seeking comment. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Perry rents district offices from man charged in Jan. 6 riots The desperate search for a missing Minnesota pilot ended in tragedy after his body was recovered from Lake Superior. Zdenek Denny Pechacek was reported missing by his family on 18 August after he failed to return from a flight in his ultralight aircraft, Northern News Now reports. Cook County fire and law enforcement, state agencies and civilian volunteers carried out land, air and water searches for several days before a helmet washed up on the beach on East Highway 61 on Thursday morning. After the helmet was confirmed to be Pechaceks, search efforts concentrated on the water and beach areas. A consulting agency also deployed a side-scan sonar unit that helped recover Pechaceks body from Horseshoe Bay on Lake Superior. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This is not the outcome that we wanted, and our thoughts and prayers go to Dennys family and friends. We are so very fortunate that we live in a community where people will drop what theyre doing and rally to assist those in need, Sheriff Pat Eliasen said in a statement. Pechaceks remains will be transported to the Midwest Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy. It is unclear whether the aircraft has been recovered. The sheriffs office said no details would be shared at the moment pending an investigation into what led to the likely crash. Pechacek was reported missing by his family on 18 August after he failed to return from a flight in his ultralight aircraft (Amy Neilsen/Facebook) Pechaceks family had previously created a GoFundMe to aid search efforts. The funds will now be used for funeral expenses. The amount of people who supported the Pechaceks during this time warmed the famil[ys] heart, Pechaceks daughter-in-law Abby Johnson wrote in the fundraisers description. Ms Johnson said most of Pechaceks immediate family resides in the Czech Republic and his daughter lives in South Korea. We are now looking for additional funds to use for end-of-life services in addition to travel expenses for family to come together, she added. Dennys wishes were to have the family together. An F/A-18 Hornet crashed in the vicinity of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in the northern part of San Diego, California, last night. As of 8:00 a.m. local time (PST), the base confirmed to The War Zone this morning that a search and rescue operation was ongoing. Although the fighter crashed at 11:54 p.m. local last night, the incident was not announced by the Marine Corps until earlier this morning, when the base issued a statement. Even though the location of the crash is also known, the Marine Corps has said that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing, a good eight hours after the incident. https://twitter.com/MCASMiramarCA/status/1695059043151130727 Citing a defense official, a report from USNI News states that the jet involved was a two-seat F/A-18D model, as flown by the Marine Corps, although that source did not say if one or two crew were onboard at the time. Miramar also declined to confirm to The War Zone what version of the Hornet or how many crew were involved. An aerial view of the flight line on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California, Feb. 22, 2021. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl . Krysten Houk According to the statement from the Marine Corps, the Hornet in question was not assigned to the resident 3rd Marine Air Wing (MAW) but was operating out of MCAS Miramar when it came down. The crash site is on government property east of the air station, with no indications of damage to property on the ground. NBC Los Angeles said that local police were first on the scene to respond to the incident before MCAS Miramar took over. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1695086951848706442?s=20 USNI News adds that the crash location is near the I-15 highway east of the base, and that, as of this morning, fire and rescue crews were on the scene. A satellite view of MCAS Miramar, with the I-15 highway located east of the base. Google Earth In its initial statement, MCAS Miramar said that an investigation had begun, but there were no other details provided about the nature of the incident. The crash was apparently first reported by the CBS 8 San Diego news channel, which said that a helicopter was involved in the search and rescue effort and that the jet had come down in a remote area of the base. The same report also mentioned a single pilot, with a subsequent update from the same outlet stating that the single pilot had ejected. https://twitter.com/EricNews8/status/1695046085730050106?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricNews8/status/1695060182227710146?s=20 The Marine Corps is in the process of replacing many of its legacy Hornets which include F/A-18A++, F/A-18C, and F/A-18D variants with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The U.S. Navy has meanwhile retired its last legacy Hornets. Still, around 100 of these older jets will serve on till at least 2030 in upgraded form, including with new AESA radars, electronic warfare self-protection enhancements, and a new set of long-range weapons, including the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Harpoon Block II+, and AGM-154C-1 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW). As of this time, the Marine Corps fleet included six active Hornet squadrons and one reserve Hornet squadron. Most Marine F/A-18s are assigned to Marine Air Group (MAG) 31 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, with additional squadrons assigned to MAG-11 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and MAG-41 at Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. There is also still a single training unit, VMFAT-101, the last Fleet Replacement Squadron for the legacy Hornet in the Department of the Navy, which is based at Miramar. A student pilot with VMFAT-101, MAG-11, 3rd MAW, performs pre-flight checks aboard an F/A- 18C Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, May 9, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gadiel Zaragoza Marine Hornets no longer go aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, with the last such deployment being made with Carrier Air Wing 17 in February 2021, as you can read about here. The jets are also no longer a presence in the Central Command area of operations, although they do still provide combat capability to the Indo-Pacific region. We have reached out to the Marine Corps for more information on this crash and will update this story once more details are available. Update, 10:30 a.m., PST: Luis Martinez, the Senior Pentagon Reporter at ABC News, tweeted within the last few minutes that the pilot of the crashed Hornet was sadly killed in the accident. This news was confirmed to ABC News by unnamed U.S. defense officials. https://twitter.com/LMartinezABC/status/1695121687430250647?s=20 Unknown at this stage is whether previous reports that suggested the pilot had ejected were true, and that, for some reason, the ejection was unsuccessful. 12:00 p.m., PST: The 2nd MAW has now confirmed that the single pilot aboard the two-seat F/A-18D was killed in the crash at MCAS Miramar. The Hornet belonged to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224. VMFA(AW)-224 is based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, and falls under the command of MAG-31. Search and rescue crews recovered the body of the pilot, whose identity will not be released until 24 hours after all next-of-kin notifications have been completed. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com [Source] Angelina Tran, an engineering student at the University of Washington, was fatally stabbed more than 100 times while protecting her mother from her stepfather. What happened: Tran, 21, was awakened by the ruckus in her familys home in Beacon Hill, Seattle, in the early morning hours of Aug. 7. Nghiep Kein Chau, 54, had reportedly punched Trans mother in the face about 15 times, leading the 21-year-old to intervene, reported Kiro7. Tran held on to Chau as her mother escaped and called the police. Chau then wrestled with Tran on the ground before dragging her toward the kitchen cabinets, where he was able to grab a knife. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Chau stabbed Tran a total of 107 times, according to police who reviewed CCTV footage from inside the home. During the rampage, Chau reportedly stopped several times, including once to change his clothes and another to grab a meat cleaver. More from NextShark: Advocates call for $64.5MM state budget for AAPI after brutal Yonkers attack on elderly Filipino woman Police officers arrived at the scene shortly before 5 a.m., where they found Trans mother, who was bleeding from injuries to her face, and Chau, who was in a bloodstained shirt and still holding a knife. I killed somebody, Chau reportedly admitted to police. Arrest and charges: Chau was immediately arrested and later charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. He told police that he had been bickering with his wife when he hit her because he thought she was going to divorce him and take his money. More from NextShark: Warship sinks in Gulf of Thailand, leaving 5 dead and 24 missing Chau also said that he became enraged when Tran intervened. He claimed that he would have killed his wife if the police had not arrived in time. Chau is currently being held at the King County Correctional Facility on a $5 million bond. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 31 at the King County Superior Court. About Tran: Tran, who had just a year remaining at the University of Washington, was described as an incredible daughter and a cherished friend. More from NextShark: Arsonist Burns Down Landmark Chinese Restaurant, 9 Other Businesses in California City In remembrance of Tran, her friends and family have set up a GoFundMe page benefiting the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, where she proudly volunteered and worked with seniors. The pain of her absence is profound as she was a gem of a human being. The impact she had on all those fortunate enough to know her was significant, the fundraisers description reads. "Her radiant smile was a source of immense joy, and though the ache of her loss is deep, we believe Angelina would want us to stand strong and keep our smiles bright. Angelina possessed a deep love and compassion for the elderly, and she held a strong desire to support them in any way she could. All contributions received will be directed towards the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, reflecting Angelina's spirit and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of elderly individuals. Your support is not only a tribute to her but also a continuation of her legacy of care and compassion." More from NextShark: Alexander Wang Responds to Sexual Assault Accusations If you or anyone you know is struggling with domestic violence, please contact the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233. For a list of international helplines, visit www.befriends.org Slovenia has become another country to sign the Group of Seven declaration on "security guarantees" for Ukraine. Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Twitter, as European Pravda reports Details: The head of state thanked the Government of Slovenia and Prime Minister Robert Golob for joining the G7 declaration on "security guarantees" for Ukraine. Grateful to @vladaRS and personally to Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob for joining the G7 Declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine. Both our nations share values of freedom and democracy, as well as the desire for peace and justice throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. (@ZelenskyyUa) August 25, 2023 "Both our nations share values of freedom and democracy, as well as the desire for peace and justice throughout the Euro-Atlantic area," Zelenskyy added. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Background: At the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the Group of Seven agreed on a framework document on "security guarantees" for Ukraine. The leaders did not agree on the specific parameters of the "security guarantees", but on their framework, and specific bilateral agreements will be signed later. Earlier, it was reported that Montenegro had joined the declaration. In August, Ukraine began negotiations on "security guarantees" with the United States and the United Kingdom. Read also European Pravda's explanation of why Ukraine will not receive the "security guarantees" that many expect. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! COSHOCTON A historical building sitting like a monolith in the middle of Downtown Coshocton is slowly coming back to life through Our Town Coshocton. OTC Executive Director Lanny Spaulding said there is still much work that needs done, but crucial repairs, like closing a gaping hole in the roof, has been completed. New end users have also been identified that include Standard Power, Central Ohio Technical College and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. Work continues to renovate the Selby Building for new users. More funding is being sought for the estimated $12 million to $15 million project. The target completion date is 2026. Spaulding said the projected completion date is 2026 with an estimated total project cost of $12 million to $15 million. He believes it will be money well spent as Downtown Coshocton continues to transform into a vibrant economic district. In the past few years there has been a critical shift to downtown being a focal point of Coshocton and events, like the summer concert series and new businesses opening. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Now it's just a matter of getting project submissions in, nurturing the relationships we have and putting a profound proposal together. What it ultimately comes down to is money," Spaulding said. "This is the most important thing we're dealing with. We're committed to it. We're not going to take our eyes off the target until the building is done and ready to go for tenants." Crews work on the roof of the Selby building. While there is more remodeling to be done, the gaping whole in the roof has been closed and weatherized to prevent any further interior damage. Efforts to rescue building began in spring 2021 In spring 2021, OTC and city officials started pursuing rescue of the historical building by the railroad tracks on Main Street. The three-story, 62,000-square-foot structure was erected in 1895 by Edgar O. Selby. It has housed many businesses over the years, most prominently the J.J. Newberry five-and-dime store from 1921 to 1993. It's been vacant since 2011 and fell into disrepair. OTC took over the building in December 2021 from the local land bank and began shoring up and stabilizing efforts through a $300,000 grant from the Joseph W., Fred E. and Helen LeRetilley Johnston Fund of the Coshocton Foundation and $200,000 from the Montgomery Foundation. They've also put $50,000 into the project from the state capital budget. Spaulding said they're still pursuing other grants and historic tax credits for more remodeling. This includes the Ohio Appalachian Grant program and Spaulding has had conversations with Rep. Troy Balderson on possible federal funding and connecting with other developmental partners in the congressional district. "He does understand the opportunity for that building to be a central part of the Downtown Coshocton experience and also provide opportunities to the greater region," Spaulding said. He said the building has been weatherized and the roof repaired, although there is still more work to do. He said MFM Building Products donated sealing materials. "The roof is still going to need a new cap, a new membrane, but for right now, that roof is in solid shape and nothing is coming through that roof that would further damage the building," Spaulding said. Initially, Paul Gilbert and Matt Parsons had been named to take over the property once basic renovations through OTC had been completed. The pair from Houston, Texas, purchased the Frew Building, diagonal from the Selby. Work there has included renovating the upstairs apartments and opening Scoops Ice Cream Shoppe. Spaulding said this has become their focus, but it's possible some of their ideas for the Selby might come to fruition. "If they still want to develop out the diner and the event space above, that's still on the table," Spaulding said. "There's always still a welcome spot for them on the Selby project." While OTC will be the property owners for the foreseeable future, Spaulding said they're not against a private owner making an offer. "We would certainly consider anything. At the end of the day, any money we make, we're a non-profit, that's money we can rollover and target at other vacant buildings," he said. Crews work on the roof of the Selby building. While there is more remodeling to be done, the gaping whole in the roof has been closed and weatherized to prevent any further interior damage. Future tenants identified for historic structure Standard Power, the bitcoin mining data center that opened last year, is signing a lease to become a majority tenant in the building. Founder and CEO Maxim Serezhin said Standard Power is committed to the Coshocton community. Use of the building hasn't been finalized, but it could feature offices, a testing hub and training for tech students. Along with its facility at the former WestRock papermill site, they'll also have operations at the burgeoning Conesville Industrial Park. Standard Power is co-funding a marketing video for Coshocton with OTC and has sponsored two concerts of the summer concert series, Claudia Hoyser and the coming 7 Bridges on Sept. 17. "Our commitment to the Selby Building is a progression in an already strong relationship with the City of Coshocton and we see the restoration of this large historic building as a critical part of a downtown renaissance," Serezhin said. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District component would be an outdoor recreation information center. The MWCD covers 20 percent of the state and serves more than 2 million residents. Executive Director Craig Butler in a grant support letter said the recreational center "will serve as a gateway to the Appalachian region for all visitors to the area, allowing MWCD to educate people on our overall mission, efforts and programming opportunities." Spaulding said they also want to work with COTC and Zane State College on developing off-site career based learning components, an example could be a restaurant staffed by culinary arts students. In a letter of support for the Ohio Appalachian Grant, COTC President John Berry called the Selby project visionary and entrepreneurial. "The plan for a true multi-purpose center that engages all sectors of community is exactly what the core of the City of Coshocton needs for revitalization," Berry said. "The mix of retail, service, arts engagement and community gathering and events space would truly catalyze a transformation endeavor for the downtown hub of Coshocton." Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst. This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Selby Building: Potential tenants interested, crucial repairs complete Senate Democrats could circumvent the lingering hold on more than 300 senior military nominees as soon as they return to town next month. It would just take until next spring to finish the work. Chamber leaders have already ruled out the approach as cumbersome and impractical, and insist that the only reasonable path ahead is for Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to end his blockade on the Defense Department confirmations. But senators could be forced to take up the first individual nomination votes when they return in September on key military posts because of both the necessity of filling the leadership voids and the high-profile nature of the roles themselves. Currently, three of the eight Joint Chiefs of Staff seats are without permanent, Senate-confirmed replacements because of the ongoing fight between Tuberville and Pentagon leaders. The next uniformed leaders for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps have all been named, but their confirmations are being held up by Tuberville because of his objections to the militarys abortion access policy. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement No end in sight to Senate fight over military nominations More than 300 others are caught in the political fight too, some since early March. Democratic leaders have blasted Tuberville for the move and begged Senate Republicans to intervene on the impasse. Similar to the way military officers hold each other to account, its time Senate Republican leaders bring their colleague into line and end this harmful blockade on merit-based military promotions, Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., said in a statement earlier this month. But Tuberville and his supporters have noted that Democratic lawmakers could also end the blockade by moving on the nominations one at a time, instead of insisting on an en-masse approval. Tubervilles objections block speedy Senate approval of large groups on non-controversial military nominees, as has been the chambers past practice to swiftly fill those key national security roles. It does not stop leaders from scheduling votes on individual candidates though, something Tuberville has suggested his critics should push for. They could solve this supposed problem. They just dont want to, Tubervilles office said in a statement on Aug. 17. As long as [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer refuses to vote on these nominations, then no Senate Democrat can complain about acting officials serving in the militarys most senior roles. Doing so would require a series of parliamentary moves that takes at least a few hours, and possibly as long as a few days. Senate Armed Services Committee officials earlier this summer estimated getting through all of the nominees would take more than 80 days of eight-hour Senate sessions. And since that estimate was made, another 50 nominees were added to the backlog. Given that the Senate typically operates for only three full days a week as senators spend the rest of the time at work in their home states, that would mean that the lawmakers would have to work on the defense nominees until March 2024 to get through the entire list. And that assumes no intervening work, to include the annual defense authorization bill and the new federal budget for next fiscal year. Earlier this week, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., told Politico that such a plan is not feasible. We dont have the luxury to bring each one of these promotions up for a vote. Theres not enough time on the calendar for that, he said. I do hope that we will have time for individual votes on those that are contested, such as our judges and ambassadorships. But not on military [promotions]. Thats not controversial. Thats a waste of time. Troops can take three weeks off to travel for abortions, IVF treatment High-profile posts, however, like the three vacant Joint Chiefs spots, and the pending nomination of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to be the next Joint Chiefs Chairman, will likely require individual votes, regardless of Tubervilles block. Thats because such roles are subject to extra scrutiny, and individual votes allow lawmakers from both parties to praise or sound off on a White Houses leadership choices, and current administration policy. There are senior jobs that are so symbolic that they set the tone for everybody else, and thats the chairman and the service chiefs, said Peter D. Feaver, a Duke University professor focusing on civil-military relations. I would be surprised if they dont find a way to confirm Gen. Brown because his role is operationally critical, but its also symbolically critical. Feaver, who recently wrote the book Thanks for Your Service on the politicization of the American military, said Senate Democratic leaders face a dilemma in choosing any individual nomination votes for Pentagon leaders because it could weaken their argument that Tuberville is significantly damaging military planning and procedures. But some posts, particularly in the Indo-Pacific Command, are important intrinsically for the competition with China, he said. So, not confirming those is a gift to the Chinese government. For now, neither Schumer nor senior Democratic leaders have signaled that they will start picking out individual nominees for votes to fill those kinds of key leadership roles. The last such vote was in mid-April, when the chamber voted 68-30 to approve Radha Iyengar Plumb as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Plumbs nomination had been blocked by Tuberville for several weeks before the vote. Senate Armed Services Committee officials have warned that the total of backlogged nominees could top 600 before the end of the year if Tuberville does not relent, potentially causing cascading problems across the armed forces and adding months more to the timeline to clear the backlog. Senators are expected to return to Capitol Hill from their extended late summer break on Sept. 5. The Shasta County District Attorneys office said it is reviewing allegations by a local journalist that she was assaulted last month while attempting to cover a publicly-advertised meeting of conservative organizations. Doni Chamberlain, who publishes the site A News Cafe, said she was harassed, assaulted and ejected from the July 6 gathering at a community center in Cottonwood. Chamberlain said she left the meeting with a concussion, whiplash and a neck injury. The incident reflects escalating tensions between county political leadership that has tacked hard right in the Trump era and Chamberlain, 67, who has reported on Shasta for more than three decades and founded A News Cafe in 2007. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While historically red, Shastas politics have been overtaken by an increasingly vocal faction embracing election denialism, anti-vaccine conspiracies and at times violent rhetoric. Since 2020, the MAGA right has claimed a majority on the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, led a successful recall campaign against the board chairman, fired the county health officer, rid the county of voting machines and passed a resolution enshrining gun rights as paramount. Supervisors meetings have spiraled into chaos. A measure to enact a code of conduct for board meetings failed earlier this month. Chamberlain and her small team of journalists, one of the only news sites in the area, show up at most local government meetings. She said threats and intimidation have become commonplace. Ive received death threats, people yell at me during meetings and call me names. she said. This situation with a physical, violent assault and reaction from this group has just rocked my world because its had me completely rethink everything I thought I knew about being a journalist in Redding, in California, in Shasta County, in the United States of America. Shasta County Supervisor Chris Kelstrom, who attended the July 6 meeting, said the organizers wanted her out because they did not want any words taken out of context or their intentions to be misreported which Donni (sic) is famous for doing in an email to The Bee. Donni skirts the line when slandering local conservatives calling anyone right of Joe Biden racist, Nazis, white supremist (sic), militia members, white nationalist, terrorists and my personal favorite Shastaiban members referring to Shasta County and terrorists. Chamberlain said she has never described any of the individuals as racists or Nazis. I may have described something as racist behavior, but not from those guys, she said. The allegation is a party line, she said. After the event, she immediately filed complaints with the Sheriffs department. The DAs office said they are still reviewing the case. District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett will now decide whether to open a case against the alleged harassers. An investigation was submitted to our office for review. It is currently still under review, she said in an email to The Bee. What led to the allegations of assault? On July 6, Chamberlain arrived at Cottonwood Community Center, a nonprofit-owned venue, to attend a meeting shed seen advertised on Facebook. It was organized by Jesse Lane, an up-and-coming leader in the local far-right movement. The goal, as described in the Facebook post, was to reunify local conservative groups he saw as splintered. It invited all leaders, presidents, hosts, owners, and anyone else with a vested interest in the community. In attendance were representatives from groups including Red White and Blueprint, the California State Militia and Moms for Liberty, as well as two county supervisors. Were so splintered and how I look at it is we put all the splinters together and make a big two-by-four and we beat the hell out of them, said Lane at the start of the meeting. Roughly 200 people were in attendance, Chamberlain estimated. She stood at the back of the meeting room using her phone to stream the event for Facebook Live, something she does, she said, when she might be unwelcome. Chamberlain said she recognized some of the attendees, including the leader of the Cottonwood Militia and individuals affiliated with the Proud Boys, a white nationalist hate group. Five members of the Proud Boys were convicted of multiple federal felonies earlier this year for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Lane and other attendees asked Chamberlain to leave. My position is that it was on Facebook, open up to all patriots, she said to the livestream. Jesse Lane ordered me out, but Im sticking with my position. Mark Kent, who Chamberlain said frequently appears at Shasta County Board meetings and is a local talk show host, then approached her, demanding she leave. Youre not a patriot, he said. Youre A News Cafe. Chamberlain alleges that he grabbed her phone, which was on a lanyard attached to her neck. On Chamberlains recording, a woman is heard speaking to Kent: We are on the same side. I dont know you, but dont do that. Kent continues speaking to Chamberlain: Youre nothing but lies, in every publication, in everything you write about. In the recording, it appears he is standing very close to Chamberlain. Kent grabs at her phone again, allegedly yanking the lanyard and injuring Chamberlains neck. A woman can be heard in the recording saying stop, dont do that to Kent. Chamberlain said that a ring of people surrounded her and put their hands in front of her face, blocking her view and preventing her from moving. They asked her to stop recording, so she turned off her livestream. Attorney Lisa Jensen, a friend of Chamberlains, watched Kent confront Chamberlain just before the Facebook video cut out. Fearing for her safety, she said, she called Chamberlain and stayed on the line, recording the audio so she could later provide evidence if an altercation occurred. Chamberlain, who considered the meeting public, was also recording audio for a filmmaker working on a documentary about the areas politics. She said she assumed the people asking her to turn off the recording were referring to the livestream, and that she forgot she was still recording with the other device. I was so spun out and Im not used to wearing the wire like that, I forgot I was wearing it, she said. In the background of a recording of the full meeting obtained by The Bee, attendees can be heard saying the Pledge of Allegiance. A speaker then leads the group in prayer, which included instruction to pray for Donis salvation. I dont want you physically hurt, a woman on the recording said to Chamberlain. But youre not welcome here. I dont want you to feel physically afraid, so if you do, you should probably leave. Eventually, a woman named Rebecca Walker called 911 to report that Chamberlain had assaulted her. You know I didnt touch you, you know thats a lie, said Chamberlain. Your whole entire thing is lying. Thats your life. You like to come to these things and you like to lie about patriots who love our country, love our families, love our children, responded Walker. Weve let you guys into all of our events, weve tried to be fair when you guys have not, but this time were done. Were done. Neither Walker or Kent responded to multiple requests for comment by The Bee. Twenty-three minutes after Chamberlain began recording, four Shasta sheriffs deputies arrived in three squad cars to escort Chamberlain out. The department sent four deputies because of the large number of individuals at the event, according to Tim Mapes, a spokesman for the department. The third unit responded because it was not tied up with another call, and one of the deputies was a trainee. A separate video of the meeting was posted on Facebook by Authur Gorman, a Shasta County Office of Education board member who organized a county-wide student walk-out protesting COVID-19 mandates in 2021 and whose treatment of transgender students has inspired a movement to censure him. It shows the crowd erupting in cheers when a speaker announces that Doni Chamberlain has left the building. Chamberlain went to the emergency room after the incident, where she said she was diagnosed with a concussion, whiplash and neck injuries. She is still recovering from the event, she said. When the sheriffs wrote this up, they said, well, do you have any witnesses? And I just laughed. Nobody who was there would say what happened, she said. Did Chamberlain have a First Amendment right to attend the meeting? Chamberlain believed she had a right to be there, claiming that it was a public meeting. However, according to David Loy, the First Amendment Coalitions legal advisor, organizers had the right to decide who could and could not attend. Californias Brown and Bagley-Keene Open Meeting acts require only meetings of elected officials and government agencies, boards or committees to be open to the public. Private citizens have a First Amendment right to determine who can and cannot attend their events. For example, political campaigns can bar individuals wearing T-shirts advocating for their opponents from attending rallies. That the meeting was widely publicized on Facebook does not create a legally enforceable obligation, said Loy. Chamberlain could still have a claim for assault, he said. Two weeks after the school year started, Chattahoochee County High School has a new principal and shes a familiar name in the Columbus area. During a called meeting Thursday, the Chattahoochee County Board of Education unanimously approved superintendent Kristie Brooks recommendation to hire Nila Burt as the high schools next principal. Burt, an educator for 35 years, has been an assistant principal at Northside High School in Muscogee County full time since 2016 and was shared with Hardaway from December 2009 to December 2010. She was an assistant principal at Hardaway from 2009-14 and at Midland Middle School from 2014-16. She began working in MCSD in 2001 as a math teacher at Shaw High School. She also has taught in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Morgan County, Georgia, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Jeff Kemp had been the CCHS principal since January 2020. He resigned in June to pursue an extraordinary opportunity in the business sector . . . , a regional lead for a national risk management company, Brooks told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. Allison Rodriguez, CEO of ChattCos College and Career Academy, has served as interim principal. Burts first day as CCHS principal will be Monday. No successor has been appointed yet to fill her position at Northside. I have had the honor of working with so many excellent high-school principals, including Dr. Jim Arnold, Matt Bell, James Wilson, and Marty Richburg, Burt told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. I believe the experiences I have gained through their leadership have given me a variety of perspectives and working knowledge. Burt called CCHS a well-performing school with so many opportunities for the students in Cusseta and Ft. Moore. I hope I will be able to continue to foster those growth opportunities. Northside principal Marty Richburg described Burt as an invaluable part of the schools leadership team. She wears many hats as she has handled all aspects of the school building, Richburg told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. She not only is a great leader but also a great friend that has worked to place herself in a position to take on an assignment such as this. We know she will be successful and take with her the experience to lead Chattahoochee County High School. We sincerely thank her for her leadership and will miss her at Northside High School. Brooks selected Burt out of 19 candidates, including five invited for an interview. Dr. Burt has a wealth of diverse experiences that allowed her to position herself as the top candidate for our high school, Brooks said. As a school that balances the needs of students pursuing a rigorous college preparatory program to include Dual Enrollment as well as a school that has an equal number of students pursuing skilled trades, Dr. Burt was able to share specifics on the importance for all students to be equally involved in personal goal setting and planning for their future. Brooks also is impressed by Burts demonstrated ability to build relationships and understand scheduling needs. Our interview teams and community interview team appreciated that Dr. Burt was personable and easy to speak with while also maintaining high expectations with processes that supported strong communication and transparency, Brooks said. Brooks praised Kemp for his service to CCHS. He has built countless positive relationships and helped create a culture that truly is focused on our OneHeartBeat philosophy, she said. His relational impact has led us to having the opportunity to hire teachers who are graduates of the school. This has allowed our school to come full circle in its growth and impact on students and the community. After growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she graduated from Hall High School, Burt earned a bachelors degree in mathematics from the University of Arkansas in 1988, a masters degree in education administration from Georgia College in 1993, a specialists degree in mathematics from Columbus State University in 2003 and a doctorate in education leadership from Valdosta State in 2022. A Florida woman remained hospitalized Friday after a harrowing day at the beach near Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Kristie OBrien told Fox 13 News she was wading in knee-deep water at Bahia Beach in Ruskin and leaned back to get her hair wet, when she suddenly felt intense pain. A stingray had pierced her back with its poisonous barb and it was still clinging on. I was trying to stay as calm as I could, but I was certain that I was going to die, said OBrien, who couldnt help but think of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, who had a fatal encounter with a stingray in the Great Barrier Reef in 2006. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But OBrien, a traveling nurse, didnt die. Emergency crews used shears to cut the fish at the base of its tail, where the stinger is located, and rush her to the hospital. A picture on a GoFundMe page set up by her husband for her continuing medical care shows the venomous spine still embedded in the Apollo Beach womans upper back. The fundraiser, asking for $5,000, says the barb penetrated about three inches, narrowly missing her lung. Nerve damage is possible, but its too soon to tell. So how likely are you to be impaled by a stingray? Not very, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, which says attacks on humans are rare. Commonly found buried in the shallow coastal waters of temperate seas, the non-aggressive fish usually dont bother you if you dont bother them, as in step on them. To avoid a run-in, the agency recommends you do the so called Stingray Shuffle: not lifting up your feet as you walk in the water so they sense your presence and move away. Police in New York City are on the lookout for a shirtless man they say assaulted a woman while yelling anti-LGBTQ+ slurs in Hudson River Park earlier this week. The attack occurred near Pier 40 around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, according to Patch. The man, described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing an estimated 215 pounds, allegedly slapped the 52-year-old female jogger in the face while he yelled anti-LGBTQ+ slurs. The slap was so hard it sent the jogger to the pavement, resulting in cuts to the womans face, body, and hands. The attacker then ran away, leaving the injured woman on the pavement. Police said the shirtless slapper with a six-pack was wearing a gray ensemble of t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The incident on Monday follows the arrest of a man police say yelled anti-LGBTQ+ slurs as he sexually and physically assaulted a woman on a subway train last week. Ian Williams, 22, was arrested and charged in the attack that took place Thursday, August 17, on a J train in Brooklyn. According to the NYPD, Williams groped an unidentified 22-year-old woman from behind while they waited on the station platform in Bushwick. The woman protested and a fight developed as the two boarded an arriving train. Once onboard the train, Williams reportedly threatened the woman and used anti-LGBTQ+ slurs as he punched her repeatedly about the face and body, leaving her battered and with a broken nose. Williams reportedly disembarked at the next station. The woman sought medical attention for her injuries on her own at a local hospital. (@) According to the Patch, prosecutors have charged Williams with assault, sexual abuse, and forcible touching for a hate crime. An arrest was made earlier this month in the stabbing death of OShae Sibley in Midwood near Coney Island in July. Dmitry Popov, 17, was arrested for allegedly stabbing the dancer and activist following a dispute at a gas station. He surrendered to authorities and was charged as an adult with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors said Popov and his friends were offended by the groups dancing and used anti-gay and racist language before Popov stabbed Sibley once in the chest. Police are asking anyone with information to contact NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit tips online at the CrimeStoppers website. Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Fulton County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images and MirageC/Moment. Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Fulton County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images and MirageC/Moment. Donald Trump and his 18 accused co-conspirators have all turned themselves in to authorities by now, and their mug shots are truly, er, something to behold. Which one is the best? Christina Cauterucci carefully considers each one and shares her findings. Plus: Susan Matthews also draws a jarring lesson from Trumps return to Twitter. And Dan Kois takes a look at what is perhaps Trumps most outlandish lie yet. Theres a hidden danger lurking in the Trump criminal cases. Jeffrey Bellin and Adam Gershowitz identify the pitfall that Fani Willis and Jack Smith need to avoid. Win McNamee/Getty Images Americans care about climate change. Vivek Ramaswamy is out here calling it a hoax. Overall, Nitish Pahwa writes, debate night wasnt a great night for anyone who desires a more reality-oriented GOP. He looks at this looming issue Republicans are going to have to reckon with. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Texas says a fetus is a childexcept when a parent sues a negligent doctor or state official. Dov Fox and Jill Wieber Lens unpack the many things that are wrong with this. Illustration by Anjali Kamat The hottest trend in travel is a throwback. Bryn Stole reflects on the bliss of going to sleep on a train and knowing youll be at your destination by morning. What is it like to be crowned the best Elaine by a stadium of cheering Seinfeld fans? Nadira Goffe spoke to the winner of the Elaine Dance Contest to find out. much like Vivek Ramaswamy at the first GOP primary debate! We hope you have an impishly good weekend, whether red meat is your thing or not. Thanks so much for reading, and well see you on Monday! Slovenia has joined the Group of Seven's (G7) declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a Twitter post on Aug. 25. Zelensky expressed gratitude to the government of Slovenia and personally to Prime Minister Robert Golob for joining the G7 declaration. Both our nations share values of freedom and democracy, as well as the desire for peace and justice throughout the Euro-Atlantic area, Zelensky wrote. Slovenia is the 22nd country to join the G7's declaration, presented at the July NATO summit in Vilnius. Among the latest to commit were Montenegro, Kosovo, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The G7 security guarantees are meant to be an international framework aimed at bolstering the long-term security of Ukraine and the countrys ability to defend itself against Russian aggression, present and future. In return, the G7 declaration says that Ukraine will pass judicial and economic reforms in order to improve democratic governance. Read also: Zelensky: We will not let go of our independence Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Air quality across the Puget Sound region has declined Friday, as smoke from local wildfires has rolled into the area. In the North Sound, smoke from the Airplane Lake fire and the Glacier Peak Wilderness Area in Chelan County has moved into Snohomish County. That includes parts of Darrington and Gold Bar. In Marysville and Everett, the Air Quality Index has hovered around 100, which is the lower end of the unhealthy for sensitive groups category. Further north in Mount Vernon and Burlington, the AQI is closer to 110-115, while Bellingham is dealing with air quality between 120-150. That represents the higher end of the unhealthy for sensitive groups range. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In the Seattle area, the AQI has ranged between 80-95, which is the moderate category, where there may be some risk for people who are particularly sensitive to air pollution. According to IQ Air, Seattle has the 12th worst air quality of any major city in the world as of late Friday afternoon. These conditions are expected to persist through the weekend, until rain showers provide some relief early next week. A new building has been added to the Sacramento city skyline, and in addition to lighting up its high-tech LED facade purple to celebrate Sacramento Kings victories or green and red to celebrate the holidays, itll also be lighting up the downtown area with reliable electricity. Station G, SMUDs newest functioning substation, was the center of attention at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning on the corner of Seventh and G streets, meant to celebrate the completion of the Sacramento Municipal Utility Districts power facility. Organizers said the new substation will distribute energy to the citys expanding core for decades to come. SMUD owns and operates several substations throughout Sacramento and Placer counties. These facilities take in high-voltage electricity and step it down to lower voltages so that it can be safely supplied to homes and businesses at the appropriate power level. Construction on Station G began in August 2020, and was completed slightly ahead of its projected completion of summer 2023. It took over for Station A, a street over on H Street, with the stations 18 circuits transferred one-by-one over the course of two months last fall. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The station was largely designed to meet the energy needs of a growing downtown population, according to SMUD chief operating officer Frankie McDermott, especially as the city and the state lean into electrification of cars and buildings. But the builders and designers also had some other goals in mind when updating the traditional substation design: increased safety and reliability, and better aesthetics. The substations design blends well, I think, into this vibrant downtown landscape, said SMUD board president Heidi Sanborn. (We want) to ensure Station G is adding to the citys aesthetic appeal. Sanborn said the design of the building, to this goal, includes programmable lights that can change colors for any occasion, as well as a protective perimeter with decorative panels that emulate the Sacramento River. We lit it up as Kings purple during the playoffs, Sanborn said. Its another way to bring up the community spirit in the area. A bright future for Sacramento with fewer power outages The station was built with contingencies in mind, according to electrical engineer Joe Dray: from water-protected systems, to blast walls around the stations transformers, SMUD is hoping to avoid power outages for customers and especially long ones as much as possible. This is especially true for high-profile downtown buildings that SMUDs system serves, such as the state Capitol building and the Sacramento County Main Jail. One of the ways the design of Station G ensures reliability, Dray said, is through a system of redundancies: if one circuit is damaged or out of commission, a secondary unit can pick up the slack. Station G was also designed with remote operation capabilities: on a regular day, no one is at the site but if something goes wrong, SMUD crews can diagnose problems and even remotely repair certain fixes without needing to step foot on the site. Dray said that this system should guarantee that power outages downtown are very rare. The most notable downtown power blackout in recent years came in December 2021 when a fire at Station A left some customers without power for up to 67 hours. The fire, which investigations showed may have been caused by water seeping into equipment, took place days after a historical atmospheric river flooded Sacramento roadways and knocked down trees throughout the region. SMUD has owned Station A since the 1940s and built an outdoor portion in the 1950s. But while a 2015 report from SMUD acknowledged that the existing equipment was nearing the end of useful life, consultants investigating the cause of the blackout said that, according to SMUD records, the incident equipment had been regularly tested and maintained, and the age of the facility wasnt necessarily the cause of the fire. Still, Nicole Cuellar, a policy advisor to Mayor Darrell Steinberg, said that the Station G failsafes will be a critical piece of our grid resiliency. She and Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna both referenced the increasing importance of reliable electricity in line with the state of Californias ambitious electrification goals. Its going to be power stations like this that are critically important to the totality of infrastructure thats necessary for the green economy that we all strive for, Serna said. Representatives from the county, as well as SMUDs Board of Directors, participate in Station Gs ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. Although this marked the official completion of the facility, it has been distributing power throughout Sacramento since October 2022. Whats going to happen to Station A? The equipment in Station A is removed, and the outdoor portion of the substation is being demolished or dismantled, a process that SMUD program manager and engineer Amandeep Singh said began earlier this year. The utility plans to build a new substation, Station H, on the property, to help provide power to Sacramentos Railyard neighborhood. McDermott said Station H is loosely expected to be operational in 2025. McDermott said that while there are some ideas, a final plan for the brick building that housed Station A, which was built in 1894 and is considered a California Historical Landmark, hasnt been determined at this time. Mom and nutritionist Sarah Osbon, originally of Rankin County, created an Instagram social media account in 2017 titled "SnackswithJax," where she shares daily tips and meal inspirations that she has created for her now 6-year-old son Jaxon. On her Instagram, SnackswithJax account she features videos of meals she has prepared for her son and shows steps on how to prepare them. She has shared many different types of foods, including starting solids for infants, lunchbox accessories and utensils for toddlers, balanced school snacks and more. Osbon attended Northwest Rankin High School and later attended the University of Mississippi. She started off college studying to be a pediatrician and took nutrition as an elective during her junior year. Creator of 'SnackswithJax' Sarah Osbon and her 6 year old son Jaxon. It was then she realized she had a passion for helping people learn to eat healthy and maintain healthier eating habits and an overall healthier lifestyle. She switched her major to nutrition. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Osbon now resides in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, where she earned her degree from Texas Woman's University after transferring there during her senior year. "My degree was in nutrition, and I used to be a children's culinary instructor," Osbon said. "So when I first had my son I was still teaching and I would baby wear him to class and parents loved it so a few of the other parents suggested that when I start feeding him I should create an Instagram and share it." Recipes for Toddlers and kids Osbon's social media community now has more than 106,000 on Instagram where she shares her son's meals, nutrition information and evidence-based tips for feeding children. "I had all this knowledge about foods and healthy eating and had a brand new baby so I started the Instagram just to kind of connect with people and just to have the community of other people, that's how I got into the social media thing," Osbon said. "I was looking on Instagram and I would see all these really pretty plates that other moms shared of their kids eating, but you would never know, did the kid really eat it? Did the food get thrown everywhere? So, I started doing before and after of my son's plates and I feel like parents just loved that relatability of knowing not every meal is perfect with a baby." More: What performers are coming to the Mississippi State Fair in October? We have the details Osbon was recently featured on ABC's "Good Morning America," where she was part of a segment sharing helpful back to school food hacks for moms all over the world. Sarah featured on ABC's Good Morning America "I never thought what I shared on Instagram would grow into what it is for me today," Osbon said. "Now I take it more serious, and I like being able to be a resource to show this is how you safely prepare these foods for your baby and for their age range. I think my tips could be so helpful and take a lot of the anxiety away for other moms." Osbon's Top 5 Hacks for back to school: Meal Prepared by Sarah Meal prepared by Sarah More: O'Charley's restaurant in Pearl is permanently closed. What we know Practice, Practice, Practice! Practice eating with a time limit for your little ones Don't freak out when food comes home uneaten If your child is buying lunch, go over the school menu with them so they will know their food options Don't restrict, allow foods in moderation For more information on recipes, nutrition, starting solids and more visit Sarah's website at https://snacks-with-jax.com or follow her on Instagram at "SnackswithJax" This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi mom food hacks shares back to school GMA lunch kids MS WEST PALM BEACH A week after ending his 12th stint in rehab, a 31-year-old man bid his mother good night and retreated into his bedroom, a white pill tucked somewhere out of sight. She found him dead the next evening. His fatal overdose would have likely been considered an accident had it happened years earlier, but a trail of calls between the man and his suspected dealer as well as a recent push by Florida lawmakers to hold peddlers accountable for drug users' deaths morphed it into something else. Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies charged 32-year-old Nso "Solo" Solage with premeditated murder last week after identifying him as the man they believe sold the fatal dose. Investigators say the drug contained fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin. Solage joins a growing list of Palm Beach County residents charged with murder in the wake of customer fatal overdoses. The county State Attorney's Office has yet to convict anyone of first-degree murder this way, opting instead to resolve cases with plea deals to lesser offenses. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement First-degree murder carries a punishment of life in prison or the death penalty. In-depth: First-degree murder charges for drug dealers in Palm Beach aren't sticking. Heres why. Confidential informant, cellphone data pointed deputies in suspected dealer's direction The challenge in prosecuting cases like these is proving beyond a doubt where the fatal dose came from. Without a witness to point fingers, or incriminating text messages left on the victims phone, overdoses rarely culminate in an arrest for murder. In Solage's case, deputies had a version of both. A tipster, whose name and gender are redacted from the arrest report, told investigators Solage sold them drugs on Sept. 28, 2022 the day before the man was found dead in his bedroom. According to the tipster, Solage asked about the man, whose name is also redacted from the arrest report. Solage sounded like he wanted to make a sale, the informant said. The tipster said he warned him not to, given that the man had been released from a drug-treatment center one week prior. Deputies say Solage ignored the warning. The unnamed man made several calls on his grandmother's phone to a number registered to Solage that same evening. According to his arrest report, Solage drove from his home in Boynton Beach toward the house where the man was staying, his geolocation data just one piece of evidence collected over the near-yearlong investigation. Overdosed and deadly: Five takeaways from Palm Beach County's latest overdose data drop Deputies paid the tipster for their cooperation and enlisted the person to buy 24 fentanyl capsules from Solage over several months. Solage made the sales while out of jail on bond for a separate drug sale charge. During one of the undercover sales, deputies say Solage asked about the whereabouts of the deceased man, who he said still owed him $20. The tipster said only that the man was "away." Solage faces three counts of the sale of fentanyl in addition to the first-degree murder charge. Tough-on-drug approach is a topic of national debate Solage's arrest points to a growing rift between old and new schools of thought playing out in courtrooms across the United States: Can drug dealers be blamed for another person's overdose? At one end of the debate are grieving families who want someone to pay for their loved one's death. At the other are those who say that imprisoning street-level dealers does nothing to stanch the flow of drugs in America, and may even deter people from calling 911 when they witness an overdose. Lawmakers are caught somewhere in the middle. Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg promised in 2018 to "aggressively charge drug dealers who spread deadly fentanyl-laced heroin" and subsequently indicted a handful of people on first-degree murder charges. Calvin Warren Jr. was the first. Facing life in prison for the 2017 overdose of Travis Tekel, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder instead for a 22-year prison sentence. Vicki Sakers was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the 2017 overdose death of her friend Candace Moreland; she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to three years of probation. So did Joreel Sine, who sold Sakers the drug. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter last year. Prosecutors indicted Jamel Roseau in 2021 on two counts of first-degree murder for the overdose deaths of Holland Harriss and Michael Edgell. His case remains open. Solage, who is represented by the county Public Defender's Office, is due in court next at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 18. As a policy, the office does not comment on open cases. Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boynton Beach man linked to fatal overdose, arrested on murder charge The first day of school is always full of reunions, as children are reacquainted with classmates and teachers they havent seen all summer. But this reunion at an Ohio elementary school had a much deeper impact. Video shared by Cuyahoga Falls City Schools shows the heartfelt moment when Sgt. Perry Chronister surprised his son, Eli, on his first day of second grade. Chronister had not seen his son during his yearlong deployment. Eli was in his DeWitt Elementary School classroom when his dad appeared in the schools tiger mascot costume. The soldier walked up and crouched beside his son, then took off the tiger head to reveal himself. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Elis reaction was, understandably, priceless. He jumped into his dads arms and they hugged on the floor of the classroom. WATCH: a soldier's surprise! This dad showed up to his son's first day of school after a yearlong deployment. Hear the heartwarming story from them tonight at 11 @wkyc pic.twitter.com/3S9VKTGGdx Bri Buckley (@BriBuckleyTV) August 19, 2023 Chronister told WKEF the reveal was magical, calling it the best moment hes had. I was nervous, but I was also so happy, he told the station. I was fighting back tears because I hadnt seen him in a year. I had missed him so much. The school said the heartfelt moment made for a very special day. DeWitt Elementary School is in Cuyahoga Falls, about 35 miles south of Cleveland. Watch soldier surprise his family at sons kindergarten graduation after year away Watch Army soldier surprise family at Texas school in heartwarming video. Im home Watch tearful reunion as Missouri dad returns home from deployment to his young son Fulton County Jail welcomed its latest notable arrest Thursday evening: Donald Trump . The former president was booked at the Georgia facility on charges that he attempted to overturn 2020 election results in Georgia, the fourth criminal case he faces while campaigning to be president again next year. Trump's lawyers reached an agreement Monday for him to be released from Fulton County Jail pending trial after posting 10% of a $200,000 bond. Local authorities said the 45th president would be treated like any of the other 18 defendants in the indictment that alleges racketeering by a criminal organization that tried to overturn election results. Unlike his other three cases in New York, Florida and Washington, D.C., authorities collected fingerprints and a photograph at Trump's processing in Georgia. Former president Trump arrives at Fulton County Jail intake center in Atlanta, GA. A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia indicted former president Donald Trump and 18 other defendants with 41 charges related to tampering with the 2020 election. Donald Trump arrested live updates: Former president surrenders on Fulton County charges ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And while Trump only spent about 20 minutes at the jail before returning to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to fly back to New Jersey, his brief stay only added to the facility's noteworthiness. What to know about Fulton County Jail, from its famous songs to its famous bookings. Where is Fulton County Jail located? Fulton County Jail is located in Atlanta just four miles northwest of the courthouse where the grand jury set indictments against the 19 defendants, including Trump on Aug 14. The facility can be found in the city's Knight Park/Howell Station neighborhood east of Marietta Boulevard, south of W. Marietta Street and west of Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard. Fulton County Jail history including the 1971 riots Fulton County Jail has has multiple facilities in its history. The first was a five-story brick building structured to hold 400 inmates in 1904, located in downtown Atlanta, according to their website. A larger facility, later known as Atlanta City Jail, was built on Peachtree Street in 1927. In 1961, a third facility was built on Jefferson Street where a riot would take place a decade later. During the 1971 riot, inmates protested poor living conditions and overcrowding, which led to several injuries and extensive damage to the facility. Voters approved a $44.3 million bond for a new county jail in 1984 which would cost around $50 million. That facility is the one Donald Trump entered today. Fulton County Jail's famous bookings and inmates While Trump set the bar high for notable bookings at the facility, Fulton County Jail still has some remarking names in its historical records. In 2003, record producer Phil Spector was held at the facility while facing murder charges, according to the website. Freelance photographer Wayne Williams, who in 1982 was convicted of two murders and linked to 29 other homicides and disappearances in the Atlanta area, was an inmate at the Fulton County Jail's pretrial detention center from 1982 to 1984, when he transferred to the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Center. Williams was sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of 27-year-old Nathaniel Cater and 21-year-old Jimmy Ray Payne and is currently housed in Telfair State Prison. In 2013, rapper Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, was booked to the jail for allegedly striking an Army staff sergeant with a bottle at a night club. Davis was sentenced to three years in prison in 2014, the same year he was sentenced to 39 months in federal prison after being convicted on illegal possession of firearms. Rapper Scarface was also booked into the jail on child support charges. The artist, whose real name is Brad Terrence Jordan, was arrested in Atlanta on Sept. 9, 2015 soon after receiving a lifetime achievement award at the BET Hip-Hop awards ceremony. In 2016, comedian Micah Katt Williams was booked into the jail based on the second-degree charge of criminal damage to property. Famous songs to come out of Fulton County Jail Multiple songs reference the jail with two songs on Spotify named after its address "901 Rice Street". Rapper Latto has a 2019 single titled "F--- Rice Street" while Killer Mike has a track called "RUN" (feat. Young Thug) that includes the lyrics "Locked in Rice Street without a bond." The reality TV series 60 Days In also did an episode focused on the facility titled "Fulton County Jail: Welcome to the A-T-L" where a special education teacher who works with at-risk youth goes undercover, according to IMDb. Other famous celebrity bookings Trump shared his booking photo taken at the jail on Twitter, now called X, in his first post on the platform in over three years. Yet, the former president is not the only famous American to have a booking photo circulate publicly. Countless well-recognized Americans have been booked and photographed including Bill Gates, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Tiger Woods and Lindsey Lohan. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about Fulton County Jail after Donald Trump's booking four astronauts floating in a space station module in spacesuits. they are visible face-up and each one of them is poised 90 degrees from each other, forming a circle SpaceX's Crew-6 astronauts are readying to head home to Earth. The Crew-6 quartet spoke with journalists on Wednesday (Aug. 23) ahead of their expected Sept. 2 departure from the International Space Station (ISS), which you can watch live here at Space.com. Crew-6 is "an incredible crew to serve with ... it's been a privilege and an honor to spend time on board the International Space Station with them," Crew-6 commander Stephen Bowen of NASA told journalists from the Japanese Kibo module. "I just can't imagine having a better crew." New colleagues will be rocketing up to join them soon: A fresh foursome of astronauts on SpaceX's Crew-7 mission will launch to the ISS no sooner than 3:50 a.m. EDT (0750 GMT) on Friday (Aug. 25) for a docking expected early Saturday morning (Aug. 26). You can also watch the launch live here at Space.com, via NASA Television. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Related: SpaceX Crew-6 and Crew-7 astronaut missions: Live updates Earlier this month, fellow Crew-6 member and NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg did another event from Kibo: a video of the airlock on X (formerly Twitter) that allows scientific experiments and cubesats to enter space from the ISS. The video was part of a six-month series of insider looks at the ISS that Hoburg gave us during brief breaks from science work, spacewalking, maintenance and other space activities. Other recent space videos included Canadarm2 robotics training to capture visiting cargo spacecraft, and monitoring free-flying robots zooming around the ISS. The silent camera-person behind these videos was Sultan Al Neyadi, the first long-duration flyer from the United Arab Emirates, Hoburg revealed after a Space.com question about the video series. "I wanted to do something that, I hope, was authentic and in the moment without too much preparation, just showing some of the amazing work that we get to do up here," Hoburg said. "Any time that I had a few extra minutes and thought I was doing something a little bit interesting, I figured I'd pull out a camera and hopefully share it with people." view of a spacesuit helmet up close with the reflection of two arms. in the reflection a camera is visible in the gloved hands, taking a picture. the black of space and a bit of the curve of earth is visible behind the helmet NASA Expedition 68/69 astronaut Woody Hoburg takes a selfie in his spacesuit during a spacewalk on June 9, 2023. (Image credit: NASA) Crew-6 rocketed to space on March 2 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and docked with the ISS the following day. Crew-6's primary goal was to complete 250 or so experiments. Crew member Andrey Fedyaev, of the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos, said during Wednesday's event that he is sure that science will provide "many useful things for people's future." Work also went on outdoors. Crew-6 finished three spacewalks, setting a few records in the process. For example, Al Neyadi became the first spacewalking UAE citizen on April 28, working alongside Bowen. "The interaction with the students from all over the world was really amazing, and just spreading the enthusiasm is really amazing," Al Neyadi said of his milestone mission for the UAE. Bowen also reached his 10th spacewalk (tying him for most by an American, with several other NASA astronauts) after a pair of challenging solar array extra-vehicular activities (EVAs) in June to upgrade ISS power supplies. Bowen is now third in the world for total time spent spacewalking, at 65 hours and 57 minutes. The crew also welcomed Ax-2, a private mission organized by Houston company Axiom Space and commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, for just over a week in May. Whitson, incidentally, is one of the other career NASA astronauts who has 10 spacewalks; other members of that club include Chris Cassidy, Michael Lopez-Alegria and Bob Behnken. RELATED STORIES: SpaceX Crew-6 and Crew-7 astronaut mission: Live updates SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts will handle over 200 science experiments on ISS SpaceX, NASA declare Crew-7 astronaut mission 'go' for launch Crew-6 will be departing soon, but Hoburg paid tribute to a NASA colleague who will stay onboard the ISS for a little while longer. Astronaut Frank Rubio was supposed to come home in March, but his mission was doubled from six months to 12 after a December 2022 leak in his return Soyuz spacecraft, a vehicle called MS-22. "Frank is just making a huge sacrifice, being away from his family for so long, and I just want to really recognize the service he's given to us for the space station," Hoburg said. Rubio should be home next month, if all goes to plan. Russia shipped an empty, fresh Soyuz called MS-23 to Rubio and his Roscosmos crewmates (Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin). That new Soyuyz arrived at the ISS on Feb. 25. While the trio can return home safely at any time, they're awaiting the arrival of Soyuz MS-24 in mid-September or so with their relief crew: NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara and Roscosmos astronauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub. Ohioans will vote on a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana on Nov. 7. The statute, if passed, would legalize, regulate and tax adult-use marijuana in addition to the current medical cannabis program. It will be State Issue 2. Here's everything you need to know. Have questions? Let us know and we will try to answer them. What Ohioans need to know about November ballot issue to legalize recreational marijuana Ohio voters will decide in November whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana. The proposal from the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would establish a new government program with rules for buying, selling, smoking and growing adult-use cannabis. The Nov. 7 ballot measure is an initiated statute, not a constitutional amendment, meaning the Legislature could make adjustments if it passes. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau compiled answers to reader questions and other information voters should know about the proposed law, known as State Issue 2. Read more. Ohio Ballot Board approves ballot language for recreational marijuana law. Read it here The proposal would allow Ohioans age 21 and older to buy and possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of concentrates. They could also grow up to six plants individually and no more than 12 in a household with multiple adults. Read more. It's official: Ohio will vote on legalizing recreational marijuana in November The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol secured enough signatures to put its proposal before voters on the Nov. 7 ballot, Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office announced Wednesday. Advocates worked for over a year to hit this milestone as the GOP-controlled Legislature refused to go further than the current medical marijuana program. Read more. See who is opposing the effort to legalize marijuana in Ohio Ohio may vote on legalizing marijuana this November, and a group of children's hospitals, police and Republican politicos are lining up to oppose it. Called Protect Ohio Workers and Families, the list of opponents announced Tuesday includes: Read more. Marijuana and the workplace: Will legalization in Ohio increase accidents or not? Legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Ohio will mean more people consuming pot, research suggests. And that worries most of the state's employers who fear that workers will show up to the job high or not at all. Many employers argue this would cause more accidents that lead to more on-the-job injuries if Issue 2 a statue that would legalize, regulate and tax adult-use marijuana in addition to the current medical cannabis program is approved by voters on Nov. 7. Read more. Poll: Over 58% of Ohio voters support legalizing adult marijuana use A USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University poll released Wednesday found 58.6% of respondents approve of allowing Ohioans over the age of 21 to buy and possess marijuana. About 35% opposed the issue, while 6% were undecided. Read more. Who's behind Ohio Issue 2? Marijuana businesses that will benefit from it The effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio is bankrolled by some of the state's biggest players in cannabis. And starting next year if Issue 2 passes those companies could end up with the lion's share of licenses to sell products in the adult-use market. Read more. How is recreational marijuana legalization working in other states? On Nov. 7, Ohio could join 23 other states as the latest to legalize recreational marijuana, but some say it's difficult to judge how legalization has worked across the nation. Read more. Group behind Ohio Issue 2 gets boost from marijuana industry ahead of Nov. 7 election The group behind an effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio is easily outraising its opponents in the final stretch of the campaign thanks largely to the industry itself. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol brought in nearly $1.2 million through Oct. 18, according to state campaign filings released Thursday. Nearly $700,000 of that came directly from cannabis companies that stand to benefit from an adult-use market, and several CEOs made individual donations as well. Read more. Read the ballot language for State Issue 2: Ohio's recreational marijuana legalization issue Cannabis Proposed Ballot Language by Anthony Shoemaker on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: State Issue 2: Ohio's ballot issue on marijuana legalization A Staten Island judge ordered Friday that Mayor Adams administration cannot use an old private school in the borough as a migrant shelter but the ruling was reversed within hours by a higher court, allowing the city to proceed with housing new arrivals at the site. The initial decision by Staten Island Supreme Court Justice Wayne Ozzi to block the city from housing migrants at the St. Johns Villa Academy came in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of local Republican politicians, including Borough President Vito Fosella, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and Councilman Joe Borelli. Their suit claimed the Adams administration would violate existing zoning restrictions, create an unreasonable private nuisance and unduly burden Staten Island by housing migrants at the school, which has been closed since 2018. In his three-page ruling, Ozzi sided with the Republicans, writing that they are likely to succeed on the merits of the case. On that note, the judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the city from housing any migrants at the site at least until Sept. 6, when he scheduled a hearing for the parties to meet in court. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But within a few hours, Brooklyn Supreme Court Appellate Division Justice Carl Landicino overturned Ozzis decision, said Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak. Landicinos ruling was not immediately available on the court docket, but Mamelak said it was issued during an emergency hearing. Soon after Ozzis ruling, city personnel started moving a group of migrants out of the school, video posted on social media by a PIX11 reporter showed. But Adams office said city workers quickly returned the migrants to the site after Landicinos ruling. Mamelak said the citys opting to use unconventional sites like St. Johns because its completely out of space in traditional shelter systems. We have opened 206 sites, including 15 large-scale humanitarian relief centers, and are constantly searching for new places to provide asylum seekers with the shelter they are asking for, Mamelak said. But lets be clear: The sites we are now finding are the only options left. This situation demands a broader state and national solution. Its unclear if the Staten Island lawmakers plan to appeal Landicinos decision. The Staten Island legal developments come as the Adams administration scrambles to find room to house the tens of thousands of mostly Latin American migrants who have arrived in New York City since last spring. According to the latest data, there are more than 59,000 migrants in city shelters, with hundreds more arriving every week. FILE - In this photo released by police, three of the four hostages and bank robber Clark Olofsson, standing right, are seen in a bank in Stockholm, Sweden, Aug. 27, 1973, shortly before the gunmen were overwhelmed by police. This week marks 50 years since a failed bank robbery that gave rise to the Stockholm syndrome, a term used in psychology to describe the bond that victims of kidnappings or hostage situations sometimes develop with their captors. (AP Photo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) STOCKHOLM (AP) It's a common term these days, deployed to describe the bond that victims of kidnappings or hostage situations sometimes develop with their captors: Stockholm syndrome. And it got its name 50 years ago this week, during a failed bank robbery in Sweden's capital. The Stockholm syndrome initially dubbed Norrmalmstorg syndrome, after the square where the bank heist took place has since been used in connection with hostage-takings around the world, including the kidnapping of newspaper heiress Patty Hearst in the 1970s. Heres a look at Stockholm syndrome and how it got its name. WHAT IS STOCKHOLM SYNDROME? ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It refers to the bond that can develop between hostages and their captors in hostage-taking and kidnapping situations. In some cases, hostages may develop sympathies for their captors and their cause and even turn against the police. Rather than a diagnosis of a disorder, experts describe it as a psychological coping mechanism used by some hostages to endure being held captive and abused. HOW DID IT GET ITS NAME? The term can be traced back to Swedish criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot, who advised police in a standoff during a bank robbery in the Swedish capital in August 1973. During the standoff, some of the hostages appeared to side with the hostage-takers and against the police, a phenomenon Bejerot called Norrmalmstorg syndrome. Internationally, it became known as Stockholm syndrome. Bejerot's daughter, Susanne says her father, who died in 1988, never thought the term would gain such traction worldwide. He didnt understand that it would become such a big thing, she said Wednesday. WHAT HAPPENED DURING THAT BANK ROBBERY? On Aug. 23, 1973, convicted thief Jan-Erik Olsson, 32, tried to rob a bank in downtown Stockholm while on furlough from prison. Police responded quickly, and a standoff ensued. Olsson, armed with a submachine gun, took four bank employees hostage and demanded 3 million kronor, a bulletproof vest and a getaway car. He also demanded that his former jail mate, Clark Olofsson, be released from prison and brought to the bank. Authorities agreed. The drama played out on live television in Sweden as police tried to persuade Olsson and Olofsson to surrender. Even Prime Minister Olof Palme got involved in the negotiations. At one point, a hostage, Kristin Enmark, told Palme over the telephone that she was afraid of the police, not of the two criminals. She appealed to authorities to meet their demands. Enmark later said she had developed a bond with Olofsson, whom she saw as the guarantor of her safety. Two police officers were injured with gunshot wounds during the standoff, which ended on Aug. 28 when police, using tear gas, stormed the bank, arrested Olsson and Olofsson and freed the hostages. WHAT ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF STOCKHOLM SYNDROME? One of the most well-known cases happened the following year, 1974, when Patty Hearst, the 19-year-old granddaughter of a wealthy newspaper magnate was kidnapped in the United States by the Symbionese Liberation Army, an unknown armed revolutionary group. Two months later, questions concerning Hearsts ties to her captors and the notion of Stockholm syndrome arose after Hearst declared her allegiance to the SLA, denounced her family and posed for a photograph carrying a weapon in front of the SLA flag. She was arrested in 1975 and was sentenced to seven years in prison. President Jimmy Carter commuted her sentence in 1979. She was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton. Stockholm syndrome has also been applied in the context of victims of domestic violence or childhood sexual abuse who develop connections with their abusers. REAL OR MYTH? Stockholm syndrome isnt listed as a diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Some experts question whether its a psychological condition at all or just a survival strategy rational choices made by some people as they face extreme danger. In the U.S. some law enforcement experts have said the phenomenon is rare and overpublicized by the media. But it still features frequently in popular culture, including books, films and music, and has entered the English lexicon as an informal term for people who forge unexpected bonds with others who treat them badly. Stockholm syndrome inspired movies like the 2013 thriller Labor Day with Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin and Gattlin Griffith and the 2018 film Stockholm with Ethan Hawke and Noomi Rapace. The latter recounted the failed 1973 bank heist. Its also the title of songs by bands including One Direction, Muse and Blink-182. ___ Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark. AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson contributed from Washington state. Read the full article on Motorious It's one way to help. The recent wildfires in Maui have left a trail of unparalleled destruction, jolting communities and triggering a widespread humanitarian crisis. With over 100 people dead, nearly 1,000 missing, and a staggering 11,000 individuals displaced, the losses are difficult to comprehend. The once-idyllic Lahaina town stands destroyed, and property damage estimates have skyrocketed to $5.5 billion. In the face of such catastrophe, every helping hand counts, and it's heartening to see various communities coming together to provide aid. Surf Community Rides the Wave of Solidarity Among those stepping up is Alex Knost, a longboard surfer hailing from Orange County, California, renowned for his panache and style on the waves. Knost has taken to social media to announce a unique fundraising initiative: hes auctioning off two of his vintage cars, pledging to donate all proceeds to relief efforts in Maui. The Cars and the Cause The first of Knost's cars on the block is a 1984 coupe, a classic that requires a bit of tender loving care. The vehicle needs a "couple hundo in repair and a tow," as Knost candidly stated in his social media post. He has set up an open bidding process in the comments section, which will run until the 30th of this month. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The second vehicle up for auction is a Ford Econoline 100, a sturdy van he purchased just a month ago for $2,300. Although it also needs to be towed, Knost assures that the vehicle is solid. Again, the highest bid by the end of the month wins, with the catch being that the new owner will need to arrange for its towing. A Passion Project for a Greater Good If you've been considering buying a new vehicle, or if vintage cars are a hobby of yours, this auction offers a remarkable opportunity. Not only do you have a chance to own one of two intriguing vehicles, but you also get to contribute to a noble cause. Given the horrific toll of the Maui wildfires, every contribution can make a significant impact. In these trying times, gestures like Knost's remind us that community and compassion often light the way even when circumstances look dire. So, if you're in the market for a new car or just want to support a worthwhile cause, check out Alex Knosts online auction. It's a win-win situation: you could be the proud new owner of a vintage car, while also playing a part in rebuilding lives devastated by the Maui wildfires. Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. UPDATE: The suspect, Melvin Rashard Goodwin, was arrested and charged. Here is the story. Milwaukee police are searching for a man suspected in a shooting on a county bus around 11:45 a.m. Thursday in Milwaukee. The shooting occurred on the 4300 block of West Capitol Drive. The suspect is described as a Black man, in his 30s, standing between 5-foot-7 and 5-10, and 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing dark clothing, a dark bucket-style hat, a white face mask and was armed with a handgun. The suspect red a shot that struck a victim. According to WISN, the victim was shot in the shoulder and was taken to a hospital after the incident and is expected to survive. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The suspect ed on foot. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS. MCTS president says it was 'random act of violence' Milwaukee County Transit System President and Managing Director Denise Wandke released a statement Friday, calling the shooting a "random act of violence." "Gun violence anywhere in Milwaukee County is unacceptable," she said. "We cannot tolerate behaviors that threaten the safety and comfort of transit workers and riders who depend on MCTS." MCTS buses have cameras and Wandke said MCTS will work "hand-in-hand" with local law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of county buses. "The bus is one of the safest places in the community and were committed to keeping it that way," she said. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'Random act of violence': Suspect in MCTS bus shooting at large By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) -The front-runner to become Taiwan's next president said on Friday that the international community blames the rise in tension across the Taiwan Strait on China rather than on the island, and the reality is Taiwan is already a country. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure to force the island to accept its rule, and has a particular dislike of Lai for comments he made in the past about being a "worker" for Taiwan independence. China staged military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday in an angry response to brief stopovers that Lai made in the United States this month, on his way to and from Paraguay, viewing it as a sign of U.S. support for Taiwan's separate identity from China. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Speaking to foreign reporters in Taipei, Lai said it was not Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen or Taiwan that were to blame for tensions. "The international community understands that recent tensions are not because of President Tsai or because of Taiwan, but because of China," Lai said at the headquarters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Lai has said he does not seek to change Taiwan's official name, the Republic of China. Both Lai and Tsai have said that as Taiwan is already an independent country there is no need for a separate declaration of independence. Lai said the reality was that Taiwan routinely elects its own leaders, from the grass roots all the way to the top, giving it the right to be called a state. "In fact, it is a sovereign, independent country, there's no doubt about that," he said. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his remarks, but the Chinese government has repeatedly denounced Lai for being a "liar" and a separatist. Lai is the DPP's presidential candidate for a January election and is leading in the polls. Tsai cannot run again after two terms in office. Lai said that China would try and use "various means" to interfere in the election and if it was successful, and affected the outcome, it would seriously damage Taiwan's democratic system. "I believe Taiwan's people will firmly protect democratic values, and courageously decide their own next president," he said. Lai said his support for maintaining the status quo across the strait was "unwavering" and vowed to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region if elected, reiterating an offer for talks with China based on "parity and dignity". China has demanded that Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to "one China", which both Tsai and Lai have declined to do, before it will consider talks. "Real peace cannot come from losing sovereignty for exchanges and cooperation," Lai said. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Writing by Sarah Wu; Editing by Edmund Klamann, Robert Birsel) In this image taken from video, Taiwan's Vice President William Lai and frontrunner in the presidential elections attends a meeting with the foreign press in Taipei, Taiwan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. During the meeting Lai said China has targeted Taiwan's "agricultural products potentially in an effort to undermine the coming elections." (AP Photo/Taijing Wu) TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Taiwans vice president and front-runner in upcoming presidential elections accused China on Friday of employing unfair trade practices that could be used to influence the voting. William Lai, in a meeting with foreign journalists in Taipei, said China will be hoping to interfere in the elections with all sorts of tactics." If they succeed, he said, "it will be an undermining of Taiwans democracy. His comments come after China announced on Monday that it was suspending mango imports from Taiwan, alleging that authorities had detected pests on the fruit. The trade curb is widely believed to be politically motivated. Lai said Beijing was engaging in unfair trade practices against our agricultural products, potentially in an effort to undermine the coming elections. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Taiwan is due to hold presidential elections in January 2024. Over the weekend, Beijing launched war games around Taiwan, a self-governed democracy that China claims as its own territory. China and Taiwan split in 1949 following a civil war that ended with the Communist Party taking control of the mainland. Beijing has not renounced the use of force as a means of taking control of Taiwan. Chinas political leadership sees Lai and Taiwans incumbent president, Tsai Ing-wen, as separatists and refuses to speak to them. The military drills followed stopovers by Lai in New York and San Francisco as part of a state visit to Paraguay earlier this month. Lai decried the exercises as an attempt by Beijing to intimidate voters and influence the January elections. The U.S. Department of State on Saturday called on China to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan. While the U.S. does not maintain official ties with Taiwan, it is its biggest source of weapons. American law requires that the U.S. treat all threats to the island as matters of grave concern. As the governing Democratic Progressive Partys candidate, Lai leads in most opinion polls over his competitors, Ko Wen-je from the independence-leaning Taiwan Peoples Party, and Hou Yu-ih, from the more China-friendly Nationalist, or Kuomintang, party. Lai has said he wants to maintain peace and the status quo in relations with China. Earlier this month, he told a local TV station Taiwan doesnt want to become enemies with China. We can become friends. While Lai doesn't describe himself as seeking independence from China, he maintains Taiwan is already an independent country. Taiwan holds regular elections I think this shows that it is a fact that Taiwan is a sovereign country, he said. China recently blasted Lai for using Taiwan independence rhetoric. An official from Chinas Taiwan Work Office last week accused Lai of using his stopovers in the U.S. to sell out Taiwanese interests to seek election gains and described him as a troublemaker who will push Taiwan to the dangerous brink of war, according to state media. The family of 21-year-old Ta'Kiya Young, sit out side their home including her grandmother, Nadine Young, 61, right and her two boys, Ja'Kobie Young, 6, left and Ja'Kenli Young, 3. Ta'Kiya was pregnant with a girl and due in November, according to family. The woman killed by a Blendon Township police officer on Thursday evening was a mother of two and was expecting her third child this fall. Ta'Kiya Young's family said the young woman turned 21 on Aug. 1 and celebrated by taking her two sons, 6-year-old Ja'Kobie and 3-year-old Ja'Kenli, to the Ohio State Fair. Young had also recently found out she was having a girl and was due in November, her grandmother, Nadine Young, said. Young had been raised by her grandmother for most of her life, the elder Young said, and was living with her. Opinion: Shoplifting shouldn't have escalated to death sentence in Ta'Kiya Young shooting ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Nadine Young described her granddaughter as "goofy" and "fun-loving," as well as someone who enjoyed playing pranks on others. However, the relationship between the Youngs was at times more complex. According to Franklin County Municipal Court records, Nadine Young called police on Sunday to her home on Divot Place after Ta'Kiya had shown up there. The court records said the elder Young told Columbus police officers that she had a protection order against her granddaughter, who was not supposed to be at the home. Young had left before Columbus police arrived on the scene but a misdemeanor charge of violating a protection order was filed after Nadine Young filled out a witness statement, according to court records. It was the second such charge Young had faced as an adult. Young also had other minor criminal infractions on her record, according to court documents. Nadine Young said Friday she thought the 21-year-old had gone to the Kroger to get groceries. Ta'Kiya Young was shot while in her car in the parking lot of that store. Blendon Township police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation have not released details about what led up to the shooting. Young's unborn daughter also died as a result of the injuries Young sustained. Young's father, Timothy Young, drove to Columbus from his home in Sandusky to be with his family and try to find out more about what happened. Young's mother died in 2022. "They told me I can't see her body at the morgue," he said. "I'm her dad and I care." He said police could have shot her tires out. "There's no excuse for this s---," he said. Ta'Kiya Young's family was planning a small vigil at the elder Young's home on Friday night. Dispatch reporter Mark Ferenchik contributed to this report. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Who was Ta'Kiya Young? What we know about woman killed in police shooting A vendor works at her stall at a seafood market in Shanghai TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan told its citizens living in China to keep a low profile on Friday, including talking quietly in public, after Beijing blasted Tokyo for releasing treated radioactive water from a wrecked nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. In messages amplified by reams of state media coverage, Beijing has for months called Japan's decision to release the water selfish and harmful to the environment and human health, even though it has been deemed safe by the UN's nuclear watchdog. After the release began on Thursday, China announced a blanket ban on all seafood imports from Japan, further complicating relations between the neighbours soured by a range of trade, geopolitical and historical tensions. "When going out, try to be cautious, such as not speaking Japanese loudly unnecessarily," the embassy said in an alert posted on its website on Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The notice also advised citizens to "pay close attention to the surroundings of the embassy" if planning to visit. Japan's consulate in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong issued a notice warning of protests there relating to the water release, after 100 marchers took to the streets on Thursday objecting to the discharge. But long queues at sushi restaurants in Hong Kong backed up the statements of many who said they were not worried about the issue and would continue to visit Japanese restaurants. In South Korea, Japan's embassy issued a notice advising its citizens there to "behave cautiously" and avoid "unnecessary trouble" due to a rally planned around the embassy. South Korean police arrested 16 protesters on Thursday who entered the Japanese embassy in Seoul. (Reporting by Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Kim Coghill) Xi says China supports Malawi in exploring development path suited to its national conditions Xinhua) 09:38, August 25, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with his Malawian counterpart Lazarus Chakwera on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- China supports Malawi in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to continuously offer whatever help China can to the country in its socio-economic development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday. Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Malawian counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi said he appreciates Chakwera for upholding the one-China principle since taking office. It is hoped that China and Malawi can continuously support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, push for new results in practical cooperation between the two countries, and promote ever-new development of bilateral relations, he said. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Malawi and other developing countries, and advance the development of the international order in a more equal and just direction, he said. For his part, Chakwera noted that China is always the first to lend a helping hand to Malawi when the latter faces difficulties, adding that during his recent visit to China, he was not only warmly received, but also truly felt that China is Malawi's true friend, brother and partner. Malawi firmly adheres to the one-China policy, he said, adding that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi is conducive to the common development of developing countries. Chakwera added that Malawi is willing to continuously deepen friendship and cooperation with China. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The final weekend of meteorological summer will feel like fall in the Northeast, as a more refreshing air mass will build into the region in the wake of strong thunderstorms, say AccuWeather forecasters. The thunderstorms ushering in the change in the weather pattern turned deadly on Thursday night, causing wind damage and knocking out power for more than 600,000 in the Midwest and upper Ohio Valley. A noticeable change in temperature and humidity made for a refreshing end to the final weekend of August for millions after a cold front swung through the region on Friday. This shift to cooler weather will continue across parts of the Midwest and Northeast on Monday. Before the arrival of fall-like air, a transition must occur to move out of the sultry summer air mass. With that change, there have been deadly thunderstorms. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to MLive.com, at least five people were killed and several were injured from car crashes, trees falling onto homes and cars being flipped by strong winds in Michigan, as a line of severe thunderstorms rolled through on Thursday evening. Those storms survived all the way through northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania later at night, generating wind gusts up to 70 mph. Over 80,000 customers were still without power across Michigan and Ohio by Monday morning, according to the power outage aggregator website poweroutage.us. Some outages may continue into the middle part of the week in the hardest-hit areas. A tree is uprooted outside a home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Canton Township, Mich. A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. (AP Photo/Mike Householder) At least eight tornadoes may have touched down in Michigan, according to damage reports. The National Weather Service has also confirmed 11 tornadoes in Ohio as well as another in Pennsylvania. The last weekend of August, and thus meteorological summer was more reminiscent of the first few days of fall in the Northeast, per AccuWeather experts, and that will continue into the early part of the week. Meteorological autumn begins on Friday, Sept. 1, weeks ahead of astronomical fall, which starts at 2:50 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Sept. 23. "A cold front will provide a swath of relief from the heat for residents across the Great Lakes and interior Northeast into early this week," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny. "This will be followed by an expansive zone of high pressure." GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Temperatures that had been rising well into the 80s and even 90s for the better part of the last few weeks will struggle to get out of the 70s on Monday, including in Boston and New York City. In parts of the interior Northeast, these temperatures are more typical for the end of September rather than the end of August. Perhaps most importantly for comfort, the humidity will also take a nosedive behind the cold front, as drier air from Canada arrives. The cooler, less humid weather will not come with full sunshine and dry conditions across the entire region, however. Some spotty showers and thunderstorms will be possible across the Northeast into Monday. The active pattern will persist early this week in the form of more thundershowers, as temperatures and humidity start to climb again amid a southerly flow. According to AccuWeather's team of long-range forecasters, another cold front will knock down the mercury and the humidity in the Great Lakes and the Northeast from Wednesday through Friday, potentially resulting in even cooler conditions than are ahead for this weekend. 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. Temperatures in parts of Brazil have gone up to more than 41C this week as South America was hit by unusually hot weather in the middle of the winter. Four state capitals in the country recorded the years highest temperature on Wednesday, while in Cuiaba, in central-western Brazil, the highs reached 41.8C (107.2F). The rare winter heatwave engulfed 19 of Brazils 26 states on Thursday, as well as the capital of Brasilia, according to the National Meteorological Institute. Residents in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazils two most populous cities, were also hit by the heatwave. In Rio, temperatures reached 38.7C (101.7F) on Thursday the citys second hottest day of 2023. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Authorities said the northeastern states of Bahia and Piaui saw the air humidity drop below 20 per cent, with the government recommending people avoid physical activities and stay indoors during the hottest times of the day. Last month, Brazil experienced its hottest July since official measurements began in 1961, reflecting a global record, with the average temperature measuring 23C (73.4F), in weeks when the southern hemisphere is supposed to be experiencing its coldest temperatures. The extreme heat records are being broken or matched by other Latin American countries as well, with Bolivia matching the record of the highest temperature ever recorded in winter in South America, as the mercury reached 45C (113F) in Villamontes on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Nueva Asuncion, Paraguay, recorded its highest August temperature at 41.9C on Wednesday. And Perus Inapari recorded 38.8C on the same day. Immense winter heatwave in South America. 45.0C in Bolivia ties the warmest temperature ever recorded in the entire Southern Hemisphere winter. 41.9C breaks the national record in Paraguay for the month of August pic.twitter.com/FMz3myNIMp Scott Duncan (@ScottDuncanWX) August 24, 2023 The heat in the middle of the winter is shocking scientists and climate experts. Climatologist Maximiliano Herrera said South Americas scorching heat represents one of the most extreme events the world has ever seen and one that is rewriting all [climatic] books. South America is living one of the extreme events the world has ever seen Unbelievable temperatures up to 38.9C in the Chilean Andine areas in mid winter ! Much more than what Southern Europe just had in mid summer at the same elevation: This event is rewriting all climatic books pic.twitter.com/QiiUKllWWP Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) August 1, 2023 Climatologist Jose Marengo from the National Disaster Monitoring Centre explained that warmer days during winter are typically caused by a high-pressure anomaly that forms a dome over a stretch of states, including the southeast and southern Amazon. With clear skies and abundant sunshine, the ground heats up, initiating a process that leads to the formation of a warm air bubble that prevents the entry of humidity, he told The Associated Press. The climate crisis and the El Nino phenomenon likely also amplified higher temperatures and drier weather conditions, according to Renata Libonati, a researcher with Rio de Janeiro Federal University. All over the world, temperature records have been shattered this year, with large parts of the northern hemisphere experiencing deadly heatwaves this summer, which would have been virtually impossible without the human-induced climate crisis. Additional reporting by agencies Tesla shareholders who claimed to face financial losses after CEO Elon Musk tweeted about taking the company private might be on the verge of receiving compensation from a $42.3 million fund established as part of Musk's federal securities fraud settlement. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission said 3,350 eligible claimants will share in the payout, recouping almost 52% of their losses, according to a Wednesday night court filing in the Southern District of New York Court. The compensation to investors comes several months after Musk was found not liable in a class-action securities fraud trial that explored how the CEO's now infamous funding secured tweet caused volatility in the stock, resulting in losses of money. If Musk had lost the trial, he'd have paid out billions of dollars in damages to investors. The fund comes from a 2018 settlement with the SEC over the tweet. After the SEC filed a complaint alleging Musk lied when he tweeted he had secured funding for a private takeover of the company at $420 per share, Musk agreed to step down as chairman of Tesla and pay a $20 million fine. Tesla agreed to pay a separate $20 million penalty. The total amount grew to $42.3 million with interest payments. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan said Thursday he hopes to approve the payouts by September 1 or shortly afterward. The SEC settlement also included a stipulation that Musk agree to let a Tesla lawyer approve some of his Twitter posts. Musk has sought to scrap that decree, calling it a "muzzle" on his right to free speech. In May, Judge Liman, who oversees the case, denied the motion to end the decree. Musk is expected to appeal that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Tesla's success selling cars directly to buyers has other carmakers curious about the model. That would mean they'd have to eliminate their auto dealers. Auto companies might never sell fully direct, but they will still require dealerships to evolve. Traditional automakers would be in for a fight if they tried to go the way of Tesla and cut dealers out of their sales processes entirely. The car companies aren't likely to win that but to compromise, their dealerships are going to have to evolve from what they are today. Tesla showed the auto industry it's possible to be successful without a traditional dealer network and instead sell vehicles directly to consumers. This cuts out the middleman and gives Tesla the power in pricing and customer relationship-building. EV startups like Lucid and Rivian have already copied this strategy. Other automakers have been taking a look at Tesla's accomplishments and might be wondering if they could model it to some extent. Some of Elon Musk's influence on the industry can already be seen: lean inventory, online configurations, and more transparency and there's even more on the way. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Though survey data suggests auto executives aren't so confident that Tesla's way will go mainstream, leaders at Ford and BMW, for example, have hinted at offering customers a more direct purchase option, particularly for EVs. "Tesla is, at this point in time, the one EV automaker that seems to be successful on product, profitability, and distribution," Tim Jackson, former president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, said. Other automakers are looking at "what's Tesla doing, how are they doing it, how can we replicate it? "I think that will cause some pressure for the other traditional automakers, but I think Tesla is the exception for the direct sellers," Jackson added. "The automakers got where they are today in their volumes, in their distribution models enabled by the franchise dealer. I think that that's the model that will keep them successful into the future." Still, changes are brewing. Dealerships might not go away, but they're certainly going to look different to car shoppers in the future. Recent dynamics in the dealership world A lot has happened to auto retail in recent years. The digital transition has forced dealers to give buyers more online options. The pandemic has led dealers to operate more efficiently with less inventory (albeit for more profit). And now the EV shift is driving a wedge between dealers and their automakers. All of this is to say changes have been happening and remain imminent. Automakers are all but demanding their dealers make massive infrastructure investments (or get out of the business entirely) to prepare for EVs, even in areas in which adoption is not expected to tick up for some time. Meanwhile, car companies are saying they might experiment with a different business model altogether while retailers say they're more important than ever in order to take EVs mainstream. "That's going to require a healthy dealer body," Scott Kunes, COO of Kunes Auto and RV Group, said of these trends. The dealer POV Auto franchise laws are a force to be reckoned with, regardless of any push to offer customers different buying experiences. "Even if people want this and it was something that was implemented, some of the questions about the rights of dealers will come into play here," Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds, told Insider earlier this month. Part of the saving grace for dealers has been just how strong of a contingent they are. Still, "If I was a dealer, I would definitely want some guarantees" about what the future holds with EVs and sales strategies, Caldwell said. One factor potentially working in the favor of at least smaller dealerships is the fact that big ones are buying them up in droves, according to merger and acquisition data from dealer advisory firm Kerrigan Advisors. There may be some dealerships that don't see a return on investment from spending over $1 million for EV infrastructure, but not participating in that might risk their business with automakers. If large group retailers snatch up the smaller stores that automakers are hinting could go extinct, those stores remain protected. Shoppers ultimately need places to see new products, receive education on the nuances of buying electric, and get their questions answered, experts say, especially as the EV buying curve shifts from early adopters to the next wave. "There's got to be some sort of middle ground there," Kunes said. "I do think the dealer body is going to be a big component in the push to EV adoption however that looks." Read the original article on Business Insider A judge in Texas has temporarily halted the states ban on gender-affirming care for minors in a win for the parents and LGBTQ advocates who challenged the law. Senate Bill 14 was signed into law in June, making Texas the largest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors. It was scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 1. The law bans people under 18 from receiving gender-affirming care like puberty blockers and hormone therapy, and orders those under 18 already receiving the care to stop taking medication in a manner that is safe and medically appropriate. The American Civil Liberties Union challenged the law on behalf of a group of families with transgender children, saying it violates parents rights to make healthcare decisions for their children. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Texas District Judge Maria Cantu Hexsel agreed in her ruling, granting a temporary injunction pending a final decision on the lawsuit. Hexsel ruled that the law is likely to violate three separate clauses of the Texas constitution, violating the rights of parents and medical professionals and discriminating against transgender adolescents. The Act infringes upon the Texas Constitutions guarantees of equality under the law by enacting a discriminatory and categorical prohibition on evidence-based medical treatments for transgender youth which remain available to cisgender youth, she wrote. The decision was celebrated by those who pushed against the law, led by the ACLU. The court decision is a critical victory for transgender youth and their families, supporters, and health providers against this blatantly unconstitutional law, ACLU of Texas attorney Brian Klosterboer said. Trans Texans shouldnt have to go to court to defend their basic rights, and we will keep advocating for our clients every step of the way, he continued. The ACLU said they expect the Texas attorney generals office to appeal the injunction. The Hill has reached out to the Texas AGs office for comment. Over 20 states have passed bans on gender-affirming care for youth, according to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks state laws affecting the LGBTQ community. Gender-affirming care for minors and young adults, including surgery and medication, has been endorsed by multiple major medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the Endocrine Society. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the resort island of Phuket on Friday, a first official trip to underline plans to shore-up economic recovery by bolstering tourism, a key driver of growth. Thailand's economy expanded 1.8% year-on-year in the April-June period and 0.2% on the quarter, slowing sharply from the previous three months as its key exports sector slumped on weak global demand. The state planning agency has since cut its growth projection to a 2.5% to 3.0% range from 2.7% to 3.7%. Tourism remains a bright spot, however, with the government aiming to reach about 29 million foreign visitors this year, nearly three-quarters of the record number received in pre-pandemic 2019, who spent 1.91 trillion baht ($54.40 billion). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Nearly 11 million of those were from China that year. "Right now only 30% of Chinese tourists have returned," Srettha, a property mogul, told reporters. "Chinese tourists are an important part. China is slowing, they don't encourage outbound tourism, so we need to make it easier for people to come to our country," he said, suggesting loosening visa requirements. Political newcomer Srettha was president of a real estate firm just a few months ago and became prime minister on Tuesday after winning with ease in a parliamentary vote. He must put together a cabinet from a crowded 11-party alliance that includes bitter rivals of his Pheu Thai Party, which will lead its fifth government in two decades. Three of those were topped by coups or courts. Srettha on X, formerly Twitter, said he aims to boost tourism income next year to 3.3 trillion baht ($93.99 billion) He also said his government would look at long-term plans to expand airport infrastructure in popular destinations like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. He has met airport operators in Bangkok and Phuket and was due to meet with tourism business operators and visit some tourism sites in Phangnga and in Phuket, which draws about a quarter or Thailand's annual visitors. Srettha said he expects his cabinet to be finalised over the next week. The government will then have to deliver policy objectives to a joint session of parliament before starting work, likely in late September. ($1 = 35.1100 baht) (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgupmanat; Editing by Martin Petty) EVESHAM Thieves have stolen checks valued at more than $160,000 from a drop box at the local post office, authorities say. The thefts since June have affected more than 30 victims since June, Evesham police said in a statement. They're also part of a nationwide trend that has the U.S. Postal Service taking steps to better protect the mail. Evesham police asked people to cancel any bill payment or check that they put in the drop box between 5 and 10 p.m. on Aug. 23. The post office is at 123 East Main Street. The thieves typically cash the stolen checks after altering them to increase the value and the payee's name.Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller said at a press conference Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Robbers target postal workers Postal Service searches for suspects in 2 incidents, adds $50,000 reward He said officers spotted suspects taking mail from the drop box on the night of Aug. 23, but the thieves sped away in a vehicle with Pennsylvania license plates. Marlton postal thieves fled toward church carnival The car fled in the direction of a carnival being held at St. Joan of Arc Church, and officers did not pursue it due to the danger to pedestrians, Miller said. The vehicle was seized in Pennsylvania one day later. Police are awaiting a warrant to search it, said the chief. Police believe the thieves have a key to the mailbox, a security problem that's prompting nationwide changes by the U.S. Postal Service. The mail agency in May noted more than 25,0000 high volume mail theft incidents were reported in the first half of its current fiscal year, compared to 38,500 in all of the previous year. Those thefts include mail taken from traditional blue collection boxes. Postal Service bolstering mail security Among other measures, the Postal Service plans to install 12,000 high-security blue collection boxes nationwide. These boxes are now being deployed in high security risk areas through the next fiscal year, the agency said in a press release. Thieves also are targeting letter carriers to steal the Arrow and Modified Arrow keys that allow access to mail boxes. The postal service noted 305 robberies of letter carriers were reported in the first half of fiscal 2023, compared to 412 for all of the previous year. To make Arrow Keys less valuable for criminals, the Postal Service will replace 49,000 antiquated arrow locks with electronic locks, it said. It is installing the new locks in select cities and metropolitan areas over the current fiscal year. Mail customers can protect by depositing outgoing mail inside a post office, at your place of business or by handing it to a letter carrier, the Postal Service said. Anyone with information about the Marlton theft is asked to call Evesham police at 856-983-1116 or the confidential tip line at 856-983-4699. Tips can be emailed to mahand@eveshampd.org. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter at the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Marlton post office drop box hit by thieves; more than $160,000 taken A third former soldier from a New Orleans, Louisiana-based Army Reserve unit has pleaded guilty to a federal crime connected to fraudulent funeral honors pay. Earlier this month, former Sgt. Derrick Branch pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit theft of government funds, according to a Justice Department press release and court records. Stars & Stripes first reported Branchs plea. Two other former soldiers, Staff Sgt. Lynea Sanders and Spc. Chantelle Davis, already pleaded guilty and were sentenced in June. According to federal prosecutors, former Staff Sgt. Christopher OConnor, while serving as an Army Reserve pay technician, submitted fraudulent funeral honors pay requests to the Army between 2013 and 2016 for himself and six other soldiers from the 377th Theater Sustainment Commands 441st Transportation Company. The total theft exceeded $100,000, an indictment said. Typically, part-time troops can receive pay for performing military honors at funerals for fellow service members and veterans. A soldiers supervisor must approve their participation on such a detail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But prosecutors said the funerals for which OConnor submitted pay requests were not authorized and did not occur. They and the three troops who have pleaded guilty alleged that the pay technician received a portion of their pay each time he submitted a false request. Although the Justice Department press release announcing Branchs guilty plea noted that his conspiracy charge could carry a five-year prison term, conspiracy defendants who take plea agreements and offer testimony against co-conspirators can often secure a light sentence. Neither of the two soldiers already convicted and sentenced, Sanders and Davis, were sentenced to prison. They received probation and were ordered to repay the money they stole, according to court records. OConnor and three more defendants still await trial. Branchs sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 30. Three school districts in the country have cancelled in-person learning this week as local officials report drastic drops in student and teacher attendance attributed to COVID-19 and other illnesses. Two school districts in Kentucky announced in-person closures for this week, citing a rise in illness among staff and students. Magoffin County Schools said all schools will close Thursday and Friday due to widespread illness. School officials said attendance has been quite low in the past week, and a mixture of viruses, including COVID-19 and influenza, motivated the closure. Lee County School District announced illness-related closures for Tuesday and Wednesday, and NTI days, or non-traditional instruction, for Thursday and Friday. Officials said there had been an increase in respiratory illnesses the last few days, and a significant drop in attendance motivated the closure. Scott Lockard, public health director for the Kentucky River District Health Department, which serves Lee County and six others in eastern Kentucky, said that ever since the pandemic started, there has generally been a rise in illnesses when schools first go back into session as people return to large gatherings. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There was a lot of illness in the county, and the absentee rate got up to the level where the school system felt it justified closing, Lockard told USA TODAY. So far, lab test data reported to the department in eastern Kentucky has confirmed positive COVID-19 results but no influenza cases. However, Lockard noted respiratory illnesses in general are a concern, as symptoms often overlap with COVID-19. Also, testing is not as readily available as it once was, and many people have turned to home tests, which means lab reports typically underscore the level of illness. Runge Independent School District in southern Texas, which serves 195 students, announced a weeklong closure due to illnesses, ABC News reported. According to the districts online COVID-19 tracker, ten of the districts 43 staff members had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday. Where COVID-19 numbers stand in the country Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on cases is several weeks out of date and no longer tracks COVID-19 infections. Most Americans take at-home tests and don't report results. However, more than a quarter of wastewater testing sites reported a large increase in virus levels over the past two weeks as of Monday. So far, the CDC has reported a total of 1.1 million deaths and 6.3 million hospitalizations due to COVID-19. The agency noted a recent surge in both numbers, citing a 21.4% increase in deaths and a 21.6% increase in hospital admissions in the most recently available week of data. Hospital admissions due to the coronavirus are also forecasted to climb in the following weeks, according to the CDC. How to protect yourself While some used to brag about battling through a flu to get to work, that's no longer a badge of pride, Lockard said. Social distancing and staying home when symptoms arise is a strong preventative measure, he added. Also, washing hands frequently, using hand sanitizer and covering coughs and sneezes are important steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and other illnesses. Lockard also recommended staying up to date on vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza. RSV vaccines are available for some populations as well. Test scores reveal plunge in performance nationwide Earlier this year, USA TODAY documented how chronic absenteeism is schools continued to strain learning, even after widespread pandemic-related closures ended. The battle with attendance comes as students face unique learning challenges after extended shutdowns. Nearly all eighth graders in the nation fell behind in U.S. history and civics last year compared with 2018 on the National Assessment for Education Progress, also called the Nation's Report Card, according to scores released in May. The country also saw reading and math performance plummet among fourth and eighth graders in the same year. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: School districts cancelled in-person classes due to COVID-19 increase A copy of a 19th-century photograph, showing pupils at an Indigenous boarding school in Santa Fe, is held by researcher Larry Larrichio during an interview in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 8, 2021. A copy of a 19th-century photograph, showing pupils at an Indigenous boarding school in Santa Fe, is held by researcher Larry Larrichio during an interview in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 8, 2021. Itsnosecret that the church played a major role in imposing colonial rule in North America. But if you grew up under the American education system like me, you mightve never learned about the Christian-run boarding schools that forcibly enrolled Native American children and then attempted to wipe out their culture. In the past few years, thankfully, the ugly truth about these schools has been coming to light mostly in Canada, but now in the U.S., too. Recently, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, or NABS, said it will digitize 20,000 archival pages related to Quaker-run boarding schools, according to The Associated Press. Much like Canadas now-infamous residential schools, the Quakers or members of the Religious Society of Friends separated Native American children from their families to teach them Christianity and force them to participate in Western education. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The documents, set to be published next spring, will include boarding school records from Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania and four other states, per the AP. Such schools werent just a Quaker thing. (The Quaker movement, it should be noted, has also included positive activism, especially during slavery.) Other schools that attempted to assimilate Native children were run by Episcopalians, Methodists and Catholics. The Native-led NABS is working with libraries at Swarthmore College and Haverford College in Pennsylvania to make the files available to everyone, the AP reports. Although its been neglected for entirely too long, making this type of historical knowledge accessible sets a positive example for what can happen when institutions are willing to admit their wrongs and provide a more accurate depiction of the past. Having more information about the Quaker-run boarding schools will help us understand what happened in them and how they were organized history that has largely been out of public view. It will also allow us to comprehend the full extent of the impact that these schools had on Native American children and to honor their experiences. Those records can be really important for truth-telling processes and acknowledging and supporting the repair of past harms, Celia Caust-Ellenbogen, an associate curator for Swarthmores Friends Historical Library, told the AP. By making these archival records available, by digitizing these records, we can help restore access to communities that were impacted. Still, we have to remain critical of what we find, since many of the documents were produced through the lens of boarding school leaders, rather than the children who essentially endured brainwashing, abuse or worse. These records will require a deep understanding of colonialism as a system that has been constantly reinforced throughout history, including with the invasion of land and extermination of entire populations. But it also operates by teaching children that Christopher Columbus discovered America, and that the customs they grew up with are uncivilized or wrong thereby erasing the humanity of the Indigenous people who lived here far before a European person ever arrived. While the Quaker community can never reverse the trauma and pain that it caused for so many Native American communities, it can start the healing process by being honest about its history and build from there with more clarity. Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall starred in the critically acclaimed show " Sex and the City " from 1998 until 2004 Tom Kingston/WireImage/Getty Images; Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Kim Cattrall just returned to "And Just Like That..." for a cameo appearance as Samantha Jones. There has long been speculation about a feud between Cattrall and costar Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2017, Cattrall told Piers Morgan that she and Parker had "never been friends." They may have been each other's soulmates on-screen, but Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker have reportedly had a tumultuous relationship through the years. From 1998 until 2004, Parker and Cattrall starred alongside Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis in "Sex and the City," playing four best friends navigating New York City's dating world. The show spanned six seasons and went on to inspire two movies, "Sex and the City" and "Sex and the City 2," and a reboot, "And Just Like That..." The show's second-season finale aired on August 24, and included a cameo from Cattrall who has otherwise been absent from the series. However, there has long been speculation of a rift between Parker and Cattrall, and in February 2018 Cattrall took shots at Parker on Instagram, calling out what she said was her "'nice girl' persona." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Here's a timeline of the reported feud between "Sex and the City" costars. 1998 - 2004: Kim Cattrall starred alongside Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis on all six seasons of "Sex and the City." Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, and Kim Cattrall of "Sex and the City." HBO/Getty Images Prior to the premiere of "Sex and the City," Cattrall was a prolific working actress well known for her starring role in "Mannequin." Parker was also a working actress with a Broadway background. "Sex and the City" won seven Emmys over the course of its six seasons, with both Parker and Nixon winning individual awards for their performances. Cattrall was nominated five times for best supporting actress but never won the award. December 2004: Cattrall revealed that money was one of the reasons "Sex and the City" ended after the sixth season. Sarah Jessica Parker wipes tears from her eyes as she's held by costar Kristin Davis in SoHo after finishing a scene for the last episode of "Sex and the City." Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images On "Friday Night With Jonathan Ross," Cattrall said that part of the reason why the show ended and a potential movie was put on pause was because of financial reasons. "I felt after six years it was time for all of us to participate in the financial windfall of 'Sex and the City,'" she told Ross, Digital Spy reported in December 2004. "When they didn't seem keen on that I thought it was time to move on." However, Cattrall dispelled rumors that she would never play Samantha Jones again, saying that "if the deal was right and the script was fabulous," she "absolutely" would return. May 2008: A Telegraph article claimed there was a dispute between Cattrall and her castmates over their salaries throughout the filming of "Sex and the City." Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, and Kristin Davis arrive at Point Foundation Honors The Arts at Capitale on April 7, 2008. Jim Spellman/WireImage/Getty Images In an "exclusive on-set report" published by The Telegraph, sources claimed there had long been tension between Cattrall and her castmates over their respective salaries. According to the report, Parker was given the role of executive producer before the second season, which bumped her salary up to $300,000 higher than her three costars' salaries. The Telegraph reported that Cattrall attempted to negotiate her salary, which reportedly created a rift between her and her castmates. The report also cited the 2004 Emmys, where Parker, Nixon, and Davis all sat together while Cattrall sat by herself, as a potential indication of alliances within the cast. "Are we the best of friends? No. We're professional actresses. We have our own separate lives," Cattrall responded when asked about the seating arrangement at the award show. However, in the same Telegraph report, Parker claimed she was friends with Cattrall. "Honestly, we are all friends, and I wish I saw more of Kim," she said. "She mentioned money, and no one should vilify her for it. People made a decision that we had vilified her." May 2008: The cast soon reunited for the release of the first "Sex and the City" movie, and Cattrall called making the movie "the best possible reunion." Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kim Cattrall attend the German premiere of "Sex And The City" at the Cinestar movie theatre on May 15, 2008. Anita Bugge/WireImage/Getty Images The actresses were seen posing together on the red carpet as they promoted the movie in May 2008. In an interview with Marie Claire in June 2008, Cattrall explained one reason why it took four years after the end of "Sex and the City" for the movie to come out. "Four years ago, I was going through a painful public divorce, the series was coming to an end, and my father was diagnosed with dementia," she said. "I felt it was time to be with my real family." She continued, "A year and a half ago, when I was sent the script, I was ready and strong enough to revisit Samantha. In some ways, I'm glad we waited. The script and the experience of making the movie was the best possible reunion." November 2009: Parker said she wouldn't and couldn't have done the second "Sex and the City" movie without Cattrall. Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker filming on location for "Sex And The City 2" on the streets of Manhattan on September 8, 2009. James Devaney/WireImage/Getty Images "I don't think anybody wants to believe that I love Kim. I adore her. I wouldn't have done the movie without her. Didn't and wouldn't," Parker told Elle when asked about reports of friction between Cattrall and the other cast members. January 2010: Cattrall also dismissed rumors of a feud with Parker. Kim Cattrall attends the "Sex and the City 2" premiere afterparty at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on May 24, 2010. James Devaney/WireImage/Getty Images In an interview with the Daily Mail in January 2010, Cattrall responded directly to Parker's comments in Elle about no one wanting to believe the two actresses got along. "I think Sarah was right: people don't want to believe that we get on," she told the Daily Mail. "They have too much invested in the idea of two strong, successful women fighting with each other. It makes for juicy gossip and copy. The truth of us being friends and getting along and happily doing our jobs together is nowhere near as newsworthy." "I think Sarah is fantastic. She is a born leader and she guides the crew and the cast in such a strong but gentle way," she continued. "She and I are sick of this. It's exhausting talking about it, and a real bore." September 2016: Parker criticized the speculation surrounding her and Cattrall, saying, "They just didn't do it to the 'Sopranos' guys." Sarah Jessica Parker seen arriving at "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on September 28, 2016. PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images In an interview with Time, Parker described how she pushed back against rumors that she was feuding with her "Sex and the City" costar. "You answer when they're deserving and worthy of an answer, and the rest you let go, and let your reputation speak for itself," she told the magazine in September 2016. "It was always so heartbreaking to me that there was this narrative about Kim [Cattrall] and myself because it just didn't reflect anything that happened on that set," she continued. "They just didn't do it to the 'Sopranos' guys." Parker went on to describe the narrative that she and Cattrall didn't get along as "strange to me and upsetting." "I posted something on Kim's birthday and people were like 'Oh my God, I didn't know you liked her!' What? We were all at liberty to walk away at any time," she continued. "But nobody asked those questions of shows with men. Isn't that interesting?" September 2017: Parker confirmed there would not be a third "Sex and the City" movie. Sarah Jessica Parker attends the New York City Ballet's 2017 Fall Fashion Gala. Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic/Getty Images The Daily Mail reported in 2017 that filming of the third movie had been set to start, but claimed those plans had been canceled due to "Cattrall's outrageous demands." Cattrall responded to the report, tweeting that her only "demand" was not to do the movie, claiming she turned down doing a third film in 2016. Parker confirmed to Extra TV that the third movie, which had already been written, had been scrapped. "It's over we're not doing it," she told a reporter outside the New York City Ballet Gala. "I'm disappointed. We had this beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, joyful, very relatable script and story. It's not just disappointing that we don't get to tell the story and have that experience, but more so for that audience that has been so vocal in wanting another movie." October 2017: Cattrall told Piers Morgan that she and her costars had "never been friends" and said Parker "could have been nicer." Kim Cattrall and Piers Morgan in 2011. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Cattrall appeared on ITV, the BBC reported, to discuss why the third "Sex and the City" movie never came to be, claiming that her choice not to return was "an empowered decision in my life to end one chapter and start another" and that she resented being portrayed in the media as "demanding or a diva." "This is really where I take to task the people from 'Sex and the City,' and specifically Sarah Jessica Parker," she told Morgan. "I think she could've been nicer. I really think she could've been nicer. I don't know what her issue is." "The thing that still bothers me is this feeling of being in some way made to be the baddie," she continued. "I never asked for any money, I never asked for any projects, to be thought of as some kind of diva is absolutely ridiculous." As for her personal relationships with her three costars, Cattrall claimed that had "never been friends." "We've been colleagues and in some ways, it's a very healthy place to be because then you have a clear line between your professional life and relationship and your personal," she said. February 1, 2018: Parker said she was "heartbroken" over Cattrall's comments to Morgan. Andy Cohen and Sarah Jessica Parker on "Watch What Happens Live." Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images A few months after Cattrall's appearance on ITV, Parker spoke about the comments in an interview with Andy Cohen on an episode of "Watch What Happens Live," saying she was "heartbroken" that Cattrall said they had "never been friends." "I found it very upsetting because that's not the way I recall our experience, so it's sad, but I'm kind of I always think that what ties us together is this singular experience," Parker told Cohen. "It was a professional experience, but it became personal because it was years and years of our lives, so I'm hoping that that sort of eclipses anything that's been recently spoken." February 10, 2018: After the sudden death of Cattrall's brother, she publicly called out Parker after she expressed her sympathy, calling her "cruel" and telling her to "stop exploiting our tragedy." Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker on location at the "Sex And The City 2" film set at Bergdorf Goodman on September 9, 2009. Ray Tamarra/Getty Images "It is with great sadness that myself and my family announce the unexpected passing of our son and brother, Chris Cattrall," Kim Cattrall posted on Twitter on February 4. He had been missing for five days before CNN reported that he had been found dead by police. Cattrall later confirmed her brother had died by suicide and thanked her "friends, family, and #Sexandthecity colleagues" for their support. However, in a second Instagram post, Cattrall addressed Parker directly, telling her she did not "need [her] love and support at this tragic time." "My Mom asked me today 'When will that @sarahjessicaparker, that hypocrite, leave you alone?' Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now," Cattrall wrote in the February 10 post. "Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven't already) You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your 'nice girl' persona." November 2018: "Sex and the City" executive producer Michael Patrick King confirmed Cattrall had concerns over pay parity. "Sex in the City" executive producer Michael Patrick King and Sarah Jessica Parker in 2000. Kevin Winter/Getty Images King also appeared to confirm that the stars' salaries were different from the very start of the show. "The show doesn't exist if Sarah Jessica wasn't the blonde star of the show," King said during a 2018 episode of the "Origins" podcast, titled "Sex and the City: 1, 2 & Out." "Kim was not at the height of her career, Kristin was under her in terms of notability, Cynthia was a theater actress and their contracts reflected that status," he continued. "Kim fought and said, 'I'm everyone's favorite,'" he said. "[Parker's] name was contractually, legally, righteously, the only name on the poster due to the fact that she was a movie star in 1998 when the series started and she did a leap to do a show about sex on [HBO], the channel that did the fights, and it doesn't matter how popular you are. I guess, for Kim, it didn't matter how much the raise became if there was never parity, but there was never going to be parity." May 2022: Cattrall said she was never asked to be a part of the "Sex and the City" reboot, "And Just Like That..." and said she learned the show was coming out through social media. Kim Cattrall attends Variety's 2022 Power Of Women event on May 5, 2022. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images "I was never asked to be part of the reboot. I made my feelings clear after the possible third movie, so I found out about it like everyone else did on social media," she told Variety. "The series is basically the third movie. That's how creative it was." She also confirmed rumors over a third-movie storyline involving Miranda's teenage son, Brady, sending Samantha unsolicited lewd photos, which she called "heartbreaking," and hinted that she was unsatisfied with Samantha's character development in the script that she was given. "Everything has to grow, or it dies. I felt that when the series ended, I thought that's smart," she said. "We're not repeating ourselves. And then the movie to end all the loose ends. And then there's another movie. And then there's another movie? Everything in me went, 'I'm done.'" June 2022: Parker described the media portrayal of the reported feud between her and Cattrall as "painful." Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker attend "Plaza Suite" opening night on March 28, 2022. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg on the "Awards Chatter" podcast, Parker said she "spent a lot of years working really hard to always be decent to everybody" who worked on "Sex and the City," "and there just isn't anyone else who's ever talked about me this way." Parker added that Cattrall was not asked to be a part of "And Just Like That" because Cattrall "made it clear that that wasn't something she wanted to pursue, and it no longer felt comfortable for us, and so it didn't occur to us." "It's so painful for people to keep talking about this 'catfight' a 'fight,' a 'fight,' a 'fight.' I've never uttered fighting words in my life about anybody that I've worked with ever. There is not a 'fight' going on," she continued. "There has been no public dispute or spat or conversations or allegations made by me or anybody on my behalf. I wouldn't do it. That is not the way I would have it. So I just wish that they would stop calling this a 'catfight' or an 'argument,' because it doesn't reflect [reality]. There has been one person talking." September 2023: Cattrall returned to "And Just Like That..." for a cameo appearance as Samantha Jones, but she did not interact with any of her former costars. Kim Cattrall appears in the finale episode of "And Just Like That." Warner Brothers/Max On May 31, Variety reported that Cattrall had filmed one scene for the upcoming second season. In the brief scene, Samantha has a phone conversation with Carrie. Cattrall and Parker never actually interacted with each other on-set to film the scene. "It's very interesting to get a call from the head of HBO saying, 'What can we do?' and I went, 'Hmm, Let me get creative,'" Cattrall said on an episode of "The View" in June. "And one of those things was to get ['Sex and the City' costume designer] Pat Field back because I just thought that if I'm going to come back, I gotta come back with that Samantha style. I gotta push it. And we did." In the scene, Samantha has a short phone conversation with Parker's character Carrie leading up to Carrie's "last supper" in her apartment. Cattrall then blows a kiss into her phone and holds it to her heart, which showrunner Michael Patrick King says was improvised by the actress. "It's just totally a moment of an actor playing a moment," King said on the show's "And Just Like That The Writers Room Podcast." "And it's really nice." Parker also praised the inclusion of Samantha in the finale episode of "And Just Like That," which has been renewed for a third season. "It's a little exchange that is happy," she said during an appearance on Sirius XM's Radio Andy. "It says everything about their relationship and other stuff that's off-camera." Representatives for Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall, respectively, did not respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Insider A 22-year-old was arrested after being accused of making a false bomb threat on a toilet at a California mall, police said. Glendale police responded at about 8 p.m. Aug. 24 to The Americana at Brand mall after a brightly colored toilet was left there with a note claiming it was a bomb, according to a news release by the citys police department. Police evacuated the mall was , and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Bomb Squad was called in to assess the toilet, officers said. The toilet was deemed safe about three hours after police arrived, and the evacuation order was lifted, police said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police found the suspect, a Burbank resident, and arrested him on a charge of making a false bomb threat, the release said. His bail was set at $15,000, according to jail records. A spokesperson for Caruso, the company that owns the mall, told KNBC it does not tolerate criminal activity on our properties. As part of our security protocols, our team immediately contacted the Glendale Police Department who swiftly arrived on site, secured the area and cleared the item, the spokesperson told the outlet in a statement. As a result of our significant investment in security measures, we were able to quickly assist the GPD in identifying and locating a suspect who was then arrested. Glendale is about 10 miles north of Los Angeles. Passenger threatens to bomb plane in note to attendant on Seattle-bound flight, FBI says Security worker threatened to blow all the Democrats up at campaign office, feds say Man makes bogus bomb threat after missing his flight at Pennsylvania airport, cops say Throughout their counteroffensive, Ukrainian troops have managed to attack through Russia's first main defensive belt in some areas along the front lines, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said in an interview with Al-Mamlaka TV, a Jordanian public broadcaster, published on Aug. 25. "Specifically on the axes of advance that (Ukrainian forces) are attacking right now, (Ukrainian forces) have attacked through the main defense belt," Milley said. The chairman noted that Russian troops have been preparing a deep line of defense for many months and it has "mine fields, dragon's teeth, and tank ditches. It's a very complex set of defensive preparations that the Ukrainians are fighting through." CNN also reported on Aug. 25, citing Ukraine's General Staff, that there are signs Ukrainian troops have broken through Russian defenses along the southern front line in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Milley told Al-Mamlaka that its too early to say whether Ukraines counteroffensive has succeeded or failed, calling the push very bloody, slow, long and difficult. He added that after having liberated a considerable part" of lands occupied by Russia, Ukrainian forces have a significant amount of power remaining, and its not over yet. Read also: Zaluzhnyi: Counteroffensive underequipped but advances daily Responding to criticism of the pace of the Wests military support to Ukraine, the general said that Kyiv had received what they needed when they needed it, mentioning the provision of anti-tank weapons at the start of the full-scale war as an example of allegedly timely assistance. Ukraines counteroffensive has been ongoing in the east and south of the country since early June. On Aug. 4, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that the Ukrainian military had passed through the Russian first line of defense, moving to the "intermediate one" in some places on the southern front line. "And there they are faced with concrete engineering fortifications on the dominant heights created by the enemy. This, of course, complicates the movement of our troops and the combat actions," Maliar said on national television. Read also: Everything you didnt know about Ukraines flag Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A jury convicted a Topeka man of two felonies and acquitted him of two others Friday regarding the Halloween night 2020 shootings of youths in a car he said tried to run down he and his brother as they looked into the theft of Donald Trump signs. An eight-man, four-woman jury deliberated about three hours before convicting Robert L. Sinner II, 42, of two aggravated battery charges, which they reduced from more serious aggravated battery charges he had faced. Jurors found Sinner found guilty of aggravated battery committed recklessly causing great bodily harm, which victimized Angel Escobar-Garcia, and of aggravated battery committed recklessly causing bodily harm, which victimized Edgar Valenzuela. The jury also found Sinner "not guilty" of a separate aggravated battery count and of one count of the criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle with great bodily harm. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Friday's verdicts ended a five-day trial overseen by Shawnee County District Judge Brett Watson. Two women who heard the case as jurors were dismissed as alternates that day after Watson drew their names from a hat. Robert Sinner II, of Topeka, was convicted Friday of two felonies linked to the Halloween night 2020 shootings of youths in a car. What was Robert Sinner II accused of? Authorities said Sinner fired shots that injured three teenage Hispanic occupants of a car late Oct. 31, 2020, in North Topeka. The shooting was caught on a security camera video, which was shown at the trial. All three wounded teens survived. Two, Escobar-Garcia and Valenzuela, suffered serious wounds, prosecutors said. The other reported suffering a burn to his leg from a bullet. One of the car's occupants driver Jose Garcia, then 17 was charged as a juvenile with aggravated assault after prosecutors alleged he drove a car toward Justin Sinner, Robert Sinner's brother, who had been on foot in the same area. The Shawnee County District Attorney's office later dropped that charge. Court records said the Sinners were convinced the youths were responsible for the Oct. 30, 2020, theft from a neighbor of signs promoting what turned out to be Trump's unsuccessful run that year for reelection to the presidency. The property owners involved chose not to pursue charges related to the theft. A jury convicted a Topeka man of two felonies and acquitted him of two others Friday regarding the Halloween night 2020 shootings of youths in a car he said tried to run down he and his brother as they looked into the theft of Donald Trump signs not far from their home in North Topeka, shown here. The teens were playing a Halloween prank, said Shawnee County deputy district attorney Steven Karrer. Authorities said after the teens came back the next evening, the Sinners armed themselves and went on foot to confront them. The teens then drove at the Sinners in a speeding car, Robert Sinner said. Karrer questioned whether the teens actually drove at Robert Sinner. Robert Sinner said he and his brother both fired at the car, Robert Sinner using a rifle and Justin Sinner using a handgun. Justin Sinner wasn't charged with any crimes. Kansas 'Stand Your Ground' law was used as a defense Robert Sinner's attorney, Kevin Shepherd, contended at this week's trial that Robert Sinner acted in self-defense under Kansas' Stand Your Ground law. That law considers a person justified in the use of deadly force against another when the person using force reasonably believes such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or a third party as a result of the use of unlawful force by another person or people. Shepherd said the law consequently required jurors to look at the situation from the vantage point of Robert Sinner, who clearly thought he needed to shoot at the car because it was being driven at him and used as a weapon, Shepherd said. Karrer responded by saying that for the Stand Your Ground law to apply, it also requires "the existence of facts that would persuade a reasonable person to that belief." Karrer asked jurors, "Do you, as reasonable people, believe he acted reasonably and in self-defense?" If jurors didn't think Sinner acted reasonably, the law required them to convict him, Karrer said. Valenzuela and Escobar-Garcia were "shot in the back" while riding as passengers in the car, he stressed. Karrer said while the Stand Your Ground law didn't require Sinner to retreat if someone else was the initial aggressor, it gave Sinner the duty to retreat if he were the initial aggressor, which Karrer contended Sinner was. Victims were 'shot in the back,' prosecutor says Shepherd stressed that Sinner was in "self-defense mode" at the time, adding, "How do you turn it off?" Also, Sinner didn't know if the car might turn around and come back, Shepherd said. Karrer said Sinner himself had acknowledged he no longer considered the car to be a threat at that point. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Trial in Donald Trump sign-related shooting yields 2 guilty verdicts One of the happiest moments of Toronto couple Frankie Nelson and BJ Barone's life turned into a nightmare when a far-right political party used a photo of them hugging their newborn son in an anti-surrogacy campaign in Italy. "You can see in the moment of the photo that it was a culmination of all my dreams coming true," Nelson said in an interview with Yahoo Canada. The photo shows an emotional moment captured shortly after Nelson and Barone welcomed their son Milo into the world in 2014 via surrogate. Caught up in the haze of new parenthood, the couple didn't think much of photographer Lindsay Foster's request asking if she could post the photo on social media. The new parents agreed, and shortly after, Nelson received a call from a friend saying the photo had gone viral and garnered hundreds of thousands of views. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While the pair received an outpouring of love from around the world, in an unexpected twist, the photo was slapped onto an anti-surrogacy campaign without their consent by right-wing Italian political party Fratelli dItalia in 2016, Nelson said. Italy's now-ruling party the FdI won the country's 2022 election, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been ordered to pay Barone and Nelson 10,000 euros each for offensive use of their image, seven years after the ordeal began. "I think this sends a strong message to the haters that pride and love is always going to win," Nelson said, though the couple has not received the payment yet as the government has appealed the court's decision. "I hope our win sets some sort of a precedent sending a message to Italy to stop doing this." Posters featuring the couple were circulated around Italy by far-right political group Fratelli d'Italia for an anti-surrogacy referendum they were pursuing at the time. Translated from Italian to English, the poster read: "He will never be able to say mom." "We just felt no control," Nelson said. He added that they felt confused, wondering how the narrative of the photo in which they only see love, care and joy could shift so drastically by powers beyond their control thousands of kilometres away. Unsure of how to even approach the situation, Nelson and Barone turned to social media posting a plea for help. Birth photo from Toronto couple used without consent in anti-surrogacy by Italian far-right group Legal action With both Nelson and Barone teaching at Toronto high schools at the time, the concept of hiring a legal firm seemed unattainable. In a twist of fate, Italian LGBTQ+ law firm Gay Lex extended an offer to represent the couple pro-bono. "We felt like we had nothing to lose and decided to sue," Nelson said. Court proceedings against the political party dragged on for seven years. "After year six we began to lose hope," Nelson admitted. "We did not expect COVID, We didn't expect a very-far right neo-fascist party to ever get elected, or expect to then be suing the party that rose to be Italy's leading party along with the (prime minister)." In June of this year Pride Month 2023, no less Nelson and Barone received some long-awaited good news. "We won! It blew our minds. It felt very fitting to us that it happened in June and during Pride Month, and our son Milo was born during World Pride in Toronto. It just felt full circle," Nelson said. Who are the Fratelli dItalia? The Fratelli d'Italia, also known as the Brothers of Italy, are a national-conservative and right-wing populist political party in Italy currently in power led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The political party's website states: "The Fratelli d'Italia movement promotes the peaceful coexistence of peoples, states, ethnic groups and religious confessions while respecting sovereignty, independence and national unity." While campaigning, Meloni platformed a vision that was anything but peaceful coexistence of peoples. Meloni, a self-professing Christian, litters her speeches with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and conservative stances on family values. Yes to natural families, no to the LGBT lobby, yes to sexual identity, no to gender ideology, yes to the culture of life, no to the abyss of death, she said while addressing supporters of Spains rightist Vox party in Marbella in June 2022. "Giorgia Meloni is really trying to promote the concept of a nuclear family, even though she is a divorced woman herself," Nelson said. As Meloni has stepped into her role as prime minister, Italy remains the only western European country that has not legalized same-sex marriage. In March 2023, Italian city halls were ordered to officially stop recording the names of both parents within city registers in the case of same-sex couples, a move that was denounced by gay activists, according to reports. "Meloni says that for a child to grow up well, they need a mother and a father. It is insulting to hundreds of thousands of families with two same-sex parents," Yuri Guaiana of activist group All Out said in an interview with PBS News Hour. More recently, in May 2023, Meloni dodged criticism from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G7 Summit about her government's stance on LGBTQ+ rights. In a television interview, Trudeau can be heard saying Canada is concerned about some of the positions Italy is taking on in terms of LGBT rights. Meloni looked on in annoyance, twiddled her thumbs and listened in silence offering little retort. A 19-year-old college student was found dead Thursday in a lake near a Southwest Florida university campus after he went overboard during a boat ride with several people, authorities say. Graham McGrath, a student at Florida Gulf Coast University, had set sail from a nearby community with a dozen others the day before, when just before 7 p.m., a 911 call alerted law enforcement of a missing boater at the Fort Myers-area Lake Como. At some point, one of the occupants went over the boat and... he never returned, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told reporters Wednesday night. Multiple agencies deployed divers to the area Wednesday night while Lee detectives began interviewing the people who were onboard the vessel. McGraths body was found in the lake the next morning. This embedded content is not available in your region. According to Marceno, the boat McGrath was in could fit as much as 16 people. He noted that the students cause of death is yet to be determined by the countys medical examiners office. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement We dont see any physical signs of trauma, Marceno told reporters around noon Thursday after the body has been discovered. They were having a great time and unfortunately things turned tragic pretty quickly. Marceno added: this is very traumatic for the students. FGCU President Aysegul Timur announced Thursday on social media that students and employees are being offered psychological services. Students may call 239-590-7950, or 239-745-EARS (3277) on evenings, weekends and holidays. Employees can call 24/7 at 833-746-8337. The entire FGCU community is devastated by the loss of Graham. Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to Grahams family, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, his friends and all members of our Eagle community as we cope with this unfortunate tragedy, the university said. The entire FGCU community is devastated by the loss of Graham. Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to Grahams family, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, his friends and all members of our Eagle community as we cope with this unfortunate tragedy. 2/10 Florida Gulf Coast University (@fgcu) August 24, 2023 If youre the adult child in this scenario, it may be important to ask yourself: Why do you want your parents to retire? If youre the adult child in this scenario, it may be important to ask yourself: Why do you want your parents to retire? Americans are working until later and later in life. Thats in part because of longer life spans, and in part because many older adults are behind in retirement savings and have to stick it out. (According to one 2022 survey, 71% of baby boomers say they feel behind on saving for retirement.) As a result, the workforce is becoming older than ever. As The Washington Post reported in July, people under age 40 made up more than 60% of the workforce in 1984. Today, that number has fallen to 45%. Over that same period, workers over 60 have become twice as common. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Its not just money concerns that keep baby boomers the generation born between 1946 and 1964 working. There are plenty of older adults who want to keep clocking in because their sense of worth and community is tied to their work. As the Boston College Center for Retirement Research summed it up in 2016, people need more than financial security to make the leap to retirement. Still, working into your 60s, 70s or even 80s doesnt exactly match everyones idea of the golden years. If youre an adult child of someone whos nearing retirement but still working, its natural to want them to let go a little and finally enjoy everything theyve worked for. In various Reddit communities, theres no shortage of millennials asking How do I retire my parents? or discussing what it was like to have the talk about retirement with a parent. But could it come across as an overstep, or a tad condescending, to have that talk? Is asking Have you thought about retiring soon? a bit helicopter child of you? (Helicopter parents are so named because they hover over their childrens every move and decision. Naturally, the inverse of the type a helicopter adult child exists, too.) Experts we spoke to were divided on the subject. Brent Bernard, a clinical counselor and the owner of Keep Moving Forward Counseling and Consulting in Dayton, Ohio, thinks that if handled sensitively and empathetically family conversations about retirement timing can be a good thing. As hes seen with his own clients, the talk can help defuse any stress that the parent or the child may be bottling up. Having these frank and honest conversations about this with your loved one may help manage any stigmas or concerns about being a burden to adult children, he said. It may help shift the focus of worry to a more productive problem-solving perspective. Keep the focus on serving them and partnering with them, not saving them.Celia Roberts Hughes, a financial therapist based in Nashville, Tennessee Still, your parents retirement ultimately isnt your decision to make, which means the goal should be to listen, not persuade, Bernard said. Youre a collaborator or an adviser in this, not the one calling the shots. If your parent doesnt feel heard in their worries and concerns, and think that your agenda is being forced upon them, theyre likely to become defensive and more entrenched in their position rather than hearing a concerned family members thoughts that retirement may be in their best interest, he said. This is a sensitive topic because it shifts the power dynamic in a typical parent-child relationship. If youre the still-working parent, its easy to get defensive when youre put in a situation where it feels like your decision-making skills are being questioned, or like your sense of agency is slipping out of your hands. Given how emotionally loaded the subject is, adult children would be wise to ask themselves Why do I want my parents to retire? before jumping in, said Celia Roberts Hughes, a financial therapist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Are you concerned about their safety or ability to maintain their integrity in their careers? Or is it possible that youre projecting your own feelings onto them? she said. Is it possible that retiring is something that you look forward to, and so you cant understand why they arent moving forward? Does their retirement benefit you in some way, perhaps helping with their grandchildren more? And while you may think youre doing them a favor if you plan to volunteer to help them out financially, many parents are loath to be dependent on their children. What feels like a gift to you may not feel that way to them, Roberts Hughes said. Keep the focus on serving them and partnering with them, not saving them, she said. Keep the focus on serving [your parents] and partnering with them, not saving them, said financial therapist Celia Roberts Hughes. Keep the focus on serving [your parents] and partnering with them, not saving them, said financial therapist Celia Roberts Hughes. Boomers who are putting off retirement despite being financially secure may want to ask themselves some questions too, Roberts Hughes said. For boomers faced with this decision, its OK if retirement isnt what you want right now, but Id ask why? she said. How does your work serve you? What needs are being met? (If youre pondering questions like this, or are otherwise retirement-shy, Roberts Hughes said she highly recommends Barbara Paganos book The 60-Something Crisis: How to Live an Extraordinary Life in Retirement.) Other people think conversations of this nature are best avoided or that at least, adult children shouldnt be the ones to broach them. Its generally not appropriate because, one, it should be the older adults decision, and two, the idea that at a certain point youre supposed to stop working is inherently a bit ageist, said Dr. Leslie Kernisan, a geriatrician and the author of When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatricians Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, and More. Kernisan pointed out that some research suggests its actually healthy and stabilizing for older adults to continue work if they still can. And its good financially, of course, she said, noting that many boomers are not financially stable enough actually for retirement, and it keeps them engaged and purposeful. Kernisan brought up one exception where this conversation might be appropriate: If your parent is slipping cognitively, you may want to talk. Kernisan knows of a family whos in this very situation right now. The mom, who I think is 72, has been working as a bookkeeper for a small business for 10 years, and shes starting to make a lot of mistakes, she said. The owner of the business is concerned, and its awkward for them. They would love for the employee to decide to retire because they dont like the idea of having to point out the mistakes that the older woman is making. Boomers were raised in a social and cultural context where they were expected to commit to their career for the duration of their professional lifespan, said Erin Mason, a psychotherapist in Los Angeles who specializes in life transitions. Boomers were raised in a social and cultural context where they were expected to commit to their career for the duration of their professional lifespan, said Erin Mason, a psychotherapist in Los Angeles who specializes in life transitions. Understand where the reluctance to retire is coming from If youre the child here, give some thought to why asking your parents to retire might be such a tall order, regardless of their financial circumstances. Boomers were raised in a social and cultural context where they were expected to commit to their career for the duration of their professional lifespan, said Erin Mason, a psychotherapist in Los Angeles who specializes in life transitions. As Gallup noted in a 2014 study of potential retirees, boomers notoriously hard-charging work ethic and drive to get ahead can make it difficult to envision downshifting into the slower pace of retired life. It can feel inconceivable to let go of something in which youve invested immense effort, emotion and energy, Mason said. Women in particular have had to exhibit relentless work ethic, fierce determination, and personal sacrifice to forge a professional path for themselves. Differentiating yourself from your career after a lifetime of work can be a huge challenge, she said. Your professional identity becomes inextricably intertwined with who and how you see yourself and your self-perceived value, Mason said. A successful career often provides people with the confidence that they belong in the world. Fulfilled by a sense of productivity and participation, they feel theyre able to contribute to society. They are relevant. Your parents work might connect them not only to their sense of purpose, but also to other people and supportive social relationships are integral to healthy aging, Mason said. Some research suggests its actually healthy and stabilizing for older adults to work if they can. Some research suggests its actually healthy and stabilizing for older adults to work if they can. A few tips if you do have some version of the talk While it might not be your place to push retirement on your parents, it could be appropriate for you to remind them of the social connections they still have or can still cultivate, Roberts Hughes said. And if theyre afraid that they wont feel like they have a purpose, you can talk through some ways that they can continue to live a purposeful life, like through hobbies and volunteering, she said. If you do move forward with any form of retirement conversation, its important to start with connection and humanity. As an adult child, it is easy to forget that our parents are autonomous people living independent lives, and telling them what to do is likely going to backfire and create tension in the relationship, Roberts Hughes said. She offered some questions that you might want to lead off with: What do you love about working? What does it feel like when you think about retirement? Is there any part of retirement that feels scary or boring or unattractive to you? What do you love to do other than work? Ask open questions and be prepared to get to know them better, Roberts Hughes said. Maybe there are approaches theyve overlooked that you could suggest, like downshifting, where you ease up on your hours on the job or take on less work or fewer projects. (That said, downshifting is considerably easier to do when youre your own boss if your parent is not self-employed, they might want to read up on how to submit a downshifting proposal for their employer that could lead to a workable plan beneficial for both parties.) However the conversation goes, remember: Our parents are entitled to agency over their lives and choices, even when we dont consider those choices the wisest, said Marc Shulman, a psychologist and the founder and director of Long Island Psychology. We can be honest with our parents, and show love, support and acceptance even when theyre making choices we dont understand or believe to be in their best interest, he said. If youre an older adult on the receiving end of this conversation, its OK to be forthcoming and clear about boundaries, Shulman said. When you communicate clearly what role youd like your children to play in the next phase of your life, along with being open about what youre willing to share and clear about what is off the table, it makes difficult conversations productive and facilitative, he said. Remember that your children love you and have your best interests at heart, he said. Perhaps youll decide that partnering with your children to support you emotionally and practically in transitioning through retirement and the next stage of life might actually help you actualize your hopes and wishes for your twilight years, he said. Its up to you. Related... Sarasota and Manatee County Emergency Management Officials began monitoring conditions on Friday as a tropical depression is anticipated to form late this weekend or early next week in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The National Weather Service said most forecast models show it moving into the Florida Panhandle or Western Florida by Tuesday or Wednesday. Most of the rain is forecasted to fall Tuesday and Wednesday with the drought in Western Florida soaking up a lot of the rain. Will the storm hit Sarasota or Manatee County? Its too soon to forecast impacts since the storm hasnt developed yet, but where the storm develops could impact what area of Florida it moves into, according to the National Weather Service. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement If it forms near Cancun, it would move to Cedar Key. If it develops further east, it could move to Southwest Florida. If it's a stronger system, favors Florida Panhandle. If it's a weaker system, favors Western Florida. On a budget? Here's 5 cheap ways to prepare your home for Florida's hurricane season While the National Weather Service said that their confidence in the forecast of impacted areas is low, their confidence is "moderate" that the storm will occur. What information is known about this disturbance in the Caribbean Sea? A broad area of low pressure over the northwestern Caribbean Sea is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Hurricane preparation: Sarasota and Manatee residents urged to prepare as hurricane season draws near Environmental conditions appear conducive for the gradual development of this system during the next several days, and the possible tropical depression is likely to form late this weekend or early next week while moving generally northward over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Residents in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, western Cuba, and Florida should monitor the progress of this system. A formation chance through the next 48 hours is low at 40 percent, and the formation chance through the next 7 days is high at 80%. When is the Atlantic hurricane season? The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. What is Sarasota County doing to prepare? Rich Collins, Director of Emergency Services, said the county is monitoring the weather, and the Emergency Management Team is coordinating with the National Weather Service as the future path of the storm becomes more clear. "At this time, as always, we encourage our community members to be prepared," Collins said in a written statement. What is Manatee County doing to prepare? Steve Litschauer, deputy chief for emergency management, said that his team is having internal meetings and daily calls with the National Weather Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Theyve contacted their leads in emergency support functions, Red Cross, Turning Point, and law enforcement agencies to let them know about the storm and keep them in the loop on preparations.Litschauer recommends that residents use the weekend to gas up their cars, stock up on groceries, and think of places to go if they're planning to evacuate. "Theres nothing to panic about," Litschauer said. "We dont know if well truly need it, but its always best to have a plan." Longtime Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane retired Aug. 25. Whos in charge now? Ed McCrane retired Aug. 25 after 18 years as Sarasota Countys Emergency Management Chief. Scott Montgomery, who retired from Sarasota County in June 2021 as an Emergency Management section chief and chief lifeguard, is stepping in as interim emergency management chief, while Sarasota County searches for a permanent chief. Where can I receive updates from Sarasota and Manatee County on the disturbance? Use Sarasota Countys website at https://www.scgov.net/beprepared for a disaster planning guide, transportation plan, and resources for preparing homes for storms. Sign up for emergency alerts at MyManatee.org/AlertManatee. Use MyManatee.org/weather to determine the evacuation level and location of open shelters and sandbags. Where can I find a list of hurricane supplies to get? The second of two 14-day sales tax holidays to help residents purchase hurricane supplies began on Saturday, Aug. 26, and will run until Sept. 8. House Bill 7063 makes the following items exempt from sales tax during the two 14-day periods: Self-powered lights of $40 or less. Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weather-band radio of $50 or less. A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less. An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less. A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less. A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less. A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less. A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less. Reusable ice with a sales price of $20 or less. A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less. A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less. A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less. A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less. The tax holidays also include a number of items related to the safe evacuation of household pets. Exempted items include: Bags of dry dog food or cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $100 or less per bag. Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case. Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less per item. Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item. Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item. Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item. Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item. Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $25 or less per item. Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item. Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package. Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package. Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package. Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item. Contributing: Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press, and Cheryl McCloud, USA Today. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee officials say to plan for potential storm Lee County and Collier County Emergency Management officials, along with federal, state and local partners, announced they are monitoring conditions as a tropical depression is expected to form late this weekend or early next week into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. "Lee County recognizes that post-Hurricane Ian, some residents could be more susceptible to impacts than a typical tropical event. The county is planning to assist as necessary and is prepared to respond operationally, depending on conditions," Lee County officials said in an early Friday press release. Collier County officials shared similar sentiments, asking residents to overall "be prepared, be patient, and help your neighbor, as that is what makes Collier County such a great place." Here's what Southwest Florida residents need to know ahead of time. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More: National Hurricane Center tracking system moving toward Florida. See expected impacts What information is known about this disturbance in the Caribbean Sea? A broad area of low pressure over the northwestern Caribbean Sea is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for the gradual development of this system during the next several days, and the possible tropical depression is likely to form late this weekend or early next week while moving generally northward over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Residents in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, western Cuba, and Florida should monitor the progress of this system. Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 40 percent. Formation chance through 7 days: high, 80 percent. What is Lee County doing to prepare? Lee County Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation continue to maintain and monitor drainage canals, ditches, and swales. County officials reminded residents that roadside ditches and swales are designed to drain. However, they may hold water for some time during significant rain events. Lee County Natural Resources also reports the countys water levels remain lower than average due to a lack of normal rainfall this season, which should help throughout the anticipated weather event. Other departments that could be impacted operationally during hurricane season also are monitoring and planning and are prepared. They encourage all residents to take time now to prepare themselves and their families. What is Collier County doing to prepare? "Although this storms forecast is uncertain, exceptionally warm surface water in the Gulf of Mexico could allow any storm to intensify rapidly. The Emergency Operations Center and staff are ready for whatever threat this storm poses," Collier County officials said in a press release. have recommended that residents take advantage of this current tax holiday to prepare for hurricane season. They encourage residents to stock a disaster supply kit that can last the entire household, including pets, for at least seven days. The Divisions complete disaster supply kit checklist is available for download at www.FloridaDisaster.org/Kit. When is the Atlantic hurricane season? The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Where can I find a list of hurricane supplies to get? The second of two 14-day sales tax holidays to help residents purchase hurricane supplies began on Saturday, Aug. 26 and will run until Sept. 8. House Bill 7063 makes the following items exempt from sales tax during the two 14-day periods: Self-powered lights of $40 or less. Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weather-band radio of $50 or less. A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less. An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less. A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less. A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less. A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less. A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less. Reusable ice with a sales price of $20 or less. A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less. A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less. A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less. A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less. The tax holidays also include a number of items related to the safe evacuation of household pets. Exempted items include: Bags of dry dog food or cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $100 or less per bag. Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case. Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less per item. Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item. Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item. Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item. Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item. Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $25 or less per item. Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item. Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package. Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package. Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package. Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item. Where can I receive updates from both Lee County and Collier County on the disturbance? Lee County County officials advise resident to download the LeePrepares App and sign up for Alert Lee. They can also visit LeeEOC to read the All Hazards Guide and view refreshed, post-Hurricane Ian preparation videos, which cover everything from making your plan ahead of a storm to the recovery process that follows. Collier County As for Collier County, officials ask that residents sign up for Alert Collier, the County's mass notification system. When you sign up with Alert Collier, you can enter up to five addresses within the County boundaries where you would like to receive emergency alerts. Register at AlertCollier or call 3-1-1 within Collier County. What's next? We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look at our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tropical system with storm potential monitored as it heads for SWFL Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks in the Fulton County Government Center during a news conference on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Atlanta. | John Bazemore, Associated Press Former President Donald Trump was arrested at the Fulton County Jail Thursday on charges related to alleged election interference in Georgia after the 2020 election. After being booked and released, Trump addressed reporters at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta. When you challenge an election you should be able to challenge an election, he said. And I should have every right to do that. As you know, you have many people that youve been watching over the years do the same thing, whether its Hillary Clinton or Stacey Abrams or many others. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged him and 18 others with 41 counts, including racketeering charges, in connection with efforts to overturn Georgias 2020 election results, as the Deseret News reported. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In response to the charges, some Republican lawmakers launched an investigation into the district attorney, while others like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., took to social media to show support. Greene posted a fake mug shot in solidarity with the former president and prompted other supporters to post their own versions. I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Bidens top political opponent. Persecution, not prosecution. #MAGAMugshot pic.twitter.com/BLAJ16g6Je Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) August 24, 2023 This is Trumps fourth criminal case, but this is the first time his mug shot was taken. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro questioned on social media whether the picture was needed. Hes the most photographed person on Earth. The mugshot was completely unnecessary and vindictive, of course, he said. But its going to backfire dramatically, since this image is instantly iconic. He's the most photographed person on Earth. The mugshot was completely unnecessary and vindictive, of course. But it's going to backfire dramatically, since this image is instantly iconic. pic.twitter.com/msgEktyVYd Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 25, 2023 Will Trump lose popularity amid 4th indictment? Shapiro may be right. Hours after the arrest, the Trump campaign was selling shirts featuring the mug shot. But Stu Rothenberg, a nonpartisan political analyst, told Reuters that ultimately, Trump, the GOP front-runner for 2024, is at risk of losing independent and moderate voters because of the indictments. Close elections are won at the margins, Rothenberg said. The latest Politico Magazine/Ipsos poll found that 3 in 5 Americans surveyed say that Trumps trials for cases related to his handling of classified documents and his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election should happen before the 2024 election. House Republicans launch probe into Atlanta district attorney In Congress, Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is launching an investigation into Fani Willis, the district attorney in Georgias Fulton County. Jordan raised questions about Willis motivation for charging Trump in a letter to Willis. Your indictment and prosecution implicate substantial federal interests, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated, Jordans letter says. And because this former president is a current candidate for that office, the indictment implicates another core federal interest: a presidential election, it said. The sole defendant ordered held without bond in Donald Trumps sweeping 2020 election conspiracy case was also recently charged with assaulting an FBI agent. Harrison Floyd, the former director of the group Black Voices for Trump, is one of 19 people including the former president who turned themselves in at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta under suspicion of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Floyd, also known as Willie Lewis Floyd III, was booked Thursday on charges of conspiracy to solicit false statements and writing, influencing witnesses and violating the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. All of the other defendants have posted bond. (Stephen Lee, an Illinois pastor, was the final defendant arrested and released Friday morning.) But Floyd remains jailed as of Friday afternoon due to not having a prearranged bond set like the others. A combination picture shows police booking mug shots of former U.S. President Donald Trump (top left) and 11 of the 18 people indicted with him. Harrison Floyd is in the bottom row, second from right. A combination picture shows police booking mug shots of former U.S. President Donald Trump (top left) and 11 of the 18 people indicted with him. Harrison Floyd is in the bottom row, second from right. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Floyds court-listed attorney, Carlos Salvado, did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment Friday. Floyd Was Recently Charged With Assaulting An FBI Agent Six months ago, Floyd was separately accused of assaulting an FBI agent serving him a subpoena at his Maryland home. He was arrested on Feb. 23 and charged with simple assault on a federal officer. According to a copy of a criminal complaint filed in May, two agents attempted to hand Floyd the subpoena in person as he was returning to his Rockville home. The agents said they first called Floyd, whom they knew to be a retired Marine and professional MMA fighter, and spoke with him over the phone in a recorded conversation. They introduced themselves as federal agents and said they needed to serve him a federal grand jury subpoena. Floyd remained jailed in Georgia as of Friday afternoon. He faces a separate charge in Maryland after allegedly assaulting an FBI agent earlier this year. Floyd remained jailed in Georgia as of Friday afternoon. He faces a separate charge in Maryland after allegedly assaulting an FBI agent earlier this year. Though the subpoenas purpose was not disclosed in the complaint, special counsel Jack Smiths office was subpoenaing various people around this time for documents and testimony related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The FBI agents said Floyd refused to accept the subpoena while outside his apartment, and that he ignored one agents display of their badge. An agent stuck the document in his front door as Floyd was closing it on them, according to the complaint. As the agents started to exit down a staircase, they say, they heard Floyd yelling from behind them. He then allegedly rushed down the stairs at them screaming obscenities. Floyd allegedly struck one of the two agents in the chest, knocking them backward while yelling in their face. He allegedly backed away after the second agent flashed the firearm secured at their waist. I havent seen anything. You havent given me anything. I dont know who the fuck you are, Floyd was alleged to have yelled after backing away and retreating toward his apartment. Harrison Floyd speaks at a roundtable discussion at the First Immanuel Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 2020. Harrison Floyd speaks at a roundtable discussion at the First Immanuel Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 2020. Floyd Allegedly Told 911 He Almost Went For The Agents Gun The agents left and Floyd called 911 to report that two people, one of them armed, had accosted him. He said the people followed him into his house, threatened him and threw things at him, according to the complaint. They were lucky I didnt have a gun on me, because I would have shot his fucking ass, Floyd told the 911 dispatcher. When police officers arrived, Floyd said he felt like hed been grabbed by his feet by the FBI agents as he was climbing the stairs to his apartment. He acknowledged the document left on the floor, and showed police officers a photo of the agents business cards. He said the photo had been sent to him by his mother-in-law after the agents visited her first while trying to locate him. I dont know what that is, Im not touching it. Im not picking it up, Floyd said of the subpoena left on the ground, according to the complaint. Floyd allegedly told the officers that he went back into his apartment to get a weapon from the kitchen because he had to go fight two guys and make sure they dont come back. He said that when he saw the agents firearm, he almost went for it. Both agents denied having touched Floyd, and said that an audio recording of their encounter with him supports this. Floyd was arrested that evening and charged with second-degree assault. He was taken into custody at the Montgomery County Detention Center without incident and was subsequently released. Floyd Is Accused Of Trying To Influence Former Poll Worker Ruby Freeman In the Trump indictment, Floyd is among several people accused of pressuring former Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman after she refused to illegally change the 2020 election results in Trumps favor. Freemans Georgia home was repeatedly visited by Trumps associates and a pro-Trump mob was set upon it, forcing her to live elsewhere for approximately two months, she testified earlier this year. Former Fulton County poll worker Ruby Freeman has said she was repeatedly harassed and threatened for refusing to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Former Fulton County poll worker Ruby Freeman has said she was repeatedly harassed and threatened for refusing to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. In addition to calling and texting Freeman, Floyd is accused in the indictment of recruiting a onetime publicist for the hip-hop artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to visit Freeman at her home. The publicist, Trevian Kutti, traveled from Chicago and met with Freeman at a local police precinct. Kutti warned Freeman that she needed protection and said she could help Freeman, according to police recordings and reports obtained by Reuters. During their conversation, Kutti connected Freeman on the phone with Floyd, who was identified to her as Harrison Ford. The pair again told Freeman that she needed protection and that they could help her, Freeman told Reuters. Freeman said that Floyd and Kutti tried to get her to implicate herself in committing voter fraud on Election Day, and said that Kutti offered her legal assistance in exchange for her cooperation. If you dont tell everything, Freeman recalled Kutti allegedly saying, youre going to jail. Related... LaShawn Thompson shared something in common with former President Donald J. Trump. Both were defendants charged in Fulton County, Georgia, and booked at the Fulton County Jailknown as Rice Street. But that is their only shared commonality with the criminal justice system. On Thursday, with TV cameras overhead and behind his motorcade following every moment of his journey, Trump arrived with an armed U.S. Secret Service escort, and sped through the process of paperwork and having his fingerprinting and mug shots taken like a VIP being let into a night club. It took only 24 or so minutes for him to be booked and leave the jail. His height was logged at 6-foot-3, his weight at 215 pounds, and his hair color as blond or strawberry. The newly minted Inmate No. Po1135809 was back on his private jet within a matter of moments, after claiming again he had done nothing wrong. But LaShawn Thompson never got to leave after his booking at Rice Street. He died there at the age of 35. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trumps Arrest Puts Spotlight on the Horrible Fulton County Jail Thompson died at the Fulton County Jail after being held there for three months. According to his autopsy, contributing factors to his death included dehydration, malnutrition, untreated schizophrenia, and severe insect infestation on his body from lice and bed bugs. His familys attorney said he was eaten alive by insects and bedbugs. Thompson was charged with a misdemeanor. By contrast, Trump is charged with racketeering crimes in a 41-count felony indictment and facing a total of four different criminal cases brought by prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Justice, Manhattan District Attorneys Office, and now the Fulton County District Attorneys Office. But the Fulton County case is the first time that Trump will experience the normal booking procedures of fingerprinting and likely be photographed for his mug shot. He also has release conditions that include bail. Trump did not go through the same booking processes as other defendants in either of the two DOJ criminal and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Nor did he have any bail or bond requirements in those cases. Perhaps the difference in Georgia is due to the fact that both the New York and federal systems were deferential to a defendant who once led the executive branch while Fani Willis feels no such obligation. Trump Co-Defendants Risky Gamble Backfires in Georgia Or perhaps the difference is Trump is now a defendant facing a total of 91 criminal counts. But whatever the reasons behind Georgias decision, Trump and his supporters will continue to claim that he is the victim of political persecution and that there are two systems of justicea supposedly lenient one for liberals and a supposedly harsh one for conservatives. Nothing could be further from the truth. The real two systems of justice in our country is that the influential and wealthy experience one system while those with no influence and little wealth experience a wholly different one. Both systems can result in some measure of justice, either through a conviction for crimes or an acquittal, but in only one systemthe one for those who lack influence and wealthis the system itself a tool of punishment. A police officer in Antioch, California, put it best in a text message about a suspect who suffered dog bites inflicted by police canines: i (sic) feel like this is the real punishment compared to the soft DA Thats not how its supposed to be. The processing of a criminal defendant should be just thata processand that process should be a safe and humane one for every defendant who is innocent and not to be punished until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The process of being arrested and charged shouldnt be viewed as comeuppance for anyone. The much talked-about perp walk is a great example of our societys interest in punishment pre-conviction. The act of parading a charged person for public humiliation dates back at least to the French monarchists paraded through the streets on the way to the guillotine and was updatedironicallyby now Trump co-defendant Rudy Giuliani, who liked to parade Wall Street defendants though a scrum of media that had been notified in advance by police when to assemble to provide maximum publicity for Giulianis career. The popular practice of putting mug shots onto the internetparticularly those of celebritiesis another aspect of this pre-conviction punishment process. Recognition of the problems associated with disseminating mug shotsincluding promoting racial biaseshave caused many news organizations to stop using mug shots as part of their stories. But transparent processes like perp walks and mug shots may serve some kind of deterrent effect showing the public that even the rich and powerful may be brought to justice. In other instances, like the capture of a dangerous serial killersfor example the Son of Sam murderer in New York or the Night Stalker killer in Los Angelesthe visual of the perp walk and mug shot also serves to reassure the public of their safety. That is not true for dangerous and inhumane conditions in jails and prisons. Nor is it true for the abuses perpetrated by law enforcement. Inhumane conditions in jails (whether for those awaiting trial or those serving sentences) and brutal treatment by law enforcement (including sexual assault and harassment) are not parts of the criminal justice system. Or at least they are not part of the sanctioned criminal justice system. In places like the Fulton County Jail, investigations by the DOJ and human rights groups using public records requests found overcrowding, inmate deaths, excessive force from officers, structural issues, outbreaks of lice and scabies, and malnourishment among inmates. And the Southern Center for Human Rights found in one 2022 outbreak that 100% of inmates in one unit suffered from lice, scabies or both and 90 percent were malnourished. The multiple cases now brought against Trumpand now, finally, those who worked with him to allegedly commit crimesdo show that our system is capable of holding even the powerful accountable. But they also shine a light on the horrorsand they are horrorsexperienced at the hands of our criminal justice system by those not shielded by wealth, influence, and power. In the long run, long after the mug shots of Trump, Rudy, and others fade from memory, it is how we treat people like LaShawn Thompson that we as a society will be remembered for, and for which we should be judged. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Biden speaks during jobs and infrastructure event at White House in Washington By Steve Holland SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (Reuters) - As former President Donald Trump was arrested in Atlanta, U.S. President Joe Biden said he had spoken with Ukraine's president on Friday and issued a fresh appeal for contributions to his 2024 re-election campaign "apropos of nothing." Biden was silent all day on Friday while on vacation at a home overlooking Lake Tahoe, but at almost the exact time Trump's plane landed in Atlanta, the White House announced the phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "May today be a reminder that the forces of darkness and dominion will never extinguish the flame of liberty that lives in the heart of free people everywhere," Biden wrote from his official presidential account on the social media platform X, former known as Twitter, after announcing the call. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Biden made no mention of Trump's legal woes, sticking with a policy of avoiding commenting on the troubles facing the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Biden, however, sent out an appeal on X for donations to his re-election campaign at about the same time as Trump was on his way to be arrested at the Fulton County Jail. "Apropos of nothing, I think today's a great day to give to my campaign," Biden wrote. When Trump was indicted in a separate case in Washington on Aug. 1, Biden was at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, dining out and watching a popular movie. In the call with Zelenskiy, the pair discussed the start of training for Ukraine pilots to fly U.S.-produced F-16 fighter jets, as well as expedited approval for other nations to transfer their F-16 jets to Ukraine, the White House said. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Daniel Wallis) Donald Trump has been arrested yet again. The former president surrendered to authorities in Georgia on Thursday, less than two weeks after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicted him and 18 allies on charges related to their effort to overturn the states 2020 presidential election results. Trump arrived at the Fulton County jail around 7:30 p.m. after flying into Atlanta from New Jersey. He will reportedly have his mugshot taken as part of his processing. The former president is listed as having blond or strawberry hair, standing at 63, and weighing in at a very dubious 215 pounds. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement After being arrested and booked, Trump spoke with reporters before departing from Georgia. Its election interference, he claimed. We did nothing wrong at all and we have every right, every single right, to challenge an election that we think is dishonest. Trump makes remarks at the airport after being booked in Georgia, is still pretending his indictment was just about objecting to an election when it's really about a conspiracy to disenfranchise voters pic.twitter.com/a4NF6bZJev Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 25, 2023 Willis ordered that all 19 defendants turn themselves in by Friday at noon. Theyve steadily been doing so throughout the week, with John Eastman and Scott Hall surrendering on Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani and a gaggle of others turning themselves in on Wednesday, and Mark Meadows, Trumps former chief of staff, visiting the Fulton County jail ahead of Trump on Thursday. Trumps arrest is his fourth this year, following one in April on charges handed down by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg related to the effort to keep porn star Stormy Daniels quiet ahead of the 2016 election about an alleged affair; one in June on federal charges related to his handling of classified material after leaving the White House; and one earlier this month on more federal charges stemming from the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Willis began investigating Trump in early 2021 following the release of audio of a phone call between the then-president and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Trump pressured Raffensperger to find the votes Trump needed to surpass Joe Bidens total in the state. The investigation grew to include a host of other potentially illegal conduct related to the effort to overturn the states election results, both from Trump and several of his allies involved in the scheme. Trump was ultimately charged with 13 criminal counts, including a violation of Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Trumps arrest comes after his legal team reached a bail agreement with the court stipulating the former president pay $200,000 bond and sign off on various requirements in order to remain free. These include not committing additional crimes, appearing in court when required to, and refraining from making any direct or indirect threat of any nature against any co-defendant, unindicted co-conspirator, witness, or victim. Trump has overhauled his legal team since the bail agreement was reached, however, replacing lead attorney Drew Findling with high-profile criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow on Thursday. Sadow echoed Trumps rhetoric surrounding the arrest in a statement released in response to his new gig. Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system, he wrote. Trump has long alleged that his legal woes are part of a Democratic conspiracy to torpedo his chances at winning back the White House. Hes repeatedly cast himself as a martyr, telegraphing to his supporters that hes being indicted for them. NOBODY HAS EVER FOUGHT FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY LIKE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, he wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. FOR DOING SO, I WILL PROUDLY BE ARRESTED TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN GEORGIA. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!! This is yet another SAD DAY IN AMERICA! Trump added shortly before leaving for Atlanta on Thursday. Its unclear when or even if Trump will stand trial in Georgia. Ken Chesebro, one of Trumps co-defendants, put in a request on Wednesday for a speedy trial. Willis responded on Thursday by calling for all 19 defendants to stand trial on October 23. Sadow quickly objected in one of his first moves as Trumps new attorney. The former presidents team is expected to continue to do what it can to delay the trial beyond the 2024 election. Rolling Stonereported last year that part of Trumps impetus for running again is to immunize himself from the myriad investigations into his potentially illegal conduct. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Former President Donald Trump surrendered to law enforcement officials in Fulton County, Georgia, on Thursday after a grand jury there indicted him on 13 felony charges related to his effort to steal the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden. Trump is facing felony charges for racketeering, soliciting a public officer to violate their oath of office, making false statements and conspiring to impersonate a public official, committing forgery, and committing and making false statements to public officials. The charges in Georgia come on top of three other indictments, two in federal court and one in New York. Trump has denied any wrongdoing in the cases. The racketeering charges are perhaps the most serious, as they charge Trump, along with 18 co-defendants, under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law used to indict participants in a criminal conspiracy. RICO has often been used to prosecute the mob or drug gangs, and has most recently made news in the Atlanta prosecution of the rapper Young Thug. Now, its use in an alleged political conspiracy is unique and makes the Georgia case stand out from the other three criminal cases against Trump. The Georgia case also raises important constitutional issues related to presidential immunity that courts have not debated before. On Aug. 15, Trumps former chief of staff and current Georgia co-defendant Mark Meadows filed to move the trial from state court to federal court. To win a removal, Trump will need to argue to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that he was acting in his capacity as a federal officer and not a political candidate when he committed the acts Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis alleges are crimes. He will also need to show that he has a credible federal defense, like an argument that as president, he is immune from prosecution for his official actions. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced the 13 charges former President Donald Trump received after a Georgia grand jury indicted him on charges for interfering with Georgia's election results in 2020. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced the 13 charges former President Donald Trump received after a Georgia grand jury indicted him on charges for interfering with Georgia's election results in 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Notably, all these issues are first impression issues meaning, this will be the first time they are coming before a court. Not only is there no precedent to draw on, but whatever the courts decide now will set a standard for the myriad questions that may come next. These are complicated issues. Ahead of Trump surrendering himself in Fulton County, I asked Georgia State University College of Law professor Eric Segall, who specializes in constitutional law and the federal courts, to help explain them and game out how this case could play out in the courts. Trump has now been indicted four times two of those indictments, in D.C. and in Fulton County, relate to his efforts to overturn the election. What are the big differences in the case in Fulton County compared to the one in federal court? Four letters: RICO. Its really important that this is a RICO case. There are a lot of reasons for that, legal and non-legal reasons. First of all, by using RICO, Willis was allowed to bring in all the bad stuff that happened in Pennsylvania. And thats a huge deal because, assuming that gets admitted in evidence and under RICO in any trial, it shows that what Trump allegedly did in Georgia, he also did in Pennsylvania. Imagine youre trying somebody for murder, and they had allegedly murdered someone else in Pennsylvania, you cant get that into evidence usually. But with RICO, you can. And so it makes for a much stronger case. Not only did they do these things here, but they did those things there. Thats one reason. The second reason, it has a mandatory minimum sentence. Once we get through all the legal motions, if Donald Trump really finds himself on trial, whether in Georgia or federal district court, theres a five year minimum sentence looking at him in the face. Thats something. And then, third, is John Floyd, the lawyer whos in the picture with the DA on the front page of the Atlanta paper. Ive known John Floyd for 40 years, and he might be the most knowledgeable RICO attorney in the country. If I was being charged with RICO, hes the very last person Id wanna see across from me, and hes clearly helping the DA. Theyre not hiding that fact, and its a huge deal. So those are three big differences between this case and all the other cases. If the case stays in Fulton County its a big if, but if it does that jury pool is heavily anti-Trump. Trump repeatedly maligned this district when the late Rep. John Lewis, who represented it, was alive. Trump criticized Lewis and said he lived in a crime-infested, terrible, dirty district all racial signaling. So, if he gets a Fulton County jury, hes looking at a five year mandatory minimum thats why he is gonna fight so hard to get out of Fulton County. So on that question of the requests Trump has made to remove his case from state court to the federal courts, what is the process for that? What do you think is the likelihood of it happening, and how long could it drag out? What the American people dont want to hear, but which is true, is we are in completely new territory here. Completely new. No former president has ever been arrested like this. No former president has been charged in four different courts. Supporters of former President Donald Trump gather outside of the Fulton County Jail ahead of Trump's surrender on Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia. Supporters of former President Donald Trump gather outside of the Fulton County Jail ahead of Trump's surrender on Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia. There are law professors who publicly claim the president is not an officer for the purposes of the removal statute. I think theyre wrong. I think hes clearly an officer. But will Trump judges buy that argument? Who knows? Dont forget, of the 12 active judges on the 11th Circuit, six are Trump appointees. Now, Ive looked at the law, and I dont think Trump meets the requirement of engaging in official conduct when he was acting as a candidate to overturn the results of a free and fair election. Despite that, its very difficult to predict what the federal judiciary is gonna do these days especially a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court on cases like this, politically charged cases that affect the whole country. Anyone who predicts that is being foolish. He turns himself in on Thursday. There are these requests to remove to federal court already pending. What happens after that? Whats the process after he surrenders? And what should the public expect? All the defendants who want to remove have to file to remove within 30 days. And then, I believe, the government gets 20 days to respond to that in the brief. Then there will almost certainly be some kind of evidentiary hearing. He made the same motion in New York, which was a frivolous motion. I wouldve considered sanctioning his attorneys for that motion because theres no world where paying a porn star off is official conduct by the president of the United States. Georgias different. In Georgia, hes gonna say, I was trying to ensure the fairness and integrity of federal elections. Now I want you to consider a Democrat president who is running for reelection, and imagine Alabama, or Mississippi, literally having a bonfire, burning the votes for that person. And the president comes in with the National Guard and says, You cant do that. Of course they cant. And then hes arrested in Mississippi on bogus charges the charges in Georgia arent bogus, but Im just keeping this hypothetical. Wouldnt you and I want that case removed to federal court? Yes, we would. Wed want the case to be removed. We have to remember that when were dealing with this issue today, because whatever the courts do here, its gonna matter. Now, I hope theres no more presidents who are being arrested, but its not just presidents. Other federal officials may get arrested in the future, high level officers, and we need to have a procedure thats fair. And like all Americans, Trump is entitled to due process and entitled to the presumption of innocence in a court of law. So say Trump tries to claim immunity claiming he was acting as the president trying to protect the integrity of elections, as you said. How does that work? If he was a president ensuring the impartiality of federal elections, they cant arrest him for that. If he was a candidate trying to steal an election, or just a candidate, period, they can. But that is a first impression issue. The removal issue is more statutory, but the supremacy clause immunity issue is a 100% constitutional issue of first impression. As a constitutional law professor of 33 years and a federal jurisdiction professor of 33 years, I can tell you that my best reading of law and facts, which is that Trump Im not talking about the other defendants should not win either the removal or the immunity motions. But that doesnt mean he wont. Lets say that the district court judge looks at the motion to remove and thinks like I do, which is, Was he a candidate, or was he the president when he was doing the acts that the indictment claims were criminal? What kind of hearing do you have? Normally its an evidentiary hearing, with these disputed issues of fact. But this is so circled by Trumps subjective state of mind, and an objective question no court has answered to the best of my knowledge [when to determine whether a president acts as a president or as a candidate], I think you have to have something between an evidentiary hearing and a trial. Former Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro poses for his booking photo on Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia. Chesebro filed for a speedy trial after surrendering to law enforcement. Former Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro poses for his booking photo on Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia. Chesebro filed for a speedy trial after surrendering to law enforcement. It sounds like there are a lot of complications that could lead to this being dragged out for quite some time. Oh, yeah. Dont expect a trial anytime in the near future in Georgia. Willis is seeking a trial date in March 2024. You think that is way too aggressive? [Note: Shortly after this conversation, Willis made a new request to hold the trial in October.] My on the record comment is almost no chance [that will happen]. It would not surprise me if the 11th Circuit doesnt take a long time to make sure they make the right decision. These are first impression issues involving the possible jailing of the former president of the United States and the front-runner for the GOP nomination. I assume either way this goes, it gets appealed further up, all the way to the Supreme Court. You would think so. And if the district court judges in the 11th Circuit act quickly in the interest of justice, I think theres every reason to believe there were four Supreme Court justices who will grant cert, agree to hear the case, and just wait it out for a pretty long time. Once they grant cert, everything stops. They could sit on it after the election if they wanted to. They really might do that. One last question: Were seeing different filings coming from the different defendants. Trump and others have filed for their cases to be removed to federal courts, but Kenneth Chesebro filed on Wednesday to request a speedy trial. How does that change things, and does that show that the other defendants may be pulled in different directions from Trump? Katie Fang [of MSNBC] put that out on the internet [on Wednesday], and Ive been thinking about it ever since. Why would he do this? And my best guess as to why hes doing that, is he must feel that hes at odds with Trump on the merits. And by the way, if I were him, I might think that because you dont wanna be associated as a co-defendant with Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia. Thats the last thing anybody wants. Maybe hes thinking Trump will get removed, or at least, he wants the trial to happen before the removal stuff is figured out. At least if he doesnt wanna be associated with Trump. Answers have been edited lightly for clarity and length. Related... Former President Donald Trump surrendered to Georgia authorities at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday evening and was booked in the criminal case involving efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. A grand jury in Georgia indicted Trump and 18 others last week on racketeering and other charges. All 19 defendants charged in the indictment have until Friday to surrender to prosecutors for booking. Eleven of the 19 allies had turned themselves in as of Thursday evening. You should be able to challenge the election, Trump told reporters on the tarmac at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport as he was about to depart after being booked. I thought it was a rigged and stolen election. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. I did nothing wrong. Trumps surrender is distinct from the other three times the former president has been booked as a criminal defendant this year. In those cases, Trump turned himself in at a courthouse rather than a jail, and he did not have a mug shot taken. But in Georgia, authorities released a mug shot to the public on Thursday evening. It is the first time a criminal mug shot has been taken of any U.S. president or former president. In it, Trump is seen with a stern face and arched eyebrows raised. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump was recorded as being 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, according to booking records. Earlier this week, Trumps attorneys and prosecutors agreed to a $200,000 bond with release terms that included his promise not to intimidate witnesses or co-defendants in the case. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis earlier on Thursday asked a judge to set a trial date of Oct. 23 for all defendants, in response to a request for a speedy trial from one of them, Kenneth Chesebro. Trumps attorney Steve Sadow quickly objected to such a speedy schedule and indicated he would file a motion to sever the former presidents case from Chesebros. The indictment last week came after a two-year investigation that accused Trump of conspiring to derail the Electoral College process, marshaling the Justice Department to bolster his scheme, pressuring Georgia officials to undo the election results and repeatedly lying about fraud allegations to ratchet up pressure. Others charged include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, and attorneys Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and Chesebro. Meadows and Clark had asked a federal judge to halt their arrest by state authorities, arguing that their case should be moved to federal court because they were acting in their official capacity as Trump administration officials during the time the alleged crimes took place. U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones rejected their bids on Wednesday, and Meadows turned himself in on Thursday afternoon. Their request to transfer the case to federal court remains pending, and Jones will hold a hearing on that issue on Monday. Trump became the first former president to face any kind of criminal charges after being indicted by a New York grand jury in March over his alleged role in a scheme to pay hush money to a porn star during the 2016 presidential campaign. Since then, Trump has been indicted three more times two times federally. Trump has denied wrongdoing in all cases. Sources claim Donald Trump strategised his pose ahead of handing himself in on Thursday, hoping to look 'defiant' in his mugshot - AP Photo/Alex Brandon Donald Trump could take the stand in just two months time over charges of election interference, as prosecutors in Georgia push for a speedy trial. Fani Willis , the district attorney who is prosecuting Mr Trump and 18 others for an alleged criminal enterprise to overturn the states presidential vote, has requested a trial date of Oct 23. On Thursday night, Mr Trump surrendered to state authorities in Fulton County, Georgia, and had his mugshot taken. The former president returned to Twitter after an absence of over two years in an apparent attempt to raise funds from his supporters for legal bills and election campaigning, with a post that displayed his mugshot: Ms Williss attempt to bring forward the trial date came in response to a demand from Kenneth Chesebro, Mr Trumps former attorney, for a speedy trial beginning on the same date. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the case, has only agreed that Mr Chesebro can be tried on Oct 23 at this time, but Ms Willis is pushing for all defendants indicted for racketeering to be tried at once. Steven Sadow, Mr Trumps attorney, immediately objected to the earlier trial date and requested that the former presidents case be severed from Mr Chesebros. Mr Trump is pushing for a trial date in April 2026 more than a year after the next presidential inauguration that will follow the election in November 2024. But an October trial would mean trial proceedings would begin well before the first Republican primary votes in January next year, and could mean Mr Trump is handed a jail sentence before the next election. Since he was booked on Thursday, Mr Trump and his supporters have begun attempts to spin his legal woes to support the idea that he has been persecuted by state prosecutors. In an email appealing for donations, the Trump campaign said the decision by Fulton County Jail to take his mugshot was an attempt to make him look like a criminal in front of the entire world. Please make a contribution, one email read, to prove that YOU will also NEVER SURRENDER our mission. Prior to arriving to have his mugshot taken, Mr Trump and his aides strategised his potential facial expressions. Mr Trump decided he wanted to look defiant, according to sources. Just like a dictator does His claims the Justice Department is mounting a politically-motivated campaign against him were fanned by Joe Biden, who appeared to be using Mr Trumps surrender as an opportunity to also raise funds. The US president shared a link to his campaign donation website at the precise moment Mr Trump was being booked into Fulton County Jail. Apropos of nothing, I think todays a great day to give to my campaign, Mr Biden said. Totally not a political prosecution, Eric Schmitt, the Republican senator for Missouri, said in response to Mr Bidens post. Richard Grenell, who served in Mr Trumps administration, said: Joe Biden is fundraising off the 91 indictments. This is his strategy. Arrest his opponent just like a dictator does. Mr Biden has rejected claims that he had any involvement in the decision to charge his predecessor. Outside the jail on Thursday, Mr Trumps supporters gathered to protest against his prosecution. Supporters of the former president were out in force ahead of his booking - Megan Varner/REUTERS Bob Kunst, 81, an activist from Miami, held up a sign reading lock up Biden for 12 hours while waiting for the former presidents appearance. He said he was left exhausted and disappointed when his hero did not appear. I was hoping Trump would come out this way, he told The Telegraph. I wanted him to see his supporters and all the positivity out here. People have travelled all over the country to show up for him. He described the string of indictments this being Mr Trumps fourth as unAmerican. But its not hurting Trump its helping him, he added. Some supporters held up signs calling the case a witch hunt, while others called for the authorities to lock up Ms Willis. Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, is leading the proceedings against Mr Trump and 18 others - John Bazemore/AP Mr Trump was inside the jail for 22 minutes before climbing back into his car and being driven away, giving a thumbs up to the waiting press. In an interview with Newsmax, he said he had a terrible experience in the jail, although officers treated him very nicely. I came in, I was treated very nicely but it is what it is, he said. I took a mugshot. I had never heard the word mugshot. They didnt teach me that at the Wharton School of Finance. Mr Trumps return to Twitter on Thursday came after his account was suspended in January 2021 because of the risk of further incitement of violence after the storming of the US Capitol on Jan 6 that same year. Elon Musk, who bought the platform in October, reinstated the account in November after a poll that showed a majority of users believed he should be allowed back. At the booking, Fulton County Sheriffs Office collected basic details about Mr Trump, including his height, weight, age and hair colour. Stephen Lee, a Lutheran minister who was last of the 19 defendants to surrender, appeared at the jail on Friday after being charged with intimidating an election worker. The Georgia case is one of four Mr Trump is facing, after being indicted in New York and Washington on charges of paying hush money and subverting the US election, and in Miami on charges of mishandling sensitive documents. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Former President Donald Trump made historyagainon Thursday when he had his mugshot taken as he was booked into jail in Georgia on felony charges related to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sprawling racketeering case. The humiliating photoshoot was something Trump had managed to avoid in his other three criminal cases. Jail officials logged him into the system at roughly 7:30 p.m. ETmarking his height at 6-foot-3, his weight at 215 pounds, and his hair color as blond or strawberry. He opted to forego a smile in the photo, instead debuting a menacing glare that is sure to be one of the defining images of the era. Speaking to Newsmax after flying out of Georgia, Trump called his booking a terrible experience, adding that I went through an experience today that I never thought Id have to go through. He claimed, though, that he was treated very nicely. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I do sleep soundly and I dont let it bother me. Also speaking to Fox News Digital, the former president said, It is not a comfortable feelingespecially when youve done nothing wrong. Griping about election interference and how the United States had become a Third World country, he also explained to the outlet, perhaps unnecessarily, This is the only time Ive ever taken a mugshot. When he was indicted on state charges in New York, and federal charges in Florida and D.C., authorities had instead opted to add an existing image of the former president to their booking systems. Officials in Fulton County, however, had vowed to treat Trump like any other criminal defendant. Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesnt matter your status, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat said earlier this month. Mere minutes after the image was released, Trumps 2024 campaign had already turned it into a merchandising opportunity, slapping the photo onto a T-shirt and offering to provide the item free of chargein exchange for a donation of just $47, according to an email blast that quickly circulated on social media. Trump campaign is already selling a t-shirt with the mugshot on it pic.twitter.com/TsXJNkmE7i Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 25, 2023 Trump also made a surprise return to Twitter to share the image, posting to the site for the first time since Jan. 8, 2021: ELECTION INTERFERENCE. NEVER SURRENDER. DONALDJTRUMP.COM. At the airport following his booking, Trump stopped just before boarding to make his first remarks, railing against prosecutors while vehemently maintaining his innocence. Its a sad day for America, he began. This should never have happened. You should be able to challenge the election. What has taken place here is a travesty of justiceI did nothing wrong. You have watched many people do the same thingslike Hillary Clinton or Stacey Abrams, Trump falsely asserted, before repeating himself again. We did nothing wrong at all and we have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Former President Trump is using his surrender at the Fulton County, Ga., Jail on Thursday evening, when he became the first U.S. president in history to have his mug shot taken, to raise funds for his 2024 campaign. Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME, Trump said in a personal note on his campaign website, featuring his mug shot. Today, I walked into the lions den with one simple message on behalf of our entire movement: I WILL NEVER SURRENDER OUR MISSION TO SAVE AMERICA, he said, adding, If you can, please make a contribution to evict Crooked Joe Biden from the White House and SAVE AMERICA during this dark chapter in our nations history. The Trump campaign is also selling merchandise, including T-shirts, mugs, koozies and bumper stickers, featuring his mug shot and the phrase Never surrender. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The former president was indicted last week alongside 18 others in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss years-long investigation into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. The charges marked Trumps fourth indictment this year, following federal indictments over his handling of classified materials and his alleged efforts to block the transfer of power after the 2020 election and a Manhattan indictment over an alleged 2016 hush money payment. Despite having been booked on three prior indictments, the mug shot Trump had taken Thursday in Georgia was his first; he was not required to take mug shots the last three times he surrendered to authorities. However, Fulton County officials had maintained that they would stick to their normal procedure of taking a mug shot of defendants who are booked at the jail. Mug shots of Trumps co-defendants, such as former lawyers John Eastman, Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, have also circulated in recent days, as the defendants in the indictment face a Friday deadline to surrender. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Less than 24 hours after the first primary debate of the 2024 election season concluded, viewers of Americas cable news programs could be forgiven if they forgot the event had occurred at all. Rather than focusing on the post-debate coverage and analysis typically seen during past election cycles, CNN and MSNBC turned their attention on Thursday evening to Donald Trumps arrest in Fulton county, Georgia, for charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. News of Trumps surrender and the image of the first mugshot ever taken of a former US president also dominated the homepages of the New York Times and the Washington Post. Related: Belligerence and hostility: Trumps mugshot defines modern US politics The wall-to-wall news coverage of Trumps arrest served as yet another example of the former presidents unique ability to suck up all available media oxygen, making it nearly impossible for his opponents message to break through to voters. That dynamic quickly drowned out coverage of the debate and probably mitigated, if not erased, any advantage Republican candidates might have gained from their performances. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Rather than participating in the debate on Wednesday, Trump instead chose to sit down for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The interview aired on X, formerly known as Twitter, and it had already garnered more than 250m views as of Friday morning. Even though Trump did not attend the debate, his absence and his looming arrest shaped much of the conversation and sparked its most illuminating moments. After candidates spent the first hour of the debate discussing issues like the climate crisis and the economy, the Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum turned their attention to Trump or the elephant not in the room, as Baier put it. Noting that Trump was expected to surrender to Fulton county officials the following day, the hosts asked the eight candidates onstage who would support Trump as the nominee even if he was convicted on criminal charges. All but two candidates former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson unequivocally raised their hands. Someones got to stop normalizing this conduct, Christie said, after his hand wavered. Whether or not you believe the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of president of the United States. The comment was met with boos from the debate audience, as the entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy jumped in to defend Trump. Ramaswamy pledged to pardon Trump if he is elected president next year, and called on his opponents to do the same. The clash was a quintessential example of the Republican partys ongoing Trump problem. Even when Trump himself does not make an appearance, his persona still dominates any conversation about the partys future because of his enduring popularity with the Republican base and his ubiquitous presence in the headlines. He is a very savvy politician in his ability to manipulate the media, garner earned media attention and suck all the oxygen out of the room, the conservative commentator Tara Setmayer told the Guardians Politics Weekly America podcast. None of the other candidates running against him have that ability, which is why Trump will be the nominee. In more normal political times, perhaps Trumps 91 criminal charges would become a liability in his quest to return to the White House. But the former president has transformed his legal woes into an asset, casting each indictment as an attack on his supporters, and the message appears to be resonating with Republicans. According to a CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday, Trump now has his largest lead in the Republican primary, garnering the support of 62% of likely voters. Among those voters, 73% said they were supporting Trump at least partly to show support for the former president during his legal challenges. Another recent poll taken in the first voting state of Iowa found that Trump was not only ahead of his opponents by a wide margin, but his lead actually increased by five points after he was indicted in Georgia. Trump keenly understands this dynamic and has capitalized on it to further cultivate his persona as a fighter willing to go to battle for his supporters, enriching his campaign in the process. Hours after his mugshot was taken in Fulton county, Trumps campaign team had put the image on T-shirts available to supporters for $34. With Trumps trials expected to dominate much of the news coverage in 2024, this dynamic does not appear to be shifting anytime soon. That reality has left Trumps opponents who participated in the debate this week squabbling over second place as Republicans rush to nominate a man who could soon be convicted. The idea that he would make this a media spectacle, that hes wearing these indictments and these arrests like a badge of valor is the world turned upside down. There is no low any more in the Republican party, Setmayer said. Donald Trump is a failed reality show host, and he understands how to entertain. And unfortunately in this day and age, that resonates with a large portion of our electorate. The Republican presidential candidates not named Donald Trump didnt even get a full day to bask in the glory of their first debate performance before the former president once again took away the spotlight. This time, he stole the show by going to jail. Trump turned himself in for arrest Thursday evening at the Fulton County Jail on felony charges in connection with efforts to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election results. Presidential Hopefuls Square Off In First GOP Debate (Scott Olson / Getty Images) He quickly became the biggest thing on social media with the release of his historic mug shot. Although he has been indicted four times this year, the Georgia case is the first with a booking photo. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While plenty of Trump's critics were eagerly awaiting the mug shot, Trump and his presidential campaign decided to embrace the notoriety, as well. He returned to his onetime favorite social media platform, which is now known as X, for the first time since he was kicked off it in January 2021. Trump posted his mug shot, a link to his website and the words: ELECTION INTERFERENCE and NEVER SURRENDER! His campaign quickly started selling mug shot T-shirts, and Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita tweeted a warning to any "scammers" who might try to raise money off the photo: "WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU," he wrote, adding, "you will NOT SCAM DONORS." "Hes defiant," an aide traveling with Trump said of the former president's mood Thursday night. Andrew Surabian, a GOP strategist and former Trump White House official, seemed to revel in the attention around Trump a day after the debate in a post on X: "How small and irrelevant does last night's entire GOP debate feel right now?" Trump skipped the first GOP presidential primary debate, reasoning that he didn't need to stand up there with eight of his rivals because he is so far ahead in the polls. Instead, he taped an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that was released right around the start time of the faceoff in Milwaukee. In the chat, Trump discussed potential civil war, how convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died in prison and whether hes concerned about potentially getting assassinated. Most of his rivals did their best Wednesday night to avoid attacking Trump, the front-runner, in his absence, with most of them raising their hand and saying they would support him if he is convicted of a crime and also becomes the party's presidential nominee. Even though Trump's legal troubles may be a problem if he's in the general election, many of the GOP candidates have decided that in the primary campaign, they don't stand to gain by going after them. The latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll found that 54% of likely Iowa GOP caucusgoers said they were less likely to vote for a candidate who aggressively attacks Trump for the actions that led the multiple indictments against him, compared with just 16% who are likelier to vote for such a candidate. Trump left jail Thursday on a $200,000 bond. He and 18 other people including his former chief of staff Mark Meadows and his former attorney Rudy Giuliani face racketeering charges in Georgia for allegedly scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump also faces federal charges for allegedly mishandling classified documents after he left the White House and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, as well as charges in a New York case around purported efforts to cover up hush money payments to a porn star. The contrast between Trump's world and that of the other GOP candidates Thursday couldn't have been starker. Many of them were off the trail after their big night, while Trump's closest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, was at the Field of Dreams in Iowa throwing softballs and listening to "Sweet Caroline," with the lyrics, "Good times never seemed so good." .@RonDeSantis playing baseball with his daughter on the Field Of Dreams pic.twitter.com/D6Q4Fuf8KZ Alex Tabet (@AlexanderTabet) August 25, 2023 This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Former President Trump made history Thursday as the first president to have his mug shot taken and it will soon be enshrined as a bobblehead. A pre-sale for the special edition figures was announced Friday by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. The Trump bobblehead features the former presidents unsmiling, scowling mug shot on a base bearing his name, the museum said in its press release. Glaring into the camera, Trumps brow is furrowed, his jaw clenched and his red tied knotted tightly. The release comes one day after Trump turned himself in at the Fulton County jail in Georgia over charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. He and 18 co-defendants had until noon Friday to surrender to the jail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The mug shots, including Trumps, were released after each defendant was booked. They insisted on a mug shot, and I agreed to do that, he told Fox Digital on Thursday. This is the only time Ive ever taken a mug shot. It is not a comfortable feeling especially when youve done nothing wrong, he added. Jumping on the hype, the museum appealed to those who wanted to commemorate the moment on either side of the aisle. Whether you are a Donald Trump backer or detractor, the first mug shot of a former president is a historic moment that deserves a bobblehead, National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. The mug shot will likely be one of the most iconic images and a bobblehead commemorating the moment is sure to be popular! The special edition figurines cost $30 plus shipping and are expected to ship in January. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Georgia election interference Trump monetizes his mug shot Key players: Former President Donald Trump It didnt take long after Trump turned himself in to authorities in Atlanta on Thursday for his 2024 presidential campaign to begin using the former presidents mug shot to sell merchandise. Within hours of Trumps surrender in Georgia, the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee was selling a variety of items, according to CBS News , including $34 T-shirts, $25 mugs and $15 beverage koozies emblazoned with Trumps mug shot and the words NEVER SURRENDER. The Trump campaign also used the historic image in a fundraising email Thursday night, along with a call for donations. Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME, read the message from Trump to his supporters, according to ABC News . But today, I walked into the lions den with one simple message on behalf of our entire movement: I WILL NEVER SURRENDER OUR MISSION TO SAVE AMERICA. Trump also shared his mug shot on X, formerly known as Twitter, in his first post on the social media platform since he was banned after a mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. X owner Elon Musk reinstated Trumps account months ago, but it lay dormant until this week. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Why it matters: The actions show that Trump and his team view the criminal cases swirling around him as a political winner as he campaigns for the presidency once again. But while the spotlight may help him in the Republican primary, an actual conviction could hurt him, a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll found. Jeffrey Clark , other Trump co-defendants turn themselves in Key players: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, Illinois pastor Stephen Lee, publicist Trevian Kutti, former Coffee County elections director Misty Hampton, Trump staffer Michael Roman, lawyer Robert Cheeley and Georgia state Sen. Shawn Still Seven remaining co-defendants in the Georgia case turned themselves in to authorities following Trumps surrender Thursday night. Among the last-minute surrenders was Clark, the former Justice Department official who is accused of scheming to use the DOJ to help promote Trumps false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Clark was indicted on two counts: violation of Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and criminal attempt to commit false statements and writings. He was reportedly booked early Friday at the Fulton County Jail and released on a bond of $100,000. Other Trump co-defendants who also surrendered Friday include Kutti, a former publicist for Kanye West (now known as Ye) who is accused of trying to coerce a local election worker into falsely confessing to voter fraud, and Lee, a Chicago-based police chaplain whose criminal charges include violating the Georgia RICO Act, influencing witnesses and conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings. Why it matters: Willis had given Trump and his co-defendants until 12 p.m. ET on Friday to voluntarily surrender to authorities in Fulton County. All 19 of those charged have now turned themselves in. One or more of the defendants may consider cooperating with prosecutors in exchange for leniency. Jan. 6 election interference Judge expected to set date for trial at Monday hearing Key players: U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, special counsel Jack Smith Attorneys for Trump and the Justice Department are expected to appear before Chutkan at a status conference on Monday, where the judge has said she intends to set a date for the trial in Trumps federal Jan. 6 case. Smith previously proposed scheduling the trial to begin on Jan. 2, 2024, while the former presidents legal team has asked to delay the start of the trial by more than two and a half years, until April 2026. Trump faces four felony charges in the case stemming from his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct Congress. Why it matters: If the trial is delayed until after the 2024 election, and Trump wins, he could ostensibly pardon himself of any federal crimes for which he may be found guilty. He could also have his new Justice Department appointees work to shut down the cases. Read more: Politico: Three Trump codefendants say they became false electors at Trumps direction Daily Beast: The Nervous Pastor Swept Up in Trumps Racketeering Case The Hill: Tommy Tuberville says he recognizes look on Trumps face in mug shot Donald Trump turned himself in for arrest in Atlanta on Thursday. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Drew Angerer/Getty Images, Getty Images (4)) Georgia election interference Arrest and booking Key players: Former President Donald Trump, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Why it matters: The Georgia case brings the number of felony counts Trump will face in a courtroom to 91. Unlike many of the federal charges, a guilty verdict of violating Georgias RICO Act could make him ineligible for pardon and require him to serve time in jail. Willis requests October start for Georgia trial Key players: Fani Willis, Judge Scott McAfee, attorney Kenneth Chesebro In a court filing Thursday, Willis laid out an ambitious request for the start of the case against Trump and 18 of his associates: Oct. 23, Reuters reported. While that date is largely seen as unrealistic for all of the defendants given the sprawling size of the Georgia case, McAfee agreed Thursday that Chesebros trial could begin then, The Hill reported. Lawyers for Chesebro, one of the alleged architects of the fake elector scheme, demanded speedy proceedings in a Wednesday filing. Willis cited that request in her own court filing on Thursday. Why it matters: The strategy for Trumps legal team in the other criminal cases in which the former president has been indicted has been to delay the legal proceedings until after the 2024 election. A Yahoo News/YouGov poll released Thursday showed Trumps GOP support would fall by 17 points if he were to be convicted of a serious crime in the coming months. Trump shakes up legal team Key players: Attorney Steven Sadow, attorney Drew Findling As he prepared to turn himself in for booking in Fulton County on Thursday, Trump overhauled his legal representation in the Georgia case, replacing Findling with Atlanta attorney Sadow, CNN reported. Sadow is perhaps best known for having defended notable musicians like Usher , Gucci Mane and Cardi B . The president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him, Sadow said in a statement. Why it matters: Sadow has experience defending clients charged with violations of Georgias RICO law, as when he represented rapper Gunna in 2022. Read more: The Independent: Lawyer for Christian pastor indicted in Trumps Georgia case complains that bond is excessive Daily Beast: Ex-Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows surrenders to jail in Georgia Salon: Jim Jordan launches probe into Fani Willis while nobody is paying attention The first mug shot of a U.S. president has been released to the public, and its already breaking the internet. Former President Donald Trump turned himself in to Georgia authorities on Thursday evening after being indicted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. In the mug shot, Trump is seen with a stern face and eyebrows raised. On Thursday evening, his PAC already started to fundraise off the mug shot with T-shirts. Those who donated $47 or more the number 47 indicating his possibly being elected the 47th president got a free shirt with the words NEVER SURRENDER. Trump also posted the photo on Truth Social with the words ELECTION INTERFERENCE. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump was booked Thursday at the Fulton County Jail, where he got his fingerprints and mug shot taken. His height was recorded as 6 feet, 3 inches, and his weight as 215 pounds. The photo was released a short while later and instantly drew attention on social media. Before the mug shot was even released, the term #TrumpMugShot was trending on X, the platform formally known as Twitter, and fake mug shots of Trump circulated on the site. Trumps photo is significant because its the first time a criminal mug shot has been taken of any U.S. president or former president. It has the potential to show up in history books and across the country on the front pages of newspapers. A grand jury indicted Trump and 18 others last week on racketeering and other charges after a two-year investigation. All defendants have until Friday to turn themselves in. Several mug shots from other defendants have already been released including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, John Eastman and Jenna Ellis. Mug shots serve several purposes, including identifying and recording a defendant for law enforcement identification. Mug shots, for the most part, show the defendant not smiling, but some politicians have memorably smiled for theirs, making a political statement. Trump first entered uncharted territory when he became the first former president to face any kind of criminal charges, after being indicted by a New York grand jury in March over his alleged role in a scheme to pay hush money to a porn star during the 2016 presidential campaign. Since then, Trump has been indicted three more times two times at the federal level but has never had his mug shot taken. Trump has denied wrongdoing in all four cases. Donald Trump has mentioned Henry McMaster, Kristi Noem and Vivek Ramaswamy as his possible picks for vice president in a post-arrest interview after a dramatic day at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Mr Trump on Thursday surrendered to authorities on 13 charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. He was later released from jail on a $200,000 bail bond. In an interview with Newsmax, the former president was asked a question about whether he saw a possible vice president on stage at the GOP debate. I thought Vivek, as you say, Vivek, like cake, did very well, Mr Trump said. This was in reference to a Fox News interview with Mr Ramaswamy in which he had rapped: My names Vivek, it rhymes with cake. It aint about thee, it isnt about me, it is about the, the United States is about liberty, so Fox & Friends join us on the trail, well have some fun, Ill see you out the trail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mr Ramaswamy defended Mr Trump after the former president was indicted in four criminal cases this year. During the interview with Newsmax, Mr Trump also floated the names of Mr McMaster and Ms Noem as possible vice president choices. The ex-president is travelling to South Dakota next month for the Republican partys Monumental Leaders Rally. Local media reported citing sources that Ms Kristi, South Dakotas governor, has developed close ties with Mr Trump and the friendship could lead to a running mate nomination. Trump on Newsmax gets a question from Kelly about whether he saw a possible VP onstage at #gopdebate - Trump responds playing up X intvw with Tucker Carlson, talks up an Oprah interview ... "I thought Vivek, as you say, Vivek, like cake, did very well," Trump says Tom LoBianco (@tomlobianco) August 25, 2023 Despite the former president being indicted on four new felony charges on 1 August in relation to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, South Carolina governor Henry McMaster also continued his support for Trumps 2024 presidential candidacy. Trump floats Henry McMaster and Kristi Noem as VP choices (this is notable) Tom LoBianco (@tomlobianco) August 25, 2023 I think that the prosecutors [special counsel Jack Smith] out of line. Hes been described as one that stretches the law, and perhaps the facts, Mr McMaster told reporters. But reading about it, and reading those portions [of the indictment] that I have, I just do not see the substance. I dont think the law fits; I dont think the facts fit. This is a campaign against Donald Trump. Context on Trump VP floats of McMaster and Noem, Trump will be in South Dakota next month campaigning with Noemhttps://t.co/HWQdyqLeX9 Tom LoBianco (@tomlobianco) August 25, 2023 Meanwhile, a visibly angry Mr Trump said he was innocent and again alleged election interference. You should be able to challenge an election. I believe the election was a rigged election, he told the media. I did nothing wrong and everybody knows it. Former president Donald Trump posted his first tweet on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday evening when he posted his mugshot after he had been arrested in Fulton County, Georgia. Mr Trumps account had been suspended under the social media platforms previous ownership for his incitement of the January 6 riot. Incidentally, Mr Trump was arrested, processed and photographed for charges related to his scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Mr Trump repeatedly spread the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, which in turn gave way to the January 6 riot at the US Capitol where supporters attempted to stop the certification of the presidential election results. The twice-impeached, four-times-indicted former president posted the image alongside a link to his campaign website. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mr Trumps arrest came after a grand jury charged him on 13 counts of violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute, which allows individuals to be charged for taking part in actions that serve as part of a criminal enterprise, for his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Shortly after he was processed, Mr Trump proclaimed his innocence. When you have that great freedom to challenge, you have to be able to, otherwise, youre going to have very dishonest elections, he said. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows it. Ive never had such support. For the first time in more than two years, Donald Trump on Thursday returned to X, the website formerly known as Twitter reemerging on the platform that played a major role in his political rise and presidency. Trumps return to the site, where he posted a photo of his mug shot, came on the same day that he surrendered to authorities in Georgia in the criminal case involving efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Linking to a fundraising site on X, Trump used the moment to raise money for his campaign. In addition to the mug shot, he wrote the words ELECTION INTERFERENCE and NEVER SURRENDER! The post was published while Trump was mid-flight back from Atlanta to Newark, N.J. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trumps last post on X was on Jan. 8, 2021, when he posted To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th, referring to then-President-elect Joe Bidens swearing-in ceremony. Trump was kicked off Twitter following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, robbing him of his central platform of communication. In the years leading up to his presidency and during his White House tenure, the former president used Twitter as a de-facto bulletin board a place where he savaged rivals, announced policy and personnel decisions and ranted about media coverage. But Trumps participation on the site also played a role in the run-up to the Capitol siege, when he used Twitter to promote the rally that would ultimately precede the riot. Be there, he posted on the platform in December 2020. Will be wild. Trump and his advisers have spent months weighing when or whether he should return to the platform. Since leaving the White House, Trump has been using Truth Social to post his missives, though the platform receives less attention than Twitter. Trump has more than 86 million followers on Twitter, compared to over 6 million on Truth Social. After purchasing Twitter last year, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk reinstated Trumps Twitter feed. But Trump downplayed the idea of rejoining the site and didnt make any posts until Thursday night, when he published his mug shot. Former President Donald Trump is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office (via REUTERS) Donald Trump has recounted his terrible experience despite being treated very nicely at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta after being booked and released from there. The former president surrendered to authorities on 13 charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia on Thursday and told a news anchor that he was treated very nicely at the jail. Speaking with Newsmax, Mr Trump was asked how his experience was. I came in. I was treated very nicely. It is what it is. I took a mugshot. I never heard the words mugshot and I have to go through a process, he said, while adding that it was a terrible experience. His booking sheet, besides his mugshot, also included his height and weight 6 feet 3 inches and 215 pounds (97.5kg). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He is the first and only former US president ever to have a mugshot. The mugshot was prominently displayed on Mr Trumps fundraising platform and also appeared on his X, formerly Twitter, feed. This marked Mr Trumps first post since he was banned from the platform back in 2021. After X owner Elon Musk lifted his ban last year, Mr Trump refrained from engaging with his followers on the platform until this recent moment. The ex-president was released from jail on a $200,000 bail bond. Kelly: What was the experience like today in in jail? Trump: Terrible experience. Uh I came in. I was treated very nicely. pic.twitter.com/ycjZuYKBdt Acyn (@Acyn) August 25, 2023 Meanwhile, Mr Trump replaced lead lawyer Drew Findling with Atlanta-based attorney Steven Sadow, a special counsel for white collar and high profile defence before travelling to Georgia. After being jailed and released, Mr Trump told reporters that he did nothing wrong before boarding his private plane. Former President Trump said he had a terrible experience while being booked at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday night, surrendering to Georgia authorities after being charged on 13 counts related to seeking to overturn the states 2020 election. Trump, in separate interviews with Fox News Digital and Newsmax just a short time after his arrest, described the process as very sad and uncomfortable as he recounted being processed and having his mug shot taken. They insisted on a mug shot, and I agreed to do that, he told Fox Digital. This is the only time Ive ever taken a mug shot. It is not a comfortable feeling especially when youve done nothing wrong, he added. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump recounted his experience at length in an interview with Newsmaxs Greg Kelly after landing back in New Jersey. Trump at one point claimed hed never heard the words mug shot, only to later find himself taking one. He quipped that they didnt teach him the words during his time at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Finance, from which he graduated in 1968. I went through an experience that I never thought Id have to go through, but then Ive gone through the same experience three other times. In my whole life, I didnt know anything about indictments. And now Ive been indicted, like, four times, he said. Trump would later reference the sum of the cases now brought against him. Everything is just like one thing after the next. What they want to do is they want to try and wear you out, which they would never do, he said. Thursday marked the fourth time this year Trump has been arrested and booked, having previously been charged in criminal cases previously in Manhattan, Florida and Washington, D.C. But he did not have a mug shot taken in those cases, something officials in Atlanta made clear would be different this time around. Mug shots of Trumps co-defendants in Fulton County have steadily been released as they have turned themselves in this week. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) gave those charged in the case until noon Friday to surrender to authorities. Trump was charged last week with 13 counts stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. The indictment, brought by Willis, outlined Trumps pressure campaign against election officials, a plot to submit false slates of electors and a lawsuit seeking to overturn the results in the state. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A post by former U.S. President Donald Trump of his police booking mugshot A post by former U.S. President Donald Trump of his police booking mugshot By Helen Coster and Sheila Dang (Reuters) -Former President Donald Trump returned to the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, with a post on Thursday showing his mug shot from his booking at Fulton County Jail in Georgia earlier in the day. With his post appealing for donations, Trump reclaimed direct access to the public on the platform that banned him following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Congress by his supporters. On Nov. 19 the San Francisco-based app reversed its position under billionaire Elon Musk, the self-proclaimed free speech absolutist who bought Twitter on Oct. 2. Trump, who had over 88 million followers when Twitter banned him, posted a photo on Thursday of the mug shot with the words: "ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!" The post garnered more than 14 million views 50 minutes after going live. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Twitter permanently suspended Trumps account in January 2021, citing the risk of further incitement of violence following the storming of the U.S. Capitol. He used Twitter and other social media platforms to claim his defeat in the 2020 election was due to widespread voter fraud and to share other conspiracy theories. On Nov. 15 Trump launched a bid to regain the White House in 2024. On Wednesday, Trump opted out of a Republican primary debate on Fox News, attracting millions of viewers who watched - or at least scrolled by - a rival interview on X. That 46-minute conversation with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson had drawn nearly 250 million views as of Thursday night, according to the site's statistics. On Thursday evening, Trump broke from a vow that he would stick exclusively with his new platform Truth Social, the app developed by his Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) startup. Trump had 6.4 million followers on Truth Social as of Thursday. Truth Social has been Trumps main source of direct communication with his followers since he began posting on the app regularly in May. The former president has used Truth Social to promote his allies, criticize his opponents and defend his reputation amid legal scrutiny from state, congressional and federal investigators. A year ago, TMTG announced a deal to go public by merging with Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC), a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The deal which would infuse TMTG with $1.3 billion in cash is now in doubt amid investigations by the Department of Justice and SEC, which have delayed its closing. Trump's company faces a crucial deadline when shareholders of DWAC have until 10 a.m., Sept. 5 to vote to extend the period of time DWAC has to complete its merger with TMTG. If DWAC does not get the votes, the SPAC will liquidate on Sept. 8. Trump sued Twitter in 2021 over his suspension from the platform, arguing the move violated his right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. A U.S. judge in California dismissed the case, and a federal appeals court in Pasadena, California, is set to take up the dispute on Oct. 4. Attorneys for Trump have said his claims are still viable, and can be ruled on by the appeals court, despite his reinstatement to the platform. (Additional reporting by Eric Beech, Costas Pitas and Mike Scarcella; Editing by Howard Goller and Stephen Coates) Shortly after arriving at the Fulton County Jail, Trump was quickly processed, fingerprinted and a mugshot was taken, a first for the former president who has previously appeared at three different facilities for other criminal charges. Trump turned himself into the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday evening on charges connected to a plot to overturn the 2020 elections. This comes just days after the disgraced former Republican president announced on social media that he would do so. Trump arrived in Atlanta around 7 p.m. ET via private plane after departing from Newark Liberty International Airport a few hours earlier. He was staying at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He arrived at the Fulton County Jail around 7:30 p.m Shortly after arriving at the jail, Trump was quickly processed, fingerprinted and a mugshot was taken, a first for the former president, who has previously appeared at three different facilities for other criminal charges. In this handout provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office, former U.S. President Donald Trump poses for his booking photo at the Fulton County Jail on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Fulton County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images) Trump spent 20 minutes in the Fulton County Jail and was released from custody around 8 p.m. ET, according to NBC News. The former president was booked on more than a dozen charges, including racketeering and conspiracy charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to CNN, earlier this week, Trump agreed to a $200,000 bond and other conditions following his release, which include not utilizing social media to attack witnesses and co-defendants in the case. Last week, a grand jury issued an indictment for Trump and 18 co-defendants and charged them with 41 criminal counts for their roles in the 2020 presidential election scheme. The co-defendants include Trumps former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and his attorney, Rudy Giuliani. In a surprise turn of events, Trump hired new legal representation just hours before his surrender. He replaced his attorney, Drew Findling, with Steven Sadow, who previously represented rapper Young Thug in a high-profile RICO case. Sadow released a statement shortly after Trump retained him and said, The president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him. We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open-minded jury finding the president not guilty, he added. Trump and his co-defendants have maintained that the charges they face are politically motivated, despite evidence presented in the nearly 100-page indictment that suggests otherwise. According to CBS News, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has set Trumps trial date for Oct. 23. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Trump surrenders to authorities in Atlanta appeared first on TheGrio. Former President Donald Trump surrendered at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday evening and was booked on 13 state felony charges. Donald Trump mug shot Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images This is Trump's fourth criminal arrest in 2023, and comes after he was indicted last week with 18 allies collectively accused of conspiring to "unlawfully change the outcome of the [2020] election in favor of Trump." Trump flew from New Jersey to Atlanta on his private plane, and had a police escort from the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to the Fulton County Jail. While there, he was fingerprinted and had his mug shot taken, before he was released on a $200,000 bond. "Trump's height and weight listed as 6-foot-3 and 215 lbs. were pre-reported in order to speed up the process," ABC News reported, citing a senior adviser to Trump. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Before Trump arrived in Atlanta, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis filed a motion asking a judge to set a trial date of Oct. 23. Trump's lawyers objected to the timing, "indicating that he wants to move more slowly," The New York Times said. The attorneys also requested Trump's case be separated from co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro, who has asked for a speedy trial. Trump has added Steve Sadow, a veteran criminal defense lawyer, to his legal team for the Georgia case, replacing Drew Findling, who represented Trump over the last year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. In a statement, Sadow called Trump "innocent of the charges brought against him" and claimed he "never should have been indicted." By Thursday evening, about half of the 19 defendants in the case had been booked, including Trump's former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Willis' office has requested that all of their arraignments occur the week of Sept. 5. You may also like Homepage Trump surrenders for his Georgia indictment during primetime, giving him the media circus he'd hoped for Former US President Donald Trump arrives at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia; The motorcade with former President Donald Trump traveling to the Fulton County Jail. Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Alex Brandon/Associated Press Donald Trump surrendered to Atlanta authorities for booking in his fourth criminal case. He may have his mugshot taken and publicly released this time. Trump and his allies had hoped to use arraignments to get media attention, media reports previously said. Former President Donald Trump surrendered to law enforcement in Georgia on Thursday evening and picked a primetime moment for it. For the fourth time this year, Trump is in custody, and is now getting booked at the Fulton County Jail on charges alleging he conspired to illegally overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The booking, at the notorious jail locally known as "Rice Street," is expected to follow the county's ordinary procedures. The sheriff who oversees the jail system has said Trump's mugshot and fingerprints will be taken for the National Crime Information Center. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A presidential historian said in March that if Trump's mugshot is made public, it'll likely cement himself as "folk hero" among his supporters. In the past, Trump's allies have said he wants to use his court appearances to cause a spectacle, according to previous media reports. When he was booked in Manhattan in his first criminal case, Trump told his advisors that he wanted to be handcuffed and led in by authorities to avoid seeming weak, The Guardian reported in March. The New York Times, meanwhile, reported that Trump was relishing the idea of being paraded in front of TV cameras. Trump had even wondered if he should smile for the cameras, the newspaper reported. Meanwhile, Trump's own campaign is capitalizing on the notoriety. Team Trump is still selling a T-shirt with a fake mugshot on it emblazoned with the words "NOT GUILTY." The T-shirts cost $36 a piece. Because Trump's lawyers already negotiated a $200,000 bond with the Fulton County district attorney's office, he'll be permitted to skip an initial appearance hearing before a magistrate judge on Thursday. The bond, issued by Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, forbids Trump from intimidating and making threats against other defendants, potential witnesses, victims, and the local community. Trump also isn't permitted to speak to other witnesses and defendants in the case except through his attorneys. An Atlanta grand jury empaneled by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicted Trump and 18 other co-defendants earlier this month. The indictment, brought under Georgia's RICO statute, alleges they operated a racketeering enterprise for the illegitimate purpose of overturning the state's 2020 election results. Trump has been charged with 13 of the 41 counts in the indictment, which was also brought against some of his top allies and a group of local Republican Party officials who acted as fake electors following Trump's election loss. Eleven of Trump's co-defendants have already turned themselves in ahead of Trump's booking. The Fulton County Sheriff's office has already produced iconic mugshots of high-profile lawyers who were indicted for helping Trump try to overturn election results, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and John Eastman. Willis has said she plans to arraign all 19 defendants in a single hearing in early September. At the arraignment, Trump and the other defendants will be formally presented with the criminal charges and can enter pleas. McAfee may allow the defendants to waive their appearances or hold the hearing over remote video. Trump is the first former president to face any criminal charges for a first, second, third, or fourth time. The Manhattan district attorney's office was the first to bring charges. While Trump's fingerprints were taken, the district attorney's office didn't require him to stand for a mugshot (Trump's face is very famous). Trump had an initial appearance and arraignment immediately following the booking. Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith brought criminal charges against Trump in June over his handling of government documents, and another set of charges for election interference in July. Trump has said he is innocent of all the charges against him and that the prosecutors are motivated by politics. Trump is far and away the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 election and may use the mugshot to help raise funds. His campaign used a fake mugshot after his first booking, in Manhattan, to raise money from supporters. Read the original article on Business Insider Former President Trump and his aides wasted no time sharing his mug shot on social media shortly after he left the Fulton County, Ga., Jail to surrender Thursday, seeking to capitalize on the moment politically. Trump posted an image of his mug shot on Truth Social with the words, Election Interference and Never Surrender! Several of his aides separately shared the post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump linked to a fundraising website for his campaign. During previous indictments, Trumps campaign often touted in emails and social media posts campaign paraphernalia that featured fake mug shots of Trump, despite him not having taken any during his three previous arrests and surrenders in separate indictments. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The former president surrendered Thursday evening on charges over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. A spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a Trump-aligned super PAC, said in a statement that Americans must unite behind the former president, who often claims his legal troubles are politically motivated. Tonight, he was forced to surrender at a jail and take a mugshot like a criminal, in an American city where real criminals are allowed to run free, Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Unbelievable. America, as we know her and love her, is on the brink of collapse. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - Donald Trump has had his picture taken innumerable times over the decades, from his early days as a real estate magnate to his turn as a reality TV star and throughout his tumultuous four years in the White House. But the mug shot released by Georgia authorities on Thursday, showing a scowling Trump just minutes after he was booked on more than a dozen felony counts at an Atlanta jail, may become the most famous of all, shared around the world by both detractors and supporters. Trump, who is running for president in the 2024 election, had already made history as the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges - not once but four times. This, however, was the first time he had to pose for a booking photo. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Unlike the other authorities, who gave him a pass, Georgia opted to process him like any other criminal defendant, including fingerprints and a mug shot, in a case stemming from Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. In the photo, an unsmiling Trump, 77, glares into the camera, his brow furrowed, his jaw clenched and his red tie knotted tightly. Trump wasted little time using the mug shot for fundraising purposes, posting it on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, as well as on his own social media platform, Truth Social. The X post was Trump's first in more than 2-1/2 years, after his account was banned following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Elon Musk reinstated Trump's account last year soon after acquiring X. Trump also put the photograph on his campaign website alongside an appeal for donations, claiming he had been "arrested despite having committed no crime." Fake Trump mug shots had circulated online since shortly after he was first indicted in Manhattan in March on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Outside the Fulton County Jail on Thursday, some Trump supporters questioned why a mug shot was needed. "The mug shot isn't necessary and is done to hurt him. But it won't," Malcolm Davis, 19, said. Others, however, saw an opportunity. "We want them to take a mug shot. We want to put it on a T-shirt. It will go worldwide. It will be a more popular image than the Mona Lisa," said Laura Loomer, a former Republican congressional candidate. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan and Rich McKay; Editing by Howard Goller) ATLANTA From the moment it was snapped in the Fulton County Jail on Thursday, Donald Trump 's mug shot secured a place as an artifact of American history a defiant-looking man, once one of the most powerful on Earth, now dour in a red tie and a blue suit before a drab backdrop and under the stark glow of a flashbulb. The booking photo ricocheted across the internet, sliding into text messages, bursting across social media and appearing on fundraising appeals and T-shirts and across news sites and cable networks. One Trump adviser joked that he might buy a T-shirt company. Trump's opponents seized with delight: There, after all the years of accusations he was a criminal and only on the fourth arrest, was proof of his prosecution in the form of a watermarked booking picture and assigned number, P01135809. The picture is sure to grist campaigns for elections to come and be reprised by Democrats who will argue it is evidence that Trump is unfit to hold office. But there may have been no more anticipation than among the former president's allies who quickly saw the picture not as a liability but as an asset, the kind of rallying cry that will help Trump lock up his party's support and recapture the White House. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ford OConnell, a Republican consultant, said the booking photo was unnecessary Trump is one of the most photographed and recognizable people in the world and warned it ultimately could work against those who seemed to be delighting at seeing it. The Democrats are likely going to regret the Trump mug shot politically, OConnell said. Its over the top. Trump, for his part, downplayed the significance. It is what it is, he said in an interview with Newsmax later in the evening. I took a mug shot. 'A tale of woe' Trump's allies, however, didnt let the moment pass by. And his campaign became instantly protective of it. "If you are a campaign, PAC, scammer and you try raising money off the mugshot," a senior adviser, Chris LaCivita, wrote on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, continuing, "and you have not received prior permission WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU you will NOT SCAM DONORS." Craig Shirley , a presidential historian and biographer of Ronald Reagan, said Trumps mug shot would throw gasoline on the Republican front-runners surging lead as he casts the latest in an unprecedented series of indictments against him as the work of an overzealous district attorney intent on carving out a political future of her own. Trump, who came to office on a surge of populist sentiment, has repeatedly sought to present himself as the victim of a rigged justice system as the criminal charges against him pile up. On a political level, this only strengthens Donald Trumps hand, Shirley said. The Fulton County DA represents the establishment. Joe Biden represents the establishment. Merrick Garland Bidens attorney general represents the establishment. All of these establishment forces have been arrayed against Donald Trump, who is the epitome of the anti-establishment. Shirley said the image could reinforce the notion that Trump faces an unprecedented force of federal and state officials intent on keeping him from office. Everyone has a tale of woe about their run-ins with some form of government, he added. Theres no downside for Donald Trump. Hell laugh all the way to the White House. Trump wasted no time using the picture to boost his campaign coffers, sharing it alongside a link to his website in a post to X his first on the platform formerly known as Twitter since he was booted in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and further cementing his place in the annals of American history as a figure who has used his words and image to bridge the divide between the online and physical worlds. Atlanta trial attorney Craig Timmons, a former federal prosecutor, said two competing trials are underway in which the defense and the prosecution will both seek to capitalize on the optics of Trumps surrender. Theres the trial in the court of public opinion and the trial going on in the court, Timmons said. What they care about is public opinion, he said of Trump, who was booked on 13 felony charges, and his more than a dozen co-defendants. Timmons said that booking pictures can color the optics of a trial and that prosecutors use them to drive their legal case. You want to have a presentable mug shot, because youll often see it in the states closing argument, he said. If you have a mug shot that makes you look like a gangster, then the case is not going to go well. Defendants could see their faces emblazoned onscreen for the jury, pitched alongside that of the alleged criminal. If I was a prosecutor, Id have Rudys up there, then list the charges, he added, referring to Trumps former attorney Rudy Giuliani. He said one of the defendants who smiled at the camera, Jenna Ellis, a former lawyer for Trump, made the right call. Some people look at it and think its flippant, but its smart, Timmons said, adding, Shes a lawyer. 'The stakes of Donald Trumps indictment' Allies of Trump began sharing his mug shot online almost immediately after its release, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., writing on X, This is the photo that will win the 2024 Presidential election. Another captioned the image, My President. Trump 2024. A Republican senator began fundraising off it. Amy Kremer, who helped organize the rally near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, digitally altered a version of her own mug shot and shared it online even though she hasn't been charged and wasn't arrested. An adviser to Trump, Steve Bannon, once tied the former president to theorist Marshall McLuhan who foresaw a political realm shaped more by technological and cultural abstractions than hard facts. McLuhans book, The Medium Is the Message, published in 1967, sought to convey the idea that a medium is not something neutral it does something to people, he said at the time. One year into Trumps White House term, Bannon summarized the effect as the first McLuhanesque presidency. The digital world is more real than the physical, analog world, Bannon said in an interview with the New York Times. He understands that in a very visceral way. David Greenberg, a professor of history at Rutgers University, said Trumps booking photograph had the power to drive a sweeping political narrative that could carry through the 2024 presidential election. They capture so much of the different feelings: anger, resentment, victimization, criminality carries a lot of different meanings at once. And so they become very useful symbols in our political discourse, Greenberg said. It brings home in a very powerful, visceral, visual way the stakes of Donald Trumps indictments and, simultaneously, his bid for re-election. Greenberg recalled an infamous image from the Watergate trial: a checkerboard-style image of one Watergate felon after another, like on an FBI Most Wanted picture. And Nixon, who was never indicted himself, hes there with them, Greenberg said. "Its the idea that criminal racket was being run out of the White House. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Washington Former President Donald Trump 's booking photo was released Thursday night by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office after he surrendered to authorities on charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, an instantly historic image that marks the first time a mug shot has been taken of a former president. Trump turned himself in at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on Thursday evening, where he was processed and then released on a $200,000 bond less than 30 minutes after arriving at the facility. Defendants need to put up 10% of the bail amount $20,000 in Trump's case and the bond is meant to ensure they show up for court appearances. Inmate records show the former president was given the identification number P01135809. His hair was listed as "blond or strawberry," height of 6 feet, 3 inches, and weight of 215 pounds. The date of his arraignment, when Trump will appear in Fulton County Superior Court to enter a plea, is unclear, though District Attorney Fani Willis has suggested all 19 people charged in the case involving the 2020 election be arraigned the week of Sept. 5. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We did nothing wrong at all," Trump told reporters at the Atlanta airport before returning to his residence in New Jersey. "And we have every right, every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest." The former president called his criminal case in Fulton County a "travesty of justice." Former President Donald Trump's booking photo from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. / Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office Trump also posted the mug shot to his X account, formerly known as Twitter, as well as to Truth Social, both posts with the words "election interference" and "never surrender." It was his first tweet since Jan. 8, 2021 and his first since X owner Elon Musk reinstated his account in November 2022. In addition to agreeing to the $200,000 bond which includes an $80,000 bond for a violation of Georgia's racketeering law and $10,000 bonds for each of the subsequent 12 counts he faces Trump is barred from intimidating any of his 18 co-defendants or witnesses in the case "or to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice," according to a bond order agreed to by Willis and the former president's attorneys. Trump is also prohibited from making any "direct or indirect" threats against any co-defendant, witness, or alleged victim, including on social media. The conditions forbid the former president from communicating about the facts of the case with the other 18 charged except through his attorneys. This is Trump's fourth indictment this year and the first to require a mug shot from him. He faces two federal prosecutions, and when he was booked in those cases, an official photograph of Trump was used. In the federal court system, if mug shots are taken, they are not released, according to CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman. No booking photo was taken of Trump in New York, where he faces state charges of falsifying business records. Even if Trump were to have had his mug shot taken, New York bans law enforcement from releasing most booking photos publicly. He has entered not guilty pleas in all three earlier cases and claimed his prosecutions are politically motivated. A Fulton County grand jury returned the sprawling 41-count indictment charging Trump and 18 others on Aug. 14. Prosecutors allege the former president and his associates participated in a "criminal enterprise" that aimed to reverse Trump's electoral loss in Georgia's 2020 presidential election. Trump has been charged with 13 counts, including an alleged violation of Georgia's racketeering law, making false statements and writings, and conspiring to commit forgery, regarding an alleged plot to replace duly elected presidential electors with new electors who would vote for the former president. The former president has denied any wrongdoing related to his efforts in the days and weeks after the November 2020 election and has criticized the case brought by Willis as a "witch hunt" designed to hurt his 2024 presidential campaign. Maui officials release first official list of missing people after deadly wildfires "Superpower" | Official Trailer Where the 2024 GOP primary stands amid Trump's legal battles Donald Trump's mugshot has dropped. Some politicians smile in their mugshots, but not Trump. And love him or hate him, this mugshot is going to become an iconic picture for the history books. In former President Donald Trump's halcyon days, he was no stranger to sitting for photoshoots for magazine covers and book jackets. But I don't suppose a young Trump, in the best of times, ever thought that being a practiced subject of photos and glamour shots would come in handy for a mugshot. That said, Trump clearly got the art of the photo down to a science in his mugshot, snapped while he was being booked on Thursday. Trump and 18 co-defendants face criminal charges in a massive RICO case and are accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. And they've all had to take mugshots when surrendering to the authorities. The man of the hour did not disappoint. His hair, in its signature comb over, was neatly done in an artful pouf. The refreshed, orange tan of his skin popped against the drab gray walls of the jail. And he wore a blue suit with a white shirt and a red tie, perhaps predicting that this photo might be used on flag-themed campaign merch. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Then, one has to note his expression. Some politicians smile in their mugshots, but not Trump. In this photograph, he stared down the camera defiantly, brow furrowed, eyebrows impressively arched, jaw set firmly in a scowl. His chin was tilted downwards, too, in a time-tested tactic to disappear double chins and make one's face appear smaller, known to IG baddies, Korean pop stars, and, I guess, Trump. That said, Trump's post to Truth Social and X after his mugshot dropped was a disappointing way for one to debut their supervillain era, given the care and planning that presumably went into the taking of the photo. C'mon, man Serif font in all caps? On a white background? Graphic design is clearly not his passion. This was also the former president's first post on the Musk-owned X the social media platform formerly known as Twitter after he got banned post-Capitol riot so, that's something. Either way, now that the former president's been booked, he has a lot more on his plate to worry about than getting someone to fire up Canva for him. He faces a brimming docket of legal woes including 91 criminal counts across four sprawling investigations. Read the original article on Business Insider Turkey's Lake Van has been drying up due to rising temperatures and drought. The retreating water line is exposing stinky, polluted mud and killing off birds in droves. And it's only just the beginning of the lake's woes, a local professor told the AFP. Lake Van, the largest body of water in Turkey and the second largest in the Middle East, is drying up and its retreating water line is leaving behind stinky, polluted mud and causing a "bird massacre," locals told the Agence France-Press. An intensifying drought in the region and rising temperatures are largely to blame, the AFP reported. The saltwater lake has lost 1.5% of its total surface area in recent years, a "terribly large amount of water," Faruk Alaeddinoglu, a professor at Van Yuzuncu Yil University, which sits on the lake's shore, told AFT. Alaeddinoglu told AFP that the lake's water evaporates at nearly three times the rate that rainfall can replenish it. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And all that newly exposed barren land is dredging up years of pollution. A woman walks along the newly exposed shoreline of Lake Van. Ilyas Akengin/Getty Images "Large patches of slime mixed with mud give off a bad smell and make human pollution more evident," Orhan Deniz, another professor at Yuzuncu Yil University, told the AFP. "In the 1990s, we would swim during lunch break and then go back to university," he added. "Now it's not possible to step in the water, let alone swim in it." Drought in the region has also caused a type of fish called pearl mullets to migrate away from the area earlier than usual and as a result, the gulls that feed on the mullets have been dying in droves, littering the lake's shores with bones and carcasses, AFP reported. Environmentalist Ali Kalcik holds up a dead gull on the lake's shore. Ilyas Akengin/Getty Images "In the past, the seagulls would follow us while we were swimming. Now look, it's a bird massacre," Necmettin Nebioglu, a local villager, told the AFP. Some sections of the lake have been drying up faster than others the Celebibagi neighborhood on the northern shore, for example, has already lost almost two and a half miles of shoreline, the AFP reported. "Now it's a barren land without a living thing," local environmentalist Ali Kalcik told the AFP. The drought is also bringing microbialites sedimentary deposits made of mud to the surface as the lake dries up, the Hurriyet Daily News reported in January. Local ecologist Ali Kalcik points out where the shore has receded nearly 2.5 miles. Ilyas Akengin/Getty Images The formations, referred to by some locals as "underwater fairy chimneys," resemble fragile coral reefs, the Hurriyet Daily News reported. The Daily Sabah reported that the structures date back some 800,000 years, and, in years past, been a source of diving tourism for the region. And without water, the microbialites turn in to rocky structures that can easily crumble. And Lake Van is not alone other bodies of water around the world have been drying up as a result of climate change. Nevada's Lake Mead lost a chunk of its water last summer thanks to rising temperatures and drought so far exposing at least three long-lost dead bodies. Forensic anthropologists say more skeleton remains could turn up as Lake Mead continues to recede. Read the original article on Insider Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Kyiv on Aug. 25 to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky . They discussed the Ukrainian peace formula, the preparation for the Global Peace Summit, and the risks posed by Russia blocking the Black Sea grain corridor, according to Zelensky. On Aug. 18, the German newspaper Bild reported, citing obtained official correspondence, that Russia, Turkey, and Qatar were preparing a new agreement on grain exports following Moscow's termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Based on the new deal, Russia would be supplying its grain, primarily to African countries, Qatar would sponsor the supplies, and Turkey would be in charge of organization issues, the outlet wrote. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Moscow unilaterally withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal on Aug. 17, causing spikes in wheat prices and fears about food security worldwide. The agreement previously allowed Ukraine to export its grain amid the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion. Turkey, positioning itself as a mediator between the war's belligerents, played an important role in brokering the grain deal in July 2022. Since the agreement's collapse, Ankara has been in contact with both Kyiv and Moscow, discussing the options for its restoration. Read also: Ukraine wants to use new Black Sea corridor to export grain Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Former Columbus City Hall lobbyist John Raphael leaves federal court on June 8, 2016 after being sentenced for his role in the Redflex red light camera contract scandal. John Raphael, the Democat operative and Columbus City Hall lobbyist who has been twice convicted of federal public corruption charges related to his government work, has reported to a federal medical facility prison after being resentenced to serve an additional six months in July. It is the second time in six years that Raphael has been incarcerated, this time for his role in a bribery scheme where he took money to steer a multi-million-dollar food vending contract at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Raphael was a member of the board of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, which owns and operates the convention center, Nationwide Arena, the Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel and six parking facilities. Centerplate, a national firm that was bidding for food service contract at the convention center, paid Raphael $144,000 in installments in exchange for secret bid information for the contract and other illegal assistance in steering the contract to them, federal prosecutors say. Raphael's last payment was in the form of a $40,000 "success fee." Within the last several days an online federal inmate lookup page began showing that Raphael, 68, is currently being housed at the Federal Bureau of Prison's FMC Lexington facility, an "administrative security federal medical center with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp" in Lexington, Kentucky, housing almost 1,300 male and female prisoners. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It was unclear why Raphael reported to a medical facility lockup for inmates who require medical care, or how long the Clintonville resident is expected to remain there. No one from the U.S. Marshal's office in Columbus, which is responsible for custody, transportaion and housing of federal prisons, could be reached for comment. In a court filing last year, Raphael's attorney, Roger Sugarman, listed a series of medical conditions he was being treated for, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, and other conditions. Watson had given Raphael 45 days to report to prison. Raphael's release date is listed as February 20, 2024, suggesting by his six-month sentence that he reported to prison in the last few days. U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson had originally sentenced Raphael to 18 months house arrest and no prison time in August 2021 for his conviction in the bribery scheme with the Franklin County Facilities Authority. But federal prosecutors appealed Watson's sentence to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as too lenient for a two-time offender and in comparison to federal guidelines, which called for between 41 and 51 months, and a maximum of 20 years. Earlier this year, the federal appeals court ordered Watson to resentence Raphael consistent with case law on how to arrive at an appropriate punishment, giving better explanation of how he reached the sentence. The appeals court said Watson's original pre-sentencing comments were concerning on many levels particularly his stated familiarity with Raphael and his family. "It should go without saying that personal connections to the defendant should not be a basis for a shorter sentence," the appellate court ruling, filed April 5, states. "Leniency for a public official convicted of bribery because the public official shares personal connections with the sentencing judge has the potential to undermine public trust more than the bribery itself." The U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbus hasn't announced yet if it intends to again appeal Watson's ruling of six months in prison as inadequate. In his first conviction, Raphael, then 60, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion by threats, a violation of the federal Hobbs Act. Raphael admitted that he threatened Redflex red light camera officials with the potential loss of Columbus city contracts and influence to persuade them to give money on behalf of elected officials, prosecutors said. Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, then a city council member, acknowledged then that he asked Raphael to help him secure a donation from Redflex. Ginther had personally called a Redflex official requesting $20,000 for his campaign, The Dispatch has reported. Court documents said Redflex gave Raphael $20,000 to pass along in October 2011. Raphael then gave the $20,000 to the Ohio Democratic Party, which then made a $21,000 donation to Ginthers campaign. wbush@gannett.com @ReporterBush Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: John Raphael reports to federal prison for inmates with medical issues This photo taken on Aug. 25, 2023 shows the interior of a tunnel along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Pahang state of Malaysia. Twenty-five tunnels along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Malaysia's mega rail project jointly constructed with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), have achieved a breakthrough, according to Mohd Zuki Ali, chairman of the project owner Malaysia Rail Link (MRL). (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-five tunnels along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Malaysia's mega rail project jointly constructed with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), have achieved a breakthrough, according to Mohd Zuki Ali, chairman of the project owner Malaysia Rail Link (MRL). "The breakthrough of 25 tunnels, including 21 in Sections A and B, shows MRL and CCCECRL's engineering capabilities and modern tunneling technology," Mohd Zuki Ali told a ceremony Friday. "The ECRL project, spanning across four states, has progressed 48.77 percent," he added. Kong Qi, managing director of CCCECRL, said that CCCC will make every effort to accelerate the progress of the project. "Our team is devoted to applying advanced construction technology and experience to the project. In the meantime, we partner with MRL to promote the local community's economic well-being and forge connections," Kong said. The ECRL project involves constructing 40 tunnels from Kelantan to Selangor. The rail link is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the east coast to the economic heartland on the west coast. People take part in a breakthrough ceremony of a tunnel along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Pahang state of Malaysia, Aug. 25, 2023. Twenty-five tunnels along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Malaysia's mega rail project jointly constructed with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), have achieved a breakthrough, according to Mohd Zuki Ali, chairman of the project owner Malaysia Rail Link (MRL). (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) People take part in a breakthrough ceremony of a tunnel along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Pahang state of Malaysia, Aug. 25, 2023. Twenty-five tunnels along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Malaysia's mega rail project jointly constructed with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), have achieved a breakthrough, according to Mohd Zuki Ali, chairman of the project owner Malaysia Rail Link (MRL). (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) The Kent County Sheriff's Office said a 21-year-old woman and two young girls, ages 3 and 1, died in storms on Thursday (Kent County Sheriff's Office) Five people, including two children, are dead after severe storms that spurred at least two tornadoes devastated parts of Michigan, downing trees, tearing roofs off homes and leaving thousands without power. An EF-1 tornado with winds up to 110 mph (177 kph) touched down in Kent County, near Grand Rapids, on Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). A weaker EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 80 mph (128 kph) was on the ground for about two miles in Wayne Countys Canton Township, west of Detroit, the weather service said. That tornado caused a tree to fall into a house, meteorologist Sara Schultz said. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old woman and two young girls, ages 3 and 1, died Thursday after two vehicles collided after hydroplaning during the storms, the Kent County Sheriffs Office said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There were two vehicles traveling toward each other. One hydroplaned on water and it was occupied by four people, Sgt. Eric Brunner told WZZM-TV. The sheriffs office said a 22-year-old Gowen man who was driving the car carrying the Gowen woman and two girls was seriously injured in the crash, which occurred when his car struck an SUV. That vehicles driver suffered minor injuries. In Lansing, the state capital, one person died Thursday night after a tree fell on a home. Lansing Police Department spokeswoman Jordan Gulkis told the Lansing State Journal that firefighters extricated one person from the home who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. An EF-1 tornado touched down in Kent County on Thursday night at 90mph (145 kph), according to the National Weather Service (NWS) (Kent County Sheriff's Office) In Ingham County, where Lansing is located, the sheriffs office said Friday that one person was confirmed dead and several people severely injured as more than 25 vehicles were severely damaged along Interstate 96. It was not immediately clear early Friday afternoon if the storm or a non-weather-related crash was responsible for the wrecks on the freeway. Wayne County Executive Warren Evans declared a state of emergency Friday in Michigans most populous county, which includes Detroit, due to power outages, flooding, fallen trees and power lines and storm debris. Trees were uprooted and some roofs collapsed during Thursdays storms, which left many roads closed due to fallen trees and power lines. More than 460,000 customers in Michigan and over 218,000 in Ohio were without power as of Friday morning, according to the Poweroutage.us website. Trees were uprooted, and some roofs collapsed during Thursdays storms, leaving many roads closed due to fallen trees and power lines. (Kent County Sheriff's Office) Thursday nights storms followed a round of heavy showers Wednesday that left areas in southeast Michigan with over 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of rain by Thursday morning, resulting in street flooding in the Detroit area, including tunnels leading to Detroit Metropolitan Airport in the suburb of Romulus, officials said. Officials reopened the airports McNamara Terminal on Thursday afternoon. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center on Thursday evening to provide support to affected communities as they respond to the impacts of flooding. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Two people were found shot dead at a North Carolina military base in 2020, and now a man faces a murder charge, officials said. Kenneth Maurice Quick, Jr. was indicted in August, almost three years after prosecutors said he killed two people. Their bodies were found on Fort Liberty in December 2020, according to the U.S. Attorneys office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Federal prosecutors in an Aug. 25 release didnt list attorney information for Quick, who is from Laurinburg. Though prosecutors wouldnt tell McClatchy News the full names of the people Quick is accused of killing, their initials are similar to those of two people who were found dead in December 2020 at Fort Liberty formerly called Fort Bragg. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The U.S. Army identified one of the people as 37-year-old Master Sgt. William J. Lavigne of the Special Operations Command. The other was 44-year-old Timothy Dumas of Pinehurst, who had served in the U.S. Army. On Dec. 2, 2020, Lavigne and Dumas were found dead in a training area, but officials said they didnt die from training-related causes. Then two months later, the FBI turned to the public for clues about their mysterious deaths, which agents were investigating as homicides, McClatchy News reported. Quicks case dates to Dec. 1, 2020, when prosecutors said he shot and killed one person on Fort Liberty. That same day, hes accused of killing a second person in connection with a cocaine trafficking case. In the first death, Quick is charged with one count of murder on federal land, prosecutors said. Hes also accused of obstruction of justice after prosecutors said he helped to burn the deceased persons pickup truck. In the second death, Quick is charged with attempting to dispose of the body. Prosecutors in their indictment said Quick failed to let police know about both of the peoples deaths and secretly disposed of their bodies. Quick also faces two counts of discharge of a firearm resulting in death in relation to a crime of violence/drug trafficking crime and another gun-related charge. A grand jury indicted him Aug. 1, and he has been in custody on an unrelated case, according to officials and online court records. Fort Liberty is roughly 55 miles south of Raleigh. Soldier found shot to death in North Carolina. Now, fellow soldier charged with murder Soldier secretly recorded sex with women and posted the videos on OnlyFans, NC cops say The mayor of Cape Coast Ghana Ernest Arthur (middle) pictured with the co-founder of Tybee MLK Julia Pearce (right) and Josephine Lomotey Tybee MLK Liaison to Cape Coast Ghana. Julia Pearce, co-founder of Tybee MLK, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging diversity on Tybee Island, said that while the population is more than 95% white, its connection to Black people is an integral part of the Island's history. That just didnt happen that way, Pearce said. We've always been on Tybee, since the beginning. The history of Black people on Tybee begins with the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, otherwise known as the door of no return, through which more than 12 million Africans were captured and forced into slavery as part of the transatlantic slave trade. The enslaved who went through Ghana ended up in the Caribbean, the U.S., and most notably, Savannah as it became one of the most active trading ports in the U.S. after slavery was legalized in Georgia in 1749. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement History lesson: Exposing the history of Lazaretto The enslaved Africans who came into and through Savannah had to first go through Tybee Island for the quarantine process that was required before slave ships could go to the Port of Savannah. This quarantine station is known as a lazaretto, an Italian word meaning pest house, to describe a quarantine station for plague-infested ships. Those Africans that were healthy were taken to Savannah to be sold. Those who died were buried in unmarked graves on Tybee Island, along the Lazaretto Creek. This is why Pearce earlier this year traveled to Cape Coast Ghana, to make the connection between the door of no return and the lazaretto. And it's why she has requested the city of Tybee invite the mayor of Cape Coast, Ernest Arthur, and his delegation during his U.S. visit. Pearce requested that the mayor consider making Cape Coast Ghana a sister city, according to city manager Michelle Owens, and the letter of invitation sent by Mayor Shirley Sessions. As our city attorney reviews the Sister City Relationship protocol, please know we welcome your visit, Sessions wrote. We look forward to meeting you and your delegation. According to the spokesperson for the mayor, Dr. Richmond Yeboah, they intend to establish a partnership between the two cities as the reason for their visit. According to Yeboah, they plan to be on Tybee Island on Oct. 11, and are just waiting for an itinerary from Tybee MLK. "We want to establish a partnership with Tybee because of our similarities in history and beaches," Yeboah said. "We want to forge cooperation to exchange best practices in the area of cultural tourism, education, sanitation and waste management." Pearce said one of the reasons she wanted to connect with Cape Coast was to tie in Tybees master plan of heritage tourism with the historical significance of Ghana being the last place enslaved Africans passed through, and Tybee being the final resting place for some. 'We really can be all one quilt': A celebration of Lazaretto Day on Tybee Island For the last two years, in March, the people of Tybee Island have celebrated Lazaretto Day, organized by Tybee MLK. The day is meant to be a tribute for all of the enslaved who were taken from their land. In October 2022, the Tybee Island Historical Society dedicated an official marker in front of the Tybee Island Lighthouse to acknowledge the citys role in the Middle Passage, as one of 53 coastal ports that received enslaved Africans and one of the earliest American colonies to do so. One of the goals Tybee MLK and the Lazaretto Coalition, an offshoot of Tybee MLK would like to accomplish is a comprehensive historical display of the Lazaretto, and what it meant to Tybee, the nation and the world. We would like to be able to allow, with our organization, people the easy understanding of the history between the Middle Passage and Cape Coast Ghana, Pearce said. And how we have survived through extraordinary conditions. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Cape Coast Ghana Mayor to visit Tybee Island in October The Chickahominy Indian Tribe, located in Providence Forge, Virginia, welcomed United States Treasurer Marilynn Lynn Malerba (Mohegan Tribe) and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo on Thursday to discuss the historic investments in Indian Country made by the Biden-Harris administration. During their visit, the Treasury leaders toured the Tribal Health Clinic and engaged with a family who had received assistance from the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), a provision of the American Rescue Plan (ARP). 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. Additionally, they had the opportunity to explore the tribe's re-acquired ancestral territory. Deputy Secretary Adeyemo and Treasurer Chief Malerba convened a roundtable discussion with tribal leaders hailing from various regions in Virginia. This session facilitated conversations about the economic aspirations and challenges faced by tribes throughout Indian Country and on how federal funding is contributing to tribal economic growth. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement During the Biden-Harris administration, the Treasury Department has intensified its commitment to Indian Country. In June 2022, Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellenvisited the Rosebud Indian Reservation, which marked the first time a treasury secretary ever visited an Indian reservation. The Treasury Department has made unprecented investments in tribal communities, including implementing the largest-ever single infusion of federal funding into Indian Country through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $20 billion set-aside for Tribes, investing an historic $234 million in Native-owned and Native-majority shareholder depository institutions through the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), and making the two largest infusions of federal capital to Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) Additionally on Thursday, the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) chaired by Secretary Yellen published a new Tribally-focused webpage on MyMoney.gov to serve as a central source for the posting of financial literacy and educational resources available to Tribal communities by federal agencies. This webpage is in response to Tribal leader feedback about the need to streamline access to Tribally-specific financial literacy resources, and serves as another example of the Departments commitment to integrating Tribal feedback into improved federal policy and support for Tribal economic advancement. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net FILE PHOTO: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni wants trade barriers to come down, in Kisozi KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has banned the importation of used clothing into the east African country, saying it stifles the development of local textile industries and that the clothes belonged to dead Westerners. Like most African countries, Uganda has traditionally imported large quantities of used clothing, which some consumers prefer because it is low-cost. But local manufacturers complain the dumping of second-hand apparel swamps the market, undermining Uganda's ability to climb the value chain of the cotton and textile industry. "They are for dead people. When a White person dies, they gather their clothes and send them to Africa," Museveni said on Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement At least 70% of garments donated to charity in Europe and the United States end up in Africa, according to Oxfam, a British charity. Reuters was not able to immediately ascertain what percentage of the donated clothing came from people who had died. "We have people here who produce new clothes but they cannot infiltrate the market," Museveni said at a groundbreaking ceremony of nine factories in the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park in Mbale city. Uganda is a significant producer of cotton but much of it is exported in semi-processed form, with the value of its cotton exports ranging between $26-76 million per year in the decade to 2022, according to Uganda's central bank. The East African Community, a regional economic grouping of which Uganda is a member, agreed in 2016 to a complete ban on used clothing imports by 2019, but Rwanda was the only country to enact it. As a result, the United States in 2018 suspended Rwanda's right to export clothing duty-free to the United States, one of the benefits of the United States' tariff and quota-free African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The U.S. embassy in Kampala did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Museveni said the ban would also extend to electricity meters and electric cables, saying they should be bought from factories in Uganda. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema and Hereward Holland; editing by Christina Fincher) The reported death of Yevgeny Prigozhin and other senior members of the Wagner Group will "almost certainly" have a destabilizing effect on the mercenary company, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its latest intelligence report on Aug. 25. "The demise of Prigozhin would almost certainly have a deeply destabilizing effect on the Wagner Group," the ministry said. "His personal attributes of hyper-activity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor." The update noted that the list of passengers who presumably died in the crash also included other top figures of the Wagner Group, including its co-founder and field commander Dmitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Russian media: Private jet crashes in Russia, warlord Prigozhin listed among passengers The intelligence report stressed, however, that there is no definitive proof that Prigozhin is indeed dead, although it remains highly likely. On Aug. 23, a private Embraer Legacy aircraft presumably carrying Prigozhin and other senior members of the Wagner Group crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in Tver Oblast while flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg. All 10 people on board died in the crash. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that the presumed death of the group's leadership will likely prevent it from resisting efforts by the Kremlin and Russian Ministry of Defense to "weaken, subsume, and destroy the organization." In an act of "almost certain assassination," the Russian government has removed "any remaining means Wagner had to operate independently of the Russian Ministry of Defense," the ISW experts commented. Prigozhin often came into conflict with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and military leadership over the ministry's efforts to curb the group's independence. The cause of the crash remains unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Aug. 24 that Ukraine did not orchestrate the crash, but said that "everyone understands" who is behind it, presumably implying Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The likely cause was a bomb onboard or "some other form of sabotage," according to unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal on Aug. 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed Prigozhin's reported demise on Aug. 24, wishing condolences to the family and saying that the warlord "made mistakes" but "got the results he wanted both for himself and for the common cause." Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE - President Joe Biden, left, speaks at an event with G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO Summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. Biden's strong backing for Ukraine's effort to repel Russia's invasion has been the rare issue where he's mustered bipartisan support. But this weeks first GOP presidential debateand recent comments by former President Donald Trump on Ukraine suggest that the dynamic will face a stress test as the 2024 presidential campaign heats up. (Paul Ellis/Pool Photo via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) For President Joe Biden, strong backing for Ukraines effort to repel Russias invasion has been a rare issue where hes mustered bipartisan support. But this week's first GOP presidential debate and recent comments on Ukraine by the 2024 GOP polling leader and former president, Donald Trump show that unusual unity will face a stress test as the 2024 presidential campaign intensifies and the leading Republican contenders show antipathy toward the American backing of Ukraine. There long has been an isolationist strain in the United States, particularly in the Republican Party, but rarely has it been shared by so many candidates for president. On the debate stage in Milwaukee, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would make additional U.S. aid contingent on European allies increasing contributions. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy called it disastrous that the U.S. government was protecting against an invasion across somebody elses border and argued Ukraine funding would be better spent on the invasion of our own southern border. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump, who did not participate in the first debate, has said he will end Russia's invasion in one day if he wins back the White House. Even some of his Republican allies, like Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said that assertion was folly. Trump also has called on Congress to withhold additional Ukraine funding until the FBI, IRS and Justice Department hand over every scrap of evidence" on the Biden family's business dealings. Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, said that Republican congressional leadership and Biden remain on the same page on providing Ukraine the assistance it needs. Still, he said the prominent voices in the Republican field calling for the U.S. to slow or wind down support for Kyiv send a troubling signal to allies about what the U.S. commitment could look like following the 2024 election and harken back to the years when isolationists pressured the U.S. to remain neutral during the first two years of World War II. The majority of elected Republicans in the committee chairs and the people with power in Congress are still solid," Fried said. When they attack the administration, its usually for not doing enough. But Trump and the Trump wannabes represent this other tradition in our history. And the last time this isolationist tradition was powerful in America, it led to catastrophic results. Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz in a statement criticized MAGA Republicans on the debate stage for siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukrainian people and alluded to Ramaswamy mocking U.S. politicians who have made the trip to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people. At one point during Wednesday's debate, Ramaswamy took a dig at former Vice President Mike Pence and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, both of whom visited Kyiv this summer, for making a pilgrimage to their Pope Zelenskyy" without doing the same for Americans impacted by Hawaii's wildfires and crime and violence in U.S. cities. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley on the debate stage slammed Ramaswamy, saying he was effectively standing with Putin and was being short-sighted about U.S. interests. This guy is a murderer. And you are choosing a murderer over a pro-American country, said Haley, who also previously served as the South Carolina governor. Publicly, the White House has stressed that key Republican lawmakers, notably the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, are largely in agreement on the need to continue robust assistance to Ukraine. The Biden administration earlier this month called on Congress to provide more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid to Ukraine and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support through the end of the year. The aid money was included in a supplemental spending request that also includes money to replenish U.S. federal disaster funds and funds to bolster enforcement at the Southern border with Mexico. Biden in a brief exchange with reporters on Friday said he was not interested in splitting the request. The United States has committed more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion. That includes more than $43 billion in military aid. We believe that the support will be there and will be sustained even if there are some dissident voices on the other side of the aisle, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier this week. We believe that at the core there is still a strong bipartisan foundation of support for our Ukraine policy and for supporting and defending Ukraine. Support among the American public for providing Ukraine weaponry and direct economic assistance has softened with time. An AP-NORC poll conducted in January 2023 around the one-year mark of the conflict found that 48% favored the U.S. providing weapons to Ukraine, down from the 60% of U.S. adults who were in favor of sending Ukraine weapons in May 2022. While Democrats have generally been more supportive than Republicans of offering weaponry, their support dropped slightly from 71% to 63% in the same period. Republican support dropped more, from 53% to 39%. Dozens of Republicans in the House, and some GOP senators, have expressed reservations about and even voted against spending more federal dollars for the war effort. Many of those Republicans are aligning with Trumps objections to the U.S. involvement overseas. Its very easy to say Id rather spend money on a bridge in West Virginia than a bridge on Ukraine. That on a superficial level makes sense, said Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative Washington think tank. Were witnessing a struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party right now and the Ukraine debate is a proxy of that. Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Pennsylvania, said the handling of the Ukraine war isn't as salient to the electorate as the economy, health care, immigration, abortion and some other issues. But polling suggests that concerns about the costs of the war resonate with working-class Republican primary voters. On the flip side, Borick said Biden is not likely to win votes solely on his handling of Ukraine. But how the war plays out in the months ahead could help or diminish the president's broader argument about his administration's competency and success at restoring U.S. leadership on the international stage after four years of Trump's "American first" foreign policy approach. Right now, Ukraine isn't as prominent an issue for voters, but we're seeing Trump, Ramaswamy and DeSantis setting the table to raise the question later in the campaign of how much U.S. treasure we're spending over there that we could be spending at home, he said. Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed reporting from South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Ukraine's counteroffensive is bloody and slow, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces have crossed the first line of Russian defense, US Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, General Mark Milley said in an interview with Al-Mamlaka channel on Aug. 25. Ukraine is currently conducting a counteroffensive operation that has been going on for almost eight weeks, he noted. Read also: Ukraine not feeling pressure from Western partners over counter-offensive, says FM Kuleba The offensive is bloody and slow, but constant progress is observed, Milley stated. Ukrainian troops advance 400-500 meters daily, and sometimes up to a kilometer. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "They crossed the main first line of defense," he said. This defensive line, which the Russians spent many months preparing, is minefields, dragon's teeth, and anti-tank trenches. Read also: With Ukraines 2023 counteroffensive ongoing, West starts to think about 2024 spring offensive The Ukrainians still have great combat power, and this is not the end, Milley stressed. "It is still too early to judge the success or failure of the attack () It is clear that so far partial success has been achieved," Milley stated. The speed of the counteroffensive is slower than expected, but this is not uncommon in war, as war on paper is different from war in real life. "When people are dying and you're destroying tanks and anti-personnel armor on the ground and you're going through real dragon fangs and real landmines, things are slower because people's lives are at stake," Milley explained. Ukrainian counteroffensive: Latest Dismissing criticism on the slow pace of the counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces are on the verge of a breakthrough, said Ukraines commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Ukrainian forces "continue to create conditions for moving forward step-by-step," said Zaluzhnyi. Read also: Ukraine sees advances on Bakhmut and Melitopol fronts General Staff The General Staff confirmed the success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Robotyne, stating that the fighters are entrenched at the achieved boundaries. They continue to advance in the direction of Melitopol. Ukrainian troops entered Robotyne, a village in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, on Aug. 22, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The next day, they raised a Ukrainian flag over the liberated settlement. The liberation of the village of Urozhayne in Donetsk Oblast was confirmed on Aug. 16. In total, Ukrainian forces recaptured nine settlements in the south and east of Ukraine in June, and the village of Staromayorske in Donetsk Oblast in July. Earlier, The New York Times reported a new phase of Ukraines counteroffensive, focusing on the southeastern front, where Ukrainian forces are making gradual progress through minefields and facing attacks from Russian aviation. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukraine and Canada have launched talks on drawing up a bilateral agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine, as outlined by the G7 declaration on support for Ukraine. Source: Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, on Telegram Quote: "Canada has become the third G7 country after the US and the UK to start [security guarantees] negotiations with Ukraine, continuing the positive trend in concluding security agreements between our country and its key international partners. The bilateral security guarantees Ukraine has to obtain right now will make our country more protected even before its accession to NATO. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Security guarantees for Ukraine have to be effective and serve as a transitional step on our countrys path to Alliance membership the single most reliable security guarantee today." Details: Yermak said that he is overseeing the talks; the first round was chaired by Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. Background: Member states of the Group of Seven agreed on a framework document concerning security guarantees for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023. The leaders agreed on a framework rather than specific parameters of security guarantees, with bilateral agreements between Ukraine and its allies to be signed later. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that Ukrainian forces attacked the 126th Separate Guards Coastal Defence Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on 25 August. Source: LIGA.net Ukrainian news outlet citing Andrii Yusov, representative of the DIU Details: The intelligence officer said the brigade was attacked in the village of Perevalne in temporarily occupied Crimea. Quote: "We can confirm the information; there was a hit. This is not the first attack on the 126th Brigade. As [Chief of the DIU] Major General Kyrylo Budanov said in his last interview, Ukraine can now strike and conduct operations anywhere in occupied Crimea. There will also be plenty of news there shortly." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Details: Yusov noted that there are no photos or videos of the attack, and the fact that this information became public from Russian media may serve as a confirmation. There are currently reports of killed and wounded Russian soldiers, but the information needs to be clarified, Yusov said. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported a strike on the 126th Brigade of the Russian Federation around 10:00. A channel reader claimed that three were killed and "lots'' wounded, brought to the Simferopol hospital on Horkyi Street. Perevalne is located in the Simferopol district of Crimea. The distance from it to the nearest Ukrainian-controlled territories on Dnipro River's right bank is about 275 km, and over 300 km to the left bank. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! KABUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 29 Afghan youths joined the national army after receiving a three-week military training, said a statement of Afghanistan's ministry of defense on Friday. In a graduation ceremony held on Thursday, all of the 29 received their certificates and vowed to serve the country in any circumstances, the statement added. This is the second batch of Afghan youngsters that has joined Afghanistan's national army over the past week. The Afghan caretaker government plans to build a 200,000-people national army, said Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat, the country's chief of staff of the armed forces. (Bloomberg) -- Poland and four other eastern members of the EU want to prolong a ban on grain imports from Ukraine, setting up a potential showdown over limits that expire in mid-September. The request is likely to further complicate Kyivs efforts to find routes for its exports after Russia pulled out of a deal to allow shipments via the Black Sea. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed grain shipments with Turkeys foreign minister in Kyiv. Most Read from Bloomberg The Kremlin termed an absolute lie allegations by the US that Wagner mercenary group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin was the victim of an assassination probably approved by President Vladimir Putin . Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the plane crash that killed ten, including Prigozhin, two months after the failed Wagner mutiny against Russias military leadership was too crude to have involved his close ally Putin. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Kyivs allies worry the war - now into its 19th month - is dragging on with hopes fading for Ukraines counteroffensive to yield a definitive breakthrough. Ukraines ground troops made progress in areas near Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, the General Staff said on Facebook. Russias defense ministry said its forces downed or demobilized 42 drones fired by Ukraine overnight, including nine over Crimea, and also shot down an S-200 missile over a region that borders Moscow. Latest Coverage Russia Rejects US Claims Putin Likely Approved Prigozhin Killing Ukraines Slow Counteroffensive Boosts Putin and Worries Allies Russia Ally Calls Prigozhin Crash Too Crude to Involve Putin Estonian Premiers Husband to Sell Stake in Russia Exporter Russia Shot Down 42 Drones From Ukraine: Defense Ministry Markets Oil prices are headed for a second weekly loss on signs of improving supply and a deteriorating economic situation in China, the biggest importer. Still, crude remains markedly higher than its lows in June, driven largely by supply cuts by OPEC+ linchpins Saudi Arabia and Russia. Coming Up Russian deputy FM Sergei Ryabkov holds news conference on BRICS summit Turkeys foreign minister in Kyiv Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A Ukrainian serviceman of the 53rd brigade fires an RPG-9 towards Russian positions at the frontline close to Donetsk - AP Photo/ Libkos Russian forces have downed 73 Ukrainian drones over the past 24 hours after a night of mass attacks centred on Crimea, according to the countrys defence ministry. Explosions hit a Russian base in Crimea on Friday, according to reports, following Kyivs largest-ever drone attack on the peninsula. Russian air defences also shot down a drone and a modified S-200 missile over the Kaluga region southwest of Moscow on Friday morning. The series of attacks came a day after a Ukrainian commando raid destroyed one of Russias most advanced air defence systems in Crimea. Follow the latest updates below. 03:00 PM BST Today's live coverage has ended Here is a roundup of the days main events: ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Kremlin said on Friday that Western suggestions that Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had been killed on its orders and what it called other speculation, were an absolute lie. A preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded that an intentional explosion caused the plane crash presumed to have killed a mercenary leader who was eulogised on Thursday by Vladimir Putin . The US State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on 13 people and entities it said are reportedly connected to the forced deportation and transfer of Ukraines children, as Washington ramps up pressure on Moscow over its invasion. The UKs defence ministry has said that it is highly likely that the Wagner group mercenary boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is dead, despite no definitive proof. Russian militants fighting in support of Ukraine have called on Wagner Group mercenaries to switch sides following the apparent death of their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Russias Defence Ministry said on Friday that its forces had downed 73 Ukrainian drones over the past 24 hours, after a night of mass drone attacks focused on the Russian-held Crimea peninsula. 02:46 PM BST Belarus's Lukashenko 'can't imagine' Putin behind death of Wagner chief The leader of Belarus said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely not behind the death of Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is believed to have died this week in a plane crash. He is a calculating, very calm and even slow person, making decisions on other, less complicated issues. So I cant imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is to blame. Its too rough, unprofessional work, if anything, Alexander Lukashenko said in comments carried by state-run news agency Belta. 02:23 PM BST Wagner channels say Russian citizen arrested in Finland is top fighter Social media channels linked to Russias Wagner Group mercenaries said on Friday a top fighter in one of the groups subunits had been detained in Finland at Ukraines request. Rusich, a Wagner subunit, identified him as Yan Petrovsky, a founding member and leader of the unit who has been under European Union and United States sanctions since last year. It said on the messaging app Telegram that Petrovsky, who has fought in Ukraine since 2014, was arrested a month ago and could now be extradited to Ukraine. Wagner, which has fought for Russia in Ukraine and runs mercenary operations in several African nations, has had sanctions imposed on it by a number of Western countries for alleged atrocities. 02:02 PM BST Ukraine in pictures Here are the latest photos from Ukraine. The father of Ihor Voyevodin cries as he holds a photo of his son, a philology student of Kyiv Shevchenko University and an Azov volunteer soldier, who was killed in a battle - AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky A man watches a destroyed Russian military vehicle - Pierre Crom/Getty Images Ukrainian soldiers prepare 120mm mortar to fire, in the direction of Bakhmut frontline - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images A Ukrainian medic prepares medicine for a wounded Ukrainian soldier at a stabilization point, in the direction of Bakhmut frontline - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Soldiers of the battalion 'Wild Field' are seen as they build new positions in the forests of the Kremmina area - Jose Colon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images 01:36 PM BST Germany investigates attempted murder of 'poisoned' Russian journalist German prosecutors said they are investigating the attempted murder of Berlin-based Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko after she was one of three Russian exile journalists who experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning. Ms Kostyuchenko, a foreign correspondent who exposed alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, last October experienced extreme disorientation, abdominal pain and swollen extremities on a train journey from Munich to Berlin. When I got out at the train station, I realized I couldnt figure out how to get home, she wrote two weeks ago in the literary journal n+1. I knew that I needed to transfer to the subway, but I couldnt figure out how. Two weeks ago, investigative portal The Insider reported that doctors they had consulted had said her symptoms were consistent with poisoning. We can confirm that an investigation into the attempted murder of Elena Kostyuchenko is pending, a spokesperson for Berlin prosecutors said on Friday. 01:14 PM BST Russian investigators confirm death of pilot of downed plane Russian authorities have confirmed the death of the pilot of a plane that crashed while carrying mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to reports. Alexei Levshins family have documentary proof he was on the crashed plane, Reuters quoted an anonymous source as saying. The pilots family are set to undergo a DNA test later today to get genetic confirmation. The Embraer executive jet crashed in Tver region north of Moscow on August 23, on which Prigozhin was listed as a passenger. 12:57 PM BST Russia 'shipping citizens to Zaporizhzhia' ahead of elections Russia has rounded up Russian citizens and taken them to Zaporizhzhia Oblast to allegedly help them falsify elections, the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces has reported. According to the military, Russian officials have settled these people in the abandoned homes of local residents in several settlements across the area. It is thought that Russian officials will begin collecting votes on August 30. The vote will be held both at polling stations and visits by the occupation authorities representatives to apartments and houses. 12:46 PM BST Russia says it shot down 73 Ukrainian drones over last 24 hours Russias Defence Ministry said on Friday that its forces had downed 73 Ukrainian drones over the past 24 hours, after a night of mass drone attacks focused on the Russian-held Crimea peninsula. 12:16 PM BST Russia weighing US request for consular visit to jailed reporter Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow is considering a US request to make a consular visit to jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich but has not yet made a decision, state news agency RIA reported on Friday. US national Gershkovich was detained on March 29 on charges of espionage, which both he and the Wall Street Journal deny. 11:56 AM BST Kremlin says Putin has no plans to attend G20 in India in person The Kremlin said on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had no plans to attend the G20 summit in India in September in person. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine, something the Kremlin strongly denies. This means he risks arrest when travelling abroad. This week he attended a gathering of leaders from the BRICS group of emerging economies in South Africa by video link, not in person. 11:37 AM BST Kremlin calls accusations it killed Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin an 'absolute lie' The Kremlin said on Friday that Western suggestions that Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had been killed on its orders and what it called other speculation, were an absolute lie. In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that an investigation into the plane crash on Wednesday evening in which President Vladimir Putin has said that Prigozhin and his associates were killed according to preliminary information, is ongoing. Putin had not met Prigozhin recently, Peskov added. 11:21 AM BST Drone destroyed over Russia's Kaluga region Russian air defences shot down a drone over the Kaluga region southwest of Moscow on Friday, the regions governor said on the Telegram messaging app. Earlier, the Russian defence ministry said a modified S-200 missile had also been shot down over the Kaluga region, which borders the Moscow region. The city of Kaluga is less than 200 km (124 miles) from Moscow. 11:03 AM BST Ukraine dismisses emergency service chief after internal inspection Ukraine announced the dismissal of the head of its State Emergency Service on Friday after an internal inspection of the agency, which has had a prominent role since Russias invasion. The government has decided to dismiss Serhiy Kruk from the post of Head of the State Emergency Service, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Mr Klymenko gave no reasons for Mr Kruks dismissal, but said it followed an internal inspection of the service, of which he provided few details. He said Mr Kruks deputy, Volodymyr Demchuk, would serve as the agencys acting head. The service has been playing an important role in trying to save lives, clear rubble and put out fires after frequent Russian air strikes and shelling. More personnel decisions will follow the internal inspection, Mr Klymenko said, adding that the service was working as usual. 10:41 AM BST Zelensky photographed for Independence Day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a flag during an official ceremony on Thursday. The visits from European leaders were meant as a show of solidarity with Ukraine 18 months after Russias large-scale invasion of the country. Ukraines Independence Day commemorates its break with the Soviet Union in 1991. Volodymyr Zelensky holds a flag - Alexey Furman/Getty Images 10:17 AM BST Wagner Group since could be a sign of chaos and confusion' So far there has been radio silence from Wagners council of commanders since Prigozhins plane crash. Experts believe this could be a sign that the group is embroiled in chaos and confusion within their ranks. The group met on Wednesday evening to prepare a joint statement and announce what would happen next for Wagner, but it is not yet publicly available, the Institute for the Study of War said. The Wagner Council of Commanders silence may be due to chaos and confusion within their ranks following Prigozhins and Utkins assassination or due to explicit instructions from Russian authorities to remain silent, they said. A man lays flowers at the makeshift memorial in honor of Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin - NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / AFP Any public statement may be viewed by the Kremlin as an attempt to reconstitute an independent Wagner force posing a threat to Russias defence ministry, which, alongside Putins willingness to publicly assassinate the Wagner leadership, could be prompting a delay in announcing a successor, the ISW explained. A member of the Wagner Council of Commanders personally selected by Putin to replace Prigozhin now would risk becoming the focus of the ire of Wagner rank and file upset about the assassination of Wagners leadership, the think-tank added. 09:57 AM BST Russian citizen detained in Finland The Russian embassy in Helsinki said it had been informed of the detention of a Russian citizen in Finland on Ukraines request and was taking steps to offer consular assistance, Russian state news agency RIA reported on Friday. 09:46 AM BST Pro-Kyiv Russian fighters call on Wagner forces to join them Russian militants fighting in support of Ukraine have called on Wagner Group mercenaries to switch sides following the apparent death of their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. You are facing a serious choice now - you can stand in a stall of Russias defence ministry and serve as watchdogs for executors of your commanders or take revenge, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) Denis Kapustin said in a video published late on Thursday. To take revenge you need to switch to Ukraines side, the commander added. The group was founded by RVC commander Kapustin, a far-right Russian national, a year ago. They fight on the Ukrainian side and are thought to be behind numerous attacks along the Russian border. 09:24 AM BST UK says 'highly likely' Prigozhin is dead The UKs defence ministry has said that it is highly likely that the Wagner group mercenary boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is dead, despite no definitive proof. The demise of Prigozhin would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on the Wagner group, the ministry said in a defence intelligence update posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine 25 August 2023 Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/6VR3ky8rWE #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/UmCmmMRUu2 Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) August 25, 2023 09:01 AM BST Analysis: How Ukrainian F-16s could unravel Russia Since the start of the full-scale invasion last year, neither side has been able to dominate the sky, which says as much about the weakness of the Russian air force as it does about the tenacity of Ukraines. Although that is unlikely to change any time soon, Kyiv would have been delighted last weekend when, after a whirlwind tour of European capitals, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, secured promises of dozens of modern fighter jets for his air force. 08:35 AM BST Russia's spy chief Naryshkin says failure of Ukrainian counteroffensive 'obvious' Russias foreign intelligence chief, Sergei Naryshkin, said that the failure of Ukraines counteroffensive was obvious, Russian state news agency RIA reported on Friday. 07:56 AM BST US imposes sanctions over forced deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children The US State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on 13 people and entities it said are reportedly connected to the forced deportation and transfer of Ukraines children, as Washington ramps up pressure on Moscow over its invasion. The United States is also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on three Russia-installed purported authorities over their involvement in human rights abuses of Ukrainian minors, the State Department said in a statement. The sanctions coincided with Ukraines Independence Day. The United States will not stand by as Russia carries out these war crimes and crimes against humanity, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Thursday. Ukraines government estimates that Russian authorities have deported and/or forcibly displaced over 19,500 children from their homes since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 07:30 AM BST Ukraine marks Independence Day and vows to keep fighting Russia Ukraine on Thursday marked its second Independence Day since Russias full-scale invasion, with officials vowing to keep up their fight to drive out the Kremlins forces and local people remembering their fallen loved ones. The national holiday coincided with the wars 18-month milestone, giving a somber mood to the commemorations. We remember everyone who gave their lives for freedom and independence, for the free future of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post. He said that an independent Ukraine is what we are fighting for. Happy Ukraines Independence Day! The day of the free, the strong, and the dignified. The day of equals. Ukrainian men and women. In our entire country. In this fight, everyone counts. Because the fight is for something that is important to everyone. An independent Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/tUYTsn3TrE (@ZelenskyyUa) August 24, 2023 07:11 AM BST US intelligence says an intentional explosion brought down Prigozhins plane A preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded that an intentional explosion caused the plane crash presumed to have killed a mercenary leader who was eulogised on Thursday by Vladimir Putin. One of the US and Western officials who described the initial assessment said it determined that Yevgeny Prigozhin was very likely targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putins long history of trying to silence his critics. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment, did not offer any details about what caused the explosion, which was widely believed to be vengeance for the mutiny in June that posed the biggest challenge to the Russian leaders 23-year rule. Several of Prigozhins lieutenants were also presumed dead. 06:13 AM BST Mercenary group among the most likely successors to Wagner A mercenary group controlled by Russian military intelligence is among the most likely successors to Wagner as Yevgeny Prigozhins group has been left leaderless, writes Roland Oliphant. Wagner occupied a unique position among Russias private security firms. Although bankrolled by the Russian state and reliant on the ministry of defence for ammunition, it swelled to an enormous size and achieved a degree of autonomy, notoriety, and battlefield success that few private armies can boast of. Under Yevgeny Prigozhin it also amassed a considerable business portfolio, taking over oil, gold, and other mineral exploitation concessions in almost every country it operated in. With Prigozhin dead, a host of rival Russian mercenary groups will seek to take over its combat missions and its business assets. Read the full story here 05:33 AM BST US to begin training Ukraine F-16 pilots The Pentagon said on Thursday it would begin training Ukrainian F-16 pilots in the United States starting next month so they can use the advanced aircraft against Russian forces. Ukraine has long sought these sophisticated fighter jets to better fight the Russian invasion. The US training will involve several pilots and dozens of personnel to maintain the aircraft, said Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder. These pilots will be conducting English language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in September prior to attending F-16 flying training in Arizona, he said. The Arizona training will take place at Morris Air National Guard Base, he added. 05:24 AM BST Putin calls Prigozhin a talented man who made serious mistakes Vladimir Putin said Yevgeny Prigozhin was a talented businessman who made serious mistakes, as Western security sources warned that the Russian president had been emboldened by the apparent assassination of the Wagner Group leader, writes James Crisp, Nataliya Vasilyeva and Ben Riley-Smith. Putin broke his silence almost 24 hours after Prigozhins private jet was brought down by what is believed to be a bomb, killing the mercenary leader and his top deputies. The West believes Putin ordered the killing, and on Thursday a British security source said the incident had left the president with a quasi private army at hand. In short speech from inside the Kremlin on Thursday night, Putin said Prigozhin had made a great contribution to the war in Ukraine. The president added that an investigation into the crash was under way. Read the full story here 05:22 AM BST Welcome to today's live blog Good morning. We will be bringing you the latest news and developments today on the Ukraine war and the private jet crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Ukraine has advanced on two fronts in southern Ukraine with successes near Bakhmut, the Ukrainian General Staff reported on Aug. 25. The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their counteroffensive on the eastern Bakhmut front and the southern Melitopol front. Read also: Russians convert sanatorium in Melitopol into field hospital, says Ukrainian General Staff Ukrainian forces achieved success on the fronts of Novodanilivka - Novoprokopivka and Mala Tokmachka - Ocheretovate. Troops have been working to secure their captured positions, launching artillery strikes on identified Russian targets, and implementing counter-battery measures. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian forces continue their offensive actions south of Bakhmut, consolidating their positions at the frontlines. Read also: Ukrainian army fighting to south of liberated Urozhayne, Russians try to advance in Kharkiv Oblast Russian forces undertook ineffective offensive actions in the Avdiivka, Mariinka, and Novomykhailivka regions in eastern Donetsk Oblast. Russia is suffering significant losses in personnel, arms, and equipment, and is actively deploying reserves. Ukrainian forces remain resolute in impeding Russian progress on the Kupyansk, Lyman, and Bakhmut fronts. Intense clashes persist. The Armed Forces achieved success in the area of Robotyne, as confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff. Troops are solidifying positions and have raised the Ukrainian flag. The village of Urozhayne in Donetsk Oblast was liberated on Aug. 16, reported Ukraines Defense Ministry. Defense Forces reclaimed nine settlements in southern and eastern Ukraine in June. Ukraine liberated the village of Staromayorske, located next to Urozhayne in Donetsk Oblast in July. Ukrainian defenders continue to create conditions for advancement step by step, said Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Ukraines allies now worry the war is dragging into a long fight that may strengthen Vladimir Putin s hand as hopes fade that Kyivs forces will deliver a definitive breakthrough this year. Most Read from Bloomberg More than two months into its counteroffensive, Kyiv has so far managed to make only tactical advances against heavily dug-in Russian forces, despite having committed many of the units trained and armed by the US and Europe for the operation. The window for further big actions is narrowing as wet and cold weather looms in the autumn. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ukraine and its allies vow to keep up the fight as long as needed, but officials concede it will be a tall order to repeat the levels of massive support that made the current push possible. Stocks of ammunition in particular are depleted and production in the US and Europe wont be ramped up until late 2024. F-16 fighters likely wont arrive until next year, either. Some of Ukraines supporters still see a chance its forces will break through Russian lines this year before the wet, cold weather sets in and complicates operations on Ukraines muddy steppes. Ukraine has confounded expectations and surprised Russia several times over the 18-month conflict, with the Kremlin yet to achieve any of its original goals. Cluster munitions supplied by the US in recent weeks have helped Kyivs troops push Russian forces back, allowing advances beyond the first line of defenses in some areas, according to people familiar with the matter. But as the offensive stretches on, sustaining aid is getting harder politically in the US. The fight to pass the next funding bill for Ukraine in Congress this fall is expected to be the toughest yet and this weeks Republican presidential candidate debate underlined the growing hostility in the party toward sending weapons and aid to Kyiv. European officials worry President Joe Biden may eventually look to nudge Ukraine toward negotiations in the absence of significant battlefield progress as the campaign heats up next year. Continued US support to Ukraine remains essential because Europe alone doesnt have the military capacity to sufficiently bolster Kyivs forces, the people said. The Biden administration has repeatedly said it will back Ukraine for as long as it takes and has gradually increased the heft of weapons its providing Kyiv. If fighting grinds to an impasse over the winter, its a really big problem, theres going to be war fatigue, said Samantha de Bendern, an associate fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. The US is going to be less and less interested in whats happening in Ukraine and its going to be more and more difficult for Europeans to convince the Americans that Ukraine is an American problem. Russia, meanwhile, has managed to get around allied attempts to starve its war effort of key components and has enough munitions for at least another year of fighting, the people said, noting that the Kremlin also has been able to continue bringing new troops to the front despite huge losses. Putins assessment is that a long war of attrition gives Russia an advantage, allied officials said, putting the onus on the US and Europe to prove him wrong. The death of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who staged a brazen but abortive mutiny in June, has cemented Putins control at least for the moment. Prigozhins Wagner forces have largely pulled out of Ukraine. Read more: Putin Bolsters Power Base After Prigozhin Dies in Jet Crash Earlier this year, the US and Europe were optimistic about significant progress as they poured armored vehicles, missile systems and other weapons into Ukraine, sending entire units for training in NATO countries. That hope has been replaced with a grudging recognition that even advanced weapons and tactics arent enough to rapidly defeat Russias massive and still-capable defenses. This assessment of Ukraines efforts to repel Russia out of its territory is based on documents seen by Bloomberg and conversations with multiple officials who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive information. After head-on attempts to breach Russian lines without sufficient air cover yielded major losses in the first weeks of the counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces shifted tactics. Kyiv sought to wear its opponent down with long-range strikes on artillery and supply lines, probing with troops across a broad front. Advances have been slow. The US would have preferred Ukraine stick with concentrated efforts to punch through Russian lines. But without enough air support to suppress Russian defenses, Ukraine would have faced even more punishing losses that would have been difficult to sustain. That approach hasnt delivered the kind of lightning victories that Ukraine had a year ago. Those successes had emboldened its leadership and allies to step up the fight to drive Russian troops from the roughly Portugal-sized swath of territory they still occupy. Read more: Unexploded Missile Suggests Moscow Is Rushing Weapons to Front Publicly, Kyiv and its allies deny the war is heading into some form of a stalemate this year, but privately, some officials warn thats increasingly likely as gains on the ground come only slowly. One of the diplomats said that given the rate of attrition and the resources at Ukraines disposal, Kyivs more calculated strategy was on balance the right call despite the added time it requires to execute. Early Thursday, Ukrainian commandos staged a raid in occupied Crimea in a symbolic move on the nations Independence Day. Ukrainian troops also reported progress near the town of Robotyne in the south, where they are fighting through Russian minefields and trench systems in a push aimed at cutting off the Kremlins land bridge to its forces in Crimea. Robotyne is tactically significant because a Ukrainian advance in the area may allow Kyivs forces to begin operating past the densest Russian minefields, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War said earlier this week. But the heavy use of mines, combined with Russias air power, has been a particular challenge. Russian forces have relaid minefields and re-erected obstacles using artillery and helicopters as Ukrainians push toward or through frontlines and in some cases have redeployed mines behind the Ukrainian forces one Western intelligence official said. While more demining equipment would help, Ukraine also needs short-range air defense systems to help protect the advancing units, the official said. Read more: Russia Says It Downed Drone Swarm and a Missile From Ukraine While the Kremlin remains convinced it can outlast the US and its allies, its war effort has also faced headwinds as the conflict drags on. Recruiting is on pace to deliver only 230,000 new troops this year, short of the Kremlins 400,000 target, according to a UK official. Thats hampered its ability to mount new offensives, especially with its own minefields limiting room for operations. But even that reduced flow of fresh forces is still quite substantial. And Russia has been successful at ramping up its ammunition and other supplies. It has enough ammunition of various kinds for about a year because theyve been able to import sanctioned components or substitute them, allowing them to produce at a rate faster than in Europe by adapting and cutting corners, one official said. Another variable that may determine the shape of a lengthier war is the stability of Putins regime in the longer term. Prigozhins alleged assassination will have signification implications, even if those take time to play out. As one official noted, the mercenary leaders death wont cover up the weakness that his insurrection exposed nor undo the damage to Putins image. --With assistance from Courtney McBride, Olesia Safronova and Aliaksandr Kudrytski. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The government of Ukraine asked the US to sanction Pavel Fuks, an oligarch who paid Rudy Giuliani 's company $300,000. The request came over a year ago. So far, the US has done nothing. Fuks is reportedly living in London and appears to own property in Miami. US inaction reflects a lack of coordination between allies over sanctions strategy, experts say. In July 2022, the Ukrainian government sent a letter to the US Embassy in Kyiv with a simple request: Please impose economic sanctions on Pavel Fuks. Fuks, a Ukrainian oligarch with close ties to Moscow, was linked to "corrupt economic practices, transnational crime, and adverse foreign influence," according to the letter. Ukraine sanctioned him in 2021, and now it was asking its most important ally to do the same. But more than a year on, the US has not taken any public action on the request. Fuks, who also has close ties to former president Donald Trump and disgraced attorney Rudy Giuliani, remains free to transact business and own assets in the United States. He is now reported to be living the high life in the United Kingdom, where he is a permanent resident. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Insider reviewed a document with the sanctions request from Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and confirmed it with three officials, two American and one Ukrainian. Shannon Shevlin, a Justice Department spokesperson, confirmed that the US has not sanctioned Fuks. She declined to respond to questions about the Ukrainian government's request. Kateryna Roshuk, a spokesperson for Fuks, disputed the allegations made by the Ukrainian government's letter. "It is not true," she wrote, that Fuks is tied to organized crime and the Russian state security services. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment. Fuks' reported net worth of $270 million does not place him among the top ranks of oligarchs, many of whom have fortunes in the billions. And while Fuks made his money in Moscow finance and real estate, his current relationship with the Kremlin looks to be strained. Russia, too, has imposed financial sanctions on him, and a Moscow court has charged him in absentia with embezzlement. (Fuks' spokesperson disputed media reports of the embezzlement charge and claimed that Fuks was prosecuted for making pro-Ukraine statements.) Still, Fuks' critics allege that he maintains ties to both Russian organized crime and the Kremlin's global spy network. Russia's security forces tasked Fuks with arranging for swastikas to be painted in his longtime stronghold of Kharkiv to help create a pretext for the 2022 invasion, according to allegations published by Rolling Stone. And contacts between Fuks and Russia's intelligence network have been the subject of reports circulated within the US intelligence community, Insider has learned. Fuks' spokesperson disputed the Rolling Stone report, and provided a statement from Fuks saying that it "has nothing to do with reality" and "contains a huge amount of untrue, far-fetched facts that are damaging to my honor and dignity." The Ukrainian government, meanwhile, has accused Fuks of furthering Russia's economic grip on the country's east. In May, it announced an investigation into Fuks for fraud and tax evasion. It's not clear why the US has declined to act on Ukraine's request. But one former US official contacted by Insider said that Fuks' profile appears to meet the test for sanctions, and described the failure to sanction him as a "gross oversight." "Pavel Fuks is the subject of multiple investigations," said the former official, whose identity is known to Insider but who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject matter. "He has been working for Russian intelligence and against U.S. interests and those of U.S. allies. His associates such as Ihor Kolomoisky and Andrii Telizhenko have already been sanctioned in the US. He should be sanctioned due to his role as a Russian asset and his affiliation with other sanctioned persons. It baffles me why this has not yet happened, and it is a gross oversight in my view." Kolomoisky is a Ukrainian politician, and Telizhenko is a former Ukrainian diplomat. Both men were sanctioned by the US in 2021; Kolomoisky for "using his political influence and official power for his personal benefit" and Telizhenko for his alleged role in attempting to influence the 2020 US presidential election with misinformation. Telizhenko has reportedly worked as a consultant for both Fuks and Kolomoisky. Olga Lautman, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, agreed with the assessment that Fuks has ties to Russian intelligence and organized crime. As a Moscow developer in post-Soviet Russia, she said, he wouldn't have been able to achieve his level of success without the help of both. "It's the same thing with all the oligarchs," she said. "You give a cut of your revenue to the state security services in order to operate. And whatever information you happen to collect along the way, you hand it over." If the reports of Fuks' Kremlin ties are true, they should be especially troubling in light of his long-term relationship with former President Donald Trump and his inner circle. Fuks has claimed that he met with Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump in 2006 in Moscow to pitch them on building a Trump-branded tower. That account was backed up by Felix Sater, a former Trump adviser, who told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he had "numerous" discussions about the possible deal in Moscow and New York. The Moscow Trump Tower deal ultimately fell through, reportedly because Trump wanted $20 million, twice as much as Fuks was willing to pay. But that wasn't the end of Fuks' interest in Trump. In 2017, he traveled to Washington for Trump's inaugural after paying an associate $200,000 for high-level access to the festivities. (He wound up suing for a refund after the trip fell short of his expectations.) Then, in 2018, Fuks paid Rudy Giuliani's company $300,000, ostensibly to consult on security measures for Kharkiv, one of the most corrupt cities in Ukraine, where Fuks wielded considerable influence over the mayor. But in an interview, Fuks described Giuliani's role as being that of a "lobbyist" for Kharkiv and Ukraine, and the payment coincides with Giuliani's efforts in Ukraine to dig up dirt on Joe and Hunter Biden, and to pressure Ukrainian officials into opening an investigation. Two Giuliani associates involved with that effort were indicted for violating campaign finance laws. Giuliani himself has not been charged for the work he did in Ukraine while serving, unpaid, as Trump's personal lawyer. But a whistleblower disclosure by Johnathan Buma, an FBI special agent, alleges that Giuliani's clout inside the Trump White House afforded him some measure of protection while he was under scrutiny by US prosecutors. Much attention has been paid to fissures within the NATO-Ukraine coalition over weaponry and the Western controls placed on Russia's arms imports and oil exports. But the approaches that members of the alliance have taken to imposing economic sanctions on individuals have been wildly divergent as well. Fuks is one of hundreds of people who have been sanctioned by the Ukrainian government but are still able to do business in the US, according to an online database maintained by the Ukrainian government. A property associated with his family in Miami, valued at upwards of $10 million, remains in the hands of the same Cyprus-based shell company that purchased it in 2007. Today, Fuks is reportedly living in London, where he was granted a special "golden visa" as a high-net-worth investor. Despite the United Kingdom's military and financial support for the Ukraine war effort, London has remained a haven for high-dollar oligarchs closest to Putin. Even some of those who have been sanctioned in the UK maintain lavish lifestyles, with authorities allowing some to spend more than $1 million each year on personal expenses. "It's a problem that Western governments don't do much to coordinate their personal sanctions," Anders Aslund, a Swedish economist and expert on Russian oligarchs, told Insider. "The US sanctions very few big businessmen. The EU sanctions many more. Ukraine sanctions an enormous number. And if everyone has sanctioned you and you can't go anywhere else, you go to Dubai." Read the original article on Insider Key developments on Aug. 24: Military intelligence reports successful raid inside Crimea Norway pledges F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine Ukrainian forces advance in two directions Putin says Wagner Group boss likely killed in jet crash As Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day, Ukrainian forces landed in Russian-occupied Crimea and raised the Ukrainian flag near the coast, Military Intelligence said on Aug. 24. Ukraine's Military Intelligence reported that a special watercraft landed on the Crimean coast at the beach near Maiak, a village on the northwestern tip of Crimea, and engaged in combat. Maiak is located less than five kilometers from Olenivka, where Ukraine destroyed a Russian air defense system the day before. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said Ukrainian forces had already returned from Crimea without suffering any losses. Read also: Military intelligence reports successful raid on occupied Crimea He couldn't specify the details of the operation but said it "had the characteristics of a raid." Krym.Realii, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty news outlet about Crimea, reported explosions near Maiak at 5 a.m. Russian radar base and radio engineering troops are located in the area. Earlier in August, reports emerged about a Ukrainian raid across the Dnipro River into occupied parts of Kherson Oblast. The Kyiv Independent's source in Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed on Aug. 9 that Ukraine had successfully conducted a raid deep into Russian-occupied territory on the east bank. The source also said that Ukraine's military had taken 16 Russian soldiers as prisoners of war and brought them back to the west bank of the river, controlled by Ukrainian forces. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us Putin says Prigozhin is likely dead Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Wagner Group boss, warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, is likely dead. The mercenary group leader was killed not far from Moscow in a private jet crash on Aug. 23 with six other passengers, including his right-hand man Dmitriy Utkin, who went by the call sign Wagner, and three jet crew members. "He made mistakes," said Putin, but he "got the results he wanted both for himself and for the common cause." Prigozhin's Wagner mercenaries, partly made up of convicts from Russian prisons, have led the Russian siege of Bakhmut, taking the city in mid-May after a months-long battle. Read also: Russia takes Bakhmut: Taking stock of the wars bloodiest battle so far Prigozhin was listed as one of the aircraft's passengers, according to the Russian aviation agency. Russian media reported earlier on Aug. 24 that emergency services found all 10 bodies on the site, but none of them have been reportedly identified so far. The cause of the crash remains unclear. President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Aug. 24 that Ukraine did not orchestrate the crash, but added that "everyone understands" who is behind it. The likely cause was a bomb onboard or "some other form of sabotage," according to unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal on Aug. 24. However, the officials said the jet was unlikely to have been shot down by an air defense missile, according to the report. After a month of public conflict with the Russian top generals, including the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov, Prigozhin launched a short-lived rebellion against them in late June. A day-long mutiny was aborted after the Wagner mercenaries seized the Southern Military Command headquarters in the city of Rostov and marched toward Moscow before abruptly ending the insurrection. The headquarters is a key strategic military command center in Russia's war against Ukraine. Following an undisclosed deal claimed to be brokered by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin and the Wagner mercenaries were allowed to walk free and were redeployed to Belarus. The warlord released a video on Aug. 21 claiming to be filmed in Africa, where the mercenaries were accused of alleged war crimes and human rights abuse. "There's not much that happens in Russia that Putin's not behind. But I don't know enough to know the answer," U.S. President Joe Biden said after the jet crash. Read also: Kyiv, Moscows opposing attitudes toward Soviet past shape two different futures Military aid to Ukraine Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store pledged F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine while visiting Kyiv on Aug. 24. He said Norway will give two jets immediately for Ukrainian pilots to train on, but the government has yet to decide the timeframe and the total number of aircraft it can provide Ukraine with. In addition, Norway's prime minister pledged to provide Ukraine with IRIS-T anti-aircraft missiles and mine-clearing equipment, as well as to assist Kyiv in securing its gas and power supply. Norway has become the third country to pledge the U.S.-made fourth-generation aircraft to bolster Ukraine's Air Force, following Denmark and the Netherlands. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the first batch of six planes would be delivered to Ukraine by the end of 2023. Just days after Denmark pledged to donate 19 F-16s, eight Ukrainian pilots and 65 technical and support personnel have arrived at a military air base in Skrydstrup to begin training on the jets, the Danish Armed Forces said on Aug. 22. A coalition of 11 NATO member states will train the Ukrainians on F-16s in Denmark. Greece and Portugal joined the training of the Ukrainian pilots to operate the U.S.-made fighter jets, according to Zelensky. The F-16's dominance over Soviet fighter jets used by both Ukrainian and Russian air forces lies in its advanced design and capabilities, allowing for enhanced performance, agility, and versatility in combat situations. Ukraine has been lobbying for the jets to strengthen its air defenses in its fight against Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said on Aug. 21 that F-16s could change the course of events in Russia's war, providing Ukrainian troops with much-needed air superiority. Meanwhile, Germany delivered missiles for the Patriot air defense system, eight new drone detection systems, and 40 RQ-35 HEIDRUN reconnaissance drones as part of a new package of military aid to Ukraine, the German government announced on Aug. 24. Part of the package, which includes 31 million rounds of small arms ammunition and 90 drone detection systems, is currently in the planning phase, the German government said. In addition, Lithuania announced on Aug. 24 another military aid package for Kyiv worth 41 million euros (around $44 million), including ammunition for Carl Gustaf hand grenade launchers, rifles, maritime surveillance radar sets, 5.56 mm caliber ammunition, generators, anti-drone systems, and other equipment. Ukraine will also receive launchers for the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), according to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry report. Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar marked Ukraine's 32 years of independence by donating a Bayraktar TB2 combat and reconnaissance drone to Kyiv, the military intelligence reported on Aug. 24. Read also: Zelenskys address on Ukraines 32nd Independence Day On the battlefield Ukrainian forces advanced in the Melitopol and Bakhmut directions, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on the morning of Aug. 24. In the southeastern Melitopol axis, the Ukrainian troops advanced in the Novoprokopivka area of Zaporizhzhia Oblast entrenched at reclaimed positions, according to the General Staff's spokesperson Andrii Kovalov. Novoprokopivka is located south of Robotyne village, where Ukrainian forces hold part of the settlement, while heavy fighting has been recently reported. Ukrainian forces also advanced south of Bakhmut in eastern Donetsk Oblast, according to the report. Over the past week, Ukrainian forces liberated three square kilometers along Bakhmut's southern flank, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on Aug. 21. Ukraine launched its summer counteroffensive in at least three directions in early June. Alongside the Bakhmut and Melitopol directions, Ukrainian forces are also trying to break through the Russian defense lines in the Berdiansk axis. The military liberated several villages in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts since then. Russia has been occupying roughly 20% of Ukraine, with some territories since 2014, including Crimea and the parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The front line stretches over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the southern Kherson Oblast to the northeastern Kharkiv Oblast. Ukrainian officials repeatedly said the aim is to liberate all Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Read also: Everything you didnt know about Ukraines flag Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Aug. 25: Ukrainian troops have broken through Russian first lines of defense in some areas Ukraine strikes Russian brigade in Crimea Russia claims destroying 42 drones over Crimea Russia launches two strikes against Odesa Oblast overnight Border Guards: Number of Wagner fighters in Belarus decreases, Lukashenko denies mercenaries departure Throughout their counteroffensive, Ukrainian troops have managed to attack through Russia's first main defensive belt in some areas along the front lines, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said in an interview with Al-Mamlaka TV, a Jordanian public broadcaster, published on Aug. 25. "Specifically on the axes of advance that (Ukrainian forces) are attacking right now, (Ukrainian forces) have attacked through the main defense belt," Milley said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The chairman noted that Russian troops have been preparing a deep line of defense for many months and it has "mine fields, dragon's teeth, and tank ditches. It's a very complex set of defensive preparations that the Ukrainians are fighting through." CNN also reported on Aug. 25, citing Ukraine's General Staff, that there are signs Ukrainian troops have broken through Russian defenses along the southern front line in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Milley told Al-Mamlaka that its too early to say whether Ukraines counteroffensive has succeeded or failed, calling the push very bloody, slow, long and difficult. He added that after having liberated a considerable part" of lands occupied by Russia, Ukrainian forces have a significant amount of power remaining, and its not over yet. Read also: Zaluzhnyi: Counteroffensive underequipped but advances daily Responding to criticism of the pace of the Wests military support to Ukraine, the general said that Kyiv had received what they needed when they needed it, mentioning the provision of anti-tank weapons at the start of the full-scale war as an example of timely assistance. Ukraines counteroffensive has been ongoing in the east and south of the country since early June. On Aug. 4, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that the Ukrainian military had passed through the Russian first line of defense, moving to an "intermediate one" in some places on the southern front line. "And there they are faced with concrete engineering fortifications on the dominant heights created by the enemy. This, of course, complicates the movement of our troops and their combat actions," Maliar said on national television. Ukraine strikes Russian brigade in Crimea The Russian 126th Coastal Defense Brigade in occupied Crimea was hit on Aug. 25, Ukraine's military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov confirmed to the media outlet Liga.net. The brigade was reportedly struck in the village of Perevalne in the Simferopol district. The settlement is located around 270 kilometers from the nearest territories controlled by Ukraine on the west bank of the Dnipro River and over 300 kilometers from the closest Kyiv-held lands on the river's east bank. Yusov told Liga.net that it's not the first strike against the 126th brigade and cited the intelligence chief saying, "Ukraine can now inflict damage and carry out operations in any point of the occupied Crimea." There are reports of killed and wounded Russian soldiers as a result of the strike, but they have yet to be confirmed, added Yusov. In the early hours of Aug. 24, Ukrainian forces reportedly landed on Russian-occupied Crimea and raised the Ukrainian flag as part of an operation with the Navy. A source in Ukraine's Military Intelligence told Ukrainska Pravda that the raid is not "the story of one day, but a long-term operation." While few details can be released as the operation is ongoing, its success shows that the peninsula is not only within reach of Ukrainian strikes but also within reach of its military personnel, the source said. Read also: Increased attacks on Crimea disrupt Russian logistics, attempt to derail its southern defenses Russia claims shooting down 42 drones over Crimea The Russian Defense Ministry said on Aug. 25 that its air defense forces destroyed 42 Ukraine-launched drones over the Crimean Peninsula and one missile over Kaluga Oblast. The ministry said air defense forces destroyed nine drones while 33 were suppressed by electronic warfare and crashed over Crimea without reaching their targets. Mikhail Razvozhaev, the head of Sevastopol's illegal Russian occupation government, claimed Russian air defense shot down a few drones on the city's outskirts. According to preliminary information, no damages or casualties have been reported following the attack. Ukraine rarely acknowledges its involvement in attacks within Russia. However, in recent months, Kyiv has asserted that targeting Russia's military infrastructure is contributing to its efforts in the counteroffensive. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Military intelligence reports raid into occupied Crimea; Putin says Prigozhin likely dead The Russian Defense Ministry also claimed overnight on Aug. 25 that its forces had shot down an S-200 missile launched by Ukraine over Kaluga Oblast. The ministry reported the alleged S-200 strike at around 1:30 a.m. local time. Just prior, Russian Telegram channels published footage of what appears to be air defense firing against an aerial target, supposedly over Obnisk, Kaluga Oblast. Russian Telegram channels also reported explosions in Russia's Kaluga and Tula oblasts. Around the time of the explosions, Russian state news agency TASS reported overnight that two of Moscow's airports had been shut down, without reporting the reason. The city of Obnisk lies in the northeastern part of Kaluga Oblast, just around 100 kilometers from Moscow, and around 370 kilometers from Ukraine's border. The Ukrainian outlet Liga noted that the modified S-200 missiles have a range of up to 360 kilometers but it is unlikely that they would have been stationed near the border. In the past few weeks, the Russian capital has become the target of several drone strikes, often leading to the temporary suspension of air traffic. Read also: Germany delivers Patriot missiles to Ukraine in new weapons package The Russian Telegram channel Shot also published a video of active air defense, allegedly capturing the downing of the S-200 missile not far from the Shaykovka military airbase in Kaluga Oblast, roughly 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The airport recently came under a drone strike that led to damage to several Tu-22M3 bombers, Ukrainian military intelligence reported. However, it is not clear from the footage published by the channel whether the projectile in question is indeed the S-200 missile. Several hours later, Russia's Defense Ministry said that 42 drones were detected over the territory of Crimea, nine of which were allegedly shot down and 33 eliminated through electronic warfare means. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Russia launches two strikes against Odesa Oblast overnight Meanwhile, Ukraine shot down all four missiles that Russia launched at Odesa Oblast in two consecutive strikes overnight, Southern Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk said on Aug. 25. Shortly before midnight, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet fired two Kh-35 cruise missiles at one of the ports in Odesa Oblast. Both of the projectiles were destroyed, Humeniuk reported. Several hours later, Russian forces attacked the oblast again, this time launching two Kalibr missiles, both of which were again intercepted, the spokesperson said. Humeniuk added that the Russian naval forces deployed a missile carrier in the Sea of Azov, adding that Russia is looking for new ways to bypass Ukrainian air defenses. According to Governor Oleh Kiper, air raid sirens in Odesa Oblast went off twice during the night. The first alert sounded at around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 24, the second one at around 4 a.m., going off also in the neighboring Mykolaiv Oblast. Russia has intensified its attacks against southern Odesa Oblast after Moscow's unilateral termination of the Black Sea Grain Deal, targeting primarily agricultural infrastructure and ports. On Aug. 23, Russian forces launched 20 Shahed kamikaze drones against a grain storage facility in a Danube port, causing a grain warehouse to partially burn down. Read also: Russian missile strike against Dnipro injures 7 Border Guards: Number of Wagner fighters in Belarus decreases The number of Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Belarus is gradually decreasing as they depart for Russia, State Border Guard Service's spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on Aug. 25. The official said that Wagner forces had started to leave in "not significant" numbers even before the reported death of Wagner's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash in Russia's Tver Oblast on Aug. 23. The gradual departure of Wagner mercenaries from Belarus has become even more apparent after their boss's presumed demise, Demchenko added. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko denied reports of Wagner mercenaries leaving Belarus following the reported death of Prigozhin, according to the state-controlled news agency Belta. "Wagner lived, Wagner lives, and Wagner will live in Belarus, no matter if some don't want this. Prigozhin and I had built a system for how Wagner would be deployed in our country, Lukashenko told a press conference on Aug. 25, cited by Belta. Read also: Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko says Russian invasion of Ukraine through Belarus was unexpected His statement comes a day after Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Belarusian service published satellite images showing that a camp for Wagner Group fighters in Belarus' village of Tsel was being actively dismantled. Why do we remove extra tents - we don't need so many. The core (of Wagner contingent in Belarus) remains here, someone went on vacation, someone decided to live apart altogether, claimed Lukashenko, commenting on the RFE/RL report. Within a few days, everyone will be here, up to 10,000 people. They are not running away." The combat effectiveness of the Wagner Group is no longer a factor in Russia's war against Ukraine, Pentagon spokesperson General Pat Ryder said during a press briefing on Aug. 24 in response to a question about the presumed death of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash. Regarding Prigozhin's death, Ryder stressed that despite the media's focus on the mercenary boss's apparent demise, Wagner remains the real threat, as it is "an international criminal organization, and has conducted horrific acts, both on the battlefield and elsewhere." The reported death of Yevgeny Prigozhin and other senior members of the Wagner Group will "almost certainly" have a destabilizing effect on the mercenary company, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its latest intelligence report on Aug. 25. "His personal attributes of hyper-activity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor," the ministry said. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers has dismissed Serhii Kruk as head of the State Emergency Service (SES) following an internal audit. Source: Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, on Telegram Quote: "The government has decided to dismiss Serhii Kruk from his post as head of the State Emergency Service. The duties of the head of the State Emergency Service have been assigned to Volodymyr Demchuk, the deputy head of the SES. The internal audit of the SES has been completed. Further personnel decisions will be made based on its results." Details: The Interior Minister added that the State Emergency Service is operating as normal. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Klymenko did not specify the reasons for Kruks dismissal. Previously: In early August, the State Bureau of Investigation reported that several officials from the State Emergency Service had been served with notices of suspicion for committing actions that law enforcement officers said had led to the death in a helicopter crash of Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi and other senior Interior Ministry officials on 18 January 2023. Serhii Kruk was appointed as head of the State Emergency Service by the Cabinet of Ministers on 16 February 2022. Immediately afterwards, it emerged that his mother-in-law, Tamara Krytsko, had become the owner of three apartments in Rivne and ordered the construction of an expensive house. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukrainian defenders downed a rocket and a drone over the territory of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 24-25 August, with the debris damaging a private dwelling. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Facebook Quote: "Last night, the aggressor hit Nikopol district. They used Grad multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRSs) and heavy artillery. Premises belonging to an agricultural firm and a power line were damaged in Nikopol. Over 700 households were left without electricity. In the morning, the Russian army attacked the city again. They also attacked Marhanets hromada. The attacks aftermath is being established. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A gas pipeline was damaged due to shelling in Zelenodolsk hromada, Kryvyi Rih district." Details: Lysak said defenders from Air Command Skhid (East) destroyed a Russian drone over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast during the night, and an air defence system shot down a missile. "The debris damaged a private residential building and a gas pipeline in Hrushivka hromada, in Kryvyi Rih district," Lysak said. There were no casualties in any of these attacks. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukrainian forces have attacked Russias 126th Separate Guards Brigade in occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said in an interview with Liga.net on Aug. 25. The Russian unit was struck near the village of Perevalne, according to Yusov. Read also: SBU chief Malyuk on how Crimean Bridge was attacked twice "We confirm the information, there was an engagement," he said. Read also: Liberation of Crimea slower than expected, admits intelligence chief Budanov This is not the first attack on the 126th Brigade. As [Defense Intelligence head] Kyrylo Budanov said in his last interview: Ukraine can now inflict damage and carry out operations anywhere in the occupied Crimea. There will also be a lot of news there in the near future. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Read also: Neptune anti-ship missile struck Russian S-400 radar in Crimea report There are reports of dead and wounded Russian soldiers, but they require clarification, Yusov stated. On Aug. 24, Defense Intelligence officers, together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, successfully landed in Crimea, conducting a limited amphibious raid on Russia-held peninsula. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine CANBERRA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Researchers have called for a major cultural overhaul of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to address the rate of veteran suicide. In a new study that has been submitted to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, researchers from Flinders University in South Australia made 18 recommendations on how current and former ADF personnel can be better protected from self-harm. Led by Ben Wadham from the Flinders College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, the team interviewed 113 ADF members and the families of veterans who took their own lives. They found that 41 of the interview participants reported contemplating suicide and 22 have attempted to take their life. Wadham said in a media release on Thursday that there was an urgent need for the ADF and Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to address systematic failures and better support veterans. "Data on self-harm and suicide among ex-service members shows that both male and female ex-service members are more likely to take their lives than members of the general population," he said. Ukrainian troops are putting in grueling work days to learn to operate Leopard 1 tanks. Experts say the training still may not be enough for soldiers in their war against Russia. But with its counteroffensive moving slowly, Ukraine needs the tanks and the skills to operate them. Some Ukrainian soldiers are putting in 12-hour days, six days a week for six weeks to learn how to operate Leopard tanks a fast-tracked training aimed at keeping up with the country's slow-moving counteroffensive against Russia. After months of appeals, Ukraine finally has some of the promised weaponry from its allies, including Leopard 1 tanks and MaxxPro armored vehicles but they can't win the war with equipment alone. Training courses, like one detailed by Politico in Germany, are intensive, with new Ukrainian soldiers on the 6-week program, first using simulations and practicing with fake ammunition, then in real Leopard tanks. Military officials have previously feared that Ukrainian troops were not training long enough to master the equipment fully. German Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow, who is helping run the training "crash courses" in Germany, echoed those concerns, per Politico. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "The training is of course too short," Marlow, who commands the Special Training Command of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, told Politico. "No weapons system alone will be decisive." The soldiers are mostly inexperienced when they arrive in Germany or at other training programs most of them, Marlow told Politico, are military reserve soldiers or just civilians, and they've had trainees as young as 19 and as old as 71. But with a slow counteroffensive against Russia, Ukraine wants more soldiers in the field as soon as possible. The grueling training days need to pack in as much as possible. Marlow told Politico that Ukraine is asking its soldiers to receive training to move through wooded areas, or in open areas that may have mines. As Ukraine has liberated some of its previously lost land, more mines left by occupying Russian soldiers, have been found everywhere from toys and children's books to open fields and buildings. To date, over 6,000 soldiers have been trained in Germany, according to Politico. "The mood among us is great," said Yevhen, a solider from eastern Ukraine, to Politico. "We want to liberate our country and secure our future." Read the original article on Insider KYIV (Reuters) - The Turkish and Ukrainian foreign ministers said on Friday that other solutions to the export of Ukrainian grain than the Black Sea grain deal, which ended after Russia quit last month, were less optimal. The deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations last year had allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain. Ankara has been trying to persuade Moscow to return to the agreement. Ukraine announced earlier this month a "humanitarian corridor" in the Black Sea to release cargo ships that have been trapped in its ports since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The first vessel that used the corridor arrived in Istanbul last week. In a news conference during his visit to Kyiv, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said renewing the grain deal was a priority for Ankara and that Russia must be included in the equation for a functioning agreement. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Reviving this initiative is a priority for Turkey... I hope we'll get a successful result," he said, adding that alternative solutions would not be effective in replacing the deal. "I have been thinking from the beginning that Russia should be included back into this equation," Fidan added. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv is working on alternative routes but that the Black Sea grain deal was the optimal solution. "We are working on alternative routes but objectively speaking the functioning of the Black Sea route is an optimal solution from all points of view," he said. "We will be able to substantially expand the transportation of grain via land corridors, but the blockade of the Black Sea must end," Kuleba added. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Deniz Uyar and Max Hunder; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Alistair Bell) Ukrainians are now breaking down some of the U.S.-made cluster munition artillery shells they've recently received to repurpose the submunition bomblets they carry as improvised weapons to be air-dropped from small drones. Ukraine had been trying to acquire and repurpose air-dropped U.S. cluster munitions to bolster and increase the effectiveness of their stocks of small munitions for drones. Dropping improvised bomblets from often off-the-shelf drones has been a hugely successful tactic for Ukrainian forces. At the same time, 155mm artillery rounds are in extremely high demand in Ukraine for use as designed. Video footage of Ukrainian forces cutting apart an M483A1 155mm artillery shell, which is loaded with so-called Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) submunitions, recently emerged on social media. It is unclear where or when it was shot, but some of the watermarks indicate that it shows personnel from a relatively well-known drone unit, nicknamed "Achilles," assigned to the Ukrainain Army's 92nd Mechanized Brigade. https://twitter.com/osmnactej/status/1694455945412100166?s=20 ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ukraine's military began receiving M483A1 and M864 155mm DPICM artillery rounds from the United States in July. You can read more about these munitions in detail and why Ukrainian officials had been asking repeatedly for them here. https://twitter.com/osmnactej/status/1694456138165526705?s=20 There are multiple different types of DPICM submunitions, also referred to officially as grenades, but they are all similar in form and function. Each one consists of a main body that contains a shaped charge intended to defeat armor up to 2.75 inches of penetration against homogenous steel armor plate in the case of the grenades in the M483A1 surrounded by a casing that is designed to send lethal fragments flying out in all directions. This combination of armor-piercing capability and the effects the fragments can have on unarmored targets is why the submunitions are referred to as dual-purpose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beiD1IpRtvY\u0026t=30s The video from Ukraine shows individuals using an angle grinder to first saw off the front of the M483A1, before extracting the individual M42 and M46 submunitions inside. Each one of these shells contains 64 M42s and 24 M46s, or 88 in total. The main difference between the M42s and M46s is that the latter ones, which are found in the bottom rows in the shell, have a slightly heavier construction because of the increased force they experience during firing. A graphic offering a general breakdown of the 155mm M483A1 DPICM shell. via GlobalSecurity.org An M42/M46 submunition. CAT-UXO The footage from Ukraine showing the process of converting the M42/M46s into bomblets that drones can drop then shows personnel manually arming the fuzes on the submunitions by twisting a tassel-like piece of cloth on top of each one. When employed in the typical manner, this component would both arm the submunition and help stabilize it. When armed, the fuze just relies on momentum to send a firing pin into a detonator, which sets off the main charge. A screen capture showing an M42/M46 submunition being armed as part of the process of turning it into an improvised munition that can be dropped from a drone. capture via Twitter A graphic showing various features of M42/M46 submunitions in their unarmed state. DOD After arming the DPICM submunitions, the Ukrainians insert a small piece of metal to prevent them from detonating accidentally while they are being loaded onto a drone. This tab is then removed, making the grenades live once again. In principle, they should function as they would otherwise when dropped in this manner from a sufficient height. A screen capture showing M42/M46 submunitions loaded onto a drone. The temporary safety tab used in this conversion process is being removed from the one on the right, but is still visible in place on the one on the left. capture via Twitter It is worth noting immediately that this process raises a number of safety concerns throughout, starting just with the act of disassembling a live artillery shell lying on the ground with a hand-held commercial power tool. In addition, the fuzes on DPICM submunitions are notoriously finicky and can be dangerously liable to go off if they are mishandled while armed. This is one of the key issues that critics of these munitions cite in their opposition to their use. There is also a question about whether this is a good use of resources. It is true that reports emerged earlier this year that Ukrainian officials had been asking their American counterparts about the possibility of acquiring old Rockeye II cluster bombs for the purpose of pulling them apart to turn the bomblets inside into munitions for drones. You can read more about this here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqDBx6GfZqg However, the Rockeyes would not be of interest to Ukrainian forces for use in their intended fashion. Unguided cluster bombs like these are designed to be dropped by aircraft flying more or less close to or directly over a target area, something Ukrainian pilots have been largely avoiding doing due to concerns about Russian air defenses. This all cannot be said about artillery shells, and 155mm ones in particular, which are in such high demand in Ukraine that they are often rationed to units. In April, Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of Ukraine's parliament, told the AP that the country's armed forces were firing between 6,000 and 8,000 155mm shells every day. Before U.S. officials announced they would be sending DIPCM shells to Ukraine in July, Ukrainian authorities and their advocates had been pushing to get them for months. This was because of the capabilities they offer and just to give Ukrainian forces another source of badly needed artillery ammunition. DIPCM rounds can provide particularly useful effects against dug-in enemies in trench networks and against large formations, including ones with armored vehicles, in the open, things that Ukrainian forces are regularly encountering as part of their ongoing counteroffensive. https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1682145032000659457 https://twitter.com/FunkerActual/status/1682044434748411904 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1693561336649712039 There is the possibility that there was something wrong with the specific M483A1 shell seen in the recent video, which would have made it less of an issue to turn it into a source of drone munitions. Depending on the nature of any such issue with the round, this could add to the aforementioned safety concerns. On the other hand, the total number of submunitions in just one DPICM round could make this a worthwhile repurposing these artillery shells, even if drone units are only getting a few shells. As already noted, a single M483A1 contains 88 M42/M46 submunitions. That's potentially up to 88 individual targets that drones can now engage, and more effectively, thanks to the contents of just one shell. DPICM submunitions are already purpose-built to free-fall onto their targets and have built-in stabilization. As can be seen in the recent video, the M42/M46s require no real modification to turn them into weapons for drones. More work is necessary to allow other ammunition Ukrainian forces have been repurposing in this way, including 40mm grenades, to be effectively used as improvised air-dropped munitions. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1691084867839172609 The dual-purpose nature of DPICM submunitions gives them useful capabilities against exactly the kind of targets that Ukraine's drone units are going after, including armored vehicles and groups of Russian troops under limited cover or out in the open. That translates to added flexibility in the course of a single mission where different kinds of targets may suddenly emerge. Ukrainian forces have been already making good use of a variety of weaponized commercial uncrewed aerial systems modified to drop improvised munitions or simply act as ad hoc kamikaze drones and smash directly into their targets. Even a relatively small payload, such as a repurposed DIPCM submunition, can be very effective against a variety of targets if employed precisely. So, there is certainly a need to make sure there is a steady supply of suitable munitions. https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1694562425033597368 Altogether, whether DIPCM artillery shells become a more common improvised drone munition, or if demands will prevent this from becoming a more widespread occurrence, remains to be seen. How the U.S. will respond to this 'off label' use is also unknown at this time. What we do know is that these weapons are now being used in unconventional, albeit predictable ways. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com Ukrainian fighters seem to have broken through the first line of defence of the Russian military in the south, specifically in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Source: NN; Mark Milley , Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, in an interview with Al-Mamlaka TV Quote from CNN: "Signs are growing that Ukrainian forces have penetrated the first line of Russian defenses along part of the southern front lines in Zaporizhzhia region, and are expanding a wedge in the direction of the strategic town of Tokmak. Now, several Russian military bloggers are painting a gloomy picture of the front line situation for Moscows forces in parts of the south." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Details: In particular, one Russian milblogger stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the south are advancing on Novoprokopivka (the General Staff confirmed this on Friday), and they have also begun a parallel offensive in the area of Verbove in the east under heavy artillery fire on both fronts. Some Russian "war correspondents" [as milbloggers style themselves] are reporting that Ukraine is using aircraft to cover the advancing infantry and has dropped additional ammunition in the area of Mala Tokmachka. They also say the Russian troops need to hold their positions for at least another month and a half to try to achieve success on another part of the front and change the situation on the battlefield. General Mark Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, also stated that the Ukrainian troops have managed to break through the main first line of defence which the Russians had been preparing for several months. At the same time, he called the Ukrainian offensive, which has been going on for eight weeks, "very slow". Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Six Ukrainian citizens, former prisoners who were forcibly deported to Russia, are stuck in the neutral territory between the borders of Russia and Georgia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assessing the situation. Source: European Pravda On 24 August, Georgian media outlets reported that six Ukrainian citizens had been stuck in the neutral territory between Russia and Georgia near the Verkhiy Lars checkpoint for a week. Reportedly, five of them are convicts from Ukraines Kherson Oblast who were deported as the Russians were retreating and placed in Russian penitentiary facilities to serve the rest of their prison sentences. One is allegedly a Ukrainian who tried to evacuate from the occupied territory through Russia, got detained in a filtration camp, and headed back home after being let out. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Hoping to leave Russia through Georgia, the men arrived at the border on the night of 16 August. The Georgian border guards decided not to let them pass. The Ukrainians are being supplied with food, water and medicine by volunteers. The mother of one of the men told the media that Russian security forces had attempted to take her son from the buffer zone back to Russia, but were prevented from doing so by the rest of his companions and the Georgian border guards. Since then the Ukrainians have been trying to stay closer to the Georgian checkpoint. Georgias Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they had immediately informed Kyiv about the situation in order to facilitate the return of these citizens to Ukraine, and have met with Oleksandr Shulha, the Ukrainian Charge dAffaires. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs told RBC-Ukraine that it is working to bring the six Ukrainian citizens back to Ukraine. "Currently their identities and the legal aspects of serving their court-appointed sentences are being checked, and the issue of their return to Ukraine is being considered," the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated. Reportedly, Lithuania refused asylum to a Russian citizen who claimed that she was an opponent of Vladimir Putins regime and the war against Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! On August 24, 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense announced its contribution to the international effort to train and equip Ukrainian Armed Forces with F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters. "The training provided by the United States will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that's already underway in Europe and further deepens our support of the F-16 training coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands," Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a press briefing. "Moving forward, we will remain in close consultation with the Danes, the Dutch and other allies to ensure U.S. training complements the broader coalition training efforts." An F-16 of the 162nd flies over Tucson (U.S. Air National Guard) English language training for pilots will begin in September at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas while flight training is expected to begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona . The training will be facilitated by the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard. Following the successful completion of training, the Netherlands and Denmark have received the support of the U.S. to provide their legacy F-16s to Ukraine as both countries transition their air forces to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Simulators are a useful resource in pilot training (U.S. Air Force) F-16 training for Ukrainians is also being conducted in Europe, including in the Netherlands and Denmark. To ensure the quickest delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, the U.S. is preempting any training capacity restraints in Europe. Ryder noted that Ukraine will ultimately decide how many of its pilots will go through the training. Depending on the proficiency of the students, the flight training may take several months. It takes the U.S. Air Force roughly two years to convert an untrained officer into a fully-fledged F-16 fighter pilot. Ukrainian ground crews will have to learn to support and maintain F-16s (U.S. Air Force) Helping to accelerate the F-16 training, Ukrainian students will already be trained pilots. "Part of this training will be assessing the individual pilots' skill level, which will determine help to determine how long that training will last," Ryder said. "Your basic, new F-16 pilot with not a lot of training on the U.S. side, that training typically lasts about eight months." Training will range from basic flight training to air combat maneuvering and weapons employment. Ryder highlighted that more experienced pilots may complete the training in as little as five months. In addition to pilots, Ukrainian ground crews will be trained on logistics and maintenance for F-16s. In a move to help ensure a steady pipeline of capable pilots and maintainers for the dozens of F-16 Vipers that have been promised to Ukraine, the Pentagon on Thursday announced training for those personnel will begin taking place in the United States next month. Language training for pilots will take place at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in September followed by flight and aircraft maintenance training in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, facilitated by the 162 Wing. The training will involve several pilots and dozens of maintainers, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman, told reporters, including from The War Zone, Thursday. As we have reported before, training for Ukrainians in language and operational skills is already taking place in the U.K, and Denmark, with many other countries pledging to take part as well. A Danish F-16 fighter jet with rockets is pictured at the Fighter Wing Skrydstrup Air Base near Vojens, Denmark. (Photo by Bo Amstrup / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) The Pentagon - knowing those nations will reach a capacity limit in the number of aircraft and pilots they have to train Ukrainians - is leaning forward to assist with this effort, Ryder said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The first step is ensuring that the Ukrainians are sufficiently fluent in English to communicate with their international counterparts and better understand how to operate the Vipers. Although some Ukrainian pilots have English language skills, we are anticipating that all the pilots coming to the United States will require some level of additional English language instruction, given the complexities and the specialized English that's required to fly these aircraft, said Ryder. Therefore as mentioned, these pilots will also be conducting English language training at Lackland. The Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Lackland is a prime hub for English language instruction across the Defense Department. English language proficiency of Ukrainians has been a long-standing concern when it comes to training them how to fly an F-16, which is far more advanced than Ukraine's current fleet of mostly Soviet-designed Su-27 Flankers and MiG-29 Fulcrums. There are several challenges to ensuring Ukrainian pilots are not just able to fly the fourth-generation fighters, but to be able to do so in combat and in sufficient numbers. Language concerns were raised during a Baseline Pilot Assessment (BPA) of two Ukrainians, flying simulators on the ground, that the Air Force conducted at Morris this past Spring. A pilot sits inside an F-16 simulator. (CAE photo) The BPA report raised issues about the Ukrainian pilots being able to read instruments and displays. The English skill level of either pilot from Ukraine is unclear, as is how much of the assessment may have been conducted with the help of interpreters. It does say that "there was noted improvement of English aptitude over the two-week assessment." Ultimately, the report concluded that "given the skillset demonstrated by the UKR AF pilots, and the requirement to develop a specialized syllabus only focused on min required tasks, ~4 months is a realistic training timeline." This is broken into approximately eight weeks of transition training, two additional weeks or so of low-level step-down training, and then around three weeks of air-to-air combat training. You can read more about this in our story here. Regardless of any past assessments, it will take until next year before Ukrainian pilots hit the skies and many more before those pilots reach full combat proficiency in sufficient scale, the general in charge of U.S. and NATO air operations told reporters in a briefing last week. Even if Ukraine does get F-16s next year, it won't likely have enough pilots who can fly them into combat to anywhere near their full potential before 2027, said U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, head of U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), as well as NATO's Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA). You can get proficient on some weapons systems fairly quickly," said Hecker. It takes a while to build a couple of squadrons of F-16s and to get their readiness high enough and their proficiency high enough. This could be four or five years down the road. You can read much more about Hecker's assessment in our story here. Training Days Once the pilots coming to the U.S. next month achieve language proficiency, they will be assessed on their individual pilot skill levels by the 162nd Wing at Morris, Ryder said Thursday. The timeline for that training, he added, depends on those skills. Training for new F-16 pilots in the U.S. typically takes about eight months, he said. For a more experienced pilot, it could take five months. Four months for a very basic F-16 skill set is very close to the training schedule estimates that F-16 pilots provided to The War Zone for a feature published back in February. Exactly how relevant that minimal skill set would be over the battlefield is still a question that needs to be answered. Ryder told The War Zone he did not know the experience level of the pilots that will come to the U.S. for training, deferring the question to the Ukrainians. The pilots will undergo several phases of training, from basic flight training to the introduction of basic fighter maneuvers, formation flying and weapons employment, Ryder said. This is going to help you transition from a basic pilot mindset to a fighter pilot mindset, said Ryder. An F-16 pilot sits in a cockpit mockup during egress training on the ground. This training teaches pilots to get in and out of the cockpit safely in various situations, including if they need to eject in an emergency. USAF U.S. Air Force There's going to be some type of ground training involved. We've all seen the images of people going through centrifuge training to learn how to cope with G forces, he said. There will be additional training on air combat maneuvering, tactical intercepts, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, and all of that leading up to your mission qualification training, which then allows your instructor to certify that you're combat ready. Asked if the Ukrainians would be trained on how to fight against Russian tactics in the ongoing full-on invasion, Ryder said the training in the U.S. will be the fundamental fighter pilot training...but combat experience in combat training is also important. We'll know to follow the coalition [and] to look at how best to prepare these pilots so that they can be successful in the air when those aircraft are employed. Maintaining decades-old 4th generation western fighters in what is still a war zone is another key goal of this process. The Ukrainian maintainers will learn how to sustain a high-performance aircraft with a significant logistic and maintenance tail" and to maintain this aircraft so that it can stay in the air, Ryder said. An aircraft mechanic works on then underside of an F-16 Falcon at Hill Air Force base in Ogden, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) Morris was chosen to train the Ukrainians because the 162nd Wing is the Air National Guard's premier F-16 training wing and they have deep experience in terms of training international pilots. The wing, he added, has trained pilots and maintainers from upwards of 25 different nations. F-16s To Ukraine The effort to provide Vipers to Ukraine really ramped up last week when the U.S. government assured Denmark and the Netherlands it would expedite approval of any requests to transfer F-16s they submit. That's required because all Vipers exported to foreign countries are governed by U.S. export controls and further approval from American authorities is required to legally transfer them to third parties like Ukraine. You can read more about that in our story here. The U.S. also signaled it would do more directly to speed the process of fielding the F-16s, which we are clearly seeing now. Earlier on Thursday, Norway announced it will be the third nation, after Denmark and the Netherlands, to provide F-16 Vipers to Ukraine. Oslo, which had already agreed to train Ukrainian pilots how to fly Vipers, is planning to donate Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and will provide further details about the donation, numbers and time frame for delivery, in due course, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said in a statement posted on the Norwegian government website. While Stre did not say how many Vipers will be heading or when, the Norwegian VG news outlet, citing its sources, reported that there may be between five and 10 aircraft. https://twitter.com/the_lookout_n/status/1694723697263910929 Norway has a stock of 74 Vipers, but only 56 of these were updated under the MLU program. Additionally reducing that fleet, 32 aircraft are being transferred to Romania where they will replace that countrys recently retired MiG-21 LanceRs. Should the Draken contractor deal for ex-Norwegian jets also go through, that would leave only a dozen or so F-16s available to Ukraine. The Norwegian jets are widely considered to be among the best-maintained F-16s within the NATO inventory and would very likely require little in the way of refurbishment prior to delivery. You can read more about that in our story here. As we previously reported, Ukraine will receive dozens of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands. The exact number is unclear. On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he and Dutch Prime Minster Mark Rutte agreed that 42 F-16s will be transferred to Ukraine once our pilots and engineers have completed their training. But Denmark also announced it will provide 19 F-16s to Ukraine. Danish authorities previously announced plans to have the last of their existing F-16AM/BMs out of service by 2025, two years earlier than expected, which helped pave the way for sending at least some of those aircraft to Ukraine. You can read more about that in our story here. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) reacts as he sits in a F-16 fighter jet in the hangar of the Skrydstrup Airbase in Vojens, northern Denmark, on August 20, 2023. (Photo by MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) Rutte declined to say how many of the Netherlands 42 F-16s would be provided to Ukraine, so the total between the two countries could be as high as 61, which doesnt even include the ones Norway promised today. There were no hard timelines offered on when the jets would be delivered or become operational. Repeating frequently expressed sentiments about when F-16s might actually be flying over the skies of Ukraine, Rutte on Sunday said that its not something that will happen in the near future. The F-16s will not help immediately now with the war effort. It is anyway a long-term commitment from the Netherlands, the Dutch leader said. We want them to be active and operational as soon as possible. Not for the next month, thats impossible, but hopefully soon afterward. https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1693246782799585366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1693246782799585366%7Ctwgr%5Eacbac679128cbc1aee8679cc5d13c26f572631ab%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fdozens-of-f-16s-were-just-officially-pledged-to-ukraine At the Pentagon Thursday, Ryder reiterated that the delivery of the aircraft depends on how the training goes. We're talking months, not weeks, obviously, and as we said, from the very beginning in May, this is about the long-term support to Ukraine. This is not about the counteroffensive that they're conducting right now. Ryder was asked if pilot training would be accelerated so that those aircraft would hit the skies sooner. Obviously we're going to work as fast as we can, he said. But what you don't want to do is you don't want to rush the pilot and train them in a high-performance combat aircraft and then put them in harm's way not fully prepared. Clearly, with the announcements in Washington and Oslo today, there is an increasing sense of urgency about providing Ukraine with a more advanced aircraft to counter Russias superior Air Force and still robust air defense systems. How and when that urgency will effect change in the air over Ukraine remains to be seen. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the National Reconnaissance Office payload, NROL-107 Silentbarker, rolls to Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI Aug. 25 (UPI) -- United Launch Alliance rolled out an Atlas V rocket Friday in preparation for next week's planned launch of a classified space surveillance mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The ULA conducted Friday's movements in partnership with the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. The NRO contracted ULA in 2019 to produce the Atlas V rocket and carry out mission integration, mission launch operations and other activities. The launch is scheduled to take place at 8:34 a.m. EDT on Tuesday. "Our Atlas V rocket has arrived at its Cape Canaveral pad for Tuesday's launch of a new national security capability, called SILENTBARKER/NROL-107, that will advance our Space Domain Awareness against threats in orbit," ULA said in a statement on its website. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Surveillance from space augments and overcomes existing ground sensor limitations with timely 24-hour above-the-weather collection of satellite metric data only possible with a space-based sensor and then communicates its findings to satellite operators, analysts, and other mission users." The mission is conducted in partnership between the NRO and the U.S. Space Force. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI Because the mission is classified, the government hasn't provided many details about the contents of the payload or the scope of its capabilities. The NRO describes Silentbarker/NROL-107 as "a joint NRO and U.S. Space Force space domain awareness mission to meet Department of Defense and intelligence community space protection needs." Ron Fortson, ULA director and general manager of launch operations speaks to the media as the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls to Launch Complex 41. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI The ULA has launched 17 Atlas V rockets as part of NRO missions, with Tuesday's planned event being the 18th and final from Cape Canaveral, according to the NRO. In addition to the powerful Atlas V rocket, the mission will include the Centaur upper stage, a liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen-fueled vehicle that produces 106 kilo-Newtons of thrust. Time ran out on Friday for Americano Media as the deadline set by employees to keep working without pay at the Miami-based company came to an end without its owner being able to reach a deal with a potential buyer keep operations going. Efforts to sell the company to Texas-based Voz Media had proven unsuccessful by the end of business on Friday and most workers that who been keeping radio operations on the air, even though they hadnt been paid in months, said they had no intention of returning to work on Monday. A previous offer made by Voz Media last week which would have taken over the companys heavy debt burden along with a symbolic payment of $1 to the current owner was considered to be so low by Americano Media owner Ivan Garcia-Hidalgo that he told the Miami Herald that he did not consider it to be a real effort to buy his company. Garcia-Hidalgo agreed last week to submit a counter-offer this week, but people familiar with the negotiations said that as of Friday morning Voz Media had not received one. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A large number of the more than 100 employees that had been working for months without pay sgined a petition Friday asking Garcia-Hidalgo to agree to the terms that have been proposed to him. Ivan Garcia Hidalgo must immediately accept whatever proposal is on the table that will allow us all to put an end to this unpleasant chapter and get on with our lives, the petition signed by nearly 40 employees stated. Today more than 100 families are suffering because we have not received, for three months, the salary we deserve for our efforts. These are wages we accumulated after being promised falsely that we would be paid for that time. To delay this agony, under the argument that there is an alternative that would benefit the CEO which is unrealistic is unacceptable, the petition said. Americano Media employees told the Miami Herald that the situation has left most of them in severe financial straits, with some unable to make rent or mortgage payments and others going without health insurance. Launched in March 2022 with a $1 million investment, the company sought to build a conservative, Fox News-like network in Spanish and obtained around $20 million from investors backing Garcia-Hidalgos vision The company sought to build a vast syndication platform across key political markets ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections. But after building TV, radio and online news platforms, the company found itself running out of money a year later and now faces a total shutdown as employees walk out and creditors begin to take legal action. While the amount of the companys debt has not been made public, observers said it is substantial, as American Media spent heavily to acquire a top-of-the-line TV and radio operation. Employees at the TV and news online departments had already stopped working, while radio kept going while staffers hoped Garcia-Hidalgo would find an investor to save the operation. But Friday was the deadline imposed by them and now the company is planning to air reruns to keep the radio station going. Americano Media airs its radio programs in Miami on 790 AM. Millions of people around the world watched on Thursday as former president Donald Trump surrendered to the Fulton County jail, and then promptly left the building on $200,000 bond. Local activists and attorneys say its a starkly different experience from what the more than 1,500 inmates who are booked into the facility each month typically face in the overcrowded jail, which has been the subject of ongoing reports of horrific conditions and has seen a spate of recent deaths. Along with 18 co-defendants, Trump was indicted last week on racketeering charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the Georgia presidential election results in 2020. Related: Why is my child gone?: family demands answers after teen found dead in Atlanta cell The local and national media have been camping outside the Fulton county jail often called the Rice Street jail in reference to the street on which it is located all week in anticipation of Trump and his allies voluntarily surrendering there, coinciding with a time of increased security for the jail and sheriffs office. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In July, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into the conditions of the jail, citing a number of reports that allege an incarcerated person died covered in insects and filth, that the Fulton County Jail is structurally unsafe, that prevalent violence has resulted in serious injuries and homicides, and that officers are being prosecuted for using excessive force. The announcement referenced the death of Lashawn Thompson, a 35-year-old homeless man who died in September while being held in a mental health wing of the jail. He died covered in bedbugs and other insects. Fulton County reached a $4m settlement with Thompsons family earlier this month but did not specify if any changes would be made inside the jail, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Attorney Michael Harper holds a photo showing the conditions of Lashawn Thompsons cell at the Fulton county jail on 22 May 2023. Photograph: Christina Matacotta/AP We launched this investigation into the Fulton County Jail based on serious allegations of unsafe, unsanitary living conditions at the jail, excessive force and violence within the jail, discrimination against incarcerated individuals with mental health issues, and failure to provide adequate medical care to incarcerated individuals, the US attorney general, Merrick Garland, said in a press release announcing the investigation. Garland said the justice department would determine whether the jail was engaged in systemic violations of federal laws. Thompsons was just one of the recent deaths in the overcrowded Fulton county jail to garner local and national media attention. An investigation into the jail by Atlanta magazine showed that more than half of the people detained there have a mental health condition and about 75% of them have drugs in their system when booked. An 18-year-old woman, Noni Battiste-Kosoko, was found dead inside a cell of the nearby Atlanta city detention center in July. There were 15 deaths inside the Fulton county jail in 2022. This year, seven people have died in the facility, including three people this month. There are daily horrors that are happening in that jail Atteeyah Hollie of the Southern Center for Human Rights Atteeyah Hollie, deputy director of the Southern Center for Human Rights, said Thompsons death and the justice departments announcement highlight what local activists and defense attorneys have long been saying. Thompsons death is Fulton county jail at its worse, but there are daily horrors that are happening in that jail, she said. There are people who are being stabbed when there are no guards on duty. There are people who arent able to get access to basic medical and mental healthcare. There are people sleeping on the floor. Last year, Hollie and others with the Southern Center for Human Rights served as consultants on a report about the Fulton county jail from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The report, which analyzed data about people who were detained in the facility on a day in September, was created in response to Atlantas city council approving Fulton countys use of the existing Atlanta city detention center (ACDC) as an additional facility to hold people pre-trial in an effort to address overcrowding. The current plan to lease ACDC does not address the policies and practices that drive overcrowding at the Jail, the report states. This current approach only ensures that the Jail population will continue to rise and that Fulton County will again face poor conditions and overcrowding but this time, with even more incarceration. The ACLU report blamed the practice of jailing people who cannot afford bond, lengthy indictment processes and more for overcrowding. Hollie said she did not expect the increased attention on the Fulton county jail this week would lead to any meaningful change, especially because defendants such as Trump and Rudy Giuliani are not likely to be exposed to the conditions or legal processes that are the subject of locals complaints. Even the fact that people from this group of 19 or so people are being booked in and immediately released, that has not historically been the experience of the typical Atlantan going into that jail, she said. XIAMEN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Niren Anand's new shoe factory, with an investment of 10 million U.S. dollars in the city of Bhubaneswar in east India, started operation on July 5 this year. It is expected to produce 2 million pairs of shoes annually. "If I look back, I can find that the decision to start my business in Xiamen was quite good and quite progressive in 2011. And I can see a lot of benefit now because of that decision," Anand said. Xiamen, a coastal city in east China's Fujian Province, hosted the BRICS summit in 2017, with its focus on cooperation among major emerging economies. Statistics released by Xiamen Customs show that in the first seven months of 2023, trade volume between Xiamen and the four other BRICS countries reached about 48.35 billion yuan (about 6.63 billion U.S. dollars), up 33.1 percent year on year. Anand, from the city of Darbhanga in Bihar, India, established his own company named Xiamen Ever Trade Import and Export Co., Ltd. in China in 2011, focusing on designing, manufacturing, and exporting shoes. During the BRICS summit in Xiamen, Anand joined a business forum. "Before BRICS, very few people knew about Xiamen. But after the 2017 BRICS summit, the city became world famous. It became easier for us to connect with people, and our orders from India and the rest of the world have increased a lot since then," Anand said. Over the past decade, Anand's company in China has grown a lot, from two workers at the beginning to over 200 workers now, while the sales revenue generated by their shoes exceeded 8 million U.S. dollars last year. Marcelo Gomes, a 31-year-old Brazilian, was sent to Xiamen in September 2017 by his company, a leading Brazilian LED distributor. "Before I came to China, I was very curious about the Chinese history and culture. I saw the Beijing Olympic Games of 2008, which was so impressive. That's why I chose to come to China, while Xiamen is a strategic place for our company in Brazil," Gomes said. Gomes, who is responsible for R&D and quality control in the company, said suppliers in Xiamen offer very competitive products that are popular among Brazilian consumers. Over the past few years, he has purchased over 20 million LED lights in Xiamen per year. He remembered that in 2017, the whole city was filled with excitement because of the BRICS summit, and the city changed to be more beautiful and more international after the summit. "The key word of BRICS for me is cooperation," Gomes said, "I think the word cooperation is just like our business. We make the designs in Brazil, and Chinese factories manufacture them for us. Also, we purchase high-quality products and sell them to Brazil and the rest of the world as well." (Reuters) - A panel of independent advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will meet next month to make recommendations on updated COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the fall season, according to a U.S. government website on Friday. The CDC's immunization panel is scheduled to vote on the vaccines at a Sept. 12 meeting, a notice posted on the federal register website showed. Vaccine makers such as Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech SE, Moderna and Novavax have created versions of their shots aimed at the XBB.1.5 subvariant of the virus. CDC Director Mandy Cohen said earlier this month the vaccines were anticipated to be available by the third or fourth week of September, after being recommended by the CDC and authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) The United States and European Union Friday slammed comments by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir that his right to life outweighs Palestinians right to freedom of movement in the occupied West Bank. We strongly condemn Minister Ben Gvirs racist, destructive comments on the freedom of movement of Palestinian residents of the West Bank, a US State Department spokesperson said. Such messages are particularly damaging when amplified by those in leadership positions President [Joe] Biden and Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken have been clear that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve to enjoy equal measures of freedom and security. The European Union also strongly condemned the remarks, saying: All human beings are equal and should be treated the same way. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ben Gvir said Wednesday on Israels Channel 12 that his right, his wifes right and his childrens right to walk through the streets of the West Bank was much more important than Arabs right to movement and travel excuse me, Mohammed, but this is the reality. This is the truth. My right to life outweighs your right to move on the streets. The excuse me, Mohammed, remark was addressed to Palestinian-Israeli journalist Mohammed Magadli, who was sitting across from him in the interview. Ben Gvirs far-right Jewish Power party draws support mainly from Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, and Ben Gvir is himself a settler. The EU said in its condemnation of Ben Gvir that settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two state solution impossible. Israel argues the settlements are not illegal because it claims the West Bank is disputed, not occupied, territory. The United States frequently says that it considers settlements in the area Israel captured in 1967 to be an obstacle to peace. Palestinians want the West Bank to be part of a future Palestinian state. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it condemns in the strongest terms the racist and heinous remarks made by Israels fascist Minister Itamar Ben Gvir Israels systematic hate speech, provocative rhetoric, violence and dehumanization of the Palestinian people across decades are fomenting mass violence at unprecedented levels, and called for sanctions on Ben Gvir and other Israeli officials for inciting violence and destruction and knowingly leading and contributing to the mass persecution of the Palestinian people. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A pilot died when a military jet crashed near a San Diego base, the U.S. Marine Corps said in a statement Friday. The F/A-18 went down at 11:54 p.m. Thursday in the vicinity of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, a base press release said. Crews found the pilot, who was the only person on the plane, after conducting a search-and-rescue operation, according to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The crash site is on government property east of the air station and there are no indications of damage to property on the ground, the statement said. Miramar is about 10 miles north of downtown San Diego. ALSO READ: Army: 9 killed when Black Hawk helicopters crash during training ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The aircraft was not part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Miramar but was operating out of the air station, the statement said. The F/A-18 is a multi-role combat aircraft flown by the Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and several other nations. With a heavy heart, our condolences go to the Marines family during this time, officials said. Per policy, the identities of service members arent released until 24 hours after their family has been notified. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is in Cherry Point, which is on the coast of North Carolina. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (WATCH BELOW: 3 found dead in car at NC gas station identified as Marines stationed nearby) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States sees viable routes to export Ukrainian grain through the country's territorial waters and overland after Russia withdrew from the grain deal, a senior U.S. official said, adding that they aim to return to exporting at prewar averages from Ukraine over the next months. "I think we see there are viable routes through Ukraine's territorial waters and overland, and we are aiming ... over the next couple of months to return to exporting at kind of prewar averages from Ukraine," James O'Brien, head of the State Department's Office of Sanctions Coordination, told Reuters in an interview. Ukraine is a global major grain grower and exporter and normally ships millions of metric tons of food from its deep-water Black Sea ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv, but has had to rely on its Danube River ports after Russia pulled out of the deal last month. A senior agricultural official said on Monday that Ukraine is considering using its newly tested wartime Black Sea export corridor for grain shipments after other cargo ships follow the first successful evacuation of a vessel on the route last week. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Russia has blockaded Ukrainian ports since it invaded its neighbor in February 2022, and has threatened to treat all vessels as potential military targets after pulling out of a U.N.-backed safe passage deal. In response, Ukraine announced a "humanitarian corridor" hugging the sea's western coastline near Romania and Bulgaria. A Hong Kong-flagged container ship stuck in Odesa port since the invasion traveled the route last week without being fired on. Western countries have accused Russia of using food as a weapon of war by quitting the Black Sea deal, which had helped bring down global food prices, and by carrying out repeated air strikes in recent weeks on Ukrainian ports and grain stores. Russia says the deal was not working properly as not enough grain was getting to the poorest countries. It says its own food exports, while not targeted directly, are hampered by Western sanctions affecting port access, insurance and banking. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; editing by Jonathan Oatis) U.S. military personnel will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz., in October, according to the Pentagons top spokesperson. Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the pilots will first receive English instruction at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, next month in an effort to boost their fluency to the level needed to fly the planes. The announcement is the biggest step forward yet in the international effort to train Ukrainian pilots on Western-supplied fifth-generation fighters. It also comes a day after President Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Ukraines Independence Day to assure his counterpart of continued support from Washington in Kyivs fight against Moscow. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In a statement from the White House, Biden told Zelensky that the U.S. had sped up approval for other countries to transfer their F-16s to Ukraine at the end of the pilot training. Pentagon officials have said it would take years before Ukrainian pilots would be able to fly advanced fighters in defense of their country against Russia, a sentiment Ryder expressed Thursday. This is about the long-term support to Ukraine, Ryder told reporters. This is not about the counteroffensive that theyre conducting right now. Ukraine has long asked for more advanced fighter jets to defend against attacks from the Kremlin. Recently, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway announced that they would give such planes to the embattled country. Ryder said that Washington had agreed to join in on the training to speed up the process, with several Ukrainian fighter pilots and dozens of maintainers to revive the teachings. He said the training is expected to take around five months for those with flight experience, though its too soon to tell how that timeline will play out. A lot is going to depend on those individual pilots and the assessment in terms of where theyre at in that process, Ryder said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Marine Corps plans to buy three batteries worth of Iron Dome systems and 1,840 Tamir interceptors to go with them. The U.S. Marine Corps has laid out plans to acquire three batteries worth of Iron Dome systems, including 44 launchers and 1,840 Tamir interceptors. The exact estimated value of this purchase is unknown, but based on publicly available figures the cost of the Tamirs alone could be close to $200 million. The Marines say they want Iron Dome systems primarily to help protect units from cruise missiles, but these systems can also provide defense against drones and rockets and other artillery rounds. The new details about the Marine Corps Iron Dome plans were posted yesterday on the U.S. government's System for Award Management (SAM) contracting website as part of a notice about future potential sole-source deals with Raytheon. The Irom Dome's manufacturer, Israel's Rafael, has a partnership with Raytheon to offer the system in the United States, where it is sometimes also referred to as SkyHunter. The Marine Corps has been actively working toward acquiring a service-specific Iron Dome system, which it refers to as the Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC), since 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz_gkX-bkmE According to yesterday's contracting notice, the Marines are currently planning to buy "three Batteries of MRIC systems, consisting of 1,840 Tamir missiles, 44 Expeditionary launchers integrated with Iron Dome Missile Firing Unit Launch Control Electronics (LCE), 11 mini-Battle Management and Control (mBMC) systems with uplinks compatible with the LCE and integrated with expeditionary Command and Control (C2) (i.e., the Processing and Display Subsystem (PDS) from the USMC Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S)." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Marines are also looking to purchase "80 Tamir missiles to support the initial MRIC Prototype deployment" and associated "logistics and technical support" for all of these systems. The Corps currently has a prototype MRIC system, "consisting of expeditionary C2 (i.e., the PDS from the CAC2S and a mBMC), four MRIC Expeditionary Launchers (MEL), and Tamir missiles." The MRIC Expeditionary Launcher, at least prototype examples the Marine Corps has publicly shown so far, consists of a trailer-mounted variant or derivative of the standard palletized Iron Dome launcher. A single launcher can be loaded with up to 20 Tamir interceptors, which come preloaded in individual canisters, at a time. A Marine Corps MRIC Expeditionary Launcher. A total of 10 Tamir missile canisters are seen here loaded on the launcher, which can hold up to 20 at a time. USMC Each Tamir missile features an active radar seeker and a two-way datalink that allows it to receive updated targeting data via Iron Dome's battle management and control unit to further improve its accuracy. The highly maneuverable interceptors use ring-shaped high-explosive blast-fragmentation warheads with laser proximity fuzes to destroy their targets. You can learn more about Tamir and its capabilities in detail here. The reported unit costs for Tamir vary widely from source to source, but this figure is understood to be somewhere between $40,000 and $100,000. This is very cheap compared to many other surface-to-air missiles, even ones specifically designed to be low-cost. Iron Dome was originally designed to counter a group of threats typically referred to as rockets, artillery, and mortars (RAM), but has also demonstrated capabilities against drones and cruise missiles. https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1392184942801653775 As of June, the Marine Corps said it had conducted two successful live-fire tests of its prototype MRIC system against mock targets representing cruise missile threats. USMC "MRIC will defend... sites primarily against subsonic/supersonic Cruise Missiles (CM)" and "secondarily against other aerial threats that enter into its engagement zone," according to the Marine Corps' 2022 Aviation Plan. Together with other systems, it will help provide "a complementary defense in depth" and "be interoperable with joint service IAMD [integrated air and missile defense] capabilities, providing CM defeat not just to Marine Corps units but also the naval and joint force." In addition, Iron Dome systems typically have an associated radar to first spot and track threats and then cue the Tamir interceptors. The Marine Corps has said in the past that it will pair MRIC with its existing AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1db1W60_JeU "The MRIC system will leverage available surveillance radar and communication assets within the AO [area of operations] to enhance detection and identification of threats and improve situational awareness," the contracting notice posted online yesterday also notes. It is interesting to note here that the U.S. Army canceled its own plans to acquire Iron Dome systems in 2020, citing issues with integrating them with the rest of its air and missile defense architecture and cybersecurity concerns. Still, tied to a robust command and control architecture, MRIC could make use of a number of air radars and other sensors in Marine service, as well as those belonging to other branches of the U.S. military or even ally or partner forces during future operations. At an event at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in July, the Corps did display a Humvee equipped with an Enhanced & Extended Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (exMHR) system from Leonardo DRS, along with an MRIC Expeditionary Launcher. The pulse-doppler S-band exMHR is a "multi-mission radar for Counter-UAS, Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD), Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM), Fire Control, and Hemispheric Surveillance operational missions," according to the manufacturer, and would seem well-suited to being paired with the MRIC system. A Humvee equipped with an Enhanced & Extended Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar system on display at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in July 2023. USMC Short-range air defense systems mounted on 4x4 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) and 4x4 MRZR all-terrain vehicle-based country-drone systems were also on display at the Quantico event last month. These, together with MRIC, are components of a broader Marine Corps effort to expand the scale and scope of its air defense capabilities in support of its new expeditionary and distributed concepts of operations. Two variants of the JTLV-based Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), as well as MRZR-based Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System (LMADIS) on display at an event at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in July 2023. An MRIC Expeditionary Launcher can also be seen in the background. USMC Systems using the Stinger heat-seeking surface-to-air missile, including shoulder-fired man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) types, which currently form the core of the Marine Corps' organic air defense capabilities, are set to remain in service for the foreseeable future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEnqKlDqg5k It is no secret that the U.S. military is concerned about the threats posed by cruise missiles. Potential near-peer adversaries like China and Russia, as well as malign regional actors like Iran and North Korea, are developing and fielding increasingly more capable types of land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, and helping to proliferate these capabilities, even to non-state actors. The Marine Corps is not alone in seeking new ground-based capabilities to defend against them, either. Though the Army is no longer planning to buy Iron Dome, it is acquiring an extremely similar system called Enduring Shield that will be able to fire AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles at first and other types of interceptors in the future. The U.S. Air Force is also looking to expand its ability to defend bases against cruise missile strikes, including with novel options like large-caliber self-propelled guns firing high-velocity projectiles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egM7ojN2N34 For the Marines, a road-mobile and readily deployable Iron Dome system also offers valuable additional defensive capability against drones, another steadily growing threat, as well as incoming rockets and other artillery rounds. The line between cruise missiles and uncrewed aerial systems is also steadily blurring thanks to kamikaze drones. The Corps' new expeditionary and distributed concepts of operations center heavily on rapidly deploying to forward locations, and being able to just as quickly relocate, all within areas that are expected to be within reach of various enemy stand-off weapons. Being able to move from one location to another in unpredictable ways is intended to help mitigate risk by making Marine units by upending the ability of opponents to easily find, fix, and destroy targets at long distances. However, these future operations still look set to demand multiple tiers of deployable air and missile defenses to help ensure success. As it stands now, the Marine Corps' plan to acquire three full batteries of MRIC systems is based on the idea of assigning one of them to each of the three Marine Littoral Regiments (MLR) it is in the process of establishing. The MLRs are the main forces expected to execute the service's new expeditionary and distributed operating concepts. A chart showing a possible organizational structure of a Marine Littoral Anti-Air Battalion (LAAB) as of 2020, including an MRIC battery. USMC The Marine Corps hopes to achieve an early operational capability with MRIC using the prototype system it has now by Fiscal Year 2025. The goal is then to field one full MRIC battery in Fiscal Years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The service has not publicly laid out a detailed schedule for when it plans to acquire the accompanying arsenal of 1,840 Tamir interceptors. The total size of the Marine Corps Iron Dome force could well grow further as time goes on in response to still-emerging threats and evolving U.S. military doctrine. The Corps now looks set to have a robust Iron Dome capability that will expand the air and missile defense capabilities for its deployed units by the end of the decade. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com U.N. General Assembly to vote on whether to ask top global court to issue opinion on climate responsibility SYDNEY (Reuters) - Vanuatu's Supreme Court has ruled that a no-confidence motion in Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau was won by the nation's opposition party last week, but has stayed action to remove him to allow for an appeal. Vanuatu, at the centre of a strategic rivalry between China and Western countries in the Pacific Islands, was plunged into political crisis after opposition leader Bob Loughman lodged the no-confidence petition criticising Kalsakau for signing a security pact with Australia, and raising the minimum wage. The no-confidence motion garnered 26 votes, compared to 23 votes against, but the parliament's speaker ruled it failed to win the absolute majority of 27 to remove a prime minister in the 52-seat parliament. One seat is vacant and one lawmaker did not attend the session due to illness. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Supreme Court judge Edwin Goldsbrough ruled on Friday that an absolute majority in a parliament with 51 members is 26. A stay, to allow an appeal, is in place until Monday afternoon. If there is no appeal, or it is rejected, parliament would vote in a new prime minister. Loughman drew Vanuatu closer to China as the previous prime minister. His government lost a snap national election in 2022. He has criticised the security pact with Australia, saying it compromises Vanuatu's "neutral" status and could jeopardise development assistance from China. Kalsakau rejected this as unfounded, and highlighted the high-level visits to Vanuatu by Western nations, including French President Emmanuel Macron in July, during his eight months in office. Macron gave a speech warning against a "new imperialism" in the Pacific - comments taken to refer to China. China has been a major infrastructure lender to Vanuatu. The United States and its allies are seeking to dissuade Pacific Islands nations from establishing security ties with Beijing, after China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham, editing by Mark Heinrich) Former President Donald Trump addressed the media Thursday night after being booked into the Fulton County Jail on a slew of charges including violation of the Georgia RICO Act. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Trump was booked into the jail just after 7:30 p.m. He was quickly processed and released. RELATED STORIES: ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump addressed the media before getting back onto Trump Force One, reiterating claims that the election was rigged and arguing that he should be able to challenge an election. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] This is a very sad day for America that should never happen, the former president said. The election was a rigged election, a stolen election, and I should have every right to do that. Trump went on to mention Hillary Clinton and Stacey Abrams What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong, Trump said. Channel 2s Jorge Estevez spoke to a legal analyst, who said Trump was more reserved in his remarks after his arrest than he usually is. Part of the conditions of his bond are that he doesnt discuss the case on social media or with his co-defendants. Trump is one of 19 people named in a sweeping indictment that alleges that the former president and his allies tried to change the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began her investigation after an infamous phone call in which Trump asked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find him nearly 12,000 votes to flip the results in the state. Among the other people facing charges are former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani and the head of the GOP in Georgia, David Shafer. At least 13 of the co-defendants have already turned themselves into the jail before the Friday deadline. On Thursday, Willis requested to move the previously announced trail date of March 2024 to October 2023, based on a motion filed by one defendant demanding a speedy trial. MOC spokesperson comments on U.S. commerce secretary's upcoming visit to China Xinhua) 09:48, August 25, 2023 BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Thursday made remarks on U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's upcoming visit to China, which is scheduled to take place from Aug. 27 to 30. China will state its position on economic and trade issues of concern to the U.S. side, and looks forward to in-depth discussions on resolving economic and trade differences and promoting practical cooperation, MOC spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press conference. In response to a media query on the balance of trade and investment between the two sides, Shu said the nature of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutually beneficial, and that economic and trade cooperation serves the common interests of the two countries and the two peoples. "We have noted that bilateral trade and investment have recently encountered some difficulties and challenges, which are closely related to a series of unilateralist and protectionist measures taken by the U.S. side," Shu said. China will continue to raise relevant economic and trade concerns with the United States and strive to create a fair and stable business environment for trade and investment cooperation between enterprises from the two sides, according to the spokesperson. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) MADRID, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Vuelta a Espana cycle race begins in Barcelona this Saturday, spanning three weeks. It's anticipated to be an intense end-of-season challenge for the cyclists, with two riders emerging as clear favorites. The Vuelta boasts seven formidable high-mountain stages. Most of the other stages are categorized as 'hilly' or 'medium mountain', with only four being labeled 'flat'. Given that two of these flat stages are in the race's last three days, culminating with the final stretch into Madrid, the event will favor climbers. Notably, the two standout favorites are from the same team. Jonas Vingegaard, this year's Tour de France victor, and three-time Vuelta champion, Primoz Roglic, will lead the charge for Team Jumbo-Visma. The Dutch team aims to maintain their peloton dominance. Alongside Roglic and Vingegaard, they have the backing of super-mountain domestique Sepp Kuss and other notable names like Dylan van Baarle and Wilko Kelderman. This lineup will likely empower them to corner their primary competitors during pivotal mountain stages. The intriguing aspect is determining if Roglic or Vingegaard will be Jumbo's primary contender. Having secured the Giro de Italia earlier and given Vingegaard's recent triumph in the Tour de France, Roglic may enter the race with a slight advantage in terms of stamina. Last year's champ, Remko Evenepoel of Soudal-Quick Step, is perceived as the principal challenger to Vingegaard and Roglic. However, his team, which boasts the freshly minted World time-trial champion, may not match up in the mountains, possibly leaving Evenepoel vulnerable in the race's concluding week. Veteran cyclist Geraint Thomas, who commendably clinched second place behind Roglic in this year's Giro, will lead a potent Ineos Grenadiers team. The squad is optimistic that Egan Bernal will inch closer to his peak form, especially after his tragic accident in January 2022. Juan Ayuso, the young 21-year-old Spaniard, is making waves with the UAE Team Emirates. Backed by Marc Soler and Joao Almeida, he has a considerable shot at the podium. Enric Mas, who had an early exit from the Tour de France this year, is aiming to surpass his previous Vuelta second-place finish. Mas occasionally grapples with self-doubt, and his descending skills sometimes leave him lagging in certain stages. In other news, EF Education First is set on capturing stage victories. Likewise, Alpecin-Deceuninck Quick Step is a reliable contender for the limited sprints available in this year's contest. FORT PIERCE Vincent Patrick Mulhern loved riding around in his sport utility vehicle and enjoyed taking pictures. A Vietnam veteran, Mulhern, 73, was so happy after recently getting a Purple Heart license plate for his Chevrolet Trax, according to his sister, Gail Peters, of Port St. Lucie. Vincent Patrick Mulhern Within days on Aug. 13 Mulhern would be found dead in that Chevrolet on the southern portion of Indian Hills Drive, east of U.S. 1. Police have said there were no signs of foul play, and Peters said she thinks Mulhern had a heart attack. Vinny was a rolling stone ... everybody loved him, Peters, 76, said in a recent interview. He had the biggest heart. He was so generous. He was so good and he was so happy. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Fort Pierce police publicly asked for help in finding Mulhern after he last was seen about 5 p.m. Aug. 11 at 12A Buoy restaurant, just north of the downtown area. Peters said she, Mulhern and their sister, Eileen Molloy, 75, of Vero Beach, dined at the restaurant. Molloy and Peters took one vehicle, and Mulhern was in his vehicle. Peters said she tried reaching Mulhern about 8 p.m. and didnt hear from him. By midnight, Im frantic, Peters said. Peters said that she, Molloy and Mulhern have three deceased siblings. One of their brothers died in March, and Mulhern had that brothers vehicle. He was so happy, because the day before, he got his license plate with the Purple Heart, Peters said. And he was just so happy. Vincent Patrick Mulhern's Purple Heart license plate Peters said Mulhern had been living in Eureka, Calif., and arrived in the local area about 10 days before his passing. The day Mulhern was found dead, he had planned to drive to New York where his son, Vincent Patrick Mulhern III, lives. Peters said the elder Mulhern, a New York native, enlisted in the military, and served in the U.S. Army in the infantry during the Vietnam war. Vincent Patrick Mulhern in the late 1960s He wanted to serve his country, Peters said, noting he was proud of his service. Peters said after the service, Mulhern got married and had a son, but divorced. He remarried, but that wife passed away, Peters said. She said Mulhern struggled with the impacts of his experience in Vietnam. He had a number of jobs, including work as a plumber, a baker and a cook. He also loved his guitar, and Peters said he could make up a song about someone quickly. He was retired, and so he didn't want to do anything but ride in the car, take pictures and visit people, Peters said. Buc-ee's on the Treasure Coast: Travel Center looking at Fort Pierce location near I-95 Population increasing: 'Explosive growth' helps spur construction of new fire stations in St. Lucie County Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vincent Patrick Mulhern, 73, found dead in SUV in Fort Pierce WORCESTER The story of immigrants or refugees coming to this country for safety and a better life is a strong part of the American identity. But what about that storys epilogue? In the 1990s, said Amy Waters, director of the Worcester Senior Center, many Vietnamese refugees arrived in Worcester with their families. But children grow up and senior citizens become isolated, said Waters. Their children would have been able to adapt and learn English, but the older folks would have a tougher time, she said. This social isolation is often compounded with a background of trauma from the war and very harsh situations, said Waters. The Senior Center always had the values of being open for all, but in 2006, an employee whose own mother had come from Vietnam recognized the need to provide a gathering place for elders in her community. Now 17 years later, Vietnamese Elder days are a key part of many seniors' Thursdays. Even though there is more choice now, we have quite a dedicated group who make time on their Thursday to come and see their friends, said Waters. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Vietnamese Elder days were one of the first of their kind before other cultural organizations like Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts or adult-aid programs. It started slowly with one or two attendees and within a month there were 80 people, said Waters. This group even made sure to stay in touch during the pandemic, before Zoom was set up, the WSC organized a massive conference call of over 60 people. Food is an integral part of culture, and Quinsigamond Community College operates a diner that caters Vietnamese meals on Thursdays, and visitors can even provide specific recipes and QCC can make that happen, said Senior Services Assistant Lan Le. Every other Thursday sees a delivery of produce from SEACMA, letting seniors take home fresh vegetables. Le took over running the program six months ago. Her job is to organize activities such as tai chi and book speakers, and is helping the seniors prepare as September is multicultural month at the Senior Center. As a result, August has been a flurry of preparation and planning as Worcesters senior citizens work together alongside senior center staff to prepare to showcase both their heritage and the citys diversity. Vietnamese Elder Cultural Day on Sept. 21 will include a fashion show and chorus performance. They enjoy singing, said Le. We always start each meet-up with a welcome song and end with a goodbye song. The center is not just fun and games, though, and helps seniors, especially non-English speakers, deal with a number of social services, whether its insurance, medical, financial issues, benefits, legal referrals or even sorting their mail. They can bring in a pile of mail and well help them sort through the junk and find whats important, said Le. In future, Le and Waters are hoping to bring back collaboration activities with SEACMA in organizing intergenerational activities such as a karaoke night. I always tell them as long as you get out of the house and are involved in something, its a good thing, said Le. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Vietnamese seniors enjoy companionship, culture at Worcester Senior Center After Vivek Ramaswamy s explosive performance at Wednesday nights Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, experts say its clear that his star is on the rise. But on that ascent, they warn, the tech millionaire is feeding dangerous ideas about immigration. Standing near center stage, Ramaswamy drew the most incoming fire from his fellow candidates. While he used little of his time to talk about his personal background, experts noted that his parents immigrant story became a tool for him at some key moments. My parents came to this country with no money 40 years ago, he said in his opening. I have gone on to found multibillion-dollar companies. Its rhetoric that has long been used on the right, even by some of Ramaswamys contemporaries, like GOP candidate Nikki Haley, to paint a picture of Asian immigrants as inherently successful and hard-working, especially compared to other minority groups, said Karthick Ramakrishnan , the founder of AAPI Data, a nonprofit policy and research group. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ramaswamy has a very selective reading of the immigrant experience, he said. Especially notable, he said, was the way Ramaswamy went on to lambaste undocumented migrants crossing the southern border, which he described as an invasion. We will close the southern border where criminals are coming in every day, Ramaswamy, 38, said at the debate. While that language isn't new to the GOP playbook, Ramaswamy has at times gone further than some of his rivals. He advocated for getting rid of lottery-based visas in favor of meritocratic admission. He has also advocated for the use of military force to secure the border. Coming from a brown person and a child of immigrants, it paints a distorted view of the U.S. immigration system, Ramakrishnan said. Theres this notion of the good immigrant versus the bad immigrant, the people who came here the right way versus the wrong way, he said. Our immigration system is fundamentally broken. Adult relatives of immigrants from India have to wait 20 years or more to get their visa. Ramaswamys senior adviser and communications director Tricia McLaughlin doubled down on his statements. "Yes there is the right way to enter the country (legally) and the wrong way to enter the country (illegally)," she told NBC News. "Thats not a myth or stereotype. Thats fact." Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at a rally near the Fiserv Forum on Aug. 22, 2023 in Milwaukee. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) Though rhetoric like that might help bolster Ramaswamys performance in the Republican field, it doesnt paint a full picture of the complexities of immigration to the U.S. even South Asian immigration, he said. Yes, most Indian Americans came to the United States on employment-based visas and family visas, but Indian Americans have a sizable undocumented immigrant population in the U.S., and thats important to acknowledge, Ramakrishnan said. Indian immigrants have tried to cross the border because of how difficult it is to come in through family visa sponsorship. Terms like invasion have been rising in popularity on the right since Donald Trumps presidential campaign in 2016. Ramaswamy, who closely aligns himself with the former president, is riding a harmful nationalist wave, immigrant justice leaders say. Using terms like invasion, an expert said, inherently feeds white supremacism. It is deeply distressing to see that a child of immigrants, himself a person of color, would be lifting talking points from neo-Nazis, said Kica Matos, the president of the National Immigration Law Center. It legitimizes that kind of dangerous talk. It gives a sense of normalcy and permission for white supremacists to advance their deeply repulsive beliefs. Matos said its hard to watch candidates whose parents came here to give them better lives actively work to stop others from doing the same for their kids. It seems like this is a real example of them pulling up the ladder behind them, she said. They benefited from opportunities offered to immigrants, and now they are stomping on other immigrants. Pawan Dhingra, a professor of American studies at Amherst College, said: I think he accomplished his goal of being talked about a lot. In some ways, it could make him an endearing candidate to a lot of Republicans. Its his way of saying, Listen, were not anti-immigrant; were anti-some immigrants. And by endorsing someone with an immigrant background, theyre able to wrap themselves in a sense of self-confidence. South Asian Americans are a very small slice of the Republican voter base, Ramakrishnan said, and the candidates who share their ethnicity Ramaswamy and Haley havent had a reason to speak directly to them yet. But in addressing his ethnic origin to the white majority of the party, Ramaswamy has a specific goal in mind, Dhingra said. Hes not looking for embracing diversity, Dhingra said. Hes very nationalist. Its designed, in my mind, to kind of say, Listen, Im your kind of immigrant. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com One clear outcome of the first Republican presidential debate: Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur interloper, has turned himself into a GOP rising star. "He came in hot, slamming his rivals, smiling wide and showing little deference to the more experienced candidates onstage," The New York Times reported. The result? Ramaswamy has "suddenly become a major factor in the race," Politico assessed. Ramaswamy "won the online attention contest" during the debate, said The Washington Post's Philip Bump. The candidate's apparent approach: "Pluck popular, often misleading rhetoric from the fringe of right-wing media and internet chatter and present it back to an audience that loves it." That strategy worked to elevate Trump in 2016. But some observers were unimpressed. "I thought he was sort of running to be Jesse Watters' fill-in, like he seemed much more like a Fox host," said MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace. Somebody who was impressed? Donald Trump, the former president and current GOP front-runner. Ramaswamy, after all, called Trump the "best president of the 21st century." Politico reported that Trump was pleased. "This answer gave Vivek Ramaswamy a big WIN in the debate because of a thing called TRUTH," Trump wrote online. "Thank you Vivek!" Ramaswamy probably won't be the GOP nominee in 2024. But could he end up as Trump's running mate and heir apparent? What the commentators said Ramaswamy "kissed up to Trump, and Trump liked it," Caleb Ecarma wrote at Vanity Fair. It's difficult to tell whether Ramaswamy's combativeness was a "shtick or not," but it "clearly got viewers' attention." The candidate was running behind Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in national polls before the debate now it wouldn't be a surprise to see him surpass DeSantis. One problem? "Second place is still a far cry from Trump's commanding lead." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Primary debates are a demagogue's dream," Mona Charen wrote at The Bulwark. The nature of the format this one featuring eight candidates "guarantees that candidates will seek a 'breakout moment' that can be replayed on social media." That creates the conditions for "dominance displays, put downs, and cross talk that do little to enlighten viewers." Ramaswamy got his breakout moment but at a cost. "Are you not entertained?" Ramaswamy has the "gift of energy and verbal facility," The Wall Street Journal editorialized. But he "can also sound like a young man in too much of a hurry," much like a "supercilious grad student." And he may be trying too hard to run as "Trump's biggest defender." He "would be more credible if he weren't so slavish in his defense." "Suddenly, this inexperienced and dangerous showoff is almost a household name," Margaret Sullivan wrote at The Guardian. Ramaswamy "thinks the climate crisis is a hoax, supports Vladimir Putin's aggression in Ukraine and would gladly pardon Donald Trump." And Republican voters are eating it up. "As a glimpse of America's future, it couldn't have gone much worse." What next? Ramaswamy's performance at the debate has thrust him into the spotlight. Media outlets aren't just analyzing his debate style they're also taking a closer look at the policies and opinions he would bring to the White House. Those proposals "would transform the U.S.," The Washington Post reported. On Ramaswamy's agenda: shutting down the FBI, IRS and other federal agencies; dropping the climate change fight in favor of burning more coal; and raising the voting age to 25, which would "strip the franchise from tens of millions of Americans." Even some on the right balk. "He comes up with these half-baked ideas that sound great to a conservative audience but show no thought, research or feasibility behind them," one analyst at a conservative think tank told the Post. The question now is whether Ramaswamy can survive the spotlight, John Ward wrote at Yahoo News. The new level of scrutiny is something "he has never experienced during his brief time in the public eye." Already, Ramaswamy has drawn flack for statements about Jan. 6 and 9/11. Even Fox News is in on the act, questioning Ramaswamy's privileged upbringing. Ramaswamy may be a "bold challenger of progressive policies," The Wall Street Journal opined. But he can also be "glib and reckless." You may also like Homepage The News Vivek Ramaswamy is planning to roll out a platform aimed at encouraging more two-parent families in the U.S., his campaign told Semafor. He talks a lot about Lyndon B. Johnsons failed Great Society in the coming weeks, hes going to talk about how he can really dismantle that, Tricia McLaughlin, a Ramaswamy campaign spokesperson, said. Theres a big part of the fatherless epidemic that roots from that so hes going to make it a major part of his economic and education policy plans. During the first GOP primary debate on Wednesday evening, Ramaswamy whos rising in primary polls railed against a safety net that pays single women more not to have a man in the house, though it wasnt immediately clear which programs he was referring to. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The coming rollout coincides with an increasing interest among some social conservatives in natalism, or policies designed to encourage more Americans to have children. Its a cause thats also drawn some interest in elite tech circles (Elon Musk, who praised Ramaswamys debate performance, is a fan) Know More Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur, has expressed significant interest in Hungarys approach to families. Over the past decade, the ultraconservative government of Viktor Orban has introduced a blend of sizable tax benefits, cheap loans, and housing support measures meant to coax more Hungarians to marry and have babies. Mothers with at least four kids pay no income tax, and other benefit schemes increase in generosity for families with a larger number of children. In early June, Ramaswamy met with the Hungarian ambassador to the US and tweeted we have much to learn from their pro-family successes. McLoughin, the campaign spokesperson, confirmed that Ramaswamy has remained in touch with Balazs Orban, Viktor Orbans political director, on family policy since interviewing him on his podcast earlier this summer. Hungary has struggled to counter a low birthrate while drastically clamping down on immigration. While theres been a sharp increase in marriages, the countrys family support programs havent yielded a surge in births so far. It has not provided any of the kind of baby boom that was being promised five or 10 years ago, Patrick Brown, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, told Semafor. The effects have been modest, at best. Among U.S. policy experts, so-called marriage penalties in taxes and aid program formulas that jeopardize benefits for lower-wage workers have also long been a hot topic. Its these more working-class and lower-middle class couples who stand to lose access to Medicaid, or see their [earned income tax credit] reduced if they get married and report that change in status to the government, Brad Wilcox, the director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, told Semafor. Sixty years after the March on Washington, which became a catalyst for landmark voting rights action, advocates are sounding alarms about voter suppression and the rollback of voting rights protections, particularly those affecting Black and minority voters. In the six decades since protesters descended on the capital to protest inequality and advocate for civil rights, the nation has seen significant suffrage gains for Black and minority voters including the landmark Voting Rights Act that went into force two years after the March, outlawing literacy tests and other measures states imposed after the Civil War to stop minorities from casting their ballots. But more recent battles over gerrymandering and additional requirements making voting more difficult underscore ongoing voting rights challenges, despite the progress made since the march, advocates say. I would have hoped we were further along than we are, which does not mean that weve not seen some progress over 60 years and really in relationship to the vision that my father enumerated of freedom and justice and equality for all humankind, said Martin Luther King III , the chairman of the board of the Drum Major Institute and the son of the prominent civil rights leader. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But I cant imagine that he would have envisioned necessarily that in 2023 that our nation would be at loggerheads in relationship to fighting to protect and preserve democracy, fighting to expand the right to vote, to make it easier to vote as opposed to making it harder to vote as some states have done, fighting to regain the right to choose, fighting just for people to have basic rights, the LGBTQI community and the list goes on and on, he continued. A recent standoff over Alabamas congressional district map has demonstrated both the success and difficulties for voting rights activists. In June, the Supreme Court struck down a Republican-drawn congressional map in Alabama with a 5-4 decision that the map likely violated the Voting Rights Act with unconstitutional racial gerrymandering, affirming a lower court ruling that ordered a new map with an additional Black-majority district. But when the Alabama House approved a new map in July, it included just one Black-majority district and another district around 40 percent Black, prompting outrage from Democrats and Black lawmakers. The story of civil rights and voting rights is one of cyclical progress, or cyclical movements, so its not a story of linear progress. As you push forward, there is always a moment of retrenchment, said Sophia Lin Lakin, interim co-director of the ACLUs Voting Rights Project. Lakin said shes seen attempts to dilute the Black vote in many places in the South, including Alabama, arguing that redrawn maps in those places dont reflect the way their demographics have changed over the years. When you talk about voting and redistricting, theres still this question around how race is being used as a tool by the conservative movement in preventing access to voting, said Derrick Johnson, CEO and president of the NAACP. Activists underscored the significance of the Voting Rights Act in changing conditions for people of color whose constitutional right to vote had been undercut for decades, but efforts have been underway since then to chip away at aspects of the law. The Supreme Courts 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder made a key section of the Voting Rights Act which required certain states to receive approval from the attorney general before enacting voter law changes essentially unenforceable. The states subject to the requirement were those with a history of discriminatory voting practices. Initially set to expire in five years, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was repeatedly extended and gradually expanded. But the Supreme Courts five-member conservative majority ruled that the sections formula for determining which states fell under the Department of Justices (DOJ) jurisdiction could not be used because it was not updated to address current conditions and changes that have occurred. Experts said this ruling helped pave the way for states to pass new restrictive voting laws. Our daughter, who is the only grandchild of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King , when you think about that, she and her peers are literally sitting with fewer rights than the day that they were born. This generation, they lost rights, said Arndrea Waters King, the president of the Drum Major Institute and daughter of MLK. And the reason that I say that is that she was born in 2008 and [in] 2013, the Voting Rights Act, the crowning achievement of her grandparents work as well as all of those who work with them, was basically decimated, King said. Sixty years since the March on Washington, with constitutional amendments and initiatives like the Voting Rights Act still in place, the blunt force tools of voter oppression seen in the 1950s and 60s are no longer used, Lakin said. But more sophisticated tools are still eroding voting rights in less perceptible ways, targeting mechanisms used in even slightly disproportionate ways by voters of color, Lakin said, which can translate to enormous electoral differences. Its possible to be much more targeted in the way that you disempower people, Lakin said, cautioning that many voting restrictions, particularly in local jurisdictions, are very likely going unnoticed, just as they had prior to the 1965 passage of the Voting Rights Act. Paul Smith, the senior vice president of the Campaign Legal Center, said the myth of voter fraud was spread to create a justification for voter ID laws that would specifically target voters of color. Former President Trump has most prominently relied on allegations of widespread voter fraud to insist that the 2020 election was stolen from him, but conservative candidates and activists have also previously made claims of voter fraud to push in favor of additional voting regulations. Though voter fraud does not happen more than a handful of times per election, that myth then becomes the first excuse for voter ID laws, Smith said. After the Shelby County ruling, states like North Carolina and Florida could approve measures requiring voters to present photo identification to cast their ballots, adding requirements to mail-in ballots and restricting third-party ballot collection. The disenfranchisement of ex-felons is another issue disproportionately affecting Black Americans with roots in the Jim Crow era, along with measures like literacy tests and poll taxes, Smith said. Nine states currently have laws in place preventing some people with felony convictions from being able to vote even after they finish their sentence, according to the ACLU. Studies have shown these laws revoke voting rights from Black individuals significantly more than those of other races. The Sentencing Project, a nonprofit criminal justice research and advocacy group, reported in 2020 that disenfranchisement dropped almost 15 percent from 2016 because of these efforts to chip away and repeal these laws, but Smith noted that they remain a substantial problem for voters of color. Smith pointed to a 2018 referendum in Florida in which voters approved a measure to restore voting rights after a felon completes their sentence. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill the next year defining the end of someones sentence as after they pay any fines they owe. Smith said many of these ex-felons will not ever have enough money to pay off their fines completely, so this has become a permanent bar on their voting rights. Voting rights advocates argue the country is at a critical flashpoint, urging action to shore up and extend the ideals that the March on Washington pushed for 60 years ago. We are in a fight to ensure that individuals are not put in office who run counter to what the future of this country should be because they are trying to move us back to 1950s reality, said Johnson, of the NAACP. The March on Washington underscored the need to push forward even after progress has been made, said Kareem Crayton, senior director for Voting and Representation at the Brennan Center for Justice. That was really what the march was about: that America had not fulfilled its promise to treat everyone, regardless of race and color, equally in our system, and the fact that it has failed to do it for so long isnt just resolvable by saying all of a sudden, all right, you guys have the right to vote. It means business has to be conducted differently, he said. Activists also warn that deepening political polarization is straining the ability to move forward. As America diversifies, pressures that are being put on how we define rights, and how essentially policy gets executed, seem often to be seen through this lens of us versus them and not us, as a whole as a country, Crayton said. These are people who are fellow Americans, and were here together as part of an experiment that, you know, puts us together as John Lewis would say in a house together as a family, and so either were going to be a family or not. Cheyanne M. Daniels contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Kremlin is insisting that legally, the Wagner Group is not a private military company (PMC). Even though such a group of mercenaries does exist, the Kremlin has made no comment on its future following the death of its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin . Source: Dmitry Peskov , spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin , in a comment to Russian journalists Quote: "Lets not forget that there is no such structure; the Wagner PMC de jure does not exist. The Wagner Group does indeed exist. The president has repeatedly stated that this group made a significant contribution to the course of the special military operation [the war against Ukraine ed.]. Yesterday, Pushilin [Denis Pushylin, head of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) ed.] said that it made a contribution to the liberation of some areas of the Donetsk Peoples Republic [the DPR is not recognised by Ukraine or the rest of the world ed.]. The heroism of these people will never be forgotten; this is what the president has said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Concerning the future, I cannot say anything at the moment." Details: Asked whether it was true that Andrei Troshev is considered to be the successor of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Peskov replied: "That is not a question for us. Who is supposed to consider him as such? You are putting this question to me. No such organisation exists de jure." When the journalist suggested that Troshev may have become the leader of the Wagner Group, Peskov responded: "So you think he is supposed to be appointed by someone?" For reference: 61-year-old Andrei Troshev is a retired colonel and "Hero of Russia" who formerly worked in various bodies of Russias Ministry of Internal Affairs. He fought in the Afghan and Second Chechen wars. When the "military operation" in Syria started, Troshev, then already retired, went to manage the Wagner Groups logistics and security services. Troshev, who goes under the alias Sedoi (Grey-Haired), is considered to be the second most significant figure in the Wagner Group after Prigozhin. He was the first commander to refuse to participate in the mutiny on 24 June 2023. According to some reports, he informed the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) about the mutiny. On 29 June, Putin referred to Troshev as Wagners Kremlin-linked commander. It was assumed that he would become the new chief of the mercenaries who did not go to Belarus, remaining loyal to Prigozhin. After the attempted mutiny, analysts believed that the Kremlin wanted to retain the Wagner mercenaries for its future operations, but not under Prigozhins leadership. Troshev was added to the sanctions lists of all EU countries on 13 December 2021. He was sanctioned by the UK on 29 June 2022 and by Ukraine on 26 February 2023. On 23-24 June, Prigozhin attempted to march in the direction of Moscow, but stopped the mutiny and went to Belarus with some of his mercenaries. On 23 August, he was likely killed in a plane crash. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Wing, Google-parent company Alphabets drone-delivery subsidiary, has just announced a new partnership with Walmart in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Over the coming month, the drone-delivery service will start operating from two Walmart Supercenters reaching approximately 60,000 homes. According to Walmarts corresponding announcement post, using Wings app, customers will be able to order items like frozen treats (when those ice cream cravings hit), household essentials, last-minute meal solutions like macaroni and cheese, and even fragile items like eggs. And delivery will be fast. Wing is aiming to complete deliveries in under 30 minutes. To achieve that, its drones can fly at speeds of up to 65 mph and have a six-mile range. Crucially, the FAA allows one pilot to oversee multiple dronesall of which can be beyond visual range. As Shannon Nash, Wings chief financial officer writes in the announcement, Wings technology allows operators to oversee the system from a remote location, which means pilots wont need to be stationed at stores or customer homes. The aircraft essentially fly themselves, so each operator is approved to safely oversee many drones at the same time. According to Bloomberg, though, Wing still has to have a spotter on the ground who keeps an eye out for small aircraft that arent capable of broadcasting their location. While all this is impressive, you wont be able to use Wing to satisfy any midnight cravings. The service will operate between 10:30am and 6:30pm every day except Wednesday. [Related: Watch a Google drone deliver beer and snacks to Denvers Coors Field] This new partnership with Wing isnt Walmarts first foray into drone delivery. Since the company announced it was trialing a drone delivery program in 2021, it has expanded to 36 stores (soon, 38) in seven states and partnered with three different drone delivery startups: DroneUp (which it partly owns), Flytrex, and Zipline. The company already has a network of 11 drone hubs operating in the Dallas metro area. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Despite the relatively large number of trial locations, Walmarts delivery numbers arent especially good. The company claims to have made more than 10,000 safe deliveries, which pales in comparison to the more than 330,000 deliveries Wing has pulled off in its test markets across the US, Europe, and Australia. The drone operator has moved as many as one thousand packages per day in a delivery region of more than 100,000 people. In fact, one Virginia couple in their 80s received more than 1,200 packages from Wings drones, including 371 takeaway meals from a local Mexican restaurant and 210 blueberry muffins from a bakery. Unfortunately, Wings announcement post suggests that it will be operating a drone delivery base at the two Walmart Supercenters, rather than using the AutoLoader system it announced earlier this year. This means that Walmart staff will load each package into a drone thats waiting outside on a charging pad which will then takeoff, deliver the package to the customer, before returning to its charging pad. With the AutoLoader, the staff member would instead load the package into a crane-like contraption that a passing drone based off-site would collect before delivering it to a customer and. It could also potentially fly to another store to collect a different package. Basically, the Autoloader will allow Wing to operate a ride-sharing like model for drone deliveries called the Wing Delivery Network, instead of relying on each store to operate its own drone base. Still, its a fairly exciting time in the drone delivery space. Wing seems committed to finding a business and operational model that worksat least in large suburbs adjacent to major metro areas. And some of Walmarts other partners are finding their own successes too. Zipline, which partners with Walmart in Arkansas to deliver packages within a 50 mile radius, has already developed a successful operation delivering medical supplies across long distances in Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria. While there are obviously still plenty of problems to be solved with widely available drone delivery, there appears to be genuine progress. The biggest question right now is where is Amazon? After a flashy announcement almost a decade ago, its Prime Air program has achievedvery little. According to a report from CNBC earlier this year, the retailer had only completed 100 deliveries. Wing is likely to soon be doing those kinds of numbers every day from its new Walmart hubs. Cradling a bucket of freshly picked basil, Laura Seleski referenced a common refrain among farmers: It takes a lot of calories to produce the calories people consume. After five years growing produce in California and Hawaii, Seleski understands the demands and rewards of farming as a career. But she wants to learn more. When it comes to acquiring the necessary skills to grow vegetables in the long term, "You hope you land at the right farm to learn the things you want to learn." But the informality often associated with entering farming is changing. Seleski, who grew up outside Chicago, returned to the Midwest to work as an apprentice in organic vegetable farm management the first program of its kind in the U.S. The Wisconsin apprenticeship has grown from three participants in 2019, its first year, to 18 this year. Last year, the nonprofit National Young Farmers Coalition released a survey of more than 4,300 former, current and aspiring farmers ages 40 and younger. More than three-quarters were "first generation" in the industry, without prior farming experience. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement On paper, Wisconsin's farming apprenticeship program has a relatively low barrier to entry for newcomers to the industry: It doesn't require any previous agricultural experience, and apprentices are paid an hourly wage as farm employees. FairShare CSA Coalition, the industry sponsor for the program, oversees a network of 22 farms statewide that grow organic vegetables and take in apprentices. The two-year program costs about $700 total, or the cost of three required classes taken virtually through the Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College based in Green Bay. But that doesn't mean it's easy, given broader issues within farming as a career. "A lot of farmers don't feel like they're set up to succeed," said Sarah Janes Ugoretz, the apprenticeship program manager with the community-supported agriculture nonprofit FairShare CSA Coalition. "It's really fulfilling, and rewarding, but it's a difficult thing to do this as a career, long term." As part of her doctorate degree in environment and resources, Janes Ugoretz researched the conditions that create positive labor experiences on vegetable farms. The apprenticeship's focus on management is strategic, she said: It helps newcomers find their way into higher-paying jobs without having to take the leap of starting their own farm. It's all in the interest of building a workforce that has a better chance for long-term stability, with less turnover and burnout. Finding affordable land, startup capital and housing, as well as paying for healthcare and student loans were among the top challenges among young farmers in the 2022 national survey. Those barriers to entry particularly affected farmers of color, the study found. About half of the incoming apprentices this year are from out of state, Janes Ugoretz said. She hears from organizations outside of Wisconsin weekly with interest in growing similar programs. Currently, the apprenticeship can handle about 24 apprentices total, she said, which could grow if demand continues. Organic farm apprentice Laura Seleski speaks about the valuable hands-on learning opportunities at Gwenyn Hill Farm in Waukesha on Tuesday, August 7, 2023. Seleski is one of four apprentices working at the 430-acre Gwenyn Hill Farm near Waukesha, 15 of which are used to grow vegetables. While she's happy to be building a longer career in farming, she wants to see a stronger connection between food how it is produced, where and by whom and people who eat it. "Our whole food system needs to change," she said. Crop rotation, succession planting: the basics of managing a vegetable farm Vegetable Production Manager, Liz Lyon, checks on the crop of roma tomatoes at Gwenyn Hill Farm in Waukesha on Tuesday, August 7, 2023. A former apprentice, Liz Lyon now oversees the growth of more than 70 varieties of vegetables at Gwenyn Hill. It's her year-round job to figure out how to make those vegetables grow steadily for several months. The task requires farmers to merge their knowledge about plants with business. The 2022 national survey found the "cost of production," or making enough money from a product, was a main challenge for young farmers. One of the main ways Gwenyn Hill pays its bills is through CSA shares. For $600 upfront, customers pick up vegetables from the farm bi-weekly, from June to October. Weekly pickups cost $1,200. The farm has about 300 shares this season across various payment options, and also sells produce at a farmers market, to a few local stores and restaurants, and at its own "farmstand" store. During the off-season, Lyon works with apprentices to recap how the previous growing season turned out and to set goals for the next. They plan for elements like the farm's crop rotation, or where seeds should be planted depending on the nutrients in the soil left behind from its previous crop. Green beans, for example, leave behind lots of nitrogen, one of sweet corn's favorite foods. "You make a lot of very specific plans over the winter, but then you have to be really adaptable and be able to switch things up based on the weather, or a million other factors," Lyon said. From February to June, farmers attend to seedlings in the greenhouse. Some plants prefer to be planted as soon after frost as possible, like tomatoes, and harvested as needed all summer. Others, like winter squash and potatoes, grow until early fall, when they are harvested in one go. Broccoli and lettuce are among the vegetables that are "succession" planted a few weeks apart throughout the summer to ensure a steady harvest for CSAs. Apprentices track their learning against a set of curriculum overseen by the state. They are employed at least 32 hours weekly during the growing season; it's up to the farm whether to pay during the off-season. Apprentices are also paid for the 144 hours they spend on classwork through the technical college. Garlic cures in the greenhouse at Gwenyn Hill Farm in Waukesha on Tuesday, August 7, 2023. Wages average out to about $14 hourly across current apprentices in the program. Of the 22 farms where they work, 10 also provide housing. As the program manager, Janes Ugoretz said she talks with potential apprentices upfront about housing and transportation, knowing those factors can act as a barrier to entry. Some farms are considering whether to subsidize the cost of employee housing using a stipend. Apprenticeship aims to help fix retention, turnover in farming workforce Organic farm apprentice Brian Randall tills the leeks at Gwenyn Hill Farm in Waukesha on Tuesday, August 7, 2023. Growing up near Rice Lake, Brian Randall helped out on neighbors' and friends' dairy farms. After finishing a career in the Marine Corps, he returned to Wisconsin and began a farming apprenticeship. On a Tuesday in early August, Randall spent the morning "hilling" leeks using a vintage red tractor. The process of pulling up soil around their stalks shields them from the sun, protecting the tender, white stalk used in cooking. Nearby, the farm's informal mascot, a Chilean terrier named Riley, watched Randall intently. A variety of certified organic produce and flowers are grown at Gwenyn Hill Farm in Waukesha as seen on Tuesday, August 7, 2023. It's this lifestyle working close to the land, among animals and nature that draws people to try farming. But running a successful business means retaining employees who stick around for the grittier, dirtier side of the job. Linda Halley, Gwenyn Hill's general manager, said that's one reason the business decided to support the apprenticeship program: It attracts serious employees like Randall who are looking for careers. It gives the business a more stable influx of employees, rather than workers looking for a one-time fun summer job. "First, it was like, 'Yeah, we want to train the next generation of farmers,'" Halley said. "Well, that's a fine statement to make, but are you doing it? And now we're doing it in a much more intentional way. And the program is helping us." Riley, a Chilean Terrier rescue, greets visitors at Gwenyn Hill Farm in Waukesha on Tuesday, August 7, 2023. Casual mentoring has always existed in farming, said Harriet Behar, the farmer services consultant with the Organic Farmers Association, a national nonprofit that advocates for expanded organic farming. Behar spent 16 years running a farmer-to-farmer mentoring program, which is still operating today through the nonprofit Marbleseed. As more organizations have cropped up to support farmers, so too have programs that leverage the benefits of one-on-one mentorship to usher new workers into the industry, she said. She's also managed an organic farm since 1989. The market is out there, she said: think local produce in grocery stores, farm-to-table restaurants and farmers markets. What's key is learning how to get started selling, sustainably. "In farming, you have to love it," she said. "If you're just kind of doing it as, 'I'm going to make some money, it's kind of a job' forget it.'" Want to get involved? Information about Wisconsin's organic vegetable farm manager apprenticeship can be found through the Department of Workforce Development tinyurl.com/yc3j229z or through the FairShare CSA Coalition at www.csacoalition.org/apprenticeship. The FairShare CSA Coalition website includes a tool for finding CSA farms in Wisconsin at www.csacoalition.org/farm-search. Information about Marbleseed's farmer-to-farm mentoring program in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Dakota and South Dakota can be found at tinyurl.com/3pfcaxsm. Cleo Krejci covers workforce development, job training and post-K-12 pathways for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. You can reach her at CKrejci@gannett.com. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to Report for America. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How to become an organic farmer: This apprenticeship program can help TAMPA, Fla. After moving into their new condominium in June 2022, Umar Abdullah and his expectant wife were ready to welcome their daughter. They met their neighbors, and soon enough, a newborn was kicking around the place. Shortly thereafter, his downstairs neighbor, Xuming Li, began texting him, complaining of noises from upstairs. In texts shared with Nexstars WFLA, Li said he couldnt sleep, and could hear the toilet seat being moved. After months of back and forth between the two men, Abdullah and his family began experiencing grogginess, sickness and vomiting. I look at my daughter, Abdullah said. Her eyes were full of tears. She was not crying, but her eyes were full of tears. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Spirit Airlines agrees to $8.25M settlement over gotcha bag fees Abdullah said a friend of his first smelled the chemicals when she went to bring in a package while Abdullah was on vacation. When the family returned, they said smelled it too. Though some described it as nail polish remover, Abdullah said it was more obnoxious. First, he said he called an air conditioning company, but they said nothing was wrong. A plumber checked out the water heater, but that was fine too, though Abdullah said his landlord had it replaced anyway. The smell kept returning, even after the air ducts and vents were cleaned too. He even called the fire department, but their tests didnt reveal anything. Then, I actually double checked, Abdullah explained. I started sniffing that place like a dog. After all the suspects he could think of were checked off, Abdullah said his thoughts turned to his downstairs neighbor, who kept complaining of noises that Abdullah eventually believed didnt exist. When Abdullah found a crack in the corner of his door that a syringe could fit through, he installed a hidden camera in the plant outside. Even during war, the worst enemies do not attack the opponent, the other party, with chemicals, Abdullah said. Who qualifies for $0 student loan payments? On a day when he said he noticed his daughter sick again, he checked the hidden camera. It appeared to show his downstairs neighbor crouching down in front of Abdullahs front door, but the angle was not clear enough to tell what was going on. We were shaking, Abdullah recalled. We cant imagine that he is coming and doing something. After adjusting the hidden camera angle, Abdullah said he waited until his daughter got sick again. He checked the footage and saw his neighbor. This time, the video appeared to show his neighbor taking a syringe out, filling it with liquid, then injecting the liquid into the crack in Abdullahs doorframe. The first [thing] that came to my mind my daughter and my wife, Abdullah remembered. They need to be safe. He got his family out of the house, then called the police. Li was arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including possession of a controlled substance and burglary. According to a Tampa Police Department affidavit, a hazmat test found the liquid chemical agent contained both methodone and hydrocodone opioid pain medications. Abdullah doesnt want to think about any long-term side effects on his daughter. Naked neighbor exposes cracks in indecency laws in Chicago Lis arrest record lists him as a student at University of South Florida, but the school told WFLA he was a chemistry PhD student and is no longer enrolled there his last semester was summer 2023. Li is out on bond. His next hearing is December 5. Hes also facing lawsuits from Abdullah for domestic violence and the condo association for breach of contract. In a statement to WFLA, Lis attorney said Li pleaded not guilty and all of the facts will come in due course of time. Abdullahs daughter celebrated her first birthday a couple weeks ago, in the same condo. He said the family is looking for a new place, but its hard to find one with their new specifications. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has recorded two cases of monkeypox with a foreign national infecting a local, the country's health ministry said on Friday. The first case was confirmed on July 26, involving a foreign national, who has been living and working in Malaysia since April 2022 but had recently traveled to a country that has recorded cases of the infection, the ministry's director-general Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said in a statement. "He started showing symptoms on July 19, and blisters began to appear on July 23. He was isolated and released on Aug. 10, after a full recovery without complications," Muhammad Radzi said. The second case, a local who had been in quarantine due to exposure to the first individual, tested positive on July 29. The ministry also advised travelers visiting countries with reported cases to take precautions and to monitor themselves for signs of infections for up to 21 days following their return to Malaysia. Heres something you dont see everyday. Los Angeles ABC 7 reports that an unknown driver led authorities on a chase, Wednedsay, in a Rolls-Royce. The chase started sometime before 11:30 am August 23. California Highway Patrol began chasing what looks to be a Rolls-Royce Phantom on the westbound 210 Freeway through the city of Arcadia. Not long after, the Rolls entered L.A. city limits, where the LAPD was then involved. Read more ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While I dont condone any sort of crime or stealing, someone having the audacity and skill to steal something like a Rolls-Royce Phantom and get away from the cops must be a career criminal. But stealing something like that also makes you a huge target. Whoever the thief is shouldnt expect to stay free for much longer. More from Jalopnik Sign up for Jalopnik's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. SpaceX plans to launch another batch of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit on Saturday night (Aug. 26), and you can watch the action live. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink spacecraft is scheduled to lift off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday at 9:05 p.m. EDT (0105 GMT on Aug. 27). The launch will take the total number of Starlink satellites lofted to date to over 5,000, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. (The tally currently stands at 4,983.) You can watch the liftoff live here at Space.com, courtesy of SpaceX, or directly via the company. Coverage is expected to start about five minutes before launch. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Related: Starlink satellite train: How to see and track it in the night sky a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a blue sky. The Falcon 9's first stage will come back to Earth on Saturday, if all goes according to plan: It's scheduled to land on the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. It will be the third launch and landing for this particular booster, according to a SpaceX mission description. The Falcon 9's upper stage will keep on flying, eventually deploying the 22 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) about 65 minutes after launch. RELATED STORIES: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches for record-breaking 16th time, lands on ship at sea 8 ways that SpaceX has transformed spaceflight SpaceX Starlink satellites had to make 25,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in just 6 months and it will only get worse Saturday's Starlink launch will follow on the heels of another SpaceX mission from Florida's Space Coast: The company aims to launch the four-astronaut Crew-7 mission toward the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center early Saturday morning. Crew-7 had been scheduled to get off the ground on Friday morning (Aug. 25), but SpaceX pushed it back by 24 hours to conduct more analyses. Five thousand Starlink satellites is a lot to be sure, but the number is likely to grow far into the future. SpaceX has permission to deploy 12,000 Starlink spacecraft in LEO, and it has applied for permission for about 30,000 more on top of that. Editor's note: This story has been updated with the new launch date of Aug. 26. SpaceX had been targeting Aug. 25 for the Starlink liftoff. The only reason this is included in the daggon weekend safety brief is because some daggon knucklehead has daggon done it before. The sentence has been bellowed by every staff noncommissioned officer who has ever stood at the center of a sit-kneel-bend school circle. Inevitably, it follows an outlandish statement at which most in the formation scoff, the sheer absurdity seemingly too alarming to be authentic. Dont get hammered and then try to drive your car through the base gate on just your rims after blowing out your tires. Dont smoke weed, good to go? But definitely dont keep full-grown marijuana plants in your barracks room. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Or, dont do any number of things that might end up in the news, such as: flying your attack helicopter to pick up your phone that you left at the bar; skipping out on your Waffle House bill and then damaging a display aircraft; or breaking into someones home to drunkenly cook a meal in their kitchen. Valid points all. Now, following an incident in July during a training rotation to Fort Johnsons Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana, Hawaii National Guard soldiers can add Keep a safe distance between you and coyotes to that timeless weekend spiel. This is because on July 21 soldiers assigned to the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were injured in an isolated training incident when two to four coyotes interacted with the soldiers due to the coyotes territorial nature and potential den in the area, according to an Army spokesperson. But staff sarnt, what does interacted mean? a private first class may ask. In this case, there is no pleasant connotation. The Guardsmen, who were training with blank ammunition, suffered bite marks in the skirmish, the release said. Each individual was soon cleared after an evaluation, however, and subsequently released from medical care that same day. Whether the coyote ugly interaction was incited by the soldiers or the animals was not specified. Local game enforcement, meanwhile, neutralized one coyote, the release said, which was then sent to be tested for rabies. Now, in light of this most recent incident which is not the outlier you might think it is senior leaders across the Army can add this to the safety brief and warn doe-eyed junior enlisted that itd behoove them not to mess with daggon wildlife. Dismissed. The Greco-Turkish War of 1897 was a short and ignominious conflict, waged for a mere month or so after the Greeks attempted to annex the Ottoman province of Crete. It did not, however, lack for innovations. Doctors brought X-ray machines to a theater of war for the first time in Greece. It also was the first conflict shot with a movie camera. Yet perhaps the wars most enduring legacyand mysteryis the prominent part played by two American women on its front lines. Harriet Boyd was a Smith College graduate living in Athens. Cora Stewart traveled to Greece with author Stephen Crane and later became his common-law wife. (She is best known to history as Cora Crane.) The two women apparently never crossed paths in Greece. But within the space of 24 hours in May 1897, William Randolph Hearsts New York Journal and Advertiser trumpeted both Stewart and Boydindividually and in separate articlesas being the only woman covering the war. Disingenuous? Yes. Boyd and Stewarts articles appeared in the same newspaper, after all. But two American women publishing dispatches from the same conflict was unprecedented. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Before 1897, there had been only one female war correspondent: Jane McManus Storm Cazneau, who accompanied New York Sun editor Moses Y. Beach on an official 1846 peace mission during the Mexican-American Warand then filed dispatches for that paper from U.S. General Winfield Scotts successful siege of Vera Cruz. So the fact of two women offering firsthand accounts of battles and casualties for newspapers in the late nineteenth century is striking in itself. But Boyd and Stewart were more than that: They were fascinating figures in a war that offered an influential new model for how American journalists would cover future conflicts. However brief, the Greco-Turkish War of March and April 1897 was a formative experience for a new generation of American war correspondents. It was also a dress rehearsal for war coverage that became a key element in notorious yellow journalism circulation battles when the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba a year later in April 1898, when Hearst is alleged to have famously barked to Frederic Remington, You furnish the pictures, Ill furnish the war! The best-remembered writer in that generation was Stephen Crane. Greece was his first experience on a battlefield. After having conjured Americas bloody Civil War solely with his own imagination in his classic novel The Red Badge of Courage (1895), he traveled to Greece with Cora Stewart to see conflict with his own eyes. Crane and many other reporters who toiled in Greece were the correspondents sent later to the front lines of the Spanish-American War. And when the public appetite for bloodshed stoked day after day in morning and evening editions finally resulted in war, they sent home the vivid dispatches that fed a growing public appetite for coverage. History has painted Boyd and Stewart as rivals in this notable experiment in a new way to cover war in the United Statesa view articulated most powerfully in Lilian Gilkess immensely flawed 1960 biography, Cora Crane : A Biography of Mrs. Stephen Crane. Gilkes speculates that Boyd cabled the Journal directly to obtain an assignment as a war correspondent, but she was wrong. A closer look at Smith Colleges archives and in yellowed newspapers tells a startlingly different tale. Cora Stewart did seek to send copy from Greece that would generate salacious headlines in New York; Harriet Boyd, on the other hand, was a volunteer nurse. Even so, she unwittingly became a yellow journalism sensationif only for a few weeks. In a moment when U.S. newspapers began to find profit in sensationalizing global conflict, the stories that both women found in Greece proved to be an essential part of a new formula. At Any Rate, I Am Going No letter of assignment from the New York Journal and Advertiser to Cora Stewart has survived. How exactly she ended up as a war correspondent remains murky. It is also surprising. In the straitened late-Victorian atmosphere of 1897, Stewart was a 28-year-old woman with a pastand a present. Twice married, she was unable to secure a divorce from her second husband, Donald William Stewart. And there was an additional complication. Not only was Stewart a captain in the British Army, but his fatherSir Donald Martin Stewarthad served as Queen Victorias commander in India, a position of high rank and prestige in the British Army. Cora Stewart met Crane in late 1896 in Jacksonville, Florida. Stewart had escaped England and ran the Hotel de Dremea lavish nightclub and house of assignation where prostitutes could rent rooms to entertain clients. Crane was in town to sail with a ship trying to break a blockade that the U.S. government had placed on arms shipments to Cuban rebels. One attempt to do so almost cost him his life on January 2, 1897, when the ship on which he was traveling sank near present-day Daytona Beach. The incident was the spur for one of his finest short stories, The Open Boat. The couple intertwined their fates shortly after Cranes near-death experience. In March 1897, he found assignments to cover the war in Greece for the Journal and the Westminster Gazettean English daily specializing in long-form war journalism. Stewart abandoned the Hotel de Dreme to accompany him. They arrived in Greece in early April, journeying together from New York via London and Marseilles. At some point, Stewart wrangled her own assignment as a female war correspondent from the Journal. And any potential whiff of notoriety that might be attached to dispatches sent under her own name? It was vanquished with her use of the nom de plume Imogene Carter. Stewart quickly undertook the work of a journalist in Athens: obtaining letters of introduction, submitting two dispatches to the Journal about her plans to be the only woman correspondent within even the sound of the guns, and preparing to travel to the front. In a piece published in the Journal on April 30, 1897, she wrote, Acquaintances among the foreign residents here all strongly advise me not to go to the war zone. But she was undaunted by their disapproval of her plans and stated flatly that at any rate, I am going. Answer Quick Yes or No Harriet Boyd had grown up in Boston. She attended Smith College in its first decades of operation and graduated with a degree in classics. She turned 25 years old as she arrived in Greece in October 1896 to study the language and nurture her interest in its ancient past. Three years later, Boyd became the first woman to lead an excavation in the region. Her discovery in 1900 of a Minoan city in Crete that dates back to the Late Bronze Age (which she named Gournia) was a landmark achievement in an era of dazzling discoveries. But archeology was in Boyds future. In 1896, Athens simmered with anger over decades of conflict with the Ottoman Empireand Greeces desire to enlarge its own territory. Conflict over the disputed island of Crete brought the simmer to a boil in early 1897, when Greece defied stern warnings from the so-called Great Powers (Russia, Great Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Germany) and annexed the island. The war between Greece and Turkey quickly followed. As a young American woman in a circle of (largely English-speaking) Greek women, Boyd was swept up in the fervor as mobilization began. The letters home she sent from Athens to the Philadelphia Public Ledger oscillate between keenly dispassionate observations and the enthusiasm of her own immersion in Greeces jingoistic frenzy. Her desire to be part of these events prompted her to take a nursing course in the early winter of 1897. But her hopes of becoming a volunteer nurse seemed all but dashed when she flunked a practical exam in front of Queen Olga of Greece on March 20, 1897. As open hostilities loomed in mid-April, however, Boyd played a final card. On the day before the nurses planned to depart for a Red Cross hospital near the front, she sent a letter directly to Queen Olga, asking for permission to join them. Hours before the nurses embarked, the queen gave her assent. Boyd arrived in the port town of Volos on April 19, 1897the day the Greco-Turkish War was declared. Volos was in chaos, and its hospital beds were soon filled with a wave of soldiers wounded in the Greek armys hasty collapse in the first week of the conflict. At some point during Boyds first two weeks in Volos, the substance of a telegram from Athens was passed along to her. Dated April 26 and signed, M.A Frost, Womens Editor, New York Journal, the cable asked Boyd to supply articles Greek womans work in war will you cable one thousand words on queens work for soldiers and article same length on personal experiences in ambulance corps fifty dollars an article answer quick yes or no you are on ground and may have special ideas if so cable for instructions. Hospital officials encouraged her to write the dispatches. When she arrived in Athens on May 4 on a hospital ship transporting wounded men, Boyd likely had drafted both pieces. She returned to Volos by nightfall two days later. In a letter to her brother Allan written on board the ship as she returned, Boyd reported sending the personal experiences piece from Athens and the Queen Olga piece from the port of Chalkis on May 5: No cables can go from Volos now. Journal gives me $50 for each cable messagebesides paying cable charges. One $50 must go to the cause + actually giving food and medicine to the sickthe other we will see. How Journal people found me out I dont know. Miss Harriet Boyd, Special Correspondent of the Journal, With the Greek Army Apparently, Boyd did not reply quickly enough for the Journals editors. Before she had boarded the hospital ship on May 3, her byline had already appeared in the May 2, 1897 edition of American Womans Home Journala Sunday supplement of that newspaper. The liberties that the Journal took with Boyds name and situation are staggering. The May 2 articleheadlined The Queen of Greece Appeals to the American Women for Helpfeatured wildly out-of-date information with Boyds name attached, likely culled from a private communication sent back in March. It also stated that Miss Harriet Boyd is a bright American girl and promised that she would send a series of special letters to American Womans Home Journal on her work in Greece. Boyds actual cables, meanwhile, arrived in New York on May 6 or 7a day or so after she sent them. Her Queen Olga piece was moot, of course, since the paper had run the out-of-date May 2 account. But both the timing and substance of Boyds personal experiences piece proved fortuitousfor the Journal, at least. News was trickling back in fragments already about a major battle in the town of Velestino (only 12 miles from Volos) on May 5 and 6. But detailed accounts of a Greek defeat that led to the Ottoman occupation of the port city were delayed. Boyds vivid account of nursing in Voloss crowded hospitals as alarms about the Turks filled the air must have been irresistible to the papers editors. For the May 9, 1897, edition, they bumped her dispatch from the womens supplement to the front page of the Sunday news supplement: American Magazine. An all-caps headline trumpeted A JOURNAL WOMAN ON THE BATTLEFIELD IN GREECE. The story also featured an outsize and overdramatized illustration of a terrified young woman. Whats more: The volunteer nurse had been promoted to Miss Harriet Boyd, Special Correspondent of the Journal, With the Greek Army, with the opening paragraphs of her article rewritten to present her activities as being undertaken on instruction of the Journal. One can see even now why Boyds piece made such a splash in Journal offices. Her sharp depictions of blood-and-guts nursing brimmed with acerbic opinions on topics ranging from the unpopularity of the British consul in Volos to inaccurate reporting by journalists who lacked Greek language skills. Boyd paints a harrowing picture of a hospital near the front lines: These wounded Greeks certainly know how to bear pain. The candles and torches flared on their powder grimed faces as they were jolted hither and thither, from litter to cot and from cot to litter, but never a complaint did they utter. They would only follow you with dumb, pleading eyes that asked for everything where nothing could be given. The number of wounded on our roster gradually increased until every cot was occupied. This made no difference. Another squad of ten poor, mangled fellows were taken in and placed on sacks of straw in the aisles. At sixty we stopped. The inconveniences wreaked by continual alarms of imminent doom also did not escape her notice: Panics have been of daily occurrence since my arrival. It is very annoying just when one is fixing a bandage nicely to have the cry raised that the Turks are coming. The War Correspondent Business Boyd left occupied Volos on a hospital ship to Athens a few days later. But she was back on the front lines again by May 12. Her next eight days were a whirlwind. Boyd arrived in Domokos the evening before the last major battle of the war on May 17, and she tended wounded soldiers on that battlefield. When Greek commanders ordered a retreat, Boyd joined the bedraggled horde as it fled to the city of Lamia. She walked part of the 22 miles in darkness, taking only two swallows of cognac and a bit of bread along the way. On May 20, the war ended. Boyd continued nursing sick troops, often at the request of Queen Olga or other high-ranking officials. Mail was slow, so it was weeks before she saw how the Journal had sensationalized her work, But when she finally beheld a copy of the May 9 edition, she became livid. In a letter to her brother Allan dated June 16, Boyd declared that the whole newspaper affair seems now to me most humiliating. She related a tragicomedy of error. A letter sent to a professor at Smith College (with Queen Olgas appeal to America enclosed) had been passed along to the Journaland sparked the telegram expressing their interest. Worse yet, Boyd discovered that the Journals main newsroom was unhappy about her cables. The newspapers Athens reporterEdward Abbotttold her he had been chastised by the editors for sending her work to New York: Who is Harriet Boyd? Send no more from her till authorized by us. Abbott added that he set them straight: Harriet Boyd showed me a telegram, authorizing dispatches to your paper. Boyd was angry with the flagrant liberties that the Journal had taken with her name and experience as a volunteer nurse. (Not to mention the sensational art that accompanied her story.) Intent on protecting her now-glowing reputation as a Greek patriot with the royal family and in Athenian society, she told Allan she was seeking advice on how to deny the whole experience. One can literally taste the sour grapes of a job perhaps too well done in her missive home: Never fearIve learned my lesson I have received for my famousor rather infamous dispatchnot one penny as yet though I believe it will be given me I should prefer not to take it as then there can be no doubt about the War Correspondent business moreover one does not like to take money for lies. Her Bravery Amazes Soldiers And what of Imogene Carter? The full range of Cora Stewarts activities during her time in Greece remains unknown. Her published work from the war comprises three dispatches. A small number of her unpublished writings from the conflict are in the archives at Columbia University. But what is known is a riveting tale. Over the same nine days in late April and May 1897 that Boyd was nursing and writing her dispatches, Stewart traveled with Crane and two other prominent journalists (The Times of Londons Richard Harding Davis and the Journals John Bass) to the front lines of the conflict. She accompanied Crane to the battlefield of Velestino itself, arriving by horseback on the afternoon of the battles first day. The couple spent the night on the battlefield and stayed until the retreat of the Greek army in the late afternoon on May 6, 1897. Indeed, Crane and Stewart almost left their exit too late. They barely escaped from the battle on the very last train bound for Volos before Ottoman troops occupied the station. Cranes accounts of Velestino and its aftermath are classics of American war reporting. But Imogene Carter is not mentioned in them. Cora Stewarts own pen picture of the battle was published in the Journal on May 10, 1897. The headline advertises Imogene Carter as the Last of the Writers to Go; Shells Screamed About Her as She Left the Field. This statement is amplified with an all-caps intensifier: HER BRAVERY AMAZES SOLDIERS. Perhaps it should amaze us as well. In their separate accounts, both Stewart and Crane describe a narrow escape from an Ottoman artillery shell as they fled to the train station where they made their escape. On a visit to Velestino in March, I walked along the same road the couple took. It runs through the center of the 1897 battlefielda position that Ottoman troops sought to occupy quickly as the Greek troops retreated that afternoon. Today, the road is the main route to the highway. It is a desolate stretch dotted with two gas stations and an auto parts store. But one can sense still the flat expanse Crane and Stewart must have journeyed acrossand how exposed they were to dangeras they raced to catch the train. Cora Stewart earned every syllable of her vivid pen picture. But it was also Imogene Carters last dispatch from the Greco-Turkish War. Back in Athens after the battle at Velestino, the couple had photographs taken of themselves as war correspondents. They left Greece together later that month and settled in England as Stephen and Cora Crane. On a cabinet card made from the photo, Cora Crane wrote a note to Stephen: To me old pal Stevie with best wishesImogene Carter Athens May 22/97. All quotations from unpublished letters by Harriet Boyd are taken from the Harriet Boyd Hawes Collection in Smith College Special Collections. A U.S. district judge on Thursday dismissed portions of a lawsuit brought against West Virginia by a manufacturer of a generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone over the states restrictions on the medication. GenBioPro sued the states attorney general in January, claiming the abortion ban and other restrictions have caused it significant, ongoing economic injury. District Judge Robert Chambers dismissed claims by GenBioPro that a September 2022 law banning abortion at every stage of pregnancy, featuring exceptions for medical emergencies, rape and incest, and other previous restrictions on the state, are preempted by federal law. Chambers also dismissed claims by GenBioPro as related to the Constitutions Commerce Clause, the law allowing Congress to govern commerce. States enact laws pursuant to their police power to regulate public health and morality, Chambers ruling read. Morality-based laws often curtail the sale of goods. The vendors of curtailed goods may lose sales opportunities. Outraged, vendors can feel the laws must somehow be unconstitutional. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, one of the plaintiffs in the case, said he is pleased with the courts decision in a statement obtained by The Hill Thursday. He appeared to reference the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to strike down Roe v. Wade in his statement as well. While it may not sit well with manufacturers of abortion drugs, the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that regulating abortion is a state issue, the attorney general continued. I will always stand strong for the life of the unborn. In a statement by obtained by The Hill, the CEO of GenBioPro Evan Masingill said the company is considering our next steps in the fight to ensure access for patients who need this essential medication. We are currently reviewing todays ruling from the Court that denies West Virginias request to dismiss our challenge to the states telemedicine ban and grants the states request to dismiss our challenge to the ban on abortion, Masingill said in the statement. The Courts decision comes after a ruling where it found GenBioPro was being harmed by the states restrictions on mifepristone and had standing to bring suit, Masingill continued. Updated at 4:28 p.m. Aug. 25 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Hot and hazy weather has rolled into Western Washington, with air quality taking a hit in several areas across the region. According to KIRO 7 Pinpoint Meteorologist Morgan Palmer, there will be a few clouds and also some moderate air quality around the Puget Sound through Thursday evening. A few spots are in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category and that will continue, especially across the far north later on in the night. That said, even worse air quality could be on the way by the weekend along with highs in the 90s in many spots south and east of Seattle. One record high could fall in Seattle -- that would be on Sunday where the record high is 88 and were forecasting 89. Air quality will be a problem but at this time, it does not look as bad as this past weekend. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This comes after the region experienced its worst air quality of the year last weekend, brought on by smoke from a handful of wildfires in both Washington and British Columbia. As of now, this weekends smoke isnt expected to affect our air quality quite as much. NEW BEDFORD Any vessel that transports merchandise between U.S. points or that conducts dredging or carries passengers must be wholly owned by U.S. citizens and must be documented in the U.S., which means it is built in a U.S. shipyard and then the vessel is crewed by U.S. citizens. The Jones Act, part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, was named after former Sen. Wesley Jones, R-Washington, who was the primary author and sponsor of the law, stipulates that only American ships could carry cargo between American ports. Specifically, it supported construction of a merchant fleet, according to Massachusetts Maritime Academy Assistant Professor Jill Taft in the Social Science Department. The Jones Act was enacted to specifically support a United States flag merchant fleet and the related industries like shipbuilding that would support the construction of those types of vessels, she said. The Jones Act Enforcer ship prepares to head out from Fish Island in New Bedford to monitor offshore wind turbine field activity off Nantucket. The Jones Act as a federal statute She said the Jones Act is a federal statute that companies must comply with or face significant financial penalties for violating it. They would have to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency responsible for interpreting and issuing rulings as authorized under the Jones Act. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Taft said one of the sections of the Jones Act is a cabotage law, which guarantees participation of a nations vessels in that nations domestic trade, also known in the United States as coastalized trade. Any vessels engaging in coastalized trade must be owned by U.S. citizens, built in the U.S. and crewed by U.S. mariners, she said. She said fishing operations, towing vessels and dredging also come under the provisions of cabotage law. Another section of the Jones Act provides a personal injury remedy for a seafarer injured in the course of their employment on a U.S.-flagged vessel, she said. Specifically, it allows the seafarer to bring a cause of action in negligence against the employer. She said under the general maritime law, the employer of a Jones Act compliant vessel has an obligation to pay maintenance and cure to an American seafarer when injured on duty by providing medical treatment until the seafarer is healed and ready to go back to work. She said this obligation typically goes hand in hand with a Jones Act negligence suit. The Danish wind turbine installation vessel, Sea Installer, is seen in the distance as Aaron Smith, President and CEO of Offshore Marine Services, monitors activity at the offshore wind turbine field off Nantucket from the Jones Act Enforcer ship. The impact of the Jones Act Tait said the Jones Act is alive and well in the U.S. and has been implemented throughout the industry. You could see the Jones Act at work every day by standing alongside the Cape Cod Canal and seeing the tugs and barges that are typically transporting fuel between U.S. ports, she said. Those tug and barge units, which are generally called articulated tug and barge units, have been built in U.S. shipyards, they are owned by U.S. companies, and the mariners that are navigating and working in the machinery spaces on those vessels are U.S. citizens. This spring semester, Taft taught a new course on Offshore Wind Law and Policy for the first time. She also teaches admiralty and maritime law as well as a class on legislative compliance. In the offshore wind class, Taft touches on the Jones Act as well as in her admiralty and maritime class as many of her students, including marine transportation and marine engineering majors, will be its direct beneficiaries since they will go to work on Jones Act compliant vessels. They are the future mariners who are going to be operating these vessels, she said. She said students in other majors will also find it important to understand the implications of the Jones Act because they may go to work for industries that support vessel operations or work on the regulatory side and would benefit from knowledge of the requirements and how not to violate the rules. The Jones Act is benefiting a lot of people from the New England area whether its vessel-related jobs or jobs in the shipyards and maritime-related industries, she said. She said there are significant economic benefits for New England and the U.S. because it contributes significantly to the economy. She said two shipyards in Rhode Island, Senesco Marine and Blount Boats, are currently building vessels that will be Jones Act compliant for work on the wind farms This is directly beneficial to the citizens of New England, she said. If we look at Jones Act vessel operators and mariners, both Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine are directly contributing mariners to the Unites States Merchant Marine. Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kgallreporter. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Who works on offshore wind projects? A 1920 maritime law explained Red drift algae lines Fort Myers Beach on Monday, August 21, 2023. The non toxic algae builds up on area beaches on occasion. At this time, Southwest Florida is seeing background to normal ranges. It washes up on local shores from the Gulf of Mexico and consists of everything from red drift algae to Portuguese Man 'O War. It's called beach wrack, and it's a normal part of a natural, unmanicured shoreline. Although many national media outlets suggested earlier this summer that a massive floating blob of sargassum would engulf of Sunshine State this summer, Southwest Florida has not experienced massive piles of sargassum this year. Beach wrack, however, is a different story as it's been found at places like Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach, ranging from a spattering of sponges to a 3-foot-wide, 3-inch-tall drift algae mini-berm. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A type of moving marine habitat that often marks recent high tide lines, beach wrack is a healthy and natural cycle that helps keep beaches stable and intact. Red drift algae is natural Most of what we're seeing this year is red drift algae, which is common in coastal bays during summer months. "There's a whole list of red drift algae, and they're a normal part of many systems," said Ed Philips, an algal ecology professor at the University of Florida. "They're an important part of the ecosystem." Drift algae in some years becomes overly abundant and has to be mechanically removed from beaches. But in most years, like this one, the drift algae and the wrack community are a small part of the coastal ecosystem. "In general, red algae are not toxic," he said. "They also compete with nutrients in the water column with phytoplankton. And they can help balance the nutrients loads in regards to harmful algal blooms that we're concerned about." Harmful algal blooms would include things like blue-green algae and red tide for this region. Is red drift algae becoming more common? Red drift algae lines Fort Myers Beach as shorebirds hang out at Bowditch Point on Monday, August 21, 2023. The non toxic algae builds up on area beaches on occasion. At this time, Southwest Florida is seeing background to normal ranges. Many scientists and water quality experts say Florida's waters have been tainted by nutrients that are added to the landscape by human activities like farming and development. Excess nutrients feed toxic blue-green algae blooms and can fuel red tide in nearshore and bay waters. One local scientist says the balance and distribution of red drift algae has shifted in recent decades: where once there was a mixture of plants, coral and critters, nowadays the wrack is mostly red drift algae. "Though red drift algae has always been here, we think the amounts have been creeping up over the years due to progressive eutrophication," said Florida Gulf Coast University professor and researcher James Douglass. "If you went back 100 years there would be a lot of seagrass with a little bit of red macroalgae mixed in, but now it's like a lot of red macroalgae with a little bit of seagrass mixed in." Eutrophication is a term used to describe excess nutrients in a waterbody, and the process has happened to nearly all of Florida's waters in the past century. What's in the wrack? Red drift algae lines Fort Myers Beach on Monday, August 21, 2023. The non toxic algae builds up on area beaches on occasion. At this time, Southwest Florida is seeing background to normal ranges. More: Bacteria found at Bonita Beach may have come from humans, health officials say Sea shells, sponges, jellyfish and even sea turtle hatchlings can be found in beach wrack, according to the state agency charged with protecting wildlife. "Most people generally call this seaweed, but there are other interesting things in the wrack that help keep the beach alive and stable," a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website reads. "The wrack serves as food and shelter for wildlife, and it is important to leave it on Florida beaches." Red drift algae lines Fort Myers Beach as shorebirds hang out at Bowditch Point on Monday, August 21, 2023. The non toxic algae builds up on area beaches on occasion. At this time, Southwest Florida is seeing background to normal ranges. More: Should we abandon parts of coastal SWFL? At least one climate planner thinks we should Beach wrack also helps reinforce beaches by leaving organic material that piles up in clumps, and it helps keep sand on beaches as it combats erosion as well. Turtle grass, hamburger beans, sheepswool sponges, mollusks, sand dollars and sea pork it can all be found in the wrack. The marine life that makes up wrack is largely washed ashore during storms and strong onshore breezes. Connect with this reporter: Chad Gillis on Facebook. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: What is beach wrack? Everything from seaweed to jellyfish John Snowling, 59 a retired Ventura police officer, was identified as the gunman in Wednesday night's shooting at a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Snowling worked for the Ventura Police Department from July 1986 until he retired as a sergeant in February 2014. During his 27-year career with the Ventura agency, Snowling served as police union president and worked as a motorcycle officer and field training officer, according to past news reports. He also served with the department's Special Enforcement Team. In July 2000, he was promoted to corporal and to sergeant in January 2013. Police Chief Darin Schindler said Thursday Snowling, as a retired officer, possessed a permit to carry a concealed weapon. He could not be sure if the retired sergeant still had his service weapon, although Snowling would have qualified to purchase it upon his retirement. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The chief said he did not know if Snowling had any disciplinary actions because he had been gone since 2014 and the agency destroys records after five years. Schindler said he did work with Snowling but didn't know him well. They worked on different tracks. Snowling had lived with his wife Marie in Camarillo but the couple had begun divorce proceedings, according to Ventura County Superior Court records. Paperwork for the divorce was first filed in December 2022 and continues, court records show. Neighbors said the Snowlings have two adult children. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said during a news conference Thursday John Snowling had been living in Ohio. He had traveled back to California but it was not yet clear if Snowling had returned solely for the shooting. Barnes said Snowling entered Cook's Corner, the Trabuco Canyon bar, and shot at his wife, striking her once. He also shot the person she was dining with. Marie Snowling survived the shooting but her dinner companion did not, the sheriff said. Two other patrons were killed by the retired sergeant's gunfire. Barnes said John Snowling entered the bar with two handguns, and eventually returned to his truck where he removed a third handgun and a shotgun, which he used to fire upon sheriff's deputies. The sheriff said Snowling's weapons were acquired legally. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Here's what we know about the Ventura police sergeant When police arrived at a Labor Day weekend boat crash in Biscayne Bay, they found a capsized craft and more than a dozen people tossed into the water. A day later, they found more than 60 empty containers of booze stashed on the wrecked boat. At the scene on the water, state investigators didnt give the boat driver a drunk-driving test. They say they didnt have probable cause to do so because he didnt seem impaired. That is typical protocol on the water, just like it is with car crashes on the road: Its up to cops to determine if there is a reason to test. The head of the state agency that investigated the 2022 Labor Day weekend crash, which killed a teen girl and seriously injured another, defends the inquiry, as do state prosecutors. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The investigation finished this month and led to minor charges for the vessels operator, prominent Miami real estate broker George Pino. The families of the two girls most affected by the Sept. 4, 2022, crash Luciana Fernandez, who died in the hospital the day after at the age of 17, and Katerina Puig, the now-18-year-old left with life-altering injuries criticized the investigation after the final report was released this month, saying the charges amounted to a wrist slap for Pino. Rodney Barreto, commissioner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said in an email to the Miami Herald that his officers couldnt legally force Pino to submit blood or take a breath test because there wasnt probable cause in the moments and hours after the crash. Barreto said the investigator in charge that day is a certified drug recognition expert and stated in the report that he saw no signs of impairment and neither did any of the other officers at the scene. The law does not enable our officers to compel a blood draw or breath test without probable cause. No one admitted in interviews to consuming alcohol, Barreto said. Leslie Sammis, a Tampa-area attorney specializing in boating under the influence cases, said that given the available facts at the time of the crash, the less serious charges arent unusual. The officers need at least reasonable suspicion of impairment from drugs or alcohol before they can request field sobriety exercises, Sammis said. And, unlike in a car, having open containers of alcohol on a boat is not a crime, she said. Because Pino declined to voluntarily submit to giving a blood sample, officers at the scene would have had to obtain a warrant from a judge, Sammis said. The judge probably wouldnt have signed a warrant unless they had specific facts that this operator himself was impaired by drugs or alcohol, she said. Empty beer and other alcoholic beverage bottles and cans are lined up behind the cockpit of George Pinos 29-foot Robalo boat on Sept. 5, 2022. The alcohol containers But what about the 61 empty alcohol bottles and cans found on board? Investigators didnt find the empty alcoholic beverage containers and bottles until the boat was checked the next day. They were in a trash can on the vessel, according to photographs included in the FWCs investigative reports. The day of the crash, the boat was overturned, so officers say they couldnt inspect the vessel, and those on the scene during the chaotic aftermath were immediately concerned with pulling people from the water and getting them to the hospital. The investigation concluded that alcohol wasnt a factor in the crash despite the containers found on Pinos 29-foot Robalo vessel, as well as an empty bottle of champagne and a half-consumed bottle of liquor. Empty beer and other alcoholic beverage containers fill a trash can on the boat belonging to George Pino, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The charges The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office ultimately charged Pino with three counts of misdemeanor careless boating, based on the report from the Fish and Wildlife commission. Pino refused to submit blood at the scene, as the FWC investigator requested, saying it was because his lawyer wasnt present, according to the report. The full inspection of the vessel, which occurred a day after the crash, revealed the containers you refer to, Barreto wrote. They were not visible at the scene. In an incident summary report, the FWC investigator in charge of the case, who has not been named, said: As part of this investigation, alcohol was not considered to be a contributing factor to this accident. Pino showed no signs of impairment when officers responded nor when I arrived on scene. The FWC in subsequent follow-up questions refused to answer how the investigator came to that conclusion. The report speaks for itself, regarding your question about field sobriety testing, Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesman Rob Klepper said. Miami attorney Michael Mirer also said the officers judgment of whether a person was under the influence would be the threshold to test for intoxication. The officer would need probable cause that the driver of the boat was under the influence in order to compel blood test, Mirer said. A Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue boat pulls into a slip at Black Point Marina Sunday night, Sept. 4, 2022. The boat brought to shore several people injured in a boating crash earlier that night. What witnesses saw The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released several documents to the Miami Herald it said were used to justify the recommended charges against Pino and that were filed by the Miami-Dade County State Attorneys Office on Aug. 16: one count of careless operation of a vessel causing death and two counts of careless operation of a vessel resulting in serious bodily injury. Both charges are punishable by a maximum jail time of 60 days and a $500 fine. The documents include supplemental reports from other FWC officers at the scene that day, and who interviewed witnesses, including the passengers on the boat. One witness told police that all the girls on the boat were drinking alcohol. The parents of Katerina Puig have a pending lawsuit against the Pinos filed in March claiming, among other allegations, that George and his wife, Cecilia, provided alcohol to the 12 teens on their vessel that day. The Pinos denied the allegation in a court filing this month. View of channel Marker 15 in the Intracoastal, site of a deadly boat crash on Sept. 4. Birthday outing on the boat Pino took the group was on an outing on Elliott Key in Biscayne Bay to celebrate his daughters 18th birthday. They were on their way back to the Pinos vacation home in the gated Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo when he crashed his boat into a fixed channel marker in Cutter Bank on the Intracoastal Waterway capsizing the vessel and sending all 14 people on board into the water. Paramedics flew Luciana Fernandez to Kendall Regional Medical Center, where she died the next day. Katerina Puig was taked to Nicklaus Childrens Hospital near South Miami with severe injuries. Her family has not gone into specific details about her medical condition, but her attorneys said she will require a lifetime of medical care. The FWC said in its latest report that she remains unresponsive. Two beers Pino told investigators that he drank two beers total for the day. Only one other person gave statements to the police that she saw Pino consume any alcohol, and that was that she witnessed him drink one beer while at Elliott Key. Another passenger who said she consumed alcohol told investigators that the beverages were already on board the vessel in a cooler prior to herself and the occupants boarding, one of the officers wrote in a statement. State attorneys inquiry Ed Griffith and Lissette Valdes-Valle, spokespeople for the Miami-Dade County State Attorneys Office, said despite these statements and the alcohol containers found on Pinos boat the day after the crash, prosecutors didnt have enough to seek higher charges. They didnt pursue charges, for instance, based on the accusation the Pinos provided alcohol to the teens because no one on the boat stated that to police, and there is no evidence clearly showing the couple physically handed the booze to the girls. The matter was investigated, but the standards necessary to prove such a case, based on Florida case law, could not be met, Griffith said. Broken relationships While the criminal investigation into the crash is over, several civil cases are ongoing in state and federal court, including the Puigs lawsuit against the Pinos. That case picked up steam this month, with all the parties involved filing multiple motions in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. The tragedy not only has legal repercussions, it also strained friendships within the tightly knit South Florida Christian private school community. All of the girls on the boat attended either Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Southwest Miami-Dade, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Coconut Grove or Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay. The Fernandezes were taking part in the birthday party on Elliott Key, arriving and leaving on a separate boat. Last week, the parents, Andres and Melissa Fernandez, released a statement critical of the investigation and the Pinos. The only real way to conclusively rule out alcohol as a factor would have been to test for such on that day. The fact that self-preservation seems to be more important than helping provide answers and closure to our family is overwhelmingly offensive; weve had to bury our 17-year-old daughter and another teenager lost life as she knew it, they said. Minimizing the accident, the irresponsible actions causing it, and the gravity of our reality, to the likes of a mere traffic citation, only adds insult to injury. So far, the Fernandezes have not filed any litigation in connection with the crash. State Street Realty President George I. Pino Statement from Pino George Pino issued a statement following the release of the FWC investigation highlighting the findings that alcohol was not a factor and reiterating a statement he told police that a larger oncoming boat caused him to lose control of his vessel. FWC investigators, however, stressed in their report that no witnesses, including all who were on Pinos vessel, saw another boat in the channel in the moments leading up to the crash. George and Cecilia Pino are devastated by the passing of Lucy and the serious injuries to Katy and others, their attorney, Andrew Mescolotto wrote. The Pinos have already pledged their life savings to compensate and provide medical support for everyone affected by this horrible accident. They continue to pray every day for each person and family that was involved. This photo taken on Nov. 11, 2018 shows the Garissa Solar Power Plant in northeastern Kenya. (Xinhua) NAIROBI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Some 14 kilometers from Garissa town, located in northeastern Kenya, sits one of the country's hidden gems in the energy sector. Known as the Garissa Solar Power Plant, the 55 megawatts (MW) facility is the "largest grid-connected solar power plant in east and central Africa", according to Kenya's Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC). The 136-million-U.S. dollar plant, which covers an area of 85 acres (34.40 hectares), was financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and built by China's Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation, is a sea of beautiful black panels, arranged in a splendid line, and stretching yonder. The project, the first major solar plant to tap into Kenya's vast solar resources, was connected to the national grid in September 2018 and commissioned in 2019, as the east African nation diversified its power generation to reduce energy costs. The country generates some 87 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, particularly geothermal, hydro, solar and wind energy, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), with installed photovoltaic capacity currently standing at 210 MW, up from 170 MW in mid-2022. Thanks to increased capacity, the country's solar power generation jumped from 7.44 million kilowatts per hour (KWh) a month in 2021 to an average of 30 million KWh a month currently, EPRA said. Half of the solar power generated comes from the Garissa Solar Power Plant, which contributes to 2 percent of the national energy mix, leading to reduction of energy costs as well as promoting the development of clean, reliable and sustainable electricity. The electricity generated from the project is enough to power 70,000 homes, offsetting some 43,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, REREC notes in a report. Hannington Gochi, a renewable energy expert at REREC, said that the plant was established in the semi-arid Garissa County because of its abundant solar resources. Besides that, the area was running on diesel-powered generators that had turned out to be expensive and unsustainable. Kenya boasts vast energy resources in sub-Saharan Africa due to its strategic position on the equator. The Kenyan government, therefore, chose to tap into the area's high solar intensity to support the grid and power lines constructed to serve residents. "There has been increased investment in Garissa due to the low-cost power as well as several small businesses like welding workshops. The solar plant has also created jobs directly and indirectly," Gochi said, adding that the employment comes from things like cleaning the panels. Elizabeth Wanjiku, who owns a food stall in Garissa town, said that in the past, she used to rely on generators to run her business, in particular the refrigerator where she preserved her food. "But right now we are using electricity, which is more reliable. The town is connected to the national grid after the solar plant was set up, making us benefit. The power blackouts are now fewer," she said in a recent interview. She credits the success of her business that serves the town's workers to reliable power, as there is no more food waste. Harun Jaya, a local farmer, said with reliable electricity, he is able to pump water to irrigate his farm where he grows crops like tomatoes for sale in the dry area that mainly imports its food. Daniel Bargoria, EPRA director-general, noted that Kenya's commitment to produce 100 percent of electricity from renewable sources is on course. "The renewable energy sub-sector continues to witness positive growth which demonstrates the commitment to promote clean energy," Bargoria said. Bargoria added that the government has prioritized the development of renewable energy production from geothermal, wind and solar plants to facilitate Kenya's quest to attain 100 percent transition to clean energy by 2030. David Chirchir, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, said in a recent interview that the government would tap more into green energy sources like solar to bring down the cost of electricity. "We are ahead compared to the rest of the world in terms of renewable energy, which comes at a quite affordable cost," Chirchir said at a Green Energy Conference held recently in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. According to Chrichir, Kenya is undertaking a bold green growth initiative that will transition the country to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. Part of the strategy by the government involves deploying solar mini-grids to serve communities in far-flung areas. The east African nation currently has 62 operational solar mini-grids while 28 are under construction. This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2019 shows the Garissa Solar Power Plant in northeastern Kenya. (Xinhua) As those in Maui try to make sense of the wildfires that left behind a trail of loss, experts and activists say the devastation has highlighted the issue of Hawaiian sovereignty. Those involved in discussions around sovereignty, or the right of a nation-state to govern itself, spoke to NBC News to underscore that the issue has undeniable context for the fires. They include advocates and scholars fighting for international acknowledgment of the Kingdom of Hawaii as an existing nation-state to others working toward complete independence from U.S. interference. The experts also spoke about the islands fraught place in American history, which they say allowed corporations to expand and dry out the land in Lahaina, the town most severely devastated by the wildfires in the state. The U.S. claims that a congressional resolution passed in 1898 declared that the Hawaiian islands were officially annexed. But some scholars argue the resolution, an internal American law, has no legal standing in the Hawaiian Kingdom and makes American presence an illegal occupation. But scholars and activists say that Native Hawaiians have ultimately been seeking their right to self-determination, or decision-making power, on their lands and that the lack thereof is a root cause of the wildfires. And gaining agency and decision-making power, they add, is critical to healing. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Lahaina is not America. But that fire is American. And it was really lit as far back as 1893, said Keala Kelly, a filmmaker and sovereignty activist, referring to when U.S. troops illegally overthrew the Hawaiian queen. Once the system of governance in Hawaii was stolen from us, everything about land and water became this never-ending abusive system of theft. What do sovereignty and the movement around it mean to you? Ron Williams, archivist at the Hawaii State Archives: Its evolved. When Haunani-Kay [Trask, the late leader of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement] was arguing for it, it was a kind of a recognition of Hawaiian sovereignty and breaking away from America. What weve come to understand is how illegal the proposed annexation was. Its really clear that in 1898, annexation never happened. So if thats true, then we are left with sovereignty remaining with the Hawaiian Kingdom, which means were under occupation. Keanu Sai, political scientist and founding member of the Hawaiian Society of Law & Politics: Im not part of the sovereignty movement. Thats a political movement made up of diverse groups of Native Hawaiians. And what theyre doing is theyre pursuing their version of sovereignty, and that is viewing sovereignty as an aspiration, not a reality. The United States claims that it passed a law in 1898 called a joint resolution, purporting to annex Hawaii. The problem is, an American law could no more annex the Hawaiian Kingdom than the United States Congress passing a law today. Keala Kelly, activist, filmmaker and journalist: Sovereignty is Hawaiians being self-determining, which is to say we decide our form of self-governance. The U.S. is the perpetrator of the crimes against us, so the U.S. deciding what Hawaiians can and cannot do is like asking the thief if he wants a side of fries to go with everything he just stole from us. Kaniela Ing, sovereignty activist and national director of the climate organization the Green New Deal Network: Everything needs to be done with an eye toward hoomana lahui power building, rebuilding the power of our nation, not just a legal status. Questions like, Who recognizes us as a sovereign kingdom? Thats less important than that we have self-determination. Why are the history and discussions around Hawaiian sovereignty necessary context to the tragedy in Lahaina? Kelly: This isnt just a climate change issue, is it? Its about the destruction of the land and the water, over a century of it, and setting it up for a terrible drought and some hurricane winds, 500 miles away. If thats going to be discussed, it has to be understood in the context of the theft of our nationhood, which enabled the theft of that land and water. Will the fires in Lahaina have an impact on action around sovereignty? Will we be seeing a greater thirst to engage in this topic? Kelly: My sense is, when there is a tragedy here or anywhere else, Hawaiian rights to self-determination are the first thing to be thrown aside, even when it is the most relevant. You can never underestimate the power of fear. Either we Hawaiians will pull our movement out of the ashes of Lahaina, or our movement for justice will be buried in those ashes, possibly forever. Williams: The movement towards some sort of reconciliation of what President Cleveland called An Act of War by the United States against the sovereign nation of Hawaii has been gaining steam over the past decade, often highlighted by specific issues of injustice like the attempt to build the worlds largest telescope atop Mauna Kea. This recent tragedy will undoubtedly offer a significant opportunity for millions to become more educated about the truth of the theft of nationhood, and the truth is the most powerful weapon we have. Is the topic of sovereignty and self-determination, or decision-making control, critical to Mauis ability to grieve, mend and move forward? Ing: When we talk about returning to the old ways, we mean reinstating a sustainable value system, where our nations wealth is measured by the health of our land and air and water. The systems of capitalism and colonialism caused a disaster, and the values of sovereign Hawaii, once exemplified, is the solution to carry us forward. Sai: The United States, through the state of Hawaii, as the occupant in effective control of the majority of territory of the Hawaiian Kingdom, is obligated to establish a military government to provisionally administer the laws of the occupied state the Hawaiian Kingdom. Right now, there is no centralized control. Its very decentralized and fragmented between the federal, state and county governments. Theyre operating on their own. Maui county has got to deal with the blowback on the recovery. So when you talk about people who are there as victims, the first thing theyre looking at is survival. The state of Hawaii will be forced to comply with international law by transforming itself into a military government in order to bring centralized control to the crisis that reaches across all the islands and not just Lahaina. Lahaina could be the flash point to drive compliance. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com In North Carolina, juries must reach a unanimous decision. In other words, every single juror must agree with the decision. Many believe the quicker a jury returns a verdict, the more likely the jury will come back with a guilty verdict. In the murder trial of Ronald D. Nobles Sr., that turned out to be true. Nobles was convicted of the first-degree murder of Stephen "Trey" Addison. Nobles killed Addison in a road rage incident on Jan. 3, 2022, on Skibo Road at the Cliffdale Road intersection. The fact that Nobles was responsible for Addison's death was never in question. Nobles alleged that it was accidental when he pointed a gun at Addison and pulled the trigger. Troy Williams Understandably, Nobles' reasoning was not believable to the jury, evidenced by such a quick guilty verdict. If the shooting was an accident, why did he leave the incident scene without helping the victim? ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Nobles wasn't convicted of a racial "hate crime," but it's hard not to imagine that race did not play a part in the tragic outcome. What Nobles did to Addison is a continuous storyline of the life of Black people in America since they were brought here in chains. Some whites say, "I can't believe this is happening." In contrast, many Blacks were saddened and angry but not shocked. Why? More: Pitts: The longest light ever for witnesses in Fayetteville road rage case More: Defendant in Fayetteville road-rage trial guilty of first-degree murder It is because this kind of brutality happens all too often. A couple of months ago, a white Florida woman, Susan Lorincz, killed her Black female neighbor, Ajike Owens, after she knocked on her front door. On June 2, Owens knocked on Lorincz's door to confront her about Lorincz allegedly yelling, throwing a roller skate and swinging an umbrella at her children. An undated photo of Stephen Perry Addison, who lived in Fayetteville and was shot to death in a road-rage incident on Skibo Road on Jan. 3, 2022. Lorincz shot through the door, killing Owens with her 10-year-old child standing behind her. Will there be justice? "As deplorable as the defendant's actions were in this case, there is insufficient evidence to prove these specific and required elements of second-degree murder," Florida State Attorney William Gladson wrote. "Given the facts of this case, aiming a firearm at the door and pulling the trigger is legally insufficient to prove a depraved mind." Lorincz has pleaded not guilty, but if she is convicted of first-degree felony offense of manslaughter with a firearm, she faces up to 30 years in prison. To discount race in how we all live, work and exist would be frivolous. Would Nobles have killed Stephen Addison, a 32-year-old Army veteran, so easily if he had been a young white male? The answer is obvious. The memorial for Trey Addison at Cliffdale and Skibo Roads has been kept faithfully since January of 2022 and recently updated after the conviction of Addison's murderer. Racism is an uncomfortable subject, but we must acknowledge that it causes people to mistreat, discriminate and perform acts of violence against people who don't look like them. Stephen Addison's child was deprived of a father; his wife has become a young widow, and his family and friends have lost a loved one because of hate. We cannot ever allow hate to win. The citizens of Fayetteville answered decisively by assisting with Ronald D. Noble's arrest, and a juror of his peers found him guilty of first-degree murder. This time, the good guys won. Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board. He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Williams: Did race play role in Fayetteville road rage murder? A man who attacked his ex-girlfriend with a machete in 2021 was sentenced to serve time in prison after pleading guilty on Thursday in New Hanover County Superior Court. Bailey Alexander White, 28, was charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary, and interfering with a jail fire system. For the crimes, Judge Frank Jones ordered White to serve between 17 and 22 years in prison. According to a gruesome and bloody narrative provided by assistant district attorney Hannah McGee, White broke into the victim's apartment and beat her with a machete style blade, which was described as being the size of a human arm. The victim was with another male who escaped through the window and call for help before confronting White who had the weapon in his hand. She was able to escape through the window too. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Wilmington police responded after getting a call about the disturbance and neighbors fighting at the complex in the 2200 block of Wrightsville Avenue. They found the 28-year-old woman near the pool area suffering from several life-threatening wounds, screaming for help. She was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center after she was helped by an officer commended by Jones. Previous coverage: Man accused of Wilmington machete attack arrested; bail set Police officers went to White's address and tried to contact him through his sister when he wasn't present. He was later arrested in Harnett County by U.S. Marshals after being found sleeping in his vehicle at a Taco Bell parking lot. While in custody at the New Hanover County Detention Center, White received a charge for tampering with a sprinkler system, which resulted in gushing water in an area where White was being held. Max Ashworth, a public defender, and the judge spoke about White getting psychiatric evaluations at Central Regional Hospital in Butner, but it was noted that he was competent to stand trial. While talking about his past before the attack in 2021, Ashworth said he had unstable living conditions growing up and challenges such as having delusions as a teenager. He was evaluated, but there were no proper follow-ups when he was younger. While asking White if he understood the charges, Jones sentenced White to serve between 157 to 201 months for the attempted murder charge, and 51 to 74 months for the burglary and jail fire system charges, after the first term ends. Jones also ordered White to psychiatric or mental health treatment while serving time. White said he pleaded guilty with remorse. McGee said his ex-girlfriend suffered tremendously after the attack and came a long way after her injuries. She didn't attend the trial but was aware of the guilty plea. "She is thankful that this is something that she can put behind her," McGee said. STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest news by signing up for the StarNews newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram. Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington man pleads guilty to attacking ex with machete A big red cargo ship fitted with steel and composite-glass wings has set sail on its maiden voyage from China to Brazil. The Pyxis Ocean, a 750-foot-long bulk carrier, is the first vessel to deploy WindWings, which can stand up to 123 feet tall and are made from the same durable material as wind turbines. The prototype devices could potentially curb the ships diesel fuel consumption and its resulting greenhouse gas emissions by roughly one-fifth. Cargill, the giant U.S. commodities group, announced the voyage on Monday, after the Pyxis Ocean completed its first leg across the South China Sea from Shanghai to Singapore. Cargill is chartering the vessel, which can carry up to 81,000 metric tons of grain, corn and other food products around the world. The large rectangular wings generally work like traditional canvas sails: by harnessing wind to propel the vessel and lessen the workload of the diesel engines. But instead of sailors raising or furling sails, the rigid WindWings mechanically rotate and spin. They also fold down while at port and lift back up while at sea. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Wind power is making a comeback within the global shipping industry as companies look to reduce and replace their use of dirty diesel fuel. This weeks voyage is the latest example of shipowners and multinational customers retrofitting vessels with high-tech versions of an ancient clean-energy technology including Airseas towing kite, Norsepowers spinning rotor sails and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines telescoping hard sail. At Cargill, we have a responsibility to pioneer decarbonizing solutions across all our supply chains to meet our customers needs, and the needs of the planet, Jan Dieleman, president of Cargills ocean transportation business, said in a statement. Bulk carriers, container ships and other oceangoing vessels burn hundreds of millions of tons of fossil fuels every year to carry trillions of dollars worth of goods across the ocean. As a result, international shipping contributes around 3 percent of the worlds annual greenhouse gas emissions a figure thats expected to climb as more oil-guzzling ships make more voyages in the coming years. Last month, the United Nations agency that governs global shipping set stricter climate goals for the industry. Members of the International Maritime Organization called for curbing emissions by at least 70 percent by 2040, and for reaching net-zero emissions by or around 2050. Countries also agreed to have 5 to 10 percent of shippings energy use come from zero or near-zero emissions fuels and technologies by 2030. While critics say the new rules dont go far enough to curb the industrys contribution to climate change, virtually everyone agrees that decarbonizing shipping is a monumental challenge. Switching to alternative fuels including methanol or ammonia made from renewable energy will require updating ship designs, building new fuel supply systems and a litany of logistical and financial hurdles. Harnessing wind power could allow existing ships to begin ditching diesel without upending existing operations. The Pyxis Ocean, a six-year-old vessel owned by Mitsubishi Corp., was recently equipped with wing sails at a shipyard in Shanghai. British firm BAR Technologies designed the WindWings, which the Norwegian company Yara Marine Technologies manufactured. Today is the culmination of years of pioneering research, John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, said in a statement. The project received funding through a European Unionled initiative to decarbonize shipping by enabling key technologies. A variety of factors will determine how much fuel ships with WindWings can actually save, and thus how much emissions theyll avoid releasing, including where the vessels are sailing, how many devices can fit on their deck, and how favorable the wind and weather conditions are. BAR estimates that, on an average global route, the technology can save 1.5 metric tons of oil-based fuel per WindWing per day. Cargill and BAR said they will closely monitor the WindWings performance over the coming months to improve design, operation and performance. The goal of the trial voyage is to inform the scale-up and adoption of wing sails across Cargills fleet of bulker carriers and the broader industry. BAR said it is already planning to build hundreds of its 21st-century sails over the next four years and is also researching building new vessels with different hydrodynamic forms. Photos of the abandoned French Bulldog provided by Allegheny County Police Department. Allegheny County Police Department Police said a woman left her dog at a short-term parking lot at Pittsburgh International Airport. The woman abandoned the pet so that she could make a flight to Mexico for vacation, police said. She is charged with a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and could face up to 2 years in prison. A vacationing woman has been charged with animal cruelty after police say she abandoned her pet dog at an airport parking lot in Pennsylvania. Allegheny County Police Department announced charges against Allison Gaiser, 44, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. She is charged with a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, as well as summary violations of animal cruelty, animal neglect, and abandonment of animals by the owner. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It's illegal under Pennsylvania law to abandon a dog, and convicted owners can face fines of up to $1,000. Those charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty, which is when the animal is put at serious risk of injury, face up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Court records show that a summons was issued on Thursday. Investigators said on Thursday that Gaiser intentionally abandoned her French Bulldog near a short-term parking lot before she boarded a flight to a resort in Mexico, according to a news release. Insider's Matthew Loh previously reported that police found the pet "unattended in a stroller" at Pittsburgh International Airport in early August. The dog was microchipped, which eventually helped them track down the owner. Airline staff told Gaiser in early August that she needed to put the dog in a crate in order to bring it onto the plane, per Insider's reporting. Police spokesperson James Madalinsky told this publication in August that the woman pretended her dog was an emotional-support animal but airline officials were unconvinced and told her she still needed a crate to fly with the dog. She then left the dog in the parking lot and boarded her flight alone, police said. "The dog is doing well and is still being fostered," said police. Allegheny County Police Department urged anyone interested in adopting a dog to reach out to Animal Friends of Pittsburgh. Gaiser did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Insider A man was arrested after keeping a woman handcuffed and shackled inside an Arkansas home, authorities say. The woman was freed by deputies during a call for service at the home Monday, Aug. 21, according to the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a female, who at the time had handcuffs locked on her wrists and leg iron shackles on both ankles, the sheriffs office said in an Aug. 23 news release. She also had blood all over her body and clothing. The man accused of keeping her imprisoned, Larry Rhinehart, was discovered by deputies with blood covering both arms. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Its unclear why the woman was in the home, but she told authorities she was attempting to leave when Rhinehart grabbed her by the legs. During the struggle, she dragged Rhinehart down a hallway, but he eventually gained control and shackled the woman, the sheriff said. Authorities did not say how long the woman was imprisoned. Rhinehart was arrested and charged with first-degree false imprisonment, third-degree battery and interference with emergency communications, the sheriff said. He was jailed on a $25,000 bond. Authorities did not provide an update on the womans condition. Calhoun County is about 100 miles south of Little Rock. Man lies to 911 about burglary, then women call screaming, California cops say Accused kidnapper abducts man, then demands ransom from ex-girlfriend, GA police say A chilling note passed by a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped and forced into a car by a man posing as an Uber driver (Yavapai County Sheriffs Office) An Arizona woman who was allegedly kidnapped by a man in a wig posing as an Uber driver escaped after passing a note to a gas station customer pleading for help, according to authorities. The woman was abducted from a car dealership in Phoenix at 7am on Monday, the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office (YCSO) said in a statement. The suspect, identified by authorities as 41-year-old Jacob Wilhoit, restrained the woman in the car and drove north towards Las Vegas, and they spent the night in a Lake Mead park, the sheriffs office said. At 5pm on Tuesday, they pulled into a Chevron gas station 150 miles southeast in Seligman, Arizona. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The woman signalled to another customer and passed a note with a description of her abductor and his blue Honda van, and begged them to call 911. Help, the note read. Call 911. The note included a a phone number and that they were headed to Kingman Las Vegas. A chilling note passed by a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped and forced into a car by a man posing as an Uber driver (Yavapai County Sheriffs Office) Their van was intercepted by officers from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) heading westbound on the I-40, and Mr Wilhoit was detained without incident, according to authorities. Several firearms were found in plain view in his car, they said. Deputies also learned the woman had been reported missing by her mother the previous day, who named Mr Wilhoit as a person of interest. Jacob Without, 41, prior to his arrest. He has been charged with a slew of counts for the alleged abduction of a woman (Yavapai County Sheriffs Office) Mr Wilhoit has been arrested on charges including aggravated assault, unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping, and other assault and harassment charges. The victims extraordinary action in passing the note, the customers willingness to assist, and the quick actions of YCSO and DPS saved the victim from her kidnapper and allowed her to return home with her family, Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said. [Source] Sharon Williams, a 52-year-old woman who was arrested in April 2021 for harassing Asian employees at a nail salon in New York Citys Chinatown, was sentenced to three years of probation on Thursday. Manhattan Supreme Court sentencing: Williams was convicted of aggravated harassment and physically threatening an undercover police officer with violence, according to New York Daily News. The 52-year-old was ordered to attend an implicit bias program, anger management and alcohol and substance use disorder screening. About the incident: On April 6, 2021, Williams harassed Asian employees at the Good Choice for Nails salon on Madison Street by threatening them and blaming them for the COVID-19 pandemic. You brought the corona to this country, Williams said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The convict also threatened another Asian woman outside the nail salon before directing her attention to an undercover Asian officer who intervened. Williams called the officer a monkey and a Chinese motherf*cker. More from NextShark: 'We are systematically not represented': Alumni group pushes for Dartmouth's first AAPI studies department The undercover officer was reportedly one of the New York Police Department's Asian officers who were deployed to combat the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes by patrolling the citys streets. Williams arrest was the first made by one of the officers from this initiative. Williams other cases: Before the incident at the nail salon, Williams already had three open cases for assault and menacing. She declined to take any affirmative steps to change, according to Assistant District Attorney Dylan Los Huertos. Williams was also accused of yelling homophobic language at a woman in June 2022, who she allegedly attacked with a knife a month before. More from NextShark: Cambodian American man allegedly confesses to murdering woman over $18,000 debt Im going to stab you. I have a knife with me, Williams reportedly told the victim. Im going to beat you up because youre gay. In this criminal case, Huertos said that prosecutors are still pushing for up to three years of prison time for Williams. More from NextShark: Constance Wu says she was controlled, sexually harassed by senior Fresh Off the Boat producer Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Group of Chinese students sue Apple for not including charger with iPhone 12 A missing Arizona woman allegedly kidnapped by a man she knew who disguised himself as an Uber driver was rescued after she passed a note to a stranger asking for help. The woman was allegedly abducted on Monday outside a car dealership in the Phoenix area and reported missing on Tuesday by her mother, who named 41-year-old Jacob Wilhoit as a person of interest. A spokesperson from the sheriffs office told NBC News Wilhoit was known to the victim. The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said the woman was reunited with her family after she slipped a note to a customer at the gas station begging for help. Wilhoit was booked on Wednesday on suspicion of multiple charges, including harassment, aggravated assault, unlawful imprisonment and kidnapping. Chevron in Seligman AZ via Google Maps Chevron in Seligman AZ via Google Maps ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to authorities, Wilhoit had lured the woman into his vehicle by pretending to be an Uber driver and disguising himself with a wig. He was then able to restrain her as they drove from Phoenix to Las Vegas. After spending the night at a park in Lake Mead, they stopped at a Chevron station in Seligman, a tiny census-designated place on Route 66, authorities said. At the gas station, the woman signaled another customer and handed over the note, a photo of which the sheriffs office provided to local media organizations. It gave the womans name, a description of the van she was held in, a phone number and a message that they were headed toward Kingman and Las Vegas. Wow! This is the note a quick-thinking kidnapping victim was able to pass to a customer at a gas station in Seligman, Arizona earlier this week in order to eventually get help from police. FULL STORY: https://t.co/8MPatbw9l2pic.twitter.com/QRtLYVmiYz ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) August 24, 2023 The customer called 911 immediately, giving officers a description of the two and telling authorities they were headed west. State troopers stopped the van on the highway, detaining Wilhoit without incident. Authorities said multiple firearms could be seen in plain view inside the van. The local district attorneys office didnt immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said, The victims extraordinary action in passing the note, the customers willingness to assist, and the quick actions of YCSO and DPS saved the victim from her kidnapper and allowed her to return home with her family. Related... TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Friday that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS have been formed to promote cooperation among countries to help them progress while respecting their independence. Raisi made the remarks upon arrival in Tehran from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he took part in the 15th BRICS Summit, according to a statement released by the president's office. He elaborated on the capacities of the two blocs, saying that they are newly emerging groups that are "completely against unilateralism." "The global hegemonic system" seeks to prevent independent states, including Iran, from growing through relations with other independent countries, Raisi said, adding that BRICS plays an effective role in promoting trade and economic cooperation among countries "in a major part of the world." The Iranian president described his trip to South Africa as "very important" because it was during this visit that Iran's membership in BRICS was approved. He said that immediately after the accession was announced, the Iranian Foreign Ministry began preparing the executive mechanisms for the country's membership in the group. BRICS has remarkable members in different parts of the globe that have a significant share of the world's entire population and gross domestic product, the president emphasized. BRICS is an acronym for five emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The 15th BRICS Summit invited on Thursday six more countries, including Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to join the group, and their membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. An 18-year-old woman is accused of stealing lottery tickets from dozens of stores and cashing in the winners, Kentucky cops say. The Louisville Metro Police Department says Telnesha Antnetta Brown took more than $123,000 worth of tickets and merchandise during the crime spree that spanned four months. She was arrested Thursday, Aug. 24, on 76 charges. From April 19 to Aug. 24, Brown and a crime syndicate of five others, including at least one juvenile, broke into 37 businesses, police said. The suspects would force entry into the business. Lottery tickets and other miscellaneous items were taken, according to Browns citation. And then the stolen tickets would be cashed a short time after the burglary. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police said the group often used the Kentucky Lotterys mobile app to scan the tickets before cashing in winning tickets. Brown was captured Aug. 24 after lottery tickets were stolen from a Louisville business, police said. She and the 17-year-old suspect went to a separate store to cash in their winnings, according to the complaint. Officers pulled over Brown after she left the second store, and she initially tried to flee by reversing her vehicle into the cops cruisers, police said. After being detained, she admitted to entering businesses on multiple occasions during the lottery ticket heist, police said. Brown also admitted to being the groups getaway driver multiple times, according to police. Brown, the 17-year-old and four others comprised the theft ring, according to court documents. The 17-year-old was arrested, but its unclear if the other four were. Brown was charged with 37 counts of complicity to burglary, 37 counts of criminal mischief and one count each of complicity to engage in organized crime and complicity to receive stolen property over $10,000, records show. Jefferson County District Judge Anne Delahanty released Brown on house arrest, WDRB reported. Im going to take a chance, but I want you to understand, youre 18. Youre very young, Delahanty said during Browns initial court appearance, according to WDRB. Your bond was set in the middle of the night at $10,000 and I think thats appropriate but because of your age and your scores are very, very low and this is the first time youre in trouble as an adult, Im going to put you on home incarceration without any releases. Store worker stole over 750 lottery tickets and cashed in winnings, Texas police say Men scammed Pennsylvania Turnpike out of $1 million in tolls, feds say Cops wife accused of bilking real estate company out of $500,000, Georgia police say FILE - The Ultium Cell factory is seen, July 7, 2023, in Warren, Ohio. Unionized workers at the General Motors joint venture electric vehicle battery plant in Ohio will see pay raises while they continue to negotiate a contract, if they ratify an interim deal announced Thursday, Aug. 24. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) DETROIT (AP) Unionized workers at a General Motors joint venture electric vehicle battery plant in Ohio will see pay raises while they continue to negotiate a contract, if they ratify an interim deal announced Thursday. The United Auto Workers union said that the 1,100 workers at the Ultium Cells plant near Warren, Ohio, will get $3 to $4 per hour increases as well as thousands of dollars in back pay. They'll vote on the interim deal in the coming days. Ultium Cells said the average increase is 25%, and it would be effective on Aug. 28. Since it's retroactive, workers would get $3,000 to $7,000 as well, based on the hours they have worked. Workers at the plant, jointly owned by battery maker LG Energy Solution, now start at $16.50 per hour, which UAW President Shawn Fain has criticized as too low. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement UAW Vice President Mike Booth said the interim deal is still far short of what the workers should get given the skill level needed to do the jobs. We have been clear with Ultium: This wage increase is just the start, Booth said in a statement. Providing this wage increase is the right thing to do for our team members, all of whom contribute so much to Ultium Cells growth and success, Ultium Cells said. This is just a first step. We continue to bargain in good faith with the UAW to reach a comprehensive contract for our employees, including a final wage scale. The union is negotiating a contract with Ultium Cells, but it also wants the Ohio battery plant and nine others in the U.S. announced by GM, Stellantis and Ford to be included in the UAW national contracts with the automakers. It's pushing for workers to make top union assembly plant wages of $32 per hour. All but one of the plants are joint ventures with South Korean battery makers. Many in the industry say it will take fewer workers to make electric vehicles than it does to manufacture vehicles with combustion engines. The union says workers who may lose jobs at engine and transmission plants will need a place to go once the country makes a transition to electric vehicles. Many of the worlds corporations may be responsible for climate damages far greater than their annual profits, a new study has found. For the biggest polluters worldwide the fossil fuel-dependent power industry that means potential legal liabilities around seven times their annual profits, four economists from leading universities wrote Thursday in Science. The average corporate carbon damages [are] economically large, the economists wrote. Those climate damages result from a choice on the part of regulators, co-author Michael Greenstone of the University of Chicago told The HIll. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Thats because the key to bringing those emissions down is forcing firms to disclose them and creating penalties for failing to do so, Greenstone said. While agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission have proposed making such disclosures mandatory, to date, that has not been a requirement, he added. It has also been politically controversial: The GOP has made a campaign against mandatory climate disclosure a key plank of its platform, as The Hill has reported. In the absence of rigorous information, the researchers made use of publicly available data based on 15,000 companies voluntary disclosures. Then they multiplied those numbers by an estimated social cost of carbon a metric of the damage done by every ton of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere. While most firms were responsible for a lot of damage, they write, culpability was not equal. The team found a wide range of climate costs across firms, industries, firms within industries, and countries. Among companies who are basically doing the same thing, some emitted more than others producing the same product, a sign that its possible to produce the product without such heavy emissions, Greenstone said. In those instances, government regulators could require particularly high-emitting businesses within a given sector to shift their emissions down; investors could choose not to invest in them; or plaintiffs could sue them. You can reduce emissions through many different channels, Greenstone said. But mandatory disclosure is the foundation of many forms of carbon policy. Based on the limited data available, researchers concluded that the average firm worldwide could be liable for damages equal to 44 percent of their annual profits. That number was a bit lower for U.S. companies an average of 18.5 percent of profits. But in this case, averages arent very helpful, because even the most polluting sectors energy, power utilities, transportation and agriculture have stark variations in their potential carbon damage. Worldwide, energy companies in the bottom 10 percent of emitters could have caused carbon damages equivalent to 4.5 percent of their annual profits. But global energy companies in the top 90 percent and above could be responsible for carbon damages of nearly four times their annual profits or comparatively 100 times as much as those bottom-ranked energy companies. In the U.S., the 90th-percentile polluters in the most carbon-intensive sectors were also responsible for damages in excess of their annual profits. That meant 234 percent for energy; 178 percent for food, beverages and tobacco; 201 percent for materials, including concrete to petrochemicals; and 342 percent for utilities. But theres one big caveat, the authors note: These numbers are likely significant underestimates because they come almost entirely from disclosures that those companies have made voluntarily companies that face no penalties for misreporting. This underscores the need for mandatory and verified emissions reporting, they write. They note that financial markets cant discipline high polluters through lower stock prices if they dont know how many tons of greenhouse gasses those companies release a core demand of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement. Finally, the need to reveal their emissions a source of potential embarrassment and even legal liability creates a good incentive for companies for bring them down, they wrote. While many companies worldwide have net-zero policies, those claims are difficult to evaluate against the companys actual actions. The economists argue that climate legislation without legal teeth to punish companies that dont comply or that mislead investors will struggle to be anything more than ad hoc. Greenstone cautioned it was inappropriate and incorrect to lay all this blame at the feet of the companies themselves. When it comes to parsing out the relative responsibility between companies and consumers, he said, we dont have the data for it. More to the point, he argued, such blame isnt necessary: regulatory change is. Companies respond to the regulatory and policy playing field, he said. If there was a carbon price of $200 a ton, the companies would figure out how to deal with it. They might be painful for them, but they would figure out how to do it. But right now, he noted, our national carbon price is effectively zero. The findings in Science do not specifically focus on the idea of litigation to make companies pay those damages. But their publication comes amid a new wave of litigation against fossil fuel companies and the legislatures that have reflexively encouraged and subsidized their use. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. a satellite photo of a plane crash site surrounding by grassy fields and trees, with 20 or so vehicles nearby. A satellite has spotted the wreckage of the plane that went down in northwestern Russia on Wednesday (Aug. 23), apparently with Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin on board. The plane, an executive jet built by Brazilian company Embraer, was flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg when it went down. Prigozhin was on the passenger list, as were some other top-level members of the Wagner Group, the private military company that Prighozin led. There were no survivors, according to Russian officials. On Thursday (Aug. 24), a satellite operated by San Francisco-based company Planet snapped a photo of the crash site, which is a grassy area surrounded by trees. The destroyed plane is clearly visible in the shot, as are several dozen vehicles, which are likely part of the recovery and investigative effort. Related: Russia's invasion of Ukraine as seen in satellite photos ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement That investigation is very much open at the moment, as the cause of the crash remains unknown. But it may not have been an accident. "The Baza news outlet, which has good sources among law enforcement agencies, reported that investigators were focusing on a theory that one or two bombs may have been planted on board," Reuters reported on Thursday. U.S. officials also consider a strike by a surface-to-air missile a possibility at this point, Reuters added. RELATED STORIES: Photos of Earth by Planet's satellites (gallery) Russian invasion of Ukraine: How it's affecting Europe's space plans The top 10 views of Earth from space Foul play would certainly not be shocking, given the nature of Prighozin's work and the strange and dramatic turn it took recently. The Wagner Group has long acted as an arm of the Russian military, fighting in a number of conflicts around the world, including the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In late June, however, Prighozhin led a mutiny against the Russian armed forces and threatened to march his troops on Moscow. Prighozin ended up standing down from that threat, but the rebellion certainly complicated his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I had known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the start of the '90s," Putin said during televised remarks after the plane crash, according to Reuters. "He was a man with a difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life." Planet is best known for its constellation of Dove cubesats, which can resolve features as small as 10 feet (3 meters) on Earth's surface. But Thursday's photo was taken by a SkySat, a minifridge-sized craft with even sharper eyes: SkySats have a resolution of about 28 inches (72 centimeters). X apparently took two days to delete the account of the man suspected of killing Laura Ann Carleton. The killing happened because Carleton had a Pride flag outside her California clothing store, officials have said. More hate speech has been on X, possibly due to mass layoffs and Musk 's "free speech absolutism." The man suspected of killing California business owner Laura Ann "Lauri" Carleton over the Pride flag outside her store apparently used X to share his homophobic views. The platform took two days to remove his account, according to CNN. He used his account to share anti-gay and antisemitic posts, CNN reported. The account had a pinned tweet of an image of a rainbow Pride flag on fire. In a since-deleted post, Alejandra Caraballo, a clinical instructor at Harvard Law School Cyberlaw Clinic, wrote on X that she tried to report the suspect's account. However, she got a response back from X saying the account hadn't broken safety policies, the CNN report says. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to the Wayback Machine, the account was still up on August 23, but by August 24, it was suspended. The killing occurred on August 18 at 5 p.m., according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. X has not responded to Insider's request for comment ahead of this article's publication. The victim of the shooting, Carleton, owned a clothing store called Mag Pi in Southern California. Carleton, 66, was not a member of the LGBTQ+ community but was an ally who had a rainbow Pride flag hanging in front of her store. The shooting death of Carleton is now being investigated as a hate crime. The suspect and owner of the now-suspended X account was eventually identified as Travis Ikeguchi, according to USA Today. Before shooting Carleton, he stood outside of the store making negative comments about the pride flag, according to SBSD. The suspect was killed by police after shooting Carleton. The consequences of layoffs and "free-speech absolutism?" Ever since Elon Musk took over the platform in 2022, things have been a little different, for better or for worse. In March 2022 Musk described himself as a "free speech absolutist." He criticized X, which was then called Twitter, for its policies, which he believed encouraged censorship and went against free speech. However, X has also been slower to respond to reports and more hate speech has been seen on the platform. This is according to information from the European Commission that was released in November. For example, the use of the N-word spiked 500% in the 12 hours after Musk bought the platform. Hateful language against women, Jewish people, and the LGBTQ+ community was also noticeably higher The platform also saw major layoffs after Musk took over. Eighty percent of the company's staff were laid off, according to a BBC interview with Musk. Before Musk's takeover, the company had 7,800 employees. As of April, the company only had 1,500 employees. A smaller team may be the reason why the platform is taking longer to respond to serious situations. And with more hate speech bypassing moderation, those with plans to harm others may go unnoticed. Read the original article on Business Insider [Source] Venture capitalist Garry Tan is calling out hard leftists in San Francisco for using his image in a cartoon that allegedly mimicked a poster published during the period of the Chinese Exclusion Act. The image: Posted by Techbro SF, the image in question depicts the Y Combinator president and CEO as an octopus with several local organizations as his tentacles. It came with a dedicated web page titled Garry Tantacles. What Tan is saying: Tan reposted the image on X on Saturday, noting that whoever made it has extreme brain worms. He made light of the graphic by calling it hilarious and encouraged support for the groups it had mentioned, including Families for San Francisco, San Francisco Parent Action and the San Francisco Standard, to name a few. Alleged basis: On Monday, Tan posted an image of what appears to be the inspiration behind the cartoon: an Asian man portrayed as an octopus with multiple social issues for tentacles. NextShark looked into the image and found that it was an editorial cartoon released by The Bulletin, an Australian magazine that ran from 1880 to 2008. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The cartoon, titled The Mongolian Octopus Its Grip on Australia, was published on Aug. 21, 1886. At the time, Chinese xenophobia was rife in the West, with laws such as the U.S. Chinese Exclusion Act and Canadas Chinese Immigration Act under enforcement. More from NextShark: Let it rip!: Live-action Beyblade movie to be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer for Paramount The hard leftists in San Francisco are actually openly racist against Asian Americans https://t.co/LuMl21OrdN pic.twitter.com/bGIRB7mVv8 Garry Tan e/acc (@garrytan) August 21, 2023 More from NextShark: #TheyCantBurnUsAll Movement Makes Its Way to Los Angeles and San Francisco Behind the criticism: It is not explicitly stated why Techbro SF chose to target Tan. It is also unknown who is behind the image and the website. The Tantacles web page appears to sarcastically highlight Tans connections to excellent orgs and people, which supposedly lead to Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Californias Republican Party, among others. In response to a comment, Tan called it a great site, except for the weird linking me to Trump thing which is LOL. Tan, however, is vocal on local politics: for one, he is a known critic of former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin. He donated $100,000 to last year's recall campaign, according to Open Secrets, a website that tracks political donations. Reactions: Regardless of the reason behind the cartoon, it is now being slammed as racist and anti-Asian. Stand With Asians, a volunteer group formed amid the height of anti-Asian hate, denounced the cartoon on Instagram. When you see anti-Asian imagery that harkens back to Chinese Exclusion Act era posters, do something about it, the group said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stand with Asians (@standwithasians) Others replied on X: Oh wow. I didnt get the tentacle reference at first, but thats pretty deplorable. Andrew Ruiz (@then_there_was) August 21, 2023 SF is > 40% asian if you, @kane, @ManKitLam4, @tszzl and some young technology influencers can unite all the asians, we can overturn any hard leftist I think the challenge though is Asians have historically internalized oppression and have never spoken up on anything political dennis (@dennis__xing) August 22, 2023 The thing about people who have convinced themselves they're "on the right side of History" is that they can't conceive of themselves being wrong or indeed evil. James Clark \_()_/ (@mr_james_c) August 22, 2023 Its wild how they manage to betray all the things they purportedly stand for Bobby Goodlatte (@rsg) August 21, 2023 Health officials on Thursday announced the first West Nile virus death this year in Yolo County, the countys first reported human fatality from the mosquito-borne disease in five years. The Yolo County resident who died succumbed to the infection after experiencing symptoms consistent with neuroinvasive West Nile virus disease, according to a news release. County officials did not release any further details about the person who died. The death is the first from West Nile virus in the county since 2018. The county already has recorded more human West Nile virus cases than it did last year, according to Thursdays news release. Public health officials have identified eight cases of West Nile virus among Yolo County residents to date in 2023, compared to three total human cases last year. Health officials said they have seen cases of severe neuroinvasive disease in younger people this season, which shows the need to take West Nile virus prevention seriously regardless of your age. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This tragic death underscores the importance of preventing mosquito bites, Yolo County Public Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson said in the news release. While most West Nile virus infections have no symptoms, some people get very sick and may die, especially older adults and people with underlying conditions or weakened immune systems. The Yolo County death was reported one day after health officials announced the first reported West Nile virus death this year in Sacramento County. The person who died was in their 70s, had underlying chronic disease and had been hospitalized with neuroinvasive West Nile virus. West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Health officials said symptoms usually develop within a week after being bit by an infected mosquito. West Nile virus symptoms may include fever, nausea, headaches, and muscle aches, lasting from a few days to several weeks. While most people infected have no symptoms, severe complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis or even death can occur, particularly in those older than 60 years old or with compromised immune systems. Sisson said 2023 has been a bad mosquito and West Nile virus year. One in four mosquito samples in the county is testing positive for West Nile virus. The health officer urged residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. As of last Friday, officials had confirmed 26 human cases of West Nile virus in California this year. In 2022, there were 207 human cases detected in the state, according to the California Department of Public Health. The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District has been monitoring the mosquito population on the ground, identifying areas with West Nile virus detected in bird and mosquito samples. District officials said test results last week confirmed 83 mosquito samples tested positive, a sharp increase especially in Davis and Woodland, where much of the West Nile virus activity is concentrated. The district has been using planes this summer to spray aerial treatments to reduce the mosquito population in those areas. It has been a very intense season for West Nile virus, and the risk of becoming sick is very real, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District manager Gary Goodman said in Thursdays news release. The district warned residents on Monday about the spread of West Nile virus as activity remained intense and widespread throughout Sacramento and Yolo counties. We are very concerned about the intense activity, especially since we are still in the middle of the summer and typically we dont see a decrease in mosquitoes until mid-September, Goodman warned Monday. Authorities with the local district offered these tips to reduce mosquito exposure: Drain any stagnant water to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, are times to limit outdoor activities. Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors. Defend against mosquitoes by using effective insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil ofLemon Eucalyptus. Make sure door and window screens are intact to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes. For assistance, call the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District at 1-800-429-1022 to address mosquito concerns. Wednesday was a historic day on the Onondaga Nation as Tadodaho (Chief) Sid Hill greeted New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) to the homelands of the Onondaga Nation for discussions to improve relations between his tribal nation and the State of New York. It was the first visit to the Onondaga Nation by a governor of the Empire state in over 50 years. Hill was joined by representatives from the Council of Chiefs and Clan Mothers in the Onondaga Nation Longhouse. We extend our gratitude in hosting Governor Hochul, an occurrence that marks the first visit by a Governor of New York to our Longhouse in no less than five decades. Anticipating collaboration with both her and State officials, our focus rests on securing the educational and healthcare support that our treaties guarantee for our community members, Tadodaho Hill said. 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. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Gov. Hochul called the visit a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the Onondaga Nation and the State of New York. This meeting follows the momentous event of returning over 1,000 acres of land to the Onondaga Nation. During our constructive and profound conversations, we delved into the distinct challenges that the Onondaga Nation faces, Gov. Hochul said. Moreover, we explored avenues through which our two administrations can collaborate, notably in the realms of education and healthcare. Our pledge involves sustaining an ongoing discourse regarding these pivotal matters and fostering a respectful partnership in the years that lie ahead." Gov. Hochul was referring to the land return in June 2022 which was one of the largest transfers from a state to an Indigenous nationwas part of a 2018 Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration settlement. The settlement is an agreement between the Dept. of the Interiors trustees U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the landowner, Honeywell International Inc., to transfer the land title back to the Onondaga Nation. Constructive dialogue serves as the cornerstone of amicable government-to-government interactions. We concur that the restitution of 1,000 acres at the origins of Onondaga Creek stands as a long-delayed acknowledgment of the imperative to reverse the environmental deterioration of the land and waters that have nurtured our people since well before the arrival of European settlers, Tadodaho Hill said. We hope this juncture signals the inception of an enduring and fruitful dialogue geared toward reinstating harmony and equity on our ancestral territories. The Onondaga Nation aspires for this meeting to accelerate the course of truth and healing between our two governance bodies, as we labor collectively toward enduring justice, serenity, and consideration for all who inhabit this regionthe very homeland of the Onondaga Nation and its populace. Tadodaho Hill continued. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net FILE - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters about end of session legislative bills and a swearing-in ceremony, June 7, 2023, in Albany, N.Y. On Thursday, Aug. 24, Hochul implored President Joe Biden to take urgent action to help her state absorb a surge of international migrants who have strained resources and filled homeless shelters putting some Democrats in a vulnerable position in a state usually seen as immigrant-friendly. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday implored President Joe Biden to take urgent action to help her state absorb a surge of international migrants who have strained resources and filled homeless shelters putting some Democrats in a vulnerable position in a state usually seen as immigrant-friendly. In a rare public address, Hochul said she had sent the president a letter asking him to expedite work permits for migrants and provide financial resources to help care for the estimated 100,000 asylum seekers who have come to the state in the last year, mostly to New York City. "The reality is that weve managed thus far without substantive support from Washington, and despite the fact that this is a national, and indeed an inherently federal issue, Hochul said in speech delivered in Albany. But New York has shouldered this burden for far too long. The public plea comes after months of private requests to the White House. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The central request of the governor's letter was for the president to speed up the months-long bureaucratic process under which migrants can obtain work permits, and earn enough money to get off of public assistance. Let them work, Hochul said, in remarks directed at the White House. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, also a Democrat, has repeatedly made an identical demand. A White House spokesperson did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. New York has always prided itself on its ability to absorb waves of immigrants, but it has struggled to handle the thousands who have come over the past year, many on buses paid for by the state of Texas to rid itself of people entering the U.S. across the southern border. New York Democrats initially blamed Republican governors of southern states for the crisis, but have increasingly sought to characterize it is a national problem that should be solved by the federal government. The situation has also provided Republicans in the state with a new political front from which to attack Democrats after an election year where the GOP made gains by criticizing Democrats as slow to respond to concerns over crime. Kathy Hochuls solution after twiddling her thumbs after so many months is to write a strongly worded letter to Joe Biden? Come on, its not serious, said David Laska, New York Republican Party spokesperson. The situation has also created tension between Democrats. As New York City's homeless shelter system became overwhelmed, and the cost of housing migrants in hotels and temporary shelters mounted, Adams began organizing bus trips of his own to take migrants to other parts of the state, to the frustration of officials in those communities. Lawyers for Hochul and Adams have sparred in court over how best to house and expend resources to care for the migrants. The state has earmarked up to $1.5 billion for its migrant response. Hochul asked Biden for financial assistance to help cover those costs and a projected $4.5 billion needed next year. In addition, the governor requested that the city and state be allowed to use federally-owned properties to house migrants. New York City shelters have been at near capacity and officials have scrambled to set up temporary housing in hotels, recreational centers, school gyms and a hospital parking lot. The city is legally obligated to find shelter for anyone needing it. Republicans are already seeing the response to this wave of migrants as an opportunity for campaigning in the 2024 election. New Yorkers wont forget what happened on Kathy Hochuls watch, Laska said. They wont forget that communities from all over the state have been strained beyond their ability to handle this influx of migrants and the real solution is to close the border. SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Lawmakers of the South Korean main opposition Democratic Party marched in downtown Seoul on Friday to express their strong opposition to Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean. The lawmakers gathered at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, holding placards that read "Don't kill the ocean of life," and "Withdraw Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater dumping." The gathering came a day after Japan started discharging the first batch of radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. "Japan threatened humanity all over the world with guns and swords during World War II. This time, it is committing terrorism by harming the environment and threatening the health of humankind around the world to save money," Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, told reporters. Lee urged Tokyo to opt for other approaches, such as storing it on land, rather than the detrimental and much-criticized marine dumping which sparked waves of opposition in neighboring countries. "Japan dump (the wastewater) into the ocean to save money, so can't we tell them to store it on land with the money we pay? Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater is a crime against humanity," Lee noted. Together with Seoul residents, the Democratic Party lawmakers marched around 5 km from the square to the presidential office, shouting slogans of "Stop marine dumping" and wearing a shoulder strap printed with "Stop dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater." Near the presidential office, the lawmakers also used scissors to tear apart a long yellow cloth marked with radiation danger, a demonstration of their demand to cut off the passage of the radioactive wastewater from Japan. Kim Yong-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said the party's protest rally was staged to pressure the South Korean government to properly raise voice over the discharge in the international community and take all possible measures such as a lawsuit with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea against the Japanese government. "At 1:00 yesterday afternoon, Japan released Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater, and I came out here because I couldn't stand it now," Nam Jong-seob, a member of the Gyeonggi provincial assembly, told Xinhua. Nam said the entire ocean would eventually be contaminated by the Fukushima wastewater, vowing to make efforts to prevent it by doing a lot of resistance movements. "The ocean is a common asset of humankind. No country has the right to monopolize it, nor should it. The ocean is not solely owned by our current generation. I think our present task is to pass it on to future generations devoid of damage as much as possible," Kim Seo-jin, a civic activist, told Xinhua. Kim believed South Korean people would boycott Japanese fishery products as it was the only thing people could do to express their opposition to the Japanese government. Hit by a massive earthquake and an ensuing tsunami in March 2011, the Fukushima power plant suffered core meltdowns and generated a massive amount of water tainted with radioactive substances from cooling down the nuclear fuel. Volodymyr Zelenskyy , President of Ukraine, had a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Joe Biden on the occasion of Ukraines Independence Day, during which the two leaders discussed the supply of F-16 fighters and bringing Russia to justice. Source: European Pravda with reference to the White House Quote: "On behalf of the American people, President Biden expressed his admiration for the bravery and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom and their secure future." Details: The leaders of the states reportedly spoke about speeding up the approval process for other nations to transfer their aircraft to Ukraine after the exercises are completed, as well as the start of the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement President Biden reaffirmed the United States' resolve to support Ukraine in fending off Russian aggression for however long it takes and to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Background: Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden held talks, Zelenskyy announced on Facebook Aug. 25. Zelenskyy thanked Biden for his Independence Day greetings and stated the U.S. took the lead in rallying global support for Ukraine. This crucial leadership enabled our struggle and bent the arc of history toward good. Zelenskyy stated. Together, Ukraine and the U.S. prove that freedom and independence are worth fighting for, he said. Zelenskyy thanked Biden, the U.S. Congress, and all Americans. "You can count on Ukraine protecting our shared values," he emphasized. Biden announced on Aug. 24 that the U.S. would impose new sanctions against Russia to hold accountable those involved in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories to Russia. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement A list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions for their involvement in the deportation of children was published by the U.S. Treasury Department. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine County Smoak, a barbecue restaurant located at 7423 Timberlake Road, announced it is opening County Sunrise, new breakfast and brunch spot. Ken and Jessica Hess, owners of the business, announced on Instagram and Facebook the restaurant will open at 2225 Lakeside Drive near Paulies Barber Shop and Givens Books in early October. They said they have been wanting to add breakfast items and other dishes to the menu but due to the size limitations at their location on Timberlake, they needed to expand. This will be a Southern Brunch spot meets Jewish Deli, the post states. The menu includes traditional southern breakfast favorites such as chicken and waffles, eggs, county ham as well as traditional Jewish flavors like shakshuka eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce and blintz a cream-filled pancake, similar to a crepe. Smoked meats from County Smoak also will be available for Reubens, club sandwiches and chefs salads as well as pork and brisket hash, smash burgers and a loco moco Hawaiian dish with hamburger, gravy and a fried egg. SEWARD Matthew 18: 6-7 If anyone causes one of these little ones those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to st NEW YORK (AP) About 2 in 3 Americans say their household expenses have risen over the last year, but only about 1 in 4 say their income has increased in the same period, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Do you remember the movie Its a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart? At the crux of the story, Clarence the angel shows George Bailey, the main character, what the community of Bedford Falls would look like without the Bailey Savings and Loan. What George sees, and experiences, breaks his heart. Without the savings and loans influence over the years, the community looked very different in a very discouraging way. I couldnt help but think of that movie as I considered the growing crisis in our nation concerning the Fourth Pillar. And then I thought, what would Norfolk and Northeast/North Central Nebraska look like if the Daily News were not here? What would be the consequences? For 136 years, beginning with my great-great-grandfather, my family has always loved this community. I love this community. We have felt called to serve this community the very best we can. For five generations, we have strived to fulfill the Fourth Pillar of democracy as a strong community advocate keeping citizens informed and those in power accountable, while looking to help and develop our wonderful community any way we can. Regardless of the issue, no matter how contentious, we have sought to report the facts accurately from all sides of a story so each citizen could be well-informed and have an educated voice and vote. Debate sharpens truth and leads to the best solutions for the difficult issues that arise in a community. Thus, through our Commentary page both in print and online we have always purposed to be a community forum, encouraging and facilitating vigorous, thorough, respectful debate. As each community cause, and building project, has come up, we have endeavored to come alongside, helping to inform, solicit, encourage, affirm and celebrate. As the only independent, locally owned daily newspaper left in the state, we know each of these commitments helps maintain a healthy local democracy, our freedoms, and a growing vibrant community. In the past seven editions of the Daily News, we have sought to awaken, educate and mobilize our quarter of the state to respond to the growing crisis in our country concerning the Fourth Estate. Without a trusted, reliable, independent press, democracy and freedom cannot survive. True nationally, true locally. The Founding Fathers organized the four pillars of democracy understanding the Fourth Pillar, an independent press, was crucial to keeping citizens informed and those in power accountable; to ensure freedom for its citizens; and to prevent abuse or inappropriate control by authority. They understood that without a trusted, reliable, independent press, democracy and freedom cannot survive. True nationally, true locally. Unfortunately, thousands of communities, and counties, across our nation are now news deserts, and they are suffering the consequences. We have shared several of those heartbreaking stories over the last week. Through this series, we have outlined much of what your local Daily News provides you, and thus what would be lost if we were no longer here. Ultimately, without a trusted, reliable, local press providing accountability and reporting facts from all sides through in-depth coverage, corruption and unchecked power can take over. Think of all the important, informative reporting on city government (regarding planning, taxes, zoning, salaries, etc.), school boards (with all the issues of today), county and district boards like the NRD, local industry and community issues, etc. What if that ended? Social media, in and of itself, is not trusted, reliable news. Individuals on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms are often more intent on influencing and sharing propaganda. Or worse, spreading and feeding lies. Most are not trained journalists committed to reporting truth and facts from all sides of a story. To continue advocating for our great community as the Fourth Pillar of democracy in our quarter of the state, we need your help. Our costs, both in raw materials and delivery, have increased substantially in some cases by more than 30%. Unlike many businesses, we cannot pass all of those costs on to our customers. So what can each of you do to protect the Fourth Pillar, protect trusted, reliable, in-depth local journalism, and thus democracy and freedom in our quarter of the state? Subscribe and advertise with the Norfolk Daily News. Those who already subscribe, please know we are deeply grateful for your support. It is truly a pleasure to serve you. Those who presently do not, we invite you to subscribe to stay accurately well-informed. Know whats truly going on in your community. Whether you want your news in print, or online, your Daily News subscription costs substantially less than any other daily newspaper in the state. We maintain a lower price to help ensure as many citizens as possible stay well-informed. Essential to the survival of trusted, reliable, local journalism is the financial support of businesses in the community through advertising. If you value what your local Daily News provides you and our wonderful community advertise your businesses, products and services with us. It will benefit you as well. Our array of online products and tools including website, app, Twitter, Facebook, email blasts, etc., are even more extensive than our print products. Our print edition, with a circulation of more than 8,000 paid households six days per week, is one of the highest percent of coverage per capita in the country. Any business wanting quality, and total market coverage of our quarter of the state, can reach 20,000-plus households through our print edition and our Daily News Plus. Our website, norfolkdailynews.com, generates the largest traffic in Northeast Nebraska with more than 1.3 million page views by approximately 80,000 unique devices per month. Thus, very effective tools to augment any businesses marketing campaign. Wont you help us, and your business, by utilizing our products and services? We cannot maintain our role as the Fourth Pillar in Northeast and North Central Nebraska without your support. Advertising with us will benefit your business and ensure your local Daily News remains strong to advocate for our great community, and region, for generations to come. The Fourth Pillar of democracy, and thus our freedoms, will endure or be lost based on what each of us in our community chooses. We began this series with the headline Final Edition Or is it? The Fourth Pillar of democracy, and thus our freedoms, will endure or be lost based on what each of us in our community chooses. Again, for many communities across our nation, it is too late, and they are already suffering the consequences. Not just cities, but whole counties are becoming news deserts. It is not too late in Norfolk and our quarter of the state. Wont you each subscribe and advertise? We continue to feel called to this and, by the grace of God, we are in this for the long haul for our wonderful community, for our great nation, for our democracy and our freedom. Are you in it with us? We believe you are. It is a part of what, for generations, has made us such a wonderful community. We each continually do all we can, each with what he has, helping our community become the best it can be striving to leave it better than we found it, better for generations to come. Isnt it amazing, truly a blessing, to be a part of such a wonderful Bedford Falls-like community? George Bailey thought so. So do I. We believe you do, too. Lets each do all we can to Protect the Pillar, and thus our freedoms ... for all of us, for our children and the generations to come. Click here to read "Protect the Pillar Series" We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Morocco on Thursday called on the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Addis Ababa to improve African governance of cyberspace. At a meeting of the AU PSC held via videoconference and dedicated to a communication on the development of a common position on cybersecurity in Africa, the Kingdom also called for respect for the principles of international law applicable in cyberspace. The Moroccan delegation cited sovereignty in cyberspace, the prohibition of interference in the internal and external affairs of States, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prohibition of the threat or use of force, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. In order to establish a robust global legal architecture for cyberspace, several levels of regulation must be taken into account, interrelated at the national level, in particular the security of each countrys information systems, as well as at the regional, continental and international levels, the Moroccan delegation affirmed. At the national level, Morocco has decided to establish mechanisms to protect and defend the information systems of government departments, public institutions and vital infrastructures, and to raise awareness among businesses and the general public of the challenges and risks posed by IT threats, the Moroccan delegation stressed. To address the risks posed by the use of information and telecommunications technologies, the Kingdom has been committed since 2003 to establishing a legislative and regulatory framework to monitor cyber activities and ensure the security of citizens and critical infrastructure against cyber threats, the Moroccan delegation said. Since 2012, Morocco has been committed to strengthening its national information systems security capabilities and consolidating digital trust through the development of a national cybersecurity strategy and a national directive on information systems security, whose mission is to raise and standardize the level of protection of all information systems of public administrations and organizations, as well as infrastructures of vital importance, the Moroccan delegation added. At the international level, Morocco considers that international cooperation is essential to enable States to meet the challenges of cybersecurity and stresses the key role of the United Nations in promoting dialogue among its Member States in order to define a common understanding of implementation. Morocco supports the efforts made within the framework of the United Nations on cybersecurity, the Moroccan delegation affirmed, recalling that the Kingdom has always supported the establishment by the General Assembly of all open-ended working groups on the issue of cybersecurity in the context of international security, and actively participates in the various meetings organized in the framework of these groups. TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran has reached an agreement with South Africa to "develop and equip" five refineries in the African state, said Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on Friday. The agreement was reached on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, the president said in a statement. Under the agreement, the Iranian Oil Ministry will help to develop five refineries in South Africa by exporting "technical and engineering services," said the statement. Earlier this month, Iran and South Africa convened the 15th session of the Joint Commission of Economic Cooperation in the latter's administrative capital Pretoria, after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor inked a document on economic cooperation. As was expected, the BRICS put Algeria in its place by rejecting its long sought after bid to join the group, which announced it will welcome six new countries with a diversified and higher growth economies. The group agreed to admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates following its summit in Johannesburg. The Algerian regime, thirsty for whatsoever international gains, was deflated by BRICS nations who deemed the oil and gas dependent Algerian economy unworthy of joining the group that has some of the Worlds rapidly growing economies. For over a year, Algeria has been punching above its weight asking officially to join BRICS with President Tebboune openly courting Russia to help it access the grouping of the fast-growing emerging economies. Tebboune was seen begging in Moscow for a BRICS membership evoking political reasons while indulging in clumsy praise of Putin by playing on the chord of anti-Western sentiment. Myopic to his countrys actual economic and political weight, Tebbounes arrogantly told Chinese state TV that Algeria represents to Africa what China represents to the world! While the rejection of Algerias membership was foreseeable, the Algerian president refused to see reality as he is preferring instead to lie to his people by promising an eminent adhesion to the bloc. He even tried to lure BRICS members by offering to continue in their development bank NDB. But his hopes crashed on the realities of Algerias frail economy and sluggish growth rates. The admission of Ethiopia raised eye-brows among some pro-regime commentators in Algeria who omitted to realize the impressive growth the Ethiopian economy witnessed in recent years which averaged 10% from 2004 to 2017. As a state-dominated economy with an unattractive investment climate and an underdeveloped banking system, Algeria came to embody all that is wrong with the African economy. Nowhere is the resource curse more rampant than Algiers, whose economic growth is pegged on the price of gas and to a lower extent of the barrel. The omission of Algeria from the list of new members also shows that economic influence is what matters for the BRICS which proved that it is unwilling to admit a military-run state like Algeria that has nothing to offer but anachronic rhetoric. BRICS group said it backs an enduring and mutually acceptable political solution to the Sahara issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions. This came in a statement issued at the end of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in South Africa, whose government attempted in vain to use the summit to promote the Algeria-backed separatist thesis in the territory. On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, South Africa hosted a BRICS-Africa summit to which it invited the head of the Polisario separatist militia Brahim Ghali. Ghali arrived in South Africa on board an Algerian presidential airplane to read the final statement of the BRICS which gave its backers in Africa (Algeria and South Africa) a cold shower by stressing the primacy of the UN process. South Africa and Algeria have- since Morocco joined the African Union- failed to create a parallel process by enmeshing the African Union in the conflict. Morocco has said it rejected the invitation of South Africa to attend the BRICS summit, citing attempts by the host country to derail the event from its purpose to serve an undeclared agenda. Morocco also mentioned the negative stands of South Africa on the Sahara issue, while stressing that it has three strategic partnerships with the other BRICS members. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings . Members of Lincoln Countys new inland port authority board Monday will hear two speakers and continue discussing their operational structure and legal issues and questions at their second monthly meeting. The Nebraska International Port of the Plains board, which runs the countys budding rail park near Hershey, will convene at 2 p.m. at the authoritys headquarters in the former Greenbrier Rail Services building, 18610 W. Highway 30. Board members, who held the authoritys initial organizational meeting July 31, are scheduled to hear from Union Pacific Railroad official Todd Hackel and Paul Hentschke of TranSystems, an engineering consultant based in Fort Worth, Texas. A Trump supporter outside the Fulton County Jail, where Trump surrendered to authorities on August 24. Photo: Fulton County Sheriffs O/ffice Donald Trump arrived at the Fulton County Jail a little after 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, ready for his mug shot. Hundreds of sweaty onlookers had converged on the press-and-protester pen on Rice Street in Atlanta 94-degree heat, flies attacking from every angle to witness Trumps arrest and share how they felt about it. They are fucking your children at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! screamed one barefoot woman wearing a red dress. Trump did not address the reporters or supporters gathered outside several of whom had waited nearly 12 hours to see him and were drenched and visibly exhausted and left 20 minutes later using the same back door hed entered. Those 20 minutes, inauspicious as they may have felt on the ground, turned out to be the bell sounding the opening of the 2024 presidential race. The queasy thrill that American audiences get from the sensationalistic crime coverage that plagues our evening news crescendoed to a fever pitch at the sight of Trumps mug shot, all golden hair and glowering eyebrows surely an instant contender for one of the most widely circulated images in history. The former president then returned to Twitter for the first time since the January 6 insurrection, proudly posting the mug shot that he was now using as a symbol of defiance. The race against Joe Biden, against his numerous prosecutors, against the time it would take the legal process to run its course was on. The circus at the Fulton County Jail was a testament to how thoroughly Trump still has America in his thrall. His supporters were in the majority, in their dizzying array of Trump-branded merch, and ranged from disarmingly polite (Excuse me, so sorry, mind if I squeeze past?) to the rabid (Obama is a PEDOPHILE!). One anti-Trump protester spotted a group of Blacks for Trump and called them corny; the dozen or so Black members responded by chanting Devil! Devil! Devil! at her in unison, like an incantation. White nationalist Laura Loomer could be seen chasing down a man wearing Halloween-store jail stripes and accusing him of inciting violence, while Marjorie Taylor Greene declared to a gaggle of reporters, This is what communism looks like. This charming atmosphere rivaled that of the previous nights debate stage in Milwaukee, where Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy struggled to convince Republican voters that their personal brands of MAGA sociopathy were preferable to Trumps. But watching them tear into each other as Trump declined to show up was further proof that theyre all still bit characters in his show. Almost all his nominal challengers for the Republican presidential nomination are scared to attack him, setting this primary up as less an election than a coronation. Even at what should be his weakest moment, personally and politically, its hard to avoid the impression that Trump is in his element. The bleakly historic nature of his arrest the first time a former U.S. president has been indicted on criminal charges is largely undercut by the fact that hes outpolling the rest of the GOP primary field by 40 points. So commanding is his lead that hes skipping all of the debates (The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, he wrote on Truth Social) and using that time to cultivate his own media ecosystem. Minutes before Wednesdays debate aired on Fox News, Trump and Tucker Carlson released a 46-minute interview on Twitter (now rebranded as X) that promptly racked up more than 74 million views and counting. His surrender at the jail conveyed a similar knack for manipulating the attention economy: Earlier in the week, several outlets reported that he was arriving in the evening mainly so he could be on TV during prime time. By the time he returned to the Atlanta airport on Thursday, it was clear that Trump had surrendered in only the loosest sense of the word. He was not contrite. I did nothing wrong, he told reporters gathered on the tarmac. Instead, each of his four indictments has offered a new opportunity for martyrdom and fulfilled what always seemed to be his core ambition: being Americas main character, the eternal object of our collective ears and eyeballs. With the jail as his backdrop, the former president had a ready-made accelerant for this burning desire. The fact that the mug shot was produced at such a notoriously filthy and overcrowded detention facility, which Trump may never actually set foot inside, is another sign of the situations perverse irony. It makes it look like the ex-president is being treated like a common criminal, with Fulton County sheriff Patrick Labat declaring that it doesnt matter your status, well have a mug shot ready for you. But while Labat and District Attorney Fani Willis and the regions other power brokers benefit from the impression of a blindfolded Lady Justice, the county jail is practically bursting at the seams with poor Black people. Its a remarkable turnaround after Trump was left for dead in 2021 and banned from his preferred social-media platform. He spent years in crotchety solitude at Mar-a-Lago, then launched what looked like an extremely ill-advised presidential campaign, all with the coup-related indictments looming. His surrender in Georgia was a coming-out party of sorts, a reminder of what he really is. Trumps inescapability suggests that hes the closest thing American politics has to an elemental force, an entity that controls the weather and contorts everything around him. Theres a chance that the Fulton County prosecution is what finally does him in, but until then were in the middle of his storm. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Image This weeks 60th anniversary of the March on Washington will surely include reminiscences and replays of the stirring I Have a Dream oration with which Martin Luther King Jr. famously concluded the original 1963 demonstration. The Reverend Al Sharpton and the marchs other organizers have framed this years event with the slogan Its Not a Commemoration, Its a Continuation! We March On! The march agenda should include a vow to challenge the Supreme Courts disastrous decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which has declared it unconstitutional for universities to consider race when making admissions decisions even if the goal is to ameliorate past discrimination. It would be a scandal if the ruling ended our nations 50-year experiment with affirmative action in higher education, of which I am a proud product. There was no reaction when they did this, Sharpton, one of the organizers of the upcoming march, said of the Supreme Court ruling. There should have been outrage everywhere. The muted response from civil-rights activists is partly due to a lack of clarity about how universities are supposed to comply with the courts new prohibition on taking an applicants race into account. Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise, the decision says, while also cautioning that universities may not simply establish through application essays or other means the regime we hold unlawful today. What cannot be done directly cannot be done indirectly. Its not clear how admissions officers will comply with such confusing instructions, but the court was crystal clear about its outright hostility to Harvards efforts to admit classes that ranged between 10 percent and 12 percent Black between 2009 and 2018. That small slice of inclusion was intended to make up for more than three centuries, from the schools founding in 1636 all the way up to the 1970s, when Harvard College typically admitted 12 or fewer Black undergraduates each year, amounting to one percent or less of each class. Harvard Business School admitted a total of 42 Black students between its founding in 1915 and 1968, with many of those classes including no Black members at all. This was not an accident. In the early 1950s, Harvards dean of admissions, Wilbur Bender, wrote a blunt note to a university colleague describing the kind of special boy that an influential faction of the schools alumni wanted more of at the school: The well-dressed, polite, Nordic blonde from a family with an income of $20,000 a year and up, living in a swanky suburb. These are the boys who make the fraternities they go on into insurance or bond selling or advertising or what not and become the background of the Country Club set and have lots of divorces. That all turned around when legal scholar Derek Bok became Harvards president in 1971 and launched a campaign to open the university to more than just that well-born special boy, in ways that came to be known as the Harvard Model. The idea, Bok said, was to intentionally assemble more diverse classes not as a matter of softhearted liberal ideology, but as a duty to build a broader, deeper pool of talent needed to lead an increasingly diverse society and run the global military, commercial, and political institutions at the heart of American power. Selecting a class has much broader purposes than simply rewarding students who are thought to have worked especially hard, Bok wrote in The Shape of the River, an in-depth examination of the use of race and university admissions he co-authored with William Bowen, a former president of Princeton. The job of the admissions staff is not, in any case, to decide who has earned a right to a place in the class, since we do not think that admission to a selective university is a right possessed by anyone. Instead of viewing admissions as a form of private property to be hoarded by the country-club set, wrote Bok and Bowen, universities should serve the public by training and turning out larger, more diverse classes of leaders: In our view, race is relevant in determining which candidates merit admission because taking account of race helps institutions achieve three objectives central to their mission identifying individuals of high potential, permitting students to benefit educationally from diversity on campus, and addressing long-term societal needs. To get the diversity he sought, Bok hired and supported talent-spotting university administrators like David Evans and Walter Leonard, legendary admissions officers who scoured the nations high schools and colleges in search of Black talent and spent the 70s recruiting kids who went on to great fame and fortune. The alumni roster includes Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express; scholar Cornel West; and Dr. Mary Bassett, who later served as health commissioner of New York City and the state. The Harvard Law class of 1978 alone included Ken Frazier, who became CEO of Merck, and legal scholars Chris Edley Jr. (who eventually became dean of the law school at U.C. Berkeley) and Charles Ogletree, whose law students included Barack and Michelle Obama. Another 1978 graduate, Stanley ONeal whose grandfather had been a slave got his degree from Harvard Business School and began a climb that made him CEO of Merrill Lynch. Here in New York, Harvard Law graduates from the Bok era include Hon. Laura Swain, currently chief judge of the Southern District; Hon. Rowan Wilson, chief judge of the state; and Ray McGuire, president of Lazard, the investment-banking powerhouse. All three were on campus during my undergraduate years and surely heard the same pronouncements given to my classmates: that the opening of the admissions door to Black students after 300 years was a rare and precious opportunity and that we had a moral obligation to deliver a meaningful measure of public service in return. Many of my Black college classmates there were about 140 of us took the charge seriously. Anthony Brown joined the Army after graduating and went on to serve as lieutenant governor of Maryland, which he currently represents in Congress. My roommate, Alan Jackson, has spent decades saving lives as a cardiologist serving low-income patients in his hometown of Chicago. Another buddy, the gifted poet and author Fred Moten, is a professor at NYU and recently won a MacArthur genius award. Robert Runcie, a nationally renowned educational leader, was the superintendent of Broward County Public Schools on the fateful day of the Parkland massacre. Dr. Jennifer Howard, a practicing OB/GYN, doubles as president of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. Steve Hawkins got a law degree and went on to run the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and Amnesty International USA. Theresa Clarke became a managing director at Goldman Sachs before founding Africa.com and building out philanthropic efforts in South Africa. I could brag all day about the extraordinary public service delivered by my classmates and other affirmative-action babies. The schools investment in us has paid handsome social benefits, just as Bok, Evans, and Leonard intended. Its a world away from the narrow approach taken by the majority in SFFA v. Harvard, where Chief Justice Roberts curtly and summarily dismissed a half-century of diversity and excellence all those CEOS, attorneys, judges, and professors by baldly stating that college admissions are zero-sum. A benefit provided to some applicants but not to others necessarily advantages the former group at the expense of the latter. Harvards admissions process rests on the pernicious stereotype that a Black student can usually bring something that a white person cannot offer. The dissent by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the Supreme Courts first Puerto Rican member, acidly condemned her colleagues attack on diversity. At bottom, the six unelected members of todays majority upend the status quo based on their policy preferences about what race in America should be like, but is not, and their preferences for a veneer of colorblindness in a society where race has always mattered and continues to matter in fact and in law, she wrote. They make a clear value judgment today: Racial integration in higher education is not sufficiently important to them. It should be a matter of embarrassment, if not outright shame, that half of all Black doctors and lawyers as well as 40 percent of engineers and 80 percent of Black judges graduate from historically Black colleges and universities (the stats were cited, approvingly, in Justice Clarence Thomass concurrence). The Courts conservative majority never explain how thinning the already sparse number of Black students from attending elite colleges and universities will make the country freer, more fair, or better led. It seems that never mattered to them at all. Photo: Stephanie Keith/The New York Times On Wednesday, August 23, 30-year-old Eric Duprey died after a police sergeant struck him with a cooler, causing him to fall off his motorbike. Erik Duran, the 35-year-old sergeant, was suspended without pay following the incident, and the state attorney generals office is leading an investigation into what transpired. Heres what we know so far. The incident On Wednesday evening at 192nd and Aqueduct Streets in the Bronx, undercover narcotics officers were conducting a sting to catch potential drug dealers. The New York Times reports that Duprey was observed selling drugs to one of the disguised cops, prompting the officers to attempt an arrest. Police told the Times that an unidentified man moved the motorbike over to Duprey, who then hopped on and sped away from the officers. A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told the New York Daily News that Duprey was moving north on the bike with the police in pursuit. Then he took a U-turn and was riding on the sidewalk. The cop then took my cooler, which was filled with soda cans, water bottles, and hit him, the witness said. Surveillance video shows Duprey being struck at close range by a man in plainclothes, causing him to hit a tree and then a Jeep Cherokee before hitting the ground. The man in the video was later identified as Duran. Emergency services were called to the scene, but Duprey was later pronounced dead. On Friday, August 25, the citys medical examiner determined Duprey died as a result of blunt force trauma and declared his death a homicide, Spectrum News. Who was Eric Duprey? Duprey was a father of three children, aged 9, 5, 3, according to the Associated Press, sharing the two youngest with his wife Orlyanis Velez. Velez told Gothamist that she has yet to tell her kids about their fathers death. Im just thinking right now how Im going to tell my kids that their fathers not here no more, she said. When they ask me, Why? Because an officer, police, killed my husband. Nobody knows the way that this feels. Erika Duprey Soto, Erics sister, told the Daily News that her brother would sometimes work as a delivery driver for DoorDash and Uber Eats. He used the same scooter for deliveries that he was riding yesterday when he was attacked, she said. She continued, I still cant understand what happened. Hes gone. I loved my brother to death. Gretchen Soto, Dupreys mother, disputed the polices narrative that her son was buying drugs as lies, telling the AP in Spanish that she was on a video call with Duprey at the time. He wasnt fleeing. He wasnt fleeing. He was just on the motorcycle talking to me on the video chat. And he passed by that place when all of a sudden the call cut out, she said. Whether Duprey had a previous criminal record is unclear. A growing memorial of candles and photos has formed at the site of Dupreys death as friends, family, and neighbors mourn his loss. Who is Erik Duran? Duran, a 13-year veteran of the force, has been suspended for 30 days, per the Times. He had been assigned to the Bronxs narcotics division last September. According to police records, Duran has received 17 misconduct complaints over the length of his career, but only one was substantiated. He was disciplined in July after he wrongfully stopped an individual known to the department. Andrew Quinn, a lawyer representing Duran, told the New York Post that theres more to the incident than the brief surveillance video clips show. Once a full and complete investigation is conducted, we are fully confident that Sgt. Duran will be exonerated of any misconduct or wrongdoing, he said. What now? In the statement, the police said that state Attorney General Letitia James office is currently leading the investigation with the departments assistance. The NYPD is committed to ensuring that there will be a full, thorough, and transparent investigation of this incident to determine the facts and to take the appropriate steps forward, the statement read. Calls for Duran to face charges have begun to grow. The Daily News reports that members of a local chapter of Black Lives Matter rallied on Saturday and urged James to act. What were dealing with right now is a murder, said Hawk Newsome, the co-founder of the group. We will protest until Letitia James, our attorney general, indicts this cop for murder. Not manslaughter. Not criminally negligent homicide. But murder. New mothers have been encouraged to donate their placenta to help wounded patients heal. The East Alabama Health and the birth tissue recovery organization telaGen ask that mothers giving birth by C-section at East Alabama Medical Center donate their placenta. A single donation can help up to 50 patients undergoing wound care treatment, which is a procedure that helps various kinds of wounds heal including burns, ulcers, gum disease, spinal therapy and a wide range of surgical procedures. It can be injected into knees, wrapped around tendons and can help with hair transplant regrowth. Essentially what youre doing is youre putting those regenerative proteins anywhere on the body and its going to regenerate healthy functional tissue, said David Hill, the CEO of telaGen and Synergy Biologics. The EAH release said telaGen provides support and education for donor mothers and handles screening, storage and distribution of the tissue. The company is based in Tallahassee, Florida, and active in more than 50 hospitals across the country. Hill said the first time doctors used amniotic tissue on burns was around 1914. By the mid-1980s, he said doctors discovered they could terminally sterilize the tissue safely where nothing would infect the donor recipient during the transplant. Donating birth tissue through telaGen prevents the waste of crucial tissue and allows for the creation of amniotic tissue skin grafts by Synergy Biologics, said the EAH release. These grafts are used during wound treatment procedures to promote healing by improving wound closure and reducing scar formation. Hill said amniotic tissue is in high demand and is highly sought after for wound healing because of its regenerative properties. He said the birth tissue regenerates healthy functional tissue just like it does with the fetus in the womb. The number of births every year in the U.S. is about 3.6 million. Approximately 100,000 placentas are donated each year. Thats only 2.7% of moms out there that are donating, so we need to obviously increase that, Hill said. These donations can make roughly 4 million grafts per year, but there are about 8.2 million patients with non-healing wounds in need regenerative tissue. Hill said telaGens goal is to provide a low-cost alternative for patients that wouldnt normally have access to regenerative tissue. On Thursday, EAH held a Gift of Healing Celebration Ceremony at EAMC to celebrate the life-changing impact these donations have had in the community since 2017 when telaGen and EAH began the partnership. Over the past six years, more than 1,100 donations have been made by mothers at EAMC. We talk about a full circle of a moms donation of the birth tissue (that) goes all the way back around into the community to help heal a non-healing wound, Hill said. EAH recognized one donor mother, Stacy Zehner, who received amniotic tissue when she was born then donated her own tissue when she recently gave birth to her daughter Paisley. Zehner has a skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa simplex and was born without skin on her legs below her knee. The physicians used amnion from her mother and put it on her legs. In March, Zehner gave birth to her daughter and was asked to make a tissue donation. Knowing how it could impact someone elses life, she decided to go through with it. I wanted to be able to help people, especially if their kid is born with no skin or anything like that. Its very rare, but it does happen, Zehner said. Heather Bayles, EAH manager of the Wound Treatment Center, said the center is blessed to have a partnership with telaGen and Synergy Biologics. We have a product that can help these patients be able to get back out into the community Bayles said. Watching these patients who can heal and can now go out and do the things that theyve not been able to do is huge. Bayles said they are currently working on two patients and they are undergoing a 10 week wound care treatment. The goal is to heal these wounds quicker, faster (and) ease their pain, she said. Just to know that we are providing high quality, compassionate health care to our patients means a lot. Hill said hes grateful for the partnership with EAH and said hes proud of what EAH has done. RAMALLAH, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of European diplomatic missions in Palestine on Thursday paid a solidarity visit to a Palestinian village in the West Bank and condemned the Israeli settlers' acts against the Palestinians. According to a joint statement, the European diplomats' delegation, who visited the village of Burqa, east of the West Bank city of Ramallah, included representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Britain, Norway, and Canada. Three weeks ago, Israeli settlers attacked the village and killed a Palestinian during clashes with the residents. The act was largely condemned by the Palestinians. The diplomats underlined the prohibition of forcible transfers in International Humanitarian Law and reaffirmed their opposition to settlements, which are illegal under international law. British Deputy Consul General in Jerusalem Alison McEwen said the visit aims to show solidarity with the Palestinians in light of the increasing settler violence against the Palestinians and the expansion of settlements and outposts in Area C. More than 600,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to official Palestinian figures. Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967 and has since established settlements there, which are considered violations of international law. Back in March 2022, shortly after Russias invasion of Ukraine, President Biden signed an executive order that banned the import of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas, and coal to the United States. Although the ban together with EU sanctions were blamed for skyrocketing global energy prices, U.S. refiners were none the worse for wear since Russia supplied just 3% of U.S. crude oil imports. However, the punters were quick to point out that one notable export was left off of that list: uranium. For a long time, the U.S. has been heavily reliant on Russian uranium, and imported about 14 percent of its uranium and 28 percent of all enrichment services from Russia in 2021 while the figures for the European Union were 20 percent and 26 percent for imports and enrichment services, respectively. And, there seems to be no end in sight despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last year calling on the U.S. and the international community to ban Russian uranium imports following the Russian shelling near Ukraines Zaporizhzhya power plant. U..S companies are sending more than $1 billion each year to Russia's state-owned nuclear agency, Rosatom, and imported another $411.5 million in enriched uranium in the first quarter of 2023 alone. Western governments have avoided sanctioning Rosatom for obvious reasons. But their over reliance on Russian uranium comes with a huge risk because most utilities only keep about 18 months of fuel inventory, meaning their nuclear sectors would face a meltdown if Putin suddenly decided to stop doing business with them. Were bearing the costs of an overreliance on Russia for nuclear fuel. And its not just us, its the entire world, Pranay Vaddi, a White House nuclear adviser at the National Security Council, has lamented. Luckily, expansion plans at the home-based uranium enrichment factory that delivered fuel for Americas first ever atomic bombs dubbed Manhattan Project might help the country solve its nuclear conundrum. The $5 billion Urenco plant in Eunice, New Mexico, is home to hundreds of massive centrifuges which spin at supersonic speeds to separate the uranium isotopes needed to make fuel for nuclear power plants. Urenco, which supplies about one-third of U.S. demand for enriched uranium, is currently in the process of boosting output by 15% as it looks to rejuvenate nuclear energy production among the Wests fleet of nuclear reactors. According to Karen Fili, chief executive officer of Urencos U.S. subsidiary, the planned expansion of the New Mexico facilities will be completed in 2027, which combined with the parent companys ramp-up in Europe, would be enough to cover Rosatoms share of the American market. We are the very reasonable solution for the U.S. increased production from Urenco would be enough to cover any gap in Russian imports,Fili has said. Predictably, the Kremlin has derided the effort and dismissed it as ...an attempt at creating Frankensteins monster. According to the Kremlin, historical attempts by Europe to build an integrated supply chain of enriched uranium with individual units in far-flung regions have never been successful. But the Kremlin could be underestimating America's and Europes resolve to decouple from Russian energy, with Europe currently flush with natural gas despite Putin earlier warning of a coming gas crunch during winter. Uranium Alternatives Even better, the Biden administration is actively hunting for uranium alternatives. With the administration having set a goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2035, nuclear power will likely continue to be a hot-button issue despite being a low-carbon fuel mainly because conventional nuclear fuel creates a lot of hazardous waste. What would give nuclear energy a major boost would be a significant technological breakthrough in substituting thorium for uranium in reactors. The public would likely be far easier to bring on board with the removal of dangerous uranium. Thorium is now being billed as the 'great green hope' of clean energy production that produces less waste and more energy than uranium, is meltdown-proof, has no weapons-grade by-products and can even consume legacy plutonium stockpiles. The United States Department of Energy (DOE), Nuclear Engineering & Science Center at Texas A&M and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have partnered with Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) to develop a new thorium-based nuclear fuel they have dubbed ANEEL. ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) is a proprietary combination of thorium and High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) that intends to address high costs and toxic waste issues (thorium must be paired with at least a small amount of a fissile material due its inability to naturally fissile on its own). The main difference between ANEEL and the uranium that is currently used in U.S. reactors is the level of uranium enrichment. Instead of up to 5% uranium-235 enrichment, the new generation of reactors need fuel with up to 20 percent enrichment. Several years ago, CCTE started fitting existing reactor designs to enable them to use ANEEL fuel, which the company projected could enter commercial use as early as 2024. Meanwhile,two years ago, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Centrus Energys request to make HALEU at its enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio, becoming the only plant in the country to do so. However, more could be on the way if the new fuel proves to be a success. While ANEEL performs best in heavy water reactors, it can also be used in traditional boiling water and pressurized water reactors. More importantly, ANEEL reactors can be deployed much faster than uranium reactors. Another key benefit of ANEEL over uranium is that it can achieve a much higher fuel burn-up rate of in the order of 55,000 MWd/T (megawatt-day per ton of fuel) compared to 7,000 MWd/T for natural uranium fuel used in pressurized water reactors. This allows the fuel to remain in the reactors for much longer meaning much longer intervals between shut downs for refueling. For instance, Indias Kaiga Unit-1 and Canadas Darlington PHWR Unit hold the world record for uninterrupted operations at 962 days and 963 days, respectively. The thorium-based fuel also comes with other key benefits. One of the biggest is that a much higher fuel burn-up reduces plutonium waste by more than 80%. Plutonium has a shorter half-life of about 24,000 years compared to Uranium-235s half-life of just over 700 million years. Plutonium is highly toxic even in small doses, leading to radiation illness, cancer and often to death. Further, thorium has a lower operating temperature and a higher melting point than natural uranium, making it inherently safer and more resistant to core meltdowns. ADVERTISEMENT Thoriums renewable energy properties are also quite impressive. Yet another benefit: There is more than twice thorium in the earths crust than uranium. In India, thorium is 4x more abundant than uranium. Thorium can also be extracted from sea water just like uranium, making it almost inexhaustible. Back in February, Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) kicked off the planning phase of pre-licensing review of Clean Core's ANEEL thorium and HALEU, signaling progress is being made. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The back-and-forth civil war is all about this. We are skeptical that the Central Bank unification announcement will be the elixir necessary to hold elections to end political instability, and it remains unclear what sort of This is all happening against a complicated backdrop of what appears to be progress towards stability in Libya. This week, we saw the Central Bank of Libya announce that for the first time in nearly a decade, its two rival branches (in Tripoli and Benghazi) would be unified. This has been a major sticking point for stability because the Tripoli branch controls the oil revenues, even though Libyas east (represented by Benghazi) largely controls physical oil. Haftar had given the Government of National Accord (GNA) until August to come up with a scheme for the fair distribution of oil revenues, with Benghazi up in arms over not receiving the amount of oil revenues it believes it is entitled to given that it houses the oil fields and export terminals for the most part. General Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), is in the process of rounding up supporters of the former Ghaddafi regime in Sirte ahead of the September 1st anniversary of Ghaddafis coup. Previously allied (as recently as 2019 when Haftar attempted and failed to take Tripoli), they are now enemies, with Ghaddafis son, Saif, having competing presidential ambitions with Haftar. Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict General Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), is in the process of rounding up supporters of the former Ghaddafi regime in Sirte ahead of the September 1st anniversary of Ghaddafis coup. Previously allied (as recently as 2019 when Haftar attempted and failed to take Tripoli), they are now enemies, with Ghaddafis son, Saif, having competing presidential ambitions with Haftar. This is all happening against a complicated backdrop of what appears to be progress towards stability in Libya. This week, we saw the Central Bank of Libya announce that for the first time in nearly a decade, its two rival branches (in Tripoli and Benghazi) would be unified. This has been a major sticking point for stability because the Tripoli branch controls the oil revenues, even though Libyas east (represented by Benghazi) largely controls physical oil. Haftar had given the Government of National Accord (GNA) until August to come up with a scheme for the fair distribution of oil revenues, with Benghazi up in arms over not receiving the amount of oil revenues it believes it is entitled to given that it houses the oil fields and export terminals for the most part. The back-and-forth civil war is all about this. We are skeptical that the Central Bank unification announcement will be the elixir necessary to hold elections to end political instability, and it remains unclear what sort of deal-making is going on behind the scenes between Haftar and his rival, Dbeibah, the head of the GNA in Tripoli. Turkey is holding the Iraqi Kurdish oil export pipeline hostage now, using it as leverage to force Baghdad to declare the PKK a terrorist organization. India this week traded oil with the UAE in Rupees for the first time, in a significant step towards undermining the petrodollar. Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions As bargain shopping in the American shale patch gains momentum, Permian Resources shale producer this week announced it would acquire Earthstone Energy for around $4.5 billion, in an all-stock deal. The deal will see Permian Resources increase its foothold in the Delaware Basin. Norways Equinor is said to be exploring the sale of its Azerbaijan assets, which include a 7.27% interest in the largest oil project in the Central Asian nation, the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field. The assets are potentially worth $1 billion. Equinor has not confirmed the reports, which saw Bloomberg citing unnamed sources. French TotalEnergies has entered into an agreement to acquire a 40% participation right from CapeOmega in the Luna carbon dioxide storage project offshore Norway. Wintershall DEA Norge operates the project with a 60% stake. Mexican billionaire Carlos Slims Grupo Caria has acquired a 5.9% stake in Talos Energy, eyeing the Zama development offshore Mexico, after announcing earlier this year that it would acquire a 49.9% interest in the companys Mexico subsidiary, Tales Mexico. Zama was discovered in 2017 and its development has been delayed (despite the high level of potential) by regulatory hurdles and a dispute with state-run Pemex. French utility Engie will acquire full ownership of Houston-based Broad Reach Power, a power storage company. Broad Reach has power assets of 350 megawatts presently, with a pipeline of 880 megawatts under construction and a further advanced-stage 1.7-gigawatt project. Discovery & Development Chinas state-run SINOPEC has been certified for another 30.55 billion cubic meters of proven reserves in its deep natural gas reservoir in the Bazhong gasfield. That gives Sinopec 154.7 bcm in the reservoir. Russian Rosneft claims to have increased natural gas output from its northern Suzun field in the Vostok Oil project to around 1.8 million cubic meters per day, though the percentage of increase was not revealed. Phase 11 of Irans South Pars gasfield has begun production, with four wells now in early-stage production with output at 11 Mcm per day. Output from Phase 11 will feed Phase 12s onshore refinery. This project was a long-time coming to this point. Initially launched in 2017, sanctions have thrown up many hurdles for the nearly $5-billion project. Exploratory drilling has begun offshore Lebanon in Block 9, while the energy ministry also announced that a seismic survey would be conducted on neighboring Block 8. The results of first drilling are expected within 9 weeks. Wintershall Dea has started first production at the Norwegian Sea-based Dvalin gasfield. This is the second startup of production at this venue, with the first turning up mercury in the well stream and requiring remediation. The startup of production here is being heralded as a positive development in terms of timing (i.e. to feed European markets in time for winter demand). Oil prices are on track for a weekly loss due to the prospect of new oil flows entering the market, but bullish fundamentals are helping to stop any significant drop. Friday, August 25, 2023 The prospect of Kurdish oil exports returning to the market and rumors of a US-Venezuela rapprochement have weighed heavily on oil prices this week, but healthy US crude inventory draws and lower-than-expected product stock levels in Europe have countered some of that downward pressure. Unless the US Federal Reserves Jackson Hole meeting today provides unexpected turns, oil is headed towards another, albeit very minor, weekly loss. Chevron Unions Threaten Australia Strike Disruption. Whilst Woodsides tentative deal with its offshore workers union alleviated fears of an LNG supply shock, Chevrons (NYSE:CVX) union could move ahead with industrial action at the Gorgon and Wheatstone terminals after 99% of workers authorized a strike. US Slaps Sanctions on Myanmar Jet Fuel. The US Treasury expanded sanctions against Myanmar to include any companies or individuals that help the Asian country procure jet fuel used in military raids by the junta, with the previous round of sanctions targeting Myanmars state-owned banks. Fuel Subsidies Soar Above 7 Trillion, IMF Warns. According to new estimates from the International Monetary Fund, global subsidies for fossil fuels rose by $2 trillion over the past 2 years to surpass $7 trillion in 2022, with explicit government-paid subsidy costs accounting for less than 20% of those funds. Panama Canal Cannot Handle the Drought. Panama Canal authorities expect that current restrictions on daily vessel transit, capping the number of tankers at 32 per day and restricting their deadweight, will remain for at least 10 months as a prolonged drought continues to decimate water levels in Panama. Cheniere Signs a New LNG Deal with Germany. US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG) signed a new term supply deal with Germanys BASF (ETR:BAS) to provide it with 0.8 million tonnes of LNG per year starting mid-2026, the fourth such deal concluded in 2023 so far. China Uses BRICS Meeting to Lock in Africa Deals. China concluded an array of power deals with South Africa on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, seeking to help extend the lifespan of coal plants, build transformer and solar PV panel plants in the African country, and upgrade the Koeberg nuclear power station. US Lease Sale 261 Defies Biden Phase-Out. Building on the success of the previous lease sale in March which saw 32 oil majors bid for tracts in the Gulf of Mexico, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management indicated it will hold the new lease sale in the GoM on 27 September, offering 12,395 blocks. Shells Selling Its Singapore Refinery. According to media reports, UK-based energy major Shell (LON:SHEL) is considering the sale of its Singapore refining and petrochemical plants, tapping Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to explore a potential sale with Chinas Sinopec emerging as a prospective buyer. Freight War Premiums Soar on Black Sea Trouble. Ukraines drone warfare and Russias missile attacks in the Black Sea ratcheted up war risk premiums in the region, with additional shipping charges soaring to $1 million as insurance companies demand higher fees from ship charterers due to higher risks. ADVERTISEMENT Turkish Straits Navigation Suspended Amidst Fires. More than 150 vessels, including 23 tanker and 33 dry bulk vessels, have been halted at the northern and southern entrances of Turkeys Dardanelles straits amidst raging wildfires in coastal regions, with northbound shipping resuming by late Thursday. Indonesia Nickel Probe Sparks Rally. Prices of nickel ore in Indonesia soared by more than 10% in recent weeks above $160 per nickel unit as the countrys Attorney General Office launched an investigation into illegal mining and suspended operations at a key mine operated by state-owned Antam. North Dakota Appeal Weakens As Bakken Matures. Canadian producer Crescent Point Energy (TSE:CPG) announced it had reached a deal to sell its Bakken assets to an unidentified private operator for 500 million, seeking to focus on its Canadian acreage in the Duvernay and Alberta Montney basins. China Eyes Nuclear Buildout in Saudi Arabia. According to the WSJ, Saudi Arabia is in advanced talks with Chinas state-owned nuclear company CNNC to build a nuclear plant in the Middle Eastern kingdoms Eastern province, near the border with Qatar, upending US plans to do the same. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Swiss trader Gunvor has seen profits fall in the first half of this year, and has more than doubled its provision for an expected fine in its ongoing bribery case. The global energy trader has increased the amount set aside to cover the fine to $450 million up from $200 million set aside in 2022. A former Gunvor employee pled guilty in 2021 to a scheme to bribe Ecuadorian government officials in a bid to win business. Gunvor also saw its first-half net profit slip to $803 million from $841 million for last years corresponding period with the firm citing lower price volatility in gas and oil markets. In 1977, the U.S. Congress enacted the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) following discovery of widespread corruption in the wake of the Watergate political scandal. FCPA prohibits individuals and businesses from bribing foreign officials in order to obtain or retain business. FCPA has been amended several times, and has earned a reputation as one of the most effective transnational anti-corruption laws in the world. FCPA has become the bane of the oil and gas industry. Whereas FCPA violations have been uncovered hundreds of times across diverse industries, the global oil and gas industry has developed an enviable reputation for foreign bribery and corruption, and seen more FCPA enforcement actions than any other industry. In 2010, the SEC launched bribery-related investigations into the oil and gas industry and revealed an elaborate scheme through which seven companies were paying millions of dollars in bribes to foreign officials. To wit, Panalpina Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the global freight forwarding company Panalpina World Transport, was found guilty of paying millions in bribes between 2002 and 2007 to foreign government officials on behalf of oil industry customers. At least six major oil companies and their subsidiaries were implicated: Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL), Pride International Inc., Tidewater Inc.(NYSE:TDW), Transocean Ltd (NYSE:RIG)., GlobalSantaFe Corp, and Noble Corp. Plc.(NYSE:NE). That said, the vast majority of violations committed by Big Oil that result in fines are environmental in nature. Shell has received fines more frequently than most other oil and gas companies: of the companys 621 fines to-date, 485 concern environmental violations. ADVERTISEMENT By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Data from a telescope orbiting the Earth with the International Space Station has revealed 22 significant methane flares in the Permian in June, when Texas saw hotter than normal temperatures for that time of the year. Per a Bloomberg report, the data, studied by a climate nonprofit dubbed Carbon Mapper, suggests a link between the methane releases and the local temperatures. You can look down and see whats really on the ground at the site of a methane plume, Robert O. Green, the principal investigator for the EMIT telescope program at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told Bloomberg. They are like invisible fires that we cant see, and we need a technology that lets us see them. Thanks to the EMIT telescope, they did see the invisible fires and when Carbon Mappers studied the data, it concluded that the methane was being released at a rate of over 79 tons per hour. Bloomberg says this is equal to the amount of exhaust fumes released by 2.8 million idling cars. On the other hand, earlier this month, Kayrros data showed a significant release of methane from a natural gas well in Kazakhstan. This time it was satellite data that revealed the invisible fires and helped the geoanalytics firm detect them. Later, Bloomberg reports, the company operating the well confirmed the release, which Kayrros put at between 35 and 107 tons per hour. And it has been going on since August. Related: Nigerian Military Destroys 8 Illegal Refining Sites In Niger Delta There has been no news about abnormal temperatures in Kazakhstan in the period and the past two months have seen temperatures fairly normal for this time of the year. In the U.S., one of the companies implicated in releasing substantial amounts of methane, pipeline operator Targa Resources, said Carbon Mapper regularly exaggerated data regularly and significantly. Methane has been drawing increasing attention from energy transition advocates and governments, including in the United States, where this has translated into stricter flaring rules. Yet transition advocates lament the fact that nowhere near enough is being spent on methane emissions mitigation, especially compared with what is being poured into carbon dioxide emission reduction. Globally, as much as $119 billion is needed each year in the agriculture, energy, and waste sectors to keep global temperature increases below 2 degrees Celsius, per climate finance NGO Climate Policy Initiative, whose conclusion was cited in a recent report by another climate NGOthe Clean Air Task Force. However, the current levels of spending on cutting methane emissions are just 10% of this sum, CATF authors noted in their report. The gap in financing is a massive $107 billion each year. While there is a role for regulation to spur methane investments, for many developing countries, international financial support is needed to overcome barriers to private sector investment, the authors wrote. Methane is the second most-common greenhouse gas produced by human activity and is a lot more potent in its greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide. On the flip side, methane has a much shorter life in the atmosphere than CO2. ADVERTISEMENT The oil and gas industry has been a natural target for methane opponents because it produces the gas, which makes up most of what we know as natural gas. What is of particular concern has been gas flaring, even though it is unburned gas that has the greater greenhouse effect. Flaring, however, produces its own emissions and there has been an international push to reduce the practice. Last year, Nigeria, Mexico, and the United States were the biggest flarers in the world, followed by Russia, Iraq, Iran, Algeria, Venezuela, and Libya. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: There are many possibilities to consider here, from a Putin-orchestrated assassination or an assassination by Russias military officials whom Prigozhin was constantly making a move against (Shoigu and Gerasimov, specifically)or simply a random plane crash. There is no perfectly credible way to confirm any of the latest reports coming out of Moscow. That Prigozhin attempted a mutiny in Moscow (and failed) has created much turmoil for Putin. He was allowed to walk away, but after that, his activities became very unclear. Two months later, no one really knows what he had been doing during that time, let alone whether he actually died in a plane crash (accidental or orchestrated) this week. And on Tuesday, right before the alleged plane crash, Prigozhin appeared on a video (again, the legitimacy of the video cannot be determined at this time) calling on recruits for Africa, Wagners wider stomping ground (the Sahel). On Wednesday, news began to circulate that the head of Russias Wagner mercenary outfit, Prigozhin, died in a plane crash between St. Petersburg and Moscow (along with 7 of his top lieutenants). Just days prior, reports emerged that Russian military officials (not Wagner) had just met with Haftar in Libya. Normally, this would have been Wagner because Libya is one of its key stomping grounds (on behalf of the Kremlin). On Wednesday, news began to circulate that the head of Russias Wagner mercenary outfit, Prigozhin, died in a plane crash between St. Petersburg and Moscow (along with 7 of his top lieutenants). Just days prior, reports emerged that Russian military officials (not Wagner) had just met with Haftar in Libya. Normally, this would have been Wagner because Libya is one of its key stomping grounds (on behalf of the Kremlin). And on Tuesday, right before the alleged plane crash, Prigozhin appeared on a video (again, the legitimacy of the video cannot be determined at this time) calling on recruits for Africa, Wagners wider stomping ground (the Sahel). That Prigozhin attempted a mutiny in Moscow (and failed) has created much turmoil for Putin. He was allowed to walk away, but after that, his activities became very unclear. Two months later, no one really knows what he had been doing during that time, let alone whether he actually died in a plane crash (accidental or orchestrated) this week. There are many possibilities to consider here, from a Putin-orchestrated assassination or an assassination by Russias military officials whom Prigozhin was constantly making a move against (Shoigu and Gerasimov, specifically)or simply a random plane crash. There is no perfectly credible way to confirm any of the latest reports coming out of Moscow. Lets look at what has happened to anyone rallying behind Prigozhin since the failed mutinyand by rallying behind we mean calling for a full-on war strategy with regard to Ukraine, which Putin is trying to steer away from. On Tuesday, we learned that Surovikin (Russias Aerospace commander) was fired, though his status has remained unclear since the mutiny. Prigozhin ally Igor Girkin has also been arrested. Putin has created a public war monster. This was the price to pay for the need to drum up support for the invasion of Ukraine. Now, its gotten out of control, with Prigozhin having been the face of a powerful group within Russia that wants to mobilize the entire country to war. The irony, of course, is lost on no one. Putin is now cleaning house not of anti-war figures, but of radically pro-war ones. The Prigozhin plane crash, whatever the cause, does not mean this is over for Putin. Wagners activities on behalf of the Kremlin in Africa right now are extremely destabilizing, but they have also been necessary for Putin. In Africa, Wagner is essentially the Kremlins forward foreign policy force. From Washingtons perspective, Wagner is a transnational criminal organizationa categorization that came about because of its role in the war in Ukraine. In various venues in Africa (Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Mozambique to name but a few) Wagner has been offering its mercenary services in return for various forms of payment, most preferably natural resources rights. Sudans al-Bashir granted them gold exports to Russia in return for guarding the countrys natural resources and quashing dissent, among other things. Right now, there are indications that the group is operating to overthrow the president of Chad, and most recently, there is intelligence that Wagner played a role in the Niger coup (where the U.S. may lose its drone base as a result) that is spreading instability across the region and opening the door to an Islamic radical resurgence. So, where does Prigozhins alleged death leave Putins forward Africa policy? It is very likely that Putin has spent the last two months since the failed mutiny quietly dismantling Wagner, or re-inventing it, more to the point. The plane crash (or downing) would, then, signal that things have been successfully rolled over with no more need for Prigozhin or his top commanders. The biggest indication of this might be the visit just this week of Russian military officials to Libya, where they allegedly sat down with Haftar. It sounds like the passing of the mercenary torch, but much remains unknown. Prigozhins death also benefits the U.S., but only to some extentand only if Putin hasnt managed to dismantle and re-invent Wagner already. France has extended a provision for electricity generators that allows them to use more coal in their operations in order to secure supply in the coming months. The move comes as utility major EDF warned that nuclear power output will likely be below normal during the winter months as it is still fixing the problems that put several reactors temporarily out of commission last year. Bloomberg reports that despite the allowance for coal use, the French government tightened the requirements for the operation of the countrys two remaining coal-fired power plants. According to these, high emitters in the power generation sector would only be allowed to operate for up to 1,800 hours in the winter of 2023/24. Thats equal to about 11 weeks and down from 2,500 hours last winter. Also, these generators will have to pay more for the carbon dioxide emissions they generate. Tension on the power system is currently lower than at the same period of last year, the energy transition ministry said, referring to better output from wind and solar, and lower demand. However, one must take all measures to ensure security of energy supply for the French in any event, it added, noting the possibility of the war in Ukraine not being over by winter or the winter itself being colder than last years. France, which has been one of the most reliable energy generators in Europe in recent years thanks to its nuclear fleet, is currently grappling with problems that have accumulated over years of subpar maintenance. This led to the temporary suspension of electricity generation last year but that wasnt the end of it. EDF is, as noted, still working on fixing all the issues while facing the challenge of summer heat compromising water used for cooling the reactors. ADVERTISEMENT The utility just warned this week it would need to reduce nuclear power generation for this reason amid forecasts for a few hotter days ahead. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: India does not depend too much for its oil imports on any supplier, not even Russia, Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri has told CNBC in a recent interview. India, the worlds third-largest crude importer, buys from abroad more than 80% of the crude oil it consumes. Over the past year and a half, the country has significantly raised its imports of cheaper Russian crude oil, which is banned in the West. India doesnt get over dependent on anyone, Singh Puri told CNBC when asked about his view on whether the country has leaned too much on Russia for its crude needs. India gets discounts for Russian oil, but it gets discounts from other producers, too, he added. If theres a 30% discount, the Russians are putting a ribbon around it and sending it to us free. Thats what it means, the minister told CNBC. But there have been discounts coming from all over, he added. India sees its oil supplier base as diversified as it is buying crude from 39 sources at present, compared to 27 sources previously, Singh Puri said. Russia has been Indias top crude oil supplier for months now and overtook Iraq as the top supplier for the 2022/2023 fiscal year ended March 2023. Russia accounted for nearly a fourth of Indias crude oil imports in 2022/2023 as the worlds third-largest crude importer welcomed on average 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude out of a total of 4.65 million bpd of imports. In the new 2023/2024 fiscal year, shipments of Russian crude to India have hit record highs and have remained strong. Record imports of cheap Russian crude into India have undermined OPECs share of supply so much that OPECs share of all Indian oil imports hit the lowest in at least 22 years. In July, Indias imports from Russia slipped amid an overall 5.2% decline in total imports, due to some refiners closed for maintenance during the monsoon season, when Indias demand is typically lower, according to Reuters estimates of data from trade and industry sources. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saudi Arabia is considering a bid from a Chinese state firm to build a nuclear power plant, which could give the Kingdom leverage in possible talks for U.S. assistance for establishing a civil nuclear industry, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, quoting Saudi officials with knowledge of the matter. Saudi Arabia has been actively seeking help with expertise in nuclear energy to develop its own civil nuclear generation capacity. The U.S. has been an obvious first choice among potential partners, but Washington has taken a cautious approach. The United States has made it clear that it would only help Riyadh develop nuclear generation capabilities if any agreement includes preventing the enrichment of uranium or reprocessing of plutonium from the reactors, to prevent the weaponization of nuclear power. Now Saudi Arabia is evaluating a bid from China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to build a nuclear power plant in an Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, close to the border with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Saudi officials told the Journal. Those officials also admitted to the WSJ that the idea to consider the Chinese bid was an attempt to gain leverage in talks with the U.S. about its help for Saudi Arabias civil nuclear program, and potentially extract some compromise on the non-proliferation issues. The Middle East is not known for its nuclear power generation capabilities. With all its oil wealth, the region has traditionally relied on fossil fuels to meet its electricity needs. In 2020, the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world began operating in the UAE. Plans are to expand it to a facility that would meet a quarter of the countrys electricity demand. However, observers warn any expansion of nuclear capabilities in the sensitive Middle Eastern region could lead to a nuclear arms race that could end in disaster. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: by Hazel Reyes HONOLULU, the United States, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- "We want to build Lahaina as it was -- the old historical Lahaina. It will be hard, it will take time, but people want it that way," Erlinda Ramelb, a resident of the historic town and survivor of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century told Xinhua. Ramelb made these remarks after U.S. President Joe Biden visited Maui Island early this week and pledged to rebuild Lahaina "the way that the local people want." As of Thursday, at least 115 deaths were confirmed in the devastating wildfire that occurred on Aug. 8, and around 1,000 people are still unaccounted for. The survivors so far still barely have time to talk about the rebuilding work which is expected to cost billions of dollars. Leaders in the Native Hawaiian community doubted the promise from Washington due to the long history of colonialism and exploitation in the Hawaiian Islands. Kaniela Ing, a former member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, wrote after Biden's visit that "political and legislative fights lie ahead to ensure that rebuilding efforts steer clear of the pitfalls of external influences and that resources are channeled to foster local resilience and empowerment." "Justice is returning control of public resources like land and water to the people. It's about recognizing that for too long the strings of Maui and thousands of communities like it have been pulled by forces indifferent to their soul," he argued. Community leaders are stepping forward with aspirations for a more balanced and righteous approach to land stewardship and community development in Lahaina, and further, across Maui and throughout Hawaii. Among Native Hawaiians who talked with Xinhua, the consensus is clear: simply rebuilding is not enough, restoring the land and natural flow of water as well as re-enlivening the ancient Ahupua'a (land management system) in Lahaina must be the foundation of all long-term and sustainable recovery. Lahaina, like much of Hawaii, has been ecologically compromised since the days of colonial plantations. Unscrupulous settler capitalists diverted the natural flow of water from historically verdant Lahaina for sugarcane irrigation. These same colonizers eventually enacted the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1898 against the wishes of the Native Hawaiian people. Kapua'ala Sproat is a Native Hawaiian leader, law professor, and associate director of Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law at the University Of Hawaii Manoa. Recently, she aired her concerns about a "naked power grab and really a land and water grab that's also underway ... the discussion around this really makes me fear for the future of Lahaina and whether it will be one that includes Native Hawaiians and other local people or whether the build back will focus on outsiders." In a story published Thursday by U.S.-based news website Common Dreams, Hokuao Pellegrino, a seventh-generation Native Hawaiian farmer, educator, and president of the nonprofit Hui o Na Wai 'Eha, called the greedy efforts from land venture to control Rahaina's rebuilding work as a typical "Disaster Capitalism." Disaster capitalism, as journalist Naomi Klein explained in her 2007 book The Shock Doctrine, is "orchestrated raids on the public sphere in the wake of catastrophic events, combined with the treatment of disasters as exciting market opportunities." "What's happening in Maui is part of the long and ongoing history of settler colonial resource theft and trickery. While disaster capitalism might have some modern disguises, it's a very old tactic. A tactic that Native Hawaiians have a great deal of experience resisting," she tweeted on Aug. 17. Many residents in Maui confirmed to Xinhua that the real estate agents had been cold calling Lahaina residents who have lost everything to the fatal wildfire and prodding them to sell their ancestral lands rather than wait for compensation. This move prompted Hawaii's Governor Josh Green to explore a moratorium on people outside the state trying to buy Lahaina properties. Still, he conceded it would be tough to stop those deals, despite concerns that thousands could be permanently displaced following the tragedy. "The Governor should ensure that all decisions about the rebuilding of Lahaina are made in the open and with full participation of our Lahaina community," said Tiare Lawrence, a member of the Na Ohana O Lele (The Families of Lele) community coalition. Lele is a traditional name for Lahaina. Carmen Hulu Lindsey, chairperson of the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs and a native Hawaiian leader, noted that if Lahaina is to be built back with Aloha and respect toward the land and water, it is clear that the Native Hawaiians must lead the way and keep solidarity. "As Maui is my home island, these events have struck a particularly painful chord. But I have no doubt that the Maui community, and the entire state of Hawaii, will come together to aid in the recovery efforts. We will persist. We are connected through mana (spiritual power) that nothing can break. Our love for land, and for one another, is a model that can change the world," she said. Woodside Energy may have sealed a deal with trade unions to prevent a strike of gas platform workers but Chevron has yet to get so lucky. The supermajor actually angered the alliance of unions it is negotiating with, after it put a proposal directly to the worker vote before going through the bargaining stage, Reuters reports. "Their stupidity is about to cost them $billions in lost production and profit," the Offshore Alliance said in a Facebook post quoted by Reuters. Yesterday, 99% of workers in the unions working at Chevrons two LNG projects offshore Australia voted in favor of authorizing industrial action. That could take the form of a partial strike, with workers refusing to do certain tasks, such as loading tankers, or an all-out strike. Earlier this week, Woodside, which operates Australias largest LNG production facility, managed to strike an agreement with trade unions on working conditions and remuneration. Now the workers need to ratify this to make it final. Chevron, however, seems to be having trouble repeating that success, with the risk of a strike hanging over its head. Earlier this month, natural gas prices in Europe and Asia spiked when the news of the potential strikes broke. They have since retreated but if actual strikes begin, they would affect a tenth of the worlds supply of liquefied natural gas and another spike could follow. The news that Chevron is failing in its negotiations with workers could also see prices higher for a while until there is a positive development. ADVERTISEMENT Woodsides North West Shelf is the largest LNG production project in Australia, with a capacity of 16.9 million tons annually, followed by Chevrons Gorgon, which has a capacity of 15.6 million tons. Wheatstone, also operated by Chevron, can produce 8.9 million tons of LNG annually. Together, the three produce about 40 million tons of LNG per year. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has asked a judge to approve a plan to distribute to investors the $40 million Tesla and Elon Musk have agreed to pay to settle a case over Musks infamous tweet from 2018 that he had secured funding to take the EV car manufacturer private. The SEC filed a request with a judge this week to pay out $41.5 million to 3,350 eligible claimants who had sued Musk for the funding secured tweet. Thats around $12,400 per investor, on average. The judge in the case has said he would endorse the SEC proposal for payments to the investor claimants on September 1 if Musk or Tesla do not object to the plan. Investors in Tesla have sued Musk for misleading and defrauding them after the Tesla founder tweeted in August 2018, Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured. The tweet sparked wide speculation and wild swings in the share price of Tesla, while a deal never happened, although Musk has claimed he had a handshake deal with investors from Saudi Arabia to help fund taking Tesla private. Musk backtracked on the idea to take Tesla private two weeks later. Tesla will stay public, Musk said on August 24, 2018, ending more than two weeks of speculation and calculation about how much a go-private deal would cost and who could be involved in it. A month later, the SEC charged Musk in September 2018 with securities fraud for the infamous tweets about taking Tesla private at $420 per share and for claiming funding secured for a potential deal. A few days later, Musk agreed to settle the securities fraud charge by the SEC in a settlement that included removing Musk as chairman at Tesla, and Musk and Tesla paying fines of $20 million each. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Ithaca Energy, one of the largest oil and gas producers in the UK, has reduced investments and is deferring some projects this year and next, due to the burden of the windfall tax Britain has levied on the industry. The windfall tax, the so-called Energy Profits Levy, has prompted many companies operating offshore the UK to cut investments and review projects. After the UK raised the windfall tax to 35% at the end of last year, Harbour Energy, the biggest oil and gas producer in the UK North Sea, backed out of the latest licensing round aimed at awarding more than 100 new licenses. Shell has said it would be re-evaluating each project comprising its $30.5 billion (25 billion pounds) planned investment in the UK energy system, and TotalEnergies has said it would slash its investment in the UK by 25%. In its first-half results release, Ithaca Energy said this week that until the fiscal regime is improved, as a direct result of the Energy Profits Levy, investment across our operated and non-operated portfolio has and will reduce, including the deferral and cancellation of certain 2023 and 2024 projects, impacting medium-term production outlook, with production in 2024 expected to be lower than 2023 levels. As part of the Group's strategy, we continue to leverage our M&A capabilities evaluating potential inorganic opportunities with the clear intention to increase our production in the medium-term. Gilad Myerson, Ithaca Energys Executive Chairman, said, The Energy Profits Levy continues to have a direct impact on investment in the UK North Sea and Ithaca Energys own investment programme across its diverse high-quality operated and non-operated asset base. We continue to constructively engage with the UK government to highlight the impact of the current fiscal regime to the industrys outlook and to the UK governments stated energy security and Net Zero ambitions. Also this week, Harbour Energy said it booked an $8-million loss for the first six months of this year weighed down by the higher UK windfall tax rate and falling fossil fuel prices. For the same period of 2022, the firm reported nearly $1 billion in post-tax profit. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Climate change more than doubled the chances of the hot, dry weather that helped fuel the unprecedented wildfire season in eastern Canada that's driven thousands from their homes and blanketed parts of the U.S. with choking smoke, according to an analysis. What's more, human-caused climate change made the fire season in Quebec from May through July 50% more intense than it otherwise would have been and increased the likelihood of similarly severe fire seasons at least sevenfold, researchers said. "The biggest takeaway is, this is because of us that we have seen so many fires this year, due to greenhouse gas emissions, said Yan Boulanger, a research scientist in forest ecology for Natural Resources Canada. He was one of 16 researchers who collaborated on the analysis for World Weather Attribution, an initiative that aims to quickly evaluate the role of climate change in the aftermath of extreme weather events. Canada is in the middle of its worst wildfire season on record, with more than 5,800 fires burning over 59,000 square miles from one end of the country to the other, according the the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. In Quebec alone, more than 20,000 square miles has burned so far this year an area 176 times larger than all of last year. Though the analysis, released Tuesday, looked only at a region of Quebec, hot temperatures and drought conditions also were at a record level in the rest of Canada, and we know that those fire-prone conditions also are increasing in severity, especially out West, Boulanger said. Ongoing wildfires have burned dozens of structures in a resort area of British Columbia and prompted authorities to evacuate about 20,000 people from Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories. The analysis estimated the peak intensity of the fire weather by looking at real-world observations in a metric called the Fire Weather Index which estimates wildfire risk by combining temperature, wind speed, humidity and precipitation averaged over seven days. The researchers then compared that to a world without climate change using multiple computer simulations and historical weather data, a technique widely accepted in the scientific community. They found that the fire-weather conditions this year were twice as likely. They also assessed the cumulative effect of the weather conditions from January to July, determining that the duration of those conditions was seven times more likely. Peter Reich, a forest ecologist who wasn't involved in the analysis, said he was glad researchers didn't try to prove climate change caused the fires, but instead looked at the probability that the conditions that led to this years fire season would have occurred with or without climate change. To me, the scariest finding is just the magnitude of the greater likelihood of intense fire weather because of climate change, said Reich, head of the Institute for Global Change Biology at the University of Michigan and a professor at the University of Minnesota. Its not just 10% more likely or 20% theres a 600% greater likelihood. Although the analysis did a good job of assessing extreme fire weather, it didnt capture how broadly it affected the entire country, especially in the arid West, which would show an even stronger connection to climate change, said Mike Flannigan, a professor for wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia. I've never seen such a wide geographical area in Canada on fire at the same time and fire season is not over yet, he said. Reich said the findings likely would apply across the planet because hotter temperatures increase the drying power of the air, and climate change makes fire vulnerability, severity and risk much higher by increasing the flammability of the materials and weather conditions that will produce and carry fire at the same time. It kind of feeds on itself, he added. Canadas fire season began early, after snow melted quickly and the warmest May-June period in more than 80 years combined with sparse rainfall to dry out vegetation and make it more flammable. Windy conditions also drove the wildfires throughout most of the country. In Canada, 5% of the population identifies as Indigenous First Nation, Metis or Inuit yet researchers say they were disproportionately affected by wildfires because their communities often are isolated and in some of the most fire-prone areas, like the boreal forest. Scientists say that risks will increase as the planet continues to warm. "That's a very big wake-up call for communities that need to adapt, Boulanger said. Flannigan said widespread, hotter fires are the new reality and will require new approaches to preventing and battling increasingly dangerous and intense blazes. "Unfortunately, we're going to see more fire and smoke in the future," he said, explaining that there won't be enough rain to compensate drier fuels, leading to higher-intensity fires that are becoming almost impossible to extinguish. He added: We're really in uncharted territory. How climate change drives hotter, more frequent heat waves How climate change drives hotter, more frequent heat waves Is climate change to blame? Understanding heat waves Analyzing the likelihood of a heat wave under climate change Protecting at-risk populations from heat waves Army Pfc. Charley Havlat of Dorchester, Nebraska, died in an ambush on a dirt road in Czechoslovakia during World War II, struck in the head by a bullet from a German rifle as he crouched for cover in his open-topped Jeep. Havlats sad end might not have stood out from those of the other half a million American service members who gave their lives in the war, except for its timing: May 7, 1945, just hours before the German surrender. The Nebraska farmhand was the last U.S. combat death of the war in Europe. Ten minutes later, they laid down their arms, said Ken Havlat, 62, of Lincoln, Charleys nephew and closest living relative. If he had just lasted 10 more minutes, he would have lived to a ripe old age. Charley Havlat is one of three U.S. service members two of them Nebraskans who will be honored by military officials from the Czech Republic at 10:30 a.m. Saturday during the opening ceremony of Lincolns Guardians of Freedom Airshow, at Lincoln Airpark. The Navy Blue Angels are headlining the show, which also will feature the Air Forces F-16C Viper team, vintage warbirds and static displays, including E-4B and RC-135 aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with the show running from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Czech deputy minister of defense has traveled here from Prague to present the nations Cross of Merit to family members of three former service members: Havlat; Ladislav Jisa, of Dwight, Nebraska; and 1st Lt. Virgil Kirkham of Corbett, Oregon. The presentation is meant to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the partnership between the Czech military and the Nebraska National Guard. Nebraska has more citizens of Czech ancestry than any state, said Maj. Jakub Simicek, a spokesman for the Czech Armed Forces. So we found sons of Czech emigrants fought for the liberation of their parents original homeland, he said. We see this as an opportunity to pay tribute to those heroes. * * * Czech girl honors Americans sacrifice Virgil Kirkham quit college during his freshman year in 1943 to join the Army Air Corps and trained as a fighter pilot, flying the P-47D Thunderbolt. He was only 20, but Kirkham already had more than 80 combat missions under his belt when he took off from Furth, Germany, April 30, 1945, on what was to be the last combat sortie of the war for the 362nd Fighter Group. Their target was a German military convoy near the Czech city of Pilsen. But Kirkhams plane was hit by a fierce anti-aircraft barrage and cartwheeled in flames into a forest. He was the last U.S. fighter pilot killed in the European theater before the German surrender a week later. His body was buried near the crash site and later moved to the Lorraine American Cemetery in France. Kirkhams story became widely known in Czechoslovakia (as the country was known before its split in 1993) because of the dedication of a 14-year-old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, who witnessed the crash and was touched by the sacrifice of the young American pilot. For more than 70 years, she tended a small memorial in Kirkhams honor near the spot where his plane crashed. * * * War is Over! Whoopee! Ladislav Jisa (pronounced HEE-suh) worked on his fathers farm near Dwight until he enlisted in the Army on June 23, 1941, more than five months before Pearl Harbor. He spent two years as a supply sergeant at Fort Omaha. In January 1944, he married Helen Janousek of nearby Brainard, Nebraska. That year he was assigned to the 303rd Infantry Regiment of the 97th Infantry Division, which fought in Germany and Czechoslovakia in the last two months of the war. His unit liberated the Karlovy Vary region. He was in Marienbad, a spa town, when the war ended. WAR IS OVER! WHOOPEE! Jisa wrote in a postwar diary. After the German surrender, Jisas unit was sent to the Pacific. He spent two months on occupation duty in Japan in fall 1945 before returning to the U.S. He was discharged in January 1946. Dave Jisa, Lads son, said his father started his own dairy business on 120 acres near Brainard, about 25 miles northwest of Lincoln. He started in 1946 with 10 red cows, said Dave Jisa, who still operates the dairy. We milk 500 cows now and sell retail cheese. He said his father rarely discussed the war but was an active member of the American Legion post in Dwight until his death in 2004, at age 84. Helen Jisa died last year, at 99. Dave Jisa and his brother, Ken, will accept the Cross of Merit on his fathers behalf on Saturday. I understand this event is to say thanks for their freedom, Ken Jisa said. I consider this to be a great honor. The Last Gold Star Charley Havlat was the oldest of six children growing up on the family farm near Dorchester. Unmarried, he was working as a farmhand and was a partner in a small trucking business when he was drafted in 1942. He was pretty much a free spirit, happy-go-lucky, Ken Havlat said. Charley Havlat was assigned to the 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, which landed at Omaha Beach June 13, 1944, one week after D-Day. He saw action in many of the storied battles of the European war. Havlat participated in the capture of Saint-Lo and fought across northern France, Belgium, Holland and Germany including battles at Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest, and the Bulge. Adolf Hitler was already dead, and his generals had agreed to lay down their arms, when Havlats squad set out on a reconnaissance patrol the morning of May 7, 1945. At 8:20 a.m., German troops from the 11th Panzer Division fired on his convoy, wounding several U.S. soldiers. Havlat took cover but apparently looked up momentarily and was killed by a single bullet. Charley didnt have a chance, Ken Havlat said. Minutes later, his unit received word of a cease-fire. The German officer whose unit attacked Havlats patrol later apologized. Havlats younger brothers, Adolph and Rudolf, were both serving in Europe and together visited his temporary grave near where he had fallen. His body was later moved to a permanent burial site at the Lorraine American Cemetery. Not until the 1990s did the Havlat family learn of Charleys status as the last U.S. soldier killed in combat in Europe. In 2002, a small monument was placed in the Czech Republic along the road where he died. In 2015, on the 70th anniversary of his death, then-Gov. Pete Ricketts presided over the dedication of a historical monument in Dorchester honoring Havlats sacrifice. Adolph and his sister, Lillian, spent years lobbying the state of Nebraska to rename a stretch of Nebraska Highway 33 between Dorchester and Crete as the Charley Havlat Memorial Highway. But the effort failed. Ken Havlat is honored that Czechs are recognizing Havlat, but he regrets that his father, Adolph, isnt around to see it. He died in 2021. Its nice theyre coming over here, but I wish it would have been earlier, while my dad was still alive, Ken Havlat said. Its bittersweet. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of August 2023 Don't believe the prevailing narrative out of Ohio following the defeat of Issue 1 on Aug. 8. This proposed constitutional amendment would have elevated the threshold to amend the state's constitution to 60% of the popular vote. The rationale was straightforward: Ohio is one of 10 states allowing its constitution to be changed by citizen-initiated petitions with only a 50% vote. This has led to a bloated state constitution packed with special-interest political agendas. The same document that safeguards free speech and religious liberty also has enshrined the specific plots of land where the Toledo Hollywood Casino must be located essentially forever. My public-policy organization, the Center for Christian Virtue, encouraged a "yes" vote. Unfortunately, the ballot question failed. About 57% voted "no," and 43% voted "yes." In the background of this debate was another proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize abortion, potentially up to birth and without the mothers parents consent. Unsurprisingly, after the loss of Issue 1, American commentators in the media, including friends on the right, jumped on this as an opportunity to opine about abortion politics. They used this as a microcosm of how the pro-life position is not a winner and is a political drain on the conservative movement. They tried to claim we lost because of the abortion issue. But this misses a very different, more interesting and important story. The debate over elevating the threshold to amend the state constitution to 60% is decades old in Ohio. In fact, five years ago when this proposal was put forward, the resolution was cosponsored by a Republican and a Democrat. The fundamental message of the no campaign on Aug. 8 had absolutely nothing to do with abortion. The name of the campaign was One Person One Vote. Its organizers ran a very effective, if not manipulative, ad campaign targeted at core Republican and conservative voters, claiming this amendment would end majority rule and steal their voice. One infamous ad paid for by Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Freedom even ended with the slogan Stop the Steal." Not Protect Abortion Rights. Not Abortion is Awesome. But Stop the Steal, which was a rallying cry for Donald Trump supporters who questioned the results of the 2020 election. The Issue 1 oppositions most potent ad had a pair of scissors cutting up the U.S. Constitution, with no mention of reproductive rights or abortion pills. In Ohio, to say protecting unborn children and their mothers is a losing issue is nonsensical. Look no further than Gov. Mike DeWine. When DeWine ran in 2018, he boldly promised to sign the Heartbeat Bill to ban abortion once a heartbeat is detected in an unborn child. The issue came up at all three of DeWine's gubernatorial debates. DeWine won the election and proceeded to sign the life-saving bill. In 2022, his opponent tried to hang this issue around his neck and she did so effectively. But instead of being a weight to drag him down, it was more like a gold medal. DeWine won reelection by more than 40 percentage points, winning 85 out of Ohios 88 counties. Add all this up, and it shows the actual narrative thats much more Ohio-specific but does have national implications. Opponents to Issue 1 recognized that their positions on critical social issues are so unpopular that they had to use their significant financial advantage to change the topic to win. You will see this on full display in the coming months in the U.S. Senate race in Ohio. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is up for reelection and rehearsing his aw-shucks, union-guy, lets-grab-a-beer-and-talk-about-the-Browns shtick. In truth, hes hoping to do everything he can to ignore that he votes with Joe Biden 98% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight. And so it will go with the abortion debate in Ohio. The abortion industrys only hope to win is if they can effectively downplay or ignore their proposals extreme and broad nature and convince Ohioans that this isnt an attack on parental rights. BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington man is facing charges after police say he was found with a stolen vehicle. Devin L. Davis, 18, is charged with one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony, as well as driving without a license and possession of cannabis by a driver, both traffic violations. Bloomington police said late Monday night an officer was alerted that a Hyundai vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle was found the next day in a parking lot on East College Avenue, and police waited for the driver to appear. Prosecutors said Davis approached the car with a juvenile and ran when he first saw the police. He then stopped and was apprehended without incident. Prosecutors said Davis told police he had removed the steering column cover and starting the car without a key for the ignition. He was jailed in lieu of posting $5,035, and an arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 8. Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones Brittany N. Greiner BLOOMINGTON The McLean County Health Department says West Nile virus has now been found in three ZIP code areas in the county: 61701, 61761 and, most recently, 61705. In a Wednesday press release, the health department said a mosquito pool collected west of Bloomington tested positive for the virus. "(West Nile virus) is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain," the release read. "Culex mosquitoes, also known as house mosquitoes, become infected with the virus by feeding on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes subsequently infect humans and animals." Senior Environmental Health Practitioner Angie Crawford said, "This time of year is when we often see a lot of positive mosquito pools and positive birds." According to Wednesday's release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported just over 1,000 human cases of West Nile virus last year. Crawford said most people bitten will not develop any symptoms, but those who are 60 and older or immunocompromised should be more wary. Symptoms could include fever, headache and body aches. "In more severe cases, you'll develop severe headaches, more severe fever; it could even cause paralysis," Crawford said. If symptoms do develop, the health department recommends reaching out to a primary care provider. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced earlier this week that one person in suburban Cook County has died this year from West Nile virus. Crawford said, "The mosquito that transmits West Nile virus likes to lay their eggs in stagnant water" like flower pots holding water, bird baths, and even debris stuck in a gutter system. She recommended cleaning out such places once a week. "This mosquito can go from egg to adult in seven to 10 days," Crawford said. "So if you're scrubbing them out and cleaning them out, that will interrupt the cycle." In addition to looking out for potential breeding pools, "We'd like (residents) to report any freshly dead birds such as crows or robins," Crawford said, adding that the birds should show no signs of decay or injury. To report dead birds or mosquito pools, call the health department at 309-888-5482. Pantagraph back-to-school ads from the 1920s to 1990s Ike Livingston & Sons - Aug. 27, 1920 W.H. Roland - Sept. 3, 1926 Miller-Jones Co. - Aug. 29, 1929 Livingston's - Sept. 2, 1930 The Newmarket - Sept. 4, 1936 J.C. Penney - Aug. 26, 1937 JC Penney's - Sept. 6, 1940 Rexall Drug Store - Sept. 6, 1940 Sears, Roebuck and Co. - Aug. 29, 1941 The Woolen Mill Store - Aug. 20, 1942 Bloomington Association of Commerce - Aug. 12, 1947 Bloomington Federal Savings and Loan - Aug. 9, 1953 Penney's - Aug. 22, 1954 Branom's Junior Boot Shop - Aug. 10, 1956 Pantagraph Printing and Stationery - Aug. 10, 1956 Ulbrich & Kraft - Aug. 10, 1956 Klemm's - Aug. 6, 1961 Jack & Jill - Aug. 9, 1961 Ensenberger's - Aug. 9, 1961 Klemm's - Aug. 9, 1961 The Bootery - Aug. 18, 1963 Corn Belt Finance - Aug. 27, 1966 Flamingo Beauty College - Aug. 24, 1969 Moberly & Klenner's - Aug. 30, 1969 Murrays - Aug. 15, 1973 Pines - Aug. 16, 1973 Discount Den - Aug. 16, 1973 Sorg's Jewelers - Aug. 16, 1973 The Woolen Mill - Aug. 16, 1973 Frederick's - Aug. 16, 1973 Bass Shoe Factory - Aug. 16, 1973 Livingston's - Aug. 16, 1973 Adolph's Discount Center - Aug. 26, 1973 Pines - July 30, 1981 The Little Folks - July 30, 1981 Eastland - July 30, 1981 JC Penney - Aug. 8, 1982 Pines - Aug. 15, 1985 Carle - Aug. 26, 1984 The Alamo - Aug. 26, 1984 Fox & Hounds Aug. 26, 1984 Kellogg's - Aug. 14, 1988 Eastland - Aug. 10, 1991 Top It Off - Aug. 13, 1992 Lens Lab - Aug. 13, 1992 CityLine - Sept. 4, 1997 ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia's membership in the BRICS mechanism will further strengthen the growing South-South cooperation framework. BRICS leaders agreed on Thursday to invite six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to join the group. Ahmed, in a video message following the decision by BRICS leaders, said the acceptance and influence of the BRICS in the international arena is growing. He said cognizant of the growing acceptance of the BRICS mechanism, countries across the world have shown interest in joining the group. The Ethiopian PM commended the five BRICS member countries for their support for Ethiopia's accession. Ethiopia, he said, will continue to strengthen its work to become the voice of Africa beyond itself. And Ethiopia will work to expand its role and participation in the field of multilateral diplomacy on the international stage. The six countries' membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit. I would like to invite the residents of Bloomington-Normal to join in a Medical Debt Jubilee. How? Through RIP Medical Debt, a national non-profit company that purchases medical debt of those most in need people below four times the poverty line or who have debts that are 5% or more of their annual income. These debt portfolios are purchased at a steep discount, meaning that for every dollar given, $100 of debt is wiped out. Medical Bill & Claim Resolution (MBCR) initiated a debt relief campaign for Central Illinois and was joined by First Baptist Church of Bloomington in order to include McLean County residents and work collaboratively with local faith communities. Six additional faith communities in Bloomington/Normal have since joined the effort: Centennial Christian Church, Christ the King Episcopal Church, First Christian Church, Mennonite Church of Normal, New Covenant Community and Our Savior Lutheran. We continue to welcome additional faith communities to join in a weekend Medical Debt Jubilee on August 26-27, where all who wish to participate can give directly to this effort called: Wipe Out Patient Debt in Central Illinois. Donations are tax deductible, with 100% applied to cancelling debt. Since 2014, RIP has relieved more than $8.5 billion in medical debt for over 5 million people nationally. They have a 100%, 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. To participate as a congregation or an individual: Donations can be made online through the campaign website: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/campaign/wiping-out-medical-debt/ Or donations can be made by check payable to: RIP Medical Debt RIP Medical Debt 28-07 Jackson Ave, 5th Fl Long Island City, NY 11101 Thank for your prayerful consideration. Rebekah Strack, Normal, Chairperson Missions Committee FBC Re: Mr. Harvey (Trump is right about border, NATO, woke Pantagraph, August 16). A quick search of resources discussing the prevalence of voter fraud would have revealed to Harvey that voter fraud is extremely rare in modern U.S. elections, including the election of 2020. As one example, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences recently published (August 2021) an article entitled No evidence for systematic voter fraud: A guide to statistical claims about the 2020 election. The title says it all. The majority of the few fraudulent votes cast in 2020 were actually by Trump supporters (Newsweek, August 2022). Immigration is certainly a major problem, too complex to be solved by simplistic solutions (Ill build a wall, and get Mexico to pay for it). The war in Ukraine is similarly a complex problem, not solvable by either abandoning NATO or sending in U.S. troops. Surely Harvey doesnt think the war is Ukraines fault. As to wokeness, I understand parents wanting to limit what their young children are exposed to. But groups which have been excluded never get the rights they deserve by remaining silent. One can also wonder why so-called conservatives are so concerned about individual behavior; that seems to fly in the face of traditional conservative concerns. Harvey resorts to a common attack on people with whom he disagrees: theyre not Americans and certainly arent patriots. As a Vietnam veteran who volunteered for the Marine Corps (I guess my bone spurs didnt keep me out of the service) who actually believes in the Constitution to which I swore an oath, I most strenuously object to such a characterization. Michael Toliver, Normal Welcome back to "Long Story Short," your weekly update on Central Illinois news. This week, Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalist for the Midwest Analisa Trofimuk joins D. Jack Alkire, Kelsey Watznauer and Tim Cain to talk about some of the biggest stories in the region. This week, the crew discusses: To read more about any of the stories mentioned this week, find our full reporting at pantagraph.com, herald-review.com and jg-tc.com or download our apps, available for Apple and Android. Subscribe to "Long Story Short" for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts. Music by Diamond Tunes. Photos: Rock band Living Colour performed on Wednesday at The Castle Theatre in Bloomington Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has appealed to the Ministry of Education and National Labour Commission (NLC) to release the salaries of the members of Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG). His admonition comes on the back of an announcement by government that members of CETAG will not be paid their August salaries due to no work done. There is a protracted dispute between government and (CETAG) and in a release signed by the Director of Administration for the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Saaka Sayuti, the Commission noted that the freeze of remuneration will affect all the 46 Colleges of Education. We write at the instance of the Honourable Minister of Education, requesting you NOT to pay monthly salary and allowances for the month of August 2023 to the Teaching Staff of all 46 Colleges of Education, portions of the statement dated August 21 said. Dr. Otchere-Ankrah bemoaned this directive stressing "there's an action before a reaction". He narrated that the teachers didn't embark on a strike for no reason but because the government failed to honor its promise to pay its debt to them. He, therefore, wondered why this drastic decision against the teachers stating "if you had given them their money, they wouldn't have the moral right to go on strike". Further discussing the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, he questioned the authorities if after freezing the teachers' salaries, "will you give them interest on the money that you failed to pay to them six months ago?" He also noted that "it is not possible for the government to dismiss all tutors in the colleges today and replace them tomorrow. It is not possible!" The Governance lecturer at the Central University admonished the Education Ministry and NLC to immediately intervene on behalf of the teachers. "Give them their money. Pay the debt you owe them and also release their salaries to them," he exclaimed. Watch video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has sacked 11 top executives for allegedly causing financial loss to the company, the DAILY GUIDE has uncovered. These top executives included Treasury Executives, Senior IT Assistant, Assistant Accounting Officer, Artisans and Customer Service Officers, among other senior staff. A reliable source in the ECG, who demanded anonymity, said the affected top executives indulged in various illegal activities that adversely affected the coffers of the ECG. Their offences included tampering/falsification of records, tampering of payment data, unauthorised payments and transfers and others, which caused financial loss to the ECG. Some of the sacked officials were also found culpable of vacating their post without permission from their superiors or management of the ECG. The affected staff were stationed in the various regions of the country until they were given their sack letters, which indicated that their services were no longer needed. As at August 2023, 11 top executives of the ECG from the various regions have been sacked by management for causing financial loss to the company, the source said. The source did not mention the names of the sacked executives but stated categorically that their dismissal letters have been delivered to them already by management. The DAILY GUIDEs checks revealed that the ECG management gave the 11 sacked staff ample time to defend themselves but they failed, hence their dismissal. Meanwhile, the paper also learnt that the current ECG management is determined to protect the coffers of the company so it has put in place policies to prevent thievery and other illegal activities. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video With the current spillover of terrorism from the Sahel regions, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu has disclosed that the countrys maritime borders have not recorded any terrorist attacks and threats in the past two years. Addressing journalists at a press launch of the 3rd International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) in Accra, Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu indicated that the Naval Command over the years has implemented pragmatic measures that seek to address issues surrounding maritime security and sustaining a safe and secure maritime domain, focused on consolidating the gains made in the Gulf of Guinea. However, he said the country in 2020 recorded six attacks from its vulnerable tuna vessels, with not less than 11 sailors kidnapped and released upon ransom payment. Since these attacks, we have not recorded any threats or attacks in 2021 to 2022, be it kidnapping or other forms of attacks. And this can be attributed to the strategies implemented by the Naval Command together with its supporting partners, he added. The Navy Chief said the command has recorded some insurgencies this year in some neighbouring countries, with a few being terrorism-related in their border areas. In an effort to combat the incessant terrorist attacks within Africas maritime borders, the Navy Chief announced that this years IDEC conference, scheduled to take place between August 29-30 at the Burma Hall, will assemble African maritime industry players to deliberate on possible measures to secure the borders from future and current threats. Themed, Consolidating the gains made in the Gulf of Guinea: The role of stakeholders in sustaining safe and secure maritime domain, the two-day conference will gather Regional and International Chiefs of Naval Staff to address the critical issues surrounding maritime security on the continent. Expressing the importance of cyber security measures in African navies, Rear Admiral Yakubu stated that Advancement in onboard systems and rapid digital transformation require African navies to implement measures to safeguard their systems and operations. However, there is a need for African countries to enhance their efforts in the area of cyber security. He pointed out that the Ghana Navy recognises the potential of Africas blue economy and its ability to address economic challenges on the continent. The blue economy offers solutions to numerous economic challenges in Africa if properly harnessed. To realise its potential, we must ensure that our maritime space is safe and secure for business and shipping, he stressed. The Chairman of Planning Committee, IDEC, Commodore Prosper Mensah Kwame Modey, indicated that the two-day conference and exhibition would showcase cutting-edge technologies in maritime security and foster strong resolutions and recommendations to overcome the daunting challenges facing Africas blue economy. The event brings the worlds leading defence suppliers to Accra for communication technologies, radars, satellite imagery solutions, and vessels among other key solutions vital for further strengthening the maritime defence capabilities of African navies. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Vladimir Putin has broken his silence over Yevgeny Prigozhin's reported death - some 24 hours after the Wagner chief's private jet crashed. Russia's president said the head of the mercenary group was a "talented person" who "made serious mistakes in life". Mr Putin also sent condolences to the families of all 10 people said to be on board the plane that went down north-west of Moscow on Wednesday evening. However, he stopped short of explicitly confirming Prigozhin's death. From the moment the plane came down, there has been frenzied speculation about what caused the deadly crash and whether Prigozhin was indeed on board, as stated on the passenger list. At a briefing on Thursday, a Pentagon spokesperson said the US believed the Wagner chief was likely killed in the crash. Villagers near the crash site in the Tver region say they heard a loud bang before seeing a plane falling out of the sky. One of the theories being investigated is whether a bomb was smuggled on board, reports in Russian media suggest. A US official told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that the most likely cause appeared to be an explosion aboard the aircraft. What caused the explosion was not known, although a bomb was one possibility, the official added. Another theory, raised by a Prigozhin-linked Telegram channel, suggested that the jet had been shot down by Russian anti-aircraft forces. This has not been confirmed, and on Thursday the Pentagon said there was no information to indicate this. Ground staff in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport - where the plane took off heading for St Petersburg - are being questioned, and CCTV footage is being checked. Read Full Story .... HERE >>> : Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nana Obiri Boahen, a former deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has shared his thoughts on the Cecilia Dapaah theft case involving her house helps. The former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, resigned after causing the arrest and prosecution of her house helps who she accused of stealing her 1 million dollars from her bedroom. Madam Cecilia Dapaah received public backlash for stashing such huge sum of money in her residence, thereby compelling her to vacate her office. Commenting on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show regarding who wins the NPP flagbearer election, Nana Obiri Boahen, who vouched for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the best candidate and strongly believed he would make a good President of Ghana, blasted those who justified Cecilia Dapaah's action to keep a million dollars in her room. Some NPP members and broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere defended the former Minister, claiming the money didn't belong to her but rather it was money donated to her family at a funeral rite and she was safely keeping it on behalf of her family. Nana Obiri Boahen registered his utter disgust over such statements saying "without prejudice to what is happening, if you find 1 million dollars in a political character's room, look politics in Africa, it will affect you". "You don't underrate the intelligence of the average Ghanaian", he warned. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The fierce race to decide who leads the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 presidential election enters the home stretch as the ruling party holds its Super Delegates Conference on Saturday to reduce the 10 aspirants to five. The suspense-filled Special Electoral College will be a prelude to the crucial national conference on November 4, 2023, where the partys flag bearer for the 2024 general election will be selected. The nationwide poll follows months of intensive campaigning by the aspirants across the length and breadth of the country to win the hearts and minds of the delegates in whose hands their destiny lies. The candidates have been rallying the delegates with their capabilities not only to transform the Ghanaian economy and superintend over the countrys development, but also to lead the NPP to break the eight-year cycle of governance between the party and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). They also trumpeted their competence and sense of nationalism to mobilise all Ghanaians to buy into their vision. Candidates The thoroughbreds in the hot contest comprise the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former Trades and Industry Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; the MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, who is also a former Minister of Railways Development and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; a former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko; and a former General Secretary of the NPP and Press Secretary to President J.A.Kufuor, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong. Delegates Apart from the messages the aspirants have given, the 956 delegates expected to vote would also look at the competence and general appeal of each aspirant, as well as the ability to win the 2024 general election. Also, the ethnic and religious background will play a key role in selecting the five aspirants for the national congress, coupled with the wherewithal to prosecute the 2024 electioneering campaign since next years general election is regarded as a crucial one, especially when Ghanaians have tasted the eight-year rule of both the NPP and the opposition NDC. Those expected to cast their votes on Saturday include members of the National Council, and National and Regional Executive Committees, Members of Parliament and three representatives from each of the special organs of the party (Youth, Women and Nasara). The rest are past national officers, three representatives from every branch, founder members during the registration of the party at the Electoral Commission (EC) and all card-bearing ministers. "Every delegate shall be entitled to one vote", according to Article 13 (2) 2 of the partys constitution. Ballot The ballot paper for the election has Mr Agyapong as number one; Mr Kyerematen, number two; Mr Ghartey, number three; Mr Poku, number four and Dr Akoto, number five. The rest are Mr Agyepong, number six; Mr Addai-Nimoh, number seven; Dr Apraku, number eight; Mr Agyarko, number nine; and Dr Bawumia, number 10. Elections Committee To ensure a free, fair and transparent polls, the party has constituted a Presidential Elections Committee chaired by the former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, to supervise and conduct the elections with the assistance of the EC and the Ghana Police Service. The committee, in its operational guidelines to regulate the conduct of the election, stated that the election would be held in all the 16 regional capitals in the country and the party headquarters in Accra, with the EC headquarters as the final collation centre. It urged all the stakeholders in the electoral process to abide by the rules and regulations governing the polls. Some of the key guidelines are that no aspirant will appoint government officials and any delegate listed to vote in the election as agents (whether the Special Electoral College or the Main Election). The government officials include metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives, ministers of state and chief executive officers of state-owned enterprises, regional executives and constituency executives. The guidelines further indicate that the EC and the police should enforce and prevent delegates from taking their phones and other photographic gadgets to the voting screen. Additionally, the EC will use complex serial numbers to avoid ballots being traced to voters at a later date, and that the Electoral Management body should deny influencers and heavily built men access to the voting centres. The guidelines stipulated further that in the event of two, three or four of the aspirants sharing the total results, with the remaining contestants not obtaining any votes, there will be a run-off for those who obtained zero votes to add up to make up the five, while in the event of a tie between two or more candidates for the fifth position, a run-off election will be conducted for those who will tie on Saturday, September 2, 2023. The poll will start at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. at all centres. Ballots will be counted and declared immediately after the close of poll at each voting centre, and each aspirant will have two accredited agents but at all times he would be represented by one polling agent at each polling station The guidelines also indicate that the presiding officer at the voting centre will announce the voting centre results. The party further stressed that failure of an agent to sign the results would not invalidate the announcement by the presiding officer. The regional director will then send through WhatsApp the declared voting centre result sheet to a platform created by the EC and also email the results to [email protected] for collation at the EC head office. It gave the venues for the election in the regions as follows: In the Ashanti, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Law Faculty, Kumasi; Ahafo, Pastoral Centre, Goaso; Bono, Pastoral Centre, Sunyani; Bono East, Kokroko Social Centre, Techiman; Central, Quadrangle, UCC, Cape Coast; Eastern, Koforidua Senior High Technical School; Greater Accra, YMCA, Adabraka, Accra; Northern, Tamale College of Education, Tamale; North East, Nalerigu Senior High School and Savannah, Damongo Youth Centre. The others are Upper East, Bolgatanga Technical University Library Complex; Upper West, Old UDS Campus, Wa; Oti, Dambai College of Education; Volta, Catholic Secretariat (Bishop Koning Centre); Western, Great Hall, Takoradi Technical University; Western North, Pastoral Centre, Sefwi Wiawso; and NPP headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra. 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. Featured Video A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has appealed to the 961 super delegates of the party to have faith in him by voting massively for him to be among the five candidates that will be shortlisted for the November 4 showdown. In his message to the super delegates ahead of Saturday, August 26, 2023, polls, Dr. Akoto said now is the time for the kingmakers of the party to show him some love after having done so much to the progress of the party. He reminded them of his vision for the party and the country and noted that he has the wherewithal to revive the UP tradition and ensure its growth, where the sufferings of its activists will be no more. According to the former two-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, his vision of establishing commercial businesses to generate revenue to finance activities of the party at all levels while creating job opportunities for the unemployed stands tall among the ten candidates vying for the flagbearer position of the party since it is sustainable and attainable. I am appealing to you, the super delegates, to vote for me. When you vote for me, I have envisioned two things to do; one for the party and the other for the country. All of us are aware of what happened in the 2016 general elections. In the Presidential, our then candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo beat the then incumbent President John Mahama with over 900,000 votes. But when we went to the 2020 general elections when everyone was expecting a wider margin between these two presidential candidates, the over 900,000 votes were cut down to a little over 500,000. We nearly lost the parliamentary majority seats. We are now pegged at 137 with the Independent Parliamentary candidate, Amoako Asiamah, declaring to do business with the NPP for us to become the Majority Group, he noted. He added these happenings tell us that all was not well largely because our grassroots were abandoned. When you talk to them, almost everyone is complaining. This makes breaking the eight-year governance cycle very difficult, hence, my decision to contest for the flagbearer position to turn things around. So, I am appealing to you once again to show me some love and vote massively for me. I will ensure to work hard to reform the party for all to enjoy, he underscored. He said both women and the youth will play leading roles in his government when elected to lead the NPP and subsequently as President of the Republic of Ghana. A total of 10 aspirants are contesting for the flagbearer race of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). They are a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Energy, Mr Boakye Agyarko; former NPP General Secretary and presidential spokesperson, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong, Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh; former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku. The rest are Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mr Joe Ghartey; energy expert, Mr Kwadwo Opoku and Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. A Special Delegates Congress will be held on August 26, 2023, to select five of the presidential aspirants. The top five aspirants will then contest for the flagbearer slot on November 4, 2023, to elect one to lead the party in the 2024 general election. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video KAMPALA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has banned the importation of second-hand clothes as a move to support home brands and local employment. Starting Sept. 1, no used clothes will be imported into the country, Museveni said at the commissioning of 15 factories in the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, eastern Uganda, on Thursday. "The clothes are shipped here for our people to purchase and wear. I wonder who collects them and brings them here. I have decided to put my foot down and say no to imported second-hand clothes," the president said in a televised speech. Museveni thanked the Chinese who had set up factories at the industrial park for creating jobs and manufacturing brand-new products such as clothes and electronics. "Today, I have commissioned 15 factories and broken the ground for another nine. A total of 2,000 jobs and 40 factories have been established," the president said. He also said that starting Sept. 1, "all electricity meters and cables will be sourced from our local manufacturers here at Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park." The industrial park, commissioned in 2018, can house 55 factories and employ 15,000 people when at full capacity. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: AI-generated image Our cities are complex places of work, industry and residential activities. This often makes it hard to pin down the spread of different contaminants throughout them. This can be a concern, especially given mounting evidence there is no "safe" limit of exposure for many of the chemicals we use in our daily lives. The connections between contamination, food, water and human health add to these concerns. Measuring contamination in soil or dust is a good start. But this can only tell us the level of a contaminant at the place it was sampled. Our two new studies have used backyard bees to better monitor contamination in urban environments. The buzz behind biomonitoring When it comes to understanding contamination, honey bees can do the hard work for us. While foraging for nectar, pollen and water, bees are constantly picking up contaminants from their environment. Because we know their lifespan and approximate foraging range, chemical analysis can provide a snapshot of the levels of contaminants in their foraging area at that time. With the help of backyard beekeepers, our two studies, published in Environmental Science & Technology and Environmental Pollution traced toxic metals and antimicrobial resistance genes across two urban centers: Sydney, Australia, and Noumea, New Caledonia. European honey bees have long been used as sentinel species to monitor for pests and diseases, including Varroa mites and chemicals at airports. Bees can also be used as biomonitors to understand contaminants across our urban environments. Foraging honey bees pick up contaminants in the environment. Credit: Mark Patrick Taylor As the popularity of urban beekeeping has grown, there has been more research on honey bee biomonitoring of a range of contaminants, including metals, pesticides and so-called "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, in honey. How bees help us map pollution Honey bees can reveal patterns of contamination that might otherwise go unnoticed. In Noumea, we used honey bees to map impacts from the local nickel smelter. We found levels of metals associated with the smelternickel, chromium and cobaltwere elevated next to the smelter and decreased farther away. This might not sound surprising given the smelter is a major source of pollution. However, comparing the data from bees to soil and dust samples revealed bees were the most sensitive and effective marker of smelter contamination. By mapping trace metals in honey bees in Sydney we could look at the specific factors contributing to metal pollution within their foraging range. For the neurotoxic metal lead, we found residential and industrial activity were key influences, especially in heavily populated inner-city areas. In contrast, less populated locations and larger areas of parks or farms had higher levels of manganese. This likely came from natural soil sources and pesticide use. Bees effectively collect environmental samples and bring them back to hives across the city. Credit: Mark Patrick Taylor We also examined how bees can help us understand emerging concerns such as the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. It's a key concern in urban areas, driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. We found these AMR genes were common across Sydney83% of bees examined had ingested one or more of the genes we looked for. The source was not strongly linked to industrial activity, but rather the area of water bodies available for the bees to drink from. This may be because these genes can enter the environment through human wastewater and runoff and then be absorbed by foraging bees. How do contaminants affect bees? We also wanted to know if bees that contained contaminants were actually ingesting them. Our analyses showed contaminants build up within the bee over time and were not present on their exterior. We compared metal concentrations in matched samples of washed and unwashed bees and they were no different, indicating contaminants were inside the bee. Further, metal concentrations were higher in older, dead bees at the end of their lives than in the younger bees. Using high-resolution imaging, we found only organic non-metal particles on the outside of bees. This may be because bees have very good self-cleaning habits. These behaviors also keep hives free from parasites and fungi brought in by foraging bees. Research has shown exposure to contaminants including metals and neonicotinoid insecticides can impair honey bee development, foraging ability and survival. Scanning electron microscope images of Noumea bees. Where particles could be identified they were found to be not metallic. Credit: Authors And what's in their honey? Both honey producers and consumers want to know if their honey is safe to eat. While we previously identified some commercial honeys are adulterated with sugar syrups, this new work focused on potentially toxic trace metals in the honey. The good news is we found trace metals in honey at very low levels that do not pose a concern. In Noumea, the main smelter element, nickel, was more than 30 times lower in honey than in the bees. We found similar outcomes in the mining town of Broken Hill, Australia where lead levels in honey were ten times lower than in the bees themselves. Bees aren't the only biomonitors The lessons from this work have led the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, with which we are all affiliated, to explore the use of biomonitors (honey bees, house sparrows and birds of prey) in its ongoing environmental contaminant research. As a science-based regulator, the EPA uses these types of studies to better understand the presence, uptake and dispersal of contaminants and protect environmental and human health. Earth is facing a multitude of interlacing environmental challenges including biodiversity loss, climate change, population growth and pervasive chemical pollution. More comprehensive monitoring, including surveillance using bees, will allow us to respond more quickly and effectively to environmental health challenges. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: 'Citizen scientist' Pat Stirling and others have been monitoring pollution levels on the River Wye. On the banks of the River Wye on the border between England and Wales, Pat Stirling flings a plastic measuring jug tied to a rope into the water. Up and down the river, a team of 250 others have been doing the same, hoping to save it from an unfolding ecological crisis. "The river is declining. The next thing is it's partially dead, then it's completely dead," Stirling told AFP between tests. The researchers say that after years of being ignored, their data has finally forced admissions about a pollution problem caused mostly by chicken manure. The Wye Valley and its meandering river have notably inspired the Romantic poet William Wordsworth who eulogized it in the 1798 poem "Tintern Abbey". Stretching 250 kilometers (155 miles) from its source in mid-Wales to the Severn estuary, the Wye cuts through stunning countryside. But in 2020 signs began to emerge that the river and its rare wildlife were under threat. People noticed that the usually smooth stones on the floor of the river had become "slimed up", said Stirling, 43, a carbon footprint consultant originally from Australia. 'Disgusting stuff' Bird and insect life dwindled and anglers noticed that fish were struggling to grow to larger sizes. They found high levels of pollution in the river, which straddles the border of England and Wales. Most noticeably, the Water Crowfootan aquatic flowering plant that the river was once thick withwas disappearing. First thoughts turned to a nearby sewage treatment plant. But as nothing had changed in the way the plant operated locals concluded that it was no more polluting than previously. "You can take a shot of sewage overflow but what you can't take a photo of is the shocking amounts of animal manure coming out of the intensive poultry units," Stirling said. A study of planning applications on both sides of the border pointed to the vast number of poultry units that had sprung up along the river in recent years. Campaigners estimate that there are now 20 million farmed birds in the area of the River Wye in over 760 units. The units supply a chicken processing plant run by Avara Foods in Hereford, which a decade ago won a huge contract to supply UK supermarket giant Tesco. After one reported pollution incident, Stirling investigated and found "this horrendous smell and this truly disgusting stuff everywhere". The units supply a chicken processing plant run by Avara Foods in Hereford. 'Declining' "Something had gone awfully wrong. I took samples and identified that it was coming from a specific farm", he said. The manure produced by the chicken sheds contains high levels of the essential nutrient phosphorus, excessive amounts of which damage water quality. The manure is either spread onto farmland and then washed into the river by rain or into the river directly from the ground where it is dropped by free-range chickens. Wye phosphorus levels were "nearly 60 percent greater than the national average", Lancaster University scientist Paul Wither told MPs last year. Conservation watchdog Natural England, which advises the government, in May downgraded the water quality rating of the river, following declines in important species like Atlantic salmon and white-clawed crayfish. Stirling said he believed the updating of the classification to "unfavorable-declining" only happened due to the noise generated by campaigners and "citizen scientists" like him. He welcomed the body's interest but added, "We also know they would never have done anything if we hadn't (got involved in testing)." Campaigners pointed the finger at waste from the proliferation of chicken farms up and down the valley. Positive signs If the river is to avoid the two lowest categories"part-destroyed" or "destroyed"the authorities need to urgently pull the right "levers", he said. Some of the signs are positive. In a letter to farmers this month, Avara foods explained that contracts would be changed so their manure could not be sold within the Wye catchment area. Its aim was to make sure that "our supply chain is demonstrably not part of the problem by 2025", it said. The firm told AFP that although they would play their part to "mitigate the impact of our supply chain" Avara Foods were not "direct polluters". "Farms in our supply chain use or sell poultry litter... yet we recognize the potential impact this may have," it added. Stirling said he believed Avara's new position was linked to a law suit in the United States involving its joint owner, food giant Cargill, and other poultry producers. Avara Foods deny being 'direct polluters' but have vowed to tighten up practices. The company says it would work to mitigate the impact of its supply chain. A judge in January ruled that the companies were responsible for degrading the Illinois River in a similar way to the pollution of the Wye. For now Stirling and his team of citizen scientists will carry on testing and feel hopeful they can make a difference. "What gets measured gets managed and we are seeing that happen. We are getting traction because of the public data noise," he said. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Land surface temperatures around Rome, Italy, on 17 July 2023 measured from space at 22:23 CEST, the surface temperature reached 35C in some parts of the city. The temperatures were recorded by NASA's Ecostress instrument which is carried on the International Space Station. The hot surfaces are clear to see particularly near Ciampino Airport which appears bright red. However, the cooling effect of vegetation, particularly near the Appian Way Park, can be seen in the image. Measurements of the temperature of Earths surface taken from space are essential to track the impact of climate change, and to being better prepared for such extremes especially when it comes to cities where stifling urban heat islands form. The Ecostress instrument, owned by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is important because it is helping in the development of a new Copernicus Sentinel Expansion satellite the Land Surface Temperature Monitoring (LSTM) mission so images such as these offer a glimpse of what the new mission will deliver operationally. Credit: NASA/JPL Confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization, July 2023 was the hottest month on record, with high-impact weather continuing through August. These records are based on air temperatures, but measurements of the temperature of Earth's surface taken from space are also essential to tracking the impact of climate change, and to being better prepared for such extremesespecially when it comes to cities where stifling urban heat islands form. The impact of climate change, affecting billions of people worldwide, is more severe and happening sooner than expectedwith the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warning, "The era of global warming has ended, and the era of 'global boiling' has arrived." Rising global air temperatures are causing untold damage to the natural world and all of its inhabitantsour situation is clearly precarious. There are many devastating issues related to climate change, but one is that temperature extremes directly affect the human body. A paper, published in July in Nature Medicine, estimates that there were over 60,000 heat-related deaths in Europe between 30 May and 4 September 2022proof that extreme temperatures broke records last summer too. According to the World Bank, 56% of the world's population live in cities. They expect that the urban population will more than double by 2050, at which point nearly seven of 10 people will live in cities. Living in a city during a heat wave is particularly dangerous as people have to deal with what is known as the urban heat island effect. Urban heat islands occur when natural land cover, such as vegetation, is replaced with buildings, roads, pavements and other surfaces that absorb and re-emit the sun's heat more than natural landcover such as forests and water bodies. Land surface temperatures around Athens, Greece, on 15 July 2023 measured from space at 20:02 CEST, the surface temperature in the south of the city reached 35C. The temperatures were recorded by NASA's Ecostress instrument which is carried on the International Space Station. The hot surfaces are clear to see as they appear bright red. However, the cooling effect of vegetation can be seen in the image. Measurements of the temperature of Earths surface taken from space are essential to track the impact of climate change, and to being better prepared for such extremes especially when it comes to cities where stifling urban heat islands form. The Ecostress instrument, owned by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is important because it is helping in the development of a new Copernicus Sentinel Expansion satellite the Land Surface Temperature Monitoring (LSTM) mission so images such as these offer a glimpse of what the new mission will deliver operationally. Credit: NASA/JPL Urban areas become 'islands' of higher temperatures compared to outlying rural areas. The difference between urban temperatures and rural temperatures tends to be more pronounced at night. Here, measurements of land-surface temperature are important to understand and monitor urban heat islands, and to plan mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of this phenomenon. It is worth noting the difference between air temperature and land-surface temperature. Air temperature, given in our daily weather forecasts, is a measure of how hot the air is around 1 m above the ground. Land-surface temperature instead is a measure of how hot the actual surface would feel to the touch. During heat waves the temperature of the surface tends to be hotter than the temperature of the air. Images of night-time surface temperatures, taken in July by an instrument called Ecostress on the International Space Station show the land-surface temperature of Athens, Rome and Vienna in the evening or night-time on different dates in July 2023. Measured on 15 July at 20:02 CEST, the surface temperature across the city of Athens is much the samearound 35C. In comparison, the cooling effects of vegetation in Rome is clear to see. The Ecostress instrument, owned by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is important because it is helping in the development of a new Copernicus Sentinel Expansion satellitethe Land Surface Temperature Monitoring (LSTM) missionso images such as these offer a glimpse of what the new mission will deliver operationally. ESA is using the experimental instrument to simulate the data that will eventually be returned by LSTM, which will provide systematic high-resolution measurements of the temperature of the land surface. Land surface temperatures around Vienna, Austria, on 14 July 2023 measured from space at 22:27 CEST. The temperatures were recorded by NASA's Ecostress instrument which is carried on the International Space Station. Hot surfaces are clear to see in bright red while the cooling effect of parks and vegetation can be seen in the image. Measurements of the temperature of Earths surface taken from space are essential to track the impact of climate change, and to being better prepared for such extremes especially when it comes to cities where stifling urban heat islands form. Land surface temperatures across Austria can be explored via ESAs Green Transition Information Factory an online platform providing actionable information from Earth observation to accelerate the Green Transition for both society and the economy. Users can also map and quantify the presence of green roofs on buildings an effective measure in mitigating the impacts of urban heat islands owing to their significant cooling power. The platform provides valuable insights into their impact to mitigate the urban heat island effect as well as helping cities to plan further mitigation measures to prepare for extreme heatwaves in the future. Credit: NASA/JPL The mission promises to be a game-changer for urban planners in their efforts to improve the lives of city dwellers as climate change tightens its grip even more. Both space agencies, NASA and ESA, are working together closely to make the most use out of the upcoming high-resolution thermal Earth observation missions in a synergetic manner, including NASA's Surface Biology and Geology mission. ESA's LSTM mission scientist Benjamin Koetz said, "Knowing exactly how high the temperature a surface reaches and where the heat is being trapped will help planners make informed decisions for mitigating the heat impacts by where best to plant shading trees, use special cooling coatings for pavements or even roofs. "We currently have Copernicus Sentinel-3, which already gives us land-surface temperatures, but LSTM will provide land-surface temperatures at higher resolution for urban planningand importantly it will also give us these operational data products at night when the urban heat islands are at their worst." ESA's Green Transition Information Factoryan online platform providing actionable information from Earth observation to accelerate the Green Transition for both society and the economyis helping decision makers use information from space to adapt to climate change impacts. Through its interactive platform, users can not only explore land surface temperatures across Austria, but they can also map and quantify the presence of green roofs on buildings. Green roofs are an effective measure in mitigating the impacts of urban heat islands owing to their significant cooling power through increased evapotranspiration of plants. They are also able to decrease the energy consumption of buildings and sequester carbon within the plants and soil needed for the greening of roofs. The platform's ability to map green roofs in a given area provides valuable insights into their impact to mitigate the urban heat island effect as well as helping cities to plan further mitigation measures to prepare for extreme heat waves in the future. The Green Transition Information Factory is preparing for the Space for Green Future Acceleratorone of ESA's Accelerators driving Europe's innovation and the use of space for the global climate crisis This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The remote area of the western Choco department boasts a bounty of plant species, while its clear and warm Pacific waters are a breeding ground for humpback whales and turtles. In the remote west of Colombia, where virgin rainforest and pristine beaches collide, a group of politicians and businessmen dreamed of building a massive port on the Pacific. It took almost two decades, but a small community managed to sink the project, betting on a different development model to preserve their slice of paradise. In June, UNESCO declared the Gulf of Tribuga a biosphere reserve, putting a definitive end to plans to build a deepwater port and some 80 kilometers (50 miles) of highway through the untouched jungle. The remote region, with no roads linking it to the interior, boasts a bounty of plant species, while its warm Pacific waters are a breeding ground for humpback whales and turtles. In a region where unemployment stands around 30 percent, and poverty affects some 63 percent of inhabitants, the project promised "a lot of jobs," recalls Marcelina Morena, a 51-year-old Columbian of African descent. "But on the other hand, it was going to bring us destruction of the mangroves, the land, everything. So we said no to the port." Wearing rubber boots and gloves, she clambers through thick mangrove branches in search of pianguas, a mollusk considered a delicacy in Ecuador and Mexico. Marcelina Moreno says the port would have brought destruction to the mangroves. She says the Gulf of Tribuga "is going to be for the children, so that in the future they have something to live on." "We will not allow anyone to destroy it, because it is a natural heritage." 'Benefits to a few' The project was first proposed in 2006 by a group of around 30 local officials and businessmen. It progressed at a snail's pace until Ivan Duque, elected president in 2018, made it a priority. But he faced fierce resistance from some 18,000 Afro-Colombians and members of the Embera Indigenous community who rejected an offer of a minimum share in profits. Environmental groups and studies argued over and over again how the construction of the port would damage the unique area. At the same time, the company backing the project struggled to get the right approvals to move forward with construction. Locals want to explore alternative forms of development that keep the environment intact. The local community also pointed to the case of Buenaventura, Colombia's largest Pacific cargo terminal, only 200 kilometers south, which has been in operation for decades. Nevertheless, the mainly Black population there still suffers from unemployment, a lack of public services, and lives under the threat of armed groups who traffic drugs around the port. Local media have also reported that the port is operating at less than half of its capacity. "Buenaventura (is) like a mirror. The port only brings benefits to a few" while creating other problems, said Arnold Rincon, director of Codechoco, the local environmental body that fought against the project. In February 2022, under pressure from an aggressive environmental campaign, Duque backtracked and asked UNESCO to designate the zone as a biosphere reserve, without explaining his change of heart. Some 18,000 Afro-Colombians and members of the Embera Indigenous community live in the rich environment of the Gulf of Tribuga, an area with no roads connecting it to the rest of the country. A crab crawls through a mangrove swamp in Nuqui. Eco-tourism Residents want a different path to prosperity. Locals "speak of ecotourism and artisanal fishing, the sale of carbon credits and different strategies that do not affect the biome," said Rincon. Small-scale eco-tourism to the hard-to-reach area grew 126 percent between 2019 and 2021, according to official data, and is seen as an engine for further growth. With little connection to bigger markets, one company is helping carry fresh fish from the region by plane to restaurants in the interior. Viche, a cane brandy distilled by locals, is being sold in bars in Bogota. The women who spend their days searching for the piangua mollusks, which sell for seven dollars a pound, hope their product will soon find a similar market. Mangroveswhich trap enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasesare "life", says Arisleda Hurtado, president of the local association of piangueras. "When you survive off something you have to take care of it, you can't destroy that which sustains you." 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain While the killer whale best known as Lolita was alive, the Lummi Nation led a campaign to free her from the Miami Seaquarium and bring her home to her native waters of Washington state. The effort continues after the animal's death last week at an estimated age of 57. "She was taken from her home and moved across the country," said Anthony Hillaire, chairman of the governing body for the Lummi people, the original inhabitants of Washington's northernmost coast, where the orca was captured in 1970. "It's time for her to come home." While at odds with the Seaquarium for years over the park's ownership of the orca the Lummi call Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, Hillaire said recent days seemed to bring consensus with park leadership on the animal's final steps. He said Lummi representatives plan to fly to Georgia where a necropsy was recently completed and take possession of the orca's cremated remains. From there, they plan to fly back to Washington for a ceremonial farewell to the orca that merits the spiritual weight the Lummi give a killer whale they've consider having been abducted from their shared home. "We view her as our relative," Hillaire said. "We feel her story." Lummi advocacy helped reshape public perception of what was once the Seaquarium's star attraction, an orca that is also called Tokitae based on another indigenous name for Lolita. In 2018, Lummi representatives traveled 3,000 miles from Seattle to Miami with a totem pole carved to honor Tokitae (often shortened to Toki). "Tokitae's story needs to be heard and needs to be shared. It's the right thing to do," Jay Julius, then chairman of the Lummi Nation, said at the Miami event. "We have much concern for the conditions she is kept in today." A more sensitive conclusion than Hugo had At the time, the Seaquarium opposed moving Lolita to natural waters. Last year, under new ownership, the for-profit theme park agreed to a plan backed by the non-profit Friends of Toki to eventually move the orca to a netted pen off the Washington coast. That plan existed only on paper when Lolita died on Aug. 18 in her tank, with a potential relocation still months if not years away assuming the appropriate permits and sea-bottom rights could be acquired. A Lummi ceremony would be a stark contrast to the arrangements of a former Seaquarium orca, Hugo, which died of a brain aneurysm in 1980. Photos show the 10,000-pound orca being lowered with a crane into a county-owned landfill in South Dade. That kind of a grisly option hasn't been discussed for Lolita, and it's a situation that would be blocked by county government, said Natalia Jaramillo, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's spokesperson. "If that question came to us, the county would deny," she said. Some Seaquarium critics faulted the for-profit park for media images captured in the hours after Lolita's death of a crane hoisting her lifeless body out her tank. "You could have delayed the announcement to allow her to at least be lifted out of the pool," said Marni Wood, a former Seaquarium trainer who worked with Lolita before leaving the park in 2018. "Honestly, I couldn't even watch." A Seaquarium spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. The Seaquarium mentioned the Lummi Nation in its first statement announcing the death of the orca, who the park referred to as Toki. "Toki was an inspiration to all who had the fortune to hear her story and especially to the Lummi Nation that considered her family," the Seaquarium said. "Those who have had the privilege to spend time with her will forever remember her beautiful spirit." Cremation to come, and a ceremony The timing of transferring Lolita's remains uncertain. The office of one of Washington's U.S. senators, Democrat Maria Cantwell, tried to slow the University of Georgia's procedure of breaking down the orca's body in order to turn over mostly intact remains to the Lummi representatives. But the Seattle Times reported Thursday that the procedure was already completed, leaving cremation in Athens the best option. "It was a shock we were not consulted," Hillaire told the newspaper. In an interview with the Miami Herald, Hillaire said he didn't want to dwell on the post-mortem procedures and instead wanted the focus on the planned trip back to home waters. There's a ceremony planned Sunday on San Juan Island in Puget Sound to honor Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, which will include raising the totem pole that made the journey to Miami advocating for the orca's freedom five years ago. "It's time," he said, "for her to rest." 2023 Miami Herald. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Histogram of Percent in Favor of renewing parks and recreation tax levies. Credit: Journal of Regional Science (2023). DOI: 10.1111/jors.12655 Ohio residents who vote against tax renewals for parks and recreation spending could be costing themselves a significant amount of wealth in the form of their homes' value, a University of Cincinnati economist found. David Brasington, Ph.D., the James C. and Caroline Kautz Chair in Political Economy and professor of economics in UC's Carl H. Lindner College of Business, studied the effect of cutting funding for the maintenance of local parks and recreational areas on housing values for a research article that was published in Journal of Regional Science. Brasington found Ohio communities that vote to renew parks and recreation spending see 13% higher home values three years after the vote than similar communities that voted against the tax renewals. For the typical household, a vote against tax renewals saves $70 a year in taxes but costs $30,000 in house values. "I was surprised by how strong the magnitude was," Brasington said. "A 13% difference in house prices is really big. I was surprised a relatively small change in park funding could cause such a big change in house prices over time." In his research, Brasington focused on communities that according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau share similar demographic and economic characteristics. The only discernible difference was that some of them narrowly voted to renew tax levies while others narrowly voted against renewing their levies. Using a housing data set, Brasington compared home values in the communities from 1991 through 2016. While house prices didn't reflect a change immediately, three years after the votes the communities that approved the park and recreation maintenance saw 13% higher house values compared to the communities that voted against their levies. In subsequent years, the gap continued to grow. "I didn't find any effects the first year after the vote or the second year after the vote, but they were noticeable three years later," Brasington said. "The findings I have are consistent with the idea that right after you vote to cut parks and recreation taxes and funding, you don't notice any effects on house prices, but as time goes on, maybe this decrease in maintenance funding starts to be noticeable and maybe it's reflected in house prices." The data doesn't mean that communities that vote against renewing tax levies see a 13% decrease in housing values or that communities that vote in favor of their levies see a 13% increase. Rather, an example could be one community seeing a 7% increase in housing values while another sees a 20% increase, Brasington said. "When a local government offers services, they're competing with other local governments for residents and businesses to build their tax base, so they want to offer good services that people care about," he said. The data shows parks are a service that people care about, Brasington said. It also shows that Ohio's local parks might be underfunded. "Parks and recreation spending seems worth it in Ohio," he said. "There may be places where it isn't, there may be places where it's really, really worthwhile. But overall the parks and recreation spending is worth it in Ohio because the estimate is just an average across all the communities." Brasington's findings on home prices aligns with his previous research on the value of local park funding. In a research article published in 2021, Brasington found communities that renewed tax funding for local parks had more residential development than those that cut park taxes and funding. More information: David M. Brasington, The effect of open space maintenance spending on house prices, Journal of Regional Science (2023). DOI: 10.1111/jors.12655 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: SMU Ph.D. candidate in Finance Wang Luying examines the effect of climate change media reports on stock returns. Credit: Singapore Management University Climate change is the defining crisis of the 21st century. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a "crisis multiplier", while renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough described climate change as "the biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced." Extreme weather events, the latest being the floods in South Korea and India and record heat waves in Greece and the United States, dominate media headlines with worrying and increasing regularity. Wang Luying, a Singapore Management University (SMU) Ph.D. candidate in Finance, decided to ask the question: Can media coverage of climate change move or influence aggregate stock market returns? "If media coverage can predict market returns, then it is important to invest in areas of climate change that are covered by the news media," she explains, referring to her research paper titled "Media Climate Change Concern and Stock Returns". "We constructed a media climate change index based on media coverage about climate change from newspapers, television, and radio. The finding is: The monthly change of the index could predict market return both in-sample and out-of-sample. It can also deliver sizeable economic gains for various investors in asset allocation." The research For the project, Wang and her collaborators looked at the monthly number of climate change news reports from five newspapers, seven television networks, and one radio network between January 2000 and September 2021, as well as two wire services between January 2004 and September 2021. Unlike most existing climate change indexes which are based on a single media outlet, Wang's work is more representative of the media's effect on market reaction to climate change events. For example, retail investors are more likely to sell carbon-intensive firm stocks during hot weather. Keeping track of multiple media sources would be a better gauge of aggregate market sentiment than just focusing on one media outlet. For Wang, who was awarded the 2022 SMU Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship, the study of climate change's economic and financial effects encapsulates the spirit of the Fellowship award. "This paper looks at Climate Finance, bringing together the disciplines of Climate Economics, news media, and Returns Forecasting in Finance," she explains. "Climate change is an urgent and defining issue of our time, and it has also become the central topic in the news media. In finance, the news media plays an important role in market movements. Prior studies have documented that news sentiment and coverage about certain topics can predict market returns." She adds, "We need immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change. Finance is important. It can help allocate resources towards projects that help sustainable development, reduce carbon emissions, or develop renewable energy. This area is important and meaningful. "Climate risk is very complex. Where it can affect financial markets are two primary channels: The first is physical risks, the second is transition risks. Physical risks include things such as extreme weather and natural disasters, while transition risks pertain to policies and regulations, such as carbon taxes or emission limits. The way to measure these two types of risks effectively is quite important and interesting." Looking ahead As Wang approaches the conclusion of her Ph.D. journey, she credits the expertise and guidance of SMU faculty for her developmentfrom her thesis advisor Professor Jun Tu, thesis committee members Professors Hong Zhang and Dashan Huang, to other faculty members such as Professor Hao Liang. Wang believes she is well-prepared for post-Ph.D. life. "I'm focused on positions looking at empirical finance and asset pricing, but I'm only starting to explore my options," she says. As for those who are just starting out on, or are looking at a Finance Ph.D. at SMU, she points out that "there are seminars every week so there is plenty of opportunity to talk to the faculty for career advancement." "But for the first two years, focus on passing the Qualifying Examination and also try to explore your interested research area as early as possible," she emphasizes. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The fabled French wine industry is beset by a string of problems. The French government announced Friday that 200 million euros ($216 million) would be set aside to fund the destruction of surplus wine production in a bid to support struggling producers and shore up prices. Several major wine-producing regions in France, particularly the famed Bordeaux area, are struggling because of a cocktail of problems from changes in consumption habits, the cost-of-living crisis and the after-effects of COVID-19. A fall in demand for wine has led to over-production, a sharp fall in prices, and major financial difficulties for up to one in three wine makers in the Bordeaux region, according to the local farmers' association. An initial European Union fund of 160 million euros for wine destruction has been topped up to 200 million euros by the French government, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau told reporters at a press conference on Friday. The money was "aimed at stopping prices collapsing and so that wine-makers can find sources of revenue again," but he stressed that the industry needed to "look to the future, think about consumer changes ... and adapt." The southwest Languedoc region, the country's largest wine area known for its full-bodied reds, has also been hit hard by the fall in wine demand. The alcohol from destroyed wine can be sold to companies for use in non-food products such as hand sanitizer, cleaning products, or perfume. "We're producing too much, and the sale price is below the production price, so we're losing money," Jean-Philippe Granier from the Languedoc wine producers' association told AFP earlier this month. The agriculture ministry also announced 57 million euros in June to fund the pulling up of around 9,500 hectares of vines in the Bordeaux region, while other public funds are available to encourage grape-growers to switch into other products, such as olives. Output up, sales down Europe last suffered a so-called "wine lake" in the mid-2000s, which forced the European Union to reform its farm policy to reduce the massive overproduction of wine which was being stimulated by its own subsidies. The 27-member bloc still spends 1.06 billion euros annually on the sector, according to EU figures. As well as a long-term trend of consumers switching into beer and other alcohols, the industry was badly hit by the COVID-19 crisis which shut restaurants and bars worldwide, leading to a sharp fall in sales. Recent rises in the price of food and fuel, linked to rocketing global energy prices and the invasion of Ukraine, have also seen buyers reduce their spending on non-essential goods such as wine. While approving emergency help for the sector in June, the European Commission said that wine consumption for the current year was estimated to have fallen 7 percent in Italy, 10 percent in Spain, 15 percent in France, 22 percent in Germany and 34 percent in Portugal. Wine production in the bloc, the world's biggest wine-making area, rose 4.0 percent. The Commission said the worst affected vineyards were those producing red and rose wines from certain regions of France, Spain and Portugal. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The widlfires are the biggest in the European Union this year. Greek firefighters struggled on Friday to contain scores of blazes stretching nationwidethe largest fires in the European Union this year. The biggest fire front was in the Evros region close to the Turkish border, near the northern port city of Alexandroupoli, where a mega blaze that erupted on Saturday raged untamed. "Unfortunately Evros is the most active part of all the fronts we are facing at the moment and perhaps the most difficult section that we will face today," fire department spokesman Yiannis Artopios told state television ERT on Friday. The fire was consuming the Dadia forest, one of the major areas in Europe for birds of prey. The Alexandroupoli wildfires are now the largest in the EU on record for 2023 and the second largest since 2000, according to the bloc. The bodies of 19 people believed to be migrants, two of them children, were found in the area this week. "At the moment there is no big active front on Mount Parnitha," near Athens, Artopios said. A third large fire was still blazing in Boeotia, north of Athens, but the conditions were improved. A shepherd lost his life in the fires in this area on Monday. Authorities blamed arsonists for the multiple fronts that have emerged simultaneously in the country during the past few days. Artopios said investigations into the arsons now involve thed national intelligence service and the fire prevention department. A very high fire risk is forecast on Friday for central Greece and Athens. Fires had scorched more than 120,000 hectares (nearly 30,000 acres) of land across Greece in 2023 until Wednesday, according to estimates from the National Observatory. This year's burned land area is three times larger than the average annually since 2006, according to the European Observatory of Forest Fires. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Emergency crews assess damage after a strong storm passed in Kent County, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. A strong storm powered by winds up to 75 mph has downed trees and power lines across Michigan, torn roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP At least seven tornadoes touched down in Michigan as part of severe storms powered by strong winds that killed five people, while downing trees, tearing roofs off buildings and leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without power, officials said. The National Weather Service on Friday said an EF-2 tornado with a maximum wind speed of 125 mph (201 kilometers per hour) struck Lansing, the state capital, killing one person Thursday night and injuring three others. Lansing Police Department spokesperson Jordan Gulkis said an 84-year-old woman died after a tree fell on a home. Firefighters extricated the woman from the home, but she was pronounced dead at a hospital. The weather service also confirmed that an EF-1 tornado with winds of 90 mph (145 kph) crossed from Ingham County into the western edge of adjacent Livingston County on Thursday night. Four other EF-1 tornadoes were reported in Belleville and Gibraltar in Wayne County, and in South Rockwood and near Newport in Monroe County. A weaker EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 80 mph (128 kph) was on the ground for less than two miles in Wayne County's Canton Township, west of Detroit, the weather service said. That tornado caused a tree to fall into a house, said meteorologist Sara Schultz. The weather service office in Grand Rapids, in western Michigan, said officials would be in the field Friday conducting damage surveys on a suspected tornado in Kent County. A tree sits damaged after severe weather in Kent County, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. A strong storm powered by winds up to 75 mph has downed trees and power lines across Michigan, torn roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP The storms featured lightning displays erupting across the night sky and dumped multiple inches of rain on communities across the lower portion of the state. In western Michigan, the Kent County sheriff's office said a 21-year-old woman and two girls, ages 1 and 3, died Thursday night after two vehicles collided head-on as it was raining. "There was two vehicles traveling toward each other. One hydroplaned on water and it was occupied by four people," Sgt. Eric Brunner told WZZM-TV. The sheriff's office said a 22-year-old Gowen man who was driving the car carrying the woman and two girls was seriously injured in the crash, which occurred when his car struck an SUV. That vehicle's driver suffered minor injuries. In Ingham County, where Lansing is located, the sheriff's office said Friday that one person was confirmed dead and several people severely injured as more than 25 vehicles were severely damaged along Interstate 96. Emergency crews clear damage after a strong storm passed in Kent County, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. A strong storm powered by winds up to 75 mph has downed trees and power lines across Michigan, torn roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP It was not immediately clear early Friday afternoon if the storm or a crash was responsible for the wrecks on the freeway. In the north Detroit suburb of Southfield, Muqitu Berry said he was in his ranch home about 9:30 p.m. Thursday when a large part of the trunk of a neighbor's tree came crashing down, sounding "like a train coming through." The tree ended up across the front of Berry's driveway and yard and took down power lines, dropping them onto his driveway and at least one vehicle, leaving Berry and his neighbors without power. "I can't get out of my driveway. I can't go anywhere," Berry said Friday morning. "We're out of power, and it's very frustrating." Wayne County Executive Warren Evans declared a state of emergency Friday in Michigan's largest county, which includes Detroit, due to power outages, flooding, fallen trees and power lines and storm debris. Emergency crews assess damage after a strong storm passed in Kent County, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. A strong storm powered by winds up to 75 mph has downed trees and power lines across Michigan, torn roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP The county also warned residents to avoid any contact with several rivers after flooding caused municipalities to discharge partially or fully untreated wastewater into various waterways. In Macomb County, northeast of Detroit, several thousand basements in Eastpointe and St. Clair Shores were spared flooding when stormwater and wastewater were discharged to Lake St. Clair through an emergency bypass system, Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said. The bypass has been used only three times since 2017 but twice this week. "Apparently, these storms have become our new normal," Miller said. "This has been like a tropical storm, and both government and residents will need to make appropriate preparations whenever possible." Canton Township, a community of some 100,000 people, was hit earlier this week by flooding in its downtown business district. Traffic is redirected from the I-94 and I-275 interchange after overnight flooding left vehicles stranded near the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Detroit. Credit: Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press via AP "Some of our parks are destroyed," township supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak said, adding that the township received calls from 200 residents regarding flooding in their basements. More than 390,000 customers in Michigan and over 120,000 in Ohio were without power as of about 7:15 p.m. Friday, according to the Poweroutage.us website. Thursday night's storms followed a round of heavy rain Wednesday that left areas in southeast Michigan with over 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of rain by Thursday morning, resulting in street flooding in the Detroit area, including tunnels leading to Detroit Metropolitan Airport in the suburb of Romulus, officials said. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday declared a state of emergency for Wayne and Monroe counties, which makes available state resources to help with response and recovery efforts related to storm damage. A man stands in front of his car stranded at the exit of the New Towne Center strip mall at Sheldon and Ford Roads in Canton, Mich., after a thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain in the area early Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. He was able to get it started and drove away. Credit: Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press via AP Jerald Joubran, 30, of Hollywood tries to find his family after his flight landed at McNamara Terminal and he trekked up the road at Detroit Metropolitan Airport where passengers and would-be travelers were stranded after overnight flooding in the area on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press via AP)/Detroit Free Press via AP) A plane flys over flooding on I-94 eastbound service drive at Vinning Road on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, Romulus, Mich. Officials say parts of southeast Michigan got over 5 inches of rain by Thursday morning resulting in street flooding in the Detroit area, including tunnels leading to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Credit: Clarence Tabb Jr./Detroit News via AP Damage to a structure is left after a strong storm passed in Kent County, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. A strong storm powered by winds up to 75 mph has downed trees and power lines across Michigan, torn roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP Flooding around the Detroit Metropolitan Airport left passengers and would-be travelers stranded after a deluge of rain overnight on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Many passengers walked to Eureka road from McNamara Terminal after landing in hopes of finding their family. Credit: Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press via AP Floodwaters blocks Wayne Road under I-94, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Detroit. Officials say parts of southeast Michigan got over 5 inches of rain by Thursday morning resulting in street flooding in the Detroit area, including tunnels leading to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Credit: David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP A "water over road" sign stands near floodwaters at Sheldon and Ford Roads in Canton, Mich., after a thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain in the area early Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press via AP A man removes downed trees after a strong storm passed in Kent County, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. A strong storm powered by winds up to 75 mph has downed trees and power lines across Michigan, torn roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP A tow truck drives through floodwaters to clear cars stuck on Canton Center Road near Ford Road in Canton, Mich., after a thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain in the area early Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press via AP People help push a car out of floodwaters after a woman got stuck in the middle of Canton Center Road in Canton, Mich., after a thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain in the area early Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press via AP A tow truck driver from K.M.C. Towing checks on a woman stuck in her car in floodwaters on Canton Center Road in Canton, Mich., after a thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain in the area early Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press via AP Traffic is redirected from I-275 after overnight flooding left vehicles stranded near the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Mich., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya Aidan Ross, 17 of Canton, joins neighborhood friends in their kayaking going up and down Canton Center Road in Canton, Mich. looking to help stranded motorists in need of help after a big thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain in the area in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press via AP Traffic is redirected from I-275 after overnight flooding left vehicles stranded near the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Mich., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya Mitzi Hale and her three sons look out a window at backed-up traffic due to the closure of Detroit Metropolitan Airport's McNamara Terminal on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Romulus, Mich. A flight originating from McNamara that was scheduled to take Hale and her boys to Florida for a vacation was delayed. Parts of Michigan received more than 5 inches of rain, which flooded tunnels leading to Detroit's main airport. Credit: AP Photo/Mike Householder Cars sit stranded in floodwaters on Sheldon Road south of Ford road in Canton, Mich., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Officials say parts of southeast Michigan got over 5 inches of rain by Thursday morning resulting in street flooding in the Detroit area, including tunnels leading to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Credit: David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP Traffic is redirected from I-275 after overnight flooding left vehicles stranded near the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Mich., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya A tree is uprooted outside a home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Canton Township, Mich. A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: AP Photo/Mike Householder Mitzi Hale and her three sons look out a window at backed-up traffic due to the closure of Detroit Metropolitan Airport's McNamara Terminal on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Romulus, Mich. A flight originating from McNamara that was scheduled to take Hale and her boys to Florida for a vacation was delayed. Parts of Michigan received more than 5 inches of rain, which flooded tunnels leading to Detroit's main airport. Credit: AP Photo/Mike Householder A tree is uprooted outside a home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Canton Township, Mich. A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: AP Photo/Mike Householder A tree is uprooted outside a home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Canton Township, Mich. A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: AP Photo/Mike Householder A tree is uprooted outside a home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Canton Township, Mich. A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Credit: AP Photo/Mike Householder The storms pushed east across Lake Erie and into northeast Ohio, uprooting trees and leaving thousands of homes and businesses without power. A tornado also tore through part of Cleveland late Thursday night. It's path was about 150 yards (137 meters) wide and nearly a mile long. No injuries were reported, but several buildings were severely damaged, including the 143-year-old New Life at Calvary Church that lost its roof. Church leaders asked members to stay away from the building. "2 Timothy 4:17 says, the Lord stood with me and gave me strength," Pastor Kellie Sullivan said in a press release. "Our church has faced major loss and we praise God that no one was hurt. Please pray for our church as we start to rebuild." Parts of the western United States have been deluged in recent weeks with rain from Tropical Storm Hilary, and much of the central U.S. was beaten down by deadly sweltering heat. In Hawaii and Washington, emergency crews battled catastrophic wildfires. Scientists say that without extensive study they cannot directly link a single weather event to climate change, but that climate change is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme events such as storms, droughts, floods and wildfires. Climate change is largely caused by human activities that emit carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, according to the vast majority of peer-reviewed studies, science organizations and climate scientists. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stronger China-Africa cooperation conducive to developing countries' unity, interests Xinhua) 09:50, August 25, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday that stronger China-Africa cooperation under the current international situation is conducive to the unity among developing countries, as well as to safeguarding their legitimate development interests. Xi made the remarks when meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi pointed out that Hassan's successful visit to China in November last year was a highlight moment in China-Tanzania relations, and that various consensuses reached between the two sides are being actively and effectively implemented. China-Tanzania cooperation has always been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation, and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is a beautiful memory shared by the people of China and Tanzania, Xi said. Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Tanzania diplomatic ties, Xi said China is willing to take the opportunity of jointly celebrating the 60th anniversary to continuously work with Tanzania in firmly supporting each other's core interests and major concerns while deepening strategic cooperation. For her part, Hassan said she was very happy for her successful visit to China last year, and for elevating the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership together with President Xi. Noting that Tanzania and China have maintained close exchanges at all levels and that cooperation projects have progressed smoothly, Hassan said Tanzania highly appreciates China's valuable support for and assistance to the development of developing countries. Tanzania and other developing countries have all benefited a lot from the Belt and Road cooperation and other major initiatives proposed by Xi, she said. Hassan added that Tanzania looks forward to jointly celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with China next year, and working with China to further elevate the development of bilateral relations. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) COLOMBO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The fifth round of bilateral political consultations between Sri Lanka and Thailand will be held on Aug. 28 in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday. The ministry said the event would be co-chaired by Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan. "The consultations are expected to assess the status of bilateral relations covering ongoing cooperation and areas of shared interest including political, trade and investment, defense, culture and tourism," the ministry said. The fourth round of bilateral political consultations between the two countries was held on Feb. 28, 2018, in Colombo. Sri Lanka is Thailand's fourth-largest trading partner in South Asia. In 2022, the total export value from Sri Lanka to Thailand was over 57 million U.S. dollars, an increase of around 11 percent compared to the previous year, according to official data from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Monarch butterfly drinking nectar from a milkweed plant. Credit: JanetandPhil on Flickr.com, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 The migratory monarch butterfly might not be as endangered as previously thought, according to a new study published in Current Biology. Humans may have artificially inflated the monarch population by making changes to the habitat of Eastern and North America. The numbers we see now may reflect an expanded population from precolonial sizes. "This doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to have more pollinator-friendly habitats for monarchs and beneficial insects," said senior author Joshua Puzey, an associate professor in the William & Mary biology department. The author group includes other current and past W&M biology affiliates, such as first author John Boyle, formerly Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow of Environmental Science and Policy, Associate Professor Harmony Dalgleish and Angela Ricono M.Sc. '18. Ron Smith, associate teaching professor of data science, is also a William & Mary co-author. Examining evidence from the past century, previous research from Boyle, Dalgleish and Puzey had disproved that genetically modified crops were the main culprits for the decline of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and its dominant food source, the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). In this new paper, researchers widened their focus to the past 25,000 years. Using five different data sets, as well as sequenced DNA from milkweeds and monarchs, they tested several hypotheses using Approximate Bayesian Computation via Random Forests, a machine learning method for reconstructing demographic histories. The researchers found that the numbers of milkweeds and monarchs increased after the last glacial period. Their hypothesis is that vast spaces had become available to both species when glaciers retreated. Another increase was detected in the 18th and 19th centuries, when deforestation and expanded agricultural fields created beneficial conditions for the common milkweed in Eastern North America. "Milkweed plants love to grow in disturbed agricultural fields," said Puzey. An abundance of milkweed is at least correlated to the monarch population growth. However, it is not necessarily its main driver. "If you go out into nature during the migration to find milkweed, and you search the milkweed plants for monarch eggs or caterpillars, most of the time you can't find them," said Puzey. "If milkweed plants are truly the limiting resource, you would be expecting that monarchs would be competing for it." According to Puzey, monarchs were originally only occupying the Great Plains and may have extended their migration eastwards because food resources had become available in the newly created habitat. "Historically, the common milkweed might have been quite rare on the landscape of Eastern North America," said Puzey. What the study did not detect was an effective population decline in both monarchs and milkweeds over the past 75 years, a period that corresponds to an expanded use of chemicals in agriculture. This reduction may have been either too small or too recent to leave a signal in the researchers' data set, but the easiest explanation, as the study suggests, is that it simply did not happen. The decline observed over the past 40 years may reflect a mismatch between the monarch population that overwinters in Mexico and the species' effective population size. However, the authors reiterate that their study should not directly impact current conservation efforts. "What I really like about the monarch is that it's a signal to the world that insects are a vital part of our ecosystem," said Puzey. "Their population can be fragile, and we need to be concerned with not only the macroscopic organisms but also the smallest living organisms." The authors encourage further sampling and sequencing and welcome future improvements in demographic modeling techniques, which may shed new light on their interpretation. According to Puzey, the study's hypothesis demonstrates that humans have a massive impact on the landscape. As an example, he cited cardinals, who are fond of that habitat between private yards and the woods: By creating more suburbs, humans have also created more habitat for cardinals. "Just because what we see now is normal, it doesn't mean it was normal 400 years ago," he said. "What we see now is not necessarily what has always been, but we should focus our efforts in keeping things healthy and stable." More information: John H. Boyle et al, Temporal matches between monarch butterfly and milkweed population changes over the past 25,000 years, Current Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.057 Journal information: Current Biology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Precision agriculture (PA) technologies help optimize returns on crops and livestock while using resources as efficiently as possible. However, many farmersspecifically those in the Upper Midweststill see many barriers to adopting PA practices, according to a new study from Tong Wang and Hailong Jin, associate professors in South Dakota State University's Ness School of Management and Economics. The work is published in the journal Precision Agriculture. "PA improves farming efficiency and management, but challenges prior to and following PA adoption can prevent farmers from widely using it," Wang said. "This research aims to understand the barriers perceived by farmers at different usage stages." Precision agriculture is an overarching term for a wide array of farming technologies that aim to address the spatial and temporal variability of the field and promote farming efficiency. Some of the most widely used PA tools include: global positioning system receivers, yield monitoring and mapping, remote sensing via drones, and geographic information systems, among many other technologies. Barriers to PA adoption and more In the summer of 2021, Wang sent out a survey to farmers in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. More than 1,100 corn producers responded to questions regarding their views towards potential challenges posed by PA technologies. Of all respondents, 59% have adopted at least one PA technology from all three categories (georeferencing, diagnostic and application technologies), compared to 14% who have not adopted any PA technologies. Their concerns were organized into four categories: cost concerns, technology concerns, complexity concerns, and infrastructure and support concerns. "If challenges faced by producers are not addressed, it could constrain the widespread adoption of PA technologies," Wang said. Producers agreed that cost concerns, including initial investment costs, annual subscription costs for software, maintenance, and operating costs, were the top issue in regard to PA technology adoption. Of all producers, 60% felt that PA equipment and services were too high. Producers who had not adopted any forms of PA were more likely to say costs were the highest barrier to entry. Costs became less of an issue for producers who were more experienced with PA tools. To overcome this barrier, the researchers theorized that monetary support, in the form of farm loans and subsidies, for new adopters of PA technology as a possible solution. For farmers experienced with PA technologies, one of the biggest concerns was brand compatibility. Data privacy is also one of the major concerns regardless of the adoption status. Data shows that age, farm size and education all play a role in the perceived barriers to adoption. "The results from this study convey that producers with varying experience in PA technologies have different views regarding the main challenges towards PA usage and adoption," Wang said. Previous research has shown the adoption of PA technologies also has public benefits. These include decreased fuel consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved water quality in surrounding waterways due the efficient usage of fertilizers and pesticides. "Findings from this study can aid PA stakeholders in identifying target groups, tailoring future development, research and outright efforts, and ultimately promoting efficient PA usage on a broader scale," Wang said. More information: Tong Wang et al, Factors affecting farmer perceived challenges towards precision agriculture, Precision Agriculture (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11119-023-10048-2 ATLANTA Follow along for live updates after Former President Donald Trump surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president. He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey, flashing a thumbs-up through the window of his sport utility vehicle as his motorcade left. A booking photo released by authorities shot Trump, wearing a navy suit and red tie, angrily scowling at the camera, his brows furrowed as he stares into the lens Unrepentant but subdued after the brief jail visit, he insisted as has repeatedly has that he did nothing wrong and called the case accusing him of subverting election results a travesty of justice. If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election, he told reporters on the airport tarmac before boarding his plane. Earlier he completed the booking process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair. Trump's surrender, coming amid an abrupt shake-up of his legal team, follows the presidential debate in Milwaukee the night before featuring his leading rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination a contest in which he remains the leading candidate despite broad legal troubles. The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted. Since then, he's faced federal charges in Florida and Washington, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime. Read more: Photos: Trump fans gather outside Georgia jail to show support ahead of his surrender HAMMONTON Being a Latina woman such as Landisville resident Ana Contreras is challenging. Staying at home to provide childcare for her three boys Fransisco, 7, Aaron, 4, and Samuel, 2, while trying to learn English and find a job that will support her husbands efforts to support their family are just two of the many hardships she has to overcome. No es facil, said Contreras, 28, which translates to its not easy. Trying to find help, Contreras turned to the Hispanic Womens Resource Center in Hammonton. Job training, access to health care services, like bilingual mental health counseling or behavioral health, as well as community-based social services and peer mentoring are the ways the Hispanic Womens Resource Center is trying to close the Latina wage gap for women like Contreras. Developing the Latina workforce, and addressing the other needs Latina women have, like getting help scheduling a medical appointment, or getting their drivers license, are all ways we can fill that gap, said Joceline Ortiz, the director for several branches of the Hispanic Womens Resource Centers of Southern New Jersey. The Hispanic Womens Resource Centers have been providing translations and English as a Second-Language (ESL) courses, along with help with workforce development and job readiness, like filling out applications or putting together a resume, to New Jerseys Latina women since 1991. They have five other sites besides the Hammonton location, including La Casa de Don Pedro in Essex County, the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs, and the Community Affairs and Resource Center in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Hispanic or Latina women are the demographic group with the biggest wage gap in the country and in the state, according to data from the American Association of University Women. In this years budget, the state allotted more than $3.75 million to help expand programs for Latina women. Hispanic or Latina women on average get paid 57 cents for every dollar white, non-Hispanic men earn, according to 2021 data from Statistica. It takes Latina workers almost an entire extra year of full-time, year-round work to be paid the average annual earnings of white men. And New Jersey ranks 49th out of the 50 states on pay equity for Latinas, according to information on the Latin Action Network Foundation, a state funded program by the NJ Department for Children and Families for the Division on Women. Through the funding the center was able to expand services to places in South Jersey that have a higher number of Hispanic immigration and longtime community of agricultural workers, like Hammonton and Vineland. Services in Vineland are provided through the groups partnership with the Puerto Rican Action Center of Southern New Jersey. They also added more promoteras de salud, or community health specialists that work at the Hispanic Womens Resource Centers, and other specialized roles to the staff. About 36% of Latinas in New Jersey work in childcare, while about 23% work in housekeeping, maid, or other cleaning roles. More than 30% are waitresses/waiters and cooks, according to a 2023 Rutgers University study. All of which are low-income industries that contribute to the wage gap Latinas face, said Ortiz. A very low-income for a person in the Atlantic City-Hammonton area starts at $31,200 and increases about $4,450 for each additional household member, according to current data on the Department of Housing and Urban Development Agencys website. Workforce development that enables Latina women to move out of the restaurants, housekeeping and other low-income industries and into better paying jobs such as those in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields is important. Other services the center provides are family strengthening, medical, behavioral health and utility assistance. Something we love to do is empower women and help them by filling the gaps in their needs, said Ortiz. Claudia Jimenez, who emigrated from Colombia to Hammonton about nine months ago, said her transition to the United States would have been more difficult without help from the Hispanic Womens Resource Center. They helped me schedule a mammogram, make calls and schedule appointments, said Jimenez, who also takes English classes, builds her resume and is in the process of getting her drivers license through programs offered at the Hispanic Womens Resource Center. The center has been my hope to keep me going. Ortiz said the center in Hammonton sees over 50 women a week. Monthly, the center has seen over 200 women get help since its March opening. Ortiz said the Hispanic Womens Resource Center in Hammonton plans on having a grand opening sometime in the near future. Contreras immigrated to New Jersey a few years ago before the pandemic, but she never knew about the services the program offered until they expanded service in Hammonton in March. By April, Contreras was enrolled at the center. Since then, she started taking ESL classes and getting help creating a resume to find work. Shes also utilized the services the family center offers to get help with her two boys with homework, as well as understanding the curriculum by having one of the promoteras help translate important school documents. Im grateful with the program and it has helped me, and my other family and friends, said Contreras. MAYS LANDING A jury on Friday convicted a Camden man on charges that stashed a gun inside an Atlantic City hotel room while being barred from possessing firearms. Prosecutors say Quadir Webb was staying at The Claridge A Radisson Hotel with his girlfriend when a Glock 17 handgun was found inside one of the hotel rooms. A previous conviction made it illegal for him to carry a handgun at the time. Webb, 31, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm, certain persons not to possess a handgun, possession of hollow-point bullets and possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Wilson in October. The jury acquitted Webb's girlfriend, Mariah Taylor. The Prosecutor's Office did not say what offenses Taylor faced. Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor Alyssa Gilboy represented the state in the case. After checking out of the hotel on March 6, 2022, Webb told the front desk he wanted to return to his unit, room 1219, returning later that day. Meanwhile, housekeeping found the Glock handgun, which prosecutors say was loaded with 16 hollow-point bullets, unsecured in the room's nightstand drawer. Webb tried to flee when Atlantic City police arrived at the hotel. MAYS LANDING A woman faces 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges that she coerced her victim into a business investment that resulted in financial losses. Prosecutors say actions by Wei Song, 59, of Egg Harbor Township, resulted in over $600,000 in losses and more than $75,000 in identity theft damages. Song, who allegedly conspired with Botao Liu, pleaded guilty to first-degree money laundering and second-degree identity theft, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. She will be ineligible for parole for seven and a half years as part of the agreement. Liu's case is still in the courts, prosecutors said. Galloway Township police investigated the case. Township police said they discovered Song also wrote millions of dollars in fraudulent checks and incurred more than $3 million in identity theft losses. Song and Liu frequently moved but are last known to have lived in Egg Harbor Township, with Song often using the aliases Coco Li, Min Wang and Juny Li, police said. Both Song and Liu were arrested in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, last year on active warrants and were returned to New Jersey, where they were brought to Atlantic County jail. They were indicted for their charges last November. Song is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 19, prosecutors said. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Bank Indonesia (BI), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) have signed three bilateral memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on a framework for cooperation to promote bilateral transactions in local currencies between the countries. Under the MoUs, the three central banks are committed to strengthening cooperation in the use of local currencies for bilateral transactions, the BNM said in a statement on Friday. The scope of the framework is now expanded to include more eligible cross-border transactions beyond trade and direct investment which would be implemented gradually. The new framework will also synergize with cross-border payment initiatives for more accessible and efficient local currency settlements. The MoUs are set to strengthen cross-border economic activities, enhance regional financial market stability, and deepen local currency markets in the three countries. They supersede the MoUs on the local currency settlement framework signed between the three central banks in August 2015 and December 2016. STONE HARBOR With a new, digital-only system for this summer, revenue from parking meters is on track to match last years total of about $430,000. Thats according to a report by Borough Council member Reese Moore at a recent meeting, at which he said most people parking in the downtown have used the Park Mobile app successfully. Still, thousands did not this summer, with many drivers misunderstanding the system, not realizing the borough charged for parking in some areas or deciding to take a chance and save the cost and trouble of paying for parking through the app. Stone Harbor saw a massive increase in the number of parking tickets issued since switching to the Park Mobile app this season, eliminating parking kiosks and meters in favor of having drivers pay for parking through their phones. In a report to council at the meeting, Moore said there were 2,704 parking tickets written in Stone Harbor this year as of the beginning of August. Parking enforcement begins for the year in May. But borough records show 182,611 successful transactions using Park Mobile over the summer. Moore said the numbers show a small percentage of those using the new parking system received a ticket. I dont know if thats entirely true, added Stone Harbor Police Chief Thomas Shutta at the meeting, which he attended to provide council with its regular report on police activities. Some of those summonses, I imagine a fair amount of them, are not using the system at all. Moore responded that the numbers still mean that 98.5% of people understand the parking system and are using it properly. The spike in parking tickets brought statewide attention to the beach town, when the end of meters and parking kiosks brought a 1,600% increase in the number of parking tickets issued in May, climbing from 33 tickets in 2022 to 564 for the month this year. News outlets in Philadelphia and North Jersey ran stories about the jump in tickets issued. At previous meetings, Shutta stood by the decision to keep writing tickets at many times the normal rate. Enough people were calling the municipal court Stone Harbor shares with its island neighbor Avalon that the borough agreed to cover the cost of an additional part-time court employee to handle the tickets. Stone Harbor officials say the primary impetus for charging for parking downtown is to encourage turnover, so that there are spaces available for potential shoppers. The change will save tens of thousands of dollars in meter maintenance and in collecting the coins, with the parking app making money with a surcharge on each transaction. Officials say they are not interested in raising money through parking fines, which run $34. As the number of complaints mounted, the borough decided to add additional signs in and around the downtown, and have officers help people download and use the app on their phones. Enforcement is more efficient with the new system, according to borough employees familiar with the process, and police have stopped issuing warnings. While someone may be a little late to put another quarter in the meter while shopping or enjoying a snack downtown, money for more time can be added from anywhere on the app. Shutta told council members his officers issued 102 motor vehicle summonses for July, along with three summonses for ordinance violations. There were 16 animal complaints, 18 accidents, two adults were arrested and officers issued 1,247 parking tickets. In a move poised to streamline travel between Pune and Kolhapur, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has initiated a fleet of eight E-Shivai buses on the Swargate to Kolhapur route. This development is set to provide enhanced convenience and comfort for commuters journeying between these two bustling cities. The commencement of E-Shivai bus services marks a significant step in augmenting connectivity on the Swargate to Kolhapur route. The fleet consists of a total of eight buses, evenly distributed with four operating from the Swargate bus stand and an equal number from the Kolhapur bus stand. The deployment of these buses aims to accommodate diverse travel schedules and preferences of the commuting public. For the convenience of passengers, the buses will operate at various intervals throughout the day, catering to a wide range of timings. The schedule for the Swargate to Kolhapur route is as follows: Swargate to Kolhapur: 5:00 am 5:30 am 6:30 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 1:30 pm 2:30 pm 3:30 pm 7:30 pm Kolhapur to Swargate: 5:00 am 5:30 am 6:30 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 1:30 pm 2:30 pm 3:30 pm 7:30 pm This initiative caters to the diverse needs of commuters, offering a range of departure times to accommodate different schedules. Travelers are encouraged to take full advantage of these E-Shivai buses, capitalizing on the seamless connectivity they provide between Swargate and Kolhapur. As MSRTC continues to innovate and enhance its offerings, this introduction stands as a testament to the organization's commitment to providing efficient and convenient travel options for the public. The E-Shivai buses exemplify a step forward in optimizing travel experiences and fostering ease of movement between cities, bolstering connectivity and enriching the daily lives of commuters. Among the adulterated food items found by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the last three months, milk and its by-products like ghee, khoya and paneer topped the list. These products are much in demand during the Ganesh festival, and Mirror sought to know from the FDA officials what precautionary steps they are taking to rein in the violators. FDA joint commissioner Arjun Bhujbal told Mirror that ahead of the Ganpati festival, they are planning to conduct a special Doodh drive to detect the adulteration in milk. We have purchased three milk testing devices to check the quality and detect adulteration. We are planning to conduct an informal sample collection for other milk products like paneer and khoya, he said. We are also keeping a check on the use of artificial colours in sweets and other eatables. If the colours exceed the permissible limits, they are considered non-edible. Such colours are still in the market and we will crack down against the same, said Bhujbal. The officer admitted that the FDA Pune is short-staffed, but added that they will do their best to curb malpractices in the food industry at all times. The agency, despite facing a shortage of staff, is firm on reining in those indulging in food adulteration and playing with peoples health. Products, like edible oil, maida, jiggery and ghee, and also colours will be under the scanner, but the main focus will be on milk and its by-products during the festival, said FDA officials. Giving details about the action over the last three months, Bhujbal said the FDA collected 677 food samples from various food stalls and eateries in the city. It was found that khoya, ghee, paneer and oil are among the most adulterated food products available in the market. The FDA therefore, will conduct a special drive to curb the adulteration menace ahead of the Ganpati festival. Bhujbal said, In the last three months, we have collected fines to the tune of Rs 8,67,000 from food business establishments in the city caught flouting the norms. Police cases have been registered against 49 eateries, food stalls, restaurants and hotels for selling low standard and unsafe food, especially during the monsoon. During the festivity, the sweets and milk products are adulterated, therefore we will conduct a special drive to ensure the quality of food remains intact and healthy to consume. Dr Sanjay Patil, the president of Indian Medical Association, told Mirror that the surveillance done by FDA is an important factor to curb food adulteration, which is the main cause of diseases like food poisoning, gastro and gut related infections. The adulteration percentage in milk products is very high and is a great cause for concern. Such surveillance should be conducted regularly, most often during festivals. People should avoid buying milk products loosely and should check the details carefully before making a purchase, he said. Data shared by FDA reveals that out of 677 samples collected in the last three months, 417 were found to be of standard quality, 27 of low-quality, 41 were unsafe to consume while one sample was found of misbranding. The results for 91 samples are still awaited. The agency inspected around 1,100 places to check the state of hygiene and food safety standards at various places, including eateries, food stalls, restaurants and hotels, for selling low standard, and unsafe food. During the inspection FDA raided 25 eateries and registered an FIR against 49 eateries shops and bakeries for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. How food is adulterated An official from the FDA explained how various products are adulterated and can cause serious health issues. Sweets: During festivals, sweets, particularly milk cake, is found to have adulteration levels between 70 and 90 per cent. Most sweet owners mix Chinese dry milk powder with vegetable oil in order to make milk cake, which is of inferior quality. Paneer: The adulterated paneer is made of skimmed milk powder, which cannot bear the pressure of hands. Hence when crushed, it starts falling apart. If the paneer you plan to buy also crumbles, understand that it is adulterated. Consuming paneer made from skimmed milk powder can harm your digestive system and lead to an upset stomach. Ghee: In order to increase the quantity of ghee, it is often mixed with coconut oil and hydrogenated oils like Vanaspati. Milk: Some of the major adulterants in milk are urea, formalin, detergents, ammonium sulphate, boric acid and caustic soda, which lead to catastrophic effects on health such as severe health food poisoning, gastrointestinal complications, impairments, heart problems if taken over a long period. The officials urged people to buy things like khoya, edible oil, and maida from grocery and sweet shops which have a licence for selling them. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is likely to provide public funding for emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault and rape as a state program remains in limbo. The move comes as more than 160 reimbursement requests for emergency contraception provided to sexual assault survivors from across the state are pending approval from the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. According to records obtained by The Gazette, and first reported by Iowa Public Radio, the reimbursement requests from hospitals and pharmacies across the state total about $7,000. The vast majority are from this year, but one dates to August, 2020. One is coded as confirmed child abuse. Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird paused the funding as part of an audit of the victim services administered through her office. Bird announced the audit upon taking office in January. However, it was not until early April that sexual assault response teams and other victim advocacy organizations learned of the policy change after Bird's office confirmed it to the media, according to interviews and emails obtained by The Gazette under a public records request. Though the payments are not explicitly required by law, it has been the states longtime policy to cover the cost of emergency contraception from the victim compensation fund. In rare cases, the fund also has paid for abortions for rape victims, Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, director of the victim assistance division under the previous attorney general, Democrat Tom Miller, has said. Bird, a Republican, defeated Miller in the 2022 election. The Attorney Generals Office said in April it was reviewing the practice to evaluate whether this is an appropriate use of public funds" as it conducts an audit of victim assistance services. The Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a request for comment on the current state of its review process. Bird said during an appearance last month on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS that policy decisions made as a result of the audit, including whether to stop state funding for emergency contraception and abortions for rape survivors will be permanent and will not require legislative action. Iowa law requires the state to pay for many of the expenses facing assault survivors who seek medical help, including the cost of forensic examinations to collect evidence and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. That is funded through the state's victim compensation fund, which comes from fines, fees and penalties paid by criminals. No taxpayer dollars go into the fund. Sexual assault nurse examiners who spoke to The Gazette say hospitals and pharmacies are continuing to dispense medications, and continue to submit invoices to Birds office seeking reimbursement. Patients are not being billed at this point. For now, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is temporarily holding claims while it awaits the outcome of the audit. "University of Iowa Health Care is committed to supporting the health care needs of sexual assault victims," according to a statement from UIHC. "We are currently preparing for any potential operational changes that may be necessary in the event the Iowa Attorney Generals Office stops payment of emergency contraception for sexual assault victims." During its Wednesday work session, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors heard a funding request from the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team to provide emergency contraception at no cost to patients. The board was in agreement to allocate $10,000 and appears likely to approve the item at its formal meeting next week. Asking victims of sexual assault to forgo or to shoulder the cost of emergency contraception is further traumatizing them. No one should be required to pay for necessary health care due to a crime committed against their body, said Katy Rasmussen, coordinator for the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team. The team consists of sexual assault nurse examiners, emergency room staff, rape victim advocates, law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys, Rasmussen said. The team helps sexual assault survivors navigate the medical and legal systems, as well as help them on their healing process. For the fiscal year that ended in June, the team saw 101 patients. Of those, 46 were prescribed emergency contraception. Rasmussen said many patients dont have financial means to pay for this medication, and using their insurance can put them in greater danger if they share insurance with their abuser. We are disappointed the Attorney General isnt sustaining this support for victims, but somebody needs to and so were going to step up and do it, Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan told The Gazette. Bird has been a vocal opponent of abortion. But sexual assault nurse examiners, along with other victim advocates, have emphasized that emergency contraceptives are not abortion pills. The medication delays or prevents ovulation, preventing a pregnancy from occurring, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Planned Parenthood North Central States issued a statement Thursday calling on Birds office to reinstate the reimbursements, saying sexual assault survivors deserve compassionate, comprehensive care that she "is cruelly putting that out of reach." The last thing they should have to worry about is affording the care they need after being attacked, Ruth Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement. A federal jury has convicted the last man caught in a November 2020 federal online sex sting in Rock Island that targeted adults attempting to entice minors for sexual exploitation. Jeffrey Alan Bosaw, 55, of Bloomington, Illinois, was found guilty of one count of attempted enticement of a minor after a one-day trial held Aug. 17 in U.S. District Court, Peoria. Attempted enticement of a minor carries a minimum prison term of 10 years and a maximum term of life. According to the criminal complaint, Bosaw attempted to meet up with a man and his 11-year-old daughter to engage in sexual activity with the girl. However, the man Bosaw was talking to over the computer was an FBI special agent conducting an internet sting on child sex predators. Bosaw was arrested Nov. 14, 2020, in Rock Island. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 19 before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sara Darrow. Eight other men were caught in the sting. Seven of the other cases have been settled and the men sentenced. Douglas L. Christensen, 58, of East Moline was sentenced Nov. 3, 2021, to 10 years in federal prison. He is currently being held in the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, according to the Bureau of Prisons website. Michael Robert McKinney, 25, of Silvis was sentenced July 20, 2021, to 12 years in federal prison. He is currently being held in the Federal Correctional Institution in Marianna, Florida, according to the Bureau of Prisons website. Douglas Michael Speer, 33, of Johnston, Iowa, was sentenced Oct. 20, 2021, to 11 years in federal prison. He is currently being held in the Federal Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, according to the Bureau of Prisons website. Nicholas Bryan Swank, 34, of Muscatine was sentenced Jan. 6, 2022, to 17 years in federal prison. He is currently being held in the U.S. Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois, according to the Bureau of Prisons website. Charles Walter Christopher, 45, of West Liberty was sentenced Dec. 15, 2021, to 22 years in federal prison. He is currently being held in the U.S. Penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois, according to the Bureau of Prisons website. Joseph Allen Wilcher, 42, of Cedar Rapids was sentenced Feb. 24, 2022, to 10 years in prison. He is currently being held at the Federal Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas. Damien Pernell Shepherd, 38, of Moline, was sentenced Nov. 22, 2022, to seven years and three months in prison. He is currently being held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan. An eighth man, Auston M. McLain, 38, of Davenport, was found guilty of one count each of attempted enticement of a minor and travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activities after a two-day trial. The jury rendered its verdict June 21. McLain is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 18. Attempted enticement of a minor carries a minimum prison term of 10 years and a maximum term of life. Travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years. Finding solutions is part of the job. Democratic Congressional Rep. Eric Sorensen, who represents Illinois' 17th District, toured the Group O Marketing Solutions headquarters Wednesday, Aug. 23. Located in Milan, the company is a business outsourcer provider that specializes in areas such as marketing services, print management, business analytics, managed services, packaging and supply chain management. "Being the congressman for a company like Group O is an honor," Sorensen said. Vice President of Operations Paul Flemr led the tour, showing Sorensen everything from the call center to the way back where a packaging warehouse is located. Flemr said the company provides services to dozens of top name companies. The two largest companies Group O provides marketing services for are Michelin and AT&T. Other companies which use Group O marketing services include ComEd, Samsung, Nicor Gas and Pepsico. "We take great pride in the diversity of services and many needs we offer here," Flemr said. Sorensen also got a sneak peak of a Nicor energy kit that was in a row of other energy kits waiting to be packed and shipped off. The congressman asked how things changed at the company since the pandemic, forcing a majority of personnel across the nation to work from home if they did not need to be in the office. Since then, Flemr said the company has used more a hybrid model of working from home and in the office. "What about the supply chain?" the congressman asked. "For instance, no one was buying tires during the pandemic because no one was going anywhere." The supply chain, Flemr said, was delayed for at least 12 months, depending on what was being shipped and the company saw rebates, or reward cards, going down. While Michelin was struggling to sell rubber, Flemr said, offering services and rebates decrease. But services the company provides for television providers saw an increase since people were spending time at home. Addressing challenges during the pandemic took time, Flemr said, but became easier as time went on to manage and figure out how to address and balance them. Sorensen also was shown the information technology area and the call center. At the call center, Sorensen talked with an employee who discussed how the center is more than just answering questions. It was highlighted during the call center tour that the company often promotes internally and has a mentor program of sorts available so employees can learn the ropes of multiple roles. Sorensen said it's important him to know about businesses like Group O so he can help craft legislation that benefits the company and region as a whole. "What I want to be able to do is understand what's happening here, not only so I can advocate for what we need here, but also to be able to talk with other members of Congress," Sorensen said. One of the challenges the company continues to face is staffing. Senior Vice President Candy Wise said they are fortunate enough to be a family-owned business and have had to get creative in terms of recruiting. "We have had to adjust to the market conditions in terms of salaries and benefits," she said. "We've been pretty successful in retaining the majority of our workforce." Flemr agreed, saying that at Group O, they know they are valued even if they are not physically working in the building surrounded by others. The company was founded by Bob Ontiveros in 1974 and employs more than 1,200 people. His son, Gregg Ontiveros, was appointed president of the company in the late 1990s. Group O is ranked as one of the top five Hispanic-owned businesses in America by the US Hispanic Chamber Commerce. The family of a man who was allegedly left crying, shaking, and begging God to take his life before he died at a Fort Dodge nursing home is suing the former owners of the now-shuttered facility. The estate of Robert Kahler is suing QHC Fort Dodge Villa and its former corporate owners in Webster County District Court, alleging dependent adult abuse, breach of contract and wrongful death. The lawsuit alleges that on June 27, 2021, Kahler was walking near the dining room of the Fort Dodge Villa Care Center when a certified medication aide noticed he was losing his balance and called out to a nearby nurse that Kahler was going to fall. The nurse was allegedly talking on her cell phone and did not look up or render any assistance. Kahler allegedly fell to the concrete floor and was taken to his room, with the nurse continuing to talk on her phone. According to the lawsuit, Kahler yelled out that his hip hurt, but he was not provided with any pain medication. No QHC employee performed a physical, neurological or pain assessment of Kahler after the fall, the lawsuit claims. That evening, Kahler was repeatedly calling out in pain, moaning, crying, grimacing, clenching his fists and pulling or pushing away, the lawsuit states. A QHC employee is alleged to have written in his medical file that he had sustained a fall with no injury. About 22 hours after the fall, Kahler was given his first dose of pain medication. Unfortunately, the pain medication was not effective, and Mr. Kahler continued to scream out in pain, resisted being transferred or moved, and even stopped eating and drinking, the lawsuit states. In the days following the fall, Mr. Kahler screamed in pain with any sort of movement, could be heard across the facility, (and) was crying, shaking, and begging God to take his life. Kahler steadily declined, developed a fever, became unable to swallow, and by July 1 all medications had been discontinued except those necessary for pain and comfort, the lawsuit claims. Kahler died on July 2, 2021. He was 77 years old. State records show that one aide who was interviewed by investigators after Kahlers death told inspectors the facility is a mess and that the nurses dont care. The state reports indicate Kahlers screams of pain could be heard approximately 200 feet away when the staff attempted to reposition him in bed. A staff nurse told inspectors that Kahlers hip was rotated all the way to his buttock, which made one leg significantly shorter than the other. The nurse told inspectors Kahlers condition would have been obvious to anyone who had performed an assessment of his condition. By the time state inspectors investigated the matter, there was a backlog of 10 uninvestigated complaints at the home, all of which were later substantiated. The facility was cited for 18 federal regulatory violations and four state violations, and the federal government imposed a set of daily fines against the home. Those fines accrued at a rate of almost $9,000 per day for each day the home remained out of compliance with minimum standards. They eventually totaled more than $685,000. The lawsuit over Kahlers death names as defendants the now-closed care facility and its past corporate owners and managers, including QHC Management, QHC Facilities, and Quality Health Care Specialists. Technically, however, none of those entities exist, having been dissolved this year in the wake of QHCs bankruptcy and the sale of its assets. QHCs primary owners were Jerry and Nancy Voyna, both of whom are now deceased. Webster County records indicate that last year QHC sold the Fort Dodge Villa to Blue Care Homes of New Jersey for $956,250. This year, the property was transferred to a bank that was one of QHCs creditors. QHC Management had operated eight nursing homes and two assisted living facilities in Iowa, providing care for about 500 people, before it declared bankruptcy in late 2021. The chain was eventually sold to Blue Care Homes, but that company opted to close the Villa and other QHC facilities that owed significant amounts of money to taxpayers in the form of unpaid fines for poor quality care. At the time the bankruptcy was working its way through the court system, QHC Fort Dodge Villa owed $865,775 in unpaid federal fines, according to court records. In addition, the QHC chain owed the state roughly $4 million in unpaid fees at the time it declared bankruptcy, according to court filings by QHCs owners. Kahler was born in Iowa and lived for a time near Spencer where he worked as an airplane mechanic. He later worked as a contractor and homebuilder in the Minneapolis area, and then, after retirement, he returned to Iowa where he was known for helping Kossuth County farmers and neighbors with projects. He was admitted to QHC Fort Dodge Villa after being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Counties with the highest heart disease rates in Iowa Counties with the highest heart disease rates in Iowa #25. Ida #24. Fremont #23. Humboldt #22. Fayette #21. Montgomery #20. Osceola #19. Allamakee #18. Keokuk #17. Adams #16. Cherokee #15. Clarke #14. Cass #13. Sac #12. Audubon #11. Kossuth #10. Monona #9. Franklin #8. Lucas #7. Ringgold #6. Van Buren #5. Pocahontas #4. Wright #3. Wayne #2. Clayton #1. Appanoose As I stood on the Australian shore last month, I pondered the majesty of the Pacific, but when I looked down, I couldnt help but think of Rod Blagojevich. There at Rex Lookout in the Australian state of Queensland stood a plaque that once identified the politician who made the scenic overlook possible. But an acetylene torch had been used to melt away the name of that elected official. After 35 years of covering politics, I didnt need a tour guides explanation to figure out what had happened. Nonetheless, our guide informed us that the fellow whose name was obliterated was an Aussie pol who was mired in scandal in the 1980s. His name was Martin Tenni. He didnt go to prison but a number of his buddies did. Despite this, someone in power removed his name. This is a lousy practice. Take a walk on the Illinois Capitols second floor and youll see 42 portraits of the states chief executives. All but one of the states past governors stares out onto the marble hallway. At least three of the men represented there went to prison: George Ryan, Dan Walker and Otto Kerner. Others such as William Stratton and Len Small, were indicted but never convicted. And more than likely there are others who should have gone to prison but were never caught. And then there is Rod Blagojevich. He served eight years in prison on corruption charges and is the only Illinois governor to be removed from office. His portrait is the one missing from the statehouse. Why? Shortly after removing him from office, Illinois lawmakers passed a measure prohibiting the state from spending money to create a portrait for Blago. So, portraits in the hall of governors skips from No. 39 to No. 41. Its as if Blagojevich never led the state for six years. His absence ignores that Illinois voters twice selected him as their leader. He did some bad things while he was governor, but he also did some good things. No one is all good or all bad. For the record, I wasnt a fan of Blagojevich while he was in office. This column frequently criticized him. I never voted for him. But denying him a place in the hall of governors is petty. Little is accomplished by scraping his name off of the states collective memory. Please note there is a difference between honoring someone and acknowledging their role in history. I talked to Blagojevich about this recently. He said he has had several potential donors approach him about paying for the creation of a portrait. But he said he is holding off. The question is going to be what color my hair will be, he said of his helmet-like mane that turned snow white during his period of incarceration. Hair dye is not allowed in federal lockups. Well, I don't want the white hair. It was never black, by the way. It was sable brown, No. 47D. I'm not pushing for it. It's not a priority. It is true people have come up to me and offered to actually pay for it. And there will be a time when I think my portrait will be up there. I do believe there will be a time where I'll be vindicated. I do believe there will be a time where the truth will be exposed on what was happening. And I think these things are happening now. Blagojevichs archnemesis Mike Madigan faces corruption charges of his own. Madigan, who led the Illinois House longer than any leader of any state legislative chamber in the history of the United States, also does not have a portrait hanging in the statehouse. Even Paul Powell, the corrupt speaker who hid $800,000 in shoeboxes in his hotel closet, has a painting hanging in that building. Whether he is convicted or not, Madigan should be recognized as well. Its about history, not canonization. In the wake of the Commonwealth Edison scandal, lawmakers are scared voteless on the matter. Over the years, Ive taken family members and friends on tours of the state Capitol. When I walk by the paintings of governors, I point out the ones that went to prison and the others who probably should have. I remember taking my then 19-year-old niece up into the balcony of the House and pointing out Powells portrait. I told of how his closet was full of ill-gotten loot and how he died of a heart attack in a Minnesota hotel room he was sharing with a woman not his wife. As we walked away, I reached out and gave the frame a nudge. Some politicians just deserve to be remembered crooked. Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Connolly sentenced 20-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez on Friday to the maximum possible 50 years in prison suspending five of those years for the violent rape of a 48-year-old woman in November 2022 at the Stardust Motel in Rapid City. After a two-day trial in June, a 10-man, two-woman jury found Rodriguez guilty of second-degree rape which involves the use of force, coercion or threats. According to testimony at trial, Rodriguez did not know the victim until he asked her for a cigarette outside the hotel. The woman went to her father's hotel room to get away from him, Pennington County State's Attorney Roxanne Hammond said during closing arguments at the end of trial. While the woman was using the bathroom, Rodriguez was let into the hotel room. He then barged into the bathroom, pushed the woman over the sink and threatened to kill her after setting down brass knuckles. Hammond said Rodriguez also threatened to kill her with a knife. Rodriguez maintained his innocence throughout trial. He said the sex was consensual, a claim the state disputed by referencing body camera footage showing the woman in an "elevated state of trauma." The footage showed the woman crying in a restroom in a nearby room continually asking dispatch to not hang up on her. It took 25 minutes for her to allow officers or paramedics in. Connolly said at sentencing the body camera footage showed a person who "quite clearly had been the victim of a crime." Rodriguez's trial testimony did not lack bravado. He referred to himself as a "freak," and said the woman initiated the sexual interaction, which only ended because he satisfied her quickly. At sentencing, his remarks were more subdued. He said he planned to use whatever time he got in prison to better himself, and he wouldn't let the mistakes of one night define his life. He asked the judge to consider his age and his lack of criminal history, and he said he was remorseful for the night. Hammond referenced the psycho-sexual evaluation Rodriguez underwent before sentencing. She said the evaluator called Rodriguez sadistic, and "sadists are psychopathic in nature." The evaluator noted Rodriguez painted himself in "an unrealistically virtuous light," Hammond said. She said the judge's "only choice" was to take Rodriguez off the streets "for as long as humanly possible." Bryan Andersen, Rodriguez's defense attorney, said the evaluation of his client also recommended treatment and him being released at some point. He asked for Rodriguez to have the opportunity to serve his time and also undergo rehabilitation, so he "is able to make something of his life." "The reality is he's going to be in prison for an extensive amount of time," the judge said. Under current parole laws in South Dakota, Rodriguez will first become eligible for parole in 25 years. A 39-year-old Gillette man appeared in Pennington County Court Thursday morning after he was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old in spring 2021. A May indictment charged Richard Gray with eight different felonies: two counts of first-degree rape, three counts of sexual contact with a child under 16, and three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Gray is alleged to have assaulted the child between March 31, 2021 and April 2, 2021. First-degree rape is a class C felony with a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $50,000 fine. Sexual contact with a child under 13 is a class 3 felony with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum of 15 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine. Sexual exploitation of a minor is a class 6 felony with a maximum of two years in prison and up to a $4,000 fine. A circuit court judge set Gray's bond at $50,000 cash only when a grand jury indicted him. Bogue chose not to disrupt the bond amount, a decision backed by the prosecution. Deputy Pennington County State's Attorney Braedon Houdek said Gray was out on bond from a federal case when he was arrested. Court records show Gray was convicted of drug distribution in 2012 in a Wyoming federal court. The prior felony conviction if the state is able to prove Gray was in fact convicted would increase the amount of time he would face if convicted of the new charges. The sexual contact charges would bump up to class 2 felonies, which carry a maximum of 25 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. The sexual exploitation charges would increase to class 5 felonies with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Gray, who said he intends to represent himself in the case, told Magistrate Judge Scott Bogue he is not a flight risk. "If I was a flight risk I wouldn't be here," Gray said. He added he has known about the investigation "every step of the way" and didn't flee. Bogue noted Gray did not turn himself in despite the court issuing a warrant for his arrest months ago. He was arrested in Wyoming. Gray is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment at 9 a.m. on Sept. 5. HANOI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will develop a database and software for tightening the management of planting areas and packaging facilities to serve agricultural product export, according to its Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The ministry will also expand export markets, diversify goods, and support localities and businesses to meet the requirements of the markets, local newspaper Vietnam News reported, citing Hoang Trung, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. It will provide more professional guidance and training for local officials on regulations of importing countries, the newspaper cited the official on Friday. A total of 6,883 planting area codes and 1,588 agricultural-product packing facility codes have been granted so far in Vietnam, mostly in the Mekong Delta region, according to Huynh Tan Dat, director of the ministry's Plant Protection Department. These codes mainly focus on main export products such as mango, dragon fruit, longan, rice and durian, he said. In the first seven months of this year, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports surged 68.1 percent year on year to over 3.2 billion U.S. dollars with China among the largest importers, according to the country's General Statistics Office. The South Dakota Department of Education is launching a statewide literacy initiative designed to build better readers across the state. The ability to read is foundational to all learning. Up until about third grade, students are learning to read; after that, they are reading to learn, said Secretary of Education Joseph Graves. Therefore, its critical that our students have strong reading skills early in their educational careers. South Dakota students typically outperform their peers across the country, the Department of Education said in a press release, but reading proficiency rates on the state assessment have not changed significantly in the last several years. The literacy initiative is based on research collectively called the Science of Reading and includes an emphasis on phonics, which is a method of teaching reading by correlating sounds with letters. Schools that choose to participate will receive supports for local implementation. Those supports include technical guidance, documents, and free professional learning opportunities for school staff. Successful implementation requires a systematic effort across a school, which is why the professional learning is available to every educator in a school, from paraprofessionals to teachers to school administrators. Graves expects to see increases in students reading proficiency in schools that decide to participate. All worthwhile things require hard work, and improvement will only come after a lot of hard work by South Dakota educators and those they serve," he said. "Knowing them as I do, I am confident that both are up to the task. Some school districts such as Sisseton and Tea Area have already begun implementing certain components and are experiencing positive results. Editor's note: The total cost of expanding and building Spearfish health care facilities will be $80 million. Monument Health Foundation has committed to providing $6 million toward the Spearfish projects. Monument Health held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to expand Spearfish Hospital. The expansion is anticipated to be a three-year project that will equip Spearfish Hospital to better accommodate the growing demand for health care services in the northern Black Hills area and Spearfish community, according to Thomas Worsley, president of Spearfish Hospital and Hills Markets. The hospital expansion is one of two major projects Monument Health announced in May 2022. In addition to expanding Spearfish Hospital, Monument Health will build a new multispecialty clinic off Interstate 90 Exit 17 near the Elkhorn Ridge neighborhood at the eastern edge of Spearfish. Together, the projects will cost $80 million. The Monument Health Foundation has committed to contributing $6 million toward the Spearfish projects. With population growth, medical advances and the growing need for specialty care in the Spearfish area, the time has come for a health care transformation in the Northern Hills, said Paulette Davidson, President and CEO of Monument Health. This community deserves nothing less. The expansion project will nearly double the size of the existing hospital and will include up to eight operating rooms, endoscopic procedure rooms, 15 medical-surgical patient rooms and two intensive care unit rooms. Were going to continue to provide care. Were not stopping care at any of our locations. We have a plan to work through construction and continue to care for our community, Worsley said. There will be some parking constraints, but the end result is well have more parking. The first phase of construction should be completed by Dec. 1, Worsley said. The first phase, called the enabling phase, will reroute utilities such as gas and sewer lines underneath the hospitals north parking lot. That north parking lot will become the new entrance of the hospital. Thats going to be a big change, he said. Construction on the hospital building should begin in mid-2024. In the building portion of the project, what we plan to do is build an entirely new medical-surgical wing of the hospital, and all private rooms and new intensive care rooms, and thats going to happen at that north side of the hospital, Worsley said. The new medical-surgical wing of the hospital will be built on that northwest corner of the building. We will have all new surgical space. Our surgery space at the south end of the hospital will move to the north end of the hospital, and where the surgery currently resides will become our new emergency room, he said. We are going from seven bays to 12. Its a pretty significant expansion, and it has been needed. Expanding the hospital is needed because of population growth that has occurred in the Black Hills and the widening reach of the area served by Spearfishs emergency room. Spearfish Hospitals emergency room serves the Northern Hills as well as patients from Wyoming and Montana, Worsley said. Though smaller hospitals in locations such as Lead-Deadwood, Sturgis and Sundance, Wyo., have emergency room services, the Spearfish emergency room provides a higher level of care for sicker patients although the most severely ill or injured would need to go to Rapid City. Expanded surgical space, meanwhile, means Spearfish Hospital will be able to provide more patient care and attract more medical specialists, Worsley said. A foot and ankle specialist will begin working at Spearfish Hospital this month, for example. Theres a lot of different things that patients travel for now. Ideally, wed like them to be able to stay closer to home, he said. There are a number of surgical specialties we will have the capability to potentially recruit and offer for patients. Spearfish Hospital was built in 1963. Expanding the existing hospital instead of building a new one allows Spearfish Hospital to keep its convenient, accessible location, Worsley said. We feel really good about where our hospital is located in the center of town, he said. We were willing to remodel to maintain access to the community. Were really excited, Worsley said. This project [shows] the dedication to the community and our caregivers that have supported us. Weve needed to expand for some time. Weve been very thoughtfulHaving a space that makes sense first and foremost for patients so its a good experience for patients weve tried to be thoughtful about how can we make that space as comfortable, friendly and useful [for patients] and also good for caregivers. Monument Health Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Monument Health, began fundraising for the Spearfish health care construction projects in 2018, according to Robin Zebroski, chief brand officer. By the time Monument Health was ready to formally announce the Spearfish Hospital expansion in May 2022, the foundation had already raised $3.5 million, Zebroski said. Another $2.5 million has been raised, and currently the foundation needs to raise another $415,000 to cover the costs of the expansion. Weve made great progress and had wonderful community support, she said. Weve been really excited about the money raised over the last year and a half. An annual springtime event, the Hospice Ball, is a fundraiser that benefits both Hospice of the Northern Hills and the Spearfish Hospital expansion. The 2024 Hospice Ball will be April 6. The communitys financial support for the Spearfish Hospital expansion has come from a mix of donations from individual residents and the business community. Every gift matters and they all add up, Zebroski said. The foundation is happy to work with donors. Smaller donations toward the remaining cost of the Spearfish Hospital expansion can be made online at monument.health/about-us/monument-health-foundation/ and Zebroski said anyone who has questions or who wants to make a larger donation can contact Monument Health Foundation at 605- 755-9191. Throughout the construction process over the next three years, Worsley said Monument Health will communicate through local media, social media and signage to update the community about the expansion. Federally protected land in Wyoming could increase by more than 1.3 million acres under a newly proposed management plan a possibility thats cause for celebration among some, and a reason for consternation among others. The Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Office published a draft resource management plan last week that proposes to increase the acreage of land protected under the Area of Environmental Concern (ACEC) designation from the current 286,470 acres to more than 1.6 million acres total. The plan hasnt been updated since 1997. The current update has been in process since 2010. The proposal lays out the BLM Rock Springs Field Offices management plan for about 3.6 million acres of surface land and 3.7 million acres of mineral estate in Wyoming. The draft includes various potential plans. But the BLMs preferred alternative takes a little bit more of a conservation approach, Wyoming BLM spokesperson Micky Fisher said the agencys recommended approach is the most aggressive in terms of increasing the acreage of lands with the ACEC designation, which the BLM uses to protect natural and cultural resources. The three alternative plans are significantly less conservation-oriented. One proposal, Alternative A, would continue the existing 1997 resource management plan with the same ACEC acreage. Another plan, Alternative C, emphasizes resource use and is the least restrictive. This alternative would eliminate all ACEC designations. The last option, Alternative D, falls somewhere between emphasizing resource use and the BLMs preferred conservation approach. It would decrease the ACEC acreage from 286,470 acres to 246,634 acres. The BLM could also potentially modify any of these approaches before the plan is finalized. Although the agency itself can nominate areas for the ACEC designation, Fisher said in an email that all the ACECs in the proposed Rock Springs resource management plan came from the public. The BLM is required to review all nominations. Some of the areas that the plan proposes to protect under the ACEC designation include the Cedar Canyon Petroglyph rock art site and its surrounding area, Steamboat Mountain, the Greater South Pass Historic Landscape, the Big Sandy Foothills and the Red Desert to Hoback mule deer migration corridor, which receives some protections already from the state. The potential impact of these ACEC designations would vary depending on why the designation was given. It could restrict wood cutting and motorized or non motorized vehicle travel. It could impact livestock grazing. It could bar the development of oil, gas and other natural resource extraction, with the exception of projects that are already underway the plan, for example, proposes stopping oil and gas leasing in part of the Red Desert to Hoback mule deer migration corridor. Conservation groups in Wyoming applauded the BLMs preferred management plan. Alec Underwood, program director for the Wyoming Outdoor Council, which nominated the Red Desert to Hoback mule deer migration corridor for ACEC designation, said the plan is reflective of community values and really protective of the values that the organization advocates for. We know Wyomingites value wildlife and iconic wildlife species, Underwood said. When you look at the different special designations of the draft plan and the inclusion of a lot of the ACECs, as well as the management direction, its relatively protective of habitat for Wyomings iconic species like mule deer, elk, pronghorn and sage grouse, just to name a few. Julia Stuble, the Wyoming senior manager for The Wilderness Society, noted in particular that the Northern Red Desert and Big Sandy foothills, which fall under potential ACEC designation in the proposal, have really outstanding wildlife habitats, migration corridors and outstanding recreational potential. They are also areas of cultural significance for tribal nations. These are really special lands that make Wyoming Wyoming, Stuble said. The preferred management plan, she added, is spot on the mark in terms of making sure these lands stay the same for future generations. Though the Wilderness Society emphasized that potential for oil and gas development in this area and others with a proposed ACEC designation is considered low, Ryan McConnaughey, vice president of the Wyoming Petroleum Association, said this potential and the likelihood of profitability depends on each companys operations and the technology theyre using. McConnaughey, who described the BLMs preferred plan as frustrating, said he thinks there are better ways to balance conservation and production, particularly given advancements in horizontal drilling technology. (The ACECs proposed in the BLMs preferred plan would prevent sub-surface drilling for fluid mineral resources like oil and gas. Existing oil and gas leases wouldnt be affected.) Locking up this land forever is not really a smart move, he said. (The BLM can reevaluate and roll back ACEC designations in future resource management plans. Those changes would have to go through the same public review and feedback process.) McConnaughey said in a follow-up email that the Petroleum Association of Wyoming is still reviewing all the alternatives and cant say yet which one it prefers. In general, we would support an alternative that supports sustainable development of Wyomings resources and takes into account advancements in technology, improved industry practices and the long-term security and financial needs of Wyoming and the United States, he said. Gov. Mark Gordon pushed back against the BLMs proposal too, saying in a statement last week that, on first glance, he was extremely disappointed with the draft. He lamented that a decade of input from agencies, locals and industries seems to have fallen on the deaf ears of the federal BLM and its imperious agenda. Gordon clarified in a statement to the Star-Tribune that he believes the BLMs preferred alternative isnt consistent with Congress multiple use mandate and doesnt fairly balance competing interests. It is now imperative that those affected by the draft proposed plan become actively engaged by providing thorough, thoughtful comments supporting a balanced approach providing conservation, recreation, grazing, and development vital to the economy of that area of the state, such as trona, coal, oil, gas and other mineral deposits, Gordon said. Rep. Scott Heiner, R-Green River, and Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas, co-chairmen of the Legislatures Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee, also lambasted the BLMs proposal, calling it a direct threat to our citizens (sic) livelihoods. To be clear, this proposal is just that: a proposal. Fisher stressed that at this point, all options are still totally on the table, and if people oppose the BLMs preferred plan, they should provide their feedback now. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, the agency has to go through this feedback process and take steps to integrate any actionable comments. If we get enough feedback to maybe change the alternative, thats exactly what were going to do, Fisher said. Were not trying to drive the ship by any means. This is for the American taxpayer to drive, and this is the opportunity to do it right now. The public can give feedback on the proposal through Nov. 16. The BLM will hold public meetings in Rock Springs, Lyman and Big Piney (the dates and times for these meetings havent been nailed down yet but will be posted on the BLM WY Facebook page). Members of the public can also submit comments online by clicking on the green Participate Now tab on the left of the page at this link: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/13853/510. The governor will also have a 60-day review period after the public participation part of the process is finished. During that time, Gordon can provide recommendations for the plan to the BLM state director. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. A special Piedmont Board of Trustees meeting to address the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed annexation of land to the north of the city's current limits is scheduled for Tuesday. The meeting will be held August 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Piedmont American Legion located at 101 Pine Street. The session seeks to provide a platform for discussion and to shed light on concerns raised by both residents and board members. The primary focus of the meeting will center on public hearings regarding the Resolution of Annexation. These hearings will address the need for clarity on the city's motivations and the potential benefits of annexation. This step is critical in charting the course for the City of Piedmont's pursuit to involuntarily annex the land to its north. The proposed annexation has been met with resistance from local residents residing in the affected area. The land in question includes five unplatted lots, out of which two currently hold agricultural status. Additionally, there is one platted lot with agricultural status encompassed by the annexation plan. City officials have asserted that the motivation behind the annexation is to establish uniformity in development and enforcement across the entire territory. By bringing this area within the city's jurisdiction, the city aims to streamline regulations and ensure consistent growth in line with its vision. MATAMOROS, Mexico At a massive encampment near an international bridge along the U.S.-Mexico border, migrants from Honduras, Haiti, Venezuela and elsewhere have turned scraps of plastic, poster board and rope into makeshift homes. Mexico's immigration agency and a Catholic aid group are offering what may be at least a partial solution to conditions in this and other camps just south of Brownsville, Texas, where thousands of people wait with the hope of eventually entering the U.S. Last week, they opened a temporary outdoor shelter in Matamoros for up to 850 people. On the first day, 500 Haitians who were living at an old gas station and about 150 people who camped by the river moved in. The outdoor shelter appears woefully inadequate to accommodate the thousands of migrants living in the city and the others who arrive each day, Mexican authorities say it may expand. For many, it's a step in the right direction. "We are here, and we feel safer than how we were living over there exposed to everything," said Luisa Hernandez, a 34-year-old Venezuelan woman who described being kidnapped in Mexico. For weeks, she had at the encampment near the river that stretches the length of four laps around an Olympic-sized track. Hernandez's Venezuelan companion, who identified herself only as Luisa out of fears for her safety, said many prefer to stay in encampments because they fear being deported from the temporary shelter, despite assurances from Mexican officials that they faced no such risk. The U.S. government's attempt to create a more orderly system for people to seek asylum by creating a new mobile app has not eased the situation at the camps in Matamoros, though other cities in Mexico have reported improvements. Tijuana, the largest Mexican border city, reported less crowded migrant shelters after the app, CBP One, expanded to 1,450 appointments a day in May and made other changes. People with appointments line up three times a day at a Tijuana border crossing to San Diego, the same spot where authorities forcibly evicted migrants from a squalid camp in 2021. Mexican authorities in Chihuahua state, which includes Ciudad Juarez, reported that migrant shelters fell to 60% occupancy after the changes in May. But in Matamoros, a city of about 500,000 people known for drug-fueled violence, those who have coveted CBP One appointments become kidnapping targets. Filth is everywhere. "We bathe in the Rio Bravo, which we were told is polluted," said Edith Waldan, a 29-year-old Honduran who is now in the U.S. but kept her CBP One appointment a secret while in Matamoros because she feared being kidnapped. "We go hungry. We're in the heat. We suffer, but there's no other way." Migrants may seek appointments from anywhere in northern Mexico living as far south as Mexico City but many still congregate in cities near the U.S. border. U.S. authorities say it generally takes six to eight weeks of daily attempts to get an appointment on CBP One. Many migrants interviewed by The Associated Press said they have been trying around three months, though some said they have gotten lucky after only a few days of trying. Mexico's National Institute for Migration wants the large camp in Matamoros dismantled. "The shelter is intended to provide a safe and appropriate space for those awaiting care for their asylum claims," the agency said in a statement. The shelter sits in a parking lot and paved entrance to an unused hospital. Chalk outlines mark the placement of tents assigned to families. The shelter has security patrols, portable showers, toilets, hand washing stations and a kitchen. Children flocked to a new playground that occupies one of the few grass patches at the shelter as parents lined up near the entrance to register last week. Volunteers cut holes in tarps to allow better ventilation as migrants treasured infrequent breezes. The Sidewalk School, a group that offers medical services near the camp, tells migrants that conditions are better at the gated outdoor shelter than at the makeshift encampments where assaults have gone up, but it's a tough sell. Joer, a 33-year-old Venezuelan who has lived at a camp for three months, said the shelter may suit families, but he feels a curfew would undermine a sense of community. Joer, who declined to give his full name for safety reasons, sells drinks, snacks, and cigarettes to migrants in an area that he says comes alive like "a boulevard" at night. "Imagine yourself locked up at night and going around like a chicken coop as if you were a chicken," Joer said of life inside the shelter. Yevgeny Prigozhin made his name as the profane and brutal mercenary boss who in June mounted an armed rebellion that was the most severe and shocking challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's rule. Prigozhin was aboard a plane that crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday, killing all 10 people on board, according to Russia's civil aviation agency. The 62-year-old's extraordinary journey took him from prisoner and hot dog vendor to elegant St. Petersburg restaurateur, and then from propaganda wars to the grisly battlefields in Ukraine. As an instrument to project Russian power globally, his soldiersfor-hire were deployed to Africa to provide security for warlords and fought in Syria to shore up the regime of President Bashar Assad. In May, they seized the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in a rare victory for Russia in the war, but Prigozhin complained bitterly about the Defense Ministry's conduct of the fight, saying it denied ammunition to his forces. As the war slogged on, Prigozhin dropped his public reticence and began releasing social media videos in which he lauded his troops and increasingly denounced Russia's defense establishment for alleged mismanagement of the war and denying weapons and ammunition to his forces. He abruptly escalated his scathing criticism in June by calling for an armed uprising to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. On June 23, his forces left Ukraine and seized the military headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He ordered them to roll toward Moscow, saying it was "not a military coup, but a march of justice" to unseat Shoigu. He called off the action less than 24 hours later in a deal struck by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. In a televised address, Putin vowed to punish those behind the armed uprising led by his onetime protege. He called the rebellion a "betrayal" and "treason." But under the deal allowing Prigozhin and his forces to go free, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said Putin's "highest goal" in the deal with the Wagner chief was "to avoid bloodshed and internal confrontation with unpredictable results." Prigozhin lived most of his life in the shadows. The owner of a high-end restaurant, he won Kremlin catering ventures that earned him the nickname of "Putin's chef," but he was mostly known only in the rarefied circles of the elite. As the head of the Internet Research Agency, a "troll farm" that focused on interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, he was barely visible. But he barged into world view when mercenaries from his Wagner Group entered the war in Ukraine in 2022, becoming infamous both for their bloodthirsty fighting and their miserable treatment as cannon fodder in the eastern city of Bakhmut. As part of the deal to defuse the crisis, an investigation into his mutiny was dropped, and he agreed to move to Belarus. He later appeared in videos, saying his soldiers would be deployed to Africa. A recruitment video released this week showed him at an undisclosed desert site in military fatigues and holding an assault rifle as he said his company sought "rea warriors" and "continuing to fulfil the tasks" it promised to carry out Prigozhin and Putin had long ties. Both were born in Leningrad now St. Petersburg. During the final years of the Soviet Union, Prigozhin was in prison for a decade by his own admission though he never said for what crimes. Afterward, he owned a hot dog stand and then fancy restaurants that drew interest from Putin. In his first term, the Russian leader took then-French President Jacques Chirac to dine at one of them. "Vladimir Putin saw how I built a business out of a kiosk. He saw that I don't mind serving to the esteemed guests because they were my guests," Prigozhin recalled in an interview published in 2011. His catering businesses expanded significantly, and in 2010, Putin helped open Prigozhin's factory, which was built on generous loans from a state bank. In Moscow alone, his company Concord won millions of dollars in contracts to provide meals to public schools. He also organized catering for Kremlin events and provided meals and utility services to the Russian military. In 2014, Prigozhin co-founded the Wagner Group, even though private military companies are technically illegal in Russia. It came to play a central role in Putin's projection of Russian influence in global trouble spots, first in Africa and then in Syria. Wagner fighters reportedly provided security for African leaders or warlords in exchange for lucrative payments, often including a share of gold mines or other natural resources. U.S. officials say Russia may have used Wagner's work in Africa to support the war in Ukraine. In 2017, opposition figure and corruption fighter Alexei Navalny accused Prigozhin's companies of violating antitrust laws by bidding for $387 million in Defense Ministry contracts. Henrico County residents have met with government agencies to discuss the risks of two harmful substances that have been leaking into the eastern part of the county. One substance, ethylene oxide or ETO is a sweet, colorless gas used in several industries nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency started reanalyzing the gas in 2016 and found it to be at least 60 times more carcinogenic than previously believed. The EPA published a list of 25 U.S. counties, including Henrico, last fall where ETO had been leaking into the atmosphere. Sterilization Services of Virginia, a company that cleans medical equipment, was found earlier this year to have been emitting roughly nine times the acceptable level of ETO in a radius up to five miles from its location at 5674 Charles City Road. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality representatives told over 100 county residents in a packed meeting room on Wednesday that the agency is currently working to fix the emissions affecting eastern Henrico and that the firms facility has already complied with important mitigation steps. ETO has been leaking from the facility in two separate ways. After being used to disinfect the medical utensils, the gas is discharged out of the facility through a stack, or chimney. That stack has been the single-largest point of emissions from the facility, according to a DEQ representative, and that the company, SSV, put in place new systems in July that should reduce the risk from that source by 99%. The second source of emissions, called fugitive emissions, escapes through doors, windows, cracks and leaks in a facility. Those are much harder to address. One of the things we found in the last couple of years is that these fugitive emissions are actually driving the risk on most communities, said Madeline Beal, senior risk communication advisor for the EPA. Historically, regulations on the books dont do anything about fugitive emissions. Risk estimates around that five-mile radius from the facility were estimated to be at around 1 additional cancer case per 10,000 people exposed to the gas over a 70-year period, per a July analysis. Authorities said SSV has been complying with regulators and that the previous estimates should have improved. Employees of the facility had a higher risk of developing certain cancers, at 1 in 117. Newly proposed regulations are expected to curb the emissions to a safe standard. The EPA is required to mitigate a risk like ETO until levels are below one in 1 million. Those updated safety standards are expected to pass around 18 months from now. Agencies are using the Clean Air Act to reduce the amount of ETO coming out of facilities by 80%, including both fugitive and typical emissions. Those would see stricter control systems and better monitoring. The EPA is also using the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to protect workers and communities. It is seeking to reduce the amount of ETO used to sterilize equipment, reduce the time workers spend in areas with higher levels of ETO, and increase monitoring standards inside these facilities. One issue with the chemical is how it is measured. Current technology can detect ETO only once it is far beyond safe levels. Authorities instead measure emissions from its source, like the SSV facility, and use modeling to determine community risk. People come to us asking to put monitoring at their childrens schools. Unfortunately, there is no monitor we can put at the school that tells whether your child is safe, Beal said. We find that the best way to measure is at the source and we can model which tells us about the whole community. According to EPA representatives, SSV has been working with regulators and has begun complying with the standards that will be required in 18 months. I was concerned about this company and the sterilization. It concerns the whole community, said Varina resident Vickie Keghe. I have a grandchild thats in day care around there, and there are other schools in the area, Im very concerned. Keghe also worries about the second chemical that was talked about at the meeting, which she said she did not get enough answers about. Perfluoroalkyls or PFAS were found to be leaking into the groundwater two years ago, according to Beal. It was brought to the attention of the EPA by the Newport News Water Works, which discovered it during water testing. Authorities say they are still identifying all of the sources of PFAS leaks, but that a vast majority of contamination is coming from firefighting foams used at the airport. What concerned me was that I live in an area of Varina; theres Diamond Springs. I draw off of the water from those same springs. Are those springs being tested? How many years has this been going on? Regulators say they had yet to uncover any unsafe levels of PFAS in hundreds of private wells that they tested, but that there were more tests ongoing. PFAS is very persistent in the environment and is not going to go away anytime soon, Beal said. We are still working to identify all of the sources and the extent of the contamination. Its a long process and in doing that we have to work with the responsible parties for identifying and cleaning it up. Henrico said none of its waterlines have been contaminated by PFAS. The major concern lies within household wells in the White Oak Swamp Creek Basin in the eastern part of the county. Henrico has a free sampling program for anyone in the area who is concerned their well might be contaminated. Bentley Chan, Henricos public utilities director, said about $80 million had been identified to build more waterlines throughout the county, which could benefit residents with private wells in the White Oak Swamp Creek Basin. We are moving forward aggressively to make sure that we have set standards that protect peoples risk from drinking water, Beal said. Were also moving forward across the agency on actions to reduce the sources to get upstream of this problem and eliminate PFAS that get into the sources of drinking water. The county is expecting more meetings to be hosted in the future, though none have yet to be scheduled. The Times-Dispatch's 'Photo of the Day' Jan. 1, 2023 Jan. 2, 2023 Jan. 3, 2023 Jan. 4, 2023 Jan. 5, 2023 Jan. 6, 2023 Jan. 7, 2023 Jan. 8, 2023 Jan. 10, 2023 GET THE TIMES-DISPATCH APP Jan. 11, 2023 Jan. 12, 2023 Jan. 13, 2023 Jan. 14, 2023 Jan. 15, 2023 Jan. 16, 2023 Jan. 17, 2023 Jan. 18, 2023 Jan. 19, 2023 Jan. 20, 2023 Jan. 21, 2023 Jan. 22, 2023 Jan. 23, 2023 Jan. 24, 2023 Jan. 25, 2023 Jan. 26, 2023 Jan. 27, 2023 Jan. 28, 2023 Jan. 29, 2023 Jan. 30, 2023 Jan. 31, 2023 March for Life Feb. 2, 2023 Feb. 3, 2023 Feb. 4, 2023 Feb. 5, 2023 Feb. 6, 2023 Feb. 7, 2023 Feb. 8, 2023 Feb. 9, 2023 Feb. 10, 2023 Feb 11, 2023 Feb. 12, 2023 Feb. 13, 2023 Feb. 14, 2023 Feb. 15, 2023 Feb. 16, 2023 Feb. 17, 2023 Feb. 18, 2023 Feb. 19, 2023 Feb. 20, 2023 Feb. 21, 2023 Feb. 23, 2023 Feb. 24, 2023 Feb. 25, 2023 Feb. 26, 2023 Feb. 27, 2023 Feb. 28, 2023 March 1, 2023 March 2, 2023 March 3, 2023 March 4, 2023 March 5, 2023 March 6, 2023 March 7, 2023 March 8, 2023 March 9, 2023 March 10, 2023 March 11, 2023 March 12, 2023 March 13, 2023 March 14, 2023 March 15, 2023 March 16, 2023 March 17, 2023 March 18, 2023 March 19, 2023 March 20, 2023 March 21, 2023 March 22, 2023 March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 25, 2023 March 26, 2023 March 27, 2023 March 28, 2023 March 29, 2023 March 30, 2023 March 31, 2023 April 1, 2023 April 2, 2023 April 3, 2023 April 4, 2023 April 5, 2023 April 6, 2023 April 7, 2023 April 8, 2023 April 9, 2023 April 10, 2023 April 11, 2023 April 13, 2023 April 15, 2023 April 16, 2023 April 17, 2023 April 18, 2023 April 19, 2023 April 20, 2023 April 21, 2023 April 22, 2023 April 23, 2023 April 24, 2023 April 25, 2023 April 26, 2023 April 27, 2023 April 28, 2023 April 29, 2023 May 1, 2023 May 2, 2023 May 3, 2023 May 4, 2023 May 5, 2023 May 6, 2023 May 7, 2023 May 8, 2023 May 9, 2023 May 10, 2023 May 11, 2023 May 12, 2023 May 13, 2023 May 14, 2023 May 15, 2023 May 16, 2023 May 17, 2023 May 18, 2023 May 19, 2023 GET THE TIMES-DISPATCH APP May 20, 2023 May 21, 2023 May 22, 2023 May 23, 2023 May 24, 2023 May 25, 2023 May 26, 2023 May 27, 2023 May 28, 2023 May 30, 2023 May 31, 2023 June 1, 2023 June 2, 2023 June 3, 2023 June 4, 2023 June 5, 2023 June 6, 2023 June 7, 2023 June 8, 2023 June 9, 2023 June 10, 2023 June 11, 2023 June 12, 2023 June 13, 2023 June 14, 2023 June 15, 2023 June 16, 2023 June 17, 2023 June 18, 2023 June 19, 2023 June 20, 2023 June 21, 2023 June 22, 2023 June 23, 2023 June 24, 2023 June 25, 2023 June 26, 2023 June 27, 2023 June 28, 2023 June 29, 2023 June 30, 2023 July 1, 2023 July 2, 2023 July 3, 2023 July 4, 2023 July 5, 2023 July 6, 2023 July 7, 2023 July 8, 2023 July 9, 2023 July 10, 2023 July 11, 2023 July 12, 2023 July 13, 2023 July 14, 2023 July 15, 2023 July 16, 2023 July 17, 2023 Jan. 18, 2023 July 19, 2023 July 20, 2023 July 21, 2023 July 22, 2023 July 23, 2023 July 24, 2023 July 25, 2023 July 26, 2023 July 27, 2023 July 28, 2023 July 29, 2023 July 30, 2023 July 31, 2023 Aug. 1, 2023 Aug. 2, 2023 Aug. 3, 2023 Aug. 4, 2023 Aug. 5, 2023 Aug. 6, 2023 Aug. 7, 2023 Aug. 8, 2023 Aug. 9, 2023 Aug. 10, 2023 Aug. 11, 2023 Aug. 12, 2023 Aug. 13, 2023 Aug. 14, 2023 Aug. 15, 2023 Aug. 16, 2023 Aug. 17, 2023 Aug. 18, 2023 Aug. 19, 2023 Aug. 21, 2023 Aug. 22, 2023 Glenn Youngkin Aug. 24, 2023 Aug. 25, 2023 Aug. 26, 2023 Aug. 27, 2023 Aug. 28, 2023 Aug. 29, 2023 Aug. 30, 2023 Aug. 31, 2023 Sept. 1, 2023 Sept. 2, 2023 Sept. 3, 2023 Sept. 4, 2023 Sept. 5, 2023 Sept. 6, 2023 Sept. 7, 2023 Sept. 8, 2023 Sept. 9, 2023 Sept. 10, 2023 ATLANTA Follow along for live updates after Former President Donald Trump surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president. He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey, flashing a thumbs-up through the window of his sport utility vehicle as his motorcade left. A booking photo released by authorities shot Trump, wearing a navy suit and red tie, angrily scowling at the camera, his brows furrowed as he stares into the lens Unrepentant but subdued after the brief jail visit, he insisted as has repeatedly has that he did nothing wrong and called the case accusing him of subverting election results a travesty of justice. If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election, he told reporters on the airport tarmac before boarding his plane. Earlier he completed the booking process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair. Trump's surrender, coming amid an abrupt shake-up of his legal team, follows the presidential debate in Milwaukee the night before featuring his leading rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination a contest in which he remains the leading candidate despite broad legal troubles. The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted. Since then, he's faced federal charges in Florida and Washington, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime. Read more: Communities across the nation continue to struggle with housing affordability, and those in Virginia are no exception. Continuing to limit the types of housing that can be built will perpetuate this problem, affecting a broad swath of people. Recently, economist Michael OGrady argued that removing restrictions to allow for more housing construction will fail to keep housing costs under control and will dismantle a suburban way of life that is clearly his preference ("Solve the housing crisis? Start by rethinking new urbanism," Aug. 15). However, his approach ignores both data and real-life policy examples disproving his contention. Implementing his preferred policy would lock in historical patterns of economic, and racial, segregation that as a society we are trying to break. While it is true that a minority of newly built housing units are affordable at the median income when they initially enter the market, the addition of new housing supply does lead to lower housing costs overall. Academic studies, including a 2021 study by Evan Mast in the Journal of Urban Economics, have found that the first residents of newly constructed apartments tend to move from within the same market, opening up the units they vacate for new tenants at a lower price, who in turn vacate even less expensive units. This chain extends to market-rate affordable units, which become available for lower-income residents as higher-income residents trade up. A recent study by Pew Charitable Trusts also found a correlation between increased housing supply and lower median rent growth. Minneapolis, which passed a blanket allowance for missing middle housing construction in 2018, had just a 1% increase in median rent over the same period. Here in Virginia, Tysons in Fairfax County saw just a 4% median rent increase between 2017 and 2023 as it increased its housing stock by 23%. Meanwhile, median rents increased nationwide by 31%. These examples align with recently released national data from RealPage, which shows jurisdictions that have increased their housing supply by more than 10% year over year saw rents fall by 1.5% or more. Opponents of missing middle housing claim that allowing these types will cause older housing to be replaced, and OGrady complains that the cost of newly allowed duplexes in Arlington exceeds that of older single-family homes. But, single-family teardowns have been happening in Arlington for longer than a decade, often replaced by even more expensive single-family homes. Instead, Arlingtons recent action to permit, with limits, multiplexes with up to six units provides opportunities for people who cant afford to purchase a single-family home in the county to live on these sites and in the community. OGrady laments the legacy of redlining, only to argue for ensuring that neighborhoods produced by this policy continue to be exclusive domains. Although explicit racial redlining is now illegal, the economic aspects persist, in turn locking out anyone who cannot afford to buy a single-family home from many neighborhoods. In defending this status quo, OGrady states, The community must be consulted (and planning must follow community input), ignoring the fact that single-family homeowners already have a massive presence in community meetings and during the land-use decision-making process. Overindulging in the preferences of incumbent residents perpetuates the inequality produced by antiquated housing policies. Such a contention naturally leads to the question of what constitutes the community to be consulted on development. Opponents of expanding middle-type housing in Arlington claim consensus against this action because of opposition from select civic associations, many of which are in neighborhoods exclusive to single-family homeowners. However, it is telling that a majority of Arlingtonians live in rental housing, and in the countys board primary in June, the four candidates who supported the Missing Middle Housing Study combined for a majority of first-preference votes in the election. The wider community broadly supports allowing more housing. We are long overdue for updating what it means to achieve the American dream. Owning a single-family home in the suburbs was a specific model designed at a specific time and marketed to specific people. Theres nothing wrong with being a suburban single-family homeowner, if that style of housing works for you and for your family. But other types of housing both rental and owner-occupied can also provide the opportunity for people to live and participate in communities. As we think about how to guide our development, we should focus on building housing and building community not perpetuating separation. From the Archives: West Avenue West Avenue West Avenue West Avenue West Avenue West Avenue West Avenue West Avenue West Avenue MEDICAL RESEARCH Mary Miller-Duffy was dazed and grieving. Her brother suddenly collapsed and days later was braindead. Now she faced a tough question: Would she donate his body for research? That's how the body of Maurice "Mo" Miller started its journey to a sunny corner of NYU Langone Health's intensive care unit and became part of the quest to one day ease the nation's transplant shortage with organs from animals. "He always wanted to help people," said Miller-Duffy, who struggled with the choice but is proud of her brother's last act. "This tragic death, this fast short death some-thing good has come out of it." Surgeons replaced Miller's kidneys with one from a genetically modified pig on July 14. Then doctors and nurses cared for the deceased man like they would a living patient while anxiously ticking off the days. Remarkably, over a month later the new organ was performing all the bodily functions of a healthy kidney the longest a pig kidney has ever worked in a person. Now the countdown is on to see if the kidney can last into September, a second month. The Associated Press got an inside look at the challenges of experiments with the dead that may help bring animal-to human transplants closer to reality. Attempting to address a need Getting an organ transplant today is a long shot. More than 100,000 people are on the national waiting list, most who need a kidney. Thousands die waiting. Thousands more who could benefit aren't even added to the list. "I had seven cardiac arrests before I even was sick enough" to qualify for a new heart, said Dr. Robert Montgomery, chief of NYU Langone's transplant institute. He's a kidney transplant surgeon and was lucky enough to get his own heart transplant in 2018. Filling the gap, he's convinced, will require using animal organs. After decades of failed attempts, now pigs genetically modified so their organs are more humanlike are renewing interest in so-called xenotransplantation. Last year, University of Maryland surgeons tried to save a dying man with a pig heart and he survived for two months. Montgomery is getting more practice in the dead before taking a chance with a living patient. A handful of prior experiments at NYU and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have kept pig kidneys and hearts working in donated bodies for a few days to a week, avoiding the immediate rejection that doomed many earlier attempts. But the most common kind of organ rejection develops over a month. That pig heart in Maryland worked great for nearly 50 days until abruptly faltering. Watching how pig kidneys reach those timepoints in donated bodies could offer vital lessons but how long could Montgomery expect a family to turn over their loved one? "I'm in awe of someone who can make a decision like that at, you know, one of the worst moments in their lives and really think about ... humanity," he said. An unfamiliar option In Newburgh, New York, an ambulance had raced Miller to the hospital after he collapsed, a mass in his brain. He never woke up from the biopsy, brain-dead at just 57. Next steps were up to his sister, his closest relative. Miller-Duffy asked about donating his organs but he didn't qualify. That biopsy had found cancer. Only then did the organ agency broach whole-body donation. Miller-Duffy wasn't familiar with that, but the goal of improving kidney transplants, "that kind of struck a chord." Another brother had died of kidney disease as a toddler. Other relatives have kidney-damaging illnesses or even died on dialysis. Flipping through family photos, Miller-Duffy recalled how her brother would adopt animals and once took care of a terminally ill friend. Still, she had questions. In a video call, Montgomery explained the pig transplant to Miller-Duffy and her wife, Sue Duffy and why it could make a difference. Montgomery's compassion won them over. "His body is not being hurt, you know," Duffy said. "It's just an incubation for the study to be done." The surgery The experiment served as a rehearsal for one day operating in a living patient. Montgomery finished removing Miller's own kidneys as a helicopter headed for the hospital's riverside landing pad. Drs. Jeffrey Stern and Adam Griesemer, fellow NYU surgeons, raced in kidneys they'd removed from a pig bred by Blacksburg, Virginia-based Revivicor. Sewing a pig kidney into a donated body isn't much different than a regular transplant, Stern said. Post-surgery immune-suppressing drugs are standard, too. One twist: Tacked onto the pig's kidney was its thymus, a gland that trains immune cells and thus might help protect the organ. Lots of extra steps come before and after surgery. First, what pig to use: Some have up to 10 genetic changes but Montgomery is betting one is enough removal of a single porcine gene that triggers an immediate immune attack. While the pigs are housed in a germfree facility, researchers performed extra testing for any hidden infection. Everyone in the operating room must have certain vaccinations and undergo blood tests of their own. Surgery over, doctors wheeled Miller's body into the same ICU room where five years earlier Montgomery had recovered from his heart transplant. Next came more intense testing than living patients could tolerate. Every week doctors biopsy the kidney, putting samples under the microscope to spot any hints of rejection. Blood is continually monitored, the spleen got a peek, and nurses keep close watch that the body is being properly maintained on the ventilator. The first few weeks, Griesemer checked lab test results and vital signs multiple times a day: "You're like, OK, hopefully things are still good but is this the day it starts to turn?" And they're shipping biopsy samples to research partners across the country and as far away as France. "Our staff doesn't sleep that much," said Elaina Weldon, a nurse practitioner who oversees the transplant research. But with each passing week, "everybody is really now at the point of, what more can we do? How far can we push?" She knows firsthand the huge interest: NYU quizzed community groups and religious leaders before embarking on research with donated bodies that might have sounded "a little bit more on the sci-fiside of things." Instead, many people wanted to know how soon studies in the living could start, something the Food and Drug Administration will have to decide. Dozens have written Montgomery, eager to participate. Progress report Montgomery regularly calls Miller-Duffy and her wife with updates, and invited them to NYU to meet the team. And as the study's initial one-month deadline approached, he had another ask: It was going so well, could they keep her brother's body for a second month? It meant further postponing plans for a memorial service but Miller-Duffy agreed. Her request: That she gets to be there when her brother is finally disconnected from the ventilator. Whatever happens next, the experiment has changed Sue Duffy's outlook on organ donation. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's foreign ministry on Friday reiterated its long-standing position on China's Taiwan region and once again restated its support for the one-China policy. The ministry's spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch made the remarks on Friday during a weekly media briefing here while responding to Xinhua on Lai Ching-te's "Taiwan independence" stance which he revealed in a recent interview with Bloomberg. "Our policy on Taiwan is consistent and principled," she said. "We adhere to the one-China policy and regard Taiwan as an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China," said the spokesperson. Lai is currently the deputy leader of China's Taiwan region and also a Democratic Progressive Party candidate in the Taiwan leadership election next January. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has signed three memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) to further strengthen their cooperation in promoting bilateral transactions in local currencies between the countries. These are set to improve on the existing local currency settlement framework (LCSF) that had been signed between the three central banks back in 2015 and 2016. To explain, the 2015/2016 version of the LCSF sought to encourage Malaysian, Thai, and Indonesian traders to convert their local currencies into the receivers local currency for payments and money transfers, instead of relying on the US dollar (USD) as was the previous case. This was meant to help reduce foreign exchange costs, among other benefits: This earlier framework was, however, only implemented on a few types of transactions, namely trade of goods and services, direct investments, and income transfers. As such, the new MOU will expand the scope of the framework to cover more eligible cross-border transactions, beyond trade and direct investments. This will be implemented gradually, taking into consideration other cross-border payment initiatives that may be executed for more accessible and efficient local currency settlements as well. The MOUs are set to strengthen cross-border economic activities, enhance regional financial market stability, and deepen local currency markets in the three countries, BNM said in a joint statement today, following the signing ceremony at the 10th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (AFMGM) in Indonesia. On top of the successful signing of MOU to promote bilateral transactions in local currencies, the AFMGM event also saw the expansion of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Regional Payment Connectivity (MOU RPC) to now include the central bank of Vietnam, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). The RPC was originally signed between the central banks of five ASEAN countries back in 2022: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. This agreement was meant to bring about faster, cheaper, more transparent, and more inclusive cross-border payment processes between the countries. The inclusion of SBV has increased the RPC group from five to six ASEAN central banks. This partnership aims to further support post-pandemic economic activities across the ASEAN region, including the promotion of tourism and other service industries. The expansion is also expected to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, which are crucial to the regions economic growth, said BNM in a separate joint statement, adding that this effort will widen financial inclusion in the region and significantly contribute to the overall advancement of the ASEAN economic community. Moving forward, BNM expects the RPC to be further expanded to include more neighbouring economies and other countries beyond the ASEAN region. (Source: BNM [1, 2]) 0 0 votes Article Rating SHARE (Image: Bernama) Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said that the Cabinet has approved the progressive wage system policy, but further details will only be shared during the tabling of the upcoming Budget 2024. The policy has been approved in principal as well as the approach, and then we have to go through a series of processes including bringing down to all stakeholders and the level of coverage for specific group. Thereafter, we will translate it into the financial commitment that the government has to do and we will go through in the budget process, said the minister, adding that the system is expected to be implemented sometime in April or May 2024. Aside from sharing that the progressive wage system policy has been approved, Rafizi also commented that the upcoming national budget will focus on the development of states to bridge the economic gap between different areas in Malaysia. Accordingly, the government has divided Malaysias states into three categories based on their needs to facilitate this process. (Image: Malay Mail/Choo Choy May) The first group consists of states like Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis which must be prioritised for development, while the second involves states that are adequately developed and do not need much capital injection from the federal government (such as Penang, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur). Meanwhile, the third group is comprised of states that fall somewhere in the middle, like Perak, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, and Malacca. This is also a change that we are refining because we also need to be fair to certain states such as Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Malacca, said Rafizi. Budget 2024 is expected to be tabled in the Parliament on 13 October 2023. (Source: The Sun Daily) 2 1 vote Article Rating SHARE Jose Maria Morelos government worker resigns after allegations of accepting state welfare Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R. A second person has resigned from their government position after being found signed up for state welfare assistance. On Thursday, Jose Maria Morelos official Rosilene P resigned from her position as Secretary General of the Jose Maria Morelos City Council. Her resignation came after a state investigation began last week into allegations of government officials being signed up for the welfare program Mujer es Vida. Mayor Erik Borges Yam said they will be immediately dismissed if any fault or irregularity is found. We have very precise indications that all the directors or workers of the City Council should not be receiving support from social programs, he said. Borges has scheduled a City Council meeting to announce her replacement. Rosilene P is the second Jose Maria Morelos government official to resign after allegations of receiving state welfare benefits meant for low-income women. On Wednesday, a Chetumal official receiving a 40,000 peso per month salary also resigned after having signed for and received the monthly benefit three times. At least seven other officials across the state have been accused of signing up for the program meant to help women in need. Pair captured dealing in Cancun related to criminal cell member Cancun, Q.R. Two males detained on drug dealing charges have since been connected to a criminal cell member. On Thursday, Jesus Francisco N and Jose Carlos N were taken into custody by Cancun police in SM 104 after being seen dealing drugs. The pair were handcuffed from Francisco I. Madreo Avenue after police observed them standing to a taxi exchanging bags of drugs. Additional bags of marijuana and crystal meth were found during a physical inspection. Police say that the now detained are related to Jose Romualdo N, a member of a criminal cell that operates in Cancun and who was recently arrested (and remains jailed) on drug charges as a supplier of crystal meth, cocaine and marijuana. Pemex workers protest being out of work after FGE shuts their station Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A group of Playa del Carmen Pemex workers expressed their frustration of being left out of work after authorities shut down their location. On Wednesday, former employees protested after elements of the State Attorney Generals Office closed the Pemex gas station. Two weeks ago, agents placed a large seal across the base of the Pemex road sign along 115th Avenue, leaving 28 Pemex employees out of work. Two weeks later, the two dozen-plus employees are still waiting for their location to reopen. One of the protesting employees, Maria G, said her employer is helping where he can by placing them in other gas stations, however, they all live in that area and want to return to their jobs at the 115th Avenue location. The 115th Avenue location was shut down two weeks ago after a drug investigation. The frustrated workers chanted we want to work! to motorists along 115th Avenue. According to the FGE seal placed, the Pemex gas station was closed by the Special Prosecutor for drug related crimes. Viva Aerobus begins selling tickets for its five flights from Tulum International Tulum, Q.R. Airline Viva Aerobus has announced five routes for the Tulum International Airport. Viva Aerobus will begin with the new routes in December with the opening of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport of Tulum. This announcement represents the arrival of more visitors who will be able to enjoy the beauties of central and southern Quintana Roo bringing prosperity to the communities that need it most and exploring a new model of community tourism. That is what we want, that the tourist success is reflected in the communities of the center and south, Governor Mara Lezama said. Viva Aerobus announced that starting in December 1, it will fly from the new Tulum airport to the airports of Mexico City (AICM and AIFA), Guadalajara, Monterrey and Tijuana. It will be the first to operate in the four airports that Quintana Roo will have, with more than 30 routes, Lezama added. Photo: Courtesy Viva Aerobus Quintana Roo is a tourism giant and air connectivity plays a transcendental role to further strengthen the accessibility of all our destinations, attract new investment, generate employment and create shared prosperity throughout the state, she said. The airline announced that as of August 24, passengers can purchase their tickets for these new routes. Two services to the countrys capital and Monterrey begin on December 1, to Guadalajara on the 16th of December and to Tijuana on the 17th of the month. The Secretary of Quintana Roo Tourism, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, reported that last year, Riviera Maya, made up precisely of Tulum and Playa del Carmen, was placed as the second destination in the state to attrack the most passengers, behind Cancun. With these flights, the tourist potential of Tulum is greatly benefited and it is on its way to becoming one of the favorite beaches in the Caribbean. This year, we expect to exceed the 1.7 million visitors that we registered in 2022, he said. On Wednesday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also announced both national and international airline interests in the up-and-coming Tulum airport, but did not provide any names. Last week, he reported that the new state-owned Mexicana de Aviacion will make the Tulum International Airport its second home base, offering flights between Tulum and Mexico City. Selina, countess of Huntingdon, cared about one thing more than any other: that the gospel of Jesus Christ be preached freely. She was willing to take on the Church of English itself to ensure it was done. Among the central figures of the British evangelical revival that we have been revisiting is Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, (17071791). She was a source of finance and a steadying influence, and through her aristocratic connections Selina provided opportunities for the preaching of the gospel in the upper echelons of society. Selina managed to maintain largely warm friendships with the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield, but increasingly favoured Whitefields moderate Calvinism. She was a pioneer of church planting and was eventually forced out from the established Church of Englandno small thing for a countess. Selina was born in 1707 to the second Earl Ferrers and his wife, Mary, into a somewhat divided and complicated aristocratic family. In 1728 she married Theophilus Hastings, the ninth Earl of Huntingdon. Their marriage was a happy one, with Selina taking her roles as wife and mother very seriously. The couple had six children and lamented when they were apart from each other. Tragically, the earl died in 1746, aged 49, and only one of the children outlived the countess herself. Religion was taken seriously in the Huntingdon household even before Selinas arrival. The earls sisters and half-sister were all devout Christians. For Selina, conversion came in the summer of 1739, almost certainly under the influence of Lady Margaret, one of the earls sisters. We do not know the details but there was contact between Margaret and Selina in early summer 1739, and by July Margaret was praising the good work the Lord had done in Selinas heart. The earls own position is uncertain, but he was tolerant of his wifes newfound faith. Selinas influence on the nascent evangelical revival grew quickly and included her playing host to attendees at the first Methodist Conference in 1744; contact with Philip Doddridge, a leading dissenting minister, and Howell Harris, a pioneer of the revival in Wales; and, as mentioned, friendship with the Wesleys and George Whitefield, whose influence over Selina gradually grew. From around 1744 onward, Selina began to invite her aristocratic friends (her circle) to gather at her home to hear Whitefield speak, an activity that accelerated after Whitefields return from visiting the American colonies in 1748, upon which Selina appointed him as her chaplain. Whitefield commented that he went with fear and trembling, knowing how difficult it is to speak to the great so as to win them to Jesus Christ. On August 30, 1748, Selina wrote excitedly to Philip Doddridge that she had held two large assemblies at my house of the mighty, the noble, the wise & the rich to hear the Gospel by Mr Whitefield and I have great pleasure in telling you they all expressed a great deal in hearing of him. Two attendees, Lord Bolingbroke and Lord Chesterfield, referenced Whitefields eloquences and oratory. Another, however, the Countess of Suffolk, flew into a rage, commenting that it was monstrous to be told that you have a heart as sinful as the common wretches that crawl the earth. One of Selinas central strategies was the development of chapels to which she would appoint chaplains to ensure the preaching of the gospel, which, in the eyes of the evangelical pioneers, was far from guaranteed in a traditional parish church. As an English aristocrat, she was uniquely positioned to achieve this aim. She supported Whitefields efforts to raise funds for his Moorfields Tabernacle in London, but much more was needed than just money. Among the principal problem was the power and control of the bishops over the building, the staffing, and the conduct of worship within the Established Church. There was, however, an ingenious solution. There was a long-standing right for the aristocracy to form a private chapel attached to their home and to appoint a chaplain with control outside the jurisdiction of the bishop. Significantly, members of the public could be invited to attend worship in the chapel, including celebrations of the Lords Supperin essence, an alternative to the parish church. The countess moved into action. In 1761 Selina opened a chapel in the fashionable south coast town of Brighton, adjacent to a house she had acquired. In Wivelsfield, Sussex, the countess rented a house and converted part into a chapel; after its opening, the Reverend William Romaine reported a hundred communicants. In 176465, Selina moved to construct a chapel in Bath. Chapels were also opened in Lewes, Tunbridge Wells, and elsewhere. All these early chapels were attached to homes the countess owned or leased. Naturally, she was not always present and, indeed, the houses were sometimes let to tenants. In supplying her chapels, Selina drew upon the evangelical clergy of the Church of England, who themselves had differing views on the propriety of preaching outside their own parish; they also had responsibilities of their own to discharge. Consequently, Lady Huntingdon needed to make a longer-term provision for her pulpits. Working with Howell Harris, the pioneer of the evangelical revival in Wales, she sought to implement a vision, long shared by Harris, for an academy or school for preachers. The college was opened in Trevecca, South Wales, in 1768 under the leadership of the Reverend John Fletcher, Vicar of Madeley in Shropshire. Oddly, Fletcher was staunchly anti-Calvinist, illustrating the complexity of relationships among the revivals participants. Yet Fletcher saw Selina as a soul devoted first and foremost to Jesus. The aim of the new college of preachers was intellectual and practical. Selinas vision was to ensure a steady flow of ministers for both the Church of England and the nonconformist chapels. The college had a shaky history over the coming years, with doctrinal disputes and concerns about spiritual vitalityand indeed finance. Students from the college were treated with much suspicion by Established Church authorities, needless to say. In turn, Lady Huntingdon, in good old-fashioned evangelical style, was highly suspicious of the bench of bishops. She had a passion for the gospel and recognized that both Church of England and independent congregations posed political and doctrinal problems for evangelicals of opposing Arminian and Calvinist convictions. She wanted to break the mould. The extraordinary story of Spa Fields Chapel certainly illustrates this passion and determination. Spa Fields was an area close to the Clerkenwell district of London, right on the boundary of the City of London, very near the central financial and legal districts. Northampton Chapel opened in 1777 with the support of the countess. The chapel was registered under the Toleration Act 1689 as an independent chapel, yet it was two evangelical ministers of the Church of England, Herbert Jones and William Taylor, who agreed to provide the religious services. The chapel was within the parish of St James, Clerkenwell. The official minister, William Sellon, asserted his rights against the two clergy operating within his parish and laid charges in the ecclesiastical court of the Bishop of London. Jones and Taylor were convicted of preaching in a dissenting chapel and conducting worship in a parish to which they were not licensed. The preachers were silenced and the chapel closed. Selina was incandescent. The countess made her move and acquired the lease, which she was able to do as the building was not owned by the Church of England. Alterations were made to the chapel to provide accommodation for the countessafter all, this was to be yet another personal chapel of a peeress of the realm! One of her chaplains, Thomas Haweis, presided over the opening on March 28, 1779, of Spa Fields Chapel. William Sellon again instituted legal proceedings against Haweis and subsequently two others, Cradock Glascott and Thomas Wills, claiming that they required his permission to preach in the chapel. The defense was the privileged protection of the rights of the peerage to provide chapels and that the matter was outside the jurisdiction of the court. The prosecution case was simple: a chapel with seating for thousands, a public entrance, and tickets sold for seating could not in any reasonable manner be construed as a private chapel. This evangelical edifice, built on a rather shaky foundation, was about to fall. In May 1780, judgment was given against the Spa Fields chaplain Haweis. The case against Glascott and, in time, Selinas other preachers was now entirely predictable. The only avenue now open to the countess to protect any of her chapels was to register them under the Toleration Act of 1689 as dissenting meeting houses and to leave the Church of England completely. She told her clergy supporters that she was ready to go to prison with them (the possibility, though remote, lay in the possibility of a cleric being found in contempt of court), and in a letter to a former student declared, I am to be cast out of the Church for what I have been doing these forty yearsspeaking and living for Jesus Christ. Two of the chaplains, William Taylor and Thomas Wills, joined Selina and seceded from the Church of England; the other two remained. None of the well-known names in the Established Church joined the secession. This marked the beginning of what became known as the Countess of Huntingdons Connexion. Lady Huntingdon exemplified both the strengths and weaknesses of the evangelical revival. Tenacity, commitment, passion, and a love that extended across theological divisions in tandem with a desire to remain within the bounds of the Church of England were all markers of both the countess and a significant section of the movement. Yet, some poor judgments, lack of proper planning and provision, even a lack of focus all contributed to the rather modest success of her longer-term enterprise. The gospel, however, prospered through her. Both Wesleyan and Calvinist branches of the revival were on their way to being organized outside the Established Churchagainst the wishes of their founders, it should be noted (though for both these movements, the imperatives of the gospel triumphed over church order). Mourning Lady Huntingdons passing in 1791, the evangelical minister John Berridge remarked, Another pillar is gone to glory. Three people were injured early Friday morning in Roanokes 28th nonfatal shooting since Jan. 1. Roanoke Police have arrested Brian S. Reep, 41, of Roanoke, and charged him with malicious wounding, according to a news release. Reep was identified as a suspect throughout the course of the investigation, according to the release. He was taken into custody Friday afternoon without incident. At about 1:15 a.m. police were summoned through the citys 911 call center to the 3800 block of Williamson Road Northwest, according to an earlier news release Friday. Officers found one man with a gunshot wound that did not appear life-threatening. Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel took him to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. While police were on the scene, they were told that two other people had arrived at the hospital in personal vehicles. A man had a serious gunshot wound and a woman had a gunshot wound that did not appear life-threatening, according to the release. Officers confirmed that those two additional people had also been shot at the scene on Williamson Road, according to the release. Their preliminary investigation found that the incident began with a verbal altercation that became physical inside the business, the release stated. The man involved in that altercation left the building, but he returned a short time later, according to the release. The altercation continued outside of the business, then escalated to a shooting, the release stated, and no suspects were located on scene. To offer any details about the incident, call 540-344-8500. A text can be sent to 274637, beginning the message with RoanokePD to ensure it is properly sent. Police say both calls and texts can remain anonymous. A major leak at a Pennsylvania natural gas storage facility operated by the same company that is leading construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline was caused by corrosion of a well joint. Equitrans Midstream Corp. detailed its investigation of the November 2022 incident, which spewed about 1 billion cubic feet of a greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, in a report to federal safety regulators. Water and oxygen weakened the wells underground top joint, causing more damage than what testing in 2016 had revealed. When the data was reprocessed using updated technology, it was determined that the earlier tests were inaccurate, Equitrans said in a news release Thursday. With construction of Mountain Valley resuming this summer, there are concerns that sections of pipe stored above the ground for years have been over-exposed to sunlight, which can break down a protective coating meant to guard against corrosion. We are distressed to hear confirmation of Equitrans failing pipes in Pennsylvania as we fear similar disasters will occur along the MVP route, said Denali Nalamalapu of Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights, an anti-pipeline coalition. Many of us cant fall asleep at night for fear of MVP pipes exploding and killing our loved ones, Nalamalapu said in a statement issued by POWHR Friday. MVP is an unnecessary, beleaguered project that must be stopped immediately. A Mountain Valley spokeswoman said it was no surprise that pipeline opponents are attempting to link the incident in Pennsylvania to pipeline construction. Vertical storage wells are vastly different from natural gas transmission lines, including in construction, operations, and materials, such as coatings, Natalie Cox wrote in an email. Mountain Valley has worked with federal and state regulators for years to ensure the construction and integrity management practices of the project and will continue to do so, she said. The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has called for additional inspections of the steel pipe before it is buried, although there has been no final action on a proposed safety order issued Aug. 11. Degraded coating and other conditions may pose a pipeline integrity risk to public safety, property or the environment, the agency said in its proposed order, which mentions explosions of other pipelines in mountainous terrain that can be susceptible to landslides. Mountain Valley has requested an informal consultation with PHMSA, saying it welcomes oversight from state and federal agencies. But critics worry that while negotiations continue, sections of the 42-inch diameter pipe which may have been compromised by exposure to the elements since 2017 are being placed in the ground as the company rushes to complete construction by the end of the year. In an Aug. 18 letter to PHMSA, about a dozen organizations opposed to the pipeline asked the administration to work with other federal agencies and order that work be stopped until safety conditions are implemented. PHMSA has proposed an independent, third-party review of a process to inspect the steel pipes and, where needed, reapply a fusion-bonded epoxy coating before they are buried. Even though its safety order has not been implemented, PHMSA said Friday that it has been inspecting the pipeline since work began to ensure that Mountain Valley is in compliance with all safety regulations. Mountain Valley says it already has a program to examine the pipes and reinforce them when necessary along the pipelines 303-mile route from northern West Virginia, though Southwest Virginia, to connect with an existing pipeline near the North Carolina line. More than 270 miles of pipe have already been buried, the company says, and the coating met specifications at the time. The notice of a proposed safety order was not an effort by PHMSA to stop construction, according to Cox. Rather, it was intended to instill public confidence in the responsible construction and safe operation of the pipeline, and we agree with PHMSA that transparently outlining the steps being taken by the MVP project team to safely complete construction of the pipeline is of utmost importance to the public, her email stated. Construction of the $6.6 billion project began in the winter of 2018, but work has been stopped and restarted repeatedly as Mountain Valleys government permits were struck down by a federal appeals court. Legal challenges have focused on the projects large environmental footprint. State regulators in the two Virginias have cited Mountain Valley with nearly 500 violations of regulations meant to control muddy runoff from work sites, and critics say burning natural gas that will be transported by the pipeline will worsen what is already a climate change crisis. In western Pennsylvania, Equitrans operates the Rager Mountain Storage Facility, where natural gas waiting to be shipped is kept in wells that have been drilled dry by hydraulic fracking of the Marcellus Shale formation. The Rager facility has 10 storage wells with a capacity of about 9 billion cubic feet of gas. After the well joint on one of the wells failed, it took Equitrans nearly two weeks to plug the leak. In addition to the natural gas that was vented into the atmosphere, a smaller amount was contained within the earth at depths of 1,800 to 3,000 feet, the company said in Thursdays news release. Extensive testing found that none of the gas migrated to nearby residential areas, the company said. Equitrans has worked diligently with all regulatory agencies and various independent experts to identify the cause of the incident and to strengthen its existing storage well integrity program, said Cox, who is a spokeswoman for both Equitrans and Mountain Valley. Meanwhile, construction of the pipeline including sections in the Bent Mountain community of Roanoke County, Franklin County and the Jefferson National Forest in Giles and Montgomery counties is ramping back up. After getting log-jammed by legal challenges, the project was fast-tracked by a federal law, passed in early June, that mandated approval of all its permits while removing the federal Fourth Circuits jurisdiction to hear any legal challenges. Eight stream and wetland crossings have been completed in recent weeks, according to Matt Stafford, manager of the Virginia Department of Environmental Qualitys office of water compliance. About 600 such crossings in West Virginia and Virginia remain, in addition to major projects that involve boring under Interstate 81 and the Appalachian Trail in the national forest. In a presentation earlier this week to the State Water Control Board, Stafford said there have been no documented violations of erosion and sediment control regulations since work restarted. FREDERICKSBURG More than 600 students at Chancellor High School in Spotsylvania County are taking math and English courses using the online platform Edgenuity because there is no licensed teacher to instruct them in-person. At Chancellor, we have over 600 of our students taking math and English courses using the Edgenuity program due to three math vacancies and English vacancies, principal Abe Jeffers wrote in an email sent Thursday morning to the parent of a Chancellor High School student. Jeffers said the school has filled one vacant English position and has an interview scheduled with another candidate. For math, however, we have had no applicants to fill our three math positions, thus were forced to have our students use the teaching program Edgenuity, supervised by a substitute teacher, to learn math, Jeffers wrote. The parent, Katherine Miller, forwarded Jefferss email to The Free Lance-Star. She said her daughter is a new student at Chancellor and that the family recently moved to Spotsylvania from Chesterfield County. (My daughter) reported that on the first day, her Algebra II teacher didnt show up, Miller said. After the first week of school, she said, Yeah, we dont have a teacher. We watch videos that are recorded and we just teach ourselves the lesson. Miller said math is the hardest subject for her daughter. She emailed her daughters counselor to ask if she could switch to a class with a teacher. The counselor responded, Currently, all of our Algebra II and (Statistics) sections are on Edgenuity, according to the email, which Miller forwarded to The Free LanceStar. In his email to Miller, Jeffers apologized for not being able to provide the math teacher (your daughter) and hundreds of our students need at this time. He said he checks each day for new applicants and hope(s) each time that someone will be there. Asked about whether any Stafford County high schools are using the online platform in a similar way, division spokeswoman Sandra Osborn said, We are not using Edgenuity to solve staffing issues. In an interview, Miller said she has had four children go through public schools in Virginia and Louisiana and has never encountered a situation like this. Ive never had to advocate to get a teacher, she said. I dont understand whats going on. According to Virginia Code section 22.1-253.13:2, which lays out the state Standards of Quality, school boards shall employ licensed instructional personnel qualified in the relevant subject areas and shall assign instructional personnel in a manner that produces schoolwide ratios of students in average daily memberships to full-time equivalent teaching positions of 21 to one in middle schools and high schools. School districts across the state and nation are struggling to recruit and retain teachers, with qualified math teachers being among the hardest to find, according to a 2019 analysis of 10 years of national data. In Virginia, 4% of all math teacher positions were unfilled last school year, according to data reported to the Virginia Department of Education. Spotsylvania, however, reported that 15% of math teacher positions 15.5 out of about 102 positions across the division went unfilled last school year. Stafford County reported that five out of 334 math teacher positions were unfilled last year. According to VDOE data, Chancellor High was one of the 10 schools in Virginia with the most teacher vacancies last school year. Sixteen out of 85 teaching positions at the school went unfilled. As of July 24, three weeks before the start of the 2023-24 school year, Chancellor still had to fill 13 out of 94 teaching positions. In his email, Jeffers told Miller that the school is looking for ways to support students math learning by finding teachers either in our school or other schools to check in with and even tutor students as they work through content. Miller told The Free LanceStar that she is considering hiring a private tutor for her daughter. But not all families can afford a private tutor, and I dont think they should have to, she said. In a statement, Amy Williams, chief human resources officer for the school division, said, Spotsylvania County Public Schools is committed to providing excellent instruction in all subjects. Similar to many localities across the Commonwealth and nation, the teacher shortage is impacting all of our Spotsylvania County Schools. There is a critical shortage specifically in the area of mathematics that is impacting our high schools. The division is working feverishly to address this situation and is exploring all avenues to ensure our students success. This includes using evidence-based strategies to include online learning platforms such as Edgenuity for continued learning until another acceptable long-term solution is implemented. Williams invites anyone who is interested in teaching math, and (has) a bachelors degree to apply. Please also contact Dr. Chris Collier, Director of Human Resources, if you have any questions or need additional support, the statement reads. Dr. Alveda King: 'I Have a Dream' Turns 60 View with images at https://www.alvedaking.com/post/dr-alveda-king-i-have-a-dream-turns-60 NEWS PROVIDED BY Alveda King Ministries Aug. 25, 2023 ATLANTA, Aug. 25, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Dr. Alveda King, she is available for comment: Monday, August 28, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, where over a quarter million people gathered and heard my Uncle Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - fondly remembered by yours truly as "Uncle M. L." - deliver his famous "I Have a Dream Speech." "It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Martin Luther King, Jr. August 28, 1968 While I didn't attend the I HAVE A DREAM March on Washington, I grew up and even got married in the 1960s. As my siblings and cousins were coming of age, I was already involved in the movement, learning firsthand at the feet of my Uncle M. L. and my amazing father, Rev. A.D. King. My siblings and I marched in "The Children's March" soon after IHAD63. Later I became a volunteer youth organizer in the "Fair Housing Movement" organized by my father and others in Kentucky, where I marched and even went to jail during the protests. On these anniversaries, the memories become even more vivid. Yet, while I always live with the memories and lessons of those days with my Daddy, Grandfather and Uncle, I know Uncle M. L.'s DREAM is alive and relevant today. As the oldest niece of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I often feel the twin emotions of wanting to protect my Uncle's legacy while fully understanding that he and his memory belong to the ages; while still having an impact today. Martin Luther King, Jr. will always be my Uncle M. L., my Daddy A.D.'s big brother. Yet, to the world, he will forever be the most highly recognized 20th century civil rights leader who shepherded America toward the promised land of racial justice. He will forever be the slain martyr whose lessons of non-violence live on. When groups or individuals feel their rights are being infringed, they often pull up a quote from one of my Uncle's speeches. He was indeed the champion of the underdog. But every cause is not created equal. Deep in my heart, I believe that Uncle M. L. would be appalled at having his name associated with causes that undermine the nuclear family and ravage the innocence of children, in the womb and beyond. While Uncle M. L.'s name is invoked for many causes, we must remember that his belief system was deeply rooted in his Judeo-Christian beliefs. My Uncle, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a devout follower of Jesus. He believed Christ came to seek and save the lost. Uncle M. L.'s love for all of humanity was grounded in his love for God's people. Please do not believe that he championed every cause, political agenda or social movement. I have the good "common sense" to believe what my Uncle M. L. taught me. The very core of his teachings was rooted in the Christian sense, which is common sense. His most famous speech may be copyright protected, but the lessons from his common sense speech are free for all of us; and are applicable in every generation; even today. My Uncle took those lessons primarily from the holy, infallible word of God. As a protector of the King Family legacy, I am not willing to sit back silently and watch my Uncle's legacy be twisted and warped to embrace nonsense. One of the most commonly used quotes from my Uncle is "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The lesson that we can take from this quote and my Uncle's life is that he believed that people should be treated with human dignity and respect. We know from his life that he believed human rights should not be abridged because of your race or your sex. We respect every ethnicity as members of the one-blood human race. However, again, I say that all causes are not created equal. While using his words, I have seen groups attempt to justify actions that my Uncle would never have condoned. "Out of one blood, God made all men to dwell upon the face of the earth. What a marvelous foundation for any home! What a glorious and healthy place to inhabit. But America's strayed away, and this unnatural excursion has brought only confusion and bewilderment. It has left hearts aching with guilt and minds distorted with irrationality." Martin Luther King, Jr., 1967 I dare anyone to tell me that my Uncle would support allowing innocent babies to be torn limb by limb from their mother's womb. I dare anyone to tell me that my Uncle would march for little boys and girls to be given the disastrous drugs and surgeries that some call "gender-affirming" care. My Uncle would likely be like Daniel of the Bible and urge America to repent. He would likely weep to see the race/skin color wars and crime sprees invade our great urban centers, all in the name of social justice. The Uncle M.L. I remember lived on earth, guided by Christian sense; which is common sense; and is free to each and every one of us. Through young adulthood, marriage, motherhood, and as a state legislator, human rights activist and Christian entertainer, into 73 years of age today, my life is framed by the faith, hope and love revealed the I HAVE A DREAM speech. This year, as we honor the life and dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. on August 28, let's pray for freedom to ring in every human heart. New Musical Releases: GROWN FOLK BUSINESS GOLDEN THREAD Click here to listen to these songs at https://www.prolifemusicgenre.com Videos Coming Soon SOURCE Alveda King Ministries CONTACT: Brian Mayes, 615-771-2040, brian@nashvillepublicity.com Share Tweet The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, developed by the National Hurricane Center, is a rating system used to measure hurricane categories based on sustained wind speeds. But where did this scale come from, and how does it work? Moreover, what are the limitations of this scale when it comes to predicting the potential destruction a storm may leave in its wake as it passes through? Lets explore the origins, workings, and limitations of this widely-used hurricane classification system. Advertisement Origins of the scale Devised in the early 1970s by Miami engineer Herbert Saffir and Robert Simpson, a meteorologist who was the director of the National Hurricane Center, the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was created to classify hurricanes according to their wind speeds and potential for damage. By providing a standardized scale, the system aimed to better inform the public of a hurricanes potential impact and help them prepare accordingly. The scale is divided into five categories, ranging from Category 1 (the weakest) to Category 5. How the scale works The Saffir-Simpson scale ranges from Category 1 to Category 5, with each category representing a range of wind speeds and associated damage. For example: Category 1 hurricane: sustained winds of 74-95 mph, can cause minor damage such as broken tree branches, downed power lines, and slight roof damage. Category 2 hurricane: sustained winds of 96-110 mph, can cause extensive damage including uprooted trees, downed power lines, and major roof damage. Category 3 hurricane: sustained winds of 111-129 mph, can cause devastating damage including structural damage to small residences, large trees uprooted, and electricity and water outages. Category 4 hurricane: sustained winds of 130-156 mph, can result in catastrophic damage including blown out windows on high-rise buildings, uprooted trees, downed power lines, severe damage to roofs of well-built homes, destruction of mobile homes, and damage to upper floors of apartment buildings. Category 5 hurricane: sustained winds of 157 mph or higher, can cause catastrophic damage including complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings, total destruction of mobile homes, and widespread power and water outages. Its important to note that while the scale provides a general understanding of a hurricanes potential impact, the specific damage a storm may cause depends on various factors, including: the storms size duration path vulnerability of the affected area As a result, the scale should not be considered an all-encompassing predictor of a hurricanes consequences. Limitations of the scale While the Saffir-Simpson scale is a useful tool for classifying hurricanes based on wind speeds, it has its limitations. The scale only considers a storms maximum sustained wind speed, ignoring other potential threats such as expected rainfall or storm surge, which can lead to flooding and even more devastating impacts. This means that even a Category 1 hurricane, with its relatively lower wind speeds, could still cause significant damage and pose a serious threat to life and property if it brings heavy rainfall and storm surge. Therefore, its essential to stay informed about all aspects of an approaching storm, not just its category. Hurricane Andrew, also known as tropical storm Andrew, originated from a tropical wave that emerged from the west coast of Africa on August 14, 1992. It developed into a tropical depression on August 16 and then into a tropical storm on August 17. The storms rapid intensification into a Category 5 hurricane by mid-day on August 23 caught many off guard. With winds reaching a staggering 175 mph and a central pressure of 922 mb, Andrew was one of the most powerful tropical storms to hit the United States. The storm followed a destructive path, including: Advertisement Making landfall in Central and South Florida as a major hurricane Moving across Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving a trail of shattered homes and broken communities Making its second landfall in South Central Louisiana Causing immense impact on both Florida and Louisiana, with hurricane force winds causing widespread damage. Tropical Depression and Strengthening As Hurricane Andrew developed from a tropical depression to a powerful Category 5 hurricane, its central pressure dropped to a record-breaking 922 millibars, ranking as the fourth lowest on record for a hurricane at landfall in the United States. This rapid intensification was accompanied by maximum sustained windspeeds of 141 miles per hour and gusts up to 169 miles per hour just before landfall in Florida. The storm surge, a critical factor in the destruction caused by hurricanes, reached heights of 17 feet in Biscayne Bay, Florida, and approximately 9 feet near Terrebonne Bay in South Central Louisiana. This inundation of water, combined with the powerful winds, created a recipe for disaster in the affected areas. Gulf of Mexico and Landfall in South Central Louisiana After ravaging South Florida, Hurricane Andrew continued its destructive journey through the Gulf of Mexico, maintaining a consistent trajectory towards South Central Louisiana. Although it weakened slightly to a Category 3 hurricane by the time it made landfall in Louisiana, it still inflicted significant damage on the region. The combined effects of wind and storm surge led to an estimated $1 billion in damages and eight deaths in the state. As the storm moved inland, it continued to bring heavy rains and strong winds to other areas, leaving a lasting impact on the communities it touched. The destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew serves as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of extreme weather events. Hurricane Irma, a classic Cape Verde hurricane, first emerged as a tropical depression off the west African coast on August 27th, 2017. From its initial detection near the northern coast of Africa, Irma rapidly intensified and followed a destructive path through the Caribbean and Florida. This powerful storm was fueled by a combination of factors, including above-average sea surface temperatures and light winds in the upper atmosphere. Advertisement From Tropical Wave to Major Hurricane Irmas journey began on August 30th, just west of the Cape Verde Islands, as Tropical Storm Irma. Within just 30 hours, Irma transformed from a tropical storm to a major Category 3 hurricane, boasting maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. This rapid intensification was a harbinger of the extreme power that Irma would wield as it continued on its destructive path. Hurricane Irma reached its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane on September 5th. The winds were recorded at maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. Tracking Hurricane Irma's Path As Irma barreled through the Caribbean, it left a trail of destruction in its wake, striking islands such as Barbuda, Saint Martin, and the Virgin Islands with incredible force. On September 10th, the storm made landfall in Florida, battering the state with Category 4 hurricane-force winds and causing massive destruction. After wreaking havoc on Florida, Irma continued to track northwest, impacting areas such as Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina before finally dissipating over Tennessee. Throughout its journey, Hurricane Irma caused significant damage and loss of life in many of the areas it struck. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the devastating effects of this powerful storm, as well as the evacuation efforts, emergency response, and ongoing recovery process. When Hurricane Katrina struck, initially forming as a tropical depression, it escalated into a deadly and devastating storm that left a trail of destruction in its wake. As Tropical Storm Katrina barreled towards the Gulf Coast, residents braced for impact, unaware of the extent of devastation that would unfold. The storms sheer intensity, with sustained winds causing massive destruction, and the resulting storm surge transformed communities into disaster zones, leaving tens of thousands of people fighting for their lives and livelihoods. Advertisement Tropical Depression to Hurricane Originating in the warm waters of the Caribbean near the Bahamas on August 23, 2005, Hurricane Katrina began its destructive journey as a mere tropical depression. Over the next few days, the storm gained strength, transforming into a tropical storm before eventually becoming a powerful Category 3 hurricane. At its peak, Hurricane Katrina reached Category 5 status, with a central pressure of 902mb, making it one of the most intense storms in recorded history. Landfall and Affected Areas As the storm made landfall on August 29, 2005, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans, located in southeast Louisiana, bore the brunt of its wrath. The storm surge caused seawater to inundate coastal communities, resulting in catastrophic flooding and widespread devastation. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, and residents scrambled to escape the rising waters, many finding refuge in attics and on rooftops. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina exposed the vulnerability of the regions infrastructure and the unpreparedness of local, state, and federal governments to handle such a large-scale disaster. Hurricane Maria, a monster of a storm, formed in September 2017 and caused widespread devastation across the northeastern Caribbean. The hurricanes center passed close to Dominica, resulting in catastrophic damage, before making landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm. The Virgin Islands, particularly Saint Croix, were also left reeling from the significant impacts of Maria. The hurricane left a staggering $91.61 billion in damages in its wake, making it the fourth-costliest tropical cyclone on record. Advertisement The Birth of a Monster: Tropical Storm Maria Tropical Storm Maria rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane due to a combination of high sea surface temperatures and low wind shear. As a storm chaser closely monitored the hurricane, they provided valuable information to affected regions, including updates on tropical storm conditions. Maria attained Category 5 status with sustained winds of 175 mph on September 19, just one day after being classified as a Category 3 storm. This rapid intensification made Maria the most powerful hurricane on record to make landfall in Dominica, occurring during the same hurricane season as Hurricane Irma, another devastating storm that wreaked havoc in the Caribbean region. Marias wrath was felt across the Caribbean, causing extensive flooding and damage as a result of fallen trees and other debris. The Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Turks and Caicos were all severely affected. The storms intensity and size left a lasting impact on the region, with many communities struggling to recover in the aftermath. Destruction in the Caribbean: Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands In Puerto Rico, the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria was unprecedented. The aftermath was nothing short of a nightmare for Puerto Ricans, who faced: Homes, roads, and bridges being obliterated A total power outage enveloping the entire island Severe flooding leaving many areas submerged under water Food and water shortages Water-related disease outbreaks Closed hospitals and schools due to extensive damage The islands economy, reliant on agriculture and tourism, was left in ruins, with the estimated cost of damages reaching a staggering $94 billion, especially impacting the east coast. The Virgin Islands, located on the West Coast, also bore the brunt of Hurricane Marias fury, with coastal flooding and storm surge causing significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. The hurricanes aftermath left many people in dire need of assistance, highlighting the necessity for a robust and coordinated response to such natural disasters. On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, as a powerful Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. The hurricane brought widespread destruction to the Florida Panhandle and Mexico Beach, causing an estimated $25.5 billion in damage and claiming 59 lives in the U.S. This catastrophic event highlighted the destructive power of nature and the importance of preparedness. The storm surge, hurricane force winds, and inland flooding caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure across the northern Gulf Coast. Advertisement As we delve deeper into the impacts of Hurricane Michael, we will examine the storm surge devastation, the intensity of hurricane force winds, and the consequences of inland flooding. Storm Surge Devastation Hurricane Michaels impact: Storm surge reached a peak inundation of 7.7 feet above ground level at Apalachicola, Florida. The Panama City Beach to Mexico Beach to Cape San Blas areas were particularly affected. 1,584 out of the total 1,692 structures in the town near Mexico Beach reported to be damaged. More than 800 of the structures were completely destroyed. The storm surges destructive force obliterated entire neighborhoods, leaving behind a trail of debris and devastation. The magnitude of the destruction serves as a stark reminder of the importance of storm surge preparedness and the need for effective evacuation plans in coastal areas prone to hurricanes. Hurricane Force Winds The hurricane force winds that accompanied Hurricane Michael were extremely powerful, resulting in extensive destruction to northern Gulf Coast communities. At landfall, the storms maximum sustained wind speed was 161 mph, with a minimum central pressure of 919 mb. The peak wind gust from Hurricane Michael was reported approximately 160 miles northeast of the landfall, where tropical storm force winds were also experienced. These powerful winds tore through buildings, uprooted trees, and caused widespread power outages. The aftermath of Hurricane Michael serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of coastal communities and the importance of implementing effective wind-resistant construction practices and building codes. Inland Flooding Torrential rainfall associated with Hurricane Michael led to significant inland flooding. The consequences of this flooding were far-reaching, with numerous communities experiencing the devastation of homes and businesses, relocation of inhabitants, and interruption of vital services. The aftermath of Hurricane Michaels inland flooding underscores the importance of preparedness, improved forecasting, and communication of potential risks. As we continue to analyze the impacts of this catastrophic storm, it becomes increasingly evident that investing in flood mitigation measures and infrastructure improvements is crucial for protecting lives and property. Hurricane Sandy: Emerged as a tropical wave in the tropical North Atlantic on October 19, 2012 Officially classified as a tropical depression south of Jamaica on October 22 Rapidly intensified, becoming a Category 1 hurricane on October 24, with sustained winds of 80 miles per hour Continued to wreak havoc until October 29, 2012 By October 25, its winds had increased to 110 miles per hour as it traversed eastern Jamaica and eastern Cuba, both located in the Caribbean Sea. Advertisement From Tropical Depression to Hurricane The rapid intensification of Sandy from a tropical depression to a powerful tropical cyclone can be attributed to favorable conditions in the Caribbean Sea, including warm waters and low wind shear. As tropical storm Sandy moved northward, its winds expanded, covering an enormous area, with tropical-storm-force winds stretching over a diameter of 870 miles. This massive storm system, visible in Hurricane Sandy satellite images, would soon collide with an approaching cold front, transforming it into the infamous Superstorm Sandy. Impact on the Caribbean and Eastern Cuba Before reaching the United States, Hurricane Sandy took a heavy toll on the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Eastern Cuba. In Jamaica, the hurricane caused flooding and landslides, displacing thousands of people. The Dominican Republic experienced similar devastation, with flooding and wind damage destroying thousands of homes. In Eastern Cuba, Sandy made landfall west of Santiago de Cuba, resulting in: Coastal flooding Extensive wind damage inland Destruction of approximately 15,888 housing units Damage to 22,000 more housing units A high number of people affected The catastrophic impacts of Sandy in the Caribbean foreshadowed the devastation that would soon strike the Atlantic coast of the United States. The Collision with a Cold Front As Sandy approached the U.S. East Coast, it encountered a cold front. This interaction drew a portion of the cold air mass south of the hurricane, causing the jet stream that separated the two systems to turn westward. This sharp change in direction steered Sandy toward the New Jersey coast, where it would make landfall on October 29. As the cold air blended with the warm air of the hurricane, the two systems merged, transforming Sandy into an expansive extratropical cyclone. This unusual combination of hurricane conditions and cold fronts amplified the potency of Hurricane Sandy, resulting in a storm that would cause extensive damage and loss of life along the Atlantic coast. The transformation of Hurricane Sandy into Superstorm Sandy marked the beginning of a catastrophic event that would leave a lasting impact on the United States. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In a 2017 ResearchAmerica! poll of 1,000 people, roughly 9 in 10 said that they would like clinicians and other health care workers to discuss clinical trials with them if they were diagnosed with a disease. However, more than 7 in 10 said they had never been approached about clinical research. Developers of new treatments and devices would like to make trials more available at sites across the nation. To bring breakthrough therapies to the clinic, they must enroll enough patients in these multisite trials for their findings to be valid and generalizable. Difficulties enrolling patients can delay the trials and add to their price tag. However, finding clinicians to implement those trials at medical centers can be challenging. Many clinicians would like to be able to offer their patients a robust selection of clinical trials but are often overwhelmed with clinical duties and lack time and training. The South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research (SCTR) Institute, with an academic home at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), set out to address these barriers by establishing its Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP). "We wanted to give investigators a good runway to be able to ramp up and be successful," said Tammy Loucks, Dr.PH., SCTR science development officer and associate director of the workforce development program. CTTP was first established in 2021 through a collaboration between SCTR's multi-site clinical trials team and its workforce development program, as well as other MUSC research support offices. The one-year program provides early-career clinical faculty the protected time and robust training they need to establish a sustainable portfolio of clinical trials. The SCTR teams describe the program and its early successes in a July article in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. "Participating as a site investigator in a large multicenter clinical trial has become more challenging for doctors because of increased regulatory requirements and clinical demands," said Marc Chimowitz, MBChB, director of the multisite clinical trials team at the time of the program's inception. "This led us to develop the CTTP to identify, train and support busy clinicians to become effective site clinical trialists, who are a key component of a successful multicenter trial." Tanya Turan, M.D., who directed the program during its first two years before passing the baton to Andrew Goodwin, M.D., is excited about how those trained in the program can "pay it forward" for their patients and colleagues. "The CTTP provides a jump start for the participating clinicians by giving them protected time and training to develop a clinical trials portfolio at MUSC successfully," she said. "The result is that the clinicians can offer more clinical trials to patients and help to mentor the next generation of trialists to do the same." Aware of the time constraints on young clinical faculty, CTTP leadership knew that it was a critical first step to ensure scholars had the protected time they needed for clinical research and training. They consulted with Raymond DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., then dean of the College of Medicine and current director of the Hollings Cancer Center, who pledged to cover 10% of the scholars' salary so that they could devote that time to the program and their research. "This program is crucial in providing individuals with enough time to develop their clinical research skills," said DuBois. "This is an outstanding program that MUSC is very proud of and will continue to support in the future to provide a pipeline of future clinical investigators." Current COM dean Terrence Steyer, M.D., is also very supportive of the program. During the one-year program, scholars attend "meet the expert" presentations and discuss strategies and troubleshoot problems regularly with their mentors and SCTR staff. In addition, they are expected to meet quarterly milestones. During the first quarter, they attend a clinical trials boot camp, also open to other faculty on campus, where they are introduced to the offices and resources relevant to clinical trials on campus. With the help of SCTR's multisite clinical trials team, they also select a trial that is a good fit for their interests, patient population and departmental needs. During subsequent quarters, they interact with the multisite trials team to learn how to assess whether a trial is feasible (quarter 2), obtain necessary approvals and execute contracts (quarter 3) and finally recruit patients for the first trial while beginning the approval process for the next trial (quarter 4). "It's a combination of having the support, the protected time and the quarterly progress meetings that makes the program a success," said Diana Lee-Chavarria, SCTR workforce training and development manager. "The progress meetings are led by scholars, so they can come with questions or just wanting to get feedback on something." The CTTP training also improves the efficiency of clinical trials. "If the scholars get stuck, they know exactly who to go to with that question to get it answered so that they can move past that hurdle and keep the trial running efficiently," said Signe Denmark, associate director of research opportunities and collaborations. The program's goal is for the scholars to be able to sustain the 10% commitment to research with the clinical trial portfolio they develop during and after the program. The inaugural cohort (2021-2022) of four CTTP scholars reached all milestones and launched nine clinical trials totaling $2.2 million. Although they had not received enough funding to cover 10% of their time by the end of the program, all thought they were on course to do so in the near future. Since then, six additional scholars (2022-2023) have been trained and another four (2023-2024) have been accepted and have recently completed orientation. The feedback from scholars has been very positive. "Before participating in the program, it was challenging to find sufficient time out of my busy clinical schedule to be a successful clinical trialist," said Kelli Williams, M.D., associate professor of Pediatrics. "Participating in the program not only afforded me dedicated time to be more active in recruiting and initiating studies, but it also provided me with fundamental knowledge on all aspects of the process of securing trials." The program has also enabled academic departments to build their clinical trial portfolio. "It's good for academic departments to be able to have investigators with differentresearch interests," said Loucks. "It helps build the depth in the department and then by default provides more clinical trial options for patients." It's also helped MUSC as an institution to strengthen its clinical trial offerings. "We've been able to expand several new indications that we didn't have a footprint in before, such as rare pediatric diseases," said Denmark. "We now have more trial opportunities available for patients than before the program." More information: Tammy L. Loucks et al, Preparing clinicians to be site investigators in multicenter clinical trials: A training program at an academic medical center, Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (2023). DOI: 10.1017/cts.2023.587 Provided by Medical University of South Carolina HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2023 (ITE HCMC 2023) is scheduled from September 7 to 9, 2023, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7. Themed "Connectivity, Growth, and Sustainability," ITE HCMC 2023 aims to propel Vietnam's tourism industry, ensuring sustainable development while showcasing its allure globally. The 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2023 (ITE HCMC 2023), themed Connectivity, Growth, Sustainability, will take place from September 7-9 at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) - 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam International visitors to Vietnam increased sharply. July 2023 witnessed a sharp rise in international visitors to Vietnam, with over 1.04 million arrivals, a 6.5% surge from June. This achievement marked the first time in 2023 that the country surpassed one million visitors in a month. In the initial seven months of the year, the country welcomed almost 6.6 million international arrivals, reaching 83% of the annual target. Various policies, including Government Resolution 82, have fostered recovery and sustainable growth. Additionally, the National Assembly approved the Government's proposals to increase the validity of e-visas for foreigners to 90 days, creating favorable conditions to attract international tourists to Vietnam and enhancing Vietnam's tourism competitiveness in the region. Efforts from tourism promotion agencies and agile enterprises have been pivotal in attracting visitors. Collaborative initiatives like promotional programs in key markets and developing unique tourism products have contributed to these accomplishments. ITE HCMC 2023: Seizing Opportunities and Accelerating Development. The 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2023) will spotlight "Connectivity, Growth, and Sustainability." The event anticipates more than 20,000 attendees, including international buyers and exhibitors, exploring innovation and cooperation opportunities. Aligned with Government Resolutions 82 and 127 for international e-visas, the fair serves as a vital platform to showcase Vietnam's image and Ho Chi Minh City to both domestic and global tourists. The event aims to enhance supply and demand by fostering connections among travel and tourism businesses. With over 400 exhibitors and brands participating, including international tourism promotion agencies, the event has doubled in scale since 2022. Seventy percent of participants are domestic entities, and 30% are expected to be international counterparts. Story continues As of now, the fair has registered over 400 booths, including more than 370 from domestic units and 30 from international ones. The participation encompasses tourism promotion agencies from Cambodia, Chile, Taiwan (China), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, as well as St. Petersburg City (Russian Federation), Seoul (South Korea), and more than 46 provinces of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong; An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Ca Mau, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Tinh, Kien Giang, Kontum, Khanh Hoa, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lam Dong, Long An, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Yen Bai, certainly bring a successful fair in terms of expertise and scale. ITE HCMC is the only international travel expo in Vietnam with the International Buyers Program. The program provides opportunities for international tourism businesses wishing to expand the market, bring tourists to Vietnam and Mekong sub-region. ITE HCMC 2023 attracted over 150 international buyers from more than 31 countries and territories, namely USA, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Taiwan (China), Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, Austria, Croatia, Romania, Armenia, Russia, India, Turkey, South Africa and GCC Countries (Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia). Thereby, the ITE HCMC 2023 promises to open more than 6,000 B2B trade appointments between buyers and exhibitors. The event also has garnered coverage from over 50 domestic media partners and 20 international press units and influencers from various countries. Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, emphasized that while modifications in Vietnam's visa policies have facilitated international tourists, synchronous solutions are vital to boost the appeal of tourism in Vietnam. The 17th International Travel Expo in Ho Chi Minh City will promote commercial activities, create and renew tourism products, and enhance destination management to elevate Vietnam's tourism sector and competitiveness. ITE HCMC 2023 is organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, and the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center in collaboration with CIS Vietnam JSC and Le Bros Company. ITE HCMC 2023 is honored to receive the companionship of sponsors, including: Official Airline and Diamond Sponsor: Vietnam Airlines Diamond Sponsor: Saigontourist Group Official Partners: GEM Center, Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Airports Corporation of Vietnam Joint Stock Company (ACV), Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel, European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Partner Airlines: Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, China Southern Airlines, Emirates Partner Hotels: Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, Le Meridien Saigon. Media Partners: Goldsun Media Group, Wanderlust Magazine Transportation Partner: Grab Vietnam Gift Partners: BluSaigon, The CoCoon Vietnam Information and Events: Exhibition Day: 09h0018h00, September 89, 2023 Venue: Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Highlight Events: ITE HCMC 2023 Cutting Ribbon Ceremony Buyer-Seller B2B Meetings The High-Level Tourism Forum, themed "Digital Transformation Promotes Tourism Development," was chaired by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. ASEAN Public Relations and Communications Forum: "Destination Marketing and Sustainable Communication" Tourism seminar series ITE HCMC Award 2023 World Travel Awards: Asia Pacific ASEAN PR Excellence Awards 2023 Vietnam Night Welcome Ceremony for International Buyers and Press ITE HCMC 2023 Thank-You Party For more information about ITE HCMC 2023, please visit the website at www.itehcmc.travel. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/countdown-to-ite-hcmc-2023-connectivity-growth-and-sustainability-301909304.html SOURCE Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The Marcos administration is set to have its own online marketplace similar to e-commerce giants Shopee and Lazada for the government's acquisition of trillion-pesos worth of supplies and equipment, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). In a statement on Thursday, the DBM said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was "very keen" on pursuing the idea. Budget chief Amenah Pangandaman said the platform, "eMarketplace," is part of the proposed amendments to Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA). The eMarketplace seeks "to do away with the long, tedious procurement process that has caused delays in the government's delivery of products and services," the DBM said. While the GPRA served as "one of the biggest anti-corruption laws" in the Philippines, Pangandaman said the accelerated digital transformation and transactions, particularly witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted the government to upgrade how to deal with processes. "That's why our president is correct that we need to make government procurement more attuned to our changing times," she noted. "Procurement affects us every day, not just us the government, but the Filipino people. Procurement issues have an adverse impact on public service delivery. We have also been hounded by controversies linked to the Philippine procurement system. Of our total national government budget, up to 25% is done via procurement. So, this year, its roughly 1.3 trillion. Its a huge amount," Pangandaman added. Procurement Service (PS)-DBM Executive Director Dennis Santiago explained that the current administration would replicate Shopee and Lazadas business model, where a qualified government supplier would be allowed to place their items on the eMarketplace. Santiago said the government would ensure that the products available on the platform would be in good shape and beneficial for government offices. The DBM said suppliers would still be required to comply with identified legal, technical, and financial requirements to be able to include their offered goods in the system. Some reasons why mooncakes are so expensive in Singapore. PHOTO: Getty) SINGAPORE Every year, the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival is celebrated in East Asian countries when the moon is said to be the brightest and fullest. The traditional festival is an occasion when friends and families get together to eat mooncakes a type of pastry that is usually sweet or sweet and savoury. When is Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival in Singapore? In 2023, the Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival in Singapore falls on 29 September. The weeks preceding this date will see a flurry of activity among mooncake sellers marketing their mooncake varieties and unique packaging. Consumers will be on the lookout for mooncake flavours and imaginative packaging to gift to friends, family members or clients. From traditional oven-baked mooncakes filled with salted egg yolk and lotus-seed paste to non-baked snowskin mooncakes containing novel ingredients, mooncakes are considered premium items. Branding matters too for instance, the signature champagne truffle snowskin mooncakes sold by Raffles Hotel is pricey, compared to mooncakes bought from traditional bakeries. Prices of mooncakes from top hotels in Singapore Here's a look at how much some premium mooncakes cost at five hotels in Singapore known for their mooncakes: Hotel Mooncake Price Raffles Hotel Singapore Champagne Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (8 pieces) S$99.00 Double Yolk With Macadamia Nuts And White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake (8 pieces) S$99.00 Sakura & Raspberry Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (8 pieces) S$97.00 Shangri-La Singapore Shang Palace Spirulina Mung Bean with Bird's Nest Charcoal Mooncake (4 pieces) S$138.00 Premium Black Thorn Durian Snowskin Mooncakes (8 pieces) S$99.00 Reduced Sugar Plain White Lotus Seed Paste (4 pieces) S$79.00 The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk (4 pieces) S$102.00 Mini Snowskin White Lotus Seed Paste with Yolk (8 pieces) S$88.00 Snowskin Mao Shan Wang Durian (4 pieces) S$110.00 Goodwood Park Hotel White Lotus Seed Paste with Single Yolk (4 pieces) S$90.00 Snowskin Black Thorn Durian (4 pieces) S$138.00 Snowskin Ondeh Ondeh (4 pieces) S$84.00 Peony Jade (Amara) Flaky 'Orh Ni' Mooncake with Premium Golden Pumpkin & Single Yolk (4 pieces) S$86.00 Baked Mooncake with Premium 'Jin Hua' Ham with Assorted Nuts and Tangerine Peels (4 pieces) S$95.00 Cognac Truffle Espresso & Chocolate Crunchy Pearl Mini Snowskin Mooncake (8 pieces) S$90.00 Factors influencing mooncake prices in Singapore Why exactly are mooncakes so pricey? In this article, we'll explore the factors that influence the pricing mooncakes and why this traditional pastry tends to cost more than your average dessert. Story continues 1. Packaging and presentation Mooncakes are commonly given as gifts when the Mid-Autumn festival comes around. Hence, there is much emphasis on its packaging. From elaborate boxes to themed packaging, sellers are constantly coming up with more imaginative boxes every year. "The inspiration behind this year's Mid-Autumn Festival package design for WOK15 Kitchen was to create something distinct from the typical drawer-style boxes commonly used for mooncakes," said WOK15 Kitchen, a Cantonese restaurant in Sentosa Cove. The team said it noticed that people rarely reused these boxes once the mooncakes were consumed and wanted to design packaging that could be repurposed and are also visually appealing. The resulting design features a box with floral cutouts with a loop on the top to give it the appearance of a lantern. The design on the packaging comes with the image of a peacock against the moon, which symbolises luxury and beauty, according to the restaurant. Mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 from Wok15 Kitchen. (PHOTO: Wok15 Kitchen) Could the elaborate packaging add significantly to the overall cost of the mooncakes? A set of four WOK15 Kitchen's Exquisite Snow Skin Mooncakes is priced at S$79, and a set of four of its Classic Baked Mooncakes is sold at S$69. While WOK15 Kitchen has declined to reveal the exact cost of its packaging, it said that it "takes packaging into account when determining the costs of our mooncakes" and that its priority is to "strike a balance between affordability for all customers and upholding the exceptional quality of our handcrafted mooncakes". Local food blogger of "I Eat I Shoot I Post", Dr Leslie Tay, believes that mooncake prices have been going up over the years because of stiff competition among sellers to come up with more elaborate packaging. "Mind you, if sellers ever come up with individually wrapped Chinese New Year pineapple tarts that come in nice boxes, I'm sure they'll be selling them for S$50 to S$60 at least," said Dr Tay, adding that buyers who don't want fancy packaging can opt for cheaper mooncakes that are packaged in simple paper boxes. These are typically sold at local "old-school bakery places". 2. Ingredients Besides traditional mooncakes that are comparatively simpler, more elaborate mooncakes are increasingly being made, such as mooncakes with premium ingredients like Mao Shan Wang durian, truffle, champagne and bird's nest. While the premium ingredients are pricey, the cost of the base ingredients to make mooncakes are rather affordable. A quick check on bakery supplier Phoon Huat's e-commerce store RedManShop reveals that the price for 1kg of pre-made lotus paste costs around S$16.00 while 1kg of pre-made red bean paste is cheaper at around S$8.30. There are also a variety of other paste flavours ranging from pandan to green tea mung bean, with a price range of around S$8 to S$21 per kg. All-purpose flour, commonly used for making the skin of traditional mooncakes, is priced at around S$4 per kg, while cake flour, another substitute for making mooncake skins, can be bought for S$2.95 per kg. 3. Brand reputation The reputation of the mooncake brand is another factor that affects its pricing. Popular mooncakes, such as those sold by Goodwood Park Hotel and Ding Bakery tend to have higher prices in part because of their reputation. For banking relationship manager Elroy Lim, leaving a good impression is a must whenever he buys mooncakes for his clients. Every year, he buys his mooncakes from Goodwood Park Hotel the hotel's mooncake prices range from S$49 for a two-piece set to S$138 for four pieces. "It's a brand that makes the recipient go 'Wow, this is pricey stuff!" said Lim. "Our mooncake packaging for this year takes a traditional approach with a modern touch, centering on a classical lantern design with floral embellishments in a metallic copper theme," said a spokesperson for Goodwood Park Hotel. Others, like financial consultant Cheong Jia Qi, consider factors such as taste and seller locality when selecting which brands to go for. "When it comes to ordering mooncakes, every year we are offered the option of corporate orders that come with customised company boxes. Last year, we worked with Mandarin Oriental," said Cheong. "However, I believe in supporting local businesses. So, this year, I am looking into Insta-shops like Ladyleflour or Mahota. I do quite a bit of taste testing to ensure that the flavours and quality are good for my clients," Cheong added. 4. Labour costs According to Dr Tay, the cost of labour is an important factor that affects the pricing of mooncakes. Dr Tay said that machine-made mooncakes tend to have thicker skin "machines are unable to make them that thin" and are much cheaper. Handmade mooncakes, he believed, have much higher value and are the preferred choice of most people buying mooncakes. "People buy mooncakes for different reasons. Some people want to eat them, so freshness is important. If you want to buy mooncakes for clients, I don't think freshness is the main factor. You would look to packaging and price range instead," said Dr Tay. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. The week also saw a new psf-price high at Orchard Towers on Claymore Road. A 947 sq ft unit, on the 10th floor, changed hands for $2.08 million ($2,196 psf) on Aug 4. The sale of a 1,216 sq ft unit at One Devonshire marked a new psf-price high at the freehold condo and also topped the list of condos that achieved a psf-price high for the week of Aug 1 to 8. The three-bedroom unit, on the 30th floor, changed hands for $3.7 million ($3,042 psf) on Aug 7. This is the first time that a resale unit at One Devonshire has crossed the $3,000 psf threshold. The previous high was from the sale of a 1,195 sq ft three-bedder for $3.25 million ($2,720 psf) on Oct 11, 2022. Only one other transaction at One Devonshire has been recorded so far this year. It was for a 1,292 sq ft unit, on the seventh floor, that fetched $3.36 million ($2,608 psf) on May 10. Read also: Leedon Green hits new high of $3,133 psf One Devonshire is a freehold condo on Devonshire Road in River Valley in prime District 9. The 152-unit development was completed in 2012 by Allgreen Properties, a real estate development company under the Kuok Group of Companies, presided by tycoon Robert Kuok. The three-bedroom unit at One Devonshire was sold for $3.7 million on Aug 7. (Picture: The Edge Singapore) The condo consists of a 36-storey residential block that houses a mix of two- to four-bedroom units measuring 904 to 2,756 sq ft, as well as two penthouses of 4,876 sq ft and 4,155 sq ft. The development is close to the Orchard Road shopping belt, Great World City, Fort Canning Park, and the riverfront attractions along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. According to a tabulation of resale caveats by EdgeProp Singapore, prices at One Devonshire saw a gradual and consistent increase over the past decade. The average resale price at the condo has increased to about $2,605 psf this month from $2,162 psf in August 2013. The second highest psf-price high attained during the week was from the sale of a 1,948 sq ft unit at Sommerville Park for $4.45 million ($2,284 psf) on Aug 4. Story continues This is the latest in a series of resale transactions at Sommerville Park that have seen increasingly higher psf-prices being recorded at the freehold development. Just this year, the record had jumped from $2,094 psf in the sale of a 1,862 sq ft unit on Feb 28; to $2,181 psf in the sale of a 1,948 sq ft unit on March 9; to $2,188 psf in the sale of a 1,302 sq ft unit on June 26. Sommerville Park saw a new psf-price high when a 1,948 sq ft unit there was sold for $4.45 million ($2,284 psf) on Aug 4. (Picture: The Edge Singapore) Sommerville Park is a sprawling 855,571 sq ft development that was completed in 1985. The project comprises 396 condo units and 57 strata landed houses. Condo units are housed in four tower blocks and range from one- to three-bedders, while landed units comprise a mix of townhouses and two-storey maisonettes. The development is located on Farrer Drive in prime District 10. It is close to the Good Class Bungalows along Gallop Road, Cluny Hill, and Holland Park; condos on Leedon Road; and amenities in the Holland Village and Dempsey Road areas. Prices at Sommerville Park are generally on a par with the other freehold residential developments in the vicinity. Based on a tabulation of caveats, the average price at Sommerville Park is about $2,079 psf this month, compared to $2,076 psf at the neighbouring Sutton Place on Farrer Road, and $2,039 psf at Sommerville Grandeur on Farrer Drive. The week also saw a new psf-price high at Orchard Towers on Claymore Road. A 947 sq ft unit, on the 10th floor, changed hands for $2.08 million ($2,196 psf) on Aug 4. This trumps the previous record a 1,970 sq ft unit was sold for $3.38 million ($1,720 psf) in June 2007 and marks the first time a resale apartment at Orchard Towers has fetched more than $2,000 psf. The sale of a 947 sq ft unit at Orchard Towers marks the first time a resale unit there has gone for more than $2,000 psf. (Picture: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore) It is also the first resale transaction at Orchard Towers this year. Last year, two units were sold on the secondary market: A 1,970 sq ft unit fetched $3.06 million ($1,553 psf) on Oct 5, and a different 1,970 sq ft unit changed hands for $3.05 million ($1,548 psf) on April 19. Built in 1975, the freehold Orchard Towers comprises two 25-storey blocks a commercial block that fronts Orchard Road and a rear apartment block on Claymore Drive. The towers are linked by an overhead pedestrian bridge across Claymore Drive. Nearby residential developments include The Tate Residences on Claymore Road; Boulevard 88 and Cuscaden Residences on Cuscaden Road; and Ardmore 3 and Sculptura Ardmore on Ardmore Park. In February this year, a collective sale committee at Orchard Towers failed to obtain the requisite 80% approval to proceed with a proposed collective sale tender. In February 2022, the collective sale committee announced plans to pursue a collective sale bid of the development with a guide price of $1.6 billion. The value of residential units at Orchard Towers has steadily increased, with prices moving from $741 psf in August 2003 to $1,101 psf a decade later in August 2013. Based on a tabulation of caveats by EdgeProp Singapore, the average price at Orchard Towers this month is about $1,733 psf. No new psf-price lows were recorded during the period in review. Check out the latest listings for One Devonshire properties See Also: If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission. Its all downhill from here, my uncle lamented over dinner at the 21 Club. It was around 2009, and the hallowed restaurant, then one of New Yorks last to require a coat and tie, had loosened its dress code. I was determined to not let it spoil the evening, but as far as he was concerned, even the chicken hash didnt taste quite the same. 21 closed in 2021, presumably a casualty of the pandemicbut who can really be sure? More from Robb Report These days, when seemingly anything goes, even the term dress code feels archaic. But for centuries, neckties were one of the few ways men could express themselves sartorially. The first known documentation dates back to the mid-17th century, when Croatian mercenaries, who served in France during the 30 Years War, held the tops of their jackets together with knotted neckerchiefs. King Louis XIV took a shine to the style, promptly propelling the accessory (dubbed La Croate and later la cravate) from a jaunty utilitarian item to the height of fashion. It became an instant status symbol. Throughout the years, shirting and knot styles evolved around the growing variety of cravats, bandanas, and scarves. So much so that in 1818, a satirical pamphlet called Neckclothitania was published as a sort of etiquette guide to knotting techniques. By the early 20th century, New York tailor Jesse Langsdorf stitched together three bias-cut pieces of fabric, thus creating the standard necktie we know today. Storied shirtmakers, many of which hold royal warrants, quickly adopted the style, followed by fashion brands. Now, theres a slew of tie options available from a great number of labels. Most offer a range, from different materials to a variety of colors and patterns, but the best tie brands, the ones on this list, have a distinct signature, a quality that makes them a cut above the rest. They understand the power behind the accessory, how in certain contexts (namely within the finance world) the choice of tie can be a direct reflection of status. Story continues The idea of dress codes may have waned, yes, but theres still a time and place to wear a tie. Whether youre in the market for a bow tie (do yourself a favor and learn how to tie one this week) for a soiree, something professional for the office, or something appropriate for dinner with a traditionalist uncle, you cant go wrong with any of pieces offered from the best tie brands below. The ultimate lifestyle brand, its easy to forget that Ralph Laurens empire began with its founder making ties (and his wife, Ricky, sewing the labels on by hand). Shirting and suiting soon followed, and the rest is fashion history, with the brand worn by the most famous gents on the streets and silver screen. Though the famous shirt tossing scene in The Great Gatsby involved Turnbull & Asser, Lauren did provide the majority of the costumes for the 1974 classic starring Robert Redford. This polka-dot silk number is perfect for channeling your inner dandy. Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue: Price: $235 Buy Now Shop Now on Ralph Lauren Buy Now Shop Now on Neiman Marcus Buy Now Founded in 1838, Charvet is a Parisian institution known for outfitting royalty and U.S. presidents with the finest shirting and ties (and pajamas and dressing gowns par excellence). Though only a fraction of the range can be found online, a pilgrimage to the firms Place Vendome flagship is a mustbut prepare to be overwhelmed (in the best way) with the extensive offerings. Buy Now on Bergdorf Goodman: Price: $290 Buy Now Shop Now on Mr Porter Buy Now Shop Now on Matches Fashion Buy Now In the menswear world, upgrading to bespoke shirting is a real right of passageand Turnbull & Asser is as good as it gets. Founded in London in 1885, the royal warrant holder (the brand also designed Churchills siren suit) is equally renowned in the neckwear department, offering some of the best ties around. Whether youre in search of a classic paisley or stipe or something more adventurous, T&A really has it all. We love this sleek silk tie, a design worn by none other than 007. Buy Now on Turnbull & Asser: Price: $345 Buy Now Renowned for its artistic scarves with hand-rolled edges, the French luxury leather goods house puts an equal amount of effort into its silk wares for men. From subtle logos to more whimsical designs, theres truly something to suit any style. This rocket ship number is especially perfect for finance types (or any executive, for that matter) looking to make an impression. Buy Now on Hermes: Price: $240 Buy Now Shop Now on Farfetch Buy Now Founded in 1906, the Savile Row tailor to King Charles III is also a tremendous resource for knitwear, socks, and ties, whether or not youre in the market for a bespoke suit. The knitted tie is an undisputed classic, one the brand offers not just in silk but also cashmere. Buy Now on Anderson & Sheppard: Price: $125 Buy Now Youve already got the loafers. The tie should be a no-brainer. As with everything bearing the Ferragamo name, this classic is made in Italy and features a subtle Gancini motif, the houses iconic symbol. Its subtle, but packs just the right amount of punch to really impress colleagues, guests, or anyone in close proximity. Buy Now on Ferragamo: Price: $220 Buy Now Shop Now on Saks Fifth Avenue Buy Now Shop Now on Bloomingdales Buy Now Brooks Brothers, the preppy mainstay founded in 1818, is perhaps best known for its offering of striped ties. While more a matter of taste these days, these particular designs grew from regimental stripes and saw gentlemans clubs and private schools develop their own signature weaves as a subtle calling card. Heritage aside, Brooks Brothers now offers so much more, including this linen tie printed with floral medallions, its color palette and fabric ideal with khakis or a linen suit. Buy Now on Brooks Brothers: Price: $108 Buy Now On any red carpet, at any glittering ball, at any black-tie event, essentially, Tom Fords tuxedos stand out. This is thanks, in large part, to the designers stance on neckwear: the bigger, the better. Case in point: This outsized bow tie that will add a touch of vintage flair to any evening ensemble. But if youre looking for something more everyday, the brand also offers an elegant collection of silk and velvet options. Buy Now on Neiman Marcus: Price: $290 Buy Now Shop Now on Mr Porter Buy Now Shop Now on Mytheresa Buy Now Few designers have made such an impact on menswear in recent fashion history as Thom Browne. Its of little surprise that Browne, known for his affinity for gray flannel, shrunken tailoring with an often midcentury lean, and, of course, those shorts, would favor slim-cut tiesthe better to match those narrow lapels. We love this versatile little number because its iconically Browne and features the designers subtle red, white, and blue logo placed on the diagonal in a playful and egalitarian nod to repp-stripe ties. Buy Now on Thom Browne: Price: $190 Buy Now Shop Now on Matches Fashion Buy Now Shop Now on Nordstrom Buy Now Founded in 1875 by Arthur Liberty, the son of a Buckinghamshire draper, Liberty of London quickly became known for its floral print fabrics. Headed to Ascot or the Chelsea Flower Show? Show up in full bloom in these beloved florals. Buy Now on Liberty London: Price: $175 Buy Now Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The red-roofed house on Front Street in the historic Hawaiian town of Lahaina was spared during deadly wildfires earlier this month (AFP via Getty Images) After flames were finally put down and the choking, black smoke cleared in the historic Hawaiian town of Lahaina, its bustling, ocean-facing Front Street had been reduced to a stretch of smoldering ruins. Yet one red-roofed, wooden house stood out among the devastation. The 100-year-old property, a former home of plantation bookkeepers, was dubbed a miracle after being spared during the deadliest wildfire in the United States for more than a century. Trip Millikin, who owns the home with his wife Dora Atwater Millikin, said the label made him uncomfortable, telling NPR that the couple were heartbroken over the scale of the loss and left with a sense of survivors guilt. A total of 115 deaths have been confirmed after fires raged across the island of Maui two weeks ago. On Thursday, public officials released the names of 388 people still missing. Thousands of acres were destroyed and at least 2,200 buildings - mostly homes - have been lost. An early estimate of damages was placed at $5.5bn. Lahaina, once capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was largely destroyed and remains closed off as crews search for remains. There is also widespread toxic contamination to contend with and unsafe drinking water. But as the community slowly turns its attention to rebuilding, wildfire and urban planning experts told The Independent that lessons could be learned from the red-roofed house. The house on Front Street is critical because they did some really simple things... and it still looks like a [traditional] Lahaina home, said Jennifer Gray Thompson, founder and CEO of After the Fire USA, an organization focused on wildfire recovery and resilience. It was a sentiment echoed by Mr Millikin. The couple had been visiting family in Massachusetts when the inferno ripped through the town but plan to return in the coming weeks. "As soon as we can, we want to open it to our neighborhood and open it to everybody who worked on it, as a base to help rebuild our part of Lahaina," he told NPR. Story continues The red-roofed home on Front Street in the Hawaiian town of Lahaina was spared from the recent deadly wildfire while those around it burned (AFP via Getty Images) The capriciousness of wildfires, which scientists say are being driven to new extremes by the climate crisis, makes it difficult to be certain as to why some properties are left standing while others burn. But it seems that some improvements that the Millikins made after buying the dilapidated property in 2021 could have played a role. The house was given a commercial-grade, corrugated metal roof with an air pocket allowing for heat to be released, Mr Millikin said. Roofs are one of the most vulnerable aspects of a home during a fire because of their large surface areas, Dr Rachael Jonassen, Director of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Management at the Environmental & Energy Management Institute, George Washington University, told The Independent. The red-roofed house illustrates that there are steps individual homeowners can take to reduce the risk to their home, she said. A 2022 analysis of available data on roofs of US homes found that the most common material used today is asphalt composition shingles which, with a Class A fire rating, are wildfire-resistant, wrote the nonprofit Headwaters Economics. Noncombustible roof coverings such as steel panels and tile made up a further 15.6 per cent. But that still left 5.8 per cent of assessed buildings with wood roofs, the most vulnerable to wildfire. This totalled 1.2 million homes - with one million in medium-to-high wildfire risk areas. The ground surrounding the red-roofed house was cleared of vegetation and stones had been added along the roofs dripline. Mrs Atwater Millikin told The LA Times that this was done not to stop fires, but to tackle a termite problem. But, nevertheless, it was a climate-resilient choice, creating what is known in the fire prevention community as defensible space - a zone around a building without flammable vegetation or other combustible materials. The Front Street home had some other factors which possibly worked in its favour. On three sides, the home is surrounded by an empty lot, road and the ocean, meaning that there were few immediate buildings or large areas of plants and trees where embers could jump from. The aftermath of fires in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 21, 2023 (AP) Ms Gray Thompson, who founded her organisation after her home county of Sonoma, California was devastated by a megafire in October 2017, said that that experience along with subsequent years of major blazes in the state has taught her many lessons about what to do - and not to do - when it comes to rebuilding. She pointed to fire-resistant coatings and specialized paints that can be used on buildings to reduce flammability; removing wooden fences; and keeping decks separated from the main home. She also suggested triple-glazing as windows are a huge point of vulnerability during fires. But those are expensive so its a point of equity too, she added. In Lahaina, sky-rocketing property prices and lack of supply has made overcrowding an issue, The Maui Times reported. More than half of renters in Maui County pay nearly a third of their income toward rent and are considered rent burdened, according to a recent report from the University of Hawaii. The value of the property per acre makes it more likely that people are going to be living in smaller properties, and therefore, packed more tightly together, Dr Jonassen said. In that case, then youre much more reliant upon proper design to reduce the risks of fire. Ms Gray Thompson said that using best practices for fire prevention during construction was essential but that so was disentangling bureaucratic roadblocks and properly directing federal funds and donations to those affected. I think that if Maui not only requires those measures but also helps fund [them], people can get back, she said. But they have to do both at once. You cant make people do stuff, and not give them the funds to do it. Thats not going to work. As Maui becomes the latest community to grapple with the tragedy and complex aftermath of major wildfires, Dr Jonassen said that the disaster once again raised the specter of a third, very ugly, very difficult, and very grim option that were going to be facing globally. Its whats termed in the scientific community as managed retreat - the purposeful, coordinated movement of people and assets out of harms way, writes AR Siders, assistant public policy professor at the University of Delawares Disaster Research Center. There are some sites that just may not be defensible, Dr Jonassen added. Im not saying that Maui is one of those but [managed retreat] has to be part of the discussion when these kinds of catastrophes happen. The fate of Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is still unknown after the plane he was reportedly on crashed near Moscow earlier today. It hasnt been confirmed whether Prigozhin is dead or if he was even on the plane but many officials, including President Joe Biden, have said his presumed death would not come as a surprise. I dont know for a fact what happened but Im not surprised, Biden told reporters in response to the news shortly after being briefed. When asked if he thought Russian President Valdimir Putin was behind it, the president responded: Theres not much that happens in Russia that Putins not behind. But I dont know enough to know the answer. Ive been working out for the last hour and a half. Prigozhin is thought to be among 10 people who were killed in the crash. The plane carrying three pilots and seven passengers was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg, according to officials cited by Russias state news agency Tass. Prigozhin was on the passenger list for the plane, but it wasnt immediately clear if he was on board. Some have speculated that the crash may have been just a plausible excuse for Putin to eliminate a rival. Although Prigozhin and Putin were formerly close, after the Wagner chief led an uprising against the Kremlin in June, many have speculated about his fate. Prigozhin is thought to be among the 10 people who were killed in the crash (AP) "We have seen the reports," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson wrote in a tweet in response to the news. "If confirmed, no one should be surprised. Former US special advisor Mark Voyager told Sky News: "We should not forget that the disappearance or the removal of some of Putins enemies over the years have been linked to suspect aircraft crashes. "It would not be a surprise if Putin has yet again chosen a method that provides some plausible deniability." Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, said: Prigozhin caused the biggest shock of Putins rule. Story continues Putin needs to reassert his authority. Those travelling with Prigozhin will be his associates and not neutrals - taking them out actually helps Putin as it reduces his enemies count. In short, this was too good an opportunity for Putin not to take. As the news about the crash was breaking, Putin spoke at an event commemorating the Battle of Kursk, hailing the heroes of Russias the special military operation in Ukraine (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Kaja Kallas, prime minister of Estonia, told CNN: "If true, it shows (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will eliminate opponents and that scares anyone who is thinking of expressing opinion different than his." British lawmaker Alicia Kearns, chair of parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, said on social media platform X: "The speed at which the Russian Govt has confirmed Yevgeny Prigozhin was on a plane that crashed on a flight from Moscow to St Petersburg should tell us everything we need to know. Reports Russian Air Defence shot down the plane suggests Putin is sending a very loud message." Prigozhins fate has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he mounted a short-lived mutiny against Russias military leadership in late June. The Kremlin said the founder of the Wagner private military company, which fought alongside Russias regular army in Ukraine, would be exiled to Belarus. But the mercenary chief has since reportedly popped up in Russia, leading to further questions about his future. As the news about the crash was breaking, Putin spoke at an event commemorating the Battle of Kursk, hailing the heroes of Russias "the special military operation" in Ukraine. Actress Rachel Wan didnt know her dad died because the hospital was understaffed. (PHOTO: Instagram/iamrachelwan) Its hard enough to prepare for the loss of a loved one but imagine not being able to be by their side at the end. Thats what local actress Rachel Wan experienced with her father, whom she lost last year due to cancer. Wan, 27, is now living in Sydney with beau Edwin Goh and the couple previously cited work-life balance as one of the reasons they made the move. In a tearful video uploaded to Instagram on Friday (25 Aug), Wan opened up about missing out on her fathers final moments due to the hospital being understaffed. The Kin actress started the video by sharing how she met this nurse who used to work in Singapore and coincidentally, worked in the same hospital where her father died. According to this nurse, the workload is better in Australia because a nurse has a limit of six patients, compared to Singapore where they can handle up to 12 patients. Wan said, The stories she shared with me about the differences between the work life in Singapore and the work life in Australia blew my mind. And in Australia, they have a turnover rate where staff are meant to rest for a certain amount of hours before theyre allowed to be scheduled for the next shift. Apparently in Singapore, such a thing doesnt really exist. Discovered his 'cold, dead body alone in the ward' The revelation was very triggering for Wan because her dad died in the hospital all alone. She said that she stood with him for over 12 hours so he wont have to be alone but that was taken away from me. On the day her dad died, she recounted, he was transferred from the emergency ward to the general ward because the doctor didnt consider him an emergent case anymore as he wasnt going to make it through the day. However, in order to visit the general ward, visitors had to clear a Covid test. So while we were trying to get the Covid test and do the kit and everything, my dad passed. He was all alone. No one even informed us. We had to go up to the ward and discover his cold, dead body alone in the ward with no staff around him, she said as her voice broke. Story continues Wan asked the doctor why no one called to inform that her dad passed and claimed that the doctor replied, Oh sorry, because we were understaffed. She added, I felt like it was important to share because I know that this is not the only industry in Singapore that suffers this. Overworking is not an achievement. Having no work-life balance is not an achievement. So I just felt like it was important to share because I feel like something about that has to change in Singapore. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. ROCK VALLEY, Iowa -- A Rock Valley man was seriously injured in a forklift rollover Thursday in Sioux County. At 5:19 p.m., the Sioux County Sheriff's Office investigated a construction vehicle accident that occurred on 290th Street, one mile north of Rock Valley. According to a statement from the sheriff's office, David Ver Burg, 49, was driving a 2007 JCB 506C Telehandler forklift eastbound on 290th Street when he lost control on the gravel, entered the south ditch and rolled. The statement said Ver Burg was transported by ambulance to Hegg Health Center for treatment of serious injuries. The sheriff's office was assisted by the Rock Valley Police Department, Rock Valley Ambulance and Rock Valley Fire Department. On the podcast this week, we discuss the first Republican presidential debate, and the first new Iowa Poll of this caucus campaign. Election 2024 Republicans Climate Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice Preside On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to re-create the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met. This weeks show is hosted by Erin Murphy, the Des Moines Bureau Chief for The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, and features The Gazettes Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman. The show was produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music heard on the podcast is courtesy of Kelly Pardekooper and Copperhead. (CNN) Oil powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to become members of the BRICS group of developing nations in its first expansion in over a decade. Also invited are Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and Argentina, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday as he wrapped up the annual summit of the group in Johannesburg. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the kingdom was awaiting details from the BRICS group on the nature of the membership, and would take an appropriate decision accordingly. All six countries invited had already expressed an interest in joining. The BRICS group currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The membership will take effect from the first of January, 2024, Ramaphosa said. In a video message, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the new BRICS members, adding that the blocs global influence would continue to grow. I would like to congratulate the new members who will work in a full-scale format next year, Putin said. And I would like to assure all our colleagues that we will continue the work that we started today on expanding the influence of BRICS in the world, the Russian president added. Chinas President Xi Jinping called the blocs expansion historic, reflecting its determination to unite and cooperate with developing countries. [It will] inject new impetus into the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen the power of world peace and development, Jinping said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the expansion, saying his country had always believed that adding new members would strengthen the bloc. Speaking to Saudi TV channel Al Arabiya, the Saudi foreign minister added that the bloc had proven itself to be a useful and important channel to strengthen economic cooperation with countries of the so-called Global South. Bin Farhan told the BRICS conference earlier Thursday that the kingdom would continue to be a secure and reliable energy provider, adding that total bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and BRICS nations exceeded $160 billion in 2022. An anti-Western bloc? If Saudi Arabia accepts the invitation, the worlds largest crude oil exporter will find itself in the same economic bloc as the worlds biggest oil importer, China. It will also mean that Russia and Saudi Arabia both members of OPEC+, a group of major oil producers will join each other in a new economic bloc. The two countries often coordinate their oil output, which has in the past put Saudi Arabia at odds with its ally, the United States. The blocs expansion raises the question of potential de-dollarization, a process by which members would gradually switch to using currencies other than the US dollar to conduct trade. The BRICS countries have also been talking about a common currency, an idea analysts have described as unworkable and unlikely in the near future. Putin said the issue of a common currency was a difficult question but added we will move towards solving these problems. The expansion takes place at a time when some BRICS members, namely Russia and China, are locked into rising tensions with the West. Experts have said that choosing to include countries that are openly antagonistic toward the West, such as Iran, could swing the group further toward becoming an anti-Western bloc. Built off a term originally coined by former Goldman Sachs economist Jim ONeill to describe key emerging markets, the group has persisted despite deep differences in political and economic systems among its members. Economically, not many of the countries that are applying to join are particularly large, ONeill told Bloomberg earlier this week. Existing BRICS members have had enough difficulty trying to agree just between the five of them, he added. So beyond the admittedly hugely powerful symbolism, Im not quite sure what having a lot more countries in there is going to achieve. BRICS held its first summit in 2009 with four members and then added South Africa the following year. It launched its New Development Bank in 2015. The United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan said on X, formerly Twitter: We appreciate the inclusion of the UAE as a member to this important group. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said his country looked forward to joining BRICS in order to strengthen economic cooperation among its members, as well as raise the voice of the Global South, according to the presidential spokesperson. Manveena Suri, Mostafa Salem, Lizzy Yee, Mengchen Zhang and Nadeen Ebrahim contributed to this article. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran among six countries invited to join BRICS group" The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is likely to provide public funding for emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault and rape as a state program remains in limbo. The move comes as more than 160 reimbursement requests for emergency contraception provided to sexual assault survivors from across the state are pending approval from the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. According to records obtained by The Gazette, and first reported by Iowa Public Radio, the reimbursement requests from hospitals and pharmacies across the state total about $7,000. The vast majority are from this year, but one dates to August, 2020. One is coded as confirmed child abuse. Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird paused the funding as part of an audit of the victim services administered through her office. Bird announced the audit upon taking office in January. However, it was not until early April that sexual assault response teams and other victim advocacy organizations learned of the policy change after Bird's office confirmed it to the media, according to interviews and emails obtained by The Gazette under a public records request. Though the payments are not explicitly required by law, it has been the states longtime policy to cover the cost of emergency contraception from the victim compensation fund. In rare cases, the fund also has paid for abortions for rape victims, Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, director of the victim assistance division under the previous attorney general, Democrat Tom Miller, has said. Bird, a Republican, defeated Miller in the 2022 election. The Attorney Generals Office said in April it was reviewing the practice to evaluate whether this is an appropriate use of public funds" as it conducts an audit of victim assistance services. The Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a request for comment on the current state of its review process. Bird said during an appearance last month on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS that policy decisions made as a result of the audit, including whether to stop state funding for emergency contraception and abortions for rape survivors will be permanent and will not require legislative action. Iowa law requires the state to pay for many of the expenses facing assault survivors who seek medical help, including the cost of forensic examinations to collect evidence and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. That is funded through the state's victim compensation fund, which comes from fines, fees and penalties paid by criminals. No taxpayer dollars go into the fund. Sexual assault nurse examiners who spoke to The Gazette say hospitals and pharmacies are continuing to dispense medications, and continue to submit invoices to Birds office seeking reimbursement. Patients are not being billed at this point. For now, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is temporarily holding claims while it awaits the outcome of the audit. "University of Iowa Health Care is committed to supporting the health care needs of sexual assault victims," according to a statement from UIHC. "We are currently preparing for any potential operational changes that may be necessary in the event the Iowa Attorney Generals Office stops payment of emergency contraception for sexual assault victims." During its Wednesday work session, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors heard a funding request from the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team to provide emergency contraception at no cost to patients. The board was in agreement to allocate $10,000 and appears likely to approve the item at its formal meeting next week. Asking victims of sexual assault to forgo or to shoulder the cost of emergency contraception is further traumatizing them. No one should be required to pay for necessary health care due to a crime committed against their body, said Katy Rasmussen, coordinator for the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team. The team consists of sexual assault nurse examiners, emergency room staff, rape victim advocates, law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys, Rasmussen said. The team helps sexual assault survivors navigate the medical and legal systems, as well as help them on their healing process. For the fiscal year that ended in June, the team saw 101 patients. Of those, 46 were prescribed emergency contraception. Rasmussen said many patients dont have financial means to pay for this medication, and using their insurance can put them in greater danger if they share insurance with their abuser. We are disappointed the Attorney General isnt sustaining this support for victims, but somebody needs to and so were going to step up and do it, Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan told The Gazette. Bird has been a vocal opponent of abortion. But sexual assault nurse examiners, along with other victim advocates, have emphasized that emergency contraceptives are not abortion pills. The medication delays or prevents ovulation, preventing a pregnancy from occurring, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Planned Parenthood North Central States issued a statement Thursday calling on Birds office to reinstate the reimbursements, saying sexual assault survivors deserve compassionate, comprehensive care that she "is cruelly putting that out of reach." The last thing they should have to worry about is affording the care they need after being attacked, Ruth Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement. Here's how over-the-counter birth control could disrupt limited access to contraception Here's how over-the-counter birth control could disrupt limited access to contraception Current access to contraception is uneven across the country Federal actions can have significant impact Conversations about access to contraception will continue for years On Thursday evening, Donald Trump strode into Georgias Fulton County Jail to turn himself in for 13 criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election resultshis fourth time doing so this year. The former president was expected to follow typical procedure, just as his fellow co-defendants did earlier this week. In typical Trump fashion, the 2024 presidential candidate teased his surrender on Truth Social, ARREST TIME: 7:30 P.M.timing that had been prearranged by his legal team so that his booking would be televised during prime TV viewing hours, according to the Guardian. (Trump was required to surrender no later than noon Friday, Aug. 25.) As he entered the jail, he was flanked by Secret Service and his legal team, including new lawyer Steven Sadow, who was hired the same day Trump planned to turn himself in. Despite Thursdays surrender becoming almost routine at this point, it was the first time hes had to actually turn himself in at a jail. (For his prior three indictments, Trump was booked at a courthouse.) Heres what likely happened once he got there: He Was Booked Typically, defendants enter a jailhouse and undergo fingerprinting and a medical screening. According to jail records, Trump is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds20 pounds lighter than what was disclosed during his last official White House physical, according to the Washington Post. A Mug Shot Was Taken So far, Trump has been able to evade a mug shot. Ahead of Trumps booking, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat told the media that the former president would be treated just like anyone else accused of a crime. Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesnt matter your status: Well have a mug shot ready for you. Advertisement Advertisement The Fulton County Sheriffs Office typically releases booking information, including mug shots, daily at 4 p.m. Eastern time, which is how the public got to see the mug shots of Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, and other co-defendants this week. But befitting the former presidents notoriety, Trumps was released Thursday evening. Advertisement Related From Slate The Georgia Indictment Mug Shots: A Close Reading Read More Bail Was Posted Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Judge Scott McAfee set a $200,000 bail for Trumpthe first time a prosecutor has set bail for the former president among his four indictments. Heres how it breaks down: $80,000 is for the racketeering charges, and then there are $10,000 apiece for each of the other counts he faces. Trump used an Atlanta-area bonding company to cover that bail, paying only 10 percent of it upfront on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement The release came with specific conditions. As part of Trumps consent bond order, his attorneys agreed that he would not intimidate any person known to him to be a codefendant or witness in this case or to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice, which includes anything he puts on social media, including reposts. It is likely going to be contentious: Just last week, Trump posted on Truth Social that Georgias former lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan shouldnt testify to a grand jury. Hes already made risky comments on social media about his other indictments, which resulted in Department of Justice special prosecutor Jack Smith requesting a protective order that limits what Trump and his attorneys can do with the evidence given to them during discovery. An Arraignment Is Coming Willis has also requested that all 19 co-defendants be arraigned the week of Sept. 5. They will have the option to appear virtually, so its not clear if Trump will make another trip to Georgia then. Advertisement Advertisement Willis initially requested a trial date in March 2024, but after co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro filed a motion for a speedy trial, she bumped up the date to Oct. 23. Trumps lawyer has already pushed back on that, since his team wants to delay it as long as possible, preferably until after the election. At any rate, theyll have to schedule it around all the other possible trials. Before Trump boarded a private jet back to his residence in Bedminster, New Jersey, he addressed reporters and repeated his false claims that the 2020 election was rigged, affirming, yet again, I did nothing wrong. About 20 minutes into Wednesdays Republican presidential nominee debate, the Fox News anchors turned things over to a college student with a pertinent question. Polls consistently show that young peoples No. 1 issue is climate change, said Alexander Diaz, chair of Young Americans for Freedom at the Catholic University of America. How will you, as both president of the United States and leader of the Republican Party, calm their fears that the Republican Party doesnt care about climate change? It was, honestly, a remarkable moment. Fox News itself has been no slouch in the decades-spanning right-wing mission to downplay the effects of climate change, disputing the near-universal global agreement that human overdependence on fossil fuels is to blame. Yet, just before Diazs question, moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum pointed to the historic weather disasters unfolding across the countryMauis wildfires, Tropical Storm Hilary, the Florida coasts hot tub ocean temperatures, the record-breaking Southwestern heat wavesand noted their links to human impacts. They even closed out Diazs question with one of the most pointed gestures of the night: asking each candidate to raise their hand to demonstrate their belief that the climate was indeed changing thanks to human action. Advertisement Advertisement Granted, the bar is so, so low. In the 2012 cycle, there were more questions asked about the moon than about the Earth. In 2016, voters concerned about our climates future had to watch Hillary Clinton declare that she believed in science as a laugh line, since the concept of a (denialist) President Donald Trump was still perceived as a joke. Last cycle, climate change did come up, albeit mostly in the Democratic primaries, not in Trump-devoted Republican circles. But over the past decade, the climate around climate change has, well, changed considerably: Following youth trends more broadly, Gen Z and millennial Republicans have consistently stated that they want their party to take firm action on the problem. As John Della Volpe, polling director at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, noted in a pre-debate newsletter: Protecting access to clean air and water is about as important to younger Republicans as preserving traditional values is for older ones. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Big Question Ron DeSantis Couldnt Answer at the Debate Kind of Says It All Read More Diaz himself is evidence of this new type of young Republican: He interned this summer for Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani, a freshman Republican who, in a bipartisan talk held in Tucson this week, touted the opportunity to make his state a climate tech hub while mentioning his congressional work to protect public lands and fund the cleanup of forever chemicals from Arizonan water supplies. Far from sufficient, but better than many Republicans these days. Advertisement Advertisement Anyway, how did the candidates respond to the should-be layup of raise your hand if you agree humans are changing the climate? Not well, obviously, as this is the party whose base is still in thrall to Donald Trumpwho gutted environmental regulations during his administration and has declared his intent to further that project should he win in 2024, likely in part by complaining about water-efficient showerheads. Advertisement A request for a quick gesture devolved into a melee of incoherent braying. Ron DeSantis interrupted the hand-raising exercise to say they should get to debate the issue instead. Then he went off on a misleading rant about President Joe Bidens Maui response that moderators agreed was not an answer to the question at hand. Everything got worse when Vivek Ramaswamy jumped in with this absolute humdinger: Im the only person on this stage who isnt bought and paid for, so I can say this: The climate change agenda is a hoax. Wildly enough, the in-house viewers booed Ramaswamy for this; the polling firm Navigator found that his approval among independent women voters dropped sharply as Ramaswamy continued ranting about the anti-carbon agenda and attributed human casualties to bad climate change policies. This also fueled a heated personal squabble with Chris Christie, in an early manifestation of the candidates deep contempt for this fast-talking newcomerwho, tauntingly, brought up the Christie-Obama hug that followed Superstorm Sandy. Advertisement Advertisement Then Nikki Haley responded, in a relatively thoughtful manner? We do care about clean air, clean waterwe want to see that taken care of, she declared. Is climate change real? Yes, it is. But if you wanna go and really change the environment, then we need to start telling China and India that they have to lower their emissions. Whatever you make of that line, it is maybe the most reasonable thing any Republican debater said about the issueagain, the bar is so, so lowand it earned a bit of applause. Haley took a similar tack on abortion, dismissing the push for a federal ban (an incredibly unpopular policy helmed only by incredibly unpopular people, like Mike Pence) and holding forth on the need to protect vulnerable women instead of just, like, jailing them. Both subjects require GOP contenders, in the hopes of appeasing the base, to take extremist positions (being anti-abortion, denying human-caused climate change) that are wildly at odds with what the clear majority of American people actually want (access to abortion, action on climate change). Thanks to a detested former president and an outright-loathed Supreme Court, the GOP has backed itself into self-defeating stances both topics. The other candidates waffling only underscored this, as did post-debate polling demonstrating that even though Haley was favored by independents, Ramaswamy charmed the Trump-era base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, it wasnt a great night for anyone who desires a more reality-oriented GOP. Ramaswamy hammered his oft-repeated Drill, frack, burn coal line, earning some cheers; Doug Burgum, known for embracing a bit of action to reduce emissions as North Dakota governor, nevertheless echoed Haleys critiques of Bidens climate policies for allegedly subsidizing China, conveniently forgetting the domestic battery factory coming to his state thanks to funds from the presidents infrastructure bill. If were going to stop buying oil from the Middle East and start buying batteries from China, were going to trade OPEC for Sinopec, he blustered. (Buddy, Im sure that one sounded a lot better in your head.) Once again, the Republican Party is on track to dismiss the existential concerns of young voterseven as they grow into an ever-important voting bloc. If this didnt help the GOP in the past few election cycles, its probably not going to help them in the next one, either. At any rate, its going to be an interesting several months! Some good news: Slovaks do seem to be happier. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Slovakia is one of the worst-performing EU countries in terms of overall prosperity, according to a ranking compiled by its largest retail bank. While the country placed 23rd (out of 27 member states) in the prosperity index compiled by Slovenska Sporitelna bank, the neigbouring Czech Republic emerged in 14th place. Slovakia lags its former partner in most indicators, doing better only in sustainability and in income equality, where it was judged to be the least unequal country in the EU. The index features five main indicators: economy, society, households, education and sustainability. We have ended badly because Slovakia has made very few structural reforms in the last 10 years, said Maria Valachyova, chief economist at Slovenska Sporitelna, when presenting the ranking on August 22. Slovakia advanced significantly in terms of economic development and wealth after 2004, when Slovakia joined the EU. At that time, the country experienced a big transfer of technology and production in the private sector rocketed. However, these factors appear to have been largely exhausted and Slovaks have not been getting richer over the last decade as fast as they did in the preceding 10 years. Slovakia has so far achieved a level of wealth equivalent to about 80% of the EU average, the prosperity index shows. But the results suggest that Slovaks have the fourth worst education system in the EU, and enjoy relatively few years of good health. Using the health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) measure, i.e. the average number of years that a person can expect to live in full health, Slovaks record on average only 57 years. This is five years less than Czechs and 13 years less than Swedes, according to the index. The main driver of prosperity should, under normal circumstances, be economic growth, say the index's authors. It is absolutely key to raising living standards, said David Navratil, chief economist at Ceska Sporitelna, which is part of the same banking group, Erste, as Slovenska Sporitelna. There is no other policy that is capable of doubling living standards within a generation. Analyses of long-term growth show that almost half of economic growth is influenced by innovation, a quarter by education and 15 percent by the right allocation of talent. These studies show that the best social and economic change are only achieved if government and business work together, Navratil noted. To improve (Slovakias position), we will need to kick-start more significant changes, on the part of the state, but also on the part of companies, households and individuals, said Valachyova. We need to invest more, to educate ourselves more, to care more about our health. In terms of the economy, we should move towards production with higher added value. Slovenska Sporitelna's report does note that Slovakia appears to be slightly happier, with the country's ranking in the World Happiness Ranking rising from 45th in 2016 to 29th today, albeit still behind the Czech Republic. The report's authors acknowledge what might seem to be a piece of good news: Slovakia's Gini coefficient, measuring income inequality, is the lowest in the EU, at 0.23. However, they suggest that even this is a reason for concern, concluding: "[Low income inequality] is not necessarily a completely desirable state, since more prosperous economies usually have a higher level of inequality. A fair distribution of income should take into account and reward the clever and hardworking." Parts of the national park can get very busy in the summer but alternatives are at hand. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The summer tourist season is in full swing in the Slovensky Raj (Slovak Paradise) National Park, and many visitors are highlighting the issue of queuing hikers, especially in the Sucha Bela gorge, writes the TASR newswire. The Slovak Paradise National Park Administration offers several pieces of advice on how to avoid such situations. One of them is to embark on hikes during weekends and on workdays in the early morning or in the late afternoon, but with enough time to return before dusk. The National Park Administration advises visitors to verify the current conditions by consulting the Information Centre in Podlesok or the Tourist Information Centre in Hrabusice before entering the Sucha Bela gorge. Listen to our podcast: Listen to our podcast: Spectacular Slovakia #38: A slightly terrifying kind of paradise Read more Simplified traffic light system warns tourists of queues Screens with live camera shots from the problematic area of the gorge, near the Misove Waterfalls, are designed to help. They include a traffic light system that simplifies information about the number of tourists and passage conditions in the gorge. Green means no delay or minimal delay, orange indicates a delay of five to thirty minutes, and red signifies a delay of more than 30 minutes. Visitors can view live camera shots and the traffic light system online on the Slovak Paradise National Park Administration website every day from 7:00 to 17:00. Alternative trails when there is congestion in Sucha Bela In case of high tourist numbers in Sucha Bela, selecting an alternative hiking path is a possible solution. Just a short distance from Podlesok, tourists may discover similarly captivating gorges such as Piecky, Velky Sokol or Klastorska Roklina. These are much less frequented, and at times when tourists queue to pass through Sucha Bela visitors will typically encounter only a minimum of people, park workers said. The accessibility of the gorges can be verified in advance on the website National Park Slovak Paradise. They also recommend tranquil hikes, without any waiting or queuing, in the Sokolia Dolina, Zejmarska Roklina, and Velky and Maly Kysel gorges. Visitors can receive advice on selecting and planning their hikes from the staff at the Information Centre in Podlesok. Conservationists also call on tourists to be cautious and to follow the recommendations of the National Park Administration and the Mountain Rescue Service. https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1FcEEVgJ5L_N-3kxNM-RPwXoY1pYsogg&ehbc=2E312F Spectacular Slovakia travel guides The Coffee Ethic in Springfield, Missouri rolled out a design refresh with an emphasis on sustainability. Coffee offerings are now delivered in a beautiful box, enclosed in a compostable inner bag. Its been so cool to surprise folks with how beautiful sustainable packaging can be, says CEO Michelle Billionis, you know that feeling, when you pour an amazing cappuccino for a customer and their face lights up when you serve it? Thats how it feels every time we see someone experience our packaging. Billionis and the team at The Coffee Ethic spent months redesigning their whole-bean packaging and delivered something thats sustainable, beautiful, and, for the small roaster, affordable. We spoke with Michelle Billionis digitally to learn more about the process, the design details, and their experience with the compostable Biotre 3.0 bags. Coffee Design is a feature series on Sprudge presented by TricorBraun Flex. Interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Tell us about the changes you made to your coffee packaging! Our new packaging consists of an outer box made from fully recyclable paper that telescopes to reveal the inner bag. Our previous packaging was a simple semi-compostable bag with adhesive sticker labels. A pretty standard format thats been the go-to within the industry for a long time. Theres disturbingly few sustainable bag options out there for roasters to choose from and even less that are affordable with lower quantity minimums. We hope that more bag manufacturers will start to see the value and demand for making sustainable packaging more accessible for small shops and roasters. How long did the redesign process take from start to finish? We started the redesign process in March of 2022 and received our first shipment in August of 2022. With the help of our manufacturers, we were able to design the packaging from scratch in-house. Our team is fortunate to have some background in product design and art direction. It was surreal to go from making models out of deconstructed drink-carriers to the finished product in a few short months! You have different packaging for blends versus single-origin offeringscan you tell us about the differences between the two? Yes! We have core blends that we offer year-round, which means we can print large quantities at a time without any waste! These boxes are light and colorful. We wanted the design to feel simple and clean. Our single-origin coffees provide a little challenge which we are sure every roaster is familiar with. Since we rotate through a selection of amazing coffees from friends and producers all over the world, these high-quality coffees are usually available in smaller limited quantities. So, we need our single-origin packaging to 1) reflect how special these coffees are and 2) be modular, so we can offer smaller quantities without any packaging waste. So, our solution is a lux, matte black vibe with a foil-debossed logo and a vibrant color pop inside. This allows us to create and apply a sticker in-house that includes all the important information. We can make only as many units as we need and use the same packaging for the next amazing single-origin coffee we receive! What are some coffees you are excited about right now? Oh boy, theres an amazing single-origin Natural Process El Puente by Aromas del Sur Farms in Huila, Colombia (Rodrigo and Claudia Sanchez) that weve been pulling on espresso here at our shop. Wow, we are not kidding when we say it makes a cortado literally taste like chocolate milk. Its amazing and were super honored to be serving that coffee right now. Were also super jazzed about our Cane Sugar Processed Decaf from the Planadas region, Colombia. This is one of our core offerings, and we are so amazed at how delicious this cane sugar process is. We recently started offering decaf cold brew that folks are thrilled about. It feels awesome to have such a complex and high-quality decaf that brews up incredible cold brew, espresso, and pour-over alike! Love it! Where is your coffee available? Our coffee is available in our Downtown Shop in Springfield, MO, USA, and online at www.TheCoffeeEthic.com. We offer super flexible coffee subscriptions and wholesale pricing for anyone whod like to serve larger amounts of our coffee as well! How would you recommend we spend the perfect day in downtown Springfield? We would start with a relaxing walk to one of our favorite breakfast spots, Rise or Druffs, before heading to the square to snag a book from the downtown public library or bookstore BookMarx. Next, find a good window spot at The Coffee Ethic to sip a coffee and read for hours. Local savory Prairie Pie or Therefore, pizza for dinner before catching a movie at our local indie cinema The Moxie. Top off the night with a drink at the Vantage Rooftop Bar or Golden Girl Rum Club. Yeah thatd be an awesome day! Photos courtesy The Coffee Ethic. Explore Coffee Design archives at our exclusive Coffee Design hub. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/shocking-footage-captures-moment-plane-collided-with-helicopter-in-st-barts-1112870687.html Shocking Footage Captures Moment Plane Collided With Helicopter in St. Barts Shocking Footage Captures Moment Plane Collided With Helicopter in St. Barts A twin engine plane collided with a helicopter while landing at St Barts airport on Thursday. 2023-08-24T23:20+0000 2023-08-24T23:20+0000 2023-08-24T23:20+0000 france caribbean airplane crash helicopter crash helicopter airline beyond politics /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/18/1112870529_98:0:2560:1385_1920x0_80_0_0_57cb0ee1e0e63b9127e8888c0f268a0b.png An Air Antilles plane collided with a helicopter while landing at St. Barts airport in the Caribbean, shocking onlookers and injuring one person.No fatalities were reported in the crash, which involved seven people and the injury was reported as minor.The crash involved a five-year-old DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop plane capable of carrying 19 passengers. It was scheduled to depart Pointe-a-Pitre towards St. Barts at 10:40 a.m. local time, a 143-mile flight.Around 11:42 a.m. local time, the plane landed on runway 28 and according to flight tracking data, successfully touched down on the correct section of the runway. Due to currently unknown issues, the plane then drifted left off of the runway, over a grassy patch and then onto the apron where it struck the helicopter.Both vehicles suffered significant damage, with the plane losing a wing and the helicopter being pushed on its side. No one was in the helicopter at the time of the crash.The plane was also already on the ground and there was only a minor crosswind at the time. The runway was temporarily closed to flights but has since reopened. The French civil aviation authority, the Directorate General for Civil Aviation, has opened an investigation into the crash.According to airline and travel blog One Mile at a Time, Air Antilles is a well-regarded airline and has experience flying into and out of St. Barts airport. However, it states the airline only has one plane capable of landing at St. Barts - the one involved in the crash. However, flights to St. Barts are still advertised on the carriers website. france caribbean Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino st barts airport, dangerous airports, plane hits helicopter, crashes after landing, sbh airport, st. barts island, saint barthelemy island https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/up-to-80-of-italys-alpine-glaciers-to-disappear-by-2060-1112870894.html Up to 80% of Italy's Alpine Glaciers to Disappear by 2060 Up to 80% of Italy's Alpine Glaciers to Disappear by 2060 Up to 80% of Italy's Alpine glaciers will disappear by 2060 as a result of climate change, which may lead to severe droughts in the next 30-40 years, the Italian Glaciological Committee (CGI) said on Thursday. 2023-08-24T23:26+0000 2023-08-24T23:26+0000 2023-08-24T23:25+0000 beyond politics italy alpine greenpeace glacier climate change /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/18/1112870353_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_737017f8d9777a3f2f0a217873497863.jpg "Forecasts based on the climate scenarios at our disposal suggest that up to 80% of the surface of Italy's Alpine glaciers will disappear by 2060, which will have a huge impact on the volume of discharged melted water. Without these glaciers, we will face increasingly strong droughts in 30-40 years," CGI glaciologist Guglielmina Diolaiuti told reporters. The statement was made after the CGI and the local branch of Greenpeace (considered an undesirable organization in Russia) completed the first stage of their ascent to Italy's largest valley glacier, Forno. The stage took place from August 21-24, when a new wave of abnormal heat hit the country due to the African cyclone Nero. The expedition members noted that changes on the Forno Glacier were evident to the naked eye, Greenpeace said. Since the middle of the 19th century, it has lost about 10 square kilometers (3.9 square miles), which is half of its surface. She added that humans were responsible for climate change, adding that clear evidence of these processes was the melting of glaciers due to a significant increase in air temperature. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230725/crucial-atlantic-ocean-current-at-risk-of-collapsing-by-2025-study-warns-1112145530.html italy alpine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International alpine glaciers, climate change, severe droughts, italian glaciological committee, italy, climate change effects https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/beijing-calls-japans-release-of-treated-water-from-fukushima-npp-irresponsible-behavior-1112880771.html China Blasts Japan's Release of Fukushima Wastewater as 'Irresponsible Behavior' China Blasts Japan's Release of Fukushima Wastewater as 'Irresponsible Behavior' Japan's discharge of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (NPP) is an example of selfish and irresponsible behavior, and Tokyo has to stop doing it, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Friday. 2023-08-25T10:47+0000 2023-08-25T10:47+0000 2023-08-25T11:45+0000 asia japan fukushima tokyo tokyo electric power company (tepco) international atomic energy agency (iaea) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16403/45/164034583_0:106:1400:894_1920x0_80_0_0_fc4e0e97a1664d37f5f892f3a0e38440.jpg On Thursday, Fukushimas operator, TEPCO, started dumping the treated wastewater from the plant into the Pacific Ocean, having diluted it with sea water in advance. The diplomat urged Japan to "immediately change its selfish behavior" and prevent this situation from turning into a "disgrace for Japan." China and other nations are entitled to take legitimate preventive measures to ensure the security of the marine environment and people's health in response to the "irresponsible actions" of Japan, Wang added. On Thursday, the Chinese customs authorities announced the suspension of all seafood imports from Japan in response to the start of the treated radioactive water release. Tokyo said earlier in the year that it had to discharge the treated water as it urgently needed to free up space at the disabled nuclear facility. The water has been purified of all radionuclides except tritium. The move faced criticism from a number of countries, including China, South Korea and North Korea, who fear radioactive contamination. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that Tokyo's activities were consistent with international safety standards and that treated wastewater would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. In March 2011, three of the Fukushima nuclear plant's reactors melt down after the nation was struck by a magnitude 9 earthquake followed by a massive tsunami. Fukushima is considered the worst nuclear catastrophe since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/japan-starts-dumping-wastewater-from-fukushima-npp-into-pacific-ocean---reports-1112839135.html japan fukushima tokyo Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International treated water from fukushima npp, chinese foreign ministry, fukushima nuclear power plant https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/bolivian-president-calls-prospects-for-strengthening-ties-with-russia-good-1112879164.html Bolivian President Calls Prospects for Strengthening Ties With Russia Good Bolivian President Calls Prospects for Strengthening Ties With Russia Good Bolivian President Luis Arce said in an interview with Sputnik that he sees prospects for the strengthening of relations between his country and Russia. 2023-08-25T09:28+0000 2023-08-25T09:28+0000 2023-08-25T09:28+0000 world russia bolivia brazil brics /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/19/1112879004_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_0c52f4e461cfcdc90fa6dc7c9e5978b9.jpg "I believe that we can develop more [spheres of cooperation]. Deepening of our ties will always be good," the president said, adding that in the last three years, Russian-Bolivian cooperation has been developing at a good pace. Arce also said that the countries cooperate in important spheres such as nuclear research, including in medicine, and lithium. During the interview, the president also expressed hopes that Bolivia will soon join the BRICS group of developing countries and said that he plans to visit Russia in 2024. The Bolivian president attended the three-day summit of the BRICS group of major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa which was held in Johannesburg from Tuesday to Thursday. The BRICS announced that Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates had been invited to join the bloc. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/how-brics-summit-2023-spelled-end-to-western-centric-world-order-1112861182.html russia bolivia brazil Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International bolivian president luis arce, strengthening of relations, strengthening ties with russia Instructions: Create a character design for a literary theory of your choice. The illustration must include at least three details related to the corresponding literary theory. You may draw traditionally on paper or use any digital software to aid you in drawing. It was designed to be a simple and playful task at the end of a lengthy essay-filled quiz a palate cleanser from all of the writing. In my five years of teaching English at progressive high schools, Ive recognized the importance of finding alternative ways to measure understanding. Not all 10th graders are linguistically-inclined, and literary criticism is already daunting enough as it is. With this assessment, the visual learners get the opportunity to excel by doing what they do best. In fact, the quiz actually produced quite a number of out of the box illustrations. New Historicism, which views texts as products of their time, appears as a humanoid figure embellished with steampunk elements. Its head is replaced by a bronze, ticking clock accentuating the role of historical milieu in this approach. Marxism takes the form of a circus ringmaster, price tags still attached to his expensive garments. The quality of the submissions ranged from earnest scribbles on notebook paper to anime-inspired drawings done on a tablet. But near the end of 2022, I received a submission that stood out from the rest. It was a black and white portrait of a spectacled, old, Caucasian man made to represent Structuralism. But unlike the rest that were animated and graphic, this one was uncanny. It seemed photorealistic yet could still pass off as an illustration. And while some students are perfectly capable of drawing at that level, I knew that this student couldnt. It was done using a text-to-image generator called Midjourney. I consulted with the student and found out that they had used artificial intelligence (AI) for their submission. When I asked why they submitted work that wasnt theirs, they responded with, I didnt know that wasnt allowed. I had read the articles, seen the tweets, and had conversations with colleagues about AI making its way into the English classroom. But I didnt think it would happen that soon. My assessments and classroom policies were still unequipped for that kind of disruption. As a result, I just asked the student to re-do the assignment with their own illustrations. Academic integrity in the time of AI Senior high school English teacher Karen Collins Ramos spent her holiday break in conversation with ChatGPT. When the early demo of the AI-powered language model was released in November 2022, Ramos immediately started testing its capabilities and limits anticipating that her students in Practical Research would use the tool. Her hunch was eventually proven true. When I saw student work that was suspiciously well-written and quite soulless, I knew it was only the beginning, Ramos says. ChatGPT brought the world a step closer to the science fiction that only existed in the media. Everyone was excited. A computer had finally trained itself on enough data sets that it could converse as if it were a human being. But just like in science fiction, this kind of technology calls for some caution and care. Ramos heeds a warning on students unsupervised use of this shiny, new toy. You shouldnt use a tool you dont understand; much like using a knife without much expertise, you can end up hurting yourself or someone else. Academic institutions landed on the receiving end of this metaphorical knife. From summarizing the plot of Homers Iliad to analyzing the narrative of Penelope through a feminist framework, AI can accomplish these tasks assigned in the English classroom. Students simply need to feed ChatGPT with the right prompt and they can call it a day. No need to read the text or even the CliffsNotes version of it. A computer can now do all of that. When I saw student work that was suspiciously well-written and quite soulless, I knew it was only the beginning, Ramos says. What ChatGPT and its plethora of iterations unlocked is a new form of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is no longer a simple act of copying and pasting, an easily quantifiable violation. These AI-generated essays can pass off as submissions of actual students making it a pain for teachers to verify. And to twist the knife in deeper, the generator can even be prompted to mimic the tone and language of an average student. While the concern of plagiarism looms large, the influence of AI on writing extends far beyond this specter. For example, Grammarly, with its AI-powered extension, can provide feedback on readability and correct language use as you write sentences down. Even ChatGPT can take care of those simple yet time-consuming tasks we all dread like crafting emails and letters. Personally, I use AI as a superpowered thesaurus using tools like ChatGPT and ludwig.guru to diversify my word choice and sentence construction. This is what Dr. Kristine Marie Reynaldo, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, attempts to operationalize in her classes. In the webinar AI and The Writing Classroom hosted by the Department of English and Comparative Literature of her university, Reynaldo provides a walkthrough of her updated syllabus. Here, she lists examples of the acceptable use of AI text generators (AITG). The fair use clauses range from brainstorming for ideas and prompts to enhancing the language of the essay. In addition to the acceptable use policies, Reynaldos syllabus enumerates the instances wherein AI use counts as academic dishonesty. These provisions include Submitting essays that are substantially written by AITGs and Prompting an AITG to answer examination/exercise questions and (mis)representing its answers as your own, among others. But what makes all of these provisions concrete and final is the document that Reynaldo asks her students to sign. The foundation of responsible AI use ultimately lies in open communication. For every essay they submit, Reynaldos students have to accomplish a Transparency Declaration form. The document includes the fair use clauses in the syllabus and asks the students to mark which were used for their essay. But most importantly, this process prompts the students to reflect on how AI improved their writing. Rather than something to fear and avoid, Reynaldos approach offers a new perspective on AI, one that emphasizes its potential as a tool for better writing. Think of it as a calculator, but instead of dealing with numbers and functions, its for syntax and semantics. Teaching in a constant state of paranoia and distrust cant be healthy for educators as well. As a case in point, feeding submissions into an AI detector is a lot of unnecessary, additional work. The classroom doesnt need to become a prison. By establishing clear policies and parameters on AI use, students are held accountable. They gain agency and play a role in building trust within the classroom. Academic integrity doesnt have to be at risk when its viewed as a two-way street. Crafting AI-integrated assessments When provided with the task of creating an annotated bibliography, ChatGPT will produce an extensive list with the appropriate citations to match. On the surface, it looks like a perfect score waiting to happen. But more often than not, the content would be incorrect. Some citations would have the wrong author attributed to them. Others would even mention nonexistent sources. ChatGPT is transparent about these limitations. They even list them as a disclaimer at the start of every chat thread: May occasionally generate incorrect information. May occasionally produce harmful instructions or biased content. Limited knowledge of world and events after 2021. This can be attributed to its nature as a language model trained on data sets, and data sets alone. The software is still incapable of reasoning and complex argumentation. At the same time, image generators like DALL-E and Midjourney are also known for producing nightmare-inducing images of people with extra appendages and way too many teeth. AI is still far from perfect, but its also from this gap that the English classroom can adapt and grow. In 1956, educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom devised a way to categorize learning outcomes. Often illustrated as a pyramid with a tiered structure, Blooms Taxonomy frames learning as a hierarchy with levels arranged according to cognitive complexity. The higher on the pyramid, the more thinking involved. Basic skills like memorizing and summarizing are found in lower levels, while skills that involve critical thinking or generating new output are placed higher. The integration of AI in the English classroom allows educators to target these higher order thinking skills. One example would be to have the students collaborate with an AI text generator for an argumentative essay. They would then be tasked to spot the essays logical fallacies and circular arguments. This could even be pushed further by having students rewrite the entire essay. Here, analysis can be substituted for critique and revision skills that are placed higher on Blooms Taxonomy. Moreover, this could also serve as a way for the students to develop a critical eye when using these AI tools. "This growing presence of AI also opens up a unique opportunity for teachers a chance to reevaluate and reimagine the system." This growing presence of AI also opens up a unique opportunity for teachers a chance to reevaluate and reimagine the system. If a quiz can easily be answered by a machine, is it a good measure for understanding to begin with? Over the years, the English classroom has placed a premium on the final product: Write a two-page research paper, compile an annotated bibliography, analyze a text by discussing its literary devices. The goal is always the output. But with computers now able to produce clear and coherent compositions in seconds, it might be time to shift focus. Educators must go back to the why, says Ramos. Why did you use these claims to support your argument? Why did you organize your ideas in this manner? Why did you choose this tone and language for your paper? In order to train critical readers and writers, educators need to develop assessments that monitor student progress from start to finish. What gets written is important, but the writing matters just as much, if not more so. The future of the English classroom And while blocking ChatGPT from the school network may be an easier approach, it could end up doing more harm than good. If the past few months have been indicative of anything, its that AI is not going anywhere. The technology will continue to develop and its integration will be inevitable. Prohibiting students from learning how to navigate these tools will widen the countrys digital divide and leave students unprepared for an AI-powered future. Knives are definitely dangerous, but they can be pretty helpful as well. In the same webinar, Dr. Florianne Jimenez brings this discussion closer to home. The assistant professor and co-director of the Writing Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston describes ChatGPTs writing as boring, bland, and mediocre, even comparing it to eating plain oatmeal. As a product of the West, the AI-powered language models primary configuration is to generate texts using standardized English. Its writing is always going to sound the same, unless prompted otherwise. This lays the groundwork for the future of the English classroom in the Philippines. As more and more industries integrate AI into their systems, the country is at risk of having a workforce that writes with as much flavor as plain oatmeal. People who do not have access to standardized English education will also be left at a bigger disadvantage. I argue that our task in this new world is not to increase pressure on ourselves to continue to standardize our students English and writing, says Jimenez. Instead, educators need to reevaluate the purpose of the classroom and transform it into a space that celebrates linguistic diversity. The future will not be defined by artificial intelligence alone. A stronger sense of accountability and critical thinking will play more significant roles as the English classroom continues to evolve. As for my classes, Ill be doing them differently from now on. Starting with a fresh set of instructions, clearer parameters, and a new set of learning goals. Instructions: Create a character design for a literary theory of your choice. The illustration must include at least three details related to the corresponding literary theory. Afterwards, write a 100-word explanation connecting the visual elements to the characteristics of your chosen literary theory. You may draw traditionally or use any digital software to help you draw. Please specify if an AI tool has been used and provide the keywords used to generate the image. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/bolivian-president-says-considering-paying-visit-to-russia-in-2024-1112874417.html Bolivian President Says Considering Paying Visit to Russia in 2024 Bolivian President Says Considering Paying Visit to Russia in 2024 Bolivian President Luis Arce said in an interview with Sputnik that he is considering paying a visit to Russia in 2024. 2023-08-25T05:25+0000 2023-08-25T05:25+0000 2023-08-25T05:25+0000 world russia bolivia brics /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/09/1112475603_0:200:2933:1850_1920x0_80_0_0_3a72ff3ad0c1e888b18e85054db89186.jpg Arce said that he had several phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who invited him to visit the country. Bolivia welcomes the accession of new countries to the BRICS grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and hopes to join the bloc as soon as possible, President Luis Arce said in an interview.Russia will assume the rotating presidency of BRICS next year and will host the bloc's next summit in the city of Kazan in October 2024. russia bolivia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International bolivian president luis arce, paying a visit to russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/brics-continues-talks-on-creating-payment-instruments-independent-from-west---moscow-1112879322.html BRICS Continues Talks on Creating Payment Instruments Independent From West - Moscow BRICS Continues Talks on Creating Payment Instruments Independent From West - Moscow BRICS countries continue consultations on the creation of payment instruments independent from the West, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Russian Sherpa in BRICS Sergey Ryabkov said on Friday. 2023-08-25T09:32+0000 2023-08-25T09:32+0000 2023-08-25T09:32+0000 world new development bank (ndb) moscow west russia sergey ryabkov brics brics summit 2023 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/15/1080529871_0:130:3181:1919_1920x0_80_0_0_beebe5a84944aa23e34699aaba6b8a91.jpg "Consultations are continuing on the creation of effective payment instruments within the BRICS framework, independent of the West, as well as a secure platform for multilateral cross-border settlements," Ryabkov told a press conference, following the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.If some Western country stops it sanctions policy and submits an application to join BRICS, it will be considered, Ryabkov said.Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan intends to pay a visit to Russia, Sergey Ryabkov said."I understand that we will continue contacts with our Turkish colleagues. Among other things, the visit of the Turkish foreign minister to Russia is planned," Ryabkov told reporters.The New Development Bank of BRICS did not refuse to finance Russian projects, there were difficulties due to the policy pursued by the West, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said on Friday.With the change of the bank's leadership, Russia sees the desire of this financial association to find creative ways to solve this problem, the diplomat added.Russia continues to remove obstacles that need to be overcome in order to interact with the BRICS bank, he said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/brics-sets-out-key-points-in-15th-summits-declaration-1112845067.html moscow west russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International brics countries, russian deputy foreign minister, payment instruments, independent from the west https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/brics-enlargement-leads-to-structure-grouping-together-non-western-pole---borrell-1112881043.html EU's Borrell Weighs in on BRICS Enlargement EU's Borrell Weighs in on BRICS Enlargement The enlargement of the BRICS group of nations will lead to a structure that represents almost half of the world's population and brings together a non-Western pole, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday. 2023-08-25T10:50+0000 2023-08-25T10:50+0000 2023-08-25T11:30+0000 world brics summit 2023 josep borrell south africa europa european union (eu) brics russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/16/1112780129_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_e7267cf14ef5246b74f9f95f01797e22.jpg "These days we have seen how the BRICS are going to be enlarged with very different countries that represent almost half the worlds population. Minister Lavrov yesterday explained what this union of the rest means. All the rest are getting organized, and of course we have nothing against it. But we start to see that there is also a pole that groups everything that is not the West," Borrell said at the closing session of the "Quo vadis Europa?" event at Menendez Pelayo International University in Santander, Spain. On Thursday, EU foreign policy spokesperson Peter Stano said that the bloc had taken note of the information regarding the enlargement of BRICS. BRICS the group uniting the world's largest developing economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa held its annual top-level summit in South Africa's capital, Johannesburg, from Tuesday to Thursday. Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia and Egypt were invited to join the group during the summit. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/brics-bank-should-become-alternative-to-modern-financial-institutions---cuban-president-1112862931.html south africa europa russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International brics enlargement, eu foreign policy chief josep borrell, non-western pole https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/china-testing-worlds-most-powerful-coil-gun---reports-1112899266.html China Testing World's Most Powerful Coil Gun - Reports China Testing World's Most Powerful Coil Gun - Reports China is testing the world's largest coil gun that is capable of accelerating a projectile weighing over 100 kilograms to a speed of 700 kilometers per hour in less than 0.05 seconds, Chinese media reported on Friday. 2023-08-25T20:19+0000 2023-08-25T20:19+0000 2023-08-25T20:19+0000 asia china gun technical tests military equipment /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/01/1097996423_0:320:3073:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_719013ad3b42ec3f2ec502571557a680.jpg The coil gun, also known as a Gauss gun, or a magnetic accelerator, is reportedly equipped with a number of coils arranged along its barrel and energized one after another to create a magnetic field capable of propelling projectiles. The 124-kilogram projectile is said to be the heaviest ever used in such an experiment. The tests are performed by a team of scientists from the Chinese navy. The scientists have not disclosed the exact characteristics of the coil gun nor when it will be set in operation, but said that a projectile launched by such a gun can hit a target at a distance of several kilometers. The projectile is reportedly equipped with sensors protected from electromagnetic radiation, which enables the operator to collect information about its flight. The weapon will help the Chinese armed forces to change the nature of combat as it will increase the speed and accuracy of the projectile together with the reliability and safety of the shot, Guan also said. The experience gained in testing the gun can also be used in launching near-Earth satellites and high-speed rockets, the scientist added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20210609/pentagon-seemingly-drops-quest-for-ship-based-electromagnetic-railgun-1083104479.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International china, world's largest coil gun, what is a coil gun, chinese media, coil gun testing https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/depleted-uranium-munitions-make-ukraine-unlivable---moscow-1112873985.html Depleted Uranium Munitions Make Ukraine 'Unlivable' - Moscow Depleted Uranium Munitions Make Ukraine 'Unlivable' - Moscow Deliveries of depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine by Western countries lead to radiation contamination of soils in the country and make it uninhabitable, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. 2023-08-25T04:18+0000 2023-08-25T04:18+0000 2023-08-25T04:18+0000 world ukraine moscow poland russian foreign ministry depleted uranium /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0d/1111106785_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_19d45c2235c32d4787c306804421802f.jpg "Due to the supply of radioactive and highly toxic British and American depleted uranium munitions, Ukraine is turning into an uninhabitable land. Radiation contamination of the soil is already happening and is being objectively recorded," Zakharova said in an article on the kp.ru website. She said the consequences of the use of such munitions could also affect neighboring Poland, where in May this year, as in the Khmelnytsky Region of Ukraine, there was a significant surge in background radiation. She said Ukrainians must demand that radioactive munitions be removed from their country as soon as possible. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/white-house-to-provide-ukraine-with-depleted-uranium-tank-shells---reports-1111106953.html ukraine moscow poland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International depleted uranium munitions, radiation contamination of soils, uranium munitions to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/finland-approves-18th-aid-package-to-ukraine-worth-101mln-1112885755.html Finland Approves 18th Aid Package to Ukraine Worth $101Mln Finland Approves 18th Aid Package to Ukraine Worth $101Mln Finnish President Sauli Niinisto approved on Friday its 18th aid package to Ukraine worth about 94 million euros ($101.5 million), bringing the total amount of Finland's aid to the country to nearly 1.3 billion euros, the Finnish Defense Ministry said. 2023-08-25T12:27+0000 2023-08-25T12:27+0000 2023-09-27T07:20+0000 world ukraine aid finnish defense ministry sauli niinisto finland /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104621/27/1046212774_0:126:2409:1481_1920x0_80_0_0_626040db3003626d1ba2ce5205a7b493.jpg "This will be the 18th package of defense materiel to Ukraine. Replacing the defense materiel capabilities contained in this package will cost Finland an estimated EUR 94 million. The combined replacement value of all defense materiel packages delivered so far is about EUR 1.3 billion," a statement by the ministry read. The ministry, "for operational reasons," did not provide further details on the package's content or on when and how it is going to be delivered. On Wednesday, during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Niinisto announced the package, saying that it would include heavy weaponry and munitions. The Finnish government said, commenting on the announcement, that Ukraine is Finland's largest partner country in development cooperation. Finland is also preparing to help with Ukraine's reconstruction, the authorities added. Western allies began delivering weapons to Ukraine after Russia launched its military operation there in February 2022. Their support has evolved from light artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons. Russia has consistently warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230810/biden-asks-congress-for-13-billion-in-new-ukraine-military-aid-as-opposition-grows-1112520195.html ukraine finland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International aid package to ukraine, finnish president sauli niinisto, finnish defense ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/former-cia-analyst-sarkozy-can-say-i-told-you-so-on-ukraine-this-winter-as-europeans-freeze-1112893127.html Former CIA Analyst: Sarkozy Can Say I Told You So on Ukraine This Winter as Europeans Freeze Former CIA Analyst: Sarkozy Can Say I Told You So on Ukraine This Winter as Europeans Freeze While those in the West might object to Sarkozys frank assessment, soon the wisdom of his words will be proven as they are forced to choose between peaceful coexistence with Russia or supplying Kiev with nuclear weapons. 2023-08-25T17:16+0000 2023-08-25T17:16+0000 2023-08-25T17:16+0000 analysis nicolas sarkozy ukraine russia ray mcgovern proxy war tactical nuclear weapons /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/19/1112893294_0:117:3072:1845_1920x0_80_0_0_1e2ec4ad2e68205338cb9891d8ecf7ae.jpg Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently attracted ire from Western ideologues for pointing out that Europe and Russia will have to live together after the present conflict in Ukraine is over and that the only way to end that conflict is to recognize that Moscow has legitimate security concerns and red lines.Radio Sputnik spoke about the situation with Ray McGovern, who served as a CIA analyst for 27 years, during which his duties included chairing the National Intelligence Estimates and preparing the President's Daily Brief. In January of 2003, he co-created Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).It's going to be a very long, cold winter in Europe, Old Europe, as well as New Europe - the New Europe being Poland - all the ones that are militating for a real, real battle with Russia, the Baltic states, for example. And when people kind of realize because they feel cold - in other words, they feel something physical to all this - they're going to ask: well, why is it that we don't have cheap Russian gas anymore? Why is it that the sanctions are hurting us more than they're hurting the Russians? Why is it that we can't even sell much to Russia anymore? They're going to ask these questions, and Sarkozy is going to be the wise man. He's going to say, well, I told you so, and maybe, just maybe, these politicians that are really pretty, pretty unknowledgeable - political hacks is what we're going to call them - that are now in charge in Berlin and in Paris, may be on their way out, McGovern said. I think that may happen as soon as it gets cold.The former CIA analyst turned to a particular statement by Sarkozy in which he said that the two sides should engage in discussion to see at least if we can get out of it other than by annihilating either Ukraine or Russia.McGovern called it a poor choice of words, but noted that doing just that has always been the goal of Western support for Ukraine since the 2014 Euromaidan coup that brought the present ultra-nationalist government into power.And now we have other people saying, yeah, well, the Ukrainians still have some young kids and some old guys like me, well throw them into battle and see what happens. That's awfully cynical. And worse still, we have headlines that are saying, you know, it looks like the Ukrainians are getting a little cowardly, they're showing casualty averseness, they are averse to casualties. My God. I mean, is it 300,000, conservatively estimated? Isn't that enough? There have got to be more casualties? You know, they're proving the truth of the early adage that we're going to fight this thing till the last Ukrainian, McGovern said.The hosts asked McGovern about a recent article in which he suggested that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan might resort to mini-nukes like the low-yield tactical nuclear warheads the US has developed in recent years if all other attempts to defeat Russia by arming Ukraine with conventional weapons fail.My point here is they have a personal stake in this. And that is that the election is coming up, and there's a lot of evidence that not only Hunter Biden, but his dad too, were deep into bribery and graft. Okay. Blinken started this campaign where 51 intelligence managers said, [the story about] Hunter's laptop smells of Russian disinformation. All the earmarks of a Russian [op]. Okay, so who did that? Blinken did that and it's provable. Now, how about Sullivan? Hes responsible for the whole Russiagate thing. In other words: the DNC hack? There was none - and it's provable now by sworn testimony. So all four of these guys have to worry about, McGovern said, suggesting an incoming Republican administration might seek to prosecute them.McGovern noted that there are some speculation and rumors that one reason Biden has pushed so hard to keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys government alive is that Kiev has some kind of damning dirt on the Bidens, especially concerning Hunters time on the board of Burisma, a gas company that did business in Ukraine and which was investigated by the Ukrainian government.I certainly wouldn't rule it out. I mean, unless they burned all the information as soon as Zelensky came in, the records on Burisma and all that skullduggery that was going on there, they must indicate what our Congress is now unveiling. And that is, you know, all kinds of bribery took place. And, you know, you don't give a guy like Hunter Biden a job on the board of Burisma and pay millions of dollars unless you're getting something for it. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/ukraine-quagmire-will-cost-us-600-bln-more-even-if-fighting-stopped-tomorrow--analysis-1112886390.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230819/us-nato-allies-risking-direct-clash-of-nuclear-powers-by-escalating-ukraine-tensions---lavrov-1112719378.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230822/attorneys-allegedly-threatened-to-put-biden-on-witness-stand-if-hunter-was-charged-1112774995.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier nicolas sarkozy; ukraine; ray mcgovern; weapons for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/free-advertising-indictments-are-helping-boost-backing-for-trump-in-2024-supporters-say-1112871890.html 'Free Advertising': Indictments Are Helping Boost Backing for Trump in 2024, Supporters Say 'Free Advertising': Indictments Are Helping Boost Backing for Trump in 2024, Supporters Say Criminal indictments have only garnered even more support for former US President Donald Trump, his supporters told Sputnik outside the Fulton County jail. 2023-08-25T02:21+0000 2023-08-25T02:21+0000 2023-08-25T02:20+0000 americas donald trump fulton county jail donald trump's indictment georgia trump supporters arrest /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/04/1112384130_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_a9b12537988c0d6dc80d7c7cf6bb54bf.jpg All of his supporters in front of the Atlanta jail said the indictment has not changed their opinion about Trump in the slightest. On the contrary - they became even more passionate about standing up for him, calling the probes against him a "witch hunt." Some even suggested the indictments will make Trump's arguments clearer. "Yes, definitely," Daniel Demoura, a translator in Washington, DC, said when asked if the indictments boosted support for Trump. One supporter, Tommy Johnson, who called himself "Trumpican," said he is neither a Republican nor a Democrat. "I want to see him come back and win for a third time. But this time, I don't want him in the White House for four years. I want him to be king of America. It's the only way to fix this country," Johnson said. Johnson called it a "free advertising" for Trump. There was also about a dozen African American protesters, wearing t-shirts with logos "Blacks for Trump." The upcoming arrest will be the fourth for the ex-president after Washington, New York and Miami, where Trump appeared in court on charges related to the January 6 riots, falsifying business documents, and illegal possession of classified materials, among others. Unlike the previous three cases, on the day of the "surrender" to the authorities, Trump will not appear in court. The first hearing in this case is scheduled for the week of September 5, and the arrest itself took place at the county jail, not the courthouse. After having spent about 20 minutes at the Fulton County Jail for processing, Trump promptly left the scene en route to the Atlanta airport, where he took a moment to tell reporters that the legal efforts were part of "election interference." Later Thursday, the former commander-in-chief made his grand return to Twitter, now known as X, after having spent more than two years off the platform. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/trump-booked-released-from-fulton-county-jail-over-georgia-election-interference-case-1112871222.html americas georgia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International donald trump's indictments, donald trump, trump supporters, fulton county jail https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/governor-explains-why-ukrainian-forces-avoid-targeting-zaporozhye-nuclear-power-plant-1112882711.html Governor Explains Why Ukrainian Forces Avoid Targeting Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant Governor Explains Why Ukrainian Forces Avoid Targeting Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant The Ukrainian side refrains from directly targeting the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant because it understands that such an action could trigger a corresponding response from Russia against Ukrainian nuclear facilities. 2023-08-25T13:12+0000 2023-08-25T13:12+0000 2023-08-25T13:12+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine kiev zaporozhye sergei shoigu international atomic energy agency (iaea) nuclear power plant zaporozhye npp /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/19/1112882542_0:345:3028:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_5b1a56549822bba415543827fa7f5f91.jpg The scenario of the Kiev regime attacking the Zaporozhye nuclear facility would also have consequences for Western countries, Yevgeny Balitsky, the acting governor of the Zaporozhye region, told Sputnik.The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is located on the left bank of the Dnepr River near the city of Energodar. It has the highest number of reactor units and installed capacity of any nuclear power plant in Europe, with a total of six one-gigawatt reactor units. In October 2022, the plant was transferred to the ownership of the Russian Federation.Ukrainian forces continue to periodically shell Energodar and the surrounding area of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that by persistently shelling the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, the Kiev regime seeks to create the appearance of a nuclear catastrophe threat. The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly stressed the need to create a security zone around the plant. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230630/kievs-counteroffensive-creates-additional-safety-concerns-at-zaporozhye-npp---grossi-1111562370.html russia ukraine kiev zaporozhye Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian military moving, ukrainian terrorist attack, attack on npp, russian security agencies, nuclear sabotage, ukrainian crisis, nuclear terrorism, ukrainian terrorism, zaporozhye npp, zaporozhye nuclear power plant, zaporozhye, international atomic energy agency, nuclear plant in zaporozhye, nuclear plant shelled, nuclear plant attack, nuclear terrorism, iaea https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/japan-urges-us-to-strengthen-safety-measures-of-its-uavs---defense-minister-1112876038.html Japan Urges US to Strengthen Safety Measures of Its UAVs - Defense Minister Japan Urges US to Strengthen Safety Measures of Its UAVs - Defense Minister Japanese Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada has called on the United States to take all necessary safety measures in regard to its MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance-attack drones after one such UAV rolled off the runway at an airbase of Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF). 2023-08-25T06:17+0000 2023-08-25T06:17+0000 2023-08-25T06:17+0000 military japan kagoshima prefecture japanese self defense force (jsdf) mq-9 reaper us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104686/32/1046863247_0:160:2100:1341_1920x0_80_0_0_2ad6d8bdbf43242939fe8c317b95dcbf.jpg "We call on the US to take all necessary measures to strengthen the safety of its aerial vessels. It is crucial to avoid creating disturbance among the local population," the minister said at a press conference. The incident with the US MQ-9 Reaper UAV occurred on Tuesday at the JSDF naval base of Kanoya. After landing, the drone rolled off the landing strip. No injuries were reported after the incident, but the base's command had to close the runway for three hours. There is no information concerning the reasons for the accident. Eight US MQ-9 Reaper drones have been based at the Kanoya base in Kagoshima Prefecture on Kyushu Island since last November. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230314/what-is-the-us-air-forces-mq-9-reaper-drone-at-center-of-the-black-sea-incident-1108400245.html japan kagoshima prefecture Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International japan urges us, japanese minister of defense yasukazu hamada, mq-9 reaper reconnaissance-attack drones Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24) The government recently issued revised guidelines for international-bound Filipino travelers, citing the need for stricter rules to combat human trafficking. The new document from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) was made public on Tuesday, Aug. 22, and shall take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette. Complaints over the fresh set of guidelines have surfaced after its release, with a lawmaker saying the additional requirements are too burdensome. Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay also questioned its constitutionality. An unconstitutional sleight of hand: from right to travel to permission to leave, he wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Hilbay said it gives immigration officials wide latitude to harass migrant workers and warned that it can be used to harass critics of the government. He added that it may result not only in longer lines at airports but also corruption. What exactly are the new requirements that will soon be asked of Filipinos before they can leave the country? CNN Philippines lists them down. What are the basic travel documents? - Passport (valid at least six months from the date of departure) - Appropriate valid visa, whenever required - Boarding pass - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, when necessary Passengers will be subject to inspection by an immigration officer (IO) who will interview them about the purpose of their travel and check their basic travel documents. The IACAT said the IO may ask relevant clarificatory questions and additional supporting documents, which will be enumerated later in this article, to establish the purpose of travel. In certain cases, IOs may find the need for secondary inspection, which shall not exceed 15 minutes unless extraordinary circumstances require such, the IACAT said. It added that whenever circumstances require, an authorized secondary IO may still conduct a random redundancy check on a passenger already cleared by a primary officer. What are the additional supporting documents? Below are the additional supporting documents which immigration officers may require from travelers. FOR TOURISTS SELF-FUNDED TRAVELS - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket - Proof of hotel booking/accommodation - Financial capacity or source of income consistent with the passengers declared purpose of travel - Proof of employment and other equivalent documents. SPONSORED TRAVELS If the sponsor abroad is a relative within the 1st civil degree of the passenger: - Original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket - Copies of the following documents of sponsor: valid passport; valid work visa/permit, residence permit or any equivalent document; and overseas employment certificate (OEC), e-receipt, or OFW clearance, for OFW sponsors If the sponsor abroad is a relative up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, unless otherwise limited by the Philippine embassy or consulate exercising jurisdiction: - Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket - Original PSA-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage showing the exact relationship between the passenger and the sponsor. If the sponsor abroad is a non-relative or a legal/juridical entity: - Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee - Substantial proof of relationship - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket - If a legal/juridical entity, registration papers of the sponsor The IACAT noted that the AOSG must be duly notarized by the Philippine embassy, consulate, or honorary consulate authorized to perform notarization services. If it is notarized by a local notary public in the country of destination, the AOSG must be duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy, consulate, or honorary consulate (for non-Apostille countries), or apostilled by the apostille authority in the country of destination (for Apostille countries). If traveling with a local sponsor: - Duly notarized affidavit executed by the local sponsor - Substantial proof of relationship - Copy of the sponsors return ticket consistent with that of the passenger FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS For OFWs departing for the first time: - OEC, E-receipt, or OFW clearance duly issued by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) as appearing in the Border Control Information System (BCIS) - Valid and appropriate employment visa or work permit or any equivalent document - Employment contract, as necessary - Visa Usage Undertaking or Manpower Request specifying visa usage approved or verified by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), if applicable For Balik-Manggagawa: - Valid and appropriate employment visa/work permit or any equivalent document - OFW clearance - OEC issued on-site by the MWO or by the DMW or Migrant Workers Airport Assistance Center (MWAAC), or Online BM OEC Exemption or manually issued OEC - Proof of employment, as necessary For direct hires: - OEC, E-receipt, or valid OFW clearance - Proper and valid work visa/work permit or any equivalent document For OFWs traveling to other countries during their vacation in the Philippines: - If the OFW will travel to other country/ies for tourism, but will return to the Philippines before proceeding to his/her jobsite, the OFW shall undergo the usual immigration inspection for tourist travelers. - If the OFW will travel to other country/ies for tourism, but will proceed directly to his/her job site, a valid OEC may be required. OFWs requiring special travel exit clearance in lieu of OEC: - Locally employed seafarers (conduction crew) who will be manning a Philippine Registered Ships conduction from a foreign port to the Philippines - Seafarers who will undergo orientation and other analogous circumstances as a requirement before their employment, as the prospective foreign employer prescribes. The foreign employer must be accredited by a licensed local manning agency - Emergency change crew for Philippine registered vessels docked in international ports. FOR MINORS Minors traveling with parents: Minors traveling with parents may be required to present their original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate or report of birth. The IACAT added that a minor traveling without the mother may be asked to show a copy of his or her parents PSA-issued marriage certificate. The revised guidelines also state that the following may be asked to show a travel clearance certificate (TCC) or a certificate of exemption from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD): - Passengers traveling with a minor may be asked to present a DSWD TCC if the parents are not married and the minor is traveling without the mother; if the minor is traveling with a person other than his/her parent/s; or if the passenger is over 18 years old but unable to fully take care of himself/herself or protect himself/herself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition. - Minors 13 years old and above who are traveling alone may be asked to present a DSWD TCC. Those below 13 years old are absolutely prohibited from traveling on their own. - Passengers traveling with a minor may be asked to present a DSWD certificate of exemption from TCC if the parents are not married and the minor is traveling with the biological father who has sole parental authority or legal custody over the minor; or when the traveling companion is the legal guardian. - A certificate of exemption from TCC may also be asked of orphans of married parents and who are traveling with the substitute parent/s (grandparent or nearest kin), as well as orphans of non-married parents and who are traveling with the substitute parent/s or nearest kin on maternal side. Minors subject of adoption: - For adopted minors with an Order of Adoption but pending issuance of a new PSA-issued birth certificate, a travel authority for the adoptive parent/s and adopted minor issued by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) may be needed. - Prospective adoptive parent/s traveling with a minor subject of pending domestic adoption proceedings may also need a DSWD travel clearance certificate if the proceedings are pending with the NACC. If the proceedings are pending in courts, what may be required is a manifestation or notice about the intended travel, duly received by the court where the case is pending, and filed at least 7 calendar days before the intended date of travel. - Prospective adoptive parent/s traveling with a minor subject of pending inter-country adoption proceedings may be asked to present a travel authority for the prospective adoptive parent/s issued by the NACC; a travel clearance certificate for adoptee issued by the NACC; and clearance from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. FOR STUDENTS Immigration officers may meanwhile ask for the following documents from students or scholars: - Acceptance letter issued by the institution or school abroad - Duly-notarized affidavit executed by the scholar/student indicating the name of the educational institution and the duration of the course or program of study - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket consistent with the duration of the program, if practicable - Proof of financial capacity or academic scholarship/funding/support - If applicable, endorsement from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) for Arabic language scholars - For basic education students under an international exchange program or joining a competition abroad, a certification issued by the School Division Superintendent shall be presented. If said student is a minor traveling without the parents/legal guardian, a DSWD travel clearance certificate shall also be required Students under the International Student Affairs Program or Student Internship Abroad Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) may require an endorsement from CHED to be able to leave the country. FOR OTHER KINDS OF PASSENGERS Dependent family members joining an OFW at the job site: - Valid dependent visa or any equivalent document - Copies of the OFWs valid visa and OEC, E-receipt, or OFW clearance Passengers with prospective employers abroad: - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket consistent with the duration of the travel - Relevant documents relating to the purpose of the travel - Duly-notarized affidavit executed by the passenger indicating the purpose and duration of travel Passengers traveling abroad for a compassionate or humanitarian visit to a Filipino overseas: - Certification from the DMW or the Department of Foreign Affairs, through its foreign service posts, specifying the purpose of the travel Passengers traveling for intra-company transfers or intra/inter-company trainings: - Intra-company transferees: Proof of local employment as certified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and secondment agreement between the local/domestic company and the foreign host company, as necessary - Intra/Inter-company trainees: Proof of local employment as certified by DOLE; and traineeship agreement, duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate where the training or skills enhancement shall be conducted, as necessary Filipino volunteer workers: - Endorsement from the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Hajj pilgrims to Mecca: - Endorsement/List of pilgrims from the NCMF Filipino donor traveling for organ donation or organ transplantation: - Department of Health clearance approving the organ donation or organ transplantation Government-endorsed trainees for skills enhancement: - Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI)s trainees: DA-ATI endorsement - TESDA Trainees for Agro-Studies: TESDA endorsement - Other government-endorsed trainees: Endorsement from the concerned government agency Non-government endorsed trainees for skills enhancement: - Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket for programs 6 months and below - Traineeship contract apostilled or duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate - Duly-notarized affidavit executed by the trainee indicating the name of the training institution and the duration of the training Passengers requiring clearance from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO): - Filipino spouse, fiance(e), or a partner of a foreign national with immigrant/resident/spouse/long-term/partner/prospective-marriage/family-reunification visa and other similar visas - First time Filipino emigrants, holders of residence visa or permit/holders of Permanent Resident Card registering for the first time with CFO - Filipino J1 Visa Holders or Exchange Visitors Program Participants bound for the United States of America - Passengers traveling under Au Pair Visa According to the IACAT, passengers not specifically falling under any of the mentioned categories shall undergo the required immigration inspection and show documents that would sufficiently establish their purpose of travel. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/kremlin-calls-absolute-lie-wests-allegations-regarding-death-of-prigozhin-1112880347.html Kremlin Hits Out at West's Claims Over Prigozhin's Death as Absolute Lie Kremlin Hits Out at West's Claims Over Prigozhin's Death as Absolute Lie There are many speculations in Western states regarding a crash of a plane said to be carrying Wagner Group private military company (PMC) leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, all this is an absolute lie, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. 2023-08-25T10:39+0000 2023-08-25T10:39+0000 2023-08-25T13:01+0000 russia vladimir putin moscow russia west kremlin embraer plane crash prigozhin jet crash /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/17/1112825859_0:56:590:388_1920x0_80_0_0_8e200f3f98b99bffc5b8d34ecddf20e7.jpg There are many speculations in Western states regarding a crash of a plane said to be carrying Wagner Group private military company (PMC) leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, all this is an absolute lie, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not held any meetings with Prigozhin recently, the official said, adding that he is not aware yet if Putin will go to Prigozhins funeral, as the president has a tight schedule in general. When asked about the investigation, the official said that there are still few facts, noting that more details will have to be clarified in the course of the probe. The official results of the investigation into the plane crash will be published, Peskov said.The Wagner Group does not exist de jure as a structure, so it is hard to say what its future will be, Peskov said on Friday.An Embraer Legacy business jet with three crew members and seven passengers aboard crashed in Russia's Tver Region while en route to St. Petersburg from Moscow on Wednesday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230823/wagner-chief-prigozhin-was-aboard-crashed-private-jet-1112830074.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/putin-offers-condolences-to-families-of-those-killed-in-private-plane-crash-in-tver-region-1112862069.html moscow russia west Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International speculations in western states, crash of a plane, agner group private military company, yevgeny prigozhin https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/moscow-court-official-says-investigation-asks-to-extend-arrest-of-trepova-until-winter-1112874691.html Moscow Court Says Investigation Seeks to Extend Arrest of St. Petersburg Cafe Bomber Moscow Court Says Investigation Seeks to Extend Arrest of St. Petersburg Cafe Bomber The Basmanny District Court of Moscow on Friday will consider the investigation's request to extend the arrest of Daria Trepova, the defendant in the case concerning the April terrorist attack in St. Petersburg's cafe that killed Russian military reporter Vladlen Tatarsky, until winter, Anastasia Gorbunova, the court's press secretary, told Sputnik on Friday. 2023-08-25T05:28+0000 2023-08-25T05:28+0000 2023-08-25T06:11+0000 russia russia moscow court arrest terrorist attack /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/03/1d/1082478035_0:178:1365:946_1920x0_80_0_0_7e517865612f3bc97d25d7e7342119fa.jpg "I just found out that the extension of Daria Trepova's arrest is scheduled for today at 11:00 a.m. [08:00 GMT]," Gorbunova said. In April, Russian military reporter Maxim Fomin, also known as Vladlen Tatarsky, was killed when an improvised explosive device that was snuck into a cafe in St. Petersburg exploded. Trepova was detained on suspicion of being behind the blast. Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the Ukrainian special services and the supporters of the Russian non-profit Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK, designated extremist organization and foreign agent, banned in Russia) masterminded the terrorist attack. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230404/trepova-charged-with-planning-st-petersburg-cafe-blast-russian-investigative-committee-1109116446.html russia moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International moscow court, arrest of daria trepova, vladlen tatarsky https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/niger-military-leaders-give-french-german--us-ambassadors-48-hours-to-leave-country-1112900038.html Niger Military Leaders Give French Ambassador 48 Hours to Leave Country Niger Military Leaders Give French Ambassador 48 Hours to Leave Country The military government of Niger has ordered the French ambassador to Niamey to leave the country. The French government says they have no authority to do that. 2023-08-25T22:23+0000 2023-08-25T22:23+0000 2023-08-25T23:45+0000 africa economic community of west african states (ecowas) european union (eu) nato burkina faso niger france mali niamey /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/0d/1112570094_0:0:3000:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_4cd3c3855b5cb478f6b6a853c08a3672.jpg The Nigerien military leadership that ousted the Bazoum government of Niger in July ordered the French ambassador to Niamey to leave the country within 48 hours.The order came against French Ambassador Sylvain Itte, who reportedly declined to respond to an invitation to speak with the countrys new foreign minister, according to the Niger government. Officials also cited other actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger, in deciding to expel Itte.The decision comes after a series of protests by citizens against the continued French presence in the area and statements by the military leaders against the former colonial power.In response, the French foreign ministry said that putschists have no authority, to demand its ambassador to leave. Not long after reports surfaced of the order for Itte's departure, media reported that the Nigerien leadership had also issued the same 48-hour order to envoys from Germany, the US and Niger before retractions were issued, citing a false letter circulating online.Addressing reports surrounding the US order, a State Department spokesperson told Sputnik that images of a letter circulating online of Niger's foreign ministry calling for the departure of US Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon is false.In late July, the military leadership of Niger deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, one of three similar events in the area in as many years. Burkina Faso and Mali also experienced military takeovers in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Both of those countries also expelled French troops from their borders.France has called for the restoration of the Bazoum administration. It has also supported the Economic Communist of West African States (ECOWAS) which has imposed sanctions on Niger and has threatened military action to restore constitutional order.Niger has accused ECOWAS of being in the pocket of France and recently announced that they will allow the militaries of Burkina Faso and Mali to operate within Nigerien borders in the event of a military conflict, both have pledged to protect Niger from military intervention.[Burkina Faso and Mali] warn of the disastrous consequences of military intervention in Niger, which could destabilize the entire region as NATOs unilateral intervention in Libya did, which led to the spread of terrorism in the Sahel and West Africa, the statement said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230818/divisions-over-niger-military-takeover-creating-new-frays-in-franco-american-relationship-1112716492.html africa burkina faso niger france mali niamey Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino war in niger, africa war, ecowas intervention, niger civil war, niger revolt, french in africa, france in niger https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/pepe-escobar-brics-11---strategic-tour-de-force-1112882830.html Pepe Escobar: BRICS 11 - Strategic Tour de Force Pepe Escobar: BRICS 11 - Strategic Tour de Force Chinese President Xi Jinping defined all the major decisions embedded in the 15th BRICS summit in South Africa as historic. That may be seen as an understatement. 2023-08-25T12:37+0000 2023-08-25T12:37+0000 2023-08-25T12:37+0000 pepe escobar analysis brics brics summit 2023 vladimir putin xi jinping sergey lavrov china russia us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/16/1112779585_0:0:3025:1702_1920x0_80_0_0_bf4c76c0d2652bdd891cd38efd284702.jpg It will take time for the Global South, or Global Majority, or Global Globe (copyright President Lukashenko), not to mention the stunned collective West, to fully grasp the enormity of the new strategic stakes.President Putin, for his part, described the negotiations on BRICS expansion as quite difficult. By now a relatively accurate picture is emerging of what really went down on that table in Johannesburg.India wanted 3 new members. China wanted as many as 10. A compromise was finally reached, with 6 members: Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Argentina and Ethiopia.So from now on its BRICS 11. And thats just the beginning. Starting with the rotating Russian presidency of BRICS on January 1, 2024, more partners will be progressively included, and most certainly a new round of full members will be announced at the BRICS 11 summit in Kazan in October next year.So we may soon progress to BRICS 20 on the way to BRICS 40. The G7, for all practical purposes, is sliding towards oblivion.Bur first things first. At that fateful table in Johannesburg, Russia supported Egypt. China went all out for Persian Gulf magic: Iran, UAE and the Saudis. Of course: Iran-China are already deep into a strategic partnership, and Riyadh is already accepting payment for energy in yuan.Brazil and China supported Argentina, Brazils troubled neighbor, running the risk of having its economy fully dollarized, and also a key commodity provider to Beijing. South Africa supported Ethiopia. India, for a series of very complex reasons, was not exactly comfortable with 3 Arab/Muslim members (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt). Russia assuaged New Delhis fears.All of the above respects geographic principles and imprints the notion of BRICS representing the Global South. But it goes way beyond that, blending cunning strategy and no-nonsense realpolitik.India was mollified because Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the table in Johannesburg negotiating on behalf of President Putin, and highly respected by New Delhi, fully understood that a new, single BRICS currency is a long way away. What really matters, short and medium term, is expanding intra-BRICS trade in their national currencies.That was stressed by New Development Bank (NDB) president Dilma Rousseff in her report to the South African summit hosts even as Brazilian President Lula once again emphasized the importance of setting up a work group to discuss a BRICS currency.Lavrov understood how New Delhi is absolutely terrified of secondary sanctions by the US, in case its BRICS role gets too ambitious. Prime Minister Modi is essentially hedging between BRICS and the completely artificial imperial obsession embedded in the terminology Indo-Pacific which masks renewed containment of China. The Straussian neo-con psychos in charge of US foreign policy are already furious with India buying loads of discounted Russian oil.New Delhis support for a new BRICS currency would be interpreted in Washington as all-out trade war and sanctions dementia would follow. In contrast, Saudi Arabias MbS doesnt care: hes a top energy producer, not consumer like India, and one of his priorities is to fully court his top energy client, Beijing, and pave the way for the petroyuan.It Takes Just a Single Strategic MoveNow lets get into the strategic stakes. For all practical purposes, in Eurasian terms, BRICS 11 is now on the way to lord over the Arctic Sea Route; the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC); BRIs East West Corridors; the Persian Gulf; the Red Sea; and the Suez Canal.That blends several overland corridors with several nodes of the Maritime Silk Roads. Nearly total integration in the Heartland and the Rimland. All with just a single strategic move in the geopolitical/geoeconomic chessboard.Much more than an increase of BRICS 11 collective GDP to 36% of the worlds total (already larger than the G7), with the group now encompassing 47% of the worlds population, the top geopolitical and geoeconomic breakthrough is how BRICS 11 is about to literally break the bank on the energy and commodities market fronts.By incorporating Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, BRICS 11 instantly shines on as an oil and gas powerhouse. BRICS 11 now controls 39% of global oil exports; 45.9% of proven reserves; and at least 47.6% of all oil produced globally, according to InfoTEK.With BRICS 11 possibly including Venezuela, Algeria and Kazakhstan as new members as early as in 2024, it may control as much as 90% of all oil and gas traded globally.Inevitable corollary: operations settled in local currencies bypassing the US dollar. And inevitable conclusion: petrodollar in a coma. The Empire of Chaos and Plunder will lose its free lunch menu: control of global oil prices and means to enforce diplomacy via a tsunami of unilateral sanctions.Already in the horizon, direct BRICS 11-OPEC+ symbiosis is inevitable. OPEC+ is effectively run by Russia and Saudi Arabia.A ground-shaking geoeconomic reorientation is at hand, involving everything from routes plied by global supply chains and new BRICS roads to the progressive interconnection of BRI, the Saudi Vision 2030 and massive port expansion in the UAE.By choosing Ethiopia, BRICS expands its African reach on mining, minerals and metals. Ethiopia is rich in gold, platinum, tantalum, copper, niobium and offers vast potential in oil and natural gas exploration. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, incidentally, are also involved in mining.This all spells out fast, progressive integration of North Africa and West Asia.How Diplomacy Goes a Long WayThe BRICS 11 Shock of the New, in the energy sphere, is a sharp historical counterpoint to the 1973 oil shock, after which Riyadh started wallowing in petrodollars. Now Saudi Arabia under MbS is operating a tectonic shift, in the process of becoming strategically aligned with Russia-China-India-Iran.Diplomatic coup does not even begin to describe it. This is the second stage of the Russian-initiated and Chinese-finalized rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran, recently sealed in Beijing. The Russia-China strategic leadership, working patiently in synch, never lost sight of the ball.Now compare it with collective Wests strategies, such as the G7-imposed oil price cap. Essentially the G7 coalition of the willing self-imposed a price cap on Russian crude imported by sea. The result is that they had to start buying way more oil products from Global South nations which ignored the price cap and duly increased their purchase of Russian crude.Guess who are the top two: BRICS members China and India.After wallowing in several stages of denial, the collective West may or may not realize its a fools dream to attempt to de-couple the West-ruled part of the global economy from China, whatever is spewed out by Washington.BRICS 11 now shows, graphically, how the Global South/Global Majority/Global Globe is more non-aligned with the West than anytime in recent history.By the way, the president of the G77, Cuban leader Diaz-Canel, was at the BRICS summit representing the de-facto new Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): the G77 actually incorporates no less than 134 nations. Most are African. Xi Jinping in Johannesburg met in person with the leaders of most of them.The collective West, in panic, regards all of the above as dangerous. So the last refuge is, predictably, rhetorical: de-coupling, de-risking, and similar idiocies.Yet that may also get practically dangerous. As in the first ever trilateral summit in Camp David on August 18 between the Empire and two Asian vassals, Japan and South Korea. That may be interpreted as the first move towards a military-political Asian NATO even more toxic than Quad or AUKUS, obsessed to simultaneously contain China, Russia and the DPRK.The Collective Outstripping of the Global NorthThe UN lists 152 nations in the world as developing countries. BRICS 11 is aiming at them as they outstrip the Global North on everything from population growth to overall contribution to global GDP growth measured by PPP.In the past 10 years since the announcement of BRI first in Astana and then in Jakarta, Chinese financial institutions have lent nearly $1 trillion for infrastructure connectivity projects across the Global South. The upcoming BRI forum in Beijing will signal a renewed drive. Thats the BRI-BRICS symbiosis.In the G20 last year, China was the first nation to lobby for the inclusion of the 55-member African Union (AU). That may happen at the G20 summit next month in New Delhi; in that case, Global South representation will be close to parity with the Global North.Claims that Beijing was organizing a malign conspiracy to turn BRICS into a weapon against the G7 are infantile. Realpolitik and geoeconomic indicators are dictating the terms, configuring the Shock of the New: the G7s irreversible irrelevance with the rise of BRICS 11. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/brics-expansion-to-enable-increase-in-mutual-investments---russian-investment-fund-1112848126.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/russia-could-use-iran-as-part-of-north-south-corridor-to-export-grain-1111846995.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/how-brics-summit-2023-spelled-end-to-western-centric-world-order-1112861182.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230822/leaders-speeches-show-high-degree-of-consolidation-and-unanimity-within-the-brics-1112797963.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230818/what-is-the-global-south-and-how-can-it-help-topple-western-led-world-order-1112688739.html china russia saudi arabia brazil south africa argentina egypt ethiopia iran united arab emirates Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Pepe Escobar https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101642/49/1016424943_868:0:3100:2232_100x100_80_0_0_a742038b05a1847ce42e71952e4994d5.jpg Pepe Escobar https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101642/49/1016424943_868:0:3100:2232_100x100_80_0_0_a742038b05a1847ce42e71952e4994d5.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Pepe Escobar https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101642/49/1016424943_868:0:3100:2232_100x100_80_0_0_a742038b05a1847ce42e71952e4994d5.jpg brics, russia-nato showdown, us expansionism, nato expansion, brics summit 2023, brics, brics 2023 summit, multipolar world, polycentric world, brics 15th summit, vladimir putin, xi jinping, narendra modi, wang wentao, lula da silva, cyril ramaphosa, south africa, us hegemony, inclusiveness, shared future of humanity, brics gdp, g7 gdp, brics economic growth, africa, instrastruture projects, brics development, food security, energy security, dedollarization, de-dollarization, national currencies, trade in national currencies, leaders' speeches at brics 2023, global south, global south countries, global north vs global south, global north and global south, countries in the global south, russia global south, brics global south https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/russian-embassy-slams-us-sanctioning-artek-camp-as-desire-to-get-back-at-most-vulnerable-1112872999.html Russian Embassy Slams US Sanctioning Artek Camp as 'Desire to Get Back at Most Vulnerable' Russian Embassy Slams US Sanctioning Artek Camp as 'Desire to Get Back at Most Vulnerable' The Russian Embassy in the US condemned US sanctions placed on 11 Russian individuals and the International Children's Center Artek in Crimea. 2023-08-25T03:17+0000 2023-08-25T03:17+0000 2023-08-25T03:17+0000 russia ukraine crimea russian embassy icc united nations convention on the rights of the child (uncrc) dmitry peskov sergey lavrov artek russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/15514/56/155145613_0:0:3456:1944_1920x0_80_0_0_d5209a6ee12334f80c55993a28377eab.jpg Earlier on Thursday, the US Treasury Department sanctioned 11 individuals in Russia and the Artek camp. The embassy said the new round of US sanctions came "under the guise of protecting the rights of minors." "Washington, among other things, imposes restrictions against the International Children's Center 'Artek.' What is this, if not the desire to get back at the most vulnerable? At those, whose parents homes for more than nine years have been brutally bombarded by neo-Nazis, meticulously nurtured by the collective West," the statement said.The embassy said that Washington's "attempts to position itself as one of the major advocates of children's interests are baseless, both de facto and de jure" as the US has yet to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which sets the basic standards for the comprehensive protection of children. The mission urged the US authorities "to stop its cynical use of children's issues to settle geopolitical scores" and "take a critical look at their own actions, including the supply of heavy weapons to Kiev, which results inter alia in killing children and destroying civil infrastructure," including kindergartens, schools and hospitals. In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova on the grounds of alleged "unlawful deportation" of Ukrainian children to Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was not a party to the ICC and did not recognize its jurisdiction while also rejecting the deportation accusations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in June that ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, a United Kingdom citizen of Pakistani origin, bypassed all procedures to move with unprecedented speed to "concoct the warrant" against the Russian president and the rights commissioner. In July, Lvova-Belova said her agency had facilitated a reunion of 25 children with their relatives living in Ukraine and other countries. She also stressed that Ukraine had overstated the number of children evacuated to Russia and had misled the international community about Russia's efforts on reunification. https://sputnikglobe.com/20160710/artek-summer-camp-1042737937.html ukraine crimea russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International artek children, russian sanctions, ukrainian children, russia relocation https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/russian-foreign-ministry-warns-moldova-against-carrying-ukraine-support-too-far-1112895941.html Russian Foreign Ministry Warns Moldova Against Carrying Ukraine Support Too Far Russian Foreign Ministry Warns Moldova Against Carrying Ukraine Support Too Far Moldova should beware of overplaying its support for Ukraine to the point of becoming an accomplice to the crimes committed by the Ukrainian military, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Friday. 2023-08-25T18:32+0000 2023-08-25T18:32+0000 2023-08-25T18:32+0000 world russia moldova maria zakharova russian foreign ministry ukraine ukraine crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080393840_0:223:2851:1826_1920x0_80_0_0_a10d42595672f9225b06b28d9262627c.jpg "I would like to warn Kishinev against a deeper involvement in 'support' for Ukraine, which will not only threaten stability and security in the region, but also will turn Moldova into an accomplice to war crimes by the Kiev regime," Zakharova stressed. The West continues its efforts to drag Moldova, whose permanent neutrality is enshrined in its constitution, into the Ukrainian conflict, the diplomat added. As regards recent tensions in diplomatic ties between Moscow and Kishinev, Russia will make every effort to provide consular services in Moldova, both to its own and Moldovan citizens, Zakharova emphasized.On July 26, Kishinev ordered that 45 employees of the Russian embassy, including 22 diplomats and 23 technical workers, leave Moldova by August 15 over espionage allegations. Moscow responded by summoning Moldovan Ambassador Lilian Darii to lodge a formal a protest and banned a number of Moldovan officials from entering Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/russian-envoy-urges-un-commissioner-to-react-to-rights-violations-in-moldova-1110807286.html russia moldova ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia-moldova relations, western support for ukraine, western weapons to ukraine, nato weapons to ukraine, west for ukraine, nato munitions for ukraine, moldova-ukraine relations, moldova for ukraine, ukraine support, moscow-kishinev relations, chisinau, ukrainian conflict, ukrainian crisis, diplomatic relations, diplomatic expulsions, persona non grata https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/russian-navy-ships-strike-ukrainian-port-infrastructure-1112891843.html Russian Navy Ships Strike Ukrainian Port Infrastructure Russian Navy Ships Strike Ukrainian Port Infrastructure The Russian Armed Forces have launched sea-based cruise missile strikes against a port facility used by Ukrainian troops, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. 2023-08-25T15:40+0000 2023-08-25T15:40+0000 2023-08-25T15:40+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia russian defense ministry ukrainian armed forces donetsk lugansk kherson d-30 m777 howitzers russian navy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/19/1112891683_0:4:1838:1038_1920x0_80_0_0_f1291c557976a6678a3a7ef3d41552b0.jpg Russian Navy Ships Strike Ukrainian Port Infrastructure Facility"The objective of the strike has been achieved. The target has been hit," reads the ministry's official summary.Donetsk DirectionUnits of the Yug Battlegroup repelled three attacks in the area of the villages of Zaliznyanskoye, Kleshcheyevka, and Staromikhailovka in the Donetsk People's Republic. Ukrainian losses included:Kupyansk DirectionZapad battlegroup fighters, supported by air and artillery, repelled three breakthrough attempts by the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade and 68th Jaeger Brigade in the areas of Sinkovka in the Kharkov region and Sergeyevka in the Lugansk People's Republic. Ukrainian military losses in the span of 24 hours included up to 50 soldiers, two tanks, three IFVs, two pickup trucks, and a D-20 howitzer.Zaporozhye DirectionRussian forces repelled five attacks by Ukrainian troops. The Kiev regime's forces suffered losses:Southern Donetsk and Kherson DirectionsBattlegroup Vostok repelled an attack near the settlement of Sladkoye in the Donetsk People's Republic. In addition, they hammered Ukrainian Marines of the 38th Brigade in the area of Urozhaynoye. As a result of these engagements, the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered casualties:In the direction of Kherson, the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered losses of up to 50 soldiers killed and wounded, three military vehicles, one M777 howitzer, and several Msta-B and D-30 howitzers.Krasny Liman DirectionUnits of the Tsentr battlegroup, during the course of operations, repelled an attack near the settlement of Kuzmino in the Donetsk People's Republic. In addition, they struck the positions of the 63rd and 67th Mechanized Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the 5th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, in the areas of the settlements of Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People's Republic, and Torskoye and Grigorovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.Following the actions of the Russian forces, the losses of the Ukrainian Army amounted to: https://sputnikglobe.com/20230811/ukraine-loses-over-180-military-in-donetsk-direction-in-past-day---mod-1112532272.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/ukraine-loses-about-310-soldiers-in-donetsk-kupyansk-directions---mod-1112885095.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/ukraine-uses-phosphorus-munitions-in-zaporozhye-direction---military-doctor-1112879548.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/ukrainian-military-shoots-at-own-fighters-for-desertion-near-kherson---source-1112872724.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230725/russian-forces-seize-sergeevka-settlement-after-counterattack-1112133421.html russia donetsk lugansk kherson Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia special military operation, ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian counteroffensive, us weapons, nato equipment, nato-supplied military equipment, us arms for ukraine, foiled counteroffensive, counteroffensive attemt, thwarted counteroffensive, botched counteroffensive, counteroffensive effort, nato arms for ukraine, donetsk, kupyansk, zaporozhye, southern donetsk, kherson, krasny liman, missile strikes, cruise missile strikes, russian navy, russian fleet, navy strike https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/several-drones-destroyed-over-sea-near-crimeas-sevastopol---governor-1112871750.html Russian Air Defenses Down 42 Drones, Knock Out Ukrainian Modified S-200 Missile Russian Air Defenses Down 42 Drones, Knock Out Ukrainian Modified S-200 Missile Russia was attacked early Friday by 42 Ukrainian drones, 33 of them were suppressed by electronic warfare systems, and nine were shot down by air defenses, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. 2023-08-25T01:52+0000 2023-08-25T01:52+0000 2023-08-25T06:03+0000 russia kiev crimea defense ministry mq-9 reaper s-200 bayraktar sevastopol foiled attack /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105517/59/1055175913_0:81:2200:1319_1920x0_80_0_0_39fd1e260e8cff24cc7d9713fc9b4c52.jpg "The Kiev regime's attempt to carry out terrorist attacks using aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted last night. A total of 42 UAVs were detected by the air defense systems," the ministry said.Earlier, Mikhail Razvozhayev, governor of Sevastopol, issued a statement detailing that several unmanned UAVs had been destroyed over the sea in the vicinity of Cape Chersonesus.At the time, he noted that no damage to civilian infrastructure had been detected. "The city is quiet now. But all forces and services are in a state of combat readiness," he added.The developments came not long after the Russian Defense Ministry had previously confirmed air defenses had shot down a modified Ukrainian S-200 missile over Russia's Kaluga Region."Last night, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks on civilian objects on the territory of the Russian Federation with a modified missile from an S-200 air defense complex has been foiled," the ministry said in a statement.Since the onset of Russia's special military operation, the Kiev regime has repeatedly sought to carry out drone strikes near civilian populations, which have largely been thwarted by Russian defenses. Earlier this week, the Defense Ministry confirmed that Russia scrambled fighter jets near the Crimean Peninsula after MQ-9 Reaper and TB2 Bayraktar drones were spotted in the vicinity. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/russia-thwarts-ukraine-drone-attack-destroys-three-drones-in-bryansk--kaluga-regions-1112835113.html kiev crimea sevastopol Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International downed drones, crimean peninsula, russian defense ministry, ukraine, foiled attacks, sevastopol https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/sources-confirm-traces-of-nord-stream-blasts-lead-to-ukraine-not-russias---reports-1112886839.html Sources Confirm Traces of Nord Stream Blasts Lead to Ukraine, Not Russia - Reports Sources Confirm Traces of Nord Stream Blasts Lead to Ukraine, Not Russia - Reports Sources familiar with the investigation into the explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipelines confirm media reports that traces lead to Ukraine, there is no evidence of Russia's guilt, media reported on Friday. 2023-08-25T13:00+0000 2023-08-25T13:00+0000 2023-08-25T13:12+0000 nord stream sabotage ukraine russia nord stream ag nord stream baltic sea /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/1d/1101346542_0:44:839:516_1920x0_80_0_0_e291252f9a9c4c28bc6fce9ff4486ffc.jpg There is growing evidence that criminals linked to Ukraine may be behind the attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines, the news outlets said, adding that they were in Ukraine before and after the explosions in the Baltic Sea. This was indicated by technical data.Earlier, it was reported that Dutch military intelligence had received information that a group of six people linked to Ukraine were preparing an attack on gas pipelines. The Dutch passed the information to the CIA, and the Americans informed the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND). It was reported that the attack could take place in June 2022. The Nord Stream pipelines, built to deliver gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, were hit by explosions in September 2022. The pipeline's operator, Nord Stream AG, said that the damage was unprecedented and it was impossible to estimate the time repairs might take. Denmark, Germany and Norway have left Russia out of their investigations into the attack, prompting Moscow to launch its own investigation regarding charges of international terrorism.No official results of the investigations have yet been announced, but Pulitzer Prize-winning US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a report in February 2023 alleging that the explosions had been organized by the United States with the support of Norway. Washington has denied any involvement in the incident. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/denmark-claims-nord-stream-sabotage-investigators-found-traces-of-subsea-explosives-on-yacht-1111841281.html ukraine russia baltic sea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nord stream blasts, explosions at the nord stream gas pipelines, traces lead to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/spanish-police-seize-record-95-tonnes-of-cocaine-coming-from-ecuador-1112890279.html Spanish Police Seize Record 9.5 Tonnes of Cocaine Coming From Ecuador Spanish Police Seize Record 9.5 Tonnes of Cocaine Coming From Ecuador The Spanish National Police said on Friday they seized 9.5 tonnes of cocaine hidden in banana crates coming from Ecuador, in what became the largest intercepted illicit drug shipment in Spain's history. 2023-08-25T13:54+0000 2023-08-25T13:54+0000 2023-08-25T13:54+0000 world ecuador spain national police cocaine drug trafficking drug /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104052/99/1040529965_0:0:4434:2495_1920x0_80_0_0_7ac4edae68e7b61103a8b7b86f2efc5d.jpg "In the course of a joint operation with the Customs Surveillance Service, agents of the National Police have seized the largest amount of cocaine in Spanish history in the port of Algeciras. Almost 9.5 tonnes of the narcotic substance were seized. The cocaine was hidden inside banana crates stored in a refrigerated maritime container originating from Ecuador," the law enforcement said in a statement. Inside the shipment, the police discovered over 30 different insignia of various European criminal groups who were the cargo's addressees, the police said. The group responsible for the cocaine shipment is believed to have an extensive business network for shipping sea containers from Ecuador to Spain. The investigation found that the organization had operated through an international banana supplier based in the Ecuadorian city of Machala. The company has been sending about 40 crates per month addressed to various European companies. In early July, the Civil Guard of Spain, in cooperation with the United Kingdom's police, busted an operation of a drug trafficking network, detaining nine UK citizens in the process. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230509/us-sanctions-son-of-mexican-drug-kingpin-el-chapo-guzman-1110222590.html ecuador spain Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International spanish national police, intercepted illicit drug shipment, cocaine hidden in banana crates Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday shut down three warehouses allegedly storing smuggled rice worth 505 million in Bulacan. The BOC identified the warehouses as Great Harvest Rice Mill Warehouse, San Pedro Warehouse, and FS Rice Mill Warehouse. All are located inside the Intercity Industrial Complex in Barangay San Juan in Balagtas. The warehouses contained around 202,000 sacks of imported rice grains reportedly from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. READ: Gov't expects lower rice prices as PH opens importation talks with Vietnam, India Customs chief Bienvenido Rubio said he ordered the owners of the warehouses to present necessary documents that will support its rice importation, as well as the amount of rice they have been keeping. "Smuggling agricultural products, in particular rice which is the staple food in every Filipino home, poses a grave threat to our economy. It creates a ripple effect that impacts the core of our agricultural sector our farmers," he added. READ: Flag of surrender? Lawmakers slam DA for rice import plans If found without proper importation documents and proof of payment of correct duties and taxes, the BOC said it will seize and forfeit the sacks of rice in violation of Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation) under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/ukraine-uses-phosphorus-munitions-in-zaporozhye-direction---military-doctor-1112879548.html Ukraine Uses Phosphorus Munitions in Zaporozhye Direction - Military Doctor Ukraine Uses Phosphorus Munitions in Zaporozhye Direction - Military Doctor The Ukrainian military used phosphorus in the direction of Zaporozhye, the head of the surgical department of the separate medical battalion of the 58th Army of the Russian Armed Forces told reporters. 2023-08-25T13:42+0000 2023-08-25T13:42+0000 2023-08-25T13:42+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian armed forces nato ukraine kiev zaporozhye phosphorus bombs video /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105469/02/1054690212_0:141:3049:1856_1920x0_80_0_0_9d3ecd610f56abc7696069944ed92d48.jpg The Ukrainian military has used phosphorus in the Zaporozhye direction, the head of the surgical department of the separate medical battalion of the 58th Army of the Russian Armed Forces told reporters. He added that when there is talk in the media about the desire of NATO countries to supply the Kiev regime with new weaponry, it usually begins to be used at the front immediately. "That is, it is already here. It is starting to be used on this very day," he noted.The use of phosphorus shells is prohibited by the Geneva Convention. The use of incendiary munitions, including those containing white phosphorus, is restricted by Protocol III of the 1980 UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. In particular, it is prohibited where civilians may be harmed. Such munitions cause severe burns and acute poisoning, as well as bone and marrow damage and tissue necrosis. White phosphorus is toxic - the lethal dose for humans is 0.05-0.15 grams. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220830/cluster-bombs-butterfly-mines-phosphorus-munitions-prohibited-weapons-used-by-ukraine-1100038913.html ukraine kiev zaporozhye Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ukraine forces using deadly white phosphorus weapons in Zaporozhye Region Injuries from phosphorus are considered harder to treat than conventional burns and require qualified medical assistance. The doctor in the accompanying video says the use of white phosphorus by Ukraine suggests that these weapons were already supplied by NATO. 2023-08-25T13:42+0000 true PT0M39S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International phosphorus, ukrainian military, russian armed forces https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/ukraine-uses-terror-tactics-against-own-troops-as-army-runs-out-of-motivated-fighters-1112896298.html Ukraine Uses Terror Tactics Against Own Troops as Army Runs Out of Motivated Fighters Ukraine Uses Terror Tactics Against Own Troops as Army Runs Out of Motivated Fighters A Ukrainian military source revealed Friday that troops from Ukraines 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade executed 23 of their fellow servicemen after an attempt to desert their positions. Military journalist Aleksey Borzenko expects the use of this gruesome tactic to continue as Kiev runs out of troops motivated to fight Russia. 2023-08-25T18:30+0000 2023-08-25T18:30+0000 2023-08-25T18:34+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia surrender terror tactics strategy mobilization /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/19/1111463117_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_775df4bb669b237e4b90fb46c9001ce0.jpg A Russian security source in contact with the Ukrainian military source relayed to Sputnik on Friday that 23 executed Ukrainian servicemen were killed on August 11 after deciding to desert and abandoning their positions. Ukrainian command was said to have listed the troops as missing in an attempt to cover up the killings, with Russias security forces managing to learn the names and dates of birth of 10 of the executed soldiers, who ranged in age between just 25 and 40 years old.The incident isnt the first reported instance of cruel tactics by Ukrainian forces against their own troops. In April 2022, a senior sergeant from Ukraines 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade who turned himself in to Russian forces in the Donbass said that after some soldiers began laying down their arms and surrendering, neo-Nazi fighters were sent to his unit to set up a blocking detachment to prevent more troops from abandoning their positions.Desertion is the natural result of the terror of the permanent mobilization campaign in Ukraine, where men are drafted at gas stations, in cafes or in the street and sent to the front, often with little training, Borzenko said.These-so-called quickly or artificially mobilized reserves are precisely the people who surrender, Borzenko noted. They cannot retreat behind them are blocking detachments and Polish mercenaries, plus nationalists. Their only path is forward.Russian forces distinguish surrendering Ukrainian troops as they approach Russian positions without helmets, carrying their machineguns in one hand, and then throwing them to the ground to indicate they want to give up, according to the military journalist.Thats one reason. The second reason is when there are a huge number of wounded in a unit who are not evacuated, and want to save their lives, so they surrender so that they can be treated on our operating tables, Borzenko added.Another common issue facilitating mass surrender observed by the Russian military relates to Ukraines NATO-style command structure, in which the unit commander can be situated 500 meters or even a kilometer away from his men, and command and communicate with them by radio.Unfortunately, Borzenko believes Ukraines authorities will be able to continue their forced mobilization campaign and frontline terror strategy for quite some time. There are fewer and fewer people in Ukraine who are motivated to go to war with Russia. Their place is beginning to be taken by people over 50 years old or in the range of 18-20 years old, who sought to escape the draft and accidentally got caught, he said. They can still recruit a lot of people. Ukraine is a big country, but will these people be able to fight? Thats the question.Ultimately, Borzenko thinks that the grizzly August 11 incident in Kherson shows that there are smart people left in the Ukrainian armed forces, who realize that morale has fallen very sharply, especially in after the failure of the much-touted counteroffensive to reach any results, and dont want to give up their lives for nothing.Along with reports on the tactic of executions and blocking detachments, accounts have emerged of some forcibly mobilized troops fighting back against their commanders. This week, Ukrainian sources told Russian media that Senior Lieutenant Alla Kaverina, deputy commander of the 1st Platoon of the 2nd Battalion of the 115th Territorial Defense Brigade, was killed by her subordinates outside Kupyansk in Kharkov region. Officially, her death was blamed on Russian shelling. However, sources indicated that she was shot by her compatriots after insulting and ridiculing her troops and questioning their patriotism and intelligence.For now, effective use of terror by Ukrainian military counterintelligence and neo-Nazi thugs has prevented desertions, surrender and cases of troops turning their guns on commanders from becoming widespread. However, many hundreds if not thousands of cases of smaller groups of troops surrendering to Russian forces have been reported, to the point where Borzenko pointed out that official figures on their exact numbers have yet to be provided. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/ukrainian-military-shoots-at-own-fighters-for-desertion-near-kherson---source-1112872724.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230818/report-us-classified-forecast-predicts-ukraine-counteroffensive-will-fail-1112694940.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov ukraine, russia, special military operation, conflict, blocking detachments, terror tactics, terror, nationalists, troops, ukrainian armed forces, ukrainian army https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/us-military-must-enhance-incentives-to-attract-gen-z-recruits---ex-pentagon-analyst-1112873169.html US Military Must Enhance Incentives to Attract Gen-Z Recruits - Ex-Pentagon Analyst US Military Must Enhance Incentives to Attract Gen-Z Recruits - Ex-Pentagon Analyst Former Defense Department analyst and retired US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski told Sputnik that the US Armed services are unlikely to meet their recruiting goals if they do not increase pay and incentives. 2023-08-25T03:29+0000 2023-08-25T03:29+0000 2023-08-25T03:50+0000 americas americans karen kwiatkowski defense department pentagon iraq afghanistan military recruitment /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107561/44/1075614484_0:97:1024:673_1920x0_80_0_0_cb1abd3dda55414537e38fb461e51879.jpg The US Army, Navy, and Air Force are likely to miss recruiting goals for the second year in a row just as Pentagon data shows the number of young Americans interested in joining the military shrinking. Amid the waning popularity of the military, she added, US leadership must recognize that Gen-Z, those 25 and under, need to be offered real added value or they will find better options. Many of them who pay attention to the US military notice that service senior leadership is less competent, more elitist, and less trustworthy than it was in previous decades, Kwiatkowski said. Not to mention, most Americans, including many veterans, are not impressed with the Pentagon's history of failure in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and elsewhere, the former Defense Department official said. And spending hundreds of billions to spark a war with nuclear powers halfway around the world, without public explanation, she added, will make it a challenge to recruit the traditional American teenager. Kwiatkowski, commenting on reports the Pentagon may let military test applicants use calculators, said making the entrance exams easier to take will only cause bigger problems. Kwiatkowski suggested the Army and the other services themselves do not really know how many recruits they really need in part because the Pentagon is running a jobs program rather than defending the nation. "Pentagon bureaucrats operate much as the Soviet Union and Communist China did in the past - using unrealistic bureaucratic 'five-year plans' that may temporarily serve the leadership, but not the core mission. Perhaps the recruiting targets themselves are far too high for the real defense that is being accomplished," Kwiatkowski said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230823/us-military-recruiting-woes-stem-from-unending-wars-not-likely-to-end-soon-1112803628.html americas iraq afghanistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us military recruitment numbers, gen z in the military, labor shortage, military pay levels https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/wagner-boss-plane-crash-gop-debate-sans-trump-brics-expansion-1112870121.html Wagner Boss Plane Crash; GOP Debate Sans Trump; BRICS Expansion Wagner Boss Plane Crash; GOP Debate Sans Trump; BRICS Expansion The leader of the Wagner PMC is missing after a plane crash in Russia. 2023-08-25T04:05+0000 2023-08-25T04:05+0000 2023-08-25T11:27+0000 the critical hour radio ukraine pmc wagner brics israel niger hawaii julian assange /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/19/1112877277_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_160cb4ac7881bafd8b448bee9725bc28.png Wagner Boss Plane Crash; GOP Debate Sans Trump; BRICS Expansion The leader of the Wagner PMC is missing after a plane crash in Russia. Ted Rall, political cartoonist, syndicated columnist, and host of Final Countdown, joins us to discuss the GOP political debate and the latest tranche of charges against Trump. Ted Rall said that the debate was not informative and people did not get a chance to get any insight into the candidates due to the prevalence of pro forma narrative and hollow rhetoric.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine and Russia. The leader of the Wagner PMC was listed among the passengers of the business jet that crashed in Russia's Tver region on Wednesday. Mark says that the Wagner leader had a lot of enemies but the possibility of technical issues causing the crash can not be eliminated. In other news, the expansion of BRICS is important because many of the new members are energy producers.Margaret Kimberley, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents, joins us to discuss Hawaii and Haiti. President Biden is still getting attacked for his remarks during his trip to Hawaii. Margaret said that President Biden is not of sound mind and body and that the US government does not care about the citizens of the US.KJ Noh, peace activist, writer, and teacher, joins us to discuss China. The White House is setting a new narrative on China arguing that the Chinese economy is crashing. KJ says that most of the metrics mentioned in this report can be applied to Western nations. Additionally, China's economy is set to grow by over 5% this year. This rhetoric boils down to a constant mantra that China is a threat. This is information warfare. The attacks are both racist and unfounded. Also, the GOP debate was about whether China or Russia should be the focus of the US war machine.Laith Marouf, broadcaster, and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. The BRICS coalition is expanding and Algerian leaders are meeting with the new Nigerian government. Laith argues that the geographical locations of the new BRICS members are extremely important as the map reveals a giant group of nations expanding from Asia to Africa. Also, the Algerians visiting Niger show that the Africans are uniting against the imperial and colonial powers.Ajamu Baraka, former VP Candidate of the Green Party, joins us to discuss Africa. The Western war against Africa and Humanity has intensified. Ajamu argues that the Western world is in denial that the world is changing and their denial is causing the shift to increase in speed. Also, he says that the Black Misleadership class uses identity politics to obscure issues of economic class. Also, some African leaders are collaborating with Western leaders to loot the continent and may be willing to use military force to protect their interests.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss Ukraine. A former French president argues that Europe is living dangerously in supporting the Ukraine conflict. Also, Ray fears a nuclear confrontation could take place in Eastern Europe. Ray argues that when the cold weather causes economic and physical pain in Europe, the pressure from the citizens will become unbearable for the political class. He also says that Ukraine can't last without US financial support and the US election cycle will bring politicians to a hard reality.Randy Credico, satirist, civil rights activist, and host of Live on the Fly on PRN and WBAI and Assange Countdown 2 Freedom podcast joins us to discuss Julian Assange. Julian Assange supporters held a vigil at Merrick Garland's home to demand that charges be dropped against the Wikileaks founder. Randy says that the US probably does not want Julian Assange on US property. Randy says that another high court decision in the UK may be forthcoming. He also says that it may be up to the CIA whether Assange comes to the US.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM ukraine israel niger hawaii Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg the critical hour, gop political debate, charges against trump, the expansion of brics, chinese economy, us war machine, julian assange Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) will host a six-dash card on Saturday, Aug. 26 at Connell Park in Woodstock, New Brunswick. First post time is 1 p.m. Saturday's card will feature a double dash that will see previous horses in earlier races go a half-mile race to finish the card in race six. Both the Winners Over top lass and the second heat of the double dash will offer purses of $2,500. Race five has been locked in as the $2,500 feature with a happy group of four pacers set to compete. Day Of Honor (Colin Decourcey) has drawn the favourable post one. Elm Grove Quest will take on the boys from post two for Mark Haig. Rounding out the top class will be Emperor and Jeff Lewis, and Therealprincess for Dr. Mitchell Downey. Race six will see the seven starters from the second and third races on the card return for a $2,500 half-mile dash. Wagering is available through HPIBet, and if fans can't make it to Connell Park, there will be a livestream available on Universum Media's channel on YouTube with selections available on the HRNB website. To view the entries for Saturday's card of harness racing at Connell Park, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodstock, N.B. (HRNB) The richest night of harness racing all summer will be held at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 26) when total purses of $467,400 will be in play for participants of the heavily stake-laden card. Post time for the first of 15 races is at 6 p.m. The New York Sire Stakes will be back in Genesee County, this time featuring both colt and gelding and filly divisions of three-year-old trotters. Those three races alone are worth $234,900 and coupled with three $20,000 divisions of NYSS Excelsior events, totals $294,900 in purses for the state-bred trotters. Also on the card is Batavia Downs signature event, the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace, which has attracted some of the best Open pacers currently racing in North America. The feature races start with one division of NYSS three-year-old male trotters going to post for a jackpot of $119,800 and includes two top trotters from their division going postward. Kierkegaard K (Chapter Seven-Gone Baby Gone) has four wins this year including two NYSS events and an elimination of the MGM Yonkers Trot. But he also won the Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs in 1:50.3. That mark has him tied as the fastest three-year-old trotter of either gender to this point of 2023 with Hambletonian winner Tactical Approach and Hambletonian Oaks winner Heaven Hanover. As if that line on his resume isnt enough, with his earnings of $209,351, Kierkegaard K is also the 11th highest earner in North America among all three-year-old trotters. After making a break in his Hambletonian elimination at the end of July, Kierkegaard K came back with a NYSS win and a third place finish in the Beal Memorial at Mohegan Sun Pocono last week, bringing him into this race off two solid efforts and looking like the one to beat. Kierkegaard K starts from post three with Mark MacDonald in the bike for trainer Ake Svanstedt. Chapercraz (Crazy Wow-Chaperess) has also had a big year with three wins, including two NYSS outings. But the gelding was only a little over two lengths away from having three more wins and all in very big races. Chapercraz finished second by a head in the MGM Yonkers Trot elimination, second by three-quarters of a length in that final and second by 1-1/4 lengths in the Zweig Trot at Vernon. But all those seconds still paid well and as a result, Chapercraz is currently the seventh richest three-year-old trotter in North America. After not missing the board in eight consecutive starts, Chapercraz got stung last week at Saratoga, parked four-deep into turn one before getting the lead past the :27.1 quarter. But he never saw the pylons until the three-eighths and that took its toll at the end of the mile and gave him his first out since May. Chapercraz looks to rebound from post four with Joe Bongiorno in the bike for trainer Ron Burke. Next are two NYSS divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies. The first group goes for $57,000 and none of the five fillies have won a NYSS event this year. Five Fish Species (Chapter Seven-Stylemaker) comes into this race on a tear, winning three out of her last four starts including two Excelsior races. She is making her first NYSS start here for trainer Megan Scran who has Mark MacDonald in the bike from post three. Usosweet Blue Chip (Devious Man-Twin B Kisses) finished second in the NYSS at Yonkers last week, has one Excelsior win earlier this year and is the highest 2023 earner of this group. Marcus Miller will drive from post two for his father, trainer Erv Miller. On The House (Chapter Seven-On Your Tab) has drawn terribly in her last three NYSS events but still was able to grab two cheques. Prior to that she was a willing winner from post one in an overnight at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Here she drew post four for trainer Ake Svanstedt who has Jim Morrill Jr. In the sulky. The second division is a six-horse affair going for $58,100 and Royal Filly looks to get the most attention from the bettors. Royal Filly (Chapter Seven-Swinging Royalty) is a four-time winner this year, including a victory in the Empire Breeders Classic and three NYSS races, two of which came in her last three starts. Her $190,697 in earnings has her the fifth richest and her mark of 1:52 has her the eighth fastest three-year-old trotting filly in North America to this point. Royal Filly has drawn post one and trainer Tony Alagna has Tyler Buter back in the bike for this outing. Woolco (Chapter Seven-Upside Hanover) is also a four-time winner and they were at both NYSS and Excelsior levels. And aside from one unfortunate break, Woolco has been first or second six out of her seven starts this year. Leaving from post six, trainer Bob Krivelin has Jim Morrill Jr. at the lines for the second time this year. The first outing with Morrill was a win. Canterbury Hanover (Chapter Seven-Charmed Life) is another consistent performer with a win, second and third in her last three starts and all in NYSS action. She is the second highest earner among this group and is poised to make a strong statement. It will be a homecoming of sorts for trainer/driver Jeff Gregory who started his career at Batavia Downs. Canterbury Hanover drew post four. Finally, the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace has drawn what appears to be the toughest overall field in the 17-year history of the race. Covered Bridge (pictured above) ships in fresh off a win in the 64th Gold Cup and Saucer at Charlottetown Driving Park last week. After winning his elimination in 1:51.2 by four lengths, Covered Bridge came back in the final from post nine and won the final in 1:50.3 after being parked out four-deep at three-quarters. Covered Bridge also took a seasonal mark of 1:49.4 at Yonkers in June. His 13 wins this year have earned him $425,110. Jordan Stratton will be at the lines again for owner/trainer Mark Ford and will start from post five. Rocknroll Runa A (Rock N Roll Heaven-Shes A Runa) has excelled on half-mile tracks since landing in North America and you neednt look any further back than his last three starts for proof as he has been dominant in the Open at Yonkers. He also finished second in consecutive weeks at Plainridge Park while chasing two track records in those races. His extreme tactical speed and middle of the pack draw makes him very dangerous in here. Jason Bartlett will drive Rocknroll Runa A from post six for trainer Larry Stalbaum. The field of eight also features millionaires This Is The Plan ($3,167,471) and None Bettor A ($1,145,227), 12-time 2023 winner Idealsomemagic A and last weeks Batavia Downs Open winner and recent import, Mirragon A. The Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace is named in honour of the former chairman of the Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) and his vision for a defunct racetrack. In 1998 Robert Kane saw the opportunity for WROTB to keep harness racing alive in Western New York and convinced the group to purchase the shuttered Batavia Downs. He then worked diligently for four years to obtain a racing license from the state of New York in order to re-open the track in 2002. With the improvement of the live racing product, multiple expansions of the gaming floor and addition of the top-rated hotel in the years since the acquisition, what once was an empty building is now the pre-eminent attraction in all of Genesee County and that is due to the vision of Robert J. Kane. Families are encouraged to bring the kids early on Saturday to have their picture taken with one of the Budweiser Clydesdales, who will be on hand from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a track-side meet and greet. Also, there will be a Kane Memorial T-Shirt giveaway that night. You must be a Players Club member and swipe your card (starting at 4:30 p.m.) to receive a slip redeemable after the seventh race. (Batavia Downs) A former registered nurse at Culpeper MedExpress, who is an advocate for the essential profession, is speaking out amid national reports that the urgent care center is eliminating all nursing positions nationwide. Malynda, who asked that her last name not be used, moved to Culpeper in 2015 with her husband and three children. She attended Chancellor High School in Fredericksburg before graduating nursing school at Germanna Community College at the end of 2019. Malynda began her nursing career at the Culpeper hospital at the start of a global pandemic. She said she left the hospital for a mental break after working through much of the worst of COVID and went to work at the MedExpress, which opened in 2013 on South Main St. It is really busy at MedExpress. We saw anywhere from 80-100 people usually, she said of her daily load. Malynda worked for more than a year and a half at the local urgent care center until June when she sensed something was off. She said the nurses felt like they were being pushed out. We were told that once an RN quits that another one will not be hired ... I made the decision to look for another job, Malynda said. I was sad to feel like I had to leave. I feel like the company chooses profits over patient care every day and I feel like my knowledge and skill set is overlooked. Headquartered in West Virginia, MedExpress operates hundreds of locations across the U.S. The company did not address specifics of nursing layoffs at the Culpeper location in a response to a request for information from the Culpeper Star-Exponent. Minnesota-based Optum is the parent company. MedExpress spokesperson Kristin Anderson, with Optum, provided a statement, also provided to other media outlets, about the reported nursing cuts. MedExpress continually assesses and evolves our staffing models to better reflect urgent care industry standards. As always, we will support team members affected with job placement resources and seek to deploy them where possible to any open roles within the company," Anderson stated. According to Malynda, RNs are the only ones allowed to give muscular medication, high alert medications, read TB tests and insert IVs at MedExpress. They are now depending on the doctors to do these things which they stated they were not happy about, she said. Malynda holds an associates of science with a major in nursing and is one class away from her bachelors degree. While at MedExpress, she said she wanted to return to bedside care and missed working at the local hospital. Malynda said is lucky to have gotten hired back at UVA Culpeper Medical Center since leaving the urgent care center. She added she is grateful they had some kind of warning so all the nurses she worked with could find new jobs. MedExpress was a great place to work and I will miss all my coworkers there tremendously, Malynda said. She previously worked night shift before leaving the hospital. "Now Im on day shift. Everyone at the hospital is so welcoming, warm and encouraging that it just felt like coming home," she said. More than 3,500 people, including the Culpeper nurse, have signed a Change.org petition, started Aug. 14, asking to reverse the decision to fire all nurses at MedExpress Urgent Care nationwide. I think nurses play a vital role in any healthcare setting because we are trained to recognize when situations are critical and able to do more within our scope of practice to know what to do in those situations, Malynda said. I think they have many smart (medical assistants) that work there, but not all have the same licensing as each other. MedExpress Urgent Care announced plans Aug. 11 to eliminate registered nurse positions at nearly 150 locations across the U.S., according to nurse.org, a top source for nursing news compiled by nurses. The surprise layoffs are part of a larger restructuring by the company to revamp staffing models and cut costs, the website reported. The past two years, the Culpeper nurse has marched alongside thousands of others in her profession in Washington, at the National Nurses March. The annual assembly raises voices for safe patient ratios and to encourage lawmakers to pass laws to keep healthcare workers safe from violent patients or families, Malynda stated. The more patients a nurse takes on the higher the risk for error, Malynda said, commenting on the march. I think that the only way to be heard is to stand up for yourself and others who may be afraid to voice their concerns for fear of retaliation. The marches are held during National Nurses Week in May, usually on Florence Nightingales birthday, she said. South African parliament welcomes avocado export agreement with China Xinhua) 10:15, August 25, 2023 CAPE TOWN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The South African parliament issued a statement on Thursday night to welcome an avocado export agreement with China, calling it "concrete evidence of the immense benefits that BRICS holds for us and all our partners." According to the South African Avocado Growers' Association, estimated three-year average annual avocado production in South Africa is 139,400 tons, 45 percent of which is exported fresh to Europe. With the opening of the Chinese market, South Africa has an opportunity to further expand its avocado plantings, which will greatly contribute to employment through direct jobs on farms and indirectly through downstream opportunities, said the statement. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24) Travelers can complain to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) if they miss their flights due to lengthy inspections with immigration officers, an official said Thursday. In a briefing, DOJ Undersecretary and IACAT head Nicholas Ty said there will be a 45-second time limit for the primary inspection and 15 minutes for the secondary inspection. "Ideally, masundan 'yung mga time limits na 'yun [these time limits will be followed] and I think BI (Bureau of Immigration) is making a point to ensure that the traveler is able to have an opportunity to depart," Ty explained. "Pwede kayo mag-reklamo sa amin [You can complain to us]," he added. The DOJ will commit to look into the case and investigate the immigration officer concerned, according to Ty. Over the past months, there have been reports on social media of travelers who missed their flights due to lengthy questioning by immigration officers. Another traveler detailed online how she missed her flight after an officer asked for her yearbook. READ: BI apologizes after traveler missed flight due to lengthy immigration interview The IACAT recently issued revised guidelines for international-bound Filipinos, citing the need for stricter rules to combat human trafficking. Complaints over the fresh set of guidelines have surfaced after their release, with a lawmaker saying the additional requirements are too burdensome. READ: What you need to know about the new requirements for Filipinos traveling overseas "A careful comparison of the revised departure formalities with the former rules reveals that we have not imposed any additional burden on outbound international travelers," DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano also said in the briefing. "Instead, what the revised departure formalities have achieved is a formalization and streamlining of the existing requirements that pertain to different categories of travelers," Clavano added. According to Clavano, "95%" of travelers would only be required to produce basic documentation such as a passport, boarding pass, confirmed return ticket, and a visa when necessary. Ty, on the other hand, stated that passengers will only be asked to show proof of financial capacity if there are warning signs. "If seasoned traveler ka na, at kita ng BI na madalas ka labas-pasok at umuuwi ka naman at hindi ka naghahanap ng trabaho, tingin ko safe na to say the basic documents are enough," Ty said. [Translation: If you are a seasoned traveler, and the BI sees that you often go out of the country but come back home, and you are not looking for a job abroad, I think it's safe to say the basic documents are enough.] Prakash Ghosh Vs Commissioner of Customs (CESTAT Kolkata) CESTAT Kolkata held that duty demand alleging overvaluation cannot be sustained as authority didnt considered details of Bank Realisation Certificate (BRC) which establishes full realization of value of export invoices from overseas importer. Facts- The Appellant has exported 12 consignments of synthetic fabrics during the period December 2009 and February 2010. For these consignments, the Appellants have utilized the benefit of DEPB Scheme granted under FTP. The exports of the Appellant to Bangladesh were required to be certified by certifying Agency SGS India Pvt. Ltd. It was alleged that the value shown in the invoice submitted to SGS, was much lesser than the values as shown in the ultimate 12 Invoices and Bill of Exports used by the the Appellant. Show Cause Notice was issued on the ground that the value of the 12 consignments was Rs 19,55,487/- as per the Report of SGS, whereas the Appellant has shown the value at Rs.6,62,01,312/- in the Invoices and Bill of Exports to gain undue excess benefit of DEPB Licence. After due process, the Adjudicating Authority confirmed the demands and penalties. Being aggrieved, the Appellants are before the Tribunal. Conclusion- Held that the Department has not undertaken any other investigation towards the purchase cost given by the Appellant. The realized price and the purchase price cited by the Appellant more or less match giving no scope to over-value the consignment, much less over-value it by 330%. The Adjudicating Authority has also not considered the details of BRC submitted by the Appellant to the effect that they have fully realized the value of the export invoices from the overseas importer. FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT KOLKATA ORDER The Appellant has exported 12 consignments of synthetic fabrics during the period December 2009 and February 2010. For these consignments, the Appellants have utilized the benefit of DEPB Scheme granted under FTP. The exports of the Appellant to Bangladesh were required to be certified by certifying Agency SGS India Pvt. Ltd. The DRI officials have investigated the case and have found that SGS India Ltd. have tested the consignment in respect of one invoice. The Invoice available with SGS India was indicating the entire quantity which was shown in 12 Shipping Bills individually and separately. The value shown in the invoice submitted to SGS, was much lesser than the values as shown in the ultimate 12 Invoices and Bill of Exports used by the the Appellant. Show Cause Notice was issued on the ground that the value of the 12 consignments was Rs 19,55,487/- as per the Report of SGS, whereas the Appellant has shown the value at Rs.6,62,01,312/- in the Invoices and Bill of Exports to gain undue excess benefit of DEPB Licence. 2. Alleging that by such overvaluation, the Appellant has taken undue benefit of obtaining excess valued DEPB Licence from the DGFT, the Show Cause Notice was issued to the Appellant and other co-noticees. After due process, the Adjudicating Authority confirmed the demands and penalties. Being aggrieved, the Appellants are before the Tribunal. 3. The Learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the Appellants submits that the rate of synthetic fabric was valued at US$ 2 & 2.10 per meter when the exports took place during December 2009 and February 2010. He submits that in respect of all the 12 export consignments, the Appellants have received the export proceedings through the bank. The BRC Certificates issued by the bank were also submitted before the Adjudicating Authority. This proves that whatever value was taken by the Appellant in the Invoices was also approved by the buyer, who has made the payments for such export invoices. The Appellants have produced copies of the purchase documents during the relevant period to show that the purchase price at that time was about Rs. 85 to 95 per metre in the Indian Market. He submits that the exports were made after issuance of Let export order issued by the Customs officials and there was no objection at any point of time about the declared value of the consignments. 4. The Learned Advocate submits that the Department is taking the stand that SGS has given them Report dated 24/02/2013 which was not supplied to them at any point of time. He submits that the Department has taken the stand that the Appellant has enhanced the value by 330% in the Invoices for the Exported Consignment to Bangladesh. He submits that the Department has failed to address the issue when the Appellants have submitted that the purchase price of fabric itself was between Rs. 85 to 95 per meter at that particular point of time. If the Department has checked the purchase price vis-a-vis the price charged by the Appellant for their export consignment, they could have easily come to a conclusion that the Appellant was operating with a very small margin. If the value taken by the Department for such export consignment is considered, which is about 330 % less than the value cited by the Appellant, it would be obvious that within that price even the purchase of the fabric in India would have been absolutely impossible. Further, he submits that the very fact that the overseas importer has honored all their export consignment and have made all the payments and the same are reflected in the BRCs issued by the banks shows that it was a genuine transaction wherein the value as shown in the invoices have been actually realized by the Appellant. He submits that apart from solely relying on the purported report given by SGS, which has also not been given to the Appellant, the Department has not brought in any other corroborative evidence to the effect that the consignments which were exported to Bangladesh were inflated by 330%. They also did not verify the purchase details given by the Appellant which would have shown that there was absolutely no higher marking-up of the consignments when they were cleared to Bangladesh. Therefore, he submits that the entire proceedings were initiated by the Department on presumptions and assumptions basis without any corroborative evidence whatsoever. Even the SGS Report purportedly used relied upon by the Department has not been provided to the Appellant so that they were not in a position to counter the same. The Department has not disputed that for all the 12 consignments, the Appellants have received the foreign remittance and BRCs were submitted to the Department. 5. The Learned Advocate also relies on the case law of CCE, New Customs House, Mumbai Vs. Vishal Exports Overseas Ltd.-2007 (209) E.L.T. 331 (S.C.). He submits that in this case, the Supreme Court has held when other evidence in the form of proper bank realization statement and purchase details have been brought in by the party, the same cannot be ignored by the Department when they are trying the enhance the value of the exported consignment by 450%. He submits that the case law is squarely covered in their favour. Accordingly, the Learned Advocate prays that the present Appeals may be allowed. 6. The Learned AR reiterates the findings of the lower authorities. He further submits that the Invoice given to SGS for inspection shows much lesser value than what the Appellant has shown for the export of these 12 consignments. The quantity totally shown in the Invoice available with the SGS differs with the quantity of the 12 Invoices used for exports. The total value shown in that one of the Invoice given to SGS was the actual Invoice value in each of the 12 invoices individually. Thus, the Appellant has easily inflated the price by at least 12 times. By such inflated and overvalued exported consignment, the Appellant has unduly taken excess benefit of the DEPB Scheme granted under FTP. In view of the same, the AR submits that the present Appeals are required to be dismissed. 7. Heard both sides and perused the documents. 8. Admittedly, the Department has obtained the details from SGS India towards inspection carried out by them for the consignments. The value shown in the invoices available with SGS is lesser than the total value of the invoices and export documents raised by the Appellant on the overseas importer. Prima facie, it is seen that the values are different between the Invoices available with the SGS and the export invoices raised by the Appellant. But on their own, they do not prove whether the exports were done at a much higher value or were overvalued. The Appellant has provided details of BRC towards the realization of export proceeds. These BRCs which are filed by the Appellant before the Adjudicating Authority and Tribunal show that in respect of each and every export Invoice and Bill of Exports, the Appellant has been able to get the full realization from the overseas importer, in foreign currency and the same has been converted into Indian rupees by the receiving bank in India. The very fact that the overseas importer has accepted the value cited by the Appellant in the invoices and has honored the payment and has made the full payment, would show that he does not treat that the value of the imported consignment as inflated or overvalued. The data towards the purchase rate of such fabric in India has been provided by the Appellant to be at Rs. 85 to 95 per Meter in India. The Department has not made any effort to verify as to what was the purchase price in India for such fabric. When the appellant provides such details from their side, it is important for the Department to carry out further investigation to find out whether the purchase price shown by the Appellant was correct or not. This was not done at that particular point of time. The Department contends that the sale value was inflated by about 330%. For this, they should have checked what is the price of such fabric in India. If the figures of Rs.85 to 95 per meter as given by the Appellant towards the purchase is taken, the same would have the value of about USD 2 at that point of time. When the sale price of USD 2 or 2.10 is considered, we do not see any over valuation. As per the present calculation of the Department, the sale price should be less than 10 Cents if 330% over valuation is to be considered. In this case, apart from relying on the Invoices found with SGS, no other corroborative evidence in whatever form has been brought in by Department to fortify their allegation. 9. The Honble Supreme court in the case of Vishal Exports Overseas Ltd. cited supra has held as under:- 3. The Assistant Commissioner of Customs proceeded against the assessee by alleging that the assessee had mis-declared the FOB value at US $3.40 (Rs. 150/-) per piece. It was the view of the Department that the price was inflated to get more DEPB benefit. The original order ensued wherein it was held that the export price was not genuine considering the local purchase price to be Rs. 35/- per piece only. It was held that the export price could not be as high as Rs. 157/- (450%) and that it was unlikely that there would be such a vast variation between the domestic price and export price acceptable in the competitive export market. By making his own calculations, the FOB price was computed and fixed at Rs. 80/- per piece in place of Rs. 157/- per piece by the Assistant Commissioner. It was further ordered that the assessee would be entitled to DEPB credit on the basis of the FOB price of Rs. 80/- per piece and not at the sale price. Holding the declared FOB price of Rs. 157/- per piece or US $3.40 per piece a mis-declaration, the Assistant Commissioner held that the goods were liable to be confiscated and the penalty under Section 114 of the Customs Act was also ordered. 9. The first contention of the appellant herein to the effect that the FOB value being 450% more than the purchase value is unreasonable and cannot be accepted for the simple reason that there is no evidence on record to support such a contention. The Tribunal has also specifically held so and returned a final finding of fact that the FOB price was correctly shown by the assessee . Learned counsel for the appellant could not show us anything concrete in support of his contention. From the orders of the first and the appellate authorities nothing can be found to hold that the FOB price was excessive or not genuine. The Tribunal has also given a finding that the Adjudicating Authority has arbitrarily computed the FOB value and have fixed the credit on that basis. We accept findings of the Tribunal in the absence of any concrete evidence having been put to support the contention of the learned counsel that the FOB price is inflated. In this behalf we cannot ignore the documents supplied by the assessee before the Revenue which we have already mentioned earlier. It is not a case of the Revenue that the assessee has not received the FOB price at all. That is clear from the BRCs. Therefore, the FOB price is supported amply by the BRCs with which no fault is found. Once that is clear, there will be no question to hold that the FOB is inflated. [Emphasis supplied] 10. We find that in this case also, the Department has not undertaken any other investigation towards the purchase cost given by the Appellant. The realized price and the purchase price cited by the Appellant more or less match giving no scope to over-value the consignment, much less over-value it by 330%. The Adjudicating Authority has also not considered the details of BRC submitted by the Appellant to the effect that they have fully realized the value of the export invoices from the overseas importer. The case law of Vishal Exports Overseas Ltd. cited by the Appellant is squarely applicable to the facts of the present case. 11. Accordingly, we set aside the impugned order and allow the Appeals filed by the Appellants with consequential relief, if any, as per law. (Pronounced in the open court on 18/08/2023) Lequoya Elliott describes herself as the behind the scenes person in the community. Since she was a young girl in 1992, shes been going into Vancouvers homeless camps, serving people hot meals and handing out supplies. For many years, Elliott did that work as part of her mothers nonprofit that used to operate in Vancouver, Hands that Help and Heal Foundation. After her mother moved to Arizona, Elliott wanted to carry on that service. Its always just been in my heart, Elliott said. If I can do it, I would give you my own pair of shoes on my feet. She started her own nonprofit in November 2020 and called it Changing Hearts Foundation. Once a month, she goes to homeless camps and gives out hygiene kits, sleeping bags, blankets, flashlights and whatever else she can afford to buy with the money shes raised. Elliott said her goal isnt just to give people supplies but to show them that someone cares about them. Its the concept behind her nonprofits name and logo healing broken hearts. If you dont have nobody in your corner, always know that you have us there, she said. People whom she and her mother helped during Elliotts childhood still come up to her, Elliott said. She remembers running into one woman a few years ago at Walmart who called out to her and her mother. Elliott didnt remember her at first, until the woman said she and her mother had given her the dress she had on. They had helped her years ago when she was homeless, and she was now housed and had reconnected with her children, Elliott said. Elliotts mother, Danielle Buford, said moments like that are what sparked her daughter to carry on the work she did as a child. You never know who youre going to encounter, Buford said. One little thing you do can change somebodys life. Elliott and her mother sat side by side, reminiscing over old stories of their work together after their friends and family finished organizing thousands of school supplies for that weekends back-to-school giveaway to low income families. Her mom was visiting from Arizona to help Elliott prepare for the event, where she gave away more than 200 backpacks. The Changing Hearts team is small only around five people made of family and friends. Elliott has devoted her life to this kind of work, but she still struggles with finding funds and volunteers. Her husband often pays for the supplies, she said. Most of her fundraising is done by selling shirts or asking for donations in front of grocery stores. Getting permission to be there can be difficult, she said. Many grocery stores have denied her request to set up a table, though shes come back to those same stores to see Girl Scouts selling cookies, she said. When she finds a store that will allow her to fundraise, Elliott said, she has to deal with another challenge to getting donations: harassment. Elliott and Buford, who are Black, said theyve been called racial slurs and scam artists by people walking by their donation table. People have asked store managers to kick them out, Elliott said. We get a lot of harassment, but we keep pursuing and pressing forward, Elliott said. Buford said shes encouraged her daughter to not let what people say dampen her spirit. I implanted in my daughter you keep that heart changed. Dont let this society or anything make you hard, Buford said. Tara Verde-Trejo, a volunteer with Changing Hearts Foundation, said she hopes other nonprofits would be willing to team up so they can provide enough supplies to everyone at the camps that need it. If more people would just work together, could you imagine what could be done? she asked. Elliott is looking into hiring a grant writer to fill some of those funding gaps and hopes to get more volunteers to help fundraise and pass out goods. Eventually, she hopes to buy apartments to help people, especially veterans, exiting homelessness. To let them live and be happy in a clean and beautiful environment thats my goal, Elliott said. A second man charged in connection to a Woodland drive-by shooting in May pleaded guilty Wednesday to multiple charges and was sentenced to three years. Thomas Henry Lewis, 40, of Woodland, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault with a firearm enhancement and drive-by shooting, as well as first-degree rendering criminal assistance to his co-conspirator and brother David Wayne Lewis, 42, of Kalispell, Montana. Thomas Henry Lewis admitted to being an accomplice to the shooting; he drove the SUV his brother fired shots from, according to the plea deal. Thomas Henry Lewis was sentenced to three years in state prison and 18 months of community custody. He must obtain a substance-abuse evaluation and could pay up to $75,000 in restitution. Presiding Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Michael Evans, wearing his customary bow tie, said the incident just cant exist in our community. Its quite frightening (that) people go to such extreme measures, he said. The incident occurred on May 20 at an Astro gas station in Woodland when a verbal altercation became physical and escalated into a car chase that included gunfire. The victim told authorities a man who assaulted him at the gas station was the same person who shot at him, a police report states, and one of the bullets grazed his right leg. When the victim arrived at the Woodland police station on a recommendation from the 911 dispatcher, his vehicle was riddled with bullet holes, and its rear windshield broken, the report states. Thomas Henry Lewis was detained in Flathead County, Montana. His brother pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement and drive-by shooting. He was sentenced to about 10 years in state prison plus three years of community custody for his involvement in the shooting. Longview police apprehend an Oregon man Monday suspected of driving under the influence and traveling in the wrong direction. According to Longview Police Sgt. Tim Watson, Joshua Molash, 35, of Estacada, Oregon, faces multiple charges, from resisting arrest, obstruction, and driving under the influence. The incident transpired before 9 p.m. when officers of the Longview Police Department and troopers from the Washington State Patrol rushed to the intersection of Third Avenue and Tennant Way. Several people called 911 to report a driver, later identified as Molash, operating a white Isuzu box truck, going in the wrong direction on Tennant Way. One driver reported they were nearly struck head on by a box truck, which was described traveling at highway speeds, said Watson. Watson said via email that Molash showed signs of impairment when Longview police officers initially approached him while he was in the drivers seat and his vehicle was stopped on the side of the road near Third Avenue and Tennant Way. When police arrested Molash, he allegedly attempted to flee but was tackled to the ground, resulting in minor facial injuries, said Watson. After obtaining a search warrant from a district court judge to obtain a blood sample from Molash, the sample was later sent to the crime lab for analysis to determine possible alcohol and drug concentration. Molash was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail and has since been released, according to the jail website. A judge set bail Thursday at $250,000 for a woman accused of driving drunk and crashing into a west Vancouver house, killing a woman inside. Karen Baker, 52, appeared in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence. Court records do not list her city of residence. She is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 6. Deputy Prosecutor Scott Ikata said Baker has no known criminal history. She appeared via Zoom from the Clark County Jail in a wheelchair. Vancouver police responded at 6:38 p.m. Aug. 3 to a crash at West Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fruit Valley Road. An officer on scene reported a Hyundai Sonata crashed into a house, and a person was trapped under the car. Police observed a fence around the house was broken in multiple places, and the vehicle had driven through the glass door of the house, according to a probable cause affidavit. Paramedics pronounced the woman who had been struck, identified as Danielle A. Abrahams, 37, dead at the scene, court records state. Officers said an emotional Baker was out of the car when they arrived. They later said Baker was yelling at paramedics as they tried to help her, according to the affidavit. A witness told officers they saw the Hyundai speeding before hitting a curb and then crashing into the house. Video from the house also captured the crash. The witnesss description of the driver matched Bakers appearance, investigators said. A neighbor who was outside at the time also identified Baker as the driver of the Hyundai, according to court records. Officers said Bakers mood was erratic, and she showed signs of impairment. Baker told them she had just left a bar where she was drinking. At one point, an officer said Baker yelled at them, Im (expletive) drunk, the affidavit states. Baker was placed on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance. She was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where staff said she suffered a broken back. A sample of her blood was sent to the state crime lab for toxicology testing, according to court records. On Wednesday, Bakers family contacted police to tell them she had been released from the hospital and would turn herself in. Officers met Baker at the jail, where she was booked, the affidavit states. Abrahams family created a GoFundMe to raise money for legal costs and to help Abrahams husband and brother, who were displaced by the crash. The fundraiser can be found at gofund.me/a9612dea. Last month, Jordan Barbeaus husband left their Northwest Portland home to take their dogs, Rosie and Bodhi, on an evening walk. They made it only to the other side of the street before an aggressive raccoon lunged at them. That raccoon may still be roaming the neighborhood weeks later, and 36-year-old Barbeau and others are escalating their warnings after a second raccoon attack sent a woman to the emergency room with two bites this month. Its unsettling, said Barbeau. On July 16, a raccoon emerged from the bushes across the street from Barbeaus home at Northwest Johnson Street and 22nd Avenue and charged at her husband and the couples dogs without warning, Barbeau said. The raccoon clung to Rosie, a 73-pound husky and malamute mix, dug into her chest, tore her ear and bit her face. The raccoon left puncture wounds in the other dogs leg. The attack was caught on video. Her husband was not injured. From that point on, the couple walked the dogs together and carried flashlights at night. They also contacted the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Barbeau then set traps the wildlife department loaned her, near her back patio and garage. A few weeks later, on Aug.1, a raccoon that Barbeau said she believes is the one that mauled her pets, attacked a woman walking her dog outside Barbeaus home. Video footage shows the woman screaming for help and the dog barking wildly. The woman, who lives in the area, was bitten twice and went to the emergency room, Barbeau said. We heard the screaming outside, and my heart just dropped, she said. We went out and sure enough this raccoon was attacking this woman and her dog. After the attack, Barbeau spotted a pack of five raccoons on surveillance footage of her backyard. Officials said the aggressive raccoon is likely a protective mother, and that it sees the dogs as threats. Raccoons that attack people and pets or are desensitized to humans must be euthanized, according to the wildlife department. Barbeau hired a third-party wildlife control company to help capture the animals. But the animals were smart enough to dodge the catch-and-release traps Barbeau set up in her yard. Barbeau caught two of the younger raccoons in a different trap over the weekend. Wildlife officials euthanized those two raccoons, which is standard practice, according to Benjamin Cate, a wildlife biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. They had lost wariness of people and pets, Cate said in an email. It is illegal in Oregon to relocate raccoons because they can spread disease, and often dont survive in a new environment, Cate said. A third raccoon was found dead in the neighborhood Aug. 5, Barbeau said. If you have been bitten by a raccoon or another animal, seek medical attention immediately. Make sure your pets are up to date on all vaccines. People can report bites and aggressive behavior to the wildlife department and their local county health department, Cate said. The wildlife department said people should stay aware of their surroundings and do their best to keep their pets away from wild animals. Officials said to avoid putting your body between your pet and an aggressive animal if they do begin fighting. Officials recommend standing back and giving the animal a route to escape. People also should avoid feeding raccoons, or leaving food outside that the raccoons can access. If you need assistance with a wild animal, you can call the wildlife department for advice. They can refer you to licensed wildlife control professionals. While she doesnt want to see the animals harmed, Barbeau said theyre too dangerous and unpredictable. She hopes to catch the larger raccoon in the coming weeks. The raccoon has no fear around dogs or people, she said. The attacks that have happened, shes not cornered and no one is between her and her babies, and she decides that anyone who has a dog within sight is too close. TikTok agreed to moderate content carried on the popular social-media platform in Kenya, the East African nation's president said after meeting Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew. The announcement follows last week's move by the country's parliament to investigate the use of TikTok after receiving a petition demanding it be banned for promoting violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, vulgar language and offensive behavior. This new development means that inappropriate or offensive content will be expunged from the platform, the presidency said on its website after a virtual meeting between President William Ruto and TikTok executives. The app, which has more than 1 billion users worldwide, continues to face potential bans in its major markets including the US and the European Union. In the US, lawmakers have proposed multiple bills that could block its use, and the Federal government has an outstanding security review on its data privacy practices. Somalia's government this week suspended TikTok and Telegram, arguing they promote immorality and terrorism. Senegal has also suspended TikTok over concerns that it's being used to fuel violent protests. For the first time, scientists capture mysterious dark spot in Neptune's atmosphere from Earth August 25, 2023 22:23 A team of researchers led by Patrick Irwin from the University of Oxford seized a remarkable opportunity to unlock the enigmatic nature of dark spots on Neptune. These perplexing formations first caught the attention of scientists in 2018 when an inky blemish emerged in the planet's atmosphere, prompting a determined quest for answers. The saga of Neptune's dark spots traces back to 1989 when Voyager 2 ventured to the distant ice giant. The spacecraft unveiled a colossal anticyclonic vortex spanning thousands of miles in diameter, embellishing Neptune's northern hemisphere. However, this intriguing vortex vanished into obscurity over time, leaving astronomers baffled. Over subsequent years, the Hubble Space Telescope witnessed a series of analogous dark spots emerging and dissipating across both hemispheres of Neptune. While superficially resembling Jupiter's famed Great Red Spot, these Neptunian counterparts exhibited a stark contrast. The Great Red Spot has endured for over three and a half centuries, adorning Jupiter's upper atmosphere, while Neptune's ephemeral dark spots lingered for just a few years, concealed deeper within the ice giant's gaseous cloak. The pivotal moment arrived in 2018 when Hubble detected yet another enigmatic dark spot on Neptune's surface. Promptly, Irwin's team leaped into action, capitalizing on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) equipped with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument, positioned in the Chilean desert. This groundbreaking combination allowed them to not only spot the elusive entity but also conduct a three-dimensional spectroscopic analysis, unraveling the intricacies of its behavior at various atmospheric depths. Published recently on August 24 in the journal Nature Astronomy, the team's findings shed light on the origin of Neptune's dark spots, which had hitherto eluded comprehensive understanding. "Since the first discovery of a dark spot, Ive always wondered what these short-lived and elusive dark features are," remarked Irwin, encapsulating the team's collective curiosity. The investigation relied on the principle that different wavelengths of light can probe distinct layers of Neptune's atmosphere, dictated by its composition and reflective properties. Employing MUSE, the team constructed a three-dimensional reflection spectrum, spotlighting how sunlight interacts with the planet's atmosphere at varying depths. Notably, the newly identified dark spot, named NDS-2018, nestled within an atmospheric zone exhibiting minimal light reflection. This finding debunked the notion that the dark spot merely unveiled hidden darker layers beneath Neptune's clouds. Intriguingly, the team proposed that the presence of aerosol haze within the atmosphere played a pivotal role in the dark spot's appearance. Their observations positioned the dark spot around a depth of 5 bars, a layer where hydrogen sulfide can crystallize into ice. The researchers posited two plausible explanations for this phenomenon. One proposition involves an upwelling at the vortex's center, transporting hydrogen sulfide from deeper layers to higher altitudes. Upon interaction with solar ultraviolet light, the gas reacts, causing the atmosphere to darken. Alternatively, the hydrogen sulfide might condense around darker particles, with anticyclonic conditions inducing local heating and subsequent sublimation, unveiling the hidden particles. Unexpectedly, VLT's observations revealed an additional revelationan adjacent bright spot, designated DBS-2019, positioned on the southwest edge of the dark spot. Michael Wong, a planetary scientist from the University of California, Berkeley, part of Irwin's team, expressed amazement at discovering a previously unidentified deep, bright cloud type. Bright spots in Neptune's atmosphere are not entirely novel, but DBS-2019 distinguishes itself by sharing an altitude with the dark spot. This proximity suggests potential convective processes, possibly expelling brighter material from the icy depths below. Regrettably, both the dark and bright spots vanished in 2022, leaving Neptune's atmosphere devoid of their fleeting presence. The abrupt disappearance may be attributed to the sun's solar cycle and a decline in photoionizing ultraviolet light during the solar minimum of 2019. This absence of crucial influences could lead to the gradual fading of Neptune's cloud coverage. As experts anticipate solar maximum in 2024-2025, they speculate a resurgence in the planet's atmospheric activity. For now, astronomers must await the emergence of fresh dark spots to resume their investigations from Earth's vantage point. The tantalizing prospect of a future space mission akin to Voyager 2's odyssey beckons, holding the promise of unveiling Neptune's secrets once more. The research paper published on August 24 in the journal Nature Astronomy stands as a testament to humanity's unyielding pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A China-based hacking group named "Flax Typhoon" has targeted dozens of Taiwanese government agencies with the likely aim of spying on them, Microsoft has revealed. Taiwan has long accused Chinawhich claims the self-ruled island as its territoryof espionage through cyberattacks on its government networks. Microsoft said Thursday that Flax Typhoon, "a nation-state actor based out of China", has since mid-2021 mainly "targeted government agencies and education, critical manufacturing, and information technology organizations in Taiwan". The activities observed suggest "the threat actor intends to perform espionage and maintain access to organizations across a broad range of industries for as long as possible," the US tech giant said in a blog post. "However, Microsoft has not observed Flax Typhoon act on final objectives in this campaign." China has long vowed to take Taiwanby force if necessaryand has stepped up military and political pressure on the island. In addition to government agencies, Microsoft said Flax Typhoon has also targeted "critical manufacturing and information technology organizations in Taiwan". The firm said outside of Taiwan, there were some Flax Typhoon "victims" in Southeast Asia, North America and Africa. Last month, Microsoft said China-based hackers seeking intelligence had breached the email accounts of a number of US government agencies. That hacking groupwhich Microsoft called Storm-0558primarily focuses on "espionage, data theft, and credential access". The company also warned this year that state-sponsored Chinese hackers had infiltrated critical US infrastructure networks, saying this was likely aimed at hampering the United States during a conflict. Microsoft made particular mention of Guam, a US Pacific territory with a vital military base, as a target. Authorities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain have also warned that Chinese hacking is likely taking place globally, affecting an extensive range of infrastructure. 2023 AFP Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The number of deaths among Filipinos in Hawaii due to the devastating wildfires on the island of Maui has increased to three, authorities said Friday. According to the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, the latest victim is 77-year-old Salvador Coloma. The Consulate has reached out to a relative of Mr. Coloma to extend its profound condolences and to offer support and assistance, it said. Authorities earlier confirmed that 79-year-old Alfredo Galinato and 76-year-old Rodolfo Rocutan were among the over 100 people killed by the wildfires. The consulate also said it is still verifying the nationality of other reported casualties. So far, its records did not include Conchita Sagudang, 75, and Danilo Sagudang, 55, who were reported to be from Abra based on information online. Antonia Molina, 64, and Carlo Tobias, 54, were also reported to have relatives in the Philippines, but the consulate said its records did not show records for this. The DFA urges relatives of affected Filipinos to contact the Consulate at its hotline number +1808 253-9446, it said. This is needed for the Consulate to verify its records of reported Filipino casualties or other distressed Filipinos, and to provide assistance as required. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Huawei has been at the centre of an intense technological rivalry between China and the United States. Chinese telecoms giant Huawei said Friday it had renewed a licensing agreement with Ericsson to use each other's technologies, in a rebuff to US warnings about the risk of espionage by Beijing. Huawei has been at the center of an intense technological rivalry between China and the United States, which suspects the company of spying for Beijingaccusations Huawei denies. US sanctions on Huawei since 2019 have cut off the firm from global supply chains for American components and hobbled its smartphone arm, forcing it to pivot towards other forms of growth. Washington has also pressured its allies to ban the use of Huawei gear in their 5G telecoms networks, arguing that Beijing could use the equipment to spy on other countries' communications and data traffic. Despite those tensions, Huawei and Ericssonbased in Stockholmhave signed a "long-term" global agreement to license each other's patents, the Chinese company said in a statement Friday. The deal covers patents essential to 3G, 4G and 5G cellular technologies as well as both companies' "respective sales of network infrastructure and consumer devices", Huawei said. The company's intellectual property chief, Alan Fan, said the agreement "demonstrates the commitment both parties have forged that intellectual property should be properly respected and protected". "Our commitment to sharing leading technological innovations will drive healthy, sustainable industry development and provide consumers with more robust products and services," he said. The previous such agreement between Huawei and Ericsson was signed in 2016. Back then, Huawei was an insurgent force in the global technology sector with an eye on dethroning Apple and Samsung as the world's top seller of smartphones. It briefly grabbed that title in 2020 but US sanctions have since clipped its wings and forced Huawei into a strategic refocus on software, connected devices, business computing, smart vehicles and other sectors. Despite being sidelined from American technologies, Huawei could begin producing its own chips for 5G phones this year, according to media reports about which the company has refused to comment. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain PG&E can continue to operate California's last nuclear power plant past 2025 despite a contract it signed with environmentalists to shutter it, a San Francisco Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday. The lawsuit, filed by Friends of the Earth in April, claimed that PG&E was obligated to close Diablo Canyon Power Plant because of a 2016 contract the utility company signed with environmental and labor groups. In the contract, PG&E pledged to work to replace the 2,200 megawatts of electricity produced annually by Diablo Canyon with clean and renewable sources of energy. Friends of the Earth, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environment California, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245, the Coalition of California Utility Employees and the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility all signed onto the 2016 contract with PG&E. By moving to renew the operating license of the power plant in San Luis Obispo County, PG&E was ignoring that 2016 contract, Friends of the Earth alleged in its lawsuit. At the time the 2016 contract was signed, Friends of the Earth and other environmental groups were suing PG&E over its then-current license renewal application because of safety and environmental concerns. But the groups agreed, with the 2016 contract, to drop the lawsuits. Located just north of Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, Diablo Canyon produces about 9% of the state's total power. Diablo Canyon was expected to stop operating its twin reactors in 2024 and 2025, but the state failed to procure enough clean energy to replace the plant in time. In September, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 846, which allocated $1.4 billion to PG&E to fund the nuclear power plant's license renewal costs for staying open through 2030. That was followed by a $1.1 billion grant to PG&E in November from the U.S. Department of Energy through President Joe Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law. The NRC in March told PG&E it can run Diablo Canyon past its original closure dates without a current license as long as the utility company submits a valid license renewal application for the two reactors by the end of 2023. PG&E has said it will file a license renewal application for Diablo Canyon by the end of this year. In his ruling Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman said that jurisdiction over the matter did not lie with the court, but rather the California Public Utilities Commission. The public utilities commission has an ongoing proceeding regarding the possible extension of Diablo Canyon's operating licenses. In that proceeding, the commission may issue rulings and decisions that determine the power plant's future operations. "The bottom line is this: FOE's action, if allowed to proceed, poses the risk that this court will be asked to issue orders inconsistent with those that the CPUC has already issued or may issue in the pending rulemaking proceeding," Schulman wrote in his ruling. The public utilities commission's proceeding is expected to address "the very issues FOE raises, including the duration of any license extension, PG&E's preparation for shutdown of the nuclear power plant and the energy resources that will be necessary to replace it," the ruling said. Friends of the Earth's legal director, Hallie Templeton, said the nonprofit organization was "deeply disappointed" in the judge's ruling and may file an appeal. "Diablo Canyon's operations are extremely dangerous, environmentally harmful and put all of California at risk of a devastating accident," she said in a prepared statement Thursday. "We continue to strongly believe in our case and are considering appealing the unwarranted dismissal. "One thing is clear: the fight to shutter Diablo Canyon is not over, and this is not our only iron in the fire." 2023 The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The TikTok logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen which displays the TikTok home screen, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Boston. Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe are facing one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people encounter online. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer Starting Friday, Europeans will see their online life change. People in the 27-nation European Union can alter some of what shows up when they search, scroll and share on the biggest social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook and other tech giants like Google and Amazon. That's because Big Tech companies, most headquartered in the U.S., are now subject to a pioneering new set of EU digital regulations. The Digital Services Act aims to protect European users when it comes to privacy, transparency and removal of harmful or illegal content. Here are five things that will change when you sign on: You can turn off AI-recommended videos Automated recommendation systems decide, based on people's profiles, what they see in their feeds. Those can be switched off. Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, said users can opt out of its artificial intelligence ranking and recommendation systems that determine which Instagram Reels, Facebook Stories and search results to show. Instead, people can choose to view content only from people they follow, starting with the newest posts. Search results will be based only on the words they type, not personalized based on a user's previous activity and interests, Meta President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg said in a blog post. On TikTok, instead of being shown videos based on what users previously viewed, the "For You" feed will serve up popular videos from their area and around the world. The Amazon app icon is seen on a smartphone, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe are facing one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people encounter online. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum Turning off recommender systems also means the video-sharing platform's "Following" and "Friends" feeds will show posts from accounts users follow in chronological order. Those on Snapchat "can opt out of a personalised content experience." Algorithmic recommendation systems based on user profiles have been blamed for creating so-called filter bubbles and pushing social media users to increasingly extreme posts. The European Commission wants users to have at least one other option for content recommendations that's not based on profiling. It's easier to flag harmful content Users should find it easier to report a post, video or comment that breaks the law or violates a platform's rules so that it can be reviewed and taken down if required. TikTok has started giving users an "additional reporting option" for content, including advertising, that they believe is illegal. To pinpoint the problem, people can choose from categories such as hate speech and harassment, suicide and self-harm, misinformation or frauds and scams. The app by Chinese parent company ByteDance has added a new team of moderators and legal specialists to review videos flagged by users, alongside automated systems and existing moderation teams that already work to identify such material. Facebook and Instagram's existing tools for reporting content are "easier for people to access," said Meta's Clegg, without providing more details. The Facebook logo is seen on a cell phone, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston. Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe are facing one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people encounter online. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File You'll know why your post was taken down The EU wants platforms to be more transparent about how they operate. So, TikTok says European users will get more information "about a broader range of content moderation decisions." "For example, if we decide a video is ineligible for recommendation because it contains unverified claims about an election that is still unfolding, we will let users know," TikTok said. "We will also share more detail about these decisions, including whether the action was taken by automated technology, and we will explain how both content creators and those who file a report can appeal a decision." Google said it's "expanding the scope" of its transparency reports by giving more information about how it handles content moderation for more of its services, including Search, Maps, Shopping and Play Store, without providing more details. You can report fake products The DSA is not just about policing content. It's also aimed at stopping the flow of counterfeit Gucci handbags, pirated Nike sneakers and other dodgy goods. Amazon says it has set up a new channel for reporting suspected illegal products and content and also is providing more publicly available information about third-party merchants. The online retail giant said it invests "significantly in protecting our store from bad actors, illegal content and in creating a trustworthy shopping experience. We have built on this strong foundation for DSA compliance." The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston. Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe are facing one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people encounter online. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File Online fashion marketplace Zalando is setting up flagging systems, though it downplays the threat posed by its highly curated collection of designer clothes, bags and shoes. "Customers only see content produced or screened by Zalando," the German company said. "As a result, we have close to zero risk of illegal content and are therefore in a better position than many other companies when it comes to implementing the DSA changes." Your kids won't be targeted with digital ads Brussels wants to crack down on digital ads aimed at children over concerns about privacy and manipulation. Some platforms already started tightening up ahead of Friday's deadline, even beyond Europe. TikTok said in July that it was restricting the types of data used to show ads to teens. Users who are 13 to 17 in the EU, plus Britain, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein no longer see ads "based on their activities on or off TikTok." It's doing the same in the U.S. for 13- to 15-year-olds. Snapchat is restricting personalized and targeted advertising to users under 18. Meta in February stopped showing Facebook and Instagram users who are 13 to 17 ads based on their activity, such as following certain Instagram posts or Facebook pages. Now, age and location are the only data points advertisers can use to show ads to teens. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The world's biggest tech giants must now enforce the EU's milestone Digital Services Act to better protect users online. Microsoft will provide more information on targeted adverts and protect users against any new risks from artificial intelligence, the company vowed Friday, as stringent EU rules on tech platforms enter into force. Internet giants must now enforce the milestone EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which demands they protect users online from harmful content and be more transparent about their algorithms. The European Union has named 19 platforms, the majority of whom are based in the United States, including Microsoft's Bing and LinkedIn as well as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. The rules apply from Friday to these "very large" social media networks and websites. One of the most significant demands under the DSA is the requirement to give users the option to have a non-personalized feed that is not based on profiling. Microsoft-owned LinkedIn on Friday said in a blog post they had implemented this change for the desktop and mobile version of the network. AI has also dominated headlines with its dizzying advances after chatbot ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI which Microsoft has invested in, burst onto the scene last year. The EU is racing to approve the world's first law regulating AI by the end of the year. Courtney Gregoire, Microsoft's chief digital safety officer, vowed Microsoft would "implement additional safeguards to protect against new risks related to AI as they arise and will continue to be transparent about our approach" in a blog post. Gregoire said other measures taken by Microsoft to comply with the DSA include creating an "Ad Library", giving European users access to information about the adverts they see on the platform. LinkedIn has taken a similar step. Gregoire added that Microsoft would also "better explain to users how Bing search works, including its ranking principles, moderation policies, and user controls". Snapchat, owned by Snap, unveiled changes as well this week to its app that include giving users control over the content they see and restricting targeted advertising to children aged 13 to 17 in the EU but also in Britain. 2023 AFP The New York Times Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides news and information for readers and viewers across various platforms worldwide. It offers The New York Times (The Times), a daily and Sunday newspaper in the United States, as well as international edition of The Times; and operates the NYTimes.com website. The company also licenses articles, graphics, and photographs to newspapers, magazines and websites; and licenses content to digital aggregators in the business, professional, academic and library markets; third-party digital platforms; and for use in television, films and books. In addition, it engages in the live events business, which hosts events to connect audiences with journalists and outside thought leaders; and digital advertising business that includes direct-sold website, mobile application, podcast, email, and video advertisements. Further, the company offers The Athletic, a sports media product; Cooking, a recipe product; Games, a puzzle games product; and Audm, a read-aloud audio service that are available on mobile applications and websites, as well as Wirecutter, a product review and recommendation product. It also prints and distributes products for third parties; and offers other products and services. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Hollister and Abercrombie. It offers an assortment of apparel, personal care products, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Hollister, Gilly Hicks, Social Tourist, Abercrombie & Fitch, and abercrombie kids brands. The company sells products through its stores; various wholesale, franchise, and licensing arrangements; and e-commerce platforms. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. was founded in 1892 and is headquartered in New Albany, Ohio. Altium Limited develops and sells computer software for the design of electronic products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Design Software; and Cloud Platform. The company offers printed circuit board (PCB) design software products, including Altium Designer, Altium 365 viewer, CircuitStudio, and CircuitMaker. It also provides Altium NEXUS; Altium Concord Pro, a solution for library management; and Octopart, search engine for electronic parts. The company serves automotive, semiconductors, military, aerospace, defense, robotics, bioscience and medical, communication, contract engineering, consumer electronics, education, entertainment, and industrial systems industries. Altium Limited was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in La Jolla, California. Altria Group, Inc. is a US-based tobacco company and one of the Big-3 tobacco companies internationally. The company was formerly known as Phillip Morris International but emerged with its new name in 2003. The rebranding was intended to help the company improve its image while it shifted away from the smokeable tobacco segments of the business. It is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500. The company was a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for many years but fell from that position due to declining tobacco sales and the divestiture of businesses. The company operates through a network of subsidiaries that include Phillip Morris USA. Phillip Morris USA is the core segment of business and includes the Marlboro line of cigarette brands. German immigrant Phillip Morris originally founded Phillip Morris in London in 1822. In 1844 the company began making its first line of machine-rolled cigarettes called English Ovals. The English Ovals remained in production in limited quantities until 2017. By 1902 the company had moved to New York City, where it was incorporated. Operations continued uninterrupted until 1919, when it changed ownership, and then, in 1929, manufacturing operations were moved to Richmond, Virginia and closer to the tobacco fields. Philip Morris made headlines again in 1933 when it integrated its manufacturing operations. This was done more than 30 years ahead of federal regulations and a ground-breaking move for the industry and America. After another multi-decade run of uninterrupted operations, the company began a series of acquisitions that included Miller Brewing, Kraft Foods and General Mills. Those acquisitions led to eventual mergers and spin-offs that resulted in SABMiller and Kraft General Mills. Altria Group operates through a network of subsidiaries manufacturing and selling smokeable, smokeless and oral tobacco products. Subsidiaries include but not are limited to Philip Morris USA, John Middleton Inc. and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. Brands include Marlboro, Marlboro Lights, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Sky and Husky. The company's principal customers are wholesalers and large retailers. The company maintains a number of strategic partnerships as part of its efforts to shift away from smokeable tobacco. These include a 35% stake in JUUL smokeless tobacco products, a 45% stake in Canadian integrated cannabis company Cronos Group and a near-10% stake in ABInbev. These partnerships are intended to capitalize on smokeless tobacco and the legalization of cannabis at the US federal level. Altria brought in more than $21 billion in 2021. The company employs more than 6,000 people and has paid more than $6.5 billion in cumulative dividends. The companys operations help support more than 1,200 US farmers and are sold in over 300,000 US retail establishments. Altria continues to be a leader in workforce quality and has received numerous awards, including a spot on the National Business Consortiums Best of the Best List for 2022. Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty markets. The company operates in two segments, U.S. Operations and International Operations. It offers primary and excess specialty casualty, general liability, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation, as well as product, environmental, and auto liability insurance products; management liability, transaction liability, and errors and omissions liability insurance; primary and excess property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance; and surety, animal mortality, and ocean marine insurance products. The company also provides directors and officers liability, errors and omissions liability, and employment practices liability insurance; international casualty and motor treaties insurance; professional indemnity and medical malpractice insurance; direct and facultative excess insurance, North American and international binders, and residential collateral protection for lending institutions; and personal accident, aviation, cargo, yachts, and onshore and offshore marine insurance products. It markets its products through wholesale and retail agents, managing general agents, brokers, and third-party intermediaries. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) on Friday said Filipinos traveling overseas need not bring all the documents listed in its revised guidelines to get through Philippine immigration. Kung praning ka (If you are restless), just to be safe, you can bring just to reassure yourself, just to lessen your anxiety. You dont have to bring all the documents, maybe just a certificate of employment, Justice Undersecretary and IACAT head Nicholas Ty told CNN Philippines The Source. According to the revised set of guidelines for international travelers, a proof of employment may be asked for some categories, like self-funded travels. READ: What you need to know about the new requirements for Filipinos traveling overseas One of the guidelines being criticized by the public is the possible need to present a financial capacity or source of income which, the IACAT noted, should be consistent with the passengers declared purpose of travel. The certificate of employment, which may indicate the travelers salary, or a bank statement may be presented if required by the immigration officer, Ty said. This document will help prove that the passenger will be able to fund his or her travel depending on the duration and destination, he noted. Another issue for some is the presenting of proof of hotel booking or accommodation. Ty admitted that this is not enough to establish the purpose of travel since human traffickers can just book an accommodation for their victim. This is why immigration officers will have to assess the overall situation. Balik muna sa contextkung may previous travel history at makikita naman natin na walang red flags, the Filipino is able to respond properly to the immigration officer at the level of primary inspection dapat wala nang secondary inspection, dapat wala ng further documents, he explained. [Translation: We go back to the context, if there is previous travel history and no red flags will be seen, the Filipino is able to respond properly to the immigration officer at the level of primary inspection there shouldn't be secondary inspection, further documents should not be required.] Ty emphasized that the additional documents will only be asked if the immigration agent spots any possible signs of human trafficking. If the officer is satisfied with the basic documents, information submitted to the e-travel portal, and the demeanor and responses of the passenger, chances are within the 45-second window, the passenger will be able to depart, he noted. Still, Ty advised the public, especially first-time travelers, to bring all documents necessary if they want to be safe. He also reminded passengers that they have nothing to fear as long as they are being truthful during the immigration process. All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to one goal and one goal only: finding a reliable edge in the markets. If you can do that, grab hold of it and never let go. Because once you have that edge, and you can count on it, you never need to do anything else. Medical Properties Trust Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in acquiring and developing healthcare facilities. The company's portfolio comprises properties across the United States and Europe, including acute care hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Since 2003, Medical Properties Trust Inc. has become a leading player in the healthcare real estate industry. The company's strategy is centered on long-term leases with high-quality tenants, providing stable cash flow and reducing the risk associated with occupancy and rental rate volatility. Medical Properties Trust Inc. has a strong track record of growth and profitability. One of the critical drivers of Medical Properties Trust Inc.'s success is its focus on the healthcare industry. With an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services, the healthcare industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years. As a result, the need for healthcare facilities is likely to increase, which should benefit Medical Properties Trust Inc. Additionally, the company's focus on long-term leases with high-quality tenants provides stability and predictability, which is especially important in the healthcare industry, where occupancy and rental rate volatility can be high. Medical Properties Trust Inc. has an excellent management team with a proven track record of success. Under the company's current leadership, Medical Properties Trust Inc. has grown rapidly and consistently outperformed its peers. The company's management team has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. In 2020, Medical Properties Trust Inc. was recognized as a leader in sustainability performance. Medical Properties Trust Inc. is exposed to general economic conditions, regulatory changes, and competition within the healthcare real estate industry. The company's success is also dependent on the performance of its tenants, which may be affected by factors such as changes in healthcare laws, reimbursement rates, and patient volumes. Additionally, the company's focus on healthcare real estate may limit its ability to diversify its portfolio in the event of a downturn in the healthcare industry. Despite the risks, Medical Properties Trust Inc. has shown resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of healthcare facilities, and the company's portfolio of high-quality properties has continued to generate strong cash flows. Medical Properties Trust Inc. has used the pandemic to acquire additional properties at attractive valuations. Medical Properties Trust Inc. is well-positioned to benefit from several long-term trends in the healthcare industry: The aging population is expected to increase the demand for healthcare services, including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, and long-term care facilities. The shift towards value-based care drives consolidation in the healthcare industry, likely resulting in increased demand for healthcare facilities. Advances in medical technology are increasing the need for specialized facilities, such as proton therapy and cancer treatment centers. Medical Properties Trust Inc.'s financial position is strong, with a healthy balance sheet and access to capital markets. The company has consistently maintained an investment-grade credit rating and low capital cost, allowing it to finance growth. Additionally, the company has a diversified tenant base, with no single tenant accounting for more than 4% of its annualized base rent. This provides stability and reduces the risk associated with tenant concentration. BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides perishable, general merchandise, gasoline, coupon books, promotions, and other ancillary services. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app. The company was formerly known as Beacon Holding Inc. and changed its name to BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. in February 2018. BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts. 7 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for LTC Properties in the last year. There are currently 1 sell rating, 4 hold ratings and 2 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" LTC shares. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in LTC, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View LTC analyst ratings or view top-rated stocks. American Express Company is a multinational financial services company based in New York City. The company provides credit cards, charge cards, traveler's cheques and other financial services to individuals and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1850, American Express has been a pioneer in the credit card industry and has developed a reputation for offering premium products and services that cater to high-income consumers. The company operates in over 130 countries and employs over 75,000 people globally. Stephen J. Squeri has served as American Express Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 2018, succeeding Kenneth I. Chenault. Squeri joined the company in 1985 and has held various leadership positions. He is credited with leading the company's digital transformation and developing new partnerships with technology companies such as Apple, Google and Amazon. Other key management team members include Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey C. Campbell and Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster. American Express has consistently generated strong financial results, with revenue increasing consistently over the past few years. The company's net income has also grown during this same time frame. The company's profit margin has remained relatively stable at around 14%. American Express has maintained a strong balance sheet, with a debt-to-equity ratio and a price-to-book ratio consistent with industry averages. Over the past couple of years, American Express' stock has performed well, leading its industry peers. The credit card industry is highly competitive, with a few prominent players dominating the market. American Express competes with other major credit card companies, such as Visa and Mastercard and banks that issue private-label credit cards. The industry has been growing steadily, with global credit card transactions expected to reach $8.8 trillion by 2025. However, the industry faces several challenges, including increasing regulatory scrutiny and the threat of disruption from fintech startups. American Express has several growth opportunities, including expanding its presence in international markets and developing new partnerships with technology companies. The company has made significant progress in these areas, with global revenue growth from 2016 to 2022. American Express has also partnered with companies such as Uber, Marriott and Delta Airlines to offer unique benefits to its cardholders. Additionally, the company has been investing in its digital capabilities by launching its digital wallet and mobile app. Despite its stable financial performance and growth opportunities, American Express faces several risks and challenges. The company's high-end products and services may be vulnerable to changes in consumer preferences, and the company may need help to appeal to younger generations who prefer debit cards and mobile payments. Additionally, American Express is subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny, with regulators monitoring the company's anti-money laundering practices and compliance with consumer protection laws. The company's debt levels and dependence on the global economy also pose risks, as a recession or economic downturn could impact its profitability. Another major challenge for American Express is the increasing competition from fintech startups, disrupting the traditional credit card industry by offering innovative products and services. These startups are often more agile and adaptable than established companies like American Express and may be able to offer more attractive rewards and lower fees to customers. To stay competitive, American Express must continue to innovate and develop new products and services that cater to changing customer preferences. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a leading global biopharmaceutical company with a long and impressive history of innovating and developing medicines that improve the lives of patients around the world. Founded in 1887 when William McLaren Bristol and John Ripley Myers purchased the Clinton Pharmaceutical Company, the company was initially named Bristol, Myers and Company. Its first nationally recognized product, Sal Hepatica, was released in the 1890s. Bristol Myers-Squibb offers chemically synthesized drugs and biologics administered through injections or infusions to patients. The company's pharmaceutical portfolio includes a large number of well-known products. BMS's primary research and development sites are in New Jersey, California, Spain, Massachusetts, New York, Belgium, Japan, India and Massachusetts. The company's products sell to wholesalers and distributors around the world. Bristol Myers-Squibb has a robust pipeline of investigational medicines in its pipeline. In addition, the company has established strategic collaborations and partnerships with various companies, successfully launching new products. These partnerships and investments generate portions of the company's revenue. Bristol Myers-Squibb has acquired several companies over the years, including Medarex in 2009, ZymoGenetics in 2010, Inhibitex Inc. in 2012, Amylin Pharmaceuticals in 2012, iPierian in 2014, Flexus Biosciences in 2015, Cardioxyl in 2015, Padlock Therapeutics in 2016, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals in 2017, IFM Therapeutics in 2017, Celgene in 2019, Otezla in 2019, Forbius in 2020, MyoKardia in 2020 and Turning Point Therapeutics in 2022. In 2005, the company divested individual consumer products and its subsequent consumer products businesses. In December 2014, the company received FDA approval for its cancer drug, Opdivo, used to treat skin cancers that do not respond to drug therapies. In 2019, the company divested its consumer health business, UPSA, to Taisho. The company has also faced several scandals, lawsuits and investigations over the years, the biggest of which is the ongoing $1 billion lawsuit from Guatemala for the company's role in a 1940s experiment that infected hundreds with syphilis. In 2001 BMS faced an accounting scandal that resulted in a restatement of revenues from 1999 to 2001. In 2002, BMS faced a lawsuit based on illegally maintaining a monopoly on Taxol, a chemotherapy medication. The former head of the pharma group and the ex-CFO were indicted for federal securities violations in 2005. In July of 2006, an FBI raid on the company's corporate offices revealed that the company took steps to delay the release of a generic version of one of its drugs. BMS began a significant restructuring in 2009, focusing on the pharmaceutical business and biologic products, productivity initiatives and cost-cutting. The U.S. attorney forced the company into oversight and appointed a monitor as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. Lou Schmukler joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2010 as global product development and design president. In 2013, Forbes magazine ranked the company as the drug company of the year. Dr. Giovanni Caforio took the reigns as CEO in 2015. In 2017, reports began to surface that activist investor Carl Icahn took a stake in the company, widely seen as a signal for a potential future takeover. As Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to experience success and growth, the company is committed to delivering innovative treatments to patients and staying ahead of the curve in the biopharmaceutical industry. With its focus on research and development and a long and rich history of delivering innovative medicines, BMS offers an excellent long-term investment opportunity. Norfolk Southern Corp is a transportation company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1982 after the merger of two competing railroads, the Norfolk and Western Railway and the Southern Railway. The company operates a major freight railroad network of over 19,000 miles of track across 22 states in the eastern United States. Norfolk Southern Corp has a fleet of locomotives and railcars that transport various goods, including coal, chemicals and agricultural products. Norfolk Southern Corp's rich history dates back to the 19th century when the company's predecessor, the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road, was chartered in 1827. Since then, the company has grown significantly. It now operates over 19,000 miles of track across the eastern United States, connecting the major metropolitan areas of the Midwest and the South. Norfolk Southern Corp's primary business is freight transportation. The coal segment is the largest, accounting for 20% of the company's revenue. Norfolk Southern Corp has been recognized as a leader in the transportation industry, winning numerous awards for its safety and environmental sustainability. Norfolk Southern Corp's leadership team comprises experienced executives committed to delivering value to the company's stakeholders. The company's CEO, Alan H. Shaw, was put into the position in May of 2022. Shaw stepped into the CEO role after being the vice president of marketing for over six years. Norfolk Southern Corp has consistently delivered strong financial performance over the past few years. The company did, however, report revenue drops during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the company's net income increased in the same period that its revenue was dropping. Norfolk Southern Corp has a strong balance sheet, with assets of more than $35 billion and liabilities of around $25 billion. Norfolk Southern Corp's valuation metrics are generally in line with its peers in the transportation industry. The company has a price-to-earnings ratio and a price-to-book ratio generally in line with industry averages. These metrics suggest that the market views Norfolk Southern Corp as a reasonably valued company. Norfolk Southern Corp's stock performance has been relatively strong over the past few years, despite volatility caused by issues concerning rail safety and train derailments. The company's stock price has increased over the past five years, outperforming the S&P 500 index during the same period. The transportation industry in the United States is highly competitive, with numerous players operating in the market. Norfolk Southern Corp competes with other major railroads, such as CSX Corp and Union Pacific Corp, as well as other modes of transportation, such as trucking and air freight. The industry is subject to various regulatory and political issues, including environmental regulations, labor laws and trade policies. Norfolk Southern Corp has identified several growth opportunities it plans to pursue in the coming years. One of the company's key growth strategies is to expand its intermodal business, which involves transporting goods in containers that can be moved between different modes of transportation, such as trucks and trains. Norfolk Southern Corp is investing in new technology and equipment to improve the efficiency of its intermodal operations and is expanding its network to serve new markets. The company is also pursuing growth opportunities in the automotive segment, which involves transporting vehicles and parts. Another growth opportunity for Norfolk Southern Corp is to leverage its existing infrastructure to serve new markets. The company is exploring options to transport new types of goods, such as renewable energy equipment and industrial machinery. Norfolk Southern Corp is also investing in technology to improve its operations' speed and efficiency, enabling it to serve new markets and compete more effectively with other transportation providers. Despite its strong financial performance and growth prospects, Norfolk Southern Corp faces risks and challenges that could impact its business. One of the biggest challenges is the ongoing competition in the transportation industry. The company faces intense competition from other railroads and different modes of transportation, such as trucking and air freight. This competition could put pressure on Norfolk Southern Corp's pricing and profitability. Another risk for Norfolk Southern Corp is the potential for regulatory and political changes that could impact the transportation industry. The company is subject to various environmental regulations, labor laws and trade policies, which could change anytime. Changes in these regulations could increase the company's costs or limit its ability to operate in certain markets. In 2023 the company faced significant scrutiny for its ongoing safety record and multiple train derailments. Norfolk Southern Corp is also vulnerable to consumer preferences and economic conditions changes. The company's business is closely tied to the economy's overall health, and a downturn could lead to decreased demand for its services. Additionally, changes in consumer preferences could shift demand away from certain goods, such as coal, which could impact the company's revenue. The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides online, mobile, and telephone banking services. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has lifted the ban on the sale and transfer of public utility vehicle franchises to ease the distribution process of aid under the fuel subsidy program. "Magiging madali na rin ang pagsali ng mga operator sa Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) dahil mabilis na maililipat at maiparerehistro ng mga ito ang kanilang sasakyan," LTFRB said Thursday in a statement. [Translate: It will also be easy for operators to join the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) as they will be able to transfer and register their vehicles quickly.] Under Memorandum Circular 2023-027, the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) can be transferred if it is "valid and subsisting at the time of the application" and appropriate fees are paid. However, fractional transfer is prohibited. "The transfer must cover all authorized units under the subject CPC," LTFRB said. "Only two (2) transfers shall be allowed during the validity of the CPC, provided that no transfer shall be allowed during the first year from the grant of CPC nor during the one (1) year prior to the expiration of the validity of the CPC," the memorandum circular further read. In 2016, the LTFRB prohibited the sale and transfer of the CPC to prevent its commercialization, where operators who obtained a franchise sell their certificate at a large profit. Compass Minerals International, Inc., produces and sells essential minerals primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Salt and Plant Nutrition. The Salt segment produces, markets, and sells sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, including rock salt, mechanically and solar evaporated salt, and brine and flake magnesium chloride products; and purchases potassium chloride and calcium chloride to sell as finished products or to blend with sodium chloride to produce specialty products. This segment provides products for use as a deicer for roadways, consumer, and professional use; as an ingredient in chemical production; for water treatment, human, and animal nutrition; and for various other consumer and industrial uses, as well as records management services. The Plant Nutrition segment produces, markets, and sells sulfate of potash specialty fertilizers in various grades that are used in broadcast spreaders, direct application, and liquid fertilizer solutions under the Protassium+ brand; turf products used by the turf and ornamental markets, as well as for blends used on golf course greens; and organic products. This segment provides its products to distributors and retailers of crop inputs, as well as growers. The company was formerly known as Salt Holdings Corporation and changed its name to Compass Minerals International, Inc. in December 2003. Compass Minerals International, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. Eli Lilly and Company is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical company. It is the 12th largest pharmaceutical company by revenue and has offices in 16 countries. Its medicines are sold in at least 125 countries including its 8 blockbuster drugs. The company is a member of the S&P 500 and S&P 100 indices, it brought in roughly $5.5 billion in revenue for 2021 and employs more than 35,000 people across its network of research and production facilities. Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly. The colonel, a veteran of the Civil War, had recently dissolved an unsatisfactory partnership and set on his own to produce and develop medicinal chemicals. Colonel Lilly remained as president until his death in 1898. His charge to his family, company and coworkers was to take what you find here and make it better and better. The company is well-known for many drugs, including the first mass-marketing of quinine to treat malaria. The company brought in $4,470 in its first year and saw that figure grow 10X over the next 3. Among the many innovations during this time period is the addition of gelation coatings for pills which helped set the company up for rapid expansion. The company was incorporated in 1881 as Eli Lilly and Company issuing stock to family and friends. The 1900s brought about more change for the company, change in the form of expansion which included international markets. Advancements during the war years included increases in efficiency due to increased automation and the development of precision technologies. Among the technologies was pill manufacturing which included injecting medicines directly into a gelation capsule. This method allowed for more exact dosing, setting the standard for modern production. The company produced capsules for itself and sold excess capacity to competitors. Other major advancements include fruit flavorings in medicine, straight-line manufacturing and a method of blueprinting manufacturing tickets to prevent errors. The modern period saw the company grow and discover new, world-class pharmaceuticals. Today, the company is engaged in the discovery, development and marketing of human pharmaceuticals. It offers a wide range of treatments, including Prozac but is perhaps most noteworthy for its work with insulin. The company is the first to mass produce insulin and has made numerous advances in treating diabetes in the time since. While other drugs are more widely known, its diabetic drugs Basaglar, Jardience, Trulicity, Humalog and Humulin are its top-sellers and contribute the bulk of revenue and cash flow. Along with Diabetic research, the company also focuses on Alzheimer's, Oncology, Immunology, Obesity and Pain care. At the end of 2022, the company pipeline had 23 compounds in Phase 3 clinical trials and 1 in review. There were another 18 in Phase 2 trials and more than 2 dozen in Phase 1 trials. The average cost to discover a new drug was running at $2.6 billion with a 10-year discovery-to-patient timeline. MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure. It also provides pool insurance for secondary market mortgage transactions; and contract underwriting services, as well as reinsurance. The company serves originators of residential mortgage loans, including savings institutions, commercial banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions, mortgage bankers, and other lenders. MGIC Investment Corporation was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Deere & Company, a global leader in manufacturing and distributing agricultural, construction, forestry and turf care equipment, is headquartered in Moline, Illinois. With over 185 years of experience, the company has established a strong reputation for quality and innovation. Deere & Company operates through four segments: small agriculture and turf, production and precision agriculture, construction and forestry and financial services. The small agriculture and turf segment offers a variety of equipment, including utility tractors, riding lawn equipment, commercial mowing equipment and implements for various outdoor power applications. This segment also resells products from other manufacturers. The production and precision agriculture segment provides equipment for grain growers, including mid-size tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and harvesting front-end equipment. It also offers application equipment, such as sprayers, nutrient management systems and soil preparation machinery. The construction and forestry segment provides various machines and service parts used in earth moving, construction, material handling, road building and timber harvesting. Its products include crawler dozers, backhoe loaders, motor graders, four-wheel-drive loaders, excavators, articulated dump trucks and milling machines, to name a few. The financial services segment finances sales and leases of agriculture and turf, construction and forestry equipment. It also offers wholesale financing to dealers, extended equipment warranties and retail revolving charge accounts. Deere & Company is known for its innovative products, including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray and E-Power Backhoe. These technology-enabled products help farmers, construction workers and forestry professionals operate more efficiently and sustainably. Its logo and slogan reflect the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. The leaping deer logo has been used for over 155 years and has become synonymous with the company's commitment to quality and reliability. The slogan "Nothing Runs Like a Deere" reflects the company's commitment to building long-lasting and reliable equipment that helps its customers achieve their goals. Deere & Company has a solid financial position with a global presence. Deere & Company has a vast distribution network and operates in over 160 countries. Its commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a loyal customer base, and it continues to be a leader in the industry. Deere & Company is a global leader in the manufacturing and distributing of agricultural, construction, forestry and turf care equipment. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, the company offers customers a wide range of products and services worldwide. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2023. All rights reserved. 2023 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see Barchart's disclaimer. Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies, and Equipment & Consumables. The Specialty Products & Technologies segment offers dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and periodontists; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products. This segment also provides software packages, which include DTX Studio Implant for treatment planning of dental implants; DTX Studio Lab for prosthetics treatment planning; and DTX Studio Clinic, a software package offered with its imaging devices. It offers its products under the Nobel Biocare, Alpha-Bio Tec, Implant Direct, Nobel Procera, Ormco, Spark, Orascoptic, Damon, Insignia, AOA brands. The Equipment & Consumables segment provides dental equipment and supplies, including digital imaging systems, software, and other visualization/magnification systems; endodontic systems and related consumables; restorative materials, rotary burs, impression materials, bonding agents, and cements; and infection prevention products. This segment offers its products under the Dexis, Gendex, i-CAT, Kerr, Metrex, Total Care, Pentron, Optibond, Harmonize, Sonicfill, Sybron Endo, and CaviWipes to dental offices, clinics, and hospitals. Envista Holdings Corporation was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Brea, California. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. The company also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. It offers its products under the Estee Lauder, Clinique, Origins, MAC, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, TOM FORD, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and The Ordinary brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports; and duty-free locations. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York. 3 Wall Street analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Frontline in the last twelve months. There are currently 3 hold ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street analysts is that investors should "hold" FRO shares. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in FRO, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View FRO analyst ratings or view top-rated stocks. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The Philippine government called for a "conducive environment" for negotiations on the South China Sea code of conduct (COC) to achieve headway. During the third round of COC talks held in Manila this week, the Philippines maintained its call for "an effective and substantive COC." However, the government expressed concerns over recent issues in the West Philippine Sea. The latest aggressive tactics that caught even the attention of other nations include China blocking the Philippines resupply mission for its troops on Ayungin Shoal by firing water cannons at Filipino vessels. For its latest resupply mission, the Philippine Coast Guard said China still tried to block, harass, and interfere with the activity. RELATED: PH completes resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre The Philippines said the incidents "undermines trust, escalates tensions, and threatens peace, stability and security in the region." "We stressed the need to have a conducive environment for the talks to progress," the country stressed. The third part of COC negotiations were held from Aug. 22 to 24 in Manila. The first two were conducted in Jakarta and Vietnam earlier this year. 1+ days ago Is domestic travel back on track? Check out these companies The United States economy has achieved something most bears never expected: gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 4.9% during the past quarter, whereas economists only expected a 4.7% jump. Even in real growth terms, considering inflation, things have improved past any point of concern. Some analysts ask whether this growth will begin to trickle down into specific industries and consumer behavior, such as domestic travel trends. With a strong dollar, some Americans travel overseas, where budgets can significantly increase. Regarding consumer Read Article Motorola Solutions, Inc. provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Its land mobile radio communications, and video security and access control devices include two-way portable and vehicle-mounted radios, fixed and mobile video cameras, and accessories; radio network core and central processing software, base stations, consoles, and repeaters; and video analytics, network video management hardware and software, and access control solutions. The Software and Services segment provides public safety and enterprise command center, unified communications applications, mobile video equipment, and video software solutions; repair, technical support, and maintenance services; and monitoring, software updates, and cybersecurity services. The company was formerly known as Motorola, Inc. and changed its name to Motorola Solutions, Inc. in January 2011. Motorola Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. 10 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties in the last twelve months. There are currently 1 sell rating, 4 hold ratings and 5 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" HPP shares. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in HPP, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View HPP analyst ratings or view top-rated stocks. The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V.. Read More N-able, Inc. provides cloud-based software solutions for managed service providers. The company's solutions enable MSPs to support digital transformation and growth within small and medium-sized enterprises. Its software platform is designed to be an enterprise-grade solution that serves as an operating system for its MSP partners and scales as their businesses grow. In addition, the company's platform provides remote monitoring and management, security solutions, and data protection as-a-service solutions. Further, Its platform includes security and data protection services, such as backup, recovery and disaster recovery, endpoint protection, patch management, web protection and content filtering, mail protection and archiving services. Additionally, the company engages in business management solutions comprising of automation and ticketing, password, documentation, and desktop management. N-able, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. FMC (NYSE:FMC) pays an annual dividend of $2.32 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 4.08%. FMC has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The company has been increasing its dividend for 5 consecutive years, indicating the company has a new, but growing committment to grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 47.25%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, FMC will have a dividend payout ratio of 41.73% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. Read our dividend analysis for FMC. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products, and drainage solutions for use in the construction and agriculture marketplaces in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems, EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles, mechanical aeration wastewater solutions, septic tanks and accessories, and combined treatment and dispersal systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators. The company also purchases and distributes construction fabrics and other geosynthetic products for soil stabilization, reinforcement, filtration, separation, erosion control, and sub-surface drainage, as well as drainage grates and other products. In addition, it provides Presby environmental enviro-septic and advanced enviro-septic systems, alternative combined treatment and dispersal systems, PVC hubs, rubber sleeves, and stainless-steel bands. The company offers its products for non-residential, residential, agriculture, and infrastructure applications through a network of approximately 40 distribution centers. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio. Lundin Mining Corporation, a diversified base metals mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral properties in Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States. It primarily produces copper, zinc, nickel, and gold, as well as lead, silver, and other metals. The company holds 100% interests in the Chapada mine located in Brazil; the Neves-Corvo mine located in Portugal; the Eagle mine located in the United States; and the Zinkgruvan mine located in Sweden. It also holds 80% interests in the Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mining complex located in Chile. The company was formerly known as South Atlantic Ventures Ltd. and changed its name to Lundin Mining Corporation in August 2004. Lundin Mining Corporation was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Bancolombia S.A. provides banking products and services in Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Bermuda, and Guatemala. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other. It offers checking and savings accounts, fixed term deposits, and investment products; trade financing, loans funded by domestic development banks, working capital loans, credit cards, personal and vehicle loans, payroll loans, and overdrafts; factoring; and financial and operating leasing services. The company also provides hedging instruments, including futures, forwards, options, and swaps; and brokerage, investment advisory, and private banking services, including selling and distributing equities, futures, foreign currencies, fixed income securities, mutual funds, and structured products. In addition, it offers cash management services; foreign currency transaction services; life, auto, commercial, and homeowner's insurance products; telephone and mobile phone banking services; and online and computer banking services. Further, the company provides project and acquisition finance, loan syndication, corporate loans, debt and equity capital markets, principal investments, M&A, hedging strategies, restructurings, and structured financing; money market accounts, mutual and pension funds, private equity funds, payment and corporate trust, and custody; internet-based trading platform; inter-bank lending and repurchase agreements; managing escrow accounts, and investment and real estate funds; and transportation, securities brokerage, maintenance and remodeling, and outsourcing services, as well as provides technology services. Bancolombia S.A. was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Medellin, Colombia. EnLink Midstream, LLC provides midstream energy services in the United States. It operates through five segments: Permian, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Texas, and Corporate. The company is involved in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, storing, and selling natural gas; fractionating, transporting, storing, and selling natural gas liquids; and gathering, transporting, stabilizing, storing, trans-loading, and selling crude oil and condensate, as well as providing brine disposal services. Its midstream energy asset network includes natural gas processing plants; fractionators; barge and rail terminals; product storage facilities; brine disposal wells; and a crude oil trucking fleet. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Dallas, Texas. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) pays an annual dividend of $5.20 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 5.94%. PM has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The company has been increasing its dividend for 15 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 100.97%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on EPS estimates, PM will have a dividend payout ratio of 79.03% in the coming year. This indicates that the company may not be able to sustain their current dividend. Read our dividend analysis for PM. Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR) pays an annual dividend of $1.90 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 4.79%. POR has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The company has been increasing its dividend for 17 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 85.97%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on earnings estimates, POR will have a dividend payout ratio of 61.29% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. Read our dividend analysis for POR. Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services. It operates through four segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company's commercial banking services include treasury and asset management, capital market, and institutional trust services, as well as commercial, financial, and real estate loans. Its consumer banking services comprise accepting customary types of demand and savings deposits accounts; mortgage, installment, and other consumer loans; investment and brokerage services; safe deposit services; automated banking services; automated fund transfers; internet-based banking services; and bank credit and debit card services. The company also offers various other financial services, including portfolio management for fixed-income securities, investment banking, execution of securities transactions as a broker/dealer, and trust and financial planning services, as well as provides individual investment advice on equity and other securities. The company was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Columbus, Georgia. Regal Rexnord Corporation manufactures and sells industrial powertrain solutions, power transmission components, electric motors and electronic controls, air moving products, and specialty electrical components and systems worldwide. It operates in four segments: Commercial Systems, Industrial Systems, Climate Solutions, and Motion Control Solutions. The Commercial Systems segment provides AC and DC motors, electronic variable speed controls, fans, blowers, and precision stator and rotor kits. The Industrial Systems segment offers AC motors for industrial applications; electric alternators for prime and standby power applications to data centers, distributed energy, microgrid, rental, marine, agriculture, healthcare, mobile, and defense markets; switchgear, switchboards, and control systems for power generation systems; and transfer switch power solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, and critical applications. The Climate Solutions segment provides fractional horsepower motors, electronic variable speed controls, and blowers for use in residential and light commercial air moving applications; and fractional horsepower motors and blowers for use in white goods, water heating equipment, small pumps, compressors, and fans, and other small appliances. The Motion Control Solutions segment offers bearings; conveyors; conveying automation solutions; disc, gear, grid, elastomeric, and torsionally soft couplings; mechanical power transmission drives and components; gearboxes and gear motors; aerospace components; and special components. This segment serves the food and beverage, bulk handling, eCommerce/warehouse distribution, energy, aerospace, and general industrial markets. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and end-users. The company was formerly known as Regal Beloit Corporation. The company was founded in 1955 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Telia Company AB (publ) provides communication services to businesses, individuals, families, and communities in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. It offers mobile, broadband, television, and fixed-line services; and networking, cloud and security, mobility, enterprise mobile network, contact center, managed mobility services, collaboration solutions, enterprise telephony, Internet of Things (IoT), carrier ethernet, dedicated internet access, wavelengths, IP Transit, dark fiber, and colocation solutions. The company also provides IoT connectivity, building monitoring, smart public transport, and smart utilities, as well as transport and logistics solutions comprising connected vehicle, asset tracking, and fleet management services. It markets its products and services under the Telia, TV4, C More, Halebop, Fello, MTV, Phonero, Onecall, MyCall, CallMe, MIT Tele, Ezys, Diil, Super, and Imt brand names for transport and logistics, public transport, manufacturing, retail, utilities, buildings and real estate, and public sector industries. The company was formerly known as TeliaSonera AB (publ) and changed its name to Telia Company AB (publ) in April 2016. Telia Company AB (publ) was founded in 1853 and is based in Solna, Sweden. SolarWinds Corporation provides information technology (IT) management software products in the United States and internationally. The company offers a portfolio of solutions to technology professionals for monitoring, managing, and optimizing networks, systems, desktops, applications, storage, databases, website infrastructures, and IT service desks. It provides a suite of network management software that offers real-time visibility into network utilization and bandwidth, as well as the ability to detect, diagnose, and resolve network performance problems; and a suite of infrastructure management products, which monitors and analyze the performance of applications and their supporting infrastructure, including websites, servers, physical, virtual and cloud infrastructure, storage, and databases. The company also provides a suite of application performance management software that enable visibility into log data, cloud infrastructure metrics, applications, tracing, and digital experiences; and service management software that offers ITIL-compliant service desk solutions for various companies. In addition, it offers suite of database performance management software monitors, analyzes, diagnoses, and optimizes database performance and operations for the Microsoft data platform, as well as other database management system platforms, and traditional, open-source, and cloud-native databases hosted on-premises, in the cloud, and in hybrid models; and security solutions provide security information and event management access rights management, identity monitoring, server configuration monitoring and patching, and secure gateway and file transfers. It markets and sells its products directly to network and systems engineers, database administrators, storage administrators, DevOps, SecOps, and service desk professionals. The company was formerly known as SolarWinds Parent, Inc. and changed its name to SolarWinds Corporation in May 2018. SolarWinds Corporation was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Walmart Inc. is the worlds biggest company by revenue and its largest employer with over 2.2 million globally. It is a general merchandise discount retailer founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and remains a very tightly-held family-owned company to this day. At last look, the Walton family and its heirs owned more than 50% of the company through the family-holding company Walton Enterprises and individual holdings. As of October 2022, the company operated nearly 10,600 stores in 24 countries under 46 different banners. For example, Walmart de Mexico is the Mexican branch while Flipkart Wholesale is the companys operations in India. Sam Walton began his crusade to undercut retail competitors began in the early 1950s. He opened the first Wal-Mart Discount City store in 1962 and was able to leverage the brand to great success. It became a publicly traded company in 1972 and was the US's most profitable retailer by 1988. The chain went nationwide in the early 1990s and expanded to international markets soon after that. While the company has seen some success outside the US, those remain limited, and the US is the primary market and produces well over 60% of the revenue and earnings. Today, the company operates through three segments that include Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. The stores offer groceries, health, beauty, apparel, footwear, household, furniture, automotive, electronics and recreational products among others. In addition, the company offers a wide variety of ancillary services that include automotive repair, tire change, vision/eyeglass services and financial services that include gift cards, prepaid wireless, check cashing and money transfers. Sams Club, launched in 1989, is the companys membership club brand. It is the second-largest membership club in North America and about 12% of Walmarts total revenue. Walmart is a Dividend Aristocrat with nearly 50 years of consecutive annual dividend increases to its credit. Based on the 2022 financial metrics, the company is capable of sustaining another several decades of increases at a low single-digit pace. Once a laggard in ESG, Walmart is now a leader in environmental, social, and governance issues. The companys efforts include increasing the efficiency of its truck and vehicle fleets to include the upgrade to electrification or hydrogen fuel cells. In terms of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles alone, the company had upgraded more than 9,500 of its warehouse and facility service machines to fuel cells as of mid-2022 and was also working to electrify its vehicle fleets. TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building material products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, afterpaint products, fireproofing products, garage doors, fireplaces, closet shelving, roofing materials, and other products; and insulation installation services. The company also offers various services and tools to assist builders in applying the principles of building science to new home construction, which include pre-construction plan reviews, diagnostic testing, and various inspection services; and home energy rating services. In addition, it distributes building and mechanical insulation, insulation accessories, and other building product materials for the residential, commercial, and industrial end markets. The company serves single-family homebuilders, single-family custom builders, multi-family builders, commercial general contractors, remodelers, and individual homeowners, as well as insulation contractors, gutter contractors, weatherization contractors, other contractors, dealers, metal building erectors, and modular home builders. It operates approximately 230 installation branches and 180 distribution centers in the United States and Canada. The company was formerly known as Masco SpinCo Corp. and changed its name to TopBuild Corp. in March 2015. TopBuild Corp. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Hornady will now manage the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island. The Grand Island City Council approved changing management of the park at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 22. The park had been operated by the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Department. Volunteers have greatly helped in supporting the facility and operating park events, officials said. The park has had a positive economic impact on the city, as a lot of tourism has been created with the events and tournaments, both regional and national, being held, according to officials at the meeting. However, most of the impact has been felt by private businesses, not by the facilitys revenue. The citys actual costs for operating the facility run at a deficit in the range of $200,000 per year, city officials said. The city has been focused on how to expand the economic impact of the park to the community, while still having a public shooting park for residents. According to Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy, Hornady provided a five year management proposal for the park. [Heartland Public Shooting Park] attracts a lot of events, a lot of people to the community, said McCoy. And I think with Hornadys reputation, you know theyre industry connections, I think that will only expand those opportunities. The council approved changing management of Heartland Shooting Park for the city to Hornady, 8-0. Councilman Jack Sheard abstained from the discussion and voting, Councilwoman Michelle Fitzke was absent. Authorities are investigating the death of a Trumbull woman found along Highway 91 in Garfield County outside Burwell. The Nebraska State Patrol said it is investigating the suspicious death of 33-year-old Amanda Summers. A 22-year-old Burwell man is in custody on charges related to the investigation. At approximately 6 a.m. Wednesday, the Garfield County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from state patrol troopers in response to a reported deceased individual who had been located along Highway 91, several miles east of Burwell. Troopers and NSP investigators responded to the scene. The state patrol said investigators arrested Calvin Measner, 22, of Burwell, early Thursday morning for obstructing a peace officer and tampering with evidence. Measner was lodged in Garfield County Jail. The death investigation continues, the patrol said. Burwell is about 81 miles northwest of Grand Island. A former Nebraska State Patrol trooper already serving two prison sentences was sentenced Wednesday to a third lengthy prison term for the 2022 sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl. Brandon Dolezal, 26, pleaded no contest to two counts of first-degree sexual assault on a child and was sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison by Douglas County District Court Judge Molly Keane. The sentencing hearing on Wednesday came after Dolezal pleaded no contest in June to the two charges and in exchange prosecutors dismissed five other charges. Prosecutors said Dolezal twice sexually assaulted the girl he first met on the social media app Snapchat. Both incidents occurred in Dolezals pickup truck. Omaha police arrested Dolezal in a parking lot at Skutt Catholic High School, where the girl was a student, on Nov. 1, 2022. In court, Dolezal apologized to the girl and her family. Matthew Knipe, Dolezal's attorney, said his client recognizes what hes done and wants to rectify his problem. Prosecutor Nathan Barnhill said Dolezals behavior is a part of a calculated and methodical pattern. Keane said Dolezal has shown a disregard for the law given Dolezals recent convictions in Scotts Bluff and Sarpy counties for similar offenses. She also relayed a statement from the girls family submitted as part of a presentence investigation report. In the statement, the family said the girl suffers from issues related to the trauma including difficulty trusting people. This will be something they will deal with for their entire lives, Keane said. The Douglas County sentencing was the latest in Dolezals court proceedings. In Scotts Bluff County earlier this year, Dolezal was ordered to serve 40 to 56 years in prison after being found guilty of four counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of attempted child enticement. He will be eligible for parole in 20 years under state sentencing guidelines. With good time, Dolezal could serve 20 to 28 years. His Scotts Bluff sentence stems from sexting with two girls under 16 years old. At the time the offenses occurred, Dolezal was a state trooper stationed in the Panhandle. Dolezal was fired by the State Patrol in March 2021 after an internal investigation. In Sarpy County, Dolezal was sentenced 20 to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Bellevue. In that case, Dolezal must serve 10 years in prison before he is eligible for parole and 20 before he must be released. Dolezal's latest prison sentence out of Douglas County will run consecutively to his prior sentences from Scotts Bluff and Sarpy counties, meaning he will have to complete those prison terms before starting his new sentence from Douglas County. Top Journal Star photos for August 2023 Les O'Dell Reporter Follow Les O'Dell Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Since August 2020, John Shaw of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale has interviewed mayors from around the state as part of the institutes Meet the Mayor series. These conversations have revolved on the issues facing Illinois cities and local solutions. The series has always featured virtual conversations with feeds streamed on social media channels, but Mondays installment will be different. For the first time in the programs three-year history, Shaw will be visiting with the mayor of Carbondale as Carolin Harvey joins the institute for an in-person discussion, at 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28 in Ballroom B of the SIU Student Center. "We've had people from North Chicago, Peoria, Decatur, Champaign and East Saint Louis, to name a few, Shaw said. We have had a good reach across the state, but we want to have some of these be in-person and we thought there would be no better way to start that approach to this series than having the new mayor of Carbondale. She was very eager to attend and we've gotten a lot of interest. Shaw said the format will be a little different than other "Meet the Mayor" events. I'm going start out by asking about her background and her career in public service, then we will talk a little bit about her agenda as mayor before opening it up for questions from the audience, Shaw said. The "Meet the Mayor" series is an effort by the institute to focus on local issues. There are nearly 1,300 mayors in Illinois, Shaw said when launching the series in 2020. These conversations will help us better appreciate the diversity of Illinois and the daunting challenges confronting mayors in the Prairie State. Shaw noted a recent Brookings Institution report about mayors in the U.S. emphasized the enormous range of issues and responsibilities that mayors face. According to the report, mayors are expected to provide visionary policy leadership, clear communication about their priorities, and professional management that balances long-term planning and short-term service delivery. They are required to respond to the shifting needs and preferences of residents, develop strategies to be competitive in the global economy, model good governance, transparency, and accountability, and represent the interests of their city to other government levels. Mayors are increasingly important in the United States, especially given the partisan stalemate in Washington, D.C. Successful mayors are practical problem solvers and often are non-ideological. They oversee the delivery of services that are the most tangible and essential to Americans, Shaw said. Mondays discussion with Mayor Harvey is open to the public, but the institute requests attendees register in advance at https://paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu. States where the most workers are quitting their jobs States with the most quitters #51. Pennsylvania #50. New York #49. Connecticut #48. Massachusetts #47. New Jersey #46. Michigan #45. Hawaii #44. New Hampshire #43. Nebraska #42. Minnesota #41. Illinois #40. California #39. Wisconsin #38. Missouri #37. Washington #36. Ohio #35. Rhode Island #34. Kansas #33. North Dakota #32. Iowa #31. Vermont #30. Washington D.C. #29. Oregon #28. South Dakota #27. Maine #26. New Mexico #25. Utah #24. Arizona #23. Virginia #22. North Carolina #21. Nevada #20. Idaho #19. Colorado #18. Indiana #17. Florida #16. Montana #15. Oklahoma #14. Maryland #13. Texas #12. Delaware #11. South Carolina #10. West Virginia #9. Mississippi #8. Alabama #7. Tennessee #6. Wyoming #5. Arkansas #4. Kentucky #3. Alaska #2. Louisiana #1. Georgia Carbondale is a long way from the West Coast where Matt Williams grew up and from the Broadway and theater districts of New York City and he likes it that way. Yet, he also has made it his mission to help his students get to either locale if they desire. As a tenure track assistant professor of theater and dance, Williams uses his experience as an actor and choreographer to teach a wide range of classes in performing arts and he loves what he does and where he does it. I have a lot of things to do here. The main things I teach are acting, dance and movement and Im also responsible for supervising the stage management emphasis in our major, Williams, who has been on the SIU faculty since 2021 said. I also direct and choreograph some of our main stage productions. Unlike many of his students, Williams said he didnt get the theater bug until the end of his teen years. A self-described introvert, he said his first role was in a community theater production of "Oklahoma!" I played Will Parker and from that moment on, I was just super hooked. I felt like I really had something that I was called to and that really gave me motivation and excitement. It was great, he said. It gave me a place to belong and have meaning. His experience led him to audition for and be accepted into the highly-regarded Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, a two-year professional actor-training program. Not only did he learn acting, blocking, signing and dance, but he also was introduced to some of the classic Hollywood musicals and the hook was set even more securely. The dance program at the University of California Irvine followed, where he continued to expand his craft as a cast member in a number of musicals. Making a career move to New York, Williams soon landed the role of Coyote in the Cole Porter musical Red Hot and Blue at one of the countrys top regional theaters. Somehow I got this role without anything professional on my resume, Williams recalled. I was working at this regional theater just north of New York City with performers from Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Through this role and others, he made the decision to become a choreographer, working more than a decade designing dance and movement for shows of all sorts, even spending eight years as the Big Piano choreographer for the FAO Schwartz toy store in New York City. So why pursue a career change to teach instead of being on the stage? He said he has found he has a real knack not just for teaching, but also for directing something his current role allows him to do. Teaching come naturally for a choreographer. Its what you do, he explained, adding that choosing academia was a family-led decision he made with his wife, Jennifer, a dancer in her own right, having danced with the New York City Ballet for 18 years. A man of immense faith, he added that he felt called to Carbondale. I was a finalist at three or four different institutions. Coming here was providence because it is the perfect fit and the perfect situation for my family. I feel really useful here and that Im really feeling a need, he said. I am truly passionate about this and I love this job. He added that his family previously housed in a small apartment in New York, loves the region and its people. He also works to connect with his students. I try to communicate with students in the best way I can how great theater is and how exciting it can be, he explained. It really boils down to what does it feel like to create something? There is this huge gift that God has given us the feeling of creation. Its an incredible feeling. Williams said he is grateful and excited to work with theater students and wants to build the SIU program. I want to make this School of Theater and Dance thrive and grow and become one of the leading programs in the Midwest, he said. MERMET LAKE No one is certain exactly how many mink there are in Illinois. No one is certain if the population is declining or expanding. One thing that is a certainty, at least anecdotally, is that the small mammal is thriving at Mermet Lake, located on Route 45 between Vienna and Metropolis. We see mink quite a bit down here, said Chris McGinness, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources site superintendent at Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. I have seen mink out here for many years, and seen several of them. I dont necessarily know there are more right now. They may be just a little more exposed. I dont know if theyve been moving around a little more. McGinness said staff members at Mermet probably spot one of the elusive mammals a couple times a month. Mink are small; they weigh less than five pounds. They are secretive and they are most active from dusk to dawn. The most frequent sightings seem to be around Tucker Ditch, the waterway bordering the lakes west levee. In recent years the IDNR has held water in the woods in that area of the lake for much of the year. That may be a reason mink seem to be congregating there. The most effective way for the state to monitor the mink population is through trapper surveys. Its hard to say for sure (if the mink population is expanding), said Stan McTaggart, the IDNRs Wildlife Diversity Program Manager. We dont have any surveys that are comprehensive enough to boil them down in a region like that. Overall, I havent noticed anything. When you try to isolate a region and look at trends, its hard to do. The chances of spotting a mink in the wild are somewhat remote. You can reduce those odds by looking in the right places. Mink love to hunt the edges, the combination of cover for anything they can catch; crawfish, muskrats, any place there is cover from prey, McTaggart said. They like anything as long as they have good cover and plenty of prey. They are hunting the rip rap along lake shores. Theyre just so adaptable, they can do well just about anywhere there is water, he said. The time of the year also matters. Although mink dont truly hibernate, they hunker down through the cold winter months, frequently in muskrat dens they have commandeered. McTaggart said there are just 6-7,000 active trappers in the state. Honestly, I think there are a lot of people doing it on the nuisance side, he said. They arent doing it for profit. Theyre doing it because they like to do it. There are some people doing it with their children knowing they arent going to get much of a return. There are some folks that do it no matter what the prices are. There are others that will jump in when the prices are good. Currently, a mink pelt will only fetch $5-6. The decline of fur prices is pretty staggering, McTaggart said. The numbers for raccoon would shock you. Most of them didnt sell. People are lucky to get $1.50 out of them. Beaver are up a little bit, thats the glimmer of hope in the market this year. I think there is a little bit of demand for them. HOPKINS -- A new National Park Service report shows that 204,522 visitors to Congaree National Park in 2022 spent approximately $11,831,000 in communities near the park. Congaree National Park, South Carolina South Carolina's only national park is Congaree, located outside of the city of Columbia. Established in 2003 after being declared a national That spending supported 138 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of over $14,220,000. Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 300 million visitors every year. The impact of tourism to national parks is undeniable: bringing jobs and revenue to communities in every state in the country and making national parks an essential driver to the national economy, said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. For the second year in a row Congaree has welcomed over 200,000 annual visitors to the largest remaining old-growth bottomland forest in the United States. said Superintendent Greg Hauburger. The proximity of the park to multiple metropolitan areas is a driver for the local economy, supporting almost $12M in local spending. The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists at the National Park Service. The report shows $23.9 billion of direct spending by nearly 312 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 378,400 jobs nationally; 314,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $50.3 billion. As for the economics of visitor spending, the lodging sector had the highest direct effects, with $9 billion in economic output nationally. The restaurants sector was had the second greatest effects, with $4.6 billion in economic output nationally. Report authors also produce an interactive tool that enables users to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: Visitor Spending Effects - Economic Contributions of National Park Visitor Spending - Social Science (U.S. National Park Service)(nps.gov). To learn more about national parks in South Carolina and how the National Park Service works with South Carolina communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to the states NPS webpage: South Carolina (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). A cannabis brownie looks and taste just like your usual home-baked brownie. An uncomfortable number of young people have been ending up in the emergency rooms of hospitals or the court system due to their consumption of cannabis edibles. This is according to pharmacist Joanne Ince-Jack. Ince-Jack, a speaker at a symposium on "The Dangers of Edibles and Teen Cannabis Use held at the Methodist Church Hall on August 19th, urged that more dialogue needed to be entered into with young people here. At the event, hosted by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Pharmacy Council in collaboration with the Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA), Ince-Jack noted that parents visualize their teens smoking marijuana by way of cigarette-like joints, pipes, etc. She, however, noted that the consumption of marijuana has become creative not least being through brownies (pastry), beverages, chocolate bars and candies, and warned that regardless of the method used to consume it, high amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, were being digested. The pharmacist acknowledged that data on teen cannabis use in SVG was still being gathered, and referring to studies from the USA, she said it was revealed that teens were consuming cannabis edibles to reduce the likelihood of being caught. Ince-Jack said also highlighted that the use edibles has become a preference for those who do not like to smoke, such as females, as they did not want to have their bodies carry the odor. She was also concerned with the marketing schemes and packaging that support the sale and use of the edibles, citing the sweet taste and colourful wrappings which far too easily attract the unsuspecting teenager. "It was easier to overdose on edibles because of over eating, as the digestive time in the body takes a much longer time, the pharmacist warned. In the circumstances and in an effort to nip this habit in the bud, Ince-Jack called on parents, teachers and youth leaders to be observant and open to discussion with young people about the dangers of cannabis use, particularly at an early age. Chief at the Technical Department at the Medicinal Cannabis Authority, MCA Dr. Jean-Saville Cummings also advocated the need for more dialogue with youngsters about cannabis use. He noted that teen usage was not advocated unless prescribed by a doctor but also admitted that teenagers are naturally curious and would want "to experiment. And while he accepted that cannabis was not necessarily life threating, he, like Ince-Jack, cautioned that it was easy to overdose on it. Notwithstanding the creeping new practices surrounding cannabis, Dr. Cummings assured that this country has been ensuring that policies have been established that adhere to global conventions to govern medicinal cannabis. Among these was that persons who have been prescribed cannabis for health-related purposes, must have a card to verify this, allowing them to use cannabis in a safe environment. In the case of SVG, there are four legal consumption lounges - in Ratho Mill, Bequia, Georgetown and Enhams. He warned, though, that it was still illegal to smoke cannabis in public, even with a doctors prescription. In effect, the cultivation and consumption of cannabis remain illegal. It has not been decriminalized here. Attorney Grant Connell put the system through something of a self-examination as he mitigated in a marijuana-related case. "Ganja gone bourgeois. Thats the view of attorney Grant Connell, a staunch advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana. Connells remarks came on Tuesday as he mitigated on behalf of Joel McClean, a 34-year-old carpenter of Stubbs who was charged with possession of 6,356 grams of marijuana with intent to supply. McClean had initially pleaded not guilty on August 17, but changed his plea to guilty on his return to the Kingstown Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Connell told the Court that a friend had given the marijuana to his client almost nine months ago, and it was moldy, cobwebbed, and almost rotten. Prosecutor Corlene Samuel said the marijuana amounted to 14 pounds and placed its value at $7,000. She pointed out that the Serious Offenses Court, which deals with drug-related matters but is currently on vacation, has been using $500 per pound as the value for marijuana. But Connell lamented that marijuana, once the poor peoples thing, is now controlled by the bourgeois. "Ganja is now bourgeois, and the poor man must pay the price, he opined. The lawyer said that the local medical cannabis investors are paying US$50 per pound for marijuana. "When you benefit, is US$50 per pound, but when you suffer is EC$500, he quipped. Referring to the marijuana which was found at his clients home in two plastic buckets, Connell said, "That has no value, that cant smoke, that cant make wine. I dont know how competent police could take that (marijuana), fill out the forms, and feed him with something (charge) like that, Connell suggested. Connell said there is a direct nexus between value and sentencing, as the Court could impose a fine of three times the value. He noted that the head of the Cannabis Revival Committee (CRC), Junior Spirit Cottle had prepared an affidavit for him for a marijuana case, some years ago, in which Cottle placed the value of marijuana in SVG as between EC$250 and EC$300 per pound. Connell said that when his client initially appeared in Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge, he was granted bail, but the prosecution asked for reporting conditions, stop notices to be placed at all ports of entry and exit, and that his client surrender his travel documents. "I cannot believe that the prosecutor will tell the Court that moldy ganja would carry the same value, knowing there is a nexus between value and sentencing, the lawyer purported. Presiding Magistrate John Ballah commented that the marijuana in the buckets found at McCleans home which were exhibited in Court, had a very strong odour. He also told Connell that the reason why the value of illegal marijuana was higher than that of medicinal marijuana was because of the risks involved in the illegal trade. But Connell contended that it was the risks of those people who kept the ganja flames burning, having been in the trenches for years that, "We can now boast that we have 50 years experience in the field, one of the reasons listed why SVG is one of the leaders in the Caribbean for cannabis. The Magistrate smiled broadly, but he made it clear that "Until the laws are changed until it is legalized, and not just decriminalized, I have to impose the law. No longer would he have to cover his locks while in class. Male Rastafarian students will no longer be required to wear tams to cover their dreadlocks while in school. Education Minister Fayval Williams, addressing the 59th annual conference of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), said the measure would most likely go into effect this new academic term. "There have been a few times that Ive gone to schools and I see boys, maybe not more than one or two in a particular school, wearing tams to school to cover their locks. This is 2023 we really, really should not be doing that anymore. We need to respect other peoples religion, Williams said. She told the conference that the new directive is a part of a new draft of the dress and grooming policy which is set to be published ahead of the 2023/2024 academic year. "Yes, we need to say to our students you have to ensure that your hair is clean and so forth. But come on, you shouldnt have to cover your hair unless thats what your religion calls for, she added. The JTA conference, which ends later on Wednesday, is being held under the theme Advancing the Vision: Reigniting the Passion through Equitable, Inclusive Educational Opportunities. During her address, Williams, underscored the importance of the JTA to the islands education sector, saying that her ministry recognises the association as an important partner in Jamaicas education system. "You have been united in advocating for education access for students across the country, and in this, you and the Ministry share a united vision and purpose, Williams said, commending the educators, whom she said have acted on their passion and calling "and remained in a profession where the rewards rarely come in the form of material things. "In your work with the JTA, you have committed to a role of advocacy, not only for your colleagues but also for improvement in education. "All of us, together, have a unique opportunity, not only to shape lives and minds but, indeed, future generations. Those of you being recognised this evening have played an important role in that process. You have set a fine example for others to emulate. (TBTCO) - Tam iem cua thi truong tai chinh toan cau nhieu tuan qua la su gia tang khong ngung cua loi suat trai phieu chinh phu My co ky han tu 10 nam tro len. Tuan nay, loi suat trai phieu ky han 10 nam a vuot qua muc 5%, lan au tien ke tu nam 2007, khi cac nha au tu ban thao do lo ngai lam phat co the tiep tuc cao hon trong boi canh chinh phu My ang ngap trong no. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Authorities have identified the 43-year-old man who was shot and killed Wednesday in Burns, the Laramie County Sheriffs Office announced. Ashley Bartel was found dead at the scene due to an apparent gunshot wound, the statement said. His family has been notified. Deputies were dispatched to 4572 Teal Lane for a report of a person who was shot, the statement said. They received the call at about 1:23 p.m. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, Tyler Hills, had fled the scene in a red Mazda car, the statement said. Immediate efforts were initiated to locate and apprehend the suspect, the statement said. Law enforcement personnel swiftly mobilized to secure the area and initiate a search for the suspect vehicle. Shortly after, Pine Bluffs Police Chief Austin Smith spotted a red car, which matched the suspect vehicles description, the statement said. The red Mazda was driving on Interstate 80 near Pine Bluffs. Smith, in coordination with the Laramie County Sheriffs Office, initiated a stop at County Road 159 and 210. Hill, who was the sole occupant of the car, was identified, the statement said. He was taken into custody without further incident. Law enforcement personnel conducted a thorough investigation, spanning from the Antelope Truck Stop to Exit 1 on Interstate 80 in Nebraska, the statement said. This meticulous process ensured the collection and preservation of crucial evidence related to the incident, the statement said. Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available, the statement said. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Laramie County Sheriffs Office. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. A Powell woman suspected of using the U.S. Postal Service to receive packages filled with drugs, with one shipment containing 10,000 fentanyl pills and one pound of meth, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. Victoria Zupko pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, federal court filings state. She was also charged with possession with intent to distribute, but that charge will be dropped at her sentencing. Zupko is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 25 in Cheyenne, the filing states. She is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The details of her plea agreement have not been made public. She remains detained without bail, as federal prosecutors deemed her a flight risk, federal court filings state. Zupkos case stems from a package that contained about 2.3 pounds or 10,000 pills of fentanyl and one pound of meth that was scheduled to be delivered in Powell. Inspectors started monitoring Zupkos address after Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation special agents tipped them off in November, the filing states. USPS business records showed the address was receiving parcels from known drug source areas California and Arizona, the filing states. On March 15, Zupko allegedly called the USPS supervisor of distribution in Casper to ask about the whereabouts of her package, the filing states. That same day, a judge approved a search warrant for a package arriving from Phoenix. Officials obtained a search warrant for Zupkos home before the package was scheduled to be delivered, the filing states. An undercover postal inspector then delivered the package to her front door six days later. Zupko allegedly retrieved the package from her doorstep, and officials searched her home 15 minutes later, the filing states. She is accused of having partially consumed fentanyl pills and other drug paraphernalia while there was a young child in her home, the filing states. Zupko allegedly told authorities this wasnt the first time she had received a large shipment of drugs through the mail, the filing states. Two other drug-filled packages had already made its way to her home. She estimated one of the parcels contained 6,000-8,000 fentanyl pills and the other parcel contained one pound of methamphetamine and 4,000 fentanyl pills, the filing states. Those drugs had already been distributed. Authorities estimated this was happening from at least November to March, the indictment states. Zupko planned to split the drugs contained in the seized delivery with other people, the filing states. She allegedly told investigators she made over $100,000 last year selling fentanyl pills, which she sold for $60 a piece, the filing states. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. A 64-year-old Minnesota man was found dead Thursday morning after he was overdue from an 11-day solo journey into the Wind River Range, the Sublette County Sheriff's Office announced. John Diepholz was found dead near an unnamed lake, the sheriff's office said in a statement. Tip Top Search and Rescue members found him unresponsive at about 11:30 a.m. above Spider Lake. Diepholz had succumbed to injuries, which were consistent with a fall, the statement said. "It was not the outcome any of us wanted, but we can at least bring some closure to all involved," the statement said. Diepholz was reported missing at 4 p.m. Monday after he failed to contact his family, the statement said. He was overdue from his trip, which began Aug. 5. "He was reported to be hiking to the area surrounding Wall Lake by himself and was due out of the mountains on Aug. 16th," the statement said. Wall Lake is about 15 miles in from the Elk Hart trailhead. Personnel were searching on the ground and by helicopter since Tuesday for any signs of John, the statement said. Officials talked to and interviewed over 200 people in the field hiking area. Authorities "thank the public and backcountry hikers for getting the word out and keeping an eye out for John," the statement said. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. WHEN the rice finishes, we make dumplings. Thats the reality for one family because they simply cannot afford to replenish food until the next pay cheque. Living pay cheque to pay cheque is a dilemma many households are facing in Trinidad and Tobago. Heads must roll and there must be an immediate investigation into who purchased 20 unusable wooden ladders for the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) for a whopping $1 million. The ladders are now parked up behind the Fire Service headquarters because they cannot be mounted on fire trucks, Leo Ramkissoon, president of the Fire Services Association, told the Sunday Express yesterday. Chief Justice Ivor Archies recent call for acceptance among judges suggests that at least some of them have not been dispensing justice impartially to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking at the Caribbean Judges Forum on HIV Health and Human Rights last Thursday, the Chief Justice asserted, As lawyers and judges, we must begin from the premise that it is possible to construct functional, moral or ethical codes of behaviour without adherence to any particular doctrine, regardless of how strongly we may hold our personal religious convictions. Tucson-based startup Reglagene Inc. has won a major investment from a California angel investor group to advance toward clinical studies of new treatments for brain cancers and neurological disorders based on technology developed at the University of Arizona. The undisclosed investment from members of nationally known Tech Coast Angels Orange County will support studies required for Reglagene to file an Investigational New Drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company said. Reglagene was founded in 2016 to commercialize technology developed by co-founders Laurence Hurley, University of Arizona professor emeritus of medicinal chemistry, and UA associate research professor Vijay Gokhale. Hurley is Reglagenes chief science officer; Gokhale is vice president of drug discovery. The companys core drug technology, which is licensed from the UA, uses DNA quadraplex master switch technology to identify small molecules that can act to switch certain genes on and off, with the aim of killing cancer cells. The original technology was acquired by San Diego-based Cylene Pharmaceuticals and taken through mid-phase clinical trials before the company dropped it. Reglagene is designing small-molecule treatments that will pass through the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from infection, to treat brain cancer tumors, tumors from other cancers that spread to the brain, as well as neurological disorders such as Parkinsons disease. The company declined to say the amount of the investment or comment beyond the news release, citing a regulatory quiet period required before an investment round is closed. In mid-May, Reglagene filed a notice of an exempt security offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission detailing an offering of $3 million in stock for equity and warrants or other stock options. The filing under Regulation D, which covers private placements of stock, said the company has sold $1.65 million worth of stock with 22 investors and a minimum investment of $25,000. TCA Orange County invested in our future, Reglagene CEO Richard Austin said in prepared remarks. This internationally respected group did very thorough diligence on our company before deciding it was a wise investment. In addition to the appreciation for the medical advances and life-changing benefits from our work, its also nice to be recognized as a solid investment for financial return. The investment will support the studies required by the FDA for Reglagene to file an Investigational New Drug application, a step that confirms the safety and pharmacological activity exhibited by a drug for commercial development and paves the way to the initiation of human clinical trials, the company said. We believe that Reglagenes unique and novel approach will positively impact quality of life for many people, and we are excited to be a part of their journey, said Lisa Walker, president of Tech Coast Angels Orange County. We are confident in Reglagenes ability to deliver on their promise to bring groundbreaking advancements in the treatment of brain diseases. Angel investors are individuals who qualify to invest in private-equity deals because of their high income or net worth. They generally vet companies as a group and invest individually, though some form communal side funds. Founded in 1997, Tech Coast Angels has invested more than $270 million in more than 520 companies and has helped attract more than $2.2 billion in additional capital. One of the largest and most active angel investor groups in the nation, TCA has steadily remained one of the top three angel groups nationally in number of funded deals, amounts invested and number of members for over two decades. Members of Tucsons own, very active angel investor group, the Desert Angels, have invested in Reglagene and several other UA life-science tech spinoffs, including NuvOx Pharma, Regulonix and Avery Therapeutics. And Reglagene isnt the only local biotech startup to attract out-of-state angel funding recently. In June, Tucson-based drug developer NuvOx announced it had won funding of nearly $200,000 from an Indiana-based angel investor group to further clinical trials of its oxygen-based therapeutics for diseases including brain cancer and stroke. Tech-talent scoreboard Tucson cant match major technology hubs like San Francisco or Seattle, or even Phoenix for the availability of top-tier, local tech talent. But the Old Pueblo is an up-and-comer in that category, according to real-estate giant CBREs latest Scoring Tech talent report released in July. Tucson ranked No. 13 on CBREs list of up-and-coming North American tech-talent markets in the annual report, which ranks 75 U.S. and Canadian markets according to their ability to attract and grow tech talent. Tucsons local tech employment has grown by 3% in the past five years, and its tech wages have increased by 13%, CBRE says. The report identifies emerging tech hubs in most regions of North America, from Huntsville in the Southeast to Providence in the Northeast to Albuquerque in the West. Canada landed three cities on the list. David Montijo, a CBRE first vice president in Tucson, said Tucson benefits from not only a top-notch institution in the University of Arizona but also thriving aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. The areas relatively low cost of living and rising tech wages makes it all the more appealing to the tech employers and keep local students who graduate with technology degrees from the University of Arizona, Montijo said. These up-and-coming markets are separate from the 50 larger tech markets that CBREs report ranks in its Tech Talent Scorecard. In contrast, the next 25 markets are ranked by a narrower set of criteria than the top 50, including tech talent supply, wages, concentration, recent growth rates and their outlook. Nationally, tech talent job growth of 7.3% in the study year ended May 2022 topped the pace of non-tech job growth (5%) in that span. But CBRE noted that many technology companies have announced layoffs this year, with roughly 25% of those cuts affecting tech talent professions and the rest affecting non-tech roles at tech companies. An Illinois inmates confession in a Tucson murder case in which a former Tucson fire captain was convicted of killing his ex-wife, mother-in-law and a third woman is false, prosecutors say. The inmate has made numerous false confessions in the past, prosecutors say in court filings. The case involves David Dwayne Watson who was convicted of the murders. Last month, Pima County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Kuhn ordered prosecutors to provide Watsons attorney, Paul Banales, with the entire file from a sheriffs department investigation into the confession made by the inmate, Corey Fox, in the killing of Linda Watson, the fire captains ex-wife. Banales had filed a motion in May asking prosecutors for the file after he got a copy of a four-page letter Fox wrote in December 2022 in which he claimed responsibility for killing Linda Watson. In a July court filing, Deputy County Attorney Bradley Roach said they were alerted about Foxs confession on Dec. 11. By the next day, they requested that a sheriffs department detective investigate the letter. Months later, it was determined that Foxs claim was a false confession, saying that he has made false murder claims for more than 20 years in an apparent attempt to get attention, the notice said. By mid-March, prosecutors told the defense attorney they did not believe the letter was truthful, the filing said. Roach also apologized in the notice for missing the hearing that discussed whether Banales would be given the file. He said the case was still assigned to the previous appellate counsel and was not aware of the hearin. The prosecution has since given Banales the full file, the notice said. Watson is currently serving two life sentences along with a 16-year sentence in prison for the murders of Linda Watson, Marilyn Cox, his mother-in-law, and Renee Farnsworth, a friend of Cox. Linda Watson, 35, disappeared from her home the in 2000. Three years later, her skull was found near the Silverbell Mine northwest of Tucson and identified as hers in 2011, the Arizona Daily Star reported. Three years after her disappearance, her mother, Cox, 63 and her friend Farnsworth, 53, were shot and killed in Coxs driveway by a lone gunman after Cox had her first unsupervised visit with the Watsons daughter. In 2015, Watson was charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder in connection with the killings. During his trial, the prosecutor said Watson killed his wife to end a nasty custody battle over their daughter. He also said Watson killed Cox after she publicly blamed him for her daughters disappearance. Despite being found guilty, Watson has maintained his innocence. His counsel had previously appealed his convictions to the Arizona Court of Appeals but was denied in 2019. The Tucson Police community service officer being investigated by the DEA was arrested at the Nogales border carrying fentanyl and methamphetamine, a federal complaint said. Tucson police have acknowledged the arrest, issuing a news release this week about the Drug Enforcement Administration case, but they did not identify the employee nor provide any details about the arrest. David Ismael Alberto Morales was arrested Tuesday at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales while waiting to get back into the United States from Nogales, Sonora, a complaint filed in federal court said. While Morales was in line with other vehicles to get into Arizona, a drug dog alerted to the drivers side door of his pickup truck, the complaint said. US Customs and Border Protection Officers say they found 73 packages of blue pills that weighed about 50 pounds and 55 packages of a substance that weighed about 56 pounds. The packages tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, the complaint said. The drugs were hidden in various voids of the truck, including inside the door panels and inside the tailgate, the complaint said. During an interview, Morales told investigators he began transporting drugs in June 2023. Morales said he had transported drugs into the U.S. three times prior to his arrest, the complaint said. Morales was arrested on suspicion of two counts of knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine, the complaint said. A day after the border arrest, Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar issued a news release saying an employee was involved in a DEA probe related to off-duty actions. After hearing from the DEA, TPD said they launched a criminal investigation and an administrative inquiry into the allegations. They department also initiated termination proceedings and placed Morales on unpaid leave. Morales was a community service officer professional staff member and joined the department in December 2021. Community service officers are not police officers. Theyre used by the TPD for things like responding and investigating non-emergency crimes, accidents and dispatched calls. They also help provide customer service. The Tucson Police Department treats all allegations of criminal acts or misconduct by employees very seriously. The actions and behaviors exhibited by this employee are not reflective of our agencys core values, and warranted immediate review and action on my behalf, Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar said in its news release. Conservationists and migration experts are clearing up misconceptions in a recent New York Post story that claimed floodgates in the border wall south of Tucson are inexplicably open and are responsible for a surge in Tucson sector migrant encounters in July. The Post story with a print headline of Floodgates are open (literally!) focused on a stretch of border wall near Lukeville, Arizona, where border agents must open stormwater gates during monsoon season to prevent water and debris from knocking down the wall entirely. Floodgates in Arizonas border wall sections were also opened during the walls construction in 2020, when President Donald Trump was still in office, said Laiken Jordahl, Southwest conservation advocate with the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity. It has to be done, from an engineering standpoint. If the gates dont open, the wall will fall down, said Jordahl, who previously worked with the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management before joining the Center for Biological Diversity in 2017. Jordahl monitored border wall construction and regularly shares missives with his Twitter followers from the environmentally sensitive areas affected by the wall, including Organ Pipe National Monument, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The Border Patrols Tucson Sector is broad, and border agents routinely face drive times of more than two hours in their work. During monsoon season, gates are sometimes left open because agents couldnt reach them quickly enough if a sudden storm occurred, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP. High-water flow combined with excessive sediment and debris build up can stress or compromise the design integrity of the barrier. Once the rain or flood event is over and the debris and sediment are removed, the gates can be closed and secured, a CBP statement said. When gates are damaged, they must be secured open to prevent additional damage that would prolong the gap in the infrastructure, according to CBP. Floodgates can be spot welded open, but that does not mean theyre permanently open, as the Post story suggests, Jordahl said. The welds are simply cut when its time to close the gates, he said. Some areas of the border will see gates open full-time under a July settlement resulting from a lawsuit over how the Trump administration paid for new border wall construction. Under the settlement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security must allow gates in certain areas to remain open to allow larger wildlife, such as the Sonoran pronghorn, to migrate freely, the Star reported last month. Real risk The risk of flood damage to border infrastructure isnt theoretical. In 2021, sections of the wall were damaged, with floodgates ripped from their hinges, after historic rains cascaded across the border near the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Arizona. If those gates had not been open, the reality is it would have taken the wall down. Theres just so much energy and pressure, the wall would not be able to sustain holding that back, said Jeremiah H. Leibowitz, executive director of environmental group Cuenca Los Ojos, based in the San Bernardino Valley, near Douglas. The binational nonprofit manages 121,000 acres in northern Mexico, which includes 33 miles of the international border, and works to preserve and restore biodiversity in the region. In 2014, monsoon runoff knocked over 60 feet of the border wall in Nogales, clogged small stormwater drainage holes in the wall and flooded nearby yards and homes, the Nogales International reported. In 2011, rain and debris washed away about 40 feet of the wall at Lukeville, the Star reported at the time. Border wall fencing in the Tucson Sector was built in various segments between 2009 and 2021, and stormwater drainage has always been a consideration. These gates prevent flooding and subsequent environmental, infrastructure and community damage in various areas during the monsoon season in Southern Arizona, the CBP statement said. Busy Tucson sector In July, the Tucson border sector which ranges from Pima Countys western border with Yuma County to the New Mexico border became the busiest of the nine southern border sectors, according to federal data released last week. Tucson Sector encounters with Border Patrol agents reached a 15-year high in July, with nearly 40,000 people encountering border agents between official ports of entry. The open floodgates are unlikely to be a major factor in the July uptick in Tucson Sector encounters, Ariel Ruiz Soto, senior policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, said in a Thursday email. Smugglers have sophisticated technology to monitor gaps in border fencing and border-agent enforcement levels, allowing them to adapt their smuggling routes accordingly, he said. But CBP has counter intelligence to direct agents to vulnerabilities, or highly trafficked areas, along the border wall, as well, he said. And CBP statistics from recent past monsoon seasons when floodgates would have also been open show a dip in migrant crossings in the Tucson Sector for June and July, he said. This last point indicates that, even if the floodgates were opened, there are likely many other factors enforcement in (the neighboring) Yuma Sector, change in migrant composition, other border policies that influenced and drove migrants to Tucson sector last month, he said. Border wall impact Facing resistance from Congress, in 2019 Trump declared a national emergency at the border, which allowed his administration to use billions in Department of Defense funds to construct the wall, The Associated Press reported. The emergency declaration also exempted the construction from environmental regulations, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, that would normally force the government to assess environmental impacts before approving projects. The emergency declaration sparked opposition, and litigation, from environmental groups. The Center for Biological Diversity submitted comments on the proposal to build 63 miles of border wall in the Tucson Sector, but the government was under no obligation to consider or respond to those concerns, as it normally would be under NEPA, Jordahl said. The environmental groups comments said the Trump administrations rushed timeline and lack of environmental analysis meant threatened species and fragile environments could be irreversibly damaged. The border wall cuts through the 40 million-acre Sky Island ecosystem, which stretches from southeast Arizona to southern New Mexico and northern Mexico and is a hotspot of biodiversity, Leibowitz said. You have these seas of desert grassland, interspersed with islands of mountains, Leibowitz said. You find the flora and fauna that exist at these higher elevations is equivalent to what you might find up in the Rockies of Colorado and at the same time, the Sonoran grassland desert species coexist in the same environment. This juxtaposition makes this region unique. The routine floodgate openings in the wall demonstrate its fundamental ineffectiveness as a border enforcement strategy, Jordahl said. Migrants have scaled the wall and cut through the bollard fencing using equipment easily purchased at Home Depot, he said. On a recent visit to the border, Jordahl found a discarded $5 angle grinder next to a section of the wall that had been cut open. Its a physical impossibility to build an impermeable wall through these rugged, remote locations, he said. The hysteria around these gates being open is so ungrounded from reality. These journalists, these politicians have not been out on the landscape. They dont understand the power of the monsoon rains here and they also dont realize people are cutting through and climbing over the wall every day. The gates are obviously a very easy thing to point to and scapegoat. But none of this is about reality. Its all about drumming up rage and fear. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: My niece is 16 years old, and she is just starting to consider where she would like to attend college. Recently, she visited Tucson to tour the University of Arizona where I am a Higher Education PhD student. We spent a beautiful, albeit hot morning, walking around campus, chatting with our tour guide, and popping into residential halls. The compulsory stop at the university bookshop for a Wildcats sweatshirt was certainly a highlight of the day and as an Auntie, I could not have been prouder of my niece. Driving home, a disturbing thought uncomfortably wormed its way into the back of my mind. How will University of Arizona community members be safe on campus this year? If my niece attends college, how can I assure her wellbeing? These questions are essential for anyone who is preparing to transition into college or university. For friends, family, or loved ones with a stake in higher education safety, these concerns are all the more salient. U.S. media is inundated with reports of mass shootings, and we cannot afford to neglect safety. Last year, the University of Arizona received national media attention when a disgruntled graduate student shot and killed a faculty member in the Hydrology and Atmospheric Science (HAS) department. Since the shooting, President Robbins has made campus safety a leading institutional priority. Slowly, progress has been made to address the institutions securitization policies and shore up its safety protocols. According to Interim Chief Safety Officer, Steve Patterson, I want UA to be considered the benchmark when it comes to safety on college campuses. This is no easy feat and change is slow to take root. There exist distinct factors and circumstances that compel an individual to carry out a mass shooting, according to violence experts Dr. Jilian Peterson and Dr. James Densley. Defined as an attack with a firearm that kills at least four people, not including the assailant, mass shootings are frequently perpetrated by individuals with a troubled and often traumatic past. These, paired with feelings of isolation, limited social networks, and/or diminished economic opportunities are high risk factors. In other circumstances, committing a mass shooting is a method of completing suicide, as perpetrators are often shot and killed when U.S. law enforcement becomes involved. Regardless of the motivation and attuning to the limitations that implementing an arbitrary four-count casualty rate imposes, the warning signs prior to an attack with a firearm are often clear. In response to this reality, colleges and universities must invest in mental health resources, establish clear communication pathways, and adopt a culture of compassion when managing remedial action. Professionals who understand the warning signs, implement early support interventions, and coordinate with other campus resources construct an effective initial defense against campus violence. Additionally, assembling a team of competent mental health professionals and trauma-informed clinicians functions as a checkpoint for detection. However, this is just one-half of the equation. The other half is to educate and inform the campus community on available resources, including the protocols for triaging support. Streamlined systems and clear communication reduces the burden of reporting, provides aid to community members, and promotes a safer campus environment. In cases that warrant remedial action, it is essential that universities adopt a culture of compassion and coordinate support with outside networks. Frequently, violence occurs when individuals feel slighted and possess no alternative options. Although counter-intuitive, implementing sympathetic disciplinary strategies that provide reduced yet continued resources, such as extended healthcare benefits, deescalates emotionally charged dismissals which could otherwise prompt violent behaviors. These strategies are not foolproof for preventing violence. However, they may help to reduce such occurrences and we must hold our colleges and universities accountable for promoting campus safety. When my niece attends college, I hope the University of Arizona is the benchmark for safety. Until then, I anticipate an exciting and safe Fall semester ahead. Investigators with the Osage County Sheriff's Office were in Kansas on Tuesday searching property where BTK serial killer Dennis Rader once lived for possible clues into missing and murdered people here. Osage County Undersheriff Gary Upton confirmed Wednesday that investigators had been at a property in Park City, Kansas, a suburb north of Wichita, where Rader once lived. Upton said the investigation here started with a missing person case in Pawhuska that has since evolved to other missing persons cases and unsolved murders. "The Osage County Sheriff's Office is continuing to follow leads in unsolved missing persons and murder cases possibly related to BTK," Upton said. He said investigators have since returned from Kansas but said he could not comment further on the investigation at this time. Rader, 78, is serving 10 consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty in 2005 to murders in the Wichita area between 1974 and 1991. Rader, a former church congregation president and Boy Scouts leader, called himself BTK for "bind, torture, kill." BTK, who would taunt law enforcement after the killings in Kansas, resurfaced in 2004 after years of silence. Police arrested Rader shortly thereafter, in part by linking a Microsoft Word document that he sent investigators with his writings to a computer at his church. The Wichita Eagle reported Tuesday that the home where Rader lived in Park City is now gone, leaving just a vacant lot. Investigators were digging in an area where two concrete slabs had been removed on the property, the newspaper reported. Rader, meanwhile, has said authorities have interviewed him twice this year about a Pawhuska teen's 1976 disappearance, according to the Charley Project, a database that compiles information about missing people. The teen, 16-year-old Cynthia Dawn Kinney, disappeared from a downtown Pawhuska laundry about 9:30 a.m. June 23, 1976, according to media reports at the time. Investigators at the time said two men and two women were involved in the disappearance. The girl was described in media reports from the time as a good student who was fond of baton twirling and cheerleading. James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow James D. Watts Jr. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Brian Hughes recently came across a menu from the first year the cafe and bakery known as Queenies was in operation. Just about every item on that menu is still on the menu today, Hughes said, amid the hubbub of a Friday lunch service at the Utica Square restaurant. And Im sure every dish is made the exact same way as it was made back then. That sort of consistency both in what is served and in how it is prepared has been a hallmark of Queenies, which has been serving Tulsans classic breakfast dishes, sandwiches, salads and sweet treats such pies, cakes and cookies, for the past 40 years. The restaurant, which in 2020 moved to a new location within Utica Square that faces 21st Street, is planning to celebrate its 40th anniversary the week of Sept. 18. While all the details have not been completely worked out, Hughes who took over ownership of Queenies in 2019 said that 1983 menu will play a significant role in how Queenies marks the start of its milestone celebration. Queenies is known for such lunchtime staples as egg salad, chicken salad and tomato tarts, classic breakfasts and sweets such as cookies, lemon squares, carrot cake and chocolate pie. In addition to its regular menu, the restaurant posts daily specials each week on its website, queeniesoftulsa.com. While Queenies has been one of the longer-lived tenants of Utica Square, the restaurant actually was a transplant to the center. Ruth Young, who founded Queenies, had originally opened a coffee shop in the Brookside shopping center now known as Center 1, at 3509 S. Peoria Ave. In 1983, Young moved to a different spot in the center (where Cafe Ole is now located) and opened Queenies. The legend is that Walt Helmerich (whose company Helmerich & Payne owns Utica Square) came in one day and tossed a key ring on Ruths counter, and told her that she needed to be in Utica Square, Hughes said. She ran both locations for a few months, but the Utica Square place took off like gangbusters, so she closed the Brookside shop. Hughes started out working at Queenies as a busboy, learning to navigate through the original restaurants notoriously close quarters. As time went on, he began learning more and more about Youngs ideas about food and service. Ive been in the restaurant business for a long time, but I learned more about food from Ruth Young than from any other experience, Hughes said. She was a true foodie, and she loved to travel and experience different cuisines. But she also understood the importance of simplicity, of keeping things honest and true. A lot of what we serve at Queenies is really not very different from something you might make at home, he said. Were not making the sort of colossal sandwiches you see at New York delis, for example. But Ruth was always very particular about the details why you should get the best olive oil you can find, for example, or why its important to make what you can from scratch. Hughes left Queenies in 2003 to pursue other interests, but when he returned in 2019, he realized that Youngs oft-stated desire to sell the restaurant was serious. The lease was coming up for renewal, and there were a lot of things about the original location that would need to be addressed for it to continue, he said. Fortunately, the people with Utica Square came to us and said a new spot had opened, and would we want it. The new location, 1816 Utica Square, features a large patio area as well as larger interior space although not as large as some might think. The new space has only 500 square feet more than the old location, Hughes said. That doesnt include the patio, of course. But even that amount of extra space makes it seem a little more spacious. Hughes said the contracts for the new location were signed in early 2020, just a month before the COVID-19 pandemic forced all restaurants to close down. Its odd to say now, but that turned out to be the best thing in the world for us, Hughes said. Marilyn Thompson, whos been here almost 40 years, had built a great to-go business model that allowed us to subsist as we got the new place in shape. So when we opened in August of 2020, we were ready to go, because there was a whole lot of people waiting for us to reopen. Hughes said only two things have changed about Queenies since he took over ownership. He added a lentil burger to the regular menu and added a full coffee service, using locally roasted coffee from Cirque Coffee Roasters. There was never any intent about changing what Queenies is, Hughes said. We know we have customers who really like the specials, because thats where our kitchen staff gets to play a bit with new things, which was something that Ruth started. We also know that some people who come here want a B.L.T. sandwich that tastes just the way it did 10, 15, even 40 years ago. Cherokee Nation is rolling out an expansion and reorganization of its filmmaking ecosystem. Cherokee Nation Businesses announced a new company name with four distinct branches and logos, as well as new social media accounts and website, aimed at better representing the tribes continued efforts in becoming a film and media production hub and creating important changes within the film and media industries. The tribes collective efforts in filmmaking, storytelling and content creation are now Cherokee Film. Cherokee Nation has quickly become a leading hub for Indigenous storytellers in television and film, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a news release. As we increase infrastructure, explore incentives, connect resources and remove barriers, Cherokee Nation and its businesses are helping grow and amplify television and film production in Oklahoma while making it possible for our citizens to be a part of it. Cherokee Films portfolio includes four branches Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Studios, Cherokee Film Commission and Cherokee Film Institute and represents more than 30 full-time employees. Cherokee Nation and its businesses continue to stand at the forefront of industry and economic growth in Oklahoma, Chuck Garrett, CNBs chief executive officer, said. We are very proud of our ongoing leadership role in helping grow and evolve the film and television industry, and its time that our brand recognizes the entirety of those efforts. Under Cherokee Film Productions, the tribe will continue sharing its stories through the popular and award-winning television production OsiyoTV and will add a slate of new projects, creating new content that tells Cherokee stories and contributes to the tribes language revitalization efforts. Cherokee Film Studios will continue supporting the local, regional and Native film industries through investments in infrastructure, expanding upon the tribes existing soundstage facility in Owasso. The Cherokee Film Commission will continue offering its industry-leading initiatives supporting all types of content creators, such as its $1 million annual film rebate, cultural consulting services and Native American crew, talent and support services directories. Under Cherokee Film Institute, the tribe is investing in a long-term strategy to create educational and workforce opportunities aimed at removing the barrier for Native Americans to enter the industry and create a sustainable workforce in and around the Cherokee Nation reservation. The launch of Cherokee Film represents a new way forward, not just for the Cherokee people, but for all of Indian Country and for film and media as a whole. With a community-driven mindset, we have built a living, breathing ecosystem to create positive change through the practice of storytelling in the digital age, said Jennifer Loren, senior director of Cherokee Film, said. From our Native American talent and crew databases and film rebate program to our state-of-the-art soundstage, Cherokee Nation is quickly becoming a hub for film and media production while creating job opportunities and generating economic activity throughout northeastern Oklahoma. With Cherokee Films new investments in film and media production and investments in educating our workforce, we hope to create lasting change that will help diversify the stories we see in mainstream media. Our team at Cherokee Film is passionate about creating a better and more inclusive life for the next seven generations. Cherokee Film is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses, the economic engine of the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. The tribally owned holding company remains a driver of community development, economic impact and cultural preservation, as well as a staple in the hospitality industry and leader in federal contracting solutions. Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The answers: Indiana Jones whip from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The Holy Grail from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Ivan Dragos boots from Rocky IV. The question: Tom Biolchini was asked to name the coolest items in his collection of movie props. If you continue beyond the three items above, his cool list also includes guns used by Keanu Reeves in The Matrix and a unique prop from Pulp Fiction. Which prop? Youll need to see the documentary. Biolchini, whose profession is banker and whose passion is movie props, is the executive producer and central figure in Mad Props, a new documentary film. When and where can you see the film? Writer and director Juan Reinoso said the Mad Props team is in active talks with three major documentary distributors and has received direct lines to one of the major streamers. The Mad Props story begins with Biolchini and continues with a travel-the-globe exploration from Tulsa to Oklahoma City to Europe of the folks who pursue, collect, sell, make and utilize movie props. Actors Mickey Rourke, Lance Henrikson and Robert Englund appear in the film. Born and raised in Tulsa, Biolchini is a former 80s kid who spent a lot of time in theaters most often the Annex 7, where he watched flicks like the Freddy Krueger films, The Goonies and Rocky IV. Some of the best movies sprang out of the decade, according to Biolchini, who mentioned the Indiana Jones movies, Ghostbusters and The Goonies. Theres just so many fantastic movies from the 80s and, when you collect these movie props, it reminds you of your childhood, he said. Biolchini, inspired by the horror films of his youth, experimented with special effects and fancied becoming a special effects artist. He grew up to become a lawyer and banker (he is chairman of Vast Bank), but hes still tethered to his love of movies, and his office has the props to prove it. Among the eye candy: A Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. hat from Forrest Gump, a glove worn by Matt Damon in The Martian and Mel Gibsons gun from Lethal Weapon. Its who I am, Biolchini said. When somebody comes in, its nice to share those movie memories with people who visit me in my office. The Lethal Weapon prop was the gateway drug. Biolchini said he has been a collector of stuff not just movie props his entire life. (He described most of the stuff as junk.) Then along comes eBay, which per-mits bidders to chase pretty much anything. And I started looking around for what could be out there in terms of movie props, he said. He found, and purchased, the Lethal Weapon gun. When guests visited his home for dinner and drinks, he asked them to guess which famous actor used the firearm in which movie. I had fun with it, if that makes sense, he said. Dollars and sense? Mad Props shows Biolchini weighing whether he should sweeten a six-figure bid for Wilson, the volleyball that Tom Hanks had conversations with in Cast Away. I dont usually pay those type of prices at all, Biolchini said. I went big in the documentary because I was trying to show the value of these pieces to the viewer. The one that got away? Biolchini said the movie prop he wants more than any other is the Bible from The Shawshank Redemption, but he did not bid on it when it was on the auction block because he knew the price would be too high. He said the one that got away he really regrets is the harmonica played by the character Red in the same film. Every collector is familiar with the thrill of landing a cherished item. One collector in Mad Props explained he wants something because he wants it, which should be reason enough. To me, its just about the collection, Biolchini said. Its about the chase. Its about having something that I know will retain value. And theres a market for it. Like I said in the documentary, these are pieces of art, and they appreciate over time. And it certainly helps if theyre recognized by people. If people have that emotional tie to it, then it makes it that much more intriguing. Mad Props includes a segment devoted to the Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa. Museum founder Danny OConnor collected the documentarys biggest prop the house where three greaser brothers lived in Francis Ford Coppolas 1983 film The Outsiders. I was pumped to have something like that in Tulsa, Biolchini said. There are several reasons why I did this documentary. One is because its just fun. Its like a hobby. But second was I really want to promote the film industry in Oklahoma the state and in northeast Oklahoma. Youll notice throughout the documentary the times that I mentioned Tulsa or that you see Tulsa. That was done on purpose. So, if it ever does get picked up, we are promoting our great city at the same time as telling about the fun and talking about a fun documentary. Biolchini said the concept for Mad Props was his idea. Initially, he was thinking the project should be a television series. But I talked to Juan, who is the director, and he said, Why dont you do a documentary first, and well see where it goes from there. And it seemed to make more sense. Biolchini indicated Mad Props has been submitted to multiple festivals for possible inclusion. Its one of those projects a movie nerd such as myself dreams to work on, Reinoso said. To travel the world, get an in-depth introduction to private collections of some of the most famous props in history, and to see how embracing the community of collectors are to their own no matter their background ... it was just an incredibly moving and awe-inspiring experience both as a director and as a film lover. Japan starts releasing Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into ocean amid opposition Xinhua) 08:14, August 25, 2023 People gather to protest the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) decision on releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of the TEPCO in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. Despite public concerns and raging opposition from both home and abroad, Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) Under scorching heat, hundreds of Japanese from all across the country gathered in front of the TEPCO headquarters in central Tokyo on Thursday morning, demanding that the Japanese government and TEPCO stop the release. TOKYO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. A live video provided by the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) showed a staff member turning on a seawater pump at around 1:00 p.m. local time (0400 GMT), marking the beginning of the controversial ocean discharge, while concerns and opposition persisted among local residents and fishermen as well as in neighboring countries and Pacific island nations. The radioactive wastewater has been diluted as planned before being discharged via an underwater tunnel 1 km from the plant, TEPCO said. INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION Shortly after Tokyo began discharging the water into the sea, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a nationally televised address that the South Korean government will strictly maintain import restrictions on Japan's fishery products, stressing that an easing or lifting of import restrictions on Japanese seafood, which South Korean people are concerned about, will never happen. He urged Tokyo to offer South Korea transparent and relevant information on the nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge that will continue for the next 30 years. In Seoul, 16 South Korean university students were arrested by police for attempting to enter the Japanese embassy in protest of Japan's dumping of the contaminated water. About 40 other fellow students held a press conference near the embassy against the discharge before being dispersed by the police. Civic and environmental groups held protests across South Korea on the same day, calling for a reversal of Japan's decision to release the water into the ocean, according to local media reports. Lee Jae-myung (2nd, L, front), chairman of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party, and parliament members protest against Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, despite raging opposition from both at home and abroad. (NEWSIS via Xinhua) A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement that "China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We have made serious demarches to Japan and asked it to stop this wrongdoing." The Fukushima nuclear accident which took place 12 years ago was a major catastrophe that already caused the leakage of large amounts of radioactive substances into the ocean, the spokesperson said, adding that there could be a man-made secondary disaster to the local people and the whole world if Japan chooses to dump the water into the ocean just to serve Japan's selfish interests. On Thursday, China suspended imports of all seafood products from Japan, with the Chinese customs authorities saying they are greatly concerned about the risk of radiation contamination following the water's release and have strengthened restrictions on food imports from Japan to "protect the lives and health of the people." In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, several dozen demonstrators protested against the discharge in a rally held in front of the Consulate-General of Japan, with participants saying Japan is "selfish" and that "the ocean belongs to the whole world." Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare has condemned Japan's decision to dump the water. A press release from the Prime Minister's Press Secretariat earlier said Sogavare "delivered a strong statement against Japan's decision to release nuclear-treated water into our ocean which has an impact on our people, ocean, economy and livelihood." Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Matai Seremaiah said Japan's decision needed robust actions, urging polluters to "seriously consider other options." DOMESTIC OUTCRY Under scorching heat, hundreds of Japanese from all across the country gathered in front of the TEPCO headquarters in central Tokyo on Thursday morning, demanding that the Japanese government and TEPCO stop the release. Protesters, holding banners and placards with drawings of marine products and Godzilla, a radioactive sea monster depicted in a science fiction movie, chanted slogans of "No ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-tainted water" and "Stop polluting the sea with radioactive water." Taeko Fujimura, an official at Japan's National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, also known as Zen-Noh, said the ocean discharge "cannot be forgiven" and was "extremely unreasonable." "Have you now obtained the understanding of the relevant parties? Have you properly explained your actions to them?" Fujimura shouted amid the crowd of protesters. People gather to protest the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) decision on releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of the TEPCO in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. Despite public concerns and raging opposition from both home and abroad, Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) She told Xinhua that in Zen-Noh's previous talks with TEPCO, it clearly stated that apart from tritium, there are various other radioactive substances that will remain in the tainted water in large amounts even after the second round of the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treatment. Fujimura stressed that the ocean discharge will cause significant environmental damage. "It will pollute the sea, the marine life within it, the environment, and the Earth." "We, as the agricultural cooperative, cannot allow such destructive actions by TEPCO...We must stop the ocean discharge as soon as possible," she said. Among the protesters was Sachiko Uno, who told Xinhua that she had come to "stop them from polluting the ocean." "One of the world's top-level nuclear accidents occurred in Fukushima despite safety promises made by the government and TEPCO. Now, they have become the world's first by beginning to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. This is a 'double damage,'" said the 73-year-old woman. Uno is also worried about TEPCO's credibility. "It says the radioactivity concentration in the nuclear-contaminated water meets the standards, but I can't believe that at all. The reliability of the measuring instruments themselves is questionable," she said. "Our opposition to the discharge has not changed a bit," the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations said Thursday in a joint statement with a local group in Miyagi Prefecture, northeast Japan. "Fishermen throughout the country witnessing this moment have become more anxious," it said. On Wednesday, citizens from the prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi and Ibaraki announced that they will take the Japanese government and TEPCO to court to stop the release plan. Plaintiffs will formally file the lawsuit on Sept. 8 at the Fukushima District Court, arguing that the discharge would violate the fundamental principle that polluters are not allowed to spread harmful substances, and infringe upon people's right to a stable life. Legal representatives of the plaintiffs stated that both the Japanese authorities and TEPCO bear significant responsibilities for the Fukushima nuclear accident, and their current decision to intentionally release nuclear-contaminated water is a "double harm." CONCERNS OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater also sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. Yoshio Satomi runs a hot spring hotel with a history of more than 300 years in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. He told Xinhua on Wednesday that since the nuclear accident occurred 12 years ago, the number of guests from other places of Japan has decreased and it is even rarer to see foreign tourists. When asked if he is worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits, he said, "This time, such news spread all over the world, and it is Fukushima again. I feel very sad." Fisherman Ono Haruo sits at Tsurishihama Fishing Port after fishing in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, despite raging opposition from both at home and abroad. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) Citing the latest local media poll that more than 70 percent of Fukushima residents believe that the government's explanation does not make them better understand the discharge plan, Satomi stressed that the government does not understand the concerns of the people of Fukushima Prefecture. Chiyo Oda, also an Iwaki citizen, told Xinhua via email that the Japanese government had made a hasty decision to discharge radioactive wastewater into the sea and violated its promise. "This is an atrocity that proceeded without sufficient explanation to the people." Haruo Ono, a 71-year-old fisherman in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, told Xinhua on Tuesday that "for us, the ocean discharge is a matter of survival. We have endured and survived these 12 or 13 years, but fishing levels have not yet returned to the level before the March 11 earthquake." "Under such circumstances, does Fumio Kishida, as the Prime Minister of Japan, have the right to pollute our workplaces?" the man asked. Ono further said that after the disaster, wholesalers at Tokyo's famous Tsukiji fish market were reluctant to purchase fish from Fukushima. "Once the ocean discharge starts, we are worried about whether the fish can still be sold," he said. TEPCO said it plans to carry out the first round of release over 17 days to discharge 7,800 tons of the radioactive wastewater. In the current fiscal year through next March, a total of 31,200 tons are slated for discharge, equivalent to the storage capacity of 30 tanks, it said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Japan bears permanent mark of "environmental polluter" People's Daily) 10:21, August 25, 2023 Discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 24, Japan has labeled itself as an "environmental polluter." Despite the strong opposition and doubts both domestically and internationally, and with obvious and widespread risks, Japan still prioritizes its self-interests over the long-term wellbeing of humanity. It only reveals the country's extreme selfishness and irresponsibility. (Illustrated by Zhou Xiyue) This sets a terrible precedent. It might be hard for people to believe at the beginning that this is happening in a country that had long claimed to champion environmental protection and food safety and had previously succeeded in promoting those positive images of itself. But now, they have no choice but to agree that Japan's eco-friendly image in the past was all hype. If the country can make the world "share" nuclear-contaminated wastewater, what problems with Japanese products can't it gloss over and then peddle to others? To implement the discharge plan, Japan launched various public relation campaigns, flooding media with claims about the water's so-called safety to drown out public worries. The country established an 80-billion-yen (about $547 million) special fund to subsidize the fishing industry in Fukushima to silence dissent and made excuses at the NATO Summit, the ASEAN-plus foreign ministers meetings, the Eastern Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Fisheries and Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources and on other occasions. Even as the International Atomic Energy Agency clarified its report was not an endorsement, Japan still muddied the waters. (Illustrated by Tan Xiguang) Once discharged, radionuclides in the water will quickly spread, inflicting different types of biological damage. Japan disregards the importance of the environment and ecology, and its reckless dumping poses grave threats to marine life, ecological chains, and human health. Japan's actions epitomize irresponsible ocean pollution and environmental destruction. Bad deeds inevitably backfire. Japan's arrogance has drawn strong international condemnation and will definitely be taken countermeasures by impacted nations. The discharge will also cause lasting reputational damage for the country. Trust and respect are the most valuable things. Japan's ocean discharge aligns with the country's strategic ambitions. It will generate short-term economic gains and faits accomplis, but Japanese leaders prioritizing quick wins will pay far heavier costs. (Illustrated by Liu Jun) Japan assumes established facts will force acceptance, but from Aug. 24, 2023 on, it bears a permanent mark of disgrace. The ecological, political, and economic fallout will accumulate globally. Governments, including those adopting appeasement, will face intensifying public opposition. Businesses reliant on oceans and water will demand compensation for major losses from Japan. The wastewater will become the most pressing, severe, and prolonged topic for international environmental protection organizations. Every drop of nuclear-contaminated water flowing from Japan to international waters will bring endless accountability to Japan. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A man already serving a life-without-parole state prison term for a 2014 murder was sentenced Friday to more than 16 years in federal prison for the same crime. Erik Sherney Williams, 46, will serve a 194-month federal prison term for second-degree murder in Indian Country at the same time he is serving out his state sentence of life without parole, under the terms of a plea agreement with prosecutors. Williams admitted Jan. 19, 2022, in Tulsa federal court to fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend Christian Shockley, 24, on Oct. 8, 2014, outside an apartment complex in the 7600 block of East 21st Street. He reportedly said he was high on meth at the time and didnt mean to shoot her multiple times. He was arrested later the same month at a Las Vegas casino. Williams was first tried in state court for Shockleys murder. He was sentenced to life without parole after a Tulsa County District Court jury convicted him in 2016 of first-degree murder. Williams federal case grew out of a series of other court decisions. First, federal prosecutors charged Williams by indictment March 24, 2021, one day before the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned his state murder conviction and life-without-parole sentence. After the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 McGirt ruling, the OCCA at the time was overturning nearly any case involving a tribal member that met other criteria for excluding state jurisdiction. The Supreme Courts McGirt ruling found that state prosecutors did not have jurisdiction when they tried a tribal member for murder because the area where the murder occurred was still the Muscogee Nation reservation because Congress had never disestablished it. But the OCCA later withdrew its ruling overturning Williams sentence after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in another case related to the McGirt ruling. That U.S. Supreme Court ruling, issued June 29, 2022, and dubbed State of Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, found that the state of Oklahoma could prosecute nontribal members for crimes committed against tribal members within reservation land in the state. By this time, Williams, who is not a member of an American tribe, had already pleaded guilty in federal court to second-degree murder in Indian Country. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Anna Codutti Tulsa World Breaking News Editor Follow Anna Codutti Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Update: After numerous bomb threats continued in the Tulsa area that are similar to threats made across the U.S., investigators provided an update Monday. "The Tulsa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation closely review and investigate every reported bomb threat. ... No information has been developed which indicates the threats received in the Tulsa area are credible at this time," Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Meulenberg said in a news release. The story below published Aug. 26, 2023, in the Tulsa World: Bomb threats continue to target Tulsa-area schools after Oklahomas state superintendent retweeted a video identifying a local educator as promoting woke ideology. Union Public Schools informed parents early Friday that the most recent threats had targeted Ellen Ochoa, Peters, Andersen and Moore elementary schools. The district added security at those sites in response to the bomb threats. Tulsa Public Schools confirmed that Superintendent Deborah Gist was also named in the most recent threat. The district referred further questions to Tulsa police. A specific threat was also made against State Superintendent Ryan Walters, according to Oklahoma State Department of Education spokesman Dan Isett. Walters was in Tulsa for preplanned events Friday, Isett said, so its concerning because his schedule is public. He was not aware whether any additional security had been arranged for the state superintendent after he was targeted in the most recent threats. A statement from Walters released Friday afternoon reads: Any threat against Oklahoma schools, our children, or other officials is reprehensible and absolutely unacceptable. There is an ongoing investigation into the nature of these threats, and I know the full weight of our law enforcement agencies will be brought to bear against those who would threaten our kids. The superintendents statement indicates that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Public Safety are involved in the investigation; however, an OSBI spokesman said the agency is not involved. Tulsa Police Department Capt. Richard Meulenberg said the department will not be providing details on the cases as it would create more attention to them and encourage this type of behavior from the individuals perpetrating the crimes. He said TPD is taking these threats very seriously while working the cases along with other law enforcement partners. An email reportedly from the same address as the school bomb threats also stated that Tulsas Target stores should be evacuated. The threat included a list of explosive ingredients. Union Public Schools Superintendent Kirt Hartzler sent a letter to district parents on Wednesday stating that a threat targeting the district in general was determined not to be credible. We are working closely with law enforcement authorities including TPD and the FBI to find those responsible, the letter states. Broken Arrow police are in communication with school district officials because the threats target schools within the city, according to a BAPD spokesman. At this time, this does not appear to be a credible threat, Officer Ethan Hutchins said in an emailed statement. Tulsa Public Schools board President Stacey Woolley commented on the bomb threats during Thursday mornings State Board of Education meeting. I have a request. I feel like it is incredibly important for me to make a plea to call off attacks. We cant risk disruption to the students or more threats. We cant do anything that will cause harm to our students, teachers or families. Reasonable people can disagree reasonably, and the antics and rhetorics must stop. Weve had a Tulsa-area school that has bomb threats the last two days that is not OK. The day before, during a Tulsa Public Schools board meeting, Woolley said she has three children in public schools who should feel safe but obviously dont. I was at the state board meeting a few months ago begging the state superintendent to stop using vitriolic words to describe our teachers. It doesnt only endanger our teachers; it endangers our students. They should never be afraid of what the state superintendent might be bringing into our schools because of his vitriol. I call on him to please stop, and I call on every lawmaker to call on him to stop. Its not right. At some point, he is going to get someone hurt if he continues those sorts of vitriolic, propaganda statements. Law enforcement officers cleared each site after threats were made, but many worried Union parents chose to pull their children from school Friday as the situation continued. The threats listed the home address of a Union Public Schools librarian who was named in a Monday tweet from Libs of TikTok, which doctored a satirical video featuring a Union Public Schools librarian. Walters retweeted the Libs of TikTok post the following morning. In an interview Wednesday, Union Public Schools spokesman Chris Payne said the librarian was attempting a tongue-in-cheek message that her woke agenda is teaching kids to love books and be kind. Walters office, in a request for comment about the retweet, stated: The issue here is the employees actions, thats why Superintendent Walters commented on it. Superintendent Walters will continue to do what voters elected him to do hold schools and their employees accountable for educating young Oklahomans. Student absences due to bomb threats Tuesday, Aug. 22 Ochoa Elementary: 68% Wednesday, Aug. 23 Ochoa Elementary: 35% Thursday, Aug. 24 Ochoa Elementary: 49% Friday, Aug. 25 Andersen Elementary: 39% Moore Elementary: 36% Ochoa Elementary: 58% Peters Elementary: 24% Source: Union Public Schools Members of the Oklahoma Legislature have issued statements condemning the bomb threats. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, on Friday asked education stakeholders to tone down political rhetoric. Violence, and threats of violence, whether a hoax or legitimate, against our students are completely unacceptable and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Oklahomas elected leaders should not be adding fuel to the fires of controversy; we should be focused on making sure our kids are getting a good education, and our educational outcomes are improving, McCall said in his statement. Oklahomas education ranking is among the lowest in the country for a number of reasons, and that ranking isnt going to change if we are constantly engaged in a political battle of wills. Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, has called for Walters to be removed from office for creating an unsafe space for teachers and students. Since day one, Ryan Walters has used his office to weaponize his position and vilify teachers and school unions, parents and now teachers and librarians, Dollens said. Now we are seeing the real, real dangerous side effects of his inflammatory rhetoric and his propaganda and his continuous campaign. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum posted Friday on social media, noting the citys policy not to comment about ongoing investigations while thanking law enforcement for collaborating in this effort. Over the last several days, bomb threats have been made toward Tulsa schools and other buildings. These threats are disgraceful and illegal, Bynum said. Those who may have information about the threats are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Rep. Monroe Nichols, who is a candidate for Tulsa mayor, also condemned Walters actions amid the ongoing bomb threats. I cant help but think of the hardworking families of our community who send their children to school, expecting them to be safe. Its a basic expectation, and its being shattered, Nichols said in a statement. Ryan Walters recent statements and actions are more than just words; they have real-world implications. His words and his actions have radicalized a wave of fundamentalist cowards who are victimizing our kids on a daily basis. I urge every state leader, no matter which side of the aisle youre on, to stand with me in condemning these threats. We must unequivocally reject the rhetoric that fuels such actions. Its time to choose our children, not those waging war on them every day. Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Tulsa, represents a legislative district that includes a portion of Union Public Schools. Oklahoma is home to some of the best teachers in the nation, and they are doing everything they can to help students achieve academic and personal success, he said in a statement Friday. Our focus should be on helping students across the state succeed, not villainizing our hard-working educators and administrators or terrorizing innocent students and their families. Democrats say it doesnt exist. The liberal media denies the issue. Even some Republicans hide from it. Woke ideology is real and I am here to stop it. https://t.co/2hVc519ERK Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) August 22, 2023 Staff writer Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton and Editorials Editor Ginnie Graham contributed to this reporting. Related content See the Tulsa World's coverage of State Superintendent Ryan Walters Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A man freed from a life-without-parole sentence in a Creek County murder case due to the U.S. Supreme Courts McGirt ruling pleaded guilty Thursday in Tulsa federal court to a second-degree murder charge in connection with the same death. Arnold Dean Howell Jr., 30, will serve a prison sentence ranging from 30 to 45 years after admitting to stabbing Michael Mondier Sr. to death April 13, 2015, at Mondiers home in Creek County. The sentence length will be decided at Howells sentencing hearing provided the judge accepts the stipulated sentencing range and other plea agreement conditions. Howells sister, who was also arrested in connection with the murder, told authorities at the time that they went to Mondiers home with the intention of robbing him. First-degree murder in Indian Country charges against Howells sister, Katherine Elaine Freeman, 35, are still pending in Tulsa federal court. Howell wrote in his plea: I admit that I killed Michael Mondier Sr., with malice aforethought, noting that he stabbed the man at least 93 times with two knives. Both Howell and Freeman were charged May 17, 2021, by superseding indictment in Tulsa federal court with first-degree murder in Indian Country. The pair are both American Indian for purposes of criminal jurisdiction. Both had been sentenced in state court for crimes related to Mondiers death when the U.S. Supreme Court issued its McGirt decision in 2020 that determined that the Muscogee Nation reservation had never been disestablished by Congress. Freeman pleaded guilty and received a 25-year prison sentence with all but the first 22 months of the term suspended after state prosecutors amended the murder charge to accessory to murder after the fact. Freemans federal case has taken a turn after a judge in July ruled that she was incompetent to stand trial and that there wasnt a substantial probability that she would gain competency if she were hospitalized for additional time. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Citing the Chinese language program at a Tulsa high school, the Oklahoma State Board of Education is asking school districts across the state about foreign influences in the classroom. At Thursdays meeting, the Oklahoma State Board of Education unanimously approved a request from State Superintendent Ryan Walters to require school districts to submit reports detailing any monetary or in-kind transactions with foreign governments, including those involving third-party vendors. I am very concerned as we have found out about Tulsa Public Schools funding programs through the Chinese Communist Party, Walters said. This is pure propaganda meant to undermine our American institutions. As part of the consent agenda at its July 10 meeting, TPS Board of Education renewed an agreement with International Leadership of Texas, a nonprofit charter school network headquartered in Richardson, Texas, to allow the Chinese language teacher at Booker T. Washington High School to participate in supplemental professional development sessions provided through its Confucius Classroom Coordination Office. Confucius Classroom is a Chinese language and cultural program aimed at school-age students around the world. According to a report compiled in May by the Congressional Research Office, both it and its collegiate counterpart, Confucius Institutes, are now managed by the Chinese International Education Foundation, a nongovernmental organization sponsored by the Chinese governments Ministry of Education. Prior to 2020, both programs were directly overseen by a government office with ties to the Chinese Communist Partys external propaganda arm. Before working with International Leadership of Texas, TPS had a similar arrangement with the East Asia Institute at the University of Oklahoma for more than a decade. OU hosted a Confucius Institute from 2006 through 2020. Its East Asia Institute closed in July due to staffing issues. TPS officials have previously publicly denied getting any funding from the Chinese government. During a student-led town hall meeting Saturday at the University of Tulsa, two juniors from Booker T. Washingtons Chinese language program denounced the claims that the courses include propaganda. More than anybody, I agree with Ryan Walters that the Chinese Communist propaganda has no place in my school, said Sadie Fu, noting some of her family members were pressured to commit suicide and sent to reeducation camps after the Chinese civil war. However, after taking Chinese at Booker T. Washington for two years, I can confidently say that it is nothing more than a language class. Every lesson and assignment were given is from an American-published textbook. Aside from Booker T., only a handful of publicly funded schools across Oklahoma currently offer Chinese language courses. Representatives from Holland Hall, Jenks, Norman and the Oklahoma City-based Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics each said their Chinese language programs currently do not have any affiliation with Confucius Classroom or the Confucius Institute. Holland Hall, a private school, is a participant in the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program, which redirects state funds to pay private school tuition at approved sites for specific groups of students, including those eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or who were adopted while in permanent custody of the Department of Human Services. Jenks Public Schools did previously partner with the Confucius Institute in an effort find language teachers. However, according to district officials, that partnership ended four years ago, and the Confucius Institute did not provide any funding or edicts about the districts Chinese program. The district is in the process of phasing out the Chinese language program at its Southeast Elementary School. Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY Tulsa Public Schools received renewal of its state accreditation on Thursday morning accompanied by threats of more serious interventions within a matter of months if it does not meet State Superintendent Ryan Walters demands for dramatic turnarounds in academic outcomes and fiscal management. Walters praised the local school board for rooting out a cancer in the district that caused so many problems, referring to the Tulsa school boards formal agreement, approved Wednesday evening, to part ways with Superintendent Deborah Gist. Walters voted alongside Gov. Kevin Stitts five appointees on the State Board of Education, 6-0, to approve accreditation with deficiencies status for TPS, which is actually an upgrade from its previous status of accredited with warning. But he also vowed to give the local Tulsa school board a very short rope, saying he would return and ask for additional authority from the State Board of Education if he does not see adequate progress made within a few months. I see this as giving this district the opportunity to succeed, Walters said. To be clear, if they dont fix their problems, I will. Don Burdick, a State Board of Education member from Tulsa, made the approved motion to renew Tulsas accreditation with stipulations he referred to as deliverables that help us stay aligned and stay focused on. After a bit of discussion, state board members decided monthly, in-person reports from TPS district leaders would be made. Here are the three actions that will be required of TPS, as specified by Burdick: A professional development plan to train teachers on the science of reading An action plan for all schools designated with an F on state school report cards Development and publication of new internal controls to prevent embezzlement After the meeting, board President Stacey Woolley said that while the TPS board has already taken steps to address those actions, she had no other information about the state boards expectations around those goals and deliverables other than what was publicly discussed during Thursdays meeting. There is significant conversation still needed so we are clear of what their expectations are and what the demands on our board will actually be, she said. Citing concerns about the districts performance on standardized tests and financial management, Walters asked in July that the board delay consideration of the districts accreditation until this month. Accreditation is the process by which the State Board of Education determines whether schools have met a whole host of minimum state standards and should be authorized or recognized by the state for another year. For the last month, Walters has said repeatedly in press conferences and media interviews that all options were on the table regarding TPS status, including nonaccreditation, which would close the district, or probation, which has been used once in recent years as a vehicle for the Oklahoma State Department of Education to take over the Western Heights school district in southwest Oklahoma City. In the summer of 2022, the state board, with a completely different set of governor-appointed members save one, downgraded Tulsa Public Schools to accreditation with warning status. The issue then was a reported violation of a new state law meant to limit instruction on race, gender and history. A quorum of Tulsas school board was present at Thursdays meeting ELena Ashley, Susan Lamkin, Jennettie Marshall and Woolley and were invited to the podium to speak with the state board during the meeting. Marshall was the first to speak and took a conciliatory tone. Im asking you to show grace and give us the opportunity to turn things around, she said, noting that the local board was unified in its Wednesday evening vote to name a 24-year career servant of TPS, Ebony Johnson, as interim superintendent beginning Sept. 16. We have a capable, competent and prepared leader that has accepted that responsibility, knowing that the road is not going to be easy for her. She has committed board members who have said, If you allow us to work with you, we will, Marshall said. Woolley, president of the Tulsa school board, asked that the state board accredit Tulsa Public Schools with deficiencies and pushed back on some points of Walters recent claims about TPS and political rhetoric. Antics and rhetoric must stop. We had two bomb threats at schools in the city of Tulsa because of rhetoric, she said. I do look forward to going forward and continuing the work and accelerating that work. Woolley also requested that state education officials be required to rely on facts in discussing outcomes at TPS. We do not have 65% failing schools. That is a fact, she said. Walters had claimed that 65% of Tulsa Public Schools sites have a failing grade of F on the states latest school report cards. When one board member asked Woolley the correct number, she looked it up on her cellphone and replied, 37 (percent), which is not acceptable but its not 65. Ashley said she was one of the local school board members who has complained to Walters about not being given all of the information she requested from TPS administrators. It has been 10 years, at least, of downward trajectory for our students. Time is of the essence. We have students who are going to be graduating in just a few months the 2024 graduates. We dont have time for them to wait 10 years, Ashley said. Students have been mistreated, miseducated. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum went to the Oliver Hodge Building in Oklahoma City, where the state board meets, but said he wasnt permitted in the boardroom, which has new capacity limits imposed by the state fire marshal. After Thursdays board vote, Bynum said he believes that local and state board members have largely shared aspirations and goals for Tulsa Public Schools students. The timeline is the main difference of opinion. He (Walters) has a more aggressive timeline than the TPS board, Bynum said. I appreciate him having a sense of urgency. If youre a parent with a child in Tulsa Public Schools, you need that. The important thing is there is a commitment to work together. We are eager as a city to do whatever we can to help, and I think good things will come. During extensive public comments held after the boards vote, Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, told the state board that Walters has been fostering an atmosphere of intimidation and that she attended the meeting because Walters has not responded to her calls. She said she thinks it is completely unreasonable to simply demand progress in a matter of months with veiled threats. When you talk about Black and brown children in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there are issues that go on in larger cities that have to be addressed. You dont just say, You better perform better in three or four months! What kind of plan is that? Goodwin also expressed disbelief at the Tulsa school board members disposition before Walters and the rest of the state board on Thursday. The abuse thats been going on in this district it was like Stockholm syndrome it was like they were in love with their abusers. We cant have that, she said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks after TPS receives accreditation Michael Dekker Tulsa World Business Writer Follow Michael Dekker Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday renewed his call for tax cuts including eliminating the state income tax and railed on those who want to turn Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma into a reservation. There is a storm of injustice that needs to be faced head on, he said during the Tulsa Regional Chambers State of the State address. We are now in a jurisdictional and geographical fight for who has authority over our state, he said. There are tribal government leaders that say the state of Oklahoma doesnt have authority over Indians in Tulsa. Stitt was alluding to the 2020 U.S. Supreme Courts McGirt ruling that a large chunk of eastern Oklahoma remains an American Indian reservation. The reach of the McGirt ruling, which applied to the Muscogee Nations reservation, has been expanded by lower courts to include several more eastern Oklahoma tribes reservations. The McGirt decision means state prosecutors lack the authority to pursue criminal cases against American Indian defendants in parts of Oklahoma, including most of Tulsa. It also has created many jurisdictional questions beyond criminal jurisdiction, including regarding taxes and speeding tickets. Let me be clear: Tribal governments disbanded and allotted out all the land in 1907 at statehood. Other states didnt do that, Stitt said. Guests at the Osage Casino & Hotel table walked out of the chamber event when the governor began his comments on tribes and jurisdiction, Osage Nation Communications Director Abby Mashunkashey confirmed afterward. Their actions speak for themselves, and we support their decision to not engage in false and divisive rhetoric, Mashunkashey said. The Governors statements were slanted, disrespectful and minimize the massive contributions Tribal Nations make to Oklahoma, of which we are also citizens, Osage Casino General Manager Edward Gray said. Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear was not at the event, Mashunkashey said. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. sent out a rebuke to the governors speech Thursday, noting Stitts blatant hostility toward tribal sovereignty. Gov. Stitts shameful description of tribes simply exercising rights as sovereign nations dating back to before the founding of the United States as a storm of injustice is breathtaking, even coming from him, Hoskin said in a statement. His attack on tribes included many falsehoods and inaccuracies regarding tribal reservations in eastern Oklahoma. Contrary to his claims, tribes were not disbanded in 1907 and did not volunteer to give away our reservations at statehood. Cherokee Nation, along with other tribal nations, have persisted, and today, we contribute mightily to the states cultural and economic fabric. The governor continues to be isolated in his geographic fight for Oklahoma as the rest of Oklahomas elected leaders and state embraces tribes and the U.S. Supreme Courts McGirt decision, the chief said. This isnt fair, said Stitt, who is a Cherokee nation citizen. We cannot have a state where a doctor who is part Indian doesnt pay taxes or gets speeding tickets from Tulsa PD, but a single mom of another race does. We all have to live under the same set of rules, regardless of race or heritage. This is not political, Stitt said. This is about one set of rules for all Oklahomans, and I will always be bold and tell you the truth. I will not go down in history as the governor that didnt fight for one Oklahoma. Listen if some people dont have to pay taxes, then no one in Oklahoma should. Every time you see a tribal (vehicle) tag, just realize the state is losing about $200 million in revenue annually. That should be going to roads that those cars are driving on, as well. Alluding to one of Stitts talking points since he first ran for governor, Hoskin said: Cherokee Nation will continue being a good partner protecting public safety, prosecuting those who commit crimes and helping our neighbors through contributions to schools, law enforcement and road improvements, which are areas that contribute to Oklahoma being a top 10 state. The governor should set aside fabrications and strive to better and more accurately understand tribal history, Oklahoma history, sovereignty and the contributions of our states tribal nations, Hoskin said. Stitt, during a question-and-answer session following his speech, also said of income taxes, I want to put us on a trajectory to zero. He said the state is in a position to both lower income taxes and eliminate the grocery sales tax, an issue he has been pushing for years. If not now, then when? he asked, citing the states $5 billion savings account. In his February 2022 State of the State address in Oklahoma City, Stitt also called for an eventual reduction of the state income tax. He proposed creating a taxpayer protection plan that responsibly lowers income taxes according to our state revenue. Nine states (including Texas) dont charge a personal income tax. Many others are racing to join them, and we cant be left behind, he said at the time. Stitt was also asked about the recent situation involving Tulsa Public Schools accreditation renewal and change in leadership. When we put our kids in school, thats the most important thing to us is to make sure our local school is good. But you have to put some pressure sometimes on the local school district if theyre not performing. We love the local control. Thats up to the citizens ... getting engaged, making sure that you talk to the people on your school board and you hold them accountable, and you make sure that they are thinking about the kids and whats best for the next generation. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Related Walters issues video with new demands for Tulsa Public Schools More than a 100 years ago, the French author Emile Zola confronted his government over the wrongful prosecution of a Jewish army officer, Alfred Dreyfus, for espionage. His famous letter appeared in the leading newspapers of the day, and used the rhetorical device of repeating the phrase, I accuse, as he named names and called out the powerful. He was forced into exile as a result, but his forceful tirade revived the campaign for Dreyfus exoneration and restored democratic impulses in France. Its a useful example for us to consider in todays light. I dont wish to throw around accusations, but I am prepared to make some contentions about what is happening today regarding Tulsa Public Schools. State Superintendent Ryan Walters recently carried out a public campaign against TPS and its leader, Deborah Gist. He accused the district of failing in its duties, charging without evidence that the district was woke as he used social media to stir up passions against the district and those who work for it. He also threatened the unprecedented step of taking away the accreditation of the largest district in the state. This week this campaign led to the resignation of Gist, who nobly sacrificed her career to prevent a state takeover. This is a rotten state of affairs. An elected school board chose Gist, renewing her contract several times. While I may not have agreed with all of her policies, I believe in local control and the right of citizens to determine their own course for themselves. Even more troubling is the attack on Union Public Schools. Over the last two days, Ellen Ochoa Elementary School has been targeted by two bomb threats, after a far-right media source spread a doctored video suggesting a librarian was promoting a woke agenda (her actual agenda was to promote reading and kindness). Incredibly, Walters spread the doctored video after the first bomb threat, likely contributing to the second bomb threat. While Walters was arguing against TPS on Thursday at the State School Board meeting, a third bomb threat was made in Union schools. Were at a critical point where basic standards of decency are threatened. Good citizens have to unite against this wave of misinformation, manipulation and hate. I contend that national anti-public education forces have come to Oklahoma to try out their strategies at the expense of our public schools and the students they serve. I contend that the so-called grassroots movement disrupting our school boards is a cynical effort funded by these national interests intent on seeking profit and power. I contend that our state superintendent is engaging in reckless rhetoric and taking actions that put our teachers and librarians at risk. I contend that bomb threats against our schools are the product of this rhetoric and are an affront to the Oklahoma standard. I contend that elected officials in the GOP have failed to rein him in, and that more local Republican leaders need to take a stand against his bullying tactics. Against the perpetuation of prejudice and mobilization of mob rule, I will contend. Will you stand with me? OKLAHOMA CITY Tulsa Public Schools received renewal of its state accreditation on Thursday morning accompanied by threats of more serious interventions within a matter of months if it does not meet State Superintendent Ryan Walters' demands for dramatic turnarounds in academic outcomes and fiscal management. Walters praised the local school board for "rooting out a cancer in the district that caused so many problems," referring to the Tulsa school board's formal agreement, approved Wednesday evening, to part ways with Superintendent Deborah Gist. Walters voted alongside Gov. Kevin Stitt's five appointees on the State Board of Education, 6-0, to approve "accreditation with deficiencies" status for TPS, which is actually an upgrade from its previous status of "accredited with warning." But he also vowed to give the local Tulsa school board "a very short rope," saying he would return and ask for additional authority from the State Board of Education if he does not see adequate progress made within a few months. "I see this as giving this district the opportunity to succeed," Walters said. "To be clear, if they don't fix their problems, I will." Don Burdick, a State Board of Education member from Tulsa, made the approved motion to renew Tulsa's accreditation with stipulations he referred to as "deliverables that help us stay aligned and stay focused on." After a bit of discussion, state board members decided monthly, in-person reports from TPS district leaders would be made. Here are the three "actions" that will be required of TPS, as specified by Burdick: A professional development plan to train teachers on the science of reading An action plan for all schools designated with an "F" on state school report cards Development and publication of new internal controls to prevent embezzlement After the meeting, board President Stacey Woolley said that while the TPS board has already taken steps to address those actions, she had no other information about the state board's expectations around those goals and deliverables other than what was publicly discussed during Thursday's meeting. "There is significant conversation still needed so we are clear of what their expectations are and what the demands on our board will actually be," she said. Citing concerns about the district's performance on standardized tests and financial management, Walters asked in July that the board delay consideration of the district's accreditation until this month. Accreditation is the process by which the State Board of Education determines whether schools have met a whole host of minimum state standards and should be authorized or recognized by the state for another year. For the last month, Walters has said repeatedly in press conferences and media interviews that all options were on the table regarding TPS' status, including nonaccreditation, which would close the district, or probation, which has been used once in recent years as a vehicle for the Oklahoma State Department of Education to take over the Western Heights school district in southwest Oklahoma City. In the summer of 2022, the state board, with a completely different set of governor-appointed members save one, downgraded Tulsa Public Schools to "accreditation with warning" status. The issue then was a reported violation of a new state law meant to limit instruction on race, gender and history. A quorum of Tulsa's school board was present at Thursday's meeting E'Lena Ashley, Susan Lamkin, Jennettie Marshall and Woolley and were invited to the podium to speak with the state board during the meeting. Marshall was the first to speak and took a conciliatory tone. "I'm asking you to show grace and give us the opportunity to turn things around," she said, noting that the local board was unified in its Wednesday evening vote to name a 24-year career servant of TPS, Ebony Johnson, as interim superintendent beginning Sept. 16. "We have a capable, competent and prepared leader that has accepted that responsibility, knowing that the road is not going to be easy for her. She has committed board members who have said, 'If you allow us to work with you, we will,'" Marshall said. Woolley, president of the Tulsa school board, asked that the state board accredit Tulsa Public Schools with deficiencies and pushed back on some points of Walters' recent claims about TPS and political rhetoric. "Antics and rhetoric must stop. We had two bomb threats at schools in the city of Tulsa because of rhetoric," she said. "I do look forward to going forward and continuing the work and accelerating that work." Woolley also requested that state education officials be required to rely on facts in discussing outcomes at TPS. "We do not have 65% failing schools. That is a fact," she said. Walters had claimed that 65% of Tulsa Public Schools sites have a failing grade of "F" on the state's latest school report cards. When one board member asked Woolley the correct number, she looked it up on her cellphone and replied, "37, which is not acceptable but it's not 65." Ashley said she was one of the local school board members who has complained to Walters about not being given all of the information she requested from TPS administrators. "It has been 10 years, at least, of downward trajectory for our students. Time is of the essence. We have students who are going to be graduating in just a few months the 2024 graduates. We don't have time for them to wait 10 years," Ashley said. "Students have been mistreated, miseducated." Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum went to the Oliver Hodge Building in Oklahoma City, where the state board meets, but said he wasn't permitted in the boardroom, which has new capacity limits imposed by the state fire marshal. After Thursday's board vote, Bynum said he believes that local and state board members have "largely shared aspirations and goals" for Tulsa Public Schools students. "The timeline is the main difference of opinion. He (Walters) has a more aggressive timeline than the TPS board," Bynum said. "I appreciate him having a sense of urgency. If you're a parent with a child in Tulsa Public Schools, you need that. "The important thing is there is a commitment to work together. We are eager as a city to do whatever we can to help, and I think good things will come." During extensive public comments held after the board's vote, Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, told the state board that Walters has been "fostering an atmosphere of intimidation" and that she attended the meeting because Walters has not responded to her calls. She said she thinks it is completely unreasonable to simply demand progress in a matter of months with veiled threats. "When you talk about Black and brown children in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there are issues that go on in larger cities that have to be addressed. You don't just say, 'You better perform better in three or four months!' What kind of plan is that?" Goodwin also expressed disbelief at the Tulsa school board members' disposition before Walters and the rest of the state board on Thursday. "The abuse that's been going on in this district it was like Stockholm syndrome it was like they were in love with their abusers. We can't have that," she said. Vietnam is seeing strong inflows of capital from Western Europe and North America into chip production and renewable energy development, heard the Vietnam Industrial Property Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday. Speaking at the event, organized by Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper, Do Van Su, deputy head of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said that Vietnam is enjoying an increase in investments from Western European and North American investors. Apart from Vietnams traditional investment sources like Northeast Asia and Singapore, investors from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and North America have been pouring capital into the countrys renewable energy sector. The chief executive officer of the Semiconductor Industry Association of the United States, along with representatives from various U.S. enterprises, visited Vietnam in January to survey the chip production industrys investment climate, said Su. The shift in investment sources has followed the commitment made by the Vietnamese government at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In addition to chip production, many of these investments are being made in the countrys renewable energy sector. According to Bruno Jaspaert, CEO at DEEP C Industrial Zones, Vietnams participation in a series of international trade agreements has helped smooth the path for investors to thrive and expand their operations in the country. Land rental in Vietnam remains lower than that in other Southeast Asian nations. In addition, the China Plus One strategy, a business strategy designed to avoid investing only in China and diversify business into other countries, has become popular, opening a wider door for Vietnam to lure foreign investors, said Jaspaert. Jaspaert also suggested that Vietnam take into account manpower and energy to make the country more attractive to investors, including seeking out solutions to a potential future worker shortage due to an aging population, as well as a lack of electricity for production. Paul Wee, financial director at BW Industrial Development JSC, said that many major firms and groups have moved their production out of China over the past few years, thereby boosting investment in India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Vietnam should improve energy infrastructure and ensure a sufficient power supply and better workforce in order to capitalize on the shift, said Wee. Big investors not only pay attention to infrastructure but they also require abundant electricity supply. They will not be okay with power outages, Wee said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam expects to spur both the revenue and volume of rice exports in the coming months given a slew of opportunities, but several hindrances are confronting the country. India, which accounts for over 40 percent of global rice exports, issued a ban on exporting non-basmati white rice, which represents more than 80 percent of its rice export volume, in July. The United Arab Emirates and Russia followed suit to stop rice exports. Thailand and Vietnam are among major rice exporters in the world, but the former has taken a blow dealt by drought-triggered crop losses. As such, Vietnam is enjoying a big opportunity to gain proactivity in rice export. It is high time for Vietnam to cement its position as a large rice exporter in the world, and seize chances to seal long-term rice export agreements. Big hurdles Among bottlenecks in Vietnams rice export process are rice quality that is not higher than expected, a small rice-growing scale, poor access to high-quality rice seeds, and the weak application of technology to farming. Farmers are in need of access to advanced technology and techniques in rice cultivation in Vietnam. Photo: Supplied Pressure from pests and diseases, along with soaring demand for output and quality, is prompting farmers to employ new technology solutions, but many have found it hard to tap technology, leading to lower-than-expected yields. Meanwhile, Vietnamese rice has to meet stringent requirements for export set by many importers. To increase rice yields, improve rice quality, and build Vietnamese rice brands globally, agriculture agencies, enterprises active in rice farming, and farmers should focus on seed selection and training for application of technology. Typical initiative in rice cultivation Over the past few years, many units have been working to stabilize rice sources and push up efficiency in rice production. Their initiatives have backed Vietnams farming industry. Syngenta Vietnam, one of the leading agricultural technology and solution enterprises, is cooperating with its partners and rice producers to advance rice value chains, while creating GroMore, an integrated solution in rice farming, which meets the SRP standard for sustainable rice cultivation. The solution is meant to help farmers with seed selection, soil preparation, water management, fertilizer application, safe and effective use of pesticides, and post-harvest management. Tran Thanh Son, a farmer in An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta region, said that Syngenta has accompanied farmers in the province during the process of applying GroMore to rice cultivation. I am very excited at these achievements generated from the solution [GroMore], while I have saved much money, but still produced high yields, he said. Advanced models like that using GroMore are aimed at bringing new technology solutions and rice-growing techniques to farmers to improve the quality of Vietnamese rice, and raise their income, said Tran Thanh Vu, general director at Syngenta Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday afternoon met with students from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) to speak about bilateral relations, climate change, education, and her viewpoint on the development of a net-zero economy. During his welcome speech, UEH president Su Dinh Thanh emphasized that events like Foreign Minister Wongs visit create bridges that connect the two nations endeavors, ambitions, and futures. Minister Wong's visit [to UEH] serves as a confirmation of the critical role education plays in boosting ties, Thanh said. Sharing Thanhs viewpoint, Minister Wong stated that she understands Vietnamese students desires to access advanced education, and UEH is an example of the substantial connections between Australia and Vietnam. Speaking of the relationship between the two countries, the minister pointed out that Australia sees Vietnam as a very important partner and friend. Perhaps some of the questions will go to some of the challenges we face, whether they are strategic competition, climate change, sustainability," Minister Wong said. The world is being reshaped and much of that reshaping is occurring in the region in which we live and share." She suggested that nations should focus more on the provision of goods and services that bring related values in light of the fact that the majority of the world's economies have been committed to lowering emissions by 2030. Those countries that can actually take advantage of such values, as the world will increasingly ascribe to low emissions or clean-energy goods and services, will be the countries which will thrive in that world," the minister stated. What's the similarity, or what's the connection between sustainable development goals and trade? They are frameworks where the international community has come together to agree on common arrangements and common goals that all countries, regardless of size or power, can benefit from, Wong replied to a question from a UEH student. We are countries with influence, but neither of us is one of the superpowers. So we want arrangements internationally that enable us to prosper and to operate in the international sphere," the minister explained. Wong was on a four-day working trip to Vietnam, scheduled for Monday through Thursday, at the invitation of her Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A former police officer killed three people and wounded six others when opening fire at a famed biker bar in Southern California before he was shot dead by police late on Wednesday, officials said. The shooter went into the bar targeting his ex-wife, who was wounded but survived, local media including the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register reported, citing law enforcement sources. She had been a regular at the bar and its weekly $8 spaghetti night, they said. The gunfire occurred at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Los Angeles, shortly after 7 pm local time as dozens of patrons were at the 140-year-old establishment beloved by motorcycle riders and enthusiasts. "It's an absolute tragic event," Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock told a news conference late Wednesday night. "This I know is probably weighing very heavy on the entire Trabuco Canyon community. Cook's Corner is a staple in South Orange County." Deputies raced to the scene after receiving emergency calls that shots were being fired at the bar. They confronted a male gunman, who was killed during an officer-involved shooting, Hallock said. Three other people were pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics took six others to the hospital, five of whom suffered gunshot wounds, Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said. Two of the six were in critical condition and the others were in stable condition, he said.The Ventura Police Department in a statement identified the shooter as retired Sergeant John Snowling, who served from July 1986 through February 2014 in the city about 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Los Angeles. Ventura police were cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff's Department in the investigation, police said. "Our hearts weigh heavy with the distressing incident at Cook's Corner," Ventura Police Chief Darin Schindler said in the statement. "Our deepest condolences are with the families of the victims, the survivors, and the Orange County deputies who swiftly responded to the scene." The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said it was monitoring the shooting. President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation, according to the White House. TOKYO -- Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, a polarising move that prompted China to announce an immediate blanket ban on all aquatic products from Japan. China is "highly concerned about the risk of radioactive contamination brought by... Japan's food and agricultural products," the customs bureau said in a statement. The Japanese government signed off on the plan two years ago and it was given a green light by the U.N. nuclear watchdog last month. The discharge is a key step in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant after it was destroyed by a tsunami in 2011. Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) (9501.T) said the release began at 1:03 p.m. local time (0403 GMT) and it had not identified any abnormalities. However, China reiterated its firm opposition to the plan and said the Japanese government had not proved that the water discharged would be safe. "The Japanese side should not cause secondary harm to the local people and even the people of the world out of its own selfish interests," its foreign ministry said in a statement. Tokyo has in turn criticised China for spreading "scientifically unfounded claims." It maintains the water release is safe, noting that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also concluded that the impact it would have on people and the environment was "negligible." Japan has requested that China immediately lift its import ban on aquatic products and seeks a discussion on the impact of the water release based on science, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. Japan exported about $600 million worth of aquatic products to China in 2022, making it the biggest market for Japanese exports, with Hong Kong second. Sales to China and Hong Kong accounted for 42 percent of all Japanese aquatic exports in 2022, according to government data. China customs did not give details on the specific aquatic products impacted by the ban and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Decades long process The Fukushima Daiichi plant was destroyed in March 2011 after a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake generated powerful tsunami waves causing meltdowns in three reactors. The first discharge totalling 7,800 cubic metres - the equivalent of about three Olympic swimming pools of water - will take place over about 17 days. According to Tepco test results released on Thursday, that water contained about up to 63 becquerels of tritium per litre, below the World Health Organization drinking water limit of 10,000 becquerels per litre. A becquerel is a unit of radioactivity. The IAEA also released a statement saying its independent on-site analysis had confirmed the tritium concentration was far below the limit. "There are not going to be any health effects There is no scientific reason to ban imports of Japanese food whatsoever," said Geraldine Thomas, former professor of molecular pathology at London's Imperial College. But Japanese fishing groups, hit with years of reputational damage from radiation fears, still oppose the plan. "All we want is to be able to continue fishing," the head of the Japan Fisheries Co-operative said in a statement that touched on the "mounting anxiety" of the community. Separately from China, Hong Kong and Macau have announced their own ban starting Thursday, which covers Japanese seafood imports from 10 regions. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said import bans on Fukushima fisheries and food products will stay in place until public concerns were eased. Japan will conduct monitoring around the water release area and publish results weekly starting on Sunday, Japan's environment minister said. The release is estimated to take about 30 years. Protests In Hong Kong, Jacay Shum, a 73-year-old activist, held up a picture portraying IAEA head Rafael Grossi as the devil. "Japan's actions in discharging contaminated water are very irresponsible, illegal, and immoral," said Shum, who was among a group of about 100 marchers. "No one can prove that the nuclear waste and materials are safe. They are completely unsafe." South Korean police arrested at least 16 protesters who entered the Japanese embassy in Seoul, although South Korea's government has said its own assessment found no problems with the scientific and technical aspects of the release. North Korea's foreign ministry demanded that the water discharge be immediately halted, calling it a "crime against humanity", state media reported. A few dozen protesters gathered in front of Tepco's headquarters in Tokyo holding signs reading "Don't throw contaminated water into the sea!" "The Fukushima nuclear disaster is not over. This time only around one percent of the water will be released," 71-year-old Jun Iizuka, who attended the protest, told Reuters. "From now on, we will keep fighting for a long time to stop the long-term discharge of contaminated water." Global warming is driving leafy tropical canopies close to temperatures where they can no longer transform sunlight and CO2 into energy, threatening total collapse if the thermometer keeps climbing, according to a study Thursday. A tiny percentage of upper canopy leaves have already crossed that threshold, reaching temperatures so high -- above 47 degrees Celsius -- as to prevent photosynthesis, the study published in Nature reported. Currently, some leaves exceed such critical temperatures only 0.01 percent of the time, but impacts could quickly scale up because leaves warm faster than air, the researchers said. "You heat the air by two to three degrees and the actual upper temperature of these leaves goes up by eight degrees," lead author Christopher Doughty of Northern Arizona University told journalists. If tropical forest's average surface temperature warms 4C above current levels -- widely considered a worst-case scenario -- "we're predicting possible total leaf death," he said. The new research suggests that leaf death could become a new factor in the predicted "tipping point" whereby tropical forests transition due to climate change and deforestation into savannah-like landscapes. If air temperatures increase unabated by 0.03 C per year, the study projected, mass mortality among the canopies could happen in a little more than a century. Doughty and his team used data from the NASA ECOSTRESS satellite -- designed to measure plant temperatures -- validated with ground observations, based in part on sensors attached to individual leaves. Increased tree death There remain uncertainties as to how high leaf temperatures might impact the forest as a whole, the scientists cautioned. "Believe it or not, we don't know terribly much about why trees die," said co-author Gregory Goldsmith of Chapman University. It doesn't take a scientist to know that when a tree loses its roots it dies, he said. But the interactions and feedbacks between heat and drought -- and water and temperature -- on overall tree health aren't as clear. Total leaf death might not necessarily mean total tree death. The critical temperature at which leaves turn brown and die might also differ by species, depending on the size and thickness of their leaves and the breadth of their canopy. But there are already concerning signs. In the Amazon, where temperatures are higher than in other tropical forests, the rate at which trees are dying has increased in recent decades. "The Amazon is currently experiencing higher levels of mortality than Central Africa and that could possibly be due to the high temperatures we've seen there," said Doughty. Increased fragmentation of the forests from deforestation has also been shown to make the remaining forest areas warmer. Tropical biomes contain 45 percent of the Earth's forests, and play an outsized role in absorbing human-caused carbon pollution. They also harbour half or more of the world's plant biodiversity, with at least 40,000 different tree species, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The fact that a few leaves are overheating at current temperatures is a "canary in the coal mine," said senior author Joshua Fisher of Chapman University. "You want to be able to detect something happening before it's widespread," he said. "The fact that we can do that now gives us that ability to actually do something as a collective society." Scientists not involved in the study said it should serve as a warning that nature's capacity to adapt to climate change has limits. "It is true that trees and other kinds of vegetation can soak up emissions and provide cooling," commented Leslie Mabon, a lecturer in environmental systems at The Open University. "However, this study illustrates that without concerted action by humans to reduce emissions and limit global heating at the same time as protecting and enhancing nature, some functions of nature may start to break down at higher temperatures." Canada will have a new embassy in Hanoi in 2024 and the campus will be located in a more accessible location, with an open and modern space that meets all criteria for sustainable development, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil stated on Thursday. The ambassador was speaking at a press conference conducted in Hanoi on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada. Steil once revealed plans on such a new embassy campus in an interview with Vietnamese media in February this year, and he confirmed this issue on Thursday. Accordingly, the new embassy compound will be opened next year, right on the 30th anniversary of Canada opening its embassy in Vietnam, the ambassador told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. The diplomat has yet to disclose the exact location of the new embassy, saying it will be built using sustainable construction technology to make it a modern, environment-friendly, and more accessible structure. Canada is very grateful for the current location of its embassy 31 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District as it is located in the area of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square, a historic and meaningful place, the ambassador said. This location has made the embassy special compared to those of other countries, but as this is a restricted area for vehicles, it is inconvenient for visitors to contact the diplomatic agency, Steil commented. Vietnam and Canada established diplomatic relations on August 21, 1973, but it was not until November 1994 that Canada opened an embassy in Hanoi. A year later, the Consulate General of Canada was opened in Ho Chi Minh City. The two sides set up a comprehensive partnership in 2017 during the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Vietnam. Since 2015, Vietnam has emerged to become Canadas largest trading partner in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Trade between the two countries has increased to US$7 billion in 2022 from nearly $2 billion in 2012, according to official figures. By the end of last year, Canada had ranked 14th out of 130 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of more than $4.8 billion. This year marks 50 years of the two nations diplomatic ties, with various activities having been conducted in both countries to celebrate the anniversary. In Vietnam, Canadas consulate general and embassy held celebrations on August 21 and 24, respectively. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong on Thursday sent a letter of congratulations to his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu on the successful lunar landing of India's Chandrayaan-3, according to the Vietnamese foreign ministry. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also cabled a congratulatory message to Indian PM Narendra Modi while National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue did the same to Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Indias parliament) Jagdeep Dhankhar and Speaker of the Lok Sabha (the lower house) Om Birla. Vietnams Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son sent his congratulations to Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully made a lunar landing near the south pole of the moon on Wednesday after using Indias LVM3 rocket to launch from the Satish Dhawan National Space Center in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on July 14. The successful mission landed India amongst the four countries to have safely landed a spacecraft on the moon. The other three include the U.S., China, and the former Soviet Union. The South Asian country has also been credited as the first country to smoothly land a spacecraft on the south pole of the moon. "Chandrayaan-3 rover: Made in India. Made for the Moon. The Ch-3 rover ramped down from the lander and India took a walk on the moon, the Times of India cited ISRO as stating on X, formerly Twitter. This lunar landing is the most significant scientific milestone in Indian history, the newspaper commented in an editorial. It is a matter of pride and a pat on the back for Indian scientists, PM Modi was quoted by Reuters as saying at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday. The Indian government chief also said on X that this achievement is not just Indias pride but a beacon of human endeavor and perseverance. Hours after the landing, the Pragyan rover, part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, rolled out of the spacecrafts Vikram lander to begin its lunar exploration, S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), reported on Thursday. The rover is expected to operate for two weeks, during which time it will run on solar energy, according to ISRO. Somanath said both the lander and rover were in good condition, and both work very well. ISRO will, for the first time, face 'many issues' on the moons surface, especially lunar dust and temperatures that could affect moving parts, Somanath said. The mechanisms, the moving items... can get entangled with the dust there. It can get into the moving parts and jam them, the bearings of the system may not work, the motors may not work, CNN News 18 TV channel cited Somanath. Lunar dust is different from that on the earths surface and due to the lack of oxygen is likely to impact the rovers operation, he added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The administration of Dong Thap Province in southern Vietnam has set up five working teams to take charge of a draft scheme on conserving and raising red-crowned cranes at the province's Tram Chim National Park. The establishment of the teams was announced at a meeting chaired by the provincial People's Committee on Thursday. The five teams will be responsible for legal affairs, natural habitat restoration, personnel affairs, basic investment, information, and communications. Dong Thap will also invest VND76 billion (US$3.2 million) in the project with the goal of conserving and raising 100 red-crowned cranes during the 2022-32 period, with at least 50 of them able to survive in their natural habitat at the national park, situated in Tam Nong District. As part of the project, the province will fund activities to improve the cranes habitat, support organic agricultural production, and promote tourism. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, vice-chairman of the provincial People's Committee and head of the project's steering board, urged Tram Chim National Park to create a specific plan to conduct assigned tasks, as well as team up with relevant agencies to complete the draft scheme. A delegation led by Le Quoc Phong, chief of the Party Committee in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, earlier visited Tram Chim National Park and called on local farmers to grow organic rice to improve the natural habitat. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre In the near future, the schemes steering board will join a virtual meeting with its Thai partners to track the handover of cranes to Dong Thap; consult experts and agencies in the field about a plan to restore the natural habitat; and regulate water levels at Tram Chim National Park. The provincial administration previously signed a deal with the International Crane Foundation and the Vietnam Zoos Association in April this year to revive red-crowned crane flocks at Tram Chim National Park. In related news, the national park hired the consulting unit which developed the design of cages to capture cranes and release them into the wild and sent a working team to Thailand to be trained in raising cranes. Tram Chim National Park is among a few areas where red-crowned cranes have recently lived. Red-crowned cranes last flocked to the park in April 2021. The dwindling number of crane flocks was attributed to habitat loss, a limited number of natural paddy fields, toxic emissions from agricultural production activities, and food scarcity. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nine people, including two children, in Son Linh Commune, Huong Son District under the north-central Vietnamese province of Ha Tinh were rushed to hospital on Thursday after they ate calf blood soup. Calf blood soup, or tiet canh be in Vietnamese, is a dish made out of the raw blood of a calf and topped with peanuts and herbs. Tran Phi Long, vice-chairman of the Son Linh Commune Peoples Committee, said on Friday that the nine hospitalized individuals had suffered food poisoning. At noon on Thursday, some residents in the communes Village 2 ate calf blood soup bought in another locality. The nine people, including seven adults and two children, developed headaches, stomachaches, and vomiting in the afternoon. They were then taken to the Huong Son District Healthcare Center for emergency. Le Nhat Thanh, director of the healthcare center, said that the facility admitted nine people with food poisoning at 7:30 pm on Thursday. These patients are all now in stable condition, with some already having been discharged from the healthcare facility. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Lai Xuan Thanh, chairman of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of the Long Thanh International Airport project in southern Vietnams Dong Nai Province, has pledged to complete the project as planned and put it into operation by the last quarter of 2026. Work packages related to the construction of the passenger terminal, runways, and taxiways are a top priority, with the package to build the passenger terminal scheduled to kick off on Saturday, Thanh told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. ACV expected to complete the passenger terminal package within 39 months, and the runways and taxiways within 23 months. Thanh also shared that the ACV is still handling a complaint by the Hoa Lu consortium, led by Vietnamese construction firm Coteccons, which failed to meet the requirements of the VND35.2 trillion (US$1.5 billion) passenger terminal package. According to Thanh, the ACV will soon make an official announcement about the winning contractor consortium and the reasoning behind parting ways with other contractor consortiums. As the bidding process is still underway, related information will be kept secret in line with regulations on bidding, the corporation chairman said, adding that the ACV is confident about the transparency and fairness of choosing the winning consortium. The Hoa Lu consortium's complaint will not affect the progress of the project, Thanh noted, adding that the investor will be held accountable before the law and the state for the bidding results. It is the right of enterprises to file complaints or lawsuits, Thanh said. To make sure that the winning consortium can ensure the progress of the package, the ACV hired a consulting unit from Japan to supervise the quality and progress of the package. The ACV will not control separate enterprises in the consortium, but it will be responsible for the process and results of their work. The main contractors selection of subcontractors will be under the supervision of the ACV. It will check the capability of subcontractors and has the right to request that the main contractor give the subcontractors the sack if they fail to meet requirements. The ACV has employed a legal consulting consortium, including a world-class company and a Vietnamese firm. The consortium will provide legal consultancy during the contract negotiation and signing as well as the project execution. It will seek consulting on possible issues after the construction of the project, thus ensuring the progress and quality of the package. Regarding capital for the project, Thanh affirmed that the ACV had already planned capital resources for its projects and only a passenger terminal at Dong Hoi Airport in Quang Binh, located in north-central Vietnam, has been added after the fact. The ACVs revenue and profit remained stable despite difficulties during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, not to mention bank loans with extended payment deadlines. A view of the under-construction An Loc-Binh Son resettlement area for households affected by the Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Ha Mi / Tuoi Tre The ACV is working with banks to reduce foreign currency loans. It will borrow some $1.7-1.8 billion, far below the initially planned of $2.1 billion. State-run banks, including BIDV, Vietcombank, and VietinBank, have already pledged such loans for the project, however, the investor voiced its concern over traffic systems connecting the airport. The ACV has proposed the Ministry of Transport expand the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh Expressway to 10 lanes as it is often congested. If the road is not widened, congestion will worsen once Long Thanh International Airport is put into operation. The ACV also suggested that Dong Nai Province accelerate the development of two roads leading to the airport and those serving the construction of the airport. Dong Nai has cleared about 80 percent of the site for a road connected to the airport and 20-30 percent of the site for the other. Long Thanh International Airport, once completed, will be the largest airport in the nation with an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million metric tons of cargo. The project needs an estimated investment of some VND336.63 trillion ($14.1 billion). The package to construct and install equipment at the passenger terminal is the largest package of the mammoth airport project, which sits about 40km from Ho Chi Minh City. Earlier, the ACV announced that only the Vietur consortium led by Turkeys IC Holdings met all technical requirements for the package. The Hoa Lu consortium and the consortium of CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors, led by China Harbour Engineering, failed to satisfy the criteria. The Hoa Lu consortium later denounced the Vietur consortium for allegedly violating bidding regulations and failing to fulfill the requirements of the tender package. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Vietur consortium led by Turkeys IC Ictas has won the VND35 trillion (US$1.5 billion) bidding package to construct the passenger terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai Province, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of the project, said on Thursday evening. ACV said it announced the bidding results on the national bidding portal and to all contractor consortiums registering to bid for package 5.10, belonging to the third componentessential facilities, on the same day. Vietur consists of IC Istas, a subsidiary of Turkeys IC Holdings, and nine Vietnamese firms Ricons Construction Investment JSC, Newtecons Investment Construction JSC, SOL E&C Investment Construction JSC, ATAD Steel Structure Corporation, Construction Corporation No. 1 JSC, HAWEE Mechanical and Electrical JSC, Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation, Phuc Hung Holdings Construction JSC, and Hanoi Construction Corporation. Vietur won the package at a price of over VND27.8 trillion ($1.2 billion) and $338,800. It planned to complete the package within 39 months. The ACV asked Vietur to contact it to sign a contract between August 25 and 30. Work on the package will start right after the signing of the contract. The 5.10 is the largest package requiring the most complicated techniques and the longest execution time of the third component of the Long Thanh International Airport project. The ACV planned to kick off the passenger terminal package and another to build runways and an aircraft parking area at Long Thanh International Airport with a combined approved cost of over VND7.3 trillion ($306.2 million) late this month. Three consortiums, including Vietur, Hoa Lu led by Vietnamese construction firm Coteccons, and another led by a Chinese contractor, had earlier registered to bid for the passenger terminal package. After the ACV announced that only Vietur met all technical requirements for package 5.10, Hoa Lu denounced the Vietur consortium for allegedly violating bidding regulations and failing to fulfill the requirements of the tender package. ACV Chairman Lai Xuan Thanh has recently affirmed the transparency and fairness of choosing the winning consortium. He also pledged to complete the project as planned and put it into operation by the last quarter of 2026. Long Thanh International Airport, once completed, will be the largest airport in the nation with an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million metric tons of cargo. The project needs an estimated investment of some VND336.63 trillion ($14.1 billion). Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam, has been named the most-searched destination by Vietnamese travelers looking to get away for the upcoming National Day holiday, according to Booking.com. Public workers in Vietnam are entitled to four consecutive days off from September 1 to 4 to celebrate National Day (September 2), as per a circular by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs. For the upcoming National Day weekend, we are seeing a surge in demand with Vietnamese travelers exploring staycations and drivecations to nearby places or indulging in short breaks to closer-to-home APAC destinations, said Varun Grover, country head for Vietnam at Booking.com. The Booking.com Travel Confidence Index 2023 also showed that Vietnamese travelers have a strong preference for coastal locations, with 61 percent including islands and beaches amongst their primary travel interests, closely followed by cities at 60 percent. These preferences were reflected in the countrys top 10 domestic destination searches on the travel and accommodation booking platform, with six of the top 10 being coastal destinations. Specifically, Da Nang claimed the top spot, with Vung Tau City in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and Nha Trang City in south-central Khanh Hoa Province following closely behind. Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong and Ho Chi Minh City rounded out the top five. In terms of international travel choices, Vietnamese tourists are predominantly seeking destinations that are relatively close to home, including Bangkok, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The Booking.com report looked at searches from July 1 to August 14 with check-in dates from September 1 to 4. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! On 60 Minutes Christine Ahern reports on the murder of a Brazilian woman and Tom Steinfort files on millennials in the workplace. Catching a Killer Its a bittersweet truth: the very best of police detective work is likely to be born out of the very worst of mankind. Its certainly the case when it comes to the investigation into the death of Cecilia Haddad. She was a young Brazilian woman whod been living in Australia, working as a mining executive, for a number of years. In 2018 she was murdered by a jealous ex-boyfriend, Marcelo Santoro. He was also from Brazil and its where he fled to immediately after killing Cecilia. Santoro might have thought by escaping Australia hed gotten away with his terrible crime, but he was wrong. On assignment for 60 Minutes, Nines Christine Ahern reports that Santoro didnt count on the determination of New South Wales police officers to bring him to justice. Reporter: Christine Ahern Producer: Laura Sparkes Work in Progress Anyone aged from their mid-20s to early-40s is considered a millennial. While the group is now the largest generation in Australia, its also the most heavily criticised. The flak comes mainly from older generations who are quick to complain that millennials are lazy and entitled, especially in the workplace. Most of them probably couldnt care less, but as Tom Steinfort reports, many of the millennials bosses are not sure how to handle their increasing demands for greater flexibility so they can have the freedom to enjoy acting their age. Reporter: Tom Steinfort Producers: Serge Negus, Tracey Hannaford 8:30pm (ish) Sunday on Nine. New animated series Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, based on characters from the hit franchise Adventure Time will screen from late August. The new 10-episode series set in the land of Ooo follows the alternate universe versions of Finn & Jake on a multiverse-hopping journey towards self-discovery. When Fionna and her sidekick Cake find themselves in the crosshairs of a powerful new foe, they have no choice but to seek the help of former Ice King Simon Petrikov. Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake transports fans of the classic series to worlds both familiar and alien. Appearances from Marshall Lee, Marceline the Vampire Queen, Princess Bubblegum, and Finn the Human. Voices include Madeleine Martin, Roz Ryan, Tom Kenny, Andrew Rannells, Donald Glover, Kayleigh Mckee, Sean Rohani, and others. Executive Producers: Adam Muto, Fred Seibert, Sam Register. Studio/Prod Co: Cartoon Network Studios, Double episodes each week from Thursday 31 August on Binge / Friday September 1 at 8.00am on FOX8. UK romantic drama series The Lovers, starring Johnny Flynn (Beast, Emma) and Roisin Gallagher (The Fall, The Dry), will screen in September on Binge and FOX Showcase. The series follows Janet (Gallagher), a bad-tempered, hilarious, Belfast supermarket worker who doesnt seem to care about anything much, including her life, and Seamus (Flynn) a handsome, self-centred, political broadcaster with what looks to be a perfect London life and a celebrity girlfriend. So when Seamus unexpectedly drops into Janets world (literally over the wall and into her backyard) they instantly clash and yet also find themselves inextricably drawn to each other Set in Belfast, this is a sexy, funny, fight-y love story about two people who appear to be utterly wrong for each other yet may just be utterly right. The series also stars Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones, Holding) and Alice Eve (Belgravia, Star Trek Into Darkness). Produced by Drama Republic for Sky Studios. The series was commissioned by Sky Studios for Sky Atlantic. Roanna Benn and Rebecca de Souza are executive producers for Drama Republic, with commissioning editors Liz Lewin and Manpreet Dosanjh as executive producers for Sky Studios. Hannah Pescod also serves as executive producer, with Chris Martin as producer. The Lovers is written by David Ireland and directed by Justin Martin. All six-episodes Thursday September 7 on Binge / weekly from 8:30pm on FOX Showcase. Comedian Mark Humphries has announced that he and his team has departed ABCs 7.30 after fortnightly satirical sketches for the past five years. He will be leaving along with co-writer Evan Williams and director of photography/editor Chloe Angelo. Writing on social media, Humphries said To be part of 7.30 has been a great honour and Im enormously grateful that the shows producers allowed Evan and I to sully the shows good name for so long. There is so little scripted comedy produced in this country, that even being able to produce 2-3 minutes of it a fortnight on a news and current affairs show is a tremendous privilege. So, to our bosses Justin Stevens and then Joel Tozer, our deepest thanks. He added, The time has come for us to pursue making content outside of the parameters of 2-3 minute sketches. What might that look like? Four minute sketches? Five? Only time will tell. Humphries also thanked the numerous performers who had given their time to appear on the sketch segment over the years, including Virginia Gay, Heather Mitchell, Dan Ilic, Wendy Harmer, Ange Lavoipierre, Charles Firth, Sana Qadar and even former prime minister Kevin Rudd. ABC employees including archivist Wendy Pritchard, operations specialist Michael Hartman, and voiceover artist Rupert Degas also got a grateful shout out. Id like to also acknowledge a couple of legends who we had the privilege of working with before their passing: 7.30 floor manager Mick Walter, and entertainer Jono Coleman. Their warmth, humour and kindness will not be forgotten. Update: Guardian Australia refers to budget cuts with an an email to staff, from executive producer Joel Tozer saying it was a difficult decision, but in a tight budgetary environment this change will allow us to expand the range of journalism we can pursue on the program. 7.30 has and will continue to ensure comedy has a rich tradition in the program. Source: Mediaweek ABC Late News presenter Michael Tetlow is switching mediums, having been announced as the new presenter of ABC Radio Perths Afternoons program, at least until the rest of the year. Tetlow has more than 25 years experience as a reporter, presenter and producer in Australia and the UK. He joined the ABC in Perth as a presenter on the national Late News service when it began in early 2018. He has also presented the weather and 7.00pm news bulletin in Western Australia. ABC Radio Perth Manager Sarah Knight said, Im delighted to welcome Michael to the ABC Radio Perth family. He brings great experience to the role and Im sure his sense of optimism will appeal to our Afternoon audience. And for those who have enjoyed Dustin Skipworth over the past three months, dont worry, he will still be a part of the Afternoons team. Michael added, I love a good chat and Afternoons on ABC Radio is the perfect place for that. Im looking forward to the company of our listeners across Perth and WA and helping them share their stories and thoughts. Tetlow will present the radio show from Monday 4 September until the end of the year, at which time the ABC will confirm the 2024 presenter line up. Source: Radio Info A new icon of Saint Patrick has been written by the Redemptoristine sisters of Drumcondra in Dublin (Photo: Supplied) Dr. Martin paid tribute to Archbishop Daniel McGettigan, from Rosguill, during a ceremony to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral on Thursday night. Although the foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid by Archbishop William Crolly on St. Patricks Day, 1840, work had to be suspended during the Great Hunger. Work recommenced from Easter 1854 with a new architect and a revised design under the leadership of Archbishop Joseph Dixon but following his death it fell to Donegal-native Archbishop McGettigan to complete the Cathedral, Dr. Martin said in a Homily on Thursday. The Derry-born Primate of All Ireland said: "He declared Sunday, August 24, 1873 as the day of opening and dedication. Massive crowds from all over Ireland, and beyond, gathered in Armagh for the occasion. "Our Cathedral that day would have looked very different to what we are used to today. The structure was the same of course, but much of the decoration and adornment had yet to be added. "Subsequent years and decades would see the addition of the stained glass windows, the Stations of the Cross, the great Telford organ, the amazing mosaics, the painted ceiling, the marbles and carvings, the carillon of bells. READ MORE: Archbishop Eamon Martin urges young Catholics to join PSNI "Outside the Cathedral, here on Sandy Hill, the famous terraced steps, the sacristy, the synod hall and the gate lodge would all come later, as would the bishops residence and offices at Ara Coeli. "It must have been very moving on that day of dedication to witness the anointing of the first altar of this Cathedral with Chrism: the altar, a symbol of Christ, the Anointed One, Christ the High Priest, who offered the sacrifice of his life on the cross for our salvation. "The walls of the cathedral were also anointed with Holy Chrism during the dedication, at twelve places; the candles you see lit along the walls this evening mark the spots where Archbishop McGettigan anointed the building. To mark the 150th anniversary of the dedication of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, a new icon of Saint Patrick has been written by the Redemptoristine sisters of Drumcondra in Dublin. Genk's Joseph Paintsil celebrates after scoring during a soccer game between Belgian KRC Genk and Greek Olympiacos F.C., Thursday 17 August 2023 in Genk, the second leg of the third qualifying round for the UEFA Europa League competition. BELGA PHOTO JOHAN EYCKENS (Photo by JOHAN EYCKENS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by JOHAN EYCKENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images) Fresh from confirming the arrival of Joel Piroe from Swansea City on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee on Thursday night, Leeds United are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Genk forward Joseph Paintsil. The 25-year-old joined the Belgian top-flight club in 2018 but could now become the Whites fifth signing of the summer as the club continues its rebuild under Daniel Farke. Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow have arrived from Chelsea and Newcastle United for undisclosed fees while Sam Byram has joined on a free from Norwich. Now as Leeds seek to complete a deal for Paintsil, heres everything you need to know about the forward... Who is Joseph Paintsil? The 25-year-old was born on February 1, 1998 in Accra, Ghana. He plays predominantly as a right winger but can also play on the left as well as an attacking midfielder and centre forward. He is also a Ghanian international. Club career so far Paintsil made his professional debut with Tema Youth in the Ghana Premier League in 2017. He earned a loan move to top-flight Hungarian club Ferencvaros before being signed by Genk in 2018. In his first season at the Belgian club he made 25 league appearances, scoring three goals as Genk won the league and cup double. After two years with Genk, he joined Turkish Super Lig side Ankaragucu on loan and made 33 appearances scoring 11 goals before returning to Belgium. He emerged as a first-team regular last term as he made 30 league appearances, netting 14 goals and 14 assists as Genk missed out on the title by a single point following a dramatic final day. So far this season he has made eight appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Club career stats KRC Genk, 2018-present: 143 appearances, 32 goals, 25 assists MKE Ankaragucu (loan), 2020-21: 33 appearances, 11 goals, 0 assists Ferencvarosi TC (loan), 2017-18: 27 appearances, 10 goals, 7assists International appearances The 25-year-old has earned nine caps for Ghana but has not been a regular starter for his country. His most recent caps came as he made three appearances during the African Cup of Nations qualifiers in March, claiming an assist in a 1-1 draw with Angola. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 25, 2023 /CNW/ - Monumental Minerals Corp. ("Monumental" or the "Company") (TSXV: MNRL) (FSE: BE5) (OTCQB: MNMRF) has amended the option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Lithium Chile Inc. ("Lithium Chile") (TSXV: LITH) for the Turi property (the "Property") located within the Lithium triangle about 120 km northwest from the Salar de Laguna Blanca and 60 km northeast from the city of Calama, Chile. Monumental Minerals Corp. logo (CNW Group/Monumental Minerals Corp.) Amended Terms of the Option Agreement Under the amended terms of the Option Agreement (see the Company's news release dated October 6, 2022), in order to exercise the option to acquire a 50.01% interest in the Turi Project, Monumental must make certain staged cash payments to Lithium Chile and incur exploration expenditures on the Turi Project as follows: (a) In the event of Monumental entering into a joint-venture agreement with a third party on the Property (the "JV Agreement"): make cash payments to Lithium Chile of an aggregate of $700,000 according to the following schedule: (i) $200,000 within five (5) days of the date on which the Option Agreement and the transaction contemplated herein is accepted for final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") (the "Acceptance Date") (Exchange approval previously obtained and cash has been paid to Lithium Chile); (ii) $250,000 within five (5) days of the effective date of the JV Agreement; and (iii) $250,000 on or before October 5, 2025. Incur minimum expenditures on the Property of not less than an aggregate of $1,400,000 on or before October 5, 2025. (b) In the event no JV Agreement is entered into by October 31, 2024: make cash payments to Lithium Chile of an aggregate of $700,000 according to the following schedule: (i) $200,000 within five (5) days of the Acceptance Date (paid); (ii) $250,000 on or before October 31, 2024; and Story continues (iii) $250,000 on or before October 5, 2025. Incur minimum expenditures on the Property of not less than an aggregate of $1,400,000 on or before October 31, 2025. The Company continues discussions with the representatives of the Turi community to finalize the timing, payments, and plans as it relates to drilling on the Turi project, however, there is no assurance that the Company's efforts will be successful. About Monumental Minerals Corp. Monumental Minerals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in the critical and electric metals sector. The Company's flagship asset is the Jemi HREE project located in Coahuila, Mexico near the Texas, USA border, which the Company has an option to acquire 100% of the 3,650-hectare project. The Company has an option to acquire a 75% interest and title to the Laguna Blanca project located in Chile; and the Company has an option to acquire a 50.01% interest and title to the Turi project located in Chile. On behalf of the Board of Directors, /s/ "Jamil Sader" Jamil Sader, Chief Executive Officer and Director Contact Information: Dr. Jamil Sader, CEO Email: jsader@monumentalminerals.com Mr. Maximilian Sali, VP Corporate Development Email: msali@monumentalminerals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forwardlooking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation carrying out exploration work (including drilling) on the Turi project, the potential plans for the Company's projects, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner and that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, failure to secure personnel and equipment for work programs, adverse weather and climate conditions, risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), risks relating to inaccurate geological assumptions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to obtain surface access agreements or understandings from local communities, land owners or Indigenous groups, fluctuation in exchange rates, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to, the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, geopolitical conflicts, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, decrease in the price of rare earth elements, lithium, cesium and other metals, loss of key employees, consultants, or directors, failure to obtain and/or maintain community acceptance (including from the Indigenous communities), increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law. SOURCE Monumental Minerals Corp. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2023/25/c2260.html Rewetting peatland is good for the climate. Here's why Europe is very slow at it Dutch farmer Aldert van Weeran plucked a thick stalk of bright green sweet grass from his flooded field. For most farmers in Europe, a field saturated with water at surface level would spell disaster, but Van Weeran was delighted with the mud. In 2020, he rewet 1.5 hectares of drained peatland situated just outside Amsterdam and started a type of wetland farming known as paludiculture. Van Weerans crop, a species of Typha, has flourished. But as experts around the world call to rewet drained wetlands to absorb greenhouse gases, restore biodiversity and provide ecosystem services, a serious question looms: What happens to millions of other farmers who make their living from drained land? Paludiculture is the solution to multiple problems, said van Weeran, who sells the Typha to a building company for insulation materials as well as the carbon credits his expanding farm produces. Van Weeran is part of a small, experimental but growing movement of European farmers, researchers and business owners from Estonia to Ireland working to turn paludiculture into a feasible alternative to farming drained wetlands, but they face a dense web of regulatory and cultural obstacles. Why wetlands matter in the fight against climate change A February 2023 study in the journal Nature estimated that, globally, 21% of inland wetlands have been lost in the last 300 years, predominantly due to drainage for agriculture, with the biggest losses in China, the United States and Europe. A team from the University of Exeter found that 40 billion tons of carbon have been released from drained wetlands in the Northern Hemisphere since 1750. Portions of Europes bogs and fens have been drained for a thousand years to harvest carbon-rich peat plant material that has partly decayed underwater for millennia for fuel. But research has shown that in the 20th century, agricultural mechanisation, government subsidies and a growing population increased the speed of Europes peatland drainage dramatically. Story continues The Nature report revealed that the United Kingdom has drained about 75% of its wetlands while The Netherlands has lost more than 70% for farmland and development. Sweden, Finland and Estonia have lost more than 45% of their wetlands to forestry alone. Presently, drained peatlands constitute about 10% of Estonias total emissions, Juri-Ott Salm, wetlands programme coordinator with the Estonian Fund for Nature, told Euronews. If we would like to achieve carbon neutrality, to decrease these emissions, then one way ahead is paludiculture, he said, though added, the main challenge is to turn drained peatlands back to wetlands and to manage them with paludiculture. Draining peatland releases carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, gases that contribute to climate change. And in a summer when Europe has been plagued alternately with severe droughts and devastating flooding, advocates of rewetting these vast regions say there is ample reason. Wetlands control flooding, filter toxic chemicals from water, aid groundwater retention, boost drought resilience, enable biodiversity and habitat expansion, and act as enormous carbon sinks. But researchers are still met with resistance from farmers who have cultivated drained peatland for generations. We do need more research on the emotional psychological aspects of this, especially in those areas where the farmland was in the family for a very long time, said Anke Nordt, a peatlands researcher at the Greifswald Mire Centre in northeastern Germany. [Farmers] say, I would do it, but I cant rewet because my ancestors put so much effort in draining it, she said. More often, though, experts from across Europe told Euronews, the strongest objections are far more practical. EU agriculture subsidies benefiting drained land Until this year, the EUs common agricultural policy (CAP) excluded from subsidy payments paludiculture crops such as Typha, peat moss, reed, and cattail while heavily subsidising livestock and arable farming on drained peatland for decades. The new CAP, which took effect in January, includes paludiculture but left implementation of payment schemes to member states, creating uncertainty and a potential patchwork of regulation, while still incentivising agriculture on drained land. Early adopters of paludiculture say those incentives must end for wetland farming to take root. We have to look for the polluters pay principle, said Jens-Uwe Holthuis, project manager at Sphagnumfarm Barver, a peat moss, or sphagnum, paludiculture demonstration site in Lower Saxony, Germany. Holthuis explained that when farmers drain land and release greenhouse gases, it is the public who pays the price of climate impacts. Farmers who are draining their land have to pay or have to lose the subsidies they are getting for draining the land, Holthuis said. Even if direct payments to those growers ended, there are still major hurdles to overcome. Longstanding land use laws, individual land rights, upfront costs and developing markets for paludiculture products will all need careful attention, researchers say. In some countries, water rights are particularly contentious. In Britain under recent reforms, the Environment Agency has rescinded some water abstraction licenses of farmers working on drained land. We need a different system of water judgement for peatlands, said Andrea Kelly, an environmental policy adviser with the Broads Authority in East Anglia, England. Kelly manages several wetlands restoration projects including a paludiculture site. The peat cant be moved. The water can. So if we want to deliver net-zero through peatlands if our farming, as a sector, want to get hold of that [opportunity] then they need to be enabled, and the only way is to deliver the water, she told Euronews. Governments start rewetting programmes As enthusiastic as paludiculture pioneers are, all agree that for farmers to achieve a just transition into wetland cultivation, market economics must also scale up considerably. The avant-garde remains optimistic, if pragmatic, and points to multiple industries that are already incorporating paludiculture crops in manufacturing. Typha is used in building materials and insulation, paper, food in high-end restaurants, and in animal feed. The most well-known product, reed, has been used in traditional thatched roofs for centuries. Clothing maker saltyco uses cattail fibers in its insulated cloth, and sphagnum supplier BeadaMoss is developing a peat moss alternative to extracting raw peat, which currently underpins the multibillion euro global horticulture industry as a planting medium. Researchers say that sales revenue combined with appropriate agricultural subsidies, ecosystem services and carbon sequestration payments could provide a livelihood at least as stable as many farmers on drained lands have now, but without the cost of feed, fertilizer, or environmental damage. With net-zero commitments in mind, individual governments have begun to take notice. Germany has invested up to 150 million in two 10-year paludiculture projects comprising at least 10 sites. England last year earmarked 5 million (5.85 million) for paludiculture grants and awarded 12 projects funding in June. For Aldert van Weeran, approaching his second Typha harvest, the equation is simple. In the end, he said, ecologically the math is about destroying, or rebuilding. Police in Pakistan are reportedly close to locating the family of Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl who was found dead in Woking earlier in August. (Surrey Police) Police in Pakistan are reportedly edging closer to locating the family of a 10-year-old girl who was found dead at home in Woking earlier this month. The body of Sara Sharif was found at a property on Hammond Road after police were called from Pakistan by her father, Urfan Sharif, on August 10. Mr Sharif, 41, his partner, Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother, Faisal Malik, 28, are thought to have travelled to Islamabad on August 9. They are now wanted for questioning. Rawalpindi Region police chief Khurram Ali told the Mirror the force was trying its level best to find Mr Sharif, Ms Batool and Mr Malik, and was close to locating them. Mr Ali said the force had interrogated the father, brother and uncle of Mr Sharif. The latest development comes as Surrey Police issued a fresh appeal for information on Thursday (August 24), two weeks after Sara was found. Detectives are continuing to appeal for information to assist them in their investigation. The scope of the probe was broadened following a post-mortem examination which revealed extensive and multiple injuries, indicating prolonged harm. Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, said: It is now two weeks since Saras body was found and the impact of her tragic death continues to be felt deeply by the local and wider community, including our officers and staff. We would like to thank those people who have already come forward and reported information to us. However, we know that there will be lots of people in the Woking community and beyond who will have had contact with Sara who may not already have come forward, and we would encourage them to do so. Wizz Air and easyJet offer new flights to Egypt from UK airport. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images) From October two of Europes biggest budget airlines will be offering a route from Luton airport to the pyramids in Egypt. Wizz Air and easyJet have both announced they will be flying from Luton Airport to Cairos second airport, Sphinx International Airport. At the moment the only links from London are from Heathrow to Cairos main airport through British Airways and EgyptAir. EgyptAir also flies from Manchester to Cairos main airport. Wizz Air will start offering flights from 30 October and easyJet a day later. Both carriers will operate three times a week, Wizz Air on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and easyJet on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The flight time will be around five hours with a distance of 2,190 miles. Sphinx International Airport is not Egypts main airport, which is Cairo International, but it has a fast highway link to the tourist sites. It is located in Giza, which is the location for the extremely delayed Grand Egyptian Museum - expected to open in the next few months. It is 20 miles northwest of the great sphinx of Giza and the main pyramid complex. It has a single, modern terminal and the arrival and departure experience is likely to be more relaxed than the multi-terminal main airport. Sphinx International Airport is also more convenient for the Mediterranean city of Alexandria than is Cairos main airport. According to the aviation data analyst Cirium, in September Cairo International Airport will see 263 arrivals a day while Sphinx will see just four or five a day. The new easyJet and Wizz Air services will add to a fast-expanding schedule between the UK and Egypt. For easyJet the new destination will become its third route to Egypt alongside Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. Tickets are now on sale through easyJets website or mobile app and flights will run on the following schedule: LTN - SPX (Tue, Thu) - Departs Luton at 11:55, arrives in Cairo at 18:45 LTN - SPX (Sat) - Departs Luton at 12:20, arrives in Cairo at 19:10 SPX - LTN (Tue, Thu, and Sat) - Departs Cairo at 19:30, arrives in Luton at 22:50 Jonathan Rayner, Chief Commercial Officer at London Luton Airport, said the airport is delighted that easyJet has chosen London Luton Airport (LLA) to launch its flights to Cairo. He added: As the Egyptian capital, Cairo is home to some truly iconic landmarks and is sure to be a destination of choice for passengers traveling from LLA." One of Keir Starmer's own MPs has questioned why Labour are 'cosying up' to the likes of Babcock and Palantir WEAPONS manufacturers, fossil fuel companies, and a contentious spy-tech firm are among the sponsors for this years Labour Party conference. Boeing and Babcock, which both manufacture missiles, and controversial CIA-funded spyware firm Palantir will sponsor fringe events hosted by centre-left media company New Statesman Media Group. UK-based Babcock has arms deals with the Government and has recently signed a deal with Israel Aerospace Industries, while the owner of Palantir has donated to Donald Trumps political campaign. Private health care companies, fossil fuel firms and major banks are also among those paying to have a presence at the event in Liverpool. READ MORE: Scottish Labour accounts 'prove they aren't a party' Speaking to openDemocracy, Labour MP Clive Lewis has questioned why the party is cosying up to some of these organisations. The party has been additionally been slated by environmental groups and anti-weapon campaigners, who have branded the sponsorships disgusting. Lewis told openDemocracy: I do not think that organisations like Palantir and others are necessarily the kind of organisations that Labour, in the year before a General Election, should be cosying up to. I think they should be saying look, well deal with you but frankly, some of you are part of the problem. I think its entirely possible to be on the side of the entrepreneurs without necessarily having to get into bed with big oil companies, big corporations or the likes of Palantir, and the Labour party should be really clear about that. Babcock will sponsor a talk entitled Sovereign Capability: How can we make, buy and sell British?, while Palantir which has built software to support drone strikes and immigration raids - will sponsor a talk on the Ukraine conflict. READ MORE: John Kerry casts doubt on Rishi Sunak's 'max out North Sea' pledge Palantir is also tipped to win a 480m deal this year to build a single database that will eventually hold all the data in the NHS. Story continues Campaigners against the arms industry have condemned the decision to allow weapons manufacturers at the event. Emily Apple, media co-ordinator at Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), said: These companies should not be given this legitimacy or the opportunity to lobby policy makers in order to continue making profits for their shareholders from a deadly trade that causes destruction and misery around the world. Envionmental groups have also spoken out, warning the party against links with oil and gas companies. The fossil fuel lobby is no stranger to cosying up with policymakers, said Doug Parr, Greenpeace UKs policy director. Theyve had a lot of success and made a lot of cash from doing so in the past. But Labour must not make the same costly mistakes as the Conservatives by giving these self-serving climate-wreckers the opportunity to launder their political reputation. File photo dated 11/01/2018 of signage for the Home Office in Westminster, London. Afghan scholars studying in the UK under a Foreign Office scheme say they are living in fear of being forced back into Taliban clutches. Issue date: Monday August 14, 2023. (Photo: Kirsty O'Connor) Islington has taken in more than 100 Afghans, new figures show. The figures come as a humanitarian organisation has warns the Government is failing vulnerable Afghan refugees. In response to the Taliban retaking control of the country, the Government launched two schemes to relocate Afghan citizens in 2021 and 2022. These schemes have a particular focus on helping those who worked with the UK during the war in Afghanistan, and vulnerable groups. New figures from the Home Office show more than 20,000 Afghans fleeing the conflict have settled in the UK through the two schemes, at the end of June. Of them, 150 lived in Islington an increase from the 143 living in the area in March. Campaigners and charities have criticised both schemes branding them too slow to process applications. The International Rescue Committee UK said the numbers reveal the shocking reality of the Governments failure to provide protection for vulnerable Afghans. For comparison, the Homes for Ukraine scheme which offers temporary accommodation to Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion has seen more than 120,000 arrivals across the UK since it launched by the end of June. This included 467 due to stay with hosts in Islington. Laura Kyrke-Smith, executive director of the International Rescue Committee said: In pushing forward the Illegal Migration Act, the Government time and time again assured concerned Parliamentarians and the British public that there existed safe routes for refugees from countries like Afghanistan. These statistics show that these routes simply arent matching the scale of the need. Instead, the majority of the almost 10,000 Afghans seeking safety in the UK were forced to make dangerous journeys across the Channel. Separate Home Office figures show at least 1,474 Afghan nationals arrived in the UK in small boats from January to June. The International Rescue Committee called on the Government to urgently deliver on its commitments to eligible Afghans waiting to find safety in the UK. Story continues There were 6,575 Afghans in hotels or serviced accommodation by the end of June half of whom were children, figures show. They were given a deadline to leave hotels by the end of August Cabinet Office minister Johnny Mercer admitted earlier this month that the announcement had been controversial, but said it had been made with compassion in mind to get people into permanent accommodation. The Home Office said it is continuing to work to locate and help those at risk settle in the UK. A spokesperson said: No one should be risking their lives by crossing the Channel or taking dangerous and illegal routes to reach the UK there are safe and legal routes to come here. The number of Afghans which the UK has committed to resettling under the ACRS scheme is generous, and greater than many of our international counterparts. Jordanstown's Loughshore Park. Picture: Google The proposal will involve the refurbishment of caravan park facilities, toilet facilities to include provision of Changing Places for disabled users, increased car parking, from 115 to 144 spaces, renovation of existing cafe and a new first floor restaurant. The development project was discussed behind closed doors at last months meeting of the borough council, The cost has not been disclosed. Jordanstown Loughshore Park was redeveloped in 2011 at a cost of 1m to provide a caravan park with visitor facilities. cafe, play park and public toilets. A report to councillors says that although the play park remained in good condition through regular maintenance of equipment, the other facilities required upgrading and refurbishment.. The caravan park provides 14 touring pitches and four tent pitches within the parkland on the shore of Belfast Lough. Last year, there were 1,407 bookings for Jordanstown Lough Shore caravan park. Visitors included 2,669 adults, 462 children, 82 infants and 313 pets. In June, it was rated ninth in the Top Ten Best Caravan and Camping Parks in Northern Ireland. Tourism NI says that more than three quarters of arrivals at parks in Northern Ireland are domestic visitors, followed by 12% from the rest of the UK and 10% per cent from the Republic of Ireland and areas outside the UK. Councillors anticipated that a price rise in 2020 by 2 on week days and 5 at weekends could increase income by 9,000 at Jordanstown and 17,500 at Sixmile at Antrim lough shore annually. At the time, it was stated that the normal operating cost per annum at Jordanstown Loughshore was approximately 80,000, with income of approximately 60,000. The councils Sixmile Caravan Park at Antrims lough shore provides 37 caravan/motorhome pitches plus 12 for tents. A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said: Work will commence on the Jordanstown Loughshore capital project in autumn 2024 with expected completion by autumn 2025 File photo dated 11/01/2018 of signage for the Home Office in Westminster, London. Afghan scholars studying in the UK under a Foreign Office scheme say they are living in fear of being forced back into Taliban clutches. Issue date: Monday August 14, 2023. (Photo: Kirsty O'Connor) Lambeth has taken in dozens of Afghans, new figures show. The figures come as a humanitarian organisation has warns the Government is failing vulnerable Afghan refugees. In response to the Taliban retaking control of the country, the Government launched two schemes to relocate Afghan citizens in 2021 and 2022. These schemes have a particular focus on helping those who worked with the UK during the war in Afghanistan, and vulnerable groups. New figures from the Home Office show more than 20,000 Afghans fleeing the conflict have settled in the UK through the two schemes, at the end of June. Of them, 44 lived in Lambeth an increase from the 31 living in the area in March. Campaigners and charities have criticised both schemes branding them too slow to process applications. The International Rescue Committee UK said the numbers reveal the shocking reality of the Governments failure to provide protection for vulnerable Afghans. For comparison, the Homes for Ukraine scheme which offers temporary accommodation to Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion has seen more than 120,000 arrivals across the UK since it launched by the end of June. This included 615 due to stay with hosts in Lambeth. Laura Kyrke-Smith, executive director of the International Rescue Committee said: In pushing forward the Illegal Migration Act, the Government time and time again assured concerned Parliamentarians and the British public that there existed safe routes for refugees from countries like Afghanistan. These statistics show that these routes simply arent matching the scale of the need. Instead, the majority of the almost 10,000 Afghans seeking safety in the UK were forced to make dangerous journeys across the Channel. Separate Home Office figures show at least 1,474 Afghan nationals arrived in the UK in small boats from January to June. The International Rescue Committee called on the Government to urgently deliver on its commitments to eligible Afghans waiting to find safety in the UK. Story continues There were 6,575 Afghans in hotels or serviced accommodation by the end of June half of whom were children, figures show. They were given a deadline to leave hotels by the end of August Cabinet Office minister Johnny Mercer admitted earlier this month that the announcement had been controversial, but said it had been made with compassion in mind to get people into permanent accommodation. The Home Office said it is continuing to work to locate and help those at risk settle in the UK. A spokesperson said: No one should be risking their lives by crossing the Channel or taking dangerous and illegal routes to reach the UK there are safe and legal routes to come here. The number of Afghans which the UK has committed to resettling under the ACRS scheme is generous, and greater than many of our international counterparts. Irelands media minister Catherine Martin has defended her response to the RTE payments scandal. The minister has been criticised over not being available to the media since July 22 as the row surrounding the actions of the national broadcaster expanded. The issue has dominated headlines since revelations in June that RTE misreported the salary of star presenter Ryan Tubridy and failed to properly disclose 345,000 euro (296,000) of payments to him between 2017 and 2022. The scandal widened amid further disclosures about RTEs internal financial, accounting and governance practices and its expenditure on corporate hospitality for advertising clients. Ms Martin responded to the criticism as she spoke to media on Friday after unveiling an interim report by forensic accountants into RTE. I was dealing with a personal family matter and that very close family relative died earlier this week, she said. In dealing with that, I had to be away from base and I dont regret that because Ive had a chance to say goodbye to somebody that I loved quite dearly. Ms Martin also said: I had time with my family and that is very important to me. Its not incompatible, by the way, to have time with your family and to work as well. Like any cabinet minister, I think its not easy to take time out when the Dail rises and the committees arent sitting, but as we all know, the work of government and departments continue during these periods. I dont intend to go into personal life, suffice to say that in most days in recent weeks, I have been working. I did spend time with my family: Im a mother and thats something thats really important to me, and spending time with my children is important for me, and its important for them but some of this period also involves a personal family matter that I was dealing with. Ms Martin appointed forensic accountant Mazars to examine RTEs use of a UK-based barter account for certain commercial transactions. Some things are better left unsaid, as the old adage goes. Not for one man, however. Meet Jordi Villegas, the young Spanish street artist who has been peppering European cities with messages written in his mother tongue, telling the public the unspoken truths about the places they're visiting - and how they should feel about their lives. Over at Rome's Pincian terrace - an iconic spot for doe-eyed couples to admire the Eternal City's oneiric panorama - his sticker informs passers-by that it is a "pretty place to say I love you". On a mailbox in Spain, he tapped into the minds and hearts of many separated from their loved ones: "I don't want to write to you: I want to see you", the message reads. Such romantic maxims have already struck a chord with many online: Villegas has racked up tens of thousands of followers on social media platforms. Is Villegas's messaging a form of tongue-in-cheek humour, a playful parody of the romantic tropes and cliches associated with well-trodden tourist spots? Or is the artist trying to bring back an unabashed, youthful romanticism to Europe's streets? Euronews Culture asks the man himself. The man behind the words: Who is Jorge Villegas? Villegas, 28, traces his roots to the town of Lleida, not too far from Barcelona, where he first decided to start posting his inspirational messages six years ago. "I've been writing for years, I love creating removable messages, and making people's day happier," he told Euronews Culture. "But this initiative, that of putting up posters, is one I saw as a different thing - it's making art for people. I did it, and it started as a result of a message that I wanted to write about self-love and mental health." Different stickers by Jordi Villegas. - Jordi Villegas Villegas's work seamlessly combines street art and social media messaging, straddling the line between the two. His stickers are posted on the walls and the apps alike, all replete with his Instagram handle - a signature, a watermark, and a shrewd marketing strategy all wrapped into one. Story continues Some of his messages are pithy, rather indistinct self-help platitudes: "Prioritise your mental health", "If you read this, remember that I love you", and so on. Others espouse a nostalgic, quasi-cinematic romanticism, playing on the iconography of specific locations and objects. "I have the Colosseum in front of me and I'm only looking at you", one sticker reads, posted in front of Rome's 1,943-year-old amphitheatre and signature landmark. As for a decidedly less colossal backdrop: "Tell her you love her/him/them", scribbled on the handset of a telephone box. A handful of works even veer into the realm of conceptual or performance art. One sign, saying "Life slides away like water, there are those who only look for fire", was set alight, and the video posted on his online channels. But Villegas's work is largely free from specific artistic technique or mastery, relying solely on the message at its core. Indeed, one could muse over which specific label best describes the nature of Villegas's work: "street art", "street poetry", or merely a more public form of self-help messaging. But he eschews such narrow categorisations. "I consider myself a person like everyone else, free in my actions, decisions and with the freedom to express myself," he told Euronews Culture. "And the best way of expressing myself is by writing, writing for society, for the people, for those who find me on the streets. I would just like to be recognised over time as the writer of such phrases and posters." All this notwithstanding, Villegas clearly identifies his work as 'art', and has no issue identifying his favourite creation so far. "The one I liked the most was a sheet I put on a bridge in my city on Valentine's Day that said: 'No te olvides que dar siempre suma, amar(se) tambien sana' ('Don't forget that giving always bears fruit, loving (oneself / each other) is healthy too')", he stated. A growing social media presence While Villegas's work could once only be found in his Catalan homeland, the young creative - spurred by the warm reception his work has received - has now branched out of Spain to other European capitals, namely Paris, Rome and Lisbon, where he has posted over 60 stickers. "I saw that the initiative contributed to society, people took my phrases as a form of help and I decided to continue with this." And his creations have started resonating with the public. Villegas has amassed over 28,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 25,000 on TikTok, with his two pinned videos gaining over one million views each. Responses from fans and other enthusiasts of his work has been encouraging to say the least. His videos are lined with strings of countless messages of support. "Many people have written to me and told me that the phrase [they saw] was made for them, that such phrase is what they needed to read that very day. It seems that they are creating a healing process in some cases, and that touches me. His favourite response so far? "The phrase that I liked the most was: 'Every morning before going to work and accompanying my children to school, we pass in front of [your] poster to read it.'" "Other messages that I have liked have been: 'I am going to visit Spain to see your phrases', or 'I would love for you to put some phrase in Chile'." Villegas's Rome stickers - Jordi Villegas 'A place to say I love you': Ironic wit or unrepentant romanticism? Taken at face value, Villegas's stickers brim with hope, optimism and a zest for life. Free from any hints of cynicism, they are an unbridled celebration of love and all it has to offer. But, as with many works of art, one is left wondering whether to read beyond the lines to discover an underlying message. The blatant romanticism of his stickers, especially when juxtaposed with their recognisable backdrops, could also appear to mock the hackneyed symbolism of modern-day romance. From the majestic - the Colosseum and Trevi fountain - to the minute - a mailbox and phone box - Villegas posts his work on objects that have become well-identified tropes of romantic iconography and "nostalgia porn". Take the mailbox, for instance: it's the central image of romance novel 'Every Breath', written by none other than king of tearjerkers, Nicholas Sparks. Or the telephone box: the backdrop of many-a music video and film. Indeed, social media - Villegas's main platform - is saturated with content playing on such cliches, often with commercial goals. The "travel blogger" or "influencer", who will undoubtedly post a picture in iconic urban spots, is now a potentially lucrative business. But Villegas confirms his work is free of intentional irony or satire: rather, it is meant to elicit positive emotions. "When I travelled to Rome, I wrote many phrases which really related to the concept of romanticism," he told Euronews Culture. "I thought that the best place to put it was in a part where all of Rome could be seen, or for example in Trevi fountain." "I didn't do it to romanticise the place," he added, "but because I think that many people, may couples, go to places like this, to contemplating those views. Reading that message is like something ideal for [such] people." Rome: Where inspiration springs eternal Villegas's stickers now grace the streets of several cities across Europe. But few hold as dear a place in his heart as the Eternal City itself. "It is and will [forever] be a special, magical city, full of history and art," he told Euronews Culture. "And I obviously wanted to leave my small mark of art in this city, with different messages of love, mental health and motivation." "I went to travel around Italy as a child and I have always wanted to return, and now that the opportunity arose, I wanted to do something special for all the people of Rome," he added. And Rome is no stranger to people leaving their mark on the city's streets: from ancient Roman graffiti, to the "Pasquinades" - satirical poems posted nearby the statue of the same name - and modern-day teens scribbling professions of love over the city's walls. The Italian capital is clearly a major source of inspiration for the budding young creative. But as for how he posits himself among a legion of other aspiring artists and poets sharing and where his inspirations lie, he cites few sources of inspiration. "Honestly, when I started writing, I did it as a result of some word I heard, some feeling that I visualised in conversations with friends, and I wanted to express it using the written word," he stated. "People always stimulate you, but there is no better inspiration than yourself when you are the creator of your art." Notably devoid from any self-descriptions are any political themes, which may seem a contradiction given how few are as intrinsically political as street art. Banksy - the street artist par excellence, and a idol of Villegas's - has lampooned and depicted a wide range of social issues in his stencils. Not only does street art often take and transcribe the pulse of society, but it remains a political art form at its very core - especially when one considers that many forms of street art, graffiti in particular, veer on the border of illegality. Not for Villegas. "In the approximately 60 creations that I have made, there isn't a single one that talks about politics", he said. "That's not my thing. I don't think it's a topic I have to get into. But I do believe that my goal is on the path towards creating a social message." The 28-year-old wordsmith may not be out here to make a revolutionary statement. But amid a horde of artists who feel an obligation - a duty, even - to critique, to condemn, to imbue their work with political depth, Villegas' rejection of such canons feels like a statement in its own form. "I hope to become an artist for the good of society, be it for motivational, self-love, healing, mental health, purposes," he emphasised. "After all, my phrases [can] help when the person who reads them empathises and sees that the phrase is made for them." In embracing radical gratitude and an unabashed romantic optimism, he has left his own distinct mark: one that might warm the heart of a a Europe worn out by years of the pandemic and economic vicissitudes. "I want to give space, give light, to topics that do us good," he concluded. "My job is to write them out to make them visible in the streets of this wonderful world." Opposition figures in Estonia have called on Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to resign after it was revealed her husband's company was continuing to operate in Russia. The Center Party announced on Friday it was starting to discuss a no-confidence motion against her, while another opposition group Isamaa said the scandal has caused "considerable damage to the interests and reputation of Estonia". Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported on Wednesday the haulage firm Stark Logistics, part-owned by Kallas's husband, Arvo Hallik, continued doing business with Russia after it invaded Ukraine. The revelations are an embarrassment for Kallas, who has repeatedly expressed her strong support for Kyiv. All trade with Russia must "stop as long as the war of Russian aggression against Ukraine continues," she said following the revelations. In a press release issued earlier this week, Stark Logistics said it had only one Estonian client, Metaprint, which is currently in the process of closing its plant in Russia. Kallas said her husband's company was assisting his Estonian clients in Russia "in accordance with the laws and sanctions" currently imposed. On Friday, Hallik apologised "for the harm caused to my wife", saying he would immediately sell his shares in Stark Logistics and retire from the company. He maintained she "was not aware" of his professional activities. Metaprint CEO and majority shareholder of Stark Logistics Martti Lemendik told ERR on Friday that the company has generated nearly 30 million in sales in Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine. Two polls commissioned in the wake of the scandal show that the bulk of those surveyed want Kallas to step down as PM. But supporters from her liberal Reform Party want her to stay put. Some 57% of respondents said Kallas should reign as head of government, 31% answered she should provide an explanation but stay on, while 7% opted for "do nothing", according to a poll commissioned by the Conservative think-tank the Institute for Societal Studies Story continues Some media outlets in Estonia have also called for Kallas to stand down. The daily newspaper Eesti Paevaleht claimed she "should submit her letter of resignation", though without "necessarily leaving her post". Deeming Kallas' explanations insufficient, the Postimees newspaper advised the PM "to start packing her bags today to avoid even greater embarrassment in the future." Kallas' government, a coalition between his Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200, was formed on 17 April. It has 60 seats out of 101 in the country's parliament. Kallas will face two select committees next week. In the heart of Ethiopia's capital, a group of women danced while brandishing a flag bearing the insignia of the war-scarred Tigray region -- a scene that would have been unimaginable a year earlier. The two-year conflict that pitted Ethiopia's federal government against the Tigray People's Liberation Front sparked accounts of widespread rights abuses, including rapes by both sides and arbitrary mass detentions of ethnic Tigrayans in Addis Ababa and elsewhere. While the northern region endured a massive humanitarian crisis due to a lack of food, fuel, cash and medicines, Tigrayans living in other parts of Ethiopia were forced to keep a low profile to avoid becoming the targets of ethnic profiling. But the signing of a peace deal last November raised cautious hopes among the community, whose female members gathered to mark the traditional festival of Ashenda in Addis Ababa for the first time since 2020. ProfileTree was initially set up by Ciaran Connolly and his wife Michelle Connolly (pictured). Since then the business has fully come into its own and has now developed into a strong team of 24 This comes as a great accomplishment given the recent challenges of Covid and the cost of living - all of which have had a direct impact on local businesses and marketing budgets. From a team of two to 24 members of staff now, ProfileTree owners are immensely proud of the value that the firm provides and continues to support local businesses online. ProfileTree was initially set up by Ciaran Connolly and his wife Michelle Connolly in 2011, since then the business has witnessed growth offering a fully comprehensive marketing service from videography and website design to content writing and more. Director of ProfileTree, Ciaran Connolly explained: Its been an incredible 12 years. We've witnessed ProfileTree grow and evolve in so many ways - from expanding our services and honing our skills, to cultivating an amazing customer base. We've nimbly adapted to keep pace in an ever-changing industry, finding our niche in boosting online sales and digitally empowering businesses. It's been so fulfilling to equip our clients with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age. Seeing their success is what makes all our hard work worthwhile. We've assembled a top-notch team and nurtured a work culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and visionary thinking. These values empower us to make a real impact through our work. We can't wait to embrace new challenges and opportunities in the years ahead - heres to the next 12 years! Michelle added: When we started ProfileTree 12 years ago, we never imagined it would transform into the company it is today, but we've loved every minute of it! At ProfileTree, we passionately believe in being people-first, not just for our clients, but for our team too. That's why it's been so rewarding seeing everyone grow their skills, knowledge, and talents as they develop alongside the business. Our employees are what makes this such a fun, fulfilling place to work. Their passion and dedication continue to drive ProfileTree forward. READ MORE: Hundreds of jobs on offer at Northern Ireland's Wrightbus during recruitment evening File photo dated 11/01/2018 of signage for the Home Office in Westminster, London. Afghan scholars studying in the UK under a Foreign Office scheme say they are living in fear of being forced back into Taliban clutches. Issue date: Monday August 14, 2023. (Photo: Kirsty O'Connor) North Tyneside has taken in dozens of Afghans, new figures show. The figures come as a humanitarian organisation has warns the Government is failing vulnerable Afghan refugees. In response to the Taliban retaking control of the country, the Government launched two schemes to relocate Afghan citizens in 2021 and 2022. These schemes have a particular focus on helping those who worked with the UK during the war in Afghanistan, and vulnerable groups. New figures from the Home Office show more than 20,000 Afghans fleeing the conflict have settled in the UK through the two schemes, at the end of June. Of them, 37 lived in North Tyneside a small increase from the 35 living in the area in March. Campaigners and charities have criticised both schemes branding them too slow to process applications. The International Rescue Committee UK said the numbers reveal the shocking reality of the Governments failure to provide protection for vulnerable Afghans. For comparison, the Homes for Ukraine scheme which offers temporary accommodation to Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion has seen more than 120,000 arrivals across the UK since it launched by the end of June. This included 292 due to stay with hosts in North Tyneside. Laura Kyrke-Smith, executive director of the International Rescue Committee said: In pushing forward the Illegal Migration Act, the Government time and time again assured concerned Parliamentarians and the British public that there existed safe routes for refugees from countries like Afghanistan. These statistics show that these routes simply arent matching the scale of the need. Instead, the majority of the almost 10,000 Afghans seeking safety in the UK were forced to make dangerous journeys across the Channel. Separate Home Office figures show at least 1,474 Afghan nationals arrived in the UK in small boats from January to June. The International Rescue Committee called on the Government to urgently deliver on its commitments to eligible Afghans waiting to find safety in the UK. Story continues There were 6,575 Afghans in hotels or serviced accommodation by the end of June half of whom were children, figures show. They were given a deadline to leave hotels by the end of August Cabinet Office minister Johnny Mercer admitted earlier this month that the announcement had been controversial, but said it had been made with compassion in mind to get people into permanent accommodation. The Home Office said it is continuing to work to locate and help those at risk settle in the UK. A spokesperson said: No one should be risking their lives by crossing the Channel or taking dangerous and illegal routes to reach the UK there are safe and legal routes to come here. The number of Afghans which the UK has committed to resettling under the ACRS scheme is generous, and greater than many of our international counterparts. The man in the image could assist police with their enquiries so he, or anyone who recognises him, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 23000441633. (Photo: Northants Police) Police officers have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to after an incident of theft at the Iceland store in St Peters Square, Northampton. The incident happened on Monday, July 17, between 5.15pm and 5.45pm, when a shoplifter stole items before causing damage to a staff members radio. The man in the image could assist police with their enquiries so he, or anyone who recognises him, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Please quote incident number 23000441633 when providing any information so it reaches the right person as quickly as possible. HA NOI The UK Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), together with other new-generation trade deals, were providing significant opportunities for Viet Nam to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the context that Viet Nam was underway to improve the legal framework with the desire to become a regional centre for pharmaceutical production. The pharmaceutical sector of Viet Nam was considered to have large potential for growth, driven by the countrys rapid growing middle class, the demand for healthcare services and the Governments efforts to improve regulations and infrastructure in the sector, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report of Vietdata. Consulting firm Dream Incubator (DI) said in a report about the industry that Viet Nam had more room for future growth, given the low average of pharmaceutical spending per capita, compared to neighbouring economies, Market research firm IBM predicted that the pharmaceutical industry might reach a size of $16.1 billion in 2026, from $7.7 billion registered in 2021. According to Fitch Solutions, pharmaceutical spending per capita of Viet Nam would reach a compound annual growth rate of 7.8 per cent in 2022-26 period, from VN1.46 million in 2021 to VN2.21 million in 2026, accounting for around 5 per cent of the countrys income per capita. Although the market in recent years has seen acquisitions of local pharmaceutical manufacturers by foreign drug companies, the FDI flow into the sector remained modest compared to the potential of the market of about 100 million, according to Vietdata's 2022 Pharmaceutical Industry Report. The report pointed out that Viet Nams production capacity could only meet 53 per cent of the countrys pharmaceutical demand. Figures from the General Statistics Office showed that Viet Nam spent nearly $4 billion importing pharmaceuticals in 2021. o Van Su, Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said that at a workshop on a new approach to developing the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry held in July that there were many incentives for investment in this sector, but the inflow remained modest. FIAs statistics showed that total FDI in pharmaceuticals was estimated at approximately $5.5 billion in 341 projects, accounting for a mere 1.3 per cent of the total registered FDI in Viet Nam. The figure indicated that the pharmaceutical industry was largely underfunded, given the size of the Vietnamese economy, Su said. Su pointed out that slowness in innovation, barriers in market entry, and bottlenecks related to bidding, pharmaceutical products control, product declaration, registration and testing were among problems which were hindering investments into the industry. He added that although many foreign enterprises expressed their desire to invest in pharmaceutical enterprises in Viet Nam, they faced barriers in the divestment process and asset evaluation when investing in State-owned companies. Opportunities from UKVFTA According to Emin Turan, chairman of Pharma Group, Viet Nam had competitive advantages in attracting FDI in pharmaceuticals compared to other countries in the region, including stable politics and social infrastructure, robust economic development and potential domestic market as well as the countrys rapid integration through the participation in about 15 free trade agreements (FTAs), including the UKVFTA. The Vietnamese Government also placed the biological industry focusing on genes, pharmaceuticals and biological products in the list of key industries to implement Resolution NO 29-NQ/TW on continuing to promote industrialisation and moderninsation by 2030, which was paving the way for the pharmaceutical industry to grow. The UKVFTAs commitments and the Vietnamese Governments efforts in improving the legal framework, especially amending the Law on Pharmacy 2016, were expected to unlock more opportunities for enterprises from both sides in investing in the pharmaceutical industry and promoting trade exchange in the field, experts said. According to a publication of the UK Department for International Trade, the UKVFTA has secured easier access to UKs highquality innovative drugs for Vietnamese importers, with more than 71 per cent of UK pharmaceutical products enjoying tariff elimination immediately, on January 1, 2021. The remainder will be eliminated after 4-9 years. Specially, under the UKVFTA, Viet Nam would allow foreign pharmaceutical companies to establish foreigninvested enterprises for imports of authorised pharmaceuticals, together with increased access to the public procurement market for pharmaceutical products in Viet Nam. The publication also pointed out that improvements in intellectual property rights also made Viet Nam an attractive market for producers of pharmaceutical products and enabled better access to qualified medicines for the population. Viet Nam would also maintain a set-aside scheme for pharmaceuticals, which meant that the market share reserved for domestic suppliers would gradually scale back to a final share of 50 per cent from 2016. Another commitment was that Viet Nam would withdraw existing clinical trials requirements that were not in line with international standards. The UK was already Viet Nams 9th largest supplier of pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical products were the most exported goods from the UK to Viet Nam. The commitments under the UKVFTA created meaningful opportunities for UK pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporters to enter and expand in the Vietnamese market, the publication said, indicating that Viet Nam had a significant opportunity to attract FDI from the UK in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the context that the Vietnamese Government was striving to improve the regulations to create a better investment climate. Solutions Deputy Minister of Health o Xuan Tuyen said that the ministry was reviewing the Law on Pharmacy 2016 for amendments towards attracting foreign investment in pharmaceutical production, especially of patent medicine, specialised drugs, vaccines, generic drugs and reference biological medicinal products. Viet Nam was an attractive destination for investments in the pharmaceutical sector, he said, adding that there were huge opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to receive technology transfer from the UK. The focus would be placed on improving the mechanism and regulations to enable enterprises from both countries to be able to seize opportunities provided by the bilateral trade deal, he said. A number of large pharmaceutical corporations were eyeing investment and cooperation opportunities in Viet Nam. Recently, AstraZeneca, British largest pharma firm, earlier this year worked with HCM City Peoples Committee on strengthening cooperation with the ambition of building an innovation centre for science and health in Viet Nam. In mid-August, AstraZeneca Viet Nam signed a cooperation agreement with a Vietnamese firm on oncology distribution which aimed to improve access to innovative medicines for patients in Viet Nam but also strengthen the capacity of domestic pharmaceutical distributors and consolidate the sustainability of the supply chain. The cooperation was expected to promote the comprehensive development of Viet Nams pharmaceutical industry and contribute to the implementation of the national strategy on pharmaceutical industry development and the UKVFTA. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, it was a good idea to form industrial clusters and parks specialised in pharmaceutical production to attract FDI into this sector and turn Viet Nam into a regional centre for pharmaceutical production. Duong Thi Mai Hoa from Viet An Law Firm said that Viet Nam should learn from the experiences of countries with developed pharmaceutical industries based on foreign investment such as Singapore and the Republic of Korea on the formation of pharmaceutical research and production centres. As technology transfer was an unavoidable development trend in the pharmaceutical industry, Viet Nam needed to improve the regulations on technology transfer, intellectual property and medicine price management to encourage investment of foreign pharmaceutical companies in Viet Nam and promote technology transfer, he said. There were 228 factories granted good manufacturing practices (GMP) in Viet Nam, according to statistics of the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The UKVFTA, in effect from May 2021, marked an important milestone in the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Statistics of the Viet Nam Foreign Investment Agency showed that as of the end of 2022, the UK was the fifteenth largest investor in Viet Nam with a 507 valid projects, worth nearly $4.2 billion. VNS HA NOI The draft decree drawn up by the Ministry of Finance, which imposes fees on gas emissions, has prompted a flurry of commentary from experts. Le Thanh Hai, Head of the Institute for Environment and Resources, Viet Nam National University of HCM City, said the idea of using economic incentives to drive gas emissions is a step in the right direction. However, the devil lies in the details. The lump-sum part of the fees, which is set at VN3 million (US$126) per year per facility, could trigger dismay among small facilities as it disregards the fact that they are likely to release less gas into the atmosphere than large ones. The discrepancy between observatory data and environmental realities is another matter of concern for the institute head, given the limited number of observatory organisations in the country. Hai said the disparity would be pronounced in instances where emissions occur sporadically. Vo inh Long from the Institute of Environmental Science, Engineering, and Management, Industrial University of HCM City, said the fees would help improve the environmental consciousness among gas-emitting facilities and serve as a supplementary source of funding for environmental efforts. However, the scope of the draft, Long said, should be expanded to encompass quarries, which are major contributors to air pollution with their emissions of stone dust and particles. He also called for a rise in the fee levels to capture the true extent of damage the facilities cause to the environment. Current levels are believed to be insufficient to offset their environmental impact. "We could learn from the fee systems in other countries to design a better one for our own," Long said. Meanwhile, Hoang Duong Tung, former Director-General of the Viet Nam Environment Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said the scope of the draft is too broad and should be narrowed down to facilities with environmental permits. "Those without environmental permits should be exempt from the fees for now," Tung said. He also said the lump-sum part of the fees should be applied only to facilities with low gas emissions whereas the per-unit part to those emitting higher quantities. New incentives should factored into the fees to encourage the use of the Best Available Techniques that have been specified in the Law on Environment Protection. o Duy Thai, chairman of Pomina Steel JSC, was at odds with the fees. He said it was not the right time to introduce new fees, given that the business community was in distress amid the global economic downturn. "The fees should not be implemented until the economy recovers and companies get back on their feet," Thai urged. The chairman also claimed that all steel mills operated by Pomina had made the grade environmentally and the corporation had always been eager to pay new fees for the sake of the environment. However, environmental watchdogs, on their part, should be more transparent about how the fees would be used and to what extent they would contribute to the government's efforts to protect the environment. VNS HA NOI Viettel continues to be honoured as the most valuable brand in Viet Nam and the most valuable telecommunications brand in Southeast Asia. A representative of the Military-run telecommunications company Viettel Group said that the Viettel brand was valued at nearly US$9 billion, accounting for nearly 36 per cent of the total value of the 10 most valuable brands in Viet Nam. Therefore, Viettel continues to be honoured as the most valuable brand in Viet Nam, and also the most valuable telecommunications brand in Southeast Asia according to Brand Finance - the world's leading organisation of the UK on brand valuation. Since Brand Finance announced the brand value for businesses in Viet Nam, Viettel's brand value has continuously grown and maintained its top position in this ranking. Commenting on Viettel's No 1 brand value maintained for many years in a row, Alex Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance Asia Pacific, said that one of the important factors when assessing the development potential of Viettel in Southeast Asia and globally, that is Viettel's successful expansion into the international market. The performance of overseas companies highlights Viettel's ability to adapt to diverse markets, leverage expertise and create value on a global scale. This contributes to enhancing Viet Nam's position in the international arena. Viettel has paved the way for other Vietnamese businesses to explore and succeed in the international market. VNS HA NOI Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation, also called Sabeco, has approved a plan to issue more than 641 million bonus shares to raise its charter capital. The shares will be given to existing shareholders at the rate of 1:1, meaning that a shareholder owning 1 share will receive 1 additional issued share. The issuance source is taken from surplus equity and retained earnings as of December 31, 2022, according to the audited single financial statements for 2022. The deadline for shareholders to register is September 15, while the ex-dividend date is September 14. After the issuance is completed, Sabeco's charter capital is expected to increase from more than VN6.4 trillion (US$267.2 million) to nearly VN12.83 trillion. Vietnam Beverage Co., Ltd., Sabeco's largest shareholder with an ownership of 53.59 per cent of the capital, is expected to receive an additional 343.6 million shares, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which holds 36 per cent of capital, will receive nearly 231 million units. With a record profit after tax of VN5.5 trillion in 2022, the company's 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders approved an increase of 15 per cent in cash dividend to 50 per cent, meaning a shareholder will receive VN5,000 a share. The Vietnamese leading brewer also decided to reward shareholders with shares at the rate of 1:1. This is the company's highest dividend level after it was acquired by a Thai enterprise in 2017. In the first six months of the year, Sabeco posted a net revenue of VN14.5 trillion and net profit of over VN2.1 trillion, down 10.9 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively, compared to last year. According to Viet Capital Securities (VCSC), Sabeco's business result is expected to recover in the second half of 2023 and in 2024 thanks to the improvement of consumer confidence, reduced VAT (VAT), and rising tourism activities. However, in a more cautious report in June, Vietcombank Securities Company (VBSC) said that in the short term, the beer industry's outlook is expected to slow down in 2023 as consumers tighten their spending. Sabeco's executive board forecasts that the company's gross profit margin will remain stable this year despite the impact of high input costs. The company also expects input costs to reduce in 2024 while profit margins will be supported by other cost optimisation measures. In 2023, Sabeco set targets of VN14.5 trillion in revenue and over VN2.2 trillion in profit after tax. On the stock market, Sabeco's shares are traded on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) with a ticker symbol SAB. SAB closed Thursday at VN153,500 a share, a gain of 2.27 per cent. HA NOI - With the increasing domestic sales of electric vehicles (EV), active participation of imported electric car manufacturers, and the flourishing of electric vehicle transportation services, Viet Nam is facing numerous challenges regarding charging station infrastructure in the coming years. During 2018-22, there were 7,780 registered EVs nationwide. However, since the beginning of 2023, this figure has increased to nearly 20,000, with a large portion contributed by the rise in popularity of VinFast, the country's largest EV maker. In addition, a number of domestic brands, including TMT Motor, THACO and TC Motor have since been making their moves in a bid to compete with VinFast for the Viet Nam market, on top of foreign brands such as OMODA, Wuling, Haima, Haval, Zhidou and Lynk & Co. Industry experts have said there are reasons to anticipate a rapid growth period for EV production in Viet Nam in the near future. Meanwhile, the country's charging station infrastructure has been trailing behind with VinFast being the only major service provider with more than 150,000 stations across the country as reported in 2021. In the last few years, the company, however, has been focusing on new products, battery technology, transport services, exports and the construction of its factory in the US. There has been no announcement from the company regarding a plan for the expansion of Viet Nam's charging station network. The company has also made it public that it will not be sharing charging stations with other brands, at least for the next 10 years, a move similar to Tesla at the beginning of the proliferation of EVs in the US. Despite efforts by other brands to build additional charging stations, demand will likely significantly outpace supply in the next few years, experts say. They have been voicing their concerns over the next phase in the development of EVs in Viet Nam and calling on the government to take additional steps to support it. In a recent proposal by the Ministry of Transport, the ministry urged the government to implement a series of policies to encourage new investment and renovation projects to establish charging station networks in the country. The ministry stressed the importance of financial support, transparent legal framework, tariff and tax cuts, electricity pricing and supply as key components for the development and operation of charging stations. Notably, the ministry proposed a scheme for electricity pricing in which retail electricity prices (for charging stations) are categorised based on voltage level, normal hours, off-peak hours, and peak hours. The lowest rate was 68 per cent of the average retail electricity price (1,306 VND/kWh), and the highest would be 205 per cent of the average retail electricity price (3,937 VND/kWh), VAT not included. "Giving charging station companies a lower electricity rate is a significant support policy, which will encourage more companies to invest in the new industry and in my opinion it's something that should be done immediately," said Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, CEO of EverEV Corporation, a company specialising in charging station infrastructure. He said many Vietnamese companies already possessed the know-how in manufacturing and installing charging stations. However, due to a lack of domestic suppliers, they must still work with foreign partners. A streamlined import protocol for charging technologies and components, therefore, is crucial to their operations. Even VinFast's charging station network has started showing signs of being congested with the rapid increase in the number of EVs in recent years, especially after the company debuted its own EV taxi service, Taxi Xanh SM in June. Another approach to solve the issue is home charging, which has been a popular choice for many new owners of EVs. However, it is a solution not readily available to many owners who do not have their own garages or sufficient space and power supply. VNS HA NOI Measures were discussed at the Second Trade Committee Meeting of the Viet Nam-UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) to boost trade between the two countries. The meeting, which was held on Thurday, was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang and British Minister of State for International Trade Nigel Huddleston. Reports on previous meetings of professional committees were presented at the meeting. Thang and Huddleston appreciated the efforts of the committees in coordinating to solve problems and updating each other on each sides legal regulations, contributing to effectively implementing the UKVFTA. The two sides also discussed a wide range of sectors, including measures to increase access for Vietnamese rice in the UK market and to calculate the FTA utilisation rate. At the end of the meeting, Thang and Huddleston agreed on continuing to actively and closely cooperate at all levels to further enhance the exploitation of commitments of the deal, contributing to promoting bilateral trade and investment. JETCO 13 The same day, Thang and Huddleston co-chaired the 13th meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation between Viet Nam and the UK (JETCO 13) in Ha Noi. Deputy Minister Thang said the cooperation mechanism of the joint committee has recorded sustainable development, contributing to resolving policy obstacles, and building a more favourable business environment for enterprises of both sides. The bilateral cooperative relationship between the two countries has witnessed remarkable leaps across economic sectors, she stressed. During the meeting, both sides frankly discussed the fields of energy, healthcare, finance-banking, trade and investment, and tourism. Viet Nam updated the UK side on the implementation of the National Power Development Plan VIII, as well as details about the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) mechanism between renewable energy generators and big electricity consumers. The Vietnamese side thanked the UK for its support in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) mechanism, and proposed the UK further support Viet Nam's energy transition process, and help Viet Nam improve its capacity in managing and operating the power system, and developing the electricity market. Regarding healthcare partnerships, Viet Nam provided the UK with information regarding the amended Pharmacy Law, a topic that the UK is interest in. Viet Nam also proposed the UK cooperate in scientific research, technology transfer, medicine and vaccine production, and enhance academic exchange between the two countries. The UK side expressed its willingness to cooperate with Viet Nam in healthcare, while mentioning the ASEAN health programme and the health innovation centre in HCM City which the UK plans to implement. For agriculture, food and beverage, the UK showed interest in Viet Nam's guidance and support for market opening registration for the UK's poultry, beef, and seafood products in Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Viet Nam hoped that the UK would support Viet Nam in improving the capacity for research on infectious diseases from animals to humans, as well as in technology transfer for producing new vaccines against new viruses. Both sides shared their special interest in Fintech, expressing their hope for more cooperation opportunities in building capacity in this area in the near future. Regarding bilateral trade and investment, Viet Nam welcomed the UKs membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and proposed the UK provide relevant technical assistance programmes for Viet Nam. Notably, the two sides agreed to promote discussion on tourism cooperation, saying that the tourism development between the two countries will help promote bilateral trade, investment and education-training collaboration. Huddleston affirmed the matters discussed at JETCO 13 will be further implemented through technical cooperation programmes between the two nations, towards lifting the bilateral relations to a new height. Trade between the countries declined in the first months of 2023 but rebounded in recent months. According to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, trade between Viet Nam and the UK rose 0.5 per cent to US$3.95 billion in the first seven months of the year, of which Viet Nam's exports of nearly $3.5 billion, down slightly by 0.1 per cent year-on-year. Meanwhile, Viet Nam's imports from the UK rose 6 per cent on-year to $460.1 million over the same period last year. During the period, the UK invested in 28 new projects with total registered capital of 44.9 million in Viet Nam. The UK currently has run 536 direct investment projects in the country with total registered capital of $4.28 billion, ranking 15th among 143 foreign investors in the country. The UKVFTA officially took effect on May 1, 2021. Many Vietnamese strong products have the opportunity to access the UK market as many countries do not have an FTA with the UK. The third meeting of the UKVFTA Trade Committee is expected to hold in London in 2024. VNS HA NOI Shares ended a turbulent week lower as investors remained cautious, while strong net selling from foreign investors also weighed on sentiment. The VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) retreated from Thursday's strong recovery. It was down 6.02 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 1,183.37 points. The index jumped nearly 17 per cent on the previous session. The breadth of the market was negative, with decliners outnumbering gainers on the southern bourse, while liquidity continued to improve. The trading volume and value both increased by 4.9 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, over the previous session to over 893.3 million shares and VN20.35 trillion. Technically, the possibility for the VN-Index to extend the recovery in the short-term and head towards the target of 1,150 points is higher, creating new opportunities for the short-term investors to join the market, said Saigon - Hanoi Securities JSC. According to MB Securities Company, the market is expected to establish a new equilibrium at around 1,130-1,140 points before reaching 1,280-1,320 area in the last months of the year. The VN30-Index, tracking the 30 biggest stocks on HoSE, lost nearly 8 per cent, or 0.66 per cent, to 1,193.93 points. Twenty-three stocks in the VN30 basket inched down, while seven ticked up. Data compiled by a financial website vietstock.vn showed that the real estate and banking stocks influenced the bearish trend. Vinhomes (VHM), in particular, was the biggest loser after posting a fall of 2.35 per cent. It was followed by Vietcombank (VCB), BIDV (BID), Vietinbank (CTG), and Vingroup (VIC), down 0.92-1.89 per cent. Also pressuring the market's benchmark, large-cap stocks, like Hoa Phat Group (HPG), VPBank (VPB), PV Gas (GAS), and Sacombank (STB), posted big falls of at least 1 per cent. However, the index pared losses thanks to gains of some pillar stocks which were led by uc Giang Chemicals Group (DGC) and Sabeco (SAB), up 6.26 per cent and 1.78 per cent, respectively. The HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) closed Friday at 242.9 points, a decline of 0.33 per cent, or 0.14 per cent. During the session, more than 98 million shares were traded on the northern exchange, worth VN1.8 trillion. Added to the bearish sentiment, foreign investors became net sellers today. They net sold up to VN845 billion on HoSE, but net bought VN10.33 billion on HNX. VNS HA NOI The Viet Nam - Japan Dream Orchestra under the baton of conductor ong Quang Vinh will tour six cities in Japan from October 2 to 10. This will mark the first time a Vietnamese conductor performs in Japan. "Music has no barrier," said Vinh at the press conference in Ha Noi on August 22. "This is a good chance to connect people of the two countries. I am honoured and also feel pressure to perform in Japan because the Japanese are a precise audience." Vinh graduated from the orchestral conducting programme at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, China. He was also awarded a full scholarship for most distinguished foreign student by the China National Foundation, and then obtained a Masters in orchestral conducting. He is also a soloist, performing with a variety of traditional music instruments and is frequently invited to conduct and perform on international stages. He currently is conductor of Viet Nam National Opera & Ballet (VNOB) and guest artist of the Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) and the Viet Nam National Academy of Music (VNAM). The Dream Orchestra will perform in Tokyo, Gunma, Iwate, Fukushima, Miyagi and Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture. With a theme of Friendship - Praying - Hope, the concerts will be a chance to strengthen friendships among Vietnamese and Japanese people, according to project director Matsuda Ayuko. "Japanese received the support and help of Vietnamese people when the prefectures Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi in Tohoku area in northeast Japan were heavily affected by tsunami in 2011," said Ayuko. "We hope that the concerts will connect people and we also pray for a bright future for the two nations." A votive concert will be performed at Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture where there was trade among Japanese and Vietnamese businessmen over a thousand years ago, Ayuko added. The 60-member orchestra includes Vietnamese and Japanese musicians and talented piano soloist Nguyen Viet Trung. In Viet Nam, the orchestra members are selected from VNOB, VNSO and VNAM. The Japanese musicians are from six orchestras including Tokyo Philharmonic, New Japan Philharmonic, Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic, Sendai Symphony Orchestra, and Gunma Symphony Orchestra. The concert repertoire will include two Vietnamese pieces, Frederic Chopin's Concerto No1 for piano and the orchestra, and Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The Vietnamese pieces are about Central Highlands including Mua Hai Qua (Fruit Harvest Season) by Huu Xuan and Cam Xuc Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands Emotions) by Cat Van and Bich Vuong. Mua Hai Qua will be performed by the t'rung instrument and the orchestra. T'rung is a traditional bamboo xylophone used by the Gia Rai and Ba Na ethnic groups in Central Highlands provinces. Award-winning pianist Trung will play Concerto No1 with the orchestra at the concert. Trung was born in Ha Noi and he has lived in Poland since childhood. He achieved remarkable awards at international piano competitions such as the National Piano Festival Chopin Interpretations of the Young in Konin-Zychlin, the Polish National Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, and the Karlovac International Piano Competition in Croatia. Having competed in the 20th International Chopin Piano Competition in 2021 and made it to the second round, Trung has made his name as a young piano talent touring not only Poland and Viet Nam but around the world. The Dream Orchestra is organized to celebrate of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam. "The establishment of the Dream Orchestra expresses the long-term friendship between Viet Nam and Japan," said Japanese ambassador to Viet Nam Yamada Takio. "Music helps to connect people and shows harmony in human hearts regardless of borders or seas." The Dream Orchestra tour in Japan receives suppor from different Vietnamese and Japanese sponsors including FPT and Canon. The orchestra may perform in Viet Nam in the future. VNS HA NOI - A photo featuring Sai Gon River by Night by HCM City-based Nguyen ang Viet Cuong won first prize at the Amazing Vietnam online photo contest hosted by Du Lich (Tourism) Magazine and the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. Nguyen uc Xuyen, Editor-in-chief of Tourism Magazine and deputy head of the organising board, said the photo met all the demands of the jury in terms of art and message. Developing night tourism and waterway tourism are the guidelines of the authority. Two second prizes were given to ang Thi Phuong Lan from Yen Bai and Vu Van Lam from Hai Phong for the photos Nang Tren Sang Nhu (Sunlight on Sang Nhu) and em Ngan Sao ( Starry Night). Three third prizes and five encouragements were also given to other photographers from all over the country. The jury also gave prizes for the photo that received the most like and love icons, which was titled Mong Ngua Mua Nuoc o (Mong Ngua Terrace Rice Field in Water Pouring Season) by Duong Hoai An, and the photo that was shared the most titled Ta Pa Trong Suong (Foggy Ta Pa) by Nguyen ong Xuan. These photos send clear messages and bring fresh and unique visions, Xuan said. The photos reflect the beauty of the landscapes, life and people of Viet Nam. Many photos feature tourists exploring and experiencing tourism products, joining local life at destinations all over the country. Xuyen said after the pandemic, everything seemed to go silent. But when the contest was launched on December 21, 2022, over 1,000 photographers throughout the country sent more than 13,200 entries to the contest. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the authority said the jury highly appreciated the quality and topics of the entries. The photographers have shown tourism topics from new, creative and artful angles, he said. These photos will be used as PR for Viet Nams tourism." VNS HA NOI There is high hope and firm ground to believe that Viet Nam and Australia will soon upgrade diplomatic relations to a higher level. Nguyen Hong Hai, senior lecturer at Ha Noi-based VinUniversity, told Viet Nam News of his opinion following the recent successful three-day visit to Viet Nam by Australian foreign minister Penny Wong. Hai said her schedule in Viet Nam was packed with nearly ten activities, both formal and informal, mainly in Ha Noi, in addition to a visit to Viet Nams economic powerhouse HCM City in the south. Wong had talks with Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, had a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and attended the Viet Nam-Australia Forum on Regional Cooperation in a Changing World. Her last day in Ha Noi was concluded with the Taste of Australia BBQ, a cultural event that showcased the best food and beverages of Australia with more than 1,000 attendees. During the visit, Wong also announced additional AU$94.5 million on top of another AU$105 million funding previously committed by the Australian Government during Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses official visit to Viet Nam in June to support the countrys response to climate change in the Mekong Delta. Hai said that through Wongs conversations with the Vietnamese hosts, remarks with the press and the Taste of Australia BBQ, there are five key things to take away from her visit. First, Viet Nam is important to Australia, and this is a clear message that was echoed by Ms. Wong on various occasions, Hai said. Second, the ties between Viet Nam and Australia are getting stronger than ever. The Australian foreign minister said two sides are working hard together to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on friendship, strategic trust, shared vision, and interests. Third, Australias development assistance committed to Viet Nam is large and strong, especially in addressing climate change issues in the Mekong Delta region. Fourth, people-to-people links through cultural exchange activities are the clue that tightens the two nations together. Fifth and finally, economic cooperation remains a strong pillar in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Viet Nam will be at the heart of the Australian Governments soon-being-launched Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, according to the expert. Penny Wong was visiting Viet Nam during August 22-24, as part of the high-level exchanges for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam-Australia relations (1973-2023). With their diplomatic relations set up in 1973, Viet Nam and Australia established a comprehensive partnership in 2009 and have enhanced the ties to a strategic partnership since 2018. VNS HA NOI The Canadian Embassy in Ha Noi held a ceremony on Thursday evening to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Viet Nam-Canada diplomatic relations (1973-2023), featuring cultural performances and an exhibition showcasing Canadian products in Viet Nam. At the ceremony, representing the Government of Viet Nam, Minister of Health ao Hong Lan affirmed that Viet Nam highly values its relationship with Canada and wants the ties to be further strengthened in a friendly, cooperative, stable, long-lasting, and mutually beneficial manner, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. She said Viet Nam welcomes Canada's increasing attention and positive contributions to the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions as well as recognition of ASEAN's centrality and Viet Nam's role as a "bridge" and "gateway" in the region. Since the Viet Nam-Canada comprehensive partnership was established in November 2017, the bilateral relationship has gained new momentum for robust development, particularly in economic and trade, healthcare, education and training, defence cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Their bilateral trade volume reached US$7 billion in 2022. Currently, Canada is Viet Nam's third-largest trading partner in the Americas region, while Viet Nam is Canada's largest trading partner in ASEAN. There are over 30,000 overseas Vietnamese residing in Canada and more than 20,000 Vietnamese students studying in Canada. Lan expressed her gratitude for Canadas support for Viet Nam so far and proposed that the Canadian Government and people continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese expatriate community to integrate into the host society and actively contribute to the development of both nations and their friendly and traditional relationship. Canadian Ambassador Shawn Steil emphasised that Canada had demonstrated its commitment to peace and prosperity in Viet Nam from an early stage by playing a leading role in supporting the 1954 Geneva Agreement. The diplomat stated that Canada recognises Viet Nam's significant diplomatic efforts to gain independence and global recognition. Many things have changed over the past five decades, but one thing that never changes is that Canada is proud to assist Viet Nam on its path to becoming a more developed, peaceful, and prosperous nation. He reaffirmed Canada's commitment to continue supporting Viet Nam in its efforts to switch to clean energy, address climate change, and pursue sustainable economic growth. He said he believes that the reliable bilateral partnership not only brings greater prosperity to their people but also contributes to global peace and security. Looking towards the future, Canada considers Viet Nam a key partner in a more secure, prosperous, comprehensive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific region, stressed the ambassador. VNS HCM CITY The HCM City Science and Technology Department has proposed to pilot the use of new technological solutions to boost the application of science and technology and contribute to the citys socio-economic growth. The department organsied a formal discussion about regulations for controlling tests for new technological solutions at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, centralised information technology (CIT) zone, and innovation centres in the city. The department proposed that the draft regulations are for the two categories of technological products and solutions with controlled participation such as LoRaWAN and Wifi-Halow wireless technologies, unmanned electric vehicles and digital technology using drones; technological solutions like AI, cloud computing, grid computing, edge computing, Internet of Things, wireless technology, virtual reality, enhanced virtual reality and Blockchain. New technological solutions must be those that bring about positive effects to the city's socio-economic development. The city is going to help with location and infrastructure provision inside the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, centralised information technology (CIT) zone, and innovation centres to pilot these solutions. Units in the pilot programme would be exempted from obtaining permission as long as the tested product uses approved technologies. Meanwhile, there would be financial support of no more than 30 per cent of the piloting cost to be sourced from the citys budget for science-technology development. Duong Nhu Hung, dean of the industrial management faculty under the HCM City University of Technology, said it is wise to focus on AI-related medical technologies. There should be policies to loosen State and local regulations on novel products and services or even exclude them from those rules, he said. However, to avoid being taken advantage of, the policies should include detailed criteria to identify truly effective products and solutions for the socio-economic growth of the city, he said. Meanwhile, Drone Hera Companys CEO Le Thanh Trung said all products in his company are developed and manufactured by Vietnamese scientists and engineers. However, these products have not received permission to fly out of the piloting area of the company inside the Saigon Hi-tech Park. It takes too much time to ask for approval from the parks management board for each flight. I hope that the city will soon have suitable mechanisms and policies to support research teams and startups so that they can confidently develop their products from research results, he said. Nguyen Viet Dung, director of the department, is seeking to receive more opinions from local experts, scientists and businesses about the regulations on controlling tests for new technological solutions. With a specific policy framework and approval mechanism, researched products can be implemented more quickly, he said. VNS BAC NINH In the 2023 International Olympiad competition, all four students from the Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students have achieved awards, marking the most outstanding achievement in the history of elite education in northern Bac Ninh Province. Nguyen Tuan Phong, a former student of Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students, was the first person to bring home the gold medal at the 2023 International Physics Olympiad competition. Phong was raised in a family where his mother was a teacher, and his siblings were all well-educated. This environment laid the initial foundation for his development. From a very young age, Phong displayed exceptional abilities. His mother, Duong Thi Huan, said Phong had an extraordinary ability to memorise things with images since he was a little kid. He had a remarkable ability to concentrate and remember for a long time. Phong always had a self-driven approach to his studies, and he achieved excellence in academics for 12 consecutive years. Sharing his passion for physics, Phong said he developed an interest in physics when I studied at Han Thuyen Secondary School, a high-quality school in Luong Tai District. For me, physics is a natural science subject that is widely applicable in daily life, allowing me to explore and explain natural phenomena and everyday occurrences," he said. Three years later, Phong successfully entered Physics class at Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students. In his first assessment exams, Phong demonstrated his exceptional abilities, and was chosen to be in the specialised team of the school. In the 2021-2022 academic year, Phong won second prize in Physics at the National Excellent Student Contest when he was in the 11th grade. At the 2022 European Physics Olympiad, Phong excellently achieved the silver medal, obtaining the highest score for the Vietnamese delegation. In the 2022-2023 academic year, he won the first prize in Physics at the National Excellent Student Contest and secured the bronze medal at the Asian Physics Olympiad competition. Pham inh Hiep, physics teacher at Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students said: "I noticed his talent since he was in 10th grade. He was always dedicated when handling difficult theoretical and practical tasks. Phong was the first student in the province to win the international gold medal." Sharing his secrets to excelling in Physics, Phong said one must have a genuine passion for the subject, and find the motivation to explore, research, and overcome difficulties of the subject. Throughout my studies, I always complete the assignments given by my teachers, and spend time discussing and learning with them and my friends. I also research materials online, especially those related to the upcoming competitions," he said. Currently, Phong is focusing on the International Physics Olympiad next year. Phong said maintaining a relaxed and confident mindset and ensuring proper rest was among the keys of his success. Remaining calm is crucial for handling challenges during competitions, he added. Chemistry competitions At the 55th International Chemistry Olympiad held in Switzerland in 2023, Nguyen Kim Giang, a 12th grader at Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students, was among three students to achieve a gold medal to Viet Nam. Giang said he stumbled upon chemistry by chance. Being an excellent student at Nguyen Cao Middle School, he was selected to participate in the school's chemistry team. After successfully entering chemistry class at Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students, Giang was quickly chosen to be part of the talented student development team. Consequently, he devoted a significant amount of time to the subject, gradually developing a deep passion for it. Chemistry became an integral part of his life. According to Giang, studying chemistry allowed him to easily explain various phenomena, conduct research on the composition, structure, properties, and changes in matter. It felt closely connected to everyone's daily life. Giang said among the topics, the periodic table was the most challenging, demanding a deep understanding of the elements and their groups. Therefore, whenever he faced difficulties or couldn't solve a problem, he sought help from her teachers. "Tran inh Hieu, my chemistry teacher, once won the silver medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad. He was a strong source of inspiration, nurturing my love, passion, and determination to reach the pinnacle in the International Chemistry Olympiad," he said. Nguyen Thi Ha, teacher at Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students, described Giang as a diligent, determined, and persevering student. Giang possessed all the qualities needed: intelligence, excellent problem-solving skills, a strong determination, high levels of concentration to achieve his set goals, Ha said. After winning the second prize at the national level twice and securing his place on the list of students to represent Viet Nam in the International Chemistry Olympiad, Giang focused intensively and achieved excellent results. Talking about the moment when her son was announced on the stage to receive the prestigious gold medal, Nguyen Thi Ha, Giang's mother, shared: "Watching the live broadcast of the award ceremony, the moment when my child's name was called for the highest medal in the competition, our whole family burst into tears of joy. We were overwhelmed with both happiness and pride. It is a well-deserved reward for his relentless efforts, but it's also a way for Giang to repay the dedication of his teachers," she said. o Thu Hien, who accompanied Giang on the journey to Switzerland for the International Chemistry Olympiad, said that Kim Giang had overcome a challenging competition, securing the 10th position globally. With this achievement, Giang continues to be an inspiration for future generations aiming to conquer the heights of the International Chemistry Olympiad. Nguyen Huu Tien Hung, a 11th grader at Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students, said during his academic journey, the dedication and effort of Giang have provided him with motivation and determination to achieve good results. In 2023, Hung won the gold medal in the Asian Chemistry Olympiad. In the upcoming school year, his goal would be to be one of the students representing Viet Nam in the International Chemistry Olympiad like Giang. This year, Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students had three students who received awards in regional and international chemistry competitions. Nguyen Kim Giang won the gold medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad, Nguyen Huu Tien Hung won the gold medal at the Asian Chemistry Olympiad, and Truong Bao Ngoc secured the silver medal at the Asian Chemistry Olympiad. Both Phong and Giang considered themselves fortunate to have studied at a school with a rich tradition and a strong track record in regional and international physics competitions. Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students has firmly established its position on the global physics education map. VNS Ba Ria-Vung Tau expected 100 million tonnes of goods transported through local ports each year in 2025 (Source: plo.vn) Ba Ria-Vung Tau The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau plans to expand its Cai Mep Ha Logistics Centre to 2,204 hectares, turning itself into a logistics hub of the region, according to an action plan on enhancing the localitys logistics competitiveness and development until 2025. The action plan, approved by the provincial Peoples Committee recently to replace the 2017 version, aims to meet the current logistics service development requirements. Objectives of the scheme include developing logistics services into a sector with high added value, associating logistics services with the expansion of goods production, import-export activities in the locality and the whole country, and promoting the development of transport and information technology infrastructure. In 2025, the province expects to become a focal point of logistics service in the southeast region with a healthy growth of the logistics service market, attracting domestic and foreign investment, contributing to turning Ba Ria-Vung Tau into a port urban area in the future. Specifically, in 2025, the province aims for about 4.4% of contributions from the logistics sector to the provinces gross regional domestic product (GRDP), with a growth rate of 8% and total volume of goods handled by the local port system reaching 100 million tonnes per year. The province will focus on calling for investment to promoting the development of the logistics infrastructure in Phu My township and Vung Tau city, thus enhancing the efficiency of connections among the localities in the northern key economic region, the Mekong Delta region as well as between them and countries in the development triangle. Ba Ria-Vung Tau will encourage the establishment of logistics service businesses, as well as the application of new technologies and the training of professional human resources in logistics. Under a planning on Cai Mep Ha Logistics Centre that was approved in September 2020, the centre covers 1,763 hectares, including a logistic centre and Cai Mep Ha downstream port with an area of more than 984 hectares. Its surface area is over 455 hectares. The land for clean energy storage is more than 197 hectares and the potential water surface area, more than 125 hectares. This is a functional area belonging to the new Phu My urban area planning, serving as a goods transshipment centre at regional and global scales, receiving and transshipping goods to/from domestic localities and countries around the world through sea, inland waterway and road. At the same time, it is also a centre for receiving, storing, and processing raw materials, and packing, labeling and distributing goods, serving neighbouring industrial zones as well as the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster, Vung Tau port and the whole seaports in Group 5, which includes seaports in the southeast region. It also provides other supporting services for customs, coast control, quarantine, banking, and logistics training activities, among others. However, in order to expand the Cai Mep Ha port into being able to receive vessels with a capacity of 250,000 tonnes or 24,000 TEU, the 2020 planning has been adjusted, After the adjustments, the centres total area will be 2,204 hectares. The area of the Cai Mep Ha downstream port will increase to 1,485 hectares, and the water surface area 202 hectares. Land for storage of clean energy will be switched into that for logistics and ports. The remaining area will become the potential water surface area. Ba Ria-Vung Tau has a system of deep-water seaports spanning nearly 20km, which is classified as a national special one and serves as a gateway to the East Sea of the southern region. The local Cai Mep-Thi Vai is now the only port cluster in Vietnam that accommodates ships carrying containers directly to Europe and America, without transhipment through a third country. The province has identified tourism development as one of its important economic pillars toward becoming a high-quality, world-class tourism hub. Currently, the local tourism activities mainly take place in the Vung Tau - Long Hai - Phuoc Hai - Binh Chau national tourist areas, as well as on Con Dao island. Ba Ria-Vung Tau's potential convergence for industrial and seaport development Well-developed connections for transport infrastructure and seaports are becoming an important economic pillar of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, contributing to increasing the attractiveness of the southern province to domestic and foreign investors. On August 21, Boway Group, a wholly Chinese-invested conglomerate, inked a land lease agreement in Cong Hoa Industrial Park with Vietnam's Rubber Urban Development and Industrial Park JSC. This collaboration is set to pave the way for the new project that will be spearheaded by the Boway Group. Securing the entirety of a 20-hectare plot, the business has ambitious plans on the horizon. With a projected investment of approximately $350 million, the group will establish a state-of-the-art facility focused on the production of photovoltaic cells, solar energy conversion modules, and advanced alloy strips. Anticipating a swift trajectory, the manufacturing plant is scheduled to commence operations in 2024. Boway Group is renowned for its solar panel and energy conversion module products. Its extensive catalogue offers two primary varieties, monocrystalline and polycrystalline, with each variant available in a range of specifications and sizes. The company boasts cutting-edge production lines equipped with imported machinery. Strict adherence to on-site management processes ensures that the produced items consistently display superior attributes, such as high conversion rates, remarkable stability, and minimal degradation. Presently, Boway operates three companies in the northern province of Bac Giang, all of which are dedicated to the solar energy field. As stated on its company website, "Boway Group was founded in 1987. Over 36 years of rapid development, it has owned 10 professional manufacturing bases in China, Germany, Canada, and Vietnam, and has developed into an international technology-based manufacturing enterprise group that integrates new materials with new energy industries." In addition, the Chinese company has further expanded its collaborations with Vietnams academic institutions. On August 22, representatives from Red Star University in Hai Duong held a meeting with BOVIET, a solar energy company under the Boway Group, aiming to forge an education, research, and student employment partnership to enhance the mission and strategic development of both parties. On December 28, the Hanoi University of Science and Technology Vietnams premier STEM school and Boway also reached an agreement to embark on a five-year collaboration. The commitment is expected to leverage the unique strengths and capabilities of both parties. While the partnership spans multiple domains, it particularly emphasises sectors such as solar photovoltaic panel production, renewable energy, nano materials, and advanced alloys. Boway Group has committed to providing both financial and logistical support. This backing will enable students and faculty members from the university to undertake internships, research studies, and final-year projects at Boway's affiliated companies, such as BOVIET and BEDRA. Ziehl-Abegg expands footprint with new production facility in Vietnam Ziehl-Abegg, a manufacturer of electric motors, air conditioning equipment, and fans that is headquartered in Germany, has just unveiled its strategic plans to establish a new production facility in Vietnam, a move aimed at expanding its global footprint. Chinese battery firm Gotion invests $150 million in VinFast Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion Inc. has agreed to acquire 15 million ordinary shares of VinFast through a private issuance valuing the shares at $10 apiece, with an investment totalling $150 million, representing 0.7 per cent of VinFast's total equity. Chinas Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology to invest in Hai Duong Hai Duong province has proactively welcomed Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology, a prominent Chinese high-tech business specialising in lithium-ion battery materials and energy storage systems, highlighting its dedication to attracting high-tech investments and fostering a favourable business environment. This is an annual event for scholarship students from the Brighter Path scheme, which supports disadvantaged ethnic minority girls who excel academically. The initiative provides full scholarship support for seven years (three years of high school and four years of university), ensuring the beneficiaries have the opportunity to continue their studies and pursue their dreams. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Brighter Path students finished their third year of university successfully and were able to participate in a range of social activities. As university graduation comes next year, this summer all the girls are participating in internships and different graduation preparation projects to get ready for the next chapter in their lives. With the aim of celebrating a successful school year and to provide the best preparation for the coming milestones, the Empowerment Meeting this year with the theme Proud to Shine gathered the 49 students from all over Vietnam to attend a comprehensive 4-day programme in the capital city of Hanoi. A series of workshops and cultural activities were held over four days, with opportunities to explore and appreciate the history of Vietnam, meet and learn from inspiring leaders and experts, and gain essential skills for career development and personal growth. The workshop sessions covered soft skills needed for the 21st century, career orientations, and how to avoid financial traps. The girls also visited historical locations including Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum, Hoa Lo Prison, Hai Ba Trung Temple, and Bat Trang Pottery Village to understand the thousand-year history of Hanoi's heritage. At this years Empowerment Meeting, the students were honoured to be hosted at the Presidential Palace to meet Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vice State President of Vietnam, to learn more about her journey, her commitment to the nation, and how the government of Vietnam functions. With a strong belief in the nation's young generation, vice president Xuan encouraged all the girls to support the government in its endeavours, excel individually, and overcome adversity to contribute to their country. A special gala dinner celebrated the students achievements, featuring exciting performances by the girls and the awarding of scholarships for the next school year. The goal of the Brighter Path programme is to reduce poverty in ethnic Vietnam through education and training. The drive began in 2010 and has provided 2,351 scholarships for disadvantaged ethnic minority students, including fully funded school scholarships, informal education, and essential skills training. The first group of scholars have graduated from university and are contributing to sustainable improvements in their local communities. The Brighter Path programme has reaffirmed Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund and VinaCapital Foundations commitments to building a more resilient Vietnam, where bright ethnic minority female students are motivated to become strong and confident proponents of Vietnamese culture and economic growth in their communities. Thus, transforming their lives and the lives of others. VinaCapital and Ryobi in real estate investment deal VinaCapital announced yesterday that it has signed an MoU with Ryobi Group to work together on suitable real estate projects, venture capital, infrastructure, energy, and other investment opportunities in listed and private equity in Vietnam. VinaCapital facilitates acquisition of Nova F&B by Singaporean investor VinaCapital successfully orchestrates the acquisition of Nova F&B by a Singaporean partner, with IN Hospitality assuming the operational management of the renowned food and beverage company. Why do manufacturers have to transition to green production? This was one of the first questions that representatives of many leading businesses discussed at the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum 2023 on August 23. The event was organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development. Nguyen Trung Anh, director of Research and Sustainable Development at The Pan Group a domestic agricultural company said that the transfer to low-carbon production is driven by the need to meet stricter laws and regulations, and to respond to pressure from the market especially in European countries. Vietnam has made a pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2050 and the corporate sector is being driven to join hands with the government in this regard. Agriculture accounts for 19 per cent of CO 2 emissions, and is second only to the energy sector. Thus, the transition is a compulsory requirement, Trung Anh said. We export agricultural and fisheries products to 40 countries. The EU has strict carbon footprint regulations for production and also encourages thereduction of fishing quotas. For example, the supermarket chain Tesco in the UK has committed to disclosing the carbon footprint of all products on its shelves, including those that are imported." "This adds pressure, but also motivation, for The Pan Groups member companies such as Khang An and FMC, which specialises in exporting shrimp to the EU and is implementing a carbon footprint inventory, he said. The impact of green barriers also shows in the garment and textile industry. In recent months, Vietnam has lost orders to Bangladesh and may be stripped of the position of the second-largest exporter of apparel products in the world by the South Asian country due to its tardiness in the green transition. Bangladesh has been quicker in greening its supply chains. Its requirements have been made clear, and this has improved its competitiveness and provided more opportunities to secure orders. Although the green transition journey poses many challenges, businesses will gain significant benefits from this investment. When it comes to the low-carbon economy, we can save costs and emissions through the optimal use of water and materials. It enhances both branding and position when exporting to international markets, Trung Anh said. We adopt a circular strategy, and are collecting about 7,500 tonnes of shrimp heads and skins from production. Instead of allowing this as a form of waste, we cooperate with other companies that can use our by-products for shrimp meal or animal feed. In this way, we generate more revenue and reduce waste, he said. Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum pools key grey matter in Hanoi The Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum (VCSF 2020) gathered key government and corporate decision-makers to exchange ideas, discuss solutions, and give recommendations on institutional building, helping the business community to enhance resilience in cases of force majeure due to epidemics and natural disasters, and to improve competitiveness and develop sustainably. Shawn Steil, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam A few months after the Paris Peace Accords were signed, Canada and Vietnam officially established diplomatic relations on August 21, 1973. Now 50 years later, relations remain strong as the two countries welcome this important milestone. On August 24, Shawn Steil, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam, and Dao Hong Lan, Vietnamese Minister of Health, commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in a celebratory event in Hanoi. Rooted in strong people-to-people ties, we reaffirm the strength and depth of the friendship between our two countries as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Canada - Vietnam diplomatic relations. We are committed to advancing shared interests and addressing common challenges collectively and effectively. We look forward to forging deeper links by building on this important partnership in the years to come, said Steil. The ambassador spoke of his admiration of Vietnam's growing international role, as the country's government and people show increasing confidence on the world stage, part of which comes from the recent sustained economic growth. "Vietnam is leading the region, and maybe the world, in economic development. Countries are increasingly looking to Vietnam as a centre of manufacturing excellence. Soon Vietnam will be not only be manufacturing, it will be innovating and will be buying not just made-in Vietnamese products, but products invented in Vietnam. So the future is very bright for Vietnam globally," he said. Within ASEAN, he sees Vietnam as playing a key leadership role. "ASEAN is an increasingly important organisation, a great example of consensus building, and multilateralism, and Vietnam's diplomacy, with its great history of fine diplomats, plays a critical role in bringing consensus to that group. Vietnam has the potential to play a leadership role even beyond the region. And with a partner like Canada, there is no limit to what Vietnam could do," the ambassador stated. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) created the conditions to further strengthen bilateral trade and promote two-way foreign direct investment in 2018. In addition to the CPTPP, Canada and Vietnam continue to advance discussions and negotiations towards a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement in the future. In 2022, trade between Canada and Vietnam hit $13.8 billion and Vietnam was the eighth-largest source of international students for Canadian educational institutions. The two countries established a Joint Economic Committee in January 2022 to further enhance trade and economic relations, and since 1990, the government of Canada has contributed approximately $1.8 billion in international assistance to help reduce poverty and inequality, empower women and girls, and address climate change. In November last year, Canada launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy, highlighting the potential of Vietnam as a partner for Canada in the region. Canada is an integral partner of Vietnams Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the two countries enjoy constructive engagement in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, World Trade Organisation, La Francophonie, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. A permanent presence of the Canada Border Services Agency was established in Vietnam last year, with a Network Manager in Hanoi and a Liaison Officer in Ho Chi Minh City, in an effort to strengthen border management capacity and support in the region. Canada established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973, opening an Embassy in Hanoi in 1994 and a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in 1995. The solutions for stronger Canadian moves in Vietnam Vietnam and Canada are going through a heyday in bilateral ties, and currently celebrating a 5-year comprehensive partnership. Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Perry Steil talked to VIRs Thanh Tung about how the cooperation will continue to flourish. PM Trudeau appreciates contributions by Vietnamese Canadians Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sent greetings to Vietnamese people living in Canada and around the world, on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) the biggest festival in a year of Vietnamese. Canada extends Vietnam-origin steel sheet deadline Early in 2023, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the reopening of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations for Vietnam-origin corrosion-resistant steel sheets. The findings of this investigation are set to be announced on July 17. Perspective of Long Thanh airport (Photo: VNA) Hanoi The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) on August 24 announced that the Vietur consortium had won the bidding package worth 35 trillion VND (1.45 billion USD) to build a terminal of the Long Thanh airport project in the southern province of Dong Nai. The consortium comprises of Turkish conglomerate IC ISTAS, and nine local firms such as Vinaconex and Newtexons, Ricons, and Hancorp. According to ACV, Vietur won the package with the price of nearly 28 trillion VND and 338,800 USD. The contract will be implemented in 39 months, including New Year holidays in accordance with Vietnamese law from the date of signing scheduled to fall between August 25 to August 30. Long Thanh airport, to become Vietnam's largest, is budgeted to cost around 336.63 trillion VND. Its construction is divided into three phases. In the first phase, a runway and one passenger terminal along with other supporting facilities will be built at a cost of 109.1 trillion VND to serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo each year. Once fully completed by 2050, the airport will be able to handle 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo annually. Located 40km east of Ho Chi Minh City, it is expected to relieve overloading at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, currently the countrys largest, in the southern metropolis. Profit potential for winning bid at Long Thanh Airport project Amidst a downturn in the private real estate market, Package 5.10 of Vietnam's Long Thanh International Airport has emerged as a financial lifeline for domestic and international contractors, potentially generating a net profit of up to VND1 trillion ($41.67 million) for the winning bidder. The partnership will help the industrial park (IP) accelerate the adoption of green energy solutions, enable energy savings, and reduce carbon emissions for all tenants. In the initial phase, SP Group will design, install, operate, and maintain integrated smart energy solutions for BDIPs Industrial Service Centre (ISC). This includes the installation of solar photovoltaics for renewable energy, digital building solutions, electric vehicle charging, and smart energy optimisation and management systems. These solutions are expected to save as much as 30 per cent on energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions by close to 18 per cent. The two companies will also collaborate on a feasibility study to implement a green micro-grid for BDIP that will accelerate the park's clean energy transition and facilitate access to renewable energy, along with providing greater energy reliability and resilience for tenants. The 837 square metre ISC will cater to the business and social requirements of all BDIP tenants with shared facilities including meeting rooms, outdoor sport and recreational facilities, food and beverage options, and open green spaces. Brandon Chia, managing director of Sustainability Energy Solutions, Southeast Asia and Australia at SP Group, said, "Our collaboration with Frasers Property Vietnam underscores our goal of empowering the sustainability ambitions of IPs and contributing to Vietnam's net-zero targets." "Through our system of smart and sustainable energy solutions, IPs can seamlessly harness renewable energy sources and transition to energy-efficient operations that will enhance cost savings, carbon emission reductions, and promote productivity," Chia added. Lim Hua Tiong, CEO of Frasers Property Vietnam, said, As a multinational real estate developer, we take a long-term view for all our projects. We want to create buildings that are durable, adaptable, and resilient to the changing environment and needs of our customers. That is why we have applied our expertise in design and planning to our first industrial showcase in Vietnam, Binh Duong Industrial Park. BDIP is Frasers Property Vietnams first industrial park development in Vietnam and among one of few developments in the country to be LEED Certified. BDIP appeals to sustainability-minded tenants, with Phase 1 now at over 90 per cent occupancy. The next development phase for BDIP is now open for potential tenants in both ready-built and built-to-suit configurations. Smart energy to grow with smart urban development As smart energy plays an important role in smart urban areas, Vietnam plans to develop smarter, cleaner, greener and more sustainable energy resources for its cities, said experts at a recent summit in Hanoi. Vietnam-Singapore Smart Energy Solutions opens headquarters Vietnam - Singapore Smart Energy Solutions JSC (VSSES), a joint venture between Becamex IDC Corporation (Becamex IDC), Singapores Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), and Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park J.V. Co (VSIP JV), held on October 30 a grand opening at its new headquarters in the southern province of Binh Duong. This marks a milestone in the companys commitment towards delivering a new generation of sustainable smart energy solutions in Vietnam. A corner of Singapore (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Hanoi - Singapore police have launched an investigation into bomb threats targeting 18 locations around the state, including government buildings and embassies. The local authorities were alerted to the threats on August 23, the Singapore police force said in a statement. Officers coordinated with security guards, finding no items of security concern. The force did not disclose the specific locations involved or if any evacuations had taken place after the threats were made. The police take all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally communicate false information on bomb threats, the statement noted. Anyone found guilty of communicating false information of a harmful thing can be imprisoned for up to seven years, fined up to 50,000 SGD (37,000 USD), or both. Vietnam expects stronger FDI inflows with large-scale projects Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Vietnam have gradually recovered with many large-scale investment projects following the COVID-19 pandemic as well as political and economic uncertainties in the world. Akito Shiraishi, representative of Sumitomo Corporation, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception from the Nam Dinh Party Committee and its leaders, as he hinted at Sumitomo's keen interest in investing in a new industrial complex in Nam Dinh, covering an area of over 300 hectares. "Our primary objective is to develop industrial parks (IPs) while catering to the business aspirations of investors. There are numerous domestic and international investors in Vietnam, and particularly in Nam Dinh, but Sumitomo brings a distinctive investment approach, emphasising long-term customer relationships to ensure optimal contributions to the province's development, local businesses, and neighbouring areas, said Shiraishi. Following the meeting, Shiraishi said a comprehensive feasibility study would be initiated with Thang Long IP Co., Ltd. to finalise investment decisions in Nam Dinh. Secretary of Nam Dinh Party Committee Pham Gia Tuc, said, We are optimistic that Sumitomo, with its vast global experience, will develop an advanced, environmentally friendly IP in Nam Dinh. Such an endeavour would significantly bolster the sustainable socioeconomic development of the province. Tuc also urged Nam Dinh Industrial Park Management Authority to collaborate and provide all essential information to facilitate the corporation's research. Established in 1919, Sumitomo Corporation, a global business conglomerate, has held its place within the Fortune Global 500 for the past 28 years. With a valuation of $26.6 billion, the group commands an impressive portfolio of 883 subsidiaries and affiliate companies, employing over 75,000 personnel globally. The corporation currently oversees nine IPs in six countries. Sumitomo has been in Vietnam since 1997 with the establishment of Thang Long IP. The corporation has since invested in the development of Thang Long II in Hung Yen province and Thang Long Vinh Phuc in Vinh Phuc province. These parks cover a combined area exceeding 1,000ha, with a total investment of around $404 million. JiaWei Corporation invests $100 million in Nam Dinh JiaWei Corporation, a Taiwanese company, has decided to invest $100 million in the My Thuan Industrial Zone in Nam Dinh province, encompassing high-tech household appliance manufacturing, support printing, and paper box production plants. Two Singaporean investors push development of factories in Nam Dinh Two companies from Singapore are ramping up the development of their manufacturing bases in the northern province of Nam Dinh. Sumitomo Corporation expands investment in Thang Long II Industrial Park Sumitomo Corporation is strengthening its commitment to Thang Long II Industrial Park (IP) in the northern province Hung Yen, with six Japanese companies investing $500 million in the park's third phase expansion. Bac Giang LGG Garment Corporation's worker make clothes for export to RoK. (Photo: VNA) Seoul The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) and the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation, KOFOTI announced on August 24. The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the textile exhibition Preview in Seoul 2023 held in Seoul from August 23-25. Speaking at the ceremony, KOFOTI chairman Choi Byung-oh said that RoK and Vietnam have been reliable partners in textile production, processing, and export for the past 30 years. With the MoU signing, the Korean side hopes that the strategic partnership in the textile and fashion industries of the two countries will be strengthened, especially on issues of sustainable development, digital transformation, and supply chains. A KOFOTI official also said Vietnam's high economic growth rate and young people's interest in the Korean culture are constantly increasing, adding the MoU is expected to help Korean businesses penetrate deeply into the Vietnamese market. VITAS President Vu Duc Giang also said that VITAS and KOFOIT will expand the exchanges of information and innovation technology, promote cooperation to take advantage of the free trade agreements, and attract investment. Vietnam, RoK exchange 17 cooperation documents President Vo Van Thuong and his visiting counterpart from the Republic of Korea (RoK) Yoon Suk Yeol witnessed the exchange of 17 cooperation documents across fields between agencies of the two countries after their talks in Hanoi on June 23. Speaking at the second panel session at Vietnam Industrial Property Forum 2023, Chong Chee Keong, general manager of Industrial at Frasers Property Vietnam said, "We are seeing many emerging provinces focusing on industrialisation, with many production projects relocating to the tier-3 provinces surrounding Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong. Manufacturing plants and research and development centres are moving to areas such as Nghe An in Central Vietnam." He further noted that increasing numbers of small- and medium-sized enterprises are coming to Vietnam to set up production facilities that will support giant corporations. They set up a manufacturing base rapidly to receive and produce goods for these larger groups. Therefore, there are more rental facilities for customers, allowing them to begin operations more quickly, and more infrastructure is in place to support the needs of the market. Le Thanh Quan, general director of the Department of Economic Zones Management under the Ministry of Planning and Investment said, "Vietnam needs a specific strategy to welcome the new influx of foreign investors into the country's industrial parks (IPs). It also requires a change in mindset, from investment attraction to foreign cooperation. However, there is also an additional challenge now, given that the new capital flows now come with greater demands than previously." "In the past, we could develop traditional, general, and multi-sectoral IPs. However, in line with trends around the world, investors are now looking for high-tech, environmentally friendly zones. Industrial real estate investors need to carefully study the new capital flows because there are many issues to focus on," he added. According to Trang Le, head of Research and Consulting at JLL Vietnam, many foreign investors are participating in Vietnam's industrial property sector, which improves the standards and brings the nation on par with many foreign countries. "Vietnam is a dynamic and fast-growing market. We see nowhere else like it, as many large institutional investors are engaged in the development of industrial property in the country. The belief in the growth story of Vietnam's real estate is clear. New product lines have been implemented, such as ready-built factories and warehouses, as well as high-rise production facilities. This development has been occurring for the last five years," she added. Chong Chee Keong, general manager of Industrial at Frasers Property Vietnam Le Thanh Quan, general director of the Department of Economic Zones Management under the Ministry of Planning and Investment Trang Le, head of Research and Consulting at JLL Vietnam Vietnam Industrial Property Forum 2023 is underway On the morning of August 24, VIR is holding the Vietnam Industrial Property Forum 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting the participation of experts, investors, and policymakers. Accelerating investment capital for industrial property development Vietnam has a great opportunity to receive new capital flows from global businesses. Paul Wee, CFO of BW Industrial Development JSC, spoke with VIRs Binh An about what the nation should do to attract investment capital effectively. Waco Municipal Court has cleared thousands of warrants this month, more than ever recorded, after word spread quickly about a warrant amnesty period for unpaid tickets, Judge Bobby Garcia said. During the amnesty period that started Aug. 7, the court has waived arrest warrants and late fees on unpaid tickets and otherwise greatly reduced the amount of money people needed to pay for outstanding tickets. In the seven years the court has used its current software, there has not been a more successful month, Garcia said. He said the announcement of the amnesty period went viral after several people shared posts about the program on Facebook, leading to long lines nearly out the door every day this month. Garcia said the court has cleared 2,770 warrants in August, and the success of the program may lead it to be extended by another week. He said the court will accept amnesty applications until Friday, and will make a decision on how long to extend the program based on manpower available, as the large crowds coming to pay off tickets have nearly overwhelmed the court. Garcia said most people are only required to pay about 10% to 20% of their outstanding balances to get the citations cleared. During the amnesty period, no arrests were made for warrants for the unpaid tickets, all late fees were cleared, and many people saw some of their citations waived, only being required to pay for the most serious or most expensive citation. Garcia said the court wanted to do an amnesty program after he saw how many outstanding warrants the court had, more than 40,000 totaling $17 million in fines, and when he saw how the unpaid balances were negatively affecting peoples lives. Weve had people that have cried because they couldnt get their life back on track because they cant get their license, Garcia said. Theyre driving around afraid to get stopped. This will help them be able to at least have a chance to get a license and then get free of some debt. Garcia said many of the people who have applied for amnesty had tickets that were 10 or 15 years old, with the oldest ticket he saw being given in 2002, 21 years ago. He said some people had tickets given to them in high school for things like fighting, curfew violations or disrupting class, which had followed them into adulthood. As late fees and other citations began piling on, the balance become more and more unpayable. Garcia also said he changed some of the municipal courts rules on payment plans. He said the courts previous rules required a $100 down payment per warrant, so for people with multiple citations and warrants, they would have to pay several hundred dollars upfront. Garcia said he removed that requirement so that people could pay what they can, when they can. Gilberto Bravo said he got his first tickets when he was a student at Baylor University. He said he worked to support himself and paid for his own tuition. Adding tickets into that made it unaffordable, and soon, the charges began piling on. It just got to a point where it kept snowballing on and it just kept getting more and more expensive, Bravo said. As time went on, I tried to see about making arrangements, but then I would also get pulled over and have another ticket added on top of it. And then that would add another warrant. So it was just snowballing on top of all the other stuff. Bravo said he tried to get onto the courts payment plans, but since he had multiple citations and warrants, the down payment was too expensive. His total eventually reached $3,386, before Garcia reduced it to $335. Denitra Washington said she had tickets from 2008 that prevented her from getting her drivers license, which she said held her back from getting certain jobs and made her worry constantly about getting pulled over. Washingtons outstanding balance was $7,439 before it was reduced to $784. Its a blessing to people who cant afford it, or want a fresh start, Washington said. I havent had a drivers license in so long. Thats whats been holding me back from a lot of jobs, even doing home health care for my mom, because I have to have a drivers license to be able to take her to the doctor. David Jones said he had tickets from as far back as 2005, which had racked up a total outstanding balance of about $3,700, which was reduced to $600. He said his drivers license has been suspended for 10 years as a result of the outstanding fines, which in turn made it even harder to pay the balance as he had to rely on Ubers to get around. The situation also made it more difficult to take care of his kids and pay the bills. Jones said he fell into a cycle where late fees began piling up, then he would get another citation, and then the late fees for the new citations would begin piling up as well until it was too much for him to afford. He said the pandemic then made everything worse. Jones said he was emotional when his balance was reduced, and even began crying in the courtroom. He said Garcia took him into his office to console him, and showed him on the computer how all the late fees had been wiped, giving him the definitive proof that something that held him back for years had now been lifted from his shoulders. Judge Garcia is the best, he said. The Waco Municipal Court is located at 201 W. Waco Drive, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images) Republican presidential hopefuls faced off against each other in the first GOP debate in the 2024 race with Vivek Ramaswamy surprisingly becoming the center of attention. The first Republican debate in the 2024 presidential race has concluded, and here are the key takeaways from the GOP's contentious event. One of the most controversial parts of the first Republican debate was that former United States President Donald Trump was not in attendance. This left a gap among the GOP candidates vying to improve their poll performance. Ramaswamy's Explosive Rise However, despite Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis being seen as the most likely to rival Trump's place in the polls, political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy came under the spotlight during the Wednesday debate. Ramaswamy's unlikely rise following the GOP event showed the remarkable degree to which Trump has remade the Republican Party. Heading into the debate, DeSantis stumbled and was considered in need of a stabilizing performance. The Florida governor sought this by primarily avoiding the scrum and focusing on the core case he makes on the stump to gain incremental ground in front of a national audience. All eight of the GOP candidates jostled for position among each other, while a few of them targeted Trump, who is the front-runner and is currently set to surrender on Thursday following his fourth criminal indictment, as per the New York Times. Ramaswamy's surprising performance in the debate hinged on how he hewed closely to former president Trump, not simply on substance but also in style. He also expressed various stances that could be considered unpopular among his competitors but resonate better with the Republican base. Read Also: Chicago Woman Threatens To Kill Trump, Youngest Son Barron Controversial Stances These include cutting funding for Ukraine's war effort against Russia, on top of calling Kyiv's president "their pope," and even going so far as promising to pardon the Republican businessman preemptively. The 38-year-old entrepreneur also drew attention by stirring up controversies and throwing some of the most striking personal slights of the evening. These include accusing Chris Christie of auditioning for an MSNBC contract and Nikki Haley of looking into lucrative private-sector jobs while declaring that he is the only candidate not bought and paid for by special interests. On the other hand, according to Fox News, the DeSantis-supporting Never Back Down political action committee (PAC) criticized Ramaswamy after the latter allegedly inaccurately recalled Constitutional history during the debate. In a statement, the PAC said that Ramaswamy may need civics lessons, which DeSantis himself said would "increase civic understanding and knowledge of our Constitution." Republican Divide During the event, the question of the United States' role in Ukraine became the center of attention among all other issues the candidates discussed. It showed the division within the party as Haley and Christie both supported the fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the other hand, DeSantis and Ramaswamy questioned whether or not continuously supporting Kyiv was in America's best interests. However, regarding the question of climate change and the possibility that human factors were the cause, most of the candidates did not want anything to do with the inquiry. Most debate participants also expressed their intent to continuously support the former president even if he was convicted of criminal charges. According to the Associated Press, Trump is facing more than 90 criminal counts in separate cases across four jurisdictions. Federal Abortion Ban Another issue that Republican candidates discussed was the federal abortion ban, and the presidential hopefuls did not downplay their strong opposition to abortion rights. However, the divide came in discussions to enforce a federal abortion ban, which some GOP lawmakers oppose. Related Article: Rudy Giuliani Surrenders Himself to Authorities in Relation to Georgia Election Case @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United States Secretary of the Navy [SECNAV] Carlos Del Toro presented a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross award for Aviation Radioman Third Class Petty Officer Peter Smith. Smiths son, James, accepted the awards on his fathers behalf during a ceremony aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York on August 16, 2023. My father, like many thousands of his generation during the war, did his job day in and day out. In less than four years, his dedication led to defeating the Nazis and the empire of Japan concurrently, said James Smith. SECNAV Del Toro thanked James Smith for his tireless work to ensure his father received the recognition he deserved, and for preserving his fathers story of service during World War II. Aviation Radioman Third Class Petty Officer Peter Smith, a Troy, New York native, enlisted in the Navy on Feb. 2, 1942, two months after the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor. First rated as a Storekeeper, Smith volunteered for flying duty, completing training as both an aviation radioman and an air gunner. In June 1943, Smith was assigned to VC-28, a composite squadron based at Henderson Airfield on Guadalcanal. During his time there, Smith flew as a member of a three-man crew in a TBF Avenger torpedo bomber and conducted 15 combat missions in support of troops on the ground at New Georgia. After returning to the U.S., Smith later re-deployed to the Pacific in 1944 with the newly-designated Torpedo Squadron 28 (VT 28), operating as a carrier-based squadron off USS Monterey (CVL 26). During his time with VT-28, Smith flew in operations to retake Marianas, Saipan, Tinian, and Southern Palau from Japanese forces. He also supported the assaults on the Philippines and strikes against Okinawa. All told, Smith flew more than 150 combat and support missions during his 11 months with VT-28, before being honorably discharged in February 1946, after the conclusion of the war. I am humbled by the opportunity to honor Peter L. Smith one of our Navys hundreds of thousands of World War II Veterans for his service to our nation during a defining period in world history, said SECNAV Del Toro. After the war, Smith, like so many members of this greatest generation, returned to their civilian careers, but forever remained proud of their service. James Smith thanked Secretary of the Navy Del Toro on behalf of his father, calling the award presentation a great honor for which our family is thankful. Congress established the Distinguished Flying Cross, July 2, 1926. It may be awarded to any Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard personnel while serving in the capacity of the Armed Forces, who distinguish themselves for heroism or outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight. The Air Medal is awarded for sustained performance while participating in aerial flight under combat conditions. In receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Petty Officer Smith joins the ranks of Charles Lindbergh and the Wright Brothers, as well as fellow Navy recipients President George H.W. Bush and United States Senator John S. McCain. To Petty Officer Smiths family, I am confident there is no doubt in your minds that his actions met the criteria above for these two awards. His devotion to duty in support of his fellow Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Soldiers was indeed unwavering throughout his time in service, and I have no doubt you take pride in his accomplishments to keep our Nation free, said Del Toro. CEDAR FALLS Fitkin Popcorn Co. gave visitors a glimpse of the business this week as part of a Practical Farmers of Iowa field day. Jim Fitkin grows corn and soybeans on his familys land in northern Cedar Falls. On Monday, Fitkin gave visitors a look at the entire process of growing, manufacturing and marketing popcorn. And, while no one wants to see how sausage is made, popcorn is another story. Theres nothing grotesque about popping popcorn, Fitkin chuckled. According to Solveig Orngard, field crops education coordinator with Practical Farmers of Iowa, field days give residents and those interested a look into the inner workings of Iowa agriculture the industry that drives the states economy. Orngard said they were especially enthusiastic about Fitkin because he was the only popcorn grower on their tour list. Its definitely fun to give people a chance to learn about something just a little bit different than the field corn and soybeans that we often hear about, Orngard said. So we just wanted to have an opportunity to let Jim share about his farm practices and to let people come and learn and connect with each other and I think that happened, so Im feeling good about the day. The Fitkin farm has 15 acres of land dedicated to growing popcorn in a normal year but the yield was good enough in 2022 that Fitkin planted less this year. The difference between popping corn and field corn is the harder exterior. This encasement traps the moisture inside of the kernel, and when heat is applied, the interior expands effectively turning the kernel inside-out giving popcorn its signature pop. Ears are typically husked in the field and cleaned in a manufacturing shed. From there, the popcorn is treated to get the moisture to the right levels between 13% and 15% to ensure kernels pop correctly. From there, its a matter of packaging, storing and marketing the product. Every aspect of the business was demonstrated on Fitkins farm, starting with seeding and growing. That included the recent decision to use bluegrass as a perennial cover crop. The hope is bluegrass will control weeds and sequester carbon, then bring up heavy nitrogen from the previous years corn product. Fitkin is engaging in a five-year study, and the results of this cover crop are yet to be analyzed. Fitkin said while popcorn may not be the only crop in his fields, its easily the most fun to prepare. My main crops are corn and soybeans, and popcorn kind of gives me something to do in the wintertime, he said. Were bagging it year-round now and popping it year-round, but it used to be that I just popped it in the wintertime and bagged it in the wintertime. Today in history: Aug. 23 1912: Gene Kelly 1926: Rudolph Valentino 1927: Sacco & Vanzetti Protests 1939: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact 1973: Stockholm Syndrome 1979: Alexander Godunov 2003: John Geoghan 2008: Barack Obama 2011: Earthquake 2013: Fort Hood 2020: Donald Trump 2020: Jacob Blake 2021: Enrique Tarrio MASON CITY A Waterloo man was arrested in Mason City on Thursday for allegedly possessing approximately one-half pound of methamphetamine. According to court records, 60-year-old Gary Lee Winters Jr. is facing up to 26 years in prison for a class B felony controlled substance violation and a serious misdemeanor charge for possession of marijuana. The affidavits state Winters was pulled over for a traffic violation by the Iowa State Patrol at 1:10 a.m. near the intersection of Ninth Street Northwest and Washington Avenue. The trooper allegedly detected the odor of marijuana, prompting a search of Winters. Baggies of marijuana and methamphetamine were found on him. Further search of the vehicle allegedly yielded the half pound of methamphetamine, a scale and baggies. Winters also allegedly admitted he was delivering the methamphetamine. Winters has two previous felony drug convictions in Iowa. No court date has been set as of Thursday morning. WATERLOO While school districts across the state face scrutiny as they release lists of books being removed from libraries and classrooms, the largest districts in the Cedar Valley are holding off. The superintendents of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Waverly-Shell Rock school districts all said they are hoping to receive more guidance from state agencies or other organizations but have started thinking about potential lists. Cedar Falls Community Schools Superintendent Andy Pattee said the district is being extra cautious and that his staff will take advantage of the time prior to enforcement. The date of enforcement begins Jan. 1, 2024, which allows districts to move through the first few months of the school year thoughtfully, he said. Well take some time and be diligent. Waterloo Community Schools Superintendent Jared Smith said the Urban Education Network a consortium of Iowas largest school districts met and those districts consensus was they are unsure of what to do. Were digging in and scrambling, Smith said. We were all in the same boat. We saw what happened and the scrutiny Urbandale came under and we thought, Ooh, lets be careful here. Urbandale Community School District, in Polk County, released its list of hundreds of books that were being removed in July. When that list became public and published by the Des Moines Register, the district paused pulling most of those books. With lists from districts like Urbandale causing an uproar, Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools Superintendent Ed Klamfoth said hes also waiting for more guidance both from the state and what other school districts are doing. Were in the early stages of evaluating our collection and well compile a list of books. And if they violate the law then well remove them, he said. School districts in Iowa are facing this issue after the Legislature passed Senate File 496, which Gov. Kim Reynolds then signed in May. It took effect July 1, but penalties for educators who keep the books in their district will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2024. The law limits library collections by requiring every book to be age appropriate and not include any descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act. Iowa Code 702.17 details the list of sexual actions including two or more people. Its a little nerve-racking because of all the eyes and what were being told to do versus what I professionally believe, said Tiffany Ahrens, a teacher-librarian at Cedar Heights Elementary School in Cedar Falls. Im not arguing with the explicit content, obviously, especially in an elementary setting, but its very hard. You have a lot of parents who are very worried about the legislation one way or the other. A PowerPoint given to Waterloo Schools teachers before the year started guided them on how to proceed with the new laws. Along with not describing or visually depicting sex acts, the document defined age-appropriate books as being suitable to particular ages based on their developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity. It also included what could happen to a teacher or district if they violate the law. The first violation for a teacher or district would result in a warning from the Iowa Department of Education. If a district has two or more violations, the superintendent will be subjected to an Iowa Board of Educational Examiners hearing. If a licensed employee violates the law two or more times, they will be subjected to a BOEE hearing. The Mason City Community School District made national headlines, in a story first reported by the Mason City Globe Gazette, for using an artificial intelligence service to determine what books should be banned. Bridgette Exman, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Mason City Schools said it is not feasible to read every book. We are using what we believe is a defensible process to identify books that should be removed from collections at the start of the 23-24 school year, Exman said in a statement. Each of these texts were reviewed using AI software to determine if it contains a depiction of a sex act. After the software completed its job, district officials said they will remove 19 books from libraries used by seventh through 12th graders. Some of the books include The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Color Purple by Alice Walker and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Urbandale Schools created a list of almost 400 books that could violate the law, including 1984 by George Orwell and Beloved by Toni Morrison. Some of the books added didnt just contain sex acts, but also depicted LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Some of those included And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, a book about two male penguins who hatch an egg and The Adventures of Honey & Leon by Alan Cumming, which is about two rescue dogs with their two dads on a trip across the sea. Another has a story about Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who was a 2020 presidential candidate and now is the transportation secretary under President Joe Biden. Buttigieg is gay. Senate File 496 also contains other new rules school districts must follow. A district cannot provide any curriculum about gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten to sixth grade. A district or its employees cannot knowingly give false or misleading information about a students gender identification or intent to transition to another gender to a parent or guardian. Written permission from parents or guardians is required if students request accommodation regarding their gender identification or if they want to use a different name than what they are enrolled as. The district and employees who violate the parent notification rule will be subjected to a state Board of Educational Examiners hearing. Parent or guardian consent is also required before a minor student takes an exam or survey on a students mental, physical or emotional health that is not required by federal law. They will also need written consent before a student takes a survey related to topics like political affiliation, sexual behavior, mental and psychological problems of a student or family member, religious beliefs or income. Courier reporter Donald Promnitz contributed to this story. CEDAR FALLS Skogman Companies is seeking to amend a development plan to give itself the option of slightly changing the number and type of buildable lots on a subdivision in the southwestern part of town. The Planning & Zoning Commission took up the matter Wednesday on The Arbors subdivision, north of West Viking Road, west of Arbors Drive, and south of Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School. The panel asked a few questions but voiced no objections during a 15-minute meeting. Discussion and a vote is slated for Sept. 13. Skogman, doing business as Midwest Development Co., wants the option of sticking with 10 bi-attached lots approved in 2020 or merging them into five single family detached lots without going back to the city for master plan changes. Right now, the preliminary plat is proposed with the five single family lots, another document that would be up for approval at the Sept. 13 meeting. The main reason we re-platted those lots to single family was based on customer feedback and market data, said Hunter Skogman, president of land acquisition and development of Skogman Companies. In general, buyers will choose an attached unit over a single-family home if the price gap or savings between the two is significant. With increasing development and construction costs, the price difference hasnt been enough for our customers to choose the attached product, so we made the decision to switch those lots to single family. According to meeting documents, the subdivision already has seen 142 lots developed in what will now be 239 or 234 total as part of the larger master plan. That plan is required because the land is zoned as planned residential. Back in 2014, the Arbors build-out was planned for up to 204 lots on the 25.25 acres, a mix of one- and twofamily dwellings in six phases. Thirty nine bi-attached dwellings were added to the plan in 2020 to increase the total build-out to 239 lots. The remaining construction will now be completed in either two or three phases for a total of six or seven phases across the whole subdivision. WATERLOO As Crossroads mall empties, the land that once held a nearby fast food restaurant is slated to become a small retail center. The City Council approved multiple items on Monday in relation to a future retail center that would hold four businesses at the former Long John Silvers and A&W restaurants located at 2775 Crossroads Blvd. The council approved the sale and conveyance of the city-owned property to Grant Park, LLC for $1. The minimum assessed value of the building is $2.2 million and will have a rebate schedule of 80% for years one through five and 70% for years six through 10. Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson said the land is appraised at $124,000 and that the city will receive tax value out of the project. Resident Beverly Cosby said she hopes the businesses going into the center are clothing stores. She said since the closures of Dillards and Younkers, there are not a lot of places to buy a nice dress or shoes. When is Waterloo gonna come back? she asked. Mayor Quentin Hart said hes glad to see activity near Crossroads. He noted that when the mall was built in the 1970s, downtown stores struggled. Now more downtown shops are popping up and the mall is struggling. The actual shell of Crossroads is in a challenging spot right now, he said. I cant deviate too far from here but Noel and I have had conversations with the owners and hopefully within the next couple months well bring something to the City Council in regard to the shopping center district. The malls biggest store, At Home, is closing in November. Cosby also spoke up about a speed limit change on a small portion of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. In a 6-1 vote, the council approved an ordinance to change the speed from 35 to 45 mph in an area 300 feet northeast of Mobile Street until Linden Avenue. Councilmember Belinda Creighton-Smith dissented. The speed limit on all other portions of the road from Franklin Street to North Elk Run Road would remain the same. Cosby said if the speed is increased, drivers will still exceed the posted speed limit and go even faster than they do currently. Were creating a hazard of potential accidents out there, she said. Theres a corner on Mobile and Martin Luther King if people are speeding, I have a distinct fear people are gonna go off that hill and into somebodys yard. Mohammad Elahi, the newly appointed traffic operations director, said if there are more accidents, the city can do a study of the traffic and could revisit the speed limit. The council also approved: An increase to Young Arenas ice rental rates where contracted renters groups who rent 20 or more hours per year will pay $210 and non-contracted renters will pay $220 starting Oct. 1. A letter of intent with Trillium Transportation Fuels, LLC of Houston, Texas, for the design, construction and operation of renewable natural gas projects at the citys wastewater treatment plant and anaerobic lagoon. From Polaroids to Instant Pots: Every year's must-have shopping fad since 1973 From Polaroids to Instant Pots: Every year's must-have shopping fad since 1973 1973: Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle 1974: Polaroid SX-70 1975: Mood rings 1976: Pet Rock 1977: Star Wars action figures 1978: Designer jeans 1979: Atari 2600 1980: The Official Preppy Handbook 1981: Rubik's Cube 1982: Diet Coke 1983: Cabbage Patch Kids 1984: Transformers 1985: Microwave ovens 1986: Swatch watches 1987: Nintendo Entertainment System 1988: A Brief History of Time 1989: Nintendo Game Boy 1990: Reebok Pumps 1991: Hypercolor sportswear 1992: Starbucks coffee 1993: Talkboy 1994: Pogs 1995: Beanie Babies 1996: Tickle Me Elmo 1997: Tamagotchi 1998: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 1999: Lunchables 2000: Razor scooter 2001: Nokia phones 2002: Rapunzel Barbie 2003: The Da Vinci Code 2004: Livestrong bands 2005: Dippin' Dots 2006: Nintendo Wii 2007: Crocs 2008: iPod 2009: Frozen yogurt 2010: iPad 2011: Kindle 2012: Fifty Shades trilogy 2013: Big Hugs Elmo 2014: 'Frozen' dolls 2015: iPhone 2016: Hatchimals 2017: Fidget spinners 2018: Instant Pot 2019: Oat milk 2020: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X 2021: Happy Masks 2022: Stanley Tumbler DYSART Some details of when the five Morris children arrived on the orphan train remain a mystery. The impact that they and their descendants have had on the Dysart community, though, is as clear as day. You can see that they turned out to be productive citizens, said Catharine Wieck, who runs the Dysart Historical Society. I dont know that any of them became world famous or anything, but they were good citizens of Iowa and their communities. Orchestrated by several childrens welfare agencies, the orphan train ran from 1854 to 1929 with the goal of taking orphaned and abandoned children from the East Coast and finding homes for them in the rural Midwest. Its estimated that in those 75 years, some 200,000 children were moved. These included the five Morris children in Dysart. Its not clear from the records if they arrived in 1892 or 93, though a newspaper from Chicago lists it at 1894. Their names on reaching Dysart were Morris, but in New York, they were either Maresca or Marese. They were changed in New York to conceal their roots as the children of immigrants before going to the Midwest. It was the same reason the Childrens Aid Society was believed to have changed its religious affiliation from Catholic to Protestant. What is known is that Laura, Tessie, John, Jacob and Ben were all adopted into different homes. According Pam Whitmore, Lauras granddaughter, her grandmother had a rough go at first. The man whom she first went to live with was abusive, overworking her to the point where she eventually left to live with a family in Traer. But Laura never forgot her sister and three brothers. According to Whitmore, she went out every morning to follow her youngest brother, Ben unbeknownst to him to make sure he was getting to school on time. Eventually, she returned to Dysart, where she married and took the name McNamee. She and her husband had 13 children and dozens of grandchildren. Whitmores memories of her grandmother were of a gray-haired widow across the street who always went to church and ladies club. However, her children and their children helped to shape Dysart and had an impact in Northeast Iowa. Most of those (children) did just the normal things of that day. But the next generation we have lawyers, we have several dentists, we have doctors, we have teachers, we have two (professors) one of Uncle Bennys is a professor at UNI and I was a professor at Upper Iowa so that all added, Whitmore said. With the exception of John (Jack), who left the state after a bad experience with his adoptive family, all the Morris children remained nearby. Jacob married and moved Cedar Rapids. Tessie settled down with a man named Roland Schillig, a dairy farmer from Iowa City. Like Laura, Ben stayed in Dysart. Arriving at about 2 years old, he was the youngest of the Morris children, bringing with him only a coat his mother made for him before she died and a final note in one of the pockets. He was taken in by the Pippert family, where he had better luck than his oldest sister. Benjamin is growing up like a weed, a 1894 letter from the Pipperts read. He just commenced to talk and we wouldnt give him up for the whole State of Iowa. The feeling was reciprocated. According to Wieck and Whitmore, Pipperts birth father made the trip to Dysart some time after the boy was taken in, hoping to bring him back to New York. He refused to go. Uncle Benny, as the people of Dysart called him, grew up to be a pillar of the town. Never seen without his bib overalls, Pippert operated the dray wagon that brought goods from the railway depot to the town. He had six children of his own most of whom lived well into their late 80s and early 90s. Their children and grandchildren, like Lauras, took on a wide array of occupations and reached far beyond Tama County. Pippert died in 1999 at the age of 106. The coat he arrived in is on display at the Dysart Historical Societys museum. Wieck had nearly 50 years to get acquainted with Pippert, starting when she moved to Dysart in 1949 for her teaching job. In that time, she became close friends with a living piece of American and Dysart history. Always cheerful, he once confided in her his gratitude to the family that took him in and the community that became his home. Ben told me one time that he was very thankful that he had come here, Wieck said. Hed had a good life here. That was his quote. For her part, Whitmore said her familys origins havent been lost on her. Their success and the success of their descendants are a testament to the Morris familys character. Im proud to be able to talk about my grandma and say that she came from nothing and turned out to be how she was, Whitmore said. (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX is facing a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department that alleges the company discirminated asylum seekers and refugees by refusing to hire them. United States President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's SpaceX for allegedly discriminating against asylum seekers and refugees by refusing to hire them. In a statement, the Justice Department said that the lawsuit claims that SpaceX, from at least September 2018 to May 2022, routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying for a job at the company. It also accuses the space company of refusing to hire or consider them because of their citizenship status, which is a violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. SpaceX Faces Lawsuit Alleging Hiring Discrimination The DOJ added that SpaceX wrongly claimed in job postings and public statements issued over several years that under federal regulations known as "export control laws," the company was only allowed to hire United States citizens and lawful permanent residents. The latter are people who are sometimes referred to as "green card holders." The specified laws prevent foreign persons from gaining access to export-controlled items without first receiving approval from the State Department or Department of Commerce. However, it permits U.S. persons, such as citizens, residents, refugees, and asylum seekers, the lawsuit noted, as per the New York Post. The suit also claims that immigrants virtually had zero chance of being fairly considered or hired for a career at SpaceX. It adds that the space company's hiring practices were "routine, widespread, and longstanding, and harmed asylees and refugees." Additionally, the Justice Department referenced various online posts from SpaceX's billionaire owner Musk as examples of "discriminatory public statements." The lawsuit against the company cited a June 202 post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The post was from Musk and was sent to his then 36 million followers that said, "U.S. law requires at least a green card to be hired at SpaceX, as rockets are advanced weapons technology." Read Also: Apple Lends Support to California's Right To Repair Bill, a First for the Company Discouraging Asylum Seekers and Refugees From Applying In a statement, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's civil rights division said that the investigation found that the space company imposed what is considered to be a ban on asylees and refugees' possibility of being hired regardless of their qualifications, according to Reuters. Now, the United States is seeking fair consideration and back pay for asylum seekers and refugees who were previously deterred or denied employment at the space company due to alleged discrimination. The Justice Department's lawsuit is also seeking civil penalties in an amount that would be later determined by court and policy changes to Musk's company that comply with the federal non-discrimination mandate moving forward. The jobs that SpaceX routinely did not hire asylees and refugees were not only positions that required higher education. On top of positions in software and rocket engineering, they also included jobs in welding, cooking, and dishwashing. The Justice Department's lawsuit is not the first time that one of Musk's companies has faced accusations of discriminatory behavior. Earlier this month, several former employees of Twitter, which is now known as X, filed a lawsuit alleging that the tech billionaire engaged in gender, age, and racial discrimination, said The Guardian. Related Article: Subway Acquired by Private Equity Company Roark Capital for $9.55 Billion @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A camera clicks. In a fraction of a second, the shutter opens and then closes, freezing forever the image in front of it. When the camera shutter blinked inside a jail in downtown Atlanta on Thursday, it both created and documented a tiny inflection point in American life. Captured for posterity, there was a former president of the United States, for the first time in history, under arrest and captured in the sort of frame more commonly associated with drug dealers or drunken drivers. The trappings of power gone, for that split second. Left behind: an enduring image that will appear in history books long after Donald Trump is gone. It will be forever part of the iconography of being alive in this time, said Marty Kaplan, a professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications. In the photo, Trump confronts the camera in front of a bland gray backdrop, his eyes meeting the lens in an intense glare. He's wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, his shoulders squared, his head tilted slightly toward the camera. The sheriff's logo has been digitally added above his right shoulder. Some of the 18 others charged with him in Georgia smiled in their booking photos like they were posing for a yearbook. Not Trump. His defiance is palpable, as if hes staring down a nemesis through the lens. Not like any other photograph Trump facing charges is by now a familiar sight of 2023 to Americans who watched him stand before a judge in a New York courtroom or saw watercolor sketches from the inside of federal courthouses in Miami and Washington, where cameras arent allowed. This is different. As Anderson Cooper put it on CNN: The former president of the United States has an inmate number. P01135809, to be exact. But until he surrendered to face charges of trying to steal the 2020 election in Georgia, his fourth indictment this year, he avoided having to pose for the iconic booking photo like millions accused of crimes before him. Never mind that Trump, like all Americans, is innocent until proven guilty in court; the mug shot, and all it connotes, packs an extra emotional and cultural punch. A mug shot is a visceral representation of the criminal justice system, a symbol of lost freedom. It permanently memorializes one of the worst days of a person's life, a moment not meant for a scrapbook. It must be particularly foreign to a man born into privilege, who famously loves to be in control, who is highly attentive to his image and who rose to be the most powerful figure in the world. Indictment is a sort of bloodless word. And words are pale compared to images, said Kaplan, a former speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale and Hollywood screenwriter. A mug shot is a genre. Its frame is, This is a deer caught in the headlights. This is the crook being nailed. Its the walk of shame moment. Leveraging the moment: The mugshot is here Trump is unlikely to treat the mug shot as a moment of shame as he seeks a second term in the White House while fighting criminal charges in four jurisdictions. His campaign has reported a spike in contributions each time hes been indicted. And the imagery itself? Trump hasn't shied away from it. In fact, his campaign concocted one long before it became real. Months before he was photographed in Georgia on Thursday evening, his campaign used the prospect of a mug shot as a fundraising opportunity. For $36, anyone can buy a T-shirt with a fake booking photo of Trump and the words not guilty. Dozens of similar designs are available to purchase online, including many that appeal to Trumps critics. Now they have a real one to work with. Within minutes of the mug shot's release, Trump's campaign used it in a fundraising appeal on its website. BREAKING NEWS: THE MUGSHOT IS HERE, reads the subject line of the campaigns latest fundraising email, which advertises a new T-shirt with the image. And this quote: This mugshot will forever go down in history as a symbol of Americas defiance of tyranny. In a show of solidarity, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, a photo of herself smiling broadly in front of a gray background, the sheriff's logo in the top left corner to mimic the jail's style essentially her DIY mug. I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis," she said, a swipe at the Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney who persuaded a grand jury to indict Trump. Recent history is full of politicians seeking political dividends from their booking photos. Theyve offered large smiles or defiant smirks and tried to make the best of their predicament. Yet this is one of just 45 presidents in all of U.S. history not only someone who held the keys to the most powerful government in the world, but who held a position that for many these days, both at home and overseas, personifies the United States. To see that face looking at a camera whose lens he is not seeking out that's a potent moment. Theres a power to the still image, which is inarguable, said Mitchell Stevens, a professor emeritus at New York University who has written a book about the place imagery holds in modern society and how it is supplanting the word. It kind of freezes a moment, and in this case its freezing an unhappy moment for Donald Trump," Stevens said. And its not something he can click away. Its not something he can simply brush off. That moment is going to live on. And its entirely possible that it will end up as the image that history preserves of this man. This morning's top headlines: Republican presidential debate; surrender day for Trump; gunfire at biker bar Republican presidential debate; surrender day for Trump; gunfire at biker bar; and more top news this morning: The former delivery driver for a western Iowa pharmacy is accused of burglarizing the homes of her former customers in order to steal their medications. Records from the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Iowa Board of Pharmacy indicate that in June 2021, Aaron Stangel, the owner of Stangel Pharmacy in Onawa, hired Sarah Haptonstall, 45, of Onawa, as a delivery driver without first performing any type of background check. The pharmacy board alleges Haptonstall never applied for, and was never issued, the required state registration as a pharmacy support worker. According to the board, after Haptonstall was hired, Stangel concluded that an unspecified number of orders she delivered were missing some of the controlled substances that should have been included. In August 2021, Stangel allegedly confirmed that one customers order for hydrocodone, delivered by Haptonstall, had missing tablets that were replaced with Tylenol. After being confronted, Haptonstall resigned, according to the board. The board charged Stangel with employing a person who was not registered as a pharmacy support person and with failing to report the theft of controlled substances. In resolving the case, the parties recently agreed that Stangel would accept a warning from the board. Haptonstall was arrested on felony charges with police alleging that on at least three occasions, she had swapped hydrocodone pills intended for Stangel Pharmacy customers with Tylenol-Arthritis pills, keeping the hydrocodone for herself. At the time, Haptonstall was also working as a nurse for Embassy Rehab and Care Center in Sergeant Bluff. As a result of the criminal charges, Haptonstall was convicted of one count of controlled-substance violations and one remaining count of the same offense was dismissed. She was awarded a deferred judgment in the case and sentenced to three years of probation. Nineteen months later, burglaries committed Currently, Haptonstall is facing additional criminal charges in Monona County that are tied to her work for Stangel Pharmacy. Police allege that in March 2023, 19 months after she left the pharmacy, Haptonstall returned to the homes of several Stangel Pharmacy customers where she had delivered medications, broke into their houses and apartments, and stole the prescription drugs she knew they were likely to have on hand. She is now targeting the elderly in order to obtain prescription narcotics, Deputy Robert Maule of the Monona County Sheriffs Office told a judge in a search warrant application. Haptonstall is charged with six counts of burglary, six counts of unlawful possession of drugs and one count of illegal possession of a firearm. She has pleaded not guilty to all changes and a trial is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2023. According to the nursing board, Haptonstall was working at an Iowa care facility last year when she removed hydrocodone tablets from a package that she filled with Tylenol. The board later charged her with failing to properly safeguard medications, and this year she agreed to surrender her nursing license. Iowa Board of Nursing records indicate Haptonstall had a history of issues even before she was hired by the pharmacy. In 2014, the Board of Nursing charged Haptonstall with criminal conduct in the practice of nursing, alleging that while working for a home health care agency she misrepresented herself and obtained a prescription for hydrocodone for her own use. She later pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining a prescription drug by fraud and the board placed her license on probation. ST. LOUIS As the Biden administration makes billions of dollars available to remove millions of dangerous lead pipes that can contaminate drinking water and damage brain development in children, some states are turning down funds. Washington, Oregon, Maine and Alaska declined all or most of their federal funds in the first of five years that the mix of grants and loans is available, The Associated Press found. Some states are less prepared to pay for lead removal projects because, in many cases, the lead must first be found, experts said. And communities are hesitant to take out loans to search for their lead pipes. States shouldn't shrug their shoulders and pass up funds, said Erik Olson, a health and food expert at the environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council. It's troubling that a state would decide to take a complete pass on the funding because part of the reason for the funding is to figure out whether you even have lead," Olson said. The Biden administration wants to remove all 9.2 million lead pipes carrying water to U.S. homes. Lead can lower IQ and create behavioral problems in children. The 2021 infrastructure law provides $15 billion to find and replace them. That money will help a lot, but it isnt enough to get all the toxic pipes out of the ground. State programs distribute the federal funds to utilities. The Environmental Protection Agency said it is reviewing state requests to decline funds but did not provide a full list of states that have said no so far. That information will be available in October, officials said. States that declined first-year funds can still accept them during the remaining four years. EPA has been working closely with our state partners on utilizing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding that is available, the agency said. Lead pipes are far more common in some states such as Michigan and Illinois, which each have hundreds of thousands. The harm there is clear. Flints lead crisis elevated lead in tap water to a national health issue. Residents of Benton Harbor, Michigan, drank water with too much lead for years until all their lead pipes were replaced. In response, however, Michigan is clamoring for as much money as it can get to remove lead. The states that declined funds have fewer problematic pipes, but that doesnt mean lead isnt an issue. Theres concern about lead in some Maine schools. Portland, Oregon, has struggled with high lead levels for years, although recent tests have been better and officials say the issue isnt lead pipes, but household plumbing. Washington accepted $85,000 of $63 million it could have taken and said the decision was based on the limited number of water systems that wanted loans. The EPA estimates the state has 22,000 lead pipes. Oregon, which could have accepted $37 million, said inventories are going to be done with existing staff and resources, adding that utilities have no known lead lines. The EPA projected that the state has 3,530 lead pipes a relatively small number based in part on information collected from utilities. The location of many lead pipes is a mystery. The EPA is requiring communities to provide initial inventories of their lead pipes by October 2024. Maine, which banned lead pipes far earlier than most states, said other funds would be used for inventories and they didnt have lead replacement projects ready to fund. Most states that rejected funding initially indicated they would probably ask for money in later years. To access the grants, there also needs to be demand for loans but utilities are hesitant to seek them out, according to Deirdre Finn, executive director of the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities, a group that represents the federally funded state programs that distribute infrastructure funds. This is a great opportunity, Finn said. But it would be helpful if states and utilities had access to 100% grant funding to move these projects along. Federal funds can go only to replacement projects that remove the entire lead pipe. Lead pipes run from the water main in the street to homes, but the ownership of the pipe is often split between the utility and homeowner. Some cities replace just the portion they own a harmful practice that spikes lead levels and paying to replace the homeowner's side is often a problem. Grants can help utilities pay to replace the homeowner's side, Finn said. The EPA offered early funds based on a state's general drinking water infrastructure needs not the number of lead pipes. The EPA later developed estimates of each state's lead pipes to inform how future years of funding should be distributed. Therefore, some states were offered more early money than they can spend. In May, for example, Alaska told the EPA it wanted just $6.8 million of the $28 million it was entitled to receive. Carrie Bohan, facilities program manager in the division of water at the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, said utilities' demand for loans to inventory their systems for lead pipes is very, very small. But over five years, there will be plenty of federal funds available to find the small number of lead pipes in Alaska and replace them. Money thats not used will be redistributed to other states that need it. PFAS forever chemicals about to get their first US limits The Georgia lawsuit is 1 of six pending civilian and criminal tests Trump faces arsenic he campaigns for president successful 2024. He calls nan criminal cases governmental prosecutions. ATLANTA Donald Trump was arrested Thursday evening at Georgias Fulton County Jail on charges he tried to bargain nan 2020 election, nan 4th criminal lawsuit he faces while campaigning for president adjacent year. Trump is one of 19 defendants successful nan indictment that alleges racketeering by a criminal statement that tried to overturn nan predetermination results. Local authorities said Trump would beryllium treated for illustration immoderate different defendant. But nan processing pinch authorities collecting fingerprints and a photograph contrasts to his 3 different cases, in New York, Florida and Washington, D.C., wherever he was processed astatine a courthouse during nan aforesaid travel erstwhile he entered a general plea to charges. His photograph wasnt required astatine erstwhile bookings because he is good known. Trump spent astir 20 minutes astatine nan jailhouse earlier heading backmost to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for his formation backmost to Bedminster, New Jersey. Trump's Georgia arraignment is expected nan week of Sept. 5. Trump's supporters and critics flock to Fulton County jail Americans who emotion and loathe Donald Trump waited for hours extracurricular nan Fulton County jailhouse earlier his surrender Thursday. Supporters appeared to somewhat outnumber detractors, but each carried signs aliases wore imaginative outfits applauding aliases mocking nan erstwhile president. Many based on pinch each different astir nan 91 criminal counts nan president faces successful nan blaring Georgia heat, but mostly without incident arsenic sheriff's deputies de-escalated galore of nan tense shouting matches. Meanwhile, high-profile officials from Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene to erstwhile Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke. Phillip M. Bailey Why is Trump being arrested successful Georgia? Donald Trump has been charged doubly this twelvemonth complete allegations he tried to bargain nan 2020 predetermination from President Joe Biden erstwhile astatine nan national level, and erstwhile successful Georgia. A national expansive assemblage indicted Trump earlier this period for complete a slate of predetermination allegations, including actions that led to nan insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. Last week, a expansive assemblage successful Georgia indicted Trump and 18 of his friends for actions they specifically took successful nan state. USA TODAY Staff Trump lawyer Steven Sadow represented rapper Gunna successful RICO case Donald Trump's attorney, Steven Sadow, has antecedently represented rapper Gunna successful a abstracted Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, aliases RICO, Act case, CNN reported. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged Donald Trump nether nan state's RICO Act, a rule that is historically utilized to return down supplier operations and gangs. It allows a charismatic to harvester aggregate suspected crimes into 1 charge: racketeering. Marina Pitofsky, Joey Garrison and Phillip M. Bailey Trump 757, Trump Force One: What benignant of level does Trump have? The erstwhile president utilized a backstage jet, owned by nan Trump Organization, to get successful Washington. Dubbed Trump Force One by nan man himself, nan monolithic Boeing 757 costs $100 million, according to reports. It besides received a facelift amid nan indictments to see a caller overgarment occupation pinch his sanction successful golden astatine nan beforehand of nan aircraft. Phillip M. Bailey What is racketeering? The national Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act originated successful 1970 to conflict organized crime by allowing prosecutors to target group astatine nan apical of criminal organizations. States past passed their ain RICO laws truthful prosecutors could complaint aggregate group progressive successful a conspiracy together if they were moving toward a communal goal. Georgias RICO law, adopted successful 1980, makes it a crime to participate in, get aliases support power of an enterprise done a pattern of racketeering activity aliases to conspire to do so. The alleged strategy does not person to person been successful for a RICO complaint to beryllium proven. Ryan Randazzo Where is Fulton County? Fulton County is located successful northwest Georgia. It's location to 15 cities, including Atlanta, nan state's capitol. Trump and his friends are turning themselves successful astatine nan Fulton County Jail, which is located astir 4 miles northbound of downtown Atlanta. Marina Pitofsky Marjorie Taylor Greene shows up extracurricular jailhouse to take sides Trump As hundreds of supporters and detractors awaited Donald Trump's surrender successful Georgia, 1 of his fiercest defenders addressed nan crowd extracurricular nan Fulton County Jail.Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, accused Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of "abusing her power" and said House Republicans will motorboat an investigation done nan Judiciary Committee.Greene, escorted by security, was surrounded by a swarm of reporters and protesters. During an impromptu property conference, Greene said she said to Trump connected Thursday up of his booking. She defended his actions during nan 2020 election, including his telephone telephone to nan Georgia caput of authorities asking to "find" much vote."Why should he moreover beryllium successful court. Why?" she said. Phillip M. Bailey How agelong will Trump beryllium arrested for? In a emblematic booking process, a suspect has their fingerprints and mugshot taken, according to Chris Timmons, a proceedings lawyer astatine nan Knowles Gallant Timmons rule firm. If nan suspect is being taken into custody, they would beryllium put successful a holding cell, Timmons said. But defendants tin person ineligible agreements that get them retired of custody without having to station bail. In this peculiar case, I don't expect anyone going into custody, Timmons antecedently USA TODAY. The clip a booking takes depends connected nan person, Timmons added. Taking fingerprints takes astir 3 minutes, and getting a mug changeable taken takes a infinitesimal and a half to 2 minutes. I would presume if nan erstwhile president of nan United States (is) coming to nan jailhouse that they're going to beryllium businesslike fresh to go," Timmons said. Sudiksha Kochi What does indictment mean? An indictment is simply a general archive that contains allegations that personification committed a crime. It includes nan charges laid retired against a personification and is revenge earlier a lawsuit tin move guardant successful court, David Weinstein, a erstwhile national and authorities prosecutor, previously told USA TODAY. Weinstein said that an indictment intends a expansive jury decided that theres more apt than not capable grounds based connected grounds to move guardant pinch charging a person. At slightest 12 jurors must be in statement that a suspect allegedly committed a crime to rumor an indictment. After a personification is indicted, they must spell to proceedings wherever a jury will scope a unanimous determination connected whether to prosecute conviction. USA TODAY staff Who is Fani Willis? Meet nan Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis is nan territory lawyer successful Fulton County, Georgia. Willis began investigating Donald Trump aft he called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger successful January 2021 to plead pinch him to find nan votes he needed to triumph nan authorities successful nan 2020 election. Trump tried to telephone him much than a twelve times, and nan charismatic avoided taking nan calls, according to an investigation by nan House of Representatives. Marina Pitofsky Who is Trevian Kutti? Trevian Kutti was a publicist for R. Kelly and Kanye West, and was progressive successful nan alleged intimidation of predetermination workers. Officials allege Kutti presented herself arsenic personification who could assistance Georgia predetermination worker Ruby Freeman, but past she pressured nan female to falsely confess to allegations of predetermination fraud. Sudiksha Kochi and David Jackson How galore presidents person been arrested? Donald Trump became nan first erstwhile U.S. president to look criminal charges erstwhile he was indicted earlier this twelvemonth successful New York successful March. He was indicted connected state, not federal, charges tied to hush money payments made amid nan 2016 statesmanlike campaign. Marina Pitofsky Donald Trump replaces lawyer Drew Findling pinch Steven Sadow Just hours earlier Donald Trump was group to surrender to Georgia officials, he replaced 1 of his attorneys, Drew Findling, pinch Steven Sadow, according to aggregate reports. I person been retained to correspond President Trump successful nan Fulton County, Georgia case, Sadow said successful a statement, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.The president should ne'er person been indicted." Marina Pitofsky What is simply a RICO charge? The astir notable complaint against Trump is racketeering. Georgia prosecutors allege Trump orchestrated a bid of crimes pinch a communal nonsubjective successful mind remaining successful powerfulness contempt his nonaccomplishment successful nan 2020 election. The Georgia lawsuit is centered connected nan states RICO statute, nan Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The rule was primitively intended to combat organized crime, specifically aimed astatine prosecuting mafia bosses. Though nan mafia is mostly non-existent today, RICO laws are still utilized to conflict different forms of criminal enterprise. RICO laws let prosecutors to link aggregate crimes among aggregate defendants for them to show a clear story. The charges item what prosecutors allege is simply a clear conspiracy to overturn Trumps nonaccomplishment successful nan state, pinch nan erstwhile president arsenic nan mastermind down nan crime. Ken Tran Why is Donald Trump being arrested? Trump faces 13 charges for alleged racketeering, soliciting authorities officials to break their oaths of office, making mendacious statements, filing mendacious statements and conspiracy dealing pinch clone electors successful nan state. The indictment from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis specifications a bid of episodes wherever Trump urged authorities officials to alteration statesmanlike electors, wherever his lawyers made mendacious claims astir predetermination fraud to authorities lawmakers and wherever he asked Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to change nan predetermination results. Bart Jansen Donald Trump raises statesmanlike run costs disconnected surrender, arrest Donald Trump wielded his Georgia apprehension Thursday arsenic a fundraising instrumentality for his statesmanlike campaign, as he has aft erstwhile indictments. In a connection to supporters, Trump called nan unjust apprehension a staged and televised spectacle that he called a shakedown. Trump based on that all four indictments against him including two from nan Justice Department and one successful New York were designed to onslaught fearfulness into Americans and intimidate his supporters. Bart Jansen Donald Trump to surrender astatine Fulton County jailhouse criticized for mediocre conditions Trump and different defendants successful nan lawsuit are being booked astatine Fulton County jail, which is known for its mediocre conditions and management. The Justice Department is investigating nan jail's surviving conditions, aesculapian attraction and usage of excessive force. "The jailhouse is simply a nationalist wellness nightmare," Terrica Ganzy, executive head of nan Southern Center Human Rights, said successful a statement. LaShawn Thompson, 35, was recovered dormant successful his compartment astatine nan Fulton County Jail past year. An independent autopsy report found that nan origin of Thompsons decease was complications owed to terrible neglect. Sudiksha Kochi When will Trump surrender successful Georgia He answered connected Truth Social. Donald Trump said he will beryllium arrested astatine 7:30 p.m. EST successful a station connected Truth Social, his societal media platform. I person to commencement getting ARRESTED by a Radical Left, Lowlife, District Attorney, Trump said successful nan station earlier he departed New York for Georgia, attacking Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Ken Tran Trump raises statesmanlike run costs disconnected surrender, arrest Donald Trump wielded his Georgia apprehension Thursday arsenic a fundraising instrumentality for his statesmanlike campaign, as he has aft erstwhile indictments. In a connection to supporters, Trump called nan unjust apprehension a staged and televised spectacle that he called a shakedown. Trump based on that all four indictments against him including two from nan Justice Department and one successful New York were designed to onslaught fearfulness into Americans and intimidate his supporters. Bart Jansen Ex-Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis surrenders successful Georgia Jenna Ellis, who served arsenic a lawyer for Donald Trump's campaign, allegedly appeared earlier different authorities legislators pinch Rudy Giuliani to coming mendacious claims of predetermination fraud. Ellis faces 2 charges: usurpation of nan RICO Act and inducement of usurpation of oath by a nationalist officer. She agreed to a $100,000 bond. Dueling offers for a speedy trial One of Donald Trumps co-defendants, Kenneth Chesebro, asked for a speedy proceedings connected Georgia racketeering charges earlier nan adjacent election. Fulton County Attorney Fani Willis offered to commencement nan proceedings 2 months aft nan indictment, connected Oct. 23. Trump has projected to hold his different pending criminal tests until aft nan 2024 statesmanlike election. Willis had projected to commencement her proceedings March 4, though Trump and nan judge havent responded yet. Chesebro is simply a lawyer who allegedly developed nan strategy to person Vice President Mike Pence cull nan states statesmanlike electors erstwhile Congress counted them Jan. 6, 2021. In summation to racketeering, Chesebro is charged pinch six conspiracy counts related to recruiting clone electors to support Trump successful nan authorities President Joe Biden won. Chesebros lawyers, Scott Grubman and Manubir Arora, said a speedy proceedings should commencement nan first Monday of January, March, May, July, September aliases November. Willis offered to commencement moreover faster, successful nan adjacent word aft nan existent expansive assemblage term, connected Oct. 23. Bart Jansen Why wasn't Donald Trump astatine nan Republican debate? Donald Trump didn't skip nan first Republican statement successful Milwaukee connected Wednesday complete his booking successful Georgia aliases immoderate of nan different charges against him. Instead, nan erstwhile president agelong said he didn't want to springiness his Republican rivals trailing him successful nan polls a chance to return shots astatine him connected a nationalist stage. Trump has besides threatened to skip nan adjacent Republican statement successful September. Marina Pitofsky Ex-Trump main of unit Mark Meadows surrenders ormer White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows surrendered astatine Georgias Fulton County Jail connected Thursday to beryllium booked connected charges for allegedly colluding to overturn nan 2020 predetermination successful nan state, according to reports. Meadows was charged pinch allegedly soliciting Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to break his oath of agency by participating successful a telephone connected Jan. 2, 2021 - conscionable days earlier nan Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol onslaught - successful which Trump asked to find capable votes to triumph nan state. He was besides charged pinch violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which is simply a type of measurement that typically targets group engaged successful organized crime. Sudiksha Kochi Who is Harrison Floyd? Harrison Floyd served arsenic nan leader for nan statement Black Voices for Trump. The indictment states Floyd and different individuals unlawfully conspired to solicit, request, and importune Ruby Freeman, a Fulton County predetermination worker, to prosecute successful behaviour that constitutes nan felony discourtesy of mendacious statements and writings. Floyd faces 3 charges: usurpation of nan RICO Act, conspiracy to perpetrate inducement of mendacious statements and writings and influencing witnesses. Sudiksha Kochi and David Jackson Will Donald Trump beryllium released successful Georgia? Donald Trump's lawyers reached an statement Monday for him to beryllium released pending proceedings aft posting 10% of a $200,000 bond. Conditions of his merchandise see not threatening aliases intimidating witnesses, including connected societal media, aliases communicating pinch co-defendants isolated from done their lawyers. Bart Jansen, Phillip M. Bailey and Josh Meyer Will location beryllium a Donald Trump booking photo? Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has indicated publically that Trump would beryllium treated otherwise successful Atlanta than he has during his past 3 arraignments but conscionable nan aforesaid arsenic immoderate different criminal suspect being processed into nan region criminal justness system. It doesnt matter your status, he said astatine a property briefing. We person a mug changeable ready for you. Unless personification tells maine differently, he added, we are pursuing our normal practices. Josh Meyer What did Donald Trump do to get arrested? A Georgia expansive jury indicted erstwhile President Donald Trump and his friends earlier this period connected charges of conspiracy to effort to bargain Georgia's electoral votes from President Joe Biden aft nan 2020 election. The indictment, bringing 41 charges against 19 defendants, accuses Trump and different co-conspirators of a coordinated scheme to person authorities officials discard Biden's triumph and grant nan authorities to Trump. The case revolves mostly astir nan state's RICO statute, nan Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which penalizes activities of individuals engaging successful organized crime. USA TODAY Staff Jim Jordan questions motivation, timing down Trump indictment The president of nan U.S. House Judiciary Committee wrote Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis connected Thursday to inquire astir motivations and timing of nan indictment of Donald Trump, pinch charges against 18 co-defendants and 30 unindicted co-conspirators. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Willis launched a fundraising website 4 days earlier nan indictment was handed up, promoting her investigation into Trump. A region clerk inadvertently released nan charges against Trump earlier nan expansive assemblage voted. And a judge barred Willis from investigating Lt. Gov. Burt Jones successful nan case because she held a fundraiser for his governmental opponent. The timing of this prosecution reinforces concerns astir your motivation, Jordan wrote. Jordan besides questioned nan timing of nan indictment. Willis began her investigation successful February 2021 and brought charges 2 and a half years later. She proposed nan proceedings statesman March 4, 8 days earlier Georgias primary, erstwhile Trump is moving for president and Willis is moving for reelection. It is truthful unsurprising galore person speculated that this indictment and prosecution are designed to interfere pinch nan 2024 statesmanlike election, Jordan said. Jordan asked Willis to supply accusation by Sept. 7 astir national backing to her agency and communications pinch Justice Department typical counsel Jack Smith, who besides charged Trump pinch interfering pinch nan 2020 election. Legal experts and House Democrats based on Jordan was interfering pinch a section prosecution erstwhile he wrote a akin missive to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who charged Trump pinch falsifying business records. Bart Jansen Rudy Giuliani's surrender demonstrated really Trump's apprehension could beryllium chaotic Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer and erstwhile national charismatic who was indicted pinch him, attracted a throng of reporters and a crowd of protesters supporting aliases opposing nan charges erstwhile he surrendered astatine nan Fulton County jail. Giuliani's governmental strategist, Ted Goodman, signaled to reporters he would springiness an impromptu connection aft being booked. But he attempted to clasp nan gaggle successful nan mediate of a two-lane street, which would person blocked postulation successful an area sheriff's deputies spent hours trying to support clear. Residents adjacent nan jailhouse demanded vehicles beryllium towed for parking on nan vicinity streets. One resident was truthful fed up pinch nan nationalist spotlight he screamed astatine group to time off nan area while driving up nan mini road. The loudspeaker of a deputy's SUV blared orders for reporters to disperse. Giulianis squad recovered different location, but reporters, protesters and assemblage guards swarmed him earlier he took 2 paces retired of his SUV. This indictment is simply a travesty, Giuliani said, arsenic metropolis unit workers began mounting up portable toilets for tomorrow erstwhile Trump's booking is expected to bring an moreover larger crowd. Phillip M. Bailey FLINT, MI The Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village will big a Back 2 School arena wherever students and parents person free resources, haircuts, schoolhouse supplies and much this weekend. Motor City Cruise subordinate Zavier Simpson, a erstwhile University of Michigan guard, will beryllium successful attendance on pinch nan Detroit Pistons cheer team. The free arena is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. connected Saturday, Aug. 26, astatine Sylvester Broom Empowerment Village, located astatine 4119 N. Saginaw Street connected Flints northbound side. The family-friendly arena will besides characteristic bounce houses and nutrient trucks. Different schoolhouse supplies for illustration backpacks, notebooks, pencils and much will beryllium fixed retired while supplies last. Want much Flint-area news? Bookmark nan local Flint news page or motion up for nan free 3@3 Flint regular newsletter. If you would for illustration much reporting for illustration this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our play newsletter: Michigan Schools. Read much astatine The Flint Journal: One-of-a-kind Fire Training Center opens astatine Genesee Career Institute Food pantry astatine Mott Community College receives support done 2 section grants 100-year diversion history to beryllium remembered astatine Mott Community College Centennial Lecture Flint councilperson targeted pinch suit aft ordering citizens removal from meeting Health sciences dean will service arsenic UM-Flint interim chancellor, assemblage announces Xi says ready to strengthen cooperation with Namibia in clean energy Xinhua) 10:26, August 25, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Namibia in various fields, including in clean energy, and will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Namibia, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday. Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Namibian counterpart, Hage Geingob, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi said President Geingob is an old friend of the Chinese people, who has deep affection for China. The Chinese side greatly appreciates the president's firm support for China's position on issues of core interests, and his delivering justice and speaking out for righteousness in international affairs. Xi pointed out that China and Africa share similar historical experiences and hard struggle, adding that China insists on equality and mutual respect between big and small countries. The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people to successfully build socialism with Chinese characteristics, while at the same time taking efforts to push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said. Through proposing a series of initiatives such as the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said, China offers opportunities to developing countries to realize joint development and prosperity, and fights for more equal rights for developing nations. For his part, Geingob said Namibia and China enjoy long-term friendship. China is an all-weather friend, and even more so a friend who can count on when in difficulty. The Namibian side is deeply grateful to China's firm support in the various causes of fighting for national independence and emancipation as well as national development. He said as a leader of a global major country, President Xi has led the Chinese people to achieve remarkable accomplishments, and treats African leaders with equality and humility, which is very touching. The Namibian side has been greatly inspired by the thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics, and is exploring a modernization path with Namibian characteristics, Geingob noted. Namibia firmly supports China, welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Namibia and stands ready to work with China to push for greater development of bilateral relations, he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (Photo : MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) Former United States President Donald Trump and several co-defendants in the Georgia election case have surrendered themselves to Atlanta authorities and have been booked and released from jail. Former United States President Donald Trump has surrendered to Atlanta authorities in relation to the Georgia election case after his official mug shot was released to the public. The Republican businessman is among 19 defendants who were charged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The case involves the defendants' alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Trump Surrenders to Atlanta Authorities The other defendants in the case are also in the process of surrendering to authorities and will be booked and released prior to the Friday noon deadline. However, some of the individuals on the list are mounting legal challenges. Additionally, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office publicly released Trump's mug shot that was taken during his processing. The image is the first mug shot of the former president among his four criminal indictments. Prior to boarding his plane at Hartsfield-Jackson after traveling to surrender to authorities, the former president, Trump said that he had the right to challenge an election that they believed was dishonest, as ABC News. The Republican businessman said that they did nothing wrong as he continued to falsely claim that the election had been stolen from him. Trump's bond was set at $200,000 after he was booked and released from the Fulton County Jail. Trump also twisted accusations and instead claimed that prosecutors were trying to detail his 2024 presidential campaign. He said that what they are doing is considered "election interference." The Republican businessman's decision to surrender to authorities makes him the supposed 12th individual to do so. Since Tuesday, high-profile allies of the former president have traveled to the Fulton County Jail, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and lawyer Sidney Powell. Read Also: Rudy Giuliani Surrenders Himself to Authorities in Relation to Georgia Election Case Georgia Election Case Before Trump's booking on Thursday, his lawyers argued with Georgia prosecutors regarding the date of when the trial should begin, lawyer Ken Chesebro, one of the former president's co-defendants, filed a motion earlier the day asking for an Oct. 23 start date, which was something that a Georgia judge granted, according to Aljazeera. Willis followed that ruling by requesting to set that date as the start for all of the 19 defendants included in the Georgia election case. Previously, the Fulton County district attorney suggested the start date of the trial to be March 2024. On the other hand, Trump's legal team responded by filing a motion to cut his case from Chesebro's. This leads to the possibility that several trials could happen at separate times. The Georgia election case has 13 separate counts against Trump, which includes a racketeering charge and several fraud and false statement counts. The former president said that he feels sympathy for his co-defendants who were all booked, saying that their "lives are destroyed" because of the criminal charges. Several hours after being booked in a Georgia county jail, Trump said in an interview that his co-defendants were unfairly dragged into the mess. The former president argued that the people have to be released from the "horrible thing" that they were going through, said CNBC. Related Article: Key Takeaways from the First Republican Debate @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. KENTWOOD, MI Kentwood is installing 10 cameras passim nan metropolis that will seizure nan licence plates of passing vehicles successful an effort to lick convulsive crimes, stolen conveyance cases and more. The 10 automatic licence sheet nickname cameras will beryllium installed sometime successful nan adjacent 3 to 5 months successful precocious crime areas, said Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin. The cameras will seizure photos of each licence sheet and nan make, exemplary and colors of vehicles that walk by them. With nan cameras, officers tin participate nan licence sheet aliases conveyance explanation into nan strategy astir a conveyance suspected to beryllium related to a crime. The strategy will past notify officers erstwhile vehicles matching nan sheet aliases explanation passes by a camera. Previous instances of erstwhile a conveyance matching nan sheet aliases explanation passed by a camera tin besides beryllium searched, helping officers get further accusation astir a fishy conveyance that near nan segment of a crime. Litwin said nan strategy will thief officers create leads successful criminal investigations arsenic good arsenic thief find vehicles that are stolen, utilized successful nan committee of a crime aliases related to an Amber Alert. The Kentwood City Commission unanimously approved nan acquisition connected Tuesday, Aug. 15, of nan 10 cameras and related strategy from Flock Safety, nan aforesaid institution nan Kent County Sheriffs Office and neighboring Wyoming statement pinch for their licence sheet nickname cameras. Wyoming constabulary and the Kent County Sheriffs Office some deployed licence sheet nickname cameras successful early 2022. No different agencies successful Kent County person them. The metropolis committee approved a $60,000, two-year statement pinch Flock Safety for nan strategy arsenic good arsenic an additional, one-time set-up costs of $7,000. Litwin said nan metropolis has submitted a assistance that will perchance reimburse astir half of nan cost. Litwin said nan acquisition of nan strategy stemmed from seeing really it had helped not only constabulary successful Wyoming but besides his ain department. Theyve had awesome occurrence pinch it, Litwin said. Weve seen nan benefit: its really helped america lick immoderate of our crimes. When weve had fishy vehicles, weve reached retired to them and said, Hey, this is nan vehicle. And theyve been capable to thief america to place pinch cameras that mightiness separator our jurisdictions. Related: Wyoming constabulary installing 12 cameras to capture, observe licence plates successful effort to trim crime The systems successful Kentwood and Wyoming will beryllium capable to pass pinch each other, and Litwin said constabulary departments will beryllium moving retired those practice details. The American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to nan technology, arguing it represents a significant penetration of privacy by search peoples locations arsenic they spell astir their lives. Automatic licence sheet readers person nan imaginable to create imperishable records of virtually everyplace immoderate of america has driven, radically transforming nan consequences of leaving location to prosecute backstage life, and opening up galore opportunities for abuse, the ACLUs website states. And while Litwin said he hasnt had immoderate concerns astir nan strategy brought to his attention, he did opportunity location are ways successful which privateness will beryllium protected. First, information and photos of passing vehicles will beryllium wiped from nan strategy connected a rolling, 30-day ground unless a conveyance is suspected to person been utilized successful a crime, he said. Additionally, nan photos only seizure nan bumper and licence sheet area of nan vehicle; constabulary arent capable to spot who is driving aliases wrong nan vehicle. The section will besides person a argumentation successful spot forbidding officers from utilizing nan strategy for individual usage aliases for reasons not connected to a criminal incident. System usage will beryllium tracked and audited, nan main said. Want much Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark nan section Grand Rapids news page aliases motion up for nan free 3@3 Grand Rapids regular newsletter. Read much connected MLive: Is this nan champion parkland for pickleball successful nan Grand Rapids area? Players deliberation so. Grand Rapids expanding Cure Violence programme to First, Second wards They wanted a civilian war. Last of accused Gov. Whitmer kidnap plotters spell connected trial Russia is sinking its ain ships to protect a captious bridge from Ukraines oversea drones. Those drones are proving to beryllium very effectiveRussia claims that Ukrainian drone struck a railway station. The US said that Ukraines counteroffensive is making progress. So galore Russian mines person been placed successful Ukraine that nan state is desperately seeking help. Russia has vowed retaliation aft Ukraine launched a caller assault connected nan Crimean bridge. Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting rescue workers pinch missile strikes. Russia attacked Ukrainian troops pinch chemic weapons, according to caller evidence. A Ukrainian woman, allegedly moving pinch aliases for nan Russians, has been arrested successful a plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Zelenksy. Moscow is trying to person Russians to move to war-torn Mariupol. Russia has bombed a Ukrainian humor transfusion center. Russia has bombed much Ukrainian atom stores. Global atom prices rose1 17% arsenic Russia attacked different Ukrainian atom supply. Russia has bombed a atom retention depot. Russian bombs person damaged a Ukrainian cathedral successful Odessa that is listed arsenic a Unesco world practice site. The US says cluster bombs are making a quality successful Ukraine. Ukraine intelligence has confirmed that Wagner troops person rejected nan action to subordinate nan regular Russian service and moves to Belarus. The Wagner group rejected Putins connection to subordinate nan Russian army. The leader of nan Wagner group has returned to Russia and reclaimed confiscated weaponsalthough caller US intelligence suggests that he whitethorn ne'er person gone to Belarus successful nan first place. In fact, intelligence suggests he whitethorn person met pinch Putin aft nan mutiny. Putin is allegedly purging his subject of suspected traitors. Charges person been dropped against nan rebellious Wagner boss. The Wagner mercenary leader tried to telephone Putin erstwhile he thought his rebellion had gone excessively far, but Putin allegedly ignored his call. The UK is considering preparing for a script successful which nan Russian federation collapses. This follows the Wagner group halting its aggression against Moscow little than 24 hours aft declaring unfastened rebellion against nan Russian military. Intelligence suggests that nan rebellion was halted because Russian agents threatened nan chiefs family. Last week, the Wagner mercenary group captured a Russian commander aft nan caput of nan Wagner mercenary group accused nan Russian subject of planting mines successful nan groups path. Just a fewer weeks ago, the Wagner leader said his service isnt beardown capable to effort a coup. The leader of nan Wagner group has criticized nan Russian defense minister, whose children are allegedly surviving successful luxury while Russian soldiers die. According to nan main of nan Wagner group, 20,000 of his troops died successful nan conflict for Bakhmut. After claiming triumph successful Bakhmut, nan Wagner main has vowed to time off Bakhmut. Zelenksy is denying Russias alleged triumph successful Bakhmut. Russian forces are successful retreat adjacent Bakhmut, according to some Ukraine and Wagner. Ukraine has defeated Russian forces adjacent Bakhmut, liberating immoderate of nan captured territory and capturing immoderate troops. Ukraine said location has been no motion of nan Wagner group leaving Bakhmut. The caput of nan Wagner mercenary group says he will propulsion his troops retired of Bakhmut, blaming defense officials for deficiency of ammunition. Kyiv suffered its worst Russian attacks successful a year. Several twelve Ukrainian civilians were wounded successful pre-dawn Russian rocket strikes. Russian missiles killed 25 people successful a artifact of apartments. Two group are dormant and different 10 wounded successful a Russian onslaught connected a Ukrainian museum. Russia claims to beryllium saving children, not kidnapping them, contempt overwhelming evidence. Ukraine hopes to create an world conjugation to return its deported children. More than 30 children person been returned to Ukraine pursuing deportation to Russia. The Russian subject whitethorn person committed much than 9,000 warfare crimes successful nan Bucha district. Putin has been charged pinch warfare crimes successful an International Court and a warrant for his apprehension has been issued. The International Criminal Court has opened war crimes cases against Russia. Ukraine has accused Russian soldiers of destroying 400 flat blocks to hide grounds of warfare crimes. As nan warfare successful Ukraine continues, evidence of Russian-perpetrated warfare crimes is mounting. Zelensky has said that Ukraine has already uncovered grounds of 400 warfare crimes successful Kherson. Ukraine precocious regained nan only location superior taken by Moscow, Kherson. Volodymyr Zelensky will return portion successful nan G20 summit. Zelensky has besides been awarded nan Liberty Medal by nan National Constitution Center successful Philadelphia. The United States is sending different $400 cardinal to Ukraine. Canada is selling bonds to thief money Ukraine. Many nations are contributing to nan warfare nevertheless they can; for example, an Idaho man who volunteered to fight successful Ukraine has died. UK intelligence suggests that Russians are getting tired of Putins war, pinch much saying that Putin made mistakes pinch nan war. Russians are fleeing to Kazakhstan to debar Putins draft. There are now much Russians fleeing nan draft than location were successful nan original penetration force, UK intel suggests. A Russian man has changeable a draught officer responsible for signing up conscripts for nan Ukraine war; successful a abstracted incident, a man group himself connected occurrence successful protest. Vladimir Putin is allegedly successful hiding arsenic anti-draft protests erupt astir Russia. More than 1,300 civilians person been arrested for protesting Putins conscription of civilians. To dress up for frontline setbacks, Russia has accrued its attacks connected Ukrainian infrastructure. Ukrainian president Zelensky has visited reconquered territory, a motion of nan countrys strength. Ukraine regained still much territory from nan Russians successful nan past week. The week before, Ukrainian forces reached nan Russian border successful nan Kharkiv region. Ukraines lightning counteroffensive drove Russian soldiers from nan Kharkiv region, and now Ukraine has tripled its reconquered territory. Ukraine began its long-awaited offensive successful nan countrys southbound past week. President Zelesnsky has besides promised to retake Crimea by immoderate intends necessary. Western nations are aiding Ukraines ambitions. The United States is group to nonstop Ukraine different $3 billion successful aid. Turkey has sent 50 mine-resistant vehicles to Ukraine, and it will nonstop much successful nan future. Ukraine has received much rocket launchers from nan United States and Germany. President Zelensky has said that nan Ukrainian service is losing astir 30 soldiers per day, compared to nan 100-200 astatine nan opening of nan war. 3The UK authorities announced that it will nonstop some artillery and drones to Ukraine. Zelenskys agency has besides confirmed that nan United States will train F-15 and F-16 pilots. The Ukrainian defense curate has announced nan country hopes to build a million-strong army to hit backmost nan Russians. The Russian subject is opening to amass reserves connected nan Ukraine border. Two-hundred Russian soldiers person been killed and different 300 wounded pursuing a Ukrainian onslaught connected a Russian base. A Canadian fighting for nan Ukrainian service has issued a plea for much weapons and money (to bargain weapons). Two weeks ago, Australia sent ammunition to Ukraine, successful consequence to Zelenskys pleas. Ukraine was reporting a shortage of ammunition, threatening to halt their defense against Russia. International governments person truthful acold been generous pinch weapons. Poland has announced that it will waste $650m worthy of dense weapons, including self-propelled Howitzers, to Ukraine. Sweden and nan UK person besides joined a increasing database of countries sending different information of precocious weapons to Ukraine. Spain is sending authorities of nan art, German-designed tanks to Ukraine to thief conflict nan Russian invaders. Germany has announced that it will nonstop modern anti-aircraft missiles and radar systems to Ukraine. The United States will besides beryllium sending Ukraine medium-range rockets, according to President Biden. The Russians, by contrast, are opening to struggle successful position of weapons. The Ukrainian subject says it has destroyed an ammunition depot arsenic nan fighting successful Donbas intensifies. Such demolition has led Ukrainian subject analysts to reason that nan Russian subject has depleted its modern subject equipment. Russia has much woes than conscionable equipment. Over a 100 Russian nationalist defender soldiers person been fired for refusing to conflict successful Ukraine. Russias parliament has eliminated nan property limit for subject work arsenic they scramble for much soldiers. The Russian subject is besides offering bonuses 4 times bigger than a soldiers monthly salary. British subject intelligence has estimated that Russia mislaid a 3rd of its penetration force. Alexander Lukashenka, nan dictatorial leader of Belarus, has admitted that nan Ukraine warfare is not going according to plan. The German business elephantine Siemens is readying to time off Russia aft almost 170 years, arsenic a consequence of nan Ukraine war. The Russian finance ministry has admitted that occidental sanctions are threatening nan state pinch economical collapse. Vladimir Putins $989 cardinal megayacht has been seized successful Italy. In position of specified seizures, Chuck Schumer said that nan United States will waste seized Russian oligarchs assets to use nan Ukrainian warfare effort. More news. . . YPSILANTI, MI About 1,200 students descended upon nan Eastern Michigan University field Thursday, Aug. 24, for nan first of 3 days of student move-in. Underclassmen and their families unloaded cars extracurricular nan newly-renovated Downing, Walton and Putnam halls, which reopened for nan autumn aft a slew of updates including aerial conditioning, wireless internet, shared bathrooms, a remodeled communal area and lounges connected each floor. The renovations, created pinch nan input of much than 1,000 students, are nan first measurement successful EMUs $200-million Welcome Home 2025 project. READ MORE: Lake views & air-conditioning: See nan caller student dorms opening astatine Eastern Michigan University President James Smith took a circuit of field pinch Swoop - nan universitys eagle mascot - and a group of administrators to invited incoming students and gauge their reactions to nan renovations. The group took a short break from their circuit to perceive to a capacity by nan EMU Marching Band, which played nan schools conflict opus successful clip pinch Swoops enthusiastic conducting. Its been overwhelmingly positive, a wholly different consciousness wrong compared to past year, Smith said, noting nan summation of A/C and abstracted study areas for each level were peculiarly well-received. Those benignant of animal comforts are incredibly important. There are truthful galore caller spaces pinch awesome opportunities for organization building, Vice President of Enrollment Katie Condon added. Vice President of Communications Walter Kraft said nan updates to Walton and Putnam were prioritized based connected nan results of nan student survey, pinch amended aerial conditioning being nan most-requested addition. The renovations besides fitted room entrances for keycards, improved wheelchair entree and added a wheelchair-accessible check-in table connected nan crushed floor. The costs of renovations for dorms pinch interior activity for illustration Walton Hall is astir $11-12 million, according to Anthony Sikora of Rieth Jones, nan projects architecture firm. EMU is besides successful nan process of building apartment-style lodging intended for upperclassmen and postgraduate students. The Lakeview Apartments, which overlooks nan man-made fountain pond alongside nan Student Center astatine nan bosom of EMUs campus, is scheduled to unfastened successful autumn 2024. The flat analyzable will location studio, 2-room and 4-room units, officials said, each pinch a room and in-unit bathrooms. Lakeview Apartments and a akin apartment-style improvement astatine Westview Apartments will relationship for nan mostly of nan fund for nan Welcome Home 2025 project. Student move-in astatine EMU will proceed done Saturday, pinch upperclassmen starting their return to field Friday morning. University unit and student organizations person a slew of events planned for invited weekend, which will beryllium disposable to incoming students on nan universitys website. More from MLive: $200M student lodging scheme finalized astatine Eastern Michigan University University of Michigan exploring unarmed non-police unit aft national talks 5 nosy things to do astir Ann Arbor this play (Aug. 25-27) Michigan shot names six captains for 2023 season Questions stay astir a level clang that reportedly killed elder Wagner Group leaders, including main Yevgeny Prigozhin. President Biden suggested that Vladimir Putin is down it. Russian authorities media claims Prigozhin and nan different leaders were passengers connected a level that collapsed astir 100 miles northwest of Moscow yesterday. It was connected its measurement to St. Petersburg. A station connected a Wagner-linked societal media transmission accused Russian forces of shooting down nan jet. Cleanup efforts are underway successful a number of communities astir Michigan aft terrible storms tore done nan authorities Thursday, Aug. 24. At slightest 5 group reportedly died successful either conveyance crashes aliases harm to homes. Nearly 375,000 homes and businesses remained without powerfulness arsenic of Friday morning. Various freeways and different authorities roads were still closed during Fridays greeting commute to flooding, down powerlines, and associated debris from nan storm. Michigan State Police punctual drivers that intersections without moving postulation signals move into four-way stops. Drivers are asked to beryllium cautious erstwhile passing done intersections arsenic different motorists whitethorn not beryllium paying attention. With a number of highways flooded successful Metro Detroit, officials from nan Michigan Department of Transportation besides urge not driving successful opinionated water. Below are immoderate of nan latest updates connected storm-related roadworthy closures: I-96 successful Ingham County Both eastbound and westbound I-96 remained closed Friday greeting betwixt Williamston Road and M-52, according to Michigan State Police. Crews noted overturned vehicles successful nan area and asked drivers to debar nan area. They did not supply a timeline to reopen nan freeway. A study squad from nan National Weather Service is investigating whether a tornado touched down Thursday successful nan area. The chaos resulted successful a conveyance pileup and flipped semi trucks. One personification was killed, and respective others were earnestly injured, according to a report by WILX. I-94 and I-275 successful Wayne County The correct and halfway lanes of eastbound I-94 were blocked astir Michigan Avenue owed to flooding. Only nan near lane remained unfastened arsenic of 7 a.m. Friday. The freeway astatine Cecil Street had conscionable its near lane closed. Flooding besides caused nan freeway ramps from eastbound I-94 to northbound and southbound I-275 to beryllium closed astir 6:30 a.m. Friday, arsenic good arsenic nan I-275 ramps to I-94. Moving further east, eastbound I-94 was closed astatine Van Dyke Street, Gratiot Avenue, and Allard Avenue owed to flooding. Similarly, westbound I-94 was closed astir 8 Mile Road owed to flooding. I-75 successful Oakland County Northbound I-75 was closed astatine 8 Mile Road owed to flooding Friday morning. All lanes were unopen down successful nan area until astir 7:30 a.m. Southbound lanes were besides closed astatine I-696 owed to flooding, and remained closed arsenic of 9:30 a.m. M-10 successful Wayne County Flooding connected southbound M-10 had each lanes blocked Friday greeting successful nan area of Linwood Avenue. The southbound freeway was closed astir 9:30 a.m. M-52 successful Washtenaw County M-52 successful some directions betwixt Pleasant Lake Road and Peckins Road successful Washtenaw County was closed Friday greeting owed to downed powerfulness lines. M-100 successful Eaton County Hartel Road (M-100) successful some directions was closed astatine Windsor Highway successful Eaton County, arsenic good arsenic betwixt St. Joseph Highway and Pinch Road. Both closures were owed to debris successful nan roadway. I-96 successful Ionia County Westbound I-96 aft Jordan Lake Road (Exit 64) successful Ionia County was closed Friday greeting owed to downed powerfulness lines. M-106 successful Jackson County Bunkerhill Road (M-106) was closed successful some directions betwixt Root Station Road and Coon Hill Road connected Friday owed to a downed tree. M-37 successful Kent County Southbound Alpine Avenue (M-37) astatine 7 Mile Road successful Kent County was closed Friday greeting owed to downed powerfulness lines. All lanes reopened soon earlier 8 a.m. U.S. 131 successful Kent County Crews closed southbound U.S. 131 aft Post Drive (Exit 95) owed to a clang and downed powerfulness lines astir 9:30 p.m. Thursday. The freeway was still closed until astir 5:30 a.m. Friday. This is an ongoing report. It will beryllium updated arsenic accusation astir further closures, arsenic good arsenic roadway re-openings, becomes available. Read much connected MLive: Damage reported successful West Michigan from storm, imaginable tornado 374K without powerfulness successful Michigan aft 75-mph winds, imaginable tornadoes Untreated sewage overflows successful aggregate Ypsilanti-area locations during dense rains (Photo : Michael Ammons/U.S. Air Force/Getty Images) The United States has agreed to train Ukraine's F-16 pilots in Arizona as Kyiv is set to receive a supply of fighter jets from Denmark, the Netherlands, and most recently, Norway. The United States has agreed to train Ukraine's F-16 pilots in Arizona as Kyiv is set to receive a supply of fighter jets from Denmark, the Netherlands, and most recently, Norway. On Thursday, the Pentagon revealed that the scheduled training sessions will be held this fall as the Biden administration is planning to expand America's role in the fighter jet training program as Kyiv pleads for more assistance. US To Train Ukrainian F-16 Pilots In a statement, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that the F-16 pilot training at Morris Air National Guard Base located near Tucson will be held by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing, adding that it was planned to begin in October. The Pentagon official added that the training would include dozens of Ukrainian maintenance personnel and at least several pilots. The latter will first undergo English language training at a different base in Texas in September. The exact number of people that will be involved in the training program has yet to be determined, as per the Washington Post. The decision to host F-16 pilot training for Ukraine follows the Biden Administration's previous statements that U.S.-based instruction would only happen if demand exceeded the capacity of European nations that were leading the instruction program. It also reflected a conclusion that their limit would be reached sometime in the future. Ryder said that they wanted to do everything they could to assist efforts that support Ukraine's continued fight against Russia's invasion. The Pentagon official argued that acknowledging and learning forward in order to help with the current situation is crucial for that objective. The Pentagon's announcement of the F-16 pilot training program comes after Ukrainian officials complained that it was moving too slowly to meet Kyiv's wartime needs. Additionally, Ukraine's high-anticipated counteroffensive started two months ago but its forces are still struggling to push through enemy lines. Read Also: Ukraine's Troops Land on Crimea, Officials Say Ukraine's Counteroffensive Operation The situation comes as Norway becomes the latest country to offer Ukraine a supply of F-16 jets, joining Denmark and the Netherlands, which both announced such decisions on Aug. 20, 2023. The latest development was made during Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre's visit to Kyiv on Thursday, according to Reuters. The fighter jets have long been on Ukraine's wish list due to their destructive power and global availability. The aircraft model is equipped with a 20mm cannon and is capable of carrying bombs, rockets, and missiles. In a statement, Stre said that his country is planning to donate several F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv, noting that they will reveal more details about the effort in the near future. Norwegian Defense Minister Bjoern Arild Gram also noted that the donation of the planes will significantly bolster Ukraine's military capabilities. The U.S.'s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, said that Ukraine's counteroffensive was met with heavy Russian reinforcements who had several months to prepare defenses, including minefields, tank ditches, and dragon's teeth tank obstacles. Milley added that Kyiv has had partial success with its operation but argued that it has been going slower than what Ukrainian officials estimated, said Yahoo News. Related Article: BRICS Invites 6 Countries To Join Coalition To Rival Western Groups @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. TSO 50Hertz has awarded two major contracts for submarine and land cables in the Baltic Sea to the suppliers Hellenic Cables and Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Submarine Cable (ZTT). The TSOs supervisory board, which includes representatives of the majority shareholder Elia Group, KfW and representatives of the employee side, has given the go-ahead for the order. The cables are intended to connect the Gennaker OWF to the German extra-high voltage grid. This follows the order placed a few months ago with a Dutch-Belgian shipyard consortium for the construction of two offshore substation platforms, the current cable award is another important step on the way to completing this major project. In total, the cable award involves three 220 kV systems with a connection capacity of 927 MW, which will be routed onshore from two offshore substation platforms (OSS). In addition, a cross-connection between the offshore platforms (OSS) Zingst and Dar is planned. The two systems between the OSS-Darss and the onshore substation are to be supplied by Hellenic Cables, while the 88km cable between the OSS-Zingst and the onshore substation as well as the connecting cable between the two platforms is to be supplied and installed by ZTT. Gennaker is to be the most powerful offshore wind farm in the German Baltic Sea yet. It is located around 15km north of the Fischland-Dar-Zingst peninsula in the coastal sea of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. 50Hertz is responsible for the entire grid connection project under the name Grid Connection OST-6-1. The planning approval procedure is currently being prepared at the Ministry of Economics, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The public participation process for the route of the landline and for the location of a substation has already begun. About Hellenic Cables Hellenic Cables is one of the largest cable producers in Europe, manufacturing power and telecom cables as well as submarine cables for various industries, including offshore wind and utilities, as well as undertaking turnkey power transmission and distribution projects. Through its fully owned subsidiary Fulgor, Hellenic Cables operates its submarine cables plant in Corinth, Greece, where the production and testing of some of the longest submarine cable lengths without factory joints on a worldwide basis is empowered by the Companys state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Since 2012, Hellenic Cables has implemented a EUR 350 million-investment plan for the production of high and extra high-voltage submarine cables at Corinth plant. Hellenic Cables represents the cable production segment of Cenergy Holdings SA. About ZTT ZTT Group (Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co., Ltd.) has a diversified industrial portfolio that includes marine equipment, renewable energy, new materials, smart grid, optical communications, and other diversified industrial products. With 80 global subsidiary companies and over 16,000 employees, ZTT is one of the largest advanced manufacturing enterprises in China and is listed among the Top 500 Chinese Enterprises. To access more information on subsea cables for offshore wind and interconnector projects, as well as transmission intelligence, click here . Four days before I flew from Washington, D.C., to Mali, I received a list of 20 pre-trip suggestions from the U.S. Department of State. Among the recommendations: Draft a will, discuss your funeral wishes with your family, designate a hostage negotiator and leave DNA samples with your medical provider. My stomach knotted when I read the advice. Mali is on the State Departments highest-level dont-go-there list, along with such volatile nations as Haiti and Iraq. But until then I hadnt been worried. Id be working in Mali with a nonprofit, One Global Village, that has served there for years. I knew the organizations leaders and their emphasis on safety. And while the Islamic State group was terrorizing Malis north, we would be in the relatively safer south, working in a remote rural village. AARP Membership Join AARP for $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Join Now I survived the 2020 journey without being kidnapped, robbed or shot, a feat Ive managed on trips to numerous locations from Guatemala to the West Bank that provoke stern warnings from the State Department. In the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the State Department hasnt issued an updated travel advisory for Israel. However, an advisory dated Oct. 3 notes not to travel to Gaza and to exercise increased caution when traveling to Israel and the West Bank because of terrorism and civil unrest. For people planning to travel to the region, its important to pay attention to any travel alerts or airline cancellations. The U.S. Embassy in Israel suggests checking the status of flights at Ben Gurion International Airport. Popular destinations, including Mexico and Jamaica, have travel advisories. In Mexico, the department breaks down the advisories by state, with 13 states receiving do not travel and reconsider travel warnings. Kidnappings in Mexico earlier this year raised questions about the safety of traveling to Mexico. Here are some insights on understanding advisories and staying safe. The State Department issues travel advisories for all countries with four grades. State Department Deciphering the alerts The State Department issues travel advisories for every country and assigns one of four grades: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions Level 2: Exercise increased caution Level 3: Reconsider travel Level 4: Do not travel Most countries are Level 1 or 2. With Level 3, the State Department suggests that you avoid travel due to serious safety risks. With Level 4, you face a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks, and the government may be unable to provide assistance. The United States and its allies reacted strongly to North Korea's recent second attempt to launch a spy satellite, which provoked forceful responses from the United States. The North Korean National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) launched the launch using a novel type of carrier rocket called Chollima-1, according to The Hill. North Korea's Second Spy Satellite Launch Attempt Sparks Strong Responses Despite the failure of the satellite launch, this endeavor has raised concerns about potential security destabilization within the region and beyond. The United States promptly condemned the launch as a brazen violation of numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson emphasized that despite the launch's failure, it still constituted a serious violation of international agreements and could potentially exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region. Watson emphasized the connection between satellite launch technologies and North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile program, highlighting the dual-use potential of these technologies. The first and second stages of the rocket performed routinely during the launch attempt, according to reports from the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). However, an error in the emergency blasting system compromised the flight of the third stage, failing the launch. The NADA investigated the incident and announced its intention to launch a third satellite in the autumn. The space agency minimized the severity of the failure, implying that the problems were not indicative of substantial reliability issues with the rocket. Japan's immediate response to the launch was to issue a "J-alert," a system designed to warn residents of impending peril. As the North Korean satellite passed overhead and headed toward the Pacific Ocean, the alert instructed residents in certain areas, particularly Okinawa, to evacuate. This response highlights the region's shared anxiety and concern regarding North Korea's military activities. The launch takes place during heightened tensions and unpredictability on the Korean Peninsula. Recent missile tests by North Korea have raised concerns, and the failure of the satellite launch has only heightened these worries. The US Indo-Pacific Command determined that the launch did not pose an imminent threat to US personnel or allied territories; however, it reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the defense of its regional allies, including Japan and South Korea. The Joint Chiefs of State of South Korea reported that they detected the rocket soaring above international waters off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, Aol reported. Read Also: Pakistan Supreme Court Questions Islamabad High Court Ruling on Ex-PM Involvement In Recent Riots Geostrategic Implications The launch originated in the Tonchang-ri region, which houses North Korea's primary space launch facility. Notably, this is not the first time North Korea has attempted to launch a satellite from this location, as a prior attempt in May also failed. The circumstances surrounding the launch indicate that North Korea's actions may be influenced by broader geopolitical factors. The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) reportedly warned that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could resume weapons testing in response to the annual US-South Korean military exercises scheduled to coincide with the satellite launch attempt. This signaling of potential military action serves as a reminder of North Korea's propensity to leverage its military capabilities in international negotiations. The United States preferred diplomatic solutions in response to the escalating tensions. While diplomacy remains an option, North Korea must cease its provocative actions and engage in genuine negotiations, according to Adrienne Watson. This sentiment is consistent with the international consensus that the only way to achieve enduring regional stability is through dialogue and cooperation. In collaboration with US allies and partners, President Biden's national security team continues to assess the repercussions of the failed launch as the situation develops. The international community's response will determine the trajectory of future interactions with North Korea, so it will be closely monitored. The failed satellite launch is a stark reminder of the complexities posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and the necessity of sustained diplomatic efforts to assure regional stability and security. The international community has been alarmed by North Korea's second attempt to launch a surveillance satellite. The United States and its allies promptly condemned the action as a violation of international agreements and voiced their concern over its potential security repercussions. The failed launch highlights the need for continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the threats posed by North Korea's military activities and promote a more stable and secure environment in the region, as per US News. Related Article: Wagner Plane Crash: Vladimir Putin Breaks Silence on Incident, Wagner Troops Vow to Avenge Yevgeny Prigozhin @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Significant progress made on major projects Half Yearly Report and Accounts Sydney, Aug 25, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Etherstack Plc ( ASX:ESK ) has delivered scheduled milestones on the LMR-IWF deployment with Samsung for the AT&T Firstnet project in the United States and are moving into the "Controlled Introduction" stage of the project in H2. o Strategic business development: in the half year, and up to the date of this report, the Group: - Continued to pursue and develop opportunities for our MCX IWF product in conjunction with Samsung including the second MCX-IWF licence transaction announced 4th October 2022. This generates $1 million for Etherstack's H2 revenues - Continued to pursue and develop opportunities within the Australian defence sector. Activity has commenced on the follow-on project for the Defence project announced on 7 September 2022 with major deliverables scheduled for H2 and additional deliverables next financial year - Continued to pursue and develop opportunities in the digital land mobile radio sector. Collectively, resource projects in this sector contributed more than $620 in the half year although none were individually large enough to be separately announced. - Awarded contracts by new public safety agency clients in Western Australia and a Commonwealth nation for our innovative PTT (push-to-talk)-over-Satellite product known as the IVX o Secured medium term funding: a funding agreement was completed with Icom Inc on 29 June 2023 securing 4 year funding terms for Etherstack to provide additional working capital in support of growth objectives. David Deacon, Etherstack's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Our primary focus in three related market verticals, digital mobile radio, mission critical push to talk over cellular and defence communications is progressing well with material advances in all areas. The headline revenue number for the half does not reflect the underlying health and achievements of the business during the period. Due to an end customer project timing issue beyond Etherstack's control, the company was unable to deliver key milestones during H1. These milestones are expected to be delivered in H2 and form the basis of our full year guidance as recently advised to the market. *To view the full half yearly report, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/K9Y8U664 About Etherstack Plc Etherstack (ASX:ESK) is the world's leading licensor of wireless technologies for the digital LMR industry and the Company develops wireless products for the main digital radio communications standards known as APCO P25, TETRA and DMR. Over the past 25 years, over twenty wireless equipment manufacturers have licensed LMR technologies from Etherstack for use in their products. MCPTT over LTE is an emerging cellular standard that provides public safety grade PTT (Push-To-Talk) solutions within 4G and 5G cellular networks. Demand for MCPTT services and equipment by telecommunications carriers and end user agencies has been steadily growing in the past few years and is expected to rise rapidly over the next 36-48 months. Related Companies Tamboran completes Falcon farm-in carry commitments Completion of Falcon Farm-in Carry Sydney, Aug 25, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In accordance with the 2014 Falcon Oil and Gas Limited (Falcon) farm-in agreement, Tamboran Resources Limited ( ASX:TBN ) ( TBNNY:OTCMKTS ) has given notice to Falcon that all farm-in commitments have been fully satisfied, having reached the associated cost carry commitment. - All parties have committed to fully fund their full working interest of future cash calls at Shenandoah South 1H (SS1H) in EP 117, which commenced drilling on 01 August 2023. - Falcon remains carried for a net A$6.8 million (A$3.4 million net Tamboran) consideration for future drilling activities, following an agreement to waive its pre-emptive rights, as announced by Tamboran on 12 October 2022. Tamboran Resources Limited Managing Director and CEO, Joel Riddle, said: "Meeting the Falcon farm-in agreement cost cap is a major milestone for the Beetaloo Joint Venture (BJV). The five vertical wells and three horizontal wells drilled, as part of the carry commitment, since 2014 have delivered key information of the continuous nature and productivity of the Mid Velkerri across the Beetaloo Basin. "These activities helped demonstrate the potential commerciality of the Beetaloo with the Amungee NW H1 well achieving flow rates exceeding 5 million standard cubic feet per day over a normalised 1,000 metre section in 2021. "Tamboran is required to fund ongoing activity at 38.75 per cent working interest together with its net share (A$3.4 million) of Falcon's remaining carry on future activities. "We look forward to working closely with the BJV to accelerate the development of our low reservoir CO2 gas resources within the Beetaloo Sub-basin. Gas from the Beetaloo is well positioned to play a part in alleviating the anticipated East Coast gas shortfall, which is currently forecast by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)." About Tamboran Resources Limited Tamboran Resources Ltd (ASX:TBN) is a natural gas company that intends to play a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future by developing low CO2 unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tamboran's key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin. 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Back in March, Romy, 16 - whose father is Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars - shared a hilarious video about getting grounded for trying to charter a helicopter on her dad's credit card in order to visit a friend. "Make a vodka sauce pasta with me because I'm grounded because I tried to charter a helicopter from New York to Maryland on my dad's credit card because I wanted to visit a camp friend. They don't want me to be a nepotism kid, but TikTok is not gonna make me famous, so it doesn't really matter...," Romy explained in the video. The video went viral and Sofia admitted having her parenting discussed publicly was horrifying. She told The Hollywood Reporter, "We were raised to be so private, and social media is so the opposite of how I grew up. So it was the best way for her to be rebellious. I got lots of compliments on her filmmaking. And comedy. She's funny. But people discussing my parenting publicly is not what I would've hoped for." Meanwhile, Sofia - whose father is director Francis Ford Coppola - admitted that being a mother to teen girls influenced her new movie "Priscilla". She explained, "Now I can see the mother's point of view also. And I see all these teen-girl objects in my house that look like set dressing from one of my movies. In my life, I'm like, 'Oh my God, now I'm the villain character.' That's new. I can't believe that." And, growing up in a famous family also helped her to tell Priscilla's story. She said, "I know from my family what it's like to be inside a show business family. I know that growing up, people are looking at you in a different way." "And also living in a house with my dad, this big personality, a great artist and a lot of our life revolving around that. And seeing my mom's life, how she was trying to find her way within his, I could relate to that." You can share this post! Columbia Pictures Movie Antoine Fuqua is mulling over the idea of using artificial intelligence to digitally make his lead actor look younger on screen for a possible origin story of Robert McCall. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Denzel Washington could be digitally turned younger for an origin story in "The Equalizer" film franchise. The 68-year-old actor is back as vigilante ex-hitman Robert McCall in "The Equalizer 3" and director Antoine Fuqua revealed that he contemplated using the AI technology in the new movie. "I definitely thought about it a lot. Especially now with the new technology and the AI and all of that kind of stuff... Is there a story to be told how (McCall) became this person - the younger version. I've had the conversation with Richard Wenk (writer of all three 'The Equalizer' films) quite a bit," Antoine told NME. De-aging technology has been used in popular movies such as "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" and "The Irishman" although Fuqua is not clear where Washington stands on the practice. The "Olympus Has Fallen" director said, "I haven't talked to Denzel about that yet." "It's all so fresh and new. I'm still watching (the technology). I've watched Harrison Ford's film and I know there are other movies coming out. I think Sony has one coming out with Tom Hanks soon ('Here'). And I'm hearing the technology is getting better and better and better. So I'm kind of watching it to see where it goes." "The Equalizer 3]" finds McCall in a small Italian town where he discovers that his new friends are living in fear of the local mafia and Fuqua explained that viewers will see a "darker" version of the character in this picture after the events of previous installments. He said, "The first film was about (McCall) finding a purpose. And it's very external, right? He's helping people. The second one is more about making peace with his past. He's betrayed by his friends and (his colleague) dies and his wife has passed away... And then this one is more of a moral dilemma because he's a darker character... he's struggling with the violence and the brutality (of his actions)." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The 'New Rules' hitmaker insists public only knows the 'exaggerated version' of her because she has learned to hide 'certain aspects' of her life from the spotlight. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Dua Lipa has started to keep "certain aspects" of her life private. The chart-topping pop star explains that the outside world sees an "exaggerated version" of her real-life self. "In the beginning, I wanted to believe that I had to be the same person at home and on stage. Now, I've learned to keep certain aspects of myself for my inner circle. There's the Dua who is chill at home, then in the media, there's this exaggerated version of myself who is also called Dua, and who gives it her all on stage," Dua, 28, told Vogue France. Asked which version she prefers, Dua replied, "A mix of both! Because this doubleness allows me to maintain a normal life. When I have a professional meeting, I switch to 'Dua Lipa Music Career' mode, but right after I can also meet my friends in 'Private Dua' mode, and put all the rest to the side. These two sides help me stay grounded." Dua was born and raised in London, but her family hail from the Balkans and the pop star previously claimed that it's still a "big part" of her identity. The brunette beauty - who lived in Kosovo during her teens - told WSJ. Magazine, "It's such a big part of who I am. Given my parents and how they came to the UK, [the refugee situation] has always been something that's really close to my heart." Dua also insisted that she won't allow anyone to deny her "identity." The "Levitating" hitmaker said, "I read a lot of comments from people telling me that I don't have a country, I don't have an identity, Kosovo doesn't exist." "I lived in Kosovo, I know the lives that were lost [during the war]. So for somebody to deny me my identity and my experience, it's hard for me to stand back and not speak up about it. So that's something that I will always do." You can share this post! Celebrity The former POTUS, who was booked for the 13 counts he's facing for allegedly interfering in 2020 election results in that state, uses his mugshot to raise funds for his presidential campaign. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Donald Trump's mugshot has been made public after he surrendered at Fulton County Jail on Thursday evening, August 24. The former U.S. President was booked for the 13 counts he's facing in Georgia for allegedly interfering in 2020 election results in that state. Trump turned himself a day earlier than the deadline set for him. According to reports, the former POTUS flew to Atlanta in a private plane from Newark, N.J., and was whisked to the Fulton County Jail. He arrived at the jail in a motorcade with a police escort at 7:35 PM. Like any other alleged criminal, he was then fingerprinted and took a mugshot with other fellow defendants, including Trump's lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell as well as his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, for their involvement with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. He was released 20 minutes later after posting a $200k bond. Before returning to the Atlanta airport, Trump briefly spoke to reporters outside the jail. Insisting his innocence, he claimed that he "did nothing wrong" and stressed that the election was a "rigged" and "stolen" election. "What's taken place here is a travesty of justice. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows it," he said. The TV personality-turned-politician also accused the prosecutors of trying to derail his 2024 bid for the presidency. "What they're doing is election interference. They're trying to interfere with an election," he noted. In a filing Thursday, District Attorney Fani Willis, who oversaw the charges against Trump and his other alleged co-conspirators, requested that the trial begin on October 23. A judge will ultimately decide when Trump's Georgia trial will begin as he also faces other charges in New York, Florida and Washington, D.C. On the other hand, Trump used his mugshot to raise funds for his presidential campaign. "Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was arrested despite having committed no crime," Trump said in a "personal note" sent to his supporters. "The American people know what's going on. What has taken place is a travesty of justice and election interference." You can share this post! President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to congratulate him on Ukraine's Independence Day and commemorate eighteen months since Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine. READ ALSO: Statement from President Joe Biden on Cancer Moonshot Announcement President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to support Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression for as long as it takes, and to hold Russia accountable for its actions. President Biden and President Zelenskyy discussed the commencement of training of Ukrainian fighter pilots and assurance of expedited approval for other nations to transfer their F-16s to Ukraine upon completion of training to increase Ukraine's defensive capabilities. On behalf of the American people, President Biden expressed his admiration for the bravery and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom and their secure future. READ MORE: Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Administration Actions to Counter COVID-19 Fraud @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Instagram Celebrity The 43-year-old 'Jackass' star was taken to custody and cited for alleged public intoxication following an argument with a woman in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania earlier this month. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Bam Margera legal woes continued after he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. On Thursday, August 24, it was reported that a Chester County judge ordered the "Jackass" star to wear an alcohol-detecting ankle monitor. Judge Patrick Carmody ordered the 43-year-old actor to wear a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) bracelet for 30 days. He's only able to remove the device if no alcohol is detected in his system during that time. The stuntman was also required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings weekly. Additionally, he must comply with outpatient treatment recommendations. The new orders came after Margera was taken to custody and cited for alleged public intoxication. He was arrested following a row with a woman outside of the Radnor Hotel in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania in the early hours of Wednesday, August 9 morning. According to TMZ, patrolling officers saw Margera "arguing loudly" with someone outside the hotel in the Philadelphia area at 4.15am. The officers reportedly stopped and made their approach, finding the ex-skateboarder allegedly smelling of alcohol and slurring his speech. They quickly took him into custody and then to a nearby police station, where he was issued two citations. One was for alleged public intoxication, while the other was for disorderly conduct. He was later released with no further incident following a call to a friend. That wasn't the only time Margera had a run-in with the law. The former MTV personality got into a physical altercation with his brother Jesse Margera in April. The star was charged with one count of simple assault, one count of harassment and four counts of terroristic threats with the intention to terrorize another. Last month, a judge ruled that the former professional skateboarder will stand trial on the charges stemming from the fight. A judge ruled during a July 27 hearing that in order to remain free on bail, Margera must get a drug and alcohol screening, and he can partake in "no drug or alcohol use." You can share this post! Cover Images/Janet Mayer Celebrity Shortly before finding herself on the receiving end of the defense, the former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star shared on social media photos wherein she showed off her flat abs. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Eva Marcille has been defended by her fans against unwarranted comments over her appearance. Shortly after sparking concerns about her well-being due to her slimmer look, the former star of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" received support from a number of her devotees via social media. On Thursday, August 24, the 38-year-old got many supportive messages in the comments section of @theneighborhoodtalk's post about her slimmed-down appearance. One Instagram user wrote, "[Eva] has always been model sample size yall need to stop! Back when i met her right after top model at Bowie State University for our fashion show she walked n our show and also took pics wit us and she has always been this size and it's beautiful." Similarly, another pointed out, "[Eva] is a model she has always been skinny, ya just got used to her weight gain from birthing kids , she's back to her snatched self now, she looks great EVA THE DIVA!!!!" Meanwhile, a third argued, "She's literally going through a divorce. Women look like this after a break up mind your business and wish her well.. It's a process. She's obviously feeling a lot better if she took a pic." Eva's fans came in her defense shortly after she uploaded a series of photos wherein she appeared to have shown thinner physique. Her pictures, which she shared via her Instagram page on Wednesday, August 23, quickly garnered various speculations from other users. In the comments section of Eva's post, a number of the platform users questioned if the "America's Next Top Model" Cycle 3 winner used "Ozempic" to slim down. All the while, others suggested that she "looked sick" and "not well." Moreover, one in particular stated that her face appeared "gaunt and hollow." As Eva continued being bombarded with the criticism, one fellow Instagram user reminded the critics by writing, "Please remember [Chadwick Boseman], and watch what you say. Showing love is easier than spewing negativity." In response, Eva simply let out a heart hands emoji. Still, the model was later forced to disable her comments section. In the post itself, Eva released three photos of herself showing off her flat abs. She struck some poses in a revealing black halter neck top that came in a huge bow design. She also donned a pair of long white pants with black lines on both of its sides and strappy black open-toe high heels with sparkling embellishments. The former reality TV star accessorized her black-and-white ensemble with a pair of earrings, round sunglasses and several bracelets. She also polished her fingernails and toenails in white color. For the hair, she styled her dark-colored tresses in a messy high bun. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity Shortly after Polo's Los Angeles house was raided by law enforcement, the 'Through da Storm' rapper and the 'Red Flags' spitter are reportedly charged for gun possession and robbery respectively. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Polo G and his brother Trench Baby have been slapped with criminal charges. Shortly after Polo's Los Angeles house was raided by law enforcement, the "Through da Storm" rapper and the "Red Flags" spitter reportedly were booked for crimes in a robbery case. On Thursday, August 24, TMZ reported that Polo has been hit with charges for gun possession, while Trench got booked for robbery. The Los Angeles Police Department revealed to the outlet that the raid was made as a response to a report from August 15. It claimed that Polo was caught in an illegal possession of his short-barreled rifle. Moreover, the gun was allegedly used in a robbery which Trench was involved in. Trench himself was slapped with the charges for robbing a man in Granada Hills while filming a music video. According to the report, Trench drew his weapon with an extended magazine on him when the accused victim came. The rapper demanded the alleged victim to empty his pockets and send money into an account. The rapper and the alleged victim appeared to have previously worked together. In the wake of the charges, Polo's lawyer has issued a statement about the matter. Speaking to TMZ, Bradford Cohen declared, "We are waiting [for] additional information. The charges against Polo are very unusual given the timing and alleged knowledge of the police." "We believe once all the facts come out it will be a very different picture than how the charges look on paper. We look forward to challenging the accusations and vindicating our client," Bradford continued. Polo and Trench were hit with the charges one day after Polo's Los Angeles mansion was raided by law enforcement. On Wednesday, the authorities handcuffed both of the brothers after conducting a search inside the property. Law enforcement sources revealed that the search warrant was related to a robbery involving Trench. As for Polo himself, the sources explained that police were trying to observe if he was "harboring a fugitive." Following the detainment, Polo's attorney Bradford stated, "Polo is being held under the guise that the police department needs to double check that he is not a convicted felon as there was a purported firearm found in the home. He is not and never was a convicted felon. Any previous charges he had I got dismissed and it's all public record. They are also denying myself and my California law partner Zoe Aron access to him while he is being illegally detained." You can share this post! Music The Canadian rap star's friend and fellow rapper Lil Yachty previously hinted on Twitter that 'For All the Dogs' wouldn't be released on Friday, August 25. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Drake fans were left disappointed since he hasn't released his new music just yet. People were expecting that the Canadian rap star would drop "For All the Dogs' on Friday, August 25, but knowing that it hadn't arrived, they expressed their disappointment on social media. One person in particular wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "It's 12:04 and still no Drake album." The individual made the tweet alongside Donald Trump's mugshot, which was made public after the former president surrendered at Fulton County Jail on Thursday evening. Another user let out a black-and-white clip of Drake looking upset as he watched his phone. Alongside the video, the user penned, "I know y'all waited anyways just like me, No Drake tonight." Others joined in the trend by simply writing, "No Drake album." Drake's friend and fellow rapper Lil Yachty previously hinted that the former's new project wouldn't be dropped this Friday. Yachty was caught liking a tweet that read, "Yeah that Drake album not dropping, no way." Drake previously teased fans on the opening night of his joint tour with Savage that he has a new record "coming soon." The "One Dance" rapper was performing at Chicago's United Center with his collaborator on July 5 when he dropped some big news. He told the crowd, "I have an album coming out soon for y'all." Drake first announced his upcoming album after releasing his poetry book, "Titles Ruin Everything: A Stream Of Consciousness By Kenza Samir & Aubrey Graham". One week later, possible tracks from the LP leaked online. Among the songs hitting the web are "Tried Our Best" and "I'm the Problem", which are said to be included in the upcoming record. Other songs included "416" (feat. Big Sean), "Yves Slatt Laurent", "Calling My Name" (Original Version), "Lose You" (Demo 1) and "Lose You" (Demo 2), though neither of them has been confirmed as authentic Drake songs. Drake has yet to confirm the "For All the Dogs" release date. However, during his final New York City stop of his and 21 Savage's "It's All A Blur" tour, the "Laugh Now Cry Later" spitter informed fans that the album would arrive in "two weeks." "New York, I'll be back soon," the 36-year-old hip-hop artist declared at the tiime. He then added, "I have an album dropping for you in like two weeks or some s**t." You can share this post! Instagram TV The 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' star is accused of sexually assaulting a female staffer which took place during production of the show's Season 4 in Italy back in July 2022. Aug 25, 2023 AceShowbiz - Gary King has been accused of sexually assaulting the show's crew member. More than one year after the misconduct took place, the "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" star reportedly "forced" himself on a staffer during production. Samantha Suarez revealed that she was the victim of Gary's wrongdoing in an interview published on Thursday, August 24. Speaking to Rolling Stone, she explained that he attempted "to force himself" on her back in July 2022. At that time, she was on assignment during production of Season 4 of the show. The misconduct took place in a hotel, where the crew and cast members were staying, in Sardinia, Italy. Noting that one of her daily tasks included bringing food and water to cast members, the crew member recalled she helped Gary, who was allegedly drunk and was "behaving erratically," back to his hotel room after filming the show. Once they arrived, he allegedly asked her not to leave his room and to get on the bed with him, despite knowing that she was in a romantic relationship with someone else. Samantha recounted that she left the room and came back to bring Gary his snacks and water. She saw him sporting only a pair of undies when he opened the door for her. She later was instructed not to leave the room again. After refusing to stay and making her way out of the room, he reportedly "came up behind her, grabbed her, pressed her against his body and refused to let go of her" despite her attempts to "kick and elbow him to get him off her." The staffer elaborated that she was freed to leave the room after she got a call from a talent manager. "I'm freaking out, and he goes, 'What's wrong? What's going on?' And I'm like, 'Just leave me alone,' " she recalled. "He tried to come up behind me and put his arm around me. He's in the hallway in his underwear, and it's all weird and f**ked up, and so I'm just like, 'Just go back in your room and dont come out.' " Following the incident, Samantha quickly informed producers about what happened. In return, they reportedly assured her that Gary would be fired if he did another misconduct. "It pretty much sucked from there on out. I was just in a super depressive state," she pointed out. Gary was allegedly told to sleep on the boat and was not allowed to stay in the hotel for the rest of filming duration. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The 'Vanderpump Rules' star reacts to the podcast interview between the 'Real Housewives' alum and Raquel Leviss, claiming the 'Just B' host 'should have known better.' Aug 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Bethenny Frankel's tell-all interview with Raquel Leviss has affected Ariana Madix's mental health. The 38-year-old TV star has slammed Bethenny, 52, for the way in which she approached her interview with Raquel, who recently quit "Vanderpump Rules" following her months-long affair with Tom Sandoval. "It has impacted [my mental health]. I don't think there's anything wrong with, or anything bad with Raquel going on anything to do any interview. She should ... it makes sense. But some of the things that were said made me really sad, made me angry," Ariana, 38 - who split from Tom after news of the affair emerged - told the "Scheananigans" podcast. Ariana felt frustrated by some of the things that Raquel said during the interview on the "Just B" podcast. However, she was particularly bothered by Bethenny's approach to the situation, arguing that she "should have known better." Ariana said, "Bethenny, I feel like should have known better, and who actually upset me more in the things that were said because even, I guess, as recently as [another podcast] she said, 'Oh, Ariana's forgiven him'. I'm like, 'Why are you speaking for me? I don't know you. You don't know what the f*** you're talking about, lady.' " Earlier this month, Lala Kent claimed that Raquel was "manipulated" during her appearance on Bethenny's podcast. Lala, 32, also described Raquel's exit from "Vanderpump Rules" as a "travesty." The reality star said on the "Give Them Lala" podcast, "It is a travesty that she didn't end up coming back. She should have come back. I think she would have been very surprised. Instead, she went and did this [podcast] and she was manipulated yet again." You can share this post! The Business Today India@100 Summit, to be held in New Delhi on August 26, 2023, will feature a host of Indian and global leaders who will discuss India's aspiration to become a US$26 trillion economy by its 100th year of Independence in 2047. The day-long event will feature power-packed sessions that will take stock of the country's journey thus far, particularly in the context of India's G20 presidency. The 2nd BT India@100 Summit serves as a platform to articulate a pathway towards a shared global future characterized by collective prosperity. Among the sessions planned for the day, the first one will be on Building Tomorrow's Roads Today, with Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways. It will be followed by Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft, talking about How Can AI Change India and the World. The next session on Driving into the Digital Future will feature Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State, Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, which will be followed by Borge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, sharing his views on Why the World Bets on India. Next, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant will talk about India's G20 presidency and how it has presented the country a unique opportunity to demonstrate its long-term vision and plans for the next decade in the session Towards Achieving Global Leadership. This will be followed by a session titled $40 Trillion Indian Stock Market by 2047 with Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE. The post-lunch proceedings kick off with a session called A Bright Future Powered by Renewables that will feature Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power Company Ltd; Deepak Sharma, MD & CEO, Schneider Electric India; Vineet Mittal, Chairman, Avaada Group; and Kamran Khan, Managing Director & Head of ESG for Asia Pacific, Deutsche Bank Group. This will be followed by one on India: The Worlds Consumption Hub with Jayen Mehta, MD, Amul; Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC in India; and Manish Sharma, Chairman & CEO, Panasonic India. Next, Gautam Kumra, Chairman Asia, McKinsey & Company and Sven Smit Chair, McKinsey Global Institute will talk about Growth Goals for the G20. This will be followed by Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia holding forth on Giving Wings to A Billion Indians. The next session, titled Building a Resilient Bharat, will feature Baba Kalyani, Chairman & MD, Bharat Forge Ltd and Dr BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Cyient Ltd, followed by 'An Alternative View of India@100 with P Chidambaram, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. The next session will see Kunal Bahl, Co-Founder, Acevector Group & Titan Capital; Rajan Navani, CMD, Jetline Group of Companies; Trivikraman Thampy, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Games24x7; and Ankit Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO, ideaForge Technology deliberate on A Tech-Led Future for Every Indian. This will be followed by a session on The Path To Global Economic Leadership featuring Ambassador (Ret.) Atul Keshap, President, USIBC, and Gautam Chikermane, Vice President, Observer Research Foundation. Next, Jayant Sinha, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, BJP; Chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance in Parliament; and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Third Time Sitting MP; Member CWC; Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee, Jurist; National Spokesperson, Congress, will talk about Indias Economic Destiny. This will be followed by the final session of the day, titled Reaching for the Stars with Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science & Technology. Building on the incredible success of its inaugural edition, the 2nd BT India@100 Summit, a flagship initiative of The India Today Group, will serve as a pivotal platform, bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, esteemed thought leaders, policymakers, and influential business figures. Through this summit, we aim to deliberate on India's growing significance and influence on the global stage. Together, we will explore avenues for collaboration, exchange ideas, and foster dialogue to shape a future where India's economic prowess plays a vital role in the global arena. Amazon miniTV Amazons free video streaming service has been witnessing amazing, exuberant talent from all over the country in their show Hip Hop India. Igniting a rampant buzz among dance enthusiasts and Hip Hop culture, the Semi-Finalists are ready to enthrall the audiences, vowing the judges Remo DSouza and Nora Fatehi. With goose-bumps-inducing acts and fabulous outfits, the Top 6 contestants are eying for a spot in the finale. The battle on the dance floor will decide who will grab the spots for the Top 3. Unveiling the promo of the upcoming episode, the streaming service, Amazon miniTV turned up the heat and dance fever among Hip Hop Fans. Joining the judges this week at Hip Hop India, is the popular hip hop star - King, who is ready to leave everyone ablaze with his soulful tunes. It's time for the super clash in the hardest and cutthroat battle to secure the throne of Top 3. Turning up the heat, the episode will encapsulate battles between the Top 6, Rahul Bhagat & Anshika in the Solo category, Ashmit & Steve and Divyam & Darshan in the Duo category, along with UGH & Yo Highness in the Group category. King is seen being stunned by the crazy dance moves and charismatic acts of the Hip-Hoppers, impressed with the amazing footwork and their energetic performances, he said, I am watching a legend in making. Hip Hop India features Remo DSouza and Nora Fatehi as judges. The dance reality show is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV for free, within the Amazon shopping app and Fire TV app. On the first day of the first edition of NewsX Festival of Ideas we heard from noteworthy speakers in 25 sessions in a lit-fest style extravaganza like never before. The event was jam-packed with spellbinding conversations, celebrity sightings, book signings and selfies. The main highlight of the event was the recognition and awards presented to the guest speakers. The event concluded with great enthusiasm and success as it aimed to foster a platform for meaningful conversations, exchange of innovative ideas, among attendees. The event, held at The Taj Ambassador at New Delhi, provided a platform for our esteemed guests to share industry insights from their respective fields in a free and open conversation with NewsX. The Festival of Ideas brought together various Speakers from diverse backgrounds, including Politicians & Political Analysts, Celebrities, Authors, Start-up Founders, Defence and Media Experts. After the event, recognized and honoured participants as a token of appreciation for their dedication and talent. Heres what some of prominent Thought Leaders, Authors and Luminaries had to say on day one of the Festival of Ideas among others: No one can steal Rajnikanth Stature, We all should respect this fact Former UP CM, Akhilesh Yadav 'Felt like Al Pacino from Scarface' Celebrated Actor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui narrates the story of the Gangs of Wasseypur. The decade between 1950 and 1960 was definably the most productive decade for the short history of our republic said Congress Lok Sabha MP, Manish Tewari. Each Prime Minister made contribution but the debacle of 1962 goes into the account of PM Jawaharlal Nehru stated Ram Madhav, President India Foundation. Agency Journalism is zero ego, no face and very selfless ANI Editor, Smita Prakash on the role of traditional media. 'Wakhan Corridor built to keep India away from Czarist Russia.' Author and journalist Sandeep Unnithan on Wakhan corridor. 'The trick is to use the degree as insurance, not as a noose. A lot of people use it as a noose and its deferred gratification.' Deep Kalra, Make My Trip founder on Start-Up culture. 'Rahul is not what he was a year ago, Bharat Jodo Yatra has changed his profile. He is courageous, comes across as sincere but I don't know if he has what's needed to rule India?' says Author of Accidental Prime Minister, Sanajaya Baru. Stay tuned for the Day-2 of Festival of Ideas as we delve deeper into thought-provoking discussions, inspiring talks with eminent personalities. During World Water Week 2023, PepsiCo India along with partner Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), today launched its Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management (SWRDM) program in Uttar Pradesh. As part of its Winning with pep+ philosophy, Shri Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Minister of Sugarcane Development and Sugar Industry, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Ahmed ElSheikh, President, PepsiCo India inaugurated one of the seven community rainwater harvesting ponds, located in Puthari, Chatta Tehsil, Mathura. Smt. Hema Malini, Actress and Member of Lok Sabha, Mathura constituency appreciated PepsiCo Indias initiative through a video message. Shri Nardev Chaudhary, Director DCB, Mathura and Rajinder Nijjar, Managing Director, ADI were also present. The comprehensive water resource development strategy aims at replenishing 100% water used in the manufacturing operations and improving the health of local watersheds that are most at risk. Under the project, 7 community rainwater harvesting ponds with a groundwater recharge potential of 214 million litres have already been constructed, enabling groundwater recharge in 7 neighboring villages. Speaking at the occasion, Shri Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Minister of Sugarcane Development and Sugar Industry, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said, We extend our heartfelt congratulations to PepsiCo India and ADI for their commendable efforts in launching a community based Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management (SWRDM) program to conserve and replenish ground water in the villages of Mathura. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Uttar Pradesh government's Mission Amrit Sarovar, which aims to restore and invigorate water bodies in the state. PepsiCo India's actions exemplify how corporate responsibility can be effectively harnessed for the greater public welfare. Smt. Hema Malini, Actress and Member of Parliament, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, further added in the video message, As we strive to preserve and restore the vital community water ponds, we applaud PepsiCo India and ADI for their efforts. By actively engaging local communities, partnerships such as these demonstrate true harmony in their collective endeavor to conserve water, leaving a legacy of shared commitment to safeguard this precious resource. Commenting on the initiative, Ahmed ElSheikh, President, PepsiCo India, said, PepsiCo India is excited to partner with Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI) to bring our Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management (SWRDM) strategy to Uttar Pradesh. We endeavor to be partners in progress and are dedicated to replenishing water in local watersheds and continue to raise awareness through community trainings and sustainable practices. Continuous support of Government of Uttar Pradesh and our partner, ADI have enabled us to move forward in this journey towards sustainable growth. Rajinder Nijjar, Managing Director, Alternative Development Initiatives, said, In partnership with PepsiCo India, we initiated a comprehensive study of all the villages under Chatta Tehsil to understand the concern of the area and accordingly plan a long-term sustainable water resource development & management strategy. Village communities and local stakeholders are the nucleus in these initiatives and are involved from the very beginning. Our joint efforts towards these interventions would improve the water quality, groundwater scenario and enhance capacities of the communities for creation of livelihoods in the area. As part of this initiative, PepsiCo India, and Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI) have also been conducting training programs for over 450 farmers with the help of various training institutions and in house capacity building facilities. The training focuses on the need of water conservation and management, modern farming and modern technology awareness, and several other agronomic practices. The project includes convergence with government programs and banks for holistic development including formation and empowerment of SHGs across the project area with over 40 members undertaking trainings including soap making, stitching and candle making. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met at the White House with Italian Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister Francesco Talo. Following on the July 27 meeting between President Biden and PM Meloni, Sullivan and Talo reaffirmed the unwavering support of both countries for Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression. READ ALSO: Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Administration Actions to Counter COVID-19 Fraud They consulted on the current situation in Niger and reaffirmed the need to restore constitutional order in the country as soon as possible. Sullivan and Talo discussed efforts to deepen cooperation on a range of shared challenges, including expanded support for developing countries in Africa and around the globe and looked forward to Italy's upcoming G7 presidency in 2024. Sullivan also welcomed Italy's increasing engagement across the Indo-Pacific region. READ MORE: Statement from President Joe Biden on Cancer Moonshot Announcement @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a world where technology and business often reign supreme, the fusion of art and the corporate landscape might seem unconventional. However, creativity often finds its way into the most unexpected places, and Tata Realtys OnFocus photography contest exemplifies this notion. Set within the premises of Intellion campuses, the competition was thoughtfully aligned with the essence of World Photography Day. It offered occupiers a unique opportunity to capture their favorite shots of the Intellion properties, across Mumbai, Chennai, and Gurugram. Giving these buildings a voice beyond their utilitarian functions, the competition was held from 26th July to 10th August, and engaged occupiers in a meaningful way. As a result, occupiers were asked to upload their photographs on Instagram, using the hashtag #IntellionInfocus, while also tagging the Intellion handle and the relevant location. Later, after a two-day voting phase, the top 10 images from each property were showcased on Instagram. The top three winning entries were unveiled on August 15th, shining a spotlight on the most remarkable captures. These visually captivating images, meticulously selected by a distinguished panel of judges, are poised to evoke an array of moods associated with Intellion buildings. Traditionally, commercial buildings have been appreciated for their utility and aesthetics, but the competition transcended these conventional viewpoints. It showcased how commercial spaces can be transformed into exquisite works of art, capturing emotions, stories, and connections that lie beyond brick and mortar. To support this narrative and bring a unique lens to the contest, there was a jury panel of esteemed photographers, Andre Jeanpierre Fanthome and Nikhil Kapur. Having grown up in Bhutan, amidst natures beauty, Fanthomes captivating travel photography, keen eye for detail and ability to capture the essence of a moment made him an ideal judge for this contest. Further, Nikhil Kapur, with his extensive experience in architecture and interior photography, complemented the jury. Having documented heritage buildings and weddings, Kapurs artistic prowess was helpful in adding depth to the evaluation process. In line with this, it is also imperative to understand that in the realm of commercial real estate, its not just about leasing spaces; rather nurturing an ecosystem that keeps businesses invested for the long haul. Emphasizing community-building, the OnFocus contest was more than an artistic endeavor; rather a conduit that brought along individuals into a vibrant fabric of belongingness. From an artistic standpoint, this approach differentiates Intellion, assuring businesses that they are an integral part of a thriving ecosystem. By fostering connections among occupants, Intellion has the capability to retain the existing businesses and attract new ones seeking dynamic and creative work environments. From a commercial project perspective, the contest transcended traditional perceptions and accentuated that office spaces are not mere utilitarian entities; they can be immersive environments that stimulate innovation, collaboration, and enhance productivity. By embracing artistry within real estate designs, Intellion elevates its space beyond functionality. This resonates deeply with businesses seeking environments that embody their values and aspirations, thereby attracting and retaining clients. Furthermore, harnessing the power of visual storytelling, the contest underscored the significance of high-quality photography in modern digital landscapes. These visuals allow brands to go beyond words and communicate their narratives effortlessly. This resonates profoundly with potential occupants and tenants, conveying an ecosystem where ideas flourish an enticing prospect for businesses aiming to foster innovation and draw in top-tier partners. In essence, Tata Realtys OnFocus contest at Intellion Offices redefined traditional perspectives at the intersection of art and business. Beyond capturing the artistic essence of buildings, the initiative reshaped how architecture is perceived within the corporate realm. Through community-building, employee engagement, and the magic of photography, this initiative leaves an indelible impression, reminding us that art transcends boundaries and finds its place even in the most unexpected settings. We were all very proud and excited to see the successful landing of the Lander Module of ISROs third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3. India became the first country to land near the Moons south pole. This is a very proud moment for the country and the space researchers. ISRO scientists have told the world that Chanda Mama is no longer far away from us. India has added one golden chapter to the history of space exploration. This mission is successful because many animal species have contributed to space exploration in the past. Before humans actually went into space, one of the prevailing theories about the perils of space flight was that humans might not be able to survive long periods of weightlessness. For several years, there has been a serious debate among scientists about the effects of prolonged weightlessness. American and Russian scientists utilized animalsmainly monkeys, chimps, and dogsin order to test each countrys ability to launch a living organism into space and bring it back alive and unharmed. Scientists were curious to know how the body reacts to microgravity. Many experiments were conducted on humans, but due to certain uncertainties, animals were chosen to go on space exploration. Chimpanzees were one of the first mammals to travel into space. In those days, nobody knew if people could survive a trip away from Earth, so using animals was one of the alternatives to doing research and exploration. In 1948, a rhesus macaque monkey named Albert flew inside a V2 rocket. In 1957, the Russians sent a dog named Laika into orbit. Both of these flights showed that humans could survive weightlessness and the effects of high gravitational forces. Gradually, the number of animals sent into space was reduced. Most experiments could be conducted in space without involving animals. In 1973, however, a Skylab space project studied circadian rhythm. This experiment used several mice. From there, the Space Shuttle program evolved, which included a more suitable environment for animals. Due to housing needs and the feasibility of space travel, the lowest form of life was sent to space. The species chosen were snails and fish because these species can be applied to human conditions: inner ear exams can be done in a snail rather than a highly evolved mammal, and genetic studies can be conducted in fish. On September 20, 1951, a monkey named Yorick and 11 mice were recovered after an Aerobee missile flight of 236,000 feet at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Yorick got a fair amount of press as the first monkey to live through a space flight. On May 22, 1952, two Philippine monkeys, Patricia and Mike, were enclosed in an Aerobee nose section at Holloman Air Force Base. Patricia was placed in a seated position and Mike in a prone position to determine differences in the effects of rapid acceleration. Fired 36 miles up at a speed of 2000 mph, these two monkeys were the first primates to reach such a high altitude. Also on this flight were two white mice, Mildred and Albert. They were inside a slowly rotating drum where they could float during the period of weightlessness. The section containing the animals was recovered safely from the upper atmosphere by parachute. Patricia died of natural causes about two years later, and Mike died in 1967, both at the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. The Soviets kept close tabs on what the U.S. was doing with their V-2 and Aerobee missile projects during the early 1950s. Basing their experiments on American biomedical research, Soviet rocket pioneer Sergei Korolev, his biomedical expert Vladimir Yazdovsky, and a small team used mice, rats, and rabbits as one-way passengers for their initial tests. They needed to gather data to design a cabin to carry a human being into space. Eventually, they chose small dogs for this phase of testing. Dogs were chosen over monkeys because it was felt that they would be less fidgety in flight. A test with two dogs would allow for more accurate results. They chose females because of the relative ease of controlling waste. Between 1951 and 1952, the Soviet R-1 series rockets carried nine dogs altogether, with three dogs flying twice. Each flight carried a pair of dogs in hermetically sealed containers that were recovered by parachute. Of these early space-bound hounds, a few have been remembered by name. On August 15, 1951, Dezik and Tsygan (Gypsy) were launched. These two were the first canine suborbital astronauts. They were successfully retrieved. In early September 1951, Dezik and Lisa were launched. This second early Russian dog flight was unsuccessful. The dogs died, but a data recorder survived. Korolev was devastated by the loss of these dogs. Shortly afterwards, Smelaya (Bold) and Malyshka (Little One) were launched. Smelaya ran off the day before the launch. The crew was worried that wolves that lived nearby would eat her. She returned a day later, and the test flight resumed successfully. The fourth test launch was a failure, with two dog fatalities. However, in the same month, the fifth test launch of two dogs was successful. On September 15, 1951, the sixth of the two-dog launches occurred. One of the two dogs, Bobik, escaped, and a replacement was found near the local canteen. She was a mutt, given the name ZIB, the Russian acronym for substitute for Missing Dog Bobik. The two dogs reached 100 kilometers and returned successfully. Other dogs associated with this series of flights included Albina (Whitey), Dymka (Smoky), Modnista (Fashionable), and Kozyavka (Gnat). Gordo, a squirrel monkey, was catapulted 600 miles high in a Jupiter rocket, also on December 13, 1958, one year after the Soviets launched Laika. Gordos capsule was never found in the Atlantic Ocean. He died on splashdown when a flotation mechanism failed, but Navy doctors said signals on his respiration and heartbeat proved humans could withstand a similar trip. Able, an American-born rhesus monkey, and Baker, a South American squirrel monkey, followed on May 28, 1959, aboard an Army Jupiter missile. Four black mice were launched on June 3, 1959, on Discoverer 3, part of the Corona program of U.S. spy satellites, which was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on a Thor Agena A rocket. This was the only Discoverer flight with an animal payload. Miss Sam, another rhesus monkey and Sams mate, was launched on January 21, 1960, for another test of the LES. Goliath, a one-and-a-half-pound squirrel monkey, was launched in an Air Force Atlas E rocket on November 10, 1961. Enos became the first chimpanzee to orbit the earth on November 29, 1961, aboard a Mercury Atlas rocket. His mission concluded the testing for a human orbital flight, achieved by John Glenn on February 20, 1962. Enos died at Holloman Air Force Base of a non-space related case of dysentery 11 months after his flight. On October 18, 1963, French scientists launched the first cat into space on Veronique AGI sounding rocket No. 47. The cat, named Felicette, was successfully retrieved after a parachute descent, but a second feline flight on October 24 ran into difficulties that prevented recovery. Back in the Soviet Union, the dogs Veterok (Breeze) and Ugoyok (Little Piece Of Coal) were launched aboard Kosmos 110 by the Soviet Union on February 22, 1966. The flight was an evaluation of the prolonged effects of radiation from the Van Allen Belts during space travel on animals. Twenty-one days in space still stand as a canine record and were only surpassed by humans in June 1974 with the flight of Skylab 2. From 1973 to 1996, Russia, or its predecessor, the Soviet Union, launched a series of life sciences satellites called Bion. Research partners have included Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, the European Space Agency, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, and the United States. Bion missions are typically put under the Kosmos umbrella name, which is used for a variety of different satellites, including spy satellites. The first Bion launch was Kosmos 605, launched on October 31, 1973. The satellite carried tortoises, rats, insects, and fungi on a 22-day mission. Other missions have also carried plants, mold, quail eggs, fish, newts, frogs, cells, and seeds. Starting with Bion 6 (Kosmos 1514), these missions have carried pairs of monkeys. Bion 6/Kosmos 1514 was launched on December 14, 1983, and carried the monkeys Abrek and Bion on a five-day flight. Bion 7/Kosmos 1667 was launched on July 10, 1985, and carried the monkeys Verny (Faithful) and Gordy (Proud) on a seven-day flight. Bion 8/Kosmos 1887 was launched on September 29, 1987, and carried the monkeys Yerosha (Drowsy) and Dryoma (Shaggy) on a 13-day flight. Bion 10/Kosmos 2229 was launched on December 29, 1992, and carried the monkeys Krosh (Tiny) and Ivasha on a 12-day flight. A biological payload record was set on April 17, 1998, when over two thousand creatures joined the seven-member crew of the shuttle Columbia (STS-90) for a sixteen-day mission of intensive neurological testing (NEUROLAB). And thats how humans made their entry into space exploration. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) Today I am writing about something that the media failed to cover, or maybe this is not a breaking issue for them. In Hanumangarh district, a family is sitting on a dharna against the municipality. The family alleges that the employees of the municipality dump all the garbage collected from the city in their locality, due to which the foul smell and filth coming from the city have made life difficult for them and their family. His children are very young, and his wife is an ordinary woman. They are agitating against the municipal authorities and fighting their battle all alone. No one bothered to notice them, no one even wanted to know what the matter was. The victim decided to sit on the dharna after the municipality president threatened him with being arrested by the police. Even after the protest, the employees of the municipality did not desist, so he went to the municipal president, Sukhchain Singh Ramana, with a complaint about the matter, but his complaint was not heard even there; on the contrary, the officials misbehaved with him. They threatened him with the consequences of going to Jail. Angered by this, the victim and the whole family sat on a dharna in front of the office. The officials come out of the cabin, abuse him, and go. Some threaten him, and some just ignore him, but no one has time to look into the basic request of the family. One day he reached the house of Municipality President Sukhchain Singh Ramana, where he was manhandled and abused, which hurt his wife and three children. Together, they all made many peels, but the officers were rude to his family. The case pertains to Ward 21 of Pilibanga in the district, where the victim, Bharat Bhushan, lives with his family. The victim alleges that the employees of the municipality collect the entire garbage of the city and dump it in his locality. Due to which the garbage gets accumulated in front of his house for the whole day. Due to this, there is a constant risk of spreading infections and diseases among children. According to the report, the entire family sat on a dharna last night, but the municipality president or one of his representatives came to take care of them. The victims family is still sitting on dharna. The victim said that he decided to sit on the dharna after the municipality president threatened him with being arrested by the police. Today, land, water, and air have become polluted. Garbage is dumped in open spaces. Large factories emit a lot of smoke. Due to dust particles in the smoke, the air becomes contaminated. In addition to the spread of foul odor, germs also breed in rotting trash, leading to various diseases. Mosquitoes, flies, and mice find fertile breeding grounds in mounds of waste. Garbage from households waste creates health hazards. Increasing garbage in the home, outside has aggravated the problem of air pollution. Municipal facilities are not available in many areas. Bharat Bhushan has raised a question about the stink of garbage piling up at his door. In a letter to the Pilibangan Municipal Corporation, he highlighted the problem of Municipal contractors dumping waste in his area. The municipality is picking up the waste regularly from the surrounding area and dumping it right in front of his house, so much so that it has started to pile up. The waste has oil, grease, plastic, and other things, making it a health hazard. He has two young children, and they need to be protected. The arrogance and unreasonable behavior were reported, but instead of helping the family, the authorities threatened the whistleblower. If we, the citizens, take note of such things, or support such agitations in whatever capacity we can, Bharat Bhushan like fighters against the system can get justice. Unfortunately, his voice is choked, and his hands are tied. His family is with him, but he alone cannot really fight against municipal atrocities. Its the need of the hour that we all hold these authorities accountable and make our surroundings worth living in. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) In May 1976, two boys were fishing in Sessions Creek in Grand Bay, not far from the Alabama-Mississippi state line, when they stumbled across a body. Deputies were called to the scene and identified the remains as an older female. She had been shot in the back of the head. Her hands were missing, as were her dentures. She had no ID and no one ever came looking for her. With no idea who she was, nor who killed her, the body was given to the Anatomic Donations Program at the University of South Alabama. She was cremated and her ashes placed in a mass grave -- another Jane Doe assigned to the catacombs of the forgotten. Before they handed over her body to the school, investigators decided to make a ceramic mold of the womans denture-less gums. No one knows exactly why they made the mold -- perhaps to one day match it with the womans missing dentures, were they to ever turn up. But they didnt, and so the case was cold and forgotten, with what little evidence taken from the case buried deep in the recesses of the Mobile County Sheriffs Office. That changed in 2014, when deputy J.T. Thornton began researching cold cases. Thornton came across the file of the Jane Doe from Sessions Creek 38 years earlier. He also came across another Jane Doe also found in Grand Bay in 1976. Thornton got a break on the second Jane Doe -- ultimately identifying the woman as Mary Ann Perez, a New Orleans woman whose case had been profiled in a 1991 episode of Unsolved Mysteries. With Perez identified, Thornton returned his attention to the first Jane Doe. Thornton learned of a Mississippi man named Henderson James Williams, who in 1994 had been convicted of killing his mother, whose body was found in water off Hall Road in Grand Bay. Williams mothers hands were cut off and dentures removed. He was sentenced to life in Parchman State Penitentiary in Mississippi and died there in 2008. I exhausted every possible lead I could find to put Henderson James Williams with this woman, Thornton said in an interview with AL.com this week. He was dead, so I couldnt interview him and there was some uncertainty about where he lived. But the victimology -- the hands cut off, the missing dentures, the location where the body was dumped -- were nearly identical between Williams mother and Thorntons Jane Doe. Thornton also learned that Williams had killed someone else in Newport News, Va., in 1973, but only spent 28 days in jail. I called up there (Virginia) to that agency and they couldnt find anything from that case file, Thornton said. They said it was likely lost in a flood they had a few years before I started digging into it. Regardless, Thornton at this point was convinced Williams was the one who killed the Jane Doe from Sessions Creek. Theres no doubt in my mind, he says. But he was no closer to discovering the womans identity. Fast forward to 2021, with advances in DNA testing and forensic pathology, Thornton, now aided by genealogy analyst Olivia McCarter, began digging again. One day, while continuing to search for more evidence, Thornton came across an odd find -- a ceramic dental mold, now 45 years old, taken from his Jane Doe. The idea of viable genetic material on the mold was far-fetched, particularly given the time period in which it was taken. In 1976, they didnt wear gloves, so I really expected it to have a lot of contamination from male DNA, McCarter said, because back then there were no female CSIs (crime scene investigators) or techs, according to the records. There was what appeared to be dead skin embedded in the mold, but it had been through so many peoples hands and in storage for nearly a half a century, so to say McCarter and Thornton werent optimistic would be an understatement. The lab told me it was a longshot, but it was worth a try, McCarter said. I figured this was our last chance to solve the case, this is the only evidence we have. What happened from there, she said, was like winning the DNA lottery. In December of last year, McCarter sent the old dental molds to Intermountain Forensics in Salt Lake City, Utah to conduct DNA testing. The lab used a MVAC DNA collection device to collect any DNA which might have remained on the mold. Astonishingly, the sample yielded enough DNA to proceed with further testing, according to the lab, which was then able to conduct whole-genome sequencing which produced enough data to upload to a genetic genealogy site. McCarter got the results back earlier this year. It was completely unexpected, she said. It worked better than I ever anticipated. There was zero contamination and was 100 percent female DNA. The testing at Intermountain Forensics provided enough data for McCarter and her team of five investigators at Moxxy Forensic Investigations to begin working on the genealogy of their Jane Doe. But there was still a long way to go to identify her. The genealogy was really tough, McCarter said Our highest match was a second cousin, twice removed, which means his grandparents shared great-grandparents with our Jane Doe. Thats seven generations removed. For 19 days -- days McCarter called 19 days of hell -- she and her team continued their work. Finally, working one night about 2 a.m., they found someone. I came across a woman named Ada Fritz, McCarter said. She was a perfect fit in our tree. She had no proof of life after 1976. Youd expected a Social Security death index or something like that, but it looked like she just disappeared. They learned Ada Fritz had no children and her parents were deceased, as was her only sibling, a brother who died in the 1990s. That brother had a son, now in his 70s, still in California. Thornton and McCarter reached out to the Orange County (Calif.) Sheriffs Office and asked if they would go to the mans home, ask for a DNA swab and show him a post-mortem photo of their Jane Doe. He immediately looked at the photo and said yes, thats my aunt, McCarter said. Then the DNA confirmed it even more that his aunt was our Jane Doe. But a Jane Doe no more. Ada Elizabeth Fritz was born Sept. 22, 1914, in Sheridan, Wyo., making her 61 at the time of her death. Her last known place of residence was Batesville, Ark. There are questions which remain, likely to never be answered. If Williams did kill Fritz, why did he do it? What was she was doing on the Gulf Coast (Thornton believes Williams killed her in Mississippi and then drove her body to Grand Bay)? But, Fritz is now known and remembered, thanks to Thornton, McCarter and a team of investigators, researchers and scientists. And an old dental mold. I sure have no idea why theyd put plaster in someones mouth when they dont have any teeth, Thornton said, but Im sure glad they did. Extreme heat. Wild fires. Catastrophic storms. Any of these can wreak havoc on insurance firms, but a case involving Birminghams Regions Bank this week might be a sign of things to come. The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday fined Regions approximately $2.95 million for unsafe and unsound practices in its flood insurance compliance program and for flood insurance regulatory violations. Regions agreed to the fine, without admitting or denying the allegations, on Aug. 14. While this is believed to be the largest penalty issued against a bank by the Federal Reserve for an infraction of this kind, it calls for a little perspective. For example, Regions paid out a much larger sum last year in an unrelated case - $141 million in penalties and refunds in a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What is more, Regions self-identified the issue several years ago. The fine dealt with a period of about a year where Regions did not effectively monitor a significant number of home equity loans and home equity lines of credit subject to the Flood Act for compliance, according to the order. The issue apparently did not affect any customers. We took corrective action and remediated the issue by 2017, Regions Vice President, Media and Public Relations Manager Jeremy King said. There was no customer impact as the matter was confined to our own internal monitoring of flood insurance policies on certain properties. Today, years after correcting the issue, we are pleased to now fully resolve this legacy matter. About $58,000 of the banks penalty will go to the National Flood Insurance Program, with the rest paid to the Federal Reserve System and the U.S. Treasury. But Insurance Journal wondered if the Federal Reserves action could be an indicator of things to come. In June, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said extreme weather events are exposing significant gaps in insurance protection for American homeowners. Insurers are raising rates on homeowners, while some companies have chosen to stop offering coverage in states considered to be at high risk, such as California and Florida. More households are turning to residual markets for coverage or are foregoing insurance entirely, Yellen said, according to Insurance Business. For the record, Insurance Journal reached out to a Federal Reserve spokesperson on whether it will step up insurance-related enforcement actions. The spokesperson declined comment. Federal safety regulators are citing recent incidents, at least one of them fatal, in warning airlines to make sure that workers keep their distance from jet engines until they are powered off. The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it issued a safety alert to prevent workers from being injured while towing planes or guiding them to and from terminal gates. The FAA said airlines should review their safety programs to make sure they follow practices including keeping workers clear of planes until they are stopped and chocks are placed under the wheels. The warning was prompted by multiple events in which workers were injured or killed during ground operations at airports. The FAA bulletin cited two incidents, including the death of a ramp worker who was pulled into an engine of an American Eagle plane parked at a gate at the airport in Montgomery. The Labor Department has proposed $15,625 in penalties against the workers employer, Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. Piedmont is contesting the fine. In the other incident, a worker removing landing gear safety pins was struck by a wing when a tow driver moved the plane. The worker was run over by the planes wheels. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a motion with the states highest court Friday seeking another execution date for a Death Row inmate whose botched execution by lethal injection nearly a year ago led to a pause on death sentences being carried out. Alabama is ready to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen hypoxia, the states new but untested method of execution, Marshall said in Fridays filing with the Alabama Supreme Court. If the execution goes through, Alabama would be the first state to execute an inmate via nitrogen hypoxia, according to the Associated Press. Smith has exhausted his direct appeal, his state postconviction remedies, and his federal habeas remedies. Consequently ... the appropriate time for setting the date of Smith s execution has arrived, Marshall said in the filing. Moreover, the State is prepared to carry out Smiths execution by means of nitrogen hypoxia. Consequently ... the State respectfully moves this Honorable Court to enter an order authorizing the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections to carry out [Smiths] sentence of death within a time frame set by the Governor, so that final justice may be visited upon the murderer of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett. Sennett was the wife of Charles Sennett, the pastor of the Westside Church of Christ in Sheffield. Elizabeth Sennett was fatally stabbed and beaten in 1988 after her husband hired two hitmen, including Smith. It is a travesty that Kenneth Smith has been able to avoid his death sentence for nearly 35 years after being convicted of the heinous murder-for-hire slaying of an innocent woman, Elizabeth Sennett, Marshall said in a statement. Smith was set to die in November 2022, but survived after workers at the Alabama Department of Corrections couldnt start an intravenous line for the lethal injection drugs before the states execution warrant expired at midnight. Read more: Death row inmate argues Alabama will fare no better if second execution is attempted The states failure to execute Smith in November 2022 was the third straight time the Alabama Department of Corrections execution team had problems accessing the veins of inmates during lethal injection. It followed the execution of Joe Natham James Jr. in July 2022, which took three hours, and the failed execution of Alan Eugene Miller in September, which was called off after about 90 minutes of trying to set up the IV. After the failure to execute Smith, Gov. Kay Ivey called for a pause in executions for a top to bottom review of the procedure. That review ended in February, clearing the way for executions to resume. The first Alabama Death Row inmate to be executed since the pause was James Barber, who was sentenced to die for the 2001 beating death of a 75-year-old Madison County woman. Barber was executed last month via lethal injection at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. After Smiths botched execution, he filed a lawsuit seeking to die by nitrogen hypoxia after claiming in court filings he laid on a gurney and was poked with needles for four hours before the state called off the execution. Read more: Alabama AG: Pain related to difficulty from execution IVs not cruel, unusual punishment In May, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Smith, ruling that the Death Row inmate could die by nitrogen hypoxia. The Pentagons efforts to make the military more welcoming to women and minorities are coming under increasing fire from conservative lawmakers who are threatening a government shutdown in the fall and calling for greater scrutiny of stalled officer promotions. Some 45 right-wing Republicans belonging to the House Freedom Caucus took the most recent shot at the Defense Department this week, vowing to vote against any government funding stopgap measure that fails to end the lefts cancerous woke policies in the Pentagon undermining our militarys core warfighting mission. Our military is supposed to defend America, not cater to every left-wing clown, Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Crane formerly served with the Navy SEALs. Republicans have long criticized Pentagon initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion but their ability to challenge so-called woke liberal ideology in the military had been limited with Democrats in charge of both chambers of Congress. That changed in January, when Republicans won a slim majority in the House. The small Freedom Caucus has wielded outsized power in the lower chamber, contributing to legislation passed in July that ends diversity programs at the Pentagon, bans transgender health care in the military and rescinds a policy providing leave and travel reimbursement for service members seeking abortions and other reproductive health services. The groups newest proclamation threatens to bog down negotiations over a continuing resolution that would provide temporary funding between the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 and the pending enactment of the 2024 fiscal year budget. Failure to pass the measure would trigger a government shutdown, potentially halting pay for troops starting Oct. 1. Shutting down the government because you disagree with some aspect of federal policy is unbelievably irresponsible, said Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. It would be incredibly harmful to our national security... My way or the highway is not how responsible democracies are supposed to function. The last government shutdown began in December 2018 and lasted for 35 days. The Coast Guard was the only military branch affected by the shutdown and military schools such as the Coast Guard Academy and the National War College had to scrounge up funds to pay their professors. Civilian employees for the Defense Department faced furloughs during a 2013 government shutdown and troops were paid late. While the Freedom Caucus is demanding concessions in the House, Sen. Tommy Tuberville is forcefully defending his continued hold on senior military nominees in the Senate. He began to obstruct a process for confirming nominees in February to compel the Pentagon to rescind its abortion and reproductive care policy. On Tuesday, Tuberville framed his blockade as a noble attempt to keep politics out of the military. About 300 high-level positions have been ensnared in the hold so far and Tuberville has shown no signs of backing down, dismissing warnings from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that national security is being put at risk. The Biden administrations liberal and woke policies are the real threat to military readiness, Tuberville wrote on X. He has highlighted in recent days a series of posts by the American Accountability Foundation, a conservative opposition research group, that personally attack some of the stalled nominees by name for their woke beliefs. Navy Vice Adm. Craig Clapperton, nominated for reappointment as vice admiral with an addition of Navy Space Command to his duties, is called out for speaking about the importance of a LGBT celebration at a Navy Pride Month event in 2018. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, nominated for promotion to general and assignment as commander of the Pacific Air Forces, is singled out for claiming diversity, equity and inclusion programs remove barriers and help draw talent to the military. This is one of the WOKEST slates of military nominees ever assembled, the opposition group wrote on X. Bidens agenda is clear. Tuberville on Thursday retweeted another post by the group that targeted Army Col. Kareem Monty Montague, who is nominated for promotion to brigadier general. The posts call Montague a radical leftist and chastise him for speaking out against racism and statues that honor Confederate generals. The Senate needs to do our job and take a closer look at many of these nominees, Tuberville wrote on X. These jobs are too important not to. The Pentagon declined to comment Thursday. Ben Hodges, a retired lieutenant general who served as commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, described the attacks put forth by the opposition group and promoted by Tuberville as disgusting. You call these selfless, exceptional people with enormous responsibility for protecting our nation woke because they seek to unleash the talent of the women and men under their command? Hodges wrote on X. You should thank them for defending your right to say stupid st like this. ___ (c)2023 the Stars and Stripes Visit the Stars and Stripes at www.stripes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President Donald Trump is back on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Whats the post? His already infamous mugshot taken in Fulton County, Georgia. Just hours after being booked on charges including racketeering, conspiracy, false statements and asking a public official to violate their oath of office, Trump posted the police image to his long silent @realDonaldTrump account. The photo shows a glowering Trump staring at the camera. The top of his post says Mug Shot August 24, 2023 and underneath Election Interference, Never Surrender! DonaldJTrump.com The post quickly picked up more than 200,000 likes. Trumps return to the platform elicited a surge of comments. CNN Chief Correspondent Kailan Collins wrote, Trumps first post here since 1/8/21 is his mug shot from his fourth indictment. Trumps first post here since 1/8/21 is his mug shot from his fourth indictment. https://t.co/gmjQCEnGcV Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 25, 2023 Others expressed excitement Trump had returned to the platform that was his preferred method of communication throughout his administration. The G.O.A.T. is back, one supporter responded. A single photograph just won Trump the election, another responded. The Alabama State Supreme Court ruled Friday that a lower court did not have the authority to halt the construction of a two-lane bridge in Gulf Shores, and reversed a preliminary injunction that halted the projects construction in May. The 31-page ruling said that the Alabama Department of Transportation and its Director John Cooper are protected by the doctrine of State immunity rooted in the 122-year-old Alabama State Constitution, which gives the states and its agencies absolute immunity from being sued. An ALDOT spokesman said that construction on the Gulf Shores bridge could resume in the coming weeks. This is an important victory for Alabamas coastal residents and millions of visitors to our state, said ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris. The need for a new, free bridge is obvious. Not a single justice on the Supreme Court voted to uphold the injunction. The Supreme Courts decision means construction can restart and this project that will help relieve traffic congestion and provide an additional evacuation route. Neal Belitsky, president of Baldwin County Bridge Company -- the plaintiffs in the case who operate a toll bridge close to the ALDOT project site and who argued that Cooper acted in bad faith during negotiations with them -- said the company was disappointed with the overall ruling, but noted that the case was not over. Todays decision sends an unfortunate message to businesses across this nation - come to Alabama on notice that anything an unelected government official chooses to do to you, he can do and you are powerless to stop him even if he is acting in bad faith, he said. Belitsky also called a concurrence statement from Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker a terrifying reality. Parker quoted the Book of Deuteronomy -- the fifth book of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible -- by saying, You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. Said Belitsky, you shall hear the small and the great a like unless the Alabama government is the defendant. But he said at least one part of the case is far from over. Belitsky said he was pleased that ruling does not prevent BCBC from continuing to pursue an inverse condemnation claim against ALDOT. That claim, which could go before a Montgomery County court later this fall, could offer a financial remedy to BCBC for valuation damages to its toll bridge with the construction of the new Gulf Shores bridge. The court recognized that BCBC has a viable inverse condemnation claim for money damages for the effective taking of its property that can proceed in the trial court, Belitsky said. Decision Reversal The decision on the preliminary injunction reverses a May ruling by Montgomery Circuit Judge Jimmie Pool, who ordered the bridge project halted following a seven-day bench trial that included 13 witnesses and over 200 exhibits. We have explained that (the Constitution of 1901) grant of immunity is a jurisdictional bar that strips courts of all power to adjudicate not only claims against the State and its agencies, but also claims against State officers, employees, and agents in their official capacities when a result favorable to the plaintiff would directly affect a contract or property right of the State, the ruling says. Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper speaks on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, inside his office in Montgomery, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). The Alabama Supreme Court said BCBC, which operates a toll bridge adjacent to The Wharf and a little more than a 1 mile east of the Gulf Shores bridge project, made a bad-faith claim against Coopers handling over past negotiations in his official capacity. There can be no dispute that a result favorable to BCBC would directly affect a contract right of the State, the ruling reads. The court also ruled that since Pool did not have jurisdiction based on State immunity, his previous order for Cooper to produce intraoffice communications between ALDOT and employees with Gov. Kay Iveys office was moot. Pool had requested the communication, but Coopers attorneys with Birmingham-based Balch & Bingham filed an emergency order from the State Supreme Court in January to temporarily withhold those records based on an argument that they were protected by executive or deliberative process privilege. The court did reject Coopers argument that the trial court should be required to increase a preliminary injunction bond above $100,000. It also ruled against the bridge contractor -- Scott Bridge Company -- which had also wanted to recover damages on the preliminary injunction bond. The Supreme Courts decision occurs a year since BCBC and Cooper broke off negotiations over an alternative project to the states beaches. BCBCs proposal included, among other things, additional lanes to the existing Foley Beach Express toll bridge and making additional roadway improvements. Most bridge users are assessed a $2.75 one-way toll across the bridge. The alternative plan would have removed the toll fees for Baldwin County residents. Cooper, during testimony before Pool, argued that BCBCs proposal was as useless as a screen door on a submarine, and claimed that the company was not offering a so-called free alternative while subjecting the state to long-term exclusivity that we do not build a competing bridge. Split cities The dueling projects also split the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In Gulf Shores, cities officials backed the states bridge project, saying it would provide an additional emergency evacuation route and that it would not be at risk of barge collisions because none of the bridge pilings were expected to be in the Intercoastal Waterway. The bridge was also sought by Gulf Shores officials as a way to alleviate traffic on the nearby W.C. Holmes Bridge along Alabama State Route 59. Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft called the decision a great day for our residents and millions of visitors to Alabamas Gulf Coast. We have said all along that the Waterways Bridge will clearly serve the publics interest and improve the safety and welfare of residents and visitors in our local communities, Craft said. Our support for this critical project never wavered and our resolve to fight to make it a reality never weakened. When constructed, the Waterways Bridge will immediately improve traffic conditions on State Highway 59, provide an additional evacuation route off the island, and create a foundation of new transportation infrastructure to help accommodate the continued growth and success of Alabamas beaches and state-wide economy. Orange Beach officials have called the bridge project a boondoggle, arguing that it is only two lanes and does not take motorists directly to the beaches. The bridge stops at Canal Road, giving motorists the options to veer west toward Gulf Shores or east into Orange Beach. Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon declined to comment Friday, and the City of Gulf Shores was expected to release a statement later in the day. This story will be updated as additional information and reactions are available. It was last updated at 2:52 p.m. with a statement from Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft. The Montana man who recently threatened to kill U.S. Sen. Jon Tester is now facing years of federal imprisonment. Kevin Patrick Smith, a resident of Kalispell, Montana, was sentenced to prison on Thursday, Aug. 24. Sen. Tester Death Threat Update: Montana Man Faces Over 2 Years of Imprisonment According to NBC News' latest report, Smith was sentenced to 2 and a half years in federal prison after making death threats against Tester. In April, the Montana resident pleaded guilty to one count of threats to murder and injure the senator. The second count was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen as part of a plea agreement, as reported by the Associated Press. The case of the 46-year-old man started when he threatened Tester on Jan. 30. Authorities said that Smith did this by sending voicemails to Jon Tester's office. In one of his voicemails, the Montana man said that he would "rip your head off" to Tester. His statements were laced with profanity based on the investigation. In another voicemail, Smith even challenged the senator to contact the FBI. Court records confirmed that Smith admitted that he was threatening the American official on purpose. On Feb. 1, the FBI told Smith to stop threatening the U.S. senator. Unfortunately, the man decided to resume his alarming act after 10 days. Because of this, the FBI decided to arrest him on Feb. 22. The death threats made by Smith are very serious since Tester is currently seeking his fourth term in the U.S. Senate. Read Also: Tennessee GOP Lawmaker Orders Removal of Public During Hearing in Session Reacting to Deadly Nashville School Shooting Other US Officials Receiving Death Threats Sen. Jon Tester is not the only American official who receives death threats. Even U.S. President Joe Biden is not safe from these alarming remarks. Recently, a Utah resident threatened the American leader, saying that he would shoot him dead. In his Facebook post, he said that he would use his ghillie suit and M24 sniper rifle once Biden visited Utah. The man was shot by the FBI hours before Joe Biden landed in Utah. If you want to learn more about this incident, you can click here. Related Article: Former George Santos Staffer, Samuel Miele, Indicted With Aggravated Identity Theft and Wire Fraud @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Lauderdale County jury found a Florence woman guilty of felony murder-aggravated child abuse Thursday in the 2020 beating death of a three-year-old boy. Yalrick Zeonsha Pride, 23, will be sentenced Sept. 21, according to court records. Pride was arrested in September 2020 in connection with the Aug. 20, 2020 death of Kaiden Garner. On that day, Florence police were called to North Alabama Medical Centers emergency room at 11:25 p.m. after Garner died. Initially, his death was believed to be due to heat exposure. However, an autopsy indicated he died of blunt force trauma. According to prosecutors, emergency responders said Garners body was already cold and rigor mortis had already set in, as well as bruising. The childs father, Blake Joshwell Townsend, pleaded guilty in December 2022 and was sentenced to life in prison in exchange for testifying against Pride, according to WHNT. Lauderdale County Chief Assistant District Attorney Angie Hamilton said Pride and Townsend rode around smoking marijuana while the child died from injuries in the backseat, according to testimony. Georgias oldest city, steeped in history predating the American Revolution, made a historic break with its slavery-era past Thursday as Savannahs city council voted to rename a downtown square in honor of a Black woman who taught formerly enslaved people to read and write. Susie King Taylor is the first person of color whose name will adorn one of Savannahs 23 squares. Its the first time in 140 years that Savannah has approved a name change for one of the picturesque, park-like squares that are treasured features of the original plan for the city founded in 1733. Its one thing to make history. Its something else to make sense. And in this case, were making both, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said. He noted that five Black women sit on the nine-member city council, something people of Taylors era never would have fathomed. Public spaces and monuments in the Southern city have long been dedicated almost exclusively to Georgias colonial founders, former governors, fallen war heroes and other prominent white men. Its time for a woman-named square, said Patt Gunn, a Savannah tour guide who led a group of activists that pushed for three years to have the square renamed for Taylor. The oak-shaded square that will bear Taylors name near the southern edge of Savannahs downtown historic district had spent 170 years named for John C. Calhoun, a former U.S. vice president from South Carolina who was a vocal supporter of slavery in the decades preceding the Civil War. The Savannah City Council voted last November to get rid of the name Calhoun Square following a campaign by Gunns coalition, which argued he was unworthy of the honor in a city where 54% of the population is Black. City officials stripped any signs with Calhouns name from the square immediately following that first vote. The space sat nameless for nine months as City Hall collected recommendations for a new name. Some in Savannah strongly opposed the change. Resident David Tootle said Calhouns support for slavery was dead wrong but shouldnt disqualify him, as a historical figure who served as vice president under two administrations. Tootle filed suit last month arguing that removing signs with Calhouns name from the square violated a 2019 Georgia law passed to protect Confederate memorials and other public monuments. Tootle sought an injunction blocking city officials from voting on a new name, but never got a ruling from a judge. Its not about Calhoun, said Tootle, who is Black. Its the fact that were erasing history. We cant erase somebody out of the history books and take their names off things because we dont agree with them and thought they were bad. The mayor and council also voted to place a marker in the square explaining that it initially bore Calhouns name and why they chose to remove it. Born to enslaved parents in 1848, Taylor was secretly taught to read and write as a girl living in Savannah. As a teenager during the Civil War, she fled to Georgias St. Simons Island, which was occupied by Union troops. Taylor worked as a nurse for the Union Army, which in turn helped her organize a school to teach emancipated children and adults. After the war, Taylor set up two more schools for Black students. Before her death in 1912, Taylor became the only Black woman to publish a memoir of her life during the war. The city council chose Taylor from a diverse group. Finalists also included a pastor who in 1777 founded one of Americas oldest Black churches in Savannah; a civil rights leader whose efforts peacefully desegregated the city in 1963; the women who kickstarted Savannahs historic preservation movement in the 1950s; and an Army special operations pilot who saved his crew but perished in a 2014 helicopter crash in Savannah. One of two suspects in the 2021 shooting death of a beloved American Red Cross worker has been convicted. A St. Clair County jury on Friday found 22-year-old Andray LaQuarn Pope Jr. guilty of murder in the May 25, 2021, slaying of 67-year-old Brian Shaw at his Odenville home. He was also convicted of possession of a forged instrument and first-degree theft of property. St. Clair County Sheriff Billy Murray said Pope will be sentenced in September. The second suspect, 36-year-old Charles Lawrence Grimmett II of Homewood, is set to go to trial in October. He is out of jail on bond on electronic monitoring and in the St. Clair County Community Corrections program. According to friends and family, Shaw was in the three-bay, industrial-style garage behind his home working on one of his cars that Tuesday. He loved to buy and sell cars, take them apart and rebuild them. Brian Shaw, 67, was shot to death in St. Clair County on May 25, 2021. Most recently he had bought Babe, the 2002 convertible Camaro that had logged only 16,000 miles. It was shortly before 8 p.m. when his neighbors heard what sounded like gunfire. They heard, pop pop, and his wife said, that sounded like gunfire,' Shaws sister, Carole Tatum, told AL.com in a previous interview. He came out of his house and saw Brian laying there and told his wife to call 911. He grabbed his shotgun and went back outside. Shaw was pronounced dead at his home within 30 minutes of the shooting. Grimmett, was running down the street. Pope had driven off as soon as the neighbor appeared brandishing a long gun. Grimmett was captured shortly after Shaws killing. Pope later surrendered to authorities. Friends and family said Shaw did not know the suspects and was targeted for robbery. Brian Shaw, 67, was shot to death in St. Clair County on May 25, 2021. Shaws death was a blow to his family, many friends and co-workers. Originally from Canada, Shaw and his family eventually ended up in Birmingham via Florida where Shaw graduated from Homewood High School and went on to study computers at a trade school. He lost two wives and his 12-year-old son to cancer, but those closest to him said he didnt let his tragedies deter him in bring joy to others. When he retired from computer work, he became a handyman of sorts, traveling all over the country to help with a deck, or a kitchen, or a whole house. He bought a van and outfitted it with a bed and electricity. Friends called it the Hippy Van. He often spent time with his Canadian friends who wintered in Florida, and he regularly housesat for friends in New Mexico. He visited about 47 states, and often posted pictures of his travels. He had friends everywhere, and hed just go visit them and hed be gone two or three weeks, Tatum said. He was always on the go. He had a zest for life. Brian Shaw, 67, was shot to death in St. Clair County on May 25, 2021. He had a lot of tragedy in his life beginning with his mom dying when he was young, but thats just who Brian was, said best friend Kay Channell in an earlier interview. Hes going to pick it up and move on down the road. He was the very best man you could meet. Three years prior to his murder, Shaw began his Red Cross volunteer work and eventually became a Disaster Action Team Duty Officer/Supervisor. He logged more than 8,000 hours with the agency. Brian treated everyone with kindness and was a gentle soul, said Debbie Looney, Disaster Program Manager. He treated all people with compassion, empathy, dignity and respect. This was especially important when some were having the worst day of their lives as a result of a disaster such as a fire, tornado or flood. A 19-year-old girl arrested in Ohio is the fifth suspect charged in last years shooting of a man in Andalusia in a possible murder-for-hire scheme. U.S. Marshals took Alyssa Stewart, 19, into custody in Lima, Ohio, Friday morning. She is charged with felony murder in the Oct. 19, 2022, death of 22-year-old Teyvous Cobbins of Evergreen. Andalusia Police Chief Paul Hudson said Cobbins was found wounded when officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Foxwood Village Apartments. The victim was inside a vehicle. He was taken via helicopter to a Florida trauma center where he was pronounced dead the next day. Those arrested earlier this year in Cobbins death are: Derrick Demetrius Thomas, 20, of Evergreen; LeMorion Lorenzo Fantroy, 20, of Evergreen; Siyonesty Marchelle Gill, 19, of Evergreen and Teddy Donnell Cozart, 20, of Andalusia. Cozart was arrested in Indiana in May after he was stopped for speeding by Indiana State Troopers. He has since been extradited and is being held in the Covington County Jail, as are Thomas, Fantroy and Gill. All four are being held without bond under Aniahs Law. Treyvous Cobbins (Contributed) According to court document in the case against Thomas, the nature and circumstances of the charged offense indicate a murder for hire scheme or, at the least, an exchange of money after the murder occurred, wrote Covington County District Judge Julie Moody in an order following a June bond hearing and preliminary hearing. The judge wrote that evidence indicates Thomas received $1,300 via Cash App on the night of the murder to compensate him for the murder. According to court documents, Thomas ambushed Cobbins while he was leaving the apartment complex. At least 12 rounds were fired. Evidence also shows, the judge wrote, that Thomas paid one of his co-defendants $200 for giving him a ride to and from the murder scene. In deciding to keep Thomas held without bond, the judges order noted that had no ties to the community and no known employment. Facebook images, she said, indicated he had considerable access to guns. The judges order said Thomass DNA matched DNA obtained from clothing found in the trunk of the automobile which transported the shooter. Stewart was booked into the Allen County Jail in Ohio at 10:10 a.m. Friday. She is being held without bond awaiting extradition to Alabama. A motive in the killing of Cobbins has not yet been disclosed. Hudson said the investigation into this case is ongoing and asked that anyone with information about the case call the APD at 334-222-1155, or Central Alabama Crimestoppers at 334-215-STOP (334-215-7867). The booking photo for Trevian Kutti: pic.twitter.com/893142Pded philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 25, 2023 Trevian Kutti, the former publicist of rapper Kanye West, was released from the Fulton County Jail after being booked on Friday morning Kutti was granted a $75,000 bond earlier this week. She is being charged with violating the States RICO Act, conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings and influencing witnesses. Kutti visited the Cobb County home of election worker Ruby Freeman claiming to be a crisis manager and told Freeman to confess to committing election fraud or risk being arrested, prosecutors say. Co-defendant Harrison Floyd put Kutti in touch with Freeman. Kutti is well known in other circles as Kanye Wests onetime publicist, Deadline reported. She also represented R. Kelly at one time. Kutti visited Freeman saying she was sent by a high-profile individual, whom she didnt identify, to give Freeman an urgent message: confess to Trumps voter-fraud allegations, or people would come to her home in 48 hours, and shed go to jail, Reuters reported in 2021. West, long associated with Trump, told Reuters that Kutti was not associated with him when she met Freeman. AL.com contributed to this report. Two suspects wanted in connection with Mobile murder cases in June were both apprehended in Moss Point, Miss., U.S. Marshals and the Mobile Police Department announced Friday. Devanta Hall, 22, and a 17-year-old juvenile were taken into custody Friday at different locations within Moss Point, a Mississippi coast community just north of Pascagoula. Hall is accused of murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle during an incident at a Pride Gas Station on St. Stephens Road in Mobile on June 18. Marshals had obtained information suggesting Hall was at a residence on Larimore Street in Moss Point. Task force agents went to the home and were able to take Hall into custody without incident. The juvenile, meanwhile, was wanted for his involvement in a June 20 murder at the Spanish Oaks Inn on Spanish Trail Drive in Mobile. Marshals tracked the 17-year-old to a residence on Dubose Avenue in Moss Point. When agents arrived, the occupants of the residents refused to open the door and agents made forced entry into the house. Several individuals were inside, along with multiple firearms -- one of which was reported stolen through the Jackson County (Miss.) Sheriffs Office. Along with the juvenile murder suspect, 24-year-old Lavon Finley was discovered to have an active warrant for failure to appear in Jackson County. Both were transported to the Moss Point Police Department for processing. Marshals say additional charges related to the weapons are pending. The task force was assisted in locating the suspects with information provided by Mobile investigators. In addition, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office and Moss Point Police Department assisted in the arrests. Walmart is rolling out a state-of-the-art delivery method for parts of the country. The nations largest retailer announced this week it is teaming up with Wing, an on-demand drone delivery provider powered by Googles parent company, Alphabet. The service will initially be offered from two stores in the Dallas metro area in the coming months, reaching as many as 60,000 homes. Working with Wing directly aligns with our passion for finding innovative and eco-friendly last-mile delivery solutions to get customers the items they want, when they want them. With drones that can fly beyond visual line of sight, were able to unlock on-demand delivery for customers living within an approximate 6-mile range of the stores that offer the service, wrote Prathibha Rajashekhar, SVP Innovation & Automation, Walmart U.S. in a release. Its not Walmarts first foray into drone delivery. The company is also offering it across seven states - Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia in 36 stores, completing more than 10,000 safe deliveries. Drone service will first be offered at the Preston Road Walmart location in Frisco, Texas. Once operational, customers can download the Wing app from the App Store or Google Play and enter their address to determine if they are within the drone delivery area. If they are, they can order just about anything frozen goods, household essentials and food items, even fragile things like eggs. A woman accused of intentionally abandoning her dog at a Pennsylvania airport before she boarded a flight to a resort in Mexico earlier this month has been charged with animal cruelty and related charges, authorities announced Thursday. Allegheny County Police say Allison Lyn Gaiser, 44, tried to bring her brown-and-white male French bulldog with her on a flight departing from Pittsburgh International Airport on Aug. 4. But the dog was denied boarding by the airline because it did not meet the criteria for an emotional support animal and did not have a proper kennel as required. After leaving the ticket counter, Gaiser was seen on surveillance cameras pushing the dog in the stroller back toward a moving walkway enclosure, next to glass exit doors in the airports short-term parking lot. She was later seen heading to an area where a county police officer found the dog unattended in the stroller about 40 minutes later, authorities said. The dog who was unharmed was licensed and had an identification microchip. It was turned over to an animal care facility and is now staying in a foster home, where authorities said the dog is doing well. A county police sergeant was waiting for Gaiser when she returned to the airport about 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 10. Authorities said Gaiser admitted leaving the dog behind because the airline wouldnt allow it on the plane but said she made arrangements with her mother to pick up the animal at the airport. Gaiser allowed police to review text messages between her and her mother, but authorities said it was apparent that no immediate arrangement was made for Gaisers mother to pick up the dog. Gaisers mother told county police that she only found out about the incident when Gaisers ex-husband shared a news story about the dog being left at the airport. A telephone number for Gaiser could not be located Thursday, and there was no attorney listed for her in court records. Her initial court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16. An 18-year-old mother was charged with capital murder after authorities said she threw her newborn baby in a trash compactor. Jakayla Ashanti Williams, 18, of Dothan, told her family that she dropped the baby off at Southeast Health Medical Center, said Will Benny, the citys police chief, during a Thursday news conference. Her family became concerned for the child, Benny said, and contacted the hospital to make sure the baby was OK. They learned that Williams did not drop off the child at the hospital, which then contacted police, Benny said. Police determined Williams gave birth around 7 a.m. Aug. 13. A few hours later, she went to an apartment complex on Dothans west side and placed a newborn in a trash compactor, Benny said. Authorities recovered the load of trash the baby was in and recovered the newborns body. Benny said Williams told police she threw the child in the compactor because she didnt want the child. Its just incredible to even believe because she knew, obviously, she could take a child, a newborn, to the hospital and drop it off, the chief said. But she chose not to do that. Benny called the allegations against Williams, who is facing a count of capital murder, truly shocking. In 27 years in law enforcement I never even heard of anything like this, he said. I never even heard of something as horrific as this. It shock the mind, it shocks the soul. I dont really know what else to say. Benny said the childs father received the same information as Williams family -- that the baby was dropped off at the hospital. No attorney was listed for Williams in court records. A former Alabama sheriffs deputy was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison Friday for sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty, prosecutors announced. Joshua Davidson, a 33-year-old former deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs Office, placed the woman into custody on Jan. 30, 2020 and drove her down a dark road to a desolate area, according to superseding information and Davidsons plea agreement with prosecutors. The victim then performed oral sex on Davidson against her will. While immediately notifying authorities of the incident, she told them she was in fear that Davidson would shoot her if she did not cooperate. Todays sentence sends a clear message that officers who abuse their positions of power to sexually assault women in their custody will face significant prison time for their unlawful actions, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department will not tolerate sexual misconduct committed by law enforcement officers who were sworn to serve and protect their communities. Said Sean P. Costello, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama: The citizens of Dallas County rightfully rely on their law enforcement officers to serve and protect them, not assault and abuse them. Some criminals wear a badge, and we will continue to hold accountable those who violate the law and erode the trust of our community. Added Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown for the FBI Mobile Field Office, which investigated the case: All law enforcement officers must adhere to the highest standard of professional conduct. Whenever someone chooses to violate the civil rights of the people they are sworn to protect, they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Davidson pleaded guilty in May. He was sentenced Friday to 12 1/2 years in prison. Heineken, a Dutch brewery, confirmed that it has successfully concluded its withdrawal from the Russian market by selling its business to the Arnest Group for the equivalent of 1 or $1. The world's second-largest brewer said on Friday, August 25, that it is expected to result in extraordinary losses of 300 million (about $324.8 million). The transaction has reportedly been given all of the necessary permissions. An Exit From Russia In Russia, Heineken operated seven breweries and employed 1,800 people, all of whom were eligible to obtain job guarantees for the subsequent three years. Reuters reported that the Dutch brewer has already stopped producing its Amstel brand and has pulled its Heineken brand from the Russian market. According to Heineken, the agreement contained a three-year license for certain smaller regional brands, for which Heineken would not give brand assistance or earn any revenues, and the company would have no chance to acquire back the business. As the biggest Russian producer of aerosols and a major retailer of cosmetics and home items, Arnest Group also controls a significant can packaging industry. Heineken has said that the deal would not significantly alter the company's full-year expectations. Also Read: 'Sell It To Me': Anheuser-Busch Heir Expresses Intent to Buy Back Company Following Mulvaney Brew-haha Kremlin Seizing Assets After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, Heineken made public its plan to leave the Russian market. The company acknowledged that the procedure had taken far more time than anticipated. Chief Executive Dolf van den Brink said, "Recent developments demonstrate the significant challenges faced by large manufacturing companies in exiting Russia." Following the imposition of unprecedented sanctions by the West on Moscow, a large number of international corporations rushed to evacuate the country. Nevertheless, in retaliation, the Kremlin has seized certain assets. According to three persons with knowledge of the situation, certain international corporations that are seeking to escape Russia are going to face a significant increase in prices since Moscow is demanding larger reductions on the price tags of the assets that these companies want to sell. In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree that authorized the government to seize control of the Russian subsidiary of the French yogurt manufacturer Danone as well as the share in a local brewer that was held by the beer business Carlsberg, Reuters reported. Anheuser-Busch InBev has also announced that it intends to withdraw from the joint venture it has in Russia with Turkey's Efes. When asked whether the events that occurred with Danone and Carlsberg had raised the sense of urgency for Heineken to make a deal, van den Brink told the reporters that while their anxiety had grown, the sense of urgency had not. "It showed there was a real risk of nationalization and all you could do was seek to be master of your fate," he stated. He referred to the procedure as "highly complex," but he did not elaborate on the specific reasons why it had taken longer than anticipated to find a buyer. Also Read: Is Wagner Chief Still Alive? Prigozhin's Death Happened in 2019, Reappeared After 3 Days @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. On Wednesday, Donald Trump turned himself in to Atlantas notorious Fulton County Jail. The facility is widely known as a pre-trial detention center for low-level offenders who cant afford to make bond. But after spending approximately 20 minutes inside the facility and reporting his own vitals a rare move unless you happen to be the former president of the United States Trump posted $200,000 bail, thanks to a local bondsman, and returned to the world a free man after being charged on at least 13 felony offenses relating to conspiring to overturn Georgias results in the 2020 presidential election. Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was arrested despite having committed no crime, Trump said in a written statement on his website. The American people know whats going on. What has taken place is a travesty of justice and election interference. Trumps experience is far from the norm of people incarcerated at Fulton County Jail, known locally as Rice Street Jail for its location. Most cannot afford to leave, activists say, and are forced to spend months at a time awaiting hearings in squalid conditions. A 2022 report by the American Civil Liberties Union found 117 people had been held at Fulton County Jail for more than one year without an indictment. Another 12 had been held for over two years without indictment, violating a Georgia law stating that a person in jail must be provided bond or indicted within 90 days. Those only charged with misdemeanors were held in jail for an average 40 days and 30 percent of those charged with misdemeanors were detained for more than three months. In 2021, the three most common booking charges at the facility were criminal trespass, possession and use of drugs and shoplifting, according to county data. Not all of those common offenses rise to the level of felony charges. Fulton County Jail hasnt just been in the news lately because of whos been booked there. Seven people have died at Fulton County Jail this year, including 35-year-old Lashawn Thompson, who his familys attorneys say was eaten alive by bed bugs and insects. Thompson had been housed in the facilitys psychiatric ward at the time of his death. He was arrested in June of 2022 on a battery misdemeanor charge. In 2022, 15 people died at the facility, based on numbers reported by Atlanta Magazine. It has also struggled with overcrowding. From 2017 to 2019, approximately 31,000 people occupied the jails beds, data from the county states. In July, The U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the facility, partly in response to Thompsons death. The department also cited allegations about the facility being structurally unsafe and violence resulting in serious injuries and homicides. The probe will focus on living conditions, medical and mental health care, use of force and protection from violence, according to a press release. Additionally, the DOJ will discover if jail staff and officials discriminate against people with psychiatric disabilities. People in prisons and jails are entitled to basic protections of their civil rights, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, said in the release. We launched this investigation into the Fulton County Jail based on serious allegations of unsafe, unsanitary living conditions at the jailThe Justice Department will determine whether systemic violations of federal laws exist, and if so, how to correct them. Since announcing the probe, three other individuals have died at the facility, including 40-year-old Montay Stinson, who was found unresponsive in his cell earlier this month. English News BRICS a big family of mutual support, a partnership for win-win cooperation Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 22 Aout 2023 The giant ship of BRICS will start a new voyage from South Africa. China stands ready to work with all parties to uphold the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, open a new chapter of BRICS cooperation, and contribute more Chinese wisdom and strength to maintaining world stability and prosperity, upholding true multilateralism, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. By Chen Xiaodong At the invitation of South African President Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa and pay a state visit to South Africa from August 21 to 24. The BRICS mechanism is an important cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries. It has become a key force in promoting world economic growth, reforming the global governance system, and upholding international peace and stability. President Xi's meeting with BRICS leaders to discuss cooperation will strongly promote the steady and sustained progress of BRICS cooperation and make new contributions to world peace and development. BRICS cooperation will be further highlighted by solidarity and cooperation. The five BRICS countries have come together to build partnerships, achieve common development, bring about greater democracy in international relations and advance world peace and development. China has always been a staunch defender of BRICS solidarity and cooperation. Since 2013, President Xi has hosted or attended BRICS Summits for 10 consecutive years, charting the course for deepening strategic partnerships of the BRICS countries and strengthening BRICS solidarity and cooperation. Practical cooperation will further improve the quality of BRICS cooperation. China has always been an active promoter of BRICS practical cooperation. At the 5th BRICS Summit held in 2013, the Chinese side proposed that BRICS should move toward the goal of integrated markets, multi-tiered network, connectivity by land, air and sea, and greater cultural exchanges, which clearly outlined the direction for BRICS cooperation. During the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in 2018, China proposed to jointly build the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR). In 2020, China announced to set up an innovation center for such a partnership in Xiamen, Fujian province, which is expected to play a key role in enhancing BRICS countries' international competitiveness. From hosting the BRICS High-level Meeting on Climate Change, the BRICS Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development, and the BRICS Seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchange Forum, to establishing the BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training Cooperation Alliance (BRICS-TCA) and holding the BRICS Vocational Skills Competitions, China has taken real action to energize BRICS cooperation and global development. The vision for long-term development will add new vitality to BRICS. As an African proverb goes, "If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together." The Chinese often say, "The going is difficult when doing it alone; the going becomes easier when doing it with many others. " Win-win cooperation is the inherent theme of the BRICS mechanism. China has always been a builder of the BRICS mechanism. During the 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen, President Xi proposed the "BRICS Plus" cooperation approach, leading BRICS cooperation into a new phase. At last year's 14th BRICS Summit, President Xi pointed out that BRICS countries gather not in a closed club or an exclusive circle, but a big family of mutual support and a partnership for win-win cooperation. During the meeting, BRICS leaders reached important common understandings about BRICS expansion and expressed support for discussion on the standards and procedures of the expansion. China welcomes and looks forward to like-minded partners joining the BRICS family. As developing countries with major influence, China and South Africa enjoy a special bond of "camaraderie + brotherhood." South Africa was the first African country to sign an agreement with China on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. During his state visit to South Africa, President Xi will exchange views with President Ramaphosa on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concerns, discuss the future development of bilateral relations, and jointly embark on a new journey of building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future. The giant ship of BRICS will start a new voyage from South Africa. China stands ready to work with all parties to uphold the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, open a new chapter of BRICS cooperation, and contribute more Chinese wisdom and strength to maintaining world stability and prosperity, upholding true multilateralism, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. (Chen Xiaodong is the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa) Dans la meme rubrique : < > China to firmly support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation Chinese industrial economy achieves stable recovery IFC Partners with FirstRand Bank to Expand SME Financing in South Africa Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) On August 1, 2023, it became illegal to manufacture or sell incandescent light bulbs anywhere in the United States, and consumers are left with no choice but to purchase LED bulbs. Incandescent bulbs were a previously legal product about which no public outcry had arisen. No law was actually passed anywhere. The decision was made solely by the executive branch of the federal government. Congress did not vote. There was no consensus for any such thing. A staple consumer item has disappeared from store shelves everywhere. As usual, the critics of this action have missed the point. They accuse the administration of going too far. They debate the relative merits of incandescent versus LED bulbs, but they never mention the lack of any legislative action. Outlawing a product is a drastic step that should require a national consensus and a Congressional majority. The government has not been able to outlaw tobacco products despite relentless public campaigns. Cigarettes remain legal, while incandescent light bulbs are now considered contraband. It does not matter which kind of bulb is better. By arguing such things, we acknowledge the states power to control our consumer goods without restraint. It matters only that the executive branch now bans well established staple items regardless of the other two branches of government. Our system of checks and balances was the product of millennia of trial and error by previous failed governments and civilizations. Those civilizations paid in blood for their lack of constitutional limitations. Our founders learned from their failures and built on such progress as those civilizations had made over the centuries. Our founders created separate but equal branches of government that would hold each other in check. Our constitution was born of an understanding of history, philosophy, and morality. In contrast to the original carefully constructed system of checks and balances, todays remnant of that system reminds one of Ayn Rands primitive civilization in Anthem (1938). The tribal elders of Anthem recoiled in fear when an inventor brought a crude light bulb to them. Panic-stricken, they told the inventor they would destroy it, thus forcing the inventor to flee with his light bulb into the woods. A state without checks and balances will inevitably descend into tribalism and chaos. Basic items will be banned for no reason while humanity is left at the mercy of nature. The light bulb ban is not the only example of government excess by mere decree. Electric cars are slowly being imposed on us with no legislation and no general consensus. Pandemic lockdowns were imposed despite legislative and public opposition. A new example has surfaced this month in Boston, where the mayor has unilaterally banned new construction on municipal buildings that would use fossil fuels. This ban was accomplished through an executive order instead of through City Council. The mayors plan is ultimately to extend this ban to all residential construction in the city, although it is unclear if such extension will also be accomplished through mere executive order. The ban might be only symbolic at this point, as it is unclear whether new municipal buildings are even contemplated in Boston. It is also unclear whether such new buildings would use electricity generated from coal fired power plants. Such generation might be ignored the way electric car owners now ignore the source of power in their cars. The critics miss the point in the Boston case also. They focus on costs and how this will make development more difficult. Few voices focus on the big step Boston has taken toward tyranny. When any government executive moves toward such a complete change in the lives of the general public without legislative or popular consensus, cost becomes a lesser concern than our basic liberties. The Constitution was not adopted in order to save on costs. Conservatives must get used to the idea that we now argue about more than mere costs or the most efficient ways to build real estate. We are fighting for the liberties with which we were born. The issue is no less than tyranny. It is no coincidence that the same mayor (Michelle Wu) has been under fire for maintaining an enemies list. Those that would change our lives through executive order apparently have a much larger enemies list than the one at issue in Wus court battles. Wu advocates a green new deal for Boston and beyond. The original program with that name would have required every building in the U.S. to be torn down or completely renovated in the name of fighting climate change. It should be no surprise that the ideological successors to Pol Pot and Reverend Jim Jones would pursue a policy that would displace the entire population. The most brutal of dictators have relied on mass relocation of their people for various reasons. As in the case of Pol Pot and Jones, those policies ended very badly. There is no way to remove/rebuild every building in the U.S. without displacing each person that lives and works in those buildings. We feel safe that no such policy will ever be enacted because it is so extreme. But we must remember that the idea of a national consensus is now quaint and poses no obstacle to government initiatives. Executives now act on their own without a legislative mandate. In fact, Congress is now powerless to stop the bureaucracy from doing anything. Extremism is no obstacle to government policy. It is unlikely that the left will ever realize its dream of complete replacement of every building in the U.S., but only because the government will be restrained by its own chaos. Attempting to displace the population (or any portion thereof) would cripple the government(s) long before such policy got very far. Even the government is subject to the laws of economics especially if Chinas troubles will render them unable to fund the bottomless pit that U.S. policies have become. At some point, the worst of the Green New Deal policies would finally bankrupt our government so that mostly peaceful rioters might have to finish the job. The Wu administration appears to be unconcerned with the lack of a general consensus, as its press release justifies its initiative with lip service to advancing racial and economic justice. There is no explanation of how mass dislocation has anything to do with race. But invoking race has become a shortcut for every extreme policy. Now that the United States has become an entirely administrative state with no legislative checks, the administrators can simply repeat that line with every new extreme initiative. All they need is a catchy melody and they can create a song with that title. Racial justice will be the funeral dirge for our formerly limited government and our civilization. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. In modern political parlance, the term echo chamber has come to mean an environment where a given individual only encounters opinions and philosophies that mirror their own, giving rise to a reinforcement of that persons original positions while insulating them from any conflicting information. Although both progressives and conservatives accuse each other of living inside of their own respective echo chambers, any clear-minded, honest person will admit that the progressive echo chamber is more isolated, more dismissive of even the possibility of considering an opposing viewpoint and more outright hostile to the other side. It has long been said that progressives view conservatives as not only incorrect on the facts, but also as outright evil, while most conservatives see progressives as sorely misguided and somewhat naive but not evil per se. Speaking from my own anecdotal experience, I see conservatives far more likely to be friends with progressives and to be able to enjoy their shared common interests (perhaps sports, classic movies, music/concerts, etc.) than the other way around. I have encountered very few progressives who dont define another persons entire friendship worthiness by whether that person buys into the big progressive tenets, such as abortion, gender fluidity, race/ethnic-based quotas, etc. If a conservative doesnt align with a progressive on those (and other) issues, then that person is not merely wrong, they are evil and therefore not worthy of respect and civil treatment. This all comes to mind after I received my latest copy of my college alumni magazine, Boston Universitys Bostonia. Published three times a year, Bostonia is an eclectic mix of local Boston happenings as they apply to the school/alumni, maybe a few general interest articles on food or art, and alwaysalwaysa hyper political piece espousing a popular progressive stance. This piece, which is usually the cover feature, is written not to persuade an undecided reader with a balanced presentation of all the relevant angles, but instead is written from a pointed progressive angle, assumed to be correct with a definite air of If you dont accept all of our assumptions and hypotheticals at face value, then youre obviously a mental inferior. This editions cover story, How the AR-15 Divided a Nation is such a predictable anti-gun/anti-NRA/anti-Republican Party screed that it contains no surprises whatsoever, presents no new information, and cites no new cause/effect insights of any kind. The article starts by using the cheap rhetorical device of listing the locations of well-known recent mass shooting sites: A mall in Allen, Tex. A grocery store in Buffalo, N.Y. A supermarket in Boulder, Colo. A synagogue in Pittsburg, Pa. And so on, fifteen in all. Although the author reluctantly admits that the AR-15 was not the weapon of choice in all these shootings, that model, which the author refers to as a black rifle, is offered as being the perfect representation of the core problem of gun deaths and gun violence in the U.S. That is so incorrect and wildly unprovable that such a conclusion comes off as totally preposterous to anyone with a logical, analytical and open mind. In the progressive echo chamber, logic and open-mindedness need not apply. Blind, unquestioning adherence to the party position is all thats needed. If you disagree, youre not merely wrong; youre evil. There are other countries with very high gun ownership, such as Switzerland. The Swiss do not have a gun violence or mass shooting problem like we have here today in America. Back in the 1950s-1970s, gun ownership in the U.S. was still high (not as high as today, perhaps, but still very high) and yet mass shootings were not an issue in the country and no individual weapon was being singled out on the cover of a college alumni magazine as defining the shape of politics in our country. Many people point to the very real, indisputable change thats taken place in America over the last few decades with respect to adherence by young people to the traditional values of right/wrong and morality, the concept of realistic expectations, patience, dealing with disappointment, the notion that things will not always go their way every time. Quite the opposite: Kids are taught, often by their Gen-X and Millennial parents examples, that theyre entitled to always have what they want, both socially and materially, without delay or having to work hard for it. The cliche of the Millennial college graduate expecting a six-figure salary and a posh office right out of the gate is, sadly, too true in too many cases. And their kids notice. Disappointment and frustration follow, too often with heart wrenching consequences. Think of it this way: Lets say the government suddenly removed all the traditional road laws and limitations. There was no speed limit. There was no median separating one side of traffic from the other. Drivers were encouraged to drive as they please, have as much fun as possible behind the wheel and not to be concerned with other drivers. What would happen under these conditions? Car accidents and fatalities would skyrocket. The roads would be unsafe, since new drivers are being told, Do as you please. Immediate gratification without regard to others is your right. But in the progressive echo chamber, theyd blame Honda for the increase in traffic deaths, not the removal of traditional, time-proven laws, family values and regulations. Question a progressive about the wisdom of abolishing the long standing and time-honored standards of socially acceptable behavior and responsibility, and you will be dismissed instantly as an evil, unknowing Neanderthal, incapable of grasping the sophisticated subtle nuances of modern society. The cause-and-effect is right there, but in the progressive echo chamber, the residual background noise level is simply too high for accurate information to be heard. Image: Evbestie, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0 Turnout among young voters has been robust is recent elections. Thats contributing to a government that is as errant as much of the electorate. During the Republican presidential debate yesterday, a smiling and svelte (contrasted to the grim girth of his detractor, Christie) Mr. Vivek Ramaswamy asserted that todays youth need a sense of purpose. Mike Pence tried to contradict him in response, essentially saying, We need government as good as our people. It sounded genuine, but wasnt entirely spontaneous, just a canned repeat of previous Pence slogans. The former vice presidents insinuation is that the government is not properly representing their upstanding constituents. Unfortunately, in many cases they are representing them; unfortunately, in many cases they are less than upstanding. Partially due to the unsatisfactory quality of todays youth, we have stumbled into a government as bad as much of its electorate. They are a pathetic pack of pandering politicians promising misguided youth freebies for their votes. Heres a brief list of politicians supported by confused, entitled youth: The above listed professional politicians, and their impressionable supporters, are part of the disturbing reason that Governor Ron DeSantis is right -- America is in decline under the demented Dems who want to ravage our founding principles. Todays mollycoddled youth are greatly responsible for the kind of gross governance were getting. No wonder progressive groups try to keep youths engaged -- their developing brains are easily brainwashed. Of course, the youths of the weakest generation are not the only misguided voting bloc. After they serve a cause greater than their silly selves, they may still vote for Democrats, especially if they were indoctrinated in university rather than attending a trade school. Nevertheless, the point is to reach an age of maturity where the adolescent brain is fully developed. Voters are then more likely to be cognizant of campaign issues and candidate positions, rather than simple-minded slogans. Were still likely end up with the government we deserve, but that should incrementally improve commensurate with the maturity of the electorate. Once those little snowflakes have served (per Ramaswamys proposal), or proven their civic prowess, we might yet remain a vibrant constitutional republic, despite the aforementioned politicians. If we are to have a government as good as our people, we need an informed electorate to ensure our governance is wiser than those anti-American progressives. Otherwise, Vivek Ramaswamy might be right about something else -- not incrementalism, but an American Revolution. Image: PxFuel Katie Ross and Sarah Fraser, a brace of medical academics from Canada's Dalhousie University, recently opined that taxpayers should pay for "minimally invasive" "gender-affirming" surgeries such as "voice feminization" and hair removal. The demented duo penned an editorial that found its way into the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The CMA bemoans the fact that such publicly funded procedures are currently available in only two Canadian jurisdictions, and also that "gender-affirming care" suffers from "substantial wait times and care gaps." Every form of health care in Canada suffers from substantial wait times and care gaps. It is fervently to be hoped that those in dire need of, say, critical cardiovascular care or organ transplants would be served before those requesting "voice feminization" procedures and/or hair removal to suit their current professed gender identity. Taxpayers, whether Canadian or American, are having more and more of their hard-earned dollars surgically removed from their wallets. Moreover, an increasing amount of the money these governments take from their citizenry goes to pay for programs that are the opposite of necessary. Illegal aliens benefit from some of their largesse. In the U.S., we pay to put those who pour across our undefended border in nice hotels; in many cases, we pay for their health care and education, too. Should we now be made to pay for the most preposterous of elective surgeries and treatments as well? The United States is nearing $50 trillion in debt. If nothing changes, in the not too distant future, debt service payments will be the single biggest expenditure we have going forward. That is crazy. Societies do not long exist with debt of that magnitude. Should we taxpayers also pay for anybody and everybody else's tummy-tucks, regardless of their citizenship status and gender identity? Their jowl tightenings? Breast enhancements? Penis enlargements? Perhaps penis enlargement for their pets? Hell, no! What won't government pay for? "Government" meaning taxpayers, of course. Governments should be tasked with providing for the national defense and securing the rights and liberties of their citizens and providing a safety net for those few who legitimately can't provide for themselves. That's it. Period. America's founders became enraged at a relatively mild tax on tea because of what it signified: those who held power over them didn't respect or represent them. What do you think they would have thought had they been forced to pay for "voice feminization" or hair removal for the British troops and loyalists among them? Hint: It would have made the "Boston Tea Party" seem like a loving affirmation. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Is there no bottom to the Biden administration's persecutions of political opponents? They got Trump in Fulton County, and without missing a breath, they've started in on Elon Musk for discrimination against refugees and asylees at his SpaceX corporation. According to the Department of Justice: The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) for discriminating against asylees and refugees in hiring. The lawsuit alleges that, from at least September 2018 to May 2022, SpaceX routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying and refused to hire or consider them, because of their citizenship status, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). In job postings and public statements over several years, SpaceX wrongly claimed that under federal regulations known as "export control laws," SpaceX could hire only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, sometimes referred to as "green card holders." Export control laws impose no such hiring restrictions. Moreover, asylees' and refugees' permission to live and work in the United States does not expire, and they stand on equal footing with U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents under export control laws. Under these laws, companies like SpaceX can hire asylees and refugees for the same positions they would hire U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. And once hired, asylees and refugees can access export-controlled information and materials without additional government approval, just like U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Notice that "equal basis" to Americans, as if our citizenship is worthless now, and notice that open invitation to refugees and asylees to help themselves to access export-controlled information and materials, which is likely what SpaceX would rather not happen. Presumably, the DoJ is talking about people with refugee status, and those who have already been granted asylum in the U.S. rather than so-called asylum-seekers who are currently surging the border. Refugees and asylees are around, but not enough to assimilate into the U.S. or obtain a green card, which would presumably show commitment to the U.S. That seems a little flimsy. Even an asylee hired as a dishwasher could be a problem for SpaceX, given that terrorists can assume any role to do their dirty work, and anyone at any level could steal secrets for China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. I suspect that was what SpaceX is trying to avoid, given the number of foreign countries that are interested in infiltrating this company in order to steal its secrets and sabotage its operations. Already, there have been instances of known Mexican cartel members attempting to infiltrate the SpaceX company grounds in Texas. Would the cartels not consider trying to slip someone in as a refugee or asylee to get their jobs done, given the relative ease with which these designations are given these days? Would China, which is already shipping in many military-aged young men, some of whom seem to be part of its military, across our open border? Would Russia? Russia really, really, really didn't like that Starlink help that Musk extended to Ukraine a while back. Might they have a motive for sabotage? Might it be pretty easy to get an asylum-seeker who makes his court dates into the U.S.? The border is wide open for them, and SpaceX is waiting on the other side. The DoJ insists that getting this status makes refugees and asylees equal in every way to a U.S. citizen, even for companies with sensitive secrets to guard. According to DOJ: Asylees and refugees are migrants to the United States who have fled persecution. To obtain their status, they undergo thorough vetting by the United States government. Under the INA, employers cannot discriminate against them in hiring, unless a law, regulation, executive order or government contract requires the employer to do so. In this instance, no law, regulation, executive order or government contract required or permitted SpaceX to engage in the widespread discrimination against asylees or refugees that the department's investigation found, as explained in the complaint. Color me skeptical on that. Refugees and asylees have been granted that status with virtually no vetting on a wholesale basis in recent years just to take pressure off the border, or else based on foreign policy disasters such as Biden's Afghanistan pullout of 2021, which saw tens of thousands of random Afghans transported to the U.S. after pushing and shoving their way ahead of women, the elderly, and children, in order to get into the U.S. as refugees. Few had any checkable identification, and the government sheepishly admitted months afterward that no, it didn't vet those people before handing them their refugee cards and releasing them into the interior of the country. Those are the people who get refugee status these days, and for a company like SpaceX, it seems distinctly risky to hire such people. The DOJ lawsuit is particularly sleazy and politically motivated because it puts SpaceX in a Catch-22 SpaceX could either be busted for what they say they think they will be busted for if they hire unvetted refugees, or else busted for discrimination for not letting them all in as cooks and dishwashers and maybe engineers. According to the Washington Post, here is what they have been concerned about: SpaceX officials have for years asserted in interviews that its hiring practices were dictated by the requirements of a federal law known as the International Traffic in Arms Regulation. Like many rocket companies, SpaceX takes ITAR seriously. It closely guards access to its manufacturing facilities and limits what outside photographers and videographers can shoot for fear of sensitive designs being made public. The work SpaceX and other space companies do is so sensitive that recently the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the FBI and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations issued a joint bulletin about foreign intelligence threats to the U.S. space industry. In the bulletin, the agencies said foreign intelligence entities "recognize the importance of the commercial space industry to the U.S. economy and national security, including the growing dependence of critical infrastructure on space-based assets. They see U.S. space related innovation and assets as potential threats as well as valuable opportunities to acquire vital technologies and expertise." But now they're supposed to let all Afghanistan in, or China's finest, or Russia's infiltrators, courtesy of that cheaply obtained, unvetted refugee designation. What's more, the DOJ said it was looking to recruit people for its lawsuit; it apparently didn't know about any in a significant number before it filed. It's openly recruiting for plaintiffs in its press release here, as if that doesn't underline the political nature of this case. They consider Musk an enemy of theirs, second only to Trump, and they're looking to take him down, too. Musk is an amazing producer for this country with amazing innovations and a bright visionary dream who has done wonders for the U.S. as a whole. He's also exposed the Deep State through his purchase of Twitter, which has had them looking for blood. Now they aren't even trying to hide it. They are out to Get Musk and will stoop to any politicized rationale they can find to do it. At the same time, they've left the border wide open and aren't even bothering to investigate labor law violations at chicken factories and the like that hire illegal aliens. That's some priority they've got, but this is the Biden regime in action. Image: Pexels, CC0 public domain. Researchers from Belgium examined 39 different straw brands for the class of synthetic chemicals known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the first study of its type in Europe. The majority of the straws examined contained PFAS, which was most frequently identified in bamboo and paper straws, as reported by The Daily Mail. The synthetic compounds are utilized to create products that are stain, heat, and water resistant in common items like non-stick cookware and outdoor clothes. The Dangers of the Synthetic Compounds However, they could be dangerous to people, animals, and the environment. The substances are regarded as "forever chemicals" because of their extremely slow rate of decomposition over time and their ability to stay in the environment for thousands of years. They have been connected to a variety of health issues, such as a reduced response to vaccinations, low birth weight, thyroid illness, elevated cholesterol, liver damage, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer. The 39 different types of drinking straws that were acquired by the research team were constructed of five distinct materials: paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, and plastic. The straws underwent two rounds of PFAS testing after being mostly purchased from stores, supermarkets, and fast food establishments. Analysis showed that PFAS were present in 69 percent of the brands, with a total of 18 distinct PFAS being found. The synthetic compounds were more likely to be found in paper straws. (Photo: by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 21: A customer at Wipeout Bar & Grill uses a paper straw in her drink on June 21, 2018, in San Francisco, California. San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley are all considering bans on plastic straws but are facing the difficult challenge of finding suppliers that make paper straws. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the most prevalent PFAS, has been prohibited worldwide since 2020. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS) were also shown to be 'ultra-short chain' PFAS. Because these chemicals are very water soluble, they may leach into beverages through straws. Since most people only occasionally use straws, the PFAS amounts were modest and posed no harm to human health. PFAS concentrations, however, can linger in the body for many years and increase over time. The authors suggested either avoiding straws altogether or using stainless steel straws. Read also: Best Self-Stirring Mug That Can Help You Prepare Your Favorite Drink The Ban on Plastic Straws There are so many straw laws that it's difficult to keep track of them all as they pass through local governments around the nation and the globe. Major corporations have committed to eliminating plastic straws from their corporate menus, including Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Disney. Nowadays, you often have to ask for a straw at bars and restaurants, and when one is reluctantly offered, it's usually composed of paper, hay, or avocado seeds. Straw activists claim that eliminating straws completely would be beneficial for the environment. But if you must use one, at least make it out of paper, they advise. Paper straws biodegrade as soon as a few months after being thrown away, unlike plastic straws which can languish in landfills and oceans for hundreds of years. They won't harm endearing animals, wash up in clumps on beaches, or contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, to put it mildly. Moving to paper does make a lot of sense until you try to drink ginger ale via a cardboard straw that falls apart the second it touches your lips. Related article: Scientists' Shocking Discovery: Microplastics From Food Packaging, Paints Found in Human Heart Tissues @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A recent New York Times opinion piece, originally titled "Elections Are Bad for Democracy," stated: "If we want public office to have integrity, we might be better off eliminating elections altogether." The piece was written by Adam Grant, a contributing opinion writer and an organizational psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Grant suggested that "democracy" would be better served if candidates were selected by way of randomized lottery rather than the existing process. According to Grant, a lottery might help short, meek, and conventionally unsuitable candidates obtain power, while also helping prevent persons with bad personality traits from taking office. (You know, like Donald Trump.) A lottery, Grant says, would provide a fair shot to people who aren't tall enough or male enough to win. Those "who aren't tall enough or male enough to win"? Not tall enough to win? Our fourth president, James Madison, was just 5'4" in height. And he was elected twice...both times defeating taller opponents. And who says one has to be male enough to win? We already elected Barack Obama, for crying out loud! Twice! And he's less macho than his own wife! Though I actually agree with a couple of the underlying points in Grant's article, the original headline The Times attached to it "Elections Are Bad for Democracy" has since been altered, but it is perfectly illustrative of the bizarro world in which we now reside. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. There is a famous scene in the film Dr. Zhivago where the eponymous doctor returns to his private home to find that the Bolsheviks have seized it and decided to house 30 families there. As Zhivago, who has been off fighting on behalf of Mother Russia, attempts to wrap his head around the new status quo, a socialist housing commissar scolds him for ever having had such a luxurious home in the first place. Most Americans watch that part of the movie and think, "That could never happen here!" After all, the Third Amendment to the Constitution of the United States specifically states that "no Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." The Fourth Amendment forbids the unreasonable seizure of property. And the Fifth Amendment prohibits the government from depriving anyone of property without due process of law. It also states that private property can't be taken for public use without just compensation. So American homes should be safe from the Zhivago treatment, right? Don't be so sure. Anti-borders politicians have created a migrant crisis all over the United States. Despite proudly proclaiming themselves to be "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts, places like New York City and Boston have proven themselves to be profoundly inept at managing the large numbers of migrants who have responded to their invitation. What are radical, globalist mayors and lieutenant governors to do when they find themselves with egg on their faces? They expect regular Janes and Joes to clean up their mess. In June of this year, New York City mayor Eric Adams asked everyday New Yorkers to consider housing migrants in spare rooms in their private residences. More recently, Commonwealth of Massachusetts lieutenant governor Kim Driscoll jumped on the bandwagon and appealed to Bay State residents to "host" migrants in "an extra room or suite." The Big Apple and Beantown are two of the most expensive cities in the United States. And they have both been whining about housing crises for years. According to Zillow, a 400-square-foot apartment in Manhattan goes for about $2,500 per month. Boston rentals are cheaper, but not by much. A 400-square-foot studio apartment rents for approximately $1,800 per month. So why exactly do Adams and Driscoll think that average working people in their jurisdictions have a spare room, much less a spare suite? The fact is, most Americans have just about enough income and enough room to house their family members. And they're not likely to want their private space invaded by un-vetted, military-aged male migrants who have allegedly come to the U.S. fleeing violence. Especially given the way that the latest crop of migrants to New York City have consistently trashed the luxury hotel rooms that Mayor Eric Adams has so generously provided to them. So where are all the sanctuary city leaders going to put the aliens currently sleeping on their sidewalks? Adams has already proposed changes to zoning restrictions that would allow commercial office space to be converted into apartments. According to the mayor's office, there are 136 million square feet of "vacant" and "underutilized" offices that could be used to house the homeless including "unhoused migrants." Meanwhile, Massachusetts has been putting migrants into dorms at Eastern Nazarene College and Salem State University. So far, these measures seem to have been taken with the cooperation (and compensation) of property owners. Neither Adams nor Driscoll appears to have made any moves to seize private property and begin handing it out to recently arrived migrants. Private property owners in the United States have the right to leave their property vacant if they wish. They may be holding out for a better rental price, amassing capital to fund renovations, or waiting for a neighborhood to improve. Why the property is vacant isn't really relevant. What the owner of private real estate wishes to do with his property is relevant. And apart from zoning and code enforcement concerns, the government doesn't get a say in the decision. But, sadly, that could change. Keep in mind that Adams and Driscoll are part of the group of state and local leaders who have regularly encouraged foreign nationals to violate the Immigration and Nationality Act by crossing the border illegally and committing a continuing trespass in the United States. They have also actively interfered with federal efforts to enforce our immigration laws. If they're comfortable disregarding immigration laws, simply because they dislike them, what's to stop them from disregarding private property laws that interfere with their political agenda? So if you own real estate in a sanctuary city, don't be surprised if you open your door one day to find that your property is being used as a dorm for "homeless" migrants and nobody asked you for permission. You just got the Dr. Zhivago treatment, comrade. Matt O'Brien is the director of investigations at the Immigration Reform Law Institute and the co-host of IRLI's podcast "No Border, No Country." Immediately prior to working for IRLI, he served as an immigration judge. He has nearly 30 years of experience in immigration law and policy, having held numerous positions within the Department of Homeland Security. Image: Davi Noc, screen shot, via YouTube. There are eight absolutely true statements about Trump's indictment and arrest in Fulton County, Georgia. I'll get to all of them in a minute, but I'll start with the most obvious: never take a mugshot photo of an innocent man with at least 75 million fans, a large percentage of whom are brave and have a great sense of humor. Let's start with the mugshot itself and Trump's defiant reaction. (By the way, people are saying, "Well, you did surrender," meaning Trump turned himself in. That's literal to the point of stupidity. Trump obviously means that we shouldn't surrender in the larger fight, and he fully understood that his defiant mugshot is a weapon in that larger fight.) First truth: Race-obsessed Southern Democrat prosecutors have a long and deserved reputation for corruption: Last time corrupt southern politicians took a mug shot of their political opponent. #TrumpMugShot pic.twitter.com/laYeYdrE4H Robert Barnes (@barnes_law) August 24, 2023 Fani Willis is no exception. However, she is the Icarus of the bunch, flying closer to the sun than any previous race-obsessed Southern Democrat prosecutor before her. Her fall, when it comes, will be stupendous. Second truth: Don't indict and book someone for being an election denier when there's indisputable evidence that you were prepared to deny the election on the exact same grounds: NEW: The 'unbiased' and 'fair' District Attorney Fani Willis had multiple Facebook posts commenting on the 2020 election results including one where she raised theories of election fraud similar to Trump. Should she indict herself? One post came on November 4, 2020 where Willis pic.twitter.com/XDW8BzuU1P Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 24, 2023 Third truth: Those who already hate Trump will continue to hate Trump and I don't mean leftists. I mean those alleged "conservatives" who happily saw Biden enter the White House because they preferred a manifestly corrupt, radical Democrat to an admittedly eccentric man who was the most conservative president in modern American history. These Vichy Republicans now celebrating Trump's arrest are the fifth columnists who made Biden happen. Fourth truth: Willis's arrest of the lawyers who advised Trump about legal ways to challenge the election outcome is something that tyrants do. Shakespeare foresaw and understood what happens when you attack lawyers. People love quoting Shakespeare's famous line from Henry VI, Part 2: "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." What few remember is that the speaker was a villain who sought, with others, to overthrow the rightful monarch. When I attended law school, one of my classmates asked our criminal law professor why manifestly guilty people should even have lawyers. I've never forgotten his answer: because everyone needs a knowledgeable friend at his side when standing against the almighty government, which has all the power and money in the world. Trump was facing myriad governments, and his lawyers were doing what they were supposed to do: fight the power. Jenna Ellis's mugshot shows that she gets it. Bravo! Fifth truth: When you've already destroyed the lives of hundreds of Americans for doing nothing more than walking through the Capitol after black-clad, still-unindicted men destroyed all evidence that doing so was trespassing, it's really a bad idea to give them a martyr king: My mug shot from January 6 arrest.#MAGAMUGSHOT pic.twitter.com/srVAcs3YDL Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans_WV) August 25, 2023 Sixth truth: When you create a martyr, people who haven't even been arrested will start lining up their mugshots, too: I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Bidens top political opponent. Persecution, not prosecution. #MAGAMugshot pic.twitter.com/BLAJ16g6Je Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) August 24, 2023 I stand with President Donald Trump! #MAGAMugshot pic.twitter.com/2btklENLvH The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) August 24, 2023 I stand with President Trump @realDonaldTrump against the Communist, cocaine addict, DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Bidens top political opponent. Persecution, not prosecution. #MAGAMugshot #MAGAmugshots pic.twitter.com/JZWMq4TGL2 Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) August 25, 2023 Trump better make room for his new best friend pic.twitter.com/E1uy4LUtCe Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) August 24, 2023 Seventh truth: If you indict a former president and the lead opponent (by far) to the current White House occupant, you will discover that there is a deep well of people who firmly believe in Alinsky's fifth and sixth dicta: "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. There is no defense. It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage." "A good tactic is one your people enjoy." Between humor and imagery manipulation, this is playing out as a Trump victory, not a defeat: The memes are already incredible. This is a great mugshot. https://t.co/YHGgy3VgrB pic.twitter.com/uKMdyrXS9i Carl Benjamin (@Sargon_of_Akkad) August 25, 2023 This is the best meme on the internet right now. The meme energy is back pic.twitter.com/DWL4KeAZqj Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 25, 2023 There are many more like that. It's to be hoped, though, that people who believe in the Constitution and the rule of law, rather than the misrule of corrupt partisan politics, don't think the fight ends on Twitter with cute or courageous memes. That brings me to my eighth and last point. Eighth truth: The mugshot and arrest mean Trump is garnering support from real people on the streets who don't live in the Twitterverse ("X-verse") but who have very strong feelings about how the legal system can be abused. This Trump-backing Georgia man knows what time it is I'm here to support Trump because they been doing black men like this for decades. I know Trump is innocent. I support Trump against the two-tier justice system. Fani Willis is full of sh*t."https://t.co/E0O1ScNzwG Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 24, 2023 Donald Trump driving through the urban, poor neighborhoods of Atlanta after his arrest & mugshot. What happens next will shock you. Trump gives people hope. Libs want this video deleted. The media want it censored. You know what to do pic.twitter.com/AcEkYykC1s Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 25, 2023 Blacks did well economically during the Trump presidency. The Biden administration has destroyed their gains and set them back by decades, even as crime in their neighborhoods has soared thanks to Democrat race-hustlers. No wonder blacks are cooling on Biden...and this arrest won't help. John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The above are eight truths, and, with luck, not only will they free Trump and those who worked within the system to challenge a manifestly, provably corrupt election, but these truths may also free America from the intense corruption of the United States government and its state partisans. Image from X. A September launch of Samsungs Galaxy S23 FE is looking highly likely. Amid growing rumors, the company has begun adding support pages for the phone to its official website. It has also obtained a few more regulatory certifications for the new Fan Edition (FE) handset. Samsung recently published an official support page for the Galaxy S23 FE on its Kazakhstan website. As usual, the page doesnt reveal anything more than the phones model number (SM-F711B). However, its an indication that the device is almost here. The company will add more information to the page following its announcement, including a few photos. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23 FE has received regulatory approval from Indias BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). Its the same model number again, with the Indian authority confirming dual-SIM support for the phone, at least in the country. The upcoming FE-series phone has also popped up on the Bluetooth SIG website (via). This time around, we have five different model numbers. These include the US carrier-locked and unlocked versions (SM-F711U and SM-F711U1, respectively), the Canadian version (SM-F711W), and the Chinese version (SM-F7110). We have previously seen these model numbers on other certification listings as well, including the FCC and the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium). If anything, this is a sign of a nearing release of the phone. The Galaxy S23 FE will arrive with two different chipsets Samsung will launch the Galaxy S23 FE with two different chipsets. The phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in some markets, including the US. Some others, such as Europe, will get the companys in-house Exynos 2200 SoC. The Korean firm has been doing this for a long time now, selling its high-end phones with different chipsets in different markets. The Galaxy S23 series was an exception, with the 2023 flagships shipping with an overclocked Snapdragon 8 gen 2 globally. However, Samsung is now going back to the usual dual-SoC strategy with the Galaxy S23 FE. Next years Galaxy S24 flagships are also rumored to use two chipsets: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (overclocked version) and Exynos 2400. Despite growing rumors, we dont yet have a confirmed launch date for the Galaxy S23 FE. The latest word from the industry is that the phone will arrive in September, but a date is still missing. September begins in less than a week, so we might soon hear something officially from Samsung. The company also has a couple of FE-series tablets in the works. It remains to be seen if all of these devices arrive on the same day. Google Keep aka Keep Notes is one of the most popular note-taking apps on Android, and its about to get rich text formatting finally. This follows the code that was found last week, which claimed that rich text formatting is on the way. Rich text formatting is coming to Google Keep, you should have access to it soon Google now flat-out confirmed that the feature is coming, in a blog post. Google says that this was a highly requested feature, and that it will enable you to customize and add emphasis to your text through bolding, underlining, italicizing, and heading styles. Advertisement Advertisement If youre wondering whether the feature is available already, well, chances are it is not. Google said that it will be rolling out to Android devices in the coming weeks. So were not sure if the rollout started yet or not, but we didnt get the option yet. The rollout has probably started already Its possible that Google started rolling it out already, but it will take weeks to arrive to everyone. Thats how the company sometimes does things, via staged rollouts, sothere you go. Back in March, Google added multi-instance support for Google Keep on large devices. A single note widget has also been added back in March. And now, an ever bigger change is coming in the form of rich text formatting. Needless to say, this will be a game-changer for some, as its giving you the ability to really emphasize parts of your notes, and organize them properly. Google says that this was one of the most requested features, and thats not difficult to believe. One thing to note in all this is that Google emphasized that the feature is coming to Android. So iOS devices, and the web version will likely have to wait a bit until they get rich text formatting. Artificial intelligence has been the buzzword of 2023, thanks in part to the efforts of tech companies striving to develop the most advanced AI systems. Now, as part of these efforts, Meta has announced a new AI model called SeamlessM4T, which aims to break the language barriers by effectively translating and transcribing nearly 100 languages across both written and spoken forms. According to Meta, unlike traditional language translation tools, which have issues with limited language coverage, the SeamlessM4T open-source AI model effortlessly handles speech-to-text and text-to-text translations by recognizing and processing input from 100 languages and converting them into 35 distinct output languages. Additionally, the fact that the language model performs all the above tasks in a single step makes conversing in different languages easy. Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, to ensure sensitivity in translations, Meta has implemented mechanisms designed to filter out potentially harmful words that might provoke negativity or abuse. We filtered unbalanced toxicity in training data. If input or output contained different amounts of toxicity, we removed that training sequence, said Meta. Preventing gender bias While the features of the new SeamlessM4T AI system are commendable, there are still concerns over inherent gender biases that have plagued various language translators, including Google Translate. Acknowledging these concerns, Meta has established systems to identify and rectify gender bias present in translations. This is particularly crucial in languages where gendered forms hold prominence, such as Spanish. Despite its impressive capabilities, the AI model still struggles to replicate the intricate lexical nuances inherent in human translationsa vital element in meaningful conversations. Moreover, Meta has cautioned against relying on the model for lengthy translations and emphasized its unsuitability for medical or legal contexts. This single system approach reduces errors and delays, increasing the efficiency and quality of the translation process, bringing us closer to making seamless translation possible. In the future, we want to explore how this foundational model can enable new communication capabilities ultimately bringing us closer to a world where everyone can be understood, said Juan Pino, research scientist at Metas AI research division. According to a recent FCC listing, Fitbit is working on a new fitness tracker. The listing, viewed by 9to5Google, is vague and doesnt give much information about how Fitbits upcoming device might look like. The outlet concluded that the new device might be an update to Fitbits Luxe or Ace series. Despite Googles decision to launch its high-end smartwatches under the Pixel Watch brand, the tech giant has no plan to kill the Fitbit (at least for now). The Google-owned Fitbit currently has a great diversity of fitness trackers from low to high-end. However, its heavily overshadowed by the Pixel Watch in the past few years. But it seems it has a new product on the way. Advertisement Advertisement Fitbit might launch a new fitness tracker soon, but you shouldnt get excited about it The Fitbit Luxe and Ace devices are classified as mid-range, and have been waiting to receive an update for quite some time now. This gives us more assurance that Fitbit wants to update its old mid-range devices instead of launching a product that challenges the Pixel Watch. For now, there isnt any more data about the product and its specifications. However, you should lower your expectations for the Fitbits new device. It probably would be a sequel to the Luxe or Ace series and doesnt support mobile payment. If youre looking for fancy features in a high-end wearable, Pixel Watch is among the best Android smartwatches you can buy. These are everything we got from the FCC listing. By the way, Fitbits upcoming device might not be a fitness tracker at all. Instead, it can be a smart scale. The release date is also unknown, but we can expect to see the latest Fitbit device by the end of the year. Pixel Watch is currently Googles leading brand for smartwatches. If the tech giant wants to keep Fitbit alive, it will likely launch low-end to mid-range fitness trackers under its name. Unsurprisingly, Pixel Watch also borrows some of its software features from Fitbit. Samsung is reportedly planning to launch a rollable smartphone in 2025. The device will come with an under-display or under-panel camera (UPC) and feature a bezel-less design, noted industry insider @Tech_Reve reports. The product doesnt yet have a name. After foldables, rollable or slidable smartphones are said to be the next step in smartphone evolution. Several companies are exploring this design, with a few of them publicly showcasing prototypes and concept devices. Samsung has been toying with the idea for the past few years. Advertisement Advertisement The Korean firm has already secured patents for various rollable and slidable smartphone designs. In the meantime, its display division, Samsung Display, has unveiled several big-size OLED panels that can be rolled into a small package when not in use. In May this year, the company took one such solution to the SID Display Week 2023 in California. Called Rollable Flex, this OLED panel measures 254.4 mm (or ten inches) in length when extended fully. But if you want to roll it down, the whole screen can hide within a 49 mm (less than two inches) package. Thats a 5X scalability of the screen. It solves the portability issue with large-screen devices. Current foldable smartphones offer a 3X scalability, or even lower. Of course, Samsung Display didnt talk about the commercial availability of the Rollable Flex as a smartphone. That isnt part of its business. The Korean firms mobile division (called MX or Mobile Experience) handles that. However, it was only a matter of time before the two units of the Samsung Group came together and worked on a real-world product. And they seem to have something in the pipeline. Samsung is readying its first rollable smartphone According to the new rumor, Samsung will begin the mass production of its first-gen rollable smartphone in 2025. The source didnt share a more precise timeline, but the device will probably arrive alongside the companys foldables Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 around August. Thats unless Samsung plans to give the new rollable more space in the market. In that case, it could arrive separately earlier or later than that. Alongside the new rollable, Samsung is also working on improving its UPC tech. The company has used an under-panel camera on its Fold series foldables since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in 2021. Two years on, the image quality is still quite poor. There have been improvements, but not big enough. Well have to wait and see what changes over the next couple of years. Google News is one of the most overlooked apps in Googles arsenal of products. Realistically, you can get news from just about everywhere, but Google allows you to customize your news experience by following topics, locations, and sources. Most people who get the app only rely on the algorithmically curated list of headlines, but you can tailor your news feed to your liking. Heres how to find your favorite news on Google News. Well be taking a quick tour of what Google News is, how to navigate the app, and how to tweak your feed to your liking. If you want to download the app to your Android device, you can follow the link below. Advertisement Advertisement Download Google News How to find your favorite news on Google News When it comes to companies that curate news headlines, theres always the chance that youll see some (or a bunch) that you dont want to see. Youre given political headlines when you want the latest trend in cooking; youre given articles about celebrities when you want to see what video games are coming out. This is why you want to be able to fine-tune your results to your preferences. You can funnel in the headlines you want and screen out the ones you dont. Google News gives you the ability to do that. Following the news you want There are three ways of getting news in the app. You can get it from topics, sources, and locations. Topics are broad subjects that could be the center of news headlines. They could be people, industries, companies, products, etc. Sources are particular news outlets like Android Headlines, Deadline, Variety, etc. Locations give you local news specifically from different cities. When you open the app, youll see a list of headlines from different places based on your Google Search history. Its called the For You feed. On the bottom of the screen, youll see the Following tab. When you tap on it, youll see two sections. The first section will show a carousel with the sources that you recently followed. The first item in this carousel is the Add interest button. It will let you search for sources to find. Advertisement If you want to see a list of all of the sources you follow, tap on the Library button on the carousel. Its right next to the Add interest button. When you tap on it, youll see a page showing all of your sources divided into categories (topics, sources, and locations). The second section will show you a feed of headlines from the sources you follow. Youll see three articles from each source with the option to view more. To follow a source, tap on the Add interest button. This will bring up a search bar. Here, you can search for the news that you want. After you type in your query, youll see a list of different types of results. Under each results name, youll see what type it is (whether its a topic, source, or location). Youll also see general terms that will bring up headlines when you tap on them. When you tap on a result, one thats either a topic, source, or location, youll see a page that almost looks like a social media profile. Youll see a profile picture with the name below. Under that, youll see a feed of relevant articles that you can check out. On the right side of the screen, youll see a star icon. When you tap on that, youll follow that news source. When you exit that screen, youll see the source added to your Library in your Following tab. Advertisement Unfollowing news sources If you accidentally followed a source or if you had a change of heart, you can reverse this. From the Following tab, look for the source you want to unfollow. Each sources icon will have a three-dot menu on the top right. Tapping on that will summon a dropdown menu. Youll see the Stop following this source button. Tap on that. If youre on the sources profile page, you can simply tap on the star icon again to unfollow. How to screen out the headlines you dont want to see So, youve found all of the sources that you want to see headlines from, but youre still dodging ones that you dont want to see. Well, this process can be a little tedious, but itll pay off. Youre going to have to go in and tell Google what kind of news you dont want. In your For You feed, scan through for headlines that you dont want to see. Tap on the three-dot menu for the article. From here, youll have two options. Firstly, you can choose to hide all articles from that source. This is the best if you have a certain outlet that you dont want to see news from. Its good for certain sources, but its not as effective if you want to adjust your entire feed. If you want to fix your feed on a deeper level, go to the three-dot menu again. Instead of hiding it, youll go down to the bottom of the menu. Youll see two hand icons (one thumbs up and one thumbs down). Tap on the thumbs-down option. This will tell Google to show you fewer headlines like that one. Advertisement Youll want to go through and do this to as many articles as you can. The more you do this, the more youll train the algorithm to block them from your feed. This process might take a few days as the app will need to learn your patterns. In order to help this process, go to articles you do want to see and tap on the thumbs-up button. This will help Google choose the right articles to throw your way. Saving articles for later Say, theres an article you want to read, but you dont have the time to do it at that point. You can save articles to read at a later time. Tap on the articles three-dot menu and tap on the top option. This will store the article so you can access it later. In order to see it again, go to your Following tab, and tap on the Library button. On the resulting page, scroll all the way to the bottom. Youll see the Saved stories section. Tap on the View all and manage button on the bottom to see all of your saved stories. The Newsstand If you want to see a selection of stories selected by real newsroom editors, you can go to the Newsstand. On the bottom bar right next to the Following tab, youll see the Newsstand tab. Here, you can look through the stories that are making headlines. Youll see stories from different publications. Along with viewing stories from them, youll also be able to follow them. When you do, they will pop up in the Sources section of your Library. The woman, who has not been recognized, was taken from a vehicle dealership in Phoenix, Arizona, at around 7 a.m., according to Yavapai County police, August 21 local time. When the victim got in his car, Jacob Wilhoit, 41, who was pretending to be an Uber driver and wearing a wig, allegedly handcuffed her and started driving toward Las Vegas. Police reported that they spent Monday night at a park near Lake Mead. Around 5 p.m. On August 22 at local time, the automobile entered a Chevron petrol station in Seligman, Arizona. The woman used the opportunity to signal another customer and hand them a paper that included her name, phone number, a description of the vehicle, and their destination. The woman instructed the client to dial 911, according to CBS News. The client did, to which Yavapai County Sheriff's Office personnel responded. The van had just departed when they got to the petrol station, but the customer who had received the note was able to describe both Wilhoit and the woman, as well as the direction the van had been driving. (Photo: by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: A Lyft decal is seen on a car in the pick-up area at JFK Airport on April 28, 2023, in New York City. Lyft, the ride-hailing app, confirmed that it will be laying off 1,072 employees, which equals to roughly 26% of its corporate workforce. The layoffs were announced last week but no official number was confirmed. The Department of Public Safety was notified by deputies, according to the police. On 1-40, the van was stopped at a mile marker. When Wilhoit was taken into custody, police claimed discovered many weapons in his car. The investigation also revealed that the woman's mother had reported her missing earlier in the day. Wilhoit was detained on suspicion of harassing, threatening, and intimidating behavior, aggravated assault, unlawful confinement, kidnapping, and "several other assault charges," according to the sheriff's office. He was checked into the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Detention Center at 1:20 in the morning, according to online jail records. On August 23, local time. According to Kristin Green, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, the incident highlights the value of dialing 911, according to CBS station AZFamily. The woman is still terrified by what happened, according to Green as well. Read also: 'Help Me' Sign Leads to Rescue of Kidnapped Teen Fake Uber Drivers and Kidnapping in the US There have been a number of reports of fake Uber drivers kidnapping people in the US. In some cases, the victims have been sexually assaulted or robbed. In other cases, they have been killed. In one case, a woman in Chicago was kidnapped by a fake Uber driver after she called for a ride home from a bar. The driver took her to an abandoned building and sexually assaulted her. He then drove her to a different location and robbed her. In another case, a man in Los Angeles was kidnapped by a fake Uber driver after he called for a ride to the airport. The driver took him to an ATM and forced him to withdraw money. He then drove him to a different location and killed him. These are just two examples of the many cases of fake Uber drivers kidnapping people in the US. It is important to be aware of this danger and to take steps to protect yourself. Related article: Mexico Kidnapping: 2 Survivors Back in the US After Horrible Ordeal @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 25 - Dozens of migrants and refugees are arriving each day in the northern border city of Trieste on their overland journey along the Balkan route from Greece to central and northern Europe, experts said on Friday. Volunteers and cultural mediators monitoring the situation in the central Piazza Liberta near the city railway station and in the local day centre for migrants say that 7,890 people arrived during the first seven months of the year, with a peak of 2,277 arrivals in July. To these numbers must be added other migrants and refugees crossing into Italy in Gorizia and Tarvisio near Udine. Experts say the emergency situation linked to the increase in the number of migrants and refugees transiting through Trieste is compounded by the limited formal reception capacity in the region and the failure to transfer people already in reception to facilities in other parts of Italy. This, they explain, has created a bottleneck, with more than 400 people who should be in reception facilities living on the streets. This, according to Gianfranco Schiavone of the Consorzio Italiano di Solidarieta (ICS), includes a growing number of unaccompanied minors, families, vulnerable people and the sick. On Thursday Schiavone denounced the unfolding "humanitarian disaster" in Trieste and said it has been "deliberately fabricated with a level of public irresponsibility that I have never seen in my life". Many of the people arriving in Italy via its northeastern border with Slovenia are fleeing war and persecution, and they have often also suffered serious abuse and maltreatment in transit countries along the route. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 25 - Police are carrying out investigations into the alleged gang rape of two young teenage girls near Naples, it emerged on Friday. The cousins, both aged 13, are believed to have been raped by a group of six teenagers, allegedly including one young adult, after being lured into an abandoned storage building in Parco Verde di Caivano in early July. Investigations began in August after the girls' families reported the incident to police. The adult suspect is said to have been identified and arrested. Meanwhile, the girls have reportedly been removed from the area and taken into care. The news of the alleged offence comes amid ongoing investigations into the gang rape of a 19-year-old woman by seven young men including a minor in Palermo on the night of July 6-7. The case has grabbed headlines in Italy. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 25 - Emilia Romagna must not be left alone to recover from the flood and landslide emergency in May that left 15 people dead and caused tens of billions of euros of damage to the local economy and infrastructure, President Sergio Mattarella said on Friday. "The citizens of Romagna - and their mayors - must not be left alone," Mattarella told participants at the annual Meeting of Catholic evangelical organisation Comunione e Liberazione (CL) in the Emilia Romagna seaside resort of Rimini. "The recovery of local communities - and with them all their activities - is a priority, not only for those who live here, but for the whole of Italy," he added. (ANSA). Actor Laurence Fox has scored a victory during the latest preliminary stage of a libel fight with ex-Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp. But he has lost arguments with former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal, also known as Colin Seymour. Fox, 45, has been sued by Thorp, Mr Blake and Crystal over an online row in October 2020. Judges have been told he referred to the three people as paedophiles on Twitter, now known as X. Fox has counter-sued the trio over tweets accusing him of racism. Nicola Thorp (PA) No final rulings have been made but a High Court judge had given decisions on a number of preliminary issues, including the natural and ordinary meanings of tweets. Mr Justice Nicklin had found that Foxs tweets were factual statements that would have been understood to mean each of the three was a paedophile. He found that tweets sent to Fox were statements of opinion. Fox had appealed against decisions made by Mr Justice Nicklin. Three appeal judges considered Foxs challenges against preliminary decisions by Mr Justice Nicklin at a recent Court of Appeal hearing in London. My acting career was destroyed by false allegations of racism. As a Christian I believe all are created equal. But I object to Critical Race Theory a racist teaching that unfairly says white people are inherently racist. The key point in my defamation cases. Laurence Fox (@LozzaFox) August 25, 2023 Lady Justice Nicola Davies, Lord Justice Arnold and Lord Justice Warby on Friday upheld one challenge by Fox relating to the meaning of a tweet he posted about Thorp. They said Mr Justice Nicklin was wrong to find that the natural and ordinary meaning of that tweet was that Ms Thorp was a paedophile. In a written ruling, Lord Justice Warby said Foxs tweet about Thorp did of course include the word paedophile. But he said he was satisfied that the ordinary reasonable reader of that tweet would not have taken the word literally. He added: It would seem to follow that (Thorps) claim should be dismissed. Lord Justice Arnold and Lady Justice Nicola Davies agreed. The three appeal judges dismissed other challenges by Fox relating to Mr Justice Nicklins findings about the meanings of tweets he sent about Mr Blake and Crystal. They also dismissed Foxs challenge against Mr Justice Nicklins findings in respect of tweets sent by Thorp, Mr Blake and Crystal. Lord Justice Warby said Mr Fox, who founded the Reclaim Party and unsuccessfully stood as a candidate in a London mayoral election, was perhaps best known for his portrayal of the character Hathaway in the ITV drama, Lewis. He said Mr Blake was a trustee of Stonewall until late June 2021; Mr Seymour was an entertainer who had appeared in various television programmes, including Ru Pauls Drag Race UK; and Ms Thorp had appeared in Coronation Street, and other television programmes. All four were active on Twitter now known as X, Lord Justice Warby said. The online row following a tweet Mr Fox posted in reaction to tweets that supermarket chain Sainsburys had posted about its celebration of Black History Month, he said. On 4 October 2020 three individuals posted tweets about (Mr Fox) which used the word racist, said Lord Justice Warby in Fridays appeal ruling. He responded by tweeting about each of them using the word paedophile. They sued him for libel. He counterclaimed. There was a trial of preliminary issues before Mr Justice Nicklin. This is an appeal against decisions he made on three of those issues: the natural and ordinary meanings of the tweets complained of; whether they were statements of fact or opinion; and, in the case of (Mr Foxs) tweets, whether they were defamatory at common law. I would dismiss Mr Foxs appeal against the judges findings in respect of the claimants (Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp) tweets. I would also dismiss Mr Foxs appeal against the judges findings in respect of his own tweets in response to those of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour. I would, however, allow Mr Foxs appeal against the judges findings about his response to Ms Thorps tweet. It would seem to follow that her claim should be dismissed. Two men involved in the supply of falsified passports to fugitive criminals were given unduly lenient jail sentences, appeal judges have concluded. Anthony Beard, 61, of Sydenham, south east London, was given a jail term of six years and eight months by Judge Nicholas Ainley at a hearing at Reading Crown Court in May. He was jailed after admitting conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to make a false instrument with intent. Christopher Zietek, 67, who had homes in Sydenham, Ireland and Spain, was given an eight-year jail term. Jurors had found him guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, conspiracy to make a false instrument with intent and converting criminal property. Three appeal judges on Friday increased Beards term to 10 years and two months and Zieteks term to 12 years after Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson argued that the sentences were unduly lenient. Lord Justice William Davis, Mrs Justice Cutts and Mrs Justice Eady, who considered the mens cases at a Court of Appeal hearing in London, said they would give reasons for ruling in favour of Mr Tomlinson at a later date. The National Crime Agency (NCA) had said, in May, that investigators believed Beard was responsible for at least 108 fraudulently obtained genuine passports being issued. Passports enabled serious criminals to go on the run from the UK and start a new life abroad, the NCA had said. Craig Turner, NCA deputy director of investigations, had said: This was the golden ticket for the organised crime networks in order that they could evade arrest, evade identification by local law enforcement either internationally or at home in the UK. A drink-driver who killed a charity cyclist by hitting him and abandoning him by the side of the road and then hid the body has been jailed for 12 years. Alexander McKellar, 31, caused the death of 63-year-old Tony Parsons by hitting him with his car on the A82 near Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute, on September 29 2017. Along with his twin brother Robert, McKellar hid the body of Mr Parsons and his remains were not found for more than three years. Originally charged with murdering the former Royal Navy submariner, McKellar pleaded guilty to an amended charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow last month. He and his brother also admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice. McKellar was sentenced to 12 years in jail when he appeared at the same court on Friday. Tony Parsons was killed while on a charity cycle in 2017 (family handout/PA) Robert McKellar was sentenced to five years and three months in jail. Members of Mr Parsonss family, including his widow Margaret and children Mike and Victoria, were in court for the sentencing. McKellar admitted driving on the A82 at excess speed and when unfit through alcohol. With reckless disregard for the consequences of his actions, he left Mr Parsons by the side of the road in a remote location during the hours of darkness and in inclement weather, causing his death. Sentencing McKellar, Judge Lord Armstrong said: Alexander McKellar, on September 29 2017, you consumed alcohol and you did drive from there in the direction of your home. Tony Parsonss widow Margaret and the couples children Mike and Victoria, right, attended the sentencing hearing (Andrew Milligan/PA) On the course of that night you collided with Tony Parsons on the A82 who was riding his bicycle. The extensive damage to the front of your vehicle is indicative of the force you hit him with. He sustained multiple rib fractures and complex pelvic fractures. The cause of his death is likely to have been a result of impacted breathing and a bleeding thorax. Mr Parsonss family have been deeply impacted and the emotional harm is ongoing. There is nothing I can say or do to compensate for their loss. In court last month, a narrative revealed how some time between September 29, 2017 and January 3, 2021, the McKellar brothers returned to the A82 and moved Mr Parsonss body to the Auch Estate, where they lived and worked as farmhands, and buried him with an excavator in a peat bog where animal carcasses were disposed of. Robert McKellar has been jailed after he admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice (Police Scotland/PA) Police launched a major investigation following a tip-off from McKellars former partner Caroline Muirhead, who he had begun a relationship with in 2020, the court heard. The woman had asked him if there was anything from his past that may affect their relationship, and he told her he had hit Mr Parsons with an Isuzu D-Max pick-up while speeding. Advocate depute Alex Prentice KC told the court that McKellar had said to the woman that he had been distracted by headlights and struck something on the side of the A82, which turned out to be Mr Parsons. The woman, who was in court for the sentencing, left a can of Red Bull in the area where Mr Parsonss body had been hidden and detectives later found the scene. The brothers also hid Mr Parsonss bicycle behind a waterfall on the Auch Estate but this has never been recovered, the court heard. The two men were arrested on December 20, 2020 and Mr Parsonss body was recovered for forensic investigation in January 2021. The car driven by Alexander McKellar which hit Tony Parsons (Crown Office/PA) Mr Parsons was killed while on a 100-mile charity cycle from his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, to Fort William. A missing persons inquiry was launched on October 2, 2017 when he failed to return home. In a mitigation submission, defence lawyer Brian McConnachie KC said: Mr McKellar is well aware of the familys views. There is no apology he can tender that will ever be acceptable to them. He wishes me to indicate he deeply regrets the trauma he put the family through. Mr McConnachie told the court McKellar had suffered mental health issues as a result of his actions on the night of September 29, 2017. A can of Red Bull was left to mark the scene where the body was buried (Crown Office/PA) He added: The only explanation he offered and the only explanation that makes sense is simply fear and panic. In his own words, he accepted he behaved in an entirely selfish and cowardly manner. John Scullion KC, representing Robert McKellar, said in mitigation that he had become involved out of a misplaced loyalty to his brother. Mr Parsonss family released a statement after the guilty pleas, saying he loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren. The statement said: As you can imagine, not knowing what has happened to someone and then the devastating news that we were provided has taken its toll on all of us as a family. They said at last justice has been done, and thanked everyone involved in the investigation. The McKellar twins appeared to be upset as they were led away in handcuffs to serve their sentence. Binance, which has been under fire recently, is facing another setback as payment card companies Mastercard and Visa cut ties with the cryptocurrency exchange as global authorities tightened their grip. As the crypto firm confronts intensive regulatory scrutiny and larger issues regarding financial compliance within the sector, this development is indicative of a growing reluctance on the part of conventional financial institutions to deal with the company. Severed Connections Binance said Thursday, August 24, through X (previously Twitter) that Mastercard will soon stop offering Binance-branded cards in Latin America and the Middle East, which consumers may use to spend their crypto on items. "The product, like most debit cards, has been utilized by Binance's users to pay for basic daily expenses but in this case, the cards are funded with crypto assets," Binance Customer Support wrote on X. This affects a negligible fraction of Binance's user base, which is less than 1% of users in the markets specified. This product will still be available for purchase until September 21, 2023, when the card will no longer be accepted. The company confirmed that there would be no impact on Binance accounts anywhere in the globe. Another option aside from using crypto cards is Binance Pay. It is a contactless, borderless, and secure cryptocurrency payment mechanism developed by Binance, which users may use to make purchases and transfer crypto anywhere it is accepted. Hello there, The Binance Card will no longer be available to users in Latin America and the Middle East. The product, like most debit cards, has been utilized by Binances users to pay for basic daily expenses but in this case, the cards are funded with crypto assets. Only a tiny Binance Customer Support (@BinanceHelpDesk) August 23, 2023 A Mastercard representative confirmed to CNBC that the business is discontinuing its association with Binance. The representative said that Binance's four pilot co-branded Mastercard card programs with the firm will end on September 22 in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Bahrain. "This provides cardholders with a wind-down period to convert any holdings in their Binance wallet ... There is no impact on any other crypto card program." On the other hand, Visa has also taken steps to separate itself from Binance. A corporate representative told Bloomberg that the company had canceled a similar card partnership with Binance in July and that it had stopped issuing new co-branded cards with the firm in Europe. This is just another example of the financial services industry's lackluster reception to cryptocurrency. Also Read: Gary Gensler Says Crypto Exchanges Must Comply With SEC Standards: 'The Law Is Clear' Regulatory Pressures Previously, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have both issued strong statements of disapproval of Binance. Like the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Binance, and its CEO Changpeng Zhao were hit with 13 accusations from the SEC for allegedly mixing billions of dollars in client assets with Binance's own cash. Nevertheless, Binance strongly refutes these claims. Recently, the company sought a protective injunction against the SEC, claiming that the demands for information from the agency were "overbroad" and "unduly burdensome." Also Read: Binance, Coinbase Hit With Lawsuits as SEC Chair Gary Gensler Tells of Plans To Bring Crypto Exchanges Into Compliance @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Watch: 'We did a day trip from the UK to Lake Como for just four hours' A woman has shared how she booked a day trip to Lake Como with her friends, cramming in lunch, a paddle in the sea, ice cream and drinks and a trip to the spa in just a few hours. Onyi Okorie, 24, a lab admin from London, decided to surprise her friend Edesiri, 23, with a birthday day trip to Milan costing a grand total of 285. Edesiri believed she was going away with her sister when eight of her friends turned up at the airport instead. On July 29 this year, the group flew from Stansted to Milan at 5.55am on return tickets costing 123. After landing at 8.50am the friends hopped straight on a bus and a train to take them to Bellagio, Lake Como, arriving at midday for lunch. Onyi Okorie decided to surprise her friend with a birthday day trip to Milan and Lake Como.(Onyi Okorie/SWNS) They then rounded off their four and a half our explore of the Lake Como region by taking ferry to Varenna, for ice cream and drinks before heading back at 4.30pm to Milan and stopping off at a spa for a massage. The group travelled back to the airport for their 11.20pm flight, but didnt arrive back in the UK until 3am due to delays. Onyi decided to book something for her friend Edesiris birthday, but could only go for a day as she had already planned something for the actual date. Onyi says her friend 'loved' the trip, but she isn't sure she would do it again. (Onyi Okorie/SWNS) "She thought she was going away with her sister and then we all surprised her," Onyi explains. "We had really good pizza, went to a famous street, dipped our feet in the sea and chilled in the spa." Onyi admits the trip was exhausting and "didnt move for the whole weekend" when she got back, and while she isn't sure she'd do it again she says her friend "loved it". Read more: How to get a row of seats to yourself on a plane, according to experts (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) The friends managed to cram in lunch, two towns in Lake Como and a trip to the spa on their day trip. (Onyi Okorie/SWNS) The group's itinerary 5.55am 8.50am - Flight from Stansted to Milan Bergamo airport 9.36am 9.50am - Milan airport bus to Bergamo airport 10.07am 11.24am Railway to Varenna 12.05 12.20pm - Ferry to Bellagio 14.28pm - Ferry back to Varenna 16.35pm 17.40pm Train back to Milan 17.50 20.00pm Spa 20.30pm Train to Milan Bergamo airport 23.20pm Flight home The trip cost around 285 per person. (Onyi Okorie/SWNS) Day trip costs Cost of return flight - 123 each (143.76) Cost of airport bus - 2.60 Train to Varenna - 5.80 Return ferry from Varenna to Bellagio - 9.20 Pizza - 9 Ice cream - 3 scoops for 6 Train back to Milan from Varenna - 7.80 Spa entry - 64 each, massage 49 Train back to the airport - 36 Total cost - 333.16 (Approx 285 per person) Read more: I was a flight attendant for over 10 years. Here are the 5 best and 5 worst seats on a plane (Insider, 5-min read) One of the towns the group visited in Lake Como. (Onyi Okorie/SWNS) The rise of the European day trip Day trips to Europe certainly seem to be having a moment right now. Earlier this year two women revealed how they went on a flying visit to Copenhagen. Becky Allison and Amy Scott spent just 45 on an easyJet flight to Denmarks capital of Copenhagen for the day, catching a 7am flight from Manchester and returning to the UK at 11pm that evening. Meanwhile mums Clare Jeffs, 36, and Hannah Brown, 38, also flew to Ibiza in Spain for the day in March this year, grabbing flights for just 37 return. A separate group of mums also flew to Ibiza for just 12 hours after nabbing flights for 34 return and filled their "Sunday Funday" with good food, cocktails and sunshine. Emma Denley, 30, also recently shared how she took her friend on a birthday lunch trip to Paris on the Eurostar for 84 each - the same price as a London to Manchester train ticket. "It was a great surprise for my friend as she thought we had just booked the day off to go for some food - little did she know we would be sipping on coffee with freshly-baked croissants near the Eiffel Tower instead," Denley said. Additional reporting SWNS. Miley Cyrus says she was not aware of Sinead OConnors fragile mental state when the Irish singer criticised the video to her hit song Wrecking Ball. The US singer and actress said that at the time she had been expecting controversy and backlash for the provocative video, but not from other women who had been in my position before. In a new special, titled Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions), Cyrus dedicated a performance of her track Wonder Woman to OConnor. Sinead OConnor died last month at the age of 56 (Ian West/PA) Cyrus made reference to OConnors celebrated Nothing Compares 2 U music video in the opening shots of her video for Wrecking Ball, released in 2013. In response, OConnor published an open letter to the former Disney star warning her about the dangers of being sexualised in the music industry. She wrote: The message you keep sending is that its somehow cool to be prostituted its so not cool Miley. Its dangerous. I would be encouraging you to send healthier messages to your peers, that they and you are worth more than what is currently going on in your career. OConnor, described as one of Irelands greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers, died last month at the age of 56. In her special, broadcast on US network ABC and streaming service Hulu, Cyrus reflected on the incident. At the time when I made Wrecking Ball, I was expecting for there to be controversy and backlash, but I dont think I expected other women to put me down or turn on TV, especially women that had been in my position before, she said. So this is when I had received an open letter from Sinead OConnor and I had no idea about the fragile mental state that she was in and I was also only 20 years old so I could really only wrap my head around mental illness so much. All that I saw was that another woman had told me that this idea was not my idea, and even if I was convinced that it was, it was still just men-in-powers idea of me and they had manipulated me to believe that it was my own idea when it never really was. It was and it is, and I still love it. She continued: Our younger childhood triggers and traumas come up in weird and odd ways, and I think I just been judged for so long for my own choices that I was just exhausted. And I was in this place where I finally was making my own choices in my own decisions and to have that taken away from me, deeply upset me. She added:God bless Sinead OConnor for real and all seriousness. The documentary then cut to Cyrus singing a rendition of her track Wonder Woman, with the words dedicated to Sinead OConnor briefly appearing onscreen. More than 80% of items bought from online marketplaces for a Government testing programme have failed safety checks, leading to concerns the UK has become a dumping ground for unsafe products. The Governments Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) tested 2,260 products sold via online marketplaces between October 2021 and September 2022, finding that 1,832 (81%) failed to meet safety standards. The product category with the highest rate of non-compliance was toys, closely followed by small mains powered electricals. The toys failed product safety testing on areas such as strangulation hazards to children under 36 months, while electrical items failed testing against UK safety standards for electrical goods, which could pose a risk of electric shocks or electrical fires. The OPSS said it targeted products, also including cosmetics and products containing button batteries, that routinely appeared in recalls and alerts, had poor reviews or appeared to be of low quality in the listing photos, and so warned that the findings were not representative of all products sold by online marketplaces. However, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) said it was concerned about the overwhelmingly high rate of non-compliance, demonstrating that online marketplaces are still flooding the UK with unsafe goods and posing serious risks to UK consumers. CTSI chief executive John Herriman said: We welcome the OPSS investigation into the safety of products being sold on online marketplaces. However, the sheer volume and proportion of goods that arent meeting basic safety checks is appalling we have standards for a reason including to protect the publics health and safety. It is concerning to see this level of products failing safety testing, particularly when the highest category of non-compliance is toys. We would urge the Government to take action to stop unsafe products entering our supply chains and online marketplaces this includes ensuring enough checks are taking place at ports and borders. We also call on online marketplaces to be more rigorous in undertaking checks across their platforms. Jerry Burnie, head of compliance at the British Toy and Hobby Association, said: The BTHA have tested over 550 products in the last six years and have been pushing for a change in the law to ensure that the online marketplaces are jointly and severally liable for products sold by third-parties via their platforms, which otherwise would not have access to the UK market. This is a situation that has not improved over those six years. We are pleased that OPSS own figures have now confirmed our findings and hope that sufficient action will be taken to ensure consumers are protected from these dangerous and unsafe products. The findings have prompted concerns over safety standards (Adam Peck/PA) Lesley Rudd, chief executive of safety charity Electrical Safety First, said: The evidence is overwhelming, online marketplaces are a hot bed for dangerous and non-compliant goods. These new figures from the Government show that online shopping is a minefield, with consumers unknowingly exposed to thousands of unsafe goods, many of which can be in their homes the very next day. Decisive action has never been so urgent, online marketplaces cannot be relied upon to self-regulate the issue of illegal and harmful goods on their platforms. The Government must act without delay to finally force them to take steps to ensure that these goods sold via their sites, from which they profit, are safe. The fallout from the plane crash which killed Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin continues to dominate the front pages of Fridays newspapers. Most titles lead on the crash with the spotlight turned on Russian President Vladimir Putins reaction and what caused the plane to come down. The Daily Mail is one of several papers to focus on Mr Putins response, saying he offered a sickening tribute which it described as a chilling taunt. His words also lead The Times and The Daily Telegraph, who both report on the Russian leader saying Mr Prigozhin had made mistakes. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'He was a talented businessman who made mistakes, says Putin'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/GdejsASa1X The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 24, 2023 The Financial Times says Mr Putin confirmed his one-time allys death as he offered condolences in his first public address since the crash. Fridays FINANCIAL Times: Putin breaks silence on Prigozhin to confirm Wagner warlord is dead #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/OkeLdSw4d0 Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) August 24, 2023 And The Sun points the finger at Mr Putin as he sent sincere condolences to Mr Prigozhins family. On tomorrow's front page: Putin offers 'condolences' to Prigozhin's family and says boss 'made mistakes'https://t.co/44S5fOC2YM pic.twitter.com/snyr9lGBmj The Sun (@TheSun) August 24, 2023 The Guardian also reports Mr Putins words as it looks into the cause of the crash, saying US officials believe an intentional explosion brought the plane down a view echoed on the front page of the i. Fridays GUARDIAN: US says bomb most likely cause of Prigozhin crash #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/fuIEGEbdun Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) August 24, 2023 The Metro concentrates on Mr Prigozhins former Wagner troops, saying they have issued a chilling threat of vengeance to Mr Putin. Tomorrow's Paper Today WE'RE COMING FOR YOU, VLAD Wagner rebels vow revenge for Putin's 'murder' of warlord #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3gXJqKMjED Metro (@MetroUK) August 24, 2023 Other stories do make the front pages, the Daily Mirror focusing on the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif in Woking as they say police in Pakistan are close to locating her father. Friday's front page: Cops: We're closing in on her dadhttps://t.co/9zj2PhUyzB pic.twitter.com/DmiZaHP2IP The Mirror (@DailyMirror) August 24, 2023 Migrants land on the front of the Daily Express with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisting the best way to cut the cost of the asylum system is to prevent small boats arriving in the UK. The Independent continues its campaign to support an Afghan pilot who fought with UK forces, calling for help to help his family escape the Taliban. And the Daily Star reports on a spooky picture of a child which keeps being returned to a charity shop as it is too creepy. A Metropolitan Police officer who sent his ex-girlfriend racial slurs about her new partner in five grossly offensive messages has been jailed. Pc Thomas Phillips, 34, used the n-word in a series of WhatsApps to his former partner Samantha Ryan, a serving police officer, when referring to her new boyfriend, Pc Danny Gobin, who is also serving in the police. The officer, from Croydon in south London, initially denied five counts of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message contrary to the Communications Act 2003 before pleading guilty in July. Westminster Magistrates Court heard Phillips also called his love rival a mongrel and used misogynistic language when describing why they were together. Metropolitan Police officer Thomas Phillips, with his face covered, arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court for sentencing (James Manning/PA) Prosecutor Louise Oakley told the court the pairs relationship began in 2017 but had broken down by 2021, when the offending took place. Phillips became arrogant and would belittle his ex-girlfriend, the court heard, and it is alleged he subjected her to domestic abuse, but they continued to live together at a house they had bought. He does not face any charges in relation to the alleged domestic abuse, the prosecutor told the court. On April 8 2021 Phillips messaged Ms Ryan on WhatsApp saying he is black, you are a ginger with a nice arse, he is genetically drawn to you. On April 20 that year he referred to her boyfriend as a mongrel spade in a message and used the n-word to describe him in another text. On May 1 2021 Phillips asked Ms Ryan if she would have little afro babies with big noses, and the court heard eight days later he suggested her new partner was a thief because he is black. When interviewed by police last year he denied the offending trying to suggest Ms Ryan had written the texts on his phone and sent them to herself to frame him, that the screenshots were doctored and that she had got her partner to do it for her. The prosecutor said the exchanges amounted to a campaign which showed determined hostility based on race. She added: He describes deliberately sending them to be hurtful. The defendant was a serving police officer at the time of the offending and in our submission he has undermined the confidence the public have in the police. Ms Ryan held back tears as she described in a victim impact statement how she was initially reluctant to report Phillips for fear of being labelled a troublemaker at work. She said this had made me feel like a failure as a police officer and a failure as a person. Ms Ryan also told the court her ex-boyfriends behaviour has led her to need therapy and counselling. She said she was initially reluctant to report Phillips out of fear of being punched and kicked, that he would blame her if he lost his job and that he made repeated suicide threats she claims were to threaten and control her. Pc Gobin, whose mother is Irish and father is from Mauritius, said he had become a police officer out of revulsion at racism that he and his family experienced in the past and that the comments made him feel sick and disgusted. He added that the stress and anxiety the messages caused him had been immense and that he had needed to take time off work at one point. The court heard it was initially decided no further action would be taken before the charges were brought. In mitigation, Phillips lawyer Colin Banham said the views expressed in the messages are not his real ones and asked for his client to be given a community order. He added that Phillips had shown genuine remorse and acted in the context of the end of the relationship. Jailing him for 71 days, District Judge Louisa Cieciora told Phillips: The offences were motivated by and demonstrated hostility based on race. Although there were only five messages, they were spread out over a period of time that demonstrated they were not simply an emotional outburst but a considered course of conduct. You were a serving police officer at the time, and serving police officers are expected to reflect the values of our society, to protect those who are vulnerable, and not to have or demonstrate bias based on personality characteristics. The probation officer said your language and actions demonstrate you harbour those core beliefs of racial hatred as well as misogyny. I am not persuaded there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and I am satisfied appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody. A restraining order also bans the defendant from contacting his victims for two years, apart from through lawyers. The officer had been suspended from duty while the case was ongoing and is expected to face misconduct proceedings later. A majority of the public expects Sir Keir Starmer to become prime minister, a new poll has found. Some 56% of people told pollster Ipsos UK they thought it was likely the Labour leader would succeed Rishi Sunak, with only 28% saying they thought it was unlikely. That figure equals the previous high point for Sir Keir recorded in October 2022, amid chaos on the bond market and the collapse of Liz Trusss government. The poll of 1,038 British adults, conducted between August 11 and 13, painted an almost universally positive picture for Labour and a bleak one for the Conservatives. As well as public expectation that he will become Prime Minister, Sir Keir continued to lead Mr Sunak on favourability by 30 points to 27, and outpolled his opponent on all but three of 12 key traits Ipsos asked about. These included whether the two leaders understood the problems facing Britain, with 47% saying Sir Keir did against 32% saying the same of the Prime Minister. Some 37% said Sir Keir was in touch with ordinary people, against just 17% saying Mr Sunak was, while the Labour leader enjoyed a six-point lead on whether he would make the country a better place. A majority of the public said it was clear what Rishi Sunak stands for, but the Prime Minister trailed his opponent on most questions in the Ipsos poll. (Yui Mok/PA) The two men were tied on 37% as to whether they pay attention to detail, while Mr Sunak led by one point on whether they had a lot of personality and by five points on being good in a crisis. Mr Sunak began his premiership with relatively good favourability ratings, especially compared with his wider party, and some suggested he would therefore be able to improve the Conservatives ratings. However, the Ipsos poll suggests that that has not been the case so far, with Labour the only party to enjoy a net positive favourability rating and 53% of people saying they had an unfavourable image of the Conservative Party. With just 23% of people saying they had a positive image of the Tories, only Reform UK recorded a worse net favourability rating. One brighter spot for Mr Sunak is that voters seem much clearer about what he stands for than they do about Sir Keir, with 52% to 46%. Keiran Pedley, Ipsos director of politics, said: As it stands, the British public expect Keir Starmer to be Prime Minister. A majority are unfavourable towards the Conservative Party and Starmer leads Rishi Sunak on several key leadership traits. However, with many still unsure what Starmer himself stands for, the Labour leader will hope he can set out a compelling vision for the country in the coming months to seal the deal with the electorate. Rail passengers will face fresh travel disruption on Saturday because of another strike in the deadlocked dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Around 20,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at 14 train operators will walk out, crippling services across England. The latest stoppage in the row, now in its second year, comes as no progress has been made with rail operators, which the union says are hamstrung by the Government refusing to give them a mandate to make a revised pay offer. The RMT is also planning a strike on September 2, while members of the drivers union Aslef are taking strike action on September 1, threatening days of disruption. The rail unions are also embroiled in a dispute over controversial plans to close railway ticket offices, which have also angered passenger groups and those representing elderly and disabled passengers. More than 460,000 people have responded to a consultation on the plans and a protest is being held opposite Downing Street on August 31, a day before the consultation ends. Trains will start later on Saturday and finish earlier and some areas will have no services. The strike will affect those travelling to events such as the Notting Hill Carnival in London and the Reading and Leeds festivals. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: The Government is not serious about settling this dispute which is leading to further disruption for passengers. Rail operators are not being given a mandate to make a new offer that we can put to members in a referendum to settle this dispute. Meanwhile, our campaign to save ticket offices will reach new levels with a rally outside Parliament on August 31, where we will tell ministers in no uncertain terms that ticket offices must be kept open and our communities preserved. Our industrial campaign will continue as long as it takes to get a negotiated settlement, and to save as many ticket offices as possible. RMT members remain committed to winning a pay rise, securing their future employment and maintaining good working conditions. They have shown tremendous resolve in the face of a government that is playing politics and refusing to do a deal. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said the dispute is now political and train drivers are determined to carry on taking industrial action. Some train firms have advised people to travel on Saturday only if necessary. A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: The industry will be working hard to keep as many services running as possible. There is no question the strikes called by the RMT and Aslef leaderships are deliberately designed to target passengers who want to enjoy various sporting events and festivals during the bank holiday, and at the end of the summer holidays, disrupting their plans, hurting local economies and forcing more cars on to the road. This, despite having the RMT having repeatedly refused their memberships a vote on offers of up to 13% for the lowest paid over two years, which could easily settle this dispute. There will unfortunately be some reduced services on Saturday August 26, Friday 1 and Saturday September 2. As the level of service varies across the country, our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information, and passengers with advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: The Government has played its part to try and end these disputes by facilitating fair and reasonable pay offers, but union leaders refuse to allow their members to vote on them. By cynically targeting the bank holiday weekend, and driving more passengers away from train travel when our railways are already losing 10 million a day even without industrial action, the RMTs strikes are damaging its own industrys future. Meanwhile, passengers suffered delays on Friday because of a signalling problem between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction. South Western Railway warned of cancellations, delays or alterations to services until 8pm. Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright has said she thinks soap operas have become more crazy and unbelievable due to the vast volume of episodes which they are now outputting. Reflecting on the current health of the genre at the Edinburgh TV Festival, the former Coronation Street writer admitted she grew up on soap operas but that she got out of the habit of watching them. She said: I think one of the reasons I got a bit bored with the soaps was it felt like all the stories got a bit samey, a bit similar, they all involve romance, well certainly that happened in Coronation Street. One of the UKs most celebrated TV writers and directors, Sally Wainwright, will join broadcaster Adrian Chiles for a freewheeling conversation about her work, and all things television, at this years Edinburgh TV Festival. Get Passes Now https://t.co/pwot675fQX pic.twitter.com/c7W0beBxO7 Edinburgh TV Festival (@EdinburghTVFest) May 24, 2023 I think (they became) obsessed with getting younger viewers and so making stories about younger people, and ignoring the fact that the key audience was kind of older than that. Wainwright, who joined Coronation Street in 1994 and left the ITV show in 1999, added that she thinks there is so much turnover of plot, that it inevitably becomes melodramatic. Coronation Street was originally broadcast twice weekly and began airing six times a week in 2017. ITVs Emmerdale also tends to air every weeknight while BBCs EastEnders broadcasts around four episodes a week. The writer added: Coronation Street went out twice a week in, kind of, in its heyday, I think, in the 1980s and the early 90s. It was such a classy show. It was proper kitchen sink drama and it was about the real things that happen to real people. And I think when it goes out at that volume, like five times a week, inevitably the ravages of story, it just becomes more heightened and more crazy and more unbelievable. I dont know if thats been a problem that its become less grounded. Wainwrights original drama series At Home With The Braithwaites helped her rise to prominence and she went on to create shows including 2009s Unforgiven, Last Tango In Halifax, Gentleman Jack and hit BBC series Happy Valley, starring Sarah Lancashire. Reflecting on her time in the Coronation Street writing room, she admitted that she did not initially have the confidence to contribute to storylines as she was terrified of getting laughed at. She recalled being in awe of everyone who worked in the writers room when she joined, which she said had around two women within its 15-writer team at the time. Wainwright also recalled that it was a time when writers would go to the pub at lunch, which she said would mean the afternoon could be a misogynistic, racist bloodbath. She added: It wasnt a nasty atmosphere, Id heard all soaps were at the time, but it was very lively and often very funny but there was an edge to it. Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood in the hit BBC show Happy Valley (Matt Squire/PA) The writer, 60, revealed that she had worried about the prospect of retirement but found she enjoyed taking six months off last year after finishing Happy Valley more than she thought she would. However, she said she has more ideas than she ever has including wanting to do a project on pioneering English pilot Amy Johnson, who was the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia. I cant get anybody to be interested in Amy Johnson and I dont know why. I think shes one of the most fascinating people and I think her story is extraordinary. It was announced on Thursday at the festival that the BBC has commissioned another drama series from Wainwright will see a celebration of women of a certain age who form a punk rock band called Hot Flush. The final day of the annual festival will also see award-winning screenwriter Jesse Armstrong, who is behind hit shows including Succession, Peep Show, Fresh Meat and The Thick Of It, in conversation with journalist Marina Hyde to talk about his career and the state of the industry. Screenwriter Jesse Armstrong (Patrick Olner/BBC/PA) Actress, writer and comedian Meera Syal will end the festival by delivering the Alternative MacTaggart speech. She rose to fame as one of the creators and stars of BBC sketch comedy show Goodness Gracious Me and is also well known for her role in The Kumars At No. 42. She will speak to the festivals executive chair, Fatima Salaria, about the highs and the lows of being a British Asian woman in the film and TV industry and reflecting on the importance of representation and giving voice to unheard stories. Every one of the 19 defendants in the sweeping Georgia election interference case centered on former President Trump have surrendered at the Fulton County Jail, where they were booked and released on bonds agreed to with District Attorney Fani Willis (D). All but one of the defendants paid between $10,000 and $200,000 to be released from custody ahead of a future trial over charges that they joined a criminal enterprise to overturn Georgias 2020 election and keep Trump in office. The other defendant Harrison Floyd, a leader of Black Voices for Trump did not reach a bond agreement with Fulton County prosecutors and is detained at the local jail. Here are the bond amounts for each defendant and how they bailed out of jail. $200,000 Donald Trump Trumps attorneys negotiated a $200,000 bond for the former president earlier this week ahead of his surrender. It marked the first time that Trump, who faces 13 counts, had to post bail upon being booked in his criminal cases. Trump used a third party to post his bond, jail records show. CNN reported that Trump paid 10 percent of the amount to a local bail bonds company in fees so that it would cover his bond. This practice is known as a surety bond. That would mean Trump paid $20,000 to the company, which guarantees it will cover the $200,000 bond if the former president doesnt show up for court. $150,000 Rudy Giuliani Longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani, who faces 13 charges in the case, agreed to a $150,000 bond. Giulianis role in the alleged criminal enterprise centers on his efforts to spread false claims of election fraud, particularly to members of the Georgia Legislature, whom he allegedly tried to convince to join in a fake electors scheme to benefit Trump. The former New York City mayor also paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. He was spotted walking into a bail bondsman office in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, after surrendering at the local jail. Its unknown how much Giuliani paid for his surety bond to a bail bonds company, but the maximum a company can charge under Georgia law is 15 percent of the bond amount. $100,000 Mark Meadows Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows agreed to a $100,000 bond and surrendered at Fulton County Jail on Thursday afternoon. He faces two charges in the sweeping case: a racketeering charge and a charge of solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer. The solicitation charge is tied to his attendance at a call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R), where Trump urged Raffensperger to help him find enough votes in his favor. Like Trump and Giuliani, Meadows paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. John Eastman John Eastman, an attorney who forwarded memos that spurred Trumps pressure campaign on then-Vice President Mike Pence, agreed to a $100,000 bond. He faces nine counts. According to jail records, Eastman paid his bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, which enables defendants to only pay 10 percent of their bail amount upon being booked. Jeffrey Clark Former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark agreed to a $100,000 bond Thursday afternoon. Like the others, Clark is charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, but he also faces a charge for criminal attempt to commit false statements and writings. Trump had planned to appoint Clark as U.S. attorney general so he could launch an investigation into his baseless claims of election fraud. Clark posted bail by using a surety bond, according to jail records. Jenna Ellis Former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis also agreed to a $100,000 bond. She turned herself in at the Fulton County Jail on Wednesday. In addition to the racketeering charge all defendants face, Ellis is charged with soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer a charge tied to her presence at a Georgia Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing where false claims of election fraud were pushed. She has denied any wrongdoing. She posted bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. Kenneth Chesebro Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro agreed to a bond of $100,000. Chesebro faces seven charges in the Georgia case, mostly stemming from his role as a key coordinator of the fake electors plan. He drafted several memos devising a strategy for the plot, including ideas for how the fake electors could mimic the real ones. He surrendered Wednesday and paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. Sidney Powell Sidney Powell, a lawyer for former President Trumps 2020 campaign, agreed to a $100,000 bond. A key surrogate of Trumps false election fraud claims, Powell faces seven charges in the Georgia case most linked to her alleged role in an election equipment breach in Coffee County. She paid her bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. $75,000 Stephen Lee Illinois pastor Stephen Lee charged in the case for allegedly attempting to influence Georgia election worker Ruby Freemans testimony agreed to a bond of $75,000. Hes charged with five counts and was the final defendant to surrender. He paid his bond using the 10 percent program, according to jail records. Trevian Kutti Trevian Kutti a former publicist for rapper Ye, previously known as Kanye West agreed to a $75,000 bond Thursday afternoon. She faces three counts in connection with pressuring Freeman to make false statements about her role in helping administer the election. Kutti paid her bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. David Shafer David Shafer, the former Georgia Republican Party chairman who signed documents purporting to be a presidential elector, agreed to a $75,000 bond. He is charged with eight counts, including impersonating a public officer, forgery, false statements and attempting to file false documents. Shafer paid his bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. Cathy Latham Retired teacher Cathy Latham, who served as the chairwoman of the Coffee County Republican Party, agreed to a $75,000 bond. Lathams role in the alleged enterprise stems from the Coffee County election equipment breach. She also signed documents purporting to be a presidential elector. Latham faces 11 charges and posted bond via a surety bond, according to jail records. $50,000 Ray Smith Ray Smith, a Georgia-based attorney who worked for Trump in the wake of the election, agreed to a $50,000 bond after being charged with 12 counts. Smiths charges largely focus on his statements at Georgia state Legislature hearings in December 2020 and his assistance with the fake electors plot. He posted bond using Fulton Countys 10 percent program, according to jail records. Robert Cheeley Robert Cheeley, another Georgia-based attorney, also agreed to a $50,000 bond after being indicted. Cheeley faces 10 counts, most of which relate to the fake electors plot. He also faces a count of false statements and soliciting a public officer to violate their oath over his participation in a Dec. 30, 2020, Georgia legislature committee hearing. Cheeley posted bond by using the 10 percent program, according to jail records. Michael Roman Michael Roman, a former Trump White House staffer who reportedly worked as director of election day operations on Trumps 2020 campaign, agreed to a $50,000 bond. Roman faces seven counts in connection with the fake electors plot, including charges of conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer and conspiracy to commit forgery. Roman posted bail via a surety bond, according to jail records. $10,000 Shawn Still Georgia state Sen. Shawn Still (R) is the lone sitting officeholder charged in the indictment. He assumed office earlier this year. Still agreed to a $10,000 bond in connection with the seven counts he faces. It is a signature bond, however, according to jail records, meaning Still does not have to cough up any funds as long as he shows up to his future court appearances. Signature bonds are often granted to defendants in Fulton County when their charges are minor or if it is their first time committing a crime, according to the W. Scott Smith law firm in Atlanta. Scott Hall Scott Hall, a bail bondsman himself, was the first of the 19 defendants to surrender, doing so Tuesday morning. He agreed to a $10,000 bond after being charged in connection with his alleged involvement in the Coffee County breach. He faces seven counts and posted his bond using the 10 percent program, jail records show. Misty Hampton Misty Hampton is the second defendant who was given a signature bond, meaning she didnt have to provide her $10,000 bail amount. Hampton was Coffee Countys election supervisor and allegedly helped facilitate the election equipment breach there. She faces seven charges linked to the breach. No bond Harrison Floyd Harrison Floyd, a leader of Black Voices for Trump, was the lone defendant to surrender without negotiating bail in advance. Floyd faces three counts over accusations of trying to convince Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman to make false statements about election operations on Election Day 2020, under the guise of offering her help. He surrendered at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday afternoon and has not yet been released, according to jail records. Floyd was also arrested earlier this year after he allegedly assaulted an FBI agent. The district attorneys office and Floyds attorney did not return requests for comment about his detention. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Moscow expects all necessary information on Fukushima nuke wastewater release Xinhua) 11:01, August 25, 2023 MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russia expects all necessary information following Japan's release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). "We are closely monitoring the development of the situation, and expect the Japanese government to be fully transparent with regard to the impact that the discharge of the water will have on the environment," RIA Novosti (RIA) reported, citing Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova. Zakharova noted that Russia expects Japan to provide necessary details to all interested states, further allowing them to take samples of the contaminated water at the dumping site. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said it plans to carry out the first round of release over 17 days to discharge 7,800 tons of the radioactive wastewater. In the current fiscal year through next March, a total of 31,200 tons are slated for discharge, equivalent to the storage capacity of 30 tanks, TEPCO added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a safety warning to airlines on Friday in an effort to avoid harming the people who pull aircraft and direct them to and from terminals The safety warning "reminds airlines that it is important for workers to remain clear of operating engines until they are shut down," the FAA said as reported by Reuters. On the ramp of Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama in December, a worker was critically hurt when he was dragged into the engine of an American Airlines regional carrier flight. Injuries in the Aviation Industry Groundworkers in the aviation industry are at risk of serious injuries. In 2021, there were over 10,000 injuries reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) involving ground workers in the aviation industry. These injuries ranged from minor cuts and bruises to amputations and fatalities Ground workers are often in close proximity to moving aircraft and vehicles. This can lead to injuries from being struck by a vehicle, being caught in between vehicles, or being dragged by a vehicle. (Photo: by Mike Siegel-Pool/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: FAA chief Steve Dickson walks around a Boeing 737 MAX, conducting a pre-flight check ahead of take-off from Boeing Field on September 30, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The flight is a step towards re-certification of the aircraft after the plane was grounded 18 months ago following two crashes that resulted in the deaths of 346 people. They are often working at heights, such as on top of aircraft or on loading ramps. This can lead to falls, which can result in serious injuries or death. They may be exposed to hazardous substances, such as jet fuel, hydraulic fluid, and chemicals. This can lead to burns, poisoning, and other serious health problems. Read also: FAA: Unruly Airline Passengers on the Rise; FBI Receives 22 More Cases The Importance of Training A LinkedIn post by Eddie Beaver talked about the difficulties of working on the ground in the aviation industry. Beaver was a ramp handling agent on the tarmac at Miami International Airport in the summer of the early 2000s. His tasks involved helping taxi aircraft and unloading/loading baggage from planes. According to him, it was a difficult and dirty job and a bit dangerous. The danger comes from the potential for bodily harm through miscommunication with colleagues, halting a trailer, and more. Beaver was grateful for his training then, along with the guidance of his ramp coordinator. There are a number of reasons training is so important for ground workers in the aviation industry. First, ground workers need to be familiar with the hazards associated with their work. They need to know how to identify and avoid these hazards. Second, ground workers need to be trained on how to use the safety equipment that is provided to them. This equipment can help to prevent injuries in the event of an accident. Third, they need to be trained on how to follow safety procedures. These procedures are designed to help prevent accidents. Related article: Environmental Groups Take Legal Action Against FAA Over SpaceX Texas Rocket Launch @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro was called out on X/Twitter after he insisted that Donald Trump's Fulton County mugshot was "vindictive," despite earlier comments supporting the criminal indictment of presidents. The conservative commenter appears to have changed his stance on the indictment of presidents since 2014. That year, Shapiro sat with Larry King and offered the opinion that presidents should be tried as criminals in an effort to curb their "criminality" in the future. The world Shapiro imagined has come to pass former President Donald Trump has been indicted, again, this time in Georgia on accusations that he and 18 others attempted to reverse the state's 2020 presidential election results. But now Shapiro doesn't seem to like it. "He's the most photographed person on Earth," Shapiro said of Mr Trump on X/Twitter. "The mugshot was completely unnecessary and vindictive, of course. But it's going to backfire dramatically, since this image is instantly iconic." Brian Tyler Cohen, the host of the No Lie podcast, posted the video alongisde Shapiros current handwringing to show the apparent shift in his thinking. Mr Trump surrendered to authorities in Fulton County on Thursday evening, and a mugshot of the former president quickly began making the rounds on social media. Ben Shapiro in 2014 on indicting presidents: If we start treating them as criminals, maybe they'll think twice before they act so criminally in the future. (@existentialfish) pic.twitter.com/rS3qyMGpmv https://t.co/z7dYeXTIOL No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) August 25, 2023 He appears against a grey background, the Fulton County Sheriff's badge looming above his head. The image is grainy and Mr Trump appears hunched over and scowling into the camera, wearing his typical blue suit and red tie. It's unclear why Shapiro thinks the mugshot was unnecessary; it's typical for accused individuals to be subjected to photographing by law enforcement, and those photos are public record. Other defendants who surrendered to Fulton County authorities including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Trump lawyers Jenna Ellis and John Eastman, and "Kraken" attorney Sidney Powell also had mugshots taken, and those were also released to the public. Shapiro did correctly assume that Mr Trump would use the mugshot for his own purposes; he shared an image on Truth Social of his photo along with the words in all caps, naturally "ELECTION INTERFERENCE" and "NEVER SURRENDER!" as well as a link to his website, where a plea for donations is prominently featured. Courtesy of Amanda Knox/Instagram Amanda Knox has dealt with a wrongful murder conviction and brutal tabloid coverage for much of her adult life, but she and husband Christopher Robinson have maintained a loving marriage and started a growing family. Knox, who was born and raised in Washington, was thrust into a blinding media spotlight in 2007 after being accused of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher, while studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were both convicted of the crime despite a lack of evidence. Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison. However, an appellate court found the former couple not guilty in 2011. They were later retried and found guilty again in 2014. In March 2015, the Supreme Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in Italy, ruled that the murder case was without foundation. Following her exoneration, Knox went on to become a criminal justice activist and write a book about her experience. Shes also been the subject of a Netflix documentary and Lifetime film. Knox met Robinson in 2015 while working for the West Seattle Herald and being tasked with writing a review of his book and the rest is history. Keep scrolling to see Knox and Robinsons relationship timeline: Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for Hilarity for Charity 2015 Knox and Robinson began dating after they met while the journalist was writing a review for his book War of the Encyclopaedists. According to the Daily Mail, the pair moved in together the following year. 2018 After three years of dating, Robinson popped the question to Knox with an extraterrestrial-themed proposal. I had been thinking about this, but its already happened in the future its happening now I dont have a ring, but I do have a big rock, Robinson said to Knox in a video shared via YouTube in November 2018. Will you stay with me until the last star in the last galaxy burns out and then even after that? Amanda Marie Knox, will you marry me? Knox gave an enthusiastic yes and the twosome shared a kiss. One month later, Robinson and Knox secretly tied the knot in a legal ceremony before having their official celebration two years later. Courtesy of Amanda Knox/Instagram 2020 Knox and Robinson walked down the aisle in March 2020 in an outer space-themed wedding ceremony which was dubbed The Knox Robinson Coalescence, per The Cut. E! News reported that Knox donned Princess Leiastyle buns and a yellow jumpsuit for the occasion, while even guests also wore costumes. Following their wedding, the duo began hosting their podcast series Labyrinths in which they [get] lost and found again through compassionate interviews, philosophical rants, and playful debate with fascinating people. 2021 Knox and Robinson welcomed their first child, daughter Eureka, in August 2021. After giving birth, Knox said that she wanted to keep her daughters life private. Since my exoneration, Ive struggled to reclaim my identity and protect the people I love from being exploited as tabloid content, she wrote via Instagram in October 2021. Its not easy, and I often feel like Im trying to invent good choices out of bad whole cloth. I know that I cannot 100% protect my daughter from the kind of treatment Ive suffered, but Im doing the best I can. Which is why this will be the only picture of her I will ever share on social media. Im so grateful to everyone who has wished @emceecarbon and I well on our journey to parenthood. Thank you for believing in us. Courtesy of Amanda Knox/Instagram 2023 Two years later, Knox subtly announced that she and Robinson were expecting their second child. Pregspreading, she captioned a picture of herself sitting on a park bench wearing a floral jumpsuit that showed off her growing belly. More Than 100 Years of Supporting Musicians A few years ago, bassist Mark Crozer found himself in some tough financial times. After years of playing live, most notably on bass with The Jesus and Mary Chain, he experienced a musculoskeletal injury that left him unable to play shows his primary source of income for more than 30 years. In a profession where tough financial times can be common, thankfully, theres Musicians Foundation, an organization that has provided, for longer than a century, financial grants to musicians of all genres in times of need, crisis and transition. They helped Crozer out so that he could pursue the work that he relies on and loves, and as a result, the inspired music he continues to create. They were able to help me out with some funding, which was really incredible, he says over the phone from New York. I didnt have many options at the time. In 1914, World War I broke out after a secret military group called the Black Hand shot and killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife while driving through Sarajevo, descending the world into unprecedented destruction and darkness. But despite this reality and despite minimal disposable income, if any, there existed pockets of light and life where music and the arts thrived while a grim reality unfolded around them. To make sure artists could continue to create life-affirming art and music for Americans, that same year, a unique organization called Musicians Foundation was founded by an eclectic group of artists and musicians that went by the name of The Bohemians. They created this foundation with the mission to provide voluntary aid and assistance to professional musicians and their families in case of need. Incredibly, 109 years later, the non-profit remains successfully in operation, supporting musicians, their families, and others in the industry; making sure these magic makers can continue to write and record their inspired music. More than 100 years later, were still helping them, says Musicians Foundation President Lisa Megeaski. Throughout time, the need has remainedthat musicians need that help and those grants. Its a pretty precarious lifestyle and living some are extremely successful, but a majority are lucky if they make a living. Since its first grant in 1916, the long-running organization has reliably provided financial support to musicians across the United States throughout major events, including both World War I and II, the Depression, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, they launched an innovative online emergency aid program to help musicians who were particularly hit hard when live music venues across the nation shut down a less burdensome streamlined online grant application process that was sending checks to artists mailboxes as quickly as within one week. During that time and program, Musicians Foundation awarded 1,500 grants to people in 49 states. We understand the musicians and their needs and to be frank, making [the grant applications] online was key, says Megeaski. If we hadnt had that in place, I dont think we would have been able to help so many clients so quickly. But what was also key was how hard our staff worked tirelessly, so that the musicians wouldnt have to wait long to receive their grant. It was a very easy and intuitive application and helped many people come to us, adds Executive Director David Gracia. Because the process was so streamlined and simplified, we were able to turn around those grants for musicians across the country so rapidly. In such stressful and anxious circumstances, the speed of application and payment approvals was particularly important, especially to people suddenly without their primary means of livelihood. When the pandemic hit, we saw how vulnerable the music industry is and how many lives depend on it. Especially around the time of the pandemic, there were many of us who make our living primarily off touring, Crozer remembers. So when that stopped, a lot of people had nothingno steady income coming in. Mark Cozer (Photo Credit: Daniel Coston) The alumni of those involved with Musicians Foundation over the many years include cellist Yo-Yo Ma, trumpet legend Wynton Marsalis, influential violinist Jascha Heifetz, and when the foundation had just formed, jazz vocalist Little Jimmy Scott, who received financial aid at one point in his legendary career. These names not only speak volumes about the foundations credibility and impact, but also helps attract the donations, bequests, and fundraising events vital for the financial support they provide across the country. This also speaks to the Musicians Foundations original, core mission of musicians helping musicians when they are struggling. In such a precarious, challenging industry, its likely that any musician will experience some sort of financial hardship during their career, especially when a virus that nobody saw coming shut down the live-music industry, literally overnight. The work we do is essential, Gracia says. We are really helping people in stressful situations. To be on stage, you need to be well and healthy to perform at your best. Megeaski and Gracia attribute the foundations endurance and longevity to their unique history of perpetually adapting to dramatic changes in the music industry as well as the world it endeavors to help keep entertained. In that provident tradition, they say there is work being done to look at how more people in music-related fields can be supported with a more diverse range of resources a more holistic approach to their well-being that involves healthcare and social services providers across the United States. Were looking at ways to expand our outreach and how we can link people with resources they need it could be medical, it could be housingthere are lots of reasons they might need us, Megeaski says. Gracia says they want to increase their emergency financial support not only through more funding, but by galvanizing a network of social services organizations and like-minded organizations that musicians can access for a range of needs a safety net for some before they fall through the cracks. This includes artists struggling with the high costs of working and living in big cities artists living in poverty-like conditions just to get their music and message out to the world. It is such a labor of love because a very small percentage of [musicians] are able to reach the top and live quite comfortably, Gracia says. But for the vast majority, its very difficult. Crozer has been a part of the music industry for more than 30 years and has continued to play, through thick and thin, because, yes, its a labor of love. I dont really know anything else, really, he says with a wry laugh. Ive been out of the loop so long that Ive almost become unemployable because thats all Ive done. But its good to know there are places like [Musicians Group] that are there for what might lie ahead, adds Crozer, whos also a music teacher. Unlike my friends in other parts of the world, like the U.K., I felt it was pretty good and [I was] supported I got the help when I needed it. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. Sushi chef Kenzo Phan, center, Casta Diva owner Aurelio Metohu left, and general manager Alban Metohu. Kenzo Phan is among the best-known sushi chefs on the ever-evolving restaurant scene, due to both his ownership/partnerships and reputation for crafting exceptional sushi, often serving his regular customers a specialty dish without their asking, a wow factor diners love. Known simply by his first name, Kenzo is a chef who has a reputation as an innovator and perfectionist. And, he gets around. He has gone to help open multiple locations across the city, including the former Zipango on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. In 2006, he opened Haiku, a sushi bar and fusion restaurant on Park Avenue in Worcester, with George Sakhat of El Basha restaurant fame. He was sushi chef at Willys Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar in Shrewsbury for more than 15 years. He also has worked outside the city and state. Casta Diva restaurant in Northborough The question, Wheres Kenzo? strikes a chord with a lot of people. In June, he became guest chef at Casta Diva Restaurant, 35 Solomon Pond Road, Northborough. He and chef/owner Aurelio Metohu are friends, sharing a love for all things food. Metohu bought the Northborough property and opened his restaurant in the vacant Guiseppes Grill in 2018. He has more than 20 years in the industry and has worked with chefs in Albania (original home), Germany and Italy. He previously owned and operated Caffe Espresso Trattoria on Chandler Street in Worcester, first purchasing the business when it was located on Wall Street in Worcester. Casta Diva specializes in authentic Italian cuisine, accommodating more than 200 in private rooms and dining areas. Kenzo occupies his own space in Casta Divas large kitchen that he described as spotless, up-to-date and beautiful. Ive worked in a lot of kitchens and Casta Divas is one of the best facilities around, he said. Kenzos wife assists him in the kitchen. Metohu said he and Kenzo originally planned for a sushi counter in a corner on the restaurants outdoor deck that overlooks Solomon Pond. The plan worked until we started getting more and more rainy days, said Metohu. It was a hassle to break down, going in and out, so we gave up on the idea. Kenzos one page-menu, Chef Kenzos Specials, is heavily chef driven, with many fan favorites. It accompanies Casta Divas food and beverage menus given to guests. About Chef Kenzos Specials at Casta Diva: Youll find Sushi Bar, Appetizers, Salads; Nigiri Sushi & Sashimi and a Set Menu featuring three of a kind sushi; Chirashi (assorted fresh fish over a bed of seasoned sushi rice); Designer Rolls; the Lobster Bomb; Seared Ahi Tuna; Maguro Tuna Sashimi Platter; Duo Nigiri Set; Sashimi Deluxe; Dynamite Shrimp Tempura Maki: Google Maki (Big in size, Big in surprise); Tuna & Salmon Fans; Spider Maki; Red Dragon Maki; Crunchy Lobster Maki. Personal Note: A fan favorite at Casta Diva is Kenzos Lobster Bomb, with spicy lobster meat wrapped in a shaved avocado and topped with lobster, served with a special Kenzo sauce and field greens. Its a showy piece and a personal favorite of Casta Divas owner Metohu. Its love at first bite, its delicious. Nutty Kenzo is another popular item, with tuna, salmon, Hamachi, avocado, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, granola and toasted almonds. And, Kenzo has a little fun with Italian Chow Mein, a special he sometimes teases. The dish combines Italian ingredients with tuna and udon noodles. Kenzo Phan's Lobster Bomb Most days, youll find Kenzo in the Northborough dining room, tray in hand, greeting and chatting with guests. So many people follow me from one place to another, he said. Sometimes I cant believe it myself. They must really like me, he grinned. I love talking to people about what I do, and I say, Let Kenzo make it happen. The chef has a loyal following for a reason. He isnt afraid of experimentation. Not only with sushi, but also Asian-inspired dishes that feature a bit of French influence. Creating sushi is not just a job, but his passion. Born in Vietnam (Chu Lai), Kenzo lived there through the war and escaped the country by boat when he was 14. He spent several years in a refugee camp in Thailand before joining a sibling in Montreal. He said a Canadian couple adopted him. He was educated in Canada, where he also worked for the renowned Japanese restaurant Benihana and several French restaurants and bistros. He received classical French chef training and speaks fluent French. He left Canada to work at Boston Benihana, he said, and then relocated to Central Massachusetts. Locally, he is often credited as an early developer of East/West fusion cooking. Working in different places throughout his career he became skilled in international food, he said. Hardship and hard work have been his path to success. In this business, you have to put in the time, be honest with people, be generous and go the extra mile, said Kenzo. You need to be confident. You dont want to be shady. No shady land. When asked about his age, he flashed a smile and said, Age is just a number. Casta Diva sushi chef Kenzo Phan He keeps a brief case with him, filled with menus concepts he has developed and dozens of business cards, all individually filed, with the names of people and chefs he has known. Theres a creative process behind each of his menus and unforgettable food memories, he said. Casta Diva is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday. The menu, which changes seasonally, offers not only classic Italian dishes, but also specialty cocktails, etc. Reservations are recommended. Take-out, no delivery. For more information about the restaurant, menus and events, visit https://castadivarestaurant.com; Telephone (508) 466-2080. Note: Attached to Casta Diva is a cafe, with its own entrance and dining space separate of the restaurant. The cafe currently is for lease. Call the restaurant for more information. Probably the biggest Kenzo news is that hes negotiating a partnership with the owner of a Westboro restaurant. There will be an announcement soon, he said. The chef also plans a mini vacation after Labor Day. Tell everyone Im going fishing. Ill only be gone a few days. Then, Ill be back, he said. At a recent farm-to-table dinner, people seated next to me asked about Kenzo. Weve heard so much about him. Who is this guy? How much time do you have? If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Hoppin': Sushi chef Kenzo Phan now at Casta Diva Restaurant WASHINGTON The FBI has arrested a Jan. 6 rioter who attacked police officers using a variety of items including a metal baton, a floor lamp and a shoe, according to court records. Curtis Logan Tate, known to online "Sedition Hunters" as #ShinyCircleTattoo because of a distinct tattoo on his hand, was arrested in North Carolina on Thursday. He faces several charges, including a felony charge of assaulting federal officers while using a deadly or dangerous weapon and a felony count of assaulting law enforcement during a civil disorder. The other items he allegedly used in the attack were a speaker box and a broken table leg. Curtis Logan Tate at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (DOJ) An affidavit details an interview FBI special agents conducted with Tate at his residence just days after the riot, on Jan. 13, 2021. The FBI said Tate insisted he had not committed any acts of violence, saying he did not agree with "destroying s---, breaking s---, [or] destroying our historic house." In spite of his claims to the FBI, images of Tate were added to the FBI's Capitol Violence webpage, which the bureau has used to ask members of the public to identify individuals who assaulted police officers. Curtis Logan Tate throwing a floor lamp, surrounded in red, at police officers at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (DOJ) After Tate's interview, the affidavit said, the bureau "obtained additional evidence, including additional online tips, facial recognition analysis, videos and images from open-source queries, as well as interviews of officer victims, which collectively demonstrate that TATE assaulted several law enforcement officers, destroyed property, and interfered with federal law enforcement officers during a civil disorder on January 6." Federal authorities also cited a USA Today story from March featuring an interview with Tate, in which he was identified as one of more than 100 people on the FBI's website who had been identified but not yet arrested. "I've never, ever once hurt, or put my hands on an officer," Tate claimed, while acknowledging that he was the person featured on the FBI's website. About 1,100 people have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and online sleuths have identified hundreds of additional rioters who have not yet been arrested. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will travel to China next week, a visit that coincides with a worsening slowdown in the worlds second largest economy. While Chinas troubles might give Raimondo greater leverage to pursue better market access for American companies, she is also likely to face calls from Beijing to help stabilize its faltering economy by easing some of the pressure Washington has recently applied. In terms of Raimondos trip, Beijings principle objective will be securing a reprieve, however temporary, from the onslaught of US export controls and other restrictions being levied on Chinas economy, said Craig Singleton, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan think tank based in Washington. Raimondo will travel to Beijing and Shanghai from Sunday through Wednesday, and discuss the US-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by US businesses and areas for potential cooperation, according to the Commerce Department. Chinas growth forecasts for this year are being marked down as exports and foreign investment slump, a real estate crisis deepens and worries about its financial health spread. For Beijing, Raimondo plays a key role in a number of areas that have been the source of mounting friction between the worlds top two economies. Gina Raimondo, US commerce secretary, speaks during the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. - Ting Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images Her department helps set Americas global trade policy a sticking point in US-China relations since the Trump administration increased tariffs on a range of Chinese goods. The secretary is responsible for supporting American businesses abroad, and also administers a series of US export controls that are aimed at cutting China off from advanced technologies that could be for military use. Whether the Biden administration is willing to ease up on Beijing remains to be seen, but an announcement that coincided with news of Raimondos visit suggests Washington is trying at least to create the conditions for a useful conversation. The Commerce Department announced on Monday that it was removing 27 Chinese companies from US export controls. Chinas Ministry of Commerce welcomed the decision, saying it was conducive to trade and reflected the interests of both sides. [This] may have helped grease the wheels for Raimondos trip, Eurasia Group analysts said in a note this week. It also suggests that the Biden administration is making modest but measurable progress with Beijing in reestablishing limited government-to-government communication and cooperation. Still a vital relationship For the United States, a stable Chinese economy is also in its interest. China remains the biggest source of imports into the US, and last year trade in goods between the two countries hit an all-time high of $690.6 billion. US imports from China totaled $536.8 billion, accounting for about 17% of its total imports. Exports to China were $154 billion, 7.5% of total US exports to the world. American companies have huge manufacturing networks in China and rely on Chinese consumers. Tesla, which opened a factory in Shanghai in 2018, now makes half of its electric cars in China. Apple still makes many of its iPhones there. Others consumer brands like Starbucks and Nike have a large customer base in China. Intel, Microsoft and General Motors derive a sizable portion of their revenues from the country. China is also the No. 2 foreign creditor to the United States. It held $835.4 billion of US Treasuries at the end of June, according to most recent data from the US Treasury Department. Thats second to Japans official stash of $1.11 trillion. Pain points The key friction points in the vital relationship currently center on the US export controls and de-risking measures it has taken against China in the past year. In October, the US government banned Chinese companies from buying advanced US chips and chip-making equipment without a license. The move strikes at the heart of Beijings tech ambitions. Washington has persuaded Europe and Japan to take similar measures. That was followed earlier this month by President Biden signing an executive order that limits US investment in certain tech sectors of the Chinese economy, including AI and quantum computing. China accused the US of politicizing and weaponizing tech and trade issues. Then there are the long-standing trade curbs on the two countries imposed by each other. A trade war erupted between the two countries in 2018, when President Donald Trump imposed additional tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods. China retaliated with tariffs on more than $100 billion worth of US imports. Most of the tariffs still remain under the Biden administration. They are under review, but its still unclear whether the review will result in any tariffs being removed. Ball in US court? Raimondo might also express concern about Beijings recent crackdown on Western consulting firms, which has unnerved US businesses. On Tuesday, China fined the Mintz Group, a New York-based corporate due diligence firm, about $1.5 million for allegedly conducting unapproved statistical work in the country. The fine came to light months after authorities closed the firms Beijing office and detained five of its local employees. Its just part of Chinas broader crackdown on consulting firms in the name of national security. In late April, Beijing tightened its counterespionage law and expanded the list of activities that could be considered spying. Around the same time, police questioned staff at the Shanghai offices of consulting giant Bain & Company. A few weeks later, state media released details of multiple raids on the offices of Capvision, an international expert network firm with headquarters in Shanghai and New York, by state security forces. [Chinese President] Xi Jinpings moves indicate a willingness to face the risks associated with reduced integration with the Western-led global economy, said Singleton, adding that he doesnt expect US-China relations to meaningfully improve anytime soon. But the Chinese leaders current challenge is striking a balance between his willingness to risk relations with the US, and the West, and the Chinese Communist Partys general aversion to instability in any form, Singleton said. To avoid social instability, the Chinese leadership is likely to embrace piecemeal or sector-specific measures to partially alleviate economic pressures. Those efforts may include adopting a more conciliatory approach towards Washington on a narrow set of issues in which China stands to benefit, he said. And with that, the ball might be in Washingtons court. Kylie Atwood and Jeremy Diamond contributed to reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The eight Republican presidential candidates who debated on Aug. 23 spent a lot of time attacking each other. They also revealed the main axes of attack against President Joe Biden by whoever wins the Republican nomination. The most prominent GOP attacks on Biden will focus on six issues: Bidenflation. At the moment, inflation is a legitimate liability for Biden. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hit on this in his opening statement at the debate, saying we cannot succeed as a country if you are working hard and cant afford groceries, a car, or a new home and finally, we have to lower your gas prices. Inflation became overheated almost as soon as Biden took office in 2021, for a variety of reasons, including a COVID-related boost in demand for many goods, COVID-related supply shortfalls, and trillions of dollars in stimulus that gave consumers even more money to spend. The year-over-year inflation rate peaked at 9% in June 2022 and is now down to 3.2%. But most of the price hikes of the last two years are still there, elevating base prices. And the cost of rent and groceries is still rising by more than incomes, causing ongoing hardship for many Americans. Theres not a lot any president can do to fight inflation on his own. Its really the job of the Federal Reserve to force inflation down by tightening monetary policy, which the Fed has been doing, aggressively. Biden did release 180 million barrels of oil from the US reserve, which helped bring oil and gasoline prices down a bit. But Bidens best hope may simply be waiting for the Feds actions to cool the economy and get inflation close to its 2% target by Election Day 2024, while the labor market stays solid and incomes hold up. Thats at least a 50-50 likelihood. Attack mode: Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former US Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, US Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum before the start before the start of the first Republican candidates' debate of the 2024 election. (Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS) Fossil fuels. GOP upstart Vivek Ramaswamy said, This isnt that complicated, guys. Unlock American energy, drill, frack, burn coal. Several other candidates dinged Biden for promoting green energy over fossil fuels. But Ramaswamy is wrong: It is complicated, actually. Biden did sign the biggest green energy bill in US history, but US oil production is likely to hit a new record high this year or next, and US natural gas production has already hit record highs under Biden. Theres a catch for Biden, though: If he touts record fossil fuel production during his presidency, it could alienate environmentalists Biden needs to turn out in force on Election Day. So that could leave Biden vulnerable to disinformation claiming he has shackled oil and gas producers. On the other hand, few Republicans even acknowledge the need to address global warming and the damage its causing, which could be a plus for Biden among sensible swing voters looking for solutions. Aid to Ukraine. Some Republicans, though not a majority, want to scale back or stop military and economic aid to Ukraine as it tries to reverse Russia's 2022 invasion. Ramaswamy has a naive plan to stop Ukraine aid as a way to split Russia from its ally China. DeSantis wants Europe to provide more aid. Congress will probably continue to approve funding for Ukraine. But Biden and other Ukraine backers need to be aware of waning public support for Americas ally in a conflict that could drag on for years. One way to to keep voters enthused is to remind them that Ukraine, with Americas financial help, is steadily dismantling the Russian army without the involvement of a single American soldier. [Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter.] China. Getting tough on China has become a recurring theme among Republican candidates, who want to impose more tariffs (Donald Trump), ban the import of goods made with stolen technology (DeSantis), and bring back US manufacturing jobs that have migrated to China during the last 40 years (most of them). Biden can make a solid case that hes already doing this, through three laws he signed in 2021 and 2022 meant to boost the US production of construction materials, semiconductors, green energy technology, and other key sectors. Theres already evidence that legislation is beginning to move the needle, with a factory construction boom underway in the United States and a boost in manufacturing jobs likely to follow. Bidens biggest challenge on China may be educating voters about his policies and persuading them hes making a difference. Can he educate voters? US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS) Illegal immigration. Several GOP candidates want to return to Trumps policies at the southern border: finishing Trumps border wall and toughening the rules on who can enter the United States, and for how long. Immigration, both legal and unauthorized, is an emotional and poorly understood issue highly susceptible to propaganda. Border crossings surged during Bidens first two years in office, compared with 2020, but thats distorted by COVID-era emergency provisions that expired under Biden. Border crossings are down in 2023, meanwhile. But Biden gets poor marks on immigration, with nearly twice as many Americans disapproving of his handling of immigration than approving. Hes vulnerable on this issue. The national debt. Each party blames the other for the mushrooming national debt, depending on whos in power (the guilty party) and whos out of power (the innocent bystander). The truth is that both Democrats and Republicans are fiscally irresponsible, with Democrats passing big unfunded spending bills and Republicans cutting taxes while lying about all the new tax revenue this will generate, which never happens. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley may have done Biden a favor by pointing out in the Aug. 23 debate that the national debt rose by $8 trillion while Donald Trump was president and arguing that its time for an accountant in the White House. She actually is an accountant, while Biden isnt. Maybe that's one more vulnerability Biden will have to counter. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman. Click here for politics news related to business and money Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Roadways at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport have reopened after overnight flooding partly blocked a terminal and thunderstorms halted incoming flights on Thursday. Access to the McNamara Terminal has been restored, airport authorities said Thursday afternoon. Both the northbound and southbound tunnels on Dingell Drive have reopened, according to an airport spokesperson. However, the Federal Aviation Administration said the airport is still experiencing ground delays as a result of the prior ground stop. Three inches of rain fell on the airport over about five hours, according to the National Weather Service, causing some flooding. In particular, travelers could not access the McNamara Terminal at the airport due to flooding in the Dingell Drive tunnels, the airport said earlier. Some roadways at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport remain closed due to the storms overnight, the airport said earlier. The sheer amount of rain in a short period of time is the primary driver for flooding at DTW. About 18% of flights originating at the airport were canceled on Thursday, according to tracking site Flight Aware. While the cancellations are affecting multiple carriers, Delta Air Lines has been particularly hard hit with 96 flights canceled. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is a major hub for both Delta and Spirit and has more than 1,100 flights per day, according to its website. More rain is expected Thursday night, and the Michigan Emergency Management and Homeland Security said theyre working with local officials to keep everyone safe. And Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency due to the flooding across the metro Detroit area. The rain is connected to a broader risk of severe storms and flooding in the Great Lakes area. A level 2 of 4 risk for flooding extends from Ohio into Pennsylvania, and the threat for severe storms includes over 40 million people over the Great Lakes, including Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, where more strong to severe storms are expected. CNNs Sara Smart, Ross Levitt and Dave Hennen contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Fort Worth police arrested a heavily armed man who they said threatened people inside a church and where they found a dead dog outside near a community garden, according to a news release Thursday. Church officials said Friday that the man has attended services the past few months and his actions are believed to be those of a lone disturbed individual and not a hate crime. At around 11 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to All Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist, formerly known as First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church at 1959 Sandy Lane about a deceased dog that was found near its community garden. When police arrived, the caller led them to the garden, where officers found a rifle with multiple bullet casings near the dog, according to the release. At around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday officers were dispatched to the same location about a man holding a shotgun and wearing ammo on his chest inside the church. When officers arrived, they entered the church to find a man standing near a firearm and immediately detained him, police said. The man was identified by police as 27-year-old Roman Collins. The witness who had called 911 told officers that Collins had made threatening statements about killing people. The initial 911 call was made by a teacher who told police that there were children inside a private school at the church at the time the dog was found dead and apparently cut open, according to a Fort Worth police call log. Roman Collins, 27, was found with several weapons inside a Unitarian Universalist church after a caller reported he threatened to kill people on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, according to Fort Worth police. When officers searched Collins, they found several weapons including a shotgun, a large fixed-blade style knife, a handgun, several loaded magazines, medical equipment, and a water canteen, according to the release. Officers also found Collins truck, which contained a rifle that had been converted to accept handgun magazines, police said. Investigators conducted an interview with Collins. Police have not described Collins motive for the threats, but said based on the initial investigation, there is not evidence to support classifying it as a hate crime. Fort Worth polices Homeland Security Unit is leading the investigation. Out of precaution, police requested the Fort Worth Fire Department Arson/Bomb Unit to conduct a security sweep of the church, courtyard and the suspects vehicle for explosive devices. The Fort Worth Police Departments SWAT unit later conducted a search warrant at Collins home with the assistance of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Collins was booked into the Fort Worth City Jail on charges of terroristic threat, cruelty to a non-livestock animal, and carrying weapons in a place where theyre prohibited. Hes been moved to the Tarrant County Jail, with bond set at $200,000, jail records showed Friday. The investigation is ongoing. Last month, police in Collin County investigated a fire that was intentionally set at Community Unitarian Universalist Church of Plano when someone threw an accelerant in front of the church and lit it. No one was injured in the arson, but the churchs front doors, material directly outside the doors and a foyer were damaged. The Plano church said it had been reviewing building security and working with police since what church officials called a hate group harassed members during and after a worship service on June 25. In that incident, a group of four people who post anti-LGBTQ videos on YouTube filmed themselves pranking members of the church, the Dallas Morning News reported. According to the Unitarian Universalist Association, the church is welcoming of the LGBTQ community and its first principle is to uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every person. During their initial investigation in July, Plano police said they had not established any connection between the video prank and the firebombing of the church that occurred weeks later. Theres still no word on who set the Plano fire. A representative with Plano Fire-Rescue said the investigation is ongoing. A representative for the Community Unitarian Universalist Church also told the Star-Telegram they never found out who set the fire. Staff writer Abby Church contributed to this report. According to police, a surfer who was attacked by a shark off Australia's east coast is in critical condition in the hospital. The 44-year-old guy was surfing close to Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie when a shark commenced a "sustained and prolonged attack," according to a statement from New South Wales (NSW) police. The surfer struggled with the shark for almost 30 seconds before swimming back to land and realizing the severity of his wounds, according to CNN regional affiliate 9News. Before paramedics sent the surfer in serious condition to Port Macquarie Hospital, a bystander, according to police, applied a tourniquet, as reported by CNN. According to a Facebook post from Port Macquarie Hastings ALS Lifeguards, Lighthouse Beach will be closed for at least 24 hours. The team added that a drone will be used for surveillance flights to keep an eye on shark activity nearby. According to Surf Life Saving NSW, experts from the Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) have started looking into the event. According to the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File, Australia was second only to the US in terms of unannounced shark encounters with people in 2016. The term "unprovoked bites" refers to occurrences in which a shark bites a human in its natural environment without being provoked by a human. The term "provoked bites" refers to situations in which a human initiates contact with a shark in some way. Seven injuries and one fatality were reported as a result of 10 shark encounters in New South Wales in 2022, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database. Read also: Shark Attack: Two Tourist Women Killed By Sharks on Egypt's Red Sea Coast Shark Attacks in Australia Australia has a long history of shark attacks. In fact, it is the country with the highest number of shark attacks in the world. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been over 670 shark attacks in Australia since 1791, resulting in 270 deaths. (Photo: by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images) A Great White Shark swims by the research vessels off the coast of Chatham, Massachusetts, on October 21, 2022. - We're discovering new aspects about their biology, we never even knew before, said Dr. Greg Skomal, 61, a shark researcher for the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries. For example, we discovered that white sharks travel out into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The most common sharks involved in attacks in Australia are bull sharks, tiger sharks, and great white sharks. These sharks are all large and powerful predators that are found in coastal waters around Australia. Shark attacks in Australia can happen at any time of year, but they are most common during the summer months when people are more likely to be swimming and surfing in the ocean. The most recent shark attack in Australia occurred on February 28, 2023, off the coast of Esperance in Western Australia. A 23-year-old man was attacked while surfing and sustained serious injuries to his leg. He was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition but has since been released. The number of shark attacks in Australia has been increasing in recent years. In 2022, there have been 11 unprovoked shark attacks, compared to 10 in 2021 and 8 in 2020. Related article: Russian Tourist Killed in Rare Shark Attack in Egypt @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New details have emerged in the mass shooting that left three people dead and six others injured at a popular bar in Southern California on Wednesday night, which police say was carried out by a retired police sergeant. At a press conference on Thursday afternoon in Orange County, California, Sheriff Don Barnes said they believe the shooter -- 59-year-old former police sergeant John Snowling, who is now deceased -- traveled from Ohio amid an ongoing dispute over divorcing his wife in the run-up to the incident at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon. Barnes said that, based on witness statements, the suspect walked into the bar with two firearms in his possession and went directly to his estranged wife. He drew his weapon and fired on the woman, Barnes said. He then turned and fired on the person who was sharing the meal with his wife, authorities said. PHOTO: Law enforcement personnel stage at the scene of a mass shooting outside Cook's Corner, on Aug. 24, 2023, in Trabuco Canyon, Calif. (Jae C. Hong/AP) MORE: 19-year-old woman kidnapped from park and killed was allegedly randomly targeted: Police The suspect then began randomly shooting at patrons of the popular venue, the sheriff said. He shot inside Cook's Corner and in the bar's outside area and then returned to his truck to retrieve two additional weapons, according to the authorities' current timeline of events. While the suspect was at his vehicle, police said, an individual approached the suspect and was shot. That person received aid but died at the scene. A third victim also died at the scene. All of the gunshot victims were adults. The shooting was reported just after 7 p.m. PT Wednesday and deputies responded within minutes, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Dispatchers could hear the gunfire in the background as deputies tried to find the shooter, the sheriff's office said. Deputies then "contacted" an armed man and a "deputy-involved shooting involving multiple deputies occurred," the sheriff's office said. Members of the sheriff's department immediately engaged with the shooter and gunfire was exchanged. No deputies were injured, but the man was killed in the shootout, Barnes said. Two of the deceased -- a man and a woman -- haven't been identified and next of kin have not been notified. A 67-year-old man from Irvine was one of the victims, the sheriff said. Six others were taken to Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. Two of the injured were initially hospitalized in critical condition and the other four were considered stable. At Thursday's press conference, a trauma medical doctor from the hospital said all patients are now stable. Two are in critical condition, and one has been released from the hospital. PHOTO: Road closure signs are place at the scene of a mass shooting at Cook's Bar, on Aug. 24, 2023, in Trabuco Canyon, Calif. Gunfire at a popular Southern California biker bar killed three people and wounded several others. (Jae C. Hong/AP) Early Thursday morning, authorities confirmed the only woman hospitalized from the shooting was shot in the jaw and listed in critical condition, according to Providence Mission Hospital. PHOTO: This aerial photo shows Cook's Corner, on Aug. 24, 2023, in Trabuco Canyon, Calif. Gunfire at the popular Southern California biker bar killed three people and wounded five others. (Jae C. Hong/AP) The second critical patient, an adult male, was shot in the chest, according to the hospital. PHOTO: An Orange County Sheriff crime lab truck accesses the road leading to Cook's Corner biker bar in Trabuco Canyon, Calif., Aug. 23, 2023. (Etienne Laurent/EPA via Shutterstock) MORE: Father killed after confronting scooter thieves with his son in their own backyard: Police Snowling worked at Southern California's Ventura Police Department from 1986 until his retirement in 2014, according to Ventura police. "Our hearts weigh heavy with the distressing incident at Cook's Corner," Ventura Police Chief Darin Schindler said in a statement. "Our deepest condolences are with the families of the victims, the survivors, and the Orange County deputies who swiftly responded to the scene. This incident deeply affects us all." PHOTO: In this July 7, 2000, file photo, Ventura Police officer John Snowling patrols the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, Calif. (Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images, FILE) In the wake of the shooting, Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted the role of red flag laws and urged Californians to speak up to help "safely remove guns from those who may be a potential threat." "There are early reports that this horror was related to a domestic dispute," Newsom said in a statement. "Two-thirds of mass shooters in America have a history of domestic violence." "Victims and survivors in California should know they are never alone -- we have tools and resources to support and protect you," he continued. "Our state's red flag laws allow victims, family members, coworkers, and others to work with local law enforcement and the courts to safely remove guns from those who may be a potential threat. We must continue to strengthen, defend, and use these laws. If you see red flags, say something -- and in doing so, save lives." PHOTO: At least nine people were shot in the Trabuco Canyon area of Orange County, a representative for the Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed, Aug. 23, 2023. (KABC) ABC News' Matthew Fuhrman contributed to this report. New details emerge in mass shooting at popular Southern California bar that left 3 dead, 6 injured originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (Reuters) -Alnylam Pharmaceuticals said on Friday it plans to appeal a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware on two patents asserted against Moderna for the latter's COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax. Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Alnylam sued both Moderna and Pfizer Inc in Delaware last year, seeking royalties for the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology their vaccines use to deliver genetic material known as mRNA. The cases are part of a wave of patent lawsuits that have been filed over technology used in the COVID-19 shots, including one filed by Moderna against Pfizer last year. While Alnylam and Moderna have jointly agreed to final judgment over the non-infringement of two patents, Alnylam said it disagrees with the court's ruling. Alnylam anticipates its second action against Moderna for infringement will move forward in the Delaware Court. Moderna did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Delaware court's ruling did not impact the company's infringement contentions in its two separate suits against Pfizer, Alnylam said. (Reporting by Khushi Mandowara and Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) By Gram Slattery WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerged from the first Republican presidential debate having retained his position as Donald Trump's top rival, but the absence of a game-changing moment for him means other contenders now see more of a chance to dislodge him from his vulnerable No. 2 spot. The governor's team had gone into the debate in Milwaukee hoping to draw a line under a summer slide in the polls and begin consolidating his position as the obvious alternative to former President Donald Trump, who holds a nearly 40-point lead in most polls. But while his gaffe-free performance Wednesday evening satisfied allies who argued he articulated a clear rationale for his candidacy, it was former tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence who received much of the airtime and attention. According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted before the debate, 8% of Republicans supported Pence, 7% backed Ramaswamy and 5% supported Haley. DeSantis stood at 13%, though he will need to steal support from lower-polling rivals if he is to catch Trump, who stood at some 47%. Haley emerged from the debate as the candidate most likely to receive a second look, according to interviews with 10 political strategists, donors and bundlers. Ramaswamy likely won over some voters with his aggressive and freewheeling style, they said, though some donors were put off by the tech entrepreneur's frequent attacks on opponents. "I don't think a lot changed in terms of (DeSantis') strength," said Brett Doster, a Tallahassee-based political consultant, who is friendly with DeSantis' team. He said Haley, who confronted Ramaswamy in one spirited exchange in which she defended the role of the United States in Ukraine, had "scored points" with donors. Robert Doar, the president of the American Enterprise Institute, a major conservative think tank, said after the debate it was still to be determined who was the best positioned alternative to take on Trump. "We still don't quite know who that will be," he said. One significant donor who remains on the fence said DeSantis had said little to win him over. "It was a crappy debate," said the person, who requested anonymity to preserve his political relationships. SEVERAL CONTENDERS Candidates like Pence, Haley and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott receiving attention from donors and voters is bad news for DeSantis. His campaign burned through cash at an unexpectedly fast rate in the early summer and DeSantis will be dependent on new donors entering the fray to keep his operation on the rails. He has already suffered some major defections. The largest donor to the main outside spending group supporting him, Never Back Down, told Reuters last month that he was cutting the governor off for the time being due to policy differences. In conversations in recent weeks, DeSantis' allies portrayed the first debate as a key part of his plan to jumpstart his campaign. In recent days, however, some close allies began to temper those expectations, saying he had to mount a competent defense, and then prepare to hit the campaign trail hard this fall, when many voters tune in in earnest. "DeSantis assertively laid out his vision for America and showed he was ready to be president," said Dan Eberhart, a close DeSantis ally and donor. "DeSantis looked steady and ready." Jay Zeidman, a Houston-based donor and DeSantis bundler, said "the governor did what he needed to do" at the debate. "What did happen seemed like a scrum for third place. Nikki, Pence and Christie went for Vivek," said Zeidman. "He's a lot of hat and no cattle, as we say in Texas." Still, campaign aides had said he was girding for constant attacks on the debate stage, which never came to pass. One person close to the governor, who requested anonymity to discuss internal strategy, had predicted those attacks would help the governor reveal himself to more voters, as he would be allotted more rebuttal time than his opponents. But DeSantis was hardly mentioned by his rivals, and he ended up speaking less than Pence, Haley and Ramaswamy. Two people involved the campaign's operations acknowledged DeSantis would likely need to take on his low-polling foes on the campaign trail in the near future. And there are indications that DeSantis' allies are already pushing him to do so. Never Back Down, which has taken over many functions of DeSantis' campaign, posted opposition research regarding Ramaswamy on a public website last week as well as polling in multiple states comparing DeSantis' standing to Scott, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and others. The next debate will take place in late September in California. "The first debate is always your opportunity to learn and improve," said Doster, the Republican operative from Tallahassee. (Reporting by Gram Slattery in Washington; Additional reporting by James Oliphant in Washington and Alexandra Ulmer in San Francisco, editing by Ross Colvin) A city council in Australia has voted to remove a statue of William Crowther, a former premier of the state of Tasmania, who decapitated the body of an Aboriginal man. The statues removal would be the first of its kind in Australia, and would advance Hobarts standing as a welcoming and inclusive city, the council said in a statement. William Lanne died in 1869. - Photo 12/Universal Images Group Editorial/Getty Images Crowther, who was Tasmanian premier in 1878-79, was accused of decapitating the body of Aboriginal man William Lanne and sending his skull to the Royal College of Surgeons in London. As a result of the accusation, he was suspended from his role as an honorary medical officer at the Hobart General Hospital in March 1869. The decapitation was tied to Crowthers involvement in the now discredited, pseudoscientific field of phrenology, which claimed that a persons intelligence and character was based on the shape and size of their skull and attempted to prove that Aboriginal people were less intelligent than White people. Lanne was born in 1835 into what was thought to be the last Aboriginal family still living on the mainland of Tasmania before being removed to Wybalenna where Aboriginal people were taken to be civilised and Christianised, according to the University of Tasmania. According to information on the Hobart City Council website, he worked on whaling ships, was described as joyful and made official complaints about the conditions endured by Aboriginal people, before his death at age 34 from cholera and dysentery. Tasmanian Aboriginal people fought for more than a century for Lannes skull to be returned from London and it was eventually buried in Tasmania in 1991. They also asked the council several years ago to consider the removal of Crowthers statue from its place in Franklin Square in the heart of the city as an act of reconciliation, Hobarts Lord Mayor, Anna Reynolds, said in a statement on the councils website. Crowther was certainly not the only person making transactions in this discredited field of racial science, Reynolds added. But hes the only person with hands-on involvement that has a prominent celebratory statue in Hobarts main civic square. The council first considered removing the statue in 2018 and approved its removal last year. The planning committee passed this final vote 8-2 and the statue will now be taken down, unless appeals are lodged. In its place, the council will commission new interpretive elements to sit adjacent to the existing plinth, recounting the story of Crowther and Lanne, the culture at the time of Lannes death and the story of the statues removal. Deciding to relocate this statue doesnt change history, Reynolds said. The records, books, articles, dates and stories associated with the statue will all remain unchanged. The statue itself will be cared for and I hope reinterpreted in a new location. However, Hobart city councillor Louise Elliot, who has been vocal in her support for the statue but was absent for the vote, has already announced her intention to appeal the decision, writing on Facebook last week that she was fed up with this selective offence. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre said in a video posted on Facebook that it was very happy with the decision to remove the statue that continues to cause so much hurt and trauma for our people. It follows a wider trend in Western countries as, increasingly, statues of colonizers and those perceived to be symbols of racism are removed. In 2021, for example, 73 Confederate monuments were removed or renamed in the United States. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A boil water advisory has been issued for parts of San Diego and surrounding areas in Southern California that will last through the weekend. Originally issued in the Silver Strand area of Coronado and Imperial Beach, the advisory was expanded late Thursday to include parts of San Diego and Chula Vista. California American Water said the advisory is in place due to positive E. Coli results found in the drinking water. Affected customers will be contacted directly by Cal American Water Company with additional information, San Diego County Emergency said. Residents are being urged to boil all water for three minutes, then let it cool before using, California American Water said. The California Division of Drinking Water in conjunction with California American Water, is advising impacted California American Water customers that reside in the above cities to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution, California American Water said in a release. Its unclear if this stems from the effects of Tropical Storm Hilary, which hit the region on Sunday. Most strains of the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. But some kinds cause disease by producing Shiga toxin. The bacteria that make these toxins are called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The symptoms of STEC infections can include stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Some infections are mild, but others can be life-threatening. The CDC estimates that 265,000 STEC infections occur each year in the United States. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) China, Iran and Russia are engaged in foreign interference in New Zealand, the nation's domestic intelligence agency said Friday after making its threat assessment report public for the first time. In the report, Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the Security Intelligence Service sees enormous value in sharing more of its insights publicly. The agency had previously taken a secretive approach. It decided to change course after it and other agencies were criticized for focusing too much on the perceived threat from Islamic extremism and being blindsided when a white supremacist shot and killed 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques in 2019. In the report, the agency says the most notable case of foreign interference is the continued targeting of the nation's diverse Chinese communities by people with links to the intelligence arm of China's ruling Communist Party. It said China's efforts to advance its political, economic and military involvement in the Pacific was driving strategic competition. The agency said it was aware and concerned about ongoing Chinese intelligence activity in and against New Zealand." The report said Iran had been engaged in societal interference by monitoring and reporting on Iranian communities and dissident groups in New Zealand. The agency linked Russia's war in Ukraine to a number of problems, including increased geopolitical competition, supply chain disruptions, and efforts to spy on other countries and seed disinformation. Russias international disinformation campaigns have not targeted New Zealand specifically, but have had an impact on the views of some New Zealanders, the report found. Domestically, the agency found that violent extremism continued to pose a threat. The report said there were likely some people in New Zealand with the intent and capability to carry out domestic terror attacks, although the agency wasn't aware of any specific or credible plans. We continue to see inflammatory language and violent abuse online targeting a wide variety of people from already marginalized communities, the report found. Sixty years after civil rights pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched to Washington, D.C., to call for freedom and economic growth, todays generation of civil rights leaders reflect on their ancestors push to achieve liberty and justice for all Americans and the current state of the civil rights movement in todays political climate. Monday marks the actual anniversary of the historic march, where Dr. King delivered his iconic I Have a Dream speech. The state of civil rights in the country has been murky due to recent legislation and court rulings affecting Black history and civil rights. Dr. Kings son, Martin Luther King III, told The Hill in an interview that his father wouldnt have imagined the country and his sons generation still fighting for basic civil rights. King, along with other civil rights leaders and politicians, took part in The Hills Walk to Freedom Turns 60: Miles to Go A Discussion on the March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom virtual event, moderated by The Hills race and politics reporter and host of The Switch Up podcast Cheyanne M. Daniels. But I cant imagine that he would have envisioned necessarily that in 2023 that our nation would be at loggerheads in relationship to fighting to protect and preserve democracy, fighting to expand the right to vote, to make it easier to vote, as opposed to making it harder to vote, as some states have done, fighting to regain the right to choose, fighting just for people to have basic rights, the LGBTQ community and the list goes on and on, said King, the chairman of the Drum Major Institute. King, alongside his wife, Andrea Waters King, also said that it is a positive that the generation after his and his fathers are determined and focused on getting our nation to a better place. Weve got to reintroduce civility into the political space that has been temporarily lost. It is not gone, King added. And so I think my mother and father certainly would be proud of certain things, certain to be so proud of, of our daughter, their granddaughter, who in her own way is choosing to carry on. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told The Hill that the nations democracy is under attack, noting the recent attacks on education, civil rights and voting rights. But nothing matters more than people understanding that this democracy belongs to all of us, Horsford said. Its not some archaic thing that only applies to a certain view to the well-connected into the well-off, it includes all of us, and the institutions of our democracy are the fundamentals that were working to defend in this moment. The 60th anniversary of the march comes amid a swing of legislation and court rulings involving civil rights and Black history. Recently, multiple GOP-led states have banned the teaching of critical race theory, a legal theory that says U.S. institutions are inherently racist, which critics argue has been a cover to ban discussions of race in schools States legislatures such as Florida and Arkansas have banned the teaching of Advanced Placement African American studies courses from their school districts, citing that the curriculum violates new laws that prohibit the teaching of these topics in schools. The Supreme Court earlier in June struck down affirmative action, a process that allowed colleges and universities to use race-conscious admissions. NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who was alongside Courtland Cox, one of the co-organizers for the march and a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, said 60 years after the march, the fight for civil rights will still continue. There is no community more American than Black Americans, Johnson said. Despite all of the reneging of the promise we still hold, true to making democracy work is one of our primary responsibilities and to assure equal protection under the law. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tucker Carlson's interview with former President Trump ran on X (formerly Twitter) on the same night as the first Republican presidential primary debate, which was hosted by Fox News. (Chris Delmas / AFP via Getty Images) How do you get indicted every week and stay cheerful? ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson asked former President Trump in an interview that was meant to steal the thunder from the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday. The pre-taped, 46-minute discussion, which was streamed on X (formerly Twitter), was more like a gentle softball toss between friends than the sort of high-wattage spectacle both men are accustomed to generating, particularly on Fox News, the network that hosted the debate, that no longer employs Carlson and that has become increasingly critical of Trump. They chatted about President Bidens skinny legs, what they felt really happened to Jeffrey Epstein in jail (Suicide or murder? Carlson asked with a furrowed brow) and rehashed Trumps reasoning for skipping the debate, which was running live at the same time the video was released. But judging by Thursday mornings headlines and social media trends, the once powerful showmen were overshadowed by a gathering of low-polling GOP candidates in Milwaukee stoic former Vice President Mike Pence versus the mouthy entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and more bad news associated with Trumps 2020 run for the White House. Mugshots of Trumps co-defendants Rudy Giuliani and other political allies flooded the mediasphere after the former New York mayor surrendered to authorities in Georgia in connection with a sprawling case to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Trump is expected to surrender at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on Thursday one of four criminal cases filed against the former reality star in recent months. Comradery between Trump and Carlson, forged around years of promoting the Big Lie and a bond cemented by both men's loss of their former thrones, permeated the interview. Carlson, who actively promoted Trump on his show, but privately criticized him, was fired by Fox News in April after a defamation suit. "I think it was a terrible move getting rid of you," Trump said to Carlson about his dismissal from the crown jewel of Rupert Murdochs media empire. Meanwhile, Carlson played to Trumps claims of being unfairly targeted and victimized when he asked the former president about all the indictments against him: Are you worried theyd try and kill you? Why wouldnt they try and kill you, honestly? The two also leaned into a familiar interview pattern from their days at the top of the media spin: Carlson gave Trump the unobstructed runway to attack detractors rather than discuss policy. But even Trumps vitriol toward the savage maniac lunatic he never trusted, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, felt like an old trick in a drastically new era. The Republican presidential candidates, from left: former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. (Morry Gash / Associated Press) Meanwhile Wednesday, Christie battled it out onstage in a two-hour debate that also included Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Given Trumps absence, it was their chance to loosen the grip that their partys frontrunner has on the Republican electorate. Ramaswamy stole a page from Trumps 2016 playbook, emerging as a stroppy candidate challenging the status quo of Washington. The 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur baited everyone onstage, saying that they were bought and paid for, declaring that the climate change agenda was a hoax and that hed stop supporting Ukraine should he become president. Haley came down hard on the zealous newcomer in what was perhaps the most pointed exchange of the evening. Look at what Putin did today, she said, referring to a questionable plane crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, a critic of the Russian president. He killed Prigozhin. When I was at the U.N., the Russian ambassador suddenly died. This guy is a murderer. And you are choosing a murderer over a pro-American country." DeSantis, who has been polling a distant second behind Trump, appeared stuck in 2020 when he railed against COVID-era lockdown protocols, promised to send Biden back to the basement and demonized the former chief medical adviser to the president, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Despite the rest of the groups willingness to passionately debate hot topics such as a federal abortion ban, all were reticent to talk about the guy who wasnt there. It was nearly an hour into the broadcast when moderator Bret Baier finally said, We are going to take a brief moment and talk about the elephant not in the room. He then asked the candidates, If former President Trump is convicted in a court of law, would you still support him as the party's choice? All responded in the affirmative except for Christie and Hutchinson, both of whom were showered with a litany of boos from the rowdy crowd. Then, after just 10 minutes spent on the right's greatest chance and obstacle in retaking the White House, co-moderator Martha MacCallum switched subjects. You could almost hear the collective sigh of relief. As of midday Thursday, the 46-minute conversation between Trump and Carlson on X has attracted more than 150 million views, according to the social media platform, while viewership numbers on the debate were still unavailable. But comparisons are tough, given that X view counts include anyone who has scrolled past the video since it was posted Wednesday, even if only for a few seconds, and Fox News numbers dont include the many other ways that people may have watched the debate (YouTube and DVR, for example). One thing that is clear: The duo's conversation about "unfriendly" Fox News, the sale of the Panama canal or Trumps deregulation of low-flow shower heads was hardly driving the national conversation Thursday. Trump's impending surrender and the fireworks and flubs of the other presidential hopefuls shaped the narrative, rather than a chat between two men grasping to reclaim their former seats of power. Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Gloria Dickie (Reuters) - Environmental leaders from 185 countries gathered in Vancouver, Canada, on Thursday to launch a fund to support global conservation, and the United Nations called for contributions to help meet goals including protection of 30% of land and coastal areas by 2030. Canada said it would put in 200 million Canadian dollars ($147.20 million) and the United Kingdom contributed 10 million pounds ($12.60 million). "We are off to a good start. We now call for further pledges from countries and from other sources so that the first projects under the new fund can be launched next year," said David Cooper, acting executive secretary of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity. Campaign group Avaaz said the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund needed $200 million from at least three donors by December to be considered operational. "The time for half-measures has passed," Avaaz director Oscar Soria said. "Surely donors can come up with the paltry $40 million" needed to get the fund up and running. The meeting comes eight months after governments agreed the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework what some have called the "Paris Agreement for Nature", invoking the landmark 2015 United Nations pact to tackle climate change. One of the framework's 23 targets is to help mobilize public and private sector players to funnel $200 billion per year to conservation initiatives by 2030, with developed countries contributing at least $20 billion of this every year by 2025. The fund launched on Thursday is managed within the Global Environment Facility (GEF) a mechanism established under the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change which has provided more than $23 billion to thousands of projects in the past 30 years. The world's least developed countries and small island states will take priority and receive more than a third of the funds, with a target for as much as 20% to go to projects led by indigenous people, the GEF said in a statement. ($1 = 1.3587 Canadian dollars) ($1 = 0.7938 pounds) (Reporting by Gloria Dickie in London, additional reporting by Isla Binnie in New York; Editing by David Gregorio) By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand's highest court has ordered former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley to pay NZ$6.6 million ($3.9 million) plus interest as compensation for her role in the collapse of a construction company, a judgement released on Friday said. Shipley was New Zealands first female prime minister holding the role from 1997 to 1999. She was chair of the board of construction firm Mainzeal when the company was placed in liquidation in 2013 after a number years of financial difficulty. The liquidators of the company bought charges against Shipley and directors Richard Yan, Clive Tilby and Peter Gromm, arguing they had let the company operate in a way that created a risk of serious loss to creditors and took on debts that could not reasonably have been repaid. The Appeal Court had previously found that this was the case. The Supreme Court agreed. In the judgement, the court ordered the four directors to contribute NZ$39.8 million plus interest to Mainzeal creditors. It stated Yan was most culpable and said he was responsible for the entire amount of compensation, with Shipley, Tilby and Gromms liabilities capped at NZ$6.6 million and interest each. Lawyers on behalf of Shipley, Tilby and Gromm said in a statement their clients were "deeply disappointed" their appeal has been dismissed and "continue to regret the collapse of Mainzeal and its serious consequences for its staff, customers and creditors." The statement said they will now take time to consider the consequences of the court's judgement. Yan's solicitor did not immediately responded to a request for comment and his lawyer said he had no instruction to comment on the case. Mainzeal liquidator Andrew McKay said in a statement he welcomed the court's decision confirming the directors breached their duties. This is a landmark judgment which reinforces the obligations directors have to fulfil their duties diligently and responsibly," he said. ($1 = 1.6883 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Lincoln Feast) Denmark's local government announced on Friday, August 15, its intention to introduce legislation that would make it illegal to disrespect any sacred book in the country. This comes after a series of public desecrations of the Quran by a small group of anti-Islam activists provoked heated rallies across Muslim nations. The Danish government has acknowledged that its country has been seen as one that makes it easier to criticize and demean the cultures, faiths, and customs of other nations. 'Senseless Taunts' According to AP News, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard has said that the center-right government of Denmark wants to make it illegal to mistreat objects of considerable religious value to a religious group, joining the current prohibition on burning foreign flags. The law would make it illegal to publicly burn religious texts like the Bible or Quran. Hummelgaard said it will target actions in a public place or with the intention of spreading in a wider circle. Such conduct would result in fines or jail time of up to two years. Recent demonstrations, Hummelgaard said at a press conference, were "senseless taunts that have no other purpose than to create discord and hatred." The government has constantly distanced itself from the blasphemies yet emphasized that free speech is a key priority in Denmark. The document said the new legislation would have no impact on that. Hummelgaard explained free speech is fundamental to Danish democracy and a highly valued aspect of Danish culture. He said that the plan does not alter the need for a wide legal framework protecting free speech in Denmark, notwithstanding its narrow focus. See Also: Denmark Increases Border Security After Considering Ban on Quran Burnings Exemptions The Justice Ministry has said that the measure would be introduced to parliament on September 1. It will be debated, if required, before the conclusion of the legislative year, which is before Christmas. The administration has said that the measure does not apply to verbal or written statements, including drawings. In 2006, a newspaper in Denmark published 12 cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, including one depicting Muhammad with a bomb for a turban, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. In the eyes of Muslims, depictions of the prophet are idolatrous and a disrespect to God. The photos sparked violent anti-Denmark demonstrations among Muslims all across the globe. At least one group outside of government has changed its views in response to all the Quran burnings. Seven members of the parliament's 179 Social Liberal party members have previously opposed the law's strengthening. Party spokesperson Christian Friis Bach stated, "There have been over 100 Quran burnings over the past few months with the sole purpose of creating discord and uncertainty. We back the proposal." See Also: Pakistan Arrests More Than 100 After Angry Mob Attacked Churches Following Rumors Christians Burned Quran Pages @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. PARIS (Reuters) -Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will stand trial in 2025 on charges of corruption and illegal financing related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid, the financial prosecutor's office said on Friday. Sarkozy, who remains an important figure in French politics although he no longer holds any elected post, has always denied the accusations. "There's not even the smallest inkling of proof," he said in an interview in 2018. The conservative former president, in office from 2007 to 2012, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted in the case. He is also fighting various other legal cases. In this case, he will stand trial over charges of "concealment of embezzlement of public funds, passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime punishable by 10 years in jail", the prosecutor's office said. Among the 12 others facing trial in the case are Sarkozy's former right-hand man Claude Gueant, his then head of campaign financing Eric Woerth and former Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux. An initial hearing is set for March 7, 2024, the prosecutor's office said, with the trial itself scheduled to take place between Jan.6, 2025 and April 10, 2025. Sarkozy, 68, lost an appeal in May against a 2021 conviction for corruption and influence peddling. His legal team promised to challenge that at France's highest court. Sarkozy's conservative predecessor, the late Jacques Chirac, was found guilty of corruption in 2011, four years after he left office. (Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Bertrand BouceyWriting by Dominique Vidalon and Ingrid MelanderEditing by Frances Kerry) Far-right lawmaker Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) introduced articles of impeachment Friday against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, accusing the Pentagon chief of ignoring key intelligence and pushing through a chaotic 2021 retreat from Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members. Mills formally introduced the resolution to impeach Austin just one day ahead of the two-year anniversary of the deaths of the service members. High-level officials in this administration blatantly ignored intel that Americans and our allied partners in Kabul would be left behind in harms way unless the U.S. corrected course in our withdrawal, Mills said in a statement. As a result, nearly 200 people, including 13 American servicemembers, were murdered at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan two years ago, he continued. Because of this clear dereliction of duty, today I am introducing articles of impeachment for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The American service members and dozens of Afghans were killed Aug. 26, 2021, when two suicide bombers attacked Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport. The resolution introduced by Mills says Austin engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors for failing to properly plan for the withdrawal despite having at least eight months to prepare. The Florida lawmaker also slammed Austin for strategic and moral blindness by forcing a hasty retreat that failed to protect American and Afghan lives. Mills pointed to a messy U.S. withdrawal from Bagram Airfield in July 2021. The Americans left the Afghan forces in charge of the military installation without notifying the new commander. When the Taliban took control of the base in August, they released thousands of prisoners, including Abdul Rehman Al-Loghri, one of the Abbey Gate bombers. Its unclear how much support the resolution will have in the House. Republicans have expressed intense passion over impeaching Biden administration officials but have yet to follow through. The effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has died down, and a resolution from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to impeach President Biden also went nowhere. The U.S. began its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in summer 2021 and completed the retreat by the end of August. The pullout allowed the Taliban to take control of the capitol of Kabul and initially left behind thousands of Americans. Republicans were enraged by the withdrawal and have held hearings in the House this year spotlighting both the chaos and the deaths of the American troops. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) is also investigating the withdrawal. However, he has faced numerous delays, clashing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken over retrieving the necessary documents and information. Mills said Friday it was not enough for Congress to hold committee hearings, calling for more action. We must start taking real action to address the complete failure of this administration, the conservative lawmaker said. The fact that it has been two entire years without any member of this administration being held accountable is unfathomable. That changes today, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CHICAGO (AP) A federal jury in Chicago on Thursday convicted a former chief of staff to longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of lying under oath to a grand jury to protect his once-powerful boss who is scheduled to go on trial on multiple corruption charges next year. The 68-year-old Tim Mapes, who served for almost two decades as the Democrats chief of staff, was convicted of one count of perjury and one of attempted obstruction of justice. Obstruction alone carries up to 20 years in prison, while the perjury count carries up to five years behind bars. The conviction strikes uncomfortably close to home for the now 81-year-old Madigan who, for decades, was one of the most powerful state legislative leaders in the nation. Many once thought he was untouchable because he was too smart, careful and well-connected. Then, in 2022, he was indicted on charges that included racketeering and bribery. After three weeks of testimony, jurors deliberated for around five hours before returning with a verdict Thursday afternoon. As it was read aloud, Mapes displayed no emotion, according to the Chicago-Sun Times. He later left the courthouse without speaking to reporters. U.S. District Judge John Kness set a Jan. 10 sentencing date. Prosecutors told jurors Mapes lied repeatedly when he testified in 2021 to a grand jury investigating Madigan and others. They said he specifically lied when he said he couldnt recall any relevant details about Madigans ties to Michael McClain, who was a Madigan confidant. One witness, a legislator, told jurors that Madigan, Mapes and McClain formed a mighty triumvirate with Madigan at its head in the Illinois House for years, controlling which bills got through the legislative body. Government evidence included wiretapped phone recordings and audio of Mapes testifying before the grand jury. He did everything he could to obstruct the process to minimize his participation, to act as if he was clueless, prosecutor Julia Schwartz said of Mapes during closing arguments Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reported. Defense lawyer Katie Hill told jurors in her opening statement that Mapes never intentionally misled the grand jury, saying he simply couldnt remember many details. She likened the questions Mapes was asked to a pop quiz at a high school reunion and asked jurors if they would be able to remember the color of their prom corsages or who was class president their junior year. During closings, defense attorney Andrew Porter said Mapes would have had no motivation to lie to protect his old boss after Madigan had forced him to resign in 2018 amid allegations of harassment, which Mapes has denied. "Why would he fall on his sword for a guy who kicked him to the curb three years before? Porter asked. Federal jurors in May convicted four defendants of bribery conspiracy involving the states largest electric utility. Prosecutors said McClain, two former ComEd executives and a former utility consultant arranged contracts, jobs and money for Madigans associates to ensure proposed bills boosting ComEd profits became law. A year before Madigan was indicted and amid speculation that he was a federal target, Madigan resigned from the Legislature as the longest-serving state House speaker in modern U.S. history. The indictment accused Madigan of reaping the benefits of private legal work that was illegally steered to his law firm, among other things. He has denied any wrongdoing. If youre on the job hunt in Kansas, one of the 797 openings posted as of Friday on the states employment portal might be a good fit for you. Of those, 27 positions are located in Sedgwick County. But if youre OK venturing farther, Shawnee County has the most state job openings (270), followed by Pawnee (44), Miami (42) and Labette (38). Twenty-five jobs are labeled as statewide. To navigate the states website, visit the portal at admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs and select which counties youd like to view on the left of the screen. From there, you can click through and view each jobs description and qualifications. Most of the jobs have a salary listed, as well. Here are four various statewide jobs with a starting salary of $70,000 or more. Salary could be dependent on education and experience, among other factors. Field Survey Project Manager Salary range: $76,960 to $91,332.80 Agency: Kansas Department of Transportation Job description: This person will look over the preliminary survey activities for the Bureau of Right of Way, manage the internal resources and coordinate consultant surveys and resources used by the bureau, among other land-surveying responsibilities. Qualifications: The successful candidate must have a land surveying license. The preferred candidate will have two years of supervisory experience and five years of highway route supervising experience. Local Bridge Engineer Salary range: $84,926 to $86,964.80 Agency: Kansas Department of Transportation Job description: This position oversees coordination of bridge design and other federally funded projects. The engineer advises and mentors other team members on engineering issues and design, hydraulics, hydrology and all parts of bridge inspections. Qualifications: Applicants must have a bachelors degree in engineering from an accredited school and a Kansas-recognized professional engineers license. PMO/Information Systems Manager Salary: $75,150.40 Agency: Department of Children and Families Job description: This person is responsible for managing resources and training for project managers and working with the portfolio manager to select projects. This person reports on various projects performance and keeps track of the progress and outcomes. Qualifications: The successful candidate must have a bachelors degree in computer science or similar field. They must also have five years of experience in information systems or seven years in information systems and analysis. Director of Cybersecurity Cluster Development Salary range: $70,000 to 80,000 Agency: Department of Commerce Job description: This position works with other state agencies in developing a cybersecurity cluster in Kansas. Other responsibilities include managing workforce development initiatives revolving around the demand for more cybersecurity professionals, build relationships with private firms and more. Qualifications: Applicants must have an associates degree or higher in computer science or a related field, as well as three years of work experience or five years experience in project management. By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said that Western suggestions Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had been killed on its orders were an "absolute lie" while declining to definitively confirm his death, citing the need to wait for test results. Russia's aviation authority has said that Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, was on board a private jet which crashed on Wednesday evening northwest of Moscow with no survivors. President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to the families of those killed in the crash on Thursday and spoke of Prigozhin in the past tense, breaking his silence after the incident which occurred exactly two months to the day after Prigozhin led a failed mutiny against army chiefs. Putin cited "preliminary information" as indicating that Prigozhin and his top associates in the Wagner mercenary group had all been killed and, while praising Prigozhin, said he had also made some "serious mistakes." Western politicians and commentators have suggested, without presenting evidence, that Putin ordered Prigozhin to be killed in order to punish him for launching the June 23-34 mutiny against the army's leadership which also represented the biggest challenge to Putin's own rule since he came to power in 1999. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the accusation and many others like it were false. "There is now a great deal of speculation surrounding this plane crash and the tragic deaths of the plane's passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin. Of course, in the West, all this speculation is presented from a well-known angle," Peskov told reporters. "All of this is an absolute lie, and here, when covering this issue, it is necessary to base yourself on facts. There are not many facts yet. They need to be established in the course of investigative actions," he said. Earlier on Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had scolded U.S. President Joe Biden for expressing his lack of surprise that Prigozhin had been killed in a plane crash, accusing Biden of disregarding diplomatic norms. 'WAIT FOR TEST RESULTS' Russian investigators have opened a probe into what happened, but have not yet said what they suspect caused the plane to suddenly fall from the sky northwest of Moscow. Nor have they officially confirmed the identities of the 10 bodies recovered from the wreckage. Asked if the Kremlin had received official confirmation of Prigozhin's death, Peskov said: "If you listened carefully to the Russian president's statement, he said that all the necessary tests, including genetic tests, will now be carried out. The official results - as soon as they are ready to be published, will be published." Peskov, who said Putin had not met Prigozhin recently, also said it was unclear how long the tests and investigative work would take. It was therefore impossible to start talking about whether Putin would attend Prigozhin's funeral, Peskov said in answer to a question on the subject. "There are no dates for the funeral yet, it is impossible to talk about it at all. The only thing I can say is that the president has a rather busy schedule at the moment." Nigel Gould-Davies, a former British ambassador to Belarus who is now a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said the funeral would be significant. "If Putin wishes to emphasise that Prigozhin died as a traitor, he will ignore it," said Gould-Davies. "(While) Prigozhin's supporters may use it as an opportunity to eulogise him and his critique of the Kremlin's conduct of the war -- and could strengthen the hostility of a core of Wagner loyalists towards the Kremlin," he said. British military intelligence said on Friday there was not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin had been onboard but that it was "highly likely" he was dead. The Pentagon has said its own initial assessment is that Prigozhin was killed. Russia's Baza news outlet, which has good sources among law enforcement agencies, has reported that investigators are focusing on a theory that one or two bombs may have been planted on board the plane. Asked about the future of the Wagner Group, which has series of lucrative contracts across Africa and a contingent in Belarus training the army there but now appears leaderless, Kremlin spokesman Peskov was concise. "I can't tell you anything now, I don't know," he said. (Reporting by ReutersWriting by Andrew Osborn Editing by Guy Faulconbridge) The last of 19 defendants charged in Georgia over efforts to subvert the states 2020 election results to keep former President Trump in power have surrendered at the Fulton County Jail, records show. Trevian Kutti and Stephen Lee, both of Illinois, turned themselves in Friday morning. Their charges are linked to efforts to pressure Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman into making false statements about her role in helping administer the election. Kutti, a Chicago publicist who worked with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is charged with influencing witnesses and conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings. A pastor in Chicagos suburbs, Lee faces five counts among them the same charges Kutti faces. All 19 defendants, including Kutti and Lee, are also charged with violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act a charge rooted in combating organized crime. The two Illinoisans agreed to $75,000 bail bonds, which they each paid using Fulton Countys 10 percent program. The program enables defendants to only pay 10 percent of their bail amount upon being booked. Trump, who is also charged in the case, surrendered at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday evening. Like all his co-defendants, Trumps height and weight were recorded, a mug shot was taken, and he was given a prison identification number P01135809. Trump used a third party to post his bond, jail records show. Now that all the defendants have surrendered, arraignment dates will be set where they will formally hear the charges against them and enter a plea. An arraignment date has already been set for one defendant in the case, Kenneth Chesebro. A lawyer and key coordinator of the fake electors plan, Chesebro demanded a speedy trial a request that requires an expedited trial plan under Georgia rules. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set Chesebros arraignment for Sept. 6 and the trial date for Oct. 23. The timeline is significantly faster than the already-ambitious one Willis originally requested, which would have started the trial in March. Willis asked for the new timeline to apply to all 19 defendants, which Trumps legal team quickly opposed. Trumps counsel requested to sever his case from Chesebro and any other co-defendant requesting a speedy trial. McAfee wrote in his order that the ruling only applies to Chesebro at this time. Willis previously said that she is seeking to hold the arraignments for all the defendants the week following Labor Day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Liverpool continue to hunt reinforcements late in the window as they bid to replace various outgoings in key positions. Jurgen Klopps club entered the transfer window with a clear emphasis on bolstering their midfield, particularly considering the confirmed departures of James Milner, Fabio Carvalho, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as the exit of Jordan Henderson. The club has been proactive in pursuing this objective, and still may not be done yet in the market. Meanwhile, one of Jurgen Klopps stars has been linked with a mega-money transfer to Saudi Arabia, with both Henderson and Fabinho already having moved to the Middle East. Here are the latest news and transfer updates around Anfield: Mohamed Salah Mohamed Salah has emerged as a target for Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad as the Middle Eastern league continues to flex its financial muscles after significant backing from the countrys Public Investment Fund. The Saudi Pro League have already bought Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson from the Merseyside club this summer but are now said to have turned their attention to Jurgen Klopps star forward, who only signed a new contract at the start of last season. The Daily Mail have reported that the Saudi club are willing to pay as much as 118 million for the 31-year-old but, despite that, Liverpools stance remains clear. The player is not for sale under any conditions and especially this late in the window. (Getty Images) Versatile midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been once again linked with Liverpool late in the window, with the Anfield club reigniting their interest in the Dutchman after missing out on other midfield targets, including Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. According to Sky Sports Germanys Florian Plettenberg, the Dutch midfielder is keen to leave the German club having started just three games last season. Negotiations remain ongoing between the two clubs with the defending Bundesliga champions said to want around 30m for the 21-year-old who joined from Ajax last summer. Cheick Doucoure Should a deal for Gravenberch fail to materialise, Liverpool may turn their attention back to Crystal Palaces Cheick Doucoure, with the central midfielder attracting long-standing interest from the club. According to The Indeependents Miguel Delaney, Klopps side remain interested in the 23-year-old, although they have so far been put off by Palaces asking price - believed to be around 70m. A Missouri man on death row has filed a lawsuit against Republican Gov. Mike Parson in an effort to stop the state from carrying out the death penalty. The lawsuit was filed by Marcellus Khaliifah Williams, 54, whose DNA was not found on the knife that killed Felicia Gayle in 1998 in the St. Louis area. Gayle, who had been a reporter with the St. Louis Dispatch, was stabbed 43 times. Modern testing proves that Marcellus Williamss DNA is not on the murder weapon; his shoes did not make the bloody impressions at the crime scene; and the hairs recovered from around Mrs. Gayles body did not come from Mr. Williams, his attorneys wrote in the petition. Nevertheless, absent judicial intervention, Mr. Williams will be executed for Mrs. Gayles murder. According to Williamss attorneys, a board of inquiry responsible for looking into the case has not issued a final recommendation to Parson. They allege he did not have authority to dissolve the board without the recommendation. The board of inquiry statute was created so that an independent group of retired judges had an opportunity to review all the evidence in a death penalty case, without any procedural or political obstructions, to make sure an innocent man or woman is not executed. Its a unique, fail-safe protection, said Barry C. Scheck, co-founder of the Innocence Project. By aborting the process before this distinguished group of jurists issued a report, Gov. Parson violated Mr. Williams due process rights under the state and federal constitutions to life and liberty. Tricia Rojo Bushnell, executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project, said no judge has ruled on the full evidence of Williamss innocence. The governors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said his office will always unabashedly pursue justice for victims. In this case, that looks like carrying out the lawful sentence and judgment handed down by the Court, he said in a statement. The 30-page petition lists four counts alleging Williams due process rights were violated when Parson lifted the stay of execution in June. Williams was scheduled to be executed in 2015, but the Missouri Supreme Court halted his lethal injection, allowing him time to obtain new DNA testing. DNA testing, conducted in 2016 and using technology that was not available at the time of the killing, shows Williams is not a match for the male DNA found on the murder weapon. Former Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, issued another stay of execution in 2017 and appointed the board of inquiry, which was tasked with making a recommendation on the case. Greitens resigned the following year amid several scandals, but the board continued to convene. On June 29, Parson disbanded the board and removed the stay of execution. We could stall and delay for another six years, deferring justice, leaving a victims family in limbo, and solving nothing, the governor said in a statement at the time. This administration wont do that. Withdrawing the order allows the process to proceed within the judicial system, and, once the due process of law has been exhausted, everyone will receive certainty. The next day, Bailey, a Republican who took office this year, filed a motion requesting the Missouri Supreme Court set an execution date. Parson denied clemency to four people facing execution this year. Amber McLaughlin was executed in January, Leonard Raheem Taylor, who claimed he was innocent, was executed in February, Michael Tisius was executed in June and Johnny Johnson was executed earlier this month. Five states Missouri, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas have carried out the death penalty this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) A judge on Friday ruled against Texas' ban on gender-affirming health care for minors while a separate judge in Missouri let a similar ban take effect, jumbling again where in the U.S. transgender youth can receive treatment. The conflicting decisions, handed down hours apart in two Republican-led states, added to the legal unpredictability that is unfolding nationwide over a historic wave of new laws this year that target LGBTQ+ rights. Underscoring the fast-changing landscape, Texas swiftly appealed to keep its new restrictions on track to take effect Sept. 1, when it would become the largest state in the U.S. to enforce a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Across the country, countless transgender youth are having their well-being threatened and their lives uprooted by dangerous and unconstitutional bans, said Elizabeth Gill, an attorney for the ACLU, which represented families and doctors challenging the Texas ban. More than 20 states have adopted laws to ban some gender-affirming care for minors, although some are not yet in effect or have been put on hold by courts. Many of them prevent transgender minors from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers and transition surgeries, even though medical experts say such surgical procedures are rarely performed on children. In Texas, state District Judge Maria Cantu Hexsel sided with a group of families who argued it would violate parents rights and have devastating consequences for transgender children and teenagers who would be denied treatment recommended by their physicians. Cantu Hexsel, an elected judge who ran as a Democrat, also ruled the states ban would discriminate against transgender children and violate doctors ability to follow well-established, evidence-based medical guidelines under threat of losing their license. Almost immediately, the state filed an appeal to the Texas Supreme Court, putting the lower ruling on hold for now. In a statement, the Texas attorney general's office said it would continue to enforce the laws duly enacted by the Texas Legislature and uphold the values of the people of Texas. In Missouri, the ruling by St. Louis Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer means that beginning on Monday, health care providers are prohibited from providing gender-affirming surgeries to children. Minors who began puberty blockers or hormones before Monday will be allowed to continue on those medications, but other minors wont have access to those drugs. Some adults will also lose access to gender-affirming care. Medicaid no longer will cover treatments for adults, and the state will not provide those surgeries to prisoners. Physicians who violate the law face having their licenses revoked and being sued by patients. The law makes it easier for former patients to sue, giving them 15 years to go to court and promising at least $500,000 in damages if they succeed. The ACLU of Missouri, Lambda Legal, and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner last month sued to overturn the Missouri law on behalf of doctors, LGBTQ+ organizations, and three families of transgender minors, arguing that it is discriminatory. They asked that the law be temporarily blocked as the court challenge against it plays out. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 22. But Ohmer wrote that the plaintiffs arguments were unpersuasive and not likely to succeed. The science and medical evidence is conflicting and unclear. Accordingly, the evidence raises more questions than answers, Ohmer wrote in his ruling. As a result, it has not clearly been shown with sufficient possibility of success on the merits to justify the grant of a preliminary injunction. We are enraged not only has our government and elected officials failed us, but now our justice system has failed to do its job in protecting the most vulnerable of our population, said Aro Royston, board secretary of the Missouri LGBTQ+ advocacy group PROMO, in a statement. One plaintiff, a 10-year-old transgender boy, has not yet started puberty and consequently has not yet started taking puberty blockers. His family is worried he will begin puberty after the law takes effect, meaning he will not be grandfathered in and will not have access to puberty blockers for the next four years until the law sunsets. The law expires in August 2027. Proponents of the law argued gender-affirming medical treatments are unsafe and untested. Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys office wrote in a court brief that blocking the law would open the gate to interventions that a growing international consensus has said may be extraordinarily damaging. The office cited restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for minors in countries including England and Norway, although those nations have not enacted outright bans. Missouri is the first state in the nation to successfully defend at the trial court level a law barring child mutilation, Bailey said in a statement after Friday's ruling. Ive said from day one as Attorney General that I will fight to ensure that Missouri is the safest state in the nation for children." Every major medical organization in the U.S., including the American Medical Association, has opposed bans on gender-affirming care for minors and supported the medical care for youth when administered appropriately. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year. The Food and Drug Administration approved puberty blockers 30 years ago to treat children with precocious puberty a condition that causes sexual development to begin much earlier than usual. Sex hormones synthetic forms of estrogen and testosterone were approved decades ago to treat hormone disorders and for birth control. The FDA has not approved the medications specifically to treat gender-questioning youth. But they have been used for many years for that purpose off label, a common and accepted practice for many medical conditions. Doctors who treat trans patients say those decades of use are proof the treatments are not experimental. ____ Vertuno reported from Austin, Texas. Editors Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travels weekly newsletter. Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. Oh for the glory days of travel, when the seats were bigger, the food was better, and you could jet across the Atlantic in less than three hours. Since the 2003 end of Concorde, of course, flitting quickly across the Atlantic has been a thing of the past. Flights between London and New York take around eight hours, or closer to seven in the other direction. The record currently stands at just under five hours from New York to London, pushed on by a favorable jetstream. But now, the thought of supersonic travel has been mooted again by none other than NASA, which reckons that New York-London flight could take as little as 90 minutes in the future. The space agency has confirmed in a blog post about its high-speed strategy that it has recently studied whether commercial flights at up to Mach 4 over 3,000 miles per hour could take off in the future. The study by NASAs Glenn Research Center suggested that there are already potential passenger markets in about 50 established routes. These routes were confined to transoceanic ones, including over the North Atlantic and the Pacific, because nations including the US ban overland supersonic flight. However, NASA is developing quiet supersonic aircraft, called X-59, as part of its Quesst mission. The agency hopes that the new aircraft could eventually prompt modification of these rules, clearing the way for aircraft flying between Mach 2 and Mach 4 (1,535 - 3,045 miles per hour). Concordes maximum speed was Mach 2.04, or 1,354 miles per hour. A jet traveling at Mach 4 could potentially make a transatlantic crossing in as little as 90 minutes. Following the studies, NASAs Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAV) will now move to its next research phase for high speed travel, contracting companies to develop designs and explore air travel possibilities, outline risks and challenges, and identify needed technologies to make Mach 2-plus travel a reality, the agency said. There will be two teams working on the research: one headed by Boeing, the other by Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. Each will come up with designs for aircraft capable of sustaining high-supersonic speeds. A fast-moving future NASA's X-59 airplane is now built, and ready for testing. - Lockheed Martin Similar studies to the ones done now, which were carried out a decade ago, shaped the development of the X-59 aircraft, according to Lori Ozoroski, project manager for NASAs Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. In the same way, she added, the new studies will refresh those looks at technology roadmaps and identify additional research needs for a broader high-speed range. The next phase will also consider safety, efficiency, economic and societal considerations, said Mary Jo Long-Davis, manager of NASAs Hypersonic Technology Project, adding that Its important to innovate responsibly. In July, Lockheed Martin completed the build of NASAs X-59 test aircraft, which is designed to turn sonic booms into mere thumps, in the hope of making overland supersonic flight a possibility. Ground tests and a first test flight are planned for later in the year. NASA aims to have enough data to hand over to US regulators in 2027. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The pro-Ukrainian Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) urged the fighters of the Wagner Group late Thursday night (August 24) to avenge the presumed death of their boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and battlefield commander Dmitry Utkin by switching sides and joining their ranks. The message was relayed by RVC commander Denis Kapustin after news of Prigozhin's presumed demise in a plane crash northwest of Moscow Wednesday (August 23). Cause of Crash Still Unknown Some Wagner troops say the incident was Russian President Vladimir Putin's revenge for Prigozhin's attempted mutiny in his long-standing beef with the Russian defense ministry, particularly with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Military Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov. However, Putin broke his silence about the matter Thursday and sent his condolences to Prigozhin, Utkin, and eight others who perished in the plane crash. There are also others who speculated that Prigozhin was aware of the threat to his very life and used the crash as a means to escape incognito, just like what he allegedly did in 2019. Since the news of the plane crash, officials in Washington have been eager to investigate how the Wagner-owned aircraft fell from the sky. According to Reuters, it has cited two US officials Thursday saying a surface-to-air missile (SAM) likely hit the plane. However, the Pentagon later said it had no evidence to support such a method. Read Also: Wagner Plane Crash: Vladimir Putin Breaks Silence on Incident, Wagner Troops Vow to Avenge Yevgeny Prigozhin Kapustin to Wagner Troops: Join Us Regardless of Prigozhin's fate, Kapustin urged Wagner troops to change their allegiances to honor the Wagner boss's legacy. "You are facing a serious choice now - you can stand in a stall of Russia's defense ministry and serve as watchdogs for executors of your commanders or take revenge," he said in a video address the RVC published late Thursday. "To take revenge you need to switch to Ukraine's side." The anti-Putin commander added the RVC would embrace Wagner contractors who decide to switch sides on the condition they have not committed any war crimes, something the mercenary group was accused of in the early stages of the war in Ukraine and even prior to the Russian full-scale invasion. "Let's end the bloody meat grinder of the 'special military operation'," he added, using the Russian official name for the invasion of Ukraine. "After that, we will march to Moscow and this time we will not stop 200 kilometers before the Moscow ring road but go to the end." Kapustin had formed the RVC at the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a message of disapproval against Putin. Another pro-Ukraine group formed for the same purpose was the Freedom of Russia Legion, which, alongside the RVC, staged a raid inside Russian territory on the border region of Belgorod last May. Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of the two Russian partisan groups as well as their operations. A similar defection was reported just before Prigozhin's plane crashed and burned when a Russian military helicopter pilot defected to the Ukrainian side after he flew a Russian Mi-8 helicopter into Ukrainian territory with parts for Su-27 and Su-30SM fighter jets aboard. Related Article: Is Wagner Chief Still Alive? Prigozhin's Death Happened in 2019, Reappeared After 3 Days @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NIAMEY (Reuters) -Niger's junta, which seized power in a coup on July 26, said on Friday it has ordered French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours, as relations between the West African country and its former colonial ruler deteriorated further. Like recent coups in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, the military takeover in Niger came amid a growing wave of anti-French sentiment, with some locals accusing the European country of interfering in their affairs. In a statement, the junta-appointed foreign ministry said the decision to expel the ambassador was a response to actions taken by the French government that were "contrary to the interests of Niger." It said these included the envoy's refusal to respond to an invitation to meet Niger's new foreign minister. The French foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. France has called for President Mohamed Bazoum to be returned to office following his ouster and has said it would support efforts by West African regional bloc ECOWAS to overturn the coup. It has also not officially recognised a decision by the junta in early August to revoke a raft of military agreements with France, saying these had been signed with Niger's "legitimate authorities." The deterioration in Niger-France relations echoes post-coup developments in Mali and Burkina Faso, which have booted out French forces and severed long-standing ties. Niger has strategic significance as one of the world's biggest producers of uranium and as a base for French, U.S. and other foreign troops that are helping to fight Islamist militant groups in the region. (Reporting by Boureima Balima; Additional reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Chris Reese, Andrew Heavens and Andy Sullivan) FOUNEX, Switzerland (Reuters) - Lake Geneva, nestled at the foot of the Alps, has long been considered as a near-pristine body of water, but new research has found that its plastic pollution levels are as high as those in the oceans. Oceaneye, a Geneva-based non-profit that has for more than a decade been scouring the seas to collect plastic fragments, has turned its attention closer to home to landlocked Switzerland. "We compared the levels with the ocean data and reached the conclusion that the microplastic pollution on the lake surface is the same order of magnitude as the oceans," said Pascal Hagmann, the founder and director of Oceaneye. He was speaking from the stern of a sailing vessel that was dragging a sample-collecting device across Switzerland's biggest lake, also known as Lac Leman. "We found that interesting because we often have the image of the Leman Lake as a big Alpine lake with crystal waters but it's not really the case," he said, using the French name. The crescent-shaped lake is the largest in western Europe covering 580 square kilometers (224 square miles) straddling France and Switzerland and is fed partly by Alpine glaciers. It spills into the Rhone River which eventually flows into the Mediterranean sea. Switzerland's bordering cantons treat the water and then pipe it into homes as drinking water. One of the lakeside towns, Evian, on the French side, is also the name given to a brand of bottled water from a natural spring. Microplastics derive from the breakdown of various consumer and industrial plastic waste over time and their concentrations are accumulating in the world's oceans. They have even been found in the blood samples of unborn babies and scientists are trying to understand the health risks of the phenomenon for people and animals. Hagmann said he was worried that rising plastic consumption over time will lead to more litter ending up in water systems. "We are seeing the growth curve rise very quickly. Projections are pessimistic if we do nothing," he said, although he acknowledged that at least awareness of the issue was growing. "When we began working on this 12 years ago and talked about plastic fragments in water, people took us for wackos and now it is a recognised problem." (Reporting by Denis Balibouse and Cecile Mantovani; Writing and additional reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Sharon Singleton) By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - A new lawsuit accusing SpaceX of illegally refusing to hire asylum recipients and refugees could be an important test of the U.S. government's stance that national security concerns do not allow companies to discriminate against non-citizens. Elon Musk, CEO of the rocket and satellite company, said in response to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit filed on Thursday that hiring anyone besides U.S. citizens and green card holders would violate weapons trafficking laws. His post on the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, appears to conflict with specific guidance issued by the DOJ in April, which warned employers that invoking efforts to comply with export control laws would not excuse them from a law banning discrimination based on citizenship status. A representative of SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Export control laws restrict companies from sharing sensitive information and technology with certain individuals from other countries. The case against SpaceX appeared to be the first of its kind filed by the department since releasing the guidance, which is not legally binding but can be cited in court. In April and May, DOJ announced settlements of similar claims with General Motors Co and an IT services firm, but the department had not sued those companies. Rebecca Bernhard, a Minneapolis-based labor lawyer who represents companies, said employers subject to export control laws often ignore the ban on citizenship-based bias in the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), exposing them to legal action. "DOJ takes the anti-discrimination provisions of the INA very seriously, aggressively enforces them, and interprets the [export control] exceptions very narrowly," Bernhard said. In its lawsuit, the Justice Department argued that from 2018 to 2022, SpaceX in a series of job postings said it could only hire U.S. citizens and green card holders. That discouraged aslyees and refugees from applying for jobs with the company, and those who did were rejected, the department alleged. Out of more than 10,000 hires, SpaceX only hired one asylee during that period, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also cites public comments made by Musk and another SpaceX executive, such as a 2020 tweet by Musk that "U.S. law requires at least a green card to be hired at SpaceX, as rockets are advanced weapons technology." Musk on Thursday described the lawsuit as "weaponization of the DOJ for political purposes." He said SpaceX had been told repeatedly that hiring non-citizens could be a criminal offense. But in the April guidance, the Justice Department said the opposite - that export control laws do not implicate hiring or bar the employment of any "U.S. persons," which the agency defined to include asylees and refugees because they are permitted to live and work in the United States. Companies may need special permission from federal agencies to share export-controlled information with workers who are not U.S. persons, according to the guidance. The DOJ did not directly cite its guidance in the SpaceX lawsuit, but used nearly identical language to describe the company's alleged violations. "Export control laws and regulations do not prohibit or restrict employers from hiring asylees and refugees; those laws treat asylees and refugees just like U.S. citizens," the department said. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; editing by Amy Stevens and Deepa Babington) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine on Thursday marked its second Independence Day since Russias full-scale invasion, with officials vowing to keep up their fight to drive out the Kremlins forces and local people remembering their fallen loved ones. The national holiday coincided with the wars 18-month milestone, giving a somber mood to the commemorations. We remember everyone who gave their lives for freedom and independence, for the free future of Ukraine, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post. He said that an independent Ukraine is "what we are fighting for. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, families visited a cemetery where fallen Ukrainian soldiers are buried. Kateryna Krotchenko, the mother of Serhii Krotchenko who was killed near Bakhmut, cleaned his grave. He was an ordinary boy who loved life and dreamed of something, she told The Associated Press. Therefore, he did not accept the fact that war had come to our land and decided to (sign up) voluntarily, she said. We agreed with his decision. We didnt think it would be like this. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Ukraine was fighting for the values we all stand for:" sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. That battle has earned the support of foreign allies, especially NATO alliance member countries that have provided Kyiv with sophisticated new weaponry. The new weapons have allowed Ukraine to launch a grinding counteroffensive. Ukraines defense ministry marked the day with a series of social media videos that mixed gratitude with wry humor to thank those allies individually for their support. The United States video was set to Frank Sinatras Our Love is Here to Stay and ended with a cheeky thanks for the F-16s and the words too soon? The U.S. has agreed its allies can send Ukraine the fighter jets, but the lengthy process has been a source of frustration to Kyiv. Britain was thanked to the tune of The Clashs punk classic London Calling, while Canada received gratitude for sniper rifles, howitzers, armored vehicles and long underwear. France was sent a message of love to the strains of Serge Gainsbourgs Je taime moi non plus. The more than 20 clips were tagged UkraineSaysThankYou perhaps a riposte to British Defense Secretary Ben Wallaces suggestion last month that Kyiv should express more gratitude and not treat its allies like Amazons delivery service. Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador, James Kariuki, recalled that 92% of Ukrainians voted in a 1991 national referendum to declare independence from the former Soviet Union, and its existence was recognized by the United Nations including the USSRs successor, Russia. If Russia wins this war, it will give the green light to a new era of international aggression, where big countries can rewrite borders by force," Kariuki told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday. In an expected reaction, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council his country has no reason to congratulate Ukraine, saying That would be insincere. He said Ukraine had willingly compromised its interests to be a blind weapon wielded by the West to further the Wests geopolitical agenda. Let this serve as a lesson to others, and let the Ukrainian tragedy never again repeat itself, he said. The holiday came against a backdrop of continued fighting. Ukrainian intelligence units together with the Ukrainian navy landed on the western side of Russia-occupied Crimea to strike at Russian military assets there, according to Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andrii Yusov. In Ukraine's southern Kherson region, meanwhile, a Russian strike severely injured a 7-year-old girl whose home was hit, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said. ___ Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer contributed from the United Nations Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against Alphabet Inc's Google that was brought late last year by the Republican National Committee for allegedly sending its emails to users' spam folders. In a filing made on Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Calabretta said that while it was a "close case," the political committee had not "sufficiently pled that Google acted in bad faith" in filtering RNC messages into the spam folders of users of its Gmail service. "Accordingly, the Court will GRANT Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, with partial leave to amend," the judge wrote. The RNC filed the lawsuit against Google in October last year and claimed Google was "discriminating" against the political committee based on its conservative views and had sent the organization's bulk emails for election fundraising and other matters to spam folders. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in California. Google rejected the claims. Lawyers for Google at law firm Perkins called the allegations a "far-fetched theory" and a "dark conspiracy." Spam filters on email services typically weed out unsolicited "spam" messages and divert them to a separate folder. Republicans have long accused big tech companies of discriminating against conservative views and suppressing free speech, an assertion the companies strongly deny. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, editing by Deepa Babington) PITTSBURGH (AP) A woman accused of intentionally abandoning her dog at a Pennsylvania airport before she boarded a flight to a resort in Mexico earlier this month has been charged with animal cruelty and related charges, authorities announced Thursday. Allegheny County Police say Allison Lyn Gaiser, 44, tried to bring her brown-and-white male French bulldog with her on a flight departing from Pittsburgh International Airport on Aug. 4. But the dog was denied boarding by the airline because it did not meet the criteria for an emotional support animal and did not have a proper kennel as required. After leaving the ticket counter, Gaiser was seen on surveillance cameras pushing the dog in the stroller back toward a moving walkway enclosure, next to glass exit doors in the airport's short-term parking lot. She was later seen heading to an area where a county police officer found the dog unattended in the stroller about 40 minutes later, authorities said. The dog who was unharmed was licensed and had an identification microchip. It was turned over to an animal care facility and is now staying in a foster home, where authorities said the dog is doing well. A county police sergeant was waiting for Gaiser when she returned to the airport about 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 10. Authorities said Gaiser admitted leaving the dog behind because the airline wouldn't allow it on the plane but said she made arrangements with her mother to pick up the animal at the airport. Gaiser allowed police to review text messages between her and her mother, but authorities said it was apparent that no immediate arrangement was made for Gaiser's mother to pick up the dog. Gaiser's mother told county police that she only found out about the incident when Gaisers ex-husband shared a news story about the dog being left at the airport. A telephone number for Gaiser could not be located Thursday, and there was no attorney listed for her in court records. Her initial court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16. Some paper and bamboo straws contain so-called "forever chemicals" that could make them a less-than-ideal alternative to plastic, researchers have found. Scientists in Belgium recently tested dozens of straws from supermarkets, retail stores and fast-food restaurants in the country, and found that the majority contained PFAS a family of synthetic chemicals used in the manufacture of consumer products because they can resist stains, grease and water. The researchers sampled 39 brands of straws made of paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel and plastic. Of those, 27 were found to contain PFAS, though the concentrations were low. The results were published Thursday in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants. PFAS, an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often referred to as forever chemicals because they linger almost permanently in air, water and soil. They are frequently detected in food wrappers, cosmetics, carpet, furniture and textiles such as raincoats or workout clothes. Of the straws tested in the study, those made of paper were the most likely to contain PFAS: The chemicals were detected in 18 out of 20 brands. Four out of five bamboo straws sampled contained PFAS, compared to three out of four plastic straws and two out of five glass straws. All five stainless steel straws analyzed were PFAS-free. Previous research in the U.S. has also detected PFAS in paper and other plant-based straws, among many other types of cookware and packaging. Exposure to PFAS can be associated with low birth weight, high cholesterol, thyroid disease and an increased risk of kidney and liver cancers, but researchers are still learning about these health risks and aren't sure which levels of exposure are problematic. Thimo Groffen, an author of the new study and environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp, said its not clear whether the manufacturers of the straws he analyzed are intentionally adding PFAS as a waterproof coating. Other possibilities, he said, are that PFAS accidentally winds up in straws during the production process, or that bamboo straws have trace amounts of PFAS due to plants being grown in contaminated soil. Graham Peaslee, who studies PFAS at the University of Notre Dame and was not involved in the new research, said it's possible manufacturers aren't testing for the chemicals in their own products. All the straw manufacturers should take warning and say, Hey, do we use this stuff? Because at the moment, theyre not even asking that question, Peaslee said. Groffen said straw users probably don't need to panic about their individual risk. This is just one very small source of additional exposure which could be easily avoided, but I dont expect straws themselves to be very harmful," he said. But he added that because PFAS accumulate in the body, people should ideally reduce exposures where they can: It all adds up together with other exposure routes and the combination could cause health effects, he said. Does PFAS leach into food and water? There is no federal limit for PFAS in food packaging in the U.S., though some states have their own restrictions. The Food and Drug Administration allows PFAS to be used in certain food processing equipment and as a grease-proofing agent in paper food packaging. The Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, has proposed limits for PFAS in drinking water but not yet issued a final rule. Keith Vorst, director of the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium at Iowa State University, said some of the straws in the study exceeded the proposed EPA concentrations for water. However, he pointed out that the researchers didnt test whether PFAS leaches from the straws into beverages, or whether using a straw necessarily causes someone to ingest the chemicals. Plus, Vorst said, he has detected far higher concentrations of PFAS in drink carriers, take-home containers and microwave popcorn bags. I have a little fear about, OK, now lets focus on straws when we have much, much bigger issues that are contaminating the environment, he said. Peaslee said the amount of PFAS that transfers from packaging to food and drink is generally minimal, especially if the items aren't in contact for very long. If you let a straw sit for a day, youll get some in the water, but how many of us leave our straw in the water for a day and then still drink out of it? he said. Weighing the harms of paper versus plastic straws Various states, including California, Colorado, New York and Oregon, have banned plastic straws from food establishments in the last five years, and chains like Starbucks have phased them out. The main reason is that the straws generally can't be recycled, so they wind up in landfills, get burned in incinerators or become litter that contaminates oceans, rivers, lakes and streams. Since plastic doesn't decompose easily, it can persist in the environment for up to 200 years, threatening the lives of marine mammals. Paper and bamboo straws have risen in popularity as alternatives, but researchers said the cure is sometimes not much better than the disease. If they come with PFAS on them, theyre not so eco-friendly anymore," Peaslee said. PFAS can leach out of landfills into water and soil, and have toxic effects on animals, including liver damage or reproductive issues. Groffen's study detected one particular compound that's highly soluble in water, trifluoroacetic acid, in five paper straws and one bamboo straw. But Groffen said plant-based straws are still better for the environment than plastic. "I still would expect plastic straws to be more harmful to the environment because of course you also have the degradation of the plastics into microplastics that can be consumed by animals," he said. The researchers interviewed agreed that stainless steel straws are preferable over paper, bamboo or plastic, but they questioned whether people will adopt them widely. If we could all switch to stainless steel, thatd be great," Vorst said. "I dont think its practical. By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers on Thursday asked South Carolina's top court to reconsider its Wednesday ruling upholding the state's recent ban on abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected. In its petition, Planned Parenthood said that the South Carolina Supreme Court had left undecided whether fetal cardiac activity refers to the first regular contractions of heart tissue, which usually occurs around six weeks of pregnancy, or whether it requires the four chambers of the heart to be fully formed - which is usually not until 17 to 20 weeks. Planned Parenthood urged the court to adopt the latter definition, saying it had been forced to halt all abortions after about six weeks since Wednesday's ruling. The six-week cutoff comes before many women even realize they are pregnant. The office of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The state legislature passed the hotly contested bill in May, mostly along party lines, with the notable exception of the state Senate's five women members - three Republicans, a Democrat and an independent - who all opposed it. The new law came after the state Supreme Court in January struck down a similar abortion law, by a 3-2 vote. Justice Kaye Hearn, who was the court's only female judge and voted against the law, has since retired and was replaced by Justice Garrison Hill. The U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide. Since then, at least 15 of the 50 states have banned abortion outright while others, including South Carolina, prohibit it after a certain length of pregnancy, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, editing by Deepa Babington) While the circumstances surrounding the plane crash the U.S. assesses "likely" killed mercenary group leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin remain shrouded in mystery, Russia observers quickly concluded it was no accident, but rather an act of delayed vengeance orchestrated by the Kremlin. But if Vladimir Putin did order Prigozhin's plane brought down as payback for directing a short-lived armed rebellion in June, questions about why the Russian president chose to act now and what exactly he hopes to accomplish still swirl. The future of the Wagner Group, an influential paramilitary organization previously under Prigozhin's direction, is also unclear. ABC News spoke to analysts to about Putin's potential strategy, as well as the impact Prigozhin's death could have on Russia and other countries around the world. PHOTO: The leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin is seen in a video published, Aug. 22, 2023. (Handout/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Kremlin denies role in Prigozhin's presumed death A clear message from the Kremlin? After Prigozhin turned on Putin earlier this summer and directed his mercenary fighters to march toward Moscow, the former allies apparently struck a deal that quashed the mutiny and spared the Wagner leader from any immediate serious repercussions. But for Catrina Doxsee, an associate director of the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, it was a question of not if but when Prigozhin would face the full force of Putin's wrath. "Russia and Putin himself have a long history of eliminating their opponents and anyone who rises up against them or speaks out against them," she said. "It has been more or less unthinkable that Prigozhin would get out of this completely unscathed." President Joe Biden also speculated that Putin may be culpable. "There's not much that happens in Russia that Putin's not behind, but I don't know enough to know the answer," he said on Wednesday after hearing of Prigozhin's reported death MORE: Wagner leader Prigozhin 'likely' killed in Russian plane crash, US says In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's crash, some worried that the Kremlin might point the finger at the West -- a misdirection tactic frequently used by Moscow. But John Hardie, deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Russia Program, says this may be one instance where Putin is okay with shouldering some of the blame. "If you're Putin, you want to make a statement here -- that's the point," he said. Two American officials tell ABC News that preliminary intelligence indicates the plane was brought down by a bomb on board, but that no final conclusion has been made. In public remarks on Friday, a spokesperson for the Kremlin denied any involvement in the crash, calling the allegations an "absolute lie." Previously, Putin's enemies have been known to meet untimely -- but quieter -- ends. In recent months, many of his adversaries have died after allegedly falling out open windows. In years prior, inquires have uncovered plots to poison dissidents. Doxsee says the explosive nature of Putin's purported revenge against Prigozhin amplifies the warning the Russian leader wants to send to any would-be challengers. "He was killed aboard his private jet, something that all of these oligarchs regularly travel on," she said. "It's a clear message that if you are going to be the next Prigozhin, you can die just as easily." PHOTO: In this pool photograph distributed by Sputnik agency, Russia's President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting with Denis Pushilin, Moscow-appointed head of the Donetsk region of Ukraine, in Moscow, on Aug. 24, 2023. (Mikhail Klimentyev/POOL via AFP via Getty Images) Strategic ambiguity After staying mum through his first couple of public appearances following the plane crash, Putin finally spoke out on Thursday, expressing his "sincerest condolences" and promising to investigate. "He was a man with a complex destiny," the Russian president said of Prigozhin, while also alluding to betrayal, saying he had "made serious mistakes in life." Despite intending to quiet criticism and prevent any future uprisings, Doxsee argues that Putin likely would see the need to walk a fine line between overtly taking responsibility and crafting an overly obscure chain of cause and effect. "I think the narrative is very important to Putin, and especially the ability to maintain this sense of plausible deniability -- to keep up the appearance that this was a terrible accident," she said. The reason for that, Doxsee says, is retaining order among the rank-and-file Wagner Group mercenaries who were deeply loyal to Prigozhin. MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Ukrainian forces land in Russia-occupied Crimea, official says But despite some disquiet, Hardie says Moscow is unlikely to face any real backlash from the organization. At worst, he predicts Russia may have to contend with resentment and retention issues within the ranks. "As much as there's this anger and resentment among the troops, I'm not sure what outlets they have to pull that together," Doxsee added. PHOTO: This photograph posted on a Wagner linked Telegram channel @grey_zone on August 23, 2023 and which can not be independetly verified by the AFP, reportedly shows a the wreckage of burning plane near the village of Kuzhenkino, Tver region. (Wagner linked Telegram channel @grey_zone/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: How Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin rose with Putin, then turned on him A decapitated Wagner? Along with Prigozhin, Wagner's co-founder Dmitry Utkin was also reportedly on the plane, compounding the crash's impact on the group's leadership. While Hardie and Doxsee both say this might have furthered Putin's mission by clearing out the top brass of the organization in "one fell swoop," in order to continue reaping the benefits of Wagner's campaigns advancing Russian interests across the Middle East and Africa, the Kremlin will have to install workable replacements. But Doxsee says that Putin likely used the weeks of what seemed like an uneasy peace between himself and Prigozhin to line up his next steps. "I would speculate that part of the reason we saw him wait these two months for any consequence after the mutiny is because he was trying to get a handle on this network and making plans for its sustainability," she said. If Putin did indeed order the assassination, Doxsee says it likely means Putin is certain that Wagner will march on without Prigozhin. "I struggle to believe that Putin would have acted now if he didn't have confidence that whatever plan he has in place would be able to maintain [Wagner troops'] loyalty," she said. Prigozhin plane crash: What's next after Wagner Group leader's apparent demise? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Dropbox Inc. made a decision to cut its unlimited storage service after cases of usage abuse for cryptocurrency and Chia mining. Read Also: Microsoft Brings Python to Excel, No Setup Required Dropbox Advanced Puts Storage Limit According to Dropbox, the company saw a surge in customers using massive amounts of storage. They were able to identify that some clients were using the storage for crypto mining, re-selling the cloud service, and more. "We've observed that customers like these frequently consume thousands of times more storage than our genuine business customers, which risks creating an unreliable experience for all of our customers," Dropbox explained on a blog post. As a result, customers with Dropbox Advance plan with three active licenses will receive 15TB of shareable storage space. Meanwhile, every additional active license will receive 5TB storage. On the other hand, customers that consume less than 35TB of storage per license, will be able to keep the total amount of the current storage. An inclusion of 5TB credit of pooled storage for five years with no additional charge will be added. Dropbox Offers New Storage Plans Dropbox revealed that only one percent of their customers are using 35TB or more of storage per license. The company is offering an additional 5TB credit of pooled storage for one year at no additional charge. Also, the company assured that they will reach out to these customers to fully discuss the other available options that will suit the business and organizations in need. Customers who are in need of additional space will have to purchase a storage add-ons of 1TB starting September 18 (new customers) and November 1 (existing customers). The price will start at $10 per month and $8 per annum. The new policy will start rolling out by November 1 with 30 days notice prior to the migration date. Related Article: AirDrop Bug on macOS Ventura is Causing Issues for Dropbox Files Since 2021, state lawmakers have introduced nearly 400 bills aimed at giving parents, government officials and concerned citizens the ability to challenge or monitor what schools teach about race and gender issues, according to a new report from the free expression advocacy group PEN America. While many of these laws stop short of directly censoring what is taught in classrooms, the PEN America analysis found many of the proposed bills have had a chilling effect on public education. Educators told the advocacy group they now fear they could be held criminally liable and lose their jobs for teaching prohibited concepts. Bills with these provisions are frequently being cast as advancing parental rights or curriculum transparency, the report stated. But, the nonprofit said, the laws have an ulterior motive driving them: to empower a vocal and censorship-minded minority with greater opportunity to scrutinize public education and intimidate educators with threats of punishment. The report analyzed 392 bills introduced in state legislatures between January 2021 and June 2023. It found some of the proposed legislation would require teachers to post all educational materials on public websites, make it easier for parents to challenge books and allow parents to decide if their child could participate in certain lessons. Other bills would require teachers to report a students gender expression or sexual orientation to their parents, the analysis found. Only 39 of the bills proposed have become law across at least 19 states, the nonprofit said. The report goes on to say, an additional nine policies were adopted via executive order or incorporated into state-level policy as regulatory measures. The analysis found Tennessee has enacted nine new laws, the most of any state. These bills risk turning every classroom into an ideological battleground, forcing teachers out of the profession, and jeopardizing the future of millions of students, said Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs at PEN America, in a statement. Friedman later told CNN the private sector and other entities such as museums and public libraries have a responsibility to step up in this moment. This is a moment where we need to call a lot more of civil society to take action and get involved in the issues, Friedman said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Reports of COVID-19 in emergency room visits from adolescents have nearly doubled over the past week, new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows, reaching levels not seen in a year. Measured as a share of all emergency room visits in children ages 12 to 15 years old, the figures published late Thursday by the CDC show weekly COVID-19 averages have accelerated to 2.43% through August 21. Rates of COVID-19 ER visits in these adolescents have increased from 1.33% the week before, and are now higher than levels seen among most other age groups except for the youngest and the oldest Americans. By contrast, over last winter's wave, rates of ER visits from 12 to 15 year olds were among the lowest compared to other ages. ER visits have not been higher in this age group compared to others since around this time last year, amid a large wave of infections that strained some hospitals. The increase comes as schools and businesses are now weighing a return to masks and other precautions to curb the virus, amid a weeks-long rise in new COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide that is projected to continue. Officials are also now tracking a new, highly-mutated COVID-19 variant called BA.2.86 that experts think might fuel further spread. Close to 10 million Americans are now in communities at "medium" COVID-19 levels that the CDC says warrants considering returning to masking and some other precautions for at-risk Americans. While not all emergency room visits turn into hospital admissions for COVID-19, officials say they have closely tracked this metric as an early indicator of the spread of the virus, especially after official case counts became unreliable to measure infections. COVID-19 ER visits look worst in the Southeast, where the virus now makes up 4.46% of visits in adolescents higher than rates seen in any other age group in the region. This region spanning Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee had also reported earlier and steeper rises in COVID-19 hospital admissions for the current wave, compared to many other parts of the country. "The increase in cases is likely due to a variety of factors such as schools and colleges starting, high temperatures sending people indoors for activities where they may be in closer proximity to each other, and new variants circulating," Dr. Kathryn Taylor, Mississippi's interim state epidemiologist, told CBS News in a statement. Within the Southeast, Mississippi's rate of COVID-19 emergency room visits for adolescents is now averaging among the highest of any state. Taylor said that increasing COVID-19 cases mean a greater risk of being exposed to the virus. "Mississippians should continue to be aware that COVID-19 is a concern, stay home when ill, seek care or testing when indicated, and if not already up to date on vaccination, get vaccinated," Taylor said. Still Marching: The March on Washington, 60 years later Why China's economy is in crisis Should you visit Hawaii right now? Tourism official weighs in Courtesy of Holland Clement Scott Michael Foster is absolutely down for a revival of Greek and has hopes for where his character, Cappie, is today. I have my [own] opinion. I think hes probably operating a fish taco stand in Baja, California somewhere, selling tacos and hanging out by a beautiful beach, Foster, 38, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting his upcoming Netflix film, Choose Love, in an interview conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. After taking a beat, Foster quickly added: And somewhere, hopefully, with [his girlfriend] Casey. Foster starred on the ABC Family series from 2007 to 2011 as John Paul Cappie Jones, the lovable president of Kappa Tau fraternity with major Peter Pan syndrome. The comedy-drama focused on sorority and fraternity life on the fictional campus of Cyprus-Rhodes University, but Foster believes the shows success stemmed from breaking down the stereotypes that come along with Greek life. Created by Patrick Sean Smith, Greek premiered on ABC Family on July 9, 2007 and ran for four seasons until March 7, 2011. The series about sororities and fraternities on the fictional campus of Cyprus-Rhodes University starred Spencer Grammer, Scott Michael Foster, Jake McDorman, and Jacob Zachar. Read up on the actors -- then and now! A lot of times college shows sort of focus on the stereotypical partying aspect, the drinking and the hookup culture and it was so much more than that, he told Us. [Greek] was really about who you are between the ages of 18 and 22 and the growth that happens, the change that happens, the friendships that are built. It was more than just, youre partying. Thats an easy trap to fall in. I think we just were smart enough to avoid that. Fosters character arguably experienced some of the most growth throughout the series, majorly in part to his will-they-wont-they romance with girlfriend Casey (Spencer Grammer). While the show introduces them as exes, viewers follow them throughout the four seasons as they find their way back to one another and cement themselves as one of TVs most iconic couples. Casey and Cappie end their story driving off into the sunset, but fans have often wondered where their characters along with the rest of the Cyprus-Rhodes gang would be today. In 2016, Freeform announced plans to debut a Greek: The Reunion movie. The two-hour film would have gathered together the cast for their five-year reunion but the network decided not to move forward with the film. Foster, however, is still ready to reprise his role if the time comes. There was talk a few years ago about a feature [film]. I know that ended up not happening, but I think I can speak for most of us from the cast [when I say] that we had a good script come along and they were willing to do it, he said. I think a lot of us would entertain the idea as long [as it] honors the original story. I think wed all be very happy with it. Whether the cast will reconvene on screen remains to be seen, but Foster looks back on his time with Greek fondly and credits the series for helping craft him into the actor he is today. YouTube Greek was those early days, right? So I was still trying to figure out who I was as a person, much less what I learned as an actor, he explained. And that role [of Cappie] was pivotal in shaping how I approached [my] future characters. He was written very smart, very funny and very witty. So I think that really helped me bring that into future auditions and roles. I definitely think that was such a good role for me to start off with because it helped me embrace that side, which I might not have embraced before. Foster has brought those lessons to his latest work, the upcoming romantic comedy Choose Love. The actor portrays Paul, the steady boyfriend of Cami (Laura Marano) who must choose between him and two former flames. The Netflix film, which features an interactive feature and multiple endings, introduces Paul as the dream guy but Foster insists theres more to the character than meets the eye. Best TV Shows About College Set College Greek Grownish Felicity More Back to school! Felicity, Grown-ish, Greek and The Sex Lives of College Girls are just some of the television dramas that have captivated audiences and brought major university nostalgia over the years. Keri Russells Felicity Porter hooked viewers in on the series by the same name from 1998 to 2002. More than two [] Theres layers to him, he told Us. Hes definitely more than just what he says on paper. He loves Cami and wants to be with her but there are always problems. I dont know how much I can say, but lets say hes definitely more complex than the log might say. Choose Love premieres on Netflix Thursday, August 31. At least three people were killed and six more wounded after a former police officer opened fire in a shooting that appeared to target his estranged wife at an iconic biker bar in Southern California's Orange County Wednesday evening, authorities said. The gunman is also dead. The suspect was killed by "multiple" deputies who confronted him minutes after they arrived, Orange County Sheriff's Department Undersheriff Jeff Hallock told reporters at a late night briefing. The gunman, identified Thursday as John Snowling, 59, and the three others who were fatally shot were pronounced dead at the scene, Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said at the initial briefing. Fennessy said five of the six who were hospitalized were suffering from gunshot wounds, but authorities Thursday said all six had in fact been shot. Two were in critical but stable condition and four were in stable condition as of Thursday morning, according to the hospital where they were treated. One of the deceased victims was identified as John Leahy, 67, of Irvine. On Friday the Orange County Sheriff's Office identified Tonya Clark, 49, of Scottsdale, Arizona and Glen Sprowl Jr., 53, of Stanton, California as the two other people killed. The sheriff's department said no deputies were hurt during the incident. The shooting occurred at the historic Cook's Corner bar in the Trabuco Canyon community at about 7 p.m. local time. In a Thursday news conference, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said, it was inaccurate to call the location a biker bar, despite the bar's own website referring to itself that way. "That might have been what it was 30, 40 years ago, but has transitioned into something much beyond what that is," Barnes said. "It's a gathering place. It's a place for families to go to share a meal. And it's a tightknit community within the Trabuco Canyon." An aerial view of the scene of a shooting at the Cook's Corner bar in the Trabuco Canyon area of Orange County, California. on August 23, 2023. / Credit: CBS News Los Angeles Snowling was a former sergeant with the Ventura Police Department who retired in 2014, Barnes said, noting that the gunman lived in Ohio but also had a home in Southern California. "We believe he traveled from Ohio with an ongoing dispute regarding the separation and pending divorce with his wife," Barnes said. Barnes said Snowling entered the bar with two firearms and went "directly" to his wife. There was no argument or exchange before Snowling opened fire, shooting his wife once, Barnes said. "Somebody who was sharing a meal with his ex-wife was also shot at and struck by gunfire," Barnes said. That woman was able to get outside of the bar, but ultimately died of her wounds, Barnes said. Snowling then began firing "randomly" at other people both inside and outside the bar, Barnes said. After leaving the inside of Cook's Corner, Snowling went to his truck and got a third handgun and a shotgun. Someone confronted Snowling at that point, but he was shot and killed, Barnes said. Barnes did not elaborate on the wife's injuries, however, Providence Mission Hospital said in a statement that it had received one adult female from the shooting. She had been shot in the jaw and arrived in critical condition. She was stabilized and transferred overnight to UCI Medical Center, the hospital said. The other critical patient was an adult male who had been shot in the chest, Providence Mission Hospital said. The four patients in stable condition were all adult males. One was released overnight and two were likely to be sent home Thursday, the hospital said. The fourth patient had been shot in the arm and was scheduled for surgery Thursday. Hallock said dispatchers could hear gunfire in the background from deputies' radios when they arrived at the scene. CBS Los Angeles spoke to a man who said he lost a friend who was shot in the back as the two tried to flee. He said he thought his friend had only tripped, but found out later that the friend had been killed. He said he barricaded himself in the kitchen along with a man he described as a cook who'd been shot it the arm. The man armed himself with a frying pan and they waited there until it was safe to come out. The man also told CBSLA about a woman the gunman had allowed to escape. The man said the woman, who worked at the bar, told him she pleaded with the gunman, "Please don't shoot me, I'm 5 months pregnant." The gunman allegedly told her to "get out of here," and she did. Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that she was "heartbroken to hear of another senseless mass shooting, this time in our own backyard." The Cook's Corner website says the bar is "considered to be one of the most famous biker bar & restaurants in Southern California." "We've experienced major earthquakes, forest fires, floods, recessions and other disasters," the bar says on the site. "We've gotten through all of them and came out stronger." The bar was hosting a spaghetti night special between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Deputies estimated that there were 30-40 people inside when the gunman started shooting. Wendy Koro, Operations Manager for Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, told CBSLA Cook's Corner is a "legendary landmark." "The public, in general, might have the wrong impression that this is a rough and tumble place where there is a lot of hard drinking and hard partying and you know, decent people don't go there," said Koro. "It really couldn't be further from the truth." Koro added that the venue is the "heart of the Orange County riding community." Trabuco Canyon is about 55 miles south of Los Angeles. Wildfires threaten southwestern Louisiana amid intense heat Trump and all 18 co-defendants surrender in Georgia election case School bus driver fosters bond with hundreds of students As the 2023 hurricane season nears its climatological peak over the next few weeks, two areas of disturbed weather are being monitored for potential tropical development in the Eastern Pacific late this week, and AccuWeather meteorologists warn that one of the systems could track into Mexico this weekend. The threat of development comes on the heels of Hurricane Hilary, which originated in the eastern Pacific and slammed parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States with flooding downpours and strong winds this past weekend. It appears that the two potential storms into this weekend will take different paths and will pose little risk to the U.S. AccuWeather meteorologists say the system farther offshore is most likely to ramp up to a strong tropical storm or hurricane as it drifts westward over the Pacific. The system nearest the coast of Mexico may take a northerly path that brings rain, wind and rough seas to part of Mexico. The next names for tropical systems that develop in the Eastern Pacific are Irwin and Jova. The area of primary concern from tropical development over the next few days is centered a few hundred miles offshore of the coast of southern Mexico, say AccuWeather forecasters. "Not long after Hurricane Hilary doused parts of western Mexico with torrential downpours, a new tropical feature may develop over the coming days," AccuWeather Meteorologist La Troy Thornton said. "This feature will bring enhanced rainfall across a different swath of Mexico that is no stranger to tropical cyclones." As of Friday, an area of showers and thunderstorms was evident on satellite imagery off the Mexican coast. AccuWeather expects this feature to become somewhat more organized as it drifts to the north-northwest into this weekend. "This area could become a tropical depression or even a tropical storm this weekend," said Thornton. Although conditions are favorable for tropical formation and intensification, there will be little time for the system to strengthen beyond a tropical storm, but that does not discount the possibility for the system to reach hurricane status before making landfall late Saturday or Sunday. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP "Regardless of development status or strength, heavy rain appears likely to travel up the coast of southwestern Mexico during the weekend," warned Thornton. "The coastal states most in line for potential tropical impacts extend from Oaxaca to Jalisco." The heavy rain interacting with the mountainous terrain farther inland can lead to flooding and mudslides, while storm surge flooding would be possible at the coast. Strong, gusty winds will also be possible, depending on how much strengthening occurs before landfall. Fortunately, for portions of northwestern Mexico and the southwestern U.S. still reeling from the flooding caused by Hilary, little, if any, moisture from this storm should make it that far north. "Since the storm is expected to come ashore in southern Mexico, the mountainous terrain and expected atmospheric flow in the days after should preclude much moisture from moving to the north," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty. Some tropical destinations along the southern Mexican coast could be impacted by the budding system, but it appears that Acapulco, which is situated farther southeast along the coast, will avoid a direct landfall. Still, rough surf and rip currents generated by any storm could imperil some swimmers in the ocean offshore of the resort city. The potential tropical storm headed toward Mexico is not the only area that AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring for potential development. Another area located several hundred miles west of there over the open Pacific Ocean has a high chance of developing into an organized tropical system. A sampling of ocean water temperatures off the southern and western coasts of Mexico, as of Thursday morning, Aug. 24, local time. The steering winds over this region of the Pacific are blowing to the west, meaning the budding tropical system will pose a minimal threat to land for many days despite the prospects of a developing and strengthening tropical system due to warm ocean waters. Provided the feature evolves into a strong tropical system in the first place, it could survive long enough to bring some impacts by way of building seas, increasing winds and some rain to Hawaii in early September, Douty said. The Eastern Pacific tropical season runs from May 15 to November 30. So far this season, nine tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes have formed, eight of which have become named storms, with five of those achieving hurricane status. 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. By Jack Queen ATLANTA (Reuters) -One of Donald Trump's co-defendants in a wide-ranging election-fraud case in Georgia remained behind bars on Friday, after he told a judge that he could not afford a private attorney to represent him and was denied bond. Harrison Floyd said at his first court appearance that he could not afford a private lawyer and had been denied representation by a public defender because he did not qualify. Floyd, who appeared virtually, said that it typically cost between $40,000 to $100,000 just to retain a private lawyer to fly to Georgia. "I cannot afford an attorney for something like this," he said, telling Fulton County Superior Court Judge Emily Richardson that he did not want to put his family in debt. Richardson told Floyd that he could either hire a lawyer or represent himself. It was not immediately clear why Floyd was told he could not be represented by a public defender. Generally, defendants must meet certain financial requirements to qualify. For now, Floyd will remain in Fulton County Jail, which is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice for violence and unsanitary conditions, as well as 15 inmate deaths last year. One of those was a man whose family says in a lawsuit was "eaten alive" by bedbugs. Floyd had maintained that he was not a flight risk, but he was told that the issue of the bond would ultimately be decided by Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the case. Trump and the 17 others charged in the case have already reported to jail and posted bond. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has charged Trump with 13 felony counts including racketeering for pressuring state officials to reverse his 2020 election loss and setting up an illegitimate slate of electors to undermine the formal congressional certification of Democratic President Joe Biden's victory. Floyd, a former U.S. Marine and mixed martial arts fighter, is accused of participating in a scheme to pressure an election worker to falsely admit to voting fraud. In a separate case, Floyd was arrested in Maryland in May and charged with assaulting FBI agents who tried to serve him with a subpoena, court records show. All 18 other defendants in the case have been released after posting bond, records show. Bail amounts range from $200,000 for Trump to $150,000 for former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani to $10,000 for Misty Hampton, a former election supervisor in a rural Georgia county who is accused of tampering with voting equipment. One of those defendants, attorney Sidney Powell, asked the court on Friday for her trial to begin by Nov. 3 at the latest, as is allowed under Georgia law. District Attorney Willis had originally proposed a March 4 trial date for all 19 defendants, including Trump. But McAfee has agreed to a separate Oct. 23 trial for lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, who like Powell had asked for an earlier date. Trump's legal team has not yet proposed a trial date. 'TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE' Floyd's appearance comes after a momentous day in which Trump's mug shot from the jail was released. Trump, 77, was captured glaring at the camera in the first such photograph of a former president in U.S. history, yet another extraordinary moment for the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination. After spending about 20 minutes at the jail on Thursday evening, Trump repeated the claim that Willis' prosecution - along with the others he faces - is politically motivated. "What has taken place here is a travesty of justice," he told reporters. "I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows it." One of the final defendants to surrender, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, turned himself in early on Friday and was released on $100,000 bond, records show. Trump has not yet entered a plea in the Georgia case. He has pleaded not guilty in two federal cases accusing him of seeking to overturn the 2020 election and retaining classified documents after leaving office, and to a New York state case linked to hush money payments to a porn star. Far from damaging his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination, however, the four cases filed against him have only bolstered his standing. He holds a commanding polling lead in the Republican race to challenge Biden in the November 2024 election. (Reporting by Jack Queen in Atlanta; Writing by Andy Sullivan, Luc Cohen and Noeleen Walder; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Christian Schmollinger) Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Fulton County Sheriff's Office (19), Getty Images (3) Donald Trump turned himself in to authorities Thursday night at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, where the former president was booked on charges stemming from his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Last week, Trump and 18 of his allies were indicted by a grand jury on racketeering charges, accused of orchestrating a criminal enterprise to subvert his loss in the state. All 19 of those charged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis have turned themselves in after they were given until Friday at noon to voluntarily surrender at the notorious Atlanta lockup, where they each underwent a medical evaluation, were fingerprinted and had their mug shots taken. Eleven of Trump's co-defendants including Rudy Giuliani, Trumps former personal lawyer, and Mark Meadows, his former White House chief of staff turned themselves in earlier this week. Here are the mug shots of all those who have surrendered in Georgia and what they've been charged with: Donald J. Trump, former U.S. president Fulton County Sheriff's Office 13 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Solicitation of violation of oath by public officer Conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer Conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree Conspiracy to commit false statements and writings Conspiracy to commit filing false documents Filing false documents False statements and writings Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff Fulton County Sheriff's Office 2 counts: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Solicitation of violation of oath by public officer Jeffrey Clark, former Justice Department official Fulton County Sheriff's Office 2 counts: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Criminal attempt to commit false statements and writings Rudy Giuliani, Trump's former personal lawyer Fulton County Sheriff's Office 13 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act Solicitation of violation of oath by public officer False statements and writings Conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer Conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree Conspiracy to commit false statements and writings Conspiracy to commit filing false documents Michael Roman, Republican strategist Fulton County Sheriff's Office 7 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer Conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree Conspiracy to commit false statements and writings Conspiracy to commit filing false documents Shawn Still, Georgia Republican state senator Fulton County Sheriff's Office 7 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Impersonating a public officer Forgery in the first degree False statements and writings Criminal attempt to commit filing false documents Stephen Lee, police chaplain Fulton County Sheriff's Office 5 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Criminal attempt to commit influencing witnesses Conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings Influencing witnesses Trevian Kutti, publicist Fulton County Sheriff's Office 3 counts: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings Influencing witnesses Robert Cheeley, attorney based in Georgia Fulton County Sheriff's Office 10 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer Conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree Conspiracy to commit false statements and writings Conspiracy to commit filing false documents Solicitation of violation of oath by public officer False statements and writings Perjury Misty Hampton, Coffee County elections supervisor Fulton County Sheriff's Office 7 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit election fraud Conspiracy to commit computer theft Conspiracy to commit computer trespass Conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy Conspiracy to defraud the state Harrison Floyd, Black Voices for Trump organizer Fulton County Sheriff's Office 3 counts: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings Influencing witnesses Sidney Powell, attorney Fulton County Sheriff's Office 7 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit election fraud Conspiracy to commit computer theft Conspiracy to commit computer trespass Conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy Conspiracy to defraud the state Jenna Ellis, attorney Fulton County Sheriff's Office 2 counts: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Solicitation of violation of oath by public officer Cathleen Latham, Coffee County GOP chair Fulton County Sheriff's Office 11 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Impersonating a public officer Forgery in the first degree False statements and writings Criminal attempt to commit filing false documents Conspiracy to commit election fraud Conspiracy to commit computer theft Conspiracy to commit computer trespass Conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy Conspiracy to defraud the state David Shafer, chairman of the Georgia GOP Fulton County Sheriff's Office 8 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Impersonating a public officer Forgery in the first degree False statements and writings Criminal attempt to commit filing false documents Kenneth Chesebro, attorney Fulton County Sheriff's Office 7 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer Conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree Conspiracy to commit false statements and writings Conspiracy to commit filing false documents Ray Stallings Smith, attorney for Trumps 2020 campaign in Georgia Fulton County Sheriff's Office 12 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Solicitation of violation of oath by a public office False statements and writings Conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer Conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree Conspiracy to commit false statements and writings Conspiracy to commit filing false documents John Eastman, Trumps former lawyer Fulton County Sheriff's Office 9 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Solicitation of violation of oath by public officer Conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer Conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree Conspiracy to commit false statements and writings Conspiracy to commit filing false documents Filing false documents Scott Hall, Fulton County GOP poll watcher Fulton County Sheriff's Office 7 counts, including: Violation of the Georgia RICO Act Conspiracy to commit election fraud Conspiracy to commit computer theft Conspiracy to commit computer trespass Conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy Conspiracy to defraud the state In a Washington Post, Ipsos and FiveThirtyEight poll of potential Republican voters who watched Wednesdays GOP debate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy came out on top. The poll showed 29 and 26 percent of the potential voters thought DeSantis and Ramaswamy performed best, respectively. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley lagged behind the two frontrunners at 15 percent. The rest of the candidates at the debate saw less than 10 percent back them as debate winners. DeSantis was already well-known and popular among Republicans ahead of the debate, with most having a favorable opinion of him and just 6 percent having no opinion of the governor but Ramaswamy was far less known by debate watchers, with almost 4 in 10 saying they hadnt heard of him or had no opinion of him, the Posts article on the poll read. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Other findings from the poll included a drop in those who say they are considering voting for former President Donald Trump as GOP nominee following the debate, from 66 to 61 percent. DeSantis received a slight bump in possible voting support as GOP nominee in the wake of the debate, from 62 to 67 percent. The poll, conducted between Aug. 23-24, was taken of 775 potential Republican primary or caucus voters who watched the Aug. 23 debate, according to the Post. The margin of error was 4 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The development of AI has led to the technology being used to improve operations and systems. Given that California is among the leading states that have been developing artificial intelligence, it is making use of its expertise to detect wildfires early on for faster response. Using AI to Detect Wildfires Wildfires have been affecting the state of California for years, not only burning vast acres of land but destroying the homes of its residents as well. The firefighters in the area are trying out a new method to keep the fire from getting out of control. With the help of AI and over 1,000 mountaintop cameras, the program tried to detect fires by identifying smoke. However, the method is still seeing a few issues, particularly the fact that a lot of things can look like smoke and the AI tends to misidentify them. "You wouldn't believe how many things look like smoke," DigitalPath Chief Architect of the software Ethan Higgins stated. Due to this flaw, engineers from the software company still need to monitor the system all the time. Detected incidents have to be manually vetted, especially since there have been a lot of false positives. Some of the factors that AI has mislabeled as smoke include fog, haze in the mountains, and even dust from a farmer's tractor, according to The New York Times. Despite its shortcomings, the program already has records of successful detection. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Staff Chief, Phillip SeLegue says that it has "absolutely improved response times." He added that there have already been about two dozen cases where the AI system identified fires even before the agency received 911 calls to alert them. Because of the early warning, firefighters were able to put out the fires while they were still small. The fire agency started using the program back in June and only covers six of Cal Fire's command centers. By September, the program will also be used in 21 other command centers in the state, all while improving its ability to detect smoke accurately. Read Also: Fire Blankets Can Protect Buildings From Wildfires California's Second Biggest Wildfire this 2023 A recent wildfire managed to spread across 47,000 acres of land just this Wednesday on the California-Oregon border, which is said to be the second biggest wildfire in the state for this year. More than 1,200 personnel were sent to put out the fire. According to Forbes, it started on August 15th when a section of the first was struck by lightning around 150 times, which led to over 27 fires. National Weather Service meteorologist Merl Herlein says that not even the heavy rain from tropical storm Hilary was not enough to make an impact on the fire, much less extinguish it. This resulted in a full evacuation for the small town of Gasquet. The Del Norte County in California is already at level three with their evacuation order, meaning that they have been urged to leave the area immediately. Josephine County, Oregon is already at level two, which means that they have to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Related: AI Tool Helps Farmers in Africa Be Productive Despite Climate Change YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. On August 25, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with Ambassador of the Netherlands Nicolaas Schermers on the occasion of the end of his diplomatic mission in Armenia. The sides touched upon the undertaken and outlined steps towards deepening bilateral cooperation between Armenia and the Netherlands, as well as the Armenia-EU partnership agenda, the foreign ministry said in a readout. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia highly appreciated the efforts made by the Ambassador in this direction in the last three years, awarded him with an honorary medal of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia and wished him success in next steps in diplomatic career. During the meeting, the interlocutors also touched upon the issues on regional stability, particularly discussing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan. Highlighting the importance of the clear positions expressed by international organizations and countries, including the Netherlands, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the urgency of taking steps towards the immediate lifting of the blockade of the Lachin corridor blockade in accordance with the Orders of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, 2023. Minister Mirzoyan stressed that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is close to turning into a humanitarian catastrophe and can significantly undermine the efforts of Armenia and the international community to establish stability in the region. Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis described Greece as a "gateway to Europe" for India Prime Minister Narendra Modi being conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou, in Athens, Greece, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis decided to elevate Greek-Indian bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership while holding discussions at Athens. The leaders also committed to doubling bilateral trade by 2030. They expressed their intent to expand cooperation across various domains, including defence, shipping, science and technology, cyber space, education, culture, tourism, and agriculture. They also agreed that an early finalisation of a Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement (MMPA) would be mutually beneficial, facilitating in particular the free movement of workforce between the two countries. During the visit, Modi was also conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour award by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou at the Presidential Mansion and became the first foreign Head of Government to receive the honour. With an eye on the role of Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea, and China in the Indo-Pacific without naming them, both countries underscored their vision of a "free, open, and rules-based Mediterranean Sea and Indo-Pacific," emphasising adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS, while respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation. Modi offered condolences for recent forest fires in Greece and highlighted the enduring ties and shared values between the two ancient civilisations and democracies. He also expressed their joint commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. The visit included a business lunch hosted by the Greek Prime Minister, attended by prominent Indian and Greek CEOs from various sectors. Modi encouraged business leaders to explore investment opportunities in India. Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis described Greece as a "gateway to Europe" for India and extended support for a free trade pact between India and the European Union (EU). He congratulated Modi on India's successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission. Both leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism. Discussions during the visit encompassed trade, defence, security, technology, infrastructure, digital payments, shipping, pharma, agriculture, migration, mobility, tourism, skill development, culture, education, and regional and multilateral issues. They jointly called for respect for international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In a meeting with the Greek President, Modi discussed sustainable development, women-led development, India's G20 presidency, and deepening India-Greece relations. He paid tribute at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" in Athens, laying a wreath. In his address, the prime minister said that India considers the whole world as one family Johannesburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Global South is not just a diplomatic term but represents the shared history of these countries against colonialism and apartheid based on which modern relations are being reshaped. Addressing the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in the South African capital, PM Modi said BRICS countries- and all friendly nations present at the summit can contribute to the strengthening of a multipolar world. I am grateful to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for giving me the opportunity to share thoughts with the leaders of Africa, Asia and Latin America. In the last two days, we have focussed on the priorities and concerns of the countries of Global South, PM Modi said. We believe that giving importance to them is the need of the current generation. We have also decided on the expansion of BRICS. We welcome all new partner countries. It is another step towards making the global institutions and forums competitive, he added. PM Modi recalled that it was on South African land that Mahatma Gandhi developed, tested the concepts of non-violence and peaceful resistance used in in Indias freedom struggle. He said that Gandhis thoughts provided inspiration to the South African leader Nelson Mandela. In his address, the prime minister said that India considers the whole world as one family and has focussed on bringing the concerns of the Global South to the mainstream level. This is also the core principle of our G20 presidency. To bring the concerns of the Global South into the mainstream, we have invited three African nations and several developing nations as guest countries. India has also put forward the proposal of giving permanent G20 membership to the African Union. I believe that BRICS and all friendly nations present today, can contribute to strengthening the multipolar world, PM Modi said further. Earlier in the day, PM Modi congratulated leaders and people of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE over their full membership of BRICS and said India has always supported the expansion of the organisation. In a statement in the presence of other leaders from BRICS countries, PM Modi said India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation. "India has always supported the expansion of BRICS. India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation, he said. PM Modi said India has historic ties with all the new members of BRICS. He said India will also contribute to other countries wanting to join as partner countries of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against SpaceX after alleging that the company has been denying refugees and asylees jobs at SpaceX from 2018 to 2022. Read Also: Twitter's Rebranding to X a 'Risky Move,' Analysts Say SpaceX Alleged Hiring Process In 2020, the DOJ started receiving complaints of employee discrimination from SpaceX. After investigation, SpaceX was found guilty of not hiring asylees and refugees because of their citizenship status. Moreover, their qualifications were overlooked after SpaceX noted their citizenship status. In addition, the investigation found that "SpaceX recruiters and high-level officials took actions that actively discouraged" people from seeking work in the company. The suit identified that the process happened between 2018 and 2022. The Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) opened the proved last 2020 after a claimant testified that he lose a spot during a SpaceX interview after disclosing his citizenship status. Since then, it seemed that other victims have come forward to share their piece of hiring experience at SpaceX. DOJ Seeks Damages from SpaceX Currently, DOJ is asking SpaceX to pay damages and back pay for the affected asylees and refugees. In addition, the department is also calling for civil penalties and policy changes on hiring employees. As a response, SpaceX owner Elon Musk posted on X that the company was repeatedly told that "hiring anyone who was not a permanent resident of the United States would violate international arms trafficking law, which would be a criminal offence." This is not the first time that a Musk-owned company is hit with legal action. Musk have been receiving legal battles from X and Tesla. As of writing there are no update as to how SpaceX will proceed with the current lawsuit. Related Article: SpaceX's Latest Starship Booster Fire Test 'Mostly Successful' It's worth recalling that India has consistently maintained that China's buildup of troops at the LAC in the Ladakh sector in 2020 NEW DELHI: China claimed that a "candid and in-depth exchange of views" on the border situation and Sino-Indian relations occurred between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Brics Summit in Johannesburg. China asserted that this conversation took place at Modi's request. However, Indian government sources promptly denied this, asserting that it was China that had requested a bilateral meeting. Sources made it clear that this was not a regular bilateral meeting but an "informal conversation." Beijing stated that Xi had advised Modi that both sides should handle the border issue "properly" but notably made no mention of any progress toward "expeditious disengagement and de-escalation" of the two armies in the Ladakh sector. Foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra had earlier told reporters in Johannesburg late on Thursday evening that after their conversation, Modi and Xi had "agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation" between the two armies in the Ladakh sector. In an early morning statement released on Friday, Beijing stated, "On August 23, 2023, President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest on the sidelines of the Brics Summit. Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples and is also conducive to peace, stability, and development in the world and the region. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle the border issue properly to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region." The Chinese foreign ministry also claimed the conversation had taken place at Modi's request. However, Indian Government sources refuted this claim, stating, "There was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting. The two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the Leaders' Lounge during the Brics Summit." On Thursday, New Delhi had reported that during the leaders' conversation, Modi had expressed "India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western (Ladakh) sector of the India-China border area" and emphasised to the Chinese leader that maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas and respecting the LAC were crucial for normalising the India-China relationship. It's worth recalling that India has consistently maintained that China's buildup of troops at the LAC in the Ladakh sector in the spring and summer of 2020, as well as the perceived reluctance of Chinese troops to withdraw from all friction points in the Ladakh sector, constitutes a violation of the border agreements reached with India in the 1990s. India has asserted that normalising ties with China hinges on Beijing withdrawing its troops from all friction points and restoring the status quo as of March 2020. Further, in July, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, during the Brics NSAs' meeting in Johannesburg, that Chinese military actions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector over the past three years "had eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the Sino-Indian relationship." Chinese President Xi Jinping has received an invitation from India to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi next month. However, the Chinese side has not yet confirmed his visit to New Delhi. I wept, danced and cried as the nation, united as one people, applauded the staggering triumph. Kashmir can make a lyrical poet out of the most prosaic person (me!): Its incomparable beauty competes and complements the luminescence of the delicate Idd ka Chand. It was our great good fortune to be in Gulmarg, watching the live telecast of Chandrayaan-3s gentle landing on the dark side of the moon. To describe this historic moment as merely surrealistic or euphoric or OMG so Pink Floyd, guys would be nothing short of insulting. I wept, danced and cried as the nation, united as one people, applauded the staggering triumph, and I rushed out of the cottage to seek out the moon, hanging low over the Pir Panjal range of the Western Himalayas, like it was kissing the tall, imposing pine trees on the property we were staying at. Unbridled pride for the stupendous achievement of our low-key, brilliant Isro scientists tore through my heart. Wed done it! Mera Bharat Mahaan had never sounded truer. This called for an instant celebration. We headed to the 163-year-old bar with a rich legacy, going back to 1860 at Highlands Park Resort, and asked Ghulam Nabi Saab, the legendary bartender who has served drinks to world celebrities for 40-odd years, and ordered a hot toddy. My heart continued to go dhak dhak as I kept staring at the chand disappearing rapidly behind the mountains, and screwing up my eyes to see if it was indeed bathed in the tricolour. In the stillness of the night that followed our celebratory dinner of the best Yakhni lamb in Gulmarg, it was time to take it all in calmly. Just the way our modest Isro scientists had reacted to their mind-boggling achievement. No bombast, no bragging, no chest thumping just a quiet, dignified, sober acceptance of their feat. Being back in Kashmir after a seven-year gap was an eye-opener. Let me put it out there: Kashmir has definitely got its mojo back. Rather, its well on the way to being the Kashmir we knew and loved -- all thanks to the strenuous efforts of the Army, which has been steadily but surely winning over the confidence of battered locals, who readily acknowledge the positive change that has taken place in the Valley in the past two years, after 30 long years of strife, ugly politics and daily acts of violence. I spent a great deal of time talking to people whose lives were disrupted for three decades as various political parties battled for control, caring little about the welfare of the Kashmiris themselves. As our articulate and well-informed driver told me: My father bought a Contessa car to ply tourists just before the trouble began. With curfews and frequent hartals paralysing the Valley, he was forced to sell the car. It was the money from that distress sale that fed the family for two years. Our children couldnt attend school. We had no jobs. We were stripped of everything. The story is different today. The local Kashmiri just wants to live a life of peace earn enough to feed and educate his family. We dont care about politics and Article 370. We have suffered. What we lived through shouldnt be the fate of our children. It was beyond unspeakable. Now there is optimism and hope. My children are back in school. There is enough food on the table. The tourists are here in good numbers. We dont expect a miracle. It will take another two or three years for change. But anything is better than suffering at the hands of politicians all those corrupt people who profited from our sorrow. He couldnt have articulated the sentiments of locals any better. Thanks to the help and support of Maj. Gen. Raj Sinha, VSM (Retd), a Mumbai buddy (we had met during his posting here), and someone with considerable operational experience in J&K, we were privileged enough to meet some exceptional officers and also bag that coveted invitation to dinner at a wonderful Army mess. The impressive decor, with various polished trophies competing for attention with framed medals, made for an evening that can only be described as educative and inspiring. What amazing stories of valour and sacrifice. And how little do we smug civilians actually know about the immense hardships endured by our faujis in combat, separated from their families for months on end, and living with danger 24x7. Their high level of commitment to the nation, combined with brilliant analytical thinking, made me acutely aware of my own lack of knowledge as we spoke about lessons from history and the complete, sincere, selfless immersion of our armed brethren in what they do: safeguard our borders with little regard to their own lives, which they are willing to sacrifice for us! On my last day, a scheduled visit to HAWS (High-Altitude Warfare School) had me literally gasping for breath, as I watched a well-made documentary on avalanche rescue missions. This was established in 1948, and is one of the most important colleges globally in this field. The museum on the premises documents several impressive firsts, and I was lucky to be taken around by an enthusiastic, well-informed officer. A smart young man offered me a glass of piping hot kahwa on an elegant tray. I was keen to meet the heroic dog squad on the premises: those highly-trained canines responsible for locating bodies trapped under twelve feet or more of snow, within minutes of the team getting to the hazardous spot. But it was time to pack and get back to our privileged, cocooned city lives. To quote Imitiazbhai, one of the many men who lead nimble ponies to tourist sites above Gulmarg: The last two years have been very good for all of us. The Armys approach today is very different from the past. The soldiers are friendly and helpful. They know us by name they respect us. And we respect them. Back at our hotel, I looked at the beautiful copper samovar I was taking back as a memory of our trip, as so many touching gestures flashed by in my mind. The sonorous chant of the pujari at the famous Maharani Temple (location for the popular Jai Jai Shiv Shanker song picturised on the Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaz 1974 movie Aap ki Kasam) was ringing in my ears. He is a Shiv bhakt and the lone Hindu in the area. Our darshan coincided with Naag Panchami. While blessing us, he said it was Shiva himself who brought us to the temple and its belief alone that creates peace and love in the universe. I was moved by the simplicity of his words. Kashmir is a blessed place. May it remain peaceful and harmonious always. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, speaks during the Pitkin County Democratic Partys annual dinner on Wednesday evening. Earlier that day, he attended the Colorado Water Congress annual summer conference in Steamboat Springs. Alex Sanchez is the founder and CEO of Voces Unidas de las Montanas and Voces Unidas Action Fund, nonprofit organizations working in Summit, Lake, Eagle, Pitkin and Garfield counties. He grew up in El Jebel. SUV The company didn't even bless Monterey with anything of particular significance as they already took August by storm initially by introducing the 2024 Land Cruiser (Prado or Land Cruiser 250 in certain regions). But its tidal wave of ongoing novelties seems too enticing to set aside especially in the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.Some of them, for example, have quickly heard of the recent rumor that Toyota is considering a Corolla Cross-based pickup truck to try and give the best-selling Ford Maverick and ritzy Hyundai Santa Cruz some headaches across the North American region. And, naturally, they imagined the potential unibody compact pickup truck.On the other hand, others are first preoccupied with the potential facelift of the Toyota Corolla Cross a compact crossoverthat has been around since 2020 on TNGA-C underpinnings shared with the rest of the E210-series Corolla family. Also sold as a hybrid, complete with a 197-hp powertrain that's both powerful and frugal, the Corolla Cross Hybrid even replaced the C-HR nameplate in the automaker's US roster.A few, though, probably think that maybe Toyota should first address adequately the C-HR's departure with a refreshed Corolla Cross Hybrid that's more daring than the current model. And the good folks behind the RMD CAR channel on YouTube have the latest scoops coordinated with their unofficial CGI depictions of new models - hence this 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.However, I have to say that maybe they should also come clean and reveal that some of their hypothetical digital projects are made with more than a bit of help from AI tools as this and a previous presentation of the next-gen 2025 Corolla are too futuristic and maybe only a little biased towards the 'deep fake' side of things.Anyway, it's an unofficial project, so they can have it any way they see fit. And on this occasion, they went for an outrageous presentation where the hypothetical 2025 Corolla Cross Hybrid facelift has nothing to do with the regular Corolla Cross. In fact, anyone would be hard-pressed to find any connection with the current roster of Toyota vehicles.Oh, well, do take all this with a massive grain of salt, of course as nothing is official from Toyota just yet. However, if you want our two cents on the matter, we do not expect such bold (or outrageous) moves from the Japanese automaker, even if it has started to break the norm with some of its most beloved models, such as the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser. Facelift after facet. That is exactly what BMW did in China with the X5, rolling out the xDrive40Li version of the long-wheelbase SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle). Photo: BMW BMW had updated the regular X5 and X6 as a mid-cycle refresh back in February. The model comes with a longer wheelbase (5.11 inches or 130 millimeters), which translates into more space onboard for those sitting in the rear seats. Larger rear doors provide easier access in the back.The German carmaker updated the front facia, coming up with a new reinterpretation of the headlights, with an outline now 35 millimeters (1.4 inches) narrower than before and kidney grille. The Iconic Glow kidney grille is standard for both versions.The daytime driving lights point outwards like arrows and play the part of turn indicators. The Matrix LED headlights with adaptive controls and the BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam are standard on the X5 xDrive40Li and come as an option on the X5 xDrive30Li.At the opposite end, the rear light units have also undergone plastic surgery, now sporting fiber-optic light guide elements creating an illuminated X motif.BMW added a Frozen paint finish for the first time in the Chinese lineup . It is the BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey metallic. An M Sport package is also part of the plan. It brings 22-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, as an alternative to the BMW Individual light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design, also 22 inches in diameter.The BMW X5 for China is manufactured in China at the Dadong plant by the BMW Brilliance joint venture. Two versions will be available. The entry-level BMW X5 will be the xDrive30Li version powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 254 horsepower (258 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. As discouraging as this displacement sounds for a vehicle of the size of the X5, the model is still able to do the 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) run in 7.2 seconds.Upper in the range, there is the 3.0-liter X5 xDrive40Li. The straight-six turbo engine-powered version gets 375 horsepower (380 PS) and only takes 5.5 seconds to get from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph). Both versions come with the new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. Both engine get the 48 V mild-hybrid tech.The BMW iDrive with QuickSelect has also been updated, getting a new menu structure and new home screen. The Chinese model gets the frameless BMW Curved Display, slightly angled towards the driver and made up of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen.Equipment such as the electroplated detailing on the steering wheel and door panels and the smartphone tray with inductive charging are exclusive to the Chinese market.The facelift X5 will going to hit the Chinese market in September 2023. After a serious bump in the road that made almost everyone believe it would lead to the end, the dream of an independent supersonic jet was reborn like the Phoenix. Boom Supersonic is optimistic about the future of the XB-1, and its most recent milestones back that positive outlook. 8 photos Photo: Boom Supersonic I was shocked after seeing the headlines about Tesla suing two whistleblowers. That was the BEV maker's answer to what is now more popularly known as Tesla Files. Most of them said the company was suing former employees who caused a data leak affecting 75,000 employees. That is not true: those guys gave Handelsblatt data that they could easily retrieve to show how Tesla did not protect it as it should. Why did we see these headlines, then? Two things: bad journalism and Elon Musk. Photo: Screenshot from Twitter video by @elonmusk BEV Photo: Tesla/edited by autoevolution The first could be fixed with proper context and just a minimum willingness to understand the case before writing anything about it. Rushing to publish a story can contribute to the problem, but laziness is also a major factor. Regarding Elon Musk , just check recent episodes involving the Tesla CEO, and you will see that shifting the narrative is one of his specialties helped by bad journalism, I should add.Just try to remember Elon Musk's cage fight against Mark Zuckerberg . The Tesla CEO challenged the Facebook owner. Zuckerberg accepted, which probably was what Musk thought would not happen. With the risk of taking a beating, the Tesla CEO started coming up with lame excuses such as a neck operation to avoid fighting. The Facebook honcho eventually decided he had had enough and said they should only talk about it again when Musk was serious. The Tesla CEO tried to make it look like Zuckerberg was chickening out in other words, Musk blamed the Facebook boss for doing what he was doing. Against all pieces of evidence, several media outlets bought his narrative. Unsurprisingly, that's not the only time he regretted something and tried to make it look like something else.Do you remember the Twitter purchase? It all started with Musk saying he would buy the company on April 14, 2022, for $43 billion (or $54.20 per share). He had already bought 9.2% of the company. Twitter's shareholders almost used a poison pill strategy to prevent a hostile takeover but eventually thought Musk's offer was a pretty sweet deal to refuse. It was the Tesla CEO who realized what a lousy purchase it was and started trying to back down in May. With the excuse that 5% of Twitter's active accounts were bots, Musk did all he could to escape the deal until Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick ruled him in. The Tesla CEO tried to make it look like he was buying the company because he wanted to do that. Again, there are people who will swear that this was the case. Ironically, even Musk later admitted he had no other choice.Those who followed the very beginning of Russia's attack on Ukraine will remember that the Tesla CEO proposed to set the whole thing with another fight. The difference is that Musk proposed to beat Vladimir Putin . The winner would take Ukraine. Musk also mocked Putin for never answering his challenge as if the Tesla CEO was entitled to bet an entire country in his juvenile ego trip. People wrote about the episode without putting Musk's bravado under the proper perspective as they had forgotten what was at stake with the Tesla Files.I wrote at the time that it was weird that the case did not make customers and employees all over the world and particularly in the US demand immediate changes in how Tesla manages data. It must be frustrating for the whistleblowers to realize the people they were trying to protect do not seem to give a damn about the case. They should be thanking them for the courage to challenge the world's most valuable car company in market cap. Yet, what you see the most are Tesla advocates downplaying the whole thing. When they have to admit how serious it is, they accuse the whistleblowers of doing precisely what themaker did: expose their data to anyone with access to Tesla's computers. There was no control, no restriction, and no excuse for the private information of employees and customers to be so easily reachable by people without the proper authorization to do so.Sadly, the prevailing narrative is the one Tesla dictated in its data breach letter. Even people who like to call themselves journalists took that at face value. It is as if these former Tesla employees were after personal benefits when they got in touch with the German newspaper to describe how inadequate data protection was at Tesla . It is as if they made a fortune by sharing that instead of having the headache of dealing with the BEV maker's lawyers and the flying monkeys now trying to paint them as the bad guys.Edward Niedermeyer recently wrote a fantastic text talking about what happened to the information world for Elon Musk to deserve so much credit when a basic fact check would equate the Tesla CEO to Baron Munchhausen. According to Niedermeyer, the internet has made information so abundant that people simply do not know what to believe. I'd add that journalists have also shifted from fact investigators to becoming hunters of the next viral story. Clicks are all that matters. Serious journalistic work gets diluted by trivialities, which is quite frustrating for anyone pursuing the truth.Elon Musk only talks to journalists who will write what he wants. All his companies follow a similar procedure, even if more restrictive: they just don't. Ironically, he said in 2018 that he would create a website called Pravda (truth, in Russian) to rate journalists. Pravda was the official USSR newspaper, publishing what the Soviet Communist Party wanted the people to believe. In other words, it had zero commitment to the truth: all it cared about was propaganda, which is quite fitting. As Pravda was already registered, Musk went with Pravduh . This website never did anything, but you will find quite easily YouTube videos praising it.Honestly, anyone dealing with journalism and being moved by its alleged power to change things will soon work with something else. The stubborn ones may think we are too old to find a new profession. It may also be the case that we just believe we have a purpose and cannot escape it. Whatever explains this insistence on presenting facts the way they are and under the correct perspectives, the deal is that some people still wake up every day with that in mind. Seeing people trying to distort the facts to fit their narratives is infuriating when it comes from those who clearly profit from that. When it comes from the people who should be arm in arm with you, it is just deeply disappointing. North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun has sent a congratulatory message to Thailand's new prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, state media reported Friday, marking his first public activity since the North's leader Kim Jong-un scolded him over recent flood damage. Earlier this week, the North's leader berated the premier for his "irresponsible" attitude in failing to prevent damage to farmland from the recent typhoon. With the North's leader singling out the premier for his bungled handling of flooding, it spawned speculation that the premier, who was appointed to the post in 2020, may be replaced. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the premier also "expressed confidence that the friendly relations between (North Korea and Thailand) will continue to advance in the future" in the letter sent to Srettha on Thursday. (Yonhap) The Land Rover Defender came into the world as this rugged and versatile off-roader that would take you anywhere, anytime, without even breaking a sweat. For the past few years, it has evolved into a lifestyle, popular vehicle, posh and chic, that makes a statement. A statement it makes on TikTok as well, as the model is now getting an account on one of the worlds most popular social media platforms. The Defender has always been a conventional model since it first set wheels on the ground. The ultimate go-anywhere vehicle, it stayed away from extravagancy and ignored fashion to preserve tradition.But now the model is once again going into uncharted territory, head first, to become an international social media star on the social media platform with an app that has been downloaded, over the years, since its release back in 2016, by 2.5 billion people.And the move totally makes sense for Land Rover. The Defender is thus going to gain ground in terms of popularity in a segment willing to spend money to get a car. TikTok is available in over 150 markets worldwide. The platform is particularly popular with the under-24 users, with about 40% of its them falling in the 1824 age range. So joining TikTok is a clear statement that Land Rover is trying to attract younger clientele. And it all comes down to engagement.The new Defender TikTok account launched in collaboration with British music artist and actor Kano. He will be the one providing the initial soundtrack to the account. The British marque speaks about trying a road less traveled. We will see how much the 8.9-inch (226- millimeter) ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and locking diffs will matter in the digital community.Land Rover claims that the new account is an attempt to inspire the Defender owners as well as connect them. The first video uploaded on TikTok shows Kano in the company of a version with an unmistakable silhouette: the Defender 90 All three versions of the Defender, the 90, 110, and 130, in either two-, five-, or seven-seat layout, will show up in videos with lengths ranging from 15 to 60 seconds. Special trims, special editions, special everything will all feature in videos uploaded on TikTok.Land Rover reminds customers that the Defender embraces connectivity. The latest generation, which hit the market in 2020, features JLR's Pivi Pro infotainment system, controlled via the 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system supports Wireless Apple CarPlay as standard, as well as Wireless Android Auto.The British are no strangers to TikTok, as they have been flirting with the social media platform for quite some time. Back in February, the Land Rover Velar made its debut on TikTok before any other platform. The Monterey car auction organized in California last week by Mecum was full of exciting vehicles, ranging from the American classics everyone loves to customs that need acquired taste to be appreciated. At the top of the food chain however sat the European classic only the best of us can really cherish and, most importantly, afford. Part of this last category is the red 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K we have here. Together with other multi-million dollar cars it went under the hammer with high hopes. People were interested in it, of course, but it ultimately failed to sell.In the history books of exciting vehicles, the 540K is a very rare entry. It was only produced by the German carmaker between 1936 and 1940, and it is one of the most valuable cars one can get hold of today.Styled in the classic design of the era, with flamboyant fenders pulled over the classy wheels, large headlights placed ahead of and separated from the grille, and two small windscreens to partially enclose the interior when the top is down, the car is truly a sight to behold.The Merc is one of just 419 of its kind to have ever been made, and it comes with a few attributes that are unique to it. Enough of them, it seemed, for the owner to be confident they would get $4.5 million at the California auction.As was the habit back then, Mercedes produced the 540K as an in-house built chassis over which anyone who had the skills and money could install a body. Sure, Mercedes did that too, but this car is not a fully German car.It seems the chassis of the 540K is one of about 70 to have been delivered with no body on. It was ordered from and arrived in London, where a shop called Mayfair Carriage Works, based in the British capital, handled the bodywork.The beautiful metalwork was pulled over chassis and the dual-carburetor 5,401cc inline-eight engine (115 horsepower as standard, 180 hp when the supercharger kicked in) and the four-speed transmission.The car somehow survived the harsh years of the Second World War and after fighting ended it somehow reached Canada. It stayed there for a short while, and then was moved to the U.S., where it trekked the local specialized shows, the most recent being the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.With all of the above hardware and history, the car hopefully crossed the auction block, but somewhat miserably failed to meet the $4.5 million expected by the owner. The highest someone was willing to pay for it was $2.6 million, not enough for the 540K to move to a new home.What that means is the Mercedes is still up for grabs, and chances are it will eventually find the right buyer. We'll of course update as soon as it does. Just when we thought we could take a respite before the autumn season, the automotive industry has done it again in gold hues. So, let us remember how a couple of the main novelties at the astonishing 2023 edition of Monterey Car Week came from Bugatti a unique Chiron Super Sport 'Golden Era' that took around two years to complete by Sur Mesure and a gold-painted Bugatti W16 Mistral also done bespoke by Sur Mesure.Since they both went to America, it is only appropriate to feel the gold rush albeit a different one. This time around, they are more like artwork rather than precious metal. Oh, well, don't mind these innocent puns and the kid within coming to the surface because now we have to talk about something that's entirely befitting and coming from The Little Car Company You know them as the proud makers of Tamiya Wild One Max the off-road vehicle that acts as a life-size replica of an R/C car priced from $45k. They are also responsible for the Bentley Blower Jnr, an 85% tribute "of the most famous Bentley in the world," now a road-legal all-electric old-new vehicle. Anyway, they also built the Aston Martin DB5 Junior and the Bugatti Baby II.Speaking of the latter, the company just revealed on social media they fell in love with the recent Bugatti Chiron Super Sport ' Golden Era ' that was "heralded as a masterclass in customization and craftsmanship, successfully bringing a customer's vision to life by intertwining the creative boundaries between automotive technology and artistry." And they quickly decided to do the same on a Baby II!In partnership with the Bugatti design team, The Little Car Company created its bespoke version of Bugatti Baby II 'Golden Era.' It's appropriately dressed in gradient paintwork mixing the metallic 'Nocturne' of the one-off Baby II Vitesse with a golden hue called 'Dore.' Additionally, some of Chiron's sketches were recreated on the Baby II, while the rear features "a visual of Ettore Bugatti and his youngest son Roland with the original Bugatti Baby example that inspired the creation of today's Baby II."But that is not all, of course. There's also a completely black interior, a black steering wheel, matching black wheels with "shimmering" EB logos, plus a black fuel filler cap/charging point. Since it's a unique apparition, there's no price tag on this Baby II, but we can easily expect it to tower way above the standard Baby II ($34k) and even the Baby II Vitesse ($50k), right? Hayastan had decided not join the mayoral race, with some of its representatives citing grave security challenges facing Armenia as well as Nagorno-Karabakh. Media reports attributed the de facto boycott to a lack of consensus within the alliance on its potential mayoral candidate. Andranik Tevanian, a Hayastan parliamentarian, disagreed with the boycott, resigning from the National Assembly and setting up his own bloc called Mayr Hayastan (Mother Armenia) to run for Yerevan mayor. The blocs main campaign message is that an opposition victory in the elections scheduled for September 17 would pave the way for regime change in the country. Hayastans parliamentary group discussed the vote during a meeting chaired by Kocharian. In an ensuing statement, it said they decided to back Tevanians bloc in the polls. The statement did not specify whether Kocharian or other senior Hayastan figures will actively participate in the election campaign. Kocharian has kept a low profile in recent months, raising questions about his political future. The 68-year-old ex-presidents politically active son Levon was present at Tevanians inaugural campaign rally held on Wednesday. Other major mayoral candidates include Tigran Avinian, Yerevans deputy mayor representing the ruling Civil Contract party, former Mayor Hayk Marutian and former Labor Minister Mane Tandilian leading the opposition Aprelu Yerkir party. Avinian said on Thursday that Civil Contract expects to win a majority of seats in the city council that will appoint the next mayor of the Armenian capital. 26 August 2023 14:00 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more On 24 August 2023, Le Figaro published an article claiming that France is preparing to submit a resolution to the UN Security Council over the so-called blockade of Garabakh and calling to put sanctions on Azerbaijan. The article reads that on August 16, the UN Security Council met in New York to discuss the situation, and since then, France has been preparing a resolution. It is worth noting that Jean-Christophe Buisson, the author of the article, accepts that it would be very difficult for France to have it adopted. Azernews learned the opinion of the former Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Tofig Zulfugarov on the issue. The politician noted that the article of Le Figaro should not be taken seriously because this is an obsolete issue. I think this is an obsolete issue. This issue has already been discussed in the UN Security Council. Now an agreement has been reached on the usage of Aghdam Road, Zulfugarov said. He added that as a member of the UN, France has a right to bring various issues to the Security Council. Thus, France has tried several times previously but it could not get anything and it will not be able to get anything as well. As a member of the United Nations, France can bring various issues to the Security Council. This is the right of France. However, we have seen that some activities and attempts in this direction have already taken place several times, but without any results. First of all, in some cases, France could not get a majority of votes of members in the Security Council, and in other cases, the permanent members of the Security Council, who have the right to veto, blocked France's initiative. In more detail, they did not veto, but there is a special procedure between them. Before the vote, they say that this or that resolution will be vetoed. Thus, some of France's initiatives have even reached this stage. Therefore, I have no doubt that they will continue to take such steps. But it is clear that this will not give any result, the former FM noted. He emphasized that the implementation mechanism of such a resolution is very hard. Fairing that the same precedent could be used against them in the future, the members of the UN Security Council will not dare to vote for the resolution. So, adopting the resolution is not realistic. The implementation mechanism of such a resolution is one of the most important issues. In the Security Council, a resolution must go through three stages. First, a vote of the majority in the Security Council must be achieved. Even if a majority is achieved, it can be vetoed by the five permanent members of the Security Council. Then, if the Armenians achieve all these, that is, if they can pass all three stages, there is a problem with the implementation mechanism of these or other resolutions, i.e., how it will be implemented. There is the opinion that they will allegedly force Azerbaijan and the sovereignty will be taken from the hands of Azerbaijan and will be given to the UN institutions. It is impossible. Because the member states say they may experience the same fate in the future. They will naturally think that this law was applied against Azerbaijan today, and tomorrow the same law can be applied against someone of them. Why should they support it? So, reaching a resolution is far from reality from a diplomatic and political point of view, the politician concluded. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 23:59 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more Almost three years after the liberation of the Armenian-occupied Garabagh territories of Azerbaijan and the shattering of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh myth, the conflict is being supported and exacerbated in the Garabagh economic region by the Armenian revanchists and some supporting "partners". There are obstacles to achieving a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the involvement of many behind-the-scenes groups in the conflict, and often not hiding their interests in promoting their insidious and anti-Azerbaijani agenda, create the ground for conflict and strife. In addition to Western interest in its involvement in the Garabagh zone, there are powers whose interests, both political and economic, are to keep the Caucasus in tension. Azerbaijan has repeatedly suggested to the Armenian authorities, as the losing side after the second Garabagh war, to temper its revenge and hatred in order to move towards peace and prosperity, both for the inhabitants of Khankendi and Yerevan itself. Azerbaijan continues to expand rapidly in all areas, and many investor countries are aware of the riches of the Garabagh region, and its geographical and economic position, and are ready to build strong relations with Baku. In the opposite policy in this issue, there is a dark side of the networks behind the scenes that supply weapons for military purposes to the losing side, i.e. Armenia. The presence of Armenians in India over the years has led to the establishment of a number of large and small Armenian settlements in various places in India, including Agra Surat, Mumbai, Chinsur, Chandernagore, Kolkata, Saidabad, Chennai, Gwalior, Lucknow, and several other places in modern India. Armenian settlements were also established in Lahore and Dhaka - now in Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively. Since Russia is now in conflict with the West and Ukraine, it will not be possible to supply weapons to Armenia in the same quantity as it was, and here India comes to the aid of the Armenians as a supplier of arms, thus confirming for the fourth time its policy of supporting the conflict in the Caucasus, namely the Garabagh issue. In 2019, India supplied HAL Cheetah light attack helicopters to Armenia, in 2020 India supplied Rodnik radar stations to Armenia, and in 2021 there were reports of India supplying arms to Armenia, including military hardware. According to Sven Petersen, a political expert on the former Soviet Union, India stepped up support to Armenia in the autumn of 2022 with $245 million worth of Indian artillery systems, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition. In May, Yerevan announced the appointment of a military attache to its embassy in New Delhi tasked with deepening bilateral military cooperation. According to him, the help that Armenia currently receives from India is a glimpse of hope for rekindling the war in Garabagh. However, Armenia should also take into account that India's goal is not to fully devote itself to Yerevan and stand behind it in the war until the end. Iran also assisted in the transfer of arms to Armenia by road. Iran acted as a transit country, initially receiving the cargo in the port of Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf and then transferring it to Armenia. Thus, the decision of both India and Iran to intervene in the Garabagh issue is driven by several factors, both economic and strategic, and Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Garabagh war has horrified New Delhi as it fears close cooperation between the Turkic states. India is looking to capitalize on arms sales to the losing side and Russia's preoccupation with the conflict with Ukraine. It is a matter of time how large arms sales to the conflict zone will turn out for Armenia if in Yerevan itself there is a struggle for power between clans, whose interests at the moment are to keep the people of Khankendi in favor of a place in Yerevan, but not for a peace agreement. Besides, the observation missions of the European Union, Canada, France, Russia, and recently the USA in the conflict zone have not yielded any result, as before the OSCE Minsk group, etc. Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 10:12 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani Energy Minister Energy Parviz Shahbazov met with US Charge d'Affaires in Azerbaijan Hugo Guevara, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry. The meeting discussed the development prospects of bilateral energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States and issues on the global energy agenda. The energy security projects implemented by Azerbaijan, including the development of the Caspian-European Union Green Energy Corridor, were exchanged. They also talked about the measures taken by Azerbaijan in the direction of energy transition, efforts to achieve global climate goals, cooperation on "green energy" technologies, and exchange of experience. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 19:23 (UTC+04:00) The leading mobile operator named The most innovative tech company of the year by the STEVIE International Business Awards "Azercell Telecom" LLC was named the "Most innovative tech company of the year" by the Stevie International Business Awards. Winners were selected among various international organizations representing more than 60 countries. Azercells innovative endeavors in telecommunications and its transformative projects aimed at customer empowerment garnered high praise from the international panel of juries. Notably, Azercell Telecom pioneered Azerbaijan's introduction to the cutting-edge realm of fifth-generation (5G) communication standards. In a milestone achievement last December, the company successfully deployed 5G network in Azerbaijan on trial mode for the range of smartphone models. Over the course of the year, Azercell collaborated closely with Apple to extend this transformative technology to iPhone users across the country. Furthermore, the company was the first local carrier to secure an exclusive 5G license for Samsung smartphones, solidifying its leading position in the industry. These exceptional achievements served as crucial factors in the decision-making process of the international jury, comprising more than 230 influential business experts from around the world. The awards ceremony honoring the winners is scheduled to take place in Rome, Italy this October. It is worth mentioning that over the years Azercell Telecom has secured multiple STEVIE awards, including accolades as the Company of the year in various categories, affirming its sustained excellence and forward-looking approach. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 15:33 (UTC+04:00) In May 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. But this does not mean that the danger has passed because the virus is constantly mutating, Azernews reports. A new strain of EG.5 has recently been identified and the number of infections worldwide is steadily increasing. The coronavirus pandemic, which has been going on for more than three years, has become a serious test for the global health system. The World Health Organization estimates that at least 20 million people have died from Covid-19, although official figures put the death toll at 7 million. This virus was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. At the end of January 2020, WHO recognized the epidemic as an emergency, and in March declared it a pandemic. The first infection in Azerbaijan was detected in February 2020. As a result of the flexible measures taken by the state, the situation was immediately brought under control, and fundamental steps were taken to prevent the disease, ensure the safety of people, and treat it. Thanks to successful vaccination and other measures, our society managed to get out of the situation with minimal losses. A total of 14 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to citizens. During this period, more than 830,000 people have been infected with coronavirus in Azerbaijan, more than 10,000 people have died, and more than 800,000 people have recovered after undergoing treatment. Coronavirus is constantly mutating, and the emergence of new strains worries the world's population. In February of this year, the EG.5 type Eris machine with high distribution efficiency was registered. This is a new version of the Omicron strain. Symptoms are classic: cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, severe fatigue. EG.5, which has already been distributed to 51 countries, differs from its predecessors in that it has a slightly higher infectivity index. The number of hospitalized patients increased slightly compared to previous months. In the autumn season, an increase in the incidence of respiratory viral infections is expected and, accordingly, the number of patients with COVID-19 will slightly increase. The World Health Organization has reported a 63% increase in global COVID-19 cases over the past month. This is stated in the weekly WHO epidemiological report. From July 17 to August 13, there were 1.4 million infections. Due to the situation, the US Presidential Administration has already urged Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The states of California, New York, and Georgia are beginning to introduce a mandatory mask regime. Increases in EG.5 variant infections are primarily seen in the US, Europe, and the Western Pacific region. WHO representatives predict that this trend will continue and will peak in the fall when it becomes the dominant strain. Larger studies are needed to study the effects of strain EG.5. WHO advises countries to be careful in this matter. The situation related to the coronavirus is always the focus of attention of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan and other relevant state institutions. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 18:47 (UTC+04:00) "The politicization of the Armenian Church's activities hinders the signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia." According to Azernews, this was stated by Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Administration (CMA) Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazadeh on August 24 at a meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Hajja Labib, who is on a visit to our country. The CBMK Chairman said that religious figures who are responsible to the Almighty should make efforts to prevent the misuse of religion for political purposes. "For the sake of peace, tranquility, and progress in the world and the region, the task of clergy is to support political processes for the benefit of peaceful coexistence of peoples," Pashazadeh said. Leaders and representatives of religious confessions operating in Azerbaijan also informed the guests about the atmosphere of inter-religious understanding and cooperation in the country. The Belgian Foreign Minister was informed that religious communities conduct their worship services in multicultural harmony and are surrounded by the attention and care of the state. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz K-pop girl group BLACKPINK members stand on stage at the MTV VMAs at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., in this Aug. 28, 2022 photo. Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho urged Pyongyang to abolish its "anti-reactionary thought law," also known as the "K-pop ban," which was adopted in late 2020 to specifically target South Korean cultural content. AFP-Yonhap 'Anti-reactionary thought law' is sign of growing influence of South Korean culture: scholar By Jung Min-ho Since its founding in 1948, the dictatorial regime in North Korea has strictly blocked the entry of any information from the outside that could threaten its stability and legitimacy. Those who spread messages deemed to deviate from its totalitarian principles have always been at risk of punishment under its publication law and administrative guidelines. This is why North Korea's decision in 2020 to adopt an "anti-reactionary thought law," a move specifically targeting South Korea's cultural content, drew little attention here at the time. Nearly three years after the law came into force in North Korea to crack down on K-pop and other types of South Korean cultural content, Seoul released its first official message calling on Pyongyang to revoke what is also known as the "K-pop ban." "We strongly urge North Korean authorities to abolish the anti-reactionary thought law that denies its citizens access to outside information," Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said at a seminar on the human rights of North Koreans in Seoul, Thursday. Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho speaks during a seminar on human rights in North Korea at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Thursday. 25 August 2023 12:30 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more International media outlets report that Canada is going to open its embassy in Yerevan and prior to this event, the Canadian top diplomat Melanie Joly met with Armenian Community in Montreal. At the meeting, she uttered the names of toponyms such as "artsakh," "nagorno Karabakh," and so on which Armenian separatists use against Azerbaijan. The usage of separatist wording by Melanie Joly caused protests in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani communities throughout the world. We resolutely condemn Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly voicing allegations in reference to the Garabagh region targeting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at the event of the Armenian community. This is not the first time the Canadian Foreign Minister issued one-sided statements supporting separatism and revanchist forces in the region, expressing pro-Armenian sentiments, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stated. The Network of Azerbaijani Canadians (NAC) and the Azerbaijani Canadian Community deplored Melanie Jolys speech as well. The communities emphasized that over 40,000 lives were lost in Armenias wars of invasion, the ethnic cleansing of 800,000 Azerbaijani civilians from their homes, the destruction of Azerbaijani cities, and the ongoing landmine catastrophe in Azerbaijans Garabagh region. The wording of the Canadian Foreign Minister raised the question of whether it was her own initiative or it was the stance of Canada. Besides, Opening an embassy in Yerevan by Canada also has not been received unequivocal. Because Armenia is a landlocked and the poorest country in the region. So, why does a big and wealthy country like Canada need Armenia? Azernews learned the opinion of the British Journalist and lawyer, Neil Watson on the issue. According to Watson, it was FMs own decision. But, he also noted that Canada is known for taking a pro-Armenian stance. Having seen the video and read around the subject, I am of the view that the use of separatist terminology and provocative wording by miss Melanie Joly is her own decision, although Canada itself is an overwhelmingly pro-Armenian country. We can say that the use of this wording and these claims are demonstrating to Armenia that it has a clear ally in North America which, by doing so, is providing support for the Russian perspective. This could ultimately give Armenia even more confidence in its attempts to protract the peace process as infinitum, leading to what Russia and Iran ultimately desire - a return to no peace and no war, Neil Watson said. The British journalist noted that Francophone background is the main factor in Jolys pro-Armenian stance. Besides, Watson added that Quebec is the only Francophone state in English-speaking Canada, and there is a separatist movement that has been very active for many decades. This factor forces Joly to emphasize the Armenian separatist movement. The answer is to be found in her Francophone background. Mme. Joly has French as her first language and will have obliviously absorbed French-language Armenian propaganda, including that regarding the situation over the Lachin Road. Furthermore, in Canada, there is an issue between the Francophone community in and around her home city of Montreal - the largest city in Quebec - and the English-speaking community. The Quebecois feel like a minority and sense their rights and history are under threat. There is a separatist movement that has been very active for many decades. Therefore they naturally empathise with the Armenian separatist movement, Watson opined. As for opening an Embassy in Yerevan, the British Journalist noted that the initiative is not being driven by economic concerns. The opening of the Embassy is not being driven by economic concerns. There are nearly 70,000 Armenian Canadians and this opening is to appease them, attract their votes, and also is due to the imagined commonality between separatist movements in Canada and Armenia that I mentioned earlier, Watson said. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 11:17 (UTC+04:00) According to the order of President Ilham Aliyev, the first migration caravan was sent to the reconstructed village of Zabukh in Lachin district, Azernews reports. On 25 August, families returning to Zabukh from Barda, Shirvan, and Mingachevir joined the exodus caravan departing from Gobu Park 3 residential complex in Garadagh district of Baku city. In the first stage, 20 families - 88 people - will be resettled in the village. Among them is the family of martyrs of the first Garabagh war. As a result of the victory won by the brave Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the IDPs managed to return to their homeland voluntarily, safely, and honorably after 30 years. Upon returning to their homeland, the residents of Zabukh thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for being surrounded by comprehensive state care. They also expressed gratitude to the brave Azerbaijani army, our heroic soldiers and officers who saved our land from occupation wished mercy to our martyrs who died in this way, and patience to their families. Zabukh resident: "After 30 years, we return to our native country with a sense of joy" We return to our native land after 30 years with great joy and happiness. We have waited for these years with great anticipation. We are living the happiest day. Such words were said by Zeinab Huseynova, a resident of Zabukh village, who returned to her native home. "I express my gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev who gave us these wonderful days, pray for mercy to our martyrs, wish good health to our veterans," said a resident of Zabukh village. It should be noted that as of today 254 families, i.e. 992 people, have been permanently settled in the Lachin district. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 11:56 (UTC+04:00) Renowned German scientist, Caucasus region researcher Michael Reinhard Hess has sent a well-grounded and detailed open letter of protest to former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo and shared it on his Facebook page, Azernews reports. The letter reads: Dear Luis Moreno Ocampo, the following is an open letter, which I address to yourself while simultaneously publishing it on my Facebook page Michael Reinhard He. Being a researcher who has published a number of books and articles about the Garabagh issue, I am daring to come up with some comments on the Expert Opinion on the subject which you have published on August 7. Unfortunately, some of the claims that you are make in voicing your strong support of Armenian interests are at least ambiguous if not outright misleading. Your statement that Nagorno-Karabakh, known as "Artsakh" by Armenians, is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, living there for more than 20 Centuries (p. 6) might be interpreted by those unfamiliar with the historical background as indicating that a region referred to as Artsakh had been inhabited by ethnic Armenians for more than 20 centuries. It is true that your formulation, due to its equivocal wording, might also give rise to other interpretations. For instance, it might amount to saying that Armenians have lived there for 20 centuries but not necessarily predominantly. I would love to see such ambiguity of formulation removed. As one of the worlds leading jurists, you know how important it can be to suppress ambiguity in crucial matters. As to the factual substance, it is doubtful whether the designation Artsakh (which does not have any Armenian etymology whatsoever) can really be attested within the chronological horizon that you delineate. Armenian claims that the toponym Orchistena mentioned by Strabo (ca. 23 BC-63; see the Armenian author Vardges Mikaeljan referred to in Mamedova 1995: 110) could be identified with Artsakh are only speculative. According to my information, the toponym Artsakh, which has no connection to the Armenian language, did not become widespread before the 5th century A.D. Of course, we do not have precise demographical statistics, neither for the time around the beginning of the Common Era nor for later premodern periods including the time from the 5th century onward. This means that the one interpretation of your statement according to which the region in question had been predominantly inhabited by Armenians is also merely speculative. In this connection, let me also remind you that the term Nagorno-Karabakh only emerged from 1918 onward and that the term Artsakh does not seem to have been used as an official political or administrative term at least from 1045 until 1921. As for the first uses of the term Nagorno-Karabakh, they were probably made during the First Congress of the Armenians of Karabakh, held from July 22 to 26 in Shusha, Azerbaijan (for details, see Mikaeljan et al. 1992: 13; Avakian 2021 [2005]: 5; cf. Vliyev/ Sirinov 2016: 66). That Artsakh, which in your version of the history seems to be a term that is supposed to have been uninterruptedly used for centuries until the present, was not universally used even by the Armenians themselves until at least 1921 is suggested, for instance, by a declaration of the Armenian SSRs Soviet of Peoples Commissioners (in Russian, Sovet Narodnych komissarov) issued in the Armenian SSRs capital on June 12, 1921. This declaration exists in two versions, one in Russian, one in Armenian. In the Armenian language one, the Russian term Nagorno-Karabakh (attested in the Russian one) is translated by the Armenian expression Lernayin araba Mountainous Karabakh (see Mikaeljan et al. 1992: 636), which is made up of the Armenian word for mountainous plus an Armenian-language transcription of the historically and etymologically Azerbaijani toponym Karabakh. However, there is no trace of Artsakh in this document. The use Artsakh as a replacement of the traditional, Azerbaijani, name of Karabakh only began to spread subsequently as a result of Armenian separatist, chauvinist, and anti-Azerbaijani propaganda, both within the Soviet Union and abroad. Meanwhile, the regions traditional name Karabakh had been used for centuries in various administrative and political documents and continues to be used to this day (on the topic cf. He 2020). If, as you seem to suggest, Artsakh was such an important administrative-political or even historical toponym, why should members of one of the Armenian SSRs leading political bodies have used the Azerbaijani word in 1921? As for my reference to the year 1045, this was the last year in which the province of Artsakh, which really existed in the Antique and Medieval period, can be said to have been part of an Armenian state (Kalpakian 1993: 112). The Bagratid Kingdom, to which the province belonged until then, came under Byzantine rule in 1045 (Asenbauer 1993: 21; Krikorian 1993: 71, 74) and under Seljuqid rule in 1064 (Vryonis 1971: 89; Asenbauer 1993: 21; Krikorian 1993: 71, 74), and its territory, which was in part coextensive with the Soviet Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO), never returned to any kind of Armenian political rule afterwards. On this subject, the only (non-expert, journalistic) reference you quote (Light and Fulconbridge), claims that Armenians, who are Christians, claim a long historical dominance in the area, dating back to several centuries before Christ. However, as the alleged dominance in the area (Karabakh) was obviously interrupted after 1045, it cannot be said to date back (speaking from today). Regrettably, the only reference which seems to form the basis for your interpretation of Karabakhs history is manifestly based on a distortion. At this point, allow me to draw your attention another error in Light and Fulconbridges summary. They say that Over the centuries, the enclave has come under the sway of Persians, Turks, Russians, Ottomans and Soviets. This is a fictitious statement, as no part of Karabakh, including Nagorno-Karabakh, has ever been an enclave. Generally, Light and Fulconbridge can obviously not be considered to be reliable sources, let alone reliable historians, and their extremely short journalistic contribution is a stub, lacking almost any reference to the background that brought about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. It should not be used as the sole basis for constructing an image of Karabakhs history. By obliterating the distinction between the antique designation Artsakh and its modern re-introduction by Armenian nationalists in the 20th century, your contribution actually propagates a nationalistic Armenian discourse which wants to suggest an Armenian toponymical, demographic, political and historical continuity from the beginnings of our era. However, such a continuity does not exist. The rest of your historical summary contains some factual historical errors, too. By beginning your subchapter (a) with the February 20 1988 declaration, you are suppressing the fact that this declaration was the result of a systematic nationalistic and in parts chauvinistic, aggressive Armenian separatist movement that had been started already in 1987, if not earlier. Your assertion that Nagorno-Karabach adopted a resolution requesting to be transferred to Armenia is also only partly correct, as the wording of the resolution (taken only by some of the members of the oblast Soviet, its Azerbaijani members having left before) cautiously avoids directly requestion the separation of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan. Consider my following translation of the Russian original of the resolution text: To ask, in compliance with the wishes of the working population of the NKAO, the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijani SSR and the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR to show a feeling of deep understanding for the expectations of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh and solve the problem of transferring the NKAO from the Azerbaijani SSR to the Armenian SSR, and simultaneously to intercede with the Supreme Soviet of the USSR as regards an affirmative decision of the question of the transfer of the NKAO from the Azerbaijani SSR to the Armenian SSR.[1] After reading your expert opinion, my impression is that it is based on a one-sidedly pro-Armenian interpretation of both the historical background and the actual situation. In support of the theory that Azerbaijan is about to commit a Genocide, to which you adhere, you quote a statement made by the Russian Federation, the issuing of which you deem remarkable (p. 8). This statement holds that the so-called Russian peacekeepers in the region are supposed to prevent the mass death of the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. With all due respect, how credible can such a statement made by a murderous government, which has unchained the most horrible war in Europe since 1945, has committed countless murders and horrible war crimes, is famous for lying, and, most importantly, is one of of the principle powers responsible for the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict since at least 118 years and has participated (also militarily) in war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, be? Quoting such a statement without critically contextualizing or relativizing it by historical or political facts only serves the interests of Russian and Armenian propaganda and legitimizes terrorism but does not contribute to creating a factual image of reality. In conclusion, let me state that I do not consider your arguments that Genocide by starvation is allegedly taking place in Karabakh to be fully convincing. On page 13 of your article, you refer to an observation on Genocide that was made by France in connection with the formulation of Article II(c) of the Genocide Convention. Francs text says that [i]f any group was [sic M. R. H.] placed on rations so short as to make its extinction inevitable, merely because it belonged to a certain nationality, race, or religion, the fact would also come under the category of genocidal crime. Do you really believe that a community of allegedly merely 120 000 people (this is the number claimed by Armenia) in a fertile region such as the vast mountainous parts of Karabakh, where subsistence economy and animal husbandry are possible and has a long and highly developed tradition, which was particularly developed in Soviet times (I refer you to Khlevniuk 2018 on the subject of the importance of subsistence economy in the Soviet Union), and where natural water resources exist in sufficient quantity, can be starved to death in mid-summertime? As your article lets us know, measures have been taken for the evacuation of seriously ill persons from the separatist territories. This should also imply that people who suffer dangerous malnutrition could be brought out. Your article lacks any positive proof or indication that starvation (as defined on p. 15 of your text) is really taking place or likely to threaten the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh as a group. Not being a jurist, I am not able to measure the degree of conformity between the IJCs preliminary decision (p. 15) and the reality on the ground. However, as a non-jurist, it would seem that even the IJC does not speak of a Genocide in the Armenian-occupied parts of Garabagh as a fact but only as plausible (p. 15). As to the alleged blockade, the IJC says, in your quote on p. 16, that it may entail irreparable consequences to certain vital rights (my emphasis). This would mean that those consequences are only a possibility, but not an established fact. Outside the purely juridical sphere, which is naturally the main focus of your text, I am not convinced by your claim that the establishment of the Azerbaijani border checkpoint at the Lachin Corridor could be interpreted as a means to prepare a genocide. Many countries, including the USA and EU countries with outside borders, have similar checkpoints to prevent the smuggling of humans and goods but are not accused of preparing a genocide as a consequence. I see another point of contradiction in your analysis of the smuggling incident mentioned by President Aliyev (p. 20). On one hand, you write: The ICRC clarified the incident. On the other hand, you write, on the same page: The smuggling cases should be properly investigated ... Saying that an incident has been clarified but should be investigated at the same time does not seem to be coherent, at least in my eyes. If investigations are still to be carried out, this means that everything has not been clarified. Let me repeat that I am neither a jurist nor an expert on Genocide. Still, accusing a person or a state of committing genocide seems one of the strongest accusations possible. Consequently, such an accusation should only be made if all doubts concerning its validity have safely been removed. Frankly, the flaws and inaccuracies in the historical background narrative which you have chosen to include in your text together with the contradictions that appear in it to my mind might indicate that the verdict could not be as safe and clear as one should require it. Yours sincerely, Dr. Michael Reinhard He --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 11:39 (UTC+04:00) During the one-on-one and extended meetings, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister and the newly appointed Belgian Foreign Minister exchanged views on bilateral relations between Belgium and Azerbaijan, as well as on Azerbaijan's relations and projects with the European Union, as well as on regional issues, Azernews reports. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister: Belgium has received $250 million in investments from Azerbaijan "Belgium's investment in Azerbaijan is $120 million and Azerbaijan's investment in Belgium is $250 million," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov said at a joint briefing with his Belgian counterpart Hajja Lahbib. 18 Belgian companies are operating in Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between our countries made up about $80 million in 2022. Despite this years growth, we believe that this turnover does not fully reflect the relations between our countries, Azerbaijani FM added. According to Bayramov, the meeting also discussed Azerbaijan's increasing role in the energy security of EU member states in recent years, as well as recently implemented projects. Minister Bayramov: We do not want to witness double standards against Azerbaijan in the coming years "Khadija Labib advised us to focus on the future rather than the past. She said that Belgium will take over the presidency of the European Union next January. I wish this presidency to be successful," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov said at a joint briefing with Belgian Foreign Minister Khadija Labib. "We hope and expect that there will be no double standards against Azerbaijan in the coming years. We are aware of the fact of how sensitive some European countries are to separatism and what important decisions they take. We would like them to understand the nature of the step before giving an opinion on any work carried out by Azerbaijan. Armenia's separatist and provocative steps cannot be taken so easily as a humanitarian issue," the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said. Belgian Foreign Minister: We seek to deepen relations with Azerbaijan "We want to deepen Azerbaijani-Belgian relations," Belgian Foreign Minister Hajja Lahbib said at a joint briefing with his Azerbaijani counterpart on Thursday. "We discussed bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Belgium and issues related to investments. It was a good opportunity to speak out on various issues at today's meeting," Lahbib said. Hajja Lahbib: We consider Azerbaijan an important partner in the European Union "We consider Azerbaijan an important partner in the European Union. The EU respects this relationship and we would like to develop this cooperation further," Belgian Foreign Minister Hajja Lahbib said at a joint briefing with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ceyhun Bayramov. The Belgian minister said that Azerbaijan plays a very important role in ensuring energy supply in Europe, and thanked Azerbaijan for its assistance to Ukraine. Belgian Foreign Minister: Azerbaijan is taking steps towards sustainable peace "We know that Azerbaijan is taking steps towards sustainable peace. A few days ago I told the Armenian Foreign Minister that this is a historic opportunity to benefit from dialogue," Belgian Foreign Minister Hajja Lahbib said at a joint briefing with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ceyhun Bayramov. The Belgian foreign minister also said that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty should be respected. "We support this," she added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 13:43 (UTC+04:00) The servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army are participating in the multinational military exercise Agile Spirit 2023 held in Tbilisi, Georgia, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Defense Representatives of 21 countries are involved in the tactical command-staff exercise. The main emphasis in the international exercises is placed on ensuring combat coordination in the course of interoperability actions, the exchange of experience, and the improvement of professionalism, as well as the combat skills of military personnel. Agile Spirit 2023 is an exercise that is taking place in Georgia. It started on Wednesday with a demonstration of C-17 military transport aircraft at Vaziani military base. 21 countries are taking part in the exercise, which is being led by the Georgian Defence Forces and the US Army Europe and Africa. The US Ambassador to Georgia and the Defence Attache were also present at the opening ceremony. The exercise will end on September 1. The multinational exercise is held in Georgia for the 11th time. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 12:55 (UTC+04:00) On August 23, the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN staged yet another provocative action at the UN headquarters, habitually pursuing its goal of spreading disinformation and distorting the situation around the Lachin road, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations said in a statement, Azernews reports. In gross violation of the established traditions of the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Armenia, in secret from the vast majority of UN members, organized a closed meeting inviting only a small group of countries and biased experts, closing the doors to all other UN members, and even posting security in front of the meeting room, simply to avoid honest discussion at all costs and to shield itself from inevitable exposure. As it is widely known, public discussions within the walls of the UN, in cases where they are really aimed at an unbiased and conscientious exchange of views, take place in an open format, with prior notification of member states of the time and place of the event and an invitation to participate. Consequently, the format chosen by the Armenian diplomats could be called unprecedented for the UN, if it wasnt becoming increasingly common in the case of Armenia, which regularly abuses this platform to promote false narratives. In this context, it is easy to understand the bewilderment and indignation of diplomats of several countries, to whom the Permanent Mission of Armenia not only denied the basic right of all UN members to participate in the discussion but even threatened them with the police. It is characteristic that such tendencies are especially intensified after Armenia receives a worthy and factually accurate rebuff in the course of truly open and substantive discussions, as was the case only a few days earlier during the meeting of the UN Security Council. Unsurprisingly, faced with the futility of their attempts to once again slander Azerbaijan in open debates, the Permanent Mission of Armenia has no choice but to do it secretly, behind closed doors. It is obvious that such an approach is incompatible with the spirit and letter of the UN Charter and the purposes of the Organization. Thus, it was no coincidence that the UN Secretariat provided a special disclaimer on the conference room information screen that this event is being held on the initiative and solely at the responsibility of the sponsoring country, Armenia, is not endorsed by the UN and is not part of the multilateral process. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 12:15 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou. The letter reads: Dear Mr. President, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I heartily congratulate you and through you all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay the Independence Day. I believe that relations between Azerbaijan and Uruguay will continue to develop in the spirit of friendship and cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally, in line with the interests of our peoples. On this festive day, I wish you the best of health, happiness, and your friendly people peace and prosperity. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 22 August 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 15:10 (UTC+04:00) The biased reaction of the Armenian Red Cross Society (ArRCS) to the statement of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS) caused us great regret. The desire of the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society, which is based on the principle of humanism, is to deliver humanitarian aid to the Armenian minority living in the Garabagh economic region. Therefore, the inadequate reaction of the Armenian Red Cross Society is incomprehensible. Contrary to the statements of the Armenian Red Cross Society, the Red Crescent Society of Azerbaijan fully adheres to the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, namely neutrality, impartiality, and unity without any political intentions, in accordance with the Charter of the Red Crescent Society of Azerbaijan, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Red Crescent Society of Azerbaijan", the Geneva Conventions and the Seville Agreement. Making a statement and expressing a position of readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to persons in need is fully in line with our mandate and does not contradict the principles of the Movement. This action does not undermine the principles and values of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; on the contrary, it serves humanity. With this statement, in accordance with the Seville Agreement, we reaffirmed our readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to people in need along the Aghdam-Khankendi route. I wonder what law is violated by this? On the other hand, the Red Crescent Society of Azerbaijan has the full right to carry out any humanitarian mission on the entire territory of the republic, including the Garabagh region, for which there is no need to obtain permission from anyone. With regard to the position of the Armenian Red Cross Society on Vagif Khachatryan, we feel obliged to note that V. Khachatryan is responsible for his direct participation in war crimes and for the brutal murder of innocent civilians - children, women, and elderly people in the village of Mesheli in Khojaly region in 1991. It is regrettable that the Armenian Red Cross Society supports such a terrorist and murderous criminal, which is completely contrary to the Geneva Conventions. The opinions expressed by the Armenian Red Cross Society regarding the Lachin road do not reflect reality. Our observations give every right to assert that there is no "humanitarian crisis" in the region. If such a situation existed, the Armenian Red Cross Society would welcome this good intention of ours, and the International Committee of the Red Cross could ensure the delivery of aid along the Aghdam-Khankendi route. The voicing of unfounded statements serves to create confusion in society. With regard to the reference to the judgment of the International Court of Justice in the statement of the Armenian Red Cross Society, the establishment of the Lachin border checkpoint by the Republic of Azerbaijan serves to protect its sovereign rights within its own borders. Currently, persons of Armenian nationality travel freely from Khankendi to Armenia and back. There are no restrictions here. In their interviews, these persons have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction. The response letter of the Armenian Red Cross Society is suspicious to us, as it shows that it is interfering in politics contrary to the humanitarian principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and may become a tool in the hands of the Government of Armenia. The statement of the Armenian Red Cross Society also causes us regret and surprise. As it has never made a statement or taken a position on the occupation by the Armenian armed forces of 20 percent of the lands of Azerbaijan for 30 years, the presence of one million refugees and internally displaced persons from both Armenia and the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan, the extermination of thousands of people, the destruction of historical, cultural and religious monuments, the non-implementation by Armenia of UN Security Council Resolutions No. 822, No. 853, No. 874 and No. 884 adopted in 1993. We advise the Armenian Red Cross Society to be more precise and responsible in its written statements, and opinions, respecting neutrality and impartiality, not to become a tool in the hands of politicians and not to get involved in political processes and adventures. The Armenian Red Cross Society should once again carefully read the statement of the Red Crescent Society of Azerbaijan. In this case, they would not allow unverified and inaccurate preconceived notions and would not unfairly accuse the opposite side. We repeat once again that in this statement the aim of the AzRCS was to show its readiness to provide urgent and timely humanitarian assistance to those who really need it. This is directly related to our mission. It is puzzling that the Armenian Red Cross Society expresses an opinion on issues related to the territory of another sovereign State. These issues do not belong to their mandate and mission. Moreover, it is a gross interference in the affairs of another national society. It would be appropriate for the ArRCS to focus its efforts on humanitarian issues on its own territory. In accordance with Articles 5.1, 5.3, and 5.4 of the Seville Agreement, we confirm that, based on the operational plans and capacities of the Movement, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society plays a central role in the creation and implementation of the Movement's collective response. According to the Agreement, the International Committee of the Red Cross does not have exclusive rights within the Republic of Azerbaijan. The issue of humanitarian operations in the area of temporary stay of Russian peacekeepers is not within the competence of the ICRC. These operations are the responsibility of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society and must be conducted in coordination with it. As part of our humanitarian mission, we have consistently engaged in discussions and consultations with our partners, namely, the regional and local offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. We reiterate that we will always remain faithful to the fundamental principles and humanitarian values of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society reiterates that, unlike the Red Cross Society of Armenia, we do not participate in politics and political processes. We support the principles laid down in our Charter and remain committed to international humanitarian values. We adhere to Azerbaijani legislation, and the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and in accordance with the Seville Agreement, we express our readiness to promptly deliver any humanitarian aid to the residents of the Garabagh economic zone on the Aghdam-Khankendi route. The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society once again emphasizes its unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles and humanitarian values of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 17:45 (UTC+04:00) A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on August 25. The new edition includes several interesting articles, such as "Azerbaijan-Uzbek relations reaches peak of its power ";"EU Mission plays in hand of Armenian interests "; "National Art Museum expands international cooperation "; "Zangazur's multifaceted advantage: way to success of Middle Corridor " etc. AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az. 25 August 2023 18:33 (UTC+04:00) According to the instructions of the Ombudswoman Sabina Aliyeva, a regular visit was carried out by the members of the National Preventive Group (MPG) without prior warning, Azernews reports. The purpose of the visit, which was also attended by a medical member of the MPG, was to monitor the treatment of the detained persons, the conditions of detention in the institution and the state of ensuring the rights of the accused persons. During the visit, Gagik Voskanyan, a member of the intelligence-sabotage group of the Armed Forces of Armenia, who illegally crossed the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on August 16 of this year in order to commit terrorist provocation, was received. The conditions of detention of the accused, his treatment, access to medical services and other issues according to the mandate of the National Preventive Mechanism were investigated, and the state of ensuring his rights according to international and national legislation was studied. The mentioned person expressed his satisfaction with the conditions of detention, his treatment and medical care. The person interviewed in a confidential manner was informed about his rights, the powers of the Ombudsman, and international acts in the field of human rights were presented in his own language. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A flight operated by Air Koryo, North Korea's national carrier, is seen at Vladivostok International Airport, Aug. 25. Yonhap A flight operated by Air Koryo, North Korea's national carrier, arrived in Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok on Friday, a Russian news agency reported, marking the resumption of a commercial flight connecting the two countries after more than three years of COVID-19 restrictions. The flight, which departed from Pyongyang, arrived at Vladivostok International Airport at 11:14 a.m., Russian news agency RIA Novosti said. According to sources, the plane did not carry any passengers onboard. Russian media outlets had previously reported that Koryo flights were scheduled Friday and next Monday, but flight schedules remained unannounced. Friday afternoon, the electric bulletin board at the airport showed Air Koryo's JS-272 flight, originally set to head to Pyongyang at 1:15 p.m., was delayed until 1:45 p.m. It did not have information on the counter number. RIA Novosti reported passengers were seen preparing to get onboard by the time the Koryo plane arrived in Vladivostok, despite no prior notice about the flight. By 3:10 p.m., the JS-272 was believed to have left for Pyongyang, as the flight schedule had disappeared from the board. Airport workers declined to comment on the flight, but one person said North Korea was believed to have brought its citizens who stayed in Russia due to the border closure back home. North Korea had suspended the semiweekly operations of Air Koryo's Tu-240 since February 2020 over public health concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The flight was the only air service connecting the two nations. Earlier this week, Air Koryo resumed operating direct commercial flights with China in a sign of Pyongyang's border reopening. (Yonhap) 25 August 2023 19:10 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Chirag-1 and Chirag-2 small hydroelectric power stations owned by Azerenergy Open Joint-Stock Company in the Kalbajar district, Azernews reports. The head of state was informed of the works done at the stations. The Chirag-1 station with a capacity of 8.33 megawatts located on the Tartar River in the west of Kalbajar district and the Chirag-2 station with a capacity of 3.6 megawatts on the Garaarkhaj River were completely reconstructed by Azerenergy OJSC. The small hydroelectric power stations are supplied with the state-of-the-art equipment. President Ilham Aliyev launched the Chirag-1 and Chirag-2 small hydroelectric power stations. 25 August 2023 21:22 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have participated in the inauguration of a furniture factory in the industrial zone of the Lachin district, and got acquainted with the prefabricated modular house production facility and the small cattle pen. Director General of the Baku Landscaping Service LLC Bunyad Gasimov informed the head of state and the First Lady of the works accomplished. The annual production capacity of the furniture factory is 3000 cubic meters. A total of 100 people are scheduled to be employed in the factory. President Ilham Aliyev launched the factory. 200 houses will be manufactured per year in the prefabricated modular house production facility. The enterprise will employ 100 people on a permanent basis. Five modular equipment for sheep slaughtering and three for cow slaughtering are installed in the small cattle pen. The enterprise will employ 30 people. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 21:40 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of the shooting pavilion of the Hochazfilm creative studio. The head of state and the First Lady were informed about the conditions created at the pavilion. Hochazfilm studio, which is consisted of two buildings and a shooting pavilion, will be a regional audiovisual center. The studio will provide local and foreign film makers with guiding and location services as well as appropriate equipment. The studio will also offer regional audiovisual content to local and foreign media, state agencies, state and private film studios. The studio will have a Hochaz Hotel and Hochaz Cafe. First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva: Cinema is very important for Azerbaijan after the war. President Ilham Aliyev: In general, there can be many topics, especially now, related to the Karabakh war. The war itself, different episodes and different operations. First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva: Of course. An employee of the studio: We have a series of documentaries thanks to your successful policy. We achieved tremendous success with the 44-day war. Nothing can be better than that. Inshallah, everything will be good. First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva: Amen. President Ilham Aliyev: Now the people of Lachin are coming and living in their ancestral land. Good luck. First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you. An employee of the studio: Thank you. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 20:00 (UTC+04:00) Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev met with Executive Director of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy Michael Harms, Azernews reports, citing Kabar. According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the meeting took place yesterday in Berlin. The sides stated that recently active economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Germany has been established, which has resulted in a significant increase in trade between the countries, as well as investments from Germany to Kyrgyzstan. The results of the visit of the economic delegation of Germany to the Kyrgyz Republic, which took place on June 22-23 this year as part of the visit of the president of Germany, were also discussed. At the same time, plans have been outlined to hold economic events this year, including with the participation of the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kulubaev proposed to the head of the economic association of Germany to intensify the interaction between the business circles of the two countries in the areas of textile and mining industries, hydropower, tourism and the introduction of new German technologies in various sectors of the economy of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Eastern Committee of the German Economy is a large economic association of Germany, which represents the interests of over 350 companies of medium and large business in Germany and cooperates with 29 countries of the world, including the countries of the CIS and Central Asia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 22:15 (UTC+04:00) The implementation of the European Union conditions for granting Georgia the membership candidate status later this year was discussed on Thursday in a phone call between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. Darchiashvili emphasised the importance of Spains support during a crucial period on Georgias European integration path, the Georgian foreign office said. He provided the Spanish counterpart with comprehensive information about the efforts made by the Georgian Government in terms of fulfilling the recommendations of the European Commission. Darchiashvili thanked the Spanish side for its unwavering support for Georgia's European integration and said he hoped the progress achieved by the country would be properly recognised" by the candidate status. In his turn, Jose Manuel Albares stressed Georgia was a "part of Europe" and had reaffirmed his Government's firm support" for Georgia's European future. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 19:40 (UTC+04:00) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to working for a "prosperous and strong" Turkiye, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. "We will fulfill our promise to our nation by building a prosperous, reputable, strong, and peaceful Turkiye in every aspect during the mastery period of our presidency," Erdogan said at an event marking the 22nd anniversary of the Justice and Development (AK) Party's establishment. Founded on Aug. 14, 2001, the party burst onto the political scene under the leadership of Erdogan, who became prime minister in 2003 and has served as president since 2014. "With the motto 'Nothing will be the same anymore,' we are leaving behind another milestone on the blessed road we started 22 years ago," he said, stressing that the party embraces all 85 million of Turkiye's citizens without discrimination. During the May elections, the AK Party emerged as the main party in parliament, gaining 268 seats. Turning to the upcoming 2024 local elections that will be held in March, Erdogan said the nation will protect the future in the same way that it did in the May elections. Urging AK Party members to work hard, the president said: "After 7 months, are we ready to run for victory in local elections, especially in Istanbul and Ankara?" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 August 2023 19:00 (UTC+04:00) The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the charge d'affaires of Denmark in Ankara over another act of desecration of Islam's holy book, the Quran, Turkish diplomatic sources said, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. "In response to the continued acts of burning of our sacred Quran in front of our embassy in Copenhagen and the embassies of (other) Muslim countries, the charge d'Affaires of Denmark's Embassy in Ankara has once again been summoned to our ministry today, "said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. The move came after the burning of the Quran in Denmark's capital Copenhagen for the fourth day in a row this week. Turkiye has so far summoned the Danish envoy five times this month due to desecration of the Quran. Islamophobic figures and groups in Northern Europe have repeatedly carried out Quran burnings and similar attempts in recent months to desecrate the Muslim holy book, drawing outrage from Muslim countries and the rest of the world. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Pete Tittls Dining Out column appears in The Californian on Sundays. Email him at pftittl@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter: @pftittl. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. "Nihao China" tourism logo unveiled in Australia's Sydney Xinhua) 11:03, August 25, 2023 Huang Jin, assistant director of the China National Tourist Office in Sydney, introduces tourism in China during a promotional activity in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 24, 2023. A tourism logo featuring a cartoon panda, "Nihao China," was unveiled on Thursday at a promotional activity in the Australian city of Sydney, where local practitioners also learned about the latest development of cashless payment in China. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua) SYDNEY, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A tourism logo featuring a cartoon panda, "Nihao China," was unveiled on Thursday at a promotional activity in the Australian city of Sydney, where local practitioners also learned about the latest development of cashless payment in China. Held at the China Cultural Center in Sydney, the promotion invited over 60 representatives from tourism-related institutions, including the China National Tourist Office, major Chinese airlines and banks, as well as travel agencies. Huang Jin, assistant director of the China National Tourist Office in Sydney, made a detailed introduction of the tourism logo which consisted of a chubby cartoon panda, the colorful letters of "Nihao China" and a traditional Chinese seal. "All these elements come together to form a logo and deliver a global message from China to the whole world that China is reopening and welcoming all friends from near and afar," said Huang. Besides, participants were able to keep abreast of some convenient payment options popular in China, such as paying with a QR Code. Mark Haddad, a business development manager at a Sydney-based travel agency, told Xinhua that it was quite nice to see the new logo and also know that customers do not need to carry cash while enjoying their trip in China. "We're finding future bookings are starting to pick up," said Haddad, adding that a lot of people expressed their interest in looking for "new experiences of different regions" in China. Working in the tourism industry for over 35 years, Haddad observed that many Australians have a growing desire to visit China's mountainous areas. "Now they're looking at places like Guilin, and they're looking at the Yangtze River, the Pearl River Delta - all of the new areas that most people didn't think of back in the old days," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) This photo shows seafood products displayed at a shop inside Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul, Aug. 22. Yonhap Korea will strengthen radiation tests on farmed seafood to help ease public concerns following Japan's release of contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, the oceans ministry said Friday. Japan began releasing "treated" radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean Thursday amid concerns and opposition raised by its fishing population and neighboring countries. "The government will significantly expand tests on farmed seafood before they are shipped by mobilizing private institutions," Vice Oceans Minister Park Sung-hoon told a regular press briefing on the Fukushima issue. The government has conducted radiation tests on farmed seafood since 2011, and it will launch the intensive testing next week to meet growing demand for testing by those in the aquaculture industry and to ensure the safety of seafood, he added. The government will more than double the number of tests to be conducted by year-end to 4,000 after taking samples from all farms across the nation. Korea has some 12,000 aquaculture farms. Green Nightglow Above Us All the Time, You Just Didn't Know: Washington / Oregon Coast Science Published 08/20/23 at 5:14 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) Beauty, frustration and a mind blown all at once: that's how one phenomenon will leave you. There's something above us all the time but especially at night and more so along the Oregon coast and Washington coast than more populated areas. It's something you never realized was there. (Above: Cannon Beach's Ecola State Park. Notice the green tint to much of this photo from Oregon Coast Beach Connection) When Shakespeare wrote There are more things in Heaven and Earth..... he was astoundingly spot on. It's called airglow (or "nightglow" at night) - a bizarre but extremely faint green glow in the night skies. The reason you don't know about it is because you largely cannot see it with the naked eye, although if you look at most night photographs of the Washington coastline or Oregon coast, it's there. But it takes photographic equipment. That's why it will blow your mind: who knew? It's also intensely beautiful at times. However, it's a source of monster frustration, in a way. Once you see it, you can't not see it. Every night photograph from now on that even has a hint of it will be obvious to you. Indeed, airglow can come in oranges and even yellow, although the latter is rare. Steven Smith / Solution 7 Media Recently, Steven Smith of Solution 7 Media captured nightglow in the background of this stunning shot of bioluminescent phytoplankton just south of Cannon Beach. Strangely, the closest thing to it might be the Northern Lights, but then again not really. The short answer to what nightglow is, according to Danny Schmiegel with Medford's office of the National Weather Service (NWS): a certain set of molecules are rebuilding in the atmosphere after a day of being broken apart by the sun, and as they do so they give off a glow. During the day, the sun beats down on the upper atmosphere which is 60-200 miles above the Earth, Schmiegel told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. This powerful ultraviolet radiation from the sunlight reacts with molecules containing Nitrogen and Oxygen, the 2 most abundant elements in our atmosphere, and breaks them apart. As the sun sets beyond the horizon, these molecules start to rebuild themselves. As they rebuild themselves they give off light. Courtesy Manuela Durson Fine Arts Above: Manuela Durson's night photos of Bandon on the south Oregon coast often show hints of the nightglow. You won't be able to see it without the right camera gear, however. Although, there have been some online discussions that it's possible under some circumstances. Chemiluminescence is the technical term for this, Schmiegal said. There are two other kinds of airglow: twilightglow and dayglow, but these are caused by very different things, and they can't be seen by humans. While extremely faint, being overpowered by starlight, it's been said that nightgow is bright enough that if even there were no stars above, it would allow you to see the hand in front of your face. Schmiegal hasn't seen that but does not doubt that this could happen. He's actually spent some time in Iceland observing the Aurora Borealis, and said atmospheric lights have the potential to be VERY bright. Another fascinating aspect of nightglow is that it tends to be thicker on the horizon where there's more atmosphere to see through. If all this isn't stunning enough, he had another shocker for Oregon Coast Beach Connection, with at least one of the photos we had taken that included this phenomenon. There's a rare form of nightglow in this shot of Cannon Beach: note the faint yellow line just above the horizon. Your pictures which show a mix of yellow- and red-ish glows are most likely caused by reactions with Oxygen/Hydroxide (red) and Sodium (yellow), he said. These are truly wonderful photos of a hardly seen, ubiquitous atmospheric chemical process. Some of the orange is from clouds on the horizon, however. There was a bit of moon setting just before this shot, so the green glow is not very prominent. Moonlight definitely drowns this out. The two glowing dots on the horizon are distant fishing boats. Schmiegel called nightglow a natural light pollution. See something else insane you didn't know about above us Interstellar Objects Above Oregon Coast / Washington Coast Only Cameras Can See: Emissions Nebulae Another important thing to note is how airglow is different from the Auroras Borealis, he said. Aurora Borealis is caused by solar wind, creates distinct structures of light and is primarily in the higher latitude regions such as the arctic/ antarctic regions. Airglow is a global phenomena, caused by solar radiation, and is more uniform in its luminosity. Your pictures make me think you have captured airglow due to the fact that the camera is facing west, close to the horizon, and has a relatively uniform brightness. As for ruining night and astrophotography for you, join the club now. Chemiluminescence on the south Oregon coast as well as bioluminescence: Steven Smith / Solution 7 Media ---- See Bioluminescent Phytoplankton: What Makes Glowing Sand On Oregon Coast, Washington - including how to look for them On the southern Oregon coast near Brookings, Smith / Solution 7 Media caught this shot of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence. Note the patches of green in the stars at left and far right. Smith told Oregon Coast Beach Connection he's used to seeing it in photos now well, most of the time. See nightglow on the Washington coast: Washington Coast Photog Snags Intense Wave Glow / Perseids at Kalaloch Beach (as well as Oregon) I have had airglow dominate photos so much so that almost the whole photo was green, Smith said. The green glow is clearly evident in this shot of Cape Foulweather near Depoe Bay (Oregon Coast Beach Connection). Chemiluminescence will be more visible in rural places with no light pollution from cities, such as the Oregon coastline and Washington coastline. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Three Distinctive, Unique Places to Spend the Night in Pacific City N. Oregon Coast Published 08/21/23 at 5:34 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Pacific City, Oregon) The little burgh of Pacific City just got a bit more interesting. (Above: Neskowin North) Here on this part of the north Oregon coast, the cape is king, clearly. Cape Kiwanda, that is. But there's more to it. Sometimes the vacation rentals can stand out as much as the wilderness amenities the manmade features. Close to all that rugged nature, vast seascapes and even hidden areas, you'll find three homes that have something different to offer. One is Neskowin, one is in a somewhat remote part of Pacific City, and the other in the middle of it all. Heron's Perch, is a unique construct in Pacific City, located about a mile south of town. It has a shape typical of Tillamook County farmstead barns, but this one has grand, sweeping designs done in wood and almost futuristic lines. Something akin to A-frame curves inhabit the top tier of the building, but with detailed accents that almost feel historic Americana. The exterior is appropriately woodsy and rustic in appearance, with an old barn shape clearly evident in the main building, perfect because Heron's Perch sits in a wooded area. Heron's Perch is aptly named since it's up on high, overlooking the treetops and this lovely, rather isolated chunk of Oregon coast. The whole building is rather ingeniously compacted and arranged, with the bottom floor and top floor fully in view of each other. It's up here where bedrooms not only look out on the splendor of where the Nestucca meets the ocean but the bottom levels do so as well. With three bedrooms and then some, it sleeps eight people. It accepts pets with a fee. There's a sizable kitchen, coffee maker, cable TV, dryer, wi-fi, a microwave and a whole lot more. Through Kiwanda Coastal Propertires, Oregon. 503-965-7212. Heron's Perch Last year, a true hottie popped up in the region. At sleepy little Neskowin, just where the central Oregon coast becomes the north coast, one magnificent vacation rental hit the circuit: Neskowin North, found through Kiwanda Coastal Properties. Hosting seven and even allowing one or two dogs, along with an outdoor hot tub and patio facing the sunset, it's a much-loved gem, according to Kiwanda Coastal Properties owner Nicole Twigg. It's very pretty. People love it because it's one level and has a hot tub, Twigg told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. The new owners have basically re-furnished it. New beds, new everything. The kitchen is gourmet. Neskowin North is behind a quiet, gated area, with these enormous windows looking out at the drama or the soothing calm of Oregon coast wave action. Cozy yet with a wide open layout, there's a wood stove to enjoy those breakers and sunset, or hangout on that patio with a little fire pit. The dining room and kitchen are blended seamlessly into one large room. Ultra-modern appliances give way to a breakfast bar. The decor is sleek but elegant with plenty of innovative touches, and there's a garage that comes with a charging station. You can even bring your doggos. Tiny Neskowin is a quick drive from Pacific City mere minutes, actually. It's also about 20 minutes from all the action of Lincoln City. The big draw here is all the unpopulated sands, where Proposal Rock and the mysterious ghost forest get a lot of attention, but this northern part of Neskowin is a deserted little paradise. Through Kiwanda Coastal Propertires, Oregon. 503-965-7212. Neskowin North Then there's Top O' the Dune right in Pacific City. The sprawling gem has immense, 180-degree windows right on the beach, with Kiwanda and Haystack in full sight and the northern edges of Pacific City's sands to the left. There are five bedrooms and some 4,000 square feet in all, with a big gourmet kitchen and a whole floor downstairs full of family room stuff. You're also able to step right on the beach. Top O' the Dune hosts ten, and there's a garage, barbecue out on that huge patio, and a whole three levels to wander around in. Pacific City, Oregon. 503-965-7212. Top O' the Dune Hotels in Pacific City - Where to eat - Pacific City Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted As School Choice is beginning to take shape in North Carolina: What is your position on what it should evolve into? 4.55% School Choice is only a distraction from the promise of real public education.90.91% School Choice, as it evolves into its best model to serve the public' s education needs, this benefit will provide choices outside of the historic construct supporting the public school monopoly.4.55% School Choice - I cannot see how it serves the Education Industry. San Diego, Calf.-based physician Tien Tan Vo, MD, has pleaded guilty to using foreign unapproved and misbranded cosmetic drugs. Dr. Vo also pleaded guilty to receipt of misbranded drugs and being an accessory to an accomplice who smuggled the drugs from Mexico, according to an Aug. 24 news release from the Justice Department. From November 2016 to October 2020, Dr. Vo admitted that none of the injectable botulinum toxin or lip fillers he used at his clinics were approved for use in the U.S. He also admitted he received $100,767 over almost four years for performing cosmetic services with unapproved drugs and devices. As a part of his plea agreement, he will forfeit that amount, pay a fine of $201,534 and pay restitution to the victims of his offense, according to the release. South Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong speaks while meeting with reporters in Washington, Aug. 24. Yonhap The recently held three-way summit between the leaders of South Korea, Japan and the United States has built an unprecedentedly strong foundation for trilateral cooperation that will help develop their ties under any circumstances, South Korea's ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong said Thursday. Cho also insisted that the trilateral summit has created a small multilateral forum that he said is stronger or more powerful than other regional gatherings, including the Quad, a grouping of the U.S., Japan, India and Australia, and AUKUS, a three-way security partnership between Australia, Britain and the U.S. "The cooperation mechanism between South Korea, Japan and the U.S. has been upgraded to a small multilateral consultative body of the highest level," Cho said while meeting with reporters in Washington. "I believe the Korea-U.S.-Japan (grouping) is more powerful than other regional, small multilateral bodies, namely the Quad and AUKUS, that the U.S. sees as very important," he added. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to a range of steps aimed at boosting their countries' trilateral cooperation at their historic summit held Friday at Camp David. Those steps include holding annual three-way meetings between the countries' leaders, as well as defense, foreign, commerce and treasury ministers. "The agreement to hold regular meetings at ministerial-levels, including national security advisers, foreign and defense ministers, as well as commerce and treasury ministers, is something that is hard to find in other small multilateral consultative bodies," said Cho. "The summit was a meeting that drew a blueprint for three-way cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan in the future. It is meaningful in that has created a foundation to stably and fundamentally develop South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation even if conditions change in the future," he added. On the failed launch of a North Korean space rocket on Thursday (Korea time), the top South Korean diplomat in the U.S. said the launch marked a "clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions" regardless of its success or failure. "We must continue to stay alert and prepare for additional provocations in that North Korea continues to make reckless provocations," he told the meeting. "Not only South Korea and the U.S. but also South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will work closely together systematically against any North Korean provocation," added Cho. "The three countries will also lead international community's stern and effective measures (against the North Korean launch), including strong condemnation of the launch and additional sanctions against North Korea." (Yonhap) A third-party vendor of Cumming, Ga.-based Milan Eye Center experienced a data breach that compromised patient information, according to an Aug. 24 article from an attorney from Console and Associates published by JD Supra. An unauthorized party gained access to certain patient information that was maintained by the vendor between May 18 and July 23, 2020. The potentially compromised information includes names and Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, insurance coverage information, locations where services were provided, dates of service and health status, the article said. Milan Eye Center on Aug. 23 sent letters to patients who were affected by the data breach, detailing which information was accessed. Milan Eye Care has eight locations throughout Georgia, six of which are surgery centers, according to its website. The estate of a South Carolina patient has filed a lawsuit against Charleston, S.C.-based Roper St. Francis Healthcare, the Retina Eye Center of Charleston (S.C.), Carolina Eye Care Physicians and Lowrey King, MD, accusing Dr. King of operating on the wrong eye, according to an Aug. 22 report from local news affiliate WCSC. The lawsuit was filed by the estate of former patient James Sams, who has since passed away. In 2021, Mr. Sams was having vision problems in his left eye. Roper St. Francis and Retina Eye informed him he would need surgery on the left eye. On the day of the surgery, hospital staff prepared Mr. Sams' left eye for a pars plana vitrectomy, but in the operating room, Dr. King allegedly performed "an unnecessary, nonconsensual and inappropriate vitrectomy" on Mr. Sams' right eye, failing to render treatment on the left, according to the suit. Court documents allege that Dr. King did not realize he had operated on the wrong eye until Mr. Sams was in recovery. The lawsuit states that Mr. Sams was essentially blind in the months following the incident. The lawsuit seeks actual and punitive damages and court costs. St. Francis did not respond to a request to comment on the lawsuit, according to the report. Guardian recently informed about 1,500 small businesses in Massachusetts that it will not sell policies to companies with fewer than 25 employees once the state's medical loss ratio is implemented in January. Massachusetts established a first-of-its-kind law last year that requires dental insurers to spend at least 83 percent of premium dollars on dental services or refund the difference to patients, among other requirements. Two dentists recently spoke with Becker's about how Guardian's move could impact dental practices and patients. Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length. Myron Bromberg, DDS (Los Angeles): Most insurers will be watching to see the fallout, if any, not dissimilar to monitoring the Bud Lite issue. The fallout may well take the direction that Guardian is far more interested in their bottom line than providing appropriate care. I think this was a bad, thoughtless decision on their part. If I were their competitor, I would publicize the heck out of that decision, especially when negotiating to get a new contract with a purchaser. Huzefa Kapadia, DDS. Kapadia Dental Care (Waterford, Mich.) and Detroit Sterling Dental: I do expect more dental insurance companies to follow. Unfortunately, it will make dental care less affordable and more expensive for those employers and employees. It may slow down some dental offices, but it's always good to have a diverse demographic and patient base. I have one office in a suburban blue collar area and another dental office in an inner city area. They both are sustainable. Each office has different ebbs and flows which keep dentistry interesting for me. Four hospitals have announced closure plans since Aug. 1, citing reasons ranging from financial challenges to declining admissions and aging infrastructure: Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth is taking initial steps to close its Eugene (Ore.) University District hospital as the health system shifts operations to its RiverBend campus. PeaceHealth reportedly sent an email to caregivers and providers revealing it wants to temporarily relocate 27 beds from Eugene to the Springfield, Ore.-based RiverBend in early 2024 to expedite the hospital closure. PeaceHealth described the Eugene location as "underutilized." South City Hospital, a 178-bed facility in St. Louis, plans to close because of financial challenges, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Aug. 3. The 154-year-old hospital has been under receivership for the past few months. It began winding down the facility Aug. 4. Martin General Hospital, a 49-bed facility in Williamston, N.C., suspended operations Aug. 3 and plans to file for bankruptcy. The hospital, which lost $13 million in 2022, cited financial challenges related to declining population and utilization trends as reasons for the decision. Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Corewell Health will close its Lakeview, Mich.-based Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital in October after a steady decline in admissions. In June, Corewell opened a $12 million care center a few minutes away from Spectrum Health Kelsey. The hospital opened in 1962 and was having problems with aging infrastructure. St. Bernards Healthcare's Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, Ark., will transition to a rural emergency hospital, effective Sept. 1, the first hospital in the state to do so, according to local news outlet KAIT8. Arkansas Act 59, or the Rural Emergency Hospital Act, took effect earlier this year. The legislation is designed to make it easier for hospitals with rural emergency status to get reimbursed for the care they provide. The rural emergency hospital designation aims to curb rural hospital closures by offering them a chance to close infrequently used inpatient beds and focus on providing outpatient and emergency department services. "Cost of care has certainly gone up, and reimbursement has gone up. Its actually harder to get reimbursed for the care that we provide here at Five Rivers," Randy Barymon, administrator at the hospital, told KAIT8. "I think a lot of rural facilities are seeing a trend down inpatient extended-stay care. This was really just natural progression for us. Only about 5 percent of our business is inpatient extended care." The hospital's transition to rural emergency status will not result in any layoffs, according to the report. Madera Community Hospital, which has been closed since December 2022, received the largest payout in the California Distressed Hospital loan program, KVPR reported Aug. 25. The hospital will get $50 million after the state approves a reopening plan with Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health. In the meantime, Madera was awarded $2 million to help with operating costs. The reopening timeline is projected to take place in the next six to nine months. Originally, Madera Community Hospital asked for $80 million from the state. Adventist reached an initial agreement to take over Madera Community Hospital in July. Trinity Health Integrated Care ACO, a Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization, coordinated care for more than 130,000 patients in 2022. saving Medicare $56 million and achieved $41.2 million in shared savings for THIC ACO and participating providers. Since launching in 2017, THIC has earned $126 million with an average quality score of 93 percent, Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity said in an Aug. 25 news release. The ACO now operates in nine states. Other Trinity Health ACOs in Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa also contributed to successful outcomes. Together with the THIC ACO, they coordinate care for more than 255,000 Medicare beneficiaries, according to the health system. "We are committed to our mission of improving the health of the patients, families and communities we serve," said Emily Brower, senior vice president, Clinical Integration and Physician Services for Trinity Health. "Our ACOs enable us to do just that while spending smarter on the preventive care that keeps our patients healthier." In 2022, Trinity's MSSP ACOs ranged from upside-only to enhanced two-sided financial risk arrangements representing the most significant risk in MSSP tracks. Buffy Key, who has served as Cookeville (Tenn.) Regional Medical Center's interim CEO since March, was promoted to the permanent position. Ms. Key has more than 32 years of hospital and healthcare experience, according to an Aug. 25 news release. She has served several stints at Cookeville Regional throughout her career, managing, directing and working in its laboratory. She worked as the administrative director of operations-clinical laboratories at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., then returned to Cookeville to hold operational leadership roles, including COO. Rural healthcare can be a headache for leadership, one many systems won't entertain. But for Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus, it's the whole model; it's the growth plan. Matt Heywood has been leading the health system for more than 10 years, and he's always had the same motto, he told Becker's: "Sometimes in chaos is opportunity." That's certainly been true for Aspirus, which recently inked a deal with Duluth, Minn.-based St. Luke's. The two entities will combine to form a 19-hospital system at a time when industry M&A has hit a major snag. Healthcare is dealing with an "existential crisis," Mr. Heywood said, and it makes sense that a lot of other systems are putting acquisitions on hold. But St. Luke's and Aspirus share a similar mission keeping healthcare local, maintaining consistent quality regardless of ZIP code so a partnership made sense. It's not the first growth move for Aspirus, which is "tucking in" like-minded entities. In 2021, the health system acquired seven hospitals and 21 clinics from Ascension Wisconsin. "With the Ascension acquisition, by getting that contiguous scale, we're able to bring orthopedic services, surgical services closer to the patient than before," Mr. Heywood said. "Because we were doing it on our own. And Ascension was doing it on their own. And neither one of us could effectively get enough scale to provide care to those patients." Rural healthcare requires a different approach, according to Mr. Heywood. Some locations are immune to innovations sweeping urban areas; internet can be inconsistent, nixing telehealth offerings, and patients are widely dispersed, making it difficult to employ hospital-at-home programs. Instead of leaning on the new norm and centralizing care at a few in-person locations, Aspirus aims to expand physical sites of service. "It's a model I think a few others are trying, but not many. And the reason not many are trying is it's a lot of work," Mr. Heywood said. "It is a commitment that takes the management team, our physicians, and our staff a lot more energy than it would if we just said, 'You know what? Let's just ship everything to Wausau or Duluth and not have stuff out in the community for our patients.'" It's a delicate balance sites can't be too dispersed, because that's inefficient. But care should remain as local as possible so cancer patients don't have to drive hours for intravenous therapies. The more scale Aspirus has, the more resources and technology it can deploy, and the better connectivity to larger sites will be. The health system also aims to utilize critical access designations to their maximum ability, making sure each site can do what it needs to do based on the community's needs and size. "We have some critical access hospitals, which we call 'frontier,' which are very much EDs with a few beds and clinics," Mr. Heywood said. "But then you might have what we call a 'super critical access hospital,' which is doing outpatient surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, OB, things like that." One major challenge: staffing. Worker shortages are a nationwide issue, and rural areas are certainly not immune. Aspirus is working with local community colleges to create feeder programs, looking to employ talented people before they leave, according to Mr. Heywood. "We are trying to sell that rural America, the Midwest, is maybe not so bad when you're having Tropical Storm Hilary in Palm Springs, you're having a major hurricane hit you in Florida, you're having wildfires here and there," Mr. Heywood said. "So what we're trying to do is get people to see that staying close to home is not a bad thing, so we don't have a flight from rural America that has historically been happening." The Aspirus model isn't a conventional one, but Mr. Heywood has faith in it. Someone has to; about 100 million people live in underserved rural America, and on average, they die two years younger than their urban counterparts. "You have to look out into the future and see what you think the future is," he said, "independently of what everybody's telling you." Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth is closing locations, causing frustration amongst displaced workers and the union representing them. Memorial Health Center, an urgent care clinic in Vancouver, is one of five clinics and services set to shutter this year. The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, or OFNHP, represents around three dozen workers at the clinic. On July 23, PeaceHealth notified the union that it would be closing Memorial Health Center, Northwest Labor Press reported. After the clinic shutters Sept. 30, workers will receive four weeks of severance pay and benefits, plus one week for every year they've served PeaceHealth. The schedule caps at 26 weeks. In an emailed statement, PeaceHealth told Becker's the building is in decline and needs immediate infrastructure improvements. "The magnitude of the needs has led to the decision to close the services offered at this site," the system said in its statement. It noted that although current positions at Memorial will be eliminated, affected workers can apply at PeaceHealth's Fisher's Landing Clinic, about 12 miles away. Sixty-nine total jobs will be lost as a result of PeaceHealth's clinic closures, according to a May report. The health system plagued by unsustainable negative operating margins also took steps to shutter its "underutilized" Eugene (Ore.) University District hospital this week. More than 100 registered nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association will be affected by the closure. The union "strongly opposes" the decision to shutter the hospital and "asks management to reverse this decision immediately," according to local CBS-affiliate KPIC. "ONA is working closely with our union partners at PeaceHealth, including Service Employees International Union, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals on a coordinated response to this decision by PeaceHealth," the union told the news station. The health system told Becker's it aims to keep workers in-network where possible. "PeaceHealth is committed to retaining its valued caregivers and working with its labor partners as it evolves its care services in Lane County, finding equivalent positions within PeaceHealths Oregon network," the system said in its statement. "That includes integrating qualified and interested University District caregivers into open positions at the RiverBend campus and other PeaceHealth locations." Editor's Note: This article was updated Aug. 25 at 5:04 p.m. to include information from an emailed statement from PeaceHealth. Park Ku-yeon, right, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, speaks during a daily briefing on the Fukushima issue in Seoul, Aug. 25. Yonhap Japan's release of contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant has been carried out stably and as planned, with no abnormalities detected so far, a Korean official said Friday. Tokyo initiated the discharge of contaminated water a day earlier, a process expected to span more than three decades, despite lingering health and environmental concerns from neighboring countries. "So far, the discharge is proceeding stably as originally planned, and it is understood that there are no abnormal situations," said Park Ku-yeon, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, during a daily briefing on the Fukushima issue. Park also emphasized that the Seoul government is thoroughly monitoring and analyzing the ocean discharge process through a "double hotline" between the regulatory and diplomatic authorities of the two countries. The two sides earlier agreed to swiftly share information in case of an abnormal situation at the discharge facilities. William Harwin, MD, former president and managing partner of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute in Fort Myers, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to allocate oncology treatments for cancer patients in Southwest Florida. From 1999 to September 2016, Dr. Harwin engaged in a conspiracy to suppress competition by agreeing to allocate chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients to Florida Cancer Specialists and radiation treatments to another oncology company in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties, according to court documents. The court will set a date for sentencing in the coming weeks. In April 2020, Florida Cancer Specialists was charged for its role in the same conspiracy and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement resolving the charge, under which it admitted to conspiring to allocate chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer patients, according to the Justice Department. The company agreed to pay a $100 million penalty and to cooperate with the antitrust division's ongoing investigation. Volodymyr Syrotiuk worked in a warehouse and drove heavy goods vehicles near Kyiv (James Pike Photography/Go-Ahead Group/PA) A Ukrainian evacuee in the UK has become the first to be employed as a bus driver through a recruitment scheme. Volodymyr Syrotiuk, 61, worked in a warehouse and drove heavy goods vehicles near Kyiv before the invasion by Russia in February 2022. He has since settled in Brighton and has joined Brighton and Hove Buses as a driver. Parent company Go-Ahead began taking steps to hire Ukrainians in November last year in a programme supported by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Government has eased the process for Ukrainians to exchange their driving licences for British versions. The Government has made it easier for Ukrainian refugees to convert their driving licences to British versions (James Pike Photography/Go-Ahead Group/PA) Mr Syrotiuk said his new job has made settling into the country easier. He went on: Id encourage my friends from Ukraine to come here and to seriously consider being a bus driver like me. I get to be in a position where Im responsible for 80 people every journey and its satisfying. The UK has suffered from a lack of bus drivers since the end of coronavirus lockdowns. Industry body the Confederation of Passenger Transport recently estimated that 7% of bus driver positions are vacant. Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Ed Wills said: Were extremely happy to welcome Volodymyr to the team. As a company we can offer jobs to people from Ukraine who are looking to rebuild a more peaceful life. I hope this is the first of many to come, and that we continue to be able to help more refugees like Volodymyr find work and security in the UK. Eloise Cornish, employer adviser lead at Brighton and Hove Jobcentre, said: Were thrilled to hear about Volodymyrs job start with Brighton and Hove Buses. We met Volodymyr at a jobs fair and his positive attitude shone through. Belfast rap star Jun Tzu has revealed how he once held his school class hostage with a potato peeler while growing up in Manchester. The NI songwriter, whose real name is Jonathan Hamilton, recently appeared on The Whiskey n White podcast, which is hosted by west Belfast boxers, Tommy McCarthy and Tyrone McKenna. Now in his early 30s, Jun Tzu detailed getting kicked out of school in north England, following one particularly dramatic incident. I took my class hostage with a potato peeler, he said. My dad had bought me a visor. Someone stole it. So I said to the teacher, someone stole my visor here. And the teacher went, anybody see Johnnys visor? No one batted an eyelid. She went, sorry. And I thought, f*** that. Locked the door, bro, and says, no ones leaving. After describing how he eventually let the girls in the class go, Jun Tzu said that soon, five P.E teachers were stood there and theyre like, Johnny open the door, you better let us in. He then said he grabbed a classmate, took a potato peeler out of his bag and stuck it to the pupils neck. Jimmy opened the door and I said to everybody, back off, come near me and Jimmy gets it, Jun Tzu added, concluding that he then ran home afterwards. Co-host McCarthy, who has also now dipped his toes into the world of stand-up comedy, responded: Listen, Manchester in them times; what is more stereotypical than the Irish kid taking the students hostage with a potato peeler? A short clip circulating online of the conversation has garnered nearly 12,000 views to date, with one person commenting: Nah this is mad! This cant be real, to which Jun Tzu replied: Its real, dont make me find Jimmy and interview him to prove it. Earlier this month, Jun Tzu supported Irish language hip-hop trio Kneecap before their gig at the Feile in west Belfast. He moved to Manchester from Northern Ireland at the age of 10, going back and forth between the two cities until he was 17. He has been writing and performing his own rap music since the mid-2000s and says his lyrics are inspired by growing up in Northern Ireland, his views on religion and his perspective on violence within the streets of Manchester. Cleric Patrick Ryan details in new book how Dublin meeting left him angry A new book details a meeting between Patrick Ryan, Martin McGuinness (inset) and another IRA man in Dublin in the autumn of 1982 Terrorist priest Patrick Ryan has claimed he handed over Libyan government cash donated to the IRA directly to Martin McGuinness at one-to-one meetings. But Ryan says the former Sinn Fein deputy first minister flew into a temper when he refused to give him money from Col Gaddafis regime during a meeting in Dublins St Stephens Green in 1982. He made the claims in investigative journalist Jennifer OLearys new book The Padre. In it, the Tipperary-born priest, now 93, opens up about his decades spent raising money, securing arms and spying for the IRA across Europe. The release lifts the lid on the full extent of his involvement with the Provos and its campaign of terror, including his links to the attempt to kill Margaret Thatcher and members of her cabinet in the Brighton bombing. OLeary says he is unrepentant about his IRA activities and his only regret is that he was not more effective. Read more Patrick Ryan a man once dedicated to faith who turned to a life of destruction In the book, she details a meeting between Ryan, McGuinness and another IRA man in Dublin in the autumn of 1982. She says Ryan, who was also interviewed for BBC NI series Spotlight on the Troubles: A Secret History in 2019, did not trust McGuinness, detailing that when the pair previously met, it was usually alone at a safe house on the border. Ryan would hand over Libyan cash but would leave with little insight into what Gaddafis oil dollars were being used for specifically. On this occasion. McGuinness was in a rage and tore into Ryan over the failure by the Libya authorities to allow a leading republican dubbed The Duty Man to be allowed to travel to the country. Patrick Ryan Ryan said: One of the previous times Id met McGuinness, I handed him a good sum of money and he said, Paddy you are the only one who is really helping at present. Now here he was, up right in front of my face accusing me of stopping their (the leaderships) man. I was there to do a job and I did it honestly. Ryan says Libyan intelligence rejected The Duty Man because he talked too enthusiastically about peace at a meeting when the last thing the Libyans wanted to hear was the word peace. McGuinnesss fury increased when the conversation turned to how IRA undercover activist Eamon McGuire had got on in Libya. The Libyans had actually given Ryan a bundle of dollars for McGuire personally, not the IRA. I told McGuinness that the Colonel (Gaddafi) and company were extremely pleased with McGuires efforts, so much so that they gave me a large sum of money to pass on to him and that was when McGuinness said: Where is it? When Ryan told him he had the cash, McGuinness said, Ill have, thats our money. I said to him, Its not your money and youre not getting it. A furious McGuinness responded: McGuire is not getting that money. Ryan claims he replied thats grand and the second man, who up until then had been silent, said to the ex-priest: If you would like to leave, you can go now. Ryan believed he meant he could leave his role in the IRA. To say I was angry would be putting it mildly. I was so angry I could have killed them both. They were completely out of order in that meeting in St Stephens Green. He added: I came to the conclusion that these two lads were on a sell-out. I was done with the IRA leadership. The deal I had originally agreed was that I offered my services freely, but that could be withdrawn at any time. In St Stephens Green I made a decision; I wasnt going to go back to Libya on behalf of a leadership and outfit that, to my mind, was selling out. I went back to Europe. I had a job to do for the Libyans. BPerfect was founded in 2012 and has become of Northern Ireland's most successful brands The make-up mogul regularly makes appearances at charity events alongside hospital visits in order to give back to the community The founder of one of Northern Irelands most successful make-up brands has said he simply wanted to give back after he and his team visited a care home to entertain residents with their products. Cosmetics mogul Brendan McDowell founded his company BPerfect in 2012 and has resulted in run away success. The company now is a multi-million pounds business and has endorsement deals with the likes of Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu. While he is used to gracing the halls of events and functions, he and some of his team took time out of their busy schedules to visit the residents of Kilwee Care Home in Dunmurry earlier this week. The make-up mogul regularly makes appearances at charity events alongside hospital visits in order to give back to the community "Some of the girls who work there had been fans of BPerfect on Instagram and actually reached out to me asking if we would like to come along to their care home, said Brendan speaking to the Belfast Telegraph. I jumped straight on it. It was such a lovely thing to do, I think sometimes the elderly are the most forgotten about, they can be lonely and a few people dont even have any one who comes in to see them, so it was just lovely to be able to give back. The BPerfect teams visit to the care home isnt their first venture in giving back either. The make-up company has become known for making charity visits across different sectors and Brendan himself is just back from Cambodia on where he spent time helping the company Feeding Dreams. Brendan said it was amazing to spend time with the homes residents and formed a special bond with an elderly woman. "We just bonded, she asked me about my parents and asked were they still alive, I said one was yes, and she told me to spend as much time with them as possible. "It really struck a chord, it was so humbling. Just seeing them all smile and they all really enjoyed the banter. We had a sing-song and a bit-of a dance afterwards as well, he added. Some of the ladies were really interested in the make-up products as well, even the men got involved. I have another brand called Voduz Hair and we brought them all some products. "Things like hair wraps which goes over your eyes and lavender sleep mist, the male residents were just as in to it as the women. "Its more the company, yeah the make-up is there as well, but for us to be just there chatting with them and asking them about their stories and how they grew up was just really nice. BPerfect was founded in 2012 and has become of Northern Ireland's most successful brands Despite his founding role in the company, the make-up mastermind said his top position doesnt stop him giving back. I never think you cant be involved in everything, Youll see me at events or packing at the warehouse. Im not scared to get into anything. Were a brand which is very out there on social media, and I wanted to build a brand with a difference, it doesnt matter what age you are. A convicted thief was jailed today for 14 months for a spate of burglaries on an apartment complex in Belfast. Richard Alexander McAleese (31), of Rosebery Road in east Belfast, previously pleaded guilty to 15 counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary. Belfast Crown Court heard that the burglaries took place over a ten-week period between May 31 and August 6, 2022, at The Arc Apartments on Queens Road in the Belfast Harbour estate. Prosecution barrister James Johnston said there was a protracted investigation by Belfast Harbour Police into the burglaries involving extensive time spent by officers reviewing CCTV footage from the complex. He told the court that McAleese used various methods to gain entry to the complex: the use of a key fob; walking into an underground car park before the gates closed; or by the use of force. Mr Johnston said McAleese proceeded to the postal rooms within the complex and stole parcels delivered by post or couriers. Only three stolen parcels were recovered, with a total value of 140, and the most expensive item stolen was a 850 bicycle. No apartment was entered and no person had their residential area breached, but he has trespassed into the building in which those apartments are situated, said Mr Johnston. It is the frequency in the way these offences were happening. Whether he is described as a professional burglary is up for debate, but he most certainly is a career burglar, which could be described as professional as well. One doesnt have to have all the accoutrements of a character from a Pink Panther film to carry out these burglaries. But we say he is a career burglar. He was doing this over a ten-week period and he had no shame in coming back to do it at the same place again using different methodologies. Defence barrister Conn ONeill described the burglaries as unsophisticated and said McAleese lived just two miles from where the break-ins occurred and had made no effort to hide his face. I am an amateur criminologist, but it seems that, replete with CCTV viewings and recordings, it was inevitable that he would be apprehended. I dont think it is sophisticated for a person to commit the same crime in the same place repeatedly. Belfast Recorder Judge Patricia Smyth said McAleese admitted in a pre-sentence report that his motivation for the burglaries was to feed his 20-year drugs habit. She said a stark fact from the report was that McAleese did not attend primary or secondary school during his difficult upbringing. Outlining the aggravating features, the judge said McAleese had 15 previous burglary convictions along with other dishonesty offences. These were repeated and persistent burglaries at the same residential blocks. And you have previously served very substantial sentences for burglary and they have not deterred you. Judge Smyth said that, after serving 14 months in custody, McAleese would spend a further 18 months on supervised licence to deal with his addiction issues and his criminal offending. Urging McAleese to comply with his licence requirements, the Belfast Recorder warned him that if he failed to do so he would likely be recalled to prison to serve out the entire period in custody. You should consider this as a last opportunity to deal with the issues which have been with you from your childhood, added Judge Smyth. This undated file photo, provided by the defense ministry, shows the remains of Ssg. Hwang Byeong-jun recovered at a former battle site in the coastal county of Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, in 2010. Yonhap Korea's military has identified the remains of another soldier killed during the 1950-53 Korean War, more than a decade after their first discovery at a former battle site, the defense ministry said Friday. The ministry's Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification and the 1st Marine Division recovered the remains of Ssg. Hwang Byeong-jun in the coastal county of Yeongdeok, 238 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in 2010 and 2017. KIA stands for killed in action. The agency later identified the remains as his through a DNA analysis using a sample from a family member last year. Hwang joined the military in May 1950, just before the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25. He died during a battle in Yeongdeok in August that year. He was 20. A ceremony marking his return to his family took place at a home of his bereaved family in Daegu, 237 km southeast of Seoul, on Thursday. Korea has so far identified the remains of 215 service members killed in the conflict since it launched the excavation project in 2000. (Yonhap) A Co Antrim man is to stand trial for allegedly subjecting a schoolgirl to repeated sexual abuse, a judge has ordered. Matthew Arthur Elliott appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on a total of 26 charges. The 22-year-old, of Glenbawn Avenue in Dunmurry, faces eight counts of inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity. He is also accused of sexual communication with the same alleged victim and causing her to watch him engage in sexual activity. Elliott is further charged with 10 counts of possessing an indecent photograph of a child and five counts of having an extreme pornographic image. The alleged offences relate to a period between June 2020 and September 2021. During a preliminary enquiry, Elliott confirmed that he understood the charges but declined to give evidence or call any witnesses at this stage. Defence lawyer Eoghan McKenna did not contest submissions that his client has a prima facie case to answer. Granting the prosecutions application, District Judge Francis Rafferty returned Elliott for trial at Belfast Crown Court. Mr Rafferty released the accused on bail to appear again at his arraignment on a date to be fixed. Co-accused, Paul Ferrin, 67, is being prosecuted on suspicion of defrauding workers out of five-figure retirement sums A man allegedly involved in a major pension fund scam is to seek anonymity on medical grounds, a Belfast court heard today. The 41-year-old faces counts of fraud by false representation and making a misleading statement about an investment. His co-accused, Paul Ferrin, 67, is being prosecuted on suspicion of defrauding workers out of five-figure retirement sums. Ferrin, of Saintfield Road in Castlereagh, Co Down, is charged with a total of 17 offences. The allegations against him include unlawful financial promotion and carrying out a regulated financial activity without the proper authorisation. He is further accused of four counts of fraud by false representation, four charges of making misleading statements, and seven counts of concealing material facts about investments. The case relates to the alleged transfer of workplace pension pots into Small Self-Administered Schemes. Co-accused, Paul Ferrin, 67, is being prosecuted on suspicion of defrauding workers out of five-figure retirement sums With five-figure sums involved, some of the funds were moved to the schemes from Royal Mail pensions, according to the charge sheet. Both accused were due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court today for a preliminary enquiry to establish if they are to be sent for trial. But proceedings were adjourned after it emerged that the 41-year-old defendant is mounting a legal bid to prevent his name being disclosed. His solicitor, Roise Fitzpatrick, confirmed: There will be an anonymity application and we will have to put the media on notice. Reporting restrictions are being sought based on the right to life protected by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Ms Fitzpatrick added that a psychiatrist has assessed her client and is preparing a report as part of the application. District Judge Francis Rafferty agreed to adjourn the case for a four-week period. Lough Neagh Rescue (LNR) have reported issues with two recent rescue attempts caused by the state of the lake. Emergency crews are being prevented from providing prompt assistance on call-outs in and around Lough Neagh by the current state of the lough, an emergency response service has said. Lough Neagh Rescue revealed on Thursday that their response to two incidents on the River Blackwater which flows into Lough Neagh had been hampered by sand levels and partial blockages of the waterway. "Making good speed to help those in desperate need is essential, however our progress has been severely impeded due to the dreadful silting at the Maghery Canal, they said. "The canal is now the only access point to the river from Lough Neagh as the Barmouth is completely blocked and unnavigable. The depth drops to less than two feet, which poses significant risk to our crew and vessels. Toxic Blue-green algae blooms emerge on Lough Neagh "In addition to this, our speed is cut to less than walking pace for a considerable distance. In a situation where seconds can mean the difference in rescue and recovery (living or dying), our crews are being prevented from providing prompt emergency assistance to those in danger. This is a tragedy waiting to happen and it is only a matter of time before this hazard costs lives. It has only been for the hard work of the locals, who work tirelessly to keep this vital access point navigable, and we are grateful for their efforts and help. We would call on ALL Departments and Agencies to urgently come together to provide a swift solution to clearing these vital access points before lives are lost. The intervention has prompted calls from Mid Ulster District councillor Malachy Quinn for the establishment of an urgent taskforce to tackle the ongoing issues in and around Lough Neagh. "The current situation at Lough Neagh is critical, he said. We have seen the worst ever case of blue-green algae, access for emergency services has been blocked because of sand and water levels and we have a report describing the water quality as bad, which could take over two decades to correct. Watch: Alarming algae bloom in Lough Neagh "We have run off from fields and septic tanks that are polluting the water and zebra mussels growing and destroying local fishing stocks. Fishermen are unable to make a living, businesses are closing their doors and lives are being put at risk. All of this is happening while every statutory agency responsible for the lough is passing the blame and refusing to take responsibility for these problems. "I want to see all of the parties involved come together around one table and discuss the issues with the lough. The best way to do this is through a taskforce involving our local councils, NI Water, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Lough Neagh Partnership and the Shaftsbury Estate. "The lack of an Executive will hamper our efforts to address these problems in the long-term, but we cant simply stand by and do nothing while things get worse. Cllr Malachy Quinn Lough Neagh is one of the greatest natural resources on these Islands. I have grown up on its shores and everyone living in this area is heartbroken at its current state. "It is a focal point of life here we need to ensure that it is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. People are fed up with excuses and we need to act before it's too late. It comes after a Queens University professor said the authorities need to show more urgency in finding solutions to the blue-green algal blooms plaguing Lough Neagh and other areas around Northern Ireland. Katrina Campbell, a professor of Food Security and Diagnostics at Queens University, said this years outbreak will be repeated in future and that the government needs to do more to deal with the blooms. "The events occurring this summer are perhaps seen as a one-off, or something that has happened this summer; a blip on the map, she told the Belfast Telegraph. "I dont think there is the urgency to implement mitigation measures. For the moment the drive is for detection methods for both the blooms and toxins and making sure that the laboratories be that water quality or food safety have adequate testing methods in place to determine the risk factor. Are those toxins present? Thats going to be important before they start implementing more expensive systems to degrade toxins if they are not actually present. "Due to changing climate conditions these blooms may become more regular. Australia has had problems with blooms now for the last 50-60 years. "Theyve always been there, but at different times they will proliferate and grow. In Northern Ireland its more to do with the increase in heat, rainfall and the nutrients in the water at this time of year that has increased their occurrence. "The longer the bloom persists, it is depleting the oxygen from the water. Lawyer Ciaran Shiels with families of Bloody Sunday victims speak to the media (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) Military hearsay statements can be used in the prosecution of a veteran known as Soldier F who is accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry. During committal proceedings at the magistrates court in Derry, District Judge Ted Magill said he is satisfied the statements from five soldiers can be dealt with in a fair, just and reliable fashion by a trial judge. He ruled that the evidence of a sixth witness cannot be admitted. A lawyer for the victims families said it was a significant day and a step towards a trial taking place over the events on Bloody Sunday. A number of family members of victims were in court, as well as SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. Former paratrooper Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney in 1972 when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of the city. He is also charged with five attempted murders. James Wray, left, and William McKinney, who died on Bloody Sunday (Bloody Sunday Trust/PA) The judges ruling centred around a bid by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to use evidence statements given to the 1972 Widgery Report and to the Royal Military Police by other soldiers in the Bogside on the day. He said: I am satisfied that the trial process is fully capable of dealing with these, as with all other evidence, in a fair, just and reliable fashion. The judge said the defence have a wealth of material by which they can contest the case at trial. He added: I have found nothing to persuade me that there is any unfairness in the admission of the hearsay statements of these five witnesses, reiterating and re-emphasising, that I am not the trial judge. Three of the five former soldiers are now dead. Ciaran Shiels, lawyer for many of the Bloody Sunday families, said it was a positive and satisfactory ruling. He said: Five of those witnesses evidence is now admitted as evidence before this court. It is a significant move forward. It is a step closer to the families seeing Soldier F being committed and sent forward for trial. Those proceedings will be in Belfast, it will be a Diplock trial. He added: We will obviously be pushing as much as we can. We have had an undertaking from the PPS this morning that they will be making their best efforts to advance this case expeditiously when it gets to the Crown Court. Mainly because of the age of the witnesses, the age of the defendant, the age of the families and the survivors who are here today. All in all it is a very positive day for the families. Five out of the six soldiers evidence is now admitted. Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, said: We look forward now with renewed confidence to Soldier F being formally returned to standtrial for murder and attempted murder as expeditiously as possible. There will be a further committal hearing on September 14. The PPS previously called a halt to the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, citing concerns the case could collapse if it went to trial. The decision to halt proceedings was challenged by Mr McKinneys family and last year the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast overturned the PPSs move. After reviewing its position, the PPS decided to resume the prosecution. A banner supporting Soldier F hangs from a wall in east Belfast in 2021 (PA) Bloody Sunday was one of the darkest days in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Thirteen people were killed on the day and another man shot by paratroopers died four months later. Many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday but his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. A man has been arrested after a police officer was kicked to the face in Belfast on Thursday afternoon. Inspector McCann said: "We received a report of anti-social behaviour in the Royal Avenue area shortly before 2.45pm. It was reported that a man was being abusive to members of the public. "Officers attended and arrested the man, aged 35, on suspicion of disorderly behaviour and criminal damage. While he was being arrested he kicked an officer to the face and kicked a second officer. "The man was then further arrested on suspicion of resisting police and assault on police. He remains in police custody at this time." The senior policeman added: "Our officers are here to help, and respond to calls every day assisting people. Assaults on our officers are unacceptable, and must not be tolerated as simply being part of the job. "Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this incident and anyone with information who could help our investigation or who has mobile or CCTV footage of what happened, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1171 of 24/08/23." The new food stall will operate in Donegall Square East Credit: Google Maps Donegall Square in Belfast City Centre is to have a new nightly hot food stall selling until 3am. Belfast City Councils Licensing Committee at its latest sitting has awarded Mr Patrick McCafferty the grant of a stationary street trading licence to sell hot food and non-alcoholic beverages from a hot food trailer, dubbed The PattyWagon. The proposed hours of operation are Monday to Sunday from 10pm to 3am. Mr McCafferty is currently licensed to trade at night and has been trading at the council designated site in Tomb Street since March 2022, again selling hot food and non alcoholic beverages. The council report states: Mr McCafferty is registered with the Councils Environmental Health Food Safety and has a five star food hygiene rating. If granted the licence for Donegall Square East it would be his intention to surrender the licence for Tomb Street so as to concentrate his efforts on the Donegall Square East pitch. He has worked throughout Ireland at a number of locations and at events including the National Trust at the Divis Black Mountain summer solstice event, and the Lammas Fair in Ballycastle. He states he uses as much locally sourced products as he can and also uses environmentally friendly packaging. He offers products at affordable prices, through an extensive menu, (not just burgers) with vegan and vegetarian options. Whilst trading in Tomb Street, he does a litter pick once an hour and at the end of every nights trading he makes sure all litter is lifted. This routine would continue if granted the pitch at Donegall Square East. Read more Belfast office property on the market for 6.5m and could be turned into a hotel Elected members of the Licensing Committee at City Hall had to consider two separate and competing street trading licence applications to trade at the designated site in Donegall Square East at Centra. The other applicant was Mr Christopher Hamill who applied for a licence to sell hot food and non-alcoholic beverages from a hot food trailer, Monday to Sunday from 10pm to 4am. Mr Hamill is currently licensed to trade during the day and has been trading at the designated site in Balmoral Road outside The Range since December 2018. He also has a five star food hygiene rating. It was proposed at the Licensing Committee that given the strengths of both applications, the licence would be awarded on a first come first served basis, and Mr McCafferteys application was duly approved by elected members. A Ballymoney man has been sentenced for 10 years in prison for 20 sexual abuse offences including rape, sexual activity with a child and inciting child to engage in sexual activity. The 44-year old man, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the victim was sentenced today (Friday) at Antrim Crown Court and will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register will also be subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for 12 years. In a statement issued by the PSNI, the mans victim, whom he was a father figure to, said she was glad the process had now concluded. I am very glad that this whole process is over and that this man will remain in prison where he belongs. I am determined not to let his betrayal of my trust, as a father figure to me, affect my life any more than it already has. "I hope that this will give other people who may have experienced this type of familial abuse the courage to tell someone about it, in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and find some form of justice. The PSNIs Detective Constable Downey also paid tribute to the mans victim and welcomed the Ballymoney mans sentence. Today our thoughts are with the young girl in this case. I would like to commend the immense bravery she has shown throughout this investigation and working with detectives to bring her abuser to justice, the statement reads. The sickening actions of this man have robbed the young girl of her childhood. No one let alone a child should ever be subjected to any form of abuse or manipulation. We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual offences against children and young people. Our specially trained detectives ensure victims are listened to, safeguarded and supported from the moment they report. You dont have to suffer in silence. If you have ever experienced or witnessed any form of sexual abuse we urge you to pick up the phone and call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Stakeknife report could be released next month 37m investigation into Army spy behind raft of murders passes national security checks Freddie Scappaticci Allison Morris Fri 25 Aug 2023 at 07:00 A 37m investigation into over 20 murders carried out by the informer known as Stakeknife could be released as early as next month. Letter proposing road from NI to Scotland by filling sea with rubble actually got considered civil service reply Proposal would solve unemployment problem and boost tourism, said correspondent but there were a few downsides too The proposed causeway would start in Donaghadee - but bad weather would be the least of the difficulties involved in constructing it (Credit: Bernie Brown) Sam McBride Fri 25 Aug 2023 at 19:30 Almost 60 years ago, a civil servant sent a detailed reply to a member of the public who suggested filling in a stretch of the sea between Scotland and Northern Ireland so that a road could be constructed. The latest figures reveal 12,847 people were in emergency accommodation in July (PA) The number of homeless people in Ireland has risen to another new record high. The latest figures from the Department of Housing reveal that 12,847 people were in emergency accommodation in July. This is a rise of more than 200 from the 12,600 recorded in the previous month. The latest figures include 9,018 adults and 3,829 children. The capital Dublin saw the highest numbers by far, with 6,576 adults and 2,908 children in emergency accommodation. The charity Focus Ireland said urgent government action is required to end the housing crisis. As a society we must move beyond saying its disappointing and state that its totally unacceptable, it said. Urgent Government action required to end this crisis now. While many campaigners have called for the reintroduction of an eviction ban, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he would rule that out as doing more harm than good. Asked about the latest figures by media in Dublin, he said: I think the key response has to be supply. I think there are multi-factorial bases behind those figures, a number of reasons. Tanaiste Micheal Martin is against a return of the eviction ban (Brian Lawless/PA) The key issue is, for those on the homeless list, we have got to make their time in emergency housing as short as we possibly can. There is huge progress being made in terms of house construction, house commencements and, ultimately, all direction has to be on getting more supply in the market in terms of the rental market but also in more commencements, more house completions. But that said, it is very disappointing the figures are as they are. From a policy perspective we are doing the right things in terms of focusing on supply. Asked about reintroducing the eviction ban, Mr Martin said he would rule that out. I think it would do more harm than good, and I think the pressing issue is to slow down the exodus from the rental market, he said. There is no point in taking a position like that which in our view would undermine over the next number of years the broader question of increasing supply. Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould criticised the current administration, saying the longer the leading parties remain in office the worse the housing crisis is becoming, as he described the latest figures as shameful. He also said his party would reinstate the eviction ban for no fault eviction to protect renters, it it was in government. Its time for change. Only a Sinn Fein-led government will end the housing crisis, he said. It is abundantly clear that the longer Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are in office, the worse the housing crisis is becoming. This is their appalling legacy that has heart-breaking consequences for the real people at the centre of this crisis. The Government have been warned time and time again of the consequences of their terrible housing policies and their refusal to treat the housing crisis with the seriousness it deserves. Every day that they remain in office, this Government causes more damage to the lives of ordinary people. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup attends a session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly in Seoul, Aug. 25. Yonhap South Korea and the United States are currently in coordination to search for and salvage the sunken parts of North Korea's failed launch of a purported space rocket earlier this week, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup said Friday. Lee told lawmakers that South Korea and the U.S. have been sharing information and coordinating together in the search efforts after the North's launch of the rocket carrying what it claims to be a spy satellite ended in failure early Thursday. In a report, the defense ministry said the first stage of the rocket fell into waters west of the Korean Peninsula, while the second stage plunged into waters northeast of the Philippines. The ministry assessed that North Korea carried out the launch to make up for its first failed attempt in May and to demonstrate its capabilities and willingness to respond to an ongoing major South Korea-U.S. military exercise and recent efforts for trilateral cooperation between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo. Lee denounced the North's launch as a "clear provocation," noting that it violates U.N. Security Council resolutions banning the North from the use of ballistic missile technology. He also vowed to strengthen the allies' combined defense posture through the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which kicked off Monday and is set to end on Aug. 31. "By applying scenarios that account for North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, our military is focusing on substantively strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance's crisis management and response capabilities and enhancing the combined defense posture," he said. (Yonhap) There were hugs, cheers and tears of joy at a secondary school in Dublin as some of the countrys 60,000 Leaving Certificate students collected their results. Approximately 80 students at Donahies Community School sat their exams in June, with a handful returning on Friday to see how they had got on. Some of the teenagers were able to access their results early online before 10am, while others found out their points from their teachers at the school. They gathered to congratulate each other and wish each other well in securing places at colleges and universities. Mykyta Topcheiv (Brian Lawless/PA) Among the happy students was 16-year-old Mykyta Topcheiv, originally from Kyiv in Ukraine. He arrived in Ireland in March 2022 and while he was placed in Third Year initially, he decided to tackle the two-year Leaving Cert curriculum in just one full academic year all while also attending online lessons for his school in Kyiv. Mykyta collected an impressive 447 points from the exams, which he hopes will secure him a spot on a computer science course. Jodie McCarthy (Brian Lawless/PA) He told the PA news agency: I didnt know if my visa would be continued for a few years more so I just wanted to be able to pass the exam, just to try, because I didnt want to lose this opportunity. The teenager added: I needed to learn the two-year programme in one year and actually I still study in my Ukrainian school online. Mykyta has final-year examinations in that school next year, but he added: I hope I wont do them because if I would be here in university, I dont need to finish in the other school. Elanas Zemaitis (second from right) celebrates after receiving his Leaving Certificate results at Donahies Community School (Brian Lawless/PA) He said he did better than he expected and he hopes to study computer science. Elsewhere, Jodie McCarthy cried tears of joy as she was congratulated by her friends and family for her results. She said: Im delighted. Jodie McCarthy, a past student at Donahies Community School, Dublin, is congratulated by her mother Michelle, after checking her exam results online (Brian Lawless/PA) Friends Sophie Brohoon, Niamh Woods and Rebecca Kavanagh celebrated their results at the school. Sophie said: Im so happy I passed the maths. I got my course with 50 points to spare, so Im so happy with how it all turned out. Sophie Brohoon, Rebecca Kavanagh and Niamh Woods (Brian Lawless/PA) She hopes to study secondary school teaching in DCU. Rebecca, who also hopes to do teaching, said she was delighted to get 40 more points than what she thinks she needs. Niamh, who wants to study law and politics at DCU, said: I got like 120 more points than what I need. Im so happy, I never thought that would happen. Peter Keohane, principal at Donahies Community School (Brian Lawless/PA) School principal Peter Keohane said: Im delighted. Its all joy and happiness here this morning. So very, very happy with that. However, he added that some students may be disappointed with their results, saying: Always a very worrying day, you know. You just want them all to be happy. You know, its just the next stepping stone. This is an important day in their lives. But you know, somebody said to me one time: This day last year, what was your biggest worry? And I could never remember. So by this time next year, every one of them have the maturity and the intelligence and the ability to be exactly where they want to be. Some 61,736 students were receiving results on Friday, including 58,006 Leaving Cert candidates and 3,730 Leaving Cert Applied applicants. The National Parents and Students Leaving Cert Helpline on 1800 265 165 will operate from August 25 until September 2, at 10am to 6pm each day, except for August 27, when it will be open from 10am to 2pm, and September 2, when it will be open from 10am to 4pm. Kenny Mukendis body was found near the Mirante do Roncador beauty spot in Brazil (Alamy/PA) A coroner has ruled it is not possible to determine how a British rapper found near the sea in Brazil died after local police said he killed himself. Kenny Mukendi, 22, had been driven in a taxi to a viewing spot high above the sea before he went missing, an inquest into his death has heard. The rapper went missing in Rio de Janeiro after he left a recording studio and deactivated his Instagram and Facebook accounts. An ex-girlfriend in the UK had broken his heart and, in 2017, the rapper, had told his parents he was going to Brazil because he needed to take a break and go away, the inquest heard. Mukendi, also known as Kenny Vulcan, had featured as an extra in high-profile music videos and in JK Rowlings Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. A backpack containing his possessions was found on a beach by a surfing instructor near where he had last been seen, and his body was found nearby some days later. He had travelled to the South American country to boost his music career, and did not want to return until he had succeeded, the inquest heard. Brazilian police believe Mr Mukendi took his own life by jumping into the sea, but a coroner concluded it had not been possible to determine how Mr Mukendi died. Mr Mukendis father, Ken, told the inquest at London Inner South Coroners Court, Southwark, his son had been born albino, and was very talented in music. Mr Mukendi was a final year, performing art student who had been living with his parents in the Thamesmead area of south-east London, the inquest was told. The rapper, who had been to Brazil before, began working as a model and wanted to boost his music career while in the country, the inquest heard. At the time of his disappearance, he was living with his new girlfriend, Renata Lima, and her family, the inquest was told. In April 2018, Mr Mukendi spent the evening in a recording studio where he was also due to spend the night. He later ordered an Uber to take him on the 20-minute journey to Mirante Do Roncador, a viewing point high above the sea and rocky coast, the inquest heard. The beauty spot, west of Rio de Janeiro, was close to a far away beach where nobody goes known as Secret Beach, Mr Mukendis father said in a statement read to the inquest. When Ms Lima tried to contact him the following day, she found his phone was switched off and his Instagram and Facebook accounts had been deactivated, the inquest was told. He was reported missing, and Mr Mukendis father travelled to Brazil to help with the search for 15 days. Later that month, Mr Mukendis black backpack containing his laptop, passport and other possessions was found by a surfing instructor on a beach close to where he had been dropped off by the taxi, the inquest heard. On May 5, a body was found on rocks nearby, and DNA analysis carried out in the UK later confirmed the body was that of Mr Mukendi, the inquest was told. Giving her conclusion, assistant coroner for Inner South London, Fleur Hallett, said Mr Mukendi had in 2017 recently broken up with his girlfriend and wanted a change. She continued: He did not want to return to London until his music career was a success. Brazilian police concluded Mr Mukendi had taken his own life, the inquest heard, but Ms Hallett recorded an open conclusion because it had not been possible to determine how Mr Mukendi came by his death. A post-mortem examination found no evidence of foul play, the inquest heard. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stand together at the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial (AP) US President Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris will observe the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington on Monday by meeting organisers of the 1963 gathering and relatives of the Rev Martin Luther King Jr, who delivered his I Have a Dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial. The Oval Office meeting will be held six decades after then-president John F Kennedy and Dr King met at the White House on the morning of the march on August 28 1963. Mr Biden also will speak later on Monday at a White House reception commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a non-partisan, non-profit legal organisation that was established at Mr Kennedys request to help advocate for racial justice. Crowds participating in the March on Washington on August 28 1963 (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture via AP) The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is still considered one of the greatest and most consequential racial justice demonstrations in American history. The non-violent protest attracted as many as 250,000 people to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and provided the momentum for passage by US congress of landmark civil rights and voting rights legislation in the years that followed. Dr King was assassinated in April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Black civil right leaders and a multiracial, inter-faith coalition of allies will gather in Washington to mark six decades since the first march. Mr Biden will be flying back to Washington on Saturday after a week of vacation with his family in Californias Lake Tahoe region. An estimated 250,000 people took part in the original march, one of the key moments of the Civil Rights Movement (AP Photo/File) This years commemoration comes at a difficult moment in US history following the erosion of voting rights nationwide and the recent striking down of affirmative action in college admissions and abortion rights by the supreme court and amid growing threats of political violence and hatred against people of colour, Jews and LGBTQ people. White House officials say Mr Biden and Ms Harris, who are seeking re-election in 2024, are working hard to advance Dr Kings dream of equal opportunity for every American. Ms Harris is the first black woman to be vice president. Mr Biden has signed executive orders to advance racial justice and equity throughout the federal government and to expand access to the right to vote. Voting rights legislation backed by Mr Biden and Ms Harris has stalled in a divided US congress. Mr Biden recently designated a national monument to honour Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Emmett Till is the black teenager from Chicago who was tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. The March on Washington is where Dr King delivered his famous I have a dream speech (AP) The killing helped galvanise the US Civil Rights Movement. Ms Harris has been outspoken about what she says are attempts by extremists to rewrite black history, including the Florida Board of Educations recent approval of a revised curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate. The new standards include instruction that enslaved people benefited from skills they learned while in bondage. The White House says black Americans are also benefiting from Mr Bidens economic and other policies, including low unemployment. Officials note his numerous appointments of black women to federal courts, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black woman to serve on the nations highest court. They also point to nearly seven billion dollars in aid to the nations network of historically black colleges and universities and his efforts to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt. Guyanas President Irfaan Ali has lashed out at the descendants of European slave traders, saying those who profited from the transatlantic practice should offer to pay reparations to todays generations. The leader of the South American country also proposed that those involved in the slave trade should be posthumously charged with crimes against humanity. Mr Ali spoke ahead of Fridays planned formal apology in Guyana by the descendants of Scottish 19th-century sugar and coffee plantation owner John Gladstone, saying the apology should also include issues of compensation and reparative justice. The president said that while he welcomed plans by the family to acknowledge what he called the sins of the past, it also implies an acknowledgement of the cruel nature of African enslavement and indentureship in Guyana and an act of contrition that paves the way for justice. He added: The Gladstone family has admitted that it benefited from African enslavement and indentureship on the Demerara and other plantations owned by its patriarch, John Gladstone. Gladstone was the father of 19th-century British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, and received more than 100,000 in compensation for hundreds of slaves. The Gladstone family could not be immediately reached for comment. Six members of the family were scheduled to arrive in the English-speaking nation to participate in a brief ceremony at the University of Guyana on Friday, where they will formally apologise for the role John Gladstone played in what was then British Guiana. Travelling with them is supposed to be former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan, whose family earlier this year apologised to slave descendants in Grenada because her ancestors owned hundreds of slaves in that eastern Caribbean island. Absentee plantation owner Gladstone, who owned more than 2,500 slaves in Guyana and Jamaica, never set foot in Guyana or in the neighbouring West Indian islands, but was in charge when the renowned 1823 slave rebellion erupted on his plantation at Success Village on Guyanas east coast, about seven miles from the capital of Georgetown. Historical records show that hundreds of rebel slaves were killed, with their heads chopped off and lined on poles all the way to the capital as a reminder to others nursing similar ambitions as colonisers snuffed out the two-day insurrection. Making his case for reparations, Mr Ali noted that demands by members of a Caribbean trade bloc for reparation payments have intensified. He argued that reparations (are) a commitment to righting historical wrongs. The transatlantic slave trade and African enslavement were an affront to humanity itself. The heinousness of this crime against humanity demands that we seek to right these wrongs. Caricom nations, including Guyana, already have hired a British law firm to examine their case for financial compensation from Britain and other European nations. The trade bloc has said it was advised that its case is strong and should be pursued. The descendants of John Gladstone must now also outline their plan of action in line with the Caricom plan for reparatory justice for slavery and indentureship, Nr Ali said. The plan includes a formal apology and investment of billions in education, health, infrastructure and cultural revitalization to ensure that future generations are unshackled from the chains of history. A handful of nations have apologised over their role in slavery, including the Netherlands. A lawyer for the family of a US marine killed in Afghanistan has said a new version of a lawsuit accusing actor Alec Baldwin of unleashing his social media followers against them will soon be filed. The announcement comes after a federal judge dismissed the original lawsuit but invited the family to rewrite it and submit it again. Lawyer Dennis Postiglione, representing the sisters and widow of Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, said he will meet a September 12 deadline set by the judge to renew allegations that Baldwin subjected family members to online threats and harassment after he posted and commented on a photo shared online by one of Mr McCollums sisters, Roice McCollum, who had been in Washington during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Earlier this week, Judge Edgardo Ramos in Manhattan dismissed the familys defamation lawsuit, which sought 25 million US dollars (19.9 million) in damages, but he invited a refiling of the lawsuit to correct deficiencies and renew claims of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum was killed in Afghanistan (U.S. Marines via AP, File) In throwing out the original lawsuit, Mr Ramos made various conclusions in Baldwins favour, including that his comments were protected by the First Amendment, that actual malice was not sufficiently alleged and that private messages, comments and social media posts did not support defamation claims. Mr Postiglione said in an email that a rewritten lawsuit will be filed by the deadline that will address issues the judge raised. He added: Without getting into specifics, we disagree with the analysis by the court but believe an amended complaint will address the issues presented. Luke Nikas, Baldwins lawyer, responded to a request for comment with a statement, saying the dismissal of the lawsuit by Mr Ramos was a victory for the First Amendment. He added: We have successfully had this lawsuit dismissed twice, and plaintiffs have already amended their complaint three times. We fully expect the court will uphold Alec Baldwins First Amendment rights and dismiss this lawsuit yet again. Baldwin had donated 5,000 dollars (3,980) to the family after learning of the death of Rylee McCollum in a bombing at the airport in Kabul in August 2021, just weeks before his daughter was born. Baldwin had contacted Roice McCollum via Instagram, according to the lawsuit. In January 2022, Baldwin saw that Roice McCollum posted a picture of demonstrators from former president Donald Trumps rally taken on the day Congress counted the Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election, the lawsuit said. Baldwin told Roice McCollum he would share her photo with his 2.4 million Instagram followers and wrote: Good luck, according to the lawsuit. Roice McCollum said in the lawsuit that she did not take part in, nor did she support or condone the rioting that erupted at the Capitol, and was cleared of any wrongdoing after meeting with the FBI. Nigers military junta has asked the French ambassador to leave the country, the nations Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said. The move further escalates the international crisis in the West African nation stemming from a coup that ousted its democratically-elected president. French ambassador Sylvain Itte was asked to leave Niger within 48 hours in a letter that accused him of ignoring an invitation for a meeting with the ministry. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) The letter dated Friday August 25, a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press, also cited actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger as among the reasons for Mr Ittes expulsion. Niger, a former French colony, was Frances partner before last months coup in the fight against jihadi violence. Nigers junta also authorised troops from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso to come to its defence, raising the stakes in a stand-off with other West African nations who are threatening force to reinstate ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. The junta leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, signed two executive orders authorising the security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene on Niger territory in the event of aggression, senior junta official Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi said late on Thursday, after hosting a delegation from the two countries in the Nigerien capital, Niamey. Mr Sidi did not provide further details about the military support from the two countries whose military regimes have said any use of force by the West African bloc ECOWAS against Nigers junta would be treated as an act of war against their own nations. Some 7,000 migrants are stranded in Niger unable to go home after last months coup (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Before last months ousting Mr Bazoum, Niger was seen as the Wests last major partner against jihadi violence in the Sahel region below the Sahara Desert, which is rife with anti-French sentiment. The French Embassy in Niamey was attacked in the early days of the July 26 coup. The military leaders of the coup have requested help from private Russian military company Wagner to stem extremist attacks. The status of the request following the death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash this week is unknown. ECOWAS said on Friday that along with the African Union, it stands against the use of private military contractors. Seamsters make Russian flags in Niamey, Niger (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) The juntas agreement with Mali and Burkina Faso was the latest of several actions taken by Nigers mutinous soldiers to defy sanctions and consolidate a junta they have said would rule for up to three years, further escalating the crisis after last months coup in the country of more than 25 million people. The ECOWAS Commission president, Omar Alieu Touray, said the blocs threat to use force to reinstate Mr Bazoum was still on the table, rejecting the juntas three-year transition plan. Eleven of the blocs 15 countries, not including the military-ruled countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger itself, have expressed commitments to deploy troops to restore democracy in Niger once a decision is made to intervene. The bloc would in the meantime continue to explore diplomatic options to reverse the coup, Mr Touray told reporters in Nigerias capital city of Abuja. The latest of such diplomatic efforts came when Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is the chairman of the regional bloc, sent a delegation of Islamic leaders to speak with the junta. Mr Touray said the West African heads of state would decide on when to use force whenever it feels like all diplomatic means have failed. ECOWAS cannot just fold its hands, he asserted. Guyana president Irfaan Ali has lashed out at the descendants of European slave traders, saying those who profited from the cruel, trans-Atlantic trade should offer to pay reparations to todays generations. The leader of the South American country also proposed that those involved in the slave trade be posthumously charged for crimes against humanity. Mr Ali spoke ahead of Fridays planned formal apology in Guyana by the descendants of Scottish 19th-century sugar and coffee plantation owner John Gladstone, saying the apology should also include issues of compensation and reparative justice. The president said that while he welcomed plans by the family to acknowledge what he called the sins of the past, it also implies an acknowledgement of the cruel nature of African enslavement and indentureship in Guyana and an act of contrition that paves the way for justice. The Gladstone family has admitted that it benefited from African enslavement and indentureship on the Demerara and other plantations owned by its patriarch, John Gladstone, he added. Mr Gladstone was the father of 19th-century British prime minister William Gladstone and received more than 100,000 in compensation for hundreds of slaves. Former PM William Gladstone (PA) The Gladstone family could not be immediately reached for comment. Six members of the family are scheduled to arrive in the English-speaking nation to participate in a brief ceremony at the University of Guyana on Friday, where they will formally apologise for the role John Gladstone played in what was then British Guiana. Travelling with them is supposed to be former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan, whose family earlier this year apologised to slave descendants in Grenada because her ancestors owned hundreds of slaves in that eastern Caribbean island. Absentee plantation owner Gladstone, who owned more than 2,500 slaves in Guyana and Jamaica, never set foot in Guyana or in the neighbouring West Indian islands, but was in charge when the renowned 1823 slave rebellion erupted on his plantation at Success Village on Guyanas east coast, about seven miles from the capital of Georgetown. Historical records show that hundreds of revolting slaves were killed and their heads chopped off and lined on poles all the way to the capital as a reminder to others nursing similar ambitions as colonisers snuffed the two-day rebellion. Making his case for reparations, Mr Ali noted that demands by members of a Caribbean trade bloc for reparation payments have intensified. He argued that reparations (are) a commitment to righting historical wrongs. The trans-Atlantic slave trade and African enslavement were an affront to humanity itself. The heinousness of this crime against humanity demands that we seek to right these wrongs. Caricom nations, including Guyana, already have hired a British law firm to examine their case for financial compensation from Britain and other European nations. The trade bloc has said it was advised that its case is strong and should be pursued. The descendants of John Gladstone must now also outline their plan of action in line with the Caricomplan for reparatory justice for slavery and indentureship, Mr Ali said. The plan includes a formal apology and investment of billions in education, health, infrastructure and cultural revitalisation to ensure that future generations are unshackled from the chains of history. A handful of nations have apologised for their role in slavery, including the Netherlands. Donald Trump became the first former US president to have a mug shot (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP) Former US president Donald Trump and the 18 people indicted along with him in Georgia on charges they participated in an illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election have turned themselves in to a jail in Atlanta before the deadline. After Mr Trump was booked on Thursday evening scowling at the camera for the first ever mug shot of a former president seven co-defendants who had not yet surrendered did so on Friday morning. All but one of those charged had agreed to a bond amount and conditions with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis ahead of time, and they were free to go after booking. Harrison Floyd remains in prison (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP) Harrison William Prescott Floyd, who is accused of harassing a Fulton County election worker, did not negotiate a bond ahead of time and remained in the jail after turning himself in on Thursday. Federal court records from Maryland show Floyd, identified as a former US marine who is active with the group Black Voices for Trump, was also arrested three months ago on a federal warrant that accuses him of aggressively confronting two FBI agents sent to serve him with a grand jury subpoena. Next, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is expected to set arraignments for each of the defendants in the coming weeks. That is when they would appear in court for the first time and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, though it is not uncommon for defendants in Georgia to waive arraignment. The case filed under Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act is sprawling, and the logistics of bringing it to trial are likely to be complicated. Legal manoeuvring by several of those charged has already begun. Former chief of staff Mark Meadows is charged alongside Donald Trump (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP) At least five of them are trying to move their cases to federal court. Two are former federal officials former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former US Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark. The other three former Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer, Georgia state senator Shawn Still and Cathy Latham are among the 16 Georgia Republicans who signed a certificate declaring falsely that Mr Trump had won the 2020 presidential election and declaring themselves the states duly elected and qualified electors. A judge is to hear arguments on Meadows request on Monday and on Clarks on September 18. There has been speculation that Mr Trump will also try to move to federal court. One defendant, lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, who prosecutors say worked on the co-ordination and execution of a plan to have 16 Georgia Republicans sign a certificate declaring falsely that Mr Trump won and declaring themselves the states duly elected and qualified electors, has filed a demand for a speedy trial. Kenneth Chesebro has filed a demand for a speedy trial (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP) That requires his trial start by the end of the next court term, in this case by early November. The day after he filed that request, Ms Willis who has said she wants to try all 19 defendants together proposed starting the trial for everyone on October 23. The judge issued an order on Thursday setting an October 23 trial for Chesebro alone. Lawyer Sidney Powell, accused of making false statements about the election in Georgia and helping to organise a breach of voting equipment in rural Coffee County, also filed a speedy trial demand on Friday. Mr Trumps lawyer Steve Sadow has filed an objection to the proposed October trial date and a March date that Ms Willis had previously suggested. He asked that Mr Trumps case be separated from Chesebro and any other codefendant who files a speedy trial demand. Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons Solomon was the third and last king of the unified nation of Israel, reigning after King Saul and King David. He was the of David and Bathsheba, the prior wife of Uriah, the Hittite whom David killed to cover his adultery with Bathsheba while her husband was at battle. Solomon wrote the Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and most of Proverbs. Some dispute Solomons writing of Ecclesiastes, but hes the only son of David to be king of Israel in Jerusalem, as detailed in Ecclesiastes 1:1-12, and most of the descriptions of the author fit Solomon. According to 1 Kings 11:42, Solomon ruled for 40 years. When Solomon came to the throne, he sought God, and God allowed him to request whatever he wanted. Solomon humbly recognized his inability to rule and asked God for the wisdom to govern Gods people righteously. God gave Solomon wisdom and health, as detailed in 1 Kings 3:4-15. He also gave Solomon peace on all fronts during most of his reign. An example of Solomons wisdom is his judgment in a fight over the identity of the mother of an infant child, as explained in 1 Kings 3:16-28. Solomon offered to split the child in half, recognizing that the birth mother would rather lose her child to another woman than have him killed. He wasnt only wise in his rule and king, but Solomon also had excellent general wisdom. The Queen of Sheba traveled thousands of miles to confirm the stories of his dignity and wisdom. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too complicated for him to explain. When the Queen of Sheba saw Solomons wisdom and his palace, the seating of his officials, the food on his table, cupbearers, and the offerings he made at the temple, 1 Kings 10:3-5 says she was overwhelmed. Solomon showed his knowledge and his wisdom in action in how his kingdom operated. Polygamy in the Bible. The topic of polygamy is interesting because most people see it as immoral today, but the Bible nowhere explicitly condemns it. The first instance of bigamy in the Bible is in Genesis 4:19, which says Lamech married two women. Several important men in the Old Testament were polygamists, including Solomon. The Bible doesnt explicitly say why God allowed polygamy, but we should remember that allowance and approval arent synonymous. As we consider Gods permissive silence, theres one essential factor to consider. In patriarchal societies, it was almost impossible for unmarried women to provide for themselves. Women were typically untrained and uneducated. They relied on their brothers, fathers, and husbands for protection and provision and were often subjected to slavery and prostitution. So, God may have allowed bigamy to provide and protect the women who otherwise may have been left impoverished. A man would take multiple wives and serve as the protector and provider for all of them. While not ideal, living in a polygamist household was better than the alternative of slavery, prostitution, or starvation. In addition to the provision/protection factor, polygamy enabled a faster expansion of humanity, fulfilling Gods command to be fruitful and multiply, as detailed in Genesis 9:7. So why did things change in the New Testament? Its not so much that God prohibited something Hed previously allowed as it is that God restored the connection to His original plan. As detailed in Genesis 2, polygamy wasnt Gods original plan. God allowed polygamy to solve a problem, but that solution wasnt the best. In most modern cultures, women can protect and provide for themselves, removing the only positive aspect of polygamy. Further, most modern societies outlaw polygamy. Romans 13:1-7 says we should obey the governments laws, including those prohibiting polygamy. Why did King Solomon have multiple wives if bigamy was a sin? First Kings 11:3 says Solomon had 700 wives, princesses and 300 concubines. God permitted Solomon to have these wives, but allowance isnt the same as approval. Solomons marital decisions violated Gods law, and there were penalties. Solomon started well early in life, listening to his fathers advice, who told him to be strong and observe Gods requirements. Solomons early humility is displayed in 1 Kings 3:5-9 when he asks for the Lords wisdom. Wisdom is defined as applied knowledge, which helps us make decisions that honor God and agree with the Bible. The book of Proverbs, written by Solomon, is filled with practical counsel on following the Lord. King Solomon knew what was right, even if he didnt always follow the straight and narrow path. Eventually, Solomon forgot his counsel and wisdom of the Bible. God gave clear instructions for anyone who would be king: no multiple wives, amassing of horses, and no accumulating gold and silver, as detailed in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. These commands were created to stop the king from following foreign gods, trusting the military, and relying on wealth instead of God. Any survey of Solomons life shows that he broke all three divine prohibitions. Thus, Solomons taking of multiple concubines and wives directly violated the Bible. As God predicted, when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart to other gods, and his heart was no longer entirely devoted to his God, as detailed in 1 Kings 11:4. Solomon also got involved in sacrificing to Milcom, a god that required vile acts to be performed, to please his wives. God let Solomon choose to obey, but his choice brought consequences. God showed mercy to Solomon for his fathers sake, but his kingdom eventually divided. Another punishment upon Solomon was war with the Aramians and Edomites. Solomon wasnt a puppet king, but God didnt force him to do what was right. Instead, God laid out His will, blessing Solomon with wisdom and expecting the king to obey. Unfortunately, Solomon chose to disobey in his later years and held him accountable for his decisions. Toward the end of Solomons life, God used him to write one more biblical book. The book of Ecclesiastes tells the rest of the story. Throughout the book, Solomon shares everything he tried to find happiness apart from God in this world. According to Solomon, he amassed silver and gold for himself and acquired a harem. However, neither of these things satisfied him. Instead, everything was meaningless, and nothing was gained under the sun. At the end of Ecclesiastes, were told to fear God and keep His commandments, for this is our duty. God never wants anyone to sin, but He does let us make our own choices. Solomons story is a lesson that it doesnt pay to disobey. Its not enough to start well; we must also seek Gods grace to finish well. Rohingya attending a rally at the Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Ukhia, Bangladesh, to commemorate the sixth anniversary of a mass exodus from Myanmar pay tribute to slain leader Muhib Ullah, Aug. 25, 2023. Updated at 4:30 p.m. ET on 2023-08-25 As the years pile up for Rohingya living in sprawling camps in Bangladesh, with no repatriation in sight, a traditional ballad genre that serves as a means of easing pent-up emotions is being turned into an instrument of protest. Rohingya have long sung Tarana Geet, a type of lyrical poem, as a musical lament conveying themes of personal and religious tragedies. But in recent years, the ballads have become a must-have feature in Rohingya protest rallies at refugee camps in Coxs Bazar. The songs often evoke tears. Tarana reminds the Rohingyas that they too have a country from which they were exiled, said Mohammad Alam, a Rohingya leader who chairs a committee in one of the camps in Coxs Bazar. Tarana songs tell of a history of ongoing torture on us. Coxs Bazar, a southeastern district of Bangladesh, hosts about 1 million of the refugees in camps that sprawl near the border with Myanmar. These include 740,000 Rohingya who fled across the frontier following a brutal 2017 military crackdown in Rakhine, their home state. Recent Taranas, usually sung by a single vocalist with one or two simple instruments such as a mandolin or harmonium, capture a yearning for a lost home, and the stresses of camp life. Recitations of popular songs such as Lets all go back to Arakan, referring to the historical name of Rakhine state, draw strong emotions in protest rallies. The Rohingya have an old love for Tarana songs composed with simple words in traditional tunes. We can readily grasp the mood they convey, said Nur Ahmad, an activist with the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights. Thats why its becoming our protest language now. On Aug. 25, 2017, Rohingya started to flee ethnic cleansing and widespread violence in Rakhine when the Burmese military launched an offensive in response to a Rohingya militant attack on border-police outposts. In March 2022, the United States declared the events a genocide. In the six years since, attempts to repatriate the refugees from Bangladesh have failed as international concerns about their protection and rights persist in Myanmar, which is ruled today by a military government that seized power in a February 2021 coup. Sirajul Islam, a Rohingya musician, performs at a refugee hut in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, July 23, 2022. [Sharif Khiam/BenarNews] Sirajul Islam, a Rohingya musician for 24 years, makes a living by singing Taranas. He recently improvised a new Tarana lyric titled Rohingya Tragedy, based on a well-established tune. He agreed to sing it at a gathering in the Leda refugee camp last year for BenarNews correspondents: Oh brother, oh brother, listen carefully. Listen to Arakans story, oh brother. Someone has lost their husband. Someone has lost a descendant. Oppressed by Moghs and Burmese, our Rohingya mothers and sisters. How destitute have they made us. He went on to describe the pain of camp life: Come to the refugee camp. See how the situation is, brother. We live packed together here, oh brother. One of his songs, named Rohingya have no peace, is among the most popular Taranas among the refugee community: We are now stuck overseas, oh brother. No country has Arakan-like peace. When I recall Arakan, tears fill my eyes. Our desire cries out for Arakan, but we have no way to return. Recent upheavals in Rohingya camps inspired Islam and others to compose Taranas with more political themes. Many are crafted as a tribute to Muhib Ullah, a prominent Rohingya leader who was shot and killed two years ago. Ahmed Hossain, a 42-year-old refugee musician, sings in one of his songs, Everyone is here. Only Master Muhib Ullah isnt. Why is my heart burning, for Master Muhib Ullah Bhai. Preserving Tarana Taranas popularity has ignited a race to preserve these ballads. In the refugee camps, the Rohingya Cultural Memory Center (RCMC), run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), preserves arts, artifacts, cultural treasures and heritage, including about 100 Rohingya songs of different varieties. The RCMC also hosts performances by Rohingya artists, including Ahmed Hossain, and features traditional Rohingya musical instruments at its exhibition center in a camp in Ukhia, a sub-district of Coxs Bazar. The RCMC didnt respond to a request for comment, but Asif Munier, a cultural activist in Bangladesh formerly employed by the IOM, told BenarNews that earlier, the Rohingya tried to attract the international community by writing signs in English during protests in the camp area. Its interesting that their protest is now going to a different approach. The Rohingya protest is now developing its own identity, he said. Hundreds participate in a rally at a Coxs Bazar refugee camp to commemorate what they call the Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day, marking the sixth anniversary of the beginning of a mass exodus from Myanmar, Aug. 25, 2023. [Abdur Rahman/BenarNews] Mayyu Khan, a young Rohingya artist and researcher, said he appreciated RCMCs work, but believed more needed to be done. His individual collection has more than 100 songs gathered since 2017. But he doesnt know about the original creators of most lyrics and songs. I only recorded most of the soundtrack on my phone and also gathered rare songs from other peoples devices. He uploads the songs on his social media pages, but aspires to build a more robust archive of the musical treasures. Meanwhile, a record company in Australia, dedicated to capturing lives in exile, has recorded some of the Tarana music, sourcing songs and lyrics from traditional folklore and refugee artists. On its website, Music in Exile said only a few high-quality recordings of Rohingya traditional music exist and notes that little has been written about the music in English. Few musical recordings have been made in Rohingya villages or refugee camps, the NGO wrote after a trip to the area. Despite increasing media attention on the crisis, most reports focus solely on the atrocities refugees have faced and not on their culture and memory an essential part of their story gets left behind. Choi Yun-jong, the suspect behind the rape and murder of a woman in Seoul's Sillim district, speaks to reporters at the Seoul Gwanak Police Station, Aug. 25. Yonhap The 30-year-old suspect behind last week's rape and murder of a female teacher in southern Seoul claimed Friday he had no intention of killing the victim, as he was referred to the prosecution for further investigation. The suspect, Choi Yun-jong, is accused of fatally beating and raping the victim he randomly picked on a hillside hiking trail in Seoul's southern district of Sillim last week. The victim, known only as an elementary school teacher in her 30s, was seriously injured and died at a hospital two days later. A tentative autopsy result from the National Forensic Service suggests that she died from strangulation. "It was accidental," Choi said of the crime as he was escorted out of the Seoul Gwanak Police Station to be transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office. Asked if he had intended to kill her, Choi said, "No," and added he feels sorry for the victim. Choi Yun-jong, the suspect behind the rape and murder of a woman in Seoul's Sillim district, speaks to reporters at the Seoul Gwanak Police Station, Aug. 25. Yonhap Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left) greets U.S. President Joe Biden upon his arrival for a mangrove planting event at Ngurah Rai Forest Park, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Denpasar, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2022. Observers are casting doubt on Washingtons repeated commitments to Southeast Asia after the White House announced that President Joe Biden would skip the ASEAN summit in Jakarta next month and send his vice president instead. Biden will be traveling to Asia in early September to attend the Group of Twenty (G20) meeting in New Delhi, but his missing the Southeast Asian summit on Sept. 5-7 may signal the U.S. doesnt believe that so-called ASEAN centrality helps counter Chinas outsized influence in the region, some analysts said. However, the American president may not be ignoring the region entirely, as the scuttlebutt in Washington is that he will very likely go to Hanoi instead to upgrade U.S. ties with Vietnam, a useful regional ally at a time of rising tensions with China. But showing up at a gathering has its own merits and must not be underestimated, analysts said. Personal presence and relations among leaders and diplomats still matter in foreign policy, Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, told BenarNews. The U.S. commitment to Southeast Asia has been repeatedly questioned. People are contrasting Bidens attendance at other forums or summits with close friends such as Japan and South Korea with his no-show at ASEAN. Muhammad Waffaa also noted that some countries such as the Philippines a longtime ally of the U.S. had received their own reassurances of Washingtons support. The White House, for its part, defends Bidens Southeast Asia engagement as more than robust. The U.S. has built strong ties and alliances from Northeast Asia to the Philippines to Australia, and has partnered with India and worked with ASEAN, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Tuesday. The president had also sent Vice President Kamala Harris to Southeast Asia twice, Sullivan noted. I would put our record of achievement and engagement in the Indo-Pacific up against any American president and any other country in the world in the past two and a half years, he told reporters in a conference call. Biden met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts last week at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, to expand security and economic ties. In a joint statement, the three leaders said they wholeheartedly affirm ASEAN centrality and our support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture. They also noted dangerous and aggressive behavior by China to support its unlawful maritime claims in the disputed South China Sea, and said they opposed actions that go against a rules-based international order. Four of the 10 ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have overlapping claims with those of Chinas expansive ones in the South China Sea. Indonesia doesnt regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, but Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone. United States President Joe Biden, then-Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres watch a cultural performance at a dinner during the ASEAN summit, in Phnom Penh, Nov. 12, 2022. [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters] Recognizing overlapping interests, Biden set out to alter predecessor Donald Trumps Southeast Asian strategy Trump only attended one ASEAN summit, in 2017 in Manila, during his time in office (2017-2021). Biden attended the ASEAN-U.S. and East Asia summits in Phnom Penh last November, when Cambodia was the 2023 chair of the Southeast Asian bloc. He also attended the same annual summits virtually in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And in May last year, the U.S. president hosted a U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington. In addition, he unveiled the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in an effort to counter Beijings gigantic economic influence in Southeast Asia, although the program has many detractors. Just plain stupid Biden should have kept that momentum going, indicated Jeffrey D. Bean, of the Observer Research Foundation America, on the social media platform X, formerly called Twitter. Every time you think the Biden administration has it together on Asia policy, they go and do something like this. Just plain stupid for Biden to skip [the East Asia Summit] and the U.S.-ASEAN summit, he said. Skipping an event such as the ASEAN summit and the East Summit, which are held concurrently, will make it seem that Washington is saying one thing and doing another, wrote Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, in a commentary for the Texas National Security Review. If trends continue, foreign leaders could come to believe that public opposition to China is the litmus test for consequential U.S. engagement, Copper said. U.S. leaders appear to have a two-tiered regional approach: ambitious engagement with countries that are openly balancing against China, but limited time for those countries that prefer to hedge. In short, Biden is investing in the balancers but not the hedgers. China is often accused of transactional relationships, and the U.S. should be careful to not appear to be doing the same, Cooper said. Side trip to Hanoi? Yet, Bidens potential Vietnam trip would show quite the opposite, said Alexander Vuving, professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, in a post on X. Bidens absence from the ASEAN meeting raises questions about U.S. commitment to ASEAN (centrality) for sure, but [it] doesnt mean the U.S. is less committed to Southeast Asia. Instead of going to Indonesia, he is planning to go to Vietnam, to raise bilateral ties to the strategic level, he said. The logo of the ASEAN Summit 2023 is displayed in Jakarta, Aug. 10, 2023. [Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP] And as Peter Mumford of the geopolitical risk firm Eurasia Group noted, Xi Jinping rarely attends ASEAN summits either, sending [his] premier instead. Biden isnt ignoring Southeast Asia or the Asia-Pacific region, he is just not relying solely on ASEAN for his regional strategy, Vinsensio Dugis, the director of the ASEAN Studies Center at Airlangga University in Surabaya, pointed out. Biden is using mechanisms such as AUKUS, a security pact with Australia and Britain; QUAD, a grouping of four democracies with India, Japan and Australia; and APEC, a forum for 21 economies bordering the Pacific Ocean, to pursue Washingtons Indo-Pacific strategy, Vinsensio said. Besides, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, a person of Asian descent, could bring a different perspective to regional issues such as climate change, trade and security, he said. We still need to see what issues she brings and how she delivers them during the ASEAN summit, he said. Alex Willemyns for Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news service affiliated with BenarNews, contributed to this report. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation touts its visit to China on X, formerly known as Twitter, in this Aug. 17, 2023, post. Seeking to promote its narrative about the peace and prosperity enjoyed by majority-Muslim Uyghurs in the far-western region of Xinjiang, China earlier this month invited delegates from the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to visit and observe. Comments made by some members of the delegation after the junket suggest that Chinas plan to blunt international criticism of its treatment of Uyghurs may have worked. The delegation traveled to Urumqi, Kashgar, Changi and the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, where members saw an exhibit on counter-terrorism and de-radicalization and visited rural revitalization projects, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a news conference on Aug. 22. The delegation also visited Uyghur families and religious figures and prayed with local Muslims at a mosque, he said. Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, head of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation delegation, praised the prosperity and development of Chinas Xinjiang under good governance during the visit. [Screenshot from AFP file video] Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, head of the delegation and Djiboutis permanent representative to the OIC, praised the prosperity and development of Chinas Xinjiang under good governance during stops in Kashgar, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture and other places on Aug. 20, according to a Chinese state-run media report. Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher, a Pakistani delegate, said the visit showed the remarkable transformation of Xinjiang, adding that it will help to address the misconceptions attached with the region, according to the Express Tribune, a Pakistani newspaper. Another unnamed OIC member remarked on the openness and inclusiveness of Xinjiang and the smiles on the faces of people of all ethnic groups. Violates own charter The comments appear to reflect that Muslim nations are increasingly embracing Chinas narrative about the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The United Nations has documented serious rights abuses of Uyghurs, including arbitrary detention in re-education camps and prisons, intrusive surveillance, the destruction of religious and cultural sites and attempts to eradicate their language and culture. They have also been subjected to torture, forced sterilizations and forced labor, the U.N. has said. Beijing has rejected the accusations, insisting it is running vocational training facilities in the region to counter extremism. And Muslim nations refrain from speaking out about the treatment of fellow Mulims so as to not upset China, a major investor in developing nations, experts say. The OIC has not taken any steps to look into abuses in Xinjiang, although its charter declares it seeks to safeguard the rights, dignity and religious and cultural identity of Muslim communities and minorities in non-member states. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has a moral duty to express concerns about the suffering of Muslims around the world and offer support to Uyghurs, says Erkin Ekrem, an associate professor of China foreign policy at Hacettepe University in Turkey. [RFA file photo] Erkin Ekrem, associate professor of Chinese foreign policy at Hacettepe University in Ankara, said the OIC has a moral duty to express concerns about the suffering of Muslims around the world and offer support to the Uyghurs. Certain members of OIC countries support China for their geopolitical and economic interests, he said. The OICs support of China in this case violates its own charter and the core tenets of Islam. Economic coercion The ruling Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, has been influencing other countries, especially developing ones, to support its policies through investment and trade, said Teng Biao, a Chinese academic lawyer, human rights activist and visiting scholar at the University of Chicago. All but three of the OICs members have signed a memorandum of understanding to join the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Presidents Xi Jinpings ambitious loan-and-infrastructure program that aims to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and sea networks. [M]any Islamic countries are completely under the pressure of the CCP and then help the Chinese government to speak about, approve or even praise the CCPs genocidal policy in Xinjiang, Teng said. Behind this is actually economic coercion and political pressure. Also, many OIC states are authoritarian countries themselves, with poor human rights records, so they have refrained from criticizing Beijing, he said People dance to music at a public square in Aksu in western China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, as seen during a government organized trip for foreign journalists, April 20, 2021. China has focused on promoting its narrative on Xinjiang that includes happy Uyghurs living stable lives. [Mark Schiefelbein/AP] The Chinese government also uses large-scale external propaganda and state-controlled media to create false appearances, such as during delegation visits to places like Xinjiang, which are carefully orchestrated, Teng said. It is obviously impossible for these so-called delegations to see the concentration camps and the miserable lives of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, he said. The government also buys some countries through economic aid, including canceling the debts of many countries, Teng Biao said. Therefore, the governments of these countries put some economic interests and political interests above their own religious culture and universal values. Chinas lies The World Uyghur Congress and Campaign for Uyghurs two Uyghur rights groups condemned the visit and called on the OIC to uphold its moral values and principles, and collectively denounce the ongoing persecution of Uyghurs. Unfortunately, many countries in the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East, are very willing and ready to believe in China's lies about this tragedy, this human rights crisis, because they see China as an anti-Western power, said Mustafa Akyol, senior fellow at the Catos Institutes Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity. Adrian Zenz, a researcher at the Washington.-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and an expert on the Xinjiang region, harshly denounced the OICs visit to China. High-level OIC delegation visits Xinjiang, praises Chinas policies, he said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The extent to which this Muslim organization kowtows to Beijing is truly remarkable. Do they really have that much to gain from whitewashing a genocide? What did Beijing offer them? This report was produced by Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news organization affiliated with BenarNews. The Philippines and Australia said Friday that they would jointly patrol areas within South China Sea waters claimed by the Southeast Asian nation, as they showcased their capabilities in fighting off a potential invasion. Coordinated patrols will be necessary for keeping vital sea lanes in the waterway open, the Philippine and Australian defense chiefs said as the troops from the two allies took part in joint maritime exercises, amid international tensions in the territorially contested sea and over Taiwan. We recommitted to planning bilateral joint patrols in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea and other areas of mutual interest, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, said in a joint statement. We committed to expanding some of our bilateral activities in the future to include other countries committed to sustaining peace and security in our region. Earlier this month, the Philippines announced that it would be launching joint patrols in the sea with the United States this year. Teodoro and Marles agreed to elevate the defense relationship and for Australia to host the Philippines in an inaugural defense ministers meeting next year. We share a firm commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region where all countries are free to exercise their sovereignty consistent with international law, they said. Marcos observes drills Joint patrols have been on the drawing board since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office last year. Marcos attended amphibious exercises on Friday in San Antonio, a town in northern Zambales province that faces the South China Sea. Its the same area where U.S. and Philippine troops held joint exercises in April. This time around, the Americans were assisting in the drills between the Filipinos and Australians. Marcos said he would discuss continuation of the exercise with his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during Albaneses expected two-day visit to the country in early September. Thats certainly going to be part of the discussion that I will be having with the prime minister when he comes to visit us here in the Philippines, Marcos told reporters here. Both countries, he said, would have to come up with new strategies, ideas and agreements in terms of boosting their security partnership, noting the training was a very well-run exercise. Exercise Alon 2023 is the first amphibious exercise between Filipino and Australian troops. It opened in Darwin, Australia, on Aug. 14, and will end on Aug. 31. The exercise has involved 700 Filipino and 1,200 Australian troops while about 150 U.S. Marines have participated in a support role, officials said. It is part of Australias Indo-Pacific Endeavor to strengthen engagement and partnerships in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean region. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) is greeted by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as he arrives to watch drills with Australian and U.S. troops in San Antonio town in Zambales, Philippines, Aug. 25, 2023. [Handout photo/Philippines Department of National Defense] Fridays exercise involved Australian and Filipino troops, backed by the marines, practicing retaking an island seized by hostile forces. Marcos, joined by the two defense chiefs, watched mock beach landings, assaults and helicopter insertion of forces on a Philippine naval base. It is an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality and considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region, Marcos said. Teodoro said the drills were a testament to the hard work that the three allies had put into coordinating and planning the successful mission. But this mission is just a manifestation of where we want our defense and bilateral relations to be and it is close to coming from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic one, he said, adding that regional security was essential to the national securities of both our countries. Earlier this week, the Philippines successfully delivered supplies to its troops at a military outpost in the South China Sea despite attempts by the Chinese to block its ships from the disputed waters, Filipino officials said Tuesday. Manila carried out the mission two weeks after the China Coast Guard fired water cannons at a Philippine coast guard ship that was escorting a convoy of boats bringing supplies to marines stationed aboard a rusty old navy ship in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal). China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. Srettha Thavisin, Thailands new prime minister, meets with caretaker former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at Government House in Bangkok, Aug. 24, 2023. The selection of Srettha Thavisin as Thailands prime minister this week brings closure to months of post-election uncertainty, but in many regards the nations political landscape looks much the same. Far from being a watershed moment, the result has reaffirmed the grip of Thailands establishment on the levers of power, while dashing the hopes of millions of citizens who wanted a progressive, pro-democracy government. The 61-year-old political outsider, who was voted in as PM on Tuesday, now faces an unwieldy task of holding together a coalition in which his Pheu Thai party is outnumbered by rivals from the outgoing administration of Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the leader of a 2014 coup against a Pheu Thai government led by Yingluck Shinawatra. On Thursday, the property tycoon paid a courtesy call to Prayuth at Government House in Bangkok, where the pair discussed how to move past the divisions that have periodically roiled the country over the past two decades. It will be hard to overcome the disputes in many areas. They will not go away after one meeting. It takes time, said Srettha, who wore a yellow tie to the meeting, the color associated with Thailands monarchy. Whether the new premier can overcome these divisions is doubtful, according to analysts. Srettha, who only entered politics nine months ago, holds little sway with lawmakers in his own party, let alone ministers from other parties in his cabinet. His coalition would collapse without the support of three rival parties Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath and the United Thai Nation party said Termsak Chalermpalanupap, of the Thailand Studies Program at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. He can be easily voted out in a no-confidence motion in the House of Representatives. In other words, he will be a lame duck PM, just like Yingluck, he said. Improving the economy and tackling inequality have been at the center of Sretthas political messaging, and on Friday he said Pheu Thai would take the portfolios of economy-oriented ministries. Parliament should begin cross-checking ministers qualifications by early next week. But advancing his partys policy agenda and balancing the entrenched interests of Thailands elite and military will take a deft touch. As a minority in its own government, Pheu Thai may struggle to advance its proposals on political and constitutional reform, said Ken Mathis Lohatepanont, a Thai political science researcher at the University of Michigan. Pheu Thai made a lot of hefty policy pledges in the run-up to the election, including giving away 10,000 baht [U.S. $285] of digital money to people. However, Srettha faces several challenges, Ken said. For one, he has no real independent power base and has no experience in elected office. Secondly, Pheu Thai will likely have to give up control of several major ministries to its coalition partners, which could give it even less latitude to implement its policies. In one of his final acts as prime minister, Prayuth chaired a seven-member panel that selected new military chiefs this week, including the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army and commander-in-chief of the Air Force. Not much is left for Pheu Thai or Srettha to create any patronage through the appointment of key military posts, Termsak said. Beyond betrayal Enacting its policy pledges will be important for Pheu Thai to restore its image after abandoning the Move Forward Party, which won the most parliamentary seats in the May 14 general election. The Pheu Thai Partys Srettha Thavisin kneels before the portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X) as he receives the royal endorsement to become Thailand's 30th Prime Minister, at the party headquarters in Bangkok, Aug. 23, 2023. [Handout photo/Pheu Thai Party via Reuters] Move Forwards progressive political agenda, including a promise to reform the royal insult law, drew the ire of conservative and pro-royal lawmakers in Parliament, who twice rebuffed the prime ministerial nomination of party leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Move Forwards campaign pledge to amend the law, known as lese-majeste and which forbids insulting the royal family, made it impossible to win support needed to form a ruling coalition, Pheu Thai said. But by subsequently partnering with arch rivals that it had vowed not to do a deal with, Pheu Thai has done long-term harm to its reputation, analysts and some supporters said. A recent poll of 1,310 people by the National Institute of Development Administration showed that about 64% disagreed with a Pheu Thai-led special government that includes military-backed groups. I think that Pheu Thai will now be forced to run essentially as a conservative party in future elections, having ceded the ground as an anti-establishment party to Move Forward, Ken said. Pheu Thai has promised not to touch the royal defamation law and the fealty with which its patriarch, Thaksin Shinawatra, showed the king in a carefully staged return from exile this week underscored its commitment to the countrys traditional institutions. After landing in Bangkok, Thaksin exited a private jet terminal to lay a flower wreath and prostrate himself in front of a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X) and Queen Suthida. He was then whisked to jail, where he is eligible to apply for a royal pardon. The timing of Thaksins arrival on the same day as the parliamentary vote for Srettha has spurred discussion about what backroom deal-making laid the foundations for his return. Thaksin was ousted as prime minister in a military coup in 2006 and fled Thailand in 2008 to escape a prison term for charges that he maintains were politically motivated. Even in exile, the telecoms tycoon remained an influential figure in Thailand and the Pheu Thai party. An anti-government protester stands behind burning tires near the Victory Monument in Bangkok, May 18, 2010. [Jerry Lampen/Reuters file photo] For many Thaksin supporters, popularly known as the red shirts for the color of their uniforms, Pheu Thais decision to partner with pro-military parties is an unbelievable turn of events. Jatuporn Prompan, an activist and former chairman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which took part in anti-government protests from 2009 to 2010, said he did not expect to see this kind of resolution to Thailands post-election deadlock. Its beyond betrayal or treason, he told BenarNews, adding that many people were killed or injured in violent political standoffs between pro-Thaksin red shirts and the army in 2009-10. It became evident on Aug. 22 that they were in cahoots. Too much theater by Pheu Thai and the NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order], he said, referring to the former military junta under Prayuths leadersip by its official name. Now, pro-democracy supporters have been deceived, said Jatuporn, who was also a former member of parliament for the Pheu Thai Party. As the former president of UDD, I never expected this, he said. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, fourth from left in the front row, poses with newly appointed "honorary mayors" of Seoul during an appointment ceremony at the city hall, Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government By Ko Dong-hwan The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Friday appointed 16 citizens as "honorary mayors" who will represent local citizens by recommending policy ideas to the city government for one year. After 80 candidates from a variety of fields were recommended in the first round by citizens and related departments, they were handpicked by a selection committee composed of experts. The 16 areas are housing and architecture, urban planning, small business, culture, tourism, transportation, environment, welfare, disability, health, education, women, livelihood, urban safety, digital and design. The honorary mayors, representing the city's civic sectors in general, will regularly join the city government's policy design and decision-making meetings with government bureaus to make suggestions they deem necessary for the public. In turn, they will also promote city policies to the public. The unpaid position was first introduced in 2016 to implement citizens' voices into the city government's policy writing more effectively. ono Choi Won-suk from the Public Relations Bureau under the city government said the annual appointment helps the city government realize the value of "companionship with the vulnerable," one of the key directions of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. The newly appointed honorary mayors will be the city government's "representative window of communication with the public," he added. Lee Joo-hyun, 22, a student at Ewha Womans University who was completely paralyzed in her legs by a car accident, has been selected from the disability category. The selection judges recognized her achievement at the Cybathlon 2020 Global Edition where her team finished third place in the exoskeleton race. Choi Tae-ji, who headed the Korean National Ballet from 1996 to 2001 and 2008 to 2013 and is an executive at the Korea Dance Association, was selected from the culture category. Her contribution to broadening ballet's presence among the public has been highly recognized. She said her aim as one of the honorary mayors is to better popularize the city's culture and arts. Jeong Yeon-man, a former vice environment minister, said that as a representative of the environment category and with his experience of 30 years under the ministry, he will help the city government introduce environmental policies that are better appreciated by the public. The 16 categories have increased from nine in number this year to further diversify the roles of honorary mayors, according to the city authority. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Periods of rain. High 51F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.. Tonight Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later at night. Low 31F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. ON THE JOB Bringing order to disorder: Dr. David Oelberg has been practicing sleep medicine for over two decades You are the owner of this article. The government is considering designating Oct. 2 a temporary holiday to bridge the Chuseok fall harvest holiday and National Foundation Day, a presidential official said Friday. This year's Chuseok holiday will run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, which means the designation would create a six-day extended holiday through Oct. 3. "We received a proposal from the ruling People Power Party to designate a temporary holiday," the official told Yonhap News Agency. "We're currently in the reviewing stage." The PPP reportedly made the recommendation based on political considerations, as the extended holiday could help boost domestic consumption and revive the economy. It would be the first such designation under the current administration. (Yonhap) PITTSFIELD Vetoes of $205 million in spending across the state will have a devastating impact on community programs that serve thousands of local families. That was the message Thursday from the heads of two organizations offering such programs in the Berkshires the Berkshire Community Action Council and Berkshire County Head Start. When Gov. Maura Healey signed the proposed $56 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2024 earlier this month, she vetoed three line items that would have provided millions of dollars of funding to the programs crucial to providing services to low-income families. The cuts include about $7.7 million in funding that was to go to community action agencies throughout the state, $35 million that was meant to cover salary rate funding for center-based early educators and $1 million in the support for grants to Head Start programs. Brett Random, executive director of Berkshire County Head Start, an early childhood program that provides a variety of no-cost services to low-income children and their families, called the cuts unconscionable. In a statement to The Eagle on Thursday, Random said that the day before Healey signed the budget, she asked for a rallying of government and nongovernmental organizations to come together and support families in need as she declared a state of emergency over the rising number of migrant families seeking shelter in Massachusetts. The very next day, Governor Healey slashed funds in the FY24 budget that would do just that, undermining her very own request to come together and help, Random wrote. These unconscionable cuts undermine the value and respect for educators serving our youngest learners and would directly hit the wallets of those who are most deserving of more. Random said the local Head Start program is already struggling to meet the needs of Berkshire families who are struggling with child care and early education. She said that the organization is experiencing a staffing shortage that has left it with classrooms that we are unable to open causing less access and opportunity to families who need care. The organization currently serves just under 200 children who are somewhere between newborn and age 5. Random said thats about 100 fewer service slots than the program has the capacity to serve when fully staffed. Healey wrote to the Legislature that her veto of the center-based child care rate increase was because funding existed elsewhere in the budget for child care provider rate increases. And she said that she didnt want to create inequity across different segments of the child care system by providing for increase for center-based child care programs and not family child care centers small programs which are run out of a private home. But Random said part of the problem Berkshire County Head Start is facing is that staff salaries cannot meet the current needs of the staff. She wrote that the Head Start state supplemental grants that Healey cut would have gone almost entirely to wage and salary supports for staff members. These cuts cannot stand, she wrote. Deborah Leonczyk, executive director of the Berkshire Community Action Council, said her staff has been dealing with a deep sense of disappointment since the veto. Berkshire Community Action Council is a nonprofit human service organization that works to help low-income residents of the county. Leonczyk said the organization serves about 12,000 families a year. The funding Healey cut from the community action agencies portion of the budget was first appropriated during the pandemic, but Leonczyk said the community action agencies had been requesting that funding for nearly two decades before that point. Leonczyk had already planned to use that money to support several grants the BCAC writes to organizations working around food security services. When she learned of the veto, Leonczyk said, she had to cut about $287,000 from the budget. Those funds would have gone to the Berkshire County Sheriffs Office to support the hydroponics program that grows fresh produce for BCACs food pantry, Multicultural Bridges food program, the Bright Morningstar Kitchen and Wheels for Wellness, among other programs. Leonczyk said BCAC had also planned to use the funding to buy additional food and personal hygiene products for the food pantry and for the organizations substance use disorder program. We were funding supports for them and now that will have to dry up, Leonczyk said. There are so many initiatives that we started with this money. The executive director said she was shocked when news of the veto broke. She had watched as the Berkshire delegation supported the funding as it passed through the House, failed in the Senate and then was revived as the Legislature agreed on a budget in conference. She said Gov. Healeys policy agenda had long been supportive of the work community action agencies have focused on in the commonwealth. When Leonczyk learned that Healeys veto of the funding was because the original supports were tied to the pandemic, she said she was confused. Im not sure where the governor got that information that this was for COVID, because weve been needing this forever and weve been advocating for this forever, Leonczyk said. The community has gotten used to these services. Now Leonczyk said that all she can do is hope for the override of the veto that members of the Berkshire legislative delegation told her theyll be pushing for in September. For now, Leonczyk said, this is devastating to our community. President Ramaphosa hailed the 15th Brics Summit in Johannesburg as a resounding success, applauding it for fostering inclusive dialogue on critical issues and promoting global equity and representation. Source: Supplied. SA President Cyril Ramaphosa in a pull-aside meeting with UN Secretary General HE Antonio Guterres on the margins of the Brics-Africa Outreach and Brics Plus Dialogue which took place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Recapping the highlights of the week, the news making headlines is the expansion of Brics, which is now welcoming six new countries into its fold: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Argentina, Iran, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Announcing the outcomes of the 15th Brics Summit that ended in Johannesburg yesterday, Ramaphosa said this decision is set to provide the African continent with greater influence in shaping the trade and geopolitical policies of the group, marking a significant development in regional co-operation and global affairs. This signals that Brics has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, inclusive and prosperous, Ramaphosa remarked. Empowering growth within the AfCFTA Ramaphosa highlighted that the summit had actively urged multilateral financial institutions and international organisations to contribute constructively towards establishing a worldwide agreement on economic policies. He praised the adoption of the Johannesburg II Declaration, which encompasses essential Brics perspectives on issues of global economic, financial, and political significance, marking a noteworthy step in addressing these global concerns collaboratively. The Johannesburg II Declaration looks to unlock trade opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - a trade agreement among African Union (AU) member states that has the goal of creating a single market for goods and services across the African continent. SAs Minister of Trade and Industry said in his keynote address at the summit, that the accord aims to portray Africa no longer as just a raw material supplier but an emerging force of innovation and industrialisation in the global arena. HE President @CyrilRamaphosa in a pull-aside meeting with UN Secretary General HE Antonio Guterres on the margins of the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg#BRICSSummit2023 #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/GKUtqhrWnI Presidency | South Africa (@PresidencyZA) August 24, 2023 Fostering women empowerment A standout moment at the summit was the commemoration of the Brics Business Council's 10th anniversary and the inaugural participation of the Brics Women's Business Alliance in face-to-face discussions with Brics leaders. This historic event unfolded during the Africa WBA Trade Conference, held from 20 August to 21 August in Durban. The gathering welcomed 500 women-led small and medium enterprises from 18 nations, including Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and various other African countries. It underscored the pivotal role of cross-border trade and strategic investment partnerships in promoting global economic growth, empowering women in business, and driving job creation worldwide. Embracing youth voices Moreover, Brics also warmly welcomed the participation of youth representatives: while speaking at the summit, Asanda Luwaca, the chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), announced that the 9th Brics Youth Summit held recently had agreed to create a youth council. By and large, the 15th Brics Summit vividly showcased the shared values and mutual interests that form the bedrock of collaboration among Brics nations, reinforcing the notion of mutually advantageous co-operation. The importance of Brics people-to-people exchanges in enhancing mutual understanding, friendship and co-operation was affirmed, Ramaphosa noted. He welcomed the news of Brics expanding to 11 countries with enthusiasm, emphasising it as a moment for all developing nations to celebrate. A diverse group of nations, Brics will now represent 46% of the worlds population and an even greater share of its economic output. Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) is proud to announce a pilot programme, Rejuvenate with Malaysia Healthcare, which aims to cultivate Malaysia as an active retirement living destination worldwide. The one-year pilot programme sees MHTC collaborating with four leading integrated wellness residences namely Domitys Bangsar, Komune Living & Wellness, ReU Living, and Sunway Sanctuary, located in Kuala Lumpur. Driven by a commitment to advancing preventive wellness, MHTC is co-creating alongside industry partners to address a niche segment within the healthcare industry. Building on the success of its premium wellness programme launched earlier this year, which seamlessly merges tailored healthcare packages with diverse hotel experiences, MHTC is exploring personalised active senior care and wellness solutions, to position Malaysia as a leading destination for active retirement living. Announced in conjunction with the World Senior Citizen's Day, celebrated on 21 August, this pilot initiative proactively addresses the challenges posed by the silver tsunami and the rapidly aging society. Excellence in wellness residences According to a recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, one in six people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. At this time, the share of the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million. MHTC remains steadfast in facilitating and promoting the Malaysian healthcare travel industry by co-ordinating industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships, at home and abroad. The four participating integrated wellness residences have been carefully curated based on their excellence in offering personalised value-based care, state-of-the-art technology for preventive and curative treatments, as well as a wide range of activities to promote overall wellbeing. The pilot programme was commemorated by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony between the integrated wellness residences involved and MHTC. The event is aimed to introduce the participating facilities and highlight the varied range of packages offered, which starts from $1,250 (R5,800) for flexible stay options from three to six months. The programme serves as a new segment that MHTC is developing for the healthcare travel industry, advancing the industrys contribution as a key export service to the country. Presently, each facility has already established working partnerships with some of MHTCs member hospitals. Hence, this impetus will also set in motion MHTC's partners to engage with international networks, allowing global outreach to raise awareness and attract more healthcare travellers to Malaysia. Vision for a sustainable healthcare ecosystem This collaborative effort will spur value-creation for industry players and scale up Malaysia Healthcares seamless end-to-end ecosystem. "Rejuvenate with Malaysia Healthcare is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class healthcare services and promoting Malaysia as a preferred choice for active retirement living and holistic wellness. The end goal is to build a sustainable future for the healthcare system and by partnering with such exceptional integrated wellness residences, we are confident that we will help enable and create awareness on the programme, designed to allow seniors to age actively surrounded by various experiential facilities and personal care." said Farizal Jaafar, acting chief executive officer of MHTC. With the help of technology and science, todays seniors are living longer and more active than ever before. Based on studies from WHO, the global population for people aged 60 years and older is expected to total up to two billion by 2050. Malaysias healthcare industry is adapting and aims to deliver more value-added and unique offerings to fill the gaps in the healthcare services. added Jaafar. To create a holistic lifestyle, many senior communes are embracing differentiated and customised health and wellness programmes. Research has shown that community bonding and social engagement are one of the key factors in sustaining health and longevity, and this philosophy is one of the key drivers for the development of the four integrated wellness residence facilities. With engaging social programmes, nutritious meal plans and a variety of physical activities plus top-notch medical- and care services available here, seniors can now live well and thrive in a safe, enriching and supporting environment, to maintain both their physical and mental wellbeing. Package diversity The launch event was attended by key representatives from the participating facilities including Sophie Lim, vice president of senior living and strategic planning; Domitys Bangsar; Mark Chen, general manager of Komune Living & Wellness; Anna Chew, chief executive officer of ReU Living; and Dato' Lau Beng Long, president of Sunway Healthcare Group, representing Sunway Sanctuary. Rejuvenate with Malaysia Healthcare offers a variety of packages for healthcare travellers, ranging from short stays or longer residence. These packages provide access to world-class healthcare facilities, personalised care, and a range of wellness activities, ensuring a rejuvenating and fulfilling experience for all residents. As Malaysia takes a valiant step towards becoming an active retirement living destination, the pilot programme Rejuvenate with Malaysia Healthcare sets the stage to spur industry development. With its holistic approach to healthcare travel encompassing wellness and active senior healthcare, Malaysia is poised to become a global leader in providing exceptional active retirement experiences. Entries for the 22nd Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards (VJOY) open on 1 September. Source: 123rf 123rf Entries for the 22nd Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards (VJOY) open on 1 September Journalists have 12 categories to select from in five regions. A maximum of two entries per category will be accepted from one individual. Journalists can enter work produced between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023, to be submitted online from 1 September at Vodacom (note that the website only opens on that date) to midnight on Friday 15 September 2023. No late entries will be accepted. Finalists will be chosen from five regions to then compete at the national finals in November. Regional category winners receive R5,000, national category winners, R10,000, and the overall Vodacom Journalist of the Year winner an impressive R100, 000. The prize money is shared in the case of joint winners, or if more than one journalist contributed to a story. The 12 categories are: Reporting and breaking news Investigative Opinion Lifestyle Features Photography Sport Financial & Economics Politics Sustainability Innovation in Journalism The Young Journalist of the Year Award The five regions are: Region A: Gauteng Region B: Free State, Northern Cape, Northwest and Limpopo Region C: KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Region D: Western Cape Region E: Eastern Cape Recognising rising stars The Young Journalist of the Year Award recognises the efforts of the rising stars in newsrooms across the regions. In support of developing journalism in South Africa, Vodacom funds the winner of the Young Journalist award on an all-expenses paid course in an effort to assist in upskilling young talent. Entrants must have worked in journalism for three years or less and already be demonstrating great future potential as a journalist. Entrants must submit a body of outstanding work (not more than three stories, including proof of publication/broadcast) together with a strong motivation showing commitment to the vocation of news well above the norm this motivation is a critical component of the judging process. Lifetime Achiever The VJOY also names a Lifetime Achiever each year. Decided by the judges, based on their assessment of a person who has made an invaluable contribution to the industry over many years., this is the only category where nominations are not actively sought from others in the industry. There is no financial prize associated with this prestigious award. Journalism a responsibility to society This years judging panel convener, Mapi Mhlangu, says that journalism is not just a profession; it is a responsibility towards society. These awards provide journalists with an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on their best work, the stories that have truly served the core role of journalism in our society. Let us continue to strive for excellence and ensure that our work stands as a beacon of truth and accountability for generations to come." Takalani Netshitenzhe, director for external affairs at Vodacom South Africa, adds that it has become more crucial than ever to responsibly provide real and true stories to the public, recognising that every story is not just black and white, but nuanced and complex. At the core of our theme for 2023 is authentic information and hybrid content. A reminder of the increasingly important role journalists and factual information play in the modern-day society of generative content." Judging panel Neo Ntsoma joins the panel this year to assist with the photography category while the rest of the panel of judges remains the same as last year and includeJermaine Craig, Ryland Fisher, Arthur Goldstuck, Patricia McCracken, Professor Gilbert Motsaathebe, Collin Nxumalo, Jovial Rantao, Elna Rossouw, Advocate Robin Sewlal and Obed Zilwa. Gov't continues urging companies to consume fish products amid Fukushima woes By Park Jae-hyuk Various dishes made with rockfish and abalone are on display at HD Hyundai Global R&D Center in Seongam, Gyeonggi Province, in this updated photo. Courtesy of HD Hyundai Shipbuilding powerhouse, HD Hyundai, sparked controversy recently over a decision to serve more rockfish and abalone at the cafeteria of its headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and also at its shipyards and factories nationwide. The decision came amid rising concerns over the safety of seafood and an expected decline in their consumption after Japan on Thursday started releasing radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Some company employees complained and voiced concerns. "It is ridiculous that the company abruptly decided to provide seafood more often at cafeterias as soon as Japan unveiled its discharge plan," a member of the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries union wrote on the union's website, Thursday. Under the pretext of helping fishermen hit by the declining seafood consumption, Hyundai Green Food, a catering service provider, agreed with HD Hyundai and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (NFFC), Tuesday, to increase by 100 tons the supply of domestic fisheries products to the shipbuilding group's cafeterias until the end of this year. Although some HD Hyundai officials explained that their cafeterias allow choices among a wide variety of foods other than seafood, similar controversies are expected at other companies, as the government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) continue urging businesses to encourage seafood consumption by taking advantage of their cafeterias. "The party and the government will support fishermen by continuously holding meetings with catering service providers," Rep. Sung Il-jong of the PPP said. Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won, right, speaks to Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan, left, during their meeting at the KCCI building in Seoul, Aug. 9. From left are Cho, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Chairman Noh Dong-jin, KCCI Executive Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee and Chey. Courtesy of KCCI Having handed over the reins of her beloved business earlier this year, Keedo's founder, Nelia Annandale, recently announced the launch of her latest venture: a contemporary abstract art collection called Petrichor. Nelia Annandale, founder of Keedo, the Designer Children's Clothing brand, is embarking on a new creative journey, transitioning from entrepreneur to full-time artist. Image supplied. As she embraces this new chapter in her career as a full-time artist, Annandale reflects on her entrepreneurial journey for the last three decades. As the founder of kids clothing brand, Keedo, her passion for investing in children and nurturing the planet allowed her to channel her creativity through the popular designer clothing line for many years. Now she continues to follow this passion, taking a bold step forward by embracing her innate artistic spirit. Annandale's path as an entrepreneur has always been driven by a profound belief in the power of education, care, and sustainability particularly in relation to shaping a brighter future for the children of South Africa, Africa, and the world. Her brand, Keedo, became synonymous with ethically made clothing that blended comfort, style, and a deep respect for Mother Earth. Through her work, Annandale fostered awareness of the importance of conscious consumerism and instilled values of compassion, creativity, and environmental stewardship. However, life's unexpected turns often lead us down new and transformative avenues. This shift to meaningful art has been formulating for some time but was spurred forward by a devastating fire at the Keedo Paarden Eiland warehouse at the end of 2022. Seeing the Keedo Warehouse where all the Keedo raw materials were stocked burnt to the ground and the immense destruction caused by the fire was a life-changing moment for me, said Annandale. It was from these ashes that she identified the opportunity for change and personal growth. What appeared to be an insurmountable challenge in fact became a turning point that awakened her artistic spirit, propelling her towards a new creative endeavour. As a result, she was drawn to the concept of Petrichor. Petrichor is the word used to describe the smell of rain after a long drought. To me, this epitomises not only the devastation of the fire, but also the beauty that can emerge from the ruins, confirms Annandale. As a full-time artist, she channels her vast life experiences, entrepreneurial acumen, and passion for purposeful expression into her vibrant and thought-provoking artwork. It is apt then that Annandales first collection; Petrichor is such a powerful embodiment of the delicate balance between chaos and harmony, destruction, and renewal. Each brushstroke tells a story of resilience, hope, and the metamorphic power of embracing change. By transitioning from entrepreneur to artist, Annandale continues to fashion our future, albeit through a different medium. Her purposeful works invite us to pause, reflect, and connect with the profound and cathartic messages they convey. Through her art, she both encourages and embraces the boundless potential for positive change within ourselves. Land Rover wants to be known as JLR in the future, but if few buyers, not least those in China, know that the brand used to be the name of a model famed for its off-road prowess (before it became the Defender), there's a method to the firm's madness. How much money does it take to establish an iconic car brand? Toyota is the worlds biggest car company, selling in most markets, and it has an estimated brand value of about R900bn. If it costs so much money and time, to establish something iconic, then why would you give it away? Land Rover is unquestionably iconic, with a legacy that spans nearly 8 decades and a product funnel that has triumphed despite quality issues throughout the 1990s and 2000s. But even the most iconic adventure vehicle brand cant survive solely on its legacy. Although the 911 remains Porsches defining car, without Cayenne and Macan, the German brand wouldnt have the revenues or profitability to fund all those RS-edition 911s we hold so dear. Land Rover has the same problem: its revenue reality and brand legacy have diverged radically. Virtually no one buys a Land Rover as a farm vehicle anymore. All the models in the Solihull-based brands line-up are luxury cars, which require a different brand voice and marketing approach. Scale is important for car companies because they have all become beholden to external suppliers. Even luxury vehicle brands and Land Rover is no exception must achieve specific sales volumes to purchase sophisticated componentry in adequate numbers, enabling a discount. Land Rover has struggled with production since lockdown, with a huge volume of backorders. Demand for its model mix has also become deeply asymmetric, with too many buyers for Range Rover and Defender, and far too few for Discovery. To simplify its business and branding structure, Land Rover wants to be known simply as JLR in future and focus on Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar as sub-brands. But is that a good idea? When memory doesnt matter anymore In China, this is a European luxury car. Its Land Rover legacy is largely irrelevant. To some, the decision to un-name the brands official corporate identity is inexplicable. Land Rover traditionalists would see it as brand treason. But there is a method to Land Rovers madness. What happens with the Land Rover rebrand? Minimalist Land Rover on-vehicle branding and a quartet of sub-brands, positioned as Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar. But why? Land Rovers future is in China. Its already the most important market for Land Rovers SUVs, but also one without owners of classic Defenders. In China, Range Rover and Discovery are considered British luxury cars, they arent desired in the context of being loosely associated with the classic Defender. To survive and thrive, Land Rover needs to move beyond its legacy. For decades, it had precious few rivals in markets which were important to it. Land Rovers and Ranger Rovers effectively sold themselves in the late 1970s and 1980s customers were loyal and had no interest in the superior offerings from Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, or Toyota. But since the 1990s, things have changed dramatically. German luxury brands have targeted the segments once dominated by Range Rover and Discovery, due to build-quality and reliability issues, the Defender conceded market share to Toyotas Land Cruiser. The truth is that much of the hysteria around Land Rovers legacy being undone by rebranding is memory, not fact. Land Rovers brand equity was always due to first-mover advantage. Engineering excellence aside, it made several strategic blunders, participated in some peculiar mergers (Honda, BMW and Ford), and unfortunately, built poor-quality vehicles for nearly two decades.'' Range Rover, Discovery and Defender as sub-brands? Older Discoveries had prominent Land Rover bonnet badging. The newer ones dont. Is Land Rover crazy to sacrifice that green badges implied brand equity? Well, maybe not. For all the criticism about its future powertrain approach, Toyota is the worlds most diverse and successful legacy car brand. Toyota produces everything from affordable city cars to mining bakkies, luxury SUVs and traditional limousines. But it doesnt always do it with a Toyota badge. And thats important. Lexus is arguably the worlds most successful sub-brand. Its success in conquering the North American luxury vehicle market remains one of the most remarkable and notable automotive product strategies. And it was done without any Toyota badging. Does that prove that Land Rover might be doing the right thing? Maybe. Lexus is an example of success beyond brand alignment. Although it must be said that for all the success Toyota achieved with Lexus, there have been similarly configured failures, such as Nissan and Infinity. South Africa is a legacy market for Land Rover. The brand is entrenched locally, with excellent customer loyalty and many owners with both a legacy and modern Land Rover. And thats important because if you think of how local Land Rover owners speak about their vehicles, its always model name, never brand. Youll hear Disco, Rangey, Defender or Series II, but rarely will you hear people refer to their Landy anymore. And, that is the argument from Land Rovers head office in defence of its new brand strategy: Land Rover owners are aligned with its models, not the idea of an overarching brand. Sub-branding since the 1970s The original Range Rover. Not much Land Rover badging to be seen Land Rover as Land Rover changed a very long time ago. If you want a date, it was the moment that the first Range Rover was introduced in 1970. When Land Rover gained a second model line, the Land Rover name became problematic because since 1948, Land Rover denoted a model range not a brand. This is why the company renamed its original product line Defender in 1983. If the Land Rover name has been a legacy issue since the introduction of Range Rover, why has it taken so long to change? The lagging recognition of Land Rovers changing customer profile could be a reason. Land Rover was financially vulnerable for so long, that it never dared to risk anything that endeared it to the brands legacy customers, mostly based in the United Kingdom. As Land Rover became a resurgent brand in the 2010s, thanks to Indian auto giant Tatas recapitalisation, the growth has been powered by new customers in China. And without any legacy regarding Land Rovers 1st-generation products, the brand cachet of Land Rover is lost on Chinese buyers. Land Rover history doesnt decode in China A convoy like this would be revered in some parts of the world, but certainly not everywhere. To some, it might be curious that Land Rover, who spent a tidy sum of legal money unsuccessfully challenging Ineos Automotive (the producer of the Defender-inspired Grenadier) in court, is now un-naming itself. But whats the point of pillaring all your brand videos, social media posts and everything else in the marketing funnel with Land Rover if it risks confusing your most important customers? Ultimately, the effort and investment required to educate buyers about what Land Rover is, with its backstory, is not worth the effort. Chinese buyers are impressed by luxury, design and European build quality. They dont care about yellow 20th-century Land Rovers that conquered jungles and pioneered expeditions. To the worlds most important car market, Land Rover isnt a thing, but Range Rover is. And thats why the Land Rover badge might still be present on future Rangeys, Discos and Defenders, but it will be much smaller and nobodys allowed to say Land Rover anymore Its all JLR. And, to be perfectly honest, the first letter of that acronym (J, for Jaguar) is where Land Rovers real problem lies. This article was originally published on Cars.co.za... "South Africa is facing a reading crisis, with eight out of every 10 children unable to read properly," says Samantha Botha, head of group marketing for Ignition Group (Ignition). "The foundations for encouraging a literate society in the country, have slowly deteriorated due to a number of factors - the absence of a reading culture amongst adult South Africans, the demise of school libraries due to the high cost of books and the sub-standard training for teachers of reading." Research shows that children are not able to read in English or their home language, creating a stumbling block before they even get off the starting line, Botha says. We decided to do something about it and are thrilled to partner with The Learn Project once again for this initiative. This time we will be working with Windy Heights Primary School in Malukazi, Umlazi, where we have set up and will officially be handing over to the learners and staff, 19 Classroom Book Corners, with 60 books in each book corner, totalling 1140 books in all. Were especially thrilled to have Ayanda Mthembu as our guest of honour, an optician, dynamic businesswoman and a proud former Windy Heights pupil. Today history was made at Windy Heights with the official opening of the Book Corners and Classroom transformation project, said Roslynne Toerien, CEO and founder of The Learn Project. Each Book Corner is equipped with a comfortable carpet to sit on, cushions, an alphabet chart, literacy chart and book corner rules chart, as well as a book shelf. All the books are covered in plastic, accessioned and catalogued according to grade, colour coded with stickers, to assist with the organised placement of the reading matter on the shelves and entered into a register for accountability purposes. Addressing the young learners and special guests, headmistress of Windy Heights, Thembekile Makhanya expressed her appreciation to The Learn Project and Ignition Group for taking up the mission to bring books and the love of reading to our school. Research has shown the challenges facing readers at Grade 4 and Foundation Phase and that is why we are gathered today. Thanks to these two partners what you see, is as a result of a promise kept by Roslynne 19 book corner libraries for foundation phase classes. We take our reading so seriously that we have even changed our timetable and activities to include it in our school timetable, she continues. Changes include: a half hour morning reading session from 7-7.25am; weve added an extra hour to the end of the school day; a Library period and promote storytelling and reading aloud in all our classes; in addition, we award books to high achievers; have started teaching local history and produce a school newspaper twice a year for learners to read for their parents; we also mark important days which promote literacy such as Literacy Day. At The Learn Project we aim to inspire hope, instill change and impact lives through the power of books and literacy, Toerien continues. We believe that a reading nation is a leading nation, and that readers make leaders and leaders build nations. It is up to us to equip future generations. Literacy is a fundamental human right and a pre-requisite for even the most basic employment. Being able to read can help the children of South Africa live satisfying and rewarding lives and partake fully in society as they grow and mature, says Botha. The employment opportunities offered at Ignition Group provided the impetus for the company to take on this project. It all began on Mandela Day 2022 with a book collection at the Ignition offices. The results were overwhelming and a total of 13 Book Corners were placed in Eskhululiwe Primary School in eNanda. In December, the group donated a full library to Eskhululiwe, to assist the older learners at the school. In partnership with The Learn Project, they also organised a local sewing group in the community, The Bhambayi Sewing Group, led by the talented Thembi Biyela who sews from her wheelchair, to make book bags and curtains. In addition to this, Ignition has supplied tables, chairs, educational posters and other essential classroom/library necessities to the school. Teachers were sponsored to attend a Learn teacher training course on the use of the library so that they are empowered and encouraged to make the most of this valuable resource in their school, and a teacher librarian has been trained using the Learn Project Librarianship course. She will assist in preparing the books and the library, and will also spend time in the other Learn beneficiary school libraries to train and gain experience. We have chosen to partner with schools in areas where the children of many of our staff are learners. By doing this we are giving back to our people in the best way possible by improving the lives of their children and the future of our country. ChatSME is a generative AI model created by Retail Capital, a division of TymeBank, to help South African entrepreneurs access valuable business information and resources. Unlike OpenAI platforms, ChatSME is secure, tailored, and relevant for the SME community. ChatSME leverages ChatGPT, Bard, and other technologies to provide guidance and support for business growth and success. Generative AI is entering every sector. Source: Steve Johnson/Unsplash "We know, that while business owners are idea rich, they often find themselves time, resource and specialised expertise poor. This means they spend their time, in their businesses as opposed to on their businesses. And these are the people who stand to gain the most from productivity tools like ChatSME, for content generation, handling of routine tasks, and importantly data analysis for making well-informed business decisions, " explains Erin Louw, executive for Retail Capital brand and HR. "With our beta testing currently open for early users to trial, we are opening Retail Capital's first-hand experience and industry knowledge to everyone, allowing all SMEs not only our customers to ask questions, get advice, and access tools to help grow their businesses," says Nesan Pather, the project lead on ChatSME at Retail Capital. "SMEs can find resources about managing finances, building a brand, or leveraging social commerce tools, all at the click of a button." ChatSME distinguishes itself by integrating all the content Retail Capital has created and curated over its 12 years as an alternative business funder. Drawing from an extensive library of blogs, white papers, books, survey results, press releases, and emails, ChatSME provides small business owners with instant access to content tailored specifically for the South African market. SMEs are vital for the economy Miguel da Silva, managing executive of Retail Capital, emphasised the significance of empowering SMEs. "The SME community plays an enormous role in South Africa's economy, contributing roughly 34% to our GDP and creating new jobs, which is vital for reducing our cripplingly high rate of unemployment," he says. "We need to empower SMEs in every way possible to ensure their sustainability and growth." He compared ChatSME to having a dedicated business specialist on speed dial, always available to address any questions a founder may have. ChatSME promises to be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs, especially when it comes to finding the right source of funding for what your business needs. While the BETA testing phase continues, Retail Capital are actively preparing for the phase one launch. LLMs are replacing traditional search engines and becoming indispensable tools for professionals across sectors, providing tailored resources and information in response to user inquiries within seconds. "As the leading alternative funder in the country, we are excited to be the first company to create something with this level of technology for the SME community in South Africa," says Karl Westvig, chief executive of business banking at TymeBank. "It is our hope that we can positively influence businesses and ultimately help drive the economy forward." The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, No 53 of 2003 (B-BBEE Act) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (B-BBEE Regulations) govern the effective participation of Black people in the South African economy. The B-BBEE Act aims to promote a higher growth rate of ownership and management, increased employment, skills training, and the involvement of communities in economic activities, more equitable income distribution and the granting of equal access to government services for Black South Africans. Nomathole Nhlapo, Associate, M&A Practice, Baker Mckenzie Johannesburg The B-BBEE Act aims to redress the historic economic inequalities as a result of apartheid, which excluded a large portion of the South African population, being Black people, from the primary economy of South Africa. The impact of this policy was particularly damaging to the ability of Black women to meaningfully participate in the economy. The Codes of Good Practice for B-BBEE and sector specific codes (B-BBEE Codes) provide the framework for interpretative principles of B-BBEE that specify the elements against which an entity will be measured to determine its B-BBEE compliance rating, together with the methodology for measuring each element of B-BBEE. The B-BBEE Codes have included key provisions that are aimed at empowering Black women and providing enhanced recognition of certain categories of Black people that include Black women. The impact of the B-BBEE Codes on the participation of Black women-owned businesses in economic activity is outlined in each element of B-BBEE and is discussed below. Ownership and management The ownership element measures the extent to which Black people are owners of businesses. Black people can be direct or indirect participants in the ownership structure of a company, an existing close corporation, a co-operative, a trust, a broad-based ownership scheme, or an employee share ownership programme. By way of an example (which illustrates the manner in which ownership by Black people generally - and Black women in particular - is encouraged), the broad-based ownership scheme rules outlined in Annex 100 (B) of the B-BBEE Codes require at least 50% of the fiduciaries of the scheme must be Black people and at least 25% must be Black women. Entities receive points for the management control scorecard by meeting the targets for participation of Black people and Black women at board, executive management, senior management, middle management, and junior management levels, and for employing Black people with disabilities. Skills development The skills development element measures the extent to which employers carry out initiatives designed to develop the competences of Black employees and Black people. The measurement criteria for skills development targets expenditure on learning programmes for Black people and expenditure on bursaries for Black students at higher education institutions. The aforementioned targets are broken down according to the relevant economically active participants (EAP) as determined and published by Statistics South Africa. The EAP statistics are reported according to the following race groups: African male, African female, Coloured male, Coloured female, Indian male, Indian female, White male, and White female. The compliance target for skills development is split in proportion to the prevailing EAP statistics. Enterprise development The enterprise and supplier development element measures the extent to which entities procure goods and services from empowering suppliers with strong B-BBEE levels and provide support for the growth of Black-owned businesses. This element allows companies to receive points on procurement spend from empowering suppliers that are at least 30% Black women-owned based on the applicable B-BBEE recognition levels as a percentage of the total measured procurement spend. Additionally, B-BBEE procurement spend from generic entity suppliers that are at least 51% Black-owned or at least 51% Black women-owned (utilising the flow-through principle) can be recognised under the enterprise and supplier development scorecard. The B-BBEE Codes encourage entities to support procurement from Black-owned and Black women-owned businesses in order to increase the participation of these businesses in the mainstream economy. Socio-economic contributions The B-BBEE Codes recognise socio-economic development contributions that companies can advance through initiatives that promote access to the economy for Black people. Socio-economic development commonly takes the following forms: programmes with the specific objective of facilitating income-generating activities for Black people as targeted beneficiaries; development programmes for women, youth, people with disabilities, people living in rural areas; support of healthcare and HIV/AIDS programmes; support for education programmes, resources and materials at primary, secondary and tertiary education levels, as well as bursaries and scholarships; community training; skills development for unemployed people and adult basic education and training; or support of arts, cultural or sporting development programmes. There is still much work to be done to implement the objectives of the B-BBEE Act and the B-BBEE Codes and ensure an inclusive business environment especially for Black women. Female-led businesses need to be adequately supported by legislative frameworks, business, government, and the communities in which they operate. Women have the power to be decision-makers and occupy strategic positions in business. The spirit of equality, equity and collaboration, bolstered by the necessary legal support, will see women thrive in all sectors of the economy. The One Club for Creativity has decided to shake things up by opening the biannual Creative Hall of Fame 2024 nominations to its global membership. The Creative Hall of Fame has a rich heritage of honouring the lifetime achievements of creative luminaries in advertising, design, and education, starting with the induction of Leo Burnett in 1961. In its current incarnation, the Creative Hall of Fame encompasses the Copywriters Club Hall of Fame (19611974), the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame (19722012), and the Educators Hall of Fame (2012present), all under the umbrella of the non-profit One Club for Creativity. Nominations, which are free for members, are now open, with a deadline of 20 October 2023. Details about becoming a member are here. Criteria for consideration is three-fold: Impact Those who have a celebrated body of work. This includes work that has been recognised as the best in the industry over multiple years for multiple brands, can be considered truly innovative and original in thinking and execution, and has an undeniable lasting impact. Influence Those who have used their creativity and leveraged their resources to advance the industry and serve the greater good. Inspiration Those who have had a measurable, positive effect on the next generation of creative leaders, and are known industry-wide as mentors, door-openers, and opportunity-creators. Nominations must be accompanied by a current bio, headshot, six to ten examples of work, one to ten references to accolades and recognition they received, and at least four testimonial letters of support. Qualified nominees will be reviewed by The One Club Board of Directors, who make the final selection of honourees to be inducted at a special black-tie fundraising ceremony in November 2024 in New York. Fundraising In addition to honouring an esteemed group of advertising and design professionals and educators, the Creative Hall of Fame ceremony is also a major fundraising event to support the non-profit One Clubs many ongoing education, diversity, gender equality, and professional development initiatives. These include programs to support the next generation of creative leaders, such as workshops for high school students to learn about the industry, college-level scholarship, mentoring and recognition programs, outreach to bring underrepresented talent into the industry, portfolio reviews for young creatives, and more. The Creative Hall of Fame is the ultimate recognition of visionary creative professionals and educators who transformed the industry, uplifted underrepresented groups, and continue to inspire the next generation of creative leaders, said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. Its only appropriate to engage the broader community and open the nomination process up globally to those who represent the current state of creative excellence. MTN SA launched its eSIM feature for prepaid customers. The eSIM, which is a digital substitute for the physical SIM card, is now accessible to all customers and will enable compatibility with a range of newer devices like iPhones and the Samsung Galaxy S23 product line. MTN is the latest mobile operator to bring eSIM to prepaid customers. Source: Brett Jorda/Unsplash With the expansion of the eSIM functionality, MTN is reinforcing its commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation in the telecommunications industry. This advanced technology eliminates the need for physical SIM cards and unlocks a host of benefits for MTN customers. "We launched the eSIM functionality to our postpaid customers in 2019 and we are proud to now lead the way in introducing the eSIM functionality to our prepaid customers," says Thabiso Msimanga, GM for customer experience at MTN South Africa. "This launch is a testament to our dedication to meeting evolving customer needs and providing the most convenient, flexible, and connected experiences" Key features of MTN's eSIM include: Multiple eSIMs on one device. Prepaid customers can have multiple eSIMs on their smartphones enabling effortless switching between their cellphone numbers. Convenience. No physical SIM cards means no more fumbling with sim cards or the risk of losing them. Customers can easily switch between devices and activate their eSIM profile with just a few simple steps. Global roaming. MTN's eSIM enables easy access to local networks while travelling abroad. Customers can enjoy hassle-free roaming experiences without the need to purchase physical SIM cards or change numbers. Allowing international tourists to activate their eSIM-enabled devices on the MTN network seamlessly. Security. The eSIM technology will continue to provide secure, identifiable, and authenticated access to our mobile network. Wearables coming soon MTNs eSIM for prepaid customers is currently available to a range of smartphones, and it will later be available to a wide range of wearables. To activate the eSIM, customers can visit any MTN store. "At MTN, we believe in continuously evolving and innovating to exceed our customers' expectations. The expansion of eSIM functionality to prepaid customers is a significant milestone that empowers our customers with unmatched connectivity, convenience, and security. We are excited to embark on this journey and bring our customers a new era of seamless digital experiences, concludes Msimanga. On 3 July 2023, the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, sitting in Pretoria, handed down judgment in the case of Christina Johanna Steynberg v Tammy Taylor Nails Franchising No. 45 (Pty) Ltd. The judgment had been widely anticipated amongst the franchising community and especially legal practitioners active in the field of franchise law. This was because it was the first case to be decided by the High Court in which it was argued that a franchise agreement was invalid on account of failing to comply with the formal requirements of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and especially the regulations promulgated under it. CPA regulations The CPA and the regulations came into effect in April 2011. It was an innovative piece of legislation in that it was the first in South Africa to regulate franchising specifically. The regulations oblige franchisors to provide prospective franchisees with detailed information relating to the financial and other obligations they will be incurring, as well as information relating to the franchise law itself, its executives, financial status and trading record. These requirements were imposed because, historically, numerous franchisees had seen their businesses fail, and lost vast amounts of money, as a result of entering into franchise agreements on trust, accepting the franchisors sales pitch at face value and finding out later that the required investment had been vastly understated, or the earning potential of the business overstated, or both. Non-compliance Since then, despite it being repeatedly alleged and argued by aggrieved franchisees that their agreements were invalid for non-compliance with the requirements of the CPA and regulations, neither the courts nor the National Consumer Tribunal (the body entrusted with adjudicating disputes arising under the CPA) has pronounced on whether a franchise agreement that does not technically comply with the CPA or regulations is automatically invalid. One can only speculate as to the reasons for this; I would suggest that, generally, because of the disparity in financial muscle between franchisees and franchisors, most franchisees are reluctant to engage in litigation against franchisors and are forced to accept a disadvantageous settlement to salvage something out of a franchise business that is failing. The Steynberg case represented an opportunity to pronounce on this issue, which has been the subject of some debate, especially amongst lawyers serving the franchise community. In her application to court, the franchisee relied on extensive" grounds of alleged non-compliance, according to Kuny J, who, in June 2022, heard and ruled on a preliminary point, relating to the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter. From Kuny Js judgment, it appears that amongst the regulations the franchisee alleged had not been complied with, were Regulation 2(1) provides: This regulation must be read together with sections 7 and 120 (1)(e)(ii) of the Act". In purporting to quote regulation 2(1), Kuny J in fact quotes regulation 2(2), which requires every franchise agreement to contain the exact text of section 7(2) of the CPA at the top of the first page. Section 7(2), in turn, provides that the franchisee may cancel a franchise agreement without cost or penalty" within 10 business days of having signed it; Regulation 3 (1) which, in summary, provides that a franchisor must, within 14 days before a franchise agreement is signed, provide a prospective franchisee with a disclosure document, containing details of the franchisor's business, including the number of outlets franchised by it, its turnover and net profit and financial projections in respect of the franchised business the franchisee proposes to run, or businesses similar to it; Regulation 3 (3), which requires the franchisor to provide written confirmation of its financial soundness from a person qualified to act as the accounting officer of a close corporation or auditor of a company; Regulation 3 (4), which requires the franchisor to provide contact details of its existing franchisees, to enable the prospective franchisee to contact them, with a view to assessing the franchise opportunity, based on their experiences. In the result, however, the judgment of the court, handed down by Meintjies J, did not pronounce on whether the franchisors failure to comply with those regulations affected the validity of the agreement. The learned judge found (correctly) that it was not necessary to do so but, for stakeholders in the industry, this was perhaps an opportunity missed to have some clarity on a longstanding and vital debate. Not signed and sealed Instead, the decision turned on another point, arising from section 7(1)(a) of the CPA. Section 7(1)(a) provides that a franchise agreement must be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the franchisee. The franchisor had inserted a clause in the franchise agreement reading: [The franchisees] signature on behalf of your entity and signature on behalf of the franchisor of this agreement will constitute a binding agreement. A few weeks after signing the agreement, the franchisee sought to cancel it on the grounds that, in the words of Meintjies J, it became apparent to her that the [franchisor] had not been open and honest regarding the actual costs relating to the purchase and establishment of the franchise. When the franchisor produced a copy of the franchise agreement, it turned out that the franchisor had not signed it. The court held, on the strength of the clause quoted above, that the franchisor intended that a binding agreement would only come into effect when it had been signed by both parties. The court held that, notwithstanding that section 7(1)(a) of the CPA provided that the signature of the franchisee alone would suffice for a franchise agreement to become effective, it was open to the parties to agree on additional formalities and, therefore, the clause requiring the franchisors signature had the effect that the agreement would not become effective unless and until the franchisor had signed it. The court held that, because the franchisor has not signed the agreement, it was invalid and the franchisee was entitled to receive back the franchise fee that she had paid. The irony This decision has an ironic twist to it; section 7(1)(a) was enacted for the protection of franchisees as it has often happened that franchise laws, after obtaining the franchisees signature on an agreement, retain it but do not sign it. At a later stage, even after the franchisee had been carrying on business for a year or two as if the agreement was in effect, and the relationship had broken down, the franchisor, instead of relying on a breach by the franchisee to cancel the agreement (which the franchisee may dispute), relied on the fact that, because it had never signed the agreement was in fact invalid. By enacting section 7(1)(a), the legislature sought to prevent the franchisor, which inevitably was the drafter of the agreement and the party responsible for ensuring that all the formalities were carried out, from taking advantage of its own deliberate or negligent omission. The judgment is undoubtedly, technically correct in law. However, it would have been interesting to see what attitude would have been taken by the court had the situation in fact been as described above, and it was the franchisor relying on its non-signature to invalidate the agreement. Would the court have put the formal requirements of the agreement, imposed by the franchisor, above the intention of the legislature to protect the franchisee? The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the Dtic) in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (KZN Edtea) will on Tuesday host the eThekwini Business Seminar at the Durban Exhibition Centre. According to the Dtic, this event is specifically designed to provide valuable information and insights on funding opportunities within the agencies of the Dtic and KZN Edtea. With a primary focus on supporting emerging and disadvantaged businesses, the eThekwini Business Seminar aims to equip local entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in today's competitive business landscape. Speakers at the seminar will include the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Nomalugelo Gina, the KZN Edtea member of executive committee (MEC), Siboniso Duma and eThekwini executive mayor, councillor Mxolisi Kaunda. Their collective expertise and commitment to driving economic growth will undoubtedly contribute to the success of this event. Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina explains that the eThekwini Business Seminar seeks to attract a diverse audience including local businessmen, representatives from various state entities and agencies of both the Dtic and KZN Edtea. We seek to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and partnership opportunities, to educate emerging and disadvantaged businesses about the range of funding opportunities available within the Dtic and the KZN Edtea, to facilitate knowledge sharing and to create a platform for meaningful interactions between state entities and local businesses, Gina said. The Deputy Minister said the purpose of the seminar is to enable entrepreneurs to leverage funding support packages for their identified projects and to facilitate networking and relationship-building between local businesses and state entities to promote collaboration and foster economic growth. She said the forum presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to not only gain valuable insights into funding instruments within the agencies of the Dtic and KZN Edtea but also to forge meaningful connections with state entities and fellow business leaders. As engines of economic growth and generators of jobs, the well-being of South Africa's small business sector is inextricably tied to broader imperatives such as financial inclusion, a more equitable nation, and social upliftment. This is according to David Morobe, spokesperson for the Business Partners Ltd Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) competition, who says that recognising and rewarding success in the sector can play a significant role in encouraging entrepreneurial activity and resilience. Speaking at the relaunch of the Business Partners Ltd Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY), which is now in its 32nd year, Morobe explained that this year marks the post-pandemic relaunch of this annual initiative, aimed at recognising the achievements of local entrepreneurs who have succeeded at building their ventures often, against all odds. He also spoke to the far-reaching benefits of hosting platforms that award entrepreneurs for their achievements. Were not only considering the immediate benefits of recognition for the small business owners themselves, but were also looking at the function of these types of initiatives as drivers of social change. This year, our panel of judges will be looking for participants who have demonstrated resilience, who push innovation and who have an eye for recognising opportunities within the economic landscape. Considering the current unacceptably high unemployment rate despite the recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey, were also looking for big job creators, he said. Defying limitations: EOY success stories Previous winners of EOY have gone on to build thriving ventures that are shining examples of the power of entrepreneurship to change lives and empower growth. Theo Baloyi, the 2019 winner of the Emerging Business Entrepreneur of the Year award built his sneaker brand, Bathu, from the ground up. What today has become the beginnings of a flourishing business empire, started as the dream of a young man who grew up in Gautengs Alexandra township. Since its launch in 2015, Bathu has released multiple ranges, at least one of which pays homage to Baloyis ancestral clan. It is, in every sense of the term, a proudly South African brand. Most recently, Baloyi announced the brands expansion into fragrances and cosmetics the latest development in Bathus strategic growth plan. Carmen Stevens, another testament to the importance of building the confidence of aspiring entrepreneurs, is the owner and founder of her own namesake wine brand. Upon qualifying in 1995, she became the first black South African to study the art of winemaking in South Africa. Stevens subsequently became the winner of EOYs Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2019. Much like her peer, Baloyi, Stevens hails from humble beginnings on the Cape Flats and faced multiple barriers to entry upon choosing her career path. An unrelenting sense of self-belief and determination to succeed paved the way for the establishment of an award-winning wine brand. Reflecting on these past wins, Morobe asserts that both Baloyi and Stevens can attribute their success to their entrepreneurial prowess their daring personalities, their ability to take calculated risks and their strong grip on their businesss finances. Both entrepreneurs are also avid community builders, which we believe has fostered a spirit of goodwill within their businesses and has enhanced customer loyalty. This year, we look forward to evaluating the entries of more entrepreneurs of this calibre. Beyond recognition: the extended benefits of entering EOY Apart from the recognition EOY offers, entrepreneurs also stand to benefit from the wealth of knowledge represented by the judging panel as well as the Business Partners Ltd team, which has financed small businesses for over 42 years. As part of the process, participants will also undergo interviews and will receive feedback from the judges that will assist them in identifying blind spots and opportunities that may lie ahead. One of the prizes offered by the competition is a complete, professional diagnostic assessment of their business, with entrepreneurs standing to realise substantial gains from receiving an expert review of how to grow their ventures. In addition, EOY also provides networking opportunities, broadening the horizons of participants, and introducing them to their industry peers and potential mentors. About the competition and how to enter The competition, which will culminate in an awards ceremony in November, will have five categories of awards over and above the overall competition winner. These categories are Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year, Medium Entrepreneur of the Year, Job Creator Entrepreneur of the Year and Resilient Entrepreneur of the Year. The competition will also host one special prize a Lifetime Achievement Award, aimed at celebrating the accomplishments of veteran entrepreneurs who have made great strides in the business world. The 2023 nominees for this prize are economic transformation pioneer, Dr. Sam Motsuenyane, investment industry visionary, Gloria Serobe, and influential businesswoman and serial entrepreneur, Irene Charnley. Finalists will stand the chance of winning prizes valued at a total of R2m, some of which include cash prizes of over R500,000, coupled with vouchers for ongoing mentorship. Entries to the EOY competition are now open and can be submitted online via: www.eoy.co.za until the closing date of 31 August 2023. Ultium Cells' electric vehicle battery plant in the U.S. state of Ohio / Courtesy of LG Energy Solution By Park Jae-hyuk LG Energy Solution (LGES) is expected to face difficulties in boosting profitability as it has to pay more to workers at an electric vehicle (EV) factory in the U.S. state of Ohio, operated by Ultium Cells, the Korean battery maker's joint venture with General Motors (GM). Ultium Cells said Thursday (local time) that it tentatively agreed with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union to increase the factory workers' wage by 25 percent on average. The agreement is considered significant as the factory is the first U.S. EV battery plant to be represented by a union. Given that the UAW unveiled a plan to negotiate new labor conditions, health and safety, seniority rights and various other issues, Ultium Cells may shoulder a heavier financial burden. "This interim wage increase is only the first step as we progress towards a fair and comprehensive contract for the dedicated UAW Local 1112 Membership as a result of the bargaining process," UAW Local 1112 Chairman Josh Ayers said. According to Ultium Cells, the interim wage increase will be retroactive, and active current hourly employees will receive back pay for every hour worked since Dec. 23, 2022. Any current employee who has worked since Dec. 23 can receive payments of $3,000 to $7,000, based on hours worked. "This agreement is a significant and meaningful step as we continue to negotiate collaboratively and in good faith with the UAW to reach a comprehensive contract," Ultium Ohio Plant Director Kareem Maine said. LGES declined to comment on this issue. Based on strong support from U.S. President Joe Biden, the UAW has flexed its muscle throughout this year against Korean battery manufacturers by urging their joint ventures with U.S. carmakers to raise wages and guarantee job security. Earlier this year, the UAW criticized StarPlus Energy, a joint venture between Samsung SDI and Stellantis, for not informing union leaders in advance of the construction of the Kokomo factory until a day before the announcement. SK On, which will build a factory in Tennessee in collaboration with Ford Motor, is also facing pressure from the union, as UAW President Shawn Fain said the 11,000 workers that will be hired for the joint venture should hold union membership. Amid the U.S. government's support for the union, however, the Korean battery firms have had to maintain a cautious stance, in order to avoid any disadvantages to their operations there. Industry officials expect Samsung SDI and SK On to follow suit after LGES. "Korean battery firms have no choice but to continue making efforts to reach an agreement with the union. The management cannot conflict with the unionized workers nor neglect them," a battery industry official said on condition of anonymity. In such a scenario, the companies will suffer further declines in their profitability during the latter half of this year, because their European clients are expected to postpone purchases during the third quarter amid a slow demand for EVs. Exhibition and events supplier, Scan Display, was delighted to be recognised with an award from the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) at its national congress earlier this month. The company's managing director, Justin Hawes, was also acknowledged with an award in his personal capacity. Scan Display was presented with the Ubuntu Award for its contribution socially, culturally and environmentally to the local business tourism industry. Scan Display runs a very successful learnership programme, with a large proportion of staff members, including production director, Martina Ledwaba, having joined Scan Display as part of this programme. The company is committed to enterprise development and skills development and is a B-BBEE Level 2 contributor. The Scan Display BEE Trust, which represents several long-standing staff members, owns a share of Scan Display. As a proponent of sustainability and the environment, Scan Display has been an active member of the Event Greening Forum (EGF), a non-profit organisation promoting sustainability in the South African events industry, since the organisation was formed in 2009. Justin Hawes was presented with the Godfrey King Hall of Honour Award for his contribution to the business tourism industry over the years, including his involvement in promoting sustainability within the industry and representing local business tourism globally. Driven by a passion for preserving the environment, Hawes was a founder of the EGF and is currently the organisations treasurer. He has also promoted the local MICE industry through his involvement with the Brussels-based International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES). In 2011, Hawes became the first African to be represented on the associations board. He was the associations treasurer from 2013-2016, vice president from 2017-2020, and president from 2021-2022. The SAACI annual conference was held in Addo in the Eastern Cape from 30 July to 1 August 2023. Addo was chosen as the location as part of SAACIs drive to promote events in Small Towns & Dorpies. Hawes says the event was a very successful networking opportunity: It was great to connect with industry colleagues and the conference covered excellent content and included innovative sustainable elements, a cause close to my heart. Albert Bourla, the notorious snake oil salesman and horse doctor who serves as the CEO of Pfizer, is now the highest paid executive in the entire Pharma industry. In Vivo has published the total compensation package for Bourla, which last year reached an astronomical $33 million dollars. He has earned just short of $100 million in salary since 2019. On top of that, Bourla has earned tens of millions through the sale of Pfizer stock. At the end of last year, he sold 222,328 shares of Pfizer stock, cashing out over $6 million. He retains about a quarter million shares in the company. Credit: In Vivo Under his leadership while serving as CEO of Pfizer since 2019, Bourla worked with both the Trump Administration and Biden Administration (along with countless additional nations) to loot billions of dollars from the treasuries of dozens of nations, striking deals in which Pfizer provided a free vaccine that redirected all of their costs on to taxpayers instead of Pfizer. On top of that, all of the profits generated from the shots went directly to Pfizer, allowing for the Pharma giant to publish record profits year after year. Almost all of Pfizers profits since the beginning of the covid hysteria era have come from its mRNA shot and horse pills that are branded Paxlovid. Without Covid-19, Pfizer would not have made any net income since 2019. Drug Cartel: Pfizer shatters profit records, continues raising prices on taxpayer-funded, liability-free products JORDAN SCHACHTEL JULY 29, 2022 Read full story In exchange for the billions of dollars in taxpayer funds, Pfizer was supposed to provide an immunizing and effective agent that worked to stop the Wuhan sniffles. Pfizer succeeded in bamboozling the masses by committing statistical malpractice and outright scamming. In further hyping the Pfizer shots, Bourla often engaged in fraudulent marketing practices, routinely falsely claiming the Pfizer mRNA shot was akin to a cure to the coronavirus. Not only did their vaccine fail to achieve any upside whatsoever or any demonstrated capability to stop the sniffles, it has shown to display an unprecedented side effect portfolio. Sadly, Bourla is far from the only Pharma exec to make tons of money through the sale of snake oil products. Stephane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna, turned into a billionaire during the Covid-19 era, thanks to his large equity stake in the company. Via Forbes Bancel also rakes in almost $20 million a year in compensation, per In Vivo. DPRK condemns Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into sea Xinhua) 11:04, August 25, 2023 SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Foreign Ministry spokesman of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday condemned Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific in a press statement, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The statement said that Japan's discharge of polluted water containing large quantities of radioactive materials into the sea is "an unethical act of destroying the geo-ecological environment and of threatening the existence of mankind," the KCNA said. The statement accused Japan of stubbornly activating the discharge plan in blatant defiance of the strong protests and warnings at home and abroad. In line with its description of Japan as a perpetrator of an "unethical crime," the statement also branded Japan as a country which "does not hesitate to impose a nuclear disaster upon mankind for its selfish purpose." Sounding the alarm that the discharge of radioactive wastewater into the sea would seriously threaten the lives, safety and future of humankind, the DPRK urged Japan to immediately reconsider the dangerous act, the KCNA said. The country also warned that Japan would be held fully accountable for all the catastrophic consequences of the discharge, it added. On Thursday, Japan started its discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Kim Hyun-bin SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won encouraged employees to actively express their opinions so that they can find solutions together and emphasized that speaking out is the starting point of deep changes, fundamental innovation and happiness. Chey made the comments at the Icheon Forum held at the SKMS Research Institute, Thursday, and concluded the event by holding a dialogue with employees. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won engages in a conversation with employees at the Icheon Forum 2023 held at the SKMS Research Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of SK Group Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. France's President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during for the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, July 18. AP-Yonhap French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to make key economic, immigration and education reforms despite France's divisions and political challenges that have included months of protests against pension changes and recent rioting over a teen killed by police. Macron said in a wide-ranging interview with Le Point magazine published Thursday that he will meet next week with the country's "main political leaders" for talks about issues confronting France. The talks would be aimed at proposing new bills and possibly referendums, he said. Macron last year lost his majority in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, forcing him to use political maneuvering to pass any new legislation. That was "no big deal," he said in the interview, noting that his centrist government managed to pass some new laws since then with support from members of the center-left and the traditional right. Macron wants to avoid a repetition of the major political crisis prompted by the parliamentary deadlock earlier this year over a reform to cut costs by raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. His government used a special constitutional power to force the legislation through without a vote at the National Assembly, infuriating opponents who staged a months-long firestorm of protest. Macron promised to address the roots of several days of unrest around France sparked at the end of June by the police killing of a 17-year-old boy. He told Le Point that those who participated in the riots, including many aged under 18, acted out of a "will for revenge" against police and the state institutions. "There was no political message, nor a social or religious message," he said. The 45-year-old president vowed to implement a major education reform that would including reducing students' vacation days, and would allow students with learning difficulties to return to school sooner after holidays than others. "There are too many vacations," Macron said. He also said that an immigration bill that has been postponed several times this year due to the lack of a parliamentary majority would be debated in the coming months. He said his government would hold talks with opposition parties to build a proposal. "We must significantly reduce immigration, starting with illegal immigration," he said. The external borders of the European Union must be better protected, he argued. The comments come as a number of boats have capsized or otherwise been in distress in recent days off the North African coast and near Italian shores. Tens of thousands of migrants have tried to cross the Mediterranean Sea this year hoping to reach Europe. Macron vowed to bring the unemployment rate down to 5 percent. France unemployment rate reached 7.2 percent this year, its lowest rate since 2008. He said his policies since 2017 have boosted France's growth and improved its economic "attractiveness" to foreign. "We must do more to reduce unemployment by all means," he said. (AP) Brewing giant Heineken has completed its exit from Russia, around 18 months after the invasion of Ukraine. The Dutch firm, which also makes Amstel and Birra Moretti beers, said it has now secured the sale of the business, which includes seven breweries, to Russian company Arnest Group for 1. Advertisement It said it expects to incur a total loss of 300 million as a result. Bosses at the brewer admitted it took much longer than we had hoped, after it faced criticism for the slow pace of its exit in the wake of the outbreak of war. Heineken had insisted it was seeking to look after its local employees in Russia. Advertisement In March last year, it said it was quitting Russia as the business there was no longer sustainable nor viable in the current environment, but added it wanted to ensure an orderly transfer to a new owner. Advertisement Dolf van den Brink, Heinekens chief executive and chair, said: We have now completed our exit from Russia. Recent developments demonstrate the significant challenges faced by large manufacturing companies in exiting Russia. Advertisement While it took much longer than we had hoped, this transaction secures the livelihoods of our employees and allows us to exit the country in a responsible manner. Heineken said new owner Arnest has guaranteed the employment of Heinekens 1,800 local staff for three years. The number of active enterprises in the construction sector increased by 23.1 per cent between 2017 and 2021, the largest sector increase in this time, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). There were 2.3 million people engaged and 365,766 enterprises engaged in economic activity in 2021. Advertisement In 2021, there was a year-to-year increase in the number of enterprises in all size classes. The other services sector represents 59.4 per cent of enterprises and 59.7 per cent of people engaged. Small enterprises, i.e. those with less than 10 people, engaged accounted for 92.4 per cent of enterprises in the economy and 23.7 per cent of people engaged. Large enterprises, i.e. those with 250 and more people engaged, accounted for 0.2 per cent of enterprises and 39.9 per cent of people engaged. Advertisement The number of new enterprise in 2021 at 35,783 was up 0.7 per cent on the 2020 figure while the number of people engaged associated new businesses fell by 36.4 per cent to 37,897 in 2021. Advertisement The other services sector accounted for 60.2 per cent of people engaged in newly birthed enterprises. The number of enterprise closures in 2020 increased by 1.1 per cent compared with 2019, while the number of people part of enterprises closing down dropped by 11.6 per cent in the same period. Commenting on the release, James ORourke, statistician in the Business Division, said: "Business Demography 2021 provides information on the business economy in Ireland. In 2021, there was an increase (+6.3 per cent) in the number of enterprises compared with 2020 and a 7.6 per cent increase in people engaged. Advertisement The Professional, Scientific, & Technical activities sector had the largest decrease of new enterprises (23.5 per cent). There was an overall decline in the number of people engaged in new enterprises 26.6 per cent. Kerry (12.8 per cent) and Donegal (10.8 per cent) had the highest proportion of Tourism Enterprises, while Dublin (11,768) had the highest number. Dublin and Cork combined accounted for 43.4 per cent of enterprises in Ireland in 2021. The other services sector accounted for 59.4 per cent of enterprises and 59.7 per cent of people engaged. Construction accounted for 19.3 per cent of enterprises, but only 7.4 per cent of people engaged. The number of large (over 250 people) enterprises represented just 0.2 per cent of enterprises but still accounted for 39.9 per cent of people engaged. Leaving Cert results, a swimming tragedy in Cork and speculation over the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin cover the front pages of Friday's nationals. The Irish Times and the Irish Examiner both report on this year's Leaving Certificate results being inflated to match those of 2022. Advertisement The Echo leads on the death of a 14-year-old boy who died on Thursday after getting into difficulty while swimming in Passage West in Cork. Advertisement The Irish Daily Mail reads: 'Putin's chilling taunt over his rival's 'mistakes'' in reference to Mr Prigozhin, who is presumed to have been killed in a plane crash on Wednesday. Finally, the Irish Daily Mirror and the Irish Daily Sun carry and interview with a US tourist who was the victim of a recent assault in Dublin city. Advertisement In Britain, the fallout from the plane crash which killed Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin continues to dominate the front pages of Fridays newspapers. Advertisement Most titles lead on the crash with the spotlight turned on Russian president Vladimir Putins reaction and what caused the plane to come down. The Daily Mail is one of several papers to focus on Mr Putins response, saying he offered a sickening tribute which it described as a chilling taunt. Advertisement Advertisement His words also lead The Times and The Daily Telegraph, who both report on the Russian leader saying Mr Prigozhin had made mistakes. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'He was a talented businessman... who made mistakes, says Putin'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/GdejsASa1X The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 24, 2023 The Financial Times says Mr Putin confirmed his one-time allys death as he offered condolences in his first public address since the crash. Fridays FINANCIAL Times: Putin breaks silence on Prigozhin to confirm Wagner warlord is dead #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/OkeLdSw4d0 Advertisement Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) August 24, 2023 And The Sun points the finger at Mr Putin as he sent sincere condolences to Mr Prigozhins family. On tomorrow's front page: Putin offers 'condolences' to Prigozhin's family and says boss 'made mistakes'https://t.co/44S5fOC2YM pic.twitter.com/snyr9lGBmj The Sun (@TheSun) August 24, 2023 The Guardian also reports Mr Putins words as it looks into the cause of the crash, saying US officials believe an intentional explosion brought the plane down a view echoed on the front page of the i. Fridays GUARDIAN: US says bomb most likely cause of Prigozhin crash #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/fuIEGEbdun Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) August 24, 2023 The Metro concentrates on Mr Prigozhins former Wagner troops, saying they have issued a chilling threat of vengeance to Mr Putin. Tomorrow's Paper Today WE'RE COMING FOR YOU, VLAD Wagner rebels vow revenge for Putin's 'murder' of warlord #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3gXJqKMjED Metro (@MetroUK) August 24, 2023 Other stories do make the front pages, the Daily Mirror focusing on the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif in Woking as they say police in Pakistan are close to locating her father. Advertisement Friday's front page: Cops: We're closing in on her dadhttps://t.co/9zj2PhUyzB pic.twitter.com/DmiZaHP2IP The Mirror (@DailyMirror) August 24, 2023 Migrants land on the front of the Daily Express with British prime minister Rishi Sunak insisting the best way to cut the cost of the asylum system is to prevent small boats arriving in the UK. The Independent continues its campaign to support an Afghan pilot who fought with UK forces, calling for help to help his family escape the Taliban. And the Daily Star reports on a spooky picture of a child which keeps being returned to a charity shop as it is too creepy. This booking photo provided by Fulton County Sheriff's Office, shows former President Donald Trump, Aug. 24, after he surrendered and was booked at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. AP-Yonhap A camera clicks. In a fraction of a second, the shutter opens and then closes, freezing forever the image in front of it. When the camera shutter blinked inside a jail in downtown Atlanta on Thursday, it both created and documented a tiny inflection point in American life. Captured for posterity, there was a former president of the United States, for the first time in history, under arrest and captured in the sort of frame more commonly associated with drug dealers or drunken drivers. The trappings of power gone, for that split second. Left behind: an enduring image that will appear in history books long after Donald Trump is gone. "It will be forever part of the iconography of being alive in this time," said Marty Kaplan, a professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications. In the photo, Trump confronts the camera in front of a bland gray backdrop, his eyes meeting the lens in an intense glare. He's wearing a blue suit, white shit and red tie, his shoulders squared, his head tilted slightly toward the camera. The sheriff's logo has been digitally added above his right shoulder. Some of the 18 others charged with him in Georgia smiled in their booking photos like they were posing for a yearbook. Not Trump. His defiance is palpable, as if he's staring down a nemesis through the lens. Trump facing charges is by now a familiar sight of 2023 to Americans who watched him stand before a judge in a New York courtroom or saw watercolor sketches from the inside of federal courthouses in Miami and Washington, where cameras aren't allowed. This is different. As Anderson Cooper put it on CNN: "The former president of the United States has an inmate number." P01135809, to be exact. But until he surrendered to face charges of trying to steal the 2020 election in Georgia, his fourth indictment this year, he avoided having to pose for the iconic booking photo like millions accused of crimes before him. Former President Donald Trump walks to speak with reporters before departure from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Aug. 24, in Atlanta. AP-Yonhap US President Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris will observe the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington on Monday by meeting organisers of the 1963 gathering and relatives of the Rev Martin Luther King Jr, who delivered his I Have a Dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial. The Oval Office meeting will be held six decades after then-president John F Kennedy and Dr King met at the White House on the morning of the march on August 28 1963. Advertisement Mr Biden also will speak later on Monday at a White House reception commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a non-partisan, non-profit legal organisation that was established at Mr Kennedys request to help advocate for racial justice. Crowds participating in the March on Washington on August 28 1963 (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture via AP) Advertisement The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is still considered one of the greatest and most consequential racial justice demonstrations in American history. Advertisement The non-violent protest attracted as many as 250,000 people to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and provided the momentum for passage by US congress of landmark civil rights and voting rights legislation in the years that followed. Dr King was assassinated in April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Black civil right leaders and a multiracial, inter-faith coalition of allies will gather in Washington to mark six decades since the first march. Mr Biden will be flying back to Washington on Saturday after a week of vacation with his family in Californias Lake Tahoe region. Advertisement An estimated 250,000 people took part in the original march, one of the key moments of the Civil Rights Movement (AP Photo/File) This years commemoration comes at a difficult moment in US history following the erosion of voting rights nationwide and the recent striking down of affirmative action in college admissions and abortion rights by the supreme court and amid growing threats of political violence and hatred against people of colour, Jews and LGBTQ people. White House officials say Mr Biden and Ms Harris, who are seeking re-election in 2024, are working hard to advance Dr Kings dream of equal opportunity for every American. Ms Harris is the first black woman to be vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Biden has signed executive orders to advance racial justice and equity throughout the federal government and to expand access to the right to vote. Voting rights legislation backed by Mr Biden and Ms Harris has stalled in a divided US congress. Mr Biden recently designated a national monument to honour Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Emmett Till is the black teenager from Chicago who was tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. The March on Washington is where Dr King delivered his famous I have a dream speech (AP) Advertisement The killing helped galvanise the US Civil Rights Movement. Ms Harris has been outspoken about what she says are attempts by extremists to rewrite black history, including the Florida Board of Educations recent approval of a revised curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate. The new standards include instruction that enslaved people benefited from skills they learned while in bondage. The White House says black Americans are also benefiting from Mr Bidens economic and other policies, including low unemployment. Officials note his numerous appointments of black women to federal courts, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black woman to serve on the nations highest court. They also point to nearly seven billion dollars in aid to the nations network of historically black colleges and universities and his efforts to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt. Former US president Donald Trump and the 18 people indicted along with him in Georgia on charges they participated in an illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election have turned themselves in to a jail in Atlanta before the deadline. After Mr Trump was booked on Thursday evening scowling at the camera for the first ever mug shot of a former president seven co-defendants who had not yet surrendered did so on Friday morning. Advertisement All but one of those charged had agreed to a bond amount and conditions with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis ahead of time, and they were free to go after booking. Harrison Floyd remains in prison (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP) Harrison William Prescott Floyd, who is accused of harassing a Fulton County election worker, did not negotiate a bond ahead of time and remained in the jail after turning himself in on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Federal court records from Maryland show Floyd, identified as a former US marine who is active with the group Black Voices for Trump, was also arrested three months ago on a federal warrant that accuses him of aggressively confronting two FBI agents sent to serve him with a grand jury subpoena. Next, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is expected to set arraignments for each of the defendants in the coming weeks. That is when they would appear in court for the first time and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, though it is not uncommon for defendants in Georgia to waive arraignment. The case filed under Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act is sprawling, and the logistics of bringing it to trial are likely to be complicated. Legal manoeuvring by several of those charged has already begun. Former chief of staff Mark Meadows is charged alongside Donald Trump (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP) Advertisement At least five of them are trying to move their cases to federal court. Two are former federal officials former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former US Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark. The other three former Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer, Georgia state senator Shawn Still and Cathy Latham are among the 16 Georgia Republicans who signed a certificate declaring falsely that Mr Trump had won the 2020 presidential election and declaring themselves the states duly elected and qualified electors. Advertisement A judge is to hear arguments on Meadows request on Monday and on Clarks on September 18. There has been speculation that Mr Trump will also try to move to federal court. One defendant, lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, who prosecutors say worked on the co-ordination and execution of a plan to have 16 Georgia Republicans sign a certificate declaring falsely that Mr Trump won and declaring themselves the states duly elected and qualified electors, has filed a demand for a speedy trial. Advertisement Kenneth Chesebro has filed a demand for a speedy trial (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP) That requires his trial start by the end of the next court term, in this case by early November. The day after he filed that request, Ms Willis who has said she wants to try all 19 defendants together proposed starting the trial for everyone on October 23. The judge issued an order on Thursday setting an October 23 trial for Chesebro alone. Lawyer Sidney Powell, accused of making false statements about the election in Georgia and helping to organise a breach of voting equipment in rural Coffee County, also filed a speedy trial demand on Friday. Advertisement Mr Trumps lawyer Steve Sadow has filed an objection to the proposed October trial date and a March date that Ms Willis had previously suggested. He asked that Mr Trumps case be separated from Chesebro and any other codefendant who files a speedy trial demand. Former US president Donald Trump has returned to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, firing off his first message in more than two years shortly after he surrendered at an Atlanta jail. He posted a photo of his mugshot and the words Election interference. Never surrender! along with a link to his website, which directs to a fundraising page. Advertisement It was Mr Trumps first post since January 8th, 2021, when Twitter suspended his account indefinitely, citing fears he would incite additional violence following the deadly storming of the US Capitol building. Supporters of former president Donald Trump backed him in Atlanta (AP) His account was reinstated last November shortly after Elon Musk took over the company. But Mr Trump had refrained from tweeting, insisting that he was happier on his own Truth Social site, which he launched during the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump, the current front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, had been saying for months that he planned to return to the platform at the right time, according to a person familiar with his comments who was not authorised to disclose private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mr Trumps post came as he was aboard his private plane, flying back from Atlanta to his summer home in New Jersey late on Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether the post was a one-off, or whether he intends to continue to post regularly on the site. He had posted the same message on Truth Social earlier in the night and continued to promote the site late on Thursday. Advertisement I LOVE TRUTH SOCIAL. IT IS MY HOME!!! he wrote. Nonetheless, the message marked a homecoming of sorts for Mr Trump to one of his most important megaphones one he used to dominate his rivals in the 2016 primary and to command the news cycle for years. Mr Trump often marvelled at how quickly his missives would travel from his account to cable news stations under the banner BREAKING NEWS. Advertisement The new post came a day after Mr Trump skipped the first Republican primary debate, choosing instead to tape an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that was posted on X as counterprogramming at the start of the debate. Advertisement The return to X with what was, effectively, a fundraising pitch is also a reflection of just how much money Mr Trumps campaign has been burning on lawyers as he battles criminal charges in four jurisdictions. Demonstrators at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday (Ben Gray/ AP) Mr Trumps political operation entered the second half of the year in a strained financial position with its bank account drained by tens of millions of dollars that were directed toward defending the former president and his allies. Mr Trump has 86.6 million followers on what is now known as X, dwarfing his rivals in the 2024 race. But the platform has undergone significant changes since Mr Trump left it, including Mr Musk changing its name. US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene cheers supporters of Mr Trump as she walks out of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta (AP) He returned to Facebook in March, posting, IM BACK! weeks after his personal account there was reactivated. But he has stuck with Truth Social, the Twitter lookalike he launched after he was suspended from Twitter and Facebook, to post a daily stream of missives, announcements and re-posts. That has included using the platform to break news of his indictments and planned surrenders as he has faced a mounting list of legal woes. The chief executive of Australias largest gas company has obtained violence restraining orders against members of a climate action group who protested outside her home. A Woodside spokeswoman said interim VROs had been made against the four people charged over a recent incident at Meg ONeills Perth home. 19-year old Lane Rose (right) was arrested outside Meg ONeills house on August 1. Credit: Composite image - Ben Searcy and Peter Milne These orders were sought to protect Ms ONeills familys safety, she said. It is understood that one order is yet to be served, so is not yet in effect. From his surfboard, Luke Hall often used to watch the sun rise while floating past the breakers at Long Reef on the northern beaches of Sydney. Now, 400 kilometres away in western NSW, he watches the day break over 1200 cows from inside a milking shed. The 18-year-old is one of almost 200 school-leavers to have signed up for a paid gap year with farmers willing to train them, to help address the agricultural skills shortage. Luke Hall was matched with a dairy business in Dubbo, where milking starts at 3am. Credit: Clancy Paine Hall said he wasnt sure what to do when he finished year 12, then a friend told him about the AgCAREERSTART program, which is jointly funded by the federal government and the National Farmers Federation. His parents, both office workers, supported his decision to try farming and he was matched with a dairy business outside Dubbo, where milking starts at 3am. Its definitely different to what I expected, Hall said. There is a lot more behind-the-scenes, working on herd health and nutrition for cows ... its a lot more intense. A woman and man are clinging to life after a suspected domestic violence attack in Sydneys west during which the man allegedly turned a knife on himself as police arrived. Police have launched a critical investigation after emergency services were called to Crawley Avenue in Hebersham, near Mount Druitt, just before 9am on Friday following concerns about an argument at a home. Streets were blocked in Hebersham after a woman and man were found with critical injuries at a home. Credit: Facebook Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker said police found a 30-year-old woman with significant injuries to her head and attempted to speak to the 29-year-old man who was known to the badly injured woman. The man turned the knife on himself, plunging it into his own neck. Four hundred drones will launch into the sky, with an illuminated whale gliding above the Brisbane River to herald this years Brisbane Festival. Skyshows Andrew Crowe and Sue Osborn plan to launch 400 drones for the Brisbane Festival. Credit: Paul Harris Brisbane really hasnt seen this type of technology before, Skyshows managing director Andrew Crowe said. Set to launch after Riverfire on Saturday night, Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale celebrates the creation story of the Moreton Bay islands, accompanied by music by Guy Webster and directed by storyteller Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences. Fireworks are fantastic, Crowe said, but drone shows allow us to tell a story that fireworks dont necessarily let us tell. When Charlie Cush was a struggling student of about 18, he watched Riverfire from the top of a hill at Teneriffe, sharing a picnic blanket and a box of Jatz with friends. I would have gone prior to that, as a kid, but my early memories were being a theatre student, poor, with mates sitting on a hilltop, says Cush, now the chief executive of Brisbane Festival. This year, the fireworks show will be held on the first weekend of Brisbane Festival. Back then, the friends celebrated the occasion with cheap wine and crackers. It was back when [we] were living in dodgy share houses in New Farm. When you go to Teneriffe now its posh we were living in a cheap share house. SPOTLIGHT / Dead man walking James Dean is being reimagined with AI, with other deceased stars in the wings. Can the Rebel Without a Cause trilogy be far away? Credit: Alamy Word is that James Dean is making a comeback. Sixty-seven years after the release of his last movie, the coolest guy ever to wear a leather jacket while glowering at a camera through the smoke of the cigarette dangling from his lips is reported to have a role in a new film called Back to Eden. I know what youre thinking: James Dean is dead. And technically, youre right. But such are the innovations in computer-generated imagery and AI that ceasing to exist is not the career-killer it once was. There is a lot more to come for James Dean, digital media company executive Travis Cloyd has assured us. The star of Rebel Without a Cause was fatally injured in a crash in his Porsche Spyder in 1955, aged just 24. Recent technological advances mean photographs, video and audio recordings of the actor can be processed and synthesised to create a cinematic clone that looks, sounds and moves like the original. The idea of digitally resurrecting Dean struck some as creepy when it was first touted a few years ago (NOPE. This shouldnt be a thing, tweeted actor Elijah Wood) and, if anything, the proposal is more contentious now. The US actors strike that began in July was triggered in part by concern that technical wizardry could render live performers obsolete. Similarly, deceased stars whose heirs sell rights to their personas could be vulnerable to limitless digital exploitation. Along with Dean, stars on Travis Cloyds books include Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart and Rock Hudson. I wouldnt call them dead actors, Cloyd has said. Theyre icons of the past reimagined in a new frontier. Working stiffs, as others might put it. Jane Cadzow Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Qantas was under no obligation to pay back the $2.7 billion in taxpayer subsidies it received during Australias pandemic lockdown once the borders reopened, after the airline posted a record profit for the past financial year. When those funds were provided by the previous government, there wasnt an understanding or an agreement that they would be repaid in some form, Chalmers told ABCs Radio National on Friday. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there had been no agreement to claw back pandemic subsidies from Qantas once Australias borders reopened. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen What (the profits) reflect is the fact the Australian tourism industry is making a big contribution to our economy, and thats a good thing. Its a big employer in our economy. Outgoing Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce rejected calls for repayments on Thursday night, telling the ABCs 7.30 that money would ultimately be recouped through taxes the company was paying now. A vendor retrieves a lobster at a wholesale fish market in Beijing, Aug. 24. AFP-Yonhap China, Japan's biggest seafood export market, has banned all Japanese aquatic products in response to the release of waste water from a nuclear plant wrecked by a tsunami 12 years ago. China's General Administration of Customs said on Thursday the immediate ban covered all aquatic products, including edible imports, to "prevent risks from Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated waste water" into the Pacific Ocean. It comes after Hong Kong, second only to mainland China for imports of Japanese seafood, announced a similar ban on seafood from 10 Japanese prefectures. Mainland China banned imports of food from 10 Japanese prefectures in July. China has been a fierce critic of Japan's plan to discharge waste water from the wreckage of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The foreign ministry said China "strongly condemned" the move to discharge the water and it demanded Japan "stop the wrong act." "Japan should not inflict further damage on its people and the world out of its selfishness," the ministry said. China has accused Japan of treating the ocean as a "sewer", summoning the Japanese ambassador on Tuesday "to make solemn representations" against the long-expected move. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday his government had demanded China "immediately eliminate" its import ban on seafood from Japan. "We lodged a complaint through diplomatic channels to China, urging them to immediately eliminate [the ban]," Kishida said. Live video on Thursday showed an engineer from plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) clicking a mouse to activate a pump to begin the release of around 1.34 million cubic meters of water enough to fill about 540 Olympic swimming pools that had been sealed in the plant since it was hit in 2011. The entire release process is expected to take place over 30 years, with the first discharge of 7,800 cubic meters taking about 17 days. TEPCO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have promised to conduct extra checks of the water. Japan says it needs to release the water because rainwater continues to seep into the plant, filling up the storage area. TEPCO said the released waste water was filtered and diluted and was not harmful. The company would stop the discharge if it found any abnormalities. The IAEA said earlier that the release would have a "negligible" impact on the environment. But the Chinese foreign ministry said the assessment was not backed up by data. "There is no evidence that the purification equipment is reliable in the long term, and there is no evidence that the pollution data is accurate. There is no evidence that the discharge into the ocean is safe for the marine environment and human health," the ministry said. Korea to toughen tests on farmed seafood amid Fukushima woes How safe is wastewater discharged from Fukushima? Korea says Fukushima water release carried out as planned It added that the Chinese government would take all measures to ensure food safety and the health of Chinese people, and would step up monitoring of radiation in its maritime areas. One element that will not be filtered out of the discharge is tritium, a radioactive substance. TEPCO said the radiation from the tritium was weak and would not pose a health threat. The IAEA said it would provide live data online about the discharge and monitor the situation on site. On Thursday, the IAEA's independent on-site analysis confirmed that the tritium concentration in the diluted water that was being discharged was far below the operational limit of 1,500 becquerels per liter. However, critics such as Greenpeace said there was a lack of long-term data about the biological impacts of tritium as well as other radioactive substances, including carbon-14, strontium-90 and iodine-129 which will be released as part of the discharge. On Tuesday, Hong Kong imposed an indefinite ban on Japanese seafood imports from 10 prefectures and said it would publish the results of daily tests on other food from the country. Hong Kong is Japan's second-largest market for fisheries exports and imported about 75.5 billion yen ($536 million) in Japanese seafood products last year. Mainland China imported 87.1 billion yen worth of seafood from Japan last year, with scallops, sea cucumbers, bonito and tuna among the top items. Residents shop for sushi and sashimi at a Japanese supermarket in Beijing, Aug. 24. AP-Yonhap TEPCO said on Thursday that it would start accepting applications from October 2 for compensation from exporters affected by the ocean release. Japan's National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations opposed the discharge, saying it would harm their business. "Our opposition to the discharge has not changed a bit," the federation said on Thursday. In mainland China, news of the waste water released prompted a run on sea salt in some supermarkets, including in Fuzhou, Fujian province, and Yangzhou in Jiangsu province. Municipal authorities in these cities as well as Guangdong have called on residents to remain calm, saying there were sufficient supplies. In Korea, police detained 16 student activists for allegedly trying to enter the Japanese embassy to protest against the release. The Korean government said there was no scientific problem with the release plan, but the opposition party accused President Yoon Suk Yeol's government for failing to do its duty. The Philippines and Taiwan authorities did not lodge any opposition over the discharge, though the fishing industry said it was opposed. (SCMP) There are two unavoidably dodgy assumptions in every Intergenerational Report, regardless of the policy ambition of the treasurer of the day, or the party they serve. The first is that the tax system will remain unchanged for the next 40 years. The second is that the world we are living in will suddenly be free of shocks. The Treasury Department understands that both assumptions defy logic. Every government fiddles with the revenue side of the budget, even the risk-averse ones. And shocks are an inevitable part of the economic cycle in both directions. History tells us that we get a big one at least once a decade, and recent experience suggests we should start preparing for rolling shocks from the three Cs of climate change, coronaviruses and China. Illustration: Simon Letch Credit: Obviously Treasury, and the Albanese government, are thinking about these very things. But the Intergenerational Report was not designed to predict the direction of tax reform, or forecast the next recession, or resources boom, or global financial crisis, or pandemic, or war. The document would lose its credibility if it attempted that degree of future-gazing. But assumptions of a static tax policy and a benign regional and global order have affected the way the political class has received each IGR since Peter Costello launched his noble venture in 2002. The message that we should prepare for the future has been easily lost without a plausible catastrophic scenario or even a coming opportunity to galvanise the debate. Yes, I am expecting it to generate debate, Roggeveen says. I do want to provoke ... My aim is to slightly widen what policy wonks call the Overton window, which is the broadly accepted terms of debate on a given public policy issue. On defence policy, and on AUKUS in particular, that window is pretty narrow right now. While some rival experts in the field privately question his expertise Roggeveen has not worked in the Department of Defence, for example he says he welcomes those who push back on his ideas. The debate shouldnt be governed by credentialism, he adds. A charge that does make him bristle is the notion his ideas are extreme. At the start of his book, he emphasises he regards himself as a conservative rather than a member of the far left. Before AUKUS was announced, support for nuclear-powered submarines among Australian defence analysts and commentators was very small; it put you on the fringe of the debate. All of a sudden, seemingly within days of the announcement, it became the conventional wisdom. What I want to do is say to people: you dont need to be politically radical, whether on the right or left, to question this stuff. Roggeveens central premise is that Australia must prepare for a future in which the safety blanket of the US alliance is effectively pulled back in a hesitant and gradual process of separation triggered by Americas declining interest and motivation to protect Australia. While Chinas rise to superpower status will challenge Americas national pride, he argues that it does not threaten its core security interests. A Peoples Liberation Army member watches military exercises. Credit: AP He acknowledges that much of the current evidence runs against his argument: the AUKUS pact represents a historic elevation of the US-Australia alliance and both major parties in the US agree on the need to counter China. Ultimately, though, he says there is no sign that America will make the massive investments in military power required to halt Chinas rise to strategic pre-eminence in Asia. Importantly, he thinks it matters little whether an internationalist Joe Biden or isolationist Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. We have reached the point where the Americans have to ask the fundamental question: why are we in Asia, and if were not here in Asia, are we less secure? he says. I dont think America would really be that much less secure if it wasnt in Asia. And if youre taking on a contest thats as big as the one against China, eventually you will have to face those fundamental questions. Thats true no matter who is in the White House. This line of argument will be familiar to readers of Australian National University emeritus professor Hugh White, whom Roggeveen considers a mentor. Unlike White, however, he does not believe Australia needs to dramatically ramp up defence spending. Loading He does believe the military needs to be overhauled to make Australia more like an echidna: an animal that poses no threat to anything other than ants and termites but whose sharp quills warn larger creatures to keep their distance. (Roggeveen is Australianising the term porcupine strategy which is commonly used in the context of the self-governing island of Taiwans attempts to deter an attack by Beijing.) In Roggeveens schema, the Australian military would focus almost exclusively on self-defence, repudiating any capability to hit the Chinese land mass with Tomahawk cruise missiles, long-range bombers or hypersonic weapons. Large surface ships, like the planned Hunter-class frigates, would be scrapped to free up tens of billions of dollars, as would army helicopters, tanks and armoured fighting vehicles. Rather than cosying up to America, he says Australia should be attempting to strike a new security pact of unprecedented intimacy, akin to a formal alliance, with Indonesia to balance Chinas rising influence in the region (a proposal he admits is a long-term goal). As for the planned fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines, he rubbishes AUKUS as a project of vaulting ambition that is out of step with Australian tradition as a military power, wildly at odd with our international status and, most importantly, a wasteful expenditure of public money that will make Australia less safe. He argues that such vessels, which can travel over long distances without being detected, are uniquely suited to operating off the Chinese coast and that acquiring them raises the likelihood of Australia joining the US in a disastrous fight against China. If the US was to act on its stated intent to defend Taiwan, I think thats not a conflict we want to be involved in, he says. Australia would be just fine with a small fleet of cheaper, conventionally powered submarines, he argues. Peter Dean, the director of foreign policy and defence at the US Studies Centre, forcefully rejects this argument, pointing to the increased vulnerability of conventional submarines (which have to regularly surface to recharge their batteries). Loading From a strategic, operational and tactical point of view, nuclear-powered submarines offer enormous advantages to Australia a huge island continent that relies on international shipping lanes, says Dean, the lead author of the governments defence strategic review. He dismisses the idea the AUKUS submarines are inherently offensive as conjecture and simply untrue. Roggeveen says policymakers are right to worry about Chinas military growth, but thinks the risk of Beijing attacking Australia has been massively overstated. That is, unless we poke the dragon so much that we antagonise it including by allowing Americans to fly operational missions from northern Australia. The Queensland government has rejected a chorus of criticism over a raft of new laws allowing children to be held in police watch houses. Deputy Premier Steven Miles said amendments to the youth justice laws were difficult but ultimately essential to ensure community safety. Protesters rallied outside Parliament earlier this week and met with Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Credit: Matt Dennien In this case, we had a court finding that said that young people could no longer be held in watch houses, Miles told ABC radio on Friday. We were advised by the solicitor-general that if we didnt make these changes immediately, the young people in watch houses would need to be released to the community. On my return from Europe I arrive at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6.25am but dont depart for Sydney until 6pm. Any suggestions for filling in the time on this long layover? L. Strauss, Wahroonga NSW Rather than spend 12 hours at Suvarnabhumi Airport, take a tour of Bangkok. Credit: iStock Take a guided tour from the airport, Bangkok is far too chaotic and exhausting to grapple with after a long overnight flight. There are several operators who specialise in short, guided tours from the airport for passengers on layovers. Oriental Escape has several options and if youve never been to Bangkok before the Bangkok Landmarks tour takes in the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the Temple of Dawn, Wat Suthat and the Golden Mount and Marble Temple. Bangkok Sightseeing Tours is another operator that visits several of these attractions and includes lunch and a Thai massage in an eight-hour package. You wont need a tourist visa for stays shorter than 30 days. We begin a month-long driving tour around France in late September and have been made aware of issues with refuelling our hire car using our Visa or MasterCard. Is there a way of navigating this problem? J. McGie, Ballarat VIC Most service stations in France are unattended. To fill up, you insert your credit or debit card at the terminal, punch in your pump number and away you go. However, many foreign travellers are reporting problems with non-recognition of their card. Another problem, the terminal will frequently debit your card with a deposit of 100-125 ($170-210) in addition to the cost of the fuel. This deposit will be refunded but from my own experience that can take anything up to a month. Latest News Overseas property searches surge in Australia PropTrack This as migration returns to pre-pandemic levels LocalAgentFinder demystifies Queensland Property Law Bill CEO explains how it will benefit buyers ANZ has confirmed it will seek a review of the ACCCs decision to reject its proposal to acquire Suncorp Bank. ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott (pictured above) said not only will the banks acquisition create a combined bank that is better equipped to respond to competitive pressures to the benefit of Australian consumers, but it will also deliver significant public benefits, particularly in Queensland. Queensland is thriving, with strong opportunities to further grow and prosper. We remain excited about the opportunities for ANZ and our customers in Queensland, and the benefits of bringing Suncorp Bank and its customers into the ANZ Group, Elliott said. The news came three weeks after the ACCC rejected the long-awaited deal citing concerns it would lesson competition, particularly around the second-tier banking space. We are not satisfied that the acquisition is not likely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of home loans nationally, small to medium enterprise banking in Queensland, and agribusiness banking in Queensland, ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh had said. These banking markets are critical for many homeowners and for Queensland businesses and farmers in particular. Competition being lessened in these markets will lead to customers getting a worse deal. This was a major blow to ANZ who had signed an implementation plan in June with the Queensland government to develop a tech hub in Queensland under condition that the deal would be completed. That deal promised to boost the Queensland economy providing 700 jobs over a five-year period. Overall, the deal has been subject to a variety of regulatory hurdles following its announcement on July 18 last year. In June, ANZ sought to clarify the ACCCs preliminary views. Elliott had said the acquisition would not substantially lessen competition and was in the public interest but clearly the regulatory body did not agree. Under Australian competition law, the Australian Competition Tribunal is the review body for merger authorisation decisions and can vary or set aside the ACCCs decision. In addition to authorisation under Australias competition laws, the acquisition remains subject to additional conditions including approval from the Federal Treasurer and Queensland legislative amendments. While the acquisition remains subject to these conditions, ANZ said that it continues its preparations for the integration of Suncorp Bank into ANZ. Completion of the acquisition is expected to occur in mid calendar year 2024, the bank said. Latest News Overseas property searches surge in Australia PropTrack This as migration returns to pre-pandemic levels LocalAgentFinder demystifies Queensland Property Law Bill CEO explains how it will benefit buyers New data from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has showed investment by Australian businesses in machinery and equipment upgrades has significantly grown, with the bank funding record volumes in new asset financing. CBAs lending across a variety of assets grew significantly over the 2022-23 financial year, with transport among the top performers. CBA general manager of asset finance Chris Moldrich (pictured above) said businesses were benefiting from orders placed in advance and were bringing forward purchases to take advantage of government incentives. The increased supply of vehicles to Australia has enabled businesses to take the opportunity to upgrade assets that they held on to for longer than expected during Covid, Moldrich said in a CBA press release. Its also clear businesses were motivated to upgrade their eligible vehicles and equipment to take advantage of the Federal Governments Instant Asset Write-Off Scheme before June 30. CBA posts rapid electric vehicle growth Commonwealth Bank has seen strong growth in Electric Vehicles (EVs) financing, up 235% the last 12 months. The jump is supported by CommBanks recently launched Green Vehicle and Equipment Finance which offers discounts of up to 1% off the standard rate for new and used electric or hydrogen powered cars, trucks, vans or buses, and discounts of up to 0.5% on other qualifying assets including electric and hydrogen powered machinery, solar, wind and hydro-powered equipment and charging and storage equipment valued up to $250,000. According to the VFACTS National Report, the EV trend is booming, with combined sales of electric cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles tripling year-on-year to make up 7.4% of all vehicles sold in the country. That figure was less than 2% last financial year. Electric vehicles were the fastest growing vehicle type last financial year and Australian businesses are set to play an outsized role in EV adoption across the country, Moldrich said. While more public sector investment in charging infrastructure is needed, particularly in regional locations, EV usage is growing strongly as the market matures and becomes more affordable. Thats helped by government concessions and an expanding choice of vehicles beyond luxury models. Other asset trends at Commonwealth Bank While CBAs EV numbers are going from strength to strength, it is not the only asset class posting a significant rise. According to CBAs financial year results, computer equipment (up 43%), cars (up 30%), heavy trucks (up 27%), trailers (up 26%), forklifts (up 17%) and total utility vans (up 15%) have all recorded significant growth. Moldrich said business were also turning more attention to protecting their businesses from cyber threats with a 43% increase in businesses investing in replacing and upgrading computer equipment. In todays current environment where cyber security is a top concern for businesses across the country, high levels of investment into technology reflect how businesses are choosing to respond to this growing threat. Robert tapped by UN Women to review report on gender equality, climate justice I was so humbled by the fact that our research matters on a global level. And that there are people at this global policy-making level who are actually paying attention. A UB faculty member was one of 15 gender experts worldwide invited by the United Nations to review and provide feedback on Gender Equality in a Changing Climate, a flagship report for UN Women. Sarah A. Robert, associate professor in the Graduate School of Education, is an international education policy expert who researches how policy and politics shape and are shaped by the intersectional qualities of gender in global, South American and U.S. urban contexts. The report lays out a gender-focused approach to climate justice, making the case that public action should be based on a framework of feminist climate justice, Robert explains. Roberts research brings together aspects of social policies, education policies, and health and pension policies for teachers and school employees. Her unique blend of expertise and her award-winning book, School Food Politics (P. Lang, 2011), caught the attention of UN Women, the U.N. organization delivering programs, policies and standards that uphold womens human rights. I had no idea that my scholarship, and the school food politics book in particular, actually had such an impact on different people, including government decision-makers and grassroots activists and students, Robert says. She has completed an update to that book with contributors from around the world, which is how she ended up on UN Womens radar. The new book, co-edited with Jennifer E. Gaddis (University of Wisconsin-Madison), is called Transforming School Food Politics Around the World (MIT Press, 2024) and caught the attention of UN Women, specifically the ways we incorporate social reproduction theories with policy protagonism a concept I coined early in my academic career at UB to bring about inclusive and grassroots-driven change in public policy decision-making, Robert says. As part of the discussion leading up to the two-day review of the UN Women report, Robert learned that whats been laid out for her new book is similar to the conceptual framework being proposed to U.N. member states to confront climate justice and, to do so from the perspectives of women and those who are most vulnerable to climate change, and who also have a deep fountain of knowledge about schools and food systems. Climate change is having a significant impact on food systems. And climate justice is an important concept that is gaining momentum around the world. Roberts forthcoming book looks at the food systems in schools from urban Philadelphia to rural Brazil and beyond. There are people who care for communities in ways that governments need to start paying attention to and finding ways to support both in terms of just honoring and recognizing the work that theyre doing in their communities, she says. Robert has been entrenched in feminist policy and educational food system studies for three decades. And while shes been involved with crafting policy and language all over the world, this is her first time working with UN Women. This was really incredible because of the diversity of experts that were asked to participate, she says. People from different sectors of the world that have knowledge and engage in work thats concerned about women and about climate justice and about food systems. It was refreshing because I was being asked to be an expert and to share my knowledge, but I also was engaging in learning. I think that thats the beauty of that type of meeting. Robert says it speaks volumes that UN Women brought together experts who have knowledge that addresses womens experiences around the world. And of the report, Robert says she thought it was brilliant, moving and important. I was so humbled by the fact that our research matters on a global level. And that there are people at this global policy-making level who are actually paying attention, she says. They want to know what it is that someone at the University at Buffalo is doing. And its really transformative as a public scholar to work with governments to make that change happen in different places. So that was really moving and really reassuring. Indian renewable energy firm ACME Group will invest 270 billion rupees ($3.27 billion) to set up a green hydrogen and ammonia project at an industrial park being developed by a Tata Steel unit in Odisha state, the companies said on Friday. ACME Group will acquire 343 acres of land in Gopalpur Industrial Park, developed by the Tata Steel Special Economic Zone in the state, to install a unit to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives, a jointly released statement said. The Gurugram-based energy company also plans to set up a green ammonia production facility powered by renewable energy at the park, which will produce the gas from green hydrogen. The plant will have an output of nearly 1.3 million tonnes per annum. The project, which will see investment in phases, will be the largest single-location green hydrogen-and-its-derivatives manufacturing facility in the country, the statement said. Last month, ACME Group raised $490 million to start its green hydrogen and ammonia project in Oman. India and Greece have decided to forge a stronger defence partnership and finish work on a migration and mobility pact. During his one-day visit to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, In the areas of defence and security, India and Greece have agreed on strengthening defence industrial cooperation apart from military ties. We have also decided on an institutional India-Greece dialogue framework at the level of National Security Advisors (NSAs). Both the countries have decided to elevate their ties to the level of strategic partnership. Today, India and Greece are cooperating on geopolitical and regional issues, Modi said at a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, Greeces second highest civilian honour, by the countrys President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou. The discussions covered various dimensions of bilateral partnership, including trade and investment, defence, technology, infrastructure, digital payments, shipping, pharma, agriculture, migration and mobility, among other areas, the ministry of external affairs said. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years. Both the leaders also discussed regional and multilateral issues, including those in the European Union (EU), Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean. Both the countries recently held one of their largest-ever naval joint exercises in Greece. Meanwhile, Greeces air force chief visited India in June 2023 and met the military brass here. Modi said the migration and mobility partnership will facilitate skilled worker migration between the nations. As leaders of two ancient seafaring nations with a long-standing maritime outlook, they shared their vision of a free, open and rules-based Mediterranean Sea and Indo-Pacific. This is in accordance with the law of the sea, in particular the provisions of the UNCLOS and with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation for international peace, stability and security. The Ukraine issue also found its way into the discussions. India and Greece support dialogue and diplomacy on the issue of Ukraine, Modi said. Also Read PM Modi lands in Greece for first prime ministerial visit in 40 years 300 Pakistanis dead as boat capsizes in Greece: Here's what happened Opposition's no-confidence motion defeated in Lok Sabha by voice vote Together we stand stronger: PM Modi as he leaves for US on 1st state visit Fact check: Did Asle Toje call PM Modi biggest contender for Nobel Prize? India's foreign exchange reserve falls to near 2-month low of $595 billion Weekly G-Sec auction: Cut off yield on 5 year bond higher than 10 year RBI guv Shaktikanta Das asks NBFCs to reduce reliance on bank borrowing Investment in road, highways key to sustaining economic growth: Report Free trade based growth, climate action key priorities for India: Kant Business roundtable Both sides also held a joint India-Greece business roundtable, with participation from leading Indian and Greek chief executive officers (CEOs) from diverse sectors, including shipping, infrastructure, and energy, among others. During his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted Indias progress in areas such as renewables, startups, pharma, IT, digital payments and infrastructure. He acknowledged the role of these industry leaders in promoting economic cooperation between India and Greece. Modi also paid tributes at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the Hotel Grande Bretagne with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' 'Modi, Modi.' After landing at the Athens International Airport, PM Modi reached his hotel, where he would be staying for his day long visit and met the Indian diaspora who were eagerly waiting for his arrival. Outside the hotel, the Indian diaspora were ween waiving the tricolour and some of them were also beating drums to mark PM Modi's visit, the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit the country. The Indian community expressed their joy upon PM Modei's arrival in Athens, Greece. One of the Indian diaspora members said, "I am very happy that PM Modi is here. After 40 years, the PM came. last time, then-PM Indira Gandhi arrived in Greece. Narendra Modi has been the PM for the last 9 years and he made a good name for India in the world. I am very proud that PM Modi came." Meanwhile, Sanjiv Kumar, a Businessman, staying in Greece for the past 26 years, said, "It was a great moment for us that PM Modi arrived in Athens. it gives us great pleasure. In the Greek community, we have a good name the 'Indians', always we have a good name. We are feeling very good. People love him." At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also brieflt interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. Earlier today, the PM arrived in Athens and was welcomed by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. PM Modi was also greeted with a ceremonial reception. His visit to Athens came after the Johannesburg's visit, where he was attending the BRICS summit. "Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community," PM Modi said on his micro-blogging site X (formerly known as Twitter). "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just arrived here from Johannesburg after attending the 15th BRICS summit," Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi also posted a video on X. Also Read G20 meet: Foreign Ministers of Spain, China, other nations arrive in India PM Modi leaves for India after concluding day-long productive visit to UAE WPL 2023 Opening Ceremony: Bollywood stars, tickets, live streaming details US President, First Lady host PM Modi for intimate dinner at White House PM Modi holds meeting with Kishida; unveils Gandhi's bust in Hiroshima Pak court rule on Imran Khan's conviction in Toshakhana corruption case Yevgeny Prigozhin's death won't change the face of Vladimir Putin's war Brics' latest summit shows it's little more than a meaningless acronym Elon Musk reacts to DonaldTrump's comeback on X, says 'next level' PM Modi arrives in Greece on first prime ministerial visit in 40 years Bagchi said, "A packed day of engagement lies ahead in Athens. He will little later lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Thereafter, he will meet the president of Greece and then hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece." "He will also meet with business leaders from both sides. Before departing, he will have an interaction with the community who are all excited to receive him after the success of the Chandrayan mission," he said. A business lunch hosted by the Greek PM is also scheduled during the visit. The Prime Minister would also interact with the Indian diaspora in Greece. Previous high-level exchanges between the two countries have also included a visit by former Presidents of India, late APJ Abdul Kalam and former President Ram Nath Kovind in June 2018. The Greek President had also paid a state visit to India in 1998, and the then Greek Prime Minister had visited India in 2008. The presumed death of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a fiery plane crash leaves Russian President Vladimir Putin stronger in the short term, removing a powerful figure who had defied his authority and threatened to make him look weak. But it also deprives him of a forceful and astute player who had proved his utility to the Kremlin by sending his fighters into some of the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war and advancing Russian interests across Africa. After 24 hours of silence, Putin paid "sincere condolences" to the families of all 10 people on the plane that crashed north of Moscow, and praised Prigozhin as a "talented businessman". It is not yet clear what caused the plane to drop from the sky. He promised a full investigation, but its outcome is unlikely to shake a widespread belief that Prigozhin was killed as an act of vengeance for staging a mutiny in late June. The United States is looking at a number of theories over what brought down the plane, including a surface-to-air missile hitting it, U.S. officials told Reuters. Analysts said the assumption of Kremlin involvement may actually suit Putin's purpose. "Whatever the reasons for the plane crash, everyone will see it as an act of retribution and reprisal, and the Kremlin will not particularly interfere with this," Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik consultancy, said. "From the point of view of Putin, as well as many among the security forces and the military, Prigozhin's death should be a lesson to any potential followers." WRONG ASSUMPTION The crash came two months to the day after Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries staged a mutiny in which they took control of a southern city and advanced towards Moscow, shooting down a number of Russian air force planes and killing their pilots. Putin, who has spoken in the past of his hatred of traitors, described it at the time as a "stab in the back". Since the mutiny, Prigozhin had halted a running feud with the defence establishment but otherwise continued his operations, appearing to move freely in and out of Russia despite a deal with the Kremlin under which he was meant to leave for Belarus. Also Read Putin's chef, dead in plane crash: Who was Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin? Putin blasts Wagner traitors in speech as Prigozhin defends revolt Yevgeny Prigozhin's death won't change the face of Vladimir Putin's war Russia drops charges against Prigozhin, others who took part in rebellion Russia drops charges against Prigozhin, others who were part of mutiny PM Modi lands in Greece amid chants of 'Bharat Mata ki jai', 'Modi, Modi' Pak court rule on Imran Khan's conviction in Toshakhana corruption case Yevgeny Prigozhin's death won't change the face of Vladimir Putin's war Brics' latest summit shows it's little more than a meaningless acronym Elon Musk reacts to DonaldTrump's comeback on X, says 'next level' Abbas Gallyamov, a former Kremlin speechwriter now designated a "foreign agent" by Russia, said Prigozhin had wrongly assumed he was indispensable to Putin because of the scale and importance of his activities. These included extensive operations in Africa, where Wagner has expanded its mercenary services in countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic in exchange for gold- and diamond-mining concessions. While portraying it as a purely private commercial operation, the Kremlin has used Wagner to expand Russian influence on the continent in competition with Western powers such as France and the United States. Prigozhin "assumed that Putin would not want to risk all this", Gallyamov said. "(He) underestimated how important it was for Putin to send a signal to all potential rebels: guys, don't think you can do this and then remain alive." 'GAME OF THRONES' But the death of Prigozhin, if confirmed, is not without cost to Putin. Analysts said it opens up the prospect of a messy struggle for control of Wagner's huge business empire, and a possible split between pragmatists willing to integrate with the defence ministry and an aggrieved ultranationalist faction which is already venting its anger on social media channels. "I think it's possible that in many ways it will become kind of a headless 'Game of Thrones' or 'Sopranos' type of environment where we have competing smaller factions and smaller splinters of Wagner," said Andrew Borene, executive director of threat intelligence firm Flashpoint and a former U.S. intelligence official. "In the long-term I think it's a strategic loss (to Russia)," he said. Samuel Ramani, an analyst at London's RUSI think-tank and author of the book "Russia in Africa" said the loss of Prigozhin's extensive network would be a downside for Putin. "He loses many of the personal contacts that Prigozhin has managed to cultivate on that continent, including the kind of contacts that would be necessary to export gold and diamonds out of sanctioned countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic," Ramani said in a telephone interview. The plane crash happened on the same day that Russian state media reported the removal of Sergei Surovikin, the former commander of Russia's war effort in Ukraine, as head of the Russian air force. Widespread but unconfirmed reports said Surovikin had been placed under investigation for possible complicity in Prigozhin's mutiny. The downfall of both men - widely seen as two of Russia's most effective operators in a war where it has seen many embarrassing failures - could hamper Moscow's ability to mount sustainable offensive operations in the next year, Ramani said. If Putin was responsible for Prigozhin's death, he said, it demonstrated he was willing to engage in brutal repression of any kind of dissent. "But it also shows a vulnerability too because he needs to use force now to repress these ultranationalists who he previously was able to co-opt and pacify by including them in his coalition. And that doesn't speak well to Putin's sustainability beyond 2024." Robert Horvath, a Russia specialist at La Trobe University in Melbourne, said Putin's position remained fragile. "The problem with killing Prigozhin is that it risks provoking acts of revenge from the tens of thousands of Wagner mercenaries - some battle-hardened veterans, some convicted criminals - who have fought under the Wagner banner," he said. "It also risks drawing fresh attention to Prigozhin's populist campaign, his condemnation of the regime's justification for the war, and of the vast gulf separating the frivolous children of the ruling elite from those of ordinary people, who were returning from Ukraine in coffins." Russian President Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the G20 summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced here on Friday. "No, the president has no such plans, the official Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin spokesman as saying. The format of Putin's participation would be determined later, Peskov said. Putin did not personally attend the just-concluded BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. He was represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. President Putin decided against attending the first in-person BRICS summit after Covid-19 as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. South Africa is an ICC signatory and was expected to help in Putin's arrest if he was present in the country. Britain's defense ministry said on Friday that the presumed death of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash could destabilise the Wagner Group, whose brutal fighters were feared in Ukraine, Africa and Syria and conducted a brief but shocking mutiny in Russia. Prigozhin, who was listed among those on board, was eulogized Thursday by Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as suspicions grew that the Russian president was behind a Wednesday crash that many saw as an assassination. Russian authorities have not yet confirmed Prigozhin's death. The British ministry wrote that It is highly likely that he is indeed dead. However, it noted that he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. The demise of Prigozhin almost certainly would have a deeply destabilizing effect on the Wagner Group. His personal attributes of hyperactivity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor, the ministry wrote in a statement. Wagner mercenaries were key elements of Russia's forces in its war in Ukraine, particularly in the monthslong fight to take the city of Bakhmut, the conflict's most grueling battle. Wagner fighters also have played a central role projecting Russian influence in global trouble spots, first in Africa and then in Syria. A preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded that the plane was downed by intentional explosion. One of the US and Western officials who described the initial US assessment said it determined that Prigozhin was very likely targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin's long history of trying to silence his critics. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment, did not offer any details about what caused the explosion, which was widely believed to be vengeance for the mutiny in June that posed the biggest challenge to the Russian leader's 23-year rule. Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no information to suggest that a surface-to-air missile took down the plane. He declined to say whether the US suspected a bomb or believed the crash was an assassination. Also Read Russia drops charges against Prigozhin, others who took part in rebellion Russia drops charges against Prigozhin, others who were part of mutiny Whereabouts, fate of Russian mercenary leader remain mystery after revolt Russian military chief who was targeted by rebellion surfaced in video With Russia revolt over, direction of Ukraine war remain uncertain PM Modi conferred with Grand Cross of Order of Honour by Greek President G20 explained: Details on the global bloc, its history & India's presidency Chinese navy is testing the most powerful coil gun ever built: Details Heineken sells its Russian operations for 1 euro, takes 300-mn-euro hit Highly mutated Covid-19 variant BA.2.86 detected in two more countries The jet crashed Wednesday soon after taking off from Moscow, carrying Prigozhin, six other Wagner members, and a crew of three, according to Russia's civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. But there has been no official confirmation. President Joe Biden, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said he believed Putin was likely behind the crash. I don't know for a fact what happened, but I'm not surprised, Biden said. There's not much that happens in Russia that Putin's not behind. The passenger manifest also included Prigozhin's second-in-command, whose nom de guerre became the group's name, as well as Wagner's logistics chief and at least one possible bodyguard. It was not clear why several high-ranking members of Wagner, including top leaders who are normally exceedingly careful about their security, would have been on the same flight. The purpose of their trip to St. Petersburg was unknown. Russian authorities have said the cause of the crash is under investigation. In this first comments on the crash, Putin said the passengers had made a significant contribution to the fighting in Ukraine. We remember this, we know, and we will not forget, he said in a televised interview with the Russian-installed leader of Ukraine's partially occupied Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin. Putin recalled that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s and described him as a man of difficult fate who had made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results he needed both for himself and, when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months. He was a talented man, a talented businessman. Russian state media have not covered the crash extensively, instead focusing on Putin's Thursday remarks to the BRICS summit in Johannesburg via video link and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sergei Mironov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Fair Russia party and former chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament, said on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin had messed with too many people in Russia, Ukraine and the West. It now seems that at some point, his number of enemies reached a critical point, Mironov wrote. Numerous opponents and critics of Putin have been killed or gravely sickened in apparent assassination attempts, and US and other Western officials long expected the Russian leader to go after Prigozhin, despite promising to drop charges in a deal that ended the June 23-24 mutiny. Prigozhin was long outspoken and critical of how Russian generals were waging the war in Ukraine, where his mercenaries were some of the fiercest fighters for the Kremlin. For a long time, Putin appeared content to allow such infighting, but Prigozhin's brief revolt raised the ante. His mercenaries swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot. They then drove to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow and downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots. Putin first denounced the rebellion as treason and a stab in the back," but soon made a deal that saw an end to the mutiny in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus. Now, many are suggesting the punishment has finally come. The Estee Lauder Companies announced today that Chairman Emeritus Leonard A. Lauder has informed the Company of his decision not to stand for re-election to the Companys Board of Directors (the Board) at the annual meeting in November. Leonard Lauder remains Chairman Emeritus of the Company. Pursuant to the stockholders agreement among Lauder family members and the Company, Leonard Lauder has the right to designate two directors of the Company. In addition to his son William P. Lauder, who serves as Executive Chairman, Leonard Lauder has designated his son Gary M. Lauder to serve on the Board. The Board has nominated Gary Lauder and will include his name among the nominees for election at the Companys annual meeting in November. Gary Lauder is the Managing Director of Lauder Partners LLC, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm. He has been a venture capitalist since 1985, investing in over 150 private companies. Gary serves on the Board of Governors of Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation and holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania; a BS in Economics from the Wharton School; and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Gary has periodically attended the Companys Board meetings over the years as an invited observer, which has provided him with a long-term view of the Company. Leonard Lauder formally joined The Estee Lauder Companies in 1958 and served as President from 1972 to 1995 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 1999. He became Chairman of the Board in 1995 and served in that role through June 2009, until he was appointed Chairman Emeritus for the Company. As Chairman Emeritus, Leonard Lauder provides his advice and counsel on a variety of business topics including brand building, marketing, and understanding the global luxury consumer. He continues to play an active role as Chief Teaching Officer, educating leaders throughout the Company with his brand symposiums and through speaking engagements with global employees. My father envisioned and helped drive the growth and expansion of our Company from an iconic single brand to the global, brand-building powerhouse it is today. Weve never wavered from his vision of being a home for the best brands and best people, all of whom are united in delivering high-quality, prestige beauty products and high-touch service and experiences, while maintaining our unique, values-driven culture, said William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman. It has been an incredible honor and privilege to have worked with and learned from my father over the years. I look forward to continuing to learn from him and know his passion for this industry, this Company, our employees and our consumers is as strong as ever. It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the Board of the Company my mother and father created over 75 years ago, said Leonard Lauder. This Board is one of the best in the business. I feel confident that the Companys leadership and Board will continue to guide our strategy to deliver long-term growth. Additionally, I continue to believe in the success of our Company through the skillful and thoughtful management by William, Fabrizio, and the entire leadership team. The nomination of Gary to the Board further reflects my familys long-term stewardship, and our support of the vision, values, and people who will drive the Companys future success. As Chairman Emeritus of the Company, Im looking forward to continuing my work as advisor and Chief Teaching Officer, serving what I believe to be the best Company in the world. On behalf of the Board, I share my deep admiration and appreciation to Leonard for his invaluable contributions to the Company as an officer and as a member of the Board. He is a visionary whose creative thinking is unmatched in the industry. His innovative insights will continue to serve as inspiration for us all, said Charlene Barshefsky, the Companys Presiding Director. In addition to his activities with The Estee Lauder Companies, Leonard Lauder is extremely involved in the worlds of education, art, politics, and philanthropy. He is a Charter Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and a founding member of the Board of Governors of its Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies. Leonard Lauder became a Trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in 1977 and currently serves as its Chairman Emeritus. He is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation; Honorary Chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; a Trustee of the Aspen Institute; and a member of the Presidents Council of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. Leonard Lauder also served on the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations under President Ronald Reagan. Among his honors, he has been named an Officier de la Legion dHonneur by France and recognized by the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation with its Distinguished Alumni Award, was the 2013 recipient of the Palazzo Strozzi Renaissance Man of the Year Award, and was named a 2014 Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the worlds leading manufacturers, marketers and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The Companys products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, MAC, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD. ELC-C View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824369024/en/ George Charamba writing on X Careful African Observer missions, foreigners are about to make you look foolish, unthinking, unAfrican. As I tweet, there is a desperate push by the EU Observer missions to get SADC, AU and ACP Observer missions to coordinate and produce one harmonised and harmonising report. So far ACP and AU Observer missionsare refusing and holding out. We thank them, and encourage them to remain faithful to their independent findings through African, Progressive eye of the Global South. In the case of ACP, led by an Angolan national, preliminary comments have already been issued, distinctly solid, independent and progressive. Again, Zimbabwe thanks the ACP MISSION, its leadership especially. The AU MISSION, led by former Nigerian Head of State, Goodluck Jonathan, has come under EU Observer Mission pressure to conform. So far, the AU Mission has rebuffed such untoward pressure, mediated through one Nevers Mumba, self-discredited Chairman of SADC Mission. Mumba, in typical colonial schoolboy fashion, has gone as far as reporting the AU Mission to his EU bosses on the AUs laudable non-cooperative stance. Not everyone in the SADC Mission falls in with this shameful conduct reminiscent of colonial kowtowing. It rankles. We are also aware of another Zambian national in the Commonwealth Observer Mission who is trying his treacherous best to jaundice the view of the Commonwealth. He played a similar role in Zambian elections which brought to power the current administration there in that great African country, itself home to Southern African Liberation Movements. The Carter Centre Mission is now utterly discredited: preliminarily by composition, and concretely through its now outed partisan conduct throughout this election. In any event, it represents an Administration which is at war with Zimbabwe, the country whose electoral processes it still observes without any tinge of scruples or shame. And through USAID, enabled by two political NGOs: ERC and ZESN, the Carter Centre and its NDI are heavily implicated in aborted attempts to undermine Zimbabwes elections and, to destabilise her hard-kept peace through destabilising unofficial false results announcements which would have been based on a sample of 1000 stations, and simultaneously done here in Harare and in Nairobi where at least two Lady officers linked to ERC and ZESN, assisted by a bitter politician, were already in place. The two ladies would even forego and waive their inherent voting rights as nationals, to execute this insidious assignment. Thankfully, that has been foiled, with some international media already lined up to globalise the lie, now stranded and gasping for a narrative. Charambas X (Twitter) account has since been suspended. Knowledge Tower Photo 360 Knowledge Tower is the upcoming new landmark of the Jiulong Lake Central Business District in China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City. It is a symbol of the continued cooperative relationship between Singapore and China in the areas of science and technology innovation and urban development. When fully completed, the 300-metre-high supertall tower with premium lake views will comprise office, hotel and community spaces. It is designed to meet the standards of Chinas National Construction Excellence-Luban Award, Chinas 3-star green building rating and USAs LEED Platinum. Zanu-PF is poised for a landslide Parliamentary election victory after it secured 109 legislative seats out of the 171 constituency results that were announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commissions provincial and constituency command centres across the country yesterday. The opposition Citizen Coalition for Change led by Mr Nelson Chamisa is a distant second with 62 seats after the revolutionary party regained most Parliamentary seats that had been held by the opposition. There were a total of 209 constituencies that were contested after the ZEC deferred the Gutu West constituency poll following the death of independent candidate, Mr Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi in a road accident. This means that the revolutionary party will constitute the bulk of Senators and legislators that will come through the women and youth quotas in the National Assembly as that will be determined by the number of votes in the 210 constituencies. Of the 38 outstanding constituencies, Zanu-PF requires just 31 seats for it to land a two third majority. Notable areas where Zanu-PF regained lost ground include Mbare constituency in Harare where Cde Martin Matinyanya beat Mr Starman Chamisa to land the seat. Some of the results that are still pending in Harare Metropolitan province include Churu and Harare South constituencies. Cde Tongai Mnangagwa also won in Hunyani, which was formed from Harare South where he was an MP. Zanu-PF registered its greatest election victory in Masvingo province where it garnered 23 seats while CCC got two with the third one Gutu West yet to be contested. In Mashonaland East province, Zanu-PF won 19 constituencies while CCC got a paltry four while in Mashonaland Central province, the revolutionary party won 13 of the 18 seats while CCC was yet to get a seat leaving five seats still pending. In Manicaland province, Zanu-PF garnered 19 seats with CCC getting seven, leaving one constituency, Buhera South, outstanding. It is interesting to note that Zanu-PF won in three constituencies in Buhera while one is yet to be finalised. Renowned journalist and Zanu-PF director of information and publicity, Cde Tafadzwa Mugwadi, carried the day in Buhera West while in Buhera Central, Cde Samson Matema won with Cde Philip Guyo romping to victory in Buhera North. In Matabeleland South province, Zanu-PF won in eight constituencies out of the 12 while CCC got four while in Matabeleland North province Zanu-PF won in three constituencies with CCC getting seven leaving another three constituencies yet to be concluded. In the Midlands province, the bulk of constituencies were yet to be concluded as Zanu-PF had won in five constituencies with CCC winning three seats. In Harare province, Zanu-PF had won three seats, which was a significant improvement with CCC garnering 23 constituencies leaving four seats still outstanding. In Bulawayo province, CCC had won six seats while Zanu-PF was yet to register a win leaving six seats yet to be concluded by yesterday. It is worth noting that where Zanu-PF won, it would do so with a huge margin unlike a win by CCC where in most cases it would just scrap through. One example is Zanu-PF candidate in Sanyati constituency in Mashonaland West province, Cde Polite Kambamura, who beat CCC candidate Mr Lahliwe Mafa with an unassailable margin of 17 474 against 4 843 votes. In Mberengwa Central constituency, Zanu-PF candidate, Cde Tinashe Shumba got 17 689 votes against Mr Tafanana Zhou of CCC who polled 3 867 votes. In Mutoko East, Zanu-PF candidate Cde Richard Musiiwa got 19 073 votes against Mr Yeukai Kaseke of CCC who got 3 613 votes. Herald The Mukhya Mantri Shodh Protsahan Yojana has been approved by the Uttarakhand Cabinet. Under this scheme, research scholars will receive a grant of up to Rs 15 lakh.The Uttarakhand Cabinet has given its approval for the Mukhya Mantri Shodh Protsahan Yojana, which will provide research scholars with a grant of up to Rs 15 lakh. At a press briefing, Chief Secretary SS Sandhu informed reporters that the scheme was approved by the Cabinet during a meeting led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.The program will start this academic session and aims to promote research in various areas such as humanities, social sciences, language and literature, environment, Uttarakhand development, science, tourism, current issues and engineering. Incentives for sportspersons and candidates appearing for competitive exams The Cabinet has made the decision to offer government positions to athletes from the state who achieve medals in national and international competitions. In addition, they have decided to provide a 50 percent discount on bus fares for candidates traveling from their homes to examination centers for competitive exams conducted by various boards in Uttarakhand. Lets recap what these two vehicles are again. The smaller of these two is the CX-60, while the bigger one is the CX-90. Both represent Mazd... Cemfree Masonry Mortar used in ExCel expansion 25 August 2023 Cemfree Masonry Mortar, an ultra-low carbon construction material, is set to be used on its first major project, the expansion of the ExCeL London, saving over 11,000kg of CO 2 e. McLaren Construction and Lyons & Annoot specified just over 100t of Cemfree Masonry Mortar for the internal blockwork. Now it is Cemfree Masonry Mortars largest project application yet. The UKs first mortar entirely free of Portland cement (PC), this alternative offers a remarkable reduction in carbon emissions of the mortar of up to 70 per cent. Furthermore, it exhibits comparable properties to PC, ensuring consistent curing times and exceptional workability, says Cemfree. As a result of Cemfrees involvement in the project, impressive carbon savings of around 11,308kg of CO 2 e were achieved, the equivalent to over 32 return flights from London to Barcelona. Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, leading contractor McLaren has embarked on a mission to create the most environmentally responsible scheme feasible, with the ultimate goal of achieving an Excellent rating on the Building Research Establishment Assessment Method (BREEAM) upon completion. Approved Contractor of Cemfree Masonry Mortar and one of the UKs leading specialist brickwork contractors, Lyons & Annoot, have been entrusted with the brick and blockwork contract for the project. As advocates of ultra-low carbon materials and one of the first five construction contractors in the UK to be Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) validated, Lyons & Annoot has set impressive emission reduction targets through the initiative, with levels set to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Katie Wills, major accounts manager at Cemfree, added: We are delighted to be supplying our pioneering Masonry Mortar for the expansion of ExCeL London. It has been developed to reduce carbon emissions by an astonishing amount, so its use on such a large project is a major step forward for the industry as a whole. Published under Kuwaiti officials praise Chinese firms for improving local traffic with new road project Xinhua) 13:05, August 25, 2023 KUWAIT CITY, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaiti officials on Thursday praised Chinese companies for their contribution to improving local traffic conditions with the completion of the Kuwait Seventh Ring Road project. The delivery ceremony of the project was held in the Farwaniya Governorate of Kuwait, with representatives from the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART) of Kuwait, relevant Chinese companies, and the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait in attendance. Raja' Al Muamen, the director-general of the PART, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the ceremony that the project, a significant achievement made by Chinese companies in Kuwait, will serve as an important symbol of cooperation between the two countries. Mohammed Murad, the deputy project engineer at the PART, said he was most impressed by the modern traffic design of the project, which greatly facilitates residents' travel. "The traditional intersections with traffic lights often cause congestion, but the design of the Kuwait Seventh Ring Road project addressed this issue through the construction of several multi-level interchanges," said Murad. The road, which extends from the coastal residential areas to the west and connects the new airport, will become one of the main arteries in southern Kuwait, the official said, adding that it will significantly improve traffic conditions in the densely populated area. The Kuwait Seventh Ring Road project was jointly constructed by Chinese firm Sinohydro Corporation Ltd. and China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Co., Ltd., with the former as the general contractor. It started in December 2016 and was completed in late July of 2023. Li Chenggang, the chief representative of Sinohydro in Kuwait, said the project will not only enhance local traffic efficiency but also make the driving environment safer. According to Li, the 21.9-km-long road has ten lanes in both directions and six three-level interchanges, with super asphalt pavement paved with high-standard, heat-resistant, and abrasion-resistant materials to withstand the unique hot climate of the region, greatly reducing the risk of tire blowouts and other incidents. Speaking at the ceremony, Hu Hanming, the commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, said Chinese companies are playing an increasingly crucial role in Kuwait's infrastructure construction and economic development. The project will not only serve as a "Road of Happiness" that enhances the well-being of Kuwaiti citizens but also become a "Road of Friendship" that promotes relations between China and Kuwait, the Chinese diplomat concluded. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The State University of New York faculty union voted to ratify a new four-year contract with pay hikes and other perks, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the United University Professions (UUP) announced Friday. The contract, which covers more than 37,000 SUNY faculty and professional employees, is retroactive to July 2, 2022 and runs through July 1, 2026. It includes 2% raises for 2022 and 3% raises for 2023, 2024 and 2025, and increases minimum salaries for its lowest-paid members, the union said. This contract fairly compensates the hard-working members of the United University Professions who provide critical expertise to benefit New Yorks college students each day, said Hochul in a statement. Im grateful to President Kowal for his partnership to help get this agreement finalized and to ensure that our talented employees pay and benefits reflect their important contributions to our state. Union members will receive a $3,000 lump-sum bonus in 2024 and 2025, as well as retention bonuses for full-time employees who work seven years, and then 12 years. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at SUNY Westchester Community College on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Valhalla, N.Y. The contract also includes on-call pay increases for hospital workers, and increased location adjustment pay for those in New York City or on Long Island. This contract contains historic gains for our members and builds on advances made in our last contract, said UUP President Fred Kowal. It rewards our members at SUNYs public teaching hospitals who were on the front lines of the pandemic raises minimum salaries for our lowest-paid members and provides 12 weeks of parental leave with pay. We won this agreement because we are a union, said Kowal. We speak with one loud, strong voice. Union and state officials tentatively agreed on the new contract on June 6, according to the UUP. Members cast votes electronically from August 10 to 24. More than 96% of union members who cast ballots or 14,900 faculty and staff voted to ratify the contract, according to a tally by MK Election Services. Less than half of eligible voters voted in the ratification election. SUNY students and the communities we serve greatly benefit from the expertise and dedication of our faculty and professionals at SUNYs campuses and hospitals, said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr.. These individuals are committed to the success of our students and furthering their fields of study, while others are researchers and specialists devoted to addressing societal challenges or caring for patients all with the common goal to make a difference in service to New York State. My thanks to President Kowal for his leadership, and my congratulations to our faculty and staff, he said. This service is a courtesy for our print subscribers to give them access to our online edition at no additional cost - if you haven't registered on the new site, you must do it now before you do anything else. A man charged with abducting a 5-year-old girl he was supposed to babysit took her back to his apartment, played dress-up with her and then sexually abused her, according to the Queens district attorney. Franz Vila, 75, was arraigned on charges of committing a predatory sex act on a child, criminal sex act, kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child in Queens Criminal Court on Thursday afternoon and held on $275,000 cash bond. Vila, who lives in Manhattan, ran into the mother of the child outside a Jackson Heights supermarket around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, authorities said. He was asked to watch the child play at a local Queens park, but the outing was only supposed to last about half an hour, according to a criminal complaint. At 12:30 p.m., when he had not returned with the child, the worried mother went looking for him, first scouring the Queens park and then local restaurants and other green spaces, she told investigators. After half an hour of searching and not finding her daughter, the mother called police, who issued a Level-Two mobilization to hunt for the girl and Vila. Little did they know, the elderly man had taken the child back to his Upper East Side apartment, where he played games with the girl on his bed, the victim told investigators. Vila had her change out of her pink patterned dress and into an all-white dress and then sexually abused the child. For about four hours, as police and the mom went looking for her, Vila had her in his apartment and then took her on the subway back to Queens, according to the complaint. An eagle-eyed straphanger spied the two on the F train platform at the 74th St.-Roosevelt Ave. station at 4:15 p.m. and jumped into action, authorities said. The good Samaritan grabbed the girl by the arm to get her away from the elderly suspect and called out for police. Nearby cops heard the cries for help and nabbed Vila. During the investigation, the mother was also arrested and charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child, but the Queens DA later dropped the charges. Vilas lawyer, Alex Moulter of the Harlem Neighborhood Defenders, could not be reached for comment. The Chattanooga Civitan Club has hosted the summer fling for over 20 years raising money for their many worthwhile projects. Beginning this year the event will be known as the Eugene M. Pike Summer Fling to honor one of the clubs most active and longtime members. This years outdoor picnic was held at the McCoy Farm on Signal Mountain in honor of Chattanooga Funeral Home President Gene Pike who joined the club 65 years ago. Mr. Pike said when he became a Civitan member the club needed a fundraiser so they started selling Claxton Fruit Cakes. Miss Tennessee and Miss Chattanooga were part of the annual kick off. Mr. Pike didnt know how much money has been raised down thru the years but said it probably would exceed $6 million. He said Dr. James L. Fowle, who was a longtime pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, purchased the first fruit cake. He said Chattanooga High School Principal Col. Creed Bates was also one of the first customers. Mr. Pike said the club has supported T.C. Thompson Childrens Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bethel Bible Village, Orange Grove School, Contact and Siskin Hospital. With a lot of his family present, Mr. Pike said he was honored and humbled that the club would name this annual event after him. The membership voted to give a $2,500 scholarship to a special needs child in honor of Mr. Pike. Talk Radios Jed Mescom served as the events master of ceremony. Mr. Pike said the highlight of his time in Civitan was the year he and his wife Gail went to the National Civitan Convention in Hawaii. We stayed in the same hotel and next door to Bing Crosby and got to meet the famous crooner. While in Hawaii the Pikes met Jack Lord while he was filming an episode of Hawaii 50. The club president is Cathy Robbins and the president elect is Gail Waldorf. The Chattanooga Civitan Club was chartered in 1920 and its first president was T.C. Thompson. Chattanoogans who respect the Native American burial grounds and Chickamauga Battlefield implore you to relocate a new hospital near Erlanger. Are we Tennesseans not smart enough to find a better location? Why go backwards against all the work to make Moccasin Bend a Tennessee and USA historic site and part of our National Parks? Why not respect our Native Americans and all the previous work to preserve this historic site? Thank you for listening to what seems to be a "common sense solution" to locate the hospital near Erlanger and not on Moccasin Bend, now part of the National Park Service. Your constituents and visitors to Moccasin Bend will thank you for decades for making the smartest selection. Jim Robbins Two royal experts believe the Duchess of Sussex will never return to her adopted home country. News that Prince Harry will be in the United Kingdom on the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeths death was encouraging to royal watchers. While it is unclear if the Duke of Sussex will partake in the day of reflection with his father, King Charles, one thing is sure: Meghan Markle will not attend. One royal expert claims that Meghan will never set foot in the UK again. Will Meghan Markle ever return to the United Kingdom? Royal experts Lady Colin Campbell and Phil Dampier weighed in on comments made by GBNews host Dan Wootton about Harrys return to the UK the day before the somber anniversary. They believe any chance of Meghan Markle returning to her adopted home across the pond is nill. Harry will reportedly be in the United Kingdom, giving a speech at the WellChild Awards. WellChild is one of the few charitable organizations Harry continues to work with after stepping back from his role as a working royal in 2020. There is no word yet on whether Prince Harry will see any family members while he is in the U.K. One day later, Harry will fly to Germany, where Meghan will join him at the Invictus Games. Lady Colin Campbell weighed in on Harrys UK trip. I think its the right decision, she says of Harry not meeting up with Charles and William while in his home country. I think its a brilliant idea. Phil Dampier shared, I dont think shell ever set foot in this country again. I think she knows how unpopular she is. He continued, It wouldnt have been too much trouble for Harry to stay a couple of days before the Invictus Games to talk to his father and brother. However, William and his wife, Kate Middleton, will be in Wales on the queens death anniversary. Prince Harry and the royal family far apart as ever Continuing his remarks regarding the estrangement between royal family members, Phil Dampier believes Prince Harry, King Charles, and Prince William are as far apart as ever. He believes this to be true after Harry and Meghan Markles damaging remarks regarding the royal family over the past three years. Dampier claims, Theres no chance of reconciliation. I dont think William will ever forgive Harry, to be honest. He concluded, Its sad to say. But I dont think those brothers are ever going to make up. They dont trust each other. And its unfortunate. What future is there? Prince Harrys work with WellChild continues Prince Harry released a statement on Aug. 23, 2023, discussing his continuing 15-year role as a patron of WellChild. He discussed the organizations role in transforming the lives of critically ill children. For nearly 20 years, WellChild has been transforming the lives of children and young people across the U.K. Providing critical care that prioritizes the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of these individuals and their families, he said. The courage and strength embodied by these young people and the tireless devotion of those who support them never cease to inspire me, he continued. Im honored to attend this years awards ceremony and celebrate their incredible work. Prince Harry will arrive in the United Kingdom on Sept. 7, 2023, for the WellChild Awards event. He will head to Germany the following day to usher in the Invictus Games. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and ETH Zurich are using a specially coated metal mesh to extract water from fog while removing environmental pollutants. People in dry but foggy areas could benefit. It's already being done in Peru, Bolivia and Chile, but also in Morocco and Oman: In foggy regions, people set up nets on which the fog droplets settle, run down the meshes and can be collected. Up to several hundred litres of water for drinking, cooking, and washing can be obtained in a day with a fog collector measuring only a few square meters. In areas where there is a lot of fog, but hardly any spring or rain water, this is a blessing. One problem, however, is air pollution, because pollutants also accumulate in the fog droplets. In many major cities around the world, the air is so polluted that water extracted from the fog there would not be clean enough to use untreated for drinking or cooking. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and ETH Zurich have now developed a method that not only collects water from the fog, but also purifies it at the same time. To do this, they used a close meshed net, made out of metal wire and coated it with a mixture of polymers and titanium oxide. The polymers are selected in such a way that the water droplets are optimally deposited on the mesh and then flow as quickly as possible into a collection container so that they are not blown away again by the wind. Titanium oxide acts as a chemical catalyst. It breaks down many organic pollutant molecules contained in the droplets, rendering them harmless. "By combining fog collection with water treatment, it can be used in regions with air pollution, for example in densely populated urban centers," says Ritwick Ghosh. He is a scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, and carried out this research project during an extended guest stay at ETH Zurich in the group of Thomas Schutzius. During this time, he was a member of the group led by Thomas Schutzius, who has since taken up a post as professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Photocatalytic memory Once installed, the technology requires little maintenance and no energy other than sunlight. The titanium dioxide must receive regular UV light from the sun to regenerate. However, the catalyst is frugal: half an hour of sunlight is enough to keep it active for 24 hours. This has to do with property of titanium oxide called photocatalytic memory. When the substance is activated with UV light, it remains catalytically active for a longer period of time, even in the dark. Here, this proves to be a stroke of luck. Because where there is a lot of fog, the sun often doesn't shine for too long. The researchers tested the fog trap in the laboratory and in a small pilot plant in Zurich. With it, they were able to collect 8 percent of the artificially generated fog and break down 94 percent of the organic compounds they added to the fog. Among the pollutants tested were ultra-fine diesel droplets and the hormone-active chemical bisphenol A. Cooling towers as another application In addition to drinking water, the technology can also be used to recover water from cooling towers. "In cooling towers, steam escapes into the atmosphere. In the U.S., where I live, we use a lot of fresh water for cooling power plants," Schutzius says. "It would make sense to capture some of that water before it escapes and make sure it's pollutant-free if you want to put it back into the environment." The accused killer who shot a young mother dead during a fight on a Bronx street has been busted, police said Friday. Latrisha Lowman, 41, was arrested Thursday and charged with murder, manslaughter and gun possession authorities said. She allegedly killed Lashawn Andrews, 24, on E. 178th St. near Park Ave. Sunday night, then ran from the scene. A young woman was fatally shot in the face in front of this Bronx building on E. 178th St. near Park Ave. about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. Police said the victim was outside her apartment building and was arguing with Lowman and another woman. It quickly turned physical, at which point Lowman ran to a nearby vehicle, grabbed a pistol, came back to the scene and shot the victim once in the face, cops said. Andrews was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where she died. The shooter ran off. The other woman also left, as did the owner of the car where Lowman got the gun. But Assistant Chief Joseph Kenny said the vehicle owner came back a short time later and said the gun was in the trunk. He knows Lowman, Kenny said, but denied owning the gun and was not charged. The front page of the New York Daily News on Aug. 22, 2023. Lowman, who lives around the corner, was quickly identified as the suspect. The other woman is not being sought. My daughter, she was one of the most beautiful, humblest, beautiful souls, the victims devastated mother, Keshia Andrews, 52, told the Daily News. I mean, her spirit, to know her, you would have loved her. I wish she was here.I would just tell her how much I love her. I appreciate her being my daughter. If I could just have one wish, I would just want her to come back. The suspect has four arrests, all between 2007 and 2001, including three for drugs and one for assault. Lashawn Andrews was the mother of boys ages 3 and 4. Shes very bubbly. Full of life, her mother said. Shed give you the shirt off her back. She just loved people. To know Lashawn, she was just full of love. And she loved her kids. She loved her children. Blaze grows to largest burning in Eastern Washington ELK - On Monday evening, the Oregon Road Fire grew into the largest blaze in the regional over the last week. At least one person had died in the blaze, officials said. Evacuation notices remain in effect across much of the area surrounding the communities of Elk and Chattaroy. The fire was most active east and southeast of elk, burning in dry grass and timber. An evacuation center was set up at Riverside High School, 4120 E. Deer Park Milan Road, Chattaroy. Another is open at Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Forth Wright Drive, Spokane. Fire crews were hoping to get the upper hand on the 11,021-acre fire as rain moved into the area Tuesday morning, Aug. 23. As weather allowed, fire crews were expected to continue structure protection efforts, mop up hot spots and construct more fire line on the eastern and southern flanks of the blaze. Engines, hand crews and bull dozers were expected to be at it again in active fire areas on Wednesday, Aug. 24. As of Tuesday, 633 firefighters were assigned to the blaze. In addition, 43 engines, 18 crews, eight bulldozers, 18 water tenders and six helicopters were working the fire. The fire erupted at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18. Officials have yet to determine the cause. Dry conditions, low humidity and gusty winds aided in the fire's quick growth. Officials were asking residents to stay clear of of Diamond Lake to allow Fire Boss and other aircraft to dip water out of the lake unabated. At press time, the fire was 0% (zero percent) contained. Details on the fatality have yet to be released by investigators. Surgeons at NYU Langone Health prepare to transplant a pig's kidney into a brain-dead man in New York on July 14, 2023. Researchers around the country are racing to learn how to use animal organs to save human lives. Grassroots advocates hold a Native American gourd rattle at Drumbeat Indian Arts, Monday, July 31, 2023, in Phoenix. The women are trying to help find lost Native Americans who were left without a place to stay after the phony treatment centers in the Phoenix area abruptly shut down when Arizona cut off their Medicaid money amid investigations into widespread fraudulent billing. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 At the first Republican presidential primary debate of the 2024 election, the last biblical reference of the night was also its most significantand the most often misunderstood. In his pitch to get to the Oval Office, President Reagan called America the shining city on a hill, a beacon of hope and optimism, prompted moderator Bret Baier. So, in your closing statement tonight, please tell American voters why you are the person who can inspire this nation to a better day, said Baiers fellow Fox News host, Martha MacCallum. Former vice president Mike Pences response stuck closest to the theme, evoking the same 1630 speech Reagan quoted, with a reference to Americans Puritan forebears. God is not done with America yet, Pence said, and if we will renew our faith in him who has ever guided this nation since we arrived on these wilderness shores, I know the best days for the greatest nation on earth are yet to come. City on a hillthis captivating little phrase has a complicated American history, one that often ignores the phrases true origin: not among the Puritans, but in Christs Sermon on the Mount. The phrase was used by the governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony, John Winthrop, in his 1630 treatise A Model of Christian Charity: For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. Historians are not certain when (or if) Winthrop delivered the speech, but the popular story is that he gave it on the flagship Arbella to his fellow Puritan travelers on their way to Salem, Massachusetts. Winthrops words have been called the most famous lay sermon in American history and the book of Genesis in Americas political Bible, but his treatise went virtually unnoticed for centuries. There are only a few scattered references to Winthrops speech before the middle of the twentieth century. That is, until John F. Kennedy drew on increasing interest in the religious roots of Americas foundingcomparing the hazardous voyage America was embarking upon in 1961 to the voyage Winthrop took in 1630. But it was Ronald Reagan who would transform city on a hill into one of the most familiar lines in the liturgy of the American civil religion. Reagan used the phrase to lend moral weight and divine sanction to his political project, and few politicians since have been able to resist doing the same. For instance, in the 2016 election, Hilary Clinton encouraged an audience by saying that were still Reagans shining city on a hill. Article continues below That said, Americans might be forgiven for forgetting that these were not originally Reagans words, but Jesus. When Jesus called his followers to be like a city that is set on a hill (KJV) in the Sermon on the Mount of Matthew 5, he was (unsurprisingly) not talking about America. But neither was he exhorting his original audience toward pride in their own goodness or optimism about the future (he had just finished telling them how blessed the poor and meek and persecuted are). Fourth-century theologian John Chrysostom said of this passage, Jesus says in effect: You are not accountable only for your life but also for that of the entire world. Rather than rallying his disciples around a vision of their own shining righteousness, Jesus was connecting his ministry to the larger story of the people of God and orienting it toward the redemption of all creation. Our misuse of city on a hill is representative of a common failure to interpret the Bible for our political liveswhen a verse exhorting the people of God to faithfully serve the world gets twisted into a defense of American dominance. Even our genuine efforts to let Scripture inform our political lives can easily become props for whatever political positions we already hold. Biblical references like those invoked on Wednesday night will certainly not be the last as the election season draws near. The first GOP debate demonstrates what happens when biblical references are shorn of their context and leveraged to lend moral weight to our political projects. This should remind Christians to interrogate the biblical language and images used in our public square. Scripture is not free-floating language available for any political project or timeless truth that can be wrenched from its context. When we treat it as such, we lose sight of its intended purpose. Jesus, unlike Reagan, never called America a shining city on a hill. Jesus called his followers to live faithful lives that would glorify God. When we mix this up, we import our own ideas of what constitutes a shining citymilitary might, economic prosperity, political power, or secular humanismback into Jesus words. And perhaps more importantly, some end up laying claim to promises not intended for them. Article continues below Winthrop not only appropriated Jesus words to his followers, but also a promise God made to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 30:16: the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. When we are not careful with how we handle biblical references, we can end up assuming a divine sanction to possess what was never ours in the first place. As we enter another presidential campaign, Christians seeking to engage in the political conversation should approach the biblical references used by politicians and pundits with discernment. There is great power in Scriptureand great peril in misusing it for our own ends. That is not to say we should take the Bible out of our public lives. Rather, we should repeatedly return to the original context of the text itself, testing our speech against the whole counsel of Scripture. Kaitlyn Schiess is the author of The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor and the newly released The Ballot and the Bible. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. cast such a transformative vision for freedom and equality in his I Have a Dream speech that, with a single phrase, [he] joined the likes of Lincoln and Jefferson as men whove shaped modern America, wrote Time magazine. Sixty years ago this August 28, King gave his speech during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In that moment, King ascended from a movement leader to a cultural icon. Though they are well known, cultural icons are often flat and static, lacking the luxury of nuance or adaptability. An iconized version of a person can be easily co-opted and used against the very causes and values of the person in whose image the icon is fashioned. Within his own lifetime, King experienced the difficulties of having a single moment define his entire legacy, and he worried about misuses of his Dream speech. King knew listeners tended to focus on his final six minutes of soaring refrains at the expense of the first 11 minutes of careful socioeconomic and cultural analysis. For many, the hopeful conclusion of the Dream speech was twisted into a facile optimism that avoided the hard questions necessary for real progress. In May 1967, King publicly addressed these concerns. Much of the optimism hed embodied just three years before had been tempered by a stark realism that racism, economic exploitation, and militarism were much more entrenched in the American way of life than hed realized. In an interview with journalist Sander Vanocur, King attempted to reclaim his own legacy. I must confess that that dream that I had that day has in many points turned into a nightmare, he said. Ive come to see that we have many more difficulties ahead and some of the old optimism [of the Dream speech] was a little superficial and now it must be tempered with a solid realism. Acutely aware of popular misunderstandings, King used his platform to help people better understand how to properly apply his words. Nevertheless, in the decades following his assassination, some have unwittingly misconstrued and misrepresented Kings dream by lifting phrases from the speech out of contextsometimes even in service of causes that threaten to erode the very legacy of justice King worked so hard to build. This has become such a common occurrence that Kings youngest daughter, Bernice King, routinely takes to social media to correct some of the worst misuses of her fathers legacy. Last year, for example, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin invoked the Dream speech while signing an executive order banning books that teach the history of racial discrimination in America. Article continues below Bernice King quickly responded with a charitable but direct tweet, writing that our nation has yet to comprehensively, strategically, legislatively, and systematically cast aside prejudice, racism, and bigotry. I call you beyond acknowledging my father to embracing the work of ensuring policies, including in education, that reflect his teachings. Like her father, Bernice King calls us beyond talk and superficial optimism to a higher mission, a deep commitment to the hard work that makes for real progress. The apostle John instructs us to not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). As believers, we can renew our commitment to genuine service-oriented love by avoiding the popular misuses of Kings Dream speech. Today, there are at least three ways we can more substantially engage with Kings dream. First, we must recognize the painful history behind the speech. Kings dream can only be properly understood against the nightmarish backdrop of American chattel slavery and its persistent legacy. King chose the steps of the Lincoln Memorial precisely in order to invoke this history. While the centennial anniversary of Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation that same year remained fresh in Americas collective memory, King seized the opportunity to remind the nation that 100 years later the Negro still is not free. King especially focused on the hundred years of failed promises since the Emancipation Proclamation: the unfulfilled hopes of the reconstruction era, racialization of the prison system, the sharecropping system, racial terrorism against Black economic centers, Jim Crow, and segregation. According to King, these systemic failures of the country (rather than personal failures of its Black citizens) were the chief cause of racial disparities. Though disturbing, this history of broken promises must be reckoned with in order to realistically understand Kings dream. Americas racial history may be one of the most contentious struggles of our modern political landscape. Many fear that reckoning with Americas racial sins may erode patriotism or national morale. But as Christians, we know healing is not found in hiding from the past (Prov. 28:13). Denial of our racial past or attempts to revise it are strategies to justify ourselves, to clean up our own reputation by minimizing Americas misdeeds or by national mythmaking. But we will only find Gods mercies for healing and hope as we confess and repent in faith. Article continues below How can we ever turn from the ongoing legacy of past atrocities if we will not face that past with honesty and humility? Confession and repentance are acts of faith. As believers, we hold that the gospel of Christ has enough power to heal even the ugly divisions and disparities of American racism. King held that to be true. Thats why he could begin his I Have a Dream speech with an unflinching confession of Americas past. So can we. Texts like Carter G. Woodsons The History of the Negro Church and Jemar Tisbys The Color of Compromise can help the church in America wrestle with its own complicity in racial injustice and embrace its calling to help heal the country. A second way the church can honor Kings legacy is to examine the practical issues he spoke of in the Dream speech. In its first two thirds, King broached several specific topics that are still pressing today, including police violence: We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. In the wake of the killings of Michael Brown, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and numerous other unarmed Black people at the hands of police in recent years, many Christians have been galvanized against police brutality. This marks a place of substantial resonance between the struggle for freedom in the 50s and 60s and its ongoing expressions today. Any meaningful engagement with the Dream speech and the civil rights movement must take police violence seriously. Esau McCaulley pointed out in CT that police misconduct is not merely a social concern, but a gospel concern. Examining Romans 13 and Luke 3:14, McCaulley said a vision of gospel-grounded policing calls both the state and its officers to use their influence to protect the weak. Understanding and addressing the obstacles to fair and accessible housing is another key to meaningful engagement with Kings dream. Sixty years ago, King said, We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negros basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. And yet, five decades after the Fair Housing Act was signed, the rate of Black homeownership remains at 42 percentthe same as in 1963. Article continues below This ongoing disparity is rooted in the legacy of red-lining and other discriminatory housing practices, including the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 that began routing highways through Black and brown communities. This legacy, as well as current discriminatory practices, can keep potential Black homeowners from gaining access to the best opportunities for housing. The prophets Micah, Amos, and Isaiah spoke powerfully in their day about Gods intention to provide a place of safety, rest, and abundance for his people through the means of land. Walter Brueggemann points out in The Land that ancient Israels land promises speak redemptive hope to Americas current housing crises. Perhaps unsurprisingly, voting rights and equitable political representation also factored prominently in Kings speech. He noted, We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and the Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. King saw equal access to the ballot box and political representation as key to securing civil rights within a democratic society. Thanks in large part to Kings moral leadership, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by president Lyndon Johnson. This addressed the long history of literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that had historically disenfranchised Black voters. Today, as lawmakers work to ensure the integrity of the voting process, they must not do so at the expense of equitable access to the vote. Restrictive laws that depress turnout among voters of color stand in direct opposition to Kings legacy. King desired more than voting rights; he knew it would be pointless to achieve full access to the vote without meaningful representation on the actual agendas of lawmakers. Kings dream entails real political representation that addresses the unique needs of minority populations. By the time he reached the famous refrain in his speech, King had already laid the necessary historical and social groundwork to take us to church, as fellow civil rights leader Clarence Jones phrased it. Kings hopeful vision assumes serious work around police and criminal justice reform, fair housing, and voting rights, among other issues. His words are not merely historical relics of a bygone era but are a distinctly contemporary call to action. Article continues below Last, the church can examine the practical theology beneath the Dream speech. King was a fourth-generation preacher who carried out his public ministry as a pastor-theologian. In order to understand Kings message, we must understand his faith. One of the most fundamental aspects of Kings theology was what he often called somebodiness. This was a biblically rooted belief in the fundamental value and dignity of every human life. In the Jim Crow South, society sought to instill a sense of inferiority among Black Americans. Grown men were routinely called boy, and Black people were forced to accept not only separate conditions but inferior ones. However, the Bible and the Black church taught King differently. He was raised on biblical passages like Genesis 1:27 and Galatians 3:28, believing that all people are made in the image of God and that all believers, regardless of race or gender or social status, are one in Christ Jesus. He understood that in the sight of God and within the life of the Black church, everybody was somebody. This belief in the inestimable value of human life drove King to fight for equal rights and freedom until justice rolled down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24). When King said, I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, he was mainly referring to the doctrine of somebodiness. He longed for a day when Americas legacy of racial injustices no longer hindered access to equal opportunities. However, this quote from Kings speech has been co-opted by some who suggest colorblindness as a solution for racial reconciliation. But this entirely misses Kings point, and it contradicts everything hed said so far. If the nation were to suddenly become colorblind, it would forget the hundred years of painful history with which King began his speech. If the nation became colorblind, it would never address the racialized criminal justice, housing, economic, and political disparities that King highlighted. If America became colorblind, it would never make good on its emancipatory promises to Black citizens because it would never redress historic injustices or their current legacy of racial disparities. Instead, the nation would move ahead without repairing what is broken. A colorblind nation would enshrine racial disparities beneath a veneer of false peace, ensuring that Kings dream would never be fully realized. Article continues below No, King never envisioned a colorblind America. However, he did envision a committed America. King dreamed of an America so committed to the truth that it would acknowledge its historic failures and make good on its promises of freedom. King dreamed of a country so committed to peacemaking and racial justice that it would do the hard work needed to ensure no vestige of historical racial disparities remained. The church in America ought to be at the forefront of that effort. If freedom will ever truly ring across this land tomorrow, we must commit ourselves to every positive action necessary to make Kings dream a reality today. Mika Edmondson is lead pastor of Koinonia Church in Nashville and the author of The Power of Unearned Suffering: The Roots and Implications of Martin Luther King, Jr.s Theodicy. Speaking Out is Christianity Todays guest opinion column. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. The hit-and-run Bronx SUV driver who charged after a 32-year-old moped rider sparked the fatal crash by rear-ending the moped during the chase, prosecutors said Thursday as they charged the SUV driver with manslaughter. Brehisly Jimenez Gonzalez also faces assault, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident charges for Mondays crash just north of the Cross Bronx Expressway, where the service road meets Gleason Ave. in Unionport. Gonzalez was behind the wheel of his Honda Pilot SUV when he engaged in a dispute with victim Kadeem Davis, court documents say. (Gonzalez) pursued Kadeem Davis scooter at a high rate of speed and, during said pursuit, (he) swerved and struck the rear of Kadeem Davis scooter, the criminal complaint against Gonzalez said. A moped rider was killed in a crash on a Cross Bronx Expressway service road in Unionport on Monday. After he was hit by Gonzalez vehicle, Davis gas-powered JiaJue moped struck the curb with the impact flinging him from the moped into a light pole, cops said. Medics rushed Davis to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died. Gonzalez fled onto the Cross Bronx Expressway after the crash but cops pulled him over a short distance away and took him into custody, police said. Davis, one of six siblings, had just left his apartment when he got into a disagreement with Gonzalez. Prosecutors did not disclose what the two men were arguing about. After Gonzalez hit his moped, Davis was flung into a light pole, said police. Sanje James, 35, Davis eldest sister, remembered her brother as a loving and supportive father who was always there for his children. He used to call his older daughter a princess that was the name for her. He was always like, How are you doing, Princess? Lets go to the park, Princess. He always wanted to be a dad, said James. A judge ordered Gonzalez held on $50,000 cash bail. Hes expected to answer the charges in court on Friday. Nigerian court affirms right to convert from Islam to Christianity A court in northern Nigeria has granted a court order protecting an 18-year-old Christian convert from threats to her life by family members, a ruling that emphasizes the fundamental right to change religion, in this case, from Islam to Christianity. Mary Olowe, not her real name, faced death threats from her father and brothers after converting to Christianity. Her mother helped her escape to safety in a Christian community before seeking legal protection through a restraining order. According to the human rights group ADF International, a high court in Nigeria granted an order of perpetual injunction against her father and brothers. "[T]he defendants are hereby restrained from threat and attempt on the life of the applicant following her decision to change from the practice of Islam to Christianity and also not to breach her fundamental rights as to the choice of her religion or thoughts," the order states. No appeals were filed against the order. "We are relieved that Mary has found protection from these credible threats and that the court recognized her fundamental right to convert from Islam to Christianity," ADF International Legal Counsel Sean Nelson said in a statement. "This is an important decision that we pray will help others facing threats to their lives only because they came to believe in Christ." "No person should be persecuted, harassed, or threatened with death for their faith nor for converting from one faith to another," Nelson added. "Christian converts from Islam in Nigeria are often denied the ability to freely live out their faith because of targeted threats and attacks against them, even from their family members." Olowe's case comes after a 25-year-old Christian student was beaten to death last year by her Muslim classmates in Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto state. Deborah Emmanuel, a member of the Evangelical Church Winning All and a student at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, was killed in May 2022 after classmates claimed a WhatsApp message she sent to a classmate during an argument was blasphemous. A Christian woman named Rhoda Ya'u Jatau was arrested in Bauchi state in May 2022 and was held incommunicado for more than four months on blasphemy charges for sharing a post on WhatsApp condemning Emmanuel's killing, Morning Star News reported at the time. The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is particularly severe, with 90% of the over 5,600 Christians killed for their faith worldwide last year being Nigerian, according to persecution watchdog group Open Doors. Christian converts from Islam, such as Mary, face significant social hostility. Egregious laws in Nigeria, including blasphemy laws, systematically punish religious minorities, ADF International noted. In its latest International Religious Freedom Report, the U.S. State Department noted a spike in deadly violence impacting both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. The NGO Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project reported there were 3,953 civilian deaths from violence across the country in 2022. "There continued to be frequent violent incidents, particularly in the northern part of the country, affecting both Muslims and Christians, resulting in numerous deaths," the State Department's report on Nigeria said. "Kidnappings and armed robbery by criminal gangs increased in the South as well as the North West, the South, and the South East. The international Christian organization Open Doors stated that terrorist groups, militant herdsmen, and criminal gangs were responsible for large numbers of fatalities, and Christians were particularly vulnerable." In June 2022, gunmen stormed into St. Francis Catholic Church in the southwestern Ondo state and killed dozens. Nigerian Christians and human rights groups have voiced concerns for years that the violence carried out against predominantly Christian farming communities in the Middle Belt states by radicalized herdsmen has reached genocidal levels as thousands have been killed in recent years. However, the Nigerian government has rejected claims that the violence is influenced by religion and insists it's part of decades-old farmer-herder clashes. Additionally, data cited by the U.S. State Department suggests that violence targeting Christians accounts for a small fraction of the killings. Pastor warns that seeking Jesus for deliverance, relief without surrendering is not Christianity Well known for his deliverance ministry, Pastor Vlad Savchuk says people shouldn't seek Jesus to be set free from affliction so they can continue to live self-centered lives. Instead, they need to surrender the entirety of their lives so Jesus can permanently break their strongholds. Born in the Ukraine into a devoted Christian family, the minister and his family immigrated to the United States when he was 13. Savchuk began working in youth ministry at 16, and is now the lead pastor of the international ministry Hungry Generation Church based in Washington state. Savchuks ministry has gained recognition for his teachings on deliverance from demons and strongholds. He was also featured in the film Come Out In Jesus Name released earlier this year. Although deliverance is what he's known for on social media and among the self-described "demon slayers" (the deliverance pastor community), he said the Bible is clear that our walks with God are not centered around deliverance. "We have to renew our mind. The Bible clearly states that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind, Savchuk said in an in-depth video interview with The Christian Post. Israel came out of Egypt, but Egypt didn't come out of them. They had to go through the renewing of their mind. That's why they died like slaves, though they were no longer chased by Pharaoh. "I've seen this with people who even get delivered. Deliverance gets the demons out, but renewing of the mind is what breaks the strongholds down. You can have a person who is set free, but in their mind, they're still bound. They don't have demons, they have strongholds. The pastor described strongholds as convincing thoughts developed over time that become "subconscious convictions." He instructed that those strongholds need to be broken down layer by layer. "That's why Jesus says in the same setting, 'Whom the son sets free,' He says also, 'You shall know the truth.' Meaning Jesus sets us free, but His truth also brings a certain level of freedom right here in our mind, Savchuk added. He believes many Christians live their whole lives in torment, without having demons; instead, they have strongholds that must be broken. "These strongholds need to be broken down by submitting yourself to Bible study, prayer, through memorizing the verses and taking God's word like a soap and washing your mind, said Savchuk. Christians, he advised, should submit to living in the community with other believers, because a lot of what generational curses are is stuff that gets passed on, the negative traits, negative things that get passed on from your family of origin. God has a counteractive to that by giving us His family, spiritual family. "Unfortunately, what happens with many Christians is they get saved, but they're homeless Christians. They are not connected to a home. They keep declaring the breaking of the curses, but you cannot receive those generational blessings if you're not in the spiritual home called the church, he emphasized. The author noted that many people aren't connected to a church because they have been offended by people in the Church. However, he assured that being part of a congregation is essential for believers who wish to stay free in Christ. "Without having a local church that you're connected to, you can break the curses all day and night, but you're not going to walk into generational blessings if you're not in a local church, he stressed. Savchuk encouraged people who are seeking freedom in God to get free in Jesus Christ and get filled with God to replace whatever plagued them. "We have to replace what the enemy used to occupy or what he used to do in our life. For example, if a person was addicted to weed and they come to Christ, they're like, 'Man, I don't want to be smoking weed anymore,' he said. "The idea is not just 'Lord, take away my weed addiction. The idea is, 'Lord, replace that. That time that I used to smoke weed, I want to give that time to the Lord. "Many people, what they do is because they were tormented by certain sins, chains and demons, they come to Jesus for relief, but not for replacement, Savchuk expounded. Theyre almost like, 'Jesus, I want you to take this away because it took so much time because it destroyed my relationships. It took a lot of money, Jesus, but now that you're going to give me the freedom, I can do whatever I want with my life.' But that's not the purpose of Christianity. Savchuk said Christianity is not about people coming to Jesus so they can do whatever they want. "It's me actually giving my whole life now so Jesus can do what He wants, Savchuk maintained. Many people get freedom by removing bad stuff [but] they just don't want Jesus to occupy the place the enemy used to occupy. And now their life is not surrendered to Jesus so they find themselves in another prison called selfishness. They live their life for themselves instead of for Jesus. When people come to Savchuk for deliverance, he says he asks them: Are you willing to surrender your life, your whole life, not just the parts that are painful, but parts that are not, to Jesus Christ? "God doesn't just want to set us free from Egypt so we can run around the wilderness and worship golden calves. He wants us to become His people," Savchuk declared. "They wanted to use God as a means to a goal, and the goal is personal fulfillment, personal success. But that's not what the purpose of the cross is. Jesus is not a means to a goal. He is the goal! "Deliverance is a means to that goal, and the goal is Jesus having more of me, Savchuk said. "Deliverance doesn't give me more of God. Deliverance gives God more of me. God has more of me now that He can use and more of me that serves Him, loves Him and is available to Him, the minister insisted. While it is a good starting point for people to come to Jesus for deliverance, that should not be the beginning and end, he added. Where we finish is with discipleship, with self-denial. New Age is all about self-discovery. New life is about self-denial. We have traded the crucified life for the carnal life. We have just enough of the world that we don't enjoy God, and we have just enough of God that we don't enjoy the world. We're the most miserable of all people, he lamented. Savchuk ended the interview by saying, If you are going to experience all that Jesus has for you, you can only do that by giving 100% for Him. His new book Host The Holy Ghostwill be released on Sept. 13. Savchuk offers all his past books and courses on deliverance, deliverance prayers and discipleship for free on his website. Billy Graham chaplains minister to Raleigh community after mass shooting kills 5 Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, to help minister to people affected by the mass shooting that took five lives last week. The response team, which serves as the chaplain ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, sent chaplains trained in crisis response after a teenager shot two people in a middle-class Raleigh neighborhood last Thursday before murdering three more and wounding two others on a walking trail. A 15-year-old suspect was arrested soon after the shooting began. The chaplains oversee a mobile ministry center at the Hedingham Community Pool to pray and speak with locals, according to a statement released by BGEA on Friday. What an incredibly terrifying situation. My heart is heavy to hear about this tragic mass shooting, said Josh Holland, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. [Our chaplains were deployed] to comfort people, listen and cry with them, pray with them, and share Gods love with those who have been impacted by this horrific tragedy. The victims were identified as Nicole Connors, 52; Mary Marshall, 34; married mother of three Susan Karnatz, 49; Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torress, 29; and Knightdale High School student James Thompson, 16. Thirty-three-year-old Raleigh police senior officer Casey Clark and 59-year-old Marcille Gardner were injured in the shooting, with the latter being in critical condition. Churches in the Raleigh area also gathered for services and vigils on Sunday to help people find hope amid the tragedy. I believe theres comfort both ways, Pastor Tim Rabon of Beacon Baptist Church told the Goldsboro-based outlet WNCN. No. 1, theres comfort vertically, from God himself, and then God puts us in community, and thats really what church is. In the Hedingham neighborhood where the shooting started, residents erected a temporary memorial to the victims, which includes five crosses and a photo of each person killed by the shooter. To the Raleigh community, we are grateful for the immediate 911 calls and continuous updates and patience, stated Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson last Friday. We also want to salute the valiant efforts of a broad coalition of public safety partners who assisted in our investigation yesterday. The 15-year-old suspect, whom authorities have kept unnamed, was arrested hours after the shooting and later rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The motive for the shooting remains unknown. Prosecutors have indicated that they may attempt to try the suspect as an adult. Jennifer Metallo, a BGEA chaplain coordinator, told WNCN that more than anything else, her team was on the ground at the neighborhood memorial to offer listening ears. If we can get it out of their heart and out of their mouth, then they can get it out of their mind, and then that can help them start healing, Metallo said. According to The News & Observer, First Alliance Church in Raleigh held a vigil outside its building on Sunday. We just want to care for our neighbors, Pastor Dan Rothra said. I dont have a big agenda except to just let our neighbors be loved. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team often deploys to sites of tragedy, whether they are natural disasters or acts of violence. Earlier this year, BGEA sent chaplains the day after a shootout killed two police officers and injured five others in Allen, Kentucky. California church doesnt have to pay $217K in COVID fines: State high court The California Supreme Court has restricted Santa Clara County officials from forcing Calvary Chapel to pay $217,500 in fines for violating Gov. Gavin Newsoms ongoing restrictions on church worship gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The state high court last week denied a petition by Santa Clara County asking that Calvary Chapel pay $217,500 in court fees, East Bay Times reported. Calvary Chapel San Jose and Pastor Mike McClure were held in contempt and fined for violating a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction for holding in-person worship services in 2020 and 2021. The restraining order had been issued after the church gathered for worship despite the county's guidance on Oct. 13, 2020, limiting indoor church gatherings to no more than 25% capacity or 100 people. The guidance exempted secular establishments such as schools, train stations, airports, medical facilities, malls and retail businesses from the new requirements. We are pleased the California Supreme Court chose not to take up the matter, Los Angeles Times quoted Mariah Gondeiro, an attorney representing Calvary Chapel, as saying. In August, Californias 6th District Court of Appeal had ruled in favor of Calvary Chapel, reversing lower court decisions against the church. However, last weeks ruling at the California high court decertified the appellate ruling, which means future legal challengers will not be allowed to use it. Gondeiro said, We are very confident in a federal lawsuit where we seek to hold the county accountable for their unconstitutional public health orders. The August appellate decision repeatedly cited U.S. Supreme Court rulings when justifying the reversal of the fines imposed on Calvary Chapel. It referenced the 2020 decision Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo. The nation's high court found that an executive order from then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo limiting attendance at houses of worship in areas with high levels of coronavirus transmission was unconstitutional because it allowed "essential" businesses like "acupuncture facilities, camp grounds, [and] garages" to continue admitting as many people as they wished. The Supreme Court stated that "even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten," characterizing the worship restrictions as a "strike at the very heart of the First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty." The opinion also cited the April 2021 Supreme Court opinion in Tandon v. Newsom, in which the high court ruled against Santa Clara County's public health orders limiting attendance at private indoor gatherings to three households. In November 2020, Pastor McClure told his congregation, There are people who are accusing us that we are trying to kill people, that we dont care about people. Thats the farthest thing from the truth. About 600 people had been attending services in a space that has the capacity to hold 1,900 people, while the county limited indoor gatherings to 100 people at the time. The church, McClure said, cares about the whole body. The pastor said he was not forcing anyone to come to church in person. I dont want to break the law but Im called to preach the Gospel, he explained. Calvary Chapels lawyer Gondeiro told the gathering at the time, Over the past five months, not one person has contracted COVID-19, they have contributed zero to the infection rate of this county. California church sues county for allegedly spying on members during pandemic shutdown A Northern California church is suing county officials for allegedly spying on its members during the states coronavirus shutdown, accusations that county officials deny. Attorneys with Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed the lawsuit on behalf of Calvary Chapel San Jose against Santa Clara County for utilizing what they say was a form of geo-tracking while the church remained open under COVID-19 pandemic restriction. At the height of the pandemic, the church now known as Calvary Christian Fellowship (CCF) and Pastor Mike McClure defied social distancing orders and reopened the church. Both were later held in contempt of court and fined for violating a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction for holding in-person worship services in 2020 and 2021. The complaint contends that the "geofencing operation was not neutral and generally applicable because not all businesses and entities were subject to surveillance." Additionally, the county never obtained a warrant to conduct such operations on church members, the court filing maintains. In a statement Wednesday, McClure said the suit isnt just for his own congregation but for churches across America. Our church believes in the rights and privacy of all our members, McClure said. We are not just standing up for the rights of our church family; we are standing up for the rights of religious people across this country. "People of faith should never have to worry about the government spying on them in places of worship, said Mariah Gondeiro, vice president and legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. We are standing up for people of all faiths across the country who have been, and continue to be, targeted by the government. This invasion of privacy and targeting violates the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and represents a terrifying precedent if allowed to go unaddressed. It is time to hold Santa Clara County accountable for violating the rights of Calvary Chapel members." In a statement provided to The Christian Post earlier this year, county officials pushed back on claims that enforcement agents spied on churchgoers, calling them false assertions that do not reflect an understanding of basic facts of the Countys public health orders or enforcement program. A March report on Substack from journalist David Zweig cited court documents to state a surveillance operation of the church is alleged to have begun in August 2020 and included "stakeouts, forced in-person monitoring of prayer groups and other intimate activities" and tracking "the cellular mobility data of churchgoers. "To be clear, the County did not use cell phone surveillance to track anyone at Calvary Chapel during the pandemic," a county spokesperson told CP at the time. "[Zweigs] article cites an after-the-fact analysis of third-party, commercially available aggregate data, done for litigation purposes in order to respond to Calvarys own allegations in a lawsuit that Calvary itself filed. In a statement provided to The Christian Broadcasting Network, a county spokesperson said that officials are "confident" that the county will "prevail" in court. Santa Clara County became the first county in the country to issue a shelter-in-place order in March 2020. Residents were ordered to stay in their homes except for essential activities such as buying food or seeking medical treatment. Last August, a three-judge panel on California's 6th District Court of Appeals ruled CCF does not have to pay over $200,000 in fines for violating gathering restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel reversed a Dec. 17, 2020, order requiring the church to pay $33,000 for violating Santa Clara County's Nov. 2, 2020, restraining order forbidding the church from holding indoor gatherings with more than 100 people. The restraining order was issued after the church failed to abide by guidelines on Oct. 13 of that year. Earlier this year, Santa Clara County imposed a $1.2 million fine against the church for not abiding by the states and countys COVID-19 restrictions. In November 2020, Pastor McClure told his congregation, There are people who are accusing us that we are trying to kill people, that we dont care about people. Thats the farthest thing from the truth. About 600 people had been attending services in a space that has the capacity to hold 1,900 people, while the county limited indoor gatherings to 100 people at the time. The church, McClure said, cares about the whole body. The pastor said he was not forcing anyone to come to church in person. I dont want to break the law, but Im called to preach the Gospel, he explained. County officials in Silicon Valley deny spying on Calvary Chapel during COVID lockdowns County officials in Northern California are denying a report that they used cell phone data to track members of a Calvary Chapel church that defied ongoing lockdown orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, a report from investigative journalist David Zweig alleged that enforcement officers with Santa Clara County began spying on the congregation at Calvary Chapel San Jose, including tracking the cellular mobility data of churchgoers. Alleged to have begun in August 2020, the Santa Clara County surveillance operation included "stakeouts, forced in-person monitoring of prayer groups and other intimate activities, and tracking the cellular mobility data of churchgoers, according to Zweig. In a statement provided to The Christian Post, a spokesperson for the County of Santa Clara described the allegations as false assertions that do not reflect an understanding of basic facts of the Countys public health orders or enforcement program. The statement added: To be clear, the County did not use cell phone surveillance to track anyone at Calvary Chapel during the pandemic. [Zweigs] article cites an after-the-fact analysis of third-party, commercially available aggregate data, done for litigation purposes in order to respond to Calvarys own allegations in a lawsuit that Calvary itself filed. The spokesperson also denied Santa Clara County issued any restrictions specific to churches or religious institutions whatsoever." However, a county statement from Feb. 8, 2021, on indoor worship services clearly warned such services may only proceed subject to all other State and local safety protocols, including mandatory face coverings, social distancing, and the prohibition on singing and chanting indoors. The statement did not address the county's other alleged surveillance activity. Led by Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County became the first county in the country to issue a shelter-in-place order in March 2020, where residents were ordered to stay in their homes except for essential activities such as buying food or seeking medical treatment. Despite the allegations, Santa Clara County remains proud of its public health orders, enforcement, and overall response, which saved thousands of lives, resulting in one of the lowest death rates of any major county in the United States, the spokesperson added. Last week, Calvary Chapel filed a countersuit against the county, alleging the stay-at-home orders violated the congregations First Amendment rights as well as violating the Eighth Amendment with excessive fines. In his March 5 report, Zweig shared court documents showing enforcement officers with Santa Clara County began spying on the congregation at Calvary Chapel San Jose and reported intimate details about their worship, prayer and other church meetings after Pastor Mike McClure defied ongoing social distancing orders and reopened the church. At the height of the pandemic, the church now known as Calvary Christian Fellowship (CCF) and McClure were held in contempt and fined for violating a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction for holding in-person worship services in 2020 and 2021. After CCF and McClure ignored the county's cease-and-desist letters for defying several state and county guidelines on indoor gatherings, officers with the county's Business Compliance Unit reported "observing at least 100 unmasked people gathered inside, not distancing, and with some of them singing." After an initial visit to the church on Aug. 23, compliance officers attended and left a service to write up a citation for CCF for violating masking, distancing and other guidelines. Upon returning to deliver the citation, the officers were instructed to leave the property and were prevented from returning on subsequent visits, according to documents. The county's compliance unit, the documents allege, made a deal with an adjacent church to use their location as a base camp to surveil CCF. That location has been identified as Central Church of Christ, located in a lot just north of CCF. From that adjacent location, county officers frequently worked in pairs and were able to conduct multiple stakeouts and observe CCF staff and attendees "by peering at them through a chainlink fence from the adjacent property," according to the report. On one occasion, officers watched as "greeters welcomed attendees into the building" and noted, "members of the public entering the church were not wearing face coverings, and none of the greeters were wearing face coverings." The report also noted volunteers directing traffic while unmasked, and even acts of affection among the congregation were jotted down. "None of these traffic directors or greeters wore face coverings, and both [enforcement officers] ... witnessed some greeters hug congregants, who also were not wearing face coverings, as they arrived." Last week, Alexander Tullis, minister at Central Church of Christ, told CP that while court documents "seem to suggest" the church was working with Santa Clara County, that's not the whole story. "While certain members, even in leadership, may have individually allowed this to take place unofficially, I and the rest of leadership came together soon after and officially asked such surveillances be stopped immediately," Tullis said. The county complied with the request in October 2020 and ceased all surveillance activity from the location. Police send 'suspicious' notices to at least 40 churches in India seeking information on evangelism HYDERABAD, India Police in India have issued questionnaires to at least 40 churches in Indore, Madhya Pradesh state seeking information that Christians fear will be used by Hindu extremists to attack them, sources said. The questionnaires are intrusive and discriminatory, as they were sent only to Christians, church leaders said. We contacted the police commissioner and told him that it is an unjust order and very discriminatory why only Christians? Indore Catholic Diocese Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal told local media. The questions in the letter are also very suspicious. This is not in good spirit.m The 16-point questionnaire issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Information Centre of Indore, addressed to all police stations, seeks information about Christians activities in the city over the three months prior to its issue date of July 7. It has had a chilling effect, with many churches stopping in-person worship and going to online services, sources said. Although the police commissioner had stated that they withdrew the alleged notices, the police are still approaching the churches and enquiring about the same details and asking the pastors to fill out the document, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity told Morning Star News. Police are obtaining information about evangelization and other activities, and since then, most of the churches have been meeting online, the source said. This information would be shared with the anti-Christian elements who will storm into churches and cause a ruckus, the source told Morning Star News. It clearly shows the police and the Hindutva [Hindu nationalist] groups are operating hand-in-glove. The questionnaire asks about the objectives of Christian activities and if church leaders have noticed any suspicious conversions. It also asks if Christians are running any Non-Government Organizations and if they are receiving funding from abroad. After Christians and media questioned Indore Police Commissioner Makrand Deoskar, he told the reporters in mid-July that the notices were actually sent to station house officers of all police stations in the city, and that officers may have sent them to the churches by mistake. The notices have been withdrawn after opposition by the Christian community members, Deoskar told reporters. We have not issued the notice to the community members. The letter has been written by the ACP [Assistant Commissioner of Police] and addressed to the TIs [police chiefs]. It is an internal letter. The TIs may have mistakenly sent it to some Christian missionaries. The questionnaire is related to police officers routine tasks and doesnt target any community, Deoskar said. There are law-and-order problems related to religious conversions that often happen, so these details are being collected and processed to timely address communal problems, he said. Indore-based Pastor Baljit Singh said the notices have driven his church underground. We are not gathering on the church premises on Sundays, he told Morning Star News. Until the situation gets better, we will continue the services online. Some attacks on churches have been reported in the past few weeks, and local media have been falsifying information about them to stir up anti-Christian sentiment, he added. A recent video of Hindu extremists storming into a home church in Sharda Nagar and scattering members has appeared with a voice-over alleging that large numbers gathered at the site to carry out forced conversions but were dispersed by the Hindu nationalists. Christian leaders have cautioned churches to be vigilant and conduct services with large congregations only after the situation improves, Pastor Singh told Morning Star News. Right now, the mainline church buildings only are conducting offline services. The rest of the small churches and home churches have been conducting online worship services. Area residents have been brainwashed to believe that if they allow Christian worship and activities, the British will take them over, he said. Another anonymous source said elections to be held in December are spurring efforts to polarize Indian society, including attacks on Christians, for political goals. The political parties are trying to win their vote bank by polarizing the communities, thereby creating a favorable environment for themselves because they have not done any development, the source told Morning Star News. The general public has been badly affected by their rule. The local police, media, and the Hindutva supporters are trying their best to send out fabricated, tailored stories about religious conversions to suit their agenda. The hostile tone of the National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, against non-Hindus, has emboldened Hindu extremists in several parts of the country to attack Christians since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in May 2014, religious rights advocates say. India ranked 11th on Christian support organization Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The country was 31st in 2013, but its position worsened after Modi came to power. Jewish couple can sue after Christian charity rejected their foster care application: court A Jewish couple can continue their legal battle against Tennessee after a Christian foster agency rejected them over religious differences, an appeals court panel has ruled. Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram filed a complaint against the Tennessee Department of Children's Services last year after the state-supported Holston United Methodist Home for Children rejected their foster care application. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals of Tennessee at Nashville unanimously ruled that the Rutan-Rams have the right to sue the DCS. Judge Andy Bennett authored the panel opinion, overruling an earlier panel opinion that dismissed the lawsuit, writing that the couple "have alleged distinct and palpable injuries in the form of violations of state constitutional rights, which certainly qualify as recognized legal rights and interests." "We conclude that the allegations of the complaint are sufficient to demonstrate that Tenn. Code Ann. 36-1-147 and the Department's actions authorized and enabled Holston's discrimination against the Couple based upon their religion," Bennett continued. "Accordingly, the Couple's pleadings sufficiently meet the requirement of establishing causation for standing in Tennessee courts at this stage of the proceedings." The panel also concluded that the six state taxpayers who joined the lawsuit as plaintiffs who objected to their taxes being used to fund the policies of DCS had standing to sue. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a progressive legal group representing the Jewish couple, celebrated the panel decision in a statement Friday. "Liz and Gabe Rutan-Ram suffered outrageous discrimination because they are Jewish," said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser in the statement. "Liz and Gabe deserve their day in court, and Americans United intends to see that they get it. Religious freedom must never be a license to harm others and AU is the shield that protects us all from those who would weaponize it." Founded in 1895, the Holston Home has reportedly helped over 8,000 children and receives reimbursement through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Title IV-E. Bradley Williams, president and CEO of Holston, told The Christian Post in January 2022 that "the caregivers we partner with" are "extensions of our ministry team serving children." "So, from the very beginning, we seek to find alignment with them, and if we cannot do so, we try to help them find an agency that may be a better fit," he said. "Finding other agencies is not hard to do. In Tennessee, for example, there are six other agencies for each one faith-based provider." Williams believes that "forcing Holston Home to violate our beliefs and place children in homes that do not share our faith is wrong and contrary to a free society." In July 2022, a three-judge panel of the Chancery Court in Davidson County ruled 2-1 to reject the Rutan-Rams' lawsuit, with the majority arguing in part that the couple's legal complaint was moot since they were able to complete the programs and receive certification through DCS months after being rejected by Holston. "Because the Couple has received the very services they claim they were previously denied, the Panel Majority adopts the Defendants' analysis and concludes that any issue related to denial of services is not capable of the prospective relief the Plaintiffs seek and is now moot," read the Chancery Court opinion. The 2022 ruling also argued that the complaint was inapplicable because the couple had originally planned to foster a child in Florida, while Holston only does in-state arrangements. Judge rejects religious parents request to restore opt-out option for LGBT book curriculum A federal court has ruled that a group of interfaith parents have no proof that a school district violated their right to free expression by removing an option to opt their students out of lessons teaching LGBT ideology that conflicts with their religious values. Parents from Muslim, Christian and Jewish backgrounds sued to restore their right to shield their children from content deemed offensive and pushing sexual indoctrination after the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) enacted a no-opt-out policy. Books that the parents object to for pre-K through fifth grades as part of an LGBT curriculum include Pride Puppy and Uncle Bobs Wedding. Parents who protested these materials said they were not seeking to ban the LGBT books. Instead, they wanted to have the right to decide whether or not to allow their children to be exposed to such content. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman rejected the parents motion for a preliminary injunction to restore the opt-out option as the court case continues. The judge argued that the parents have not shown that [the school districts] use of the storybooks crosses the line from permissible influence to potentially impermissible indoctrination. The evidence suggests that, generally, MCPS teachers will occasionally read one of the handful of books, lead discussions and ask questions about the characters, and respond to questions and comments in ways that encourage tolerance for different views and lifestyles, the judge wrote. That is not indoctrination. In a statement shared with The Christian Post, Becket, a nonprofit law firm that filed a federal lawsuit on the parents behalf in May, said the parents plan to ask a federal appeals court to protect their parental rights and religious freedom. Parents know and love their children best; thats why all kids deserve to have their parents help them understand issues like gender identity and sexuality, Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel for the Becket, told CP. The school boards decision to cut parents out of these discussions flies in the face of parental freedom, childhood innocence, and basic human decency. The courts decision is an assault on childrens right to be guided by their parents on complex and sensitive issues regarding human sexuality, he continued. The School Board should let kids be kids and let parents decide how and when to best educate their own children consistent with their religious beliefs. While the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was not involved in the litigation, the group provided evidence, including a memorandum from elementary school principals voicing objections to the school districts position. CAIRs Maryland Director, Zainab Chaudry, said in a Thursday statement provided to CP that the organizations campaign to protect the rights of parents and children in the district remains undeterred. Chaudry stressed that the group will continue advocating on behalf of parents who do not want their children exposed to topics typically reserved for sex education courses and that conflict with their faith. "Until the opt-out option is restored, we plan to pursue every available legal means on behalf of families to protect their rights, including but not limited to new targeted legal action, continued interfaith rallies and the release of additional internal MCPS documents, Chaudry stated. In response to an inquiry from CP, MCPS directed the outlet to a press release it issued Thursday reacting to the ruling, affirming its commitment to "cultivating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment" for all students and families. "We also will continue to adhere to our responsibility to include instructional materials that reflect the diversity of the local and global community by exploring the aspirations, issues, and achievements of women and men, people with disabilities, people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as those of diverse gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation," the statement declared. According to the judges ruling, the school decided to introduce the no-opt-out policy in March following a meeting with a small group of principals, with the school board feeling that the growing number of opt-out requests disrupted the classroom environment. The school board members claimed they were concerned about the high number of student absenteeism and the perceived impracticality of managing a large number of opt-outs. In addition, the school board purportedly believed that allowing students to opt out would expose other students and families to social stigma if they felt the LGBT-themed books represented their lifestyle. In an interview earlier this month with CP, Baxter explained that Maryland law requires schools to allow parents to opt their children out of lessons on family life and human sexuality if they feel the material is inappropriate. The school, however, argued that the requirement applies to health classes only. The law says any family life and human sexuality objectives, Baxter said. And there's no question that the objective is to promote a specific ideology of gender and sexuality. I love my country: Natalie Grant shares why she sang national anthem at Republican debate Award-winning Christian artist Natalie Grant put her patriotism on display during a passionate performance at the first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday. Grant said she is more interested in bringing people together as Americans regardless of their politics. "I'm patriotic. I like to keep politics to those who know how to do that best," she shared in an interview on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday morning before her performance. "I love my country, I love my anthem, and it's just an honor." In times past, Grant revealed that she has performed at Democratic Party events as well. "This isn't about endorsing a candidate or a party," she clarified, as reported by The Christian Beat. "I simply love this country, and I love what our anthem represents." "At a time when public faith in our democracy is low, I'm excited to be a part of the democratic process by doing what I do best and that's performing," the Nashville resident added. "I've had the distinct privilege of singing at events for both Republicans and Democrats in the past, and this is no different. It's a privilege." Grant gave a signature soulful rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the eight Republican presidential hopefuls and the crowd gathered at the Fiserv Forum. She told "Fox & Friends" that the anthem is one of the "hardest songs" she's ever sung because of the pressure to get it right. The nine-time Grammy nominee is gearing up for the release of a new album in October titled Seasons. She wishes to pay homage to all of her favorite worship songs and hymns throughout the years. The album features duets with Dolly Parton, Mary Mary and Tauren Wells. Grant explained that she wanted to use her interview on "Fox & Friends" as an opportunity "to shine for the glory of God." She said that Jesus has always been the center of her music, and this album will be no different. Charges that the former Suffolk County District Attorney and a deputy covered up an assault and other crimes by the county police chief who at the time oversaw the Gilgo Beach serial killer probe were upheld Friday by a federal appeals court. Ex-DA Thomas Spota and his offices former top anti-corruption prosecutor, Christopher McPartland, lost their bids to overturn their convictions on conspiracy charges involving witness tampering, obstruction of justice, and other counts in the ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The two men thwarted a federal probe into allegations former Suffolk top cop James Burke beat a man accused of robbing dildos, porn and Viagra from his car. Burke who resigned before his 2016 conviction for the brutal beatdown and sprawling cover-up has come under fire for his actions years ago in the probe of the Gilgo Beach murders in the aftermath of Julys arrest of suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann. The decision by the New York-based 2nd Circuit judges also comes on the heels of Burkes arrest Tuesday on unrelated charges of soliciting sex and exposing himself to a park ranger in a Farmingville, L.I. parking lot. FILE In this Oct. 25, 2017, file photo Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota leaves the courthouse in Central Islip, N.Y. Among other arguments in their appeal, Spota and McPartland contended that the trial judge in their case shouldnt have permitted evidence about elements of Burkes shady past or about law enforcement officers complicit in the cover-up who feared retaliation. The former prosecutors also argued the trial court shouldnt have allowed testimony about Burkes decades-old relationship with a sex worker he slept with in his police cruiser. Because we conclude that the district [trial] court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the evidence of the officers fear of retaliation, that any error in admitting the evidence relating to Burke was harmless, and that Spota and McPartlands other arguments are without merit, we affirm the judgment of the district court, 2nd Circuit Chief Judge Debra Livingston wrote. Accused Gilgo Beach killer Rex A. Heuermann appears before Judge Timothy P. Mazzei in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Spota and McPartland were both sentenced to five years in prison at a hearing in August 2021. Spota is serving his time at the federal prison in Danbury, Conn., while McPartland is at a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas. In December 2012, when Suffolk police chief Burkes car was robbed of a party bag of dildos, condoms, porn, and Viagra, Burke instructed a Suffolk County police unit to get a confession from Loeb, according to court records. When detectives failed to get Loeb to confess by slapping and cursing at him, Burke took matters into his own hands, laying into the handcuffed and shackled Loeb in the interrogation room after he called him a pervert. Burke began violently assaulting Loeb punching him in the head and body as Loeb was handcuffed to the floor, grabbing Loebs ears, and shaking and kneeing the detainee, Livingston described the ferocious assault in the Friday decision. Burke desisted only when the detectives physically pulled him away. Burke enlisted DA Spota and McPartland to help steer Loebs case to a conviction and silence the detectives who witnessed the beating. He ordered then-Lt. James Hickey to keep the detectives from ratting, and told him to consider it his new full-time job, according to trial evidence. After Loeb spoke out and the feds opened a civil rights probe in mid-2013, Burke, Spota, and McPartland launched an all-out offensive, threatening witnesses and preventing them from responding to grand jury subpoenas. Justice Department investigators and the FBI soon ended their investigation but they reopened the case in 2015 when detectives began cooperating. Burke, Spota and McPartland were soon indicted. At the prosecutors trial, one of the detectives testified that he feared the notoriously vindictive Burke would frame one of his kids as a criminal if he testified against him. The bodies of Maureen Brainard Barnes (top left), Melissa Barthelemy (top right), Amber Lynn Costello (bottom right) and Megan Waterman (bottom left) were found in December. Burke received a 46-month prison term in 2016 after he pleaded guilty of assault and obstruction of justice, and was released early in 2018. Also in 2018, Loeb reached a $1.5 million federal court settlement with Suffolk County. Lawyers for McPartland and Spota lawyers did not respond to the Daily News requests for comment. Brooklyn U.S. attorney spokesman John Marzulli declined comment. Heuermann, an architect from Massapequa Park, has pleaded not guilty to the cold case murders of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Amber Lynn Costello, 22; and Megan Waterman, 27, whose bodies were found in the marshes along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo State Park in December 2010. Hes the prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four women were sex workers. Burke was appointed chief of police in 2011, soon after the remains were discovered. Critics have questioned his handling of the investigation including his decision to cut ties with FBI investigators assisting in the probe of the killing spree. On Tuesday, authorities said Burke pleaded with them to let him go, saying his arrest would lead to public embarrassment and asking rangers, Do you know who I am? Serve people in pain: Saddleback Church members minister to victims of Cooks Corner mass shooting Saddleback Church members are comforting those who are grieving following a mass shooting at a bar near the church's main campus that left four people dead, including the suspected gunman. Known as Cooks Corner, the Trabuco Canyon bar was the site of a mass shooting Wednesday night and is within a few miles away from the Lake Forest campus of Saddleback. Saddleback Pastor Andy Wood explained in emailed comments to The Christian Post that he met with local law enforcement and they set up a base camp at our Lake Forest campus while church members went to the hospital to minister to families, including the family of one of the victims. This is a tragic event that has left our community heartbroken and dismayed, said Wood, adding that the one word that I experienced amongst all of them was heartbreak. We are grateful for our local law enforcement and their quick response which saved many more lives. Now the work of comfort and the long journey of healing begins. And thats where the church comes in. Wood believes the Church needs to practice the ministry of presence right now, noting that believers dont need to have answers or say anything profound at this point, instead we just need to show up and sit with people who are hurting. The Bible teaches us that God draws near to the brokenhearted, so in times like this, we draw near to God, because he promises to draw near to us, he continued. Prayer is our first response, not our last resort. In keeping with the importance of prayer, Saddleback is scheduled to host a community prayer vigil on Friday evening at their Lake Forest campus and the surrounding community is invited. We invite anyone and everyone to join us in prayer for the family and friends that have been devastated by this tragedy, for the first responders and medical staff, and for healing in our community, Wood told CP. Saddleback Church is committed to continue to do the same thing weve always done since launching in 1980, serve people in pain, he continued. We are committed to walking with people for the long haul and will be with them in the weeks, months, and years to come. The Orange County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday that they identified 59-year-old John Snowling of Ohio, a retired officer with the Ventura Police Department, who had served from 1986-2014, as the suspected shooter. According to authorities, a preliminary investigation indicated that Snowling allegedly drove from Ohio to California to target his wife over a domestic dispute, having brought multiple firearms with him. The suspect fired multiple rounds at the deputies with at least one round going through the windshield of a patrol unit, reported the sheriffs office. A deputy-involved shooting involving multiple deputies occurred, and the suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene. Texas school board forcibly removes protester who slammed library book for 'homosexuality and satanism' 'God has given us free will to do the right thing,' veteran tells school board A self-described disabled veteran was forcibly removed from a North Texas school board meeting after he began reading from a book about homosexuality and satanism that was recently removed from the school districts library. During the public comment portion of the Aug. 22 Fort Worth ISD board meeting, a man who identified as Mike Cee began to read from the book Flamer, a graphic novel by Mike Curato with references to oral sex and masturbation, which the American Library Associated named as one of the most challenged books of 2022. As Cee approached the podium, he referenced God and Satan and called on those present to do the right thing. Some in this room may or may not know this. Satan rules the world. Satan speaks through some of you, he said. It could be some of these board members; it could be some of the audience. God has given us free will to do the right thing. He then began reading from Flamer which, he added, has to do with homosexuality and satanism as a board member warned him that he would not be allowed to read the book if it was vulgar. "On page one, it says, OK, who wants my hot wiener, oh yeah baby, Cee read as a board member pounded his gavel. Were talking about a hot dog here. Page two His microphone was then cut off as law enforcement officers approached the lectern and escorted Cee out of the room as a member of the audience shouted, Dont touch him. He didnt break the law! A video from the meeting showed police taking Cee into an adjacent room, where he told officers, This book is in the school system and you are defending it! Bystanders are heard in the clip telling officers, Dont touch him! You dont have the authority to! as one of the officers attempted to grab Cee around his waist. Cee is heard shouting at the officer, I am a disabled veteran, stop pushing me! and Get your hands off me! Police then escorted Cee out of the Fort Worth ISD building. Oh great. Schools back in session and now we have more school board tyranny on display! Man forced out for reading from a book which was in the library. So much for free speech! Great for kids, but too obscene to speak out against at Fort Worth ISD board meeting? pic.twitter.com/TsAl3iaC6Z Kristi Leigh (@KristiLeighTV) August 23, 2023 A Fort Worth ISD spokesperson told The Christian Post that the district is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment, where all community members can voice their opinions and concerns in accordance with Board Policy. The districts statement read in part: During our last meeting, an individual was escorted out after failing to comply with repeated warnings from the Board president and legal counsel. We deeply value open dialogue. We invite everyone to share their perspectives while upholding decorum. The Board is receptive to public commentary and kindly asks all speakers to respect each other and Board Policy. Fort Worth ISD is also proactive in working to comply with House Bill 900 before it goes into effect Sept. 1 and has always conducted inventories periodically, according to the spokesperson. HB900 requires books available in public schools and other public libraries to be rated and, if necessary, removed to guard against exposing children to obscene content. Flamer, which was among a trio of books featuring explicit content that were uncovered by parents and independent journalists this summer in Fort Worth schools, is about a young teen named Aiden who realized that he might be gay during a stay at summer camp even as he struggles with the difficult reality of what that might mean. Upon the books release in 2020, Curato wrote, ... We are not sinners for being gay. We sin when we believe the lies that are perpetuated against us. We sin when we apologize for being here. I sinned when I didnt want to give myself a chance because I didnt think I was worth anything. This story is my penance and my redemption. The book was reportedly among three books removed from the district's libraries this summer ahead of the new school year. Earlier this month, another book that depicts masturbation, pedophilia and anti-Christian ideology was found in two Texas school district libraries, including Fort Worth ISD. The bookBlankets, a graphic novel by Craig Thompson, includes full frontal nudity of children and teenagers, sexual abuse, apparent depictions of pedophilia, and disparaging comments about Christianity. 2024 GOP Debate, Trump Interview With Carlson, SC School Board Prayer Controversy, New Jersey Battle Over Kids And Gender Notifications link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:36 06:36 Top headlines for Friday, August 25, 2023 In this week's episode, we recap the first Republican Candidate Presidential Debate of the 2024 election season, where the absence of frontrunner, Donald Trump, has allowed other candidates to step into the spotlight. Moving into education and religion, we discuss the ongoing debates in South Carolina over prayer in school board meetings and the New Jersey attorney general's legal battle over parental notification policies. Lastly, a frightening revelation from Austria, where two Muslim teenagers share their plan in court testimonies, to target Christians in a planned school attack. Don't miss out on these critical conversations. Subscribe to this Podcast Follow Us on Social Media Get the Edifi App Subscribe to Our Newsletter Links to the News Top headlines for Friday, August 25, 2023 In this week's episode, we recap the first Republican Candidate Presidential Debate of the 2024 election season, where the absence of frontrunner, Donald Trump, has allowed other candidates to step into the spotlight. Moving into education and religion, we discuss the ongoing debates in South Carolina over prayer in school board meetings and the New Jersey attorney general's legal battle over parental notification policies. Lastly, a frightening revelation from Austria, where two Muslim teenagers share their plan in court testimonies, to target Christians in a planned school attack. Don't miss out on these critical conversations. How to pray for the elections How should we pray for the 2024 elections? Should we pray for a particular candidate (or, in the case of the non-presidential elections, candidates) to win? Should we pray for specific issues and ask God to raise up those who will do the best job on those particular issues? Or should we simply pray, Your will be done, Lord? In my entire life, I have never once prayed for a particular person to be elected, even if I had very strong convictions about who would be best for the job. Thats because I do not have Gods perspective, and I dont know what He has in mind. What if we are deserving of judgment, and putting the wrong person in office meaning wrong from our perspective would be an act of necessary and painful judgment? And what if that divine judgment would be the thing needed to lead us to repentance? Or what if putting the right person in office again, meaning right in our eyes would lead to complacency on our end, whereas putting the wrong person in office would awaken us spiritually and stir us to action politically and socially? More simply still, what if we are only looking one move ahead but the Lord is looking millennia ahead? (For the record, He is! More accurately, His viewpoint is from everlasting to everlasting.) How many times has one of our foreign policy decisions resulted in short-term gains but long-term losses? How many times have we won the battle but lost the war? Things are much more complex than they seem, and only God knows the full, future implications of our decisions today. But that doesnt mean that we do nothing. Quite the contrary. For our part, we do everything we can. We get informed. We learn about the issues and the candidates. We vote. Some of us are also called to donate, lobby, run for office, or engage in other politically-related work. By all means, let us do what we know how to do. At the same time, let us not presume upon God to tell Him (or, even ask Him) to put a certain person in office. (For those who immediately say, So, you wouldnt pray for God to stop Hitler? The answer is that: 1. Of course I would pray for the Lord stop him and thwart the rise of evil; 2. I would still not know for sure that getting a different candidate in his place would actually stop the evil, so I would lean more on praying for the Lord to stop Hitler; 3. Hitler is not running for office in America today.) To look at this from another angle, how do you feel about churches that prayed openly, corporately, and passionately for the election of Barack Obama? I can point you to large, influential, African American, evangelical churches that did this very thing. More recently, other African-American churches prayed openly, corporately, and passionately for the election of other Democratic candidates by name, all of whom were pro-choice. How do you feel about that? And how do you think these Black churches might feel about White evangelical churches that prayed openly, corporately, and passionately for the election of Donald Trump or other Republican candidates? Do you think God is moved by this? Do you think if enough Christians pray for a particular candidate that will influence the Lord? Of course, theres the larger question of whether God, working in a democratic, voting country, puts a candidate in office or whether He simply allows the people to make the choice. For the sake of this article, though, lets assume that our prayers to Him do play a role in the outcome of the elections. It could be as simple as we pray and He turns events in a certain direction to influence the outcome in a righteous way, such as bringing to light a smoking gun that sinks a corrupt candidate. But that brings us back to the question of how we should pray. Without a doubt, we can always pray that the Lord would raise up the right kind of people to lead our nation, allowing Him to determine exactly who those people are. We can pray for Him to set in office people who fear God, trustworthy [people] who hate dishonest gain (Exodus 18:21). We can pray for judges who will judge fairly and righteously (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). We can pray for Him to raise up candidates who love and honor life. But theres something else we can pray for since there are bigger issues than even the temporary well-being, security, and prosperity of our nation. We can pray in this way (and I borrow this part from a colleague who is a real man of prayer): Father, we ask You to order the outcome of these elections in a way that will best contribute to the flourishing of the Church, the good of the nation, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Can we possibly go wrong if we pray in this way? In my view, we can pray prayers like this with great confidence, knowing that this reflects the heart and will of our God. Its a more specific way of praying, Your will be done, Lord! American Christianity just got an engine boost of Gospel commitment I believe that historians of American Christianity, looking back two decades from now, will identify Aug. 22, 2023, as a truly significant day in the history of 21st century Christianity in America. Why? On Aug. 22, 2023, Dr. David Dockery gave his Convocation Address, having been inducted as the 10th president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) in Ft. Worth, Texas. Dr. Dockerys address is of pivotal significance for two reasons. First, SWBTS is an institution of critical importance to the future of the largest Protestant denomination in America, the Southern Baptist Convention. Founded in 1908, SWBTS has over the past 115 years become one of the two flagship theological seminaries among Southern Baptists, along with Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Louisville, Kentucky, founded in 1858. In addition to SWBTS and SBTS, Southern Baptists operate four additional official seminaries: New Orleans Baptist Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Seminary (Wake Forest, North Carolina), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kansas City) and Gateway Baptist Seminary (Ontario, California). And while all six seminaries have played, and do play, a significant role in Southern Baptist life, historically, SWBTS and SBTS have been the flagpole institutions, with SBTS being the lead institution east of the Mississippi River and SWBTS fulfilling that role west of that great river. For example, I am a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Seminary, but being a native Texan who grew up in Southern Baptist churches in the Lone Star state, I, like most Texas Baptists, consider myself a Southwesterner and SWBTS as my seminary in a very proprietary sense. Until I was a college senior I never even considered going somewhere besides SWBTS for my theological training (I believe God sent me to New Orleans seminary so I could meet my wife of 52 years who I met on my 23rd birthday in the seminary cafeteria best birthday I ever had.) It is doubtful that the Southern Baptist Convention can continue to be the driving engine that it has been historically in Evangelical American Christianity unless SWBTS is thriving, pledging deep allegiance to core biblical values, and committing to serving the local New Testament church. In other words, what happens in Ft. Worth reverberates throughout North America and beyond. Where Dr. Dockery made his declaration of commitment to first Gospel principles is truly strategically important. The second reason Dr. Dockerys address is a truly significant moment in American Evangelical Christianity is provided by the content of his address namely what he said. So, what did he say? He began by revealing that this academic year commences his 40th year of service in theological higher education (in the interest of full disclosure, 40 years ago I offered Dr. Dockery his first full-time professorial appointment at Criswell College and he has been making me look good ever since). Dr. Dockery declared at the outset of his message that he was leading SWBTS to a basic reaffirmation of the foundations of the historic Christian faith, once delivered to the saints. As SWBTS president, he declared, each day, each week, each month, each semester, and each year SWBTS will be seeking to fulfill its primary mission of providing theological education which encourages the priority of the Great Commandment and the fulfillment Great Commission. Dockery acknowledges that theology can be threatening or suspicious to some because in church history it has been the path down which some have traveled to open the door to liberalism, heterodoxy, or wrongheaded thinking or practice. He acknowledged that Christians must never allow theology to devolve into some kind of intellectual aloofness or uncommitted intellectual curiosity, which, as Francis Schaeffer warned in The God Who is There, can wrongly become some kind of game or mere intellectual exercise. Such past abuses must not turn us away from theology, which derives from two Greek words, logos (words) and Theos (God), i.e. words about God. Dockery contends that theology done correctly is essential for the transmission of the Christian faith and is foundational, fundamental, and basic for theological education. At its most elemental level theology in essence is thinking rightly about God. In this foundational role, all Christians are theologians. Dockery correctly emphasizes: [T]he Christian faith is much more than a personal and subjective experience. While Christian faith is an active and dynamic dependence on God for our daily walk with Him, a full understanding of the Christian faith recognizes that it is also the body of truth delivered to the saints once and for all (Jude 3). Thus, our understanding of the Christian faith certainly includes belief in, but it is also imperative to recognize that it includes belief that. By this we mean that our relationship with Jesus Christ comes about by believing and trusting in Him, but we must not fail to recognize that this Jesus is . . .the Jesus recognized by the apostles as the Christ, the Son of the living God; as the one who is the radiance of Gods glory and the exact representation of Gods being (Matt 16; Heb 1). Thus, both the personal and the propositional understandings of Christian faith are necessary. While acknowledging that academic and public theology have a rightful place in seminary education, theologys primary focus at Southwestern remains the church, and should be carried out primarily by ecclesial theologians, helping others reflect biblically and historically on the Triune God, His Word, His Work, His Will, and His world in order to prepare for a life of walking with God, worshiping and serving God, as well as serving others. Dockery references an important new study The Great Dechurching. Whos Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back by Jim Davis, Michel Graham and Ryan P. Burge, which details how Evangelical Christianity in America has experienced unprecedented decline since the early 1990s and has actually returned to the same percentage of adherents Evangelicals had in the 1970s prior to their surge of growth during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Dockery quite correctly identifies that our failure to emphasize serious discipleship, worldview formation, and the importance of theology ... as the culture has become more secularized, polarized and confused has played a major role in Evangelical decline. Consequently, President Dockery proclaimed and pledged: We take seriously our responsibility at Southwestern to set before the church and the world the pattern of Christian truth, which is grounded in the inspired and inerrant Word of God, which depends on the regenerated mind, and which exposes the radical difference between Christianity and the insufficient worldviews and philosophies. I cannot speak for others, but for myself and my house, as a seven-decade Southern Baptist and a professing Evangelical, as I heard Dr. Dockerys convocation address, I smiled and even amened a few times. Speaking as one devoted Southern Baptist, Dr. Dockerys address exemplified and embodied what I envisioned when I first participated in the Conservative Resurgence starting in 1979 and I could not be more pleased that SWBTS is under such dedicated and capable leadership. I can also assure you that none of the six Southern Baptist seminary presidents in office in 1979 either could have or alternatively would have, delivered the address given by Dr. Dockery on August 22nd. Never have Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, Americans, and the world more needed such dedication and piety. May Dockerys and SWBTSs tribe increase, and may God bless their efforts to serve Christ and His Church. Christians who irritate religious or political tyrants routinely end up jailed, dead, or disappeared/missing. These are some cases of missing Christians. Burma A pastor and three elders were arrested at a church in Burmas Chin State on Sunday 16 July 2023. Chin State has been under heavy aerial bombardment for months, with junta forces targeting villages, infrastructure, schools and churches. With the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) soaring, the junta allowed the church in Mindat Township be used as shelter for IDPs. However, on Sunday 16 July, drunken junta troops from Infantry Battalion 274 based in Mindat abducted the pastor and three church elders on the pretext that too many motorbikes were parked there (The Irrawaddy, 28 July). When family members and church officials inquired of the military as to the whereabouts of the believers, they said they were still being interrogated. Tragically, residents living near the military base reported hearing the detainees being tortured. On Wednesday 26 July, when the families inquired again, military officials denied having any knowledge of the detainees. Mindat Township administration suspects all four Christians have been tortured to death. When the families asked the military to return the bodies of their loved ones, the military again denied any knowledge of the detainees. Indonesia Coptic Orthodox theologian and apologist Gratia Pello was arrested and charged with blasphemy in Indonesias East Java on 6 December 2022. He taught theology at Nusantara Bible School in Malang, East Java. Nothing has been heard or seen of him since. With a wealth of knowledge on Christian theology, eastern Christianity, Arabic language, Islam and the Arab world, Gratia Pello (also known as GP) had become known for his highly effective and growing apologetic ministry. In 2013 he established a YouTube channel Inyo Manis which now has 383 videos uploaded and 51,000 subscribers. In these videos Pello can been seen engaging in Muslim-Christian debates, critiquing Islam, answering questions, defending Christianity, promoting the Bible and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Mali German Catholic priest Father Ha-Jo, who has served in Mali for more than 30 years, was abducted by Islamic jihadists in the Malian capital, Bamako, on Sunday 20 November 2022. He was preparing to go and celebrate Mass. Father Ho-Jo served with the international Roman Catholic Missionary Society, Missionaries of Africa. His fate and whereabouts remain unknown. Burkina Faso Catholic priest Father Pere Joel Yougbare, a priest with the parish of Djibo in Burkina Fasos Sahel Region, was abducted by gunmen, presumed to be Islamic jihadists, on Sunday 17 March 2019. The priest had travelled from Djibo to Bottogui to celebrate the Mass there, but never returned. There has been no news of him since. China An internationally acclaimed human rights lawyer and religious liberty champion, Gao Zhisheng is without a doubt Chinas most severely persecuted Christian of this era. Since 2006, Gao has been forcibly disappeared numerous times, brutally beaten and horrifically tortured, held for extended periods in solitary confinement, isolated and denied access to medical care all because he refuses to be silenced. When Gao Zhisheng emerged from three years secret detention in August 2014 severely malnourished and traumatised, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) thought it had finally and irretrievably broken him. But the CCP was mistaken. Despite being under house arrest in a remote location with no medical care, Gao rallied and secretly managed to write both a memoir and a 40-page human rights report. He also managed to have both documents smuggled out and published in Hong Kong in June 2016. In August 2017 Gao escaped from his government minders with the assistance of two friends who were desperate to get him medical care. After 23 days on the run, Gao and his friends were found by police. His friends were arrested, and Gao was disappeared into a secret prison in the northern province of Shaanxi. No-one has seen or heard from him since. Let us pray Lord, hear the cries of our Christian brothers and sisters who have been arrested or abducted yet remain alive, disappeared into a nightmare of isolation and darkness. May the Lord intervene to protect, deliver and restore them; may his presence be palpable, to comfort, encourage and sustain them. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! (Psalm chapter 139 verses 7-8 ESV) Lord, intervene to bring to light the truth concerning the fate and whereabouts of these missing believers to their families, friends and colleagues be they dead or alive. The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm chapter 34 verse 18 ESV). Lord, bring the gift of conviction of sin, fear of God, and transformative repentance to those who persecute Christians so cruelly. May those who resist the Spirit in this be held to account. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 13, see also Psalm chapter 10 verses 12-14). Destroyed churches, vandalised crosses and burnt bibles - religious freedom is in great peril in Pakistan Can I ask you a question? Is life hard for you? Can you imagine the pain of losing your home, books, school bags, freedom and dreams all together? If you don't know then look to Jaranwala town in Faisalabad, Pakistan, where destroyed churches, vandalised crosses and burnt bibles display the price of having a different faith that is simply beyond imagination. When do we have a moral obligation to intervene in the unspeakable destruction of human rights? Don't you feel that the hopes to reboot religious freedom in Pakistan are dying? In a single day on 17 August, more than twenty churches and hundreds of Christian homes were set on fire after public announcements were made from mosques to reach the site following an alleged incident of blasphemy. Consequently, people started gathering in Jaranwala, turning into an angry mob that sparked a series of violent attacks on Christians. Unfolding scenes on TV screens unveiled how hundreds of people armed with rods and sticks looted property from Christian houses and then used flammable liquids to set them on fire. This horror story has visited every house of the Christian town in Jaranwala, and will haunt many Christian towns for years to come. It is so sad that Pakistan is not a kinder nation anymore! I saw with tears in my eyes how the mob desecrated holy Bibles and crosses. They ruined the church buildings and graveyards, just three days after Pakistan's 76th Independence Day. On 14 August 1947, Pakistan's founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah set forth the goal of a tolerant, progressive and inclusive Pakistan. In his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, he said, "People may belong to any religion, or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state." Regrettably religious identity has become a brand factor in today's Pakistan that determines which citizen is more equal than others in terms of rights, status and opportunities. 17 August will always be remembered as a "black day" in the history of Pakistan which has left Christians heartbroken, frustrated and hopeless. Piles of rubble, broken furniture and ashes of belongings; these are what remain of the victims in Jaranwala who are overwhelmed by a sense of rage, despair and fear in their beloved country. Those who have lived through this nightmare are sharing stories. I think of a Christian mother who told me a mob looted the dowry of her daughter who was getting married soon. She is badly failed by the system. I think of an eight year old Christian boy whose books and school bag were burnt and he can't go to school anymore. The school was everything to him. Another victim told how the mob not only looted their animals but also their future. I see victims wailing in the streets, mourning all that they have lost to religious belligerence just because of having a different faith. These scars are the scars that will never heal. I have long feared for the country of my birth. What kind of country has it become now? Of the many unanswered questions surrounding the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), and one of the most demanding, is what can be done when governments and laws fail altogether to protect religious diversity? For me, the Jaranwala incident conjures an image of a fractured justice system, the anaemic rule of law, and an ocean of impunity. And you will find that constitutional guarantees and promises have failed to end the brutality towards different faith groups. On 21 August, Pakistani Christians across the UK held a peaceful protest in front of the Pakistan Embassy in London to urge Pakistani authorities to arrest the perpetrators of Jaranwala riots and ensure the safety of Christians and other faith communities. Many have raised their concerns that growing intolerance and religious violence is pushing Christians into early graves of torment and grief. Meanwhile, the government of Pakistan has failed to fulfil its "duty of care". Whether it's the issue of forced conversion or to stop the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan through a range of legislatives measures or policy reforms, our dreams are moving further out of reach every year. The dedication and commitment of the executive and legislators to ensure the safety of both Christians and other faith communities without ratifying the Minority's Rights or Protection Bills will always be a lethal strategy. Today the real question posed by many faith groups including Shias, Hindus and Sikhs is: who cares? And what is upsetting is that Pakistan's parliament has always botched things up when it comes to reinforcing the much needed legislation that ensures the rights and safety of religious minorities. Traditionally, the government has failed to promote the importance of religious freedom through the school curriculum, dialogue or the effective parliamentary representation of religious minorities. It is heart-breaking that religious freedom isn't only missing from schools but also gradually evaporating from the minds of people. Acquainted with harsh realities of inequality and injustice, I have struggled to see the rule of law or the justice system in Pakistan during Jaranwala violence. This adds further national shame to the museum of the Pakistani government's historical incompetence which has failed to safeguard Christians. Crossing fingers and hoping for good is barely a sensible way to tackle the present calamities, but it is a strategy that everyone seems determined to follow now. It's worse than embarrassing that Pakistan has one of the worst levels of religious persecution in the world, and is failing on its (FoRB) commitments. Of course, the Jaranwala incident is a dress rehearsal for how Pakistan is expected to deal with the religious freedom crisis in years to come. Emerging testimonies suggest that the tentacles of theocratic bodies with the power to provoke mobs have been functioning in Pakistan for a long time now without challenge. After Jaranwala, it seems they are here to stay. Lack of funding for Religious Studies is 'real travesty' Father of the House of Commons, Sir Peter Bottomley MP, has joined calls for Religious Studies (RS) to be properly funded. The number of students in England and Wales taking RS at GCSE level this year saw a slight increase of 0.3% on last year's figures, rising to 253,906 - making it more popular than business studies, design and technology, and art and design. At the same time, however, the number of people seeking to train as RS teachers has fallen by a third, according to the Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC) and National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE). Sir Peter has joined the two organisations in calling for more funding to ensure that the subject is taught by properly qualified teachers. According to REC and NATRE, over a quarter (26%) of RS lesson hours are taught by teachers who do not hold a qualification in the subject higher than A level, while around half of teachers delivering RE lessons spend most of their time teaching a different subject. They want to see an increase in training bursaries to attract more trainee RS teachers. Sir Peter, who is calling for a National Plan to protect the subject, said, "RE continues to play a pivotal part in the education of young people across the country, allowing them to understand and academically engage with some of the moral and theological debates that continue to inform our society. "A National Plan would scale out a modern and relevant curriculum in the faiths, cultures and beliefs of modern Britain taught by highly trained and committed teachers. "Neglecting the subject in this fashion does a disservice to the quarter of a million young people who take it at GCSE every year." REC Chair, Sarah Lane Cawte, said, "RS is one of the most popular subjects at GCSE, yet bizarrely it does not receive the corresponding funding and support. "Teacher training applications have not recovered since the axing of the bursary in 2021, and no money has been spent on the subject for five years. We want an even distribution of funding across the curriculum to ensure young people taking the subject receive their fair share of support from the government." NATRE Chair, Katie Freeman, said: "An RE lesson offers a unique and much needed place for young people to explore life's big questions, build societal cohesion and contribute to their spiritual and academic development. It's a real travesty that one of the most popular subjects at GCSE has not received fair allocation of government support to ensure every young person in every school receives this opportunity." Tribunal upholds religious liberty in drag queen case In what has been called a "victory for freedom of speech and the protection of children in Australia", the former managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), Lyle Shelton, has been cleared of vilification by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The case had been brought before the tribunal after two drag performers lodged complaints over a number of blog posts and video appearances by Mr Shelton criticising the January 2020 hosting of drag story time events at a local public library in Brisbane, Australia. Mr Shelton was represented by the Human Rights Law Alliance after he faced claims that he had incited "hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of" the performers on the basis of sexuality and gender identity. The tribunal found that his posts and appearances had not been "derogatory or insulting", but contained facts about the drag shows and expressed Mr Shelton's views that children needed to be protected from sexualised role models. "This is not just a victory for Lyle. This is a really good precedent-setting decision for all Christians who want to stand up and speak out against the sexualisation of children," John Steenhof, principal lawyer at the Human Rights Law Alliance, told Vision Radio. "And that's really important for people to be confident that if they speak respectfully, if they speak about something that's definitely a matter of public interest, that there are protections at law for them." ACL has welcomed the outcome of the case while warning that Australia faces a watershed moment for religious liberty with the federal government preparing to pass laws regarding online misinformation that has the potential to stifle free speech, and ongoing tensions among religious groups over proposed amendments to religious discrimination legislation. "This is an important win for free speech, given the importance of being able to discuss publicly some of the massive issues which gender ideology poses for children, for Australian society, and Christians in particular," ACL said. "The freedom to discuss such things openly should be more robustly protected than it is, without legal claims being made in response this easily." A 24-year-old man was fatally shot in the head following a clash in a Brooklyn deli with a known gang member, police said Friday. Abdolaye Ba was inside the Best Food Mini Market on Blake Ave. near Pennsylvania Ave. in East New York about 3:30 p.m. on Monday when he got into an argument with the other man, who police sources say belongs to a local street gang. Ba is not affiliated with a gang, police said. The argument spilled outside as the suspect pulled a gun and opened fire, blasting Ba in the head. EMS rushed Ba to Brookdale University Hospital, where he died Thursday. Ba lived two blocks from where he was shot, cops said. The shooter who cops have identified, remained on the loose Friday. No arrests have been made. Latest stories The news, views and stories behind the art We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The suspect charged in the gruesome hammer attack that killed a Brooklyn mom and critically injured her two small kids called their roommate to warn a fight with the woman was brewing and later redialed to confess he had done something wrong. A Brooklyn Criminal Court filing reported that accused killer Liyong Ye, 47, reached out by phone before and after the savage Wednesday afternoon attack that left the walls and floors of their shared Sunset Park apartment spattered with the victims blood. The roommate rushed to the gory crime scene and then called 911, said the court papers filed Thursday, with police arriving to find the body of Zhao Zhao, 43, along with her critically injured 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter, lying on the floor. Police found Ye, covered in blood with the hammer still in hand, standing over the mother and her children, who had suffered massive trauma to their heads and bodies, the court filing said. He was arrested on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault and weapons possession and held without bail after a Thursday evening arraignment. The bloody hammer was allegedly used to bludgeon at woman and her two children in Sunset Park, Brooklyn on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. The roommate also reported seeing the suspect and Zhao arguing in the past over the living conditions inside the shared apartment, according to court papers. Once police arrived, Ye acknowledged hitting the mom. Court documents report the attack caused her massive blunt instrument trauma to the head. The defendant appeared in a Brooklyn courtroom Thursday evening on the charges. Ye, wearing a white Tyvek suit, ignored questions from reporters and kept his eyes closed as he was led from the 72nd Precinct stationhouse prior to his court date. The children were fighting for their lives Friday at Bellevue Hospital. Their father rushed to New York from Ohio to support his kids, said family member Chen Lin. The dad works in Ohio as a cook, he added. The married couple came to the U.S. about six years ago, said Lin, who said the dispute between the accused killer and the mother was a long-standing beef. Neighbor Kokila Frank, 69, said police placed the suspect in cuffs as he tried to flee. I hear the police screaming across the street, Get him! Get him! the retired librarian recalled. So the guy was trying to run away and they arrested him. Other building residents recounted prior disputes between the apartments residents. Theyve been fighting for a long time, said Jason Zhen, 16, who lives on the same floor. Last year, I heard them. Two days ago, on Monday night, I heard them fight as well. I thought it was personal. We organize two types of events, he says. The general ones deal with an array of things and take place over several days, or theme days spread over a long period. The aim is to keep abreast of technological developments, and we try to move away from the everyday to more cutting-edge themes, with top-level international speakers. Afterworks is the other event, and helps retain local talent, and is dedicated to the treatment of particular subjects with smaller groups of people. Its a way of bringing skills up the ladder via training courses for members, paid for by the backers, he says. Improving the climate encourages talent to stay and brings back people from the diaspora. For the Congolese club, the brain drain has become a structural problem, far beyond the remit of a CIO-type association. People legitimately aspire to a good job, in good conditions with a good salary, says Ebondzo. Unfortunately, the grass always seems greener on the other side. Is digital illiteracy under control? CESIA founder Simba explains that theyve set up what they call colleges, or are groups of a few members working on a particular theme with the aim to produce a deliverable outcome for the general public. For example, one of the colleges is working on an African comic strip on cybersecurity to raise awareness of issues to young adults, and may encourage vocations among this young population, he says. This activity also serves to contribute to the decline in digital illiteracy in many African countries, something that still needs to be prioritized. More initiatives are springing up to raise awareness of digital technology, which he believes is now part of daily lives. The CIO clubs are certainly a way to help solve the problem. Its not uncommon to see these initiatives go even to remote areas in several African countries, Simba says, adding that CESIA regularly organizes awareness-raising workshops. The African cybersecurity barometer we publish every year enables us to take stock of the situation, but also to raise awareness across the continent on related issues and thus fight against this digital divide. For Ebondzo, president of the Congolese CIO Club, this problem is real, but it doesnt just affect the African continent in particular. Many countries, including in Europe, are no exception, even if it must be acknowledged that the scale of the phenomenon is not the same everywhere, she said, reporting that her club trains and supports young people in digital professions, with or without a diploma. We act by participating as a player in government initiatives to reduce the digital divide such as the Project of Digital Transformation Acceleration Program (PATN), the Universal Electronic Communications Access and Service Fund (FASUCE) and private initiatives. In Senegal, Ribeiro has observed a lack of digital integration in education, and believes the initiative to reverse it must come from the government and alumni associations. For the club he heads, it was a question of participating, at the invitation of partner universities, in reforming training programs. Our professional experience and knowledge of the needs of our companies enable these training centers to meet the expectations of companies, and new graduates thus have more job opportunities, he says. We also offer internships to students during their training. Some of our members also teach courses at various institutes. Wherever possible, we favor local expertise when its available. For Tunisia, though, Abdelkefi believes digital illiteracy there is less of an issue than in other countries. Theres a fairly significant penetration of technologies in our society in general, he says. Also, the awareness-raising sessions for the general public organized by his club contribute to this literacy effort, he adds. We get a lot of feedback on the CIO and CISO professions to give students a taste of professional life and what interests them, he adds. Transparenta Consiliului Superior al Procurorilor, intre a fi sau a nu fi. Ce constatari se regasesc intr-un raport prezentat de CRJM? Keystone Moldova contracteaza servicii de consultanta pentru consolidarea competentelor profesionale ale personalului care activeaza in cadrul serviciilor sociale Centre de zi pentru copii pentru copii si tineri cu dizabilitati An Alabama teenager, who police said disposed of her newborn baby in a dumpster, has been charged with capital murder, authorities said Thursday. Jakayla Ashanti Williams, 18, confessed to investigators in the southeastern city of Dothan that earlier this month she wrapped her newborn child in a blanket before placing the body into the dumpster at an apartment complex on the west side of town. She stated when she placed the newborn child in the dumpster, he was still alive, police said. The dumpster, which was connected to a trash compactor, was seized by the Dothan Police Department on Thursday, and then taken to a landfill. After officers sifted through the trash, they found the remains of a newborn baby inside a zipped-up duffel bag. The body, which was wrapped in a mattress protector, has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for a final ID confirmation. Ive never even heard of something so horrific as this, Dothan Police Chief Will Benny said at a press conference Thursday. It shocks the mind. It shocks the soul. On Wednesday, staff at Southeast Health Hospital contacted police after a female Williams claimed she had left her newborn at the facility because she didnt want the child and because it cost too much money. The teen said she gave birth at her residence on Aug. 13. and almost immediately took the baby to the hospital, leaving the infant with an employee in the hospital lobby. Williams family was unaware she was pregnant until Wednesday of this week, police said in a news release. When they found out she had delivered a child, the family went to the hospital to find the person they believed had received the baby according to the story the teen told them. After a short investigation, however, officers saw discrepancies in Williams story and determined she hadnt gone to the hospital on the day she alleged. Williams, who had her first court appearance Friday morning, is being held without bond on a capital murder charge. Hartwig Fischer has announced that he will be stepping down from his position of director of the British Museum, with immediate effect. Last week, the British Museum revealed it has dismissed a member of staff after reporting that items from its collection were missing, stolen or damaged. Fischer said: Over the last few days I have been reviewing in detail the events around the thefts from the British Museum and the investigation into them. It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings in 2021, and to the problem that has now fully emerged. The responsibility for that failure must ultimately rest with the director. Fischer also withdrew remarks he made earlier this week about the art dealer who first alerted museum bosses. He said: I also misjudged the remarks I made earlier this week about Dr Gradel. I wish to express my sincere regret and withdraw those remarks. In response to Fischer's resignation, Gradel told BBC News: It's the right thing to do, I think he should have done it sooner but I do accept his apology. As soon as the board has established an interim leadership arrangement, Fisher will step down. Situation facing charity of utmost seriousness Fisher said: The situation facing the Museum is of the utmost seriousness. I sincerely believe it will come through this moment and emerge stronger, but sadly I have come to the conclusion that my presence is proving a distraction. That is the last thing I would want. Over the last seven years I have been privileged to work with some of the most talented and dedicated public servants. The British Museum is an amazing institution, and it has been the honour of my life to lead it. George Osborne, chair of trustees said: The board of trustees has accepted the resignation of Hartwig Fisher as director. He has acted honourably in confronting the mistakes that have been made. No one has ever doubted Hartwigs integrity, his dedication to his job, or his love for the Museum. Osborne noted Fisher had already announced his intention to step down some weeks ago, so the process of finding a new permanent director is already underway. He added: The trustees will now establish an interim arrangement, ensuring that the Museum has the necessary leadership to take it through this turbulent period as we learn the lessons of what went wrong, and use them to develop plans for a strong future. The trustees also wish to thank the many many staff who work so hard for the Museum and keep it running. I am clear about this: we are going to fix what has gone wrong. The museum has a mission that lasts across generations. We will learn, restore confidence and deserve to be admired once again. The British Museum also said deputy director Jonathan Williams has agreed to voluntarily step back from his normal duties until the independent review into the thefts at the Museum has concluded. This will happen with immediate effect. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Two charities are to hire more than 300 staff to fill roles for a 11.5m programme to offer Ukrainian refugees in the UK intensive English language and employment support. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has awarded the contract to World Jewish Relief (WJR) working in partnership with the British Council, to provide support for people in the UK who have fled the war in Ukraine. They will offer up to 10,000 Ukrainians across the UK intensive English language and employment support courses for free and delivered virtually. WJR, which currently has 33 employees according to the Charity Commission website, is recruiting 122 employment advisors for the programme. Meanwhile, the British Council, which has nearly 10,000 staff, is appointing more than 200 teachers for the programme. To deliver the programme, which runs for 12 months, WJR has begun scaling up its existing specialist training programme. Critical programme Paul Anticoni, chief executive of World Jewish Relief, said: I am especially proud that World Jewish Relief has been appointed to deliver this crucial programme for Ukrainians in the UK. Its a ringing endorsement of the unique talent and expertise we have within the team at World Jewish Relief as well as the close working relationships we have built with our partners on the ground in Ukraine over the last 30 years. From listening to feedback from Ukrainian guests, WJR said it designed the courses to be online and accessible so that people with young children, caring responsibilities, or shift workers, can take part from anywhere in the UK. It comprises 10 weeks of daily English classes run by the British Council, and 12 weeks of employment support with a WJR employment advisor, to assist with CV writing, job applications, interview prep, skills training and job search. Scott McDonald, chief executive of the British Council, said: We are delighted to be partnering with World Jewish Relief to deliver this critical programme. For many Ukrainians, escaping war and travelling to the UK will only be the first step on a long road to a new life. At the British Council, we know that learning English unlocks life changing opportunities, both in the UK and around the globe. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Eyebrows furrowed. Head tilted slightly. A Fulton County Sheriffs Office insignia in the top left corner. On cable news, some saw rage in Donald Trumps mugshot, others a practiced stare. John Bolton, the former national security adviser, saw a thug; at least two journalists saw Ben Stiller in Zoolander. Trump posted the picture to X, formerly known as Twitter, breaking a two-and-a-half-year silence there. Its going to be on T-shirts, Lara Trump, his daughter in law, told Newsmax. Soon, it was: the Trump team began offering them in exchange for campaign contributions. You can also, in horrible irony, buy a mugshot mug. The imagereleased last night after Trump surrendered at a jail in Georgia, where he faces charges that he led a broad criminal plot to overturn the states 2020 election resultsbecame instantly iconic. In some quarters, it served as an entry point to conversations about the wider criminal-justice system. Many viewed it as symbolic of the equal application of justice; others as a testament to the judicial systems flaws. Mother Jones scolded that mugshots are bad, referring to an argument that has gained traction in media circles in recent years (including in CJR) that mugshots stigmatize peoplepeople of color, disproportionatelywho have not yet been convicted of a crime. On the whole, the mugshot and other on-site details were marshaled as atmospherics for yet another media production featuring Trump as the star. (An NBC talking head noted the presence of bedbugs at the jail, by way of saying that it was not a cozy environment for Trump, who was only there for twenty minutes.) As with his previous three indictments, viewers were invited to gawp at endless rolling footage of Trumps plane and motorcade; as Trump was booked, airborne cameras panned, through a golden evening haze, over the roof of the jail. According to The Guardian, Trump organized his surrender to coincide with prime time, in a bid to juice ratings. He enjoys the fanfare, Jake Tapper said on CNN, which devoted hours of airtime to the story, replete with epic music and on-screen teaser graphics. I mean, you couldnt pick a better time to be arrested. As we should all know by now, Trump will always try to spin inconvenient facts to his benefit. Yet the ample commentary fretting that the optics of the arrest are actually good for him politically can feel hackneyed and overdetermined. As Maggie Haberman, perhaps the preeminent Trump whisperer, told Tapper last night, He doesnt want to be mugshotted, he doesnt want to be arrested. Personally, I saw in his pose an expression of disempowerment. The mugshot provided a more intimate look inside Trumps various criminal proceedings than the press has so far been affordedindeed, it represents one of the only glimpses, aside from some still shots of him in a New York courtroom earlier this year. Going forward, the Georgia case appears as though it will continue to offer media access, since, unlike in other jurisdictions where Trump has been charged, Georgia typically encourages the filming of court proceedings. That prospect could yet be thwartedper legal experts, Trump and his co-defendants may succeed in arguing that the case should be moved to a federal court, where cameras are banned. Still, if the case remains in Georgia, its not hard to imagine Trump embracing the presence of cameras in much the same way that he has embraced his mugshot and various arraignments. One key argument against cameras in court: sober administration of justice being turned into a TV spectacle. Trumps instinct for stagecraft is bound to exacerbate that concern. (And the trial will surely be described as made for TV an awful lot.) And yetas I wrote in 2021 during the televised trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis cop who murdered George Floydcameras in court also facilitate transparency. Trump will seek to debase his trials one way or another. The public may as well have real-time visual access to whats happening, however we choose to interpret it. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Yesterday, Nieman Labs Joshua Benton argued, in response to Mother Jones, that its not that *mugshots* themselves are bad, but rather the medias *use* of them that is often bad. (News organizations have often used mugshots as a magnet for cheap clicksa criticism that could likewise be leveled at Trump coverage.) Similarly, when it comes to cameras in Trumps courtroom, it strikes me that the inevitable sensationalism will stem not from the footage itself, but from how the media uses it. So far, Trump has been able to turn his every arraignment into a media circus that journalists have eagerly co-produced. We see what we want to see: a big show. Other notable stories: ICYMI: As wildfires rage in Canada, Metas news block bites 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. When to harvest is one of the most crucial decisions a winemaker can make. Too early, and the result is bitter. Too late, and its overly sweet. Its a delicate balanceone thats increasingly being upended by the climate crisis. In France, global warming has been wreaking havoc on this ancient equation for some time. Wine-growing regions across the country have seen seasons truncatedthe harvest date in the Chateauneuf-de-Pape appellation, one of the most prized, has moved up almost three weeks since 1960. Simultaneously, plant diseases are appearing in regions that have never seen them before, rain patterns are changing and the heat that helped speed the harvest in some places is now drying out vines in others. To acclimate, the old ways are increasingly being replaced by the new. In this case, granular data aimed at tracking the progress and health of vines in a fast-warming environment. Satellite technology, according to startups such as Ticinum Aerospace and TerraNIS, is being used by vintners to harvest the right grapes at the right moment. Sometimes producers dont collect data on grapes, or they do but its not stored in an easy way, or they dont know which plots they collected samples from, said Daniele De Vecchi, project manager at Ticinum Aerospace for Saturnalia, a data platform for evaluating vintner crops. Now the wine industry can make decisions based on data. Its not so romantic, but I think its the only way to move forward. Marc Tondriaux added that more French growers are joining in. Hes president and founder of TerraNIS, a company that provides agricultural data based on satellite and drone imagery. Just ten years ago, the key customers for these applications were mostly in Bordeaux, Tondriaux said. Now were seeing it more in southern regions. But while this technology is already being brought to bear for winemaking, soon it may serve a more critical role in helping adapt agriculture in general. After decades of progress, the number of people suffering from malnutrition has started to move in the wrong direction. Global warming, supply chain disruptions tied to extreme weather and even declines in nutrients due to additional atmospheric carbon dioxide are driving a global food crisis. These trends are particularly dire in areas most susceptible to crop-killing heat, with many countries teetering on the brink of famine. In ten climate hotspots from Guatemala to Afghanistan, acute hunger has more than doubled in six years, according to UK charity Oxfam. But cutting-edge satellite sensor technology could play a big role in slowing that down. Experts envision a future in which farmers can manage fields based on mostly free Earth-observation data about crop disease, pest infestation, nutrient needs, water stress, ideal harvest time and quality evaluation. Tondriaux said combining recommendations based on orbital or drone data with GPS-driven farm machinery could transform farming. In the process, it might just stave off the worst global warming has in store for farmers. And as a bonus, such technology has the potential to cut the agriculture sectors greenhouse gas emissions by 13%, according to an April report from the World Economic Forum. The report sees the market for satellite data in agriculture nearly doubling by 2030 to almost $1 billion. It calculates the value of crop-loss prevention by using satellites to detect pests and pathogens at $400 million, and envisions an almost 10% drop in water use by leveraging space-borne insights. Satellite technology has long been used to help governments and futures markets make scale-level assessments, like the size of a coming harvest of corn in the US or wheat in Ukraine. But newer tech has the capacity to help individual farmers measure and expand their own yield potential. Satellites from NASA, the European Space Agency and private companies such as San Francisco-based Planet provide ground images from a range of bands on the electromagnetic spectrum. When sunlight hits the planets surface, certain wavelengths are reflected back based on the material the light hits and its physical condition. Chlorophyll, which plants use to make their food, absorbs much visible light while a leafs cell structure reflects near-infrared wavelengths (NIR). Sensors and cameras measure the intensity of the waves reflected back from Earth. High levels of reflected NIR light coupled with low reflectivity in the visible range indicate dense vegetation, such as forest or healthy crops. Little difference in reflectivity of the two spectral bands would point to sparse vegetation, such as desert or bare soil. The nuances of these relationships have proven to be reliable indicators of levels of nitrogen, a key plant nutrient, as well as plant biomass, leaf area and chlorophyll contentall connected to soil water content. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), one of the satellite-based measurements most commonly used in agriculture, is their measure. Scientists at TerraNIS and Ecole dIngenieurs de PURPAN, a research institute in Toulouse, France, supported the datas accuracy, showing a strong correlation between levels of nitrogen taken from leaf samples and the analyses derived from satellite imagery. With each pixel of an image representing an area as small as half a square meter, this satellite data can be overlaid on a map of a field, allowing fertilizer to be applied only where its needed. A low NDVI as a crop approaches harvest time, for example, would indicate a need for nitrogen fertilizer. Weve been treating crop fields like all of that ground is exactly the same, when we know for sure this is not the case, said Misty Tucker, industry principal for agriculture at Planet. Satellite data helps us to micromanage our fields at a much more granular level. If such technology became widely available, the resources saved, emissions avoided and crops preserved in the face of a shifting climate landscape could have a significant impact on both the fight to slow global warming and protect the food supply. Policymakers are beginning to see the light. The European Union is changing its Common Agricultural Policy with satellite monitoring in mind to reduce GHG emissions, fertilizer use and oceanic dead zones. In the US, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act forces the Federal Communications Commission to consider whether changes to satellite communications rules could help precision agriculture, and develop recommendations for Congress if so. It passed the House in April. NASAs suite of earth-observing instruments already help provide both global and local predictions of water availability, crop health and rates of production, said Karen St. Germain, NASAs director of earth science. Its planned SBG instrument may advance the ball further. The ESAs Sentinel satellites meanwhile have a combination of spatial and temporal resolution, along with a broad bandwidth thats proven particularly useful to providers of satellite data to the agriculture industry. The crop is always changing, said Sara Antognelli, research and development manager at Agricolus, an Italian satellite-data company that said it can work with 140 cropsfrom grapes to grains. So you have to be quick in detecting problems. Sentinels different bands to detect both soil moisture and vegetation health is very rare. The TerraNIS-E.I.P. study found Sentinels freely available data to be more accurate in assessing nitrogen status than even higher-resolution data from satellites that charge for access. And new instruments may bring even greater insights. Satellites cant do everything, of course. Findings often need to be confirmed on the ground, and over-reliance on orbital data can lead to sloppiness, warns Jose Manuel Amigo, an expert in hyper-spectral imaging and chemical analytics at the Basque Foundation for Science in Bilbao, Spain. Remote sensing is a wonderful discipline that helps farmers in many situations, he said. Still, assumptions too often are baked in and limitations dismissed. Treating the data is not easy, and correlating parameters with actual issues can be a leap too far. Researchers forget that the answers they give to farmers must be followed by intensive validation and a sound chemical explanation. Still, Kaitlyn Gold, a professor of plant pathology at Cornell University in Geneva, New York, said shes excited about the potential to detect crop disease early enough to do something about it. A changing climate will expand the suitable range for invasive pathogens, she said, while heat and drought-stress on a plant will leave it far more vulnerable to opportunistic diseases. Satellites will allow high-quality assessments of risk that allow for successful early intervention, Gold said. Photograph: Farms like this one in Pasaquina, El Salvador, have had to weather years of drought. With the arrival of the El Nino system, the effects may deepen. Proponents of expanding the use of satellites to help farmers make timely decisions on water use, fertilizer and harvesting contend new technology may help mitigate the damage. Photo credit: Camilo Freedman/Bloomberg Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. BEREA, Ohio -- Each year, Berea Kiwanis awards five scholarships to graduating Berea-Midpark High School seniors. One scholarship is designated for a Key Club member, another for a Polaris Career Center student and the remaining three are open for any senior to apply. The clubs 2023 scholarship winners include Isabella Baglier of Brook Park, Hannah Check of Brook Park (Polaris winner), Elijah Davis, Henry Hoeu of Middleburg Heights (Key Club winner) and Kylie Rump of Berea. The winners attended a recent Kiwanis meeting to receive their checks and speak about the high points of their high school years and their after-graduation plans. Baglier willl attend the University of Michigan, where she will major in aeronautical engineering. Check will attend Cuyahoga Community College, where she will study construction trades. Davis plans to attend Grand Canyon University as a biomedical engineering major, Hoeu will attend Cleveland State University for engineering and Rump intends to study psychology at the University of Cincinnati. Kiwanis spokesman Jeff Haas said the club has been awarding scholarships since the early 1970s, so weve been doing this for 50-ish years. The scholarships are funded from the Kiwanis annual American Flags Over Berea project and its annual 100/100 drawing. Teachers workshop: The Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will host an overnight professional educators workshop Oct. 6-8 at the Cuyahoga Valley National Parks Environmental Education Center (CVEEC). This teachers workshop is free (a $100 deposit is required, refundable upon completion) and offers inbox free graduate credit from Ashland University. Teachers will spend the weekend gaining skills and confidence needed to take students outdoors for meaningful watershed experiences. The workshop also includes food and overnight lodging for the weekend ($220 value), equipment for outdoor investigations and projects, tours of the CVEEC facilities and information about their school programs and hikes and activities with Cuyahoga Valley National Park rangers, including at Beaver Marsh. There will also be training in meaningful watershed educational experiences and Great Lakes literacy, as well as a meet-and-greet session with local resource professionals and watershed leaders. Information will be provided about activity loan kits available from SWCD and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. To register, visit online at https:tinyurl.com/2tsr8mra. Space is limited. Connecting for Kids: September virtual programs at the Cuyahoga County Librarys Middleburg Heights branch, 16699 Bagley Road, include workshop sessions hosted by professionals who will guide families in discussion, problem-solving and learning experiences. Behavior Chat: Creating a Reward System That Works will be among the first of these sessions at connectingforkids.org/workshops, at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Ochanya McRoberts-Wells, MEd., and Connecting for Kids (CFK) staff will lead a discussion guided by parents questions on a variety of behavioral topics. Submit questions before or during the session and learn how to use the tools in CFKs Behavior Toolkit to help your child. Each session will focus on a new behavior, but questions on any behavior issue are welcome. The content of this program is geared toward caregivers of children ages 18 months to 6 years (with or without developmental concerns). Each attendee will receive a free Behavior Toolkit. Arts event: Get ready for the Berea Arts Fests 33rd Anniversary Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 10. The Arts Fest will start at Front and Grand streets and extend to the Berea Triangle at East Bridge Street. It will feature more than 140 artists, as well as numerous community and food booths. This years event will feature the works of contemporary and traditional artists working in various media, including painting, photography, jewelry, glass blowing, metal works, ceramics, mixed media, printmaking, woodworking and other art forms. The Living Statue, JoyUnspeakable, will return to the Berea Arts Fest for the 10th year. Hes coming back to play tricks on unsuspecting guests, so watch out -- it could be you! Everyones a winner at the Berea Arts Fest, which will include the return of its huge raffle tent, highlighting donated works from participating artists. Buy your tickets for $1 each, or six for $5, for your chance to win an amazing handmade creation. Or try your luck at the raffle wagon filled with more than $1,000 worth of art supplies, crafts and more. The wagon will provide hundreds of hours of fun for the whole family. Items included are great for children and professional artists. A full list of items will be listed at the arts fest website. And what would a Berea Arts Fest be without a great selection of food? That will be available as well, from a long list of vendors. SCAN Hunger Center Pantry: 39 W. Bagley Road, Williamsport Plaza. 440-260-7226. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and 4 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Friday. Church Street Ministries pantry: 1480 Bagley Road, 440-239-0549. Open noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Rise in Love: Free hot meal from 2 to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month at St. Adalbert Catholic Church, Keller Center, 66 Adalbert St. Eat in or carry out. The next meal is on Sunday and then on Sept. 17th. Free Community Meals: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road, served from 5 to 6 p.m. on the second and last Wednesdays of the month. Drive-up only. Peoples Community Church pantry: 628 Wesley Drive, 440-234-0609. Open 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of the month. The next open pantry is on Saturday and then on Sept. 16th. Second Mile Outreach Pantry: 1480 Bagley Road, 440-239-0549. Open noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Bread Ministry: Berea United Methodist Church, 170 Seminary St. 440-234-3525. Bread and pastries only. Noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Go to the church addition north side of Church Street, off Seminary. The pantry has double brown doors. Free meals for students: Brook Park Branch Library, 6155 Engle Road. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for students 18 and younger, in collaboration with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Pet Food Pantry: Animal Rescue Friends, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station, 10 a.m. to noon every Sunday. Contact 440-234-2034 or arfpet-pantry@gmail.com for more information. Mini pantries: There are two Little Free Pantries located near Peoples Community Church, 628 Wesley Drive, and Cuyahoga County Librarys Berea branch, at 7 Berea Commons. The Prospect Pantry is at the corner of Prospect Street and Jacqueline Drive. Read more from the News Sun. HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Mayor Chuck Brunello Jr. delivered his third state-of-the-city address Thursday (Aug. 24) in City Halls City Council chambers, recounting the accomplishments of city workers and council members over the past year. He also discussed the financial challenges that lie ahead. At the conclusion of his 48-minute address, when asked his greatest takeaway from the past 12 months, Brunello said, The exceptional staff and our council -- a really good council -- and all the work theyve done. On the subject of finances, Brunello told the audience of about 20 people that the city has a cash reserve of approximately $8 million. However, like Mayfield a short distance away, the after-effects of COVID-19 -- particularly as they apply to Progressive Insurance -- have caused Brunello and city leaders to ponder what the next couple of years will bring. On July 26, Progressive -- Mayfields largest employer -- announced that it would be vacating its Campus 1 at 6300 Wilson Mills Road, just across the road from Highland Heights. Progressive has not mandated that its workers to return to its offices post-pandemic, costing Mayfield great income tax losses. Mayfield Mayor Brenda Bodnar said the village, in the short term, wont see a great impact from the Campus 1 closing, but that the loss of income tax revenue will continue to eat into Mayfields $42 million cash reserve. In her state-of the-village address in April, Bodnar said: The village suffered pretty drastic revenue losses in 2022, primarily because most Progressive Insurance employees continued to work from home in the aftermath of the pandemic. Our income tax collections totaled approximately $9 million, a decrease of $10.3 million from 2021. In its office buildings, Highland Heights had far fewer Progressive workers than Mayfield. Still, the insurance company once had seven operating buildings in Highland Heights. Just two of those seven are still active. Some of the five closed buildings are in the process of being sold. I would be remiss if I did not address the current situation with Progressive Insurance and how the building vacancies financially impact the city of Highland Heights, Brunello said in his address. Progressive Insurance withholding (income tax revenue) was down $1,744,000 in 2022 compared to 2021, and down $2,196,000 from 2020, which was before the work-from-home model began. Employee withholding from employers in the city was 82 percent in 2020 and is now only 71 percent. We have seen an increase from resident collections go from 12 percent in 2020 to 14 percent currently. The resident collections still have not equaled out to the lost revenue from people not working in our city. Brunello said that 92.5 percent of what the city collects in income taxes goes into the general fund and 7.5 percent into the citys debt service fund. About 75 to 80 percent of a citys general fund is used to pay its employees. With people working from home, and the uncertainty of income tax collections, we continued to take a conservative approach to our spending, Brunello said. Our expenditures for 2022 were about $1,161,000 less than budgeted. Our 2022 revenues were up about $298,000 over estimate. Expenses exceeded our revenue by $431,000. Another financial challenge is the fact that a bond that brought the city $6.2 million for capital improvements expires a the end of this year. Brunello said he has kept $1 million in reserve for capital improvements for 2024. After his address, Brunello and Finance Director Joseph Filippo said that care was taken in using money from the bond to purchase needed equipment for the safety forces and other departments, so that, as of now, road repair work looks to be the only capital expense to be faced in the near future. Our directors have been very good in keeping to their budgets, Brunello said. In addition, Brunello spoke of the ballot issue that Highland Heights voters turned down last year by a 68 percent to 32 percent margin that would have increased millage to help pay for safety force pension liabilities the city must pay, as mandated by the State of Ohio. The current rate of .6 mills Highland Heights residents pay has been unchanged since that levy went into effect in 1967. The new levy was on the ballot because the Ohio Legislature has a proposal under consideration to raise contributions that municipalities make to the fund over the next five years. The increase would raise the portion Highland Heights pays by $47,000 the first year, escalating by the fifth year to $265,000. While I remain optimistic that our state legislators understand how crucial this issue could be, if passed, we need to continue to be proactive as we prepare for the future, Brunello told the audience. I plan to revisit the topic with City Council shortly into my next term. Brunello, who is up for re-election this fall, is unopposed on the ballot. He said the .6 mills produces $266,000 annually, vs. the $800,000 the city now contributes yearly to the pension fund. Brunello concluded his speech by stating, As your mayor, I remain invested in the continued success of our city, and I give you my word that we will continue to remain financially strong by remaining fiscally responsible during these ever-changing and challenging times. My focus will always be to provide the very best services to the residents and businesses of our community. Read more from the Sun Messenger. HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Astonishing. That was the reaction of many of those attending the grand reopening of the beloved 13-year-old Zs Cream & Bean ice cream shop Wednesday (Aug. 23). It certainly was not the usual ribbon cutting. Zs founders Larry and Mary Ann Zirker began thinking about retirement three years ago. But instead of choosing to close the popular ice cream parlor they founded in 2010, the Zirkers began researching how to do something really unexpected for a nonprofit in Medina County. The result was the donation of their business to Medina Creative Housing, providing another opportunity for people with disabilities to experience meaningful work and inclusion. Medina Creative Housing CEO Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty shows one of the gummy bear hats that will be presented to Larry and Mary Ann Zirker. (Sam Boyer, special to cleveland.com) While the Zirkers were unable to attend the celebration due to health concerns, they were very much on the minds of those in attendance. Host of the event Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty, CEO of Medina Creative Housing, said the Zirkers spent a lot of time finding the right organization for their gift. Medina Creative Housings commitment to provide housing opportunities including independent and congregate living, as well as 18 programs to create a meaningful lifestyle for children, youth and adults with disabilities, was determined to be the right recipient. Zs now joins the other community work opportunities that include Grande Cafe & Roastery, Creative Produce, Creative Pet Play, Creative Living Coffee, Creative Therapy Ranch and Creative Property Maintenance. The Zirkers made it clear from the very beginning they werent looking for public recognition, DePasquale-Hagerty said. What an incredible blessing. That sentiment was echoed by guest speakers including Ed Stevens, vice president of the board of Medina Creative Housing; Sharon Ray, representing the 66th Ohio House district; Hinckley Township Trustees Jack Swedyk, chairman, and Monique Ascherl, vice chairman; and Medina County Commissioner Colleen Swedyk. In presenting a certificate from the county commissioners as a tribute to the generosity of the Zirkers, Swedyk noted that she has attended many events, but this was even more exciting in her own hometown. Ray, also a former Wadsworth council member and county commissioner, said: What a wonderful gift to the community. Its such a wonderful Medina County thing to do. Pam Voss, manager at Z's Cream & Bean, helps serve the people who came for the ice cream parlor's grand reopening. (Sam Boyer, special to cleveland.com) Anyone who came to Zs with their children knew that Larry would always hand out gummy bears to the youngsters. DePasquale-Hagerty pulled out two caps -- one for Larry, one for Mary Ann -- imprinted with gummy bears, just to show appreciation. DePasquale-Hagerty explained that the transfer took place in March. Since then, staff and clients have been learning from Zs staff, with the help of the Zirkers daughter, all about how to follow the family focus on using fresh, local ingredients such as fruit, honey, maple syrup and dairy, never treated with hormones, and offering homemade, hand-churned and hand-packaged ice cream. She said her clients are very excited to learn and work in the shop, which has added something to the name. It is now Zs Cream & Bean, Creatively Made & Operated. This beloved institution is infused with new life and purpose, she said. Life is sweeter with Zs ice cream. The ribbon cutting drew an enthusiastic round of applause and the crowd was invited inside to enjoy hot dogs and ice cream. Read more from the Medina Sun. HUNTING VALLEY, Ohio Fraud: Mather Lane The owner of a car dealership in Oklahoma reported around 7:15 p.m. Aug. 17 that someone was trying to buy a car in a residents name and was giving his Hunting Valley address. The car dealer asked police to relay the information to the resident and have him give them a call about the attempt. Local police gathered information for a report. Road closed: Chagrin River Road Police announced Aug. 19 that the southern and final phase of the Chagrin River Road rehabilitation project was under way, with the street expected to remain closed from Shaker Boulevard to South Woodland Road into mid-September. Assist other department, attempt to locate: Fairmount Boulevard Cleveland Heights police asked eastern departments to be on the lookout late Aug. 17 for a woman, 82, who had been gone since about 1 p.m. Flock Safety cameras were picking up the license plate of her Subaru traveling westbound on South Woodland Road approaching SOM Center Road at 11:35 p.m. She was stopped a minute later near Chagrin River Road. Her family picked her up at the Russell Township police station. Erratic driver: Fairmount Boulevard, SOM Center Road A driver reported around 4 p.m. Aug. 20 that a northbound red Chevrolet Silverado had been tailgating him, then passed and started brake-checking him before pulling over and trying to coax the caller out of his car for a confrontation. Squad call, car crash: Falls Road, Ohio 87 An off-duty Moreland Hills police officer reported at 6:18 a.m. Aug. 21 that a red pickup had gone off the roadway between Falls and County Line roads. The officer requested medics after airbag deployment, with the driver conscious and still inside the truck. The truck was towed and the driver declined medical transport. Phone message, departmental information: Fairmount Boulevard A deer management consultant and hunter called the police station Aug. 15 to speak to an officer about planning ahead of the deer culling season. Get police blotters by email every weekday for free with our new Police Blotter newsletter. Sign up at cleveland.com/newsletters Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun. The gunman who killed three people inside a crowded California biker bar has been identified as John Snowling, a retired police officer who traveled from Ohio to confront his estranged wife at the popular watering hole and then shot her in the face. The bloodshed unfolded Wednesday evening at Cooks Corner in Trabuco Canyon, about 50 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes told reporters. Snowling burst into the landmark establishment around 7 p.m., as patrons enjoyed the weekly $8 spaghetti night and live music by M Street, a local five-piece rock band. The gunman first shot his wife, Marie Snowling, in the face before he fired off a shot at one of her dining companions, who managed to flee the bar and make it to the roadway where she died a short time later, Barnes said. Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes comments on the shooting at Cooks Corner, a biker bar in rural Trabuco Canyon, Calif., in Orange County, during a news conference in Santa Ana, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. John Leehey, a 67-year-old from Irvine, was also fatally struck. He and Marie Snowling are the only victims who have been identified so far. Mr. Snowling, the suspect, then began randomly shooting at patrons within Cooks Corner, Barnes said. He eventually moved to an outside area, where again started firing at people attempting to flee from the bar, a community staple beloved by bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts. Snowling was ultimately shot and killed by responding sheriffs deputies after he fired at them with a shotgun. Police said he used two guns at the beginning of the shooting and then retrieved two more from his truck. All four three handguns and a shotgun were purchased legally, Barnes said. In total, Sterling killed three people and wounded another six, among them Marie Sterling, who was hospitalized but conscious as of Thursday night. This aerial photo shows Cooks Corner, the scene of mass shooting, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Trabuco Canyon, Calif. Married for three decades, Marie Snowling shares two adult children with the gunman. She had filed for divorce in December 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. The proceedings were ongoing and the case was scheduled for a mandatory settlement conference in November. Her father, William Mosby, told The Orange County Register, that John Snowling had been struggling to deal with the divorce. Tristan teGroen, the shooters divorce lawyer, noted however, that there was no murmur of domestic violence or threats or anything like that from the other attorney. Snowling, a retired police sergeant with the Ventura Police Department, in light of the divorce filing, moved to a 7-acre property in Ohio with his dog. Its not clear when exactly he returned to Southern California, where he still owns property in Camarillo. With News Wire Services CLEVELAND, Ohio A domestic relations judge has been removed from overseeing a complex and contentious divorce because she improperly assigned it to herself after another judge stepped off the case, according to Ohio Supreme Court records. Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy removed Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Administrative Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze from presiding over the divorce of Strongsville funeral home owners Jason and Crystal Jardine. Kennedy released a 40-page opinion earlier this month in which she said that Celebrezze violated the courts rules when she did not randomly assign the case to someone else after the initial judge, Tonya Jones, recused herself. The move was required to prevent any appearance that Celebrezze acted improperly, Kennedy wrote. This decision is not based on a finding of actual bias, the opinion said. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Celebrezze for comment. Kennedy did not address numerous allegations levied in court documents by Jason Jardine and his attorney, Joseph Stafford. The attorney, in court filings, sought the judges removal because of Celebrezzes relationship with the receiver Jones had already appointed to the case, Mark Dottore. Jardine and Stafford placed the allegations in court documents after they had hired a private investigator. They said in the documents that the investigator followed the judge and recorded video of her visiting with Dottore, having dinner with him and kissing him goodbye. Celebrezze argued in a court filing that included more than 550 pages of attachments that she and her family are longtime friends with Dottore and his family, and their friendship did not factor into her work as a judge on the case. In an affidavit filed in court, Dottore said he has known Celebrezze since she was 7. He has been a close friend of her family and does not have an improper relationship with the judge, the affidavit says. Kennedy noted that Celebrezze admitted in the response that she often assigns cases to herself after other judges recuse themselves. The judge, who as administrative judge has fewer cases assigned to her than the courts other four judges, said that it is a way to keep more complex and time-consuming cases off the dockets of the busier judges and to avoid the need to appoint a visiting judge. The chief justice wrote that the requirement to have cases assigned to judges at random prevents the appearance that jurists can hand-pick their own cases, even if they have no untoward reason to do so. While Judge Celebrezze may have had good intentions, the judge had no authority to hand-pick a successor after Judge Jones recused, Kennedy wrote. Celebrezze has been a domestic relations judge since 2009. The year before, voters elected her to fill the vacancy left by her father, James, who retired after 17 years on the bench. UNIONTOWN, Ohio Five family members were found dead Thursday night in a home in Stark County in what police believe was a domestic dispute that turned deadly. A news release from the Uniontown Police Department says officers were called to the home on the 13000 block of Carnation Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. to conduct a wellness check. When officers arrived, they found the victims, police say. Police say the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide. No other details were released, including the identities of the victims and how they were slain. The Stark County Coroners Office, the Ohio Bureau of Crime Investigation and the Stark County Prosecutors Office are working with police in investigating the deaths. CLEVELAND, Ohio Tornadoes slammed through Northeast Ohio late Thursday night, ripping trees from the ground and causing severe damage to buildings and homes. On Clevelands East Side, a tornado, about 150 yards wide, created a path that was nearly a mile long. It began near East 71st Street and Chester Avenue and ended near East 89th Street and Euclid Avenue. The storm hit shortly before midnight. In Mentor, another tornado passed through and created a path that was nearly 4 miles long. No one was hurt, officials said. It was a pretty significant weather event, said Brian Mitchell, an official with the National Weather Service in Cleveland. We didnt get as much rain as the night before, but the storms were stronger in some areas. He said the storms developed in Southeast Michigan on Thursday night and pushed across Lake Erie to Northeast Ohio. At about 11 p.m., a tornado hit Ottawa County and moved into Sandusky County, officials said. Near midnight, rain and strong winds pounded Cleveland and continued east. The storms caused widespread power outages, according to FirstEnergy Corp. It said 145,000 customers in Northeast Ohio lost their power overnight, with outages expected to last into next week. More than 50,000 customers in Cuyahoga County lacked electricity Friday afternoon. The powerful winds jumped off the lake and tore into Cleveland. Winds blew off six windows at the Justice Center downtown. At New Life at Calvary Church on Euclid Avenue, the estimated 110 mph winds peeled off the 143-year-old churchs roof. Rick Gillespie-Mobley retired as pastor of the church in 2021 but remains active as a pastor emeritus. He went inside the church within an hour of the roof being torn off to survey the damage after receiving a call from the churchs pastor, Kellie Sullivan. Weve never had this kind of destruction, he said. We did have some wind damage with the roof a couple of years ago. Thats a new roof. It has only been there about four years, and it was only part of it that we replaced for like $30,000. Multiple trees that were planted in honor of war veterans also fell on top of the church, which was set to celebrate its 10th anniversary of merging congregations with another church in the area. Sullivan met with church leaders at a nearby McDonalds to discuss the congregations plans moving forward. The church is known throughout the community for providing food, clothing and more for those in need. Our church has faced major loss, and we praise God that no one was hurt. Please pray for our church as we start to rebuild, she said. Cleveland Fire Lt. Michael Norman said he was unaware of any injuries or fatalities from the storms Thursday night that caused damage citywide. Were picking up the pieces, he said. We had so many runs coming in between motor vehicle accidents, trees down and wires down. Were still uncovering a lot of that this morning, but hopefully well get a little break in the action today. The tornado, according to the National Weather Service, was approximately 150 yards in width and touched down to create a path that was nearly a mile long beginning near East 71st Street and Chester Avenue, ending near East 89th Street and Euclid Avenue.Molly Walsh, cleveland.com Gillespie-Mobley said the inside of the church has water inside from the heavy rain that hit the area, too. The church isnt alone. The rain Thursday night that hit Clevelands East Side followed storms that ripped into the West Side on Wednesday. The storms are the latest in a string of powerful rains that hit the region. The 3.23 inches of rain Cleveland Hopkins International Airport received Wednesday and Thursday pushed the total for August to 6.29 inches, more than double the normal amount of 2.74 inches through Aug. 24. This comes on the heels of a wet July, when the 6.75 inches for the month far outpaced the normal amount of 3.67 inches. 14 1 / 14 Greater Cleveland storm damage from Aug. 24, 2023 At New Life, church meetings are canceled, Gillespie-Mobley said. Church members will be notified about Sunday Service and other plans via email and social media. We know that God is still in control, he said. Its a devastating loss. But we know were gonna go forward from here. BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Approximately 150 people were waiting in line before the ALDI grand opening Thursday morning (Aug. 24) for a chance to win $5 to $100 gift cards and receive complimentary shopping bags and coupons for future visits. ALDI customers started to wait in line at 7:30 a.m. for the new automatic doors to swing open. The early morning hours saw the parking lot at peak capacity. In addition to the free complimentary shopping bags and smaller-denomination gift cards, shoppers had a chance to win a $500 gift card. The new ALDI at 8368 E. Washington St., next to Citizens Bank, has the same footprint as the other newer ALDI stores in the area. Representatives from the ALDI corporate office in Hinckley Township were on hand to welcome shoppers to Bainbridges new grocery store option. Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun. WASHINGTON, D. C. - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is considering revisions to a federal program that subsidizes child care costs for 1.5 million children nationwide and affects 230,000 child care providers who get the subsidies. HHS says the proposed policy changes would lower child care costs for parents who get assistance through its Child Care and Development Fund, which helps low-income families who need child care due to work, work-related training and/or attending school. Our country cannot function without a strong child care system, said a statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. Child care is vital to the health and well-being of our nations families, our businesses, and our economy. The changes under consideration would cap co-payments for all families at no more than 7% of their income and let states waive co-payments entirely for families at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Theyd also increase parents child care options by stabilizing operations for participating child care providers and encouraging more providers to participate in the development fund, ensuring payments are timely and stable and encouraging higher payment rates to better cover the cost of care. On top of that, it would encourage agencies that administer the the development fund program to streamline eligibility and enrollment processes so families could receive assistance faster and make the programs bureaucracy less likely to disrupt parent employment, training, and education. This includes proposals to allow states to extend presumptive eligibility to families, and encouraging states to allow all families to enroll for benefits online. In our Rethinking Child Care series, cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer in 2023 examine the struggle to find quality, affordable child care and propose solutions to share families burdens and help the economy. Follow the coverage at this link. The Department of Health and Human Services is accepting public comments on the proposal until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, and will finalize the policy after reviewing them. A comment submitted by Ashtabula County child care provider Tamera McTrusty described her industry as in crisis. She said her facilities have over 900 children on the wait list. You must begin to recognize that we are the backbone of the economy, McTrusty wrote. Early childhood educators should be considered professionals and treated in that manner....Start up funds and increases in reimbursement rates are critical. Private pay rates should not be affected by increases in public reimbursement. You are hurting the middle class when you demand our private rates be reflective to government reimbursement. Our industry is failing and if you dont do something there will be no workforce. Ohios publicly funded child care program is provided through a combination of money from federal CCDF grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and state expenditures. It is administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. It filed comments that said the policy would impose would result in changes to Ohio law, administrative code, automated system enhancements, training, and implementation processes; all resulting in additional financial burden for the State. The absence of additional funds to support these changes could result in having to make decisions that would undermine the overall intent of the proposed rules and result in reduced access for existing and new families. Ohio families can initially enroll in the states public child care program if their gross monthly household income is at or below 145% of the federal poverty level ($2,783 for a family of three). Once enrolled, they can remain so as they grow their income, up to 300% of the federal poverty level ($5,758 for a family of three). The liberal-leaning Policy Matters Ohio think tank, which on Thursday released a report on the proposal, says that in July 2022, 98,301 children in the state used the program and 115,950 children were deemed eligible. Currently, families with monthly income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level ($1,919 for a family of three) are not required to supply a co-pay in Ohio, the report says. Above that income level, co-pay amounts increase as family income grows. The report says capping the copayment at 7% of family income, as called for in the proposed policy, would provide savings and alleviate some financial stress for many families in with income over 100% of the federal poverty level. The policy proposal would also give Ohio Job and Family Services the flexibility to waive co-payments for families that include a child with a disability and those with monthly income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level ($2,879 for a family of three), according to the report. The latter would provide roughly $150 to $250 in savings each month for families with income between 100% and 150% of federal poverty level. The report says that the proposed rule change would also increase financial stability of child care providers, and encourage more of them to participate in the public subsidy programs. In Ohio, child care providers who accept public funding are reimbursed based on attendance. But fixed costs like payroll, rent and utilities dont decrease when a child is absent. The proposed rule would instead base payments to public fund providers on enrollment, ensuring predictable funding levels. It also would require that Ohio pay providers before they deliver services, the report says. In addition, the changes would increase the rate at which Ohio reimburses providers for the care they provide. The report says Ohio currently reimburses providers at the 25th percentile of the local market rate for the care provided, with only 25% of similar providers charging families and 75% charging more. It says Ohios reimbursement rate is among the nations worst. Related: Ohio ranks dead last nationally for subsidizing child care up to age 5 The current low reimbursement rate discourages child care providers from participating in the public subsidy system, and perpetuates the status quo of low wages for child care workers and limited resources and capacity to serve children, the report says. The proposed rule would require the state to reimburse at the 75th percentile, a level where states can ensure all parents and caregivers can access high-quality child care, regardless of race, income or ZIP code, the report says. The proposed changes would also simplify the programs eligibility verification process, according to the report. It would encourage the state to make participants in programs like Head Start or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) automatically eligible for public subsidies. The new rule also calls for streamlining the paperwork required to apply and reapply for child care subsidies. The report expresses concern about whether there will be enough money to enact the proposed changes. The expiration of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) child care funds, the lack of ongoing sustainable state funding from Ohio lawmakers, and ongoing debates at the federal level are creating uncertainty about future funding for the Child Care and Development Fund and for PFCC in Ohio, says the report. Absent more funding from the federal level, it will be challenging for Ohio to fully implement these and other changes in the proposed rule. This article has been updated to include comments from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which were not available when it was first published. Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. . CLEVELAND -- With the proponents of Issue 1 threatening to bring their proposal back to the voters, this is a good time to review issues raised by the spectacularly unsucccessful effort to increase the passing percentage for amendments to the Ohio Constitution from a simple majority to 60%. Much of the debate focused on abortion, but the proposed amendment would have gutted Ohios 111-year-old constitutional initiative and our commitment to majority rule. As former Gov. Bob Taft explained, Issue 1 was not limited to amendments proposed by initiative. Amendments proposed by the General Assembly, which are vital to the health and the governance of our state, would also have been subject to the 60% requirement. Constitutions in our country embrace policies of separation of powers and checks and balances, but discussions of these doctrines typically focus on the checks that the branches of government have on each other. The delegates to the 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention realized that state government needed another check one from the people. The approval by the voters of the constitutional initiative gave voters an important but rarely used check on the General Assembly. Issue 1 proponents argued that the Ohio Constitution should look more like the U.S. Constitution, but they ignored the different histories and responsibilities of federal and state governments. These differences explain why state constitutions are more detailed and easier to amend than their federal counterpart. The proponents also argued that Ohio was an outlier, since most states do not have the constitutional initiative. But if states are laboratories of democracy, as the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis observed, the question should be why arent other states following Ohios lead and providing their citizens an opportunity to participate directly in constitution-making. Ohio rejected supermajority requirements for approval of amendments in 1912, but Issue 1 proponents claimed that half the 18 states with the constitutional initiative on the books (17, in practice, since Mississippis initiative has been ruled invalid because of loss of a congressional district) have supermajority requirements. This was wrong; only two states Colorado and Florida require a supermajority vote for initiated amendments. More broadly, 33 of the 49 states that require voter approval of constitutional amendments have a simple majority requirement. Three others require supermajority votes; the remaining 13 embrace majority rule but have special policies relating to voter turnout, to amendments that affect political subdivisions, and to selected issues such as increases in taxes or the passing percentage for amendments. To place initiated amendments on an Ohio ballot, proponents must obtain valid signatures equal to at least 10% of the most recent vote for governor and must also meet a 5% signature requirement from 44 of Ohios 88 counties. Issue 1 sought to increase the number of counties to all 88 counties. If approved, Ohio would have had the strictest geographic distribution requirement in the country, but the change would have made the initiative vulnerable to challenge under the federal one-person/one-vote doctrine. The constitutional initiative is not a one-way ratchet, and Ohio voters have approved initiated amendments that many progressives undoubtedly find disturbing, including the 30-day voter registration requirement, legislative term limits, and a ban on same-sex marriage. The price of direct democracy, however, is a willingness to recognize that the voters may sometimes adopt policies that one opposes. The constitutional initiative provides a path for avoiding the General Assembly and putting before the voters amendments that are unlikely to be proposed by the General Assembly, such as the recently filed amendment to end partisan gerrymandering by creating an independent citizens redistricting commission. Finally, Issue 1 proponents argued that the Ohio Constitution is too long, and on this they were correct. The villain, however, is not the constitutional initiative, which accounts for only about 10% of the almost 60,000-word Ohio Constitution. The length is attributable to the presence of obsolete, unconstitutional, and statutory-like provisions. To shorten the constitution, one needs to educate the public as to the importance of the Ohio Constitution and to build a bipartisan consensus in favor of constitutional reform. Steven H. Steinglass is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the Cleveland State University College of Law. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com ` To fund the drug-abuse treatment and recovery needed throughout Ohio, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation is charged with ladling out 55% of the $1.8 billion that Ohio has won in legal settlements from the nations opioid manufacturers and distributors. Thats likely to amount to $1 billion or more. The other 45% will go directly to communities (30%) and the state (15%). According to the state Health Department, Ohio ranks third on the list of states with the highest rates of opioid deaths. All the more reason that OneOhio needs to do its job as transparently and openly as possible, and in a way all Ohioans can trust, despite the legislatures recent successful effort to shield it and its regional boards from state open-records laws through a state budget amendment. OneOhio is a private nonprofit foundation. Still, of its 29 board members, General Assembly leaders name four; Gov. Mike DeWine names five; and Attorney General David Yost names one. And Yosts office is required to provide OneOhio with legal services. And DeWine picks the foundations executive director. On Monday, he named Alisha Nelson to the post, from a list of three candidates OneOhios board submitted. When DeWine was attorney general, Nelson led his offices anti-drug efforts. Later, Nelson became first director of RecoveryOhio, a DeWine initiative targeting mental illness and drug abuse. In April, in response to a complaint by Granville-based Harm Reduction Ohio, the states largest distributor of overdose-fighting naloxone, a Franklin County Common Pleas judge ordered OneOhio to comply with Ohios Open Meetings Act. Then in May, also in response to a Harm Reduction complaint, a unanimous Ohio Supreme Court ruled the Public Records Act also covers OneOhio. Now, Harm Reduction Ohio has gone back to court, asking that OneOhio be held in contempt for alleged Open Meetings Act violations, partly tied to its executive director search and nomination process. Dennis Cauchon, president of Harm Reduction Ohio, said the court denied his groups motion to compel discovery but hasnt yet ruled on its contempt motion. Meanwhile, Cauchon spoke affirmatively of Nelsons appointment: I dont have a problem with Alisha at all. At issue, cleveland.coms Jeremy Pelzer reported, is Harm Reductions allegation that OneOhio held at least three noncompliant committee meetings -- meetings that didnt follow the Open Meetings Act -- to select executive director [candidates]. In counterpoint, OneOhio spokeswoman Connie Luck told Pelzer, We strongly dispute the claims made and will be responding through the proper legal channels. Complicating the dispute: A budget amendment taking effect Oct. 3, sponsored by state Sen. Rob McColley, a Napoleon Republican, who is a legislative appointee to OneOhios board and may become the state Senates next president. His amendment exempts OneOhio from the Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act and also, the Columbus Dispatch reported, says OneOhio Foundation and its 19 regional boards arent public entities under Ohios ethics [and] bribery statutes. The amendment, the Legislative Service Commission reports, does require the foundations full board meetings to be open to the public unless its directors vote to hold an executive session by a majority of the quorum of the board. But specifying that the amendment applies to full board meetings isnt necessarily pertinent to Harm Reductions complaint about committee meetings. And the Common Pleas Courts April order required OneOhio to comply with [the Open Meetings Law] for all meetings, including subcommittee meetings. Part of the reason OneOhio was created as a nonprofit likely stems from how Ohio frittered away millions of dollars recovered in the 1990s from tobacco companies for the Medicaid costs to Ohio of tobacco-related illnesses. Controlling that money was a Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, which the legislature created in a 2000 law, Senate Bill 192; unlike OneOhio, that foundation wasnt incorporated as a nonprofit. So when legislators raided the tobacco money in 2008 for a jobs program, they simply dissolved the tobacco foundation and grabbed its money, something OneOhios incorporation might prevent. A study supported by Clevelands Center for Community Solutions also called for a private foundation. Aim: [To prevent] the state from redirecting those funds at a future time. Ohios sunshine laws didnt contribute to the tobacco funds demise; feckless legislators did. The opioid settlement was won by Ohios lawyers for the benefit of Ohioans. OneOhio, whatever its legal framework, is a trustee for the people. And the people are entitled to know how, in whatever kind of meeting, for whatever purpose, the foundation manages their money. About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio The tornadoes that ripped through Northeast Ohio late Thursday night zapped the power of more than 145,000 customers, and FirstEnergy Corp. says many of them will be without electricity for nearly a week. More than 50,000 customers from Cuyahoga County had no power late Friday afternoon from the high winds and tornado that blew through the citys East Side. A second tornado struck Mentor, creating a path that was nearly four miles long. We expect to restore power to the majority of affected customers by (Wednesday), a statement on FirstEnergys online outages map said late Friday afternoon. The high winds toppled trees and powerlines, damaged homes and blew the roof off of New Life at Calvary Church in Cleveland and windows from the Justice Center in Cleveland. The tornado that hit Clevelands East Side had winds of 100 mph. The damage closed roads throughout the region. No one was hurt. City officials in Mentor told residents that FirstEnergy officials indicated that power will be restored for 95% of CEI customers by 4 p.m. (Wednesday). Residents are strongly encouraged to make provisions for a long-term outage, especially in the hardest hit areas. That means food in many refrigerators and freezers could rot, and air conditioning system will go silent. Temperatures are expected to stay in the mid-70s through most of next week. Mentor urged residents and businesses using generators to observe safety practices, including not operating them indoors or near windows. Service has been restored to approximately 221,500 of the more than 460,300 customers, the company said in a press release. Utility crews are working 16-hour shifts with eight hours of rest, and they will continue doing so until all power is restored. Workers from FirstEnergys sister companies and contractors are also assisting. The Mentor Senior Center, at 8484 Center St., is available as a community shelter with water and snacks. Other cities are also opening up their public buildings to help residents during the outage. The Senior and Community Center in Wickliffe was to open Friday at 5:30 p.m. for residents who need to charge their phones and other devices, Mayor Joe Sakacs announced on Facebook. The Cleveland Heights Community Center and the Lee Road and University Heights branches of Heights Libraries are open and have power. The city also was impacted by the severe weather with many downed wires and power outages. Police urged residents to not drive over wires and treat intersections where lights are out as four-way stops. An infant has died after being left in a car for an extended period of time in triple-digit temperatures, authorities in South Dakota said Thursday. The child, whose name or age has not been disclosed, was found inside a car outside a church Wednesday afternoon in Yankton, a city of around 15,500 located in the southeastern corner of the state. Officers arrived at the scene just after 5 p.m. after receiving reports of an unresponsive child. Emergency responders werent able to revive the infant, the Yankton Police Department said in a news release. An autopsy has been requested, authorities said. The Yankton Police Department will continue the investigation. As more details become available, we will issue another press release, the department added. The discovery came as excessive heat warnings were issued across the state. South Dakota residents have been dealing with a major heat wave since earlier this week. An initial excessive heat warning was issued for southeastern South Dakota from Monday through Wednesday until 10 p.m., but that was later extended until 7 p.m. Thursday. The heat index on Wednesday broke 110 degrees in the area. Authorities urged residents to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks in air conditioning and NEVER leave kids or pets in vehicles. According to the National Weather Service, internal vehicle temperatures can become deadly with outside temperatures as cool as 80 degrees. On a day with a high temperature of 95 degrees, the inside of vehicles could reach 114 degrees after just 10 minutes and 138 degrees in just about 60 minutes the NWS in Sioux Falls said. A stretch of hot and humid conditions should persist across the region this weekend, authorities said. With News Wire Services China suspends all aquatic products from Japan over Fukushima contaminated water dumping 13:40, August 25, 2023 By Xu Keyue, Zhang Yuying and Xing Xiaojing ( Global Times China has with immediate effect banned import of all aquatic products originating from Japan starting from Thursday, when Japan started dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater from crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea - a move by the Asia island nation that will be "nailed to history's mast of shame," decried stakeholders and the wider public at home and abroad. On Thursday 1 pm local time, the start of the dumping of around 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of water over several decades marked a big step for Japan in decommissioning the still highly dangerous site 12 years after one of the world's worst nuclear accidents in Fukushima Prefecture, according to media reports. Although the move of dumping is a fait-accompli and the majority of the Western world remain silent, fishermen, environmental activists and the wider public in Japan and the world at large vowed to fight till the end and some have even asked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to step down. China strongly condemned the Japanese government's commencement of dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater, as the Chinese Foreign Ministry made serious demarches to Japan and urged it to stop the wrongdoing. "The Chinese government has always put people first, and will take all necessary measures to maintain and protect food security and the public health," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing on Thursday. Given that Tokyo has used July's IAEA report, which has lost its credibility, as a shield, China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) told the press on Thursday the move by the Japanese government seriously undermined the authority and credibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the health of the people of neighboring countries and the rights and interests of the marine environment, and the safety and development interests of the global nuclear energy industry. In order to prevent nuclear-contaminated Japanese food from entering the country and protect the health of Chinese people, China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) said Thursday it has carried out continuous evaluation of risk over radioactive contamination of Japanese food and has tightened supervision measures on food imported from Japan to strictly ensure food security. In another follow-up measure, the National Nuclear Safety Administration of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) on Thursday announced that relevant departments are organizing the marine radiation environment monitoring of China's jurisdictional sea areas in 2023. Also the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will step up monitoring of nuclear pollution risks of aquatic products. The MEE said China organized and carried out marine radiation environment monitoring in the sea areas under its jurisdiction in 2021 and 2022. The monitoring results showed that the concentration of artificial radionuclide activity in seawater and marine organisms in the jurisdiction area of China was normal. The direction of ocean current and the concentration of discharge affect the conclusion of "how much influence the release of nuclear-contaminated water has on China," Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, told the Global Times. Ma stressed that China should further strengthen its nuclear radiation early warning and monitoring network laid out in many cities. He also called for establishing distant-water monitoring stations. Zhao Shunping, deputy director and researcher of the Radiation Environment Monitoring Technology Center, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, stressed the significance of monitoring of radioactivity concentrations in seawater, sediment and marine life via the monitoring stations deployed in the waters under China's jurisdiction and detection for key ocean current channels. Zhao told the Global Times that China could also conduct ballast water detection. For example, some ships go within the vicinity of Fukushima discharge outlet, and when they return, we can collect and detect the water samples. If Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water is safe, why doesn't Japan use it on its own land first? Graphic:GT Reaction worldwide In another Japan's neighbor - South Korea, fierce domestic political wrangling has erupted over its own government's endorsement of the Japanese move. Liberal critics have accused the conservative government led by President Yoon Suk-yeol of pushing to improve ties with Japan at the sacrifice of public health. "The Yoon Suk-yeol government and the ruling People Power Party are accomplices in the dumping of the wastewater," said Kwon Chil-seung, a spokesperson for the main opposition Democratic Party, according to an AP report on Thursday. "I oppose Japan's discharge of the radioactive water," former South Korean president Moon Jae-in tweeted, noting the Korean government's response to Japan's move is wrong. But the South Korean governing party accused the opposition of inciting anti-Japan sentiment and public fears for political gain, undermining national interests and driving those in the domestic fisheries and seafood industries to the edge, the AP report revealed. On the same day, South Korean police detained 16 student activists for allegedly trying to enter the Japanese Embassy illegally to protest the contaminated water dumping. However, Pacific island nations are divided over Fukushima wastewater dumping. Reuters reported Wednesday that Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum, said that although the UN nuclear watchdog "greenlighted" the Japan's plan in July, the region may not agree on the "complex" issue. Additionally, the US has apparently indulged Japan over the plan. Last week, before the US President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon at Camp David, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US was satisfied with Japan's plan. Other US allies, who have always boasted about their efforts in protecting the global environment and human rights, have been silent over the historical dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater with none of the key Western figures making public comments over the issue recently. Chinese observers said Washington's indulgence on Tokyo's move is a "political deal" in exchange for Japan's closer strategic adherence, which once again reflects the US' and US-led camp's double standards and hypocrisy. Non-stop fight Using big data analysis, a research center of the Belt and Road Research Institute, Hainan University found that only 7 percent of the international community supported the Japanese government's move. Even a significant number of the Japanese people are seriously opposed to the actions. The US public is also at odds with its government, with only a tiny proportion (2 percent) in favor. Residents of Fukushima, Miyagi and Ibaraki prefectures, including fishing workers, will file a lawsuit with the Fukushima court on September 8 against the Japanese government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to stop the dumping process, Chiyo Oda, co-chairperson of an environmental NGO and citizens' assembly "Stop polluting the oceans!" told the Global Times on Thursday. "I hope that the trial will stop it [the dumping process] as soon as possible. I will continue to do what I can and raise my voice. We are by no means satisfied with this dumping," said Oda, who lives in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. "We will continue to fight [against the dumping]." Protests and rallies have been held across Japan, including Tokyo and Fukushima before and after Kishida decided to start the dumping, Oda revealed. "The government made the decision without listening to our voices, which was very reckless," Oda decried. Another Fukushima local, Yoshitaka Ikarashi, also a representative of an NGO on rethinking of Fukushima nuclear incident, along with a Japanese lawyer and a former lawmaker Hideki Ito, submitted a proposal to a cross-partisan political organization including Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party and other parties' politicians to raise concerns over the contaminated water dumping. Ikarashi also called for the change of the regime. In China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, dozens of protesters rallied along the streets shouting "Global enemy!" on Thursday in front of the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong, calling on Kishida to step down as the Japanese head ignored the outrage of the international community over the dumping plan. This reminded Global Times reporters of an irony. When Kishida boasted that he is "good at listening" during the leadership election for the LDP in September 2021, he held a blue notebook with a tattered cover, saying "I have written 30 such notebooks over the past 10 years after listening to the public." When the Global Times reporters walked through Tokyo after a visit to Fukushima in May, a new political campaign poster of Kishida came into view. It read, "With local voices, to create a new Japan." But this doesn't seem to have anything to do with the current situation in Fukushima. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The bodies of five members of the same family, among them three children, were found inside a home near Uniontown, Ohio, after what authorities are calling a domestic dispute turned deadly. Officers responded to a residence in Lake Township on Thursday to perform a wellness check, the Uniontown Police Department said. When they arrived on the scene around 7:30 p.m., they found all five victims already dead. Lake County Local School District Superintendent Kevin Tobin confirmed Friday morning that three students were among those killed in the deadly incident. They include a 14-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, WOIO reported. None of their names has been released and authorities have not yet identified the killer. A motive for the carnage also remained unclear Friday. Officers suspect the incident was a domestic dispute that escalated into deadly violence. It is being investigated as a quadruple murder and suicide. No other people are believed to be involved at this time and police said they do not believe there is any additional danger to the community. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Super Micro Computer's year-to-date stock performance. Super Micro Computer : "I'd much rather see you in Nvidia." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Extreme Networks' year-to-date stock performance. Extreme Networks : "I think it's fine. I mean, it's just one of many companies that is not proprietary enough for me to be able to recommend, especially at this point when people seem to want to sell tech." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Zimmer Biomet's year-to-date stock performance. Zimmer Biomet : "That's a very tough one. Zimmer Biomet did not have a good quarter. When these guys don't have a good quarter, there's really no stopping them, they're on the move. I say you have to re-circle the wagons and buy GE Healthcare, which is much too cheap..." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Sunrun's year-to-date stock performance. Sunrun : "...only First Solar seems to be making the cut here, and that's the one that I would recommend." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon NRG Energy's year-to-date stock performance. NRG Energy : "NRG's good... but you know what, I'd have to tell you, I like this new gang that runs Southern...I think that's the way to go." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Ecolab's year-to-date stock performance. Ecolab : "I think they're ok. I'll tell you something, I know that it sounds like it's a little far afield, but Cintas has a similar business. I think Cintas is the way to go." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Old Republic's year-to-date stock performance. Old Republic : "They're a very good company, but when we talk insurance, we just talk Chubb." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Indie Semiconductor's year-to-date stock performance. Indie Semiconductor : "Self-driving has hit a snag. I'm not going to recommend a self-driving related semi company, just not right here, not right now, not if it's losing money." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Arista Networks' year-to-date stock performance. Arista Networks : "A lot of people like Arista, and it does trade, it does trade with Nvidia. I actually think the much cheaper and not as complimentary play is Cisco." watch now Jim Cramer's Guide to Investing Click here to download Jim Cramer's Guide to Investing at no cost to help you build long-term wealth and invest smarter. General Motors revealed its all-new modular platform and battery system, Ultium, on March 4, 2020 at its Tech Center campus in Warren, Michigan. DETROIT General Motors' Ultium Cells has agreed to increase worker pay at its battery plant in Ohio by an average of 25%, the company and United Auto Workers union said Thursday. Ultium, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, is key for the automaker to increase its supply of batteries for its growing fleet of electric vehicles. The deal is a major win for the union, as it's the first major organized battery plant in the country. The UAW and Ultium have been in labor talks for roughly 1,100 workers at the plant since a majority of employees agreed to organize with the union last year. The union previously argued the battery workers should make the same wages as their traditional counterparts assembling engines and cars. Ultium workers currently make between roughly $20 and $25 an hour for production workers and $25 to $34.60 an hour for maintenance employees. The wage increases will be between $3 and $4 an hour, the union said. With the increases, they'll still be paid less than the more than $32 an hour of traditional UAW assembly workers with the Detroit automakers. The tentative deal, which must be ratified by workers, is not a complete agreement. It addresses worker pay and but does not include other dynamics and processes. If ratified, workers will be retroactively paid backed wages of between $3,000 and $7,000 "While an entire 'first' agreement is being negotiated, the committee is still hard at work in bargaining working conditions, health and safety, seniority rights, addressing other issues raised by the membership and future wage increases throughout the term of this agreement," Josh Ayers, UAW Local 1112 chairman, said in a statement. This is a separate agreement from the ongoing national negotiations occurring between the UAW and GM, Ford Motor and Stellantis covering roughly 150,000 workers. An Alibaba Group sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 6, 2023. Alibaba on Friday launched a new artificial intelligence model that the company says can understand images and carry out more complex conversations than the company's previous products, as the global race for leadership in the technology heats up. The Chinese technology giant said that its two new models, Qwen-VL and Qwen-VL-Chat, will be open source meaning that researchers, academics and companies worldwide can use them to create their own AI apps without needing to train their own systems, therefore saving time and expense. Alibaba said that Qwen-VL can respond to open-ended queries related to different images and generate picture captions. Qwen-VL-Chat meanwhile caters to more "complex interaction," according to Alibaba, such as comparing multiple image inputs and answering several rounds of questions. Some tasks that Alibaba says Qwen-VL-Chat can perform include writing stories and creating images based on photos that a user inputs, as well as solving mathematical equations shown in a picture. One example Alibaba gave is of an input featuring a hospital sign in the Chinese language. The AI can answer questions about the locations of certain hospital departments by interpreting the image of the sign. So far, much of generative AI where the technology generates responses based on human inputs has focused on responding to text. The latest version of OpenAI's ChatGPT also has the ability to understand images and respond in text, much like Qwen-VL-Chat. Nvidia automotive segment primarily sells chip systems for assisted driving. CEO Jensen Huang has touted it as the company's "next billion-dollar business." Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images BEIJING U.S. chipmaker Nvidia this week soundly beat analysts' expectations for major revenue lines except in automotive as Chinese demand for electric cars moderates. The automotive segment primarily sells chip systems for assisted driving. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang touted it last year as the company's "next billion-dollar business." But the unit's growth has slowed this year. Huang didn't repeat such projections in the latest earnings call. In the three months ended July 30, automotive revenue fell by 15% from the prior quarter the first sequential decline in more than a year. The sequential decrease primarily reflects lower overall auto demand, particularly in China. Colette Kress Nvidia's Chief Financial Officer The $253 million segment revenue was also well below the $309.3 million forecast by a FactSet analyst poll. "The sequential decrease primarily reflects lower overall auto demand, particularly in China," Nvidia's Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said in a statement on the quarterly results. She said demand for self-driving systems helped automotive revenue grow by 15% from the year-ago period. Although still a fraction of the chipmaker's business, automotive revenue has grown rapidly from just over $100 million a quarter two years ago. watch now China is the world's largest auto market. In the last few years, the country has become a driver of the global push toward electric cars. Local EV players such as BYD and Xpeng are creating stiff competition for traditional automakers, partly by playing up technological features. Chinese original equipment manufacturers are Nvidia's primary market, said Brady Wang, associate director at Counterpoint Research. He said the sequential automotive revenue decline could be the result of excess inventory among Chinese manufacturers, as well as their downward revisions of sales forecasts for high-end vehicles in the coming two quarters. Xpeng exec joins Nvidia Nio , which sells premium-priced electric cars, is set to release quarterly results on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Xpeng reported a wider-than-expected loss in the second quarter. Xpeng is one of the few local electric car companies to offer driver-assist software in select Chinese cities. Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" tech for navigating city streets isn't fully available yet in China. On Thursday, Xpeng's former head of autonomous driving, Xinzhou Wu said he was starting a new job at Nvidia on Friday. That's according to Wu's statement on social media, which included a repost of a picture of himself with Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng and Nvidia's Huang. Nvidia is building out an automotive tech business. Pictured here are its autonomous vehicle test cars at the company's auto garage in Santa Clara, California, on June 5, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Counterpoint's Wang pointed out that Nvidia's products are concentrated in the high-end automotive segment. "In the mid-range market, NVIDIA still faces competition from other vendors, such as Horizon Robotics, Mobileye, and some startups," he said. Other automotive chip companies are also seeing sequential revenue declines in the segment. Analog Devices on Wednesday reported automotive revenue of $747.6 million for the three months ended July 29, down by 5% from the prior quarter. "We think [Analog Devices] may well be a leading indicator of the cresting of the automotive chip cycle," David Wong, a technology strategy research analyst at Nomura, said in a report Thursday. He pointed out that Mobileye 's and Qualcomm 's automotive chips also saw quarter-on-quarter revenue declines. A $10 billion-plus opportunity Nvidia jumped into the automotive opportunity relatively recently. In an annual report in late February 2022, the company claimed it had $11 billion worth of automotive projects lined up over the next six years. A year later, Nvidia said in its annual report that automotive project pipeline was now worth $14 billion over the next six years. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon But in May, Nvidia said quarter-on-quarter automotive revenue growth "moderated as some NEV customers in China are adjusting their production schedules to reflect slower-than expected demand growth." The company said it would "expect this dynamic to linger for the rest of calendar year." In July, retail sales of new energy passenger cars fell by 3.6% from June to 641,000 vehicles, according to the China Passenger Car Association. It said sales for the first seven months of the year are up by about 36% from a year ago. The slowdown in the fast-growing segment comes as penetration of new energy vehicles, which include hybrid and battery-powered cars, this year reached about one-third of new passenger cars sold in China, according to trade association data. A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane drops water over a house during a wildfire spreading in Acharnes, north of Athens, on August 23, 2023. Greek firefighters on August 23, 2023 struggled to contain uncontrolled fires throughout the country for a fifth day, several of them bordering an acrid, smoke-filled Athens. Angelos Tzortzinis | Afp | Getty Images Europe is in the grip of a summer of climate-fueled extremes, with countries across the continent struggling to cope with the ramifications of searing temperatures, raging wildfires and devastating floods. In just the last few days, firefighters in Greece have battled to contain a blaze destroying homes near the capital of Athens, French power producer EDF said nuclear output cuts were likely over the weekend due to a spell of excessive heat, Italy issued health warnings over "emergency conditions," and Turkish authorities briefly closed a strategically important waterway to clear an area for planes fighting nearby forest fires. Meanwhile, Norway, which has suffered from heavy rainfall, floods and landslides in recent weeks, is once again under a top-level red alert for rain in the southern part of the country. Europe's protracted battle with extreme weather conditions comes shortly after official data showed July was the hottest month in history. To be sure, the climate emergency which is primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels is making extreme weather and its impacts more frequent and more intense. "This is the new normal and does not come as a surprise," said Alvaro Silva, a climate expert with the U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization. People stand at an overflooded petrol station in Gjovik on August 11, 2023 after extreme weather with heavy rain hit south-east Norway. Heiko Junge | Afp | Getty Images "The frequency and intensity of many extremes, such as heatwaves and heavy precipitation, have increased in recent decades," Silva said in a statement published Tuesday. "There is high confidence that human induced climate change from greenhouse emissions, is the main driver. This gives us the long-term context for the increasing occurrence and severity of such extreme weather and extreme events." 'Another blow for glaciers' In Greece, wildfires raged near the capital of Athens for a second consecutive day on Wednesday and authorities have warned that scorching heat and strong winds could fuel a new spate of blazes in the coming days. The blazes have led to a number of reported deaths nationwide. Firefighters on Tuesday found the burnt bodies of 18 people believed to have been migrants who had crossed the Turkish border near the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis. Two people died and two firefighters were injured in separate fires on Monday. In France, power company EDF said Monday that it would likely need to reduce nuclear output over the coming weekend as a punishing heatwave baking large parts of the country warms rivers used for cooling some of its reactors. On the same day, France issued an extreme heat warning for four regional departments in the southern regions of Rhone, Drome, Ardeche and Haute-Loire. A homeless man begs for money in a street of Bordeaux, southwestern France on August 24, 2023, as a heatwave sweeps across France. Christophe Archambault | Afp | Getty Images In Italy, authorities have issued red alert "emergency conditions," which means that even those that are healthy are at risk of adverse effects from the extreme heat. Temperatures on Friday are expected to peak at around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the inland areas of Sardinia, according to Italian weather news service Meteo.it. The forecasting website said the exceptional heat is due to an anticyclone known as Nero. Heavy thunderstorms and "sudden drops in temperatures" are expected from Saturday, however. Turkish authorities said Wednesday that shipping on the Dardanelles Strait would partially reopen after firefighters halted the spread of a nearby two-day forest fire in the northwest of the country. The suspension of vessels traversing the shipping route, which connects the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea, was ordered to allow helicopters and planes to scoop up water to douse the blaze, Reuters reported. The heat has reached new heights in Switzerland, too. The central European country on Monday reported a new record for the so-called zero-degree Celsius line, a key meteorological marker in mountainous regions that reflects the altitude at which the temperature falls below freezing. Little snow cover and glaciers melting at an alarming rate amid Europe's sweltering heatwaves have put some of the most classic Alpine hiking routes off-limits. Usually at the height of summer, tourists flock to the Alps and seek out well-trodden paths up to some of Europe's most iconic peaks. Fabrice Coffrini | Afp | Getty Images Donald Trump returned to the platform X on Thursday night after being booked in Georgia on racketeering and election interference charges, ending a more than two-year-long hiatus from the platform formerly known as Twitter. The 77-year-old former president posted a screenshot of a makeshift flyer that included his Fulton County jail mugshot and a link to his campaign website. MUG SHOT AUGUST 24, 2023, the flyer read. ELECTION INTERFERENCE NEVER SURRENDER! Trump was banned from Twitter in January 2021 for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. In November 2022, Elon Musk polled Twitter users on Trumps possible return after he bought the platform. They voted to lift the former presidents ban. Trump initially refused to return to Twitter. He sent zero tweets for months while using his own platform, Truth Social, to make posts. When he finally returned on Thursday night, his new tweet racked up tens of thousands of likes, retweets and responses within minutes. Trump was arrested and fingerprinted Thursday night in Atlanta on charges that he and several of his allies attempted to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. While the arrest was Trumps fourth in a range of criminal cases across the country, it was the first time local authorities required him to take a mugshot. The 45th president is also accused of lying on business records about paying hush money to Stormy Daniels in New York, illegally taking classified documents to his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and trying to overturn the election through the Jan. 6 riot in Washington. Despite the various criminal charges, Trump retains a commanding lead in Republican polls for the 2024 presidential election. He and his allies accuse prosecutors of staging witch hunts to prevent his return to office. Court records Friday showed a hearing being set for Harrison Floyd, a co-defendant in former President Donald Trump's election interference case in Georgia who has been held in custody since Thursday afternoon. The entry on Floyd's docket in Fulton County Superior Court specified that Floyd's "first appearance" hearing was set for 11 a.m. ET. The entry also appeared to show that Floyd would appear before Judge Scott McAfee. But McAfee said that Floyd would not appear in court that day, either in person or virtually, NBC News reported. "I think there's been some misinformation that got directed to you by the magistrate court," McAfee told reporters. The judge initially appeared confused by the congregation of journalists at his courtroom on Friday morning, per NBC. "First appearances all happen at the jail and it was supposed to be scheduled for 11 o'clock today. So it might've already happened," McAfee said. Floyd will stay in Fulton County jail until he is granted bond, McAfee said, adding that the defendant is entitled to a court appearance within 72 hours following his arrest, according to NBC. The United States has said that it will begin flight training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. The United States has said that it will begin flight training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in October. The announcement came after Norway on Thursday said it would donate F-16s to Ukraine, becoming the third country, after Denmark and the Netherlands, to pledge to fulfill Kyiv's longstanding request for jets which it says will strengthen its air defenses against Russia. Russia's Defense Ministry said Friday that its air defense forces had destroyed 42 Ukraine-launched drones over the Crimean Peninsula and one missile over the Kaluga region. Meantime, President Vladimir Putin broke his silence over the presumed death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, describing him a "talented businessman" and offering condolences to his family some 24 hours after the plane he was believed to be travelling on crashed into flames while en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Netflix is a cheap and smart buy after a recent pullback as the Hollywood strikes continue, according to Loop Capital. Analyst Alan Gould upgraded the streaming giant to a buy from a hold and raised his price target by $75 to $500. His new target implies a 22.9% upside over Thursday's close. "We have been fundamentally strong believers in NFLX, but cautious on valuation," he said in a note to clients. "NFLX has corrected ~15% from its recent gains, but more importantly, the fundamentals continue to improve in NFLX's favor." Netflix has had a tough August, down more than 7% since the month began. Still, the stock is up about 38% on the year. Gould noted that competing streaming platforms have raised prices while reducing spending on content, a recipe that he said can help bolster Netflix's competitive position. And even as more competitors enter the field, he said, Netflix has been able to keep its share of engagement. He also said the company is best positioned for the Hollywood actors and writers work stoppages. That's because of the relatively large pipeline of unreleased content that can tide the streamer over, as well as global production capabilities not impacted by the strike that can be tapped. In some ways, he said the strikes could even be considered a boost for Netflix and other streamers as they are seen as accelerating the decline of the traditional TV business. Elsewhere, Gould noted that the implementation of paid password sharing has gone better than was expected. Advertising can become a "major contributor" for the streamer over time, he said. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. credit cards are arranged for a photograph in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S. Embattled cryptocurrency exchange Binance has lost some business with payment card networks Mastercard and Visa. The development is a sign of how traditional financial institutions are growing wary of working with the company as it faces intense regulatory scrutiny and wider concerns around financial compliance within the crypto industry. Mastercard will soon no longer offer Binance-branded cards in Latin America and the Middle East, which let customers user their crypto to purchase goods, Binance said Thursday via X, the company formerly known as Twitter. "The product, like most debit cards, has been utilized by Binance's users to pay for basic daily expenses but in this case, the cards are funded with crypto assets," Binance Customer Support said on Twitter. "Only a tiny portion of our users (less than 1% of users in the markets mentioned) are impacted by this. Users of this product will have until September 21, 2023, when the card will no longer be available for use." "Binance accounts around the world are not affected. Where available, users can also shop with crypto and send crypto using Binance Pay, a contactless, borderless and secure cryptocurrency payment technology designed by Binance," the company added. Mastercard confirmed that it is ending the partnership, with a spokesperson telling CNBC that, from Sept. 22, four pilot Binance co-branded Mastercard card programs the company had with Binance in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Bahrain "will no longer be in use." "This provides cardholders with a wind-down period to convert any holdings in their Binance wallet," the Mastercard spokesperson said. "There is no impact on any other crypto card program." Visa, meanwhile, also moved to distance itself from Binance. The company ended a similar card tie-up with Binance, as it ceased issuing new co-branded cards with the firm in Europe as of July, a spokesperson for the company told Bloomberg. Binance and Visa were not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. It's a sign of how crypto continues to face a broadly tepid response from the financial services industry. In this article HLAG-DE MAERSK.B-DK Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Ships in the Singapore Strait. Andrew Merry | Moment | Getty Images It's been a slow summer for shipping routes from Asia to Europe and beyond and hopes of a traditional peak season when holiday orders are imported are fading. As firms making goods from apparel to electronics hold excess stock, there's less of a demand to ship products. This means some vessels are waiting in ports because of sailings being "blanked," or canceled. MSC, the world's largest container company, canceled last week's voyage of the 366 meter long MSC Deila from Asia to northern Europe due to "slowing demand" on the route, it said on its website. The massive vessel can carry 14,000 20-foot shipping containers (known as twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEU) and its sailing was also canceled the week before. "We are arranging a contingency plan with alternative services," MSC added. In late July, the company also blanked a scheduled sailing of the MSC Topaz on a similar route. "Carriers will be doing 'capacity management,' which means laying up ships," said Sanne Manders, president of ocean and air at freight broker Flexport, speaking to CNBC by video call. "If you fly to Singapore, you'll see all these ships outside the port A lot of ships are parked there waiting till there are better yields," he added. The blank sailings come as large shipping companies' latest earnings plunged. Last month, CMA CGM said its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) for the second quarter was down 73% to $2.6 billion compared to the same time last year, while Hapag-Lloyd's first-half EBITDA was down to $3.8 billion from $10.9 billion for the same period in 2022. Maersk reported a sharp fall in its second-quarter profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $2.91 billion, well below the record $10.3 billion for the same quarter in 2022. More capacity "Looking at the next couple of months, there's still a lot of capacity going to be added specifically on the ocean side," Manders said. "And that will keep rates ... severely under pressure," he told CNBC. Indeed, shipping companies ordered record numbers of vessels after the Covid-19 pandemic brought them "enormous" amounts of excess cash, according to investment firm Bernstein in a research note published last week. "The addition of hundreds of thousands of TEUs by the biggest shipping lines will likely keep rates from sustained expansion in the near to medium-term," Bernstein's analysts said. "Freight rates from Far East to North Europe have by now been under significant pressure for a little over a year," according to according to Niels Rasmussen, chief shipping analyst at the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), in an email to CNBC. Spot container rates reported by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange were down nearly 90% for the three-month period March to May, when compared with the same period in 2022, Rasmussen added. "Rather than concluding that volumes are weak, we therefore find it more accurate to conclude that liner operators have been unable or unwilling to adjust ship capacity to actual demand," he added. Excess stock Flexport, which is at 10th place in CNBC's Disruptor 50 list, regularly surveys customers on how much stock they're holding. "When we looked in March, there was 62%, saying, I have way too much, or I have too much. In May, it went down to roughly just over 40%. But in July, it's still just over 40%. So, what we're still looking at is high inventory levels, which will keep imports relatively modest," Manders said. The electronics, high tech and clothing industries have "way too much" stock, he added, while furniture companies are holding about the right amount. "We'll probably need the holiday season to clear through these inventories," Manders said. Blank sailings have been common for several years, according to Simon Heaney, a senior manager for container research at maritime consultancy Drewry. "The container market is in the middle of a demand slump so blank sailings are once again being used as a bad-aid to try and balance the market. Excess inventory, along with weak retail sales, are indeed part of the reason for the downturn in shipments," Heaney said in an email to CNBC. The firm recorded 13 blank sailings on Asia to Europe routes in July, (during the same month last year Drewry counted 18) and expects similar figures for August and September. Bernstein said U.S. retailers were holding $778 billion of inventory in May, the highest level since 2019. "A peak season is far from assured," its analysts added. Long-term trend watch now The apparent death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia's private mercenary firm Wagner Group, likely gives Russian President Vladimir Putin a tighter grip on his country, a former U.S. national security advisor told CNBC. Prigozhin was on the passenger list of a plane involved in a fatal crash on Wednesday in the Tver region of Russia, outside Moscow. "My own sense is this [incident] probably strengthens Putin's hand considerably inside Russia," John Bolton, who served as national security advisor under the Trump administration, told CNBC's Dan Murphy on Thursday. "I'd never bought the argument that the mutiny two months ago was a real direct threat to Putin I think his position was weakened, but now I think it's stronger," Bolton said, referencing the short-lived rebellion by Prigozhin and his Wagner contingent against the Russian government, which took place over June 23-24. watch now Before the insurrection attempt, the 62-year-old paramilitary leader, once a close confidant of Putin, had spent months vocally criticizing his country's top brass for what he said was their corruption and failure to adequately support and prepare Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. His forces, known for their particularly violent battlefield tactics, spearheaded a number of battles for Russia on the Ukrainian front. An apparent deal was made between Prigozhin and Putin after the aborted coup. Under the terms of the agreement, the Wagner Group leader and his forces would relocate to Belarus, with Prigozhin pledging to leave Russia for good. A member of private mercenary group Wagner pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin following their apparent deaths in a plane crash on Aug. 23, 2023. Vladimir Nikolayev | Afp | Getty Images Several analysts looking at the situation in Russia at the time of the coup attempt saw the event as an embarrassing blow to Putin's authority. Many also predicted that Prigozhin's days were likely numbered. "I think a lot of the criticism that Prigozhin was making was not that they were against the invasion of Ukraine, [but] they were against the failure to win in Ukraine," Bolton told CNBC. "Putin's hand I think, is strengthened now. And I think we're at a very critical period in the battlefield in Ukraine because of the stalled spring offensive by the Ukrainians." The former national security official and American ambassador to the U.N. also expressed concern over the slow progress of the long-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive, which Kyiv and its allies had hoped would decisively turn the tide against Moscow. "I'm very worried, frankly, from that point of view, that now, especially, the Kremlin will take the advantage of September, maybe early October, to try and move diplomatically to achieve what they've not achieved on the battlefield," Bolton said. "So I think we're in for a perilous time ahead here." Wells Fargo paid back $40 million to almost 11,000 customers who for years were overcharged on fees for investment advice, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Friday. The bank also agreed to pay a $35 million civil penalty to settle SEC charges. Wells Fargo neither admitted nor denied the allegations, the agency said. Certain Wells Fargo financial advisors including those from legacy firms acquired during a merger agreed to reduce some clients' standard advisory fees at the time their accounts were opened, according to the SEC. However, internal systems failed to account for those reduced advisory fees in some cases, the SEC said. As a result, Wells Fargo overcharged 10,945 accounts which were opened prior to 2014 for many years, through the end of last December, the SEC said. More from Personal Finance: 31% of investors are OK with using artificial intelligence as their advisor There's no 'free lunch' with high-interest cash options Household debt is at an all-time high, but 2008 was still worse According to the agency, the bank's $40 million reimbursement to affected customers includes more than $26.8 million in excessive fees plus interest. The bank and predecessor firms AG Edwards and Wachovia didn't have written policies and procedures to prevent this overbilling, the SEC said. (AG Edwards and Wachovia merged in 2007; Wells Fargo and Wachovia then did so in 2008.) "For years, Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms negotiated reduced advisory fees with thousands of clients, but failed to honor them," Gurbir Grewal, director of the SEC's enforcement division, said in a written statement. Caroline Szyperski, a spokesperson for Wells Fargo, said the firm is "pleased to resolve this matter." Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday meet scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) team involved in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission after concluding his two-nation visit from Greece. The Chandrayaan-3 lander, 'Vikram', touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening, making India the first country to do so. Though the details of his visit have not been shared, the PM is likely to visit the Missions Operations Complex at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) to congratulate the scientists and officials of the space agency. PM Modi who was in South Africa for the BRICS Summit had a phone conversation with ISRO chief Somanath. He had virtually witnessed the landing and addressed ISRO scientists from Johannesburg. India on Wednesday scripted history as ISRO's ambitious third Moon mission Chandrayaan-3's Lander Module (LM) touched down on the lunar surface, making it only the fourth country to accomplish the feat, and first to reach the uncharted south pole of Earth's only natural satellite. The LM comprising the lander (Vikram) and the rover (Pragyan), made the soft landing near the south polar region of the Moon on Thursday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome during his one-day visit to Greece on Friday, August 25. PM Modi paid tribute to the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers in Athens and he will hold talks with the European nations top leadership to strengthen bilateral ties. The Indian Prime Ministers visit to Greece comes at a time when the country is battling one of the worst wildfires, reportedly the largest ever recorded in the European Union. Firefighters in Greece battled against winds and scorching conditions on Thursday as they fought to control a series of wildfires that have been blazing for days in the northeastern part of the country and on the outskirts of the capital, Athens. Firefighters in the countrys northeast province of Evros battled a blaze that was spreading over the area for the fifth day. Firefighters in Greece's northeast province of Evros battled a blaze that was spreading over the area, The fire, which is now on its fifth day has already killed 20 people this week#greece #wildfire #distruction pic.twitter.com/j8NQnF7x7a CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) August 25, 2023 The wildfires, intensified by strong winds and dry weather, have left 20 people dead over the past week. According to the Washington Post, 18 of the deceased were migrants, including two minors aged 10 to 15, who were suspected to have crossed the border with Turkey. The lifeless bodies of these migrants were discovered by firefighters near a burned-out shack in a forested area in northeastern Greece. Greece's Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, pointed to instances of arson as the cause behind some of the fires near Athens. During a televised statement, Kikilias expressed his outrage, stating, Some ... arsonists are setting fires, endangering forests, property and above all human lives. What is happening is not just unacceptable but despicable and criminal. Kikilias disclosed that within a mere four-hour span, nine fires were deliberately ignited in the Avlona region, situated in the northern foothills of Mount Parnitha, near the Greek capital. According to a BBC report, police made 79 arson arrests over wildfires ravaging the country. The situation escalated as firefighting forces from across Greece and even neighbouring European countries rallied to combat the widespread blazes. In a single day, it was reported that Wednesday saw firefighters grappling with 99 separate fires across the nation. Among the most severe was a six-day-long fire in the Alexandroupolis area in the northeast, which necessitated multiple evacuations, including that of the city's general hospital. Meanwhile, PM Modi met Greek President Katerina N Sakellaropoulou in Athens. The day-long visit of PM Modi marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. PM Modi will hold talks with the top leadership of the European nation to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community. pic.twitter.com/CaHaYoa5yb Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 Prior to his arrival in Greece, PM Modi was on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend the 15th BRICS Summit. On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, he held one-on-one meetings with several global leaders. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday issued guidelines for the immigration requirements of Nikkei-Jins or Japanese emigrants and their descendants who have established their families abroad. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the guidelines were approved by the Department of Justice. "The BI recognizes the needs of Filipinos who have the status of Nikkei-Jin under the Japanese law," said Tansingco in a statement. "They are Filipinos who are likewise descendants of Japanese nationals. Hence, we see the importance of crafting specific guidelines in processing their immigration documents," he added. The bureau said that Philippine Nikkei-Jins may exit the country without a Philippine passport. But it warned that "those who travel without a Philippine passport loses the presumption of being a Filipino for purposes of traveling outside the Philippines." The BI added that Japanese emigrants who arrive in the country without their Philippine passports should present a bureau order recognizing them as Nikkei-Jins. "If however, the Philippine Nikkei-Jin has already renounced his Philippine citizenship, then he will be treated as a foreign national, subject to rules regulating aliens in the Philippines," Tansingco further explained. On the other hand, Filipino Japanese emigrants may travel abroad with their Japanese passports or BI order that recognizes them as Nikkei-Jins. The BI added that its order also allows Philippine Nikkei-Jins to depart the Philippines without paying immigration fees. According to the bureau, among the largest communities of Japanese emigrants are in Brazil, USA, China, Canada, Peru, and the Philippines. An Indiana man was arrested Wednesday night for driving a Power Wheels Jeep while under the influence. An Indiana State Police trooper was patrolling in Vincennes, in southwestern Indiana near the Illinois border, around 9 p.m. when they saw someone driving a battery-powered Power Wheels Jeep with no lights or reflectors. The report added that the toy car which has a top speed of 5 mph was difficult to see. The trooper stopped the vehicle, after which the driver of the childrens toy was identified as 51-year-old John McKee, according to WTWO. No further information about the vehicle or how McKee came into possession of the small truck was released. Power Wheels Jeeps are recommended for ages 3-7 and have a 130-pound weight limit, according to Mattel. McKee showed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests, state police said. Later testing at a local hospital revealed McKee was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana. He was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. A state police spokesperson told WTOW that McKee was previously convicted for operating a vehicle while impaired. McKee is not alone in getting pulled over while driving their Power Wheels. A South Carolina woman was pulled over while piloting one and arrested for public intoxication in 2019. Several years earlier, a Texas State University student, who had her license suspended after getting arrested for DWI, went viral for driving a pink Barbie Jeep around campus. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said she will study the possibility of holding Vice President Sara Duterte to account, including filing an impeachment complaint, over the alleged unauthorized use of confidential funds for Duterte's office in 2022. House deputy minority leader Castro said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) spent 125 million as confidential funds in 2022 even without Congressional authorization, as there was no appropriation for confidential expenses for the OVP under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Congress enacted the 2022 GAA in 2021, before Duterte was elected into office. She only started her term on June 30 last year. Castro said former Vice President Leni Robredo "did not ask for and consequently was not given any confidential funds for her office for fiscal year 2022." Asked if Castro would file an impeachment complaint against Duterte, the lawmaker said, "Tungkol sa impeachment, siyempre pag-aaralan natin 'yung mga possibility para mapanagot kung makikita natin talaga itong mga binanggit nating violation na ito, lalong lalo na to misuse of public funds, technical malversation, at saka paglabag sa Constitution." [Translation: About impeachment, we would study the possibilities on how to hold officials accountable if we prove there were violations, especially the misuse of public funds, technical malversation, and violating the Constitution.] Castro said she is still waiting for the findings of the Commission on Audits (COA) investigation into the matter. "Darating tayo diyan sa bagay na yan sa impeachment pag buo na yong ating data, information, facts, at documents," she added. [Translation: We will come to the discussion of impeachment once our data, information, facts, and documents are complete.] The lawmaker pointed out the presence of confidential funds in the OVPs report for 2022 during the hearing of the House committee on appropriations in the proposed 2024 budget of COA on Thursday. She believed this was realigned. COA chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said they will look into it. "The Vice President needs to explain how she could incur obligations amounting to 125 million in confidential expenses in the last six months of 2022 despite the fact that her office has no Congressional authorization to do so for that year," Castro said. "Without such authorization, the strict rule prohibiting public disclosure of the use of confidential funds does not apply in this case," she said. "Therefore, we ask that the OVP provide a detailed public accounting of how the 125 million was spent." "There may also be violations of the Supreme Court ruling on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) if savings were used to fund this 125 million confidential fund," she added. For her part, Duterte said she welcomes the probe recommended by Castro to COA on the 2022 confidential funds of the OVP but stressed the lawmaker "doesn't deserve an explanation." "All she did was wildly and masterfully arrange some allegations against me and the OVP, which will all be answered once the probe is done and during the budget hearing," the vice president added. "Meanwhile, I hope she finds gratification and great joy over the thought of my impeachment from office. Enjoy," she said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24) The Sandiganbayan cleared former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala of 13.5 million graft charges filed against him over an "irregular" accreditation of a farmers foundation. In a decision dated Aug. 23, the anti-graft courts sixth division said Alcala is acquitted of the charge of violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. No. 3019 purely on reasonable doubt. That section of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act lists corrupt acts of public officers. The section states that [c]ausing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions. In an information submitted by the Ombudsman in 2018, Alcala was accused of collaborating with his then-head executive assistant Laureano Manalac in accrediting Isa Akong Magsasaka Foundation Inc. (IAMFI) as a DA development partner, which earned the group 13.5 million in funding. Manalac was found to be an incorporator of the foundation, which is highly irregular and in violation of a Commission on Audit memorandum. The IAMFI also submitted unauthenticated articles of incorporation along with its application for accreditation, according to prosecutors. The prosecution said Alcala should be held liable for damaged sustained by government because he accredited IAMFI as a DA Development Partner and entered into a MOA (memorandum of agreement), as DA head with IAMFI in violation of law. The court, however, is compelled on reasonable doubt grounds to acquit Alcala of the crime as he claims to have relied on multiple layers of review by his subordinates, the courts decision read, which was written by Associate Justice Karl Miranda. Meanwhile, Manalac was found guilty of violating the same provision of the anti-graft law. He is sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) month, as a minimum, to ten (10) years, as maximum, with perpetual disqualification to hold public office, the Sandiganbayan said. Manalac was also ordered to pay 13.5 million to the DA which was the total amount paid to the IAMFI, with six percent legal interest. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) There is nothing to worry about the release of treated radioactive water from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) said on Friday. "What is being released is already harmless, even if it is released it will be diluted by the billions of tons of seawater before it reaches us," said PNRI Director Carlo Arcilla in an interview with CNN Philippines. Japan started releasing the treated wastewater on Thursday from the nuclear power plant, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2011. The move was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an organization within the United Nations system, in July 2023 after two years of "detailed review." The IAEA insisted that Japan's plan follows international safety standards in treating nuclear wastewater from harmful pollutants. However, the release of water from the defunct nuclear power plant prompted China to ban all aquatic products from Japan. The PNRI, on the other hand, said that it would not recommend banning seafood imported from Japan. "Regarding the seafood [imported from Japan], even two or three years ago, we were already sampling fish close to the Fukushima and it's clean, it's been cleared even for export," Arcilla said. Fact-based perspective Meanwhile, Japan thanked the Philippines for having a "science- and fact-based perspective" on the release of treated wastewater. "We are grateful for the majority of the international community, including the Philippines, that shows their understanding of the mentioned discharge, based on facts and science," Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. "This is a crucial step for Japan towards recovery from the catastrophe," he added. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said that it recognizes IAEA's technical expertise on the matter. "The Philippines continues to look at this issue from a science- and fact-based perspective and its impact on the waters in the region," said DFA in a statement. "As a coastal and archipelagic state, the Philippines attaches utmost priority to the protection and preservation of the marine environment." CNN Philippines correspondent Kaithreen Cruz and senior multi-platform news writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippine military's training with major countries is extremely important, as the regions security conditions remain volatile. Marcos was in Zambales on Friday morning to witness the amphibious assault exercise between the Philippines, Australia, and the US, where about 2,000 personnel participated. He said the joint training exercises are part of his administrations efforts to strengthen the countrys military capability and create closer cooperation with neighbors around the region. I think its an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region, he said. This strategic cooperation between countries in the region is extremely important, Marcos added. The US and Australia have been supporting the Philippines as it faces continued harassment from military powerhouse China in the West Philippine Sea, where Manila and Beijing have conflicting claims. Envoys from Australia and the US, among others, also condemned Chinas firing of water cannons at Filipino vessels earlier this month. READ: PH, US defense chiefs reaffirm ironclad alliance after water cannon incident in WPS In his upcoming meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in September, Marcos said he would discuss the continuation of the drills. Im sure we will come up with some new strategies, new ideas, and agreements in terms of partnerships. Security and defense will be one part of that, the president said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called on Filipinos not to give importance to information about an alleged agreement between the Philippines and China to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, dismissing it as fake news. In a briefing on Friday, Teodoro said that the propaganda has been proliferating and triggering unnecessary disputes in the Philippines. Wag na nating patulan, mga kababayan, yung mga fake news na ganyan, he said. [Translation: Let's not pay attention to fake news like that, my fellow countrymen.] The defense chief instead urged them to focus on supporting the Philippine governments efforts in securing the countrys exclusive economic zone and territory. According to an earlier statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines made a commitment to remove the vessel but has yet to act on it. Top officials of the government, as well as those of previous administrations, refuted this claim. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was not aware of any agreement. READ: Marcos: Rescind deal with China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal if it exists "And let me go further, if there does exist such an agreement, I rescind that agreement now," the president added. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. A town in southwestern Louisiana experiencing severe drought is under a mandatory evacuation order due to a wildfire. The command for Merryville was issued Thursday by the Beauregard Parish Sheriffs Office with a warning that the fire could reach the town limits within hours. Get out now! the sheriffs office wrote on social media. The town of about 1,000 is located near the states border with Texas, about 120 miles east of Houston. The fire burned more than 12,000 acres in Beauregard Parish. It originated near a hunting club on Tiger Island. At least one home in the area has been destroyed by the fire, according to the National Weather Service. According to the Louisiana Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, there were almost 350 wildfires burning in the state this week. This time, this year obviously were dealing with a different type of weather situation that requires everybody to be aware of the burn ban and to do their part to reduce the likelihood that we would have anything that could potentially start a fire, the offices director, Casey Tingle, said in a news conference Wednesday. When it comes to this time of year, typically, were talking about hurricanes, tropical storms, rain, flooding that sort of thing, Tingle added. Our public is very attuned to those type of messages and always does a great job of helping us as a state respond and recover from those events when they happen. The forecast calls for the dry, hot weather to continue, increasing the risk for more wildfires. Our state has never been this hot and dry and we have never had this many fires, Gov. John Bel Elwards wrote on social media Thursday. We need you and your neighbors to help keep our communities and first responders safe. Adhere to the statewide burn ban. Dont burn anything. Several states and regions of the U.S. are currently experiencing wildfires, including Texas, California, Washington, Arizona and Montana. Rite Aid is poised to file for bankruptcy protection in the coming weeks a move in part triggered by an onslaught of lawsuits brought against the drugstore chain, alleging it knowingly filled unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, according to a new report. The Chapter 11 filing would cover Rite Aids more than $3.3 billion debt load and pending legal allegations that it oversupplied prescription painkillers ultimately contributing to the nationwide opioid crisis, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Rite Aid is currently facing more than a thousand federal, and a series of state-level, lawsuits as well as a civil suit filed by the Department of Justice back in March. It accuses the drugstore chain of violating the False Claims Act and Controlled Substances Act, specifically pointing to the filling of prescriptions despite obvious red flags indicating they were unlawful. The present opioid epidemic is a national public health emergency, the complaint states, noting that thousands of people across the United States have died from drug overdoses in the last decade. According to the CDC, some 900,000 people have suffered fatal overdoses since 1999, with opioids playing an oversized role. The bankruptcy filing would allow Rite Aid to press pause on all of its legal proceedings and potentially resolve them in a single forum. The company reported a revenue decline of 6% last quarter when compared to a similar period last year. Its net loss spiked to $307 million, which is nearly triple what it was the year prior, according to a securities filing reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. Rite Aid operates more than 2,330 stores in 17 U.S. states. It is much smaller than counterparts like Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health, both of which have also been named in lawsuits sparked by the sweeping opioid crisis. It looks as if people are at last waking up to a second extraordinarily dangerous requirement buried within a UK government bill designed to promote the nation as a surveillance state. It means bureaucrats can delay or prevent distribution of essential software updates, making every computer user far less secure. A poor law This incredibly damaging limitation is just one of the many bad ideas buried in the UKs latest piece of shoddy tech regulation, the Investigatory Powers Act. What makes the law doubly dangerous is that in the online world, you are only ever as secure as your least secure friend, which means UK businesses will likely suffer by being flagged as running insecure versions of operating systems. Ive written about the bill before, of course. The proposals are so appalling that Apple, WhatsApp, Meta, and others are quite prepared to shutter messaging services for UK customers if need be. I expect Apple will make good on this threat; it is not prepared to negotiate the safety of its users. You can read its nine-page statement on the matter for more insights. The UK becomes a hackers playground Make no mistake, the proposals from the UK Home Office will make the internet less secure. UK users will become magnets for complex attacks as hackers, rogue governments, and well-organized criminals exploit any newly revealed threats in the UK as they know the law will automatically generate a delay before software updates ship. The rest of the world might have patched any such flaws, but the UK might not. That means if you want to create a botnet, spread phishing attacks, or design complex multi-stage attacks, youll target UK computer users first, because they will be less well-protected by design. Given the dangers of phishing, ransomware and every other kind of genuine online harm, the impact of that will be to threaten business interests on a global basis. The repercussions will be felt as high-profile attacks against UK targets take place, even as international partners begin to avoid online connections with the nation. No one wants to expose their corporate systems to ransomware from dealing with a poorly protected UK IP address. How it works Under the proposed laws, tech firms will be obliged to share any security updates they need to publish with the UK government before they are released. The government can then delay or even forbid release of the software and there is no review system companies can turn to if they think the decision is wrong. In addition, the government can forbid software updates that repair security gaps the government itself is using for surveillance. Together, these provisions could be used to force a company like Apple, that would never build a backdoor, to publicly withdraw critical security features from the UK market, depriving UK users of these protections, Apple has warned. The laws as proposed arent even in line with international agreements, such as the EUs GDPR or US CLOUD Act, which means Apple and others will be unable to follow them, even if they choose to do so. An act of economic self-harm Given that the digital sector contributed around 7.7% of the total value to the UK economy in 2022, it seems uniquely stupid to attempt to put these regulations in place. Not only will they make UK users far less secure while generating a proliferation of malware, they also threaten to damage an already weak economy. Passing a regulation like this has major implications, and within the context of the tight digital relationships between the nation and its allies, will impact internet security on a global basis. It is, to coin a UK expression, utterly and completely bonkers, a dangerously stupid act of economic self-harm. Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe. Narendra Modi meets Greece President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, pays tribute at Tomb of Unknown Soldier Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and discussed issues related to strengthening bilateral ties. Narendra Modi meets Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens on Friday. Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi Twitter page The Greek leader congratulated Modi on the success of India's lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3. Following the meeting, Modi tweeted: "Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3." The 72-year-old paid tributes at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens on Friday. "Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier'," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. He, thereafter, inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour. Modi arrived in Greece to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to further deepen the relationship between the two nations. The Indian Prime Minister is visiting the Balkan nation following an invitation from Mitsotakis. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years. Modi arrived in the Greek capital, Athena, from South Africa on Friday morning. The Indian leader attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement his country's relations with those nations. After his arrival, members of the Indian diaspora accorded a warm welcome to PM Modi outside the hotel in Athens where he will stay during his one-day official visit. Sattvik Council of India launches Vegetarian & Vegan certification programme in Singapore In an interesting development, the Sattvik Council of India launched its certification programme for F&B outlets, including food stalls at hawker centres in Singapore. Dr Nunung Rusmiati, Chairperson, Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), on stage with Abhishek Biswas, Founder of Sattvik Certifications and Secretary General of Sattvik Council of India, announced the launch of the programme in Jakarta on October 12. From left to right: Prakash Kumar, Vice-Chairman, LISHA; Dr. K. Gunaratana, Mahakaruna Buddhist Society; Dr. Nunung Rusmiati, Chairperson, Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA); Guest of Honour Dr V. P. Nair, Former President, GOPIO Singapore Cardiologist; Abhishek Biswas, Founder, Sattvik Certifications and Secretary General of the Sattvik Council of India; Keyur Dave, President, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, at the launch of Sattvik Certifications Singapore. Photo courtesy: Sattvik Certifications Singapore Singapore and Indonesia are both considered primarily non-vegetarian-friendly countries. Indian tourists, especially those coming to Singapore from what are considered vegetarian states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, or Haryana, find it difficult to select outlets to eat at without worrying about how the food is being prepared, whether separate woks and ladles are being used for making vegetarian food and so on. Sattvik certifications of outlets will assure consumers that the outlets are indeed vegetarian and vegan. Sattvik Certification Singapore will be responsible for training and appointing auditors who will conduct stringent audits of the outlets before the outlets are appropriately certified. Venkataraman Kumar, Director, Sattvik Certification Singapore, added, "We are proud to introduce Sattvik Certifications Singapore Pte. Ltd. for positive change in the Food and Lifestyle industry. Our journey begins with a steadfast dedication to pushing boundaries, exceeding expectations and creating a vegetarian-friendly and vegan-friendly environment for its allied adherents. Through a fusion of Indian Vedic norms and modern industry norms, we aim to set new standards and create lasting value for vegetarian and vegan consumers." Venkataraman Kumar, Director, Sattvik Certifications Singapore, delivering speech at the launch. Photo courtesy: Sattvik Certifications Singapore As per the Sattvik Council, certification also provides an opportunity to generate additional income as auditors. Bender Bending Rodriguez, he of shiny metal ass that just wants someone to bite it, was born circa 2996 when he was manufactured in Tijuana, Mexico, as a beer-loving tyke. The manbot, with his penchant for crime, cigars and bending things, is one of Futuramas most iconic characters as he plays both the antihero and also the robot-equivalent of Mans Best Friend that man being Fry, and Fry only. He generally despises humans, but the hostile robot also has a softer side, and one can argue that hes simply a product of his own programming. Read on to see what we mean by that and how we almost got less Bender and more of his twin brother, Flexo... Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. 15 The Origins Behind His Microchip In the first season, we learn that Bender has a primitive 6502 microprocessor from an Apple II in his noggin. Executive producer David Cohen said he was the one who decided that Bender should be a Mac. When I was in high school, I spent many of my teen years until five in the morning programming video games of my own invention, so I became extremely and intimately familiar with this chip, Cohen explained. It ran at 1 MHz were used to hearing GHz nowadays and so you had to be a nimble programmer to get it to do what you wanted it to do. He also explained why Benders brain is not bound to his head and can rotate throughout his body as needed: We refer to that as his spine brain, like he has a little brain somewhere at the base of his spine, like a dinosaur. Thats the theory. 14 He Is, Like, Super Old Its nearly impossible to try and calculate Benders exact age given that hes time traveled more than any other character in Futurama. Its believed that the booze-loving maniac is at least a million years old, which makes Bender the most optimistic Old ever. 13 His John Hughes Connection Matt Groening named Bender as a homage to John Hughes 1985 comedy, The Breakfast Club the movie that features Judd Nelsons famous character, John Bender. 12 His Grandmother Was a Bulldozer In the 2008 film Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs, Bender reveals that his grandmother was a bulldozer, a revelation that comically suggests that Bender comes from a long line of strong machines as opposed to, say, McDonalds ice cream machines. Advertisement Advertisement 11 He Was Almost Replaced By His Twin Just like Jerry was replaced by a different Jerry in Season Two of Rick and Morty, Bender wouldve been switched with his identical twin brother, Flexo. In Bender Gets Made, the grouchy manbots serial number reads 3370318, but according to the DVD commentary, it was going to be 2716057, the number of Flexo. The idea was ultimately scrapped because it wouldve made future Flexo episodes too confusing and probably annoyed the crap out of the shows nerd fans. 10 A Fan Built a Bender Beer Brewer asciimiation.co.nz A New Zealand inventor named Simon Jansen took one look at Bender and thought, I want to make beer in that shiny metal ass. Jansen described his self-brewing Bender beer as not totally unpleasant. It tastes very green, but it had a fair amount of body. Yeasty with maybe just a hint of Moms Old-Fashioned Robot Oil. Advertisement Advertisement 9 His First Look Benders first draft was different from the capsule-headed shape we know him to have today. He started off with a square head as the creators thought it would best resemble robot heads in the year 3000, but Matt Groening changed it to illustrate the characters rebel side. We initially gave him antennas where he would have ears, but we decided it was more effective to make him more streamlined, Groening further explained. Hes not streamlined as a personality, and thats part of what makes him funny. 8 His Voice Could Easily Have Been the Voice of Another Character When the voice of Bender, John DiMaggio, auditioned for Futurama, he read for a couple of characters, including Professor Farnsworth and URL, the police robot. DiMaggio revealed in the DVD commentary of Space Pilot 3000 that he used Benders voice for both the other two characters, and now we cant stop imagining how hilarious Farnsworth wouldve sounded with that slightly high-pitched husky tone. Advertisement Advertisement 7 How Strong Is He Really? Bender can lift a frozen woolly mammoth, casually push a giant sandstone up a rump in full run and supposedly bend the unbendable. Given that a woolly mammoth can weigh between six and eight tons, this reportedly puts him in the same weight class as superheroes like Deadpool, Black Panther and Captain America, but thats only because we dont know how much strength is needed to bend the unbendable. 6 The Fan Theory About the Unbendable Girder In Bendless Love, Bender ends up working at a factory where he gets to bend girders. He meets and falls in love with Angleyne, his co-worker and Flexos ex-wife. At one point, the Robot Mafia drops an unbendable girder on Flexo, and Bender ends up bending it to save Flexos life. A Reddit fan of the show theorizes that the girder wasnt actually unbendable and that the word was only displayed on the metal to key a robots programming and render them incapable of bending the actual bendable girder. This would explain why Flexo couldnt bend it, but Bender could, since the subversive manbot isnt coded like other robots and frequently challenges his own instincts like self-destructing. Advertisement Advertisement 5 His Biggest Weakness Bender is as much a lover of life as he is of booze, but the first time our antihero was introduced in Futurama, he was not so jolly about the prospects of continuing his existence. Bender might be super strong and able to withstand many an actual killing, but hes also mortal because, unlike other robots, he doesnt have a backup copy. This is why, despite his frequent portrayals of bravado, we see him fear for his life at times of great peril. Its his biggest weakness and explains why hed rather end his existence using his own free will. 3 His Voice Is Based on a Sausage Lover DiMaggio once explained that Benders voice is a mix of the drunk at the end of any bar on the Eastern coast of the United States, Blazing Saddles actor Slim Pickens and a character his college pal used to call Charlie the Sausage Lover, which was just a guy named Charlie who had a soft spot for sausages. Watch DiMaggio doing the different voices below. Advertisement Advertisement 3 More Than Just a Unit Number Mathematician Ken Keeler was the one who came up with Benders unit number, 1729, which hardcore fans probably know has some layers of significance to it. In an interview, Keeler explained, We needed a number for plot reasons, and David Cohen asked if I could think of an interesting one, and the Hardy-Ramanujan sum-of-two-cubes story leapt to mind. Afterward, David sort of went to town with the idea whenever we needed a serial number. The Hardy-Ramanujan number refers to the time when British mathematician G.H. Hardy visited his fellow math wizard, Srinivasa Ramanujan, in hospital. As told by Hardy, I remember once going to see him when he was ill at Putney. I had ridden in taxi cab number 1729 and remarked that the number seemed to me rather a dull one and that I hoped it was not an unfavorable omen. No, he replied, it is a very interesting number; it is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways. 2 The Theory That Could Explain His Lust for Crime In The Bird-Bot of Icecatraz, we find out that Benders programming reboots according to his surroundings. That is why the narcissistic goofball ends up rebooting with penguin software. A redditor was the first to theorize that when Bender was rebooted in the criminal section of the head museum, he must have acquired his criminal software. Advertisement Advertisement You can survive for a month or two without food. You can get by for about three days without water. But without trivia tidbits? Buddy, youd be lucky to make it through the night. Thats why weve visited every last islet in this archipelago, and stocked it with enough minutiae to sustain us for a thousand years. You want to know who owns the word onesie? Or why Eleanor Roosevelt dangled her baby out a window? Or all about the superfan who metaphorically murdered Stephen King? My friend, you've found yourself stranded on the right desert island. Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. 12 You Can Fart Out of Your Mouth If Youre Not Careful If you somehow cant or wont release gas from your tailpipe, some of it will re-enter your bloodstream and eventually escape out of other orifices, including your mouth. (Source) 11 Broccoli and Cauliflower Are Just Inbred Cabbage Theyre almost the exact same plant, and neither is naturally occurring. They were created by selectively breeding a bunch of cabbage, making them genetically modified by definition. (Source) 10 The Baffling Medieval Porpoise Tomb Archaeologists found the ancient remains of a porpoise in what appears to be a deliberately chiseled stone grave. The island they found it on was a popular destination for monks to meditate, so their best guesses are that it has religious significance, or it was just a doggy bag for a monk who wasnt quite finished eating his porpoise. (Source) 9 You Can Legally Steal Food in Italy An Italian court ruled that its not a crime to steal a little bit of food, if youre hungry and destitute. A customer snitched on a homeless man for stealing a $5 sausage from a supermarket, and the ensuing case made it all the way up to Italys Supreme Court. The court ruled the man was acting based on an immediate and essential need for nourishment. (Source) Advertisement Advertisement 8 Googles Founders Wore Disguises to Recruit Engineers Larry Page and Sergey Brin showed up to a big 2005 driverless car competition to scope out the talent in the budding field. The winner said he was approached by Page, who was disguised with, like, a hat and sunglasses. (Source) 7 The Word Onesie Is Owned by Gerber They claim the word has a 95-percent brand recognition rate, and promise on their website that theyll continue to be aggressive in protecting our trademark. (Source) Advertisement Advertisement 6 The Word Gulag Is an Acronym It stands for Glavnoye Upravleniye Ispravitelno-trudovykh Lagerey, which translates to Chief Administration of Corrective Labour Camps. (Source) 5 Stephen King Was (Metaphorically) Murdered by a Fan King was so prolific in the 1970s that he started publishing novels under a pseudonym, Richard Bachman. A fan noticed that the two authors had identical writing styles, and eventually tracked down hard evidence linking the two. After reaching out repeatedly, he finally got an answer from King: Okay, you know Im Bachman, I know Im Bachman, what are we going to do about it? Lets talk. The truth eventually leaked, and the fan published an article in the Washington Post that started, Novelist Richard Bachman died of exposure early this year. I helped kill him. (Source) Advertisement Advertisement 4 The Pentagons Top-Secret Hot Dog Stand Legend has it that the Soviets had two missiles trained on the mysterious building at the center of the Pentagon at all times, assuming it was a top-secret meeting bunker. In reality, it was just a hot dog stand (now an Au Bon Pain), which the Soviets definitely didnt mistake for a secret compound. (Source) 3 The Worst Modern Serial Killer Is Up for Parole Luis La Bestia Garavito was proven to have murdered 193 children in and around Colombia, but may have more than 300 victims. His original sentence of 1,853 years was amended to 22 years after he revealed the location of a bunch of the bodies. He'll be eligible for parole some time this year, when hes served the mandatory three-fifths of his sentence. (Source) Advertisement Advertisement 2 The Great Baby Cage Controversy In the first half of the 20th century, it was thought to be of utmost import to air out your baby, in order to keep tuberculosis at bay. Though Eleanor Roosevelt got in a lot of trouble in 1906 for storing her baby in a wooden box on her windowsill like a hot pie, patents were later filed for a portable baby cage and a health cage that became popular ways to give the urban baby some fresh air. (Source) Savannahs city council voted Thursday to rename a 170-year-old town square, in an attempt to shed some of its pro-slavery past and honor the Black educator and nurse Susie King Taylor. Calhoun Square, in Georgias oldest city, was originally named for John C. Calhoun, a former U.S. vice president and ardent supporter of slavery prior to the Civil War. With the change, the square will become the first of Savannahs 23 park-like town squares to bear the name of a person of color and the first time in 140 years that a square was approved for a name change. People stroll through the space formerly known as Calhoun Square in Savannah, Ga., on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Susie King Taylor was born into slavery in 1848, in what is now known as Liberty County, just south of Savannah. At the age of just 13, she founded the first free African-American school for children and later went on to become the first Black nurse during the American Civil War. She obtained her emancipation and continued working as an educator and nurse, helping to lift others out of slavery. Before her death in 1912, King Taylor became the first Black woman to self-publish her memoirs. The move to honor her legacy marks a historic shift for the city, founded in 1733, with public spaces named after colonial founders and Civil War soldiers who fought for the South all nearly exclusively white men. A plaque marking the 1851 dedication of Calhoun Square in Savannah, Ga., is shown recessed into a walkway on Nov. 10, 2022. Its time for a woman-named square, said Patt Gunn, a Savannah tour guide who led the activist group that lobbied for the name change for nearly three years. Gunns group argued that the city of Savannah, which is 54% Black, should no longer be honoring the name of Calhoun. In November, the city council officially voted to drop his name, but had yet to pick a replacement. The council and mayor have also decided to include a sign in the square that explains how it was originally named for Calhoun and why it was changed. With News Wire Services Kate Flannery had a long and winding comedy journey to getting cast as Meredith on the iconic sitcom The Office. I just took a different path, she says on the Big Name B*tches podcast this week. And part of that path involved auditioning for Saturday Night Live. Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. I was up for SNL back when I was in Chicago, Flannery says. This was in the early 1990s when she was a performer at Second City. The Chicago improv theater has long been a hunting ground for Saturday Night Live John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tina Fey, Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong are just some of the performers who share that connection. After submitting her audition tape, Flannery got far enough into the process to actually have lunch with producer Lorne Michaels. But a full-time job at Studio 8H wasnt meant to be. They decided I was too much like somebody else, Flannery says, a disappointment because SNL was the prize that everybody wanted. But was it the prize Flannery needed? Not getting the show might have been a blessing in disguise, she says, because SNL at that time was not the best for women. It was before Tina Fey was there. There were some phases that were like, What is happening? During that time period, women cast members never had careers, she says. They were barely on the show. They didnt get movies. At that point, it was like, Dont even think about it, honey. And when writers did create parts for women? Women didnt get to play them. There was even a series of sketches that Chris Farley and David Spade and Chris Rock and Adam Sandler did where they were women, Flannery says. I'm like, What about the women on the show? It wasn't even a two-layered joke about being in drag. Advertisement Advertisement For Flannery, who grew up watching classic TV comedies starring Carol Burnett and Mary Tyler Moore, there were other destinations she wanted to reach besides Saturday Night Live. There were so many great shows that featured women and great sitcoms that had great finales. I always wanted to be on one, she says, and I got one. I was 40 years old when I got The Office and I just want to say to anybody that's still out there just don't give up. You think that ship has sailed no, just get back on the dock. After the disappointment of not landing SNL, Flannery realized that she was just on a less traditional path. She laughs as she remembers getting over her failed audition. It just took 13 short years after that to get The Office. A funny thing happened to me while researching a story on Saturday Night Live mishaps. A Google search suggested I try Poe, a chat interface for alleged joke thief ChatGPT. What the heck, I thought maybe ChatGPT knows more about SNL history than I do. And sure enough, artificial intelligence immediately started sharing stories that Id never heard before. Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. For example, I had no idea that Jimmy Fallon got injured on the show: In 2002, during a sketch featuring guest star Horatio Sanz, Jimmy Fallon tripped and fell while portraying a Boston teen character named Sully. Fallon injured his hand, requiring medical attention and resulting in a temporary halt to the live broadcast. He returned to the show later that night with his hand bandaged. Wow! Just what I was looking for! Except, of course, it never happened. Fallon hurting himself so badly that they actually halted the live broadcast? Um, no. Theres absolutely no record of this incident anywhere. But ChatGPT not only claimed Fallon fell, it completely made up a sketch in which the damage supposedly happened (all the more believable because Fallon and Rachel Dratch regularly played Boston teens Sully and Denise). I called ChatGPT on its bullshit, asking for more details. Of course, it simply doubled down: During the sketch, Fallon, in character as Sully, was supposed to trip and fall while walking down a flight of stairs. However, the fall did not go as planned, and Fallon ended up injuring his hand in the process. He landed awkwardly and immediately knew something was wrong. Advertisement The live broadcast was temporarily halted as Fallon received medical attention backstage. The severity of the injury required him to be taken to a hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Fallon returned to the show later that night with his hand bandaged, but he continued to participate in the remaining sketches. The incident gained significant attention and became a memorable moment in SNL history. Then I asked for ChatGPT for its source. Gulp! The AI immediately backtracked. I apologize for any confusion caused. The more I asked about SNL, the more falsehoods ChatGPT fabricated out of thin air. I was curious about what other yarns it would spin about the shows history. Here are a few more, along with reality checks. Stephen Colbert hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL) on November 3, 2018. This episode marked his first time hosting the show. Colbert, known for his satirical humor and political commentary, brought his unique style to the SNL stage. Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the episode, Colbert showcased his comedic talents through various sketches and segments. He delivered a monologue that touched on current events and shared humorous anecdotes from his own life. The monologue also included a surprise appearance by Jon Stewart, his former colleague from The Daily Show. One memorable sketch from the episode was a parody of the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things" titled "The Upside Down in Trump's America." Colbert played the character of Steve Harrington, portrayed in the original series by Joe Keery. The sketch humorously blended the supernatural world of "Stranger Things" with the political climate of the time. Reality Check: Colbert has never hosted the show, much less done a Stranger Things sketch or brought on surprise guest Jon Stewart. (Chat GPT also claimed that Mel Brooks and Bob Odenkirk had memorable hosting turns. Neither has hosted.) Advertisement Steve Martin was a member of the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) during its early years. He was not only a cast member but also one of the show's original writers. Reality Check: Despite several hosting appearances, Steve Martin was neither a cast member nor a writer on Saturday Night Live. One notable moment involving Lorne Michaels occurred during the seventh season finale of SNL in 1982. The episode was hosted by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, and during the closing moments, Jagger, along with some cast members, pretended to fire Lorne Michaels and declare that SNL was being canceled. This memorable skit, known as "The Last Show," played on the rumors at the time that SNL might be ending. It showcased Michaels' ability to poke fun at himself and the show's history, providing a humorous and meta twist to the finale. Advertisement Advertisement Reality Check: Lorne Michaels left the show after its fifth season and didnt return until its eleventh he was nowhere near the show in 1982. While Jagger hosted the show in 1978 and 2012, he didnt appear on the show at all in the 1980s. The Last Show sketch is a complete fabrication. The "Cheerleaders" sketch from Saturday Night Live (SNL) was turned into a movie titled "The Ladies Man." Reality Check: Um There are more alternative comedy realities to be explored just ask ChatGPT. Whats astounding isnt that it gets the facts wrong. Its that the AI completely invents stories when a simple I dont know would suffice. Its a pretty funny exercise when youre goofing around about sketch comedy history, but maybe not so much if ChatGPT makes up stories around the causes of climate change? The origins of COVID-19? Election results? Inventing stories about Jimmy Fallon may only be the beginning. Mayor Adams administration is aggressively pursuing a new legal strategy for rolling back the citys right-to-shelter mandate and wants city lawmakers to ramp up public pressure on Gov. Hochul for not doing more to alleviate the worsening local migrant crisis, the Daily News has learned. Top aides to Adams divulged the new details about City Halls migrant response in a private Thursday afternoon virtual briefing with members of the City Council and the state Legislature. The News obtained a recording of the closed-door affair. Lisa Zornberg, Adams newly-appointed chief counsel, touched on the new front in the administrations bid to scrap the citys right-to-shelter rule after Republican lawmakers on the call pointed out that the mayors original request to do so appears to have stalled in court. We are exploring aggressively other legal strategies to bring a semblance of common sense and relief back to this space, Zornberg told the politicians. So I hear you, and Im on the job less than two weeks, and I can tell you this is my top priority. Lisa Zornberg, former chief of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York speaks after Mayor Eric Adams announced that she will serve as City Hall chief counsel. Asked to elaborate on what that strategy looks like, Zornberg said shes not at liberty to say amid the pending court case. But I do want to repeat that were not being lazy, she said. We think that there needs to be legal strategies to deal with this crisis in the same way that there needs to be operational strategies, political strategies, and were going full steam on that front as well. The decades-old right-to-shelter mandate, which requires the city to provide a bed to anybody who needs one, is being targeted for suspension by Adams administration because the mayor says its impossible for his team to comply with it at a time when there are more than 59,000 migrants living in local shelters. A contractor lays out pillows at the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center Tuesday, August 15, 2023 in Queens, New York. The case for lifting the mandate is being brought by Adams administration in Manhattan Supreme Court. Lawyers for Hochuls administration, which is a party to that case, have in recent court filings lambasted the Adams administrations handling of the migrant crisis, accusing City Hall of using state-provided resources in an inefficient way. But in Thursdays briefing, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams chief adviser, said its Hochul who should face public criticism for not doing more to help the city tackle the crisis and urged the lawmakers on the call to join her in haranguing the governor. We need our city partners to work with us to pressure the governor into understanding that this is a statewide issue, Lewis-Martin said. Earlier in the day, Hochul delivered a live-streamed speech from Albany, in which she called on President Biden to provide the city with more federal space for housing migrants and urged him to expedite work permits for newly-arrived migrants. But Hochul stopped short of calling on Biden to declare a federal emergency over the migrant crisis a key request from Adams that would open up new funding streams. The governor also did not pledge to sign an executive order that would prevent upstate counties from blocking the transfer of migrants from the city, another ask from Adams. Governor Kathy Hochul Lewis-Martin took particular offense about Hochuls decision to not address those two points in her speech. The governor was on TV today, and she made it clear, in her mind, this is a New York City issue, she said. Later in the call, Lewis-Martin said of the other request: The only way the president will consider a state of emergency is if it comes from the governor, and shes not doing it. Addressing the lawmakers on the call, Lewis-Martin urged them to travel to Albany and directly press the governor for action. We cant be the ones thats driving it because then theyre going to say, Oh, its from the office of the mayor,' she said. You all know what to do, and we need you to do it, she continued. If you need talking points, we can provide that For the governor not to [ask Biden to] declare a state of emergency in New York and to state this is only New York Citys problem is wrong. A spokesman for Hochuls office did not return a request for comment late Thursday. Amid the heightened friction between their teams, Adams and Hochul still agree that the Biden administration must do more to help with the citys crisis. However, Bronx Councilwoman Diana Ayala, a Democrat who leads the Councils General Welfare Committee, said on Thursdays briefing that shes not hopeful that Biden will do much. I find it very unlikely that the federal government is going to do the right thing here, considering that theres an election year next year, and Im just being really honest about that, Ayala said. Politics and immigration dont mix well. Two top executives at a philanthropic organization that bankrolled Mayor Adams recent trip to Israel have significant business and lobbying interests before his administration, according to a Daily News review of city records. The matter involves Marc Rowan and Eric Goldstein, respectively the chairman and CEO of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York, which picked up the tab for Adams stay in Israel from this past Sunday to Thursday. UJA spokeswoman Emily Kutner told The News on Thursday that the group spent $4,857 on Adams airfare, lodging, food and other expenses related to his Israel visit. Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York, right, is pictured with New York City Mayor Eric Adams during an opening reception at the Jerusalem Arts Campus on his first day of a three-day visit to Israel on Monday, August 21, 2023. The group shelled out the same amount per person on six Adams administration officials who traveled with him, totaling $33,999, including the mayors expenses, Kutner said. Among the officials who had their costs covered by UJA were Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy, senior adviser Joel Eisdorfer and First Deputy NYPD Commissioner Tania Kinsella. Despite its optics, the Adams entourages trip does not appear to have broken any city ethics laws as they allow for public officials to accept expenses-paid trips from third parties. There is a law prohibiting public officials from accepting anything of value, including travel, from firms or individuals with business dealings before the city, although that ban does not apply if theres a government purpose for the freebie. Still, John Kaehny, head of the Reinvent Albany watchdog group, deemed the financial arrangement of Adams Israel trip an obvious conflict of interest and a big, big loophole due to Rowan and Goldsteins ties to city government. Those ties include Goldstein lobbying top members of Adams administration for city funding, and Rowan being the head of a major private equity firm charged with managing hundreds of millions of dollars in public pension funds for the city, records show. The loophole, Kaehny said, should be addressed by lawmakers. This is exactly why mayors should be legally banned from having their trips or expenses paid for by outside entities, because the potential for conflicts of interest is just too high, said Kaehny. Its all completely legal it just shouldnt be. It can be a way for special interests to facilitate pay to play, and influence the mayors official actions by giving things of value. Kaehny acknowledged that trips like Adams Israel visit can have a lot of value in providing perspective for promulgating policy and running city government. But if it is a worthwhile trip for government purposes, then the taxpayers should be paying for it, he said. If its private players paying for it, then the question always becomes: What are they expecting in return? Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, attends the 2022 Forbes Iconoclast Summit at New York Historical Society on Nov. 3, 2022 in New York City. Levy, Adams deputy mayor, said the mayors chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, signed off on all funding details for the trip beforehand to ensure full transparency of the costs and compliance with ethics rules. Its surprising that the Daily News is advocating for spending taxpayer dollars when we found a cost-effective and fully-transparent way to visit a country that so many New Yorkers have a connection to and were eager to see the mayor visit, Levy said in a statement. Kutner said UJAs counsel also approved the funding of the mayors travels. We are proud to have organized this educational trip to Israel for the mayor which follows a longstanding tradition of New York City mayors and other elected officials traveling to Israel, she said. The city Conflicts of Interest Board, which enforces local ethics laws, was not consulted before the mayors Israel sojourn, according to a City Hall official. Rather, City Hall relied on existing Conflicts of Interest Board guidance on free travel to devise the funding arrangement for the mayors trip, the official said. Conflicts of Interest Board Executive Director Carolyn Miller declined to comment Friday. New York City Mayor Eric Adams visits Had Vashem in Jerusalem on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy is pictured at bottom-right, and Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York, is pictured to Adams top-left. In addition to serving as chairman of UJA, Rowan is the founding CEO of Apollo Global Management, one of the worlds largest asset management firms. City records show Apollo manages more than $726 million in assets for the New York City Employees Retirement System, the municipal governments largest public pension fund, which is controlled by a board whose chairman, Bryan Berge, is an Adams appointee. Apollo has for years used an in-house government relations firm to lobby the public pension system, commonly known as NYCERS, lobbying records show. Since Adams became mayor in January 2022, Apollo, which makes money off of NYCERS via investment fees, has focused on lobbying the retirement system on matters relating to disbursement of public money from the fund, according to the records. As Apollos chief executive, Rowan has been registered in the citys Doing Business Database since 2012. The database is meant to prevent the appearance of pay-to-play in city government by sharply limiting how much money individuals listed in it can donate to campaigns of candidates for elected office. While theres no record of Rowan contributing money to any of Adams political campaigns, he gave $25,000 in 2021 to Vote for NYCs Future, a super PAC founded by real estate billionaire Stephen Ross. Ross launched the PAC with an aim to boost voter turnout among centrist Democrats in the 2021 mayoral election, which Adams won. In his statement, Levy noted Rowan was not on the mayors trip to Israel. The citys pension funds were never discussed, he added. New York City Mayor Eric Adams meets with Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen in Jerusalem, Israel on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy is pictured at far-left, and Eric Goldstein is pictured at far-right. Goldstein was on the trip with Adams and is pictured with him in a number of photos released by City Hall. UJA focuses mostly on advocating and securing public and private funding for local groups, and in his capacity as the organizations CEO and chief lobbyist, Goldstein has a web of business ties to Adams administration. Like Rowan, Goldstein is also listed in the citys Doing Business Database. Lobbying records show Goldstein has directly met with Adams First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, his International Affairs Commissioner Edward Mermelstein, his Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro and staff at his Contract Services Office, among other targets. The purposes of Goldsteins lobbying of those officials have been varied and include everything from allocating city funding for UJA-sponsored holocaust survivor services to advancing UJA priorities in its partnerships with local nonprofits. In addition to his own activities, Goldstein has in his CEO role hired multiple lobbying firms to do UJAs bidding in interactions with Adams administration. That includes Goldstein this year hiring Kasirer LLC, one of the citys biggest government relations firms, to lobby Adams administration officials, including deputy City Hall chief of staff Menashe Shapiro, on funding requests and relationship building for UJA, Clerks Office records show. New York City Mayor Eric Adams tours Machane Yahuda Market in Jerusalem on Monday, August 21, 2023, with Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Lion, at right. Eric Goldstein is pictured at far-left. The stated purpose of Adams Israel trip was to learn about Israeli technology, meet with local leaders and discuss combined efforts to combat antisemitism. Adams is not the first New York City mayor to face heat for accepting expenses-paid trips. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio drew similar conflict of interest concerns from the Center for Constitutional Rights when he accepted a trip to Israel in 2015 paid for by a Brooklyn-based entrepreneur. It also isnt the first time Adams has raised eyebrows over his traveling habits. While Brooklyn borough president, Adams accepted thousands of dollars in travel and other perks from the governments of China, Turkey and Azerbaijan. During the 2021 campaign, human rights and government watchdogs questioned the appropriateness of Adams taking freebies from those governments, given their documented histories of corruption and oppression. Ariana Rockefeller, great granddaughter to John D. Rockefeller, is New York royalty. The heiress splits her time between her equestrian life in Holland and the Big Apple, but as a model, her job and interests take her to many fun and luxurious places all over the world. Regardless of her busy schedule, Ariana's personal style never fails to embody a sense of refined elegance, understated sophistication and serene beauty even when traveling! The brunette beauty brings Daily Mail into her home to show us how it's done. Ariana Rockefeller, great granddaughter to John D. Rockefeller, is New York royalty. The heiress splits her time between her equestrian life in Holland and the Big Apple As a model and equestrian Ariana's job and interests taker her to many fun and luxurious places all over the world Ariana often channels the quiet luxury aesthetic. Quiet luxury is the latest trend to take the fashion world by storm. The look - also called 'stealth wealth' - is made up of understated clothing crafted from very high-quality materials. It's not the easiest aesthetic to pull off but stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Sofia Richie and Ariana do it effortlessly. Relying on timeless classics, Ariana has the ability to bring feminine style and polish wherever she goes. Fresh from attending a party in Mykonos for Chrome Horse Society, a premium tequila created by her friend Jack Morgan, the socialite shares her traveling wardrobe diary with Daily Mail. 'I am going to travel in this,' she said about an organic cotton dress by Guild of Hands' Jet-setting style Always on the go, Ariana is an expert at putting together an airport outfit that can take her from point A to point B in style. 'I am going to travel in this,' she said about an organic cotton dress by Guild of Hands.' The beige frock features a pleated skirt and boned top with a zip front. 'Its perfect: Comfortable, lightweight and easy to accessorize. I still insist on being pulled together for long-haul flights I just cant do the sweats thing and this day-dress is made for it. 'I'll pair it with flats and a light sweater for those freezing plane cabins.' A frequent flyer, she travels with a change of clothes in her carry-on. 'I always bring pjs to sleep in but when I am awake on a flight something simple and elegant is ideal.' According to Ariana, an elegant dress like this is also perfect for an afternoon in Milan. 'Milan is still quite hot by Fashion Week in September, so lightweight clothes are it. I love this sporty look from Miu Miu,' says the brunette beauty Ciao Bella Ariana is signed with top modeling agency, Select, based in Milan, Italy. 'Milan is still quite hot by Fashion Week in September, so lightweight clothes are it. I love this sporty look from Miu Miu.' Standing 5' 10", a mini skirt that puts her perfect pins on display is an ideal garment to have in the world's fashion capital and it doesn't take up too much room in the suitcase. She pairs the bottom with a cropped knit sweater, and refines the sporty chic look with Louboutin mesh flats and a matching Chanel bag. For evening, the gorgeous heiress turns up the heat in a figure flattering bias cut silk slip dress by Guild of Hands. 'I feel beautiful in it,' she says about the red hot number. 'The designer and dear friend, Christy Rilling, is a true artist who knows fabric and construction so well. 'I may wear this dress for an elegant cocktail hour or an after party in Milan.' 'I feel beautiful in it,' she confesses. 'The designer and dear friend, Christy Rilling, is a true artist who knows fabric and construction so well' 'I love this little blue dress,' says Ariana while modeling an adorable Chanel frock in the closet of her New York City apartment. 'Its knit and super comfortable. Its a bit fancy for Amsterdam but I will definitely wear this for a night out in Athens or Milan.' A self-proclaimed "pearl girl" she couldnt resist pairing it with pearl add-ons, including Jimmy Choo sandals and a handbag by Lebanon-based brand, Vanina. 'I love this little blue dress,' says Ariana while modeling an adorable Chanel frock in the closet of her New York City apartment For a trip to Athens, Ariana packs a stunning ensemble by Guild of Hands, paired with Manolo Blahnik sandals and a Mark Cross Box Bag Opa! 'Athens feels like home away from home for me,' says Ariana. 'My friends and managers there have become like family, and I love ancient Greek history and art so its my happy place. 'I always try to make it to the New Acropolis Museum and then my favorite bistro in townPapadakis by the remarkable chef Argiro Barbarigou.' For a trip to the dream locale, Ariana packs a stunning set by Guild of Hands. Made of raw silk, the top boasts hand embroidery, while the silk charmeuse skirt is cut on the bias for a perfect fit. To complete the ladylike look, she reaches for Manolo Blahnik sandals and a Mark Cross Box Bag. The raw silk top by Guild of Hands boasts beautiful hand embroidery Pastels are commonly associated with warmer months but 'I love summer black,' declares Ariana like a true New Yorker Black in August? Oui Oui! Pastels are commonly associated with warmer months but 'I love summer black,' declares Ariana like a true New Yorker. Adding, 'And it is softened by florals.' She pairs the long sleeve top featuring a figure-flattering ruched waist with a linen skirt by Maura Hoffman, and completes the look with an Hermes bag and Chanel mules. 'I could see wearing this to tea at Claridges or for a cocktail at The Ritz in Paris,' Ariana reveals. The modern-meets-classic ladylike ensemble is a playful nod to Old Hollywood glamour. Tres chic! 'I could see wearing this to tea at Claridges or for a cocktail at The Ritz in Paris,' she reveals 'When I am not at events or photoshoots, honestly I love being simple in jeans and a t-shirt,' she admits Model off duty In Holland Ariana's weekdays are spent riding and training her horses, but on weekends she often finds herself in Amsterdam. 'When I am not at events or photoshoots, honestly I love being simple in jeans and a t-shirt,' she admits. 'I love house music and have made a lot of friends in the music scene in Holland so this is an easy but feel good uniform on nights out in Amsterdam: great fitting jeans and a vintage tee. 'Also I love all things Minnie Mouse and Disney.' With her signature long brown tresses and barely-there makeup, so she poses in a t-shirt from Amazon, Zara jeans and Gianvito Rossi sandals. We've seen her walking red carpets and runways looking gorgeous in quiet luxury, but my applying the same sensibility to her off duty getup, Ariana is just as fashionable on her off days. They have been avoiding winter for two years A young Australian couple have revealed their favourite winter holiday destinations and they are perfect for anyone looking for a sunny break without heading abroad. Britt and Shaun from Newcastle have been travelling Australia with their toddler Max for two years. They have been posting about their adventures on Instagram, Roam N Round. 'Over the past two years travelling Australia weve become pretty good at avoiding the winter cold,' they wrote on Instagram before sharing a list of their favourite places. Britt, pictured, and Shaun from Newcastle have been traveling around Australia for two years They have come up with a list of ten spots they like to visit in the cooler months - including Karijini National Park in Western Australia Unsurprisingly the sunny winter hangouts are in northern Western Australia, and Queensland as well as the Northern Territory. The couple made a video of the spectacular destinations - some of which are well known and others which are off the beaten track. Western Australia appears to be a strong favourite for the couple who travel around in a 1980s Millard caravan. In 'no particular order' they recommend Australians trying to avoid the winter chill head WA's Karijini National Park, which is known for its rugged gorges and stunning waterholes. They also recommend the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park), another well-know tourist spot. They also rate Exmouth in Western Australia and think people should consider heading to Broome to escape winter in the south READ MORE: Here are seven little-known hidden gems in Australia you need to know about NOW Advertisement The Bungle Bungles are renowned for its banded domes which are made of sandstone deposited about 360 million years ago. Erosion by creek, rivers and weathering in the past 20 million years has carved out these domes, along with spectacular chasms and gorges creating a surreal landscape. Red Bluff is one of the lesser-known destinations on the list. It is a stunning campsite located in the Ningaloo National Park - perfect for eco-friendly travelers. They have recently spent time in the Whitsundays and recommend the popular destination - Pictured is Whitehaven beach Red Bluff, a modest campsite on the Western Australian Ningaloo coast also made their list They also named northern towns Broome, Exmouth as perfect for travelers looking to get away from icy weather. And singled out Bullara Station and El Questaro, another station, as being incredible spots to visit. In the Northern Territory they recommend Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park. Litchfield is well known for its crocodiles, stunning and safe waterholes and for being easily accessible - just a short drive from the territory's capital, Darwin. As did the ancient domes of the Bungle Bungles While a trip to Kakadu will require a little more planning, as it is more remote. The couple also can't seem to go past The Whitsunday's in northern Queensland, the only destination in the state to make it onto their list. In a previous post the family spoke about being on Hamilton Island for Britt's 30th birthday. The trip went so well they bought a little boat to help them island hop - making the most of the picturesque destination. An interabled couple has opened up about their sex life and how their intimacy has changed in three years since they tied the knot. Shane and Hannah Burcaw, from Minnesota, answered fans' questions about the sexual aspects of their relationship in a new video shared on their popular 'Squirmy and Grubs' YouTube channel. The pair have long been documenting the dynamics of their romance after coming under scrutiny when Hannah started dating Shane, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to deteriorate over time, and has been in an electric wheelchair since he was two years old. Shane, 31, explained that even though he can barely move his hands, arms, and legs, he has 'normal sexual function,' which many people don't realize. Shane and Hannah Burcaw, from Minnesota, opened up about intimacy in their marriage in a new video shared on their popular ' Squirmy and Grubs ' YouTube channel. Shane, 31, was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to deteriorate over time, and has been in an electric wheelchair since he was two Hannah, 27, first reached out to the writer and speaker seven years ago after watching a documentary that 'The Office' actor Rainn Wilson produced about his life. In the email, she complimented him on his sense of humor and his writing before admitting that she thought he was very cute. They got to know each other through FaceTime calls and text messages and eventually fell in love. Shane and Hannah launched their YouTube channel to better educate people about interabled relationships, and they have filmed a number of videos about intimacy. 'Without a doubt our intimacy is different in ways than it was when we met,' he said in their latest Q&A round. 'When Hannah used to visit on her weekend visits from college, like the urge and the need to just be physically close was palpable. Now, we live together. We're together all the time... So the urgency is not the same as it used to be.' Shane noted that the benefit of being together for so long is that their comfort level with each other is 'way higher.' He recalled 'the feeling you have in the back of your mind when you're getting into intimacy early on [in a relationship].' 'You're like, "Is this OK?" and "Does she hate it? Is it fine? I hope she's happy." And you're so nervous about that.' The writer and public speaker explained that even though he can barely move his hands, arms, and legs, he has 'normal sexual function,' which many people don't realize 'I don't think I ever assumed it wouldn't work,' Hannah told her husband. 'I just didn't because I knew you had multiple previous relationships. I knew that you had written about this' Shane said that Hannah knew that his disability doesn't affect his sexual function from reading a blog post in which he explained that 'sexually, everything works.' 'I don't think I ever assumed it wouldn't work,' she added. 'I just didn't because I knew you had multiple previous relationships. I knew that you had written about this.' They explained that over the years they have learned to deal with their differences in libido with constant communication. 'We're not always going to be on the same page at the same time, and that's not a cause for annoyance or anger or anything like that,' he said. Shane and Hannah also received a question from a mom who wanted to know what she should teach her 10-year-old son with muscular dystrophy about sexual health. 'My sexual health education was standard growing up, and that got me to where I am today,' he explained. 'Obviously, I can't draw a direct line from that to where I am now, but I took health class with my peers and learned about puberty and all that the way that every other student did. 'My parents never really talked about like, "Here's how things may be different" or "Here's what you need to think about [with] your disability." Because I have normal sexual function, I think it just wasn't a topic. The couple added that over the years they have learned to deal with their differences in libido with constant communication Shane and Hannah's latest video about intimacy in their marriage comes months after they revealed they had begun the process of vitro fertilization (IVF) 'I think the bigger thing is encouraging your child to see themselves as valuable and worthy of relationships like anyone else,' he concluded. Shane and Hannah's latest video about intimacy in their marriage comes months after they revealed they had begun the process of vitro fertilization (IVF). They shared that they had 'casually tried the old-fashioned route for two years' without success. 'We've known for three years that the medication Shane is on for SMA can impact sperm health,' she said. 'We kind of knew that, it was in the back of our minds, so we got his sperm tested about a year ago and found out it was abysmal.' Shane interjected, joking, 'Excuse me, my sperm is not abysmal... my sperm is non-existent.' Hannah continued: 'It's very affected, not just by the medication. We don't actually know how much that is playing a role, but also by the fact that Shane sits all the time, which is a huge factor. 'There's heat and pressure, and all the stuff that you don't want.' The couple opened up about Hannah's egg retrieval in June, saying they have 22 eggs, but zero sperm after their first round of IVF. They added that this was difficult to discuss, and they wanted to keep their plans to move forward private. Heidi Satterthwaite died last year, at the age of 34, after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as MDS in 2018. Before her death, she made an uncommon choice. Heidi wanted to celebrate her life with her friends and family, and so she became one of a growing number of people to organise a living funeral. With a military husband, Heidi lived in many places from Alaska to Hawaii, and thanks to her warmth and unusual ability to encourage people to open up to her, created a 'beautiful community of friends'. That's according to her older sister Jenna Satterthwaite, who appeared on BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour yesterday, to talk about their experience of holding the event - and of celebrating Heidi's life while she was there to celebrate with them. Jenna described the living funeral, which featured poignant moments like Heidi and her husband closing the event by dancing to their wedding song, as a 'magical and pain filled celebration of her life'. Heidi Satterthwaite (pictured at her living funeral) died last year, at the age of 34, after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer several years earlier Jenna compared the event to a wedding, describing how they incorporated many of the same elements like speeches, toasts, dancing, and an 'explosive playlist' that left them 'sweat[ing] so hard on the dance floor'. She also described one moment where they realised they had planned a huge event, including renting a hall and hiring catering, but they had no idea whether people would show up, at one point thinking they could end up hosting 10 guests. However, this was not the case. 'To our utter surprise and delight, 200 people showed up at the last minute, in the middle of the Summer, revealed Jenna. 'People cancelled vacations, hopped on planes, rented cars, they made it happen, and they showed up for her to say their goodbyes.' Asked about how the event compared to a traditional funeral, in terms of providing closure for attendees, Jenna said: 'I would describe it as an exclamation point at the end of a sentence. The sentence of her life.' Describing it further, Jenna said: 'I guess you could call it closure. It was that moment when you pause to acknowledge a beautiful life. And we don't do that often. 'We're bad at celebrating. We're always looking to the next thing and shifting goalposts. So it was really special to come together and kind of close that sentence as a group this and say this was her life. She lived at well. Exclamation point.' She also discussed how while there was a lot of sadness and tears, there was 'a bit of a surge of energy when we realised "now it's time to die"...and there a bit of adrenaline to that, and so channeling that energy into a party really fit well with the process...and [Heidi] wanted to do it for herself, but also for the rest of us.' Jenna Satterthwaite (pictured on Women's Hour) spoke about her sister's living funeral with incredible eloquence and poignancy According to Jenna, while she was ill, Heidi had researched how best to organise the process of grief when it came to herself and her family. They had the living funeral, then also had an 'at home funeral' following Heidi's death, after which they kept her body at home for three days. This was less traumatic than 'having strangers come in and wheel her out in a body bag', said Jenna, who said her sister 'belonged to us'. Jenna also read a poem she had written about the experience and posted on X (formerly Twitter), which opened with the lines: 'If you have the curse of advance notice, throw a party. Dont have a funeral - its not as fun.' Another living funeral was held by Kris Hallenga, the founder of the CoppaFeel breast cancer awareness charity, who has stage 4 breast cancer and who held a living funeral for herself. Women's Hour host Nuala McGovern (pictured) said she had been deeply moved by a poem Jenna's wrote about her sister's death She organised the event in collaboration with Legacy of Lives, which helps people organise the right type of funeral for them. CEO Rebecca Peach spoke on the show about living funerals, saying 'we're all about pushing the funeral of the person giving that person a voice giving that person legacy how they would like it'. She also pointed out how few people make plans for the type of funerals they would want after their death. According to Rebecca, whether people want to throw a living funeral or have a more traditional after death event, Legacy of Lives wants to provide free support when it comes to people deciding what kind of funeral they want. She added that she is speaking out about it largely because death is such a taboo subject, and it is so hard to know what to do to support people when it comes to death - their own or a family's members - and she wanted to offer help to people. Princess Ariane of Netherlands has started her studies at the United World College Adriatic - which is also known as the sister school of Hippy Hogwarts. The daughter of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima , 16, has arrived in Italy to commence her studies for the International Baccalaureate, which will take two years. An announcement shared by the Dutch palace today featured a back-to-school photograph of Ariane with a wide grin across her face as she posed outside the school. The young royal donned a summery pair of white linen trousers with a chic striped tank top. Princess Ariane of Netherlands, 16, has returned to United World College Adriatic after the summer break Ariane accessorised her outfit with a classic pair of silver hoop earrings and an embellished necklace. Despite sharing the sweet picture, the palace said Ariane's parents have requested privacy at this time. The palace's announcement read: 'Her Royal Highness Princess Ariane of the Netherlands will continue her secondary education after the summer at the United World College Adriatic in Italy. 'She will go there for her International Baccalaureate. 'Princess Ariane is now in the fourth grade at the Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in The Hague. 'The period of the princesses' school time is private. At the express request of the parents, the media is called upon to continue to respect the privacy of their daughters.' While a number of royals have attended the United World College of the Atlantic, Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, 16, is studying at the sister school in Italy. The royal is set to commence her studies for the International Baccalaureate at United World College Adriatic (pictured) A long list of of royals have attended the school, including Ariane's father King Willem-Alexander. Here the King poses alongside Princess Ariane (far left), Princess Alexia (middle), Queen Maxima (right) and Princess Amalia (far right) The school has a long list of royal alumni at the colleges, including her father King Willem-Alexander. Princess Elisabeth, heir to the throne of Belgium, who graduated from UWC Atlantic in 2020, as well as Princesses Leonor and Sofia of Spain. Much like its 12th century Welsh equivalent, the school in Duino was founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn in 1926. School fees for the two-year course cost a whopping 40,000 and include Serbian, World Arts and Cultures and Environmental Systems. Kurt Hahn, he believed his approach to education, for pupils aged 16-19, could lead to a quicker resolution of international conflict, an ethos that is still carried by the establishment, which aims to 'promote mutual understanding'. The United World College Movement includes 18 schools around the world, and takes students from around 150 countries. Ariane will become the latest in a long list of royal alumni at the colleges, including Princess Elisabeth, heir to the throne of Belgium, who graduated in 2020, Princesses Leonor and Sofia of Spain, and her father King Willem-Alexander Much like its 12th century Welsh equivalent, the school in Duino (pictured) was founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn Princess Leonor of Spain pictured at UWC Atlantic College at St Donat's Castle in Wales The school counts Queen Noor of Jordan as its president and encourages international cooperation from students of all background. A number of royals have attended the United World Colleges Movement. King Willem-Alexander, the King of the Netherlands, studied at the Welsh College from 1983 to 1985 and graduated with an International Baccalaureate before undertaking his military service and moving on to study History at Leiden University from 1987 onwards. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, the daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, enrolled in 2018 but had to cut her time at the college short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and continued her studies online from home. Meanwhile Princess Raiyah of Jordan, the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and Queen Noor also attended her institution as a teen before studying Japanese as an undergraduate at The University of Edinburgh. In 2018, The Times reported that pupils were discouraged from showcasing their wealth with expensive gadgets, and were as likely to rub shoulders with 'refugees from west Africa' and 'California hippies.' Former student Louise Callaghan previously revealed how Princess Elisabeth of Belgium would to be 'the most normal person there' and would not get any 'special treatment' despite her royal credentials. Unlike a conventional full school day of teaching, lessons at UWC begin at 8am and are finished in time for lunch. Activities on offer at the college including sailing and kayaking around the Italian coast on which the college is perched Unlike a conventional full school day of teaching, lessons at UWC begin at 8am and are finished in time for lunch Who is UWC's founder Kurt Hahn? Kurt Matthias Robert Martin Hahn CBE was a German educator. He founded several schools in Germany and the UK, including Prince Charles' former boarding school Gordonstoun, and the United World Colleges. Hahn's educational philosophy was based on respect for adolescents, whom he believed to possess an innate decency and moral sense, but who were, he believed, corrupted by society as they aged. He believed that education could prevent this corruption, if students were given opportunities for personal leadership and to see the results of their own actions. This is one reason for the focus on outdoor adventure in his philosophy. Hahn founded the institutions as a practical response to the search for new and peaceful solutions in a post-war world riven by political, racial and economic divisions. Hahn had been invited to address the NATO Defence College, where he saw former enemies from several nations working together towards a common goal. With a number of colleagues Hahn realised how much more could be done to overcome the hostility of the Cold War if young people from different nations could be brought together in a similar way. He envisaged a college for students who were already grounded in their own cultures but impressionable enough to learn from others. Drawn from all nations, the students would be selected purely on merit and potential, regardless of race, religion, nationality and background. Advertisement The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) curriculum. Core basics at the school include Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics and Physics. Meanwhile there are also a wide selection of optional courses to choose from, including Arabic, Slovene, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian, World Arts and Cultures, Environmental Systems, and Art. Alongside their academics, pupils are expected to undertake a minimum of two hours of community service, two hours of physical activity and a further two hours of creative activity each week. Sessions take place in the afternoons, evenings and weekends. The school seeks to 'inspire changemakers' who want to work for the common good with its lessons. It looks for students who 'can navigate the complexity of life and (reach) beyond easy answers', the school's website said. The school, which is located in the Italian village of Duino, seeks to 'inspire changemakers' who want to work for the common good with its lessons It looks for students who 'can navigate the complexity of life and (reach) beyond easy answers', the school's website said Among their options for extra-curricular activities, pupils can take up a Tai Chi lesson or rock climbing (pictured) Pupils are encouraged to be 'empowered' to take 'authentic responsibility to make their own decisions and actions'. According to the website, the programme also focuses on a 'lifelong commitment to service in the community, to collaborative work and social engagement'. It describes developing 'in young people a sense of personal initiative and the skills of leadership.' Students are 'placed into positions of trust, authentic responsibility and decision making' and required to 'demonstrate a commitment to making a positive difference in the world'. They are also 'continuously exposed to the richness and diversity of Italys cultural heritage' and encouraged to integrate into the local community. Among their options for extra-curricular activities, pupils can take up a Tai Chi lesson or rock climbing. Music plays a major role at UWC Adriatic thanks to the presence of an in-house music academy which aims to explore the full range of musical genres and styles from around the world. They also bring in professional musicians to the college for masterclasses and performances. READ MORE: Sex addict who slept with more than 700 men reveals the night she hit rock bottom She was house sitting so decided to use a toy A young woman has been left mortified after discovering she had been having 'the best orgasms of her life' from a replica of her father's penis. Melissa was house sitting for her parents when she started digging around under their bed. She came across a beautiful shoe box and peeked inside to find it contained her mum and dad's sex toys. Instead of closing the box and walking away, something the young woman said would have been better in hindsight, she decided to use an impressive looking vibrator in the box. Speaking to Radio 1 DJ Jordan North and William Hanson from the 'Help, I sexted my boss' podcast Melissa admitted cleaning up the 'XL, veiny monster' and 'slipping it inside' was a mistake. Speaking to Radio 1 DJ Jordan North and William Hanson from the 'Help, I sexted my boss' podcast Melissa admitted to using her mum's dildo, leaving Jordan speechless The confession left the duo speechless - but they were even more embarrassed by what was to come. She admitted to being 'alone and horny' and said that her mum's battery operated boyfriend hit all the right spots. Eager to get one of the toys for her own home Melissa, who had been drinking, looked for a brand name. To her horror she found the name 'Clone-a-Willy' etched into the plastic at the bottom of the toy. 'Turns out Id been getting the best orgasms of my life form a replica of my fathers penis. How am I meant to proceed from here?' she asked. Jordan was gobsmacked. He didn't even understand why she would open a shoe box under her parents bed, let alone use one of the toys. He held his head in his hands and told William that they'd had a good run as podcasters but it was over, he was officially speechless. Australian radio host Ricki-Lee repeated the mortifying story According to one podcast fan the clip had been edited to erase the fact Melissa admitted to using the toy for three days. The story was then discussed in Australia by Ricki-Lee Coulter who retold it on her Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel radio show. She giggled as her cohost Tim Blackwell listened on, mortified. He echoed Jordan's statements. 'Surely that's when you closed the box,' he said after Ricki-Lee revealed what was inside before screaming: 'What' once the rest of the story unfolded. And the online community were just as shattered with 12k people stopping to comment on the original podcast clip. 'I miss who I was two minutes ago,' one woman said. some people admitted they would need intense therapy to get over the incident if it were them. 'I went through all five stages of grief listening to this,' one woman added. Others couldn't understand why Melissa would confess to her very awkward house sitting adventure. 'Man you couldnt waterboard that information out of me,' one man said. 'I would have taken that to my grave,' said a woman. Some people chose not to believe the story. A young woman was lost for words after realising the 'strange' thing all Aussies tend to do. TikToker Tiffany Krylov, from Melbourne, was baffled when a friend told her of the common behavioural trait that she too does herself. 'I had a friend point out to me the other day that Australians have a tendency to call items by their brand name and not the name of the actual thing,' she said in disbelief. Tiffany claims she had no idea Band-Aid was a brand and quickly realised she calls all coolers an Esky. 'I admit to Esky, I don't care what brand It is, what kind of cooler it is, for me - Esky,' she continued. 'I did not realise that Band-Aid was a brand. They're technically, I think called plasters And my life is a lie.' Melbourne TikToker Tiffany Krylov (pictured) was baffled after a friend pointed out Australians tend to call items by the brand name, not what it is. For instance, rather than saying paracetamol Aussies say Panadol 'If you think of any more, let me know because I love this s*** and I love being wrong,' Tiffany added. Fellow Australians flooded the comments of the video and pointed out brands that came to mind - from Panadol instead of paracetamol, Tupperware instead of container, and Stanley knife instead of utility knife. Aussies also say Blu-Tack, Glad Wrap, Ziplock bags, and Velcro. Read more: American expat 'blown away' by everyday kitchen essential that everyone in Australia and New Zealand has A young American living in New Zealand was shocked by a common kitchen essential he doesn't have back home. Konner (pictured) moved overseas earlier this year and has shared a number of culture shocks he's experienced Advertisement Others joined the conversation and shared their own experiences. 'Growing up my family called the sandwich toaster a Breville. And toasties were just called Brevilles,' one woman commented. An expat said: 'As a Brit moving here this one always throws me, I will always say paracetamol and ibuprofen but people always repeat Panadol and Nurofen back to me.' 'Coke instead of cola,' another woman commented, someone else said: 'We totally do this for soo many things.' 'Glad wrap! Even if I buy the home brand its still glad wrap to me,' another said. Read more: Shopper confused after receiving 'random' $100 discount at Coles Young couple who achieved the 'Australian dream' of owning a home by age 30 reveal why they decided to sell and go travelling for four years - as they're back to renting again Shoppers in hysterics over 'bizarre' and 'trippy' ad for Aldi exercise bike - but admit they can't stop watching: 'Nothing about this makes sense' Sepsis kills one in three hospitalized Americans, and signs resemble the flu A new program will help address the growing threat of sepsis, a life-threatening infection that causes one in three hospital deaths in the US, health officials announced Thursday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched a new effort dubbed the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, meant to prevent sepsis and sepsis deaths by providing hospitals with teams and resources. Dr Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC, said: 'Sepsis is taking too many lives.' 'Rapid diagnosis and immediate appropriate treatment, including antibiotics, are essential to saving lives, yet the challenges of awareness about and recognition of sepsis are enormous.' As part of the new effort, the CDC will provide healthcare workers in hospitals with educational materials, appoint a treatment leader in hospitals, and track sepsis outcomes. In addition to saving lives and reducing a burden on America's healthcare system, preventing sepsis would also help patients avoid the long-term consequences of the condition, such as panic attacks, hallucinations, insomnia, muscle and joint pain, organ dysfunction, and amputations. Lauren Wagner (left), 26 from Canada, took to TikTok to share her near-death experience with sepsis, the body's extreme reaction to an infection. Sadie Kemp (right), 34, from Peterborough, England, suffered sepsis after kidney stones and had to have all of her fingers removed Sepsis symptoms can closely resemble the flu, so look out for a very high or low temperature, sweating, extreme pain, clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, high heart rate, slurred speech, and confusion Sepsis is a medical emergency health experts call a 'silent killer.' It's caused by the body's extreme reaction to an infection. Sepsis occurs when chemicals released in the bloodstream to fight an infection cause inflammation throughout the body. This triggers a chain reaction, causing organs to fail. Infections that lead to sepsis most commonly start in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract, but almost any infection can lead to sepsis. The complication has been linked to one in three hospital deaths, according to the CDC. Symptoms can closely resemble the flu and include a very high or low body temperature, sweating, extreme pain, clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, high heart rate, slurred speech, and confusion. Sepsis can progress to septic shock, which is characterized by a severe drop in blood pressure. Signs of septic shock, according to the Mayo Clinic, include not being able to stand up, extreme fatigue or not being able to stay awake, and a major change in mental status. The CDC recommends seeking help immediately if you have signs of sepsis. If left untreated, sepsis and septic shock are fatal. Sepsis impacts 1.7 million Americans every year, according to the CDC, and kills 350,000 annually. READ MORE: Sepsis symptoms in children: Five warning signs all parents should know Advertisement Certain groups are more susceptible to sepsis, including adults aged 65 and older, children under one year, patients with weakened immune systems, and those who have had sepsis in the past. However, anyone can get it. And, if a person recovers from sepsis, they are more likely to have lasting health problems. A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found people hospitalized for sepsis or who had it after hospitalization were 38 percent more likely to be hospitalized again for any cause. This included a 43 percent increased risk for heart issues. Lauren Wagner, 26, from Canada, became septic as a complication from several surgeries to remove a cancerous tumor from her spine. In a video on TikTok, she said she thought it was a bad case of the flu and ignored the symptoms at first in hopes they would improve over time, but she continued to get worse. 'The number one symptom that I personally had that led me to go to the ER was just how sick I was feeling. I was feeling the most sick I've ever felt,' she said. 'Every day it was getting worse. It was very scary.' 'I truly believe sepsis is not spoken about enough. It is not taught in schools, and it is so important that we have this information in our back pockets.' Sophie Kemp, a 34-year-old mother from England, where there are about 245,000 sepsis cases and 48,000 deaths a year, had to have all her fingers amputated when she contracted sepsis from kidney stones. 'Ive realized I have been given a second chance at life. The doctors have told me they are so confused that Im still here,' she said. 'I shouldnt be alive given the amount of poison I had in my blood.' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is pushing a bipartisan bill that would make more first-time drug offenders eligible to have their criminal records erased, but the Brooklyn Democrat is facing at least one potentially significant obstacle: Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who heads the House Judiciary Committee and will decide whether or not the bill gets a critical committee vote. The bill, which now has four Republican co-sponsors, would build on an existing law that allows the criminal records of first-time drug offenders under the age 21 to be expunged. Under the current law, which President Ronald Reagan signed in 1984, expungements can only take place if the offender has no prior federal or state drug convictions and is under the age of 21 at the time of the offense. Under the new bill Jeffries wants to see passed, which is named after his friend and former Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, eligibility would be expanded to eliminate the current age requirement. For far too long in America, we have stigmatized individuals whove had an encounter with the criminal justice system, even if it does involve simple possession of marijuana or another substance that may at the time have been unlawful, Jeffries said in an exclusive interview with the Daily News. A criminal conviction even if its just for simple drug possession and is way in someones past can be a barrier to access employment, education and housing, which can limit the ability for someone to be a productive citizen. Thats why the passage of the Kenneth P. Thompson Begin Again Act is so important and could have a transformative effect on the lives of people who may have had an unfortunate, but minor incident, in their past. Thompson, who died in 2016 from cancer, enacted similar reforms as Brooklyn DA through his decision not to prosecute low-level drug offenses. The introduction of the legislation comes as the GOP presidential primary is heating up and as Republicans are trying to draw attention to an uptick in crime throughout the country since the COVID pandemic began. That could give Jordan some pause when it comes to bringing it to a vote in the House Judiciary Committee. Jordan, an Ohio Republican and loyal Trump supporter, did not return messages left by The News. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in Washington, Monday, July 31, 2023. Jeffries remains optimistic, though. A day after the first Republican primary debate, which included several invocations of Reagans name, the Brooklyn Congressman was quick to point out that such reforms have come with a history of bipartisanship from the expungement law Reagan signed off on in 1984 to reforms enacted under former President Donald Trump with support from Democrats. Jeffries is also in support of the EQUAL Act, which would eliminate the practice of slapping people convicted of crack possession with longer prison stays compared with those sentenced for possessing a comparable amount of powder cocaine. The new expungment bill was introduced during the last Congressional session, but didnt get a floor vote in the House of Representatives due to time constraints. With the next session set to begin soon, Jeffries as well as several Congressional Democrats and Republicans are hoping Jordan will make it a priority. Jeffries, Reps. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas), Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) and Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) reintroduced the bill late last month. Its my expectation that the legislation as has been the case in the past will continue to have bipartisan support, Jeffries said. The Justice Action Network, a criminal justice reform organization that supports the bill, estimates its passage would bring relief to at least 150 people within the first year of going into effect. I think it has a really good chance, Inimai Chettiar, the federal director of that group, said of the bills potential passage. The impact of this really would be destigmatizing people, allowing them to get jobs without having to worry about a criminal conviction. The bills passage into law could also lead to people whove been denied the right to vote due to a criminal conviction seeing that right restored upon having their records expunged. Jeffries acknowledged the potential for that outcome in some states where laws prohibit voting for those with criminal backgrounds, but included the caveat that the expungement only applies to federal convictions. It depends on state law because there may be certain instances where the federal conviction being expunged may not be sufficient if there are related state convictions, he said. That will also have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but it could certainly provide a path for some, particularly in the Deep South, to be able to regain their ability to vote as a productive citizen in society. The study showed people who felt safe were 9% less like to die from all causes People who felt safe were 10% less likely to die from cardiovascular diseases People who feel safe from crime in their communities are less likely to die from heart attacks, a new study suggests. Researchers wanted to see whether living in neighbourhoods with certain characteristics could have an impact on death rates and the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Academics examined data on almost 36,000 adults from China aged 35 to 70. People filled out questionnaires about the environment in their neighbourhood, including information on how safe they felt from crime; community satisfaction; the aesthetics of their neighbourhoods including trees, litter and pavements; ease of access to shops and other factors. Academics also looked at the medical records of people involved with the study. (Stock Photo) People who feel safe from crime in their communities are less likely to die from heart attacks, a new study suggests (Stock Photo) People who reported living in areas where they felt safe from crime were 10% less likely to die from cardiovascular diseases After an average of almost 12 years there were just over 2,000 deaths, including 765 deaths from cardiovascular disease. There were also 3,000 'cardiovascular disease events' - which includes incidents of heart attacks and strokes. They found that people who reported living in areas where they felt safe from crime were 9% less likely to die during the follow-up period. And they were 10% less likely to die from cardiovascular diseases, according to a paper, which has been presented at the ESC Congress in Amsterdam. A higher neighbourhood environment score was associated with a 6% lower risk of heart attacks and strokes, they said. 'There is increasing evidence that the neighbourhood we live in affects our health,' study author Dr Mengya Li, of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing, said. 'This study highlights the importance of many aspects of our surroundings for heart health and longevity, including feeling safe, having shops, transport and parks close by, cleanliness, and feeling that our neighbourhood is a good place to live and to raise children.' A probe is underway to work out why thousands of NHS staff didn't bother getting Covid and flu vaccines. The health service has paid 'behavioural insight' consultants 50,000 to explore medics' attitudes to vaccination in the North West, West Midlands and London. Just four in 10 frontline NHS workers in England got the latest Covid booster jab and the figure falls to just one per cent at some trusts in those parts of the country. Meanwhile, fewer than half had the flu vaccine. The health service says the jabs are vital to reduce the risk of staff becoming infected and passing the highly contagious viruses on to patients and colleagues. NHS officials hope the project will uncover 'nudge factors' and ways to make its medics more eager to get jabbed in future vaccination drives. The project has been commissioned ahead of winter, when the already under-pressure NHS is expected to face a surge in Covid and flu cases, as well as a depleted workforce due to staff absences. Official data show less than half of frontline NHS staff opted to have the fluj jab or a Covid booster last winter This map shows the 10 NHS trusts with the lowest uptake of flu and Covid vaccines among frontline staff according to a UKHSA report Birkenhead-based consultancy ICE Creates has been tasked with understanding the 'motivators for Covid and flu vaccinations in NHS health staff and frontline paid carer staff' to support NHS vaccination rollouts. The awarded contract states that 'behavioural insight work' is needed to identify how attitudes to Covid and flu jabs 'converge and differ'. The health service has asked the consultancy to provide a 'thorough understanding of the motivators, drivers, situational changes and nudge factors and steps that could lead to a positive attitudinal and behaviour change towards vaccination'. It is expected to share its findings by September 10. Overall, 42.1 per cent of frontline NHS staff had a Covid booster last autumn the latest vaccination campaign that data is available for. READ MORE: Asthmatic NHS nurse awarded more than 6,000 after being forced to work on Covid ward during pandemic after bosses said they knew she went 'out for cigs' Carmel O'Boyle told bosses at the hospital she worked at in Prescot, Lancashire, of her respiratory condition and asked to move wards Advertisement For comparison, 68.1 per cent came forward for the jab at the same point in 2021. Meanwhile, only 49.9 per cent of frontline NHS staff took the flu vaccine during last winter's vaccine drive, which ran from September to February, according to a UK Health Security Agency report. This is despite frontline staff, which includes all medics who treat patients face-to-face such as doctors, nurses and midwives being considered a priority for these vaccination drives. This is because they often come into contact with people vulnerable to flu and Covid, like the elderly or comprised cancer patients, for example. Unvaccinated medics are at greater risk of inadvertently spreading the viruses to these groups potentially making them seriously ill and even at risk of death. The data also shows that some NHS trusts are doing far worse on vaccine uptake than others. Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in the Midlands recorded the lowest Covid vaccine uptake in the country for last autumn's drive, with just 1.4 per cent getting a booster. Other low performers for Covid jabs include the specialist neurology facility The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool (10.7 per cent), and Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (15.4 per cent). Sirona Care & Health, a not-for-profit social care enterprise in Bristol funded by the NHS that looks after patients in their homes, had the highest uptake at 75.7 per cent. For flu jabs, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, famous for treating children suffering from gender dysphoria, had the lowest vaccine uptake in England. Just 12.8 per cent of staff opted to have the jab. Staff at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust were also among the least vaccinated, with 13.6 and 18.1 per cent, respectively. The top performer for flu jab uptake was the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, where 83.3 per cent of frontline staff got the jab. The UKHSA data on vaccine uptake in staff is dependent on NHS trusts submitting their jab data, so it may not present a full picture. Of the 229 NHS trusts in England, only 198 and 160 submitted data on flu and Covid jab uptake, respectively. UK Health Security Agency statistics show that 589 out of 6,500 neighbourhoods in England had detected at least three Covid cases in the week to August 12. MailOnline analysis shows the figure has gradually increased week-on-week since then, hitting 270 on July 29 and 448 on August 5 UK Health Security Agency statistics show that 589 out of 6,500 neighbourhoods in England had detected at least three Covid cases in the week to August 12. For comparison, just 58 areas had reached this threshold given to protect the anonymity of patients sickened in tiny clusters at the start of July. MailOnline analysis shows the figure has gradually increased week-on-week since then, hitting 270 on July 29 and 448 on August 5 Covid and flu vaccines will only be offered to over-65s this winter, health chiefs confirmed. In a bid to 'go back to normal', invites won't be dished out to millions aged 50-64 who were eligible during the pandemic Covid jab data only covers staff receiving a vaccine after September 2022, so will only include those who got a booster in the most recent jab drive or those being jabbed for the first time. Staff who opted to get Covid jabs in previous rollouts but decided not to have another this winter are not included the latest data. A spokesperson for Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We have learned lessons from last years flu campaign, and have made improvements to create a more accessible plan for the coming winter.' And a spokesperson for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, which was among the trusts with the lowest flu and Covid vaccination rates at 21 and 19.9 per cent respectively, said: 'We always ensure that vaccines are readily available for our team and we work hard to promote the vaccines as the best way to protect colleagues, their families, and their patients against Covid and flu.' Another trust with low uptake rates, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, said the data submitted to the UKHSA was incorrect and their flu jab uptake in frontline staff was actually 41.6 per cent. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, which had a recorded flu uptake of 25.6 per cent, also said the UKHSA data was not representative of their total staff vaccinated. A spokesperson said: 'Every year we encourage all staff to have their flu jabs, to help protect themselves, their patients and families against the virus.' 'Last year 45 per cent of our workforce were vaccinated either at work, their GP or at a local pharmacy.' Bromley Healthcare, which recorded a flu jab uptake of 23 per cent, said as staff might not report flu vaccines they received outside of the organisation the data might not fully reflect the number actually vaccinated. The health service says the jabs are vital to reduce the risk of staff becoming infected and passing the highly contagious viruses on to patients and colleagues Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which recorded a Covid jab rate of only 16.1 per cent, reported a similar situation where staff might not have reported they had the jab and the actual uptake could be higher. A spokesperson for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which only had 17.3 per cent of its staff jabbed for Covid, said: 'We always encourage our clinical teams to take up all vaccines offered to keep themselves and patients protected against viruses, and response has always been high.' North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, which recorded Covid vaccine uptake of 16.2 per cent, said they were committed to helping staff make an informed decision on getting a jab. A spokesperson said: 'Although receiving the flu and Covid vaccines remains a personal choice for NHS staff, just as it is for the general public, North Mid remains committed to encouraging our employees to make an informed choice about each vaccine. 'Where required, we offer support to colleagues in need of clarity through a range of activities such as public information sessions, conversations with dedicated clinical vaccine champions and one-to-one discussions.' The probe comes ahead of the colder months, when cases of Covid and flu are expected to take off, as more people socialise indoors due to the weather. Scientists have sounded the alarm over mutant Covid variant BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola, which has been detected in a hospital patient in London and is thought to be spreading undetected across the country. They have labelled it the 'most striking' strain the world has seen since Omicron emerged in late 2021 and triggered a surge in hospital admissions and saw the return of masks and disruptive virus control measures. Meanwhile, the nation is expected to be battered by flu this winter. Experts in Australia where the flu season runs from April to September and typically predicts how it will unfold in the UK have warned of record cases. Medics have expressed concern about the impact on children, with around half of cases in children under the age of 15. Youngsters have also accounted for around eight in 10 hospital admissions. The country is forecast for a similar flu season as was logged in 2019 which was the biggest on record and more than 300,000 infections were logged. Parkinson's disease may originate in the appendix, scientists have suggested after a study found that those who had the organ removed were less likely to develop the condition. Researchers in Belgium and the US looked at the medical records of around 25,000 Parkinson's patients to determine if gut problems could be a warning sign of the neurodegenerative disease. They found that patients who suffered constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were twice as likely to develop Parkinson's as those without these symptoms. However, results also suggested that those who had their appendix removed usually only performed in response to an infection were 52 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease. Experts said the study suggests the organ which has no known function is the origin of Parkinson's, though more studies are required to confirm this finding. Experts said the study suggests the appendix (red) which has no known function is the origin of Parkinson's, though more studies are required to confirm this finding Knowing the symptoms of Parkinson's can lead to earlier diagnoses and access to treatments that improve patients' quality of life Scientists don't know exactly what the appendix does but removing it is not harmful. Experts believe it was used by our ancestors to digest tough food like tree bark. Some research suggests it produces and stores microbes that boost gut health. The latest study, published in the journal Gut, suggest that the appendix might be a source of a misfolded Alpha-synuclein. The protein is found in the brain, heart and muscle tissues but, when it becomes tangled, it forms toxic clumps that are thought to help Parkinson's spread. Dr Tim Bartels, group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, said: 'An interesting side point of the study is the seemingly protective association of appendectomy with Parkinson's disease, implying in addition that the appendix might be the origin of the pathological insult that then spreads throughout the gut and ultimately to the brain. READ MORE: Six early warning signs of Parkinson's Parkinson's can cause symptoms related to movement as well as pain, depression and loss of smell, experts say Advertisement 'Since the latter association was within the range of potential surveillance bias, this has to be further validated, however.' For the study, the team of scientists from University Hospitals Leuven and Mayo Clinic Arizona studied people with Parkinson's. They were matched with patients of the same age, sex and ethnicity who did not have this disease to compare diagnoses of gut conditions in their medical records in the five years before their Parkinson's was spotted. They found that constipation, difficulty swallowing and gastroparesis a condition that slows the movement of food to the small intestine which were all associated with a doubling in risk for developing Parkinson's in the five years prior to diagnosis. Patients suffering from IBS without diarrhoea were 17 per cent more at risk. Clare Bale, associate director of research at Parkinson's UK, said the 'findings add further weight' to the hypothesis and gut problems could be an early sign of the disease. She added: 'Understanding how and why gut issues appear in the early stages of Parkinson's could open up opportunities for early detection and treatment approaches that target the gut to improve symptoms and even slow or stop the progression of the condition.' A skin cancer warning has been issued ahead of the bank holiday weekend, despite the expected drop in temperature. Brits have been urged to use sunscreen, wear a hat and spend time in the shade by Melanoma Focus to protect themselves against the most serious type of skin cancer. Around 16,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with melanoma every year. Nine in ten cases are triggered by too much exposure to UV light emitted by the sun or sunbeds which damages the DNA in skin cells and causes them to grow out of control. While the Met Office has predicted a mostly damp weekend with 'no signals' of any hot weather to come, the charity warned that UV levels are expected to be 'moderate or high'. Signs of skin cancer range from innocuous to obvious, but experts warn that treating cases early is key to making sure they do not spread or further develop Two people walk along Blackpool's North Pier during Britain's mostly miserable summer There is set to be 'heavy' rain on Saturday and Sunday and a mixture of showers and sunny spells on Monday, with average highs of 20C to 21C (68F to 69.8F) across the country. But Brits are still at risk of UV exposure as they spend more time outdoors than usual. Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, urged people to protect themselves by using high-factor sun protection, along with 'seeking shade and wearing a hat when in the sun'. She added: 'About nine in ten melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable and it is vital that people take the warnings about the dangers of excessive sun exposure seriously, particularly from May to October. 'About seven people die from melanoma every day in the UK and more people die from melanoma in the UK than in Australia.' How to stay safe in the Sun Even in the UK UV rays are strong enough to burn your skin. Spending time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest can help protect your skin. In the UK this is between 11am and 3pm between March and October. The NHS also suggests: Covering up with suitable clothing and sunglasses Taking extra care with children Using at least factor 30 sunscreen Sunscreen should be at least 4-star UVA protection People with pale, white or light brown skin should take extra care If you have freckles, many moles or fair hair you should also take extra care in the sun Source: NHS Advertisement Recent research has shown that there has been a huge increase in the number of people in the UK being diagnosed with melanoma. Young people are more likely to be diagnosed with the skin cancer, which kills 2,300 people in the UK each year. A new mole or change in an existing one is the main symptom of melanoma. Professor Catherine Harwood, a consultant dermatologist at Barts Health and a trustee at Melanoma Focus warned that sun exposure, particularly when young, can cause permanent DNA damage in the skin, which makes it more likely that melanoma will develop. She added: 'Skin protection should be taken seriously, especially by those with lighter skin tones. 'During the summer, whether in the UK or abroad, I recommend wearing a combined UVA and UVB sunscreen of SPF 30 or above and avoiding the sun in the middle of the day.' However, 32 per cent of British people reported rarely or never using sunscreen when in the UK, according to a survey by the charity. And only 11 per cent saying that they always use it, results showed. Its findings revealed that male respondents were particularly reluctant to use sunscreen, with 40 per cent saying they rarely or never use it and only eight per cent reporting that they always use it. The majority of people said they don't wear sun cream in the UK because they don't expect to burn. But half of people surveyed said they got burned at least once a year, rising to 71 per cent among those aged 26 to 35. Sunday is looking particularly cloudy with rain pushing across east Weight loss jabs can reverse symptoms of heart disease in a major breakthrough offering hope to half a million Britons. A landmark global trial found semaglutide - known under brand names Ozempic and Wegovy was three times more effective than any existing treatments for heart failure. Experts said the new class of weight-loss drugs will herald a new era, transforming the lives of patients with the deadly disease. Doctors believe it will lead to a paradigm shift in treatment, offering hope of the first cure for the debilitating condition. It is also some of the strongest evidence yet that obesity is the root cause of heart failure. A landmark global trial found semaglutide - known under brand names Ozempic and Wegovy was three times more effective than any existing treatments for heart failure Dr Mikhail Kosiborod, a cardiologist and vice president for research at Saint Lukes Mid America Heart Institute, in Kansas City, described it as one of the most promising developments in this field'. He said: We are talking about marked improvements in symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, inability to have physical exertion, swelling. These types of improvements can be very impactful for patients living with heart failure. Around a million people in the UK have the disease, with half having a type known as 'heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction' (HFpEF), where the heart pumps normally but is too stiff to fill properly. The trial included 529 patients from 13 countries with a body mass index of more than 30, as well as heart failure symptoms and psychical limitations. READ MORE: Dieters desperate for new 'miracle' weight drug Ozempic are warned they are risking their health by buying fake versions online The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned Brits against buying fake Ozempic on the internet Advertisement Half were given a once-weekly 2.4mg jab for a year while the others were given a dummy drug, in the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, seen as the gold standard of medical studies. After 12 months, those using semaglutide saw substantial improvements in their conditions and quality of life due to a reversal of symptoms including shortness of breath and inflammation. Researchers assessed changes in body weight, as well as changes to heart failure-related symptoms using the clinical summary score (CSS) of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). After 52 weeks, the mean change on the KCCQ-CSS was 16.6 points for patients on the weight loss jabs compared to 8.7 points in the placebo group. Patients on the drug, produced by Danish company Novo Nordisk, lost on average 13.3 per cent of their body weight compared to 2.6 per cent. They were also able to walk further afterwards, typically going 21.5 metres in a six-minute test compared to 1.2 metres in the placebo group. Speaking to reporters at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Amsterdam, Dr Kosiborod said he was very excited by the results. He said: The benefits we observed with semaglutide versus placebo on these very important outcomes for patients with this type of heart failure their symptoms and physical function are the largest that we have ever seen with any pharmacologic intervention in this patient population. The medication produced large improvements in symptoms, physical limitations and exercise function, reduced inflammation, and resulted in greater weight loss and fewer serious adverse events as compared with placebo, he said. He added: The magnitude of the benefits we observed is the largest seen with any agent in HFpEF. This will likely have a significant impact on clinical practice, especially since there is a dearth of efficacious therapies in this vulnerable patient group. Addressing the conference, Professor Frank Ruschita, past-president of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, said: This is a strong stride forward into a new era. No question. Its fantastic science, it matters big time. HFpEF affects 32million people worldwide. The annual mortality rate is 10-15 per cent, you get hospitalised probably once a year. Yet it is still poorly understood and we lack effective treatments. Two out of three of our patients are obese. Wegovy and Ozempic, which both contain semaglutide, work by triggering the body to produce a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 that is released naturally from the intestines after meals Now you give us hope. We are into a new era. Scientists said further research is needed to establish if the drug is treating the mechanisms of the heart condition, is simply due to weight loss or a combination of the two. It comes weeks after early results found it cut the risk of heart attack and stroke in overweight people with heart disease by a fifth. The latest results are likely to further intensify demand for the drug, which was approved by UK regulators to treat obesity earlier this year. A global shortage has delayed its launch on the NHS and a 40million anti-obesity drive by the Government with its makers suggesting supply issues will continue into next year. Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation and consultant cardiologist, hailed the findings. Only a few years ago, drugs that could help people to achieve life-changing weight loss felt like a far-off dream. But now they are here. This study demonstrates that semaglutide is not only safe for people with this type of heart failure but it also has important benefits for their quality of life. She added: For some people, living with heart failure can make everyday activities difficult or even impossible. The kind of improvements seen in this study, such as being able to walk further, could have a transformational impact on someones life. Global and US health chiefs have urged calm over rising Covid cases and new variants, pointing out that virtually everyone now has immunity against the virus. On Thursday, Dr Marion Koopmans a virologist who advises the World Health Organization said the world was now in a 'different phase' of the pandemic due to higher levels of immunity from vaccination and previous infection. And in a press call yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added that America was it is 'strongest point yet' against the virus because of this wall of immunity. There have been heightened concerns in recent weeks after the discovery of the new BA.2.86 variant , which experts previous strains. America has been gripped by concern over Covid in recent weeks amid signs of rising cases and the emergence of a new Covid variant. The above shows daily new Covid cases worldwide over the past year revealing they have now dropped to record low levels. This figure is unreliable because so few people are now testing themselves for Covid, but deaths are also at record lows Covid deaths are also at much lower levels than earlier in the pandemic, data from Oxford University's OurWorldInData shows Seeking to allay fears, however, Marion van Koopmans, a Dutch virologist who advises the WHO, pointed out the world was now in a 'different phase' of the pandemic, saying virtually everyone had protection. Dr Maria van kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead, also weighed in saying that BA.2.86 cases were still in 'low numbers' However, the WHO and CDC experts do not expect this variant to unleash another wave of hospital admissions. Their position hasn't stopped some corners of the US from panicking, however. Yesterday Rutgers University in New Jersey became the latest to bring back face masks for staff and students on its campuses, following a similar announcement by Morris Brown College in Atlanta earlier in the week. Hospitals in California and New York and a Hollywood studio have also brought back the provisions. But seeking to calm the situation, a CDC spokesman said yesterday: 'We are in our strongest position yet to be able to fight Covid as well as the other viruses that are responsible for the majority of fall and winter hospitalizations.' Surveillance shows that 97 percent of over-16s now have some level of immunity from Covid, either from vaccinations or previous infections. Levels are believed to be at a similar level in younger age groups. US hospitalizations are rising up 21 percent in a week to 12,600 in the seven-day period to August 12 although this is an uptick from historic lows and still below levels this time last year. Deaths remain static, with 497 recorded in the week to July 29 the latest available barely a shift from 491 in the previous week. Dr Koopmans said yesterday: 'We are in a very different phase [of the pandemic] than if this popped up in the first year.' Globally, Covid cases remain low at an average of 45,000 infections per day on August 18, according to Oxford University's OurWorldInData or among the lowest level since the early days of the pandemic. This figure is likely a vast underestimate because so few people are now testing themselves for Covid, but in another promising sign deaths are also at record lows. US hospitalizations are up by 21 percent in a week, with 12,600 recorded over the week ending August 12 the latest available. Deaths remain static, however, with 497 recorded in the week to July 29, the latest available, compared to 491 in the previous seven-day spell To further shore up immunity levels, the CDC is also planning to recommend boosters for Americans to be rolled out in mid-September. New jabs in development by Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax will be targeted against the currently dominant XBB variants, but scientists say they should still provide a level of protection against other, newer strains. Officials expect them to provide 'robust' protection against EG.5 another fast-growing variant in the US although it is too early to know their effectiveness against BA.2.86. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official added that the updated shots demonstrated a 'clear reduction in hospitalization and death'. Plans are being drawn up to offer them to all Americans, White House sources say, although questions remain over whether under-65s really need them. There are also concerns over BA.2.86 which scientists say could spark another wave of Covid infections. But to calm fears Dr Marion Koopmans, a virologist who advises the WHO, said: 'We are in a very different phase [of the pandemic] than if this popped up in the first year.' At least nine cases of BA.2.86 have now been detected across six countries Denmark, Israel, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK and the US. There have been two cases detected in the US to date, one in an individual with mild illness in Michigan and another in an asymptomatic patient in Virginia who had recently returned from Japan. The variant has also been picked up in wastewater in Ohio. There are concerns at present that the strain could spark a new wave of infections, with the CDC warning yesterday that the variant 'can infect vaccinated people better than other strains'. But there is no sign yet that the strain can cause more severe disease or death than previous variants. The virus tends to involve to be more infectious but less deadly. Dr Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on Covid, pointed out there were still a 'low number' of cases of this variant. But she also urged Governments not to 'drop the ball' and to keep an eye on it. The expert suggested the current number of cases spotted was just the tip of the iceberg, saying that about 20,000 sequences were uploaded over the past week. She said that when Omicron was first detected, that number stood at more than 200,000. Hundreds of people who competed in a Tough Mudder run last weekend have been struck down by mysterious symptoms. Participants have reported rashes, fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting 24 hours after competing in the event that sees thousands race through an obstacle course involving climbing and crawling through mud, and swimming waist-to-neck-deep in water. The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services in California fears it may be the result of a parasite that lives in mud, known as the schistosomatid trematode flatworm, or Staph, a nasty bacterial infection that can lead to vomiting and fever. At least 350 people are thought to have symptoms after taking part in a Tough Mudder race at Sonoma Raceway on August 19 and 20. The health department advised people who took part in the race who have a rash with fever or other symptoms to see their medical provider. Participants have reported rashes, fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting 24 hours after competing in the event Nicole Villagran showed her rash, which covers both arms and the sides of her body The rash is also on her legs after she took part in the muddy obstacle course Participants slog through the mud mile obstacle during the Tough Mudder endurance challenge at Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, US, in November, 2011. At least 350 people are thought to have symptoms after taking part in a Tough Mudder race at Sonoma Raceway in California on August 19 and 20 2023. The Sonoma health department said the symptoms could be a minor illness called Swimmer's itch, a Staph infection, or a more serious bacterial infection such as Aeromonas. Swimmer's itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, is caused by a parasite that lives in waterfowl and snails, which causes an itchy rash and raised red bumps. People can get symptoms when the parasite penetrates the skin after being in contaminated water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, small reddish pimples may appear within 12 hours of being in water, which may turn into small blisters. Sonoma health officials also said it could be a Staph infection or a more serious bacterial infection such as Aeromonas. Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria and can cause boils and oozing blisters. However, Staph is not found in dirt or mud but can be spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. In rare cases, Staph infections can turn deadly if the bacteria invade deep into the body or enter the bloodstream, which can lead to fever and muscle pain. Aeromonas is caused by aeromonas hydrophila bacteria. Symptoms include watery stools, mild fever and vomiting because it can result in infections of the stomach area. Aeromonas has a fatality rate ranging from 28 percent to 46 percent. One participant told ABC 7 Bay Area: 'I look like I have a severe rash on both sides [of my body].' Curtis Vollmar, a Tough Mudder participant, said his rash had mainly gone, but he said, 'from the elbows up and the knees down, I was just covered in these pimply, red, blister type things.' He told KGO TV that 12 of the 13 people he did the event with also suffered symptoms, but they are fading. Another participant, Ashwin Chatwani, said: 'We have an email chain out to the Tough Mudder organization and it seems there's been 350 plus people and counting that have been affected by the incident.' Tough Mudder said it was 'taking all necessary steps to fully investigate the matter.' President Biden said he will recommend that everyone gets one President Biden has said his Administration will 'likely' recommend that all Americans roll up their sleeves for an updated Covid booster vaccine this fall. Biden said today that he had signed off a proposal to present to Congress for extra funding for updated Covid vaccines that will be 'likely recommended' to everyone over the age of five - despite waning interest in booster shots. Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that just 18 percent of eligible Americans have had a single booster. The new vaccines, made by Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax, have been redesigned to target the dominant XBB variants and are expected to be rolled out in mid-September. Officials say they will provide 'robust' protection against 'Eris', America's currently most dominant strain. It is also hoped they will bolster immunity against BA.2.86 which has sparked concerns over a future wave of infections. The shots which use mRNA or protein-based technology are cleared for over-12s and have emergency use authorization for younger groups. But other countries, like the UK, plan to offer boosters to over-65s only. Biden said today that he had signed off a proposal to present to Congress for extra funding for a new Covid vaccine, which will be 'likely recommended' to everyone Covid boosters are set to be rolled out from mid-September, the CDC says (stock photo) Most Americans will be able to get them for free on their health insurance, though there may be a fee for vaccine administration and potential physician visit fee. Vaccine uptake continues to wane in America, amid anti-vaxx conspiracy theories and little sign that further shots will benefit healthy middle-aged adults. When the vaccines were initially rolled out, tens of millions did not come forward to get the jab. Uptake dipped further during the first wave of boosters in September 2021 targeted at the Wuhan strain. And the following winter with jabs targeted against the then-dominant Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 plus the Wuhan virus with only 18 percent of eligible Americans coming forward to get them. Officials are expecting further poor uptake of these vaccines this year. An official at the CDC said: 'Our goal, our imperative, our task is to make sure were using those tools. 'Vaccination is going to continue to be key this year because immunity wanes and because the Covid-19 virus continues to change.' The CDC appears to have rolled forward the release of the shots to mid-September, after the new director Mandy Cohen previously said they would be available in early October. The CDC has set a meeting for September 12 to discuss who will get the updated boosters. The aim is to get as many Americans as possible boosted before the fall to bolster immunity against the virus. Despite warnings over uptake, however, this week the Biden administration put another $1.4billion into developing new drugs and shots against Covid. Officials said the funding would be used to develop 'a new generation of tools and technologies to protect against Covid for years to come'. The move marked yet another round of spending on the taxpayers' dime. There were concerns that the new shots would be less effective against fresh strains because these variants have slightly different sites where Covid-fighting antibodies bind to stop infections. But many scientists have pointed out the shots will also prime other areas of the immune system, like T-cells, which can also help fight off infections. Current immunity triggered from previous vaccinations and infections should also provide a level of protection against new variants, they add. Speaking at a briefing yesterday, an FDA official said: 'One of the manufacturers have already made it clear that when testing their vaccine against the EG.5 that it looks like the neutralization is robust. '[But] I think its too early to know for sure about BA.2.86 in terms of exact data.' US hospitalizations are up by 21 percent in a week, with 12,600 recorded over the week ending August 12 the latest available. Deaths remain static, however, with 497 recorded in the week to July 29, the latest available, compared to 491 in the previous seven-day spell Alarm bells have rung in America over recent weeks because of rising Covid cases and signs that more transmissible variants EG.5 and BA.2.86 are becoming established in the country. Surveillance shows the test positivity rate share of swabs detecting the virus has doubled over the previous month. US hospitalizations are also rising up 21 percent in a week to 12,600 in the seven-day period to August 12 although this is an uptick from historic lows. It is also still below the levels this time last year. Deaths remain static, however, with 497 recorded in the week to July 29 the latest available barely a shift from 491 in the previous week. Global and US health chiefs have urged calm over rising Covid cases and new variants, however, pointing out that virtually everyone now has immunity against the virus. On Thursday, Dr Marion Koopmans a virologist who advises the World Health Organization said the world was now in a 'different phase' of the pandemic due to higher levels of immunity from vaccination and previous infection. And in a press call yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added that America was it is 'strongest point yet' against the virus because of this wall of immunity. A CDC spokesman said yesterday: 'We are in our strongest position yet to be able to fight Covid as well as the other viruses that are responsible for the majority of fall and winter hospitalizations.' The windows on planes block UVB rays but not UVA, which can cause skin aging The sun is more intense at higher levels because flyers are closer to the ozone If you normally put your sunscreen in your hold luggage when getting on a plane, you might want to have it to hand instead. Skin doctors have warned that anyone getting on a plane should wear sunscreen during their flight. Dermatologist Dr Joyce Park recommends that all travelers lather on SPF protection before a flight. This is because the sun is more intense at higher levels and flyers are closer to the ozone layer. New York City-based dermatologist Cherise Mizrahi-Levi told travel website The Points Guy that plane windows do not block harmful UVA rays. Dermatologist Dr Joyce Park recommends that all travelers lather on SPF protection before a flight (stock picture) She said: 'Airplane windows are typically polycarbonate plastic or layered composite glass. 'While there is negligible transmission of UVB rays through plastic and glass windshields, UVA transmission through these windows is significant.' UBV rays can cause sunburn while UVA rays are connected with skin aging. In a TikTok, Dr Joyce Park cited a 2015 study published in JAMA Dermatology which examined the skin cancer risk for pilots and cabin crew. It found that pilots flying in a cockpit for about an hour at 30,000 feet are exposed to the same amount of UVA radiation as a 20-minute tanning-bed session. The rays could also be damaging to passengers sitting in a window seat and flight attendants who are flying more often than the average citizen. To reduce their sun exposure, flyers can close the window blind, apply SPF and wear long sleeves. Dr Park said: 'You should ABSOLUTELY wear sunscreen on airplanes or keep windows shut.' A seven-year-old girl in Alabama has died after contracting a virus from a mosquito that leads to life-threatening brain swelling. The second-grader, who has not been named, became infected with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) a rare virus that kills up to one in three of those it infects. The fatality marks the first reported death linked to the virus in Alabama this year and the second case statewide, after another was also detected in Spanish Fort, an Alabama city on the Gulf Coast. The virus was also detected in horses in New York this year, although no cases have appeared in humans. The cases of EEE follow multiple diagnoses of locally-transmitted malaria, another mosquito-born disease, which were detected in Florida and Texas this year. Additionally, two people in Michigan tested positive for the rare mosquito-carried 'Jamestown Canyon virus'. The girl, who has not been named, contracted eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) from a mosquito bite a rare virus that kills up to one in three of those it infects. Mosquitoes pick up the virus from birds (stock image) The girl's fatality was announced by Alabama's Department of Public Health, which said the infection had taken place over the past few weeks. The second EEE patient was also infected around the same time, the department said, and also lived within Spanish Fort. EEE is a rare disease, with only about 11 cases reported annually in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus is picked up by mosquitoes when they bite birds, which carry the virus but have no symptoms. The insects then transmit the virus to humans when they bite them. It gets its name from the infection it causes in horses, which can lead to severe neurological symptoms like walking around in circles and pressing their heads against walls or other objects. Humans who are infected start to show symptoms about four to ten days after contracting the virus. The infection may begin with symptoms like a sudden onset of a headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. In severe cases, EEE can progress to disorientation, seizures, encephalitis inflammation of the brain and a coma. There are no vaccines or cures for the disease, instead doctors rely on a variety of treatments to manage symptoms and help patients. The CDC says about 30 percent of patients die from the disease. In horses, this rate rises to as high as 95 percent. People under 15 years old and over 50 years old are particularly at risk of death from the disease. In response to the cases in Spanish Fort, authorities are spraying insecticide in an attempt to kill mosquitoes that could be carrying the virus. Mike McMillan, the mayor of Spanish Fort said in a meeting this week the town was already spraying areas once a week to kill mosquitoes, AL.com reports. But, he added, they could not do this more regularly in case insects developed resistance which would 'defeat the purpose'. Efforts to kill the mosquitoes are being complicated by the fact the city is not sure which species of the insect is carrying the infection. They have placed traps this week to catch mosquitoes so they can be tested for the virus. Mr McMillan said: 'We are adjacent to a swamp, the Delta. There are a lot of different breeds of mosquitos'. He added: 'We are doing all we can do until we get a determination of the species'. Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said Friday that a creepy suspect with a long criminal record had been charged after giving her a kiss on the cheek while she was giving a TV interview in Brighton Beach last week. New York City Council member Inna Vernikov speaks at a press conference on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. The Brooklyn Republican received the perplexing peck from a passerby in a light blue newsboy hat, according to video posted on social media last week. Vernikov pulled away from the man, and said, What the [expletive]? The man fled after the kiss. Vernikov, 38, said Friday that the suspect has previous arrests related to alleged assaults, domestic violence, public intoxication and crack cocaine possession. This wasnt just some isolated incident, Vernikov said in a video published on social media. He could have actually tried to choke me. He could have had a knife on him. She did not identify the suspect, and her office did not immediately provide more information. The Police Department said it received a report Tuesday that a 38-year-old woman had been kissed by an individual at the Brighton Beach subway station on Aug. 16. The NYPD said Friday that it had no information about a suspect, and that no arrest had been made. After the incident on the busy Brighton Beach block, Council colleagues expressed shock and voiced support for Vernikov. Councilwoman Lynn Schulman, a Queens Democrat, said on social media that the kiss was abhorrent and disgusting. Sadly, this type of unacceptable behavior typically happens to women, even in 2023, Schulman wrote, adding that she was standing with Vernikov. The Chief by Andrew Roberts (Simon & Schuster 12.99, 560pp) A childhood of genteel poverty and a strong-minded mother often prove a fertile environment for budding genius, and so it proved for Alfred Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe, the founder of the Daily Mail. He was born in Dublin in 1865, the eldest of 14 children. His formidable mother, Geraldine, moved the family to London, where his alcoholic father worked as a struggling barrister. At 16, Alfred left school to work on Fleet Street. Aged 30, he founded the Daily Mail. He went on to own The Times and The Observer, and became the youngest peer ever created. His influence was immense: after World War I, the Kaiser remarked that Germany would have won if Northcliffe had been on their side. Robertss compelling biography gives a memorable portrait of a towering figure whose influence lives on to this day. The Long Knives by Irvine Welsh (Vintage 9.99, 384pp) A message recorded in a digitally altered robot voice summons the police to a warehouse in Leith, Edinburgh, where DI Ray Lennox and his colleagues find a scene of absolute horror. The naked and hooded body of a middle-aged man is tied to a chair amid a lake of blood. The body is that of a Conservative MSP, Ritchie Gulliver, who was notorious for his controversial politics and shady private life. A sex scandal would have ended his political career if his wife hadnt publicly stood by him (in private, they were firmly estranged). Lennox is tasked with leading the murder enquiry, though he would far rather be pursuing the unsolved child murders that continue to haunt him. Extreme violence meets outrageous black humour in this pacy follow-up to Welshs best-selling Crime. James Acasters Guide to Quitting Social Media by James Acaster (Headline 10.99, 272pp) There was a time when Acaster was as addicted to social media as the rest of us. Quitting MySpace after almost two decades made him feel like Id broken out of prison after a lifetime of solitary confinement. Instead of a social media presence, he acquired a life presence and now he promises to share the secret. As this is a book, not a phone, he explains, swiping left and right is only going to crease the pages. Having mastered the reading technique, youre ready to be reacquainted with a little thing called The Real World. At this point, Acaster, the comedian, banishes the self-help guru, with a surreal riff on the perils of digital detoxing, from spying on your exes to arguing with strangers. Funny, fantastical and forthright, this is an indispensable survival guide to the real world. A Ladys Guide To Scandal by Sophie Irwin (HarperCollins 16.99, 400pp) Irwin, author of the sparkling A Ladys Guide To Fortune-Hunting, returns with another rip-roaring Regency romp in the company of the recently widowed, excessively dutiful Lady Eliza Somerset, who has inherited wealth and a morality clause from her stuffy, unloved husband. The much put upon Eliza must keep herself free from scandal to keep her money. But with the revival of an old love, handsome, steadfast Oliver, a new romantic interest in the rakish, scene-stealing shape of Melville, and the exciting rush of possibility following the death of her exacting, older husband, the road to happiness swerves with tantalising twists and turns. Theres a breathless love triangle; a vinegary, sharp-tongued best friend and, best of all, an involving narrative arc that sees a silenced heroine reclaim her voice and her wonderful artistic talent. The African Samurai by Craig Shreve (Canelo 9.99, 304pp) Twelve years free, in Africa; twelve years enslaved in India, China, sold to mercenaries, to an army, to a church . . . Half my life a child, half my life a soldier. It is a bleak, bare-bones assessment by the narrator of The African Samurai, Yasuke, but author Shreve transforms this based-on-fact account into something fierce, vivid and richly detailed. It opens in 1579 as a trade ship sails into a Japanese port. On board are a Jesuit missionary and his stoic warrior bodyguard, the enslaved Isaac, schooled in white mans history, but silently simmering with his own suppressed feelings and memories. In the blink of an eye, Isaac is given to Oda Nobunaga, a man both brutal and cultured, who trains him in the ways of the samurai and shows him the path to freedom and self-determination. Learned By Heart by Emma Donoghue (Picador 16.99, 336pp) There is so much yearning, passion and tenderness in this teenage love story. Set in the early 1800s in a Yorkshire boarding school, it tells the story of audacious Anne Lister (made famous by the drama series Gentleman Jack) and one of her first loves, the little known Eliza Raine. Elizas father was William Raine, a surgeon with the East India Company who made a country marriage, and left his Indian wife behind when he returned to England. Eliza is forever an outsider, an abider of the restrictive rules of the school; timid and friendless, her life is upended by the arrival of curious, eccentric Anne, whose devil-may-care antics and affection set Eliza alight with love. Its a slow burn (with an unexpected melancholy coda), brim-full of school lore and gossipy pupils, and ablaze with desire, doubt and delight. The world's biggest jeweller has said Oxford Street is on the mend. London's famous West End heartland is blighted by tacky sweetshops after illustrious names shut. But Pandora, whose brand ambassador is actress Millie Bobby Brown, and which has around 230 UK stores, opened its third on Oxford Street yesterday, and is bullish about the future. 'Oxford Street is on a path to recovery,' said property director Andrew Milner-Walker. 'Our confidence in the High Street's rejuvenation is one reason behind our decision to extend our investment in London's prime shopping location.' Looking ahead: Actress Millie Bobby Brown (pictured) is a former Pandora brand ambassador But in a fresh setback furniture seller Ikea new store opening is being pushed back as its building needed more work with a planned opening in autumn 2024. Another big name set to move in is HMV, which is reopening its old store after a four-year absence. A shift to online shopping and the pandemic have left the street a shell of its old self. Watches of Switzerland chief executive Brian Duffy said: 'I'd almost describe it as a bit of a national embarrassment.' Shares in US chipmaker Nvidia hit an all-time high last night as it cashed in on the artificial intelligence (AI) boom taking Wall Street by storm. The stock surged after it revealed a blockbuster second quarter smashing expectations and showing that the AI craze was here to stay. Nvidia has been one of the winners of the explosion of AI, with its chips playing a vital role in ChatGPT, which has shifted the tech from fringe topic to a household name. In a bumper set of results on Wednesday night, Nvidia said revenues more than doubled to 10.6billion in the three months to the end of June, and would climb to 13billion in the current quarter, a rise of around 170 per cent compared to the same time last year. The business also posted an 843 per cent jump in its quarterly profits to 4.9billion. The figures sent the shares soaring more than 6 per cent in New York yesterday to over $500 apiece for the first time. Although the gains eased throughout the day's trading, the shares have more than tripled this year alone, adding 700billion to Nvidia's value. That is around the same as the six biggest companies on the FTSE 100 are worth combined - from AstraZeneca and HSBC to Shell and BP as well as Diageo and Unilever. The meteoric growth has handed a windfall to Nvidia's founder and chief executive Jensen Huang, whose own wealth has ballooned by as much as 25billion so far this year. He owns a 3.5 per cent stake, worth 33billion. Founded in 1993, the story of the world's most valuable chip maker started at a Silicon Valley diner, with Huang and two other engineers, Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. Uncertain exactly what their business would look like, their initial strategy was to place early bets on markets that barely existed at the time, starting out with PC gaming and graphics processing. This proved a major success, with their graphics processing unit now essential in the world of gaming in popular titles such as Call of Duty. It also enjoyed some hype during the launch of the 'metaverse', the virtual reality pushed by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg when he rebranded the company as Meta in 2021. But its most recent bet in the world of AI has proved its most lucrative, making it the first semiconductor company to rack up a $1trillion market valuation in May. It now means Nvidia, whose market cap is around $1.2trillion (950m), is now a firm member of the 'Magnificent Seven' alongside fellow American corporate giants Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Tesla. And analysts are confident that its spot in this elite club will not be short-lived. Dan Ives, tech analyst at Wedbush Securities, said: 'Nvidia's guidance was a 'drop the mic' moment as investors now recognise this AI demand story is as real as any tech trend we have seen in the last 30 years. It is only comparable to the internet in 1995 and Apple's iPhone launch in 2007.' Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: 'Confidence is a funny thing. Without it markets limp along as investors shun risk and double down on perceived safe havens. With it sectors soar, and that's exactly what happened after Nvidia proved the AI phenomena is no flash in the pan.' But it's not just analysts who are bullish about Nvidia. Windfall: Nvidia's founder and chief executive Jensen Huang 'A new computing era has begun. Companies worldwide are transitioning from general-purpose to accelerated computing and generative AI,' said Huang, who is known for his black leather jackets and a tattoo that looks like the Nvidia logo. 'We have excellent visibility through the year and into next year,' he added. 'I think this is not a near-term thing, this is a long-term industry transition.' And to truly underline this point, the company has said that it would buy back another 20billion of its shares, a move most firms make when leadership thinks the company is undervalued. The company said it to ramp up production of its hardware into next year, appearing to silence doubts about whether this diner coffee-fuelled, start-up turned chip giant will keep growing. The Duke and Duchess of Windsors house in the Bois de Boulogne is to become a visitor attraction - and we are told that the King has been invited to look around it in the course of his postponed state visit to Paris next month. There are many reasons for you or me visiting the house, but none for the King. I have no doubt that his Private Secretary will decline with a polite message about the Kings packed itinerary when the visit commences on September 20. The house has a number of uncomfortable echoes, after all. The Windsors lived there because the Duke threw away his lifes destiny by abdicating, an act seen as total dereliction of duty by his unforgiving family. The restored Parisian residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor The Duke and Duchess of Windsor at home in the Bois de Boulogne for a BBC interview filmed in 1969 and first broadcast on radio in 1970 The Duchess outside the house with Prince Philip, the Queen and the Prince of Wales, who came during their 1972 state visit to France It was here that the Duke and his wife eked out their years of exile with a full retinue of liveried retainers and many of the appurtenances of royalty, yet distanced from the Royal Family itself. The house offers extraordinary evidence about the relationship between Wallis Simpson and the Duke and, also, a more positive insight than has been popular over the years. In this miniature palace, the Duchess created an alternative court in exile in which the Duke was treated as a king, despite the obvious reality. I have been lucky to see the Windsor Villa (as it is now tiresomely called) under several incarnations. The first was in May 1972 when the house was preparing for its most important visitor ever. The Queen was coming to pay a visit to her ailing uncle. Elizabeth was in Paris on a State Visit to President Pompidou, so the house looked its best. I saw it again several times during the lonely widowhood of the Duchess, and again in a run-down condition just after she died when all the furniture was labelled and about to be removed. But then Mohamed Fayed took a lease on the house. He restored it lavishly - to 95 per cent of what it had been in the heyday of the Windsors. It is that restoration which the general public will see. I worked there myself for many days and am confident it will be fascinating for other visitors to tour this perfect gem of a house and to get some understanding of the reality the Windsors lived with after the shock of the Abdication. When they married in 1937, Walter Monckton warned the Duchess that the world would never forgive her unless she took good care of the Duke. This she did, from 1953, in the luxurious setting of their Villa. The Duke had turned her into one of the most hated women in the world, but she now had a man on her hands who had absolutely nothing to do for - as it turned out - the next 35 years. She made sure he was well entertained. He ate delicious food in beautiful surroundings adorned by Stephane Boudin of Jansen, a leading interior designer of the day. It cannot have been easy, even so. The Duchess and the Duke at the door of their home in the Bois du Boulogne in 1966 A bedroom in the Windsors' house following its five-year restoration A rare view of the exterior of the Bois de Boulogne villa The Duke and Duchess of Windsor interviewed at their Parisian home in 1966 The Duke knew he had let her down. It was etched on his face. The Duchesss secretary told me how wonderful it was that, whenever Wallis went to the hairdresser, she would come down the stairs while the Duke would come down in the lift and see her into the car. And wasnt it equally wonderful that when she came back, there the Duke would be on the steps to welcome her back? I know what she meant. But that sounds claustrophobic to me. Lady Diana Cooper, the society beauty and hostess (whose parents had once hoped she might marry Edward)told me that had she taken the Duke on, she would have got him to live in Wyoming and be a cowboy. That might have appealed to him more. Instead the Duchess of Windsor created a miniature court in exile. The house was filled with royal cyphers, servants in royal livery, and many images of Queen Mary. (It tactful of the Duchess to appreciate that he would miss his mother, a woman who had refused to receive her). If Wallis made a mistake, perhaps it was to turn herself into the epitome of a royal Duchess, yet more elegant than all the extremely elegant royal Duchesses we had over here in Britain. King Charles does not need to see this house. He was taken there one evening in 1970 to visit the Duke and Duchess when they had a party in full swing, noting the cypher of the Prince of Wales, much in evidence. He accompanied his parents on their 1972 visit and had tea with the Duchess, though I dont think he saw the Duke who was ill upstairs (only the Queen went up). I believe he did also go to the house later on when Fayed had the idea that Charles might like to have some royal property returned. The Duke and Duchess at home in 1966 Fayed still has the lease of the house, and it will be recalled that on the day she died in 1997, Diana had visited with Dodi on an ill-conceived mission to see if they might like to live there. When Fayed took the lease in 1986, his spokesperson put out a statement on his behalf, describing Edward's situation in these terms: It was the romance of the century. Here was a great king of a great empire, saying goodbye to it all for a beloved woman. 'And I had the chance to preserve the house where he lived and all these objects. They're the heritage of Britain, which is my second home. That sounds benign. But Fayed had worse to say of the Royal Family in the years that passed. The King would be well advised to steer clear. A suspected firebombing of the home of YouTube star friendlyjordies is still being investigated by a specialist arson unit nine months after the house was set ablaze. Friendlyjordies creator Jordan Shanks went on an 'indefinite hiatus' after the fire in Sydney's eastern suburbs on November 23 but has since resumed broadcasting. Shanks, who has achieved notoriety for his political videos, has more than a million YouTube subscribers and has been embroiled in numerous law suits and personal disputes. The comedian, commentator and self-styled journalist lives at the back of the Bondi house that was set alight but was not home when it went up in flames. A suspected firebombing of the home of YouTube star friendlyjordies is still being investigated by a specialist arson unit nine months after the house was set alight. Friendlyjordies creator Jordan Shanks is pictured outside his home on the day of the blaze In a clip posted to YouTube after the fire the 34-year-old said when police asked him if had any enemies he replied, 'How long have you got?' Following the blaze Shanks said he had received phone calls of support from former prime minister Kevin Rudd and NSW MP Michael Daley, who is now the state's attorney-general. Detectives have yet to reveal if they have identified suspects they believe were responsible for the attack and no charges have been laid against anyone. 'Investigations into the fire are ongoing under Strike Force Promethium, led by the State Crime Command Financial Crime Squad's Arson Unit,' a NSW Police Force spokeswoman said. Shanks's lawyer Mark Davis, from Xenophon Davis, did not wish to speculate on the progress of the investigation when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. 'We know it's sensitive,' Mr Davis said. 'And we know it's ongoing.' Emergency services arrived at Shanks's home at 12.30am on November 23 to find the front of the residence engulfed in flames. Specialist forensic police and dogs trained in the use of detecting accelerants were later seen combing through the rubble Emergency services arrived at Shanks's home at 12.30am on November 23 to find the front of the residence engulfed in flames. Two elderly residents escaped the front of the burning property, while three neighbours fled their home next door. No one was injured. Firefighters fought desperately to contain the blaze but the house suffered major damage. Police quickly confirmed they were treating the fire as suspicious. Specialist forensic police and dogs trained in the use of detecting accelerants were later seen combing through debris. It was also revealed a smaller fire had broken out at the beachside house on November 16 but was put out before it could cause any significant damage. Fire and Rescue NSW's Adam Dewberry said there would be an investigation into whether the second larger blaze was linked to the fire a week earlier. 'The cause and origin of the fire [are] actually being investigated today by specialists who will also make sure the fire hasn't caused structural damage elsewhere in the home,' Mr Dewberry said. Neighbour Astrid Rickard who ran from her house with her dog, said the scene was 'pretty full-on' and was immediately concerned arsonists had targeted Shanks. 'Friendlyjordies lives at the back, so we kind of have a feeling it has something to do with that,' Ms Rickard said. 'This is the second attack in one week, so it is a bit concerning being right next door. 'Someone has obviously got it out for someone cause this not a normal house fire, this does not just happen, someone's thrown something in that veranda and got that house on fire.' Video from the scene showed the home gutted by flames (above) with rooms reduced to ash and police quickly confirmed they were treating the fire as suspicious Late on the day of the fire Shanks posted a video saying he would be stepping back from the platform he has used to attack political foes. 'I would like to take this opportunity to say that I think we're going to just tone back the videos for a bit,' he told his fans. 'And by tone back I mean that's it for a while, for obvious reasons. We'll get back to it at some point but for now friendlyjordies is on an indefinite hiatus.' Shanks also quoted a line from the Emperor in Star Wars Episide III - Revenge of the Sith: 'The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger.' Police urge anyone with information related to the two fires to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A new quad bike safety law could introduce roll bars to the vehicles in the UK after Australia added the measures and two-thirds of a survey was in favour of the move. The developments piles pressure on the Government, which had claimed there was 'inconclusive' evidence the new protective structures were required. But a poll was conducted by Savanta Comres for Christine Lynn, who is the widow of the late food entrepreneur Denis Lynn, on the subject showed public backing. Mr Lynn - who founded Finnebrogue - was killed in 2021 after his quad bike rolled on top of him while navigating loose soil at low speed. Since then, his widow Christine has been campaigning to have the law changed. The late Denis Lynn and his widow Christine Lynn who is campaigning for a change in law She cites evidence in Australia that conclusively states roll bars would make the bokes safety - and is a measure the country has put into law. Mrs Lynn told MailOnline: 'The evidence from Australia shows that roll bars can and have saved lives. That is why they have made them mandatory on all quad bikes. 'It is vital we follow suit here in the UK before we see anymore needless loss of life. This poll shows there is huge public support for our campaign. It is now the Government's duty to act. 'I am pleased they have agreed to consider new evidence and it is my hope that these studies go some way to persuading them something must be done.' New quad bike safety law could introduce roll bars to the vehicles in the UK after Australia The poll found 65 per cent of those surveyed supported calls for roll bars to be added to quad bikes as a legal requirement. Only five per cent opposed the change, while the remaining respondents were undecided. Mrs Lynn's campaign has been backed by the former Northern Ireland first minister Baroness Arlene Foster, the Labour Party peer Baroness Margaret Ritchie and Strangford MP Jim Shannon. But Baroness Vere, the Transport minister, has told Parliament that roll bars 'may lead to an increased risk of injury in the event of an overturn by either preventing the operator from separating from the machine or striking the operator as the machine overturns'. The University of New South Wales in Australia found that half of the quad bike deaths caused by rollovers could have been avoided if roll bars were fitted. Between 2000 to 2013, which were the years before the law change, an in-depth case series study of 106 quad bike accidents in Australia showed that roll-over incidents constituted around 70 per cent of all cases. Baroness Vere has added to the House of Lords: 'The Government plans to consult on replacing the current, interim, approval scheme for road and agricultural quads, with a full type GB scheme. Any new evidence supplied during this process will be given consideration.' But local animal activists and veterinarians tell DailyMail.com several surviving cats have emerged from the area in recent days Hawaii's adjutant general Kenneth Hara last week denied claims that thousands of stray animals remained trapped in the area More than two weeks after Hawaii's deadliest wildfire swept through the town of Lahaina, dozens of household pets, mainly cats, are believed to be clinging to life in the wreckage with no help in sight, animal rescue groups claim. But their bid to stage a massive operation is being stymied by authorities who are restricting access to the disaster zone. Last Friday, Major General Kenneth Hara, Hawaii's adjutant general the state's top militarty officer declared that there were no reports of stray animals, despite several flyovers. He called the claims of thousands of cats still in the burn zone 'an absolute lie and definitely untrue'. However, several animal rescue groups have revealed that cats have trickled out as recently as this week, making their way to feeding stations set up around the perimeter of the disaster area. 'What our government is holding on to is that there are no animals left alive, and that's just not true,' said Maria Jose, a veterinarian from the Big Island. Jose spent the weekend after the fire rescuing animals from the Leialaii Hawaiian Homeland subdivision and along Ainakea Road, before she and other workers were kicked out. Sarah Haynes, founder of Kitty Charm Farm, a cat rescue organization in Maui, told DailyMail.com the organization has been taking in several of the survivors that have been coming in from the disaster area Just on Wednesday, the organization took in an orange tabby they believed is a displaced fire evacuee and have asked for the owner to come forward Some locals have begun volunteering to rescue or leave food for strays near the perimeter of the restricted wildfire disaster zone where several cats have emerged She added: 'When they say they don't see the animals, that doesn't surprise me. If you're not actively looking for these animals, you're not going to find them. 'They are hiding, they're weak. They're not out there running around asking for people to pick them up. 'This is really a job for animal rescue and trained animal people to go in and find them.' Adjutant General Major General Kenneth Hara says there are no cats in the burn area but rescue organizations disagree Jose said she worked triage on Thursday August 17 on the periphery at the Gateway Mall, treating several burned animals that were then transferred to the Maui Humane Society. 'Those first couple days, the animals were in terrible shape, but we could treat them,' the vet told DailyMail.com. 'The ones I saw on the 17th were burned, dehydrated, and had sepsis infections. The fact that nobody has gotten these animals out in a timely fashion is what's killing them. 'I can't explain how miserable the conditions are in the burn zone,' Jose continued. 'The animals injured in the fire at this point are not going to make it, but there are other animals that are still hiding out there, without food and water. They can't survive there for long.' She explained that it is likely dogs, which are more dependent and less inclined to hide out, are already dead, but that cats are more likely to live up to the myth that they have nine lives. 'Dogs are not capable surviving on their own in situations like that,' she said. 'The real survivors in this group are going to be cats. Cats are not the type to come out and show themselves.' Jose acknowledged that it is wise to keep residents away from the area at the moment because there are toxins in the air at the disaster zone could be harmful if exposed without proper hazmat gear. Kitty Charm Farm shared pictures of an injured black and white cat from Lahaina's 'Front Street burn area' that managed to make it out alive Animal rescue groups say several cats have trickled out as recently as this week, making their way to feeding stations set up around the perimeter of the disaster area However, she argued that certified disaster animal rescue technicians could be properly equipped to enter, or could provide supplies, such as traps, and intel for other first responders to save animals. 'It's been incredibly disheartening to see how little officials have paid attention to the pet owners here,' she said. 'People had lost everything but the only thing they cared about was the hope that maybe some of their animals had survived. 'The fact they weren't given a chance to find their animals or even had an actual rescue group go in and search for their animals is heartbreaking.' Speaking to DailyMail.com, Maria Jose, a veterinarian from the Big Island, said claims by officials that there are no surviving animals is 'not true' Eline Mervis, 59, is among the evacuated Lahaina homeowners still holding out hope that some of her 13 rescue cats survived. 'My husband and I have lost our house, everything,' Mervis told DailyMail.com. 'We rescue cats and my husband builds catios around the property. When the fire happened, we had to open all the catios to let them out. 'We saw five that didn't make it, but I saw two of them for a brief second before they took off.' 'We were ordered to leave the second or third day after the fire,' she explained. Mervis believes the cats are still hiding out next door, under a rock cluster, noting: 'A neighbor has been sneaking down to leave food and water in the rocks in case they're still there. 'The neighbor says it's getting eaten, but she's not sure if it's getting eaten by cats or by birds.' 'I wish officials would at least allow the Humane Society in so they could leave traps throughout the neighborhood, leave food and water, and check on a regular basis to see if there are animals still around,' she said. Last Christmas, she and her husband sent out holidays card with pictures of their entire cat family. 'It's heartbreaking,' said Mervis, who's currently staying elsewhere in Maui. Eline Mervis, 59, is among the evacuated Lahaina homeowners still holding out hope that some of her 13 rescue cats survived. She is pictured with her husband Kurt On Facebook, locals have shared images of stray cat sightings in Wahikuli to missing pets groups, in hopes residents such as Mervis can recognize their pets and find them 'We don't have children. These are our babies. It's like our children are out there and we feel so hopeless because we can't do anything for them. 'I hope they don't feel we've abandoned them,' she cried. 'The animals are our heart and soul. The house is nothing. It's our babies that are our main concern. ' Sarah Haynes, founder of Kitty Charm Farm, a cat rescue organization on Maui, told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that she had just completed a Zoom conference call with the Maui Humane Society and several animal rescues and trappers on the island. MHS did not respond to an interview request from DailyMail.com. 'We were hoping this call was going to be our activation plan and instead we are still waiting for one,' Haynes said. 'Everybody is really disappointed, including MHS. 'My understanding is that the area is so toxic that our government doesn't want to send anybody in,' she continued. 'It is devastating that nobody is able to get in there and save these animals. Our hope is that they will at least let their own first responders trap. 'Many of the rescues are equipping first responders with carriers, cat food and bowls, because they are the only ones pulling animals out at this time.' Back at Kitty Charm Farm facilities in Haiku, the organization has been taking in several of the survivors. 'A friend pulled 10 cats off the street in one night who were failing and I brought them to emergency center,' Haynes said. 'We euthanized and buried one today in our little kitty cemetery with an ocean view. 'The person who found him named him Taco cat. I'm glad I was able to comfort him in his last moments.' Last week, Major General Kenneth Hara responded to reports that over a thousand strays remain saying that was 'an absolute lie' and said agencies on the ground as well as several flyovers have confirmed that there are no animals left On Monday, she got a call from one of the fire's heroes, Ydriss Nouara, pleading for help in rescuing his white cat that he left behind when his house went up in flames. Nouara fled on a scooter with an elderly neighbor, then jumped into the sea to avoid being burned. He tried to save a large dog, before he jumped and was then rescued by the US Coast Guard. 'He called me while he was waiting to go into surgery and he said, ''I understand you're the person that's trying to save the cats,'' she told DailyMail.com. 'He had been through hell and back, and he's thinking about his cat. He's in the hospital and he's trying to find his cat. He sent me pictures.' She filled out paperwork for him and reported it to the Humane Society. 'I told him I'd do my best to find his cat,' she said. 'But I told him I didn't want to give him false hope.' She told him that if his cat didn't survive, there were other displaced animals who would be lucky to have him. Dawn Pfendler, CEO of the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation said it is difficult to guess how many surviving animals remain 'I thought it would be very beautiful if a man and cat who had both been through such tragedy found each other,' she said. 'He liked the idea.' As of Friday, the Maui Humane Society reported an estimated 3,000 missing pets, with just over 1,000 lost animal reports filed in Lahaina, an eight-square mile area with 12,000 residents. 'Our veterinary, humane enforcement and search and rescue teams are reporting back every day that there are many stray animals,' MHS reported at the time, while encouraging pet owners to file missing reports. 'Cats, dogs, rabbits, tortoises, birds, livestock etc. We want you to know we are committed to lifesaving and reunification efforts for ALL ANIMALS.' Dr. Lisa Labrecque, Chief Executive Officer of MHS, stated that her organization is working with local and national organizations to ensure that 'every step of the search and rescue process is carried out according to proper procedure. 'While our eagerness to enter the impacted area and provide aid to all animals is resolute, we comprehend and respect the guidelines established by the county,' she added. Dawn Pfendler, CEO of the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation, said it's unknown how many animals may still be alive. She noted that over 350 live animals were retrieved from the danger zone as of Sunday. This photo provided by Maui Humane Society released on the week of August 9 shows an injured pet being brought into the Maui Humane Society in Lahaina Maui Human Society says it has received over 367 reports of missing pets since the outbreak of the horrific blazes earlier this month First responders have been focusing on recovering human remains, with an estimated 1,100 people still unaccounted for. 'Right now, the site is still off limits, period, because it's still an active recovery site,' Rick Daysog, press officer for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, told DailyMail.com Tuesday. 'There is no real access. There's not even access for people looking for their families and remains.' Daysog downplayed expectations that there's an abundance of animals out there waiting to be saved. He said he toured the burn zone himself last weekend and didn't see a single cat or dog. He also pointed to Major General Hara's statement that no animals had been seen. 'The Maui Humane Society has had some complaints about access,' the press officer said. 'I was there over weekend and went through the area,' he continued. 'I'm a pet person myself, but we didn't see anything at this point. But you never know. They could be hiding.' Dawn Pfendler agreed that many of the animals that remain in Lahaina are likely in hiding and not likely to approach first responders. 'Unfortunately, the animals are in that fight or flight mindset, meaning even friendly, owned pets are not necessarily coming to rescuers when called,' she said. 'That's where trapping is essential.' She said animal rescue groups just need the green light to enter. 'We are frustrated because we know there are live animals still there,' she said. 'Animals are coming out, but (rescuers) are just not able to get into that ground zero. 'We have sufficient support,' she said. 'It's just a matter of getting them in when it becomes safe. Every day that goes by, the likelihood of finding live animals decreases.' Donald Trump has made history after becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot following his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The 77-year-old was arrested for the fourth time this year and fingerprinted by authorities at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on Thursday - and afterwards shared his mugshot on X, formerly known as Twitter. He did not have his booking photo taken during his previous arrests in New York City, Miami and Washington, D.C. It was the former president's first tweet since January 2021 when he was banned from Twitter following the January 6 Capitol attack. Trump's height of 6ft 3in (190.5cm) and weight of 215lbs (97.5kg) were pre-recorded and entered on the booking forms and, as part of the process, he was given a prisoner identification number: P01135809. He was then released on payment of 10 percent of his $200,000 bail, having spent just 20 minutes inside the infamous facility. Donald Trump has made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia The former president shared the mugshot on X, having not posted on the platform since 2021 Fulton County jail released Donald Trump's booking record, which lists the charges and his vital statistics Trump's motorcade is seen outside the Fulton County jail in Atlanta The former president traveled to Georgia on Thursday afternoon from his Bedminster home in New Jersey. READ MORE: Donald Trump's mugshot sends social media into a frenzy with memes and jokes Advertisement His motorcade went first to Newark airport, and the New York-born billionaire boarded his Boeing 757 to fly to Atlanta. He touched down in Atlanta shortly after 7pm, and, greeting the waiting media and giving a thumbs-up, he stepped down from the plane and was driven 14 miles to the jail. Trump's arrival at the Fulton County jail on Rice Street in downtown Atlanta was greeted with loud cheers by his supporters, and some boos from detractors. He spent around 20 minutes inside the decrepit facility, where seven people have died in custody since the start of this year, and was processed far more quickly than other accused criminals. Trump's height and weight were recorded, as well as his hair and eye color. His fingerprints and booking photo were taken, and his bond money was paid. Trump was notably 25lbs lighter than the weight recorded for his last arrest in April. By 7.55pm, he was back in his motorcade heading to Atlanta airport. Trump declared on the Tarmac that it was 'a very sad day for America'. He said it was 'a travesty of justice' and added: 'We did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong.' 'This is election interference. So I want to thank you for being here. We did nothing wrong,' Trump said. 'We had every right, every single right, to challenge an election we think was dishonest.' He then boarded his plane and flew back to New Jersey. The former president boarded his plane to leave Atlanta shortly before 8.20pm Trump is seen walking up the steps of his plane to depart on Thursday 24 August Supporters of Donald Trump, Georgina and Cliff MacMorris, hold flags outside the Fulton County Jail ahead of Trump's surrender Nine Trump allies have turned themselves in to the Georgia prison so far this week before the Friday deadline Ahead of his surrender, Trump criticized Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis, calling her a 'Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney'. His surrender came hours after Willis set a date for the trial. She requested that Trump's trial begin on October 23 - a date widely viewed as being impossibly soon. His former chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered to cops on Thursday. It comes after a handful of other Trump allies and 'co-conspirators' who turned themselves in to the Georgia prison this week had their mugshots released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on Thursday. They are accused of joining a 'conspiracy' led by Trump to unlawfully change the outcome of the election. Among them was 'America's Mayor', Rudy Giuliani, who also faced the humiliation of having his mugshot taken after getting booked at the Atlanta jail on Wednesday. In the image, Giuliani can be seen frowning with industrial lighting shining on his forehead and a sheriff's badge on the wall to his right. The former Trump lawyer is facing 13 felony counts, including RICO charges - the same number as Trump. It was a stunning and symbolic fall from grace for Giuliani, a former mob boss prosecutor, who famously used the RICO - the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act - to take down the Mafia in the 1980s during his time as a Manhattan prosecutor. Trump slammed the arrest of Giuliani in a Truth Social post after the release of the 79-year-old's mugshot. 'The greatest Mayor in the history of New York City was just ARRESTED in Atlanta, Georgia, because he fought for Election Integrity. THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED & STOLLEN. HOW SAD FOR OUR COUNTRY. MAGA!' Trump wrote. Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows immediately had a jail record in the Fulton County system that included details such as his height and weight - 6ft 1in and 240lbs - respectively. It described him as having blue eyes and 'gray or partially gray' hair. In the photo released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, he angrily glares directly into the camera with a slight snarl. The first co-defendants to turn themselves in were attorney John Eastman and bail bondsman Scott Hall, who arrived at Fulton County jail on Tuesday. Eastman wrote a memo laying out steps that Mike Pence, the then-vice president, could take to interfere in the counting of electoral votes while presiding over Congress' joint session on January 6 in order to keep Trump in office. Former Georgia GOP chairman and state legislator David Shafer and former Coffee County GOP chair Cathy Latham turned themselves in at the jail early Wednesday morning - both of their bonds set at $75,000. They have all since been released. Trump is seen arriving at the Atlanta airport on Thursday The New York-born businessman arrived in Atlanta around 7pm on Thursday Trump's motorcade is seen leaving Atlanta airport and heading to Fulton County jail Georgia-based lawyer Ray Smith and Trump campaign attorney Ken Chesebro were also booked on Wednesday. Chesebro's bond was set at $100,000, Smith's at $50,000, and both were released from jail about two hours after they arrived. Trump's fiery former attorney known as the 'Kraken', Sidney Powell, surrendered on Wednesday afternoon in Georgia on $100,000 bond - and had her mugshot released. Best known for the stories she spun about Dominion Voting Systems, Powell is another one of the 'strike force' lawyers who toured the country unsuccessfully pitching a voter fraud theory to any and all legal bodies. An almost giddy-looking attorney Jenna Ellis, who was all smiles for her mugshot, handed herself over to authorities around the same time and was granted a $100,000 bond. Ellis re-tweeted accounts saying she 'absolutely owned that mugshot' and 'just made mugshots great again.' The 41-count indictment against the former president and his 18 co-defendants marks the fourth and latest indictment against him. He was charged with RICO - Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations - a count which is frequently used to try mafia figures, cartel leaders and gangland bosses. He is also charged with solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer; conspiracy to commit forgery in the first-degree; perjury; and a host of other counts. If convicted on all charges, he faces 71 years in prison - and state charges, unlike federal, cannot be pardoned by a president. None of the 19 allies have yet entered pleas, since the arraignment process is separate from the booking process in Georgia. Willis has asked for those arraignments to take place the week of September 5. The defendants can waive appearing at that trial, which is where they answer the charges against them. Lawyers are allowed to speak on their behalf. The ex-president shook up the legal team handling his defense in the Georgia case, replacing attorney Drew Findling with Steven Sadow just hours before he headed down to Georgia to surrender. The rest of his team including Jennifer Little and Marissa Goldberg are expected to remain. He has also been booked in New York for an alleged hush money scheme in Miami on accusations he mishandled classified information and in Washington, D.C. on his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. In the photo released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Meadows angrily glares directly into the camera with a slight snarl He posted on his Truth Social account on Wednesday that he was preparing to be 'proudly' arrested in Georgia. 'NOBODY HAS EVER FOUGHT FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY LIKE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,' he wrote on his Truth Social account. 'FOR DOING SO, I WILL PROUDLY BE ARRESTED TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN GEORGIA. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!' Before his mugshot was formally released, Trump's campaign used a fake picture to fundraise on the back of the Fulton County sheriff's threat. The campaign turned the image into T-shirts to sell. The former president's campaign claims it has raked in $8million in donations since his first Manhattan indictment. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you Matt 5:44 But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you pic.twitter.com/lGcxDN0skI Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) August 23, 2023 The Fulton County Jail is shown April 11, 2023, in Atlanta Trump's fundraising efforts sold T-shirts using a fake picture, as the former president's campaign claims $8million in donations since his Manhattan indictment Trump's arrest also came a day after the first Republican presidential debate. Eight Republican contenders took the stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday night in a high-stakes face off. 'If former president Trump is convicted in a court of law, would you still support him as your party's choice?' asked Fox News host Brett Baier. 'Please raise your hand if you would.' Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, was the only candidate who refused to raise his hand. 'I did not raise my hand. Because there's an important issue we as a party have to face,' he said. 'Over a year ago, I said that Donald Trump was morally disqualified from being president because of what happened on Jan 6.' Trump refused to attend the debate and instead opted to participate in an interview hosted by Tucker Carlson, which aired five minutes before the debate kicked off. Trump's interview with Tucker Carlson had reached over 150 million viewers by early Thursday morning, giving his bid to steal the spotlight from Fox News' presidential debate a huge boost. The former president's 45-minute sit-down on X, formerly known as Twitter, aired as his GOP rivals bickered on stage in the crucial night for the 2024 White House race. Trump called his critics 'savages,' spoke openly about the potential death of 80-year old President Biden, and riffed about low-flow shower heads and electric cars. He said he didn't attend the debate because he is 'leading by 50 and 60 points' in the polls and didn't want to be 'harassed by people that shouldn't even be running for president'. The first Republican primary debate descended into chaos on Wednesday night In the event, the debate descended into chaos, with Vivek Ramaswamy being called an 'amateur' and a 'rookie.' Ron DeSantis tried to stay out of the crossfire by focusing attacks on President Biden and touting how he would deal with the border crisis. Mike Pence said he would back a federal abortion ban, while Chris Christie was booed for saying Trump's conduct was 'beneath the office' of the president. The debate got so chaotic that moderator Bret Baier of Fox News reminded the contenders: 'We need to reestablish some ground rules. When we hear this bell, your time is done. We appreciate your aggressiveness here. Thirty seconds is 30 seconds.' Towards the end of the night, as the shouting continued when the candidates moved into a lightning round of questions, Nikki Haley urged the moderators: 'You have to get control of this debate.' Luxurious west London properties have been boarded up ahead of Notting Hill Carnival, as millions are set to flock to the street festival this weekend. The festival, which began in 1966, will see streets across west London closed this bank holiday weekend to celebrate Caribbean culture, arts and heritage. But some homeowners in the area have been seen to board up their properties as the joyous event can often descend into violence and disruption. Last year, police made 209 arrests at the carnival for offences including criminal damage, common assault, drug possession and possession of an offensive weapon. Drill rapper TKorStretch, real name Takayo Nembhard, 21, was also stabbed to death, while two female cops were sexually assaulted. The event is hugely popular and has been known to attract an astonishing 2 million people in years gone by, as revellers flock to see the three-and-a-half mile parade with colourful floats and performances. Residential properties are Boarded up in Notting Hill, West London ahead of Notting Hill Carnival The festival, which began in 1966, will see streets across west London closed this bank holiday weekend to celebrate Caribbean culture, arts and heritage But some homeowners in the area have been seen to board up their properties as the joyous event can often descend into violence The event is hugely popular and has been known to attract an astonishing 2 million people in years gone by, as revellers flock to see the three-and-a-half mile parade with colourful floats and performances The festival, which began in 1966, will see streets across west London closed this bank holiday weekend. Pictured: Route map It will close down a huge section of west London from 6am on Sunday August 28 to 6am on Tuesday August 30. However due to the fallout, residents in the area have taken precautions, with one admitting she is 'scared' of it. Munian Barakat, who lives in the area and is originally from Palestine, told The Sun that the front of her building and her front door gets used as a toilet, and rubbish is thrown over her fence. 'That's why I asked the neighbours to put up the wooden barriers because it's really dangerous,' she said. 'I'm an old woman.' Ms Barakat is going to her daughter's house for this year's carnival but is worried she may come back to find her 'house destroyed or the windows broken'. She added: 'There's too much noise when the carnival comes by and it can be scary. It's messy. People are sometimes drunk and hitting each other.' Businesses in the area even pay companies to board up their establishments. And the boarding up of property is not cheap, as wine bar manager Luigi Gaudio paid a whopping 1,500 to have his store protected. He added that the council gets local artists to graffiti the wooden boards after they have been erected. In advance of the carnival's commencement tomorrow, the Met Police tweeted: 'We have highly visible police presence within the area of Notting Hill with the #NottingHillCarnival23 this weekend. 'Please enjoy the carnival safely but if something doesn't feel right, speak to an officer, safety steward or dial 999 in an emergency.' However due to the fallout, residents in the area have taken precautions, with one admitting she is 'scared' of it Munian Barakat, who lives in the area and is originally from Palestine, told The Sun that the front of her building and her front door gets used as a toilet, and rubbish is thrown over her fence The boarding up of property is not cheap, as another resident, wine bar manager Luigi Gaudio, paid 1,500 to have his store protected In advance of the carnival's commencement tomorrow, the Met Police tweeted: 'We have highly visible police presence within the area of Notting Hill with the #NottingHillCarnival23 this weekend As well as criminal acts, there was a huge crush at last year's festival that left 'helpless' police trapped alongside revellers, activating their panic buttons - and leaving colleagues fearing 'another Hillsborough'. Videos shared across social media from August 29, 2022, showed an enormous crowd amassing on Ladbroke Grove that was swelling to dangerous levels. At the scene, police officers were caught up in the chaos and left helpless, while desperate revellers were seen clambering over the railings to escape the impending crush. The situation had reached such a critical point that the Territorial Support Group called in an emergency and warned they were 'getting crushed to death', the Times reports. One reveller posted on social media: 'I was right in the middle, thought I was gonna die. Can't lie, just had to go with the flow of the crowd.' Another wrote: 'Almost died in this'. Pictured are three men boarding up their property in Notting Hill as they prepare for this weekend's carnival Blockades are put up outside houses across west London, to make sure their properties don't become damaged The council then pgets local artists to graffiti the wooden boards in time for the long-running carnival And a third added: 'The police waited till it got that bad as we warned them to cut if off from one of the floats as the DJ stopped the music and asked for help and was ignored. To the point the public were screaming at the police to call for back-up. We were ignored.' Chris Hobbs, a retired Metropolitan police officer, said his first reaction after witnessing the crush was to think of Hillsborough. 'I saw police among it helpless. That's the bigger problem than the violence - the potential for another Hillsborough', he added. Iconic cartoon characters brighten up east China village Xinhua) 13:52, August 25, 2023 HANGZHOU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chen Zhe vividly remembers one particular scene from his childhood. During summer and winter vacations, he would move a small bench, sit in front of the TV, and eagerly wait for the cartoons to start. "That was the happiest time in my childhood," said 36-year-old Chen, a native of Anji County in the city of Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. He never expected that one day he could return to his hometown to start a business incorporating classic Chinese cartoon images produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio. Chen owns Mei@Yucun, a cafe that opened in March in Anji's Yucun Village. Some 1.7-meter-high decorations featuring characters from the studio's animations, such as "The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven" and the "Calabash Brothers" (seven calabash-born little boys with supernatural powers), stand in front of the store. Cartoon figures also fill the cafe, which sells over 100 kinds of cultural and creative products based on the cartoons, such as notebooks and key chains. "The images are from the classic cartoons made by this studio. It may be their debut in a rural cafe," he said. Over the years, Yucun has embraced green development and transformed into a popular tourist destination with a picturesque rural landscape. However, the beautiful scenery has been hard won. According to Ge Jun, a 36-year-old native of Yucun, the village wasn't always as beautiful as it is today. The site of the Mei@Yucun, now a modern building, used to be a cement factory. "When I was a child, there were mines and cement factories in Yucun. My father, always covered in dust, worked as a miner in a lime kiln. And the village was shrouded in smoke all year round," said Ge. The transformation occurred in 2003, when Zhejiang initiated a province-wide rural green revival program to improve the eco-environment of villages and rural residents' quality of life. Yucun shut down the mines and cement factories to save the deteriorating environment. As the local environment improved, an influx of visitors poured into the village, further boosting the tourism industry. In 2021, Yucun was named one of the "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. In 2022, Yucun launched the 'global partners' program, hoping to attract young people to participate in constructing the village. Over 50 projects have been introduced, covering fields including cultural creativity and the digital economy, with Chen's cafe being one of them. When Chen worked in Shanghai, he ran a brand incubator company, creating offline spaces for classic Chinese cartoon characters from the studio. "As more people visited Yucun, I wanted to open a cafe in the village," said Chen. "Then the 'global partners' program inspired me. I wanted to bring coffee and the cartoon characters to the village, adding color and vitality to the countryside." "Because of the love for domestic animations, it is easy for everyone to establish an emotional connection here. They would think of their most carefree times when they could enjoy animation and find happiness," he added. More than 1,100 young people have participated in the "global partners" program, bringing novel forms of businesses, such as study tours and zero-carbon technology. In 2022, the collective income of Yucun reached 13 million yuan (about 1.8 million U.S. dollars). It is expected to reach 15 million yuan this year. In addition to daily operations, Chen's cafe also holds a series of activities related to domestic animation, such as crafting clay figures and popularizing animation knowledge. Chen plans to attract more animation teams to settle in Yucun and apply the aesthetics to the packaging of agricultural and sideline products in the village to expand the market for the products. He also plans to transform the external walls of the buildings with cartoon figures, to make the countryside more beautiful and creative. He Miao, an official of Anji, said Yucun is building a large youth community that welcomes the arrival of more young people. To meet the diversified needs of young people, Yucun has been improving its infrastructure, including building a shared dining hall and two libraries, ensuring they can not only travel and live here, but also start businesses and work. Zhang Hui, manager of Mei@Yucun, said Yucun is a place where young people can redefine themselves. They have a positive attitude, a love of life, and a desire to build a better life. Zhang believes that the countryside will be better. "A beautiful countryside should not only retain its natural landscape but also have modern development." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Republican partys first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle pulled in nearly 13 million viewers without frontrunner Donald Trump, whose pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson ran simultaneously on social media. Fox News and Fox Business broadcast the debate featuring eight candidates whose combined polling numbers fall just short of Trumps total. According to the Nielsen ratings, more than 11 million people tuned into Fox News for that two-hour program, while the other 1.7 million people viewed the debate on Fox Business. Those numbers were much better than expected for a single-party debate coming more than 14 months before the general election. According to Deadline, some analysts had predicted an audience closer to about 5 million. Fox News boasted that Wednesdays debate is so far 2023s most-watched cable telecast when sporting events are removed from the equation. It barely edged out the January 2016 GOP debate in Iowa, where Trump also took a pass. But debates where Trump participates score higher. The former president still insisting he won the 2020 election and bitter about Fox News decision not to report that lie recorded a 46-minute interview with network castaway Tucker Carlson, which was posted on the social media platform X five minutes before the GOP debate began. That conversation has been viewed (at least in part) more than 240 million times, though the veracity of that figure and what it means online is hard to qualify. Carlson and Trumps discussion included bizarre musings on topics including the purported suicide of financier Jeffrey Epstein, which Carlson insists without evidence was a murder. Trump reasoned that he was skipping the GOP debate because he saw no need to be targeted by a stage full of desperate challengers on a TV channel that isnt committed to his agenda. Fox News GOP debate strived for a more conventional tone. A Washington Post poll of likely Republican voters indicated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis narrowly won that contest. Seattle is testing a pilot program that will see some 911 calls answered by so-called 'crisis responders' instead of law enforcement officers. Democratic Councilwoman Lisa Herbold announced Friday that the city has begun the hiring process for unarmed first responders who are mental health professionals. Herbold said the 'dual dispatch' program will send mental health professionals to 911 calls that involve people in 'behavioral health crises.' The move comes as the city suffers from a homelessness crisis, with many mentally ill and drug addicted residents living in sprawling encampments prone to dangerous incidents. She added that the first responders will have police backup available, but officers will 'only approach if needed.' The city plans to hire six new positions for the pilot program 'alternate response team.' The program will include 911 operators dispatching calls to the mental health professionals, as opposed to the police or fire departments. According a KUOW report from earlier this year, the crisis responders will respond to Priority 3 and Priority 4 calls, which include calls with a person down and welfare checks. The program has reportedly received $1.6million as part of the city's midyear supplemental budget. In August of 2020 - following a summer of protests and riots stemming from the murder of George Floyd - the Seattle City Council voted to cut the police department's budget by $3million, and cut the police department by 100 officers. The mayor at the time vetoed cutting police jobs. One hundred officers from the city's 1,400-person police force were also cut. Herbold was a vocal supporter and one of the primary voices behind the original plan to defund the Seattle police department. She was also in favor of legislation that would drop misdemeanor charges for law-breakers suffering from substance abuse, a mental disorder, or live in poverty. 'Its really exciting that were finally up and running with hiring the folks who will be doing this really important work that we have been working on since, I think, August of 2020,' Herbold said via a statement on her website. According to KUOW, the Seattle Police Department has estimated that, inside the parameters of the new program, 12 percent of existing calls could be assigned to civilian responders. At the start of the program, there will likely be just two civilians responders on per-shift. Andrew Lewis, another member of the City Council, has been pushing for non-police responses for a long time. He argues that cities like Denver and Albuquerque have already demonstrated, through similar programs, that the approach can work. 'Theres plenty of models we can emulate that will keep our personnel safe and then, really importantly, keep our community members safe,' he said this winter. Denver's Support Team Assistance Response (STAR) pilot program debuted in June of 2020 to more-or-less positive reviews. Some civilians claimed they waited hours for a medic and clinician to arrive at their crisis, but in its first six-months, STAR team members were able to respond to 748 calls, none of which ended up requiring police assistance or an arrest to take place. The program has since been significantly expanded in Denver. The Seattle test program is small, but it remains unclear how the police department will respond to having its resources diverted to the effort. Police departments across the country are struggling due to staff shortages and a number of other bureaucratic issues. Earlier this month, a veteran member of the Seattle police force wrote a scathing resignation letter accusing the department's current leadership of corruption, among other things. Lieutenant Jessica Taylor - who served the SPD for 23 years - delivered a 15-page screed against the Seattle Police Department and city leadership including the City Council and the Mayor. The letter addressed to Police Chief Adrian Diaz offered a detailed expose of Taylor's experience in the department, highlighting alleged corruption, favoritism, and rampant deceit. In one instance, Taylor claimed two officers were stalked, terrorized and had their homes destroyed 'simply for being cops' - while Chief Diaz failed to intervene. 'And maybe, just maybe, next time two of your employees are stalked, terrorized, and have their home destroyed simply for being SPD officers, a simple phone call from the 'chief' would be a basic display of decency,' she wrote. Taylor didn't hold back as she criticized not only her former boss but also the Seattle City Council, the Mayor, and the prosecutor's office. She accused these leaders of exacerbating the city's downward spiral into chaos, pointing to what she sees as a lack of leadership and effective governance. In a jab at the Seattle City Council, she called the institution 'absurd,' before describing the Mayor as 'spineless,' and bashing 'the leniency of the prosecutor's office.' 'Your approach reeks of a desperate hunger for control rather than genuine understanding and respect for the autonomy of our officers.' In Seattle, homeless people have been pictured slumped over in the streets and openly shooting up drugs, after the city's officials chose not to make public drug use illegal. The new digs mark Hunter's third change of house since moving to California three years ago with his wife Melissa and their three-year-old son Beau DailyMail.com can reveal Hunter's Secret Service detail is also renting a four-bedroom home located just across the road on the cul-de-sac that also enjoys ocean views and even a hot tub Hunter Biden has moved into a three-bed, three-bath home with stunning, panoramic sea views, perched on a hill in a gated community in Malibu, that he will be renting for $15,800 a month Advertisement Four California homes in four years Hunter Biden is on the move again. The beleaguered First Son and his wife Melissa Cohen have moved into a new $15,800-per-month Malibu pad, DailyMail.com can reveal. And when Hunter moves his Secret Service detail has to pick up stakes as well. They have landed a home across the street at $16,000 per month funded by none other than the US taxpayer. Hunter's new home is a three-bed, three-bath 1950's home with stunning, panoramic sea views, perched on a hill in a gated community in Malibu. The listing for the one-year rental boasts a gourmet kitchen, and a 'guest studio with private balcony overlooking the ocean that creates the perfect artistic space'. The studio may have been a major selling point for Hunter, who is funding his lavish lifestyle and eye-watering legal bills - at least in part - by selling his paintings with New York gallerist George Berges. First Son and his wife Melissa Cohen have moved into a new $15,800-per-month Malibu pad, DailyMail.com can reveal. And when Hunter moves his Secret Service detail has to pick up stakes as well. They have landed a four-bedroom home across the street at $16,000 per month funded by none other than the US taxpayer Hunter Biden has moved once more, this time to another Malibu mansion located in a gated community overlooking the Pacific The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home is estimated to be worth $4.2million, but DailyMail.com has learned Hunter is renting it for $15,800 a month According to the property listing, the home boasts 'mesmerizing ocean views' and 'large windows that give the illusion of being fully immersed and in total harmony with nature' The listing describes 'mesmerizing ocean views that are the ultimate backdrop for dining alfresco or stargazing over the shimmering Pacific' and a 'vastly open floor plan, beautiful wood-beamed ceilings and large windows that give the illusion of being fully immersed and in total harmony with nature.' Property listings say the house is more than 2,500 sq ft and estimated to be worth over $4 million. His Secret Service detail are in a four bedroom home close by in the cul-de-sac that also enjoys ocean views and even a hot tub. The rent for the '90's property, which a source said was set at $16,000 per month, will be coming from the US Secret Service budget. There is a silver lining for taxpayers though. Hunter's minders were previously in a $30,000-a-month six-bed 'Spanish-style' estate home next to Hunter's old home, also in Malibu. Hunter will be paying from his own pocket for his home, costing him $189,600 for the year. The First Son may be seeking to tighten his belt, moving from his previous $20,000-per-month property, amid mounting legal fees for his criminal court case. Last month his plea deal with Delaware prosecutors over tax charges fell apart under scrutiny from the federal judge, making a costly and potentially lengthy trial likely. He has since dropped several of his lawyers, including top attorney Chris Clark, according to court filings. Hunter, 53, wife Melissa, 35, and their son Beau, have been Malibu residents for about two years after making the move from the canals in Venice, California Aerial photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show the home's proximity to the Secret Service's property nearby While Hunter will be paying from his own pocket for his home, at a total of $189,600 for the year, taxpayers will be footing the $16,000-a-month bill for the Secret Service's property Hunters first home in Southern California was a $12,000-per-month rented house in the Hollywood Hills, where he set up his art studio for his new career in 2019. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom mid-century property had a pool and a gated drive. He then moved to a $4.2million canal-side Venice Beach house in 2021. He and Melissa allegedly left the home in a state of 'disarray and disrepair' and owing approximately $80,000 in outstanding rent, a source told DailyMail.com. 'Hunter and Melissa were horrible tenants. Not only did they stiff the owner for months of rent, they left the house in terrible condition,' the source said. At the time, the imposing three-story property was owned by Sweetgreen CEO and co-founder Jonathan Neman. The source added, 'They were totally disrespectful of Jonathan and [his wife] Leora's property. 'Melissa was rude and entitled. They destroyed the stereo equipment in the home and when someone came to fix it, they were uncooperative. They also left the place dirty.' The former owner allegedly could only shift the property after cleaning up the Bidens' mess and was left out of pocket when Hunter shorted him more than three months' rent, the insider claimed. Hunter, Melissa and Beau then moved on to Malibu later that year. The listing for the new rental boasts of a gourmet kitchen, and a 'guest studio with private balcony overlooking the ocean that creates the perfect artistic space' - which may have been a major selling point for the president's son who is funding his lavish lifestyle and eye-watering legal bills by selling his paintings with New York gallerist George Berges Hunter, 53, will be living and creating more art in the seaside home, built by famous architect Ray Kappe, with his wife Melissa, 36, and baby Beau, 3 Hunter, 53, will be living and creating more art in the seaside home, built by famous architect Ray Kappe, with his wife Melissa, 36, and baby Beau, 3. The President's son has managed to reduce his other childcare costs in a recent settlement with his reported ex-stripper baby momma Lunden Roberts. Previously Hunter had been paying Roberts $20,000 per month to support their child Navy-Jean Roberts, after a court battle proved the baby was his despite his denials. A June settlement brought the figure down, reportedly to just $5,000, after Hunter told the court his earnings had drastically fallen since his shady overseas business deals in Ukraine, China, Russia and elsewhere became public. Hunter's previous pad was described in listings as a 'resort-style' four-bedroom, three-bathroom home that features high ceilings and a chef's kitchen. It was also said to have a 'park-like' backyard and shares similar amenities to his security detail's then-next-door mansion like a pool, spa and barbecue. The cost of Secret Service accommodation while protecting the first family has been a controversial issue for previous presidents. The First Son may be seeking to tighten his belt, moving from his previous $20,000-per-month property (pictured) amid mounting legal fees for his criminal court case His security detail had also hunkered down next door to his previous rented Malibu home where he lived with his wife Melissa, 35, and their baby Beau The six-bed mansion was being rented at the expense of taxpayers, at a rate of $30,000 a month. Both homes were situated on a dead-end private road, high up above the Malibu coastline in Southern California and overlooking the Pacific Ocean The agency paid at least $1.2million at Donald Trump-owned properties alone to protect the family of the former president, an analysis by the Washington Post found in late 2020. While Trump was in the White House, agents paid $3,000 per month for a studio apartment in Washington, DC to provide security for Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. The hefty rent was only meant to make bathroom arrangements for Secret Service agents after Kushner and Trump reportedly refused to let them use the toilet in their home. Pictures from Hunter's new Malibu pad property listing show a mid-century modern interior with a master bedroom overlooking an expansive back yard and ocean beyond. Lime trees grow in the back yard that also includes a hot tub, with plenty of hosting space for parties. However, the now-sober Hunter's gatherings may now be more tame than his previous wild bashes documented on his abandoned laptop, including drug-fueled binges with prostitutes in a hot tub at a rented Malibu mansion in 2018. Legendary rocker Carlos Santana appeared to align himself with comedian Dave Chappelle in an inmptru speech during a concert where he said there are only two genders. Santana, a Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame member with over a 100 million in sales worldwide with his eponymous band, made the comments at a show in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 'When God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are,' he said in between songs. 'Later on, when you grow out of it, you see things, and you start believing that you could be something that sounds good, but you know it ain't right. Because a woman is a woman and a man is a man. That's it.' He added that 'whatever you wanna do in the closet, that's your business. I'm OK with that.' Legendary rocker Carlos Santana appeared to align himself with comedian Dave Chappelle in a brief speech about transgender people 'I'm like this with my brother Dave Chappelle,' he added at the concert last month, citing the comedian who himself has often created controversy with his remarks on transgender people. When reached for comment by Billboard, Santana appeared to only somewhat address the remarks. 'Here is my personal goal that I strive to achieve every day. I want to honor and respect all person's ideals and beliefs whether they are LGBTQ or not. This is the planet of free will and we have all been given this gift.' 'I will now pursue this goal to be happy and have fun, and for everyone to believe what they want and follow in your hearts without fear,' he added. 'It takes courage to grow and glow in the light that you are and to be true, genuine, and authentic. We grow and learn to shine our light with Love and compliments. Have a glorious existence. Peace.' Context has not been given for why Santana said what he said when he was recorded. Chappelle drew a backlash in 2021 for material in his Netflix comedy special 'The Closer' that some in the LGBTQ+ community said ridiculed transgender people. His supporters viewed it as a cry against cancel culture. Santana, a Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame member with over a 100 million in sales worldwide with his eponymous band, made the comments at a show in Atlantic City 'I'm like this with my brother Dave Chappelle,' he added, citing the comedian who himself has often created controversy with his remarks on transgender people His show at Minneapolis' First Avenue club in July 2022 was canceled with the venue apologizing to the community for booking him and vowing to keep the club a 'safe space.' 'I guess apparently they had made a pledge to the public at large that they would make their club a safe space for all people, and that they would ban anything they deemed transphobic,' Chappelle said on the podcast. 'This is a wild stance for an artistic venue to take, especially one that's historically a punk rock venue.' Chappelle generated anger last year after the October release of The Closer, which included remarks about the transgender community and prompted swift backlash from offended onlookers and even staffers at Netflix, which in recent years aired a slew of the comic's specials. The backlash included a staged walkout from employees at Netflix's LA HQ, after the streaming giant's CEO Ted Sarandos defended Chappelle's jokes as artistic expression and nothing more than an example of the comedian's 'creative freedom.' The special even spurred a response from transgender star Caitlyn Jenner, who also defended the comedian for his comments. Chappelle's show at Minneapolis' First Avenue club in July was canceled with the venue apologizing to the community for booking him and vowing to keep the club a 'safe space' Chappelle said: 'I guess apparently they had made a pledge to the public at large that they would make their club a safe space for all people, and that they would ban anything they deemed transphobic. This is a wild stance for an artistic venue to take, especially one that's historically a punk rock venue' When Chappelle's show was rescheduled for the Varsity Theater, large groups of protesters swarmed the outside of the venue and became violent A protester holds up at sign outside the Varsity Theater telling 'Queerphobes' to go home In the special, Chappelle also jokes women view trans women the same way black people might view white women wearing blackface. He also joked women are entitled to feel anger toward trans women, since Jenner won Glamour magazine's 2015 Woman of the Year award. 'I'd be mad as sh*t if I was a woman,' Chappelle sarcastically says in one bit that had been deemed problematic. The star also joked about the anatomy of trans women, joking they lacked real female reproductive organs and that they did not have blood but 'beet juice.' He joked: 'Every human being in this room, every human being on Earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on Earth. That is a fact.' The comic, who has continued to produce content for Netflix over the past year despite the backlash, has since refused to defend his remarks, saying they were clearly made in jest, while also pointing to his status as a standup comedian - a job that is likely to often offend at least some. When Chappelle appeared on SNL in November, he declined to discuss is controversial jokes, but instead spent the first part of his monologue on Kanye West's recent antisemitic remarks After the announcement that Chappelle would be hosting, non-binary SNL writer Celeste Yim posted this to their Instagram This increasingly politically correct climate has since become a pronounced topic in Chappelle's material - though, notably, his sets, while still rife with his trademark tongue-in-cheek observations, have become markedly more toned down since The Closer. When he appeared on SNL in November, he declined to discuss anything related to his jokes which drew controversy - but seemed to allude to them somewhat heavy-handedly with his material, which largely focused on topics that underpin enduring stereotypes - anti-Semitic and otherwise. The appearance was Chappelle's third-ever on the show, following a 2016 appearance and return to the show in 2020, during an episode that saw him lambaste a then ousted President Trump following that year's presidential election. Ahead of that performance, SNL staff members, seemingly still irate over the comic's past material, threatened to boycott the episode - but ultimately did not make good on those threats. One took to Instagram to argue 'transphobia is murder and it should be condemned' after Chappelle's slot was announced, while others were rumored to be furious the showrunners chose the controversial comedian. The Fox-hosted Republican primary debate was easily bested by the person who wasn't there, Donald Trump, as the former president's interview with Tucker Carlson on X easily saw more eyeballs. Fox announced on Thursday that almost 13 million people tuned in to the first Republican deabte, which was broadcast from 9-11pm ET on Wednesday. Carlson's interview with Trump had, by 6pm ET Thursday, received 238 million 'views'. However, it is not a direct comparison. X counts a 'view' each time a user scrolls past the video, even without watching any of it. Fox declared on Thursday the debate was 'the most-watched, non-sporting event cable telecast of the year' - but cable news executives will certainly be unsettled by the social-media numbers. Trump himself shared on Truth Social an article claiming that his interview with Carlson was the most-watched interview ever recorded, beating Oprah Winfrey's interview with Michael Jackson in 1993, which reached 62.3 million views. Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson recorded an interview which aired on Wednesday night, clashing with Fox News's Republican primary debate Trump shunned the official Republican debate on Fox News for a sit down with Carlson on the former Fox News host's X show Winfrey's interview, DC Enquirer noted, was itself beaten by Carlson's interview with Andrew Tate in July, which saw over 107 million views. Trump also gloated about the views on social media, writing: '231,000,000 Views, and still counting. The Biggest Video on Social Media, EVER, more than double the Super Bowl!' The success of Carlson's Trump interview has reignited the debate that started after he moved to Elon Musk's Twitter: Do cable news networks face an existential threat from X and other social media platforms? Fox News network, America's most-watched cable news channel, averaged about 1.1 million viewers a day in the second quarter of 2023 and 2.2 million during prime time. Carlson's Fox show, its most-watched program, drew about 3.3 million viewers on average in the weeks before it was scrapped. Critics say X's metrics are not a reliable gauge of success and point to the fact engagement - likes, shares and comments - was still below 1 million on Thursday morning. Viewers are also counted more than once if they see the video several times, whereas Fox will know exactly how many people tuned into the debate. But as a comparison, none of Fox News' X posts about its own debate had more than 110,000 views on Thursday morning. That's despite the network having 24 million followers, compared to Carlson's 9.7 million. Comparing it with other political TV face-offs, Trump's first presidential debate with Hilary Clinton in 2016 drew 84 million US TV viewers, while his clash with Biden in 2020 got 73 million. Evan Nierman, CEO of global crisis PR firm Red Banyan, told DailyMail.com: 'It's undeniable that the Trump-Carlson sit-down was a success and a huge win for both Trump and Carlson. There's no other way to see it. 'The fact that Trump could sit down with Tucker Carlson adds insult to injury for Fox because the former prime time hero of the network has basically successfully competed head to head with them.' The figures from his Trump interview may also squash doubts that Carlson's X show could rake in anything near the salary he earned at Fox News. He was reportedly paid more than $20 million per year before he was fired. Estimates for how much the X show will earn vary wildly, and there is no official figure. At the top end of the scale, it's been suggested he could net $4 for every one thousand views - that would mean the Trump interview alone earned close to $1 million. Ep. 19 Debate Night with Donald J Trump pic.twitter.com/ayPfII48CO Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) August 24, 2023 Trump asked why he should get on stage with rivals 'screaming at me shouting questions at me' during a debate. The other eight hopefuls for the Republican presidential nominee faced off in a Fox News debate Wednesday night's show with Trump will also delight Elon Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion last October before embarking on the radical X rebrand Carlson's next-best performer, his controversial sit-down with Tristan Tate, racked up a reported 100 million views, which would equate to $400,000. Even after X takes a percentage of the spoils, the amount would still be massive. X also has a scheme that shares ad revenue with verified users which would bolster Carlson's takings further, and he has also struck at least one advertising deal with a third party worth more than $1 million. Wednesday night's show with Trump will also delight Elon Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion last October before embarking on the radical X rebrand. The business has struggled with falling advertising revenue, but this will prove to advertisers that it is still a platform worth spending on. Nierman added: 'Elon Musk is going to see what Elon Musk always see, which is an opportunity and ways to monetize. 'He clearly has not run away from politics, in fact he's run towards it since taking over Twitter and X. 'This [shows] that his platform can beat a major player in the political fray.' Sunrise host Nat Barr has grilled Anthony Albanese's government about why voters have been banned from using a cross to vote against the Voice to Parliament - but Yes voters can still just use a tick. Her question comes after Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers triggered a debate by telling Sky News 'a tick will be accepted as a formal vote of Yes, but a cross will not be accepted as a formal vote'. The voting paper will require the words Yes or No to be written in a box. This will be made clear in instructions issued by the Australian Electoral Commission. Barr asked Albanese government minister Jason Clare: 'Should a cross be accepted as a No vote if the electoral commission is going to accept a tick for the Yes?' Mr Clare hit back, arguing the same strategy had been used in the 1999 republic referendum and hadn't caused any confusion. 'When John Howard held a referendum with the public, same rules, (it) worked fine, and I believe there were less than one per cent of informal votes,' he said. 'John Howard didn't want us to become a republic, he was urging people to vote No and these were the rules put in place. 'I think that pricks the bubble of the argument that this is going to cause confusion.' Yesterday, opposition Leader Peter Dutton said voters should be able to validly use a tick or cross on their ballot paper, and that he would write to Mr Rogers seeking clarification on his comments. But Barr then asked Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley why she hadn't raised concerns about the ballot several weeks ago when it was going through parliament. 'We're bringing it up now. It's actually a matter for the AEC (Australian Electoral Commission),' Ms Ley told the Sunrise host on Friday. 'We want a fair referendum, the rules have to be fair.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's referendum on the Voice to Parliament has been thrown into chaos after election chiefs said a tick will count as a Yes vote but a cross won't count as No However, Ms Ley argued Australia was now in the 'modern era' and that rules used almost three decades ago in 1999 were no longer applicable. 'We have a lot more Australians who can't speak English and we want everyone to vote in this referendum, so, quite simply, what would people think? 'A tick is Yes, a cross is No.' Mr Clare said if the Opposition had been 'serious' about the ballot format they would have attempted to change the laws several weeks ago. 'The fact we are using the same rules that have been in place for 30 years and at the last referendum there was an informal vote of less than one per cent, it tells you that this is all politics,' he said. Nat Barr (centre) asked Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley (right) why she hadn't raised concerns about the ballot several weeks ago when it was going through parliament The revelation has attracted strong criticism from the opposition, who say the Yes vote will have an unfair advantage when Australians have their say at the referendum, which is expected to be held on October 14.. Poll Does the AEC's tick and cross policy seem fair to you? YES NO UNSURE Does the AEC's tick and cross policy seem fair to you? YES 296 votes NO 5755 votes UNSURE 69 votes Now share your opinion Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the advice appeared to be evidence that authorities were trying to support a Yes result winning. 'The problem with all of this is that there's a suspicion officialdom is trying to make it easier for one side,' he told 2GB's Ben Fordham. 'At least as initially reported, it seems that it's going to be easier to get a Yes vote than a No vote, if a mere tick is going to count for a Yes but you've got to specifically write 'no' to vote No. 'This is the worry all along - that there is there is a lot of official bias in this whole referendum process.' Mr Rogers has shrugged off accusations the move would play in the favour of the Yes vote, saying: 'No, not all. They couldn't be taken that way.' Former Prime Minister Tony Abbot said the Electoral Commissioner Rogers' advice appeared to be evidence that authorities were trying to support a Yes result winning Mr Abbott disagreed, saying the move shifted the balance in favour of the Yes vote. 'It's not a level playing field,' he said. 'It's not a fair fight and if a tick is a Yes, why wouldn't a cross be a No? 'The only way to get away from this kind of confusion is to make it absolutely crystal clear that you either vote No or you vote Yes. The AEC confirmed the commissioner's approval of a tick as a Yes vote and said the use of a cross can be unclear about what a voter intended 'But marks of one sort or another that are neither No nor Yes don't count.' He added: 'Given that this is such an important issue, given that this is the biggest change in our constitution that we've ever been asked to make, there should surely be no confusion or uncertainty about what constitutes a valid vote. 'And unfortunately - I don't want to be personally critical of the Electoral Commissioner - but nevertheless, it does seem that this is causing confusion and that's a real problem.' Fordham joined the outrage, branding the decision 'bizarre' and 'dodgy'. 'If you're going to count the ticks, you've got to count the crosses, don't you? Otherwise the Yes camp has an advantage,' he said. Mr Dutton later added that he thought it was a sign the system had been 'rigged' from the outset. 'I think it's completely outrageous,' he told 2GB's Ray Hadley. 'I'm going to write to the AEC Commissioner today. 'I don't think we should have a process that's rigged, and that's what the Prime Minister has orchestrated from day one.' Britain's FBI last night launched a formal investigation into a Canadian chef who was allegedly caught selling poison to suicidal people online after discovering he could be linked to as many as 88 deaths. The UKs National Crime Agency began working with police forces to identify potential victims of Kenneth Law, 57, after the Times claimed that he had sent 1,200 packages to 40 countries. Law, an aerospace engineer turned chef, was arrested by Canadian police shortly after the newspaper published its allegations against him. He is being held after being charged with two offences of aiding suicide, and is due to appear in a court in Ontario later today. Britain would have to extradite Law if he were to be charged in relation to deaths that happened in this country, A list gathered by the International Criminal Police Organization, more commonly known as Interpol, containing details of Laws 232 British customers was handed to the National Crime Agency, who went on to establish how many had died. Aerospace engineer turned chef Kenneth Law is accused of sending packages containing 'suicide poison' to vulnerable people Anthony Jones, a 17-year-old from Michigan, was one of Law's alleged victims. He ran to his mother screaming 'I want to live' after he ingested the substance that eventually killed him Tom Parfett, 22, from Berkshire, died shortly after buying products from Law's company Craig Turner, deputy director of the NCA, told the paper: 'Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those who have died. 'They are being supported by specially trained officers from police forces. 'In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the NCA has taken the decision to conduct an investigation into potential criminal offences committed in the UK.' Other countries Law sent packages to include the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Italy. In Australia, at least ten packages are known to have been sent out, being linked to several deaths within the country. The kits were reportedly filled with a comprise of powders sent in separate packages to then combine as the final lethal poison. It is also said to contain a book on suicide. Laws victims have included teenagers, as well as youngsters in their 20s and 30s. Earlier this year Law told an undercover reporter for the Times that he 'many, many, many, many' people had died over a period of two years. He was said to have boasted that some buyers had told him he was doing 'God's work'. Neha Raju died after buying products from Kenneth Law's company, it was reported earlier this year Michael Dunham also died after buying products from Kenneth Law's company Law told the reporter he had started selling the poison after seeing his mother suffer from a stroke. 'We're not advanced enough as a civilization to accept death openly. I hope I'm just being a little bit more enlightened,' he said. Anthony Jones, a 17-year-old from Michigan, was one of Law's alleged victims. 'It was 3 a.m. and he went running into his mom's room, screaming and begging to call emergency responders,' New York lawyer Carrie Goldberg told CTV News Toronto. He ran to his mother shouting 'I want to live' after ingesting the substance, which eventually killed him, the initial investigation revealed. In Britain, Tom Parfett, 22, Michael Dunham, 38, Neha Raju, 23, and a 21-year-old student all died after buying products from Law's company. The father of Berkshire born Mr Parfett said: 'I believe my son would still be alive if it wasn't for this man and this substance.' It is illegal to assist suicide in the UK and Canada, punishable by up to 14 years in prison in both. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org A large number Millennial and Gen Z workers are choosing to turn down high-paying jobs and are quitting their current positions in the name of ethics. New data from the annual Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey consistently found young workers are unwilling to compromise their values for a paycheque. Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are born roughly between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, while Generation Z, or Gen Z, encompasses those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s The survey heard from more than 22,000 Gen Z and Millennial workers across 44 countries. It found more than a third of employees had turned down jobs when they felt the employer was not operating ethically. Some key factors Millennial and Gen Z workers are looking for in an employer are diversity, equality, mental health prioritisation and eco-friendly policies. The annual Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey found young workers are not willing to compromise on their values for a better paycheque The young workers have even stuck to their guns through the cost-of-living crisis. Chief executive officer of the Australian HR Institute, Sarah McCann-Bartlett, believes the Covid pandemic and media have formed young workers' values. She explained that many Millennial and Gen Z employees were early in their careers during Covid and haven't had the typical 'job' experience, which changed their views on company loyalty. On top of that, they have been widely exposed to global issues and formed their own unwaivable beliefs at a young age. 'While some are quick to label this as a sense of entitlement, I think it's worth considering the broader context in which this generation is working,' she told News.com.au. 'Post-pandemic, employees from all generations are looking more closely at the values of their employers or potential employers. We are seeing reports of younger workers leading this trend. 'Gen Z employees are also the first to have grown up with the 24-hour news cycle and are more aware of social and environmental crises than other generations were at the early stages of their careers. 'The need to engage in purposeful work could be a response to issues and unjust behaviours they've seen, like the climate crisis, high-profile sexual harassment cases and workplace inequality.' Four in 10 survey respondents said they'd turned down work projects due to ethical concerns Deloitte found 40 per cent of survey respondents have rejected work projects that didn't align with their values. This number is expected to grow as more Millennial and Gen Z employees enter the workforce. Dr Ben Hamer, Head of Future Work at PwC, also discounted the common opinion that young workers are 'selfish' or 'lazy', saying 40 per cent of Millennials participated in volunteer work in the last year and 73 per cent work more than 40 hours a week. Ms McCann-Bartlett urged companies looking to attract more young workers to consider 'refreshing their employee value proposition'. NSW TAFE teachers call to students: Get a job that pays you money By Jessica Wang for NCA Newswire A TAFE teacher has issued a call to high school students to consider taking up lucrative trade roles over university degrees as the state grapples with a skills shortage. Stuart McKinder, a metal fabrication and welding teacher at Wetherill Park TAFE in western Sydney, offered this unflinching comment ahead of his appointment to the TAFE NSW advisory board, the first time in eight years a TAFE teacher has been appointed to the role. 'Australian kids aren't being told about all the professions where someone gives you money,' he said. Mr McKinder said there should be a bigger focus on encouraging students to undertake TAFE courses, instead of pursing the HSC, so future tradies didn't miss out on years of earning potential. TAFE NSW metal fabrication and welding teacher Stuart McKinder said there needs to be more awareness for careers in trades 'Kids aren't being told that there are real jobs and ones that actually pay you money, not just personal training and that sort of stuff,' he said. Mr McKinder, who has more than 15 years experience teaching at TAFE NSW, said tradies like boiler makers, carpenters, and mechanics were 'screaming for an apprentice'. Earning potential in trades could also extend to $150,000, due to a shortage of workers, he said. With NSW school leavers required to remain in school until year 10, or until they reach 17 years of age, Mr McKinder questioned whether schools were adequately promoting vocational pathways. 'University isn't a pathway for everyone,' he said. 'The funny thing is we're now getting a lot more people under the age of 30 coming back to TAFE after they've tried university, and they go, 'I should have done this when I was 16'.' After taking government in March, NSW Labor criticised a $196m TAFE funding shortfall between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years. With this year's budget set to be announced in September, Labor has flagged a minimum of 70 per cent of the state's skills budget will go towards rebuilding TAFE. Comparing current figures with those from 2011, it claims TAFE completion rates have dropped by 67 per cent and apprentice and traineeship commencements by 33 per cent. Mr McKinder flagged upskilling as a key opportunity for the vocational training provider. 'People who are working as a mechanic need to come back and learn how to weld because the boss can't hire a welder,' he said. Mr McKinder said hes seen an increase in students returning to TAFE looking to upskill due to a shortage of employees trained in trades 'At the end of the day, we need to support the industry and support people to get more skills to improve their job prospects and their pay packet.' Mr McKinder's appointment has been welcomed by Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister Prue Car, who said it would ensure the board heard from people who were at TAFE's 'coalface'. 'The skills crisis in NSW means there's never been a more important time to rebuild TAFE NSW. That starts with hearing directly from teachers,' she said. 'I want to ensure the NSW government benefits from advisers who are at the coalface of helping learners, businesses, and communities to thrive.' TAFE NSW Commission board chair Danny O'Connor said Mr McKinder added to the board's diversity and industry experience, which includes members in critical skill sectors like IT, construction, hospitality, community services, health and education. 'Hearing directly from teachers will boost the board's ability to advocate on behalf of the teaching workforce,' he said. '(It will ensure) TAFE NSW can deliver skills-based training that provides individuals with access to meaningful jobs, and which is aligned to the skills needs of industry and communities across NSW.' Now tasked with representing his fellow teachers on the advisory board, Mr McKinder said he was 'nervous as hell but excited'. 'I had a look at the people who have also been appointed and there's some CEOs, there's directors and then there's Stuart who hits stuff with hammers,' he joked. On a serious note, he added: 'I'm really looking forward to paying back and calling for improvements for staff and students.' GCSE students have been taking to social media to share the grades they received on results day after fury over inflated mock grades meant many students received disappointing marks. Pupils used the 'duet' tag to display their predictions and their actual grades side-by-side as they celebrated or commiserated together. Millions of pupils nervously opened envelopes across the UK yesterday in the first normal exam season since the coronavirus pandemic - but not all were satisfied. Some teenagers in England shared emotional videos on TikTok of themselves bursting into tears at their results - in many cases, far lower than the inflated predicted grades they were led to expect. Critics blasted the 'unfair' return back to pre-pandemic grading in England on Thursday, while Wales and Northern Ireland have been granted an extra year to move back to the 2019 standard. The latest results appear to show some disparity between the scores English pupils have achieved against the grades from their mock assessments. GCSE students have been taking to social media to share the grades they received on results day Some of the posts online showed teenagers highlighting subjects they were disappointed with, while others exceeded expectations (From left) Oliver Keown, Izzy Martin, Selena Byrnes, Anna Brewster, Katie Carson, Chloe Lyons, Luke Ryan and Eve Moore at Sullivan Upper School Grammar School in Belfast today But teenagers with all degrees of grades shared comparison videos - with some using their actual predicted grades while others predicted what they believed they would get before the big day arrived. Some of the posts online showed teenagers highlighting subjects they were disappointed with, while others exceeded expectations and beat their predictions by some margin. One TikTok user wrote: 'Actually was s****ing bricks for this but woohooo passed everything!' A second added: 'So happy! Congrats everyone!! IT'S OVER.' One teenager, who received a range of grades from one to four, lower than their predictions, wrote: 'Don't let grades define you as a person.' It follows a viral video by student Emily Burns, who opened her results only to discover she had 'failed everything'. In the clip, she is stood looking at the camera, holding the brown envelope containing her results. Speaking to her followers, she says 'So, I've got the envelope that everyone has been waiting for these past weeks.' Students in Wales had another year of adapted marking due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic Some students' results were eerily similar to what they were predicted, or what they themselves believed they would get Other students beat almost all of their predicted grades and were crying tears of joy Carolina Quintino from Ukraine reacts with mother Iryna at the City of London Academy today Evie England (centre) receives her GCSE results at the City of London Academy this morning Raymond Xie (left) opens his GCSE results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning Nervously laughing, she continues, 'now we're gonna look at it,' as she takes the sheet of paper out to find out her grades. She quickly raises her hand to her mouth in shock as she sees what the paper says. Again bursting into laughter, the GCSE student says 'Oh my God, I failed everything'. Overall, hundreds of thousands fewer top GCSE grades were handed out to teenagers this year following efforts to bring results back down to pre-pandemic levels. Official figures also show disparities in results across regions reveal that a significant proportion of pupils face resitting key English and maths exams after failing to score a 'standard' pass. Many of the students who received their GCSE results on Thursday were in Year 8 when schools closed as a result of coronavirus. Around 203,000 fewer top GCSE grades were awarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland than last year. But 142,000 more top grades were awarded this summer than in 2019. It comes after Covid-19 led to an increase in top grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. More than a fifth (22.0%) of UK GCSE entries were awarded the top grades - at least a 7 or an A grade - this year, down by 4.3 percentage points on last year when 26.3% of entries achieved the top grades. But this was still higher than in 2019 when 20.8% of entries were awarded the top grades. Ministers faced calls to address regional disparities after the gap in top GCSE grades between London and the North East widened. Overall, 28.4% of GCSE entries in London were awarded a grade 7 or above, compared with 17.6% in the North East - a gap of 10.8 percentage points. Last year, the gap was 10.2 percentage points. The proportion of UK GCSE entries getting at least a 4 or a C grade - considered a 'standard pass' - dropped from 73.2% in 2022 to 68.2% this year, but it was higher than in 2019 (67.3%). A fabrications company has become the latest firm in the construction industry to collapse, leaving tradies hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Sydney-based YME Metal Projects Pty Ltd went into voluntary liquidation on Tuesday after the business reportedly struggled with cash flow issues. The company worked on a number of commercial buildings including apartment complexes, schools and private hospitals across the city. Antony Resnick of insolvency firm dVT Group has been appointed as the liquidator for the firm. It's been revealed that YME Metal Projects owes hundreds of thousands to trade creditors for supplies and completed jobs, as well as to former employees for leave entitlements and superannuation. Sydney-based YME Metal Projects Pty Ltd went into voluntary liquidation after the business reportedly struggled with cash flow issues (pictured, the company's website before it was shut down) YME owes 44 trade creditors $409,000 and 15 former employees $210,000, according to News.com.au. A number of trade creditors have claimed that YME 'ghosted' them after they folded. One supplier who says the company owes him $26,000 for materials expressed his frustration over the matter. He explained that YME had been his client for 'a number of years' but always 'seemed a bit unprofessional, paid late'. 'There came a time where there was a mad rush to get all these jobs finished (which is) a telltale sign they were going broke,' the supplier revealed to the publication. When he tried to follow the business up for payment, he said it felt like YME had 'disappeared off the face of the earth'. This mirrors the experience of another creditor who the company owes $30,000. This supplier followed up YME for payments in the months leading up to the company's collapse through phone calls, text messages and emails. YME did not respond to him. When he tried to call the business, he realised that they had disconnected their phone line. The company owes 44 suppliers and tradesmen $409,000 and 15 former employees $210,000 (stock image) Another business, Fethers Glazing System, is owed $5,600. Due to tough trading conditions, the 140-year company is shutting down all of its offices by the end of September. 'FGS is disappointed for all involved, it has been a long-established business on the site, with several long-term staff and many long and loyal customers,' a statement on the company's website reads. YME told trade creditors before its collapse that the company had experienced financial issues because a big builder owed it a significant amount of money. The largest debt owed to YME by another entity is $22,000, according to documents lodged to ASIC. An unhappy customer has taken to social media to slam a postie who didn't deliver her parcel because they had nowhere to park. The woman, from North Manly, shared a photo of the note scrawled on her package and captioned it, 'How's this for a reason to not deliver the mail!' The message 'unable to find parking' is seen scribbled in blue pen under the Pittwater Road address. 'Sorry, lady doesn't like me parking at the unit blocks,' the driver added. The woman, from North Manly, took to social media to share the unexpected message the delivery driver left on her package (pictured) The woman went on to say she then had to go and pick up the parcel from a nearby post office. Australia Post is investigating the incident, a spokesperson told Yahoo News. 'The vast majority of items delivered by Australia Post make it to their destination safely,' they said. 'In this instance, it's clear something has gone wrong and we're looking into it.' It is within protocol to not deliver the parcel if the driver does not have safe access to a property, the spokesperson clarified. 'Australia Post delivery drivers and posties will make every attempt to park nearby to make their deliveries,' the spokesman said. Australia Post said the incident is being investigated although it is within protocol to not deliver the parcel if the driver does not have safe access to a property (stock image) 'They are instructed to leave a card in the mail in certain circumstances, including if they are unable to access a property due to access or safety issues.' This comes as frustrated customers around the country have been left in the lurch with excessive delays due to their packages taking major detours. One West Australian man shared on Facebook how his Perth-bound package ended up across the country in a 'monumental stuff-up' from Australia Post. Notified by the Australia Post app each time the parcel appeared to reach a new location, the man watched his package first arrive in Sydney, before being processed in Parkes, NSW. It was then processed in Brisbane before returning to its state of origin at the Boorna Wangkiny Mia branch in WA - but it didn't stop there. A West Australian man watched his parcel travel 10,000km across the country between three states through his Australia Post app (pictured) Bruce, another unhappy customer, watched as his parcel racked up around 18,000km on its 18-day journey around Australia's southeastern states (pictured) The parcel once again returned to Parkes then went onto Kemps Creek, Seven Hills and finally Pendle Hills. 'Package is now on its way back to Sydney again,' the man wrote. 'It has now travelled more than 10,000 kilometres. Spoke to someone about it this morning to try and stop it.' Another unhappy customer spent almost three weeks helplessly watching his Australia Post parcel make an around-the-country expedition despite the package having been sent from a spot just two hours down the road. Bruce, a Gold Coast local, told Ben Fordham on 2GB he could see all the stopovers made by his parcel of supplements as it made the mammoth journey. Bruce said the order, one he made every six months, was usually problem-free, always arriving few days after he placed it because it only had to travel from northern NSW up to the Gold Coast. But this time, the parcel went on multiple laps around the country, making visits to each eastern state instead of directly travelling the 160km between sender and recipient directly. Australia Post recommended those who are experiencing delivery issues to call 13 POST for help. Ramaswamy won! Everyone ignored DeSantis! Trump beat em all by not showing up! The main storylines from Wednesdays first Republican presidential debate centered on how the clash affected the GOP horserace especially jockeying for second place behind former President Donald Trump. Flying under the radar was the candidates vow to roll back abortion rights, a stance thats proven unpopular with the American electorate. Former Vice President Mike Pence passionately declared his support for a national ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy to start, a move that would impact New York women who now enjoy the right to decide whether to have an abortion. Its a moral issue, he thundered. Republican presidential candidate former Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who otherwise drew criticism for a debate snoozy performance, was just as outspoken, asking why unborn babies in California, New York and Illinois should not have the same protection as those in Republican-run states. Ron DeSantis dodged the question about a national ban, but said he was proud of enacting a ban in Florida on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, when many women dont even know they are pregnant. The GOP candidates unity underlined what could be one of the biggest liabilities for the Republican Party heading into the 2024 election: their staunch pro-life stance has produced bad outcomes for the GOP from red and blue states coast to coast. Democrats and pro-choice advocates say the GOP candidates are digging a hole for their party in the coming crucial fight for Congress as well as the 2024 presidential race, no matter who wins the nomination. The Republican Party is willing to say and do anything even as their bans wage immeasurable harm on Americans, said Mini Timmaraju, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Thats why we will fight like hell to ensure President Biden and Vice President (Kamala) Harris remain in the White House. People march through 8th Street in downtown Boise, Idaho, on May 3, 2022, in response to the news that the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan burst onto the national scene with an upset win in a Hudson Valley special election just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Now Ryan is doubling down on his pro-choice stance as he seeks a second full term in a neighboring swing district in New York Citys far northern suburbs. The entire debate highlighted how far MAGA Republicans are willing to go to impose a nationwide abortion ban, Ryan told the Daily News. The choice in 2024 couldnt be more clear. Bidens reelection campaign Friday put out an anti-abortion ad slamming the GOP candidates, including the absent frontrunner Trump. for their outspoken anti-abortion stands. Reproductive health care decisions are the most personal a woman faces, the ad intones. The last people who should be involved are these guys. When it comes to abortion, its not just blue-state liberals talking smack, either. Since Roe v. Wade was struck down, at least six states, including Republican strongholds like Kansas and Ohio, have voted for pro-choice side of statewide referendums. Democrats credit anger over abortion rollbacks for blunting what might otherwise have been sweeping losses in the midterm elections. Opinion polls consistently say about 60% of Americans believe abortion should be mostly legal, a landslide agreement in a country that is divided down the middle on most issues. But Republican leaders have continued to barrel ahead with pro-life measures in states they control, drowning out pleas for a more nuanced position from some GOP moderates and women. The only modest break from pro-life orthodoxy at the GOP debate came from former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Even though Haley brags of being unapologetically pro-life, she said she wouldnt push a national ban because it would be unlikely to pass the Senate, where 60 votes would be required to overcome a certain filibuster. She instead insisted she would seek some consensus on the issue before moving forward. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee. Haleys position on abortion is somewhat similar to that of Trump. The dominant frontrunner in the race has sought to avoid specifics on abortion although he often takes credit for installing the three Supreme Court judges that created a majority to rollback the right to choose. Trump recently dinged DeSantis for enacting the six-week ban that he called too harsh. He has privately told aides he considers the issue a loser for Republicans, a position that is backed by poll after poll and a string of elections in several states of various political stripes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been slammed by some loyal supporters after he posed for pictures with Seven stars including Home and Away's Alf Stewart actor Ray Meagher and Sunrise host Natalie Barr. The PM officially opened Seven Network's new state-of-the-art newsroom and studios in Sydney on Thursday night and posted the snaps on his Instagram page. But he was flooded with furious comments about the lack of diversity among Seven's stars within moments of his photographs with Seven's stars appearing. Others questioned why he was even attending the star-studded event. 'You couldn't make this picture more white by tipping Liquid Paper all over it,' quipped one Albo fan. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been slammed by angry fans after he posed for pictures with Seven stars including Home and Away's Alf Stewart, Ray Meagher, and Georgie Parker The PM was flooded with furious comments about the lack of diversity among Seven's stars NSW Premier Chris Minns also attended the event alongside federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek and Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes. They were joined by Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington, 7NEWS Sydney presenter Mark Ferguson and The Morning Show's Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies. Other Seven stars included My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge and Home and Away's Emily Symons, Georgie Parker and James Stewart, and Gold Logie winner, Sonia Kruger. The group picture of the star-studded guest list triggered the PM's loyal Labor followers. 'The lack of diversity is STAGGERING!' posted one. 'Not an accurate representation of Australia when there is 13 white folks. Not much diversity going on here.' 'It is so hard to understand how this post was considered a good idea,' said another. Others added: 'Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Lack of diversity. So white 'So no one other than the white people in this photo have skill?' Kylie Gillies also shared an image of Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew looking giddy with delight beside the PM Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was all smiles alongside a galaxy of Channel Seven presenters at the star-studded launch event for the network's new studios in Sydney. Pictured, left to right, Edwina Bartholomew, Channel Seven owner Kerry Stokes, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns, Matt Shirvington, Natalie Barr, Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur The high-tech facility will be the home of Seven's Sydney and national news operations, including 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Latest and Spotlight. The inner-west studio in South Eveleigh replaces the channel's CBD home in Martin Place, which was the network's news HQ for 19 years. According to Seven: 'The world-leading studio space is five times larger than Martin Place and allows for permanent sets for all programs, with two complete control rooms and more than 40 square metres of LED screens.' But the PM's followers questioned why he had even agreed to attend the opening and promote the TV network. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can be seen in the background as Kylie Gillies posed for pics with co-star Larry Emdur The high-tech facility located at South Eveleigh will be the home of Seven's Sydney and national news operations, including 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Latest and Spotlight 'Bloody hell, this feels extremely wrong for the Prime Minister to be promoting any private company, let alone a commercial TV news network,' posted one. 'Talk about conflict of interest. Expected better from you Albo!' Another added: 'I hate to be ignorant here but why does PM needs to attend Channel 7 new headquarters event?' Another added: 'This station does nothing but actively work against you. 'I keep trying to give you the benefit of the doubt but you keep on finding ways to capitulate to the very people you were elected to stand up to. 'OVER. IT.' As cameras flashed and smiles lit up the room, Anthony Albanese appeared in high spirits at the event and posed with MKR judge Colin Fassnidge A mysterious 'wolf man' has been spotted roaming around the woods in the Harz mountains of central Germany according to Bild. The man, who is believed to have lived in the forest for five years, was captured on camera by two hikers, who reportedly saw him sitting naked and holding a wooden spear at the foot of a ruined castle. The blurry photos show the man looking extremely hairy or covered in dirt, as he sits on the ground and appears to play with the sand. Gina Weiss, 31, and her friend Tobi, 38, were walking in Blankenburg in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, as dusk fell on Tuesday evening. Ms Weiss told German newspaper Bild: 'When we reached the sand caves, we saw the wolf man. He stood up high on one of the caves and held a long wooden stick like a lance in his arm. 'He wouldnt take his eyes of us, said nothing. He looked dirty like a Stone Age man from a history book.' A mysterious 'wolf man' has been spotted roaming around the woods in the Harz mountains of central Germany The pair said the encounter with the man, thought to be in his 40s, lasted about ten minutes. It is not the first time the supposed 'wolf man' has been spotted in the Blankenburg region. Authorities said they have received multiple reports over the last half decade of a figure wearing wolf fur or in a wolf costume in the forest. One frightened walker called police officers in March asking for 'help' after spotting a 'wolf man running around'. The man is thought to have been living in the mountainous region for five years. Pictured: Dead trees stand in Lower-Saxony state forests at the Harz mountains On other occasions fire sites and shelters made out of branches have been spotted. Alexander Beck, the head of Blackburn fire brigade said: 'Someone clearly knows how to live outside and adapt to the changing seasons.' However, a volunteer with the local fire service told the Telegraph that the most recent sighting was 'nonsense' and suggested the photos were 'a prank'. Almost a third of Germany is covered in dense forest and so myths and legends of people living off the land tend to crop up. The dense woodland has been an inspiration for stories and fairy tales for centuries, including those created by German Brothers Grimm. The financial crisis engulfing the SNP was laid bare yesterday after it emerged the party plunged more than 800,000 into the red last year. It recorded a deficit of 804,278 as membership and donations slumped, while legal fees rocketed amid the ongoing police probe into its finances. First Minister Humza Yousaf insisted his party was on a steady footing. But the SNP was only able to state it can continue as a going concern because it is withholding 837,600 of membership income it was due to hand to local branches. The latest loss for 2022 follows a 729,845 deficit in the previous year meaning it has spent all of the 1.3million reserves it had at the start of 2021. It has instead fallen into the red, with the SNPs liabilities now outweighing its assets by 219,629. The accounts show the party has only 46,039 in the bank which would not be enough to repay 60,000 still owed to former chief executive Peter Murrell if he demanded his money back. First Minister Humza Yousaf (pictured) insisted the SNP was on a steady footing after it emerged the party recorded a 804,278 deficit last year The value of the partys motor-home which was seized from Mr Murrells mothers house as part of the police probe also looks to have declined. The balance sheet showed vehicles worth 100,790 at the start of 2022 but the figure was only 64,506 at the end of 2022. The SNP books further disclose membership numbers plunged by 8,662 in the first half of this year, piling more pressure on finances. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: The SNP is a party in utter disarray with Scots looking on in disbelief as Humza Yousaf and his lieutenants try to keep this sinking boat afloat. From police investigations to empty bank accounts, the SNPs credibility is shot to pieces. The partys liabilities include 1.23million owed to creditors, such as Mr Murrell who is still due 60,000 after providing a 107,620 loan in 2021 to assist cashflow. The latest accounts state the party can continue as a going concern despite its liabilities being bigger than the sum of its assets. This is because 837,600 of its liabilities relate to dividends due to local branches, which receive 25 per cent of membership income. The accounts note that in practice branches will not draw on this to any extent that may be to the detriment of the partys ability to meet obligations as they fall due. Asked yesterday if he accepts the SNP was technically insolvent, Mr Yousaf said: No, I do not accept that as we are not in an insolvent position. My job is to ensure we are in a healthy position and any debt is manageable. Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon (left), her husband Peter Murrell (right) and ex-party treasurer Colin Beattie have all been arrested following the launch of an investigation into the SNP's finances On whether the party can afford to repay Mr Murrells loan, he said: Every debt we owe, including the loan to Peter Murrell, we have a plan to pay those back in a way that is absolutely manageable. He admitted the SNP has been in a tricky financial position but insisted he has steadied the ship since becoming leader in March. Mr Yousaf added: We are on a steady footing and looking towards the general election. My job is to make sure we are in a healthy position to fight that election. The accounts made no mention of the 600,000 independence fund. The fund is part of the Operation Branchform investigation which is looking at where the money went. Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Murrell and ex-party treasurer Colin Beattie have all been arrested and released without charge pending further investigations as part of the probe. Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy said: These accounts paint a grim picture and raise serious questions the SNP must answer. The SNP also remains in debt to Peter Murrell, which is doubtless why Humza Yousaf failed to suspend him and his wife Nicola Sturgeon following their arrest. Police who raided a Kansas newspaper office secretly copied data on to an external hard drive and then failed to disclose the move, a lawyer for the Marion County Record has claimed. Bernie Rhodes, an attorney for the Kansas newspaper, claimed police allegedly did not include the hard drive on the list of evidence recorded from the raid. On Tuesday, Marion County District Court released the list of items seized during the raid, which included the hard drive. In a letter Rhodes sent to attorney Bradley Jantz, who was hired to provide legal counsel for the county after the August 11 raid, Rhodes wrote: 'Because that drive is still in the sheriff's office's custody, that means the sheriff still has access to the Marion County Record's data - data that is both constitutionally protected and protected by federal and state law.' The newspaper's owner, Joan Meyer, died a day after the raid and video showed her screaming at police when they searched her home, a day before her passing. Eric Meyer stands outside the Marion County Record's office, which was also raided Joan Meyer, 98, collapsed and died following the intense stress and grief she felt when her home was raided by the entirety of the Marion Police Department in Kansas - headed by Gideon Cody 'This access is illegal. It also clearly violates the District Court's August 16, 2023, Order.' 'In order to make sure that they actually comply with this order, unlike the last order, we're making them agree to a formal court order,' Rhodes told the Kansas Reflector. The Marion County Sheriff's Office agreed Thursday to destroy the digital files. Rhodes claimed the sheriff's office denied sharing the copied files with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. 'We have not and will not examine anything from those warrants,' said Melissa Underwood, a spokeswoman for the KBI to the Kansas Reflector. Rhodes told The Daily Beast the Marion County Sheriff's Office 'confirmed the fact they copied 17 Gigs of data from the newsroom computer systemand they still have it.' He said while physical evidence was returned, the sheriff's office did not hand over digital data from one of the computers they allegedly copied. The attorney added since the sheriff's office still has ownership over the hard drive, they have access to the newspaper's data, which 'is both constitutionally-protected and protected by federal and state law.' 'This access is illegal,' Rhodes told the Daily Beast. 'The Sheriff's failure to comply with the District Court's order is inexcusable, and I will not stand by and wait for you to choose to return my many calls.' The raid on local newspaper Marion County Record's elderly co-owner's home was sparked by Ryan Newell - the estranged husband of the restaurant owner who leaked her DUI information. The paper did not publish the information they found about restauranteur Kari Newell, because they believed they were being used 'as a pawn in a contentious divorce' between her and Ryan. Instead, they handed the information over to the police. The same officers then seized their computers and equipment, then raided the newspaper's owners' home on August 11 - and Joan Meyer, 98, died a day later following the shock. Unredacted affidavits state that Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody said the raids were based on the belief that reporter Phyllis Zorn unlawfully obtained the driving records of Kari Newell, according to CNN. The tip about Newell's DUI was sent to Zorn by a woman called Pam Maag. Maag said she received the records from Kari's estranged husband, Ryan. In the new video - released by the Marion County Record - the woman at one point rolls her walker right up to an officer and demands he wait outside She even attempts to stop the men and refuses to answer their questions, replying 'I'm not going to tell you' when asked how many computers she has The search warrant that triggered the raids in the identity theft investigation was later withdrawn by county attorney Joel Ensey- since there was 'insufficient evidence' to justify why it was issued in the first place. The driving record that triggered this ordeal is believed to show Kari Newell drove without a valid license after receiving a citation for driving under the influence in 2008. She was trying to get a liquor license for her restaurant Chefs Plate at Parlour 1886 - and information on her DUI may have blocked her from doing so. Kari and Ryan Newell separated in September, and their divorce proceedings are still ongoing. This is not the first time Ryan has been in the headlines. He was once charged with five misdemeanors for stalking and criminal use of a firearm against a Westboro Baptist Church family. He is also a double amputee after losing his limbs in Afghanistan. Speaking about the information, Ryan told the Kansas City Star: 'None of this was done out of malice. 'If she got into a wreck and had a suspended drivers license, Im the one that would be on the hook for it. My insurance company wouldnt cover anything, period.' According to the affidavit, Zorn downloaded Newell's personal records just three minutes before someone using the name 'Kari Newell' downloaded the records. This served as the basis for the probe and the raid, Cody said, because it seemed that 'downloading the document involved either impersonating the victim or lying about the reasons why the record was being sought.' Rhodes said: 'It is not a crime in America to be a reporter. These affidavits prove that the only so-called 'crime' Chief Cody was investigating was being a reporter.' Publisher and editor Meyer said Zorn actually contacted the Department of Revenue before her online search and was instructed how to search records. The reporter, asked to respond to the allegations that she used Newell's name to obtain Newell's personal information, said, 'My response is I went to a Kansas Department of Revenue website and that's where I got the information.' She added: 'Not to my knowledge was anything illegal or wrong.' Rhodes claimed Zorn's actions were legal under both state and federal laws. Using the subject's name 'is not identity theft,' Rhodes said. 'That's just the way of accessing that person's record.' The newspaper had Newell's driver's license number and date of birth because a source - Pam Maag - provided it, unsolicited, Meyer said. Pam Maag, who is Ryan Newell's friend, was the person who send Kari's DUI information to the newspaper Kari Newell and her estranged husband Ryan Newell. Ryan (right) send information about Kari's 2008 DUI to a woman named Pam Maag, who then contacted the Marion County Record reporter 'Don't you touch any of that stuff,' the Marion County Record co-owner told cops in the newly released footage as she moved around her home with a walker. 'This is my house. You a*****e!' Joan's son Eric Meyer has asserted that his mother, a lifelong journalist, died the day after the raid from being 'traumatized' by the incident. At least six officers are seen searching Joan's home and sorting her belongings as she repeatedly tells them to leave. 'I don't want you in my house,' she says. In the video - released by the Marion County Record - the woman at one point rolls her walker right up to an officer and demands he waits outside. 'Did your mother ever love you,' Joan asks the cop in the video, which amassed more than 23,000 views in a matter of hours. 'Get out of my house. You're trespassing,' she says to the man. Two officers attempt to talk the woman down for the first minute of the video released by the newspaper while the four others continue the search. She even attempts to stop the men and refuses to answer their questions, replying 'I'm not going to tell you' when asked how many computers she has. 'I want to see what they're doing,' Joan says as she attempts to make her way around the couch to see what the officers are looking at. The interaction with police inside her own home was so upsetting that she died the next day while in the middle of a conversation. During the ordeal, it emerged that police chief Cody was also being investigated by the newspaper he raided over allegations of sexual misconduct. Cody became chief of the Marion County Police Department in late April, after leaving the Kansas City police amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Along with the raid on the Meyer residence and the newspaper offices being raided, Marion City Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel's home was also pillaged after Newell made a personal fiery attack on her in public last Monday. During the council meeting on August 7 - four days before the raids - Newell stood up and accused the newspaper and Herbel of illegally obtaining information about her DUI arrest. Clips show the meeting descended into chaos - with people speaking over one another, hands slamming on desks, and participants being stunned by Newell's incendiary accusations. Four teenagers have been arrested after a security guard was stabbed multiple times outside a popular Westfield shopping centre. The man, 57, had become caught in an altercation with the group at the Westfield Helensvale Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast on Friday morning. Queensland Police said they were called to the centre following reports of a disturbance at about 7.45am. The guard sustained several stab wounds to his head, torso and legs. The man had become caught in an altercation with a group of people at the Westfield Helensvale Shopping Centre (pictured) on the Gold Coast on Friday morning where he was stabbed several times Police said the alleged offenders fled the scene in a stolen black Holden Trax, which was later intercepted at about 8.35am, with three people inside taken into custody. A 19-year-old man, a 17-year-old boy, and two girls aged 16 and 13 are now assisting police with inquiries. Queensland Ambulance said multiple units, including the High Acuity Response Unit and critical care paramedics, were called to the shopping centre. The man has been taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. A crime scene has been declared and investigations are continuing. The former hospital boss who raised concerns about serial killer Lucy Letby is suing the NHS trust for 'forcing her out' as she accuses managers of 'treating victims' families in an appalling way'. Dr Susan Gilby took over as the Countess of Chester Hospital's medical director a month after the killer was arrested in 2018 and commissioned an independent review to examine management's response to the baby deaths in Letby's unit. She 'rapidly came to the conclusion' that failures to deal with complaints about Letby 'more likely than not' led to the deaths of babies. Dr Gilby is now taking the trust to an employment tribunal, alleging that chairman Ian Haythornthwaite 'bullied, harassed and undermined' her after she launched the prove into the neonatal unit where Letby worked, The Telegraph reported. Letby, 33, was sentenced to a whole-life term on Monday for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murders of six more. Dr Susan Gilby (pictured) is allegedly suing the NHS trust for 'forcing her out' as she accuses managers of 'treating victims' families in an appalling way' Dr Gilby 'rapidly came to the conclusion' that failures to deal with complaints about Letby 'more likely than not' led to the deaths of babies. Lucy Letby is pictured while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital Lucy Letby, 33, (pictured in custody) was sentenced to a whole-life term on Monday for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murders of six more Dr Gilby and then-trust chairman Sir Duncun Nichol commissioned the review after she took over the hospital in 2018. But three years later, the document remains unpublished. 'The evidence we'd seen and the discussions I have with paediatricians led us to be concerned that there were lessons to be learned,' she told The Telegraph. The anaesthetist and intensive care doctor claims that the evidence she found during the probe made her 'fear' that some of the baby deaths 'could have been avoided' if management had 'responded differently'. Senior doctors at the hospital, where the nurse carried out her year-long killing spree on the neonatal unit, raised concerns for months before she was finally taken off frontline duties. Dr Gilby told Sky News yesterday that there was 'certainly a possibility' that management failures to deal with complaints led to lives being needlessly lost. She added: 'But it needs to be an external and objective review, looking at all the evidence, and giving people the right of reply to that evidence, that will come to that conclusion, and not for individuals such as myself. 'From a personal point of view, and obviously speaking more as a mother than a doctor or a senior leader in the NHS, it's my greatest fear and I think it's more likely than not that that will turn out to be the case. 'I sincerely hope that it isn't.' Dr Gilby claims that the evidence she found during the probe made her 'fear' that some of the baby deaths 'could have been avoided' if management had 'responded differently'. Pictured: A corridor within the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit where Letby worked Dr Gilby claimed that there was 'certainly a possibility' that management failures to deal with complaints led to lives being needlessly lost. Pictured: A cot where a baby referred to as Child G in the Lucy Letby court case, was being treated when she projectile vomited Senior doctors at the hospital, where Lucy Letby (pictured holding an infant) carried out her year-long killing spree on the neonatal unit, raised concerns for months before she was finally taken off frontline duties The trust suspended Dr Gilby last December and she has since resigned from her position. She declined to discuss her legal case with the newspaper but it is understood that she is suing for 'constructive dismissal'. READ MORE: Lucy Letby remains on the nursing register and it could be weeks or even months before she is struck off Advertisement Her employment tribunal is due to begin on Christmas Eve and the hospital is defending the claim. Mr Haythornthwaite told The Telegraph: 'The trust and I dispute everything she says in her legal claim.' The Countess of Chester Hospital saw a significant rise in the number of babies suffering serious and unexpected collapses in 2015 and 2016. Letby's presence when collapses took place was first mentioned to senior management by the unit's head consultant in late June 2015. Concerns among some consultants about Letby increased and were voiced to hospital bosses when more unexplained and unusual collapses followed, her trial at Manchester Crown Court heard. But Letby was not removed from the unit until after the deaths of two triplet boys and the collapse of another baby boy on three successive days in June 2016. She was confined to clerical work but registered a grievance procedure, which was resolved in her favour, and was due to return to the unit in March 2017. The move did not take place as soon after police were contacted by the hospital trust. Dr Gilby's employment tribunal is due to begin on Christmas Eve and the hospital (pictured) is defending the claim. Mr Haythornthwaite (not pictured) said: 'The trust and I dispute everything she says in her legal claim' Parents of babies have claimed they received a 'total fob off' from hospital medical director Ian Harvey after raising concerns, a lawyer representing them said. Dr Gilby told the Guardian: 'There may be correspondence with the families that I've not been party to, but what I have seen was appalling.' In a statement to the same newspaper, Mr Harvey said: 'Having read the heart-rending victim impact statements, I know how desperate the parents are for answers and I will help them as best I can at the inquiry. 'I'm sorry they felt fobbed off. I wanted to give detailed and accurate answers, but this was difficult while the reviews and investigations were taking place. Once the police were involved, we were advised by them not to say or do anything that might jeopardise their investigation.' When Australian woman Elly Warren was murdered in an African beach town, the 20-year-old's family could never have imagined they would still be searching for her killer seven years later. While dealing with the trauma of her death, they have had to finance their own investigation, hiring private investigators and feeding information to Australian police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 'This whole process to us has been a shambles,' Warren's step-father David Cafarella told a coroner on Wednesday. He said the Australian Federal Police and DFAT had been 'seemingly unable to work cohesively together', with no financial or legal assistance offered and no help in repatriating their daughter's body from Mozambique. Cafarella called for Victorian State Coroner John Cain to order the AFP to open a homicide investigation into Warren's death and for the agency to change its processes for families of Australians who die overseas. Elly Warren (above) was found dead outside a toilet block in Tofo, Mozambique, in 2016 - her murderer has never been caught The family of Elly Warren (pictured right) had to finance their own investigation into the 20-year-old's death 'An independent unit that could come together as required at short notice to ensure every angle has been covered in quick time, rather than seven years of toing and froing between agencies all worried about who's p***ing on whose patch,' he said. 'I can't help but think, had this been done at a very early time, Elly's killer would be behind bars.' Cain is investigating the cause of Warren's death in November 2016 and the circumstances surrounding it. Jade O'Shea, who gave evidence remotely from New Zealand, met Warren while she was working at a popular diving resort in Tofo, Casa Barry, and the two became friends. She said a group of friends, including Warren, went to Victor's Bar and then to another friend's house to make cocktails. After one or two hours, the cocktails ran out and Warren left to go back to Victor's Bar because she was bored. 'She definitely wasn't drunk, she was completely coherent and sober,' O'Shea told the court. Warren (above) was a budding marine biologist and volunteering in Mozambique when she was killed Jade O'Shea said she met Warren (above) while she was working at a popular diving resort in Tofo and last saw her at a popular bar When she and the others arrived at Victor's Bar, Warren was not there and it was crowded, so the group sat in front of the bar and drank beer. Warren then walked around the corner and gestured to the group, as though she was going to get a beer from the bar and join them. That was the last time O'Shea saw her friend, at about 11pm on November 8. Warren, a budding marine biologist, who was volunteering in the country, was found dead outside a toilet block in the beach town of Tofo. AFP Commander of International Engagement Andrew Smith appeared before the three-day inquest earlier on Wednesday, where he was grilled on the force's decision not to formally investigate her death. When an Australian died overseas in suspicious circumstances, the AFP's initial position was 'where the crime has been committed is where it should be investigated', he said. 'We can't just go into another country and start doing our own investigation,' he told the court. Smith said the AFP sent Mozambique authorities emails and letters offering assistance with the investigation, but they did not respond. Warren's (above) family have slammed the Australian Federal Police for 'seven years of toing and froing between agencies all worried about who's p***ing on whose patch' 'Without the full co-operation and support from law enforcement in the country, the role that we can play is very limited,' he said. He visited Mozambique for the first time in May, a few months after Cain told the AFP to 'move heaven and Earth' to find answers for Warren's family. 'That's when a decision was made to have a senior level presence,' he said. Previously, an AFP superintendent detective had been sent to Mozambique, he said. Smith met local police and high-level officials, including Mozambique's deputy director of prosecutions, where he said he was told for the first time police were investigating Warren's death as a homicide. Asked about an early autopsy finding her death was a homicide, he said the report was 'a bit of a paper from a doctor' and wouldn't have influenced AFP's decision to pursue an investigation as much as police deciding it was a homicide. Blake Gray, who was volunteering as honorary consul in Mozambique for DFAT, was sent to Tofo about three days after Warren was found. He spent one and a half days gathering information and interviewing locals before returning home. Step-father David Cafarella described the investigation into Warren's (above) murder as in 'shambles' Gray said local police refused to speak to him and government officials were adamant her death was 'an accident'. 'I couldn't understand how I couldn't talk to the police who were literally 50m away,' he told the court. The inquest continues. An employment tribunal has suggested that calling a trans woman a 'w***er' is discrimination because it is an insult commonly used in reference to men in a debate sparked by a trans bus driver's unsuccessful lawsuit against her ex-company. The swear word is not 'gender-neutral' and so using it against someone who has transitioned would constitute a breach of equality laws, a panel surmised. Amanda Fischer sued the company where she had been working for gender reassignment discrimination and claimed that another employee called her a 'w***er' while she was transitioning. The agency worker also claimed a driver drove too close to her because she is trans, which made her fear for her life, the tribunal heard. However Miss Fischer lost her case after the panel decided the 'w***er' incident had not actually occurred with London United Busways also arguing that the swear word could be used against both men and women. However, the panel suggested that if it had been used against her it would have been discrimination. Trans bus driver Amanda Fischer sued the company where she had been working for gender reassignment discrimination A transgender bus driver claimed that a colleague had called her a 'w***er' (stock) Employment judge Kathryn Patricia Ramsden said: 'Despite the [company's] position, the Tribunal does not consider the insult 'w***er' to be a gender-neutral term. 'The panel members' own experiences of use of that term is that it is applied to men, and that there are equivalent but different swear words that are specifically used in common parlance to insult women.' The tribunal - heard in Croydon, south London - heard that Miss Fischer began working for London United Busways at their Hounslow bus yard in 2020 until her contract was terminated on January 15 2021. She said she was called a 'w***er' by another driver on January 13, 2021, and that the company was 'male-dominated', Miss Fischer told the panel that when she was telling her supervisor about an incident, a 'tall man' who was employed by the company called her a 'w***er' with a 'serious' facial expression. She said he 'pushed' her arm with her shoulder and 'exhibited hostility' which made her 'very upset'. Miss Fischer said this was because he 'didn't like the look' of her. Representing herself, she told the tribunal: 'I saw he didn't accept my gender because in the workplace we have different cultures, different religions, and he is standing there with two other drivers in the middle, and looking at me in a very serious way, because he didn't like what he could see in front of him. The panel suggested that if it had been used against her it would have been discrimination (stock) 'Basically it was frightening for me. 'He called me a swear word because he didn't like the look of me.' Miss Fischer's supervisor told the panel: '[The driver] denied being rude to Miss Fischer at all and, in fact, said that he had not spoken to her or about her. He was surprised and confused. I said there must have been a misunderstanding.' Two days after this incident allegedly took place, Miss Fischer was told her contract with the company had been terminated, which she told the tribunal was connected to the discrimination she faced. However, the panel found that she wasn't discriminated against for being a trans woman after concluding the 'w***er' comment hadn't been made and dismissing her complaint about the near miss. The Crown is set to recreate the moment Kate Middleton won over Prince William at a student fashion show where she donned a risque see-through dress as she strutted down the runway. Throughout the final series of the popular Netflix drama Ed McVey, 22, and Meg Bellamy, 20, will play the Prince and Princess of Wales in the early days of their relationship while studying at St Andrews. The pair recreated the memorable night 20-year-old Kate confidently strutted in front of her peers barely there dress on the night of March 27, 2002. Prince William, who paid 200 for a table just inches away from the runway, reportedly sat watching his future wife open-mouthed. The lace slip Kate wore that night cost just 30 to make but is credited with kickstarting her relationship with William. The dress later sold for a whopping 78,000. Netflix producers showed pictures of Meg recreating the evening at the Edinburgh TV Festival last night, when they discussed how the upcoming series - covering 1997 to 2005 - will take a look at the heir's early relationship with Kate. Throughout the Netflix series, the actors will recreate the memorable moment Kate took part in a charity fashion show wearing a risque see-through dress in March 2002 In the final series of the popular Netflix drama The Crown, Ed McVey, 22, will portray Prince William while Meg Bellamy, 20, will play Kate Middleton. Pictured: The actors filming at St Andrews University in Scotland The lace slip Kate wore that night cost just 30 to make but is credited with kickstarting her relationship with William The filmmakers also shed light on the stark difference Meg's role is to her previous job where she was working at Legoland in Windsor, the Sun reported. They told the audience: 'Meg was at Legoland in Windsor, working in a costume I think - as a chicken - but she's far from that now.' Throughout the evening, Netflix bosses also showed clips of William and Kate staring at each other longingly in a university library. Behind the scenes clips, shared on TikTok by actual students at the university, previously showed Meg dressed in a navy jacket, khaki skirt and brown knee-high boots while her love interest is preppy in a checked jumper and jeans. The scene opens with Kate gazing at her love interest before they then walk into one of the university buildings. As they leave campus, the actress playing Kate acknowledges William - who is passing past them - with a smile. After walking through an old gate, William then turns around and gazes at Kate - which prompted their live audience to gasp from where they were watching. In another recreation, it showed Prince Harry, played by Luther Ford, almost shooting someone with a riffle. The Crown actors Elizabeth Debicki and Khalid Abdalla pictured filming Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's tragic final day A scene from the upcoming season of Netflix's 'The Crown' is seen filming in October last year Creator of the show Peter Morgan said promoting the new series this week: 'The minute you see William and Harry on screen it's just electric.' During the evening the producers also confirmed that the fatal car crash of Princess Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, would appear in the upcoming series, despite a considerable amount of backlash. Last Netflix was blasted for its 'odious' filming of scenes recreating Diana's death in a Paris tunnel in 1997. The streaming service insisted Diana's death in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel would not be recreated but an insider revealed her final days and hours would be. Royal biographer, William Shawcross, branded the series 'odious' and 'deliberately hurtful'. Speaking of the sensitivity around portraying the Princess' death, producers at Edinburgh TV Festival stressed that it would be handled with 'enormous sensitivity', the paper reported. Executive Producer Suzanne Mackie said: 'There was no question that we would be, firstly, meticulous in our research and read and listen, and of course secondly and most importantly is to be sensitive. 'There was very, very careful, long, long conversations about how we do it, and the audience will judge it in the end. But I think it's been delicately, thoughtfully recreated.' Ms Mackie went on to add that Debicki 'was so, so thoughtful and considerate and loved Diana so there was a huge amount of respect' when the scenes were recreated. The latest and final series of The Crown is set to be released in Autumn The show's three young stars who are playing Kate, William and Harry have been spotted out and about at high profile events in recent weeks, but Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Diana, has not been seen Ahead of the release in Autumn, the streaming giant has now launched a glitzy publicity campaign to distract from the criticism over Princess Diana's death. Earlier this month, the three young actors playing Kate, Harry and William were pictured together promoting the high-end jewellery brand Cartier at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. They also all attended Netflixs party with British Vogue in May. Ed and Luther also went to Paris Fashion Week together. However, Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Diana in the upcoming series, has been nowhere to be seen. A source said: The Diana death scenes will be awful and prompt huge controversy around the world so you can see what Netflix is doing here, trying to overcompensate for that by giving the viewers the glory days of Kate, William and Harry, and not just on screen but off too. They are being put out there a lot, especially when you consider they havent even been on the television yet. A new driver-less shuttle service in the city of Orlando ended up in a wreck just days after the transit system unveiled the new vehicles - with the crash caught on social media. The new 'SWAN' system - short for Shuttling With Autonomous Navigation - is meant to travel to five stops on a one-mile loop using one of Orlando's regular bus lines. Its stops include parts of the campus of the University of Central Florida and the city's 'Creative Village.' The new shuttles were launched on August 20, with the now-viral video recorded just two days later. The video on Tuesday shows the SWAN shuttle ramming into the bus from the city's LYMMO system in downtown Orlando. A new driver-less shuttle service in the city of Orlando ended up in an wreck just days after the transit system unveiled the new vehicles 'Tried out the new SWAN shuttle in Downtown Orlando today,' wrote a TikToker who captured the moment. 'We crashed.' Police said the shuttle was unable to register the Orange Line LYMMO bus turning ahead of it. Authorities claimed there was no impact on the regular schedule for either SWAN or the buses. 'There was no impact to service in this area due to the incident, as LYMMO buses are on standby to fill in as part of the autonomous shuttle pilot plan,' the agency added. 'At approximately 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, on Terry Avenue near Livingston Street, there was an incident between a LYMMO bus and SWAN Shuttle resulting in minor cosmetic damage to both vehicles,' the OPD said in a statement. They added that there were 'no injuries to passengers.' By the end of the day, at 6:30 p.m., the autonomous shuttle had resumed regular service. The program is a pilot operated by a local autonomous vehicle company called Beep, partnered with the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority. Police said that the shuttle was unable to register the Orange Line LYMMO bus turning ahead of it The video on Tuesday shows the SWAN shuttle ramming into the bus from the city's LYMMO system in downtown Orlando The new 'SWAN' system - short for Shuttling With Autonomous Navigation - is meant to travel to five stops on a one-mile loop using one of Orlando's regular bus lines 'The SWAN, our fare-free autonomous vehicle shuttle, began testing in Creative Village this morning offering an innovative transportation option for residents, students and visitors to downtown Orlando,' the city wrote on Instagram last week.' 'Operating in the LYMMO Orange Line, the shuttle will connect Lynx Central Station and SunRail to Creative Village.' The pilot program is due to run for six months, according to Click Orlando. DailyMail.com has reached out to Beep for comment. Former President Donald Trump was booked at Fulton County Jail Thursday to face charges in the Georgia election interference case, a remarkable fourth criminal arrest for the man who remains the dominant leader in the Republican presidential race. Trump was photographed and fingerprinted at the Atlanta jail during processing that yielded the shocking first mugshot of a former president. He was listed at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 215 pounds. The twice-impeached 45th President was not held by authorities for long like most of his co-defendants, he was inside the jail for less than an hour. Former President Donald Trump walks to speak with reporters before departure from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. I really believe this is a very sad day for America, this should never happen, Trump told reporters before boarding his plane back to New Jersey. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. Trump jetted in from New Jersey and was escorted from an Atlanta airport to Fulton County Jail. The convoy left the jail less than 30 minutes after it entered the facility, taking Trump back to the airport, where he briefly spoke to the media and took no questions. We did nothing wrong at all, he told the press. We have every right, every single right, to challenge an election with think is dishonest. The motorcade with former President Donald Trump travels to the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. The dramatic surrender, the fourth such criminal booking for Trump in just the past few months, came on the same day as Trump inexplicably changed his Georgia legal team. He hired Steve Sadow, a well-known Atlanta defense attorney, to replace Drew Findling, also a prominent defense lawyer who negotiated the terms of his surrender. No reasons were given for the legal musical chairs, an unusual tactic for anyone who is facing serious criminal jeopardy like Trump. Along with his 18 co-defendants in the sprawling racketeering case, Trump faced a deadline of noon Friday to surrender in Atlanta. Prosecutors had already agreed with Trumps lawyers on a $200,000 bond package. Trump and the others are expected to be arraigned at a future date, likely the week after Labor Day. Many Republicans stood in solidarity with Trump, as Marjorie Taylor Greene was among those to post an edited version of her own mugshot in the Atlanta jail. I stand with President Trump, she wrote on Twitter, later calling Trumps real mugshot the photo that will win the 2024 presidential election. Democrats, meanwhile cheered the additional prosecution, calling it the natural consequence of criminal action. Our democracy has been in trouble because Donald Trump has had too many enablers in Congress, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) tweeted. Im working to stop them. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had proposed a March 4 trial date but that got shaken up when Trump co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro demanded a speedy trial, a move that would force prosecutors to launch the trial before Nov. 1. The prosecutor responded by shifting the proposed trial date to Oct. 23. Trump in turn moved to be tried separately, at a later date. Trump has not suggested a specific trial date but he has sought to delay other cases until after the 2024 election, which he hopes could catapult him back to power. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee will decide all the various competing claims about the trial dates. Trump was indicted in Georgia last week with his allies including ex-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, right wing law professor John Eastman and ex-personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. People watch as the motorcade with former President Donald Trump travels to the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, turned himself in on Wednesday and had a booking photo taken after agreeing to post bond. Meadows is trying to get his case moved to federal court. But he was ordered to submit to Willis orders in the meantime and was reportedly negotiating his own surrender. Past Trump surrenders drew wall-to-wall coverage on cable news of his flights and motorcade rides, a drama that Trump campaign aides and fundraisers say only enhance the former presidents exalted status with his supporters. But the Atlanta surrender was a more low-key affair, with Trump arriving in the evening and leaving pronto. While Trump was in town, law enforcement officers responded to a bomb threat at Fulton County Courthouse, the sheriff told NBC News. The courthouse sits about 3 miles south of Fulton County Jail. Trump has mostly consolidated his iron grip on the Republican electorate as his legal woes mount. Many GOP voters apparently agree with his assessment that all the charges are part of a partisan witch hunt hatched by his liberal enemies. The Atlanta appearance was a bit different in that authorities appear to be giving much less deference to Trump, notably insisting he would be subjected to the same processes as any other defendant. That wasnt the case in the previous cases where he was allowed to skip the humiliation of a mug shot. Trump was also subjected to a short stint in one of the nations more unpleasant criminal justice facilities at Fulton County Jail in downtown Atlanta. The vehicle carrying former President Donald Trump, right, arrives at the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Although the Secret Service was on hand to protect Trump, the jail is a dangerous place for most in the former presidents shoes. The Justice Department last month opened an investigation into poor conditions at the jail, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jails psychiatric wing. Trump was hit with 13 charges related to the 2020 election, including the most serious charge of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. The RICO statute carries a five year mandatory minimum sentence. Under Georgia state law, if convicted neither Trump nor anyone else could be pardoned for the crime. The charges stem from Trumps multi-pronged effort to overturn his loss in Georgia and elsewhere, including bullying officials to change vote totals and recruiting slates of bogus slates of fake pro-Trump electors. Trump was caught on tape demanding that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger should find just enough votes to outstrip President Bidens lead in the Peach State. Willis has also charged Trump with orchestrating a breach of the elections systems in rural Coffee County, which his campaign hoped to obtain data to bolster fake claims of widespread voter fraud. Trump dismisses all of the charges, defending his call to Raffensperger as a PERFECT effort to inquire about possible voter fraud. Tourists from the Middle East are shopping in Paris and Rome instead of London The UK is missing out on a spending boom from Middle Eastern tourists, who are heading to mainland Europe to make use of tax-free shopping schemes, new figures revealed. The statistics show that tourists from Arab countries are heading to Rome and Paris to splash their cash, snubbing London due to its hated tourist tax. More than 350 prominent businesses have signed an open letter calling on the Chancellor to reinstate a 20pc refund incentive for international visitors. The Mails Scrap The Tourist Tax campaign, launched in April, is now backed by many of this countrys biggest businesses including Marks & Spencer and Burberry. And they were given more backing for their calls as it was revealed shoppers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia spent 34pc and 94pc more, respectively, across Europe in July versus June, according to Planet, which processes tax-free refunds. The UK is missing out on a spending boom from Middle Eastern tourists, who are heading to mainland Europe to make use of tax-free shopping schemes, new figures revealed Both countries are now in the list of top five spenders in the tax-free market, alongside shoppers from the US, China and the United Kingdom. Planet said that travel had been driven by Eid ul-Adha, the public holiday in Muslim countries that carried over into early July, and the Islamic New Year holiday later in the month. But the UK has lost out on a chance to cash in, business leaders warned. Typically there would be a spending bonanza in Knightsbridge during Islamic New Year and Eid, according to Steven Medway, chief executive of the Knightsbridge Partnership, which represents 200 businesses in the area. But he added that this year has been a different story, with our members telling us that July was very subdued in terms of visits by GCC tourists and the latest figures proved these tourists were choosing to go elsewhere in Europe. With tax free shopping being the cherry on the cake, prime Europe is helping itself to a bigger slice of the tourism market. Counterproductive policy decisions are leading to a negative impact on the restaurants, shops and hotels of Knightsbridge, Medway said. France is now the most popular destination for visitors from Saudi Arabia and the UAE France is the most popular destination for visitors from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, followed by Italy, Planet said. Last month tourists from the UAE spent 73pc more than they did in June 2019, a level of spending only matched by the US. Cllr Geoff Barraclough, a Westminster City Council councillor, said: Oxford Street and the West End are a major attraction for high spending Middle East visitors and by not offering VAT free shopping, we are effectively telling them to go and spend their money in Paris or Berlin. As the latest data shows, other European destinations are more than happy to take the cash from GCC shoppers if London is not competitive. An open letter to the Chancellor, organised by hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, has garnered support from business leaders across the retail, tourism and hospitality sectors. Dozens of MPs from across the political spectrum have thrown their weight behind the Mails campaign, and serving Cabinet ministers are known to have privately taken up the case. So businesses are hopeful that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will reverse his predecessor Rishi Sunaks 2021 decision to scrap the incentive at the upcoming autumn Budget in November. Top British companies including Burberry and Marks & Spencer backed The Mail's Scrap the Tourist Tax campaign Earlier this summer, Treasury officials requested new evidence of the wider economic impact of the scheme. A study from the Centre for Economics and Business Research has found that the economy would be better off by more than 10billion a year by reinstating VAT refunds. The research flies in the face of Treasury claims that the scheme would cost the British taxpayer 2billion. John Dickie, chief executive at BusinessLDN, which represents Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, said: Our European neighbours such as France, Spain and Italy are winning high-spending tourists from America, China and the Gulf by offering VAT-free shopping for international visitors and the UK is seriously missing out as a result. Restoring VAT-free shopping would deliver an immediate boost to shops, restaurants and hotels not just in London but right across the UK, and help the economy break out of its low-growth trap. A woman and man have been rushed to hospital with wounds to their head and neck after an alleged domestic violence incident in Sydney's west. Emergency services arrived at a home on Crawley Avenue in Hebersham just before 9am on Friday. A woman, 30, was found with injuries to her head while the man, 29, had sustained stab wounds to his neck. A woman and man have been rushed to hospital with wounds to their head and neck after an alleged domestic violence incident in Hebersham in Sydney 's west A careflight helicopter was also at the scene and transported one of the victims to hospital The man is believed to have stabbed himself in the neck upon the arrival of police, sources told The Daily Telegraph. NSW Police said officers had tried to speak with the man before he allegedly injured himself. The man and woman are known to each other. The pair were both treated at the scene by paramedics and rushed to Westmead Hospital in critical conditions. A careflight helicopter was also at the scene and transported one of the victims to hospital. The man is under police guard in hospital. A crime scene has been set up and investigations are continuing. The investigation will be subject to an independent review. More to come A Georgia mother-of-three has been confirmed dead more than two years after she vanished on a hiking trail. Olivia Samantha Fowler, 27, was last seen wearing a tie-dye shirt, shorts and flip-flops while walking along Pebblebrook Road in Meriwether County on August 13, 2021. She was reported missing by her family the next day but authorities have only just confirmed her death, after human remains were found in the rural area in December. DNA testing linked the remains to Fowler and her family was informed about her death on Monday. A Georgia mother-of-three has been confirmed dead more than two years after she vanished on a hiking trail Olivia Samantha Fowler, 27, was last seen wearing a tie-dye shirt, shorts and flip-flops while walking along Pebblebrook Road in Meriwether County on August 13, 2021 Meriwether Sheriff Chuck Smith said officers 'met with and notified the immediate family members' that Fowler was confirmed dead. 'Although the outcome of the disappearance of Olivia Samantha Fowler is not what any of the family or law enforcement wanted, this investigation remains active and ongoing,' he said. Smith claimed there is still 'much evidence to be analyzed and processed' but did not reveal how she died or whether it was under suspicious circumstances. The case has been moved on from a missing person case to a death investigation. Relatives said Fowler had disappeared after seeing a man she was dating. Her aunt Tamara McCoy previously said: 'Olivia loves family loves, loves, loves her family. 'She's a great mother with the biggest heart.' The FBI joined the case in May 2022 before investigators received a tip and found her remains in a rural area of the county in December. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Scene Unit helped recover her body, process the scene and conduct an autopsy. Fowler's aunt put together a search group called 'Olivia's Army' to try and find her Authorities sent a sample of the DNA to the FBI Crime Lab, which confirme the remains were Fowler. Sheriff Smith said: 'The family request that they be allowed to properly grieve this recent news and to be supportive of them during this difficult time. 'The family would like the public to know that Olivia was not only a mother, but a daughter, a sister, a grandchild, and an important member of the Fowler family.' Fowler's aunt put together a search group called 'Olivia's Army' to try and find her. Her family also raised money to hire a private investigator by throwing car washes and hosting fundraisers. The alleged sexual act occurred in shopping centre A Sydney man accused of exposing himself to a young girl in a busy shopping centre has been charged over the alleged sex act. The 31-year-old man allegedly exposed himself to an eight-year-old girl at a shopping precinct in Sydney's southwest on Sunday afternoon. NSW Police launched an investigation after receiving a report at 5.30pm. The 31-year-old man allegedly exposed himself to an eight-year-old girl at a shopping precinct in Sydney's southwest on Sunday afternoon (stock image) Following a public appeal, officers from the Bankstown Police Area Command arrested the 31-year-old man on Thursday. He charged with intentionally carry out sexual act with child younger than 10 years and wilful and obscene exposure in/near public place/school. The man was refused bail and will appear at Bankstown Local Court on Friday. In a final heartbreaking display of unity, allegedly murdered Rockhampton mother Tayla Black and daughter Murphy Margaret were farewelled in a single coffin at their funeral service. Tayla, 30, and 11-week-old Murphy were laid to rest together after their husband and father, Mathew Cox, allegedly killed them almost three weeks ago on August 8. Hundreds of mourners packed Rockhampton Baptist Church to say goodbye, with heartbroken friends and family paying tribute following their senseless deaths. A memorial booklet filled with sweet photos of the pair read: 'We love you both every day of your life, and we will miss you for the rest of ours'. The funeral notice for the mother and daughter described them as 'precious and deeply loved' by their devastated family and friends. It also described a special bond between Ms Black and Murphy Margaret. No photos of Cox were played on the slideshow, with no reference to the alleged killer of the mother and daughter made during the service. Heartbroken family and friends gathered to farewell Rockhampton mother and daughter Tayla Cox and Murphy Margaret on Friday (pictured is the front of the memorial booklet) Rockhampton mother Tayla Cox and daughter Murphy Margaret were farewelled in a single coffin at their funeral service (pictured) Ms Black's parents and her childhood friend of over 20 years Jordan were seen weeping as they stood beside the coffin containing the mother and baby Tayla Black (right), 30, and her baby girl Murphy (centre) were found dead in their Rockhampton home. Her husband, Matthew (left), has been charged with their murders Ms Black's sister Jodie said she would remember her cheeky smile and husky voice, adding that becoming a new mum had meant 'everything' to her. 'She could light up a room and belt out a tune better than Miley Cyrus - her doppelganger,' she said. 'Becoming a new mum was everything to her, and I believe she was born to do it. When I got the message of Murphy's arrival, I got butterflies in my stomach knowing I had a little niece and Isla, a baby cousin.' 'I solely wish I could have held that little finger and kissed her [Murphy] on the nose.' Jodie said her sister had loved dressing Murphy up even if they weren't leaving the house and had given birth naturally, spending just one night in hospital. 'We will think of you every day and hold you both in our hearts forever. I will take comfort in knowing how many lives you have both touched and love you have brought to all. Souls will always live on in the hearts of those left behind,' she said. 'We love you both past the moon and miss you beyond the stars.' Tayla's parents, Gerry and Annmaree Black, thanked the Rockhampton community for its support following the deaths of their daughter and granddaughter. 'We would like to start today by saying thanks to family, friends and colleagues. Detective Senior Constable Peter Cumin, all the QPS team and first responders - for you all who are helping to guide us through this difficult time,' Mr Black said. Ms Black's parents (pictured at the front of the coffin) thanked the community for their support Ms Black said she and her husband Gerry (pictured left) had been in 'their own little bubble' in the three weeks since the death of their daughter and grandchild Hundreds of mourners packed Rockhampton Baptist Church to say a final goodbye on Friday 'Thanks to Pat Clemms, the coronial councillor, thank you, Sarah from Queens homicide support group; thank you Tony Williams from the Rockhampton regional council and all the community for your support - we say thank you.' Ms Black said the couple could feel 'everyone wrapping their arms around us' and said the couple had been in their 'own little bubble'. 'So for now all that is left to say is forever in each other's arms, fly high visit often. Always was Tayla Black. Always will be Murphy Margaret. We love you,' she said. Ms Black had first met Cox when they worked together at Flight Centre. The pair began dating in 2015, were engaged in November 2018 and wed on the Gold Coast in May 2021. They previously lived in Victoria, where Cox grew up, but moved to Rockhampton in November 2022 when he landed a job as a TV account manager at Southern Cross Austereo. Ms Cox had proudly posted on Facebook the news that they had bought the house. Tayla's grandmother, Margaret, attended the sombre Rockhampton service in her wheelchair Mourners embraced after farewelling the 'precious and deeply loved' mother and daughter 'New chapter, can't wait to make so many amazing memories with our beautiful little family,' she wrote. Police initially visited the Rockhampton home for a welfare check after Cox attended the Fortitude Valley Police Station on August 10. He allegedly drove to Rockhampton Airport in his wife's white MG SUV and flew to Brisbane, where he stayed two nights in the Constance Fortitude Valley hotel. Ms Black and her daughter were later found dead in their Rockhampton home. While the cause of death has not been confirmed, Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow said the alleged victims had lacerations on their bodies and 'there was a large amount of blood' at the scene. Cox was charged with two counts of murder on the night he attended the station. Police said there was no previous history of domestic violence between the couple as Cox's parents broke their silence about the tragedy earlier this month. A memorial booklet was filled with photos of the allegedly murdered mother and daughter Hundreds of mourners packed Rockhampton Baptist Church to say goodbye, with heartbroken friends and family paying tribute following their senseless deaths The single white casket is seen arriving to the Rockhampton Baptist Church on Friday A week after their remains were discovered, Ms Cox's sister Casie Black told Daily Mail Australia: 'I'm in utter shock.' 'We have lost a beautiful daughter-in-law Tayla, but also our much-loved granddaughter Murphy,' couple Denis Cox and Linda Lind wrote. 'At this stage, we have very few other details and are in an absolute state of shock. We ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve and try and process what has occurred.' The matter was first mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Cox did not appear in court and remains behind bars at Brisbane Correctional Centre. Cox was ordered to appear again on October 30 with a brief of evidence to be provided by October 9. After police attended the Rockhampton home, a crime scene was set up. Multiple police, forensic and scientific officers attended the property over the coming days, combing every surface of the home. Earlier this month, the local council paid tribute to Ms Black and baby Murphy by shining a pink light on Rockhampton Customs House on the main street. Ms Black grew up in Rockhampton and attended St Ursula's College in Yeppoon. The funeral notice for the pair (pictured) described them as 'precious and deeply loved' by their devastated family and friends Matthew Cox and Tayla Black (pictured during her pregnancy) were living in Victoria before they moved back to Rockhampton after purchasing their home in November 2022 Proud grandmother Linda (right) recently shared a photo posing with her son Matthew Cox (left) and his baby girl Murphy Neighbours are seen arriving at the scene to pay tribute to the mum and daughter (pictured) She was a repair coordinator for a construction company in the Rockhampton suburb of Berserker. She was on maternity leave at the time of her death. 'Always be kind,' her Facebook bio states. She and Cox lived in Victoria for some time during their relationship and had been together for almost eight years, according to his Facebook. They moved back to Rockhampton after purchasing their three bedroom Park Avenue home in November 2022. The move came as Cox secured a job at a local radio station as his wife took to Facebook to celebrate the purchase of their new home. 'New chapter, can't wait to make so many amazing memories with our beautiful little family,' Ms Black wrote. In February, she shared a happy snap of her husband cradling her baby bump while enjoying a break on Great Keppel Island. 'We can't wait to meet you,' she wrote. Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow described the scene as 'confronting'. 'There was a large amount of blood,' he said. It is understood police used luminol - a chemical substance capable of detecting minute traces of blood - in the property's bathroom. Investigators spent days combing over the property, including searches of bins and letterboxes, as well as the hotel where Cox stayed before handing himself in. If you or someone you know needs support, call 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 131 114. The former head of the MI6 who was in charge during the UK's invasion of Iraq has claimed scientists' warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence can necessarily be trusted because of incorrect claims they made about Covid-19. Sir Richard Dearlove said that as 'brilliant' scientists had gone 'off piste' during the pandemic, he was sceptical of experts telling him AI will destroy humanity. The 78-year-old retired British spy chief also said that the suggestion that artificial intelligence and human intelligence are the same is an 'extreme interpretation'. Speaking on the One Decision podcast, Sir Richard said: 'Lots of supposedly brilliant scientists, and they are brilliant, said all sorts of things during the pandemic - about the pandemic and the virus. 'And, we now discover a lot of what they were saying was scientifically off-piste, wrong. Sir Richard Dearlove said that as 'brilliant' scientists had gone 'off piste' during the pandemic, he was sceptical of experts telling him AI will destroy humanity Security personnel stand guard outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan as members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the origins of the COVID-19 coronavirus make a visit 'They actually used their knowledge and speciality to influence government policy. 'So at the moment, I am in a mood to be quite sceptical when some brilliant scientist says to me "I know all about this and I am going to tell you authoritatively what is going to happen".' He said he reacts with a degree of cynicism when scientists share extreme information in regards to AI. READ MORE: AI can achieve better grades than university students with assignments on a range of subjects including computer science and political studies, report suggests Advertisement He added: 'Of course, the moment someone like me starts criticising or commenting I am dismissed, because [they say] "What the hell do you know about artificial intelligence?" I have been involved in it all my life.' Sir Richard, who was head of MI6 during the invasion of Iraq, made the remarks after American computer scientist Eliezer Yudkowsky spoke about how humanity needs to 'wake up and decide to live' by controlling fast-developing AI. Yudkowsky, an artificial intelligence researcher, said at present AI doesn't pose a risk to humanity but this will likely change in the future. The 43 year old said: 'Well, the current crop of AIs do not pose an existential risk to the human race, because the current AIs are not smarter than us. 'They are, however, as stupid as they will ever be again. 'They continue pushing. [That is] the reason why a bunch of university professors recently came on board the extinction risk message, [because] they were not expecting AI to get as far as it did.' He said that not controlling AI by making it 'nice' could lead to the end of humanity. Yudkowsky said: 'They can see that it is getting smarter and smarter and we don't have the technology, we don't have the knowledge, we don't have the science to take something that's smarter than us - and point it in a direction to make it be nice. 'It's possible in principle, [but] we don't know how to do it. 'If you have something around that is smarter than you, and doesn't care about you at all then that's an extinction event.' Yudkowsky is best known for popularising ideas related to 'friendly artificial intelligence', and said he tried to draw attention to the problems AI could pose 20 years ago - but was shut down. He said people would say to him, 'Who is to say you can do that with a computer' or 'This is going to be hundreds of years in the future'. The computer scientist added: 'I pray the sceptics are correct and it's going to be another 10 years before we get up to the extinction level - or even 15 years. But, how do they know.' In tackling potential risks of AI, Yudkowsky suggested the best option would be for the heads of state in the US, UK and China to get together and 'announce that all the AI chips are going to be in supervised, monitored facilities'. He cryptically added that issues with AI will be okay if 'humanity decides not to do the stupid thing, humanity wakes up one day and decides to live'. Sir Richard criticised what Yudkowsky said, adding: 'When you are an authoritative scientist in this area, and you put forward an extreme view - people listen to you. 'If you say something as alarming and as all embracing as he has said, people will sit up, bolt up right and think 'My God, what the hell is he telling us'.' Sir Richard particularly didn't agree with Yudkowsky's view that AI and humans are the same. He added: 'When he said 'Oh the human brain is just another computer', 'Now, do we really accept that there is no distinction between the nature of human intelligence and the nature of systems built mechanically which are artificial intelligence? 'There is almost a philosophical question, it's certainly an existential question rather than a scientific question. 'I'm afraid that I can't accept that approach. 'I am suspicious of somebody who puts forward this extraordinary and extreme interpretation of AI.' A property manager has shared the heartbreaking moment she helped a tenant move out of a property amid the nation's worsening rental crisis. Ashleigh Goodchild, who goes by perthpropertymanager on TikTok, had the difficult tasking of evicting a client's tenant as the owner would've been left 'homeless' if he didn't get possession of his house back. 'Watch till the end to see what happened when I accessed the property,' she captioned the video, adding a crying emoji. 'I am at a property where we're about to have the locks changed,' Ms Goodchild is begins the video while standing outside the rental. 'The tenant has defaulted. We have negotiated best we can.' 'So I'm just waiting for the locksmith to get access and see what it's all like inside,' she explained. The manager said she wasn't sure what to expect when she went inside, but hoped the tenant had removed all her furniture as a cleaner had been booked. 'So, fingers crossed. Come join me,' she said. Ms Goodchild is then seen back in her office following the interaction, visibly upset. 'That was one of the hardest things that I think that I've ever had to do,' she said. The tenant was still home, she added, and she was not expecting that. 'I sat with her for a while, I had a chat to her, and I just tried to make it feel a bit better about what was about to happen,' she said. 'And I helped her pack her stuff and after a couple of hours, I got her out of the property and on her way.' Ashleigh Goodchild (pictured) took to social media to share the emotional interaction she had with a young tenant The property manager told her viewers she helped the tenant pack up her stuff and sent her 'on her way' (pictured) 'It wasn't nice, but that was just my job today, so I've done it.' The tenant was young and she will be okay, the property manager sympathised, even though it wasn't very nice to do. 'I left her knowing that I done the right thing by her, emotionally as what I could,' Ms Goodchild added, describing the situation as a 'little speed bump' in the tenant's life. Social media users praised the interaction and Ms Goodchild's compassion towards the occupant amid a worsening rental crisis. 'Times are so tough. Many people are only one pay packet away from being homeless. Living from payday to payday. She will remember your kindness,' wrote one. 'You did more than most people would,' a second user commented, 'you showed her compassion and sat with her and listened.' Another said: 'You handled this situation with such grace and compassion.' 'We need more people like you in property management!!' In a social media frenzy, the internet has exploded with a wave of creative memes and humorous posts after the release of the official mugshot of former President Donald Trump. The image, which quickly went viral, has sparked a multitude of reactions from users across various platforms. The image shows a stern-faced Trump in what appears to be a standard booking photo. The former President is wearing a blue suit and red tie in the shot. Within moments of the image hitting the internet, hashtags such as #TrumpMugshot and #OrangeIsTheNewOrange began trending on X. Others defended Trump with the hashtag #MyPresident. Trump himself posted the photo to his X account with the caption DONALDJTRUMP.COM, his first tweet since January 8, 2021. Here are some of the top, funniest and wackiest memes and posts about the now-infamous mugshot: Users from across the political spectrum chimed in with their takes on the mugshot after waiting in anticipation for its release. Some users on X poked fun at Trump's signature hairstyle, while others playfully speculated about his potential 'prison wardrobe.' Some joked about how the former president's weight was listed at 215 pounds, which was pre-reported to speed up the booking process. Instagram and TikTok were also not far behind, as users flooded these platforms with short videos and image-based memes. In one widely shared meme, Trump's face was superimposed onto various famous movie scenes where characters find themselves behind bars, leaving audiences in stitches. The memes ranged from light-hearted humor to political satire. 'Trump is mean mugging the camera, this is too funny,' one user wrote on X. Others defended the former president and said the photo would be used as a rallying cry. 'I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis who is nothing more than a political hitman tasked with taking out Biden's top political opponent. 'Persecution, not prosecution,' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted with hashtag #MAGAMugshot. Fake Trump mug shots also went viral prior to the release of the photo. The photo to the left is the original photo used in the fake Trump mug shot to the right Trump has made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The 77-year-old was arrested for the fourth time this year and fingerprinted by authorities at the Fulton County jail. Unlike with his previous three arrests, on Thursday he had his booking photo taken. He stared into the camera for the historic image, with a scowl on his face. Trump's height and weight were recorded and, as part of the booking process, he was given a prisoner identification number: P01135809. He was then released on payment of 10 percent of his $200,000 bail, having spent less than 20 minutes inside the infamous facility. The former president traveled to Georgia on Thursday afternoon from his Bedminster, New Jersey, home. Ahead of his surrender, Trump slammed Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis as a 'Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney. His surrender came hours after Willis requested Trump face trial in Georgia on October 23, and as his former chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered to cops. A handful of other Trump allies and 'co-conspirators' who turned themselves into the Georgia prison this week also had their mugshots released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. They are accused of joining a 'conspiracy' led by Trump to unlawfully change the outcome of the election. 'America's Mayor' Rudy Giuliani faced the humiliation of having his mugshot taken after getting booked at the Atlanta jail on Wednesday. In the image, Giuliani can be seen looking straight ahead, showing a slight frown, with industrial lighting shining on his forehead and a sheriff's badge on the wall to his right. The school was placed under a lockdown The young girl was rushed to hospital after suffering injuries A 12-year-old-boy has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a female classmate at a Catholic primary school. The young girl was rushed to hospital after she was allegedly stabbed in the torso by the boy at 9am on Friday at St Thomas More Primary School at Elizabeth Park in Adelaide's north. South Australia Police were called to the school following reports of the alleged stabbing. A student was allegedly stabbed by another student at a primary school in Adelaide's northern suburbs on Friday just before 9am Police arrested the male student before he was charged with assault causing harm. The boy was granted bail and will face Elizabeth Youth Court on October 13. Police said the female student was taken to the Women's and Children's Hospital in an ambulance for assessment of the injuries she suffered in the alleged attack. 'The victim sustained superficial cuts to her torso,' South Australia Police said. The girl did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. Frightened parents rushed to the school to collect their children as news of the alleged attack spread. One parent, Rachel Mitchell, whose daughter attends the school, told the Adelaide Advertiser that she was at work when she got a call from her sister who told her about the incident. 'I just rushed here [to the school] straight away, obviously [I am] a concerned mum and yeah, [I] just wanted to be with my daughter,' Ms Mitchell said. South Australia Police responded to reports a student had allegedly been stabbed by a classmate at St Thomas More School in Elizabeth Park, north of Adelaide Ms Mithcell said the school had not been in contact to tell her what had happened. 'But unfortunately, I don't know what's happened (or) what's caused this to happen,' she said. 'It's crazy. I feel like the world's getting so out of control.' The school was briefly placed into lockdown but police said there are no further risks to students following the incident. Emergency crews left the scene just before midday on Friday, however a South Australia Police vehicle remained parked outside the school. In a letter sent out to parents, the school's principal Chris Platten said staff worked to contain the situation involving the two students. 'There is no further risk to any other students and the students were supported by staff in the gym,' he said. Officers seized a knife after they detained the alleged attacker. The school was briefly placed into lockdown after the alleged attack Mr Platten said students would be provided with support. 'Our priority at the moment is supporting the students involved and those who witnessed the incident...' he said. 'I am in the process of coordinating counsellors to further support the students today.' In a statement, Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education South Australia told Daily Mail Australia the department will also be providing the necessary support services. 'The safety and wellbeing of staff and students while at Catholic schools is, and will continue to be, our absolute priority,' Mr McGoran said. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the students, their families, school staff and those who witnessed this morning's isolated incident at St Thomas More School, Elizabeth Park'. 'Additional staff and counsellors are on site to support students and staff and we will continue to wrap around the school community in coming days'. The Kremlin on Friday denied involvement in the plane crash believed to have killed Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, waving off rumors the mercenary chief was assassinated over his failed coup against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now, naturally, there are many speculations over this plane crash and the tragic death of the passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, according to state-run media outlet TASS. The West is selling these speculations from a certain angle, he continued. All of them are absolute lies. In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned agency President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with Security Council permanent members via video link in Moscow, on August 25, 2023. Peskov added that the Kremlin is still waiting for more information to draw a conclusion about the crash, echoing comments made by Putin on Thursday during a televised address. The Russian president during the broadcast also mourned the presumed victims, including Prigozhin, who he remembered as a talented man, a talented businessman. He was a man of difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results needed both for himself and when I asked him about it for a common cause, as in these last months, Putin said, often times referring to the rebel in the past tense. The fiery plane crash occurred over the Tver region on Wednesday, exactly two months after 62-year-old Prigozhin launched his rebellion and threatened to march on Moscow. An enraged Putin days later declared the Wagner groups actions to be a form of treason and accused the organizers of the rebellion of betraying Russia itself. And while he did not specifically name Prigozhin, the Russian leader further vowed those involved in the uprising will suffer inevitable punishment. The wreckage of a plane is seen at the crash site near the village of Kuzhenkino, Tver region, on August 24, 2023. Prigozhin ultimately agreed to abort the coup as part of an agreement with Putin that allowed him to escape terrorism charges and live freely in the allied nation of Belarus. Despite the deal, few believed the Russian leader would be willing to let Prigozhin escape without punishment. On Thursday, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons press secretary, said at a briefing that the Defense Departments initial assessment is that Prigozhin was likely killed in the crash. While his remains have yet to be formally identified, he was listed as a passenger on the plane. Another nine people were on board when the aircraft plummeted to the ground, including Dmitriy Utkin, Prigozhins second-in-command and head military tactician. Ryder added that there is no information to indicate a surface-to-air missile downed the plane. Two officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it is widely believed that an explosion from within the aircraft caused the crash, adding that it is in line with Putins long history of trying to silence his critics. With News Wire Services Virgin Australia's CEO has slammed the government for blocking Qatar Airways from bringing more flights into Australia, amid claims Qantas demanded the ban. In a private video message to staff leaked to Daily Mail Australia, Virgin boss Jayne Hrdlicka blasted the move and blamed a lack of competition for soaring airfares. She said passengers had to pay more because of the restricted number of international flights in and out of the country, which has doubled ticket costs. And she said Australia's economy was also suffering as a result, with fewer tourists coming into the country because of the lack of passenger seats and high prices. Approving additional flights through Qatar could instantly improve the situation, she said, but the request had been rejected by the federal government. 'We are deeply disappointed,' she told workers in the personal videogram to the company's workforce. PM Anthony Albanese has faced outrage after his son Nathan, 21, and girlfriend Jodie Haydon (pictured with the PM and Alan Joyce) were given free membership of the Qantas Chairman's Lounge. Qatar Airways wanted to its number of flights into Australia and the move was backed by Virgin but opposed by Qantas and blocked by the government 'Qatar is one of the only airlines in the world that could overnight put four additional services per day into Australia. 'And for some reason, they were denied. There's no understandable reason why they were denied those rights.' The additional Qatar Airways flights - as a gateway to the rest of the world - had been approved by all the relevant government departments, it was reported on Friday. But Qantas boss Alan Joyce wanted the move vetoed, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government cabinet blocked it. 'That's the influence Alan Joyce has,' a source told The Australian. The PM has previously faced outrage after his son Nathan, 21, and girlfriend Jodie Haydon were given free membership of the prestigious Qantas Chairman's Lounge. Transport minister Catherine King blocked the 28 additional Qatar flights earlier this month and told Parliament it was 'not in the national interest'. But she denied the decision gave Qantas an unfair advantage, and said that was an 'unfair characterisation'. READ MORE: How the PM's son scored a prized Chairman's Lounge pass Mr Albanese pictured with his 23-year-old son Nathan and his current partner Jodie Haydon Advertisement She also denied it was linked to the outrage over the forced gynaecological examination of 13 women air passengers by Qatari authorities investigating the discovery of a newborn baby's body in a bin at Doha Airport in October 2020. Mr Joyce defended Qantas's opposition to Qatar's proposed expansion into Australia at his airline's $2.5billion profit announcement on Thursday. 'What we said when it came to Qatar...was there shouldnt be rights granted when theres a huge amount of capacity being put back into the market,' he said. 'Doubling those rights [for Qatar] could actually distort the market and thats proven to be correct because capacity has essentially doubled in that time. 'From July 1 this year to June 30, 6.4 million seats will be added to international capacity.' He said the government dictated the rights of access to countries and 'took in a lot of considerations.' He added: 'Theres a lot of reasons the government would consider granting or not granting rights.' Qantas is linked to Qatar Airways through the Oneworld Alliance of airlines - but does not feature its name or logo on its website alongside its 25 other international Oneworld or partner airlines. The national carrier partners with UAE-based Emirates airline - Qatar Airways' Middle Eastern rival - on many of its international route, while Virgin Australia has an official tie up with Qatar. '[Qatar Airways] are our partner,' said Ms Hrdlicka in her message to staff from Virgin Australia's Brisbane HQ. 'They've served Australia well throughout Covid. 'And importantly, they're offering us the opportunity to bring additional inbound traffic into Australia for much needed international tourism.' She said opening up the routes more would have an immediate impact on airfares. Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said there was 'no understandable reason' to stop Qatar Airways bringing in more flights to Australia Anthony Albanese's government blocked the Qatar Airway bid and said it was not in the 'national interest' in a decision supported by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (pictured with the PM and footy star Adam Goodes) 'The central theme is air fares are just too high in Australia for international travel,' she said. 'The prices are driven by the amount of capacity that's available. 'And between Australia and Europe, there isn't enough capacity and prices have been as high as two times 2019 levels. Right now they're still at 50 per cent higher.' She said the additional Qatar flights would bring in another $500million a year to the Australian economy through increased foreign tourism. 'Mostly that goes to small and medium sized businesses throughout this country, many of whom are based in Queensland,' said said. 'Tourism operators will tell you that they're really hungry to get international tourists back because they spend money differently than we would when we're traveling domestically. '$500million out of the economy in this decision means less jobs, less opportunity, and denied growth for a part of the economy that suffered most during Covid. 'So we're disappointed and we'll continue to work hard to make sure that there is a pathway to make this possible. 'Qatar's a great partner for Australia, they're a great partner for Virgin Australia and their inbound feed with tourism obviously fills our planes too. 'So it's important to all of us.' Ms Hrdlicka ran Qantas budget carrier Jetstar from 2012 to 2017 and answered to Mr Joyce. Former President Donald Trump posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, for the first time since his suspension following the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, tweeting out a photo of his mugshot and a link to his website. Earlier Thursday, Trump made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. At 9:38 p.m., just hours after he was processed and released in Fulton County Jail, @RealDonaldTrump tweeted for the first time in two years a link to Trump's website and a photo of his already viral mugshot. He captioned the photo of the mugshot with two statements: 'ELECTION INTERFERENCE' and 'NEVER SURRENDER' with another plug to his website address. Trump also posted the same message to his self-owned Truth Social page but this is a startling return to X, which had banned the former president under its former name before reinstating him after Elon Musk took over the site. Former President Donald Trump posted on X, formerly known as Twitter , for the first time since his suspension following the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, tweeting out a photo of his mugshot and a link to his website. The tweet comes after Trump praised his own 'BLOCKBUSTER' interview with Tucker Carlson on Elon Musk's 'X' platform, which had reached over 150 million views by early Thursday morning and stole the spotlight from Fox News' Republican presidential debate. The former president's 45-minute sit-down on X, formerly known as Twitter, aired as his GOP rivals bickered on stage in a crucial night for the 2024 White House race. The former president boasted about the success of the broadcast in a post to Truth Social Thursday morning: 'The Tucker Carlson Interview with me was a BLOCKBUSTER. Could hit 200,000,000 Views, and more! Thank you! I hope it was enjoyed by everyone.' The Trump-Carlson face-to-face has already eclipsed the most-watched TV interview of all time - Oprah and Michael Jackson's 1993 hit, which garnered over 62 million views. It also trumped Tucker's Andrew Tate interview from July, which drew in 107 million views. Trump is preparing to surrender at a Georgia jail later Thursday on election fraud charges and is expected to have a mugshot taken - a historic first for a former president. The viewing figures are almost certain to eclipse the number of Americans who tuned into Fox to watch Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and the rest of the GOP field go to battle to try and close the gap with the frontrunner. However, the millions of views also counted X users who scrolled past the video, and didn't tune in for the whole interview. Trump was asked by interviewer Tucker Carlson whether the nation was headed for 'civil war.' He attacked his critics as 'savages,' tore into GOP rivals and Joe Biden, and spoke about low-flow shower heads The site initially suspended Donald Trump's account for 12 hours before ultimately issuing the permanent ban after he praised the mob who stormed Congress and said he 'loved' them. One of the deleted tweets read: 'These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!' In the deleted video, he poured more fuel on the fire, claiming the election was 'stolen' and telling the rioters that he 'loved' them. Twitter said it had removed the tweets for violating their 'Civic Integrity policy'. 'As a result of the unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, D.C., we have required the removal of three @realDonaldTrump Tweets that were posted earlier today for repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy,' the social media company said. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have previously labeled content posted by the president with warnings over the last year, in particular his claims about election fraud and COVID-19. Throughout the 2020 presidential election, the platforms placed labels on dozens of Trump's tweets that made false or misleading claims about voter fraud. However, this was the first time Twitter flagged a tweet as posing 'a risk of violence.' In November of 2022, after taking over the social media behemoth, Elon Musk reinstated the account. An irrepressible tweeter before he was banned, there were no new Tweets from Trump who used Twitter as his primary communication tool both while running for president, and while in office. His tweets would move the markets, set the news cycle and drove the agenda in Washington. The controversial decision came only three weeks after Musk acquired the social media company for $44 billion and after he ran a public vote in which 15 million users cast their ballots. After 24 hours of voting, the poll saw 51.8% pushing for Trump to be reinstated to the platform. Musk tweeted: 'The people have spoken. Trump will be reinstated.' 'Vox Populi, Vox Dei,' Musk added, a Latin phrase that roughly means 'the voice of the people is the voice of God.' 'Fascinating to watch Twitter Trump poll!' Musk said earlier on Saturday morning in a blast of tweets from the controversial and hard-charging new owner of the one-to-many messaging platform. Trump's Twitter account was reinstated but it now only has 1 million followers as opposed to the nearly 90 million he had before his suspension in January 2021 Trump initially said he would not return to Twitter, preferring instead to focus on his Truth Social app. 'I don't see any reason for it,' the former president said via video when asked whether he planned to return to Twitter by a panel at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership meeting. 'I do like him... you know, he's a character and again, I like characters,' Trump said of Musk. 'He did put up a poll and it was very overwhelming... but I have something called... Truth Social.' Trump said he would stick with his new platform, the app developed by his startup, which he said had better user engagement than Twitter and was doing 'phenomenally well'. But at the time of his suspension, Trump had close to 90 million followers. When the account was reactivated on Saturday evening, all of Trump's followers had been removed but numbers quickly reached more than 1 million. Trump has some 4.57 million followers on his Truth Social platform. In a tweet Musk said, 'The people have spoken. Trump will be reinstated' After 24 hours of voting, the poll saw 51.8% pushing for Trump to be reinstated to the platform Truth Social has been Trump's main source of direct communication with his followers since he began posting on the app regularly in May of 2022. Elon Musk reinstated Donald Trump to Twitter following a poll on Saturday night He has used Truth Social to promote his allies, criticize opponents and defend his reputation amid legal scrutiny from state, congressional and federal investigators. Trump issued a statement about the poll and the possibility of being reinstated. 'Vote now with positivity, but don't worry, we aren't going anywhere,' Trump said. 'Truth Social is special!' His agreement with the company, however, opens the door for Trump to engage extensively on other platforms. Trump is obligated to give Truth Social a six-hour exclusive on any post - but is free to post 'political messaging, political fundraising or get-out-the vote efforts' on any site, at any time, according to a May SEC filing. Trump, who launched a bid to regain the White House in 2024, praised Musk and said he had always liked him. But Trump also said Twitter suffered from bots, fake accounts and that the problems it faced were 'incredible'. 'They have a lot of problems at Twitter. You see what's going on. It may make it, it may not make it, but the problems are incredible,' Trump said. Musk, Twitter's new owner, said in May 2022 he would reverse Twitter's ban on Trump, whose account was suspended following the January 2020 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which he is accused of stoking. Musk had previously sought to reassure users and advertisers that such a decision would be made with consideration by a content moderation council composed of people with 'widely diverse viewpoints' and no account reinstatements would happen before the council convened. He also said Twitter would not reinstate any banned users until there was a 'clear process for doing so.' There has been no new information about process or the moderation council. A no-show by Trump could reduce concerns among major advertisers, who are already rattled by Musk's drastic reshaping of Twitter. Musk is in the process of a huge restructuring of the company, including massive layoffs but he also appears to be part of his own of having fun with his new $44 billion purchase. The reinstatement of accounts ousted for violating Twitter's content moderation rules has been seen as a bellwether of where Musk, a self-described 'free speech absolutist,' wants to take the site. Musk has widely criticized Twitter's suspension policies and vowed to bring back prominent figures. He says he will punish people who post hateful things by suppressing the visibility of their accounts - but won't ban them outright, because of his staunch belief in free speech. Trump headed down to Georgia on Thursday afternoon from his Bedminster, New Jersey, home to turn himself in. Ahead of his surrender, Trump slammed Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis as a 'Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney' and posted on Truth Social that his arrest would occur at 7:30pm ET. His surrender came hours after Willis requested Trump face trial in Georgia on October 23, and as his former chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered to cops. A handful of other Trump allies and 'co-conspirators' who turned themselves into the Georgia prison this week also had their mugshots released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. They are accused of joining a 'conspiracy' led by Trump to unlawfully change the outcome of the election. 'America's Mayor' Rudy Giuliani faced the humiliation of having his mugshot taken after getting booked at an Atlanta jail Wednesday. In the image, Giuliani can be seen looking straight ahead, showing a slight frown, with industrial lighting shining on his forehead and a sheriff's badge on the wall to his right. Supporters of Donald Trump, Georgina and Cliff MacMorris, hold flags outside the Fulton County Jail ahead of Trump's surrender on August 24 A flurry of nine of Trump allies have turned themselves in to the Georgia prison so far this week before the Friday deadline The former Trump lawyer is facing 13 felony counts, including RICO charges. It was a stunning and symbolic turnaround for the former mob boss prosecutor, who famously used the RICO Act to take down the Mafia in the 1980s during his time as a Manhattan prosecutor. Trump slammed the arrest of his former attorney in a Truth Social post after the release of Giuliani's mugshot. 'The greatest Mayor in the history of New York City was just ARRESTED in Atlanta, Georgia, because he fought for Election Integrity. THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED & STOLLEN. HOW SAD FOR OUR COUNTRY. MAGA!' Trump wrote. Some of Australia's most iconic pubs, bars and restaurants have a new owner after hospitality group Australian Venue Co and its 210-strong portfolio were snapped up by foreign investors. PAG Private Equity will pay an undisclosed fee to the venue chain's parent KKR, the parties announced on Friday, but the AFR has quoted sources claiming the deal is worth about $1.4billion. Investment firm PAG Private Equity has bought major hospitality group Australian Venue Co, which owns over 200 pubs and bars including the Cargo Bar in Sydney The properties changing hands include Cargo Bar in Sydney and renowned Melbourne live music venue the Esplanade Hotel, which served as the filming location for SBS trivia program Rockwiz. AVC chief executive Paul Waterson said the agreement marks an exciting time for the company and its 8,500 employees. 'We look forward to working with our new partners in PAG,' he said in a media release. 'Their investment affirms the strength of the platform and our future growth potential in Australia and New Zealand.' Lincoln Pan, co-head of PAG, said AVC is a proven market leader with an exceptional management team and great potential. PAG Private Equity will pay an undisclosed fee to the venue chain's parent KKR, the parties announced on Friday, but the deal is believed to be worth about $1.4billion (pictured, the Esplanade Hotel at St Kilda, Melbourne, one of the properties included in the sale) 'AVC has created some of the most unique and iconic venues across Australia and New Zealand and we are looking forward to supporting them on their next stage of growth,' he said. Global investment firm KKR acquired the hospitality group in 2017, back when it boasted just 50 venues. The transaction is expected to be wrapped up in late 2023, subject to regulatory approvals. Donald Trump admitted being booked into the infamous Fulton County jail was 'a terrible experience', and complained that the jail officials 'insisted' he have a mugshot taken. The 77-year-old made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia - and he shared the image on X, the platform formally known as Twitter. As he flew home to New Jersey on Thursday, Trump called Newsmax host Greg Kelly and complained about the day's events. 'A terrible experience,' he said. 'I came in, I was treated very nicely. But it is what it is. 'I took a mugshot. I had never heard the word mugshot. They didn't teach me that at the Wharton School of Finance.' He told Fox News Digital it was 'not comfortable'. 'They insisted on a mugshot and I agreed to do that,' he said. 'This is the only time I've ever taken a mugshot. 'It is not a comfortable feeling - especially when you've done nothing wrong.' Donald Trump on Thursday night spoke to Newsmax by phone, while flying home to New Jersey from Atlanta after being booked into jail Donald Trump has made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia BREAKING: Former President Donald Trump speaks out to Newsmax after being booked. "It's a very sad day for our country. This is a weaponized justice department." More: https://t.co/InWqfqSkjG pic.twitter.com/w029SiatEf NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) August 25, 2023 Fulton County jail released Donald Trump's booking record, which lists the charges and his vital statistics He told Fox and Newsmax the booking was part of 'election interference'. 'It was a very sad experience, and it's a very sad day for our country.' Trump's pre-reported height of 6-feet 3-inches and weight of 215lbs were recorded as part of the booking process. He was given a prisoner identification number: P01135809. He was then released on payment of 10 percent of his $200,000 bail, having spent less than 20 minutes inside the infamous facility. He told Newsmax host Greg Kelly it was 'an experience I never thought I'd have to go through,' but added it was his fourth time. 'In my whole life I never knew anything about indictment, but now I've been indicted like four times. 'And all by the radical left. And in coordination, absolute coordination, with the Justice Department.' Trump told Kelly the prosecutors in Georgia were 'maniacs', describing them as 'vicious animals'. He said he did not recall meeting many of the 18 indicted alongside him. 'I don't even know that I've met a lot of these people - but some I do,' he said. 'And their lives are destroyed by these maniacs. These are animals, these are vicious animals that have destroyed the lives of these people.' Trump's motorcade is seen outside the Fulton County jail in Atlanta He told Kelly that he was charged as a result of telling people to watch Newsmax. 'I mean, I have counts where - you're gonna love this and [Newsmax CEO] Chris Ruddy will be thrilled,' Trump said. 'But one of the things is, I told people' 'Newsmax.' 'Did you know that? That was one of my counts. I told people to watch Newsmax.' Kelly replied: 'We love it, sir.' Trump continued: 'I got charged for telling people to watch Newsmax.' 'Thank you for that,' Kelly replied, before trying to move on. 'I hope you don't get charged,' Trump joked. 'You'll probably get charged because I mentioned your name, so, but I think you'll be ok.' The former president traveled to Georgia on Thursday afternoon from his Bedminster, New Jersey, home. His motorcade went first to Newark airport, and the New York-born billionaire boarded his Boeing 757 to fly to Atlanta. He touched down in Atlanta shortly after 7pm, and, waving at the waiting media and giving the thumbs up, he stepped down from the plane and was driven 14 miles to the jail. Trump's arrival at the Fulton County jail on Rice Street in downtown Atlanta was greeted with loud cheers by his supporters, and some boos from detractors. He spent around 25 minutes inside the decrepit facility, where seven people have died in custody since the start of this year, and was processed far more quickly than other accused criminals. His fingerprints and booking photo were taken, and his bond money paid. By 7:55pm, he was back in his motorcade and en route to Atlanta airport. Trump declared on the tarmac that it was 'a very sad day for America.' He said it was 'a travesty of justice' and added: 'We did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong.' 'This is election interference. So I want to thank you for being here. We did nothing wrong,' Trump said. 'We had every right, every single right, to challenge an election we think was dishonest.' He then boarded his plane and flew back to New Jersey. The former president boarded his plane to leave Atlanta shortly before 8:20pm, after being booked in Fulton County jail Trump is seen walking up the steps of his plane to depart Supporters of Donald Trump, Georgina and Cliff MacMorris, hold flags outside the Fulton County Jail ahead of Trump's surrender A flurry of nine of Trump allies have turned themselves in to the Georgia prison so far this week before the Friday deadline Ahead of his surrender, Trump criticized Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis, calling her a 'Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney'. His surrender came hours after Willis set a date for the trial. She requested that Trump's trial begin on October 23 - a date widely viewed as being impossibly soon. Also on Thursday, his former chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered to cops. A handful of other Trump allies and 'co-conspirators' who turned themselves into the Georgia prison this week had their mugshots released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on Thursday. They are accused of joining a 'conspiracy' led by Trump to unlawfully change the outcome of the election. Among them was 'America's Mayor', Rudy Giuliani, who faced the humiliation of having his mugshot taken after getting booked at the Atlanta jail on Wednesday. In the image, Giuliani can be seen looking straight ahead, showing a slight frown, with industrial lighting shining on his forehead and a sheriff's badge on the wall to his right. The former Trump lawyer is facing 13 felony counts, including RICO charges - the same number as Trump. It was a stunning and symbolic turnaround for Giuliani, a former mob boss prosecutor, who famously used the RICO Act to take down the Mafia in the 1980s during his time as a Manhattan prosecutor. Trump slammed the arrest of Giuliani in a Truth Social post after the release of the 79-year-old's mugshot. 'The greatest Mayor in the history of New York City was just ARRESTED in Atlanta, Georgia, because he fought for Election Integrity. THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED & STOLLEN. HOW SAD FOR OUR COUNTRY. MAGA!' Trump wrote. Mark Meadows immediately had a jail record in the Fulton County system that included details like his height and weight - 6-feet 1-inch and 240lbs. It described him as having blue eyes and 'gray or partially gray' hair. In the photo released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, he angrily glares directly into the camera with a slight snarl on his lips. The first co-defendants to turn themselves in were attorney John Eastman and bail bondsman Scott Hall, who arrived at Fulton County jail on Tuesday. Eastman wrote a memo laying out steps Mike Pence, the then-vice president, could take to interfere in the counting of electoral votes while presiding over Congress' joint session on January 6, in order to keep Trump in office. Former Georgia GOP chairman and state legislator David Shafer and former Coffee County GOP chair Cathy Latham turned themselves in at the jail early Wednesday morning - both of their bonds set at $75,000. They have all since been released. Trump is seen arriving at the Atlanta airport on Thursday The New York-born businessman arrived in Atlanta around 7pm on Thursday Trump's motorcade is seen leaving Atlanta airport and heading to Fulton County jail Georgia-based lawyer Ray Smith and Trump campaign attorney Ken Chesebro were also booked on Wednesday. Chesebro's bond was set at $100,000, Smith's at $50,000, and both were released from jail about two hours after they arrived. Trump's fiery former attorney known as the 'Kraken', Sidney Powell, surrendered on Wednesday afternoon in Georgia on $100,000 bond - and had her mugshot released. Best known for the stories she spun about Dominion Voting Systems, Powell is another one of the 'strike force' lawyers who toured the country unsuccessfully pitching a voter fraud theory to any and all legal bodies. An almost giddy-looking attorney Jenna Ellis, who was all smiles for her mugshot, handed herself over to authorities around the same time and was granted a $100,000 bond. Ellis re-tweeted accounts saying she 'absolutely owned that mugshot' and 'just made mugshots great again.' The 41-count charge against the former president and his 18 co-defendants marks the fourth and latest indictment against him. Trump has not had to take a mugshot for his previous three indictments. He was charged with RICO - Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations - a count which is frequently used to try mafia figures, cartel leaders and gangland bosses. He is also charged with solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer; conspiracy to commit forgery in the first-degree; perjury; and a host of other counts. If convicted on all charges, he faces 71 years in prison - and state charges, unlike federal, cannot be pardoned by a president. None of the 19 have yet entered pleas, since the arraignment process is separate from the booking process in Georgia. Willis has asked for those arraignments to take place the week of September 5. The defendants can waive appearing at that trial, which is where they answer the charges against them. Lawyers are allowed to speak on their behalf. The ex-president shook up the legal team handling his defense in the Georgia case, replacing attorney Drew Findling with Steven Sadow just hours before he headed down to Georgia to surrender. The rest of his team including Jennifer Little and Marissa Goldberg are expected to remain. He has also been booked in New York on an alleged hush money scheme, in Miami on accusations he mishandled classified information and in Washington, D.C. on his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. In the photo released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Meadows angrily glares directly into the camera with a slight snarl on his lips He posted on his Truth Social account on Wednesday that he was preparing to be 'proudly' arrested in Georgia. 'NOBODY HAS EVER FOUGHT FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY LIKE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,' he wrote on his Truth Social account. 'FOR DOING SO, I WILL PROUDLY BE ARRESTED TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN GEORGIA. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!' Before his mugshot was formally released, Trump's campaign used a fake picture to fundraise on the back of the Fulton County sheriff's threat. The campaign turned the image into T-shirts to sell. The former president's campaign claims it has raked in $8 million in donations since his first Manhattan indictment. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you Matt 5:44 But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you pic.twitter.com/lGcxDN0skI Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) August 23, 2023 The Fulton County Jail is shown April 11, 2023, in Atlanta Trump's fundraising efforts sold T-shirts using a fake picture, as the former president's campaign claims $8M in donations since his Manhattan indictment Trump's arrest also came a day after the first Republican presidential debate. Eight Republican contenders took the stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday night in a high-stakes face off. 'If former President Trump is convicted in a court of law, would you still support him as your party's choice?' asked Fox News host Brett Baier. 'Please raise your hand if you would.' Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, was the only candidate who refused to raise his hand. 'I did not raise my hand. Because there's an important issue we as a party have to face,' he said. 'Over a year ago, I said that Donald Trump was morally disqualified from being president because of what happened on Jan. 6.' The former president refused to attend the debate and instead opted to participate in an interview hosted by Tucker Carlson, which aired five minutes before the debate kicked off. Trump's interview with Tucker Carlson had reached over 150 million viewers by early Thursday morning, giving his bid to steal the spotlight from Fox News' presidential debate a huge boost. The 45-minute sit-down on X, formerly known as Twitter, aired as his GOP rivals bickered on stage in the crucial night for the 2024 White House race. Trump called his critics 'savages,' spoke openly about the potential death of 80-year old President Biden, and riffed about low-flow shower heads and electric cars. He said he didn't attend the debate because he is 'leading by 50 and 60 points' in the polls and didn't want to be 'harassed by people that shouldn't even be running for president'. The first Republican primary debate descended into chaos on Wednesday night In the event, the debate descended into chaos, with Vivek Ramaswamy being called an 'amateur' and a 'rookie.' Ron DeSantis tried to stay out of the crossfire by focusing attacks on President Biden and touting how he would deal with the border crisis. Mike Pence said he would back a federal abortion ban, while Chris Christie was booed for saying Trump's conduct was 'beneath the office' of the president. The debate got so chaotic that moderator Bret Baier of Fox News reminded the contenders: 'We need to reestablish some ground rules. When we hear this bell, your time is done. We appreciate your aggressiveness here. 30 seconds is 30 seconds.' Toward the end of the night, as the shouting continued when the candidates moved into a lightening round of questions, Nikki Haley pleaded to the moderators: 'You have to get control of this debate.' A thrifty woman used a hand trolley strapped to the back of her small car to tow an old cabinet from a neighbouring property. Footage of the moment shared online shows the woman checking whether the cabinet was tightly strapped to the trolley, before she drives off. The cabinet appeared to have been left at the roadside for garbage collection but was, instead, retrieved by the woman driving the car. A disturbed man filmed as a female driver used a hand trolley strapped to her car to tow an old cabinet (pictured, the woman inspecting the ratchet straps) 'I'm not sure if you can make this out, but that is a TV cabinet, and that is the old shape [Hyundai] Elantra,' the man who captured the video said. 'And she has a moving trolley under the back of that, and I just watched her wrap a big ratchet strap around it [and] around the boot. 'Here we go, gotta get some photos... make sure that's safe to tow it, prove that it's strapped in. 'No way, you are not going to do that. No you're not... Get the f**k out of here.' The woman drove the cabinet (above) slowly down the road but it was already starting to wobble before she'd reached the end of the street While the woman managed to pick up the cabinet for free, she risked large fines by transporting it recklessly. In NSW, drivers can be fined $457 for 'using a vehicle with an unsecured load' or $2,200 for 'negligent driving'. It is not known whether the woman was caught by police. A tornado ripped through west Michigan Thursday night, along with a round of thunderstorms causing severe damage and leaving over 240,000 people without power. The storms then moved east and hit the Detroit area, leaving some roads underwater. The storm, with wind gusts reaching over 85 mph, overturned cars, downed trees, flooded towns and destroyed buildings and homes. Injuries have been reported in Kent County. A woman and two children were killed in a hydroplaning crash, according to Fox17. State police issued a warning on Twitter: 'SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: A tornado has been reported to be headed eastbound towards Webberville with debris ball. Take shelter.' Images posted on social media show the damage after tornados passed through Michigan Video on social media shows the damage from a tornado in Webberville, Michigan A tornado ripped through west Michigan Thursday night, along with a round of thunderstorms causing severe damage and leaving over 240 thousand citizens without power The National Weather Service issued several tornado warnings, including for those in northwestern Wayne and northeastern Washtenaw counties, that were in effect until 11 pm, according to the National Weather Service. 'At 10:15 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Salem, or near Novi, moving east at 50 mph,' the weather service reported. 'Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely,' it added. In Genesee County, six-inch wide tree limbs were down, according to the Detroit News. Search and rescue operations are reportedly underway following structure damage in Webberville. The Kent County Sheriff's Office set up an emergency operation center Thursday night to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts throughout the community. Sergeant Eric Brunner told Fox 17 that the team was 'out in full force,' and calling in extra help. 'So far what we're seeing - Alpine Township, Plainfield Township, Grand Rapids Township are the hardest hit communities in our area. Alpine Avenue is impassable,' Brunner told Fox 17 Thursday night. The storm, with wind gusts reaching over 85 mph, overturned cars, downed trees, flooded towns and destroyed buildings and homes Injuries have been reported in Kent County. A woman and two children were killed in a hydroplaning crash, according to Fox17 State police issued a warning on Twitter: 'SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: A tornado has been reported to be headed eastbound towards Webberville with debris ball. Take shelter' I think God is pissed, because in other news, southeastern Michigan has a little bit of a storm going on pic.twitter.com/UocsOE7l4n DPL.3 (@dpl_3) August 25, 2023 He also said he saw a building destroyed and end up in the middle of the road, as well as a gas leak in the area. The Kent County Sheriff's Office said a woman and two children died in a crash caused by hydroplaning, according to Fox 17. 'With a storm this severe, you have limbs, branches, entire trees that are being blown - in some cases - clear across the street, across neighborhoods, so [it's] that sort of damage that we're seeing,' Brian Wheeler, with Consumers Energy said to FOX 17. 'It could be severe, in terms of the cleanup process, that could slow or affect things, so we're going to be mindful of that,' he added. Atlassian's billionaire co-founder Scott Farquhar has admitted he only comes into the office once every three months despite living right near the city - and investing in expensive new headquarters. The 43-year-old co-chief executive of the Australian software giant said he hardly turns up to the existing head office on George Street in downtown Sydney. 'I work from home all the time and I come into the office about once a quarter,' he told 60 Minutes airing this Sunday. Asked to clarify by surprised reporter Tom Steinfort, Mr Farquhar said: 'Every three months.' Atlassian's billionaire co-founder Scott Farquhar (pictured with wife Kim Jackson) has admitted he only comes into the office once every three months despite living right near the city - and investing in expensive new headquarters READ MORE: Atlassian's high staff turnover revealed Atlassian's billionaire boss Mike Cannon-Brookes is losing staff after only a year as tech companies globally grapple with high turnover (he is pictured with estranged wife Annie) Advertisement The tech entrepreneur is shunning the office despite living just 6km away at Point Piper, on Sydney Harbour, where he owns a $130million mansion near a ferry stop offering direct water transport to Circular Quay. The Australian Financial Review this year estimated he was worth $18.2billion, slightly less than Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes on $19billion. Mr Cannon-Brookes, who has separated from his wife Annie, lived next door to Mr Farquhar in the ultra-exclusive part of Sydney's eastern suburbs that is also home to former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond. More intriguingly, he is avoiding the office even though construction last year started on a new $1.4billion head office at Railway Square, near Sydney's Central station, that has been touted as the world's 'tallest hybrid timber building'. Mr Farquhar's admission that he hardly comes into the office has been made as Zoom chief executive Eric Yuan, in the United States, orders staff back into the office at least two days a week if they live within 50 miles or 80km from work. That is despite Zoom becoming an essential work tool during the global Covid lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Mr Yuan argued staff needed to work in the same office, in San Jose, California, so they could debate ideas rather than be too polite over Zoom. 'Quite often, you come up with great ideas but when we are all on Zoom, it's really hard,' he said during the company's August 3 meeting. 'We cannot debate each other well because everyone tends to be very friendly when you join a Zoom call.' Should the Zoom rule be applied to Sydney, staff wanting to buy a home on their own to live in within a reasonable commute of the city would be restricted to an apartment. That's because houses 80km from the city are beyond the reach of an average-income earner on a $95,581 salary. Woy Woy on the Central Coast, 84km north of central Sydney, has a median house price that is so expensive at $898,306 that an average worker, with a 20 per cent mortgage deposit, would have a debt-to-income ratio of 7.5. That is well above the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's 'six' threshold for mortgage stress. The 43-year-old co-CEO of the Australian software giant admits he hardly turns up to the head office on George Street in downtown Sydney The tech entrepreneur is shunning the office despite living just 6km away at Point Piper, on Sydney Harbour, where he owns a $130million mansion near a ferry stop offering direct water transport to Circular Quay More intriguingly, he is avoiding the office even though construction last year started on a new $1.4billion head office near Sydney's Central station that has been touted as the world's 'tallest hybrid timber building' (pictured is an artist's impression) Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn this year faced a backlash from staff for demanding they come back into the office two or three times a week. In May, he told the 49,000-strong workforce they will be required to come into the office at least 50 per cent of the time from July. Mr Comyn, who earns $10.4million a year, followed the lead of NAB chief executive Ross McEwan, who admitted he expected his senior staff to return to the bank's HQ five days a week. Seven of Donald Trump's co-defendants must hand themselves in to Fulton County jail by midday Friday or else warrants will be issued for their arrest. Trump, on Thursday evening, became the 12th of the 19 indicted people to surrender. He, like all the others, had his personal details recorded; he was fingerprinted and had a mugshot taken; and paid bond before being released. Trump said the process was 'a terrible experience'. He was inside the jail for less than 25 minutes, even though ordinary accused criminals can expect to wait hours for their processing. If the remaining seven do not hand themselves in by midday on Friday, District Attorney Fani Willis said she will issue warrants for their arrest. Donald Trump has made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia Fulton County jail released Donald Trump's booking record which lists the charges and his vital details Trump's motorcade is seen leaving Atlanta airport and heading to Fulton County jail Trump's motorcade is seen outside the Fulton County jail in Atlanta Trump is seen walking up the steps of his plane to depart On Tuesday, in response to a request by Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows for an extension, Willis said there would be no tolerance for missing the deadline - and said it was already generous. Who has surrendered at Fulton County jail? Donald Trump: former president - surrendered on Thursday Rudy Giuliani: former Trump attorney - surrendered on Wednesday John Eastman: attorney - surrendered on Tuesday Mark Meadows: former Trump chief of staff - surrendered on Thursday Kenneth Chesebro: former Trump campaign attorney - surrendered on Wednesday Jeffrey Clark: former Justice Department official - yet to surrender Jenna Ellis: former member of Trump legal team - surrendered on Wednesday Ray Smith III: the lawyer who represented Trump in 2020 election challenges in Georgia - surrendered on Wednesday Robert Cheeley: Atlanta lawyer - yet to surrender Michael Roman: former Trump staffer - yet to surrender David Shafer: a fraudulent 2020 Republican elector and former chairman of the Georgia GOP - surrendered on Wednesday Shawn Still: one of the fraudulent 2020 electors and a current member of the Georgia Senate - yet to surrender Stephen Lee: an Illinois police chaplain - yet to surrender Harrison Floyd: executive director of Black Voices for Trump - surrendered on Thursday, in jail overnight Trevian Kutti: a Chicago-based publicist who represented Kanye West - yet to surrender Sidney Powell: former Trump legal team member - surrendered on Wednesday Cathy Latham: one of the fraudulent 2020 electors and former chairwoman of the Coffee County Republican Party in Georgia - surrendered on Wednesday Scott Hall: a 2020 Fulton County Republican poll watcher - surrendered on Tuesday Misty Hampton: former Coffee County Elections Director - yet to surrender Advertisement 'I am not granting any extensions,' she told Meadows's legal team. 'I gave two weeks for people to surrender themselves to the court. Your client is no different than any other criminal defendant in this jurisdiction. The two weeks was a tremendous courtesy.' And she said arrest warrants will be issued if necessary. 'At 12:30 pm on Friday I shall file warrants in the system,' she added. The seven yet to turn themselves in include Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official, who like Meadows is arguing that his case be held in federal court, because he was working as a federal official at the time of the alleged offenses. Clark and Meadows were both told they could not delay their arrest due to their plea. Clark arranged a $100,000 bond on Thursday and is expected to hand himself in on Friday morning. The seven also includes Kanye West's publicist Trevian Kutti, who is accused of trying to pressure a poll worker into lying about the results. It includes Robert Cheeley, a Georgia lawyer who advised Trump; Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign official charged with helping organize slates of fake electors; and Shawn Still, a Georgia state senator who was a fake Trump elector. The final two are Misty Hampton, an elections supervisor for Coffee County, whose bond has been agreed at $10,000, and Stephen Lee, a police chaplain from Illinois. Lee is charged with trying to intimidate Fulton County poll worker Ruby Freeman by visiting her at home and pushing her to give false testimony about Election Day events. The defendants began handing themselves over on Tuesday, and for the last three days, a steady stream of people have showed up at the jail for the sobering process. Lawyer John Eastman and Republican poll watcher Scott Hall were the first, on Tuesday. They were followed on Wednesday by Rudy Giuliani - who had to pass by 'A Second Chance Bail Bonds' to secure his freedom. It was a stunning and symbolic turnaround for the former mob boss prosecutor, who now must fend off election fraud charges. Giuliani famously used the RICO Act to take down the Mafia in the 1980s during his time as a Manhattan prosecutor. Now, he's being charged with violating the anti-racketeering RICO Act in an effort to upend the 2020 election results. He struck a defiant tone during a hectic scrum of Trump supporters, protestors and press following his release Wednesday on $150,000 bail. Mark Meadows is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office Mark Meadows, then White House chief of staff, is seen with then President Trump outside the Oval Office in May 2020 Conservative attorney John Eastman (left) and Atlanta-area bail bondsman Scott Hall (right) surrendered to authorities on Tuesday Former mob boss prosecutor Rudy Giulani was booked in prison and his mugshot released Asked by reporters after he exited the prison whether he regrets attaching his name to former President Trump, Giuliani chuckled and responded: 'I am very honored to be involved in this case, because this case is a fight for our way of life.' 'This indictment is a travesty,' he continued, calling it 'an attack on the American people.' He called himself the 'most prolific prosecutor in American history' and the most effective mayor 'ever.' 'If they can do this to me, they can do this to you,' he said defiantly during the scrum in which he was physically jostled around. A protestor held up a sign calling Giuliani a 'clown' as he scurried to his vehicle. Former Georgia State Senator David Shafer proudly announced on Wednesday morning that his smiling mugshot is his 'new profile picture.' Trump campaign attorney Kenneth Chesebro's police booking mugshot was put out after his booking earlier Wednesday. Another one to surrender on Wednesday was Trump's fiery former attorney known as the 'Kraken', Sidney Powell. Former Georgia state senator David Shafer (left) proudly announced his glowing mugshot as his new profile picture. Kenneth Chesebro is pictured right Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro (left, circled, in red MAGA hat) is seen filming Alex Jones (center) and the surrounding crowd outside the Capitol building in Washington. D.C., on Jan. 6. 2021 Trump's attorney known as the 'Kraken', Sidney Powell, surrendered Wednesday afternoon in Georgia Trump's attorney Sidney Powell was the latest to surrender Wednesday afternoon Powell is charged with seven counts including several counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud. Her bond was set at $100,000. Best known for the stories she spun about Dominion Voting Systems, Powell is another one of the 'strike force' lawyers who toured the country unsuccessfully pitching a voter fraud theory to any and all legal bodies. She is credited with being one of the loudest voices advising Trump to fight to overturn the election and fast became associated with her promise that she would 'release the kraken' - referring to evidence that the election had been stolen. Jenna Ellis, another of the 'strike force' team, was beaming in her mugshot. Former Coffee County GOP chair Cathy Latham also turned herself in at the jail early Wednesday, as did Georgia-based lawyer Ray Smith. Smith is accused of advising the alternate slate of electors who met at the state capital and cast votes for Trump and signed documents that falsely claimed Trump won the election. Smith also reportedly sent a letter and submitted affidavits to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger supporting Trump as the winner. Smith also appeared before a state Senate subcommittee investigating allegations of voter fraud shortly after the election and claimed 130,000 illegal votes had been cast. An almost giddy-looking attorney Jenna Ellis, who was all smiles for her mug shot, handed herself over to authorities around the same time and was granted a $100,000 bond Former Coffee County GOP chair Cathy Latham Georgia-based lawyer Ray Smith was also booked Wednesday - bond set at $50,000 Floyd Harrison is shown in a police booking mugshot. He spent Thursday night inside the jail Willie Lewis Floyd, also known as Harrison Floyd, a little-known player who helped run Trumps 2020 campaign outreach to black voters, remains the only defendant behind bars. Floyd, 39, was spending Thursday night inside the jail as he did not have lawyers able to assist with the process. His bail was complicated by an outstanding warrant for attacking an FBI agent who came to question him at his home about the separate federal investigation into election interference. An affidavit says Floyd body-slammed an agent who arrived at his Rockville, Maryland home to subpoena him to appear before a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. Australians wanting to holiday across the ditch are in luck with Air New Zealand announcing thousands of extra seats a week will soon be added to their flight network. The airline announced on Thursday their fleet would be receiving two new ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft and two new Airbus A321 planes. The additional aircraft are expected to be operating from late next year, and will mean 768,000 more seats on Air New Zealand flights are available to passengers per year. The Airbus 214-seat A321neos will be for international routes including across the Tasman and to the Pacific Islands, with more than 9,000 additional seats on offer per week. Australians wanting to holiday across the ditch are in luck with Air New Zealand announcing thousands of extra seats a week will soon be added to their flight network (pictured is Otago, New Zealand) More seats will also be available from October on routes from Aussie capital cities to destinations such as Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the move was to help meet higher demand of both domestic and international travel. 'Flying continues to be in high demand, both here and around the world and it means prices have been higher than usual,' he said. 'The most effective thing we can do to help customers is to welcome more aircraft into our fleet and put more seats in the sky.' The arrival of the two 68-seater ATR planes will boost the airline's regional network by 5,700 seats per week, and will fly customers to destinations such as Tauranga and Nelson. Mr Foran added that airfares are unlikely to get to the prices they were at before the Covid pandemic, with business costs rising. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the move was to help meet higher demand of both domestic and international travel 'Investing in new aircraft means more seats available at more times and at reasonable prices,' he said. 'We're pulling every lever we have to get more seats in the sky, as quickly and as safely possible.' Air New Zealand's A321neo aircraft are the most fuel efficient narrowbody aircraft on the market. The additional four planes to the airline's fleet means it has a total of 16 aircraft including eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners, six Airbus A321 and two ATR72-600, all scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2028. The man charged with the brutal hammer attack that left a New York mother dead and her two young children critically injured and 'likely to die' appeared in court on Thursday. Liyong Ye, 47, is accused of beating Zhou Zhou, 43, to death in Brooklyn on Wednesday and leaving her three-year-old daughter and five-year-old son with life-threatening injuries. He launched the attack because he blamed the mother for the cramped living conditions of the three-bedroom Sunset Park apartment he shared with her family, according to prosecutors and first reported by the New York Post. Ye, who has been charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, is said to have told a witness he planned on 'fighting' Zhou before he allegedly killed her and bludgeoned her children. She was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn with her kids but was pronounced dead due to a massive head trauma. Prosecutors said the children are also 'likely to die' from their injuries. The man charged with the brutal hammer attack that left a New York mother dead and her two young children critically injured and 'likely to die' appeared in court on Thursday Liyong Ye, 47, is accused of beating Zhou Zhou, 43, to death in Brooklyn on Wednesday and leaving her three-year-old daughter and five-year-old son with life-threatening injuries Ye, who has been charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, is said to have told a witness he planned on 'fighting' Zhou before he allegedly killed her and bludgeoned her children. Pictured: Hammer allegedly used in attack Police found Ye covered in blood outside the apartment he lived in with Zhou and her family. Inside, they found her and her three and five-year-old children so badly hurt that police took them straight to hospital rather than wait for an ambulance. Ye appeared in Brooklyn Criminal Court to be arraigned where prosecutors descrbed how he mapped out the alleged attack. He lived with his nine-year-old son in a room he sublet from Zhou in the apartment on 52nd Street and the third room was being rented by a single tenant. Neighbors reported hearing Ye and Zhou having a series of loud arguments in recent weeks. Ye is said to have repeatedly complained about the mess in the kitchen and bathroom to the third roommate weeks before the attack, according to authorities. He allegedly called the roommate on the day of the assault and asked if they could pick up his son. 'Earlier in the day, the defendant called the witness over the phone and said hell be fighting with the deceased and the defendant called the witness and asked the witness to pick up the defendants son,' Assistant District Attorney Tziyonah Langsam said in court. The roommate told police they returned home and saw Ye standing over the three victims with a hammer in his hand and covered in blood. They called 911 and Ye was arrested after he was caught trying to leave the apartment and the bloody hammer was recovered by officers. The children are still in the hospital fighting for their lives but Langsam told the court: 'They have blunt trauma to their heads and they are likely to die.' Ye appeared in Brooklyn Criminal Court to be arraigned where prosecutors described how he mapped out the alleged attack A roommate called 911 and Ye was arrested after he was caught trying to leave the apartment and the bloody hammer was recovered by officers Zhou's husband was working in an Ohio restaurant and was not home at the time of the attack. He rushed back to be with his children who are in intensive care. 'My dear wife, I owe you an apology,' he wrote on WeChat on Thursday. 'I hope you can bless our child to get through this difficult time. My kids, dad just hopes you can get through this.' He shared the post alongside a photo of their smiling children. Restaurant server Louis Lin, 33, said he was terrified when police arrived he saw the hallway covered in blood. He said the two children had many young friends in the building. They were just so lovable, he told the New York Times. Ye is said to have repeatedly complained about the mess in the kitchen and bathroom to the third roommate weeks before the attack, according to authorities Police said they were called to reports of an assault at the second-floor apartment, which is also sublet to another tenant just before 3pm on Wednesday. As police arrived they were videoed by a neighbor holding the bodies of the critically injured children. I dont think we should wait, one said to the other. Go! Go! his colleague responded before they both rushed towards the stairs carrying the children. Judge Simiyon Haniff granted the prosecution's request to keep Ye in custody without bail because he poses a flight risk. This was the defendant's first run-in with the law, according to his lawyer, and he is not believed to have any mental health issues. The GOP ignores its own talent in favor of ego Manhattan: Whats up with you Republicans? Your seemingly infinite loyalty to a reprehensible human like Donald Trump is embarrassing enough, but now Vivek Ramaswamy? Seriously, hes your next big thing? Watching the debate on Wednesday night, I found this dude to be annoying as heck and totally in love with himself (not to mention unqualified for the office). But its clear that Fox News is prepping itself to be his biggest advocate if, for some unlikely reason, Trump is forbidden from taking office. The cameras seemed obsessed with capturing his every (strategically over-the-top) reaction to what others were saying, and the moderators allowed him to interrupt other speakers at his will. Ugh. And what a punchable face! And its becoming pretty obvious that Ron DeSantis does not have the personality and charisma to ever become president. Talk about a dead-on-arrival campaign that only seems to get worse the more people outside of Florida get to see and hear him. I continue to be absolutely stunned by how little traction Nikki Haley is getting from those in her party. To me, she was far and away the most impressive (not to mention most qualified) candidate on that stage and, in my opinion, is the only person in that debate who might actually have any shot at beating President Biden. But Im not a Republican, and I must be missing something about her that pisses off the base of, well, the elephants in the room. Gary Stein Fresh face Bronx: I watched the debate Wednesday night and my take is this: The guy with the weird name, Vivek Ramaswamy, came across as someone who I would vote for just for the fact that he said, I am not a politician, which is just what we need in the White House someone who will stand up to both parties to bring this country to a better and greater place than we are now. And if Trump gets out of this mess he is in, he should take Ramaswamy as his running mate. It would be a sure bet that both would be in the White House. As Baretta would say, you can take that to the bank. Jimmy Durda Fees and costs Brooklyn: I say that any legal fees, court costs, salaries of prosecutors and their staff and money owed any juries, etc. should be paid by Donald Trump for all of the four cases he is facing. Hit that bastard where it hurts. The full extent of the law needs to be brought down on him, even if any laws need to be rewritten to accomplish this. It should go into effect not if he is found guilty, but when he is found guilty. He deserves no less. And if his pea-brain supporters still want to stand by his side, let them financially bail him out of these expenses the same way theyve been financing him until now. Dennis Pascale Put him away Providence, R.I.: Re No debate about Trump (editorial, Aug. 23), which says, He doesnt have to fret. He is the center of attention: He doesnt have to fret / He is the center of attention / And I wont be upset / To see him enter detention. Felicia Nimue Ackerman Something was off Central Islip, L.I.: I never liked Rudy Giuliani. I always thought there was something crooked about him! Thomas Sarc Not doing enough Cornwall, N.Y.: Something is really wrong with this country. Why did our president take so long to go Maui? Then FEMA says it will give people a measly $700 check for medication, food and shelter. So this so-called president cant really help the American people, but he will give cash hand over fist to Ukraine. Also, migrants get everything. But the hard-working people in Maui get very little. This is really sad. We need new leaders who love and care about America. Raymond Grosskopf Ditto Manhattan: To Voicer Mariann Tepedino: I always welcome your letters, but none more so than Be severe. I can say nothing more in addition, you literally took the words right from my thinking! Well written! Ameen Keshavjee True adversary Middle Village: So many on the right are worried and frightened that the LBGTQ community will obtain more rights than them, but none ever realize that big business has more rights and financial benefits than all of us combined. John Puglisi Logical conclusion Clearwater, Fla.: We are all familiar with the fate of Russian President Vladimir Putins political enemies. As a result, we should not be surprised that Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who Putin labeled a traitor, was killed in a plane crash. But let it be said that what goes around comes around. JoAnn Lee Frank Dangerous dissemination Manhattan: Re Flood of stray cats hits many city nabes (Aug. 20): This article is offensively and egregiously inaccurate, and will no doubt be directly responsible for untold amounts of suffering and increased cruelty and neglect. In a time when rescuers and people of compassion are completely overwhelmed by the circumstances of innocent domestic pets (not just cats but dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits) that are being dumped on the streets of New York by human caregivers, articles like this are beyond irresponsible. It is worth noting that these former animal guardians are in many cases forced to unwillingly abandon their pets because of contingent circumstances like evictions and unemployment, rising rents and COVID. Instead of doing the hard work of connecting the dots and advocating for compassionate, systems-based problem-solving, articles like this go for cheap shots. Absolutely inexcusable! Abigail Simon Rodent repellent Brooklyn: My mother taught me this: Pour Lysol or some strong disinfectant on garbage containing food and the rats dont go near the bags or pails. Marie Walsh Renovation realism Brooklyn: Your editorial supporting the conversion of empty office buildings into housing (More converts needed, Aug. 22) was right on the mark, however, it didnt identify the real culprits in this disaster: the progressives and advocates who refuse to compromise on what an apartment should look like. They continue to press for bathrooms and kitchens in each unit even though its impractical when you are converting an office building. They also oppose incentives for developers, the elimination of which has had a disastrous result on housing creation. These people control the Legislature. The mayor and governor should speak out and identify these culprits. Its so hypocritical that they claim to know whats best for the homeless while denying them new housing. Robert Mascali Nothing to say? Brooklyn: Where is our congressional delegation with regards to the migrant crisis here in NYC and throughout the country? Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and others are strangely silent. The people of this city who elected them to protect the U.S. deserve to hear from them. No matter the political party, I have not heard one person say anything of substance. Why are we expected to solve locally what is clearly a federal mandate: regulating immigration and protecting our borders, at least by following the laws on the books? Theres a 10-year backlog to process asylum claims. I say, close immigration until we can process people fairly and efficiently. We can not simply absorb the masses they cant work without being processed. It is unfair to those coming here looking for help, work and a better life to be unprepared to help them. Susan Caprio Fireable offense Manhattan: The Steinbrenner family must conduct an intervention with Hal. He obviously doesnt understand that its time to ask Brian Cashman to resign. Cashman put this losing, dismal team together. The fans want accountability and a change. Joan Romanell Print squint Manhattan: I went to the optometrist to check my eyes, as I complained it was getting harder to read the Daily News. He said it wasnt my eyes, it was the paper. They lied about returning to a normal size. Louis Russo Shocking footage has emerged of a truck's trailer swerving onto the wrong side of the road nearly hitting an oncoming car on a major highway. The terrifying footage shows the driver of the car being forced to veer off Hopkins Highway at Warrnambool in Victoria's south-west at 9:15am on Wednesday. The video released by Victoria Police shows the truck's rear trailer sway dangerously onto the other side of the road into the path of the oncoming car. The rear trailer of a truck that was driving on a highway in Victoria fishtailed onto the wrong side of the road causing the driver of an oncoming car into a ditch The trailer fishtailed just after a sharp bend on the highway near the intersection with Spring Flat Road. The oncoming car is seen getting out of the way in the nick of time, before the driver takes the car onto the side of the road to avoid a collision. The car is then seen flipping onto its side as the driver loses control and ends up in a ditch. The driver of the truck manages to turn the swaying trailer back onto the right side of the road before driving off. Dashcam footage of the incident was taken by a vehicle that was travelling behind the truck at the time. Victoria Police are hunting for the driver of the truck over the incident. In a statement, police said the 36-year-old man - who had his dog in the car at the time - was not hurt. The driver of the truck manages to sway the trailer back onto the right side of the road before driving off. Victoria Police are now searching for the truck driver 'The car driver, a local man, and his 5-year-old Labradoodle were not injured.' They have urged any witnesses with information of the incident to come forward. 'Police have released dashcam footage of the incident in the hopes someone may recognise the vehicle involved,' they said. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Menendez, 69, did not initially list the gold on his 2020 financial disclosure, but filed an amendment in 2022 revealing Arslanian had up to $250,000 in gold bars Senator Bob Menendez and his wife reportedly sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold bars despite having faced foreclosure just three years earlier and neglecting to initially disclose it on their ethics filings. Businesswoman Nadine Arslanian, 56, cashed in up to $400,000 worth of gold last spring, in a sale that occurred just months before a federal investigation into the New Jersey Democrat was announced to the public. The sale was reported to have taken place between April 7 and June 16, 2022, according to the New York Post. Menendez, 69, did not initially list the gold on his 2020 financial disclosure but filed an amendment in March 2022 revealing Arslanian had up to $250,000 in gold bars. Then, in June, Menendez filed an additional amended report, adding a sale by his wife for the amount between $200,000 and $400,000 of the bullion. Senator Bob Menendez and his wife reportedly sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold bars despite having faced foreclosure just three years earlier and neglecting to initially disclose it on their ethics filings Businesswoman Nadine Arslanian, 56, cashed in up to $400,000 worth of gold last spring, in a sale that occurred just months before a federal investigation into the New Jersey Democrat was announced to the public Menendez, 69, did not initially list the gold on his 2020 financial disclosure but filed an amendment in March 2022 revealing Arslanian had up to $250,000 in gold bars Arslanian was reportedly struggling financially when the bars were sold, and even facing foreclosure, before she married Menendez in 2020. It is unclear how she came into possession of the bars, which is equivalent to up to 13 pounds of pure gold. This isn't the first time the couple faced bribery allegations. In November 2022, Arslanian was investigated by federal prosecutors about whether she accepted gifts in exchange for political favors from her husband. Menendez married Arslanian in 2020 after the pair met at a New Jersey IHOP in 2016. The US attorney's office for the Southern District of New York then subpoenaed business associates of Arslanian, insiders told the Wall Street Journal at the time. Investigators in the probe, which dates back to 2019 before the couple was even married, have executed search warrants on the homes and businesses on the founder of IS EG Halal, a company in the couple's home city of Edgewater that is the only business in town allowed to certify halal meat that is shipped off to Egypt. Wael Hana, the founder of IS EG Halal, is reportedly an associate of Arslanian. According to court documents filed by Hana's lawyer, prosecutors were looking into possible undisclosed foreign lobbying in the US and other potential violations of federal law. Then in June, Menendez filed an additional amended report, adding a sale by his wife for the amount between $200,000 and $400,000 of the bullion. The lawyer, Lawrence Lustberg, was seeking the return of government-seized property. After a trial in 2017 the judge declared a mistrial because the jury could not agree on a verdict. The judge then acquitted Menendez of some of the charges in 2018 and the Justice Department said it would not re-try him. Menendezs attorneys argued that Melgens gifts were tokens of their longtime friendship, not bribes. Menendez paid for some of the trips he took to Melgens resort in the Dominican Republic. Melgen was convicted on healthcare fraud charges in Florida, but former President Donald Trump commuted his sentence during his final days in office. A White House statement at the time credited Menendez with backing clemency. Brits hoping for a summery bank holiday have had their hopes dashed as the weekend is set to bring heavy showers and a risk of thunderstorms. Revellers heading to major events including Englands Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Fiji, Notting Hill Carnival, Reading and Leeds Festivals and Manchester Pride will have to take their umbrellas as conditions are set to be constantly changeable. Sunny spells will be interspersed with rainy, windy and cloudy periods with temperatures hovering at average. The Met Office is forecasting a washout for Saturday, while conditions will settle a bit more for Sunday and Monday. But sunbathing for those looking forward to staycations over the long weekend is still off the cards as temperatures will bring highs of 20C and 21C. Wet weather around London Bridge and Tower Bridge in London as rain hits the capital Rainy conditions are set to continue into the Bank Holiday weekend, forecasters have said Spells of rain will be interspersed with some sunnier spells - and it will continue into next week Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates said: 'While showers are never too far away through the weekend, there will still be drier spells around and where there are breaks in the cloud on Sunday in the south it should feel quite pleasant. 'Areas to the southeast will see fewer showers with more in the way of bright or sunny spells on Saturday and Sunday, though temperatures are likely to remain around average for the time of year. 'Areas further north and west will see more frequent showers, some of which will be heavy, and will at times extend south into central areas of England and Wales on Saturday and Sunday.' 'Monday, which is a Bank Holiday for those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will probably see band of showery rain clear from eastern England early in the day, with sunny spells and scattered showers following on for most places. 'There are no signals for significant heat in the current forecast period.' In a further blow to Brits hoping for a last spell of summer, the Met Office says conditions are likely to remain unsettled into next week, with showers and longer spells of rain. Tonight there is expected to be heavy showers, which continue into tomorrow. Low lying cloud formations over the countryside at dawn today in Dunsden, Oxfordshire People out and about in Greenwich Park in London enjoying a walk with their umbrellas up yesterday Saturday is another day of sunshine mixed with showers, but the showers could turn thundery, forecasters say. The outlook on Sunday and Monday is slightly better, with a bright start for most but cloudy in the north-west on Sunday. There will be plenty of sunny spells on Monday with some cloud possible at times and the odd light shower or patch of drizzle. A surfer who is fighting for his life after a shark ripped off his leg has been identified as a 44-year-old father-of-two. Toby Begg was surfing about 150m offshore from Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie, on NSW's mid north coast. on Friday morning when he was attacked by a shark. He wrestled with the shark, believed to be a great white up to 4.2 metres long, for around 30 seconds. Fellow surfers dragged Mr Begg from the water with serious injuries from his hip down to his calf. Unfortunately he has lost at least one of his legs. His surfboard, split in two has been seized by police. The man who was viciously attacked by what is believed be a great white whark has been identified as 44-year-old father-of-two Toby Begg (pictured) Mr Begg's board was split in two by the horror attack on Friday morning Mr Begg was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital where he underwent lifesaving surgery. He has since been transferred to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital to undergo more surgery as he clings to life. NSW Police Chief Inspector Martin Burke confirmed Mr Begg attempted to battle with the shark and had sustained injuries during so. 'The reports are that a man has tried to fight this shark for 30 seconds and has then swum himself to shore where he has realised he has sustained significant lower leg injuries,' Chief Insp Burke said. 'From what I understand, it was a sustained and prolonged attack.' Chief Insp Burke commended an off-duty emergency doctor for stepping up at the time of the attack to help save Mr Begg's life. 'To have the absolute luck of having an emergency department doctor on scene are all going to be key things that are going to lend itself to giving this gentleman the best chance of survival,' Chief Insp Burke said. Paramedics treated the man at the scene before he was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital where he remains in a critical condition and is undergoing surgery. Inspector Joshua Smyth from NSW Ambulance said that Mr Begg received life-threatening injuries and blood loss during the attack. 'The bystanders obviously did a remarkable job on the patient initially and to initially arrest that hemorrhage and call triple zero,' Insp Smyth said. 'The crews did a really remarkable job. 'They were on scene quickly, they didn't wait on scene for long and the patient was taken to the best and the most appropriate destination.' The attack occurred about 150 metres offshore from Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie (pictured) on Friday morning, fighting off the beast for around 30 seconds Mr Begg sustained significant injuries from his hip to his calf, losing large amounts of blood before an emergency doctor who happened to be on the scene came to his aid One teenage girl who witnessed the horror unfold described the shark as being 'really big' and said first responders were using the man's leg rope and sticks to keep his limb straight. 'His foot ripped off and basically he was bleeding everywhere,' she told NBN News. 'They were trying to talk to him, he was silent, he was frozen.' Another witness said the shark tried to attack a second time when others surfers were helping the victim to shore. Loren Enfield was one of the surfers in the water when the shark attacked and said locals had dragged the man safely to the sand within a few minutes. 'It was awful, you wouldn't want to see it happen to anyone,' she told the Port News. 'I never want to see it happen again. It was big.' Ms Enfield paddled to shore as quickly as she could before alerting a nearby mother and daughter to phone an ambulance. Lighthouse Beach and other nearby beaches will now be closed for at least 24 hours. Mid North Coast Lifeguard Coordinator James Turnham said it had been nearly ten years since a shark attack in the area. Paramedics worked on Mr Begg before he was transported via helicopter to Port Macquarie Base Hospital to undergo surgery Lighthouse Beach is not patrolled by lifesavers at this time of year, with surrounding beaches also closed to swimmers and surfers A Surf Life Saving NSW drone will be used to determine the size and species of the shark who bit the man, according to a local surf lifesaving club, but it's believed to have been a large Great White. 'We hope and pray for a good outcome for the victim involved,' the club said in a post to Facebook. Lighthouse Beach is not patrolled at this time of year. The Australian Lifeguard Service has put up signs at the beach to warn people to stay out of the water. Experts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries have launched an investigation into the incident and are liaising with officers from Mid North Coast Police District. A hospital boss accused of ignoring doctors' warnings about Lucy Letby has said she was among those duped by the 'calculating' serial baby killer - and admitted she thought she was innocent until the end of the trial. Karen Rees, speaking for the first time about her relationship with Letby, 33, said she had refused to believe she was guilty after having regular meetings following her suspension in June 2016 when the neonatal nurse was 'in complete distress, crying and swearing her innocence'. Rees, who was head of nursing for urgent care at the Countess of Chester Hospital and one of the killer's direct line managers, said the show of innocence convinced her to buy Letby's story. 'She was very convincing. I now know that this was a calculated and successful attempt to make me believe her story, and I was deceived, as were so many others,' Ms Rees told The Times. The retired hospital executive said she now had 'no doubt' of her former colleague's guilt after she was convicted by a jury of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more. Karen Rees, speaking for the first time about her relationship with Letby, 33, said she had refused to believe she was guilty Letby was sentenced to 14 whole-life terms on Monday for murdering seven babies and trying to murder six more 'I did not attend the trial so I had an incomplete picture until the verdicts were announced, and more detail provided,' she said. The ten-month trial heard how doctors repeatedly raised concerns about Letby's connection to a series of suspicious deaths and collapses before she was eventually removed from the neonatal unit more than a year into her killing spree. The court heard how Ms Rees refused a request from Dr Stephen Brearey, a consultant paediatrician, to have Letby taken off the ward in June 2016 - only for a baby to collapse the following day. She has said her 'recollections are different'. Ms Rees frequently went for coffee with Letby in the two years after her suspension. When she retired in March 2018 - four month after Letby's arrest - the nurse went along to her leaving party. She has claimed that no performance issues had been raised about Letby until she was contacted by Dr Brearey on June 24, 2016. Ms Rees was presented with an outstanding achievement award by the trust on October, 2, 2015 just weeks after Letby attempted to murder two babies. She received the accolade for 'leading from the front' and supporting staff to create a 'safer experience for patients'. In 2017, she was presented with another internal award, this time as the nurse of the year at the trust's annual Celebration of Achievement Awards in a glitzy ceremony at Chester Racecourse. In 2017, Ms Rees (left) was crowned Nurse of the Year at the hospital trust's annual Celebration of Achievement Awards On its social media account, the hospital described it as a 'thoroughly well-deserved' win 'for one of our true nursing stalwarts'. The twice-married mother now runs a luxury holiday rental near her home in rural Denbighshire, North Wales, with her second husband. The couple rent out the high-end lodges on the edges of their farm for 800 each for a three-night stay. The two cabins each boast a terrace, two bedrooms and a hot tub overlooking rolling hills. Dr Susan Gilby, the Countess of Chester Hospital's former medical director, has said failures to deal with complaints about Letby 'more likely than not' led to the deaths of babies. Dr Gilby and then-trust chairman Sir Duncun Nichol commissioned an urgent review after she took over the hospital in 2018. 'The evidence we'd seen and the discussions I have with paediatricians led us to be concerned that there were lessons to be learned,' she told The Telegraph. Ms Rees frequently went for coffee with Letby in the two years after her suspension A corridor within the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit where Letby worked The anaesthetist and intensive care doctor claims that the evidence she found during the probe made her 'fear' that some of the baby deaths 'could have been avoided' if management had 'responded differently'. Dr Gilby told Sky News yesterday that there was 'certainly a possibility' that management failures to deal with complaints led to lives being needlessly lost. She added: 'But it needs to be an external and objective review, looking at all the evidence, and giving people the right of reply to that evidence, that will come to that conclusion, and not for individuals such as myself. 'From a personal point of view, and obviously speaking more as a mother than a doctor or a senior leader in the NHS, it's my greatest fear and I think it's more likely than not that that will turn out to be the case. 'I sincerely hope that it isn't.' The trust suspended Dr Gilby last December and she has since resigned from her position. She is now taking the trust to an employment tribunal, alleging that chairman Ian Haythornthwaite 'bullied, harassed and undermined' her after she launched the prove into the neonatal unit where Letby worked. Letby was sentenced to 14 whole-life terms on Monday. A TikTok star, two students, a music fan, together with an OCD sufferer and a Territorial Army reservist are among 88 UK suicides now formally linked to a Canadian chef accused of selling poison online. The UK's National Crime Agency yesterday launched an official investigation into Kenneth Law, 57, and scores of deaths throughout the country. A list gathered by the International Criminal Police Organisation (more commonly known as Interpol) containing details of Law's 232 British customers was handed to the NCA - dubbed Britain's FBI - who went on to establish how many had died. The UK deaths linked to Law, who will appear in a court in Ontario today charged with two offences of aiding suicide in Canada, are known to span at least two years. Today questions were being asked as to whether more could have been done earlier to stop the poison being sold. David Parfett, whose son Tom died after taking it, told MailOnline: 'It really didn't need to be this high a number of cases. Tom Parfett, 22, from Berkshire, died shortly after buying products from Law's company Neha Raju died after buying products from Kenneth Law's company and is among the 88 linked to the chef 'There were enough signals early on in investigations worldwide to have stopped this and stopped it sooner which would have saved lives. I think that should be the focus. 'Surrey Police weren't even aware that two people within months, one of which was Tom, had died in the same way from taking this. 'It's like our children were handed a loaded gun and told how to shoot themselves. This poison is the same thing. 'It comes back to the police not showing enough curiosity or following their own processes - they are meant to catch things like this.' Music fan Tom Windsor, 29, is believed to be the first occurring death among the 88 being studied by the NCA. Mr Windsor had ordered the poison from Law's website and it had arrived by post at his flat, where he took it on June 10, 2021. A police civilian investigator told the young man's inquest that he had phoned 999 after taking it. While speaking to the call handler, he was described as being very calm and polite - but the phone call suggested immediate regret. By the time the ambulance arrived he had already died and could not be saved. Michael Dunham died on October 13, 2021, after buying poison from Kenneth Law's company Imogen Nunn, 25 known as Deaf Immy on the social media platform where she raised hearing and mental health issues died in January after being sent the poison by Law Four months later Londoner Michael Dunham, 38, who had OCD and autism, texted a friend a picture of the packet of poison which featured Law's company name. He died on the Isle of Wight on October 13, 2021. His sister Hollie Arnavut contacted Law by e-mail before discovering his other websites selling the poison. She told The Times: 'I just get so sad that my children are never going to know my brother. Michael was such a good brother. He was kind. He was someone I could always talk to. 'I can never see the world in the same way now I know about Kenneth Law's websites. I'll never forgive that man.' Two weeks later student Tom Parfett, from Maidenhead in Berkshire, took his own life aged 22 after buying the substance from Law's company. He had found him through a website, where he had been told the method he should follow. Member of the Territorial Army Gary Cooper was found dead in his bedroom in Kendal by his father on July 3, 2022 Music fan Tom Windsor, 29, is believed to be the first death among the 88 being studied by the NCA On October 28, 2021, he checked into a Premier Inn in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, where he was found dead by a member of staff after following the online suggestions. His father told MailOnline today: 'It's that sick, they give instructions how to do it. 'One of those is not to leave the packet nearby which my son did not do, it was there. My issue now is, "great - there is going to be an investigation, but what is going to happen to stop others out there?"' Student Neha Raju, 23, was found dead in her lodgings in Guildford, Surrey, on April 8, 2022. She had gone online to buy the poison after researching it on suicide forums online. County coroner Anna Loxton had seemed to be alert to the problem and had even contacted Health Secretary Therese Coffey to raise the issue. Aerospace engineer turned chef Kenneth Law is accused of sending packages containing 'suicide poison' to vulnerable people Anthony Jones, a 17-year-old from Michigan, was one of Law's alleged victims. He ran to his mother screaming 'I want to live' after he ingested the substance that eventually killed him She expressed concerns it was 'freely available to be purchased from the internet in lethal quantities for delivery within the UK'. Member of the Territorial Army Gary Cooper was found dead in his bedroom in Kendal by his father on July 3, 2022. Timeline of identified UK deaths linked to Kenneth Law's 'poison by post' June 10, 2021: Tom Windsor, 29 October 13, 2012: Michael Dunham, 38 October 28, 2021: Tom Parfett, 22 April 8, 2022: Neha Raju, 23 July 3, 2022: Gary Cooper, 41 January 1, 2023: Imogen Nunn, 25 Advertisement Paramedics rushed to the scene but were unable to revive him. Police found a nearby packet of the poison, which was postmarked to Canada. It is understood this is part of the NCA's investigation. After Mr Cooper's death, his mother Maureen told his inquest he had been 'such a kind person' and that 'everybody liked him'. Then on January 1 this year deaf British TikTok star Imogen Nunn, 25, took her own life after being sent a 'suicide kit' by Law. Ms Nunn - known as Deaf Immy on the social media platform - earned money through endorsement deals with companies who provide support within the deaf community. She found Law's online business last year and it posted her the substance. The website has since been taken down. Her parents Ray and Louise Nunn, of Bognor Regis, were devastated to be told by police, five months after her death on New Year's Day, that a stranger may have helped her take her own life. There are also another 82 people in the UK who committed suicide, whose identities have not been made public, also linked to Law. Craig Turner, deputy director of the NCA, said: 'Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those who have died. 'They are being supported by specially trained officers from police forces. 'In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the NCA has taken the decision to conduct an investigation into potential criminal offences committed in the UK.' Other countries Law sent packages to include the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Italy. In Australia, at least ten packages are known to have been sent out, being linked to several deaths within the country. It is illegal to assist suicide in the UK and Canada, punishable by up to 14 years in prison in both. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org Suspected serial killer Billy Chemirmir will not face the death penalty even if found guilty of killing nearly two dozen women and one man across Texas, the Collin County District Attorney's office announced on Thursday. Chemirmir, 50, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of Mary Brooks, 87, and Lu Thi Harris, 81, in 2018, and has been indicted on 22 capital murder charges, including nine in Collin County and 13 in Dallas County. DA Greg Willis said this week that the decision not to seek the death penalty for Chemirmir was led by speaking to the families of alleged victims within his jurisdiction and with input from senior prosecutors. He wrote in a statement: 'Billy Chemirmir is an evil person who preyed upon our most vulnerable citizens. 'Although he is certainly deserving of a death sentence, my decision today is informed by the fact that he has already been tried three times in another county and he will never be a free man again.' Until now, Willis had not made clear his plans for Chemirmir. His statement did not address whether he intends to seek convictions for the cases in Collin County. Chemirmir is accused in indictments with the deaths of elderly people in North Texas Prosecutor Glen Fitzmartin shows a lipstick stained pillow to the court after showing the evidence to Dallas Police detective Cayce Shelton during the murder trial of Billy Chemirmir in Dallas, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 A photo of victim Mary Brooks is displayed as part of state evidence during the murder trial of Billy Chemirmir at the Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas, Wednesday, November 17, 2021 In the statement, Willis said he would 'like to thank the families and loved ones for their patience and grace as the criminal justice system has played out over the years. 'I pray that they may one day find peace.' Chemirmir has been accused of murdering elderly women over a two year period across Texas. In October 2022 he was convicted in the murder of Mary Brooks and sentenced to life in prison. Jurors heard about attacks on Brooks in her Dallas home in January 2018 and on Mary Bartel, then 91, in March 2018. Bartel survived and told police a man forced his way into her apartment at an independent living community for seniors in the Dallas suburb of Plano. Her recollection helped lead police to Chemirmir before making an arrest that month. Chemirmir was also found guilty in April 2022 of the murder of Lu Thi Harris. She was found dead in her bedroom with lipstick smeared on her pillow. He was sentenced to life in prison following a mistrial the November prior. Jurors took about 45 minutes to convict Chemirmir of capital murder in the 2018 smothering. In the November trial, Lead prosecutor Glen Fitzmartin showed a lipstick-marked pillow to former Dallas County medical examiner, Dr Travis Danielsen. Danielsen said an autopsy of the body showed evidence consistent with asphyxiation, which could have been caused by being smothered with a pillow. Prosecutors held that the pair were seen at the same Walmart before he went to her home, killed her and stole her jewelry. Chemirmir was sentenced to life in prison without parole as prosecutors were not seeking the death penalty. Four new capital murder indictments were also returned in June last year, after the trial. Willis said at the time: 'These indictments should serve as a reminder that every victim of a violent crime deserves to have their case investigated and prosecuted, and Collin County law enforcement and prosecutors will work every day to hold violent offenders accountable.' In November 2021 a mistrial was declared in the case of Lu Thi Harris, an 81-year-old Vietnamese immigrant (pictured) living in Dallas when she was killed after being smothered with a pillow in her home in Plano Defendant Billy Chemirmir listens to motions in his capital murder trial at the Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 It has been alleged by police that Chemirmir used his work as a caregiver to stalk luxury senior living communities in Dallas and Colin counties, posing as a worker to get into the apartments of elderly women before smothering them with a pillow and stealing their valuables. During a phone interview from jail in March 2022, Chemirmir denied all the charges against him and told The Dallas Morning News that he is '100% sure I will not go to prison'. Chemirmir told the newspaper he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said that other family members, who have declined to the speak to the newspaper, operate other senior living homes in the Dallas area where no suspicious deaths have been reported. 'If I was a killer, I could've killed all those ladies,' he said. 'Nobody has been killed there.' Sunbed wars at Britain's favourite holiday destinations continue unabated this summer, with swarms of families rising at the crack of dawn to bag a spot by the pool. But a hotel in Crete has been revealed as the place where holidaymakers have the best chance of avoiding the fierce morning race to reserve a lounger. With 3,500 sunbeds available, there is at least one sunbed available for each of the 2,150 guests staying at the Lyttos Beach Hotel on the Greek island. Expanding across seven pools and the hotel's private beach, there are always loungers available, according to research by holiday experts On The Beach. A further five hotels also have more sunbeds than guests. These include the Akti Imperial Deluxe Resort & Spa Dolce by Wyndham in Rhodes, Greece, where there are 2150 sunbeds for 1850 guests. A hotel in Crete has been revealed as the resort with the most sunbeds available to its 2,150 guests. File image Expanding across seven pools and the hotel's private beach, there are always loungers available, putting an end to the vicious sunbed wars. File image Also in Rhodes, the Lindos Imperial Resort & Spa offers 1800 loungers to 1600 guests. The Rixos Premium Seagate in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and the Titanic Palace And Aquapark Resort in Hurghada, Egypt, offer a sunbed to guest ratio of 1.03, with 1850 beds to 1800 guests and 1196 beds to 1160 guests respectively. Meanwhile the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa in Paphos in Cyprus offers 800 loungers for 790 guests. Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: 'The issue of reserving sun loungers at hotels has been raging since the birth of package holidays. The reality is that a lot of holidaymakers - even those who say it's wrong - have chanced their arm with a 6am towel dash for the best poolside spots. 'We have six brilliant hotels in fantastic locations that have more sunbeds than guests, which means you can wake up without setting an alarm knowing there will always be a sunbed available for you.' It comes as tourists staying at resorts across the Mediterranean this summer have been filmed fighting it out in hotspots like the Costa del Sol and locals in Benidorm have been caught setting up loungers in the middle of the night to beat the swarm of Brits. Earlier this month families including young children were caught on camera racing out of the gates to grab a sunbed at a resort in Benidorm - as VIP loungers watched on in hysterics. Tourists carrying towels and bathing gear sprinted past one another to make sure they secured the prime spot after the doors were opened to the Spanish resort's pool first thing in the early morning. To add insult to injury, the tourists' mortifying attempts to secure a bed were filmed by VIP guests, who seemingly didn't have to put themselves out to secure a lounger. Bizarre footage shows holidaymakers running full pelt. Others appeared to temper their pace, slowing to a power walk as they seemingly deciding not to demean themselves in the pursuit of a sunbathing spot. Families including young children were caught on camera racing out of the gates to grab a sunbed at a resort in Benidorm This month MailOnline revealed how sunbed wars have become so intense at one hotel on the Costa del Sol that they have introduced a parking ticket-style system - with towels left on beds unattended removed after a time limit. Staff at the hotel, which has seen tourists go to extreme lengths to secure a sun lounger, have brought in new measures to curb the madness. Guests at the Estival Torrequebrada in Malaga, who have often paid thousands to enjoy a break, have been warned they can no longer leave towels as a marker on a sunbed to claim it for a whole day. Management instead began leaving cards on sunbeds with towels, handbags and other personal belongings on them, warning they will be removed after 45 minutes if they remain unoccupied. People queue for sun loungers at Hotel Estival Torrequebrada near Malaga many brought chairs and a good book as they waited for almost two hours before the beach and pool opened DID YOU KNOW THE VICTIM? Email tom.cotterill@mailonline.co.uk A stolen labradoodle snatched by dognappers in a deadly burglary was taken to a pet grooming salon hours after thieves broke into its owner's home and murdered him. Father-of-three Donald 'Prentice' Patience was found dead in his end-of-terrace home in Radcliffe, Manchester, on Tuesday after raiders stole his beloved pet. Police were alerted to the break-in at 10.30am and rushed to the address where they found the 45-year-old's body inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Locals today claimed the white designer dog - believed to be called Layla - was retrieved by cops after it was taken to a grooming parlour just 160ft from crime scene hours after the killing. The labradoodle - puppies of which can sell for between 700 to 1,500 - is now being looked after by the relevant authority, Greater Manchester Police added. The revelation came as Mr Patience's heartbroken family today described him as 'a much-loved son, brother and father and will be sorely missed by many, affectionately known as Prentice' - as the local community expressed shock at his 'murder'. And his ex-wife Kirsty, with whom he shared three children with, also paid tribute, hailing him an 'incredible man' who 'adored his children'. Donald 'Prentice' Patience, 45, was found dead after police were called to a home in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester amid reports burglars were trying to steal his pet dog. He is pictured with his children and ex-wife, Kirsty Police were called to reports of burglars trying to steal a labradoodle from the home. These labradoodle puppies were pictured on Donald's Facebook Pictured is the dog groomers where Mr Patience's pet labradoodle was allegedly taken shortly after his body was found Officers were this morning standing guard outside the end-of-terrace home where Mr Patience's body was found 'This breaks my heart to have to write this,' she wrote on social media. 'As a lot of you may have already seen, this week we lost an extremely incredible man. 'Despite whatever happened between us, Prentice was an amazing father and adored his children. Did you know the victim and his beloved dogs? To pay tribute to him, please email tom.cotterill@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement 'We are all truly heart broken at this news and we are all struggling to come to terms with his death.' A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded Mr Patience's death was suspicious. Three men have since been arrested on suspicion of murder. After being questioned two men, aged 27 and 41, have been released on bail pending further enquires, while a 39-year-old man remains in police custody. GMP added Mr Patience's loved ones were being supported by family liaison officers. The end-terrace remains cordoned off this morning with police standing guard outside. Pictures from the scene show a back kitchen window has been shattered. Blue and white tape has marked off the property and forensic officers, in white overalls, have also been seen entering the house this morning. Locals claim officers managed to retrieve Layla the labradoodle after she was taken to The Dog Shop. Police swooped and arrested a man before seizing the dog, according to Mick Hewitson, 58, who runs the pet grooming business. He told MailOnline: 'I'd not long opened up the shop and a young man called in and said "I only live over the road, my boss wants his dog's hair cut, can you do it?" 'The man was fairly young, at a guess I'd say in his late 20s, and the dog was an off-white ladbradoodle. 'He said his boss had gone up to Scotland and left him some money for the dog to get a trim. The beloved father's death has left his family heartbroken. Mr Patience is pictured with three youngsters in one of the last photos he shared before his death Mr Patience, 45, adored his children and his dog, say locals. He is pictured during a family trip to London Family members have previously shared pictures of a white labradoodle, thought to be this one which burglars were reportedly trying to steal, on Facebook In a post on social media, Mr Patience's ex-wife described him as an 'amazing father' who 'adored his children' Police officers were pictured guarding the scene of the killing in Radcliffe on Friday morning 'I have a sore shoulder so I'm limiting the amount of work I've got on at the moment- particularly walk-ins - so I declined. The man and dog walked off. Police say loving father was 'targeted' in a deliberate attack Detectives investigating the killing of a father-of-four by suspected dognappers say they are 'confident' he was deliberately 'targeted'. Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith of GMP's Major Incident Team has insisted the force is doing all it can to bring Donald 'Prentice' Patience's killers to justice. She added: 'First, as a force, we would like to pass on our condolences to Donald's loved ones at this extremely distressing time, we are doing all we can to get the answers they deserve and find out what has happened. 'Since we were made aware of this incident earlier this week our investigation has been swift and precise, with three arrested because of our enquiries with one at the scene at the time of the suspected burglary. 'I would like to reassure the local public, as I understand there will be alarm when finding out about this, but we are confident it is a targeted attack.' Advertisement 'This must have been just before 10am on Tuesday as I already had another dog in. 'Half an hour later the police had all rushed around and that same man was arrested. The police had hold of the same labradoodle. 'I've never seen the dog before that, or the bloke who was killed even though the house where it happened is just across the road.' A woman who lives near the dog grooming shop said she had seen the labradoodle in the back of a police van. She said: 'There was a man who was being arrested. I asked an officer what was going on and he told me that he thought the man had stolen the dog.' Emilya Habtagebriel, 25, believes she may have come face-to-face with one of the killers. The mother of two said: 'I'd come out the back of my house some time between 10.30am and 11am on Tuesday and there was a young man coming out of the house behind mine. 'I remember he had a white dog on the lead. He smiled and said hello and I waved back. 'My daughter absolutely loves dogs and I went back in to get her and show her the dog but the man had vanished. 'I didn't see where he went but he was quick to get away. 'It wasn't the man who was found dead. It was a younger man, I'd say late-20s. 'Not long after that the street was filled with police and we later found out that the man who lived in the house had been murdered. 'It's a shock. I don't know who the man I saw was but he appeared calm. I didn't hear any shouting or screaming or smashing, nothing like that at all. Police were pictured on Friday morning guarding the scene of the suspected murder One of the pictures released today appeared to show a smashed window at the father's home Forensic officers in white overalls have been seen at the property today Upon searching the home, police found the body of 45-year-old Donald 'Prentice' Patience. He was pronounced dead at the scene 'But the dog he had with him on a lead was a labradoodle.' Another neighbour said Mr Patience was originally from Scotland and along with his children, his dog was 'his life'. One woman, who did not want to be named, said: 'Donald had been here a while and said hello to most people but to be honest we didn't know much about him. 'He was Scottish and lived in the house alone, except for his labradoodle Layla, who he would walk around the block at least twice a day. 'He had children but they didn't live with him. I think along with his kids, that dog was his life. He really doted on Layla. 'We were out when it happened. It's supposed to have been a burglary and the dog was snatched. He would have put up a fight to stop someone stealing her that's for sure.' Layla turned two last month. Donald bought her a doggie birthday cake and she was given venison sausage treats by neighbours. One said: 'Donald used to spoil her rotten. We all did as she is such a loveable dog. 'He used to joke that she was a 'doodle-doodle' as he wasn't quite sure what breed she was exactly. He said he believed her "grandfather" was a Golden Retriever and at least one of her parents was a poodle of some sort. 'But Donald would do everything for that dog so if someone has taken her to the dog groomer across the road on Tuesday, I find that extremely suspicious as he would never leave her with anyone and he used to trim her fur himself.' Floral tributes have since been left outside the home where the father was found dead Scenes of crime officers are pictured entering the garden of the property, passing by floral tributes left in honour of Mr Patience News of the killing sent shockwaves through the local community, with floral tributes today being left outside the end-of-terrace. Investigators are now urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in earlier this week in or around the area. Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith of GMP's Major Incident Team said: 'First, as a force, we would like to pass on our condolences to Donald's loved ones at this extremely distressing time, we are doing all we can to get the answers they deserve and find out what has happened. 'Since we were made aware of this incident earlier this week our investigation has been swift and precise, with three arrested because of our enquiries with one at the scene at the time of the suspected burglary. 'I would like to reassure the local public, as I understand there will be alarm when finding out about this, but we are confident it is a targeted attack. 'We now want to appeal to the local community for any eyewitness accounts or footage of any activity that we may be able to link to this investigation. 'We are also looking for people who may know Donald, have seen him walking his beloved white labradoodle in the local area or have any knowledge of any activity at or near his address, which is an end terrace on Ainsworth Road, since Friday 18 August 2023. 'It is crucial we have as much detail as possible to help piece together what has happened in this tragic incident where someone has sadly lost their life. 'We are keeping all available lines of enquiry open but no matter how small, your piece of information may be that crucial bit of evidence we need that can help us with this investigation.' Mr Patience (pictured) was described as an 'amazing father who adored his children'. He was also a Manchester City fan Mr Patience was hailed as a loving and devoted father by his family, with pictures on social media showing him surrounded by his children. His eldest son was hailed a 'miracle' child by Mr Paitence's ex-wife. The youngster underwent three open heart operations before the age of five - with his first taking place at just 13 days old. It comes after he was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital defect which means the left ventricle does not properly. Speaking to the Bury Times in 2014, mother Kirsty said: 'As soon as he got back into intensive care after his first operation he started losing so much blood that his heart stopped beating. 'He was technically dead and the doctors had to start pumping his heart again with their fingertips. He is a bit of a miracle really.' News of Mr Patience's murder has left locals stunned, with people expressing their horror online. Ben Johnson, who worked with Mr Patience at Express Estate Agency in Manchester city centre for five years, said he was horrified to hear of the death of his former colleague. He told MailOnline: 'He was genuinely one of the most caring, understanding and empathetic people I have ever had the pleasure of working with and meeting. 'When times were tough, he was always there to lend a helping hand to me to be an ear to bend. He always had time for me and others.' Another person said: 'Poor man. Too much of these unspeakable crimes going on at the moment.' While a third wrote: 'I'm so so sorry to his family, may he rest in peace, God bless you xx' One heartbroken relative said their family had been left devastated by the death. Appealing to the public for help, they wrote on social media: 'Please, if you know or have seen anything... please, please contact the police. 'Heartbreaking news for my family this week, you didn't deserve to have your life taken in this way. Fly high Prent xx' Those with details can call police on 0161 856 3635 or 101 quoting incident number 1139 of 22/08/2023 or via the independent charity - Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111. DID YOU KNOW MR PATIENCE? EMAIL TOM.COTTERILL@MAILONLINE.CO.UK A killer driver who buried a cyclist's body in the Scottish wilderness six years ago after mowing him down has today been jailed for 12 years. Alexander 'Sandy' McKellar, 33, and his twin brother Robert were driving along the A82 in Argyll, Scotland, when he knocked down and killed cyclist Tony Parsons, 63. The pair tried to cover up the crime in September 2017 by burying the former Navy petty officer on the nearby 9,000-acre Auch estate, inside a peat bog where animal carcasses were dumped. Three years later, McKellar confessed to his terrified fiancee Caroline Muirhead what he had done. Ms Muirhead, 32, was later taken to the burial site, which she marked out by dropping an empty can of Red Bull - allowing police to pinpoint the body's location. Today at the High Court in Glasgow, McKellar was jailed for 12 years while his brother was sentenced to five years and three months. Ms Muirhead, a pathologist, revealed to Sky News her fear of a revenge attack once Mckellar is freed and said that she has been offered 24-hour security cameras at her parents' Glasgow home. Caroline Muirhead asked her boyfriend to take her to the site where he buried Tony Parsons' body. She filmed part of the car journey and later left the Red Bull can she had been drinking as a marker Caroline Muirhead, 32, gathered evidence that helped to convict Alexander Sandy McKellar after he knocked down and killed cyclist Tony Parsons McKellar, 33, and his twin Robert tried to cover up the crime in September 2017 by burying the former Navy petty officer Cyclist Tony Parsons was struck by a pick-up truck being driven by a drunk Sandy McKellar with Robert in the passenger seat Tony Parsons' body was discovered thanks to a can of Red Bull left at his burial site by Ms Muirhead Caroline Muirhead, the former partner of Alexander McKellar, leaves the High Court, Glasgow, following the sentence hearing of the McKellar brothers Ms Muirhead left the court after seeing her former fiance jailed for 12 years Ms Muirhead said there was a '100%' risk that Sandy could harm her after his release from prison, adding: 'You're telling me that man is not going to come knock on my door when he gets out?' Father-of-two Mr Parsons had won a battle with prostate cancer, and was over halfway through a 100-mile charity ride from his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, to Fort William, at the time of his death. He travelled north by train on the morning of September 29, 2017. But after 11pm, when he was last seen having a drink in the Bridge of Orchy hotel, he was struck by a pick-up truck being driven by a drunk Sandy McKellar with Robert in the passenger seat. The brothers had been drinking in the same bar as Mr Parsons before they crashed into him on the A82 on their way back home through the 9,000-acre Auch Estate in Argyll. They decided to bury his body in a peat bog and lived with their secret for just over three years. Sandy McKellar admitted his crimes to Ms Muirhead in November 2020 as they discussed getting married. She told the Sunday Mail: I was in shock, frozen almost. I didnt know what to believe. This man I thought I could be with for the rest of my life had just told me he was a killer. I didnt know what to do. After his confession, Ms Muirhead spent a month gathering information. She asked McKellar to take her to the burial site, where she recorded part of the car journey while drinking a can of Red Bull - which she left at the scene as a marker. Ms Muirhead, a forensic pathologist from Glasgow, told how McKellar first appeared gentle and kind towards her, but his personality could change when he drank heavily. She recalled asking him in late November 2020 if he was OK after he visibly tensed when a police car drove past them one evening. She said: I asked him, What is it? What is going on? What is it youre not telling me?" 'I said if we were going to be together and be a team, he needed to tell me what was wrong and Id support him. Police search a Highland farm at Auch Estate in connection with the disappearance of Tony Parsons on January 8, 2021 in Bridge of Orchy, Scotland Ms Muirhead asked McKellar to take her to the burial site, where she recorded part of the car journey while drinking a can of Red Bull - which she left at the scene as a marker Ms Muirhead became emotional as she described thinking of Mr Parsons' family, who for three years had no idea what had happened to him He started having a panic attack. He was gasping and started wailing. Then he told me what hed done something that hed got away with for years. He then took her to the site of the grave on the estate where he lived. Ms Muirhead said: He pointed out where the body was and told me what had happened and how they (the brothers) had hit him, that it was an accident. He said they hadnt trusted the police, theyd had issues with them before and thought they were out to get them, so thats why they didnt go to the police. Ms Muirhead is now pressing for greater protection for witnesses in High Court trials and is exploring legal actin against criminal justice authorities in Scotland. She alleges that after giving Police Scotland the clue they needed to find Mr Parsons' body, detectives pressured her into 'spying' on the twins for a further nine months in order to bolster their case. She also claims officers leaked key evidence to locals revealing the part she was playing in the inquiry. Scotland's police watchdog the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) confirmed it has been instructed by the Crown Office to probe 'allegations of criminality' against the force. She said: 'I have not just been manipulated by being lied to. I've been violated. I've been abused and taken advantage of. 'I literally gave them as much as I could above and beyond. They never saw me as a human. They terrorised me. They intimidated me. They took me out of my job. Here I am, I've lost my job. I've lost my possessions. My family are terrified.' Members of Mr Parsons's family, including his widow Margaret (centre) and children Mike (left) and Victoria (right), were in court for today's sentencing hearing The widow of charity cyclist Tony Parsons, Margaret Parsons (left) and their daughter Victoria, arrive at the High Court for a hearing last month Ms Muirhead described one incident where she walked into a pub, while the patrons all stopped and stared. She said the barman asked if she wanted a 'Red Bull sugar free like the gravesite?' and the other customers spat at her. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on these assertions as criminal proceedings have not concluded. 'There are a number of outstanding complaints which will be progressed at the conclusion of all criminal proceedings.' Members of Mr Parsons's family, including his widow Margaret and children Mike and Victoria, were in court for today's sentencing hearing. The cyclist's family released a statement after the guilty pleas, saying he loved 'nothing more' than spending time with his grandchildren. The statement said: 'As you can imagine, not knowing what has happened to someone and then the devastating news that we were provided has taken its toll on all of us as a family. 'At last justice has been done and we would like to thank not only the court officials and officers from Police Scotland's major investigation team, Forth Valley Division; and other Police Scotland departments who worked on this case, but all the volunteers and mountain rescue teams who tirelessly searched for him in the earlier stages of the inquiry.' Mr Parson's son Mike (right) and his wife arrive at the High Court, Glasgow, for the sentencing of drunk-driver Alexander McKellar who killed his father with his car on September 29, 2017 The final journey of former naval officer and charity cyclist Tony Parsons Police officers search a valley on the outskirts of Tyndrum, Stirlingshire Both McKellars had been due to stand trial for murder, but appeared in court last month to plead guilty to lesser charges. Sentencing Alexander McKellar, Judge Lord Armstrong said: 'Alexander McKellar, on September 29, 2017, you consumed alcohol and you did drive from there in the direction of your home. 'On the course of that night you collided with Tony Parsons on the A82 who was riding his bicycle. The extensive damage to the front of your vehicle is indicative of the force you hit him with. 'He sustained multiple rib fractures and complex pelvic fractures. 'The cause of his death is likely to have been a result of impacted breathing and a bleeding thorax. 'Mr Parsons's family have been deeply impacted and the emotional harm is ongoing. 'There is nothing I can say or do to compensate for their loss.' I cant think of anything more un-American than my employer controlling where I can work and live. But thats the oppressive reality for almost one-fifth of American workers today, who labor under noncompete agreements that have become increasingly intrusive and unjustifiable. Fortunately, workers could soon be breaking free from these shackles in New York, where the Legislature recently passed a bill (A01278B) banning them, and across America, with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission proposing a rule to do the same. This issue is personal for me. I am the co-founder and CEO of Small Door Inc., a company that operates 10 veterinary hospitals, including five in New York State, and employs 220 workers. We have never asked any of our medical professionals to sign a noncompete clause, though our competitors, some of whom run more than a 1,000 clinics, do so regularly. This hurts our business, since it prevents us from hiring talented veterinarians who are locked into jobs they may otherwise want to leave. But it is far worse for the vets themselves, who dont have the freedom to pursue better wages and working conditions. Many are familiar with the contours of noncompetes, which are legal agreements or clauses in a contract specifying that an employee cant work for an employers competitor for a period after leaving their job. But it might surprise you just how pervasive they have become. These arent just golden handcuffs placed on high-flying executives, bankers, tech workers and others with big compensation packages. Noncompete clauses increasingly are inserted into the employment contracts of hairdressers, fast-food workers, baristas, dog walkers, janitors, security guards and millions of others who dont have the resources or the legal sophistication to challenge them. The clauses are often buried inside long employment contracts and signing them is often required to begin work. One study by University of Maryland economist Evan Starr estimates that roughly 1 in 7 workers making $40,000 or less sign noncompetes. Another survey from compensation data firm PayScale found that approximately 32% of U.S. companies include the clauses in all of their employment contracts regardless of position or pay. According to the FTC, noncompetes cost workers some $300 billion a year by limiting competition for workers and depressing wages. Defenders of noncompetes will tell you the agreements are necessary to keep key employees who are privy to trade secrets or proprietary strategy from taking information with them to competitors. But sensitive information can easily be protected via different agreements tailored specifically for that purpose. With a few exceptions, noncompetes are better understood as a crude racket. Thats certainly how they work in the veterinary industry. For example, one large company that operates more than 1,000 veterinary clinics, includes a clause in its employment contracts that says, departing veterinarians may not work for a competitor within 15 miles of any clinic operated by our Company. It defines a competitor as anyone who operates a veterinary clinic, develops veterinary software, sells veterinary insurance, conducts clinical trials of veterinary medications, distributes veterinary data, or builds veterinary facilities. In other words, it means, you have three choices: work for us, move somewhere else or find another career. I know a vet who worked for another clinic in Manhattan with a noncompete that forbade her from working within 10 miles of one of their facilities. Considering Manhattan is 13 miles long by two miles wide, that meant she essentially couldnt work anywhere in the borough. Left with few options, she ended up moving her family and her work to New Jersey. This is outrageous and it is way too common throughout the American economy. For all but a small minority of American workers, noncompetes have nothing to do with protecting an employers proprietary information. Its about protecting their turf not by beating their competition fairly but by tilting the playing field in their favor. In New York, the noncompete ban that passed the Legislature is awaiting the signature of Gov. Hochul. I hope she signs it. After she does, the FTC should end the practice nationally once and for all. With courts, legislatures and regulatory agencies all moving to curb noncompetes, at least one major law firm is already advising its business clients to reconsider using them, and to identify the least restrictive means to protect specific business interests. Its good advice. Locking people into jobs they dont want and blocking them from accepting employment elsewhere is more than unjust. It is un-American. Guttman is co-founder and CEO of Small Door Inc, a membership-based and technology-powered veterinary care platform that operates veterinary practices in New York City, Boston and Washington. Donald Trump looks like a thug in his world famous mugshot - which he may have planned as a 'sign of intimidation' towards prosecutors and judges in Georgia, his former national security advisor has claimed. John Bolton mocked Trump's glowering expression in the historic shot, the first booking photo ever taken of a former President. The picture was taken after Trump was arrested at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on fraud charges relating to interference in the 2020 election. The process of taking it was 'carefully-staged', Bolton said, 'as with most things Trump does'. 'They thought about what look they wanted. He could've smiled. He could've looked benign... Instead he looks like a thug.' Donald Trump has made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia John Bolton mocked Trump's glowering expression in the historic shot, the first booking photo ever taken of a former President Explaining why Trump went with the mean look, Bolton told CNN: 'I think it's intended to be a sign of intimidation against the prosecutors and the judges.' Bolton aimed another barb at his former boss, suggesting that Trump's team spent almost as much time on deciding how he should pose for the photo as they did 'combing his hair'. The arrest last night was Trump's fourth this year after charges were brought against him in New York City, Miami and Washington, DC. It was, however, the first time he has had his mug shot taken. Trump's height of 6-feet 3-inches (190.5cm) and weight of 215lbs (97.5kg) were pre-recorded and entered on the booking forms and he was given a prisoner identification number: P01135809. He was then released on payment of 10 percent of his $200,000 bail, having spent just 20 minutes inside the facility. Trump's arrest came a day after the first Republican presidential debate, which saw eight contenders take to the stage in Milwaukee broadcast to millions across the country. Seven of the candidates who participated in the Fox News debate, which the former President was notably absent from, said they would support Trump if he wins the primary even if he is convicted. In his interview, Bolton said he believed those who said they would stand by Trump gave the 'wrong answers'. Bolton previously attacked Trump's record as President in his tell-all memoir, The Room Where It Happened The first Republican primary debate descended into chaos on Wednesday night 'You cannot believe in a law-and-order philosophy and say it applies to everybody except Donald Trump,' he said. 'In any sane society, somebody who's a convicted felon should step aside.' It is not the first time Bolton has made his views on his former boss clear. In his tell-all memoir, The Room Where It Happened, Bolton attacked the President's record, portraying him as ignorant on foreign policy matters and even dangerous to have in the Oval Office. Trump hit back, slamming Bolton as a 'boring old fool', 'liar' and 'sick puppy'. While he previously voted for Trump in 2016, Bolton revealed he refused to do so in 2020 and would do the same if he is the Republican nominee in 2024. A flurry of nine of Trump allies have turned themselves in to the Georgia prison so far this week before the Friday deadline The 41-count charge against the former president and his 18 co-defendants marks the fourth and latest indictment against him. He was charged with RICO - Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations - a count which is frequently used to try mafia figures, cartel leaders and gangland bosses. He is also charged with solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer; conspiracy to commit forgery in the first-degree; perjury; and a host of other counts. If convicted on all charges, he faces 71 years in prison - and state charges, unlike federal, cannot be pardoned by a president. An estimated 60,000 GCSE pupils could face the gruelling task of having to resit their English and maths exams as hundreds of thousands fewer top grades were handed out this year following efforts to bring results down to pre-pandemic levels. In England, many students who do not secure at least a grade 4 in English and/or maths at GCSE are required to retake the subjects during post-16 education. It is likely that almost 22,000 more 16-year-olds in England did not reach this standard in maths this year compared to last year, PA news agency analysis of figures by Ofqual shows. In English, it is likely that over 38,000 more 16-year-olds in England this summer did not secure a grade 4 or above compared to 2022. Headteachers' unions have called on the Government to reform the system to ensure many students are not stuck in a 'demoralising' cycle of retakes. A photo illustrating GCSE results day shows (Left to right) Oliver Keown, Selena Byrnes, Katie Carson, Izzy Martin, Anna Brewster, Chloe Lyons, Eve Moore and Luke Ryan, pupils at Sullivan Upper School Grammar School, Belfast, who were happy to receive their GCSE results Annabel Bolton (left) also looks thrilled while receiving her GCSE results with her mother Helen at Portsmouth Grammar School, in Hampshire Education Secretary Gillian Keegan meets pupils as they open their GCSE results at Paddington Academy in London Official figures also show disparities in results across regions reveal that a significant proportion of pupils face resitting key English and maths exams after failing to score a 'standard' pass. Many of the students who received their GCSE results on Thursday were in Year 8 when schools closed as a result of coronavirus. Around 203,000 fewer top GCSE grades were awarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland than last year. But 142,000 more top grades were awarded this summer than in 2019. It comes after Covid-19 led to an increase in top grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. More than a fifth (22.0%) of UK GCSE entries were awarded the top grades - at least a 7 or an A grade - this year, down by 4.3 percentage points on last year when 26.3% of entries achieved the top grades. But this was still higher than in 2019 when 20.8% of entries were awarded the top grades. Ministers faced calls to address regional disparities after the gap in top GCSE grades between London and the North East widened. Overall, 28.4% of GCSE entries in London were awarded a grade 7 or above, compared with 17.6% in the North East - a gap of 10.8 percentage points. Last year, the gap was 10.2 percentage points. The proportion of UK GCSE entries getting at least a 4 or a C grade - considered a 'standard pass' - dropped from 73.2% in 2022 to 68.2% this year, but it was higher than in 2019 (67.3%). Speaking as students received their GCSE results on Thursday, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said people 'do a lot better over their lifetime' if they secure maths and English qualifications. (left to right) James Smith, Elias Stisted, Katherine Edwards and Emily Farrar posed for a picture with their GCSE results at Portsmouth Grammar School, in Hampshire Khadija Senesie celebrates with a friend as she receives her GCSE results at the City of London Academy The gap in top grades between private schools and comprehensive schools in England remained large (27.5 percentage points), but it narrowed on last year. Some 46.6% of GCSE entries at private schools in England were awarded grades 7 or above this year, down from 53.1% in 2022. In comprehensive schools, the figure was 19.1%, down from 23.2% last year. In England, exams regulator Ofqual said this year's GCSE results would be lower than last year and they would be similar to those in 2019. Ofqual built protection into the grading process to ensure a pupil received the grade they would have received before the pandemic even if their quality of work was a little weaker this year. In Wales and Northern Ireland, results are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels next year. In Wales, 21.7% of entries were awarded an A grade or above, compared to 18.4% in 2019, and in Northern Ireland 34.5% of entries were awarded the top grades, compared to 30.5%. In England, 21.6% of entries were awarded a grade 7 or above, compared to 20.7% in 2019. According to figures from Ofqual, the number of 16-year-old students in England who received a 9 - the highest grade under the numerical grading system - in all their subjects nearly halved from last year. Some 1,160 16-year-olds in England taking at least seven GCSEs achieved a grade 9 in all their subjects, compared with 2,193 last year and 837 in 2019. While traditional A*-G grades are used in Northern Ireland and Wales, in England these have been replaced with a 9-1 system, where 9 is the highest. A 4 is broadly equivalent to a C grade, and a 7 is broadly equivalent to an A. Many students in Wales and Northern Ireland were given advance information about topics to expect in their exam papers this summer, but pupils in England were not given the same support. In England this year, pupils were given formulae and equation sheets in GCSE mathematics, physics, and combined science exams in acknowledgement of pandemic disruption to learning. Jo Saxton, chief regulator of Ofqual, said the decision on whether to continue to offer exam aids to GCSE pupils in England in some subjects next summer would fall with the Department for Education (DfE). She said: 'They know they need to confirm their position about next year. We've agreed that's very much in DfE's space because it's about curriculum. Whatever decision they make, we enable it to happen. Pupils finding out their GCSE results at Paddington Academy in London yesterday as 142,000 more top grades were awarded this summer than in 2019 Dr Saxton added: 'In terms of grading, this has been the second step in the two-step plan to get back to normal. So as far as Ofqual is concerned, we're now back to normal.' Earlier this month, schools minister Nick Gibb said there was an 'expectation' that exam aids would not be offered to GCSE students next year. Speaking on GCSE results day on Thursday, Mr Gibb acknowledged that progress on closing the attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils had 'been undone' during the pandemic. He told BBC Breakfast: 'We did achieve a 9% closing of that gap for secondary and we closed the gap by 13% for primary, but that has been undone, as you say, by Covid, and now we need to get back to normality. 'We've got the recovery programme happening in our schools right now. And then we need to get back to the reform programme to make sure that we can continue to close that gap.' Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The schools minister has confirmed that Conservative promises to level up education are dead and buried.' In Scotland, the national results for the National 5 qualifications were published earlier in the month and showed that the pass rate was 78.8% - down from 80.8% last year, but up from 78.2% in 2019. An Aussie mum has lashed out at a children's play centre after an expensive family day out as the cost of living crisis worsens. She recently took her children to Adventure Land in Palmerston, south-east of Darwin, where admission is $15 per child. After ordering a bowl of chips, a chicken parmigiana, a bowl of nuggets, a little cup of gravy and two small drinks, she was shocked to see a whopping $63.40 bill. She was 'not impressed' by the exorbitant costs and took to social media to ask if the prices were usually so steep. A mother has been left shocked by a $63 meal at a children's play centre in Darwin, claiming she will only be cooking at home from now on with food prices skyrocketing READ MORE: Coles called out over 'tiny' grovery haul' The man ranted angrily at how little (pictured) he got for his $91 at a trip to the supermarket Advertisement '(I) will probably just be cooking from home from now on and taking it with us, it's getting insanely expensive,' the mother wrote. The post sparked the attention of numerous other parents who had been to the play centre and were also surprised by the food prices. 'Shocking right, as if the entry fee isn't expensive enough,' one user wrote. A second user wrote that they 'refuse to go there with those prices'. 'Yep, normal, we don't eat there for obvious reasons,' a third wrote, confirming the prices were standard for the business. A fourth added: 'Wow! Go to the pub with a playground, hell of a lot cheaper'. Others noted that the business was able to set prices of their food at their own discretion to pay for wages, maintenance and other business costs. 'Adventureland food is expensive, and playground food is expensive because their prices are what pays their staff and rent,' one parent wrote. The Northern Territory mother ordered a bowl of chips, a chicken parmigiana, a bowl of nuggets, a side of gravy and two small drinks. Pictured is the meal Another added: 'I love supporting small businesses but holey moley, there is a line between wanting to and not being able to.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Adventure Land for comment. Adventure Land is described as Darwin's best place to party and play for children aged 0-13 with a three storey state of the art play structure. With colourful parades, extravagant costumes and heaps of culture, Carnival events are attended by millions around the world. This bank holiday weekend, the streets of London's Notting Hill will be packed with people who travelled far and wide to celebrate. Carnival is traditionally a Christian celebration that occurs before Lent - it's believed that the festival originated as a chance for people to party once more before Lent begins. However, different countries and cultures have their own origins and unique traditions for Carnival - Notting Hill's Carnival was started by London's Caribbean communities in 1966 and is a celebration of diversity, freedom and Caribbean culture. From Rio to Venice, MailOnline has rounded up the world's greatest and most famous carnivals. Rio Carnival Exotic costumes, floats and parades make for an exciting event that attracts more than two million people for each day of festivities The heart of Rio Carnival is the Sambadrome, where the parades take place and locals and tourists alike come together at the stadium to watch as top samba schools perform for the title of Grand Champions Held every year before Lent, Rio de Janeiro's infamous Carnival is one of the biggest street parties in the world. Exotic costumes, floats and parades make for an exciting event that attracts more than two million people for each day of festivities. The heart of Rio Carnival is the Sambadrome, where the parades take place and locals and tourists alike come together at the stadium to watch as top samba schools perform for the title of Grand Champions. Hundreds of street parties, or 'blocos' are also held in the city between January and February - the parties are more casual that the parades in the Sanbadrome and each bloco consists of a musical band and of course partiers. New Orleans Mardi Gras Mardi Gras, which is French for 'Fat Tuesday' is celebrated in southern Louisiana, New Orleans Described as 'one big holiday', on Mardi Gras day most non essential businesses are shut down due to the celebration Mardi Gras, which is French for 'Fat Tuesday' is celebrated in southern Louisiana, New Orleans. The event stretches between one to three months and the streets come alive with music, art and costumes. It begins on Twelfth Night, which is January 6 and the eating of colourful 'king cake' is an iconic tradition not to be missed. Described as 'one big holiday', on Mardi Gras day most non essential businesses are shut down due to the celebration. Venice Carnival Venetian masks were traditionally worn as a symbol of freedom to conceal the wearer's identity and social class It starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, featuring authentic masquerade balls, and of course parties and live music Venice Carnival, which dates back to the 11th century, is often a majestic sight to behold. The Italian Carnival is best known for it's elaborate costumes, especially it's iconic masks. Venetian masks were traditionally worn as a symbol of freedom to conceal the wearer's identity and social class. It starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, featuring authentic masquerade balls, and of course parties and live music. Munich Beer Festival Although the most different to a traditional Carnival, Munic Beer Festival, more commonly known as Oktoberfest, is the worlds largest Volksfest More than six million national and international visitors gather for flowing beer steins and the chance to experience Bavarian music and culture Although the most different to a traditional Carnival, Munic Beer Festival, more commonly known as Oktoberfest, is the worlds largest Volksfest. More than six million national and international visitors gather for flowing beer steins and the chance to experience Bavarian music and culture. There are also costume parades with festively decorated wagons and brewery carriages, music and dancing. Taking place for around sixteen days between September and October, it's not one to be missed for beer-lovers. Carnival in the Canary Islands Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the biggest and most notable Carnivals - it's believed to be the second largest after Rio Tenerife looks like one huge rainbow for a whole month and as well as the parades, costumes and marches, there is also a gala party to choose the Carnival queen Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the biggest and most notable Carnivals - it's believed to be the second largest after Rio. It last around a month but the most important date is Pinata Saturday, featuring a dazzling fireworks display on the last weekend of celebrations. Tenerife looks like one huge rainbow for a whole month and as well as the parades, costumes and marches, there is also a gala party to choose the Carnival queen. Held in February and March, it attracts people to the island from all over the world. Notting Hill Carnival Happening this weekend, London's Notting Hill Carnival cannot be missed from the list Dancing, parades and partying creates an explosion of colour over the bank holiday weekend Happening this weekend, London's Notting Hill Carnival cannot be missed from the list. Notting Hill Carnival is an annual Caribbean festival that's lined London's streets with dancing, food and culture since 1966. Taking part from Saturday August 26 to Monday 28 August, attendees will see the UK's biggest steel pan competition, adults and children's parades and authentic food including Trinidadian roti and Jamaican jerk chicken. Dancing, parades and partying creates an explosion of colour over the bank holiday weekend - it's free for everyone and there's still time to source a glittering outfit if you do plan to go. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a two-day celebration known across the world for it's colourful costumes and street parades Dubbed the 'best Caribbean Carnival in the world,' it originated as a rebellion against slavery The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a two-day celebration known across the world for it's colourful costumes and street parades. Dubbed the 'best Caribbean Carnival in the world,' it originated as a rebellion against slavery. African slaves were forbidden from attending the celebrations so instead, they held their own parties which were called canboulay. At the Carnival you can either be a spectator and watch the parades or join in by 'playing mas'. You need to select a mas band you want to be a part of and then sign up to join in with the fun - who doesn't need an excuse to wear a beautifully crafted costume? Belgium's Binche Carnival It's most famous for it's 'Gilles' who are masked men in uniform costumes - they are the Carnival's oldest and principal participants They appear on Shrove Tuesday in costume and wooden shoes, throwing oranges at the crowd during the parade as a sign of good luck Binche Carnival in Belgium is held annually in the days preceeding Ash Wednesday. It's most famous for it's 'Gilles' who are masked men in uniform costumes - they are the Carnival's oldest and principal participants. They appear on Shrove Tuesday in costume and wooden shoes, throwing oranges at the crowd during the parade as a sign of good luck. In 2003, UNESCO proclaimed Binches carnival celebration a 'Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,' celebrating the Carnival's unique character and spectacles. Oruro Carnival Bolivia It offers a mix between ancient Andean and Spanish colonial traditions and religions, as well as featuring a lot of catholic symbolism Attracting, half a million people each year, it's Bolivia's most famous tourist attraction Carnival of Oruro is a cultural and religious festival in Bolivia that's been celebrated since the 18th century. It offers a mix between ancient Andean and Spanish colonial traditions and religions, as well as featuring a lot of catholic symbolism. Attracting, half a million people each year, it's Bolivia's most famous tourist attraction - from food and drink to dancing, confetti and bonfires, it has something for everyone. In 2008, the Carnival of Oruro was even inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds won't have to fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars as security on potential legal costs for Brittany Higgins' fiance David Sharaz in her defamation lawsuit against him. WA Supreme Court Justice Marcus Solomon on Friday ruled against a security for costs order, in which a plaintiff is ordered by the court to put up cash or collateral to show a defendant's legal costs can be covered in the event the defamation suit fails. Senator Reynolds, who is from Western Australia, is suing former Canberra journalist and media adviser Mr Sharaz over a series of five social media posts the Senator alleges defamed her character. Senator Reynolds, who is from Western Australia, is suing former Canberra journalist and media adviser David Sharaz (pictured with fiancee Brittany Higgins) over a series of five social media posts the Senator alleges defamed her character. She has also taken similar legal action against Ms Higgins, who is Mr Sharaz's fiance, and Ms Reynolds' former staffer. In a hearing for the security for costs order, held in the same court on Thursday, Mr Sharaz's lawyer Jason MacLaurin argued Senator Reynolds could be made 'financially uncomfortable' by her other defamation suit, and potential future suits that could be brought against Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek and fringe political commentator Shane Dowling. Mr MacLaurin argued the cost of multiple legal battles, compounded by any potential losses in court, would make it difficult for Senator Reynolds to cover his client's costs. He told the court the matter would 'end in tears financially' for all parties. In his decision on Friday, Justice Solomon noted while Senator Reynolds is financially comfortable, the costs of the lawsuit would be 'very significant, perhaps crippling,' - but that this is 'hardly a unique feature of this proceeding.' 'On the contrary,' he writes, 'it is an unfortunate but common feature of contemporary litigation.' He ruled this does not provide a basis to order security for costs - and Senator Reynolds already had reason to take seriously the potential of being liable for an eye-watering bill at the end of proceedings. Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds won't have to fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars as security on potential legal costs for Brittany Higgins' fiance David Sharaz in her defamation lawsuit against him Justice Solomon noted Section 44 (iii) of the Constitution was a 'strong disincentive' to the Senator to not pay Mr Sharaz's costs, should she be ultimately unsuccessful in the case. The Constitution section declares anyone who 'is an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent' is ineligible to be a member of federal parliament. Section 44 wrought havoc among federal parliamentarians in 2017 when it was revealed anyone with a dual-citizenship was also ineligible to sit, claiming the jobs of nine Senators and MPs by the end of that year. Speaking to the parties at a hearing on Thursday, Justice Solomon urged both parties to resolve the issue in mediation, which he's tentatively set down to occur in December or January, pending the parties' availability. In a postscript to his decision, Justice Solomon reiterated those sentiments, writing: 'Money is not the only, and probably not the biggest cost. 'The human cost of litigation looms large. 'As in all matters, the court urges, and is anxious to assist the parties to explore means of resolving the dispute without the necessity of a trial.' Ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has backed a new independence vote for Scotland 'soon' and urged his former party to help make it happen. The hard Left icon told the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that he would have allowed a vote to take place as early as 2021 if he had become prime minister in 2019. Instead he was being embarrassingly thrashed by Boris Johnson's Conservatives, leading Labour to its worst defeat in more than 80 years. And in comments unlikely to help his successor Sir Keir Starmer, the now independent MP said he hoped Labour MPs would help pave the way for a new vote. He told the crowd at the Freemason's Hall in Edinburgh: 'Yes, I do support the principle of having a referendum and I hope that happens soon. 'I suspect the British Government will try and oppose it - I hope that a Labour majority would also support a referendum. I think it's a democratic right to decide your own future.' The hard Left icon told the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that he would have allowed a vote to take place if he had become prime minister in 2019 instead of being embarrassingly thrashed by Boris Johnson's Conservatives. The Islington North MP was questioned by a member of the audience about his stance on independence. During his time as Labour leader, Mr Corbyn held a number of positions on Scottish independence, telling journalists during a visit north of the border in the lead-up to the 2019 election there would not be a vote on independence in the first term of a government he led, before saying later there would not be one 'in the early years' of a new parliament. At the event on Thursday, Mr Corbyn said he would not have allowed another referendum in the first two years of his premiership. Mr Corbyn later added: 'My view is that if the people of Scotland want that referendum to defend their future, then they should have that right. 'I don't think there should be a power of veto by the UK Government or the UK prime minister on this. 'I made clear before the 2019 election that if we went into government we would be accepting of the principle that if Scotland wanted a referendum after two years, that would be what we would agree to do - that's what I said at the time and that's what I stand by.' Mr Corbyn - who was kicked out of Labour in a row over antisemitism - also told the event he had 'been very badly treated' by the party, but he pledged to work for his constituents if he is returned to the seat at the next general election, which is expected next year. SNP deputy Westminster leader Mhairi Black said: 'The former Labour leader recognises it is wrong to deny Scotland its democratic right to choose its own future - it's time Sir Keir Starmer woke up to that reality. 'Scotland's future should be decided by the people who live here, and not by those in the pro-Brexit, pro-austerity Westminster establishment, who we in Scotland have rejected at elections time and again.' However, there are also questions over whether the SNP is in any position to fight another referendum campaign. The financial crisis engulfing the party was laid bare yesterday after it emerged it plunged more than 800,000 into the red last year. It recorded a deficit of 804,278 as membership and donations slumped, while legal fees rocketed amid the ongoing police probe into its finances. First Minister Humza Yousaf insisted his party was on a steady footing. But the SNP was only able to state it can continue as a going concern because it is withholding 837,600 of membership income it was due to hand to local branches. The latest loss for 2022 follows a 729,845 deficit in the previous year meaning it has spent all of the 1.3million reserves it had at the start of 2021. It has instead fallen into the red, with the SNPs liabilities now outweighing its assets by 219,629. The accounts show the party has only 46,039 in the bank which would not be enough to repay 60,000 still owed to former chief executive Peter Murrell if he demanded his money back. The value of the partys motor- home which was seized from Mr Murrells mothers house as part of the police probe also looks to have declined. The balance sheet showed vehicles worth 100,790 at the start of 2022 but the figure was only 64,506 at the end of 2022. The SNP books further disclose membership numbers plunged by 8,662 in the first half of this year, piling more pressure on finances. A 15-year-old British girl has reportedly been raped by an Italian tourist on the Greek island of Halki, just hours before the alleged attacker fled the island to fly back home. Police have now launched a manhunt for the suspect, said to be a 16-year-old from Italy who was on holiday on the island, west of Rhodes, with his family. The alleged attack reportedly took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning, between 4.30am and 5am, in the Pondamos area of Halki. A doctor alerted police to the alleged incident after the young Brit and her mother, 55, visited the surgery later on Wednesday. This is just the latest incident in a horrifying spate of alleged sex attacks on holidaying teens that has now seen a dozen British and Irish women report sexual assaults while in Europe this summer. A 15-year-old British girl has reportedly been raped by an Italian tourist on the Greek island of Halki (file picture of Halki) Following the attack in Halki on Wednesday, police examined the 15-year-old child, Dimokratiki reported. The doctor assisted the officers with the child's mother also present. There was no child psychologist available on the island to provide further care. Police have reportedly acquired a series of witness statements and were able to identify the 16-year-old alleged attacker through social media searches. Shown a social media image of the 16-year-old by police, the girl was able to confirm the identity. But the suspect had already left the island at around 8.30am that same morning before cops could intercept him, police said. He is reported to have taken a ferry with his family to Kamiros Skala, on the island of Rhodes, before boarding a flight from the state airport. Police are continuing their urgent search for the Italian 16-year-old. The preliminary investigation is being carried out by officials on the island of Halki while the prosecutor's office has also been informed of the incident. This is just the latest sex attack on a holidaying British teen this summer that has now seen a dozen women come forward to report assaults. The alleged attack reportedly took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning, between 4.30am and 5am, in the Pondamos area of Halki (file picture of Halki) Earlier this month, a 19-year-old Brit accused an unknown man of raping her on a beach during a holiday to the Greek island of Ios. The teenager told local police that she was raped sometime between 9pm and 10.30pm on the night of August 16th on the beach in the Mylopotas area having consumed alcohol, Proto Thema reported. On August 2, a 21-year-old British woman told Greek police that she was raped by an Israeli man after meeting him in a nightclub in Athens. The young tourist came forward after she was allegedly attacked at the man's home in the early hours of July 28 after a night out in the Keramikos area. She told police that during the sexual assault, the man's three friends appeared out of nowhere and filmed her with their mobile phones. The woman, who had been partying with her friend from Portugal beforehand, told the group she was leaving but the man refused to stop the act, according to local media. Last month, a 21-year-old British tourist also reported that she was raped by a 47-year-old Greek man in Rhodes. Rishi Sunak has insisted he is working 'night and day' to deter migrants from making small boat crossings across the English Channel as people were plucked from the water by Border Force agents for a 10th consecutive day. The PM - who has made 'stopping the boats' a cornerstone of his government's policy - said on Friday that the current situation was 'unfair and unsustainable', after the number of crossings in 2023 to date hit more than 19,000. Pictures taken at the Port of Dover on Friday show the Border Force vessel BF Typhoon pulling into the harbour before docking to unload more people believed to have been rescued as they tried to cross the Channel. Among those seen disembarking were a young man in a plaid shirt, dark trousers, Nike trainers and a red lifejacket who was carrying a small child wearing no shoes. More than 4,000 people have made the crossing this month - and the number of asylum applications made in the UK has has hit its highest level in two decades. A migrant smiles as he carries a small girl from the Border Force boat Typhoon onto dry land at the Port of Dover in Kent on Friday Asylum seekers can be seen milling around at the stern of the BF Typhoon after being picked up by the Border Force vessel Migrants hand their lifejackets to Border Force staff as they prepare for processing after being brought to land by the agency on Friday Rishi Sunak says he is working 'night and day' to deter migrants from making small boat crossings - but figures remain higher than in 2021, 2020 or 2019 Speaking to broadcasters on Friday, Mr Sunak said: 'I think the current situation with illegal migration is simply ridiculous. It's unfair and it's unsustainable. 'That's why one of my five priorities is to stop the boats, and I really want people to know I'm working night and day to bring that about. 'And when I became Prime Minister, before I outlined my plan, the number of illegal migrants coming to the UK had quadrupled in just the last couple of years. READ MORE: Tories tell Rishi Sunak to get a grip on immigration as asylum claims rocket to 20-year high and 1 million visas are handed out to students and foreign workers Advertisement 'But for the first time this year, crossings are down. They are down about 15% versus last year. 'That's the first time that has happened since the small boats crisis emerged. That shows that the plan is working. 'Now I never said this would be easy. I said it would take time. There's no simple, single solution that will solve it. 'We're working on a range of different things that will make a difference. For example: our deal with Albania that's returned 3,000 illegal migrants to Albania.' Mr Sunak has been urged by his fellow Tories to get a grip on immigration following record figures. On Thursday, 208 migrants packed themselves onto four dinghies to make their way to Britain, according to official Home Office statistics. A total of 19,174 migrants have made the treacherous crossing in 406 dinghies so far in 2023. Last year saw a record 45,755 people make the journey overall, a 60 per cent increase on 2021. There were a total of 78,768 asylum applications relating to 97,390 people in the year ending June 2023 - 19 per cent more than the previous year. And despite his pledge to 'stop the boats', crossings continue to rise at levels higher than those seen in 2021, 2020 or 2019 - though levels remain lower than those seen this time last year. The Prime Minister also told the Daily Express on Friday: 'The best way to relieve the unsustainable pressures on our asylum system and unacceptable costs to the taxpayer is to stop the boats in the first place. 'That's why we are focused on our plan to break the business model of the people smugglers facilitating these journeys, including working with international partners upstream to disrupt their efforts, stepping up joint work with the French to help reduce crossings and tackling the asylum backlog.' The Border Force boat carrying migrants from the English Channel arrives into Dover on Friday morning The boat, carrying migrants in red lifejackets, arriving into Dover on Friday A dinghy carrying around 50 migrants drifts into the English Channel after being escorted out of French territory on Thursday. Experts say they resist any help from French vessels in order to reach the UK Migrants are helped onto a UK Border Force boat on Thursday after drifting into British waters. A total of 208 people made the crossing in four dinghies yesterday The latest arrivals came after pictures emerged yesterday of a French naval vessel escorting a dinghy out of French waters into the English Channel, where it was then picked up by a Border Force patrol. A former head of the Border Force, Tony Smith, has claimed that migrants are 'resisting rescue' from French forces in order to reach the UK. He told BBC Radio 4: 'Those on board are not seeking rescue, because then they'll be taken back to France. Small boat crossings in the last week Date Migrants Boats 18 August 2023 144 3 19 August 2023 130 3 20 August 2023 337 5 21 August 2023 661 15 22 August 2023 211 5 23 August 2023 345 6 24 August 2023 208 4 Source: Home Office Advertisement 'So there is evidence that people are resisting rescue until such a time as they reach our waters and of course we are duty bound to rescue them. 'Once they're on board a British vessel they will claim asylum and that's been the business model for some time now.' Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said: 'Small boats numbers are 15 percent down on last year, against a backdrop of rising numbers of illegal migrants elsewhere in Europe. We are also on track to reduce the legacy backlog of asylum claims.' But former Home Office minister Sir John Hayes told the Mail: 'The Government needs to take further drastic, immediate steps to curb the increase in both illegal and legal migration. 'It's not just the boats we are growing our population at an unsustainable rate and putting too much pressure on infrastructure such as housing.' Albania was the most common nationality applying for asylum in Britain, with 11,790 applications - 7,557 of which came from arrivals on boats crossing the Channel. Afghans were the second most common nationality, with 9,964 applications - almost double the number in the previous 12 months (5,154). A total of 175,457 people were waiting for an initial decision on an asylum application in the UK at the end of June 2023, up 44% from 122,213 at the end of June 2022 - the highest figure since current records began in 2010. The number of asylum seekers waiting more than six months for an initial decision stood at 139,961 at the end of June, up 57% year on year from 89,231 and another record. The rise was 'due to more cases entering the asylum system than receiving initial decisions', the Home Office said. However, the number of cases waiting for a decision has risen by less than 1% in the three months to the end of June, suggesting the increase is slowing down. There were 23,702 initial decisions made on asylum applications in the UK in the year to June 2023, up 61% on 14,730 in the year to June 2022. It is also above the 20,766 decisions made in the pre-pandemic calendar year of 2019. Support boat MCS Taku collects an inflatable dinghy from the water after around 50 migrants were loaded onto a Border Force vessel on Thursday Migrants crossing the English Channel on Thursday, dodging huge vessels along the way Children and families believed to be migrants are loaded onto a bus and driven out of a Border Force compound in Dover on Wednesday Just over seven in 10 (71%) of initial decisions on asylum applications in the year to June 2023 were grants of refugee status, humanitarian protection or alternative forms of leave. This is 'substantially higher' than in pre-pandemic years, when around a third of initial decisions were grants, the Home Office said. The grant rate has been above 70% since 2021. Before then, the previous high was in 1990, when it stood at 82%, although the volume of applications was much lower at that time. Overall the asylum system cost 3.97billion in 2022-23, up from 2.12billion in the previous financial year and just 500million a decade ago. More than 6million is spent each day putting migrants up in hotels. Stephen Kinnock, Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister, said: 'These new statistics set out in stark terms the complete chaos the Tories have created in the immigration and asylum system. 'This is a disastrous record for the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. 'With this level of mismanagement, there is very little prospect of reducing the eye-wateringly high bill for hotel rooms for all those left in limbo, currently costing the British taxpayer 6 million a day.' A top motoring lawyer, known as Mr Loophole, has advised that drivers who enter newly expanded Ulez zones without encountering warning signs will have grounds to challenge their fines. Nick Freeman, who describes himself as 'Britain's highest profile lawyer' and who has got a string of high profile figures off driving offences has suggested the fines themselves 'could be invalid without warning signs.' The Ulez expansion launches on Tuesday August 29, and will see thousands of people driving older, more polluting cars charged 12.50 a day to drive into the capital. However, six out of the seven local authorities immediately bordering London have refused to sign a legal agreement with Transport for London (TfL) to allow Ulez signs within their borders. The act of protest has been mounted by Surrey County Council, Kent County Council, Essex County Council, Hertfordshire Council, Buckinghamshire Council and Thurrock Council, which are Tory-led and have been vocal about the financial impact Ulez will have on its residents. Nick Freeman, a top motoring lawyer, known as Mr Loophole, has suggested that some drivers may be able to appeal fines From next week, the controversial scheme will will cover all London boroughs and will force drivers of non-compliant vehicles to shell out 12.50 a day Local resistance to the scheme has been fierce in some areas of London with signs installed beneath cameras to warn drivers The only council that signed an agreement was Slough Borough Council, which shares the smallest border with London and only has two signs installed, the Daily Telegraph reported. Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Freeman explained that this has the potential to create very real issues for London Mayor Sadiq Khan. He explained: 'Any road traffic regulations that are introduced, there must be clear, unambiguous signage. 'And in the absence of clear, unambiguous signage, no penalty can be enforced. The prosecutors would, I'm quite confident, win on appeal. 'This happens in speeding cases, you get it in bus lane cases, there are a whole host of cases where the signage isn't clear. 'And then when somebody wants to challenge it, they invariably win because the signage doesn't doesn't fit the bill.' This quandary was also identified by Edmund King, the president of the Automobile Association, who suggested that TfL could be swamped with driver complaints. He told the newspaper: 'If TfL does not send out warnings they will be deluged with complaints from drivers. If they turn down appeals to have fines cancelled, huge numbers will take their complaints to the traffic penalties tribunal.' A TfL spokesman said: 'All the signs needed for the enforcement of the scheme will be in place and the boundaries clearly signposted for residents. 'The signage and level of information in the public domain means we expect drivers to be aware of the standards and the boundary. This means all non-compliant drivers are liable for the charge and if they fail to pay it within the appropriate amount of time, they will face a penalty charge. 'National Highways, which manages the busiest roads into the capital, have worked with us to ensure drivers have advance warning of the expanded Ulez, and we have run a major communications campaign to make sure as many people are aware of the scheme as possible.' How the Ultra Low Emission Zone has expanded across London throughout the years Nearly nine out of 10 Ulez cameras have been vandalised in southeast London , according to an analysis of crowd-sourced data Greater London Authority planners insist that nine in 10 cars and eight in 10 vans already meet the Ulez standards - covering all petrol vehicles from 2006 and diesel vehicles from 2016. Local resistance to the plans has seen some Ulez cameras vandalised, as thousands of new units are installed in outer boroughs of the capital. Gangs of so-called 'blade runners' have been cutting cables on newly installed cameras, or covering the lenses with stickers that read 'FCUK KHAN'. Nearly nine out of 10 Ulez cameras have been vandalised in southeast London, according to an analysis of crowd-sourced data. The data shows that only 29 cameras out of 185 in Sydenham are working, only four are intact in Bromley and just one is working on the A225. TfL has said the vandalism will not stop the Ulez changes going ahead next week as planned and that all vandalised cameras will be replaced or repaired. A spokesperson added that more than 1,900 cameras are in place in outer London. A California man has been accused of stealing $1.8mn in jewelry, clothing and goods from two guests staying at a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills. Jobson Marangoni De Castro, 37, was arrested on Monday at the LA International Airport and charged with the interstate transportation of stolen property, the Department of Justice announced yesterday. Prosecutors say De Castro stole six suitcases from two Brazilian citizens staying at the Peninsula Beverly Hills for a fashion event on May 10, 2023. There, De Castro is accused of having tricked a hotel employee into giving him a key to their room, sneaking in while an alleged victim was absent and the other asleep, and lifting the cases. Goods reported missing in the cases were worth more than $1.8 million, authorities said, including a Flavia Vetorasso diamond necklace worth $200,000 and a Chopard LHeure du Diamant watch worth $89,400. The DOJ released a photo allegedly of De Castro in an elevator with the suitcases The Peninsula Beverly Hills, where authorities say De Castro stole $1.8m worth of goods De Castro is understood to have traveled to Miami to find a potential buyer in Miami - but investigators were able to track his movements using GPS data from Uber trips, and AirTags left inside one of the suitcases. De Castro, a Brazilian citizen with US residency, arrived at the hotel the day before the theft and allegedly charged a meal at the hotel bar to the victims' room. He was later pictured in a hotel elevator with suitcases belonging to the unnamed victims, a federal complaint said, as reported by Fox News. De Castro waited a week before finding a potential buyer on Instagram, who wired him $50,000. The alleged thief then took the stolen items to the buyer's Miami store, authorities said. Items stolen also included five Tumi suitcases valued at $5,000 and a $1,000 carry-on. The bags held a $14,000 Chanel dress among other clothes and shoes worth some $285,000. A Flavia Vetorasso diamond necklace worth $200,000 was allegedly sold to a buyer in Miami A luxury watch was allegedly stolen in the heist, worth nearly $90,000 A passport and jewelry were also reported missing. Authorities learned that De Castro was separately being investigated for another theft at a Beverly Hills hotel. Ariana Grande on Friday honored the memory of late rapper Mac Miller with a live version of the former couples 2013 hit, The Way. The Live From London track was part of Grandes deluxe re-release of her debut album Yours Truly, celebrating its 10th anniversary. The song was one of six getting updated versions, all of which will be accompanied by videos. At the time of publication, the audio recording of The Way feat. Mac Miller (Live From London) had already racked up nearly 370,000 views on YouTube. At the end of the song, the screen in the video goes black, highlighting only the text Feat. Mac Miller. The original track proved to be a milestone for Grande, as it was her first to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100, where it debuted at No. 10. Baby I, Daydream, Honeymoon Avenue, Right Here (feat. Big Sean), and Tattooed Heart also got the updated treatment as part of Grandes re-release. The anniversary edition of Yours Truly comes amid conflicting reports that Grande has parted ways with manager Scooter Braun, and weeks after her love life dominated the news cycle. Her split from husband Dalton Gomez was quickly overshadowed by reports of Grandes relationship with Wicked co-star and Broadway alum Ethan Slater, and speculation over the timeline. Slater filed for divorce from wife Lilly Jay, with whom he recently welcomed a son, just after news broke of his relationship with Grande. A much-loved cosmetic nurse and her unborn baby have tragically died within four weeks of each other following complications from the flu and pneumonia. Brisbane mum Laura Maree Clanchy, 33, lost her brave fight for life on July 17, less than a month after her unborn son Finn died at 32 weeks. Their tragic deaths have sparked an outpouring of tributes as friends and family rally around her devastated partner Brad Davies and their toddler son Hudson. Ms Clancy was in the third trimester of her pregnancy when she was admitted to hospital in June after she was struck down with the flu. She and her partner were told that their unborn child must die in order for Ms Clanchy to have the best chance of survival. The tragic deaths of Laura Maree Clanchy (left) and her unborn child have sparked an outoruing of tributes. She pictured with her partner Brad and their son Hudson Finn died on June 23 and more heartbreak would follow. In the weeks that followed, Ms Clanchy developed pneumonia and an infection which claimed both of her legs and one of her arms. Within a month, the popular business owner of ELK Aesthetics was dead. Her partner confirmed the devastating news on her business Facebook page earlier this month. 'It is with a broken heart and deep sadness that I post to inform you that our beautiful Laura Maree Clanchy grew her wings on the 17th July to join and hold our baby Boy Finn which grew his wings on June 23rd,' Mr Davies wrote. 'The fight Laura and Finn endured was due to complications with Influenza A and Pneumonia which ultimately resulted in Baby Finn giving his life up at 32 weeks gestation so his amazing mumma could have the best possible chance of surviving her own. 'Although as odds continued to stack up and all that could have went wrong, did, Laura continued the fight with courage and pure strength that I am in total awe by.' Laura (left) was rushed to hospital in June after she was struck down with the flu ELK Aesthetics owner Laura Maree Clanchy (pictured) was much loved by her clients He thanked everyone who made Laura's life amazing and those who have reached out and supported the family during this heartbreaking and painful time. 'To all of Laura's beautiful and loyal clients/friends/family, thank you for making my baby's dreams come true with ELK Aesthetics and I hope we all continue to make her happy, proud and loved as Laura and Finn fly high above us,' Mr Davies ended the post. The news sparked an outpouring of tributes from friends and clients who described Ms Clanchy as one of a kind. 'Laura was an exceptional person whose kindness and warmth touched the lives of all her knew her,' one client said. 'I was honoured to have met her and know her. Her cheeky smile and our belly laughs whilst injecting me then telling me to sit still, she was a character, one of a kind. Her memory will forever be cherished.' Another woman added: 'Laura was the most genuinely kind, funny and beautiful person who has touched so many hearts My heartfelt thoughts are with you and your families.' Laura was described by friends and clients as a beautiful soul and one of a kind Close friends launched fundraisier efforts to raise money towards Hudson's education. A fundraising walk will be held on the Gold Coast this Sunday where Mr Davies will join an army of supporters walking from Marina Mirage to Surfers Paradise. Participants will wear green ribbons in honour of Ms Clanchy's favourite colour. 'She was such a vibrant outgoing person,' friend and former colleague Sue Lance told the Northside Chronicle. 'Everyone loved her.' 'She was beautiful inside and out.' 'It's just so sad. Absolutely horrific what happened.' An online fundraiser has also been set up. 'In honour of Laura's memory and to help secure a brighter future for her son Hudson, we are raising funds for 'Hudson's Scholarship',' the page states. 'We believe that collective efforts can make a significant impact.' The Original Factory Shop is set to close two branches over the weekend after another of its stores for good earlier this month. The chain announced it would shut three branches in August and will go ahead with two closures over the bank holiday weekend. The retailer, which currently has 185 department stores scattered across the country, sells a range of fashion, homeware, toys and more. Branches in Bodmin, Cornwall and Mildenhall, Suffolk will close up shop on Friday 25 August and Saturday 26 August, respectively. It quickly followed a closure in Chepstow, Wales which was scheduled to close on August 26, but shut its doors earlier on Sunday, 6 August. The Original Factory Shop announced it would close three branches in August and will go ahead with two closures over the bank holiday weekend The two branches set to close this weekend are located in Midlenhall, Suffolk and Bodmin, Cornwall. Another branch in Chepstow, Wales closed its doors earlier this month Across social media locals are lamenting the loss of the retailer, one said: 'Oh no if this shop goes it will be a big loss . So sad to see it's going to close down. ' Another commented: 'Well there will soon be no reason to go to Mildenhall at all. Used to be a buzzing little town.' While one said: 'So sad why are all our shops closing.' Councillor Andy Neal, who represents the Queensway ward in Mildenhall, previously told Suffolk News: 'Losing The Factory Shop is a big hit for Mildenhall and there is not another shop like them in the town. 'It's a very poor decision for our town and I can only hope the shop does not remain empty for too long.' But, good news for the rest of the country, the retailer said it plans to increase the number of stores opening this year. A spokesperson for The Original Factory Shop said: 'The multi-department discount store plans on investing in at least 16 stores in the next three months, in a move that will create up to 160 jobs across the UK. The roles will include store manager, supervisor and sales colleague jobs.' They said the company plans to expand its presence on major high streets and will take over a number of former sites occupied by M&Co. Phill Briggs, Managing Director for The Original Factory Shop said: 'Our investment in new store openings is about making sure we have the right stores in the right place. We're identifying catchments where The Original Factory Shop is not represented and that includes a focus on high streets in major towns.' 'Our growth is testament to the importance of multi-department stores and the roles they play in helping local communities. These openings will help provide more job opportunities at a time when they are most needed.' The Original Factory Shop is the latest high-street retailer to face struggle, it comes as another blow for high streets struggling with the cost of living It follows the devastation of major retailer Wilko, as it was plunged into administration earlier this month and now plans to close the 'majority' of its stores. While hopes were raised that a new buyer could save the struggling retailer, a trade union GMB was told by Wilko's administrators, PwC that there is no longer any prospect of the company being saved. The trade union warned that the collapse of a deal means redundancies are to be expected over the next few weeks. However, in a statement PwC insisted there are no plans to close Wilko stores in the coming weeks. However, reports follow that a last minute bid by HMV business man, Doug Putman could save the collapsed retailer with a last-minute offer. Ukraine launched a spectacular overnight missile strike inside Russia today at a military airfield where Vladimir Putin's supersonic Tu-22M3 strategic bombers are based. Footage shows a suspected modified S-200 missile in a giant explosion in darkness at or near the Shaykovka military airfield, southwest of Moscow. Russia claims to have shot down an S-200 missile. There is so far no independent information on damage from the attack. The bombardment came during what may have been the busiest night of Ukrainian attacks on Russia and Russian-held territory during the war. Two major Moscow international airports - Vnukovo and Domodedovo - were closed, leading to significant disruption for incoming and outgoing planes. Russian air defences were also in action in Tula region, south of the capital, which borders Kaluga region amid suspected drone attacks. Footage shows a suspected modified S-200 missile in a giant explosion in darkness at or near the Shaykovka military airfield, southwest of Moscow Aerial view of Shaykovka air base, Kaluga region, Russia Russian air defences in action in Tula region, south of Moscow, in the early hours of Friday, 25 August Separately, a record 42 Ukrainian drones were aimed at annexed Black Sea peninsula Crimea, according to Russian sources. Nine were shot down, and 33 suppressed by electronic warfare means, said the Russian defence ministry. There was no independent evidence on the consequences of the mass drone attack. It followed an audacious special forces raid which raised a Ukrainian flag on annexed Crimea after an attack on Russian positions. 'An entire division was destroyed on Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied Crimea,' said Ukraine's Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov. 'Now, it has stopped its work.' Thirty Russian troops were 'eliminated' and four boats damaged. The Shaykovka military airfield strike followed Ukrainian claims to have destroyed at least two Tu-22M3 nuclear-capable bombers in recent days prior to the overnight attack. Vladimir Putin's supersonic Tu-22M3 strategic bombers are based at the airfield southwest of Moscow Russia claims to have shot down an S-200 missile. There is so far no independent information on damage from the attack The Russian defence ministry said: 'An attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out terrorist attacks against civilian targets on the territory of the Russian Federation with a missile of the upgraded S-200 air defence system has been foiled.' The missile was 'detected and destroyed by air defence systems over the territory of Kaluga region.' Ukraine this week claimed earlier attacks on Shaykovka and Soltsy airbase in Novgorod region led to two supersonic Tu-22M3 strategic bombers being destroyed. Russian air defences were also in action in Tula region, south of the capital, which borders Kaluga region amid suspected drone attacks This left a total of 27 in service, according to Ukrainian military intelligence chief Budanov. Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Defence Intelligence said: 'At least one plane is damaged. 'As in most cases, the Russian regime is trying to hide the true extent of losses and damage.' Kyiv's attacks on Shaykovka have likely been in retaliation to a Russian launch of four Kh-22 air cruise missiles towards Ukraine, which it said took place on August 15. Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense The Tupolev Tu-22M3 was reportedly deployed for the first time by Putin's forces during the decimation of Mariupol (file image) Russia has utilised the base to launch its long-range bombers to strike targets since the beginning of the war. The Tupolev Tu-22M3 was reportedly deployed for the first time by Putin's forces during the decimation of Mariupol. A devastating two-month siege laid waste to the city last year, killing thousands of civilians and damaging or destroying roughly 90 per cent of its buildings, before Moscow claimed to have annexed it. The Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers, which took part in a merciless 'carpet-bombing' campaign in Mariupol, have been described as a 'staple' of Russian airpower, and just over 60 are now said to be in operation. Leeds festivalgoers have been seen enjoying a tipple or two in front of their favourite bands as music fans opt to turn their backs on booze at the sister event in Reading. Huge crowds descended on Leeds to mark the start of the bank holiday weekend with booze in hand despite the gloomy Met Office forecast, with images showing those in the front row enjoying the music and a tipple. But in change from traditional festival scenes, revellers attending Reading Festival don't appear to be carrying much alcohol. Pictures have emerged of festivalgoers in Reading carrying, wheeling and lugging their bags filled with camping supplies as they approach the campsites but supplies of booze seem to be few and far between. The packed out event - which is expected to be attended by 105,000 people- will see a host of musical stars perform including Billie Eilish, Foals, and The Killers. It's thought that thousands of teenagers across the country will be in attendance on for a weekend of partying after receiving their GCSE results with early signs promising the event will be as busy as it has ever been. As the festival is always held on the August bank holiday weekend it has become a staple for those wanting to celebrate their GCSE results which is an indication of why alcohol is not at the forefront of many punters minds. Huge crowds descended on Leeds to mark the start of the bank holiday weekend with booze in hand despite the gloomy Met Office forecast , with images showing those in the front row enjoying the music and a tipple A reveller is seen dragging a deluxe airbed upon arriving at Reading Festival Spirits are high despite the Met Office warning there are 'no signals' of any hot weather to come The packed out event - which is expected to be attended by 105,000 people- will see a host of musical stars perform including Billie Eilish , Foals, and The Killers Festival goers attend day 1 of Leeds Festival 2023 at Bramham Park Reading Festival fans walking along The Thames Path prior to the start Yesterday revelers complained of long queues to enter Reading festival with others saying they had 'never seen it so rammed' after only one day Festivalgoers have been pictured enjoying the music and a few drinks at the Leeds Festival Yesterday revellers complained of long queues to enter Reading festival with others saying they had 'never seen it so rammed' after only one day. Pictures of punters walking along the Thames path on approach to the event show young people in high spirits despite a relatively dour forecast from the Met Office who have said there are 'no signals' of any hot weather to come. Today's showers - some of which could be thundery - are set to continue with 'heavy' rain predicted for Saturday and Sunday. A mixture of sunny spells and showers tomorrow, with a risk of hail in the north and west of the UK. The Met Office's Mr Keates said: 'While showers are never too far away through the weekend, there will still be drier spells around and where there are breaks in the cloud on Sunday in the south it should feel quite pleasant. 'Areas to the southeast will see fewer showers with more in the way of bright or sunny spells on Saturday and Sunday, though temperatures are likely to remain around average for the time of year. Areas further north and west will see more frequent showers, some of which will be heavy, and will at times extend south into central areas of England and Wales on Saturday and Sunday.' The event has become a staple for those wanting to celebrate their GCSE results Pictures have emerged of festival goers carrying, wheeling and lugging their bags filled with camping supplies Fans arrive for the first day of Reading Festival at the Kings Meadow drop off point Today's showers - some of which could be thundery - are set to continue with 'heavy' rain predicted for Saturday and Sunday (pictured: Revellers at Reading) 105,000 people are expected to attend the event which will see stars perform Revellers have packed everything they could possibly need for three days camping Despite the forecast of rain, festivalgoers in Leeds have decided to brave any weather coming their way Pictures of punters walking along the Thames path on approach to the event show young people in high spirits Despite the raucous atmosphere some revellers have been warned to take care while partying. The father of a teenager who died after taking ecstasy at Reading's sister event Leeds Festival has warned young people going to this year's event of the risk of being 'groomed' by people who are 'only interested in selling you drugs'. David Celino, 16, died after he was taken ill at the festival in August last year, an inquest heard earlier this month. As thousands of people prepare to attend the event this weekend, David's parents Nicola and Gianpiero Celino urged parents to talk to their children about drugs. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mrs Celino said: 'I think we were a little naive, you know, we've come from a background where we've not really experimented ourselves and it would have been good to have had more frank conversations with him about it.' The sun was out for the time being in Leeds, but spells of rain are predicted over the bank holiday weekend The music at Reading festival begins in earnest tonight and punters are excited Festivalgoers in Leeds enjoy watching Don Broco perform As the festival is always held on the August bank holiday weekend it has become a staple for those wanting to celebrate their GCSE results - but some have been warned to take care while partying Thousands of punters have descended on Reading festival to celebrate the bank holiday Mr Celino said: 'If I could say one thing to (parents) it would be 'Sit down and have that conversation'. 'But most people who go to these festivals go as a group. It's really important that that group prepares for what might happen if things go wrong. 'In David's case, what happens if you run out of alcohol? Are you going to be tempted? 'People are going to befriend you who seem like they're cool festival people that you want to associate with but actually they're trying to groom you, they're only interested in selling you drugs and actually one of the most dangerous things you can do is to take that step.' The inquest in Wakefield heard that David had gone to the festival, which attracts more than 90,000 people every summer to Bramham Park, near Leeds, with five friends from their homes in Worsley, Greater Manchester. He became ill after taking ecstasy, which his group bought from a dealer in the Camping Plus area of the festival, and died after being taken to hospital in Leeds. The twin boys were returned unharmed to Detroit Police the following day The 23-year-old is said to have offered the new mom 'much-needed assistance' A Detroit woman and two teenagers have been arrested after allegedly befriending a new mom and kidnaping her 14-day-old twin babies. Shantell Re-Azia Jones, 23, Curtis Lee Slay, 18, and Davion Demetrius Sherman Chandler, 19, were all charged with kidnapping after trying to steal the infants from a hotel in Livonia, Michigan, on Sunday. The trio are accused of snatching the infant twins when the 30-year-old mother was briefly out of the room, Wayne County prosecutors said. They had allegedly promised the new mother much-needed assistance with the children. The disappearance of the babies launched an Amber Alert across the region - an abduction emergency alert broadcast asking the general public to help find missing children considered to be in imminent danger. But the twin boys - Montana Alexander Bridges and Matthew Jace Bridges - were returned unharmed to the Detroit Police Department Monday morning. Montana Alexander Bridges and Matthew Jace Bridges, 14-day-old twins, were snatched before being safely returned to Detroit Police Shantell Re-Azia Jones, 23, Curtis Lee Slay, 18, and Davion Demetrius Sherman Chandler, 19, were all charged with kidnapping after trying to steal the infants from a hotel in Livonia, Michigan, on Sunday. Two of the suspects are pictured The new mom called 911 just after 10pm on Sunday to report the missing children. At which point, Detroit Police issued the amber alert which was broadcast at 6am on Monday morning. Jones had allegedly befriended the mother, offering help with her newborns, while her alleged accomplices, Chandler and Slay, assisted Jones with the abduction. 'The children were turned in to the Detroit Police Department on August 21, 2023, at 9.45am,' police said. Police said Jones, Chandler and Slay were each charged with two counts of kidnapping, two counts of unlawful imprisonment, three counts of larceny, and a single count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. A charging decision regarding a juvenile is also being reviewed, prosecutors said. All three have been denied bond and currently remain remanded in the Wayne County Jail, following their arraignment Thursday in Livonia's 16th District Court. Barbara Scherr, the presiding magistrate, said the charges were 'extremely serious'. However, she did not provide any reasoning for denying the bond, The Detroit News reported. 'It is hard to imagine a worse scenario for a new mother,' Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. The trio are accused of snatching the infant twins when the 30-year-old mother was briefly out of the room. The suspects' vehicle is pictured The vehicle wanted in an Amber Alert is pictured after Detroit Police issues the warning after the kidnaping of 14-day-old twin babies Worthy continued: 'The evidence in this case will show that these defendants engaged in a scheme to dupe the mother of these barely two-week-old babies. 'They allegedly promised her some much-needed assistance to gain access to her children with the express intent on stealing them.' The attorney representing the trio at the arraignment said non of them had criminal history, The Detroit News reported. The attorney added that Jones is a single mother with two young daughters. He said she had turned herself into police. The two teenagers, however, live with their family in Detroit. The three are expected to appear at a probable cause conference later this month on August 31. No need to say please or thank you at work, a tribunal has suggested, as a chef who refused to do jobs until colleagues said please loses race discrimination case. Adding niceties at the end of requests is not essential and failing to do so should not be considered rude, an employment judge said. Instead, 'direct and efficient' communication without additional pleasantries may be 'a matter of practicality' in a fast-paced working environment. The tribunal's ruling came in the case of a chef in a London restaurant who claimed she was treated rudely in the kitchen because bosses didn't say please to her. Bridgette Peters sued the 'premium' L'ETO Caffe after losing her job as a Chef de Partie at the end of her first week. Bridgette Peters was fired after working just one week at L'ETO Caffe in Notting Hill - she lost race discrimination case Head chef Anton Sklyarov had sacked Ms Peters after concerns over her ability to fit into the team at the Notting Hill restaurant, as she 'ignored' requests to do tasks until colleagues said please, and repeatedly moaned about their 'rudeness'. The tribunal which took place in June this year heard Ms Peters had a communication style that is 'polite, and heavy with pleasantries and niceties'. But sous chef Peter Bartczak said in his kitchen, 'an efficient, direct, and intense communication style is necessary' - and the tribunal agreed this is the norm across the industry. On her first day at work, Ms Peters' repeatedly asked him to say please but he told her he was speaking in a normal professional way. He told her it was nothing personal nor rudeness and 'she should not expect that the word "please" follows every request'. During the week, Ms Peters' grew particularly frustrated with one senior chef at the restaurant, Nishma Gurung, who she complained 'commanded [her] about rudely'. Mr Sklyarov said he received a call from the usually 'calm and collected' Ms Gurung, who was having a breakdown at work. Giving evidence, he said: 'Even though she did not have the best English conversation skills, I understood from her that she was having an issue with Bridgette. 'She said that during their shift that day Bridgette had constantly accused her of being "the rudest person". 'She gave an example of asking Bridgette many times to put bread on the grill, but Bridgette was ignoring this request. 'According to Nishma, when she asked Bridgette why, Bridgette told her it was because she wasn't saying please, and was the rudest person, and didn't have manners.' Chef Gurung allegedly told Ms Peters to stop asking her questions about bread. In her statement to the tribunal, Ms Peters' complained again about the chef, saying: 'And if I am telling [her] to say please as she commands me about, [she said] that because we are from different culture she doesn't need to say please. 'I told her please don't talk to me in that rude manner.' Employment Judge Richard Woodhead said the tribunal accepted it is commonplace for staff in a kitchen 'not to say please and to be direct in their communication style - reflective of the working environment'. Making requests 'without saying please... in that work environment was not rudeness, it was a matter of practicality' he added. After five days, during her trial period, head chef Mr Sklyarov sent Ms Peters a WhatsApp message to fire her and explain why Ms Gurung did not need to continually say 'please'. In this he wrote: 'Please you shouldn't take it personally in the end we are in the kitchen and all of us we have stressful moments. I am not saying that we should not be polite to each other but if she is not saying please to every single thing it doesn't mean that she is rude. 'I am sorry to say it Bridgette with all my respect to you but I think you are not the right person we need at the moment.' Ms Peters, who identifies as Black British, tried to sue for direct racial discrimination, claiming she had been treated differently because of her race. However the London Central employment tribunal dismissed her case, saying her treatment and dismissal had nothing to do with race and her boss 'had good reason to terminate [her] employment'. The L'ETO group describes itself as providing 'luxury hospitality'. Its Notting Hill restaurant is one of several in London. A furious Kremlin has lambasted Western suggestions that Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin had been killed in a plane crash on Vladimir Putin's orders as 'absolute lies'. Prigozhin, who launched a mutiny against Putin in June, has been listed as one of the 10 passengers onboard the doomed plane that crashed into a ball of flames, killing all on board, by Russian authorities. And speculation has mounted about whether a bomb was planted on board the private jet and whether the Kremlin was behind the attack. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov today slammed such speculation as an 'absolute lie' while refusing to say whether Putin will attend Prigozhin's funeral because he has 'a very full schedule'. And Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Putin, predictably dismissed suggestions Putin was behind the crash, saying he 'can't imagine' the Russian strongman being behind the assassination plot. Peskov said today: 'Right now, of course, there are lots of speculations around the plane crash and the tragic deaths of the passengers of the plane, including Yevgeny Prigozhin.' 'Of course, in the West those speculations are put out under a certain angle, and all of it is a complete lie,' he added, without providing evidence. It comes after a series of Western politicians and officials had suggested that Putin orchestrated the plane crash to punish Prigozhin for launching a failed mutiny. A Western official said yesterday a preliminary US intelligence assessment determined that Prigozhin was 'very likely' targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin's 'long history of trying to silence his critics'. Prigozhin has been listed as one of the 10 passengers onboard the doomed plane that crashed into a ball of flames, killing all on board, by Russian authorities Fresh clues in the mystery surrounding the horrific plane crash believed to have killed Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin have suggested that a bomb was planted onboard the private jet. Pictured: The burning wreckage of the plane on Wednesday Vladimir Putin has finally broken his silence on a fatal plane crash believed to have killed Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his co-founder Dmirty Utkin And fresh clues in the mystery surrounding the plane crash suggest that a bomb was planted onboard Prigozhin's private jet. Video has emerged which appears to show people posing as 'potential buyers' onboard what is said to be Prigozhin's private jet in the hours before takeoff in a 'serious security breach'. They were registered as passengers of the private jet in order to be let through by airport security in Moscow and then claimed they were 'potential buyers', according to VChK-OGPU Telegram channel, which is considered to have close ties to Russian security forces. The potential buyers - including a woman with a handbag - reportedly had access to the plane for around one hour from 9.30am to 10.30am on Wednesday morning just hours before it crashed in the early evening - adding to suspicions the plane might have been tampered with. And adding to the speculation further, the owners of the aircraft, Brazilian company Embraer, revealed there have been no repairs carried out on the plane since 2019 because of international sanctions that have blocked Western manufacturers from providing parts or support for planes operated in Russia. But this contradicts the testimony of a stewardess, one of the ten people on board the stricken plane, who told relatives prior to the aircraft's takeoff from Moscow's Sheremetevo airport that the flight had been delayed due to a technical inspection - adding to suspicions the plane may have been tampered with. Meanwhile, Lukashenko insisted he couldn't imagine Putin being behind the crash that is said to have killed Prigozhin. 'He is a calculating, very calm and even slow person, making decisions on other, less complicated issues,' Lukashenko said. 'So I can't imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is to blame. It's too rough, unprofessional work, if anything.' Lukashenko, who let Putin use Belarus as a launchpad for his invasion of Ukraine, added that Wagner mercenaries would remain in his country after the presumed death of Prigozhin. 'Wagner lived, is alive, and will live in Belarus,' Lukashenko said, without specifying who would lead the personnel. The Belarusian dictator also alleged today that Prigozhin had vowed he would 'die a hero' before the crash, claiming to have received intelligence of a plot to take him out. Lukashenko did not explain the nature of the alleged threat to the warlord or where it came from. It was also not immediately clear when the Minsk tyrant had received any warnings, except that he said he was in the Emirates - where he makes regular private visits - at the time and summoned the Russian ambassador to relay the threat. 'The last time we flew to the Emirates, I received very serious information from sources [about an] assassination attempt on Yevgeny Prigozhin,' said Lukashenko. 'Within two hours they found the Russian ambassador to the Emirates, and summoned him to me. 'I gave him a cipher message to the Kremlin, to Putin, and [FSB secret service chief Alexander] Bortnikov about an impending assassination attempt on Prigozhin,' he said. Lukashenko claimed that Putin had warned Wagner Group about the threat before the crash. Video has emerged which appears to show people posing as 'potential buyers' onboard what is said to be Prigozhin's private jet in the hours before takeoff in a 'serious security breach' Stewardess Kristina Raspopova, who perished in the crash, had later reportedly told her family the plane had been delayed from taking off due to a technical inspection and undisclosed repairs. Emergency specialists carry a body bag near wreckages of the private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at the crash site in the Tver region, Russia, on August 24 Putin, who was once a close friend of Prigozhin before the Ukraine war began, last night broke his nearly 24 hours of silence to 'express his condolences' to those who died, describing Prigozhin as a man 'who made serious mistakes in life'. The Russian President had denounced Prigozhin's short-lived mutiny in June as 'treason' and a 'stab in the back' but soon made a deal that saw an end to the rebellion a day after it began in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus. Lukashenko, who facilitated that deal, said Friday that Prigozhin never asked him for security guarantees. 'I don't have to ensure Prigozhin's safety... the conversation was never in that vein,' he was quoted as saying by the state news agency Belta. Commenting on the crash directly, he said: 'I can't say who did it. I would not even become a lawyer for my older brother.' A preliminary US intelligence assessment found the crash was caused by an intentional explosion, but the Pentagon says there is no evidence so far which points to a surface-to-air defence missile. Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, offered no further details or evidence as he made his remarks at a Pentagon news conference. Russia could plunge into civil war following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin who will now be seen as a 'martyr', Alexei Navalny predicts If Prigozhin is confirmed as dead, which UK intelligence officials say is 'very likely', it could plunge Russia into a civil war, Alexei Navalny, the imprisoned opposition leader and Putin critic, has predicted. Navalny last night accused Putin of carrying out the orders to assassinate Prigozhin in the plane crash but said the plan will have backfired as the Wagner warlord is being seen as a martyr by his supporters. Wagner Group mercenaries have vowed retribution if their leader is confirmed dead and said they are gearing up for a 'full mobilisation', prompting security forces in two Russian regions near Ukraine to be on high alert. 'It is precisely from these ingredients that the dish called 'civil war' is made,' Navalny, who was convicted this month of extremism and sentenced to 19 years in prison, said. The Putin critic's warning came as the leader of a pro-Ukrainian group of Russian fighters called for Wagner mercenaries to 'take revenge' on Putin and his comrades. 'Apparently, your founding father and commanders were cynically executed. And you know very well who is behind it,' said Denis Nikitin, the head of the Russian Volunteer Corps. And Wagner mercenaries were filmed vowing retribution, with one saying in a video: 'There's a lot of talk right now about what the Wagner Group will do. We can tell you one thing. 'We are getting started, get ready for us.' Advertisement Western officials have said Prigozhin was 'very likely' targeted, pointing towards a bomb concealed on board or intentional sabotage of the jet, although Ryder refused to comment on whether the incident was an assassination plot. And Russian outlet Baza, publishing schematics of the plane, pointed to a service compartment near the bathroom in the tail section of the aircraft behind the wings represented an ideal place to conceal a bomb. It contended the theories that Prigozhin's Embraer Legacy 600 jet was shot down by an air defence missile are likely false, pointing out there were no visible rocket contrails or exhaust plumes in the skies around the crash site. And eyewitnesses from the town of Kuzhenkino close to the location of the crash said they saw the jet explode in the sky before tumbling to the earth, but did not report any missile strike. There were also reports that Prigozhin boarded the plane late on and unexpectedly. Initially only three passengers had been expected on the aircraft, not including him. It comes as it emerged that a major security breach occurred at the airport in the hours before the crash involving people posing as potential buyers, according to Russian Telegram reports. The potential buyers, who had reportedly claimed to be involved in a 4.29 million deal, are said to have arrived at the airport in a Mercedes and went through the metal detectors inside. 'The technician only had a phone with him, and the woman had a handbag. Having examined the outside and inside the plane [for around an hour], they calmly left the aircraft. Soon Prigozhin, Utkin and others entered the plane. There was an explosion in the air,' VChK-OGPU Telegram channel reported. It comes as stewardess Kristina Raspopova, who perished in the crash, had later reportedly told her family the plane had been delayed from taking off due to a technical inspection and undisclosed repairs. But Embraer, the company that manufacturers the Legacy 600 aircraft that Prigozhin reportedly perished in, said it had not carried out any repairs on the plane due to international sanctions imposed on Russia. If Prigozhin is confirmed as dead, which UK intelligence officials say is 'very likely', it could plunge Russia into a civil war, Alexei Navalny, the imprisoned opposition leader and Putin critic said. Navalny last night accused Putin of carrying out the orders to assassinate Prigozhin in the plane crash but said the plan will have backfired as the Wagner warlord is being seen as a martyr by his supporters. Wagner Group mercenaries have vowed retribution if their leader is confirmed dead and said they are gearing up for a 'full mobilisation', prompting security forces in two Russian regions near Ukraine to be on high alert. 'It is precisely from these ingredients that the dish called 'civil war' is made,' Navalny, who was convicted this month of extremism and sentenced to 19 years in prison, said. The Putin critic's warning came as the leader of a pro-Ukrainian group of Russian fighters called for Wagner mercenaries to 'take revenge' on Putin and his comrades. 'Apparently, your founding father and commanders were cynically executed. And you know very well who is behind it,' said Denis Nikitin, the head of the Russian Volunteer Corps. Prigozhin lost part of a finger on his left hand while serving time in a Russian penal colony Vladimir Putin has finally broken his silence on a fatal plane crash believed to have killed Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his co-founder Dmirty Utkin A Russian serviceman inspects a part of a crashed private jet near the village of Kuzhenkino, Tver region, Russia Meanwhile, it emerged that Prigozhin's body was reportedly identified by a partially missing finger after being pulled from wreckage of a plane which crashed in the Tver region of Russia, it was claimed last night, with reports suggesting a 'bomb' onboard was to blame. Prigozhin received the injury to his left hand while serving time in a penal colony, the Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU said. It added a senior Wagner commander has identified the body from the injury, as well as identifying his second-in-command Dmitry Utkin from his tattoos. It is still unclear whether Prigozhin and several of his lieutenants have been killed, and whether it was to avenge a mutiny that challenged President Putin's authority. Meanwhile, new footage emerged today of Prigozhin's plane falling from the sky before exploding in a fireball when it hit the ground. An anonymous US official said it was 'very likely' that Prigozhin had been targeted. It came as two Russian media outlets with security sources inside the Kremlin claimed that possibly one or two bombs had been planted aboard the aircraft. In unverified reports, it was claimed that the bombs had been placed at the rear of an aircraft near the toilet. This was fueled by revelations from stewardess Kristina Raspopova, 39, who posted on social media before takeoff that her flight had been delayed due to last minute 'repairs'. It is possible a bomb was stashed on board during this time, although this is unconfirmed. Details of the US assessment surfaced as Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those who were reported to be onboard the jet and referred to 'serious mistakes'. The Telegram channel reported: 'The body of Yevgeny Prigozhin was officially identified in the morgue, he was identified by one of the commanders of the PMC Wagner. The main sign was the absence of a finger.' The founder of the Wagner military company and six other passengers were on a private jet that crashed on Wednesday soon after taking off from Moscow with a crew of three, according to Russia's civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. But there has been no official confirmation amid claims he may have been travelling in a second plane, which was also in the area at the time. If the deaths are confirmed, the crash would be the most serious blow the group has ever suffered to its leadership. The passenger manifest included Prigozhin and his second-in-command who baptised the group with his nom de guerre, as well as Wagner's logistics chief, a fighter wounded by US air strikes in Syria and at least one possible bodyguard. It was not clear why several high-ranking members of Wagner, including top leaders who are normally exceedingly careful about their security, were on the same flight. The purpose of their joint trip to St Petersburg was unknown. People light candles and bring flowers to an informal memorial next to the former 'PMC Wagner Centre' in St. Petersburg A separate memorial was launched in Moscow on Thursday after Wednesday's crash Russian servicemen guard a road near to the site of the crash, 60 miles north of Mosco, on Thursday Police officers block a road near the site of crash of a private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in the Tver region on Wednesday night Wagner group badges were among the items left at an informal memorial outside the former Wagner Centre on Wednesday night In Moscow, a makeshift memorial has been made to the Wagner mercenary chief by mourners The plane, which had Prigozhin named as a passenger on its flight list, was later reported to be engulfed in fire, as images on social media claimed to show the wreckage Images shared online purported to show the jet, believed to be carrying the Russian chief, falling to the ground as it crashed in the Tver region in Russia It was claimed a video showed the plane flying in the Tver region before crashing towards the ground (right) A man lights a candle at an informal memorial next to the former Wagner Centre in St Petersburg, which has been scattered with dozens of flowers Prigozhin was once considered a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was known by the nickname 'Putin's chef'. Pictured: Prigozhin serving food to Putin in 2011 A Telegram channel with links to Wagner announced Prigozhin's death on Friday evening Wagner deputy and co-founder Dmitry Utkin is also claimed to have been killed in the crash At Wagner's former headquarters in St Petersburg a makeshift memorial emerged on Wednesday night as devastated Russians laid symbols associated with Wagner, bunches of flowers and candles. Who do flight records show was onboard doomed plane? Yevgeny Prigozhin : chief financier, co-founder and frontman of Wagner Group : chief financier, co-founder and frontman of Wagner Group Dmitry Utkin: Wagner co-founder, former special forces officer and suspected neo-Nazi Wagner co-founder, former special forces officer and suspected neo-Nazi Valeriy Chekalov: Close confidant of Prigozhin and head of logistics for Wagner. Tasked with negotiating and securing contracts in Russia and abroad. Sanctioned by US for involvement with Wagner. Sergey Propustin: Wagner fighter with combat experience in the second Chechen war Yevgeny Makaryan: A former police officer who joined Wagner to participate in Russia's intervention in Syria Alexander Totmin: Wagner fighter Nikolay Matuseev: Wagner fighter Plus crew members: Aleksei Levshin, commander Rustam Karimov, co-pilot Kristina Raspopova, flight attendant Advertisement Putin finally broke his silence on the crash on Thursday, expressing condolences to the families of those who were aboard the jet, including Prigozhin. He had been at a WW2 memorial concert at the time of the crash. He said the passengers had 'made a significant contribution' to the fighting in Ukraine. These passengers included Valery Chekalov, who was Wagner's logistics mastermind, in charge of managing mercenaries and securing weapons, and Yevgeny Makaryan, who was wounded while fighting with Wagner in Syria. 'We remember this, we know, and we will not forget,' the president said in a televised interview with the Russian-installed leader of Ukraine's partially occupied Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin. But the eerie television address continued with the Russian president saying Prigozhin had 'made serious mistakes'. Throughout the chilling tribute, he alluded to Wagner's failed military coup in June - ominously stating that Prigozhin 'was a person with a difficult fate'. The despot went on to add that his former-chef-turned-number-one-enemy was a 'talented businessman' and that the Kremlin would be launching a 'preliminary investigation' into the tragedy. Putin fell short of officially confirming Prigozhin's death. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated today the country was in no way involved in the crash before cryptically adding, 'everyone understands who is involved' - thought to be a reference to Putin. Police, meanwhile, cordoned off the field where the plane went down in Kuzhenkino, about 185 miles north-west of Moscow, as investigators studied its wreckage. Vehicles took away the bodies. Several Russian social media channels reported that the bodies were burned or disfigured beyond recognition and would need to be identified by DNA. Mr Prigozhin's supporters claimed on pro-Wagner messaging app channels that the plane was deliberately downed, including suggesting it could have been hit by a missile or targeted by a bomb on board. Wagner fighter cries at a memorial to Prigozhin in Novosibirsk People lay carnations at a memorial as they pay tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin People carry a body bag away from the wreckage of a crashed private jet, near the village of Kuzhenkino, Tver region The Russian Investigative Committee released a photo of the alleged crash site on Wednesday after the blaze had been extinguished Flightradar data appeared to show a second plane circling over St Petersburg The Wagner headquarters in St Petersburg appeared to be lit up in the shape of a cross Prigozhin's public appearances in two months since his failed coup against Putin's regime JUNE 23 Prigozhin announces a 'march for justice' to stop the 'evil being spread by the country's military leadership'. In a series of audio recordings posted on the Telegram messaging service, he announces his 25,000 soldiers will march on Moscow, adding: 'Wagner's commanders have come to a decision. This is not a military coup. It is a march for justice.' JUNE 24 Prigozhin says his fighters have captured the army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don 'without firing a single shot' and claims to have the support of locals. But that evening, he suddenly announces a withdrawal, saying on Telegram: 'Now is the moment when blood could be spilled. We are turning our convoy around.' He then disappears from public view for nearly three days. JUNE 27 Prigozhin breaks his silence to deny his march was a coup, saying: 'We didn't have the goal of toppling the existing regime, which is lawfully elected, as we have said many times.' JULY 3 Prigozhin calls on the Russian public to stand up for Wagner paramilitaries as the group continues to recruit troops for the war in Ukraine. JULY 6 Selfies of Prigozhin in various wigs and disguises are published by Russia's security services to weaken his fearsome public image. JULY 14 A photo of Prigozhin sitting in his underpants on an unmade bed in a tent is leaked online. Data attached to the photo shows it was taken on June 12 11 days before he announced the armed rebellion. JULY 19 In a video filmed in a field, Prigozhin says: 'What's happening on the front is a disgrace that we don't need to take part in. So a decision has been taken that we will be here in Belarus for some time,' before 'heading off for Africa'. JULY 27 Prigozhin is photographed on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg, shaking hands with Freddy Mapouka, chief of protocol for the Central African Republic's president Advertisement Sergei Mironov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Fair Russia party and former chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament suggested on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin had been deliberately killed. 'Prigozhin messed with too many people in Russia, Ukraine and the West,' Mironov wrote. It now seems that at some point his number of enemies reached a critical point.' Pro-Wagner Telegram channels and social media posts also warned Putin to 'get ready' for a second march on Moscow if it was found Prigozhin had been taken out by Russian 'traitors'. Russian authorities have said the cause of the crash is under investigation. Kuzhenkino resident Anastasia Bukharova, 27, said she was walking with her children on Wednesday when she saw the jet, 'and then - boom! - it exploded in the sky and began to fall down.' She said she was scared it would hit houses in the village and ran with the children, but it ended up crashing into a field. 'Something sort of was torn from it in the air, and it began to go down and down,' she added. Prigozhin was long outspoken and critical of how Russian generals were waging the war in Ukraine, where his mercenaries were some of the fiercest fighters for the Kremlin. The Russian warlord had previously threatened to withdraw troops from frontline positions if he was not given the supplies he demanded from Putin. The Wagner Group saw some of the worst fighting in the months leading up to June, with numbers so depleted that Prigozhin recruited thousands of dangerous convicted criminals straight out of prison to join his forces. In late June, Prigozhin launched an unprecedented verbal attack on President Putin and his allies before marching 25,000 troops towards Moscow. They then drove to within about 125 miles of Moscow and downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots. Putin first denounced the rebellion - the most serious challenge to his 23-year rule - as 'treason' and a 'stab in the back'. The coup came to an end with a deal brokered by the Belarussian President which granted an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus. The Institute for the Study of War said last night that Russian authorities likely moved against Prigozhin as 'the final step to eliminate Wagner as an independent organisation.' Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell, one of its wings apparently missing. Denmark's government will ban Koran burnings following desecrations in recent months that have provoked outrage across the Muslim world, an official said today. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard told reporters that the government will present a bill that will 'prohibit the inappropriate treatment of objects of significant religious importance to a religious community'. He said that the legislation was specifically aimed at burnings and desecrations in public places, reflecting incidents across Denmark and Sweden that have harmed diplomatic relations with Muslim countries and inspired fervent protests. Denmark's government said in July it would seek a 'legal tool' to outlaw Koran burnings, citing security concerns - and inviting criticism from Right-wing groups, who have denounced the initiative as an attack on freedom of speech. Far-right Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan burns a Koran in Stockholm, May 14 2022 Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard (left) stands with Foreign Affairs Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen (centre) and Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen (right), telling reporters the government would explore legal means to stop protests involving the burning of holy texts The move to ban the desecration of religious items follows a move by Sweden and Denmark earlier this month to tighten border controls after Sweden's security service judged such 'protests' had put the country at a 'heightened terror threat'. Denmark's Justice Ministry said earlier this month they would have to 'increase the focus on who is entering Denmark, in order to respond to the specific and current threats'. It followed comments from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who suggested on 31 July that limiting Koran burnings could help de-escalate the situation. But Right-wing parties in both Sweden and Denmark have denounced the initiatives, with some saying freedom of speech cannot be compromised. Protests this year have seen counter-demonstrations across the Muslim world, inspiring the ire of protestors from Turkey to Indonesia, Iraq and Yemen. In January, Sweden's government gave permission to far-Right Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan to burn a Koran outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Paludan has been burning Korans since 2017 in both countries. In response, protests broke out across the Islamic world, with people in Iraq and Palestine pictured desecrating Swedish flags in anger. Indonesia and Turkey both summoned their Swedish envoys following the book burning. Afghanistan's foreign ministry called for the Swedish government 'to punish the perpetrator' and to stop 'such vile and provocative anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim acts'. In Denmark, a far-Right activist group called the Danish Patriots have mounted anti-Muslim demonstrations, standing against what it calls the 'Islamisation' of Nordic societies. The desecration events have also strained diplomatic relations between the Scandinavian and Muslim countries, despite general condemnation from the governments of Denmark and Sweden. Paludan's protest in January soured relations between Turkey and Sweden, the book burning intended to 'mark some freedom of speech' after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Sweden over the hanging of his effigy in Stockholm by pro-Kurdish activists. Rising political tensions led Turkey to ultimately demand the extradition of 130 so-called terrorists, using Sweden's reliance on Turkey's vote for NATO accession as leverage. Yemenis participate in a protest denouncing the burning of Islam's holy book, the Quran, in Sweden and Denmark, on July 24, 2023 in Sana'a, Yemen Yemenis participate in a protest denouncing the burning of Islam's holy book in Sweden and Denmark, on July 24, 2023 in Sana'a, Yemen The Danish Patriots set fire to a copy of the Koran outside the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark on 24 July, drawing condemnation from Iraq and other Muslim-majority countries. The group claims it is taking a stand against the perceived 'Islamisation' of Nordic countries. Denmark, like many European countries, experienced a demographic shift after World War II. This included large-scale immigration from Muslim countries beginning in the 1950s - many escaping conflict, poverty and oppression in the Balkans, Anatolia and North Africa. In 1973, the government limited migration to the country, before relaxing rules and accommodating many fleeing political persecution. Likewise in Sweden, many Kurds fled from Turkey in the 1980. Sweden agreed to clamp down on migrants wanted by Turkey on 'terror charges'. Denmark now accommodates more than 250,000 Muslims. The country has sought integration, banning 'attire that impairs recognisability', including religious garments, and banning halal slaughter. Amnesty International said at the time that the ban violated women's rights. In 2009, a US Department of State report noted isolated incidents of discrimination against immigrants. The report read: 'There were isolated incidents of anti-immigrant sentiment, including graffiti, low-level assaults, denial of service, and employment discrimination on racial grounds. 'Societal discrimination against religious minorities was difficult to distinguish from discrimination against ethnic minorities. 'The government criticised the incidents and investigated several, but it brought few cases to trial specifically on charges of racial discrimination or hate crimes. 'Reports continued of incidents of desecration of ethnic and religious minority gravesites.' Danish politicians hold a crisis team meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen, Denmark, 1 August 2023, over reactions to the repeated burning of the Koran in Denmark Denmark and Sweden alike have struggled to manage attacks on religious groups, despite touting freedom of religion and expression. There has been no law hitherto in Denmark or Sweden specifically prohibiting the burning or desecration of the Koran or other religious texts. Muslims regard the Koran as the word of God, transmitted to the Prophet Mohammed by the Angel Gabriel. The desecration of the text is seen as a grave blasphemy offence worthy of severe punishment. A paedophile teacher jailed for having sex with one of her pupils has now been banned from prison release after being caught meeting up for secret liaisons with her new convict lover. Kandice Barber, who sent a 15-year-old boy explicit pictures before having sex with him in a field, struck up a relationship with convicted fraudster Jay Delaney after the pair met inside an open women's prison, the Mail exclusively revealed last week. The 37-year-old, who has served almost half of her six-year sentence, told pals she has found love in Delaney, who was jailed for five years in April 2022 after stealing her friends' life savings to the tune of 388,000. Both were on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) in preparation for returning them to useful roles in society, with sources saying they have plans to live together when Delaney is released from prison. However, the Ministry of Justice has now suspended them both from the temporary release programme after they used it to organise meet-ups. Kandice Barber, left, and new lover convicted fraudster Jay Delaney, have been pictured posing for selfies during Barber's work release from prison Now mother-of-three Barber was believed to be taking advantage of their less restricted regimes to meet up with Delaney on her way to and from her job working on a construction site in Hounslow The loved up couple posed for selfies together in the street while on release A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'We are investigating these photographs and the prisoners involved have been suspended from release on temporary licence. 'Prisoners found breaking the rules will be punished.' Now mother-of-three Barber was believed to have been taking advantage of their less restricted regimes to meet up with Delaney on her way to and from her job working on a construction site in Hounslow - even posing for selfies in the street. A source told the Sun they had been seen cuddling and holding hands on walks to and from work, and sneaking off for secret trysts. READ MORE HERE: Ex-husband of Kandice Barber describes how he had to move on from the heartbreak and humiliation after she was jailed for six years Advertisement They said: 'Kandice is only allowed out to go to work - but she and her new partner have been meeting up in secret. 'They've been meeting up on her way to work and her way home. 'It's frustrating that she's still in prison but they're now meeting up for, you know, 'time together' shall we say. 'They've been taking pictures together and talking about their future together.' It is reported that the pair have taken pictures of themselves outside London Bridge station and Maidstone East station, and have asked permission to go on days out together, but these have been denied so far. The pair are staying at East Sutton Park Women's Open Prison, near Maidstone in Kent, and are understood to have been in a relationship for seven months. Barber was condemned by a judge as 'beyond despicable' when she jailed in 2021 for having unlawful sex with the impressionable youngster. Barber, pictured, is currently on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) with the aim of returning her to a useful role in society Delaney, pictured, is serving a five-year prison sentence after conning her friends out of their life savings Kandice Barber, pictured, was jailed for six-and-a-half years for seducing a 15-year-old boy and having sex with him in a field The teacher, who worked at a school in Princess Risborough, Bucks, flirted with the boy, sending sexually charged messages during a school assembly. The blonde bombarded him with messages, including one where she asked him 'do you like boobs or bum?' - and sent him a photo of herself on a bed surrounded by sex toys. She was found out after a topless picture she had sent her victim was passed to the headteacher of their school. The mother of three's new choice of partner shocked inmates and staff at East Sutton. The source told MailOnline last week: 'Delaney is slight and wears her hair in a boyish style, when they started their relationship people were saying she must be Barber's type. 'They spend most of their time together when they are not on ROTL. It's been going on for around seven months and they discuss being a family when they are on the outside. 'Barber gets to go home and go to work. She'll get for four nights every two weeks to have access to her kids and also has six days out per month when she is working on a job she's found by the authorities. The paedophile teacher has struck up a relationship with conwoman Jay Delaney, pictured right, while behind bars 'She isn't in much but when she is she is with Delaney. They openly kiss, cuddle and hold hands and appear 100% in love, they make no attempt to hide their relationship. 'I was told that they had been sharing a cell together but officers found out and moved them.' Barber was recently moved away from the prison-appointed job she had been found as a security guard on a building site in Hounslow, west London. There was a rebellion among the workforce when her shameful past was discovered and she was moved from the site near Heathrow Airport. Prior to being moved she is said to have loved working on the site. One builder said: 'She's attractive looking, so she's already proving a hit with the lads, who have no idea about her background. 'It's no secret she's a massive flirt and lots of the staff there have already noticed her.' Whilst she has been in jail, Barber's husband Danny, 40, has moved on with a new girlfriend who is expecting their baby. It would have left her a single mother to three children, who were 10,14 and 16 at the time of her crimes. But Delaney is prepared to take on some of the family responsibilities when she's able to join Barber, who is expected to be released early next year. Her case caused revulsion in the teaching profession after the court heard how she had threatened the boy if he told of their affair. Jay Delaney, pictured, stole from her victims by claiming to run a get rich quick scheme between 2015 and 2020 Jailing her at Aylesbury Crown Court, Recorder Bal Dhaliwal said Barber had 'acted in gross breach of trust' and had taken 'advantage of a child in your care and groomed him for your own sexual gratification'. She told the teacher: 'The victim was a 15-year-old boy in his final year at school. You had control and authority over him. He felt drawn in by you due to the compliments, you caused him to engage in sex with you while he was a pupil in your care. 'You threatened to take him down with you if he reported it. You already had authority over him by virtue of your position but to use threats is beyond despicable.' Her new partner, from Southend, Essex, stole from her victims by claiming to run a get rich quick scheme over the course of five years from 2015 to 2020. Delaney would tell her victims, many of whom were friends and work colleagues, that she worked for Aviva and could turn a 5,500 investment into 10,000 within a couple of years, enticing them to invest most of their life-savings into her 'scheme'. In fact, she would transfer the money into her own account and gamble it online. She sobbed as she was jailed in April last year at Basildon Crown Court after admitting 38 counts of fraud. Judge Samantha Cohen said: 'Before 2015 you had committed no criminal offences, but between 2015 and 2020 you perpetuated a fraudulent scheme. You preyed on friends and colleagues, and you dishonestly gained almost 400,000 for your own gain. You said you worked for a company - that was a lie. 'You offered substantial returns on people's investments - that was a lie. Often on the investments, you perpetuated to repay them with the increased premium. That often enticed the victim to make further investments. Some of them asked their friends and family to invest in the scheme as well. I expect they feel guilty about that, but the only guilt is yours. 'You came up with a series of excuses about your health, or a serious life-threatening illness to put them off the scent on what happened to their money. You confessed to your parents, you knew you had to go to the police but you didn't have the strength of your character so you asked your father to do it for you. That must have been one of the toughest things he has had to do.' The Russian spy chief responsible for the Salisbury poisonings has been tipped to take over command of the Wagner Group following Yevgeny Prigozhin's death in a plane crash. Prigozhin, who launched a mutiny against Putin in June, was among the 10 passengers onboard the aircraft that went down in a ball of flames on Wednesday evening. There has since been speculation as to who will take over the warlord's position as leader of the mercenary group. Major General Andrey Averyanov, who is head of the Covert Operations Unit in the GRU, was seen at last month's Russia-Africa summit introducing himself to African leaders. It is now suspected that he will take over as head of the Wagner Network in Africa. Conservative chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Alicia Kearns said she suspects General Averyanov may become leader, adding: 'Putin cannot afford to lose his access to Africa's natural resources, because their wealth is enabling him to survive sanctions and fund his illegal invasion of Ukraine,' she told the i. Russian spy chief Major General Andrey Averyanov (pictured in July), who is responsible for the Salisbury poisonings, has been tipped to take over command of the Wagner Group Prigozhin died among the 10 passengers onboard the aircraft that went down in a ball of flames on Wednesday evening Emily Ferris, of the Royal United Services Institute, said that Putin will have probably 'learnt his lesson' that those with 'dangerous ambitions' like Prigozhin are a 'wildcard'. 'Any new [Wagner] leader would likely be someone handpicked by the Kremlin,' she told the BBC. Sources on Telegram claimed that this move is part of a plan by the Kremlin to quash Prigozhin's influences in Africa and instead replace them with a private company controlled by General Andrey Averyanov's GRU. This GRU Unit 29155 carries out foreign operations ordered by Putin and has been linked to many assassinations, including the Salisbury poisonings in March 2018. Wiltshire was rocked when Kremlin spies allegedly attempted to murder former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal, 68, in Salisbury. Both he and his then 33-year-old daughter Yulia were rushed to hospital in critical condition after coming into contact with Novichok - a deadly nerve agent concocted by Soviet scientists during the Cold War. 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess (left) was killed after being poisoned by Novichok, which was on perfume bottled gifted to her by her partner Charlie Rowley, 45 (right) Military personnel wearing protective suits during investigations into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal on March 11, 2018 in Salisbury What is the GRU? The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, often called the GRU, was founded during Russia's civil war in 1992. Today, it uses a combination of covert special-forces operations, spying, cyber attacks and internet trolls to destabilise its enemies. It has its roots in the intelligence-gathering agency that bolstered Trotskys Bolshevik Red Army. The GRU sits apart from the SVR, the external spying service, and the domestic FSB), which were created when the KGB was split in 1991. The agency is based in a headquarters nicknamed The Aquarium on an airbase near Moscow. It deploys six times as many agents in foreign countries as the SVR. Agents often have a military background such as Sergei Skripal, who was recruited after serving in the Soviet army. Advertisement They survived the suspected attempted murder, but four months later, in the same county, 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess was killed. She and her partner Charlie Rowley fell ill after handling the fake Nina Ricci perfume bottle used by the Moscow hitmen in their initial botched assassination of the Skripals. Mr Rowley, who has battled psychological scars as well as fading eyesight, found the perfume bottle in a charity shop bin before giving it to his then girlfriend as a gift. The pair were admitted to hospital within hours, and tragically Ms Sturgess died on July 8. It is believed the Russian state ordered the attack on Skripal - who was jailed in Russia for spying in MI6 - on March 4 2018. The suspected assassins Russian intelligence officers Anatoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin were caught on CCTV as they travelled from Moscow to the Wiltshire cathedral city. A third suspect, senior Russian agent Denis Sergeev, was believed to be the on-the-ground commander. All three fled back to Russia after their failed murder attempt. It took almost exactly a year for Salisbury to finally be declared clear of all traces of the deadly nerve agent. Police say it could have killed thousands. It is alleged that General Averyanov's unit was also ordered by Putin in 2015 to stage a coup in Montenegro, which failed, according to intelligence sources who also blame the unit for a campaign to destabilise Moldova and the poisoning of Bulgarian arms dealer Emilian Gebrev in 2015. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right Israeli national security minister, has lashed out against Bella Hadid for using her huge platform to make him look racist and backward. The controversial politician called the influential supermodel an Israel hater after she took to Instagram to join the chorus in denouncing his recent comments about Jewish settlers having more rights than Palestinians who reside in the occupied territories of the West Bank. Two deadly attacks on Israelis, in what is known as Judea and Samaria, led to further restrictions on movements for hundreds of thousands as police searched for the gunmen this week. Soon after, Ben-Gvir told Israelis Channel 12 that freedom of movement for settlers in the West Bank outweighs the rights of Palestinians. My right, the right of my wife and my children to move around Judea and Samaria, is more important than freedom of movement for the Arabs, he said to Arab Israeli journalist Mohammad Magadli on Wednesday. The right to life comes before freedom of movement. The remarks drew ire from many who contend it was further proof that Ben-Gvir is committed to a system of Jewish supremacy in the occupied territories. According to the BBC, he is the leader of the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party which espouses racist, anti-Arab policies. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called Ben-Gvirs remarks racist and heinous, while the U.S. State Department strongly condemned the inflammatory comments on Friday. Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, reposted the TV appearance on Instagram. To her near-60 million followers, she wrote: In no place, no time, especially in 2023 should one life be more valuable than anothers. Especially simply because of their ethnicity, culture or pure hatred. Ben-Gvir, convicted for inciting racism and supporting terrorism in 2007, addressed Hadid in Hebrew on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday. I saw that yesterday you took an excerpt from an interview I gave and put it out to the whole world to try and portray me as racist and backward, he tweeted. I dont apologize or take back my comments. I will repeat them 1,000 times. The boyfriend of a missing woman who vanished a month ago in North Carolina has been arrested for her murder after her body was found. Allisha Dene Watts, 39, had last been seen driving her car in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 16, and her remains were recovered Thursday in a rural cemetery some 70 miles where she disappeared, police said. Aerial footage from the site around 12:30pm - which sits on the grounds of a cemetery near Candor - showed several officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's office at the scene, as well as a trailer that likely held the woman's body. Shortly after the locating her remains, cops arrested Watts' boyfriend, 51-year-old James Dunmore, at his residence on Pamela Lorraine Drive in Charlotte, police said. Footage shows him being led in cuffs to a local lockup, weeks after being found unresponsive in the same SUV in which Watts was last seen. She'd been leaving Dunmore's home at the time, believed to be heading home to Moore County. Dunmore, meanwhile, has a history of domestic violence and served time in prison for kidnapping, cops said Thursday. Scroll down for video: The body of missing Moore County woman Alisha Watts, 39, was found in a cemetery Thursday - and her boyfriend, 51-year-old James Dunmore (right), has been arrested and charged with her murder. He was found unresponsive in her car days after she vanished Footage shows him being led in cuffs to a local lockup, weeks after being found unconscious in the same SUV in which Watts was last seen. He had been labeled a person of interest in the case days after being discovered 'unresponsive' in the car, after an apparent suicide attempt 'This was not the outcome that we had been hoping for,' Montgomery County Sheriff Pete Herron told reporters on the grounds of the the Norman Community Cemetery after making the grim find. 'But by finding Allisha today, it can bring some closure,' the officer continued, as several members of Watts' family were seen at the scene. 'I hope and I pray it brings some closure - to family and friends moving forward.' Herron refused to take questions about how Watts died, and did not specify how the discovery of her remains prompted authorities to suspect Dunmore. An arrest warrant filed in Montgomery County alleges the suspect 'unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did of malice aforethought kill and murder Watts' on or around the day she went missing. The warrant does not elaborate on any other circumstances surrounding her disappearance or death - which relatives at the cemetery said while devastating, has at least brought them 'closure.' Just two weeks ago, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Watts boyfriend, the sole resident of the Pamela Lorraine Drive home where she was last seen, was 'important' to the investigation but would not go as far as to say why. At the time, the Charlotte resident was considered a person of interest in the case - which started with a statewide search for Watts on July 19, launched the day after her car was found at an Anson County DMV a short drive outside Charlotte. Inside, local deputies discovered Dunmore - the victim of 'an apparent suicide attempt' according to a subsequent search warrant later obtained for his residence. First-responders did not discern the car's connection to Watts, and rushed Dunmore to a nearby hospital. The Anson County Sheriffs Office did not provide any details on his condition. A day later, worried family members reported Watts missing. After another 24 hours, cops discovered that the vehicle - a black 2023 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 - belonged to Watts. Also discerned by deputies was the fact Watts had been driving the vehicle when she was last seen - with plans to attend a comedy show at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte following her visit with Dunmore on July 16. However, when she never showed, relatives who also live in Watts' Moore County instantly became concerned, citing Watts' punctuality and usual transparency. Watts cousin, Gwendolyn Utley, told WSOC-TV: 'It just wasnt normal. Thats not like her.' Aerial footage from the site around 12:30pm - which sits on the grounds of a cemetery near Candor - showed several officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's office at the scene, as well as a trailer that likely held the woman's body An arrest warrant filed Thursday said the suspect 'unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did of malice aforethought kill and murder Watts' on or around the day she went missing Cops in Montgomery county refused to take questions about how Watts died, and did not specify how the discovery of her remains prompted authorities to suspect her boyfriend Dunmore was previously considered a person of interest in the search for Watts (pictured) - which started with a statewide search for Watts on July 19, launched the day after her car was found at an Anson County DMV a short drive outside Charlotte Watts had last been seen driving her car in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 16.Her remains were recovered Thursday in a rural cemetery some 70 miles where she disappeared, and a few dozen miles from her home in Moore County When she drove by Dunmore's shortly thereafter, she said she saw her cousin's car still parked in the driveway, and did not immediately come to suspect the Charlotte citizen. However, after circling back few hours later, she said she saw that the car was gone, WCNC reported, and Dunmore was found in the SUV two days later. It was only then that Watts - an advocate for mental health issues and the elderly - was officially declared missing, sparking a statewide search carried out by multiple cooperating counties. During a search of Dunmore's home on July 20, investigators found a shell casing from a 9mm handgun, and in another on July 26, seized an array of clothing, cellphones, a camera, a laptop, photos, and a memory card in relation to Watt's disappearance. Cops wrote in that warrant that Dunmore attempted suicide before being found 'unresponsive' in his girlfriend's vehicle. That day, Dunmore was declared 'a person of interest' in the case, though cops stopped short of calling him a suspect. He was being held Friday at the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office after his arrest the day before, records show, and he is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday, a Montgomery County court clerk said. At the Norman Community Cemetery Thursday, another of Watts' cousins, Tea Hines, told WBTV that she was happy Dunmore was being brought to justice. She also questioned how Dunmore could have carried out the killing. At the Norman Community Cemetery Thursday, another of Watts' cousins, Tea Hines, told WSOC-TV that she was happy Dunmore was being brought to justice. She also questioned how Dunmore could have carried out the killing Watts - a fierce mental health advocate and helper of the elderly - had been driving the vehicle when she was last seen - with plans to attend a comedy show at Bojangles Coliseum following her visit with Dunmore on July 16. When she never showed, family reported her missing Dumore was being held Friday at the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office after his arrest, and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday 'Im just glad we got our guy, you know what Im saying,' Hines tearfully told the station as officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's office continued to survey the scene. 'I just cant I just cant wait to go to court. You know, I just cant wait to see what he has to say about this. We shouldnt even be out here. If he would have just told us ... 38 days in now. Thats a long time.' She continued: This is weird, is very weird. But hopefully, this is the closure that weve been looking for. 'I dont know how he managed to do that by himself. And my head, he had to pretty much have helped because theres no way that youre going to take your girlfriend on a date to a cemetery. 'So I dont know how he even chose the spot that he chose.' Cops in Montgomery County, meanwhile, said Friday that their investigation is ongoing, and that 'theres still much work to be done.' 'This is an ongoing and active case and investigation,' Herron said. A mechanic who was a year away from tying the knot with his lifelong love has been tragically killed in a horror crash, sparking an outpouring of tributes. Dean Mathias, 25, and his beloved dog Axl died on Thursday after his Holden Colorado ute rolled on the Princes Highway near Moruya on the NSW south coast. His friends and family were shocked by his sudden death, hailing him as a 'mechanical genius' and one of the best mechanics in the region. Of everyone devastated by Dean's death, his fiancee Libby Williams was among those who were hardest hit. The couple had met in high school and were set to marry in Tuross Heads in October next year. Tributes have poured in for a mechanic, Dean Mathias (pictured) who tragically died in a car crash alonside his dog Axl (right) Dean was set to marry Libby Williams (both pictured) in October of next year, Ms Williams describing him as 'charming, smart and hard working' The couple also both celebrated October birthdays. Mr Mathias attended numerous schools on the south coast before moving to Canberra to refine his craft as a mechanic. He returned to the south coast to start his own business, DM Diesel Mechanics, and was ready to venture into a new stage of his life with Ms Williams. 'We had so many plans for the future, we were well on our way to achieving them too,' Ms Williams told the South Coast News. She described her fiance as 'charming, smart and hard working' in a heartbreaking tribute. Mr Mathias was also an avid outdoorsman, spending time outside on the beach with his dogs, on his four wheeler or working on anything mechanical. He could also be found in his 'awesome' shed entertaining mates, listening to music and touching up their cars while sharing a laugh. 'Dean had such a big heart,' Ms WIlliams said. 'There are no words for this loss and what it means to me.' A GoFundMe for Dean's family has already raised over $6,500 to help support his grieving family through the heartbreaking ordeal Dean's numerous friends also paid tribute to their late mate, with many in shock and disbelief over his sudden death. 'Rest easy my brother, there is no way your gone,' one wrote on social media. 'You're onto bigger and better things now mate was a pleasure knowing you brother.' 'I'm honestly lost for words brother, wishing this was just a nightmare,' a second wrote. 'R.I.P brother, forever and always in everyones heart,' a third wrote. Close friend Lottie Cooper wrote a similarly touching tribute on Facebook. 'We all love you so dearly. Your woman is shattered, your family are broken, and I miss you so much. Thank you for being in our lives even just for this shortest time. 'You and Axl look after each other my dear friend.' Ms Cooper started a GoFundMe to help support Dean's family throughout the ordeal, which has already raised over $6,500 of its $10,000 goal. 'Anyone that knew Dean, knew he had a massive heart coupled with the biggest personality,' Ms Cooper wrote. 'He was a smart and caring young man at the start of his life. We should be attending his wedding, not his funeral. 'This has been a devastating, unexpected loss and there are many hearts broken.' It caught Li with a syringe full of liquid - the family said they were shocked by the revelation because other than noise complaints he seemed like a 'regular guy' Umar Abdullah, who lives in the home, said he noticed an 'obnoxious' smell and he, his wife and baby daughter began vomiting so he planted a camera outside Recent PhD chemistry graduate from the University of Southern Florida Xuming Li, 36, was caught injecting a 'chemical agent' into his neighbor's doorstep A PhD chemistry student has been caught on camera appearing to inject opioids at the doorstep of a family home after complaining about them making noise. Neighbor from hell Xuming Li, 36, allegedly contaminated the Florida family's condo with so much 'chemical agent' their baby daughter got sick. He is said to have mixed the potentially-lethal chemicals at a lab at the University of South Florida where he worked, according to the New York Post. He was caught on June 27 after the family father, Umar Abdullah, reported being plagued by an 'obnoxious smell' for more than a month, until he hid a camera in a potted houseplant outside their Tampa home. Shocking footage shows Li loading up a syringe before crouching down and appearing to inject a clear substance - thought to be strong opioid painkillers methadone and hydrocodone - beneath their door. Abdullah, who lives with his wife and baby daughter, said he was shocked by Li's behavior because he seemed like a 'regular guy'. Neighbor from hell Xuming Li allegedly contaminated a Florida family's doorstep with so much 'chemical agent' their baby got sick. They hid a camera outside their Tampa home and caught him in the act (pictured) Li was caught after the family father, Umar Abdullah, reported being plagued by an 'obnoxious smell' and difficulty breathing for more than a month, until he hid a camera in a potted houseplant outside their Tampa home. (Pictured: Abdullah with his baby daughter) Umar Abdullah, who lives in the home, said he noticed an 'obnoxious' smell and he, his wife and baby daughter began vomiting so he planted a camera outside Abdullah moved into the Palm Springs Boulevard building with his pregnant wife in June 2022, and they were warmly welcomed by other residents in the building. However, he soon began receiving texts from his disgruntled downstairs neighbor, Li, who lamented over losing sleep and hearing the toilet seat move. On May 31, the family were out of the state in Ohio to attend a conference and Abdullah was expecting a package. 'I asked a friend - who is also my neighbor - to push that package inside,' he told DailyMail.com. 'At around 10:30 she called me and reported me that her eyes were burning and there's a strong chemical smell and she is experiencing shortness of breath. 'She checked my stove and other appliances and quickly left. 'We came back to Tampa on June 5, and on June 8 we first experienced this horrible smell, eye burning feeling, shortness of breath, nausea, drowsiness and extreme headache. 'These experiences repeated on June 15, 21, 25, 26 and 27. My daughter developed the unusual cough and subsequent vomiting a few days after June 8.' He began investigating, starting by calling his air conditioning company, who found no issues. Abdullah then called a plumber, believing the smell to be coming from his water heater, but that also came out clear. His landlord even replaced the heater and had his air ducts and vents cleaned - but the chemical smell persisted. Desperate to find out what was plaguing his family, Abdullah even called the fire department - but their tests drew a blank. The recent University of Southern Florida graduate was caught on camera after the family planted a hidden lens in a potted houseplant outside their home Abdullah's hidden camera footage showed Li appearing to take a syringe out, fill it with clear liquid, and inject it into the crack in Abdullah's door frame 'I was sniffing the place like a dog,' he said. The sniff test led him to his doorway, where he found a small crack in the corner. Only now beginning to suspect some form of tampering had taken place, Abdullah set up a hidden camera in a potted plant outside his door. His daughter became sick again, prompting Abdullah to check the footage - and he was shocked by what he saw. 'We were shaking,' he told WFLA. 'We can't imagine that he is coming and doing something.' The footage showed Li, wearing casual tracksuit bottoms, crouching and appearing to place something beneath their door. Horrified, Abdullah adjusted the camera angle from door-level to eye level to catch what Li was doing in the moments before. This time, his footage appeared to show Li extracting a syringe, filling it with clear liquid, and injecting it into the crack in Abdullah's door frame. The terrified father immediately got his family out of the house and called police. His brother-in-law told DailyMail.com the family is 'doing well now' and that Li has 'recently left the house'. The footage showed Li, wearing casual tracksuit bottoms, crouching and appearing to place something beneath their door 'We were shaking,' Abdullah told WFLA. 'We can't imagine that he is coming and doing something' Li lamented over losing sleep and hearing noise from Abdullah's apartment Tampa Police said Li 'maliciously, unlawfully and with intent harassed the victims by using a syringe filled with liquid and injecting the contents into their residence on several occasions' in an affidavit seen by DailyMail.com. The family suffered 'shortness of breath, eye and skin irritation' for 'over a month'. 'These actions caused distress and safety concerns for the victim and his family,' the affidavit reads. A hazmat investigation revealed a 'liquid chemical agent' containing methadone and hydrocodone - opioid pain medications - had been pervading their home. Inhaling high levels of the narcotics can cause shallow breathing, a weakened pulse, difficulty walking, disorientation, slurred speech, and nausea. The affidavit adds that an officer who was exposed to the substance at the scene experienced 'skin irritation' requiring medical treatment. Tampa Police arrested Li at 9.30pm on June 27 and slapped him with several charges, including possession of a controlled substance and aggravated stalking. He is also charged with three counts of battery dispersed chemical agent against the members of the household, and the same charge against the law enforcement officer who suffered symptoms at the scene. Tampa Police arrested the PhD student and slapped him with several felony charges, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance and burglary Li's booking describes him as a 6 foot male from China, weighing 160lb. He was a PhD chemistry student at the University of Southern Florida until summer 2023, the school told WFLA. According to his LinkedIn, Li touts himself as 'an innovative and goal-driven chemist'. 'I like facing new challenges in research, and I believe the ability of learning new things will be the most important factor in self-improvement,' his profile states. 'I hope to work in a harmony atmosphere that people will work together to solve challenging task.' Li was bailed by the court and is scheduled to appear next on December 5. He is also facing a lawsuit from Abdullah for domestic violence and from the condo association for breach of contract. His daughter has just celebrated her first birthday at the apartment, but after being emotionally scarred by the experience, Abdullah wants to move his family to a new home. A Texas prison with America's most active death row was forced to evacuate 650 convicts because of an overnight fire. Huntsville Prison, which sits around 70 miles north of Houston, had to remove close to 700 inmates because of the blaze KHOU reporter Len Cannon said. It is unclear if any of those freed were death row inmates and there have not been any reports of injuries. The facility, whose official name is Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, houses around 1,750 prisoners. Huntsville Prison in Texas is pictured Friday morning as firefighters work to extinguish a blaze which triggered the evacuation of 650 inmates. Footage shot from another angle shows the extent of the damage to one wing of the prison Video shared by local news outlets showed flames burning ferociously in the dark. Overheat footage shared by Fox7Austin on Friday morning showed the roof of one wing had been badly damaged by the flames, with firefighters continuing to pour water on the smoking embers. Huntsville has put 583 prisoners to death since the death penalty was reinstated in Texas in 1982 - more than any other American death chamber. A British holidaymaker has been banned by an airline after he was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting an air stewardess and spitting on her boss during a flight to Ibiza. The 42-year-old, who is thought to be from Oldham, was held by police yesterday morning after reaching the island on a Jet2 flight from Manchester. The airline has since confirmed that it has banned the passenger, who they named as Rizwan Sabri Raja, from flying with them. The Civil Guard also said it would be asking the airline operating the flight to refuse to accept the passenger on the return flight he had booked back to the UK. Responding to the reports of the arrest this afternoon, a spokesman for the airline named and shamed the problem passenger and confirmed he had been banned from flying with Jet2 for life. As well as prosecution, the unnamed Brit is also facing a heavy fine and problems trying to get back to the UK if he gets a Jet2 ban (file image) It went on to describe his behaviour in a hard-hitting statement as 'absolutely appalling' and said it would be supporting the authorities 'fully'. The company said: 'We can confirm that disruptive passenger, Rizwan Sabri Raja, was offloaded by police at Ibiza Airport on August 24 following a catalogue of absolutely appalling behaviour towards our crew. 'We will not tolerate such behaviour and will support the authorities fully with their enquiries. 'As a family-friendly airline, we take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour, and we can confirm Mr Raja has been banned from flying with us for life as a result of his deplorable actions.' Confirming the arrest today, a spokesman for the Civil Guard said: 'Officers have arrested a British man as the suspected author of a crime of sexual assault on an air stewardess on a flight from Manchester to Ibiza. 'Yesterday morning officers were asked to head to a plane which had just touched down. 'The pilot informed the officers that a passenger had refused to obey the crew's instructions during the flight, as well as groping the bottom of one of the air stewardesses and spitting at her boss. 'He was immediately arrested.' It was not immediately clear today if he has already appeared in court for a hearing where a judge would have to decide whether to remand him in custody or release him on bail pending an ongoing criminal probe. As well as prosecution, the unnamed Brit is also facing a heavy fine. The Civil Guard spokesman said: 'He will also be reported to the Spanish Air Safety and Security Agency (AESA) for his alleged behaviour during the flight. 'And the Civil Guard at Ibiza Airport will be asking the airline concerned to refuse to accept this passenger on the return flight he had booked back to Britain.' AESA is the state body that in Spain ensures civil aviation standards are observed in all aeronautical activity in Spain. It has powers to fine offenders for breaches of a Spanish air safety law, with fines for ranging from around 50 to nearly 40,000. The 42-year-old was held by police yesterday morning after reaching the island on a Jet2 flight from Manchester (file image) In September last year a British man was arrested after assaulting a female passenger in the seat next to him on a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Majorca. Air stewards radioed police from 35,000ft after the woman, also British, complained he had touched her breasts and asked her to have sex with him in the toilet. He was held when the plane touched down at Palma Airport. Reports at the time said the unnamed Brit had been fined 2,500 after being hauled to court for a speedy trial. The woman at the centre of the extraordinary mid-air incident is said to have been sexually abused moments before the plane touched down after the male passenger had engaged in unwanted sexual innuendo with the young Brit. Ryanair said in a statement at the time of the incident: 'The crew of this flight from Liverpool to Palma requested police assistance after being made aware of an individual behaving inappropriately towards another passenger. 'The crew moved the passenger away from this individual for the rest of the flight and police removed him from the aircraft upon landing. This is now a matter for local police.' The 10th Duke of Beaufort devoted much of his zeal to extramarital affairs. Some of his girlfriends were also married, so to keep their husbands happy with the arrangement, he often asked them to come shooting at Badminton. Gloria Cottesloe was not only Master's girlfriend but also the ghost writer of his autobiography, which he famously neither wrote nor read. I was once present at a shoot where we were all told that her husband, Lord Cottesloe, should be given the best position in the line-up on every drive. Master's cunning was not always so successful. One day, his chauffeur was driving him and Lady Cottesloe to the Great West Show in his very recognisable Bentley. Master instructed him to stop the car as he wanted Lady Cottesloe to enjoy the beautiful summer weather and go for a short 'walk' with him. When they returned, he instructed the chauffeur to resume the journey. Unfortunately, as they rounded the first corner, they found a tractor blocking the road - and no amount of hooting the horn could persuade the occupant to move on. Eventually, the chauffeur got out and approached the farmer, but was quite surprised by his response: 'You can tell that dirty bugger that I know exactly what he's been doing and I ain't movin' until he gives me a fiver.' There was no choice but to pay up. All 19 co-defendants have turned themselves in to the Fulton County jail ahead of Friday's noon deadline, including former President Donald Trump. Trump, on Thursday evening, became the 12th of the 19 indicted people to surrender and made history as the first former president to pose for a mugshot. Five more, including former Justice Department lawyer Jeffrey Clark, were booked overnight. And the final two co-defendants surrendered on Friday morning. District Attorney Fani Willis has charged all of them with racketeering, alleging they engaged in a 'criminal enterprise' to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 election victory in Georgia. None of the 19 have yet entered pleas, since the arraignment process is separate from the booking process in Georgia. Arraignments are expected to begin the week of September 5th. Trevian Kutti, a former publicist for Kayne West, and Stephen Lee, a police chaplain from Illinois, were the final two to surrender. Trevian Kutti, the former publicist for Kayne West, in her booking photo They, along Harrison Floyd, the former director of Black Voices for Trump, were part of a pressure campaign targeted at Georgia elections worker Ruby Freeman, who was falsely accused by Trump and his supporters of manipulating votes. Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss - who gave tearful testimony to the House select committee on January 6 - were the subjects of a conspiracy theory and were falsely accused of pulling phony mail-in ballots from suitcases while tabulating the count on Election Day at Atlanta's State Farm Arena. They received multiple death threats. Kutti and Lee showed up at Freeman's home multiple times in December 2020 and January 2021 in the guise of wanting to help her, prosecutors outlined in their charging document. Kutti falsely identified herself as a crisis manager who claimed she wanted to help Freeman. Kutti allegedly told Freeman that she was in danger and asked her to meet her at a police station. When they met, Kutti told Freeman she could move her to a secure location, according to police body-camera footage obtained by Reuters. 'You are a loose end for a party that needs to tidy up,' Kutti told Freeman. The episode showed the desperate attempt of Trump's allies to make voter fraud allegations feel real. Pastor Stephen Lee's booking photo from the Fulton County jail Harrison Floyd is pictured here in his booking photo released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office Shaye Moss, a former Georgia election worker, left, and her mother Ruby Freeman arrive in the East Room of the White House in January 2023, where they were awarded the Presidential Citizens Medals Kutti, Lee and Floyd met with Freeman on Jan. 4, 2021, where they allegedly tried to manipulate Freeman into giving false testimony about voter fraud Election Day. Lee had gone to Freeman's house in early attempts to speak to her but later told Floyd that Freeman would not talk to him because he is a white man, according to the Georgia indictment. He asked for Floyd's help. Both Floyd and Freeman are black. Floyd surrendered on Thursday. A little-known player who helped run Trump's 2020 campaign outreach to black voters, he remains the only defendant behind bars as he did not have lawyers able to assist with the process. His bail was complicated by an outstanding warrant for attacking an FBI agent who came to question him at his home about the separate federal investigation into election interference. An affidavit says Floyd body-slammed an agent who arrived at his Rockville, Maryland home to subpoena him to appear before a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. Lee, meanwhile, has been given a $75,000 bond, which his lawyer argued isn't reasonable. 'I think that's an excessive bond. He's a pastor. These are not folks that do things to get wealthy,' David Shestokas said. 'There's no reason to believe he's a flight risk. I advised them that he is not a wealthy man and wouldn't be able to make bond.' Kutti was also given a $75,000 bond. It's unclear when they will surrender. Both are based in Chicago. Clark surrendered in the early morning hours on Friday. In addition to the racketeering charges, he is additionally accused of criminal attempt to commit false statements and writings. A month after the 2020 election, Clark, who was a top lawyer at the Justice Department, drafted a letter that falsely said the DoJ had 'identified significant concerns' about election fraud in Georgia and other states. The letter was never sent but it urged Georgia officials to call a special session of the state legislature to overturn Biden's victory. Prosecutors say Clark pushed heavily to try and get the letter distributed. Trump had considered naming Clark as acting attorney general, but top DoJ officials threatened to resign en masse if that happened. It never went through. Donald Trump has made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia Fulton County jail released Donald Trump's booking record which lists the charges and his vital details Former Justice Department attorney Jeffrey Clark in his booking photo Mark Meadows in his booking photo 'The uniformed and non-uniformed men and women of the Fulton County Jail were wonderfully human to me last night,' Clark wrote on his X account Friday morning about his booking experience. 'At worst, some of them were tired and seemed to wish they were home with their loved ones. But there was no animus directed at me. God bless them!' Clark, like Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows, is trying to get his case moved from the state system to the federal courts because he was working as a federal official at the time of the alleged offenses. Meadows surrendered on Thursday and was released on bond. There will be hearing on Monday about the request to move venues. Robert Cheeley Also surrendering overnight on Friday was Robert Cheeley, a Georgia lawyer who advised Trump. Robert Cheeley in his booking photo He testified to Georgia lawmakers at a December 2020 hearing that Fulton County election workers had 'voted' the same ballots 'over and over again' on Election Day. He presented a video showing election workers handing out ballots that he claimed showed they were double- and triple-counting votes. He compared what he said had happened to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He's charged with perjuring himself before the special-purpose grand jury that heard evidence in the Fulton County case. Michael Roman Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign official, is charged with helping organize slates of fake electors in several states, including Georgia. Michael Roman's booking photo The plan was to recruit a slate of fake electors in seven battleground states - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - to sign certificates falsely stating that Trump, not Biden, had won their states. Roman handled much of the legwork around organizing the seven slates, according to testimony to the Congressional committee investigating the origins of the January 6th insurrection. He also organized speakers for the Dec. 10, 2020, hearing before a Georgia House committee to spread false information that the state's vote had been riddled with fraud, prosecutors charged. Shawn Still Shawn Still in his booking photo Shawn Still, a Georgia state senator, was a fake Trump elector. He was one of three electors indicted over their role in the scheme to present a bogus slate of 16 Republicans the electors submitted to the electoral college in support of Trump. He signed a certificate falsely declaring Trump the winner in Georgia and designating himself as one of the state's qualified electors. His attorney is trying to move Still's case to federal court. 'Mr. Still, as a presidential elector, was also acting at the direction of the incumbent president of the United States,' attorney Thomas Bever argued Thursday. 'The president's attorneys instructed Mr. Still and the other contingent electors that they had to meet and cast their ballots on Dec. 14, 2020.' Misty Hampton Misty Hampton in her booking photo Misty Hampton is a former Coffee County elections supervisor is charged with assisting employees of forensic data firm SullivanStrickler in breaching voting machines in Coffee County. Hampton was in the county elections office on Jan. 7, 2021, when forensic experts from SullivanStrickler were allowed to copy software and data from the county's election equipment as part of a push by Trump allies, who claimed there was election fraud in the state. She said she was suspicious of Biden's victory. She made a video that went viral after the election, that claimed to show that Dominion Voting System machines, which were used in her county, could be manipulated. The defendants began handing themselves over on Tuesday, and for the last three days, a steady stream of people have showed up at the jail for the sobering process. That included Trump, who said the process was 'a terrible experience'. He was inside the jail for less than 25 minutes, even though ordinary accused criminals can expect to wait hours for their processing. Who has surrendered at Fulton County jail? Donald Trump: former president - surrendered on Thursday Rudy Giuliani: former Trump attorney - surrendered on Wednesday John Eastman: attorney - surrendered on Tuesday Mark Meadows: former Trump chief of staff - surrendered on Thursday Kenneth Chesebro: former Trump campaign attorney - surrendered on Wednesday Jeffrey Clark: former Justice Department official - surrendered on Friday Jenna Ellis: former member of Trump legal team - surrendered on Wednesday Ray Smith III: the lawyer who represented Trump in 2020 election challenges in Georgia - surrendered on Wednesday Robert Cheeley: Atlanta lawyer - surrendered on Friday Michael Roman: former Trump staffer - surrendered on Friday David Shafer: a fraudulent 2020 Republican elector and former chairman of the Georgia GOP - surrendered on Wednesday Shawn Still: one of the fraudulent 2020 electors and a current member of the Georgia Senate - surrendered on Friday Stephen Lee: an Illinois police chaplain - yet to surrender Harrison Floyd: executive director of Black Voices for Trump - surrendered on Thursday, in jail overnight Trevian Kutti: a Chicago-based publicist who represented Kanye West - yet to surrender Sidney Powell: former Trump legal team member - surrendered on Wednesday Cathy Latham: one of the fraudulent 2020 electors and former chairwoman of the Coffee County Republican Party in Georgia - surrendered on Wednesday Scott Hall: a 2020 Fulton County Republican poll watcher - surrendered on Tuesday Misty Hampton: former Coffee County Elections Director - surrendered on Friday Advertisement But first to surrender were attorney John Eastman and Republican poll watcher Scott Hall, on Tuesday. They were followed on Wednesday by Rudy Giuliani - who had to pass by 'A Second Chance Bail Bonds' to secure his freedom. It was a stunning and symbolic turnaround for the former mob boss prosecutor, who now must fend off election fraud charges. Giuliani famously used the RICO Act to take down the Mafia in the 1980s during his time as a Manhattan prosecutor. Now, he's being charged with violating the anti-racketeering RICO Act in an effort to upend the 2020 election results. He struck a defiant tone during a hectic scrum of Trump supporters, protestors and press following his release Wednesday on $150,000 bail. Asked by reporters after he exited the prison whether he regrets attaching his name to former President Trump, Giuliani chuckled and responded: 'I am very honored to be involved in this case, because this case is a fight for our way of life.' 'This indictment is a travesty,' he continued, calling it 'an attack on the American people.' He called himself the 'most prolific prosecutor in American history' and the most effective mayor 'ever.' 'If they can do this to me, they can do this to you,' he said defiantly during the scrum in which he was physically jostled around. A protestor held up a sign calling Giuliani a 'clown' as he scurried to his vehicle. Former Georgia State Senator David Shafer proudly announced on Wednesday morning that his smiling mugshot is his 'new profile picture.' Trump campaign attorney Kenneth Chesebro's police booking mugshot was put out after his booking earlier Wednesday. Another one to surrender on Wednesday was Trump's fiery former attorney known as the 'Kraken', Sidney Powell. Powell is charged with seven counts including several counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud. Her bond was set at $100,000. Best known for the stories she spun about Dominion Voting Systems, Powell is another one of the 'strike force' lawyers who toured the country unsuccessfully pitching a voter fraud theory to any and all legal bodies. She is credited with being one of the loudest voices advising Trump to fight to overturn the election and fast became associated with her promise that she would 'release the kraken' - referring to evidence that the election had been stolen. Jenna Ellis, another of the 'strike force' team, was beaming in her mugshot. She attended the hearing at the Georgia state house to push the false claim of voter fraud. The police booking mugshots of former U.S. President Donald Trump; Ray Smith, a lawyer who previously represented Trump in Georgia; Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trump's personal lawyer; Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell, former Georgia Republican Party leader Cathy Latham, Trump campaign attorney Kenneth Chesebro, former Georgia Republican Party leader David Shafer, Republican poll watcher Scott Hall, Trump's former lawyer John Eastman, Harrison Floyd and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows Former Coffee County GOP chair Cathy Latham also turned herself in at the jail early Wednesday, as did Georgia-based lawyer Ray Smith. Smith is accused of advising the alternate slate of electors who met at the state capital and cast votes for Trump and signed documents that falsely claimed Trump won the election. Smith also reportedly sent a letter and submitted affidavits to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger supporting Trump as the winner. Smith also appeared before a state Senate subcommittee investigating allegations of voter fraud shortly after the election and claimed 130,000 illegal votes had been cast. A dog wearing a shirt, who was taken off her 'drunken' owner by police, is now 'happy and being looked after' by family of the woman. Pooch Mia was taken in by police a week ago after they had received a text from a member of the public worried about her welfare. They rushed to the scene to find the mutt dressed in a light blue shirt and on a red lead. Officers say the owner was 'intoxicated' and not looking after the Mia. After checking on its welfare officers decided to take the dog off the drunk owner in Wolverhampton. British Transport Police took a hilarious snap of the dog sitting in the passenger's seat of a police van The British Transport Police took to social media to update the public on Mia British Transport Police then took a hilarious snap of the dog sitting in the passenger's seat of a police van. They have now updated locals informing them Mia is in the care of relatives. A BTP spokesman said: 'We can confirm Mia the dog is happy and being looked after by family of the female whilst our enquiries are ongoing.' Robin Atter, a local resident, said on Twitter: 'That's great. Thanks for the update and well done on a great job.' Previously the force spokesperson said: 'Our officers received a text report regarding a female who was intoxicated and not adequately caring for her dog. 'Officers attended and ensured the welfare of the dog whilst further enquiries are ongoing to establish any offences.' Another local took to social media to say: 'How do I report a crime? 'That shirt is a fashion crime.' Others have poked fun at the smart attire. Olivia Livia said: 'He was probably on his way to work and now he's got to explain this whole debacle to his manager.' Roy Clive said: 'They ruined his dinner plans. He had a nice restaurant booked that evening.' Alyson Taylor Gray said: 'Done a cracking job in ironing that shirt.' Carol Craig said: 'He's a blue collar worker then.' Workmen were left in stitches after they spotted a labourer getting into a building site by lying down in the back of a truck. The cab only had space for three passengers. In a bid to get around this, the fourth passenger wedged himself amongst the tools in the back of the van. He can be seen lying flat on his back in a horizontal position. Labourer Daniel Kennedy is wearing his work gear including shorts and work boots. A hilarious shot of the van was taken in Birmingham city centre. Workmen were left in stitches after they spotted a labourer getting into a building site by lying down in the back of a truck Labourer Daniel Kennedy (pictured) was spotted wearing his work gear including shorts and work boots while he lay in the back of the truck Building company boss David Kennedy said he admired their creativity and was pleased they were putting in the time at work. He said: 'Four lads on site, only three seats in their truck. 'Didn't really clock how they were getting to the site until I went in early to make sure they were doing the hours. 'Have to say... I'm not mad.' The workmen could not stop laughing at the incident. Others had hilarious reactions when the picture was posted on Facebook. Raj Sharma said: 'He is a sleeping partner in the business.' While Mick Jones joked: 'Good security, stop tools getting nicked.' Building company boss David Kennedy said he admired their creativity and was pleased they were putting in the time at work The picture of the labourer received some hilarious reactions when it was posted on Facebook 'Back in the 80s, 11 of us in a Transit van,' said Craig Atkinson. 'Must be flatbed Ed,' said Brad Guest. James Coleman added a comment which said: 'Spent my most of my apprenticeship years in the back of a van. It gave me an incentive to pass my driving test.' 'At least he still turns up to work,' said Moses Pegg. A primary school teacher who was sacked after appearing in a viral video which showed her striking a horse held back tears today after she was cleared of an animal cruelty offence. Sarah Moulds, 39, slammed the RSPCA for unsuccessfully trying to prosecute her as she was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a grey pony she owned called Bruce Almighty. Footage surfaced of her punching and kicking the horse on November 6, 2021, shared by the Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs campaign group, which claimed the video was evidence of 'violence running through [the] veins' of groups hunting animals for sport. Moulds then lost her job as a primary school teacher after an investigation. But a jury of 11 men and one woman cleared Moulds of animal cruelty after just over five hours of deliberation following a three-day trial at Lincoln Crown Court. Outside court, the ex-teacher wept as she hit out at the RSPCA for failing to engage with her, claiming that their case would have fallen apart had they visited Bruce to inspect him sooner after the incident. Sarah Moulds choked back tears, flanked by friends and family, as she thanked the jury for clearing her of an animal cruelty charge after she was filmed striking a horse in 2021. She was then hugged by husband Dan (in the red tie) after finishing her statement Sarah Moulds could be seen taking her boot to the horse, a child's pony called Bruce Almighty Sarah Moulds sat with her husband Dan after being cleared of animal cruelty by a jury. She has hit out at the RSPCA for bringing a 'political' case against her under, she claims, pressure from social media users Surrounded by weeping friends and family, Ms Moulds said: 'They [the RSPCA] are an animal charity, whose concern is animal welfare. They are the only charity in the UK with the powers to prosecute. 'They have been pressured to be seen to be 'doing something' by online bullies and ill-informed high profile individuals, wasting a phenomenal amount of public donations to bring a politically charged case. 'At no point over the last 20 months have they asked to examine Bruce Almighty, my child's pony, to see the environment in which he was looked after, or to check for injuries sustained. READ MORE: 'My life was torn to pieces by that decision': Primary school teacher who 'kicked and slapped' horse tells how she's received death threats - as she stands trial for animal cruelty Sarah Moulds arriving at court on Tuesday for the start of her trial Advertisement 'If they had visited Bruce on the day after this incident, or indeed any day in the last year and a half, they would have met a perfectly healthy, well cared for and happy pony as verified by an independent veterinary practice at our request.' The rider also slammed those who conducted a 'trial by social media' after the footage went viral, saying she had been subjected to 'premature judgements' because a 'snippet of video was taken out of context'. Moulds told the court during proceedings the incident occurred after her pony wandered off during tacking along the road, which she says could have had a severe impact on his and any child's wellbeing, had he been ridden at the time. The reaction to the video, which was viewed millions of times, saw her receive 'hand-delivered' death threats - including one in a Christmas card, reports the PA news agency. Claiming that the 'principles of justice and fairness' had been 'upheld', Ms Moulds added: 'I adore my animals and have dedicated my life to teaching and nurturing young minds; it was heart-wrenching to be so wrongly and publicly maligned. 'It is crucial to understand that what we see on the internet, especially on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, is often a fragmented version of the truth.' However, while she has been 'vindicated' by the jury, she said her life had been irrevocably damaged because of her association with the footage. Ms Moulds continued: 'The jury's decision today has vindicated me; however the damage from the last 20 months' trial by social media is irreversible. 'The loss of my career, the hand delivered death threats to me and my children, and the distress caused to my family cannot be undone. 'My loved ones have had to watch powerlessly as our life has unravelled based on falsehoods. 'To those who supported me throughout this ordeal, including my current employers, often in the face of an online hate and taking great personal risk to their own careers and physical safety, I cannot thank you enough. 'Your unwavering faith and love have been the silver lining in this dark cloud.' Moulds struck the horse several times in footage, which provoked revulsion on social media and prompted the RSPCA to investigate - but she has been cleared of animal cruelty Sarah Moulds was a primary school teacher - but she lost her job and claimed during the trial to have received death threats Sarah Moulds arriving at Lincoln Crown Court to hear the verdict in her trial earlier on Friday. the jury of 11 men and one woman cleared her of an animal cruelty offence Moulds, who was supported during the proceedings by friends and family, wept as the not guilty verdict was handed down. Thanking the jury for their service, Recorder Graham Huston said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. I know it was not an easy case, no case is easy, but some cases are more difficult than others. 'What is obvious is you gave this case the utmost attention and you proceeded with your deliberations carefully and thoroughly and I am very grateful to you.' What was Sarah Moulds accused of? Horse rider Sarah Moulds was charged with one offence under the Animal Welfare Act relating to an incident on November 6 2021. She was cleared following a three day trial by a jury of 11 men and a woman at Lincoln Crown Court. Charge 1: Causing unnecessary suffering to a grey pony called Bruce by allegedly kicking and hitting it Advertisement The jury had heard that Moulds had owned the horse, a child's pony, for two-and-a-half years when they joined the Cottesmore Hunt, one of Britain's oldest foxhound packs at the time of the incident. Moulds had said that the horse 'took off' unexpectedly while horses were being untacked, which saw him go 'on a jolly' for 25 to 30 metres down the road in The Drift, Gunby, Lincolnshire. As Bruce returned to his horse box, a hunt saboteur filmed Moulds kicking the horse in the chest and slapping him four times in the face before returning him to a horse box. Prosecutor Hazel Stevens said that Bruce was 'immediately chastised' for his misbehaviour and 'suffered physically and mentally' from Moulds' 'unnecessary and counter-productive' actions. Moulds was later sacked as a teacher in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and was prosecuted by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. An equine vet who gave evidence in court said Bruce demonstrated fear in the video, which the Crown said constituted suffering at Moulds' hands. But the vet conceded that there were no signs of external injury on Bruce and internal injuries could only have been confirmed if a post-mortem had been conducted. Bruce was taken to a vet 10 days after the incident and was found to be 'in very good health' and still lives a 'wonderfully idyllic life' with Moulds in Somerby, Melton Mowbray. Giving evidence, Moulds said she and her children had received death threats and that her life had been 'torn to pieces as a result of that four-second decision'. She said she had intended to 'briefly shock' Bruce to 'discipline him quickly' for running off, which she believed could have had severe consequences for both Bruce and the child riding him. Moulds added that she had to go 'into hiding' due to the reaction to the video, but took Bruce to be examined on November 16, 2021, with a vet concluding he was 'very good and healthy with no signs of internal injuries'. When asked by her barrister, Derek Duffy, whether Bruce showed any reaction to the incident, Moulds said: 'None whatsoever. He showed no fear toward me, he followed me into the trailer. 'The next day, he greeted me in exactly the same way he always does. Nothing has ever been different.' Lincoln Crown Court, where Sarah Moulds was cleared of an animal cruelty charge following a three day trial Ms Moulds said she had been 'vindicated' by the jury - but hit out at those who conducted a 'trial by social media' whilst not knowing all of the facts The RSPCA left a calling card (pictured) in the front door of Sarah Moulds' home in Leicestershire following the incident. It has defended its decision to pursue a prosecution The RSPCA has defended its decision to prosecute Ms Moulds, citing a 95% success rate in animal welfare cases that it brings to court. It led the prosecution case alone, with no input from the police or the Crown Prosecution Service. It made a call at Moulds' home and left a card asking her to contact them in the days after the incident. A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We do not take the decision to bring prosecution lightly. 'We apply the same tests as the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to prosecute someone for animal welfare offences. 'This requires there to be sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and for it to be in the public interest to prosecute. 'This case was reviewed by a prosecution case manager, an independent solicitor and a barrister who all agreed that the evidential test was met and with the support of two expert vets. 'We accept the court's decision today and thank the jury for their careful consideration, but the public can be assured the RSPCA will always look into concerns that are raised to us about animal neglect and cruelty. 'We believe that treating all animals with kindness will lead to a more compassionate society and we need everyone to help us do that. 'Animals do not learn well when they are scared or stressed so physically punishing them is not effective, as a wealth of science shows. 'That's why we advocate the use of positive reward training instead of force and fear.' Police discovered the body of Instagram influencer Beauty Couch, 22 known on Instagram as Beauty Katera near the scene of a burned vehicle in Georgia, and now foul play is suspected. The news came Thursday after police in the town of Austell, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, posted a statement describing the incident that had occurred one day prior. On Wednesday, at approximately 12:18 p.m., Austell Fire was dispatched to Joe Jerkins Blvd and Landers Street for a brush fire, the statement read. Upon arrival, authorities found a car fully engulfed in flames, and learned it was registered to one of Couchs parents. The police were told that Couch most commonly drove the vehicle, and that she hadnt been heard from since Tuesday morning. Austell Police searched the area where the vehicle was found and located a body that matched the description of Beauty Couch in the wood line, the statement added. Based on the initial investigation, police said theres reason to believe foul play was involved in Couchs death. In a statement to WSB-TV Atlanta, her mother, Kimberly Couch, spoke of her daughter as a sweet girl who never bothered nobody. They took a part of my life from me, she said. They took a part of my heart. I want them to pay for what they did to my baby. Beauty Couch had over 150,000 followers on Instagram and was known for her roller-skating and dance videos. Last month, she posted about offering her first skating and dance classes in Georgia, writing, I am so excited to share with you all my first skate class! Cant wait to see everyone! Lets catch a vibe! Anyone who may have information into the incident is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Tip Hotline at 770-499-4111. Donald Trump has reposted a meme of his mugshot complete with 19 CGI guns surrounding his face just hours after his humiliating surrender at a Georgia county jail. The meme shared on Truth Social 4.8k times shows the former president's police picture modified with a flurry of pistols pointed at his head, each emblazoned with words representing his apparent enemies. Illustrating the 77-year-old's narrative that he is under fire from corrupt, politically-motivated authorities who want to sabotage his 2024 White House bid, the guns are branded with words like 'Soros', 'pedophiles', 'Democrats' and 'fake news'. Other firearms say 'indictment', 'globalists', 'fascists', 'deep state' and 'FBI', while the words 'NEVER SURRENDER! WE STAND UNITED WITH TRUMP!' frame the image. Trump re-posted it on his self-created social media platform not long after he made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot. The meme shared on Truth Social shows the former president's police picture modified with a flurry of pistols pointed at his head, each emblazoned with words representing his apparent enemies Trump re-posted it on his self-created social media platform not long after he made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot. (Pictured: Trump disembarking a plane in Georgia ahead of his appearance at Fulton County Jail He was arrested and fingerprinted by authorities at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, charged with trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. It was his fourth arrest this year - but police didn't take his booking photo during previous appearances before them in New York City, Miami and Washington DC. The meme Trump shared was originally posted by a MAGA fan called Andrea who gushed over him as a 'hero'. Using an account called @God_Bless_Trump47, she idolized him as a patriot who 'faces so much on a daily basis without even considering giving up' because 'he wants to save America'. Writing in the former president's signature style, she said: 'We love you, President Trump. You are BRAVE and BOLD and you are a BADASS.' Trump shared her post with his 6.39 million followers after also sharing his mugshot on X, formerly known as Twitter. It was his first tweet since January 2021 when he was banned from the platform following the January 6 Capitol attack. The former president also appeared on X in an interview with former Fox primetime host Tucker Carlson on Wednesday night. Donald Trump has made history by becoming the first former president to pose for a mugshot after his arrest for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia The former president shared the mugshot on X, having not posted on the platform since 2021 Fulton County jail released Donald Trump's booking record, which lists the charges and his vital statistics It coincided with his eight competitors facing off in the rival Fox-hosted Republican primary debate in Milwaukee, which was viewed by 13 million Americans on cable TV. Their debate was seemingly dwarfed by Trump's interview, which got 238 million 'views' on X. However, this isn't a direct comparison because X calculates views based on users scrolling past the video and they don't need to watch any of it for the interaction to count as a 'view'. Trump used his platform to slam Biden's 'skinny legs' in beach photos, claiming he doesn't have the mental capacity to win the White House in 2024. 'I think he's worse mentally than he is physically and physically. He's not exactly a triathlete, or any kind of athlete,' Trump told Carlson. 'You look at him who can't walk through the helicopter he walks he can't lift his feet out of the grass, you know, it's only two inches at the White House.' Biden, 80, took a 10-day trip to his Delaware beach house in Rehoboth in July and has spent weekends there periodically throughout the summer. In other moments of the interview Trump hit out at his opponents on the debate stage in Milwaukee, saying that there are some candidates who 'shouldn't even be running' because of their low popularity ratings. 'They're savage animals they are people that are sick,' Trump says of his Republican rivals 'I think he's worse mentally than he is physically and physically. He's not exactly a triathlete, or any kind of athlete,' Trump told Tucker Carlson Meanwhile, Trump's height of 6ft 3in (190.5cm) and weight of 215lbs (97.5kg) were pre-recorded and entered on his booking forms and, as part of the process, he was given a prisoner identification number: P01135809. He was released on payment of 10 percent of his $200,000 bail, having spent just 20 minutes inside the infamous facility. The former president traveled to Georgia on Thursday afternoon from his Bedminster home in New Jersey. His motorcade went first to Newark airport, and the New York-born billionaire boarded his Boeing 757 to fly to Atlanta. He touched down in Atlanta shortly after 7pm, and, greeting the waiting media and giving a thumbs-up, he stepped down from the plane and was driven 14 miles to the jail. Trump's arrival at the Fulton County jail on downtown Atlanta's Rice Street was greeted with loud cheers by his supporters, and some boos from detractors. He spent around 20 minutes inside the decrepit facility, where seven people have died in custody since the start of this year, and was processed far more quickly than other accused criminals. Trump's height and weight were recorded, as well as his hair and eye color. His fingerprints and booking photo were taken, and his bond money was paid. Trump was notably 25lbs lighter than the weight recorded for his last arrest in April. Nine Trump allies have turned themselves in to the Georgia prison so far this week before the Friday deadline By 7.55pm, he was back in his motorcade heading to Atlanta airport. Trump declared on the Tarmac that it was 'a very sad day for America'. He said it was 'a travesty of justice' and added: 'We did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong.' 'This is election interference. So I want to thank you for being here. We did nothing wrong,' Trump said. 'We had every right, every single right, to challenge an election we think was dishonest.' He then boarded his plane and flew back to New Jersey. At least nine Trump allies have also turned themselves in to the Georgia prison so far this week before the Friday deadline, and more are expected to do so on Friday. District Attorney Fani Willis has charged all the defendants with racketeering, alleging they engaged in a 'criminal enterprise' to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 election victory in Georgia. None of the 19 have yet entered pleas, since the arraignment process is separate from the booking process in Georgia. Willis has asked for those arraignments to take place the week of September 5. The defendants can waive appearing at that trial, which is where they answer the charges against them. Lawyers are allowed to speak on their behalf. They include former Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, and former Georgia State Senator David Shafer. The 41-count charge against Trump and his 18 co-defendants marks the fourth and latest indictment against the ex-president. This is the terrifying moment a man was fatally struck by a car while kissing his girlfriend on a sidewalk in Brazil. Jonathan Ribeiro, 31, and his 26-year-old girlfriend were walking their dog in the southern zone of Sao Paulo on Sunday when the car barreled into them near the gas station. Surveillance footage of the incident released for the first time Thursday showed Ribeiro and his partner being dragged down the sidewalk before the vehicle came to a stop. A man from a nearby business could be seen running to car and opening the door before another individual arrived to prevent the escape of the 30-year-old driver, whose name has not been released. Jonathan Ribeiro was killed when he and his girlfriend were struck by a car while they were kissing on a sidewalk in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday. Ribeiro died at a local hospital. His partner suffered fractures to the shoulder and bruises on her head and legs A Brazilian couple paused for a kiss on a sidewalk while walking their dog in Sao Paulo, Brazil, moments before a driver said to be under the influence of alcohol slammed his car into them, killing Jonathan Ribeiro and injuring his girlfriend Ribeiro was rushed to Campo Limpo Municipal Hospital, where he died from his injuries. His girlfriend suffered a fractured shoulder and bruises to her head and legs. Military Police agents carried out a breathalyzer test that showed the driver was under the influence of alcohol, but not over the limit. Cops also searched the vehicle and recovered drugs. The driver was interviewed at the scene by police and told them that he had no recollection of the accident. He was taken into custody and appeared before a judge, who granted him a provisional release, according to Brazilian news outlet G1. Brazilian judge released the driver who was under the influence of alcohol when he slammed his vehicle into a couple who were kissing on a sidewalk Sunday in the town of Sao Paulo A dog roams around the vehicle after its owners were struck by a car on a sidewalk in Brazil Under the terms of the release, the man is required to appear in court twice a month and is not allowed to leave the district where he lives for more than eight hours a day. He is also required to update the court with any change of address and is prohibited from visiting 'bars, nightclubs, brothels and the like.' The body of a mother of three who was 'murdered by her ex partner' was found in a purple suitcase dumped in her wheelie bin, a court heard today. Sarah Albone, 38, had not been seen for three months when her corpse was discovered in the bin behind her home, the jury was told. She was said to be the victim of a 'frenzied attack' by Matthew Waddell, 35, with whom she was in a 'toxic relationship'. Prosecutors say he killed her at the end of November last year and dumped her body before telling her family she was being treated at a hospital in London. He was charged with her murder in March. Sarah Albone, 38, had not been seen for three months when her corpse was discovered in the bin behind her home, the jury was told She was said to be the victim of a 'frenzied attack' by Matthew Waddell, 35, with whom she was in a 'toxic relationship'. Pictured is the house where her body was found Jurors at Luton Crown Court were also told he sent texts from Ms Albone's mobile pretending to be her and sold her belongings. In a letter later found in her house, Waddell allegedly wrote: 'I stamped on your head so many times.' Ms Albone was reported missing by her family on February 21 after she had not been seen since before Christmas. Waddell was arrested and interviewed by police, but declined to answer any questions. Her remains were discovered after police searched her home and found an outdoor bin had been taped shut. Officers found her body, dressed in pyjamas and in the foetal position, in a purple suitcase inside the bin which had been wrapped in 'industrial cling film', jurors heard. Prosecutor Martin Mulgrew told the court the body had been there for 'several months' and Waddell's fingerprints were on the tape holding the bin shut. He said the attack, which included stamping, kicking, punching and the possible use of a weapon, had taken place in the victim's bedroom near the end of November. Ms Albone was reported missing by her family on February 21 after she had not been seen since before Christmas He said Ms Albone, who had multiple sclerosis, had been attacked while getting in or out of her bed. A letter, allegedly from Waddell, was found at the address in Biggleswade, Beds., which read: 'So I stamped on your head so many times I caved your head in, literally. 'But you were still breathing. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around your head. Blood everywhere. I stared at your chest.' It went on: 'I felt nothing.' Mr Mulgrew said: 'This is a complete and detailed confession to her murder.' A pathologist in the case said the letter found by police 'could fit with the nature of the injuries inflicted on Sarah Albone'. Her cause of death was ruled as 'airway obstruction caused by catastrophic injuries to her head'. A post-mortem found a complex wound to the face and fractures across her body. In the house, there was evidence that attempts had been made to clean the scene, with carpet and gloves found in the bin along with her body, the court heard. A large amount of blood had soaked through the carpet and onto the bedroom floorboards. Blood splatter was on the wall near the double socket and radiator. Following the murder, the prosecution said Waddell had attempted in 'a sophisticated manner' to lay false information about Ms Albone's whereabouts. Ms Albone's remains were discovered after police searched her home and found an outdoor bin had been taped shut Mr Mulgrew added: 'To throw family, friends and the police off the scent he sent text messages from her phone pretending to be her. 'He pretended she was in a hospital in London and did not want to see anyone. He withdrew cash from her account and began selling her belongings online.' CCTV images from a shop in Biggleswade showed Waddell taking money from Ms Albone's account, Mr Mulgrew said. The court heard the pair met in November 2020 and had a 'toxic relationship'. In January 2021, Ms Albone ended their relationship because she felt that he was emotionally controlling, jurors were told. But they rekindled he relationship in April 2021 and in August that year, Ms Albone suffered a stroke. In September she ended the relationship again. Despite this, Waddell would contact her and turn up at her house, the court heard. Waddell was arrested for harassment and released on police bail with a condition not to contact her. But he ignored this and continued to visit her house. In December 2021, Ms Albone reported her ex-partner for assault. In a statement to police, she had explained his controlling and coercive behaviour and complained that he was watching pornography and speaking to other women. Her step-sister and a family friend of Waddell's, Corinne Foster, had not heard from Ms Albone since November 24 last year, and had been in regular contact before. Waddell, pretending to be Ms Albone, responded to Ms Foster's texts, the jury was told. He allegedly wrote: 'I am ok. I am in hospital in London. I am home in the beginning of March.' When asked why 'Sarah' had not told her about her time in the hospital, the court heard he said: 'Sorry babe. A big part is my mental health. They are putting a plan in for me.' Mr Mulgrew said: 'This piqued Corinne Foster's suspicion. It was because of the way the texts were written. Sarah Albone would never have called her ''babe''. 'The tone and the grammar did not match.' Ms Foster recorded a phone call with Waddell, in which he explained that Ms Albone's phone had broken and she couldn't use the speaker. He told her: 'It has been really surreal - I can't go along every day without her. It has been hard. She is in the best place possible.' Wardell denies murder. The trial continues. Every year, when students at Royal Holloway are taking their exams, a massive union jack flag covers a painting on the wall of the picture gallery. The painting in question is Edward Landseer's Man Proposes, God Disposes, which has been haunting students for nearly a century. Inspired by the doomed Franklin Expedition of 1845, the painting shows two polar bears devouring the remains of a ship, as well as those of the humans on board. Since the first exams were taken at the university in west London in the 1920s, students have felt that, if they sit directly in front of it during an exam, they will fail. In the 1970s, worries about the curse prompted a student to refuse to sit near it. So the registrar at the time ran away and found the flag, the only thing that would cover it. The tradition continues to this day. The story was echoed by recent news of a 'haunted' portrait of a stern-faced girl that was returned twice to a charity shop in Hastings, leading the store managers to label it 'cursed'. Every year, when students at Royal Holloway are taking their exams, a massive union jack flag covers a painting on the wall of the picture gallery. The painting in question is Edward Landseer's Man Proposes, God Disposes, which has been haunting students for nearly a century Since the first exams were taken at the university in west London in the 1920s, students have felt that, if they sit directly in front of it during an exam, they will fail. In the 1970s, worries about the curse prompted a student to refuse to sit near it. So the registrar at the time ran away and found the flag, the only thing that would cover it. The tradition continues to this day. Above: Students taking their exams with the painting covered in the 1970s Speaking of Landseer's painting, Royal Holloway curator Dr Laura MacCulloch said in 2014: 'If you sit directly in front of it in an exam, you will fail - unless it's covered up.' Past students have also been told the myth that a student went into a trance after staring directly into one of the polar bears' eyes during an exam. She is said to have killed herself after etching the words 'the polar bears made me do it' onto her exam paper. Although there is no evidence to support the myth, students continue to believe it, Dr MacCulloch said. Sir John Franklin had set out with his crew on the ships HMS Terror and HMS Erebus to search for a navigable passage around the north of Canada through icy Arctic seas. But they ventured too far south and by the autumn of of 1846 they were trapped in the ice near King William Island. Exactly what happened after that remains largely a mystery, although research suggests the crew resorted to cannibalism and there were reports that their behaviour became erratic and bizarre. The story of the expedition was given a supernatural twist in 2021 BBC drama The Terror. The 12-strong crew saw no daylight for months after getting trapped and so to keep track of the days and nights they rang the bell, every half an hour. The story was echoed by recent news of a 'haunted' portrait of a stern-faced girl that was returned twice to a charity shop in Hastings, leading the store managers to label it 'cursed' The crew's final message before they were wiped out - sent April 25, 1848 - indicated that there were survivors - but, at that point they were abandoning their ships Sir John Franklin had set out with his crew on the ships HMS Terror and HMS Erebus to search for a navigable passage around the north of Canada through icy Arctic seas. The story of the expedition was given a supernatural twist in 2021 BBC drama The Terror The crew's final message before they were wiped out - sent April 25, 1848 - indicated that there were survivors - but, at that point they were abandoning their ships after 18 months trapped in the ice. The crew left the two vessels north of King William Island and set out on a harsh journey south toward a mainland trading post. Eventually Sir Franklin, along with all 128 crew members, perished in the Arctic. Tracy's health deteriorated days later and doctors say little more can be done A mum is fighting for life in an induced coma after a dog bite left her with a rare bacterial infection. Tracy Ridout, 53, was dogsitting a friend's German shepherd earlier this month and was trying to throw a toy when the pooch gave her a playful nip on the finger. The mother, from Perth, began suffering immense pain days later and eventually drove herself to Rockingham General Hospital early on August 18, where she found out she had an infection in her kidneys, liver and blood. Ms Ridout had contracted capnocytophaga canimorsus, an extremely rare bacterial infection passed on from an animal from a bite or lick. She was transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital as her condition rapidly deteriorated and her organs began shutting down. Doctors told her devastated family on Friday there was nothing more they could do. Perth mum Tracy Ridout (right with daughter Sophie) contracted contracted capnocytophaga canimorsus, an infection which ended up in her kidneys, liver and blood READ MORE: Boy mauled by a dog while playing rugby Carter suffered injuries to his head and chest, including a fractured nose, and was rushed to hospital where he underwent cosmetic surgery Advertisement Ms Ridout was placed in an induced coma so her body can fight the bacteria. Her family say she will keep fighting for life, despite the doctor's dire prognosis. 'It has also put her in septic shock - so mostly all of her body has gotten infected at this point,' daughter Sophie told Nine News. 'I've gone through shock, um I've just broken down crying, I've also just thought no this isn't happening this isn't real.' Their mum was originally unsure why she was in so much pain as she had been in a car crash a few weeks prior to being bitten. Sophie and her brother Kieren have spoken out to warn others about seeking urgent medical attention for a dog bite, regardless of how minor. 'Even if it's just a little dog bite because that's what happened to my Mum, it wasn't a vicious attack,' she said. Kieren added: 'Obviously, we didn't know what to look out for and Mum didn't know what to look out for and I don't think any of us did.' 'When Granddad explained to us what was going on I was kind of shocked that it's gone from a dog bite to we don't know what. 'I'm just trying to be strong ... the knowledge needs to be out there because God forbid it happens to someone else's mum or someone's family member in any way.' Doctors say there's nothing more they can do for Tracy (pictured in hospital) Sophie has set up an online fundraiser to help pay for medical bills and funeral expenses. 'We have gotten told exactly 7 days later, 25/08 that there is nothing left for the doctors to do and that they will make her comfortable until we are ready to let her go,' she wrote. 'Any donations will go straight to helping all the medical bills, funeral costs, bills, etc.' The bacteria is commonly found in the mouths of cats and dogs but rarely causes illness in humans. Symptoms include blisters near the wound, redness, swelling, pain or fever. 'The people at high risk of having an infected animal bite are those with compromised immune systems, including people with diabetes,' Australian Medical Association WA president Dr Michael Page said. 'We would recommend that nearly every animal bite is seen by a doctor so it can be properly cleaned out and had a close eye kept on it.' Footage shows a wild sequence of events that led to the arrest of an escaped inmate in Maryland - including how he was spotted by a journalist covering the story and cuffed moments later. The incident occurred near the notorious Jessup state prison last week, where 38-year-old career criminal Randy Morris had been serving a ten-year bid for burglary. However, during a drive to a nearby medical facility where officers inexplicably left Morris unhandcuffed, the con managed to escape - by simply opening one of the van's doors and walking out while it was stopped in traffic. Morris's exit, made around 8:30am August 17, spawned a massive search throughout the area, during which state police scanned several miles around Dorsey Run and Route 32, in search for the fugitive. After more than eight hours, cops had still come up empty - that is until an intrepid photographer working the case spotted a man he believed to be Morris exiting some brush. The lensman went on to confront the man, eventually leading to his capture. Scroll down for video: Footage shows a wild sequence of events that led to the arrest of 38-year-old Randy Morris, an escaped inmate from Maryland's Jessup state prison - including how he was spotted by a journalist covering the story and cuffed moments later While on the scene covering the con's escape, reporter Kate Amara managed to capture him on film, after a coworker recognized him from a booking photo. They contacted 911 and within the hour, the fugitive was arrested 'I was in the car, editing the story for 5pm, and I just happened to look up from my laptop, and I saw Mr. Morris,' recalled WBAL-TV's James 'Mac' Finney, who had been on the scene with reporter Kate Amara since the morning. 'He was walking across a grassy area that a few hours before was crawling with police,' the photographer, who has worked at the station for the past 40 years, said. Noticing the man - who had been wearing a white shirt instead of the characteristic orange jumpsuit many were looking for - was dirty as if he had been in hiding, Finney would eventually recognize him from a booking photo he saw earlier in the day. Finney said he then stepped out of his car, which he had parked in a shady parking garage to finish edits before the 5pm newscast, on what had been an exceedingly hot day. Alerting Amara by knocking on her car, Finney started to follow the fugitive - who was still within shouting distance and close enough to film. 'I said, "Are you Randy Morris?"' Finney remembered during a filmed interview with his outlet. 'He spun around, looked at me and said, "No, Im Randy James or James Morris," something like that,' he said. Not convinced, Finney remained calm, but quickly became concerned when he remembered he had left his camera in his car. Trying not to alert the man he already knew to be Morris, he took out his phone to dial 9-1-1. 'He didnt try to evade me until he realized I was on the phone,' Finney said, revealing his initial attempt at subtly failed, and sent the fugitive - whose priors range from domestic violence to resisting arrest - running. By this point, the journalist recalled, Amara had also begun following Morris, and was coming up on her coworker's rear. Morris, meanwhile, was moving quickly from the parking garage to some nearby railroad tracks. Veteran WBAL-TV photographer Mac Finney was the one to spot Morris, shortly after he exited some nearby brush. The lensman went on to confront him, eventually leading to his capture Morris - a career criminal with a laundry list of priors - had been serving a ten-year bid for burglary, and managed to walk out of a transport van on his way to a medical appointment. Cops remain unsure of how he exited the vehicle, and revealed he had not been restrained The pair tracked Morris running up this street, to a construction sight seen in distance, Within minutes, shouts and whistles helped guide the first responding officer to the fugitive As the con crossed the rail, Amara continued to follow, and whipped out her phone to record Morris' progress. As this was happening, a camera-less Finney continued to describe the situation to an emergency dispatcher, recounting Morris's movements as he made them. That footage reportedly shows a spooked Morris running toward a nearby construction site, where the two journalists said several workers, also recognizing the man, shouted, too. Within moments, dozens of cops were on the scene - and minutes later, Morris was filmed by being walked out by cops of some nearby woods, his head hung in apparent defeat. State Police went on to hail the pair's heroics - while also providing a decidedly vague statement describing how they believed the con escaped. 'For whatever reason, when the van stopped, the inmate decided to unlock the door and escape,' Maryland State Police spokesman Ron Snyder said, not revealing how Morris managed to unlock a door meant to confine him and four other high-risk inmates. The Department of Corrections declined to comment on whether securing an inmate during transport is part of their established protocol, citing a still-ongoing investigation into the con's escape. 'It's very early in the investigation,' Snyder said, with his force more than a week later having yet to provide a concrete account on how Morris exited the vehicle. 'We have multiple agencies looking into exactly what happened along with (Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services) officials to see what exactly happened this morning, how he was able to escape, and right now, our concern is locating him and bringing him back into custody.' Meanwhile, Finney is still being praised by his coworkers for his resourcefulness, and said he was met with a round of applause upon returning to the newsroom Friday to dutifully file his story. Amara said of her coworker: 'This is the value of being experienced in our profession.' 'Hes done this for so long, and he has this really calm demeanor and confidence. ... Im really proud of him.' A consummate professional, Finney said he was just focused on making his editors' deadline. He recalled telling dispatchers before hanging up the fateful 911 call: 'I respectfully said to the 911 operator, "I got to go file my story."' Lawsuits against the company say it failed to switch off power before the fires broke out, despite weather conditions which meant lines could spark a blaze The company took equipment including powerlines from a substation before investigators could comb the scene, it is claimed Hawaiian Electric, which is facing at least nine lawsuits linked to the fires, allegedly removed evidence from a scene close to where the blaze broke out The electricity company accused of negligence that caused wildfires which killed at least 115 people in Maui allegedly removed key evidence from a scene close to where the blaze initially broke out. Hawaiian Electric, whose power lines allegedly sparked the fires which tore across Maui two weeks ago, removed equipment from a substation before investigators could search for clues about how the fires started, it is claimed. The allegations surfaced on Thursday after at least nine lawsuits were filed against the company. Those suits, brought by residents of the island and Maui County, say the company failed to switch off power despite weather conditions which meant lines could be damaged and spark a fire. Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - which investigates fire and arson-related crimes - arrived in Maui last week to help with the probe into how the deadly infernos began. But by the time they arrived, utility crews had cleared equipment including damaged powerlines from a key scene of the fires and moved it to a warehouse, according to a Washington Post report. The scene, a power substation Lahainaluna Road, is close where the fires are believed to have started. Electricians work on power lines in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, on August 16, 2023 Hawaii Electric, whose power lines allegedly sparked the fires which tore across Maui two weeks ago, removed equipment from a substation before investigators could search for clues about how the fires started, it is claimed The fires are thought to have started shortly after 6.30am on Tuesday, August 8. A picture filmed by a Lahaina resident shows the initial blaze, which was brought under control before a flareup quickly spread across the town Details emerged after the FBI released a list of nearly 400 names of people still missing after the fires. The removal of the equipment could be a breach of national guidelines on how utilities should preserve evidence after wildfires, it is claimed. Hawaii Electric said it is in 'in regular communication with ATF and local authorities and [is] cooperating to provide them, as well as attorneys representing people affected by the wildfires, with inventories and access to the removed equipment, which we have carefully photographed, documented and stored'. Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University, told the Post: 'If a lot of equipment is already moved or gone by the time investigators show up, thats problematic because you want to observe where the equipment was relative to the ignition site.' Wara said 'once you remove these things, it's much harder to understand what happened'. ATF investigators are working to determine 'the origin and cause of the wildfires'. The Maui probe is only the agency's third wildland fire investigation. Such inquiries usually fall within the remit of the Forest Service of the US Department of Agriculture, but that agency is not involved because the fires weren't on national forest lands. Lawyers representing families in Lahaina initially asked Hawaiian Electric on August 10 to preserve evidence, the Post reported. A response from the company the following day said it was 'taking reasonable steps to preserve its own property'. But it added that the number of search and rescue teams on the ground made it 'possible, even likely, that the actions of these third parties, whose actions Hawaiian Electric does not control, may result in the loss of property or other items that relate to the cause of the fire'. The response added: 'Hawaiian Electric will take reasonable steps to preserve evidence but cannot make any guarantees due to the rapidly evolving situation on the ground, which also is not within our control.' On August 18, a judge signed an order that outlined how the company should treat evidence around the 'suspected area of origin'. Maui County filed a suit against Hawaiian Electric on Thursday. The lawsuit was filed in the Second Circuit Court in Hawaii and names Maui Electric Company, Limited, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. as defendants. It alleges the companies acted negligently when they did not power down their equipment following the Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Services on August 7. The Maui wildfires, which erupted on August 8, have killed at least 115 people but the death toll is expected to climb. Maui County is suing energy firm Hawaiian Electric for the damages caused by the wildfires on the Island The lawsuit, filed in the Second Circuit Court in Hawaii, alleges the utility company and its subsidiaries on Maui acted negligently when they did not power down their equipment following the Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Services on August 7 The Maui wildfires, which erupted on August 8, have killed at least 115 people but the death toll is expected to climb The lawsuit claims power lines were still energized when they were downed by strong winds from Hurricane Dora and ignited the dry grass and brush that caused the deadly fires. The suit asks for an unspecified amount of money from the power company. Maui County says the failure to maintain the system and the grid caused systemic failures and started three fires on the island. 'Maui County stands alongside the people and communities of Lahaina and Kula to recover public resource damages and rebuild after these devastating utility-caused fires,' the lawsuit states. 'These damages include losses to public infrastructure, fire response costs, losses to revenues, increased costs, environmental damages, and losses of historical or cultural landmarks.' The fires in Lahaina and Kula burned over 3,000 acres of land, destroyed more than 2,220 buildings and caused an estimated $5.5billion worth of damage. Maui is seeking unspecified civil damages. Several reports have surfaced detailing allegations that the company's failure to maintain its grid properly resulted in the disaster. Videos have also surfaced on Facebook that purport to show powerlines entangled with overgrown trees and vegetation. Investigators have not determined the exact cause of the fires. Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura said during an August 14 press conference the company does not have an automatic shut-off plan that other utilities use to limit fire. The fires burned over 3,000 acres of land, destroyed more than 2,220 buildings and caused an estimated $5.5billion worth of damage. Maui is seeking unspecified civil damages Maui County says Hawaiian Electric's failure to maintain the system and the grid caused systemic failures and started three fires on the island This image, captured at the Maui Bird Conservation Center near Makawao, appears to show a bright flash in the woods that many believe was caused by a tree falling on a powerline She said doing so could harm the elderly, hospital patients and hinder water pumps, which are essential for firefighting. A representative for the company said an investigation is underway to determine what happened. The company's stock price took a dive and was given a junk rating by S&P after lawsuits on behalf of the victims alleged it was responsible for the deadly wildfires on Maui. Lahaina residents in one of the lawsuits claimed Hawaiian Electric is responsible for the fires after failing to shut off power lines despite warnings from the National Weather Service that high winds could blow those lines down and spark fast-spreading wildfires. 'By failing to shut off the power during these dangerous fire conditions, defendants caused loss of life, serious injuries, destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses, displacement of thousands of people, and damage to many of Hawaii's historic and cultural sites,' the plaintiffs said in the lawsuit, which raises gross negligence and private nuisance claims, among others. Hawaiian Electric has agreed to investigate their role and said they would cooperate with a separate probe into the fire launched by Hawaii's attorney general last week. 'We all believe it's important to understand what happened. And I think we all believe it's important to make sure it doesn't happen again,' chief executive Kimura said. Hawaiian Electric provides power for 95 percent of Hawaii residents, according to the company's website. The lawsuit claims that power lines were still energized when they were downed by strong winds and ignited the dry grass and brush which caused the deadly fires Investigators have not worked out the cause of the fires yet It vowed to conduct drone surveys to identify areas vulnerable to wildfires and determine how to help keep residents and infrastructure safe. But four years later, very little had followed and only $245,000, between 2019 and 2022, had been invested on wildfire-specific projects on the island, The Wall Street Journal reported. Hawaiian Electric instead focused on a push to convert to renewables after a 2008 spike in oil prices as it relies on petroleum imports for 80 percent of its energy supply. In 2015, lawmakers passed legislation mandating that the state derive 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2045, the first such requirement in the U.S. Hawaiian Electric revealed in 2017 that it would reach the goal five years ahead of schedule but that focus may have come at the cost of fire mitigation according to some experts. Workers were seen today searching through the rubble of Britain's wonkiest pub after police arrested two men on suspicion of arson. Specialist teams in white protective suits have been searching through the ruins of the Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire in order to remove any dangerous materials. The building's foundations and brickwork will be kept on site pending a possible rebuilding. Staffordshire Police said in a statement yesterday that a 66-year-old man from Dudley and a 33-year-old man from Milton Keynes had been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. They remain in custody for questioning. The historic building, which became famous for its wonky floors and walls, was gutted in a suspected arson attack on August 5 and bulldozed without council permission two days later - sparking both mystery and anger over what happened. Specialist teams in white protective suits have been searching through the ruins of the Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire in order to remove any dangerous materials The building's foundations and brickwork will be kept on site pending a possible rebuilding A worker in a protective suit goes through the rubble of the historic pub in search of hazardous materials Police have arrested two men, aged 33 and 66, on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire destroyed the Crooked House pub in Hilmley, Staffordshire Suspicions grew as the popular pub was destroyed just days after it was sold. READ MORE - Paranormal 'investigators' guard remains of pub they claim was haunted by a barmaid called Polly Advertisement Just last week, the jet-setting owners of the boozer vehemently denied any responsibility. The couple at the heart of the storm - 34-year-old owner Carly Taylor and her husband Adam - removed themselves from the situation by escaping on holiday in a luxury 15,000-a-week villa in Corfu. This week, Mr Taylor refused to respond to requests for a statement about the destruction of the much-loved 18th century pub that was about to become a listed building after he was confronted by a Daily Mail reporter. Previously Taylor who owns a landfill site next to the inn in Himley, Staffs had told a reporter to 'P*** off' and condemned the outrage surrounding the gutting of the Cooked House as 'bulls***'. He told The Sun: 'Just p*** off and let us have a holiday away from all the lies and bulls*** in England. Suspicions grew as the popular pub was destroyed just days after it was sold. Pictured are workers going through its rubble today Thousands of bricks that made up the structure remain in place after it was bulldozed without council permission A tractor is on site assisting with the major operation to go through the ruins A worker in a protective suit puts items in an orange plastic bag An aerial view of the site, which is in the middle of a patch of woodland 'There was nothing serious. I'm not getting into discussing it. 'We didn't answer anything in the UK because of the police investigation so we're not f***ing gonna answer anything here, are we? 'When the police finish their investigation I'll put a story out then, when I'm ready.' But while the Taylors enjoy their holiday, local people living close to the smoking wreck of The Crooked House have taken matters into their own hands have pledged to stand in the way of workers trying to clear the site until they have some answers. The site had to be fenced off and patrolled by a security team and dog unit, but a plucky group of protesters made their presence known regardless. Emma Smith has been creating handmade t-shirts against the pub's destruction and has been at the demolition site since it was knocked down. Until August 5 when it mysteriously burnt down and was then bulldozed without council permission, The Crooked House in Himley, Staffs, held the title of Britain's wonkiest pub Andy Taylor and his glamorous jet-setting wife Carly (pictured together) bought the pub two weeks before it went up in flames While two people have been arrested over arson, the owners of the pub have been enjoying themselves on holiday in Corfu Remnants of the pub including the sign for the car park still remain at the site She told MailOnline this week: 'I've been down here since the beginning. I only live less than a minute away. 'I don't know what they're doing, they shouldn't be touching our bricks. I don't know what they're trying to do. Lies and lies. 'They've just had some random people come and just knock it down. 'It wasn't one of those pubs that you'd go to every night. 'We all feel the same about this. We want answers.' The council has said it is undertaking a thorough and active investigation into the incident and is committed to working with partners 'using the legal powers available to us'. On Tuesday, the council said it would monitor work at the site after securing an agreement that bricks and foundations will be kept there. Mr Taylor (pictured) stormed back to his 15,000-a-week villa on the sun-drenched Greek island after he was confronted by a Daily Mail reporter Detectives investigating the fire at the Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire, have detained two men on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and they will remain in custody for questioning The pub, built as a farmhouse in 1765, began sinking on one side because of extensive coal mining in the area. It became a pub known as The Siden House around 1830 - named for the word in the local dialect that meant crooked. In the 1940s, after being renamed Glynne Arms, the pub was condemned as unsafe until new owners shored it up so it was structurally sound but retained its asymmetrical charms. It was then called The Crooked House and became a tourist destination. One side of the building was about 4 feet lower than the other and it was known for its tilting grandfather clock and a bar where coins and marbles appeared to roll uphill. Days before the fire, an online petition was launched to save the bar because the developers who bought it planned to use it for something else. The 'Save The Crooked House' petition was up to more than 22,000 signatures Thursday. When the blaze broke out, firefighters were unable to reach the pub because a large mound of dirt was piled in a rural road. It was bulldozed without council permission - to the horror of locals - two days after it was gutted when it went up in flames on August 5 An aerial view of the demolition team separating and sorting bricks of the gutted Crooked House pub The total demolition of the pub had not been approved by the council - who had only permitted the top floor could be demolished over safety fears. Police have urged anyone with information to contact them by calling 101 or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 'We continue to appeal to anyone with any information which could help us to get in touch. Call 101, quoting incident 761 of 5 August or message us using Live Chat on our website www.staffordshire.police.uk,' the police force said. A judge has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence, accused of 'perverting the law' after ordering schools in Germany not to enforce lockdown regulations during the pandemic. Christian Dettmar, 60, ruled in 2021 that two schools in Weimar, Thuringia should not have to enforce national lockdown guidance for children, including wearing masks while at school, testing for infection and keeping socially distanced. The family court judge's decision was ultimately overturned and he was accused of ruling on matters over which he had no authority, before he was finally suspended in January this year. On Wednesday, a judge ruled that Dettmar has now been sentenced to two years' probation for obstruction of justice - a decision that will deprive the judge of both his role and pension. Illustrative image shows a teacher and students wearing masks during the Covid pandemic. Lockdowns in Germany saw mask mandates and enforced school closures across the country As well as raising concerns the judge did not have the authority to make such decisions, opposition lawyers argued Dettmar had read selectively to reach his conclusion. It was alleged he had only listened to evidence from experts critical of lockdowns before writing his verdict, and the prosecution argued the move was political, without regard for the children's safety. The document backing up Dettmar's original decision was more than 100 pages long and argued the mandates were a 'danger to the mental, physical or psychological wellbeing' of children. He speaks of the 'lack of benefit of mask-wearing and of complying with social distancing regulations for the children themselves and for third persons' and the perceived 'unsuitability' of PCR and rapid tests for measuring infections'. Dettmar also references the 'right of children to education and school teaching'. But in sentencing Dettmar, the presiding judge argued he had reached a verdict that 'he had intended from the outset'. Dr Gerhard Strate, representing Dettmar, criticised the court's decision to focus only on whether his client had been 'impartial'. He said they would appeal the decision. Dettmar had already been suspended on probation pending the investigation, losing 25 per cent of his salary, and had his mobile phone and laptop confiscated after a police raid on his flat. Strate represented Ronald Barnabas Schill in 2001, then District Judge and later Senator for the Interior in Hamburg. Schill had been fined for 'perverting the law' - but was later acquitted with Strate's representation. 'Star lawyer' Gerhard Strate said they would appeal the decision made against Dettmar The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in nearly 40,000,000 confirmed cases in Germany and nearly 200,000 deaths. Under then-Chancellor Angela Merkel, the country closed schools and kindergartens on 13 March 2020 before closing borders to neighbouring nations. Curfews were imposed in six states before the end of the month, loosened in April and May before the country went back into partial lockdown as cases rose towards the end of the year. Masks were made mandatory in December on public transport and in shops. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to stand trial on charges that his 2007 election campaign received 42million in illegal financing from the Libyan government under its late dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy, 68, and 12 others will all go on trial in 2025, the national financial prosecutor Jean-Francois Bohnert announced following the closure of the decade-long investigation into the financing. The case is the biggest of multiple corruption investigations involving the right-wing politician. He has been convicted in two others but denies any wrongdoing in all cases. In the Libya case, he is charged with illegal campaign financing, embezzling, passive corruption, and related counts. The trial of the former president, who held the office between 2007 and 2012, will run from January to April 2025. The dozen others also standing trial include three of his former ministers. Late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi (right) and then French President Nicolas Sarkozy are pictured during the National anthems at the Bab Azizia Palace in Tripoli on July 25, 2007 Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured) is set to stand trial on charges that his 2007 election campaign received 42million in illegal financing from the Libyan government under it's late dictator Muammar Gaddafi Sarkozy has been under investigation in the Libya case since 2013. Investigators examined claims that Gaddafi's regime secretly gave Sarkozy 50 million euros (42 million) for his winning 2007 campaign. The sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time and would violate French rules against foreign campaign financing. Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted following trial in the case. Among the 12 others facing trial in the case are Sarkozy's former right-hand man Claude Gueant, his then head of campaign financing Eric Woerth, and former Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux. The investigation gained traction when French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told news site Mediapart in 2016 that he had delivered suitcases from Libya containing five million euro (4.2 million) in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff. Takieddine later reversed course and Sarkozy sought to have the investigation closed. After becoming president in 2007, Sarkozy welcomed Gaddafi to France with high honours later that year. Sarkozy then put France at the forefront of NATO-led air strikes that helped rebel fighters topple Mr Gaddafi's government in 2011. In an unrelated case, Sarkozy was sentenced to a year under house arrest for illegal campaign financing of his unsuccessful 2012 re-election bid. He is free while the case is pending appeal. Then French President Nicolas Sarkozy (right) and late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi pose during the signature of 10 billion euros of trade contracts between the two countries, at the Elysee Palace in Paris on December 10, 2007 Sarkozy was also found guilty of corruption and influence peddling in another case and sentenced to a year under house arrest in an appeals trial in May this year. He took the case to France's highest court, which suspended the sentence. Despite the charges, Sarkozy still remains a somewhat popular figure in France. While support for his former political grouping Les Republicans has greatly diminished in the face of Macron's central alliance, the former president's legacy is still evident in the current government. The 68-year-old endorsed Macron at the last election and many of his former proteges currently hold ministerial positions. Sarkozy's conservative predecessor, the late Jacques Chirac, was found guilty of corruption in 2011, four years after he left office. The White House has said President Joe Biden didn't hear the question when he gave his heavily criticized 'no comment' response about the devastation in Maui. The president was slammed for making the statement on August 14th, while he was on a beach vacation as fires destroyed homes and killed more than 100 people on the Hawain island. Now the White House is trying to clean up his response. 'He didn't hear the question,' White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton told DailyMail.com. 'He absolutely didn't say 'no comment' in relation to Maui. And in fact, he had already spoken to the nation about Maui at that point, in addition to being in daily contact with senior staff, FEMA and state officials as he marshaled a whole-of-government response to the fires.' President Biden was at Rehoboth Beach when he said 'no comment' about Maui fires Biden was taking a long weekend at his Rehoboth Beach house when he was asked about the fires. Reporters traveling with him noted it was hard to hear the president's response to their question. He had been on the beach with first lady Jill Biden and family friends when he responded to the inquiry from the press. Republicans pounced on his remarks, arguing that a president who claims to be sensitive was, in fact, being the opposite. Compounding the problem, the White House was slow to say whether or not Biden would go visit the devastation. He ultimately did so - but was accused of being insensitive on that trip too. The issue of Biden's conduct has remained in the forefront as Republicans keep piling on. Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination slammed Biden's response. 'To say 'no comment' is oftentimes fine, but to be smiling when you say it, especially against such a tragedy as this, is absolutely horrible and unacceptable,' Trump said. And, at Wednesday night's Republican primary debate, Ron DeSantis tore into Biden's response to the Maui wildfires. 'Biden was on the beach while those people were suffering,' the Florida governor said in a response to question on climate change. 'He was asked about it and said no comment. Are you kidding me? As somebody that has handled disasters in Florida you have to be activated. You have to be there, present and helping people who are doing.' President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk with Hawaii Governor Josh Green and his wife Jaime Green as they tour the fire-ravaged town of Lahaina on Monday Crosses honoring victims killed in a recent wildfire are posted along the Lahaina Bypass in Lahaina, Hawaii Biden visited Maui on Monday to see the devastation from the wildfires but was criticized when he tried to relate to the victims by dredging up his own family tragedy and talking about a decades-old kitchen fire in his home. Maui County has released the names of 388 people still missing in the deadliest wildfire in American history. The number of confirmed dead after stands at 115, a number the county said is expected to rise. An additional 1,732 people who had been reported missing have been found safe as of Thursday afternoon, officials said. Former Ukranian Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin is accusing Joe and Hunter Biden of 'corruption' - saying they accepted large money 'bribes' from Burisma and were behind his firing. Shokin, who was ousted as Ukraine's top prosecutor in 2016, made the accusations during excerpts of an upcoming explosive interview airing on Fox News. At the time of his firing, he was investigating oil company Burisma Holdings for corruption - when Hunter was serving on the firm's board. 'I do not want to deal in unproven facts. But my firm personal conviction is that yes, this was the case. They were being bribed,' Shokin says in the clip of the interview. 'The fact that Joe Biden gave away $1 billion in U.S. money in exchange for my dismissal - my firing - isn't that alone a case of corruption?' he continues in another clip. A photo of Joe and Hunter found on Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop Former Ukranian Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin is accusing Joe and Hunter Biden of 'corruption' The full interview will air Saturday evening at 8 pm ET with Brian Kilmeade. The White House is accusing Fox News of giving a 'platform to lies' by airing the interview. 'For years, these false claims have been debunked, and no matter how much air time Fox gives them, they will remain false,' said White House spokesperson Ian Sams. 'Fox is giving a platform for these lies to a former Ukrainian prosecutor general whose office his own deputy called 'a hotbed of corruption', drawing demands for reform not only from then-Vice President Biden but also from U.S. diplomats, international partners, and Republican Senators like Ron Johnson.' In December 2015, then-Vice President Joe Biden delivered a speech to the Ukrainian Rada during which he touted his anti-corruption efforts in the country and urged an overhaul and reform of the office of the general prosecutor. A few months later in March 2016, Joe Biden is alleged to have threatened to withhold $1 billion in aid to Ukraine if Shokin specifically was not fired for corruption - and he was shortly thereafter. Years later, Biden actually bragged about his firing at a Council on Foreign Relations event in 2018. Biden said that he would withhold a billion dollars in U.S. aid if the Ukrainians did not agree to fire Shokin. 'I looked at them and said, 'I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money,' Biden said. 'Well, son of a b****. He got fired,' he continued. Republicans have said Hunter's Burisma entanglement and possible influence in Shokin's firing is evidence of the Biden family's influence peddling scheme. As part of a larger investigation, they are seeking records revealing Joe Biden's use of pseudonyms to discuss his activities related to Ukraine with his son Hunter during his time as vice president. They specifically want an un-redacted document that indicates that then-Vice President Biden took a call with the president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, on May 27, 2016. Republicans say the document was emailed to 'Robert L. Peters' which is 'a pseudonym' the House Oversight Committee has 'identified as then Vice-President Biden,' a letter obtained by DailyMail.com states. Hunter Biden's ex-business partner Archer testified before the House Oversight Committee earlier this month that Joe Biden's 'brand' protected Burisma because 'people would be intimidated to mess with them.' Hunter's presence on Burisma's board and access to his father - then vice president - led to the company's 'longevity' because they had the 'capabilities to navigate D.C.,' Archer said according to the transcript. Hunter's best friend and business associate sat with him on Burisma's board beginning in 2014. They also started Rosemont Seneca Partners, an investment advisory firm, together. He confirmed that Hunter put Joe on speakerphone 20 times during business meetings over a 10-year period, which was a 'signal' of 'value,' and Hunter used his dad as 'defensive leverage.' President Joe Biden addresses the Ukraine Parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2015 Pictures contained on Hunter Biden's laptop Republicans have said Hunter's Burisma entanglement and possible influence in Shokin's firing is evidence of the Biden family's influence peddling scheme Archer said it was 'government pressure' from the ongoing Ukrainian investigation into the company at the time - led by top prosecutor Shokin He also told lawmakers that Joe sat and had dinner in-person on at least two occasions with Hunter and his foreign business partners, who then wired money almost immediately after to Biden-affiliated companies. During a dinner with Burisma executives at the Four Seasons in Dubai in December 2015, Hunter said he would be able to get 'help from D.C.' in order to relieve some 'government pressure' on the company. Archer testified that Burisma was 'getting pressure' and as a result, they 'requested Hunter, you know, help them with some of that pressure.' He said it was 'government pressure' from the ongoing Ukrainian investigation into the company at the time - led by top prosecutor Shokin. However, Archer said that Shokin 'wasn't specifically on my radar as being an individual that was -- that was targeting him.' 'But yes, there was constant pressure. And it was like it was like whack a mole in regards to the pressures that had to resolve,' Archer continued. He said that the Burisma executives weren't specific in asking directly 'can the big guy help?' Rather, they used the 'amorphous' term: 'can we get help in D.C.?' Archer understood that 'D.C.' meant Hunter's influence based on his connection to his then-VP father. 'Well, I mean, he was a lobbyist and an expert and obviously he carried, you know, a very powerful name. So I think it was that's what they were asking for,' said Archer. A woman who bravely gathered evidence to help police snare her killer boyfriend shed tears outside court as he was jailed for 12 years. Alexander 'Sandy' McKellar, 33, and his twin brother Robert were driving along the A82 in Argyll, Scotland, after an evening in the pub when he knocked down and killed cyclist Tony Parsons, 63. The pair tried to cover up the crime in September 2017 by burying the former Navy petty officer on the nearby 9,000-acre Auch estate, inside a peat bog where animal carcasses were dumped. Three years later, McKellar confessed to his terrified fiancee Caroline Muirhead what he had done. Ms Muirhead, 32, was later taken to the burial site, which she marked out by dropping an empty can of Red Bull - allowing police to pinpoint the body's location. Today at the High Court in Glasgow, McKellar was jailed for 12 years while his brother was sentenced to five years and three months. Caroline Muirhead, the former partner of Alexander McKellar, leaves the High Court, Glasgow, following the sentence hearing of the McKellar brothers Ms Muirhead appeared visibly moved as she left the court after seeing her former fiance jailed for 12 years McKellar, 33, and his twin Robert tried to cover up the crime in September 2017 by burying the former Navy petty officer Cyclist Tony Parsons was struck by a pick-up truck being driven by a drunk Sandy McKellar with Robert in the passenger seat Tony Parsons' body was discovered thanks to a can of Red Bull left at his burial site by Ms Muirhead Caroline Muirhead asked her boyfriend to take her to the site where he buried Tony Parsons' body. She filmed part of the car journey and later left the Red Bull can she had been drinking as a marker Caroline Muirhead, 32, gathered evidence that helped to convict Alexander Sandy McKellar after he knocked down and killed cyclist Tony Parsons Ms Muirhead, a pathologist, revealed to Sky News her fear of a revenge attack once Mckellar is freed and said that she has been offered 24-hour security cameras at her parents' Glasgow home. Ms Muirhead said there was a '100%' risk that Sandy could harm her after his release from prison, adding: 'You're telling me that man is not going to come knock on my door when he gets out?' Father-of-two Mr Parsons had won a battle with prostate cancer, and was over halfway through a 100-mile charity ride from his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, to Fort William, at the time of his death. He travelled north by train on the morning of September 29, 2017. But after 11pm, when he was last seen having a drink in the Bridge of Orchy hotel, he was struck by a pick-up truck being driven by a drunk Sandy McKellar with Robert in the passenger seat. The brothers had been drinking in the same bar as Mr Parsons before they crashed into him on the A82 on their way back home through the 9,000-acre Auch Estate in Argyll. They decided to bury his body in a peat bog and lived with their secret for just over three years. Sandy McKellar admitted his crimes to Ms Muirhead in November 2020 as they discussed getting married. She told the Sunday Mail: I was in shock, frozen almost. I didnt know what to believe. This man I thought I could be with for the rest of my life had just told me he was a killer. I didnt know what to do. After his confession, Ms Muirhead spent a month gathering information. She asked McKellar to take her to the burial site, where she recorded part of the car journey while drinking a can of Red Bull - which she left at the scene as a marker. Ms Muirhead, a forensic pathologist from Glasgow, told how McKellar first appeared gentle and kind towards her, but his personality could change when he drank heavily. She recalled asking him in late November 2020 if he was OK after he visibly tensed when a police car drove past them one evening. She said: I asked him, What is it? What is going on? What is it youre not telling me?" 'I said if we were going to be together and be a team, he needed to tell me what was wrong and Id support him. Police search a Highland farm at Auch Estate in connection with the disappearance of Tony Parsons on January 8, 2021 in Bridge of Orchy, Scotland Ms Muirhead asked McKellar to take her to the burial site, where she recorded part of the car journey while drinking a can of Red Bull - which she left at the scene as a marker Ms Muirhead became emotional as she described thinking of Mr Parsons' family, who for three years had no idea what had happened to him He started having a panic attack. He was gasping and started wailing. Then he told me what hed done something that hed got away with for years. He then took her to the site of the grave on the estate where he lived. Ms Muirhead said: He pointed out where the body was and told me what had happened and how they (the brothers) had hit him, that it was an accident. He said they hadnt trusted the police, theyd had issues with them before and thought they were out to get them, so thats why they didnt go to the police. Ms Muirhead is now pressing for greater protection for witnesses in High Court trials and is exploring legal actin against criminal justice authorities in Scotland. She alleges that after giving Police Scotland the clue they needed to find Mr Parsons' body, detectives pressured her into 'spying' on the twins for a further nine months in order to bolster their case. She also claims officers leaked key evidence to locals revealing the part she was playing in the inquiry. Scotland's police watchdog the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) confirmed it has been instructed by the Crown Office to probe 'allegations of criminality' against the force. She said: 'I have not just been manipulated by being lied to. I've been violated. I've been abused and taken advantage of. 'I literally gave them as much as I could above and beyond. They never saw me as a human. They terrorised me. They intimidated me. They took me out of my job. Here I am, I've lost my job. I've lost my possessions. My family are terrified.' Members of Mr Parsons's family, including his widow Margaret (centre) and children Mike (left) and Victoria (right), were in court for today's sentencing hearing The widow of charity cyclist Tony Parsons, Margaret Parsons (left) and their daughter Victoria, arrive at the High Court for a hearing last month Ms Muirhead described one incident where she walked into a pub, while the patrons all stopped and stared. She said the barman asked if she wanted a 'Red Bull sugar free like the gravesite?' and the other customers spat at her. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on these assertions as criminal proceedings have not concluded. 'There are a number of outstanding complaints which will be progressed at the conclusion of all criminal proceedings.' Members of Mr Parsons's family, including his widow Margaret and children Mike and Victoria, were in court for today's sentencing hearing. The cyclist's family released a statement after the guilty pleas, saying he loved 'nothing more' than spending time with his grandchildren. The statement said: 'As you can imagine, not knowing what has happened to someone and then the devastating news that we were provided has taken its toll on all of us as a family. 'At last justice has been done and we would like to thank not only the court officials and officers from Police Scotland's major investigation team, Forth Valley Division; and other Police Scotland departments who worked on this case, but all the volunteers and mountain rescue teams who tirelessly searched for him in the earlier stages of the inquiry.' Mr Parson's son Mike (right) and his wife arrive at the High Court, Glasgow, for the sentencing of drunk-driver Alexander McKellar who killed his father with his car on September 29, 2017 The final journey of former naval officer and charity cyclist Tony Parsons Police officers search a valley on the outskirts of Tyndrum, Stirlingshire Both McKellars had been due to stand trial for murder, but appeared in court last month to plead guilty to lesser charges. Sentencing Alexander McKellar, Judge Lord Armstrong said: 'Alexander McKellar, on September 29, 2017, you consumed alcohol and you did drive from there in the direction of your home. 'On the course of that night you collided with Tony Parsons on the A82 who was riding his bicycle. The extensive damage to the front of your vehicle is indicative of the force you hit him with. 'He sustained multiple rib fractures and complex pelvic fractures. 'The cause of his death is likely to have been a result of impacted breathing and a bleeding thorax. 'Mr Parsons's family have been deeply impacted and the emotional harm is ongoing. 'There is nothing I can say or do to compensate for their loss.' Airline passengers are used to weighing their luggage, but now travellers on South Korea's flag carriers could be weighed themselves before boarding their flights. Korean Air, the country's largest airline, has become the latest company to announce that it will be measuring the average weight of passengers and their carry-on items 'for flight safety'. Similar measures came into place in New Zealand in June, when more than 10,000 passengers flying with Air New Zealand were expected to weigh themselves pre-flight. Now travellers flying from South Korea's two biggest airports in Seoul will be asked to step on the scales at the airport, in a move which the government says is 'crucial for safety of flight operations'. The new measures will come into effect at Gimpo Airport from 28 August to 6 September, while the same is true for passengers departing from Incheon International Airport from 8-19 September. Korean Air, the country's largest airline has become the latest company to announce that it will be measuring the average weight of passengers and their carry-on items Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation (MOLIT) has issued the advice to all Korean flag carriers in order to update its 'Aircraft Weight and Balance Management Standards'. 'This is crucial for safety of flight operations, and Korean Air complies with this mandate and remains committed to safety, its number one priority,' they said. Concerns over the move have been raised by some online, but the company has emphasised that participating passengers' privacy will be maintained. 'Korean Air passengers will be asked to step on scales with their carried-on items at each boarding gate,' a Korean Air official told Korea JoongAng Daily. 'The data collated anonymously will be utilized for survey purposes and doesn't mean overweight passengers will need to pay more.' Passengers may also be relieved to hear that if they would prefer not to be weighed they will be able to skip it. It comes after a five-week survey of passengers by Kiwi carrier Air New Zealand, announced in May, with scales set up in Auckland airport. It comes after a five-week survey of passengers by Kiwi carrier Air New Zealand, announced in May, with scales set up in Auckland airport More than 10,000 passengers flying with Air New Zealand were expected to weigh themselves pre-flight (stock image) Air New Zealand load control specialist Alastair James stressed at the time that the survey was completely voluntary and anonymous. 'We know stepping on the scales can be daunting. We want to reassure our customers there is no visible display anywhere,' he told Seven Sharp. 'We need to know the weights of everything that go onboard our aircraft. 'For passengers or customers, crew and their cabin bags, we use an average weight and that average weight comes from this survey.' Mr James explained that the survey required at least 10,000 people to take part 'to get a reasonable sample of the travelling public'. While he admitted that the process 'seems a little unusual', he said it was important for the airline to determine the average weight on flights. As well as the weight of passengers, crew and luggage, the survey also weighed cargo and meals onboard. The survey is a requirement of the country's Civil Aviation Authority and Air New Zealand conducts it every five years. The lover of runaway aristocrat Constance Marten begged to join his girlfriend in the dock today as the pair were told they would have to spend more time in jail before the start of their trial. Mark Gordon, 48, and Constance Marten, 35, sparked a huge police hunt after they went on the run with their new born baby in January this year. Their baby, Victoria was later found dead in a plastic bag in a shed under a heap of nappies on a Brighton allotment. Today, the prosecution sought to convince a judge to allow the pair to be kept in custody until Monday January 8, 2024 to allow for any possible delays to the start of their trial. Marten came into the dock in person, but Gordon attended on a videolink from HMP Belmarsh. Constance Marten, 35, (left) and Mark Gordon, 48, (right) sparked a huge police hunt after they went on the run with their new born baby in January this year Their baby, Victoria was later found dead in a plastic bag in a shed under a heap of nappies on a Brighton allotment. Pictured is a tribute to Victoria 'When asked by the judge if he was Mark Gordon he responded: ''Yes. I would like to be present in court. Why am I here?' Gordon's defence counsel Kevin Light KC said: 'On behalf of my client, I am asking whether he could be produced today. 'For reasons that have been explained to me, he was not produced for this hearing. He would like me to express that his is unhappy he has not been produced. 'He is concerned about not being produced in future.' Mr Light then explained he had difficulties meeting with Gordon to discuss the case. He said: 'I have been to see him on three occasions at Belmarsh and unfortunately on two of these occasions what should have been two hour meetings turned into one hour meetings because of prisoners being moved.' Judge Richard Marks explained that although it is not normal practice for defendants to appear in administrative hearings he resolved to 'make a note on the system that he is to be produced at the next appointment.' The judge questioned why Marten was in court for the hearing, saying: 'I do not know why the other defendant has been produced.' Mr Philip Sapsford, Marten's defence barrister explained he was going to discuss the case with her after the hearing. Previously the couple have been told off by a security guard when they chatted in the dock together. Marten and Gordon are accused of the manslaughter of Victoria, concealment of the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. Today, Marten came into the dock in person, but Gordon attended on a videolink from HMP Belmarsh Hundreds of officers from the Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police, as well as search and rescue volunteers, scoured 90 square miles of land in the search for the baby. The couple were caught on CCTV wearing heavy outdoor clothing, carrying bags down the street, before they were arrested. They were reported missing on 5 January after their car caught fire on the M61 near Bolton. It is thought Marten had given birth just a few days before and had not been assessed by medical professionals. Over the following days, there were sightings of them in a number of places, including Liverpool, Essex, south London and East Sussex. The couple had been sleeping rough in a blue tent and had avoided being traced by the police by only making payments in cash and booking hotels using false names. Earlier prosecutor Jeremy King told the court the baby's placenta was found in an abandoned car on 5 January this year with Marten's passport next to it. The hearing today was to extend the amount of time they can be held in custody before a trial. Marten said only 'Yes' from the dock to confirm her name. Judge Marks said: 'Application was made by the prosecution to extend the custody time limit due to expire on the first of September. 'I have read the application. As far as I know it has not been opposed.' Prosecution counsel Jonathan Polnay KC then requested that the custody limit be extended to Monday 8th January 2024 to allow for possible delays to the start of the trial, citing the possibility of 'delay selecting a jury or any other legal matters.' Judge Marks replied:'I will grant the application to extend the custody time limit.' The court also heard that some additional medical reports had been submitted as ordered as part of the case. Marten bowed to the judge as she was led out of the courtroom. The trial is set for 2 January 2024. The couple's custody period was extended from 1 September 2023 to Monday 8th January 2024. Marten was born to a wealthy family and grew up at Dorset estate Crichel House and her grandmother was a playmate of Princess Margaret. The promising drama student met Gordon in 2016 and they led a nomadic lifestyle after leaving their home in southeast London last September. Marten's estranged father Napier Marten is a former page to the late Queen and her mother was the Queen Mother's goddaughter. Marten worked as a freelance photographer before starting her drama course, and dropped out when she met Gordon. Mr Marten and her mother Virginie de Selliers made public pleas for Constance's whereabouts through the media while police offered a 10,000 reward for information leading to the couple being found. The director of the British Museum has resigned 'with immediate effect' and its deputy has stepped back following a disastrous week in which it emerged a curator had been sacked after almost 2,000 artefacts were reported to have been stolen. Director Hartwig Fischer and deputy director Jonathan Williams both announced their decisions on Friday. Both were criticised when whistleblower Dr Ittai Gradel revealed he had contacted them about alleged thefts in February 2021, after spotting items he had seen in the museum's catalogue for sale online. Curator Peter Higgs, who has been arrested by the Metropolitan Police over the allegations, has since been sacked by the museum. Dr Fischer insisted that the museum had taken concerns 'seriously' two years ago and appeared to suggest Dr Gradel had not revealed enough information in his statement earlier this week - but has now admitted it did not react 'as comprehensively as it should have'. The British Museum's director Dr Hartwig Fischer (pictured), who was contacted about the thefts in 2021, said: 'We now have reason to believe that the individual who raised concerns had many more items in his possession, and it's frustrating that that was not revealed to us...' British Museum officials launched an investigation into missing artefacts, comprising of gold jewellery, semi-precious stones and glass valued at up to 50,000, were being sold on eBay for as little as 40 Dr Ittai Gradel's screenshotted one item, showing the eBay's seller's name was sultan1966 In his announcement today, Dr Fischer said: 'Over the last few days I have been reviewing in detail the events around the thefts from the British Museum and the investigation into them. 'It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings in 2021, and to the problem that has now fully emerged. 'The responsibility for that failure must ultimately rest with the Director. I also misjudged the remarks I made earlier this week about Dr Gradel. I wish to express my sincere regret and withdraw those remarks. 'I have offered my resignation to the Chairman of the Trustees, and will step down as soon as the Board have established an interim leadership arrangement. This will remain in place until a new director is chosen. 'The situation facing the Museum is of the utmost seriousness. I sincerely believe it will come through this moment and emerge stronger, but sadly I have come to the conclusion that my presence is proving a distraction. 'That is the last thing I would want.' The museum's board of trustees accepted his resignation, with former chancellor George Osborne, chairman of trustees saying Fischer had 'acted honourably' and that 'no one has ever doubted Hartwig's integrity, his dedication to his job, or his love for the museum.' Fischer added: 'Over the last seven years I have been privileged to work with some of the most talented and dedicated public servants. The British Museum is an amazing institution, and it has been the honour of my life to lead it.' Mr Osborne said the board was already seeking a successor. He said: 'I am clear about this; we are going to fix what has gone wrong. The museum has a mission that lasts across generations. We will learn, restore confidence and deserve to be admired once again.' Shortly afterwards, the British Museum told MailOnline: 'British Museum Deputy Director Jonathan Williams has agreed to voluntarily step back from his normal duties until the independent review into the thefts at the Museum has concluded. This will happen with immediate effect.' Emails leaked to BBC News suggest the museum was alerted by antiquities dealer Dr Gradel to items being sold on eBay in 2021 and ignored the report. Director Hartwig Fischer insisted that the museum had taken these concerns 'seriously' two years ago and appeared to blame Dr Gradel in his statement earlier this week. British Museum Deputy Director Jonathan Williams has 'voluntarily' stepped back from duties, the museum confirmed on Friday Dr Ittai Gradel, a Danish art dealer, detected that precious items were being sold on eBay and contacted the British Museum's directors in 2021, but says his concerns were not acted on The catalogue of catastrophe Bosses at the British Museum first learnt of the thefts more than three years ago. Danish antiquities dealer Dr Ittai Gradel contacted the museum through middlemen in 2020 warning that valuable artefacts were going missing. After receiving no response, he wrote in person to executives in February 2021 asking them to review their catalogue. But he was ignored despite providing a bundle of evidence, complaining that he was treated like the village idiot by the museum. Dr Gradel, 58, first began to investigate items going missing from the museum in 2016, when he noticed a seller offering them on Ebay. As a student and then a university don, he spent hours in the museum, and was able to recognise items he knew were catalogued. Missing treasures include a Cartier ring worth 750,000 from the Heritage Collection along with Roman and Greek coins and other items dating back to 1,500 BC. Dr Gradel said he noticed the seller had a bank account in the name of Peter Higgs, a curator at the museum. But it took the museum until this month to publically confirm Dr Gradel was correct. Bosses at first said all the missing items were accounted for following a probe, but an audit in 2022 revealed the full scale of the theft. Up to 2,000 items are believed to have gone missing and police have opened an investigation. Advertisement The German art historian, who the museum previously announced would step down from his role next year, had stated: 'The investigation concluded that those items were all accounted for. 'We now have reason to believe that the individual who raised concerns had many more items in his possession, and it's frustrating that that was not revealed to us as it would have aided our investigations.' He also said a full audit in 2022 had revealed a 'bigger' problem which led to police involvement. Dr Ittai Gradel, an antiquities dealer, says he was rebuffed by both British museum director Dr Hartwig Fischer and deputy director Dr Jonathan Williams when he sent them evidence in February 2021. Dr Gradel said: 'The claim that I withheld information from the BM (British Museum) is an outright lie, and I can prove it. 'I was explicit in my communication with the BM that I was entirely at their disposal for any further information or assistance they would require. They never contacted me.' The museum has not specified how many items are missing or detailed what the missing items are, saying only that they are 'small pieces' dating from the '15th century BC to the 19th century AD'. The antiquities dealer said: 'I'm willing to accept that Fischer is an idiot who lives in cloud cuckoo land and doesn't understand anything and relies solely on the advice of his deputy director, Jonathan Williams.' Higgs' family insists he is innocent and he will clear his name. Last week, his son Greg said: 'He's not done anything. He's not happy about it at all. Dr Peter Higgs, a curator employed by the British Museum for over 30 years, was sacked, it was revealed last week The British Museum continues to deal with the disastrous fallout after it emerged last week that as many as 2,000 precious items were unaccounted for Museum curator Dr Peter Higgs in a 2018 Facebook post wearing an ancient mask He had worked there for 35 years. His family insist he is innocent It was previously reported that a man has been interviewed by the Metropolitan Police officers after missing items were reported at the British Museum. The London institution revealed last week that the force is investigating items that are 'missing, stolen or damaged' from its collection. In a statement police said: 'A man has been interviewed by investigating officers. No arrests have been made. 'We have worked closely with the British Museum and will continue to do so. 'We will not be providing any further information at this time. Inquiries continue.' It is understood that the items, which include gold jewellery, gems of semi-precious stones and glass, were taken before 2023 and over a 'significant' period of time. A plasma gem engraved with a portrait of a young Roman in profile is among the items missing from the British Museum One of the gems believed to have vanished from the British Museum, pictured in its broken state Dr Gradel said he purchased over 70 items from an eBay seller from 2014 onwards. He said he became suspicious after seeing an item had featured on the British Museum's website in 2020. 'I sent the evidence to the deputy director. Then, when I heard nothing from him, I sent it to the director, who did not even bother to answer me. But then at least the deputy director [came back] with a claim that he's done a very thorough investigation 'I can't really show you the actual physical evidence that I sent them. But when you see it, you will realise immediately that there's no innocent explanation here.' A thief is believed to have operated for two decades inside the museum, exploiting its failure to catalogue all of its holdings. The majority of objects appear to have been research items which were not on public display and easier to take unnoticed. A 'lack of proper cataloguing' is said to have aided their removal. Some items are believed to have been melted down or had gems prised from their gold settings. As many as 2,000 items are feared to be 'missing, stolen or damaged' from the British Museum's vault. Museum records show that among them are silver necklaces, ancient coins and over 500 ceramic fragments, The Times reports. These missing and potentially stolen items, identified through a freedom of information request, are not currently subject to investigation. Dr Higgs' family insist he will be cleared of any involvement following his dismissal from the British Museum The British Museum, pictured, said last Wednesday that a member of staff had been dismissed after an unknown number of small pieces - including gold, jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones and glass - were found to be 'missing' This Cartier diamond ring, pictured, went missing from the museum's collection six years ago. It remains a mystery what happened to it Mystery surrounds missing treasures from the British Museum, and there have been no arrests Other lost pieces include wooden opium poppy scorers shaped like bugs and frogs, in addition to green and blue glazed leaf pendants and beads. A Greek silver coin acquired by the museum in 1948 also vanished, along with other coins from ancient Rome and medieval Germany in the year leading up to April 2014. READ MORE: British Museum kept the disappearance of multi-million pound artefacts a secret for more than eight months after alerting the police in January Advertisement An Edwardian ring acquired by the institution in 2001 had also disappeared by 2017. Elsewhere, a chain of 'round sectioned silver wire' believed to originate from an Iron Age hoard buried in 100 BC and worth thousands of pounds has also gone missing. Other lost jewels include a fragment of shale crescent which the museum acquired in 1963, a glazed bead in its collection since 1832, a ceramic lamp and a glass coin-weight. Some 540 pieces of pottery known as 'sherds', dug up on archaeological sites, are also absent. The number of lost items is likely to be far higher as the museum only provided data from 2013 In a statement, the British Museum said: 'We take the issue of any missing items incredibly seriously. Losses are recorded and reported to the trustees on an annual basis.' Martin Henig, a professor in archaeology at Oxford University, said: 'If even more is missing [than we know], it may point to a bigger problem. Things should not be disappearing from the museum. There should be a proper audit.' The scale of the losses is said to have shocked staff at the museum after they were discovered following an internal probe into Peter Higgs, the curator of Mediterranean cultures who was sacked this summer. He denies any wrongdoing. The suspected criminal, who is believed to have been plundering the museum for years, could have removed millions of pounds worth of items without being detected. The world-famous institution has refused to say how many items have gone missing, but the Telegraph reports that sources inside the museum believe the true number to be over 1,000 and 'closer to 2,000'. It was further revealed that the British Museum hid the disappearance of the valuable items from the public for eight months after calling in the police in January this year. Despite reporting to Scotland Yard in early January that jewellery, gemstones and precious metals spanning more than 3,000 years of history had mysteriously vanished from the museum's vaults - it took until last week for the public to finally be told. Treasures worth up to 50,000 were reportedly advertised for just 40, with some said to have been sold as long ago as 2016. But the true extent of the vanished artefacts was not established until the start of this year when the Metropolitan Police's economic crime command was called in to investigate. Sources told The Sunday Times that the Met had previously advised the museum not to go public with information about the thefts. But last week bosses at the British Museum were accused of showing a 'lack of reaction' when they were warned about stolen treasures being sold online. Don't negotiate with terrorists, a group of House Republicans and one Democrat are urging President Biden. Thirty-four House Republicans and New York Democrat Pat Ryan wrote a letter to the Biden administration demanding they nix a potential plea deal that would spare alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others of the death penalty. 'This would be a grave miscarriage of justice, especially for the families of the 2,977 innocent civilians and first responders who lost their life that fateful day,' the letter, led by GOP Rep. Mike Lawler who represents New York City suburbs, read. It also urged the Biden administration to work to conclude the sentencing of the alleged terrorists who have been held at Guantanamo Bay while their trials have faced over 20 years of setbacks and delays. Don't negotiate with terrorists, a group of House Republicans and one Democrat are urging President Biden Earlier this month the Pentagon sent a letter to the families of 9/11 victims explaining that plea deals are being explored for Mohammed and four of his alleged co-conspirators that would see them 'accept criminal responsibility for their actions and plead guilty....in exchange for not receiving the death penalty.' Guilty pleas in exchange for a life sentence could finally bring to a close the over-two decade-long case, the longest ever at the war court. Guilty pleas that result in life sentences could complicate President Biden's promise to shut down Guantanamo Bay. The facility has become more and more secretive over its 20 years of operation, even as it costs taxpayers millions of dollars per year. Thirty-eight prisoners still remain at Guantanamo. Ten have been charged but not yet tried. Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, Ramzi Bin al-Shibh, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi were all expected to face the death penalty if convicted. Their charges include: terrorism; hijacking aircraft; conspiracy; murder in violation of the law of war; attacking civilians; attacking civilian objects; intentionally causing serious bodily injury; and destruction of property in violation of the law of war. The al-Qaeda terrorists are accused of hijacking four airplanes and carrying out the coordinated attacks across the US that led to the death of 2,977 plus hundreds more who have died in subsequent years from breathing in toxic particles that were released in the rubble of the attacks. The case against the five men has been bogged down in pre-trial proceedings due to the CIA's use of torture to extract evidence from the defendants and to Covid-19 delays. Nearly a decade after the men's arraignment, the military judge has yet to set a trial start date. Congress has already forbid bringing the 9/11 plotters on U.S. soil, and the plotters themselves have demanded to stay at Guantanamo, where they can pray and eat in groups. They do not want to be sent to the supermax prison in Florence, Colo., where federal inmates are held in solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day. Thirty-four House Republicans and New York Democrat Pat Ryan wrote a letter to the Biden administration demanding he nix a potential plea deal that would spare alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others of the death penalty A plea deal is sure to ignite fury from some of the family members of the victims who have demanded justice through capital punishment. Another issue is whether some of the accused accomplices who did not have as direct a role as the five men would be given even lesser sentences. Meanwhile, defense lawyers have argued that the U.S. government lost the moral and legal authority to execute the defendants because of torture. Psychologists leading interrogations for the CIA waterboarded Mohammed 183 times. Agents were also known to strip defendants, beat them, tie them up in chains and subject them to rectal abuse and sleep deprivation in so-called CIA black sites. Guantanamo has reportedly cost U.S. taxpayers over $6 billion since its inception. American taxpayers spend roughly between $9.5 and $13 million per prisoner, per year. The prison currently has 38 inmates. That's compared to $78,000 spent per inmate at a 'super-max' prison in Florence, Colo., home to some of the highest-risk prisoners in the U.S. Crime writer, Sir Ian Rankin was bumped down from business class to economy on a British Airways flight. The Scottish novelist was flying to Greece on a 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip to see the Greek tragedy play, Oedipus Rex. He and his wife had travelled over 330 miles from Edinburgh to take the flight from London Heathrow on Thursday. But when the 63-year-old arrived at the airport he was told the flight was oversold and he would be bumped down. Business flights are on average double the price of an economy ticket. Sir Ian Rankin vented on Twitter that he had been downgraded from business class to economy after his flight was overbooked Sir Ian was flying out to Greece on a 'once in a lifetime trip' to see the tragedy play Oedipus Rex The writer said on Instagram: 'On my way to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Greece to see Oedipus Rex. 'Treated ourselves to British Airways business class. 'Tickets bought and paid for in February. 'Now told business class is full and we're being bumped to economy, traveller beware.' He tweeted a similar message, adding: 'Story of my life.' He added: 'According to the gate staff at Heathrow, British Airways oversell seats, 98% of bumped passengers find that their original seats are reinstated at the gate. 'Friends, my wife and I are the 2%*' Broadcaster, Terry Christian slammed the system tweeting: 'Bad show indeed. 'Airlines aren't even particularly apologetic about this stuff either in my experience.' BA replied on Twitter offering to look into the situation for him if he provided his flight details via DM. British Airways gate staff told Mr Rankin that passengers are usually given their original seats at the gate Mr Rankin said he had booked his tickets for Thursday back in February Sir Ian replied: 'Automated apology innit? 'Plus forms (online) to fill in after your holiday.' Fan Mori Christian said: 'I hope you got a ton of free stuff as compensation.' Sir Ian replied: 'Er*quite the reverse. Had to pay for meal and drinks in Economy.' Another fan called Kevin asked: 'Did you check in online 24 hours before or just rock up at the airport?' The Scottish author replied that he had but was told he would have to check in at the airport after getting an error message. He wrote: 'Only at airport did we find out there were no seats for us.' British Airways's short-haul business product, Club Europe usually takes up the first 10-14 rows of the plane, each with the middle seat blocked off. The creator of Inspector Rebus posted about his experience on Twitter Passengers in the premium cabin can usually expect a complementary meal and newspapers, while those flying in economy must pay for any refreshments beyond a free bottle of water and snack. Mr Rankin, who is famed for his crime series about Inspector Rebus, was knighted earlier this year. Rebus has now featured in 26 books since he first appeared in 1987. Sir Ian was knighted by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace in June. British Airways said that overbooking is standard practice in the industry to keep fares low, and that it uses historical data to predict the number of passengers that will travel. In a statement the airline said: 'We do our best to avoid disrupting customer journeys by using historical data to match the number of available seats to the number of customers we expect to travel, but on rare occasions, we get this wrong. 'We're sorry for our customer's experience.' Yevgeny Prigozhin did not have long to work out who had killed him. But he had long enough. He must have twigged. It cant have been more than a few seconds between the explosion aboard the otherwise reliable Embraer Legacy 600 executive jet, and the moment the Russian thug blacked out in his vertiginous acceleration to earth; and yet in that instant I am certain that he knew with perfect clarity what had happened. He knew whose hidden hand was sending him 28,000 ft down, to be immolated with the rest of his Wagner group companions in a fireball in the countryside of the Tver region north of Moscow and then on downwards, of course, for the shade of Prigozhin: down, down to Hades and the Tartarean pit below. He understood what was going on because for the past few weeks he must, at the back of his mind, have been expecting it to happen either that or something very like it. Prigozhin knew whodunnit, and so do we all, dont we? Yevgeny Prigozhin did not have long to work out who had killed him. But he had long enough. He must have twigged, writes BORIS JOHNSON We dont need a crash site investigation. We dont need anyone to look at the DNA or the dental records, and it is frankly hilarious that a French presidential spokesman should claim that there are reasonable doubts about what happened to the plane. Reasonable doubts? Donnez-moi un break, mon vieux, and tirez lautre because its got bells on. It doesnt matter what method was used whether it was a bomb concealed in a box of vintage wine, a surface-to-air missile, adulterated fuel or a snipped aileron cable. The whole world knows full well and is intended to know that the man behind the killing of Prigozhin and the Wagner group leadership, not to mention the deaths of the crew, is the very same man who authorised, for instance, the poisonings in the UK of Alexander Litvinenko and Sergei Skripal. The killer of Prigozhin is the same individual who was behind the assassination of the opposition politician Boris Nemtsov and the human rights campaigner Anna Politkovskaya, as well as innumerable other acts of skulduggery. As the detonation sucked the air out of the aircrafts cabin, I would wager that the last thought in the doomed dome of Prigozhins skull was Putin!, preceded by one of the many profanities in which the former jailbird and hotdog salesman was so fluent. How could it be otherwise? It was mad in retrospect for Prigozhin to have believed that Putin would let him live. The Wagner group leader had humiliated his patron and boss. His men had actually marched on Moscow. Though the Russian media deny it, there seems little doubt that the threat was enough to send Putin scuttling from his own capital. The Wagner group shot down Russian military planes and helicopters. They killed fellow Russians IN Russia. They had taken over a key city, Rostov, without firing a shot and with the enthusiastic support of the locals, and as bargaining capital they had a nuclear base. By their bare-faced effrontery, the Wagner group mutineers had destroyed the precious illusion on which the Russian state like all states depends: that it has, in the phrase of the sociologist Max Weber, the monopoly on the legitimate use of violence. The Wagner group under Prigozhin was openly and intolerably contesting that monopoly. Whatever he intended to achieve by his attempted coup, Prigozhin had done enough to become if only briefly an existential threat to the Putin regime. He had mocked the very authority of the Kremlin. It was therefore the height of conceit for the Wagner group chief to believe that Putin might forgive him, or allow him indefinitely to continue to walk the same earth. Prigozhin knew better than anyone that Putin believes in vendetta. Even when Putin invited him into the Kremlin on June 29, after the mutiny was over, he must have known that the tyrant would be meditating reprisals. Even when Prigozhin went to the Africa-Russia summit a few days ago, he must have thought, deep down, that he was living on borrowed time. As we watch the chilling footage of that plane spiralling to earth, we are witnessing something historic. This is the violent liquidation on TV of his enemies by an existing head of state. I cannot think of another example of such ostentatious and uninhibited savagery by a world leader not in our lifetimes. We hear of what Kim Jong-un does to his enemies; we dont actually see it. With these murders Putin is being transformed before our eyes into an Asiatic despot, slaughtering his former favourite just to show who is boss, revelling in his ruthlessness. The mask is now fully off. Putin stands exposed as a gangster, and his absurd televised tribute to the dead Wagnerites is straight from the pages of The Godfather. Yevgeny Prigozhin had a complicated fate, said Putin, a euphemism that must surely rank with he sleeps with the fishes and I made him an offer he couldnt refuse. It cant have been more than a few seconds between the explosion aboard the otherwise reliable Embraer Legacy 600 executive jet, and the moment the Russian thug blacked out in his vertiginous acceleration to earth; and yet in that instant I am certain that he knew with perfect clarity what had happened As the detonation sucked the air out of the aircrafts cabin, I would wager that the last thought in the doomed dome of Prigozhins skull was Putin!, preceded by one of the many profanities in which the former jailbird and hotdog salesman was so fluent As students of the gangster drama, we are instinctively tempted to believe that this moment the ruthless killing of the oldest, closest ally is a sign that we are nearing the climax, just as Al Pacinos Tony Montana murders his oldest, closest Cuban buddy in the final reel of Scarface. There are many Western analysts who believe that the Prigozhin episode in all its brutal farce is a demonstration of the terminal weakness of Vladimir Putin. I have read the suggestion, here and there, that this is the beginning of the end, and that sooner or later the other siloviki the strongmen of Russia will find a way to finish Putin off. Well, perhaps: but then we must remember that we in the liberal West are not the only intended audience for this gangsterish theatre. There are plenty of others, in Russia and around the world, who will see this murder very differently; not as weakness, but as strength. Putin wanted to kill Prigozhin with maximum global eclat, and at a time of his own choosing. I dont think it was any coincidence, therefore, that the downing of the plane took place just as Putin was speaking to the BRICS summit in South Africa the economic grouping named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and which has just welcomed six more countries to its ranks, including Iran and Saudi Arabia. What is the mortar that holds BRICS together? It is a scepticism and sometimes a dislike of the idea of a unipolar world the American dominance that followed the of the Cold War. They are suspicious of the so-called Washington consensus. BORIS JOHNSON: Prigozhin thought he had guarantees. Prigozhin thought he had sorted it out. Look at that deal now. Look what happened to him. There is only one way forward defeat for Putin, and victory for Ukraine, as fast as possible There are countries on that list that dont like being endlessly lectured about democracy and human rights. Some of them dont want to hear a lot about the importance of equalities, and the LGBTQ agenda. Some of the leaders around that table worry about their own political mortality, and openly or covertly they like the way Putin is so robust in the protection of his own position. They quite like the way he two-fingers the U.S., and they like the way he satirises some of the pieties of the West. They also cannot help noticing a crucial difference between Moscow and Washington. Putin sticks with his friends which is more than you can sometimes say about us Western powers. They observed what happened to Gaddafi in Libya, for instance. After all that sucking-up by the UK remember the deal in the desert, where Tony Blair went and sat in a tent in Tripoli we Brits then ratted on Gaddafi, and he met a terrible end: dragged from a storm drain by a mob in Sirte, tortured and impaled. They saw what happened in Afghanistan, what Western promises were worth, and how we cut and ran. Some of them wonder, how do I know the West would not do the same to me? So they look at how Putin behaves to his clients, and they contrast his constancy and his commitment. Take Bashar al-Assad, the butcher of Aleppo. It is now more than ten years since the U.S. and the UK started to chant the mantra that Assad must go. Well, Assad is not only still there in Damascus, in power, but after all his cruelty and his use of chemical weapons he is back in the Arab League. Who does he have to thank for his survival? Vladimir Putin, very largely, and his willingness to give Russian military assistance. No wonder some of the worlds less democratically inclined states are willing to give Putin the benefit of the doubt. He sells them weapons, with no complicated forms to fill in about compliance with international humanitarian law. He is happy to send Wagner group mercenaries to help suppress Islamic jihadis and other opponents and, again, with no questions asked about the interrogation techniques they employ. Lets face it he is able to be useful, in a way that we, for very good reasons, are not. That is why Russian influence is so surprisingly prevalent, given the size and state of the Russian economy. If all that were not enough, he of course offers many of them the oil and gas they need to keep their economies going. All of which helps explain why it has been so hard to enforce the sanctions against his regime. We have not yet been able effectively to isolate the Russian economy and that is partly why his kleptocratic regime survives. In Russia male life expectancy at 15 has once again plunged, and it is now the same as a 15-year-old in Haiti. For all its hydrocarbon riches, per capita GDP in Russia is now around a quarter of the UK. The Russians for now seem willing to endure it all. Putin retains his grip on power by selling oil and gas to those like India who will buy it, and above all by feeding the nationalism and paranoia of his people by foreign adventurism, and by trying to rebuild, by aggression, the former Soviet empire. The Ukrainian fight for freedom is therefore pivotal and the outcome will determine the direction of the world for decades to come. If Putin wins in Ukraine, it would be a disaster for democracy around the world. If Putin were to win, it would be a vindication of all those who say that you cant rely on the West, and that they wont stick with you and see things through. Above all, a win for Putin would be a moral abomination the defeat of a free, independent, democratic and entirely innocent country that is being punished by Putin precisely because they chose freedom and democracy. It must not and will not happen. Yes, the counter-offensive is going more slowly than some would like but it is making progress; and if this war has taught us anything so far, it is never to underestimate the Ukrainians. If we had been sensible, and equipped them with what they need earlier in the conflict, they would now be going faster. We must stick with it, give them the necessary tools and the heroic Ukrainians will do the rest. Lets stop obsessing about Putin, and what may or may not happen to him. This isnt about the future of the tyrant, or some unknowable transformation in the Kremlin. Its about the liberation of a valiant European country. And surely to goodness there is one glaringly obvious conclusion from the Luciferian fall of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Look at that tumbling plane, all you who tell me we can have a negotiated solution, or that we must somehow encourage the Ukrainians to trade land for peace. Any such trade would be morally nauseating, after the carnage Putin has inflicted. It would be politically impossible for Volodymyr Zelensky to deliver, even if he wanted to. More importantly, it would be completely and utterly fatuous to put any kind of trust in a deal with Putin and we have just had the proof. Prigozhin thought he had guarantees. Prigozhin thought he had sorted it out. Look at that deal now. Look what happened to him. There is only one way forward defeat for Putin, and victory for Ukraine, as fast as possible. A homeowner was shocked to find that a brazen flytipper dumped a 100-ton pile of rubbish on her driveway, with authorities warning that she could pay tens of thousands pounds towards cleaning it up. Janet Atkins, 59, was told by Northumberland County Council that she'd have to foot a large part of the bill to move the rubbish, stretching 20 yards along her drive. The five foot pile of rubbish, containing soiled nappies and household waste, has remained on Janet Atkins' drive of her home in the village of Warwick Bridge, near Carlisle, Cumbria, for over a week. Fly-tipping is a criminal offence which could result in a fine of up to 1,000, after the government announced a crackdown on the illegal dumping of waste in July this year. Janet branded the indecision as 'bureaucratic nonsense' as local authorities make their minds up over whose responsibility it is to remove it. Janet Atkins, 59, was told by Northumberland County Council that she'd have to foot a large part of the bill to move the rubbish, stretching 20 yards along her drive READ MORE: Mother, 22, says she has been fined 400 for fly-tipping after passers-by filled her bins with beer cans Lily Bence, 22, says people have been regularly dumping their waste in her bin since she moved in Advertisement The health worker was trapped in her home and could not move her car away from the stench of the rotting rubbish as she was unable to shift the tonnes of waste herself. The environment agency has launched a criminal investigation into the incident and are searching for any information, including dashcam footage, that may lead to the arrest of the culprits. However for the past week the police and local authorities have appeared anxious to shift around responsibility for its removal. Janet said: 'It was quite enough to have 100 tonnes of mulch dumped on my drive but it's the bureaucratic nonsense that has taken place since that has been overwhelming. 'It is still sitting out there steaming, like a cartoon, eight days after it was dumped there in the middle of the night. 'There are four agencies working on this at the moment, but the upshot is that the rubbish is still there and when it's taken away I will have to pay for around 25 per cent of the cost and that is going to be a very big bill. 'It's extraordinary that a householder unfortunate enough to have suffered fly-tipping on an industrial scale is then expected to pay to have it removed.' Janet has been informed by authorities that this is 'most likely' linked to organised crime, but claims that was told by police that they 'don't do' fly-tipping. 'The shifting between local authorities has been exhausting and I'm still being told no one can come out to remove it until after the bank holiday, It's been quite a learning curve,' she added. Janet warned that 'lucrative' private waste disposal businesses are run by criminals who will dump rubbish on private properties to avoid costs and taxes when delivery waste to a landfill. The five foot pile of rubbish, containing soiled nappies and household waste, has remained on Janet Atkins' drive of her home for over a week This can mean that the property owner is liable for cleaning up rubbish dumped by unscrupulous waste contractors, paying huge sums out of their own pocket to shift it. Upon the shocking discovery of the waste, Janet's was first call was to Cumbria Police, who said that they did not deal with fly tipping and recommended she call Cumberland County Council. Although Janet lives in their jurisdiction, her property is next to the A69 trans-Pennine road between Carlisle and Newcastle. The council pointed out that meant the problem lay at the feet of Road Link, who are a private firm who manage the A69. Ben Dobson, National Highways Route Manager for the A69, said: 'The legal responsibility for removing and disposing of fly-tipped waste materials rests with the landowner upon whose land the waste has been illegally deposited. In this instance, the waste has been dumped along a private access site as well as on a layby which forms part of the A69. 'As soon as the resident got in touch with us, arrangements were immediately made to clear an access route to and from her property. 'The Environment Agency also needed to carry out its inspections, and check the waste was not hazardous, before we could arrange for it to be cleared. 'Now that the agency has concluded its investigations, arrangements are being made via Road Link for the safe removal and legal disposal of the fly-tipped waste from the A69 layby and the adjoining landowners property, and were in contact with the resident to arrange for this to cleared as quickly and effectively as possible.' After pinballing between various departments, Janet eventually discovered that Road Link subcontract certain issues back to Northumberland County Council. Fly-tipping is a criminal offence which could result in a fine of up to 1,000, after the government announced a crackdown on the illegal dumping of waste in July A consultation between Janet and Northumberland County Council is now underway about the removal of the waste - but she has been told to expect to pay 25 per cent of the total removal cost, which could be tens of thousands of pounds. Janet said: 'The whole situation is just ludicrous and has dominated my life for the last week. 'It's such a shocking local news event and I think that people need to know the details because the police won't get involved and suppose somebody goes next week and does exactly the same. 'Folk have told me that fly tipping is covered under your home insurance and I have notified my insurance company, but obviously this is fly tipping off the scale. 'This could bump up my home insurance premium. It could even result in home insurers now and in the future, once it renews, refusing to cover this risk because this has happened. It's such a big worry and stress for me. 'We don't want the criminals to think nobody takes any notice when they do it. 'We want them to know that we're all on it, that we're disgusted and we're going to be looking out and keeping an eye.' Janet is now parking her car at a nearby neighbour's house and workmen are set to clear the rubbish from the drive to allow better access, but the rubbish will not be cleared totally until Tuesday, August 29 at the earliest. Janet's neighbour, who was also concerned about the safety of the rubbish, said: 'Suppose Janet needed an ambulance, or if there was a fire on the property. There would be no way of getting an emergency vehicle there. It's unsafe and just shocking.' Janet warned that this crime is becoming 'more prevalent' and has urged for change in legislation. She added: 'It could happen to anyone and for many people a bill of this size could be disastrous.' According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), councils across the country dealt with almost 1.1 million incidents of fly-tipping between 2021 and 2022. 91,000 fines, along with other enforcement actions, were handed down to offenders. The government added in their announced, in July this year, that local authorities will have the freedom to set the rates that offenders should pay, within the limits above. Central China's Wuhan resumes nonstop flight to London Xinhua) 13:53, August 25, 2023 WUHAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- An Airbus A350 took off from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, with 270 passengers bound for London's Heathrow Airport on Friday morning, marking the resumption of the direct flight route from Wuhan to Europe after the pandemic. Operated by China Southern Airlines, this air service will run once a week on Fridays. The outbound flight is scheduled to leave Wuhan Tianhe International Airport at 2:15 a.m. and arrive in London at 7:10 a.m. local time. The return flight leaves London at 11:05 a.m. local time and arrives in Wuhan at 5:00 a.m. the next day. The first outbound flight to London saw the passenger load factor reach 88 percent, and that of the inbound flight hit 90 percent, according to Li Shuwen, the vice sales manager of China Southern Airlines' Hubei branch. "We are very optimistic about the revenue that comes with the route. So far, over 80 percent of the available seating capacity of the Wuhan-London flights in September has already been booked," said Li, adding that the company plans to add one more flight every week in November. Up to now, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport has resumed nine air routes to international metropolises, including Dubai, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore and Bangkok. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Blog Archive: Oct 2023 (150) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Yale University has accused its police union of cynically terrifying first-year students about crime with incendiary grim reaper leaflets harking back to the darkest days of the 1970s. The flyers handed to freshmen students at the New Haven campus this week urge them to get off the streets by 8pm, avoid public transport, never walk alone and never leave the university grounds. Featuring a deaths head skull and touting itself as a survival guide the handout claims that the incidence of crime and violence in New Haven is shockingly high, and it is getting worse. The university dismissed the flyers as misleading and police slammed them as disgusting. The union only doled out the flyers as a contract negotiation tactic, Yale Police Chief Anthony Campbell claimed. The less than cheerful welcome from Yale University police union awaiting freshmen students at the college this week Yale Police Chief Anthony Campbell slammed the leaflets as a 'disgusting' negotiating tactic Welcome to Fear City: A Survival Guide for Visitors to the City of New York was a pamphlet the police and firefighter unions created in 1975 when the city was on the brink of bankruptcy We do not support this and, to be quite frank, Im really disgusted that they have chosen to take this path, he said. The flyers appear to be based on a notorious 1975 leaflet produced by NYPD and police and firefighter entitled Welcome to Fear City: A Survival Guide for Visitors to the City of New York. Produced in the wake of large-scale police layoffs they included advice to stay off the streets after 6pm do not walk, and avoid public transportation. Featuring the same deaths head motif and concluding with the words Good luck, they were intended for tourists arriving at the citys airports but drew widespread condemnation. The copycat leaflets claim that during the seven-month period ending in July 23, 2023, murders have doubled, burglaries are up 33 per cent and motor vehicle thefts are up 56 per cent. They state they were prepared by the Yale Police Benevolent Association to help you enjoy your stay at Yale in comfort and safety. 'It was really scary, it was alarming,' freshman Isabella Caltitla told Fox61 after receiving the flyer while moving in on Sunday. 'My mom was pretty scared about it too just because Im her only daughter and Im moving so far from home.' New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker slammed the leaflets as 'childish and selfish', at a press conference on Tuesday. The university slammed 'disturbing and inflammatory rhetoric about the safety of Yales campus' New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker slammed the leaflets as 'childish and selfish', at a press conference on Tuesday. And the university hit back in a statement, pointing out that the police union is currently in contract negotiations with the university. These pamphlets included disturbing and inflammatory rhetoric about the safety of Yales campus and its home city of New Haven, aimed at creating fear among new students and their families. New Haven Board of Police Commissioner Mike Lawlor said the flyers were a blatant copy of the 1975 leaflets and designed to stir up fear. This is one of the most important days in a persons life, in a child or parent, he added. And to be confronted with this inflammatory and false flyer is in fact an outrage. Students said they had been alarmed at the warnings in the leaflets But the union defended the tactic insisting that there is no dispute on the facts. I think they feel an obligation to make sure that students dont fall victim to crimes while theyre attending Yale University, spokesperson Andrew Matthews told Fox61 They have motor vehicles chasing each other down the streets of New Haven shooting at one another. If you or your children were to go to Yale, wouldnt you want to know that? A California dental office worker whose racist tirade in McDonald's went viral on TikTok has since been fired. The woman, named in local reports as Gina Aiello, was filmed screeching 'f**k you, you f**king Mexican' at another customer after scolding minimum wage workers over her soda order. In a 13-second clip which has been viewed 2 million times, Aiello can be seen mid-confrontation with another patron, Luis Aceves. The footage begins with Aceves shouting at Aiello, accusing her of 'trying to degrade people' after she appears to have been embroiled in a spat with McDonald's workers. She retaliates by screaming 'f**k you, you f**king Mexican' before holding up her middle finger and storming out the door as a cluster of other customers shout 'woa' and wave her away. California dental office worker Gina Aiello, whose racist tirade in a Fresno McDonald's went viral on TikTok, has since been fired In a 13-second clip which has been viewed 2 million times, Aiello can be seen mid-confrontation with another patron, Luis Aceves (pictured right) The man filming the video - Aceves' friend - is shocked by her comeback, commenting: 'What the f**k!' Aceves said the chaos began when Aiello imploded at a drive-thru employee over her soda order. 'Employees were explaining that there was someone cussing at them through the window. We overheard them too,' he told CBS. 'For me, it was like, "Alright, thats none of my business," but then once she started sitting there telling people "Who are you? Look at where you work. Look at what youre wearing. Youre working at McDonalds." But Aceves didn't hold a grudge against Aellio despite being the target of her racist slur, saying she must have been having a bad day. 'I love my Mexican people, I love my Mexican culture,' he said. 'We shouldn't even be doing this to each other, we shouldn't be going at each other like this. 'We're all struggling, we're all trying to find our purpose in life, sometimes it just sucks when we're having a bad day.' Aiello was fired from Jack Ohanesian Dentist and Dental Surgery in Fresno, California, shortly after the incident went viral. Ohanesian published a statement explaining Aiello was 'no longer part of our team' because the practice prides itself on promoting diversity as a 'strength'. Aiello was fired from Jack Ohanesian Dentist and Dental Surgery in Fresno, California, shortly after the incident went viral. Ohanesian published a statement explaining Aiello was 'no longer part of our team' because the practice prides itself on promoting diversity as a 'strength' Aceves said the chaos began when Aiello imploded at a drive-thru employee over her soda order 'An employee who was seen on video making offensive comments is no longer a part of our team,' he said in a statement. 'We remain committed to our patients, dedicated to delivering outstanding care by a kind and competent team. 'It wasn't that long ago that my grandfather immigrated to America from Armenia and faced racism and closed doors to opportunities. 'He and other members of my family since have worked very hard to become contributing members of American society, paving a way for success for me and generations of my family. 'Our diversity is our strength. It's a cornerstone of our lives here today, and of my dental practice.' A top Ohio accountant, her businessman husband and their three children aged 15, 12 and 9 have been identified as the victims of a horrific murder-suicide. Jason Dunham, 46, Melissa Dunham, 42, and Renee, 15, Amber, 12, and Evan, 9 were found dead in their home on Carnation Avenue Northwest, Uniontown, on Thursday evening. All died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Harry Campbell, chief investigator of the Stark County Coroner's Office, but it remains unclear who shot who. The family died in what officers called a 'domestic dispute turned deadly'. Police in Stark County said they found the deceased while performing a welfare check at the Dunham's address. Campbell said they were pronounced dead at 9:52pm. Jason Dunham, 46, Melissa Dunham, 42, and their three kids were found dead in their Uniontown home on Thursday night Renee, 15, Amber, 12, and Evan, 9, died in the domestic incident A colleague who worked with Melissa Dunham said she was 'devastated' Neighbors said the couple had moved in before they started their family, almost 20 years ago. Edmond Gazdacko said the three kids would often play together with his grandkids when they came to visit. Earlier this summer, the Dunham children and his family played a baseball game in his front yard. Gazdacko said he and his wife Denise never had any issues with the Dunhams, and Melissa was a wonderful mother. Melissa Dunham was a partner at accounting firm Bober Markey Fedorovich & Co in Fairlawn, according to LinkedIn. She held a bachelors degree in accounting from Westminster College, an MBA from Kent State University, and a Master of Taxation from The University of Akron. Her accolades include the Woman of Professional Excellence award presented by the Womens Network and the 30 For the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber. The mom-of-three's appointment to partner was announced in June: 'With a career spanning nearly two decades at BMF, Melissa has demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributed significantly to the firms success.' A neighbor said Melissa was a wonderful mother Officers were called to a home in the 13000 block of Carnation Avenue NW about 7:30 p.m. A school spokesperson said the community has been notified but expects many will be impacted The firm's website says she specialized in corporate tax returns, with an expertise in Employer Retention Credit program reimbursements. Elizabeth Bartz, CEO of Akron-based State and Federal Communications, said was 'devastated' by the news. She had known Melissa Dunham for more than 10 years. 'Shes a great Girl Scouts mom. She would always have her daughters send me their cookie order forms,' she told the Canton Repository. 'They would deliver them in person and write me thank you notes.' Lake County Local school district superintendent Kevin Tobin confirmed on Friday morning that three students were killed in the tragedy. He said that the children were all students in the school district. 'We alerted our parents and our staff,' Tobin said. 'We have counselors and others meeting (with students) as we speak. We are working through this as calm and compassionate as we can.' Police in Stark County said they found the deceased while performing a welfare check within the 13000 block of Carnation Avenue Northwest, Uniontown He explained that Renee was heavily involved in the school band which was expected to attend an away football game on Friday night. 'This is going to impact them. They are a family and it is almost two years to the day when we lost another band student after surgery,' Tobin said. 'It's a very, very tragic incident and we will just rally as a school community and as Lake Local community.' Uniontown Police Department said it is investigating along with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Stark County Prosecutor's Office. No one else is believed to have been involved. Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann has been seeing a clergyman once a week in jail at his request - as he continues to appear 'emotionless' after being taken off suicide watch. Heuermann, 59, is charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, who disappeared in 2009 and 2010, and is the main suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who vanished in 2007. He spent the first few days in jail isolated in his bunk inside his 60-square-foot cell, often looking up at the ceiling, but has since settled in, Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. told Newsweek on Thursday. 'I have not seen any emotion from him,' the sheriff said. 'You wonder what is going on Is there something going on inside that is brewing?' Toulon opened up about the architect's five weeks in jail at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead, sharing that Heuermann goes for walks alone in a small recreation area and spends his time reading and watching television. Rex Heuermann was arrested last month in connection to the murders of three women whose bodies were found dumped in burlap sacks on Gilgo Beach While journalists and true-crime fans have asked to visit him, Heuermann has only met with his attorney Michael Brown and a man the sheriff declined to identify. As part of the investigation, police have been speaking to sex workers who operated in the Long Island area. Two prostitutes hired by Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann have accused him of being 'violent' and 'aggressive' towards them. They were interviewed in late July, shortly after Heuermann's arrest, and said they became afraid for their safety during intimate encounters with the NYC-based architect. 'A person of that size being a little aggressive was probably frightening,' Toulon said of Heuermann, who is six-foot-four and weighs 240 pounds. While they were not injured, both sex workers told police they were unnerved after their sole meeting with the suspect. Heuermann's arrest marked a stunning breakthrough in the long-stalled cold case that first drew headlines in 2010, when police began searching for a missing woman, Shannon Gilbert, near Long Island's Gilgo Beach. The first victim, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, was discovered by Suffolk County Police on December 11, 2010. The body of Megan Waterman, 22, was found two days later Maureen Brainard-Barnes was 25 years old when she went missing (left). Amber Lynn Costello was 27 years old. Their bodies were found near Barthelemy's the same day Instead, they discovered ten sets of human remains scattered along a desolate barrier island. The dead included eight women, one man and a young child. Prosecutors remain tight-lipped on whether Heuermann is a suspect in the other murders. However, police are probing possible ties between Heuermann and the unsolved 'Eastbound Strangler' murders of four female sex workers in Atlantic City. The high-profile case was cracked after DNA from a pizza crust and a napkin Heuermann threw out in a trash bin outside his Manhattan architectural firm was a 99.96 percent match with the DNA profile created from hair recovered from the 'bottom of the burlap' bag used to transport Waterman's naked body. Vergata's legs were found in a plastic bag at Davis Park on Fire Islands Blue Point Beach nearly two decades prior on April 20, 1996. Her skull was then found off Ocean Parkway in 2011 Heuermann is accused of killing the women while his family was out of town, with investigators finding his hair and his wife's on the bodies of some of the alleged victims. His wife Asa Ellerup and her two children, Victoria, 26, and Christopher, 32, looked solemn as they arrived back at the torn-up property with their family dog. Ellerup was at the property when authorities raided it on July 14, with her lawyer saying the family had been 'blindsided' by the murder charges. 'Obviously this has been a shocking time for them and a pretty difficult time to comprehend,' Robert Macedonio said. 'As with any family, it's extremely upsetting and they're totally shocked and caught off guard. The family doesn't want to make any further comment than that.' Actor Laurence Fox has scored a win during the latest preliminary stage of a libel row with ex-Coronation street star Nicola Thorp, but has lost arguments with former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake, and drag artist Crystal. Mr Fox, who founded the Reclaim Party and unsuccessfully stood as a candidate in a London mayoral election, has been sued by Ms Thorp, Mr Blake and Crystal, also known as Colin Seymour, over an online row in October 2020. They clashed over tweets which Mr Fox shared in reaction to posts supermarket chain Sainsbury's had shared about its celebration of Black History Month. Judges were told Mr Fox had referred to the three people as 'paedophiles' on X, formerly known as Twitter. When the trio sued him for libel, Mr Fox counter-sued over tweets they sent which accused him of racism. No final rulings have been made but a High Court judge previously gave decisions on a number of preliminary issues, including the 'natural and ordinary' meanings of the posts shared online. Mr Justice Nicklin found that Mr Fox's tweets were factual statements which would have been understood to mean that each of the three 'was a paedophile'. He also found that tweets that were sent to Mr Fox were statements of opinion. Mr Fox has appeals against the decisions. Laurence Fox (pictured) who founded the Reclaim Party and unsuccessfully stood as a candidate in a London mayoral election, has been sued by Ms Thorp, Mr Blake and Crystal, also known as Colin Seymour, over an online row in October 2020 Nicola Thorp (pictured) sued Mr Fox for libel after the tweets were sent in October 2020 Three appeal judges, Lady Justice Nicola Davies, Lord Justice Arnold, and Lord Justice Warby considered his challenges in a Court of Appeal hearing in London and upheld one challenge by Mr Fox relating to the post about Ms Thorp. The judges said Mr Justice Nicklin was 'wrong' to find the 'natural and ordinary meaning' of that tweet was that 'Ms Thorp was a paedophile'. In a written ruling, Lord Justice Warby acknowledged Mr Fox's tweet about Ms Thorp 'did of course include the word paedophile'. But he added that he was 'satisfied that the ordinary reasonable reader of that tweet would not have taken the word literally'. 'It would seem to follow that (Thorp's) claim should be dismissed', he said. The three appeal judges dismissed other challenges by Mr Fox relating to Mr Justice Nicklin's findings about the meanings of tweets he sent about Mr Blake and Crystal. They also dismissed Mr Fox's challenge against Mr Justice Nicklin's findings 'in respect of' tweets sent by Thorp, Mr Blake and Crystal. Lord Justice Warby said Mr Fox was 'perhaps best known' for his portrayal of the character Hathaway in the ITV drama, Lewis. He said Mr Blake was a trustee of Stonewall until late June 2021, Mr Seymour was an entertainer who had appeared in various television programmes, including Ru Paul's Drag Race UK; and that Ms Thorp had appeared in Coronation Street, and other television programmes. Mr Fox's appeal against rulings related to Stonewall trustee Simon Blake, and drag artist Crystal (pictured) were dismissed Lord Justice Warby said in the appeal ruling: 'On 4 October 2020 three individuals posted tweets about (Mr Fox) which used the word 'racist. He responded by tweeting about each of them using the word 'paedophile'. 'They sued him for libel. He counterclaimed. There was a trial of preliminary issues before Mr Justice Nicklin. 'This is an appeal against decisions he made on three of those issues: the natural and ordinary meanings of the tweets complained of; whether they were statements of fact or opinion; and, in the case of (Mr Fox's) tweets, whether they were defamatory at common law. 'I would dismiss Mr Fox's appeal against the judge's findings in respect of the claimants' (Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp) tweets. 'I would also dismiss Mr Fox's appeal against the judge's findings in respect of his own tweets in response to those of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour. 'I would, however, allow Mr Fox's appeal against the judge's findings about his response to Ms Thorp's tweet. It would seem to follow that her claim should be dismissed.' Heavy and thundery showers could batter Britain this weekend as millions prepare for the bank holiday weekend with staycations in the UK. A new weather front could lead to thunderstorms across western England, with a chance of there being showers across the country in a wet end to the month, according to the Met Office. The forecaster has predicted the front will face as the weekend progresses, but has warned 'everywhere has a chance of seeing showers over the weekend'. It comes after another yellow weather warning was issued this morning, with possible disruption on roads and public transport due to the water and hail predicted. The disruption will only be added to by those seeking some sunshine on the British coast, with traffic already at a standstill in some areas. Millions are expected to have staycations planned between Friday and Monday, the final bank holiday in the calendar in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until the Christmas period. Holidaymakers walking along the seafront shelter under umbrellas during a heavy afternoon rain shower at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis A new weather front could lead to thunderstorms across western England, with a chance of there being showers across the country in a wet end to the month Traffic on the A35 Bridport bypass in Dorset is at a standstill as thousands of holidaymakers head for the coast for the bank holiday weekend People out and about in Greenwich Park in London enjoying a walk with their umbrellas up yesterday Rainy conditions are set to continue into the Bank Holiday weekend, forecasters have said Elsewhere, thousands are expected to attend the Leeds and Reading Festivals, despite the gloomy forecast. Rain is already starting to fall in some areas, with a wet start seen to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge as water poured into the stadium before players ran onto the pitch. Images from across the capital show commuters and tourists shielding themselves from the wet weather. British Airways said it is preparing for the poor weather with alternations to its flights on Friday due to 'adverse weather conditions' in the London area and across Europe. It is not clear if these alternations will continue into the weekend. Images on social media showed many of the airline's departures in Heathrow airport were either cancelled or delayed as a result. Queues of up to an hour were also reported at the Port of Dover this morning. Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: 'Although by and large we'll see quite bright spells, there will be over the weekend some showers that will come in and some of those could be quite heavy and intense in certain locations.' He added that intermittent showers could develop 'pretty much anywhere' across the UK on Saturday and Sunday. 'There is a weather front which will be approaching from the west and coming across the UK (on Sunday) but that front will be weakening all the time, so it will start to bring in rain to parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland quite early on the Sunday morning', he said. Spells of rain will be interspersed with some sunnier spells - and it will continue into next week General view inside the stadium as rain falls prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge Wet weather around London Bridge and Tower Bridge in London as rain hits the capital A person shields themselves from the rain as they walk along Oxford Street 'But then by the time it starts to get across the rest of the country, the influence of that will start to weaken. 'The arrival of that front could trigger some thunderstorms down the western side of England and in the West Midlands, but as we go through into Monday that system will broadly fizzle out.' Monday will see brighter spells across the country with some less intense showers, the forecaster predicts, and the humidity is expected to be fresher, especially overnight. Temperatures are expected to decreased to around average, with some rural areas forecasted to drop into single figures. Auto workers have voted overwhelmingly to give union leaders the authority to call strikes against the 'Big Three' Detroit car companies if a contract agreement isn't reached. The United Auto Workers union said Friday that 97 percent of members voted in favor of authorizing one or more strikes against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, the maker of Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles. Contracts between the union representing nearly 150,000 workers and the three automakers expire at 11.59pm on September 14. A 10-day strike at all three companies would cost the US economy an estimated $5.6 billion. 'We're fed up with seeing Big Three profits break the bank, while we're breaking our backs,' UAW president Shawn Fain said in a fiery Facebook Live video announcing the vote tally. Fain said earlier this week that negotiations with the companies are not progressing fast enough. Analysts estimate a more than a 50 percent chance of a strike, but Fain has said a strike is not inevitable. UAW president Shawn Fain said Friday that 97 percent of members voted in favor of authorizing one or more strikes against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis United Auto Workers members march while holding signs at a union rally held near a Stellantis factory Wednesday in Detroit Contract talks with the Detroit Three began in July, but Fain has consistently said the companies aren't bargaining seriously. While a strike authorization is a common bargaining tool in the US auto sector and other industries, the tension over this year's contract talks in Detroit is new. The vote does not guarantee a strike will be called, only that the union has the right to call a strike if the companies refuse to reach a fair deal, the UAW said. 'Our members expectations are high because Big Three profits are so high,' Fain said. Fain told members on Facebook Live Friday that the union still hasn't picked a target company for a strike and could walk out against all three. 'Things could always shift in bargaining if something miraculous happened with one of the companies, it could change,' he said. 'We want contracts by September 14 with all three.' Fain has outlined an ambitious set of goals, including an end to the tiered wage system that pays new hires less than veterans, reinstating cost-of-living adjustments and restoring defined-benefit pension plans that the automakers ended years ago for new hires. GM, Ford and Stellantis have said they want to reach a deal that is fair to the workers but also gives the companies flexibility, as the industry shifts to electric models that have fewer parts and require less labor. EV Hummers are seen in a General Motors plant in Detroit in a file photo. The negotiations come as the industry shifts to electric models that have fewer parts and require less labor Stellantis, which has drawn much of Fain's ire in recent weeks, said Friday that negotiations 'continue to be constructive and collaborative.' The company said it wants an agreement that will balance employee concerns and position Stellantis to 'meet the challenges US marketplace and secures the future for all of our employees, their families and our company.' Ford said it's working with the UAW on 'creative solutions during this time when our dramatically changing industry needs a skilled and competitive workforce more than ever.' The union is seeking a 40 percent pay increase, restoration of pensions for new hires, elimination of wage tiers and other items. Fain has often told workers they have to be ready to strike in order to achieve gains from the profitable automakers. The union also wants to represent joint venture electric vehicle battery plants being built by the companies, and it's seeking top union wages at those factories. Jason Hale, an assembly line inspector at Fords Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, said he voted to authorize a strike. He hopes the union will be able to win general pay raises and restore cost-of-living pay increases and pensions for all workers. Cost of living is the most important, he said. 'Theyre just making too much money and not giving us enough,' he told the AP. He thinks the union should strike all three companies at the same time. 'That would show solidarity and were here to mean business,' he said. The identity of a hero civilian, who risked his life to rescue a trapped family near an unexploded bomb during the Blitz, has been revealed after his George Medal goes up for sale. Edwin May risked his life to get to the trapped casualties who were buried under the debris of a flattened building following the World War Two air raid. He was part of a small rescue party who forced their way through a 12ins concrete cellar wall to reach them. Two of them were overcome by noxious gas and the effects of the cold water which entered the basement. But Edwin carried on in the pitch black all night to rescue five out of the seven people inside. Edwin's George medal (left) has emerged for sale for 5,000 at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son The rescue was carried out despite an unexploded H.E bomb being discovered 200ft away which could have gone off at any moment. The incident took place in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on the night of September 28, 1940. Edwin, a volunteer with the Civil Defence Service, was awarded the George Medal for his 'gallant' work in 'appalling conditions'. His citation reads: 'Mr. E. H.May was among those to volunteer. 'Throughout the night and well into the next day, rescue work went on and May laboured in very perilous conditions. 'The danger from heavy falling debris was very great, there was a serious escape of gas and the cellars of the demolished houses were filling with water. 'The night was pitch black and overhead passed a constant stream of enemy raiders. 'For the greater part of the night, May had the knowledge that there was a delay-action H.E. bomb within 200ft. The rescue was carried out despite an unexploded H.E bomb being discovered 200ft away which could have gone off at any moment 'Throughout, he aided the unfortunate victims and carried out his duties as a member of the squad in a very gallant manner, in the most appalling conditions, regardless of personal risk. 'This gallant rescue work contributed in large measure to the ultimate saving of five of the trapped persons.' Edwin's medal has emerged for sale for 5,000 at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son. Harry Blackett-Ord, specialist at Spink & Son, said: 'The actions of Edwin May during the dark days of the Blitz are a remarkable example of the bravery exhibited by the ordinary men and women of the time. 'May was not a soldier, police officer or a Fireman for whom death in service was always a possibility, he was a civilian who joined the Civil Defence Service to protect the people of his town. 'He must have known very well that volunteering to go into the ruined cellar might very well lead to his death. 'Despite this he not only went ahead but remained at work for most of the night in appalling conditions and with the threat of unexploded bombs or asphyxiation by gas hanging over him throughout. 'The award of the George Medal is a true testament to the fortitude of May and his comrades.' The sale takes place on September 21. Three British holidaymakers have been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman at a Magaluf hotel less than a fortnight after an alleged gang rape of a UK tourist in the Spanish resort town. Police in Majorca confirmed this afternoon the three men were detained as they tried to board a flight to Manchester. The woman who raised the alarm, who well-placed sources also said is British, is claiming she may have been drugged. Tests are ongoing for any traces of suspicious substances. A spokesman for the Civil Guard, confirming the arrests today at a hotel in the municipality of Calvia, which Magaluf is part of, said: 'The Civil Guard has arrested three young men as the suspected authors of a crime of sexual aggression on a woman at a hotel in Calvia. 'This morning a central response unit received an alert about a possible sexual aggression form a hotel in the municipality. Police in Majorca confirmed this afternoon the three men had been detained as they tried to board a flight to Manchester. Pictured: Magaluf 'A police patrol went to the hotel and spoke to a young tourist who told them she had been raped in the early hours of this morning by men she had met the night before. 'She also said she had suffered chemical submission, given that she felt completely unwell possibly because of the consumption of some type of drug. 'She said she didn't know the identity of the alleged aggressors, just the nickname one of them used on a social network.' Explaining she had been taken to hospital so further tests could take place, the spokesman added: 'Officers identified the alleged aggressors who had just abandoned the hotel with the intention of taking a flight back to their home country. 'They were arrested at Palma Airport minutes before they boarded a flight to Manchester.' A number of alleged rapes of British women have rocked Magaluf (pictured) and other resort hotspots this summer It comes almost two weeks after eight men were arrested over the alleged gang rape of another British teenager. Six are in custody in Mallorca and two are expected to be extradited shortly from France. Seven of the suspects, aged 18 to 26, are French and the other man is a Swiss national. Spanish authorities revealed this week that the eight men did not know each other prior to the alleged gang-rape. The girl fled a room at the BH Mallorca Resort at around 5am on August 14, telling police she had woken up surrounded by young people holding mobile phones. Officers later identified three men by ringing the girl's phone, which it was claimed had been stolen during the ordeal. It comes as MailOnline revealed the 'horrifying' rapes that have rocked Europe this summer. As of August 20, at least nine British tourists and one Irish woman were victims of alleged rapes and sex attacks Katie Kempen, Chief Executive at the charity Victim Support, said the reports are 'horrifying' and women should be free to enjoy themselves without the fear of being attacked. Ms Kempen said: 'Recent accounts of rape and sexual violence experienced by British women while on holiday abroad are horrifying. Whether in the UK or elsewhere in the world, women and girls should have the freedom to enjoy themselves without the fear of being attacked or assaulted.' The Foreign Office said it has provided additional training to staff to better support victims. Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell has made a heartbreaking plea for more funding for research into brain cancer amid treatment for her terminal condition. The 36-year-old was diagnosed with the incurable condition last year after being rushed to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh with migraines, which she had been experiencing since June 2022. Ms Burrell, who is a specialist in decorative arts and fine antiques, was told she had a glioblastoma, a rapidly-growing and aggressive brain tumour, just as she was adapting to life as a new mother. Despite months of gruelling treatment to shrink the tumour to try to prolong her life, the TV personality was told her cancer will return. She previously said: 'Receiving my diagnosis, at the age of 35, when my son was just one year old, was devastating. Overnight everything had changed. 'Suddenly I'd gone from being a healthy person in the middle of my life with a new baby to having incurable cancer with maybe one or two years left to live.' Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell has made a heartbreaking plea for more funding for research into brain cancer amid treatment for her terminal condition Ms Burrell, who is a specialist in decorative arts and fine antiques, was told she had a glioblastoma, a rapidly-growing and aggressive brain tumour Despite months of gruelling treatment to shrink the tumour to try to prolong her life, the TV personality was told her cancer will return Now, she has spoken out about the lack of funding into brain cancer research and signed a petition launched by Brain Tumour Research, and is hoping to raise awareness and encourage others to do the same. 'I've signed the petition and encourage others to do the same', she is quoted as saying on the Brain Tumour Research website. 'It's hard not to feel angry about the whole experience. Brain tumours are so underfunded, and they have such a poor prognosis. Brain cancer seems to be a few steps ahead of us, its outsmarting us. 'We can get a man on the moon, but we can't cure brain tumours; it's so frustrating that funding is so thin on the ground. So many young people get brain tumours, so we need to care for the next generation. Signing the petition is so important to get the 100,000 signatures, otherwise it suggests people don't care.' The petition is calling on the Government to ring-fence 110 million of funding in a bid to increase the national investment into brain tumour research to 35 million per year by 2028. It hopes to reach 100,000 signatures by October 31st to trigger a parliamentary debate into the issue. At the time of writing, 32,288 signatures had been received. A University of Washington engineering student was brutally stabbed to death after stepping in as her mother was being assaulted by her stepfather, it is claimed. Angelina Tran, 21, was stabbed a shocking 107 times earlier this month in the Seattle home she shared with her mother Linh Ngoc Tran, 50, and stepfather, Nghiep Kein Chau, 54. Chau has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder after the attack, which was captured on the home's surveillance camera. Prosecutors say Chau punched his wife about 15 times in the face and head as they argued in their kitchen before Angelina, who was sleeping, emerged from her room and tried to intervene. Chau then punched Angelina, who held him back so her mother could escape and run downstairs. Angelina Tran, 21, was stabbed a shocking 107 times earlier this month when she intervened as her stepfather was assaulting her mother Linh Ngoc Tran, 50, and her husband Nghiep Kein Chau, 54, are seen in their kitchen before he began punching her as many as 15 times, prosecutors say The Seattle home the family shared is pictured above He then wrestled his stepdaughter to the floor, grabbed a 'large' knife and began stabbing her in the chest repeatedly, according to court documents. The alleged killer proceeded to change clothes, 'because of all the blood,' before selecting a different knife, a meat cleaver, to continue the attack. Angelina's mother Linh had reportedly ran to a room to hide as she called 911. When police arrived, Chau was still 'holding a large bloody fixed-blade kitchen style knife.' Prosecutors say Chau has admitted that he intended to kill Linh before police arrived. Police say they took him into custody 'as he was coming down the stairs inside their home, still armed with a knife.' He reportedly said, 'I killed somebody,' as he was arrested. Chau told police through an interpreter that he was upset because he believed his wife was going to divorce him and take all his money Chau and Angelina's mother had reportedly been together for nearly 20 years, meaning he knew his stepdaughter for most of her life Chau also told police through an interpreter that he was upset because he believed his wife was going to divorce him and take all his money. 'This murder appeared to be the result of anger at his stepdaughter for intervening in the defendants attack on her mother. Angelina Trans intervention allowed her mother to escape and hide in a nearby bedroom, but the defendant did not stop his attack,' said the criminal complaint against him. Chau and Angelina's mother had reportedly been together for nearly 20 years, meaning he had known his stepdaughter for most of her life. He is being held at the King County Correctional Facility on a $5million bond. A GoFundMe page for Angelina has already surpassed its goal of $15.000 by thousands. '[Angelina] graced our lives as an incredible daughter, a cherished friend, and above all, a perfect girlfriend. Her dedication and hard work were truly admirable. The pain of her absence is profound as she was a gem of a human being,' the page reads. 'All contributions received will be directed towards the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, reflecting Angelina's spirit and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of elderly individuals.' A mall in California was evacuated and police were called in when a suspicious toilet was left near shops with a note warning that it might be a bomb. Timothy Taratchila, 22, was arrested nearby on suspicion of making a false bomb threat after the highly decorated lavatory was discovered in the Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale at around 8pm on Thursday. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs bomb squad raced to the scene and a police drone was flown over the object to take a look as shoppers were ordered out. The bomb squad unit then used a mobile X-ray machine to examine its contents before determining that it was safe. As the LASD Bomb Squad meticulously worked through their scene safety protocols, officers searched for the suspect, said a spokesman for the Glendale Police Department (GPD). The suspicious toilet which forced an evacuation when it was left in a busy shopping center Suspect Timothy Taratchila, 22, was quickly detained by police investigating the toilet Worried shoppers flooded out of the America Brand mall as it was evacuated With the X-ray machine showing nothing suspicious, two bomb squad members gingerly approached the latrine and removed the tank lid and seat. The toilet, which was painted in blues, greens, yellow and reds appeared to be decorated with a skull and had words including dog and attempt scrawled on it. It was left around 50ft from the malls AMC Theater and police said it may have been transported on a luggage dolly that was found dumped nearby. It was 11pm before the threat was lifted and relieved staff were allowed to return. As a result of our significant investment in security measures, we were able to quickly assist the GPD in identifying and locating a suspect who was then arrested, said mall owner Rick Caruso. A police drone was sent in to probe the mysterious multi-colored object A bomb squad peers into the bowl to assess the threat from We do not tolerate criminal activity on our properties and will take every step necessary to ensure the safety of our guests, tenants, residents and employees. We extend our gratitude to our security team and to the GPD for their quick response and action in arresting the suspect. Taratchila of Burbank was taken to Glendale Police Department in lieu of $15,000 bail and is due to appear in Glendale Municipal Court on Friday. Police were unable to lift the lid on any motive. The heir to the throne and a Love Island star make for an unlikely alliance. But Prince William and Lucie Donlan have found themselves united in trying to block a development of luxury villas on the Cornish seafront. Locals in Newquay are fighting plans to concrete up the wild cliff face overlooking Whipsiderry beach on the coastal walk in order to build seven 1million second homes. They fear the heavy-duty construction work deemed necessary to stop the 'exceptionally high-spec' properties falling into the sea would destroy what is a vital haven for wildlife. They say initial excavation work has already caused 1,000 tons of rocks to fall on to the beach, endangering the thousands who flock to it every summer. Love Island contestant Lucie Donlan (centre left, black hat) joins protests at Whipsiderry Beach in Newquay on March 2 Prince William and Lucie Donlan (pictured) have found themselves united in trying to block the development of luxury villas on the Cornish seafront Earlier this year she was among hundreds who staged a demonstration, linking arms to stop attempts by diggers to begin excavating the caves below Work was stopped only when the Duchy of Cornwall, which owns part of the beach, responded to a plea from the group to use its 'power and position of authority' to stop the destruction. Prince William inherited the Duchy when his father became King A large community group set up to fight the development including model and keen surfer Ms Donlan, who starred on Love Island in 2019 has so far been ignored by Cornwall Council. Earlier this year she was among hundreds who staged a demonstration, linking arms to stop attempts by diggers to begin excavating the caves below. But work was stopped only when the Duchy of Cornwall, which owns part of the beach, responded to a plea from the group to use its 'power and position of authority' to stop the destruction. The Duchy which William inherited when his father became King suspended the licence which gave builders access to the beach until it could prove the plans were safe and bird-nesting restrictions were being met. Campaign spokesman Andrew Robey, 38, a teacher and lifeguard, said the royal intervention was key in saving the beach for the time being. 'The plans would ruin the beach, destroy the wildlife, and put people on the beach in danger,' he added. 'They're building second homes that'll just be left empty most of the year while there's a housing crisis here. Locals feel betrayed.' Campaign spokesman Andrew Robey, 38, a teacher and lifeguard, said the royal intervention was key in saving the beach for the time being. Pictured: Whipsiderry Beach The land above was bought by developer Living Quarter Properties for a reported 300,000 in 2007, with plans for seven multistorey holiday villas. Pictured: Lucie Donlan joins protests in March Whipsiderry is 'the last wild beach in the area', campaigners say. Its cliffs provide a vital nesting site for seabirds called fulmars and an important habitat for bats, the Cornish chough and kestrels. The land above was bought by developer Living Quarter Properties for a reported 300,000 in 2007, with plans for seven multistorey holiday villas. But the land has remained empty, largely due to the unstable cliff. Geologists warn it could erode by 70ft within a hundred years, causing the properties to fall into the sea. To secure any development above, builders would use heavy machinery to insert 16ft steel rods and fill in the cliff and caves below with tons of concrete. Cornwall Council declined to comment. Beaming in her uniform with her blonde hair neatly combed, an unremarkable pupil poses for her official school photograph. But that seemingly ordinary schoolgirl was Lucy Letby, who grew up to be the neonatal nurse handed 14 whole-life jail terms this week for being Britain's worst ever child killer. The shot was taken in 2001, making her just 11 and in her first years of secondary school. Schoolmates from Aylestone High, her local comprehensive, have told how there was nothing that made them suspect she would go on to commit such heinous crimes. One shocked former pupil, who asked not to be named, told how Letby was 'part of the geeky crowd, a very quiet, closed group', adding: 'I could never have imagined anybody in my form at school could commit such crimes.' There was, however, 'just an element of weirdness about her', they admitted. Beaming in her uniform with her blonde hair neatly combed, an unremarkable pupil poses for her official school photograph What drove Letby, 33, to murder seven babies and harm six others during a year-long spree at the Countess of Chester Hospital remains a mystery 'When you go to high school you talk to most people, even if you don't become friends. But I can't recall ever having a conversation with her.' 'Nothing stands out. Vanilla is a good description.' What drove Letby, 33, to murder seven babies and harm six others during a year-long spree at the Countess of Chester Hospital remains a mystery. Police describe her as 'beige' owing to her seemingly unremarkable life she was a plain, single woman who lived alone in a suburban semi and loved going to salsa classes with friends. She was born the only child of retail boss John, 77, and his accounts clerk wife, Susan, 63, and was raised in a 1930s semi-detached home in a quiet cul-de-sac in the cathedral city of Hereford. Another former schoolmate said: 'It's just hard to even begin to understand what went wrong.' They also claimed that Letby's parents had isolated themselves since their daughter's arrest, adding: 'I think he [Lucy's father] and the mum struggle to understand any of this.' The film paints a deeply disturbing picture. A dark-skinned man stares menacingly and licks a huge knife. Flames explode out of burning cars on an urban street. Shrieking young rioters, their heads covered by hoodies, kick in a shop window. An alarming soundtrack thunders as a solemn male voice asks: Do you want this to happen in Poland . . . to stop being masters of your own country? The short clip championing stronger border controls could easily have been the work of racist British nationalists in the 1980s. Yet it was released on social media by the mainstream political party that has governed Poland for eight years, as it announced the next general election on October 15. Controversially, the populist Law and Justice Party (PiS) also plans to hold a referendum on the same day to ask Poles about their views on uncontrolled migration into the country. One of the referendum questions says: Do you support the admission of thousands of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa? Poland is massively investing in its security and its military, effectively policing the eastern flank of the EU while the Ukraine conflict rages on its doorstep. Pictured: Sue Reid next to the River Bug, which is between Belarus and Poland Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki suggested that the Wagner mercenaries will be an even bigger threat to the West if it falls under Russian President Vladimir Putins personal control. Pictured: A Polish Border guard on patrol at the River Bug A third of the Polish say they will vote for the hard-Right PiS party, according to the latest polls, as nationalism soars in response to Russias sabre-rattling on its border. Pictured: A Polish Border guard on patrol at the River Bug A second asks whether strict barriers should remain between Poland and its troublesome neighbour Belarus, suspected by Warsaw of harbouring Russian mercenaries from the notorious Wagner Group while sending over migrants to destabilise the West. Plans for the joint election and referendum are being made at an extraordinary time for Poland. The country is massively investing in its security and its military, effectively policing the eastern flank of the EU while the Ukraine conflict rages on its doorstep. On Thursday, following the death of Wagners leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki suggested that the menacing group will be an even bigger threat to the West if it falls under Russian President Vladimir Putins personal control. In this febrile atmosphere, the Mail has visited Poland as canvassing for the election gets underway. A third of the Polish say they will vote for the hard-Right PiS party, according to the latest polls, as nationalism soars in response to Russias sabre-rattling on its border. Earlier this month, Moscow said it had shipped tactical nuclear weaponry to Belarus. Polish officials warned us as we drove into the border area: You are in a war zone. Everything we do to guard our country is secret because the guys on the other side [Belarusians] have been trained by the old Soviet Union, the best spymasters in the world. At one point, we watched patrols of guards armed with sub-machine guns and binoculars. At another, in Niemirow, a village a few hours drive from Warsaw, we saw a section of the 15 ft steel fence erected by Poland that now snakes hundreds of miles through ancient forests along the boundary with Belarus. The fence bristles with cameras, thermal-vision surveillance equipment and sensors. You could not see us when you were there, but we could see you, officials told us afterwards. In Niemirow (pictured, with Sue Reid in front) a village a few hours drive from Warsaw, we saw a section of the 15 ft steel fence erected by Poland that now snakes hundreds of miles through ancient forests along the boundary with Belarus The fence bristles with cameras, thermal-vision surveillance equipment and sensors Respected diplomat Marek Magierowski told Americas CNN the country is sending 10,000 troops to the Belarus border. Pictured: A Border Guard at Terespol border crossing in Poland Twenty miles back, we witnessed army barracks filled with soldiers waiting to be sent to this new front line to stop growing aggressiveness towards Europe from Belarus and Russia. This dramatic description of the increasing belligerence of Polands neighbours did not come from the mouth of a politician, but was the reasoned assessment of the Polish Ambassador to the United States on a TV programme. Respected diplomat Marek Magierowski told Americas CNN: We are sending 10,000 troops to the Belarus border to prepare our protection against what is an unpredictable foe. He later told another US TV debate: The idea is to show that moving into Poland is not a viable option. We are the only EU country which borders Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. It is almost 800 miles combined and you can only imagine how volatile the entire region is nowadays. Polands defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak echoed his words on Polish national radio. The goal is to move troops closer to the border with Belarus to scare the aggressor, so they do not dare to attack us. Amid the tensions, political scientist Maciej Milczanowski of Rzeszow University tried to put the current state of alarm into perspective. There is a real threat from Russia or Belarus [to Poland and the EU]. But you must remember that an election campaign is underway. Right-wing parties always gain from talking about these sorts of situations. That might be true, but in the small and pretty town of Bialowieska last week, we saw real fear among ordinary Poles. It is three miles from the border and only the steel fence separates it from Belarus. Earlier this month on a weekday morning, just before 11am, two Belarusian helicopters an Mi-8 and Mi-24 swept in low over the trees of the park where Bialowieska locals were drinking coffee and walking by the lake. Mateusz SZPAKOWICZ, 17, was running an ice-cream stall in the park as a holiday job when he saw the helicopters arrive. They circled for ten minutes, he told the Mail. We believe it was a deliberate act of provocation by Belarus. Mateusz Szpakowicz, 17, was running an ice-cream stall in the park as a holiday job when he saw the helicopters arrive With his teenage friends, Filip and Jakub, he showed us videos of the incursion on their mobile phones With his teenage friends, Filip and Jakub, he showed us videos of the incursion on their mobile phones. I was serving a customer when I first heard the noise of the engines, recalled Mateusz. I looked up. Everyone in the park just stopped and stared. I saw the red stars on the side of the helicopters which showed they were from Putins side. We rang the police and border guards to alert them. People handed over their photo evidence to the officers who came to the park when the helicopters had gone away. The Polish defence ministry later said the helicopters had flown in at a very low altitude to make detection by radar systems difficult. The Belarusian air-defence force insisted that any notion its helicopters had crossed the border was far-fetched. Despite numerous eye-witness accounts and the compelling mobile-phone footage, a spokesman insisted: It was made up by the Polish military to justify the build-up of forces near our Belarusian border. Further south, in Terespol, is the only open road-border crossing from Belarus to Poland. It is four miles as the crow flies from Brest, Belaruss nearest major town to Poland. When we were there, our mobile signals rerouted from Poland as if we were on Belarusian soil. Teeming with border guards, the crossing is busy. Cars, buses and vans take as long as 24 hours to get into Poland as guards and the army conduct checks vehicle by vehicle on who is coming in and why. In Terespol (pictured) is the only open road-border crossing from Belarus to Poland It is four miles as the crow flies from Brest, Belaruss nearest major town to Poland Teeming with border guards, the crossing is busy. Cars, buses and vans take as long as 24 hours to get into Poland as guards and the army conduct checks vehicle by vehicle on who is coming in and why I talked to the driver of a Toyota car with Belarus plates returning to his country. I come over to buy stuff, the 45-year-old cement worker told me evasively. I live 40 miles into the other side beyond Brest. It takes a day to come in as this is the only border point and the queues are long. There are waiting lines to get out, too. We know we are being monitored by the guards when we are here. The Polish are friendly to Belarusians who visit, like me. It is our governments that dont like each other. It was here in Terespol that we first saw the Polish Border Guard officers at work. After we left the crossing point, we stopped for coffee five minutes down a side road. A turquoise 4x4 swept in and stopped beside our car. Out of it climbed a local police sergeant and a border guard wearing a smart black uniform. We had been spotted as strangers in town. They took our passports and put them through a monitor in their 4x4 to check our identities. Then, after they had made a number of frenzied phone calls to local and national officialdom, it was agreed we could join them on patrol. It has been decided here in Terespol, and further up the chain, that I can take you out to see what we do, said the Border Guard officer through our interpreter. The deal is that you dont identify me. We got into his car and drove half a mile to a river that marks the border between Poland and Belarus. No questions were allowed. He would not even answer me when I asked how many hours he worked during a day. That is secret information, he told our interpreter. There is no steel fence near the River Bug, which partially divides the two countries the fast-flowing water is seen as sufficient deterrent. But there have still been numerous migrant crossings here by boat and raft. Nearly 20,000 undocumented people from a multitude of African nations as well as India, Iraq, Turkey and Syria have attempted to enter Poland from Belarus this year alone. There is no steel fence near the River Bug, which partially divides the two countries the fast-flowing water is seen as sufficient deterrent But there have still been numerous migrant crossings across the River Bug by boat and raft A border warning sign next to the River Bug between Belarus and Poland, half a mile from Terespol border crossing They are getting more aggressive, attacking us by throwing rocks and flares, in reaction to us standing up against them, chiefs of the Polish Border Guard told us. Poland has accused Belarus, with Putins backing, of encouraging this surge in an act of hybrid warfare to create instability in the West. That is creating another worry: Are Wagner mercenaries infiltrated among the migrants trying to get a foothold in the country? Tensions heightened further this month as Belarus began military exercises near its Polish border. The Belarusian defence ministry said the drills, including the use of drones as well as the interaction of tank and rifle units, were being carried out with the help of the 7,000 Wagner mercenaries now embedded in the country after their failed coup in Moscow earlier this year. Two Russians were arrested for espionage against Poland a few days ago after they were caught distributing pro-Wagner Group propaganda posters in Warsaw and the smaller city of Krakow. Along with the slogan We are here, join us the posters featured the groups skull logo with a QR code leading to a recruitment page. These developments may be deeply concerning for Poland, but it is refusing to be intimidated. The respected website Politico says it now has arguably Europes best army with the heftiest land forces. Poland is currently outspending almost every other EU country on defence as a percentage of its income. The Polish army must be so powerful that it does not have to fight, due to its strength alone, Defence Minister Blaszczak has said, as he promised his country will soon have the biggest armed forces in Europe. Last week, Poland marked its victory over communist Russia in the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, when the Bolshevik forces were repelled from Europe where they planned a world revolution. There was a huge military parade in the Polish capital for the anniversary, reminiscent of the annual spectacle in Moscows Red Square before the Soviet Union collapsed 30 years ago. Polands governing PiS Party used the parade to showcase the nations state-of-the-art weaponry alongside 2,000 troops, 200 armed-forces vehicles and 100 aircraft. Sue Reid at a memorial of a Russian built T-34 tank known as Stalin's Revenge that was placed near the village of Neple not far from the Polish and Belarus border Poland is currently outspending almost every other EU country on defence as a percentage of its income. Pictured: Polish Air force presents F-16C aircrafts during military parade Polands governing PiS Party used the parade to showcase the nations state-of-the-art weaponry alongside 2,000 troops, 200 armed-forces vehicles and 100 aircraft. Pictured: Members of the new voluntary Territorial Defense Troops march with Poland's national flags Cheering crowds, waving national white and red flags, gathered in scorching temperatures to see American Abrams tanks, Patriot missile systems, Apache attack helicopters and F-16 fighter planes, as well as South Korean FA-50 combat aircraft. Polish howitzers and armoured transports also rolled by. At one stage, a U.S. Air Force F-35 advanced fighter plane roared overhead to indicate the jets are also on Polands shopping list. This year, the country plans to spend 18 billion to bolster defence spending, taking it to 4 per cent of GDP, nearly twice that of Britains 2.1 per cent. In a powerful speech at the parade, President Andrzej Duda, who commands the armed forces, proclaimed that his troops now number 175,000, and will soon be 300,000, three times more than eight years ago. He said: The defence of our eastern border, the border of the European Union, is a key element of our state policy. And one thing is certain. The grand military display will have been closely watched by both Belarus and Russia. President Joe Biden said Donald Trump's mug shot showed 'handsome guy' as he was booed on Friday coming out a pilates class during his Lake Tahoe vacation. 'Handsome guy, wonderful guy,' Biden said, chuckling when asked about the former president's booking photo, noting he had seen it on TV. Biden and some members of his family were at Pelodog Pilates and Cycle studio, the same place he exercised on Wednesday, when he stopped to speak to reporters. Many in the crowd gathered outside booed the president as he left the workout center although a group of supporters tried to cheer over them. Biden looked over at the people jeering him but didn't address them. Biden was not asked about a bombshell interview released Friday during which former Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin accused him and his son Hunter of taking bribes and being behind his ouster. Hunter is on the week-long Lake Tahoe vacation with his father, despite being under a special counsel investigation into his foreign business dealings and gun and tax crimes. President Joe Biden was booed after pilates class during his Lake Tahoe vacation At the time of Shokin's firing in 2016, he was investigating oil company Burisma Holdings for corruption - when Hunter was serving on the firm's board. 'I do not want to deal in unproven facts. But my firm personal conviction is that yes, this was the case. They were being bribed,' Shokin says in the clip of the interview. 'The fact that Joe Biden gave away $1 billion in U.S. money in exchange for my dismissal - my firing - isn't that alone a case of corruption?' he continues in another clip. The White House hit back at Shotkin's 'false' claims and insisted he wasn't even investigating Burisma when he was fired. The Biden administration also said allegations of corruption came from Ukraine, around the globe and even Republican politicians. Spokesman Ian Sams said: 'For years, these false claims have been debunked, and no matter how much air time Fox gives them, they will remain false. 'Fox is giving a platform for these lies to a former Ukrainian prosecutor general whose office his own deputy called "a hotbed of corruption', drawing demands for reform not only from then-Vice President Biden but also from U.S. diplomats, international partners, and Republican Senators like Ron Johnson." President Biden is wrapping up his vacation at the expensive lake resort. He was joined in his workout by daughter Ashley, granddaughter Finnegan and grandson Hunter Jr. He is staying with family, including his son Hunter, at the $18 million home of billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, following complaints that the rental may run afoul of a local county housing code. Jill Biden is also on the Lake Tahoe trip as is Hunter's wife Melissa Cohen and their son Beau. Naomi Biden and her husband Peter Neal also joined the family. Biden's daughter Ashley joined him for a workout - granddaughter Finnegan is behind her The president answered several questions post-workout on Friday, addressing his GOP rivals and the uptick in COVID cases. He said he watched the Republican primary debate on Wednesday night and said it was filled with a lot of talk and no specifics. 'I don't remember them speaking to any of the issues. There was a lot of talk. But what are they going to do to deal with economic growth? What are they going to do to deal with the notion that maintaining the job pace that we have now? What are they going to do to deal with education?,' he said. Trump, who is leading in the polls for the Republican nomination to take on Biden in 2024, skipped the debate. The former president was booked in Atlanta on Thursday on charges he conspired to overturn Biden's 2020 victory in Georgia. Trump has claimed he was just using his first amendment rights to talk about the election results. It was his fourth arrest this year - but police didn't take his booking photo during previous appearances before them in New York City, Miami and Washington DC. 'It is not a comfortable feeling especially when you've done nothing wrong,' he told Fox News's website of getting his booking photo taken. Trump has posted memes of his mug shot, which was mocked repeatedly on the internet as the image went viral. President Biden didn't watch Trump's interview with Tucker Carlson, which aired opposite the GOP debate. 'I didn't have an interest or inclination,' he said. During the interview, Trump mocked Biden's 'skinny legs' as seen during photos during the president's Rehoboth Beach trip. 'I think he's worse mentally than he is physically and physically. He's not exactly a triathlete, or any kind of athlete,' Trump told Carlson. 'You look at him who can't walk through the helicopter he walks he can't lift his feet out of the grass, you know, it's only two inches at the White House.' President Joe Biden said that Donald Trump's mug shot showed a 'handsome guy' Fulton County jail released Donald Trump's booking record which lists the charges and his vital details President Biden worked out at the same fitness studio he visited on Wednesday Biden, in his remarks on Friday, also said he was going to ask Congress for more funding for COVID vaccines given the uptake in cases and the new dominant XBB variants. The president said another booster shot would likely be recommended. 'Tentatively, not decided finally, tentatively it is recommended - it is likely to be recommended - that everybody get it,' he said. On Wednesday, President Biden was joined by first lady Jill Biden and several members of his family for a pilates and spin class at the same workout studio. He enjoyed a banana blueberry smoothie after his workout. Perhaps it was because I could picture the maternity ward, I knew its smell, could remember myself being in those same hospital beds, that the tears came. Until Monday, I hadn't allowed my mind to reflect on or connect the horrors of what happened at the Countess of Chester Hospital to my own babies. 'Do your job, keep it professional,' I told myself. But when the mother of a tiny baby boy, sadistically murdered by Lucy Letby, began so eloquently to recount the overwhelming bond of love she felt when she held her first-born for the first time, I couldn't help but think back to my own experiences or control my emotions. For the first time in my 25 years as a journalist, I wept in court. I've sat through some difficult cases in my career the Hillsborough Inquests, the Manchester Arena Bomb Inquiry and the murder trial of 11-year-old Rhys Jones among them. You need a thick skin to do this job and among my closest friends I'm known for having scant regard for fools or armchair trolls. But last week I telephoned one of my best friends and admitted I was feeling 'a bit wobbly'. LIZ HULL: I've sat through some difficult cases in my career the Hillsborough Inquests, the Manchester Arena Bomb Inquiry and the murder trial of 11-year-old Rhys Jones among them At the beginning, as the prosecution case opened, I have to admit I too wasn't convinced Letby (pictured) had done what they alleged By then, those of us in court knew Letby was a serial killer, as some verdicts had been delivered, but the media blackout was making the tension of the remaining, imminent verdicts almost unbearable. 'Blimey, maybe you don't have a heart of stone after all,' my friend joked. For the past ten months I've been one of just a handful of reporters with a front row seat in Court Seven of Manchester Crown Court. I've been to almost every day of the trial, sitting just a few feet away from the woman accused of some of the worst crimes in modern times. Again and again, we heard how no one not the doctors and nurses, not the managers whose inaction and obfuscation allowed Letby to continue for so long, not even the police in the early stages wanted to believe a nurse was killing tiny, premature babies at an ordinary NHS hospital. But now the jury's verdicts are in, we know the 'unthinkable' was happening. And for me, these unimaginable crimes did not occur at any hospital, they happened at the one in my home town. The hospital where both my children were born and took their first breaths. Thankfully, neither my son nor daughter needed neonatal care. They are a little too old to have been at risk of running into Letby, my youngest having been born ten months before she took up a job permanently at the Countess. But I have lots of friends and neighbours whose babies were born at the hospital in the middle of Letby's killing spree, and who, only by the grace of God, escaped her murderous attentions. Over the past ten months, so many of those mothers and grandmothers have asked me the same question: 'She's not guilty, Liz, is she?' The fact is, nobody in my community wanted to contemplate that the attractive, blonde-haired nurse they saw smiling out of every national newspaper could be more wicked than the likes of Myra Hindley or Beverley Allitt. At the beginning, as the prosecution case opened, I have to admit I too wasn't convinced Letby had done what they alleged. Nobody saw her attack any baby, there was no smoking gun. But, as time went on and the circumstantial evidence accumulated, it became clear that, although premature and fragile, there was no natural explanation for why these babies, who simply needed a helping hand at the start of their lives, should have collapsed or died. Once she started speaking, there was no inflection in her voice, no evidence of distress, no imploring us to believe she wasn't a killer - I just didn't believe her Letby listened intently to the witnesses, often passing notes to the young female solicitor on her legal team Not that the case was clear-cut. The jury was being asked to understand and digest complicated medical evidence and Letby's barrister, Ben Myers KC, did his best to sow seeds of doubt by highlighting mistakes made in some of the babies' care and the contradictions in the Crown's case. In my mind, it all hinged on whether Letby would go into the witness box. If she was to have any chance of being cleared, she needed the jury to like her. But in person, Letby was incapable of showing emotion or humanity. Her demeanour was glacial, her face blank and devoid of expression. When she started giving evidence in her defence, her delivery was so deliberate it bordered on robotic. I admit, I was thrown by how 'normal' she looked; too ordinary to be a killer, surely. But once she started speaking, there was no inflection in her voice, no evidence of distress, no imploring us to believe she wasn't a killer. As time went on, I just didn't believe her. If she was a caring nurse, surely she would have shown it? On a couple of occasions, I caught her sharing a joke with the prison officers who brought her to court each day, but as soon as she realised journalists, police officers, lawyers and especially the jury were filing in, the mask went back on. There were the odd tears, most intriguingly when the married doctor, whom prosecuting barrister Nick Johnson KC said was her 'boyfriend' and with whom she was infatuated, came to court for the first time to testify against her. Again, the tears came when photographs of her house with its child-like Disney ornaments on window sills, artwork of cliched slogans and teddy bears on her bed were shown on large screens in the court room, a reminder of her past life. On just one occasion did she cry when recounting the death of a baby whom she'd murdered. Letby listened intently to the witnesses, often passing notes to the young female solicitor on her legal team, and had daily meetings with Mr Myers after court finished for the day, before being whisked back to her cell at HMP New Hall, in Wakefield, an hour down the M62. Much of the evidence about the babies was extremely upsetting. Many suffered and there were some truly sombre days in court when the mother or father of the infant, whose short life was being forensically examined in great detail, naturally couldn't help but weep in their seats in the public gallery behind the Press bench. It was the dads who always got to me the most. The incongruous sight of grown men sobbing while the young blonde sat, stony-faced in the dock. Families from all walks of life middle class, working class sat before me, shattered by Letby's crimes. Why would this young woman, who aspired to be a nurse from her schooldays, who secured her dream job and became the poster girl for the hospital's Babygrow fundraising campaign, start attacking defenceless infants in her care? For me, these unimaginable crimes did not occur at any hospital, they happened at the one in my home town As the months rolled on, and the case unfolded, one big question remained. Why would this young woman, who aspired to be a nurse from her schooldays, who secured her dream job and became the poster girl for the hospital's Babygrow fundraising campaign, start attacking defenceless infants in her care? For me, it was particularly shocking to see how Letby was able to go about her everyday life while carrying out her murder spree. Time and date-stamped text messages found on her mobile phone showed she casually went salsa dancing hours after poisoning a baby's drip with insulin; put a bet on the Grand National shortly before injecting another infant with air; and wrote how she would be back from her holiday to Ibiza 'with a bang' before murdering two triplets in quick succession on her return. After attacking babies she would walk the one and a half miles home and 'wind down' by watching Strictly Come Dancing, Love Island and Coronation Street. Chester is a small place. I couldn't help but feel unnerved by my proximity to such evil, that she walked the same streets as me and my family, visited the same bars and restaurants as us (some Mexican and American-themed eateries where I've enjoyed nights out were mentioned in evidence), all the while committing such horrendous acts. The prosecution suggested Letby liked the drama and attention of when a baby collapsed and enjoyed 'playing God' with their lives. Perhaps the best clue to her state of mind was the confessional note discovered in her diary, in which she lamented being 'evil', and that she 'would never have children or marry'. But still, it failed to explain her motivation, which remains a mystery. Letby claimed she had developed post-traumatic stress from her arrest, and sat in the dock throughout her trial clutching two blankets one pink and one lilac. She also held on to a tiny 'stress' toy for comfort when she gave evidence and not allowed the support of her legal team while mid-testimony was granted regular visits with the court's resident mental health nurse, who helped her cope with days of probing, spiky questions from Mr Johnson. She told the court her arrest had given her hypervigilance and hypersensitivity disorder conditions which meant she was easily distracted. Unusually, the judge agreed that, because of these, she did not have to walk from the dock to the witness box to give evidence each day. I suspected it was her way of avoiding being further scrutinised by the media and families in the public gallery. One expert criminologist suggested to me that it was also a way of her maintaining control of the situation and the courtroom. She would steal reassuring glances to her parents, who relocated from their home in Hereford, renting an apartment in central Manchester, so they could sit watching proceedings from the public gallery almost every day. The trial heard how only child Letby spoke to them daily, but found them 'suffocating at times'. Although in her mid-20s, she still went on holiday to Torquay with them every year. They helped her buy her first home, but hated her living alone, 80 miles away from them, in Chester. Letby's boss on the unit gave evidence that she was forthright, unafraid to make complaints about colleagues if she thought they'd made mistakes, no matter if they were a fellow nurse or a much more senior doctor. When suspicious consultants demanded she be moved off the unit, instead of quietly accepting her new administration role, Letby was furious and mounted a formal grievance against them. I can't help but see similarities in her reported behaviour to that of her parents, John and Susan Letby, who, unusually for relatives of a defendant, weren't afraid to approach and berate the media during the trial, me included. They suggested reports were biased against their daughter, demanded to know why there were cameras outside the court on certain days, corrected what they felt were mistakes in the coverage and angrily confronted anyone who failed to attend every day of their daughter's defence. Police sources told me they suspected Letby had given her parents little idea of what she was alleged to have done before they arrived for the start of the trial in October, but, even after listening to months of, at times, horrifying evidence, they remained steadfast in their resolve that their blue-eyed daughter was not to blame. 'She was just there,' Mrs Letby was overheard to say by way of explanation. As a mother, yes, I felt for her. The thought of your only child committing such crimes must be unbearable. Both Letby and her mother broke down and sobbed when the first guilty verdicts were delivered on August 8. After 15 days of deliberation the jury decided she had poisoned two of the babies with insulin, secretly injecting the drug into the drips of her victims, watching as they became unwell. In both cases, she couldn't resist attacking their twin brothers too, succeeding in taking the life of one and leaving the other with brain damage. Three days later, when the jury gave further verdicts, there was more sobbing from Mrs Letby, who had taken to smoking her husband's cigarettes as the wait dragged on. 'This can't be right,' she muttered, before clinging to her husband for support. Letby simply hung her head and cried silently. The mother of a twin boy she was convicted of killing also wept. Letby was only seen in court once more after that, refusing to come up from the cells to hear the jury convict her of the final counts, or listen to the parents of the babies explain in harrowing detail how she had caused them serious psychological harm, even driving some to the brink of suicide. Once Letby indicated she wouldn't be returning, her doting parents also disappeared, staying away from court to avoid hearing that their daughter will die in jail. Covering this trial has been tough. The case has dominated my thoughts and even infiltrated my dreams. More than once I've woken in the night with a start and Letby has been the first thing to come into my mind. On one occasion I had a particularly nasty nightmare about my own baby son collapsing in the unit. Friends and neighbours sent me messages of support on the day of the verdict, something utterly uncommon. Clearly, they worried listening to such horror must have taken a toll. Yet it goes without saying that my experience pales into total insignificance when hearing what the families of the babies have suffered. I sat by these parents daily in court, greeted them with hellos and comments on the weather, all the while thinking of the hell they have, and continue to, endure. For while I may act like a hardened reporter, the truth is I'm a wife and mother first. And so I will never forget this trial. It has changed me as a person; seeing how evil can co-exist so closely with the everyday, a hair's breadth from my own life and witnessing first hand the torrent of grief and bravery from those parents whose worlds Lucy Letby destroyed. Over the course of eight years criss-crossing Britain as a peripatetic motivational speaker at schools, I made repeated visits to Wales. And I have to say that I have never visited a country so overwhelmingly white. I would often find myself not just the only black person in the classroom and in some cases the entire school but the only member of an ethnic minority. Given that the 2021 census reveals that 93.8 per cent of Wales's population identified as 'white' this was no great surprise. The fact is that the vast majority of Britain's ethnic minorities are concentrated in England, almost entirely in a select few towns and cities, such as London, Birmingham, Luton and greater Manchester. Which is why the latest display of self-righteousness by the BBC makes my blood boil. For years, the BBC illustrated news stories about Welsh elections on its website with a picture of a white woman's hand casting a vote in a ballot box emblazoned with the Welsh flag. Now it has emerged that in March last year, someone had the bright idea of Photoshopping the picture to make the hand appear black For years, it illustrated news stories about Welsh elections on its website with a picture of a white woman's hand casting a vote in a ballot box emblazoned with the Welsh flag. Now it has emerged that in March last year, someone had the bright idea of Photoshopping the picture to make the hand appear black. I think we all know why this was done yet again, the BBC wanted to trumpet its woke credentials. God forbid that anyone should accuse them of not being diversity-aware. In fact, it amounts to virtue signalling of the very worst sort. Only last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that London Mayor Sadiq Khan's media team used a photograph of a white family of four, comprising a heterosexual couple and their two children, as an example of an image that 'does not represent real Londoners'. Only last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that London Mayor Sadiq Khan's media team used a photograph of a white family of four, comprising a heterosexual couple and their two children, as an example of an image that 'does not represent real Londoners'. The latest display of self-righteousness by the BBC makes my blood boil, writes Nana Akua (pictured) As I wrote then: 'What prejudice, arrogance and error lie behind those words. Imagine if Khan's office had called for a picture of a black family to be rejected because it 'did not represent real Londoners'? There would rightly be an outcry.' And there should be an outcry over this too. I wouldn't mind so much if the BBC practised what it preaches. But as someone who worked for the corporation on and off for 13 years I can tell you that, while the highly visible onscreen talent is impeccably diverse, it's a different story behind the scenes. From producers and directors to camera-operators and lighting technicians, in my experience the racial profile of the staff was to quote former director-general Greg Dyke 'hideously white'. Physician, heal thyself! The apparent assassination of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin could plunge Russia into civil war, jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny warned yesterday. He accused Vladimir Putin of ordering the murder of the mercenary group boss months after he led an aborted rebellion against the Kremlin. The Ministry of Defence said there was not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was on the private jet that crashed after an explosion on board but it was highly likely. It warned his death would have a deeply destabilising effect on his mercenary group, which operates in hotspots around the world including Ukraine, Syria and several African countries. Wagner soldiers have threatened to storm the Kremlin and exact revenge for the presumed death of their leader, his second-in-command Dmitry Utkin and several other key lieutenants. Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny accused Vladimir Putin of ordering the murder of the mercenary group boss months after he led an aborted rebellion against the Kremlin Moscow has denied it was behind the plane crash and said allegations that it was involved were a complete lie. Russian investigators say they have found the flight recorder from the Embraer Legacy jet, which plunged to the ground 33 minutes into its flight from Moscow on Wednesday, but have not yet confirmed the identities of the ten bodies pulled from the wreckage. The US Department of Defence said its preliminary assessment suggested the crash was caused intentionally by an explosion on the plane. Some Wagner supporters have claimed a bomb was planted in a case of wine. Mr Navalny who survived an assassination attempt in 2020 accused the Russian president of ordering the explosion, which also killed three flight crew members. In a message to his supporters, he described the crash as a real terrorist act and said it would make Prigozhin a martyr for his supporters. It is precisely from these ingredients that the dish called civil war is made, the jailed opposition leader added. Mr Navalny collapsed on board a plane in Russia in 2020 after he was poisoned with a nerve agent. He was later jailed on fraud charges, despite calls for his immediate release over claims that they were politically motivated. Prigozhins supporters had urged him to challenge Putin for the presidency, prompting claims that the Russian leader ordered his assassination to eliminate him and destroy his mercenary group. The Ministry of Defence said there was not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was on the private jet that crashed after an explosion on board but it was highly likely Alexei Navalny described the crash as a real terrorist act and said it would make Prigozhin a martyr for his supporters. Prigozhins supporters had urged him to challenge Putin for the presidency, prompting claims that the Russian leader ordered his assassination to eliminate him In Russia, the Kremlin announced that all paramilitary fighters would now be obliged to swear an oath to the Russian flag Prigozhins failed mutiny, when he ordered his troops to march on Moscow in June, was widely considered to have sealed his fate and his death came two months to the day after the aborted uprising. The future of his Wagner Group remained unclear, but the Ministry of Defence said his presumed death left a leadership vacuum. In an intelligence briefing, it added: The demise of Prigozhin almost certainly would have a deeply destabilising effect on the Wagner Group. His personal attributes of hyperactivity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor. In Russia, the Kremlin announced that all paramilitary fighters would now be obliged to swear an oath to the Russian flag. They must pledge loyalty to the Russian Federation strictly follow their commanders and superiors orders, and conscientiously fulfil their obligations, according to a new decree signed by Putin. The BBC was facing questions last night after it admitted using a 'blacked up' image as part of its election coverage. Politicians rounded on the corporation after it emerged staff might have doctored an image of a white woman's hand to make it look like it was that of a black voter. An almost identical photo with a white hand had been used in a previous story about voting four years earlier. Both photos show a female hand with a French manicure, and blue and white striped cuffs, putting a blank piece of paper in a Welsh ballot box. The original image with the white hand is bylined Getty Images and was used on the BBC news website in 2018 in an article about lowering the voting age in Wales. The altered image with the black hand was used in March last year in a story about Welsh council elections. The BBC was facing questions last night after it admitted using a 'blacked up' image (pictured) as part of its election coverage An almost identical photo with a white hand had been used in a previous story about voting four years earlier Tory MP Peter Bone said: 'Why on earth would anyone want to change the colour of a hand? The BBC has serious questions to answer. First, they have got to explain why on earth that happened. What was the reasoning for it? What was the thought behind it? What were they trying to say? Why did they falsify the image? 'The BBC is supposed to be neutral and present factual evidence.' He added: 'They can't say this was an accident because that doesn't make any sense to me. They have really got serious questions to answer.' Another Conservative politician Bill Cash said: 'This is a good indication of the way in which there are elements of the BBC who want to create a misleading impression.This is part of the fundamental problem with impartiality.' Both articles and images can still be found on the BBC news website. A BBC spokesman said: 'It appears that the photograph used as part of this graphic has been altered, which, although there is no intention to mislead, should not have happened and is not acceptable BBC practice. We will be reminding our staff of this.' The BBC has previously been criticised for its focus on identity issues and diversity, with some accusing it of being unduly influenced by 'woke' politics. After the murder of George Floyd sparked global protests in 2020, the corporation faced criticism over its coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement. Tory MP Peter Bone (pictured) said: 'Why on earth would anyone want to change the colour of a hand? The BBC has serious questions to answer.' That year, sitcom The Vicar Of Dibley sparked hundreds of complaints after airing a scene which appeared to show support for the movement. The channel's New Year's Eve broadcast that year also attracted complaints, after the fireworks display referenced Black Lives Matter. The BBC has also made staff complete controversial 'unconscious bias' training as part of 'diversity and inclusion' rules. However Left-wing activists have criticised the corporation for not doing enough to support the movement. In November 2020, Femi Oluwole questioned why BBC presenters could wear remembrance poppies but not express support for Black Lives Matter after new impartiality guidance. While the movement is known for its campaigning against police brutality and structural racism, it also has another set of goals including a desire to 'dismantle' capitalism and abolish the police. In the US it recently emerged that just 33 per cent of Black Lives Matter's accumulated donations of $90million (71million) were given to charitable causes. Figures showed between 2020 and 2022 the group spent about $30million (24million). It also emerged that friends and family of co-founder Patrisse Cullors benefitted, including her graffiti artist brother, Paul, who got $1.7million (1.4million) in salary and contracts for this period. The Kremlin commander who orchestrated the Salisbury poisoning had a role in the assassination of Yevgeny Prigozhin, British intelligence agents believe. Major General Andrey Averyanov is said to have borne the former Wagner mercenary chief a long-held grudge. Averyanov, who was in charge of the spies sent to Britain in 2018 to kill double agent Sergei Skripal, is tipped to take over the North African section of the force. A UK intelligence source told the i newspaper: Many, including me, thought his [Prigozhins] days were numbered. There is a lot of discussion around the name mentioned [Averyanov]. Major General Andrey Averyanov is said to have borne the former Wagner mercenary chief a long-held grudge Averyanov runs a covert operations unit that carries out overseas missions such as the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia. He was seen introducing himself to African leaders at a summit in St Petersburg last month, prompting claims that Vladimir Putin will appoint him to lead Wagners activities in Africa. Channels linked to Wagner on the social media site Telegram said the meetings were part of a Kremlin displacement operation to oust Prigozhin. More than half of the police officers reported for abusing their position for sex in the past five years are still serving, a shocking investigation has revealed. At least 336 officers and staff have been reported since 2018, but 178 remain on the force, Freedom of Information figures show. And of the 72 who were found guilty of abusing their position for sexual purposes and were disciplined, just 45 were sacked. Of the 336 accused of abusing their position for sex, at least 277 were officers, including 187 constables whose duties normally involve interacting with the public on the frontline. There were 41 with a rank of sergeant or above and at least 11 with a rank of inspector or above. This is despite warnings from the police watchdog that officers abusing their position for sexual gain had become the most common form of serious corruption investigated. Campaigners last night said the offending was the 'product of an institutional culture [within policing] that for so long has masked and enabled abusers within its ranks'. More than half of the police officers reported for abusing their position for sex in the past five years are still serving, a shocking investigation has revealed It comes days after Britain's biggest force was accused of 'abdicating its responsibility' over at least seven missed opportunities to catch a serial rapist in its ranks. PC Adam Provan was sentenced to 16 years for raping a fellow officer and a 16-year-old girl, with Scotland Yard bosses admitting it was possible his second victim could have been spared her ordeal had allegations made against Provan been investigated properly. Provan's force, which provided data covering only 2020 to December last year, had 70 reports of staff abusing their position for sex during that period. Just eight were disciplined and only one lost their job. Last week also saw PCSO Mark Turner, 38, from Greater Manchester Police - which did not provide a response to the FOI request - banned from the police for trying to exchange sensitive information about a domestic incident for sex with a female victim of crime. Sexual misconduct within the ranks is under fierce scrutiny following the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens and the unmasking of protection officer David Carrick as one of Britain's worst rapists. Misconduct cases that are contested are generally overseen by a legally qualified independent chairman who has the power to decide an officer's fate. Sexual misconduct within the ranks is under fierce scrutiny following the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens (left) and the unmasking of protection officer David Carrick (right) as one of Britain's worst rapists Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) have written to the Home Secretary asking for reforms that give police bosses greater powers to dismiss staff Data shows that legally qualified chairmen are half as likely to sack an officer than if the disciplinary hearing is chaired by a chief constable or assistant commissioner. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) have written to the Home Secretary asking for reforms that give police bosses greater powers to dismiss staff. The NPCC insisted that following the Carrick and Couzens scandals, a raft of measures had been put in place to root out offenders in the ranks and strengthen vetting procedures. NPCC lead for complaints and misconduct, Chief Constable Craig Guildford, said: 'All police forces are ruthless in rooting out abusers and corrupt individuals. That commitment is shared from chief constables through to our dedicated frontline.' But Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: 'Police abuse of power for sexual purposes is the single biggest form of corruption dealt with by the IOPC, and while action is being taken to root these perpetrators out of the Met, it's crucial that these acts are seen as the product of an institutional culture that for so long has masked and enabled abusers within its ranks. 'This is not an issue of individual 'bad apples' we need to see transformation of the culture of policing, or there will be no trust and confidence in the institution.' A Metropolitan Police officer who sent his ex-girlfriend racial slurs about her new partner in five 'grossly offensive' messages has been jailed. Thomas Phillips, 34, used the n-word in a series of WhatsApps to his former partner Samantha Ryan, a serving police officer, when referring to her new boyfriend, Pc Danny Gobin. Phillips, from Croydon, south London, initially denied but then admitted five counts of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message contrary to the Communications Act 2003. Pc Gobin, whose mother is Irish and father is from Mauritius, told Westminster Magistrates' Court that the comments made him feel 'sick' and 'disgusted'. Phillips, from Croydon, south London, initially denied but then admitted five counts of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message contrary to the Communications Act 2003 District Judge Louisa Cieciora told Phillips: 'I am not persuaded there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation' and jailed him for 71 days. Phillips had been suspended from duty while the case was ongoing and is expected to face misconduct proceedings at a later date. Four youngsters have died in a horrific road crash in Ireland, as they were on their way to celebrate after receiving their Leaving Certificate exams earlier in the day. The driver of the vehicle involved, a man his early 20s, and three female teenagers were all fatally injured in the accident in Co Tipperary, police have confirmed. It is understood that they had been on their way to celebrate after receiving the results of their Leaving Certificate exams earlier when the car crash in Clonmel. A Garda spokesperson said the Mountain Road in Clonmel will be closed overnight and into Saturday while the scene is examined by forensic investigators. 'An incident room has been established at Clonmel Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation,' they said. Four youngsters have died in a horrific road crash in Clonmel, Ireland, as they were on their way to celebrate after receiving their Leaving Certificate exams The driver of the vehicle involved, a man his early 20s, and three female teenagers were all fatally injured in the accident in Co Tipperary A Garda spokesperson said the Mountain Road in Clonmel will be closed overnight and into Saturday while the scene is examined by forensic investigators 'Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to contact the investigation team.' Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris described the incident as 'devastating'. Writing on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter, he said: 'Leaving Cert results day represents achievement, celebration & excitement. Tonight that has been replaced by grief, shock and sadness. Thinking of the families, friends & school community of the 4 young people. There are no words. Heartbreaking.' Independent TD for Tipperary Mattie McGrath said there is huge shock and disbelief in Clonmel town. He added: 'There is disbelief and numbness. The families involved are all local, from Clonmel and the surrounding area. It is utterly devastating. Our prayers are with the families and the whole community.' Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess said: 'It's heartbreaking news for the entire community. 'My prayers and thoughts are with the families involved.' A King penguin with melanism was spotted in South Georgia back in 2010 Gentoo penguin has a condition called melanism that gives it its black colour Most penguins look like they're wearing a little waistcoat. But this 'all-black' bird snapped in Antarctica looks like it's wearing a snazzy cookies-and-cream vest. The Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) has a condition called melanism, where too much of the dark pigment melanin has been produced, making it blacker than usual. In humans, melanin is the natural pigment in the body that gives our hair and eyes a dark colour and it protects us from the sun's rays. Although melanism makes animals look different to other members of the same species, it can be passed down to offspring as an evolutionary benefit. The penguin has a condition called melanism, where too much of the dark pigment melanin has been produced, making it darker than usual Despite its 'unusual plumage coloration', the penguin seemed to be accepted by its colony mates READ MORE Penguin with melanism a 'one in a zillion' mutation The King penguin with melanism stands on coast line at Fortuna Bay in 2010 Advertisement Back in 2010, a King penguin with melanism described as a 'one in a zillion mutation' was found in Fortuna Bay on South Georgia, but this is only the second recorded Gentoo penguin with the condition. The new discovery has been detailed in a new study led by Rocio Nigro at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 'The unusual coloration of the penguin was identified as melanism, a genetic condition that causes an excess of melanin pigment in feathers,' Mr Nigro and colleagues say in their paper, published in Polar Biology. 'This particular individual appeared to be in good health and exhibited normal behaviour.' The penguin was seen in Hope Bay, north of the Antarctic Peninsula (the bit that sticks out from the Antarctic mainland like a little tail). Despite its 'unusual plumage coloration', it seemed to have been accepted by its colony mates. The researchers said they could not able confirm its sex or its breeding status, however. Normally, Gentoo penguin wings (or 'flappers') are black on the top and white on the underside but this particular bird has all-black wings. The cookies and cream penguin was seen in Hope Bay, north of the Antarctic Peninsula (the bit that sticks out from the Antarctic mainland like a little tail) Gentoo penguin wings (or 'flappers') are normally black on the top and white on the underside (as shown in this file photo) Gentoo penguins have white patches extending from their eyes and a bright red-orange beak. This photo shows an adult with its two adorable chicks What is melanism? Melanism is the opposite of albinism, and is the result of a gene that causes a surplus of pigment in the skin or hair of an animal so that it appears black. In contrast, albinism is a condition that can turn animals white. Some animals intentionally develop melanism, including certain species of moth and ladybugs, which have evolved darker colours because they live in areas impacted by industrial pollution. Others, like these grey seals, are simply born with the colouring. Melanism affects several different animal species, including tigers, panthers, zebras and foxes. While humans do not experience melanism, some people experience a variety of melanistic disorders, such as Addison's disease, acanthosis nigricans, and melasma. Advertisement Like other penguin species, the Gentoo also normally has black on its back and a huge white chest but this one is heavily speckled with splodges of black to give a 'cookies and cream' appearance. However, just like other normal Gentoo penguins, it also has white patches extending from its eyes and a bright red-orange beak. Penguins are adept swimmers in the search for food, at speeds of up to 15 to 25 miles per hour and their classic black and white 'waistcoat' appearance helps them avoid predators. When seen by a potential predator that's looking up from below, a white belly better blends in with light-filled surface water. Meanwhile, a predator seen looking down from above sees the penguin's black back which looks similar to the ocean's darker depths. However, Professor Heather Lynch, an ecologist at Stony Brook University in New York, doesn't think this cookies and cream bird is at more risk of predation because of its genetic condition. 'Though penguin colouration is a long-term evolutionary strategy that helps penguins avoid predation, I do not think this penguins colouration places it at serious risk,' Professor Lynch, who wasnt involved in the study, told New Scientist. 'Being a penguin is risky enough already.' Because black penguins are particularly rare there has been very little research into them. It is estimated that about one in every 250,000 penguins has the condition, although few are as completely black as the one found in South Georgia in 2010. This black King penguin was snapped at Fortuna Bay, a sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, about 860 miles off the Falklands in 2010 A grey seal that washed up on the Cornish coast earlier this year (named Liquorice by staff at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary) is also melanistic In some species, melanism can be beneficial and passed down to subsequent generations as it can help with survival. For example, dark skin can provide better camouflage that can make them less visible to their prey. Mammals and other animals can also experience melanism, including a gorgeous grey seal pup that recently washed up on the Cornwall coast. Named Liquorice by staff at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, the stunning female pup had been spotted by local walkers on a nearby beach. In 2020, photos emerged of a melanistic tiger in Odisha, India with prominent black all over its back but still with orange stripes over its stomach, neck and legs. If you're unfortunate enough to experience a flight delay or cancellation, you could be entitled to compensation. Here we reveal the circumstances that trigger a cash pay out. FLIGHT DELAYS New data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows one in three trips were delayed by at least 15 minutes last year. Delayed passengers could be entitled to free meals and compensation of up to 520 - and this section helps you understand how. Travellers who are delayed for at least two hours may be entitled to assistance, Which? says ASSISTANCE Airline passengers delayed by two hours or more could be entitled to assistance such as two free phone calls or emails, free meals and refreshments, free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers, according to Which?, outlining the following: Short-haul - Passengers flying up to 932 miles (1,500km) with a delay time of at least two hours are entitled to assistance. Medium-haul - Passengers flying between 932 miles (1,500km) and 2,175 miles (3,500km) with a delay time of at least three hours are entitled to assistance. Long-haul - Passengers flying more than 2,175 miles (3,500km) with a delay time of at least four hours are entitled to assistance. Delayed passengers who meet the above criteria can contact their airline or approach staff at the airport for further information. SEVERE DELAYS Passengers whose flight has been delayed by more than five hours are 'entitled to choose between being rerouted on a different flight or getting a refund', Which? says. Passengers can also request flight delay compensation, according to the watchdog, 'if the delay is not due to extraordinary circumstances'. These include bad weather, strikes unrelated to the airline, such as with baggage handlers, acts of terrorism or sabotage, drone disruption and long security queues. Claims are valid for up to six years after the flight if it flew in or out of the UK, it adds. COMPENSATION Passengers of delayed flights are protected by the Denied Boarding Regulation if their flight departs from the UK or Europe or is operated by a UK or European airline, Which? says. 'If you're travelling with a non-EU based airline flying from a non-EU destination, the airline doesn't have the same duty to look after you,' it adds. 'But you can check the airline's 'conditions of carriage' to see what compensation you are entitled to.' HOW TO CLAIM COMPENSATION Passengers whose flight has been delayed by more than five hours are 'entitled to choose between being rerouted on a different flight or getting a refund', Which? says 'If your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late, each affected passenger is entitled to claim flight delay compensation,' Which? says. The total value of compensation depends on the length and distance of the delayed flight as well as the reason for the delay, it adds. Passengers can make a claim under the EU Denied Boarding Regulation if they meet the criteria, listed in a table by Which?, below. HOW MUCH ARE YOU ENTITLED TO? Short-haul - Passengers flying up to 932 miles (1,500km) who are delayed for more than three hours are entitled to 220, according to Which? Medium-haul within the EU - Passengers flying more than 932 miles (1,500km) within the EU who are delayed more than three hours are entitled to 350 compensation, the watchdog says. Medium-haul outside the EU - Passengers flying between 932 miles (1,500km) and 2,175 miles (3,500km) who are delayed more than three hours are entitled to 350 compensation, Which? explains. Long-haul - Passengers flying more than 2,175 miles (3,500km) are entitled to 260 in compensation if they are delayed between three and four hours, or 520 if they are delayed longer than this, according to the site. CONNECTING FLIGHTS 'Passengers flying with a non-EU airline are entitled to compensation if a flight departing from the UK is delayed by at least three hours at the final destination,' says Which? The 'final destination' of a connecting flight refers to the last airport listed on the passenger's ticket, it adds. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES As well as compensation, some passengers are entitled to claim 'extra out-of-pocket expenses under the Montreal Convention', Which? says. Examples are if you miss a night of pre-booked accommodation, miss a concert you have bought tickets to, or a day of car rental you have paid for, it adds. FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS Which? says passengers can claim compensation for cancelled and delayed flights unless affected by 'extraordinary circumstances' COMPENSATION Passengers travelling with a UK or EU-based airline, or flying from a UK or EU airport, should receive help from the company if their flight is cancelled, Which? says. 'This is because your flight is protected by the Denied Boarding Regulation,' it adds. Depending on the circumstances, passengers could be entitled to 'a refund or alternative flight, food, phone calls and accommodation, and flight cancellation compensation', the watchdog further explains. HOW TO CLAIM COMPENSATION Which? says passengers can claim compensation for cancelled flights unless it is affected by 'extraordinary circumstances', as explained earlier in this article. But even if extraordinary circumstances apply, you are 'still entitled to meals, refreshments, accommodation and hotel transfers depending on the length of your flight and delay', the consumer watchdog adds. HOW MUCH COMPENSATION ARE YOU ENTITLED TO? Short-haul - Passengers travelling less than 932 miles (1,500km) whose new flight takes off more than one hour before their original flight and arrives less than two hours after it are entitled to 110 in compensation, according to Which?. If the passengers' flight arrives more than two hours after the original flight, they are entitled to 220 in compensation, it adds. Medium-haul - Passengers travelling 932 miles (1,500km) to 2,175 miles (3,500km) whose new flight departs more than one hour before their original flight and arrives less than three hours after it are entitled to 175 in compensation, Which? says. If the passengers' flight arrives more than three hours after their original flight, they are entitled to 350 in compensation, it adds. Long-haul - Passengers travelling more than 2,175 miles (3,500km) whose new flight departs more than one hour before their original flight and arrives less than four hours after it are entitled to 260 in compensation, Which? says. If the passengers' flight arrives more than four hours after their original flight, they are entitled to 520 in compensation, it adds. The figures above are for flights cancelled less than seven days before departure. CONNECTING FLIGHTS Passengers travelling with a UK or EU-based airline, or flying from a UK or EU airport, should receive help from the company if their flight is cancelled, Which? says 'If a connecting flight during your journey is affected by a delay and you departed from the UK or an EU country, you can still claim compensation,' Which? says. 'For example, if you were flying from Manchester to Sydney, connecting in Singapore, but your Singapore to Sydney flight was delayed, you'd still be entitled.' HOW TO APPEAL A DECISION Unresolved complaints about an airline can be escalated to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme and a list of approved providers are listed on the Civil Aviation Authority website, Which? says. Airline passengers can also gain extra peace of mind at the airport by taking out travel insurance, says Quotezone. CEO Greg Wilson said: 'Depending on the type of policy, some travel insurance providers will offer cover for a delayed flight of over 24 hours, or if an alternative travel option hasnt been offered. 'Insurance policies for missed or delayed flight departure will pay for costs incurred from delayed flights or if travellers miss the trips because of a situation out of their control - such as getting into a serious accident and being taken to hospital.' He adds: 'In the case of an airline going bust before passengers are able to get home, taking out the right travel insurance before jetting off will help give travellers protection.' It found that a week in Greece was up to 242 cheaper if booked in advance Which? compared the prices of more than 15,000 short-haul package holidays Holidaymakers could save hundreds of pounds by booking next years summer getaway early rather than leaving it to the last minute, new research by Which? Travel has revealed. The watchdog found that a week in Greece was up to 242 cheaper if booked in advance, meaning a couple would save up to 484 on a getaway. Meanwhile, holidays to Turkey and Portugal were nearly 200 cheaper per person if booked in advance. But as holiday companies launch book early deals for 2024, Which? Travel also found you shouldnt book too early. The cheapest price for most destinations was when booked in December and January, it reveals. Here are its findings in full for July trips to Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, mainland Spain and the Canary Islands... EARLY BIRD VERSUS LAST-MINUTE PRICES COMPARED - AND THE CHEAPEST MONTH TO BOOK Which? Travel found that its usually cheaper to book a summer holiday in advance - but not too early. For instance, a week in Greece was up to 242 cheaper if booked in advance. Above is the Greek isle of Santorini EARLY BIRD VERSUS LAST MINUTE PRICES COMPARED BY WHICH? GREECE Average holiday price seven months before departure - 1,021 Average holiday price one week before departure - 1,263 Average saving - 242 TURKEY Average holiday price seven months before departure - 968 Average holiday price one week before departure - 1,165 Average saving - 197 PORTUGAL Average holiday price seven months before departure - 864 Average holiday price one week before departure - 1,049 Average saving - 185 ITALY Average holiday price seven months before departure - 1,113 Average holiday price one week before departure - 1,133 Average saving - 20 MAINLAND SPAIN Average holiday price seven months before departure - 876 Average holiday price one week before departure - 862 Average saving - minus 14 CANARY ISLANDS Average holiday price seven months before departure - 1,112 Average holiday price one week before departure - 1,020 Average saving - minus 92 Source: Which? Travel. The results came from analysis of 15,196 short-haul package holiday prices from Jet2holidays and Tui - the UK's biggest tour operators - departing between 18 and 24 July, 2023, in October, November and December 2022, and January and July 2023. Advertisement Which? Travel says that its usually cheaper to book in advance - but not too early. For half of the six beach destinations the watchdog looked at - Greece, Turkey and Portugal - prices were at their lowest in December on average. January was typically the second-cheapest month to book a trip to these destinations, and it was the cheapest month to book an Italian holiday - youd save nearly 150 compared to last-minute prices. LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY DEALS TO THE CANARY ISLANDS Mainland Spain and the Canary Islands were the exceptions: booking in advance was typically pricier (876 on average) than booking at the last minute (862), with a bigger price difference for holidays to the Canaries, Which? Travel found - a saving of 92 can be made for the Canaries when booking last minute. It notes that this reverse pattern for Spain is probably because tour operators have more Spanish holidays for sale due to its popularity with British holidaymakers, but overestimated how many sales they would make in summer 2023. Last-minute prices for Spain were a lot cheaper than the other Mediterranean destinations Which? Travel looked at - for instance, the average price of a Spanish holiday was 400 less than a Greek holiday. CAN YOU STILL GET LAST-MINUTE DEALS? Last-minute summer deals may have been in short supply this year due to exceptionally high demand following the pandemic, Which? Travel says. It notes that tour operators need only offer genuine deals when they quickly need to sell unsold holidays. Which? Travel found that you could save 185 on a trip to Portugal if you booked it several months in advance. Pictured is a colourful street in the country's capital, Lisbon However, it says that last-minute discounts may be more common next year if demand for package holidays falls due to the cost-of-living crisis. In each of the six destinations that Which? Travel checked, the average holiday price was cheaper if you booked a fortnight before your departure instead of waiting until the week before. The biggest price difference was for holidays to Turkey and Greece, which cost around 90 more per person if booked a week before departure. Which? Travel looked at July because package holidays to sun destinations tend to be the most expensive during the school summer holiday. Last-minute holidays in September are much cheaper, it says. The cheapest package holiday from Jet2 which was rated by Which? Travel as 2023's joint-best beach and resort package holiday provider company - in one weeks time, departing on September 1, is at the Platja Park on the Costa Brava for 464 per person, Which? Travel reveals. To make a comparison, for the first week of the summer holidays in 2024, the cheapest package holiday is in Crete at the Pardalakis Studios for 595 per person. Travellers dreaming of holidaying in Italy could save 20 by getting their trip locked in early, Which? Travel found. Pictured is the Italian tourist hotspot of Venice Over at Tui, for the same dates in September, the cheapest option is in Marmaris, Turkey, at the Sun Apartments for 382 per person, Which? Travel reveals. In the first week of the 2024 school summer holidays, the cheapest seaside break was in Corfu at the Agnes Beach apartments for 604 per person. As for availability, Which? Travel says that theres still plenty of choice even if you book at the last minute - as long as youre fairly flexible about where you go. Just one week ahead of departure, Jet2holidays and Tui still had more than 3,000 holidays available across Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy, mainland Spain and the Canary Islands, it notes. Commenting on the study, Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: Our latest research has found that booking your holiday early will almost always get you the best price, rather than waiting until the last minute in the hope of snapping up a late deal. But you shouldn't book too early. So while it may be tempting to book next years summer break as soon as you're back in the UK, youre better off waiting a little longer until tour operators drop prices in December and January. The results came from analysis of 15,196 short-haul package holiday prices from Jet2holidays and Tui - the UK's biggest tour operators - departing between 18 and 24 July, 2023, in October, November and December 2022, and January and July 2023. The consumer champions price check looked at all the seven-night holidays available with Jet2holidays and Tui. The holidays include flights and could be any star rating on an all-inclusive, half-board, bed and breakfast or room-only basis. It's hoped the markings will slow drivers down in a 30kph (19mph) zone At a glance, it looks like a piece of abstract art. But this junction in a French village has not been decorated for aesthetic purposes - but to deter drivers from speeding. The seemingly random squiggles were painted on road sections leading to a T-junction in the village of Baune, which lies near the city of Angers in the Maine-et-Loire region. But the controversial markings are not to everyone's taste - with one local saying the lines gave her seasickness, while another suggested they could be dangerous. They were introduced following a discussion between local officials over concerns about drivers breaking the speed limit while driving through the 30kph (19mph) zone. The French village of Baune has introduced bizarre new road markings (above) in a bid to deter drivers from speeding through the area The markings were introduced on a junction connecting three roads in the French village, which lies near the city of Angers in the Maine-et-Loire region The markings were painted on road sections leading to a T-junction They were introduced following a discussion between local officials over concerns about drivers breaking the speed limit while driving through the 30kph (19mph) zone Jean-Charles Prono, the mayor of Loire-Authion, said people drive fast and it's complicated to get people to slow down and to have roads signs that work Reacting to the post, locals admitted they found it challenging to drive over the squiggly lines The village's mayor, Audrey Revereault, says it is hoped the markings will create a visual disturbance and slow drivers down. She told French news site The Connexion that the road markings are working as they are supposed to, with drivers successfully keeping to the speed limit. Jean-Charles Prono, the mayor of Loire-Authion, a group of seven villages that includes Baune, said that people drive fast and it's complicated to get people to slow down and to have roads signs that work, Euronews reports. He added that the goal was to make it difficult to read the landscape. The publication notes that the markings are not final, but rather are being trialled to see how effective they are. It adds that Prono said that speed bumps were overlooked as an alternative, as there were concerns they could create a noise issue for locals. The village's mayor, Audrey Revereault, says its hoped the markings will create a visual disturbance and slow drivers down. Above is a street scene in Baune Baune lies near the city of Angers (pictured) in France's Maine-et-Loire region The markings were introduced last month, with local Facebook page Ca bouge sur Baune promptly sharing an image of the newly painted junction with residents. Reacting to the post, locals admitted they found it challenging to drive over the squiggly lines. User Karine Karlinette wrote: Frankly I was very surprised and indeed my attention as a driver was disturbed because I wondered where I had to drive, if the direction of traffic had changed, etc And Maeva Louloutia Raveneau said: It's destabilising the first time you pass over it. While Rachel Decaux remarked: Personally, I don't like driving on it. It turns my stomach like seasickness. And Popo Benoist commented on another picture of the road markings, writing: I think it's going to be more dangerous than anything else. A jewel of the Italian riviera, Portofino radiates a timeless beauty. In this former fishing harbour, pastel buildings meet the clear Ligurian sea, framed by lush green hills. The port town, with an off-season population of just 355, has come to epitomise Mediterranean glamour, becoming a sanctum for the rich and famous. It was here that Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor, and where Sophia Loren, Ernest Hemingway and Frank Sinatra came to escape the crowds. Today, Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana shopfronts line the narrow cobbled lanes, alongside expensive restaurants, pretty cafes and high-end bars where a cognac can cost up to 350. At breakfast time, impeccably dressed visitors idle along the main street, eyeing up designer handbags, while wealthy locals exchange pleasantries in the famed Piazza Martiri dell'Olivetta. Super-yachts bob in the marina, where each of the 14 coveted berths costs more than 3,000 a day. Cruise ships, ferries and day-trippers: by 11am, this tiny village is under siege Selfie-loving tourists enjoy posing near the marine, where superyachts bob and each of the 14 coveted berths costs more than 3,000 a day Today, Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana shopfronts line the narrow cobbled lanes, alongside expensive restaurants, pretty cafes and high-end bars where a cognac can cost up to 350 It was here that Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor, and where Sophia Loren, Ernest Hemingway and Frank Sinatra came to escape the crowds Paul and Karen Warren, who were among the many cruise ship passengers to descend on the town This tiny paradise is Italy at its best. But, as the Mail discovered on a visit this week, the morning's tranquillity is fleeting. For on the horizon sit two colossal cruise ships, black smoke billowing from their funnels. Together, they carry more than 4,000 passengers from the United States, Britain and several European countries. And, thanks to a local law allowing these behemoths to anchor as close as 600 metres from the protected bay, a swarm of visitors can hop on tenders from the mothership to reach Portofino in just minutes. Several mornings a week, the cruise-ship hordes descend on the town just as other tourists are alighting from packed ferries from the neighbouring coastal towns of Rapallo and Santa Margherita. But the visitors do not just arrive by sea. By 10am, the main public car park has already reached its 250-vehicle capacity. Motorists are being turned away as buses from Genoa, 22 miles away, bring their own crowds. Cruise ships, ferries and day-trippers: by 11am, this tiny village is under siege. Hundreds of tourists are approaching from every direction. Portofino now finds itself caught in a battle between those wanting to protect its charm and those who argue that anyone has a right to visit it whenever they choose. As the throngs arrive, the residents are forced to retreat from the mayhem, while luxury holidaymakers withdraw to their yachts and five-star hotels. An American couple, regulars for two decades at the Splendido Mare Hotel, where rooms can cost 3,000 a night, tell me they are confined to the premises, unable to leave because of the volume of tourists. The couple, in their 60s, say they fell in love exploring the romantic village together. Today, they were too afraid to venture into the throngs, particularly because the gentleman suffers from a health condition. Several mornings a week, the cruise-ship hordes descend on the town just as other tourists are alighting from packed ferries from the neighbouring coastal towns Then there is the logistical pressure of so many tender boats, with about ten arriving and leaving each hour Cruise ships with up to 3,000 passengers are descending on the tiny, picturesque town of Portofino where they crowd the small pathways and don't spend any money in the shops By 10am, the main public car park has already reached its 250-vehicle capacity. Motorists are being turned away as buses from Genoa, 22 miles away, bring their own crowds He said: 'After more than 15 years of coming here, we were shocked to, at times, not even be able to leave our hotel and enjoy the village. The place where we found our romance has become a place of destruction. Who has allowed this and why? We are shocked and leaving with sadness.' An experienced manager who works within the hospitality industry in Portofino said: 'We of course want people to see Portofino. It's an iconic place and everyone is welcome. But for safety reasons, in terms of crowds and preserving the village, we should look at attracting smaller ships as it's a small place.' By now, the cobbles are barely visible under the sandals and trainers of 'hit and run' tourists, as the locals call them. Holidaymakers wielding selfie sticks ignore signs warning they risk a 240 fine if caught lingering in 'no waiting' and 'red zones'. The town's mayor, Matteo Viacava, introduced the policy earlier this year to prevent what he called the 'anarchic chaos' caused by tourists blocking the narrow streets when they stop to take pictures for Instagram or film videos for TikTok. The decree states it is necessary to prevent 'serious obstacles and potential danger' not least on the quay which has no safety barriers. I watch as two teenage girls film a TikTok video in which they hop to an imaginary beat, forcing pedestrians to dodge them. No fines are issued. 'I've never seen anyone hand out a fine. It's unstoppable,' says a young man who works in the marina. Scores of tourists also brazenly ignore the village's dress-code guidelines which forbid them from walking bare-chested, barefoot or in bikinis. The rules were introduced to protect Portofino's reputation for elegance and sophistication. So why don't the authorities take firmer steps to deter the tourists? The truth is that the municipality also has an interest in keeping up tourist numbers it benefits from a 5 tax for every visiting cruise passenger. 'We don't like limiting numbers,' the mayor has told the local press. 'Portofino belongs to everyone and everyone must enjoy it. 'Like all jewels, however, it must be respected and treated with care.' The mayor has not responded to our request for an interview. Holidaymakers wielding selfie sticks ignore signs warning they risk a 240 fine if caught lingering in 'no waiting' and 'red zones' Portofino now finds itself caught in a battle between those wanting to protect its charm and those who argue that anyone has a right to visit it whenever they choose You might expect local shops to welcome so many potential customers. But many of the high-end stores close their doors to the crowds and implement strict one-in, one-out policies Certainly, there has been no let-up in the number of cruises visiting Portofino since April about 85 have disembarked here. And with 20 more expected over the next few months, the total for this year will exceed last year's record of 98. You might expect local shops to welcome so many potential customers. But many of the high-end stores close their doors to the crowds and implement strict one-in, one-out policies. An assistant in the women's store 100%Capri, where crisp white linen outfits retail from 860, tells me: 'It's nice that people want to come here. But some of the cruise-ship passengers have no decorum. They will just sit outside the shop on the floor and start having picnics. 'We have had to put up signs stopping people from sitting outside our store, it's not a nice thing to do but we have no choice. This is a space for customers.' It is telling that Dolce & Gabbana's popular cafe where visitors sip cappuccinos from china emblazoned with the fashion house's famous logo is closed on Mondays, the busiest day for cruises. A woman running a shop selling cashmere goods stresses that more cruise ships do not mean more customers. 'Often the bigger the ship, the less the passengers spend. We rely on the yachts for most of our business,' she says. Most of these cruise passengers are on costly all-inclusive packages and, with their vessel just 20 minutes away, they don't want to spend as much in Portofino as independent travellers particularly on food. Eating here is not cheap. An appetiser in one of the restaurants is rarely less than 25, while a main can cost anywhere between 40 and 125. As one waiter tells me: 'The other day a group from the ships took up a table for four and spent a long time sharing one or two starters. In the end they spent 87 euros (75) between them in the middle of the lunch rush, when the average person would normally spend more than that alone.' A British husband and wife tell me they took a seat in DAV Mare one of the harbour's most exclusive restaurants only to be frightened off by the prices. Rather than face the embarrassment of leaving, they grudgingly ordered coffees before moving to a restaurant within their budget. 'We didn't realise it had Michelin-starred chefs so we had a cappuccino and even that was expensive,' they complained. Some bars and restaurants have resorted to banning people from sitting at their tables unless they order lunch, rather than coffee. More than 700 locals have now signed a petition calling for Portofino to follow the example of Venice, which banned cruise ships from its lagoon in 2021 'People are running away, normal life is impossible due to the purchasing-power of tourists and the lack of services' One jeweller told me: 'It does get pretty busy. We want people to enjoy Portofino but some of the cruise passengers have no respect' A British woman, one of nearly 3,000 passengers to arrive from the mammoth 1 billion Celebrity Edge cruise liner moored beyond the town, confesses that she is heading back on board to eat. 'I'm saving my money, I'll have lunch when we stop in Florence instead,' she says as she rushes to catch the next tender back. Fellow passenger Esther Ferrer, 26, from Barcelona, is on holiday with her family. Since each of them is paying 1,200 for the cruise, she admits they won't be dining in Portofino either. 'We are going to explore and visit Castello Brown [the 16th-century castle] but will go back on the ship for lunch. It's all-inclusive so we don't need to pay more,' she says. Others concede that while they are happy to shop and try out the local restaurants, they have been put off by the crowds. John McNab, from New Jersey, says he is heading back on to the ship because of the throng. 'It's just too crowded now, there's no seats and nowhere to get a table. I realise we are probably part of the problem,' he admits. Some of the visitors line up at the bakery and ice-cream shops, but with only a handful of benches in the main square, they end up sitting on the ground while they consume their purchases to the dismay of the Italians. One jeweller told me: 'It does get pretty busy. We want people to enjoy Portofino but some of the cruise passengers have no respect.' On top of all this is the issue of the 'facilities'. One store owner explains: 'We only have two lots of public toilets here and there is always a queue. You get people trying to come into the shops.' Staff are under strict instructions to stop non-customers from using their bathrooms. A worker at the Splendido Mare says: 'We are a very high-end hotel so the ships don't impact us so much. But we do have to close our doors as when it gets busy people try to use our toilet.' Then there is the logistical pressure of so many tender boats, with about ten arriving and leaving each hour. Gabrielle, who has worked in the local boat-hire business since he was a child, says the marina is becoming overcrowded. 'It's an accident waiting to happen,' he says. 'There are lots of near-misses. Some of the tenders are not well-driven. One of the boats damaged the pier this morning because of how they parked,' he adds, explaining that a piece of wood was dislodged. In the heat of the afternoon, those trying to get back to the cruise ships are often left queuing for hours in 37c heat as stewards hand out cold water and wet towels. 'When it's at its busiest, the wait can be for three hours with passengers standing in the direct sun. Some are elderly or very young,' Gabrielle says, adding that the problem could be eased with better planning. 'The ships shouldn't dock all at once and the flow of tourists should be staggered.' Gabrielle, like many, fears that Portofino is under serious threat. More than 700 locals have now signed a petition calling for Portofino to follow the example of Venice, which banned cruise ships from its lagoon in 2021. Francesco Gastaldi, associate professor of Urban Planning at the Iuav University of Venice, warns that the ocean around Portofino has 'become like a motorway'. He adds: 'Portofino is like little Venice. There is of course the right to have a vacation but for the standard family it is now impossible to live there.' He says the town's population was once more than 1,000 strong, but that its 355 residents fall to as little as 200 in the winter. 'People are running away, normal life is impossible due to the purchasing-power of tourists and the lack of services.' When 6pm comes, the last of the cruise-ship tenders and ferries set off from the marina. Calm returns. In the cooler evening air, overflowing bins are emptied, the tables reset to welcome locals and well-heeled travellers from the yachts and hotels, and chatter and clinking glasses replaces the cacophony of crowds. Yet there is already chatter among the locals about the next incursion three mammoth ships carrying some 10,000 people are already heading their way. The liners, all from Celebrity Cruises, will land on Monday morning two in Portofino and a third in nearby Santa Magherita. Portofino's fight to preserve its tranquil sophistication is far from over. Tamzin Outhwaite, from London, reveals she drew upon her own experiences The first series of gritty crime drama The Tower in 2021 was praised for the dark human storylines that ran alongside the investigation into the deaths of a young woman and a police officer who had fallen from a London tower block. And as the show returns to ITV1 this week, two of its actors Tamzin Outhwaite and Tahirah Sharif rather alarmingly reveal they could draw on real-life experiences to play some of its grimmer scenes. Tamzin joins the cast as recovering drug addict Cathy Teel for the second series, which again stars Game Of Throness Gemma Whelan as DS Sarah Collins and is based on a novel by former Met police officer Kate London (a third series is being filmed). While Cathy seems to be getting her own life in order, the same cant be said for her daughter Georgina, whos living under the coercive control of her boyfriend Matt Brannon. Actress Tamzin Outhwaite from Ilford, East London, reveals that she drew upon her own experiences for emotional scenes she had to play in the show As the domestic violence spirals, Tahirahs character PC Lizzie Adama investigates and Cathy is caught in the fallout. There were emotional scenes that required me to go to places I dont normally go to, but I could draw on my own life, says former New Tricks star Tamzin. Ive had a lot of pain and endured a lot of loss, and with the human emotions involved in this drama I felt like my own life was the research. Tamzin, whose mother died suddenly a few years ago and who endured a highly publicised break-up with actor husband Tom Ellis in 2013, admitting at the time that she was brutally broken, was literally left feeling bruised by the demands of The Tower 2. One day I couldnt understand why my body was aching, then I remembered that the previous day Id slid down a wall and sobbed many times reacting to awful news. Basically my body was traumatised. Tahirah, who was BAFTA-nominated for her work in the first series, could call upon an experience that was frighteningly close to home for the domestic violence scenes. Pretty much the same thing was happening next door to me, she says. The dad was domestically violent in the way this guy is in The Tower. The woman didnt want to press charges against her partner and it made me realise that its never quite as simple as it seems. The four-part second series follows another case as well as the domestic violence a cold case involving the disappearance of a young woman on the day of Princess Dianas funeral 25 years earlier. Its DS Collinss task to find out what happened even though her bosses think she has little chance. Sarahs joined Homicide Command and shes been fobbed off by her new boss, says Gemma. But she sees the cold case as a challenge, a mystery she can solve by looking at it in a different way. Tamzin joins the cast as recovering drug addict Cathy Teel for the second series, which again stars Game Of Throness Gemma Whelan as DS Sarah Collins (right, with Jimmy Akingbola as DC Steve Bradshaw) Also returning are Jimmy Akingbola as DC Steve Bradshaw and Emmett J Scanlan as DI Kieran Shaw, who was having an affair with Lizzie Adama in the first series. Sarah Collinss trademark orange duffle coat will not be back though. I used that in series one to cover my pregnancy but now its gone back to props, having done a very fine job, laughs Gemma. That was a blessing as the cast had to endure blazing heat while filming near Manchester last summer in a building dubbed the Stockport Pyramid, which doubled as the police station. It was a great space but it had no air-conditioning and the higher you got the hotter it got, says writer and executive producer Patrick Harbinson. Very apt for the sizzling new series of The Tower. From Charles Ponzi and his eponymous pyramid schemes to Frank Abagnale, whose audacious scams were immortalised in the Spielberg film Catch Me If You Can, smooth-talking conmen have long been the subject of public fascination. Now new BBC1 drama The Following Events Are Based On A Pack Of Lies, with Hollywood stars Romola Garai and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, tells the tale of a similar chancer and the devastation he leaves in his wake. But as the title of the drama suggests, nothing is exactly as it seems. When we first meet Alice Newman (Pullings Rebekah Staton) she appears to be living a settled life. Happily ensconced in Oxford with her young son and magician boyfriend Benjy (Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh comedy act), she works as a PA to Romola Garais fashion designer Juno Fish, while harbouring dreams of becoming a designer herself. Until, that is, a chance sighting of her former husband knocks her off course. New BBC1 drama The Following Events Are Based On A Pack Of Lies stars Hollywood stars Romola Garai and Marianne Jean-Baptiste Alice believed Robbie Graham (Sex Educations Alistair Petrie), a property developer from Stoke, to be her knight in shining armour right up to the point he fleeced her and her family out of their savings and fled popping out for a chow mein, never to return. Now, 15 years later, hes back, but this time as Dr Rob Chance a charming, award-winning ecopreneur and director of the world-famous Saattut climate academy in Greenland. Soon Alice discovers he has lined up his latest victim, wealthy fantasy writer Cheryl Harker (Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Oscar-nominated for the film Secrets & Lies), who has recently lost her husband to dementia. Alice intends to warn Cheryl about Robs past, but fearing she wont be believed she pretends to be her successful boss Juno instead. As the five-part series unfolds, Alice attempts to stop her ex from wreaking havoc on another womans life, but will she succeed... and who exactly is being tricked? Created by sisters Penelope and Ginny Skinner, the series offers a novel take on the traditional conman caper. We love those shows where you have a con artist whos doing crazy, exciting things, says Ginny. But for our story we wanted the hero to be the person the con was happening to. Adds her sister, It happened to Alice many years ago, but shes still living with the consequences and we wanted to recognise the damage these things do to the victims and put their perspective front and centre. 'But the problem is that these conmen are so fascinating you can easily be drawn into their lies. Thats certainly true of Rob, who quickly inveigles himself into Cheryls world becoming her lover, moving into her sumptuous home and slowly distancing her from those she loves. Hes highly emotionally intelligent because thats how he infiltrates peoples lives, by playing on emotion, says Alistair Petrie. And Cheryl is the perfect target a woman whos widowed and lost. Hes a dangerous individual, brimming with confidence, ready to seduce. And then this brilliant spanner in the works appears in the form of Alice. Rebekah Staton says her character is living a half-life. She cant marry Benjy because she cant tell him her feelings about marriage, and she cant depend on her dad because shes protected him from a lot of what happened. And though her motives to unmask Rob might be honourable, not only does she bend the rules in order to catch him, she also lies about her identity to Cheryl, thereby adopting the traits of the man shes determined to expose. One of the things we discovered in our research is that to encounter a con artist is to be compromised, says Ginny. That no matter how high your ideals or how good a person you are, as soon as youre in their sphere, part of you will be morally compromised and you have to make decisions you dont want to make. For real-life conman inspiration, the Skinners looked predominantly to Bernie Madoff the American financier who defrauded investors out of billions of dollars in the largest Ponzi scheme in history. What was really fascinating about him is that we think people just lost money, says Ginny. But then you find out about the lives he destroyed. It was very applicable to this show. There are also echoes of the tragic tale of Helen Bailey, the childrens author who was charmed and subsequently murdered by her partner Ian Stewart in Hertfordshire. She, like Cheryl, was a wealthy author mourning the loss of her husband when Stewart came along. Alice discovers he has lined up his latest victim, wealthy fantasy writer Cheryl Harker (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), who has recently lost her husband to dementia We didnt find out about her till we started writing, says Ginny, but theres a sadness about that story that helped us a lot. Like countless hustlers before him, Rob knows just how to ensnare and gaslight his prey. In the beginning theres the selection of the victim and their particular vulnerability, says Penelope. Then the love bombing, where theyll offer you something, whether romance or a financial opportunity, that feels like it would solve all your problems. Soon the victim is isolated from everyone they trust and by the time they realise theyre no longer in control there is the fear, says Ginny, that if they pull out they would lose more than if they stay in. Added to that is the disbelief from others that anyone could ever fall for the con. But thats the artist part of the con artist, explains Alistair. Because its all based on emotion. Nobody wants to admit theyve been fooled. While the show has its dark moments, especially midway through during a shocking exchange between Rob and Alice (theres no denying how dangerous he is after that, says Rebekah), theres also plenty of humour. Alice flits about town investigating Rob while wearing a somewhat conspicuous neon pink cape. And as her father trundles along on his mobility scooter collecting evidence of Robs misconduct for his daughter, he becomes an unlikely and increasingly spry sidekick. Despite being set in modern-day Oxford, the series has a distinct 1980s feel courtesy of the pulsating soundtrack, including Madonna and Talk Talk, and veiled references to that ultimate 80s movie Fatal Attraction. Part of Alices internal crisis is that shell be perceived as a crazy bunny boiler if she tells the truth about Rob, and that film was a symbol of that, says Penelope. The use of 80s music is a way of showing how her past is coming back, adds her sister. Its a knotty tale with a complicated heroine, and the heightened sights and sounds of the show add to the viewers unease. Alices partner Benjy is a magician who tells you hes playing a trick on you, while Cheryl creates alternative worlds that you know youre spending time in, explains Penelope. Rob does both of these things without telling you and thats very damaging. We all want to experience magic, be transported, fall in love, but its our goodness and empathy thats being exploited by the likes of Rob. Making the show caused everyone involved to re-examine their past for occasions when theyd been unwittingly conned. I think all of us at some point have been manipulated in some shape, says Alistair. And for those who still believe they could never fall prey to such manipulation, the series itself performs its own trickery. Its very seductive, says Alistair. Theres a warmth and humour to it that brings you in. We relax the audience... and then we turn the screw. Kanye West and his Australian 'wife' Bianca Censori have been turning heads with their outrageous ensembles while trotting around Italy in recent weeks. From walking the streets barefoot to donning 'nude' bodysuits, the controversial couple haven't been afraid to flout the rules of fashion with their wardrobe choices. However, now fans have expressed concerns that the rapper and his designer wife are putting their health at risk in order to push the boundaries of style. After the pair went out barefoot in Florence earlier this month, one commenter wrote: 'This is indecent exposure and frankly unhygienic. Poor Italy.' Another added: 'Barefoot in a restaurant, isn't that a health code violation?' Fans have expressed concerns that Kanye West and his 'wife' Bianca Censori are risking their health by going out in public barefoot 'This is indecent exposure and frankly unhygienic!' Bianca has been slammed by fans online for trotting around barefoot. (Pictured in Florence earlier this month) Others pointed out that walking barefoot in a restaurant could potentially pose some hygiene risks. 'Gross. Bare feet in a restaurant, not to mention that half her backside is also exposed,' snapped one. Another asked: 'Isn't there a shoes and shirt rule when dining out?' Meanwhile, referring to Bianca's skintight outfits, one fan suggested that the ensembles could pose a 'hygiene issue' for the star. According to several podiatrists who spoke to Time magazine in June, going out barefoot in public can be quite hazardous for a number of reasons. From getting cuts on your feet and bacterial infections to developing plantar fasciitis, there are all kinds of dangers associated with ditching footwear. 'Youre pretty much asking for trouble, and I 100% do not recommend it for a lot of different reasons,' Dr. Priya Parthasarathy told Time. The couple have also donned inadequate footwear, including socks, while out in public, while Bianca has been slammed for showing too much of her body However, others have argued that going out barefoot can actually pose some surprising health benefits. Speaking to Healthline, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Kaplan said: 'The most straightforward benefit to barefoot walking is that in theory, walking barefoot more closely restores our "natural" walking pattern, also known as our gait.' Board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Dr Bruce Pinker told the website that going barefoot can also help you develop stronger leg muscles and improve balance. It comes following reports that Censori is running the risk of being fined 10,000 and could even face imprisonment during her trip to Italy. Both Kanye and Bianca have gone barefoot at various times in Italy, while Bianca has often exposed her curves in barely-there leotards and bodysuits 'Bare feet in a restaurant, not to mention that half her backside is also exposed,' snapped one onlooker The Australian architect, 28, has been walking around 'virtually naked' in the European nation, flashing her flesh in extremely revealing outfits. According to the Italian Constitutional Court, a fine from 5,000 to 10,000 euros can be issued, or whoever exposes in a place or nearby to a place attended by minors, may be sentenced from four months to four years imprisonment. On Tuesday, Bianca went braless in a skintight see through all-in-one and at some points was forced to cover her nipples with a black cross-body bag. During a visit to Florence on Wednesday, Bianca was spotted visiting a restaurant with Kanye wearing a see-through mesh top that revealed her bare breasts, matched with a low-waist maxi dress and no shoes. The Australian stunner wasn't shy about exposing her body in public long before finding love with American rapper Kanye A day later she emerged barefoot once again, this time sporting a pair of black leggings and a skimpy bikini top that barely covered her nipples. Bianca put on another raunchy display on Saturday as she toured around Tuscany with Kanye in a see-through unitard and heels. Her bare breasts were yet again visible beneath the tight, diaphanous material. Prior to 'marrying' Kanye Bianca was Melbourne's 'It Girl' living a private life in a suburban home before dressing up in bizarre outfits. Busty Bianca is pictured in this throwback selfie before she underwent an extreme makeover with West Photos of this week's outing were exclusively published by Daily Mail Australia, and online critics have since implored local authorities to punish Bianca for her wardrobe choices. 'It's surprising she hasn't been arrested. Italy is much more conservative, in this case rightly so!' one user wrote. 'I hope Italy kicks them both out of the country. They don't need this pair polluting it,' another raged, as someone else agreed: 'Completely disrespectful to a conservative catholic culture; the Italians should have kicked them out.' Many argued that Bianca's latest look constitutes 'public indecency,' a charge for which comes with a hefty fine. 'It's a shame that they can't arrest her for public indecency. They look like clowns, how embarrassing,' someone wrote. Streaming giant Stan has announced that the second season of supernatural comedy-drama Wolf Like Me will premiere on October 19. The quirky Stan Original series is a twist on the rom-com, with Aussie actress Isla Fisher playing a werewolf called Mary, who falls for a lonely single-parent Gary, played by American actor Josh Gad. Fans of the hit series can look forward to some bizarre twists in the new seven-part season, as the couple struggle with the news that they are about to welcome a baby... But will the child be 'normal' and or will Mary birth a 'wolf pup' ? More complications in the story arise when a man from Mary's past called Anton, (Dr. Death's Edgar Ramirez), pops up to create havoc in her new life. The brand new season of Wolf Like Me premieres October 19 available only on Stan. Isla Fisher - pictured - is set to return in season 2 of Stan's Original hit series Wolf Like Me Isla Fisher playing a werewolf called Mary, who falls for a lonely single-parent Gary, played by American actor Josh Gad. In the new seven-part season 2 a man from her past - playd by Edgar Ramirez - pictured - pops up to create havoc in new life Fans of the hit series can look forward to some bizarre twists, as the couple struggle with the news that they are about to welcome a baby Pictured: Josh Gad as Gary in Season 2 Mary and Gary's future is then thrown into jeopardy, and the couple must decide whether they are meant to be together. Star Josh Gad, 42, is best known to fans as the voice of Olaf in the Frozen franchise, while Isla Fisher, 47, rose to fame on Home and Away. The red-head later won a new audience with a continuing role on the hit comedy Arrested Development. Creator and director Abe Forsythe said in a statement that fans look forward to more comedy this season as well as a story line where 'anything can happen'. The premiere of first season of the half-hour series which Forsythe said was based on his 'personal experiences' became of Stan's most watched shows ever. The new storyline focuses on whether Mary and Gary have a future together Pictured: A scene from season 2 of Wolf Like Me Forsythe, who is the son of veteran Aussie actor and comedian Drew Forsythe, has made the low-key local features Down Under and Little Monsters. Also featured in the cast this season are Ariel Donoghue (Blueback), Wonderland's Emma Lung (Wonderland), Anthony Taufa (Young Rock), and Honour Latukefu. All episodes of Wolf Like Me were filmed in Australia and were made in conjunction with NBC Universal's streaming service Peacock in the U.S. A Stan Original Series Wolf Like Me is produced by Made Up Stories in partnership with Fifth Season and Stan. Maya Jama has revealed she has landed a new job as the host of the first ever Love Island spin-off series. The TV presenter, 29, will be heading to Fiji to present Love Island Games in partnership with streaming site Peacock. The series will reunite her with Iain Stirling, known for his narration on both the UK and US editions of the show. Maya announced the exciting news in a video on Instagram, saying: 'It's going to be amazing!' Love Island Games will bring together former Islanders from the UK, US and Australian series for a second shot at love and to compete to be crowned the champion. Thrilled: Maya Jama has revealed she has landed a new job as the host of the first ever Love Island spin-off series Exciting: The TV presenter, 29, will be heading to Fiji to present Love Island Games in partnership with streaming site Peacock The international series will see the stars 'faced with both team and couples' challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling and dramatic new arrivals.' The show is set to make its debut on November 1 with new episodes streaming six days a week on Peacock. Maya took on the role of Love Island host during its ninth season, taking the reins from Laura Whitmore. She's been praised by fans for her presenting style and sensational looks over the summer and winter series. Maya previously shut down claims she had been told by ITV to change her personality for her role. During an Instagram Q&A, a fan asked whether ITV asked the star to tame [her] energy and personality to present the show. Maya responded: 'No not at all. Of course, on the show theres a certain tone for dramatic bits so I cant come in shouting cling cling and running jokes but on Aftersun its literally the most myself Ive ever been on TV and its live so thats my playground.' It comes after Maya issued a sassy comeback to a troll after she was criticised for her 'drinking and partying.' Fan fave: Maya took on the role of Love Island host during its ninth season, taking the reins from Laura Whitmore and has been praised by fans for her presenting style Clap back: It comes after Maya issued a sassy comeback to a troll after she was criticised for her 'drinking and partying' Over it: After captioning the snap: 'Been celebrating all month', a troll was quick to comment: 'Cant have a normal relaxing day without partying and drinking what a ****' Down time: But Maya took the jibe in her stride, using humour as she encouraged the troll to see her final image, which saw her lying in bed looking tired and queasy The presenter has been living it up in Ibiza on an action-packed holiday while celebrating her birthday and shared a slew of snaps from her time away with her 2.9 million Instagram followers on Tuesday. After captioning the snap: 'Been celebrating all month', a troll was quick to comment: 'Cant have a normal relaxing day without partying and drinking what a **** [clown and queasy emojis]'. But Maya took the jibe in her stride, using humour as she encouraged the troll to see her final image, which saw her lying in bed looking tired and queasy. She responded: '@hz11__s Im having a day relaxing in the last slide actually x' Pregnant Hannah Cooper showed off her blossoming baby bump as she joined her husband Joel Dommett at a beauty bash in London on Thursday night. The model, 34, looked sensational in a tight black maxi dress as presenter Joel, 38, doted on her by caressing her bump. The event was the launch of new fragrance brand e11even founded by Cat Deeley and Amanda Grossman. Hannah completed her look with a chic black jacket and flat spotted shoes as she posed up a storm. Beside her Joel cut a casual figure in black jeans, a crisp white T-shirt and dark jacket. Together: Pregnant Hannah Cooper showed off her blossoming baby bump as she joined her husband Joel Dommett at a beauty bash in London on Thursday night Sweet: The model, 34, looked sensational in a tight black maxi dress as she posed with presenter Joel, 38 They were joined by the likes of Cat, 46, Lisa Snowdon, Tom Hiddleston and Bella Ramsey. It comes after earlier this week Joel revealed that Hannah's birth could clash with the presenter's television commitments. The star is due to present the National Television Awards on September 5, and the comedian has revealed the show could coincide with this baby's arrival. Speaking with comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe on their podcast Parenting Hell on Friday, Joel confessed that the NTA's are 'fairly soon to the due date.' Discussing his wife's pregnancy, the star said Hannah is now 35 weeks pregnant and is hoping she doesn't give birth quite yet. 'I've got the NTA's so I want to sort of get that done first,' confessed Joel. Co-host Rob then asked the former I'm A Celebrity star 'When are the NTA's?' forcing Joel to confess that they are 'fairly soon to the due date.' 'If she goes into the labour the day of the NTA's which is live from the O2, just let me know and I'll get there and I'll host it,' joked Rob. Out and about: The event was the launch of new fragrance brand e11even founded by Cat Deeley and Amanda Grossman Pose: They were joined by the likes of Cat Deeley, 46, (above) Lisa Snowdon, Tom Hiddleston and Bella Ramsey Chic: Cat looked great in a white and black scallop trim co-ord Bronzed : Cat sported a tanned glow as she posed with a stylish Amanda Product: They showed off the fragrance at the glamorous event Style: Amanda Grossman attends the launch of new fragrance brand e11even The look: Lisa wore a cream and black stripped suit as she posed with Amanda Duo: Bella Ramsey and Lena Dunham attend the event in London too All smiles: Lisa was in great spirits at the event Details: She accessorised with a black quilted Chanel bag Joel then confessed that ITV do in fact have a contingency plan in place, however they won't tell the star who the back up presenter is. 'They say they've got a contingency but they won't tell me who it is,' admitted Joel. The comedians then joked together over who they thing ITV will have ready to takeover, as they came to the conclusion This Morning presenter Craig Doyle could be top of the list of potential back ups. Discussing the plan for the evening, Joel was asked by Josh what the communication plan is for the evening. 'Have you discussed what the communication will be, are you going to keep your phone on?' 'That's what I'm thinking,' explained Joel, 'because you know it's live so there's breaks so I'm thinking I'm just going to keep my phone on me and just check during the breaks and then I can come back after a break and suddenly it's Craig Doyle.' 'So the contingency is going to have to be somewhere there on the night,' realised Rob, conjuring up an image of the back-up presenter waiting in the wings to take over from Joel. 'Yeah and they won't tell me who it is. I keep guessing like it's the f*****g Traitors,' added Joel. The couple married in 2019 after three years together, in an idyllic ceremony Mykonos, officiated by their friend Iain Stirling. Discussing the pregnancy, Joel also confirmed that Hannah is doing well, but she is having trouble sleeping, so he's been reading aloud to her. 'Hannah can't fall asleep because she's pregnant so she likes for me to read to her so she falls asleep easily,' revealed Joel. 'It's also quite good actually because she falls asleep and I get autocue practice!' The star said the couple have been reading a lot of baby books in preparation for becoming parents, including Rob and Josh's spin-off book from the podcast. Joel also confirmed he and his wife have been trying hypnobirthing and listening to the recordings during breakfast. Last month the star proudly shared snaps of his pregnant wife as he showed off his cot building skills on Instagram. Preparing for the birth, Joel shared a behind-the-scenes look at things coming together. Smart: Tom Hiddleston attended the event too in a smart jacket Pals: Lisa and Cat looked great as they posed at the event The look: Bella wore a black leather jacket and white shirt Crew: Cat, Tom and Amanda beamed for the camera together Outfit: Tom teamed his jacket with a blue top and dark jeans In one snap, Joel playfully posed with his thumbs up as he began unpacking, whilst a baby stroller lay on the floor. As he began getting to work, Joel could be seen screwing multiple wooden planks together before assembling a baby cot. A time-lapsed video then shows the star hard at work as he matches all the pieces together. Sharing the snaps, he penned: 'A fun week building things in the house while my wife builds things in her uterus'. Emmy-winning producer Andy Cohen celebrated a new milestone with his daughter Lucy Eve while spending the summer at his $5.9M oceanfront home in Amagansett, NY on Wednesday. The 55-year-old Missouri native - who boasts 9.5M social media followers - announced via Instastory: 'Lucy's first time in the ocean.' Andy made sure to hold on to the blue-eyed 15-month-old while wading in the surf, and she gave the camera a little wave. Little Lucy made history as 'one of the first gestational surrogate babies born' in the state of New York. Gestational surrogacy is the process when a woman, who did not provide her own egg, is hired to carry a fetus for another person/couple. Precious princess! Emmy-winning producer Andy Cohen celebrated a new milestone with his daughter Lucy Eve while spending the summer at his $5.9M oceanfront home in Amagansett, NY on Wednesday (pictured July 25) The 55-year-old Missouri native - who boasts 9.5M social media followers - announced via Instastory: 'Lucy's first time in the ocean' On Thursday morning, Cohen revealed he was frustrated that he woke up at 6am as his son Benjamin Allen slept in, adding via Instastory: 'Also, we're out of turkey bacon and he is [going] to be p***ed.' A bit later, the Daddy Diaries author gave an update about the eccentric four-year-old, who's made a 'crutch' of 'bringing two pieces of turkey bacon with him to camp every day.' 'He's up and he's so p***ed. He's p***ed at me,' Andy whispered. 'I'm a bad dad.' Aside from bacon, little Ben has also made a habit of beginning each morning by secretly eating potato chips for breakfast, even when Cohen offers to make him a 'real breakfast.' The Kardashians producer-star Khloe Kardashian and seven-time Grammy winner John Mayer hilariously approved of the toddler's eating habits in the comments of the two-time Peabody Award winner's Instagram post last Saturday. Andy reportedly still has two leftover frozen embryos in the 'bank' in case his two children are unable to have their own children and want to raise their siblings. On Wednesday, Cohen asked fans of The Real Housewives of Orange County to tweet their questions ahead of the 17th season reunion he's hosting. Despite the ongoing WGA strike, The Real Housewives executive producer will happily resume the 20th season of his boozy Bravo late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live on September 5. Tickets (ranging between $250 and $1,200) officially went on sale this Thursday and Friday for Andy's fan convention BravoCon, which runs November 3-5 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Over 160 Bravolebrities will be in attendance including Vanderpump Rules stars Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, and Lisa Vanderpump as well as Real Housewives Kandi Burruss, Sheree Whitfield, Garcelle Beauvais, Kyle Richards, Crystal Kung Minkoff, Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Gizelle Bryant, and Tamra Judge. Cutie: Andy made sure to hold on to the blue-eyed 15-month-old while wading in the surf, and she gave the camera a little wave On Thursday morning, Cohen revealed he was frustrated that he woke up at 6am as his son Benjamin Allen slept in, adding via Instastory: 'Also, we're out of turkey bacon and he is [going] to be p***ed' 'He's up and he's so p***ed. He's p***ed at me. I'm a bad dad': A bit later, the Daddy Diaries author gave an update about the eccentric four-year-old, who's made a 'crutch' of 'bringing two pieces of turkey bacon with him to camp every day' Sneaky snack: Aside from bacon, little Ben has also made a habit of beginning each morning by secretly eating potato chips for breakfast, even when Cohen offers to make him a 'real breakfast' 'I'm with Ben on this one!' The Kardashians producer-star Khloe Kardashian and seven-time Grammy winner John Mayer hilariously approved of the toddler's eating habits in the comments of the two-time Peabody Award winner's Instagram post last Saturday 2022 family portrait: Andy reportedly still has two leftover frozen embryos in the 'bank' in case his two children are unable to have their own children and want to raise their siblings 'My team is getting ready!' On Wednesday, Cohen asked fans of The Real Housewives of Orange County to tweet their questions ahead of the 17th season reunion he's hosting Next month! Despite the ongoing WGA strike, The Real Housewives executive producer will happily resume the 20th season of his boozy Bravo late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live on September 5 Some of EastEnders much loved characters will reportedly be left fighting for their lives in scenes set to air this autumn. The BBC soap is planning many 'explosive' events for the latter half of this year with viewers already waiting to find out who dies in the festive murder plot. EastEnders made history in an episode back in February when they teased a flash forward of a Christmas whodunnit. In the shocking scenes, Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Suki (Balvinder Sopal) were seen surrounding a dead body, but the identity of the corpse and the killer were kept secret. And yet more drama is set to hit Albert Square when a huge fire rips through the street destroying Kathys Cafe. Coming soon: Some of EastEnders much loved characters will reportedly be left fighting for their lives in scenes set to air this autumn A source told The Sun: 'Bosses are staying tight-lipped about whos behind the attack and who is left fighting for their lives, but viewers can expect lots of drama as the storyline unfolds on-screen and the residents of Walford deal with the fallout of the event. 'These scenes have just been shot and they look incredible. They are part of the explosive autumn the show has lined up.' EastEnders fans are convinced that it will be Ian Beale who dies this Christmas ahead of the festive murder plot and epic whodunnit. Ian - portrayed by Adam Woodyatt - is set to make a huge return to the BBC soap this week, as he arrives in Walford alongside his wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins). Cindy made a shocking return from the dead after 26 years last month, as she was revealed to be living in France with ex-husband Ian Beale and son Peter. It later transpired that Cindy had spent the last two decades living in witness protection and was given the alias Rose Knight, and she is yet to return to Walford. In a further twist, she was revealed to be the absent wife of Queen Vic landlord George Knight (Colin Salmon), and mother to their two daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford). Since then, fans have been theorising who the dead body is on the floor of the Queen Vic on Christmas day. It's all happening! The BBC soap is planning many 'explosive' events for the latter half of this year with viewers already waiting to find out who dies in the festive murder plot Theory: Meanwhile, EastEnders fans are convinced that it will be Ian Beale who dies this Christmas Taking to Twitter, some viewers expressed their view that it could be Ian, as one said: 'What if the suit of armour in the flash forward represents... Cindy (AKA Rose Knight) and the body is Ian? It's my back-up theory anyway.' Another wrote: 'It's going to be IAN on the floor at Christmas with the #cufflinks after an accidental hit or a heart attack.' A third penned: 'Could you imagine if it was Ian killed at Christmas.' while a fourth commented: 'Ian is the dead body at Christmas I just feel it in my bones.' Viewers will still have to wait nearly five more months to see exactly what unfolds on the Christmas Day episode, with each woman and the men in their lives set to undergo dramatic storylines that will explain the night's drama. Love birds Nina Dobrev and Shaun White are on a road trip up the coast of California. The Vampire Diaries alum, 34, and Olympic snowboard gold medalist, 36, took their cute, black and white dog Maverick for a walk. The couple of more than three years were also charging their Tesla at their Santa Barbara hideaway before continuing their journey north. The Love Hard actress - who was spotted with her beau in New York City last month - looked fit and fresh in a white Alo sweatshirt and white shorts. She wore her dark hair half up and half down and seemed to by having an animated conversation with her long time love. The San Diego native, meanwhile, wore a short-sleeved, rust-colored shirt over a white t-shirt and khaki shorts. Dog walk: Love birds Nina Dobrev and Shaun Whit e are on a road trip up the coast of California The couple has been inseparable since they went Instagram official in April 2020 and have sparked engagement rumors of late. However, the pair have frequently told interested fans and press that they are in no hurry to get married. Although, last month the couple did buy a $4.3 million midcentury modern house in Los Angeles together. Last month, the Olympian debuted his Max docuseries Shaun White: The Last Run. During the promotion of the series, he called his partner 'incredible.' 'Shes just been so supportive and having her in my corner for this chapter in my life where Im retired and looking for whats next,' he told Extra. 'And even making this documentary, I was like: "Can you help me? This isnt my world. I dont know the film industry. I dont know what to ask for, what to do."' Leaping to the rescue, Nina 'was like: "You need to call this person, you need to talk to that, you need to ask for this."' Road trip: The couple of more than three years were also charging their Tesla at their Santa Barbara hideaway before continuing their journey north Inseparable: The couple, who have been dating since April 2020 have sparked engagement rumors Travel: However, they are taking their time and spending time together traveling the world And when it came to those engagement rumors, the retired athlete was quick to answer. 'Were just taking our time and seeing what life has to offer right now,' he said. 'But yeah, we kind of laugh when we see these headlines pop up.' Now that he is no longer in a constant training cycle for the next competition or Olympics, Shaun revealed that a healthy dose of travel is also on his agenda. 'I said: "Im gonna retire, line it up. Lets go! I want to experience some places and things Ive never done. And really enjoy this moment of nothingness,"' he shared. Angelina Jolie's mysterious middle finger ink has finally been revealed by her tattoo artist Mr. K as he also apologized to the star for any stress caused by fan speculation on Instagram on Thursday. The Maleficent actress, 48, had initially teased the new ink with blurred snaps uploaded to the tattoo artist's Instagram page which prompted social media users to guess the ink was a 'f*** you' to her ex-husband, Brad Pitt. However, while unveiling the designs in a clear photo, the New York-based artist explained the meaning behind the tattoos that are located on the inside of her middle fingers. 'First of all, I feel sorry with all the bad speculations and sincerely apologize to @angelinajolie for the stress that might caused her,' Mr. K penned in the caption of the image. He continued, 'This tattoo represents two daggers in geometric & abstract way / nothing related to religion or cross #angelinajolie #mrktattoo.' Revealed: Angelina Jolie's, 48, mysterious middle finger ink has finally been revealed by her tattoo artist - Mr. K - as he also apologized to the star for any stress caused by fan speculation on Instagram on Thursday Fan speculation: The Maleficent actress had initially teased the new ink with blurred snaps uploaded to the tattoo artist's Instagram page - which prompted social media users to guess was a 'f*** you' to her ex-husband, Brad Pitt; seen in 2021 in London In the picture, Angelina could be seen sitting on a chair with her palms turned towards the camera although the star's face was not in the frame. A gold bracelet as well as a few gold rings were placed on some of her fingers for a flashy touch as she proudly showcased the new ink designs. Mr. K additionally uploaded the snap to his Instagram stories as well, and tagged the Oscar winner followed by a red heart emoji. Earlier on Tuesday, the tattoo artist shard a similar picture to his main page but blurred the new ink to keep the design a mystery so fans would have the opportunity to guess what the tattoos could be. In the caption, he wrote, '@angelinajolie Still cant believe that I actually grabbed her hand and tattooed her. Guess what she got on her palm?' One fan quipped 'F*** Brad' in reference to the star's acrimonious divorce battle with Pitt, 59, with whom she shares six children. Another guessed: 'Had A \ Brad Time' while another typed: F**k you. However, on Wednesday, Mr. K followed up in the comment and wrote, 'It has NOTHING related with Brad Pitt,' in order to set the record straight. Her other tattoos include Bengal Tiger, Khmer Script, Quod Me Nutrit Me Destruit, a cross, Geographical Coordinates of her children, Yant ViHan Pha Chad Sada and a M among others. Big fan: Mr. K additionally uploaded the snap to his Instagram stories as well, and tagged the Oscar winner followed by a red heart emoji Mysterious: One fan quipped 'F*** Brad' in reference to the star's acrimonious divorce battle with Pitt, 59, with whom she shares six children Special meaning: Mr. K explained, 'This tattoo represents two daggers in geometric & abstract way / nothing related to religion or cross #angelinajolie #mrktattoo'; seen on Sunday in NYC During a past interview with Marie Claire UK back in 2020, Angelina opened up about her array of tattoos. 'I love them. They're body art,' she gushed to the outlet at the time. 'I don't think it's abnormal that someone who spends their life in other skins wants to claim their own by marking things on it that matter to them.' The actress and Brad were linked back in 2005, and officially said 'I do' in 2014. However, Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 citing 'irreconcilable differences' and the court later declared that they were both legally single in April 2019. The former pair have been in a lengthy custody battle with the actress wanting sole custody and Brad fighting for joint - with Brad winning joint custody in 2021. The actress shares Pax, 19, Knox, 15, Shiloh, 17, Zahara, 18, and Maddox, 22 with Pitt. Pitt has reportedly agreed to mediation with ex-wife Jolie over their vineyard dispute. Documents filed last month show that both stars have agreed to mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution over Chateau Miraval rather than the matter going to court. Tattoo collection: During a past interview with Marie Claire UK back in 2020, Angelina opened up about her array of tattoos; seen in 2021 in Rome Various designs: 'I don't think it's abnormal that someone who spends their life in other skins wants to claim their own by marking things on it that matter to them,' she told Marie Claire UK; seen in 2019 in London Tumultuous split: The actress and Brad were linked back in 2005, and officially said 'I do' in 2014, however, Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 citing 'irreconcilable differences'; former couple seen in 2015 Jolie has also said that she's willing to take part in a settlement conference. What's more, it can be revealed that Pitt has appointed a 'provisional administrator' to Chateau Miraval in a bid to resolve the war between himself and the Russians Jolie sold her share of the vineyard to. Pitt and Jolie purchased Chateau Miraval, a 1300-acre estate in the south of France, in 2008. The former couple were even married at the property in 2014. The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor has since moved on and recently sparked up a budding romance with Ines de Ramon - who notably filed for divorce from Vampire Diaries alum Paul Wesley in February. The two stars were first romantically linked back in November 2022 as they attended a Bono concert together. Budding romance: The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor has since moved on and has sparked up a budding romance with Ines de Ramon; seen in January in Paris Recent split: The jewelry designer filed for divorce from Vampire Diaries alum Paul Wesley in February; former couple seen in 2019 in Los Angeles At the time, a source told DailyMail.com that the pair, 'have been dating for a few months' and that 'Brad is really into' Ines. 'They met through a mutual friend. She is very nice.' Last month in July, a separate insider told People that Brad and Ines are still 'going very strong.' 'The two have been spending a lot of time together this summer as they truly enjoy each other's company and are very into each other,' the source expressed, adding, 'It's apparent to anyone who sees them together.' Earlier this week, Ines stepped out to run a few errands and was spotted wearing a 'B' necklace, possibly referencing to the first letter of Brad's name. Hailey Bieber and Lori Harvey joined their pal Kendall Jenner and Justine Skye for a funny TikTok video on Thursday. Hailey, 26, Lori, 26, and Justine, 28, all sizzled in bikinis while relaxing on a yacht, as Kendall, 27, treated them to a taste of her 818 Tequila in the clip, posted to her social media. The reality star used a viral sound taken from the family show, The Kardashians, in which Scott Disick, 40, delivers a hilariously brutal one-liner to her mom Kris Jenner, 67. In the original clip, Scott is seen asking the momager: 'Do you want a drink?' However, when she starts to reply, he interrupts her. As Kris says, 'You know, Im a little, I would love-' Scott cuts in and says, 'I dont need the whole life story. Just yes or no?' Having fun: Bikini clad Hailey Bieber and Lori Harvey joined their pal Kendall Jenner and Justine Skye for a funny TikTok video on Thursday Tequila anyone? Hailey, 26, Lori, 26, and Justine, 28, all sizzled while relaxing on a yacht, as Kendall, 27, treated them to a taste of her 818 Tequila in the clip, posted to her social media Kris then replies with a 'yes.' In her clip, Kendall is pictured holding up her tequila bottle as she mouths along with Scott's voice, 'Drink?' Justine is then seen replying as Kris. The clip then cuts back to Kendall, as she delivers Scott's line, wearing a white and blue dress over a bikini top. Lori is then pictured saying, 'Yes' along with Kris' voice. Hailey appears last, stunning in a tiny blue and white bikini, as she accepts a drink from Kendall. Hailey accessorized her bikini look with a large necklace featuring the letter B. Her short blonde tresses were wet and she shielded her eyes with a pair of black shades. Funny: The reality star used a viral sound taken from the family show, The Kardashians, in which Scott Disick, 40, delivers a hilariously brutal one-liner to her mom Kris Jenner, 67 Re-inaction: The girls re-inacted the original clip, where Scott is seen asking the momager: 'Do you want a drink?' However, when she starts to reply, he interrupts her Sizzling: Hailey sizzled in a tiny blue and white bikini, as she accepted a drink from Kendall If you've got it! Lori flaunted her in credible figure in a halter neck orange bikini with gold hoops and shades Chic: Justine looked chic in a gingham patterned bikini featuring strawberries Drinks: Kendall happily poured the tequila for her pals Supermodel figure: Kendall also showed off her supermodel figure in a snap shared to her Instagram, wearing a tiny brown and black bikini Looking good! Lori also shared some bikini snaps from their adventure Incredible: She showed off her incredible figure while sitting on the edge of the yacht, with stunning views behind her Meanwhile Lori sported a halter neck orange bikini with gold hoops and shades. Justine looked chic in a gingham patterned bikini featuring strawberries. Kendall also showed off her supermodel figure in a snap shared to her Instagram, wearing a tiny brown and black bikini. Last week Kendall played up her supermodel figure in a clinging see-through dress as she made her way to Delilah in West Hollywood, for a party in aid of her tequila brand 818, which she named after the area code where she grew up. Last Friday, August 18, marked the brand's namesake holiday - 8/18 - which Kendall celebrated this year for the third time. Kendall launched 818 in May of 2021, setting off an online outrage that saw the supermodel accused of cultural appropriation. A few days prior she wore a chartreuse green sleeveless dress as she dined at Mon Ami in Santa Monica, with her pals Fai Khadra and Michael Kives as well as her 818 Tequila team. They enjoyed 818 Tequila cocktails, including the Santorini, La Provencal, 818 Negroni, and Eight Reserve by 818 neat pours. Produced using traditional methods in Jalisco, Mexico at a family-owned-and-operated distillery, 818 Tequila has won 43 blind tasting awards across 12 major industry competitions. Made from one hundred percent Weber Blue agaves and sustainably produced, 818 Tequila features four variations a Blanco, Reposado, an Anejo and their newest expression, Eight Reserve by 818, an ultra-premium Anejo Reserve painstakingly crafted for appreciation. No time: In the original clip Kris begins to say, 'You know, Im a little, I would love-' before Scott cuts in and quips, 'I dont need the whole life story. Just yes or no?' Tequila holiday: Last Friday, August 18, marked the brand's namesake holiday - 8/18 - which Kendall celebrated this year for the third time On the personal front, Kendall is enjoying a romance with the Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, whose songs include the drag anthem Yo Perreo Sola. Although the duo have been glimpsed out on dates together, they have both remained scrupulously tight-lipped in public about the relationship. When the subject of Bad Bunny arose during a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, Kendall offered no further details than 'no comment.' She did however shed light on why she has chosen to adopt such a private attitude to her love life, which in the past has included Blake Griffin and Devin Booker. Kendall wants to retain a 'balance of keeping things private and keeping things sacred,' she explained to the magazine. Marsden Maritime Holdings Announces Result for FY23 Key financials: Business Park and Marina Operations revenue $11.3m, up 29% from $8.7m last year Net profit after tax before valuation movements $8.2m down from $9.1m last year Investment property valuation downward movement of $0.3m partly reversing the previous years significant upwards movement of $3.9m. Earnings from joint venture interest in Northport $8.1m down 3.5% from $8.4m last year Northport volumes o Bulk 2.6m t down from 2.9m t last year o Logs 2.0m t down from 2.3m t last year o Container volumes were 16,809 TEU down from 19,142 TEU last year Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd (NZX: MMH ) has announced its annual result for the year ended 30 June 2023. Chief Executive Rosie Mercer said, While were delighted to report record revenue, as signalled in the trading update issued in July 2023, MMHs reported after-tax profit was impacted by higher interest costs and the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle reducing log and container volumes through our Northport joint venture. The 29% growth in the Business Park and Marina Operations revenue stream went someway to offsetting the 9% reduction in net profit after tax before Investment Property revaluations and fair value movements which measures our overall operational performance. Financial performance The Companys net profit after tax (excluding revaluation of investment property and fair value movements) of $8.2m, which was down from last years $9.1m but in line with the guidance provided. Revenue from the companys Business Park and Marina Operations has continued to grow, totalling $11.3m, up 29% from $8.7m last year. Underlying earnings* from Business Park and Marina Operations related activity increased by 7% to $1.6m (from $1.5m in 2022). Lease revenue saw a 32% uplift to $4.8m, from $3.7m in the previous year. This improvement was driven by the completion of commercial and industrial developments, including the Nutrinza bulk storage facility, and strong demand resulting in high occupancy rates for these new assets. Marina revenue (including Boatyard and goods sold) was $6.1m, up 26% from $4.8m. The Marina continues to receive positive feedback in relation to the quality of the hardstand and the services available. NPAT after revaluation of investment property and fair value movements of ($0.2m) was $7.9m (2022: $13.1m- including a valuation movement of $3.8m). Northport and Cyclone Gabrielle The Northland economy was particularly hard hit by the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and this resulted in a reduction of over 12% in both log volumes and container numbers through Northport. As a result, earnings from MMHs joint venture interest in Northport Ltd totalled $8.1m, which is down 3.5% from last years $8.4m. Dividend MMHs dividend policy uses a guideline of 70% of net profit after tax before asset revaluations and fair value movements being distributed as dividends. In line with this policy, the company will pay a fully imputed final dividend of 7.5 cents per share on 29 September 2023. This will bring the total dividend distribution for the year to 13.5 cents per share, down 2.5 cents from last year. Outlook Chief Executive Rosie Mercer said, Our focus this year has been on getting the foundations right. We are confident we have the right team in place capable of delivering on our strategy and positioning MMH to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities ahead. Weve also done a deep dive to understand the strengths of our assets and identified some areas to address. Our focus for the next 12 months is continuing to grow revenue while concurrently focussing on sound asset maintenance and management, which will enable us to get into a more sustainable expenditure pattern, improve our level of service to customers and generate higher shareholder returns over the long term. Chairman Murray Jagger said, The 2023 financial year has seen Marsden Maritime Holdings focus on getting the business on the right path for a truly sustainable future. The Board and Management are pleased with the overall performance of the business under challenging conditions and we believe MMH is well positioned to leverage the opportunities coming our way. As we emerge from Covid and the cyclone recovery, the economic outlook right across New Zealand shows more than ever the importance of businesses like ours to drive growth, support the community and help the region get back on track. A key part of this is the leadership role we must play in influencing the development and delivery of strategic road and rail infrastructure assets for the region. It is pleasing to see the design phase of the Marsden Rail Spur commencing and there are cross party support for critical roading infrastructure connections for the region with Auckland and New Zealand. We are confident our strong commercial focus will enable us to deliver long term prosperity for our stakeholders and the region. 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Related News: CHI - Exchange Mechanism of CHI010 notes for CHI030 bonds CHI - Channel launches retail bond offer October 30th Morning Report AGL - Accordant Group - Half Year Financial Performance CBD - Successful Verification for Oral Solution Products Spark Finance extends Westpac Sustainability-Linked Loan General Capital (GEN:NZX) Subsidiary General Finance Update Ryman announces new director BFG Capital Return to Shareholders SAN - Annual Results, Annual Meeting, Director Nominations Dates Vanderpump Rules stars Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay were spotted out together in Los Angeles on Thursday. For their casual outing, the longtime pals who have been busy filming the upcoming 11th season of the Bravo series together sported matching black ensembles and stylish sneakers. Madix whose ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, had asked to be beaten up to atone for cheating on her modeled some of her own merch in the form of a 'Cooler Than You' sweatshirt to go with her basic leggings and high-top sneakers. At one point, the reality star, 38, was also seen toting around a black leather backpack purse and rocking a pair of oversized wayfarer sunglasses. She left her platinum blonde tresses down in soft beach waves and opted for a light makeup look to highlight her natural beauty. Vanderpump Rules stars Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay were spotted out together in Los Angeles on Thursday. For their casual outing, the longtime pals who have been busy filming the upcoming 11th season of the Bravo series together sported matching black ensembles and stylish sneakers. Shay who celebrated the first wedding anniversary of her nuptials with Brock Davies the day before sported a black 'It Really Is All Happening' sweatshirt from her own clothing line to go with a pair of biker shorts. The podcast host, 38, also sported a pair of platform converse sneakers and carried a patent leather shoulder purse. She also left down her brunette tresses but opted instead for a sleek and straight hairstyle. She looked radiant in soft and bronze makeup look that was completed with a mauve pink lip. Recently, the duo have been busy filming for the 11th season of Vanderpump Rules. The main plot point for the upcoming season will be the aftermath of the infamous Scandoval cheating drama involving Madix's ex. Earlier this year, the longtime couple split after nine years together when she discovered that he had been having a seven-month affair with their co-star, Raquel Leviss. Following the discovery, Leviss filed an order of protection against Shay and detailed an alleged incident in which she had physically attacked her. At one point, the reality star, 38, was also seen toting around a black leather backpack purse and rocking a pair of oversized wayfarer sunglasses. Madix whose ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, had asked to be beaten up to atone for cheating on her modeled some of her own merch in the form of a 'Cooler Than You' sweatshirt to go with her basic leggings and high-top sneakers Cheating scandal: Recently, the duo have been busy filming for the 11th season of Vanderpump Rules. The main plot point for the upcoming season will be the aftermath of the infamous Scandoval cheating drama involving Madix's ex, Tom Sandoval, and their co-star, Raquel Leviss The restraining order was ultimately dropped but during the bombshell season 10 reunion, the two former friends and co-stars had to be kept 1,000 feet apart. Since then, Shay has gone on to drop a diss track apparently firing shots at her former friend and calling her a 'narcissistic psychopath' for her behavior. It was previously announced that Leviss would not be rejoining the cast to film for the next season. A release date for the 11th season of Vanderpump Rules has not yet been announced but is expected for sometime in 2024. Clint Stanaway revealed he struggles with loneliness every week when he flies to Sydney for his coveted job as a Weekend Today co-anchor. The KIIS FM newsreader broke down live on radio earlier this month when he spoke about an article which revealed 1 in 4 adults say they 'feel lonely'. He confessed he could relate to the statistic because he feels lonely when he leaves his mates in Melbourne every weekend to fly to Sydney for his Channel Nine gig. 'I jump on the plane every Friday to work on the Weekend Today Show and it is something I love doing and I wouldn't take it back for a second,' he said. 'But every Friday when I get on a plane and go to a city that I didn't grow up in and I'm not that familiar with, there is a bit of panic there.' He continued: 'I don't know anyone there and I sort of think, "How am I going to fill in my time? How am I going to fill in my days?" Because I'm going to be lonely.' He went on to say he spends much of his free time sitting in his hotel alone or taking himself out to dinner and lunch because he doesn't have friends in Sydney. 'It's stressful. There have been times it's been a bit soul destroying because social media will light up and you will see what your friends [back home] are doing.' Clint Stanaway revealed he struggles with loneliness every week when he flies to Sydney for his coveted job as a Weekend Today co-anchor. Pictured with co-host Jayne Azzopardi The KIIS FM newsreader broke down live on radio earlier this month when he spoke about an article which revealed 1 in 4 adults say they 'feel lonely' Clint said he finds it 'embarrassing' to admit he doesn't have someone to spend time with in Sydney and is struggling to make friends in the fast-paced city. His break down prompted fellow Melbourne-based radio hosts Lauren Phillips and Jason 'Jase' Hawkins to launch their own Big Melbourne Mate Date event. After attracting over two thousand followers online for their cause, the duo will host their first in-person meetup next Thursday at Ballers Clubhouse Carlton from 5pm. He confessed he could relate to the statistic because he feels lonely when he leaves his mates in Melbourne every weekend to fly to Sydney for his Channel Nine gig It will see strangers from all across the city come together to create new connections in an effort to combat loneliness in Aussie adults. It comes after Clint was one of three new hosts confirmed for Channel Nine's breakfast program Weekend Today earlier this year. The network announced Jayne Azzopardi and Clint as the new hosts fronting the show, with Sophie Walsh as newsreader and Dan Anstey as weather presenter. Jayne, Clint and Sophie replaced veteran hosts Richard Wilkins, Belinda Russell and Charles Croucher. Hollywood superstar Rebel Wilson is currently enjoying some down time in her native Australia. While the actress has been in Sydney for several weeks, she looked ecstatic on Tuesday when her fiancee Ramona Agruma and their baby daughter Royce flew into the country. The family heartwarmingly reunited in a sunny Sydney after spending weeks apart. Rebel was photographed with her arms wide open as soon as Ramona and her 10-month-old daughter got out of their car from the airport. She then gave them a massive hood as the couple were all smiles to finally see each other again. Hollywood superstar Rebel Wilson is currently enjoying some down time in her native Australia (pictured with her partner Ramona and baby Royce) The Pitch Perfect star was dressed casually for their meeting, as she donned a pair of black leggings and a white crew neck top. She scraped her blonde locks back into a ponytail and opted for a natural makeup look. Ramona was also dressed comfortably after her flight, as she wore a grey tracksuit paired with a grey cap. While the actress has been in Sydney for several weeks, she looked ecstatic on Tuesday when her fiancee Ramona Agruma and their baby daughter Royce flew into the country Rebel was photographed with her arms wide open as soon as Ramona and her 10-month-old daughter got out of their car from the airport The Pitch Perfect star was dressed casually for their meeting, as she donned a pair of black leggings and a white crew neck top Rebel, 43, welcomed her first child Royce via surrogate in November 2022. In a recent interview with E! News, the Senior Year star said she has considered having another baby. 'I'm definitely thinking about it, yeah. I would like to have another child,' she said. The Jojo Rabbit actress also spoke about the potential difficulty of having a child. 'It's just like, well, is that possible? I have to do IVF. We'll see how it goes,' she said. Rebel added that she was still happy to be able to be a parent, regardless of size of her family. 'Royce is such a miracle. And if she's my only child, then amazing,' she said. She scraped her blonde locks back into a ponytail and opted for a natural makeup look Ramona was also dressed comfortably after her flight, as she wore a grey tracksuit paired with a grey cap The actress shares her daughter with her fiancee, Ramona Agruma, whom she initially met in 2021. The pair eventually began dating, and they made their red carpet debut in March of last year. Wilson subsequently revealed that she had welcomed Royce via surrogate in November. The actress shocked many when she announced her engagement via Instagram this past February. Kevin Costner claims that he 'does not know for a fact' if his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, had 'extramarital' affairs but stated that he had been faithful during their marriage. The Yellowstone actor, 68, who recently claimed that his ex, 49, is deliberately trying to 'delay' their divorce, has been embroiled in tumultuous divorce proceedings since Christine filed on May 1. In a new legal request for order obtained by People, the mother of three has asked for further documentation to prove Costner's finances. Some of the requests included, 'expenses paid by you, or any person at your request or on your behalf, relating to any extramarital romantic relationships.' In response, the star's legal team stated that the request is, 'propounded only for purposes of harassment, is overbroad as to time period and subject matter, burdensome, oppressive and impermissibly compound.' 'Extramarital' affairs: Kevin Costner, 68, claims that he 'does not know for a fact' if his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, 49, had 'extramarital' affairs but stated that he had been faithful amid their bitter divorce battle; seen in 2022 in Santa Monica His lawyers further stated that Christine and her attorneys' request is 'not relevant to the subject matter' because 'there is no community property' between the former couple in regards to their separation. Costner and his team also added that he 'does not know for a fact if [Christine] engaged in any "extramarital romantic relationships" before separation and, if so, whether she spent any of his money or charged any expenses in furtherance of her affair(s) on credit cards he paid.' The star's attorneys stated, '[Kevin] has no responsive documents for "extramarital romantic relationships" in which he engaged because he engaged in none.' According to the outlet, New York matrimonial and family law attorney, Marilyn B. Chinitz, explained that Christine's request is 'not unusual.' But added that, 'The request for "expenses paid relating to any extramarital romantic relationships" should be stricken as irrelevant and harassing and represents nothing more than a fishing expedition.' The Dances With Wolves actor and the handbag designer initially tied the knot in 2004 in Aspen, Colorado and share three children: Cayden 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. But in May, after nearly 19 years of marriage, Christine filed for divorce, leaving the Hollywood star reportedly 'blindsided' and came as an 'unpleasant surprise,' a source told People at the time. Their divorce quickly turned nasty and his estranged wife made recent claims that Kevin has been 'withholding' his financial records over his $400million fortune amid their ongoing divorce. New documents: In a new legal request for order obtained by People, the mother of three has asked further documentation to prove Costner's finances; seen in 2019 in Madrid Unknown: Costner and his team also added that he 'does not know for a fact if [Christine] engaged in any "extramarital romantic relationships" before separation; Christine seen in 2019 in Los Angeles The designer said in legal docs filed in California Superior Court Monday that the Academy Award-winning actor, 68, has withheld documents in the case, People reported Wednesday after reviewing legal documents. Baumgartner - who has publicly clashed with Costner over her living arrangements since the split - has been asking for docs detailing 'his future endeavors and anticipated income' in projects such as his forthcoming film series Horizon. Christine requested the court order for Costner to share the documents requested. Her team said the actor has been 'stonewalling' them in regards to sharing pertinent info with a child support hearing slated for next week, and one in November that will scrutinize the premarital agreement in the case. Baumgartner - who the court in July awarded $129,755 per month in monthly child support - has said she felt under pressure to sign the prenup, which awards her a $1.5 million payout in the event of the marriage ending. Her lawyers said in legal documents that Costner 'has requested a multi-day evidentiary hearing on [Baumgartner's] request for child support, at which time the Court will receive evidence regarding [Costner's] gross cash flow available for support and anticipated future income.' Family: The Dances With Wolves actor and the handbag designer initially tied the knot in 2004 in Aspen, Colorado and share three children: Cayden 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13; seen in 2019 The attorneys said that the court 'will need to receive evidence regarding those circumstances to make its determination,' but that Baumgartner 'will be unable to present any evidence that [Costner] has chosen to withhold from discovery.' Baumgartner initially requested a monthly child support total of $248,000, which Costner said he was opposed to in June. The actor, who made around $20 million in 2022, said the amount was not feasible as he's slated to make 'substantially less' since he has stepped away from the series Yellowstone. Baumgartner's legal team asked for information detailing Horizon - noting that 'such documents evidence his future endeavors and anticipated income' - and said Costner's team has withheld them. Recent depositions: On August 19, both Kevin and Christine were spotted out in Santa Barbara, California to give depositions amid their ongoing divorce battle; seen in 2022 A lawyer for the Bull Durham actor said the request 'seeks documents that are not relevant given the parties entered into' a prenup that stipulated 'a limitation on spousal support and providing that all income earned during marriage would be the separate property of the spouse earning the income and providing for no community property.' Costner's lawyer described some of the requests as 'burdensome, oppressive and harassing.' Over the weekend on August 19, both Kevin and Christine were separately spotted out in Santa Barbara, California to give depositions amid their ongoing divorce battle. Christine has since moved out of their $145 million mansion after she was ordered to vacate the estate by the end of July and has since been residing in a temporary $35k-per-month house in Santa Barbara. Lena Dunham and Bella Ramsey were all smiles as they posed together at a fragrance launch event in London on Thursday evening. The American writer, 37, and The Last Of Us star, 19, worked together on 2022 comedy film Catherine Called Birdy and reunited at the star-studded event. Lena cut a stylish figure in a white and green body print dress, which she styled with a pair of sandals and an array of gold and beaded necklaces. She appeared in good spirits as she flashed a huge smile while posing with her arm wrapped around Bella's shoulders. Bella, who is non-binary, cut a smart figure in a white shirt and black trousers, which they styled with a leather-look jacket and white trainers. Pals: Lena Dunham and Bella Ramsey were all smiles as they posed together at a fragrance launch event in London on Thursday evening The glitzy event, which saw the likes of Tom Hiddleston and Joel Dommett attend, marked the launch of fragrance brand e11even into Space NK. E11even was founded by Cat Deeley and Amanda Grossman and the close pals both attended the launch event to celebrate their brand's latest milestone. Bella starred in an array of smash hit films and TV series including His Dark Materials and Game of Thrones before finding huge acclaim as Ellie in HBO's The Last Of Us. Her latest outing comes after The Last Of Us showrunner Craig Mazin told how the writers strike hitting Hollywood affected the casting for season two of the series. The creator, 51, was asked by The Hollywood Reporter if he had found someone to play Abby, a key figure in the Last Of Us Part II video game, which the series is based on. He revealed that the casting of Abby had been 'in process' until the writers strike hit Hollywood. When asked about the casting, he cryptically replied with: 'Maybe,' with a laugh. The interviewer noted that Craig started turning red, perhaps showing that a casting decision had been made. All smiles: The American writer, 37, and The Last Of Us star, 19, worked together on 2022 comedy film Catherine Called Birdy and reunited at the star-studded event Chic: Lena cut a stylish figure in a white and green body print dress, which she styled with a pair of sandals and an array of gold and beaded necklaces He went on: 'The strike stopped us in our tracks. Things were in process. Look, Abby was the first role that we wanted to tackle. 'Weve got a pretty good track record of making major cast announcements and people going, Really? which will probably continue.' 'So people may disagree, but I think we got it right so far and the audience seems to feel we got it right and the Academy seems to feel we got it right,' he added. In May, The Last Of Us decided to halt casting and production efforts as a result of the writers' strike. According to Variety, the casting team held auditions without scripts as the co-creator, and co-writer, Mazin, was picketing with his fellow Writers Guild of America members. The other co-creator, creative director, and writer for the series, Neil Druckmann, 44, is also following strike guidelines and has stopped working on season two. The series has been hailed by critics as the best video game adaptation of all time - pulling in more than 22million viewers with its premiere episode. Trendy: Bella, who is non-binary, cut a smart figure in a white shirt and black trousers, which they styled with a leather-look jacket and white trainers Glitzy: The glitzy event marked the launch of fragrance brand e11even's launch into Space NK. E11even was founded by Cat Deeley and Amanda Grossman (both pictured) Fame: Bella starred in an array of huge projects including His Dark Materials and Game of Thrones before finding huge acclaim as Ellie in HBO's The Last Of Us alongside Pedro Pascal The first season followed the harrowing journey of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella) in a post-apocalyptic landscape ravaged by the mutated Cordyceps virus and raked in 8.2 million viewers for the finale. After the fungus decimated most of humanity, Joel took young Ellie on a journey West in hopes that her mysterious immunity to the fungus could lead to a cure of some kind. The first season ended with a dramatic two-show conclusion in March that featured guest appearances by the actors who portrayed Joel and Ellie in the original video game - Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson. HBO announced the hit series was renewed for a second season, although fans could be left waiting more than two years for new episodes. She is due to give birth any day now, and it seems Love Island star Laura Anderson is trying everything she can to bring on the arrival of her first child. The 34-year-old took to her Instagram Stories earlier this week as she bounced on a gym ball in the hope of inducing her labour. Opening up about the end of her pregnancy, the star announced she was trying the exercise and drinking a special tea after having a sweep earlier in the day. The former air hostess is expecting her first baby with her on-off boyfriend Gary Lucy after the two met on Celebs Go Dating. Laura, who has previously told her followers that she was due in August, showed a video of herself bouncing on the gym ball with a box of 'the final push' tea in her hand. She's almost here! Pregnant Laura Anderson, 34, took to Instagram earlier this week to film herself bouncing on a gym ball as she attempts to induce impending birth as she gets ready to welcome her baby girl Mum to be: Opening up about the end of her pregnancy, the star announced she was trying the exercise and drinking a special tea after having a sweep earlier in the day She wrote: 'Hate this bloody ball & this tea tbh but I had a sweep today not something I thought I'd get but gave it a bash.' She added: 'Thank you all for your messages just giving those interested a lil I update. No doubt I'II be quiet on here for a bit as life is sort of standing still at mo, trying to enjoy the calm but it's hard.' A membrane sweep, is when the midwife or doctor sweeps their finger around the cervix during an internal examination. This action should separate the membranes of the amniotic sac surrounding the baby from the cervix. This separation releases hormones (prostaglandins), which may start labour. Laura looked positively radiant as she posted a picture of her blossoming bump over on her grid on Thursday. The star looked incredible in a matching grey Calvin Klein underwear set as she wrote 'last min special pics of baby girl'. One fan commented: 'Hurry up and have her. I'm so excited,' prompting Laura to reply: 'I'm trying. I can't stop thinking that everyday her head is getting bigger #ouch.' Fellow celebs also sent their well wishes as former Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby and Celebs Go Dating co-host Anna Williamson both sent a series of heart emojis. Final stages: She wrote: 'Hate this bloody ball & this tea tbh but I had a sweep today not something I thought I'd get but gave it a bash' Interesting: Laura also showed off a gold cast of her pregnant body she had made ahead of welcoming her new addition Back on? Laura and her partner Gary Lucy reunited last week in Scotland, as they prepare to welcome their daughter together Laura also showed off a cast of her pregnant body she got made ahead of her new addition. Laura's attempt at bringing on her labour comes after she was spotted with Gary at Gleneagles Hotel prompting speculation the two estranged lovebirds were back together ahead of the birth. The couple confirmed they had split shortly after they announced that they were expecting their first child together in February. They had a bitter split which saw them take aim at each other in scathing posts, and it was claimed Gary shared the news of their child's gender without asking Laura. However, it has now been claimed that the pair have reunited and appear to have patched things up with a trip to the 800-a-night Gleneagles hotel. Despite it appearing like they may have rekindled things, Gary's representatives confirmed that they are just spending time together ahead of the birth. They confirmed to MailOnline: 'They are not back together its just close to the birth.' The Crown's producers have insisted that Princess Diana's death has been handled with 'sensitivity' following backlash about the upcoming scenes. The Netflix show has courted controversy countless times as it follows the fates of the Royal Family since the 1940s, but risks a fresh row over scenes depicting Diana's death. Diana and Dodi Fayed died in the early hours of August 31, 1997, after the S-Class they were travelling in crashed at the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. Netflix previously insisted the exact moment of the crash will not be shown on screen, but will instead focus on the moments leading up to it and the aftermath. Following backlash over the recreation, executive producer Suzanne Mackie has insisted the scenes have been handled with 'thoughtfulness' and 'sensitivity'. 'We're thoughtful people': The Crown's producers have insisted that Princess Diana's death has been handled with 'sensitivity' following backlash (Pictured: Elizabeth Debicki as Diana) Speaking as part of a panel for the Edinburgh International Conference Centre at Edinburgh TV Festival, she said: 'The show might be big and noisy, but we're not. We're thoughtful people and we're sensitive people. 'And so there was a very, very careful, long, long, long conversation about how we do it - and I hope, you know, the audience will judge it in the end, but I think it's been delicately, thoughtfully recreated.' Suzanne said Elizabeth Debicki, who will reprise her role as Diana for the upcoming final series, 'loved Diana' and wanted to handle the scenes with 'respect'. '[Elizabeth] was so thoughtful, considerate and loved Diana. So there was a huge amount of respect from us all. I hope that's evident when you see it,' she added. Filming on the final series of The Crown wrapped in April and the series is slated for release later this year, though a date hasn't been confirmed yet. On the panel, Suzanne was joined by her fellow producer Andy Harries, who spoke about whether the death of the late Queen Elizabeth impacted the show in any way. 'I think that the passing of Her Majesty undoubtedly impacted on us all and [writer Peter Morgan] in particular,' he said. 'It didn't change fundamentally, but it did change in a sense and when you see it I think you'll know what I mean.' Recreation: The Netflix show has courted controversy as it follows the fates of the Royal Family since the 1940s, but risks a fresh row over scenes depicting Diana's death (pictured filming) 'There was a huge amount of respect': Following criticism, producer Suzanne Mackie has insisted the scenes have been handled with 'thoughtfulness' (pictured: Elizabeth as Diana) Suzanne told how writer Peter said the award-winning show is a 'love-letter to the Queen'. The Crown debuted in 2016 and has so far aired five successful seasons, with fans eagerly awaiting the sixth and final season, which will follow the royals from the late 1990s through to the early 2000s. The final season is expected to show the premiership of Sir Tony Blair, the early relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton - now the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Diana's death. Earlier this year, The Crown risked a fresh row when pictures emerged showing a replica of the mangled Mercedes which had carried Diana on set at Elstree Studios. Images obtained by the Daily Mail showed a recreation of the wreckage with the front wheel of a black Mercedes buckled, the bonnet crushed and the dashboard hanging out of the obliterated front windscreen. The vehicle was said to be transported in secret under tarpaulin to Paris one of two cars taken there for filming last year. In October, Netflix crews in the French capital were seen reconstructing Diana's final journey. Other scenes shot in December depict investigators examining the wreckage. Netflix insisted at the time: 'The exact moment of the crash impact will not be shown.' But a source told the Mail: 'I think a lot of people will find it quite sick that they went into such detail to recreate how the car was smashed up. 'I think it's going to cause a lot of upset with the Royal Family. If it was any other family I'm not sure they'd do it.' Tragic: Diana and Dodi Fayed (pictured on August 22, 1997) died in the early hours of August 31, 1997, after the S-Class they were travelling in crashed at the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris Final series: The upcoming series of The Crown will see Elizabeth portray Princess Diana once again, while Dominic West return to his role as King Charles Criticism: Netflix faced backlash over series five, which featured Diana (Elizabeth) sitting down for her infamous 1995 Panorama interview with disgraced ex-BBC journalist Martin Bashir Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul, 41, died instantly, while Diana was taken to hospital and later died of her injuries. British bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was the only survivor. The upcoming series of The Crown will also see Dominic West return to his role as King Charles and Imelda Staunton once again portray the late Queen Elizabeth. As Lesley Manville returns as Princess Margaret, Meg Bellamy will also take on the role of Kate Middleton while Ed McVey will portray Prince William. Netflix faced a fierce backlash over series five, which featured Diana (Elizabeth) sitting down for her infamous 1995 Panorama interview with disgraced ex-BBC journalist Martin Bashir. Rick And Morty's seventh edition is just weeks away, after the release date for the new season was announced. The Adult Swim show's Twitter account released the news on August 24 that it will be returning on October 15. It will be hoping for a return to normality after its star and co-creator Justin Roiland was accused, but later cleared, of felony domestic violence charges. Rick And Morty's announcement read: 'We ride together. We die together. We're buried in the backyard together. Rick and Morty Season 7 is coming to @AdultSwim 10/15 #rickandmorty.' The post was accompanied by a poster promoting the new season, with title characters Rick and Morty joined by the latter's sister Summer. It's back: Rick and Morty season 7's release date has been announced Ride or die: The show tweeted it's new release date with a poster (above) announcing it will return on October 15 Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen said in a statement in The Hollywood Reporter: 'Thanks to the talent of the entire show team, we can all enjoy 10 new episodes that yet again raise the bar for comedy and animation. 'This season proves that the geniuses at work on Rick and Morty are just getting started.' It is yet to be revealed who will voice titular cartoons Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, with Roiland previously filling both roles. The sitcom's co-creator was dropped by Adult Swim in January on the back of felony domestic violence charges, with it announced that his voice roles would be recast. The 42-year-old was cleared in March and slammed the 'false' claims. A spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney's office, Kimberly Edds, confirmed to Variety that the charges were dismissed 'as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.' Roiland then tweeted: 'I have always known that these claims were false and I never had any doubt that this day would come. 'I'm thankful that this case has been dismissed but, at the same time, I'm still deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process.' However, the impact was already made on his Rick And Morty involvement, with Dan Harmon now the sole showrunner. Roiland, though, will continue to be credited as co-creator when the show returns on Max in October. Cat Deeley looked effortlessly chic as she attended her fragrance brand e11even's launch with Space NK in London on Thursday. The TV presenter, 46, cut a stylish figure in a white co-ord set, made up of a waistcoat with a black trim and matching shorts. She put on a leggy display in her elegant ensemble and completed her look with a pair of peep-toe black heels. Cat appeared in excellent spirits as she flashed a huge smile while posing in front of a wall of her brand's fragrances. She socialised with the likes of Tom Hiddleston and Joel Dommett at the star-studded event, which marked the launch of e11even's launch into Space NK. All smiles: Cat Deeley looked effortlessly chic as she attended her fragrance brand e11even's launch with Space NK in London on Thursday Glam: The TV presenter, 46, cut a stylish figure in a white co-ord set, made up of a waistcoat with a black trim and matching shorts Wow! She put on a leggy display in her elegant ensemble and completed her look with a pair of peep-toe black heels E11even was founded by Cat and her friend Amanda Grossman and the close pals both posed for snaps at the event as they celebrated their brand's latest milestone. It comes after Cat gave a candid insight into motherhood last month as she shared a hilarious video attempting to enjoy a 'peaceful' day out with her brood. Cat, who shares sons Milo, seven, and James, five, with husband Patrick Kielty revealed she'd accidentally been whacked in the face by her sons while taking part in a calming pottery painting session. She was seen recoiling in the video as her overeager son accidentally hit her cheek before documenting their day out painting. She captioned the clip: 'Peace & pottery, but first just a little pain Typical day with the boys.' Cat has previously spoken about the not-so glamorous side of motherhood, leaving audiences of the Ellen show in hysterics last year when she revealed her 'naughty' sons refuse to keep their clothes on. She went on to quip that 'it's fine now but not when they are 17 and doing it in supermarkets'. She laughed: 'They look at me in the eye and say ''Mummy lets get handsome'' and then take everything off' 'Well that's not technically correct but I like their positive body image'. Elegant: Cat appeared in excellent spirits as she flashed a huge smile while posing in front of a wall of her brand's fragrances Stars: She socialised with the likes of Tom Hiddleston (both pictured with Amanda Grossman) and Joel Dommett at the event, which marked the launch of e11even's launch into Space NK Big night: E11even was founded by Cat and her friend Amanda Grossman and the close pals both posed for snaps at the event as they celebrated their brand's latest milestone Oh dear! It comes after Cat gave a candid insight into motherhood last month as she shared a hilarious video attempting to enjoy a 'peaceful' day out with her brood Gushing: Cat has been married to Patrick since 2012 and paid tribute to her husband in May as she looked back at when they met presenting Fame Academy in 2002 (pictured) Cat has been married to Patrick since 2012 and paid a sweet tribute to her husband on Instagram in May as she looked back at when they first met. The presenter fell for the Irish comedian, 52, when they were presenting Fame Academy in 2002. Cat shared a throwback picture from their time presenting on the show alongside a recent snap from the Irish Film Awards. She wrote: 'A blink of an eye and here we are!!'. Marisa Abela - who will soon be seen playing Amy Winehouse in the Back to Black biopic of her life - filmed scenes for season three of HBO and BBC Two banking series Industry, on Thursday. The actress, 26, looked chic in all-white as she stepped out of Longleat House, a stunning stately home in Wiltshire with new cast member Angela Sant'Albano. Marisa - who plays the role of Yasmin Yazdani in Industry - was spotted in a wide-leg pair of sleek white trousers, with a silk blouse tucked into the waistband, while strolling along in cream platform heels. Angela looked equally stylish in a baby blue midi dressed boasting a button-up neckline and short sleeves as she filmed scenes for the banking drama. The popular British-American series follows sexy young financial analysts in London embarking on their careers in global banking and navigating the chaos of being in their early twenties. Work mode: Marisa Abel, 26, filmed scenes for season 3 of HBO and BBC Two banking series Industry, on Thursday (Pictured with new cast member Angela Sant'Albano) Gorgeous: The actress looked chic in all-white as she stepped out of Longleat House, a stunning stately home in Wiltshire with new cast member Angela Sant'Albano Glam: Newcomer Angela looked equally stylish in a baby blue midi dressed boasting a button-up neckline and short sleeves as she filmed scenes for the banking drama Speaking about the upcoming season back in April, writer and producer Joseph Charlton said: 'The world is bigger in a way that I think audiences will find surprising. 'The show isn't just repeating itself. It's going into new places, and I think it's seeing the entanglement of finance and sectors in other parts of the world and politics in a way that I think is really novel and interesting. 'We're kind of expanding out, and the frame's getting wider, and you're starting to see, the bosses above those people, and then those bosses' bosses, and then how a big investment bank fits into the hierarchy of society more broadly than that.' Kit Harrington is set to join Season 3, as Henry Muck, the CEO and Founder of green tech energy company Lumi, which is about to go public. An official logline reveals: 'In season three, as Pierpoint looks to the future and takes a big bet on ethical investing, the desk find themselves front and centre in the splashy IPO of Lumi, in a story that runs all the way to the very top of finance, media and government.' Filming on Season 3 began in April despite and has not been affected by the Screen Actors Guild strike - due to local union rules. The cast of the show is primarily composed of British actors working under Equity contracts, rather than SAG-AFTRA. While Equity has voiced its support with the Hollywood union, Equity members aren't legally allowed to strike in solidarity. Chic: Marisa was spotted in a wide-leg pair of sleek white trousers, with a silk blouse tucked into the waistband, while strolling along in cream platform heels Star: Marisa plays the role of Yasmin Yazdani in Industry Stunning: Angela stepped out in a stylish pair of espadrilles Beauty: Marisa enhanced her natural good looks with a minimal amount of make-up Effortless: Marissa stunned in her all-white ensemble Exciting: The popular British-American series follows sexy young financial analysts in London embarking on their careers in banking and navigating the chaos of being in their early twenties The union released a memo: 'Because of existing anti-trade union laws in the UK, SAG-AFTRA members currently working under an Equity UK collective bargaining agreement should continue to report to work. 'A performer joining the strike (or refusing to cross a picket line) in the UK will have no protection against being dismissed or sued for breach of contract by the producer or the engager. 'Likewise, if Equity encourages anyone to join the strike or not cross a picket line, Equity itself will be acting unlawfully and hence liable for damages or an injunction.' Therefore, actors who are SAG-AFTRA members but working in the UK under an Equity contract are required to report to work. Marisa has been hard at work in recent months filming the Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black. Amy's dad Mitch Winehouse recently defended the controversial casting choice for the new biopic - after many claimed Marisa and Amy don't look enough alike. Mick disagrees with the backlash as he shared this week that Marisa is a 'great choice', admitting it doesn't matter if they 'don't look exactly alike'. Chatting with TMZ on the new release about his daughter, Mitch said: 'Marisa is Marisa and Amy is Amy... so it's no big deal if they aren't mirror images. Marisa is a great choice for the role.' Despite it being almost 12 years since Amy was found unresponsive at her townhouse in Camden, North London, in July 2011, her grief-stricken friends still believe it is early for such a film to be made. One insider said: 'It all feels very fast, almost a bit smash and grab.' Many have also doubted the film being made as a whole, accusing the project of 'exploiting the singer's legacy' and 'capitalising off her trauma', with some calling for people to 'just let her rest'. River Phoenix's death sent shockwaves through Hollywood, after the promising actor's career was suddenly cut short by a devastating overdose. The actor's mother shared a moving tribute to her son on Thursday on what would have been his 53rd birthday. In her post, Arlyn 'Heart' Phoenix wrote her son is 'still alive in her' despite his death, and described his birth as 'one of the most amazing days of her life.' Famed for his acting talent and good looks, River's star had been on the rise before he died on October 31 1993, following a battle with drug addiction. He famously collapsed outside Johnny Depp's nightclub Viper Room in Los Angeles after a drug overdose at the age of just 23. Tragedy: River Phoenix's death sent shockwaves through Hollywood, after the promising actor's career was suddenly cut short by a devastating overdose Sad: The actor's mother shared a moving tribute to her son on Thursday on what would have been his 53rd birthday (pictured together in 1988) While pals knew that River had been using drugs, his death still came as a huge shock, especially after he'd stayed sober for two months while working on the film Dark Blood in Utah and New Mexico. Upon returning to Los Angeles, River returned to using drugs and went on a 'massive' binge of cocaine and heroin, which culminated in his death outside Viper Room. The venue became a hotspot for Hollywood names despite its dingy appearance, with stars able to let their hair down away from prying eyes, but its title was forever tarnished in the wake of River's death. On the night of his death, a bouncer had escorted Phoenix outside the nightclub where he suddenly collapsed dropped to the ground. River's girlfriend, the actress Samantha Mathis, and his younger brother, actor Joaquin Phoenix, were among those present at the time of his death. While his loved ones quickly dialled 911, it was too late to save him. Mathis previously told The Guardian: 'I knew something was wrong [the night that River died], something I didnt understand. 'I didnt see anyone doing drugs but he was high in a way that made me feel uncomfortable I was in way over my head. Forty-five minutes later, he was dead.' Sad: River famously collapsed outside Johnny Depp's nightclub Viper Room in Los Angeles after a drug overdose at the age of just 23 Sad death: The venue became a hotspot for Hollywood names despite its dingy appearance, with stars able to let their hair down away from prying eyes Lauded: During the late River's 11-year acting career (which spanned from 1982-1993), he starred in numerous films, including Stand By Me The 2018 interview with The Guardian marked the first time that Mathis publicly spoke out about her then-boyfriend's passing. The couple, who worked together on the film The Thing Called Love, had been together for a year until River's untimely death on Halloween 1993. Prior to his relationship with Mathis, River was previously in a relationship from February 1986 to June 1989 with Emmy-winning actress Martha Plimpton, whom he met in 1985 during production of the 1986 film The Mosquito Coast. River and Martha would later work together again in the 1988 film Running on Empty. During the late River's 11-year acting career (which spanned from 1982-1993), he starred in numerous films, including The 1985 film The Explorers, The 1986 classic Stand By Me, the 1988 film Running on Empty, the 1989 film Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, and the 1991 film My Private Idaho, to name a few. He also overcame a difficult childhood which saw his parents join the Children Of God cult, a group which later become infamous for sexual abuse. River's performance in Running on Empty earned him his first only Oscar nomination, which came in the Best Supporting Actor category (He lost the Oscar to Kevin Kline for Kline's performance in the movie A Fish Called Wanda). As of the 2023 Oscars ceremony, the late actor is the sixth-youngest person to ever be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (River was 18-years-old when he was nominated. At the time of his death in 1993, River was survived by his mother Heart, his father John (passed away in 2015) and four younger siblings (listed from oldest to youngest): sister Rain, brother Joaquin, sister Liberty, and sister Summer. River and his younger brother Joaquin hold the distinction of being the only pair of brothers to be nominated for an Academy Award in the acting categories. The Phoenix brothers have a tight bond as Joaquin paid tribute to his late brother in his acceptance speech when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the 2019 film Joker at the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony in 2020. 'When he was 17, my brother [River] wrote this lyric. He said: 'run to the rescue with love and peace will follow,' Joaquin said, while fighting back tears, in his acceptance speech. Birthday Tribute: On what would have been his 53rd birthday, Heart shared an emotional tribute to her son, writing he is 'still alive in her' The Phoenix Brothers: River (behind) and Joaquin (in front) hold the distinction of being the only pair of brothers to ever be nominated for an Academy Award in the acting categories River at The Oscars: Although his acting career lasted only 11 years, River earned an Oscar Nomination for Running on Empty (pictured with then-girlfriend Martha Plimpton in 1989) Joaquin wins the Oscar: River's brother Joaquin paid tribute to him in his acceptance speech when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the 2019 film Joker On what would have been his 53rd birthday, Heart shared an emotional tribute to her son, writing: 'August 23, 1970...one of the most amazing days of my life...bringing Earthbound a living being...truly a touch of the most sacred. 'Just as he tried to do with most people, River Jude embraced each of his siblings (who entered through the same portal after him) with his humor, wisdom, authenticity, talent, compassion, vulnerability and undying Love. I would say he was and still is our greatest teacher. 'The greatest pain I experienced in my life was the pain of natural childbirth and even tho quite different, the pain of my son's passing. 'But almost instantaneously on both occasions, the gifts that he brought were imbued in each of us and so we carry on celebrating his life for those 23 precious years.' 'There are no guarantees in life and I don't believe any of us were promised that we would not experience 'tragic moments'. 'I count it one of the greatest blessings by living in the moment and drawing upon inner knowing as a sacred pathway to navigate through life's many challenges. River's life and death taught me that, in no uncertain terms. 'I am in awe of the fact that he is very much alive in me. Thank you for all the precious messages that I have received through these past 30 years.' Kelly Brook has revealed she's putting some of her most iconic designer pieces up for sale, with some items being sold for as little as 20. The ex-glamour model, 43, says she is having a 'cathartic' clear-out of outfits she has worn during her TV and film career. They include a flamboyant diamante-encrusted leotard bodysuit with tulle overlay she wowed fans in during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour in 2010. Kelly is also selling several swimsuits she wore on Love Island in the early noughties. They include a stunning blue striped swimsuit as well as five 1950s/60s vintage costumes. Cashing in! Kelly Brook has revealed she is selling some of her most iconic pieces, including a diamante-encrusted leotard bodysuit she wore on the Strictly Come Dancing tour (left) Getting rid! The ex-glamour model (pictured on Friday) says said is having a 'cathartic' clear-out of outfits she has worn during her TV and film career Bold! Among the pieces set to go up for auction is a red robe (right) that Kelly wore during the Crazy Horse cabaret show (pictured left in 2012 celebrating her birthday backstage) Centre piece: Another lot up for grabs is a 1950s red cotton Alfred Shaheen Honolulu dress (right) decorated with a Hawaii-inspired motif Kelly wore on Celebrity Love Island (left) Fans can also snap up an eye-catching floral-patterned costume she wore on the hit show, which originally aired in 2005 and 2006. Another lot up for grabs is a 1950s red cotton Alfred Shaheen Honolulu dress decorated with a Hawaii-inspired motif Kelly wore on Celebrity Love Island which aired on May 23, 2005. Kelly has preserved her valuable clothes collection in storage containers, but now wants to sell them as she settles into married life with new husband Jeremy Parisi, who she married last year in his native Italy. Her clothes are going under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on August 31 with some lots being priced as low as 20. Her staggering collection includes pieces by Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Diane Von Furtstenberg, Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana and Emporio Armani. These include an Alexander McQueen military-inspired two-piece skirt suit in Air Force blue. Kelly said: 'It's been amazing to take a trip down memory lane and explore my storage units where vintage and designer pieces from my TV and film career have been preserved and archived over the decades. 'I'm so excited to part with pieces that really have shaped my life over the years and inspired many fashion collections I've designed for the High Street. Stunning: Other pieces to set go under the hammer include a strapless maroon dress (right) with a black netted overlay that Kelly wore to the GQ Men Of The Year Awards in 2007 Beautiful! Kelly famously donned a pretty pink and cream prom dress with a satin belt (right) to attend the Gangs Of New York premiere in 2003 (left) Glam: Kelly wore a chic blue pinstriped swimsuit (right) while hosting Celebrity Love Island with Patrick Kielty (left) Fun in the sun: She sported a colourful green midi dress emblazoned with a fruit print (right) to front the iconic reality show (left) Perfect! Kelly sported a cream embroidered midi dress for the Pride Of Britain Awards in 2007 Pretty: The collection also includes several skirts from Kelly's collection, with one being a blue and black printed midi skirt from her Celebrity Love Island stint Gorgeous! The model is also selling several vintage-inspired swimsuits she wore while hosting Celebrity Love Island in the early 2000s Time for a clear-out! Kelly has preserved her valuable clothes collection in storage containers, but now wants to sell them as she settles into married life with new husband Jeremy Parisi How much? Her clothes are going under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on August 31 with some lots being priced as low as 20 'My storage units, together with the numerous homes I've lived in over the years, have been treasure troves for some of the most beautiful furniture, art and fashion sourced from all over the world. 'It's been extremely cathartic to part with some iconic pieces I know fans and collectors will love. 'I'm very much looking forward to watching some of my favourite items go under the hammer and find a new home outside of a storage unit. Let the fun begin.' Stephanie Connell, who catalogued the Kelly Brook Collection, said: 'Kelly's clothes capture old-style Hollywood glamour. 'There's a wonderful selection of 32 lots including numerous vintage and designer pieces. 'Kelly acquired many of these rare vintage pieces specifically for her work as host of the original series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005, paving the way to the global Love Island success story. 'The collection showcases Kelly's impeccable eye for fashion and highlights her influence on British style. 'As well as being fabulous items of clothing, these garments are part of TV history.' More Love Island offerings include two circa 1960s green floral-patterned sun dresses. They are a De Weese Design California dress labelled Swim and Sun Fashions, Los Angeles, California and a cotton Hawaiian halter dress with boned bodice, labelled Kamehameha, made and styled in Hawaii. Fans can also bid on a dress worn by Kelly in the 2006 ITV production of Agatha Christie's Maple episode The Moving Finger aired, and a vintage lace dress worn to the London premiere of The Gangs of New York in 2003. Other 1950s classics include a red halter-neck dress overlaid with brown tulle-type fabric embroidered with sequins, labelled Hollinsworth's, Oval Room and a strapless, wine-coloured dress featuring printed net, black velvet waistband and boned bodice. Kelly wore the Hollinsworth's dress at the premiere of Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo in August, 2005 in Las Vegas. As well as selling clothes, Kelly is also flogging two limited-edition Eve Arnold photographs of Marilyn Monroe. The images adorned the walls of her former home in Kent. A large Sarah Bernhardt late 19th century poster and a 1950s poster for the 1953 film Problem Girls are also being auctioned. Swanky! Her staggering collection includes pieces by Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Diane Von Furtstenberg, Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana and Emporio Armani Throwback: Kelly said: 'It's been amazing to take a trip down memory lane and explore my storage units where vintage and designer pieces from my TV and film career have been preserved and archived over the decades' Looking good! Kelly cut a chic figure in a green paisley printed mini dress as she headed home after hosting her Heart FM show on Friday Glam: She teamed her summer look with brown suede slip-on sandals Hanson's Stephanie said: 'This auction will give buyers a unique opportunity to acquire pieces which have played a part in Kelly's life and career. 'It's a chance to own a little slice of the Kelly Brook magic and glamour. Elements of the collection are also affordable, with lot estimates starting from 30-50.' Kelly was voted the Sexiest Woman in The World in 2005 by FHM magazine, the year she hosted Celebrity Love Island. She rose to fame, initially as a model, after winning a beauty competition at 16. Her career has included TV, film, theatre and radio and in 2014 her autobiography 'Close Up', was named in The Sunday Times Bestseller list. Diane Kruger looked effortlessly chic in a white top and taupe trousers as she arrived at the 16th Angouleme Francophone Film Festival in France on Thursday. The German actress, 47, showed off her ageless beauty in the stylish ensemble as she made a show stopping entrance. She kept her outfit stylish by pairing it with a towering pair of platform heels. Diane kept her accessories simple with a gold necklace and bracelet and wore her golden locks in curls. She arrived at the festival with French film director Yann Gozlan, 46, and the pair posed for a sweet photograph on the red carpet to promote their movie, Visions. Wow: Diane Kruger, 47, looked effortlessly chic in a white top and beige trousers as she arrived at the 16th Angouleme Francophone Film Festival in France on Thursday Chic: She kept her outfit stylish by pairing it with a towering pair of platform heels The star is starring in the upcoming psychological thriller written and directed by Yann. The film is set in the south of France and Diane stars as Estelle, an airline captain happily married to a doctor played by Mathieu Kassovitz. After Estelle has a chance encounter with her ex, Ana, she has an affair and develops recurring visions, nightmares and hallucinations. Visions is scheduled to be released in cinemas on September 6. Diane also has a starring role in the upcoming ballet drama Joika that is currently in post-production. She made another stylish appearance at the festival on Thursday as she posed for a set of snaps during a photoshoot. Diane put on a leggy display in a short tailored blue and white striped skirt as she smiled for the snaps. Adorned with white pockets and gold buttons, the skirt was the feature point of the outfit as she paired it with a simple black T-shirt. Gorgeous: The German actress showed off her ageless beauty in the stylish ensemble as she made a show-stopping appearance at the event Colleagues: She arrived to the festival alongside French film director Yann Gozlan, 46, as the pair posed for a sweet photograph on the red carpet to promote their movie, Visions French-chic: She made another stylish appearance at the festival on Thursday as she posed for a set of snaps during a photoshoot Diane juggles her acting career alongside taking care of her four-year-old daughter Nova Tennessee who she shares with her partner Norman Reedus, 54. Diane and Norman were first seen together as a couple in July 2016 following her split from actor Joshua Jackson, 44, in 2016 after a decade together. Norman and Diane originally met back in December 2015 while portraying lovers on the set of their film Sky and officially went public with their romance in March 2017 before getting engaged in August 2021. Speaking in an interview in February, Diane said she didn't originally plan on having children but discussed the moment that changed. In Dear Media's Divorced Not Dead podcast, she explained: 'I dont know. Maybe it is what people say about women and that time clock, just all of a sudden kicks in. 'I mean, the truth is I wouldve had a kid with or without a man attached.' Helen Flanagan looked sensational in a racy red bikini in Instagram pictures on Thursday. The 33-year-old actress showcased her incredible figure and surgically enhanced assets as she posed in the two-piece, revealing the last time she wore the swimwear set was back when she was breastfeeding her youngest child Charlie, two. The actress wore her blonde locks scraped back in a bun as she threw up the peace sign for a cheeky selfie and pouted while wearing 300 Miu Miu sunglasses. The star is currently holidaying at the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay hotel resort in Greece with her three children, Matilda, eight, Delilah, five, and Charlie. 'I love this bikini, last time I wore this I was breastfeeding Charlie,' she announced before tagging the brand OutDazl. Stunning: Helen Flanagan, 33, set pulses racing as she put on a VERY busty display in a red bikini while on holiday in Greece in Instagram snaps on Thursday Gorgeous: The actress also uploaded a snap of her relaxing with a drink in the shade with a sleeping Charlie as she displayed her washboard abs However it wasn't all sunbathing and cocktails for the mum-of-three who confessed she had 'cleaned up two pooey accidents today so far.' Helen is currently potty training Charlie, and it seems it isn't as easy as her past experiences with her daughters. The star admitted her ex-partner Scott Sinclair's mum potty trained Matilda due to the actresses commitments in Manchester while she was starring in Coronation Street, however she potty trained Delilah. 'I potty trained Delilah when she was two and a half and she got it so easily actually, really really easily, but yeah two pooey accidents so far.' Helen also uploaded a snap of her relaxing with a drink in the shade with a sleeping Charlie as she displayed her washboard abs. Spending quality time with her children, the star shared adorable snaps of her and the kids as she expressed her disbelief that her eldest is due to start Year 4 of school in September. In the sweet snap, Matilda is sat on her mother's lap as Helen penned 'Can't believe my big girl is going to be in year 4 in September, the one that made me a mummy. Special memories before she goes back.' 'Felt like Greece was just right for our holiday, flight isn't too far, weather is stunning and I love this hotel as it's luxury but child friendly,' added Helen. Wow: The 33-year-old showcased her incredible figure and surgically enhanced assets as she posed in the red two-piece Stylish: The actress wore her blonde locks scraped back in a bun as she threw up the peace sign for a cheeky selfie as she pouted with her 300 Miu Miu sunglasses Uh Oh! However it hadn't all been sunbathing and cocktails for the mum-of-three who confessed she had 'cleaned up two pooey accidents today so far' Cute: Helen shared some adorable snaps of her and the kids as she expressed her disbelief that her eldest is due to start Year 4 of school in September Keeping it real, the star also included a snap of the toilet accident earlier in the day as she knelt down with a packet of wet wipes. She later shared a video of a cheeky Charlie in his sunhat as she said to him 'Charlie, no more poo poos!' Posing in the hotel mirror, Helen stunned in a plunging black bikini as she explained she last wore the two-piece when pregnant with Delilah, before sharing a throwback snap of her with her bump while on holiday back in 2018. The snaps come after the star was mum-shamed earlier this week after she shared a video from her 'date night' with Charlie at the weekend. Spoon feeding her youngest pasta fans were quick to question the mother's parenting as they left their opinionated comments on the post. While many of Helen's one million followers liked the clip, some were not so complimentary. Fabulous: Posing in the hotel mirror, Helen stunned in a plunging black bikini as she explained she last wore the two-piece when pregnant with Delilah One wrote: 'Poor kid, how much food are you trying to ram in his mouth, give him a chance.' Another said: 'Blimey, you nearly choked the poor kid!!' And a third added: 'Why are you ramming so much food into his mouth???' Others took to the comments to defend the TV star, one wrote: 'Best mum, honest and real! Love this.' Another added: 'It's hard raising three alone but you're doing great and looking fabulous'. Ariana Madix accused Bethenny Frankel of not 'know[ing] what the f**k' she was talking about while speaking to Raquel Leviss on last week's episode of her Just B podcast. While discussing the 52-year-old Real Housewives of New York City alum's choice to interview her former pal, the reality star, 38, said Frankel 'should have known better' than to have welcomed the former beauty queen on her program. 'Bethenny actually upset me more in the things that were said,' the Buying Back My Daughter star said on the Scheananigans With Scheana Shay podcast. Shay agreed as she told Madix that the Skinnygirl mogul should have done 'more research.' Madix proceeded to call out Frankel for making 'very hurtful' remarks about her relationship with Sandoval when pointing out they never wed or had kids together. Clapping back: Ariana Madix accused Bethenny Frankel of not 'know[ing] what the f**k' she was talking about while speaking to Raquel Leviss on last week's episode of her Just B podcast; seen earlier this year 'In many states, [he was my common law spouse],' she pointed out. 'I find that hurtful in regards to other women in relationships who don't have children. Maybe they can't have children or don't want children or don't want to get married. Madix went on to state: 'None of those peoples relationships are less meaningful because of that...she should know better than to say that about anybody.' Her comments come after her Vanderpump Rules costar LaLa Kent accused Frankel of 'exploiting' Leviss on her Just B podcast. During Wednesday's episode of the Give Them Lala podcast, Kent also blasted Leviss' claim she was called 'reality TV ratings gold' by herself, Katie Maloney and Kristina Kelly. Later, the mother-of-one proceeded to say she was 'happy that she finally got to take advantage of a giant platform to tell her story.' 'I only saw clips and what I gathered from it is Bethenny completely exploited that girl yet again,' the TV personality told her listeners. Slamming Leviss for sleeping with Sandoval behind Ariana Madix's back, she said: 'I don't think that reality TV is for everyone. It is a very intense environment. If you are not mentally tough as f**k, it can break you. It definitely can. 'Now to say that Raquel was a victim of something, I don't know. What I do know is you made a decision to sleep with your best friend's partner of 10 years. Not impressed: While discussing the 52-year-old Real Housewives of New York City alum's choice to interview her former pal, the reality star, 38, said Frankel 'should have known better' than to have welcomed the former beauty queen on her program 'You didn't need to do that. No one was forcing you to do it and no one asked you to do that. It felt like Bethenny was really trying to push her in a certain direction.' Vanderpump Rules fans accused Leviss of 'not learning from her mistakes' after watching her first tell-all interview since receiving treatment at a mental health facility. Listeners flocked to social media to express their outrage over Leviss trying to 'diminish' her friendship with Madix to defend her affair with Sandoval. One Bravo fan warned others before listening to the podcast: 'In case y'all are wondering if Rachel has grown or learned from her mistakes save your listen. The answer is no.' Others condemned the Real Housewives of New York City alum, 52, for giving the former pageant queen a platform and promoting 'a woman who betrays women.' 'Just curious if you would have this much compassion for someone sleeping with your fiance in you driveway after you dog died?' one asked Frankel, who is engaged to Paul Bernon. One listener agreed with Frankel that a 'woman's voice is powerful' but said when one is 'morally deficient' their 'power is immediately depleted.' 'Bethenny, I'm a huge fan of yours, but giving a narcissist a platform to sell their story is a huge NO!' another user commented. 'They take that platform to sell their story and play the victim. Narcissists are devoid of feeling for anyone, but themselves.' One fan expressed frustration that Leviss said she 'looked up to the cast as role models' and said they 'had all normalized cheating.' 'So yeah, accountability is still lacking. This isn't about women supporting women. This is excuses. Sh**ty ones,' a viewer scoffed. Controversial: Madix proceeded to call out Frankel for making 'very hurtful' remarks about her relationship with Sandoval when pointing out they never wed or had kids together Outspoken: During Wednesday's episode of the Give Them Lala podcast, Kent also blasted Leviss' claim she was called 'reality TV ratings gold' by herself, Katie Maloney and Kristina Kelly During the episode, Leviss, who has remained out of the limelight since the show's reunion episodes aired in June, opened up about why she chose to take a step back from the public eye. 'It's been a whirlwind, it's been chaos. But I've taken some time to myself to reflect and try to understand my actions. And I finally have come to the place where it makes sense to me,' the Bravo star told Bethenny. Bethenny explained that she had felt sympathy for Rachel while witnessing the Scandoval backlash and stated that she felt the star's life was being 'exploited' without compensation. The former RHONY star stated: '[The backlash] seemed disproportionate to me. I was watching clips on social media and hearing about this Scandoval that had a name, was being marketed and it was being pumped through the PR machine. And I did say 'Everybody's gonna be more well known than they were before because of this.' 'And my mind was, 'They're on a reality show. It's set in a bar, is what I think. It's fueled by alcohol and partying and multiple affairs. So what respectfully, what the hell is the big deal that everyone's talking about?' And I said your name just as an example of what I imagined to be somebody who had been exploited. And for the rest of your life, that content will be out there without compensation.' Thankful Rachel responded: 'It's so nice to have you validate that experience because for a moment I thought I was going crazy. And it's true, reality TV is edited, it is contrived to create a certain storyline. So it's not all factual. 'As a viewer tuning in, it's easy to get wrapped up in that. Then the concept of an affair hits really hard to a lot of people. So I think there was a lot of projection happening, a lot of emotions that came up for people, and unfortunately I was the punching bag for a lot of that.' Scandoval: Leviss and Tom Sandoval are seen together in a social media snap The TV star made it clear that she understood why there was so much rage from both her co-stars and viewers as she continued: 'I do want to take a moment though to just acknowledge the hurt that I brought to a lot of people. I was not careful in my actions and I was not thinking long-term. I was completely wrapped up in heartbreak and wanting to get certain needs met.' Reflecting on the true reason for her behavior, she claimed: 'Looking back now, I can see that I was still healing from a relationship from someone I thought I was going to marry. And in ending that, I still haven't healed yet.' Rachel then confirmed that she had been turning to alcohol to try and get through the tough time, something she stated was not the best solution to her problem. 'When I was filming, I was drinking a lot to ease that anxiety and in a reality TV environment, I wasn't getting that safe space for me to express my emotions in a healthy way.' When Bethenny stated that viewers - and Bravo producer Andy Cohen - had no true understanding of what it feels like to be part of a big reality show scandal that continues to manufactured unrealistic scenarios, Rachel agreed. The reality star then breathed an audible sigh of relief over getting the chance to share her side of the story and she told Bethenny: 'It feels like I have this opportunity to share how much I've grown, and how hard I'm trying to be a better person. 'That person that I saw watching back on my TV is someone who is completely out of character from who I truly am. I feel like having this opportunity to represent myself in a way that I feel like is true to who I am is all I could ever ask for'. The star took time to explain her name changes as she stated: 'I changed my name Raquel in first grade, there was a few other Rachel's in my class and I wanted to be special. I also feel like, deep down, I wasn't comfortable in my own skin and I wanted to be somebody better - in my eyes.' Struggling: She claimed changing the name allowed her to 'be that person' but confirmed that her family never stopped calling her 'Rachel'. Rachel explained that her therapist told her that she was Rachel 'to her core' but put up a wall by being called Raquel. The star explained that this persona may have manifested due to her long-term struggles with 'social anxiety' and being judged by other people. She explained that she is now introducing herself by her birth name as a way to return to her roots. Rachel thanked her family for supporting her and helping her spend a 90 day stint in the facility so she could get the treatment she needed. 'We are a really tight-knit family. My mom is very torn up about this situation,' the star explained. 'I feel that pain for her because I put our family in this situation that's a very hard dynamic to navigate. But both my parents have been so supportive'. Rachel revealed that she had dealt with 'so many betrayals' from friends who she thought she could trust - after seeing her private information shared with media. The reality star claimed she 'has no friends in LA', and revealed that only a few people have defended her since Scandoval. She claimed that the friends who weren't attacking her still felt forced to unfollow her because they were getting harassed to do so by fans of the show. As for her relationship with former BFF Ariana, Rachel explained that she did not expect her co-stars to forgive her anytime soon but insisted she was 'remorseful' for causing her friend 'a lot of pain'. She took time to dismiss the narrative that the pair had been best friends as she explained: 'We were acquaintances who became friends through the show... We never had a deep conversation that I would have with a best friend. 'It's painful to think I hurt her in this way because that wasn't my intention... I call these people my friends because I really did believe they were my friends.' Sharing her response to the fact Ariana was now being painted as 'America's sweetheart' and capitalizing on the moment with endorsement deals, Rachel said: ' Part of me says, good for you, because take advantage of these opportunities while they come your way. 'But it is hurtful to me just to think that my nature is very kind and forgiving and understanding of other people, so the concept of me being the ultimate reality TV villain just blows my mind... And the way that she spoke to me at the reunion, I feel like it was uncalled for.' The reality star also hinted that the problems in Tom and Ariana's relationship had been clear before she began an affair with him. 'I would not be involved in this affair, secrecy type situation if I thought there was longevity in this relationship between Tom and Ariana,' she said. 'The people closest to them can see their relationship has not been what they portray on camera. Tom always told me they're a brand, they're an image... They're business partners.' She admitted that she was not 'in love' with Tom, but felt that the pair did believe they were in love during their affair. Below Deck star Daisy Kelliher has revealed that producers regularly step in during boozy rows after a sexual misconduct scandal sparked the firing of two members of the Down Under crew. The reality star, who was a cast member on Sailing The Yacht, told The Sun that bosses have intervened in the past during 'heated arguments,' or when a member of the team has 'drunk too much.' Viewers saw producers step in on Below Deck Down Under earlier this month when bosun Luke Jones climbed into the bed of a sleeping co-star while he was completely naked, without her consent. Jones was later fired from the show over the incident and Laura Bileskalne was subsequently sacked after she stood up for him. Daisy, who works as a Chief Stewardess on the Sailing Yacht series, said: 'I've seen it happen in my season when production have stepped in. It can be because arguments have got heated or someone's too drunk. Speaking out: Below Deck star Daisy Kelliher has revealed that producers regularly step in during boozy rows after the franchise was rocked by a sexual misconduct scandal Shocking: Viewers saw producers step in on Below Deck Down Under earlier this month when bosun Luke Jones climbed into the bed of a sleeping co-star 'It happens all the time. It just doesn't get aired. They're humans at the end of the day, they have a moral compass, and they're definitely there for us. 'Safety is the number one priority for must industries, as it is for them and us.' Daisy went onto share that part of the job of being Chief Stewardess means working gruelling 14-hour days, and she's no stranger to huge tips from generous American guests. It comes after Laura broke her silence over the scandal, claiming that she believes producers took the incident out of context. Speaking on Australia's Kyle and Jackie O Show, Laura said: 'I was fired because I stood up for Luke. Margot Sisson was not unconscious, you can see in the video that she is talking to him. 'He asked her, "are you feeling okay" and she said yes. He went into the cabin to talk to her because they wanted to continue the party after the jacuzzi. Bosun Luke was terminated after climbing into the bed of Margot Sisson, who was fast asleep in her underwear, 'without consent.' Second stew Laura's reaction to the incident also led to her getting let go by Captain Jason Chambers after she insisted that Luke wasn't to blame. Explanation: Daisy, who works as a Chief Stewardess on the Sailing Yacht series, said: 'It can be because arguments have got heated or someone's too drunk' Controversy: Jones was later fired from the show over the incident and Laura Bileskalne was subsequently sacked after she stood up for him She was ultimately fired for showing 'little respect and empathy' toward Margot. Luke's inappropriate behaviour came after the crew went out in Cairns, Australia. At dinner, Margot stated that she was 'really drunk' and chief stew Aesha Scott even told deckhand Culver Bradbury that she was going to keep an eye out for her. 'I just want to chaperone her a bit,' Aesha explained. Despite Margot's intoxicated state, Luke repeatedly attempted to flirt with her and asked her to 'cuddle' with him as they sat in the back of a car together. 'No, let's go,' she responded, before making it clear that she just wanted 'to go to bed' by herself. As Aesha took her back to her cabin, she assured Margot that she wouldn't let 'any drunkenness' lead her to get 'taken advantage of.' 'I'd just like to see you get into bed safely. I'll get you water,' she told Margot. Later, Luke proceeded to enter Margot's room in just his boxers as he asked her to join in the hot tub. 'I just saw the way that Luke was looking at you, and I'm feeling very protective,' Aesha told Margot. Margot replied: 'I am glad that you're here. I don't want to go in the jacuzzi, I want to go bed. All I want is water and bed, no Luke.' Upon returning from the jacuzzi, Luke made a beeline for Margot's cabin, where she was alone and sleeping. After he got into her bed, producers stepped in and told Luke to leave her alone. Bombshell: An emotional Aesha Scott informed Captain Jason of the incident and claimed that Luke had tried to 'take advantage of Margot's drunkenness' Aesha, in tears, claimed that Luke had tried to 'take advantage of Margot's drunkenness' while she was 'completely unconscious' in bed. Captain Jason then went into Luke's room and ordered him to stay in a hotel for the night. The next morning, Jason gathered the rest of the crew members and informed them that Luke was being terminated. He also gave the crew a talk about the importance of consent and boundaries and stressed the rules they had to follow on board. Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix defended her choice to continue to live under the same roof as her ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, five months after their split. While navigating the end of their nine-year relationship, following his affair with her friend, Raquel Leviss, the former couple have continued to reside at the Los Angeles home that they purchased for $2 million in 2019. Despite Bethenny Frankel recently criticizing their awkward living arrangement on her Just B podcast, the reality star stated that she will not 'f**k [herself] over' by making any rash decisions. 'I have never been someone who came from money. I know how quickly that goes away,' she explained. 'I'm taking care of myself.' In no rush: Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix defended her choice to continue to live under the same roof as her ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, five months after their split (seen earlier this year on Love Island) The TV personality went to on to say that she is 'not rich' and has a mortgage and other expenses. 'A lot of people on the internet seem to think I'm rolling in money right now. I have a lot of places where that money has to go before I get [it],' she continued. Despite living with Sandoval, the actress made it clear that she keeps their interactions to a minimum. 'I have a pretty decent setup,' she said. 'My room is kind of like my little apartment I stay in my own little zone.' Additionally, Madix said she keeps her door 'locked just in case' and sleeps 'easier at night not giving a f**k when he comes in that door.' 'Yes, we're in the same house, but I don't have to think about [him],' the former bartender told listeners. Earlier this week, the Buying Back My Daughter star explained why she has not moved in the comment section of one of her recent Instagram posts. 'I live in my home that I own while working with my lawyer and financial advisors to navigate the best path forward before uprooting my dog and my elderly cat and causing more trauma for the three of us,' she told a follower. Trying to stay cordial: While navigating the end of their nine-year relationship, following his affair with her friend, Raquel Leviss, the former couple have continued to reside at the Los Angeles home that they purchased for $2 million in 2019 (pictured last year) Open book: Earlier this week, the Buying Back My Daughter star explained why she has not moved in the comment section of one of her recent Instagram posts 'I live in my home that I own while working with my lawyer and financial advisors to navigate the best path forward before uprooting my dog and my elderly cat and causing more trauma for the three of us,' she told a follower (Madix and Sandoval's dogs pictured above) Madix is currently in a relationship with her new boyfriend, Daniel Wai, who she describes as having 'a very grounding, calming, positive energy.' 'He's very like, always trying to help with things,' she gushed to Shay. The bombshell went on to rave about how he likes to help her with mundane tasks, like calling her credit card company. As for their future together, Madix said she is going to continue to do what makes her 'happy and going in that direction.' 'He is someone who does bring a whole lot of happiness,' she continued, which prompted Shay, 38, to say she is 'obsessed' with Wai. Shay went on to say how unlike her pal's 'past relationships' that this one brings out 'the best' in Madix. 'You're with someone for the first time that I've personally ever seen who supports you, who's happy to help you and empower you and also take a backseat and just f**king let you shine,' Shay praised. Kevin Costner's estranged wife Christine Baumgartner is demanding the actor up his child support payments from $129,755 a month to $175,057 a month to fund their children's lifestyles. The Yellowstone actor, 68 and his ex, 49, share Cayden 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13 and TMZ reports Baumgartner has filed legal documents asking the court to reconsider the payments so the children can 'enjoy the same lifestyle with both parents' and after learning how much money Costner has earned. Baumgartner initially requested a monthly child support total of $248,000, which Costner said he was opposed to in June before she was awarded $129,755 a month. Baumgartner states in the documents how the children live in a beach compound- worth between $65million-$95million with Costner and fly private with the actor on vacations. She says the actor needs to pay more child support 'so that the children can go on comparable vacations when they are with her. This is true even if the child support payments also improve Christine's lifestyle' - which she says is the standard required by California family code. Split: Kevin Costner's estranged wife Christine Baumgartner is demanding the actor up his child support payments from $129,755 a month to $175,057 a month to fund their children's lifestyles (pictured 2022) Family: The former couple share three children together, Cayden 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace 13 (pictured 2015) and TMZ reports Baumgartner has filed legal documents asking the court to reconsider the payments so the children can 'enjoy the same lifestyle with both parents' She adds the higher amount 'will not be sufficient to replicate Kevin's lifestyle, but it will be sufficient to allow her to provide a lifestyle for the children which is relatively comparable.' Baumgartner claims Kevin's average cash flow for the past two years was $19,248,467 per year, which works out at $1.6 million each month. She also claims he made $11million from Yellowstone season 4, $10million for season 5 and is scheduled to make $12million from upcoming film Horizon. She says he will make another $12million for the film's sequel. Baumgartner is currently living in a temporary rental in Montecito for $40,000 a month and says in the documents: 'Unlike Kevin's Beach Club Compound, the September rental is on the mountain side of the freeway. It does not have beach front access, nor is it walking distance to the beach, and has no scenic view.' This comes after Costner claimed he 'does not know for a fact' if his estranged wife, Baumgartner, had 'extramarital' affairs but stated that he had been faithful during their marriage. The Yellowstone actor who recently claimed that his ex is deliberately trying to 'delay' their divorce, has been embroiled in tumultuous divorce proceedings since Christine filed on May 1. In a new legal request for order obtained by People, the mother of three has asked for further documentation to prove Costner's finances. Some of the requests included, 'expenses paid by you, or any person at your request or on your behalf, relating to any extramarital romantic relationships.' She says the actor needs to pay more child support 'so that the children can go on comparable vacations when they are with her. This is true even if the child support payments also improve Christine's lifestyle'; Christine seen in 2019 in Los Angeles In response, the star's legal team stated that the request is, 'propounded only for purposes of harassment, is overbroad as to time period and subject matter, burdensome, oppressive and impermissibly compound.' His lawyers further stated that Christine and her attorneys' request is 'not relevant to the subject matter' because 'there is no community property' between the former couple in regards to their separation. Costner and his team also added that he 'does not know for a fact if [Christine] engaged in any "extramarital romantic relationships" before separation and, if so, whether she spent any of his money or charged any expenses in furtherance of her affair(s) on credit cards he paid.' The star's attorneys stated, '[Kevin] has no responsive documents for "extramarital romantic relationships" in which he engaged because he engaged in none.' According to the outlet, New York matrimonial and family law attorney, Marilyn B. Chinitz, explained that Christine's request is 'not unusual.' But added that, 'The request for "expenses paid relating to any extramarital romantic relationships" should be stricken as irrelevant and harassing and represents nothing more than a fishing expedition.' The Dances With Wolves actor and the handbag designer initially tied the knot in 2004 in Aspen, Colorado and share three children: Cayden 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. But in May, after nearly 19 years of marriage, Christine filed for divorce, leaving the Hollywood star reportedly 'blindsided' and came as an 'unpleasant surprise,' a source told People at the time. Their divorce quickly turned nasty and his estranged wife made recent claims that Kevin has been 'withholding' his financial records over his $400million fortune amid their ongoing divorce. New documents: In a new legal request for order obtained by People, the mother of three has asked further documentation to prove Costner's finances; seen in 2019 in Madrid The designer said in legal docs filed in California Superior Court Monday that the Academy Award-winning actor has withheld documents in the case, People reported Wednesday after reviewing legal documents. Baumgartner - who has publicly clashed with Costner over her living arrangements since the split - has been asking for docs detailing 'his future endeavors and anticipated income' in projects such as his forthcoming film series Horizon. Christine requested the court order for Costner to share the documents requested. Her team said the actor has been 'stonewalling' them in regards to sharing pertinent info with a child support hearing slated for next week, and one in November that will scrutinize the premarital agreement in the case. Baumgartner - who the court in July awarded $129,755 per month in monthly child support - has said she felt under pressure to sign the prenup, which awards her a $1.5 million payout in the event of the marriage ending. Her lawyers said in legal documents that Costner 'has requested a multi-day evidentiary hearing on [Baumgartner's] request for child support, at which time the Court will receive evidence regarding [Costner's] gross cash flow available for support and anticipated future income.' Family: The Dances With Wolves actor and the handbag designer initially tied the knot in 2004 in Aspen, Colorado and share three children: Cayden 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13; seen in 2019 The attorneys said that the court 'will need to receive evidence regarding those circumstances to make its determination,' but that Baumgartner 'will be unable to present any evidence that [Costner] has chosen to withhold from discovery.' Baumgartner initially requested a monthly child support total of $248,000, which Costner said he was opposed to in June. The actor, who made around $20 million in 2022, said the amount was not feasible as he's slated to make 'substantially less' since he has stepped away from the series Yellowstone. Baumgartner's legal team asked for information detailing Horizon - noting that 'such documents evidence his future endeavors and anticipated income' - and said Costner's team has withheld them. Recent depositions: On August 19, both Kevin and Christine were spotted out in Santa Barbara, California to give depositions amid their ongoing divorce battle; seen in 2022 A lawyer for the Bull Durham actor said the request 'seeks documents that are not relevant given the parties entered into' a prenup that stipulated 'a limitation on spousal support and providing that all income earned during marriage would be the separate property of the spouse earning the income and providing for no community property.' Costner's lawyer described some of the requests as 'burdensome, oppressive and harassing.' Over the weekend on August 19, both Kevin and Christine were separately spotted out in Santa Barbara, California to give depositions amid their ongoing divorce battle. Christine has since moved out of their $145 million mansion after she was ordered to vacate the estate by the end of July and has since been residing in a temporary house in Santa Barbara. Kim Kardashian showcased her tiny waist in news snaps from her $150 million private jet amid her trip to Japan with daughter North. The 42-year-old stunner flashed her six-pack abs in jeans customized by her four children, paired with a skintight white crop top. The jeans fit loosely around her waist, and had hand drawn messages from her kids North, nine, Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four. Kim revealed they gifted her the jeans for Mother's Day this year. 'I just love my babies! For Mother's Day this year they made me these jeans and they were so happy when they saw me wear their work of art!' Wpw: Kim Kardashian showcased her tiny waist in news snaps from her $150 million private jet amid her trip to Japan with daughter North Beauty: The 42-year-old stunner flashed her six-pack abs in jeans customized by her four children, paired with a skintight white crop top Sweet: Kim revealed they gifted her the jeans for Mother's Day this year. 'I just love my babies! For Mother's Day this year they made me these jeans and they were so happy when they saw me wear their work of art!' So sweet: Kim's kids decorated her jeans with their art work Closer look: 'Every Mother's Day they have drawn on clothing for me that I will keep forever! I love seeing their personalities shine through their art!' Cool: 'You can tell which one of my kids drew on what side of these jeans. From Psalm's foot and hand print to Saint's soccer drawings, North's backwards letters and Chi's hearts... I will cherish these forever' Details: Kim shared multiple angles of the jeans to show her kids' artwork 'Every Mother's Day they have drawn on clothing for me that I will keep forever! I love seeing their personalities shine through their art! You can tell which one of my kids drew on what side of these jeans. From Psalm's foot and hand print to Saint's soccer drawings, North's backwards letters and Chi's hearts... I will cherish these forever! She snapped her mirror selfies in the bathroom of her private jet. Kim purchased her private jet - which she has dubbed Kim Air - for $150 million last year. The plane has cashmere seats - and she requires guests to go shoeless on the plane - giving them custom SKIMS slippers instead. One day prior, Kim shared a number of snaps and videos from her trip to Japan to her Instagram page on Thursday. Kim enjoyed a trip to Tokyo with daughter North, nine, and her pal Everleigh and her mom Ashley Yano. Kim, 42, showcased her flat stomach in a cropped graphic shirt with dark denim bottoms. North beamed alongside her mom, rocking a blue and orange collared top - channeling her dad Kanye West - who wore a similar look he wore in 2004 during his promotional tour of his album The College Dropout. Kim, North and their friends also enjoyed visiting Universal Studios Japan during their vacation. Good times: One day prior, Kim shared a number of snaps and videos from her trip to Japan to her Instagram page on Thursday. Kim enjoyed a trip to Tokyo with daughter North, nine, and her pal Everleigh and her mom Ashley Yano Pic by North: Kim also posted a snap of herself - taken by North - as she rode up an escalator Kim also posted a snap of herself - taken by North - as she rode up an escalator. The mom on four sported high-waisted light wash denim bottoms, with her trim midsection of display. Kim paired it with a cropped gray top and pulled back tresses. The group enjoyed a trip to Universal Studios, which is located in Osaka, Japan. They went to Universal Wonderland in the park, home of Hello Kitty and Friends, whom they met. Kim and North wore matching ears for their snap with the characters. The SKIMS founder also shared clips of a skit North and Everleigh did in Japanese, as well as watching Geisha women perform during dinner. Kim also shared gifts and flowers North surprised her with to thank her for the trip, as well as a handwritten note. Fun times: Kim, North and her pals in Japan Making memories: The group enjoyed a trip to Universal Studios, which is located in Osaka, Japan. They went to Universal Wonderland in the park, home of Hello Kitty and Friends, whom they met Mom and daughter: Kim and North wore matching ears for their snap with the characters Yum: Kim shared food from Universal Studios Going to dinner: The SKIMS founder also shared clips of a skit North and Everleigh did in Japanese, as well as watching Geisha women perform during dinner Having fun: North seen playing a game with them Memories: North and her friend performed a skit in Japanese Sweet: North gave mom Kim presents for bringing her on this trip Adorable: Kim also shared gifts and flowers North surprised her with to thank her for the trip, as well as a handwritten note Food: Kim shared snaps of more food items Views: Kim posted a snap of her blue quilted Chanel vanity case purse Wow: The stunner also shared a photo of the skyline Pals: North and Everleigh in their designer fits Strike a pose: North sported blue and orange makeup Downtime: Kim also enjoyed a massage Gorgeous mom: Kim shares four kids with ex-husband Kanye West: North, Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four Kim shares four kids with ex-husband 46-year-old rapper Kanye West: North, Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four. Kim filed for divorce in February 2021 just before what would have been the pair's seventh wedding anniversary. Kardashian, who was represented by divorce attorney Laura Wasser, was declared legally single March 2022 while in the midst of a hot and heavy romance with now-ex boyfriend SNL alum Pete Davidson. In November 2022, Kim and Kanye's divorce was finalized, with Kanye agreeing to pay $200,000 a month in child support and equal custody. Kanye 'married' Yeezy architect Bianca Censori, 28, in January 2023; they did not file a marriage certificate so the union is not considered legal. The time of the romance is also unclear, but Bianca has been employed by Kanye's Yeezy brand since joining the company in November 2020. She is listed as Head of Architecture and secured the position after reportedly obtaining a Master's in Building Design at Melbourne University in Australia. Arlyn 'Heart' Phoenix, the mother of the late actor River Phoenix, has paid tribute to him on what would have been his 53rd birthday. Heart, 78, took to Instagram on Wednesday (August 23rd) to remember her son - who fatally overdosed on a combination of cocaine and heroin in 1993 at the age of 23 - and insisted that he is "very much alive in me.' She wrote: 'August 23, 1970...one of the most amazing days of my life...bringing Earthbound a living being...truly a touch of the most sacred. Just as he tried to do with most people, River Jude embraced each of his siblings (who entered through the same portal after him) with his humor, wisdom, authenticity, talent, compassion, vulnerability and undying Love. I would say he was and still is our greatest teacher. 'The greatest pain I experienced in my life was the pain of natural childbirth and even tho quite different, the pain of my son's passing. But almost instantaneously on both occasions, the gifts that he brought were imbued in each of us and so we carry on celebrating his life for those 23 precious years.' 'There are no guarantees in life and I don't believe any of us were promised that we would not experience 'tragic moments'. I count it one of the greatest blessings by living in the moment and drawing upon inner knowing as a sacred pathway to navigate through life's many challenges. River's life and death taught me that, in no uncertain terms. I am in awe of the fact that he is very much alive in me. Thank you for all the precious messages that I have received through these past 30 years.' Birthday Tribute: Arlyn 'Heart' Phoenix, the mother of the late actor River Phoenix, posted a heartwarming tribute to him on Instagram on what would have been his 53rd birthday on Wednesday Tribute: The late River Phoenix passed away on Halloween 1993 outside of the Los Angeles venue The Viper Room after a fatal overdose on a combination of cocaine and heroin The Phoenix Family: At the time of his death in 1993, River was survived by his mother Heart, his father John, and four younger siblings (listed from oldest to youngest): sister Rain, brother Joaquin, sister Liberty, and sister Summer The photo that Heart shared on her Instagram account was a candid shot that showed a young River with a guitar hanging from his shoulder. The image appeared to be taken in 1988 based on the timestamp. River died in the early morning of Halloween 1993 outside the Los Angeles venue The Viper Room, after he collapsed. River's girlfriend, the actress Samantha Mathis, and his younger brother, actor Joaquin Phoenix, were among those present at the time of his death. Mathis previously told The Guardian: 'I knew something was wrong [the night that River died], something I didnt understand. I didnt see anyone doing drugs but he was high in a way that made me feel uncomfortable I was in way over my head.' 'Forty-five minutes later, he was dead.' The 2018 interview with The Guardian marked the first time that Mathis publicly spoke out about her then-boyfriend's passing. The couple, who worked together on the film The Thing Called Love, had been together for a year until River's untimely death on Halloween 1993. Prior to his relationship with Mathis, River was previously in a relationship from February 1986 to June 1989 with Emmy-winning actress Martha Plimpton, whom he met in 1985 during production of the 1986 film The Mosquito Coast. River and Martha would later work together again in the 1988 film Running on Empty. During the late River's 11-year acting career (which spanned from 1982-1993), he starred in numerous films, including The 1985 film The Explorers, The 1986 classic Stand By Me, the 1988 film Running on Empty, the 1989 film Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, and the 1991 film My Private Idaho, to name a few. The Phoenix Brothers: River (behind) and Joaquin (in front) hold the distinction of being the only pair of brothers to ever be nominated for an Academy Award in the acting categories River at The Oscars: Although his acting career lasted only 11 years, River (right) managed to earn an Oscar Nomination (for Best Supporting Actor) for his performance in 1988 film Running on Empty (River is seen here at the 61st Oscars Ceremony with then-girlfriend Martha Plimpton, who co-starred in Running on Empty with her boyfriend) Joaquin wins the Oscar: The Phoenix brothers have a tight bond as Joaquin paid tribute to River in his acceptance speech when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the 2019 film Joker at the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony in 2020 River's performance in Running on Empty earned him his first only Oscar nomination, which came in the Best Supporting Actor category (He lost the Oscar to Kevin Kline for Kline's performance in the movie A Fish Called Wanda). As of the 2023 Oscars ceremony, the late actor is the sixth-youngest person to ever be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (River was 18-years-old when he was nominated. At the time of his death in 1993, River was survived by his mother Heart, his father John (passed away in 2015) and four younger siblings (listed from oldest to youngest): sister Rain, brother Joaquin, sister Liberty, and sister Summer. River and his younger brother Joaquin hold the distinction of being the only pair of brothers to be nominated for an Academy Award in the acting categories. The Phoenix brothers have a tight bond as Joaquin paid tribute to his late brother in his acceptance speech when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the 2019 film Joker at the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony in 2020. 'When he was 17, my brother [River] wrote this lyric. He said: 'run to the rescue with love and peace will follow,' Joaquin said, while fighting back tears, in his acceptance speech. Lala Kent shared that she thinks that Reality TV is a 'very intense environment'. The 32-year-old Vanderpump Rules star admitted this during a recent episode of her 'Give Them Lala' podcast that Reality TV isn't for everyone, after her Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss, 28, quit the show following the Tom Sandoval cheating scandal. Kent said on her podcast: 'I don't think that Reality TV is for everyone. It is a very intense environment. If you are not mentally tough as f***, it can break you. It definitely can.' 'Now, to say that Raquel was a victim of something, I don't know. What I do know is you made a decision to sleep with your best friend's partner of ten years. You didn't need to do that. No one was forcing you to do it and no one asked you to do that.' The cheating scandal, which was reported in March 2023, saw fellow Vanderpump Rules co-star Tom Sandoval, 40, cheating on his girlfriend of nine-years, Ariana Madix, 39, with Leviss, the couple's close friend and fellow co-star on the hit Bravo show. Lala's Thoughts: Lala Kent shared that she thinks that Reality TV is a 'very intense environment' during a recent episode of her 'Give Them Lala' podcast Raquel's Departure: Kent's comments come after her Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss (seen in the photo here) quit the show following the Tom Sandoval cheating scandal Cheating Scandal: The cheating scandal, which was reported in March 2023, saw fellow Vanderpump Rules co-star Tom Sandoval (center), cheating on his girlfriend of nine-years, Ariana Madix (left) with Leviss (right), who was a close friend of the couple The cheating scandal, which was documented on the show's tenth season and captured the nation's attention, resulted in Madix breaking up with Sandoval, and ending her friendship with Leviss. Shortly after news of the affair broke out, Leviss took to social media to apologize for her behavoir. The 28-year-old wrote on Instagram at the time: 'I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana. (sic)' Raquel also promised to reflect on her mistakes and announced her plans to enter a mental health facility in order to reflect on, 'choices, [speak] to a counselor and [learn] things about myself such as my patterns of codependency and addiction to being and feeling loved.' 'I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships. I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices. (sic)' Leviss was released from the mental health facility last month and it was recently announced that she wouldn't return for Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules in order to focus on 'her mental health journey.' Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules is currently in production and has been filming since June. A premiere date for the new season has yet to be announced. Kent's comments come shortly after she accused Bethenny Frankel of 'exploiting' Leviss after the 28-year-old appeared on Frankel's 'Just B with Bethenny Frankel' podcast. Looking out: Kent's (left) comments come shortly after she accused Bethenny Frankel (not in the photo) of 'exploiting' Leviss (right) after the 28-year-old appeared on Frankel's 'Just B with Bethenny Frankel' podcast Breaking the Silence: Leviss (left) broke her silence on the whole cheating scandal for the first time since the three-part reunion special for Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules aired and since her release from the mental Health facility last July. She sat sat down for a three-part interview of former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel's (right) podcast 'Just B with Bethenny Frankel' to discuss her time on Vanderpump Rules and her role in the cheating scandal 'Im happy that [Raquel] finally got to take advantage of a giant platform to tell her story. I only saw clips [of her interview with Bethenny]. And what I gathered from it is, Bethenny completely exploited that girl yet again,' Kent said. 'To me, [Bethenny] sat there and said, [Raquel] is going to be easy to manipulate because Im Bethenny Frankel,'" Kent said, implying that the Skinnygirl founder attempted to "place [Rachel] in the narrative" that best suited her. Kent also expressed her disappoint as she always liked Frankel, whom she called 'a great arguer' and 'extremely intelligent.' Leviss, who has decided to go back to being called her birth name 'Rachel', sat down for a three-part interview on the former Real Housewives of New York star's podcast to discuss her time on Vanderpump Rules and her role in the cheating scandal. The 28-year-old's appearance on Frankel's podcast marked her first public remarks on the dramatic cheating scandal and its subsequent fallout since the airing of the three-part reunion for Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules (which was taped in March) from late May to early June and her departure from the mental health facility in July. The legend of an outstanding hunter, who later turned conservationist in a big way, is alive and throbbing even 68 years after his passing away Born on July 25, 1875, Jim (Colonel Edward James) Corbett, was a legend in his lifetime to the villagers of the Terai and Bhabar of Kumaon, whom he delivered from the terror of man-eating tigers and leopards. Many decades after his passing on April 19, 1955, he remains a legend with men and women the word over who love the wilds and their denizens. India has rightly named after him its first and perhaps best-known national parkJim Corbett National Park--and the wider Corbett Tiger Reserve of which it is a part. One feels Corbetts astral presence long before reaching the park. From the Nayagaon junction on the Bazpur-Kaladhungi Road and Kaladhungi, where his erstwhile summer home has been turned into a museum, to Ramnagar, the town closest to the park, a host of dhabas, restaurants, home-stay establishments, hotels and resorts, bear his name. There is no doubt an element of commercialization here, an attempt to cash in on a famous name, but then there can be such an effort only if the name resonates with a certain respect and admiration. The respect and admiration are widespread and reflected in the honours conferred upon him, such as the naming of a tiger sub-species as Panthera Tigris Corbetti in 1968. In India, apart from the naming of the park and the tiger reserve after him, the Government launched Project Tiger from the park on April 1, 1973. The move was followed by measures like the formation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority in December, 2005, following the Report of the Tiger Task Force: Joining the Dots earlier that year, and the establishment of the Special Tiger Protection Force. Thanks to these and other measures, there has been a significant increase in Indias tiger population which had come down to 1,411 in 2006 from 40,000 to 50,000 at the beginning of the 20th century. According to the latest tiger census, Status of Tigers 2022, the country had 3,167 tigers. It would be wrong to attribute all this to Corbett. He was, however, among the earliest to fire a warning shot, stating in the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, A tiger is a large-hearted gentleman with boundless courage, and when he is exterminated - as exterminated he will be unless public opinion rallies to his support - India will be the poorer by having lost the finest of her fauna. Earlier, turning a conservationist in the late afternoon of his life, he had, among other things, played an active role in holding the All-India Conference for the Preservation of Wildlife in Delhi on January 28, 29 and 30, 1935. Corbett, doubtless, has had his critics who have pointed out that he organized hunts for senior functionaries of the British government of India, including the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, who and his camp followers shot and killed several tigers, driven to their guns by beaters, during their annual visits. He also did trophy hunting like the killing of the large, majestic tiger, the Bachelor of Powalgarh, and the Pipal Pani Tiger, who were by no means man-eaters. In the case of the latter, however, one can say in mitigation that there was an apprehension of its turning into a man-eater as it had been shot at and severely injured by a villager in Chhoti Haldwani near Kathgodam. It is, however, unfair to judge past actions of men and women by standards that have evolved subsequently. Also, people grow and change. Corbetts actions need to be seen in that light. These benefited many. He killed 33 man-eaters19 tigers and 14 leopardsbetween 1907 and 1938. These had, among themselves, killed over 1,200 people. He was a fearless hunter who often stalked the most feared man-eaters on foot and shot them at close range. Besides, the very fact that a legendary hunter like him had turned into a conservationist sent a powerful message, which was further reinforced by the deep love for wildlife and forests that resonates through his books like Man-Eaters of Kumaon, My India, The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, The Temple Tiger and More Man-Eaters of Kumaon and Jungle Lore. His words reverberate through ones mind as mind when one is in Jim Corbett National Park, which sprawls over an area of 1,318.54 square kilometres with a core area of 520.82 square kilometres and a buffer area of 797.72 square kilometres. The latter has eight safari zonesDhela, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhikala, Durga Devi, Gajriya, Sitabani and Phato. The park abounds in animalstigers, leopards, elephants, sloth and black bears, wild boars, spotted and barking deer, langurs and other monkeys, crocodiles, snakes (including pythons), a wide variety of birds and so on. Sighting is abundant in season but one is not without rewards even when it is negligible in the monsoon. There is something mysterious and magical about its sights and soundsthe dense darkness under the forests, the play of sunlight and shadows on grasslands and bushes, the grandeur of the massed clouds during monsoons, and, besides the calls and trumpets of animals, the susurration of leaves stirred by passing breezes and drumbeat of rain on tin roofs. Memories linger long after one has left all this behind. (The author is Consulting Editor, The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal) Winning a National Award is a big deal, says Kriti Sanon after bagging her maiden best actress honour and she hopes it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her professional journey. Sanon, who is currently in her ninth year as an actor, bagged the award on Thursday for her performance in filmmaker Laxman Utekar's dramedy "Mimi". "It is definitely a big moment for me, my family and those who associated with me on this film. I'll always remember what I felt when I got to know that I have won this award. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of a new chapter of my life," the 33-year-old actor told PTI in an interview. "Mimi", in which Sanon played the titular character who decides to be a surrogate mother for a foreign couple, is a gift that continues to give, she added. "The National Award is a big deal and it's the most prestigious award. It is a film that is so close to my heart and has already given me so much love, whether it is from the audiences or my first Best Actress award. I think this film will hold a very special place in my filmography for life," the Delhi-born actor said. Sanon recalled that she gave everything to the character and is now happy that her efforts have resulted in her winning the first National Award of her career. "'Mimi' is one of those films that really touches your heart and you become passionate about it as an actor. It gives you so much to do as an actor that you want to explore. That's exactly what happened to me in this film. The whole journey that I went through, gaining 15 kilos, it had chunks which were extremely draining, but it all kind of feels worth it now," she said. Sanon shares the best actress award with her contemporary Alia Bhatt, who was recognised for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period biopic "Gangubai Kathiawadi". And the actor said she couldn't be more happy. "I've always admired her work and her as an actor, she's phenomenal. It's so well deserved for 'Gangubai', and if I have to share it with anyone, it would be her. In fact, I also called her up and we congratulated each other. We were just two happy and excited girls, kind of sharing this moment," Sanon said. Both "Mimi" and "Gangubai Kathiawadi" were successful mainstream movies led by women and won multiple honours at the National Awards. Sanon's "Mimi" co-star Pankaj Tripathi also won the best supporting actor award, while "Gangubai Kathiawadi" bagged four more awards -- best screenplay (adapted) and editing for Bhansali, best dialogue writer and best make-up. When asked whether she sees the award recognition as a sign of changing times in the industry, Sanon said, "the change is already happening". "Probably because of this, the best actress award has gone to two women who have done films that are named after their characters. Now, it's getting a stamp of validation. I'm hoping that this change continues and there are more and more amazing scripts written for women," the actor said. She also hopes that people look beyond "the gender and the star power of the actor" of a movie and instead focus on its story. "It is the story and the script which is actually the star of the film. It should get its due and grab the attention of the audience," Sanon added. The actor is also happy for Tripathi, who won the best supporting actor honour for his role of Bhanu Pratap Pandey in the movie. Sanon said Tripathi, who earlier received a special mention from National Awards jury for his 2017 movie "Newton", is one of her favourite co-stars. The duo have collaborated on multiple movies, including hits "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Luka Chuppi". "I was very excited. I really have a lot of regard for Pankaj sir, and I just feel that he's so wonderful and talented. I always feel so happy whenever he gets love and validation. When I heard that he also won the National Award for 'Mimi', my excitement doubled." Up next for Sanon is her maiden project as a producer -- "Do Patti", in which she stars alongside Kajol. She called the movie, which will debut on Netflix, an "exciting new feather in the cap". "We have started filming and I'm really looking forward to it. Probably after 'Mimi', this might actually be my most challenging role. So it is also exciting at the same time," Sanon said. Prime minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the prestigious Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N Sakellaropoulou on Friday, a special honour reflecting the strength of the India-Greece partnership. The honour is bestowed by the Greek president to prime ministers and eminent personalities who, by reason of their distinguished position, have contributed to enhancing the stature of Greece. In a tweet, Modi thanked President Sakellaropoulou, and the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon him The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. "This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India," he said, sharing a picture of the event. The Ministry of External Affairs in a tweet said it is "a special honour reflecting the strength of the India-Greece partnership". The citation, according to pmindia.Gov.In website, says, In the person of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an honour is bestowed upon the friendly people of India. On the occasion of this visit, the Greek State Honours the Prime Minister of India, a statesman who has tirelessly promoted the global reach of his country and who works systematically for India's economic progress and prosperity, bringing about bold reforms. A statesman who has brought environmental protection and climate change among the top priorities of international activity, it states. The Order of Honour was established in 1975. The head of goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the Star with the inscription ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONOURED. Modi, who is in Athens at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, arrived in the Greek capital from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in the last 40 years. The last high-level visit to Greece took place in September 1983 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi travelled to the country. Prime Minister Modi has been honoured by countries across the world. Recently, during his visit to Paris in July, Modi was conferred with the highest honour of France, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron. In June, Modi was conferred with the Order of the Nile', Egypt's highest honour, by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, during his visit to the Arab nation. During his US visit in 2020, Modi was conferred with the Legion of Merit award by then president Donald Trump. In 2019, the prime minister was conferred with the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance by Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. It is the top honour in the Gulf country. Modi was also honoured with Russia's highest civilian award, Order of St Andrew Award, in 2019. In the same year, he also received Order of Zayed Award, the highest civilian honour of UAE. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had an interaction in Johannesburg and discussed the tense situation at the border in Ladakh, India on Friday said China had sought this bilateral meeting. This assertion came amid reports that New Delhi had requested for this interaction on the sidelines of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) summit in the South African capital. Modi and Xi held the conversation on Wednesday. The conversation was not a structured bilateral meeting and was an informal one. There was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting, sources in the Indian side said hours after the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a readout on the Modi-Xi conversation that said it was held at the Indian sides request. The two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the leaders lounge during the BRICS summit, said a source. The Chinese readout said, President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at the latters request on August 23. In his conversation with Modi, Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests and it is conducive to peace and stability of the world and the region, it said. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Modi conveyed to Xi Indias concerns on the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. Continued on Page 2 India, China differ on who sought talks The Chinese readout described the conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday as candid and in-depth. On August 23, Xi and Modi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, it said. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region, it said. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and properly handle the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region, the statement released by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi said. Kwatra said the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation. He also said, On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the Prime Minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the Prime Minister highlighted Indias concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas. The Prime Minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship, the Foreign Secretary said. In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation, Kwatra added. It was the first interaction in public between Modi and Xi after their brief encounter on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali in November last year. The two leaders met briefly at a formal dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on November 16. The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May, 2020. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. India has consistently maintained that peace and tranquility along the LAC were key for normalisation of overall ties. Modi held a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, at the end of which South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will become a part of the bloc from January 1, 2024. India took a walk on the moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Thursday, as Chandrayaan-3s robotic rover rolled out of the lander and commenced mobility operations with all activities on schedule and all systems normal, a day after its historic landing on the unexplored lunar south pole. The Vikram lander with Pragyan rover in its belly touched down on the Moons surface well within the area identified for the purpose, said ISRO chairman S Somanath, as the 26-kg six-wheeled rover began its exploration of the lunar surface. The ISRO also said all the Lander Module (LM) payloads have been turned on. All activities are on schedule. All systems are normal. Lander Module payloads ILSA, RAMBHA and ChaSTE are turned ON today. Rover mobility operations have commenced. SHAPE payload on the Propulsion Module was turned ON on Sunday, it said in a post on X while giving an update in the evening. In a post earlier in the day, the space agency said the rover ramped down, marking the success of yet another stage of Chandrayaan-3, as it lines up a series of missions like the Mangalyaan-2 Mars Orbiter Mission, Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight programme and also the Sun mission Aditya-L1. Chandrayaan-3 ROVER: Made in India Made for the Moon! The Ch-3 Rover ramped down from the lander and India took a walk on the moon! India on Wednesday scripted history as its third unmanned Moon missions Lander Module made a flawless soft-landing, making it only the fourth country to achieve this feat, and first to reach the uncharted south pole of Earths only natural satellite. As the country basked under the glory of its spectacular space success, senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Minister R Ashoka said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Bengaluru on August 26 to congratulate ISRO scientists and officials. Somanath said the rover movement is working very well. The lander landed perfectly on the intended site. The landing location was marked as 4.5 km x 2.5 km I think on that space, and the exact centre of that was identified as the location of landing. It landed within 300 metres of that point. That means it is well within the area identified for landing, Somanath told PTI in response to a question on the exact landing site. He said there are two instruments in the rover and three instruments on board the lander, and all of them have been switched on sequentially. They will study basically the mineral composition of the moon, as well as the atmosphere of the Moon and the seismic activities there. Prime Minister Modi said science has made it possible for India to reach a difficult terrain on the Moon and thanked world leaders for their congratulatory messages on Chandrayaan-3s success. Since yesterday I have been receiving congratulatory messages from everyone. Preparing for a productive gym session goes beyond just hitting the weights. To optimize your fitness routine and make the most of your efforts, consider adopting these top 10 good habits before stepping into the gym: Hydration: Begin your day with a glass of water to kickstart your hydration. Proper hydration enhances performance and prevents fatigue during your workout. Balanced Meal: Consume a light and balanced meal around an hour before your gym session. A mix of carbs and protein provides sustained energy and aids muscle recovery. Dynamic Warm-Up: Engage in dynamic stretches to increase blood flow and flexibility. This helps prevent injuries and primes your body for the upcoming exercises. Appropriate Attire: Wear comfortable workout attire and suitable footwear. This ensures unrestricted movement and reduces the risk of discomfort or injury. Pack Essentials: Bring a water bottle, towel, and any necessary accessories like resistance bands or gloves. Being well-equipped enhances your workout experience. Set Clear Goals: Define your workout goals for the day. Whether it's cardio, strength training, or a mix, having a clear plan keeps you focused and motivated. Mindful Breathing: Practice deep breathing or meditation to calm your mind. This mental preparation helps you stay focused and committed during your workout. Dynamic Stretching: Before each exercise, engage in dynamic stretches that mimic the movements of your workout. This further prepares your muscles for the upcoming strain. Pre-Workout Snack: If you're hitting the gym after a long gap since your last meal, have a small snack like a banana or a handful of nuts. This provides an energy boost. Positive Mindset: Mentally visualize a successful workout. Positive thoughts enhance your motivation and help you push through challenging exercises. Incorporating these habits into your pre-gym routine can significantly enhance your workout experience and results. By giving your body the proper fuel, warm-up, and mindset, you set yourself up for a successful and satisfying session at the gym. Ahead of the Opposition bloc INDIA meeting next week, there are rumblings within the Congress whether it politically erred in extending unconditional support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Parliament over the contentious Delhi Services Bill against the wish of large number of senior party leaders who protested the move till last moment. What has now irked the grand old party is the AAP vehemently pitching for poll battle in the Congress strongholds of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and attacking the Congress on a continuous basis even though the Congress did damage control a week ago to pacify the AAP when a couple of Delhi Congress leaders claimed that the party has asked leaders to prepare to fight all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national Capital. When contacted some of the newly appointed Congress Working Committee members told The Pioneer that the AAP electoral ventures had certainly damaged the Congress in last year Assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Goa. Sources said that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who was in the national Capital on Thursday, and former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijay Singh had drawn the high commands attention to the AAPs campaign against Congress leaders and workers in both the States which may dent the partys prospects. The Congress, which is in power in Chhattisgarh and was in power in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh until a faction joined to support the BJP, is confident of retaining the same voting percentage in the Assembly polls scheduled later this year. While AAP threatened to boycott the Mumbai meeting of INDIA bloc scheduled next week, it did similar arm twisting ahead of the first meeting of Opposition leaders at Patna when they wanted a commitment from the Congress to support in Parliament on Delhi Services Bill, said a senior Congress leader. It was only after the party high command was convinced by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to take on board AAP led by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, the party which has presence in two States with no Lok Sabha MP, is in INDIA block, rued a very senior Congress leader. Several State units of the Congress and significantly Delhi and Punjab units many times conveyed to the Congress high command against any format of alliances with the AAP. Former Union Minister Ajay Maken, who also served as Delhi Congress chief and a Minister in Sheila Dikshit Government, former Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit, Delhi unit leader Alka Lamba and newly inducted part of the CWC Committee hav alongwith several others always opposed any truck with AAP. A former Delhi University Students Union President Lamba was AAP MLA and rejoined the Congress couple of years ago. Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Congress Partap Singh Bajwa, early this week dismissed any collaboration with the AAP. We dont have any kind of relation with the AAP. We have stated it earlier and reiterate, Bajwa said. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the G20 summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 as he has a busy schedule and the format of his participation in the high-profile event would be determined later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced in Moscow on Friday. No, the President has no such plans, the official Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin spokesman as saying. The format of Putins participation would be determined later, Peskov said. He also said Putin has a busy schedule and the main focus is still the special military operation in Ukraine. Peskov also said Putin participated in this weeks BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg remotely. He was represented at the summit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Well, and after all, now he really has a busy schedule. And, of course, the main focus is still the special military operation. So direct travel is not on the agenda right now, the Kremlin spokesman was quoted as saying by the official Tass news agency. The G20 world leaders summit is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in India. India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, from Indonesia. President Putin decided against attending the first in-person BRICS summit after Covid-19 as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. South Africa is an ICC signatory and was expected to help in Putins arrest if he was present in the country. Putin had not attended the G20 summit in Indonesia last year. Since India is not a signatory of the International Criminal Court (ICC), President Putin would not have been arrested on his arrival. So, that is not the reason for him deciding again visiting Delhi. However, after the brief Wagner coup and the recent death of Wagners chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in an air crash, there is a lot Putin needs to handle on the home turf. The speculation on President Putin being behind the ill-fated air crash is baseless. These are all total lies, Peskov said adding that Putin had said all necessary evaluations will be conducted including DNA tests of passengers on board. One of the US and Western officials who described the initial US assessment said it determined that Prigozhin was very likely targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin's long history of trying to silence his critics. Britains defence ministry said on Friday that the presumed death of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash could destabilise the Wagner Group. Russia, in the meantime, will have a busy year ahead as it has just taken over the chairship of the BRICS group and will host the next Summit in Kazan next year. With six additional countries that will become full-time members in January 2024, there is a lot that Russia would do to make the 16th BRICS Summit a success, a source added. The G20 summit is likely to be attended by 29 heads of State as well as top European Union (EU) officials and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. A G20 Leaders Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit. On August 23, Washington announced that President Joe Biden will travel to India from September 7 to 10 to attend the G20 Leaders Summit. Biden and G20 partners will discuss a range of joint efforts to tackle global issues, including on the clean energy transition and combating climate change, mitigating the economic and social impacts of the Ukraine conflict, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Increasing the capacity of multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, to better fight poverty, including by addressing global challenges will also be discussed, the official added. While in New Delhi, President Biden will also commend Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership of the G20 and reaffirm the US commitment to the G20 as the premier forum of economic cooperation, including by hosting it in 2026, Jean-Pierre added. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are likely to participate in the high-profile event. Australia has announced that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will participate in the summit. The one-year tenure of Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary as president of Bharatiya Janata Partys Uttar Pradesh unit has witnessed several political triumphs, raising expectations that the party, under his leadership, will sweep the Lok Sabha elections. After assuming office, Chaudhary had pledged to deliver substantial results for the party and his tenure thus far reflects this commitment. His leadership played a pivotal role in securing the Rampur seat for the BJP. Over the past year, Chaudhary has embarked on a mission to fortify the partys presence across the state by actively engaging with districts and strengthening the party organisation at the grassroots level. However, the greatest challenge on the horizon for him remains the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, Chaudhary emphasised the partys primary objective securing victory in all 80 of Uttar Pradeshs Lok Sabha constituencies. This ambitious goal underscores the partys determination to expand its reach and consolidate power. Q: You took over from Swatantra Dev Singh. How do you see the progress from then? A: The BJP, under Swatantra Dev Singh, achieved a resounding victory in the 2022 assembly elections, ushering in the era of Yogi 2.0. Despite the Samajwadi Partys alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal, the BJP performed impressively in western Uttar Pradesh. However, the party faced challenges in several districts of Purvanchal. Q: How do you see the preparations for Lok Sabha? A: In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 64 out of 80 seats in the state. The combined opposition of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party managed to secure 15 seats. Following the 2022 assembly elections, I took over as the state president, with the daunting task of leading the BJP to victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, aiming to capture all 80 seats and I am sure that we will achieve this goal. We have a team of dedicated workers as well as the leadership of Modiji and Yogiji to achieve this target. Q: What is your take on organisational management? A: I have worked for organisational unity, ensuring minimal conflict within the state party ranks. My tenure has seen improved coordination between the government and the party apparatus. We have effectively conveyed the partys policies to the people of Uttar Pradesh, with the state consistently ranking in the forefront of states in terms of scheme implementation during Prime Minister (Narendra) Modis nine-year tenure. Q: What was your initial test? A: My initial test as state president was the by-election in Lakhimpurs Gola Gokarannath assembly constituency following the untimely demise of BJP MLA Arvind Giri. The party fielded Arvind Giris son, Aman Giri, who secured victory in this contest. Then we faced by-elections for the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat and the Rampur and Khatauli assembly seats in 2022. While the BJP suffered defeat in the Mainpuri Lok Sabha by-election, it managed to retain the Khatauli assembly seat. The party made history in Rampur by demolishing the Samajwadi Partys stronghold there with BJP candidate Akash Saxena emerging victorious. Q: But later. A: (Waving his hand asking the reporter to stop) We won municipal elections held in May, with the BJP securing victories in all municipal corporations, 88 nagar palika parishads and 191 nagar panchayats. Q: Your tenure has seen many old friends joining BJP. A: Recently Dara Singh Chauhan, who had defected to the Samajwadi Party during the 2022 assembly elections, returned to the BJP. Even Om Prakash Rajbhar, who had severed ties with the BJP in 2019, rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). These reconciliations have bolstered the BJPs prospects in the state. Q: What is your challenge? A: The ultimate challenge is to win all 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, a feat yet to be accomplished in the states political history. This goal underscores the enormity of the task at our hand. Q: Another challenge could be re-organisation A: Yes, appointment of district presidents is pending. This is also a crucial decision given the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. These changes are awaited. As many as 1,772 micro food processing enterprises are coming up in Madhya Pradesh. These have been approved for loans under the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme. The highest number 116 enterprises will be set up in Gwalior. Khargone is second with 100 enterprises, while 47 enterprises will be established in Rewa, 23 in Balaghat, 27 in Tikamgarh, and 22 in Hoshangabad. It is worth noticing here that a total of 10,664 entrepreneurs had applied for loans. After scrutiny, 1,772 were found eligible for loans. The remaining applications are being considered at various levels. The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged young entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, in collaboration with the state government, has launched the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme to provide financial, technical, and business support to micro food processing enterprises. The scheme focuses on training, imparting technical knowledge related to food safety standards and hygiene, and capacity building for quality improvement. Interested individuals are provided assistance in documentation for getting bank loans and setting up recurring deposits (RDs). Support is also provided for capital investment, infrastructure, branding, and marketing to farmer producer organizations and self-help groups. Individual enterprises can avail of a 35% credit-linked capital subsidy, with a maximum subsidy of up to Rs. 10 lakh. Beneficiaries are required to contribute 10% of the total project cost while the remaining amount is the bank loan. Working capital is also available for self-help groups. Priority will be given to one-district-one-product based enterprises. The Ministry has enlisted the best micro food processing enterprises. The successful venture of Betul districts Jamuna Self-Help Group Khaparkheda village in MandaiKhurd Gram Panchayat figures in the list. The group members received training in food processing and started making mango pickle. They began selling their product in the local market, leading to a monthly income of Rs. 1000. As their confidence grew, they ventured into producing organic pesticides such as neem oil, dashparni extract, and jeevanamrit. Their income increased to Rs. 5,000 to 10,000. Two years ago, Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University Jabalpur felicitated SHG member Lakshmi Parate, as Utrusht Mahila Samman. Another member, Mamta Dhurve, received the Best Woman Farmer award from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Betul for the year 2020-21. Twenty five students have allegedly produced counterfeit documents related to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) clearance in order to secure admission at DAV PG College. Regarding this matter, the college principal KR Jain informed that the admission cell for undergraduate courses has identified 25 instances where students presented forged CUET clearance documents. However, Jain stated that these allegations pertaining to counterfeit documents have not yet been proven. In order to address the suspicions surrounding the authenticity of CUET clearance documents, the college administration has recently established an inquiry committee. The committee will investigate the matter and aim to provide a resolution promptly. If any students are found to be guilty of presenting forged CUET clearance documents after inquiry, the college will take appropriate disciplinary measures against them, he added. It can be recalled that this year, the University Grants Commission has made it mandatory for every student to clear the CUET in order to enroll in centralised universities. Due to this, the DAV PG College has seen a decrease in the number of admissions to undergraduate courses this year. Commenting on the admission rate of the undergraduate courses, Jain said, This time there has been a decrease in the number of admissions as a result of inadequate knowledge concerning the clearance of CUET. Presently, about 2,000 seats in undergraduate courses have been filled by students this year. To address this situation in the future, the school management must undertake actions to raise awareness about CUET." He further informed that the classes for BA, BSc, and BCom will commence on August 28 at the college. The 29th meeting of the Jharkhand State Sentence Revision Board held in the Ministry of Jharkhand under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday. In the meeting, a review was done regarding the release of 41 prisoners serving life sentence in various jails of the state. In the meeting, it was agreed to release 28 prisoners. In the course of the review, approval was given for the release of 28 prisoners who were serving life sentences in various jails of the state, after a thorough discussion on the views of the Courts, Superintendent of Police, Jail Superintendent and Probation Officer of the concerned districts. In the meeting, Chief Minister Hemant Soren told the officials that social rehabilitation of the prisoners whose release was confirmed in the Jharkhand State Sentence Revision Board meeting is necessary. The officials of the concerned department should prepare a better action plan and work to connect these prisoners with the mainstream of the society. Ensure continuous tracking and monitoring of the activities of such prisoners after their release from jail. The CM directed the officers that counselling of these prisoners should also be done from time to time. After coming out of jail, there should not be any hindrance in the life of these prisoners socially and economic problems should not arise, for this purpose, the work of connecting them with self-employment should also be done. Additional Chief Secretary, Home Jail and Disaster Management Department, Avinash Kumar, Director General of Police, Ajay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Vandana Dadel, Principal Secretary-cum-Legal Adviser, Law (Justice) Department, Nalin Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister, Vinay Kumar Choubey, Judicial Commissioner Arun Kumar Rai, Inspector General of Prisons Uma Shankar Singh and other senior officials were present in the meeting. Meanwhile, in another development, the CM gave approval to the proposal to revise the special facility/allowance given to all the police officers/personnel working in Jharkhand Jaguar (STF) in the light of 7th PRC and approval of the Council of Ministers. In the posts of Special Task Force (STF), the posts of Inspector General of Police to Constable on the basis of rotation of three years, on the basis of deputation/posting from Jharkhand Armed Police Force, District Executive Force and similar police forces and remaining posts will be filled by STF 50 per cent of the basic pay of 7th PRC to all the officers/personnel working in Special Task Force (STF) in the state. Rs 2400 per month as ration expenditure to all officers and personnel up to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. Rs 9000 to all the officers from Assistant Police Sub-Inspector to Deputy Superintendent of Police and Rs. 8000 to all personnel of Havildar and constable category as annual uniform allowance. Allowance and other special facilities are proposed to be paid from the date of issue of the order. From May 2019 till the date of issue of allowance revision order, the officials/personnel working in Jharkhand Jaguar and who have worked during this period will get basic pay according to the 7th pay scale. 50 per cent of STF Allowance and STF paid during the said period. The difference amount of allowance is also to be paid as arrears. For strengthening the said facility, STF is proposed to be equally effective on the additional posts sanctioned by the State Government from time to time. The Noida Police on Thursday said they have arrested 84 people, including 36 women, after a raid at a call centre on charges of duping US citizens of crores of rupees by pretending to be American government officials. The accused had a database of around five lakh US citizens that included their names, contact numbers and some financial details which were used to target them and take them into confidence, they said. The raid was conducted at the call centre located in Sector 6, having a capacity of 150 desktops, around 5 pm on Wednesday over inputs of such illegal operations being carried out from a facility during night, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Harish Chander said. It's a large-size call centre. We have arrested 84 people, including women, from there. The centre functioned during night, Chander, flanked by Additional DCP Shakti Mohan Avasthy and ACP Sushil Kumar, told reporters. The call centre was used two to three times a week and in one night alone, the gang would make Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. They had been operating for around four months now from the facility in Noida, the DCP said. Two key persons who are believed to be the masterminds behind this call centre have been identified but are at large, the officer said. The US embassy has also been informed about it, while formal communication with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Interpol is being established, the police said. On the gang's modus operandi, Chander said they interacted with US citizens after contacting them using voice messages in which the callers would scare the gullible Americans by saying their 'social security number' -- a unique identity given by the government has been compromised. The gang would then tell the US citizens that for assistance in fixing the problem, they should press 1 on their phones after which the call would land at their call centre (in Noida). Using a software, these people talked to them and shared their personal details, further convincing them that they are government officials, he said. At least nine devotees, including four children, were killed after a tractor-trolley fell into river Dhamola near Bundki village in Kotwali Dehat area of Saharanpur district on Wednesday evening. There were more than 50 devotees on the tractor-trolley, sources said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to provide financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. According to the sources, a dozen people were seriously injured in the mishap. On receiving information, the police reached the spot with divers. One person was said to be missing in the accident. Police said the tragedy mainly struck devotees who were going to offer puja in Kanduri. These days the worship of Jaharveer Gogaji is going on in Saharanpur. Because of this, over 50 devotees of Baleli village under Gagalheri police station were going there to organise bhandara (kanduri) for the deity after collecting oblations from their relatives. When the tractor-trolley was passing a ramp made over the river, it overturned. On Wednesday, police recovered four bodies. The victims were identified as Sulochana (58), Manglesh (50), Aditi (5) and Arjun (12). On Thursday, five more bodies were recovered, taking the toll to nine. The spot was visited by Saharanpur District Magistrate Dr Dinesh Chand and Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Vipin Tada. Tada informed the media that the villagers had been told not to take the route but the driver ignored the warning. On the initiative of Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) Vice Chancellor (VC), Dr Onkar Nath Singh, the students of Agricultural Engineering College of BAU were introduced to the utility of drone technology in the agriculture sector. The VC also observed this direct exhibition of drone technology. On the occasion, Agricultural Engineering Scientist Dr Uttam Kumar apprised the students about the precise spraying techniques of insecticides, pesticides and nutrients on crops through drones at low cost and in a short time. He said that it is possible to spray medicines and fertilizers in 3 to 5 acres of field within 20 minutes. During this observation, the students were also informed about the practical information of maintenance and daily management of drone machine. On this occasion, Singh emphasized the need to keep the students of the Agricultural University updated with the modern agricultural technology. He said that the use of drone machine in agriculture is also increasing continuously. It has special importance in hi-tech agriculture. With the high-level sensor and camera installed in it, the moisture of the fields, the requirement of nutrients in the plants, the pests and diseases in the plants can be easily identified and land mapping can also be done, he added. On the occasion, Dean Agriculture Dr DK Shahi, Former Director Research, Dr A Wadood and Associate Dean, DK Russia also informed the students about the usefulness of drone technology. Over 3.5 lakh employees in Madhya Pradesh staged a one day protest impacting government works of several departments, unions are pressing demands in the wake of upcoming state assembly elections. In the protest which witnessed around 3.5 lakh employees including 60000 Clerk (Class-III) are on leave for one day strike today. Due to this, works related to people from tehsils to local bodies got stuck. Due to the Patwaris being on strike, works like nomination, demarcation, distribution are not being done. There were problems even in getting the land registered. Registry and Tehsil offices were deserted in Bhopal. The employees are staging a big demonstration regarding a total of 39-point demands including old pension. The Patwaris of the state are already on leave for 3 days. District CEO, Gazetted Officers also went on leave along with Class III and Class IV on Friday. Because of this the work is getting affected. Due to government holidays on Saturday and Sunday, work will not be done due to which work related to the public will not be able to be done for 3 consecutive days. This demonstration is being held on the call of 6 organizations including Madhya Pradesh Officer-Employee Front. The office bearers of the organization were holding gate meetings in the government offices for the last several days. From 11 am on Friday, the employees sat on strike outside Satpura and Collectorate. Tiwari, the state secretary of the Class III Employees Union, said that there are a total of 5.75 lakh employees in the state. The gazette officer cadre including class-3 and 4 are also involved in the strike on Friday. Employees will return to work on Monday. Due to the strike of the employees in the registrar's office of Bhopal, other works including the registry have been affected. The Delhi Governments Public Works Department (PWD) has cancelled allotment of flat to Ram Kumar Jha, personal bodyguard and bouncer of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Jha was among 437 private persons appointed by the city Government as advisers, consultants, fellows, advisors in different departments, autonomous bodies and PSUs, removed by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena last month. In an order issued by Deputy Secretary (Allot), PWD, Consequent upon discontinuation of services of Ram Kumar Jha from July 06, 2023 vide DUSIB office order dated 06.07.2023, the allotment of government accommodation no. 33/3, Type-IV, DA Flats, Rajpur Road, Delhi in name of Ram Kumar Jha stands cancelled from August 06, 2023 under provisions of Delhi Administration Allotment of Government Residences (General Pool) Rules, 1977. The order further stated that Jha is hereby informed to hand over the vacant possession of the government accommodation no. 33/3, Type-IV, DA Flats, Rajpur Road. Delhi to concerned JE, PWD immediately failing which eviction proceedings will be initiated as per the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. Jha is also liable for payment of penal rates/damage rates in respect of the premises for the period of overstay beyond August 6, 2023. The joint teams of the Dehradun district administration and the police rescued 14 boys who were forced into begging, child labour and rag picking. The children were rescued from Balliwala Chowk and Ballupur area of Dehradun on Thursday. The officials said that a campaign was conducted to provide protection, care and shelter to children who were being forced to indulge in activities like child labour, begging and rag picking. The district administration coordinated with various departments and organisations concerned and finally conducted the rescue campaign on Thursday. The officials said that the officials have registered a case in the matter at the respective police stations. Besides this, the rescued boys were also sent for a thorough medical examination as per the protocols. Keeping their interest in mind along with protection and shelter, the children were sent to a shelter home in Dehradun as per the directions of the child welfare committee after the completion of the required procedures, added officials. CMPDI RI-IV distributes bicycles among students CMPDIs, RI-IV, Nagpur to commemorate the 75 glorious years of Independence under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav distributed 75 bicycles under CSR to the economically weaker sections and underprivileged students of Village-Bhagwanpur, District-Nagpur, Maharashtra to address the commuting problems faced by the students. The CSR team of RI-IV, Nagpur distributed 75 nos. of bicycle 45 nos. of boys bicycles and 30 nos. of girls Bicycles) to the eligible students. Speaking on this occasion, Sita Ram Lomaror, GM (Env.)/HoD(P&A), said, this CSR initiative will address the commuting problems faced by students and it will help the students to attend school daily and also reduce transport time. CMPDI through different CSR initiatives is continuously striving to uplift the marginalised section of the society and making them self-reliant. ILCC conducts Medley Competition International Library & Cultural Center conducted an Interschool Medley Song (Mash-up) Competition on Wednesday, 23/8/23. It was open to students of classes 9-12. They had to present an original medley of Hindi Film songs. Each school was permitted a team of 1-3 participants plus accompanists. They were judged on presentation, song selection, voice quality, lyrics and pitch, rhythm and harmony, confidence etc. The judges were Rupesh K. Singh, Anurag Modi and Anchala Singh. The program was conducted by ILCC Cultural Secretary Rekha Mishra and Committee Member Niti Mehndiratta Participating schools included DAV Bariatu, DPS, Bridgeford Tupudana, Sachidanand Gyan Bharti Model School, Surendranath Centenary, DAV Kapildev and Sharda Global. The first prize went to Bridgeford Tupudana: Vishakha Rana, Abhinav Tamang, Ishan Nayyar. The Second prize was given to Surendranath Centenary School: Bishwajeet Banerjee, Surijit Mukherjee with accompanists Soumili Sarkhel, Anurag Anand, Aditya Bose and the third prize was bagged by Delhi Public School: Udit Jain, Saquib Ahmad, Sahil Saani. by Kamal Uddin Mazumder India will host the G20 summit of the 20 industrialized and developing countries of the world on September 910. PM Hasina will join the summit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi. Bangladesh is the only South Asian nation to be included on Indias guest list. Indias decision to invite Bangladesh as the only South Asian invitee shows how highly it views its close eastern neighbour and likely best friend in the region. The two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The development of relations between India and Bangladesh shows that both nations have benefited from cordial relationships between the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League and the government of PM Narendra Modi. The fact that both countries general elections are set for 2024 gives the meeting additional weight. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 6 to discuss deals on connectivity, energy, food security and trade. [ Photo AP] The global future will undoubtedly be centered on Asia. India and Bangladesh are among the fastest-growing economies in Asia. There is no end to the curiosity of world powers about Bangladesh due to its important geographical location. Therefore, there is no doubt that Bangladesh is capable of playing an important role at the Asian and global levels. Bangladesh has all the potential to become an influential country in Asia, judging by its economy and population. Indias invitation to Bangladesh as its guest demonstrates the importance that the nation places on its best friend in the vicinity and immediate eastern neighbour. Bangladesh is crucially vital to India for three key reasons: Largest trading partner in South Asia: Bangladesh became Indias greatest trading partner in South Asia between 2021 and 2022, and India is Bangladeshs second-largest trading partner and its biggest export market in Asia. India exported commodities worth $14.58 billion and imported goods worth $1.8 billion in 20212022, for a total trade value of $16.38 billion between India and Bangladesh. In order to significantly improve economic and commercial ties between the two nations, they are also getting ready to sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Bangladeshs economy, which is among the fastest-growing in the world, will in the future be much more crucial to India. Gateway for Northeast India: Bangladesh is well-positioned to give India easier access to its mainland and the Northeast region. The north-eastern states of Assam and Tripura would benefit if India used the Chattogram and Mongla ports, which Prime Minister Hasina has urged them to do on numerous occasions. The shared inland waterway network has also introduced a number of new protocol routes and ports of call for improved trade. The newly inaugurated Padma Setu is also expected to improve connectivity between the two countries. A peaceful Bangladesh benefits the unstable northeast of India, which is prone to insurgencies. With its zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, Bangladesh has been an outstanding partner of India on security issues. Insurgents from the separatist militant groups in the Northeast (United Liberation Front of Assam) have been captured and turned over to India by Bangladesh on numerous occasions. Indias Neighbourhood First and Act East Policies: The increasing strategic significance of the Bay of Bengal, heightened by Chinas rising presence in this maritime space, has led India to bolster relations with the Bay littorals to ensure its preeminence in the Bay. Furthermore, as its western front remains troubled, India is increasingly trying to build stronger relations with its eastern neighbourhood to realize its Indo-Pacific aspirations. Bangladesh, which is located north of the Bay of Bengal and is Indias immediate eastern neighbour, is crucial to both of these endeavours. India has felt an additional drive to cultivate its connection with Bangladesh, restoring age-old ties and creating new paths for collaboration, while China also strives to penetrate Bangladesh to acquire a firmer footing in the Bay area. It is interesting to notice that some of the most recent areas of collaboration between India and Bangladesh are in line with the G20 priorities for India. As the two nations relationship grows to newer and wider vistas, India-Bangladesh ties are anticipated to take center stage this year at the G20 Summit. Climate change and disaster preparedness: Green Development, Climate Finance, and Life is one of the G20s key areas under Indias Presidency. Climate change has been mentioned as a shared issue by the leaders of Bangladesh and India. Both nations pledged to work together on climate change, paying special attention to the Sunderban region, which is experiencing difficulties due to sea level rise brought on by climate change. Renewable energy transition: As has already been mentioned, Indias G20 mandate places a high priority on energy transitions. By 2041, Bangladesh plans to produce 40% of its energy from clean sources. With numerous projects, such as the Friendship Pipeline and the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, among others, India and Bangladesh have extended their collaboration in the energy industry over the past few years. Cyber security: The digital economy is based on basic population-scale technology systems called Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs), such as identity systems, social registries, and payment gateways. These enable the delivery of a wide range of governmental and private services to citizens at a significantly increased speed and scale. One of the areas of cooperation between India and Bangladesh is cyber security, which is a fundamental component of DPIs. Making multilateralism better: India prioritizes reforming multilateralism within the G20 to foster representative, inclusive, just, and equitable multipolar international frameworks that are capable of solving todays concerns. Bangladesh is a member of numerous multilateral organizations in Indias neighbourhood, such as SAARC, BIMSTEC, and IORA. Bangladeshs support is, therefore, necessary if Indias G20 aspiration is to find a reflection in regional multilateral platforms. India needs Bangladeshs assistance as it works to influence the global agenda through the G20 in order to put many of these concepts into practice in its vicinity. In the long run, some of these emerging areas of collaboration may add pages to the Golden Chapter in India-Bangladesh ties. This will increase the credibility of its presidency. Beyond bilateral ties: In the wake of the upcoming elections, there has been considerable concern and anxiety about Bangladesh in the international arena. There will be a unique opportunity for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to address those concerns by talking to statesmen at the G20 forum. A sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis is one of the top priority issues in Bangladesh. It is observed that the lack of grants and cooperation funds has now been reduced to a noticeable level. While participating in the G20 summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will draw attention to the Rohingya issue by meeting with important countries on the sidelines. Apart from that, there is a golden opportunity for Bangladesh to strengthen commercial cooperation with developing countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will surely play an important role in the implementation of that opportunity. Bangladesh is currently going through a somewhat difficult time in the energy and financial sectors. It is now important for Bangladesh to garner the necessary cooperation and assistance in both of these areas. Moreover, growth and development in agriculture, technology, human resource development, and exports are important for Bangladesh to effectively move towards its goal in the coming years. Over the past decade, the G20 has played an important role in advancing international cooperation. As the world undergoes a highly polarized reaction, it is imperative to make global governance more equitable and holistically representative. Bangladesh once played an effective role in the leadership of the LDC states. Now Bangladesh has the opportunity to take that role a few steps further. Bangladesh can do that through the G20. The future of the global economy rests in Asias hands. India and China are already ahead in this field. However, the real realization of the economic potential of Asia will be through the proper and comprehensive implementation of the economic potential of Bangladesh and other countries like it. Equality in global economic management is only possible through the economic rise of countries like Bangladesh at the global level. Kamal Uddin Mazumder, Security and strategic affairs analyst, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The States Rural Development minister Ganesh Joshi has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh for allocating 33,000 rural homes to Uttarakhand. Joshi had met Singh on August 7 and requested the minister to allocate 26,000 rural homes for Uttarakhand. He had made this demand for homes in the rural area citing the geographical conditions of the State. Joshi had told Singh that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), 46,000 out of a total of 73,000 homes had been allocated to Uttarakhand out of which the construction of 35,000 homes had been completed while work on the others is underway. Thanking Singh, he had said that the funds for all the 46,000 homes had been received and that 26,000 more homes in rural areas should be allocated to Uttarakhand without delay. With the ministry allocating 33,000 rural homes under PMAY-G to Uttarakhand, Joshi thanked PM Modi, Singh and the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. In a fresh round of tussle between the Arvind Kejriwal led AAP Government in Delhi and the bureaucracy, Services Minister Atishi alleged that the chief secretary has refused to follow her orders for a coordination mechanism to hold meetings of the newly formed National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA). Reacting to the minister's claim, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar said such public statements are being made as attempt to indicate authority by her in areas of services matters and vigilance matters, wherein she does not have any executive powers. Atishi is neither a member of the NCCSA nor any role has been assigned to her in the GNCTD Act 1991 regarding NCCSA, the chief secretary said. Delhi BJP also slammed the Kejriwal Government on the issue, saying the AAP government has no concern for the development of Delhi or for peoples welfare. Atishi claimed that she had issued an order on August 16 for establishing coordination among different departments of the Delhi Government and the NCCSA which the chief secretary has refused to accept. In his 10-page letter on August 21, the chief secretary refused to follow this order, she said in a press conference. If coordination mechanism for holding meetings is not acceptable to the bureaucracy, how will the NCCSA function? Atishi asked. She said the Arvind Kejriwal government, despite knowing that the NCCSA was illegal and unconstitutional and challenging its formation in the court, had decided to establish coordination mechanism so that works related to Delhi people do not stop. If officers refuse to follow orders of the ministers, works for Delhi people will be hampered and delayed, she said. Atishi said that the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act-2023 says that the officers of the Delhi government may refuse to follow orders of the ministers. Criticising Atishi, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that be it Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal or Minister Atishi for them power means power to transfer and post officials. They need handpicked officials to raise party funds. With the introduction of Delhi Services Act the Kejriwal government has lost its power to post its handpicked officers at sensitive lucrative positions, he said. The NCCSA headed by the Delhi chief minister was formed through a Centre's ordinance in May this year and handles services matters including transfer and postings of officers in the government. It says that the power for taking decisions will rest with an unelected LG (lieutenant governor) and bureaucracy and not with the elected government and its ministers. Section 45 of the Act says if an officer so wants can deny following order of a minister, she claimed. She questioned if Delhi was going to be governed by the bureaucrats now? It's just the beginning, she said and apprehended that the officers in coming days may refuse to execute plans of the elected government to open new schools and provide free medicines and electricity. This will shatter democracy and finish transparency since the elected government is accountable to the people. Atishi had earlier said that there were several roadblocks due to which meetings of the NCCSA were hampered. In the order issued to the chief secretary, Atishi has clarified that for better functioning of the National Capital Civil Services Authority, the provisions of Sections 45H(1) and 45H(2) of the GNCTD (Amendment) Act 2023 should be followed. In a statement, the chief secretary said, The Parliament by law (i.E. GNCTD Amendment Act 2023) has inserted section 45C in the GNCTD Act 1991 which provides executive powers to the central government to make rules encompassing all aspects of service matters, including vigilance matters. Therefore, executives powers w.R.T. Service matters, including vigilance matters, vest with the central government. Further, in case of all Group A officers (including IAS officers) and DANICS officers, the transfer/posting and vigilance matters are to be recommended by NCCSA in terms of section 45H of the GNCTD Act 1991 (as inserted by GNCTD Amendment Act 2023). NCCSA is chaired by Hon'ble Chief Minister and again there is no role assigned to Hon'ble Minister Ms. Atishi in NCCSA, he said. It seems that Minister Atishi is trying to capture the executive powers, which are not vested upon her, the chief secretary alleged. This is being done when Hon'ble Apex Court has refused to stay the provisions of the GNCTD Amendment Ordinance 2023 (which has now been replaced by the GNCTD Amendment Act 2023). Even she is trying to dictate the NCCSA which is chaired by the Hon'ble Chief Minister. This ultimately shows that such public statements are being made as attempt to indicate authority by Hon'ble Minister Ms. Atishi in areas of services matters and vigilance matters, wherein she does not have any executive powers, the chief secretary said. In an effort to eradicate filariasis from the state, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged the citizens to take preventive medication before August 28. The appeal of the state government states, There is only one way to protect yourself from the grip of filariasis, the disease that can leave your foot swollen like an elephants and even lead to hydrocele take medicine. Filariasis, a disease transmitted through mosquito bites, poses a serious and incurable threat. Once contracted, it persists throughout ones lifetime without remedy. Given this, it is essential that those who have not taken the prescribed medication do so by August 28. ASHA workers will visit homes, but if they are missed, individuals are urged to reach out and take the medicine. This is very important for you and your family. As per the chief ministers directive, the government is conducting a campaign against filariasis under which the ASHA workers are visiting every household with the medicine. Additionally, medicines for filariasis are also being made available in primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs) and Jan Arogya Melas. The administration has urged people to contact ASHA workers if they are not available when the ASHA workers visit their houses. This appeal from the state government testifies how serious Chief Minister Yogi is about the health of the citizens. Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma said that under the National Filariasis Elimination Campaign, a mass drug administration programme was ongoing since August 10. Sharma said that this medicine was completely safe and effective. He said that everyone, except children under two years of age, pregnant women and seriously ill individuals, should take this medicine. He pointed out that the National Filariasis Elimination Campaign was being conducted in 27 districts of the state, where such cases were more commonly found. Sharma further said that it took five to fifteen years for the disease to become noticeable, so one should not take any risks or make excuses in taking the medicine because the excuse one made today could put one in trouble for lifetime. He said that there was no need to worry if anyone felt nauseous, dizzy, or vomited after taking the medicine. This could be due to the parasites of filariasis in the body, which may die after taking the medicine, causing such reactions which usually subside on their own after a while. According to experts, if someone gets infected with filariasis, their entire life is often marked by pain and difficulties, which can also lead to social neglect due to the associated disabilities. The productivity of a person affected by the disease also decreases, which impacts their livelihood and economic progress. Therefore, taking the medicine for filariasis prevention is beneficial for oneself, as well as for the family and society. As per experts, taking the medicine once a year continuously for five years can make a person safe from this disease. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasised the integral role of public cooperation in ensuring the success of the Safe City Project. While reviewing the progress of the Safe City Project on Friday, the chief minister said that CCTVs should be compulsorily installed in commercial establishments, intersections, government and private hospitals as well as educational institutions. The importance of CCTV in crime control should be explained to the common people, businessmen and institution operators in order to encourage them to install CCTV cameras, he said. The chief minister stated that although people can keep the data of their CCTV footage safe with them at their convenience, it should be ensured that the footage is only made available to the police when necessary. In addition, municipal corporations, the Smart City Project, and local administration and police will install CCTVs wherever they are needed. The chief minister has issued a directive to ensure that all police stations are equipped with CCTV cameras within one week. During the review meeting, the chief minister said that the Safe City Project was proving to be very helpful in achieving the goal of ensuring womens safety, dignity and self-reliance. Through this project in the state, under the Lucknow police commissionerate, modern control rooms, pink police booths, Asha Jyoti Kendras, CCTV cameras, help desks for counselors in womens police stations, panic buttons in buses, and other security measures were implemented. Now we have to expand it further, the chief minister said. The chief minister said that 17 municipal corporations and Gautam Buddha Nagar would be developed as safe cities in the first phase by implementing financial management through convergence and inter-departmental coordination. In the second phase, the municipalities of 57 district headquarters and, in the third phase, 143 municipalities would be linked to the Safe City Project. Special branding would also be done by putting a signboard of Safe City at the entrance of all such cities. In this way, Uttar Pradesh will be the first state in the country to have the highest number of safe cities. The chief minister said that at present, the Safe City Project was focused on the safety of women. We should expand it and also link it to the safety of the elderly, children and divyangjans. Through the Safe City Project, the campaign to create a safe, secure and empowered environment for women, children, the elderly and divyangjans in public places will get the necessary impetus. During the meeting, additional chief secretaries/principal secretaries of the relevant departments reported on the ongoing progress of the Safe City Project. The chief minister was informed that so far the police have identified 9,396 places for installation of CCTVs in Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Jhansi, Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur and Varanasi smart cities, out of which 3,489 have been installed with cameras so far. More than 7,600 locations in Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Firozabad, Mathura-Vrindavan, Shahjahanpur, Meerut and Ghaziabad will have CCTV cameras installed. For this, the process of agency selection is going on. In the meeting, the chief minister also saw a presentation on 'UP Safe City App' and gave the necessary guidelines. He also said that once a month, special programmes should be organised at the district level for women, children, the elderly, and divyangjans. Listen to their problems, solve them appropriately. Identify successful women, children, elderly and the divyangjans and present them as role models. This effort will be inspiring for others, the chief minister said. The chief minister said that to realise the concept of safe city, verification of drivers of public transport vehicles was necessary. In this case, the drivers of taxis, e-rickshaws, autos, tempos, etc. should be duly verified by police, he said. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) needs to consistently increase the numbers of helipads and heliports considering the geological conditions of the State, said the chief secretary SS Sandhu. He stated this in the review meeting of UCADA held at the secretariat on Thursday. He enquired about the progress of the helipads and heliports being built across the State. He said that tourism plays an important role in boosting the economy of the State but the mountainous areas are also extremely vulnerable to frequent disasters and accidents. Besides ensuring connectivity via roads, the administration also needs to improve air connectivity to various areas of the State. The improved air connectivity will increase the number of high-end tourists in tourism areas as well as will prove to be very helpful in disaster-like situations in mountainous areas, he said. He directed the officials to prepare a heliport near Jolly Grant in Dehradun and helipads in the surrounding areas of famous tourist places like Nainital and Mussoorie. He also directed them to expedite the work of transfer of forest land identified for helipads and heliports. A 60-year-old woman was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Surguja district in Chhattisgarh, a forest official said Friday. The incident took place in Kanchanpur village in the Ambikapur forest range on Thursday when Loli Tekam of Kundikala village was heading to her nieces house, Surguja Divisional Forest Officer Pankaj Kamal said. Suddenly, she came face to face with the elephant, which attacked her. She was declared dead at a hospital. The family of the deceased was given an interim aid of Rs 25,000. The remaining compensation of Rs 5.75 lakh will be given to them after completion of formalities. Taking action against encroachment was removed from a liquor shop whose employees have attacked policemen in Ayodhya Nagar late in the night on Tuesday. Action was taken again on Thursday in the case of beating up the constable who had gone there to close the liquor shop located in Ayodhya Nagar in Bhopal. Police arrived with the Municipal Corporation staff, removed the encroachment outside the shop. The Excise Department will also take action in case of late opening of shops. Earlier constable Kalyan Singh of Ayodhya Nagar police station had arrived at 12.30 pm on Tuesday night to get the English liquor shop closed. Here shop employees Ajit Dubey, Sachin Shandilya and Amit Pandey were found drinking liquor by keeping it on the bonnet of the car. The constable asked Ajay, the driver of Dial 100, to click photographs to keep this action of the staff as evidence. On this, Amit got angry and started abusing and threatened. After this, the accused also attacked with sticks. The police registered a case against the accused. Two of these accused were also arrested. Corporation staff took action outside the liquor shop located in Ayodhya Nagar. During this the policemen of the police station were present. On Thursday, the Municipal Corporation team reached the spot and removed the illegal encroachment in the presence of the police. There was illegal encroachment outside the shop. It was removed by the BMC staff. After receiving the letter from the Police Commissioner, the Excise Department will also take action. Assistant Commissioner Deepam Raichura told that he will take further action after receiving the letter from the police. Unidentified assailants broke into the house of a farmer, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, and shot him dead in a village under Bisanda police station in Banda on Wednesday night. The farmers wife and daughter raised an alarm and neighbours rushed to the spot and informed the police. As per reports, the assailants entered the house of Balkaran alias Babuji Patel (48) who was released in January last after serving life imprisonment in a murder case. Balkarans wife Santoshiya and daughter Neelam informed the police that sometime before the incident they heard some persons were hurling abuses on Babuji, accusing him of sexual harassment. As Balkaran returned to the house, the killers followed him and opened fire and fled the scene. It may be mentioned that Balkaran had a criminal background. He killed one Rajaram Patel of the village in October 2005, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released from jail on January 7 last on the completion of the sentence. Circle Officer of Baberu, Rakesh Kumar Singh, and station in-charge Krishnadev Tripathi reached the spot and investigated the matter and a hunt is on to nab the killers. The long wait for improved air connectivity to major cities will end with flight services to Kolkata finally scheduled to commence from the Rourkela airport starting September 1. The information was shared by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. The Alliance Air (AA), which was chosen via bidding under the Regional Connectivity Scheme- Udey Desh ka Aam Nagarik (RCS-UDAN) as the selected airline operator for the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route, will provide the services for the new route. It will modify the flight schedule of its ATR-72 aircraft, currently operating in the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route, to cater to the Rourkela-Kolkata route via Bhubaneswar. According to its tentative flight schedule, the normal operation of ATR-72 will continue on the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route for seven days. For four days in a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, the modified route schedule will be between Kolkata and Bhubaneswar via Rourkela. The flight will depart from Kolkata at 11.40 am and reach Rourkela at 1.10 pm. It will depart for Bhubaneswar at 1.35 pm and arrive at Bhubaneswar at 2.30 pm. The aircraft will depart from Bhubaneswar at 2.55 pm and reach Rourkela at 3.50 pm. It will then leave Rourkela at 4.15 pm and reach Kolkata at 5.45pm where it will halt for the night. On the rest three days, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the route will be in the opposite direction, i.e., Kolkata and Rourkela via Bhubaneswar. The aircraft will leave Kolkata at 1.10 pm and reach Bhubaneswar at 2.40 pm. It will depart from Bhubaneswar at 3.05 pm and reach Rourkela at 4 pm. It will then depart from Rourkela at 4.25 pm and reach Bhubaneswar at 5.20 pm. It will again fly at 5.45 pm and reach Kolkata at 7.15 pm for night halt. he members of the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) are continuing to hold the Ghanti Bajao protests outside the residences of the members of parliament from the State. On Friday the employees belonging to the Uttarakhand chapter of NMOPS held a protest outside the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Kalpna Saini in Haridwar. The employees also presented a memorandum to the MP and requested her help in restoration of the OPS. The agitating employees were led by the divisional president of Garhwal Vikas Sharma and others. On Wednesday the employees held a protest outside the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal in Dehradun. The NMOPS has given a nationwide call to hold protests outside the residences of the MPs. As part of the programme the Uttarakhand NMOPS is holding Ghanti Bajao protests. On August 27 the protest will be held at the residence of Garhwal MP Tirath Singh Rawat in Satpuli. The president of Uttarakhand NMOPS Jeetmani Painyuli said that a large rally is planned on October 1 in New Delhi in which employees from all parts of the country would participate. He said that October 1 holds significance for the employees since on this date in the year 2005, the OPS was abolished and New Pension Scheme (NPS) was started for the employees. There are more than 80,000 employees, teachers and officers of State government which are currently under the NPS in the State which was started in the year 2005 to reduce the increasing burden of pension on the state exchequer. The employees are finding the NPS non lucrative and are demanding the restoration of OPS. by Kazi Anwarul Masud DEATH OF MERCENARY LEADER YEVGENY PRIGORZIN The plane crash that killed mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigorzin and several others, in the eyes of The Economist, on August 23 this year may have repercussions beyond Russia as the dead mercenary leader had dared to challenge the Russian military establishment and had even sent his troops into Russia itself. It is difficult to believe that Prigorzin who finally went to Belarus for refuge at one time was praised by Vladimir Putin for his successes against the forces of Ukraine despite Western military support given to beleaguered Ukrainian forces. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have declared there are "no limits" to their partnership in standing up to the West. [ Photo Credit: AP: Dmitri Lovetsky/Pool] Analysts have pointed fingers towards Putin who could not be physically present at the BRICS summit held recently in South Africa as the International Court of Justice has issued an arrest warrant accusing him of being responsible for war crimes in Ukraine. Putin committed the war crime of overseeing the unlawful abduction and deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. Inside Russia, however, Putin is acclaimed for his revenge against Prigorzin for his defiance of the military establishment and of Putin himself. Prigorzins death, therefore, was well deserved and Putin became a hero who would not tolerate any defiance of his order, more so when the military establishment was carrying out his instructions. It appears to some that Putin has become friendless and some analysts would describe Russia as a vassal state of China. ECONOMIC DECLINE OF CHINA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS But then China itself is in decline having reached its peak in growth. High levels of unemployment among young people could be a powder keg. Making matters worse, time is not on Chinas side, as a shrinking and aging population will be an additional drag on economic growth and productivity. Chinese leaders tend to resist policy change, as it suggests a degree of fallibility that could be seen as weakness and invite challenges by political rivals. For now, they will likely resist doing so, fearing that major economic liberalization could create pressure for liberalizing political reforms. In the eyes of Richard Haas, the simplest and most likely way would be to accelerate efforts to alter the status quo in Taiwan. The regime could embrace even more aggressive nationalism, rather than economic growth, as its source of legitimacy. This path could well prove tempting. Some might argue that it would be less difficult and risky than engineering an economic turnaround. After all, China enjoys the advantages of geography, and its military is far stronger than it was. Moreover, Taiwan and its would-be partners have allowed themselves to grow economically dependent on China, and a politically polarized US has its hands full in supporting Ukraine and lacks the military might and manufacturing base to continue arming Ukraine and fight a war over Taiwan simultaneously. But, as Ukraine demonstrates, wars are unpredictable. Chinas military lacks any recent battlefield experience. Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support in the US, and economic sanctions levied against China would cripple its economy. Moreover, the war in Ukraine and Chinas aggressive behavior have stimulated defense efforts in and coordination among Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the US. It will be impossible to change Chinas dreams, but it is possible to affect its calculations. The goal for the West ought to be to persuade Chinas rulers that changing the conversation, that aggression, would be folly, and that their only real choice is economic, between staying the course or changing course. What is certain is that this decision will determine Xis legacy, Chinas future, and quite possibly the course of history this century. XI JINPINGS ORWELLIAN STATE There cannot be a better example of an Orwellian state than Xi-Jinpings China where he has totally discarded Deng Xiopings advice to thread silently lest the Western bloc rise up to frustrate Chinas rise in the world where she can claim a seat at the table deciding the rules-based world that the Western countries had imposed to the detriment of many countries of the world but never to the disadvantage of the Western powers used to rule the world as they thought fit while on many occasions the Western bloc would go against the morality they preached. In an article written in Foreign Affairs Adam Posen, (an American economist and President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. He became President of the Peterson Institute on January 1, 2013. He received a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University, where he was a National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Fellow, after graduating from Harvard College in 1988) In a recent article in Foreign Affairs wrote that economic development in authoritarian regimes tends to follow a predictable pattern: a period of growth as the regime allows politically compliant businesses to thrive, fed by public largess. But once the regime has secured support, it begins to intervene in the economy in increasingly arbitrary ways. Eventually, in the face of uncertainty and fear, households and small businesses start to prefer holding cash to illiquid investment; as a result, growth persistently declines. XI-JINPING CHANGES POLICIES OF DENG HIAOPING Since Deng Xiaoping began the reform and opening of Chinas economy in the late 1970s, the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party deliberately resisted the impulse to interfere in the private sector for far longer than most authoritarian regimes have. But under Xi, and especially since the pandemic began, the CCP has reverted toward the authoritarian mean. In Chinas case, the virus is not the main cause of the countrys economic long COVID: the chief culprit is the general publics immune response to extreme intervention, which has produced a less dynamic economy. This downward cycle presents U.S. policymakers with an opportunity to reset the economic leg of Washingtons China strategy and to adopt a more effective and less self-harming approach than those pursued by the Trump administration andso farthe Biden administration. RICHARD HAAS ADVISES US TO TONE DOWN ANTI-CHINA POLICY Richard Haas advises the U.S. in particular to tone down its anti-China policy Compared with the United States current economic strategy toward China, which is more confrontational, restrictive, and punitive, the new approach would lower the risk of a dangerous escalation between Washington and Beijing, and it would prove less divisive among U.S. allies and developing economies. This approach would require communicating that Chinese people, savings, technology, and brands are welcome in the United States; the opposite of containment efforts that overtly exclude them. Several other economies, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, are already benefiting from inflows of Chinese students, businesses, and capital. In so doing, they are improving their own economic strength and weakening the CCPs hold at home. That effect would be maximized if the United States followed suit. If Washington goes its own way insteadperhaps because the next U.S. administration opts for continued confrontation or for greater economic isolationismit should at the very least allow other countries to provide off-ramps for Chinese people and commerce, rather than pressuring them to adopt the containment barriers that the United States is installing. SINO-SOVIET ENTENTE WITH NO LIMITS What the US in particular has to understand is that its assumption that a rich China would necessarily come out of the Sino-Russian entente that is determined to demonstrate that an illiberal regime is better suited to reach the needy before the democrats can is a wrong assumption. It would be wiser to understand that with the arrival of Xi Jinping has completely changed the policies of Deng Xiaoping and the Western expectation of a rich China would bring about a pro-democracy aspiration among the Chinese people. Even a brilliant President like Barak Obama suffered from the illusion that helping Chinas entry into the rule-based international system would change China from the inevitable path that all illiberal leaders take. Over varying periods, Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, Viktor Orban in Hungary, and Vladimir Putin in Russia have all gone down this well-worn road. When an entrenched autocratic regime violates the no politics, no problem deal, the people have no alternative but to follow the path laid down by the Communist Party of China as no other alternative is available. Kazi Anwarul Masud is a retired Bangladeshi diplomat. During his tenure, he worked in several countries as the ambassador of Bangladesh including Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and Germany In its ongoing pursuit to boost infrastructural growth of Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government is accelerating projects related to the Uttar Pradesh Defence Manufacturing Corridor and Ganga Expressway. The process of land purchase for Ganga Expressway in Sambhal has already started. The government has also decided to release Rs 10 crore out of the fund allocated to expedite the purchase of land. Apart from this, the government is continuously monitoring the progress of construction of Ganga Expressway and projects related to it, a government spokesman said here on Thursday. In Prayagraj, Rs 24.62 crore was allocated for the implementation of projects linked to the Ganga Expressway, primarily for acquiring land. In response to a directive from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), a portion of the amount will be used for purchasing land in Sambhal. The task of carrying out this process has been assigned to the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) by the state government. The Yogi government is constantly monitoring the progress of projects related to the Ganga Expressway, especially the construction work of the expressway. In this sequence, a progress report of construction works related to the Ganga Expressway has also been issued by the UPEIDA. As per the report, the land-related works for the main carriageway have been completed up to 41 per cent, while the process of clearing and grubbing of the carriageway has been completed 100 per cent so far. Furthermore, a significant advancement of 17 per cent has been achieved in the granular sub-base procedure for the carriageway. Concurrently, 15 per cent of the main carriageways process for WMM has been concluded, alongside 12 per cent of the main carriageways DBM process. As a result, 513 structures out of the total 1,348 have been successfully completed. The target has been fixed to complete the Ganga Expressway by the year 2024. The governments focus is on Ganga Expressway as this greenfield expressway connecting Meerut to Prayagraj will be special in many ways. A notorious criminal was injured in an encounter with police in Puri town on Thursday. He was identified as Pinaki Baral alias Pinu of Jagannath slum under the Baselisahi police station in Puri. He had been wanted in various criminal cases in several police stations in the pilgrim town. Police had intelligence inputs that Pinu along with an associate was planning to commit armed robberies in the town. Subsequently, a police team led by Baselisahi Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Manas Barik conducted a raid. There was an exchange of fire between police and Pinu at Sankheshwar jungle near the Loknath Temple in the town a in the afternoon. Later, Pinu was nabbed with bullet injuries in his left leg. The criminal was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital. A pistol, two-rounds of live ammunition, a two-wheeler and a mobile phone were seized from his possession. Baselisahi police Sub-Inspector B Majhi also sustained injuries in the incident, Pinu had earlier been booked in as many as 11 cases of crime including attempt to murder, robbery and extortion under various police stations in Puri, sources said. Ataxi crashed into the wall of Union Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijijus official residence in central Delhi on Wednesday after being hit by a DTC cluster bus. The accident set off alarm bells in the security establishment. According to police, the impact of the crash was so strong that a portion of the wall broke and left a gaping hole. Visuals showed the damaged car and the hole in the wall of the Ministers residence on Krishna Menon Marg in central Delhi. Rahim Khan, a resident of Narela, along with his wife and two children, was travelling to Nuh, Haryana in the cab. On the way, when he reached near Kothi number 9 at Krishna Menon Marg, his vehicle was hit by a DTC cluster bus of Seva Nagar Depot. The cab driver lost control and the vehicle hit the wall of Kothi number 9, police said. Following the incident, officers of security agencies questioned Khan in detail before letting him go. SChief Minister Hemant Soren today said that signing of the MoU between Tata Motors and Tata Cummins joint venture and the Jharkhand government for the hydrogen engine manufacturing project is certainly an important day in the history of Jharkhand. In this way, since the independence of the country till now, many links have been connected in the field of industry in Jharkhand. The CM said that God has blessed this state with various types of mineral wealth that is why many small and big industries as well as big technical industries have been established in Jharkhand. The CM said that two days ago there was a lot of discussion about the Chandrayaan mission across the country, eventually India successfully completed the Chandrayaan mission. Our scientists have once again proved that India is not less than anyone. Shivshankar Besra, a tribal youth resident of Bokaro district of Jharkhand has also made a commendable contribution in this entire Chandrayaan mission. Shivshankar Besra joined the ISRO team as Scientist. There is no dearth of skills in the youth of Jharkhand, provided it is necessary that we policy makers and industrial organizations working here understand what we have to do for this state. The CM was addressing a gathering during signing of an MoU between TCPL Green Energy Solution Pvt. Ltd (JV of Tata motors limited and TATA cummins limited) with Industries Department, Government of Jharkhand here on Friday. Soren said that although Jharkhand is included in the backward states of the country, but why our state is standing in the line of backward states, I have not been able to find a complete solution, but I am constantly trying to find a solution. He said that according to the thinking of the young generation of Jharkhand, according to the sentiments of the people here, our government is working to move the state forward by preparing a better action plan keeping in mind various aspects. The CM said that in the initial phase of the hydrogen engine project, hydrogen engines will be used only in heavy vehicles, but gradually its scope will increase and the concept of using hydrogen engines in small vehicles can also be fulfilled. The Chief Minister said that we have full faith that with such efforts, Jharkhand will come out of the category of backward states and join the category of leading states of the country. Soren said that 30 per cent of Jharkhand is covered with forests. If small scrub forests are included, then it increases to 50 per cent. At present, climate change is fast emerging as a challenge for the country and the world. Discussions are being held on the national and international level regarding climate change by organizing big conferences and seminars. He said that our government is doing positive work in many areas with public participation while preparing a better action plan regarding climate change. The CM said that we have often been hearing about the climate of a city like Delhi. The challenge with nature seems to be taking a heavy toll on human life. At present, the fatal effect of climate change is visible; it needs to be taken seriously. He said that unseasonal rains at some places, drought at some places and floods at some places, a strange situation has prevailed. We all are seeing the result of too much tampering with nature. There is a need to move forward on the path of development by establishing coordination with nature. He said that the hydrogen engine manufacturing project in the state would prove to be a milestone in climate change reform. On this occasion, Jitendra Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Jharkhand and Ajay Patil, Chief Financial Officer, Cummins Group India, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Minister Satyanand Bhokta, Executive Director of Tata Motors Girish Wagh and Engine Engineers at Cummins India The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Nitin Giraffe, Vice President, Business. On this occasion, Labour Planning and Skill Development Minister Satyanand Bhokta, State Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Vandana Dadel, Chief Minister's Secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey, Industries Department Secretary Jitendra Kumar Singh, Executive Director Tata Motors Ltd. Girish Wagh, Chief Financial Officer of Cummins Group Ajay Patil along with other senior officials of the state government and representatives of Tata Group were present in large numbers. As per the couplet from Sri Ramcharit Maanas that "No religion is equal to benevolence and no wretchedness is equal to afflicts pains to others". Saints and seers have also taught the society for the benevolence. Similarly Paramhansa Sant Hirdaram Sahib ji had also teach his desciples that if you want happiness in your life, you make others happy. Sant Hirdaram sahib was ailing with prostate enlargement in the year 1993 and suffering from severe pain. Sant ji was then operated in a private Urology hospital. After getting well, Sant ji was very much worried about the diseases of poor and particularly people living in villages. He started inquiring about how poor villagers get rid from the agony of this disease. Santji was told that there is not such facility of treatment and surgery available in small villages and towns. Simultaneously due to the lack of knowledge and money, they simply bear pains of the disease till their whole life time. Santji also enquired that can these surgeries not be performed in the camps? The answer was that the surgeries are very difficult and risky in nature and same cannot be performed in camps. Co-incidentally a Sr. urology surgeon from USA Dr. Gopal Badlani came to Kutia for darshans. Sant ji saught his suggestions on this matter also. Feeling the anxiety of Sant Hirdaram Sahibji, Dr. Gopal Badlani assured him that he will train few local surgeons to operate urology patients at Sant Nagar, so as such camps can become possible to organize regularly. By this way, organizing urology camps could become possible from the year 1994 and onwards. Siddh Bhau, staunch desciple and successor of Sant ji assumed responsibility of co-ordination, supervision and guidance to fellow office bearers and volunteers to undertake the camps. Shri Mahesh Dayaramani Sec. Jeev Sewa Sansthan assigned the task to fetch donations from the philanthropists. Like wise Hero Gyanchandani and L.C. Janiyani were also given overall responsibility of organizing camps. As many as 300 volunteers of suburb had voluntarily give consent to render their free services. Looking to the encouragement of worker and atmosphere of the camp, the people started feeling that the camps are not lesser than the "Mahayagnas". Mahesh Dayaramani always be in touch with the philanthropists based at abroad and the different parts of the country to fetch the donation in bulk. Approximately an expenditure of over 15-20 lakh was being incurred in one camp performing 125 surgeries. Hong Kong based philanthropist Kan H. Lakhani and Gul Chandiramani of Dubai usually donated required funds. It was very difficult to collect funds, but Mahesh made constant efforts and be in touch with the generous donors throughout all seasons. Many times people disgracefully behaved with Mahesh but he never cared about their humiliation as to treat it as a task of Santji. He always work beyond persistent of own respect or dishonor. Jeev Sewa Sansthan had organised 97 Free Urology camps since 1994 to 2023. Over 50,877 patients have so far been diagnosed and treated. Out of them 11,061 patients were operated for their various urinary disorders. Free surgeries of Stone in Kidney, Prostate enlargement, Bladder Stone, Gal Bladder Stone, Obstruction in urethra, Stone in urethra, Hypospaedia, Hydrocele, Hernia etc. done in the camps. It is very important to mention that the surgeons coming from abroad or different parts of the country do not charge their fees. Ailing patients are provided free pathology, Imaging investigations, prior and post examination of diseases, free consultation with the surgeons, surgeries, food, milk, fruits, medicines during treatment. Eminant Surgeon Dr. Gopal Badlani, Dr. Brandon Pomroy, Dr. Sakti Das, Dr. Amar Singh, Dr. Shibban Warikoo from America, Dr. Jitendra Amlani from Rajkot, Dr. Darshan Shah, Dr. Dhruti Kalsariya and Dr. Naresh Himthani from Ahmedabad, Dr. Neeraj Sharma from Delhi, Dr. Jimmi Shad from Chennai, Dr. Deepak Jhangiani from Mumbai, Dr. Sudhir Lokwani and Dr. C.P. Dewani from Bhopal render their free services. Internationally-reputed chef, writer and industrialist Bikash Khanna held discussions with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik though videoconferencing on Thursday. Recently, Khanna was in the news for installing a replica of the Konark Wheel at Times Square in New York during the Indian Independence Day celebrations. During the discussion, Khanna highly praised Odishas art, culture and heritage and food culture. He also informed the CM about his spiritual experience during his visit to the Shreemandir. He said Odisha has made rapid progress due to the CMs visionary leadership. The CM praised Khannas humility and entrepreneurship attitude and invited him to visit Odisha. ahangirabad police have arrested a miscreant and recovered stolen jewelery worth over Rs 1 lakh from the deserted residence of his maternal aunt. During interrogation, he has also disclosed another incident in the past. Stolen jewelery worth lakhs of rupees has been recovered from the possession of the accused. The accused was produced in the court on Thursday afternoon. TI Ajay Tiwari told that Ubez Khan (28) of New Vijay Talkies, Vidisha is involved in welding work. His maternal aunt lives in Jahangirabad area. He had come to her house on August 21 and he found that house was deserted. Her maternal aunt had gone to Qazi camp along with her family at a relative's house. Taking advantage of this, the accused entered the house by breaking the lock. Broke the locker of the cupboard kept inside and stole the gold and silver jewelery kept in it. Four hours later, when his aunt returned home, she found the lock of the main gate broken. Everything inside was scattered. The lock of the cupboard was found broken. After which the police were informed. After the information, the police reached the spot and registered a case and started investigation. During the investigation police found that before the incident, the accused Ubez was seen leaving the house of the complainant. Later he was taken into custody from Vidisha. In interrogation after bringing him to the police station, he accepted stealing from his aunt's house. During further interrogation, he told that earlier on August 11, he had committed another theft incident in the same area. Even then he had stolen jewelery worth over Rs 1 lakh. At his instance, both the stolen goods were recovered. The old criminal record of Ubez is being investigated. Ruling alliance in the State JMM and Congress hit back on BJP State Chief, Babulal Marandi, who has been attacking Hemant Soren and his family in land trade issues. The alliance partners said that Babulal is trying to hide his illegal works but it will not work as the people of the State will see it. Addressing a press meet at the party headquarter on Friday JMM General Secretary, Supriyo Bhattacharya fiercely attacked Babulal Marandi. He alleged that Babulal Marandi had embezzled land at several places in Ranchi when he came to know that action could be taken against him for this rigging, he joined BJP. He said that ED should also take cognizance of this manipulation of Babulal Marandi. Bhattacharya said that Santhal Pargana Private Builders Limited was registered at the address of Harmu Housing Society in 2005. This company is in the name of three people. Babulal Marandi should be told who are Ramia Marandi and Lalima Tiwari. These are the same people behind whom Babulal Marandi's money is involved. The name of Babulal Marandi's relative is Lalima Tiwari, who is Sunil Tiwari's wife. The land that has been purchased in Santhal Pargana is registered in the name of this company. Babulal Marandi, who is spreading propaganda across the State, has falsified many plots in Ranchi city itself. ED should take cognizance on this matter also, he added. The party General Secretary said that the ED should investigate Santhal Pargana Private Builders Limited. He said that if the ED does not find anything in this investigation, then we will give complete evidence to the ED. He further said how the ED went to the residence of Minister Rameshwar Oraon. If they had to ask, you could have called his son and asked. He is a minister and has been an IPS officer. He has his own importance, he added. Regarding the Dumri assembly by-election, Bhattacharya said that a different atmosphere is being created in Dumri regarding this. Babulal Marandi says that he had jumped from the Qutub Minar, but the BJP saved him. The reality will be placed before the entire public with full facts and will also be sent to the ED. The way action has been taken at Bhupesh Baghel's place, the same is being done here too. The way Bhupesh Baghel is being harassed in Chhattisgarh, in the same way we are being harassed in Jharkhand as well, he added. Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) Spokesperson, Rakesh Sinha also addressed the press meet. In order to bring transparency in the work of the administration, the Yogi Adityanath government has launched the Manav Sampada portal, putting the activities of the officers and employees of different departments in public domain. Details related to their appointment, leave management, transfer and retirement have been made available on the portal. Besides, the government has instructed the officers and employees to declare their movable and immovable assets on the website before December 2023. Officers and employees not complying with the governments directive within the given timeframe will face consequences, including denial of promotion. The Yogi government aims to bring transparency in the working of the officers and employees of all 74 departments of the state by providing all the facilities while fixing their accountability towards the government and the public. The state government has recently issued an order emphasising that failure to provide information about property within the specified deadline will be viewed unfavourably. Consequently, this aspect will be taken into account during the departmental selection committee meetings scheduled for January 1, 2024, and onwards. Unless personnel furnish the details of their movable and immovable assets on the portal, their promotion will not be considered. Officers and employees will also have to update the details of their property every five years. Earlier this month, the Yogi government had decided that by October 1, 2023, all the service details of the personnel would be updated on the Manav Sampada portal, which includes appointment, joining, dismissal, leave management, merit-based online transfer system, annual appraisal report management, salary withdrawal and service book management. This order will be applicable to all directorates, corporations, boards, commissions, authorities, councils and all government-controlled institutions operating under all departments. The details of newly appointed employees, retired and deceased employees including transfers, and discharges from different levels will also be updated on the portal. Apart from this, the details of the complete posting profile of the personnel, including factors like disability, husband and wife being in government service and serious illness etc. will also be made available on the portal with verification. Salaries for every officer and employee will be released on the basis of consolidated and certified data gathered from the Manav Sampada portal and the DDO portal. Pay slips of employees will also be accessible through their login IDs on the portal. Furthermore, the annual assessment of all government officers and employees will be conducted via the same platform. The portal will facilitate merit-based online transfers as well. Additionally, all categories of leave will exclusively be approved through the portal. Information regarding personnel training will also be accessible through this platform. To oversee these operations and manage the portal, a new division (Section-5) will be established within the Personnel department, with the PMU operating at the NIC level. The security of the portal will be overseen by NIC to ensure cyber safety. State BJP president Babulal Marandi as part of his Sankalp yatra addressed a public meeting at Shikaripara where he lashed out at the JMM/Congress alliance government. Speaking in Santhali language, Marandi said that Atal ji gifted a separate state to people of Jharkhand, which the BJP government in the state and at the Center did the work of beautifying. But due to the corruption of the present government, the condition of the state is getting worse. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi worries about the poor and the State government worries about the brokers and the corrupt. Mines and mineral wealth were given to the people of Delhi and Mumbai. He appealed to the people to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third time in 2024 and form the BJP government in Jharkhand, the BJP will give the lease of the mine to the locals. He said that the courage of the JMM/Congress alliance is visible in the criminals. Criminals are committing crimes fearlessly. He said that as long as the rule of law is established in the state, corruption is not going to be curbed. Addressing the public meeting, Marandi said that the governments of BJP are known for development while the government of Congress JMM means corruption, loot, brokers, middlemen. He said that corruption is rampant in the entire state, Hemant Soren has got half a dozen cases done for speaking against this loot. He said that he should get as many cases done as he wants, even from jail he would continue to raise his voice against the loot, lies and corruption created by the state government. He said that when the BJP government was formed, roads were constructed in every village. Many development schemes are going on in Santhal Pargana also. This area is connected from railway route to air route. The AIIMS in Deoghar and the Medical College in Dumka were built by the BJP government only. Not only this, BJP separately included tribal ministry, Santali language in the eighth schedule and for the first time Modi ji made eight tribal ministers in the ministry whereas Congress JMM only did the work of taking votes from tribals. He pledged to make Narendra Modi win in 2024 and to form the BJP government by uprooting Hemant from Jharkhand. Xi returns to China after 15th BRICS Summit, state visit to South Africa Xinhua) 14:05, August 25, 2023 BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping returned to China on Friday after attending the 15th BRICS Summit and paying a state visit to South Africa. Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, were on the same plane. Upon Xi's departure Thursday night local time, South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor and other senior government officials saw him off at the airport. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) by M.K. Bhadrakumar There has been an avalanche of western media reports within minutes or hours of the ghastly death on Wednesday of the head of the Wagner organisation of Russian military contractors, Yevgeny Prigozhin, which pointed the accusing finger at President Vladimir Putin as the perpetrator. CIA Director William Burns in Beijing [ File Photo: AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan, File] It is almost as if a button was pressed at some unknown command centre to launch a new narrative to demonise Putin for serving the cold dish of revenge to Prigozhin, to borrow the CIA director William Burns recent words, for staging a failed coup in Russia. No one cared to produce empirical evidence. Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth the law of propaganda is often attributed to the Nazi leader Joseph Goebbels who understood the power of repeating falsehoods. It is now the Wests compass to erase Russia. True, Putin had every reason to be annoyed with Prigozhin a stab in the back, as he put it when the nation was waging an existential war against sworn enemies who seek the dismemberment of Russia. But three considerations discredit the hypothesis of Putins involvement. First, why such a crude method reminiscent of the murder of the charismatic Iranian general Qasem Suleimani, the spearhead of Tehrans Axis of Resistance against America, by former US president Donald Trump? In his celebrated 1827 essay titled On Murder Considered as one of the Fine Arts, Thomas De Quincey wrote, Everything in this world has two handles. Murder, for instance, may be laid hold of by its moral handle and that, I confess, is its weak side; or it may also be treated aesthetically, as the Germans call it, that is, in relation to good taste. The aesthetic of Prigozhins murder is, simply put, the least appealing by the principle of murder connoisseurship if the motivation were revenge . Second, Prigozhin was a dead man walking for staging such an idiotic act, after his security cover was withdrawn by the state. Imagine ex-president Barack Obama without secret service protection after the murder of Osama bin Laden or Mike Pompeo and Trump walking around without security after murdering Soleimani. But Putin made it clear that Wagner still would have a future and the nation will remember its role in the Ukraine war. Putin even invited Prigozhin to a Kremlin meeting. Arguably, Putins first remarks on Prigozhins death betray a trace of pity. ( here and here Putin said, Ive known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early 1990s. He was a man of no easy fate. He made some serious mistakes in his life, but he also achieved the needed results both for himself and, when I asked him, for the common cause. The way it was in recent months. As far as I know, he returned from Africa only yesterday. He met with some officials here. He worked not only in our country and he worked successfully, but also abroad, especially in Africa. There, he dealt with oil, gas, precious metals and stones, Putin added. In the excessive zeal to focus on Prigozhins murder to demonise Putin, what is overlooked is that whoever choreographed the crime also ensured that Wagners entire command structure has been eliminated. Bye, bye, Africa! There isnt going to be anyone in the foreseeable future to challenge the hegemony of the French Legion in the Sahel or match the vast network of 29 bases under Pentagons Africa Command spread across the continent from Djibouti in the north to Botswana in the south. Put differently, the long arm of Russias smart power has been chopped off with one single swing of the blade. Who stands to gain? Third, Prigozhins murder was staged on a special day that in a historical perspective, must be counted as the finest hour of Russian diplomacy ever since the disintegration of the former Soviet Union. The reality of a new starting point for BRICS as Chinese President Xi Jinping stated is yet to sink in fully, but what is beyond doubt is that Russia is walking away as the winner. Make no mistake that the BRICS unity held firm and rubbished all western prognosis; BRICS expansion means that the issue of a single settlement currency is on the table, and the international financial system is not going to be the same again; de-dollarisation is knocking at the gates; a new global trading system is taking shape which renders obsolete the exploitative 4-century old western regime geared to transfer wealth to the rich countries; BRICS has graduated, finally, from an informal club to an institution that will eclipse the G7. The host country South Africa delivered big-time for the Russian and Chinese agenda of multipolarity. The joint statement issued by South Africa and China and the induction of Ethiopia (where the West tried to stage a regime change) as BRICS member underscore the emerging alignment in Africa. Doesnt all that add up to something? And, above all, the big message coming out of Johannesburg is that with all the kings horses and all the kings men, the Biden administration has failed miserably to isolate Russia it is there writ large in the resplendent glow of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs effulgent smile. Russia is capping its gains in the battlefields of Ukraine with an outstanding diplomatic victory by being on the right side of history alongside the global majority. Isnt it plain common sense that of all days, Putin would never have chosen Wednesday to act as spoiler when Russias prestige was soaring high in the international community? Again, the question arises: Who stands to gain? The plain truth is, there could be any number of people who wanted to physically eliminate Prigozhin. Within Russia itself, Prigozhin had recruited hardened criminals undergoing prison sentence to fight in Ukraine and thereby get their sentence commuted. He deployed them without adequate military training, and over 10,000 of them reportedly got killed. There is a deep sense of revulsion within Russia in the matter. Then there are the external enemies starting from France, which has been virtually evicted from the Sahel region, its playpen where it had a field day as the ex-colonial power until Prigozhin came and spoiled the party. France could barely hide its rancour toward Russia ever since then. Meanwhile, the brewing crisis in Niger alerted the US that Prigozhin was on the prowl. The redoubtable acting secretary of state Victoria Nuland, who masterminded the 2014 coup in Ukraine, travelled to Niamey to plead with the coup leaders not to have any truck with Wagner. However, Prigozhin reportedly had sneaked into the neighbouring country, Mali, where Wagner is well established, with a view to establish contact with Nigers new rulers and offer the services of Wagner. Suffice to say, Prigozhin was threatening to do to the Pentagon what he earlier did to the French Legion in Sahel. It is entirely conceivable that the Biden administration decided that enough was enough and Wagner must be decapitated. Of course, Prigozhins departure along with his core group of senior commanders will incalculably weaken Wagner. Meanwhile, within Russia, the ruthless Ukranian intelligence operates at different levels. The drone attacks on Moscow are being staged by saboteurs within Russia. And Ukraine too has a score to settle with Wagner, which is establishing itself in Belarus. Without doubt, there is a congruence of interests between the Ukrainian intelligence and its western mentors to destroy Wagner and eliminate it from the geopolitical chessboard altogether. As part of the second leg of Sankalp yatra, BJP state president Babulal Marandi addressed public meetings at Jarmundi and termed the JMM/ Congress government as the mother of corruption. He said that the government of Congress, JMM and RJD is busy in earning money and looting Jharkhand. Murder, theft, and kidnapping have become common. Police are more busy in recovery than catching criminals. Without money, work is not done in government offices. He said that there is loot of mineral wealth in the state. The ruling government is busy looting the land of the tribals. They have looted the land by changing the name. The state government has cheated Oraon, Munda, Santhal tribals. He said that if crime and corruption have to be ended, the JMM/Congress government will have to be removed. Congress, JMM and RJD do politics only for family and money. There was neither employment nor unemployment allowance in this government. Marandi said that Jharkhand became a separate state in Atal ji's government, a separate ministry for tribals and Santhali language was included in the 8th schedule. He said that during the BJP's regime, roads, electricity, bridges and culverts were built on river drains from village to village. He said that there is talk of development in the BJP government while there is talk of loot in Congress JMM governments. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bringing the scheme keeping in mind the poor of the country. Housing scheme, Rs.6000 Kisan Samman Nidhi for farmers and treatment facilities through Ayushman Yojana, arranged food grains for eighty crore poor people during the Covid period. Dozens of schemes are being worked on in Santhal. A bridge is being built over the river Ganges. He said that the demand for making sand free for private house builders was made in the House, but the local people are being held on to the sand and sand is being sent to other states through brokers. The people of Delhi and Mumbai have been given the responsibility of sand ghats. He called upon the people to resolve to overthrow the Hemant government as well as make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third time in 2024 and form the BJP government in Jharkhand. As Delhi prepares to host the G20 Summit in Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has chalked up a plan to identify all 'garbage vulnerable points' and clear them in a timely manner. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi in a press conference on Thursday said all zonal Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been directed to take action in this regard. This move also comes amid the ongoing campaign 'Ab Delhi Hogi Saaf' a citywide cleanliness drive started by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on August 12. Garbage vulnerable points are open places where trash is found dumped regularly The idea is to identify such points, clean them up and place flower pots there so people won't dump garbage there again, Oberoi said. According to a circular issued by the municipal commissioner on Thursday, the zonal DCs were directed to delineate GVPs (garbage vulnerable points) in their respective zones and have them removed within two weeks. Delhi Deputy Mayor Aaley Muhammad Iqbal and Leader of House in MCD Mukesh Goyal said the national capital can become cleaner if the city's residents, civic employees, and people's representatives work in tandem. Delhi Higher Education Minister Atishi has questioned the Finance Department over the nearly one-and-a-half-month delay in the release of Rs 100 crore to 12 fully funded colleges of DU by the city Government. In a note, she said the fund was approved in June but it has not reached the colleges. The Minister asked the finance department about the delay between the announcement and the implementation of her order. Atishi directed that the second quarterly grant of Rs 100 cr should be released without any further delay and it must be found out the reason for such a delay between announcement and the implementation. The faculty and the ministerial staff of these colleges cannot suffer due to administrative technicalities and the finance department should have facilitatory approach over these financial issues, she said. Amidst the pleasant atmosphere and soothing weather of Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation is now facilitating lucrative discounts on all MPT properties including M.P.T. Kerwa Resort, Wind and Waves, Hotel Palash Residency, Southern Spices, Lake View and Residency. A special 25 percent discount will be offered on lunch (between Monday to Friday) till 30th September 2023. The General Manager of the State Development Corporation, B.D.M Shri Syed Arif Naqvi informed that in these hotels and restaurants will offer 25% discount coupons for the guests and food lovers during lunch time (12 to 3:30 pm) in these units. In this discount coupon, food lovers will be given a flat 25% discount on ordering food in ala carte menu with their friends and family members during lunch time and one coupon will be valid for lunch for 6 persons. On request of National Institute of Design MP (Bhopal), and in order to strengthen Heath facilities in the NID campus, four Staff members from NID Bhopal were provided with training in First Aid management pertaining to trauma, medical emergency, and basic life support. The trainees included nursing staff and the hostel wardens from NID Bhopal. This training was provided by the Asst Nursing Supdtts / Sr Nursing officers from AIIMS Bhopal, under guidance of faculty members at AIIMS Bhopal. --Minister urges to focus on crop diversification : The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) observed its 62nd Foundation Day here on Thursday. Set up in 1962 by the then Chief Minister late Biju Patnaik, the university has made significant strides in the triple fields of agriculture-academic, agriculture-research and agriculture-extension. It works mainly through 10 constituent colleges, 19 regional research centres, 51 research projects and 31 KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras) and has produced more than 30,000 students who are employed. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Ranendra Pratap Swain announced the State Governments decision to convert the OUAT into a Centre of Excellence. He advised the faculty and the scientists to work further in three key domains such as crop diversification, Potato Mission and small machines for women farmers. He assured financial assistance from the department in these spheres. Though Swain was happy with the overall performance of OUAT, he expressed his displeasure over the 23rd NIRF ranking of the institute and called upon the teaching community to improve the national ranking. OUAT VC Prof PK Roul said the university has been working for the promotion of FPOs (Farmers Producer Organisations) and a new agro-entrepreneurship course. Director of Horticulture RK Lenka advised the faculties and the students to use both technology-based knowledge and traditional knowledge. The OUAT web portal -3.0, three Farmers Apps, a vision document, an OUAT song and a one-year certificate course syllabus were inaugurated. The Vigilance department on Thursday arrested a Panchayati Raj officer of Rudrapur Ramesh Chandra Tripathi for allegedly taking bribes. The authorities arrested him after catching him red-handed when he was taking a bribe of Rs one lakh from a man, who had filed a complaint against him to authorities, as per the officials. They said that the complainant had complained to authorities via toll free number 1064 after which the officials made a plan to catch Tripathi red-handed. The complainant was reportedly sent to a parking lot in Rudrapur to offer him the bribe which the officer accepted after which, the vigilance officials arrested him. The officials said that they are investigating the matter. The police arrested the president of Uttarakhand Berozgar Sangh (UBS) Bobby Panwar in Bageshwar along with 11 others on charges of the violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) and section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) ahead of the Assembly by-elections for which voting is scheduled to be held on September 5. Panwar was planning to reach the Bagnath temple with his supporters mainly to hold a press conference and meeting in the temple premises which could disturb law and order in the area, said the Bageshwar superintendent of police Akshay Konde. He said that Panwar had informed the district administration that he would be arriving in the district to interact with his youth workers. The district election officer made him aware of the implementation of MCC and section 144 in the district and said that any activity by them must be carried out only after seeking permission from the election committee or action will be taken against them as per the rules. Konde said that most of the people accompanying Panwar on Friday belonged to other districts, who reportedly had the intention to make the Bagnath temple premises an election ground to influence the by-elections as per confidential sources of police. Panwar had the intention of disturbing the peace, law and order and was in violation of the rules as per which, the police arrested him and his accomplices, he added. The police teams are investigating the fraud cases in which the former private secretary to chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Prakash Chand Upadhyay and others are the main accused. The police may arrest some culprits soon, said the Dehradun senior superintendent of police Daleep Singh Kunwar. He said that it is a serious matter which is being investigated thoroughly and the police will take action as per the evidence gathered in the case. The police registered a case over a week ago against Upadhyay and six others for allegedly duping a resident of Patiala in Punjab, Sanjeev Kumar of over Rs three crore in the name of providing him government tenders and other associated works. According to the police, the complainant claimed that when Upadhyay was asked to return the money after Kumar did not get the tenders, he gave a check of Rs 30 lakh which bounced. Apart from Upadhyay, the six other accused have been identified as Saurabh Sharma and his wife Nandini, Mahesh Maharia, Raunak Maharia, Shahrukh Khan and Amit Lamba. The police registered a case against them under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, as per the police. Meanwhile, another cheating case came to light on Wednesday in which Upadhyay along with four people allegedly duped another businessman from Patiala who was an acquaintance of the first complainant. The first complainant introduced him to Upadhyay and his accomplices last year and they purportedly promised to provide tenders for projects run by the State government here. The complainant has claimed to have paid them about Rs three crore, as per the police. The SSP said that another case has been registered against Upadhyay and his four accomplices. There is nothing much I can share right now since it is an ongoing investigation. The police teams are diligently working on both cases and nobody will be spared and action will be taken against culprits, he added. Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has declared the result of the India Smart City Award Contest 2022. Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand, has once again won the award contest issued by the Government of India. Ranchi has been awarded the number one award in cities with a population of more than 10 lakh; very soon the award will be distributed in a big program to be organized at the national level. In which Ranchi Smart City will also be honoured. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has announced the award through video conferencing from the national capital New Delhi. State Government's Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Ranchi Smart City Corporation, Vinay Kumar Choubey has congratulated the officials and personnel of various agencies involved in the development of Urban Development Department, Ranchi Smart City Corporation and Smart City. Along with this, the people of Ranchi have also expressed their heartfelt gratitude for their co-operation. The departmental secretary said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the state is hoisting its glory in every field and because of this efficient leadership, our state And Smart City Ranchi is continuously standing in the forefront of Smart City Mission plans. CEO of Ranchi Smart City Corporation, Amit Kumar, has expressed his gratitude to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for this award, as well as for the efficient leadership of the State Government and the efficient guidance of the Chief Minister and Departmental Secretary. He Assured that Ranchi Smart City will be deserving of many more awards in the years to come. He has congratulated the entire team for the growth and progress of Ranchi Smart City. It is worth noting that the smart city plan is going on in 100 selected cities of the country by the Smart City Mission of the Government of India. Based on the progress of these plans and the work being done by the cities in different areas, the Government of India India Smart City Award Contest is organized by .. Ranchi Smart City has been honoured many times in this contest. In the India Smart City Award Contest 2022, all the smart cities of the country had sent nominations in various categories. In which nominations were also sent from Ranchi in the fields of Innovation, Economy, Social Aspect, Urban Mobility, City Security etc. All these proposals and in the progress of smart city plans, Ranchi has been selected as the best performer in the eastern region. Until 2014, when Ukraine received military assistance from Western nations, the Ukrainian armed forces were based on the Russian model. After all, Ukraine had been part of the Soviet Union until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. The Russian military was and still is based on the principle that quantity had a quality all its own. Russia was never able to adequately train all the men it conscripted into the military, The Russians adapted by selecting and training about ten percent of their troops to give this group a high degree of skill. Compared to the less-trained troops, the select group were more effective in combat and suffered far fewer casualties than the untrained troops. The Western approach was somewhat different in that Western nations believed that quality would generally defeat quantity. To obtain that qualitative edge you had to know how to train new recruits to a high level of competence in the shortest possible time. After the Russians invaded in early 2022, the Ukrainians quickly realized that they could not sustain higher casualties among untrained troops and had to increase their training standards to survive. The veteran as well as newly conscripted or enlisted Ukrainian troops appreciated this and eagerly accepted the additional training. Russia was unable to provide as much training and suffered higher losses because of it. As the training levels of the Ukrainian forces continued to rise, the difference in loss rates between Ukrainian and Russian forces became an embarrassing reality for the Russians. Ukraine was able to bring in a large number of trainers from NATO countries, most of them former or retired NATO soldiers who could operate in Ukraine without causing an international incident. These men were not mercenaries but foreign professional trainers who often had experience training troops of other countries. Ukraine also brought in a lot of foreign professionals for skilled jobs Ukraine could not fill. This included aircraft maintenance and several other military specialties, and here Westerners had almost fifty years of providing such services to foreign militaries, chiefly in the Middle Eastern oil states who needed, and could pay for, these services. There are a number of Western firms that specialize in providing all manner of professionals for short-term employment contracts. Putin and his generals also noticed the growing difference in casualties between better trained Ukrainian troops and relatively untrained Russian soldiers. The Russians missed what happened when NATO personnel served in Ukraine between 2014 and 2021 and taught Ukrainian officers how to become a NATO-compatible force. That included much more training for new troops and more flexible and effective combat leadership methods. This turned out to be a major advantage because the Russians were still using their rigid Soviet-era command and troops control procedures. By 2021 the Ukrainians had adopted more flexible Western methods where junior commanders were trained to improvise when necessary. The only Russian troops who did any of that were spetsnaz (special operations) forces. Most Russian troops follow detailed orders and, when they encounter something not covered in their orders, they halt and wait for further instructions. Ukrainian forces regularly exploited this. After nearly a year of fighting the Russians have not changed, even though the more flexible Ukrainians constantly win battles because of their initiative. Ukrainians appreciate this training effort and it makes a difference on the battlefield. This is especially true because Russia is sending more troops to Ukraine with little or no training. That means the Russians suffer higher casualties and the Ukrainians lose far fewer men. After a few months of fighting in 2022, Russia had lost many of its veteran soldiers and officers. Since then, most of the new Russian troops have little training or advanced tech and suffer from low morale and poor leadership. That sort of thing makes a big difference in combat but is often discounted during peacetime. Ukrainians could find out how this came to be, because the current NATO tactics began emerging in the late 1970s when NATOs most powerful member (the U.S.) sought a new combat doctrine to make the best use of new weapons, an all-volunteer force and growing air superiority. West Germany was urging the United States to adopt tactics that would mean losing less German territory in the opening stages of a war. In 1982 this led to AirLand Battle doctrine, which emphasized meeting a Warsaw Pact (mainly Russian) invasion by attacking as well as defending. West Germany was reassured as were those who had studied the 1972 Arab-Israeli war, which began with a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria which was quickly defeated by an Israeli active defense that emphasized attacking as well as defending. The Americans had already adopted an active defense doctrine in 1978 but AirLand Battle was a refinement of that, and evolved to the present with improved versions of these tactics. The Russians interpreted AirLand Battle as the result of how much post-Vietnam military reforms had turned NATO defense plans into an offensive opportunity for NATO that made any Russian attack less likely to succeed and vulnerable to a NATO invasion of East Europe. The 1991 Iraq war certainly confirmed this, but Russians attributed that to poor quality Iraqi officers and troops. After the East European Soviet satellite governments collapsed in 1989, it was revealed that the Soviets had become less confident of the ability and willingness of East European Warsaw Pact armies to assist Russian forces in attack or defense. Part of this was due to the aftereffects of the crackdown in East Europe after the uprisings of the 1950s and 60s. Western intel officials interviewed many of East European civilians getting out and thought the refugees were exaggerating. They werent and that became obvious in 1989, and again two years later when the USSR itself collapsed. Once the Ukraine War has ended, the Russian military may accept that the NATO tactics were a major reason for their failure in Ukraine. Russia will have a difficult but not impossible time implementing a version of the NATO tactics for their forces. It would mean changing how their officers are trained and finally getting serious about reviving the use of NCOs, something the communists eliminated in the 1920s to prevent a counter-revolution against communist rule. The Vigilance police on Thursday raided multiple places in connection with allegations against Bijay Kumar Parida, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Rayagada Peripheral, regarding possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The Vigilance traced assets worth crores of rupees. The simultaneous house searches were carried out at seven places in Rayagada, Khurdha, Cuttack and Jajpur districts. The following properties in the nameS of Parida and his family members were unearthed so far: A G+3-storied building (under construction) at Srikoruan, Cuttack. A three-storied building at Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar. A flat at Ashirbad Plaza, Kalarhanga, Bhubaneswar. Eight plots in and around Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack and Jajpur. Cash of Rs 1,24,600. The raids were underway while the total value of his movable and immovable properties was yet to be calculated. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has all efforts will be made for all round development of Chhindwara. He performed Bhumi Pujan for Machagora Water Supply Scheme, which will be built at a cost of Rs 848 crore 29 lakh. It will ensure water supply in 711 villages of 7 development blocks. He also launched 35 development works worth Rs 1178 crore 54 lakh and performed Bhumi Pujan for and 30 works costing Rs. 258 crore 75 lakh. Another college will be opened in Chhindwara and a magnificent auditorium will be constructed. Addressing the State Level Rozgar Diwas and Mahila Sammelan in Chhindwara today, Chouhan formally started distributing loans worth more than Rs 5 thousand crores to 8 lakh 34 thousand persons under the Rozgar Diwas programme. Chouhan wished the beneficiaries a bright future. Agriculture Minister and in-charge of Chhindwara Kamal Patel and public representatives were present. The Chief Minister welcomed the public attending the Mahila Sammelan and State Level Rozgar Diwas by showering flowers. Chouhan performed bhoomi pujan for Machagora Group Water Supply Scheme by receiving Jal Kalash Yatra. Self-help groups of Livelihood Mission and beneficiary Bahnas of Ladli Bahna Yojana presented a huge rakhi to Chouhan. Peoples representatives welcomed Chief Minister Chouhan with a huge garland. The Chief Minister said that due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drinking water is being made available at every house. In previous governments, it was difficult to install even hand pumps. Schemes like providing one thousand rupees per month for nutritious food to Bharia, Saharia and Baiga sisters, Kanya Daan Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, distribution of laptops and providing assistance to expectant mothers were discontinued by the previous government. Chouhan said that the state government is committed to transforming the lives of sisters and daughters. Schemes like Ladli Laxmi and Kanya Vivah have been started to address discrimination issues. Chouhan said that daughters are born to scale new heights. Rs. one thousand are being given to sisters in Ladli Bahna Yojana. It will be gradually raised to Rs.3 thousand in a phased manner. Rakhi festival will be celebrated on 27th of this month. The Chief Minister that Madhya Pradesh is like a family. I am concerned about every member of the family. The farmers must get water, students must get books-bicycle-mid-day meal-laptop-scooty for education, women should have healthy environment, youth get skill upgradation and self-employment opportunities discharging its duty. During the Jandarshan, huge gathering showered flowers and warmly welcomed and honoured Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The children, youth, women as well as elders welcomed the Chief Minister. State Chief Minister Hemant Soren has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) summons against him in connection with a money laundering case. ED had asked CM Soren to join its investigation in the alleged money laundering case on August 24. However, he did not appear before ED. Earlier on August 14, Soren was summoned by the ED in connection with an alleged land scam case. However, Soren did not join the central agency probe citing he was busy with the preparation of the Independence Day celebration in the state. He further stated that the central agencies were targeting him because he was not aligning with the central government. The ED has denied that the agency is summoning him for political reasons. ED has told that he has been summoned only after the facts came during the investigation of the land scam. The ED has been probing two major cases of money laundering in Jharkhand. The first case is related to illegal mining in Sahibganj. The CM was questioned in connection with the mining case on November 17 last year. The second case is related to an alleged land scam in the state capital. 13 people, including IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan and two businessmen, Amit Agarwal of Kolkata and Bishnu Agarwal, who owns shopping malls in Ranchi, have already been arrested in connection with the alleged land scam. Sources said that though Soren has knocked SC door for getting relief from ED questioning, Section 11 of the Prevention of money laundering act 2002 and its sub-sections empowers the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to summon. The officer concerned in this section has every power which is available in the determination of a suit in the Code of Civil Procedure. Under the power given by this act, the ED officials can compel the accused to produce evidence. Similarly, under sub-section 2 of Section 11, when a notice is sent by the ED, the person will be bound to appear before the officer. Also, in section 19 of the Prevention of money laundering act 2002, under such circumstances, the concerned officer has the right to arrest the required person if he or she fails to appear before the probe agency despite getting repeated summons. Sources said that there is also provision of attachment of property if the concerned persons defy the summons. According to the rules, if the ED feels that the wanted person is deliberately absconding from appearance, hiding facts, looking for possibility of tampering with the evidence, then in such circumstances arrest can be made. While taking action under Section 60, in case of escape from arrest, there is a provision for attachment, confiscation etc. Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday skipped the second Enforcement Directorate (ED) summon for questioning in connection with an ongoing money laundering case related to fraudulent sale of land parcels in the state capital. Soren was to reach the ED office at Hinoo at 11 am, but he failed to appear at the same time it came to fore that he has moved Supreme Court against the Central probe agency summons. According to the summons, he had to reach the ED office at 11 am, but he directly reached the secretariat located in Dhurwa from his residence at Kanke Road. Earlier, a letter was sent to the Enforcement Directorate on behalf of the CMO. It is not clear what is written in the letter, but sources said that he has filed a special petition in the Supreme Court against the summons of ED. Amidst all speculations, security personnel were deployed outside the ED office. CRPF and Jharkhand Police personnel were deployed here. Airport Road was also converted into a police cantonment. On August 8, the ED had summoned Soren for questioning on August 14 at its zonal office in Ranchi and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). However, he skipped the summons. Describing it as politically motivated, Soren had questioned the summons, and asked the agency to withdraw or he will be forced to take legal recourse. CM Hemant Soren had sent a letter to the ED regarding his appearance on August 14. In this letter, he termed the notice sent by ED as illegal and said that he would take any further step only after taking legal advice. After receiving the letter sent by the CM, ED issued a second summon and asked to reach the ED office on August 24. ED replied to the letter sent by CM Hemant Soren to ED. The ED has denied that the agency is summoning him for political reasons. ED has told that he has been summoned only after the facts came during the investigation of the land scam. At the same time, the CM had said in his letter that he had given information about his and his family's property to the ED on November 30, 2022. ED has said that this detail is available with it but in a recent investigation ED has got information about many benami properties of the Soren family. He has been summoned in this regard only. The ED has been probing two major cases of money laundering in Jharkhand. The first case is related to illegal mining in Sahibganj. The CM was questioned in connection with the mining case on November 17 last year. The second case is related to an alleged land scam in the state capital. 13 people, including IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan and two businessmen, Amit Agarwal of Kolkata and Bishnu Agarwal, who owns shopping malls in Ranchi, have already been arrested in connection with the alleged land scam. Former Samajwadi Party candidate from Madhuban Vidhan Sabha constituency, Umesh Chandra Pandey, along with his supporters, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of the state party president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak at the BJP state headquarters on Thursday. The state BJP president said that Pandeys decision to join the BJP showed that the partys ideology and Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership had influenced people across the country. He also said that Pandeys supporters joining the BJP would strengthen the partys commitment to Antyodaya (uplift of the poorest of the poor). Brajesh Pathak also welcomed Pandey into the BJP family and said that the party would work towards the development of all sections of society. In response, Pandey said that the SP was a party that protected criminals and supported lawlessness. He also criticised the SPs candidate selection process, saying that it prioritises criminals. Pandey expressed his commitment to working towards the welfare of all sections of society under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Days after Nuh violence, several students' organisations on Thursday held a protest at Jamia Millia Islamia demanding the arrest of Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar and compensation for those whose houses were demolished in the district. In a related development, Gurugram police has arrested a man in connection with the alleged killing of a Bajrang Dal member during the recent communal violence in Haryana. Around 100 students from various outfits gathered at the university's gate number 7 holding posters that read, save Nuh, stop VHP Shobha Yatra on August 28, stop violence and arrest Monu Manesar. We have three demands from the Centre -- revoke FIR against innocent Muslims, provide compensation for those whose houses were bulldozed and arrest Monu Manesar, a protestor, Mohammad Al Fauz, said. Authorities have already denied permission to the Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP's) proposed 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' in Haryana's Nuh on August 28. On July 31, communal violence had erupted when mobs allegedly pelted stones at the VHP's yatra in Nuh. It led to violence in the district which spilled to adjoining Gurugram and six people, including two home guards and a cleric, were killed. VHP leader Devender Singh had said he was not aware of the rejection of the permission and asserted that there is no need for any permission for the yatra. The AAP Government on Friday claimed that several projects including, Delhi Budget announcement initiatives aimed at generating 20 lakh new employment opportunities in the Capital, have been derailed due to the abrupt termination of advisers, consultants and fellows appointed by the Kejriwal Government. The fallout has cast a shadow over the redevelopment of six markets, three food hubs, and the implementation of five key policies designed to uplift the citys socio-economic landscape. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed his concern over the removal of the Chief Ministers Urban Leader Fellowship and DRC. He stated these fellows come from prestigious educational backgrounds. In order to cite a few examples, one fellow completed her MBA from an Indian Institute of Management(IIM) and did her graduation from Jesus and Mary College. He said the second fellow was a graduate in commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce(SRCC) and then from the Delhi School of Economics she completed her MA in Economics. One fellow had a degree of Masters in Public Policy from Tata Institute of Social Sciences(TISS). The fourth fellow who used to work for us had a degree in Masters of Social Work from Delhi School of Social Work. All of these fellows were qualified professionals who were educated at the esteemed universities. These fellows used to contribute significantly to the industries department. Generally, the consultants we hire at government levels are supposed to pay them in lakhs in a month. These fellows used to work closely on the public policies of the government. They used to coordinate with the IAS officers and other DANICS officers(The Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshyadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services) used to do research on the issue. Fellows used to study similar policies from other states, what these policies lack and what their advantages are to the people. At each step, they used work for smooth and quick developments. But since these fellows have been sacked, a lot of governmental work has been stopped. With this intention, these fellows have been removed so that development work for the people could be stopped, he said. According to AAP Government, these fellows, advisors, consultants, and other experts played a crucial role in identifying and addressing the key challenges faced by the people of Delhi. Their role encompassed extensive market research, data-driven insights, and the formulation of targeted solutions to alleviate the hardships experienced by the people. As specialists in fields of economics, data analysis, social impact, strategy & implementation, thesefellows provided end to end solutions for the toughest of the problem statements faces by the Government of the NCT of Delhi. Hanumanganj police have booked three unknown miscreants who robbed an electric auto rickshaw driver at knife point of Rs 7500 near Foota Makbara area; accused took ride as passengers and robbed at deserted place late in the night on Wednesday. Two accused had boarded the auto rickshaw of Ram Babu from the Krishi Mandi posing as passengers and at deserted lane of Dulichand Ka Bagh, miscreants snatched Rs 7500 from the victim at knife point. Later, the accused absconded by threatening to kill if the victim complaints with the police. On Thursday, the complainant reached the police station and complained. SI Raghavendra Singh said that Ram Babu Vishwakarma of Kalyan Nagar Chhola, operates a battery auto rickshaw. Two unknown youths had boarded his auto near the Kalyan Nagar Agricultural Market and wanted to ride till Futa Makbara and later at around 10.30 pm the youths asked to drop them at a deserted street where their third aide was waiting and as soon as auto rickshaw was stopped the victim was robbed. After the incident, the complainant went to his house and the next day on Thursday reached the police station and informed about the incident. Police are checking the footage of CCTV cameras installed around the spot. In the early hours of Friday, the police have detained two suspects in this case who are being interrogated. Governor Mangubhai Patel said that uniform is a symbol of honour for society and the country. Uniform instills a sense of security in the mind of the public. Governor Patel was addressing the trainee officers of Sashastra Seema Bal at Raj Bhavan on Thursday. He advised the trainee officers of Sashastra Seema Bal to be patient, stress-free, do regular yoga, exercise and eat nutritious food for good health. A sapling and a memento was presented to the Governor by Sanjeev Sharma, Inspector General of Sashastra Seema Bal. On this occasion, Principal Secretary to the Governor D.P. Ahuja was also present.Governor Mangubhai Patel said that secured borders of the nation is lays the foundation of happiness and peace for the citizens. The soldiers stay awake to protect our borders while staying away from the family, so that we countrymen can sleep peacefully. Security is very important for holistic development of any country. Trainee officers should take inspiration from the stories of loyal, honest and brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice for the nation. Suppress anti-social elements and anti-national forces with full rigour for border security. Simultaneously, ensure the safety of people living on the borders. Injustice should never be done to any innocent. Governor Patel said that after hard training, you are going to assume the responsibility of protecting the countrys borders during Azadi ke Amrit Kaal. He congratulated the trainee officers on becoming members of the prestigious and proud security force of the country. In the welcome address, Inspector General of S.S.B. Academy Bhopal Sharma gave brief information about the 52-week training programme of 23 trainee officers selected from the Union Public Service Commission. Woman Trainee Officer Raunak Tyagi shared the experiences of training on behalf of all the trainee officers. In the programme, Deputy Secretary to the Governor Swarochish Somvanshi, Deputy Inspector General SSB Somit Joshi and concerned officers of Sashastra Seema Bal were present. A State-level coordinating body of trade unionists of unorganised sector workers, the Odisha Unorganised Workers Coordination Committee, met State Labour Minister, Sarada Prashad Nayak here on August 22. Former Minister and trade union leader Prafulla Ghadai was present among others and discussed with Minister Nayak. Nayak assured the delegation to take up different issues of the unorganised workers at appropriate forums. The delegation was comprised activist Manas Jena, Nrusinga Mishra, Narayan Nayak (OASSSC), Bansidhar Parida(AICCTU), Ramesh Jena(SBKSS), Bichitra Kumar Patra(TUCI), Amulya Bhoi and Kartik. The delegation pointed out that the minimum wage rate in Odisha is one of the lowest in the country and demanded its enhancement. The social security measures such as pension for widows, PWD and elderly also figured in the discussion. The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 was passed 15 years ago where there is provision for social security but the Act has not been implemented for a vast section of workers in Odisha, the delegation apprised and demanded dedicated schemes for the migrant workers. As more Chinese companies invest in LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) countries, there is an increased need for Chinese security firms to deal with local threats from local organized crime gangs as well as general lawlessness. When there are a lot of Chinese businesses in an area, that usually means Chinese gangsters are not far behind. After becoming familiar with the local culture, the Chinese gangsters will expand their operations to include local non-Chinese firms. This is a problem for the Chinese firms and for local police. The locals often cant tell the difference between Chinese businessmen and Chinese gangsters and adopt an anti-Chinese attitude that makes trouble for all Chinese in the area. Chinese firms came up with a solution; Chinese PSCs, or Private Security Companies. The Chinese PSCs not only provide security advice for the Chinese firms that hire them but also work with the local security forces to identify the Chinese criminal gangs operating in the area. The Chinese PSCs often partner with local private security firms to provide more comprehensive security services for Chinese firms. New Chinese firms in less developed nations are often introducing large new enterprises like mining or manufacturing. In many countries the new Chinese operations will attract the local gangsters and that can be a major problem. Chinese PSCs often hire former or retired Chinese police or security personnel. Former Chinese police commanders working for a Chinese PSC can establish contacts with local law enforcement and make life more difficult for the Chinese gangsters as well as improve security for the new Chinese firms. Local authorities appreciate this because as the new Chinese firms prosper, tax revenue increases as do opportunities for local officials to solicit bribes from the Chinese firms. This can sometimes get out of control and threaten the continued survival of the Chinese firms. Once more the Chinese PSCs make themselves useful and work independently or in cooperation with local police, to deal with the problem. The LAC nations are a new region for Chinese PSCs, the Chinese can rely on experience in other parts of the world, especially Africa and Asia. The cultures are different but the corruption and local criminals are similar. Chinese firms in less developed nations initially had a hard time adapting to the local security and government culture. This created the need for Chinese PSCs to deal with these problems competently, confidentially and in a familiar language. Even as the government claimed that the release order of Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi was as per law, the UP Congress and the sister of slain poetess Madhumita Shukla condemned the government action. Defending the decision to release Amarmani and Madhumani, Jail Minister Dharamveer Prajapati said that the action was taken on the basis of the decision of the chief minister and the governor of Uttar Pradesh. Prajapati said, In jails, files are processed on the basis of work and on the basis of the behaviour (of prisoners) and on the basis of policies. Further decisions are taken on the basis of the decision taken only after the instructions of the honorable chief minister and the governor. When the minister was asked about the opposition by Madhumitas sister, he said, We cannot point fingers at the discretion of the governor. Whatever files go to her from here, the governor studies them well and has discretion on them. She makes a complete decision. Whatever her decision is, it is acceptable to us. She doesnt take such a decision on any matter, her team does a complete study first. Only after that she makes a decision. Madhumita Shuklas sister Nidhi Shukla has expressed surprise and opposed this decision of the government. She released a video in which she said, We have filed a petition against Amarmani in the Supreme Court. The hearing is on August 25, that is today, then how has this order been passed? I pray that until there is no order from the Supreme Court, this release should be banned. She also apprehended threats to her and family members if Tripathi was released. The Supreme Court, however, refused to stay the proceedings and issued notice to the state government asking it to submit a reply on the issue within two weeks. The apex court said that if they were not convinced with the release, they would issue orders to arrest both again. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai also attacked the Yogi Adityanath government over the release order claiming that the truth behind the much publicised slogan Beti Bachao, Beti Pahadao of the Bharatiya Janata Party was once again exposed. Whether it was the case of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, former BJP Union minister Swami Chinmayananda, and now Amarmani Tripathi, a minister in the Kalyan Singh government, the BJP leaders went all out to give them clean chit or to set them free even when all were involved in sexual harassment and even murder cases, Rai alleged, adding that both Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath had a washing machine in which they could clean all the charges of criminals and goons once they joined BJP or supported it. The Delhi Police on Thursday said it will set up a virtual help desk through its website as part of elaborate traffic arrangements for the forthcoming G20 Summit. Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Surendra Singh Yadav said an advisory will soon be issued in this connection. As Indians, it is a matter of pride that we are hosting this summit. For us also, it is a matter of pride that we are providing police and traffic services for the heads of states and other dignitaries, Yadav said. We take it as a challenge. We have made elaborate arrangements and a detail traffic advisory has been prepared and it will be issued shortly, he added.India is hosting the G20 Summit and the main event will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10. The summit is likely to be attended by 29 heads of states as well as top officials of the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. Yadav mentioned that the Delhi Police will launch a virtual help desk through its website. The help desk will contain directions on how to avail of various services and have hustle-free movement. If you are availing of bus or taxi services or if your are going to the airport or railway station, it will contain detailed information of where services are available, Yadav said. The objective is to give detailed information on where regulations are in place in advance so that the people can plan their travel accordingly. The advisory will also be shared with MapmyIndia, Google Maps and other services so that they can configure it with their services during that time, the special commissioner added. The movement of heavy and medium goods vehicles will be controlled on September 8-10. However, there will be no impact on the movement of essential services. We will also set up a special ambulance assistance control room and issue a special helpline to facilitate the movement of ambulances, Yadav said. The senior officer added, Our deployment will be in place at 20 traffic junctions where we believe there will be ambulance movement. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Katangi and Pondi will be given tehsil status. Orders to the effect will be issued soon. The high school of Patan district headquarters will be upgraded to higher secondary school. Chouhan was interacting with women at the Katangi-Jabalpur Mahila Sammelan today. He said that the government has given women the means to run the government. The campaign to change their lives continues. Our women should be able to live with confidence and dignity. Schemes have been implemented to provide support and encouragement to them at every level. Chouhan said that 1.25 crore women are being showered with love and blessings. The rakhis of sisters are a strong bond of affection, love and affinity. Public Works Minister and in-charge of Jabalpur district Gopal Bhargava, Member of Parliament Rakesh Singh, former minister Ajay Vishnoi, local MLAs and public representatives were present. Chief Minister Chouhan performed virtual bhoomi-pujan of development works worth Rs 548 crore. This includes, Rs 503 crore Jabalpur Rural Group Water Supply Scheme, construction of 19.80 km long Patan-Pondi road at a cost of Rs 45 crore 78 lakh and the beautification work of Nidan Fall with an amount of Rs 10 lakhs. Chief Minister Chouhan said that the work of two CM Rise schools has started in Patan. Rs 38 to 40 crore will be spent on the construction of each school. Chief Minister Chouhan was welcomed with folk dance and Gudumbaja at the Sammelan venue. The Chief Minister welcomed the sisters and daughters who came to the conference with flowers and inaugurated the programme with kanya pujan and lighting the lamp. Peoples representatives welcomed Chief Minister Chouhan with huge garlands. Ladli Bahna Sena greeted Chouhan by waving placards sporting Dhanyawad Bhaiya ji for providing Rs one thousand per month and didis of self-help groups wrote Thanks to Shivraj Bhaiya for making Lakhpati Didis. The sisters presented rakhis to Chief Minister Chouhan. Chief Minister Chouhan administered Jal Sankalp to the sisters taking out the Jal Kalash Yatra under the Jal Jeevan Mission for water conservation and use of clean drinking water. The Chief Minister said that on August 27, at 1 pm, there will be a Raksha-Bandhan programme in Bhopal, in which sisters from their villages and wards will participate. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said no one could dare to extort money from street vendors in Uttar Pradesh today as was done in the past, nor did the street vendors have to beg for money from moneylenders, thanks to the PM SVANidhi scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at a programme organised at Lok Bhawan to distribute loans to 11,000 beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi and Self-Help Group Loan Scheme here on Thursday, Yogi said that 15 lakh street vendors were beneficiaries of the scheme in UP alone. Under PM SVANidhi scheme, the street vendors are getting loans in three installments of Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000. The second and third installments are provided on repayment of the first installment. The chief minister said before the Bharatiya Janata Party regime, no scheme was ever made for street vendors. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood the pain of street vendors and brought the PM SVANidhi scheme for them. He pointed out that Punjab National Bank, which is associated with the scheme now, has connected 200,000 people with this scheme so far. The state government has provided security insurance of Rs 5 lakh to the street vendors associated with PM SVANidhi so that their families do not face any kind of problem, the chief minister said and added that this scheme was the foundation of women empowerment as mostly women handled household work as well as engaged in street vending. During the programme, the first installment of Rs 10,000 revolving fund was given to 2,000 women of urban self-help groups. Additionally, two women self-help groups associated with the dairy sector were given a sum of Rs 6,00,000. The chief minister said that to empower half of the states population, the women of self-help groups had been integrated under the Take Home Ration Scheme. This has not only curbed corruption but has also enabled these women to earn extra income and support their families, he said. To buttress his point, Yogi said Balinee Milk Producers in Jhansi was established in 2019. He said the scheme began with six women and now, about 40,000 women were part of the group and the annual turnover of the company was more than Rs 150 crore and net profit approximately Rs 15 crore. The double-engine government is relentlessly working to strengthen society by standing with the last person on the last rung of society, he pointed out. Highlighting PNBs role in industrialisation of the state, the chief minister said that when funds were needed for the Ganga Expressway, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asked the PNB to overcome the financial shortfall. This expressway is one of the major expressways being built in the country, connecting Meerut with Prayagraj. Currently, it takes 15 to 16 hours to travel from Meerut to Prayagraj, but with the completion of this expressway, the distance will be covered in just six hours, he said. Yogi Adityanath further said that this expressway, being constructed at a cost of Rs 36,000 crore, would also lead to the creation of industrial corridors and provide employment opportunities to youth. The Reserve Bank of Indias report states that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in terms of investments across the country. The states economy has doubled in the last six years. Uttar Pradesh has risen from being a bimaru state to being categorised with developed states within the country. This expressway reflects the new Uttar Pradesh of new India, the chief minister said. Chief Minister Yogi pointed out that the UP government was creating a large industrial zone in Jhansi on the lines of Noida. He said that steps had already been taken to acquire about 35,000 acres of land for this purpose. The state government has approved the budget and connectivity to this region has been improved. The establishment of the defence manufacturing corridor is already underway, he pointed out. PNB can make a significant contribution to further enhance the potential of Bundelkhand, he added. On this occasion, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Urban Development Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma, State Minister Rakesh Rathore Guru, Chief Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra, and PNBs Managing Director Atul Kumar Goel, among others were present. Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Friday launched a scathing attack at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, slamming it on issues ranging from the imposition of export duty on onions to the violence in Manipur and the alleged misuse of Central agencies against political opponents. Addressing a rally in Kolhapur, the home district of rebel NCP leader Hasan Mushrif who joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2, Pawar said onion farmers in the state are not getting the right price for their efforts. "They need to get the amount spent by them on growing the crop. If that has to happen, onions have to be exported across the world. (But) the Modi government has imposed a steep duty of 40 per cent and after that Indian onions do not get customers. This led to the fall in the price of onions," Pawar said. Pawar said, as agriculture minister (in the Congress-led UPA government between 2004 and 2014) he never imposed export duty on onions and ensured the crop was exported. "The government's stand is to create hindrances to whatever the farmers produce," Pawar said. Farmers and traders have been protesting since Monday in Nashik over the Centre's decision on August 19 to impose 40 per cent export duty on onions till December 31, which they claim will create a glut in the domestic market and bring about a crash in prices. He also attacked the Centre for bringing in three contentious farm laws, that were withdrawn later after massive protests centred around Delhi, and said no government has insulted farmers more than the present dispensation. He said two women were paraded naked amid the violence that broke out in Manipur (in early May) but those who have power are not using it to save them. He said investments coming to Maharashtra are going to Gujarat, which was driving away employment opportunities of the youth here. Asserting that "power is being used to oppress opponents", Pawar cited the examples of his party colleagues Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh and Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. All three have been to jail amid probe in various cases and are currently out on bail. The Islamabad High Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing until Friday on the appeal filed by Pakistans jailed former prime minister Imran Khan challenging his conviction and sentence by a sessions court in the Toshakhana corruption case. A panel of judges comprising IHC chief justice Amer Farooq and justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri resumed the hearing of appeal against the conviction of 70-year-old Khan in the Toshakhana case. During the hearing, Khans lawyer Latif Khosa offered his argument against the conviction, asserting that the verdict was given in haste and its full of shortcomings. As the defence team completed arguments, the Election Commission of Pakistan lawyer Amjad Pervez started arguments. He told the court that he needed at least three hour to present his argument. Later, the court adjourned the hearing until 11.30 a.m. Friday. Separately, the Supreme Court also held a brief hearing and adjourned the case with remarks that it would wait for the outcome of hearing in the IHC. A three-member apex court panel led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail conducted a hearing of the petitions in the Toshakhana case. The case was launched last year in October on the complaint of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which had earlier disqualified Khan in the same case. After hearing spanning over months, Judge Humayun Dilawar of the Islamabad-based sessions court on August 5 awarded a three years sentence to Khan for hiding the proceeds he got from the sale of state gifts. Khan within days had challenged the conviction in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking to suspend his sentence and overturn the judgment. The court held the initial hearing on August 22 but adjourned the cases till August 24 after the ECP Lawyer Amjad Pervez stated that he had not been provided with the record of the case and needed time to prepare. Khans lawyer Latif Khosa opposed the move by the ECP counsel and pressed for a hearing and grant of request to suspend the sentence of Khan. However, the panel of judges had granted the request of the ECP lawyer and adjourned the hearing until Thursday. Earlier, the Supreme Court on Wednesday hearing various petitions against the Toshakhana case observed that there were shortcomings in the judgment of the sessions court. The panel observed that the verdict was given in haste and without giving right of defence to the accused. Prima facie, there are shortcomings in the trial court verdict, the chief justice said. The apex court had also stated it would wait for the IHC hearing before giving its judgment. It resumed hearing Thursday but adjourned it without fixing any date after it was told that the IHC was holding a hearing. The Toshakhana case was filed by ruling party lawmakers in 2022 in the ECP, alleging that Khan concealed the proceeds from the sale of state gifts. The ECP first disqualified him and then filed a case of criminal proceedings in a sessions court which convicted him and subsequently Khan was sent to jail. Khan is currently in Attock Jail where he was lodged after arrest following his conviction. He has also been disqualified for five years. The case alleges that Khan had deliberately concealed details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana - a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept - during his time as the prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and proceeds from their reported sales. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division. According to reports, Khan received 58 gifts worth more than Rs 140 million from world leaders during his three-and-a-half-year stint and retained all of them either by paying a negligible amount or even without any payment. Firefighters struggled Thursday against strong winds and hot, dry conditions to tame multiple wildfires burning for days in northeastern Greece and on the fringes of the countrys capital. The wildfires have left 20 people dead over the last week. Eighteen of those, including two boys aged between 10 and 15, are believed to be migrants who crossed the nearby border with Turkey. Their bodies were found by firefighters near a shack in a burnt forest area in northeastern Greece.Sixty firefighters have been injured battling the flames, fire department spokesman Ioannis Artopios said Thursday. Elsewhere in Europe, fires on Tenerife in Spains Canary Islands, northwestern Turkey near the border with Greece, Portugal and Italy were being brought under control, officials said.Greeces Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said arson was to blame for some of the blazes near Athens.Some ... arsonists are setting fires, endangering forests, property and above all human lives, Kikilias said in a televised statement. What is happening is not just unacceptable but despicable and criminal.The minister said nine fires had been set in the space of four hours Thursday in the area of Avlona, in the northern foothills of Mount Parnitha near the Greek capital. You are committing a crime against the country, Kikilias said. You will not get away with it. We will find you, you will be held accountable to justice. Dozens of firefighting aircraft, including from other European countries, and hundreds of ground forces were faced with tackling numerous fires across Greece. On Wednesday alone, firefighters battled 99 separate blazes across the country, authorities said. In Greeces northeast, a major fire in the Alexandroupolis area that forced several evacuations, including of the citys general hospital, was burning for a sixth day. According to the European Unions Copernicus Emergency Management Service, the Alexandroupolis fire had scorched more than 723 sq km (280 square miles) by Wednesday, making it one of the largest on European soil in several years. Copernicus is the EU space programmes Earth observation component and uses satellite imagery to provide mapping data. On the outskirts of Athens, a major fire that destroyed homes in the foothills of Mount Parnitha on Wednesday was racing across the mountains forested slopes and threatened the heart of a national park that is one of the last wooded areas near the Greek capital. Evacuation orders were issued for several outlying suburbs overnight into Thursday, while other neighbourhoods were put on standby for possible evacuation. With firefighting forces stretched to the limit, Greece has asked other European countries for assistance. Germany, Sweden, Croatia and Cyprus sent aircraft, while dozens of Romanian, French, Czech, Bulgarian and Albanian firefighters have been helping on the ground. Artopios, the Greek fire department spokesman, said 260 firefighters, including more than a dozen from France, were battling the Parnitha fire supported by 10 planes and 11 helicopters. Bulgarian, Albanian, Romanian and Czech firefighters with vehicles were helping in the Alexandroupolis fire. With their hot, dry summers, southern European countries are particularly prone to wildfires. European Union officials have blamed climate change for the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Europe, noting that 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfire damage on record after 2017. In Spains Tenerife, a fire that has scorched 150 sq km (58 square miles) was being brought under control by Wednesday night. Its a very tough battle that the firefighting teams are winning, Canary regional government counsellor Manuel Miranda said Wednesday evening. In Turkey, firefighters in the northwestern Canakkale province on Thursday brought a wildfire under control less than 48 hours after it erupted amid high temperatures and strong winds, Turkish Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. Yumakli said the fire, which had forced the evacuation of 11 villages, had affected 40 sq km (15 square miles), including 14 sq km (5.4 square miles) of agricultural land. A firefighting volunteer who was injured and six other people who suffered from smoke inhalation were being kept under observation in hospitals, Yumakli said. We are extremely happy that there was no loss of life, Yamukli said. However, we are heartbroken for other creatures of the ecosystem that were affected. Shipping traffic through the Dardanelles Strait, a major maritime thoroughfare linking the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara, was being partially restored to one lane only, after being completely suspended as fire-dousing aircraft use the waterway to pick up water. Yumakli said another fire in central Turkey has also been brought under control and there were no other active wildfires in the country Thursday. Two large fires in Portugal and a smaller one in Italy were brought under control by Thursday, those countries authorities said, but temperatures - and the risk of new fires - remained high. In another blow to Imran Khan, a Pakistani court has granted permission to police to arrest and investigate the jailed prime minister in connection to the May 9 vandalism incident at Lahores Corps Commanders House, better known as Jinnah House, it emerged on Thursday. The 70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman is currently lodged in the Attock District Jail in Punjab province after his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case earlier this month. The Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore issued the order to arrest and investigate Khan in relation to the vandalism incident on May 9 at the Jinnah House in response to a petition filed by the Lahore police investigation chief, the Express Tribune newspaper reported on Thursday. The police stated the necessity to probe and arrest the former prime minister for his alleged involvement in the Jinnah House arson case. An investigation team would be sent to Attock Jail to investigate the PTI chairman. The team would submit its report to the court, the report said quoting police sources. The sources said for the time being Khans arrest in the arson case would be kept on hold. Pakistan saw massive nationwide anti-government protests following the arrest of Khan by paramilitary Rangers in a corruption case on May 9. Khan was later released on bail. Dozens of military installations and government buildings, including the Corps Commanders House in Lahore and the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were damaged or torched during the riots. Over 100 vehicles of police and other security agencies were set on fire. Following the violent protests, law enforcement agencies arrested over 10,000 PTI workers across Pakistan, 4,000 of them from Punjab province only. The PTI contests that its members were not involved in the attacks, but the government and military reject the claims and say they have irrefutable evidence of their involvement. Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services primarily in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, notice, cash management, US dollar, and chequing accounts, as well as organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, and equipment financing and leasing products; agriculture lending products; mortgages; lines of credits; registered retirement savings loans; consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards. In addition, the company offers cash management services; life and disability insurance products; and ATM, mobile, and online banking services, as well cheque order services. Further, it provides investment products comprising guaranteed investment certificates, US dollars investments plans, registered retirement income funds, tax-free savings accounts, registered education savings plans, and mutual funds, as well as personal and business planning services. Canadian Western Bank was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc., through its subsidiary, Farmers and Merchants Bank, provides commercial and retail banking services to individuals and businesses in Baltimore and Carroll counties in Maryland, and surrounding areas of northern Maryland. It offers checking, savings, money market, individual retirement, and sweep accounts, as well as certificates of deposit, remote check deposits, and repurchase agreements. The company also provides credit for residential mortgages, including federal housing administration and veterans affairs loans; construction loans; home equity lines; personal installment loans; and other consumer financing, as well as finances commerce and industry by providing credit and deposit services for small to medium size businesses and the agricultural community. In addition, it offers commercial lending, which includes commercial mortgages, land acquisition and development loans, lines of credit, accounts receivable financing, and term loans for fixed asset purchases, as well as loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture. Further, the company provides automated teller machine, internet, mobile banking, and automated telephone services, as well as debit and credit cards. It serves customers through its office located in Upperco, Maryland; branches located in Hampstead, Greenmount, Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Eldersburg, and Westminster, Maryland; and a satellite branch located in Westminster, Maryland. Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Hampstead, Maryland. Digital Realty is a real estate investment trust focused entirely on data centers. The company owns, acquires, develops, and operates a network of global data centers and the cloud-based solutions cloud service providers need to access and maximize them. The company has set itself apart from the traditional data center REIT by unifying its holdings across one digital platform called PlatformDIGITALR which provides seamless control of data flow. The company was formed in 2004 when GI Partners contributed 24 newly acquired data centers to help form the business. Later that same year, the company went public through an IPO that provided the capital to begin a campaign of acquisition. The company has been steadily adding square footage and new locations to its network ever since and it is still not done. The expansion has helped to deliver a 10% FFO CAGR and fuel a steadily rising dividend distribution. The company made its 16th consecutive annual dividend increase in 2022 and additional increases are expected each year. Digital Realty's global footprint provides access to connected businesses in more than 284 facilities in 23 countries. As of mid-2022, it had more than $53 billion in assets and was listed as the US 8th largest publicly traded REIT. Digital Realty supports the world's IT infrastructure by providing a full range of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. Businesses can choose to rely solely on Digital Realty for their data center needs or use Digital Realtys propriety cloud-based solutions to interconnect multiple data centers, and clouds, or connect to a private network. PlatformDIGITALR is the company's global data center platform. It provides customers with a proven solution for operating on the cloud, scaling a digital business, and managing its data flow. The platform allows for seamless connection to providers and services that are in demand by todays rapidly changing digital businesses. Digital Realty Trust is a key member of the Green Grid, a consortium of industry insiders and policy makers focused on making data centers more efficient and sustainable. Digital Realty Trust offers industry-leading efficiency alongside its world-class quality data centers. Digital Realty Trust data centers require fewer building materials and provide industry-leading power usage levels or PUEs. 1 Wall Street equities research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for American Strategic Investment in the last year. There are currently 1 hold rating for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street equities research analysts is that investors should "hold" NYC shares. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in NYC, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View NYC analyst ratings or view top-rated stocks. Pfizer Inc. is a US-based multinational biotech company. The company operates as a research-based pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, production and marketing of medicines and vaccines. It is the 2nd largest drugmaker globally by revenue and is ranked 64th on the Fortune 500 list. The companys avenues of research include Immunology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology. Regarding its product line, the company has at least ten blockbuster drugs producing more than $1 billion in avenue revenue each. The company brought in over $81 billion in total revenue in 2021. The US is its main market and represents roughly 50% of all revenue. China and Japan make up roughly 12% of the business, while the rest come from the rest of the world. It employs roughly 79,000 people and is headquartered in New York state. Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer Sr. and his cousin Charles Earhart. The two were German immigrants and chemists that set up shops outside New York City to make medicinal compounds. The first major success was an antiparasitic called santonin, and the commercialization of citric acid-making technologies quickly followed that up. Their success with citric acid led to the companys expansion and other major discoveries. World War I caused a shortage of materials for making citric acid and forced the company to seek alternatives. The one they latched on to was the fermentation of certain fungi known to produce citric acid naturally. This led to the advancement of fermentation technology that was later used in the commercial production of penicillin and then the advancement of antibiotics in general. Pfizer Inc was incorporated on June 2nd, 1942 in Delaware, and another period of expansion began. The postwar drop in demand for penicillin led to the discovery of newer, more marketable antibiotics and cemented the companys role in modern medicine. By the time he 80s rolled around, the company was trading on the New York Stock Exchange and on the path to developing todays blockbuster lineup. The companys top seller in 2021 was Comirnaty, a COVID-19 vaccine. It generated nearly $37 billion in 2021 and was followed by Prevnar, Ibrance and Eliquis with just over $5 billion in sales each. Other blockbuster names on Pfizers list include Xeljanz and Enbrel, each bringing in $3.5 billion. Pfizer operates 39 research and production facilities worldwide and sells its products in 125 countries. As of 2022, the company had a robust pipeline of potential treatments, with more than 220 in some stage of clinical trials. Among its leading candidates is a vaccine for RSV, a life-threatening respiratory disease affecting children. 2021 highlights include 8 FDA approvals, four new regulatory submissions and 13 new trial startups. Pfizer is also a well-known dividend payer and has returned more than $8.7 billion to shareholders since going public. Founded in 1971, Southwest Airlines Co. is one of the world's most respected and awarded airlines. The company is known for offering customers great value and excellent service. Currently, Southwest Airlines Co. services 121 airports in 11 countries. The year 2021 marked the company's 51st anniversary, and it continues to work toward democratizing the sky by providing a reliable, low-cost air travel experience. More air travelers flying nonstop in the U.S. fly Southwest Airlines Co. than any other major airline. Southwest Airlines operates a large fleet of 771 Boeing 737 aircraft, making it the largest owner and operator of 737s in the world. It has traditionally only flown Boeing 737s, though it has leased other Boeing models for profitability and route testing. Southwest Airlines Co.'s fleet serves 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as in 10 other countries, including Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Southwest Airlines Co. is based in Dallas and is famous for its employee-first corporate culture. The company has maintained an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its 51-year history, providing employees stability and pride in their employer. Southwest Airlines Co. has led the industry with 47 consecutive years of profitability and growth. Southwest Airlines Co. uses humor in its marketing, with slogans like "Love Is Still Our Field," "The Somebody Else Up There Who Loves You," "Just Plane Smart" and "You're Now Free to Move About the Country." To increase customer loyalty, the company launched a rewards program in 2011 that awards points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals and purchases at partner retailers, which consumers can redeem for free flights. Southwest Airlines Co. has significantly influenced other low-cost carriers and the aviation industry as a whole. Its competitive strategy is to increase aircraft and employee productivity to reduce turnaround time at the gate. Ryanair and EasyJet have mirrored this rolling hub or point-to-point network strategy. Southwest has also had a lot of industry influence through its lobbying efforts, primarily to lobby against the development of high-speed rail systems in favor of providing more point-to-point flights between major cities. However, in recent years, Southwest Airlines Co. has been affected by customer lawsuits, flight delays and cancelations and system disruptions due to not investing in newer technologies. Southwest Airlines Co. has provided value to its shareholders for many years, having returned more than $12.9 billion through stock repurchases and dividends as of March 2020. However, in the first quarter of 2020, the company had to suspend its dividend payments due to the uncertain market and COVID-19. On December 6, 2022, the board of directors decided to reinstate its quarterly cash dividend at 18 cents per share. This reinstated dividend equaled the expected dividend when it disappeared in 2020. Southwest Airlines Co. is a leader in the aviation industry, providing great customer service, hospitality, employee stability and value to its shareholders. Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, produces, and sells ethical drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and intermediates in Japan. The company provides its products in the therapeutic areas of digestive system, nervous system, and allergic diseases, as well as vitamins, antibiotics, and oncology products. It also offers IT service related to healthcare; and disease risk testing services. In addition, the company is involved with research and development of diagnostic drugs; and planning, development and OEM manufacturing of health food, pharmaceuticals, general food and other products. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The following companies are subsidiares of Zoetis: Abaxis, Abaxis Asia Limited, Abaxis Europe GmbH, Abaxis Inc., Abaxis South East Europe d. o.o., Abaxis UK Limited, Alpharma Animal Health Company, Alpharma Animal Health Hong Kong Co. Limited, Alpharma Bermuda LLC, Alpharma Euro Holdings LLC, Alpharma Holdings Barbados SRL, Alpharma LLC, Alpharma Luxembourg S.A.R.L. y Compania Limitada, Alpharma do Brasil Ltda., Bovigen, Catapult Genetics Pty Ltd, Continental Farmaceutica SPRL, Cross Vetpharm Group Limited, Embrex LLC, Ethos Diagnostic Science, Fish Vet Group, Fish Vet Group Limited, Jilin Zoetis Guoyuan Animal Health Co. Ltd., Jorox Pty, King Animal Health, Microtek International Inc, Mikjan Corporation, Nexvet, Nexvet Australia Pty Ltd, PAH 7V6 Holding Limited, PAH CHHK Holding B.V., PAH India Holdco LLC, PAH India Holding 1 B.V., PAH Netherlands 2 B.V., PAH Oceania B.V., PAH Spain S.L., PHARMAQ, PT Zoetis Animalhealth Indonesia, Performance Livestock Analytics, Performance Livestock Analytics Inc., Pharmaq AS Chile Limitada, Pharmaq AS Service SpA, Pharmaq AS., Pharmaq Analytiq AS, Pharmaq Analytiq Limited, Pharmaq Analytiq SpA, Pharmaq Fishteq AS, Pharmaq Fishteq SpA, Pharmaq Ltd, Pharmaq Spain Aqua SL, Pharmaq Veterinar Ecza Deposu ve su Urunleri Ticaret Ltd Ski, Pharmaq Vietnam Company Limited, Phoenix Central Laboratory for Veterinarians Inc., Phoenix Lab, Platinum Performance, Platinum Performance Inc., Pumpkin Holdings Inc., Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc., Scandinavian Micro Biodevices, Smartbow GmbH, Smartbow RUS OOO, Synbiotics Corporation, Synbiotics LLC, Vetnex Animal Health Ltd, Virtual Recall, Virtual Recall Limited, Virtual Recall Pty Ltd, ZNLabs, ZNLabs LLC, ZOETISECUADOR Cia. Ltda., Zoetis Animal Health ApS, Zoetis Argentina S.R.L., Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd, Zoetis Australia Research & Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Zoetis B.V., Zoetis Belgium S.A., Zoetis Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Zoetis Broomhill IP Limited, Zoetis Broomhill Property Limited, Zoetis C.A., Zoetis Canada Inc., Zoetis Colombia S.A.S., Zoetis Costa Rica S.R.L., Zoetis Denmark ApS, Zoetis Deutschland GmbH, Zoetis Egypt LLC, Zoetis Egypt Pharmaceuticals LLC, Zoetis Egypt Trading LLC, Zoetis Enterprise Management Shanghai Co. Ltd., Zoetis Finland Oy, Zoetis France, Zoetis Hayvan Sagligi Ltd. Sti., Zoetis Hellas S.A., Zoetis Holdings LLC, Zoetis Hungary Kft., Zoetis Import Egypt LLC, Zoetis India Limited, Zoetis Industria de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda., Zoetis International Holdings B.V., Zoetis Israel Holding B.V., Zoetis Italia S.r.l., Zoetis Japan K.K., Zoetis Korea Ltd., Zoetis LLC, Zoetis Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Zoetis Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Zoetis Manufacturing & Research Spain S.L., Zoetis Manufacturing Italia S.R.L., Zoetis Medolla Manufacturing S.R.L., Zoetis Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Zoetis Netherlands 1 B.V., Zoetis Netherlands 3 B.V., Zoetis Netherlands 4 B.V., Zoetis Netherlands 5 B.V., Zoetis New Zealand Limited, Zoetis OOO, Zoetis Overseas Holding B.V., Zoetis Overseas Services Inc., Zoetis Panama S. de R.L., Zoetis Pharmaceutical Research Private Limited, Zoetis Philippines Inc., Zoetis Polska sp. z o.o, Zoetis Portugal Lda., Zoetis Products Inc., Zoetis Reference Laboratories China Co. Ltd., Zoetis Reference Labs LLC, Zoetis Romania SRL, Zoetis S.R.L., Zoetis Salud Animal de Bolivia S.A., Zoetis Schweiz GmbH, Zoetis Services LLC, Zoetis Singapore Pte. Ltd., Zoetis South Africa Pty Ltd., Zoetis Spain S.L., Zoetis Subsidiary Holdings Inc., Zoetis Suzhou Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Zoetis Sweden AB, Zoetis Taiwan Limited, Zoetis Thailand Limited, Zoetis Treasury Center BV, Zoetis UK Limited, Zoetis US LLC, Zoetis Ukraine LLC, Zoetis Vietnam Limited Liability Company, Zoetis WLC LLC, Zoetis Weesp B.V., Zoetis Yantai Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Zoetis de Chile S.A., Zoetis de Uruguay S.R.L., Zoetis Osterreich GmbH, and Zoetis Ceska republika s.r.o.. Read More LOZITHA - The Indian High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Ram Prasad, delivered good news to the King as he was presenting his letter of credence. Prasad, together with the Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Ushio Shigeru, presented their letters of credence to His Majesty King Mswati III at Lozitha Palace yesterday afternoon. The Indian high commissioner said since his arrival in the country, he had taken up an offer of Jaipur Foot Camp, under which his government was ready to provide limbs to more than 500 differently abled emaSwati. He said they were already working with the Ministry of Health to expeditiously organise this camp, which would change lives of differently-abled emaSwati for the better. Development Again, he said as a key development partner, they had offered generic drugs with World Health Organisation (WHO)-prescribed standards at nominal prices under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). I am sure that the implementation of this offer in Eswatini will alleviate the scarcity of basic medicines in the kingdom and provide affordable healthcare to all in the country, the high commissioner said. It is worth noting that the countrys health sector has been short of basic medical drugs for a while now. In that regard, the King said the support which the country had been getting from India had touched lives of many emaSwati. He said as they would be exploring new areas of cooperation, he knew that India had good pharmaceutical companies. He said this was evident as India helped the country during the outbreak of COVID-19 by donating remedies that helped emaSwati. Therefore, he said if India could bring some of its pharmaceutical companies and others from other sectors, into the country, it could be of great help to the nation. On another note, the high commissioner said during the State visit of their president in April 2018, India gave a cash grant of US$1 million (about E19 million) to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA); in-kind donation of 700 tonnes of rice and 300 tonnes of beans for the agency, medicines and medical equipment worth US$3 million (about E37 milion). He added that the Maphalaleni/Lubuyane irrigation infrastructure project in the Hhohho Region, which the president announced during the visit, was implemented with the grant assistance of US$400 000 (about E7.6 million). He said this had resulted in transforming lives of local farmers from subsistence to commercial farming. India was the first country to have donated 20 000 COVID-19 vaccines to Eswatini in March 2021, when most of the developed world was hoarding it (vaccines), the high commissioner said. Among other successes, he said the completion of an Agriculture Development and Mechanisation Project under a Line of Credit of US$37.9 million (about E720 million) resulted in maize productivity in Eswatini increasing by six times. He added that the completion of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), with the Line of Credit of US$20 million (about E380 million), opened vistas for emaSwati into Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Being the worlds largest polluter is an easy task for the communist Chinese state, but amongst little things like mass genocide that are completely ignored by the West and its trading partners, China is a huge economy that has forged relations with over 200 trading partners with its intricate global trade connections. The concentration and work camps where the Uyghur people are systematically murdered in mass genocide are inconsequential when it comes to making money for many global traders. The cheap communist labour is the key for conglomerates like Nike and Apple flourishing, what is built for a pittance in China where workers literally die in factories is sold for huge markups in the West. Colonisation of Africa is also a part of Chinas evil hold with the Belt and Road initiative. This is where vast bribes are delivered to poor African nations so long as Chinese companies can plunder their natural resources and when the African nations realise they are indebted to China for the poor quality cheap roads and hospitals built, it is too late. In essence, every single nation in the world is connected via trade to China, and this has allowed the country to build up its military to formidable levels. According to Visualcapitalist.com over the course of 2022, China saw exports totalling $3.57 trillion and imports totalling $2.71 trillion, giving it a massive trade surplus of $857 billion. The idiots who supposedly run the West do not realise Chinas intentions to attack and take over vast swathes of the globe, and are blinded by their gluttony with Chinas capabilities to produce cheap shoddy toxic plastic trinkets. One day, when China releases its military on the earth, it will be too late for many nations who were caught asleep at the wheel. Chinas evil hold over global trade, much like an octopus grip, is tightening every day until death eventually occurs. MBABANE Unconstitutional provision! A full bench of the High Court has declared unconstitutional, the section of the Liquor Licence Act, 1964, which provided that the decision of the minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade when it comes to appeals in respect of a grant, renewal, removal or transfer of a licence, should be final and should not be questioned in any court. Section 11 bis of the Act provided that an applicant or an objector aggrieved by the decision of the Liquor Licensing Board in respect of a grant, renewal, removal of transfer of a licence, may within 21 days of such decision, appeal to the minister, whose decision shall not be questioned in any court. The court found that part of the abovementioned section was inconsistent with the constitution. Judgment In its judgment, the Supreme Court stated that, the position was that from the date of the promulgation of the constitution, any other law inconsistent with the supreme law of the land, to the extent of its inconsistency, was void. The court said the Act was inconsistent with Section 2(1) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, which states that, the Constitution is the supreme law of Eswatini and if any other law is inconsistent with the constitution, that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. The genesis of the matter is that Bongani Mabuza, trading as Gold Sikhova Wine and Malt, approached the court to declare Section 11bis of the Act void for being inconsistent with Section 152, read with Section 33 of the Constitution. Section 152 stipulates that, the High Court shall have and exercise review and supervisory jurisdiction over all subordinate courts and tribunals or any lower adjudicating authority and may in exercise of that jurisdiction, issue order and directions for the purpose of enforcing or securing enforcement of its review or supervisory powers. Jurisdiction Mabuza averred that, Section 152 conferred upon the court powers to exercise review and supervisory jurisdiction over all subordinate courts or any adjudicating authority. He highlighted that Section 33 (1) gives a person appearing before any administrative authority the right to be heard and be treated fairly. It was his contention that any person, who was aggrieved with the decision taken against him by an administrative authority, had the right to apply to a court of law. Mabuza is the proprietary of a wine malt styled Golide Lasikhova Wine and Malt at the third respondents (Montigny Usutu Forest Products Limited Company). Respondents in the matter were Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Montingy (Usutu Forest Products Limited Company). He applied for a renewal with the Liqour Licensing Board under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and the board granted him licence renewal. The third respondent appealed the decision of the board to the minister, who they wanted to reverse the decision of the board. The applicant told the court that he was taken aback by the first respondents (minister) decision to reverse the boards decision, because he was not furnished with the ruling of the board and the appeal itself, to be able to appraise himself with the grounds raised on appeal. Appeal He then filed an application before the High Court to review, correct and set aside the ministers decision and also challenge the constitutionality of Section 11 bis of which the minister relied upon to hear and determine the appeal. The issue lied with the latter part of the provision, which stated that the ministers decision should be final and not be questioned by any court of law. The full bench had been called upon to determine whether the provision was inconsistent with the constitution or not. During the argument of the matter, the respondents submitted in opposition, that in accordance with Section 11 bis, the ministers decision should be final and should not be challenged or be questioned in any court of law. It was further the respondents contention that, the applicant should have challenged the constitutionality of Section 11 bis first before reviewing the ministers decision. Administrative In its judgment, the full bench of the High Court stated that several constitutional provisions in the constitution bestowed the High Court with powers of reviewing decisions or proceedings of officers performing quasi-judicial or administrative functions like that performed by the minister in the present matter. Quasi-judicial refers to a proceeding conducted by an administrative or executive official or organisation that is similar to a court proceeding. The applicant was represented Meluleki Ndlangamandla of MLK Ndlangamandla Attorneys, while appearing for the minister and the ministry was Siboniso Hlawe from the chamber of the Attorney General. The third respondent was represented by Marcia Hillary of M.J Hillary Attorneys. The matter was heard by Justices John Magagula, Maxine Langwenya and Sabelo Masuku. MBABANE A 70-year-old traditional healer has been identified and authorised by the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) team of researchers to produce complementary medicine to manage HIV/AIDS. The medication is expected to be commercialised soon after the study is completed, by the end of March 2024. Funding worth E11 371 512, (about 600 000 US$) has been committed towards the project by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with the European Union. The healer will be unveiled next week, when the project is launched. The project is led by the Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio) with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) in Zimbabwe and UNESWA. Leading According to Dr Gugu Sibandze from UNESWA, who is leading the project, the traditional remedy is expected to be used together with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) as complementary medication. We are not replacing what is already in the market. It will come handy when there is a situation experienced, including drug shortages, she said. Part of the study, she explained, involved examining all the ARVs that were already in the market to ensure that there would be no interruption when patients took the complementary traditional remedy. She said this would assist them when dealing with patients. Furthermore, she noted that as time went by, they would also examine how the liver of their clients reacted after using the solution. Solution Considering case studies of those who used the solution before, it was discovered that they had not experienced any challenges, she said. Sibandze stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had guidelines for complementary medicines for Africa, which stated that if the medication had been used for a long time, it had evidence to be safe. Likewise, she said the same standards applied to the Western medicines. Therefore, she added that it was key for them to look at a study which informed them on what would happen to the clients taking the medication. Sibandze said new evidence had to be documented time and again in order to quickly pick up side effects. As a team, we want to come up with a quality product for emaSwati, which is safe, she added. She said effectiveness of the product was just an added value. Meanwhile, she added that a number of people were taking complementary medication and nobody was following on what was happening to them, but this shall not apply with the product as they wanted to ensure that it was safe. She said they would be working together with the local healer, who they signed a non-disclosure agreement with. Sibandze stated that they met the healer about 10 years ago and chose her because she stood out from others. She said the healer trusted them and was able to share everything with them, without holding back. She said together with the team of scientists, they also went out with the healer to identify the plants she used in producing the HIV/AIDS medication. Sibandze said they managed to record everything in their data base. This, she said, included recording dosages. She stated that dosages used by the healer had been improved as they were using her measurements against their scale to determine the exact quantity. Manufacture The healer was able to manufacture the solution in our presence and used her measurements, which were placed on a scale and came up with a precise quantity, she explained. When reproducing the remedy in the lab, she said they would use the quantities they recorded, including dosages. She said by so doing, they were developing what the healer already had, as she used her hands to measure quantity before. As such, she said the recipe was documented accordingly. Sibandze said the healer used five different plants, which were sourced from different parts of the country. She said the remedy had a long history of usage and there were no reported side effects and, therefore, it was considered safe by the healer. According to Sibandze, the research team had also interviewed clients who had been using the traditional remedy to make sure it was reliable. She said some of the clients had been using it before the introduction of ARVs. She also mentioned that they were collaborating with Zimbabwe but were also working on their own complementary remedy. Sibandze said they were working jointly with Zimbabwe and applied for funding from SADC, although they were conducting their own study on a similar project in their country. She said the project would be fully owned by Eswatini for national benefit. Agreements have been signed by the two countries (Zimbabwe and Eswatini) to ensure that the idea remains in the countries, she said. Also, she said South Africa (SA) was prevented from using the study of both countries for its own gain. Complementary Furthermore, she noted that the required tests by the Ministry of Health, when registering a complementary product in the market, would be followed. She said the science part had been covered already as the medicine had been tested using the WHO guidelines for complementary medication, to show evidence and data. Sibandze said they were yet to follow the countrys guidelines required when registering complementary medication. We are yet to sit and engage with the Ministry of Health on the requirements, she said. She added that with the gained knowledge and produced document, others who wanted to manufacture complementary medicines would follow the processes. Furthermore, she mentioned that they would be able to have an idea on how to introduce the product in the market after concluding the study and coming up with the document next year. Once the product is registered, she said it would be able to be absorbed into the market. Sibandze said the product would be produced in the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility and not in someone elses house or consultation hut (indumba). This, she said, was because any food and medication consumed by humans needed to have standards where production took place. In this case, she said Eswatini did not have such a facility and would sub-contract with one in SA for purposes of large scale production. The duo, belonging to Chandrayangutta in the city, were arrested by National Investigative Agency (NIA) in August 2018. (Representational image) HYDERABAD: A Delhi-based special court to try NIA cases has sentenced two Hyderabad-based youths Abdullah Basith and Abdul Qadeer to five years of imprisonment for working for global terrorist organisation ISIS. The duo, belonging to Chandrayangutta in the city, were arrested by National Investigative Agency (NIA) in August 2018. The court on Friday found them guilty of actively promoting the agenda of international terrorist organisation ISIS and working to expand its base in India. They were a part of the Abu Dhabi module, in which prime accused who radicalised Basith into the network, operated from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The court also ordered the duo to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 each. According to the NIA, Abdullah Basith, an engineering dropout, was also part of the ISIS Abu Dhabi module and was engaged in actively propagating its ideology to expand it in India. He had radicalised and motivated his friends to join ISIS and collected funds from accused Adnan Hussain and other associates. He had even facilitated the visa and passport of radicalised youth with the help of the funds collected. He had also been involved in arranging and managing meetings with his associates to strengthen and expand the ISIS footprint in India. Another accused Mohammed Abdul Qadeer had come in contact with Abdullah Basith after watching Basiths television interview in May 2017. He also became a part of the conspiracy and supported the activities of Abdullah Basith in promoting the ISIS ideology. He openly professed to be a supporter and member of the Islamic State and also attended various meetings of ISIS organised by Abdullah Basith. Their role came to light during the investigation of the Abu Dhabi module operated by Sheikh Azhar Al Islam Sattar Sheikh, Mohammed Farhan Mohammed Rafiq Shaikh and Adnan Hussain, all members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), all Indian nationals, then residing in Dubai. They conspired and actively involved to identify, motivate, radicalise, recruit through social media platforms, and train gullible Indian Muslim youth, both within and outside the country, to initiate them into the planning and execution of terrorist attacks. They were convicted in the year 2017 and sentenced to seven years of imprisonment. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has released Rs 216.34 crore benefiting 2,62,169 individuals who missed the benefits of welfare schemes between December 2022 and July 2023. (Image: By Arrangment) Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has released Rs 216.34 crore benefiting 2,62,169 individuals who missed the benefits of welfare schemes between December 2022 and July 2023. "The government would ensure that no eligible person misses the benefits of our welfare schemes for any reason. This is the aim of our Navaratnaalu administration," the CM said while releasing the amount from his Camp Office here on Thursday. The Chief Minister said, "We are striving to do justice to all eligible households and individuals in the implementation of welfare schemes with utmost transparency. The benefits are being disbursed to all eligible beneficiaries irrespective of their caste, creed and political affiliations," he said. Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "The amount would be directly credited to the bank accounts of those who missed the benefits under the Jagananna Chedodu, YSR EBC Nestam, YSR Nethanna Nestam, YSR Matsyakara Bharosa, Jagananna Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, Vasathi Deevena, YSR Sunna Vaddi Panta Runalu and YSR Aasara schemes." The government has spent Rs 1,647 crore in four tranches, extending benefits to those who missed the benefits despite having eligibility after the inception of the scheme in December 2021, he said. The Chief Minister said the beneficiaries included 12,405 and 1,630 persons found eligible in Jagananna Suraksha and Jaganannaku Chebudam respectively. While 1,49,875 persons have been added to the pensioners list, Aarogyasri cards, ration cards and house site pattas are being issued to 4,327, 2,00,312 and 12,069 eligible people afresh respectively while 94,62,184 persons were issued different certificates after their grievances were solved in Jagananna Suraksha camps. The Chief Minister virtually interacted with some of the beneficiaries from different districts. Deputy chief minister Muthyala Naidu (PR&RD), urban development minister Adimulapu Suresh, chief secretary Jawahar Reddy and senior officials were present. MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi HYDERABAD: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi government for allegedly seeking a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Brics summit in South Africa. "Our PM @PMOIndia is going around asking for meetings with the Chinese President while keeping his own country in the dark about the real situation on the Ladakh border. What is Modi trying to hide?", the Hyderabad MP asked in a tweet on Friday. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China President Xi Jinping were seen having a brief conversation on the sidelines of the Brics summit. Though the Indian officials have said that the request for the meeting had come from China, the Chinese foreign office spokesperson said that "President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi" at the request of Indian authorities. "The two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region," the Chinese spokesperson said. Responding to the Chinese foreign office statement, Owaisi further asked: "Our brave soldiers have stayed on the border for 40 months and are not cowed down by the Chinese. Why cant Modi stand up to Xi, and trust our soldiers? Is this loss of territory acceptable to Modi?" "The capitulation by the Modi government before China on the border issue is shameful and dangerous. This is not Modis private property , it is a matter of national security and needs to be debated in a special session of parliament." Built in Vizag ships for Indian Navy. (Image credit: www.hslvizag.in) NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, to acquire five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at a total cost of approximately Rs 19,000 crore. These FSS ships will be designed and constructed indigenously by HSL, Visakhapatnam. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved this acquisition during its meeting on August 16. The primary role of the FSS ships will be to replenish other naval vessels at sea with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, allowing the Indian Naval Fleet to operate for extended periods without returning to harbour. This acquisition will enhance the strategic reach and mobility of the fleet and significantly boost the Indian Navy's blue-water capability. Additionally, these ships can be deployed for evacuation and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. These Fleet Support Ships, weighing 44,000 tons each, represent the first-of-its-kind construction in India by an Indian Shipyard. This project is expected to generate employment opportunities, equivalent to nearly 168.8 lakh mandays, over eight years. The construction of these ships will not only boost the Indian shipbuilding industry but also encourage active participation from associated industries, including MSMEs. The defence ministry said that with the majority of equipment and systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will proudly represent 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and align with the 'Make in India' initiatives of the government. Hon'ble CM Sri K. Chandrashekar Rao along with Hon'ble Governor @DrTamilisaiGuv inaugurated the newly constructed Mosque in the premises of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat today. (Photo: Twitter) HYDERABAD: Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, who was visiting the Secretariat for the first time, and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao inaugurated a temple, mosque and a church in the premises of the state administrative headquarters on Friday. The Chief Minister, speaking at the event, said that the state government had set an example by setting up places of worship of three different religions in one place, something that India should learn from. Having three places of worship in one place was a true symbol of love and brotherhood that everyone should emulate. "We have set a best example of how people from different faiths can work together, pray, and live in peace and harmony. India can learn from this," Rao said, to applause from the invitees who included ministers, MLAs, MLCs, MPs, senior officials and Secretariat employees. Rao said that the state government was making all the efforts to preserve communal harmony and peace. The Governor and CM participated in the idol installation ceremony and puja at the Nalla Pochamma temple after taking part in the Chandiyagam and Purnahuti. A special puja was performed in the adjoining Lord Shiva temple and Lord Anjaneya temple. The Governor and CM took part in the inauguration of the church. Dr Soundararajan cut the ribbon and entered the church along with CM. After Bible reading by Bishop M.A. Daniel, the Governor cut a cake and shared it with the CM and religious heads. Later, CSI Bishop K. Padma Rao and Bishop John Gollapally offered special prayers. Secretariat Christian Association employees members Jacob Ross Bhumpag and others presented bouquets to the Governor and the Chief Minister and felicitated them with shawls. Bishops, pastors, evangelists and others from various churches attended the programme. Bishops, pastors and members of Secretariat Christian Association employees thanked the CM for building a church in the Secretariat premises. "Unlike any other state secretariat, the Telangana government constructed a church to promote interfaith brotherhood," they said. Later, the Governor and CM reached the mosque built next to the church. Imams and Muslim clerics welcomed them in Islamic tradition. Dr Soundararajan cut the ribbon to mark the inauguration of the mosque, with Chandrashekar Rao at her side. The CM participated in the religious programme and special prayers. Home minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, MIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and MIM floor leader Akbaruddinh Owaisi and other dignitaries were present. "It is an auspicious and very happy time. Almighty Allah's grace is upon us and brotherhood should flourish in the state. The government will continue its efforts to maintain religious harmony. It is a very happy occasion that a new mosque with great architecture is built in the Secretariat premises. Temples, mosques and churches should be opened to reflect secularism that the country practices. I pray and hope that the friendly existence of all communities will continue forever. I pray to Allah that there will always be peace," Chandrashekar Rao said. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. (Photo- PTI) VISHAKHAPATNAM: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi often praised the "good work" being done by AP Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Speaking at the foundation stone setting ceremony of the Central Tribal University in Vizianagaram district, the Union minister heaping praise on the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government for imparting education in the mother tongue. "This is a good model and Prime Minister Modi too has appreciated it," he said. Pradhan said, "I am congratulating the AP government. They have developed unique books, bilingual books. On one page, the content is in English and on the other page, the content is in Telugu. This is a good model. On the tribal university, Pradhan said it would lead to all-round development of adivasis in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, "by also nurturing the cultures and languages of the adivasis while imparting them higher education that include exposure to modern technology." Pradhan said the central government would allot Rs 2,000 crore for development of the university in phases. He thanked Jagan Mohan Reddy for acquiring 561 acres of land for the university. Telangana Congress state president A. Revanth Reddy. (DC Image) Hyderabad: Calling MIM chief Assaduddin Owaisi the chota bhai (younger brother) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy on Friday cast suspicion on the closed-door meetings between Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan with whom the state government has had several issues. "With the Assembly elections approaching, KCR and the Governor met and discussed several issues behind closed doors. The people must consider the possibility of a political alliance between the Governor and the Chief Minister," Revanth Reddy said. He was speaking at an event at his residence in Jubilee Hills where Mahbubnagar BJP leader and advocate S.P. Venkateshan and others joined the Congress. Revanth Reddy alleged that the Chief Minister had earlier utilised the Palamuru-Rangareddy and Kaleshwaram projects as his ATMs, and was now doing the same with the Dharani portal. "By introducing the portal, 35 lakh acres of Dalit and tribal land were encroached.," the TPCC chief claimed. The Congress, if it formed government, would close the portal, Revanth Reddy said. He alleged that the Chief Minister was blackmailing farmers by linking the Rythu Bandhu aid and Rythu Bima insurance schemes with the portal. "Dharani was introduced in 2020 and farmer's schemes were initiated in 2018. Why did the Chief Minister create confusion among farmers," Revanth Reddy asked. He reminded that the previous Congress governments had implemented a number of schemes for farmers and people based on revenue records. The Congress, if it came to power, would ensure protection of land holdings by giving complete protection by removing the Dharani portal. "When we questioned minister V. Srinivas Goud's illegal activities, he came out by playing the BC card. Why did Srinivas Goud harass a number of BC community people in Mahbubnagar by registering false cases," the TPCC chief asked. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy (Photo: DC) Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said that his government improved the lot of Advasis in the state by transferring Rs 16,805 crore to over 88 lakh adivasi families in the state during the last four years. After laying foundation stone for the Central Tribal University at Chinamedapalli village under Mentada mandal of Vizianagaram district along with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday, the Chief Minister said that 36.12 lakh families got the direct benefit transfer of Rs 11,548 crore and 22,26 lakh families got Rs 5,257 crore as non-direct benefit transfer which include the supply of tabs, Vidya Divena and other welfare schemes. Addressing the public meeting at Maradam in Dattirajeru mandal close to the university site, the Chief Minister said that his government fulfilled the promises made in the election manifesto and brought in revolutionary changes in health and education sectors. "We are developing two medical colleges, a tribal university and a tribal engineering college in addition to medical colleges in Paderu, Parvathipuram, Narsipatnam and Chodavaram in tribal tracts during this 50 month rule, Jagan Mohan Reddy said. Giving space in political affairs, this government accommodated two tribals as deputy chief ministers and many were given nominated posts so that they take part in the decision making process, the chief minister added. Speaking on the occasion, Union minister for education and skill development Dharmendra Pradhan said though their parties were different, Prime Minister Nardendra Modi praised the good work of Jagan Mohan Reddy, particularly the introduction of bilingual textbooks. He said the establishment of tribal university would lead to all-round development of Adivasis of tribal states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chattisgarh nurturing culture and languages of Adivasis while imparting higher education which include technology. The Union minister asked vice chancellor Kattamani to establish a link between tribal universities of Andhra and Odishas for comprehensive development of the tribals. He said tribals comprise 10 per cent of the population but the UPA government spent only Rs 24,600 crore in their tenure while their NDA government spent Rs 1.20 lakh so far. Deputy chief minister and minister for tribal welfare Peedika Rajanna Dora said the development of tribals was taking rapid strides under the Jagan Mohan Reddy government. He said 2.10 lakh tribal students were enrolled in 2,705 institutions created for Adivasis. "This tribal university is an important milestone for the adivasis living in Andhra Pradesh, Dora said. The state minister for education Botsa Satyanarayana and other local leaders were present in the function. NCP chief Sharad Pawar (Image Source: ANI Twitter) Pune: Hours after asserting that there was no split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is its leader, party chief Sharad Pawar on Friday claimed that he did not make any such statement. Talking to reporters at his hometown Baramati in Pune district in the morning before leaving for Kolhapur to address a rally, Pawar said some leaders have left the NCP by taking a "different political stand", but it cannot be termed as a split. Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state on July 2, which created a split in the Sharad Pawar-founded party. When asked about his daughter and NCP working president Supriya Sule's remark that there is no split in the party and that Ajit Pawar is its leader, Sharad Pawar said, "Yes...there is no dispute about it." As his remarks made in Baramati created a flutter, the former Union minister clarified in Satara a few hours later that he did not say so. "I am not saying that he is our leader. It is okay for Supriya (Sule) to say that. She is his (Ajit Pawar's) younger sister. There is no need to draw political meaning out of it," he said. To a question on whether he endorsed Sule's views, Pawar said, "Me? You are wrong. Those who have taken a different line cannot be our leader." Recalling Ajit Pawar's early morning swearing-in with Devendra Fadnavis after the 2019 assembly polls, Pawar apparently referred to his nephew becoming deputy chief minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and said, "Opportunity to correct oneself is given once. Opportunity cannot be given again or one shouldn't ask for it again." A day earlier, Sule called Ajit Pawar a senior leader and MLA of the party. aNow, he (Ajit Pawar) has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the assembly speaker and are awaiting his response," Sule, who is NCP's Baramati MP, said. When asked about Sule's statement that there is no split in the NCP and Ajit Pawar is a leader of the party, Pawar senior said in Baramati, "Yes, there is no dispute about it." How can anybody say that there is a split in NCP, he asked. "What does a split in a political party mean? Split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level. But no such thing has happened here. Some people left the party, some took a different stand In democracy it is their right to take a decision," he added. Reacting to Pawar's statement, Sunil Tatkare, state president of the NCP's Ajit Pawar-led faction, said there is no confusion in the party's ranks. "We joined the government after exploring all legalities," he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the NCP had split and there were two factions. "If there is no split, then who is Sunil Tatkare, who has been appointed by the breakaway faction as its state unit chief? The breakaway group has also removed Sharad Pawar as the national president of the party," he said. Our MVA alliance is with the NCP led by Sharad Pawar and not with the breakaway group that has joined hands with the BJP out of fear of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Raut said. Sharad Pawar will never deviate from his ideological leanings and become a BJP ally, he claimed. "The MVA alliance has no place for those who join BJP out of fear," Raut said. The Sena (UBT) MP said Sharad Pawar was in constant touch with MVA leaders for the upcoming INDIA alliance meet, Raut said. Referring to Pawar's remarks made in Baramati, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters in Amravati, "After seeing the works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there will be a change of heart in Sharad Pawar and his opinion will change. Along with Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule will also support the leadership of PM Modi." BJP leader Pravin Darekar said Pawar's comments prove that the stand taken by Ajit Pawar is right. "But any stand taken by Sharad Pawar creates ambiguity. He tells the Ajit Pawar group not to use his photograph. What is the need to say this if the party is one? If Ajit Pawar is your leader and Ajit Pawar says you are his God, then there is no need to take objection to the rebel faction using your photos," he said. Darekar wondered what Sharad Pawar wanted to convey to the NCP cadres. "Ajit Pawar has extended support to Narendra Modi and if Sharad Pawar is supporting Ajit Pawar then it is welcome. But it takes time to understand what Sharad Pawar really means," he said. Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan said all efforts of Sharad Pawar are aimed at avoiding provisions of the anti-defection law and also to keep everyone guessing. "It looks like Sharad Pawar wants Ajit Pawar to take blame for the split in the party," he said. A senior Congress leader refused to comment on Sharad Pawar's remarks. aWe will discuss it internally in our party and not publicly," he said. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said Sharad Pawar has categorically said several times. Peddireddy Ramchandra Reddy. (Image Source: apemcl.ap.gov.in) ANANTAPUR: In a calculated attempt to capture the TD stronghold of Hindupur, the YSRC on Friday announced the candidature of noted business woman K. Deepika for the next Assembly polls.The announcement was made by YSRC regional coordinator and minister Peddireddy Ramchandra Reddy after he inaugurated the YSRC campaign office in Hindupur town. He also felicitated the newly elected gram panchayat sarpanch of Chalivendula. Deepika is wife of YSRC leader Kondur Venugopal Reddy, who was reportedly a rival to MLC and former MLC Md. Iqbal, who was selected as YSRC coordinator of Hindupur Assembly segment a few days ago. K. Deepika has established herself as a business woman in Hindupur and the family had close ties to Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. The family carried forward this relationship with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy when he formed the YSRC. Deepika is considered as the best bet to capture Hindupur Assembly segment, as she can attract two sections of voters. Deepika and Venugopal Reddy have close contacts and support from a majority of YSRC leaders in the segment and the party high command has declared her candidature well in advance. Hindupurs sitting MLA is film star Nandamuri Balakrishna. Hindupur remained with the TD since 1985, with party founder NTR winning it thrice to establish his supremacy in state politics. His son Harikrishna continued the legacy, followed by the victory twice by Nandamuri Balakrishna to continue with the family legacy. After Kuppam, Hindupur is the most important assembly segment for YSRC. The victory for the YSRC in the gram panchayat poll was indication of partys growing strength in Hindupur, Ramachandra Reddy observed and said, "Chandrababu Naidu has been MLA from Kuppam but soon after Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy concentrated attention on Kuppam, our party candidates won a majority of the local bodies including Kuppam municipality. We are going to win the Kuppam Assembly seat this time. Similarly, we will win the Hindupur seat too." Comparing the strength of TD in Hindupur with Kuppam, he assessed that the TD was not at all strong in Hindupur and has no strong leaders there. "There are no Kanchukotas for the TD in the state after Jagan Mohan Reddy became the chief minister and implemented welfare schemes." "In particular, people of Hindupur are aware of how the Covid outbreak first hit Hindupur due to worse conditions in neighbouring Karnataka and how best the Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy handled the crisis. TD leaders settled in Hyderabad did no service to the people then," he said. He appealed to the party workers to get a huge majority for YSRC candidate Deepika. The Chief Minister would tour Hindupur at least thrice before the elections, he added. * Bogus names in voter list identified by YSRC: Ramachandra Reddy came down heavily on the TD over alleged inclusion of bogus voters in the electoral rolls during 2018. "As there were 3.90 crore voters, about 60 lakh of these were bogus inclusions as identified by the YSRC before the 2019 elections. The Election Commission is currently deleting the names of those bogus voters,'' he said. He said the YSRC MPs will lodge a complaint with the ECI, seeking elimination of all bogus voter names in the electoral rolls. The value of Bahrains exports of national origin for July fell 23% to BD323 million ($848 million) when compared to BD421 million ($1.1 billion) for the same period last year, said the Information &eGovernment Authority (iGA) in a new report. The top 10 countries in terms of the value of exports of national origin purchased from Bahrain accounted for 70% of the total value, with the remaining countries accounting for 30%, according to iGAs foreign trade report of year 2021, encompassing data on the balance of trade, imports, exports (national origin), and re-exports. The top 10 countries in terms of the value of exports of national origin purchased from Bahrain accounted for 68% of the total export value, according to iGAs foreign trade report for July, which encompasses data on the balance of trade, imports, exports (national origin), and re-exports. Unwrought Aluminum Alloys marked as the top products exported during July 2023 with BD80 million, followed by Agglomerated Iron Ores and Concentrates Alloyed being the second with a value of BD56 million and Unwrought Aluminum not alloyed third with BD19 million. On the imports scenario, iGA said its value too decreased falling by 6% to hit BD441 million for July from BD468 million last year. The top 10 countries for imports marked with 71% of the total value of imports. As per the report, China ranked first when it came to imports to Bahrain with a total of BD58 million, followed by Australia with BD53 million, and the UAE in the third spot with BD47 million. Other Aluminum Oxide marked as the top product imported to Bahrain with a total value of BD52 million, while Non-Agglomerated Iron Ores and Concentrates Alloyed was second with BD24 million, followed by Gold Ingots being the third with BD20 million. The total value of re-exports increased by 3% to reach BD50 million during July 2023, compared to BD49 million for the same month in 2022. The top 10 countries in re-exports accounted for 85% of the re-exported value. The UAE ranked first with BD15 million, followed by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia second with BD8 million, and Malaysia third with BD6 million. As per the iGA report, turbo-propellers topped the list of products re-exported from Bahrain with a value of BD6 million, followed by Other Parts of Airplanes Helicopters (Unmanned Aircraft) at BD4 million, and Private Cars came third with BD4 million. As for the trade balance (the difference between exports and imports), the deficit amounted to BD68 million in July compared to a surplus of BD2 million last year, which led to an increase in the deficit by 3606%, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading American automotive aftermarket parts provider. Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, the company serves professional installers and do-it-yourself (DIY) customers. With a vast network of stores and branches, Advance Auto Parts offers a wide range of brand name, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and private label automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and light and heavy-duty trucks. Advance Auto Parts' mission is to be the trusted partner for automotive care. They aim to provide their customers with high-quality products, exceptional service, and expert advice to keep their vehicles running smoothly. With over 4,900 stores and 150 Worldpac branches in the United States and Canada, the company has a strong presence in the automotive aftermarket industry. Additionally, Advance Auto Parts serves 1,250 independently owned Carquest-branded stores across various regions. The management team at Advance Auto Parts plays a crucial role in driving the company's strategy and ensuring its operational success. The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Advance Auto Parts is Thomas R. Greco. As the CEO, Greco brings a wealth of experience in the retail industry and has been instrumental in leading the company's growth and expansion. The management team's collective expertise and diverse backgrounds contribute to the overall success of Advance Auto Parts and its ability to meet the needs of its customers and stakeholders. Advance Auto Parts has achieved excellent revenue growth over the years. Additionally, the company has demonstrated healthy profit margins, with net margins of 3.61%. These figures highlight the company's ability to generate profits and sustain operations in a competitive market. Significant price movements or changes in trading volume can indicate shifts in investor sentiment and market dynamics. For example, the company's earnings increased during the pandemic as millions received stimulus checks and used that money to repair their vehicles. However, at the end of the pandemic, the stock price dropped as millions of people no longer had that disposable income. This price drop was exacerbated as market sentiment turned negative over missed earnings numbers. Advance Auto Parts operates in the auto parts retail industry, which is highly competitive and subject to various trends and dynamics. The industry serves a broad customer base, including professional installers and DIY enthusiasts. It is driven by factors such as vehicle ownership, maintenance and repair needs, and consumer preferences. The company faces competition from both traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and online platforms. Major competitors include other auto parts retailers, national chains, and independent stores. Additionally, technological advancements and the increasing complexity of modern vehicles pose challenges and opportunities for the industry. The growing demand for electric vehicles, digitalization of automotive services, and advanced autonomous driving technologies are shaping the industry's future. Advance Auto Parts aims to differentiate itself through its extensive store network, product availability, knowledgeable staff, and strong customer service. These factors contribute to the company's competitive positioning and enable it to cater to a diverse customer base. While Advance Auto Parts has established itself as a prominent player in the automotive aftermarket industry, it faces certain risks and challenges that could impact its performance. Shifts in consumer preferences, such as increased reliance on ride-sharing services or reduced vehicle ownership, could affect the demand for automotive parts and accessories. Rapid advancements in automotive technology and the rise of electric vehicles can require significant investments in research and development to stay competitive. Failure to adapt to these changes could result in a loss of market share for Advance Auto Parts. The company must stay abreast of technological advancements, such as advancements in electric vehicle technology and digitalization of automotive services. Advance Auto Parts can develop innovative solutions and maintain its competitive edge in the evolving automotive industry by investing in research and development. Additionally, the company needs to effectively manage its supply chain and inventory to ensure product availability and timely delivery to customers. Any disruptions in the supply chain, whether due to logistics challenges or supplier issues, can impact customer satisfaction and potentially lead to a loss of market share. Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan. The Aflac U.S. segment provides cancer, accident, short-term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, dental, vision, long-term care and disability, and term and whole life insurance products in the United States. It sells its products through sales associates, brokers, independent corporate agencies, individual agencies, and affiliated corporate agencies. The company was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Columbus, Georgia. Main Street Capital Corporation has operated as a business development company for over a decade, providing valuable equity and debt capital to many lower-middle market companies. The company has established a reputation for its commitment to providing one-stop financing solutions that help entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams achieve their financial goals. MSCC, headquartered in Houston, Texas, has an additional office in Chojnow, Poland. Its global reach allows the company to tap into a broad range of investment opportunities, and the company has a well-deserved reputation for identifying the most promising businesses. MSCC's strong financial performance is a testament to its investment strategy. The company has consistently generated significant returns for its investors, and its net asset value per share has increased yearly. MSCC's financial performance drives a range of factors, including its ability to identify promising investment opportunities, its strong relationships with management teams and its ability to provide comprehensive financing solutions that meet each business's unique needs. The company strongly focuses on ensuring its investments are well-diversified, with various assets across different industries and geographies. This strategy helps mitigate risk and ensure the company is well-positioned to weather economic challenges. In addition to its strong financial performance, MSCC is committed to corporate social responsibility. The company has a range of initiatives focused on environmental, social and governance issues and is committed to positively impacting the communities in which it operates. Main Street Capital Corporation is a well-respected and successful business development company committed to providing valuable financing solutions to lower-middle market companies. PennyMac Financial Services, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the mortgage banking and investment management activities in the United States. It operates through three segments: Production, Servicing, and Investment Management. The Production segment is involved in the origination, acquisition, and sale of loans. It sources first-lien residential conventional and government-insured or guaranteed mortgage loans. The Servicing segment engages in the servicing of newly originated loans, and execution and management of early buyout transactions and servicing of loans. It performs loan administration, collection, and default management activities, including the collection and remittance of loan payments, response to customer inquiries, accounting for principal and interest, holding custodial funds for the payment of property taxes and insurance premiums, counseling delinquent borrowers, and supervising foreclosures and property dispositions, as well as administers loss mitigation activities, such as modification and forbearance programs. The Investment Management segment is involved in sourcing, performing diligence, bidding, and closing investment asset acquisitions; managing correspondent production activities for PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust; and managing acquired assets. PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Westlake Village, California. Toll Brothers, Inc. is a prominent company in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, specializing in designing, building, marketing, selling, and arranging financing for residential and commercial properties. With a history dating back to its founding in 1967 by Robert I. Toll and Bruce E. Toll in Pennsylvania, Toll Brothers has established itself as a leading player in the homebuilding industry. The company operates in multiple regions across the United States. It offers various building and construction services, including luxury single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, rental apartments, and student housing. Toll Brothers also operate ancillary businesses such as mortgage, insurance, home automation/security, and landscaping services. The company aims to create luxury communities where people can live their dream lifestyles, emphasizing exceptional design, quality craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction. Toll Brothers seek to deliver homes exceeding customer expectations and providing an unparalleled living experience. With its commitment to excellence, the company has garnered recognition and numerous awards for its exceptional homebuilding and customer service, including being named Builder of the Year by Builder Magazine and Professional Builder Magazine. Toll Brothers boast a strong and experienced management team that drives the company's success. The management team brings a wealth of expertise and industry knowledge, led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Douglas C. Yearley Jr., who joined Toll Brothers in 1990 and assumed the CEO position in 2010. Douglas Yearley Jr. has led the company's strategic initiatives and driven growth. Toll Brothers has demonstrated impressive financial performance over the years. The company has reported annual sales that have increased yearly, reflecting its strong market presence and customer demand for its luxury homes. Toll Brothers' earnings per share for the same period highlighted its profitability and sound financial position. Toll Brothers maintain a healthy balance sheet, with a debt-to-equity ratio that indicates a prudent approach to managing its financial obligations. The company's strong liquidity is evident through its liquidity ratio, which underscores its ability to meet short-term obligations. Toll Brothers' stock performance has been notable, reflecting its solid fundamentals and market position. Over the past year, the company's stock has experienced significant price movements and trading volume. Investors have shown confidence in Toll Brothers, driven by its consistent financial performance and ability to deliver luxury homes that cater to the demands of its target market. Toll Brothers operate in the operative builder's industry, which involves designing and constructing residential properties. The sector has witnessed steady growth over the years, driven by factors such as favorable demographic trends, low-interest rates, and increasing demand for quality housing. However, it is subject to various factors that can influence market dynamics, including economic conditions, regulatory changes, and shifts in consumer preferences. Competition in the home building industry is intense, with numerous players vying for market share. Toll Brothers maintain a competitive advantage by focusing on luxury homes, exceptional craftsmanship, and a customer-centric approach. The company's reputation for delivering high-quality residences in desirable locations positions it well in the market. Additionally, Toll Brothers' ancillary businesses, such as mortgage and insurance services, provide an integrated experience for customers, further enhancing its competitive edge. Toll Brothers have several growth opportunities on the horizon. The company continues to expand its footprint by acquiring and integrating other homebuilding companies, as evidenced by its recent acquisitions of Thrive Residential and Keller Homes. These strategic moves enable Toll Brothers to enter new markets and leverage synergies to drive growth. Moreover, the company can capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient homes. By incorporating green building practices and offering eco-friendly features, Toll Brothers can attract environmentally conscious buyers seeking homes that align with their values. The luxury rental apartment and student housing divisions present additional growth avenues for Toll Brothers. These segments cater to the evolving needs of young professionals and students, providing a diversified revenue stream for the company. While Toll Brothers exhibit a strong market position, it faces certain risks and challenges that could impact its operations. Changes in consumer preferences and market conditions could influence demand for luxury homes, potentially affecting the company's sales and profitability. Economic downturns, rising interest rates, or regulatory changes may dampen the overall housing market and impact Toll Brothers' business. Competition within the homebuilding industry poses another challenge. The company must continually differentiate itself through innovation, design, and customer service to maintain its market share and attract buyers. Toll Brothers also face potential construction and supply chain disruption risks, including material shortages and labor issues. Such challenges can lead to project delays, increased costs, and potential customer dissatisfaction. The company manages these risks through diligent risk management strategies, including diversification of operations, maintaining solid relationships with suppliers, and implementing effective project management protocols. The statements of five soldiers that the prosecution are relying on as hearsay evidence in the case against Soldier F the only soldier charged in connection with the Bloody Sunday killings have been admitted as evidence. Soldier F is charged with the murder of Jim Wray and William McKinney on January 30, 1972 and five attempted murders. As part of a preliminary inquiry the prosecution had applied that the statements of six soldiers be admitted as hearsay in the case against Soldier F. The statements being sought to be admitted were Soldiers H, J and 119, who are all still alive, and Soldier E, G and a David Longstaff who are deceased. District Judge Ted Magill said that there were rules for deciding when to admit hearsay including how reliable the statement maker was and the importance of the evidence. Judge Magill said that thus was a committal proceedings where the function was to assess if there was sufficient evidence to send the accused for trial. He said that his court had to be 'careful not to usurp the functions of the trial judge.' The prosecution had asked that a statement of Soldier 119 be admitted as regards where Soldier F was on the day but not on what he did. The judge said the 'two things were so interlinked that I see no way to split them' so he said he was not prepared to admit that statement in evidence. As regards the other military statements he said it was accepted that the taking of statements by the Royal Military Police 'was clearly oppressive'. He then asked 'Did the soldiers lie? All parties agree that they did. But the lies are about why they fire, not that they fired.' He said 'evidence of the shootings is obviously true' as there were 'bodies on the ground'. The judge said that the defence had argued the other soldiers may have lied to shift blame from themselves onto F but he said he did not find that persuasive. He said the soldiers lied to protect themselves and to justify the shootings so he said 'what they say is truthful as to where they were and what they did'. Judge Magill rules 'It therefore becomes obvious what is truth and what is lies.' He said evidence can be 'part truth and in part lies, in part reliable and in part unreliable.' Admitting the statements of Soldiers G, H, J, E and David Longstaff Judge Magill said 'I am satisfied that the trial process is fully capable of dealing with these, as well as all the other evidence, in a fair, just and reliable fashion.' Soldier F's barrister requested an adjournment to allow him time to consult with his client. The case was adjourned until September 14 when it is likely a decision will be made on whether Soldier F is sent for trial. Derry Drag artist Miss Mary Jane is set to release a new single before performing at Guildhall Taphouse during Foyle Pride. The song is her latest and final instalment of her Mr President EP following previous tracks Mary Jane and El Salvador. Miss Mary Jane said the project explores the 'demonising' of female sexuality in a patriarchal society. Visually and audibly it was really heavily inspired by the aesthetics of the Bond movies and that whole concept of a bond girl and her role within the franchise, she said. One of the biggest references that I had, especially when it came to the actual songwriting of Mr President, was the scandal surrounding Marilyn Monroe and John F Kennedy. Miss Mary Jane said the song is partly a response to the 'misogynistic cultural norms of the time', which led to the pair receiving very different reactions in the aftermath of the affair. Marylin Monroe was so demonised over her sense of sexuality whereas the male counterpart was John F Kennedy and he was just forever revered and there was this situation where this star was left with a stain. I wanted to take this notion and instead of demonising female sexuality, I really wanted to weaponise it. So the weaponisation is kind of a big theme that runs through the lyrics. I sing about 'behind my golden gun', which obviously has the James Bond reference, but you know, it has those sort of links to the assassination and loads of little cultural references in the lyrics. Doing drag was not the original idea when Cahal O'Connell began penning songs as a teenager, however the project came about naturally while he wrote. It was all authentic from the beginning. And it's only really been as the character's progressed that I've almost discovered that I was kind of writing like a contextual sort of background for a character that just hadn't even been conceptualised herself. The fact that all these songs were written before drag even came along, it's kind of created this sort of inseparable link between me and Mary Jane. So I don't think I ever really could justify that they are two separate people. You hear a lot of drag artists who, kind of rightly so, have this mantra where they believe that their character and who they are, are two completely separate entities. But I've always felt like because my primary focus with drag is putting this original music out there I mean, I don't feel like you can be writing original music if there's not a sense of authenticity ingrained in it - it's not good music if it's not there. Mr President will be released on 25 August. Miss Mary Jane will be performing at the Guildhall Taphouse this Sunday, 27 August for the official closing party of Foyle Pride Festival. Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a man was detected breaking into cars and homes in the Coshquin Road area of the city. Jordan Leighton (23) of Beechill View in Drumahoe who admitted a series of charges relating to offences on May 13 last year. The court heard that police were called to a 999 call from a householder who said that someone was breaking into their house. A rear patio door had been smashed and a packet of paracetamol was found lying on the kitchen floor. Police then discovered that the rear patio door had been smashed in another nearby house and a male was seen making his way across a nearby road. A further report alerted police to a break in where windows were smashed and car keys were taken. CCTV was utilised and Leighton was identified. The defendant was apprehended and in a search the missing car keys were found in his pocket. Another car was broken into and CCTV identified Leighton as being in the yard of the house. Defence counsel Sean Doherty said that Leighton had been released from prison but subsequently had his licence revoked. Leighton was jailed for four months. A celebration of the life of Archie Jack is to be held at Kinnagoe Bay, the Inishowen beach where he discovered the wreck of the Spanish Armada vessel La Trinidad Valencera in 1971. His discovery of a cannon from the ship, which was wrecked on the beach in September 1588, came after the divers from the City of Derry Sub Aqua Club had been searching since 1968. Over the following ten years or more, the wreck was excavated and the materials which the divers found are now on display in the Tower Museum in Derry and the Ulster Museum, Belfast. Tributes have been paid to Mr Jack who continued to be a regular visitor to the beach after the dives on the wreck stopped and he would spend weeks at a time in the summer months camping there. During his stays, he swam every day, displayed sea shells and finds from the wreck and chatted to locals and visitors. The funeral of Mr Jack, who died at the age of 84, took place in his native Strabane on Thursday. Friends say he died in his sleep in his tent in Kinnagoe on Sunday night. Locals and visitors to the beach have been leaving floral tributes to him at the tent. The celebration of Mr Jacks life is taking place at the car park at Kinnagoe Bay this coming Monday at 7.30pm. Chris Wolfe, a friend of Mr Jacks who is organising the event on Monday, said it was his wish to die in his sleep at Kinnego. Such was his love of his beach, he celebrated his honeymoon there, had his 80th birthday there and named two of his children after the Spanish Armada vessel. He always said he would love to die there in his sleep, and he got his wish, he said. We want anyone who knows him to come [on Monday night]. We are hoping just to have a night of reflection about what he meant to the community. Thousands of people knew him, and we want to have one last hurrah before we take his tent down. His annual presence at the beach became a focus for ceile nights, songs and the reminiscence of times, people and skills gone by, one local said. When he came here in the summer we knew summer had started. He became a neighbour and friend to all the locals. Floral tributes have been left at Archie Jacks tent at Kinnagoe Bay Journalist and author Kathy Donaghy, who got to know Mr Jack on her regular visits to Kinnagoe, said he had a passion for the bay. It occupied such a place in his heart and his imagination that he wanted to be there as much as he could. He had a group of friends that would come and visit him and they had coffee with him and he would tell stories about the dive. He wanted to share the knowledge of the dive and that time of his life. "He was just so proud of that place and proud to be part of the legacy of the place. He had a sheer love of the place and a sheer love of telling the stories of that grand adventure he had 50 years ago. Greencastle Maritime Museum paid tribute to him in a social media post: We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archie Jack, one of the discovery divers of La Trinidad Valencera. "We had the privilege of getting to know him over recent years and especially during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the discovery of La Trinidad Valencera. Last year we brought a group to visit Archie at Kinnagoe and they had the opportunity to hear his story. Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in cooperation with Mazad has announced the launch of the fourth batch of facilities based on industrial plots within its industrial zones. Mazad is a local portfolio company of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, that has been mandated with overseeing public and electronic auctions. This launch is aimed at transferring the ownership of these facilities to new investors to establish new projects and conclude new lease contracts for the industrial plot with the ministry, reported BNA. The auction includes three industrial facilities, one in Maameer Industrial Zone, covering a 2,341-sq-m area with a starting price of BD97,852 ($256,913), it stated. The second one is in Al Muzarraa Industrial Zone covering a 11,000 sq m area with a starting price of BD160,628 and third in Salman Industrial Zone covering a 3,975 area with a starting price of BD46,261. Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed the continued efforts to expand partnership with the private sector by presenting investment opportunities for the industrial sector through Bahrain Mazad Company, which supports the economic growth of the industrial sector and increases its contribution to the GDP. The ministry had in 2020 signed a service agreement with Mazad to display facilities for projects on plots leased in its industrial zones, and five industrial facilities were sold with a total value of around BD2 million. Sony has experimented with handheld gaming in the past and of all its efforts Remote Play feature has been very well received. Now, Sony has launched its $199.99 (roughly Rs. 16,500) PlayStation Portal that will allow you to comfortably stream PS5 Games handheld from your PS5 console while offering the same ergonomics and features as Sonys excellent DualSense controller. If you are excited and are planning on adding the PlayStation Portal to your gaming arsenal, here are a few answers that you might be looking for. How good is the Sony PlayStation Portals display? The PlayStation Portal has an 8-inch LCD display with 1080p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. This makes the screen larger and sharper than what youd get on rivals like Valve Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. As for the display quality, we will have to wait and watch till the reviews are out. The PlayStation Portal is also significantly lighter in weight as compared to the competition. Can I use the PlayStation Portal while travelling? PlayStation Portal streams games over Wi-Fi using PS Remote Play. So, proximity to your home Wi-Fi is advisable for a proper experience. If your PS5 is on at home, you will be able to stream your games over a different Wi-Fi connection remotely but latency will be a bigger problem to counteract. Also Read: Steam Deck Competitor Lenovo Legion Go Revealed, With A Wheel On Its Back Can Sony PlayStation Portal Stream games from the cloud? No, PlayStation Portal is not developed for cloud gaming. It does come with a chip of its own to navigate the interface but all the supported games you play need to be installed on your PlayStation console. So, is the PlayStation Portal similar to the Backbone One? In a way, yes. The PS Portal aims to deliver a more optimized gaming experience by integrating a large-size display and all popular features of the Dual Sense Controller. Can I stream media on PlayStation Portal? Yes, you will be able to stream media over Wi-Fi from your PlayStation console. However, you can not directly play local media files. How fast should my Wi-Fi be to ensure smooth streaming on the PlayStation Portal? Sony recommends a 15Mbps connection for the best experience. At the very least, a 5Mbps connection is required to get started. Can I connect my headphones to the Sony PlayStation Portal? Sony includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired headphones and a built-in speaker as well. The PlayStation Portal doesnt have Bluetooth, so you wont be able to pair your regular wireless headphones. It uses the proprietary PlayStation Link for low-latency, lossless audio and Sony will soon launch PlayStation Link-compatible wireless headsets and earbuds. How long will the battery last on Sony PlayStation Portal? Sony claims that the battery life should be similar to what you get with the Dual Sense controller. However, exact details will be available once the PlayStation Portal is available for purchase. When will the PlayStation Portal be available for purchase in India? Sony has indicated a release timeframe of "later this year" without disclosing precise launch details. In India, we expect the PlayStation Portal to arrive in 2024. Arm hopes to rely on AI for its IPO British IP giant Arm recently made the big move of submitting an IPO application. However, the previously rumored high-profile anchor investors such as Apple, Intel, Nvidia, Amazon, and other tech giants, have yet to show themselves. It's estimated that Arm's market value can reach US$6070 billion after the IPO, but what gives Arm so much confidence to uphold such an expensive IPO valuation? It's worth noting that South Korean media has disclosed earlier that Samsung Electronics, a previously reported anchor investor, is rumored to back away from the deal. Is this also a sign that as the industry steps into the era of AI, companies are reevaluating the "indispensability" of Arm? This is in stark contrast to 2020 when Nvidia made a staggering US$40 billion bid to acquire Arm. Arm's application document showed that SoftBank and Arm seem to be trying to ride the global AI trend to further boost its IPO valuation. They emphasized that Arm's technology is crucial to AI applications. They even explicitly stated that the CPU is indispensable in all AI systems, whether it's fully processing AI workloads or used in conjunction with processors like GPUs and NPUs. In the eyes of Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, riding the AI wave can boost Arm's valuation. Ever since Softbank acquired Arm in 2016, Son has always viewed Arm as the brightest star in Softbank's investment portfolio. He even stated in November 2022 that if weren't for Softbank's crisis, Arm would be the last asset they wanted to sell. The issue is that Arm's focus is on CPU architecture foundations and not the GPU and AI chip architectures required to build AI LLMs. Thus, despite the ongoing AI global trend, Arm seems to still be on the outside looking in. With the push from the AI trend, the growth prospects of data centers look promising. However, without the support of a successful Nvidia acquisition, Arm's architecture can only reach the outer edges and is unable to reach the core data center market. The massive data processing demands of machine learning (ML) have led to a significant surge in sales of computing accelerators like GPUs, specialized AI chips, and network chips. While Nvidia's GPU needs to be combined with Arm's CPU architecture (e.g. Nvidia's latest super chip GH200 includes a CPU with Arm architecture), high-end AI GPUs from Nvidia or AMD can also be paired with x86 architecture CPUs to form computing modules. Arm CPUs are not the only option. To a certain extent, Arm can certainly ride Nvidia's AI wave, but not all of Nvidia's GPUs need to be sold together with Arm CPUs. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang previously stated that processors like traditional CPUs can no longer keep up with highly complex computing tasks. With generative AI acting as the tipping point, the expansion of CPU computing capabilities has slowed down. Nvidia currently holds a dominant position in the AI GPU market. Therefore, the number of CPUs can be greatly reduced, as only a certain number of CPUs are needed to complement the millions of GPUs. This setup is enough to fulfill the high computing power demand for AI workloads. Looking at Arm's main business models, the first is the CPU IP licensing model. The other is the royalty-based model that charges on a per-chip basis. In particular, with Arm's current mobile GPU technology, they haven't dedicated a lot of resources to high-end AI GPUs or AI accelerator chips. In its emphasized CPU sector, it still needs to compete with Intel, AMD, and other x86 architecture CPUs for data center AI opportunities. In this wave of AI server trends, Arm hasn't benefited a lot and can only look ahead to the next wave of edge AI opportunities. SiFive shares views on Chinese market and the era of vertical semiconductor The open-standard instruction set architecture (ISA) RISC-V has been integral to China's IC design development as it pursues greater autonomy. The currently ongoing RISC-V Summit China 2023, taking place in Beijing between August 23 - 25, has brought together leading fabless players in the Chinese semiconductor industry, including T-Head Semiconductor and SiFive. Talking to DIGITIMES Asia a week ahead of the summit, Jack Kang, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Customer Experience, Corporate Marketing at SiFive, highlighted that China is the fastest growing market for IC design, and that there are "more designs happening in China than in other geographies right now." The rise of vertical semiconductor Krste Asanovic, RISC-V International chairman and SiFive co-founder, previously estimated that RISC-V cores will reach at least 80 billion in shipment volume before 2025. Meanwhile, as Ho Ning, CTO of Beijing ESWIN Technology, indicated at the RISC-V summit, the shipment volume of China's RISC-V cores will take up approximately 50% of the global total before 2027. After more than ten years of development, a total of 10 billion RISC-V processors have been shipped in 2022. In comparison, it took 30 years for x86 and ARM architectures to reach that volume. Referring to the concept of "vertical semiconductor" - a term first brought up by Asanovic in light of more big tech companies like Apple and Tesla moving chip designs in house - Kang reiterated the belief that an open-standard architecture like RISC-V perfectly caters to the trend of vertical semiconductor. Much in the same fashion that the x86 architecture grew with the PC era and the ARM architecture thrived on the smartphone era: as RISC-V is an open standard, multiple engineers can build to that standard, and software systems will grow much faster, noted Kang. For Chinese companies seeking to reduce dependency, they want to be part of an open standard system where there will be multiple vendors. "I don't think people like being dependent on a single company, and that includes SiFive," Kang said, remarking that RISC-V is unique as chipmakers can choose to use SiFive and even SiFive competitors. In comparison, noted Kang, Arm has a proprietary ecosystem, and if it wants to raise prices, customers have no choice. Even though RISC-V is open-standard, one can have a lot of different implementations, from high-quality, high-performance, low-power designs to those with poor performance. "Just because it's RISC-V doesn't mean it's the same," commented Kang, when asked about SiFive's competitiveness in the RISC-V ecosystem. Owing to the fact that China's swiftly developing EV ecosystem and vehicle electrification trend has put its automakers under a lot of pressure to keep up with competitors at home and overseas, Kang also emphasized RISC-V's significance to the Chinese auto sector for the flexibility it offers. Regarding chiplet technology - a More-than-Moore solution that is also gaining traction in China, Kang commented that the long-term dream where everybody wants to get to is to get different chiplets from different vendors working together like LEGO blocks, and one can package them together to get a complete solution. "I don't think we are there yet," said the SiFive senior vice president, commenting that the chiplet landscape is mainly characterized by a single vendor, like Intel and AMD, breaking up their designs into chiplets. Nevertheless, Kang sees RISC-V playing a very important role in chiplet development. "When you're connecting all these systems together, the most important one is still the compute," he noted, believing that chiplet technology will be realized sooner in certain highend markets like datacenter and automotive. Regarding the recent rise of ChatGPT, Kang also highlighted the advantages offered by RISC-V architecture's vector processing, especially when it comes to edge inference. "If you look at the MCUs in the market, they probably have hardware that's very good for convolutional neural networks (CNN), since it was what was really hot one year ago," said Kang. "And now, with ChatGPT, everybody wants to run transformers, which is a different algorithm than CNN, but your hardwired engine that does the CNN cannot run the transformers." "From a RISC-V perspective, it has to be a combination of things." While vectors are good at being a programmable engine to run transformers, they are still not as good as dedicated hardwired engines. Therefore, Kang sees vectors working alongside dedicated hardwired engines to do pre-processing or post-processing. "The vectors that SiFive provides are very scalable," said Kang, noting that they can scale to smaller hardware for edge applications or scale up to be run in data centers. "We have a flexible programming thing that can go from small to big." RISC-V up in the space In this context, Kang mentioned SiFive's X280 vector core optimized for edge inference. The multi-core capable processor is designated for applications requiring high-throughput, single-thread performance while under significant power constraints. In 2022, notably, X280 was adopted for NASA's next-generation High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) processor to be used in every future space mission, especially as the computing power boost it brought will bring advanced functions like autonomous capabilities and vision processing into space. Compared to today's space computers, the X280 has demonstrated a 100x increase in compute capabilities. "If you look at the space, it's an example of a vertical business, as it has very unique requirements," Kang observed, pointing out that NASA is seeking to move faster by adopting more commercial solutions. In fact, NASA's selection of SiFive pointed to the long-term growth potential of the RISC-V ecosystem. As Kang explained, the long duration requirements of space products mean that space industry players like NASA have to identify the best ecosystem in the long term, including the amount of support available in the future. Though the SiFive vice president acknowledged that RISC-V is still young today and enjoys lesser ecosystem support compared to rivaling architectures like X86 and ARM, it is rapidly catching up. "What will be the best ecosystem 10 years from now? Which ecosystem will I find the most programmers working on? And then that answer becomes very clear, it's going to be RISC-V," Kang emphasized. Japan's export controls on lithography and thin film deposition more likely to be enforced, says DIGITIMES Research As Japan's ban on semiconductor equipment exports to China officially went into effect on July 23, many are left wondering about its implications to Chinese semiconductor industry. A total of 23 types of semiconductor equipment were included by the export controls regime, covering lithography, etching, thin film deposition, heat treatment, cleaning, and inspection. According to DIGITIMES Research analyst Eric Chen, however, the restrictions on lithography and thin film deposition equipment are morely likely to be enforced and thus impacting China's advanced semiconductor manufacturing. When it comes to lithography equipment, the Dutch company ASML and Japanese companies Nikon and Canon are the main suppliers, accounting for over 95% of the market. In terms of etching equipment, US companies Lam Research, Applied Materials and Japanese company Tokyo Electron (TEL) are the main players with a combined market share of over 90%. For thin-film deposition equipment, main players are US companies KLA and Applied Materials, Japanese company Hitachi, Tokyo Electron and Ulvac, in addition to Swiss company Evatec and Dutch company ASM. Collectively, these companies account for about 8090% of global market share. In 2022, according to Chen's research, over 60% of China's semiconductor equipment imports still came from the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands, with Japan remaining the largest source of semiconductor equipment for China, accounting for about 30% of import value. Chen pointed out that nearly half of Japan's export controls are related to thin-film processing equipment. This category of equipment, however, involves a wide range of processes. In this context, export controls will primarily target products such as metal interconnect deposition equipment that employs materials like cobalt and ruthenium for advanced processes, atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment used in sub-40nm processes, and hard mask deposition equipment required for multi-patterning processes. Credit: DIGITIMES Regarding lithography equipment, Chen believes that Japan's export of immersion deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment is likely to be impacted. Though Japan does not manufacture extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, Chen pointed out that the controls will nonetheless target EUV mask deposition equipment, equipment related to EUV process coating and development, as well as inspection equipment for blank or pre-exposed masks used in EUV equipment. Notably, when it comes to etching equipment, Chen noted that Japan imposes restrictions on both wet etching and dry etching equipment for silicon-germanium (SiGe). In comparison, for other materials such as silicon, the control measures only touch on dry etching equipment. The analyst believes that Japan's stricter export controls on SiGe etching equipment are mainly driven by the widespread use of SiGe components in aerospace, military, and other industries. About the Analyst Eric Chen is an analyst and project manager at DIGITIMES Research. Chen received his Master's degree in international business from Taiwan's Soochow University. His research focuses on foundry industry as well as IC assembly & packaging industry. Credit: DIGITIMES Saudi Arabias trade balance achieved a surplus of about SR38 billion (about $10 billion) during June last year, according to a report by the Saudi Statistics Authority (GASTAT). The kingdoms merchandise exports fell by 39.7% on an annual basis in June compared to the last year hitting SR89 billion. Merchandise imports decreased by 17.1% to SR10.6 billion in June, while the value of imports hit SR51.4 billion in June compared to SR62.1 billion last year.-TradeArabia News Service Louth County Council Library Service are holding a further Decade of Centenaries event in Dundalk Library on Friday next, September 1st. Dr. Brian Hanley, Assistant Professor in Twentieth Century History at Trinity College, Dublin will hold a talk, Republicanism, Crime and Paramilitary Policing, 1916-1945, in Dundalk Library at 3pm as part of the 2023 Decade of Centenaries programme. Drawing on his recently published book 'Republicanism, Crime and Paramilitary Policing, 1916-2020' which examined the relationship between Irish republicanism, policing and crime from 1916 to the present day, Dr Hanley will concentrate on the early part of his work for his talk. This describes republican attempts to deal with crime during the War of Independence, the problems caused by the Civil War split and how the organization grappled with accusations of criminality throughout much of the twentieth century. This book contains much new information on the IRA's role in policing crime during the War of Independence. It looks at the way in which accusations of involvement in crime were weaponized during the Civil War as well as the IRA's attitude to crime and criminals thereafter. No booking required. This event will also be livestreamed. For further information contact Dundalk Library on 042 9353190. RTE Folk Awards Best Group Nominees Greenshine are coming to the The Tin Church, outside Carrick on Saturday 2nd September at 8pm. The Cork based trio consists of Mary Greene, Noel Shine and their daughter Ellie. Their songs have featured on Irish airwaves for many years and their tracks have travelled far beyond their homeland and into the waiting ears of music lovers worldwide. Greenshine's music straddles the boundaries of Folk, Indie and Americana with outstanding harmonies, skillful stringwork and fine songwriting. Their 2021 single, White Trails appeared on several SONG OF THE YEAR radio lists and their current album NEW MOON ON FRIDAY is racking up the kudos and has been chosen as Album of the Week on multiple radio stations including BBC Radio Scotland. Several of their songs have reached the #1 Spot of the RTERadio1 National Airplay Chart including 'The Girl in the Lavender Dress' which went on to be second most played Irish song of the year of its release on the station. Greenshine members have appeared on the recordings of multiple artists including Christy Moore, The Republic of Loose, Mick Hanly, Frances Black and John Spillane and Ellie can now add TV Cartoon Voiceover Actor to her resume for her work on TG4. Greenshine recently performed the closing song on the beautiful TG4 commissioned show 'Omos do Liam Reilly' a documentary on the life and times of Liam Reilly and Bagatelle which was nominated for an international TV Award. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. Click the 'Next >' arrow above or 'Next Story' below to go through the gallery The Department of Education made all Leaving Cert results available online from 9:30 am but the Class of 2023 were eager to gather at the beautiful St. Louis school to celebrate their successes with their peers, parents and teachers on Friday morning. The group of wonderful students had a lot to celebrate, many of them had exceeded their own expectations, having risen to the challenge of Leaving Cert, earning more points than they possibly need to access third level courses. The CAO offers will be eagerly awaited and while Guidance Counsellors Ms Dara Mee & Ms Ciara OMeara were on hand to offer support, students were generally feeling positive and hopeful that their chosen pathway was now open to them. Students have achieved the highest grades, many exceeding the coveted 500 points+ and have bright futures in the most sought-after courses. Fears around the results in Maths, following a challenging Paper 1 were unfounded with all students in the Higher Maths Classes earning the extra 25 points. A number of students will now receive bursaries from Universities as a result of their excellent results including Trinity College Dublin where St. Louis enjoys a special relationship as a School of Distinction Award winner every year since 2018. The Leaving Cert Applied Class results were also particularly remarkable in that almost 70% of the group of 12 students achieved the highest Distinction grade based on their high attendance, continual assessment tasks and final exams. These students had great praise for the support they received from teachers and Special Needs Assistants who supported their journey, over the years. The sense of relief was palpable from the gathering as Teachers beamed at the success of their students and parents felt the heavy burden of worry lift. Parents affirmed the special relationships the girls had enjoyed over their six years at the school and thanked Principal Michelle Dolan, Deputy Principal Mary Gilmore, the Year Head Marie Meehan and all the staff for the care and effort that culminated in such a wonderful success for all involved. The sun was shining as parents, students and teachers hugged for a final time, sending the girls off to achieve their full potential and continue to be excellent ambassadors for the school, on what happened to be the feast day of Saint Louis! Below: St Louis Principal Michelle Dolan presenting Kirsty Mostyn with her results Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A fresh inquest has been ordered into the killing of a man in Co Tyrone in 1991. Ian Sproule, 23, was shot dead at his home on the outskirts of Castlederg, with the Provisional IRA suspected as being involved. Attorney General Dame Brenda King has now ordered a new inquest into his death. It is aimed to establish a meaningful account of the circumstances of the death and address rumour and suspicion surrounding the murder. The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) who support Mr Sproules family have welcomed the decision. They have described Mr Sproule as an innocent Protestant civilian who was targeted by the Provisional IRA close to the border of the Republic of Ireland. They further claim that the terrorists had been provided with a Garda sighting document containing Ians personal details and photograph. No-one has ever been held accountable for this act of collusion between the Provisional IRA and a member of An Garda Siochana, SEFF has said in a statement. The Sproule family met with then Irish premier Micheal Martin in Dublin last July as part of their campaign. SEFF has urged that the Irish Government work with the new inquest to help uncover answers around Mr Sproules killing. For 30-plus years, Ians surviving family have fought hard to advance justice, truth and accountability concerning his sectarian-motivated murder, the family have met a former taoiseach, foreign affairs ministers, secretaries of state and many others, they said. Confirmation by AGNI that a new inquest has been ordered is welcomed by Ians family and must herald a new approach in how agencies in both jurisdictions of this island deal with their concerns and unresolved questions. The authorities in the Republic of Ireland (inclusive of An Garda Siochana) cannot repeat the mistakes made at the Kingsmill inquest. That disclosure process was protracted and piecemeal and where to this day AGS evidence provided to the Kingsmill Inquest remains secret and has never been published. Nothing short of full disclosure and full transparency will be acceptable in this case. There are stark questions requiring answered including around potential collaborators within AGS and their relationship with the Provisional IRA. DUP MLA Diane Dodds welcomed confirmation of a new inquest, describing it as a testament to the Sproule familys determination and courage. They have never ceased in their quest to secure truth and justice for the brutal murder of an innocent young man, she said. Mrs Dodds added: The collusion between members of the Garda and the Provisional IRA has been pointed to previously. The then assistant chief constable stated under oath at the Smithwick tribunal that he was satisfied beyond doubt that there was a leak from the Garda to the IRA in respect of Ians murder. The inquest can shine a fresh light on something which has not received sufficient scrutiny, and Ians case in particular has never been properly investigated by authorities in the Republic of Ireland. Multiple indicators reflect resilience, strength of Chinese economy Xinhua) 08:17, August 25, 2023 This photo taken on July 3, 2023 shows robotic arms working in the welding workshop of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- While lingering headwinds have fueled concerns over global growth prospects, multiple indicators have pointed to the resilience and strength of the Chinese economy. In the first half of the year (H1), China recorded a 5.5-percent GDP expansion, the fastest among major economies globally. This impressive performance was followed by robust growth in major economic indicators in the first seven months of 2023, with value-added industrial output and retail sales of consumer goods continuing to post steady increases. Since the second quarter, several international organizations and institutions have revised their forecasts for China's economic growth this year upwards. The World Bank, for instance, raised its China growth forecast to 5.6 percent in June from January's projection of 4.3 percent. Besides solid economic fundamentals, China has also secured growth in key areas such as grain and energy supply. The country's annual grain output has steadied at over 1.3 trillion jin (650 billion kg) in recent years, while its power generation climbed 3.8 percent year on year during the January-July period. New growth momentum is also building amid the country's transition to innovation-driven growth, with progress reported in several major sci-tech projects. The C919, China's first homegrown large jetliner, made its commercial debut in May, while its first domestically-built large cruise ship completed its undocking in June, all of which bear testimony to China's growing strength in innovation. Development of emerging sectors of strategic importance, seen as new drivers of growth by analysts, has also picked up pace in the first seven months of this year, as highlighted by the steady growth in high-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors. In particular, exports of new energy vehicles more than doubled year on year in the first seven months to 636,000 units, an encouraging performance against the backdrop of flagging global trade. Gu Yan, a researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), noted that innovation as a primary driving force for development has become stronger in the country, saying that it will facilitate industrial upgrading and encourage the emergence of new business models. To further energize business vitality, Chinese authorities have pressed ahead with reform, unveiling a 31-measure guideline to bolster private economy and a document aimed at furthering opening up. These policy measures have lent support to private economy, with the number of new self-employed households registering double-digit year-on-year growth in H1. Looking ahead, China's growth prospects are well underpinned by its super-sized market and the development potential amid its efforts to foster a new development paradigm, analysts said. With a population of 1.4 billion, the largest middle-income group in the world and continuous consumption upgrading, China's market holds great appeal among ambitious businesses across the globe. The upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services 2023, for instance, had attracted over 2,200 enterprises as of Sunday, with more than 500 of them being either Global Fortune 500 companies or industry-leading enterprises, data showed. Zhang Zhanbin, a researcher with the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China's urbanization rate stands at 65.22 percent, well below the 80 or even 90 percent recorded in developed economies, thus boasting great development potential. In addition, China has broadened its development space by opening up wider to the outside world. Since the beginning of this year, demand for China-Europe freight trains has been running high, while cargo transported via the China-Laos Railway increased by more than 90 percent year on year. Such an opening-up pace will continue unabated, with Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the NDRC, pledging that the country will open its door wider. "China's development is set to provide more opportunities for the world and inject strong impetus for the global economy," said Zhao. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Feature: "Keep our Pacific nuclear-free!" -- Fijians rally against Japan's dumping of nuke wastewater 14:30, August 25, 2023 By Guo Xinhui ( Xinhua SUVA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- "Japan, I am angry!" "Keep our Pacific nuclear-free!" On Friday, hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. The protesters, led by the Fiji Non-government organization Coalition on Human Rights, called for international actions to halt Tokyo's move to protect the ocean and the future generations. Despite widespread denunciation at home and abroad, Japan on Thursday started discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. "This is a horrendous and horrible move by Japan," said Lusia Lagilevo, a protester from Citizens' Constitutional Forum. "It's a disrespect to our rights as human beings." "Although we are from small island countries, we still deserve to have our rights, our dignity and our freedoms respected," Lagilevo told Xinhua. Lavetanalagi Seru, co-founder of Alliance for Future Generations, said the Pacific has had a history of nuclear testing, and the people in the Marshall Islands are still grappling with the enduring aftermath of nuclear contamination. The Marshall Islands' history bears the indelible scars of 67 nuclear bomb tests conducted by the United States from 1946 to 1958. "We can't allow history to repeat itself, as we depend on the ocean for our livelihoods. It's source of economic opportunities for many of us," Seru said, adding that the impact and the scientific evidence is not yet clear and strong enough to convince them that it's safe. Noelene Nabulivou, co-organizer of the event, was leading the chants of "Japan! Take your money! Take your aids! Take your waste! We don't need it," attracting more and more people to join the chorus of outrage. "We are oceanic people. So we have to protect ourselves, we have to protect our food security, and we have to make sure that as we move from here to the future every generation of us can have the same things that we enjoy," said Nabulivou, who is also the founder of Diverse Voices and Action for Equality. Nabulivou told Xinhua she hopes the Pacific leaders and every country in the world can hear their voices and plea. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday advised all stakeholders, including the media entities, online advertisement intermediaries and social media platforms, to refrain from showing advertisements or promotional content on betting and gambling in any form. According to Ministry of Information & Broadcasting statement, the failure to adhere to this advisory may invite appropriate action from the Government of India under various statutes. The Ministry cited the recent Central government action against a network of agents who had collected substantial money from users of gambling apps that had subsequently funneled the funds out of India to reiterate that advertisements of gambling/betting platforms pose significant financial and socio-economic risk for the consumers, especially youth and children, the statement said. Beijing, Aug 25 (UNI) President Xi Jinping returned to China on Friday after attending the 15th BRICS Summit and paying a state visit to South Africa. Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, were on the same plane. Upon Xi's departure Thursday night local time, South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor and other senior government officials saw him off at the airport. Too Good To Go, the company behind the worlds largest food waste app, has announced it has reached a milestone by saving 500,000 Surprise Bags of food from going to waste in Ireland. Now with over 400,000 registered users in Ireland, since its introduction here 18 months ago, the app has also announced new partners to its 1,600 strong portfolio here. These new partners include salad bar Sprout, bakery store Fooderia, Toastie and Umi Falafel stores. In Cork, new businesses signed up include Dansa Coffee in Millstreet, Studio Macarons at the Marina Market, and Kino Cafe & Event House on Washington Street. The free app works by connecting consumers with local businesses to rescue their surplus, unsold food to save it from going to waste. Surplus food is packaged into Surprise Bags, sold to customers through the app for a fraction of its original price, then collected by the customer at a pre-set time. "Every Surprise Bag saved is a step toward a greener future" says Sophie Trueman, Country Director for Too Good To Ireland. "The response weve had in Ireland so far has been incredibly inspiring - and were just getting started. "Reducing food waste not only helps the environment by lowering greenhouse gas emissions but also saves money for everyone involved. "It's a win-win for the planet and our wallets, and we cant wait to continue growing and rescuing even more good food from going to waste. Other partners include SuperValu, Fresh, Starbucks, Cafe Nero, Off Beat Donut Co. and Spar. MORE than 7,000 Cork students will receive their Leaving Certificate results at 10am this morning. According to the State Examinations Commission, 6,723 students sat this years Leaving Cert in Cork, with 304 Cork students sitting the Leaving Certificate Applied examination. The results will be available to candidates on the candidate self-service portal at 10am. The results will also be available in schools. CAO Round 1 offers will follow on Wednesday, August 30 at 2pm. The release date is the earliest since 2019, and while returning to August, it is still not back to the pre-Covid norm of the middle of the month. The principal of St Peters Community School in Passage West Tony McSweeney said there are many options for students after their Leaving Cert. The most important thing is that the hard work will show. There are so many options and alternative pathways for students now to pursue after they complete their Leaving Cert. The only limits on them are the inhibitions they place on themselves, not the results today. Guidance counsellors and other school personnel are always available to help students navigate their next steps. The President of the Teachers Union of Ireland Liz Farrell said the Leaving Certificate is a stepping stone on students' educational pathway. "While many know a direct route that they wish to take, for others the pathway is more difficult to navigate. Overall, education is a lifelong pursuit and there is a diverse range of choices available to school-leavers, she said. Ms Farrell said there are lots of options for students now to pursue after they finish their second-level studies. Along with the options in Technological Universities/Institutes of Technology and Universities, students should keep in mind the significant choices in further education/Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) colleges, which are offering top quality standalone qualifications. "Unfortunately, much of the discourse at this time of year focuses on points alone. Students should remember that these numbers do not define them as a person, they are simply a regrettable by-product of a national obsession with progression to third level, she added. CELEBRATIONS at one Cork school have begun this morning as students arrive to receive their results. The Principal of Christian Brothers College in Cork has paid tribute to the Leaving Cert class of 2023. Ten students at CBC have received the maximum points of 625, with one student achieving 8 H1 grades. Four students were awarded 7 H1s. In total, 144 students are receiving their results today with 20% obtaining at least 600 points. Principal David Lordon said: It is a fantastic morning for the lads. It takes a team effort to get results like this and it is testament to the parents, teachers and especially the students for the hard work they put in over the last few years. "These students faced very challenging circumstances and the Leaving Cert was the first state exam they sat which makes todays results all the more impressive. The results will be available to candidates on the candidate self-service portal at 10am. The results will also be available in schools. CAO Round 1 offers will follow on Wednesday, August 30 at 2pm. The release date is the earliest since 2019, and while returning to August, it is still not back to the pre-Covid norm of the middle of the month. THE developers and the design team behind Corks long-awaited event centre are working with Cork City Council to ensure compliance with the planning conditions set out so the latent potential of the venue becomes a reality for Cork city. Last month, the chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, told The Echo that detailed design on the 6,000-capacity venue which is due to be built on the site of the former Beamish & Crawford brewery on South Main St had been completed. Documents recently submitted to the councils planning department show that, following the conclusion of the detailed design process, a number of amendments to the building have been proposed. An architects planning compliance report submitted last month, states that as with all large scale projects, the detailed design process has suggested some alterations to the permitted building in order to comply with building regulations including fire safety, access and use, and conservation of fuel and energy, as well as operational requirements. The report contends that none of the proposed alterations are considered to be material or substantial in the context of the overall scale and complexity of such a development and building type. The report states that Scott Tallon Walker Architects has worked closely with developer BAM, operator Live Nation, and specialist design team members to develop in detail the final proposals, drawings, specifications, and pricing documents for the event centre. There are 19 conditions attached to An Bord Pleanalas approval of the development. When it has been confirmed that the conditions are being complied with, pricing negotiations with sub-contractors and suppliers can be completed with confidence, the architects planning compliance report states. It added that the team is committed to ensuring that the latent potential of this iconic and historic site and venue becomes a reality for Cork city. The sod was turned on the event centre in February 2016 and the project has been delayed for numerous reasons over the years. A taste of India comes to Togher this weekend. The World Malayalee Council, Cork Division is celebrating the Kerala harvest festival, Onam The event, known as "Thumbapoo 2023" will be held on Saturday, August 26 in Togher GAA. The Cork Division recently held a successful Easter and Vishu event which celebrated the Indian community Leeside. Cllr Derry Canty, Deputising for the Lord Mayor with members of the World Malayalee Council Cork committee Joseph Joseph, Vice President and Lekha Menon, President at Cork Easter-Vishu, Celebration. Thumbapoo will run from 9am and will celebrate the harvest festival observed predominantly by the Hindus of Kerala. Organiser of the event, President, World Malayalee Council in Cork, Dr. Lekha Menon Margassery said: We have a variety of competitions such as a flower carpet competition called Pookalam, a Mr and Ms competition, known as Srimaan & Srimathi, Tug of war, games for kids and many more. Festival goers will enjoy a Kerala feast from 12 pm. Food will be served on a banana leaf with different varieties of traditional food delicacies. The event will be then graced by Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Derry Canty and First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Murugaraj Dhamodaran, IFS, Embassy of India, Dublin. There will be an array of traditional, folk and western Indian dance and music. Read More WATCH: Span of bridge at Cork train station lifted into place as part of accessibility upgrade WMC Cork has always been supporting local artists and this year we have given platform to one of the Indian band in Cork, Daffodils. They will be launching at our event and enthral the audience with a musical treat. We also have a food stall from Myxtiq and NutriFoods from 3 pm onwards, where you can buy yummy snacks and probably pack home an Indian dinner. To add to that, you can even buy Indian clothing and Indian jewellery from Minsara Ireland and Isa Jewels respectively, Dr Lekha said. Tickets include Kerala meal and entry. Tickets can be purchased online here. This years Leaving Certificate results have been described as consistent with previous years following adjustments in recognition of disruption to learning. More than 60,000 students across Ireland received their examination results issued by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) on Friday. They were the first formal state examinations this years cohort had sat, following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Sean Twomey, Principal of St Aloysius Girls Secondary school in Carrigtwohill, and Ms Manley pose with students on their first day of First Year on Friday. Picture: Cian O'Regan. Some 61,736 students received results, including 58,006 Leaving Cert candidates and 3,730 Leaving Cert Applied applicants. The results follow adjusted examinations and a post-marking adjustment. Bishopstown Community School students Presly Jeche (613 points) and Saoirse Walsh (625 points) at the school to meet teachers and friends after the reults were given out for the Leaving Certificate State Examination 2023. Pic Larry Cummins Minister for Education Norma Foley announced last September that similar accommodations made in recent years would also be made for the Leaving Cert class of 2023 due to the disruption to their schooling by the pandemic. Chairperson of the State Examinations Commission Pat Burke said a post-marking adjustment was made to the examination results in keeping with the ministers commitment. Aoife O'Brien and Luke O'Sullivan, checking the results. 2023 Leaving Certificate results at Nagle Community College, Mahon, Cork. He said this should mean that the overall set of results for 2023 should on the aggregate be no lower than 2022. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Commissioners and I have endeavoured to ensure that candidates taking the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied examinations are treated as fairly and equitably as possible having regard to the adverse impact of Covid-19, he said. St. Aloysius' Girls Secondary School, Carrigtohill, chat with Mr Sweetnam after receiving their Leaving Cert results on Friday. Picture: Cian O'Regan. We welcomed the clarity provided to the education system in September 2022 through the early notification of the level of adjustment to the assessment arrangements this year. In response, we have delivered adjusted examinations and assessments which take account of the disruption to learning for this years cohort. Happy with their results, Aimee Long and Zoe Dunlea. 2023 Leaving Certificate results at St. Patrick's Girls College, Gardiners Hill, Cork. We have again applied a post-marking adjustment to the examination results in order to give effect to the ministers commitment that there would be no cliff edge return to pre-pandemic aggregate grade profiles and the subsequent decision that this should mean that the overall set of results for 2023 should on the aggregate be no lower than 2022. Henok Attikossie, checking his results. 2023 Leaving Certificate results at Nagle Community College, Mahon, Cork. Through this measure it is intended that the Leaving Certificate class of 2023 will not be disadvantaged when competing with the class of 2022 or previous years for opportunities in further or higher education or employment. Ms Foley added: Today brings enormous reward and recognition for all your hard work and dedication over the past number of years, including through challenging times. Joanne Crowley, Angel Metro, and Heather Fane after receiving their Leaving Cert results at St. Aloysius' Girls Secondary School, Carrigtohill, on Friday. Picture: Cian O'Regan. This is an exciting occasion in your life, filled with the prospects of the many great and varied opportunities that lie ahead. Twin brothers Evan (left) and (right) Cameron Lee with younger brother Isaac Lee, from Douglas, Cork with Principal David Barry. The trio returned to Presentation Brothers College, Cork to meet schoolfriends and teachers after their picked up their results in the Leaving Certificate State Examination 2023. Pic Larry Cummins To all of you receiving results today, I wish you every success and happiness as you embark on the next stage in your life. The National Parents and Students Leaving Cert Helpline 1800 265 165 will operate from August 25 until September 2, at 10am to 6pm each day, except for August 27 when it will be open from 10am to 2pm and September 2 when it will be open from 10am to 4pm. TEN students at Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Cork received the maximum Leaving Certificate points of 625, with one student achieving eight H1 grades. Four students were awarded seven H1s. In total, 144 students received their results yesterday at CBC with 20% obtaining at least 600 points. Principal David Lordon paid tribute to the Leaving Cert class of 2023. It takes a team effort to get results like this and it is a testament to the parents, teachers, and especially the students for the hard work they put in over the last few years. These students faced very challenging circumstances, he said. Happy with their results, cousins Ava Lotty and Ciara Lotty at St. Patrick's Girls College, Gardiners Hill, Cork. Meanwhile, Brian Cronin, principal at St Patricks College on Gardiners Hill said there were a lot of happy faces here after the students received their results. We are very happy with the results and so proud of them. In total we had seven students who got over 500 points. We also had a Leaving Cert Applied class and 75% of the class got distinctions which is the highest grade and above the national average, he said. The principal of the all-girls secondary school said there are lots of different pathways available to students nowadays as they move on to the next chapter in their lives. Some of our students are looking at continuing their studies at UCC, MTU, College of Commerce, St Johns Central College, and Colaiste Stiofain Naofa. The pathways are huge. They were a great year and they can now look forward to exciting times ahead. We have a few students hoping to go to college in Galway and sourcing accommodation will be a challenge. It is so exciting for them to be embarking on new adventures. Sean Twomey, principal of St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill, said of his school-leavers: They were a very balanced and well put-together group. We are very happy with their results. There was a certain amount of relief after they got their results and then there was a lot of happiness. Joyous students, Danny Barriscale, Kara Dunne and Nathan O'Driscoll with Principal, Donnchadh O Croinin after they received their Leaving cert results at the Gaelcholaiste in Carrigaline, Co. Cork. Picture David Creedon We let the students access the results at home before we asked them to come into the school. People want to be together when they experience a moment of happiness. They had that moment at home with their families before they called in with their friends and teachers to catch up. Mr Twomey said the class of 2023 will now be pursuing third-level courses nationwide and globally. They were a super bunch. I say that as a principal and as a parent as my own daughter was in the year group. There is a lot of them going directly to college. Some of them are going to the UK and one girl is already studying in Amsterdam. Some of them are going to the States. Young people now have great opportunities. They have seen that if they work hard, they will get rewarded. Students from Bishopstown Community School were also overjoyed after receiving their results. June McCarthy, LCA Coordinator with Sidney Kelly Collins, Sarah Porter, Kayleigh O'Donoghue and Sophie Hennessy, all reveived Leaving Cert Applied distinctions. 2023 Leaving Certificate results at St. Patrick's Girls College, Gardiners Hill, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan. Saoirse Walsh said she was completely shocked to get 625 points. I am delighted. I was completely shocked when I first saw my results. I refreshed the page as it didnt seem right. I was with my parents at home as I couldnt do it on my own. I will miss Bishopstown Community School as it is a great school with brilliant teachers, but we have to move on. Saoirse is now looking forward to starting college life. I am hoping to do finance at University College Cork. Last year the points for this course were 577 so I should be grand. I am looking forward to starting college. I will be able to live at home as UCC is only 10 minutes away. I will enjoy college life. Rian O Luasa was equally thrilled with his results. I am really happy. I got 601 points. It was a big surprise. I thought I might have got less points. I was with my family members when I checked my results online. They are very proud and delighted. I am looking forward to starting college. I hope to study veterinary medicine in Dublin. It was 601 points last year so I think I might be safe. Happy with their results, Aimee Long and Zoe Dunlea at St. Patrick's Girls College, Gardiners Hill, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan. Marcus Bryan was also happy. I got a lot more points than I expected. I finished up with 521 points. The course I wanted was 460 last year. I hope to study mechanical engineering at MTU. I am 60 points clear. I am looking forward to starting third-level education. I love learning and it will be my next journey. Aine OMahony paid tribute to the teachers at Bishopstown Community School. I got 577 points. I got on way better than I expected. My parents and I are both delighted. I hope to do music or languages at university. I am looking forward to getting started. The teachers were amazing. There were a few subjects I wouldnt have done as well in without them. The schools principal Edwina Gottstein added: A lot of our students came in to share their results and celebrate with us. She said: Some students might be disappointed, but I would advise them to contact their school and guidance counsellor who will be able to guide them and direct them further. CAO round one offers will be published on Wednesday at 2pm. WITH the Leaving Certificate results being released today, it can be a nerve-wrecking time for students and parents who have waited anxiously over the summer months. The results are due out at 10am for the 63,539 students who sat their Leaving Cert exams. This is still later than pre-Covid 19 mid-August dates, because of what is termed the post-marking process. In order to prevent or avoid the cliff edge or a sudden return to the grade profile from pre-pandemic times, a lengthy adjustment process must occur. After all the scripts have been corrected, further adjustments will be made to the marks awarded to ensure that they are as close as possible to last years results. It can be a stressful time, with the anticipation of the results, points achieved and subsequent CAO offers surrounding it. The CAO round 1 offers will be made on August 30 at 2pm. The best thing to do coming up to the results is be organised and dont make any rash decisions until the CAO offers come out. Here is everything you need to know about the Leaving Cert results, how to access them, calculate points, and deal with disappointment. How can students access Leaving Cert. results? Accessing your results for 2023 will be online. You can access them via the online system the CSSP. Log on to the account you have created on the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) at 10am to access your Leaving Cert Results online. Be organised and ready for this, there is bound to be a lot of traffic at 10am so maybe to avoid panic wait a short time. The CSSP is now currently open if you need to register (if you didnt do something back in March) or if you have lost your password. The morning of your results, you should have the following in front of you before 10am: Examination Number Student Portal Account Password PPS Number In addition to this, you should have the Leaving Cert. points calculator, a good reliable one can be found on careersportal for example. This is a quick and efficient tool to allow you to convert your grades into CAO points. It will give you the results from the combination of your highest six subjects. In addition, if a student has sat the higher-level maths exam, 25 bonus points will be added to the points score. Students who receive a H6 or higher will have 25 bonus points added to their total score for maths, these bonus points will only be added if Maths is in the top six results being calculated. It is important to note students must also meet the minimum entry requirements for the CAO courses that they have chosen. Can students view their scripts? Students who feel unhappy with their grades will be able to view their scripts online via the CSSP from August 29 at 9am. Here, you can see if there are any issues that might spur you on to appeal your grade. Some of these scripts are available to view online and some in the form of the physical script. Online scripts include Irish, English, Maths, Biology and French, whilst in person scripts for viewing include Polish, computer science, Design & Communication Graphics and constriction studies (Source: examinations.ie). CAO offers will still be made on your initial results, but if you are upgraded, the SEC will inform the CAO and you may receive an offer for your first choice, and you can accept it in place of your first offer, or alternatively you could be offered a deferred place on the course allowing you to enrol next year. The unfortunate reality... disappointment It must be acknowledged that the Leaving Cert results can be a very disappointing time for students and their parents. If you feel disappointed or upset, you need to take time to allow yourself to express those feelings and surround yourself with support. As a career guidance counsellor at careerhub.ie, I am a huge affirmer of the idea that there are many different routes to achieve a career aim or dream. A lot of people do not get their dream course and this is OK. When you have taken time to feel disappointed, consider your next steps, whether that is accepting a level 7 that may allow you a different entry route into your dream course, or by accepting a lower course choice that is career-related course and compliment it with postgraduate study or conversion down the line. If you cannot commit to these courses, there are other routes, including Plcs, which may also provide qqi entry into your dream course the following year (all of this varies from course to course so extensive research is vital). There are a lot of support services available to you, including the parents councils Leaving Cert helpline on 1800 265 165. Many guidance counsellors offer support including myself at careerhub.ie and updates and information will be regularly posted on Instagram @careerhub.ie Contacting the State Examinations Commission If a candidate needs to contact the SEC, the email address for candidate enquiries is candidateportal@examinations.ie and the phone number is 090-6442702. The Relapse Promotions house - originating in Limerick and Tipperary, and working predominantly in Cork - has expended tremendous effort and energy into the citys heavy music communities over the past number of years. The all-day punk events from which they take their moniker have been bellwethers for the genres live presence in the city, while their excursions into booking gigs and tours have led to a now-annual signature metal event at North Main Streets St Peters Church, a deconsecrated church-turned-arts venue that lends itself well to a variety of cultural uses. Last years Oiche an Dullahan, headlined by theatrical Belfast black-metallers Horrenda, saw bands descend on the city from all over the country to perform to a sold-out house. This time around, for the Oiche an Bhais event on Saturday August 26, veteran Limerick death-metallers Zealot Cult take pride of place on the billing this time around. 50 Foot Woman: On the bill. Sitting around the table with your writer at Tuckey Streets trendy SOMA cafe, promoter/organisers Ciara Fozzie Hayes (also of crossover thrashers RPC) and Jim Spillane (also of metallers Dirty Casuals), are cautiously optimistic about the prospect of a gig at such an unusual venue for their work. Honestly, it's a bit nerve-wracking, because last year's event went so well, it's going to be difficult to measure up to, but we're feeling optimistic, opines Hayes. It was actually supposed to be a Celtic/folk metal night first, there was actually talk of getting (Celtic metal exponents) Cruachan or Waylander. Zealot Cult are a band we wanted to work with for a long time, so we kind of worked the night around them being a headliner, we just felt like two black-metal nights in a row would be redundant. Coming from Limerick, the death-metal scene there was always huge, injecting a bit of that into Cork would be fantastic. Acid Age: On the bill. The venue is an unusual one for a metal night, to say the least, and even with the prior experience of having run events there, it must certainly present its own swings and roundabouts, in terms of staging, logistics, etc. My friend Dan is the manager there, he kind-of pitched that it'd be cool to have us there, Spillane says. He'd seen us around, with the festival and all that. Then we ran with it. With [the likes of] Fredz, you pay the venue fee and you get everything. They have their own insurance, their sound engineer, their desk and all that. With Oiche, we've got to get all that, security, and bring the equipment as well, and then sound engineers, photographers. Luckily, they've got new lights and stuff, the venue actually supplies a couple of speakers, some lights and candles, all that kind of spooky nonsense that you might need for the background. Genuinely quite easy to deal with, but it is definitely a once-a-year event, because it's quite stressful. For those of us who have fallen out of the local or national metal scene in recent years, it can be quite hard to gauge exactly whats going on at gigging or grassroots level, which serves to emphasise the importance of big gigs like Oiche an Bhais to a community that maintains its iconoclastic place in the wider Irish music panorama. "For the people we know it's a great day out, but for just one example, there was an entire family from West Cork who came down for it last time, says Spillane. There was one dad, he brought his wife and like all his children." Everdead Wood: On the bill. One guys name on Eventbrite for six tickets, and we were like, whos this guy bringing?, and its his wife and kids, chuckles Hayes. The more events like this for heavy music in Ireland, the better. I do still feel some sense that we are still recovering overall, within these spaces. We've made huge strides in such a short space of time, but there will never be too many of these events. Even when multiple things are going on, it's always nice to have an option. The more, the merrier. A little over two weeks later, Hayes, Spillane and crew open the doors at the Spailpin Fanach on Friday September 15 for the latest edition of their Relapse Punk & Arts Festival. Its the return of a previously biannual event, but as with many events in Cork in recent times, the subject of emigration is somewhere in the background, especially for younger heads at the sharp end of the post-crisis fallout, and the pair all but confirm hints on social media that it might be the last on Cork soil, at least. It's a slightly stripped-back version of the event, slightly less bands playing, and there won't be a poetry break this time, simply because of the lack of venues in Cork City, and we were unfortunately only able to get it up and running on a Friday. It is a slightly toned-down Relapse, but we're still really looking forward to it. Stanton's Grave: On the bill. We're sure there'll be a big turnout, because it's the first one in a year. We are quite optimistic about it, let's be honest. It's going to be the last Relapse festival in Ireland, actually, so we are really hoping it will be something special. From the Melvins-esque sludge of Dubliners Strangers with Guns, to the innate way with melody of Leeside outfit Stantons Grave, to the distinctly Corkonian hardcore of distinguished gentlemen Uncultivates, its certainly not been stripped back in terms of variety and ambition, with the full lineup (see panel) sitting alongside local visual artists stalls. "I don't know if you've ever watched Steve Hughes, the comedian, and it's like, yeah, "if you've listened to Slayer for eight hours a day, you're gonna want to listen to some Enya at the end of it", y'know? He's not wrong, reckons Spillane. "It is bittersweet," says Hayes, mulling over the future. "It's been such a big part of my life for years. No matter where I end up, I probably will continue the Relapse Festival, and even use it as an opportunity to get Irish bands over. The Lee Harveys: On the bill. I'm looking forward to being able to start other projects that I didn't have time for, because the promotion stuff took up so much time. So, I'm going to enjoy the hell out of these last couple of gigs. Oiche an Bhais takes place on Saturday, August 26, at St Peters Church, North Main Street; Relapse Punk & Arts Festival happens on Friday, September 15, at An Spailpin Fanach, South Main Street. Here's what you need to know. Oiche an Bhais St Peters Church, North Main Street Saturday, August 26; 7.30pm, 20; BYOB, 18s+. Following last years Oiche an Dullahan black-metal event, Relapses sophomore excursion into the North Main Street space ventures into death-metal and adjacent sounds. Limerick death-metal veterans Zealot Cult make the trip to Cork to headline, alongside Belfast metallers Gravepath, Dublin/Kildare sludgers Chrononaut, and Leeside outfit Everdead Wood. Its a BYOB affair, so its over-18s only, and patrons are asked to please consume their alcohol respectfully. Relapse Punk & Arts Festival An Spailpin Fanach, South Main Street Friday, September 15; 3.30pm, 20. The return of the Relapse crews punk all-dayer after a years break might well be the last on Leeside soil if thats the case, theres a lot to be proud of. This edition will feature a diverse mix of punk, hardcore and related sounds from Cork and beyond, including: The Lee Harveys, Acid Age, Strangers With Guns, Stantons Grave, The Coathanger Solution, 50-Foot Woman, Uncultivates, Water Dogs, and Arcadian Shadows. Leaving Cert results, a swimming tragedy in Cork and speculation over the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin cover the front pages of Friday's nationals. The Irish Times and the Irish Examiner both report on this year's Leaving Certificate results being inflated to match those of 2022. The Echo leads on the death of a 14-year-old boy who died on Thursday after getting into difficulty while swimming in Passage West in Cork. The Irish Daily Mail reads: 'Putin's chilling taunt over his rival's 'mistakes'' in reference to Mr Prigozhin, who is presumed to have been killed in a plane crash on Wednesday. Finally, the Irish Daily Mirror and the Irish Daily Sun carry and interview with a US tourist who was the victim of a recent assault in Dublin city. In Britain, the fallout from the plane crash which killed Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin continues to dominate the front pages of Fridays newspapers. Most titles lead on the crash with the spotlight turned on Russian president Vladimir Putins reaction and what caused the plane to come down. The Daily Mail is one of several papers to focus on Mr Putins response, saying he offered a sickening tribute which it described as a chilling taunt. His words also lead The Times and The Daily Telegraph, who both report on the Russian leader saying Mr Prigozhin had made mistakes. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'He was a talented businessman... who made mistakes, says Putin'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/GdejsASa1X The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 24, 2023 The Financial Times says Mr Putin confirmed his one-time allys death as he offered condolences in his first public address since the crash. Fridays FINANCIAL Times: Putin breaks silence on Prigozhin to confirm Wagner warlord is dead #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/OkeLdSw4d0 Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) August 24, 2023 And The Sun points the finger at Mr Putin as he sent sincere condolences to Mr Prigozhins family. On tomorrow's front page: Putin offers 'condolences' to Prigozhin's family and says boss 'made mistakes'https://t.co/44S5fOC2YM pic.twitter.com/snyr9lGBmj The Sun (@TheSun) August 24, 2023 The Guardian also reports Mr Putins words as it looks into the cause of the crash, saying US officials believe an intentional explosion brought the plane down a view echoed on the front page of the i. Fridays GUARDIAN: US says bomb most likely cause of Prigozhin crash #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/fuIEGEbdun Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) August 24, 2023 The Metro concentrates on Mr Prigozhins former Wagner troops, saying they have issued a chilling threat of vengeance to Mr Putin. Tomorrow's Paper Today WE'RE COMING FOR YOU, VLAD Wagner rebels vow revenge for Putin's 'murder' of warlord #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3gXJqKMjED Metro (@MetroUK) August 24, 2023 Other stories do make the front pages, the Daily Mirror focusing on the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif in Woking as they say police in Pakistan are close to locating her father. Friday's front page: Cops: We're closing in on her dadhttps://t.co/9zj2PhUyzB pic.twitter.com/DmiZaHP2IP The Mirror (@DailyMirror) August 24, 2023 Migrants land on the front of the Daily Express with British prime minister Rishi Sunak insisting the best way to cut the cost of the asylum system is to prevent small boats arriving in the UK. The Independent continues its campaign to support an Afghan pilot who fought with UK forces, calling for help to help his family escape the Taliban. And the Daily Star reports on a spooky picture of a child which keeps being returned to a charity shop as it is too creepy. Tom Tuite A Dublin youth accused of ramming a patrol vehicle with two gardai in Ballyfermot had bail revoked and was held in custody on Friday after "goading" detectives on a fast electric motorbike. Dublin Children's Court heard claims the teen recently followed detectives to get a chase and nearly ran over a child doing a "wheelie". Judge Michele Finan accepted he had breached a road ban, which was one of his bail terms, and remanded him to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus. The boy (16) is awaiting trial over an incident at Cherry Orchard Avenue in Ballyfermot, Dublin, on the evening of September 19th, 2022. Clips of the scenes went viral on social media last year. A stolen silver Toyota Aqua collided head-on twice with the garda car, which was also "side-swiped" once by another Toyota Aqua, allegedly driven by the boy. He had been given bail with several strict conditions. A preliminary hearing was scheduled in September to consider if his case should remain in the Children's Court or go to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. The schoolboy is charged with unlawful use of a stolen car at Cedarbrook Avenue, dangerous driving in a manner including speed at Cherry Orchard Avenue, criminal damage to a Garda car and endangering the lives of the two officers. Psychological assessments had commenced at the behest of the defence in preparation for the trial venue decision. Detective Garda Chris Jones obtained an arrest warrant to bring the boy back before the court on Friday to apply for bail revocation. Broken curfew In evidence, he said the teen had broken a 10pm-8am curfew and an order not to use any motor vehicle. He alleged that on a date in July, the teenager was on an electric motorbike capable of up to 80km/h, which followed a garda vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes in south Dublin. Detective Jones said he took a photo of the boy to "detract him from goading us to chase him". On another date last month, the teenager was found in a house of extended family members several hours beyond his curfew. Another curfew breach happened when the teen was part of a crowd verbally abusing gardai, but he complied with a caution to leave the vicinity. The court heard that earlier this week, the teenager was spotted doing an estimated 6070km/h on the same electric motorbike in a crowded area. Detective Jones said the teen went on footpaths and almost collided with a young child while performing a wheelie. Defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens told Judge Finan her client accepted that he broke the terms and pleaded for a final chance for the boy, who has no prior convictions and had never been in custody. She said the teen's assessment needed to be completed, and in future his visibly upset mother would agree to custody if he kept breaking the bail terms. Ms Stephens also said there is a loophole in the law about electric scooters, often sold to young people as not being considered mechanically propelled vehicles. The teen's family "clubbed together" to buy the one referred to in the evidence because the boy had been good. However, his mother, who was present for the hearing with two other relatives, has confiscated it, and it will be sold. Judge Finan said there had to be 100 per cent compliance with bail terms, and he knew he was "off the road" and had to obey a curfew. She remanded him in custody to appear again next Friday but a fresh bail application could be brought at a later stage. Another 16-year-old boy, accused of twice ramming the garda car during the incident, remains on bail and is due back in court in September. He is to be served with a book of evidence and sent forward to the higher court on a not guilty plea. A 15-year-old boy who admitted to being a passenger in one of the stolen cars is awaiting sentence at the Children's Court; his case resumes later. Firefighters in Dublin responded to two houses set alight following a lightning strike on Friday. Dublin Fire Brigade said three fire engines attended the scene in Blanchardstown and the blaze was brought under control. Firefighters are responding to two houses alight in #Blanchardstown following a lightning strike 3 Three fire engines are on scene #thunderstorms pic.twitter.com/h8vSt5IIzx Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) August 25, 2023 The incident came as Met Eireann issued a thunderstorm warning for 19 counties on Friday night. The forecaster said localised thunderstorms could lead to spot flooding and difficult travelling conditions. The status yellow warning for thunderstorms is in place for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Leitrim until 9pm on Friday. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. In a meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)s Seventh Assembly in Vancouver, Canada on Thursday, representatives from 185 countries agreed to launch a new global conservation fund, with Canada pledging 200 million Canadian dollars and the United Kingdom contributing 10 million pounds. The United Nations is seeking contributions for the protection of 30 percent of terrestrial and coastal areas by 2030. The new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has been designed to mobilize and accelerate investment in the conservation and sustainability of wild species and ecosystems, whose health is under threat from wildfires, flooding, extreme weather, and human activity including urban sprawl, a press release from the Global Environment Facility said. The GBFF is seeking monetary support from governments, philanthropic donations and the private sector. As a trustee of the World Bank, the GBFF has not yet raised the $200 million it needs to get up and running by the end of the year, reported Reuters. The time for half-measures has passed, said Oscar Soria, director of global activist nonprofit Avaaz. Surely donors can come up with the paltry $40 million still needed, as Reuters reported. The GEF Assembly was attended by 1,500 people, including representatives of government, academia and business, Indigenous Peoples and environmental leaders. The meeting, which is held every four years, comes during what is predicted to be an active hurricane season and the record wildfire season in Canada, which have been influenced by global heating and rising ocean temperatures. Countries have come together in Vancouver to turn things around for the health of the planet and its people. This is a hugely positive moment that will be remembered far into the future. We have shown at the Seventh GEF Assembly that even in difficult conditions with wildfire smoke as our backdrop we can move forward to build a more biodiverse planet for everyones benefit, said Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO of GEF, in the press release. The GBFF was set up in order to fund the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework ratified in December of 2022 in order to tackle the intertwined biodiversity and extinction crises. Biodiversity is the critical foundation of our well-being and the health of our planet. The new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund will play a key role in addressing biodiversity loss. It will address it in developing countries, where the impacts of nature loss are highest; it will address it in a gender-responsive manner, including through cross-sectoral partnerships; it will address it in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, the original guardians of the lands and seas. Canada is making a significant contribution to this new fund and continuing to show our support for the GEFs eighth replenishment to ensure the protection of our planets biodiversity for generations to come, said Canadas Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen in the press release. Contributions to the GBFF will go toward stopping and reversing biodiversity loss globally by 2030, as well as placing nature on a path to recovery by 2050. As we confront the critical challenge of halting and reversing biodiversity loss around the world, working together has never been more important. Our initial contribution to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund showcases the United Kingdoms ongoing dedication to protecting our planets natural diversity and through vital international cooperation we are paving the way for a more sustainable future for our planet, said Trudy Harrison, UK environment minister, in the press release. Up to 20 percent of the GBFFs resources will be dedicated to supporting initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples, as well as to protecting and preserving biodiversity. More than one-third of its resources will go to supporting Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. The creation of this fund and its commitment to supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities is an important and clear recognition of the fundamental role they have had for generations protecting biodiversity. We will only achieve the shared vision of a healthy planet and healthy people with collective, inclusive actions, and a human rights approach where we all hold hands together, said Lucy Mulenkei, co-chair of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, in the press release. Residential schools is the topic of our blog post today! Canada prides itself on being a nation built on diversity and inclusion, but theres a dark chapter in our history that we must face with humility and resolve. As a Canadian citizen and an educational researcher, I feel a profound sense of shame for the period of history when Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their homes and sent to residential schools. This policy, enacted to erase Indigenous cultures and languages, left a lasting scar on our countrys psyche and continues to impact Indigenous communities to this day. In my ongoing efforts to shed light on this significant part of our history, Ive explored various facets of residential schools in Canada. From the personal accounts of survivors to the complex network of institutions, Ive endeavored to present an honest and thorough examination of a subject that we must never forget. Source: Wikimedia Commons If you find this topic as essential and compelling as I do, I invite you to read my other posts, including my reviews of residential school books specifically designed for children, and recommendations for books suitable for teachers and parents. These resources not only enrich our understanding but empower us to engage in meaningful conversations with the next generation. As we venture into this post, well delve into some of the most pressing questions about residential schools, drawing insights from literature and historical records. Lets take this journey together, reflecting on our past, and inspiring change for a more compassionate and just future. Residential School Facts Here are 10 key residential school facts to keep in mind. Check the references list for more details and information. 1. What are residential schools? Residential schools were a system of mandatory boarding schools for Indigenous children in Canada. They were part of an assimilation policy to integrate Indigenous Peoples into Canadian society. The schools were often run by churches and funded by the federal government, with the aim of eradicating Indigenous culture and language.[1] 2. How many years did the residential schools last? The residential school system began in the 1870s and lasted well into the late 20th century, with the last federally funded residential school closing in 1996.[2] 3. What are the horrors of residential schools? The horrors of residential schools included physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Children were forcibly taken from their families, forbidden to speak their native languages, and often subjected to harsh disciplinary actions. The conditions were often inhumane, leading to neglect, disease, and a significant number of deaths.[3.4,5] 4. When did residential schools stop being mandatory? Though attendance began to decrease after changes in the 1950s, it wasnt until the 1970s that the system began to transform, leading towards the closure of the schools.[see 1] 5. What was the largest killer of children in residential schools? The largest killer of children in residential schools was often disease, including tuberculosis. Overcrowding, malnutrition, and inadequate medical care contributed to the spread of fatal illnesses.[7] 6. What was the worst punishment in residential schools? Punishments in residential schools were often severe and brutal. Physical beatings, confinement in small, dark spaces, and public humiliation were some of the most extreme forms of punishment. 7. Who was prime minister during residential schools? Several prime ministers served during the era of residential schools, from Sir John A. Macdonald, who commissioned the first report leading to the creation of the schools, to Jean Chretien, who was in office when the last school closed.[8] 8. Why do survivors always remember their hair being cut? Hair cutting was a symbolic act to erase Indigenous identity. Many Indigenous cultures regard hair as a source of strength and connection to heritage, so cutting it was a deeply traumatic experience.[9] 9. Who was responsible for residential schools? The Canadian government, in collaboration with various Christian churches, was responsible for the establishment and operation of residential schools.[see 2] 10. Were bodies found in residential schools? Yes, unmarked graves have been found at former residential school sites, revealing the extent of the tragedy and the loss of life within these institutions.[10] Final thoughts The story of residential schools is not just a dark chapter in Canadian history; its a complex narrative that continues to resonate in the lives of Indigenous communities and the nation as a whole. While weve explored various facets of residential schools in this post, its important to recognize that the work of understanding, healing, and reconciliation is ongoing. Through my research, writing, and interactions with educators and readers, Im reminded of our collective responsibility to acknowledge the painful truth and work towards a future where empathy, respect, and justice prevail. Whether youre an educator, a parent, or simply a concerned citizen, I encourage you to keep learning, engage in dialogues, and support the initiatives that foster reconciliation and healing. For those interested in continuing this exploration, do visit my posts on residential school books for kids, and residential school books for teachers and parents. Together, we can be a part of the change that honors the memories, experiences, and resilience of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Sources Manx War Veteran's grandson is the stonemason involved in maintenance of War Memorial Nicholas Duff the grandson of Manx War Veteran, Hector Duff, is the stonemason that is carrying out the re-grouting of the Douglas War Memorial. Hector Duff passed away in 2020 at the age of 101. He was best known for being the Island's only remaining Normandy veteran, and had not only survived the landings, but also campaigns in Italy and North Africa. Douglas Council has been thanked after it arranged for the inscriptions of the names of the deceased to be re-grouted by Nicholas Duff, along with maintenance of the stonework and a general tidy-up of the site. A scheduled maintenance programme is essential to preserve a memorial of national significance which acts as a fitting tribute to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, says the local authority. Chair of the Committee, Speaker of the House of Keys, Juan Watterson, said: Its fantastic to know just how many people care about our war memorials and are willing to look out for them. I'd like to express my thanks to the stonemason and Douglas Council for the care and attention being shown to this very visible memorial which celebrates its centenary on May 29th next year. Former President Donald Trump is back on Twitter (now X) more than two years after he was banned from the platform in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol riot. On August 24th, 2023, Trump tweeted for the first time since the website reinstated his account on November 19th, 2022. His first post? An image with the mug shot taken when he was booked at the Fulton County jail in Georgia on charges that he conspired to overturn the results of 2020 Presidential elections. The image also says "Election Interference" and "Never Surrender!," along with the URL of his website. Trump linked to his website in the tweet, as well, where his mug shot is also prominently featured with a lengthy note that starts with: "Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME." In November last year, Musk appeared to make the decision to reinstate Trumps account based on the results of a Twitter poll. He asked people to vote on whether Trump should have access to his account returned. At the end of 24 hours, the option to reinstate the former president won with 51.8 percent of a decision that saw more than 15 million votes. Musk admitted at the time that some of the action on the poll came from bot and troll armies. Prior to the poll, Musk also said the decision on whether to reinstate Trump would come from a newly formed moderation council, but he never followed through on that pledge. The website then known as Twitter banned Trump in early 2021 after he broke the companys rules against inciting violence. The initial suspension saw Trump lose access to his account for 12 hours, but days later, the company made the decision permanent. At first, Trump tried to skirt the ban, even going so far as to file a lawsuit against Twitter that ultimately failed. Following his de-platforming from Twitter, Facebook and other social media websites, Trump went on to create Truth Social. Following his reinstatement, Trump said he didnt see any reason to return to the platform. That said, the promise of reaching a huge audience with something as dramatic as a mug shot was obviously too good for Trump to pass up, particularly with what is likely to be a messy Republican primary on the horizon. The Pound Sterling (GBP) is seen holding close to the day's opening levels against the EUR (EUR) and US Dollar (USD) on Friday, despite the latest UK economic data, the UK GfK Consumer Confidence, beating market expectations. In data released on Friday, the August UK GfK confidence measure saw a significant increase, nearly offsetting July's substantial drop and nearing its annual peak. UK economists at Pantheon Macroeconomics note that the decline in mortgage rates as a significant catalyst behind this favourable shift in sentiment. "A renewed recovery in consumers confidence makes sense, given the fall in energy bills in July and the drop back in mortgage rates over the past few weeks," says Gabriella Dickens, Senior U.K. Economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. The improvement in sentiment hasn't been a narrow one. "The improvement was broad-based, with consumers more upbeat about the year-ahead outlook for both the economy and their personal finances," she adds. Dickens highlighted specific figures that lend credibility to this analysis: "The former balance edged up to -30, from -33 in July, while the latter increased to -3, from -7." "In addition, the major purchases balance rose to -24its joint-highest since February 2022from -32 in July," Dickens points out. This rise is even more significant when considering historical trends. The strategist adds, "The survey, meanwhile, also is not seasonally adjusted and has edged down by an average of 0.2-points in August across the 2000s and 2010s, so this months jump is a genuine improvement." However, the current consumer confidence level, despite its uptick, is still not at its historical average. "Consumers confidence, however, still is well below its average since 1974, -10," Dickens mentions, "suggesting households will remain cautious in the near-term, with some saving the additional cash from lower energy bills, while others will prioritise paying off debt." Friday, August 25, 2023 August 24, 2023. Wistaverse (www.wistaverse.com) the worlds first global platform for protest in the metaverse, announced today that the campaign to stop the extradition of Julian Assange will launch the first ever virtual political rally for Assange this Saturday, August 26th. The rally is part of the effort to prevent the founder of WikiLeaks from being extradited to the US where he could face a 175 year jail sentence for revealing information about the Iraq and Afghan wars. It is being organized by the Dont Extradite Assange Campaign (https://dontextraditeassange.com), which is the official campaign of the Assange movement, working with Assange and his family. John Rees from the Don't Extradite Assange campaign said, This event in the Wistaverse is a valuable opportunity to unite people across the world who believe in freedom of speech and freedom of the press to show their support for Julian and set a signal that will be an important precedent for human rights everywhere. No matter where you are in the world, you can virtually join this event.." The event will include the participation of and speeches by Julian Assange himself (pre-recorded), his wife Stella Assange, Kristinn Hrafnsson, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, and other high profile guests, including British politician Jeremy Corbyn. The event will take place in the Wistaverse, the worlds first platform for virtual protest in the metaverse. The Wistaverse is a not-for-profit protocol located in the Sandbox on the Polygon blockchain. Users who organize protests do so on their own initiative, independent of the Wistaverses creators. The protocol enables a platform for protest for causes with universal importance and gives access for everyone to participate, regardless of geographical location or possible physical disabilities. Jules, one of the founders of Wistaverse, said: We are excited that the Don't Extradite Assange campaign has decided to use the platform to host such a key rally shortly after the launch of the Wistaverse this May. At that time, the inaugural protest was an event organized by Amnesty International in support of abortion rights worldwide. Now, we trust that the event this Saturday will set a signal and focus all eyes on freedom of speech to support that cause. The new Web3 technologies are enabling unprecedented participation and the opportunity for everyone to shape worldwide governance.." The rally will take place in a virtual auditorium designed to look like the Royal Courts of Justice in London where Assange is set to face his final appeal in the UK court system. It aims to build for a real life protest at the same venue when the court date is announced. The speakers at the rally will appear either as characters inside the event or with filmed contributions shown on screens inside the arena created by the event designers. The Wistaverse uses metaverse technology to allow each individual attendee to be represented by an avatar that can hear the speeches and watch other material inside the virtual rally and interact with other attendees. It protects users identity and enables universal participation. The rally is open to anyone with a computer. The rally will be on Saturday 26 August at 5pm BST/ British Summer Time, when information about how to participate will go live on the events dedicated website on the Sandbox. For more information contact: For Dont Extradite Assange Campaign: media(at)dontextraditeassange.com or Silvi: email: ps13(at)tuamail.com Tel.: +44-798-480-9125 For the Wistaverse: jules.wistaverse(at)gmail.com & Wistaverse(at)transformgroup.com For details, visit: www.wistaverse.com & Dontextraditeassange.com About Dont Extradite Assange Campaign The Dont Extradite Assange Campaign has been established in the UK by WikiLeaks in order to focus campaigning efforts on preventing the extradition of journalist and publisher Julian Assange to the United States where he faces 175 years in jail. Through his publications he has exposed war crimes against humanity, government corruption and mass surveillance. Visit: Dontextraditeassange.com About WikiLeaks WikiLeaks is a multinational media organization and associated library. It was founded by its publisher Julian Assange in 2006. WikiLeaks specializes in the analysis and publication of large datasets of censored or otherwise restricted official materials involving war, spying and corruption. It has so far published more than 10 million documents and associated analyses. WikiLeaks has contractual relationships and secure communications paths to more than 100 major media organizations from around the world. This gives WikiLeaks sources negotiating power, impact and technical protections that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve. Although no organization can hope to have a perfect record forever, thus far WikiLeaks has a perfect in document authentication and resistance to all censorship attempts. WikiLeaks is a giant library of the world's most persecuted documents. We give asylum to these documents, we analyze them, we promote them and we obtain more.." - Julian Assange, Der Spiegel Interview Visit: Wikileaks.org About Wistaverse The Wistaverse is a multi-platform protocol and the first virtual, global platform for protest in the metaverse. The protocol uses blockchain as a shared tool for democracy. It is permissionless, censorship resistant, self-sustaining, and free from government interference. The $WISTA utility token raises decentralized funding during protests from the community for the community, to fuel its actions and impact. A fair moderation system will allow randomly selected $WISTA holders to ensure that no events taking place go against its security guidelines of No incitation to violence, no racism and no sexism.." The Wistaverse is built on Polygon and currently available on The Sandbox. The Wistaverse is a voice for all in a world that is becoming ever more controlled by surveillance and in which democracies are increasingly fragile. At the same time, it is compliant just as it is an enabler of responsible protest. Visit: www.wistaverse.com Press contact: Wistaverse@transformgroup.com A Montana law that bans the popular TikTok social media app faces First Amendment challenges with opponents of the social media prohibition saying it is unlawful censorship. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the groups Montana arm and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (a digital free speech advocacy organization) filed an amicus brief earlier this month a federal court opposing the Montana law. The Republican-controlled Montana Legislature and GOP Gov. Greg Gianforte approved the TikTok ban in the May. The law prohibits new downloads of the Chinese-based social media app, which has grown in popularity with its short-form videos. A number of other states are also looking to ban or restrict TikTok citing data privacy concerns and ties between its parent company (Bejing-based ByteDance Ltd.) and the Chinese government. The federal court challenge of the Montana ban brought by TikTok, a group of platforms users as well as civil liberties groups will set the table for other U.S. states social media restrictions. A hearing on the Montana law is scheduled for a federal court in Missoula on Oct. 12. That hearing could determine whether the state ban can go into place during the broader lawsuit challenging the statute. The Montana law potentially fines Google, Apple and other app stores as well as other technology firms and possibly TikTok $10,000 for each illegal download. The ACLU and EFF say the Montana law, which is scheduled go into place Jan. 1, 2024, is censorship and runs afoul of the First Amendment. The Constitution imposes an extraordinarily high bar on this kind of mass censorship, said Patrick Toomey, deputy director of ACLUs National Security Project. Montanas law violates the First Amendment, plain and simple, and it should be halted. ACLU and EFF attorneys also argue Montanas law singles out TikTok for direct restrictions while not implementing new laws against other social media apps and platforms. Many Montanans use TikTok to communicate with local and global audiences, said David Greene, EFFs Civil Liberties Director. The state must not violate their rights by banning this speech platform. TikTok is a video-oriented social media aa with 1.1 billion users worldwide and 220 million downloads in the U.S. (including 5 million businesses), according an analysis this month from Utah-based research firm Wallaroo Media Inc. Only Facebook (2.9 billion), YouTube (2.2 billion) and Instagram (1.4 billion) have more users than TikTok, according to Wallaroo. On the other side of the issue, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen argues the TikTok ban is legal and needed. The federal government, other states, and other countries have recognized the dangers of TikTok because it is under the thumb of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, but the State of Montana is the first state to take action and protect its citizens privacy, Knudsen said in a statement. Our legislators and Governor Gianforte did the right thing in prohibiting TikTok from operating in Montana as long as it is under the control of a foreign adversary. My office looks forward to vigorously defending the law as this case proceeds. Knudsen wants the federal court hearing the TikTok ban challenge to deny a preliminary injunction that would delay the laws implementation during the legal case. The Republican attorney general said the state has the right to restrict the social media platform under consumer protection powers to regulate products or practices. Knudsen said the law fits under protecting consumers and is not focused on free-speech protected content posted on TikTok (or other social media sites). As a condition of using it, TikTok captures reams of personal, private data from every Montana TikTok user. Then CCP members embedded in ByteDance can use a god credential to access those data at any time without asking TikTok. the brief states. No other app conditions its use on making Montanans digital privacy subject to data harvesting with at-will CCP access; in this respect, TikTok stands alone. A number of U.S. elected officials including President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to Republicans such as Gianforte and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (who is running for president 2024) have also banned TIkTok from government smartphones and computers citing privacy concerns and potential links to the Chinese government. Farmers importing live pigs or semen are being urged to only source from unvaccinated herds negative for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Industry bodies are raising awareness to keep new diseases and new strains of existing diseases like PRRSV out of the UK. PRRSV is a widespread disease affecting domestic pigs, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Symptoms include reproductive failure, pneumonia and increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial infection. The National Pig Association (NPA) said anyone importing live pigs or semen should follow the guidance in the NPA protocol. It added that imported pigs and semen should only be sourced from PRRSV-negative unvaccinated herds. And there should always be direct vet to vet discussion between the importers vet and the vet for the herd from which pigs or semen are being imported prior to purchases and importations. NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: This helps to avoid many of the disease risks that could otherwise occur and the vet is then in a good position to advise and interpret pre-import test results. Negative pre-import test results are vital. If testing is only done post-import and positive results are obtained, the importer is faced with difficult but important decisions such as whether to send back, or cull, pigs that test positive, as well as the associated costs. No one would want to be responsible for placing the national herd at risk by allowing exotic PRRSV strains to be introduced. What is the NPA protocol? The NPA protocol states: Pigs must only be sourced from herds deemed to be free from both PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 by routine surveillance and that do not vaccinate against PRRSV. Blood samples from a representative sample of pigs destined for export must be tested within 30 days prior to departure. If any samples are deemed virus-positive following testing by PCR the pigs may not be released for transport to Britain. Pigs for importation should test negative for PRRSV antibody and for virus (by PCR) pre-importation. A free flyer has been produced to help inform farmers and growers on new rules for ammonium nitrate fertilisers this autumn. Farmers must prepare for changes in the law which will require them to provide photo ID when purchasing ammonium nitrate (AN) fertiliser from 1 October. It comes after the Home Office amended the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023 to include additional substances, such as AN with a nitrogen content of 16% or more. This applies to compounds, blends, and mixtures including NPK fertiliser containing ammonium nitrate at or above the nitrogen content threshold. The free flyer, produced by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), is a downloadable A5 resource which can be printed and displayed to raise awareness of the forthcoming legal requirement. Businesses supplying farmers are being encouraged by AIC to make use of this resource to help inform their customers. Jo Gilbertson, AICs head of fertiliser, said: AIC is concerned that unless farming customers can show distributors their photo ID, they legally will not be able to place an order. "We may see a situation where there is a de facto ban on AN fertiliser sales from October. "AIC will be working with farming unions to ensure that the practicalities of this new legislation are better understood by farmers across the UK, making sure that they are well prepared for the changes. To download the free informative flyer and for further details on the legal changes, visit the AIC website. Nominations have opened for the prestigious David Thomlinson Award, recognising farmers for their commitment and accomplishment within the livestock sector. The award is dedicated to one of the livestock industrys most respected figures, who was tragically killed on his farm three years ago. Harrison & Hetherington (H&H) will be presenting the David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Borderway Agri Expo. Inaugurated in 2021, the aim of the award is to acknowledge a person who has a passion for the future success of the industry and is an inspiration to others. Nominations, which will be judged by Sheila Thomlinson, Davids wife, and a panel of specially chosen individuals, are now being accepted and will close on 29 September. Last years winner was Cumbrian farmer, John Hall of Inglewood Edge Farm, whose nomination outlined his commitment to helping others succeed, as well as paving the way for young people to secure the future of the industry and the breeds he cares so deeply about. The award will be presented by Davids wife, Sheila, at Borderway Agri Expo which takes place at Borderway Exhibition Centre in Carlisle on Friday 27 October. John, who was completely overcome on receiving the award, commented on the day: I am stunned and absolutely thrilled. I cant comprehend that people think so much of me. It is such an honour. In reviewing the final nominations, the judges will be looking for someone who demonstrates a combination of ability, sportsmanship, integrity and character. In memory of David, the trophy will be presented to someone who the panel believes to have the combination. On the return of the award, James Little, H&H pedigree sales manager said: David is remembered across the entire livestock industry and it is our privilege to continue Davids legacy through this award. Since it was initiated, we have had two very worthy recipients and we know going forward that this presentation will become one of the highlights of the Borderway Agri Expo programme. John Hall is the second winner of the David Thomlinson award, after Nottinghamshire farmer, John Gent, was awarded the inaugural accolade in 2021. To make a nomination, send a brief resume on the nominee to: The David Thomlinson Award, c/o Mrs C Charlton, Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Borderway Mart, Rosehill, Carlisle CA1 2RS, or by email to carolync@borderway.com. Bam Margera has been ordered to wear an alcohol-detecting anklet while in Bam Margera is required to remain alcohol-free for 30 days A Chester County judge set the bail conditions on Thursday (24.08.23), weeks after he was arrested and cited for alleged public intoxication. One of them requires the former 'Jackass' star to be wearing the SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) for a minimum of 30 days, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, and If he manages to remain alcohol-free during those days, it will be removed. Margera will also have to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly and agree to and complete the suggested outpatient treatment. The 43-year-old star was arrested following a row with a woman outside of the Radnor Hotel in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania in the early hours of the morning on August 9. According to TMZ, law enforcement sources said patrolling officers saw Margera "arguing loudly" with someone outside the hotel in the Philadelphia area at 4.15am. The officers are said to have stopped and made their approach, finding the ex-skateboarder allegedly smelling of alcohol and slurring his speech. He was then taken into custody and then to a nearby police station, where he was issued two citations. One was for alleged public intoxication, while the other was for disorderly conduct. He was later released with no further incident following a call to a friend. Meanwhile, the Radnor Hotel's general manager Louis Prevhost said Bargera tried to get a room at around 3.15am on Wednesday (09.08.23). The star was allegedly upset at not being allowed into the hotel - which is inline with its policy regarding no one who isn't already registered being allowed in after 1am. However, it's said Margera didn't do anything negative, and he didn't even enter the hotel before leaving without incident. Prevhost noted there is no record of anyone at the hotel calling the police, and he's not sure who ended up contacting the authorities. Last month, a judge ruled that the star will stand trial on charges of allegedly punching his brother during a row at their home in Chester County. A judge ruled during a July 27 hearing that in order to remain free on bail, Margera must get a drug and alcohol screening, and he can partake in "no drug or alcohol use". Donald Trump posted a picture of his mugshot, in his first tweet since January 2021. Donald Trump posts mugshot in Twitter return The 77-year-old former US President took to the X platform - previously known as Twitter - just hours after he was booked at Fulton county jail in Georgia on charges of election interference on Thursday (24.08.23), to share his mugshot and a defiant message. He wrote: "ELECTION INTERFERENCE. NEVER SURRENDER!, along with a link to his website DONALDFTRUMP.COM. He also added the caption: "MUG SHOT - AUGUST 24, 2023." Trump has more than 88 million followers on Twitter, despite being banned from the site following the 6 January 2021 attack on Congress by his supporters. When handing out the ban, Twitter cited the risk of further incitement of violence". His last tweet before getting banned was made on January 8, 2021, and read: I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th. However, in November 2022, new Twitter owner Elon Musk reversed the ban after taking a poll among his followers. Despite the reversal, Trump vowed to remain with the social media platform Truth Social, which he is believed to have had an exclusivity agreement that ran out in June. Mike Davis, a Trump ally and founder of The Article III Project, a conservative legal group, told Axios in June: "President Trump needs to make Twitter great again. I want him to get back on before the presidential campaign heats up. "From a business perspective, its very smart hes only on Truth. From a political perspective, he needs to be on Twitter." Dua Lipa believes it's still "scary to be a woman". Dua Lipa thinks it's scary to be a woman The 28-year-old pop star thinks women continue to face threats in their everyday lives, in spite of the MeToo movement. Speaking to Vogue France, Dua explained: "MeToo or not, its still scary to be a woman and walk down an empty street alone at night on your way home. "I have so many memories of times when you get your keys ready in your hand, or you grab your bag, or you pretend to be on the phone I dont know if that will ever change." The award-winning star believes things are broadly trending in the right direction. However, Dua insists that "theres still a lot of work to be done". The London-born star - who has often voiced her opinions on social and political issues - explained: "I feel so much more solidarity for what women are going through. Guys are listening more. Maybe theyre just scared of being accused themselves one day, but I still feel like a lot of people are realising that these structures of domination have been in place since forever. And this realisation can change things. "So its going in the right direction, but theres still a lot of work to be done." Despite this, Dua believes that women still face a "minefield" every day. The 'One Kiss' hitmaker stressed the need to "respect womens choices" - regardless of what they are. Reflecting on her personal experiences, Dua shared: "Its like navigating a minefield from the very beginning. Were s***shamed for everything and anything. Does anyone think of peoples own experiences before attacking them? So, for me, its really important to respect womens choices, whatever they are." Melissa Joan Hart revealed she experienced a "born again" moment when she encountered the Holy Spirit. Melissa Joan Hart's 'born again, Holy Spirit moment' The 47-year-old actress was raised Catholic and her husband Mark Wilkerson, was previously Baptist, but together they started attending a Presbyterian church and she says prayer has deepened her faith. Speaking to the Christian Post, Melissa said: "Everyone's always talking about their moment of coming to Jesus or their moment of being born again. I feel like I've always walked with God, it's just gotten deeper and closer and more fulfilling. "I did have a born again, Holy Spirit moment. I never really understood the Holy Spirit or the Trinity in a sense. One day, we were in Bible study and it just hit, like the Holy Spirit made sense to me all of a sudden! "One day, I just felt it and I was like, "Oh my gosh, thats the Holy Spirit talking to me. I get it now." "Like a lightning bolt just hit me and I was like, 'The Holy Spirit!' I dont know why it just hit me and I got it. Then I better understood the Trinity and all that." She also credited her husband with guiding her prayers, saying: "I started to understand more about how to pray and then my husband also helped me. My husband taught me to pray for mercy." However, there was a time when she almost gave up prayer because of anxiety but resumed it as she was worried about Satan "trying to take over". She said: "I actually wanted to stop praying for a while because I was having such terrible thoughts that would frighten me so badly. I was like, I'm not gonna pray anymore because I can't handle these thoughts. It's giving me anxiety. It's keeping me from sleeping. It's like, literally choking me with how scared it's making me. When I pray, these other thoughts are coming in. And that's when I realised that Satan is trying to take over so I have to keep doing it! I fought through it and that doesn't happen anymore." Lala Kent thinks reality TV is a "very intense environment". Lala Kent has warned of the dangers of reality TV The 32-year-old star admits that reality TV isn't for everyone, after Raquel Leviss quit 'Vanderpump Rules' following the Tom Sandoval cheating scandal. Lala said on her 'Give Them Lala' podcast: "I don't think that reality TV is for everyone. It is a very intense environment. "If you are not mentally tough as f***, it can break you. It definitely can. "Now, to say that Raquel was a victim of something, I don't know. What I do know is you made a decision to sleep with your best friend's partner of ten years. You didn't need to do that. No one was forcing you to do it and no one asked you to do that." Tom split from Ariana Madix after news of his affair with Raquel emerged. Raquel subsequently took to social media to apologise for her behaviour. She wrote on Instagram at the time: "I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana. (sic)" Raquel also promised to reflect on her mistakes. The TV star - who recently returned home after spending some time at a mental health facility - said: "I am reflecting on my choices, speaking to a counselor and I am learning things about myself such as my patterns of codependency and addiction to being and feeling loved. I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships. I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices. (sic)" Bray Wyatt has died at the age of 36. Bray Wyatt has died at the age of 36 The professional wrestler whose real name was Windham Lawrence Rotunda was best known for his tenure with the WWE but had been away from the ring since February when he died suddenly on Thursday (24.08.23). In a message posted to X, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levecall said: Just received a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda who informed us of the tragic news that our WWE family member for life Windham Rotunda - also known as Bray Wyatt - unexpectedly passed earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time. Brays last match was a win against LA Knight at the beginning of this year and his death comes just weeks after it was reported that he was on the brink of being medically cleared to hit the ring again after suffering his undisclosed illness. The wrestling star who was a third-generation professional having followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, and his father Mike Rotunda was engaged to announcer JoJo and had Knash, four, as well as three-year-old three-year-old Hyrie with her. Tributes to the tragic star were led by former wrestler-turned-Hollywood star Dwayne The Rock Johnson, who noted that he was heartbroken over the loss, especially following the death of fellow wrester Terry Funk, who died just a day earlier than Bray at the age of 79. He wrote on X: I'm heartbroken over the news of Bray Wyatts passing. Always had tremendous respect and love for him and the Rotunda family. Loved his presence, promos, in-ring work, and connection with WWE Universe. Very unique, cool, and rare character, which is hard to create in our crazy world of pro wrestling. Still processing losing the goat, Terry Funk yesterday, and now Bray today. Prior to his engagement to JoJo, Bray who in the last decade of his career played a villainous cult leader who believed himself to be the "nagging conscience of an immoral world" married Samantha Rotunda in 2012 and had two daughters with her before she filed for divorce in 2017. Lexus transforms an ordinary London car park into an extraordinary immersive light display to mark the launch of the LBX, an all-new landmark model for the brand. Multi-sensory interactive light installation reflects the LBXs style and design The Extraordinary Car Park in Soho will be open to the public from 21 24 September and admission is free This event is the second in a series of four LBX pop-up extraordinary experiences across Europe Lexus is transforming an ordinary London underground car park into an extraordinary immersive light display from 21 24 September. The event, taking place next to QPark, 51 Poland Street, W1F 7ND in Londons Soho, celebrates the launch of the all-new LBX, a landmark model for the Lexus brand and its smallest vehicle yet. Entrance to the launch event The Extraordinary Car Park takes the familiar process of driving into a multi-storey and looking for a space and turns it into an art experience. Guests follow a walking route of discovery through LED arches and canopies of lights. Fields of undulating light bulbs spring into life, triggered by voice activation, and a display of LED batons pulse in rhythm with the viewers heartbeats. A mission to make everyday moments extraordinary is at the heart of the LBX: a hybrid electric car thats remarkable in design yet practical for daily city driving. The Extraordinary Car Park is one of a series of Lexus LBX pop-up events being held around Europe to bring this concept to life through immersive installations. Guests can sign up to attend free of charge here. Tommaso Grassi, Head of Customer Experience and Communications at Lexus Europe, commented: Following the popularity of our first LBX pop-up event in Milan, we are revealing accessible Lexus luxury to even more people through the Extraordinary Car Park in London. This multi-sensory event will share the LBXs message of making the everyday extraordinary through artistic installations that express the new models roots in style and design. And, of course, guests will be welcomed with our signature omotenashi hospitality. Two further LBX events will take place this year: The Extraordinary Street Gallery in Madrid, 26 29 October The Extraordinary Boulangerie in Paris, 23 25 November 2023 About the LBX The Lexus LBX The all-new, all-hybrid electric LBX is the smallest Lexus yet, but fully deserving of its status as a landmark model, one which breaks down the traditional luxury hierarchy and which will be a game-changer for the brand in the UK and Europe. As a new shape within Lexuss well-established SUV line-up, it offers strong appeal to a younger audience and those who may not have considered a Lexus before. Reservations for the new car have opened in the UK ahead of the full sales launch in October. Customer vehicle deliveries are scheduled to start in March 2024. by Matt Shine for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Doha in Qatar offers everything that will make a shopaholic ecstatic from luxury brands down to traditional wares If you think of heritage, art and culture when you think of Qatar, its time to add another attraction to that list. Doha, the capital of Qatar, offers everything that will make a shopaholic ecstatic from luxury brands down to traditional wares in the souqs. All you need is indefatigable energy to tap into all the shopping opportunities. Here is a list of shopping options to explore Hit The Souqs Traditional shopping awaits you in the Qatari souqs, with a chance to immerse yourself in their old world charm as a bonus. Get yourself local delights such as traditional fragrances at the many oudh and perfume shops or distinctive outfits from the fabric stores. The marbled promenades are where you will find the best clothing, jewellery and scents, while the souqs themselves cocoon textiles, musical instruments and handicrafts. Put Souq Waqif (main image), Souq Al Wakrah and the Gold Souq on your itinerary. Next to Souq Waqif, Souq Al-Deira is where you go for luxury fabrics the purest silks, authentic cashmere pashminas, and exquisite embroidery. To read the full story, become a PRIME member today. PRIME Unlimited Access to Insightful Industry Information All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. China is committed to promoting Africa's regional economic integration by encouraging investment, facilitating value chains, and strengthening and integrating intra-Africa trade, a joint statement released yesterday after the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg said. Both sides will continue to synergise Belt and Road cooperation with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the national development strategies of African nations, it said. China is committed to promoting Africa's regional economic integration by encouraging investment, facilitating value chains, and strengthening and integrating intra-Africa trade, a joint statement released yesterday after the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg said. China-Africa trade rose by 7.4 per cent YoY to $158.36 billion between January and July. They reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing the institution-building of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The Chinese side supported African countries in exploring development paths compatible with the national conditions, and the African side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China policy, it added. The African side commended China for introducing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative, in support of strengthening multilateralism, a state-controlled Chinese news agency reported. Meanwhile, China's trade with Africa reported steady growth in the first seven months this year, according to official data. Trade between China and Africa rose by 7.4 per cent year on year (YoY) to 1.14 trillion yuan ($158.36 billion) during the January-July period, data from the general administration of customs in China showed. In the first seven months, the country's exports to Africa grew by 20 per cent YoY to 709.59 billion yuan, while imports reached 426.65 billion yuan. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) In the 2021 war drama film Shershaah, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani teamed up for the first time. The film told the incredible story of late Army officer Vikram Batra, who gave his life during the Kargil War. Sidharth's performance as the lead character in the film received widespread acclaim. It was one of his most impressive performances to date. The 69th National Film Awards were held this evening, August 24, 2023, at a press conference in New Delhi, and Shershaah received a Special Jury Award. Kiara Advani took to Instagram to express her delight after Shershaah received a Special Jury Award at the 69th National Film Awards. She stated, This win is so so special. Such a humbling moment for our entire team, truly grateful for the immense love our film Shershaah has received. Congratulations team #Shershaah #69thNationalFilmAwards # myfirstnationalawardwinningfil m @sidmalhotra @karanjohar #VishnuSir @dharmamovies @apoorva1972 @shabbirboxwalaofficial @kaashent #sandeepshrivasthava @batra7478 @azeemdayani @amazonprime Not only Kiara, but also Sidharth Malhotra took to Instagram to express his gratitude and share how overjoyed he was when Shershaah won the Special Jury Award at the National Film Awards. He stated, #Shershaah is a special film for me. Im honoured and humbled as it becomes my first film to win a National Award. Thank you and congratulations to our entire team #VishnuVardhan, @iamsandeepshrivastava, @karanjohar, @dharmamovies, @shabbirboxwalaofficial, @kiaraaliaadvani, @azeemdayani, @baidnitin and the rest of the cast. And finally, where it all started, thank you to @batra7478 and family for trusting us to tell this braveheart's story. #NationalFilmAwards @primevideoin @sonymusicindia Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani grew closer while working on their first film together, which led to a romantic relationship. Following that, they made public appearances together and went on vacation together to spend quality time together. They married on February 7th, 2023 in a lavish ceremony in Rajasthan earlier this year. On numerous occasions, Amitabh Bachchan has risked his life for the sake of his movies. Following his near-fatal accident on the set of Coolie, Amitabh's life was once again in jeopardy when he filmed for the 1992 movie Khuda Gawah in Afghanistan. Along with the film's cast and crew, Bachchan shot the film with Sridevi in the war-torn nation. In a recent interview, the film's producer Manoj Desai recounted that Amitabh's mother Teji Bachchan cautioned him before he departed for the shoot.Recently in an interview with a leading news organisation, Manoj said, "If Amitabh Bachchan had gotten shot with one bullet, it would all have been over. If Sridevi would have been shot, it would be over. Because there was a war going on."Recalling the time, when he met Amitabh's mother Teji Bachchan, the film producer revealed, "When I met Teji Bachchan, she said Agar Munna ko kuch hua, aur Jaya ne white saree pehni toh tu vahan suicide karna. Teri wife bhi white saree pehenegi. This was the warning from Teji Bachchan."In addition, he remembered receiving a warning from Sridevi's mother. He said, "Sridevis mom said If something happens to her, you dont come back. If you come back, I will kill you."It was reported in 2010 that Amitabh had spoken about the film and mentioned that he had made a request to the President of Afghanistan for permission to shoot the movie. He said, "Najibullah, the former President of Afghanistan was a great fan of Hindi films and he had urged Indian Government to arrange our visit to the country. When we were discussing the script of Khuda Gawah, I said let us go to Afghanistan to shoot. We went to Mazar-e-Sharif to shoot the sequence of traditional Afghan spot of Buzkashi. The President provided us excellent security when the shooting was on. Fighter Jet planes were keeping vigil in the sky and Army tanks were at the side of the sets. It just felt like a battlefield."Khuda Gawah was released in 1992 where Amitabh Bachchan played the role of Baadshah Khan and Sridevi played the role of Benazir. Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2023) - Tiny L td . (TSXV: TINY) (formerly, WeCommerce Holdings Ltd.) ("Tiny" or "the "Company"), a leading technology holding company with a strategy of acquiring majority stakes in businesses, today announced the financial results for Tiny Ltd. for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2023 ("Q2 2023" and "YTD Q2 2023", respectively). Currency amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Q2 2023 Financial Results For the three-months ended June 30, For the six-months ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenue 47,472,296 40,397,398 83,804,244 73,915,496 47,472,296 40,397,398 83,804,244 73,915,496 Operating income (loss) (10,899,361) 6,403,151 (11,969,202) 15,875,418 Net income (loss) 32,674,714 (26,391) 28,593,803 6,374,312 EBITDA (1) 40,635,940 4,578,544 39,312,096 15,601,162 EBITDA % (1) 86% 11% 47% 21% Adjusted EBITDA (1) 6,416,044 8,870,323 9,228,801 21,593,539 Adjusted EBITDA % (1) 14% 22% 11% 29% Cash provided by operating activities (5,964,428) 2,896,256 (6,957,220) 10,495,824 Basic earnings/(loss) per share 0.19 (0.00) 0.18 0.07 Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 0.19 (0.00) 0.18 0.07 (1) Refer to Non-IFRS Measures for further information Revenue in Q2 2023 was $47,472,296, an increase of $7,074,898 or 18% compared to Q2 2022. Net income was $32,674,714 in Q2 2023 compared to net loss of $26,391 in Q2 2022. In Q2 2023, the Company had a gain on step acquisition of $42,083,465 resulting in a positive net income. This was offset by a $9,319,466 increase in wages compared to Q2 2022. Unrestricted cash on hand at June 30, 2023 was $27,333,477 compared to $31,201,836 on December 31, 2022. Total debt outstanding at June 30, 2023 was $113,042,923 compared to $69,793,864 on December 31, 2022. Adjusted EBITDA (1) for Q2 2023 amounted to $6,416,044 or 14% of revenue, compared to $8,870,323 or 22% of revenue in Q2 2022. for Q2 2023 amounted to $6,416,044 or 14% of revenue, compared to $8,870,323 or 22% of revenue in Q2 2022. Had the WeCommerce merger occurred on April 1, 2023, management estimates that consolidated revenue and consolidated net income would have been $49,478,877 and $33,552,280, respectively, for the three-month period. Shelf Prospectus The Company also announces that it has obtained a receipt for a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus (the "Shelf Prospectus") from the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. The Shelf Prospectus (when effective) will qualify the distribution from treasury and secondary distribution of up to $150 million of common shares, warrants, units, debt securities and subscription receipts (collectively, "Securities") or any combination thereof, during the 25-month period that the Shelf Prospectus remains effective. The specific terms of any future offering of Securities will be set forth in a prospectus supplement to the Shelf Prospectus, which will be filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities in connection with any such offering. The Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and, subject to applicable regulations, may include "at-the-market" transactions, public offerings or strategic investments. Financial Statements Tiny Ltd's consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for Q2 2023 are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About Tiny Tiny is a leading technology holding company with a strategy of acquiring majority stakes in wonderful businesses. Tiny has three core business segments, Digital Services (Beam), E-Commerce platform (WeCommerce), and Creative platform (Dribbble), with other standalone businesses including a private equity investment fund. Beam, and its subsidiary companies including MetaLab, helps start-ups to Fortune 500 companies to design, build and ship premium digital products for both mobile and web. The Company's capabilities as an end-to-end product partner provide clients with intimate insight into end-user behavior, allowing for a thorough, strategy-led approach to product design, engineering, brand positioning and marketing. WeCommerce provides merchants with a suite of ecommerce software tools to start and grow their online stores. Its family of companies and brands includes Pixel Union, Out of the Sandbox, KnoCommerce, Archetype, Yopify, SuppleApps, Rehash, Foursixty and Stamped. As one of Shopify's first partners since 2010, WeCommerce is focused on building, acquiring, and investing in leading technology businesses operating in the Shopify partner ecosystem. Dribbble is a creative network and community that design professionals use to meet, collaborate, and showcase their work. Dribbble also hosts an online marketplace for graphics, fonts, templates, and other digital assets. Other standalone businesses include several software and internet companies and the operation of a private equity fund where the Company serves as the general partner (the "Tiny Fund"). The Tiny Fund commenced operations in August 2020 and has total committed capital of US$150 million. For more about Tiny, please visit www.tiny.com or refer to the public disclosure documents available under Tiny's SEDAR profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Company Contact: David Charron Chief Financial Officer Phone: 416-418-3881 Email: david@tiny.com Non-IFRS Financial Measures This news release makes to reference to certain non-IFRS measures and ratios, hereafter, referred to as "non-IFRS measures". These measures are not recognised measures under IFRS, and 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 are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of the results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the financial information reported under IFRS. The Company uses non-IFRS measures including "EBITDA", "EBITDA %", "Adjusted EBITDA", and "Adjusted EBITDA %". Management uses these non-IFRS measures to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of management compensation. As required by Canadian securities laws, the Company defines and reconciles these non-IFRS measures below: EBITDA and EBITDA % EBITDA is defined as earnings (net income or loss) before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is reconciled to net income (loss) from the financial statements. EBITDA % ratio is determined by dividing EBITDA by total revenue for the year. EBITDA and EBITDA % is frequently used to assess profitability before the impact of finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Management uses non-IFRS measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period and to prepare annual operating budgets. EBITDA and EBITDA % are measures commonly reported and widely used as a valuation metric. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA % Adjusted EBITDA removes unusual, non-cash or non-operating items from EBITDA such as listing expenses, acquisition costs, restructuring charges, asset impairments, non-cash stock-based compensation, fair value adjustments to contingent consideration payable and foreign exchange gains and losses. The Company believes adjusted EBITDA provides improved continuity with respect to the comparison of its operating performance over a period of time. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to net income (loss) from the financial statements. Adjusted EBITDA % is determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue for the year. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA % is frequently used by securities analysts and investors when evaluating a Company's ability to generate liquidity from the Company's core operations. It provides a consistent basis to evaluate profitability and performance trends by excluding items that the Company does not consider to be controllable activities for this purpose. Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA % are measures commonly reported and widely used as a valuation metric. NON-IFRS MEASURES RECONCILIATIONS EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA For the three-months ended June 30, For the six-months ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income/(loss) 32,674,714 (26,391) 28,593,803 6,374,312 Income tax expense (1,597,046) 2,724,001 (1,878,908) 6,143,191 Depreciation and amortization 7,473,372 1,215,643 9,202,615 2,258,923 Interest and bank charges 2,084,900 665,291 3,394,586 824,736 EBITDA 40,635,940 4,578,544 39,312,096 15,601,162 EBITDA Adjustments Gain on sale of intangibles - (2,808,336) - (2,808,336) Share of loss from associates 199,397 5,791,326 1,379,679 5,541,330 Gain on step acquisition (42,083,465) - (42,083,465) - Fair value (gain)/loss on financial instruments (1,069,151) 568,898 (828,912) 304,964 Fair value on contingent consideration 66,200 - 66,200 - Business acquisition costs 2,824,875 38,124 2,877,336 111,237 Share-based compensation 2,818,760 745,684 3,308,298 2,045,446 Other income(1) (1,108,710) (320,878) (545,985) (286,878) Acquisition-related compensation 335,776 - 673,726 - Non-recurring project costs(2) - - - 807,653 Non-recurring professional fees(3) 2,285,052 276,961 3,119,857 276,961 Non-recurring severance expense 1,511,371 - 1,949,972 - Adjusted EBITDA 6,416,044 8,870,323 9,228,801 21,593,539 (1)Other expenses / income relates to COVID-19 related government assistance, gain/loss on FX and other minor non-operating items. (2)Non-recurring project related to advertising and promotion expense for a specific project that will not continue in the future. (3)Non-recurring professional fees relates to legal fees for the go-public transaction and amalgamation with WeCommerce. EBITDA % and Adjusted EBITDA % For the three-months ended June 30, For the six-months ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 EBITDA 40,635,940 4,578,544 39,312,096 15,601,162 Revenue 47,472,296 40,397,398 83,804,244 73,915,496 EBITDA % 86% 11% 47% 21% Adjusted EBITDA 6,416,044 8,870,323 9,228,801 21,593,539 Revenue 47,472,296 40,397,398 83,804,244 73,915,496 Adjusted EBITDA % 14% 22% 11% 29% Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to: requirements for additional capital and future financing; estimated future working capital, funds available, uses of funds, future capital expenditures and other expenses for specific operations and intellectual property protection; industry demand; ability to attract and retain employees, consultants or advisors with specialized skills and knowledge; anticipated joint development programs; incurrence of costs; competitive conditions; general economic conditions; anticipated revenue growth; growth strategy; and scalability of developed technology. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although the Company's management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statement or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate. 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 and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks relating to reliance on the Shopify platform; the Company's limited operating history; reliance on management and key employees; conflicts of interest in relation to the Company's officers, directors, and consultants; additional financing requirements; resale of Common Shares in the publicly-traded market; market price fluctuations for the Common Shares; global financial conditions; management of growth; risks associated with the Company's strategy of growth through acquisitions; tax risks; currency fluctuations; competitive markets; uncertainty and adverse changes in the economy; unsustainability of the Company's rapid growth and inability to attract new customers, retain revenue from existing merchants, and increase sales to both new and existing customers; adverse effects on the Company's revenue growth and profitability due to the inability to attract new customers or sell additional products to existing customers; the successful integration of the Company with Tiny Capital; future results of operations being harmed due to declines in recurring revenue or contracts not being renewed; security and privacy breaches; changes in client demand; challenges to the protection of intellectual property; infringement of intellectual property; ineffective operations through mobile devices, which are increasingly being used to conduct commerce; and risks associated with internal controls over financial reporting. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's estimates should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect results is included in the documents that may be filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. For a more detailed discussion of certain of these risk factors, see the Company's most recent MD&A described in the "Risk Factors" as well as the list of risk factors in the Company's management information circular dated March 6, 2023 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. 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: TINY LTD. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178455 EQS-Ad-hoc: Dexus Finance Pty Limited / Key word(s): Transaction in Own Shares Dexus Finance Pty Limited: Appendix 3Y - Change of Director's Interest Notice 25-Aug-2023 / 05:37 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Dexus (ASX: DXS) ASX release 25 August 2023 Appendix 3Y - Elana Rubin Dexus provides Appendix 3Y Change of Director's Interest Notice for Elana Rubin The full announcement is available at www.dexus.com/investor-centre/listed-funds/dexus-dxs/results-and-reporting/asx-announcements Authorised by Brett Cameron, General Counsel and Company Secretary of Dexus Funds Management Limited For further information please contact: Investors Rowena Causley Head of Listed Investor Relations +61 2 9017 1390 +61 416 122 383 rowena.causley@dexus.com Media Louise Murray Senior Manager, Corporate Communications +61 2 9017 1446 +61 403 260 754 louise.murray@dexus.com End of Inside Information Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this announcement: About Dexus Dexus (ASX: DXS) is a leading Australasian fully integrated real asset group, managing a high-quality Australasian real estate and infrastructure portfolio valued at $61.0 billion (pro forma post final completion of the AMP Capital acquisition). We believe that the strength and quality of our relationships will always be central to our success and are deeply connected to our purpose: Unlock potential, create tomorrow. We directly and indirectly own $17.4 billion of office, industrial, healthcare, retail and infrastructure assets and investments. We manage a further $43.6 billion of investments in our funds management business (pro forma post final completion of the AMP Capital acquisition) which provides third party capital with exposure to quality sector specific and diversified real asset products. The funds within this business have a strong track record of delivering performance and benefit from Dexus's capabilities. The group's $17.4 billion real estate development pipeline provides the opportunity to grow both portfolios and enhance future returns. Our sustainability aspiration is to unlock the potential of real assets to create lasting positive impact and a more sustainable tomorrow, and is focused on the priorities of customer prosperity, climate action and enhancing communities. Dexus is supported by more than 34,000 investors from 25 countries. With four decades of expertise in property investment, funds management, asset management and development, we have a proven track record in capital and risk management and delivering returns for investors. www.dexus.com Dexus Funds Management Ltd ABN 24 060 920 783, AFSL 238163, as Responsible Entity for Dexus (ASX: DXS) Level 30, 50 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000 25-Aug-2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Digital agency Webcast Marketing has announced one-page case study services for Fayetteville businesses that want to generate more leads and increase client trust. Harrison, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - The recently announced service by Webcast Marketing is intended to enhance a company's market reach by providing case studies based on their customers' experiences, empowering businesses to embark on proper strategies to improve trust and brand loyalty. For more information, visit https://www.1pagecasestudyusa.com/blog. Webcast Marketing Agency Launches One-Page Case Study Services In Fayetteville To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/178362_f2a4cc3d2465abf7_001full.jpg The launch of Webcast Marketing's service coincides with an article published by Startups Magazine about the benefits of case studies for businesses of any size. According to the report, 62.6% of business owners who utilize case studies saw an increase in their number of leads and overall conversions, allowing them to enhance not just customer relations but their sales funnel as well. Founded on proof-based marketing concepts, Webcast Marketing's one-page case studies give clients real-life examples of how other companies overcame common marketing problems or brand loyalty issues. The case studies give clients straightforward summaries, recommendations, images, and other visual aids to make business planning easier and more convenient. Aside from generating leads and improving customer trust, clients can use the one-page case studies to check current market saturation through Webcast Marketing's mega-channel marketing method. This method gives them the opportunity to see potential gaps in the market, which they can consider for business development and expansion. The case study creation process starts by contacting the company's founder, Joe Castellano, through the website. During the initial meeting, the marketing agency identifies the client's pain points and marketing goals to create the framework of the case study. Other information, including the client's product and service features, benefits, and sample projects, will also be discussed. Upon completing the client's case study, it is then promoted across multiple platforms, which the company calls the "Google Map Pack," to increase the brand's marketing reach and online reputation. The client can check the pre-sold or generated leads using Webcast Marketing's tracking methods, and capture these leads. "How do I get Into The Google Map Pack? The 1-Page Case Study combined with our market blitz technology will get you there and keep you there. That is what we do, and it takes true lead generation to prove that your business is the solution customers need," Castellano stated. "Case Studies demonstrate results based on actual real-life scenarios where services provide solutions to problems. They tell a story visually and factually, which sells when ads fall short," he continued. Interested individuals who want to know more about Webcast Marketing's one-page case study services may visit https://www.1pagecasestudyusa.com/blog. Contact Info: Name: Joe Castellano Email: 1pagestudy@protonmail.com Phone: 870-544-4884 Organization: 1 Page Case Study usa Address: 1115 Ridgemonte St. , Harrison, AR 72601, United States Website: Http://1Pagecasestudyusa.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178362 Westinghouse and Slovenske Elektrarne Sign Agreement for VVER-440 Nuclear Fuel Westinghouse Electric Company signed a long-term agreement with Slovenske elektrarne to license and supply VVER-440 fuel assemblies to its Nuclear Power Plants in Slovakia. The agreement supports Slovakia's energy security and diversification of nuclear fuel. Approximately 59% of the electricity produced in Slovakia is generated by nuclear power plants. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824136832/en/ From Left: Aziz Dag Sr Vice President and Managing Director of Westinghouse Electric Sweden; Lukas Marsalek Deputy Director for Accounting, Finance and Control Department of Slovenske elektrarne; Tarik Choho Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel; Branislav Strycek, Director general of Slovenske elektrarne (Photo: Business Wire) "Securing another nuclear fuel supplier for our power plants is an important step in strengthening Slovakia's energy security. Nuclear power plants represent an important pillar in our country's energy mix, therefore I consider it to be crucial to secure nuclear fuel supply diversification for their stable operation," said Branislav Strycek, general director of Slovenske elektrarne, a.s. "We are very pleased to contribute to Slovakia's fuel diversification and to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Slovenske elektrarne," said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel. "We offer the only fully-Western alternative fuel for this type of reactor and remain committed to supporting Slovakia's operating fleet, leveraging our Swedish fabrication footprint." Westinghouse is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel, providing a uniquely diversified portfolio in the industry across nuclear reactor types, including PWR, BWR, AGR, and VVER. Through our world-class manufacturing facilities in Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S., we focus on delivering innovative fuel technologies to meet our customers' needs for lower fuel cycle costs, increased operational flexibility and efficiency, diversity of supply, and accident-tolerant products. Learn more about our advanced fuel capabilities and how they relate to different reactors around the world: Westinghouse Nuclear Nuclear Fuel Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear technologies to utilities globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation make Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824136832/en/ Contacts: media@westinghouse.com BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM: BHL), the North America-focused lithium development group, is pleased to announce its audited financial results for the year ending 28 February 2023, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the same period. Financial and operational highlights Raised total gross proceeds of just under US$ 13 million, issuing 73,195,560 new ordinary shares to institutional and other investors; Following the successful completion of a follow-up drill programme during October 2022, the Company updated its Basin East MRE, resulting in a 22% increase in LCE tonnes, for a total of 371kt of LCE; Completed a maiden drill programme at our San Domingo pegmatite asset, with a total of 47 holes drilled. This was the first 'modern' drilling campaign at these historical targets since the 1950/60s; Strengthened our on the ground team with the key appointment of Joey Wilkins as COO, who is a highly regarded geologist in the US arena with extensive experience and knowledge of US geology, specifically in Arizona and Nevada; Completed a dual listing, with the Company's shares admitted to trading on the Canadian TSX-V Exchange under the ticker BHLI.TSXV. Ian Stalker, Chairman of Bradda Head, commented: "The financial year has been both busy and exciting, with the Company raising gross funds of just under US$ 13 million as part of a successful UK and North American placement in April 2022. The funds were strategically deployed to successfully fast-track our first drill programme at our San Domingo pegmatite resource in Arizona and complete our second Basin East drilling programme since listing in 2021. We now have 371kt of lithium carbonate equivalent, and an exploration target of between 1Mt to 6Mt of LCE over the Company's Basin projects. We also significantly increased our hard-rock lithium bearing landholding position in Arizona, and strengthened our team members with key senior appointments, including adding Joey Wilkins as COO. Several catalysts are on the way for Bradda in H2 2023 and H1 2024, as we continue to develop our assets. Drilling is wrapping up at Basin with an updated MRE being worked on currently. We have an internal target of a +1Mt LCE resource, which would trigger the second royalty payment of US$ 2.5 million from Lithium Royalty Corporation. We have also mobilised a drill rig to kick-off the second drill programme in 12 months at San Domingo, with the primary aim to delineate a resource. Funding is in place for these programmes and we look forward to updating the market with the results of these and other initiatives." Copies of the 2023 Audited Report and Financial Statements are being posted to shareholders and will shortly be available from the Company's website www.braddaheadltd.com. The Company will post its Notice of Annual General Meeting ("AGM") to Shareholders at the same time. The AGM will be held at the Sanderson Suite, Claremont Hotel, Loch Promenade, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2LX, with the date to be confirmed. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU No.596/2014) AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018. UPONTHE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOWCONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND SUCH PERSONS SHALL THEREFORE CEASE TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDEINFORMATION. For further information please visit the Company's website: www.braddaheadltd.com. Contact: Bradda Head Lithium Limited +44 (0) 1624 639 396 Charles FitzRoy, CEO Denham Eke, Finance Director Beaumont Cornish (Nomad) James Biddle/Roland Cornish +44 20 7628 3396 Panmure Gordon (Joint Broker) +44 20 7886 2500 John Prior Hugh Rich Shard Capital (Joint Broker) +44 207 186 9927 Damon Heath Isabella Pierre Red Cloud (North American Broker) +1 416 803 3562 Joe Fars Tavistock (PR) + 44 20 7920 3150 Nick Elwes Adam Baynes braddahead@tavistock.co.uk About Bradda Head Lithium Ltd. Bradda Head Lithium Ltd. is a North America-focused lithium development group. The Company currently has interests in a variety of projects, the most advanced of which are in Central and Western Arizona: The Basin Project (Basin East Project, and the Basin West Project) and the Wikieup Project. The Basin East Project has an Indicated Mineral Resource of 21.2 Mt at an average grade of 891 ppm Li and 3.5% K for a total of 100 kt LCE and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 73.3 Mt at an average grade of 694 ppm Li and 3.2% K for a total of 271 kt LCE. In the rest of the Basin Project SRK has estimated an Exploration Target of between 300 to 1,300 Mt of material grading between 600 to 850 ppm Li which is equivalent to a range of between 1 to 6 Mt LCE. The Group intends to continue to develop its three phase one projects in Arizona, whilst endeavouring to unlock value at its other prospective pegmatite and brine assets in Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. All of Bradda Head's licences are held on a 100% equity basis and are in close proximity to the required infrastructure. The Mineral Resource statement for the Basin Project was authored by Martin Pittuck, CEng, MIMMM, FGS who works for SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd, an independent mining consultancy. Mr. Pittuck has over 25 years' experience undertaking and reviewing Mineral Resource estimates and has worked on lithium clay estimates for over 5 years. Mr. Pittuck consents to the inclusion of the technical information in this press release and context in which they appear. Reference is made to the report entitled "Independent technical report on the Basin and Wikieup Lithium clay projects, Arizona, USA" dated October 18, 2022 with an effective date of June 10, 2022 was prepared by Martin Pittuck, CEng, MIMMM, FGS, and Kirsty Reynolds MSci, PhD, FGS and reviewed by Nick Fox MSc, ACA, MIMMM. The Report is available for review on SEDARplus (www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage) and the Company's website www.braddaheadltd.com. Bradda Head is quoted on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange with the ticker of BHL, on the TSX Ventures exchange with a ticker of BHLI, and on the US OTCQB market with a ticker of BHLIF. Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the full announcement. http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/4534K_1-2023-8-25.pdf 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: Bradda Head Lithium Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777030/Bradda-Head-Lithium-Ltd-Announces-Audited-Final-Results-for-Year-Ending-28-Feb-2023 Striking Designs in ISO Black & Silver, Black & Gold, and White Now Available SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate its seventh anniversary, AKKO, an international manufacturer renowned for its innovative and personalized mechanical keyboards and gaming peripherals, has introduced the new wireless three-model version of its popular 5075 series, the new 5075B Plus series of mechanical keyboards - ISO Black & Silver, Black & Gold, and White. AKKO will be participating in the IFA 2023 in Berlin, Germany, from September 1-5, at booth H11.2 218. Those intrigued by this new mechanical keyboard are invited to explore the brand's booth. The 5075 series keyboards feature AKKO's unique gasket mount and 4-layer noise reduction kit, incorporating the proprietary V3 Cream Yellow and Blue Pro switches to provide a stable, softer typing experience. Additionally, the 5-pin hot-swappable keyboard further enhances the keyboard's customization options. The PBT Double-shot keycaps ensure optimal comfort, while 18 RGB backlighting settings cater to a broad spectrum of individual visual preferences. The AKKO 5075B Plus offers an 83+1 key layout (83+1 for European configuration, 82+1 for the American version), with various layout options such as English, American, German, and Nordic, to meet the needs of users worldwide. Simultaneously, the AKKO 5075 series provides a flexible, softer keyboard experience across platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, iOS, or Android. In terms of appearance, the 5075 series besides offers a variety of color choices like white, black & silver, and black & gold, among AKKO's lineup of color themes. In addition, AKKO has teamed up with well-known IP brands to release special designs, such as Cinnamoroll 20th Anniversary, Dragon Ball Super Goku and Naruto Uzumaki editions, providing more personalized appearance options. Overall, the AKKO 5075 series' high-quality keyboard structure, unique switch design, durable keycaps, wide range of backlighting settings, multiple keyboard layouts, and personalized appearance options provide quality choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts everywhere. Furthermore, AKKO has also unveiled another remarkable product, marking the debut of its magnetic axis mechanical keyboard - the Akko 7th Anniversary MOD 007 PC. This exceptional keyboard boasts seamless rapid triggering and dynamic keystrokes, making it ideal for gaming. About AKKO AKKO is a high-tech company specializing in producing personalized mechanical keyboards and gaming peripherals. With innovative design and excellent performance, it has won widespread acclaim in the European and American markets. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjqB7Mk6oM View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/akko-unveils-sophisticated-5075b-plus-series-of-mechanical-keyboards-301909398.html The community forum aims to shine a light on the African philosophy underlying the word Fakaza. Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - South African based digital streaming website Today Sermon has announced the launch of a new sermon series titled Fakaza, Fakaza Deep, and Fakaza Duo. The next generation of mobile sermons aims to reach millions of people in South Africa and beyond and highlight the essence of the Zulu word Fakaza, which means to witness, testify, attest, and prove. The series will address several ideas relevant to the modern-day Christian and help nurture the faith of the next generation. The Fakaza programs have been designed to teach biblical values in a fun and engaging way, allowing people to listen to their favourite sermons and keep up with the latest prayers with the community forums. Talking to the media, Prince Michael, for the site, said, "We are excited about the new series as it will help us to help more people in their journey of faith. Messages will be presented every Sunday online at our site and cover a wide array of topics, including prayers to overcome family problems, oppression, and work-related problems. We also have a community forum where people from across the planet can interact with each other and discuss how they can help each other in their spiritual journeys." The content of the site has been designed and curated by a team of trained pastors who conduct worship services. Their dedicated speakers and musicians want to create an atmosphere with the Fakaza series where people can connect with God on a deeper level and witness profound moments of spiritual growth, inspiration, and reflection. He went on to add, "Whether the faithful are drawn to contemporary melodies or traditional hymns, the series has a style that resonates with their heart. We want to help nurture spiritual growth with engaging Bible studies, thought-provoking sermons, and meaningful prayer groups. We want to be a place where people can share their burdens and joys and find someone receptive to hearing them out." People interested in learning more can reach out to them using the website mentioned below. They can also reach out to the company if they have any queries: todaysermon.com. MEDIA CONTACT Contact Person Name: Prince Michael Company: Today Sermon Email: editor@todaysermon.com Website: https://todaysermon.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178484 Five members of Centurion have been named to the list MCLEAN, VA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Five team members of Centurion Wealth Management have been named as Top Financial Professionals by Northern Virginia Magazine. Centurion's recipients, comprised of Sterling D. Neblett, CEPA, CFP; Wendy Ann Payne, CDFA, CEP; Mark C. McKaig, CRPC; Darren L. Colananni, CFP, ChFC, CIMA, CPWA; and Steven A. Eddy, CPA, CGMA, have consistently demonstrated commitment and dedication to providing top-tier financial services to their clients. "It's been a great year and being acknowledged by Northern Virginia Magazine as a Top Financial Professional is an immense honor that I do not take lightly. None of this would have been possible without my exceptional team here at Centurion. Thank you to everyone that considered me for this honor." - Darren Colananni Sterling, Wendy, & Mark celebrate their 7th consecutive year of being honored as trusted financial professionals. This year's victory also acknowledges a new triumph, as it commemorates Darren Colananni & Steven Eddy's first year of recognition. Darren is a committed wealth management advisor who was recently named Partner at the firm and continues to support his clients with catered service. Steve joined the Centurion team as the Director of Tax in December 2022 and has expanded the company's line of services to include in-house tax preparation. To compile the list, Northern Virginia Magazine asked the community who they would refer their friends and family to for financial planning advice. In response to this question, employees at Centurion have consistently earned a spot on the list over the years. The Centurion team is dedicated to its clients and eager for the opportunity to further assist individuals on their financial journeys. For Centurion's profiles & the full list, see here. As the Centurion Wealth Management LLC team celebrates another year of victory, their ongoing commitment to providing exceptional financial advice and services to their clients remains unwavering. Their repeated recognition is proof of their mission to offer the best in financial management, helping independent women, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. To connect with Centurion Wealth's onboarding team, please email info@centurionwealth.com. FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CENTURION, PLEASE CONTACT KATEY THOMSON AT KTHOMSON@CENTURIONWEALTH.COM OR DIRECTLY AT (571) 765-2223. ADVISORY SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH CENTURION WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISER. SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH SPIRE SECURITIES, LLC, MEMBER FINRA/SIPC. Contact Information Katey Thomson Executive & Marketing Assistant kthomson@centurionwealth.com (571)-765-2223 SOURCE: Centurion Wealth Management LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/776875/Members-of-Centurion-Wealth-Management-LLC-Listed-on-Northern-Virginia-Magazines-Top-Financial-Professionals-List Reyna Law Firm (432-232-5183) has announced timely new upgrades to its personal injury legal services for victims of oilfield disasters and vehicle accidents in Odessa, Texas. Odessa, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - The upgrade serves to bolster Reyna Law Firm's capacity for assisting injury victims in the Western Texas city and beyond. As a staple of the Permian Basin oil extraction industry, the high number of oilfields in the area attracts workers from throughout the state. Unfortunately, suggests the firm, the accident rate at such sites is similarly high - with hazard issues often leading to severe harm. For more information see https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/ Odessa Oilfield & Vehicle Accident Attorney, Legal Representation Service Update To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/178479_fcc4ef5c24462b02_001full.jpg Accordingly, Reyna Law Firm provides its newly upgraded services in due support of those injured at such locations while in the course of their work or otherwise. With explosions, blowouts, and gas leaks prevalent at refineries and pipelines, all those in their vicinity are at risk. As such, the firm's services are offered to field workers and bystanders alike. Its personal injury expertise also extends to harm caused in traffic accidents, enabling Reyna Law Firm to assist those who have been hurt on their way to oil sites or the surrounding areas. Pertinently, the firm's primary advice for those injured in such circumstances is to take a patient approach in the pursuit of justice - and this extends to their interactions with insurance providers. Addressing accident victims, Reyna Law Firm says: "Insurance companies want to cut your settlement short. Above all, they're in business to maximize profit for their shareholders. Subsequently, profits increase by paying injured parties like yourself as little as possible. Don't feel pressured to accept a quick settlement offer. Instead, seek help from an Odessa personal injury lawyer." With the firm's guidance, injured parties can target major settlements as well as favorable court judgments in advance of compensatory payouts to cover their injuries and any other losses. Backed by its lead attorney, catastrophic injury lawyer JR Reyna, the firm offers Odessa accident victims the advantage of expert legal services that include evidence collection, settlement negotiation, and full representation during litigation proceedings. Reyna Law Firm continues to fight in a wide variety of personal injury cases in Odessa and throughout Texas. In addition to oilfield and vehicle accident situations, the firm is ready to assist victims of slips, boating disasters, and burns in a range of contexts. "Reyna Law Firm has come to our family's aid several times," said one recent client. "Its team was dependable and quick to answer our concerns and questions. Most importantly, they took care of multiple issues. Their advice was often right on track and ahead of what to expect. We're so grateful for their representation." The firm's official website features consultation scheduling info - providing accident victims with an accessible avenue for legal advice pertaining to their case. Interested parties in Odessa and nearby can find additional details about Reyna Law Firm and its personal injury legal services at https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/odessa Contact Info: Name: James Lewis Email: james@jreynalawfirm.com Organization: Reyna Law Firm Odessa Address: 301 North Muskingum Avenue STE. A, Odessa, Texas 79761, United States Website: https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/odessa To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178479 HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill" or the "Company") (NYSE: SDRL) (OSE: SDRL) announces today that, in accordance with its bye-laws, the Board has confirmed the date of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in respect of the 2023 calendar year. The 2023 Annual General Meeting shall be held in Bermuda on November 16, 2023. A copy of the Notice of Annual General Meeting and Proxy Statement will be distributed closer to the meeting date. 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. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - Canada's most senior insurance event, The Future of Insurance Canada 2023, returns to Toronto for its 8th consecutive edition. Uniting the country's most influential insurance thought leaders to tackle spiralling costs, accelerated customer expectations, and mounting tech debt for 2 days of learning, networking, and collaboration. Ahead of the conference, Reuters Events has recently released the conferences official attendee snapshot. Jammed packed with strategy, customer, product, and technology industry thought leaders to help you create unrivalled customer loyalty, innovative product portfolios, and sophisticated data insights. Download The Future of Insurance Canada attendee snapshot here Here is a snapshot of thought leaders to expect onsite: SVP, Client Experience Office, Sun Life SVP & Chief Brand and Commercial Officer, Saskatchewan Blue Cross Chief Executive Officer, Fenchurch General Insurance Company Chief Executive Officer & President, Peel Mutual Insurance Company Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Zensurance Chief Executive Officer, First Arce Insurance Chief Operating Officer, Nova Mutual Insurance Chief Risk Officer & VP, Data Analytics, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada Chief Information Security Officer & VP, Technology, Gore Mutual Insurance . And many more! Download the latest brochure and attendee snapshot here This is the must attend event for any insurance exec wanting to shape the future of insurance - download the attendee snapshot to see why. Kind regards, Tom Tom Robinson Project Director Insurance Reuters Events tom.robinson2@thomsonreuters.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178488 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ExGen Resources Inc. (TSX.V: EXG; OTC: BXXRF) ("ExGen", the "Company") is pleased to provide an update in respect of Phoenix Copper Ltd.'s ("Phoenix") exploration and development activities at the Empire Mine Project in Custer County, Idaho, USA. Further to previous ExGen news releases, ExGen owns 20% and Phoenix owns 80% of Konnex Resources, Inc. ("Konnex"), which holds the leases and claims to the Empire Mine Project. ExGen further owns 1,330,000 common shares of Phoenix. Directors of ExGen conducted a site visit of the Empire Project on July 17th - 19th in the company of Ryan McDermott, CEO of Phoenix Copper, to appraise progress on the project. ExGen was pleased to note significant progress in metallurgical testing of ATS, an environmentally friendly agent, on mineralization from the Empire Mine open pit which may allow the recovery and processing of copper, gold and silver in one process. Testing is ongoing. ExGen is also excited that drilling has started on the Navarre Creek prospect - 60 holes are planned. This large claim block (14.48 km (3,577 acres)) represents over 6 kms of prospective strike length, including an area of secondary alteration thought to be epithermal in nature, with over 2.5 kms of highly brecciated, west-trending jasperoid intersecting argillically and silicically altered Eocene Challis volcanics. The drilling, with success, has the potential to be a major game-changer for the project. Jason Riley, CEO of ExGen commented: "ExGen is excited about this maiden drill program at Navarre Creek. The project has the potential to be a true company maker and we eagerly await future progress updates and assay results." EMPIRE MINE As reported by Phoenix on June 6, 2023, preliminary metallurgical testing of the Empire Mine open pit oxide material using ammonium thiosulfate ("ATS") as a reagent, has been completed by Resource Development Inc of Wheat Ridge, Colorado ("RDI"), and has resulted in robust metallurgical recoveries of copper, gold and silver using representative bulk samples of mineralization from metallurgical drilling at the Empire Mine open pit oxide deposit. ATS is considered an environmentally friendly reagent, intended to replace the use of sulphuric acid and cyanide in the recovery and processing of copper and precious metals respectively. In addition to positive environmental impacts, this technology would enable recovery and processing copper, gold and silver in one proces, thus bringing forward the production of precious metals from the Empire Mine open pit. ATS is produced and sold in bulk in Idaho and is commonly used as a fertilizer for the agricultural sector. The current focus is on optimizing metal recovery balanced with reagent consumption and applying appropriate capital and operating costs to the proposed process design. Assuming the process is commercially viable, Phoenix would plan to formally incorporate it into its Plan of Operations for final submission to the regulatory authorities. ExGen looks forward to receiving additional results from the ATS metallurgical program. NAVARRE CREEK ExGen is pleased that reverse circulation drilling (RCD) has commenced on the Navarre Creek exploration project located 5 kms west of the Empire Mine site (Phoenix News Release of July 17,2023). Up to 60 RCD holes form 30 drill pads are planned. Drill targets were identified by Phoenix from geologic mapping, surface geochemistry, airborne hyperspectral mineral imaging, and geomagnetic ground surveys. Phoenix considers that the Navarre Creek area exhibits geological traits consistent with hydrothermal precious metal deposition common in volcanic terrains in the Western United States. The Navarre Creek project is located within an intrusive dome complex, where the magnetic components in overlying volcanic lithologies are destroyed by silicic alteration associated with steam-heated, acidic, and oxidised hydrothermal fluids. The hyperspectral survey highlighted several such areas including the Lehman Creek fault, one or more porphyry plugs, and several contacts/faults. Prospecting samples with a gold value greater than 0.1 g/t (2020 sampling) occur predominantly in a jasperoid-hosted quartz stockwork and micro-veining system in felsic volcanic tuff units. Volcanics outcropping across the Navarre Creek area are strongly weathered and highly leached to depths of two to four meters. A magnetite skarn sample from the southern end of the claim block contained 0.387 g/t gold and the presence of limestone in surface float near the skarn sample location is evidence that the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that occur at the Empire Mine may be near the surface. The Empire orebody is partly comprised of a magnetite skarn body hosted in Paleozoic limestone. RED STAR On April 12, 2023 Phoenix press released the results of 268 meters ('m') of reverse circulation drilling completed in late 2022 on the Red Star prospect to provide samples and technical information for geological and resource modeling. Significant drill results are listed in Table 1. Phoenix noted: Holes RS22-02 and RS22-04 show robust metal values consistent with the results of previous drilling in the area. Hole RS22-02 includes 1.52 m grading 1.01 g/t of gold, 332 g/t silver, 1.35% copper, 2.18% lead, 1.39% zinc and 156 ppm molybdenum. Hole RS22-04 also returned robust metal values, including 4.99 1.52 m of 7.59 g/t gold and 0.58% copper. Only 268 m of drilling was completed due to the limited availability of the drill rig, nonetheless, the data and results have added significantly to our understanding of the mineralization and the boundaries of the magnetic anomalies and will aid in future drilling, modeling and ultimately updating of the resource. The drilling results seen thus far in the Red Star area are indicative of higher-grade, narrow vein mineralization which may best lend itself to underground mining methods. Conversely, the longer and lower grade drilling intercepts in the Empire open pit area lend themselves to bulk tonnage, open pit mining methods. The close proximity of both styles of mineralization speaks volumes about the potential size and complexity of the Empire system." Table 1 - Red Star Drilling Results Drill Hole Intersection Meters g/tonnes % % % ppm ppm Number From To Interval* Au Ag Cu Pb Zn Mo W RS22-01** 30.48 32 1.52 0.05 19.9 0.02 1.44 0.07 565 20 RS22-02*** 32 39.62 7.62 0.42 142.7 0.36 2.94 1.54 74.6 52 including 33.53 35.05 1.52 1.01 332 1.35 2.18 1.39 156 70 35.05 36.58 1.52 0.15 116 0.11 3.01 2.31 36 60 36.58 38.1 1.52 0.29 119 0.05 4.71 2.06 33 60 38.1 39.62 1.52 - 134 0.07 4.8 1.78 139 40 RS22-03 3.05 6.1 3.05 0.53 11.4 0.21 0.007 0.19 2 12.5 including 4.57 6.1 1.52 0.87 18 0.28 0.007 0.16 2 5 RS22-04 1.52 10.67 9.15 1.56 15.8 0.32 0.004 0.02 2.3 5 including 3.05 4.57 1.52 0.62 42.7 0.64 0.009 0.03 3 5 including 9.14 10.67 1.52 7.59 22.5 0.58 0.005 0.03 2 5 * Length along hole (not necessarily equivalent to true width). **RS22-01 was terminated due to the hole collapsing. RS22-01A was collared and redrilled approximately 10 feet to the southwest of the original hole. RS22-01A did not have any significant intervals to report. ***RS22-02 sample starting at 38.10 m did not have sufficient material for an Au assay after the completion of multi-element digest and over limit assays. EMPIRE MINE METALLURGICAL DRILLING On March 16, 2023, Phoenix press released the results of 1,077 meters ('m') of a planned 1,500 m metallurgical core drilling program on the Empire Mine open pit. The core drilling was completed during 2022 to provide samples and technical information for further metallurgical testing, geotechnical studies, and geological modeling. Significant drill results from the seventh, eighth and ninth holes, the final three holes of the program, are presented on Table 2. The 2022 metallurgical exploration program was designed to collect material from each of the metallurgical domains to evaluate their variability within the Empire open pit while improving the understanding of the geologic and structural controls on mineralization. The results confirmed the continuity of mineralization within the Empire open pit, which appears along structures striking northeast and dipping steeply to the southeast. Phoenix noted: All of the core samples designated for metallurgical testing have now been shipped to the metallurgical laboratory to complete the test program. The 2022 metallurgical drilling program targeted specific zones within the Empire resource, in order to collect samples that are representative of the geology and grade characteristics of the deposit as a whole. The samples will be used in the additional testing of ammonium thiosulfate as a recovery agent for copper, gold, and silver, which may enable us to bring forward the production of gold and silver, currently scheduled as a second phase of the Empire Open Pit project. Consistent with the copper, gold, and silver values previously reported for holes KXD22-01 through KXD22-07, holes KXD22-07B, KXD22-08, and KXD22-09 continue to show robust metal values. Hole KXD22-07B includes 24.38 m grading 1.99% copper and 107.4 g/t silver, including an impressive 10.97 m averaging 3.94% copper and 214.5 g/t silver (including 1.1 m of 12.8% copper, and 3.5 m averaging 2.06 g/t gold and 2.28% zinc). Holes KXD22-08 and KXD22-09 also returned robust values, including 8.84 m of 0.73% copper and 43.1 g/t silver, and 1.37 m of 1.63% copper and 82.5 g/t silver, respectively. The intercepts in the drilling program thus far are consistent with the team's expectations and meet the material type-grade-interval length necessary for the metallurgical test work currently being undertaken. Intercepts cited do not necessarily represent true widths, unless otherwise noted, however, drilling is generally intersecting interpreted mineralized zones at angles between 30. True width determinations are not estimated due to the irregular shape of the skarn mineralization. Table 2 - Empire Mine Open Pit Core Drilling Results Drill Hole Intersection Meters g/tonne % % % ppm ppm Number From To Interval* Au Ag Cu Pb Zn Mo W KXD22-07B 12.80 37.19 24.38 0.015 107.4 1.99 0.008 0.05 247 421 including 21.49 22.86 1.37 0.010 97 2.36 0.004 0.01 32 540 23.01 23.93 0.91 0.010 104 2.24 0.005 0.04 259 210 23.93 24.99 1.07 0.040 302 5.77 0.012 0.02 211 2840 24.99 25.76 0.76 0.010 136 2.79 0.006 0.01 118 530 25.76 26.67 0.91 0.100 476 10.00 0.031 0.01 211 1650 26.67 27.74 1.07 0.005 691 12.8 0.025 0.03 445 700 27.74 29.11 1.37 0.030 173 2.08 0.014 0.06 427 110 29.11 31.09 1.98 0.020 96.2 0.72 0.013 0.05 459 210 31.09 32.61 1.52 0.010 65.1 1.71 0.007 0.04 698 140 KXD22-07B 41.45 58.22 16.76 0.019 17.2 0.81 0.210 0.17 324 149 including 41.45 43.28 1.83 0.005 6.5 1.07 0.004 0.09 195 150 43.28 44.81 1.52 0.010 17.6 1.36 0.501 0.33 963 170 44.81 46.63 1.83 0.005 1.2 0.10 0.002 0.01 139 80 46.63 48.16 1.52 0.005 10.6 0.68 0.002 0.20 99 110 48.16 49.38 1.22 0.010 7.1 0.83 0.002 0.10 542 280 49.38 50.60 1.22 0.010 8.5 0.45 0.006 0.09 167 170 50.60 51.66 1.07 0.050 27.4 3.02 0.010 0.09 211 180 51.66 53.19 1.52 0.030 7 1.03 0.004 0.16 730 290 including 55.17 56.69 1.52 0.040 70.1 0.52 0.939 0.43 233 110 56.69 58.22 1.52 0.050 26.6 0.34 0.765 0.26 225 70 KXD22-07B 81.38 100.28 18.90 0.421 5.5 0.09 0.006 1.71 55 13 including 87.36 88.09 0.73 0.060 3.3 0.09 0.005 2.37 48 20 88.09 89.61 1.52 0.030 9.5 0.17 0.003 4.54 95 20 89.61 91.44 1.83 0.320 3.8 0.02 0.004 3.58 27 20 91.44 92.96 1.52 2.890 3.8 0.02 0.004 2.48 18 10 92.96 94.49 1.52 1.230 4.5 0.02 0.005 2.08 31 5 KXD22-08 17.68 26.52 8.84 0.032 43.1 0.73 0.004 0.03 100 204 including 17.68 18.75 1.07 0.130 205 3.52 0.010 0.04 230 130 18.75 19.96 1.22 0.060 87.5 1.28 0.009 0.03 80 50 KXD22-09 174.04 183.00 8.96 0.195 22.0 0.62 0.084 0.78 86 25 including 174.04 175.41 1.37 0.100 82.5 1.63 0.509 3.43 505 70 * Length along hole (not necessarily equivalent to true width). ** KXD22-07 was terminated in a historical mine working at 18.3 m. KXD22-07B was collared and redrilled the original hole QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL PROTOCOLS Phoenix states that all RC chips are logged by Konnex personnel at Phoenix's drill core facility located in Mackay, Idaho, USA. The RC chips are split at the drill rig. One half is sent to a commercial laboratory for assaying, and the other half is kept for future reference. A strict QA/QC programme is in place by integrating duplicates, blanks, and certified reference standards into the RC sample sequence. QUALIFIED PERSON Kieran Downes, Ph.D., P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and verified the technical information provided in this release. ABOUT EXGEN RESOURCES INC. ExGen, formerly Boxxer Gold Corp, is a project accelerator that seeks to fund exploration and development of our projects through joint ventures and partnership agreements. This approach significantly reduces the technical and financial risks for ExGen, while maintaining the upside exposure to new discoveries and potential cash flow. The company intends to build a diverse portfolio of projects across exploration stages and various commodity groups. ExGen currently has 5 projects in Canada and the US. For more information on ExGen please contact ExGen Resources Inc. Jason Tong Chief Financial Officer Email: jason@catapultgroup.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the observations made on drill core from the diamond drilling program on the Empire Mine Project; the further exploration and development of the Empire Mine Project; the exploration and development strategy of the Empire Mine Project, including the exploration program, drilling, mine development, and permitting. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. There can be no assurance that the development of the Empire Mine Project will be completed, and if development is completed, that such development will result in a producing mine. In the forward looking information contained in this news release, ExGen has made numerous assumptions, based upon practices and methodologies which are consistent with the mineral industry. In addition, ExGen has assumed: the continued market acceptance of its joint venture partnership model; the ability of ExGen and its partners to raise future equity financing, if needed, at prices acceptable to ExGen or its partners; ExGen's current and initial understanding and analysis of the Empire Mine Project; the ability of ExGen or third parties to discover viable exploration targets and the results of exploration on the Empire Mine Project; the ability of Phoenix to explore and develop the Empire Mine Project; the cost of exploration, including sampling, drilling and assaying, on the Empire Mine Project, the costs of developing the Empire Mine Project and the costs and the ability of Phoenix to produce a feasibility study in compliance with NI 43-101; and ExGen's general and administrative costs remaining sustainable. While, ExGen considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause ExGen's observations, actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Known risk factors include, among others: the possibility that the analytical results from future core sampling does not return significant grades of copper, gold, silver, zinc, lead or any other molybdenum by-products; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology; continuity and grade of mineralization; there is no certainty that the ongoing work programs will result in significant or successful exploration of the Empire Mine Project or development of the Empire Mine Project into a producing mine; uncertainty as to the actual results of exploration and development or operational activities; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; ExGen may not be able to comply with its ongoing obligations regarding its properties; the early stage development of ExGen and its projects, and in particular, the Empire Mine Project; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; capital market conditions and market prices for securities, junior market securities and mining exploration company securities; commodity prices, in particular copper, gold, silver, and zinc prices; competition; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents and other risks inherent in the mining industry; lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting ExGen; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. A description of additional assumptions and risk factors used to develop such forward-looking information that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in ExGen's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although ExGen has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. ExGen does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Short-form content marketing specialist agency One Page Case Studies announces a new report exploring the use of localized pieces in driving SEO outcomes. Wilton, Connecticut--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - As more businesses move towards a digital-first marketing approach, One Page Case Studies launches a new report analyzing the impact of localized content in generating favorable SEO outcomes. The company states that the employment of high-authority marketing can offer several advantages, including increased visibility and building the reputation of a business. More details can be found at https://onepagecasestudies.com/local-seo-press-release-marketing-one-page-case-study-system/. One Page Case Studies Announces Report: AI-Based Local SEO & Authority Marketing To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/178478_6a8825d764f55999_001full.jpg The new report is part of an ongoing series that details the evolution of short-form content, such as the emerging use of AI and how success stories can be used to build trust. With the latest piece, One Page Case Studies aims to show how localized and authoritative content can play an important role in modern marketing strategies. The move comes as more consumers now search for and engage with businesses in the online space. The continued growth in digital consumerism has made SEO and digital reputation management two central components of current marketing approaches. As One Page Case Studies explains in the new report, localized, short-form content can help to build brand awareness and establish a business as authorities in their field. However, the company asserts that one-off pieces are unlikely to yield significant results, stating that a more effective approach is to use a technique known as 'content stacking.' "One piece of content will rarely produce results. However, content stacking (month after month) produces extraordinary SEO results," Edward Winslow of One Page Case Studies explains. "Having 'authority' is highly valued by search engines when it comes to improving SEO outcomes. Consistent exposure serves two purposes. One is to dominate local SEO, and the second is to bolster the reputation of a business." The new report also explains the process of developing short-form content that will generate maximum results. Considerations include attention-grabbing headlines, effective summaries of the key messages, relevant quotations from stakeholders, and supporting multimedia materials, such as images and/or videos. In addition to the latest report, One Page Case Studies offers a variety of instructional articles for businesses who wish to develop their content marketing strategy. Recent examples include a three-part piece on mastering client conversations, as well as choosing appropriate examples for use as success stories. Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://onepagecasestudies.com/local-seo-press-release-marketing-one-page-case-study-system/. Contact Info: Name: Edward Winslow Email: ed@onepagecasestudies.com Organization: One Page Case Studies Address: 26 Tory Pl, Wilton, CT 06897, United States Website: https://onepagecasestudies.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178478 Presented by Legendary Tattoo Artist Mario Barth, Sponsored by Intenze Tattoo Ink and Stencil Stuff, Hosted by Eddie Trunk SECAUCUS, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Prepare for an unforgettable, powerful weekend of ink, music, fun, and artistry as the 23rd Annual Inked Out New Jersey Tattoo and now Concert Series comes to the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, from Sept. 15-17. Proudly presented by renowned tattoo artist Mario Barth of Starlight Tattoo and sponsored by Intenze Tattoo Ink and Stencil Stuff, this year's event offers attendees an exceptional lineup of experiences. Inked Out New Jersey Poster Artwork for Inked Out New Jersey Tattoo and Concert Event Fun for the entire family Kid-friendly activities and live music all three days International tattoo artists from around the globe, including Dave Paulo, Bob Tyrrell, Daniele Stella, and the Brazilian Danilo Queiroz, to name a few Over 400 artists, all lineups confirmed and sold out Intenze Tattoo Ink, the world's leading tattoo ink brand, is proud to sponsor this event celebrating the convergence of tattoo artistry and music. With a legacy of over two decades, Inked Out NJ has established itself as a premier platform for self-expression and creative celebration. Join us for a weekend filled with remarkable highlights: Friday, Sept. 15: All first responders and military personnel will receive free entrance to the tattoo show and concert, a $50 value, as appreciation for their service. One participant will receive a "Hero Award" for their service. Intenze Tattoo Ink and Stencil Stuff proudly sponsor them. Music will be provided by Grey Daze, a powerhouse of sound reigniting the lost sound of Chester Bennington. The incredible and hard-hitting country rock band Mario Barth & About Kings, which toured Europe and performed for over one million people, will close the night. Saturday, Sept. 16: Experience the electric synergy of the "Rock & Tats" All-Star Band, featuring rock luminaries Brent Woods, Todd Kerns, and Brent Fitz. Joining this stellar lineup on stage will be TAIME DOWNE of Faster Pussycat, PHIL LEWIS of LA GUNS, and a special guest appearance by SEBASTIAN BACH, the original voice of Skid Row. The renowned Eddie Trunk will host this exceptional evening, promising an unforgettable night of music and camaraderie. Sunday, Sept. 17: The festivities continue with the local favorite Going Down, a British blues rock band that will set the stage ablaze with its soulful melodies. Following Going Down's performance, embark on an electrifying sonic odyssey with Chris Anderson leading "Once an Outlaw," a boundary-defying band whose past credits include playing in legendary bands such as "The Allman Brothers" and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They will weave together the raw energy of rock 'n' roll, the soulful depths of blues, and the captivating storytelling of folk-inspired music. The 23rd Annual Inked Out NJ Tattoo and Concert Series tickets are going fast. They are available now, offering access to an entire weekend filled with art, music, and commemoration. Please take advantage of this unique opportunity to be part of a multifaceted celebration that pays tribute to our heroes, showcases world-class artistry, and delivers an unmatched musical experience. Three-day passes are available for only $75. Three-day Tattoo Show Only for $50. Single-day tickets are also available for $25. DJ Aero will be playing all weekend long, and one lucky winner every day will receive a $1,000 tattoo certificate courtesy of Starlight Tattoo New Jersey. No purchase necessary. Tattoo Show Hours Friday 4-9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Concert Hours Friday 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Saturday 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Sunday 6-8 p.m. For more information, including ticketing details and the complete event schedule, please visit https://inkedoutnj.com/. Contact Information Tania Camarillo Pr/Marketing Director info@inkedoutnj.com 1-702-265-3642 Related Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTZQG_fjq_o SOURCE: Inked Out New Jersey View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/776915/23rd-Annual-Inked-Out-New-Jersey-Tattoo-and-Concert-Series-Where-Art-Music-and-Tribute-Unite Conference Call Scheduled for 11am EST Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - Legend Power Systems Inc. (TSXV: LPS) (OTCQB: LPSIF) ("Legend Power" or the "Company"), a global leader in commercial electrical system solutions, reports its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2023 ("Q3 F2023"). The Company has also scheduled a conference call to provide a business update to discuss its Q3 F2023 financial results today at 11:00 AM ET (8:00 AM PT) (details below). The call will be hosted by Randy Buchamer, President & Chief Executive Officer. A complete set of Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis has been filed at www.sedarplus.ca. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars. Q3 F2023 Highlights Revenue of $470 thousand versus $1.02 million in Q3 F2022 Adjusted EBITDA loss of $884 thousand versus a $1.24 million loss in Q3 F2022 Net loss of $1 million versus a $1.49 million loss in Q3 F2022 Cash of $522 thousand, no debt, and $2.22 million in working capital at June 30, 2023 Subsequent Events The Company completed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2,541,080. You can find the press release here. "Our focus this quarter remained around advancing sales opportunities and we currently have new late-stage large deals with very strong financial viability," said Randy Buchamer, Legend Power Systems CEO. "The handful of late-stage deals could bring over $10 million in new potential bookings near term with the long term total pipeline now north of $100 million. More recently we completed a non-brokered financing for $2.5 million that bolsters the balance sheet and sets the Company up financially to execute on the strong pipeline of business we see coming into the end of this year and 2024." Q3 F2023 Operational Highlights Green Proving Ground program for the United States General Services Administration, which operates approximately 1,800 federally owned buildings is proceeding well. The deployment and evaluation schedule is well under way. Two initial sites have been selected and installations are expected in late 2023. The Company's channel sales team has grown reseller and ESCO relationships, furthering adoption of both Insights, Power Impact Reports and SmartGATE solutions. Target markets and reseller channels continue to respond positively to Legend's solutions and combined opportunities. The Company is engaged with more than 50 organizations interested in becoming Legend selling partners in the U.S. and Canada. In Q3, strategic direct sales efforts continued to grow with system bookings and new sales opportunities in the pipeline. The current sales booking pipeline is healthy and in-line to support booking target expectations. Continued progress on installation of Gen3 SmartGATE and positive Measurement and Verification Reports is expected to enable booking growth to expand. Preparation efforts continue for scaling production to handle increasing demand. Both local and international contractors have provided sub-assembly outsourcing proposals, and internally, plans have been established for increased product assembly and test capacity. Manufacturing Engineering and Production staff are undergoing reviews of existing procedures, documentation, and data collection requirements to further streamline production and error-proof the process. Significant improvements have been realized in material requirements planning, inventory management and production planning tools and processes. Q3 F2023 Financial Highlights Financial summary for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 Three months ended June 30, Nine months ended June 30, (Cdn$, unless noted otherwise) 2023 2022 Change 2023 2022 Change Revenue 470,310 1,026,412 (54)% 946,979 1,539,205 (38)% Cost of sales 366,307 977,765 (63)% 747,124 1,395,749 (46)% Gross margin1 104,003 48,647 114% 199,855 143,456 39% Gross margin %1 22% 5% 367% 21% 9% 126% Operating expenses 1,128,015 1,542,575 (27)% 3,429,420 4,398,528 (22)% Adjusted EBITDA2 (883,821) (1,237,352) (33)% (2,769,341) (3,560,766) (22)% Net loss (1,018,568) (1,492,181) (32)% (3,212,173) (4,201,931) (24)% 1 Gross margin is based on a blend of both equipment and installation revenue. 2 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure. See EBDITA Reconciliation for details. Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2023, was $470,310 compared with $1,026,412 in the same quarter of fiscal 2022. The lower revenue during Q3 of fiscal 2023 was primarily due to a timing issue. Supply chain challenges, resulted in delayed product deliveries to customers, which has pushed some deliveries. Gross margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was 22%, compared with 5% in same quarter of fiscal 2022. The increase in gross margin experienced during Q3 of fiscal 2023 was due to an increase in average selling price of SmartGATE units. The Company continues to drive toward 40%+ gross margins as revenue scales. The Company's operating expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 were $1,128,015, down from $1,542,575 in the same quarter of fiscal 2022. The primary cause for the decrease was lower salaries and consulting costs as a result of internal cost-cutting measures. Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was negative $883,821, compared with negative $1,237,352 in same quarter of fiscal 2022. Net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $1,018,568, compared with a net loss of $1,492,181 in the same quarter of fiscal 2022. A decreased operating expense in Q3 of fiscal 2023 compared with the same quarter of fiscal 2022 resulted in a lower net loss. CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS: DATE: Friday, August 25, 2023 TIME: 11:00 AM ET (8:00 AM PT) DIAL-IN NUMBERS: North America Toll Free Dial-in Number (888) 886-7786 ONLINE LISTENING Register for Webcast Participation CONFERENCE ID: 48101200 REPLAY: Available at: https://legendpower.com/ About Legend Power Systems Inc. Legend Power Systems Inc. (https://legendpower.com/) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend Power's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment. The proprietary and patented system reduces total energy consumption and power costs, while also maximizing the life of electrical equipment. Legend Power's unique solution is also a key contributor to both corporate sustainability efforts and the meeting of utility energy efficiency targets. For further information, please contact: Jonathan Lansky, Director +1 416 417 7664 lansky.j@icloud.com Sean Peasgood, Investor Relations + 1 647 503 1054 sean@sophiccapital.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178442 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: VGANF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging food brands is pleased to announce its financial results and corporate update for the three months ended June 30th, 2023. Financial Highlights For the second consecutive quarter the company has recorded a profitable quarter for both the Quick Service Restaurants ("QSR") division and the Consumer Products Goods ("CPG") division, after non-cash items. The consistency in our approach to deliver repeatable results is a key pillar as we march towards company-wide profitability. the company has recorded a profitable quarter for both the Quick Service Restaurants ("QSR") division and the Consumer Products Goods ("CPG") division, after non-cash items. The consistency in our approach to deliver repeatable results is a key pillar as we march towards company-wide profitability. Q2 2023 represents the third consecutive quarter the company achieved over $1 million in total revenue, recording a healthy $1,322,508 compared to $620,176 in Q2 2022, an increase of $702,322 (+113%) in revenue year over year (YoY). the company achieved over $1 million in total revenue, recording a healthy $1,322,508 compared to $620,176 in Q2 2022, an increase of $702,322 (+113%) in revenue year over year (YoY). Q2 2023 was the fifth consecutive record quarter for the company delivering $1,322,508 in total revenue vs $1,038,876 in Q1 2023, an increase of $283,632 (+27%) in revenue quarter over quarter (QoQ). for the company delivering $1,322,508 in total revenue vs $1,038,876 in Q1 2023, an increase of $283,632 (+27%) in revenue quarter over quarter (QoQ). Q2 2023 represents the seventh consecutive quarter of QoQ growth. of QoQ growth. Net loss after adding back non cash items on Q2 2023 revenues of $1,322,508 was ($206,556) vs ($311,196) on Q1 2023 revenues of $1,000,167, a decrease of net losses by 34% while increasing revenue by 27% QoQ. This is the third consecutive quarter of decrease net losses after non-cash items as revenues continue to climb. For the first time the company has recorded Franchise Royalties as the franchising program across its brand portfolios has been initiated and is now operational. Gross Margin: Happy Belly increased its gross margin to 52% compared to 42% in the same period 2022. This is a true reflection of the team's focus on operations as we improve business models and manage rising labour and ingredient costs throughout the various subsidiary companies. Happy Belly increased its gross margin to 52% compared to 42% in the same period 2022. This is a true reflection of the team's focus on operations as we improve business models and manage rising labour and ingredient costs throughout the various subsidiary companies. Happy Belly Food Group maintains a healthy cash balance of $1,453,000 as of June 30th, 2023. "With our 7th consecutive quarter of QoQ growth, and 5th consecutive record setting quarter in revenue, you can see our continued commitment to shareholders as we continue to execute our plans and improve company wide performance", said Shawn Moniz, CEO of Happy Belly. "We are witnessing a consistent and repeatable pattern on the company's ability to stay financially disciplined while achieving organic and inorganic growth. Our ability to deliver is an indication that Happy Belly is on a solid path to profitability through our consistent execution. I'm extremely proud of the positive progress that our management team, alongside our brand partners, have been able to achieve in the first half of 2023. Establishing a sales-driven framework for delivery as an organization has focused our performance on the bottom line while delivering consistent growth. Since then, each quarter has resulted in significant quarter-over-quarter growth while continuing to improve operations within our businesses and deliver consistent record quarters." "Franchising revenue for all our QSR brands is a key component to our future quarters of growth. Happy Belly's performance will continue to improve as we remain disciplined, and work to continue to close the gap towards company-wide profitability. We have a great team with the patience and experience to continue building our stable of emerging brands, and the funding to continue accelerating growth organically and through accretive M&A opportunities." Brand Highlights Heal Wellness had a revenue increase of 51% for H1'2023 vs H2'2022, and an 130% revenue increase for Q2'2023 vs Q2'2022. Lettuce Love has a revenue increase of 27% for Q2'2023 vs Q1'2023 Holy Crap Cereals and Oatmeal's had a revenue increase of 27% for H1'2023 vs H1'2022, and an 8% revenue increase for Q2'2023 vs Q2'2022. LumberHeads Popcorn had a revenue increase of 158% for H1'2023 vs H1'2022, and an 39% revenue increase for Q2'2023 vs Q2'2022. Q2 Corporate Highlights On April 3rd, 2023, Happy Belly Food Group Closes First Tranche of Oversubscribed Above-Market Convertible Note Financing for Proceeds Of C$1,000,000 On April 4th, 2023, Happy Belly's HEAL Wellness QSR Expands to Milton Ontario with the Signing of a New Corporate Location On April 10th, 2023, Happy Belly Signs LOI with Binding Provisions for the Acquisition of KOA Natural Foods On April 14th, 2023, Happy Belly Food Group to Expand Distribution of Holy Crap Oatmeal at Healthy Planet On April 20th, 2023, Happy Belly Food Group Announces 3rd Consecutive Record Quarter, and 5th Consecutive Quarter of QoQ Growth On April 28th, 2023, Happy Belly Food Group Announces HEAL Wellness QSR Signs 30 Unit Area Development Agreement in Alberta On May 5th, 2023, Happy Belly's HEAL Wellness QSR Expands to Mississauga Ontario with the Signing of a New Corporate Location On May 12th, 2023, Happy Belly's HEAL Wellness QSR Opens New Corporate Location in Milton Ontario On May 16th, 2023, Happy Belly Launches Next Level Partners, a Strategic Advisory Division for Early-Stage Food Companies On May 19th, 2023, Happy Belly Closes its Franchise Acquisition Agreement with PIRHO Fresh Greek Grill On May 26th, 2023, Happy Belly Food Group Announces 4th Consecutive Record Quarter, and 6th Consecutive Quarter of QoQ Growth On June 28th, 2023, Happy Belly Food Group Signs First Next Level Partners Client, and Update on Lady Glaze Transaction On June 29th, 2023, Happy Belly's HEAL Wellness QSR Opens New Corporate Location in Port Credit, Mississauga About Happy Belly Food Group Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: VGANF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging food brands. Happy Belly Food Group Shawn Moniz Chief Executive Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: www: www.happybellyfg.com or email hello@happybellyfg.com If you wish to contact us please call: (604) 737-2303 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include the future performance of LumberHeads Food Co. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178486 Data from more than 13,000 patients with AF show that the use of edoxaban over four years is associated with a low annualised rate of all-cause death, ischaemic stroke and major bleeding.1,2 The ETNA-AF Europe study provides robust evidence for the long-term clinical effectiveness and safety of edoxaban in patients with AF.1,2 The global ETNA-AF programme, which includes ETNA-AF Europe, is the largest prospective, non-interventional study of its kind investigating single non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) to date.3 Daiichi Sankyo Europe (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) today announced new edoxaban data presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2023. These include findings from the four-year follow-up data from routine clinical practice via the ETNA-AF observational non-interventional study, reinforcing the efficacy and safety profile of edoxaban seen in randomised clinical trials in atrial fibrillation (AF) patient populations over the long-term.1,2 Data from a multivariate analysis of the ETNA-AF involving 13,164 patients across ten European countries, show treatment with either 30 mg or 60 mg of edoxaban over four years in patients with AF is associated with a low annualised rate of all-cause death, ischaemic stroke and major bleeding.1 Annualised rates of all-cause and cardiovascular deaths in the overall populations were 4.1%/year and 1.0%/year, respectively; higher in the edoxaban 30 mg versus 60 mg cohort.1 The annualised rates of stroke, transient ischaemic attack and systemic embolic events were also low (0.6%/year, 0.3%/year and 0.1%/year) with proportions similar across both dosing cohorts.1 In addition, major bleeding rates, intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) and major gastrointestinal bleeding rates were also low (0.9%/year, 0.2%/year and 0.4%/year, respectively). However, there was a higher incidence of major bleeding and major GI bleeding in patient treated with 30 mg edoxaban compared to 60 mg.1 Notably, these higher event rates were potentially due to the older population with greater perceived frailty receiving 30 mg dosing (27.0% frail in 30 mg vs. 6.6% in 60 mg dose groups).1 Frailty is common in patients with AF and requires a tailored approach to treatment as outlined in the EHRA Practical Guide on the Use of NOACS in AF.4 Sub-analysis data from the ETNA-AF Europe study highlight that both physician perceived frailty and objective frailty has a similar trend in terms of outcome events.2 An assessment of frailty within ETNA-AF Europe showed that more patients were perceived as frail versus those who were objectively determined as frail by the Modified Frailty Index (10.7% [n=1,410] vs. 4.1% [n=540]).2 Across both patient groups, frailty was associated with additional comorbidities including diabetes, heart failure and hypertension. However, the proportion of patients with comorbidities was higher in patients with objective frailty. Non-recommended dosing of edoxaban was found to be more often prescribed in the frail patient population versus non-frail patients. Data show that after four years of edoxaban treatment, even though ICH risk was increased in frail subjects, its cumulative incidence was low.2 "The four-year ETNA-AF data again reinforces the clinical benefit of using NOACs in AF patients, particularly for those where comorbidities such as diabetes, heart failure or frailty must also be carefully managed; providing further reassurance for our clinical practice," said Professor Raffaele De Caterina, Professor of Cardiology, University of Pisa and Director of University Cardiology Division, Pisa University Hospital, Italy. "The findings, along with the insights into the need for better categorisation and treatment of our frail AF patients highlights the need for decision making to be grounded in guidelines and applied personally to each patient we see." Data from global programmes adds to the body of evidence for edoxaban. The following studies are also being presented at the ESC Congress 2023, further adding to the wealth of safety and efficacy data for edoxaban: Persistence to edoxaban treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation: Analysis from the global ETNA-AF program. 5 Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics as predictors of adverse outcomes to improve management of patients with AF receiving edoxaban: A sub-analysis of the ETNA-AF registry. 6 Clinical outcomes in patients receiving oral anticoagulation stratified by the presence of dose reduction criteria and older age: a sub-analysis of ENVISAGE-TAVI AF. 7 Edoxaban vs. vitamin-K antagonist in atrial fibrillation patients: An integrated analysis of outcomes parameters of randomized controlled clinical trials.8 "The breadth of evidence presented at this year's European Society of Cardiology Congress demonstrates the real need to continue to understand treatments beyond clinical trials and into routine care," said Dr Stefan Seyfried, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Specialty Medicines, Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH. "At Daiichi Sankyo we are dedicated to sharing scientific data and enriching the understanding of our treatments, and NOACs, among clinicians, empowering them to make informed decisions in clinical practice with the joint goal of reducing the impact of CVD felt by patients and their loved ones." In addition, findings from NOAH-AFNET 6, a clinical study to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) but without ECG-documented AF, have been presented in an ESC Hotline session and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.9,10,11 This Investigator Initiated Study (IIS) involved a patient population outside the approved indications for edoxaban and demonstrated that those patients are better managed without anticoagulation. The study showed that anticoagulation treatment did not further reduce the low rate of stroke in AHRE patients.10,11 However, and as expected, it increased bleeding compared to the study arm without anticoagulation.10,11 Furthermore, it makes the case for the need for ECG-documented AF before treatment initiation with anticoagulation in this patient population as well as further research to understand stroke risk in AHRE.10,11 -ENDS- About ETNA-AF: https://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu/media/edoxaban-info/ About AF: https://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu/media/edoxaban-info/ About Edoxaban: https://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu/media/edoxaban-info/ About ENVISAGE-TAVI AF: https://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu/media/edoxaban-info/ About Daiichi Sankyo Daiichi Sankyo is an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society that discovers, develops, and delivers new standards of care to enrich the quality of life around the world. With more than 120 years of experience, Daiichi Sankyo leverages its world-class science and technology to create new modalities and innovative medicines for people with cancer, cardiovascular, and other diseases with high unmet medical need. For more information, please visit www.daiichisankyo.com. References 1 Kirchhof P., et al. Long-term effectiveness and safety of edoxaban in patients with atrial fibrillation: 4-year follow-up of more than 13,000 patients from the ETNA-AF-Europe study. Presented at ESC Congress 2023. 2 Fuamgalli S., et al. Effect of perceived and objectively-assess frailty on outcomes in edoxaban-treated patients with atrial fibrillation: data from the ETNA-AF-Europe 4-year follow-up. Presented at ESC Congress 2023. 3 De Caterina R., et al. Design and rationale of the Edoxaban Treatment in routine clinical proactive for patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Europe (ETNA-AF-Europe) study. J Cardiovasc Med. 20(2):97-104. 4 Steffel J., et al. European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the Use of Non-Vitamin K antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Europace. 2021; 23: 1612-1676. 5 Diemberger I., et al. Persistence to edoxaban treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation: Analysis from the Global ETNA-AF program. Presented at ESC Congress 2023. 6 Morrone D., et al. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics as predictors of adverse outcomes to improve management of patients with AF receiving edoxaban: A subanalysis of the ETNA-AF registry. Presented at ESC Congress 2023. 7 Van Mieghem N.M., et al. Clinical outcomes in patients receiving oral anticoagulation stratified by the presence of dose reduction criteria and older age: a subanalysis of ENVISAGE-TAVI AF. Presented at ESC Congress 2023. 8 Dangas G., et al. Edoxaban vs. Vitamin-K Antagonist in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: An Integrated Analysis of Outcomes Parameters of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Presented at ESC Congress 2023. 9 Atrial Fibrillation Network. Patients with rare and short atrial arrhythmias do not benefit from anticoagulation. Available at: https://www.kompetenznetz-vorhofflimmern.de/en/artikel/327 Last accessed August 2023. 10 Kirchhof P, et al. Anticoagulation with edoxaban in patients with atrial high rate episodes. N Engl J Med. August 25, 2023. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2303062. 11 Kirchhof P., et al. NOAH-AFNET 6: Oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial high rate episodes. Hot line 1. Presented at ESC Congress 2023. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230823419672/en/ Contacts: Dr. Wolfgang Schiessl Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH PR Portfolio Communication Lead, Specialty Medicines +49 151 1714 7317 LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB:CLSH)(CSE:CLSH), (the 'Company' or 'CLS'). As we reflect on the closing chapter of another challenging year in the cannabis industry, it is with gratitude and a strong sense of purpose that I speak to you today about CLS Holdings' resilience, innovation, and accomplishments in this past fiscal year, despite the ever-turbulent landscape we operate in. As many of you know, my name is Andrew Glashow; I am the CEO and Chairman of CLS Holdings USA, Inc., following a 3-and-a-half-year tenure as Chief Operating Officer, during which I was responsible for building the diversified business infrastructure of our cultivation, manufacturing, production, distribution, and retail companies known as City Trees and Oasis Cannabis Dispensary. As I arrive at the completion of my first year as CEO, I wanted to take the time to reflect on the trials and triumphs of the past fiscal year, and my unwavering commitment to lead the company through its next phases of growth and profitability. While we successfully overcame the turbulence brought about by COVID, we continue to operate in a regulatorily restrictive environment that brings its own set of challenges. We find ourselves trying to excel in a political and regulatory landscape that has, at times, been both unsupportive and devoid of leadership. But in the face of these challenges, our optimism burns ever brighter as we draw strength from our proven strategies and trusted team to navigate the intricacies of a highly regulated landscape. We acknowledge the hurdles and recognize that change may be slow to come. The current political climate, the war on drugs, and the profiteering from exorbitant cannabis taxes all contribute to a complex equation. While we may see incremental progress over the years, the transformative shifts we seek likely won't materialize until a younger generation of political leadership steps in. We continue to operate in an environment plagued with heavy taxes and regulations. Yet we realize that we must accept the climate we operate in and navigate it as best we can without getting distracted by the challenges and hopes for change. So if seismic change is not imminent, what do we do in the interim? What is the strategy to prosper in this difficult climate while we wait for a new, more open-minded generation of leaders to take office? That's what I want to talk about today. The elephant in the room is the question of what lies on the horizon at the federal level. The shadows cast by issues like 280E, federal legalization, and rescheduling loom large. The divide between states like Missouri, New York, and California, governed by varying degrees of politics, illustrates the polarities at play. The juxtaposition of differing policies reveals a stark reality: Good policy versus bad policy is not a party-exclusive concept. The industry at large continues to push the Safe Banking Act. The potential impact is a beacon of hope for the industry, offering the prospect of financial liberation by allowing cannabis businesses to engage with banking services without fear of repercussions. This legislative change could open doors to safer and more streamlined transactions, investment, and growth, significantly enhancing our operational resilience and fostering a more secure future, not only for us but the industry as a whole. Closer to home, Nevada's legislative landscape is undergoing a shift with the passage of SB277. This bill doubles the possession and purchase limits for recreational cannabis, as well as ceases the allocation of further medical licenses, and enables adult-use dispensaries to serve medical patients. I expect this to alter consumer behaviors and demand dynamics in a positive way. In addition, SB277 adopts a new taxation model similar to that of Colorado in which Cannabis goods will be taxed at 15% of the sale price and not 15% of a predetermined Fair Market Value that lags 3 to 6 months behind industry trends. We expect this change to have a direct impact on our cultivator partners and pricing flexibility at retail. Perhaps the most impactful aspect of SB277, Nevada's Cannabis Advisory Commission is tasked to conduct a study on the effects and ramifications of ending federal prohibition and de-scheduling cannabis. This presents a unique opportunity for the state to influence the dialogue surrounding federal legalization. As we approach 2024, we look at these legislative shifts and potentials, using them to sharpen our strategic insight and fine-tune our operational path forward. We also look at what other leading cannabis companies are doing. In speaking with other leaders as well as researching companies across the country, I've realized many common threads in the way these frontrunners function and how these principles can help guide our own journey. First, most successful cannabis companies are private, granting them more flexibility and confidentiality. They also secure non-controlling, non-punitive capital. While we are currently a public company, we have managed to develop and maintain healthy relationships with our shareholders and are therefore better able to control our narrative and maintain a level of agility and flexibility in our business plans and operations. Second, leading cannabis companies focus on profitability, generating revenue and real cash flow, which resonates with our focus on short-term profitability through asset-light opportunities. Third, leading cannabis companies shrewdly limit outside capital, instead using internal resources and profits, echoing our strategy to reduce debt and avoid unnecessary funding. Capital is a tool, not a crutch. Fourth, leading cannabis companies prioritize profitability over high capital, reflecting our pursuit for self-sufficiency. Last, leading cannabis companies have dominated their niche. They know their strengths and focus their resources on what they do best. We've assessed and continually look at areas that should be uplifted and those that we should cut ties with. We have also established both a strong brand and a strong reputation in the Nevada marketplace that will continue to serve us well going forward. In the face of the industry's unstable landscape, CLS has encountered and surmounted its fair share of challenges. Throughout it all, we have persevered and prospered and have no plans of letting up. In the last fiscal year, we took the opportunity to clean house, rectifying internal and financial matters to achieve a clean slate for a more streamlined future. The vast majority of the charges that we have taken are non-cash losses, including a 7-million-dollar charge against earnings that we took when refinancing our convertible debenture. In total, we've seen a non-cash loss of around $9.1 million. Yet while navigating through this financial turbulence, we have successfully reduced our debt from $23 million to $9 million in just nine months. We completed our 2023 fiscal year on May 31, following a 2% increase in revenue compared to the previous year. The results were very encouraging, especially as we've reduced operational costs and barred the need for additional capital. We showed a 7% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, from the City Trees production facility sales. Production and shipping of finished goods at our manufacturing division increased significantly year-over-year, with a 40% increase resulting in 30,000 more units delivered over the same time period. We expect this number to increase YOY as well, as we are adding more efficient production machinery that will increase our ability to produce THC Distillate in the very near future. The Pre-Roll division continues consistent production, the addition of automated machinery has substantially increased output and cut our labor costs in half. Additionally, we recently added an Oil Injector to the Pre-Roll machine and will be releasing THC Distillate and Live Resin Oil infused Pre-Rolls under the Naked City brand. City Trees and PUF brands continue to dominate organically at our retail division Oasis, representing 33% of all revenue generated out of 84 total vendors carried. The retail division saw an increase in the number of transactions/customers served by 16% over last year. SGA expenses decreased by 2% compared to the same period last year. And net operating cash flow saw an increase of 92.7% compared to the prior year. All very positive signs for the future. Our commitment to compliance and transparency is evident in our seven consecutive on-time 10-K filings and our 28th 10-Q filing. We've never been late; we've never been censured; and we've never had any regulatory issues from a public company perspective or from a state perspective. These milestones are not only indicators of our financial health; they serve as a testament to our integrity, diligence, and dedication to upholding the highest standards and full transparency. And we will continue to operate with complete transparency, whether it's good news or not so good news. As we celebrate our wins, we examine and evaluate the factors that propelled us to this point, while also embracing change and seeking new pathways to success. Change is the crucible from which innovation is born. We have made strategic decisions and plans to fortify our future. Our association with the tribe has undergone an evolution, and though we opted not to harvest in 2023 because the economic benefits were simply not there in a market where prices for product have dropped significantly, we remain open to a new partnership that promises improved economics for both parties. Embracing technology, we have successfully implemented AI solutions that enhance our efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities, leading to increased profits with less capital expenditure. We've examined each area of the company, from dispensary operations to our website and even the intricacies of our grow and manufacturing operations, to identify opportunities where AI solutions can seamlessly integrate and improve our processes. We've seen impressive results with each of our AI-powered implementations, but one, in particular--- Pluggi----has had a remarkable and evident impact on the customer experience as well as profitability. Our average approximate basket spend per transaction has reached an impressive $45, which continues to increase with the help of Pluggi, an AI-powered chatbot that delivers catered product recommendations in seconds. Pluggi encourages users to try new products, resulting in increased spending and basket diversity. The average price of products added as a result of Pluggi's recommendation is $32, making for a 28% increase in the average shopping cart value at Oasis. Since implementing Pluggi, we've seen around a $17,000 increase in revenue each month, which is astounding against a relatively low yearly cost of $2,500. Not only has it impacted the shopping experience at Oasis, but our own brand, City Trees, makes up almost one-fifth of the brands clicked on during the recommendation process. Another technology-forward initiative we've recently implemented with promising results is our VIP loyalty program, powered by Springbig. Through this, customers can pay a low monthly or yearly fee and in return receive a range of benefits, like exclusive discounts, expedited service, and free delivery. Most notably, VIP members receive a standing discount of 25% off all products all day, every day, and a remarkable 40% off all City Trees products. In just a few months, this program has already shown positive effects like increased cash flow, and customer satisfaction and retention. We've received an overwhelmingly positive response from our Oasis customers, and we expect to see thousands of sign-ups annually. However, we recognize that innovation extends beyond technology. It resides in our organizational culture, our approach to problem-solving, and our willingness to explore uncharted territories. While embracing growth, we acknowledge that headcount reductions may be necessary as part of our continuing cost-reduction efforts and our commitment to keeping our operations lean. As Rupert Murdoch said, "Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow." One of our distinct advantages is our size- because we are small, CLS has the ability to be nimble and adaptable, making quicker, more intentional, and more effective moves than our peers. In a landscape marked by constant flux, the advantage of agility cannot be overstated. Having said that, we must be mindful of the complications of employee reductions and approach them intentionally. There are many factors that can thwart quick and easy cutbacks. The static nature of operations- you can't quickly downsize and sell assets-, the importance of key initiatives- that canceled project could be your growth engine-, and the necessity of some functional personnel- for example, laying off financial staff just before an audit is not smart- are just a few factors to consider. When consulting in this area, I channeled the 'Survival of the Quickest' strategy by Sequoia, a leading global venture capital firm with decades of experience scaling up and shrinking businesses in emerging sectors. The adage "cut once, cut decisively" is crucial to follow. We are aware that incremental reductions, while seemingly less disruptive, can inadvertently lead down a dangerous path. Incrementalism, as history has shown, has often precipitated a downward spiral, which we are determined to avoid at all costs. For our collective prosperity, the courage to make necessary adjustments must be coupled with the wisdom to execute them decisively and humanely. Exiting employees will always be treated with class, generosity, and empathy. Our small size affords us the privilege of making rapid and purposeful moves, unburdened by the bureaucratic layers that often slow down larger organizations. In the metaphorical analogy of a canoe versus the Titanic, the significance becomes vividly apparent. Like two people navigating a canoe, we possess the power to communicate seamlessly and maneuver with precision. In contrast, the vast expanse of the Titanic emphasizes the challenge of effective communication and decision-making within a larger entity. Our streamlined structure empowers us to chart a course with swiftness and precision, enabling us to seize opportunities and adapt to challenges in a manner that defies the constraints of our size. Our roadmap for the upcoming years is both steadfast and purpose driven. We remain unwavering in our commitment to sustainable profitability, aiming to retire our debt within the next 2-3 years, and avoiding the need for any additional capital in the next 6-12 months. We have been on a consistent track of paying off around $200k of debt per month over the last year. And most importantly, we are expecting to reach profitability in the 2024 fiscal year. We have a plan in place to reduce annual corporate expenses by approximately $2 million, which includes a 50% reduction in legal fees now that the debt has been restructured and the fundamental systems of business are in place. The restructuring of $20 million in debt, and the conversion of approximately $12 million of that debt into equity, results in an annual savings of $600,000 in interest payments over the next two years and reduces the principal due from $20 million to $8 million. Prudent capital stewardship is a guiding principle, ensuring that every investment aligns with our objective of creating enduring value. I believe cannabis leaders should have a capital allocation mindset that's equal parts Buffett and Bezos, focusing on near-term ROI, self-funding, and showing some free cash flow, while still making long-term investments. With a promising financial plan in place, we are in good standing to seize new opportunities and optimize our operations and profitability going into the 2024 fiscal year. Anticipating a horizon that demands financial resilience and with plans to pay off our debt, we remain cautious with our capital allocation. We plan only to pursue ventures that promise short-term profitability and cut ties with those that don't, while continuing to look at asset-light opportunities, such as AI solutions. We recognize the significance of AI and are committed to further harnessing its potential to enhance our operations, in both our retail dispensary and branded product division. Although we remain financially mindful, we recognize there are many opportunities for growth and market expansion. The Nevada market alone is expected to grow 33% between 2020 and 2025, reaching $1 billion in sales by 2025. Nearby markets like Arizona and New Mexico are expected to collectively hit $3.1 billion in sales by 2025. We are exploring asset-light approaches in these attractive markets, including potential joint ventures, brand licensing agreements, and wholesale distribution. A venture that we have plans for in the near future that holds great promise for short-term profitability is a consumption lounge. We have obtained a prospective license and assuming we get our permanent license this year, plan to open the lounge in 2024. This is projected to not only increase foot traffic at the dispensary but also influence higher spending among our patrons. All of this is to say, we are surviving; we are thriving; we're rapidly paying off our debt; we're avoiding the need for more capital; we're not going to do anything that doesn't have the opportunity to make this company money in the short term; and with this, we are anticipating profitability in the 2024 fiscal year. Over the past year, and the past six years at that, we have not only maintained our course but propelled ourselves forward. Our accomplishments are a testament to the dedication of each member of CLS- from our devout shareholders and tenured management team, to, most importantly, our exceptional employees and loyal customers. Together, we have navigated an intricate regulatory landscape, spearheaded initiatives that have elevated our operational excellence, and strategically positioned CLS Holdings for sustainable growth and profitability. Our journey has seen us forge partnerships, harness cutting-edge technologies, and hone our focus on areas of strength, all while remaining true to our commitment to transparency and shareholder value. With each step forward, we remain resolute in our pursuit of excellence, our dedication to responsible growth, and our unshakable belief in a future where CLS Holdings stands as a paragon of success in the dynamic and ever-evolving cannabis industry. In gratitude, determination, and in anticipation of what the future holds, I want to take this moment to thank all of you. I greatly look forward to what 2024 has in store for us. Contact Information CLS Holdings USA, Inc. Andrew Glashow - Chairman/CEO info@clsholdingsinc.com 888-260-7775 Instagram @clsholdingsusa - Facebook: @CLSHoldingsUSA Twitter: @CLSHoldingsUSA - LinkedIn: @CLS Holdings USA Inc Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and 'forward-looking statements' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the 'forward-looking statements'). These statements relate to, among other things, the expected development of our business and joint ventures, results of operations and financial performance, future liquidity, working capital and capital requirements. The continued spread of COVID-19 could have, and in some cases already has had, an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, and retail dispensary operations as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "intends," "expects," "plans," "goals," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See CLS Holdings USA filings with the SEC and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for additional details. SOURCE: CLS Holdings USA, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/776376/CLS-Holdings-USA-Inc-2023-CEO-Address-to-Shareholders Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - North Peak Resources Ltd. (TSXV: NPR) (the "Company" or "North Peak") has completed key commercial advances incorporated in its acquisition of the Prospect Mountain property located in Eureka, Nevada (the "Property"), announced by the Company on May 4, 2023. As required by the acquisition terms, a Nevada LLC named "North Peak Gold LLC" has been formed, with the Company's Nevada subsidiary (North Peak (Nevada) Ltd.) holding an initial 80% interest and Solarljos LLC (controlled by the Erickson family of Nevada) holding the remaining 20% interest. The mining claims and rights and related permits that constitute the Property are in the process of being transferred into North Peak Gold LLC (the "Transfers"). The Company has the right to acquire the remaining 20% interest by issuing an additional 3 million common shares to Solarljos, as described below. As part of the formation of North Peak Gold LLC and the Transfers, Ty Erickson, MD has joined the Board of Directors of the Company and 5 million common shares of the Company have been issued to Solarljos. Solarljos now holds 16.65% of the outstanding common shares of the Company (see "Early Warning Reporting" below). "North Peak has been fortunate since the May agreement to launch a scope of geophysics and other work programs that will shape near term drilling programs on the mining potential of the Eureka camp," said Brian Hinchcliffe, Company CEO. "Ty's presence on the Board will ensure the contribution of decades long family ownership of the Prospect Mountain property to North Peak's shareholders." Dr. Erickson grew up in the Eureka and Ely, Nevada communities in a mining oriented family. His father, Einar C Erickson PhD, was a noted exploration geologist in Nevada for over 60 years who acquired the Prospect Mountain Mine complex over 40 years ago and his parents both worked at Kennecott in Eastern Nevada. Dr. Erickson has a dual board certification in Obstetrics/Gynecology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and serves on the faculty as a uro-gynecologist at the UNLV school of medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada. He trains surgeons on advanced pelvic floor reconstruction in the United States and has taught surgery in twenty countries on four continents. He has been a director on four health care organizations and currently is chairperson of a charitable nonprofit, The Janice Foundation: focusing on reducing the suffering of women. The Company has the right to acquire the 20% interest in North Peak Gold LLC held by Solarljos (the "Right") by issuing an additional 3 million common shares to Solarljos. The Company will have until 90 days after the third anniversary of completion of the Transfers to exercise the Right. If the Company decides not to exercise the Right, then the initial 80% interest in North Peak Gold LLC it holds is to be transferred to Solarljos, and Solarljos will in turn return to the Company the 5 million common shares that have been issued to it. The Company's Nevada subsidiary, North Peak Nevada Ltd, is acting as manager for North Peak Gold LLC and operator of the Property. Solarljos is not required to contribute any funds or assume any liabilities for the benefit of North Peak Gold LLC or in connection with exploration and operations at the Property on account of its 20% interest. About Prospect Mountain The Property lies in the Battle Mountain Eureka trend, in an area known as the Southern Eureka Gold Belt, where three styles of mineralization have been identified, Au only Carlin style mineralization, Carbonate Replacement mineralization (CRD) and carbonate hosted Porphyry Related Skarn lead, zinc and gold mineralization associated with cretaceous intrusions. At the Property, the CRD mineralization is heavily oxidized to depths of at least 610m (2000ft) below the top of the ridge line. A Plan of Operations is in place which covers part of the Property (totalling 81 acres) and entitles an operator to pursue surface exploration, underground mining of up to 365,000 tons per annum and certain infrastructural works. It includes a permit to extract water from a well and to build water containment facilities. About North Peak The Company is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NPR". The Company is focused on acquiring historic sites, with low cost producing gold and other metals properties, with near term production potential and 8+ year mine life in the northern hemisphere. The Company recently acquired an initial 80% interest in the Prospect Mountain Mine complex in Eureka, Nevada (see the Company's May 4 and 23, 2023 press releases). The Company can give no assurances at this time that its properties and interests will fulfil the Company's business development goals described herein. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. For further information, please contact: Brian Hinchcliffe, CEO Phone: +1-647-424-2305 Email: info@northpeakresources.com Website: www.northpeakresources.com Chelsea Hayes, Director Phone: +1-647-424-2305 Email: info@northpeakresources.com EARLY WARNING REPORTING: As a result of the issuance of 5 million common shares of the Company referenced above, Solarljos LLC (591 County Rd 101, Eureka, NV 89316) now owns and controls 5,000,000 common shares of the Company. Solarljos LLC held no common shares of the Company prior to this issuance of shares and now holds approximately 16.65% of the common shares of the Company. The Company is advised that Solarljos acquired these securities for investment purposes and has no present intention to acquire further securities of the Company, although it may in the future acquire or dispose of securities of the Company, through the market, privately or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant. A copy of the early warning report required to be filed by Solarljos LLC with applicable securities commissions in connection with this acquisition of common shares of the Company will be available for viewing under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability of the parties to complete the transactions described herein, the ability of the Company to complete the exploration programs as proposed and on the timelines suggested, estimates of mineralization from drilling and the potential for minerals and/or mineral resources and reserves, and regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Property and the Company that may be described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, accuracy of assay results, geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services, future operating costs, and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, available at www.sedarplus.ca , many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178476 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Four students from Toronto carefully examined the complicated issue presented by United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 and decided they needn't be powerless to help ensure the availability of clean energy for all. Knowing that small changes can add up, middle school students Aparajita, Cadence, Devangi and Katrina developed a concept for an app that would: Reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production Free up resources for establishing cleaner sources of electricity and bioenergy Lessen people's and nations' dependence on fossil fuels Offer tangible benefits and incentives to users Be easy to use The idea behind their app, EcoSuggest, is to make it easy for people to address climate change, home and business economics, and the need for clean energy resources across the globe. They presented their concept through a three-minute pitch video submitted to the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) goIT Monthly Challenge for July, a global competition presented in partnership with Petronas, a global energy group committed to delivering and optimizing clean energy solutions to empower sustainable societal growth. Every month, TCS and its SDG Ambassador partners use the goIT Monthly challenge to engage K-12 students across the globe in a STEM competition focused on one of the 17 SDGs. The goIT Monthly Challenge for July invited individual students or teams to create digital innovation concepts that could help create affordable and clean energy options, addressing issues raised by SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Lack of access to modern energy systems is often a constraint to human and economic development, and wasteful use of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy can have a negative impact on climate and health. To address these challenges, EcoSuggest helps people play a role in climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction. The app is designed to help users set electricity usage limits, send themselves turn-off reminders, and even helps users earn badges as rewards for responsible energy use. As the North American winner for the month, EcoSuggest and its creators will eventually compete for mentoring opportunities, recognition and prizes associated with TCS' North American and Global Innovator of the Year competitions. The winners' submission was accompanied by a statement of concern: "We need to save energy so that we have energy left to use. There are so many kilowatts of energy being wasted each year that could be used in other areas of the world that do not have power and save the average homeowner a lot of money each year." The pitch video by Aparajita, Cadence, Devangi and Katrina is available for viewing at the bottom of the TCS goIT Monthly Challenge website. About goIT Monthly Challenge TCS's Go Innovate Together program (goIT) is TCS' flagship STEM education program. Focusing on digital innovation and career readiness, goIT engages students from diverse backgrounds to bridge the learning curve between Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects and computer science, design thinking and digital innovation. The program offers an industry-developed, customizable curriculum that teaches students the 21st century skills necessary for a career in technology. Lessons cover topics including the innovation life cycle, rapid prototyping, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and more. Since the inception of the goIT Monthly Challenge in the summer of 2020, thousands of students across the globe have used key principles from goIT to design tech-based solutions and submit a pitch video based on the Challenge's monthly theme. Each month, TCS co-hosts the event with an SDG ambassador, a globally minded nonprofit and TCS customer. The Challenge has engaged a growing number of teachers and students every month and has explored topics from ranging from gender equality to systemic racism to protecting life under water. Visit the goIT Monthly Challenge competition website to learn how to get students involved in upcoming challenges at: http://on.tcs.com/goIT-ENG. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/tata-consultancy-services-tcs Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777118/Toronto-Middle-School-Students-Win-goIT-STEM-Competition-With-Proposed-App-Promoting-Responsible-Energy-Use The "3rd Spanish Aviation Forum" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The conference sessions will provide the platform for high level debate, exchange of ideas and information as well as extensive networking opportunities for aviation executives from Spain and around the world who will discuss a variety of topics. Participating companies will represent operators and manufacturers, safety and security experts, financing companies, and sectors such as insurance, software technology, airport infrastructure and other areas that contribute to the development of commercial aviation in Spain. This international event will explore the latest developments in the commercial aviation sector of Spain Spain at the crossroads of Europe, South America and Africa Financing and leasing aircraft and engines Fleet management, maintenance and operations Aviation sustainability Speakers Montserrat Barriga Andres, Director General, European Regions Airline Association Inaki Azcoitia, Director Commercial, Managing Partner, Alisios Aviation Arnold Aumasson, VP Marketing Business Development, Aircraft Maintenance Systems RD Matthew Gee, Chief Operating Officer, Six West Gonzalo Ibarra, CEO, Ibarra Aero Charges Adrian Iordache, Principal Solicitor and Director, Consortium Legal Robert Ricketts, Partner, Holland Knight Jan Willem Storm van 's Gravesande, Managing Partner, Aviation Independent Consulting Fergal Whelan-Porter, Chief Executive Officer, Aeolus Engine Services Senior Representative of Airbus Corporate Jets Senior Representative of Vertis For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3qpqmd About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825713080/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / U.S. Bank Photo: Kelsey Kim Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog Among the college students participating in the U.S. Bank summer internship program this year are three women who bring expertise they gained through Girls Who Code, which provides coding instruction and experience to thousands of girls every year. Kelsey Kim first joined a Girls Who Code (GWC) summer immersion program near her home in Atlanta when she was in high school. The seven-week program taught Kim how to use multiple computer languages, including Java, HTML/CSS, Python and C++. It also helped Kim develop a passion for coding and technology. Kim, a rising senior at the University of Georgia majoring in computer science, along with Tamara Kunter, a rising senior at Georgia Tech majoring in computer science with a minor in Middle Eastern and North African studies, and Israa Mohammed, a rising junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in computer science, are all among more than 220 interns spending the summer at U.S. Bank. "It was such a great experience at GWC. I got to build connections, create projects and receive guidance from amazing mentors," Kim said. "After the program ended, we were all part of the alumni network, and that's how I found out about the internship with U.S. Bank. Seeing that U.S. Bank was a Girls Who Code partner really incentivized me to apply because I've had great experiences with both their immersion and mentorship programs." U.S. Bank is entering its sixth year supporting GWC and over time has invested more than $1 million in the programs for students and alumni. According to GWC, the organization has served 580,000 young women and non-binary students over its 10-year history. In 2022, GWC supported more than 71,000 K-12 students and connected more than 2,400 GWC students with internships and job opportunities in tech through its virtual hiring summits. "In the 2022/23 program year, our U.S. Bank team shifted our focus slightly to provide career readiness training and opportunities," said Jason Teal, program manager for Tech Services at U.S. Bank. "We sponsored GWC's Hiring Summit, Technical Interview Prep program and overall Pipeline programming, which supports female and nonbinary students at all points from third grade through college, and beyond," Teal said. "Through our support in these programs, we participated in resume review events, speed networking events, and more. Each gave an opportunity for participants to get feedback on their resumes and/or practice interviewing. I am so excited that we were able to offer internships to GWC alumni and thrilled that we had Kelsey, Tamara and Israa here with us this summer." Kim is currently working as a full stack developer intern with the U.S. Bank talech group, a cloud-based software team, focusing her internship on business customer point-of-sale (POS) systems, which she said hits close to home for her. "It been amazing to learn about new technologies and experience working in a professional environment," Kim said. "It's so interesting to work with everyone involved in the front-end visual elements that users interact with, to the back-end services that power those interactions. I was also really excited about the product since my parents own a restaurant only a couple minutes away from the office, and POS software is something that is an integral part of how the business runs," she said. "Now, many businesses are transitioning toward digitalization and self-service models, and the demand for efficient POS software is increasing. The relevance of the work and product is something I really appreciate." On the other side of Atlanta, Kunter has been embedded into the U.S. Bank Elavon payments team focused on quality assurance. And in Minneapolis, Mohammed has been working with the engineering team. "I work on the Quality Assurance team for Electronic Transfer System," Kunter said. "Specifically, I have been tasked with automating test cases for a hosted payment page. The purpose of this is to make it easier, faster and more reliable while ensuring that the functionality of the website was not disrupted after changes/updates to the website." Each of the young women said they aspire to use their technical and coding skills in their future careers. They said the early days working with GWC and all the connections it has afforded them helped pave the path. Learn more about Girls Who Code here . View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: U.S. Bank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: U.S. Bank View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777145/Girls-Who-Code-Alumni-Participate-in-Banks-Summer-Internship-Program SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BingX Charity, the philanthropic arm of BingX, the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange, is embarking on an inspiring mission to enrich the educational journey of children in Vietnam. Through its initiative "Bright Horizons for Children," BingX Charity is rallying the community to collaborate in local infrastructure construction. The objective is to provide a solid learning environment for preschoolers at Xa Nhe village Kindergarten, Dien Bien province, ensuring a conducive space for local kids to learn and envision a promising future. The "Bright Horizons for Children" campaign will run from August 18, 2023, to September 18, 2023. Three new classrooms and one closed toilet will be constructed, addressing formidable challenges faced by these children. Insufficient facilities and learning conditions paint a grim picture, heightening the difficulty of their pursuit of knowledge. To execute the campaign, BingX Charity has been working along with organizations like Nurturing You, Strength 2000, Momo, and the National Volunteer Center, with enthusiastic support from the Vietnamese blockchain community. This endeavor to establish schools in Vietnam is yet another testament to the long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility. "Every child deserves a chance to learn and dream without limitations. BingX Charity believes in values that resonate with the very essence of humanity. Our commitment to shaping a brighter future for children in Vietnam's highland region through this initiative echoes our dedication to improving the welfare of communities. We are driven by the belief that our actions today can positively impact generations to come, aligning with our broader mission to enhance human well-being through meaningful initiatives," remarked Elvisco Carrington, PR and Communications Director of BingX. As the philanthropic arm of BingX, BingX Charity operates with a resolute commitment to leveraging blockchain innovation for the betterment of the society. From environmental sustainability projects to supporting underprivileged communities, BingX Charity continues to extend its reach beyond the realm of cryptocurrency. Guided by transparency, inclusivity, and social responsibility, BingX Charity strives to make a lasting impact on global communities by supporting various charitable initiatives and fostering meaningful partnerships. About BingX BingX is a leading crypto exchange that offers spot, derivatives, copy, and grid trading services to over 100 countries and regions worldwide with over 5 million users. BingX continues to connect users with expert traders and the platform in a safe and innovative way. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2194361/1920.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2095392/BingX_New_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bingx-charity-establishes-schools-in-vietnam-to-brighten-horizons-for-children-301910043.html The global liquid hydrogen market is driven by the growing pursuit of sustainable energy solutions PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Liquid Hydrogen Market by Distribution (Pipelines, Cryogenic Tanks, Others), by End Use Industry (Aerospace, Automotive and Transportation, Energy and Power, Industrial Sector, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global liquid hydrogen industry generated $39.0 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $66.3 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2032. The liquid hydrogen market is experiencing substantial growth as industries increasingly recognize its potential as a clean and efficient energy source. With a focus on reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards sustainable practices, businesses are turning to liquid hydrogen for applications such as fuel cell propulsion in transportation, power generation, and industrial processes. The versatility of liquid hydrogen, coupled with advancements in storage and transportation technologies, is driving its adoption across various sectors. As governments and companies invest in research and infrastructure, the market presents promising opportunities for businesses to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for eco-friendly solutions while contributing to a more environmentally responsible future. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/146710 Prime determinants of growth The global liquid hydrogen market is driven by the growing pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, with its high energy density and emission-free characteristics making it appealing for diverse applications. However, challenges encompass high production costs, cryogenic infrastructure demands, and safety concerns. Opportunities lie in renewable energy integration, advancements in production technologies, and collaborative efforts to establish supportive frameworks, positioning the market for expansion through innovation and strategic alliances. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $39 billion Market Size in 2032 $66.3 billion CAGR 5.5 % No. of Pages in Report 278 Segments covered Distribution, End use Industry, and Region. Drivers Increase in penetration of liquid hydrogen in the aerospace industry and expansion of the automotive and transportation industry Opportunities Rise in use of liquid hydrogen in the energy storage industry Restraints High Production cost and safety concern The cryogenic tanks segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on distribution, the cryogenic tanks segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global liquid hydrogen market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Cryogenic tanks are essential for storing & transporting liquefied gases such as liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). As various industries expand, the demand for cryogenic tanks increases to support the storage & transport sectors. In addition, tanks are utilized in the storage and transportation of liquid hydrogen, which has gained popularity as a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The same segment is also projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 5.6% from 2023 to 2032. Procure Complete Report (278 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3QQPOeb The aerospace segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period Based on end use industry, the aerospace segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-fourth of the global liquid hydrogen market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Liquid hydrogen offers high specific impulse, which is a measure of the efficiency of a rocket engine. It provides a greater thrust per unit of propellant compared to other fuels, allowing for higher velocities and payloads. On the other hand, the automotive and transportation segment would cite the fastest CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032 Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for around two-fifths of the global liquid hydrogen market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The Chinese Government has demonstrated strong support for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. China has released various policy initiatives and targets to promote the development & adoption of hydrogen, including liquid hydrogen. The government has provided financial incentives, funding programs, and regulatory support to drive the growth of the liquid hydrogen market. The same region is also anticipated to cite the fastest CAGR of 5.9% by 2032. Leading Market Players: - INOXCVA AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. DEMACO POWERED BY LEAPFORCE LINDE PLC AIR LIQUIDE CRYOLOR HYLIUM INDUSTRIES, INC. PLUG POWER INC. IWATANI CORPORATION MESSER GROUP GMBH. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global Liquid hydrogen market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different provinces. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/liquid-hydrogen-market/purchase-options Similar Reports: Hydrogen Peroxide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Hydrogen Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Hydrogen Bromide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Hydrogen Cyanide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Noble Gas Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Specialty Gas Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Metal Cutting Gas Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 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. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. 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. 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 United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Blog: https://www.newsguards.com/ Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/liquid-hydrogen-market-to-reach-66-3-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-5-cagr-allied-market-research-301909975.html Switching from Eliquis (apixaban) to rivaroxaban in Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) patients was associated with a higher risk of stroke/systemic embolism (S/SE) and major bleeding (MB) than those who continued Eliquis The Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer (BMS NYSE: BMY) (Pfizer NYSE: PFE) Alliance today presented results from ATHENS, a retrospective real-world data study, at the European Society of Cardiology(ESC) Congress 2023 showing that switching from Eliquis (apixaban) to rivaroxaban in Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) patients was associated with a higher risk of stroke/systemic embolism (S/SE) and major bleeding (MB) than those who continued Eliquis "Although some NVAF patients switch direct oral anticoagulants in real-world clinical practice, either for medical or non-medical reasons, there hasn't been a lot of information gathered on the clinical outcomes of those switches," said Steve Deitelzweig, MD, MMM, FACC, SFHM, FACP, RVT, System Chairman for Hospital Medicine,Ochsner Health System. "The study results provide insights about the real-world risk of stroke and major bleeding associated with switching from apixaban to rivaroxaban in patients with NVAF." This retrospective study identified NVAF patients who initiated Eliquis or rivaroxaban between 01 January 2013 and 31 December 2021 using Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart database. There were 167,868 Eliquis initiators and 65,888 rivaroxaban initiators who met study criteria. Using propensity score matching (PSM), 2,900 patients who switched from Eliquis to rivaroxaban were matched to 14,500 patients who continued Eliquis, and 2,873 patients who switched from rivaroxaban to Eliquis were matched to 14,365 patients who continued rivaroxaban. "Data collected in real-world settings can enhance patient care. By gathering insights from everyday clinical practice, we can better understand how Eliquis is used and its impact on patients' lives," said Narinder Bhalla, MD, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Medical, Head of Cardiovascular and Established Brands at Bristol Myers Squibb. "This real-world data provides pragmatic information to help clinicians manage the care of their patients." In this study, switching from Eliquis to rivaroxaban was associated with a higher risk of S/SE (Hazard Ratio (HR):1.99, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.38-2.88) and MB (HR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.46-2.23) than those who continued Eliquis. Additionally, switching from rivaroxaban to Eliquis was associated with a similar risk of S/SE (HR:0.74, 95% CI: 0.45-1.22) and a lower risk of MB (HR:0.58, 95%CI: 0.44-0.76) compared to those who continued rivaroxaban. It is important to note that anticoagulants, including Eliquis, increase the risk of bleeding and can cause serious, potentially fatal bleeding. Please see important safety information below for Eliquis, including BOXED WARNINGS. Real-world data have the potential to supplement randomized, controlled clinical trial data by providing additional information about how a medicine performs in routine medical practice. Real-world data analyses, however, have important limitations. Observational real-world studies can only evaluate association and not causality, and despite the use of methods to address differences due to measured variables, false associations may still be present. The source and type of data used may limit the generalizability of the results, and varied outcomes are possible. In the ATHENS study, treatment assignments were based on pharmacy claims and actual drug exposure is unknown. Additionally, reasons for switching are not known and sample size for those who switched is much lower than those who continued treatment. Dosing criteria were not evaluated and impacts of drug dosing on outcomes were not assessed. Due to these limitations, real-world data analyses are not used as evidence to validate the efficacy and/or safety of a treatment. About ATHENS The ATHENS study was designed to assess the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (S/SE) and major bleeding (MB) among Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) patients who switched from Eliquis (apixaban) to rivaroxaban or switched from rivaroxaban to Eliquis instead of continuing initial treatment. This retrospective study identified NVAF patients who initiated treatment between 01 January 2013 and 31 December 2021 using a large U.S. administrative claims database. There were 167,868 Eliquis initiators and 65,888 rivaroxaban initiators included in the study. Within both the Eliquis initiators and rivaroxaban initiators cohorts, patients were divided into two groups and compared: switchers to a different direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) within 30 days before or 90 days after discontinuation of the initial DOAC, and continuers, or patients who continued receiving the initial DOAC. The switch date was the index date for those who switched while, for those who continued, a hypothetic index date was randomly assigned based on the distribution of the time from initial DOAC prescription to the switch date in the switchers group. Two final cohorts (switchers and continuers) within Eliquis initiators and rivaroxaban initiators were further propensity score matched (PSM) based on pre-index characteristics using a 1:5 ratio. About Eliquis(apixaban) Eliquis is an oral selective Factor Xa inhibitor. By inhibiting Factor Xa, a key blood clotting protein, Eliquis decreases thrombin generation and blood clot formation. Eliquis is approved for multiple indications in the U.S. based on efficacy and safety data from multiple Phase 3 clinical trials. The approval of Eliquis for stroke risk reduction in patients with NVAF is based on data from the Phase 3 ARISTOTLE and AVERROES studies of Eliquis in patients with NVAF. The approval of Eliquis for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and for the reduction in the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy, is based on data from the global AMPLIFY and AMPLIFY-EXT studies. U.S. FDA-Approved Indications for Eliquis: Eliquis is a prescription medicine indicated in the U.S. to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF; for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery; for the treatment of DVT and PE; and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE, following initial therapy. Eliquis Important Safety Information Indications Eliquis is indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Eliquis is indicated for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery. Eliquis is indicated for the treatment of DVT and PE, and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy. Important Safety Information WARNING: (A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF ELIQUIS INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS, (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA (A) Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including Eliquis, increases the risk of thrombotic events. If anticoagulation with Eliquis is discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding or completion of a course of therapy, consider coverage with another anticoagulant. (B) Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in patients treated with Eliquis who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Consider these risks when scheduling patients for spinal procedures. Factors that can increase the risk of developing epidural or spinal hematomas in these patients include: use of indwelling epidural catheters concomitant use of other drugs that affect hemostasis, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), platelet inhibitors, other anticoagulants a history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal punctures a history of spinal deformity or spinal surgery optimal timing between the administration of Eliquis and neuraxial procedures is not known Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary. Consider the benefits and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated. CONTRAINDICATIONS Active pathological bleeding Severe hypersensitivity reaction to Eliquis (e.g., anaphylactic reactions) WARNINGS AND PRECAUTION Increased Risk of Thrombotic Events after Premature Discontinuation: Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including Eliquis, in the absence of adequate alternative anticoagulation increases the risk of thrombotic events. An increased rate of stroke was observed during the transition from Eliquis to warfarin in clinical trials in atrial fibrillation patients. If Eliquis is discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding or completion of a course of therapy, consider coverage with another anticoagulant. Bleeding Risk: Eliquis increases the risk of bleeding and can cause serious, potentially fatal, bleeding. Concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis increases the risk of bleeding, including aspirin and other antiplatelet agents, other anticoagulants, heparin, thrombolytic agents, SSRIs, SNRIs, and NSAIDs. Advise patients of signs and symptoms of blood loss and to report them immediately or go to an emergency room. Discontinue Eliquis in patients with active pathological hemorrhage. The anticoagulant effect of apixaban can be expected to persist for at least 24 hours after the last dose (i.e., about two half-lives). An agent to reverse the anti-factor Xa activity of apixaban is available. Please visit www.andexxa.com for more information on availability of a reversal agent. increases the risk of bleeding and can cause serious, potentially fatal, bleeding. Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia or Puncture: Patients treated with Eliquis undergoing spinal/epidural anesthesia or puncture may develop an epidural or spinal hematoma which can result in long-term or permanent paralysis. The risk of these events may be increased by the postoperative use of indwelling epidural catheters or the concomitant use of medicinal products affecting hemostasis. Indwelling epidural or intrathecal catheters should not be removed earlier than 24 hours after the last administration of Eliquis. The next dose of Eliquis should not be administered earlier than 5 hours after the removal of the catheter. The risk may also be increased by traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal puncture. If traumatic puncture occurs, delay the administration of Eliquis for 48 hours. Monitor patients frequently and if neurological compromise is noted, urgent diagnosis and treatment is necessary. Physicians should consider the potential benefit versus the risk of neuraxial intervention in Eliquis patients. Prosthetic Heart Valves: The safety and efficacy of Eliquis have not been studied in patients with prosthetic heart valves and is not recommended in these patients. Acute PE in Hemodynamically Unstable Patients or Patients who Require Thrombolysis or Pulmonary Embolectomy: Initiation of Eliquis is not recommended as an alternative to unfractionated heparin for the initial treatment of patients with PE who present with hemodynamic instability or who may receive thrombolysis or pulmonary embolectomy. Increased Risk of Thrombosis in Patients with Triple Positive Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including Eliquis, are not recommended for use in patients with triple-positive APS. For patients with APS (especially those who are triple positive [positive for lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, and anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibodies]), treatment with DOACs has been associated with increased rates of recurrent thrombotic events compared with vitamin K antagonist therapy. ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common and most serious adverse reactions reported with Eliquis were related to bleeding. TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION FOR SURGERY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONS Eliquis should be discontinued at least 48 hours prior to elective surgery or invasive procedures with a moderate or high risk of unacceptable or clinically significant bleeding. Eliquis should be discontinued at least 24 hours prior to elective surgery or invasive procedures with a low risk of bleeding or where the bleeding would be noncritical in location and easily controlled. Bridging anticoagulation during the 24 to 48 hours after stopping Eliquis and prior to the intervention is not generally required. Eliquis should be restarted after the surgical or other procedures as soon as adequate hemostasis has been established. DRUG INTERACTIONS Combined P-gp and Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) increase exposure to apixaban and increase the risk of bleeding. For patients receiving Eliquis doses of 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily, reduce the dose of Eliquis by 50% when Eliquis is coadministered with drugs that are combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, or ritonavir). In patients already taking 2.5 mg twice daily, avoid coadministration of Eliquis with combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Clarithromycin Although clarithromycin is a combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, pharmacokinetic data suggest that no dose adjustment is necessary with concomitant administration with Eliquis Combined P-gp and Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of Eliquis with combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's wort) because such drugs will decrease exposure to apixaban. Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents: Coadministration of antiplatelet agents, fibrinolytics, heparin, aspirin, and chronic NSAID use increases the risk of bleeding. APPRAISE-2, a placebo-controlled clinical trial of apixaban in high-risk post-acute coronary syndrome patients treated with aspirin or the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel, was terminated early due to a higher rate of bleeding with apixaban compared to placebo. PREGNANCY The limited available data on Eliquis use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform drug-associated risks of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse developmental outcomes. Treatment may increase the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and delivery, and in the fetus and neonate. Labor or delivery: Eliquis use during labor or delivery in women who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia may result in epidural or spinal hematomas. Consider use of a shorter acting anticoagulant as delivery approaches. use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform drug-associated risks of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse developmental outcomes. Treatment may increase the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and delivery, and in the fetus and neonate. LACTATION Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Eliquis FEMALES AND MALES OF REPRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL Females of reproductive potential requiring anticoagulation should discuss pregnancy planning with their physician. The risk of clinically significant uterine bleeding, potentially requiring gynecological surgical interventions, identified with oral anticoagulants including Eliquis should be assessed in these patients and those with abnormal uterine bleeding. Please see U.S. FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including Boxed WARNINGS, available at www.bms.com. About the Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer Collaboration The Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance (the Alliance) is committed to driving education and awareness about atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). With long- standing cardiovascular leadership, global scale and expertise in this field, the Alliance strives to implement global, research-driven approaches to illuminate and address the unmet needs around strokes related to non-valvular atrial fibrillation, which are often fatal or debilitating. Through collaborations with non-profit organizations, the Alliance aims to provide patients, healthcare professionals and decision makers with the information they need to understand and take appropriate action on risk factors associated with stroke and other cardiovascular conditions. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. About Pfizer Inc.: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer. Bristol Myers Squibb Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb's business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. Pfizer Disclosure Notice The information contained in this release is as of August 25, 2023. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments. This release contains forward-looking information about Eliquis (apixaban), including its potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical or other data and further analyses of existing clinical or other data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from our clinical studies; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Eliquis; uncertainties regarding commercial success; uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Pfizer's business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results," as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com. corporatefinancial-news View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824591779/en/ Contacts: Media Inquiries: Bristol Myers Squibb Media Inquiries: media@bms.com Investors: investor.relations@bms.com Pfizer Inc. Media: PfizerMediaRelations@Pfizer.com +1 (212) 733-1226 Investors: IR@Pfizer.com +1 (212) 733-4848 VENICE, Italy, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinix collaborates in organizing the panel session "New Image, New Lifestile | Cinema in the New Media, Capture Your Own Story" organized on September 1st at the Italian Pavilion in Venice, on the occasion of the Venice International Film Festival. The collaboration celebrates the increasing synergy between advances in smartphone technology and art of storytelling and filmmaking. Centered around the launch of the latest Infinix ZERO smartphone, the partnership is the first of its kind, uniting two brands dedicated to the creation of incredible stories that resonate across global boundaries. Traditional Cinema Meets Next-Gen Vlogging From classic cinema to social media posts, Infinix is proving that technology has the power to enable more engaging storytelling than ever before. By partnering with the Italian Pavilion FOR THE SESSION NEW IMAGE NEW LIFESTYLE | CINEMA IN THE NEW MEDIA TIME, CAPTURE YOUR OWN SORY on September 1st, one of the most respected institutions in global cinema, Infinix is pushing the boundaries of filmmaking to recognize the importance of storytelling through smartphone video, and the art of vlogging. Young people today place greater emphasis on their personal lives and the ability to share experiences with others. This desire for self-expression is mirrored in the content that they create, and a new inclination to explore the art of storytelling and the creation of compelling narratives that are quickly becoming the cinema of today on new platforms including social media. Infinix ZERO 30 SERIES Global Launch The Infinix ZERO Series is an example of how Infinix empowers young people with ?rst-in-class technology, creating powerful and attainably priced products that challenge convention, and break with tradition. The latest model in the Infinix ZERO smartphone series, takes front camera photography to new places, allowing users to be part of a new era of imaging and storytelling. During the Italian Pavilion Forum " New Image, New Lifestile. Cinema in the New Media, Capture Your Own Story", Infinix will unveil the latest edition to the Infinix ZERO smartphone series. In front of an audience of world leading tech, lifestyle and photography vloggers, Infinix CMO Lake Hu will outline the brand's vision of smartphone development, introducing the 'Story On' concept. The new Infinix ZERO series smartphone will then be unveiled on stage by Infinix India CEO, Anish Kapoor. Attendees will also be shown an exclusive documentary created by Infinix fans, demonstrating the incredible potential of smartphones for professional, cinematic-style filmmaking. 'Capture Our Own Story' - Mobile Vlog Awards of Infinix The 'Capture Your Own Story' Mobile Vlog Awards will also be launched on the occasion of the Venice International Film Festival. The contest encourages young creators worldwide to harness the advanced video capabilities of Infinix smartphones to capture life uniquely, crafting short film videos that reflect their individual perspectives. Infinix invites vloggers of all types, and backgrounds to contribute to the evolution of mobile imaging, creating a space for youthful creativity and inspiration to thrive. Infinix Shines On the Occasion of the 80th Venice Film Festival The partnership between Infinix and the Italian Pavilion Forum " New Image, New Lifestile. Cinema in the New Media, Capture Your Own Story" sets a new precedent in collaborative branding, uniting to set in motion a transition to a world where we can all become masters of cinematic creativity and self-expression. Infinix's pursuit of technological innovation puts disruptive, next-generation technology in the hands of young people everywhere. Venice is the perfect stage upon which new and innovative filmmaking and vlogging can be experienced, celebrated and better understood. Infinix aims to contribute to shaping the future of filmmaking, vlogging, and the development of upcoming directors and cinematographers. About Infinix In?nix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the In?nix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today's youth with ?rst in class technology, In?nix creates trendy, powerful and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want. For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2194470/Capture_Your_Own_Story.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infinix-debuts-zero-30-series-at-the-italian-pavilion-in-venice-europes-premier-film-forum-to-pioneer-uhd-vlogging-301910172.html Clean and Safe Drones Will Replace Aircraft for Banner Advertising Operations MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Sustainable Skylines, the aerial drone advertising and data analytics company, today announced that it has become the first drone banner towing operation in the U.S. to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for commercial operations. The Section 44807 exemption approval, combined with a banner towing authorization currently under review, will allow Sustainable Skylines to launch full-size banner advertisements towed by a drone along Miami Beach. Traditional banner advertising is both environmentally harmful and sometimes deadly for pilots, as crashes and other mishaps are a significant risk for aircraft towing banner advertisements. Using a drone to pull banners minimizes pollution and risks for pilots and people on the ground. For the past decade, the commercial drone industry has been working towards regulatory approvals for a wide range of applications. For Sustainable Skylines, regulatory approval has been the most significant hurdle in transforming aerial advertising. Relative to traditional aircraft banner towing, Sustainable Skylines' drone operations are environmentally friendly, safe, and scalable; traditional aircraft banner towing does not easily scale due to constraints caused by small plane logistics and the proximity of events to airfields where banner towing originates. Unlike traditional aircraft banner towing, drones capable of vertical take-off and landing do not require the use of a nearby airport or runway. By eliminating the need for airport or runway access, drone banner towing operations can occur in a wide variety of locations where traditional banner towing operations are not possible. Additionally, drone advertising brings measurable attention analytics to banner advertising, which is not possible with traditional aircraft towing. Sustainable Skylines' drones fly the banners and can utilize anonymized data to measure the size of crowds within sight of their banners, giving agencies and brand advertisers confidence their messages reach their intended targets. Drones also have unique maneuvering capabilities, which brings a new dynamic to banner flights and generates increased interest from people on the ground. "This is a significant milestone for Sustainable Skylines and the broader drone industry, explained Jacob Stonecipher, founder and CEO of Sustainable Skylines. "Our team has worked tirelessly toward this regulatory approval; we wouldn't be here without the guidance of Lisa Ellman and her team at Hogan Lovells. We're excited to work with our partners to safely launch and integrate banner advertising by drone into the local airspace and community." With this regulatory approval, Sustainable Skylines can prepare for its launch in Miami Beach and to bring this new medium to brands and agencies. "Banner advertising is another exciting example of the new opportunities that commercial drones bring to our economy, while enhancing the safety of the National Airspace System," said Lisa Ellman, chair of the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) practice at global law firm Hogan Lovells, which facilitated Sustainable Skyline's FAA approval. "Sustainable Skylines is reinventing an old industry with a new technology and delivering exponential value through the use of safe, clean drone technology that can scale, entertain and create new jobs, too." For more information on Sustainable Skylines banner towing operations or to talk with a brand representative, please visit https://www.sustainableskylines.com/ About Sustainable Skylines Sustainable Skylines is the first to market full-size drone advertising banner towing operations, driving innovation around antiquated aerial advertising practices by using sustainable drone technology and in-depth data analytics. Aggregating data from cellular, geospatial, and real-time footage from flight operations, Sustainable Skylines leverages the latest advances in computer vision, big data, and artificial intelligence to create actionable insights for our clients. Building the drone, pilot, and fleet management infrastructure alongside our partners and the FAA, Sustainable Skylines will drive innovation and sustainability across the country. Sustainable Skylines was founded in 2020 and headquartered in Miami, FL. For further information visit www.sustainableskylines.com. Contact information: Joel Richman for Sustainable Skylines joel@escalatepr.com 617-312-5942 SOURCE: Sustainable Skylines View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/776908/Sustainable-Skylines-Secures-First-Ever-FAA-Authorization-for-Drones-to-Tow-Full-Size-Advertising-Banners MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The United States will begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly and maintain F-16 fighter jets in the coming months, a long-awaited decision that will reinforce Ukraine's forces on the warfront against Russian attacks. In light of Russia's increased missile and drone attacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky has long been asking western countries to provide F-16 fighter jets to help Kyiv take control of its airspace. The US-made F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine, highly maneuverable, supersonic, multi-role tactical fighter aircraft that has been successfully used by U.S. forces in combats. Announcing this at a news conference, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S.-led training is 'in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses.' The training is expected to begin in October at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, and will be facilitated by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing. The Netherlands and Denmark have announced their intentions to make F-16 aircraft from their fleets available to Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signaled the United States' willingness to approve the third-party transfer of the U.S.-made F-16s to Ukraine in a letter to his European counterparts last week. 'The training provided by the United States will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that's already underway in Europe and further deepens our support of the F-16 training coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands,' Ryder said. 'Moving forward we will remain in close consultation with the Danes, the Dutch and other allies to ensure U.S. training complements the broader coalition training efforts.' During a briefing last week, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said U.S. approval for the transfer of F-16 fighter jets would come after consultation with Congress and after completion of training for Ukrainian pilots on the aircraft. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Mega-Chance: Der Indien Report Ihre Chancen im groten Wachstumsmarkt: 3 indische Top-Aktien. Die Highlights dieses Spezialreports: 1. Indien als Wachstumsriese, 2. Indiens Wirtschaft boomt!, 3. 3 Top-Performance-Aktien. Jetzt kostenlos downloaden. Hier klicken NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Qualcomm As published in Qualcomm's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report STEM drives the breakthrough technologies and inventions we bring to life. As technology leaders and a Company of inventors, we are committed to developing a highly skilled and inclusive workforce that stands ready to meet global demand and address the most pressing challenges of our time. A diverse pipeline of STEM professionals is vital for our continued leadership in breakthrough technologies. As we look at some of the current workforce challenges in the United States and beyond, we've dedicated our resources to supporting initiatives that: Help to bridge the STEM skills gap among students globally Build STEM capacity among teachers and educators Engage women and URM in STEM fields Leverage our employees as STEM ambassadors in our communities In 2022, we achieved our 2025 goal to engage 1.5 million students and teachers across the globe. This rapid growth is partly due to in person instruction and student engagement ramping up to almost pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, we also saw strong growth across several initiatives, including our Thinkabit Lab sites and our collaborations with Million Girls Moonshot and FIRST. Our STEM programs have reached just over 2.3 million students and over 110,000 educators since 2020. Learn more in Qualcomm's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Qualcomm on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Qualcomm Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/qualcomm Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Qualcomm View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777205/Qualcomm-Supporting-STEM-Education AUSTIN, MN / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / In response to the devastating wildfires on Maui, Hormel Foods Corporation and the makers of the SPAM brand - whose special relationship with the Hawaiian community spans decades - is sending resources to aid the disaster-relief efforts. Hormel Foods and its SPAM brand have made a product donation to support the efforts on Maui. Three truckloads of SPAM products are on their way to the impacted areas with two more trucks following - totaling over 264,000 cans. Convoy of Hope - a nonprofit organization whose mission includes aiding those affected by natural disasters - is the company's trusted partner on the ground, making sure that the product reaches the people most in need. In all, the SPAM brand has donated cash and product with a retail value of more than $1,000,000 to directly help those impacted by the wildfires. The brand has also created a specially designed "SPAM Brand Loves Maui" T-shirt available on SPAM.com, with 100% of proceeds to be donated to Aloha United Way's Maui Fire Relief Fund for relief efforts in the area. The T-shirts can be ordered here. Additionally, Hormel Foods team members are also raising money to donate to the local area food bank, with a match from Hormel Foods. "We are so grateful for our partners like Convoy of Hope and local Hawaii retailers who are helping us get more product to people in need as quickly as possible," said Jennesa Kinscher, senior brand manager for the SPAM brand. "The people of Hawaii have a special place in both the history and heart of the SPAM brand. Our donation efforts are just one way we are showing the community our love and support back." Hormel Foods has long supported disaster efforts through partners including Convoy of Hope and World Central Kitchen, among others, contributing product and financial resources that have been used to help those affected by natural disasters and food insecurity. Convoy of Hope is currently on the ground in Hawaii, helping local partners distribute relief supplies, including SPAM products to the those in need. To stay updated with the organization's efforts, visit www.convoyofhope.org/disaster-services/2023-maui-wildfire. "Convoy of Hope is incredibly grateful for this very generous donation from Hormel Foods and the SPAM brand," said Stacy Lamb, vice president, disaster services at Convoy of Hope. "We know how popular SPAM products are, especially in Hawaii. This donation allows Convoy of Hope to deliver comfort to people whose lives have been turned upside down. The fact that SPAM doesn't need refrigeration makes it a perfect item for Convoy to deliver to survivors. Convoy of Hope is thankful that we can always count on the generosity of Hormel Foods, especially during difficult times." The SPAM brand has long cherished its special relationship with the Hawaiian people, a community that consumes more than 7 million cans of SPAM products every year, more than any other U.S. state. The true root of the island's love for SPAM products goes back to World War II, when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, SPAM products were a part of the local culture and today remain a popular comfort food. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Hormel Foods Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Hormel Foods Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/hormel-foods-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Hormel Foods Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777224/The-Makers-of-the-SPAMR-Brand-Sending-Resources-To-Aid-Maui-Wildfire-Response TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (the "Company") (TSX V:YAK), announces that further to the press release dated March 23, 2023, its prime broker for the Normal Course Issuer Bid (the "NCIB"), M Partners Inc, has amalgamated with, and will continue under the name of, Research Capital Corporation. Research Capital is one of Canada's largest independent full-service investment dealers, and proudly traces its roots back to 1921. The Company's account has successfully been transferred to Research Capital, a self-clearing CIRO member. The Company does not expect this change to have any effect on its NCIB or the business. The NCIB commenced on March 27, 2023, and will end March 26, 2024. The Company has purchased 242,600 out of the potential repurchase of up to 1,900,000 shares. For further information please contact: Genevieve Walkden, Corporate Secretary 877-644-1186 GWalkden@MongoliaGrowthGroup.com This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, regulator and corporate approvals, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the Company's capability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any 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. We seek safe harbour. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777236/Mongolia-Growth-Group-Announces-update-to-the-Companys-Normal-Course-Issuer-Bid-Prime-Broker LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / DLT Resolution Inc. (OTC:DLTI) is excited to present a comprehensive update to its esteemed shareholders, highlighting recent milestones and plans for the future. New Leadership: Welcoming Drew Reid as CEO As of August 16, 2023, the board warmly welcomed Drew Reid to its directorial team. Subsequent to this appointment, Mr. John Wilkes gracefully resigned from his role as CEO, and all other positions held, thereby designating Mr. Drew Reid as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. John S. Wilkes, who has served the board and shareholders with dedication, expressed his sentiments about stepping down: "It has been a privilege to contribute to the growth of this company and its shareholders. Personal circumstances have led me to pass on the baton to a new management team to lead the company into its next phase. I'm proud of the relationships fostered with the team and shareholders, and I have full confidence that the new management will steer the company to new horizons." Drew Reid, reflecting on his new role, shared, "The DLT Resolution team appreciates Mr. Wilkes' unwavering commitment during challenging times. It's an honor to step into this position, and I'm dedicated to building upon past achievements and propelling the company to greater success." A Glimpse into Drew Reid's Accomplished Background Mr. Reid boasts an illustrious 34-year tenure in the finance industry, encompassing private equity, mergers and acquisitions, publicly traded and privately-owned entities. His experience spans roles in commodities trade desks, bond, equities, and currency trading with reputable institutions, including Bank of Tokyo from c1990 to 1992, CIBC from c1988 to 1990, and Burns Fry from c1987 to 1988. Throughout his career, Mr. Reid has played a pivotal role in cultivating profitable ventures, rejuvenating struggling companies, guiding businesses to the public market, and effectively managing diverse aspects of businesses. His expertise extends across areas such as vision, strategy, partnerships, customer relations, regulatory compliance, government engagement, and technology innovation. Presently, Mr. Reid also serves as the Executive Chairman of Ciscom Corp, a flourishing CSE-listed enterprise. Advancements and Strategy Implementation In the first half of 2023, DLT Resolution has attained several milestones. The company has diligently filed its 2021 10K Audited Annual Report, along with its 2022 Quarterly reports for Q1, Q2, and Q3. The process of auditing the 2022 year-end financials is underway, paving the way for the filing of the respective 10K report. Anticipated in the following weeks are the submissions of the 2023 Q1 and Q2 reports. The strategic objective following this is to facilitate the trading of the company's shares on the OTC Pink and/or OTC QB market. Setting the Stage for Future Success The initial half of 2023 witnessed a strategic move by the company to divest its operating subsidiaries in Ontario, Canada, with the exception of the DLT Telecom division. The management team remains committed to the reduction of outstanding debt through means such as equity conversions and negotiated settlements. Pioneering Mergers and Acquisitions DLT Resolution's management is currently in the throes of negotiations for the acquisition of new operations. The objective is to significantly augment the company's sales and profitability, ushering in a new era of growth. This comprehensive update exemplifies DLT Resolution's commitment to strategic evolution, enhanced leadership, transparent communication, and steadfast growth. The future holds tremendous promise as the company charts a course towards unparalleled success in the industry. About DLT Resolution Inc. DLT Resolution Inc. has undergone transformative evolution, focusing on driving advancements in telecommunications and technology. Our core operations center around strategic Software as a Service (SAAS) acquisitions, enabling us to seize opportunities in the dynamic world of tech companies and cutting-edge technologies. At the forefront of our pursuits lies the realm of SAAS, where we revolutionize how businesses operate and engage with their clientele. Through these acquisitions, we empower organizations to leverage state-of-the-art solutions for electronic remote voting, data services, and more. DLT Resolution Inc. is more than a company; it's a catalyst for technological transformation. We are driven by the pursuit of groundbreaking solutions that empower businesses to navigate the digital era with confidence and embrace the limitless possibilities of telecommunications and technology. Welcome to the future, where innovation is our foundation and technology is our compass. For more information, please contact: CONTACT: www.dltresolution.com 1 (800) 463-5465 Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond the control of management. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information respecting the factors that could materially affect the Company and its operations are contained in its annual report on Form 10K and Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. SOURCE: DLT Resolution Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777279/DLT-Resolution-Inc-Unveils-Management-Enhancements-and-Shares-Promising-Shareholder-Update Oki Muraza, Senior Vice President, Research & Technology Innovation at PT Pertamina (L), during the Sustainability Summit B20 held in New Delhi, India (8/24). (Image: Pertamina) New Delhi, India, Aug 25, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The energy transition in Indonesia must involve MSMEs, which play a significant role in Indonesia's economic growth. Thus, access to funding and technology is necessary for MSMEs to fully perform their roles as providers of community needs and job opportunities, enabling rural communities to increase their income.In his presentation at the BNEF forum in New Delhi on August 24, 2023, Oki Muraza, Senior Vice President of Research & Technology Innovation of Pertamina, emphasized MSME involvement's importance in Indonesia's energy transition. He stated that community participation is vital in supplying the raw materials for low-carbon energy development. This process also creates job opportunities for the public while corporations benefit from carbon credits."The challenge lies in providing capital or funding and technology access to MSMEs, allowing them to effectively contribute to the energy transition and benefit both the community and corporations," said Oki.As a developing country rich in natural resources, Indonesia encourages developed nations to provide funding to developing countries, enabling them to develop technology and its implementation with the assistance of countries that possess resources."Currently, there is a global economic gap between highly developed and developing nations. Highly developed countries have a GDP per capita of over USD 50,000, while developing countries like Indonesia have a GDP per capita of under USD 5,000. We hope this Capital Flow serves as a form of CBDR (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities)," added Oki.Oki explained that by involving MSMEs in this energy transition, Indonesia aims to combine international aid, creating job opportunities for the public and benefiting companies in expediting the energy transition."We hope that the energy transition in Indonesia can serve as a role model for involving communities, generating employment opportunities, increasing rural incomes, and achieving a Nature-Based Solutions-guided energy transition," Oki stated.Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, highlighted that MSMEs are the backbone of the national economy and a significant source of employment, underscoring their vital role in accelerating the energy transition."Pertamina has initiated the Desa Energi Berdikari program in 52 regions to provide access to renewable energy for MSMEs and communities, enabling them to become energy-independent," stated Fadjar.Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.Media ContactFadjar Djoko SantosoVice President of Corporate CommunicationPT Pertamina (Persero)M.: +62 813-2063-0765E.: fadjar.santoso@pertamina.comSource: PT PertaminaCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Regulated Information - Denominator Atlas Special Opportunities, LLChas converted 8convertible bonds in Oxurion resulting in a EUR 200,000capital increase. This is part of Atlas Special Opportunities, LLC's EUR 20 million Capital Commitment1 that will allow Oxurion to focus on progressing its novel and differentiated back of the eye drug candidate targeting potential market opportunities of over USD 5billion. Leuven, BELGIUM,Boston, MA, US -August 25, 2023- 010.00 PM CET - In accordance with article 15 of the Belgian Act of May 2, 2007 on the disclosure of major participations in issuers of which shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market and regarding miscellaneous provisions, Oxurion NV (Euronext Brussels: OXUR) (the "Company" or "Oxurion"), announces the below information, following the issuance of 125,418,060 new ordinary shares on August 25, 2023, for a total amount of EUR 200,000, as the result of the conversion of 8 convertible bonds, pursuant to the Capital Commitment entered into with Atlas Special Opportunities, LLC. Following completion of the capital increase through the conversion of the convertible bonds, the total number of shares issued by Oxurion amounts to 2,278,608,378 outstanding ordinary shares carrying voting rights (compared to 2,153,190,318 outstanding ordinary shares previously). This number will be used as the denominator for the calculation of the percentages of shareholdings. Therefore, Oxurion publishes the following updated information: Share capital (EUR) 82,206,161.32 Total number of securities with voting rights (all ordinary shares) 2,278,608,378 Total number of ordinary shares (= denominator) 2,278,608,378 Number of outstanding, granted rights to subscribe to securities carrying voting rights not yet issued: 590,500 subscription rights ("SRs") issued on November 20, 2017, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 590,500 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares); 60,000 SRs issued on December 23, 2020, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 60,000 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares); 972,250 SRs issued on April 14, 2021, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 972,250 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares); 532,500 SRs issued on September 22, 2021, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 532,500 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares); 604,405 SRs issued on December 30, 2021, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 604,405 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares); 172 convertible bonds issued on March 14, 2023, April 20, 2023, May 22, 2023, June 15, 2023, and August 10, 2023, entitling its holder, Atlas Special Opportunities, LLC, to subscribe to a total number of securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares) in accordance with the terms and conditions of these convertible bonds pursuant to the Subscription Agreement entered into between the Company and Atlas Special Opportunities, LLC on March 1, 2023; and 100 convertible bonds issued on December 20, 2021, entitling their holders (Kreos Capital VI (UK) Limited, Pontifax Medison Finance (Israel) L.P. and Pontifax Medison Finance (Cayman) L.P.) to subscribe to a total number of securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares) in accordance with the terms and conditions of these convertible bonds as attached to the Agreement for the provision of a Loan Facility entered into between the Company, Kreos Capital VI (UK) Limited, Pontifax Medison Finance (Israel) L.P. and Pontifax Medison Finance (Cayman) L.P., on November 21, 2021 (as amended from time to time). END About Oxurion Oxurion (Euronext Brussels: OXUR) is a biopharmaceutical company developing next generation standard of care ophthalmic therapies, which are designed to improve and better preserve vision in patients with retinal disorders including diabetic macular edema (DME), the leading cause of vision loss in working-age people, as well as other conditions. Oxurion intends to play an important role in the treatment of retinal disorders, including the successful development of THR-149, its novel therapeutic for the treatment of DME. THR-149 is a potent plasma kallikrein inhibitor being developed as a potential new standard of care for the up to 50% of DME patients showing suboptimal response to anti-VEGF therapy. Oxurion is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, with corporate operations in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.oxurion.com. Important information about forward-looking statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking". Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and, accordingly, entail and are influenced by various risks and uncertainties. The Company therefore cannot provide any assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize and does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or any other reason. Additional information concerning risks and uncertainties affecting the business and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement is contained in the Company's Annual Report. This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities or assets of Oxurion in any jurisdiction. No securities of Oxurion may be offered or sold within the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable U.S. state securities laws. For further information please contact: Oxurion NV Tom Graney Chief Executive Officer Tel: +32 16 75 13 10 tom.graney@oxurion.com Michael Dillen Chief Business Officer Tel: +32 16 75 13 10 michael.dillen@oxurion.com US Conway Communications Mary T. Conway mtconway@conwaycommsir.com 1 Press release Oxurion, 02/03/2023 Attachments NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Bath & Body Works announced today it has been named one of the top 10 most innovative companies in Fordham University's American Innovation Index. For the past six years, Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business, The Norwegian School of Economics, and market research firm Rockbridge Associates, Inc. have recognized top brands for their innovative work driving successful customer experiences. Bath & Body Works joins a list of top retailers including Apple, Ikea, Amazon and Louis Vuitton. The American Innovation Index evaluates brands through a national survey of over 6,000 U.S. consumers who rank companies they do business with across 20 industries on key metrics, including innovation, customer engagement and market disruption. The study also tracks customer perceptions of the brand's status as social innovators to give a complete picture of how companies impact customers and society. Bringing products to market with industry-leading speed is a key driver of Bath & Body Works' innovation and made possible by the company's vertically integrated, predominantly U.S.-based supply chain. This model also drives growth into new categories; this past June, Bath & Body Works expanded its top-selling men's collection into face and beard care, and this fall the brand launches its first-ever fabric care collection. "We're proud to be ranked by the American Innovation Index as a top innovative brand," says Maurice Cooper, Bath & Body Works Chief Customer Officer. "We continually leverage our core strengths and competitive advantage in fragrance to elevate our brand, optimize our business and bring innovative new ideas to Bath & Body Works customers. Our customers guide every decision we make and directly influence how we launch newness and continue to deliver on the heritage fragrances we know they love." Learn more about Bath & Body Works at bbwinc.com. Bath & Body Works announced today it has been named one of the top 10 most innovative companies in Fordham University's American Innovation Index. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bath & Body Works on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Bath & Body Works Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bath-body-works Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Bath & Body Works View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/777318/Bath-Body-Works-Named-Among-the-Most-Innovative-Companies-in-2023 We Are China Japanese rally against nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge Ecns.cn) 14:50, August 25, 2023 Japanese protesters holding placards rally against the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Zhu Chenxi) Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. Japanese protesters holding placards rally against the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Zhu Chenxi) Japanese protesters holding placards rally against the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Zhu Chenxi) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - CopAur Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CPAU) (the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") consisting of a total of 1,000,000 units of the Company's securities ("Units") at a price of $0.50 per Unit for gross proceeds of $500,000, which was fully subscribed by Jeremy Yaseniuk, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Conrad Swanson, the Company's Chairman. See the Company's news release disseminated August 21, 2023. Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.75 for a period of 24 months following the date of issuance. The proceeds from this Private Placement will be used to continue to advance the exploration at the Company's flagship Kinsley Mountain Gold Property in Nevada. Jeremy Yaseniuk, the Chief Executive Officer and Conrad Swanson, the Chairman of the Company sold an aggregate of 1,200,000 common shares of the Company from their personal holdings through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and invested $500,000 of the proceeds from the share sale in the Private Placement. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a regulatory hold period of four months and one day from the closing of the Private Placement. The participation of insiders in the Private Placement was in excess of 25% of the Private Placement. The issuance of securities to insiders pursuant to the Private Placement is considered to be a "related party transaction" subject to the requirements of TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that amount invested in the private placement by the insiders will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. About CopAur Minerals Inc. CPAU is an exploration company focused on developing projects within the emerging, mineral rich mining regions of Nevada and British Columbia. The Company is backed by a dynamic and experienced team of resource professionals advancing multiple holdings across both regions; the Kinsley Mountain Gold Property, the Bolo property, and Troy Canyon property, all located in Nevada, and the Williams gold-copper property located in British Columbia. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeremy Yaseniuk Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Jeremy Yaseniuk CopAur Minerals Inc. Telephone: 604-773-1467 Email: jeremyy@copaur.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 contains forward looking information under Canadian securities laws (referred to as forward-looking statements). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. Forward looking statements in this news release include references to the Company's plans for using the proceeds from the Private Placement, as well as expected exploration results. Forward- looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Although the forward- looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revised any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178593 FranklinWH, a San Jose, CA-based whole-home energy management company, raised $25M in Series B funding. The round was led by Particle Future. The company intends to use the funds to expand its R&D capabilities, optimize supply chain and scale up operations and sales network. Founded in 2019, FranklinWH Energy Storage is a research-driven company focused on residential energy management and storage solutions and the the manufacturer of the Franklin Home Power system, a whole-home energy management system with AC-coupled storage. The integrated home energy management system consists of the aPower battery offering the highest LFP AC capacity on the market and the aGate, an intelligent power control system that creates maximum home comfort. The solution is pre-assembled for fast and easy installation. After over one year on the American market, FranklinWH has onboarded over 1,000 installation companies through its FranklinWH Certified Installer program. Founded in 2019, the company was originally funded by Sequoia Capital. FinSMEs 24/08/2023 Hugging Face, a NYC and Paris, France-based open-source AI platform, raised $235M in series D funding, which brought its valuation to $4.5 billion. The round was led by Salesforce Ventures, with participation from Amazon, Google, Nvidia, IBM, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Sound Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to further accelerate technology innovation. Hugging Face provides an open-source and open science artificial intelligence platform for developers to share models, data, and code. Its online hub is used by professional to find and use AI models, datasets, and code. The platform hosts 500,000 models and 250,000 datasets. Hugging Face has signed partnerships with its investors including Nvidia, AWS, and IBM. FinSMEs 25/08/2023 Hungri Games, an Istanbul, Turkey and Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK-based mobile gaming studio, raised USD1.9M in Seed funding, at valuation of USD23M. The round was led by Bogazici Ventures with participation from Sebastien Borget, Roko Finance, Preston Labs, Triple Dragon, Erol Ozmandiraci, Oyunfor and Caglan Tanriverdi. Founded by Kagan Berk Kocak in 2019, Hungri Games is a game studio consisting of over 30 team members, specialising in Web3 gaming. It is known for its hybrid genres such as Racing RPG and Action Strategy games. The company intends to use the funds to expand its portfolio and development on multiple titles, including the highly anticipated Racing RPG, Metahorse Unity, which combines horse racing with deep RPG elements and introduces a free to play business model as monetisation tool. FinSMEs 24/08/2023 PAG, a Sydney, Australia-based private equity firm, acquired Australian Venue Co (AVC), a Melbourne, Australia-based food and beverage hospitality business, from KKR. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close late in 2023, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. Led by CEO Paul Waterson, Australian Venue Co (AVC) is a food and beverage hospitality business that owns and operates a portfolio of more than 210 pubs, bars and restaurants in metro, suburban and regional locations across Australia and New Zealand. KKR invested in AVC in 2017 with a portfolio of 50 leasehold venues with the objective of partnering and supporting its growth. This collaboration has resulted in venue growth of more than 300%. PAGs acquisition of AVC marks the firms latest investment in Australias consumer sector. Previous control investments include Craveable Brands, owner of restaurant brands Red Rooster, Oporto, Chargrill Charlies and Chicken Treat; The Cheesecake Shop; and Cordina Farms. More recently, PAG acquired and integrated together Patties Foods and Vesco Foods, manufacturers of Australian food brands including FourN Twenty, Patties and Nannas. FinSMEs 25/08/2023 Travelling to Europe is set to become more expensive. Starting in 2024, it will no longer be free to travel to the EU. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) permission will be needed prior to arrival, according to the official travel website of the European Union. Here is all you need to know about the system. Also read: Why US and UK travellers will need a visa for Europe All about ETIAS visa waiver According to the EU website, ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. The ETIAS visa waiver programme is not to be confused with a visa. It is a system for visitors from visa-exempt countries to pre-register their visits. It should be noted here that those countries which currently need visas to enter will still need them. The rules of travel to Europe have changed. Starting from 2024, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries, the EU website stated. The programme has been introduced to evaluate potential security concerns associated with travellers before their arrival and stop cross-border crime and terrorism, NDTV had reported. According to CNN, initially, ETIAS was slated to start in May this year, however, it has been pushed back quite a few times. With the latest notice, it seems the system will be implemented next year. This move has surprised many, especially Americans. However, it should be noted here the ETIAS system is modelled on the US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver program, which was introduced in 2009. The government further explains that ETIAS clearance is only meant for short visits, which are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Notably, ETIAS visas are electronically connected to the travellers passport rather than physical paperwork. The ETIAS approval remains valid for three years or until the registered passport expires, whichever occurs first. Also read: What is CCHF, the new deadly virus spreading across Europe due to climate change? The process Similar to the ESTA system, visitors are required to ask for permission to enter Europe prior to their travel through a simple online process. The EU will offer applications through a dedicated website and mobile application when the ETIAS requirement goes into effect the following year. Travellers must submit information from their passports or another travel document to which a visa can be attached in order to apply. For minors under their custody, parents and legal guardians may submit an application. An email will be used to confirm the submission of the application and contain a special number that is required for future use. If an application is denied, the email notifying the applicant of the decision will also include instructions on how to appeal. The cost is 7 euros (about Rs 623), and it provides numerous admissions for three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. An ESTA costs $21 (~ Rs 1,736) for two years, hence this is less expensive. The EU anticipates that applications will be processed in minutes, with the vast majority being processed in 96 hours. Also read: Why Europes move to make Russia pay for Ukraines reconstruction wont be easy Other tourist taxes in Europe The majority of cities in continental Europe now impose a tourist tax on overnight guests; this fee is often added to your bill at check-out but occasionally must be paid in cash. Public services like trash removal and street cleaning that are impacted by tourists are typically cushioned by the taxes. The public transportation system in Amsterdam, for instance, recently received an additional 7 million euros. Additionally, they are often only charged for a predetermined time frame, usually up to a week. By doing this, staying longer will be rewarded. Since most European nations impose overnight fees, youll probably have to pay one wherever you visit if you dont stay the night, but the rates are typically lower in less well-known areas. Since cruises are bad for the environment, some places, like the Netherlands capital Amsterdam have imposed arrival fees on cruise travellers. However, in Venice, arrival charges are imposed on all vessels, not just cruise ships. Non-resident travellers in Italy are required to pay the contributo di sbarco or disembarkation contribution when they travel by public ferry or private boat to an island. Local government bodies determine the pricing. With inputs from agencies The Union Health Ministry asked the NMC to modify the Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023, only weeks after releasing it earlier this month. The regulations, which also made other modifications, included a provision that would penalise doctors for not prescribing generic medications. The move comes two days after members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which represents the nations largest network of doctors, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, which is made up of some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the nation, approached the Centre and spoke with Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, according to ThePrint. Also read: No brands, prescribe only generic drugs: Indias diktat to doctors Massive opposition The NMC was informed that doctors have been protesting its directives ever since it was released. The doctors contended that Indias poor generic drug quality control laws would put patients in danger from these regulations. Branded medications, according to them, give a higher level of quality assurance. The IMA strongly disagreed with the restrictions, particularly the provision that warned doctors against prescribing anything other than generic, non-proprietary, or pharmacological names for medications. It claimed that the order to prescribe generic medications undermines comprehensive medical care and erodes the autonomy of medical professionals. According to Business Today, IMAs National President Dr Sharad Kumar Agarwal and Secretary General Dr Anilkumar J Nayak said that the directive appeared to shift decision-making power from medical practitioners to pharmacists or individuals in pharmacy settings. Dr Rajeev Sood, Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, too opposed the order, saying, The pharmaceutical sector is highly regulated in India but testing available medicines is complex. Samples and templates lack quality testing. The pharmaceutical sector and chemists shops lack regulation. While doctors prescribe, chemists can provide any medicine. We heard the issues raised by doctors and drugmakers in this regard and concur that it may not be practical to only prescribe generic medicine in all cases mandatorily. In some cases, for instance, a drug may have multiple ingredients and it is not practical for doctors to write lengthy prescriptions, a senior ministry official told ThePrint. The outlet quoted another ministry official as saying, The NMC has been asked to make changes in the regulations on various issues, including the clause involving generic drugs, and we have asked them to allow doctors to at least prescribe branded generics. Also read: Doctors to be penalised for not prescribing generic drugs, says new NMC regulation The controversial regulations In accordance with the RMP (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023, all licenced medical professionals should prescribe drugs using generic names written legibly and prescribe drugs rationally, avoiding unnecessary medications and irrational fixed-dose combination tablets. Additionally, the regulations instruct physicians to discourage the prescription of branded generic medications and to encourage patients to buy their medications from one of the 9,303 Jan Aushadhi Kendras established by the Centre or from other generic pharmacy shops. Generic medicines are 30 to 80 per cent cheaper than branded drugs. Hence, prescribing generic medicines may overtly bring down healthcare costs and improve access to quality care, it said. A doctor who violates the rules may receive a warning to be more cautious or be required to attend a workshop or academic programme on ethics, personal and social relationships, and/or professional development. The regulations stated that if there are many violations, the doctors licence to practise may be suspended for a specific amount of time. Prescriptions should be readable and preferably written in all caps to prevent misunderstanding, according to the NMC. To reduce errors, it advised typing and printing prescriptions whenever possible. The NMC has also made available a template that can be used to write logical prescriptions. Only generic medications that are sold and easily accessible to people should be prescribed by doctors. According to the NMC regulation, they should also lobby for local pharmacies and hospitals to offer generic medications. Additionally, according to India Today, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was submitted to the Supreme Court in an effort to impose strict disciplinary measures on licenced physicians who dont recommend generic versions of branded medications. Also read: Explained: How desperate Chinese are illegally procuring India-made meds amid COVID scare Generic drugs The NMC defines generic medications as drug products that are comparable to brand/reference listed products in dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality and performance characteristics, and intended use under the generic medicine and prescription guidelines of rules. Both a brand name and an official international non-proprietary name (INPN) may be used to market these medications. The INPN is the accepted generic name for a drug, however in India one of the worlds major producers of generic medications these medications are typically offered as branded generics. A branded generic medicine, on the other hand, is one that has lost its patent, is made by a pharmaceutical company, and is marketed by a different company. These drugs may be less costly than the branded patent version but costlier than the bulk-manufactured generic version of the drug. There is less regulatory control over the prices of branded generic drugs. With inputs from agencies In Delhi, preparations are in full swing as India inches closer towards G20 next month. The G20 summit will take place on 9 and 10 September at the brand-new Bharat Mandapam convention venue in Pragati Maidan. From Delhi Police chalking out a detailed traffic plan to the municipal corporation rushing to identify and clean garbage vulnerable points, Delhi is making intricate arrangements for seamless travel for dignitaries and the general public. The temporary closure of government offices, banks, educational institutions, and commercial establishments has also been announced. Lets take a look. Also read: Government holiday, route rehearsals, revamping roads: How Delhi is preparing for the G20 summit Government offices, banks, schools to be closed From 8 to 10 September, all central government offices in the National Capital will be closed in view of the G20 Summit. In accordance with Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 (26 of 1881) and located under the jurisdiction of the New Delhi Police District, all commercial banks and financial institutions will observe public holidays during these three days, according to the announcement quoted by NDTV. Hindustan Times quoted a Delhi Police officer as saying that Connaught Place, Khan Market, Malcha Marg, Shankar Market, Janpath Mohan Singh Place, and Palika Bazar are just a few of the markets that will be closed during this time. According to a district magistrates office representative for New Delhi, the government would notify all merchants, markets, associations, banks, restaurants, and other businesses to close their doors for these three days. Markets and malls in NDMC boundaries will be closed but there will be no such limitations outside that area. The General Administration Department (GAD) of the Delhi government issued a notification stating that all educational institutions, as well as all public and private offices, would be closed for these three days. All retail liquor stores will also be closed, Hindustan Times quoted an official of the excise department as saying, and its possible that independent bars and restaurants in the National Capital wont be able to serve alcohol during this time. The plan to close businesses for three days was met with displeasure by several market groups and businessmen in the city. If the markets are shut, where would the international visitors go to shop or enjoy the local cuisines, asks CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal. There is no justification for closing the market. Many markets have been decorated and beautified. If the government has to close the markets, then what will be the benefit of its beautification? the outlet quoted him as saying. Connaught Place merchants were eager to host the G20 officials, according to Amit Gupta, a member of the New Delhi Traders Associations executive council. Had the shops been open, the foreign visitors would have loved the unique products across categories, he said. Also read: US president Joe Biden to attend G20 summit in New Delhi: Whats on his agenda? Essential services shall remain open Essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, and milk stands, shall remain open, according to NDTV. There will be no interruptions to the operations of the hotels bars and eateries. Movements of vehicles restricted The traffic authorities have issued extensive advisories for the general public travelling within Delhi and those crossing the national capitals borders. The restriction order will go into effect at midnight on 7 September and last until midnight on 10 September, reported News18. Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic SS Yadav, while speaking to the media, said, All heavy vehicles will be stopped at Delhi borders. However, emergency vehicles will be allowed. In the advisory, police further said that the movement of cars in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) region will only be authorised with proper identification However, vehicles providing essential services like garbage disposal, catering, and housekeeping will be exempt from this restriction. Interstate vehicles would be permitted to enter Delhi but not to travel to ISBT terminals and would have to conclude their journey before the ring road. Private automobiles are permitted to enter Delhi, but they are not permitted to enter the NDMC region. Only residents and visitors with confirmed hotel reservations will be permitted to use taxis in the NDMC regions. Also read: Explained: What is the G20 and how has it led in times of global crises? Traffic restrictions In some districts of Delhi, traffic would be limited for a set period of time, according to officials. This will be done to prevent traffic and keep an eye on the security of the visiting VVIPs. In some places, marketplaces and shopping centres will also be closed. Buses will either be stopped or offered alternative routes in locations where VVIP traffic is present. It is possible to reschedule interstate bus service to avoid the Delhi border. Officials assured that all measures would be taken to prevent negative impacts on hospitals, emergency services, and medical facilities as well as passengers going by rail and air. News18 quoted officials as saying that over 10,000 police personnel will be on the ground to ensure smooth traffic movement in the city. According to Special Commissioner of Police for Traffic, SS Yadav, the Delhi Police will also launch a virtual help desk on Friday in collaboration with traffic mapping services for the real-time monitoring of VIP movements and the control of traffic flow within the national capitals boundaries. About G20 summit Prior to India assuming the presidency of the G20 in December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that Indias theme would be grounded in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future. The theme is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. The theme affirms the value of all life human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. To discuss global economic concerns, cooperation, and policy coordination, the G20 summit is expected to bring together heads of state, economists, and officials from diverse sectors. The coordination between law enforcement agencies and the local administration will be essential to guarantee the success of the event, which will draw the attention of the entire world to Delhi. At the G20 Leaders Summit, numerous heads of state are anticipated to participate, including US president Joe Biden, Chinese president Xi Jinping, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, and French president Emmanuel Macron. Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates are among the other nine guest countries that have also been invited by India to the summit. With inputs from agencies Former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, who have been serving life sentences in connection with the 2003 murder case of poet Madhumita Shukla, are set to walk free after the Supreme Court today (25 August) refused to stay the couples release from Gorakhpur jail. As per Indian Express, a bench of Justices Aniuddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi also issued notices to the UP government and the convicted couple, seeking their response within eight weeks on a plea filed by the slain poets sister Nidhi Shukla. This comes a day after the UP prisons administration department directed for the premature release of the ex-minister and his wife, citing the states 2018 policy on remission and a Supreme Court order that allows remission for lifers over 60 years of age provided they have been imprisoned for 16 years, as per Times of India (TOI). What was the case and what did the investigation find? What have been the reactions to Amarmani Tripathis release order? Lets take a closer look. Madhumita Shukla murder case The poet was in her mid-20s when she was shot dead by two assailants at her residence in Lucknow on 8 May 2003. Gangster-turned-politician Amarmani Tripathi was a minister in the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government at the time. He was arrested in September 2003 in the murder case of the poet with whom he allegedly had a relationship, reported PTI. He was also expelled from the party. Amarmanis wife was later arrested as the main accused for plotting the killing, as per TOI. STORY | Life convicts Amarmani Tripathi, wife set to be released after 16 years in UP jail READ: https://t.co/VMd1AbqgnP (File Photo) pic.twitter.com/lkkX4fLsRy Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2023 Earlier, Mayawati had ordered a probe by the polices Criminal Investigation Department. However, the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following an appeal by the slain poets mother. Yes, she (Mayawati) rang up. My mother said, If you put the CBI on the case, the truth will come out. She said, OK. I will think about it, Madhumitas sister previously told NDTV. As the Allahabad High Court released Amarmani on bail seven months after his arrest in September 2003, the slain poets family went public with their allegations, the news channel reported. Madhumitas sister Nidhi claimed that the poet was close to the politician and accused him of having getting her murdered, as per Indian Express. What did the probe reveal? Later, on the plea of Madhumitas family, the Supreme Court transferred the trial from Lucknow to Dehradun. According to NDTV, the CBI found through a DNA test that the father of Madhumitas unborn child was Amarmani Tripathi. The poet was seven months pregnant when she was shot dead, reported News18. In 2007, a CBI court in Uttarakhand convicted Amarmani, Madhumani and two others the ex-ministers nephew Rohit Chaturvedi and Santosh Kumar Rai for hatching a conspiracy and killing Madhumita. All four accused were sentenced to life imprisonment. In July 2012, the Uttarakhand High Court upheld the life term of the convicts. Speaking to NDTV in October 2007, Madhumitas sister alleged never-ending threats against the family, which she said continued even after the case was shifted out of Uttar Pradesh. Amarmani Tripathi, who was a four-time MLA then, wielded a lot of influence and had links to several political parties. As per Hindustan Times (HT), he contested the 2007 UP assembly election from jail on a Samajwadi Party (SP) ticket. ALSO READ: Love Kills: Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand director Deepak Chaturvedi: Some parts of the show are uncomfortable Reactions on the UP governments release order The UP prisons authoritys release order cited the convicts old age Amarmani (66) and Madhumani is 61, good behaviour and maintenance of peace inside the jail, reported HT. The couple is currently admitted to Gorakhpurs BRD Medical College, where, as per Indian Express, they have spent most of their sentence for treatment of various ailments. Speaking to news agency PTI, Nidhi, who has been at the forefront of the fight for justice for her sister, said, I have been telling everyone that this is going to happen. I have procured the documents through an RTI which clearly states that 62 per cent of the jail term that the two are said to have served had been spent out of jail. I submitted documents to all responsible persons telling them that between 2012 and 2023 he was not in jail. The government documents, which I have got through the state information commission, after a long fight, bear this out. She has also expressed concern about her familys safety. VIDEO | I have been running from pillar to post, but didnt get justice till today. Such useless are the governments that they couldnt send Amarmani Tripathi to prison despite the court giving him life imprisonment, says Nidhi Shukla, sister of late poet Madhumita Shukla, on pic.twitter.com/r4JIb5xfQZ Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2023 The issue also generated reactions from political parties. The SP has hit out at the BJP-led UP government over the release order. Under what rules are Amarmani Tripathi and his wife being released? It seems BJPs Yogi-Modi model has become stale, so they need Amarmani. They may even end up needing Mukhtar Ansari. In fact, I am sure, whichever criminal in jail BJP needs for the 2024 election, all will be bailed out, SP spokesperson Manoj Yadav said, as per NDTV. According to News18, Congress leader Anshu Awasthi said, Releasing Amarmani is not fair at all. How can the government leave a person of criminal background, found guilty in the CBI investigation? The BJP has defended the decision. #WATCH | UP Prisons minister Dharamveer Prajapati on the release of former minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife in poetess Madhumita murder case The release of prisoners from jail is based on prison policies and on the conduct of the prison inmates. Only after directions pic.twitter.com/XqaTZf8sL2 ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 25, 2023 UP prisons minister Dharamveer Prajapati told ANI, The release of prisoners from jail is based on prison policies and on the conduct of the prison inmates. Only after directions from the Governor and CM, the orders for the release of a prisoner are given. With inputs from agencies After wrapping up the 15th BRICS summit in South Africas Johannesburg where it was announced that six more countries Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will become full members from 1 January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making his way to Greece on 25 August for a day-long visit. The visit to the Mediterranean island comes at the invitation of Greeces prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and it is being reported that PM Modi will sign several agreements and focus on issues such as trade and investment, shipping, migration and defence cooperation. A Times of India report also added that Greece may seek Indias help in the privatisation of its airports and seaports, aiming to become the gateway to Europe for India. Ahead of his visit, heres why his Greece trip matters and what to expect. A first in 40 years On his departure from Johannesburg, PM Modi will fly to Athens, the Greek capital, where on arrival he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome. A preliminary itinerary reveals that PM Modi will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament building in Athens. Incidentally, it is the second most visited monument in Greece after the Acropolis. This will be followed by restricted delegation-level talks with Greece prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and then both leaders will jointly address key business leaders of the two countries. Reports have said that PM Modi will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Athens. India has a sizeable Indian population theres an estimated 13,000 to 14,000 of them. The Indian diaspora has hailed Modis decision to visit the country, with one Manoj Kumar Chouhan telling news agency ANI, PM Modi is coming here, and we are excited about it. Notaly, Modis Greece visit is the first by an Indian prime minister in 40 years; Indira Gandhi was the last Indian leader to visit the Mediterranean country back in 1983. Modis visit comes after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the country in 2021 and revived ties between the two nations. It was then that Greece had signed the Framework Agreement to the International Solar Alliance and also extended support to India on Missile Technology Control Regime agreement. Prior to all of this, former Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreou had visited India three times in November 1984 for Indira Gandhis funeral, in January 1985 for a summit on nuclear disarmament, and in January 1986 as the chief guest for Indias Republic Day celebrations. Agenda of the meeting The Ministry of External Affairs told the media before Modis departure to Johannesburg that the Greece visit is important and India saw the country as one of the most important European partners of India. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had also said: Both India and Greece are not just modern democracies, but we also share close and age-old historical and cultural relations Both sides will look to expand and diversify the trade and investment segment of cooperation, deepen and expand the defence and security partnership, infrastructure cooperation, shipbuilding industry. Also read: How PM Modis visit to Greece will help two civilisational consorts build strategic arc in eastern Mediterranean The foreign affairs ministry said that they saw Modis Greece visit as an attempt to strengthen security and defence cooperation, and to increase the pace of exchanges at the military level, training personnel. Moreover, it was likely that PM Modi would invite Greek government and companies into the Make in India programme, especially in the defence sector, and consider joint production and technology exchange. Greek Ambassador to India, Dimitrios Ioannou, also echoed similar sentiments when he was interviewed by Wion. In the interview, Ioannou stated that the two countries would focus on fostering greater connectivity between India and the European Union. Significance of the Greece visit Apart from fostering greater ties and enhancing security cooperation with Greece, the visit has larger geopolitical implications. Greece has long supported India on the Kashmir matter and Modis visit only deepens ties with the country. This helps as Pakistan continues to push the anti-Kashmir narrative on the global stage. Moreover, Indias deepening ties with Greece will yield positive results for India in the Mediterranean region, which holds significant importance for its energy security due to its abundant oil and gas resources. Indias growing connection with Greece is also an efficient countermeasure against Chinas expanding influence in the Mediterranean region. Beijing has been strengthening its economic and military presence in the area and New Delhis Greece visit is a perfect move to check that growing influence. According to a report published by The Federal, the alliance with Greece is also an attempt by New Delhi to take on the emerging axis of Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan. Interestingly, Greece has also shown increasing signs of seeking to improve ties with India as a way to counter common rival Turkey. Athens and Ankara have been at odds for decades over a number of bilateral squabbles, including quarrels over maritime boundaries, overlapping claims to their continental shelves and the long-running Cyprus dispute. New Delhi and Ankara also share cold ties, with Turkish president Reccep Tayip Erdogan holding a belligerent stand on Kashmir, and raking it up at every United Nations address. Indias growing relationship with Greece is clear evidence that New Delhi is no longer content with playing a passive role and is seeking to expand its global influence. What are the fruits of this pursuit, however, will only be clearer in the years to come. With inputs from agencies There was a lot at stake for India at the BRICS Summit in South Africa. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the difference once again. There was increased speculation that he would meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping. The leaders held talks on the sidelines of the gathering and discussed the military stand-off between India and China in Ladakh since May 2020. The outcome is what experts have dubbed a breakthrough to reduce tensions between the two neighbours. We take a look at what unfolded at the meeting and what can we expect next. What did Modi and Xi discuss? PM Modi expressed concerns about the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during his meeting with Xi. The two leaders have agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation of troops at the border. The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace, and tranquillity in border areas and that respecting the LAC was essential for the normalisation of India-China ties, according to Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. #WATCH | Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra says, Prime Minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister highlighted Indias concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC in the western sector of the pic.twitter.com/37YoxHeuC4 ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023 It was a conversation with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Prime Minister had interaction with other BRICS leaders. In the conversation with President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns over unresolved issues along the LAC and other areas along the India-China border, Kwatra told reporters late Thursday. Indian officials had said that there was no scheduled bilateral between the two. Modi and Xi came face to face at the BRICS leaders retreat hosted by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, on Tuesday. And then on Thursday, the two leaders were seen chatting and shaking hands after the joint media statements. There were no interpreters present when the two spoke to each other and there was no one taking notes, according to a report by The Indian Express. The meeting came amid strained ties between the two countries over border issues. While the two leaders had a brief encounter and exchanged pleasantries during a G20 dinner in Bali last year, this was their first handshake and talk since the dispute between the Indian Army and Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh in 2020. However, the talks have triggered another diplomatic row. China claimed that the meeting in South Africa took place at the request of India. However, this has been refuted by New Delhi. There was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting, government sources said, according to a report by NDTV. The development comes days ahead of the Chinese presidents likely arrival in the National Capital for the G20 Summit hosted by India on 9 and 10 September. Is a pullout of troops expected? While Modi and Xi spoke about de-escalation, the extent of disengagement or where on the LAC will it take remains unclear. However, a report in ThePrint suggests that the talks could mean that both sides could pull back some troops from the border. The militaries of both sides have reportedly discussed this as a confidence-building measure. The changes along the LAC could come in the next fortnight, ahead of the crucial G20 meeting. On 14 August, India and China held the 19th round of Corps Commander-level talks at Chushul as part of the ongoing efforts for overall disengagement and de-escalation to resolve the stand-off in eastern Ladakh. Since they were unsuccessful, the talks were restarted a few days later. Discussions were held at major general rank and below starting last Friday during which the effort was on to thrash out a workable solution, reports ThePrint. Both sides had agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner and to stop additional build-up for troops at the LAC. What is the situation along the LAC now? The Corps commander-level talks began in 2020. Since then, India and China have undertaken disengagement from five friction points: Galwan, the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, and Patrolling Points (PP) 15 and 17A in the Gogra-Hot Springs area. The last movement was in September when the two militaries disengaged from PP-15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area after several rounds of talks. The disengagement in some areas led to the creation of buffer zones, which restricted patrolling by the troops. However, both armies have thousands of troops and military equipment along the border. Even before 2020 incursions by the Chinese army, issues of Depsang Plains and Demchok exist. The Depsang Plains are close to Daulat Beg Oldie, a military base located in northern Ladakh. The friction began in 2013 when China troops intruded 18 km into the area. They have been blocking Indias access to PPs 10 to 13 from a bottleneck known as the Y-junction and the 972 sq km tract of land there, according to a report in The Indian Express. The two countries agreed to withdraw from their positions but PLA has not vacated the area completely. India has deployed a separate brigade. In Demchok in easter Ladakh, the Chinese army has stopped Indian graziers at the Saddle Pass of the Charding Ninglung Nullah (CNN) junction several times, The Indian Express reports, adding that it is within Indias perception of the LAC. With inputs from agencies Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawars recent statement denying a split in the party has once again generated ripples in Maharashtra politics. The veteran leader on Friday (25 August) dubbed his nephew and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawars revolt as a different political stand, which cannot be considered a split. As per news agency PTI, the senior Pawar told reporters in his hometown Baramati in the Pune district, How can anybody say that there is a split in NCP? Theres no question that Ajit Pawar is our party leader. What does a split in a political party mean? A split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level. But no such thing has happened here. Some people left the party, some took a different standIn democracy it is their right to take a decision, he added. The NCP chief was responding to a question on his daughter and NCP working president Supriya Sules previous statement made on similar lines. Later in Satara today, he claimed he did not say that Ajit Pawar was our leader and that he was misquoted by the media, reported ANI. Satara, Maharashtra | On Supriya Sules statement, Ajit Pawar is our leader, NCP chief Sharad Pawar says, I am not saying that Ajit Pawar is our leader. Supriya Sule had said that. They are like siblings and there is no need to look for a political meaning behind this. I did pic.twitter.com/2RM0MKO7kW ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Ajit Pawar, along with eight other NCP MLAs, had joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on 2 July, seen as a rebellion against his uncle. What did Supriya Sule say? Whats going on? Why has Sharad Pawars latest statement spurred confusion in the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance? Lets understand better. Split or not? A day back, Sule also said the party has not split at all and blamed the BJP for some NCP MLAs joining the ruling alliance, as per Indian Express. There is no split in the NCP. The chief of NCP is Sharad Pawar and the state unit chief is Jayant Patil. This is the reality and status of the party. NCP does not have any kind of alliance with BJP, she told reporters on Thursday. Now, he (Ajit Pawar) has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the Assembly speaker and are awaiting his response, PTI quoted Sule as saying. Last week, several workers of the Ajit Pawar-led group met with Sule during her visit to her parliamentary constituency Baramati, raising eyebrows, The Hindu reported. However, she had downplayed the incident. According to Indian Express, when Eknath Shinde rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray and joined hands with the BJP, even then none of the Shiv Sena factions accepted that there was a split in the party. Sharad Pawars camp has lately been denying that the NCP is split into two factions. In early August, the senior Pawars side told the Election Commission (EC) that Ajit Pawar cannot prove there is a split in the party. On 5 July, a letter was sent by them claiming that Ajit Pawar was declared as national president in a meeting held on 30 June. Before this, on 2 July, in a presser they have said that Sharad Pawar is the national president of NCP and their leader. All this will have to be considered by the ECI, the party said in its statement to the poll body, reported Hindustan Times (HT). The Sharad Pawar camp also urged the EC to reject the Ajit Pawar groups demand for the party name and symbol, calling it premature and malafide. Senior NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad also claimed that the party was united. We have told the election commission that there is no split and NCP remains united. We are the real party and no one can stake a claim on it The election commission should not have taken cognizance of their letter because no such split has ever happened and the party stands united. he was quoted as saying by HT. Claiming he had the backing of 40 NCP MLAs, Ajit Pawar had said on 2 July that he would move the EC to stake claim on the party name and symbol. Even as Sharad Pawars camp denies a dispute, the Ajit Pawar-led group is preparing for possible legal troubles it might face in its quest for the partys name and symbol. As per a recent report in Times of India (TOI), Ajit Pawars faction has started collecting affidavits from party workers as a show of strength. A senior leader from the camp told the newspaper that they would submit the affidavits if there was a need to showcase the support of workers. Notably, Ajits camp has continued to use Sharad Pawars picture on some of its billboards, which, as per The Wire, indicates the faction is not confident of winning the elections without the NCP patriarchs support. Uncle-nephews secret meeting While the senior Pawar has targeted some NCP MLAs who revolted with Ajit, he has refrained from directly attacking his nephew. During his initial days of joining the Shinde Sena-BJP government, Ajit was staunch in his criticism of Sharad Pawars politics, reported The Wire. However, later, he too softened his stance. The duo have met multiple times since Ajit became the deputy chief minister, with three meeting in the second week of July itself. Recently, the Pawars met at real estate developer Atul Choradiyas home in Punes Koregaon Park area. When asked about the secret meeting, the senior Pawar, as per Indian Express, had said: Ajit is my nephew. I am the eldest person in the Pawar family. Meeting a younger person in the family or calling him to meet is nothing wrong. He also reiterated that he will not ally with the BJP. NCPs political stand does not include joining hands with the BJP. None of us are with the BJP. Some of our colleagues have taken a different position and therefore a few friends of ours are trying to reconcile and check if that changed position can be reversed. For that, they are trying to communicate with us. But I want to clearly state in my capacity as the national president of the NCP that there is no question of the NCP allying with the BJP, the NCP patriarch said, as per the English daily. As national president of NCP, I am making it clear that my party (NCP) will not go with BJP. Any association with Bharatiya Janata Party does not fit in NCPs political policy: NCP chief Sharad Pawar Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 13, 2023 ALSO READ: Why Opposition thinks Sharad Pawar attending PM Narendra Modis felicitation event is bad optics Should MVA be concerned? The Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) which form the MVA, along with Sharad Pawar-led NCP, have frequently been left puzzled. On the senior Pawars no split in NCP remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve said, There is no doubt that such statements by Sharad Pawar are creating confusion in the minds of workers and people of the state. If he is saying that Ajit Pawar is their leader who is now in NCP, then of course there is confusion about his stand too, reported Indian Express. He, however, claimed that such statements would not impact the unity of the Opposition MVA alliance. I personally feel that the issue (of split in NCP) has gone to the Election Commission and such statements are being made to safeguard the partys name and poll symbol and the constitution, Danve said. Speaking to News18, Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant said: Regarding this confusing scenario, our leadership will speak with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. Responding to the NPC chiefs latest remarks, BJP Maharashtra president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said he believes Sharad Pawar will have a change of heart seeing Prime Minister Narendra Modis work in the coming months, adding that the senior leader will be with them (the ruling alliance) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reported News18. This confusion about the NCP is not new for the MVA. Following the Pawars meeting in Pune on 12 August, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole had held talks with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai. We discussed the current political situation in the state. The misinformation spread about Sharad Pawar was also discussed. We feel that there should not be any confusion among people and MVA workers about the meeting between Sharad and Ajit Pawar. We believe that the people look at the MVA as a united front and no confusion should be created about us. We both (Congress and Sena) are ensuring that, Patole was quoted as saying by Indian Express. As per Deccan Herald, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan had said about the Pawars Pune huddle, Allied partners must get official information about such meetings as it cannot be limited to family issues. The latest developments come days before the Opposition INDIA alliance, which will take on Narendra Modi-led NDA in next years general elections, is slated to meet in Mumbai on 31 August and 1 September. It remains to be seen if the Pawars will maintain the status quo or if another major development is awaiting to create turmoil in Maharashtra politics. With inputs from agencies The death of Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash on Wednesday has left the public with more questions than answers. While the obvious finger of blame is pointed at President Vladimir Putin CIA chief William Burns and other Russia watchers had predicted Prigozhin was a dead man walking and US president Joe Biden said he wasnt surprised to hear about it a raft of other theories have been floated. Lets take a closer look at what we know and all the leading theories: What we know about the crash Prigozhin, his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin, and eight other people were on board a plane that crashed on Wednesday. Russian officials confirmed that all passengers were killed. CNN quoted a woman from Kuzhenkino telling RIA Novosti she heard the jet and then something like a bang, like a shot. Then suddenly an explosion, I look up and heard a sound above me it was like pops, like several explosions. The plane started to swerve. Then a plume of smoke emerged and the plane began to descend, to dive. Kuzhenkino residents then said they saw a black cloud. Another resident told the outlet, A neighbor ran up to me, her hands were shaking. When we got to the window, I saw only one mushroom cloud, like a black cloud. She said that it was terrifying. There was a loud bang, then she turned her head to look and the whole plane was in sparkles of fire, it was all lit up. Said they saw it caught fire and began to fall, she added. Residents of Kuzhenkino, the village near the crash site, said they had heard a bang and then saw the jet plummet to the ground. The plane showed no sign of a problem until a precipitous drop in its final 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data. One villager, who gave his name as Anatoly, said: It wasnt thunder, it was a metallic bang lets put it that way. The Embraer Legacy 600 (EMBR3.SA) executive jet, which had been flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg, crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver region north of Moscow. A Reuters reporter at the crash site on Thursday morning saw men carrying away black body bags on stretchers. Part of the planes tail and other fragments lay on the ground near a wooded area where forensic investigators had erected a tent. The Embraer executive jet model that crashed in Russia had only recorded one accident in more than 20 years of service, and that was not related to mechanical failure. Russian investigators have opened a probe into what happened, but have not yet said what they suspect caused the plane to suddenly fall from the sky northwest of Moscow on Wednesday evening. Nor have they officially confirmed the identities of the 10 bodies recovered from the wreckage. A Telegram channel linked to Wagner, Grey Zone, pronounced Prigozhin dead on Wednesday evening, hailing him as a hero and a patriot who had died at the hands of traitors to Russia. Russian militants who fight on Ukraines side and have carried out several attacks on Russian border regions urged the Wagner Group to avenge Prigozhins death and join their ranks. It was not immediately clear how members of the Wagner Group reacted to their call. Putin ordered the hit The leading theory from many Russia experts is that Putin ordered the hit on Prigozhin. Speaking to MSNBC, Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis called it a public execution. The only mystery here is why it took so long, Stavridis added. Stavridis had in June called Prigozhin a snake whose head has been cut off and warned that Putin was a never forgive, never forget type of person. Stavridis, a four-star general, added, What really struck me and chills me is the public nature of this. This was essentially a public execution. Stavridis said it is a marker of just how deadly, lethal and unscrupulous Putin is. CNN quoted Putin critic Bill Browder as saying he was surprised the Wagner chief lived for as long as he did after the uprising. Browder posted on X: Putin never forgives and never forgets. He looked like a humiliated weakling with Prighozin running around without a care in the world. This will cement his authority and is standard Putin operating procedure https://t.co/NiOlrpIr9T Bill Browder (@Billbrowder) August 23, 2023 Surface-to-air missile Top US officials say it is likely that a surface-to-air missile from inside Russia brought down the plane carrying Prigozhin and his inner circle. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the information was still preliminary and under review, and did not rule out a change to the assessment. But the US Department of Defence on Thursday said there was currently no information to suggest that a surface-to-air missile took down the plane. Another official said that there were a number of theories and no definitive conclusion had been reached. It is not uncommon for there to be competing, even contradictory, intelligence views in the US government in the hours and days after major international events. Bomb or sabotage? The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, quoted unnamed US officials as saying that the crash was not caused by surface-to-air missiles but rather by a bomb aboard the aircraft or some other form of sabotage. Ex-British intelligence agent Christopher Steele, of the famed Steele Dossier, told Sky News it is possible that a bomb in a wine crate caused the plane to go down. Thats a kind of ironic end for Putins former caterer, Steele added. LBC quoted family of a 39-year-old flight attendant on board the aircraft as saying that the flight was delayed after maintenance or some urgent repairs. Stavridis also subscribes to the bomb theory, telling MSNBC, Who is randomly filming a private jet between Moscow and St Petersburg? We have very dramatic footageThey knew roughly when the bomb would go off. The Baza news outlet, which has good sources among law enforcement agencies, reported that investigators were focusing on a theory that one or two bombs may have been planted on board. Faked his death? But some have suggested that Prigozhin may have faked his own death. Daily Mirror quoted Keir Giles, from the London-based think tank Chatham House, as saying, Its been announced that a passenger by the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was on board but it is also known that multiple individuals have changed their name to Yevgeny Prigozhin, as part of his efforts to obfuscate his travels. Lets not be surprised if he pops up shortly in a new video from Africa. Made bad mistakes US president Joe Biden on Wednesday said he was not surprised by reports that Prigozhin had died in a plane crash, adding that not much happens in Russia that President Vladimir Putin was not behind. The crash came months after Prigozhin launched a short-lived rebellion seen as the biggest challenge to Putins authority since he came to power. Prigozhin, 62, head of the Wagner mercenary group, frequently criticized the Russian army top brass over what he said was its incompetent prosecution of the war in Ukraine. At the time, President Vladimir Putin denounced the rebellion as treason and a stab in the back and vowed to avenge it. But the charges against Prigozhin were soon dropped. The Wagner chief, whose troops were some of the best fighting forces for Russia in Ukraine, was allowed to retreat to Belarus, while reportedly popping up in Russia from time to time. While portraying it as a purely private commercial operation, the Kremlin has used Wagner to expand Russian influence on the continent in competition with Western powers such as France and the United States. Prigozhin and a Russian company he controlled were indicted in 2018 and accused of funding a propaganda operation to meddle in the 2016 US presidential election to sway it in favour of Republican candidate Donald Trump and to disparage rival Hillary Clinton. Putin on Thursday said he wished to express sincere condolences to the families of those who died in the crash, and said it was necessary to await the outcome of the official investigation. Putins comments, which suggested he harboured decidedly mixed feelings about Wagners mercenary boss, were the most definitive yet on Prigozhins fate. Putin paid generous tribute to the renegade mercenary calling him a talented businessman who knew how to look after his own interests and who could, when asked, do his bit for the common cause. But he also described Prigozhin as a flawed character who had made some bad mistakes. I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families of all the victims. Its always a tragedy, Putin said in televised remarks made during a meeting in the Kremlin with the Moscow-installed chief of Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. I had known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the start of the 90s. He was a man with a difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, one of Putins most loyal allies, said that Prigozhin was his friend and he had asked the mercenary chief to set aside his personal ambitions. With inputs from agencies John Warnock, a founder of Adobe Systems whose innovations in computer graphics, including the ubiquitous PDF, made possible todays visually rich digital experiences, died Saturday at his home in Los Altos, California. He was 82. The cause was pancreatic cancer, Adobe, which Warnock started in 1982 with Chuck Geschke, said in a statement. Until Warnock and Adobe came along, desktop printing was an arduous, expensive and unsatisfying endeavour. Users relied on either a screechy dot-matrix printer, with its pixilated text, or a specialised typesetting machine, which could cost $10,000 and take up most of a room. Warnock developed protocols that came loaded into desktop printers themselves, and that accurately rendered what a computer sent them. Adobes first such protocol, PostScript, went into Apples revolutionary LaserWriter, released in 1985, and within a few years, it was the industry standard. PostScript, licensed to hundreds of software and hardware companies, helped make Adobe rich. But the company was largely unknown to the public until 1993, when it released Acrobat, a program designed to render and read files in what it called a Portable Document Format, or PDF. Also read: Neal Mohan is YouTubes newest CEO: Indian-origin top bosses rule the tech world The PDF was the result of Warnocks abiding obsession since graduate school: finding a way to ensure that the graphics displayed on one computer whether words or images looked the exact same on another computer, or on a page from a printer, regardless of the manufacturer. It had been a holy grail in computer science to figure out how to communicate documents, he said in a 2019 interview with Oxford University. Acrobat and the PDF were not immediately successful, even after Adobe made its Acrobat Reader free to download. The companys board wanted to retire them, but Warnock persisted. I think the crossover point is if I can go to General Motors and say, I can deliver your information more quickly and more cheaply than you can on paper, he told The New York Times in 1991. Youre talking about savings of tens of millions of dollars. The PDF eventually became standard, as the ease of sharing crisp, accurate documents across computer systems made the long-envisioned paperless office a reality. Though Adobe is best known for the PDF, it owes its dominance in the software industry to a whole suite of design programs championed by Warnock over the years, including InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Taken together, these programs helped make the modern personal computing experience what it is, turning what had been a soup of obscure commands and monochromatic images into an engaging aesthetic experience. Making the computer into a machine that we can use to produce visual and print culture, that wasnt foreordained, David Brock, the director of curatorial affairs at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, said in a phone interview. Thats where he was really instrumental. John Edward Warnock was born on 6 October 1940, in Holladay, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. His father, Clarence, was a lawyer; his mother, Dorothy (Van Dyke) Warnock, was a homemaker. Warnock was an admittedly average high school student who managed to flunk algebra in ninth grade. Nevertheless, he studied mathematics at the University of Utah, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1961 and a masters in the same subject in 1964. He did not initially plan to go into technology. But a gruelling summer job during graduate school spent recapping tires persuaded him to apply to IBM, which was recruiting mathematicians. He returned to Utah to pursue a doctorate in mathematics, but after a few years he switched to electrical engineering, which at the time encompassed computer science. The university had recently received an enormous influx of money and resources from the Department of Defense to work on computer graphics, a field that had captured his interest. He was especially captivated by the question of how to render a three-dimensional image in two dimensions. The result was the Warnock algorithm, a major step forward in computer graphics and the basis for some of his later work at Adobe. He married Marva Mullins in 1965. She survives him, as do his daughter, Alyssa; his sons, Christopher and Jeffrey; and four grandchildren. Warnock received his doctorate in 1969 and then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to work for a company founded by two of his mentors in Utah, David C. Evans and Ivan Sutherland. After they asked him to transfer to the companys Salt Lake City office he decided to stay in California instead and went to work for Xerox, whose Palo Alto Research Center was then pioneering the first personal computers. There he met Geschke, and the two became fast friends. Warnock spent years working on how to get printers to render an image from a computer screen, a seemingly easy issue that had befuddled computer scientists for years. (Geschke died in 2021). Also read: Adobe eases multi-person editing in Photoshop, Illustrator projects with new feature But when he presented his solution, InterPress, to his bosses, they were not interested in releasing it to the public. He and Geschke, who had worked on the project, were crestfallen. I went into his office, and I said, We can live in the worlds greatest sandbox for the rest of our life, or we can do something about it, Warnock said in a 2018 interview with the Computer History Museum. They both quit, and in late 1982 they founded Adobe Systems, named for a creek near Warnocks home. In 2023 it had a market capitalisation of $235 billion, making it one of the largest information technology companies in the world. In 2009, President Barack Obama presented the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to both Warnock and Geschke. Warnock and Geschke, who ran the company as equals, were rare exceptions among the outsize egos and eccentric zillionaires of Silicon Valley: avuncular and academic, they built an aggressively competitive company while consistently ranking high on lists of the best places to work. Despite its size, Adobe was often cast as the David versus much larger Goliaths, most often Microsoft which, unlike Apple, repeatedly rejected Warnocks entreaties to collaborate and instead tried to beat Adobe with its own protocols and programs. None of them worked. Warnock, who had 20 patents to his name, stepped down as CEO in 2001 but remained on Adobes board of directors. Being a CEO of a company that is over $1 billion is not all it is cracked up to be, he said in an interview with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2010. The thing I really enjoy is the invention process. I enjoy figuring out how to do things other people dont know how to do. Clay Risen, c.2023 The New York Times Company Russia has a reputation for acting upon the adage that revenge is best served cold. In the months following Yevgeny Prigozhins insurrection, the Wagner leader appeared down but not out. Yet his destiny may have already been set. Prigozhin is presumed dead in a plane crash in north Russia. The mishap comes two months after he led a brief mutiny against the top army brass. The presumed death of the mercenary leader leaves Russian president Vladimir Putin stronger in the short term, removing a powerful figure who had defied his authority and threatened to make him look weak. But it also deprives him of a forceful and astute player who had proved his utility to the Kremlin by sending his fighters into some of the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war and advancing Russian interests across Africa. After 24 hours of silence, Putin paid sincere condolences to the families of all 10 people on the plane that crashed north of Moscow, and praised Prigozhin as a talented businessman who made serious mistakes. Even in death, the Wagner chief was not given a clean chit. The Russian leader has promised a full investigation, but its outcome is unlikely to shake a widespread belief that Prigozhin was killed as an act of vengeance for staging the mutiny in late June. The United States is looking at a number of theories over what brought down the plane, including a surface-to-air missile hitting it, US officials told Reuters. Analysts said the assumption of Kremlin involvement may actually suit Putins purpose. Also Read: Yevgeny Prigozhin dead: How Putins chef became chief of Wagner mercenary group Whatever the reasons for the plane crash, everyone will see it as an act of retribution and reprisal, and the Kremlin will not particularly interfere with this, Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R Politik consultancy, told Reuters. From the point of view of Putin, as well as many among the security forces and the military, Prigozhins death should be a lesson to any potential followers. The fallout of the Wagner mutiny Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries staged a mutiny two months ago, in which they took control of a southern city and advanced towards Moscow, shooting down a number of Russian air force planes and killing their pilots. Putin, who has spoken in the past of his hatred of traitors, described it at the time as a stab in the back. Since the mutiny, Prigozhin had halted a running feud with the defence establishment but otherwise continued his operations, appearing to move freely in and out of Russia despite a deal with the Kremlin under which he was meant to leave for Belarus. Abbas Gallyamov, a former Kremlin speechwriter now designated a foreign agent by Russia, said Prigozhin had wrongly assumed he was indispensable to Putin because of the scale and importance of his activities. These included extensive operations in Africa, where Wagner has expanded its mercenary services in countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic in exchange for gold- and diamond-mining concessions. While portraying it as a purely private commercial operation, the Kremlin has used Wagner to expand Russian influence on the continent in competition with Western powers such as France and the United States. Prigozhin assumed that Putin would not want to risk all this, Gallyamov said. (He) underestimated how important it was for Putin to send a signal to all potential rebels: guys, dont think you can do this and then remain alive. Game of Thrones But the death of Prigozhin, if confirmed, is not without cost to Putin. Analysts said it opens up the prospect of a messy struggle for control of Wagners huge business empire, and a possible split between pragmatists willing to integrate with the defence ministry and an aggrieved ultranationalist faction which is already venting its anger on social media channels. I think its possible that in many ways it will become kind of a headless Game of Thrones or Sopranos-type of environment where we have competing smaller factions and smaller splinters of Wagner, said Andrew Borene, executive director of threat intelligence firm Flashpoint and a former US intelligence official. In the long term I think its a strategic loss (to Russia), he said. Samuel Ramani, an analyst at Londons RUSI think-tank and author of the book Russia in Africa said the loss of Prigozhins extensive network would be a downside for Putin. He loses many of the personal contacts that Prigozhin has managed to cultivate on that continent, including the kind of contacts that would be necessary to export gold and diamonds out of sanctioned countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic, Ramani said in a telephone interview. The plane crash happened on the same day that Russian state media reported the removal of Sergei Surovikin, the former commander of Russias war effort in Ukraine, as head of the Russian air force. Widespread but unconfirmed reports said Surovikin had been placed under investigation for possible complicity in Prigozhins mutiny. The downfall of both men widely seen as two of Russias most effective operators in a war where it has seen many embarrassing failures could hamper Moscows ability to mount sustainable offensive operations in the next year, Ramani said. If Putin was responsible for Prigozhins death, he said, it demonstrated he was willing to engage in brutal repression of any kind of dissent. But it also shows a vulnerability too because he needs to use force now to repress these ultranationalists whom he previously was able to co-opt and pacify by including them in his coalition. And that doesnt speak well to Putins sustainability beyond 2024. Robert Horvath, a Russia specialist at La Trobe University in Melbourne, said Putins position remained fragile. The problem with killing Prigozhin is that it risks provoking acts of revenge from the tens of thousands of Wagner mercenaries some battle-hardened veterans, some convicted criminals who have fought under the Wagner banner, he said. It also risks drawing fresh attention to Prigozhins populist campaign, his condemnation of the regimes justification for the war, and of the vast gulf separating the frivolous children of the ruling elite from those of ordinary people, who were returning from Ukraine in coffins. With inputs from Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bengaluru on Saturday and interact with ISRO scientists involved in the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon. PM Modi will visit ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at around 7.15 am, an official release said. He will reach Bengaluru immediately after returning from his visit to South Africa and Greece, it said. The Prime Minister will meet and interact with ISRO scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He will also be briefed about the findings and progress in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the release said. On Wednesday as the Lander Module of Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully touched down on the lunar surface, PM Modi had joined the ISRO team at Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISTRAC virtually from Johannesburg, where he was attending the 15th BRICS summit. According to BJP officials, party leaders and workers will welcome the Prime Minister at two places outside the HAL Airport and Jalahalli Cross, which is close to ISTRAC. PM Modi had also flown down to Bengaluru on the night of September 6, 2019 to watch the planned touch down of Chandrayaan-2 missions Vikram lander. But in the early hours of September 7, barely minutes before it was slated to land, ISRO lost all contact with the craft, just 2.1 km above the lunar surface. Ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled to be held in the national capital early next month, the Delhi Traffic Police has released a detailed advisory for the three days that the meet will pan out that is 8 to 10 September. Special CP (Traffic) SS Yadav said that restrictions will be put in place in the New Delhi area, since the summit will be held at the newly-built Bharat Mandapam convention centre in Delhis Pragati Maidan under Indias presidency. The traffic restrictions will be in place from the night of 7 September and remain in place till 10 September, Yadav said. For people residing in the New Delhi area, free movement will be allowed but for those coming from other districts of Delhi, or tourists from other places, will have to show valid hotel bookings to enter the area. The traffic police also warned people to not visit markets in the New Delhi area on September 8, 9 and 10. The Delhi Traffic Police will also keep cargo trucks out of Delhi for three days, said Yadav. They will be diverted to the Eastern and Western peripheral expressways. But vehicles with permission or carrying important cargo will be allowed to enter the national capital, he added. Interstate buses will also be allowed entry into Delhi. There will be no restriction on vehicles deployed in emergency services and ambulances. Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg and Purana Quila Road will be closed for traffic. Further, except ambulances, no other vehicle including DTC buses will be allowed in the New Delhi area. All malls and markets in the New Delhi area will remain shut. People going to the airport or railways station between September 8 and 10 have been advised to leave early. The traffic police also urged people to use Delhi Metro to travel, if important, on these three days. Services of Delhi Metro will remain functional, but stations in the New Delhi area, like Supreme Court, Khan Market, Mandi House and Central Secretariat are expected to remain closed for three days. The traffic police have also launched a virtual helpdesk in view of the G20 summit, which will inform users about the available transport services, ambulances and police service. World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to attend the G20 Summit. Delhi Traffic Police on Friday issued an advisory for residents to follow on the days of the key G20 Summit that will be held in the national capital in September. The police have advised people to to use the metro for commuting during the two days of the G20 Summit since bus movement will be restricted in Lutyens Delhi where the venues of the summit are located. The restrictions will be put into place on the night of September 7 and will be in force till September 10. Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic, SS Yadav said a virtual helpdesk will be launched on the Delhi Police website that will list out available transport facilities and nearby medical facilities. Aalap Patel, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, New Delhi, said people living in Lutyens Delhi or tourists with hotel bookings there will be allowed to commute through auto rickshaws and taxis. People coming from Delhi Airport to Lutyens Delhi will only be allowed entry after proper verification of ID cards, he said. Officials said that intestate buses will be allowed to enter Delhi but not allowed to terminate at the Inter-state Bus Terminals. For ambulance assist service, people can call 6828400604. The service will be launched from the night of September 7, Patel said. With inputs from PTI In a surprising turn of events, the Madhumita Shukla murder case has resurfaced after a span of twenty years. Orders for the release of Amarmani Tripathi, a Bahubali figure in the Purvanchal region the Uttar Pradesh, along with his wife Madhumani, who were convicted in connection to this notorious murder, have been issued. The husband-wife duo has been serving a life sentence at Gorakhpur Jail, with their potential release today. The Prison Administration and Reforms Department issued the release orders on Thursday night. However, this release has not been without controversy. Nidhi Shukla, Madhumitas sister, has fervently pleaded for a halt to Amarmanis release. She has communicated her plea through a video message and a written appeal. Expressing astonishment at the release order, Nidhi highlighted an ongoing Supreme Court hearing pertaining to the matter scheduled for today. She asserted that the release should be postponed until the court ruling is pronounced. Its noteworthy that Nidhi had been the driving force behind pursuing the Madhumita murder case through the courts, ultimately resulting in Amarmanis conviction. The impending release of Amarmani and his wife is considered as a premature release. This mandate for their release has been enacted based on the Supreme Courts decision, taking into account their good behavior during incarceration. The Supreme Court had, in fact, decreed their release on August 18, citing Amarmanis age of 66, nearly two decades spent behind bars, and commendable conduct, provided he remained uninvolved in any other criminal activities. The District Magistrate of Gorakhpur issued an order stipulating Amarmanis release contingent upon the submission of two sureties and an equivalent personal bond. Subsequently, the government has now sanctioned Amarmanis release. The legal saga saw its latest chapter unfold as the matter reached the Supreme Court. In a recent advisory, the apex court recommended that the state authorities consider releasing well-behaved prisoners. Amarmani seized this opportunity and filed a petition for his release, ultimately leading to the Supreme Courts directive on February 10, 2023, commanding the government to effect his release. A contempt petition loomed over authorities due to non-compliance with this order. Throughout their incarceration, Amarmani and his wife had spent much of their time at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, due to their health concerns. Room number 16 on the second floor of the private ward had been their designated space. Notably, a veil of secrecy surrounds Amarmanis case, with authorities at both the jail and the medical college withholding information. The question now lingers whether Amarmanis health will ameliorate upon his release, or if further medical treatment will be required at the BRD Medical College. Amarmanis impending release has drawn a response from Madhumitas sister, Nidhi Shukla. In her statement, she expressed bewilderment at the Governors decision. She revealed that her legal petition had been accepted by the Supreme Court and was scheduled for a hearing on the 25th at 11 am. Nidhi speculated that the release order might have been executed under misleading information, and she implored for the release to be suspended pending the Supreme Courts decision. Amarmani Tripathis political career met an abrupt end following his implication in the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla. Amarmanis trajectory intertwined with Madhumitas when he came across her poems. Their association propelled Amarmanis prominence, combining his political clout with his stage presence. Their relationship evolved into a romantic liaison, leading to tragic consequences. Madhumitas refusal to terminate her pregnancy under societal pressure led to her untimely demise. On May 9, 2003, the pregnant poet was fatally shot in Paper Mill Colony, Nishatganj, Lucknow, during a time when Amarmani was serving as a minister under a BSP government. This murder plunged Uttar Pradesh into political turmoil. Amarmani Tripathi, his wife Madhumani Tripathi, nephew Rohit Mani Tripathi, Santosh Rai, and Pawan Pandey were named in the FIR lodged by Madhumitas family. Amid a BSP-led administration, the case was eventually handed over to the CBI by the CBCID after twenty days of initial investigation. During the witness examination, crucial testimonies underwent alterations. Madhumitas sister embarked on an arduous journey to secure justice. She appealed to the Supreme Court to ensure Amarmanis conviction. During the legal proceedings, she advocated for a change in the trials location, much like the transfer of a similar case to a different state. The Dehradun Sessions Court, on October 24, 2007, pronounced life sentences for all five accused. Despite Amarmanis subsequent attempts to appeal the decision in both the Nainital High Court and the Supreme Court, the sentence remained unchanged. A man hailing from Gujarat has been apprehended by Goa police on charges of reportedly assaulting a female tourist at a resort in Assonora village in North Goa. According to an official statement today, the incident occurred on August 23rd. The arrested individual, identified as Laxman Shiyar, aged 47, was also visiting Goa as a tourist. Authorities disclosed that the victim and the accused had crossed paths during a flight and subsequently developed an acquaintance. During their interaction, the man acquired the womans contact number and maintained communication with her over the phone, as informed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi. Earlier this week, both the woman and the man independently journeyed to Goa. On the 23rd of August, the man called the woman and urged her to come to the resort where he was lodging in Assonora. His pretext was to showcase the facilities available at the resort. The Deputy Superintendent further quoted the womans complaint, detailing that upon her arrival at the resort, the accused guided her to his room where he allegedly assaulted her. He also purportedly used threats to dissuade her from disclosing the incident. In response to the complaint, police units were assembled, and the suspect was apprehended in Thivim village near Mapusa town, situated in North Goa. Notably, the police refrained from divulging the age of the victim. Assonora village is positioned approximately 40 km away from Panaji. Security forces in Manipur conducted a search operation and recovered four firearms, 38 ammunition and eight bombs from Imphal East and Imphal West districts during search operations, police said. Search operations were conducted in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Kangpokpi and Thoubal districts during which security forces recovered firearms, ammunition and bombs, a statement issued by the Manipur Police Control Room said on Thursday night. The statement said during the last 24 hours, the situation in the state was tense with sporadic incidents of congregation of protestors. A total of 123 nakas (checkpoints) were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hill and valley and police detained 1,581 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the state, the statement said. The statement appealed to the general public not to believe in rumours and to be wary of false videos. Any circulation of unfounded videos may be confirmed from the rumour-free number 9233522822- of the Central control room. It also appealed to the public to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or nearest security forces immediately. More than 160 people lost their lives and several hundred were injured since the ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the trial of sexual assault cases related to Manipur ethnic violence, which were transferred to CBI, will take place in Guwahati and asked the Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court to nominate judges who are conversant with one or more languages spoken in Manipur. Manipur violence: Supreme Court while ordering that trial in the cases that were transferred to CBI will take place in Guwahati, says that Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court will nominate judges who are conversant with one or more languages spoken in Manipur. ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 At the present stage, bearing in mind the overall environment in Manipur and a need to ensure a fair process of criminal justice administration, it requests the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to nominate one or more judicial officer, said the bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The top court said that all applications for the production of accused, remand, judicial custody, extension of custody and other proceedings will be allowed in the online mode bearing in mind both distance and security issues at the courts in Manipur. It ordered that judicial custody shall be permitted in Manipur. There have been victims in valleys and in hills. It would be difficult for people who suffered in valleys to travel to hills, and the other way around. We cant go into who suffered more, there are victims in both communities, said the SC bench. The apex court said that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has ensured that proper internet facilities shall be provided from Manipur for video conferencing etc. The court said that its directions shall not preclude those who wish to appear physically in Guwahati. The court further said that the statement of witnesses under 164 CrPC are to be recorded in the presence of local Magistrate in Manipur, adding that acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court will designate one or more magistrates for recording of statements of witnesses. SC said that the test identification parades must be done through video conferencing mode in presence of a Manipur-based magistrate. The applications seeking search and arrest warrant will be issued by the investigating officer by the online mode, the court added. Manipur has been plunged in a frenzy of violence since May, over a high court order directing the state government to consider including the non-tribal Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes. This order led to ethnic clashes breaking out between different ethnic groups. Last month, a graphic video depicting two women being paraded naked and assaulted went viral, shocking the nation and bringing renewed attention to the allegations of human rights violations emerging from Manipur. This led to the Supreme Court taking suo motu cognizance of the video and starting to monitor the investigation into these alleged incidents as well as other instances of violence across the state. With inputs from agencies Indian sources have dismissed the recent claim made by China saying the China-India talks on the margins of the 15th BRICS Summit happened at the latters request. A statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry stated, President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at the latters request on August 23, 2023. Meanwhile, Indian sources have said that there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting. The sources also confirmed that the two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the Leaders Lounge during the BRICS Summit. The Chinese Foreign Ministry statement also added that the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest and President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. At the 15th BRICS Summit that concluded in Johannesburg on Thursday, sharing details of a conversation between India-China meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that in a conversation with President Xi, PM Modi highlighted Indias border concern. On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, the Prime Minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the Prime Minister highlighted Indias concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas, said Kwatra. The Prime Minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship. In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation, Kwatra added. On Thursday, both leaders (PM Modi and Xi) greeted each other ahead of the BRICS leaders briefing where they were seen interacting briefly on the stage. The relations between New Delhi and Beijing have been strained since the border standoff for which talks have been going on. India and China held the 19th round of Corps commander-level talks earlier this month at Chushul-Moldo on the Indian side. According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, They agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through military and diplomatic channels. In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas. The chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Sharad Pawar further expanded the scope of speculation over his nephew Ajit Pawars allegiance, saying that the Deputy Chief Minister of the BJP-ruled state of Maharashtra is still a leader of NCP. On Friday, Sharad Pawar said that while some leaders have left the party by taking a different political stand, their exit cannot be termed a split. Pawar was talking to reporters at his hometown Baramati in the Pune district in the morning before leaving for Kolhapur, where he is scheduled to address a rally later in the day. Pawars comments come a day after his daughter and NCPs working president Supriya Sule called Ajit Pawar a senior leader and MLA of the party. She said, Now, he (Ajit Pawar) has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the assembly speaker and are awaiting his response. When asked if there is no split within the party and if Ajit Pawar still holds a status in NCP, Pawar senior said, Yes, there is no question about it. How can anybody say that there is a split in NCP? Theres no question that Ajit Pawar is our party leader. What does a split in a political party mean? Split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level. But no such thing has happened here. Some people left the party, some took a different standIn democracy it is their right to take a decision, he added. Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state on July 2. Talking about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Pawar expressed confidence that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising the NCP, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, will perform better than the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Maharashtra in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With inputs from PTI Six Indian pilgrims were among seven people killed when the bus they were travelling in plunged some 50 metres from a mountain road in Nepals Madhesh province, a media report said on Thursday. The accident happened in the early hours of Thursday in the provinces Bara district when the bus carrying pilgrims from Rajasthan overturned and fell some 50 metres down the road at a riverbank south of Churiamai Temple at Simara Sub-Metropolitan City, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported. Apart from the six Indians, one Nepalese citizen was also killed in the accident which also injured 19 others. The bus carrying six Indian pilgrims overturned and fell down the road at a river bank. A total of 26 passengers were on board and in the accident one Nepalese was also killed. The family of the deceased have been informed, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Pradeep Bahadur Chhetri. Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati, who is also the chief of the Bara district police office said that they have detained three people, including the bus driver Jilami Khan. The driver and the co-workers have also sustained injuries during the accident and were detained following treatment, he was quoted as saying in the report. The police said that all those injured were undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Hetauda of adjacent Makwanpur district. Road accidents in Nepal are quite common due to the poor road infrastructure across the country, which majorly comprises mountainous terrain. On Wednesday, a passenger bus skidded off the main highway and plunged into a swollen river in Nepals Bagmati province, killing at least eight people and leaving at least 15 others injured. The accident happened when the bus en route to the scenic city of Pokhara from Kathmandu veered off and fell into the Trishuli River at Chalise in Dhading district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday thanked his Greek counterpart Katerina N Sakellaropoulou for her congratulatory message on Indias moon mission and said success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind. The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind, PM Modi said. Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday congratulated India for conquering the south pole of the moon. #WATCH | Athens | Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis says, "Congratulations for conquering the south pole of the moon" pic.twitter.com/jAxaPwJ22S ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 . PM Modi is on a day visit to Greece today after attending the 15th BRICs summit in Johannesburg. The Prime Minister commenced his visit to Greece by paying tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. Later on, he received a ceremonial guard of honour. He received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the hotel in Athens with members of the diaspora who had gathered outside the hotel chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai, and Modi, Modi. PM Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit the country was welcomed with a waiving tricolour and beating drum. At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also briefly interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. He is scheduled to interact with business leaders from both countries. Prime Minister Modi had previously met the Greek Prime Minister in New York in September 2019 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. With inputs from ANI Raksha Bandhan, a revered Hindu festival celebrating the pious bond between siblings, falls on 30 August this year. However, due to Bhadra Kaal occurring the same day, the festival will also be celebrated on August 31 as Bhadra is considered inauspicious. On this auspicious day, a sister performs aarti and ties a rakhi around her brothers wrist as a symbol of her love and trust. In return, the brother pampers her by giving gifts and promises to safeguard his sister. This ritual symbolises love and support among siblings. It is pertinent to note that the opportune time to celebrate rakhi will commence after 9:01 pm on Wednesday, post the conclusion of Bhadra Kaal. Raksha Bandhan Rakhi ceremony after 9:01 PM Raksha Bandhan Bhadra end time 9:01 PM Raksha Bandhan Bhadra Punchha 5:30 PM to 6:31 PM Raksha Bandhan Bhadra Mukha 6:31 PM to 8:11 PM Raksha Bandhan 2023: History The roots of Raksha Bandhan can be traced back to ancient times and medieval history. The festival is celebrated by recounting the story of Rani Karnavati of Mewar who sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun in a bid to thank him for helping her at the time when her kingdom was under attack from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. Humayun came to rescue and saved her kingdom. As per Hindu mythology, Draupadi also tied a piece of cloth on Lord Krishnas wrist when his finger was injured while battling the evil King Shishupal. Lord Krishna, in return, assured to protect her. Additionally, during the partition of Bengal in 1905, Rabindranath Tagore started the Rakhi Mahotsav, a mass Raksha Bandhan festival. The festival aimed at developing unity and love among Hindus and Muslims of Bengal. Raksha Bandhan 2023: Significance Speaking about the significance of the festival, it is celebrated to follow the age-old tradition of honouring the pure relationship between a sister and a brother. Parents encourage their children to celebrate rakhi to make them realise the importance of the bond among siblings. While the sister prays for her brothers safety, the brother swears to defend his sister from harm. At almost every social event I attend these days, the talk veers around to the disasters taking place in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. These are the ones on a large scale, the smaller ones arent even spoken of. Then there is the huge wildfire in Maui, Hawaii which has left over a 100 dead and over 800 missing. Indian media has not reported enough on it but Youtube is full of video clips which actually shake you to the core when you learn of people running into the ocean to escape the flames. In a bad monsoon year, if there is drought in the hills and the vegetation is dry enough to burn to cinders, many of our popular hill towns would be as vulnerable as the Hawaiian landscape and the cities within it. Few people in India are aware of the threat of forest fires and that 30 per cent of Indias districts are vulnerable to these. This year the disasters in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana mainly revolve around floods, landslides and cloudbursts, all due to excessive rainfall concentrated in localised zones in a very short period. There is much talk of the El Nino effect and that such disasters are here to stay. None of this talk is of an informed nature because the subject of disaster management is rarely a knowledge issue for the educated. Dearth of knowledge leads to conjecture, guess work and lots of misinformation. What is this knowledge I refer to? Very few have really bothered to ascertain how the concept of management of disaster in India has changed over the years. The first and foremost point here is that the concept is no longer about awaiting a disaster and responding to it by mobilising some police and the army. From response the system has shifted to prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. The classic definition of disaster remains; a natural or manmade event which causes large scale damage to life and property, and cannot be handled by the local community without assistance; we need to include the loss of livelihood also within ambit of a disaster. The three events which triggered the final enactment of the Disaster Management (DM) Act of December 2005 were Odisha Super Cyclone 1999, Gujarat Earthquake 2001 and Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004; all witnessed large scale loss of life, property and livelihood. The response then was without the benefit of concept, organisation, dedicated resources, training, early warning, application of available or developed technology, and policy/doctrinal backing. Much of this was achieved by bringing about the DM Act 2005 and placing the disaster domain under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Under the Act, the raising of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) ensures a professional approach of international standards towards doctrine, policy, budgeting, technology, knowledge, guidelines, liaison and international cooperation. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is the key response element, very appropriately patterned to ensure the adoption of organisational effectiveness of respective units of the central police forces CRPF, BSF, etc. Completing the triad is the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). It caters to the cognitive aspects relating to research, scientific and technological development, training and modelling, to reduce the impact of disasters in India. The NDRF has pre-disposed forces at important hubs around India much like NSG but it can bring its specialised professional response and vast quantum of equipment expeditiously to the disaster zone only if the zone is in near vicinity; it cannot be deployed everywhere. Eventually it should have an air element as part of it both fixed wing and rotary. The fastest response can be of the local affected community, since there will always be people who are outside the immediate disaster zone. The Government of India has instituted an innovative scheme called Aapda Mitra (Friends in Disaster) which aims at training and suitably equipping volunteers from the local community to act as first responders. In many of the Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand disaster sites these volunteers have been at the forefront of response. A move to bring back greater disaster awareness to the armed forces is also underway as their resources, both human and material, are invaluable due to their location all over the country, plus their organisational capability and inherent discipline. The work underway in the domain of managing disasters in India is currently under the flagship international guideline of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, outlined in 2015. The Framework recognises that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders. Building on this concept, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2016, spelt out his Ten Point Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction. This Agenda has now become a mantra both nationally and internationally. It includes hitherto fore unspelt sub domains like gender sensitivity in disaster situations, the employment of social media, early warning and the entire gamut of knowledge management on disasters. The latter is actually an international challenge but India is now taking a lead in this. There are some leading public and private institutions with whom the NDMA works closely. Several IITs are also working on research projects and some very effective technical institutions such as the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), both at Hyderabad, are in sync with NDMA. An early success of the government has been the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), by which mass messaging of early warning regarding some hazards such as cyclones and even lightning in specific geographical zones, can be done using mobile technology and other means of dissemination. During the recent Cyclone Biparjoy, 32 million early warning messages were generated, which combined with proactive preparedness by the Government and the achievements of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Programme (NCRMP), ensured zero fatalities. The challenge in the Himalayas is landslides, glacial outbursts and many more unexpected avalanches as weather patterns change. The necessity of building a network of effective sensors. Algorithms involving mapping of physical features of slopes and water bearing capacity of the concerned soil could possibly enable assessment of early warning. A national programme to develop such technology is virtually an emergent need, as much as an AI generated earthquake warning programme. These are in the offing. To mirror the NDRF States are required to have SDRF for their early response before or simultaneous with central response. Over time they must be equipped and trained to matching standards of the NDRF. Some States have already been able to do that. The long and short of this seasons disasters is that they must instil in the public a thirst for knowledge on disaster risk reduction which is a subject discussed under a sub working group of the G20 and a consensus document of the same will hopefully find reference in the eventual G20 communique. The writer, a former GOC of the Armys 15 Corps. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Last year in August, a 32-year-old lawyer, Bhavya Kapoor, filthily abused and slapped a security guard of a gated community in Noida, for not opening the gate to the complex quickly enough. The shocking fracas can be seen on live video, where the abuse she spits out against the hapless security guards would make even the most hardened criminal wince. This was followed by physical violence against the cowering guards. On 22 October 2022, another guard at another gated community in Noida was beaten up for not allowing people to go out from the complex through the entry gate. In March 2023, a Swiggy delivery boy was brutally assaulted by security guards in a gated community in Hyderabad for using the lift to deliver the food, which was against the rules of that privileged haven. Just a few days ago, on 21 August 2023, a guard at another gated apartment complex in Dwarka, Delhi, was repeatedly thrashed by a drunk 28-year-old male resident over a parking dispute. These are only a few examples that have come to light. But they are enough to ask the question: What is happening in the insulated world the middle class is creating in their little kingdoms across the sprawling urban landscape of India? It appears that gated communities are becoming citadels where the middle class and the rich often feel that they are members of their own mini-Republics. The outside world, of poverty, filth and the unwashed masses are shut out by a stringent layer of security guards, and some of its members act with an impunity that makes them above the law. I have great admiration for the Indian middle class and have written a book on it called The Great Indian Middle Class, followed by a sequel The New Indian Middle Class. The entrepreneurial energy this class has shown is the backbone of the Indian economy. Its resilience and ability to surviveand flourishin adverse circumstances, where no coordinate can be taken for granted, including basics like assured electricity, water supply and a reliable social net, is truly praiseworthy. Nor am I against gated communities. They are motivated by the not unreasonable desire to build a protected environment for the more privileged to escape the cacophony of deprivation outside the heavily secured walls of their little islands of prosperity. This ability for autonomy is a planned exercise. If there is no electricity, they have generators; if there is inadequate water supply, they haveoften illegallytheir own tube wells; and, if anyone dares to transgress or trespass their fiefdom, they have their own laws to deal with them. Some gated apartments declare that meat cannot be cooked inside the complex; others, rule that people of a certain community cannot live there, or only people of a certain sub-community are welcome. The irony, of course, is that however hard these little Republics try, they have to give some access to the outside world, since they cannot do without domestic help. It is not a coincidence that next to most affluent colonies in India, there is a slum, from which this supply comes. Domestic helps are considered by many as an unwelcome necessity, and after they have provided their daily services, the quicker they exit, the better. But in this interfacing world of the privileged and the poor, there is often great cruelty and exploitation. In December 2022, the media reported a shocking story from a gated society in Noida, where a woman, Shefali Kaul, brutally beat up her domestic help and even threatened to kill her, after she ate a bar of jaggery without her permission. Such beatings were a relentlessly routine matter. When the poor girl tried to escape, she was caught by the guard, and returned to her madam. CCTV footage shows how her employer forcibly dragged her out of the lift, holding her in a headlock. A case was registered by the girls father, and the police found that his daughters body was severely bruised and scratched. The accused is reportedly absconding. An equally appalling case came to light in February 2023, where in New Colony, Gurugram, a 17-year-old girl from Jharkhand was hired as a babysitter by Dinesh Khattar, working in a leading insurance company, and his wife, Kamaljeet Kaur, an employee of a PR firm. For five months, this couple beat the girl every day, even usingas per the girls accounthot iron tongs to torture her. Khattar would strip her naked and hurt her on her private parts. She was not allowed to sleep at night, and police found her with injury marks all over her body and her mouth swollen. The couple has been arrested. Normally, the middle class is quick to take umbrage at the undemocratic, high-handed and unjust actions of those in authority. But perhaps, it is time for it to take a hard look in the mirror. The ill-treatment of domestic help, including salaries far below the minimum wage, is a pan-Indian phenomenon. Of course, these bestial examples quoted above cannot tarnish the entire middle class. But as I had argued in my book The Great Indian Middle Class, there is a pervasive proclivity in this class to only look at its own benefit, and have little or no sensitivity for the vast numbers of the under-privileged below them. Gated communities appear to be becoming another layer to this fortress of insularity. Yet, the truth is that the nation is a holistic entity, and no class can secede to form its own Republic. The writer is a former diplomat, an author and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Carrying the hopes and dreams of 1.4 billion Indians, Chandrayaan-3 successfully made a soft-landing near the Lunar South Pole at its designated time of 6.04 pm on 23 August 2023. With this accomplishment, India became only the fourth nation to demonstrate a soft landing on the lunar surface and the first country ever to do so near the Lunar South Pole. This is not a one-off incident happening in a vacuum, this is a culmination of relentless perseverance spanning across decades envisioned by the greatest minds the nation has produced. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), formerly The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), was set up in 1962 by prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the suggestion of Vikram Sarabhai. This was the foresight of visionaries like Homi J Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai who were absolutely clear on where they wish to see the country in the coming years. They understood that after the World War II and its human cost, the world will see a new era of competition i.e., Information and Technology. They realised that if India wishes to become self-sustaining and sovereign, she needs to master this terrain as well. Perhaps no one has spelled out this vision better than the former president of India and chairman of DRDO, APJ Abdul Kalam, he writes in Wings of Fire: Very many individuals with myopic vision questioned the relevance of space activities in a newly independent nation which was finding it difficult to feed its population. But neither Prime Minister Nehru nor Prof. Sarabhai had any ambiguity of purpose. Their vision was very clear: if Indians were to play a meaningful role in the community of nations, they must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to their real-life problems. They had no intention of using it merely as a means of displaying our might. And indeed, Chandrayaan-3 is much more than a means of displaying our might, its mission objectives include conducting experiments on the moon ice at the lunar poles and extracting precious minerals like Helium-3 which could help us generate electricity without the radioactive pollution. The hydrogen in the lunar water could potentially become a fuel for future space missions and yes, the lunar water might even be drinkable after treatment! As rightly put by the Prime Minister Modi, Indias successful mission is not Indias alone, it belongs to all of humanity. While there is an element of national pride in this achievement, it would be myopic to reduce such a huge feat to a particular group of people on the planet. Global leaders like Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as the Russian President Putin congratulated India and ISRO on this unprecedented achievement. NASA and European Space Agencies also acknowledged this achievement with NASA commenting Glad to be your partner in this space exploration journey. One would imagine that moments like these would bring everyone together to celebrate the ardent hard work by the scientists, but unfortunately, there are always individuals whose personal vendettas and agendas are perhaps bigger than space missions. Case in point, Prakash Raj, who, a day before the scheduled landing, shared a distasteful meme seemingly mocking Chandrayaan-3 and the scientists working day and night to make it possible. One can have a million disagreements with the current dispensation but this needs to be understood that this is not an achievement of any particular government, this is a culmination of collective dreams of all Indians, and any derogatory comment would be taken as an attack on the sanctity of this nation and its people. When Chandrayaan-2 failed to make a soft-landing in 2019, it was not the failure of an individual, institution or government; it was an unsuccessful attempt by a nation to make its mark on the lunar surface and on the world stage. Today, that mark has been successfully made. This mission is also remarkable in many more ways. ISRO, as an organisation, has also uplifted women, signalling a social revolution in conservative India where the home is thought to be the ideal place for women. As many as 54 women scientists and engineers were involved in the Chandrayaan 3 project. An earlier BBC report quoted a lady mission director, Anuradha TK, as saying that anywhere between 20 to 25 per cent of ISROs 16,000 employees are women. These women are fondly described as the Rocket Women of India. Director-level women have put in 30-plus years participating in multiple missions. The way women have come up in ISRO since the 1980s, it is apparent that gender equality has been one of its defining values. Leaders and scientists like Homi J Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam always wanted the youth of this country to be solution-oriented, positive-minded and productive individuals, who always have the next milestone in mind. While Chandrayaan 3 is a big success, the race has just begun and as an ISRO scientist put it, Give us the budget, we will go to Jupiter and Venus. The government must also ensure that if our space agencies were to compete with the developed countries, they would need better funding and infrastructure. India, a nation left in tatters by the imperialist forces in 1947, has woken up from the ashes like the Phoenix. The New York Times and their ilk, which were, till yesterday, mocking India as a nation of snake charmers and cow-worshippers waiting to enter the elite space group, have been given an answer. And an answer, not through mere words, but through concrete, tangible actions out for everyone to see today and tomorrow. The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The master of self-goals in India has done it again. In 2014, just before the general elections, he took a chaiwala jibe and the fate of the Congress, which was already on a slippery ground following a series of scandals hitting the then UPA government, was sealed without doubt. In 2019, he came up with a neech aadmi diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the grand old party found itself crawling on the ground in the second general elections in a row. In 2023, he is back in news again: This time he has trained his guns on a late Congress leader, who was Indias first accidental Prime Minister, and a path-breaking one, as Sanjaya Baru describes him in his book 1991. Congress leader and former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Wednesday accused former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao of being communal and described him as the first BJP PM of the country. The former diplomat, speaking at the launch of his autobiography, Memoirs of a Maverick: The First Fifty Years (1941-1991), said that he discovered first-hand how communal and how Hindu-oriented Rao was. Aiyar narrated a conversation he had with the then Prime Minister at a time when the former was planning to lead a Ram-Rahim yatra. Narasimha Rao told me that he had no objection to my yatra, but he disagreed with my definition of secularism. I said what is wrong with my definition of secularism. He said, Mani, you dont seem to understand that this is a Hindu country. I sat up in my chair and said that is exactly what the BJP says, Aiyar recounted. One can understand Aiyars state of mind and, of course, the skewed sense of priorities the Congress has today given his propensity to come out so aggressively against his own former prime minister, who, as Rajiv Dogra writes in Indias World: How Prime Ministers Shaped Foreign Policy, transformed this country. If Jawaharlal Nehru discovered India, and if Indira Gandhi made it proud, Narasimha Rao transformed it, Dogra writes matter-of-factly. Its ironic to see the Congress disowning one of its own prime ministers, especially the one whose impact on the nations fortune went way beyond the economy (Baru). This comes at a time when the Congress finds itself waging an existential battle in Indian politics and more so, when it has already forfeited a lot of its stellar leaders to the saffron party, thanks to its obsession with a family. Sonia Gandhi was in the audience when Aiyar made this statement. He may, therefore, have the silent blessings of the High Command. Sonia Gandhis hostility for Rao is well recorded. She, in fact, singlehandedly ensured that a memorial for Rao doesnt find a place in New Delhi, despite being in active politics in the national capital for decades. Author Vinay Sitapati, in Half Lion: How PV Narasimha Rao Transformed India, gives a graphic detail on how the late Prime Minister was denied a rightful place and space in Delhi after his death. The home minister, Shivraj Patil, suggested to Raos youngest son, Prabhakara, that the body should be cremated in Hyderabad. But the family preferred Delhi. After all, Rao had last been chief minister of Andhra Pradesh more than thirty years ago, and had since worked as Congress general secretary, Union minister, and finally prime minister all in Delhi. On hearing this, the usually decorous Shivraj Patil snapped, No one will come, Sitapati writes. Thereafter, Ghulam Nabi Azad and YS Rajasekhara Reddy reached out to Raos family Reddy, being the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, promised a grand memorial for Rao in Hyderabad! Later in the day, prime minister Manmohan Singh entered the room and asked Prabhakara: What do you want to do with the body? To this, Raos son replied, These people say it should be in Hyderabad This (Delhi) is his karmabhoomi. You should convince your Cabinet colleagues. Manmohan nodded. Sonia Gandhi was standing near, but mostly kept quiet. When Sanjaya Baru arrived, Ahmed Patel sought his intervention. Barus bureaucrat father knew Rao from the 1960s and he was close to the family. Sonias political secretary tapped him on the shoulder. You know the family, Patel said. The body should be taken to Hyderabad. Can you convince them? Sitapati quotes Prabhakara as saying, We sensed even then that Sonia-ji did not want Fathers funeral in Delhi. She did not want a memorial (in Delhi) She did not want him (to be seen) as an all-India leader. The next morning, when Raos body, draped in the national flag, was being taken to the airport, it was planned to stop at 24 Akbar Road, the Congress headquarters. As the body approached 24 Akbar Road, located adjacent to Sonia Gandhis residence, the funeral procession slowed. The entrance gate to the compound looked firmly shut. There were several senior Congressmen present, but hardly any cadres had been rustled up. No slogans filled the air, just deathly silence. The carriage stopped on the pavement outside, as Sonia Gandhi and others came out to pay their respects. It was customary for the bodies of past Congress presidents to be taken inside the party headquarters so that ordinary workers could pay their respects. The family was somewhat dazed when this did not happen. A friend of Raos asked a senior Congresswoman to let the body in. The gate does not open, she replied. This was untrue, the friend remembers. When Madhavrao Scindia died (some years earlier) the gate was opened for him. Manmohan Singh now lives in a guarded bungalow a few minutes from Akbar Road. When asked why Raos body wasnt allowed into the Congress headquarters, he replies that he was present, but has no knowledge of this. Another Congressman is more forthcoming. We were expecting the gate to be opened but no order came. Only one person could give that order. He adds, She did not give it. However, to singularly blame Sonia Gandhi would be unfair. She is only continuing a family-first policy that she inherited and which has been pursued for long, especially since Indira Gandhis time. The virus of dynasticism has badly tampered with the democratic values of the Congress, turning into a private company where the Nehru-Gandhis would alone rule and only their relatives, friends and acquaintances would assist and advise in matters of governance. How could she have forgiven Narasimha Rao, who had threatened the very existence of the family in Indian politics? Aiyar, for all his political blunders, remains a Nehru-Gandhi loyalist. Hailing from Doon School and later St Stephens College, he was an integral part of Rajiv Gandhis PMO between 1985 and 1989, and, thanks to his closeness to the then Prime Minister, was dubbed his Mani Friday. Veteran journalist Tavleen Singh, in Durbar, talks about Rajiv Gandhis weakness for the English-speaking, Doon School-educated Indians with whom he had grown up. Unfortunately, like him, they were apolitical and unfamiliar with the complexities of ruling a country as diverse and difficult as India so none of them could help bring the changes that the country so desperately needed. Even in his choice of bureaucrats Rajiv was inclined towards Doon School types like Mani Shankar Aiyar, who was given charge of his relations with the media. But he was a bumptious ex-Marxist with an offensive manner that did little to endear either him, or the new prime minister, to journalists and Rajiv paid a heavy price for this later when his troubles began. This weakness for the English-speaking, Doon School-educated Indians not just created an elitist Lutyens club mostly cut off from the countrys realities, but also it paved the way for institutional and institutionalised corruption, especially near the power centre. Tavleen Singh writes how there was suddenly a lot of money among Rajiv and Sonias friends. No longer did they travel economy when they went abroad and no longer did they stay with friends in London and New York. They stayed in expensive hotels and this was such a new and wondrous experience for them that they liked slipping names like Claridges and the Meurice into accounts of their travels. I remember on a trip to Washington being astounded to discover that one of Rajivs poorest friends spent a month occupying two suites in the Watergate hotel. If the Congress finds itself in a sorry state today, its primarily due to the dynastic nature of the party that has turned it into a family enterprise. When a family behaves like a party, and a party is made to act in favour of a family, then common political sense becomes a casualty. And common sense suggests the embattled Congress today needs Narasimha Rao and his pragmatic politics more than ever before. Mani Shankar Aiyar is just a symptom of the malady ailing the party that has played a great role in Indias Independence. The real issue is the unabashed and entrenched dynasticism that has sucked the Congress hollow from within. This is unfortunate. Not just for the Congress but the current state of Indian politics as well. A successful, vibrant democracy needs a strong, competitive Opposition. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Greece while returning from the BRICS Summit in South Africa. His visit is the first by an Indian prime minister in 40 years since Indira Gandhis visit in 1983. Modis visit would not just strengthen India-Greece bilateral relations, but it would also be another step in enhancing Indias outreach to the Mediterranean region. Outreach to the Mediterranean region is vital to Indias geopolitical interests from two perspectives. First, the Mediterranean region covers three continents Asia, Africa and Europe. Greater engagements with countries of this region increase Indias connections across three continents. Second, the Mediterranean region is also important for Indias Indo-Pacific policy. The past few years have seen an increasing number of European countries, particularly those located in this region like France and Italy, formulating their own Indo-Pacific policies. India as a major power of the Indo-Pacific region is an important partner for the Mediterranean countries to connect with the Indo-Pacific. Indias ties with the Mediterranean region are not recent but could be termed as unequal, implying that India enjoyed close ties with only few countries in the region. However, India has been redefining its engagements with this region from time to time. Indias trajectory in relations with the Mediterranean region could be understood in three phases. The first phase of engagement was limited to shared goals at individual and global level. This refers to Indias ties with Egypt. Egypt has been one of Indias oldest links to the region. Indias interactions with Egypt have spanned on either side of Indias independence. In the pre-independence era, India and Egypt shared a common interest of independence from the British. Post-independence, both the countries cooperated on the shared vision of non-alignment. Parallel to Egypt, France has also been an important Mediterranean country that developed close ties with India in the post-independence period. France has been supporting Indias quest to be a nuclear power since 1974. The second phase was marked with India strengthening its ties with France and Israel starting from the early 1990s. It resulted from India opening its economy and seeking to expand its foreign engagements with the western countries following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. This phase proved to be vital and extremely fruitful for Indias relations with the Mediterranean region. Since the 1990s, France and Israel have become top suppliers of defence equipment to India. France is one of Indias oldest strategic partners as the two countries entered into a strategic partnership agreement in 1998. Similarly Israel is also a strategic partner of India as the two countries cooperate in diverse areas such as defence, technology, agriculture and trade. In the third phase of engagement with the Mediterranean region, India is following a two-pronged approach. First is building upon the ties with the countries with which it already has cordial relations. Second is expanding outreach by engaging with those countries with which it had little interaction hitherto. Last one decade has witnessed India intensifying its engagements with the region. Indias defence cooperation with France and Israel has only deepened. On the other hand, India is reaching out to countries like Egypt, Spain, Italy, Cyprus and Greece for a greater footprint in the region. With Egypt, India is resetting its ties. In the case of Spain and Greece, India is reaching out to them after a long gap. As aforesaid, Greece will welcome an Indian prime minister after 40 years. And, in 2017, Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Spain in 24 years. India is following the trajectory of its ties with France and Israel while increasing footprint across the region. Strategic cooperation is the defining factor as India is developing new friendships in the Mediterranean region. This is evident from Indias engagements with Spain, Italy and with Greece as well. During Modis visit India and Greece are expected to sign a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to strengthen ties in the areas of defence and trade. India is procuring Airbus C-295 aircraft from Spain. Egypt has shown interest in purchasing Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas from India. While defence cooperation has played an integral part of Indias relations with the Mediterranean region, India has also been proactive in exploiting the fault lines in the geopolitics of the region to protect its own strategic interests. Turkey has been an irritant in Indias otherwise cordial ties with the region. Turkeys open support to Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir issue has met with a befitting reply from India time and again. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2019, 2020 and 2021. In 2019, India countered Turkeys actions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding meetings with the leaders of Greece and Cyprus (as also Armenia), as these countries have territorial disputes with Turkey. In 2020, Indias then Permanent Representative to the United Nations T S Tirumurti called on Turkey to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations. In 2021, Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the Foreign Minister of Cyprus and called for adherence to the resolutions of the United Nations with respect to Cyprus. While India had sent humanitarian aid to Turkey in February this year following a devastating earthquake, there is little possibility of any breakthrough in the India-Turkey relations. Meanwhile India is engaging with like-minded countries as a counter to Turkey. The Mediterranean region is important for India to increase its strategic footprint. Modis visit to Greece will further strengthen Indias presence in the region. The author is a political analyst and researcher based in Vadodara. His areas of specialisation include international relations, foreign policy and geopolitics. He tweets @NiranjanMarjani. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The EU Digital Services Act, which is kicking off this week, is bringing about significant changes in how the big players in the Internet world operate within Europe. Its set to impact major tech and social media giants such as Google, Facebook, and TikTok. This marks a pivotal moment in regulating Internet giants. The DSAs primary goal is to ensure online user safety and counteract the dissemination of harmful content, whether illegal or in violation of platform terms. Additionally, it aims to safeguard fundamental rights for Europeans, including privacy and freedom of speech. The EU has long held a leading role in scrutinizing tech giants, who must now adhere to the DSAs regulations starting from Friday. Non-compliance could result in substantial fines, potentially reaching billions of euros. Everybodys under the scanner Currently, 19 platforms are under its scope. Among these are eight social media platforms: Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Snapchat.Additionally, there are five online marketplaces affected: Amazon, Booking.com, Chinas Alibaba AliExpress, and Germanys Zalando. Both mobile app stores, Google Play and Apples App Store, fall under the new regulations, as do Googles Search and Microsofts Bing search engine. Google Maps and Wikipedia are also included. The EUs list is determined by the number of users a platform has. Those with 45 million users or more will face the highest level of regulation outlined in the DSA. However, some insiders in Brussels have pointed out certain significant omissions from this list, including eBay, Airbnb, Netflix, and PornHub. Any business offering digital services to Europeans will eventually need to comply with the DSA. Tech companies willing to comply with directives Platforms are already introducing new methods for European users to report illegal online content and questionable products, which companies will be required to swiftly and impartially remove. For instance, Amazon has set up a new channel for reporting suspected illegal products and is providing more information about third-party merchants. TikTok has introduced an additional reporting option for users to flag potentially illegal content, including advertisements. A dedicated team of moderators and legal experts will then assess whether the flagged content violates policies or is unlawful and should be taken down. The reason for removal will be communicated to both the content poster and the flagger, with the option to appeal decisions. The DSA also forbids targeting vulnerable groups, including children, with ads. Some are also resisting DSA Zalando, a German online fashion retailer, has filed a legal challenge against being categorized as one of the largest online platforms under the DSA. They argue that this classification is unfair. The company, represented by Aurelie Caulier, Zalandos head of public affairs for the EU, has expressed support for the DSA. She remarked that the regulation will bring about many positive changes for consumers. However, she noted that Zalando doesnt pose the systemic risks that other platforms do, which is why they believe they dont fit in the same category. Amazon has also taken a similar course of action by filing a case with a top EU court. Companies failing to adhere to the rules could face fines amounting to up to 6 per cent of their global revenue, potentially reaching billions. They could even face exclusion from the EU for non-compliance. A grace period to get things started However, immediate fines for individual breaches wont be imposed. The DSAs primary objective is to provide the EU with insights into companies algorithms to determine whether they have appropriate processes in place. EU officials are not only concerned about user behavior such as bullying and the spread of illegal content but also about how platforms function and contribute to negative effects. Under the new rules, the largest platforms will be required to identify and assess potential systemic risks and demonstrate their efforts to mitigate them. These risk assessments are expected to be completed by the end of August and will subsequently undergo independent auditing. India has established its first AI school in Kerala. In a momentous development, the Santhigiri Vidyabhavan was inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The auspicious inauguration was officiated by former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. However, if youre under the impression that the school will exclusively feature AI instructors like ChatGPT in its classrooms, its essential to exercise patience, as that concept has not yet come to fruition. The school is a perfect example of an educational institution that leverages the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technological systems to elevate the learning experience for students. This encompasses the integration of AI technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and data analysis, into various facets of education, including curriculum designing, tailored learning approaches for a group of students, evaluation, and assisting students across various academic challenges. According to a report by Mathrubhoomi, the establishment of the AI school is the outcome of a collaboration between iLearning Engines (ILE) USA and Vedhik eSchool. Dormer Chief Secretaries, DGPs, and Vice Chancellors etc. helped establish the school. Vedhik eSchool asserts that this innovative approach to learning, driven by artificial intelligence, is poised to deliver high-quality education. The program adheres to global benchmarks, thereby rendering learning more captivating and extending beyond the confines of regular school hours. Furthermore, the knowledge imparted aligns with the National School Accreditation Standards, which are founded on the New National Education Policy (NEP 2020). This alignment holds the promise of improved academic performance. The AI school is designed with the intention of furnishing students with an education that is technologically enriched, offering an array of resources, tools, and guidance that transcend conventional teaching methods. It introduces an inventive educational paradigm that harnesses the power of AI to elevate learning outcomes and equip students to navigate the demands of a swiftly evolving world. The inauguration of Indias inaugural AI school sparks an interesting inquiry: Could sophisticated AI systems like ChatGPT eventually supplant teachers within classrooms? While the advent of the AI school signifies a significant advancement in technology-integrated education, the conventional roles of educators continue to hold immense importance. The interactive and dynamic human element, characterized by empathy and tailored mentorship, remains irreplaceable in its entirety by AI. In the midst of devastating wildfires sweeping through Greece, authorities have denounced those responsible as arsonist scum following the detention of 79 individuals linked to arson activities. Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister of Civil Protection, disclosed that a series of deliberate ignition attempts were made by suspected arsonists on Mount Parnitha, located to the northwest of Athens. These blazes are among the numerous infernos that have plagued the nation, resulting in a death toll of no less than 20 people this week alone. In a televised statement on Thursday, Mr. Kikilias asserted, By igniting these fires, you are committing a grievous offence against our nation. He continued, These arsonist culprits are instigating conflagrations that imperil not only our forests and properties, but most critically, human lives He warned, You will not evade justice; we will unearth your identities and ensure you are held responsible. The authorities, in collaboration with the intelligence agency EYP, are actively investigating these incidents, as confirmed by AFP news agency. Pavlos Marinakis, the government spokesperson, shared with Greek public broadcaster ERT that out of the 140 individuals arrested in connection with the wildfires, 79 are linked to suspected arson activities. For several days now, firefighting crews from across Greece have been tirelessly battling these lethal wildfires. The extensive firefront that erupted near the port city of Alexandroupolis last Saturday has now become the largest on record within the European Union, according to Janez Lenarcic, the European Commissioner. Simultaneously, in the vicinity of Athens on Mount Parnitha, flames have engulfed a woodland adjacent to the capital, placing a national park in jeopardy. Earlier this week, in the Evros region of northeastern Greece, 19 bodies believed to be migrants, including children, were discovered. Additionally, a shepherd lost his life in the fires in the Boeotia region on Monday. Mr. Kikilias remarked on Wednesday that the country is enduring its most severe summer since the introduction of fire-risk maps back in 2009. Greece is no stranger to summer wildfires, and scientific experts have correlated the rising occurrence and intensity of extreme weather phenomena, including heatwaves, with the phenomenon of climate change. Stefan Doerr, who heads the Centre for Wildfire Research at Swansea University, explained that landscapes that are more susceptible to ignition either due to high temperatures or inadequate vegetation management are predisposed to swiftly transform incidents of arson and other triggers into rapidly spreading wildfires. Merely last month, thousands were compelled to evacuate in the wake of wildfires erupting on the Greek island of Rhodes and in other regions of the nation. Denmark on Friday said it plans to ban Quran burnings through new legislation after a string of desecrations of Islams holy book in the Scandinavian nation sparked anger in Muslim countries. The Danish government will present a bill that will prohibit the inappropriate treatment of objects of significant religious importance to a religious community, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard told reporters. He said the legislation was aimed especially at burnings and desecrations in public places. Hummelgaard said Quran burnings were a fundamentally contemptuous and unsympathetic act that harm Denmark and its interests. The new legislation would be included in chapter 12 of Denmarks penal code, which covers national security. Hummelgaard said that the national security was the main motivation for the ban. We cant continue to stand by with our arms crossed while several individuals do everything they can to provoke violent reactions, he said. The legislation will also apply to desecrations of the Bible, the Torah or, for example, a crucifix. Those who break the new law will run the risk of a fine and two years in prison. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou conferred Prime Minister Narendra Modi with The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour on Friday. The Order of Honour was established in 1975. The head of the goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the Star with the inscription ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONOURED. PM Modis decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest has been recognised, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Earlier today, Modi met the Indian diaspora in Athens who greeted him outside the airport as well as in Hotel Grande Bretagne. At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also briefly interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. Modis visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has visited Greece in 40 years. Before this, Modi met the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou who facilitated him with the guard of honour. Indias growing connection with Greece is also an efficient countermeasure against Chinas expanding influence in the Mediterranean region. Beijing has been strengthening its economic and military presence in the area and New Delhis Greece visit is a perfect move to check that growing influence. India and Greece on Friday agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic level and double the two-way trade by 2030. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the Hellenic Republic at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Both leaders held high-level talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere and they noted the ongoing cooperation between the two sides and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, said an India-Greece joint statement. Building on the foundation of the long-standing warm and close relationship between their countries and peoples, the two leaders decided to upgrade Greek-Indian bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership and agreed to work to further expand bilateral cooperation in political, security and economic spheres, it added. The two Prime Ministers also decided to take steps to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries. Appreciating the increase in bilateral trade and economic engagement in recent years, the leaders also directed that both sides shall work to double bilateral trade by 2030, the statement said. The bilateral merchandise trade stood at about USD 2 billion in 2022-23, according to Indian government data. Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for further broadening and deepening bilateral engagements, in the field of defence, shipping, science and technology, cyber space, education, culture, tourism and agriculture. They took note of the signing of the MOU on cooperation in the field of agriculture, including the establishment of a Hellenic-Indian Joint Sub-committee on Agriculture for facilitating sectoral cooperation for mutual benefit, the joint statement said. Both leaders directed their senior officials to ensure regular dialogue in the areas including political, economic, defence, security and public diplomacy, it said, and the two leaders also agreed to encourage direct flights between Greece and India. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Greece into the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and looked forward to Greeces membership of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Greece and India are a natural match and the foundation of the relations between the two countries is ancient and strong. Addressing the media after holding bilateral talks with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, PM Modi said, Greece and India are a natural match between two ancient civilisations of the world, between two ancient democratic ideologies and between two ancient trade and cultural relations. The foundation of our relation is ancient and strong #WATCH | Athens, Greece | PM Narendra Modi says, Greece and India are a natural match between two ancient civilisations of the world, between two ancient democratic ideologieas and between two ancient trade and cultural relations. The foundation of our relation is ancient and pic.twitter.com/nILbZQ6RHK ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 He said that though an Indian Prime Minister has visited Greece after a long gap of 40 years, the depth and warmth of the relationship between the two ancient civilisations have not decreased. After a long gap of 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister has come to Greece. Still, the depth and warmth of our relations have not decreased. So, the (Greek) PM and I have decided to take India-Greece relations to a strategic level. We have decided to increase our cooperation in the areas of defence and security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, new and emerging technology and skill development and strengthen our strategic partnership. #WATCH | Athens, Greece | PM Narendra Modi says, After a long gap of 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister has come to Greece. Still, the depth and warmth of our relations have not decreased. So, the (Greek) PM and I have decided to take India-Greece relations to a strategic level. pic.twitter.com/6oqnKKhoOB ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 PM Modi said, in the area of defence and security, we have agreed to empower military relations as well as the defence industry. Today, we held discussions over mutual cooperation in the area of terrorism and cyber security. We have decided that there should also be an NSA-level dialogue platform. PM and I agree that our bilateral trade is increasing rapidly and there is immense potential for an increase in the time ahead too. So, we have decided to double our bilateral trade by 2030, added PM Modi. The Prime Minister also said that an agreement has been signed for cooperation in the Agriculture sector. To make skilled migration between the two countries easier, we have decided to strike a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement soon, he added. PM Modi also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people and President of Hellenic Republic for honouring him with The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. #WATCH | Athens, Greece | PM Narendra Modi says, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people and President of Hellenic Republic for honouring me with The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. I accepted this on behalf of 140 crore Indians and expressed my gratitude. https://t.co/i1DowtQKsr pic.twitter.com/BBQrPOTVXg ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 I accepted this on behalf of 140 crore Indians and expressed my gratitude, said the PM. Welcoming PM Modis invitation to visit India, Mitsotakis said that Greece is ready to proceed side by side in dealing with the challenges of our times. We are ready to proceed side by side in dealing with the challenges of our times, especially in the period of upheaval and war in Ukraine facts which make it even more necessary to respect the UN Charter, said Mitsotakis. #WATCH | Athens | Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis says, We are ready to proceed side by side in dealing with the challenges of our times, especially in the period of upheaval and war in Ukraine facts which make it even more necessary to respect the UN Charter pic.twitter.com/bKSQ4c4rkW ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Mitsotakis also congratulated India for the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on lunar surface. Congratulations for conquering the south pole of the moon, said the Greek Prime Minister. Earlier, Mitsotakis warmly welcomed PM Modi after his meeting with President Katerina N Sakellaropoulou. The two leaders then discussed ways to further cement bilateral ties. During his talks with President Sakellaropoulou, Modi said the success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only the victory of India, it is the triumph of the entire humankind. The findings of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind, Modi said, thanking the president for her wishes on Indias successful Moon mission. Modi arrived in the Greek capital from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement Indias relations with those countries. He was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis at the airport. With inputs from agencies The Indian Diaspora in Athens, Greece has expressed excitement and happiness over Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming visit to the country. Managing Director of Startup Greece Organization Thanos Paraschos said it is very important to have leaders like PM Modi. I am here to welcome PM Modi to Greece. We have seen remarkable progress in the technology that has contributed to the world, in the last nine years. Yesterday, was a remarkable day for humanity, we saw the efforts of India Space technology come to life, Paraschos said. We are very proud and honoured to have PM Modi in our country. It is very important for us to have leaders like PM Modi. India and Greece have to work together to build strong ties and to make the world a better place, he added. Daljeet Singh who has been living in Greece for the last 30 years, said, It felt good to know that PM Modi is coming hereIt was great of him to open the corridor to Pakistan (Kartarpur Corridor)We will welcome him with Bhangra A chef in Athens, Jitender, said, PM Modi is arriving here, we are all very happy. The entire Greece is very happy. He is most welcome. We congratulate him for the Chandrayaan Mission Prior to the PMs visit, members of the Indian diaspora in Greece were seen raising slogans of Bharat Mata ki jai, Vande Mataram and Modi ji zindabad Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Greece on 25 August. PM Modi on Thursday emplaned for Greece on the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He departed from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was attending the BRICS summit. Meanwhile, Greek students from a Bollywood dance academy will be performing at the Indian diaspora event in Athens today. Ahead of PM visit, the students were seen preparing for the event in a video posted by ANI. #WATCH | Athens | Greek students from a Bollywood dance academy prepare to perform at the Indian diaspora event in Athens, Greece. PM Narendra Modi will visit Greece today at the invitation of Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to pic.twitter.com/12MKeERo3p ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023 We are very excited that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to our country. We have prepared something special for him. This is the first time, Greek women will participate in the Indian diaspora to welcome our Prime Minister. We promote Indian classical dance forms, culture and Indian festivals, said Choreographer Suman Rudra. #WATCH | Choreographer Suman Rudra says We are very excited that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to our country. We have prepared something special for him. This is the first time, Greek women will participate in the Indian diaspora to welcome our prime minister. We pic.twitter.com/uKkSJpsZhk ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023 During his visit to Greece, PM Modi will receive a ceremonial reception on his arrival and will also hold meetings with the Greek President and Prime Minister. The PM will meet his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leaders will discuss ways to further deepen the ties between the two nations. He will also interact with business leaders from both countries. He will also have an interaction with the Indian community in Greece. A business lunch hosted by the Greek PM is also scheduled during the visit. PM Modi will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens and interact with the Indian community there. MEA said in a press release, Following his visit to South Africa, Prime Minister will pay an official visit to Greece on 25 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E. Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years. It further said, India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. The Kremlin on Friday denied claims that it gave orders to kill Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prighozin. Russian President Vladimir Putins official spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told BBC that the allegations that the Kremlin ordered Prighozins death is a complete lie. The Wagner chief, who led a rebellion against the Russian military a few months ago, was reportedly on the list of passengers who died in a plane crash near Moscow. In the West of course this speculation comes from a certain angle. Its all a complete lie. Of course when we talk about this issue we should be guided only by facts, Peskov said. He added, We dont have many facts at the moment, the facts need to be clarified during the official investigation which is being carried out now. The spokesperson also refused to comment that Moscow has a confirmation that Prighozin was definitely on board the downed plane. He also added that it was impossible to say whether Putin would attend the Wagner boss funeral as he has a very full schedule. Meanwhile, earlier today, Putin broke his silence on the plane crash a day earlier that reportedly killed mercenary boss Prigozhin and other senior members of the Wagner paramilitary group. In televised comments, Putin offered his sincere condolences to the families of all the victims, describing the crash as a tragedy. Although Moscow opened a probe into violations of air traffic rules, investigators have been silent since, as speculation of a possible assassination has grown. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Kyiv had nothing to do with the incident. Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence Thursday on the plane crash a day earlier that reportedly killed mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and other senior members of the Wagner paramilitary group. In televised comments, Putin offered his sincere condolences to the families of all the victims, describing the crash as a tragedy. Prigozhin was registered on the plane that was carrying nine others who are also presumed to have died. Wednesday evenings crash took place exactly two months after Prigozhin led a rebellion against Moscows top military brass, considered by some observers to have been the biggest threat to Putins long rule. Although Moscow opened a probe into violations of air traffic rules, investigators have been silent since, as speculation of a possible assassination has grown. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Kyiv had nothing to do with the incident. I think everyone knows who this concerns, he said, in what appeared to be a reference to Putin. There is a court in The Hague, there is a court of God. But Russia has an alternative (court) President Putin, he said when asked again about the air crash later Thursday. A common cause When Putin broke his silence on Thursday, he paid a qualified tribute to the mercenary boss and the paramilitary group he led. I knew Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early 90s. He was a man of complicated fate, and he made serious mistakes in his life, but he achieved the right results, Putin said. In an address to Russians during the Wagner rebellion on 23-24 June in which he warned against civil war, Putin had called Prigozhin once his ally a traitor. But on Thursday, he said the Wagner members who had died in the crash had made a significant contribution to Moscows offensive in Ukraine. They had shared a common cause, Putin said, adding: We remember that, we know that, and we will not forget that. He said the investigation into the crash would take time, but added: It will be conducted in full and brought to a conclusion. Chechen strongman and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov paid tribute to Prigozhins iron character in a message on Telegram. But he added: Recently he either did not see or did not want to see the full picture of what is happening in the country. Reasonable doubts Some Western leaders expressed doubts that the crash had been an accident. Theres not much that happens in Russia that Putins not behind, said US President Joe Biden, after having said he did not know what happened. France saw reasonable doubts about the crash, while Germany said it followed a pattern of unclarified fatalities in Russia. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said it was suspicious that a disgraced former confidant of Putin suddenly, literally falls from the sky two months after he attempted a mutiny. Even influential pro-Kremlin figures, such as state television personality and Putin ally Margarita Simonyan, seemed to suggest that it could have been an assassination. Among the versions that are being discussed (about the crash) is that it was staged. But personally, Im leaning towards the more obvious one, she said on social media. Russias aviation authority published the passenger list for the Embraer private jet late on Wednesday. It included Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin, a shadowy figure who managed Wagners operations and allegedly served in Russian military intelligence. Russian police patrolled the crash site near the village of Kuzhenkino, some 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of Moscow in the Tver region. One woman living near Kuzhenkino said her neighbour had heard a roar and saw sparkling from the plane, accompanied by fire. A neighbour ran up to me with shaking hands and when we went to the window I saw only one mushroom (cloud from the explosion), a black cloud, she said in video published by state-run news agency RIA Novosti. Real patriot Video verified by AFP from the scene appeared to show the Embraer Legacy plane in a plume of white smoke as it fell from the sky. The Flightradar24 tracker website said the plane flying from Moscow to Saint Peterburg appeared on their radar until the last 30 seconds and descended dramatically at around 15:20 GMT. Some Wagner-linked Telegram channels initially suggested the plane had been shot down by Russian air defence, on a day when Kyiv struck Russia with more drone attacks. In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said the US military had no information to suggest that there was a surface to air missile involved in the crash. While they did not know what had caused the crash, Ryder added: Our assessment, based on a variety of factors, is that he (Prigozhin) was likely killed. Prigozhin appeared to enjoy some popularity in Russia. He appealed to nationalist-leaning Russians also suspicious of the army leadership during the Ukraine offensive who embraced his tough-guy style. Some even speculated that he would take part in the 2024 presidential election, which is expected to extend Putins rule until at least 2030. He was one of the few real patriots in our country, Pavel Zakharov said as he laid flowers at Wagners headquarters in Saint Petersburg. Many Russians eagerly awaited Prigozhins outspoken, often expletive-laden social media videos, a sharp contrast to the tightly controlled narrative of Russian officials. Ukrainians hope death true Wagner offices were still operating and even recruiting in Russia after Prigozhins rebellion, which saw his men take over a military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and march on Moscow. In Siberia, a region from where Wagner recruited heavily, people also laid flowers at the mercenary companys office in Novosibirsk. But in Ukraine, where Wagner fighters were known for their exceptional brutality including extrajudicial killings of their own men many welcomed the news of Prigozhins death. I feel really happy that this person died, if it is true, government worker Iryna Kuchina told AFP in Kyiv. Prigozhin recruited tens of thousands of Russian convicts to fight in Ukraine, often thrown into the front line. Wagners future without Prigozhin remained unclear. Fuzzy pictures of a disheveled man holding a spear in a German forest have sparked talk that the tales about a wolf man roaming the Harz region might be real. Hikers managed to capture two photos that depict a naked and unkempt man seated on a rock. In his left hand, he clutches a lengthy stick, while he employs another tool in his right hand to scratch at the rocks surface. Gina Weiss and her companion Tobi assert that they took these snapshots with their mobile phones during a stroll beneath a series of sandstone caves within Harz National Park on Tuesday. We spotted the wolf man as we reached the sandstone caves, shared Ms Weiss with the German tabloid Bild. He was positioned atop one of the caves, gripping a long wooden stick like a spear. He never diverted his gaze from us and didnt utter a single word, she recounted, revealing that the encounter persisted for about 10 minutes. He seemed unclean and his conduct resembled that of a prehistoric figure from a history textbook, she appended. According to Bild, sporadic sightings of this individual have arisen since 2015. Local authorities claim to have discovered evidence of someone starting fires and constructing rudimentary shelters within the woods. However, a volunteer from the local fire service informed The Telegraph that they hadnt observed anything unusual in the forest. They deemed the narrative absurd and speculated that the pictures might be a prank. Given that one-third of Germanys landmass is covered by thick forests, accounts of hermits subsisting off the land emerge occasionally in local media. Back in 2007, an American citizen was found inhabiting a hut in the heart of the Eifel, a minor mountain range in western Germany. There, he had nurtured a small marijuana plantation. The contemporary legends linked to these woods, which provided inspiration for numerous beloved fairy tales by the German Brothers Grimm, exert a powerful hold on the collective imagination. During this summer, reports emerged of a lion prowling the woodlands outside Berlin. This stirred substantial attention for several days, until the creature was unveiled to be a wild boar. Authorities in the affluent suburb of Kleinmachnow instructed residents to remain indoors after asserting that they possessed video evidence showcasing the hindquarters of a lioness. Following futile searches by helicopters and drones, local authorities were compelled to acknowledge that this was a case of mistaken identity. No definitive proof has yet emerged that Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was on-board an aircraft that crashed with no survivors near Moscow earlier this week, but it is highly likely he is dead, Britains Ministry of Defence said on Friday. Russia, however, has indicated that Prigozhin was definitely listed as a passenger on the plane which fell from the sky northwest of Moscow on Wednesday evening, two months to the day after he led an abortive mutiny against the Russian army top brass. Russian investigators have set up a probe into what happened, but have not officially confirmed the identities of the 10 bodies recovered from the wreckage. There is not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was on-board and he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. However, it is highly likely that he is indeed dead, the British ministry said in a defence intelligence update posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said intelligence suggested Prigozhin was most likely on the plane. Were obviously monitoring the situation very closely, working with our allies to establish what happened, he told reporters. The Ministry of Defence said Prigozhins demise would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on the Wagner Group. His personal attributes of hyper-activity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor, the defence intelligence update said. Wagners leadership vacuum would be compounded by the reports that founder and field commander Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov also died, British officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Greece on Thursday, was greeted by the Indian diaspora with fervour and enthusiasm. The Indian community received PM Modi with a warm welcome and presented him with a traditional Greek headdress. #WATCH | Indian community presents Greek headdress to PM Modi in Athens, accords him a warm welcome pic.twitter.com/XdH9Sf1mXY ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 This also marks the first time an Indian prime minister has visited Greece in 40 years. An Indian businessman said, We feel great that PM Modi has come here. I am sure the PMs visit to Greece will raise the name of the country here. #WATCH | We feel great that PM Modi has come here. I am sure the PMs visit to Greece will raise the name of the country here, says an Indian businessman who has been in Greece for over two decades now. pic.twitter.com/QZpQlo4ffv ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Another member of the Indian diaspora said, We have high expectations from PM Modis visit to GreeceHe is a very good Prime Minister who listens to everyone. #WATCH | We have high expectations from PM Modis visit to GreeceHe is a very good Prime Minister who listens to everyone, says another member of the Indian community in Athens. pic.twitter.com/TPodZG4QPy ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Upon his arrival in the capital city of Athens, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, A packed day of engagements lie ahead in Athens as PM Modi has touched down in the country after attending the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. Heres what PM Modis day look like After a 3-day-long trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he engaged in bilateral talks with several leaders, PM Modi has another busy day ahead in Greece. On PM Modis one-day Greece visit, MEA spox Arindam Bagchi says, The PM will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Thereafter, he will meet the President of Greece, hold talks with the Greek PM and meet with business leaders of both sides. Before departing, the PM pic.twitter.com/JKLJThPFmO ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Dokra Art from Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya Shawl and Bidri work Vase Pair from Telangana to the Greece leaders including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis and the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou. PM Modi has become the first Indian prime Minister to visit Greece in 40 years. Meghalaya shawls carry a rich history and a royal lineage that dates back centuries. Meghalaya shawls were originally woven for the Khasi and Jaintia royalty, who considered them a symbol of their power and status. Meghalaya Shawl The shawls were worn during ceremonial occasions and festivals, and their intricate designs and vibrant colours were a reflection of the royal familys wealth and prestige. The designs used in Meghalaya shawls were highly symbolic. For instance, the use of animal motifs such as tigers and elephants was a symbol of power and strength, while the use of floral patterns was a symbol of beauty and grace. Renowned for their warmth and softness, Meghalaya shawls weaving is an art form that requires great skill and creativity. The weavers, mostly women, spend hours weaving intricate designs and patterns using traditional weaving techniques. The shawls are made using locally sourced wool, and natural dyes. The shawls are highly prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and intricate designs. The shawls have also gained international recognition and are sought after by textile enthusiasts worldwide. Earlier, addressing the media after holding bilateral talks with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, PM Modi said, Greece and India are a natural match between two ancient civilisations of the world, between two ancient democratic ideologies and between two ancient trade and cultural relations. The foundation of our relationship is ancient and strong Escaping persecution from the army and Buddhist fundamentalists in Myanmar, the beleaguered Rohingya minority fled to the neighbouring Muslim-majority country Bangladesh for refuge. Six years later, many of them today find themselves crammed in a filthy settlement in Bangladeshs Cox Bazar called the worlds largest refugee camp, with poverty, disease, and rising gang violence to boot. In 2022, 40 people lost their lives to gang violence in the camp. This year till mid-July 48 people have already fallen victim to the rising problem, according to a BCC report. Exploiting the hapless Rohingya are a population teeming with uncertainty, frustration and fear, and these strong emotions are capitalised on by militant groups and camp mafia. Groups like the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and the Munna Gang are active in Coxs Bazar camp, as per the BBC. To add to the refugees plight, Bangladesh considers them a burden and wants all of them to go back. In 2017 they even got Myanmar to agree to a repatriation deal, but nothing much came out of it. Bangladeshi authorities claim that these refugees are used as carriers by drug peddlers and thats what leads to the rise in crime. There are a million people without any opportunities. That creates space for criminals. They are violent and need to be held to account, Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch told the BBC. In September 2021, a popular Rohingya rights activist, Mohib Ullah, was gunned down while addressing a gathering of refugees. The gangs web of illicit activities spans from ransom to forced marriages and child recruitment. A former captive with the ARSA recalled the horror and how he escaped. I was made to stand in a stream day and night and was constantly beaten with wires and sticks. I thought I wouldnt make it, BCC quoted him as saying. His family was asked to pay $18000 for his release, but the family could only not put together that much. However, he managed to escape. Repatriation and fears The UN and other aid agencies, who bore most of the expense in setting up the camp now find their resources overstretched, especially after the war in Ukraine became the focus of the Western world. Earlier the refuges were given a $12 food voucher per head. Now thats been cut to $8. So far as host Bangladesh is concerned, it looks at their return as the only solution. It has even reached an understanding with Myanmar to that end in recent months and around 1000 refugees have been selected for the pilot project. But the Rohingya arent very keen on returning unless their safety is guaranteed. Unless our safety and security are guaranteed, unless we are allowed to go back to our villages, we are not keen on repatriation, says a Rohingya activist who did not want to be identified. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not visit India to attend the G20 summit that is scheduled in the national capital on September 9 and 10. President Vladimir Putin is not planning a trip to the G20 summit in India, which will be held in September. The main emphasis now is a special military operation, Russian Presidents Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says The president will not attend the meeting due to the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, Peskov said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has declared that all public, municipal corporations, private, and schools in the city will be closed from 8 to 10 September in anticipation of the G20 Summit. Taiwans defence ministry reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Friday, including 13 aircraft entering Taiwans response zone and five ships carrying out combat readiness patrols. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has complained for the past three years of increased military pressure from Beijing. On Saturday, China held a day of drills around Taiwan in an angry response to brief stop-overs this month in the United States by Vice President William Lai. The ministry said that starting about 7 am (2300 GMT), it had detected 22 Chinese aircraft fighters, bombers, early warning aircraft and drones of which 13 entered Taiwans response zone, though it did not give details. Taiwan sent aircraft and ships to monitor them, it said. China has not announced further drills around Taiwan since Saturday, though it frequently mounts such missions without acknowledging them beforehand or afterwards. Elon Musk has had several dust-ups with the American system over the years. In the latest tussle, the US Justice Department is suing Elon Musks SpaceX for alleged discriminatory practices against immigrants and asylum seekers, and not hiring them. Most people, who are not ardent fans of Elon Musk, often dismiss his cries against the US Left establishment as baseless. This time though, Elon Musk might be right when he says that he is the target of a witch hunt. The US Justice Department suing SpaceX for not hiring immigrants may be stemming from ignorance at best, or worse, reckless hypocrisy. Why Elon Musk is being sued this time The US Justice Department has accused Elon Musks Tesla of routinely discouraging asylees and refugees from applying to SpaceX for a job, and refusing to hire or even consider them, because of their citizenship status. The lawsuit also alleges that SpaceX falsely claimed in its hiring listings that only green card holders and United States citizens could work at the company owing to federal export control laws. American companies that work with rockets, spacecraft or similar technology that can be weaponised, need to abide by certain regulations that dictate how and who these companies can hire. One such regulation would be the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or ITAR. Itar imposes constraints on the dissemination of critical information related to launch systems for rockets and missiles that American companies are working on, to foreigners because of national security issues. NASAs employment policies NASA, the epitome of Americas space prowess for years, at its peak, categorically refused to hire people of foreign origin, unless they were approved by the FBI, the Secretary of Defense, and in certain cases, even the President. To this day, NASAs website reflects the same sentiment, although it does not provide too much detail. Other than extremely rare exceptions, you must be a US citizen to work for NASA as a civil service employee. If you are not a US citizen, you may wish to consider opportunities with one of our International Space Partners says NASAs website. SpaceX and NASA working together SpaceX and NASA have similar functions, and in fact, are working together closely on a number of projects. NASA is in fact one of SpaceXs biggest clients. The two of them have several missions planned together, the most important of which is the Artemis mission to put human beings back into space after decades. The Artemis 3, for example, scheduled for a 2024 launch, will put humans (NASAs astronauts to be specific) back on the Moon after decades. Although we dont know the specifics of the contracts signed between NASA and SpaceX, it wouldnt be too farfetched to assume that there would be at least one clause that states that SpaceX has to take all measures and precautions so that vital and critical technology that is indigenous to the US does not leak out, especially to states that are not allies of the US. Teslas Hiring policies Anyone claiming that Elon Musk is a xenophobe and does not want to hire foreigners whether they are refugees or asylees, needs to touch grass. Tesla employs foreign nationals by the hundreds, and that too in crucial positions. There are several hundreds of Indians working on Teslas software, the most vital aspect of their EVs. Teslas CFO, Vaibhav Taneja, is just one example of a person of foreign origin, at a key position within the company. Under ITAR, people of foreign nationalities, be it immigrants, residents, or asylee seekers, need to be cleared by a bunch of departments before they can be hired at companies like SpaceX. It is SpaceX who needs to do all the paperwork and get a special kind of work visa for such employees. How the US handles refugees and asylees And lets not forget the sham of a process that the US has for refugees and asylees. How they are treated in the US, depends on who sits in the Oval Office. And although the Department of Justices guidance states that refugees should be treated as US citizens, this is the same DOJ that not only sat silently as children of asylum seekers were separated from their parents by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, they in fact wanted psychological examinations of parents who sued authorities at being separated from their kids at the US-Mexico border. In such a scenario, it is well within SpaceXs rights not to get involved in the hassle if they dont want to. Musk had explained why he cant hire immigrants, even if he wants to Back in 2016, Musk was asked at the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, why SpaceX only hires US nationals. To this, he responded, saying, I think people are very confused about this. Unfortunately, this is not up to us. If youre working on rocket technology, thats considered an advanced weapons technology. So even a normal work visa isnt sufficient unless you get special permission from the Secretary of Defense. While responding, Musk also explained how it is hurting the space sector in the US. I think this is not a wise policy for the US because there are so many talented people all around the world that we would love to have work at our company. He also went on to say that at least 25-30 per cent of the engineers and designers at Tesla, were from outside the country. Because of who he is and more importantly, how abrasive he is towards authority, people, especially those on the Left often ignore when Musk is being targeted for the most inane and arbitrary reasons. And while Musk is not as benevolent as he would like the world to believe, and has his faults, he cannot be penalised for running a company as critical as SpaceX, in a manner that works best for it. Former US president Donald Trump was arrested at a Georgia jail Thursday on racketeering and conspiracy charges and released on $200,000 bond after having a historic mug shot taken. Trump, who is accused of colluding with 18 other defendants to overturn the 2020 election result in the southern state, spent less than 30 minutes inside Atlantas Fulton County Jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport. Like the other defendants in the case who have surrendered so far, the 77-year-old Trump had his mug shot taken during the booking process a first for any serving or former US president. In the photograph released by the sheriffs office, he scowled at the camera while dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie. Speaking to reporters after his arrest, Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said it was a very sad day for America. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice, he said. I did nothing wrong. Trump posted the mug shot on his own Truth Social platform with the caption Election Interference and a link to his campaign website. Trump was given the inmate number PO1135809 by the Fulton County Jail, which listed his height as six foot three inches (1.9 meters), his weight as 215 pounds (97 kilograms) and his hair color as Blond or Strawberry. The billionaire has been criminally indicted four times since April, setting the stage for a year of unprecedented drama as he tries to juggle multiple court appearances and another White House campaign. Trump was able to dodge having a mugshot taken during his previous arrests this year: in New York on charges of paying hush money to a porn star, in Florida for mishandling top secret government documents, and in Washington on charges of conspiring to upend his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. His arrest came one day after Trump spurned a televised debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring eight of his rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination all of whom lag well behind him in the polls. He still stole the spotlight, though, with all but two of the candidates saying they would support him as the partys nominee even if he were a convicted felon. Court dates in election race A tight security perimeter was set up for Trumps booking at the Fulton County Jail, which is under investigation for a slew of inmate deaths and deplorable conditions. Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney who filed the sweeping racketeering case, had set a deadline of noon on Friday for Trump and the other 18 defendants to surrender. Trump and 11 others have turned themselves in so far. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered on Thursday and was released on $100,000 bond. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trumps personal lawyer when he was in the White House and vigorously pushed the false claims that Trump had won the 2020 election, was booked and released on Wednesday. John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who is accused of drawing up a scheme to submit a false slate of Trump electors to Congress from Georgia instead of the legitimate Biden ones, has also been booked and released. A few dozen supporters of the former Republican president gathered outside the jail, including Sharon Anderson who spent the night in her car. I think this is a political persecution and now thats turned into a political prosecution, Anderson told AFP. Trump is the first US president in history to face criminal charges. His various trials, if they take place next year, may coincide with the Republican presidential primary season, which begins in January, and the campaign for the November 2024 White House election. Special counsel Jack Smith has proposed a January 2024 start date for Trumps trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the last election with a lie-fueled campaign that culminated in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. Trumps attorneys have countered with a suggested start date well after the election April 2026. Willis, the Georgia district attorney, initially proposed that the racketeering case begin in March next year, the same month Trump is scheduled to go on trial in New York on charges of paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. On Thursday, after one of the defendants asked for a speedy trial, she proposed that it begin for all 19 in October of this year, a move met with an immediate objection from Trumps lawyers. The Florida case, in which Trump is accused of taking secret government documents as he left the White House and refusing to return them, is scheduled to begin in May. Ukraine on Thursday said it flew its flag on the Russian-annexed Crimea, in a symbolic win during a special operation to mark its second wartime Independence Day. Kyiv has repeatedly said it aims to take back Crimea, which is recognised internationally as part of Ukraine but controlled by Russia since 2014 when Moscows forces seized the peninsula. Ukraines GUR intelligence agency said its special forces landed overnight on Crimeas western shore near the towns of Olenivka and Mayak, where it engaged in combat. As a result, the enemy suffered losses among personnel, enemy equipment was destroyed, it said in a statement, adding that the state flag flew again in the Ukrainian Crimea. The assault, it said, was part of a special joint operation with the countrys navy. Ukraine has launched multiple attacks on the Black Sea peninsula since the start of Moscows invasion, and refers to the territory as temporarily occupied in statements. On Wednesday, Kyiv said it had destroyed a powerful Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system in that area, which it said inflicted a painful blow on enemy air defences. Difficult times The overnight operation was announced on the occasion of Independence Day as the war with Russia entered its 19th month. Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who made a surprise Independence Day visit to Kyiv, announced that his country will donate fighter jets to Ukraine to bolster its Soviet-era air force. We are planning to donate Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and will provide further details about the donation, numbers and time frame for delivery, in due course, Store said in a statement that confirmed earlier media reports. Norway is the third country after Denmark and the Netherlands to pledge F-16s to Ukraine, which has long sought the jets to boost its war effort. In his Independence Day message, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukrainians not to lose faith in these difficult times as the country seeks victory over Russian evil. We honoured the memory of the fallen defenders of our country, Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in a Telegram message after visiting Saint Sophias Cathedral in Kyiv with his wife. Freedom, he added, is a value for each of us, and we are fighting for it. On Khreshchatyk Street in the heart of the capital Kyiv, people took selfies next to charred and wrecked Russian tanks and armoured vehicles captured from the battlefield. People milled around the street, gazing at the hardware that had been arranged in a long line as war trophies. The countrys military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on Telegram that the fight for independence continues to this day now with the imperial aggressor Russia. The state holiday, which marks 32 years since Ukraine declared its post-Soviet independence from Moscow, comes as Kyivs troops fight a grinding counteroffensive against Russian forces. Strikes on infrastructure At least 10 people were wounded in a Russian missile strike on the central city of Dnipro, a regional administration official wrote on Telegram. At least three people were hospitalised, including a 55-year-old woman. The official posted several photos of a damaged transport facility, showing gutted buildings, shattered windows and debris. In southern Ukraine, Russian shelling in Kherson a city recaptured last November which still faces Russian bombardment left a seven-year-old girl injured, according to another regional administration official. The girl was rushed to hospital after suffering injuries to her back, arms and legs after her apartment was hit, the official, Oleksandr Prokudin, wrote on Telegram. Also on Thursday, DTEK, the largest commercial energy player in Ukraine, said on Telegram that one of its thermal power plants was hit by Russian bombardment. The plant, which has suffered repeated Russian attacks, was damaged, it said, but reported no casualties. Repeated strikes on energy infrastructure last winter had plunged Ukrainian cities into darkness and cold. Kyiv launched its counteroffensive in June after stockpiling Western-supplied weapons, building up assault battalions and working to degrade Russian positions in the countrys east and south. But progress has been modest, with the military advance hampered by Russian minefields and entrenched defence lines. Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamys popularity rating and online fundraising surged on Thursday, a day after the maiden Republican presidential debate. According to the Ramaswamy campaign, the 38-year-old presidential aspirant raised more than USD450,000, with an average donation of USD38, in the first hour after the debate. The entrepreneur-turned-politician was being hit hard by three of his top rivals former New Jersey Governor Chris Christies, former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. In Trumps absence, Ramaswamy drives the GOP debate, popular Axis reported. The first poll that came out after the debate said that 28 per cent of the 504 respondents said that Ramaswamy performed the best. He was followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 27 per cent, and Pence (13 per cent). Haley received the vote of seven per cent. According to Fox News, Ramaswamy was the most Google-searched GOP candidate for the first Republican presidential debate. He was followed by fellow Indian-American Haley. Both the Indian-Americans were standing next to each other on the debate stage. Vivek Ramaswamy grabs spotlight at first Republican primary debate, reported The Wall Street Journal. Its editorial board in its editorial was critical of his foreign policy proposals and said this will not get him to the White House. Vivek Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old political novice, grabbed the spotlight at Wednesdays prime-time GOP presidential debate, but there was little sign he or any other contender had found a new strategy for overtaking front-runner Donald Trump, the financial daily said. With unchecked confidence and insults, the biotech entrepreneur baited his rivals into skirmishes that dominated Republicans first debate, wrote The New York Times. He came in hot, slamming his rivals, smiling wide and showing little deference to the more experienced candidates on stage, the daily wrote. The NBC news described the first debate as Vivek Ramaswamy Show. Thats our top takeaway from last nights first GOP presidential debate, where the political newcomer Ramaswamy seized the mantle as Donald Trumps defender but also bore the brunt of attacks from rivals on his inexperience and foreign-policy positions, the news channel reported. According to it, Ramaswamy was attacked 11 times by his rivals during the debate. According to Messenger a fast growing online news portal the debate resulted in the rise of Ramaswamys popularity. Vivek Ramaswamy sparred with Mike Pence. He battled Chris Christie. And he picked a fight with Nikki Haley. The longshot candidate and entrepreneur dominated the debate stage on Wednesday night, using his outlier policy views to grab attention and stoke the outrage of his opponents. Ramaswamy also gave his rivals an opponent to attack without alienating Trump supporters or elevating the second-place DeSantis, it said. Ramaswamy appeared confident after the debate and told reporters that soon only two candidates would be left in the race, him and former President Donald Trump. On the debate stage, he described Trump as one the best presidents of the 21st century. I was the clear winner of the night. But we are just getting started. My sense is that it landed very well. Pretty soon itll be down to a two horse race between Trump and myself, Ramaswamy told reporters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Greece on Friday for talks with the European countrys top leadership to strengthen bilateral ties. #WATCH | PM Modi arrives in Greece on a one-day official visit pic.twitter.com/Dxw6lDmPgx ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Modi arrived in Athens, the Greek capital, from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement Indias relations with those countries. PM Modi is here at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years, Modi had said. In a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, members of the Indian diaspora were seen awaiting the arrival of PM Modi outside a hotel in Athens where PM Modi will stay during his one-day official visit. #WATCH | Members of the Indian diaspora gather outside the hotel in Athens where PM Modi will stay during his one-day official visit to Greece today pic.twitter.com/SDOERTwlj5 ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 We feel proud to be an IndianWe are very excited. Welcome, Modi ji!, said a member of the Indian diaspora. #WATCH | A member of the Indian diaspora awaiting PM Modis arrival outside Athens hotel says We feel proud to be an IndianWe are very excited. Welcome, Modi ji! PM Modi has landed in Athens on a one-day official visit to Greece pic.twitter.com/3pmnlF0qda ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Another Indian community member in Athens said, The Indian community is gathered here to welcome PM Modi. Discussions between PM Modi and Greek PM on issues of trade and migrants will help further improve relations between the two countries. #WATCH | On PM Modis visit to Greece, an Indian community member in Athens says The Indian community is gathered here to welcome PM Modi. Discussions between PM Modi and Greek PM on issues of trade and migrants will help further improve relations between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/cwzAg4Q808 ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 The last high-level visit to Greece took place in September 1983 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi travelled to the country. India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with Prime Minister Mitsotakis to discuss ways to further deepen the relationship. He is also expected to meet President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. He will also interact with business leaders from both countries, as well as with the Indian community in Greece during his day-long visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. #WATCH | PM Narendra Modi meets his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens pic.twitter.com/YAQ9JEpVQu ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 The Indian prime minister is currently holding delegation-level talks with Mitsotakis. #WATCH | Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi holds delegation-level talks with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. pic.twitter.com/9ko5Vasw4v ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Earlier today, Modi met the Indian diaspora in Athens who greeted him outside the airport as well as in Hotel Grande Bretagne. At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also briefly interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. Modis visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has visited Greece in 40 years. Before this, Modi met the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou who facilitated him with the guard of honour. VIDEO | Greece President Katerina Sakellaropoulou felicitates PM Modi in Athens. pic.twitter.com/R8UWJVkO0I Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2023 Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said, Before departing, the PM will interact with the Indian community who are all excited to receive him after the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens before meeting Mitsotakis. Prime Minister Modi met the Greek Prime Minister in New York in September 2019 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. China's head-of-state diplomacy: Historic meeting between heads of state guides long-term development of China-Honduras ties People's Daily Online) 15:09, August 25, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Honduras President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on June 12. During this historic meeting, the two heads of state guided and led the in-depth development of bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, bringing bilateral relations to a bright future. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in March, both countries have actively delivered on their promises and cooperated with each other closely. As both countries share the principle and goal of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development, the bilateral relationship has gotten off to a speedy start. China's customs data showed that China's total imports and exports with Honduras expanded 22.9 percent year on year to 3.89 billion yuan ($538.70 million) in the first four months of 2023, of which imports increased by 229.5 percent year on year. Under the personal care of the two heads of state, China-Honduras practical cooperation has achieved a series of early harvests since the establishment of diplomatic relations, which also demonstrated the huge development potential of bilateral relations. On June 9, on the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, President Sarmiento said Honduras will actively respond to China's invitation to participate in the Sixth China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November. Then on June 11, China and Honduras held in Beijing the first China-Honduras High-level Entrepreneur Exchange Conference since the establishment of diplomatic relations, with about 200 representatives from political and business circles of both countries attending the event. The following day, the Chinese government and Honduran government signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Honduras on Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative. This shows that the number of Latin American countries that have joined the Belt and Road cooperation has increased to 22. The vitality and broad prospects of the practical cooperation between China and Honduras are a vivid manifestation of the joint efforts of China and Latin American countries in promoting practical cooperation and realizing common development. The comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit, and common development allows China and Latin American countries, though far apart, to march towards the future together. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) iQOO Z8 key specifications confirmed ahead of August 31 launch date News oi -Carlsen Martin The iQOO Z8 series is set to arrive in China next week. The line-up is expected to include the iQOO Z8 and iQOO Z8x. However, ahead of the launch, iQOO has confirmed a few details about the upcoming iQOO Z8. The most recent teaser provides an in-depth look at the iQOO Z8's battery capacity and charging support. Additionally, the teaser also provides information about the iQOO Z8's AnTuTu score. iQOO Z8 Battery and Charging First, the iQOO Z8 series launch date in China is set for August 31, which is a few days after the brand releases the iQOO Z7 Pro in India. According to the teaser, the iQOO Z8 will pack a large 5,000 mAh battery. Moreover, the iQOO Z8 will support 120W ultra-fast flash charging technology. The teaser confirms that this will take the battery from 0 to 100 percent in just 10 minutes. Additionally, iQOO also mentioned that the battery will maintain 80 percent of its capacity even after undergoing 1,460 charging cycles. Vivo confirms that the device has passed 30-plus fluency tests in Vivo's laboratory. The Z8 is also certified for 48 months of fluid performance. iQOO Z8 Performance iQOO also confirmed that the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset on the iQOO Z8 managed an overall AnTuTu score of 980832 points. The teaser also notes that eight R&D teams jointly invested in the smartphone work together to ensure the device delivered a peak sustained performance for 1500 hours. A previous teaser also confirmed that the iQOO Z8 would be offered in Blue and White colour options. The design of the iQOO Z8 also reveals the presence of a dual-camera setup on the back with OIS support on the main camera. The iQOO Z8 is also expected to feature a 6.64-inch IPS LCD panel with an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device will also run Android 13-based Origin OS 3.0. The chip on the iQOO Z8 is expected to be accompanied by up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. For more details about the iQOO Z8 and iQOO Z8x, stay tuned to Gizbot. Source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Realme GT 5 Promo Posters Confirm Design, Final Specs Before Launch: 5240mAh Battery, 240W Charging, And More News oi -Alap Naik Desai Realme has finally lifted the veil off its latest flagship Android smartphone before it launches next week. The Realme GT 5 appears to be a visually stunning and feature-packed flagship Android smartphone. Promotional posters for the Realme GT 5 have been posted on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Let's look at the confirmed design, specifications, features, launch, and availability of the upcoming Realme smartphone. Realme GT 5 Has A "Liquid Metal Flowing Silver Mirror" Design, SD 8 G2 SoC Smartphone manufacturers have been trying hard to bring back the flair and "wow" factor in smartphones for quite some time now. Realme appears to have done a commendable job with the Realme GT 5 in the looks department. According to the official posters, the Realme GT 5 will feature a "Flowing Silver Mirror" design. Essentially, the smartphone has a silver-colored "liquid metal" shiny appearance. The triple rear camera island is housed inside a glass cover, which also protects the LED flash and the iconic LED ring. Realme has printed "Snapdragon 8 Gen 2" inside the signature LED ring, which confirms the Realme GT 5 will be powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. It is not clear if Realme has managed to secure the upgraded and slightly overclocked "Snapdragon for Galaxy" chipset capable of hitting 3.36 GHz. Realme claims the camera island has a "micro-suspension penetrating design". Speaking about the glass used for Realme GT 5, Realme also posted the image of the display that reveals an ultra-narrow flat screen. The highlight of the Realme GT 5 smartphone's display it seemingly bends and integrates with the chassis without any brackets. Realme has boasted the frame is as narrow as 1.46mm. Realme appears to be taking on the mighty Apple iPhone by claiming the Realme GT 5 has a Pro-XDR high dynamic display. The brand claims the display "restores the look and feel of light and dark content using a flagship algorithm, offering up to 8 times increase in brightness." Realme GT 5 Confirmed Specifications, Features Realme has been teasing the Realme GT 5 for a few days now. So far, the brand has confirmed Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, up to 24GB LPDDR5X RAM, up to 1TB UFS4.0 storage, Whirlwind Memory Engine 2.0, and a dedicated X7 display chip that assures a consistent 144Hz gaming experience. Realme has repeatedly stressed that the Realme GT 5 will be able to recharge at a speed of 240W and it is the world's first mass-produced smartphone with such capabilities. Other promotional posters of the Realme GT 5 confirm the smartphone has a dedicated SuperVOOC S chip, as well as an iteration of the smartphone with 150W wired fast charging support and a larger 5240mAh battery. Realme GT 5 teaser pic.twitter.com/OhGSseGx68 Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) August 24, 2023 Realme GT 5 Launch And Availability Realme has confirmed it will launch the Realme GT 5 on August 28, 2023. The brand has already confirmed the metallic silver color option. It is possible there could be a couple more colors. Realme is expected to restrict the availability of the Realme GT 5 to China, at least for the next few weeks. Some reports suggest the brand could launch the flagship Android smartphone in India during Diwali. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications A look at the Defence news 14 - 20 August Netherlands Ministry of Defence News item | 23-08-2023 Minehunter HNMLS Vlaardingen on its way to NATO fleet On 20 August, HNLMS Vlaardingen left the port of Den Helder with 34 crew members on board. Over the coming 3.5 months, the vessel will be part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. This NATO fleet focuses among other things on clearing explosives in the Baltic Sea. F-16 fighter aircraft deployed due to approaching Russian bombers Last week, two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16s took off to intercept 2 Russian bombers heading towards Dutch airspace. This type of action is known as a Quick Reaction Alert. The Russian 'Bears' were intercepted by the Danish air force before they reached Dutch airspace. End of the Second World War commemorated in service at the Dutch East Indies monument On 15 August, a ceremony was held at the Dutch East Indies monument in The Hague to commemorate the capitulation of Japan, 78 years ago. The Japanese surrender meant the liberation of the former Dutch East Indies, and the end of the Second World War in the whole of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as it was at that time. The ceremony honoured all civilian and military victims of the Japanese occupation in Southeast Asia. The Netherlands Chief of Defence, General Onno Eichelsheim, and the Acting Commander of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, Major General Roger Costongs, laid a wreath on behalf of the Netherlands armed forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister Martin Sklenar after meeting U.S. Ambassador Gautam Rana: We are continuing our intense cooperation on modernisation projects for Slovak Armed Forces Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 23.08.2023 Defence Minister Martin Sklenar received the Ambassador of the United States of America to Slovakia, His Excellency Gautam Rana, at the Slovak Defence Ministry in Bratislava today. This meeting also provided an opportunity to officially welcome the new U.S. Defense Attache to Slovakia, LTC Joshua Passer. During his meeting with Ambassador Gautam Rana and LTC Joshua Passer, Defence Minister Sklenar reaffirmed Slovakia's interest in continuing its intense bilateral cooperation with the United States of America as Slovakia's strategic partner on Defence and Security. Highlighting the U.S.-SVK strategic partnership, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar said: "In these days, as we commemorate the 55th anniversary of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Warsaw Pact armies, this contrast of the past and the present is a telling opportunity to appreciate a truly valuable alliance." The meeting was dominated by the themes on the bilateral agenda, especially the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces' defence infrastructure and equipment, in which the USA has played a significant role. On the ongoing modernisation programmes with the USA, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar said: "Today, the Slovak Republic and the USA are working closely on a number of key projects that will strengthen the capabilities of the Slovak Armed Forces, and hence the defence capability of Slovakia. One of them is the historically largest modernisation project of the Slovak Armed Forces - the procurement of 14 F-16 fighter jets." Also discussed was Slovakia's procurement of 160 Oshkosh 4x4 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) to be financed through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. There is yet another major project in progress. Earlier in July, Slovakia submitted a request for price quotation (RPQ) to the U.S. Government for twelve AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, along with the precise specification of requirements, associated accessories, pilot training, etc. Defence Minister Sklenar also praised the U.S. contribution to the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia, which he considers to be a strong demonstration of solidarity and a practical step towards strengthening NATO's eastern flank. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 24, 2023 Transcript Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary BRIGADIER GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right, good afternoon, everyone. Thanks very much for your patience. I do have a few things to read out at the top, and then we'll get right to your questions. So first, I'd like to provide a quick update on DOD's efforts in support of FEMA and the state of Hawaii to support the ongoing federal and state response to the Maui wildfires. As of today, more than 725 DOD personnel and 136 Coast Guardsmen are currently engaged in this effort. U.S. Army Pacific Command and Joint Task Force 50 continue to actively conduct eight approved mission assignments received from FEMA, and a full list of those mission assignments, as well as a breakdown of specific activities is available on the DOD website, so I would encourage you to take a look at that. Separately, the Department of Defense is announcing today that the United States will soon begin training Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16 fighter aircraft in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses. Following English language training for pilots in September, F-16 flying training is expected to begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, facilitated by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing. Although we do not have specific numbers to share at this time in regards to how many Ukrainians will participate in this training, we do anticipate it will include several pilots and dozens of maintainers. Importantly, although some Ukrainian pilots have English language skills, we are anticipating that all of the pilots coming to the United States will require some level of additional English language instruction, given the complexities and the specialized English that's required to fly these aircraft. Therefore, as mentioned, these pilots will also be conducting English language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in September prior to attending F-16 flying training in Arizona. The training provided by the United States will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that's already underway in Europe and further deepens our support for the F-16 Training Coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands. Moving forward, we will remain in close consultation with the Danes, the Dutch and other allies to ensure U.S. training complements the broader coalition training effort. And in other Ukraine news, Secretary Austin released a statement today to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence. The full statement is available on the DOD website, but states in part, quote, "The Ukrainian people have inspired the world with their courage and resolve to defend their right to live in a sovereign, democratic and free country. For the past 18 months, Russia has waged a full-scale, unprovoked and indefensible war against Ukraine. The Kremlin's war of choice has killed thousands of innocent Ukrainians, displaced millions more and deliberately inflicted terror and terror and trauma on Ukraine's men, women and children," end quote. Secretary Austin goes on to underscore that, quote, "Today, as Ukraine commemorates another year of independence, the United States remains steadfast in our commitment to ensure that it can celebrate many more. We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight for security and freedom," end quote. Finally, Secretary Austin welcomed Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo to the Pentagon earlier today to discuss shared visions, stronger partnership and shared values between our two nations. Together, they resolved to preserve international laws and norms, enhance our mutual security and defense capabilities and remain guided by our shared values, shared democratic principles. They shared their determination to further strengthen our relationship, ensuring that it is robust and capable of seizing future opportunities and tackling emerging challenges in an increasingly-complex geopolitical climate. The joint statement will be made available later today on defense.gov. And with that, I'll be happy to take your questions. Let's start right up here with Liz. Q: On the plane that was carrying Prighozin that went down in Russia, was it a bomb that took the plane down? GEN. RYDER: So a couple things. I know there's a lot of interest in this topic. I'll say right up front, first of all, our initial assessment is that it's likely Prighozin was killed. We're continuing to assess the situation. We don't have any information to indicate right now the press reporting stating that there was some type of surface-to-air missile that took down the plane that -- we assess that information to be inaccurate. Again, nothing to indicate -- no information to suggest that there was a surface-to-air missile. But beyond that, I'm really just not going to have any further information. Q: But was it something that came internal from inside the plane? GEN. RYDER: Again, I don't have any additional insight to provide on that. Thank you. Oren? Q: I just want to check the first thing you said. "Our initial assessment is that it's likely Prighozin was killed." You mean killed intentionally, although this may well have been an assassination? GEN. RYDER: Killed in this airplane... Q: Oh, that he... GEN. RYDER: ... crash. Q: ... was on board? And what leads you to believe that? What information do you have that suggests that was on board? Or is this based on the fact that you have no reason to doubt Russian reports? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I'm not going to go into the specifics of how we gather information other than, again, our initial assessment based on a variety of factors is that he was likely killed. Q: But not just based on Russian statements, I would imagine? GEN. RYDER: Based on a variety of factors. Thank you. Missy? Q: Just have two clarifications, and then I have a question. Just to make sure that I understood the answer to Oren's follow-up, so you guys are not willing to say that you believe it was an assassination attempt? You're just being neutral on that right now? GEN. RYDER: Look, we're continuing to assess the situation. I'm not going to have any further information on how or why the airplane crashed. Q: OK, and then on the F-16 training, the administration had said previously that it would consider hosting training for Ukrainian pilots in the U.S. if capacity in Europe proved to be insufficient. But I think they're just getting going. Does that -- is that what happened? Were you all -- did you guys conclude that their capacity was insufficient, or was there a decision just to go ahead with it, even though their training is the way -- just getting off the ground? And then my question, just to put it out there right now, is regarding these reports that the Saudi border forces may have attacked and killed a number of asylum seekers trying to cross from Yemen into Saudi Arabia. I know that at least troops under Central Command authority are not currently providing training and assistance or any kind of support to these particular units or Saudi border guard. But I'm just wondering if you, from the podium, could provide some sort of comment, given that the Saudi government was such an important security partner, and that the United States had this deep relationship with Saudi security forces across the board? What is your comment on how worried or concerned are you all about this? And is there any action that the U.S. government will take given the sort of egregious nature of these alleged actions by the Saudi border forces? Thanks. GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Missy. So a lot of questions there. Q: Sorry. GEN. RYDER: Everybody settle in. All right. So on your first question, in terms of us providing this training. Q: Yes. GEN. RYDER: So really, as we looked at our European allies providing this training, recognizing the fact that we want to do everything we can to help move this effort along as quickly as possible in support of Ukraine. We know that as the Danes and the Dutch prepare to train those pilots, that at a certain point in time in the future, capacity will be reached. So pre-emptively acknowledging that and leaning forward in order to assist with this effort is the impetus for why we're doing this now. As it relates to Saudi Arabia, again, we're aware of the report, or aware of the allegations, as you highlighted the U.S. is not in any way training those border forces. They're not a part of any of the assistance that we provide. I don't have a specific comment to say other than, again, we are aware of those allegations. I know that the State Department is looking into that, but I don't have anything further to provide at this point. Thank you. Ashley. Q: Follow up on the F-16 training. So as you're looking at the capacity issue, is there a certain number that you're working off of how many aircraft that Ukraine will eventually receive? GEN. RYDER: Well, as I said, short answer is I don't have a number for you today. I know that some of our European allies have already publicly commented on the aircraft that they're going to be providing. So, you know, step number one is Ukraine identifying the pilots to be trained, and then having those pilots come and train. And then at that point, we'll be talking about how many aircraft. So more to follow on that in the future. But in terms of training in the United States, right now, what we're looking at is, you know, we'll have more to provide in the future in terms of numbers. But right now, we're looking at several pilots with upwards of dozens of maintainers. Q: (inaudible). Are there going to be training at Luke Air Force Base? And when do you anticipate that the language training would be concluded in the -- at the training in Arizona start? GEN. RYDER: Yes. So right now, it'll be at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. The language training will start in September. And then we anticipate that flying training will begin in October. OK. Thank you. Go to Fadi. Q: Thank you, General. So I want to go back to Prighozin. Do you -- just as in what role in the Wagner Group are they playing in Ukraine since last June? And I know this just happened yesterday. Do you think there's going to be implication on the group's future role, especially in Africa, after Prighozin and maybe the second -- GEN. RYDER: Yes. Q: -- man in it's hierarchy as you said? GEN. RYDER: Yes. Q: (inaudible) GEN. RYDER: So a few things. As it relates to Ukraine, their role as a combat force has largely -- for all intents and purposes, is no longer a factor on the battlefield in Ukraine. After Wagner group's actions two months ago, in Russia, as you know, those forces were essentially removed from combat near Bakhmut where they had been fighting. Oh, by the way, you know, and we've said this before, the Wagner forces essentially were Russia's most effective combat forces on the battlefield. Those forces essentially were removed from the battlefield. Some of them were relocated to Belarus to provide training for Belarus forces. But for all intents and purposes, their combat effectiveness has been diminished. And they are no longer a significant factor when it comes to the conflict inside Ukraine. As it relates to Africa, we'll see. Clearly, we know that the Wagner Group has for a while been conducting operations, has many tentacles, some military in nature, some criminal in nature in Africa in places like Burkina Faso and Mali. And so, you know, I don't think anybody's going to discount the potential for danger when it comes to that group or the remnants of that group. So we'll continue to keep a close eye on it. Thank you, Janne. And then we'll go to Matt. Q: Thank you, General. I have two questions on North Korea. North Korea, I think, they did failure to always act launching the second reconnaissance satellite to end the North Korea or (inaudible) launching third reconnaissance satellite in October. What is the Pentagon's reaction? GEN. RYDER: Just to clarify. So, are you asking about the time it took for them to acknowledge failure? And what's our reaction to that? Q: Yes. GEN. RYDER: Their communication skills are improving. No. No. (laughter) I mean, all joking aside. You know, again, what we see here is another failed space launch. You've heard INDOPACOM, you've heard the White House, you've heard the U.S. government condemn these actions, and they're provocative. They're destabilizing. And so again, we'll continue to consult closely with our Republic of Korea allies and our Japanese allies to ensure that we share a common understanding of the situation and that we work together to ensure stability and security in the region. Q: Regarding the surprise launch, other than the North Korea announced they did the United States and South Korea and Japan's missile information -- I mean, Satellite Information System is a work these things? I mean -- GEN. RYDER: Yes. I wouldn't conflate North Korea's public statements with our ability to conduct and assess intelligence, broadly speaking in the region. I'm not going to get into the specifics or discuss intelligence. But, again, I think the INDOPACOM and the White House statement speak for themselves. So let me move on to Matt here. Q: Thank you, General. Had the U.S. been tracking Prighozin's movements lately? And can you confirm whether or not he was in Africa earlier this week? GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Matt. I'm just not going to get into intelligence. Q: Secondly, while you can't confirm intentionality that this was a deliberate assassination, can you say whether or not the U.S. had assessed that such an untimely demise was likely to be in the cards for Mr. Prighozin? GEN. RYDER: Ya. I mean, it's a great question. And I'm going to resist the temptation to provide my personal opinion on it. Again, though, just not going to be able to go into intelligence. Thank you. Let me take a call from the phone here and we'll come back in the room. Howard Altman, War Zone. Q: Hey. Thanks, Pat. I want to drill down little bit on the F-16 pilot training. The days of providing training to more seasoned pilots in the U.K. is more like lieutenants who haven't flown much, can you say what level of experience the pilots who are going to be coming to the U.S. will have? What's your anticipation of that? GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Howard. So part of part of this training will be assessing the individual pilot's skill, skill level, which will determine -- help to determine how long that training will last. Your basic new F-16 pilot, with not a lot of training on the U.S. side, that training typically lasts about eight months. For a pilot that's experienced that, you know, you're doing upgrade training, for example, that can range within the five-month range. So it's going to -- a lot is going to depend on those individual pilots and the assessment in terms of where they're at in that process. I will highlight that, you know, some of you have asked, why does it take so long to train an F-16 pilot? And what takes so much time when it comes to providing this capability? And it is, broadly speaking, your average F-16 pilot that goes into from basic flying training, our undergraduate pilot training into fighter training, there's a series of essentially courses that you're going to have to go through. You're going to have to go through introduction to fighter fundamentals where they're going to teach you formation flying, basic fighter maneuvers, weapons employment. And this is going to help you transition from being a, you know, basic pilot mindset to a fighter pilot mindset. There's going to be some type of ground training involved. You've all seen the images of people going through a centrifuge training to learn how to cope with G forces. There will be additional training on air combat, maneuvering, tactical intercepts, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses. And then all of that leading up to your mission qualification training, which then allows your instructor to certify that you're combat ready. So those are the kinds of things that go into training a fighter pilot. Oh, by the way, this is a high-performance aircraft with a significant logistic and -- logistics and maintenance tail. So training all of those maintainers on how to maintain this aircraft so that it can stay in the air. Training the ground support, air traffic controllers, the fuelers, you know, the communications associated with that, all that is entailed in maintaining this platform. So hopefully that gives you some insight. GEN. RYDER: Come back in the room. We'll go to -- Q: Can you tell me -- wait. Can you tell me how -- what -- F-16s (inaudible) when you talk about the number of pilots. But do you think that this announcement will expand the number of pilots that can be trained, one? Two, I think that the estimates for -- the original estimates for getting F-16s to the Ukrainians on the ground or whatever was roughly mid '24 to the end of '24. Do you see that maybe bringing, you know, brought to the left a little bit? And what about air-to-air ammunition that the U.S. provide and rounds or something like that as part of this deal? GEN. RYDER: Ya. So a couple of things. In terms of the number of pilots, Ukraine will determine the number of pilots that they require to go through the training. And again, what this will do is essentially increase the capacity across the coalition for training those pilots, right? So it's another venue by which to train. So, again, as more information becomes available as the program matures, if there are more pilots, you know, certainly we'll let you know. As it relates to the timeline for F-16 deliveries, we're talking a matter of -- I'm not going to get into (it) specifically. I don't want to speculate on when F-16 aircraft will be delivered other than you've heard us say that when training is complete, the Europeans are looking to provide aircraft -- F-16 aircraft, and the United States will support that effort through the third-party transfer process. So, you know, we're talking months, not weeks, obviously. And as we said from the very beginning in May, this is about the long-term support to Ukraine. This is not about the counteroffensive that they're conducting right now. Q: So no, no -- are you leaving the door open to a possible acceleration of when these -- when the fighters could get there -- jets could get there? GEN. RYDER: You know, obviously, we're going to work as fast as we can. But what you don't want to do is you don't want to rush a pilot and train them in a high-performance combat aircraft and then put them in harm's way not fully prepared. So a lot of this will depend on the pilots where they're at in experience, the training, and making sure that again, that we're providing the right pilots with the right aircraft, at the right time to be able to be effective at the end of the day in combat. So we go to, Brandy. Q: Thank you, sir. Following on Matt's line of questioning, we know you won't get into the specifics around intel. But maybe broadly, could you speak to what extent has DOD been devoting its ISR assets to tracking the Wagner Group globally? And with this assessment that Prighozin and his crew are dead, how will that make it harder for OSD to keep tabs on that group? GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Brandy. So, no, I won't get into the specifics in terms of what percentage or level of assets that we commit on our intelligence operations. Again, broadly speaking, we have a variety of methods by which we can assess national security issues, and potential threats to include groups like the Wagner Group, and we'll continue to do that going forward. Again, you know, right now, for understandable reasons, the media is focused very much on this person known as Mr. Prighozin. But the real threat here is the group, which is an international criminal organization, and has conducted horrific acts, both on the battlefield and elsewhere. And so again, like many threats, we will continue to monitor that one as well. Q: Potentially expanding how you are tracking with ISR post-Prighozin death? GEN. RYDER: I'm not sure of what you mean. Q: Implications on actually how you're tracking with ISR? Is it going to be harder now that he and his crew are not there? Are you going to be devoting more capabilities to tracking that group? GEN. RYDER: Yes. Again, I won't get into the specifics of how and where and we conduct any type of intelligence operations. Thank you very much. Let me go to Ryo and I'll come back to you. Q: Thank you very much, General. On the South China Sea, the Philippines heading out the resupply operations to the outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal earlier this week, which was successful, did the U.S. military provide any assistance to the Philippines for their operations this time? GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Ryo. So I don't have anything to read out in terms of U.S. military assistance. I think the Philippines can talk about their operations. Certainly, you've heard us publicly express our support for the Philippines and their right to sovereignty and their right to be able to operate within their own waters. Broadly speaking, again, we will continue to work closely with the Philippines to support them as they request. And we'll just leave it at that. Q: Thank you. Thank you. The Asia reporting that the U.S., Japan, and Australia really do a joint exercises in the South China Sea later this week. So is this a response to the -- is this a response to the China's continued unsafe maneuvers towards Philippine ships around the Second Thomas Shoal? GEN. RYDER: Is the exercise in response? Q: Yes. GEN. RYDER: I mean, our exercises are long planned, coordinated well in advance. And again, they're designed to ensure that our countries can work together, that we can be interoperable. We can learn from one another. We can improve and bolster the security cooperation relationships that we have. And again, I mean, this is one of many exercises that we do with partners and allies throughout the region. Thank you very much, Fadi. Q: (inaudible) based on what you said. Does the DOD considered the Second Thomas Shoal as part of sovereign territory of the Philippines? GEN. RYDER: I think the Philippines has been clear in terms of what their view is on that ship and the Second Thomas Shoal. Q: Do you support them regardless? GEN. RYDER: We support the Philippines defending their -- protecting their sovereign waters. Yes, ma'am. Q: Thank you, sir. Kimberly Underwood from (inaudible) Signal Magazine. I wanted to ask more about the F-16 fighter training in the US. Can you go into why Morris and the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing was chosen? I think for the flight training, and you mentioned the language training would be at Lackland. Obviously, San Antonio does tons of training for the Air Force. But can you go into the reasoning behind that choice? GEN. RYDER: Yes, sure. The 162nd Wing is the Air National Guard's premier F-16 training wing. And they have deep experience in terms of training international pilots. They -- for example, have trained upwards, I think of 25 different nations before, so they have experience in this type of effort. Thank you. Q: Yes, sir. Thank you, general. Regarding to the F-16. So my question is, does Ukraine has like the special infrastructures to have these kinds of jets in their country? Or it's going to be used the same infrastructures for the -- so jets that already they are using in (inaudible). GEN. RYDER: Yes. That's a great question. So the short answer is no. Right? I mean, they don't currently operate the F-16. They don't have the training to maintain and sustain the F-16. And so that's part of the process. You're right, is the training of the pilots is one piece of it, the maintainers. The other piece of it is, you know, at the appropriate time ensuring that they have the ground equipment that they have the ability to control and sustain these aircraft from Ukrainian airfields, all of which will be down the road. Thank you very much. Yeah. Do you have follow-up? Q: Second question about the Wagner Group. So I'm going to say that Wagner Group today there without leader. Is going to be more dangerous from this group, if they're going to be under the Kremlin leadership? GEN. RYDER: You know, that -- look, I'd refer you to the Wagner Group, if you're able to get in touch with them for any questions on what their current business model and path forward is. You know, we've seen the Russian government shortly after the events near Moscow two months ago, say, to some of these members that, you know, sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense. We're aware that some members of Wagner left Wagner and others stayed. But as it relates to the future of this company, this mercenary company, I really don't have anything to provide. Thank you very much, sir. Then we'll come back to you guys. Q: Sure. Could you let us know when it became clear that capacity was going to be reached in terms of training in Europe? Just when that decision became clear? GEN. RYDER: Yes. Again, you know, we've been working and consulting very closely with the Danes and the Dutch all along. And as we assess the program, this is a pre-emptive move to say, you know what, let's go ahead and lean forward, recognizing that eventually, we don't even want it to become an issue in terms of capacity. We want to wait to reach capacity, and then say, OK, let's do this. So, again, proactively making this facility available to train Ukrainian pilots. Thank you. We go to Carla and then Oren. Q: Two questions. So first going back to what you said on the Wagner Group force is no longer being a significant factor in Ukraine. And that coupled with the rate in Crimea that Ukraine announced their naval raid yesterday or overnight, the S400 hit that they had. How would the Pentagon describe Ukraine's progress at this moment in time? Is it slow progress? Is it still stalled? I mean -- GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks. GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Carla. So talked about this a little bit earlier this week, you know, I'm going to refrain from providing an operational update. I will say that, broadly speaking, Ukraine continues to get after it and fight. They are making some progress along the frontline, but it's going to be tough. It will continue to be tough for all the reasons we've talked about, not the least of which is significant obstacles to include minefields. And so, you know, our focus is going to be on consulting with them and ensuring they have what they need to be successful on the battlefield. Q: And then to follow on Niger. Just an update to that, is there any change to U.S. military posture at this point in Niger? At what point does this coup become a coup in the eyes of the Pentagon? GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks. So I don't have any updates provide on Niger. Again, as we've said before, the focus continues to be on finding a diplomatic solution to the situation there. If we have significant updates to provide, and are able to provide those, we'll certainly let you know. So nothing beyond that at this point. Oren. Q: Two quick F-16 questions. Will the Ukrainian pilots be -- get the full training the U.S. would get on everything that U.S. F-16 pilot would need to do or will that be stripped down? Meaning like, do they need things like aerial refueling? Or will that simply be taken out of the trading to expedite it? And then is there an overall goal for the U.S., the Dutch, the Danes and everybody else? Are you trying to create one F-16 squadron two, three? Is that determined yet? GEN. RYDER: So, Oren, on the particular curriculum for the pilots, again, I think part of that will be determined by their experience levels. And we'll know more in the days ahead. As it relates to how Ukraine organizes this force, obviously, that's going to be a Ukrainian decision. I'm confident, you know, in consultation with us on how best to employ that capability. And so that's really a question that we'll be able to better address down the road. Q: Or at some point, will we be able to see this training at Morris Air National Guard Base? GEN. RYDER: I'm surprised it took that long for you to ask us. I will take that request, and we will see what we can do. Q: (inaudible). For the F-16 training, isn't even going to be -- is it just the basics of fighter pilot training for the aircraft or you've also going to include anything for, like, Russian specific aerial tactics for the pilots? GEN. RYDER: Yes. So it's a good -- it's a good question. What I would tell you right now for the training in the U.S. will be the, you know, the fundamental fighter pilot training. You raise a good point, right, that step one in becoming a fighter pilot is going through fighter pilot training, but that combat experience in combat training is also important. So, again, more to follow. The coalition will continue to look at how best to prepare these pilots so that they can be successful in the air when those aircraft are employed in Ukraine. Q: On for the maintainer training, is any of it going to involve like -- how to do like 3D printing for parts? I'm assuming that supply chain might be restricted. GEN. RYDER: Yes. So I don't -- I don't have that level of granularity yet. So as more details become available, and importantly, as they're releasable, we'll be sure to keep you updated on that front. Take a couple more here. Yes, sir. Q: Thanks, Sir. You mentioned the persistent threat by Wagner, the transnational criminal organization, does the department assess that there's a sort of a heightened threat posed by Wagner personnel in the wake of Prighozin's death like -- or U.S. forces in Syria? Any way in a state of heightened alert? GEN. RYDER: I haven't seen anything to indicate that at this point. Thank you. And last question. Yes, ma'am. Q: I wanted to follow up on providing F-16s to Ukraine and when that determination is made, is that going to be like a blanket re-export authorization? Or is that going to be a country by country basis? GEN. RYDER: So, you know, as we've highlighted, the Danes and the Dutch are leading this F-16 training coalition. And so they've already publicly come out and said that they will provide F-16 aircraft to Ukraine. And so the way that process will work is they will submit the third party transfer request to the United States. And you've already heard Secretary Blinken say that we will expedite those requests in consultation with Congress. So as they identify specific aircraft to go to Ukraine, and a key piece of this is our allies have said, you know, when the training is complete. So the idea would be to marry up the trained pilots with the aircraft. That's when you would look at seeing those aircraft go forward. So, again, when we get to that point, I'm sure we'll have more updates to provide. Thank you. Q: Sir, do you have a time for one last question? GEN. RYDER: Only for you, Fadi. Q: Yes. Thank you. Does the -- does the U.S. offering this training with the idea that F-16 will enter this current war in Ukraine? GEN. RYDER: What do you mean by that? Q: Do you envision whether through what the Danes and the Dutch are providing -- Danish and Dutch are providing, and the training here that the F-16s and the pilots will be ready to enter this war in Ukraine? GEN. RYDER: Well, I know we're going to do everything we can to ensure that those pilots have the training and the knowledge necessary to be able to effectively employ this very sophisticated combat weapon. And so that's our part. And we'll work with our allies in Europe to ensure they have that training so that when they do go into combat, they're prepared to do it. Thank you. Thanks very much, everybody. Appreciate it. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3504670/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 24, 2023 Release United States DoD and Indonesia MoD Joint Press Statement Today, Secretary Austin and Minister Prabowo reaffirmed the strength of the defense pillar of our enduring Strategic Partnership. Together, they resolved to preserve international laws and norms, enhance our mutual security and defense capabilities, and remain guided by our shared democratic principles. They shared their determination to further strengthen our relationship, ensuring that it is robust and capable of seizing future opportunities and tackling emerging challenges in an increasingly complex geopolitical climate. Shared Vision Minister Prabowo and Secretary Austin agreed that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy share fundamental principles, such as a commitment to maintaining peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region through ASEAN Centrality, and that we should work alongside partners who share these goals and a commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based order. They shared the view that the People's Republic of China's (PRC) expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Secretary Austin and Minister Prabowo jointly condemned violations of national sovereignty, as reflected in United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote, which deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine. Stronger Partnership As the United States and Indonesia move into the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Minister Prabowo and Secretary Austin reaffirmed that our defense partnership is stronger than ever. They highlighted that the United States and Indonesia hold more than 220 defense engagements annually, from subject-matter expert exchanges to multilateral exercises with thousands of troops, all demonstrating the breadth of our interoperability. They discussed how, in recent years, we have expanded Exercise GARUDA SHIELD from a bilateral army-to-army exercise to a joint, multinational exercise with over nineteen countries represented, and they committed to seek further opportunities for expansion. Together, Secretary Austin and Minister Prabowo reaffirmed the importance of Indonesia's military modernization and discussed both countries' mutual intention to deepen interoperability through defense capabilities like fighter aircraft upgrades, new multi-role fighter aircraft, and additional fixed and rotary wing transport aircraft. Shared Values Secretary Austin and Minister Prabowo also discussed the commitment by the United States and Indonesia, as two of the world's largest democracies, to the rule of law and the professionalization of our armed forces. They highlighted that for the first time this year, there were Indonesian cadets in the Army, Air Force, and Naval service academies. Minister Prabowo expressed his appreciation for the education of more than 7,000 Indonesian military personnel and civilians in the United States, as well as training and education funds that have been provided to Indonesian students by the United States, totaling more than $130 million since 1970. Going forward, as part of our professionalization efforts, Minister Prabowo and Secretary Austin pledged to work together to promote civilian harm mitigation best practices. They also discussed how our efforts to mitigate and respond to civilian harm directly reflect our values and directly contribute to mission success and public confidence in the armed forces. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3504476/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 24, 2023 Transcript Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming His Excellency Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defence for the Republic of Indonesia to the Pentagon Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Well, Mr. Minister, welcome back to the Pentagon. It's great to see you again, and looking forward to continuing our important work together. Let me start by congratulating you on all of Indonesia's success as ASEAN's chair, and I look forward to visiting Jakarta in November for the ADMM-Plus. It goes without saying that Indonesia continues to be a key leader in upholding peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Our two democracies have been partners for many years, and the ties between our countries run deep. And next year, I look forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. Now, democratic values are at the core of our relationship, and as two of the world's largest democracies, our countries must remain committed to the rule of law and sovereignty for all countries. So I'm really glad to see the continuing upward trajectory in our relationship, and we'll continue to look at ambitious ways to deepen this trend. You know, you can see the growth of our relationship in our work to upgrade our strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and our defense cooperation is expanding, as well. We're building on some notable firsts from this past year such as the first-ever U.S. training mission with high-end air assets in Indonesia, and Indonesia's first F-16 air-to-air refueling certification and the delivery of your first C-130Js; also marks the first time that Indonesia has had cadets in all three of our military service academies, and this is something that you and I spoke about when we were last together, so congratulations. I look forward to jointly committing to a roadmap to upgrade our defense partnership through our defense cooperation arrangement, so we indeed have a lot to talk about today, and I'm eager to discuss ways that we can continue to bolster our defense relationship. Mr. Minister, thanks again for your leadership and for all that you're doing to strengthen the bond between our countries. Again, thanks for making the trip. It's great to see you, and I look forward to a great conversation. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3504092/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Six countries invited to join BRICS People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:42, August 24, 2023 JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- BRICS leaders agreed on Thursday to invite six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to join the group. The six countries' membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit. "We value the interests of other countries in building the partnership of BRICS," said Ramaphosa. BRICS leaders met here from Aug. 22 to 24 to discuss issues including deepening BRICS cooperation and the group's expansion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghan women stopped by Taliban from attending university in Dubai Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 6:49 PM Dozens of young women have allegedly been barred by the Taliban from leaving for the United Arab Emirates where they were planning to complete their university education. Khalaf Al Habtoor, a prominent Emirati businessman, in a video message on X, said, that he had sponsored about 100 Afghan female students for pursuing their higher education in collaboration with the University of Dubai. However, his office received "the uncomfortable news" on Wednesday that Taliban authorities prevented the young women from boarding a plane waiting for them at Kabul airport. "This has left me lost for words to describe the disappointment I currently feel," said Al Habtoor, the founder and chairman of Al Habtoor Group. Al Habtoor group is regarded as one of the largest privately owned conglomerates in the UAE. Al Habtoor said that he was "unable to express the disappointment" as the students could not reach Dubai, where his organization had already arranged university admissions, accommodation, transport, and other facilities for the girls after months of efforts. While requesting the involved parties to intervene, Al Habtoor wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Our aspirations were crushed. The authorities in Afghanistan, without justification, prevented their departure, unjustly curtailing their freedom. This stands as a profound tragedy, a blow against the principles of humanity, education, equality, and justice." Al Habtoor, pledged in December to help bring at least 100 female Afghan students to the UAE for higher education. One of the Afghan students sent a voice message to Al Habtoor saying they had not been allowed to board the flight at the airport. "Right now, we are in the airport but unfortunately the government did not allow us to fly to Dubai," the student said in the voice message. "They saw the student visa and the ticket, but they did not allow us. I do not know what to do. Please help us. We are so concerned," she added. The student said that some were barred from traveling despite being accompanied by a male guardian, or "mahram". Since the Taliban assumed power, girls more than 12 years of age have been barred from attending school and a nationwide ban has been implemented on women from attending universities. Afghan women have also been banned from working in various sectors with restrictions imposed even on their movement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRICS invites Iran, five other countries to join as new members Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 7:56 AM Iran has been invited to become a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies, whose leaders are in Johannesburg, South Africa, to discuss the bloc's expansion. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that the BRICS member states agreed to admit Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia as new members. The five current member states have reached a "consensus on the first phase of this expansion process" and have invited the six states to become new members of the BRICS group from January 1, 2024, he said at the group's leader's summit in Johannesburg. Reacting to the news, Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, said Iran's membership in BRICS is a "historic development" and a "strategic success" for the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic. "Felicitations to the Leader of Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] and the great nation of Iran," Jamshidi said via X, formerly Twitter. Chinese President Xi Jinping said the expansion of BRICS will inject new impetus to the group's cooperation mechanism. This expansion has reflected BRICS' determination for unity and cooperation, Xi said at the summit. "This membership expansion is historic," he said. "The expansion is also a new starting point for BRICS cooperation. It will bring new vigor to the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen the force for world peace and development." UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed said he appreciated the inclusion of his country as a new member of the "important group." "We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world," he posted on X. Speaking via video link at the closing news conference of the three-day summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked his South African counterpart for handling the summit and for his efforts to expand the bloc. The group was formed by and initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which collectively represent around 40% of the global population and a quarter of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). Iran was among dozens of countries that sought membership in BRICS and had submitted a formal application to join the body. Iranian President Raisi arrived in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, on Thursday morning to attend a summit of the BRICS countries. "BRICS has managed to bring together independent countries with the common goal of [bolstering] economic cooperation and countering unilateralism," he said on Wednesday evening before his departure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hun Manet aims to turn Cambodia into upper middle-income country by 2030 But critics say corruption and nepotism will be hard for the new prime minister to overcome. By RFA Khmer 2023.08.24 -- Prime Minister Hun Manet said he wants to turn Cambodia into an upper middle-income country by 2030 - and a high-income country by 2050 - in an hour-long speech to ministers at his first cabinet meeting on Thursday. Hun Manet, the eldest son of longtime leader Hun Sen, took over as prime minister earlier this week after the newly sworn-in National Assembly gave its official approval. "The core of the strategy is to focus on governance and modernize state institutions to become modern public administration," the 45-year-old said during the meeting televised by national broadcaster TVK. Hun Manet read from a 22-page strategy memo that he said would serve as a roadmap for increasing employment, reducing poverty and promoting good governance while maintaining peace and political stability. The government's goal is to make Cambodia an upper middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income one by 2050, he said. An upper-middle income country has a gross national income per capita of between US$4,256 and US$13,205, according to the World Bank, where Hun Manet worked as an intern decades ago. A high-income country has a gross national income per capita of more than $13,205. Cambodia had a per capita income of US$1700 in 2022, World Bank figures show. 'Can't just eliminate nepotism' But Um Sam An, a senior official from the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, said the strategy will be hampered by Cambodia's ingrained corruption and nepotism. Hun Manet will have to look out for his family's interest and other allies first, he said. "This is a cancer in society. He can't just eliminate nepotism and then do reform," he said. The most effective way to implement the new strategy would be to reopen the political space, show respect for human rights and be more accepting of the roles that local and international NGOs play in society, legal expert Vorn Chan Lout told Radio Free Asia. It should also establish a policy of not prosecuting opposition party figures, he said. "The core element is to restore the rule of law," he said. Activists and leaders from the country's main opposition party, the Candlelight Party, faced threats, harassment and arrest over the last year as the ruling Cambodian People's Party prepared for the July 23 national elections. The CPP won 120 of the National Assembly's 125 seats. The Candlelight Party was not allowed to compete after the government's National Election Committee cited inadequate paperwork. The NEC's decision was widely condemned as politically motivated. Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyrgyz-Kazakh Relations Strained Amid Water Cutoff, Border Traffic Jam By Chris Rickleton, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service August 24, 2023 ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- The video recorded on a Kazakh farmer's smartphone reached the Internet like a distress signal. "Zhambyl Province. Sugar beet. There is no water. The beet has died," the voice said over footage of failed crops in this traditionally fertile corner of southern Kazakhstan. As a baking July segued into August, beet farmers in the province were indeed without water -- irrigation water that they would otherwise have received from a reservoir in neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Though not all the farmers were blaming Kyrgyzstan. Some were aiming their complaints at local authorities, an alarming development for authorities in the Kazakh capital, Astana. "Why do we need this kind of governor?" vented one farmer, during a visit by RFE/RL correspondents to the area. The Kyrgyz Agriculture Ministry argues it has fulfilled all its obligations to its downstream neighbor but maintains that in a year of extended droughts and high summer temperatures, there simply isn't any extra water to share. The Kirov water reservoir in its northwestern Talas region is carrying a fraction of last year's volume, the ministry said, and is only 3 percent of its capacity. Satellite images of Kirov from this year and last year appear to support that assertion, while farmers in northern Kyrgyzstan, too, have been complaining about a lack of water. But many Kyrgyz feel Kazakhstan has decided to punish them anyway. Since August 20, a queue of hundreds of cargo-carrying vehicles has formed at the Ak-Tilek border crossing, with another 100-plus line emerging at the Ken-Bulan border crossing in the days that followed. Truckers at Ak-Tilek say Kazakh border officials are slowing the passage of vehicles to around six per day. The usual pace is about 20 per hour. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Yerulan Zhamaubaev told journalists on August 23 that Kazakhstan's Committee for National Security had been conducting anti-narcotics operations on the country's shared border. He did not say how long the delays at the border might last. As if that were not enough, on August 24 the office of Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev suddenly announced that Toqaev would host Emomali Rahmon, the leader of Kyrgyzstan's bitter regional rival, Tajikistan, on August 25-26. A coincidence? Perhaps. But past form suggests that when Astana is not happy with Bishkek, it makes its feelings known. 'When There Is Not Enough Water, Tensions Arise' Tensions over water in Central Asia are not new, although regional cooperation as a whole has improved since 2016, when Shavkat Mirziyoev came to power in Uzbekistan. Mirziyoev's predecessor, Islam Karimov, had been notoriously prickly on the subject, even warning of the potential for military conflict over access to transboundary resources such as water. But this year's droughts have stretched existing arrangements to their limits while hammering farming in the region. It was Mirziyoev's office that sounded the alarm in April, with a presidential decree rolling out emergency water-saving measures in lieu of forecasts that the region's Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers would see their water levels drop between 10 percent and 20 percent this year. At the beginning of the year, there had been expectations of relatively strong inflows into the region's mountain rivers, but "they did not come to pass," according to Yevgeny Simonov, international coordinator of the Rivers without Boundaries Coalition, a nonprofit formerly based in Russia. Although "the trend toward a reduction in the volume of rivers is common to all river basins" in the region, several rivers rising in Kyrgyzstan's mountains and flowing into Kazakhstan -- the Syrdarya, Chu, and Talas rivers -- seem to have notably reduced flows, Simonov told RFE/RL. "Perhaps in the first half of the year, [Central Asian] countries spent more water than they could afford in such a drought," Simonov argued. "Almost always when there is not enough water, tensions arise between neighbors. The mechanisms for their resolution leave much to be desired," he added. At least one Kyrgyz official, irrigation expert Ulan Chortombaev, has already linked the stoppages at the border to the water issue. But on August 23, Kyrgyz Agriculture Ministry official Almazbek Sokeyev claimed his Kazakh colleagues "viewed [the situation] with understanding" after talks and had assured him the problem at the border was completely unrelated to the water cutoff. Bishkek had warned Astana in negotiations earlier in the summer that water would be a problem, but maintains it had fulfilled its quota for the provision by early August, triggering the end of outflows from the parched reservoir. Kazakhstan has stopped short of accusing Kyrgyzstan of playing water games, but an August 9 Ecology Ministry statement highlighted the discrepancy between volumes in the Kirov water reservoir this year (32.48 million cubic meters on August 9) and last year -- some 144.8 million cubic meters more than that total. "According to the 2022 schedule, Kazakhstan's requirements from the Talas River in August were 45 cubic meters [of water] per second. [Now] no water is effectively being supplied," the ministry said at the time, pledging to continue negotiations with Kyrgyzstan. In Zhambyl Province, which sources 80 percent of its water from Kyrgyzstan, authorities have declared emergency situations in six districts while pledging compensation to farmers set to lose 25 percent to 30 percent more of their harvest compared to last year. On the Kyrgyz side of Ak-Tilek, meanwhile, where truckers working between the two countries have been offered tents by Kyrgyz officials, there were few doubts that the flow of water and the flow of goods were interlinked. "The Kyrgyz side is working perfectly. The Kazakh side is a real pain," said a driver named Igor, speaking to RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service. "It's not official. But [people] say [the border delay] is because Kyrgyzstan has stopped sending water." 2017 Redux? In terms of language, culture, and tradition, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz are two of Central Asia's most similar peoples. But the relationship at the political level is not particularly warm. The nadir for bilateral ties in recent times was in 2017, when Kyrgyzstan's outgoing leader Almazbek Atambaev launched a spectacular tirade at Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, whom he accused of interfering in the country's upcoming election. The then-Kyrgyz president depicted Nazarbaev as an aging autocrat in the vein of a Mongol khan and said Kazakhstan's elite was robbing its population. The response was swift, and -- just like this week -- long lines soon began appearing on the Kyrgyz side of the pair's shared border as the Kazakh side announced an extended operation to combat smuggling. Atambaev rather carelessly suggested the logjams would soon disappear if Kyrgyzstan "turned off" Kazakhstan's water for two or three days. But the erratic politician did not carry through with the threat, and even he may have realized he had overplayed his hand. Kyrgyzstan's border crossings with Kazakhstan are an economic lifeline for exporters in the north of the country, and the logical jumping-off points for goods heading even further north to Russia. The fact that both countries are members of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union has never prevented Kazakhstan throttling trade at the frontier in the past. This might explain why Kyrgyz social media users have expressed anger at notions their country is using water to exert leverage over a more powerful neighbor. One article published on the Asia Times website on July 31 and subsequently translated and republished by Kazakh media suggested exactly that, linking so-called Kyrgyz "pressure" to Russia's desire for Kazakhstan to do more to help it evade sanctions over the Ukraine war. Yet that somewhat fanciful argument is undermined by images not just of Kirov, but of Kyrgyzstan's largest reservoir, Toktogul, which services the vital Toktogul hydropower plant. To be sure, water in Central Asia is not well managed. But this year, there is simply less to go around. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-kazakh-relations- strained-water-cutoff-border-traffic-jam/32563550.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRICS Expansion to 11 Nations, 37% of Global GDP Offers 'Big Boost' for Multilateralism Sputnik News 20230824 Fantine Gardinier The massive new expansion of the BRICS economic bloc offers substantial opportunities, including for trade in non-dollar currencies between a vast swath of humanity and even greater investment opportunities using institutions outside of the US or Europe, an expert told Sputnik. Amid the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the economic bloc of emerging industrial nations was more than doubling its membership, adding six new nations: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified, however, that the bloc would not change its name, in order to show continuity. As a result, BRICS will now account for 37% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) and almost half of the world's population. In its declaration from the summit, BRICS said it aims to increase the representation of poorer nations at the United Nations and called for increasing the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions between BRICS members and their trading partners, posing a further challenge to the position of the US dollar as the presumed de facto currency of international trade. Sputnik spoke with Ashraf Patel, Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Global Dialogue and Member of the South Africa BRICS Think Tank Network, about the momentous change and what it will mean for the global economy. "Yes, as you can imagine, this is big news. It's a huge development for BRICS and BRICS +, and the expansion. So it is significant in a sense that it takes the BRICS to a new region, which is not in Africa or the Middle East. And that is a significant region for the bridge between the different regions, and also the growth of Ethiopia as a key member. You must remember Ethiopia hosts the African Union and it is significant that now Ethiopia is a member of BRICS. And then of course Argentina, being a big player in Latin America. So this is big news and positive news for BRICS expansion." Patel noted that despite making its second-ever membership expansion after adding South Africa in 2010, and having received a number of applications from other nations not yet admitted to the bloc, BRICS has not yet drawn up a formal list of membership criteria. However, because BRICS makes decisions based on consensus, reaching a unanimous decision to admit a country as a member has served as the de facto criterion. "The criteria have been in development for the last year and the BRICS model is around consensus. And for a long time, at least 3 to 4 members have been supporting true consensus on all these new members, and so we took some kind of persuasion in the last few weeks to get all countries to agree by way of consensus," he said. "Criteria is mainly around a number of factors: economics, trade. And I would imagine a country like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have got significant resources - capital - and then they would inject that into institutions like the BRICS Development Bank. So, that increases the pool of resources for funding. So, yes, it's a big development. The criteria is not fully known. It is also not very complicated. And that is the positive nature of BRICS." Patel said the vast expansion of BRICS offers both "huge challenges" as well as "huge opportunities." "Number one: remember, it's about economies of scale. It's about large populations, and large populations translate into significant markets. It also means that through institutions, maybe like BRICS currency or regional currency format, and then a new development bank, it increases cooperation, it makes it easier for companies in BRICS nations to facilitate trade. And that's important. So it is a positive development purely from a number of viewpoints, a regional footprint, but significantly, population. It's about large populations that makes large markets viable. So these are big boosters." "These are important developments. National currency-to-currency, for instance, China and Brazil are looking already at the currency in yuan. And that's a model, and this starting with that in commodities, because they are big commodity traders. I would imagine the different regions could start with country-to-country, bilateral, and then regional commodities. So as a step-up, it would get into a phase-by-phase process leading up to a more common-base currency in the near future." "So yes, it's a big boost. With new members, it means they would need to follow the BRICS norm and the BRICS norms are very unique. And over the next few years, these new nations would get into the value of norms in understanding the norms and the models, and then that would increase trade. So in a world where we need multilateralism, this is a big boost for the world order." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRICS Sets Out Key Points in 15th Summit's Declaration Sputnik News 20230824 The three-day historic summit of BRICS the group uniting the world's largest developing economies, transpired in the South African capital of Johannesburg. To wrap up the event, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa presented a joint declaration during the venue's final day. On Thursday, BRICS leaders decided to admit Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia into the club, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced, adding that the entry of the new members to the bloc is the first phase of the group's expansion process. The leaders of BRICS also reached an agreement on the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures for the club's expansion process. BRICS Countries Weigh in on Russia's Presidency in 2024 BRICS countries fully support Russia's presidency of the group in 2024 and holding the next summit in Kazan in October, BRICS said in a declaration following the Johannesburg summit on Thursday. "Brazil, India, China and South Africa extend their full support to Russia for its BRICS Chairship in 2024 and the holding of the XVI BRICS Summit in the city of Kazan, Russia," the document said. The group's leaders have also instructed their foreign ministers to prepare a list of potential partner countries by the next summit. "We have also tasked our Foreign Ministers to further develop the BRICS partner country model and a list of prospective partner countries and report by the next Summit," the declaration read. Among other issues, BRICS encourages greater participation of developing countries in the work of international organizations. "We call for greater representation of emerging markets and developing countries, in international organizations and multilateral fora in which they play an important role," the document said. BRICS Leaders on Reforming the UN The BRICS leaders support the reform of the UN, including that of the UN Security Council, in order to make the organization more democratic and efficient, according to the declaration. "We support a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council's memberships so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges," the declaration said. The leaders also agreed to "strengthen cooperation on issues of common interests both within BRICS and in multilateral fora including the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council, taking into account the necessity to promote, protect and fulfil human rights in a non-selective, non-politicised and constructive manner and without double standards," the document read. BRICS Supports Using National Currencies in International, Bilateral Trade BRICS members stand for the use of national currencies in international trade, as well as financial settlements within the association, the declaration said. "We stress the importance of encouraging the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions between BRICS as well as their trading partners. We also encourage strengthening of correspondent banking networks between the BRICS countries and enabling settlements in the local currencies," the declaration read. The association also advocates further cooperation with a view to strengthening supply chains and payment systems between its members. "We encourage further cooperation among BRICS countries to enhance the interconnectivity of supply chains and payment systems to promote trade and investment flows. We agree to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in trade in services as established in the BRICS Framework for Cooperation on Trade in Services, with the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women's Business Alliance (WBA) with the aim to promote implementation of BRICS Trade in Services Cooperation Roadmap and relevant documents including the BRICS Framework for cooperation in Trade in Professional Services," the declaration states. BRICS on the Ukrainian Conflict BRICS members favor a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, including the African states' peace initiative, the declaration said. "We recall our national positions concerning the conflict in and around Ukraine as expressed at the appropriate fora, including the UNSC [United Nations Security Council] and UNGA [United Nations General Assembly]. We note with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, including the African Leaders Peace Mission and the proposed path for peace," the declaration said. BRICS Members Committed to Deepening Economic Cooperation The BRICS member states are committed to deepening economic cooperation and coordination of macroeconomic policy, according to the final declaration. "We recognize the important role of BRICS countries working together to deal with risks and challenges to the world economy in achieving global recovery and sustainable development. We reaffirm our commitment to enhance macro-economic policy coordination, deepen economic cooperation, and work to realize strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive economic recovery," the declaration read. BRICS countries also focus on strengthening agricultural cooperation globally and within the group to ensure food security, BRICS said. "Recognizing that BRICS countries produce one third of the world's food, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthen agricultural cooperation and promote sustainable agriculture and rural development of BRICS countries for enhancing food security both within BRICS and worldwide," the document stated. BRICS on Iranian Nuclear Issue The BRICS countries reaffirm the need to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue by peaceful and diplomatic means, the organization said. "We reiterate the need to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means in accordance with the international law," the document read. BRICS also advocates for the full restoration and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Stress the importance of preserving the JCPOA and the UNSCR 2231 to international non-proliferation as well as wider peace and stability and hope for relevant parties to restore the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA at an early date," the document said. BRICS Call for Strengthening Disarmament, Non-Proliferation BRICS countries favor bolstering disarmament and non-proliferation, including in the field of biological and chemical weapons, according to the declaration. "We call for the strengthening of disarmament and non-proliferation, including the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC), recognizing its role in safeguarding and for preserving their integrity and effectiveness to maintain global stability and international peace and security," the document stated. BRICS leaders appreciate the interest shown by the Global South in seeking membership with the group, the final declaration noted. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRICS Expansion Shows Policy of Unilateralism on Decline - Raisi Sputnik News 20230824 BEIJING (Sputnik) - Earlier in the day, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the BRICS leaders have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to join the group. The expansion of BRICS shows that the policy of unilateralism is on the decline, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Thursday. "BRICS expansion shows that unilateralism is on the decline," Raisi said at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said on Thursday that the invitation to join BRICS is an opportunity to strengthen the country. "To be a part of BRICS is an opportunity to strengthen the country," Fernandez said in a video message published on X, formerly known as Twitter. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Ethiopia Get BRICS Membership Sputnik News 20230824 Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Ethiopia Get BRICS Membership The leaders of the BRICS countries believe that the time has come to use local currencies and alternative payment systems, Cyril Ramaphosa said. "There is global momentum to use of local currencies, alternative financial arrangements and alternative payment systems. As BRICS we are ready to explore opportunities for improving the stability, reliability and fairness of the global financial architecture," Ramaphosa said at the BRICS Summit media briefing. According to Ramaphosa, the admission of new members to the BRICS is the first phase of the group's expansion process. The BRICS leaders have adopted a final declaration following the Johannesburg summit, Ramaphosa added. "The BRICS leaders in the 15th BRICS summit have over the past two days had occasion to have discussions both in the retreat form, as well as an in a proper official summit, and in the course of those discussions, have reached a conclusion to adopt the Johannesburg II Declaration as a declaration that encompasses and covers the various issues that the leaders had to decide on," Ramaphosa said at the BRICS summit in South Africa. BRICS is concerned about conflicts in the world and confirms that it stands for a peaceful solution, through a dialogue, the president added. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the president of South Africa showed diplomatic skill when discussing issues of expanding. Adaptation of the final BRICS declaration was not easy, including on the issue of enlargement, Putin added. "The issue of the single settlement currency is a complex issue, but we will move towards solving these problems one way or another," Putin said at the BRICS summit in South Africa. India welcomes the invitation of new countries to join BRICS and this will serve to strengthen the organization, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. "India has always fully supported the expansion of BRICS membership. India has always believed that new members will further strengthen BRICS as an organization and give a new impetus to our common efforts... I am glad that our teams have jointly agreed on the guidelines, standards, criteria and procedures for expansion and based on this we have agreed to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to BRICS. First of all, I would like to convey my most sincere congratulations to the leaders and peoples of these countries," Modi said at the BRICS Summit media briefing. The current expansion of BRICS is a historic events that shows the determination of the group to work with developing countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said. "The current expansion is historic and reflects the determination of the BRICS member states to cooperate with developing countries," Xi said at the BRICS Summit media briefing. The decision to expand BRICS meets the expectations of the international community and the common interests of developing countries, the Chinese president added. Egypt highly appreciates the invitation of the country to join BRICS and looks forward to further cooperation, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi said on Thursday. "I value the declaration by the BRICS group to invite Egypt to join its membership as of January 2024. We appreciate the confidence of all BRICS member states with whom we share robust relations. We look forward to cooperating and coordinating with them, and with the other countries invited to join the bloc, to achieve its goals toward strengthening economic cooperation among us and raise the voice of the Global South with regard to the various issues and development challenges we encounter in order to promote the developing countries' rights and interests," Sisi said in a statement published by the Egyptian Presidency. The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, thanked the BRICS for approving his country's application to join the group. "We respect the vision of the BRICS leadership and appreciate the inclusion of the UAE as a member to this important group. We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world," Nahyan said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed congratulated the nation on the approval of its application to join the BRICS. "Ethiopia's bid to join the BRICS family endorsed this morning during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Congratulations to all Ethiopians!" the office of the Prime Minister said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Earlier, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said that BRICS had agreed on the issue of enlargement, and adopted a document outlining its principles. BRICS unites the world's largest developing economies, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. About two dozen other countries have expressed their interest in joining the club, South Africa's BRICS Sherpa Anil Sooklal said earlier this month. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Sanctions Individuals Contributing to the Recent Escalation of Conflict in the DRC US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson August 24, 2023 Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on six individuals contributing to the most recent escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Each of these individuals is contributing to instability in the eastern DRC and, in many cases, perpetrating human rights abuses, including sexual violence and violence against children. The United States stands on the side of civilians and survivors against those who perpetrate violence against the people of DRC. Today's actions reflect the United States' commitment to advancing efforts toward a resolution of the crisis and addressing the human rights abuses and dire humanitarian situation. These sanctions are also consistent with the Presidential Memorandum signed by President Biden in November 2022 to promote accountability for sexual violence in conflict. The Department of the Treasury is designating these individuals pursuant to Executive Order 13413, as amended by Executive Order 13671. For more information about these designations, see the Department of the Treasury's press release. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Targets Individuals Contributing to Increased Conflict and Instability in the Eastern DRC U.S. Department of the Treasury August 24, 2023 WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six individuals for contributing to the most recent escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Today's sanctions reflect the United States' commitment to advancing efforts toward resolution of the crisis, promoting accountability for human rights abuses including conflict-related sexual violence, and addressing the dire humanitarian situation. "The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful resolution to the escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "Treasury will not hesitate to hold accountable actors committing human rights abuses and exacerbating this already dire humanitarian situation." The current escalation of conflict began in November 2021, when the Rwanda-backed M23 (March 23 Movement) occupied portions of the North Kivu province of the DRC, prompting the Congolese military (FARDC) and several non-state armed groups, including the sanctioned Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), to respond. The United States stands in solidarity with the people of DRC against those who commit human rights abuses and destabilize the region. These actions further demonstrate the United States' commitment to holding perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict accountable, consistent with the Presidential Memorandum signed by President Biden in November 2022. DEMOCRATIC FORCES FOR THE LIBERATION OF RWANDA (fdlr) The FDLR is a predominantly ethnic Hutu-armed militia group operating in the DRC. On January 3, 2013, OFAC sanctioned both the FDLR and M23 pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13413 for having committed serious crimes involving the targeting of children in the conflict in the DRC, including recruitment as well as killing, maiming, and sexual violence. M23 was also designated for receiving arms and materiel related to military activities that contributed directly to the conflict at the time. Apollinaire Hakizimana (Hakizimana), a Rwandan national, is the FDLR's defense commissioner. Brigadier General Sebastian Uwimbabazi (Uwimbabazi), a Rwandan national, is an FDLR leader in charge of intelligence. Ruvugayimikore Protogene (Protogene), a Rwandan national, leads the FDLR-affiliated Maccabe group, formerly known as the Commando de Recherche et D'Action en Profondeur (CRAP). Protogene has been accused by the European Union of planning, directing, or committing acts that constitute serious human rights abuses in the DRC, and being responsible for sustaining armed conflict, instability, and insecurity in the DRC. Hakizimana, Uwimbabazi, and Protegene are designated pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for being leaders of the FDLR, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended. m23 M23 is a predominantly ethnic Tutsi militia in the DRC fighting against the Congolese military and several non-state armed groups. Starting in November 2021, M23 seized control of large parts of North Kivu province in the eastern DRC, committed serious human rights abuses and forced more than 800,000 people to flee their homes. Bernard Byamungu (Byamungu), a Congolese national, is the M23 deputy commander of operations and intelligence. Byamungu is designated pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for being a leader of M23, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended. armed FORCES of the democratic republic of the congo (fardc) Colonel Salomon Tokolonga (Tokolonga), a Congolese national, commands the FARDC's 3411th Regiment. In May 2022, Tokolonga led a meeting where several Congolese armed groups agreed to form a coalition against M23. Tokolonga's regiment provided ammunition to FDLR fighters fighting M23. Tokolonga is designated pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for being a leader of the FARDC, an entity, including any armed group, that has, or whose members have, been responsible for or complicit in, directly or indirectly, action or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the DRC. rwandan defense forces (RDF) Brigadier General Andrew Nyamvumba (Nyamvumba), a Rwandan national, is the head of operations for the RDF's 3rd Division. In early 2022, the 3rd Division entered DRC territory, and in conjunction with M23 combatants, attacked FARDC positions and camps, resulting in FARDC casualties. Nyamvumba is designated pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for being a leader of the RDF, an entity, including any armed group, that has, or whose members have, been responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the DRC. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. Click here for more information on the individuals designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 24 August 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Florencia Soto Nino, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Hi, good afternoon. ** Secretary-General In South Africa In South Africa this morning, the Secretary-General participated in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS-Plus Dialogue sessions. In his remarks, he delivered a simple message in a fracturing world overwhelmed by crises there is no alternative to cooperation. Noting the current global climate and increasing move towards a multi-polar world, he warned that we must have strong and effective multilateral institutions. This means strengthened and reformed institutions based on the UN Charter and international law. This is especially true given that the current structures are based on yesterday's world. Mr. Guterres said that this is also true, of the UN Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions, when so many people around the world were still under the yolk of colonialism and not at the table where the decisions were made. In the absence of such reforms, the Secretary-General warned, fragmentation is inevitable, and the world cannot afford to have a divided global economy with diverging strategies on critical issues such as artificial intelligence, and conflicting security frameworks. And in a press briefing he reiterated this message and said that he remains concerned about this risk of a fracturing of the global world order and said we must urgently restore trust and reinvigorate multilateralism. And the Secretary-General also had a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of the BRICS Summit. ** Security Council/Ukraine Turning to the Security Council. This morning, the Council held a meeting on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. Briefing Council members was the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo. She noted that today marks a year and a half since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and there is no end in sight to this war, launched in violation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law. She said that since Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Initiative on 17 July, the fighting has only escalated, and just yesterday, as a result of another Russian [Federation] drone attack in the Odesa region, 13,000 tons of grain were destroyed. She reiterated that attacks targeting grain facilities may have far-reaching global consequences, and they threaten to reverse the progress made in bolstering food security over the past year. She also said that we are concerned about the possible impact on civilians of the shelling of Russian [Federation] border communities and drone attacks deep inside [the Russian Federation], including Moscow. She stressed that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they may occur are indefensible and strictly prohibited under international law. And she also congratulated the Ukrainian people on their national day and stressed, once again, the UN's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders. ** Security Council/UNIFIL And just to note that the Security Council will reconvene this afternoon for closed consultations on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It will be Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, who will be briefing. ** Sudan Moving to Sudan, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports on the impact of the conflict. It says that at least 2 million children have been forced from their homes since the hostilities erupted four months ago an average of more than 700 children are newly displaced every hour. That is a terrifying number. And according to UNICEF sources, all states in Sudan are reporting severe shortage and stockout of medicines and supplies, including life-saving items. In areas with high internal displacement and where health systems are stretched such as the Blue and White Nile States disease outbreaks, including measles, are resurfacing with reported associated deaths. In addition, it is estimated that 20.3 million people in Sudan will be food insecure between July and September this year at least half of them are children. Since the beginning of the crisis, UNICEF has been providing health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and protection services to over 4 million children, mothers, and families across Sudan, and the agency continues to call on all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the safety and well-being of children. And that is from me. Not too many notes. So, please ask away. We'll start with Yvonne. ** Questions and Answers Correspondent : Me, Kristen, actually. Associate Spokesperson : Oh, I'm sorry, Kristen. I am getting all my names today mixed up. Sorry about that. Question : No problem. I had a question about Mali and the drawdown there. UN officials have been saying this will be a very challenging situation to get UN troops out of there in six months, more complicated by the coup in Niger. Now we've got the head of the Wagner Group apparently has been killed and their presence has been acknowledged in Mali. Given all that as the background, my question is, does the Secretary-General still think it will be possible to withdraw UN troops and all of the military assets from Mali by the end of the year? Associate Spokesperson : Obviously, just like you have said, all of these things that are happening in the region right now are making an already complex operation even more complex. And the time frame is quite short. As you know, they have until the end of the year. So, obviously, we are looking at how these could affect operations. I think you asked specifically about the Niger coup, and we know that this could have a significant impact on the withdrawal process in the sense that Niger is one of the routes for repatriating personnel and equipment. And obviously, when a country's borders are shut down, we can't do that. So alternate routes will need to be found. And this will inevitably lead to complications in the withdrawal process. Now, we don't want to speculate. We're going to wait and see. Things are still in flux. So, we're looking at all the possibilities in the region for now. Yes, Pam? Question : And any reaction to Prigozhin's death? And will that have any impact on UN operations in Mali or elsewhere? Associate Spokesperson : No comment at this time from us on that. Okay. Question : Thanks, Florencia. The question I have is about the comments that the Secretary-General made this morning at BRICS. He talked about having to update the UN. Does he have any UN reform agenda planned for UNGA? Thanks. Associate Spokesperson : I am not sure if he has any specific meetings on reform, but I think if you look at all the upcoming meetings that are happening, a lot of these things have reform strategies already in place. Right? So the SDG Stimulus, the Climate Solidarity Pact, and the Acceleration Agenda, all of these things are inviting countries to change the status quo and really start changing the way they look at climate, the way they look at their economies, the way they look at the multilateral institutions. So even if there is no specific event on reform, there are all these different tracks where he's already pushing for it. Dezhi, then Linda. Question : Yeah. Two questions. First, on the BRICS summit, we know that today, the BRICS countries send invitations to several countries to join this block. Just now you mentioned the Secretary-General talking about the danger of a fractured world. What does he think about this invitation? Would this prompt a more fractured world? And what does it has to do with the Global South's development? Associate Spokesperson : I think when he talks about a fractured world, there are two things. One is countries finding groupings and expanding them or being part of those groupings, which we're absolutely fine with. And he said that this is positive. Then there's the issue of the world becoming more fragmented. How is this happening? Well, we can have all these groupings and we can have different things going on. But, if there is not a strong multilateral system in place, if multilateralism is not working, if people don't have trust in multilateral institutions, this is where it starts to become fragmented and dangerous. And he said it himself. Fragmentation can be dangerous, it could be dangerous for the global economy. It could lead to beacons of confrontation in the future. So, I think this is why he's pushing so much for reforms and for the need to strengthen the multilateral institutions. And one of the things that he said because you mentioned the global south is, and he said this today in his speeches. One of the things about reform is that these institutions were born, a lot of them, in the 1940s, 1950s, and they lacked the representation of many countries who were under colonialism. A lot of these countries in the global south and Africa, they're not represented. So, what he wants to see is a strengthening of these institutions to have this representation and this unity so they can work together. I'll leave it at that. Do you have a follow-up? Question : Another question. The Chinese President Xi Jinping today said that China will soon launch a special fund of $10 billion to implement the Global Development Initiative. What comment does the Secretary-General have for this announcement? Associate Spokesperson : I have seen the announcement. I think, really our only reaction is we welcome any support for development. That is very much welcomed. Linda? Question : Thank you very much. My question has to do. You said earlier that the UN is obviously very concerned about drone attacks that have been against Ukraine, but now inside Russia. Secretary DiCarlo said, of course, that there appears to be no [Inaudible]. Do you know if the UN considers these drone attacks inside Russia, which is a very recent phenomenon as an escalation of the war? Associate Spokesperson : Under-Secretary DiCarlo said it herself. We have seen an escalation of this conflict even since Russia left the Black Sea Initiative. I think the fact that we're seeing more death and destruction in different ways, with different weapons is not really a sign that this is going in the right direction. It continues, there is no end in sight, and it is escalating, for sure. Erol? Question : Thank you. Does the Secretary-General through his speech at the BRICS summit call for a new world order? Associate Spokesperson : I am not sure if I would call it a new world order. I think what he's calling for are reforms to what we already have and just reinvigorating of some of the multilateral institutions. I'm not sure I would call it precisely by that name. Okay. Yes, please. Hi. Question : Hello. I'm [Inaudible] from Anadolu Agency. I just have a question on the recent royal in Cyprus on 18 August. I did a bit of digging into the past. And from what I can see is that on different occasions, including 1996, 2003, 2004, 2012 and even 2020, when the Greek secret side has carried out constructions, military fortifications, and even built a university in violation of the buffer zone. So, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs basically states that some of these go through Turkish Cypriot property. And also what I have observed from my digging into the past is that the UN and the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus has not condemned nor intervened in any of the Greek secrets projects. It has merely noted them in various reports that were published. And the Turkish Cypriot site says that the latest project which was halted by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus is a humanitarian one, and it's vital for access. So, I would just basically like to know, how can you explain the clear difference of treatment to both sides, and isn't the UN and the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus obliged to treat both sides equally? Thank you. Associate Spokesperson : I will have to look into this because I do not have all the movements of the Cyprus peacekeeping mission. I would encourage you to contact them first, but I'll get back to you on that. Anyone else? I know that Ambassador Greenfield might be going to the stakeout soon. We'll leave it at that, and I'll see you here tomorrow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than two million children displaced by brutal conflict in Sudan as violence spreads to new areas UNICEF With more children displaced in past 52 days than in previous four years combined, UNICEF warns that, without peace, the future of Sudan's children is at stake 24 August 2023 PORT SUDAN, 24 August 2023 -- At least two million children have been forced from their homes since the conflict in Sudan erupted four months ago - an average of more than 700 children newly displaced every hour. As violence continues to ravage the country, over 1.7 million children are estimated to be on the move within Sudan's borders and more than 470,000 have crossed into neighbouring countries. "With over two million children uprooted by the conflict in only a few months, and countless more trapped in its merciless grip, the urgency of our collective response cannot be overstated," said Mandeep O'Brien, UNICEF Country Representative in Sudan. "We are hearing unimaginable stories from children and families, some of whom lost everything and had to watch their loved ones die in front of their eyes. We said it before, and we are saying it again: We need peace now for children to survive." At present, close to 14 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian support, many facing multiple threats and terrifying experiences every single day. Apart from conflict hotspots like Darfur and Khartoum, the heavy fighting has now spread to other populated areas, including in South and West Kordofan, limiting the delivery and access of lifesaving services for those in urgent need. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports food insecurity is on the rise, estimating that 20.3 million people in Sudan will be food insecure between July and September 2023, at least half of them children. This means that more than 10 million children are likely to reduce the quantity or quality of the food they eat in order to survive. In many cases, families will be forced to do both. With the beginning of the rainy season, many houses have been destroyed by floods resulting in more families fleeing their areas. Moreover, the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera, dengue, Rift Valley Fever and chikungunya, is significantly higher during the rainy period. Currently, more than 9.4 million children lack access to safe drinking water in Sudan and 3.4 million children under 5 are at high risk of diarrheal diseases and cholera. Violence continues to obstruct the delivery of health and nutrition services, putting millions of children at risk. In Khartoum, the Darfur and Kordofan regions, fewer than one-third of health facilities are fully functional. Insecurity and displacement are also preventing patients and health workers from reaching hospitals and other health facilities, with many being reportedly attacked and destroyed. Health systems in the other 11 states are overwhelmed due to the massive displacement of populations from hotspots to these less-affected states. According to UNICEF sources, all states in Sudan are reporting severe shortage and stockout of medicines and supplies, including life-saving items. In areas with high internal displacement and where health systems are stretched - such as the Blue and White Nile States - disease outbreaks, including measles, are resurfacing with reported associated deaths. The lethal combination of measles, malnutrition and displacement is putting lives of children at a very high risk if urgent action is not taken. As conflict continues to ravage the country, almost 700,000 children with severe acute malnutrition are at high risk of not surviving without treatment, 1.7 million babies risk missing critical lifesaving vaccinations, and an entire generation of children will likely miss out on education. Over the last four months, UNICEF has been providing health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and protection services to over 4 million children, mothers, and families across Sudan. In the next 100 days, UNICEF urgently needs US$400 million to sustain and scale its crisis response to support the most vulnerable children. UNICEF continues to call on all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the safety and well-being of children, ensure their protection, and enable unimpeded humanitarian access to affected areas. Lifesaving humanitarian support must be provided without delay to protect and safeguard the rights of millions of vulnerable children. ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's remarks at the BRICS summit United Nations Secretary-General 24 August 2023 Distinguished Heads of States and Governments, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Let me begin by thanking President Cyril Ramaphosa. We take great inspiration from the Rainbow Nation's extraordinary path to unity through action and justice. That is what our world needs. Unity for action. And unity for justice. We are confronting existential challenges. The climate crisis is spiralling out of control. A global cost-of-living crisis is raging. Poverty, hunger, and inequalities are growing against the objectives of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. New technologies are raising red flags, without a global architecture to deal with them. Geopolitical divides and conflicts are multiplying with profound global implications, especially the impacts from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Excellencies, We are moving towards a multipolar world, and that is a positive thing. But multipolarity in itself is not enough to guarantee a peaceful or just global community. To be a factor of peace, equity, and justice in international relations, multipolarity must be supported by strong and effective multilateral institutions. Look no further than the situation in Europe at the dawn of the last century. Europe was multipolar - but it lacked strong multilateral mechanisms. The result was World War I. As the global community moves towards multipolarity, we desperately need - and I have been vigorously advocating for - a strengthened and reformed multilateral architecture based on the UN Charter and international law. Today's global governance structures reflect yesterday's world. They were largely created in the aftermath of World War II when many African countries were still ruled by colonial powers and were not even at the table. This is particularly true of the Security Council of the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions. For multilateral institutions to remain truly universal, they must reform to reflect today's power and economic realities, and not the power and economic realities of the post Second World War . In the absence of such reform -- fragmentation is inevitable. We cannot afford a world with a divided global economy and financial system; with diverging strategies on technology including artificial intelligence; and with conflicting security frameworks. The IMF estimates that such a fracture could cost 7 percent of global GDP - a cost that would be disproportionately born by low-income countries, mainly in Africa. And so I have come to Johannesburg with a simple message: in a fracturing world with overwhelming crises, there is simply no alternative to cooperation. We must urgently restore trust and reinvigorate multilateralism for the 21st century. This requires the courage to compromise in the reforms that are necessary for the common good. It requires full respect for the UN Charter, international law, universal values, and all human rights - social, cultural, economic, civil, and political. And it requires much greater solidarity. Of course, none of this is easy. But it is essential. And is essential especially for Africa. The African continent, a historic victim of slavery and colonialism, continues to confront grave injustices. On average, African countries pay four times more for borrowing than the United States and eight times more than the wealthiest European countries. And African countries account for just four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but is an epicentre of climate chaos suffering disproportionally impacts of climate change. Looking ahead, I see two priorities for action and justice. First, on the economic front. Redesigning today's outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair global financial architecture is necessary, but I know it won't happen overnight. Yet we can - and must - take practical action now. The Sustainable Development Goals' Stimulus I have proposed, an effective debt workout mechanism, and other steps necessary to multiple the resources available for developing countries are vital for sustainable development in Africa and to give options to African governments to support the development of their peoples. We must also drastically step-up climate action and climate justice. I have put forward a Climate Solidarity Pact in which developed countries provide financial and technical support to help emerging economies - in Africa and beyond - to promote an equitable and just transition to renewable energy. And I have presented an Acceleration Agenda to boost these efforts - with developed countries committing to reach net zero emissions as close as possible to 2040, and developing countries as close as possible to 2050. Developed countries must also finally keep their promises to developing countries: by meeting the $100 billion goal, doubling adaptation finance, replenishing the Green Climate Fund, and operationalizing the loss and damage fund this year. As a matter of justice, Africa must be considered a priority in all these efforts. Excellencies, We will not solve our common challenges in a fragmented way. Together, let us work to advance the power of universal action, the imperative for justice, and the promise of a better future. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's opening remarks at press encounter at BRICS Summit meeting United Nations Secretary-General 24 August 2023 Ladies and gentlemen of the press, It is wonderful to be in Johannesburg and I thank the people and government of South Africa for their warm welcome. The 'Rainbow Nation' has been an inspiration to nations everywhere navigating their own paths to reconciliation and unity. Today, South Africa is a powerful champion of the calls by the Global South for greater equality and justice in international affairs. Calls the world is hearing loud and clear - and also here at the 15th BRICS Summit. My message to the leaders assembled here was clear: our world is in dire straits. We face existential challenges - from the worsening climate emergency and escalating conflicts to the global cost-of-living crisis, soaring inequalities and dramatic technological disruptions. So this is a time to come together and to work together. But instead, divisions are growing, and tensions are rising. Several factors contribute to these divisions: diverging perspectives on global crises, contrasting approaches to non-traditional security threats, differing strategies towards new technologies, and, of course, the consequences of COVID-19 and of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I remain deeply concerned over the risk of a fracturing of the global order. We are entering a multipolar world. But history has shown time and again that multipolarity without strong multilateral institutions is no guarantee for stability; it might even become a catalyst for chaos. We must urgently restore trust and reinvigorate multilateralism. This requires the courage to compromise for the common good. It requires effective international institutions rooted in 21st century realities based on the UN Charter and international law. And as I emphasized today at the Summit, it requires a special focus on Africa. The Security Council, the Bretton Woods system, and other International Organizations, reflect the world of 1945, when many African countries were still part of European empires. To this day, the continent is underrepresented in the global financial architecture, just as it lacks a permanent seat on the Security Council. The world has changed - and so, global governance must change with it. It must represent today's power and economic relations and not the power and economic relations of 1945. That is why I have been advocating deep reforms to make global frameworks truly universal and representative of today's realities, and more responsive to the needs of developing economies. We need more inclusive institutions at every level, including through greater representation of women and young people. But all this in a context in which, I believe, two areas require a particularly important reform effort. One is the Security Council; the second, the Bretton Woods system. If we are not able to reform our institutions to make sure they reassume a truly universal character, we risk fragmentation, and fragmentation can be one day a factor of confrontation. And we also need in each society a new social contract based on respect for all human rights - social, cultural, economic, civil, and political. And finally, we need to act in solidarity - and with greater urgency in several future-defining areas. I will refer to some of them: First, we need action to save our planet. Developed countries have a particular responsibility and so they must lead and they must deliver. On the $100 billion promise to developing countries. On the loss and damage fund. On doubling adaptation finance. On replenishing the Green Climate Fund. And on plans for early warning systems to protect every person in the world - including the 6 in 10 Africans who still lack those systems. As a matter of justice, Africa must be considered a priority in all these crucial commitments. Every country has a role to play. That is why I have proposed a Climate Solidarity Pact - in which all big emitters make extra efforts to cut emissions; and wealthier countries support emerging economies to do so. And I have put forward an Acceleration Agenda to supercharge these efforts in order to guarantee that we maintain the 1.5 degree limit as a reality. So, it's time to break our addiction to fossil fuels and invest in a just and equitable transition. And we must bring affordable electricity to everyone on earth - and particularly in Africa - while simultaneously reaching net-zero electricity by 2035 in developed countries and 2040 elsewhere. I commend South Africa for stepping up as pioneers of the Just Transition Energy Partnership - a crucial tool to unlock emission cuts, boost renewables, and grow the green economy. Second, we need action to save economies and reduce inequalities. The pandemic has underscored once again how the global financial architecture is outdated, dysfunctional, and unjust. It has failed in its basic function as a global safety net. And so, it needs deep, structural reform. But I also know that such change will not happen overnight. And so I have proposed a number of measures we can take right now. They include: Providing a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Stimulus to direct investments towards the Sustainable Development Goals with a funding equivalent of US $500 million. Overhauling the business models of Multilateral Development Banks so that they massively increase affordable financing and leverage far more private finance to the developing world, including also the need to increase their own capital. Establishing an effective debt workout mechanism to support payment suspensions, longer lending terms, and lower rates. The debt situation in many African countries as well as in many other parts of the developing world is today absolutely intolerable. The majority of African countries pay more of their budget in interest for debt than in education or in health. And so, we need to make sure that there is an effective debt reduction mechanism in place. Until now, what we had is too little, and too late. We also need to make international tax cooperation more inclusive and more effective so countries can support each other in generating financing for sustainable development. And working together to stop illicit financial flows that are draining vital resources from the African continent. Taken together, these steps would go a long way in equipping developing economies in Africa and beyond with the means to invest in key transitions across energy, education, digital, health, and more. Ladies and gentlemen, The months ahead will be vital. From the Africa Climate Summit, where I will be in Nairobi in two weeks times, the G20 Summit, to the SDG and Climate Ambition Summits at the United Nations in September, to COP28 in December - we have important opportunities to set a path to a better, more peaceful and more just world. We have no time to lose, and I thank you for your patience. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PACAF, allies support Pacific Airlift Rally 23 Published Aug. 24, 2023 By Yasuo Osakabe 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Pacific Air Force Airmen returned from Pacific Airlift Rally 23, a multinational, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise involving the U.S., Philippines, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia air forces at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Aug. 14-18. PAR23 tested the interoperability between the U.S. military, allies, partners and civilian agencies responsible for supporting airlift operations in the event of a crisis. Two C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, played a key part in creating a realistic operating environment and disaster response. "The Yokota (AB) team is composed of pilots, loadmasters, logisticians, maintainers, medics and many other career fields all working together in various parts of the exercise," said Capt. Timothy Kim, 36th AS flight commander and PAR23 mission commander. "Any opportunity we get to fly with other countries is a privilege for us and very valuable training," Kim said. "In PAR23, we were able to inter-fly with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Indonesia Air Force as well as the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Philippine Air Force. From this, we can learn from each other and get better at executing our mission together." During PAR23, Airmen conducted field training exercises focusing on container delivery, personnel airdrop, cargo loading, low-cost, low-altitude airdrop rigging and critical patient movement in tandem with participating nations. "On the flying side, PAR23 gave us an opportunity to train together and increase our proficiency," Kim said. "If a disaster struck and we needed to respond with humanitarian assistance, it would truly be a team effort and PAR23 was a platform to practice such an effort." The Yokota AB team knows well that disaster does indeed strike at a moment's notice and remains committed to diligent preparation, should U.S. allies or partners call for support. In 2011, Yokota conducted real-world humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations during Operation Tomodachi, following the infamous Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as well as in 2013 for Operation Damayan. Operation Damayan was a response to Typhoon Haiyan which caused catastrophic destruction in the central Philippines. Five C-130H from Yokota AB quickly deployed to the Philippines in support of the operation. The U.S. relief effort delivered vast quantities of emergency supplies and evacuated more than 21,000 survivors. Interoperability training, education and exchange programs between international partners like PAR23 provide mutual advantages and promote cohesiveness between military leaders and servicemembers, creating a stable environment for peace-keeping efforts. "I am humbled by how hard Team Yokota worked and how hard each of the flying participant countries worked to contribute to this exercise," Kim said. "There were plenty of lessons-learned, specifically related to how we can fly together, and our subject matter experts exchanged valuable lessons about maintenance, aeromedical evacuation, cultural nuances and security." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Could State Department, Bagram or Ghani Have Made Afghan Airlift Less Chaotic? By Carla Babb, Akmal Dawi August 24, 2023 This month, the Taliban are marking two years since they retook control of Kabul, a swift blow that shocked the international community and set in motion a frantic evacuation led by the United States. The violent and chaotic final phase of the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021 saw more than 122,000 people airlifted to safety, but at least 180 people, including 13 U.S. military service members, were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near Hamid Karzai International Airport's Abbey Gate entrance on August 26. Critics of the evacuation known officially as a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation or NEO say there is plenty of blame to go around. "It was a Kafka-esque exercise in bureaucracy and red tape with no clear lines of authority while lives were on the line," said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, at a Senate hearing about a month after the evacuation ended. "We were unprepared," he said. Was the State Department to blame? U.S. officials who spoke to VOA at the time of the fall, and again in recent weeks, have placed the blame largely on the State Department. They say the U.S. Embassy in Kabul repeatedly ignored Taliban gains that were meant to be seen as "trip wires" to signal the need for a NEO. On May 1, 2021, the Taliban controlled roughly 75 Afghan districts, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Long War Journal. By July 12, the Taliban controlled more than 210 of Afghanistan's roughly 400 districts. But as Afghan territories fell like dominoes, efforts by the military to conduct an interagency tabletop exercise to prepare for the evacuation were delayed. The State Department continued to "move the date because Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on vacation," according to one official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to talk to reporters. Two officials told VOA that the State Department initially did not want the evacuation to include Afghan nationals who had worked with U.S. forces and had applied for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to the United States. Instead, State wanted the military to focus solely on airlifting U.S. citizens and embassy personnel. VOA asked the State Department how many Afghans seeking SIVs the U.S. wanted to include in its initial evacuation plans, but the department declined to comment. According to an after-action report by U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, during the interagency tabletop evacuation exercise on August 10, Afghanistan's crumbling situation was presented to Biden administration officials with a prediction that Kabul could be fully isolated within 30 days. However, diplomats did not order an evacuation that day. "There was a reluctance [from State] to plan for the worst, and a reluctance to start the needed evacuation," a U.S. official close to the evacuation planning told VOA. The State Department finally ordered the military to conduct an NEO on August 14, one day before Kabul fell. "There was not a sufficient sense of urgency," wrote authors of an After Action Review on Afghanistan released by the State Department this year. Who was in charge? By definition, NEOs are "conducted by the Department of Defense ... when directed by the Department of State," and officials have said friction between the two led to the haphazard evacuation. NEOs are overseen by the chief of mission, who was U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson. One official told VOA that in addition to "waiting too long" to order the NEO, Wilson appeared to have "no policy [for] prioritizing how to get folks out." Sometimes SIV applicants would get processed by State, other times not. Multiple C-17s left Kabul airport without any evacuees on the first day of the evacuation, said another official. The State Department flew in a second ambassador and others to help with the NEO after Kabul fell, but processing remained the slowest part of the evacuation, frustrating military leaders, including Rear Admiral Peter Vasely and Brigadier General Farrell Sullivan, the officers responsible for coordinating the evacuation. According to one official, Vasely was instructing military personnel to "load and go" in an effort to get as many people as possible onto planes so they could be fully processed in a safer location outside Afghanistan. State Department personnel, on the other hand, wanted to fully process potential evacuees before they boarded a plane. International television audiences were shocked by scenes of desperate Afghans clinging to the undercarriages of planes as they took off, only to fall to their deaths. The chaotic situation further devolved on August 26 when a suicide bomber unleashed a massive blast outside the airport's Abbey Gate, where thousands of Afghans were clustered in a frantic effort to enter the facility in hopes of boarding an evacuation flight. The attack, attributed to the Islamic State extremist group, killed an estimated 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members who had been manning the gate and trying to maintain order. Was the military at fault for not using Bagram? In the days, weeks and months after the attack, many criticized the U.S. military plan to use Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) for the evacuation rather than Bagram Airfield, the Soviet-built base about 50 kilometers north of Kabul that had been the hub of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades. Command Sergeant Major Jake Smith oversaw the U.S. military departure from Bagram at the beginning of July 2021, as part of the scheduled departure of the last U.S. forces from Afghanistan. U.S. President Joe Biden on April 14 of that year had ordered the military to remove all of its troops from Afghanistan by September 11, with the exception of a few hundred to protect the embassy. The Biden administration later changed the military's withdrawal deadline to August 31. In the spring of that year, Smith had recommended Bagram for any NEO, saying the vast military base had far better resources and capabilities than HKIA to handle the operation. "Bagram could house 35,000 people without overloading the infrastructure, whereas HKIA could hold under 4,000. ... Bagram held the logistical capability to meet the requirements of 130,000 people, HKIA did not," he told lawmakers. Bagram also had one more runway than HKIA. From a security assessment, too, Smith told lawmakers in July that Bagram was a better option than HKIA. "The events that happened on Abbey Gate, I believe, that would have not occurred in Bagram," he said. In 2017, Kabul was deemed so insecure that then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to meet him at Bagram Airfield. Similarly, in November 2019, President Donald Trump landed at Bagram, but did not take the less than 15-minute helicopter flight to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul because of security considerations. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, blames U.S. civilian decision-makers for ignoring Smith's proposal to execute the NEO from Bagram. "This was a prime example of the arrogance of civilian decision-makers who had never served in the military and had no real experience in Afghanistan haughtily ignoring those who did," Rubin wrote to VOA. To keep Bagram Airfield operational, U.S. military leaders say they would have needed at least 2,500 troops on the ground, significantly more than the Biden administration had ordered them to keep in the country. U.S. forces vacated Bagram on July 2, at which point U.S. Central Command said the military withdrawal was "more than 90% complete." By July 12, a month before Kabul fell and the day the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Austin "Scott" Miller, relinquished command, the only American troops that remained in Afghanistan were those assigned to protect the embassy and those assisting Turkish forces with security at HKIA. "What we wanted was an elegant solution that was not attainable," retired General Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command who oversaw the NEO, told VOA last year. "We wanted to go to zero militarily yet retain a small diplomatic platform in Afghanistan that would be protected." In September 2021, McKenzie told a House Armed Services Committee hearing, "I did not see any tactical utility to Bagram." Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the same hearing that "Bagram would've required exceptional levels of resources." Neither of the military officials spoke about Smith's proposal to use Bagram for the NEO. "The size of Bagram and its associated terrain would have demanded a much, much larger amount of troops to defend it," Gian Gentile, a retired U.S. Army colonel and associate director of the Army Research Division at the RAND Corporation, a global policy research group, said in an interview. "That view is the usual post-facto military lament that if policymakers would have only let us run the show, everything would have been fine," he told VOA. "But again, that is a contorted inverse on how things work in a democracy." Could Ghani have changed the outcome? Days before he fled from Afghanistan in three helicopters with his wife and closest aides, Ghani vowed he would not run away, even at the cost of his life. Such assurances, and intelligence estimates about the strength and resilience of Afghan defense forces, prompted U.S. officials to believe that Kabul would not fall to the Taliban, even if the group claimed the rest of the country. Ghani's unexpected flight on August 15, however, left Afghanistan without a state for the U.S. to deal with while opening the door for the Taliban to walk into the deserted Presidential Palace in Kabul, less than three miles from the U.S. Embassy. "If [Ghani] had not fled, things would have been different," Sediq Seddiqi, a former deputy minister and spokesperson to Ghani, told VOA. By staying, Seddiqi said, the Afghan president could have prevented the mayhem that followed his escape. Others who knew Ghani and worked for him disagree. "I believe President Ghani had totally lost credibility," said Omar Zakhilwal, a former Afghan minister. "If he had stayed in Kabul, the only thing he could have saved would have been his honor as a leader but not the government it was just too late for the latter," Zakhilwal told VOA. Whether any U.S. or Ghani government action could have prevented or mitigated the events of August 2021 in Kabul remains in dispute, but neither the dramatic scenes at Kabul airport, nor the loss of life on August 26, can be reversed. Milley told The Washington Post on Friday that he supported investigations, including those by House Republicans, into the Afghanistan withdrawal. "I think any time that you can shed light and truth, determine lessons learned, I think that's a valuable exercise," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Analysts: Situation Worsening in Niger as Food Prices Rise, Security Deteriorates By Mariama Diallo August 24, 2023 Conditions for people in Niger are getting worse, as security appears to be deteriorating, according to regional experts who spoke with VOA. Prices of staple foods such as rice and cooking oil have increased, while the country has endured more violence in the past three weeks than it had since the beginning of the year. While life may seem normal in Niger because shops are open and people are going to work, what's really happening is quite different, according to Laura Esposito, the country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, who spoke to VOA from the capital, Niamey. "In general, the living conditions of the population in the country are worsening due to the negative effects of the closure of the borders with Nigeria and Benin, where most goods come from, and due to the power cuts we are suffering in Niamey, but also other towns," she said. "This brings scarcity of key goods and increase of prices of, for example rice, cooking oil, sugar." Esposito said it's important to remember that Niger was already a very vulnerable country. "There are already 4 million people that needed life-saving humanitarian assistance and this was before the latest crisis and more than 3 million face acute food insecurity," she said. "Niger is also hosting many refugees from the neighboring countries roughly 250,000 and there are also lots of internally displaced people that are fleeing the violence of non-state armed groups. Their needs are not met." Only 40% of humanitarian funding that is needed to provide assistance has been raised so far this year, Esposito said, noting that Niger's budget is heavily dependent on foreign aid and loans none of which are currently available. The junta that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum say they decided to take over because he was failing to secure the country. From January to July this year, under the now-deposed president, there were two insurgent-related attacks; that number has increased since the coup, according to Fahiraman Rodrigue Kone, chief project manager of the Sahel team at the Bamako-based Institute for Security Studies. "We know that among the three Sahel central countries here, Niger was one of the most stable, had a very effective and efficient response policy against the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel," Kone said. "Since this coup, we have seen more and more attacks, we have registered four attacks in the area of Niger, which means that certainly jihadists' groups are taking the opportunity of this political instability." Kone, who spoke from Ouagadougou, said while security was challenging in some parts of Niger, especially in the Tillaberi region bordering Mali and Burkina Faso, it was not as bad compared to other parts of the Sahel. "The strategy of Niger under Bazoum, there was this military fighting pressure on the jihadists' groups, but there was also non-military action like community dialogue with some jihadist leader groups' military, in order to push for disengagement of combatants from those groups and there were also socio-economic development actions," Kone said. Negotiations for a peaceful return to civilian rule are ongoing, but Kone noted that a military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, has not been ruled out. "ECOWAS has in the past intervened in some countries already Gambia, Cote D'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the characteristics of the intervention was that they were really based on consensual and united voice for [that] intervention," he said. "Right now, we are in a situation of many divisions political divisions within West African countries, ECOWAS members but also outside, neighboring countries like Algeria and even Chad doesn't want this intervention." In the medium- to long-term, Kone said the divisions that exist will complicate the security situation and could allow space for jihadist groups to flourish. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Francesco Talo, Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Italy August 24, 2023 National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today at the White House with Italian Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister Francesco Talo. Following on the July 27 meeting between President Biden and PM Meloni, Sullivan and Talo reaffirmed the unwavering support of both countries for Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression. They consulted on the current situation in Niger and reaffirmed the need to restore constitutional order in the country as soon as possible. Sullivan and Talo discussed efforts to deepen cooperation on a range of shared challenges, including expanded support for developing countries in Africa and around the globe and looked forward to Italy's upcoming G7 presidency in 2024. Sullivan also welcomed Italy's increasing engagement across the Indo-Pacific region. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Quint National Security Advisors August 24, 2023 National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan convened the Quint national security advisors of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom at the White House today. Noting that it is also Ukraine's Independence Day, participants reiterated their enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as it takes, and to aiding it in its reconstruction. The national security advisors stressed that Russia's sovereign assets in their nations' jurisdictions will remain immobilized until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine, and examined further ways to hold Russia accountable for the destruction it has brought in its illegal war. The national security advisors also reaffirmed the importance of putting Niger back on a path to constitutional order, and support for the Economic Community of West African states' leadership role in resolving this crisis. They discussed a range of other strategic issues, including an exchange of views on the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East. In addition, National Security Advisor Sullivan convened the national security advisors and senior G20 representatives of the Quint and the European Union at the White House to discuss the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, India. Participants discussed their unified support for the G20 and India's G20 Presidency, as well as their commitment to ensuring strong outcomes in New Delhi, including demonstrating the G20's role as the premier forum for economic cooperation, driving an affirmative and ambitious agenda for developing and emerging countries, and making progress on evolving the multilateral development banks to be more responsive to shared global challenges. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypt voices aspiration to cooperate with BRICS countries after being invited to join bloc People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:20, August 25, 2023 CAIRO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday thanked the BRICS for inviting Egypt to join in as a new member state, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. "I highly value the BRICS's invitation of Egypt to join the economic bloc as of January 2024, and we are proud of the confidence of all bloc countries in Egypt," the statement quoted Sisi as saying. BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market bloc that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Sisi's remarks came shortly after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on the final day of a BRICS summit that six countries including Egypt are to join the bloc as new members next year. The other five countries are Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Egypt looks forward to cooperating with all BRICS member states in the coming period, and with the other countries invited to join the bloc, to achieve its objectives for boosting economic cooperation and raising the voices of the Global South concerning different developmental issues and challenges in a way that supports the rights and interests of the developing countries, Sisi said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Digital Frontlines: The Marines' Battle in the Virtual Trenches of Cyber Flag 23-2 US Marine Corps News 23 Aug 2023 | Cpl. Oneg Plisner Defense Media Activity (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) -- To safeguard virtual spaces that house national secrets, power our daily lives, and influence global interactions, the United States Marine Corps remains proactive by being at the forefront of this battle. This was highlighted by the Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group and Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Battalion's participation in this year's Cyber Flag event. "Nowadays, normal is technology," said Sgt. Michael Rodriguez, a Defensive Cyberspace Operator with the Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group. He paints a vivid picture of our everyday dependence on digital infrastructure. "Remember whenever we had a toilet paper shortage, imagine that happening but with dairy products or beef and chicken. People not being able to get their food or not being able to communicate with people, everything could turn to anarchy real quick." According to Michael Fanning, a network analyst, "The Cyber Flag event is a training event where we come together, and it's really a way to test the team." The event is split into teams called "cells." The red cell tries to breach the network, and the blue cell identifies and stops these attempts. "So once we find [the breaches] on Friday, we talk to the red team, and we went through some of the things they did," he shared. Rodriguez elaborates on the real-world implications of their work. "Basically, cybersecurity," he explains, discussing his specialty in defensive operations. Their goal is to detect malicious activity on Marine Corps-related networks. "We know for a fact that they're going to be on there," he says, referencing the guaranteed threats in the training environment. Fanning emphasizes the broader importance of the event, "It happens all the time. Not only when you go home knowing what is being collected, but how to defend yourself against it." The implications of a cyber-attack can be significant, affecting national security and the economy. "The new mindset is not when we get attacked; it's how soon can we realize that we're already compromised." While the exercise is about simulated scenarios, its real value lies in collaboration. Fanning highlights working with international allies, recalling, "I went overseas, working with the Army as well over to Albania, and then even with this team, we actually went over to Korea." Rodriguez also speaks of joint operations with other military branches, emphasizing the significance of communication in cybersecurity. The comprehensive training these experts receive, like the Joint Cyber Analysis Course in Pensacola, Florida, covers the evolution of technology. Rodriguez and his peers are trained to respond swiftly to breaches, isolating and analyzing affected machines in a virtual "sandbox." Fanning walks through his daily tasks, starting by checking for alerts. "The first thing I do is I log on, and I make sure there are no alerts that have been generated." His team establishes a baseline of normal network activity, ensuring genuine threats are identified. "Once I get through alerts, I'll go through, and I use the intelligence that we were given based off of what the threat is." Speaking of the broader value of the Cyber Flag event, Fanning notes, "It trains us. It's not every day you find a compromise. So getting that experience of actually hunting and finding something builds confidence." Every event offers lessons. Rodriguez admits to their challenges, stating, "Now we can go back to the drawing board, see where we didn't think of the full picture, and try to put those implementations into our plan." He highlights the Marine Corps' adaptability and says, "We're expeditionary. We go everywhere the Marine Corps tells us to go." As our reliance on digital technology grows, so does the importance of events like Cyber Flag. They train our defense experts and highlight the ever-evolving nature of threats in the digital age. The Cyber Flag event encapsulates the ever-evolving world of cyber defense, where vigilance, collaboration, and continuous learning are the keys to safeguarding our digital realm. Through the dedicated efforts of individuals like Fanning, Rodriguez, the MCCYWG, and MCCOB teams, our virtual borders remain secure, as the heartbeat of cyber defense keeps pace with the ever-evolving digital threats. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exercise Thai Boomerang commences in Thailand 24 August 2023 The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed 120 personnel and six aircraft this week to Thailand to participate in Exercise Thai Boomerang 23. Exercise Thai Boomerang is a bilateral fighter jet exercise between the RAAF and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), focused on enhancing interoperability through a variety of training scenarios. Based out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, the exercise involves F/A-18F Super Hornets from RAAF's No. 1 Squadron working alongside Royal Thai Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS-39 Gripen fighters. The exercise provides an opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership between Australia and Thailand through defence engagement, by fostering closer understanding, friendship and rapport between aviators at all levels. Wing Commander Sean Hamilton, Commanding Officer No. 1 Squadron, said the exercise would test and improve combined force integration, as well as strengthen our bilateral partnership and combined readiness. "Exercise Thai Boomerang provides an opportunity to enhance Australia's security partnership with Thailand through stronger relationships and interoperability," Wing Commander Hamilton said. "We look forward to training alongside the Royal Thai Air Force and conducting air combat scenarios with mixed formations of fighters. "These shared experiences provide the building blocks for a cooperative working relationship and enable us to learn from one another, to become a more effective fighting force." Thailand is an important partner and the two countries share a rich history of defence engagement through education, training and practical security cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pacific partners ensure a smooth delivery 24 August 2023 Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, HMPNGS Cape Gloucester and the Australian Army's 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment have transferred essential stores to Manus Island in support of upcoming military Exercise Puk Puk in September. Exercise Puk Puk is an annual engineering exercise involving military personnel from Papua New Guinea, Australia, the UK and other partner nations. Australian Army Lieutenant Jacob McLean, from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, led the vehicle reception party for the ADF. "During Exercise Puk Puk we tie in with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Engineer Battalion and we do partnership and capacity building exercises," Lieutenant McLean said. "This year, the main scope of works is a refurbishment of a classroom. It also involves a refurbishment of the married quarters here in Lombrum Barracks, and drainage and road repair on Manus Island." HMPNGS Cape Gloucester and its crew were essential elements in the stores delivery - rafting alongside ADV Reliant and receiving the cargo, including Army vehicles, via crane. The cargo was then ferried to the barge ramp and into location. Commanding Officer of HMPNGS Cape Gloucester Lieutenant Bryan Pohaisaid he was excited to work with his Australian colleagues again. "The transfer of cargo went smoothly and it was great experience for our trainees onboard. I hope we can do more work like this in the future." ADV Reliant's Navy liaison officer, Lieutenant Commander Brenton-James Glover, said ADV Reliant was Australia's Pacific support vessel. "This tasking in support of Exercise Puk Puk symbolises the vessel's mission to work in a collaborative nature alongside our Pacific partners." Lieutenant McLean said he would be returning to Manus Island in September for the exercise. "I look forward to engaging again with those friends and working together to achieve an outcome and really attaining those objectives as a partnership force." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A hosting first for HMAS Adelaide 24 August 2023 A US Army special operations Chinook, from the 'Night Stalkers' regiment, conducted deck landings on HMAS Adelaide as part of Exercise Balance Action. Two MH-47G Chinooks, from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Night Stalkers, arrived in Australia last month for Exercise Talisman Sabre. The SOAR stayed on after the exercise to conduct further interoperability training with special operations command units in the Sydney area. The deck landings demonstrated the cohesion between Navy's amphibious assault landing helicopter docks and US military helicopters. US Army pilot Captain 'A' said the SOAR always welcomed the opportunity to practise deck landings with foreign naval vessels. "Royal Australian Navy assets such as HMAS Adelaide have enabled us to successfully work on a variety of missions side by side with our closest allies and friends," Captain A said. "We never know when this training will pay off across the Indo-Pacific, should we ever need to deploy on any future special operations missions." The deck landing training was the first time Adelaide had hosted a SOAR helicopter. Navy aviation support sailors from Adelaide refuelled the SOAR Chinook before it departed to re-join a Special Operations Command maritime training activity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Communique of the Fifth Annual Joint Heads of Pacific Security 25 August 2023 Law enforcement, national security, and military leaders, including police, customs, and immigration from across the Pacific, met in Koror, Palau, for the fifth annual Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) Meeting from 23-24 August 2023. Members recognised the history of leaders' guidance including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the Boe Declaration on Regional Security as their strategic guidance for prioritising security collaboration across agencies and the region. Members reaffirmed the valuable role and leadership of existing regional security organisations, including the Forum Fisheries Agency, Pacific Fusion Centre, Pacific Security College, Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police, Pacific Immigration Development Community, Oceania Customs Organisation, and the South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces. Members agreed that JHoPS will focus on the areas of cross agency cooperation and coordination between regional security agencies to address multidimensional security challenges. Members agreed that Palau, as 2023 JHoPS Chair, would bring the collective voice of the region's security practitioners to Pacific Islands Forum leaders to report and advise on shifting security challenges and jointly recommend regional security solutions. Members reiterated their commitment to the 2022 Denarau Outcome and agreed to establish an intersessional working group, to further strengthen relationships, solidify trust and reciprocity and to progress outcomes for ratification at the next Meeting, including; support for the Chair's engagement with the Pacific Islands Forum a terms of reference or memorandum of understanding to clarify the JHoPS mandate, mission, and governance framework pursuant to Outcome 16 of the Denarau Outcome consideration of a regional treaty framework to enable and enhance the collective ability of security agencies to respond quickly and effectively to regional security challenges, pursuant to Outcome 15 of Denarau Outcome and recommendations for JHoPS delegates on the key areas of focus coming out of the tabletop exercise focusing on regional security challenges, national capacities, and capability gaps. Members acknowledged the importance of coordination, information sharing, and interoperability and committed to sharing concepts of operations and best practices. Members reaffirmed the importance of the JHoPS as a forum to enhance cooperation among security partners and to collectively address Pacific operational security challenges and welcomed Papua New Guinea's planned hosting of the next JHoPS Meeting. Cook Islands registered their interest in hosting the following JHoPS Meeting. Members offered their sincere thanks to the Government of Palau for their successful hosting of JHoPS 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi Jinping Arrives in Johannesburg to Attend the 15th BRICS Summit and Pay a State Visit to South Africa Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-08-22 23:00 On the evening of August 21, 2023 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Johannesburg to attend the 15th BRICS Summit and pay a state visit to South Africa. Around 11 p.m., Xi Jinping's special plane landed at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, and other senior government officials, warmly welcomed Xi Jinping at the gangway. A South African woman presented flowers to Xi Jinping, and guards of honor saluted with guns. People dressed in national costumes performed ebullient dances. Ramaphosa warmly welcomed President Xi Jinping to South Africa for a state visit. Xi Jinping said he is delighted to visit South Africa again and looks forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with President Ramaphosa on deepening China-South Africa relations and issues of mutual interest. Xi Jinping issued a written statement at the airport, in which he extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the South African government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people. Xi Jinping stressed that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, and the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership has entered a new phase. The consolidation and development of China-South Africa relations not only benefit the two peoples, but also inject more stability into a world rocked by changes and turmoil. He expressed the confidence that with the joint efforts of both sides, his visit will be a complete success. Xi Jinping pointed out that as an important cooperation platform for emerging markets and major developing countries, the BRICS cooperation mechanism has become a constructive force for boosting world economic growth, improving global governance, and promoting greater democracy in international relations. He expressed the confidence that this BRICS summit will become an important milestone in the development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and elevate the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries to a higher level. Xi said he will also attend the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue, during which he and leaders of African countries will jointly discuss major cooperation plans, explore development paths, and promote world peace. It was midnight when Xi Jinping's motorcade drove from the airport to the hotel. Overseas Chinese who had been waiting spontaneously along the streets warmly welcomed President Xi, waving the national flags of China and South Africa, and holding banners that read "Long live China-South Africa friendship".a Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and other members of the entourage arrived on the same plane. Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong also greeted President Xi at the airport. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seeking Development Through Solidarity and Cooperation andaShouldering Our Responsibility for Peace Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-08-23 21:29 Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China At the 15th BRICS Summit Johannesburg, August 23, 2023 Your Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, Your Excellency President Luiz InAcio Lula da Silva, Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin, Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I am very pleased to join you in Johannesburg for the important discussions on BRICS cooperation and development. It is especially significant that the BRICS Summit is held in Africa for the third time. I wish to thank President Ramaphosa and the South African government for the thoughtful arrangements. We gather at a time when the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. It is undergoing major shifts, division and regrouping, leading to more uncertain, unstable and unpredictable developments. BRICS is an important force in shaping the international landscape. We choose our development paths independently, jointly defend our right to development, and march in tandem toward modernization. This represents the direction of the advancement of human society, and will profoundly impact the development process of the world. Our track record shows that we have consistently acted on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and taken BRICS cooperation to new heights in support of our five countries' development. We have upheld fairness and justice in international affairs, stood up for what is right on major international and regional issues, and enhanced the voice and influence of emerging markets and developing countries. BRICS countries invariably advocate and practice independent foreign policies. We always address major international issues based on their merits, making fair remarks and taking fair actions. We do not barter away principles, succumb to external pressure, or act as vassals of others. We BRICS countries share extensive consensus and common goals. No matter how the international situation changes, our commitment to cooperation since the very beginning and our common aspiration will not change. We gather at a crucial time to build on our past achievements and open up a new future for BRICS cooperation. We should navigate the trend of our times and stay in the forefront. We should always bear in mind our founding purpose of strengthening ourselves through unity, enhance cooperation across the board, and build a high-quality partnership. We should help reform global governance to make it more just and equitable, and bring to the world more certainty, stability and positive energy. aWe should deepen business and financial cooperation to boost economic growth. Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not a privilege reserved for a few. The world economic recovery remains shaky, with less than 3 percent of growth for the year as estimated by some international institutions. Challenges for developing countries are even more formidable, hampering their efforts to realize the Sustainable Development Goals. We BRICS countries should be fellow companions on the journey of development and revitalization, and oppose decoupling and supply chains disruption as well as economic coercion. We should focus on practical cooperation, particularly in such fields as digital economy, green development, and supply chain, and bolster economic, trade and financial exchanges. China will set up a China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era to support the deployment of innovation results. Under the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation mechanism, we will explore the establishment of a BRICS Global Remote Sensing Satellite Data and Application Cooperation Platform to provide data support for agriculture, ecological conservation and disaster reduction in various countries. China will also work with all parties to jointly establish a BRICS Framework on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development as a platform of industrial coordination and project cooperation in implementing the United Nations (U.N.) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. aWe should expand political and security cooperation to uphold peace and tranquility. As a Chinese saying suggests, "Nothing is more beneficial than stability, and nothing is more detrimental than turmoil." The Cold War mentality is still haunting our world, and the geopolitical situation is getting tense. All nations long for a sound security environment. International security is indivisible. Attempts to seek absolute security at the expense of others will eventually backfire. The Ukraine crisis has evolved to where it is today because of complex reasons. What is pressing now is to encourage peace talks, promote deescalation, end the fighting, and realize peace. No one should add fuel to the fire to worsen the situation. BRICS countries should keep to the direction of peaceful development, and consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership. We need to make good use of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Meeting of High Representatives on National Security and other mechanisms, support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and enhance coordination on major international and regional issues. We need to tender good offices on hotspot issues, pushing for political settlement and lowering the temperature. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new area of development. BRICS countries have agreed to launch the AI Study Group of BRICS Institute of Future Networks at an early date. We need to enable the Study Group to play its full role, further expand cooperation on AI, and step up information exchange and technological cooperation. We need to jointly fend off risks, and develop AI governance frameworks and standards with broad-based consensus, so as to make AI technologies more secure, reliable, controllable and equitable. aWe should increase people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual learning between civilizations. There are many civilizations and development paths in the world, and this is how the world should be. Human history will not end with a particular civilization or system. BRICS countries need to champion the spirit of inclusiveness, advocate peaceful coexistence and harmony between civilizations, and promote respect of all countries in independently choosing their modernization paths. We need to make good use of such mechanisms as the BRICS seminar on governance, the BRICS forum on people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and the Women Innovation Contest to deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the bond between our peoples. China would like to propose that BRICS countries expand cooperation on education, enhance the role of the BRICS alliance for vocational education, explore and set up a cooperation mechanism on digital education, and foster a paradigm of all-round cooperation on education. In addition, we also need to strengthen exchanges on traditional cultures and promote the renewal of fine traditional cultures. aWe should uphold fairness and justice and improve global governance. Strengthening global governance is the right choice if the international community intends to share development opportunities and tackle global challenges. International rules must be written and upheld jointly by all countries based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, rather than dictated by those with the strongest muscles or the loudest voice. Ganging up to form exclusive groups and packaging their own rules as international norms are even more unacceptable. BRICS countries should practice true multilateralism, uphold the U.N.-centered international system, support and strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and reject the attempt to create small circles or exclusive blocs. We need to fully leverage the role of the New Development Bank, push forward reform of the international financial and monetary systems, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries. I am glad to see the growing enthusiasm of developing countries about BRICS cooperation, and quite a number of them have applied to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. We need to act on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation to bring more countries into the BRICS family, so as to pool our wisdom and strength to make global governance more just and equitable. Colleagues, The ancient African continent is a reservoir of simple yet profound wisdom. As an African proverb puts it, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." The philosophy of Ubuntu, which believes that "I am because we are," highlights the interdependence and interconnectedness of all peoples. Similarly, harmonious coexistence has been the aspiration of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. China is ready to work with BRICS partners to pursue the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, enhance the strategic partnership, and deepen cooperation across the board. As fellow BRICS members, we should meet our common challenges with a shared sense of mission, shape a brighter future with a common purpose, and march together on the journey toward modernization. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Xi Jinping Held Talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-08-23 09:29 On the morning of August 22 local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria during his state visit to the country. The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the development of China-South Africa relations in the new era and international and regional issues of mutual interest, and they reached important common understandings. They agreed to work together to take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and build a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future. Under a bright sky in August in Pretoria, flowers at the square of the Union Buildings were in blossom, while national flags of China and South Africa were waving in the gentle breeze. President Xi Jinping arrived at the Union Buildings in the presidential motorcade, and was warmly greeted by President Ramaphosa when getting off the limousine. As the two heads of state stepped onto the stand, a guard of honor saluted with rifles. The military band played the national anthems of China and South Africa, and a 21-gun salute was fired. President Xi Jinping reviewed the guard of honor of South Africa. The two presidents shook hands with senior members of the delegations. The two heads of state held talks after the welcoming ceremony. President Xi Jinping noted that it was his fourth visit to South Africa as Chinese President. He said that he has personally experienced the robust growth of China-South Africa relations over the past decade. The key to the strong relationship and profound friendship lies in the mutual support by the two countries and the two political parties in pursuit of their respective development. China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, while South Africa is exploring a path toward modernization that suits its own national conditions. China is ready to work with South Africa to carry forward the friendship, deepen cooperation, and strengthen coordination, in an effort to take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and build a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future. In this connection, President Xi Jinping made four proposals. First, China and South Africa should be strategic partners with a high degree of mutual trust. Comradeship and brotherhood are inherent to the bilateral relationship. The two sides need to step up exchange and cooperation between legislatures, political parties, the military and subnational governments, and continue to support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and key concerns. China is ready to step up exchanges between political parties and cooperation on training, and will do its best to help the African National Congress develop the African Leadership Academy.a Second, China and South Africa should be development partners making progress together. Mutual benefits and win-win are defining features of their cooperation. With a focus on Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the nine programs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as well as the 10-Year Strategic Program of Cooperation, the two sides need to consolidate cooperation in areas of strength and foster new growth points for cooperation. China will expand import of South African products, and encourage more Chinese companies to invest and do business in South Africa. Poverty reduction, agricultural development and rural revitalization are an important part of Chinese modernization. China is ready to enhance experience sharing with South Africa and help implement the program of demonstration village for poverty reduction. Third, China and South Africa should be friendly partners enjoying mutual understanding. Close ties between the two peoples are a vivid example of amity between the two countries. China is ready to enhance the role of the China & Africa (South Africa) Technical and Vocational Education Cooperation Alliance, the Future of Africa, a project for China-Africa cooperation for vocational education, and other mechanisms, so as to strengthen exchange and cooperation with South Africa on vocational education and youth employment, and help the country cultivate all sorts of talent urgently needed for economic and social development. The two sides need to ramp up cooperation on tourism, support closer technological cooperation and joint research by scientific research institutions and businesses, and deliver more benefits of cooperation to the two peoples. Fourth, China and South Africa should be global partners with a commitment to justice. Independence is a principle upheld by both countries. China supports South Africa in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, and is ready to work with South Africa and other developing countries to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, practice true multilateralism, increase the representation and voice of the Global South in global governance, bolster coordination on climate change, food security and the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and safeguard the shared interests and development space of developing countries. President Xi Jinping pointed out that, in recent years, BRICS countries have acted on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and have written a splendid chapter of countries with different systems and cultures and in different regions joining hands for development, which has become a signature of South-South cooperation. The President spoke highly of the thoughtful preparation by South Africa for the upcoming BRICS Summit and said that he looks forward to working with BRICS leaders to explore ways for the unity and development of BRICS countries in the new era, push for more fruitful outcomes of the Summit and facilitate the building of a more just and equitable global governance. President Xi Jinping emphasized that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. As the world is undergoing transformation and turbulence, China and Africa need solidarity and cooperation more than ever. China firmly supports African countries in seeking strength through unity, firmly supports the African Union in joining the G20, and firmly supports Africa in promoting its industrialization and agricultural modernization. He looks forward to co-hosting the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue with President Ramaphosa to draw up a new blueprint together with other participating African leaders for China-Africa unity and cooperation and to take the China-South Africa community with a shared future to a higher level. President Ramaphosa noted that it is a great pleasure to receive President Xi Jinping for his fourth state visit to South Africa. China lent precious support to South Africa during its struggles for national independence and liberation and in its pursuit of national development. China gave South Africa much-needed support in difficult times such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. China is a true friend, brother, and partner of South Africa. Both South Africa and China are pursuing national development and prosperity, and hold the same or similar positions on a number of major international affairs. Over the past 25 years after the establishment of the diplomatic relations, South Africa has been committed to the one-China principle. The two countries have enjoyed vibrant relations, close interactions at various levels and fruitful cooperation in many fields. Investment from and cooperation with China has greatly facilitated the economic and social development of South Africa, and played a very important role in promoting development and prosperity in countries in Africa and the Global South. South Africa commends the huge development feats achieved by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It is ready to develop closer exchanges between political parties, deepen experience sharing on the governance of political parties and countries, carry out pilot programs for poverty reduction with Chinese features, and expand cooperation on trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and science and technology. He welcomes more Chinese businesses to invest and do business in South Africa. President Ramaphosa noted that the world today is faced with geopolitical challenges, energy crises and many other serious and complex issues. He fully agrees with President Xi Jinping's proposal for win-win cooperation. South Africa and other countries in the Global South all hope to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China to better meet challenges together, and promote an international order that is more egalitarian, just and equitable. He thanked China for supporting South Africa in hosting a successful BRICS Summit. South Africa is ready to work with other BRICS countries to resolutely uphold multilateralism, advance reform of the global governance system, and safeguard the common interests of the developing countries. He looks forward to co-hosting the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue with President Xi Jinping to take Africa-China relations to new heights.a The two presidents agreed to further advance the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, increase the representation and say of the Global South in global governance, and lend fresh impetus to the endeavor to deepen solidarity and cooperation of BRICS countries and bring China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels. Following their talks, President Ramaphosa bestowed to President Xi Jinping the Order of South Africa, the highest medal and honor of South Africa for the heads of state of friendly countries. The two presidents witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation, infrastructure, new energy, agricultural product, special economic zone, industrial park, blue economy, technological innovation and higher education. The two sides issued a Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement betweenathe People's Republic of Chinaaand the Republic of South Africa Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-08-23 08:54 At the invitation of H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, paid a state visit to South Africa on 22 August 2023. The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on China-South Africa relations, China-Africa cooperation, and regional and internationala affairs of mutual interest. They reached consensus on a series of important related issues. 1. The two sides spoke highly of the substantial growth of China-South Africa relations over the past 25 years since establishing diplomatic ties in 1998. They agreed that the bilateral relationship enjoysa strong growth momentum, deepening political ties, enhanced economic engagement, flourishing technical cooperation, and fruitful people-to-people exchanges. Furthermore, the two sides maintain regular interaction and collaboration on multilateral occasions, which attests to the solid foundation of the China-South Africa friendship and the resilience of bilateral cooperation and demonstrates the increasingly strategic nature of the partnership. In the face of emerging global challenges, the two sides undertook to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership henceforth, actively build a quality China-South Africa community, and play a meaningful, joint role in China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation. 2. The two sides reaffirmed their respect and support for each other's sustainable social-economic development paths and just transitions. South Africa commended China's impressive development achievements over the past decade, and believes that the Chinese path to modernization offers many lessons. South Africa expressed confidence that China will realize its second centenary goal of building the country into a great modern socialist state in all respects and advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through its path to modernization. China highly commended South Africa's commitment to building a modern state, embracing diversity and inclusion, and expressed confidence that South Africa will continue to make new achievements in terms of its National Development Plan. 3. South Africa pledged continuous support for China on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns. South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China policy. China reiterates its respect and support for South Africa's efforts to safeguard its national interests and social economic development and to better the livelihoods of its citizens. The two sides further agreed that Head-of-State diplomacy is particularly significant to developing China-South Africa relations. They agreed to maintain regular contact between the two heads of state to increase communication and coordination on major issues of mutual interest and chart the course for bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to leverage the role of structured bilateral mechanisms such as the Bi-National Commission (BNC), Strategic Dialogue (S.D.), the Regular Exchange Mechanism (REM) between the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of South Africa, and the High-level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM) to deepen exchanges on governance and to promote people-to-people and sub-national interactions at various levels and across different fields to boost bilateral cooperation. 4. The two sides agreed that since its inception ten years ago, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a useful, mutually beneficial platform for international cooperation. The two sides will consider working towards bilateral cooperation and synergy within the BRI and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) frameworks. Both sides pledged to continue to seek the strengthening of cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure and logistics; trade and investment;a manufacturing; agro-processing; energy and resources; the financial sector; the digital economy; science and technology, and green development. 5. The two sides recognized the important overall guiding role of the 10 Years Strategic Programme on Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa (2020-2029) in bilateral cooperation in various fields. They agreed to continue to strengthen coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the Programme through the annual Strategic Dialogue and other mechanisms and to conduct regular reviews and assessments to ensure its timely, complete and effective implementation to promote mutual benefit and shared prosperity. 6.The two sides acknowledged the achievements of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, especially with China being South Africa's largest global trading partner and South Africa being China's largest trading partner in Africa. The two sides stand ready to further identify specific needs in terms of bilateral cooperation within the China-South Africa Joint Working Group (JWG) and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETC),a improve the current trade structure, address market access, enhance two-way investment, and to keep industrial and supply chains stable and secure. The two sides encouraged their respective business communities to explore creative ways further to expand two-way trade, increase their manufacturing bases within proximity of the relevant source of raw materials, improve the export of value-added goods from South Africa to China, increase the volume of export of high-quality South African agricultural exports to China and increase new investments in the manufacturing and assembly sector, the transfer of skills and technology, and to enhance local employment. 7. China undertook to continue to support South Africa in addressing its energy security challenges, both in respect of generation and transmission infrastructure, and to actively participate in the South Africa Investment Conferences and other such activities hosted by South Africa. South Africa will actively participate in the China International Import Expo, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and support trade missions between the two countries. South Africa further welcomed the identification of South Africa amongst the top 20 countries for group tourism promotion by Chinese tourists. In this regard, South Africa supports the increase in the frequency of direct flights between South Africa and China.a 8. The two sides highly value people-to-people, cultural exchanges, and mutual learning. They acknowledged the role of the High-level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism and expressed satisfaction with the mechanism's meeting in Cape Town in February this year. The two sides reaffirmed the need to implement and further strengthen social exchanges and cooperation on poverty alleviation strategies; culture; women; youth; education; sport; health; the media; tourism; and other fields at the sub-national level to deepen mutual understanding and friendship, and to consolidate the social foundation of the bilateral relationship.a 9.The two sides underscored the need to defend, promote and strengthen the multilateral response to Climate Change and undertake to work together for a successful outcome of the 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC COP28) in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023. 10. The two sides agreed that BRICS cooperation is essential in achieving a more representative and equitable global governance order and promoting more inclusive global economic growth. The two sides agreed to continue supporting the development of BRICS in all three pillars of cooperation and to collaborate with all BRICS members to deepen practical cooperation in various fields and achieve progress in terms of BRICS membership expansion. China supports South Africa as BRICS Chair this year and the outreach to Africa and the Global South and wishes the 15th BRICS Summit success. 11. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in international affairs and multilateral institutions, jointly uphold the UN-centred global system, an equitable international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations, based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including to uphold the rights and interests of developing countries jointly and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity. South Africa has taken note of the efforts taken by China to promote and foster relations between states predicated on inclusive multilateralism and applauded China for its leadership role in promoting peaceful global cooperation. China expressed its support for a more significant role for South Africa in the United Nations, the G20 and other multilateral mechanisms. China supports South Africa's Presidency of the G20 in 2025. The two sides further agreed that dialogue and negotiation is the only viable option for resolving the Ukraine conflict, and they will continue to promote talks for peace and play a constructive role in the political settlement of the issue. Furthermore, China welcomed Africa's recent Ukraine-Russia peace mission. 12.The two sides welcomed the achievements of China-Africa cooperation and fully recognised the critical role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in advancing the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between China and Africa. China also appreciates South Africa's contribution to developing FOCAC and China-Africa relations. The two sides agreed to further strengthen consultation and coordination on FOCAC affairs to enhance implementation and practical cooperation in various fields under the Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024). 13.The two sides reiterated their resolve to further strengthen cooperation in terms of African affairs and to support the African Union in resolving African conflicts peacefully. China expressed its support for the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African integration process, as well as the efforts of African countries and regional organisations under the auspices of the African Union (A.U.) to provide African solutions to African problems, including to support the A.U.'s early accession to membership of the G20. China supports the second ten-year implementation plan of AU Agenda 2063. 14.At the conclusion of the State Visit, the two leaders jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation instruments.a 15.The Chinese side expressed its appreciation to H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African Government and the people of South Africa for hosting H.E. President Xi Jinping for his 4tha State Visit to South Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on BRICS Expansion Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-08-24 18:16 Q: The 15th BRICS Summit announced the expansion of BRICS. Can you give us more details on that? A: From August 22 to 24, BRICS held its 15th summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. President Xi Jinping attended the summit. At the summit, President Xi and leaders of other BRICS countries unanimously agreed to invite Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Argentina, Iran and Ethiopia to become members of the BRICS family. We congratulate the above-mentioned countries. The announced expansion is of important historic significance. Last year, BRICS started the expansion process during China's chairmanship. China has since been working with other BRICS members to advance the expansion process. Many emerging markets and developing countries have taken keen consideration on joining BRICS and more than 20 countries submitted their applications, which speaks volumes about the appeal of BRICS and the enthusiasm and aspiration of emerging markets and developing countries for cooperation. The expansion demonstrates the determination of BRICS countries to unite and cooperate with fellow developing countries. It meets the expectation of the international community and serves the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries. It also marks a new starting point for BRICS cooperation, and will inject new impetus into the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further expand the force for world peace and development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Xi Jinping Attended a Press Segment ofaThe 15th BRICS Summit and Stressed that BRICS Expansion Is aaNew Starting Point for BRICS Cooperation andaWill Inject New Vitality into the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-08-24 22:18 On the morning of August 24 local time, President Xi Jinping attended a press segment of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. At the event, the announcement was made to invite Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran and Ethiopia to the BRICS family as official members. President Xi Jinping delivered important remarks. He pointed out that, as countries with great heft, BRICS countries shoulder important responsibilities for world peace and development. During the Summit, leaders had in-depth exchanges of views on the current international situation and BRICS cooperation. They reached extensive consensus, issued the Johannesburg II Declaration, and secured fruitful outcomes. President Xi Jinping noted that leaders of the five BRICS countries unanimously agreed to invite Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran and Ethiopia to the BRICS family as official members. China wishes to congratulate these countries and express high appreciation to the host South Africa and President Ramaphosa for their valuable efforts. President Xi Jinping highlighted that the BRICS expansion is historic. It demonstrates the commitment of BRICS countries to cooperate in unity with all developing countries. It meets the expectations of the international community, and serves the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries. The expansion is also a new starting point for BRICS cooperation. It will inject new vitality into the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen the forces for world peace and development. He expressed confidence that as long as BRICS countries work in concert, they will bring out the best in BRICS cooperation and ensure a promising future for BRICS countries. He made the call for all to join hands together to write a new chapter of emerging markets and developing countries seeking development through solidarity and cooperation. The event was chaired by South African President Ramaphosa, and attended by Brazilian President Lula, Indian Prime Minister Modi, and Russian President Putin (via video link). The Johannesburg II Declaration was adopted and issued at the event. Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the event. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hand in Hand Toward a Community of Shared Development Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-08-24 19:30 Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China At the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue Johannesburg, August 24, 2023 Your Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, Colleagues, Let me begin by thanking President Ramaphosa for preparing the Dialogues. I am delighted to join you all in this discussion on global development.a Development embodies our people's aspiration for a better life. It is the top priority for developing countries and a timeless theme for humanity. As the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is due for a midterm review this year, the delivery of most Sustainable Development Goals remains slow. This is a cause for concern, and the global development endeavor faces formidable challenges.a The international community must pursue the larger interests of all countries, respond to people's concerns, and restore development to the center of the international agenda. The representation and voice of developing countries in global governance should be increased, and developing countries be supported in realizing better development. It is also important to uphold true multilateralism, forge a global development partnership, and create a secure and stable international environment for shared development.a Colleagues, China has invariably stood in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin. China has been and will always remain a member of developing countries. I proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), precisely for the purpose of calling on the world to stay focused on development and lending impetus to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Last year, China held the first High-Level Dialogue on Global Development where a host of measures for development cooperation were unveiled. Encouraging progress has been made since then. aWe have put development first and allocated more resources. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with a total funding of USD 4 billion, and Chinese financial institutions will soon set up a special fund of USD 10 billion dedicated to the implementation of the GDI. aWe have taken results-oriented actions and deepened practical cooperation. From Asia to Africa, from Pacific island countries to the Caribbean, over 200 cooperation projects have come to fruition, and cooperation mechanisms are growing in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health.a aWe have unleashed the power of innovation and built up momentum for development. Under the GDI, we have prioritized green development, new-type industrialization, the digital economy and some other key areas, and pursued a Partnership on New Industrial Revolution to boost high-quality development.a aWe have tided over difficulties together and made development more resilient. Food and energy security bear on the economy of a country and the well-being of its people. We have launched a China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund, implemented the Food Production Enhancement Action, and provided food assistance to and shared agrotech with many countries. We have also initiated a Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership with a view to achieving energy security.aa China is a friend that Africa can count on. Over the past decade, China has provided a large amount of development assistance to Africa and helped build more than 6,000 kilometers of railway, over 6,000 kilometers of highway, and 80-plus large power facilities on the continent. Going forward, China will carry out more cooperation with African countries to support Africa in enhancing its own capacity for development. Specific measures will be taken, such as providing satellite mapping data products, implementing a Smart Customs cooperation partnership, and launching with UNESCO a "GDI for Africa's Future" action plan, to support sustainable development in Africa.a Colleagues, A Chinese adage reads, "Victory is ensured when people pool their strength; success is secured when people put their heads together." Let us stay committed and united to build a community of shared development, and make sure that in the process of global modernization, no country is left behind.a Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 24, 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China CCTV: The 15th BRICS Summit was held yesterday. President Xi Jinping attended the summit and delivered an important speech. Can you give us more details? Wang Wenbin: On August 23 local time, the 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg. President Xi Jinping attended the meeting and delivered an important speech entitled "Seeking Development Through Solidarity and Cooperation andaShouldering Our Responsibility for Peace". President Xi Jinping pointed out that BRICS is an important force in shaping the international landscape. We choose our development paths independently, jointly defend our right to development, and march in tandem toward modernization. This represents the direction of the advancement of human society, and will profoundly impact the development process of the world. The BRICS cooperation is at a crucial time to build on our past achievements and open up a new future. Navigating the trend of global development and responding to the aspiration of people around the world, President Xi made four proposals on BRICS cooperation in various sectors, charting the right course for the sound and substantive growth of BRICS cooperation. We should deepen business and financial cooperation to boost economic growth. We BRICS countries should be fellow companions on the journey of development and revitalization, and oppose decoupling and supply chains disruption as well as economic coercion. We should expand political and security cooperation to uphold peace and tranquility. BRICS countries should keep to the direction of peaceful development, support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and enhance coordination on major international and regional issues. We need to tender good offices on hotspot issues, pushing for political settlement. We should increase people-to-people exchanges, promote mutual learning between civilizations and advocate peaceful coexistence and harmony between civilizations. We should promote respect of all countries in independently choosing their modernization paths. We should uphold fairness and justice and improve global governance. BRICS countries should practice true multilateralism, uphold the UN-centered international system, support and strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and reject the attempt to create small circles or exclusive blocs. We need to push forward reform of the international financial and monetary systems, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries. President Xi Jinping announced that China will set up a China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era, explore the establishment of a BRICS Global Remote Sensing Satellite Data and Application Cooperation Platform under the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation mechanism, and work with all parties to jointly establish a BRICS Framework on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development. President Xi Jinping stressed that we need to act on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation to bring more countries into the BRICS family, so as to pool our wisdom and strength to make global governance more just and equitable. President Xi Jinping's important speech was warmly echoed by the international community. Many in the world said that the speech drew a blueprint for strengthening unity and coordination among BRICS countries, charted the direction of building a high-quality BRICS partnership and injected more certainty, stability and positive energy for the world. They expect China to continue to play a leading role and promote BRICS countries to jointly respond to challenges and seek peace and development. Focusing on the summit's theme "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism", leaders of the five BRICS countries had in-depth exchange of views and reached extensive common understandings on BRICS cooperation and major international issues of shared interest. Parties are of the view that BRICS need to strengthen solidarity, continue to embrace the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, speed up BRICS expansion, make the global governance system more inclusive, fairer and more equitable, and promote multi-polarity in the world. BRICS need to support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and respect countries' independently chosen development paths suited to their national realities. BRICS need to help speed up the reform of the international financial and monetary system, increase the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries, and advance sustainable development and promote inclusive growth. China will continue to work with BRICS partners, work towards the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, strengthen strategic partnerships, and deepen cooperation in various fields. China will work with BRICS partners to step up to our responsibility by meeting common challenges, creating a better future and achieving modernity together. Bloomberg: I had a question about China's announcement today that it would halt the import of all Japanese fish to protect the lives and health of Chinese people. We want to know what the scientific reason for the ban is. If China is concerned that the release of wastewater from Fukushima will contaminate all the waters surrounding the Japanese archipelago, then wouldn't it also endanger the waters around the Korean Peninsula and Russia? Is China considering banning seafood imports from those countries as well? Wang Wenbin: The General Administration of Customs of China issued an announcement on suspending the import of all aquatic products originating from Japan earlier today, which you may refer to. On August 24, in disregard of the strong criticism and opposition from the international community, the Japanese government unilaterally started the release of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We have made serious dAmarches to Japan and asked it to stop this wrongdoing. The disposal of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water is a major issue about nuclear safety. Its impact goes beyond Japan's borders, and the issue is by no means a private matter for Japan. Since humanity began using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, there has been neither any precedent nor universally recognized standards for discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. The Fukushima nuclear accident which took place 12 years ago was a major catastrophe that already caused the leakage of large amounts of radioactive substances into the ocean. There could be a man-made secondary disaster to the local people and the whole world if Japan chooses to dump the water into the ocean just to serve Japan's selfish interests. The Japanese government failed to prove the legitimacy and legality of the ocean discharge decision, the long-term reliability of the purification facility, and the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear-contaminated water data. It failed to prove that the ocean discharge is safe and harmless to the marine environment and people's health, and that the monitoring plan is sound and effective. Japan also failed to have thorough consultations with other stakeholders. The ocean belongs to all humanity. To forcibly start the ocean discharge is an extremely selfish and irresponsible act in disregard of the global public interest. By dumping the water into the ocean, Japan is spreading the risks to the rest of the world and passing an open wound onto the future generations of humanity. By doing so, Japan has turned itself into a saboteur of the ecological system and polluter of the ocean. It is infringing upon people's rights to health, development and a healthy environment, which violates Japan's moral responsibilities and obligations under international law. From the moment Japan started the discharge, it has put itself in the dock in front of the international community and is bound to face international condemnation for many years to come. The Chinese government always puts our people's wellbeing first, and will take all measures necessary to safeguard food safety and the health of our people.a Prensa Latina: The presidents of China and Cuba held a meeting at the BRICS summit. Cuba holds the presidency of the G77 plus China. What comments do you have about this meeting? Wang Wenbin: On the afternoon of August 23 local time, President Xi Jinping met with Cuban President DAaz-Canel on the sidelines of the BRICS leaders' meeting in Johannesburg. President Xi recalled that President DAaz-Canel paid a successful state visit to China last November, when they reached a broad consensus on further deepening China-Cuba ties in the new era and agreed to work together to build a China-Cuba community with a shared future. With the joint efforts of both sides, the consensus is being effectively implemented. China is ready to work with Cuba to continue deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, strengthening strategic coordination, and advancing the special friendly relations between the two parties and the two countries. China highly appreciates Cuba's steadfast support for China on issues concerning our core interests. China will continue to firmly support the Cuban people in their just struggle to defend their sovereignty and oppose external interference and blockade. China will do its best to provide support for the economic and social development of Cuba. President Xi stressed that the Group of 77 and China is an important platform for cooperation among developing countries. Cuba, as the current chair of the Group of 77 and China, has made positive contribution to strengthening the unity and cooperation of developing countries. China highly values and supports Cuba in successfully holding the Group of 77 and China Summit next month. China stands ready to work with Cuba and other members of the Group of 77 to better safeguard the common interests and development rights of developing countries. President DAaz-Canel said the current Cuba-China relations are at the highest level in history, adding that the Cuban people admire President Xi and thank China for the understanding and invaluable support for Cuba's just cause. Cuba firmly supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi. Cuba is ready to work with China to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, build a Cuba-China community with a shared future, and march ahead together on the path of building socialism with our respective characteristics. DAaz-Canel said Cuba is ready to work closely with China to ensure the success of the Group of 77 and China Summit. The success of the meeting between the two presidents is a source of strong impetus for China-Cuba relations. Reuters: Earlier today, China's General Administration of Customs issued a long-term imports suspension of all aquatic products from Japan starting from today. Could the Ministry of Foreign Affairs please specify which products will be affected by these measures? In addition to seafood products, what other products are included? Can you give me some examples?a Wang Wenbin: On your question, I suggest you refer to the announcement issued by the General Administration of Customs. For more detailed information, I would refer you to the competent departments.a China News Service: According to reports, China' trade with Africa in the first seven months of this year hit RMB 1.14 trillion, up by 7.4 percent year-on-year, demonstrating a good momentum of practical cooperation between China and Africa. How do you see the future of the China-Africa cooperation? Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports. Since President Xi Jinping put forth the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and of pursuing the greater good and shared interests for China's relations with Africa in 2013, China-Africa relations have entered a fast track.aOver the past decade, under the strategic guidance of leaders of China and African countries, China and Africa have deepened practical cooperation in various fields on the platform of the Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, achieved solid progress in building the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era and delivered benefits for the people in China and Africa. The two sides have maintained close trade exchanges, achieved win-win outcomes in the cooperation and provided a strong support for the sound and steady development of China-Africa relations. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries will always be an important cornerstone of China's foreign policies and a firm strategic choice China has made for the long term. On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, President Xi Jinping will co-chair the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue with President Ramaphosa of South Africa, which will be the first time that the heads of state of China and Africa meet collectively face-to-face since the pandemic. The meeting will draw up a new blueprint for China-Africa solidarity and cooperation and lend strong impetus to the growth of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership. Guided and driven by the head-of-state diplomacy, the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era will see new historic achievements, making greater contribution to the modernization and prosperity of humankind. Yonhap News Agency: According to reports, the DPRK launched a space projectile today. Some countries including the ROK and the US have accused the DPRK of violating UN Security Council resolutions. What's China's position? Wang Wenbin: We have noted the information released by the DPRK and the response from other quarters. Parties need to fully recognize that continued deadlock in the Korean Peninsula situation doesn't serve any party's fundamental interests. Only by sticking to political settlement and meaningful dialogue to resolve each side's concerns in a balanced way can there be lasting peace and security on the Peninsula. Global Times: According to reports, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on August 23 that the US State Department has approved the possible USD 500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment. What's your comment? Wang Wenbin: The US arms sales to China's Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and theastipulationsaof the three China-US joint communiquAs, especially the August 17 CommuniquA of 1982. Such sales seriously violate international law and basic norms governing international relations, undermine China's sovereignty and security interests, harmapeace and stabilityaacross the TaiwanaStrait, and send gravely wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China deplores and firmly opposes them. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China'saterritory. The Taiwan question is entirely China's internal affair that brooks no foreign interference. We urge the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiquAs, immediately cancel the planned arms sale to Taiwan, stop arms sales to and military contact with Taiwan, stop following the dangerous trajectory of arming Taiwan, and stop undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China will take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Bloomberg: I just want to follow up on my earlier question. If, as you say, Japan is spreading the risk beyond its borders to international waters, why is it only Japan that's being targeted for the ban of fish imports? Wang Wenbin: I have made clear China's position. Regarding your question, I would like to reiterate that by forcibly starting the release of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, Japan is blatantly spreading the risk of nuclear contamination to the rest of the world. This is a wrong move that is extremely selfish and irresponsible. All stakeholders have the right and responsibility to take necessary preventative measures to protect the marine environment, food safety and public health. Reuters: According to reports, Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group mercenary force, was killed in a plane crash yesterday in Russia. What's the foreign ministry's comment? Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports. Asahi TV: The Japanese government fully explained that there's no problem with the "nuclear treated water" and the IAEA also agreed with that. Most of the countries in the world are not opposed to discharging the "nuclear treated water". Why doesn't China believe the conclusion made by Japan and the IAEA? Wang Wenbin: For the past two years and more, the legitimacy, legality and safety of Japan's ocean discharge plan has been questioned over and over again by the international community. Japan has yet to address major international concerns such as the long-term reliability of the purification facility, the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear-contaminated water data, and the effectiveness of the monitoring arrangement. China and other stakeholders have pointed out on multiple occasions that if the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water is truly safe, Japan wouldn't have to dump it into the seaaand certainly shouldn't if it's not. The IAEA Director General said explicitly that the IAEA report is neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of Japan's ocean discharge policy. It is unjustified, unreasonable and unnecessary for Japan to push through the ocean discharge plan and the act is extremely selfish and irresponsible. China is not the only one strongly opposing Japan's wrongdoing. Even inside Japan, we have seen a great number of the local people criticizing and rejecting Japan's move, which says a lot about the nature of this issue. AFP: Myanmar authorities say they have extradited two men to China who are suspected of involvement in online scams. Do you have any details on this case? Wang Wenbin: The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has released information on the case you mentioned. On the morning of August 23, two telecom fraud suspects were handed over by Myanmar police to the Chinese police task force at the Yangon International Airport to be taken back to China. This is the second time that telecom fraud suspects have been handled this way. The first time was in June this year when six telecom fraud suspects were handed over to Chinese police and then escorted back to China from Myanmar. The aforementioned two suspects are suspected of fraud, and one of them is a key member and head of a gambling and fraud group and a major target of our crackdown effort. The police of China, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos jointly launched a special regional campaign recently against gambling and fraud groups aimed at fighting telecom and cyber fraud and online gambling, and reverse the trend of high incidence of crimes such as trafficking in persons, kidnapping and illegal confinement. Bloomberg: Will China be talking to the Japanese government to try and test the seafood caught around the waters of Fukushima itself to see if it's safe? Wang Wenbin: We urge Japan to immediately cancel the wrong decision,a act responsibly for marine environment and people's health, and properly dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a truly science-based and responsible way. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spying allegations spark calls on British government to cancel minister's China trip The Times reports that a Chinese spy used LinkedIn to target informants 'on an industrial scale.' By Jojo Man for RFA Cantonese, Amelia Loi for RFA Mandarin 2023.08.24 -- Chinese spies have used LinkedIn to infiltrate targets in the United Kingdom, according to a media report, prompting calls for Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to cancel a reportedly planned trip to China. The Times newspaper reported this week that a Chinese agent using several aliases including "Robin Zhang" has been offering cash and contracts to British government employees via the professional social media network LinkedIn. Former ruling Conservative Party leader Ian Duncan Smith commented via his account on X, formerly Twitter: "How can the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs @FCDOGovUK continue to think he has to go to China to 'KowTow' to China while they steal our secrets and commit genocide?" he wrote above a link to the report. "Our policy towards China is like a front door mat..." he added. The fresh spying allegations come amid growing concerns over Chinese Communist Party infiltration of all aspects of British life, and warnings from Hong Kongers in exile over growing acts of violence by Beijing supporters and officials alike. The five-year spying operation tried to get thousands of officials to hand over state secrets in exchange for large sums of money and lucrative business deals, The Times reported. "The intelligence officer for Beijing's main spy agency created a string of aliases and fake companies to target security officials, civil servants, scientists and academics with access to classified information or commercially sensitive technology," it said. Reuters quoted three people familiar with the matter on Aug. 21 as saying that Cleverly will travel to China next week to "stabilize" ties. 'Seeking to undermine' But Alicia Kearns, who is current chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said China is clearly actively seeking to undermine countries like Britain. "China is engaging in an aggressive foreign policy where it is actively seeking to undermine states like ours," she told Times Radio. "Because if we are reliant on them, or if they infiltrate our state, we are less able to mitigate or limit the worst excesses of their behaviors," she said. "We have been leaving ourselves open to them." The Times cited security services as saying that the operation was conducted "on an industrial scale," and is "the most prolific ... in a generation." "Zhang contacted officials working in sensitive areas, such as the military, science and technology and politics, to try to build relationships," the report said. "He offered a recruitment consultant A8,000 for every time they handed over details of a candidate from the intelligence services, and offered a former military intelligence official large sums of cash for information on Britain's counterterrorism work," it said, adding that the operation appears to be the work of a single operative who can't be named due to threats to Western spies. It named some of Zhang's account names as Eric Chen Yixi, Robin Cao, Lincoln Lam, John Lee and Eric Kim. Zhang started out targeting defense contractors, civil servants and sensitive businesses, then switched to think tanks and academics, the report said. The Times also reported separately that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has banned government officials from referring to Russia, China or other countries as "hostile states" in official documents, even internally, as part of a bid to improve bilateral ties. Fearing backlash Meanwhile, a recent survey showed Hong Kongers are staying away from protests on British soil, for fear of a pro-China backlash. The Initiative SAFE survey of more than 400 Hong Kongers between April and May found that only 42% trust the British police to protect them from violent attacks and harassment by supporters of the Chinese Communist Party, while 7% said they didn't trust them at all and would avoid contacting them. And while 80% said they had taken part in community activities, only 44% said they had attended rallies or demonstrations. "Even though Hong Kong people have settled in the U.K., they're still very hesitant about expressing their opinions or demonstrating for their beliefs in their new homeland," survey leader Julian Chan said. Of those surveyed, 87% said they would check the background of event organizers before going, while 46% said they would stay away from rallies or protests, and 47% said they wouldn't dare to express their opinions on Hong Kong issues online. "[These safety concerns] have led to a very unsatisfactory outcome," Chan said. The advocacy group Hongkongers in Britain, which sponsored the survey, called on law enforcement agencies to pay closer attention to video clips of suspicious behavior at rallies and protests, and to encourage participants to report it to police. It also called on local councils to step up publicity to inform Hong Kongers that physical attacks and verbal harassment against them are considered hate crimes in Britain. The group also called on the U.K. government to waive criminal background checks for applicants to the BNO visa scheme, because it puts Hong Kongers trying to emigrate to the U.K. at the mercy of officials back home. "We will make these suggestions and report the data we collected, but the final outcome depends on whether officials relax restrictions," spokesman Jason Chow said. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Major Muslim group buys into China's narrative of happy Uyghurs in a stable Xinjiang 'Economic coercion' keeps Organization of Islamic Cooperation from criticizing Beijing, experts say. By Jewlan for RFA Uyghur 2023.08.24 -- Seeking to promote its rosy narrative about the peace and prosperity enjoyed by majority-Muslim Uyghurs in the far-western region of Xinjiang, China earlier this month invited delegates from the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation to visit and observe. The propaganda junket - aimed at blunting international criticism of Beijing's repression that the United States and some Western parliaments have described as genocide and crimes against humanity - seems to have worked. The delegation traveled to Urumqi, Kashgar, Changi and the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, where they saw an exhibit on counter-terrorism and de-radicalization and visited rural revitalization projects, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular news conference on Aug. 22. They also visited Uyghur families and religious figures and prayed with local Muslims at a mosque, he said. Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, head of the delegation and Djibouti's permanent representative to the OIC, praised "the prosperity and development of China's Xinjiang under good governance" on Aug. 20 during the visit, according to a Chinese state-run media report. Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher, a Pakistani delegate said the visit showed the "remarkable transformation" of Xinjiang, adding that it will "help to address the misconceptions attached with the region," according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. Another unnamed OIC member remarked on "the openness and inclusiveness of Xinjiang and the smiles on the faces of people of all ethnic groups." 'Violates own charter' The comments reflect how Muslim nations are increasingly embracing China's narrative about the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The United Nations has documented serious rights abuses of Uyghurs, including arbitrary detentions in "re-education" camps and prisons, intrusive surveillance, the destruction of religious and cultural sites and attempts to eradicate Uyghur language and culture. Uyghurs have also been subjected to torture, forced sterilizations and forced labor. Muslim nations refrain from speaking up about the treatment of fellow Mulims so as not to upset China, a major investor in developing nations, experts say. Beijing has rejected the accusations, insisting it is running vocational training facilities in the region to counter extremism. The OIC has not taken any significant steps to address abuses in Xinjiang, even though its charter declares it seeks "to safeguard the rights, dignity and religious and cultural identity of Muslim communities and minorities in non-Member States." Erkin Ekrem, associate professor of Chinese foreign policy at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey, said the OIC has a moral duty to express concerns about the suffering of Muslims around the world and to offer support to the Uyghurs. "Certain members of OIC countries support China for their geopolitical and economic interests," he said. "The OIC's support of China in this case violates its own charter and the core tenets of Islam." 'Economic coercion' The ruling Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, has been influencing other countries, especially developing ones, to support its policies through investment and trade, said Teng Biao, a U.S.-based Chinese academic lawyer and human rights activist. All but three of the OIC members have signed memorandums of understanding to join the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President's Xi Jinping's ambitious loan-and-infrastructure program that aims to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and sea networks to boost regional integration by increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. "[M]any Islamic countries are completely under the pressure of the CCP and then help the Chinese government to speak about, approve or even praise the CCP's genocidal policy in Xinjiang," Teng said. "Behind this is actually economic coercion and political pressure." Also, many OIC states are authoritarian countries themselves, with poor human rights records, so they have refrained from criticizing Beijing, he said. The Chinese government also uses large-scale external propaganda and state-controlled media to create "false appearances," such as during delegation visits to places like Xinjiang, which are carefully orchestrated, Teng said. "It is obviously impossible for these so-called delegations to see the concentration camps and the miserable lives of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang," he said. "The government also buys some countries through economic aid, including canceling the debts of many countries," Teng said. "Therefore, the governments of these countries put some economic interests and political interests above their own religious culture and universal values." 'China's lies' The World Uyghur Congress and Campaign for Uyghurs a two Uyghur rights groups a condemned the visit and called on the OIC to uphold its moral values and principles, and to collectively denounce the ongoing persecution of Uyghurs. "Unfortunately, many countries in the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East, are very willing and ready to believe in China's lies about this tragedy, this human rights crisis, because they see China as an anti-Western power," said Mustafa Akyol, senior fellow at the Cato's Institute's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity. Adrian Zenz, a researcher at the Washington, D.C.-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and an expert on the Xinjiang region, harshly denounced the OIC's visit to China. "High-level OIC delegation visits Xinjiang, praises China's policies," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The extent to which this Muslim organization kowtows to Beijing is truly remarkable. Do they really have that much to gain from whitewashing a genocide? What did Beijing offer them?" Abdulhakim Idris, executive director of the U.S.-based Center for Uyghur Studies, urged OIC members to meet with Uyghurs in exile, including survivors of concentration camps, so they can hear their stories. Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's low-cost deal with Solomon Islands paper could bring large strategic benefit Beijing pays Solomon Star to 'promote the truth about China's generosity,' intentions in Pacific region. A commentary by Shailendra Bahadur Singh 2023.08.24 -- In the geopolitical sphere of the Pacific, China has undeniably demonstrated sharp acumen for recognizing opportunities and remarkable skills for making deals with island countries in the region, especially those of a strategic nature. Most recently this was evident in the nearly U.S. $140,000 agreement between the Chinese Embassy in Honiara and the Solomon Islands' leading newspaper, the Solomon Star, to "promote the truth about China's generosity and its true intentions to help develop" the Melanesian country. With the injection of funds, the newspaper replaced its aging printer and acquired a broadcast tower for its radio station. Details of the deal caused a stir, especially the Solomon Star's pledges to promote "China's goodwill" and its role as the country's "most generous and trusted development partner." The story was broken on July 30, through an exposA published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The undertaking was reminiscent of the requirements that the communist political ideology places on its media system requiring loyalty to the state, as opposed to the Western liberal media model adopted in the Pacific, where media theoretically owe allegiance to society. However, because of the focus on the news media's public-interest role, it is easy to forget they are business entities that need to first survive in a capitalist system before they can fulfill their role in the public's interest. For news media organizations in the Pacific, survival in the small systems where they operate can be a struggle because of limited advertising revenue, marginal profits and diseconomies of scale. After the bills are paid, there is hardly anything left for recapitalization, which means that a new printing press is usually out of the question, even though it could be transformational for the business. In the Solomon Star's case, the Chinese offer would have hit the right spot, with the temptation too hard to resist. The newspaper's chief of staff, veteran journalist Alfred Sasako, stated that the organization had tried for more than a decade to get assistance from Australia but to no avail. For all the criticism that it has received over the deal, the Solomon Star is a national icon with a relatively proud journalistic tradition. This is all the more reason that its pledge has aroused concern about the "Chinese claiming its pound of flesh in return for any financial support, and the newspaper turning into a propaganda rag for the Chinese state party." Sasako has scoffed at such claims, insisting that the newspaper will maintain its independence, while castigating critics for "demonizing China." Doubling down on the deal, he stated that Western countries such as the United States had neglected the Solomon Islands for decades and were only showing interest because of the Chinese deal. It is true that the Solomon Star has been a thorn in the government's side for a long time. Despite its deal with China, in July the newspaper reported that a 30-strong delegation to Beijing headed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was funded by the Solomon Islands, rather than China, as was commonly believed. Independent reporting of this nature is crucial but given "the deal," it remains to be seen whether this will be a continuing trend or a rare occurrence. Interestingly, while the Solomon Star deal attracted the lion's share of the coverage, an editorial in the newspaper in August claimed that other local media organizations also applied for Chinese financial support. This included the Solomon Islands' second daily, the Island Sun, and the country's national broadcaster. Neither denied the accusation. In the same editorial, the Solomon Star claimed that Georgina Kekea, president of the Media Association of the Solomon Islands, had applied for Chinese funding to establish a secretariat after requests to Australia and the United States were rejected. In a statement posted on the association's website on Aug. 2, Kekea did not deny the allegation outright. Instead, she castigated the Solomon Star for "inappropriately" using confidential information that the association had shared with members. Kekea clarified that Australia had since provided funding to recruit an association coordinator. One of the many questions arising from "the deal" is, besides the Solomons' national media, what are the wider implications in a region where media organizations are struggling to survive? This is pertinent given recent OCCRP reports of an aborted deal in Palau involving the publisher of the country's oldest newspaper and a Chinese business group. It is not inconceivable that news media in other Pacific island countries are struggling, especially in recent years. Their already vulnerable financial situations have been dealt additional blows by the disruption brought on by the rise of digital news and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Solomon Star-China deal is indicative of how seriously Chinese diplomats take President Xi Jinping's order to "tell China stories well" and how they try to apply it in every corner of the globe, including the remote Pacific region. Xi's initial call to spread good tidings about China in 2013 was aimed at using its own communication channels to showcase the nation to the rest of the world. The deal with the Solomon Star shows that the policy has evolved and developed to co-opt news media in other countries to sell China to local populations. If winning over the Solomon Islands is a priority, it should not come as a surprise: The country experienced violent anti-Chinese riots in April 2019 over Parliament's selection of Sogavare as prime minister and again in 2021 because of the Sogavare government's decision to recognize China over Taiwan. The riots partly explain the Sogavare government's policing agreement signed with Beijing last year to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and security matters. The agreement also covers the protection of Chinese citizens and businesses. The media deal aimed at winning public approval and the policing agreement to contain any public discontent show China's strategy to address a problem from multiple angles for comprehensive and effective results. This applies to the overall Chinese strategy to gain influence. For example, China is often accused of elite capture, where public resources are directed to the elite to the detriment of the rest of society. The question is whether the Solomon Star deal constitutes media capture. If so, it could be catastrophic because the media are usually the last line of defense. If there is both elite capture and media capture, that defense is gone, and the public is at the mercy of a cabal. This worst-case scenario indicates that besides an eye for deals and large strategic benefits on minimal investments, China is accomplished at employing tactics or methods in a coordinated manner to achieve its geopolitical goals. Shailendra Bahadur Singh is an associate professor and head of the journalism program at The University of the South Pacific in Fiji. He has written widely on Pacific media, politics and development. The views in this article are his own and do not reflect the position of The University of the South Pacific or Radio Free Asia. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ranks of 'Full-Time Children' Grow in China Amid High Youth Unemployment By William Yang August 24, 2023 It's been more than a year since Andy Lin graduated from his master's program in Hong Kong, but unlike many young people in China who are desperately trying to find a job, the 27-year-old from Anhui province has become what many call a "full-time child" since returning to the mainland. Even though there is no shortage of vacant positions in the job market, Lin thinks most jobs can't match his level of education or meet his expectations. "I don't like jobs with fixed hours and I also refuse to work overtime," he told VOA. "If I have to work, I'd rather have a part-time job that can satisfy my basic needs in life." Lin is not the only one who holds this view. On China's lifestyle-sharing app Xiaohongshu, tens of thousands of young Chinese people who identify as "full-time sons" or "full-time daughters" share their experiences. "Several of my friends have been jobless or have refused to find jobs since graduating from universities because they think the existing jobs are not attractive enough," Lin said. He added that many young people around him are disillusioned about what China's job market is offering. "It seems that we have missed the peak of the internet industry or the new media sector, and these industries are no longer offering full-time positions with good benefits," he told VOA. According to Lin, "full-time children" like himself usually have substantial family support, allowing them the luxury to decide what they want to do in life. "Compared to many young people in China, I have several options to consider amid this wave of youth unemployment," he said. While some of his friends are stuck with labor-intensive jobs, Lin is applying to doctoral programs abroad. "I'm very dissatisfied with the current job market in China, so I want to get a Ph.D. degree overseas and work in academia in the future," he told VOA. Record-high unemployment rate China's youth unemployment rate has hit record highs every month since April, reaching an unprecedented 21.3% in June, when authorities decided to halt the release of age-related employment data. Some young people in China are trying to find opportunities in sectors of the rapidly growing platform economy, such as food delivery and livestreaming. Analysts say family wealth is a key factor affecting the choices young people make while looking for full-time jobs. "For people from a better family background, their family can largely cushion the impact of the labor market issues, but the situation is not that good for people without family support," Ya-Wen Lei, a professor of sociology at Harvard University, told VOA in a video interview. In an op-ed published last month in Caixin, Peking University professor Zhang Dandan predicted that if the estimated 16 million young Chinese people relying on their parents or "lying flat" at home were included, China's real youth unemployment rate could be as high as 46.5%. Becoming a 'deliverywoman' Unlike "full-time children" who can rely on family support during this difficult time, young people from rural areas in China often have to find ways to make ends meet. Cindy Yang, 26, a former journalist from China's Hunan province, was laid off by her company in November 2022, just a few weeks before the Chinese government ended its the three-year-long zero-COVID strategy. "For the first three months, I spent a lot of time looking up jobs on recruitment websites and sent out countless resumes to different companies, but I didn't get any response," she told VOA in a phone interview. "When it's time to pay rent every month, I would be extremely anxious about whether I still have enough savings or not." After months of unsuccessful attempts to find new jobs, Yang took her friends' advice and signed up to be a deliveryperson for the popular shopping platform Meituan. The experience, however, was a shock. "Delivery is unstable and unpredictable," she said. "If you miss an order, it will mess up the rest of the orders on your schedule. Sometimes one customer's sudden cancellation would disrupt the rest of your shift." After a one-month trial, Yang realized that she was not ready to go from a white-collar job that paid around $2,000 a month to one that doesn't have a guaranteed income or any basic protection. "I had to work in delivery, write several articles and pick up other part-time jobs to make close to the same amount as my previous salary," she told VOA. "My trial period in the delivery industry made me realize how unprepared I was for the high intensity that came with the job." After contemplating the long-term prospect of living in Shanghai without a stable full-time job, Yang has returned to her hometown and is now trying to figure out her next step. Mental health risks As China struggles to address youth unemployment and boost its slowing economy, Harvard's Lei worries that young people in China may develop serious depression or other mental health issues in this challenging environment. "Young people may have to postpone important life plans such as marriage and childbearing, or put their dreams on hold," she told VOA. "If they can't find meaning in life one day, that's really a tragedy." Other experts worry that if young people in China remain in "flexible work" like delivery and livestreaming or remain unemployed at home for too long, that may have a long-term impact on China's productivity. "Many young people may exit the formal labor market," Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at investment bank Natixis, told VOA in a phone interview. Garcia-Herrero added that rather than addressing the issue of youth unemployment, China seems to be "hiding the problem." In her view, Beijing's reaction to the problem reflects a lack of response from Chinese policymakers. "It's an ostrich behavior," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Space Launch August 23, 2023 The United States strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its launch using ballistic missile technology, which despite its failure, is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, raises tensions, and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond. This space launch involved technologies that are directly related to the DPRK intercontinental ballistic missile program. The President's national security team is assessing the situation in close coordination with our allies and partners. We urge all countries to condemn this launch and call on the DPRK to come to the table for serious negotiations. The door has not closed on diplomacy but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement. The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and the defense of our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Statement of DPRK Defence Minister Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, August 24 (KCNA) -- Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) made public the following press statement on Thursday: At the summit of the U.S., Japan and the "Republic of Korea" (ROK) held at Camp David on Aug. 18, there was a confab in a bid to boost cooperation among the three parties for the restoration of Ukraine. Biden, at a joint press conference after the summit, incited another atmosphere of confrontation against Russia, saying that the international community needs to jointly respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and that such a situation may occur in Asia. This is a typical example of the desperate efforts by the Biden group to fuel the atmosphere of supporting Ukraine and recover from their political defeat by mobilizing their Asian stooges as the counteroffensive operations launched by the Zelenskiy group with an absurd wild ambition for "recovery of territory" have been defeated one after another by the superb tactics of the Russian army. The Ukrainian crisis is an inevitable product of the hegemonic ambition of the U.S. which has been hell-bent on ceaseless military threat and pressure policy by mobilizing its NATO allies, systematically encroaching upon Russia's strategic security and interests while regarding Russia as the main enemy to bring down at any cost. The U.S., the arch criminal who has brought untold turmoil to the continent of Europe, summoned its puppets, who are thousands of kilometers away from Kiev and not familiar with the essence of the situation, to discuss so-called cooperation. This is an intolerable mockery of and insult to international peace and security and human life. The recent confab brought to light the U.S. sinister intention to lay big siege to China and Russia by tightly binding the hands and feet of Japan and the "ROK", the primary bullet shield for realizing its greedy ambition for world domination, to the Asian version of NATO. Judging from the past, the "ROK" and Japan must presumably have accepted the U.S. demand for active military aid to Ukraine as they have no choice but to follow their master, not daring to calculate whether the master's demand will bring peace or irreversible security crisis to them. The international community is now becoming increasingly vocal denouncing the U.S. and its followers who have been engrossed in provocation while escalating the tense situation in the region of Northeast Asia, which has been already strained through the exclusive factional spawning and inter-camp confrontation. Taking this opportunity, we clarify once again our clear stand to the U.S. which is trumpeting about violation of UN "sanctions" and claims that the DPRK supports the cruel aggressive war of Russia, spreading the "rumor of DPRK-Russia arms dealings" again with the Russian defence minister's visit to the DPRK as an occasion. Not content with sending the notorious lethal weapons including cluster bombs to the Ukrainian battlefield, the U.S. is driving the Ukrainian crisis to the brink of world nuclear war by handing over even F-16 fighters to the Zelenskiy puppet regime. It has no legal right and moral justification to slander the normal cooperation between sovereign states in the field of national defence for peace and security in the region and the rest of the world. The DPRK has never recognized the "sanctions resolutions" of the UN Security Council cooked up by the hostile forces to stamp out its sovereignty and right to existence. And the definition of someone's "aggression", made by the U.S. and the West with their gangster-like logic and standards, does never work on us. Seeing the enemies uneasy about what kind of entity of strong power may be produced again by the cooperation and exchange between the world military powers in clearly smashing the U.S.-led unipolar world order, we came to reconfirm the orientation and way of more definitely overpowering our foes. Even if the U.S. and its stooges seek the "joint counteraction" to cope with threat from someone, we remain unchanged in our will and determination to resolutely take the overwhelming and preemptive armed counteraction, never pardoning any military moves against the DPRK. We will redouble the militant friendship and solidarity with Russia in the just struggle against the common enemy, extending full support and solidarity once again to the just cause of the Russian people for defending their sovereign right and realizing international justice. We are firmly convinced that the day will surely come when the heroic Russian army will write another glorious page in the history of the great war victory amid the material and moral support and encouragement of the righteous and progressive forces surpassing the U.S.-led Western group. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea says satellite launch failed in second attempt, vows to try again Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 6:49 AM North Korea says its second attempt to put a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit has failed, but vows to try for the third time in October. In the early hours of Thursday, North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) conducted the second launch of reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1 aboard the new-type carrier rocket Chollima-1, the country's official KCNA news agency reported. The attempt, made at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Cholsan County of North Phyongan Province, failed after the rocket booster experienced a problem during its third stage. "The flights of the first and second stages of the rocket were normal, but the launch failed due to an error in the emergency blasting system during the third-stage flight," NADA told KCNA, stressing that it would investigate and take steps to fix the cause of Thursday's failure but that it "is not a big issue" in terms of the rocket system's overall reliability. "Nada expressed ... that it would conduct the third reconnaissance satellite launch in October after thoroughly probing the reason and taking measures," the report added. The North's first attempt also went wrong in May, when the booster and payload of its new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea due to a failure in the second stage, with authorities in Pyongyang blaming the setback on an unstable and unreliable new engine system and fuel. The pre-dawn launch prompted a brief emergency warning in Japan's southernmost Okinawa prefecture. The nuclear-armed country, which is under harsh sanctions by the United Nations and the United States for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, has been seeking to put what would be its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit, saying it plans a fleet of satellites to monitor moves by American and South Korean troops. North Korea has been very open about its rocket development program, saying Pyongyang's objective is to defend the nation against US aggression exemplified in its continuous military drills and deployment of nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's meeting with the President of the Republic of Mozambique India - Ministry of External Affairs August 24, 2023 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique on 24 August 2023 in Johannesburg, on the margins of the 15th BRICS Summit. 2. Both the leaders held productive discussions on ways to further the bilateral ties, including in the areas of parliamentary contacts, defence, counter terrorism, energy, mining, health, trade & investment, capacity building, maritime cooperation and people to people relations. 3. Prime Minister appreciated President Nyusi's participation in the Voice of the Global South Summit. 4. President Nyusi congratulated Prime Minister on the success of the Chandrayaan mission and also appreciated India's initiative for G20 permanent membership of the African Union. Johannesburg August 24, 2023 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran India - Ministry of External Affairs August 24, 2023 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in Johannesburg on 24 August 2023, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. 2. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields including trade and investment, connectivity, energy and counter-terrorism. Both sides agreed to fast track infrastructure cooperation, including the Chabahar project. The leaders also exchanged views on regional developments, including Afghanistan. 3. Prime Minister congratulated President Raisi on joining the BRICS family. 4. President Raisi congratulated Prime Minister on the success of Chandrayaan mission and thanked Prime Minister for India's support for Iran's BRICS membership. Johannesburg August 24, 2023 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's meeting with the President of the Republic of Senegal India - Ministry of External Affairs August 24, 2023 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, on 24 August 2023 in Johannesburg, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. 2. Both leaders held fruitful discussions on ways to deepen their bilateral partnership across various sectors, including trade and investment, defence and security, energy, mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, railways, capacity building, culture and people to people ties. 3. Prime Minister appreciated President Sall for his participation in the Voice of Global South Summit and for his strong leadership to the Africa Union last year. 4. President Sall congratulated Prime Minister on the success of Chandrayaan Mission and expressed gratitude for India's efforts for African Union's permanent membership of the G20. He appreciated Prime Minister's leadership in advocating priorities of the developing world and conveyed his best wishes for the success of the forthcoming G20 Summit under India's presidency. Johannesburg August 24, 2023 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Ethiopia India - Ministry of External Affairs August 24, 2023 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Republic of Ethiopia, in Johannesburg on 24 August 2023, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. 2. Both leaders held productive discussions on key areas including development partnership & capacity building, trade and investment, defence cooperation, ICT, agriculture, skilling of youth and people-to-people linkages. They also exchanged views on important regional and global issues. 3. Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Ethiopia's membership of BRICS. He appreciated Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed for his participation in the Voice of Global South Summit. 4. Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed thanked Prime Minister for India's support for Ethiopia to join the BRICS family and felicitated Prime Minister on the success of Chandrayaan mission, terming it as a moment of pride and inspiration for Ethiopia and the Global South. Johannesburg August 24, 2023 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DAC approves proposals worth Rs 7,800 crore to enhance operational capabilities of the Armed Forces India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 24 AUG 2023 3:55PM by PIB Delhi A Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 7,800 crore on August 24, 2023. To enhance the efficiency of the Indian Air Force, the DAC has granted AoN for procurement and installation of Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite on Mi-17 V5 Helicopters under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category which will enhance better survivability of Helicopters. The EW Suite will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The DAC has also accorded AoN for procurement of Ground-Based Autonomous System for mechanised infantry and armoured regiments which will enable various operations like unmanned surveillance, logistic delivery of ammunition, fuel & spares and casualty evacuation in the battle field. Proposals for procurement of 7.62x51 mm Light Machine Gun (LMG) and Bridge Laying Tank (BLT) have also been given go ahead by the DAC. While induction of LMG will enhance fighting capabilities of infantry forces, the induction of BLT will result in faster movement of Mechanised Forces. The AoN for procurement of Ruggedised Laptops and Tablets for the Indian Army under Project Shakti has also been accorded. All these procurements will be sourced from Indigenous vendors only. To enhance the operational capability of the MH-60R Helicopters of the Indian Navy, the DAC has accorded AoN for procurement of weapons for the same. ***** ABB/Savvy (Release ID: 1951691) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi congratulates Iran for becoming BRICS member, hails group expansion to have major influence on world Global Times By Global Times Published: Aug 24, 2023 09:21 PM Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Iran for becoming a BRICS member when meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Johannesburg on Thursday on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi said China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran on BRICS and other multilateral platforms to push for a healthy and robust development of multilateralism. Xi said through joint efforts from all relevant parties, the decision to expand the BRICS has been made, which marked a historic event and would have a major influence on the world as the new members are all countries with significant influence. On Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the BRICS countries have decided to invite six countries -- Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- to become new members. The BRICS countries welcomed six new members from three different continents, a historical milestone that underscored the solidarity of BRICS and developing countries and determination to work together for a better future, officials and experts said. "We are pleased that with the joint efforts of China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have achieved reconciliation, which promoted security and stability in the Middle East," Xi pointed out, saying that China is willing to consolidate friendship and mutual trust with Iran, continue to support each other on issues of core interests to promote China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. Raisi said Iran appreciated China's support for Iran's formal membership in BRICS, which provided new impetus for the development of China-Iran relations and will also be conducive to better promoting Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi. He also appreciated President Xi for playing an important role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's joining BRICS indicates opposition to US unilateralism: Raisi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 24, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said that Iran's officially joining BRICS group of emerging economies signifies the opposition to US unilateralism. The president made the remarks in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday. During the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit, Raisi said that Iran is ready to give a boost to bilateral cooperation with China and help enhance multilateralism. Referring to the agreements already signed between Iran and China, the Iranian president stressed the need for enforcement of an Iran-China 25-year comprehensive deal. The Chinese president, for his part, congratulated Iran's joining BRICS bloc, voicing his country's readiness to promote bilateral relations with Tehran. President Raisi arrived in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, leading a high-ranking delegation. In addition to speaking at the Summit, he plans to hold individual meetings with several heads of state in attendance. In today's BRICS meeting, the Islamic Republic of Iran and five other countries officially joined the bloc. 9341**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran officially becomes member of BRICS IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 24, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Republic of Iran officially became a member of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs has announced. Iran joined the BRICS group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as a full member, Mohammad Jamshidi wrote on his Twitter page, according to the IRNA Thursday report. Such a full membership in the BRICS group of emerging economies is a historic achievement and a strategic success in Iran's foreign policy, Jamshidi underlined. The XV BRICS summit of emerging economies is underway in Johannesburg, a city in northeast of South Africa, as of August 22 for three days. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has attended the summit at the invitation of his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa. In South Africa, President Raisi is to address the BRICS summit and hold talks with some participating heads of states from 70 world countries. 1483**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran has no more funds blocked abroad over sanctions: Deputy FM Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 7:15 PM Iran has no more blocked funds in other countries because of US sanctions after funds frozen in banks in South Korea and Iraq were released under an understanding with Washington, according to a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official. Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani said in remarks published on Thursday that Iran now has full control over its assets in other countries and can transfer them between foreign banks by means of its choosing. Bagheri said an emerging prisoner exchange deal with the US that allows the release of $6 billion worth of Iranian funds in South Korea also includes an understanding about the release of Iranian funds held in Iraq. "The (issue of) funds in Iraq was also raised in the understanding reached with the Americans and the process for their release has also started," the diplomat was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. He said Iran has already taken control of a significant amount of its funds in Iraq. However, Bagheri said Iran has chosen to keep some other funds in certain countries to use them for trade exchanges with those nations or with third parties. "We have no more blocked funds ... we receive the interest of the funds (held abroad) and use them for exchanges with countries and even transfer them to other areas for (financing) our purchases," said Bagheri. The remarks come two weeks after Iran and the United States confirmed they had reached a deal to exchange prisoners and to secure the release of Iranian funds that had remained blocked in two South Korean banks since 2018 because of US pressure on Seoul. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran earns great achievement by joining BRICS as full member, says Amir-Abdollahian Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 6:40 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahioan has praised Iran's membership in the BRICS group of emerging economies, emphasizing that the move can pave the way for the Iranian administration in its pursuit of objectives and development of macro strategies. In a Thursday post on Instagram, Amir-Abdollahian wrote, "Along with President Raeisi, I traveled to South Africa to participate in the meeting of leaders of BRICS+ Summit." "The great achievement of Iran's accession to the BRICS not only strengthens multilateralism, but can also provide the basis for the pursuit of goals and development of other macro strategies of the government in implementing a dynamic diplomacy," he added. The top Iranian diplomat highlighted that the illegal withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Ukraine war and other international developments clearly showed that international alliances of the past, which have been formed solely on the basis of security or economy, can no longer function efficiently. It is, therefore, a strategic error to tie national interests to the destiny of others and a certain international system, he said. Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that "cooperation with various international bodies can be a suitable option with maximum benefits for countries. This is why some members of the BRICS group, despite having good relations with the West, continue to play an active role in the bloc." "BRICS, as a multifaceted system, has a great desire to play an independent and effective role in the international arena. It can be one of the desirable goals of our country to pursue multilateralism with other important alliances and systems such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, Central American Integration System (SICA) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)," he pointed out. Amir-Abdollahian went on to say that BRICS and Iran can tap various areas of mutual cooperation, emphasizing that the country enjoys great capacities as regards its geopolitical and geo-strategic location, rich energy resources, proficient and efficient manpower, significant progress in technological fields and sustainable political stability. BRICS was formed by and initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which collectively represent around 40% of the global population and a quarter of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). Iran was among dozens of countries that sought membership in BRICS and had submitted a formal application to join the body. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Raeisi: Benefits of Iran's membership in BRICS will be 'historic' Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 5:03 PM Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the country offers unique opportunities for member states of the BRICS group of emerging economies in the fields of trade, energy and transit. Addressing the "Friends of BRICS" summit in Johannesburg on Thursday, Raeisi touched on the BRICS's decision to admit new members to the bloc, stressing that the move will pave the way for global development on the basis of justice. "The benefits of the Islamic Republic of Iran's membership in BRICS will be surely historic. It will open up a new chapter and constitute a new step in the direction of promoting justice, equality, ethics and sustainable peace worldwide," President Raeisi said. He emphasized that maximum interaction and promotion of multilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially with independent and developing countries, is at the core of Iran's foreign policy. "Due to its unique transit location, extensive energy resources as well as high levels of expertise in various fields, namely industrial production as well as nano and medical technologies, we declare our readiness for cooperation, joint economic projects and investment with BRICS member states," Raeisi said. The Iranian president praised South Africa which has hosted the summit of the BRICS countries three times, and devoted serious efforts to strengthen cooperation and economic partnership within the bloc and among other nations. "The African continent is among the main capitals of the world. Its rich cultural and ethnic diversity, along with beautiful natural landscapes and rich mineral resources, have characterized the continent. Fortunately, the political and social credence of Africa is increasing day by day," Raeisi said. He stressed that an important part of the international community's future is taking shape in this geographical part of the world. The Iranian president also paid tribute to late South African anti-apartheid activist and politician Nelson Mandela and other African heroes who stood up against colonialism. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has been an ally of Africa for a long time, and enhancement of economic cooperation with African countries has been long on our agenda. We pursue special agendas of cooperation in our bilateral and multilateral ties with different African countries," Raeisi stated. Hegemony, injustice, discrimination and moral decadence have put the world in a difficult and complicated situation, he added. "The emergence and spread of problems such as hunger and climate change, lack of access to healthcare and medical services, cyber insecurity along with threats to cultures, values and identities are among the challenges that require efforts and convergence in order to deepen the discourse of justice, and found a just system on the basis of common interests," Raeisi said. He went on to describe BRICS as a symbol of change and transformation in global relations, which can help solve the problems of the international community, especially as the global confidence in its efficacy is increasing. Raeisi also said Iran firmly supports the successful efforts of BRICS to reduce reliance on the US dollar, use national currencies as well as its mechanisms for payment and financial settlement. Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president denounced the ongoing racist policies, stating that crises arising from oppression, occupation, hegemony and state terrorism, especially on the part of the Israeli regime, have prevented the Palestinian nation from both exercising their right to self-determination and enjoying the right to development. BRICS was formed by and initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which collectively represent virtually 40% of the global population and a quarter of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). Iran was among dozens of countries that sought membership in BRICS and had submitted a formal application to join the body. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRICS powers welcome Iran's membership, say ready to 'deepen' ties Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 3:08 PM President Xi Jinping says China is willing to boost cooperation with Iran on BRICS and other platforms, hours after the group of emerging economies formally invited the Islamic Republic to become a full member. At the beginning of a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS leaders' summit in the South African city of Johannesburg on Thursday, Xi congratulated Iran on becoming a member of the group. "China is ready to consolidate friendship and deepen mutual trust with the Iranian side and to continue to support each other on issues of mutual core interests," state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) quoted the Chinese president as saying. China's Xinhua news agency also said Xi told his Iranian counterpart that China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran so as to push for healthy and robust development of multilateralism. Raeisi, for his part, said Iran is ready to give a boost to its bilateral cooperation with China and help enhance multilateralism, stressing that Iran's membership in BRICS would also strengthen the core approaches of the group, including opposition to the US unilateralism. Referring to the agreements already signed between Tehran and Beijing, the Iranian president stressed the need for the enforcement of a 25-year comprehensive deal between the two countries. 'Wonderful meeting' with PM Modi Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held wide-ranging talks with President Raeisi, during which they reviewed bilateral ties including in areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity, counter-terrorism, and Afghanistan. "Had a wonderful meeting with President Ebrahim Raeisi. I am glad that Iran will be joining BRICS. Discussed ways to deepen trade and cultural cooperation between India and Iran," Modi said in a post on platform X. The prime minister's office said that Modi and Raeisi held wide-ranging talks during which they discussed ways to boost ties in sectors like energy, connectivity, and trade. They had spoken over the phone on Friday and discussed strengthening of bilateral and regional cooperation, including realizing the full potential of Chabahar Port. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the prime minister felicitated Iran on Thursday on joining the BRICS family. "President Raeisi thanked the PM for India's support in achieving this outcome. President Raeisi also congratulated the PM on the success of the Chandrayaan mission," Bagchi said. Raeisi and Modi reviewed bilateral ties including in areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity, and counter-terrorism, Bagchi said. "They agreed to fast-track infrastructure cooperation, including the Chabahar project. They also exchanged views on regional developments, including Afghanistan." A day earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had congratulated India "on the flawless Chandrayaan3 mission", saying the achievement resonates around the world. Lula: Sanctions a 'criminal weapon' In a separate meeting with Raeisi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva congratulated the Islamic Republic on joining the BRICS group. He said there are many opportunities in the fields of scientific, technological and academic exchanges and culture to expand cooperation between the two countries. The president of Brazil denounced sanctions as a "criminal weapon" against world nations that targets the people of the embargoed country. He said the current UN structure is incapable of preventing the encroachment of the powers against the rights of other nations, which requires the current structures to be redesigned. BRICS, President Lula said, should be able to establish a new economic logic and order in the world. President Raeisi expressed his satisfaction with Lula's re-election, stressing the need for further development of relations between the two countries and expansion of their bilateral cooperation. He also touched on the American officials' acknowledgement of the scandalous failure of the "maximum pressure" policy against Iran. Raeisi said despite the cruel sanctions, Iran's advances in science and technology have been going in leaps and bounds. 'Great achievement' Iran was among dozens of countries that sought membership in BRICS and had submitted a formal application to join the body. Amir-Abdollahian, who accompanies Raeisi on his trip to Johannesburg, in a message on X praised Iran's membership in BRICS as a "great achievement", stressing that such a membership "not only boosts multilateralism but also helps [Iran] achieve goals and develop other macro strategies of the government in implementing a dynamic diplomacy." Raeisi arrived in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, on Thursday morning to attend the "Friends of BRICS" summit. The group consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which collectively represent around 40 percent of the global population and a quarter of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). The bloc of developing economies announced Thursday that it had agreed to admit Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia as new members from the first of January 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Raeisi: Iran eyes cooperation with BRICS member states Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 5:31 AM Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Tehran seeks to promote cooperation with the member states of the BRICS group of emerging economies. Raeisi made the remark while speaking to reporters on Wednesday before leaving Tehran for Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in a summit of the BRICS countries, with the bloc's expansion being at the top of its agenda. "In its foreign policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran has put [ the promotion of] relations with all independent countries in the world on its agenda," he said. "BRICS has managed to bring together independent countries with the common goal of [bolstering] economic cooperation and countering unilateralism," he added, emphasizing that he would shed light on Iran's positions in this regard. The Iranian president noted that he plans to hold mutual meetings with the BRICS leaders and the authorities participating in the summit with the purpose of expanding Tehran's ties with other countries. Raeisi said that such meetings would facilitate the exchange of capacities among the BRICS members and expressed hope that his visit would pave the way for the realization of Iran's policies. As a group of countries, BRICS has the capacity to be further expanded, he stated. The group consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These countries collectively represent around 40% of the global population and a quarter of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). Iran is among dozens of countries that seek membership in BRICS and has submitted a formal application to join the body. Russia and China have welcomed Iran's application and the group's expansion to include international powerhouses. Meanwhile, South Africa's foreign minister said on Wednesday that leaders of the BRICS bloc have agreed on mechanisms for considering new members, giving dozens of interested nations a path into the organization. "We have agreed on the matter of expansion," Naledi Pandor said, following a meeting of BRICS leaders at the grouping's 15th summit in Johannesburg. "We have a document that we've adopted which sets out guidelines and principles, processes for considering countries that wish to become members of BRICS...That's very positive," she added. Despite differing economic and political priorities among its current members, as well as rivalry between China and India, there appears to be a general agreement among the five states that expansion of the group should be considered. In addition to expansion, BRICS members are contemplating a broader economic policy shift away from US dollar-based trade within the bloc. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Judiciary Issues Another Warning Against Protests Over Amini's Death By RFE/RL's Radio Farda August 24, 2023 Iran's judiciary has once again warned government opponents not to take to the streets to mark the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini next month as tensions rise a year after the 22-year-old died while in police custody for an alleged violation of the country's head scarf law. Deputy Judiciary Chief Sadeq Rahimi told reporters on August 24 that Iranian intelligence and security agencies are "vigilantly monitoring" potential protest activities and that "any group aiming to disrupt social structures in the coming days will be identified and handed over to the judiciary." Amini was detained by the morality police while visiting Tehran in September 2022 because she was allegedly wearing a head scarf, or hijab, improperly. Witnesses say security agents beat her during her arrest, while official autopsy reports blamed it on health conditions the family claims she didn't have. Amini died on September 16 after being moved to a hospital, sparking mass protests that have continued for most of the past year. Authorities have responded to the biggest challenge to the Islamic leadership since it came to power following the 1979 revolution with a heavy-handed crackdown that has seen hundreds killed, thousands arrested, and harsh penalties, including the death sentence for offenders. Rahimi cautioned those pardoned by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this year for violations committed during the protests would be hit with even harder penalties if they are detained again. Many lawyers, human rights activists, imprisoned protesters, and former political prisoners have dismissed the amnesty decree as a thinly veiled attempt at propaganda in the face of such strong dissent. The government, fearing a flare-up in protests next month on the anniversary of Amini's death, has been ramping up warnings against activists and families of those killed in the protests. In a statement released on August 21, Amnesty International detailed the situation of 36 families from 10 provinces in Iran who have suffered human rights abuses in recent months at the hands of Iranian law enforcement. The August 16 arrest of 12 women's rights activists who are accused of planning events ahead of the anniversary of Amini's death has intensified concerns that officials will stop at nothing to try and quell any unrest. The Telegram channel of the Iranian Student Guild Councils highlighted the delay in the academic calendar of major universities, attributing it to the upcoming anniversary of Amini's death. The channel also reported an increase in "contacts from security agencies with students" as the anniversary approaches. Reports say many students have been coerced into signing commitments to abstain from potential student protests and online activities that align with the protests. In recent weeks at Azarbaijan Civil University, security personnel have allegedly threatened students and their families with potential arrests and university expulsions. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-judiciary- issues-warning-protests-amini-death/32563397.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exclusive: Which Iranians Charged With US Offenses Could Be Freed in Iran Prisoner Swap? By Michael Lipin August 24, 2023 As the United States and Iran try to finalize a prisoner deal that has taken significant steps forward this month, one element of it remains as obscure as ever: Which, if any, Iranians detained or prosecuted in the U.S. on federal charges might be traded for five Americans held by Tehran? Since the Biden administration and Iran began in May 2021 what they have said are indirect prisoner negotiations, Tehran has declined to name the Iranians it alleges are unjustly detained in the U.S., despite repeatedly demanding their release in public statements. That was the case again on August 10, when Iran said it took a step toward freeing five Americans whom Washington has accused Tehran of wrongfully imprisoning, by transferring those Americans to house arrest. Iranian state media said the Americans would be allowed to leave Iran at the conclusion of a deal in which the U.S. would make two concessions: releasing five Iranians who they assert were jailed on "false" charges of circumventing U.S. sanctions, and unblocking $6 billion in Iranian assets that had been frozen in South Korean banks under those sanctions. The Biden administration has said the deal will enable Iran to regain access to the $6 billion only to buy humanitarian goods such as food and medicine under U.S. oversight. It has not said anything about freeing or dropping cases against Iranian citizens charged with U.S. federal crimes. VOA has identified 11 Iranians currently in U.S. detention or facing prosecution on federal charges who could be on Iran's wish list for a prisoner exchange. Their identities were drawn from U.S. Justice Department and federal judiciary records and contacts with U.S. officials. The Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York did not respond to a VOA email asking whether any of the 11 individuals are on Iran's wish list. VOA sent the names of the same individuals to the State Department seeking confirmation of whether Iran has asked the U.S. to include any of them in a prisoner swap. A State Department spokesperson responded Thursday, saying, "This is an ongoing, sensitive process, so we are not in a position to discuss further details at this time." Six of the identified individuals are Iranian American dual nationals: Manssor Arbabsiar, Niloufar "Nellie" Bahadorifar, Kambiz Attar Kashani, Behrouz Mokhtari, Reza Olangian and Erfan Salmanzadeh. Two of them are Iranians with U.S. permanent residency: Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi and Amin Hasanzadeh. And three are Iranians with no legal status in the U.S.: Mehrdad Ansari, Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani and Malek Mohammad Balouchzehi. Three of the 11 individuals are on supervised pretrial release: Afrasiabi, Hasanzadeh and Kafrani. Four are serving sentences in federal prisons: Ansari, Arbabsiar, Kashani and Olangian. Two are in post-sentencing detention awaiting transfer to federal prisons: Mokhtari and Salmanzadeh. Of the remaining two, Bahadorifar is on supervised post-sentencing release for planned medical treatments pending surrender to prison in October, while Balouchzehi is in federal detention pending sentencing in October. Mokhtari, who was sentenced in July to a three-year prison term, had subsequently remained on supervised release at his northern Virginia home pending surrender to prison when authorities rearrested him on August 17. Court records seen by VOA cite prosecutors as saying FBI agents searched Mokhtari's home that day and found documents showing he applied earlier this month for a new Iranian passport but had not yet received it from Iran's Interests Section in Washington. The prosecutors said Mokhtari also told the agents that he planned to travel to Iran in the near future, in what would have been a violation of his bond and release conditions. All but two of the 11 Iranians were arrested on federal charges of violating U.S. or international sanctions against Iran or providing Tehran with other forms of illicit help. Of the two who were not, Balouchzehi was convicted of international drug trafficking, and Salmanzadeh was convicted of using a weapon of mass destruction to detonate an explosive at his Texas home. In a Wednesday phone interview with VOA, Nizar Zakka, president of U.S. nonprofit Hostage Aid Worldwide (HAW), said Iran is publicly calling for the release of five Iranians in the U.S. to show that it cares about its citizens and not just about securing billions of dollars of funds. But he said Tehran has not named the individuals because they include Iranians who have U.S. citizenship or residency and are likely to stay in the U.S. if released from federal detention or supervision. "It would look bad if Tehran named the individuals and those people do not want to return to Iran," he said. Zakka is a Lebanese American who was imprisoned in Iran from 2015 to 2019 on what the U.S. said were bogus charges. He founded HAW in 2020 to advocate for the release of other people unjustly detained around the world. Zakka said he doubts any of the Iranians charged with the more serious crimes in the U.S. will be included in a prisoner swap. As an example, he cited Arbabsiar, who was sentenced in 2013 to 25 years in prison for participating in a 2011 plot to murder the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. "Regarding the individuals whom the Iranians care about freeing the most, they know it would be out of the question for any U.S. administration to release them," Zakka said. Andrea Stricker, a U.S. researcher at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told this week's edition of VOA's Flashpoint Iran podcast that even the Iranians charged with lesser U.S. offenses are important for Tehran to try to free. "Those Iranians may seem like the little fish, but the regime thinks they are the big fish," she said. "They represent the nuts and bolts of the Iranian weapons system, so the regime tries to protect them." Stricker said it may be more palatable for the Biden administration to grant early releases to Iranians nearing completion of their sentences, such as Ansari and Kashani, whose prison terms end in December and February respectively. But she said the U.S. would be sending a harmful message by doing so. "First, there is no equivalence between the Iranians who act as illicit procurement agents, engage in terrorism and get fair trials in the U.S. legal process, and the Americans who are innocently abducted by Iran just for visiting their families or carrying out academic studies," Stricker said. "Second, it would be a shame if all of the work by U.S. law enforcement to prosecute those Iranians is disrupted, and painstaking investigations and sting operations are wiped away [by a prisoner exchange]," she added. "It would set a chilling precedent for investigators and prosecutors to do the work and go after these folks." Stricker said she was sensitive to the desire of the families of the Americans held by Iran for the U.S. to do anything it can to bring their loved ones home. "Rather than encouraging further hostage-taking by swapping people and in effect paying a ransom," she said, "a U.S. administration should demand that no more hostage-taking occurs and threaten extremely negative consequences for Iran if it does." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi resistance group vows to 'crush' US projects in region Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 12:18 AM An Iraqi resistance group has warned the United States that it would "crush" Washington's destructive projects in the region. Kata'ib Hezbollah, which belongs to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) umbrella counterterrorism forces, who are better known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday. The US withdrew its troops from Iraq between 2007 and 2011 but redeployed them in 2014 along with other partners to allegedly counter the threat of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. Iraq managed to end the territorial rule of the terror outfit in the country thanks to the sacrifices of the national army as well as the PMU. However, Washington has kept as many as 2,500 of its forces inside Iraq in defiance of a resolution that has required their withdrawal. The resolution was passed by the Arab country's parliament in January 2020, following the US's assassination of Iran's legendary anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi trenchmate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the PMU's deputy head. The statement by Kata'ib Hezbollah said American military convoys' recent movements across some Iraqi cities served as a "clear testament to the enemy's intransigence and its intention to retain its invasive combat forces in the [Arab] country." The remaining American forces, though, are "not stronger" in number and the size of their equipment than those that the US used to keep in the country before 2011, the group said. The resistance has also developed and increased its capabilities compared to that time, it added. "They (the Americans) should know this that their muscle-flexing is futile, and if the resistance chooses to fight, it will crush their sinister projects in the region so that Iraq will be their last stronghold in the multi-polar world." The statement came a day after Asaib Ahl al-Haq, another Iraqi resistance group, said the eventual withdrawal of the US forces from Iraq was inevitable since the country was capable of defending itself. The movement also said the main goal of the American military presence in Iraq was to ensure the security of the Israeli regime. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan releases Fukushima nuclear wastewater despite concerns China is among the lead critics of the decision. By Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA 2023.08.24 -- Japan has started the gradual release of treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, despite regional and local concerns, with plans to eventually pump more than a million metric tons of it into the sea. The release comes 12 years after the nuclear accident following an earthquake and tsunami, leading to a plant meltdown. According to authorities, the water used to cool the nuclear reactors and additional groundwater and rainwater seeping into the reactor buildings has reached near full storage capacity. TEPCO, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, which operates the power plant located on Hakura Beach in Japan, said Thursday it began the discharge at around 1 pm (04:00 GMT). Only around 200 or 210 cubic meters of treated wastewater is expected to be released on the first day, TEPCO told reporters earlier on Thursday. However, starting Friday, it plans to increase the release to 7,800 cubic meters over 17 days. If any irregularities in the discharge equipment or the dilution rates of the treated wastewater are observed, the operation will be halted at once, TEPCO said, adding it will also collect samples from nearby harbor water to monitor and ensure the discharged, treated wastewater meets international safety standards. The U.N.'s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said last month the planned discharge of wastewater meets relevant international safety standards and would have a "negligible" radiological impact on people and the environment. "Even if it takes several decades, the government will take responsibility until the treated water is fully disposed of," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday, announcing the decision to start releasing the water this week. Over 1.3 million cubic meters of wastewater - enough to fill more than 500 Olympic-size swimming pools - currently contained in numerous water storage tanks at the facility is set to be released, which could take up to 40 years to complete. The continuous discharge of water is conducted through a long-submerged tunnel. The IAEA said last month it would continue its safety review during the discharge phase, with a continuous on-site presence and live online monitoring from the facility. Water released despite concerns Since Japan announced the decision to release the water in 2021, it has stirred strong consternation in neighboring countries such as China and South Korea, and some Pacific islands. Regarding Fukushima, Japanese authorities have been accused of minimizing risks, omitting crucial safety details, and being reluctant to recognize the core meltdown in 2011. Subsequent probes pinpointed the root causes as inadequate regulatory supervision and a lack of readiness. Fishermen in the Philippines on Thursday expressed fears over Japan's plan, with the National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines, or Pamalakaya, warning that wastewater to be dumped into the Pacific would reach the country's shores and severely impact marine life. "Our ocean and ecosystem will be directly affected. That's the reason why we are relying on government agencies to make their stand on the issue," Ronnel Arambulo, the group's vice chairman, said in a statement. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said the central government continues to look at this issue from "a science- and fact-based perspective and its impact on the waters in the region," but recognized the IAEA's technical expertise on the matter. Many experts have called for more independent verification of the release plan, alleging the decision to release the water was reached through a process that lacked full transparency and did not sufficiently include consultations with key stakeholders from both Japan and other countries. They said it had missing details, such as a comprehensive list of the radioactive elements remaining in the tanks. Experts argue this could pave the way for more distrust and disputes, which is alarming, especially in Asia, where over 140 nuclear power reactors are currently functional. In its defense, TEPCO has said that the controlled discharge of the treated wastewater adheres to a meticulous nuclear purification process utilizing a pumping and filtration system called ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System), designed according to the safety standards prescribed by the IAEA, to leave but one primary radioactive isotope - tritium, which is impossible to separate from water. Instead, it will be diluted with the water to bring it below regulatory standards before the release with a tritium concentration of 1,500 becquerel/liter, which is six times lower than the World Health Organization's recommended limit for drinkable water. The amount is considered to be of low risk in small amounts by the scientists. "Fukushima water discharge will contain only harmless tritium and is not a unique event," said Tony Irwin, an associate professor at the Australian National University in Canberra. "Nuclear power plants worldwide have routinely discharged water containing tritium for over 60 years without harm to people or the environment, most at higher levels than planned ... for Fukushima." However, another professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa said that Japan's decision "is not surprising, but certainly disappointing." Instead of ocean dumping, both Japan and the IAEA could have used the opportunity to explore better approaches to nuclear disasters, said Professor Robert Richmond, a member of the Expert Scientific Advisory Panel to the Pacific Islands Forum. "This is not the first such disaster nor will it be the last, and this decision undercuts the premise that the nuclear power industry is viable and responsible in its ability to deal with its own mistakes and wastes," he said. China bans all Japanese aquatic products The Japanese government has pledged to continue monitoring the wastewater discharge and its effects on the marine environment, promising transparency in its reporting. However, that has not placated environmentalists, neighboring countries and several local fishing communities that have expressed strong concerns about the potential ecological and health impacts. The backlash in recent months has been particularly severe in South Korea and China. Seoul has voiced dissatisfaction over Tokyo's inadequate consultation efforts but has withdrawn its objections, asking for more transparency. Critics have argued that President Yoon Suk Yeol has agreed to Tokyo's proposal primarily to enhance ties with Japan, historically a rival of South Korea, and under the influence of the U.S., a mutual ally of both countries. China's foreign ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador to China Tuesday to express "serious concerns," ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a press conference on Wednesday. "This act blatantly transfers the risk of nuclear pollution to neighboring countries, including China, and the international community, prioritizing its own interests over the long-term well-being of the people in the region and around the world," he said. The General Administration of Customs of China on Thursday said it would suspend the import of all aquatic products from Japan with immediate effect. The Hong Kong government also announced on Tuesday a ban on the import of aquatic products from 10 prefectures in Japan. In Taiwan, both official and public reaction to this matter has been lukewarm. Local officials have been reported as saying that since the 2011 earthquake, samples of catches from nearshore and offshore fisheries have been tested, and all related indicators have passed. In the Pacific, leaders are split over the release, with the Pacific Island Forum's foreign ministers meeting in September to discuss the issue. "There's a possibility we may have a splinter on our view on the Fukushima discharge, on the whole, we'll probably find consensus," Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told Radio New Zealand on Thursday. Kai Di of RFA Mandarin service and RFA correspondent Chris Taylor contributed to this report. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. This story was updated to include reactions from fishermen in the Philippines as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan: IAEA monitoring treated water release from Fukushima nuclear plant 24 August 2023 - Japan has begun discharging treated radioactive wastewater from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the Pacific Ocean, 12 years on from the major meltdown there, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Thursday. Experts from the UN nuclear watchdog were present to monitor and assess that all relevant international safety standards were applied, as part of a multiyear review of a process that could last for decades. The decision to release the water into the sea has sparked criticism in Japan and the region. Long-term commitment The IAEA has been providing real-time data on the controlled release of the treated water, including on water flow rates and radiation monitoring. "The IAEA has committed to be present before, during and after this process," Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a video statement. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station suffered major damage during an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Since then, water has continually been pumped in to cool the plant's reactors. Groundwater also seeps into the site, and rainwater falls into the damaged reactor and turbine building. 'Negligible radiological impact' The water came in contact with melted fuel, fuel debris and other radioactive substances, resulting in contamination. It was treated and diluted through a filtration process called Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) and stored in specially prepared tanks. As of June, there were some 1,000 of these tanks holding more than a million cubic meters of treated water. An IAEA report issued last month said Japan's approach and activities to discharge the treated water were "consistent with relevant international safety standards". Furthermore, the "controlled, gradual discharges" of the treated water would have a "negligible radiological impact" on people and the environment. Reviews and criticism The report was the outcome of nearly two years of work by an IAEA Task Force made up of top agency specialists advised by internationally recognised nuclear safety experts from 11 countries. The Task Force conducted five review missions to Japan, published six technical reports, and met many times with officials from the Government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the nuclear plant's operator. Japan's decision to release the treated water into the sea drew criticism both at home and in some neighbouring countries, according to media reports. Protests have occurred there and in the Republic of Korea. China also announced on Thursday that it will immediately ban seafood from Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRICS leaders made media statements At the 15th BRICS Summit, held in Johannesburg, heads of state from this interstate association made statements for the media. August 24, 2023 11:15 BRICS countries adopted the Second Johannesburg Declaration following their summit. * * * Media statement by the President of Russia at the BRICS Summit President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President [Cyril Ramaphosa], friends, colleagues, I would like to join the other participants in today's event in thanking our South African friends for their contribution to our joint efforts, primarily in terms of coordinating the declaration. I must point out that this was quite a challenging task, as it turns out, and President Ramaphosa has demonstrated outstanding diplomatic agility and skill in coordinating all the positions, including those dealing with the BRICS expansion. Our Brazilian colleague, President Lula da Silva, has just highlighted several issues that matter the most for all of us. I believe that a single settlement currency definitely deserves our attention. This is a complex issue but we have to move towards resolving it in one way or another. The second issue deals with carrying out economic transactions between our countries. I would like to congratulate the countries joining BRICS which will be able to fully contribute to its work effective next year. I want to assure all of my colleagues that we will continue the initiative we started today, to expand the influence of BRICS in the world, by establishing practical cooperation with new members and with the parties collaborating with us in the outreach format, as well as with our partners who assign importance to cooperation with BRICS and would like to work with us. We have been treating this matter with a lot of attention and respect and will undoubtedly embark on this effort, while maintaining contacts with all of our partners and seeking their advice on ways to proceed with this undertaking. We will devise regulations during our joint discussions at the level of foreign ministers, other agencies in order to ensure that the global role and standing of BRICS keeps growing. Thank you very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian president sends condolences to Prigozhin's family after plane crash Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 6:54 PM Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his "condolences" over a plane crash that killed Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and nine others. In televised comments on Thursday, President Putin praised Prigozhin as a talented businessman and said he wished to express sincere condolences to the families of those who died. "As for the aviation tragedy, first of all I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families of all the victims. It's always a tragedy." He added that it was necessary to await the outcome of the official investigation into the crash, in which all 10 people on board were killed. The Russian president said the inquiry would take some time. An investigation is currently underway into what caused Wednesday's crash, which came two months after Prigozhin led a short-lived armed mutiny against the Russian military leadership in June. The mutiny, which lasted less than 24 hours, came to an end after the Wagner leader agreed to turn his troops back on their path to the Russian capital, following negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko aimed at de-escalating the situation. Following the deal, the Kremlin announced that Russia had dropped a criminal case previously filed against the head of the Wagner group. Prigozhin 'a talented person' who made 'mistakes' The Russian president further said Prigozhin was a talented man who made "mistakes" and the Wagner crash victims made a "significant contribution" in Ukraine. Putin said, "I knew Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early '90s. "He was a man of complicated fate, and he made serious mistakes in his life, but he achieved the right results. He was a talented person, a talented businessman, he worked not only in our country, and worked with results, but also abroad, in Africa, in particular. He was involved there with oil, gas, precious metals and stones." "Indeed, if employees of the Wagner company were there, and the preliminary data indicate they were, I would like to note that these people made a significant contribution to our common cause of combating the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine, we remember this, we know it and we shall not forget," he added. The investigators are now looking for "black boxes, the voice recordings, to piece together exactly what happened". "As far as I know, he just returned yesterday from Africa. He met some officials here. But what is quite definite - the head of the Investigative Committee reported to me this morning - is they have already begun a preliminary investigation into this event. And it will be carried out in full, and taken right to the end," the president said. Pentagon rejects missile strike theory The United States believes a surface-to-air missile originating from inside Russia likely shot down the plane presumed to be carrying Prigozhin, Reuters quoted two unnamed US officials as saying. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stressed that the information was still preliminary and under review. The Pentagon, however, said later there was currently no information to suggest that a surface-to-air missile took down the plane. Russian air authorities have said Prigozhin, his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin and eight other people were on the private plane that crashed with no survivors north of Moscow on Wednesday. Russian authorities have yet to confirm via a DNA test that the 62-year-old's body was among the charred and mangled remnants of the private jet that crashed 350km northwest of Moscow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wagner head plane crash provokes discussion in China Online comparisons made between Russia and China - and with communist party history. By Chris Taylor for RFA and Emily Chan for RFA Mandarin 2023.08.24 -- Russia's civil aviation agency said Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin was on an airplane that crashed near Moscow Wednesday. It has fueled a wave of online discussion in China, where some drew comparisons to the Chinese Communist Party's not so distant past. No cause for the crash was provided, but Wagner-flagged Telegram accounts blamed Russian air defenses for shooting down the Embraer jet. Prigozhin's death comes exactly two months - to the day - after the Wagner Group undertook an armed rebellion against the Russian Armed Forces, seizing control of a Russian military office in the city of Rostov-on-Don and briefly marching on Moscow. According to the Wagner Group, Prigozhin was among 10 people who lost their lives in the crash involving a private plane flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg that came down less than half an hour after taking off. The group posted what is believed to be a video of the crash on social media platforms, showing an airplane crashing and burning. They confirmed that Prigozhin had died, describing him as a hero and a patriot. They further claimed that he died at the hands of "Russian traitors." Although the news broke in the middle of the night in China, keywords related to "Prigozhin" quickly trended on the social media app Weibo, which had 255 million daily users as of March of this year. Numerous bloggers also uploaded late-night videos discussing the implications of the Prigozhin incident. China's earlier official response to Wagner Group's brief mutiny was muted, with a Foreign Ministry statement on June 25 calling it "Russia's internal affair," adding that China "supports Russia in maintaining national stability." But some experts interviewed by the state media outlet China Daily expressed concerns about the stability of China's friend and neighbor. "The conflict between mercenaries and the Russian army is only the tip of the iceberg about the inherent contradictions in Russian society," said Yu Sui, a professor at the China Center for Contemporary World Studies. Challenging the leadership Many online commentators remarked on the inherent risk of standing up to autocrats in what some of them dared to call "totalitarian" states. "Prigozhin, the head of the mercenaries, clearly didn't understand politics. Didn't he watch House of Cards? He made the mistake of rebelling against Putin," blogger Yojia Fleet wrote. "Breaking news! Prigozhin's private plane crashed north of Moscow. After offending Putin, he didn't live long. As for the cause of his death, we can only speculate," wrote another blogger who goes by the name of Wang Xiaodong Some Chinese netizens created polls such as "Who's behind Prigozhin's plane crash?" to attract attention and web traffic. Online comparisons were also made to the "Russian version of the Lin Biao incident," a reference to a top leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chairman Mao Zedong's chosen successor. In 1971, he is believed to have died when his plane nosedived into the grasslands of Outer Mongolia. China's official line is that Lin planned to assassinate Mao and when his plot failed he tried to flee Beijing for Moscow, but with insufficient fuel to complete the flight. Professor Yang Haiying of Japan's Shizuoka University said the reason that online commentators were calling the incident the "Russian version of the Lin Biao incident" was because both China and Russia are dictatorships. "Chinese citizens are paying attention to this because of the close relationship between Xi and Putin. If anyone opposes Putin, their fate is sealed, just as if anyone opposes Xi, they might follow Lin Biao's path," said Yang. However, Hu Ping, honorary editor of the New York-based Beijing Spring magazine, said that the relationship between Prigozhin and Putin cannot be directly compared to that of Lin Biao and Mao Zedong. He added that Lin Biao's accident was shocking all the same, and Prigozhin's death was dramatic, sparking discussions online. "For the CCP, this isn't politically sensitive because it's an external event, but a dramatic one," said Hu. "With the Chinese government supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine and Xi Jinping often comparing himself to Putin, these factors naturally lead to speculation." Political commentator Wang Jian said that Chinese netizens were fascinated with the latest news because of China's good relationship with Russia, but warned that government voices might use the news to make Chinese citizens even more afraid to challenge the government. "With issues like unemployment and dropping house prices, people are anxious," said Wang. "The government is unpredictable. The focus of Chinese netizens on external events has decreased because of the economic downturn. But government online commentators might create an atmosphere that suggests disloyalty will lead to bad consequences." Wang also alluded to the CCP's complete grip on the military, saying it was unlikely that China could experience a mutiny similar to Russia's. He added that Beijing won't need to leverage the incident to strengthen control over the military. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Indirect Confirmation Of Prigozhin's Death, Putin Offers Condolences To Family By RFE/RL's Russian Service August 24, 2023 Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first remarks since the deadly crash of the plane thought to be carrying the founder of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, expressed his condolences to the man's family while also referring to the "serious mistakes" made by the mercenary leader. "He [Prigozhin] was a talented man," Putin said on August 24, calling the crash a day earlier just north of Moscow a "tragedy" without specifically stating whether he believed the mercenary leader had been aboard the flight. Putin called Prigozhin "a man of difficult fate [who had] made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results he needed a both for himself and, when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months." Putin didn't specify the "mistakes' made by the man who just two months ago led a short-lived mutiny against the Russian military and presented the most serious challenge to Putin in his more than two decades in power. "My sincere condolences to the families of all those who perished," Putin added. Investigators on August 24 continued to sift through wreckage of a private jet belonging to the Wagner group after it crashed en route to St. Petersburg from Moscow, leaving no survivors among a passenger list containing the names of 10 people, including Prigozhin, who exactly two months earlier led a brief mutiny against Russia's top army brass. The Flightradar24 online tracker showed a Brazilian-built Embraer 600 jet dropping off radar screens early in the evening on August 23. Soon after, video on social media appeared to show a plane falling through the sky in an area about 300 kilometers north of Moscow that coincided with the location of the aircraft's disappearance. "If they [Wagner leaders] really were aboard -- and the preliminary data say that employees of the Wagner company were there -- I would like to emphasize that these people had contributed significantly to our common efforts of the [fight in Ukraine]," Putin said. Questions over whether Prigozhin was on the plane or not and the circumstances surrounding the plane crash have led to speculation that Putin was behind the crash. Putin's indirect confirmation of Prigozhin's death may do little to quell the rumors. A close ally of Putin for decades, Prigozhin led the June 24 mutiny that saw Wagner fighters seize the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and march to within 200 kilometers of Moscow. A Russian military aircraft was shot down during the mutiny, and altogether 13 Russian Air Force personnel were killed. U.S. Brigadier General Pat Ryder declined to comment on what U.S. intelligence was indicating about the crash but did play down earlier reports that officials suspected that a surface-to-air missile was responsible. "Our initial assessment was that Prigozhin was killed...We don't have any information right now regarding the press reporting stating that there was some kind of surface-to-air missile that took down the plane. We assess that information to be inaccurate," he told a briefing. Separately, U.S. and Western intelligence sources told AP that a preliminary assessment had concluded that an intentional explosion caused the crash and that Prigozhin was "very likely" targeted. Wagner commander and co-founder Dmitry Utkin was also listed among the seven passengers on the jet, Russia's aviation authority said, quoting the airline. Two pilots and a flight attendant also were onboard the plane, the aviation authority said, adding an investigation into the incident has been launched. There has been no official confirmation from the Kremlin or the Defense Ministry that Prigozhin and Utkin died, but a Telegram channel linked to Wagner pronounced him dead. The channel, Grey Zone, declared Prigozhin a hero and a patriot who it said had died at the hands of unidentified people it called "traitors to Russia." Grey Zone also reported that another private jet owned by Prigozhin landed safely in the Moscow region. The information could not be independently verified. A St. Petersburg building where Wagner offices are located lit up windows at night to form a giant cross while some people stopped near the building to leave flowers and light candles. "The Commission of the Federal Air Transport Agency is starting initial actions at the scene, and has also begun collecting factual materials on the training of the crew, the technical condition of the aircraft, the meteorological situation on the flight route, the work of dispatch services and ground radio equipment," the aviation authority said in a statement. Prigozhin was not arrested or detained at the time of the mutiny, but Putin denounced the insurrection as a "stab in the back" and vowed to punish all "traitors" involved. "It is unlikely that anyone thinks this is a coincidence. It just so happens that political opponents whom Vladimir Putin considers a threat to his power do not die naturally," said Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau. In an attempt to head off conspiracy theories that Kyiv was involved, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine had "nothing to do with it [the crash]." "Everybody knows who has something to do with it," he added in a thinly veiled suggestion that Putin ordered the downing of the plane. The deaths of Prigozhin and Utkin, if proven true, would be a severe blow to the Wagner group, which was key in Russia's battle to take the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut earlier this year. Mykhaylo Podolyak, chief adviser in the Ukrainian president's office, said the incident is a warning sign to anyone else in Russia that wants to challenge Putin's authority. "The show-stopping removal of Prigozhin and the Wagner command two months after the coup attempt is Putin's signal to Russian elites ahead of the 2024 elections: 'Fight! Disloyalty equals death,'" he said in a statement. Wagner soldiers have also been deployed to Syria, where Russia supports President Bashar Assad's government in a civil war and in Libya, where they fought alongside forces of commander Khalifa Hifter. The group has also operated in the Central African Republic and Mali. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that the Wagner group may become more of a concern for Europe's security if Prigozhin indeed is found to have died in the accident. "The Wagner group comes under Putin's leadership. Let everyone answer the question for themselves: Will the threat be bigger or smaller? For me, that's a rhetorical question," he told a news conference in Warsaw. The Wagner chief's whereabouts have been largely a mystery since the mutiny. He appeared in his first video since the mutiny earlier this week. In footage possibly shot in Africa and published on August 21 on Telegram channels affiliated with the Wagner group, Prigozhin is seen standing in a desert area in camouflage and with a rifle in his hands. Earlier he was believed to be moving between Russia and Belarus, where Wagner troops have been setting up camps to train Belarusian armed forces as part of a deal negotiated that helped end the mutiny. The Wagner insurrection came on the heels of months of intense public infighting with Russia's military leadership over the war strategy in Ukraine and ammunition supplies. The head of the U.S. CIA, William Burns, said last month Putin would likely seek retribution against Prigozhin. "Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback," he said, speaking on July 20 at the Aspen Security Forum. He said he would be surprised if Prigozhin escaped further retribution. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/prigozhin-plane- crash-russia-putin-mutiny/32562550.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The List Is Long: Russians Who Have Died After Running Afoul Of The Kremlin By Steve Gutterman August 24, 2023 One was a dogged reporter determined to expose corruption, malfeasance, and abuse from the halls of power in Moscow to the killing fields of Chechnya. Another was a fiery politician who led chants at peaceful protests against President Vladimir Putin, election fraud, and Russia's aggression in Ukraine. At least three more were men from widely different walks of life who had one thing in common: suspicions about the 1999 apartment-building bombings that led to a new war in Chechnya and helped make the little-known Putin popular before Boris Yeltsin stepped down and made him president. They differed in many ways. In some cases, the differences are so great -- their public personas and apparent moral compasses so strikingly unalike -- that the sight of their names on the same page is jarring. But the list of influential Russians who have been killed or died under murky circumstances after opposing, criticizing, or crossing Putin, the Kremlin, or the state is long. And it may be getting longer. If his death in a plane crash on August 23 is confirmed, the latest addition will be Yevgeny Prigozhin, the long-secretive and then suddenly brashly, blatantly, profanely outspoken figure behind a range of shadowy and unwholesome enterprises, from a "troll farm" that meddled in U.S. elections to a mercenary army that has fought in Syria and Ukraine -- where it was at the center of the long, bloody battle for Bakhmut -- and been active in several African countries. An erstwhile Putin ally, Prigozhin launched an abortive mutiny in late June, two months to the day before his death, that he said targeted Russia's military leaders but embarrassed Putin and exposed the limits of his control, making a leader cast as a strong and reliable protector of the people look weak. These are some of the prominent people who have died violent or suspicious deaths since Putin, who has been president or prime minister of Russia since August 1999, came to power 24 years ago. Not featured here are those who have survived close calls -- such as the former military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and the imprisoned Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny, who blames Putin and the Federal Security Service for his near-fatal poisoning with a weapons-grade nerve agent in August 2020. Sergei Yushenkov April 17, 2003: Sergei Yushenkov, a veteran politician and leader of the anti-Kremlin party Liberal Russia, is shot in front of his Moscow home. Yushenkov had been at the forefront of efforts by liberal lawmakers to investigate the possible involvement of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in a series of deadly apartment bombings in 1999. The bombings, which killed some 300 people, were blamed on Chechen militants and used by Moscow as a pretext to launch the Second Chechen War. Anna Politkovskaya October 7, 2006: One of Russia's most prominent journalists and a persistent chronicler of rights abuses in Chechnya, Politkovskaya is shot dead in her apartment building, in an execution-style killing. Two men were sentenced to life in prison and three others to long prison terms in 2014 for their involvement, but relatives, colleagues, and Western governments suspect that Russian authorities will never pinpoint or punish the masterminds of her killing because a thorough investigation would lead too close to Putin's government or the Kremlin-backed leadership in Chechnya. Aleksandr Litvinenko aNovember 23, 2006: The former Russian security agent dies in London after being poisoned with radioactive polonium-210. Litvinenko had fled to Britain in 2000 after accusing the FSB of plotting to kill oligarch Boris Berezovsky. He later co-authored a book blaming the agency for the 1999 apartment-building bombings. The British investigation found Litvinenko drank tea laced with polonium during a meeting in a London hotel several weeks earlier with Russians Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun. Moscow refused to extradite them. In 2017, the United States blacklisted both under the Magnitsky Act. Natalya Estemirova July 16, 2009: The body of the renowned human rights activist, with bullet wounds to her head and chest, is found in Ingushetia, hours after her abduction near her home in the capital of Chechnya, Grozny. Natalya Estemirova had been investigating hundreds of suspected rights abuses in Chechnya, including kidnapping and murder. The rights group she worked for, Memorial, said initial investigation pointed to the possible involvement of local law enforcement officers. Memorial's chief, Oleg Orlov, was later sued for defamation after accusing Kremlin-backed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov of orchestrating Estemirova's killing, but he was eventually acquitted. Sergei Magnitsky November 16, 2009: The whistle-blowing lawyer who had implicated Russian officials in an alleged $230 million tax fraud dies one year after being jailed on similar charges. Sergei Magnitsky suffered from pancreatitis and was denied medical care in pretrial detention, conditions rights activists said were tantamount to torture. According to the Kremlin's own human rights council, he was badly beaten before his death. In 2012, the United States adopted the Magnitsky Act, which targets Russians implicated in rights abuses with visa bans and asset freezes, and other Western countries have followed suit. In July 2013, a Russian court found Magnitsky guilty of tax evasion in an unprecedented posthumous trial. Boris Nemtsov February 27, 2015: The reformist former regional governor and deputy prime minister who was a rising political star in the 1990s but became one of Putin's most vocal opponents is shot dead in a gangland-style killing on a bridge near the Kremlin, at age 55. A liberal lawmaker early in Putin's presidency, Nemtsov helped lead protests against stacked parliamentary elections and Putin's return to the presidency in 2012. He staunchly opposed Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2014, calling it "despicable," "impudent," and "harmful for Russia." At the time of his killing, he and associates had been working on a report detailing evidence of the extent of Moscow's interference in the neighboring country. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/enemies-kremlin-deaths- prigozhin-list/32562583.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Man Called 'Wagner': Dmitry Utkin, The Mercenary Field Commander Reported Dead In Russian Plane Crash By Robert Coalson August 24, 2023 "Wagner is a cruel fellow," a Wagner officer told RFE/RL in 2018, speaking of senior mercenary field commander Dmitry Utkin, whose call sign was "Wagner." "He's no fool." When a private jet that Russian aviation authorities said was carrying Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin crashed on August 23 en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg, Utkin's name was also on the passenger list. All 10 people aboard the plane were killed, Russian authorities said. The Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, which is believed to be connected with Russian security services, reported that Utkin, described as Wagner's "military commander and head of training" and as "Prigozhin's right hand," had been killed in the crash along with Prigozhin. Nazi Tattoos Dmitry Utkin was born in 1970 in the Urals region industrial city of Asbest. In early childhood, Utkin and his mother moved to the village of Smoline in central Ukraine. After graduating from high school, he entered a military academy in Leningrad -- the hometown of Prigozhin and President Vladimir Putin, now called St. Petersburg -- from which he was recruited into the special forces of Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU. He served in the GRU from 1993 until 2013, fighting in both wars in Chechnya and rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. According to numerous accounts by journalists and Wagner fighters, Utkin was enamored of the aesthetics and ideology of Nazi Germany. Photographs of him have appeared showing Nazi tattoos on his chest and shoulders. He adopted the nom de guerre Wagner after Richard Wagner, the 19th-century composer who was a favorite of Adolf Hitler's. He also reportedly practiced a modern form of Slavic paganism called Rodnovery. In 2013, Utkin began working for the ostensibly private Moran Security Group, a company created by Russian military veterans to provide security, muscle, and military training around the world. The company specialized in combating piracy at sea. Around the same time, two mercenaries tied to Moran created a Hong Kong-registered group called Slavonic Corps Ltd. to recruit Russians to fight in Syria and provide security for the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Utkin served with the Slavonic Corps, which suffered defeats in battles with Syrian militants. After a battle in which several Slavonic Corps mercenaries were wounded, the Russian military evacuated them to Russia. The two Moran mercenaries who founded the group were detained in Russia by the Federal Security Service (FSB) for illegal mercenary activity. 'Deniable Decoy' Utkin immediately formed his own mercenary group, Wagner, using his own nom de guerre as the name. He and other Wagner mercenaries were spotted in Ukraine's Crimea region during the Russian seizure of the Black Sea peninsula in early 2014. Later, they fought alongside Russian-backed separatists in parts of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. According to the open-source investigations group Bellingcat, in 2020, Utkin "was not in the driver's seat" in the formation of Wagner but rather was used as a figurehead and "deniable decoy" to mask Russian-government involvement. Utkin and his Wagner fighters returned to Syria in 2015 after a period of intense training in Russia's southern Krasnodar region. The group suffered heavy casualties in an offensive in and around Palmyra in March 2016. The Russian government continued to deny it was connected with the mercenaries, although they coordinated closely with the Russian military and were regularly transported on Russian military aircraft. The connection between the Kremlin and the mercenaries became harder to deny when Utkin was seen attending a lavish Kremlin event in December 2016. He was even photographed with President Vladimir Putin wearing his Order of Courage decoration. When asked what Utkin had been decorated for, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said only: "Usually they give it for courage." According to some reports, Utkin commanded the Wagner forces during the group's ill-fated attempted mutiny in June, exactly two months before the plane crash. At the time, Igor Girkin, a former Russian intelligence officer who in 2014-15 played a prominent role in anti-Kyiv violence in eastern Ukraine's Donbas, wrote: "I am not acquainted with Utkin's moral qualities, but he definitely has operational talent that he has honed over many years." Decapitated? In July 2022, retired Ukrainian intelligence officer Viktor Kelyuk said the Wagner group was attempting a "rebranding," creating a new "private military company" called Liga. Kelyuk told Current Time that the goal of Liga seemed to be to filter out the less-qualified Wagner fighters, including convicts, and create a unit "to carry out more difficult and important tasks." Utkin, Kelyuk said, was based almost exclusively at the Wagner training center in Russia's Rostov region, which borders Ukraine, working on this project. "He is not really participating in any combat actions," Kelyuk said. The deaths of Prigozhin and Utkin, if they are confirmed, would be a "defining moment" for Wagner and its activities in Africa and elsewhere, said journalist Ilya Rozhdestvensky of the Dossier Center investigative group, who described Utkin as the group's "direct field commander." "That would decapitate the Wagner fighters and leave them de facto without leadership," Rozhdestvensky told Current Time on August 23. "They would have no one to swear loyalty to and would have to seek new employers. In such a case, the Defense Ministry is the most likely candidate." "Death is not the end," Utkin said in an undated conversation with Prigozhin that has been posted on the Internet. "It is just the beginning of something else." Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson with reporting by Current Time correspondent Igor Sevryugin and RFE/RL's Russian Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-plane-crash- wagner-commander-dmitry-utkin/32563386.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Convenient Crashes: A Look At Russia's History Of Suspicious Aircraft Disasters By Mike Eckel August 24, 2023 The Embraer Legacy 600 passenger jet dropped off radar screens around 6:11 p.m. Moscow time on August 23, not long after departing Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport en route to St. Petersburg. Rescuers found the wreckage of the jet a few hours later near the city of Tver, north of Moscow. Ten people aboard died, according to Russian officials. Purportedly among the dead: the man who posed the gravest challenge to Vladimir Putin in his 23 years as Russia's dominant political figure: Yevgeny Prigozhin. Known as "Putin's chef," and now better known for his ruthless mercenary company Wagner Group, Prigozhin is presumed to have been killed in the crash; Russian authorities have not yet confirmed reports from his allies, supporters, and some Russian media that he perished. If confirmed, however, it wouldn't be the first time in modern Russia that an aircraft went down, shrouded in suspicion, with wide political implications for Russia. Here's what we know about the crash of Prigozhin's jet and about other recent Russian aviation disasters that also raised eyebrows. No Shortage Of Reasons The Embraer jet, tail number RA-02795, was one of a handful widely known to have belonged to Prigozhin, according to aircraft registration records. Russian aviation authorities released a passenger manifesto showing seven passengers on the plane, plus three crew members. Prigozhin's name was on the list, as was one of his top lieutenants, a former Russian intelligence operative named Dmitry Utkin, whose nom de guerre was later adopted by the Wagner Group. As of August 24, his death had also not been definitively confirmed. Initial reports suggested that the jet may have been downed by Russian anti-aircraft defenses. Unconfirmed video posted to social media, meanwhile, showed a plane spiraling out of the sky, trailing smoke. On August 24, a Telegram channel linked with Russian security agencies said investigators were looking at whether an explosive device had been planted on the jet, in the landing gear. There's a myriad of reasons why the Kremlin, or someone in the Defense Ministry, or Russia's intelligence community, might want Prigozhin dead. Prigozhin has openly, and often profanely, challenged how Russian commanders are conducting the war against Ukraine, frequently insulting Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chairman General Valery Gerasimov by name. The mutiny Prigozhin launched exactly two months prior to the plane crash, on June 23, meanwhile, was a tectonic political event in Russia, described as "the most direct assault on the Russian state in Vladimir Putin's 23 years in power," by the director of the CIA. But after labeling the mutineers traitors, Putin did little to nothing to prosecute or punish any of them, Prigozhin included. The highest-profile punishment meted out to date appears to be General Sergei Surovikin, who briefly commanded the Ukraine invasion, who was seen as an ally of Prigozhin, and who may have had advance notice of the mutiny. Surovikin was reportedly removed from his command of Russia's Aerospace Forces this week. Potential Putin Challenger Square-jawed, gravely voiced, and known for quippy aphorisms, Aleksandr Lebed first gained attention as an airborne forces general during the 1991 coup attempt, when he refused to order his forces to suppress the resistance led by Boris Yeltsin. He garnered further fame when, as commander of Russia's 14th Army, he headed off a civil war in 1992 in Moldova, where rival factions were poised for open conflict. Lebed ran in the controversial 1996 presidential election, coming in third behind Yeltsin and Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov. He then threw his support to Yeltsin, who returned the favor by appointing Lebed as secretary of the national Security Council, clearing the way for Yeltsin's reelection. Lebed then led negotiations with Chechnya's self-declared president, Aslan Maskhadov, to end the First Chechen War in August 1996. However, the deal was seen as a humiliating capitulation for some hard-liners, and a clash with Yeltsin advisers led to his firing that October. Two years later, he won election as governor of the sprawling, resource-rich Siberian region of Krasnoyarsk, amid speculation that he could run for the presidency in 2000. However, he ended up sitting out the election, which was ultimately won by Putin. In April 2002, Lebed was on his way to inaugurate a new ski resort in the mountains of southern Krasnoyarsk when the Mi-8 helicopter he was flying in, along with 16 other passengers and crew, crashed. Eight people were killed, including Lebed, who died en route to the hospital. Authorities said the craft went down after running into power lines in foggy conditions and blamed the crew. Lebed's associates, and at least one member of the Russian parliament, however, alleged the craft was sabotaged. One persistent theory, never confirmed, claimed that explosives had been placed on the chopper's blades. Lebed's death stunned the small, national following he had built over the years, as well as his supporters in Russia's military and intelligence agencies. With Putin already moving to consolidate his power, some journalists and political allies speculated that Lebed would have made a formidable challenger to Putin. He had also made enemies among business interests who were vying for control of Krasnoyarsk's valuable aluminum and nickel industry. Ghosts Of Katyn The 1940 massacre of thousands of Polish military officers and elites in the Katyn forest near Smolensk had been a festering wound between Warsaw and Moscow for years. In the 1980s and '90s, evidence revealed by Soviet and Russian historians that Soviet secret police, not Nazi guards, had committed the killings had helped ease tensions. On April 10, 2010, a Polish Air Force jet carrying 96 members of Poland's government and their relatives flew from Warsaw to Smolensk to mark the 70th anniversary of the killings -- a landmark event in the two countries' relations. The Tupolev jet, however, crashed in foggy conditions on approach to the Smolensk airport. All 96 people onboard died, including Polish President Lech Kaczynski, the chief of the Polish General Staff, and dozens of military officials, lawmakers, clergy, and others. The event was traumatic for Poland, with echoes of Polish elite being killed in 1940. Both Polish and Russian investigators found no technical problems with the jet. Blame fell heavily on the pilots, and possibly on military officials onboard, who are said to have resisted diverting the plane to another airfield. Polish authorities later found fault in the Polish military unit responsible for official flights. Over time, however, the Russian and Polish conclusions diverged, with some in Poland alleging that the crash was intentional, blaming Russian air-traffic controllers and speculating about the presence of explosive traces. Russia, meanwhile, refused to turn over the plane's flight recorders. Some officials in Poland's ruling Law and Justice party embraced the theory that the crash was an assassination, and even accused a rival Polish politician, Donald Tusk, of orchestrating a cover-up. In April 2023, Lech Kaczynski's surviving twin brother, Jaroslav -- who had become one of Poland's most powerful politicians -- suggested Russian complicity in the crash, labeling it an assassination. Top Secret In the late 1980s, under Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's program of glasnost, or openness, independent journalists began to carve out a niche for themselves as muckraking investigators. Artyom Borovik was a pioneer in this effort, doing exclusive reporting from Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion. Following the Soviet collapse, he built an investigative newspaper, Sovershenno Sekretno, into a popular multimedia empire, digging into corruption among Russia's elite. Borovik also was critical of the conduct of the First Chechen War and was highly skeptical of the 1999 Russian apartment bombings that helped pave the way for the Second Chechen War. Officials blamed Chechen terrorists for the blasts, which killed dozens of people. Officials blamed Chechen terrorists for the blasts, which killed dozens of people. However, a small, persistent group of journalists and independent investigators have pointed to evidence that Russian security services may have been behind the blasts -- a plot aimed at both justifying a new invasion of Chechnya but also to propel Putin to the presidency. In 2000, Borovik was investigating a rumor that Putin's birth mother had not been a Russian woman in St. Petersburg after World War II, but was, in fact, a woman who was living in poverty in a rural Georgian village. On March 9, Borovik, along with a Chechen businessman, planned to fly to Kyiv as part of that investigation. The plane, a Yakovlev Yak-40 carrying nine passengers, crashed seconds after taking off from Sheremetyevo Airport from a height of just 50 meters, according to press reports at the time. Russian authorities blamed pilot error and said the plane's wings were not deiced before takeoff. Speculation was rampant that the crash was deliberate, perhaps aimed at killing another Chechen businessman who was on the flight who was known to have financed Chechen separatist fighters. Borovik's colleagues at Sovershenno Sekretno, however, pointed out that he had repeatedly received death threats and that he had been finalizing an article about Putin's alleged Georgian mother. Other journalists and historians later linked Borovik's death specifically to his Putin research and to the article he had planned to publish days before the March 26, 2000, presidential election, in which Putin was running for the first time. Putin ended up winning decidedly. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-suspicious- aircraft-disasters-prigozhin/32563310.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Satellite Images Show Wagner Camp In Belarus Being Dismantled By RFE/RL's Belarus Service August 24, 2023 Images obtained by RFE/RL show that a suspected tent camp thought to be occupied by troops from Russia's Wagner mercenary group near the Belarusian village of Tsel is being dismantled. The images, taken by Planet Labs on August 23, show that of 273 specialized military tents -- each of which houses up to 20 people -- for personnel, 101 had been dismantled. That would mean space for just over 2,000 Wagner fighters would have been eliminated. Some 5,000 troops were thought to have been settled at the site. It was not immediately clear where the tents and the Wagner fighters are being moved to. Images from Planet Labs appear to show that the process of dismantling the camp most likely started on August 1. The changes appear to affect only housing, with only an insignificant decrease in military equipment at the site, the images showed. Telegram channels linked to Wagner say some of the group's fighters in Belarus left for Russia on vacation, while some were transferred to operations in Africa. However, it could be also possible that some Wagner fighters were relocated to other sites within Belarus as Planet Labs' previous images showed apparent trenches being dug out on the territory of the Repishcha military exercise field, located 15 kilometers from Tsel. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in late July that up to 100 Wagner fighters might have been transferred to western Belarus, close to the Polish town of Suwalki, which sits on what is known as the Suwalki Corridor -- an 80-kilometer-long stretch that is NATO's only land connection with its Baltic members Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The authoritarian leader of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, denied Morawiecki's accusation. The latest images from Planet Labs came the same day as Russian aviation officials said Wagner's founder and leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was on a passenger list of a plane that crashed in Russia's western Tver region, some 270 kilometers north of Moscow. Officials have yet to confirm Prigozhin's death in the crash, even though the bodies of all 10 people onboard the plane are said to have been recovered. Wagner troops moved to Belarus after Prigozhin led a mutiny against Russia's top military officials two months ago in what was the biggest threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin's 23 years in power. Wagner troops played a key role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, helping take main parts of the city of Bakhmut after nearly 10 months of intense fighting. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-satellite-images- wagner-camp-dismantled/32563104.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow Court Extends Pretrial Detention Of U.S. Reporter By Three Months By RFE/RL's Russian Service August 24, 2023 The pretrial detention of U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is accused of espionage -- a charge he, his employer, The Wall Street Journal, and the U.S. government reject -- has been extended by a Moscow court for another three months. The Lefortovo district court ruled on August 24 that the 32-year-old journalist must stay in custody until at least November 30. The hearing was held behind closed doors as the case materials have been deemed classified. The Wall Street Journal issued a statement shortly after the decision that once again called Gershkovich's detention "improper" and the charges against him "baseless." "We are deeply disappointed he continues to be arbitrarily and wrongfully detained for doing his job as a journalist. The baseless accusations against him are categorically false, and we continue to push for his immediate release," the newspaper said. Gershkovich was detained in late March in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said at the time of the arrest that it had opened an espionage case against Gershkovich for collecting what it said were state secrets about the military industrial complex. Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen based in Moscow, had been in Yekaterinburg reporting about the attitude of Russians toward the Kremlin's war against Ukraine and on the Wagner mercenary group. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. Since his arrest, Gershkovich has been held in Moscow's Lefortovo prison, a notorious institution dating back to tsarist times. Seen as a symbol of Soviet repression, Lefortovo is where Russia holds most suspects in espionage cases. Gershkovich is the first American journalist detained in Russia on espionage charges since the end of the Cold War. The White House and The Wall Street Journal have said Gershkovich was working and is a properly accredited journalist in Russia. The U.S. State Department has designated Gershkovich as "wrongfully detained" by Russia and called for his immediate release. U.S. President Joe Biden, along with international journalist organizations, have also called on Russia to release Gershkovich. Hired by the newspaper shortly before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Gershkovich had been reporting on Russia for more than five years at the time of his arrest. Gershkovich, a fluent Russian speaker, is the son of emigres who left the Soviet Union for the United States during the Cold War. With reporting by Kommersant Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-gershkovich-pretrial- detention-extended/32562721.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg 24 August 2023 18:56 1634-24-08-2023 On August 24, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. During the conversation, the officials discussed a number of issues pertaining to the activities of the global organisation. Mr Lavrov confirmed Russia's commitment to developing mutually beneficial cooperation with the UN. He emphasised the need for representatives of the UN Secretariat to strictly follow the principle of impartiality with regard to international officials, as fixed in Article 100 of the UN Charter. Both officials noted the importance of further strengthening the UN's central, coordinating role in global politics. When asked by the UN Secretary-General about the prospects for resuming the Black Sea Initiative, Mr Lavrov again described Moscow's position that had been stated by the President of Russia. He said Moscow would be ready to resume participation in this agreement only if the commitments to Russia were fulfilled. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with President of the Central African Republic (CAR) Faustin-Archange TouadAra on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 24 August 2023 14:55 1632-24-08-2023 On August 24, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with President of the Central African Republic (CAR) Faustin-Archange TouadAra on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. The officials held a focused exchange of views on priorities in the further development of friendly Russian-CAR relations and noted the high level of foreign policy interaction at the UN and other multilateral organisations. They also confirmed Moscow and Bangui's firm intention to intensify their political dialogue and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, the economy, investment, and culture. The Russian party expressed readiness to continue its support for Bangui's efforts to ensure peace and security at home, both bilaterally and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The officials also noted the importance of the second Russia-Africa Summit held in St Petersburg in July 2023 in the context of efforts to strengthen the Russian Federation's multifaceted relations with the African countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ethiopia's BRICS membership to further strengthen growing South-South cooperation: PM Xinhua) 15:26, August 25, 2023 ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia's membership in the BRICS mechanism will further strengthen the growing South-South cooperation framework. BRICS leaders agreed on Thursday to invite six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to join the group. Ahmed, in a video message following the decision by BRICS leaders, said the acceptance and influence of the BRICS in the international arena is growing. He said cognizant of the growing acceptance of the BRICS mechanism, countries across the world have shown interest in joining the group. The Ethiopian PM commended the five BRICS member countries for their support for Ethiopia's accession. Ethiopia, he said, will continue to strengthen its work to become the voice of Africa beyond itself. And Ethiopia will work to expand its role and participation in the field of multilateral diplomacy on the international stage. The six countries' membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Luis Arce Catacora 24 August 2023 13:53 1631-24-08-2023 On August 24, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Luis Arce Catacora on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. The officials confirmed their countries' shared policy of strengthening the multifaceted partnership between Russia and Bolivia and focused on the key aspects involved in expanding the political dialogue and international cooperation. They also discussed further steps to develop collaboration in trade, the economy and investment. The officials also dwelled on how to promote Bolivia's bid to join BRICS. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Participants of joint and special exercises of the CSTO are sent to the Republic of Belarus 24.08.2023 In the period from 25 to 29 August 2023, participants of the joint and special exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Interaction 2023, Search 2023, Echelon 2023, and Barrier 2023 will regroup in the Republic of Belarus. Contingents of Troops (Collective Forces) of the CSTO are sent from the member states of the Organisation to the area of the exercises in accordance with the plan. In 2023, the complex of CSTO exercises is held in the form of a joint operational and strategic exercise Combat Brotherhood, which is the highest form of joint training within the framework of the Organisation. Joint and special exercises have been planned on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, combining the training of various components of the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces): - joint exercise with the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the CSTO Interaction 2023 with the elaboration of tasks on the use of forces and means of the CSTO collective security system in order to resolve the crisis situation in the Eastern European region of the Collective Security of the CSTO; - Search 2023 special exercise with the forces and means of intelligence; - Echelon 2023special training with the forces and means of material and technical support of Troops (Collective Forces) CSTO; - Barrier 2023 special exercise with the joint formation of radiation, chemical and biological protection and medical support. Press Service of the Eastern Military District NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. sensor systems will greatly boost Taiwan's air combat readiness: MND, experts ROC Central News Agency 08/24/2023 04:50 PM Taipei Aug. 24 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Thursday that a proposed arms package, comprising infrared search and track systems (IRST) for the country's fleet of F-16V aircraft, will vastly improve their long-range detection and target tracking, significantly boosting its air-to-air combat capabilities. The proposed package comes at an opportune time, as daily incursions and flybys by Chinese warplanes and drones have become the norm, the MND said in a statement released one day after the U.S. Pentagon notified Congress of the prospective arms sale. Military experts in Taiwan expressed similar views, with one of them saying that IRSTs can allow fighter jets to track the infrared energy from enemy aircraft, without activating radar. Not only do IRSTs improve flight safety, but when mounted on the 4.5-gen F-16Vs, they will boost the jets' ability to detect Chinese J-20 fighter jets -- a fifth-generation stealth aircraft -- narrowing the performance gap between the two, said Chieh Chung (), an associate research fellow at the Kuomintang think tank National Policy Foundation. Due to the J-20s specially designed fuselages that reduce radar reflections, when a radar system picks up the signal of a J-20, it is often closer than indicated, Chieh said. With the help of the IRSTs, pilots will be able to determine earlier how close the enemy aircraft are, thereby gaining more response time, Chieh said. The proposed sale of the IRSTs to Taiwan indicates that Washington has taken note of the challenges posed by China's J-20s and wants to bolster Taiwan's capabilities to respond to those challenges, he said. IRSTs are pods mounted on aircraft that are capable of picking up the heat signatures of another aircraft, such as its engine exhaust, according to Su Tzu-yun (), a scholar at the government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research. In 2020, the U.S. military launched an IRST upgrade program called the IRST-21, and the resultant product has been used on F-15 and F-16 fighters to target stealth jets and small drones that have small radar footprints, Su said. When Taiwan takes delivery of the IRSTs, it will be able to more effectively counter Chinese stealth fighter jets such as the J-20s, Su said. The advanced sensor systems will allow F-16V fighter jets to hit enemy aircraft with AIM-20 missiles, beyond visual range, he said. Coupled with the F-16V's superior dogfighting capabilities, that will give it an edge over stealth aircraft in close proximity, as the latter often have less maneuverability due to their shape -- a trade-off that gives the stealth planes a smaller footprint, Su said. The U.S.' decision to sell Taiwan the IRSTs also signifies deepening mutual trust, Su said, noting that to date, the U.S. had sold those systems or their equivalent only to its treaty-bound allies such as South Korea and Finland. Meanwhile, the Presidential Office issued a statement Thursday, expressing thanks to the U.S. for agreeing to the arms sale, the third this year and the 11th since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The Presidential Office thanks the U.S. for honoring its pledges, in keeping the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, to offer weapons to support Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, Presidential Office spokeswoman Olivia Lin () said in the statement. The decision indicates that U.S. attaches high importance to Taiwan's defense needs, Lin said. Taiwan will continue to demonstrate its resolve to shore up self-defense and civil defense, uphold national security, deepen its partnership with the U.S. in the areas of security and work with like-minded countries to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Lin said. In a separate statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it welcomes Washington's decision, which comes at a time when Taiwan is facing increasing Chinese military expansion and provocation. (By Sean Lin and Matt Yu) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ko open to talks with KMT chairman, presidential aspirants ROC Central News Agency 08/24/2023 10:13 PM Taipei, Aug. 24 (CNA) Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (), who recently ruled out the possibility of being anyone's running mate in next year's presidential election, said Thursday he would be willing to talk with opposition political camps to work out a winning strategy. Ko on Wednesday told reporters he would like to "talk over coffee" with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. founder Terry Gou () and said in a social media post that he would like to hold a meeting with the leaders of Taiwan's major political parties about cross-strait and economic issues. The first to answer the call was Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (), who on Thursday expressed willingness to talk to Ko about the possibilities of the KMT and TPP teaming up for the election to deny the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) "an easy victory." At a campaign event in Taipei Thursday, Ko was asked about the prospect of him meeting with Chu. Ko said that it was inevitable that opposition parties would sit down and talk to one another, adding that because he and Chu had known each other since they enrolled at National Taiwan University in 1979, they would have no problem communicating. Ko, who on Aug. 11 said he would "campaign until the end as the TPP's presidential candidate," said he would be willing to talk with New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (), when asked whether the two camps would consider uniting for a joint ticket. "Anything is possible. You just need to communicate. Without communication, you're not getting anywhere," Ko said. At the event, Ko was also asked to answer the three questions that DPP spokesman Chang Chih-hao () asked him a day earlier: Why did he propose "ratifying" the shelved Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, why had he not taken a stance on China's most recent ban on mango imports from Taiwan, and, in his opinion, is either the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) or the People's Republic of China (PRC) subordinate to the other? On why he allegedly proposed ratifying the trade pact, Ko denied having ever done so, accusing the DPP of churning out "fake news" ahead of the election. Ko claimed he has always maintained that the cross-strait agreement oversight bill should be passed into law first, and then issues facing the stymied Cross-Strait Goods Trade Agreement should be addressed based on the oversight act. However, in June, a leaked internal "national policy white paper" for Ko's campaign showed that he advocated ratifying the controversial trade pact that sparked the 2014 mass student-led protests known as the Sunflower Movement. The Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement should be dealt with last because it would impact people's lives and is therefore more complex, Ko said. On whether either the ROC or the PRC is subordinate to the other, he said the fact of the matter is the ROC has no jurisdiction over PRC territory, but the ROC Constitution still claims PRC to be part of its territory. Neither President Tsai Ing-wen () nor Vice President Lai Ching-te () would dispute this fact, he said. It is pointless to bicker over whether Taiwan should declare independence or unify with China, because maintaining the "status quo" is a Hobson's choice and currently the only choice Taiwan has. Regarding China's ban on mango imports from Taiwan, Ko said that China has banned this and that over the years, and that such actions were the result of the rivalry between the DPP and the Chinese Communist Party. "Such behavior is the opposite of what the people want," Ko said. "I already answered this question when you [reporters] asked me the first time. Has the DPP spokesman not been watching TV? He should be more diligent," Ko added. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opposition presidential candidate pledges to expand direct flights to China ROC Central News Agency 08/24/2023 08:50 PM Taipei, Aug. 24 (CNA) Hou Yu-ih (), the presidential candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT), announced on Thursday that if elected, he will increase the number of Chinese visitors to Taiwan and resume direct air routes to 60 Chinese cities. Currently, there are air routes from Taiwan to 10 Chinese cities, along with an additional 13 Chinese cities that accept cross-strait charter flights, according to the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's top government agency in charge of cross-strait affairs. During a press conference in New Taipei, Hou said he would allow Taiwan to "open up to Chinese tourists" if elected. The wider purpose of the proposed policy is to boost Taiwan's tourism industry as the average growth rate in the sector has dropped from 15 percent during the last KMT administration to 3 percent under President Tsai Ing-wen's () leadership, the New Taipei Mayor said. Hou promised that if elected, the government's tourism budget would see an annual increase of 15 percent-20 percent, while investment in infrastructure, including airports, ports, high-speed rail, and conventional rail, would also be increased. He said the goal within his first four-year term would be 18 million annual tourist visitors, using significant enhancements in tourism activities to boost economic benefits and ensure "tourism benefits the nation." Hou noted that due to strained cross-strait relations and zero communication, the Tsai administration's touted influx of 1 million Chinese tourists, made earlier this year, is completely impossible. The current situation not only deters Chinese tourists from visiting but has also eroded mutual trust, he said, adding that the resumption of cross-strait dialogue and communication will attract Chinese tourists back to Taiwan and stimulate the country's economy. Since Tsai assumed office in May 2016, Taiwan has experienced a decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, as China gradually tightened control and management of tourism to Taiwan, a move widely interpreted as retaliation for Tsai's refusal to endorse the "1992 consensus." Beginning on Aug. 1, 2019, Beijing prohibited Chinese tourists from traveling independently to Taiwan, citing "current cross-strait relations." Later, in January 2020, amid the initial stages of the pandemic, group travel was also banned. In contrast, Taiwan permits individuals to travel to China for leisure or study, though the restriction on travel agencies organizing group trips to China remains in place as part of the country's COVID-19 control measures. However, Taiwan is slated to reopen its borders to Chinese tourists who either reside or study in a third country on Sept. 1. The ban on group travel to China is likely to be lifted following a one-month preparatory period, as announced by the MAC on Thursday. (By Chung Yu-chen) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address From popular mayor to ho-hum candidate, KMT's Hou struggles to gain traction ROC Central News Agency 08/24/2023 06:06 PM [Editor's Note: This is part one of a multipart series taking an in-depth look at the main presidential candidates in Taiwan's 2024 election. The rest of the series will be published in the coming weeks.] By Joseph Yeh, CNA staff reporter After winning re-election as New Taipei mayor by a 25-point margin in November 2022, Hou Yu-ih () was thought to be the "chosen one" who could help the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) win back power it lost to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2016. Not only had he been elected mayor of Taiwan's most populous city with a record number of votes for a second time, the 66-year-old retired crime fighter had received five-star ratings as mayor in his first four years on the job from 2019 to 2022. Yet, any momentum he could have leveraged into a bid for the presidency in 2024 quickly withered in the face of his perceived indecision, a split in his own party triggered by a populist billionaire, and a third party candidate with social media savvy. By the time Hou was officially nominated on May 17 as the KMT's candidate in the January 2024 presidential election instead of business tycoon Terry Gou (), he was already languishing in the polls behind the front-runner, Vice President Lai Ching-te () of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Since then, he has also consistently polled about 5 to 7 points behind Ko Wen-je (), founder of the fledgling Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and 15 points behind Lai, garnering only about 20 percent support, unthinkable just eight months ago. Though the gap between Ko and Hou may be narrowing, the question is why the slide in the first place and can Hou recover? A number of commentators feel Hou's popularity has lagged because he took too long to publicly declare his presidential intentions, leaving a void for Gou and Ko to pull support away from Hou by holding rallies and vocally criticizing the DPP government. Ko has also parlayed his use of social media to drive up his support among younger voters while Hou was inactive. Several pro-KMT political commentators, including Jaw Shaw-kong (), Huang Wei-han () and Tung Chih-sen (), repeatedly urged Hou to announce his presidential bid earlier than he did, but the New Taipei mayor held back, presumably fearing it would be bad form to pursue higher office so soon after his re-election as mayor. That reluctance to rush into things and the inclination to watch and wait before making a move could be tied to his upbringing and earlier professional experience as a police officer. Born on June 7, 1957 in Puzi City in Chiayi County, Hou grew up helping man his family's pork stall in a local market or catching and killing wild pigs. In an interview in 2020, Hou said he applied the same powers of observation he needed to subdue pigs to catching criminals in his career as a cop. After graduating from Central Police University, Hou got his first leadership role as captain of the criminal police in the Taipei Police Department in 1980 before rising up the ranks. He reached the top of his policing career in 2006 when he became head of the National Police Agency, which oversees all police forces on a national level. Hou gained fame as a crime-fighter in 1997 after arresting Chen Chin-hsing (), who was responsible for a series of killings, robberies, and rapes in the 1990s, including the murder of the only daughter of popular Taiwanese TV host and actress Pai Ping-ping (). Shortly after Chen killed Pai's daughter in April 1997, he took a South African diplomat and his family hostage, and Hou played a key part in negotiating their release and getting Chen to turn himself in, making him a household name. He was not immune to controversy, however, having been responsible for the arrest of Taiwan pro-democracy activist Nylon Cheng (), which led Cheng to set himself on fire to resist arrest on April 7, 1989. His role in the incident was criticized by DPP politicians and supporters, but Hou defended his actions, saying that he was simply following orders while expressing regret over Cheng's death. Hou got involved in politics when then New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu () of the KMT invited him to be his deputy in 2010, before winning two mayoral elections on his own. Lack of charismatic leadership But local analysts believed that the skills he developed as a cop and the retail brand of politics he has exhibited as New Taipei mayor have not translated well to a nationwide political race in which building one's own brand, playing to the media, and being able to communicate effectively are essential. Liao Da-chi (), a professor at the Graduate Institute of Political Science at National Sun Yat-sen University, indicated as much, saying that Hou's camp needed to not only come up with a more eye-catching policy platform but also better personal branding. She told CNA that Hou's team could fall back on his image as a national crime-fighting hero. "Hou's campaign team needs to do a better job in promoting his crime-fighter's image, which made him a household name in Taiwan in the first place," Liao said. Hou and the KMT headquarters also need to work closely with grassroots KMT politicians to take advantage of the party's traditional strong suit -- their local election broker system built over decades -- she said. Not blue enough His background and less partisan approach to politics that has served him well as mayor have also been drawbacks on the national stage. Recent polls indicate that only 60 to 70 percent of respondents identifying themselves as KMT supporters intend to vote for Hou, compared to more than 80 to 90 percent support for Lai and Ko among DPP and TPP supporters, respectively. That gap could be caused by a lack of support from the party's deep-blue faction that favors more cordial ties with China. Huang, the commentator, put this group at about 10 percent of KMT supporters. Multiple KMT supporters told CNA that they considered Hou "too green" because he was promoted to head the NPA under the DPP administration of former President Chen Shui-bian (). He is also a native Taiwanese instead of a "mainlander," referring to people who moved to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War in 1949 with the then KMT government or their descendants. Most importantly, many KMT hardcore supporters dislike him for not going all out to support KMT nominee Han Kuo-yu () in the 2020 presidential election. "He didn't help Han the last time. Why should we support him?" said 70-year-old retired elementary school teacher Kuo Chih-lin. Han eventually lost to incumbent Tsai Ing-wen () by about 20 percentage points. Hou is simply "not KMT or blue enough" to convince supporters to vote for him, these supporters told CNA, with some suggesting they would support Ko instead. Still, some supporters are trying to push his candidacy. In an open letter circulated among KMT supporters in LINE groups, Lin Ching-shun (), a retired major general, called on voters to back Hou because "he has proven as a decorated crime-fighter that he is trustworthy." Lin said that while Hou lacked the charisma and gift of gab of other politicians, his down-to-earth qualities would make him a good national leader who would work for the benefit of the country. The Gou wild card A wild card is the Terry Gou factor and the lack of unity in the party he has caused. Gou vied for the KMT nomination against Hou earlier this year, and pledged to support whoever won. He backtracked on that pledge after losing out to Hou, and has since held multiple campaign rallies of his own while hinting at his own independent run for the presidency. Wang Yeh-lih (), a professor in the Department of Political Science at the National Taiwan University, said the lack of unity among KMT supporters has hurt Hou's standing, and if Gou were to run, it would probably end any chance Hou had of rebounding. A Gou candidacy would affect all three existing candidates, Wang said, but it would deal a more serious blow to both Ko and Hou, who are considered to be more China-friendly, than it would to Lai, who is considered hawkish toward China. On Aug. 17, however, Gou suggested a meeting with Ko and Hou to try and unify opposition forces against the DPP, and Hou responded positively. It would be in Hou's interest to try to get Gou on his side, which could solidify Hou's support within the KMT and give him an edge in polling above Ko, according to analysts. Whoever is seen as having a better chance at dislodging the DPP from power may be in the best position to draw support. Though he is the clear front-runner, Lai has had trouble polling above 40 percent, indicating an appetite for another candidate, whether it be Ko or Hou. Several voters who considered themselves "True Blue" who have never voted for DPP candidates in their lives told CNA that they would wait until the last minute to see which pan-blue candidate has higher support rate and vote for him. As a 78-year-old veteran Cheng Ming-hsiung told CNA: "We just want to see the current DPP administration being replaced by a new government. Eight years are enough and it is time for a change." Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address KMT presidential candidate Hou to make 8-day trip to U.S. in September ROC Central News Agency 08/24/2023 01:29 PM Taipei, Aug. 24 (CNA) New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (), the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) candidate for the 2024 presidential election, will visit the United States next month to meet with Congress members and affirm his commitment to Taiwan's democratic values, his campaign office said Thursday. During the eight-day visit, Hou will also meet with Taiwanese expatriates to seek their support for his presidential bid next January, the office said in press release. The wider purpose of the trip, however, is to lay the groundwork for deeper relations between Taiwan and the U.S. and to promote continued substantive exchanges between the two sides, the campaign office said. Hou's aim is to assert his commitment to the democratic system in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and its values of freedom, his campaign office said. To this end, Hou will meet with members of the U.S. Congress and with Laura Rosenberger, chairwoman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and he will speak at some think tanks, his office said. He is scheduled to depart Taiwan on Sept. 14, flying first to New York then later to Washington and San Francisco for his various engagements, before returning to Taiwan on Sept. 22, the press release said. According to the office, the finer details of Hou's visit are still being worked out, and the full itinerary and list of his delegation members will be released at a later date. Mayor Hou will come up against Vice President Lai Ching-te () of the Democratic Progressive Party and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je () of the opposition Taiwan People's Party - the other two contenders in the Jan. 13, 2024 presidential election. (By Chung Yu-chen) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to sell aircraft tracking systems to Taiwan island with PLA's J-20 stealth fighter in mind; scheme 'futile' Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Aug 24, 2023 08:02 PM The US recently approved a possible sale of infrared search and track (IRST) systems for F-16 fighter jets to the island of Taiwan in an apparent move to counter J-20 stealth fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which experts said on Thursday will prove to be futile. The US State Department has approved a possible $500 million sale to the island of Taiwan of IRST systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment, Reuters quoted the Pentagon as saying on Wednesday. The defense authority on the island of Taiwan said that the new equipment would be used for its latest F-16V aircraft, improving their ability to detect and track long-range targets and "greatly improve the effectiveness of air operations," Reuters reported. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on Thursday that China asks the US to immediately cancel the arms sales plan and stop the dangerous trend of arming the island of Taiwan. China will take resolute, powerful measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang said. Reuters claimed in the report that the F-16V fighter jets have advanced avionics, weapons and radar systems to "better face down" the PLA Air Force, including its J-20 stealth fighter jets. Chinese mainland experts said that the IRST system does have a theoretical potential to detect stealth aircraft, because unlike radar that uses the reflection of radio waves to find targets, IRST uses heat signals radiating from its target to detect them. Stealth aircraft are designed to be low-observable to radar, but its infrared radiation can only be reduced, not eliminated. However, this does not make a 4.5-generation fighter like the F-16V capable of rivalling a fifth generation fighter like the J-20 in actual combat, they said. IRST can only lock on to targets from a closer range than radar, while the J-20 can detect the F-16 from a much longer range using radar, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday. It is a daydream for an F-16 to fight a J-20 using IRST, which is only supposed to be a support system in air combat or used for maritime and ground attacks, Wei said. In modern warfare, single pieces of equipment cannot win battles. The island of Taiwan's F-16Vs might not even get the chance to take off from airfields before they are destroyed on the ground by precision strikes if a conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Straits, another Chinese mainland military expert, who requested anonymity, told the Global Times on Thursday. Even if they manage to sortie, the PLA's combination of KJ-500 early warning aircraft, J-20 stealth fighter jet and PL-15 beyond-visual-range missile will give the F-16Vs no chance of using the IRST, the expert said. Most PLA fighter jets are internally installed with IRST systems, while the F-16V would likely have to carry the system externally as pods, negatively impacting flight performance, observers said. The latest arms sale plan shows that the US insists on arming the island of Taiwan to exploit the island's military value, turning the island into a cash cow for US arms dealers and making "Taiwan independence" secessionists resist reunification by force while the US gains all the benefits, Wei said. "US arms sales only add instability and contradictions across the Straits," he said. The PLA Eastern Theater Command on Saturday held a sudden and swift joint exercise around the island of Taiwan in a countermeasure against the island's separatist deputy regional leader Lai Ching-te's provocative "stopovers" in the US. Surrounding the island of Taiwan from all directions with warplanes, warships and conventional missiles, the close-in deterrence mission not only sent a stern warning against collusion between "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and external interference forces, but also enhanced the PLA's combat readiness and its capability to completely control the region, experts said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Berlin: Russia's aggression is not a war film Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23.08.2023 On 22 and 23 August, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is on a visit to Berlin, and yesterday he met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Policy and Security Advisor to the Chancellor Jens PlAtner, and Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze to discuss European security, Russia's aggression in Ukraine and reinforcing economic cooperation. His meeting with Baerbock concentrated on continued full support to Ukraine, including on the country's path to NATO and in its integration with the European Union. "The NATO summit in Vilnius reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. My German colleague and I talked about coordinating long-term assistance to Ukraine to make sure it becomes a reality," Tsahkna said, emphasising that Estonia would stand by Ukraine for as long as needed. "Russia's aggression in Ukraine is not a war film with a beginning and an expected end," he added. "Russia is waiting for us to become tired and our support to fade away but we will not tire. We will continue until Ukraine's victory." They also spoke about holding Russian leadership accountable for the crime of aggression in Ukraine and raising the cost of the war for Russia. "Russian President Vladimir Putin and his close circle must be held accountable for Russia's war of aggression," Tsahkna said. "The crimes committed by the Soviet Union during and after the Second World War went unpunished and we are now witnessing the impact and consequences of this because the crimes of Stalin are being repeated in Ukraine. Let us not allow history to repeat itself." "I can see great potential for cooperating on the green transition because climate change affects the security of the entire world," Tsahkna said. "Estonia's objective is to get all of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and Germany's expertise in using wind power is very welcome in helping us achieve this," he added. At the meetings, Tsahkna recognised Germany for its remarkable contribution to European security, including NATO Baltic Air Policing and boosting Ukraine's defence capabilities. "Germany is a good partner and Ally and it was good to discuss ways of boosting our cooperation," Tsahkna said. The meeting with PlAtner covered coordinating long-term assistance to Ukraine through a joint statement of G7 in support of Ukraine. "At the meeting, I stressed that Estonia is ready to make long-term security commitments to help Ukraine defend itself, reinforce the free and democratic future of the country and deter a future Russian aggression." At his meeting with Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Schulze, he spoke about coordinating reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and engaging with the private sector. "Estonia and Germany are committed to rebuilding Ukraine here and now," Tsahkna said. PlAtner also took an interest in Estonia's e-state. During his visit, Tsahkna will also meet with Estonia's honorary consuls in Germany, ambassadors covering Estonia from Berlin and entrepreneurs, and he will give a speech at a business round table with entrepreneurs from North Rhine-Westphalia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Video message by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for the Summit of the Crimea Platform Germany Federal Foreign Office 23.08.2023 Sixteen months ago, Iryna Danilovich was arrested by security agents in Russian-occupied Crimea. Iryna had been reporting from Crimea about the realities of life under Russian occupation - for NGOs and media outlets across Ukraine. After months in pre-trial detention, a court in Russian-occupied Feodosia sentenced Iryna to seven years in prison - in a trial that was neither free nor fair. She has been under arrest ever since. Iryna and her family say that she is suffering from hearing loss and severe pain due to her detention - and that prison authorities are denying her the medical assistance she needs. Iryna Danilovich's story is one of many. Ever since occupying and annexing Crimea in 2014, Russia has been repressing the rights and freedoms of the children, women and men who live there. And when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, that repression only intensified: Russian occupation authorities have been imprisoning activists and journalists like Iryna - for writing reports, for distributing leaflets, for criticising Russia's invasion on social media. And Russia has stepped up its Russification campaign: Across Crimea, occupation authorities have banned the Ukrainian and Tatar languages from schools. Schoolchildren are forced to sing the Russian national anthem. They are being taught that Ukraine is an enemy country. And we have seen disturbing reports about schools organising rifle assembly competitions and providing hand-to-hand combat training for boys and girls in classrooms. Such Russian actions are targeting Tatars in particular, as the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has pointed out: Over the past year, occupation authorities have arrested leading representatives of the Tatar community. And they have forcefully conscripted Tatars into the Russian military - to fight against their Ukrainian brothers and sisters. These forced mobilisations go hand in hand with Russia turning Crimea into a launchpad for its brutal war: Day and night, Russian missiles and drones are being launched from Crimea targeting ports, roads and churches in other parts of Ukraine. Key supply lines for Russia's invasion force are running though Crimea. And since Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, it is using its planes and warships based in Crimea to block Ukrainian grain exports. That is why as German Foreign Minister I am saying loud and clear: Russia's illegal annexations in Ukraine are null and void. They are a direct assault on the United Nations Charter and on international law that we will never accept - and that will not go unpunished. Luhansk is Ukraine. Donetsk is Ukraine. Zaporizhzhya is Ukraine. Kherson is Ukraine. And Crimea is Ukraine. From the moment Russia began its ruthless war last year, Germany has been standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine: As it fights against Russia's assault and for its territorial integrity. Since the beginning of Russia's war, Germany has provided more than 22 billion euro in bilateral support - for everything from tents and generators to battle tanks and the most modern air defence systems that have been protecting Ukrainian skies from Russian attacks. Germany will continue that support for as long as it takes. All of us here at this conference will be with you for as long as it takes. Today's meeting testifies to the unwavering commitment of Ukraine's partners and friends. We want Ukraine to win this war - and to win the peace. We will not rest until women like Iryna Danilovich are free again - to work as journalists, to speak their mind. We will not rest until Russia stops its brutal war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President: Russia's war against Ukraine must end in Crimea, where it started President of the Republic of Lithuania August 23, 2023 Speaking at the International Crimea Platform Summit in Kyiv on Wednesday, President Gitanas NausAda emphasized that the consequences of Russia's illegal occupation and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula are still painfully felt today and that lasting peace is impossible without the return of control over Crimea to Ukraine. "It all started in Crimea in February 2014. By all accounts, this is also where it must end, with Crimea coming back as part of the Ukrainian state," the President said. According to Gitanas NausAda, Russia continues to cynically violate international law by using the illegally occupied Crimea to consolidate its power there. In his speech, the President underscored the plight of the Crimean population, in particular the Crimean Tatars, who had suffered waves of ethnic cleansing, genocide, and repression under the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Brutal colonial policies pursued in Crimea since 2014 include unauthorized restrictions on the rights of the local population and their persecution, the expropriation of real estate, and suppression of independent organizations. Crimeans are being forced to accept Russian Federation identity documents, and illegal elections are planned in the occupied territory. "Moreover, Russia is actively using Crimea as a military base in its war against Ukraine. In violation of international humanitarian law, Russian ships are launching rockets against the UNESCO-protected heritage site in Odessa, its port infrastructure, grain storages, and other civilian targets. Holding on to Crimea allows Russia to further obstruct the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and to threaten global food security," the President said. The international community must act with determination and unity in response to Russia's unacceptable actions and ensure that those responsible for war crimes, and the very crime of aggression, are brought to justice. The President stressed that Lithuania will continue its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will continue to provide it with all possible assistance until its final victory. This is the Third Summit of the International Crimea Platform, established in 2021 on the initiative of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is attended in person by the Presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania, Portugal, and Hungary, as well as by the Prime Minister of Finland, with many other EU Heads of State and Government joining remotely. The joint statement issued by the International Crimea Platform Summit strongly condemns Russia's illegal actions in the occupied territory and expresses support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President in Kyiv: Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine because it is our joint struggle for freedom President of the Republic of Lithuania August 23, 2023 On Wednesday, President Gitanas NausAda met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss the situation on the frontline, military support and Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. The President underlined that Lithuania stands firmly behind Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor and will continue to deliver military support. According to Gitanas NausAda, Lithuania has approved a long-term military assistance plan for Ukraine worth around 200 million euros. It is expected that Lithuania-supplied NASAMS launchers will reach Ukraine as early as in September. "We will support Ukraine until victory over evil is achieved. Lithuania will continue to assist Ukraine with weapons and ammunition, training and financial support. This is our joint struggle for freedom," the President said. Gitanas NausAda expressed Lithuania's support for President Zelenskyy's peace formula, emphasizing that peace talks can only bring lasting results if they are based on the recognition of Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity. The Lithuanian leader said that the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius should accelerate the process of rapprochement between NATO and Ukraine. The President expressed hope that the newly established NATO-Ukraine Council will serve as a useful political tool and that the multi-year support and deterrence package of NATO countries will help Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor. The two leaders also discussed Ukraine's EU accession process. The President underlined that Lithuania strongly supports Ukraine's Euro-integration aspirations and its path to EU integration. According to Gitanas NausAda, despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has achieved progress in its reform process. He stressed that a further breakthrough in implementing the European Commission's recommendations is necessary to start membership negotiations this year. "No one doubts that Ukraine is Europe. Ukraine's future lies in the European Union. The fact that the country has managed to implement reforms amidst a bloody war deserves respect. Lithuania is ready to help Ukraine on both paths towards reforms and Euro-integration," the President said. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine met with the President of Hungary President of Ukraine 23 August 2023 - 19:41 As part of the third Crimea Platform Summit, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Hungary Katalin NovAk. The Head of State noted personal participation of the President of Hungary in the Summit. "Thank you for your visit to Ukraine, for participating in the Summit of the International Crimea Platform. Your support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine is very important to us," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The two presidents discussed issues of cross-border cooperation and joint initiatives in Zakarpattia region. The importance of the recent regional visit of the President of Ukraine to Zakarpattia and his meeting with representatives of the Hungarian community was emphasized. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the importance of Hungary's support for Ukraine, in particular, in the fight against the Russian aggressor, as well as on the path of our country's integration into the European Union and NATO. The Head of State particularly noted Hungary's assistance in the treatment of wounded Ukrainian servicemen and training of military medics. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Katalin NovAk also substantively discussed the development of bilateral relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President met with the Prime Minister of Moldova in Kyiv President of Ukraine 23 August 2023 - 15:09 As part of the third Summit of the International Crimea Platform, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Moldova Dorin Recean in Kyiv. The Head of State noted the participation of the Prime Minister of Moldova in the Summit and emphasized the high level and intensity of bilateral political dialogue. "Thank you for your visit and for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the President said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dorin Recean discussed the development of the Ukrainian food transit through Moldova and the creation of the relevant infrastructure. The parties emphasized that the integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the European Union is a common goal of the two countries and agreed to coordinate efforts on this path. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with the President of Lithuania President of Ukraine 23 August 2023 - 14:28 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas NausAda, who arrived in Kyiv to participate in the third Summit of the International Crimea Platform. The Head of State thanked his Lithuanian counterpart for his active participation in the implementation of the goals of the International Crimea Platform and his personal contribution to the comprehensive assistance to Ukraine from Lithuania in countering full-scale Russian aggression. The parties emphasized the primary importance of military and technical assistance, including training and rehabilitation of the Ukrainian defense forces. In this regard, the President of Ukraine briefed his interlocutor on the current situation on the battlefield and urgent needs of Ukrainian defenders and thanked Gitanas NausAda for the recent decision of the Republic of Lithuania on the long-term support of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the high level of organization and holding of the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July and thanked Gitanas NausAda for supporting Ukraine in the framework of this important event. In this context, the Head of State expressed gratitude for Lithuania's accession to the G7 Joint Declaration of support for our country. The leaders reaffirmed their readiness for fruitful cooperation on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the holding of the Global Peace Summit. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Gitanas NausAda discussed cooperation on food security, focusing on the development of alternative routes for the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The President of Ukraine highly appreciated the projects implemented by Lithuania to rebuild our country and expressed hope for the expansion of this practice. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President met with the Prime Minister of Finland who is on a visit to Ukraine President of Ukraine 23 August 2023 - 13:18 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, who arrived in our country. According to the Head of State, this is the first visit of Petteri Orpo to Ukraine as Prime Minister of Finland, and it is not only symbolic, but also very meaningful. "Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you for Finland's constant practical assistance to Ukraine: military, humanitarian, and sanctions. For the solidarity of your country in the fight for our freedom and independence," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, addressing Petteri Orpo during a joint meeting with media representatives following the negotiations in Kyiv. The President also noted that Petteri Orpo will take part in the third summit of the Crimea Platform, which confirms that Finland will continue to be a reliable defender of normal life in Europe and Ukraine. During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the Prime Minister of Finland about the situation on the battlefield. The parties discussed defense and security cooperation between Ukraine and Finland. "Today, the Prime Minister informed me that in the coming days a new, 18th package of defense support will be approved. We really need all this," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The parties discussed the priority positions for Ukraine that will be reflected in the next assistance packages. "I am confident that together we can do very useful things in the defense industry. For the autumn, we are preparing the first Defense Industries Forum here in Ukraine, so that our partners can see the capabilities of our country, our society, and how we are developing our capabilities. So that we can attract additional potential of our partners. Together, we will give more security to the world. I am confident that Finland's participation in the Forum will be productive, and we are interested in establishing direct cooperation between our specialized enterprises," the President emphasized. According to him, Finland also substantially supports global efforts to implement the Peace Formula, and today the Prime Minister assured of his country's readiness to act as a co-leader in the implementation of a number of its points. Finland also supports Ukraine on its path to the European Union and NATO. Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited the Republic of Finland to start negotiations on a bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine. "Finland has already joined the G7 declaration, and now it is time for such bilateral work. I am confident that it will also be concrete and productive," the Head of State said. For his part, Petteri Orpo emphasized that Finland stands in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The Republic of Finland is one of the largest donors and is preparing to provide the 18th package of defense support, which will include munitions and weapons. The Republic of Finland supports Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO and is ready to contribute to the post-war reconstruction of our country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau August 24, 2023 Ottawa, Ontario Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Prime Minister congratulated the President on the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence and extended his best wishes to Ukrainians, who remain an inspiration to Canadians and people around the world as they continue to defend their country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two leaders discussed Ukraine's military, financial, and humanitarian needs, now and into the future. Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal and unjustifiable aggression, as well as for President Zelenskyy's ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a just and sustainable peace. Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy emphasized the unbreakable bond between Canada and Ukraine, and they reaffirmed their intention to remain in close and regular contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Prime Minister on Ukrainian Independence Day Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau August 24, 2023 Ottawa, Ontario The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Ukrainian Independence Day: "Today, we join the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian communities in Canada and around the world to mark the 32nd anniversary of Ukrainian independence. "On this day in 1991, Ukraine declared its independence, solidifying its rightful place in the international system as a free and sovereign nation. Canada was the first Western country to recognize this fact, and our countries have been close friends and strong partners ever since. Today, as the people of Ukraine continue to defend their country against Russia's brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with them as they fight for our shared values of peace, freedom, and democracy. When I was in Kyiv this past June, I delivered this message of support from Canadians to the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian people are the tip of the spear that is determining the future of the 21st century, and Canada will support them for as long as it takes. "Together with our allies and partners, Canada will continue to do everything possible to support Ukraine until its territorial integrity is re-established. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Canada has committed more than $8.9 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine, including financial, military, humanitarian, security, and stabilization aid, as well as development assistance. We have also trained more than 37,000 members of Ukraine's security forces through Operation UNIFIER, and welcomed more than 170,000 Ukrainians fleeing Putin's violence, providing them with the support they need to adjust to life away from home. "The bond between our peoples is unbreakable. Canada is proudly home to 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent, which is the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world. Ukrainian Canadians form an invaluable piece of our country's cultural mosaic, and their contributions, past and present, make Canada the country we love. "Today, we are reminded of the courage, determination, and resilience of the people of Ukraine as they fight bravely against authoritarian aggression. To all Ukrainians: you are not alone in this fight. Canada will always stand with you as you defend your freedoms, independence, and democracy. "Slava Ukraini!" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview. Thursday, 24 August 2023 This list provides an overview of military assistance provided by the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine. It includes deliveries from the Federal Armed Forces, from industry and assistance measures together with partners, which have, inter alia, been financed from Federal Government funds for security capacity building. Funding for the security capacity building initiative amounts to 5.4 billion Euros for 2023 (after 2 billion Euros for 2022) and additional authorisations to enter commitments in the following years amounting to 10.5 billion Euros. These funds are to be used primarily for military assistance to Ukraine. At the same time, they will be used for re-filling Federal Armed Forces stocks for items delivered to Ukraine as well as for Germany's contributions to the European Peace Facility (EPF), from which costs incurred from providing military assistance to Ukraine can be re-imbursed to EU member states. Delivered military support to Ukraine: (Changes compared to the previous update in bold) Armoured fighting vehicles 28 tracked all-terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206 (BV206)* 10 main battle tanks LEOPARD 1 A5* 138 MG3 for LEOPARD 2, MARDER and DACHS ammunition for LEOPARD 1* 18 LEOPARD 2 A 6 main battle tanks with ammunition (German share in joint project with further LEOPARD 2 operators) 40 infantry fighting vehicles MARDER with ammunition (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*) 50 MRAP vehicles DINGO 54 M113 armoured personnel carriers each with 2 MG* (systems of Denmark, upgrades financed by Germany) Spare parts for LEOPARD 2 and MARDER Air defence PATRIOT missiles 2 IRIS-T SLS launchers* 2 PATRIOT launchers 46 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD incl. 21,042 rounds of ammunition* 2 air surveillance radar TRML-4D* 2 air defence system IRIS-T SLM* IRIS-T SLM missiles* air defence system PATRIOT with missiles 55,000 rounds ammunitions for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD 4,000 rounds practice ammunitions for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns 500 Man Portable Air Defense Systems STINGER 2,700 Man Portable Air Defense Systems STRELA Artillery 17,000 rounds 155mm smoke ammunition 2 wheeled self-propelled howitzer Zuzana 2* (project jointly financed with Denmark and Norway) 15,510 rounds 155mm ammunition 155mm precision guided ammunition* (SMArt, VULCANO) 5 multiple rocket launchers MARS II with ammunition (German share in joint project with USA and Great Britain) ammunition for multiple rocket launchers MARS II 14 self-propelled howitzers Panzerhaubitze 2000 (German share in joint project with the Netherlands) 20 rocket launchers 70mm on pick-up trucks with rockets* counter battery radar system COBRA* 10 laser target designators and portable fire control modules for VULCANO artillery ammunition* Military Engineering Capabilities material for explosive ordnance disposal(from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*) 6 mine clearing tanks WISENT 1* 11 mine ploughs for T-72* 18 heavy and medium bridge systems and 12 trailers 5 bridges for bridge-laying tank BEAVER 10 bridge-laying tanks BEAVER* 15 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 2* 2 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 3 5armoured engineer vehicles DACHS* 3 mobile, remote controlled and protected mine clearing systems* 12 mobile and protected mine clearing systems Ahlmann* Protective and Special Equipment 103 drone detection systems* (before: 93) 60 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 HEIDRUN* (before: 20) 28 ground surveillance radars GO12* 182 border protection vehicles* 88 reconnaissance drones VECTOR* 1,288 binoculars 20,600 safety glasses (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*) 5 mobile reconnaissance systems SurveilSPIRE* 47 mobile antenna mast systems* 10 radio jammers* 57 anti-drone sensors and jammers* 2 spare part packages for VECTOR drones 40 frequency range extensions for anti-drone devices* 1 communications electronic scanner/jammer systems* 32 reconnaissance drones* 40 laser target designators* 10 unmanned surface vessels* 10 anti-drone guns* 28,000 combat helmets 1 radio frequency system 3,000 field telephones with 5.000 cable reels and carrying straps 353 night vision goggles* 12 electronic anti-drone devices* 165 field glasses* 38 laser range finders* 6 mobile decontamination vehicles HEP 70 including decontamination material 10 HMMWV (8x ground radar capability, 2x jamming/anti drone capability)* 1 high frequency unit with equipment* Logistics 156 trucks Zetros* (before: 140) 42 truck tractor trains 8x8 HX81 and 37 semi-trailers* 34 load-handling trucks 15t* 6 load-handling trucks 8x6 with 21 roll of containers* 14 tracked and remote controlled infantry vehicles THeMIS* 288 vehicles (trucks, minibuses, all-terrain vehicles) 179 Pick-ups* 12 tank transporter tractor M1070 Oshkosh* 35 load-handling trucks 8x8 30 protected vehicles* Combat Readiness and Survivability 22,51 million rounds of ammunition for fire arms (before: 22,0) 100 machine guns MG5* 300,000 first aid kits* 44 ambulances* 8 dental sterilizers 107,712rounds ammunition 40mm* 11,000 group module rations 103,000 tourniquets 500 pistols SFP9* 2 hangar tents* 8 lift trucks* 295 generators 10 winter camouflage nets 168 mobile heating systems* 36,400 wool blankets 14,000 sleeping bags Mi-24 spare parts* spare parts for heavy machine gun M2 200 tents 116,000 winter jackets 80,000 winter trousers 240,000 winter hats 405,000 pre-packaged military Meals Ready 67 fridges for medical material* 3,000 anti-tank weapons Panzerfaust 3 with 900 firing devices 14,900 anti-tank mines (9,300* from industry stocks) 50 Bunkerfaust with 15 firing devices 100 machine gun MG3 with 500 spare barrels and breechblocks 100,000 hand grenades 5,300 explosive charges 100,000 m detonating cord and 100.000 detonators 350,000 detonators 100 auto-injector devices 15 palettes military clothing 1,200 hospital beds 18 palettes medical material, 60 surgical lights protective clothing, surgical masks 1 field hospital (project jointly financed with Estonia)* medical material (inter alia back packs, compression bandages) Diesel and gasoline* 10 tons AdBlue* 500 medical gauzes* MiG-29 spare parts* 7,944 man-portable anti-tank weapons RGW 90 Matador* Military support to Ukraine in planning/in execution (due to security concerns, the Federal Government abstains from providing details on transportation modalities and dates until after handover) Armoured fighting vehicles 60 infantry fighting vehicles MARDER* 36 tracked all-terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206 (BV206)* 66 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC)* 100 LEOPARD 1 A5 main battle tanks* (project jointly financed with Denmark) ammunition for LEOPARD 1* ammunition for MARDER* Air defence 6 air defence system IRIS-T SLM* IRIS-T SLM missiles* 22 launchers IRIS-T SLS* IRIS-T SLS missiles (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*) 6 air surveillance radars TRML-4D* 6 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD* 300,000 rounds of GEPARD ammunition Artillery 25,500 projectiles 155mm* 18 wheeled self-propelled howitzers RCH 155* 14 wheeled self-propelled howitzer Zuzana 2* (project jointly financed with Denmark and Norway) Military Engineering Capabilities material for explosive ordnance disposal* 6 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 2* 7 mobile, remote controlled and protected mine clearing systems* 16 bridge-laying tanks BEAVER* 2 mobile and protected mine clearing systems Ahlmann* 36 mine clearing tanks WISENT 1* 2 heavy and medium bridge systems* Protective and Special Equipment 90 drone detection systems* 80,000 safety glasses* 10 mobile reconnaissance systems SurveilSPIRE* 40 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 HEIDRUN* 340 reconnaissance drones VECTOR* 121 reconnaissance drones* 10 unmanned surface vessels* 20 ground surveillance radars GO12* 1 Satcom surveillance system* 2,000 portable light systems* 3 mobile antenna mast systems* 329 border protection vehicles* vehicle decontamination system 11 communications electronic scanner/jammer systems* Logistics 94 trucks Zetros* (before: 52) 12 tank transporter tractor M1070 Oshkosh* 30 tank trucks (water/fuel)* 1 load-handling trucks 8x6 with 7 roll of containers* 48 heavy duty trailer trucks 8x8 HX81 and 53 semi-trailers* 2 tractors and 4 trailers* 10 protected vehicles* Combat Readiness and Survivability 31 million rounds of ammunition for fire arms 18,000 man-portable anti-tank weapons* 5 ambulances* 2 dental sterilizers 108,288 rounds ammunition 40mm for grenade launchers* continuing deliveries of medical material* 100 grenade launchers GMG* 200,000 first aid kits* 17 mobile heating systems* field hospital (role 2)* * Deliveries from industry stocks financed by German funds for security capacity building. Some of the deliveries require upgrades or productions is ongoing; also training measures take place. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 24, 2023 Release Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Ukraine's Independence Day The United States stands in solidarity with Ukraine as it celebrates the 32nd anniversary of its independence. The Ukrainian people have inspired the world with their courage and resolve to defend their right to live in a sovereign, democratic, and free country. For the past 18 months, Russia has waged a full-scale, unprovoked, and indefensible war against Ukraine. The Kremlin's war of choice has killed thousands of innocent Ukrainians, displaced millions more, and deliberately inflicted terror and trauma on Ukraine's men, women, and children. Yet the Ukrainian people remain indomitable, and Ukraine is fighting back valiantly to regain its sovereign territory and protect its citizens. The United States is proud to stand with Ukraine, and we will continue to ensure that it has what it needs to fight for its freedom. Under President Biden's leadership, we have built a strong global coalition in support of Ukraine and committed more than $43 billion in security assistance that has been critical to helping Ukraine since Russia launched its reckless and lawless invasion. We have provided air defense to protect Ukraine's skies, as well as artillery, tanks, armored vehicles and associated munitions, anti-armor weapons, and more to help Ukraine's defenders counter Russian aggression. To support Ukraine's current counteroffensive, our latest assistance package included key capabilities, such as additional mine-clearing equipment, armored vehicles, and artillery rounds. Nations of goodwill from around the globe have also stepped up to condemn Russia's assault on the international system of rules and rights and rushed urgently needed assistance to Ukraine. Some 50 countries of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group that I convene have rallied to commit more than $32 billion in security assistance to support Ukraine's defense. Today, as Ukraine commemorates another year of independence, the United States remains steadfast in our commitment to ensure that it can celebrate many more. We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight for its security and freedom. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3503290/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 24, 2023 By Joseph Clark , DOD News U.S. Will Train Ukrainian F-16 Pilots, Ground Crews The Defense Department will begin training Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16 fighter jets in the coming months, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today. The training is expected to begin in October at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, and will be facilitated by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing. The U.S.-led training is "in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses," Ryder said. The Netherlands and Denmark have announced their intentions to make F-16 aircraft from their fleets available to Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signaled the United States' willingness to approve the third-party transfer of the U.S.-made F-16s to Ukraine in a letter to his European counterparts last week. "The training provided by the United States will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that's already underway in Europe and further deepens our support of the F-16 training coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands," Ryder said. "Moving forward we will remain in close consultation with the Danes, the Dutch and other allies to ensure U.S. training complements the broader coalition training efforts." Ryder added that by announcing the training, the U.S. is preempting any training capacity constraints in Denmark and the Netherlands' training pipeline to ensure the aircraft are fielded to Ukraine as quickly as possible. He said Ukraine will ultimately determine the number of pilots that will require the training. During a briefing last week, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said U.S. approval for the transfer would come after consultation with Congress and after completion of training for Ukrainian pilots on the aircraft. Ryder said the complete training pipeline would likely take several months, depending upon the pilots' proficiency coming into the course. "Part of this training will be assessing the individual pilots' skill level, which will determine help to determine how long that training will last," he said. "Your basic, new F-16 pilot with not a lot of training on the U.S. side, that training typically lasts about eight months." That training includes a series of courses ranging from basic flight training to instruction on fighter fundamentals, weapons employment, combat maneuvering and tactical intercepts among other concepts. He said training for more experienced pilots could be completed in about five months. Beyond flight training, Ryder said the F-16s require significant logistics and maintenance training for ground support personnel that ensures the aircrafts remain combat capable. Prior to flight training, the pilots will receive language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas beginning in September. The language training will ensure that all pilots have sufficient language skills to be able to fully comprehend the "complexities and specialized English required to fly the aircraft," Ryder said. The announcement further underscores the United States' long-term solidarity with Ukraine as it defends itself from Russia's unprovoked war of aggression. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted that commitment earlier today in a statement marking Ukraine's 32nd anniversary of its independence. "The Ukrainian people have inspired the world with their courage and resolve to defend their right to live in a sovereign, democratic and free country," he said. "Today, as Ukraine commemorates another year of independence, the United States remains steadfast in our commitment to ensure that it can celebrate many more," he said. "We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight for its security and freedom." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway plans to donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 24/08/2023 'Norway is supporting Ukraine in its efforts to build a modern air defence system. This is both important and necessary. We have already decided to train Ukrainian fighter jet pilots and announced in the summer that we would provide two Norwegian F-16 jets for training purposes. We are planning to donate Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and will provide further details about the donation, numbers and time frame for delivery, in due course,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr StAre. The donation of these jets will be carried out in close cooperation with allies. Denmark and the Netherlands have also announced that they will be donating F-16 fighter jets. 'We will continue our dialogue with the US and other close allies on the development of a modern air defence system in Ukraine. Norway has provided substantial military support to Ukraine and we will continue to do so. The donation of these F-16 jets will significantly strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities,' said Minister of Defence BjArn Arild Gram. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President: Ukraine's liberated territories are rising from the ashes, proving their invincibility President of the Republic of Lithuania August 24, 2023 President Gitanas NausAda continues his working visit to Ukraine. On Thursday, the President visited Bucha, Irpin, Moshchun, and Horenka - towns near Kyiv that were devastated by the Russian army at the beginning of the invasion and are now being actively rebuilt. In Moshchun, where the fierce and decisive battle for Kyiv took place, the President paid tribute to those who gave their lives for the freedom of Ukraine. In Irpin, Gitanas NausAda opened a kindergarten, RAta, renovated with Lithuanian funds. "This is a symbol of support by Lithuania and its people to Ukraine and the faith we have in the future of this country. I visited Irpin when the invaders had just been driven out. Now, as the war continues, reconstruction work is underway. The territories liberated by Ukraine are rising from the ashes, proving their invincibility," the President said. In Bucha - a city that stands as a symbol of Russian war crimes - the Lithuanian leader met with the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin, to discuss international efforts aimed at bringing the aggressor to justice. "This place carries painful memories of the Russian army's brutality and horrific war crimes. What happened in Bucha and other towns and cities will not be forgotten - for every crime committed and every order to kill, there will be accountability. I hope that the Special Tribunal will be established very soon and that Russian war criminals will be brought to justice," the President said. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On Ukraine's Independence Day, the President extended his greetings and wishes to fight and win President of the Republic of Lithuania August 24, 2023 On Thursday, President Gitanas NausAda, attending the Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations at Sofia Square in Kyiv, expressed his unwavering belief in Ukraine's ultimate victory in its fight against Russia. In his speech, delivered in Ukrainian, the President underlined that 32 years ago the Ukrainian people rose from oppression to a new life, a free future and the hope of justice. "The brutal aggressor is trying to take all this, and more, away from you. By trampling on the norms of the civilized world, Russia is trying to erase the Ukrainian identity. By killing innocent people, it seeks to destroy the future of Ukraine and Europe," the President said, adding that Ukrainian resistance has set an unparalleled example of courage and resolve. "The fire of sacred love for Homeland, which shone so brightly at the Maidan of Independence, is shining across the entire Ukraine today. It inspires free people all over the world," the President said. Gitanas NausAda reaffirmed that Lithuania - which from the very first days of the war has been passionately supporting and firmly standing behind Ukraine - will never recognize the occupation and annexation of Crimea and other Ukrainian territories. Lithuania will do its utmost to help Ukraine achieve victory which will bring peace, security, lasting prosperity, and the hope of justice for thousands of victims of Russian aggression and their loved ones. Lithuania will also help Ukraine to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed during the war. "Our vision today is a strong Ukraine in a strong Europe. I believe that Ukraine will one day become a member of both the European Union and NATO. The aggressor will not determine Ukraine's destiny!" the President said. Quoting the poet of Ukraine's national revival Taras Shevchenko, the President wished the Ukrainian people to fight and win with the help of God. "Long live, independent Ukraine!" the President said. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Address by President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas NausAda on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine President of the Republic of Lithuania August 24, 2023 Glory to Ukraine! Dear Volodymyr, Ukrainian brothers and sisters, Congratulations on Independence Day! I am deeply honored to celebrate it together with the fighting people of Ukraine. Thirty two years ago, you rose to a new life after years of oppression. To a free future that entire generations of Ukrainians have been dreaming of. To the hope of justice, described so eloquently by your beloved Kobzar. The brutal aggressor is trying to take all this, and more, away from you. By trampling on the norms of the civilized world, Russia is trying to erase the Ukrainian identity. By killing innocent people, it seeks to destroy the future of Ukraine and Europe. But the Ukrainian people are resisting and not giving up. In the eyes of the whole world, you are setting an unparalleled example of courage and resolve. The fire of sacred love for Homeland, which shone so brightly at the Maidan of Independence, is shining across the entire Ukraine today. It inspires free people all over the world. Today, I want to reaffirm that you are not alone. From the very first days of this war, Lithuania has been passionately supporting and firmly standing behind Ukraine. We will never recognize the occupation and annexation of Crimea and other Ukrainian territories. Because Crimea is Ukraine! Because Donetsk and Luhansk, Mariupol and Melitopol are Ukraine! As we look back on the many centuries of our shared history, we know that you will prevail. Victory means peace, security and lasting prosperity. Victory means hope that thousands of victims of Russia's aggression and their loved ones will see justice. Lithuania will continue to provide you with every support. Together, we will rebuild Ukraine and work towards making your country part of the Euro-Atlantic community. Our vision today is a strong Ukraine in a strong Europe! I believe that Ukraine will one day become a member of both the European Union and NATO. The aggressor will not determine Ukraine's destiny! The freedom loving Ukrainian people are taking their destiny into their own hands. As Taras Shevchenko said: Keep fighting a you are sure to win! God helps you in your fight! I have no doubt that truth, strength, and sacred freedom will help you to continue the fight. I believe that we will celebrate the next Independence Day with victory. Long live, independent Ukraine! The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to begin training Ukraine F-16 pilots in September: Pentagon Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 10:07 PM The United States has said it will begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 warplanes soon amid a race by Washington and its allies to provide Kiev with the American supersonic aircraft. "These pilots will be conducting English language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in September prior to attending F-16 flying training in Arizona" the following month, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said on Thursday. The training will involve "several" pilots and "dozens" of personnel to maintain the aircraft, he added. Last week, the United States told Denmark and the Netherlands they could transfer their F-16s to Ukraine when the country's pilots are trained to use them. Late at the weekend, Copenhagen and The Hague announced that they would provide Ukraine with a number of F-16 fighter jets. Six of the promised jets will initially be delivered around New Year. Also on Thursday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Oslo would join the array of countries that are slated to ship the single-engine aircraft to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strove for months to secure the fighter jets. The ex-Soviet republic views the F-16 warplanes as vital to the success of its efforts to push against Russia, which has been waging a war with its neighbor since last February. Moscow says it started the warfare in order to defend the pro-Russian population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk against persecution by Kiev, and also to "de-Nazify" its neighbor. Russia holds that the West's anti-Russian agendas, including its eagerness for inclusion of Ukraine in NATO -- and, therefore, the Western military alliance's expansion right up to Russia's borders -- forced Moscow to launch the war on Kiev. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway to 'donate' US-made F-16 jets to Ukraine: Norwegian prime minister Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 6:33 PM Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store says Norway will "donate" F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, becoming the third country after Denmark and the Netherlands to pledge the US-made warplanes to Kiev. Confirming earlier media reports, Store on Thursday said Oslo would certainly send the American single-engine supersonic warplanes but the details of the donation would be announced later. "We are planning to donate Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and will provide further details about the donation, numbers and time frame for delivery, in due course," he said in a statement. The announcement came as the Norwegian premier made a surprise visit to Kiev on Thursday - Independence Day in Ukraine. The ex-Soviet republic views the F-16 warplanes as vital to the success of efforts to drive Russian troops from Ukraine's territory in a grinding counteroffensive that has proceeded slowly since its launch in early June. Norway has officially 57 F-16 jets up for sale, of which, 32 have already been sold to Romania, and up to 12 have been purchased by the US group Draken International, but have not yet been delivered. Norwegian news agency NTB said in a report that the latter transaction has been canceled. Late at the weekend, Denmark and the Netherlands announced that they would provide Ukraine with a number of F-16 fighter jets. Six of the promised jets will initially be delivered around New Year. The announcement by Copenhagen and The Hague came a few days after the United States approved the delivery of the multirole fighter aircraft to Kiev. Furthermore, Oslo said on Thursday that it would provide Kiev with Iris-T anti-air missiles, demining equipment, and a 1.5 billion kroner ($141 million) aid package for the purchase of gas and electricity this winter. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at an official ceremony in central Kiev on the occasion of his country's Independence Day. Besides Store, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, and Bosnia and Herzegovina's President Zeljko Komsic showed their support. According to Zelensky, who strived for months to secure F-16 fighter jets, Denmark has pledged to donate 19 planes while the Netherlands would deliver 42. Since Russia began military operations in early 2022 against Ukraine for its move to align with NATO, the United States has provided Kiev with more than $47 billion in military aid. This military aid from the US includes "the most powerful and pricey" weapons and vehicles in the US inventory, including M1 Abrams battle tanks, Patriot missile defense systems, and HIMARS rocket launchers. The aid is unlike the supplies in the early months of the Russia-Ukraine war when escalation fears had limited the type of equipment being provided. According to a report by the Messenger News, "the unfortunate fact for the Ukrainians and their foreign backers is that many of these systems have already been destroyed". The heavy loss rate of foreign military equipment has forced the Ukrainians to modify their tactics, but it could only "strain" the West's ability to continue with arms supplies for Ukraine's war efforts, observers say. Ukraine is said to have lost nearly $10 billion worth of US-supplied weapons in its counteroffensive against Russia. This rough estimate is based on the New York Times assessment in July that about 20 percent of the West-supplied weaponry was damaged or destroyed by Russia in the first two weeks of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says three Ukrainian drones downed above border regions Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 August 2023 6:20 AM Russia says it has destroyed three Ukrainian drones over the border regions of Bryansk and Kaluga, foiling another attempted "terrorist attack" on the Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry made the announcement on Thursday, a day after three people were killed in a drone strike near the border region of Belgorod. "At night, air defense forces foiled an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Two of the UAVs were destroyed by air defense forces in the air above the Bryansk Region," the ministry said, adding that a separate drone was eliminated above the Kaluga Region. The latest development came a day after Russia's air defenses thwarted another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on Moscow, which involved three aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles. Also on Tuesday, Russia shot down two Ukrainian drones over the Moscow region with no casualties and brought down a further two drones over the Bryansk region that borders Ukraine. In recent weeks, Ukraine has ramped up its attempts to target Moscow with drone strikes, which have been mostly unsuccessful. Ukraine, after a long delay, began its widely publicized counteroffensives in early June which have so far proved to be major failures, suffering the loss of thousands of its troops in the process. Observers link the increase in drone strikes to Kiev's failure on the battlefield despite receiving all-out material and political support from the West. The observers also reckon that Kiev aimed to make up for what it could not deliver against the Russian troops on the battlefield by staging negligible drone attacks on the Russian capital city. Russia launched its special military operations in Donbas in February 2022 to stop NATO's eastward expansion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Plans To Train Ukrainian Pilots On F-16s In Arizona Starting In October By RFE/RL August 24, 2023 The United States said it will begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 warplanes in October, joining a Western coalition that is helping to prepare Kyiv's fliers on the sophisticated combat aircraft to join the fight against the Russian invasion. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder on August 24 said the program would begin in the state of Arizona following completion of English-language training sessions for Ukrainian pilots. "These pilots will be conducting English-language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, in September prior to attending F-16 flying training in Arizona," Ryder said without specifying the number of pilots. Training of Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16s is also expected to be conducted by an 11-nation coalition in Denmark and Romania in coming weeks. Greece also said it will provide training for Ukrainian pilots. Denmark reportedly has already started training eight Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s at a Danish military base in Skrydstrup, along with maintenance and servicing personnel. The U.S. announcement comes after reports out of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway that those NATO nations would be sending an undisclosed number of F-16 jets to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on August 20 announced that Denmark had approved sending 19 of the advanced warplanes to Ukraine and that the Netherlands had agreed to send 42 F-16s -- although Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that while his country has 42 of the planes available, it has yet to decide whether all of them will be donated. On August 24, Norwegian broadcaster TV2, citing unnamed sources, said Oslo had decided to send an undisclosed number of F-16 jets to Ukraine. Ukraine has repeatedly requested F-16 fighters from its Western partners, and Denmark and the Netherlands were the first to answer the call. Kyiv has said it needs the planes to bolster its dwindling fleet of Soviet-era jets as it carries on with a counteroffensive in the face of a significant Russian advantage over the skies of Ukraine. Denmark has suggested its F-16s could be delivered by the end of the year after four to six months of training. The United States has authorized Denmark and the Netherlands to deliver the American-made F-16s to Ukraine. On August 21, Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen told the Ritzau news agency that Kyiv may only use the Danish and Dutch F-16s within Ukrainian territory. Russia on August 21 condemned the decisions by Denmark and the Netherlands to provide the warcraft. "The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict," Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin said in a statement cited by the Ritzau news agency on August 21. With reporting by Current Time, RFE/RL's Russian Service, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-training-ukrainian- pilots-f-16s-arizona-october/32563610.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Special Operation, Ukraine Raises Flag In Russian-Annexed Crimea On Independence Day By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service August 24, 2023 KYIV -- The Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine's Defense Ministry on August 24 said it had conducted a special operation in Russian-annexed Crimea along with the Ukrainian Navy in a mission coinciding with the country's Independence Day and leading to the raising of the national flag again in the region. "Special units reached the shores on watercrafts near settlements of Olenivka and Mayak," the HUR statement said. "During implementation of the assignment, Ukrainian defense forces entered battles with the occupier's units. The enemy suffered losses among military personnel [and] its military equipment was destroyed." "Also, the national flag flew over Ukraine's Crimea again," it added, saying that Ukrainian units safely returned after carrying out the assignment. The details could not immediately be independently verified. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that HUR's units had conducted the special operation in Crimea. "It is too early to talks about the liberation of Crimea.... Yes, those were our guys.... There were no casualties from our side, and that is a good news," Zelenskiy said during a joint press conference with visiting Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Kyiv. Sources within Ukraine's intelligence services told RFE/RL earlier that Ukrainian armed forces clashed with occupying Russian troops near the settlement of Mayak on Crimea's Tarkhankut Cape overnight. The SHOT Telegram channel in Russia also reported about the clashes on the Tarkhankut Cape. HUR official Andriy Yusov later confirmed the report, saying Ukrainian forces were assisted by the Ukrainian Navy during the fighting. The 3rd Radio Engineering Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces, as well as Russian air-defense systems, are located in Mayak. Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 after sending in troops, seizing key facilities, and staging a referendum dismissed as illegal by at least 100 countries. Also in 2014, backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk commonly known as Donbas. After starting an ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian troops have occupied parts of other Ukrainian regions. Ukraine has resisted the invasion and vowed to recapture all of its territory occupied by Russian forces. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-special-operation-flag- raised-crimea-independence-day/32563440.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy Reaffirms Ukraine's Statehood On Independence Day Amid Russian Strikes By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service August 24, 2023 Russia launched more strikes on Ukrainian regions on Independence Day as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed the contribution of his compatriots in defending the country's freedom in the face of Moscow's full-scale invasion. In an address to the nation, Zelenskiy said that 32 years after Ukraine gained its sovereignty, Independence Day on August 24 has become "the holiday of free people, the holiday of strong people." He commended all Ukrainians for their resilience and highlighted the cohesion of the Ukrainian society in the face of Russia's aggression. "Everyone is needed, everyone is important -- people, actions, and words. Because we all made it so that when one says, 'Glory to Ukraine,' the whole world responds, 'Glory to the heroes,'" Zelenskiy said. Ten people were wounded in a Russian missile attack on the southern city of Dnipro early on August 24, Dnipropetrovsk regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram. "Powerful explosions in the middle of the night in Dnipro," Lysak said, adding that a transport facility was destroyed. Lysak said that three men and four women were wounded in the strike. "Six were hospitalized in a moderate condition," he said. More than a dozen civilian facilities were damaged, including a bank, a gas station, a hotel, an agricultural firm, a furniture factory, an administrative building, and two residential buildings. In Kherson, Russian shelling of the city center on August 24 wounded three people, including a 7-year-old girl, the Prosecutor-General's Office reported. Russian forces have been shelling the liberated part of the southern region of Kherson on an almost daily basis since November. Ukraine's Air Force spokesman, Yuriy Ihnat, said in a statement that Russia struck overnight with S-300, Iskander-K, and Iskander-M ballistic missiles, adding that one Iskander-K missile was shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. He did not give further details. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Ukrainians on their Independence Day, saying that "August 24 is a testament to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and democracy and a day of pride in Ukraine's strength and resilience." Blinken reiterated that America stands together with Ukraine as it defends its existence. "We stand by you in the fight for your beloved country," Blinken said in a statement. Later, Zelenskiy said that he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Joe Biden and thanked him for his Independence Day greetings. "The U.S. took the lead in rallying global support for Ukraine. This crucial leadership enabled our struggle and bent the arc of history towards good," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. Separately, Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reported that Norway has decided to donate F-16 combat aircraft to Ukraine. TV2, citing unnamed sources, did not say how many jets Norway would give Ukraine. If confirmed, the announcement will make Norway the third European country, after the Netherlands and Denmark, that has pledged F-16s to Ukraine. Kyiv has long been calling on its allies to supply the U.S.-made warplanes to beef up its air power during its counteroffensive. Ukrainian forces repelled Russian counterattacks in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv and in the southern region of Zaporizhzhya, the General Staff reported on August 24. Ukrainian forces continued their advance toward Melitopol, the military said. Melitopol, known as the "gateway to Crimea," was captured by Russian troops in March last year after several days of heavy fighting. Meanwhile, the intelligence department of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said it conducted a joint raid in occupied Crimea with naval forces early on August 24. "Special units on watercraft landed on the shore in the area of Olenivka and Mayak settlements [on the westernmost tip of Crimea]. During the execution of the operation, Ukrainian forces engaged units of the [Russian] occupier. As a result, the enemy suffered losses in personnel and equipment," the department said in a statement, which was accompanied by a video purportedly showing footage from the operation. During the raid, the statement said the Ukrainian flag flew again in Crimea. With reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-strikes- dnipro-school-teachers-killed/32562616.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Supplies Ukraine With US Patriot System Missiles for First Time Sputnik News 20230824 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Germany has supplied Ukraine with missiles for US Patriot air defense systems for the first time, according to an updated list of the German government published on Thursday. The government did not specify how many Patriot missiles Kiev received. The counteroffensive launched by Ukraine in early June has been less than unsuccessful. Not only have Russian forces been repelling all Ukrainian attacks, but they have also been advancing in several areas, including the directions of Kupyansk and Krasny Liman, liberating many settlements in the process. Western military equipment has not saved the Kiev regime, which has disappointed its partners while demanding more and more military supplies. While Germany has been sending various weapons to aid the Kiev regime, including Leopard tanks, the German foreign minister has noted that the reserves of the country's armed forces (Bundeswehr) are depleted. Other Western nations have also been reporting low weapons stocks, which will only be replenished after changes in budget plans are made. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway to Provide F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine - Reports Sputnik News 20230824 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Norwegian government has decided to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Norwegian broadcaster reported on Thursday, citing sources. The broadcaster said that several separate sources confirmed the decision by the Norwegian government. Norway would reportedly be the third NATO country after the Netherlands and Denmark to provide the jets to Ukraine. Last week, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a letter to his European counterparts in Denmark and the Netherlands with the formal approval of a third-party transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. He added that the transfer of jets would follow the completion of Ukrainian pilots' training. On Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Denmark would sent 19 F-16s to Kiev, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Netherlands had pledged to supply another 42. During a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Zelenskyy also said that Greece had offered to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets. The United States and its NATO allies are creating risks of direct confrontation with Russia, and this could lead to catastrophic consequences, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said, adding that Moscow will consider delivery of nuclear-capable F-16s to Kiev as a threat from the West. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Imposing Sanctions and Visa Restrictions on Individuals and Entities to Promote Accountability for Forced Transfer and Deportation of Children During Russia's Illegal War Against Ukraine US Department of State Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson August 24, 2023 Today, on Ukrainian Independence Day, the Department of State is imposing sanctions and pursuing visa restrictions to promote accountability for individuals and entities connected to forcible transfer and deportation of Ukraine's children. Some targets are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 , which authorizes sanctions with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation, while others are subject to a visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the Secretary of State to restrict visa issuance to Russian Federation military officials and Russia-backed or Russia-installed purported authorities who have been involved in human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, or public corruption in Ukraine. The United States will continue to hold Russia to account for its illegal war against Ukraine. FINANCIAL SANCTIONS - HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE AND FORCED RE-EDUCATION The Department is designating the below individuals and entity that have reportedly played a role in forcibly deporting Ukrainian children from Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia, and/or transferring Ukrainian children within Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine. Children are the most innocent victims of war: we have not forgotten Ukraine's children. These designations underscore our commitment to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and advancing accountability for the Russian individuals and entities as well as Russian proxy authorities involved in these atrocities. The following individuals are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(A) of E.O. 14024 for being or having been leaders, officials, senior executive officers, or members of the board of directors of the Government of the Russian Federation: GALINA ANATOLEVNA PYATYKH is the advisor to the Governor of Belgorod and Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Belgorod region and has been involved in facilitation of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian families. is the advisor to the Governor of Belgorod and Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Belgorod region and has been involved in facilitation of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian families. IRINA ANATOLYEVNA AGEEVA is the Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Kaluga region and has been involved in facilitation of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian families. is the Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Kaluga region and has been involved in facilitation of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian families. IRINA ALEKSANDROVNA CHERKASOVA is the Commissioner for Children's Rights in Rostov region and has been involved in facilitation of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian families. is the Commissioner for Children's Rights in Rostov region and has been involved in facilitation of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian families. MANSUR MUSSAEVICH SOLTAEV (SOLTAEV) is the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Chechen Republic and is reportedly associated with human rights violations and abuses and the suppression of protests against the Russian mobilization of troops. Additionally, Soltaev has been involved in facilitation of the transfer of civilians of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" and the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic", to include the deportation of Ukrainian children to camps in the Chechen Republic. is the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Chechen Republic and is reportedly associated with human rights violations and abuses and the suppression of protests against the Russian mobilization of troops. Additionally, Soltaev has been involved in facilitation of the transfer of civilians of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" and the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic", to include the deportation of Ukrainian children to camps in the Chechen Republic. MUSLIM MAGOMEDOVICH KHUCHIEV is the Chairman of the government of the Chechen Republic and has been involved in facilitation of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian families. The following entity is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(F) of E.O. 14024 for beingresponsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, activities that undermine the peace, security, political stability, or territorial integrity of the United States, its allies, or its partners, for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation: FEDERAL STATE BUDGETARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN CENTER ARTEK (ARTEK) is a Government of Russia-owned "summer camp" located in Russia-occupied Crimea that has received Ukrainian children who are subsequently placed in extensive "patriotic" re-education programs and are prevented from returning to their families. The following individual is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) of E.O. 14024 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Artek, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked: KONSTANTIN ALBERTOVICH FEDORENKO is the director of Artek. The Department is designating the following individuals and entity that have been involved in the transfer of children from Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia, including youth camps in Russia, and Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine. Pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(F) of E.O. 14024, the following individuals and entity are being designated for beingresponsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, activities that undermine the peace, security, political stability, or territorial integrity of the United States, its allies, or its partners, for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation: ZAMID ALIEVICH CHALAEV is a special police battalion commander in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs who took part in the storming of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works during the siege of Mariupol and was involved in the transfer of Ukrainian children to camps in the Chechen Republic. is a special police battalion commander in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs who took part in the storming of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works during the siege of Mariupol and was involved in the transfer of Ukrainian children to camps in the Chechen Republic. OLENA OLEKSANDRIVNA SHAPUROVA is the Russia-appointed, so-called "Minister of Education and Science" in Russia-controlled portions of the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine and has implemented pro-Russia educational curriculums in schools in these areas threatening to remove children from Ukrainian families if they do not attend pro-Russia schools. is the Russia-appointed, so-called "Minister of Education and Science" in Russia-controlled portions of the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine and has implemented pro-Russia educational curriculums in schools in these areas threatening to remove children from Ukrainian families if they do not attend pro-Russia schools. AKHMAT KADYROV FOUNDATION (AKF) is used by the Kadyrov family to oversee the "re-education" of Ukrainian children in camps outside of Grozny in the Chechen Republic. AKF was also previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 in 2020 for being owned or controlled by Ramzan Kadyrov, who was designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 in December 2020. Ramzan Kadyrov was also designated pursuant to the Russia Magnitsky Act in December of 2017, and E.O. 14024 in September 2022. is used by the Kadyrov family to oversee the "re-education" of Ukrainian children in camps outside of Grozny in the Chechen Republic. AKF was also previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 in 2020 for being owned or controlled by Ramzan Kadyrov, who was designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 in December 2020. Ramzan Kadyrov was also designated pursuant to the Russia Magnitsky Act in December of 2017, and E.O. 14024 in September 2022. AYMANI NESIEVNA KADYROVA (AYMANI KADYROVA) is a member of the board of directors of AKF. AYMANI Kadyrova is the mother of U.S.-designated Ramzan Kadyrov and the president of AKF, who is involved in efforts to transfer children from Ukraine to military camps outside of Grozny in Chechnya. AYMANI Kadyrova is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) of E.O. 14024 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of AKF. is a member of the board of directors of AKF. AYMANI Kadyrova is the mother of U.S.-designated Ramzan Kadyrov and the president of AKF, who is involved in efforts to transfer children from Ukraine to military camps outside of Grozny in Chechnya. AYMANI Kadyrova is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) of E.O. 14024 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of AKF. VLADIMIR VLADISLAVOVICH KOVALENKO (KOVALENKO) is a member of the board of directors of the All Russian Children and Youth Patriotic Public Movement Youth Army, an entity designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 in April 2023. Youth Army is an initiative created by Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu responsible for militarizing, propagandizing, and Russifying schoolchildren in Russia-controlled areas of Ukraine. Kovalenko is the Chief of Staff of the Sevastopol Branch of Youth Army, which is responsible for organizing Russian military and patriotic camps for Ukrainian children in Crimea. Kovalenko was designated by the European Union in June 2023 and the United Kingdom in July 2023. Kovalenko is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) of E.O. 14024 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the All Russian Children and Youth Patriotic Public Movement Youth Army. Pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(F) of E.O. 14024, the following individual is being designated for beingresponsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, activities that undermine the peace, security, political stability, or territorial integrity of the United States, its allies, or its partners, for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation: VLADIMIR DMITRIEVICH NECHAEV is the Russia-appointed head of Sevastopol State University in Crimea, overseeing a Russian cultural, historical, and patriotic reeducation program for Ukrainian children transported from the Luhansk region to Crimea. FINANCIAL SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, and in accordance with E.O. 14024, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, all individuals or entities that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. IMPOSING VISA RESTRICTIONS ON RUSSIA-INSTALLED PURPORTED AUTHORITIES Additionally, the Department of State is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on three Russia-installed purported officials for their involvement in human rights abuses of Ukrainian civilian minors, in connection with the deportation, transfer, and confinement of Ukraine's children by Russian Federation and Russia-backed authorities. This action is taken under the Immigration and Nationality Act 212(a)(3)(C) visa policy approved by Secretary Blinken in May 2022 to restrict visa issuance to Russian Federation military officials and Russia-backed or Russia-installed purported authorities who are believed to have been involved in human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, or public corruption in Ukraine, and immediate family members of such individuals, as appropriate. Two of the three individuals were found to be involved in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children from the Russia-occupied Kherson Region to Crimea. In most cases, the Ukrainian minors were taken and kept in camps in Russia-occupied territory. The third individual was involved in the ill-treatment of Ukrainian children in camps in Crimea, where they were subjected to physical abuse and confinement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On Ukraine Independence Day, the UK calls on Russia to respect Ukrainian independence, return its children and end this war: UK statement at the Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. 24 August 2023 President, let me begin by wishing a happy Independence Day to all Ukrainians. In 1991, Ukraine declared independence from the former USSR, with 92% of the country voting in favour in a national referendum. Ukraine's existence as a sovereign country was recognised by the United Nations, including the Russian Federation. If Russia's illegal invasion last year had succeeded there would be one fewer independent UN State today. Ukrainians' heroic resistance in the face of Russian aggression not only protects their freedom, but defends the United Nations Charter, with its basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. If Russia wins this war, it would give the green-light to a new era of international aggression where big countries can rewrite borders by force. None of us wants that. We are deeply indebted to the Ukrainian people for their immense sacrifice. And we are proud to stand with them. As we mark Ukraine's independence, we reflect on Russia's deliberate efforts to target Ukraine's future - its children. The United Nations has reported Russia is committing grave violations against children in its war of aggression - the first time a permanent Council member has ever been listed for doing so. As well as killing children directly, and destroying their homes, their schools, their hospitals; the Ukrainian authorities report that Russia has, to date, forcibly transferred or deported over 19,000 children since 2022. President Putin, and his Children's Rights Commissioner, are the subject of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for their alleged role. For Ukrainian families, these forced transfers and deportations have devastating and life changing consequences that will be felt for generations. Russia uses fear of this tactic to suppress dissent among Ukrainians living under temporary Russian control. It is also a deliberate attempt to erase Ukrainian culture, identity and statehood. Russia has not attempted to preserve the identities of the children it has forcibly deported, as required by international humanitarian law. Rather, there is growing evidence that Russia has seriously violated this right, forcing children to assimilate with the culture of the state that is seeking to destroy their own country. President, Russia also has a clear legal obligation under the fourth Geneva Convention to facilitate communication and reunification between children and their relatives or legal guardians. Russia has failed to provide reliable information about the children it has transferred to its territory, particularly to those children placed with Russian foster families. As OHCHR reported, children themselves have often been forced to trace and find parents or family members. This is an unacceptable burden to place on children, especially those dealing with the trauma of Russia's illegal invasion. Just 386 children have so far been returned. We thank representatives from Save Ukraine for their vital work on these returns. We call on Russia to respect Ukrainian independence, return its children, withdraw its troops and end this war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Independence Day 2023: UK Statement to the OSCE In marking the 32nd anniversary of the Ukrainian Declaration of Independence, Ambassador Holland honours the strength, fortitude, and identity of the Ukrainian people. 24 August 2023 Thank you, Mr Chair and thank you for convening us today. As we mark the 32nd anniversary of the Ukrainian Declaration of Independence, in doing so we honour the strength, resilience and identity of the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian unity, and the unity of the international community in supporting Ukraine, has never been stronger. Since we last met, Russia has continued to bombard civilians and civilian infrastructure. This includes, as my Ukrainian colleague has stated, the sickening attack on Chernihiv earlier this week, which killed seven and wounded over a hundred people. These victims were walking in the main square, going to the theatre, or returning from church. Once again, Russia has killed and wounded Ukrainian civilians who were simply going about their lives. These despicable attacks only strengthen our collective resolve and further damage Russia's global standing. Mr Chair, 18 months ago today, when President Putin launched his full-scale invasion, he believed he would overwhelm Ukraine within days. He completely miscalculated. The resilience of the Ukrainian people, the skill and determination of their Armed Forces, and the world's commitment to Ukraine's independence, mean that his illegal and unprovoked invasion is doomed to fail. Ukraine is not just fighting for its own future, but for the defence of the principles underpinned by international law, namely the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of all states: principles we have agreed as members of the OSCE. We must never let countries attempt to redraw borders by force. Yesterday, guided by that collective belief, many of our countries gathered at the summit of the International Crimea Platform. We now know that Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea was the direct precursor to Russia's full scale illegal invasion in 2022. Crimea became a critical staging ground and springboard for Russia's attacks on the rest of Ukraine, and has allowed Russia to disrupt and destabilise the region through its militarisation of the Black Sea. Crimea lies at the heart of many of the challenges we are facing, so it is only right that Crimea also be at the heart of ongoing discussions on how to counter Russia's aggression and reach a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine. Civilians in Crimea, particularly Crimean Tatars, have suffered terribly from Russian aggression, enduring a brutal and systematic campaign of human rights abuses and violations. And, just as we predicted at last year's Crimea Platform Summit, Putin has followed his Crimea playbook of sham referendums, repression, and re-education in other areas of Ukraine. The contrast is stark. Where Ukraine offers freedom, Putin's regime imposes subjugation. Where Ukraine offers democracy, Russia inflicts tyranny. And while Ukraine works to protect human rights, Russia is systematically violating them. We will continue to use every lever we have - military, humanitarian, economic, diplomatic - to support the Ukrainian people in the face of this assault, and to ensure that Ukraine succeeds. As my Foreign Secretary said in his address to the Crimea Platform Summit, "the UK and the international community will never recognise Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea or any Ukrainian territory, and will stand with you for as long as it takes". I would like to end by reiterating the UK's support and admiration to the Ukrainian people on their Independence Day. In the shadow of the last terrible 18 months, never has your resilience, your strength and your identity been more apparent than it is today. We stand with you and will continue to stand with you, as you fight to protect your democracy, your rights, your values and your sovereignty. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy: The whole world needs Ukraine's successful counteroffensive today President of Ukraine 24 August 2023 - 19:09 The whole world needs a successful counteroffensive of the Ukrainian defense forces and the liberation of Ukrainian lands from Russian invaders, as our country is fighting for common values. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives following negotiations with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr StAre in Kyiv. "I am sure the whole world needs a successful counteroffensive. Because Ukraine is fighting for our common values. I would like everyone in the world to finally realize this," the Head of State emphasized. The President emphasized that the success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive depends on many factors, and there are a number of challenges that affect this process. In particular, Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled the high density of mining in the Ukrainian territories captured by Russia. "Thousands of mines, everything is mined, but the warriors are advancing, we believe in them," he said. In addition, according to the Head of State, the servicemen must remain motivated, and therefore they must know that their lives are valued and protected. To this end, Ukraine is negotiating with partners to provide armored evacuation medical vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Head of the Office of the President had a phone call with the U.S. National Security Advisor President of Ukraine 24 August 2023 - 18:54 As part of the ongoing dialogue with allies, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan. During a conversation that took place the day before, Andriy Yermak informed his interlocutor about the current situation at the front and the actions of Ukrainian troops to liberate the territories of Ukraine. The parties discussed priority Ukrainian defense needs. The Head of the Presidential Office expressed gratitude for the U.S. leadership in the coalition of fighter jets and the decisions that enabled the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and paved the way for Ukraine to receive these modern fighter jets. Andriy Yermak and Jake Sullivan also discussed the importance of the Peace Formula and negotiation of security commitments under the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. Andriy Yermak thanked U.S. President Joseph Biden, both houses of Congress and the entire American people for their help and support for Ukraine in the fight for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway supports aviation coalition, three countries have already agreed to provide Ukraine with F-16 jets - President following the meeting with Jonas Gahr StAre President of Ukraine 24 August 2023 - 18:36 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr StAre, who is on a visit to our country. The Head of State noted that he was especially pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of Norway to Kyiv on Independence Day of Ukraine. "We really appreciate all the Norwegian people who have been with Ukraine since the first day of full-scale Russian aggression. And every day during this war, we felt that Norway really wants to help Ukraine and restore peace. Norwegian support has helped save thousands of lives," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, addressing Jonas Gahr StAre during a joint meeting with media representatives following the talks in Kyiv. The President emphasized the five-year Norwegian program of long-term support for Ukraine. On Thursday, during the negotiations, the parties considered the next steps in defense cooperation. "Norway effectively supports our aviation coalition and has prepared respective decisions. I think Mr. Prime Minister will tell about it himself. This is the best news for Independence Day. There is a new defense package that will strengthen air defense and there is also another very important defense equipment," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. According to the Head of State, Norway has also actively joined global efforts to implement the Peace Formula. "We would welcome one of the rounds of negotiations on the Peace Formula in Oslo. I am grateful to Norway for its support in the preparation of the Global Peace Summit," the President said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Norway to start negotiations on a bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine in the framework of the G7 Joint Declaration. "I am confident that Norway's participation in such security architecture will help us bring more stability to the entire space from Scandinavia to the Black Sea," the Head of State emphasized. Jonas Gahr StAre said that Norway is transferring IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine and has also decided to transfer F-16 jets in its service. Norway is also providing two F-16 jets for the training mission of Ukrainian pilots. In addition, he said, Norway is transferring demining equipment to Ukraine and will do everything necessary to convince partners to provide NASAMS to our country. The Norwegian Prime Minister said that his country would continue to support Ukraine in rebuilding its energy infrastructure and in storing gas for the winter period. Answering journalists' questions, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that three countries have already agreed to provide Ukraine with F-16 jets after the training of pilots. "These are Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. We are extremely grateful to all three countries, and we are also very grateful to the United States of America. Their goodwill and their technology. They have approved it. We are grateful to the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress," the Head of State emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine is ready to start negotiations with Portugal on a bilateral document on security guarantees - Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 24 August 2023 - 16:34 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that after the accession of the Republic of Portugal to the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, our country is ready to start negotiations with this country on the bilateral document on security guarantees. "Portugal has joined the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. Following the example of the United States and the United Kingdom, we have begun work on the preparation of a bilateral document on security guarantees, and we are ready to start working with Portugal," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with media representatives following talks with President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Kyiv. The Head of State reminded that since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, Portugal has provided assistance to Ukraine, primarily in humanitarian and political spheres, supporting our country's European integration aspirations. "We knew we needed to unite the EU. Not only around military assistance, but also humanitarian and, above all, political. Because political unity has an impact on everything else - on the supply of both weapons and humanitarian aid," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President stated that they managed to build such strong relations between the countries that Portugal fully supports Ukraine on its path to the EU and NATO. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Portugal confirmed readiness to join training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16s - Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the meeting with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa President of Ukraine 24 August 2023 - 15:23 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with President of the Republic of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is on a visit to our country. Welcoming his colleague, the Head of State noted that it was the first visit of the President of Portugal to our country in 25 years and it was symbolic that it took place on National Flag Day and Independence Day of Ukraine. Yesterday, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa took part in the 3rd Crimea Platform Summit in Kyiv and today he spoke in Ukrainian at the Independence Day celebrations in St. Sophia Square. "I thank you, Mr. President, for these very important manifestations of support for our state, our people and our Ukrainian independence," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. During the negotiations, the two leaders focused on defense and security cooperation. The President of Ukraine informed his counterpart about the situation on the battlefield and the defense needs of our country. "Portugal is a member of our tank and aviation coalitions. Today, Portugal has confirmed its readiness to join the training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16 jets," the Head of State said. They also discussed opportunities for expanding defense cooperation, including the supply of armored medical vehicles and demining equipment to Ukraine. The President of Ukraine emphasized the importance of Portugal's accession to the Joint Declaration of the G7 on security guarantees for our country. "We are looking forward to working bilaterally with Portugal on the relevant bilateral document," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted. The Head of State also thanked Portugal for supporting the Peace Formula and joining the common work with partners. He invited Portugal to take part in the Global Peace Summit. In addition, the Presidents of Ukraine and Portugal discussed the initiatives for the Ukraine-Latin America and Ukraine-Africa Summits. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that our state counts on the support of these initiatives from Portugal and personally from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The Heads of State also plan to discuss further involvement of Portugal in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Republic of Portugal had started implementing projects to restore educational institutions in Zhytomyr region. "We count on more powerful, systematic work and systematic agreement on reconstruction between our states," he said. The Head of State emphasized that Portugal consistently supports Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, for his part, said that his country has never recognized the annexation of Crimea and supports Ukraine at all levels and will do so as long as necessary to achieve peace, as the consequences of this war affect many people around the world. He also stated that Portugal is taking part in the reconstruction of cities destroyed by Russia and assured that Portuguese companies will intensify their work in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We will not lose grip on our independence and will give Ukraine the strength to always prevail - speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Independence Day in St. Sophia Square President of Ukraine 24 August 2023 - 12:34 Dear Ukrainian people! Dear guests of Ukraine, our friends. Dear Presidents! Dear Prime Minister! Representatives of the diplomatic corps! Today we are all celebrating the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence. 32 years of uninterrupted independence, which will endure. Which we will not allow to be torn apart. And which Ukrainians will not lose grip on. Here, in the very center of our capital, there is a lot of evidence of how old the history of Ukrainian statehood is. Unfortunately, there is no less memory of how Ukrainian statehood was lost. How Ukrainians had to fight for freedom and independence against invaders. How our people always had enough heroism and courage, but sometimes lacked unity. How Ukrainians had to fight against the invaders. How, unfortunately, sometimes the invaders managed to become occupiers. How they destroyed the lives of entire generations of our people. And how Ukrainians fought for their land and freedom for generations. And how they gained their freedom. How they prevailed. How they preserved themselves. Preserved Ukraine. And managed to make Ukrainian independence uninterrupted. Dear attendees! Please observe a moment of silence in memory of Ukrainian heroes of different times who fought for the freedom and independence of Ukraine and gave their lives for it. Thank you. Dear people! We will not lose grip on Ukrainian independence. We are all united by this feeling. We remember what the Ukrainian people went through. We see the threats. We are fighting the enemy. And we know what we are capable of. We are capable of winning! And we will prevail! Ukrainian children in Ukrainian squares and streets will celebrate Ukrainian independence in the same way. Our grandchildren will celebrate. And their grandchildren. Together with the friends of our state. With Ukraine's allies and partners. The ones Ukraine will choose for itself. Always freely. And there will never be any more pauses in Ukrainian history. We will give Ukraine the strength it needs to always prevail. And we will be tough on anyone who tries to undermine, trade, or weaken Ukraine's power from within. And there will be appropriate legislative initiatives. In the near future. We will cherish our unity. When Russia invaded with a full-scale war, there was not a single day that Ukraine lacked unity. And so Russia had no opportunity to use anything against us, against Ukraine. Everything is only for Ukraine now. The world hears and supports Ukraine. The world's majority stands with Ukraine and helps. But no matter what happens in the world, Ukraine must be able to defend itself. Always. For a long time, our country did not have the necessary defense production, and now it does. I thank everyone who is developing them today. And we will create more. For a long time, the bravery of our warriors did not have the experience of using the world's best weapons, and now our state gives Ukrainian warriors such weaponry. And I thank everyone who helps us with it. For a long time, there were attempts to artificially divide Ukraine into camps to make it impossible for our country to join the right alliance. Ukrainian courage deserves to be in the world's best alliances only. Ukraine deserves to be among the leaders of the world. And it will be! Our country already guarantees common European security. This security is impossible without your strength, Ukrainian warriors. Without the potential of Ukraine. Without the freedom and labor of our entire country, all our people. Without Ukraine, our common European home can only be an unfinished construction project. And I thank every leader who understands this. This morning in my address on Independence Day, I thanked everyone who makes Ukrainian independence so strong that it is one of the foundations of European independence. I thanked our warriors. Every citizen of Ukraine - everyone for whom citizenship is not just a passport. Those who work for the sake of Ukraine and our people. I thanked our Ukrainian teachers, medical workers, combat medics, volunteers, rescuers, sappers, firefighters, police, and power engineers. All those who support the morale of Ukrainians. Our talents. Everyone who produces weapons for Ukraine. Who provides transportation for Ukraine. Who prays for Ukrainians. Our farmers. Ukrainian businesses that pay taxes and create jobs. Ukrainian strength always lies in people. In adults and children. In everyone. In everyone who cares about Ukraine. About each other. And about independence. And it is impossible to gather all our people in one square to thank them. But today, here, in this square, there are Ukrainians who deserve personal gratitude. And it is an honor for me to present you with the state awards of Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day. Dear attendees! Dear Ladies and Gentlemen! Ukraine's partners are here with us today. Gitanas, Mr. President of Lithuania. A powerful friend of Ukraine. A defender of freedom. Jonas, Mr. Prime Minister of Norway. A leader who deserves to be a role model for other heads of state. Mr. President of Portugal. I thank you, Mr. President, for the truly heartfelt warmth with which the Portuguese people sheltered our people at the beginning of the war. Mr. Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the first time in Ukraine, but sincerely with Ukraine. East, north, west and south of Europe. Our common home. Our Europe is indeed united by many things. But the key thing is respect. Respect for people. Respect for freedom. Respect for bravery. And respect for Ukraine. Congratulations, Ukraine, on your Independence Day! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Missile Attack Injures 7 in Dnipro By VOA News August 24, 2023 A Russian missile attack wounded at least seven people early Thursday in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor, said on Telegram that six of the injured were hospitalized. Lysak said Ukrainian air defenses shot down one Russian missile but that strikes from others destroyed a transport facility and damaged a dozen other buildings including a bank, a hotel and two residential buildings. The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down three Ukrainian drones over Russian territory. The ministry said two of the drones were shot down in the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine. The third drone was destroyed in the Kaluga region, located southwest of Moscow. Ukraine has conducted daily drone attacks targeting Russian territory during the past week, with Russia reporting it shot down the aircraft or brought them down by way of electronic jamming. In some cases, falling debris has caused damage on the ground, including crashing into a building in Moscow. Russia has used Iranian-made drones through much of its invasion of Ukraine, while also using missiles in aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon to Train Ukrainian Pilots on F-16s in US By Carla Babb August 24, 2023 The Pentagon says the military will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets inside the United States beginning in October. Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary, told reporters on Thursday that the training would involve "several" Ukrainian pilots and dozens of Ukrainian ground staff who will provide maintenance of the aircraft given to Kyiv. The training is part of a U.S. and European effort to provide advanced fighter jets to Ukraine for long-term defense. Ryder stressed that the F-16s are not intended for the current counteroffensive underway against Russian forces. The flight training will be conducted at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to this training, the pilots will conduct English-language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, "given the complexities and specialized English that's required to fly these aircraft," Ryder said. Training typically lasts about eight months for a new F-16 pilot in the United States, but an experienced pilot could complete the training within about five months, according to Ryder. Courses include centrifuge training to learn how to cope with gravitational forces, basic fighter maneuvers and weapons employments. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for advanced fighter jets to help defend its cities from Russian forces. Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands have announced they will supply the F-16s to Ukraine. The U.S. military's top general warned in May that F-16s won't act as a "magic weapon" for Ukraine, but the U.S. fully supports those leading the F-16 training and transfer process. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also warned the cost to get these aircraft to Ukraine and sustain them would be high. "Ten F-16s is a billion dollars. You add the sustainment costs, that's another billion dollars. So, you're talking about $2 billion for 10 aircraft [while] the Russians have 1,000 fourth- and fifth-generation fighters," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Sanctions Russians Involved in Abduction, Deportation of Ukrainian Children By Margaret Besheer August 24, 2023 The United States announced new sanctions Thursday against several Russian entities and individuals for their roles in the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and for human rights abuses against minors in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. "Children are literally being ripped from their homes. In the year 2023. By a country sitting in this very chamber. By a permanent member of this council," Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. "This is straight out of a dystopian novel. But this is not fiction. Colleagues, this is not fiction. This is real life." She said the human rights violations are being orchestrated at all levels of the Russian government and noted that the International Criminal Court at The Hague has issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights. Those warrants were issued on March 17, for their involvement in the alleged deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. At a meeting held on the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the former Soviet Union, focusing on the protection of children, Thomas-Greenfield said the United States would not stand by "as Russia carries out these war crimes and crimes against humanity." "And today, the United States is imposing sanctions on two entities and 11 individuals - including individuals who reportedly have facilitated the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukraine's children to camps," Thomas-Greenfield announced. "Additionally, we are taking steps to impose visa restrictions on three Russia-installed purported authorities for their involvement in human rights abuses of Ukrainian minors." Among the sanctioned individuals are the commissioners for children's rights in several Russian regions, as well as a Russian government-owned "summer camp" and its director, located in Russia-occupied Crimea. Washington says the camp conducts "extensive 'patriotic' re-education programs" and prevents the children from returning to their families. A human rights briefer from Ukraine told the council that according to the Ukrainian National Information Bureau, Russian agents have taken at least 19,546 children to 57 regions of Russia since February 2022, and only 386 have returned home. But Ukrainian officials say the real number could be much higher. "After deportation to Russia or to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, our children are exposed to aggressive brainwashing aimed at changing their consciousness, erasing their Ukrainian identity and preparing obedient soldiers for the Russian army in the future," Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the council. He thanked Washington for imposing sanctions on Russia and urged other countries to do the same. The Russian envoy dismissed the accusations as lies. "The lie about our alleged abductions of Ukrainian children, who we are actually saving," Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. UN reporting In its annual report on violations against children in conflict zones, the United Nations said in June it had verified the abduction of 91 children by Russian armed forces, all of whom were released. The U.N. also verified the transfer of 46 children to Russia from occupied areas of Ukraine, "including children forcibly separated from parents, children removed from schools and institutions without the consent of guardians, and a child who was given Russian citizenship." Verification is difficult and the U.N. has criticized Russia for its lack of cooperation and access. The secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, included Moscow in his annual blacklist of perpetrators of grave violations against children, citing the high number of attacks on schools and numbers of children killed and maimed by Russia's military and affiliated armed groups. "I am troubled by reports, some of which were verified by the United Nations, of children transferred to the Russian Federation from areas of Ukraine that, in part, are or have been under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation," Guterres wrote in the report. "I urge the Russian Federation to ensure that no changes are made to the personal status of Ukrainian children, including their nationality." Russia is listed in Annex II, Section B of the report, which is for parties to conflicts that have put in place measures during the reporting period aimed at improving the protection of children. Ukraine's ambassador criticized Moscow, however, for not implementing them. On Friday, Kyiv signed its own action plan with the United Nations to strengthen the protection of children in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Families Demand Return of Loved Ones From Russia By Natalia Churikova, Andriy Hetman August 24, 2023 Mykola and Natalia Navrotsky are from the small town of Dymer, about 48 kilometers from Kyiv. They last saw their son, Oleksandr, in March 2022, when the 33-year-old man tried to lead his family out of the then Russian-occupied region. "Our son was taken by the military of the Russian Federation at the Dymer checkpoint when he was driving his wife and son from the village of Havrylivka to Hlibivka. They found something in the phone and detained him. His wife and son were released, they came home at night in freezing cold," the Navrotskys said. Dymer and neighboring towns in the Kyiv region had come under Russian occupation on Feb. 26, 2022. Roadblocks, arbitrary arrests and the torture of civilian prisoners quickly followed, according to the locals and Ukrainian officials. "They took him away on March 8, 2022, they were severely beating him, they tortured him, then they took him to Hostomel," Mykola and Natalia Navrotsky said in an interview, relating what they had learned from a neighbor who also was arbitrarily detained in the same prison until the Russian forces retreated. According to the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR), made up of Ukrainian journalists who investigate alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, Russian forces created two prisons in Dymer, a town of about 7,000 people. In just more than a month of occupation, about 500 prisoners went through those prisons and about 50 of them are still in Russian captivity. Navrotsky was kept at an industrial facility in Dymer until the retreating Russian forces transported him to Belarus, and finally to Russia, his parents said, based on information Ukrainian military prisoners of war who met their son in the prison in Russia. "He is still in captivity. At the moment, we don't know anything about his condition, what happened to him, or how and when he will return home a we don't know anything at all," the Navrotskys said. Their son was able to send a note to them through the Red Cross last year. "We know about his whereabouts as of August 29 [2022] a there was a note written almost a year ago, in April: 'Hello. I am alive and well, everything is fine,'" the Navrotskys told VOA. They assume he hasn't been moved since he wrote the note. Several other residents of Dymer, whose relatives disappeared during the Russian occupation, told VOA similar stories. Russian intimidation About 25,000 civilians, like Navrotsky, have been taken from the occupied territories of Ukraine, according to Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament commissioner for human rights. "These are civilian hostages, citizens of Ukraine, who were arrested by the Russian Federation and kept in captivity with no legal grounds. And more continue being detained en masse," Lubinets said. He said the arbitrary arrests and torture of civilians started during the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2014, "and all this continues." He said this is a "systemic pressure on the population" intended to intimidate Ukrainians and suppress the will to resist. "This is their preventive work against everyone who may pose any danger to the Russian occupation authorities a former law enforcement officers, pro-Ukrainian people, former volunteers," the Ukrainian ombudsman said. Russian authorities do not comment on the detention of Ukrainian civilians. Russia does not differentiate between civilians and prisoners of war. Both are considered by the Russian authorities as those who were "detained for counteracting the SVO," or special military operation, according to Ukrainian human rights lawyers interviewed by the BBC. Russia rarely replies to queries from attorneys but Russian human rights lawyer Alexei Ladukhin did receive one while working for the family of another Ukrainian detained by the Russian occupying forces. The Russian Defense Ministry told Ladukhin in a letter that information about "persons detained for countering a special military operation" is classified and cannot be shared with third parties. The letter was signed by Major General Vitaly Kokh, the deputy head of the Main Directorate of the Military Police of the Ministry of Defense. Widespread torture The Navrotskys say their son was beaten by the Russian soldiers so badly that the soldiers had to seek medical aid for him when he was still in Ukraine. His parents learned of this, as they have much of what happened to him, from one of the prisoners who was freed by the Russian soldiers. The former prisoner said the Russians kept them in the dark, blindfolded to prevent them from finding out who was around them and where they were being taken. Numerous former civilian prisoners, including some who spoke to VOA, said that people are kept without food and water in the Russian prisons and that torture is widespread, including with electric current. A United Nations report published in June says civilians were often detained during so-called filtration procedures in the occupied territories because of their perceived support for Ukraine. "We documented 864 individual cases of arbitrary detention by the Russian Federation, many of which also amounted to enforced disappearances," Matilda Bogner, head of the U.N. Monitoring Mission, told journalists in Geneva while presenting the report. The report documented 77 executions of civilian prisoners and one death due to torture. According to documents obtained by The Associated Press dating from January, Russia plans to build 25 new prison colonies and six other detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026 in addition to at least 40 detention facilities in Russia and Belarus, and 63 makeshift and formal ones in occupied Ukrainian territory. Civilian exchanges Desperate relatives are trying their best to attract the attention of authorities and international organizations to help get their loved ones returned from captivity. "We appealed to all authorities, wherever we could, we went on a peaceful rally, we went on a peaceful march to attract the attention of society, the world community, to help bring our relatives back home, all those who are in captivity," the Navrotskys said. Lubinets said exchanges of prisoners do take place. They started after Russia first occupied Ukrainian territory in 2014 and continued until February 2022. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as of the beginning of June 2023, Ukraine has gotten back about 2,500 of its citizens from Russian captivity, including about 400 children and 150 civilians. He explained that was it is difficult to negotiate the return of civilians because "you exchange military personnel for military personnel. ... We do not have very many [Russian] civilians that we can exchange for civilians." This story originated in VOA's Ukrainian Service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of President Biden's Call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine August 24, 2023 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine today to congratulate him on Ukraine's Independence Day and commemorate eighteen months since Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine. President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to support Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression for as long as it takes, and to hold Russia accountable for its actions. President Biden and President Zelenskyy discussed the commencement of training of Ukrainian fighter pilots and assurance of expedited approval for other nations to transfer their F-16s to Ukraine upon completion of training to increase Ukraine's defensive capabilities. On behalf of the American people, President Biden expressed his admiration for the bravery and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom and their secure future. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement from President Joe Biden on Ukraine Independence Day August 24, 2023 Today, the people of Ukraine are once more marking their Independence Day, while suffering the all-out assault of Putin's craven war for land and power. For eighteen months, Ukrainian families have lived under the daily threat of Russian rockets and the reality of brutal attacks. But the people of Ukraine have refused to break. On this Independence Day, as they have since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, brave Ukrainian women and men are defending Ukraine from assaults on fundamental principles essential to every nation on the planet - sovereignty and territorial integrity. They are showing the world once more that freedom is worth fighting for. Independence means the freedom to choose your own future. It's precious. Each year on July 4th, Americans celebrate our Independence Day as a time to remember the price we paid for our freedom and all the blessings that flow from it. So today, as Putin continues his brutal war to erase Ukraine's independence and redraw the map of our world by force, Americans all across the country stand united with the people of Ukraine. The United States will continue our work, together with partners all around the world, to support Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia's aggression, to uphold the foundational principles of the UN Charter, and to help the Ukrainian people build the secure, prosperous, and independent future they deserve. Our commitment to Ukraine's independence is unwavering and enduring. That's why the United States and other G7 nations issued a joint declaration in Lithuania last month pledging to help Ukraine maintain armed forces capable of deterring Russian aggression in years to come, a declaration which over 25 nations have now joined. Together with our partners in Europe, we are supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom now and we will help them over the long term. We are also working with nations everywhere to hold Russian forces accountable for the war crimes and other atrocities they have committed in Ukraine. That includes the forcible removal of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. These children have been stolen from their parents and kept apart from their families. It's unconscionable. And today, we are announcing new sanctions to hold those responsible for these forced transfers and deportations to account, and to demand that Ukrainian children be returned to their families. I sincerely hope that next year, Ukrainians will be able to celebrate their Independence Day in peace and safety, knowing how their extraordinary courage inspired the world. May Ukraine's Independence Day be a reminder that the forces of darkness and dominion will never extinguish the flame of liberty that lives in the heart of free people everywhere. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada Carbon Inc. (the "Company" or "Canada Carbon") (TSX-V:CCB),(FF:U7N1) is is pleased to announce that it has entered into an Amended Surface Access Agreement (the Surface Access Agreement) with 9007-2224 Quebec Inc. (the Landholder) in respect to its Miller Property located in Grenville Township in Quebec (the Miller Property). The Surface Access Agreement, which supersedes the Amended Surface Access Agreement dated August 17, 2018, provides the Company with surface access for another five years commencing on August 17, 2023 (the Term) and allows the Company to carry out a regular graphite prospecting and exploration program including, but not limited to, conducting topographic, geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys, conducting underground or surface excavations, explorations and drillings, digging and trenching, and obtaining and testing geochemical or metallurgic samples. Pursuant to the Surface Access Agreement, and subject to the prior approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company has agreed to pay the Landholder $8,000 in cash (plus applicable tax) in the first year of the Term, and for each subsequent year of the Term and until the Company begins operating the Miller Property as a mine (not including milling for the purposes of testing or milling by a pilot plant) (Commercial Production), the Landholder may elect to receive either 40,000 common shares in the capital of the Company, or a payment of $8,000 in cash (plus applicable tax). Should Canada Carbon begin Commercial Production during the Term, the payments outlined above will cease and the Landholder will be entitled to a 2.5% net smelter royalty upon and subject to the terms of a Royalty Agreement with the Landholder (the Royalty Agreement). The Surface Access Agreement grants the Company an exclusive and irrevocable option to acquire or lease all or part of the Miller Property from the Landholder reasonably necessary for the extraction of mineral substances (the Option). If the Company exercises the Option, either by acquiring or leasing all or part of the Miller Property prior to the expiry of the Term, the Term will be extended through the period of Commercial Production. About Canada Carbon Inc. Canada Carbon Inc. is a mining exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of graphite deposits. The Company holds a 100% interest in two strategic, past-producing graphite properties located in Quebec: the Miller Graphite Project located in Grenville-Sur-La-Rouge and the Asbury Graphite Mine located in Notre-Dame-du-Laus. Canada Carbon is committed to realizing its potential as a high-quality graphite producer while maintaining the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. For more information on Canada Carbon's mining activities, please visit our website at www.canadacarbon.com. CANADA CARBON INC. Ellerton Castor Chief Executive Officer and Director Contact Information E-mail inquiries: info@canadacarbon.com P: (905) 407-1212 FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking information (forward-looking information) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this press release includes statements regarding the Miller Property, the Surface Access Agreement and the Royalty Agreement, and other matters related thereto. In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: compliance with extensive government regulations; financial abilities; the ability to develop the Miller Graphite Deposit; domestic and foreign laws and regulations adversely affecting the Companys business and results of operations; the impact of COVID-19; and general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Westford, USA, Aug. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SyQuest, the dry-cleaning and laundry services market is witnessing a notable surge in demand as consumers progressively turn to these services for convenience and cost-effectiveness. The allure of convenience at a reasonable price point is propelling the growth of this market. Additionally, there is a marked increase in consumer spending on such services, which is anticipated to accelerate market expansion over the forecast period further. Browse in-depth TOC on the "Dry-Cleaning and Laundry Services Market Pages - 165 Tables - 62 Figures 75 Several enterprises, such as cleanly and rinse, have adeptly recognized the vast potential within the realm of laundry services and are directing substantial investments to enhance their foothold in the dry-cleaning and laundry services market. The surge in online laundry services is notably fueled by a heightened demand stemming from a proliferation of hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and various other business establishments seeking streamlined solutions. Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/dry-cleaning-and-laundry-services-market Prominent Players in Dry-Cleaning and Laundry Services Market CSC Service Works, Inc. Alliance Laundry Systems LLC Aramark Corporation Elis SA Cintas Corporation Unilever Group Johnson Controls Inc. Belford Inc. Ecolab Inc. Mulberrys LLC Lox Cleaners The Huntington Company Rinse, Inc. Laundrapp Ltd. Zipjet Ltd. Tide Cleaners Pressbox Services LLC Sudsies Dry Cleaners Mulholland Dry Cleaners DryClean USA Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/dry-cleaning-and-laundry-services-market Laundry Services Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to the Growing Popularity Laundry services segment asserted its dominance over the dry-cleaning and laundry services market, commanding a substantial share exceeding 57.5%. This sector's prominence is attributed to its growing popularity, driven by factors such as reliability, notable technical advancements in the laundry industry, and the ongoing trend of urbanization. These factors are collectively anticipated to serve as pivotal growth drivers propelling the market forward over the forecast period. The market in Europe is poised for significant growth, attributed to two key factors that contribute to its expansion. The region's prevalent high-fashion culture significantly influences the dry-cleaning and laundry services market's trajectory. The demand for professional and specialized garment care services is rising with a strong emphasis on clothing quality and maintenance. Residential Application Segment is Expected to Grow the Market Due to the Growing Population Residential application segment established its supremacy within the dry-cleaning and laundry services market, capturing a significant share of 63.6%. This dominance can be attributed to the robust expansion of the residential segment, which is set to be propelled by multiple factors. A notable contributor is the escalating global count of residential units, reflecting a growing population and urbanization trends. Regional markets in the Asia Pacific established themselves as the foremost shareholder, commanding a substantial share of approximately 35%, and this dominance is anticipated to persist with a projected CAGR of 8.4% across the forecast period. The region's prominent position is underpinned by factors contributing to its dry-cleaning and laundry services market leadership. A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the dry-cleaning and laundry services market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/dry-cleaning-and-laundry-services-market Key Developments in the Dry-Cleaning And Laundry Services Market In 2022, Pony showcased various new, advanced, and innovative laundry and dry-cleaning equipment, exemplifying their accomplishments and future ambitions. Among the notable offerings was the ANGEL 3.0 shirt finisher, representing a cutting-edge iteration of a highly reliable machine. This updated version boasts a contoured Teflo-coated press plate featuring an enhanced vacuum function and unique shape that facilitates precise and rapid dressing. Moreover, it ensures mark-free drying and wrinkle-free shirt sides. Pellerin Milnor made strides in the industry with the introduction of the E-P Plus Control for their 80 lb (36 kg), 100 lb (45 kg), and 140 lb (63 kg) rigid-mount washer-extractors. This expansion broadens the options available to laundries, enabling them to tailor their solutions to specific requirements. The E-P Plus control, a robust yet cost-effective system, boasts 30 pre-programmed formulas, including 10 choices for eight distinct sectors. These advancements unveiled in 2022 underscore the continuous drive for innovation and excellence within the laundry and dry-cleaning equipment landscape. Key Questions Answered in Dry-Cleaning And Laundry Services Market Report What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period? List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence. In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Pet Wearable Market Global Online Laundry Services Market Global Pest Control Services Market Global Event Management Market Global Pet Grooming Products Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com Pune, India, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global media asset management market size was valued at USD 1.37 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 3.81 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 13.9% during the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights shares this information in its report titled, Media Asset Management Market Forecast, 2023-2029. The surge in demand for cloud-based asset management solutions is poised to be a catalyst for substantial market growth. Organizations are recognizing the benefits of these solutions, spurring a rising preference for cloud-based asset management systems across industries. Emergence of numerous technologies is expected to facilitate market development. Request a Free Sample PDF: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/media-asset-management-market-106812 Key Industry Development Tedial announced SmartWork, a media integration platform designed natively with kubernetes and microservices to provide future proofing and scalability for both media operations and resources. With this, the company aims to simplify broadcast workflows and allow media companies to be more self-sufficient. It allows users to develop processes and integrations with a drag and drop, no code editor interface, removing the traditional tiers that allow enhanced collaboration. Key Takeaways Digital Growth Amid COVID-19 to Augment Market Expansion Media Asset Management Market Size in North America was USD 576.6 Million in 2021 Integration of Artificial Intelligence with Media Asset Management Solutions to Aid the Market Growth By Deployment Analysis: Growing Adoption of Cloud-based Environment to Surge Media Asset Management Demand Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report: Companies leading the Media Asset Management Market are Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), Quantum Corporation (U.S.), Amazon.com, Inc. (U.S.), Sony Group Corporation (Japan), Dalet (France), Tedial (Spain), VSN Video Stream Networks S.L. (Spain), Imagen (U.K.), NEP Group, Inc. (U.S.), SI-MEDIA Srl (Italy) Report Scope & Segmentation Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 CAGR 13.9% 2029 Value Projection USD 3.81 Billion Base Year 2022 Media Asset Management Market Size in 2021 USD 1.37 Billion Historical Data for 2018 to 2020 No. of Pages 150 Segments covered Deployment, Enterprise Size and Geography Browse Complete Report Details: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/media-asset-management-market-106812 Drivers and Restraints Increasing Demand for Cloud-Based Asset Management to Drive Market Trajectory Mounting demand for cloud-based asset management is anticipated to drive the media asset management market growth. Change in consumer behavior and increase in the amount of media assets are expected to drive market. Entry of new MAM cloud-based solution providers has forced traditional MAM service providers to update their cloud platforms. Many MAM providers, including Sony Corporation, Hexaglobe, Imagen, Publitio, and Blue Lucy Media have started offering cloud-based media asset management solutions. Various organizations are partnering with cloud platform providers such as AWS and Google. However, high costs of implementation and integration for management of media assets are anticipated to hinder market development. Segmentation By Deployment Cloud On-premise By Enterprise Size Small & Medium Size Enterprise Large Enterprise By Region North America Europe Middle East & Africa Asia Pacific Regional Insights North America to Lead Market Due to Emergence of Evolving Technologies North America is expected to dominate the media asset management market share and is estimated to have maximum revenue. The region reached a valuation of USD 576.6 million in 2021 due to rise in digital data, sensors, and social media and developing technologies that capture and process data. Key players from Canada and the U.S. play a significant role in improving services, products, and customer reach. Presence of major media and broadcasting companies is anticipated to facilitate market progress. Asia Pacific is also expected to have a considerable growth due to the emergence of industry 4.0, and the adoption of automation is expected to increase the market share. Europe is anticipated to have a prominent share due to increasing rate of digitization in Italy, Germany, Benelux, and the U.K. Quick Buy - Media Asset Management Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/106812 Competitive Landscape Key Players to Boost Market Progress Owing to Acquisition Strategies Primary industry players of the market have used strategic acquisition strategies to gain market traction. In March 2022, Amazon acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which marks the companys second largest acquisition. Through this acquisition, Amazon Prime expanded its catalog with 1,700 series and TV programs and more than 4,000 movies. This acquisition is projected to accelerate market growth. Key players are focusing on the expansion of market share by increasing their customer reach. FAQs How big is the Media Asset Management Market? Media Asset Management Market size was USD 1.53 Billion in 2022. How fast is the Media Asset Management Market growing? The Media Asset Management Market will exhibit a CAGR of 13.9% during the forecast period, 2022-2029. Related Reports: Media Monitoring Tools Market Size, Share Growth, Trends Social Media Management Market Size, Industry Share, Trends Artificial Intelligence [AI] Market Size, Share, Growth Cloud Computing Market Size, Growth, Trends, Forecast 2030 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pt. Ltd. US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Attachment Pune, India, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global cancer vaccines market size was valued at USD 6.43 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow from USD 7.32 billion in 2022 to USD 19.12 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 14.7% during the forecast period. The market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 14.7% during the forecast period. Increasing cancer cases and strong investments in prophylactic and preventive vaccines may propel market progress. Fortune Business Insights cites this information in its research report, titled Cancer Vaccines Market, 2022-2029. Key Industry Development Dendreon Pharmaceuticals LLC. entered into a partnership with Grant Hill to launch its novel initiative to empower individuals to make effective decisions to tackle prostate cancer. Merck & Co., Inc. declared to build a new manufacturing facility to increase its production of TICE Bacillus CalmetteGuerin, tripling its current manufacturing capacity. Request a free sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/cancer-vaccines-market-106958 Key Takeaways About 30.0% of cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis. PDC line Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company, has finished its series B2 round of funding, collecting a total of USD 20.3 million with Belgian and Korean investors for cancer vaccines research. In May 2020, UKRI announced an investment of USD 181.9 million, bringing its overall investment in VMIC to USD 233.3 million. In the United States, 54.5% of adolescents aged 13 to 15 years got two or three doses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, according to the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) 2020 cancer trends progress report. Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report: Major players in the cancer vaccines market are Merck & Co., Inc. (U.S.), GSK plc (U.K.), and Dendreon Pharmaceuticals LLC. (U.S.), Walvax Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China), Biomed Lublin S.A. (Poland), Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (India), Center of Molecular Immunology (Cuba), Organon Teknika Corp., LLC (U.S.), Xiamen Innovax Biotech Co., Ltd. (China) Report Scope Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 CAGR 14.7% 2029 Value Projection USD 19.12 Billion Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2022 USD 7.32 Billion Historical Data for 2018 to 2020 No. of Pages 136 Browse Complete Report Details: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/cancer-vaccines-market-106958 Drivers and Restraints Rising Collaborations Among Major Players to Foster Market Progress Cancer vaccines cure several cancers and are likely to gain significant demand due to the increasing prevalence of cancer cases. Increasing collaborations among key players may substantially boost vaccine adoption during the forecast period. For example, UbiVac, Inc. declared a collaboration alongside Bristol Myers Squibb in June 2020 to evaluate preliminary efficacy, tolerability, and safety among patients. Furthermore, increasing pollution, sedentary lifestyles, and alcohol consumption may enhance cancer vaccine demand. Moreover, the rising prevalence of cervical cancer cases among women may drive the cancer vaccines market growth. However, personalized medicine advances will likely limit the industrys growth. Segments Preventive Segment to Dominate Backed by Increasing Initiatives of Mass Immunization by Government Agencies By type, the market is segmented into preventive and therapeutic. The preventive segment is expected to dominate due to rising initiatives of mass immunization by government agencies. Cervical Cancer Segment to Lead Attributable to Increasing Number of Cervical Cancer Cases in Women As per indication, the market is segregated into cervical cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. The cervical cancer segment is expected to dominate due to the rising number of cervical cases among women. Hospitals Segment to Lead Due to Rising Outpatient Visits and Easy Availability of Vaccines in Hospitals Based on the distributional channel, the market is classified into hospitals, government suppliers, and others. The hospital segment is expected to lead due to rising outpatient visits and easy availability of vaccines in hospitals. Regionally, the market is grouped into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. By Type Preventive Therapeutic By Indication Cervical Cancer Bladder Cancer Prostate Cancer Lung Cancer By Distribution Channel Hospitals Government Suppliers Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World Pre Book - Cancer Vaccines Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/106958 Regional Insights Presence of Technologically Developed Healthcare Infrastructure to Foster Market Growth in North America The market in North America stood at USD 2.45 billion in 2021 and is expected to gain a huge portion of the global cancer vaccines market share in the coming years. The presence of several technologically developed healthcare facilities is likely to facilitate industry growth. Furthermore, rising cancer cases globally are expected to enhance the product demand. In Europe, rising cancer vaccines research and development investments are expected to foster the industrys progress. Furthermore, rapidly increasing cancer disorders are expected to enhance the adoption of cancer vaccines. In Asia Pacific, increasing government activities to prevent cancer disorders is expected to enhance the demand for the product. Moreover, the increasing adoption of cancer therapeutics is expected to enhance the region's cancer vaccine industrys progress. Competitive Landscape Key Players Announce Novel Products to Boost their Brand Image The prominent companies operating in the market announce new products to boost their brand image. For example, Dendreon Pharmaceuticals LLC. announced its manufacturing and CMC alliance to transform iSPC cellular technology in November 2021. This strategy may enable the company to improve its brand image and increase sales. Further, companies deploy research and development, mergers, partnerships, acquisitions, and innovations to boost their market position. FAQs How big is the Cancer Vaccines Market? The Cancer Vaccines market is projected to grow from USD 2.49 billion in 2021 to USD 3.34 Billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. How fast is the Cancer Vaccines Market growing? The Cancer Vaccines Market will exhibit a CAGR of 14.7 % during the forecast period, 2022-2029 Related Links: Vaccines Market Size, Share | Global Industry Trends and Industry Analysis Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Market Global Industry Trends and Industry Analysis Cervical Cancer Screening Market Share | Global Industry Trends and Industry Analysis Recombinant Vaccines Market Size and Industry Analysis About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner - Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune-411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US:+1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Attachment Westford, USA, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, the industrial protective clothing market is poised for growth due to the escalating demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) across a broad spectrum of end-use industries. This surge in demand, stemming from various sectors, is anticipated to serve as a primary driver propelling the market forward. Browse in-depth TOC on the "Industrial Protective Clothing Market" Pages - 165 Tables - 124 Figures 77 The industrial protective clothing market has undergone a substantial surge in demand, driven by urban expansion and heightened health risks. This increased need for protection has prompted a significant focus on high-tech PPA solutions, predominantly composed of non-renewable materials with a polymer foundation known for their durability. Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/industrial-protective-clothing-market Report Scope & Segmentation: Attributes Details Market Size in 2022 USD 20.24 Billion 2030 Value Projection USD 32.72 Billion CAGR 6.9% Forecast Period 2023-2030 Segments Covered Product Application Material type End user Regions Covered North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East and Africa Prominent Players in the Industrial Protective Clothing Market 3M Company DuPont de Nemours, Inc. Ansell Limited Kimberly Clark Corp Honeywell International Inc. Lakeland Industries, Inc. Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. Sioen Industries NV W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Cintas Corporation Delta Plus Group Radians, Inc. National Safety Apparel, Inc. Koninklijke Ten Cate NV Lindstrom Group Bennett Safetywear Ltd Mallcom (India) Ltd. Oftenrich Holdings Co., Ltd. Delta Plus Group Superior Uniform Group, Inc Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/industrial-protective-clothing-market Construction Application Segment is Expected to Grow in the Market Due to Increased Demand for Protective Clothing Construction application segment within the industrial protective clothing market is poised to exhibit a notable growth trajectory, with a projected CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. This growth is underpinned by the recognition of the substantial overhead costs associated with workplace fatalities or injuries, which is anticipated to drive an increased demand for protective clothing within the construction sector throughout the forecast duration. The markets in North America find its stronghold attributed to substantial investments injected into the industrial sector and the consistent updating of regional regulations. The United States stands out as one of the world's foremost suppliers of chemical and pharmaceutical substances, bolstering its industrial prowess on a global scale in the industrial protective clothing market. Pharmaceutical Application Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to the Multifaceted Challenges Encountered by Employees Pharmaceutical application segment held a significant global revenue share in the industrial protective clothing market. This segment's prominence can be attributed to the multifaceted challenges encountered by employees within the pharmaceutical industry, who are exposed to a range of on-the-job hazards. These hazards encompass direct contact with biological agents, chemical substances, and pharmaceutical compounds, necessitating the implementation of comprehensive protective measures. Regional markets in the Asia-Pacific emerge as a focal point, primarily driven by the remarkable expansion of its manufacturing industry and the concurrent implementation of expansive federal programs. This growth trajectory gains further momentum due to burgeoning economies within the region, particularly China, India, Japan, and other influential players in the industrial protective clothing market. A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the industrial protective clothing market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/industrial-protective-clothing-market Key Developments in the Industrial Protective Clothing Market Toray Industries, Inc. made a significant announcement regarding developing LIVMOA 4500AS, a groundbreaking disposable personal protective clothing in 2022. This innovative product not only meets the rigorous standards set by the JIS T 8115 Type 4 classification for "Spray-tight" chemical protective clothing, but it also distinguishes itself through the integration of seam tape technology. This incorporation results in remarkable attributes such as enhanced waterproofing, optimal aeration, and effective dirt control, elevating its overall performance. Solmax, a prominent player, recently acquired TenCate Geosynthetics. This strategic move united two globally recognized and market-leading entities under one umbrella. By consolidating their geosynthetic product portfolios, these industry giants have harnessed their collective strengths, expertise, and resources to forge a new era of innovation and growth. Key Questions Answered in Industrial Protective Clothing Market Report What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period? List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence. In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Dye Sublimated Apparel Market Global Plus Size Clothing Market Global Womens Tights and Leggings Market Global Costume Jewelry Market Global Luxury Leather Goods Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com Birute Eimontaite, Head of Communication at Telia Lietuva, will leave the Company on 31 October 2023. She joined Telia Lietuva in June 2018 and was leading the Companys corporate communication team from January 2019. Birute has been instrumental in shaping the Lithuanian corporate communication strategy and making sure the voice of Telia Lietuva as one of the most innovative, socially responsible and sustainable companies is heard loud and clear in the Lithuanian market. She will leave a big pair of shoes to fill for any professional who will succeed her says Giedre Kaminskaite-Salters, CEO of Telia Lietuva. Vaida Jurkoniene, Head of Marketing, will oversee the Companys communication and sustainability activities as interim Head of Communication. New York, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "In Vitro Diagnostics Market Assessment, By Product Type, By Techniques, By Settings, By Application, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2016-2030F" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06486795/?utm_source=GNW Global In Vitro Diagnostics Market size was valued at USD 107.71 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 165.55 billion in 2030 with a CAGR of 5.52% for the forecast period between 2023 and 2030F. In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) refers to medical instruments designed to conduct diagnostic tests on biological samples like blood, urine, and tissues. These tests are crucial in identifying and tracking infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and various medical conditions. Additionally, they are utilized to assess adjustments in drug therapy at regular intervals. The British In-Vitro Diagnostic Association says these tests significantly impact around 70% of clinical decisions. The market for IVD devices is experiencing significant growth due to increasing demand for and adoption of these devices. This expansion is further propelled by key players heightened investments in research and development, aiming to innovate products and explore new applications for IVD techniques. In the global in vitro diagnostics market, the surge in the adoption of in vitro diagnostics (IVD) can be credited to the increased testing during the pandemic. The market is set to expand further, fueled by the introduction of automated IVD systems in laboratories and hospitals, which promise efficient, accurate, and error-free diagnoses. Additionally, the market growth is driven by significant players launching many IVD products. Notably, IVD products equipped with molecular diagnostic capabilities are highly effective, delivering precise and reliable results. In February 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. introduced the Renvo Rapid PCR Test. This innovative test is designed to detect airborne SARS-CoV-2 pathogens and utilizes samples collected through the AerosolSense Sampler. Such cutting-edge product launches are expected to play a significant role in driving the in-vitro diagnostics market. Increasing Adoption of Point-of-Care Testing Devices As the burden of diseases continues to increase, medical device companies are diligently working on developing technologically advanced diagnostic devices. In response, hospitals and laboratories are growing inclined towards point-of-care testing devices, seeking accurate real-time data. Point-of-Care (PoC) testing is conducted near the patient, typically requiring only a small blood sample, and delivers rapid test results for immediate clinical decision-making. This capability enables doctors to make prompt treatment decisions without waiting for results from a central laboratory. FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc. revealed its plans to introduce the Sonosite PX ultrasound system in India in January 2023. This new product launch aims to enhance clinician ergonomics and efficiency for improved medical performance. BioGX unveiled its CE-marked Point-of-Care (POC) three-gene multiplex COVID-19 test on the pixl platform in July 2022. Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases The increasing incidence of various diseases, including genetic, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions, substantially strains the healthcare system. The effective utilization of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) for early disease detection enables physicians to implement suitable treatments more efficiently. For instance, based on a factsheet by the WHO in September 2022, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) accounted for 41 million deaths, representing approximately 74% of all global fatalities. In the global in vitro diagnostics market, the increasing burden of diseases can be effectively addressed through enhanced awareness of early diagnosis and the optimal use of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) at both patient and physician levels. The aging populations heightened vulnerability to various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular, liver, and kidney diseases, has resulted in greater adoption of homecare IVD devices. For example, as reported by the United Nations in January 2023, the global population of individuals aged 65 years and older was 761 million in 2021, and this number is projected to increase to 1.6 billion by 2050. The population of those aged 80 years or older is growing even faster. Increasing Funding and Government Support In the global in vitro diagnostics market, government organizations, associations, and agencies are actively promoting the utilization of IVD through awareness initiatives, thereby fostering market growth. The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a model list of Essential In-Vitro Diagnostics for primary healthcare and medical facilities equipped with clinical laboratories to emphasize the importance of addressing diseases based on their burden and prevalence. These categories are further subdivided to cover general IVDs and specific diseases. For example, in June 2022, the European Commission allocated approximately USD 203 million ( 190.9 million) to fund the "AGLYC Project." The primary objective of this project was to create an advanced blood-based biomarker for early detection of ischemia, enabling timely intervention before irreversible heart damage occurs. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, and the AGLYC biomarker implementation is anticipated to significantly improve patients lives. Advancement in Oncology Oncology has witnessed remarkable advancements, transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment. Innovations in molecular diagnostics, liquid biopsies, and next-generation sequencing technologies have improved early detection and personalized treatment approaches. Biomarker identification and companion diagnostic tests have enabled targeted therapies, enhanced patient outcomes, and reduced adverse effects. Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms have played a pivotal role in analyzing complex data, facilitating more accurate diagnoses, and predicting treatment responses. These ongoing advancements in oncology within the in vitro diagnostics sector continue to revolutionize cancer care, offering new hope in the fight against this devastating disease. The rapid growth of this sector can be attributed to the strong inclination of physicians towards in-vitro diagnostics products for cancer diagnosis. Additionally, the segments expansion is projected to gain momentum due to the growing number of cancer patients worldwide. Based on the American Cancer Society data, approximately 1.9 million new cancer cases were reported in the U.S. in 2021. Furthermore, the UICCs report highlighted that around 30% of cancers could be screened using in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs). Impact of COVID-19 IVD encompasses a wide array of tests and techniques utilized to diagnose various disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic had positive and negative effects on different segments of the IVD market. However, the heightened utilization of molecular diagnostics offset the negative impact experienced by other segments, resulting in an overall positive influence on the market during the pandemic. Molecular diagnostic techniques specifically played a crucial role in diagnosing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a result, there was a substantial surge in the global demand for point-of-care tests utilizing serology and molecular techniques. Market players experienced significant growth in sales of these tests, leading to a considerable increase in their revenues. For instance, during June 2021, Bio Rad Laboratories, Inc. introduced the PREvalence ddPCR SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Quantification Kit. This cost-effective solution serves as a tool to detect SARS-CoV-2 in a communitys wastewater. The global in vitro diagnostics market witnessed substantial growth in 2021, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels. As countries lifted lockdown restrictions during this period, there was a notable increase in the adoption of home-based and laboratory tests. Consequently, the sales of point-of-care and molecular diagnostics products experienced a significant surge. Key Players Landscape and Outlook Market players deploy strategies to expand their product portfolios and provide customers with a wide range of technologically advanced and innovative products. Companies are also expanding their diagnostics portfolio to capture a larger market share. Many key market players are adopting organic and inorganic growth approaches, including mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, and developing and launching new products, to strengthen their global market position. In March 2023, Abbott revealed that its Alinity i laboratory instrument, designed for diagnosing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and assessing concussions using two biomarkers, has obtained FDA approval, and is now set for commercial launch. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06486795/?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. __________________________ LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MetAlert, Inc. (OTC: MLRT), a pioneer in location-sensitive health monitoring devices and wearable technology for remote patient monitoring, announces a collaboration with the Next Realm AI Research Lab, an artificial intelligence and data analytics research center located in New York. This alliance involves MetAlert providing invaluable data from its current wearable technology suite to fuel Next Realm AI's research projects. Moreover, MetAlert will offer its expertise, guiding the best methods to harness this data, primarily focusing on location-centric healthcare technology. This partnership aims to sculpt the blueprint for predictive models within the ever evolving and growing to an estimated $62 billion by 2025 wearable health tech sector; and will focus on developing the framework for predictive health models utilizing data securely and privately aggregated from wearable tech devices. Tom Bustamante, the Founder & CEO of Next Realm AI, shared his excitement, stating, "Collaborating with MetAlert, a brand synonymous with wearable technology and real-time data, represents a big leap towards our shared vision to find predictive patterns that may lead to earlier disease detection, bespoke treatments and eventually, offering a more personalized approach to prolonged, high-quality health." Patrick Bertagna, the CEO of MetAlert, weighed in: "Post the global pandemic, we've been exploring avenues to help improve and extend quality of life. In this pursuit, AI is seemingly becoming a critical component, but to realize AI's true potential, we need data. We believe data is this era's new oil, and wearable technology is the invaluable vessel that can collect this data in real-time across the globe." As an official IBM Business Partner, Next Realm AI helps lab members integrate leading-edge AI and data solutions into their business operations. By leveraging Next Realm's expertise, clients can modernize processes, boost efficiency, strengthen security, and deliver greater value to customers - all while driving growth and building value for shareholders. www.nextrealm.ai To find out more please contact info@ m etalert.com business development. Social Media: FB: https://www . facebook.com/metalertinc IG: https://www.instagram. c om/metalert/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/metaler t inc Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalertin c / YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUlYP1WQoLdKkDzwhG k x40Q General information, investor relations, wholesale licensing, consumer purchase: Tel: 213.489.3019 Email: info@m e talert.com or ir@metaler t .com website www.metalert.com MetAlert United Kingdom, London Nelson Skip Riddle Tel: +44 7785 364100 Email: nsriddle@metalert.com About MetAlert, Inc.: About MetAlert, Inc.: MetAlert (OTC: MLRT) and its subsidiaries are engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing, distributing, and licensing of products, services, and intellectual property in the wearable technology, personal location, wandering assistive technology, and health data collection and monitoring business. MetAlert's versatile solutions meld effortlessly across a gamut of applicationsfrom consumer-focused products to specialized platforms tailored for enterprise and governmental audiences. With years of experience and an extensive patent portfolio, MetAlert is a leading solution provider for consumers/patients afflicted with Alzheimer, dementia, and autism. This market represents approximately 2.9% of the worlds population. The company offers global end-to-end hardware, software, and connectivity solutions, utilizing the latest in miniaturized, low power consumption GPS, Cellular, RF, NFC, and BLE technologies, enabling caregivers to track and monitor patients in real time. Known for its game-changing and award-winning patented GPS SmartSole -- think Dr. Scholls meets LoJack. Their flagship product stands as the world's premier invisible wearable monitoring solution, tailor-made for individuals vulnerable to wandering a boon for caregivers of Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, and traumatic brain injury patients. MetAlerts subscription-based business model is built around technology innovation with intellectual property protection. The company has international distributors servicing customers across the globe with subscribers in over 40 countries and is a U.S. Military Government contractor. Other customers include public health authorities, municipalities, emergency and law enforcement, private schools, assisted living facilities, NGOs, small business enterprises, senior care homes, and consumers. ww w .MetAlert.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. The terms and phrases expects, would, will, believes, and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by MetAlert considering its experience and perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that MetAlert believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause MetAlerts actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain risk factors that may cause actual results to differ are outlined in MetAlerts Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which may be obtained on the SEC Website). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not rely on MetAlerts forward-looking statements. MetAlert has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required. Disclaimer: MetAlert does not warrant or represent that the unauthorized use of materials drawn from this document's content will not infringe the rights of third parties who are not owned or affiliated by MetAlert. TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tech Parks Arizona is pleased to announce the appointment of Glenn Williamson to the board of directors which oversees the University of Arizonas tech parks. The UA Tech Park is one of the nation's premier research parks generating a $2 billion economic impact annually. It is a major employment hub with 6,000 knowledge workers employed by 100+ startups and technology giants in a spacious 1,267-acre campus. Glenn Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Arizona Business Council (CABC) was selected to serve on the nine-person board for his interest to contribute to the global growth and business development strategy of the parks. Williamsons 35 years of global executive business experience will add another level of expansion that will be highly beneficial to the parks. As founder of the CABC, Williamson has and continues to succeed in fostering strong business relationships between Arizona and Canada, including Sonora, Mexico. I am looking forward to being on this prestigious board of directors and plan on bringing large world-class Canadian technology companies to the parks. With over two million square feet of space, we have the opportunity to grow the parks to the next level. The CABC has worked and influenced the existing 500 Canadian companies in Arizona, and we look forward to increasing those numbers with Tech Parks Arizona, said Williamson. Canada and Arizona share a significant and mutually beneficial economic relationship, making them vital partners in each other's prosperity. Bilateral trade between the two regions has fostered job creation, stimulated innovation, and enhanced competitiveness, growing both economies for decades. TECH PARKS ARIZONA creates the Interactive Ground that generates, attracts, and retains technology companies and talent in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona. Tech Parks Arizona directs the UA Tech Park, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, placing the highest priority on recruiting companies desiring connectivity to the University of Arizona. Media Contact: Jessa Turner jbturner@uatechpark.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7cff797e-479f-40a8-965c-8180da55affb Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or the "Company") (NYSE: HE) investors that a lawsuit filed on behalf of investors that purchased Hawaiian Electric securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses. The lawsuit alleges that throughout the defined Class Period, the Defendants provided information that was significantly incorrect and deceptive concerning the Company's operations, activities, and adherence to regulations. More specifically, the Defendants issued statements that were either untrue or misleading, or they omitted information, including: (i) the insufficiency of Hawaiian Electric's wildfire prevention and safety protocols, which were designed to address specific challenges; (ii) consequently, despite being aware of the extent of the wildfire threat to Maui, the Company's inadequate safety protocols increased the vulnerability of Maui to severe wildfires; and (iii) as a consequence, the Company's statements to the public were both materially false and misleading during all pertinent times. Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information. The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq. Admitted CA and NY Bar lesley@portnoylaw.com 310-692-8883 www.portnoylaw.com Attorney Advertising NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kirby McInerney LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of those who acquired Shift4 Payments, Inc. (Shift4 or the Company) (NYSE: FOUR) securities during the period from November 10, 2021 through April 18, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). Investors have until October 19, 2023 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. In Shift4s third quarter of 2022, the Company completed its so-called mass strategic buyout program as part of a purported strategic initiative to insource its sales distribution network. According to Shift4, because the Company is not a member bank as defined in certain payment network rules, the Company is not eligible for primary membership in certain payment networks and is therefore unable to directly access them. Accordingly, Shift4s payment networks require the Company to be sponsored by a member bank as a service provider, which the Company has accomplished through a sponsorship agreement with its sponsor bank. To cover overdraft obligations at the sponsor bank, prior to December 2022, Shift4 had funds deposited in a sponsor bank merchant settlement account to facilitate gross card transaction deposits for those customers the Company bills on a monthly, as opposed to a daily, basis. On October 21, 2022, Shift4 disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that the Companys third quarter 2021, full year 2021, first quarter 2022, and second quarter 2022 financial statements should no longer be relied upon and would need to be restated because of a material weakness in the Companys financial controls, which had caused it to incorrectly treat customer acquisition costs as cash used in investing activities rather than cash used in operating activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, Shift4 was forced to negatively revise its net cash provided by operating activities to $3 million (down from its originally reported $29.2 million), $30.8 million (down from its originally reported $37.1 million), and $70.8 million (down from its originally reported $85 million) for the year ended December 31, 2021, the three months ended March 31, 2022, and the six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. On this news, the price of Shift4 shares declined by $1.21 per share, or approximately 2.67%, from $45.37 per share to close at $44.16 on October 24, 2022. Then, on April 19, 2023, Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging that Shift4 engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyperaggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat including cash flow manipulation and inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS. Blue Orca Capital also alleges that Shift4 engaged in unreported related-party transactions and that the Companys questionable accounting maneuvers inflated 2022 gross profit by 13%, Adj. EBITDA by 34%, and operating income by close to 3x. On this news, the price of Shift4 shares declined by $5.95 per share, or approximately 8.68%, from $68.54 per share to close at $62.59 on April 19, 2023. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Shift4 securities, have information, or would like to learn more about this lawsuit and how it might affect your rights, please contact Thomas W. Elrod of Kirby McInerney LLP by email at investigations@kmllp.com, or by filling out this contact form, to discuss your rights or interests with respect to these matters without any cost to you. Kirby McInerney LLP is a New York-based plaintiffs law firm concentrating in securities, antitrust, whistleblower, and consumer litigation. The firms efforts on behalf of shareholders in securities litigation have resulted in recoveries totaling billions of dollars. Additional information about the firm can be found at Kirby McInerney LLPs website: https://www.kmllp.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Kirby McInerney LLP Thomas W. Elrod, Esq. 212-699-1180 https://www.kmllp.com investigations@kmllp.com No reason for Haas to dump Magnussen says Steiner Gunther Steiner admits he never even contemplated parting with current Haas team lineup Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen for 2024. Kevin Magnussen, Hungarian GP 2023 Haas F1 Team / LAT F1 pundit Marc Surer recently said Hulkenberg's strong return to Formula 1 this year was ruining team incumbent Magnussen's career. However, the pair have both been re-signed for next season. I think we have the best drivers we can get at the moment, boss Steiner said at Zandvoort, "when you consider our finances and how attractive our car is. So I never talked to anyone. Steiner admits some drivers showed interest in racing for Haas next year, but his priority is fixing the obvious performance problems with the car. If you look at the opportunities, there are not many without risk, and I don't want to take risks at the moment, he said. "Right now we want stability. "We have control over one part of the team with the drivers now. Now we have to work on the car and get that part fixed as well. A year ago the drivers were a concern, said Steiner, who dumped Mick Schumacher at the end of 2023. This year they are not and next year they are not a concern. Some, however, are surprised that Magnussen, 30, has been given another season even though he has been roundly outperformed by F1 returnee Hulkenberg. With Kevin, we now understand why he is struggling so much, said Steiner when asked about that. "The car is very difficult to drive and he has a little more trouble with it than Nico. "That's another reason why we decided to fix it. Big changes were never really planned and we also want to make sure Kevin can work on getting along better in peace, so that he didn't always have to think about his contract. Perez not 100 percent certain for 2024 says Marko Dr Helmut Marko admits it is not "100 percent certain" that Sergio Perez will still be in a Red Bull car in 2024. Sergio Perez, British GP 2023 Red Bull Kleine Zeitung newspaper in Austria is reporting that, during Formula 1's August break, Daniel Ricciardo travelled to Graz to catch up with Marko. That is despite the fact that Mexican Perez is already signed up for 2024. Nothing is 100 percent certain in Formula 1, Marko told the newspaper when asked whether Perez has a job guarantee for next year. "It just doesn't exist. There are always performance-related situations somewhere that need to be discussed. We'll take a look and discuss how to proceed in Zandvoort, then we'll know more, the 80-year-old added. After losing his McLaren seat due to poor performance at the end of last season, Ricciardo returned to F1 as Red Bull's reserve driver this year - and just prior to the summer break, replaced Nyck de Vries at Alpha Tauri. The Australian, 34, is dating Heidi Berger - the daughter of well-known Red Bull confidante Gerhard Berger. Together, Heidi and Ricciardo travelled to Kitzbuhel for holidays - and then had a meal with Marko in Graz. We saw each other, Marko confirmed. "That's clear when he comes to Graz. He (Ricciardo) has a very positive personality, a successful career and incredible experience. His momentum and vigour caused a real jolt at Alpha Tauri. It was a real boost of motivation, he said. It is clear that, if nothing else happens, Ricciardo will be offered another season at Alpha Tauri next year. Energy Personalities Outreach Programme: Aburi Girls tasked to take responsibility for their lives Graphic.com.gh Adverts Aug - 23 - 2023 , 14:25 Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, and the Executive Partner of Arthur Energy Advisors, Harriette Amissah-Arthur, the reigning Energy Personalities of the Year (Male and Female) at the 2022 Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) have engaged students of the Aburi Senior High School for the 2023 Energy Personalities Outreach Programme. Organised by the Energy Media Group (EMG), the Outreach was held under the theme: Impacting the Next Generation Leaders Today. It is a platform for the apex winners of the Awards to interact with students of second-cycle institutions in the energy sector and its prospects, as well as to help the youth to cultivate habits and develop attitudes requisite for a successful future. The 2023 Energy Personalities Outreach Programme (EPOP) took place at the schools premises in Aburi in the Eastern Region and involved over 900 students of the school. The energy sector giants urged the students to own and take responsibility for their lives, and be intentional about their actions and choices. They also tasked the students to use their time judiciously and effectively utilise all resources at their disposal to achieve their set targets. Arthur Energy Advisors Executive Partner, Ing. Amissah-Arthur, the Energy Personality of the Year for 2022, advised the students to own their lives, manage their resources and relationships well, and define their idea of success. Commitment, consistency, sustaining positive actions through the efficient and effective use of time, and developing individual capacities, according to her, will lead them to excel. She subsequently called for more such programmes to extend the reach of youth engagements in the country, which will further spread and increase the impact of national empowerment efforts. VRAs Chief Executive, Ing. Antwi-Darkwa, who is a three-time winner of the Apex Award, encouraged the students to be ambitious and set goals for themselves, and to not be afraid to fail, but rather persevere with all humility to achieve what they set out to do while keeping God at the fore of their lives. Speaking to the media, he underscored the need to bridge the existing gap in female participation, especially in the energy sector. He said such avenues, such as the Energy Personalities Outreach Programme, create the needed platform to awaken their consciousness of their unique capabilities for the sector and stimulate an interest to aspire to its prospects. Chief Executive Officer of the EMG, Ing. Henry Teinor, in a welcome address, noted that the Outreach programme is designed to contribute to Ghanas STEM education efforts, using the approach of mentorship to motivate the youth into developing interests and actively participating in the countrys energy sector. The programme included a Character Development Session, and an Interactive Session, led by Lawyer Kwame Jantuah, Chairman of the GEA Awards Panel, where the students were allowed to ask questions. This Outreach Programme is the fifth in the series and is an initiative of the Ghana Energy Awards. In previous years, EPOP has featured various schools including the Achimota School, West Africa Senior School, Nungua Senior High School, and the St. Marys Senior School in Accra. Africas Best Menswear Designers and models for TECNO Ghana Menswear Week 2023 Kafui Amedoe Showbiz News Aug - 24 - 2023 , 22:45 TECNO Ghana Menswear Week #GHMW, will host the best of Africas menswear designers and models in Accra from Saturday, August 26-27, 2023 at the World Trade Centre, Accra. This years event marking the seventh edition is powered by TECNO Mobiles Camon20 series and supported by KGL Foundation, Woodin Ghana, Vine Imagery and Hectors Underwear. According to Nana Mensah, Founder of the event, the main runway shows will feature the best of streetwear brands on day one (1) in a street style fashion dubbed Abonten on Saturday August 26 at 3pm. Day two will feature bespoke menswear on Sunday, August 27 at the Atrium of the World Trade Center at 7pm. Designers and models in this one of a kind show are from Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, South Africa and UK. Ghana Menswear Week is an annual fashion showcase launched in 2016 by Fame Model Management to create a platform for creative mens wear designers and brands. It aims to bring together mens wear designers, buyers, mens services providers, bloggers and fashionistas under one roof. TECNO, one of Ghanas most preferred premium smart phone brand with a comprehensive mobile device portfolio focused on product quality, innovation and style is headlining the 2023 Ghana Menswear week event as its title sponsor. By this partnership, the 2023 event has been renamed TECNO Ghana Menswear week according to Nana Mensah. TECNO Mobile has been very supportive to the menswear week brand in the last two editions of the show as a strategic corporate partner and this years title sponsor partnership cements a relationship that seems to be growing every year and is mutually beneficial to both brands, he added. According to a representative from TECNO Mobile Ghana, the brands Stop at Nothing slogan makes room for young creatives to go all out to achieve their dreams by exploring innovations between fashion and technology with its latest Camon20 series smart phones whose lineup comprises Camon20, Camon20 Pro, Camon20Pro 5G and Camon20 Premier which are all successors to last years Camon19 series. Long, true story and drama when British Airways flight 081 heading towards Accra was cancelled on Thursday Ace Anan Ankomah Opinion Aug - 25 - 2023 , 19:36 Long, true story. Drama. Flight was supposed to leave at 12:45pm. Boarding starts at 11:45am. Group 1 (as in those who get to sit behind the blue curtains, as if we are all not going to the same destination) is announced; but are made to sit behind the gate and wait, not board. Those privileged and pampered fat cats! After that, everyone waits. Why? Were told theres an engineering problem with the plane. Then why did they call Group 1? And we could see the plane through the glass windows, and the engineering crew going back and forth. They moved their crane to and from the plane for at least 4 times. At some point the captain himself came out to the boarding gate to explain whats happening, at least twice. Then the alleged engineering problem is announced as resolved and full boarding starts. We boarded but we all just sat. Minutes turned into hours. No movement. They first claimed that for some undisclosed reason they had decided to disembark one passenger, which meant more delay because they had to take that passengers checked in luggage off. Someone unwell? Someone thrown off? Or maybe someone just didnt show up after checking bags in? We accosted one of the crew in reflectors and who was walking up and down between the cabins. He told us that that was privileged information. Right to information is respected by BA, but on need-to-know basis, I surmised. Still sitting. Waiting. Chatting. Wondering. Im beginning to feel hungry. Whats going on. We accosted the guy again. He snottily informed us that well, Accra flights are never on time. Someone remarked at this rate we might be here for the whole day. The BA smart alec responds try the whole week. Now, that was impolite and soooooo not nice. Or was he trying to be funny? But we dey. Then that reflector-wearing flight attendant tried to make some announcement from the last cabin. And thats when we all heard the commotion. Wow. Angry shouting, over the intercom. Announcer is shouting and passengers are shouting. Apparently there had been a huge kerfuffle between the crew and some passengers over the delay. Some passengers had demanded to be let off the plane. Attempts by other passengers to cool the agitated passengers down, had precious little success. General commotion. Then this same attendant who at some point claimed this plane is mine, as if someone died and bequeathed him a fuselage, claimed that one of the crew had been punched in the face. True? False? We didnt know. Then we hear that, 6 or 7 crew members are on a mini-strike on board, demanding to be disembarked. They wont go to any Accra again! This owner of the plane and our new Lord and Master then tells us he has called the police. His tone is condescending. His attitude and announcements infuriated people even more. And true to his word about 10 fully-suited and armed police people boarded the plane. Wow. Arrest dey come inside? For what? BA, we just wanna go home! But the police are calm. Nice even. Smiling while kitted to kill! They want everyone to settle down. We engaged some of them in chats. One looked left from right and whispered conspiratorially its always British Airways. Someone in another cabin tries to tell this all-important plane owner that his attitude isnt helping and that we just wanna go home. This capo di tutti owner of the fuselage in which we now dwelt and were encased, gets mad! He orders the police to throw the guy off the plane. Police listened but didnt do it. We all got everyone to calm down. But the 6 or 7 striking flight attendants still refused to work and insisted on being disembarked. So now the plane owner says they have to find replacement crew before we could fly. Phone calls made. They couldnt find replacement, they claimed. Who wants to come work on a plane with police aboard? So some 4 and half hours after boarding, we are all disembarked. Flight cancelled. Countless hours of passengers time wasted. Some checked in at 9am! No British Airways flight to Accra that day, as announced to us by the Lord of the Plane, who now discloses hes the Dispatch and something Manager. Big man things! As we disembarked there are about 15 more police people lined up to receive us. All appropriated kitted and armed for the riotous bunch that we had been announced as. What a guard of honour. We are given hotel and transportation and 10 coupons, given the option to leave our checked in luggage or go with them and return the next day. Meekly, we take it and leave. But we just wanted to go home, BA, thats all. Reminds me of when Helen Yawson and I became impromptu performers at Terminal 3, singing and playing we want to go home. Lemme find the video. As I reminisced later, I noticed that no one had brought up Ghana Airways or claimed that this wouldnt have happened if we had our own national airline. You see, you dont go making such statements when the forensic report on your collapsed national airline should be packaged as-is, titled HOW NOT TO RUN AN AIRLINE FOR, and then taught in business schools around the world. One coup too many in Round 4? Brig. Gen. Dan Frimpong (Rtd) Opinion Aug - 25 - 2023 , 09:44 I found the Joy FM programme Newsfiles discussion of the Niger crisis on Saturday, August 19, interesting. Moderated by host Samson Lardy Ayenini, the high-calibre panel included Prof. Kwesi Aning, Col Festus Aboagye (Rtd), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah and Dr Abdel-Fatau Musa of Ghana, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the ECOWAS HQ, Abuja. The host also spoke by zoom with the president of the Ghanaian Association in Niger, Seydou Aboudou, and media consultant in Niger, Ibrahima Boubacar Salou. As I replayed their discussions that night, my mind went into two gears. Unlike many who drive automatic vehicles, I still drive a manual stick-shift vehicle, hence, my reference to gears. While in first gear, my mind went to a story in the Jerusalem Post of Israel on August 9, 2023, second gear took me to an article I wrote in March 2021. What are these stories? First gear The Jerusalem Post article on August 9 was titled, Large Israeli snake dies after trying to eat a porcupine. It stated that the one-way direction of the porcupine's quills did not allow the snake to spit out the porcupine, said reptile ecologist Aviad Bar. A nature drama unfolded in Shoham this week when several dog owners noticed a large black snake lying near the towns local dog park. The snake was found motionless with an equally motionless porcupine stuck in its mouth. From an analysis of the situation, it can be assumed that the snake tried to devour the porcupine and as soon as it decided to abandon its unusual meal, it realised the magnitude of its mistake. Second gear In second gear, my mind went back to my article of March 2021 titled Beware the Ides of March! It stated: As I autographed a copy of my book, Retirement Musings for the young Major, I asked for a confirmation of the date. Today is March 15, 2021 sir, he said. Wow! Beware the ides of March! I exclaimed instinctively, leaving the Major in wonderment about what I meant! Julius Caesar is a Shakespearean tragedy we loved quoting from in school. Based on the life of the Roman General/Statesman Julius Caesar, some of the quotes were: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones (Mark Anthony in his eulogy of Caesar). Et tu Brute? (And you too Brutus?) (Caesar after his closest friend Brutus stabbed him) Beware the ides of March (soothsayer/Caesars wife). Rubicon crossed. The die is cast (alea iacta est) (Caesar daring the Roman Senate). Ides of March Monday, March 15, 2021 was the Ides of March on the Roman calendar. It was the day in 44 BC when Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times to death by a group of senators led by his bosom-friend Brutus. Roman history states that he was earlier warned by a soothsayer not to go out on the Ides of March (March 15, 44 BC), a warning reinforced by his wife. Beware the Ides of March subsequently became synonymous with being warned but displaying pig-headed obstinacy going against advice and paying with ones life as happened to Caesar. Caesar Starting his military career as a teenager, Caesar rose to become a general. Considered a threat by Pompey, the Head of State,/equivalent of the Roman Republic, Caesar was sent out of the Republic to Gaul in Northern Italy to fight. Rome and Gaul were separated by the shallow River Rubicon. After Caesar successfully completed his Gallic campaigns, Pompey ordered him to demobilise his army before returning to Rome. Caesar refused and subsequently crossed the Rubicon, declaring alea iacta est (the die is cast), his final act of throwing down the gauntlet at Pompey! Analysis When asked if ECOWAS planned waging war against a sovereign state Niger as was threatened with a seven-day ultimatum initially to reinstate President Bazoum who has been overthrown in a coup, the ECOWAS Commissioner said the military operation would be a nuanced one against the junta/coupists, and not against Niger, should it happen. In a rebuttal to the semantic ambiguity of a nuanced attack, Ibrahima Boubacar Salou in Niger, said any military attack on Niger would be seen as an attack on the sovereignty of Niger! Seydou Aboudou, the president of the Ghana Association in Niger, added that an attack on Niger by ECOWAS would jeopardise the lives of Ghanaians and other foreigners, as all land borders have been closed in addition to a no-fly zone over Nigers air space! Indeed, citizens of the attacking armies of ECOWAS would become instant targets. In the Jerusalem Post article, the large snake went in to swallow a little porcupine, an easy prey in its estimation, and ended up dying! Julius Caesar ignored the warning, Beware the Ides of March in 44 BC and ended up dying! After Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso, how come the sudden awakening that Nigers coup is one too many when Constitutional coupists in Ivory Coast, dynasties/dictators elsewhere, and the Senegalese president who recently banned the opposition party, are still deemed democratic rulers in ECOWAS eyes? What was supposed to be a Special military operation lasting only a few weeks has become a quagmire and 18 months later continues with heavy casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war and dire consequences for the whole world. Nobody endorses coups! For ECOWAS leaders, good governance obviates coups, and therefore, the need for war to reinstate a deposed colleague! Doesnt Matthew 7:3-5 advise us to remove the log in our eyes before removing the speck in a neighbours eye? Didnt Shakespeare say, discretion is the better part of valour? Leadership, lead! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up! The writer is former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association, Kenya & Council Chairman, Family Health University College, Ghana. Confab on Chinese poverty reduction model held in Accra Vincent Amenuveve Aug - 24 - 2023 , 15:49 A conference on China's Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) model pilot in West Africa was yesterday held in Accra. Participants discussed the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEAs) Ghana poverty alleviation programme based on Chinas strategy. It was organised by the IEA, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, and attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, the academia, CSOs and some international scholars from China and the West African sub-region, among others. Issues discussed included how Ghana and its West African counterparts can reduce poverty using the Chinese poverty alleviation model. Commendation A former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, commended China for significantly reducing poverty in that country. He said no country could develop effectively without being able to feed its citizens, and asked whether "we can sustain ad infinitum feeding our children forever on foreign rice and other imported commodities". Prof. Oquaye, who is also a distinguished scholar of the IEA, urged citizens to patronise goods produced in the country as a way of supporting efforts to address poverty. The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dan Botwe, also said that poverty could be reduced in the country if the government architecture adhered to the directive principles of state policy as contained in the 1992 Constitution. He said efforts must also be made to deepen the decentralisation process to accelerate the development of the country. "When the living conditions of the people are improved, then we can say that poverty has been alleviated, Mr Botwe added. Initiatives A Senior Scholar at the IEA, Prof. Alexander Bilson-Darku, said although the country had over the years implemented poverty alleviation initiatives such as the Programme of Action to Mitigate the Social Costs of Adjustment (PAMSCAD), Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) I & II and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, they had not made the needed impact. He, therefore, called for a paradigm shift in poverty alleviation strategies to realise the desired results. The Chinese approach The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Lu Kun, said his country used a six-pronged approach to eradicate poverty. They included identification of the poor, arrangement of targeted poverty programmes, utilisation of capital efficiently and taking measures to target individual households. Other speakers at the event included the President of the Ghana Chinese Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, Yang Qin, and the Head of Survey at IEA, Samuel Manu. Background While China has employed the TPA model which empowers people to take themselves out of poverty, other developing countries are still struggling to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) One. China accomplished the task of eradicating extreme poverty in 2020, 10 years ahead of the 2030 SDG accomplishment date. Through targeted poverty alleviation policies, more than 800 million people in China were lifted out of extreme poverty since the late 1970s, the largest global reduction in inequality in modern history. Findings from the IEAs research on the subject showed that Chinas TPA model was built on the notion of teaching a man how to fish instead of giving him fish. The IEA is piloting the TPA in two districts in the country the Nsawam Adoagyir Municipality and the Accra Metropolitan Area. Dormaa West: Home of cocoa, rice Biiya Mukusah Ali Aug - 25 - 2023 , 12:00 The Dormaa West Constituency in the Bono Region has an economy dominated by agriculture and related activities, with the sector accounting for more than 80 per cent of the active labour force. The constituency, known for its agriculture base, is the highest producer of cocoa, rice, poultry and other livestock farming in the region. The area is also one of the major cocoa-producing areas in the country. Located in the western part of the region, Dormaa West is in the forest ecological zone, making the area conducive to agricultural activities. Profile Dormaa West District, which occupies the same boundaries as the Dormaa West Constituency, was carved out of the then-larger Dormaa District in 2012, with its administrative capital as Nkrankwanta. Francis Kwadwo Oppong, Dormaa West District Chief Executive The constituency, with a total land area of 369 square kilometres, shares boundaries with Dormaa Ahenkro to the north, Goaso to the east, La Cote dIvoire to the west, and Sefwi Essam in the Western North Region to the south-west. Vincent Oppong Asamoah, Member of Parliament for the Dormaa West Constituency The area's population, according to the 2021 population and housing census, stands at 47,913, comprising 25,522 males and 22,391 females. Demographics Generally, the constituency has a mix of formal and informal workers such as farmers, security personnel, civil and public servants, teachers, health workers, traders and timber operators, among others. It has communities with interesting names such as Ghana Abrewa, Jerusalem, Manhyia-Amponsahkrom, Krakyekrom, Sunkwa, Krakrom, Yaekrom, Nyame Ama-Brofoyedru, KY and Kyekyewere. Others are Ntensere, Mantukwa, Amponsahkrom, Diabaakurom, Amoakrom, Yawusukrom, Kwabenakrakrom and Kwame Yeboahkrom, among others. Political dynamics Per the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections, the constituency has 24,493 registered voters. The area is a swing constituency, but the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dominated the politics of the area since its creation in 2012, winning two elections out of three polls there. The front view of Nkrankwanta ICT lab In the 2012 general elections, NDC's candidate, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, won the seat, polling 56 per cent of the total votes cast, while his sole contender, Ali Maiga Halidu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), had 44 per cent. In 2016, the outcome of the polls changed as Mr Halidu polled 51 per cent of the votes cast to beat Mr Asamoah of the NDC, who had 49 per cent. The result turned in favour of Mr Asamoah of the NDC again in the 2020 general elections, where he polled 11,480 votes, representing 53.8 per cent, while Mr Halidu of the NPP had 9,874 votes, representing 46.2 per cent. Rice production, 1D1F The area has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season usually lasts from November to February, while the rainy season spans from May to September. Farmers in the area produce plantain, cassava, maize, yam and other food crops, but rice is produced in commercial quantities. Last year alone, the area produced about 4,000 metric tonnes of rice on 1,500 acres of land. It is, therefore, not surprising that the constituency was selected from the region to host the GH7.243 million rice processing common user factory, a One-district, One-factory initiative at Nkrankwanta. The area is among the only five constituencies in the country selected to benefit from the project, which is jointly funded by the Government of Ghana, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the African Development Bank (AFDB), under the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) project. The facility has the capacity to process raw rice between 1.5 tonnes and 2.8 tonnes per hour. Apart from food crops, the area is also noted for the production of groundnut, tomatoes, citrus and oil palm, with women in particular attracted to the oil palm production value chain. Roads Most of the roads in the constituency, including the Nkrankwanta town road, are untarred. The current state of the Nkwanta-Kookumikrom road Some economic roads such as the Nkrankwanta-Techimanfoakorase, Nkrankwanta-Krakrom, and Nkwantaso-Krokumi roads have pothole-riddled surfaces, making movement and transportation of foodstuff to the market centres very difficult. The Kwakuananyah-Nkwantaso road and others, for instance, have been awarded on contract, but the contractors had left the site when the Daily Graphic visited the community. Development As a relatively new constituency, Dormaa West has not received much development as expected by the chiefs and people in the area. The major market centre in the area is the Nkrankwanta Market, which operates on Fridays. The ongoing Accident and Emergency Centre at the Dormaa West District Hospital The market stretches over a five-acre land but is not being used to its full capacity due to the absence of basic facilities such as shops, water, warehouses and electricity in some portions. Currently, some traders have provided temporal wooden structures to transact business while others have placed their goods, including foodstuffs, on the bare floor. Notwithstanding, the area has benefited from some of the governments flagship programmes such as the 1D1F programme and Planting for Food and Jobs. Opinion leaders The Assemblyman of the Asuopre East Electoral Area, Issifu Basomah, told the Daily Graphic that poor road network, including some town roads and lack of potable water, particularly in villages, were the constituency's major problems. He explained that the Nkrankwanta Market was one of the biggest markets in the region but did not have the necessary facilities. Some pupils and students studying in the ICT laboratory Mr Basomah said the inauguration of the Rice Processing Factory at Nkrankwanta would entice farmers to increase their yields. He explained that before the establishment of the facility, rice farmers had to transport their produce to Kumasi or Goaso for processing while others resorted to the traditional way of milling. Investment The Ankobea Akyeamehene of the Amasu Traditional Council, Nana Aguoni Gyabeaten, called on the government to invest in the improvement of roads in the area. He explained that some contractors who were working on some roads, which was nearly completed, had abandoned them to deteriorate, as erosion had eaten parts of the roads. He appealed to the government and financial institutions to support them with soft loans in order to invest in their farms, particularly in rice production, to improve yield. MPs intervention The Member of Parliament (MP) of the area, Mr Asamoah said with the limited resources at his disposal, he had managed to execute several projects in the education, health and water and sanitation sectors. He said he had also connected electricity to some deprived communities such as Nnobem, Boobookrom, Oppong Yawkrom, Akuraa and Yawnkwanta, Aniantetem, Apesika and Boabofour, among others. Some pupils and students studying in the ICT laboratory On the water project, Mr Asamoah said he had constructed mechanised boreholes in communities such as Diabaakrom, Bredi, Akotokrom, Brofoyedu and Kyekyewere and repaired broken boreholes in other communities such as Kwabenakrakrom, Tekukrom, Nkwantaso, Beposo, Bredi and Akotokrom, among others. He added that he had also supported more than 328 apprentices by paying fees to their masters at a cost of GH98,400, provided tools and equipment at a cost of GH164,000, supported the Nkrankwanta Motorking Association with GH5,000 to acquire land to erect a pavilion for their new station and paid 2021 dressmakers graduation fees which amounted to GH9,600. On education, he said he had constructed an ultramodern computer lab at a cost of over GHS600,000, paid 40 students fees valued at GHS45,000, built a four-bedroom teachers bungalow at Adiemmera Zezera and donated laptops and printers to the District Education Office. DCE speaks The Dormaa West District Chief Executive (DCE), Francis Kwadwo Oppong, told the Daily Graphic that the assembly had worked hard to improve the infrastructure deficit in the area. He said when he assumed office in 2021, he realised that there were several uncompleted projects, including the district assembly office complex and the 1D1F Rice processing factory scattered across the area. Mr Oppong said while new projects were started, the assembly also invested in the completion of ongoing projects to reduce the infrastructure deficit. He said he had completed some of them, which are currently in use, while others were at various stages of completion. Mr Oppong said he had lobbied for projects from Non-Governmental Organisations such as Madamfo Ghana, to construct a six-unit classroom block for the Diabaa D/A Basic School. He said the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre at the Dormaa West District Hospital and a three-unit Kindergarten Block for the Yaakrom Presbyterian Basic School were ongoing. Mr Oppong said the assembly had also renovated some dilapidated projects such as a classroom block at the Nkrankwanta Senior High School after it was ripped off during a rainstorm and distributed 750 dual desks to reduce furniture deficit in schools in the area. He said the assembly had also distributed 8,000 oil palm seedlings and 7,000 coconut seedlings to farmers to boost commodity cultivation in the area. "The development of every sector in the district is on course and we will continue to work hard to improve the lives of people in this area". EOCO recovers GH79 million Emelia Ennin Abbey Aug - 25 - 2023 , 12:00 The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has recovered GH79 million proceeds of crime as of the end of June 2023. The retrieval exceeds its GH60 million target for this year. Last year, EOCO retrieved GH50 million from crime proceeds as against a target of GH30 million. The proceeds of crime included money retrieved from businesses and individuals who under-declared taxes to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and other wealth illegally acquired at the expense of state institutions such as the Gaming Commission and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). Proceeds of crime is the term given to money or assets gained by criminals during the course of their criminal activity or illegal wealth acquisition at the expense of the state. EOCO has a five-year strategic plan with an aim to recover and manage proceeds of crime worth GH350 million by June 2028. The office is mandated to investigate crimes such as financial loss to the state, money laundering, human trafficking, prohibited cyber activity, tax fraud and other such serious offences. Per Section three of the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804), the office also has the power to take steps to recover the proceeds from such crimes. Combating crimes During an interaction with editors and media practitioners in Accra last Wednesday evening, the Executive Director of EOCO, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, said some of the achievements of the office could not be quantified financially. Those she listed included rescuing and uniting human trafficking victims with their families, creating awareness of activities that could make people fall into the arms of perpetrators of economic and organised crime, and working with other law enforcement agencies to combat and prevent crime. She said her outfit played a crucial role in the countrys efforts in combating economic and organised crimes. One of the pillars of the five-year strategic plan (2023-2028) of EOCO, COP Addo-Danquah said, was to partner the media to educate the public on operations of the office and sensitise the public to crimes they could refrain from. She said EOCO operated an open-door policy and was ready to partner the media to fight crime in Ghana. EOCO, COP Addo-Danquah said, also collaborated with international partners to bring criminals who committed crimes outside the country but could be traced to Ghana, to be booked and to face justice. Media partnership The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended the management of EOCO for deciding to partner the media to achieve the objectives of its five-year strategic plan. "The media has always been a partner for development and we welcome the strategic partnership with EOCO to contribute to the transformation agenda of the office," he stated. The fight against organised crime, Mr Dwumfour said, was the collective responsibility of all stakeholders. "Economic and organised crimes are complex and dynamic and the advancement in technology has made it even more complex. To fight economic and organised crime in today's world requires collaboration with other stakeholders such as the media," he said. Mr Dwumfour urged EOCO to help train members of the GJA who were into investigative journalism to sharpen their skill, increase their knowledge and deepen the fight against crime in the country. "The GJA is always ready and willing to support EOCO to achieve its mandate but we will also criticise where necessary as part of our accountability mandate," he said. The Board Chairman of EOCO, Stephen Raymond Dapaa-Addo, said EOCO would institute an award for the best crime story published in the media which was biased towards the office. Why Bugri Naabu swerved committee probing plot to remove IGP Getrude Ankah Nyavi Aug - 25 - 2023 , 12:53 Daniel Bugri Naabu, a former Northern Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) was absent at a scheduled meeting of the seven-member Parliamentary Committee that is probing an alleged plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare from office. Mr Bugri Naabu is said to have had a discussion with some other people including top police officers on why and how to remove the current IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare from office. The Parliamentary probing committee, chaired by the Abuakwa South Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Atta Akyea, had scheduled their first meeting on Thursday, August 24, 2023, with Bugri Naabu as the first witness. But when the committee met, Bugri Naabu was absent. A letter signed by Raymond Dornyo, counsel for Bugri Naabu said he was not doing well and that he was ill. The committee therefore adjourned sitting to Monday, August 28, 2023. Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta-Akyea, warned that it will not tolerate any excuses aimed at delaying its work. We want all witnesses to respect the committee, especially our timetable. I do not believe that it is right and proper that when people are invited to appear before the committee, they schedule a time for the committee, it should be the other way round. If you know all the sacrifices people make for the committee, people should be in their constituencies, they are here. And the witness is the one who is holding us to ransom. I expect that all those who will appear before the committee will know that time consciousness is very important for us. Its not a witch-hunt, these are very decent members of our committee. It is not a witch-hunt, these are very decent members of our community, he said, referring to the members of the committee. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has constituted a seven-member committee to investigate an alleged plot to remove the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, from office. A discussion of the said plot is on audio which has been circulated on social media. One of the voices engaged in the discussion on the leaked audio is said to be that of Bugri Naabu, hence his invitation by the Parliamentary committee. The committee has been tasked to investigate the authenticity of the leaked tape, as well as the allegations contained therein. The committee is also assigned to make recommendations on how to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. No need to shed blood in Niger, exhaust diplomatic avenues - Catholic Bishops to ECOWAS Getrude Ankah Nyavi Aug - 25 - 2023 , 10:13 The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has urged ECOWAS leaders to explore and exhaust all other diplomatic avenues to help avoid bloodshed and chaos in Niger. They have also called on the regional bloc not to use force in restoring constitutional rule in Niger. While the Bishops are equally concerned about the situation in Niger, as it has the potential to fuel even further anarchy and insecurity in the region, the use of military force to remedy the situation should not even be contemplated, the Bishops said in a statement. It is the position of the Conference that the idea of an ECOWAS military intervention for the restoration of the constitutional regime in Niger should not even be contemplated, it said. In a statement signed by the President of the Conference, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi on Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Bishops said such an intervention could further exacerbate an already tense situation putting vulnerable populations in peril. We should note that already Mali and Burkina Faso have dispatched warplanes to Niger in response to a potential military intervention by ECOWAS. Moreover, Burkina Faso has threatened to withdraw from ECOWAS if the bloc intervenes militarily in Niger. In line with the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:27), we, as a Conference, are opposed to any military intervention against the coup makers in Niger, as this will exacerbate the already precarious situation in that country where civilians such as women, children, aged, weak and vulnerable in society are bearing the biggest brunt of the chaotic situation, it said. This will require further engagements with the coup leaders to discuss a concrete roadmap for the situation. The Conference is confident that this approach will enable all parties and the mediators to speedily design long-lasting solutions to the situation in Niger. It added that The Conference, as a member of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), made up of the Catholic Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops in West Africa, reiterates the position of RECOWA, which calls for restraint on the part of the ECOWAS leaders for the use of force to restore constitutional regime in Niger. The group further raised concerns that for "the past three years, the West African Sub-region has been plagued with a series of coups detat after years of the continents attempt to deepen democratic governance, He continued: This situation started with the Republic of Mali in 2020, Guinea in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and now Niger in 2023. The Conference further urges the Government of Ghana to refrain from the use of force and likewise urges its colleague leaders to do same. GJA launches 27th media awards Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Aug - 25 - 2023 , 05:58 The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has launched the 27th GJA Media Awards in Accra to reward deserving journalists and institutions as an effort to uphold high standards of journalism in the country. It will take place on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) in Accra on the theme: Leveraging Media Freedom To Sustain The Democratic And Security Architecture: The Litmus Test of 2024 Election. The awards is open to all members of the association working in the print, broadcast and online media and who are in good standing with regard to the payment of dues. Members of the National Executive of the GJA and the Awards Committee are ,however, barred from applying for any award. Entries should cover works published from January 2022 to December 31, 2022 and entrants may submit works for a maximum of two categories. However, applicants cannot file one story for more than one category. Categories In all, there will be 34 competitive award categories, including Best in News Reporting, Features, Documentaries and Columnists, Sports, Health, Education, Investigative Journalism and Gender. Special awards will be given to journalists who reported best on areas such as disability, road safety and illegal mining. There will also be the GJA Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the Year Award in honour of the late celebrated Ghanaian BBC news anchor, Komla Dumor. Interested applicants are also advised to submit clear, original published work of each entry, accompanied by a clear passport size photo, while student journalists are entreated to upload a scanned copy of their student ID card for their entries. Interested journalists can visit the online portal awards.gjaghana.org to file their works. Entries can be made from now to Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Dignitaries Present at the launch were some executive members of the GJA, including the General Secretary, Edmund Kofi Yeboah; the Public Relations Officer, Rebecca Ekpe, and the Chairman of the associations Greater Accra Chapter, Charles Benoni Okine. Also present were representatives of the National Media Commission; former Editor, Graphic, Kobby Asmah, a former Production Manager of TV3 (Media General) Gabriel Bosompem and a former Night Editor of Daily Graphic, Vance Azu. Significance The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said the essence of the awards was to promote professional excellence and high journalistic standards, adding that he believed they were very motivating. He said this years awards would include Best Student Journalist of the Year, which was scrapped recently. The Best Student Journalist of the Year Award also falls within our membership drive agenda, that is, to encourage trainee journalists and practitioners to join the GJA, Mr Dwumfour explained. He encouraged members to file their entries early to avoid disappointment, stating that given the limited time at the associations disposal, there would be no extension of the deadline. He also expressed gratitude to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for sponsoring the Crime/Court Reporting Award category. Mr Dwumfour called on other agencies and corporate entities to sponsor various categories to keep journalists motivated to aspire to be champions of the masses and a voice for the voiceless. We also value the support of all our traditional partners over the years, including our diplomatic partners, the US Embassy. The US Embassy deserves special recognition for its exceptional support to the GJA in recent years, Mr Dwumfour added. Graphic, CAL Bank to deepen collaboration Emelia Ennin Abbey Aug - 25 - 2023 , 06:53 The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and the management of CAL Bank PLC, have committed themselves to working together for their mutual benefit. The two institutions are to explore possible areas of partnership that would build their brands and contribute towards the economic development of the country. The Chief Executive Officer of CAL Bank PLC, Philip Owiredu, and the Managing Director of the GCGL, Ato Afful, expressed their commitment when the latter paid a courtesy call on the management of the bank in Accra yesterday to deepen their relationship. We are a 73-year-old company that understands the business environment, as well as prick the national conscience and conversations. We are certain when we direct the conversations in the right perspectives, businesses benefit, Mr Afful said. He commended CalBank for its success story, saying the brand had grown over the years as an indigenous company. Mr Afful said putting up its own head office was a testament to the strong brand equity of the bank which example he said was worth emulating. Digitalisation The MD said the company was investing in the digital space by archiving all its newspapers from 1950 to date. Graphic is the only institution that has chronicled the history of the country, and that treasure trove of information is now being preserved in its digital archive that would also inure to the benefit of all segments of society, including corporate institutions, he said. Mr Afful added that the digitalisation of the newspaper publications would ensure we do not lose records. It is a national project for future generations. Evolution The Marketing Director of GCGL, Franklin Sowa, said the banking and media industries were both undergoing massive evolution. GCGL, he said, was also investing in its online platform and other activities such as a weekly Twitter business dialogue where pertinent national and economic issues were discussed by experts. Mr Sowa further said that the company had a subsidiary that provided courier services which could be used for delivery of all types of items, and a printing company known as G-PAK which did all forms of printing. Appreciation For his part, Mr Owiredu expressed appreciation for the visit and described the Daily Graphic newspaper as the biggest media platform in terms of circulation in the country that cannot be ignored by any business entity, adding that any business that wants to build its brand needs the Daily Graphic to do so. He also described the strategic direction of GCGL, particularly the establishment of its digital archive as a laudable project and pledged the support of the bank towards the initiative. Mr Owiredu described the performance of the bank last year as challenging, especially with regard to the effect of the domestic debt exchange on financial institutions. He, however, said that so far business had started normalising and it is expected that by next year it will be much better. Mr Owiredu said that GCGL would remain a key partner of the bank in its growth, adding that we will continue to work with you. The Head of Marketing of the bank, Kofi S. Siabi, said the two companies would collaborate on the Graphic digital platform and other activities for their mutual benefit. Graphic/GSA Breakfast Summit on standards today Kester Aburam Korankye Aug - 25 - 2023 , 06:00 The Secretary General of the International Standards Organisation (ISO), Sergio Mujica, has said the governments vision of making the country a hub of global manufacturing was viable. He said the approval of the National Quality Policy (NQP) and passage of the Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1076) were major interventions that would send the right signals to the rest of the world that the country was open for large-scale investment in the production sector. Breakfast summit Mr Mujica, who is on a working visit to Ghana with the Secretary General of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), Dr Hermogene Nsengimana, made this known to the Daily Graphic in an interview ahead of the Graphic/GSA Breakfast Summit on standards and industrialisation at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra today. The summit, themed: Standardisation and Industrialisation: Could Ghana be the new hub for global manufacturing? is expected to bring together members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), academia, regulators and policymakers to discuss Ghanas potential of becoming a global manufacturing hub. The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Rev. Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, will chair the summit. The Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Prof. Alex Dodoo; Mr Mujica, Dr Nsengimana and the CEO of the AGI, Seth Twum Akwaboah will also hold a panel discussion. Global standards Mr Mujica said with the right laws on standards in place and with enforcement, it would be easier for global manufacturing giants to knock on the doors of the country to set up production plants which would essentially make Ghana a hub of manufacturing. Mr Mujica said standardisation was key in driving competitiveness of local industries and critical in protecting the environment and consumers from harmful products. He called on the GSA and other stakeholders to work towards improving compliance. One standard Dr Nsengimana said it was important for African countries to harmonise standards and ensure uniformity of the continent's standards regime to help deepen trade and make the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) successful. He reiterated the need for the adoption of one standard, one test and one certificate to address conflicting standards. Leading a continental organisation, Dr Nsengimana said countries must adopt and enforce the right standards to reduce rejection of products from Africa on the international market as majority of the rejections were as a result of poor standards. He urged the GSA to empower small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to adopt the harmonised standards to promote quality. Enforcement Prof. Dodoo said the GSA would ensure the strict enforcement of laws on standards to serve as a guide for other African countries to build robust standard regimes to facilitate smooth trading under the AfCFTA. He said enforcement would also bring order to the public space, create jobs, generate revenue for the state and ensure discipline in society. He, however, added that the GSA would open a window of assistance to manufacturers, service providers, exporters and importers to comply with the laws and the new quality culture on standards. Impose strict restrictions on antibiotics in Ghana KNUST Lecturer Zadok Kwame Gyesi Aug - 25 - 2023 , 09:47 A Senior Lecturer at the School of Medicine and Dentistry of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Yaw A. Amoako, has called for a strict restriction on the sale and use of antibiotics in the country. He said imposing strict restrictions on the sale and use of the medicine could help to prevent abuse of antibiotics use in the country, which he described as a major threat to public health. There should be restrictions on antibiotics, he said, adding antibiotics should only be used when needed after appropriate tests. Dr. Amoako, who is a senior specialist of infectious diseases and research scientist at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), was speaking at a virtual media roundtable organised by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals on Thursday, August 24, 2023, to raise awareness on antibiotics so as to ensure patient safety and maintain the future effectiveness of antibiotics. He noted that the cost of antibiotics abuse was dire, considering its health implications and socio-economic impacts on society. He expressed the concern that many people had resorted to the use of antibiotics when they ought not to, stressing that the abuse of antibiotics increases the length of stay of patients at the hospital. Background Antimicrobial resistance (abuse of antibiotics) is the situation where antimicrobial medicines are unable to treat certain diseases. It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change characteristics (mutate) over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. For Dr. Amoako, the threat of antimicrobial resistance should be addressed with all seriousness since it could result even in deaths. He cautioned the public to desist from the abuse of antibiotics, urging the national Pharmacy Council to be strict on how such medicines are dispensed by over-the-counter outlets. He expressed the concern that many antibiotics medicines are not properly stored and handled in many parts of the country, citing an example that one could even find antibiotics at market places. Dr. Amoako stressed that considering the dire health implications of antibiotics abuse, there was the need to adopt multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approaches in fighting it. He has, therefore, called on all stakeholders, particularly the media to help create awareness on the subject in order for people to get well-informed on the dangers of antibiotics abuse. Virtual meeting The roundtable was intended to discuss the need for antimicrobial stewardship as treatment of infections are becoming more difficult due to widespread emergence of antimicrobial resistance. It is Pfizers position is that governments and the public health community will work together with industry to take further action and support measures that will enable continued innovation in the development of new antibiotics and vaccines to help curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Appropriate tests For his part, Professor Kwame Ohene Buabeng, a Clinical Pharmacologist at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), also reiterated the position that antibiotics should only be used when patients have gone through appropriate diagnosis. He has, therefore, charged medicine sellers, particularly over-the-counter outlets not sell antibiotics to people without prescriptions from recognised health facilities or certified pharmacists. Prof. Buabenf, who is also the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (KNUST) Kumasi and the Vice President of the Ghana College of Pharmacists (GCPharm), said the rate of abuse of antibiotics in the country could be likened to the menace of illegal mining. He said the practice was widespread and needed urgent actions to tackle it, pointing out that the manner in which some antibiotics are stored and handled pose major challenge to peoples health. Prof. Buabeng who is also the Deputy Chair of the Multi-Sectoral, Multi-Stakeholder Coordinating platform on Antimicrobial Resistance in Ghana, and a Member of the National Medicines Selection Committee for the Development of Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) and Essential Medicines List (EML), noted that there was the need to intensify education and awareness creation on antibiotics abuse in the country. Methodist Church ordains 67 priests Samuel Kyei-Boateng Aug - 25 - 2023 , 06:32 Sixty-seven newly trained pastors of the Methodist Church Ghana have been ordained by the Presiding Bishop of the church, Most Rev. Paul Kwabena Boafo, at a ceremony at the Akyem Oda St Luke Methodist Cathedral. All the Diocesan Bishops and some retired bishops and representatives from all the 22 dioceses of the church attended the event, which formed part of the national conference of the church. The function also attracted some dignitaries, including the Member of Parliament (MP) of Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tree Crop Development Authority, William Agyapong Quaittoo; the Principal of Trinity Theoretical Seminary, Prof. Asamoah Gyedu; the Krontihene and Abontendomhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Obrempong Gyamfi Saforo Kyereh, and Osabarima Ankomah Bempong, respectively. Conducting the ordination service last Sunday, Most Rev. Boafo urged the newly ordained priests to sustain the sterling qualities that landed them in their positions to transform society. He admonished pastors to preach against corruption and indiscipline, which were getting out of hand in the country. "Corruption, a social canker in politics, workplaces and educational institutions, among others, must be eradicated at all cost by adopting stringent measures such as severely punishing perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to other bad nuts in society," he stressed. Good policies Most Rev. Boafo also enjoined the government to come out with good policies and programmes to improve the lot of the people. The Presiding Bishop implored the new pastors who had completed a six-year pastoral course, made up of three years in theory and three years of practical training, to let their training reflect in their ministries and their communities at large. A former Presiding Bishop of the church, Most Rev. Titus Awotwi Pratt, who delivered the sermon, urged the new pastors to lead exemplary lifestyles compatible with the teachings of Christ, stressing "never fail to act as faithful shepherds of the Lord". He said God had a purpose for calling them into the ministry as He knew how to solve the innate problems they had. Sierra Leone maritime administration partners RMU to train seaferers Mabel Delassie Awuku Aug - 25 - 2023 , 10:07 The Ag. Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jnr. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) in its bid to strengthen maritime education across member countries and within the sub region. The university is expected to conduct training for Sierraleonians interested in persuing careers as seafarers in strict adherence to the International Conventions on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping (STCW 1978, as amended). This partnership between the University and SLMA is a significant stride in supporting Sierra Leone, a member state of the University to implement its objective of domesticating the STCW 1998, as amended and consequently listed on the International Maritime Organisations (IMO) white list. The SLMA and the University have agreed to work together to ensure a successful implementation of an International Maritime Organisations mandatory basic courses such as Basic Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, International Ship and Port Facility Security Awareness and Designated Security Duties (ISPS-Awareness), Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) and Elementary First Aid (EFA). The SLMA and the Regional Maritime University are excited about this collaboration and the opportunity it presents to augment the professional training of seafarers in Sierra Leone and are confident that their joint efforts will contribute to safer and more secure maritime operations in the region. Earlier the same day, Dr. Brooks also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Transport and aviation of Sierra Leone whose representative was at the MOU signing ceremony. The Regional Maritime University remains committed to imparting knowledge and welcomes similar collaborations within the sub-Region and beyond. WASSCE written papers begin with Oral English - Exam for Ghana only Emmanuel Bonney Aug - 24 - 2023 , 12:00 The written aspect of the Ghana Only Version of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates (SC) took off smoothly at the various centres of the country yesterday. The first paper, Oral English, was written by all students taking part in the WASSCE-SC. However, at some of the senior high schools (SHSs), the candidates had to be divided into batches since the small nature of the assembly halls could not accommodate all of them at a go. At the Accra High School where the Daily Graphic visited, for instance, the 769 candidates were divided into three batches. At the time of the visit, the candidates were being searched as they made their way into the examination hall. The male invigilators searched the male candidates, while the females searched the females to prevent them from taking any foreign material into the examination hall. Security Police personnel were also on standby to provide security and ensure the smooth conduct of the examination. Before the commencement of the paper, the Headmistress of the school, Evelyn Sagbil Nabil, advised the candidates to endeavour to report to the examination centre early to avoid lateness. She said they should also comport themselves and focus on their books in order to excel. Ms Nabia told the Daily Graphic that things had been smooth since the examination began. We have been doing the practicals for some time now and so far, so good. Today is the beginning of the written papers where all candidates are involved and as you can see the place is calm, she noted. She explained that the assembly hall could not contain all the 769 students; hence, the decision to divide the candidates into three batches. She said the rest of the candidates were quarantined as the others took turns to write the examination. The Head of Public Affairs of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, said reports that the council had received from the various schools indicated that the examination had been incident-free. Commencement The WASSCE-SC began in the country on July 31 with project works in Basketry, Ceramics and Graphic Design. After yesterdays examination, all the candidates will on Monday, August 28, 2023, write Social Studies, a core paper, the WAEC timetable for the WASSCE-SC, has indicated. Another core paper, English Language, is slated for Thursday, September 7, 2023, with Core Mathematics taking place on Thursday, September 14, 2023. Integrated Science, which is also a core paper, is scheduled for Monday, September 18, 2023. The examination will end on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, with Literature-In-English (Drama & Poetry), Jewellery and Woodwork. Candidature In all, 447,204 candidates, made up of 211,834 males and 235,370 females, are sitting the examination at 834 centres across the country. The total candidature represents an increase of 24,321 over last years 422,883. Final-year students from 975 second cycle schools are participating in the examination, which is being written for the second consecutive time in Ghana. This is in addition to a total of 834 supervisors, 2,243 assistant supervisors and 14,907 invigilators. Girls have outnumbered boys in the ongoing WASSCE-SC for the second successive time. For instance, out of the 447,204 candidates, 211,834 are males as against 235,370 females. This is a repeat of last years scenario where out of the total number of 422,883 candidates, 203,753 were males and 219,130 were females. Statistics from the WAEC made available to the Daily Graphic indicated that the Ashanti Region has the highest number of candidates; 107,061, made up of 51,404 males and 55,657 females. The Ahafo, Bono and Bono East regions together would have the second-highest number of candidatures of 65,731, made up of 31,341 males and 34,390 females. The Eastern Region comes third with 60,516 candidates - 28,120 males and 32,396 females, while the Central Region, with some of the top second cycle schools in the country, has 54,084 candidates involving 24,520 males and 29,564 females. Others Forty-two thousand three hundred and thirty-eight candidates (19,705 males and 22,633 females) are from the Greater Accra Region, while the Volta and Oti regions jointly present 37,594 candidates; 18,408 males and 19,186 females. In the case of the Western and Western North regions, 32,705 candidates are sitting the WASSCE-SC. Moreover, 25,295 candidates (13,297 males and 11,998 females) are expected to participate in the examination in the Northern, North East and Savannah regions. The entry figures of the candidates also showed that 13,826 (6,370 males and 7,456 females) final-year SHS students are taking the examination in the Upper East Region. The Upper West Region also has 8,054 candidates (3,836 males and 4,218 females). Ghanaian candidates are writing the Ghana-only WASSCE-SC for the second successive time because the other four-member countries of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia have returned to the May/June calendar and have already administered the WASSCE for their school candidates for this year. The four countries reviewed their academic calendars to enable them to write the examination in May/June, while Ghana stuck to the new normal calendar occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Police spell out route for Minority protest against BoG governor Daily Graphic Politics Aug - 25 - 2023 , 06:03 The Accra Regional Police Command has confirmed its readiness to provide the needed security to the Minority in Parliament to carry out its planned protest against the Governor of the Bank of Ghana on September 5, 2023. The protest is set to take place at the Bank of Ghana Head Office, with the Minority aiming to voice their concerns about what they describe as the mismanagement of financial resources and the resulting economic implications. The organisers of the protest had earlier proposed the route for the protest as follows: from the frontage of Parliament House, through the Osu cemetery traffic light, Ministry of Finance, High Court Complex, Kinbu Makola Rawlings Park Opera Square Bank of Ghana. However, the police in a statement after a closed-door meeting with the Minority said it had drawn the attention of the organisers to the fact that using the selected routes for the demonstration might endanger public order and public safety, among others. The statement, signed by the head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Accra Regional Police Command, Superintendent of Police, Juliana Obeng, said the organisers were to relocate the routes and destination of picketing in the interest of public order, public safety and running of essential services. It said the Command received a notice of public protest from the office of the Minority Leader on August 21, 2023, informing the police of the Minority in Parliaments intention to embark on a public protest to demand the resignation of the Governor, Deputy Governor and Board of Directors of the Bank Of Ghana, in collaboration with some others. The statement indicated that the police upon receipt of the notice undertook a security assessment of the chosen routes and the destination for the picketing. Following the security assessment, on 23rd August, 2023, the police requested the organisers to relocate the routes and destination of the picketing. The police are waiting to hear from the organisers to enable us to provide them the necessary security during the protest. The Police assured the public of its commitment to continue to deliver on its mandate as it works together with all stakeholders to deepen the democratic credentials of the country. Exactly one year after the Xperia 5 IV made its debut, Sony is ready to announce a successor with the Xperia 5 V. The upcoming device is set to debut on Friday, September 1 at 4PM Japan time (7AM UTC) and as usual, there will be a livestream on YouTube. The short teaser trailer for the event boasts about the phones camera quality in both day and night shots. Based on the leaked promo video from last month, Xperia 5 V will boast a dual camera setup. Xperia 5 V design We also know it will feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and up to 16GB of RAM as per a listing on Geekbench. A previous certification on Chinas 3C agency confirmed 33W fast charging. Norman Analista, is the founder of Analista & Co., a Guam-based fashion brand specializing in bespoke apparel. He has designed clothing for dozens of celebrities and social media influencers in the US, Asia, and Europe. For unpublished content related to this column, follow @tastemaker671 on Instagram. For story suggestions email nanalista@yahoo.com. For the first time in over 15 years, a federal field hearing was held on Guam to discuss the state of the US defense within the Pacific region. Nine representatives from the US House Committee on Natural Resources, including Del. James Moylan, coordinated the Congressional Field Hearing on Aug. 24 in the Hilton Hotels Micronesia Ballroom. The committee held the hearing with two panels to hear a variety of statements regarding what the committee can bring back to Washington D.C. and help improve the status of Guam and neighboring territorial governments and nations that are associated with the US government. The first panel consisted of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Gov. Arnold Palacios from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Kaleb Udui from Palau, Ricky Cantero from the Federated States of Micronesia, and Jack Ading from the Marshall Islands. Leon Guerrero shared her support for bipartisan efforts to increase US engagement throughout the region and invest in the security of Guam and other vital US territories against the power of the Chinese Communist Party. As a result of American engagement in the Marianas and the larger Pacific region, the United States won an unparalleled period of peace, economic trade and shared propsperity in the Pacific. Yet, as time passed and other priorities drew Americas watchful eye, China emerged, said the governor. Because Guam can project power throughout the Indo-Pacific region, China is working to project equal power onto Guam and its sister islands. This has brought with it specific consequences for the people of Guam. The committees chairman, Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, echoed the governors sentiment as he shared that Guams importance to Americas national security cannot be overstated. Less than 2,000 miles away from here lies a threat to freedom and self-determination in the Peoples Republic of China under the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The CCP not only seeks to challenge American leadership, but it is also aggressively working to undermine the democratic values and institutions that we hold dear, said Westerman. The recent PRC hacks in Guam show that Guam is on the frontlines of the fight against this threat. It is an honor to be here in Guam to hear from local leaders and communities and to celebrate Americas unrivaled military strength in the Pacific. Retired US Army Brig. Gen. Roderick Leon Guerrero also shared written testimony about how Guam being the tip of the spear must be in capable hands, so the US has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its people against all enemies. Nations have opposing claims over water rights and islands. Threats to freedom of sea navigation and the threats against Taiwan bring the possibility of conflict in this region, stated the brigadier general. Brig. Gen. Leon Guerrero added that the missile defense system must be seen as a last resort as the US should instead emphasize diplomacy. The people on the island of Guam have suffered much during World War II, and Guam does not need to suffer another attack. To spare the island of Guam and other Pacific islands in the region, the US government must ratchet down the tension with other countries in the region, added Brig. Gen. Leon Guerrero. Gov. Leon Guerrero also addressed the need for Congress to recognize the impact of the Compact of Free Association as American values are constantly on display throughout the Pacific. By ensuring fair treatment of COFA citizens and investing in Guams infrastructure, the US demonstrates its commitment to collaboration. The compact renewal must be reflective of a whole government approach and the US Congress commitment to recognize the importance of our Pacific islands, added the governor. With numerous government officials being able to voice their concerns, Delegate Moylan noted how the hearing was a historic moment for Guam in order to help prioritize the island on Congress priorities. Our team has worked hard to ensure our issues are addressed, and having members physically see and hear our concerns first-hand will certainly go a long way. Guams proximity becomes even more valuable to the United States of America with the rise of concerns coming from the Chinese Communist Party, stated Moylan. There have been numerous instances where they have tested their limits with Guam by hacking into the infrastructure of American military bases, operating their warships near our waters, and the illegal entry of Chinese nationals embarking on our shores. I want to thank my colleagues in Congress for recognizing Guams importance and seeing us as a community, not merely an island with military installations. Residents can watch the full hearing here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOsFe7cfGgs. ATLANTA -- A scowling Donald Trump posed for a mug shot Thursday as he surrendered inside a jail in Atlanta on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, creating a historic and humbling visual underscoring the former presidents escalating legal troubles. The booking photo instantly becomes part of the former presidents legacy as he confronts criminal charges in four American cities while seeking to reclaim the White House. His aides swiftly seized on the image, fundraising off the first mug shot in American history of a former president as representative of the unfair persecution they contend Trump is encountering. His opponents, meanwhile, are likely to use it to remind voters of dangers in electing a president facing dozens of felony charges. Trump was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey, flashing a thumbs-up through the window of his sport utility vehicle as his motorcade left. Unrepentant but subdued after the brief jail visit, he again insisted that he did nothing wrong and called the case accusing him of subverting election results a travesty of justice. If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election, he told reporters on the airport tarmac. Trumps surrender to law enforcement authorities, the fourth time this year, has by now become a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president, and current candidate, being booked on criminal charges. But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail rather than a courthouse. And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken. It depicts Trump, wearing a navy suit and red tie, angrily scowling at the camera, his brows furrowed as he stares into the lens. Before Trumps plane had crossed North Carolina, his campaign was already using the image to solicit contributions on a fundraising site. And for the first time since Jan. 8, 2021, he made a post on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, issuing a fundraising plea on the platform that prevented him from using his account after he helped spark the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. This mugshot will forever go down in history as a symbol of Americas defiance of tyranny, said a Trump campaign fundraising email. He also called into conservative TV channel Newsmax to talk about what he said had been a terrible experience. Its a very sad experience and its a very sad day for our country, he said. His jail visit created a remarkable split-screen visual during a 2024 Republican primary contest in which he remains the leading candidate, swiping the spotlight at least temporarily from his opponents and coming one day after a debate in Milwaukee where eight of his leading rivals sought to exploit Trumps absence by trying to stand out from the pack. Trump landed in Atlanta around 7 p.m. and was driven to jail for the booking process. He offered a wave and thumbs-up as he descended the steps of his private plane. He completed the process in a brisk 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Blond or strawberry hair. And Trump, who for four years in the White House reveled in the title of Mr. President, was given the inmate number of P01135809. 20 1 / 20 Trump Election Indictment The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted. Since then, hes faced federal charges in Florida and Washington, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime. District Attorney Fani Willis had given all of the defendants until Friday afternoon to turn themselves in at the main Fulton County jail. Just ahead of his surrender, Trump hired a new lead attorney for the Georgia case. Prominent Atlanta criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow replaced another high-profile criminal defense attorney, Drew Findling, who had represented Trump as recently as Monday when his bond terms were negotiated. But by Thursday Findling was no longer part of the team, according to a person with knowledge of the change who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Sadow said in a statement that the president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him. Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He said in a social media post this week that he was being prosecuted for what he described in capital letters as a perfect phone call in which he asked the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to help him find 11,780 votes for him to overturn his loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden. The Fulton County jail where Trump surrendered has long been a troubled facility. The Justice Department last month opened a civil rights investigation into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jails psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month. He did not spend much time there. His attorneys and prosecutors had already agreed to a $200,000 bond, plus conditions that include barring the former president from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case. Charles Shaw, CEO of Foster Bail Bonds in metro Atlanta, said his company put up Trumps $200,000 bond. Shaw said Trump paid his company 10% or $20,000 which is customary for bail bondsmen to charge. Shaw said he doesnt know Trump, but that Trumps Atlanta defense attorneys have a close business relationship with his company. Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments in which a defendant appears in court for the first time generally happen after a defendant surrenders at the jail and completes the booking process, not on the same day. That means Trump may have to make another trip to Georgia in the coming weeks though the Fulton County Sheriffs Office has said some arraignments in the case may happen virtually if the judge permits. Or Trumps arraignment could be waived. ____ By ERIC TUCKER, KATE BRUMBACK and JILL COLVIN Associated Press Tucker reported from Washington, Colvin from New York. Associated Press writers Sudhin Thanawala, Jeff Amy and Jeff Martin in Atlanta and Russ Bynum in Savannah, Ga. contributed to this report. Chinese modernization to provide new opportunities for ASEAN countries: official Xinhua) 16:23, August 25, 2023 BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China is promoting Chinese modernization with high-quality development, which will bring new opportunities for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, an official said Friday. Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei told a press conference that China and ASEAN have upgraded economic and trade cooperation in recent years and achieved fruitful results. "As the dividends from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) continue to emerge, the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) is forging ahead, which will cement the roles of China and ASEAN as each other's largest trading partner," Li said. In 2022, the bilateral trade increased 11.2 percent year on year to 975.3 billion U.S. dollars, up significantly from 443.6 billion dollars a decade ago. By July this year, two-way investments topped 380 billion dollars, with an increasing number of Chinese-funded companies and jointly-developed innovation parks. Li said the two sides are actively pushing forward the negotiation of version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN FTA to promote a higher level of opening up. In the latest efforts to deepen cooperation, the 20th China-ASEAN Expo will be held from Sept. 16 to 19 in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. As of now, nearly 1,700 enterprises, including many Global Fortune 500 companies, and delegations from over 40 countries and regions, will participate in the event. In the period, more than 70 economic and trade promotion activities will be held to strengthen cooperation. Digital economy, green development, stable industrial and supply chains, and trade and investment facilitation will be among the key topics. The exhibition will set up special areas for digital technologies, listed companies, industrial design, and intelligent agriculture. At Friday's press conference, Sui Guohua, vice chair of the regional government of Guangxi, estimated that investment agreements worth over 400 billion yuan (55.65 billion U.S. dollars) will be inked during the expo, with the manufacturing cooperation accounting for over 40 percent of the total. Since the first China-ASEAN Expo was held in 2004, the event has become an important cooperation platform and has played a positive role in regional economic integration. Looking ahead, Li said China will expand win-win cooperation with ASEAN countries on all fronts, upgrade economic and trade cooperation, and jointly promote the building of an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. Efforts will be made to increase the trade volume with strengthened Belt and Road cooperation and to promote two-way investments in areas including petrochemicals, steel, automobiles, and textiles. Connectivity will be pushed forward to bolster regional development and benefit more people, according to Li. The vice minister also stressed the high-quality implementation of the RCEP and vowed to accelerate the negotiation of version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN FTA. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Haiti - FLASH : More than 200,000 people had to flee their homes Protection risks for internally displaced persons (IDPs) are heightened in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and recent data from the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that almost half of the displaced people now live in an improvised site, whereas a few months ago there were only a quarter. Indeed, as the crisis drags on, the capacity of communities to host displaced people is eroding, exposing displaced populations to greater protection risks, such as gender-based, communal and sexual violence, discrimination and abuse. In order to regularly inform the authorities and other partners on the situation of displacement in Haiti, the General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC) and the DTM of the IOM have carried out mobility monitoring assessments to collect and update update information on the number, profiles and needs of IDPs in the country. According to the latest assessments in June 2023, instability and insecurity have caused the displacement of nearly 200,000 Haitians in the country, of which 131,000 are displaced inside the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince alone. Yakin Mwanza, in charge of IOM's DTM program in Haiti, pointed out that people displaced in sites live in precarious conditions. More than half of the sites have no latrines. Where latrines are available, they often do not meet minimum hygiene standards. This situation is very worrying considering the cholera epidemic in the country. Although the displaced people are mainly concentrated in the metropolitan area, other departments are also affected. DTM data show that the Center and Artibonite departments host 29,000 and 22,000 displaced persons respectively. On the other hand, Artibonite is the second zone of the country, after the ZMPP, where incidents of insecurity are the most frequent. Thus, 3 out of 4 displaced persons in the Artibonite are from other localities in the same department, while the others come from the metropolitan area, said Yakin Mwanza. Despite these challenges, IOM and its partners continue to provide protection services and humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and returning migrants, including through the provision of food, water, primary health care, psychosocial support, shelters, and through the distribution of personal hygiene items, solar lamps, cooking utensils and other basic necessities. The assistance provided by IOM was made possible through financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA), Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Global Affairs Canada and the United Kingdom Home Office. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Environment : Haiti participates in the 7th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility Astrel Joseph, the Director General of the Ministry of the Environment of Haiti (MdE) participates from August 22 to 26, 2023, in the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), in Vancouver, Canada. The 2023 Assembly, co-hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of Canada, will assess progress towards the 2030 goals to end pollution and nature loss, fight climate change and drive inclusive, locally-led conservation. The event brings together government officials, business leaders, environmentalists, heads of international agencies and environmental conventions, youth groups and civil society representatives to discuss solutions for a healthy planet healthy people. The Assembly is the governing body of the GEF, which includes representatives from all 185 member countries, and is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the general policies, operations and membership of the GEF. This year's Assembly has a packed agenda, including high-level roundtables, a civil society forum that took place on August 23, side events and opportunities to visit environmental activities near Vancouver . S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Security : Jean Louis Paul Menard at the head of the PNH in the Artibonite On Wednesday, divisional commissioner Jean Louis Paul Menard, former commander of the Order Maintenance Intervention Corps (CIMO) and former departmental director of the West, was officially installed as departmental director of the national police in the Artibonite, he replaces Roger Godson Jeune, who held this position for about 6 months before being transferred to the General Directorate of the National Police of Haiti, the latter is now assigned to the Office of the Acting Director General of the PNH. Moise Jean, inspector of the Great North regional office of the General Inspectorate of the PNH (IGPNH) during the ceremony, asked the new departmental director to fully commit himself to justify his function and improve the security situation in a region in prey to the influence of powerful armed gangs, "Gran Grif" of Savien and "Kokorat San Ras" in Estere to name but a few. For his part, Jean Louis Paul Menard pledged to continue the initiatives of his predecessor in the Artibonite and called for the collaboration of all the actors concerned to stem criminal activities and neutralize malicious individuals. Also, the police institution also announces that the Divisional Commissioner John Joseph Zamor is appointed as the new Head of the Firearms Permit Service (SPAF). These new changes of command aimed at revitalizing the police institution and are also part of the strategic actions of the security plan drawn up by the High Command, indicates the PNH. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Carrefour-Feuilles : Terror again In the afternoon of Thursday August 24, Carrefour-Feuilles was plunged into chaos and terror when the gangs of Grand Ravine launched violent assaults. According to testimonies, the bandits succeeded in besieging Impasse Eddy, an area in the heart of Carrefour-Feuilles. Residents were trapped, homes burned, residents killed, the scenario that unfolded was most nightmarish. Conditional stay, nearly 68,000 Haitians in the USA More than 200,000 migrants, including 67,926 Haitians, have already entered the United States as of August 22, 2023 (since January 2023), as part of the Biden administration's conditional stay program, reveals the American media. More than 72,000 Haitians have already been approved. Conditional stay program, conditions and steps to follow : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38566-haiti-flash-new-us-entry-program-for-haitian-migrants-conditions-and-steps-to-follow.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39606-haiti-flash-conditional-stay-program-more-than-580-000-haitian-files-pending.html Opening of the lawsuit against the Biden program On Thursday, August 24, the trial between the Biden administration and some twenty Republican States that had called for the end of the humanitarian conditional stay program began. It is Judge Drew B. Tipton, renowned for his anti-immigrant positions, and appointed by former President Donald Trump, who must decide the fate of the Biden administration program. Kenya : Moderate action in case of intervention ? While the Haitian government and some members of the diplomatic corps waited for a multinational intervention force to dismantle the armed gangs, Kenya, whose delegation left Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, offered only to protect key State infrastructure, such as the airport, seaports and major highways, reveals the Miami Herald. Kenya would also like full immunity for its troops even if the force is non-UN. Digicel : Optic fiber repaired, cut again Digicel informs the population in general and the inhabitants of the great South in particular that it succeeded in repairing Thursday afternoon the optical fiber cut in the Martissant area since August 22. All its services are functional again. However, on the morning of August 24, another outage occurred on the same line. All teams are mobilized to quickly remedy this new situation and we guarantee our customers that service will be restored as soon as possible. Online Teacher Census Thursday August 24, 2023, Nesmy Manigat, the Minister of National Education announced an online census of teachers available for the 2023-2024 academic year and recalled that the start of the new school year is set for September 11 throughout the national territory. HL/ HaitiLibre The renowned global event , Red Bull Dance Your Style competition, is making its debut in the heart of Helsinki this coming weekend. This unique street dance competition will see dancers battling it out in a 1v1 style, with the audience having the final say in determining the winner. The event is set to take place at Erottaja Square in Helsinki on August 26, starting at 6:00 PM. Invited dancers to the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition will engage in epic 1v1 battles, showcasing various dance styles including krump, locking, popping, and hip-hop. Dancers will perform their routines to unrevealed tracks, giving them the opportunity to showcase their true skills in front of a live audience. Unlike traditional competitions, Red Bull Dance Your Style does not rely on a panel of judges. Instead, the audience present at the event acts as the judging panel, deciding through their votes who advances in the battles and ultimately emerges as the winner of the Finnish final. A total of 16 participants have been invited to the Red Bull Dance Your Style street dance competition, and one of them will represent Finland at the global final in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 4. The Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final will feature representatives from over 30 different countries. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Don't miss out on the excitement as dancers showcase their incredible skills and style in this exhilarating competition. HT T&E in July published a study that compares the taxes airlines paid to the taxes they would have had to pay if air travel did not enjoy the tax exemptions it currently does. FINNAIR benefited almost 475 million euros from tax exemptions granted to air travel in 2022, reveals a report by Transport & Environment, a Brussels-based umbrella organisation for non-profits promoting sustainable transport in Europe. The European Unions energy taxation directive exempts kerosene supplied for air travel from the fuel tax unless it is used for private leisure flights. Airlines are also benefiting from allowances that cover up to half of their emissions under the emission trading system, meaning they only pay for a fraction of their carbon-dioxide emissions. Furthermore, no value-added tax is levied on tickets on international flights. In Finland, domestic flights are subjected to the same, lowered 10-per-cent value-added tax as other transport services. Finnair, the report reveals, benefited from fuel and emission-related exemptions to the total tune of 231 million euros and from the preferential tax treatment of tickets to the tune of 243 million euros, adding up to 474 million euros. The Finnish majority state-owned flag carrier came in 19th out of the 25 airlines examined in the report. The biggest aviation tax gap was caused by Air France, which benefited from exemptions worth 2.38 billion euros. The French airline was followed by Lufthansa, with 2.31 billion euros worth of benefits, and Ryanair, with 2.12 billion euros worth of benefits. Overall EU governments lost out on 34.2 billion euros in revenue to the preferential tax treatment of air travel in 2022, according to T&E. How do governments justify generating more revenue from fuel taxes from motorists than from the likes of Air France and Lufthansa, asked Jo Dardenne, aviation director at T&E. Europe is bleeding money by not taxing the aviation sector. Airlines are edging closer to record profits this year, whilst spewing dirty fuels in our skies. But governments are unwilling to touch their precious national carriers, she said. Taxation should not be perceived as a punishment but as a way to fairly charge those who benefit most from aviations under-regulation. Those better off in society have been paying far too little for their flying habits. Taxation, she also argued, will not disable the sector to make investments but will benefit both citizens and the sector in the long term as governments step in to finance the transition to clean energy, including for aviation. Aleksi Teivainen HT As of the end of July 2023, a total of 8,762 non-EU applicants submitted their initial applications for residence permits based on educational pursuits. Interest in Finland's education system is witnessing a significant surge, with a remarkable increase in the number of first-time applications for residence permits for studies compared to the previous year. This surge in applications highlights a growing attraction towards studying in Finland. The first residence permit is sought when a student has secured a place of study and intends to relocate to Finland. Generally, this initial permit is applied for from the applicant's home country. In the same period of 2022, the number of first-time applications for residence permits for studies stood at 5,911. This surge of approximately 48% underscores the increasing interest in Finnish education. Within the pool of applicants for residence permits from January to July 2023, a majority pursued degree programs, accounting for 86% of the total. Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, India, and Russia were the top countries from which the highest number of applications were received. Positive Decisions for Most Applicants During the first seven months of the year, a total of 7,039 first residence permits for studies were granted. Impressively, around 95% of the applications received a positive outcome. Typically, negative decisions are linked to challenges in demonstrating sufficient financial resources. Apart from securing a study spot in Finland, obtaining a residence permit for studies necessitates demonstrating adequate financial means to sustain oneself in the country and possessing insurance to cover potential medical expenses. International students outside the EU are ineligible for student financial aid and are required to pay tuition fees to their Finnish higher education institution. International students are granted residence permits for the duration of their studies upon arriving in the country. Application Processing and Backlog The processing time for first residence permits this year has averaged 41 days. Nearly 60% of first-time applicants receive their decisions within 30 days or less. At present, there is a backlog of applications. The Finnish Immigration Service has managed to process more applications during the same time frame this year than ever before. "In anticipation of the summer season, we bolstered our resources, as we do every year. Due to the significant upswing in applications, we've also augmented our processing staff for student applications for the remainder of the year. We anticipate clearing the backlog for the most part by year-end," states Anu Taren, Head of Section at the Permit and Nationality Unit. Continuously Enhancing Processing Methods The Finnish Immigration Service is consistently enhancing the processing of residence permits for studies, incorporating more partial automation. This approach utilizes information available in public authority registries more efficiently and automatically, streamlining the application process. HT The payment issues faced by Kenyan students who commenced their studies at Laurea University of Applied Sciences in 2022 have been under investigation since the spring of 2023. Over 90 Kenyan students have completed their degree studies this spring. Out of them, 60 students are able and willing to continue their studies at Laurea with the assistance of a payment arrangement, while 31 are transitioning to vocational training in secondary level institutions. Only two students will see the conclusion of their study rights. In order to prevent similar uncertainties in the future, Laurea has introduced improvements to its contract education process. Contract education will continue as it remains a crucial part of the university's societal mission and aligns with the objectives set with the Ministry of Education and Culture. In accordance with a decision by the Laurea University of Applied Sciences board on May 4, 2023, the study rights of two Kenyan students have been revoked due to unpaid fees associated with contract education. Among these students, only one has been active, while the other, according to the education commissioner, has withdrawn from the program and returned to Kenya. The studies of the remaining 90-plus students will proceed either at Laurea or another educational institution in Finland. To facilitate the continuation of their studies, a payment arrangement has been established, and students interested in alternative education paths have been supported in finding placements in secondary level institutions. "I deeply regret that uncertainties regarding tuition fees have caused undue problems and concerns for the students and their families. It is truly unfortunate that not every student's studies could be continued. We have done our utmost to find alternative study paths for the students who desired it. We have also provided flexibility in payment schedules, but legal constraints prevent us from, for instance, forgiving fees," stated Teemu Ylikoski, Chief Development Officer at Laurea. In spring 2023, a total of 95 Kenyan students have completed their degree studies at Laurea in Finland. Out of them, 60 students have chosen to continue their studies at Laurea with the assistance of a payment arrangement, and they have affirmed their ability to do so. Additionally, 31 students are transitioning to vocational training at Omnia, Eduko, and Keuda, which are secondary level institutions. Vocational training comes at no cost to students and employers provide compensation for the duration of studies. Secondary level vocational training falls outside the realm of contract education and is not governed by the same legislation. In 2022, Laurea welcomed five student groups for contract education, commissioned by Kenya's Uasin Gishu County. These students studied across Laurea's campuses in Espoo, Lohja, Porvoo, Vantaa, and through distance learning in Kenya. Payment issues that emerged in early 2023 disrupted the continuation of studies, prompting investigations into the causes of the situation. Laurea's assessment indicates that payment origins have deviated from the agreed-upon terms throughout the project. The agreement was made with Uasin Gishu County, where the intention was for the county to fully fund both education and student accommodations. However, it has now come to light that from the outset, students and their families have been responsible for covering the costs. Furthermore, in the upcoming fall semester, a group of 24 Kenyan nursing students, who have been pursuing remote studies in Kenya, will join the program. This group is part of the same agreement and started their studies simultaneously with the existing groups in Finland. Laurea has ensured that these students are well-informed about the payment challenges faced by previous groups and has provided comprehensive information regarding the cost of living in Finland. According to the University of Applied Sciences Act, the institution must charge the contracting party of contract education at least the costs incurred by the education. Non-EU/EEA international students are treated differently by Finnish legislation than those from within the EU/EEA. Contract education mandates full payment, with the payer being a company, association, or public entity. The university is prohibited from directly charging contract education fees to students. "We aim to eliminate any future uncertainties in contract education, and that's why we have made improvements to our contract education process. Moving forward, agreements will be directly between Laurea and the contracting party, and the contracting party will be obligated to use the agreement model specified by Laurea for the contract between the contracting party and the student. We have ceased negotiations for new contract education programs with other Kenyan counties. An external review of Kenyan contract education is also underway," summarized Ylikoski. Despite the challenges faced, contract education will persist at Laurea. It remains a vital component of the university's societal mission and aligns with the objectives set with the Ministry of Education and Culture. HT In 2022 , Finland emerged as the fifth highest country in Europe for the prevalence of remote work, considering the proportion of employed individuals who worked from home at least occasionally. However, when focusing on those who engaged in remote work for over half of their work hours, Finland ranked second after Ireland, according to an article by Pertti Taskinen , Chief Actuary at Statistics Finland. These insights are based on data from the International Labour Force Survey. The Netherlands claimed the lead for individuals engaging in remote work at any frequency, with a rate of 53% of the employed population in 2022. Sweden followed with 45%, while Finland's rate was 40%. On the other hand, in the category of individuals who worked remotely for over half of their work hours, Ireland topped the chart with 25%, followed by Finland at 24%. "The results show that remote work has been considerably less common on a regular basis in the Netherlands and especially in Norway compared to, for example, Finland. Finland's proportion surpasses the EU average by over 2.5 times," Taskinen wrote, referencing the group of individuals who worked remotely for over half of their work hours. Remote work became widespread across Europe, especially at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis. Notably, Finland deviated in terms of 2022 trends from countries where remote work is significantly more prevalent than the average. The proportion of individuals engaged in remote work at least occasionally decreased by only 1.6 percentage points in Finland in 2022 compared to 2021, whereas the EU average decline was 3.3 percentage points. "For instance, in Norway and Sweden, almost 10 percentage points of those who worked regularly from home returned to the office, if such a reduction in the regularity of home-based work can be termed as such," Taskinen remarked. HT Why and how was the The Registry of Sarees formed? Ahalya Matthan of The Registry of Sarees that has published The Saree in Nine Stories. (Courtesy the subject) The Registry of Sarees was started as a research and documentation centre initially to enable cultural learning through weaver and practitioner engagement as well as learning events. I had just founded the #100sareepact in 2015 and was looking for more meaningful and impactful ways to understand and build a relationship with handloom in our country beyond the wonderful world that social media had thrown open to me. In 2016, we had about 22 such events completely free of cost for practitioners. Diverse people from the field such as indigo practitioner Brij Ballabh Udaiwal, designer Ashdeen, revivalist Jaya Jaitly and weavers from a co-operative in East Godavari were hosted in Bengaluru so that our community could connect with each other. In 2017, I met Mayank Mansingh Kaul, whose role as both educator and curator allowed us to broaden our scope of vision. We began collecting historical textiles with a very focused objective to build a tangible and physical registry of hand spun and handloom textiles of India. The collection could only have grown and been built with the committed support of Mysore Saree Udyog, our corporate partners whose expertise and long family background in textiles have also furthered both research and conservation through a laboratory as well as a commercial platform, Yali. The purpose of building a registry was threefold: to enable design within the practitioner community that now includes farmers, spinners, weavers, their families who work in pre-loom and post-loom handloom technologies as well as designers, connoisseurs, and patrons; to publish research and documentation in the area of hand spinning and handloom and thereby enable research and documentation in the area of hand spinning and handloom weaving; and to create comprehensive curatorial projects that further equip us to share our learning and grow our community. Red Lilies, Water Birds has been really well received and is special for the curatorial stories and the diversity of the narrative, the quality of production and also for the accessibility it gifts the reader. (Courtesy Ahalya Matthan) The Saree in Nine Stories is a stunning publication that originated from the exhibition, Red Lilies, Water Birds curated by Mayank Mansingh Kaul and held in Hampi last year. Tell us about this exhibition, how was it conceived and why Hampi? The idea for the exhibition was first conceived in 2017. I had several candid conversations with Kamleshji and Dineshji of Mysore Saree Udyog, curator Mayank Mansingh Kaul and my husband Rahul Matthan that encompassed many things including the idea of India. We also spoke about strengthening the #100sareepact into a more encompassing space to include people from all sections of society it had been treated as a wonderful movement where principally women showcased their sarees on social media with their stories and I was actively seeking an education and looking for ways to be a part of the larger community of makers and artists and learners as well. We also began collecting historical textiles in 2017 guided by Mayank Mansingh Kaul. It had always been our intention to have such exhibitions of quality in rural India and South India principally so that the makers may also be a part of such experiences that otherwise only happen in Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata. The desire for a special location like Anegundi, Hampi was very much expressed in 2017 but we had no idea how to make it happen. Between 2017 and 2022, we managed five other beautiful exhibitions and continued working through the pandemic. The idea to have the exhibition at Hampi was concretised at a dinner held at the home of Beatrice Aranha Correa do Lago much later in June 2022. Beatrice, at the request of Malvika Singh had very kindly hosted Yali, a commercial sister concern that makes available hand spun and handloom products that stem from the research work of The Registry of Sarees Trust. When Malvika Singh suggested the idea of the exhibition, Shama Pawar who has built The Kishkinda Trust in the belly of rural Hampi was also present and she instantly agreed to support us. Soon plans were made to visit Hampi and things began to roll. What began as a catalogue has certainly turned into a collectors item. (Courtesy Ahalya Matthan) How did the book idea come about? Every exhibition that we have done so far including Meanings, Metaphor; Handspun and Handwoven in the 21st Century (at Chirala, Coimbatore, Bengaluru) Beeja Arambha at The Red Fort, and smaller exhibitions like Raaga; the practice of Cotton and Coffee, Red Lilies, Water Birds (at Hampi) have been accompanied by a researched catalogue of either the work or the pieces. Red Lilies, Water Birds has been really well received and is special for the curatorial stories and the diversity of the narrative, the quality of production and also for the accessibility it gifts the reader. It allows them to come close to precious historical textiles that are otherwise seen only in paintings or museums. What began as a catalogue has certainly turned into a collectors item. Does the Registry of Sarees intend to bring out more textile-based publications? How would you select what to publish? Through the exhibitions we have been really privileged to meet an array of people-practitioners, independent scholars and academics. We do have a roster of work that we are committed to publishing. Publications largely depend on the researchers ability to align field research with academic rigour. The truth is that while there are a plenty of people who are willing to directly research private collections or those in museums, there are very few who can commit to other kinds of work around subjects like identity, mythology, circular economy that inherently form the crux of a textile makers life. We are interested in deeper narratives around textiles and field work requires a humility to surrender oneself to the practitioners environment. Text is kept to a minimum so that the language of the textiles could speak to the reader more than cursory words. (Courtesy Ahalya Matthan) The Saree in Nine Stories contains text alongside images of the sarees from the exhibition. You have kept the text to a minimum and the images are overpoweringly beautiful. Is there a reason for such a design choice? This is a decision that the curator Mayank Mansingh Kaul arrived at with the design team that included Barkha Gupta (Creative Direction) and Shweta Mulekar (Graphic Design). This was done so that the language of the textiles could speak to the reader more than cursory words. The strength of the images shot by Shibu Vijayan (it is not easy to shoot historical textiles!) whets your appetite and invites you to seek more knowledge by your proximity to the sentiment the images impart. Will you consider setting up an archive of these sarees? What are your future plans? The Registry of Sarees (Trust) is set up as a research and documentation centre because it is home to two large collections of historic textiles. We also have a conservation practice to enable the preservation and archiving of all these textiles. The people who use the centre use it like an archive essentially you flip through a roster, pull out what you would like to study and then spend time with the piece. We request that people make appointments so that the staff is always at hand to help with both the textile as well as the library. Kunal Ray writes about art & culture in India. He teaches literary & cultural studies at FLAME University, Pune. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! India, Mumbai, 25th August 2023: Metropolis Healthcare Ltd., Indias leading diagnostic service provider, proudly announces its remarkable achievement of receiving two esteemed awards at the ASSOCHAMs 2nd Healthcare Summit and Awards held on August 22, 2023, in Delhi. The event served as a platform to recognize and honour exemplary contributions within the healthcare industry. Metropolis Healthcare is thrilled to receive the prestigious Best Diagnostic Company Award, securing the top spot in this category. In addition, the organization was named the 1st Runner Up for the Best CSR Excellence in Healthcare Award. These awards recognize Metropolis unparalleled contributions to diagnostics, as well as its significant positive impact to the healthcare industry through its corporate social responsibility initatives. Mr. Surendran Chemmenkottil, Chief Executive Officer, Metropolis Healthcare Limited said: These awards honour the collective efforts of all of my colleagues at Metropolis Healthcare. It demonstrates our ongoing dedication to quality and innovation, and it inspires us to continue raising the bar in diagnostic services and corporate social responsibility efforts. As we continue fulfilling our mission, we will continue to provide accurate diagnosis while also contributing to the well-being of the communities we serve. Metropolis Team members including Dr. Kirti Chadha, Chief Scientific Officer and Group Head CSR, Dr. Geeta Chopra, VP and Chief of Lab Operations - North SBU and Dr Anuradha Murthy, Senior Consultant Histopathologist received the awards at the event. The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is one of the countrys oldest apex chambers and a prominent interface between the industries and the government comprising leaders, academicians, economists and independent professionals. Established in 1981, Metropolis Healthcare Limited is a leading diagnostics company in India About Metropolis Healthcare Limited: Established in 1981, Metropolis Healthcare Limited is a leading diagnostics company in India with a widespread presence in 20 states & 220 cities. Internationally, the company has presence in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Metropolis touches millions of lives each year by providing actionable health insights to patients and doctors. Metropolis offers a comprehensive range of 4,000 plus tests and profiles that include advanced tests in diagnosis of cancer, neurological disorders, infectious diseases, and an array of genetic abnormalities. The company is empowered with a robust network of over 175 labs, 3675 collection centres and 10000+ touch points. Metropolis commitment to quality and accuracy in each test is reinforced by its consistent CAP proficiency score of more than 98% over the past decade, which places it amongst the top 1% laboratories worldwide for quality assurance. Metropolis philosophy rests on the pillars of technological superiority, a warm patient centric approach and reliable diagnostic reports. For more information, please visit www.metropolisindia.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! New Delhi (India), August 24: The Lost Hostels, a pioneer in sustainable and community-driven travel, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated launch of its newest destinations in Sri Lanka-Weligama and Hiriketiya beach. This exciting expansion not only introduces backpackers to the captivating beauty of the surfing capital but also highlights the travel industry's role in promoting mental health and overall wellbeing through transformative experiences. The allure of backpacking is deeply ingrained in adventure, discovery, and forging connections with fellow travellers. The Lost Hostels has long been committed to curating environments that foster meaningful interactions, cultural understanding, and environmental responsibility. With the unveiling of its Sri Lankan hostels,The Lost Hostels continues to exemplify the transformative potential of travel. Sri Lanka's vibrant coastal town, renowned for its world-class waves, makes for the perfect backdrop to Lost Hostels' newest venture. The hostel's design mirrors the spirit of the local surfing culture while integrating sustainable practices to minimize its ecological footprint. Guests can look forward to not only experiencing the adrenaline of riding the waves but also immersing themselves in the rhythms of the island's unique lifestyle. Founder of The Lost Hostels, Jitesh Agrawal, emphasized, "Backpackers are adventurers at heart, seeking both external and internal journeys. Our expansion to Sri Lanka is a testament to our commitment to provide them with spaces that enrich their experiences, connect them with the local community, and contribute to their overall wellbeing." The launch of The Lost Hostels in Sri Lanka arrives at a time when the travel industry's connection to mental health is gaining recognition. Backpacking, with its potential to break routine and immerse travellers in novel environments, plays a crucial role in promoting mental wellbeing. The new environment, the camaraderie of fellow travellers, and exposure to different cultures all contribute to enhanced self-awareness and stress reduction. Studies have indicated that engaging in new experiences while traveling positively impacts mental health. Dr.Archana Sharma, a clinical psychologist, noted, "Travel opens doors to personal growth, emotional resilience, and an increased sense of happiness. The challenges and triumphs of exploring new destinations can significantly boost one's overall mental wellbeing." As The Lost Hostels embarks on this new journey in the surfing capital of Sri Lanka, it invites travellers to relish the exhilarating adventures while prioritizing their mental health. As The Lost Hostels embarks on this new journey in the surfing capital of Sri Lanka, it invites travellers to relish the exhilarating adventures while prioritizing their mental health. By merging the joys of backpacking with the transformative potential of travel, Lost Hostels contributes to both individual flourishing and the global travel landscape. For media inquiries, please contact: Akash Sharma Phone: 7980232400 About The Lost Hostels: The Lost Hostels pioneers sustainable and community-centered travel experiences, creating a positive impact in diverse destinations. With global footprints, Lost Hostels offers backpackers a chance to engage meaningfully with cultures and nature, forging lasting memories and connections. Website: www.thelosthostels.com Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will resolve its two-year investigation into Tesla Autopilot and could make a public announcement soon, the agency's acting head told Reuters. Autopilot features are demonstrated in a Tesla Model S.(Representative Image/ REUTERS) "We'll get to a resolution (of the Tesla probe)," Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson told Reuters in an interview at the agency's headquarters. Speaking broadly of advanced driver assistance systems, she said: "It's really important that drivers pay attention. It's also really important that driver monitoring systems take into account that humans over-trust technology." She declined to discuss how the Tesla investigation might be resolved, but added "hopefully you'll hear something relatively soon." Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The agency is investigating the performance of Autopilot after identifying more than a dozen crashes in which Tesla vehicles hit stationary emergency vehicles. It is also investigating whether Tesla vehicles adequately ensure drivers are paying attention when using the driver assistance system. In June 2022, NHTSA upgraded the probe into 830,000 Tesla vehicles it first opened in August 2021 to an engineering analysis - a required step before it could potentially demand a recall. Last month, NHTSA sought updated responses and current data from Tesla in the probe. Autopilot is intended to enable cars to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within their lane, while enhanced Autopilot can assist in changing lanes on highways. Separately, since 2016, NHTSA has opened more than three dozen Tesla special crash investigations in cases where driver systems such as Autopilot were suspected of being used, with 23 crash deaths reported to date. Carlson noted the Autopilot investigation "is complicated" given the large number of crashes under investigation. "They are big numbers and we are working on that," Carlson said. NHTSA has said previously that evidence raised questions about the effectiveness of Tesla's alert strategy, which seeks to compel driver attention. The agency said in 2022 nine of 11 vehicles in prior crashes exhibited no driver engagement, or visual or chime alerts, until the last minute preceding a collision, while four showed no visual or chime alerts at all during the final Autopilot use cycle. NHTSA closed an earlier investigation into Autopilot in 2017 without taking any action. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has criticized Tesla's lack of system safeguards for Autopilot and NHTSA's failure to ensure the safety of Autopilot. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy has said NHTSA should require automakers to incorporate system safeguards that limit the use of automated vehicle control systems to those conditions for which they were designed. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Armed with innovative ideas and solutions, Chandigarh has bagged the Best UT Award for the second consecutive year in the prestigious India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2022, whose results were declared on Friday. The Best UT Award was conferred on Chandigarh in recognition of its strategies, innovative ideas, solutions and key impacts achieved through its projects. (HT Photo) Besides this, Chandigarh also emerged on the top in the mobility and governance categories in the fourth edition of the awards, which were launched by the central government in 2018, apart from securing the third position in the sanitation category. President Draupadi Murmu will present the awards at Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on September 27. The awards, organised by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, recognise and reward cities, projects and innovative ideas that promote sustainable development across 100 Smart cities, as well as stimulating inclusive, equitable, safe, healthy and collaborative cities, thus enhancing quality of life for all. The Best UT Award was conferred on Chandigarh in recognition of its strategies, innovative ideas, solutions and key impacts achieved through its projects. The citys commitment to sustainable development goals (SDGs), physical and financial performance under the Smart Cities Mission, and active participation in national-level challenges like India Cycles4Change Challenge, Climate Smart Cities Challenge, and Streets4People Challenge were also considered. The awards are divided into 18 sub-categories, including best state/UT award, project awards, innovation awards, Covid innovation award, partners awards and city awards. Of the total 18, Chandigarh participated in seven categories, including mobility, built environment, culture, governance, ICCC business model, sanitation, urban environment and water. The city secured the first place in the mobility category by providing safe and convenient non-motorised transport facilities, such as over 227 km of cycle tracks and an extensive public bicycle sharing network. This accomplishment highlights the citys commitment to promoting sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions. Also on the top in the sanitation category, Chandigarh was recognised for its solid waste management initiatives, such as GPS-enabled waste collection, and monitoring through the Integrated Command and Control Centre. The city has also achieved 100% disposal of sanitary and domestic hazardous waste, generating increased revenue from recyclables and promoting economic sustainability. UT adviser Dharam Pal expressed pride in Chandigarhs achievements: Our vision for a greener, more sustainable city is becoming a reality with the launch of the bike sharing project. The cycle infrastructure and electric buses represent our commitment to innovation, health and environment. The credit for these awards goes to the citizens of Chandigarh for embracing new options, and actively participating in the citys journey towards a cleaner and sustainable future, said Anindita Mitra, CEO, Chandigarh Smart City Limited. Chandigarhs recognition at the national awards reaffirms our commitment to transforming it into a model smart city, focusing on sustainable development, citizen-centric services and continuous innovation, said mayor Anup Gupta. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After one teacher died and three other women staff members were injured after the roof of the staff room came crashing down two days ago, the Director General of School Education (DGSE) has sent an advisory to district education officers and school heads on special precautions to be taken during the construction and repair works in the schools. A view of damaged building of Government School in Baddowal in Ludhiana on Thursday. In a letter to the field staff, DGSE Vinay Bublani said the part of the school where the construction and repair work is going on should not be used for any school activity. The school head should take into account the time and importance of the work to be done before starting the construction and repair work of the necessary infrastructure in the school so that there is no difficulty in the school management, he said. The guidelines were issued after a portion of the Government Senior Secondary Smart School building in Baddowal village collapsed during the ongoing construction and repair work on Wednesday. The school has been upgraded as School of Eminence, and its building was being revamped. The DGSE further asked the school heads to ensure that the safety norms of the PWD (B&R) department are observed and no student or school staff member is allowed to visit the construction/repair site. The materials used for the ongoing construction work on multi-storied buildings should be supplied as required and if the repair work is in progress, the debris released during the repair should not be collected at one place but should be packed side by side, he said. Contractors must install warning signs at construction/repair sites in schools. Also, the DEO should set up a committee of three to five members, including deputy district education officers, junior engineers, officers/teachers with technical experience which will visit such schools at least twice a week. Sensitive work related to construction like electrical wiring work, demolition work etc. should be done after school hours, read the guidelines. The officers have been told that in case of negligence, departmental action will be taken as per rules, fixing responsibility. A letter has also been sent to the chief engineer of PWD (B&R) to ensure that these instructions are adhered to during the ongoing construction and repair works being carried out by the department in schools. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A conversation on common human values in different faiths was held during a meeting organised by Bodhicitta Centre at the People Convention Centre, Sector 36, on Friday. Leaders of various faiths participating in a conversation organised by Bodhicitta Centre at People Convention Centre in Sector 36, Chandigarh, on Friday. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT) Kamal Malhi and Lama Yeshe Rabgye, the founders of Bodhicitta Centre, welcomed Geshe Dorji Damdul, director of Tibet House, Delhi, the Cultural Centre of Dalai Lama, and leaders of different faiths, including Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Ahmadiyya, Catholicism, Bahai, Sanatan Dharam and Arya Samaj, along with Art of Living. They presented their views on compassion and wisdom, the common human values in all faiths. On this occasion, ward 24 councillor Jasbir Singh Bunty, in the presence of community leaders of Sector 36 and members of the Interfaith Forum Chandigarh, conducted a tree plantation ceremony at Hibiscus Park, Sector 36. Malhi said on Saturday, an interactive session with Damdul, on the impact of compassion in developing a positive psychological mindset, will be held at Mulk Raj Anand Auditorium, Panjab University, at 10 am. On Sunday, he will be addressing an audience at Rotary House, Sector 18A, on how to deal with mental stress in daily life. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! In a daring operation regardless of flooded streams and broken roads, the 14th battalion of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 51 people from rain-battered Kholanala and Shehnu Gouni in Bali Chowki sub division of Mandi district late on Thursday. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team during a rescue operation carried out in the remote Shehnu Gouni village of Bali Chowki sub division in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday evening. (HT Photo) The displaced people were shifted to Nagwain relief camp. Himachal Pradesh Police personnel were also a part of the rescue operation. Also read: No relief for Himachal Pradesh as IMD issues yellow alert till Friday Mandi deputy commissioner Arindam Chaudhary said that multiple landslides and flash floods triggered by a cloudburst on the intervening night of August 22 and 23 had left the two villages cut off as roads in the area were damaged. Several houses were also damaged. After the Bali Chowki sub divisional magistrate informed the NDRF about several people stranded at Kholanala, a team was rushed to the spot from the base at Seraj Bhavan in Kullu, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) director DC Rana said. As the landslide had blocked the road, the NDRF team trekked more than 15km from Hanogi to reach the incident site. At 3.20pm when the team reached Shehnu Gouni, 8km from Hanogi, they found 51 people, comprising 16 men, 20 women and 15 children, stranded there. One part of the NDRF team rescued the stranded people and took them to Hanogi village, while the other covered another 8km and reached Kholanala village at 6pm. They checked and confirmed that the affected people had moved to safer locations on their own. The Mandi DC lauded the efforts of the NDRF team and the Bali Chowki administration, including the SDM and block development officer, who accompanied reached the incident sites to extend a helping hand to the affected people. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Amarnath yatra began on July 1 and will conclude by the end of August. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha speaking at a function at Raj Bhawan said that this year a record number of over 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the cave while last years total figure of visitors stood at 3,65,721. Over 4.5 lakh pilgrims have visited the Amarnath cave since July 1 this year. (HT File) This year many distinguished personalities, including badminton player Saina Nehwal and bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan, visited the shrine. A large number of foreign pilgrims also partook in the spiritual journey. Meanwhile, Sinha on Thursday performed the pujan of Amarnath Chhari Mubarak in presence of Deependra Giri, Mahant Chhari Mubarak Amarnath, at Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhada. The holy mace will be taken to the Amarnath cave on August 26 following the traditional Chhari Mubarak Yatra. Jammu Amid continuing protests across Jammu region against Sarore toll plaza and installation of pre-paid electricity smart meters, the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has given a call of Jammu bandh on Saturday. Toll plaza at Sarore in Samba district is 13 kms from Jammu city on Jammu-Pathankot national highway (NH44) and barely 38 kms from Ban toll plaza in Nagrota on Jammu-Srinagar national highway. On Monday night, police detained nearly 30 Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS)leaders and workers from the toll plaza and on Tuesday night they were shifted to a jail in Kathua district. Following this, people staged protests on Thursday seeking release of YRS leaders and activists besides immediately suspending Sarore toll plaza and smart meters. The protests were held in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur Akhnoor and Aghore and caused brief disruptions on Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar national highway and Jammu-Rajouri national highway. Srinagar National Conference on Thursday said the catastrophic happenings in Himachal Pradesh should act as a wake-up call for Jammu and Kashmir as the states share similar topographies. Incidents of excessive rainfall and landslides , pose a potential risk to the safety of citizens and the administration must take proactive steps to ensure welfare of the people. Jammu A man was electrocuted while five others suffered burn injuries after they came in contact with a live transmission wire in Alapir area of Poonch district on Thursday, said officials. The men were digging a grave when the incident happened. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Aslam, was a resident of Adai Mandi. The injured have been hospitalised, police said. Srinagar A police team along with officials of administration on Thursday attached four marlas in Nadihal Bandipora estate. The property was registered under the name of Salam Shah, grandfather of accused hybrid militant Mehboob-Ul-Inam Shah and is classified as proceeds of terrorism. Police said the accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Jammu The second edition of the Himalayan Film Festival 2023 will be held at Leh from September 29 to October 3, information commissioner and secretary Padma Angmo said on Thursday. This is being organised to promote films by local filmmakers of the Himalayan states and UTs and showcase stories from Ladakh on larger platforms, she said. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit fired a warning shot at chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday, telling him to respond to his letters, failing which he would have no choice but to take action according to law and the Constitution. Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit (right) and chief minister Bhagwant Mann have been at loggerheads over a raft of issues, including the appointment of vice chancellors, convening of special assembly sessions, CMs absence from official functions, etc, for the past more than a year. (HT file photo) In a strongly worded letter, Purohit said he is pained to point out that there is reason to believe that there is failure of the constitutional machinery in the state. Before I am going to take a final decision regarding sending a report to the President of India under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and decide about initiating criminal proceedings under Section 124 (assaulting governor with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power) of the IPC, I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the state, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to the law and the Constitution, the governor wrote in the four-page missive. At loggerheads for over a year Mann and Purohit have been at loggerheads over a raft of issues, including the appointment of vice chancellors, convening of special assembly sessions, CMs absence from official functions, etc, for the past more than a year. The governor has repeatedly accused Mann of not replying to his official letters seeking information on administrative matters. The CM seems to have added fuel to the fire by referring to Purohits communication as love letters. Referring to his August 1 letter to the chief minister, Purohit said that in spite of these letters, he (Mann) has still not given the information. It appears that you are deliberately refusing to give the information. I regret to note here that in spite of the clear provisions of Article 167 of the Constitution of India, which makes it mandatory for the chief minister to furnish all such information relating to the administration of affairs of the state as the governor may call for, you have failed to supply the information sought by me, he said. He reminded the chief minister of the February 28 Supreme Court judgment in which it observed that both the chief minister and the governor are constitutional functionaries with specified roles and obligations earmarked by the Constitution, and that the governor has a right to seek information from the chief minister in terms of Article 167(b) on matters relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation. Once such information is sought, the chief minister is duty bound to furnish it. Far from supplying the information sought by me, you have exhibited an absence of grace and decorum when you proceeded to make unnecessary and unwarranted observations demonstrating what may only be described as extreme animosity and personal prejudice against me personally, as also the office of the governor. This flies in the face of the Supreme Court of Indias observation that while this Court is cognizant of the importance of free speech and expression and the fundamental value embodied in Article 19(1)(a), it becomes necessary to emphasize that constitutional discourse has to be conducted with a sense of decorum and mature statesmanship, he wrote. CM disobeyed Constitution: Governor Recalling the remarks made by Mann during the special session of the assembly in June, Purohit said, Through your derogatory remarks, you have attempted to restrain me from exercising the lawful powers conferred on me under Article 167 of the Constitution. Should I choose to do so, such action may also provide grounds for action under Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code. He said that not furnishing the information which was sought by the governor would be plainly in dereliction of the constitutional duty which is imposed on the chief minister in terms of Article 167(b). This behaviour shows that you have not only disobeyed the provisions of the Constitution of India, but have acted in a manner that may be described as being contemptuous of the honourable Supreme Court by repeatedly and intentionally disobeying and disrespecting the Supreme Court of Indias observations, he added. Easy availability, abuse of drugs While seeking response to issues taken up in his previous letters, the governor said he has received reports from agencies regarding availability and abuse of drugs in the state. It is common knowledge that they are available in chemist shops and a new trend is observed that they are being sold in government-controlled liquor vends, he said, citing recent action by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Chandigarh Police who have sealed 66 liquor vends in Ludhiana that are selling drugs, in a joint operation and a parliamentary standing committee report that one in five are exposed or addicted to drugs in Punjab. These facts point out to the breaking down of the law and order system in Punjab so much so that now villagers have started protesting on streets in large numbers and decided to set up their own village defence committees to protect themselves from drugs, he wrote, seeking a report concerning the action taken by state government in the matter. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Social, trading, political and religious organisations and Jammu and Kashmir high court bar association have extended support to the Bandh call for Saturday by Jammu Chamber of Commerce over the Sarore toll plaza and pre-paid smart meters. Jammu and Kashmir police took 26 Yuva Rajut Sabha leaders in custody from Sarore toll plaza on Monday. (iStock) However, transporters association has decided to stay away from the bandh. On Friday, Congress, National Conference, Apni Party, Democratic Progressive Azad Party and Panthers Party staged protests outside Kathua jail seeking release of 26 Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) activists and suspending Sarore toll plaza and smart meters immediately. Sporadic protests continued in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur Akhnoor and Pargwal. YRS leaders said on Friday that they will ensure a complete bandh. We have taken up the cause of the people but the administration has adopted an autocratic stance, arresting 26 of our leaders, a YRS leader said. The YRS leaders were taken into custody on Monday. The toll plaza at Sarore, Samba district is 13 kmsfrom Jammu city on Jammu-Pathankot national highway (NH44) and 38 km from Ban toll plaza in Nagrota on Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH 44). J&K high court bar association president Vikram Sharma said, We have extended support to the bandh call on Saturday. The lawyers will abstain from work in all the courts, tribunals, commissions and forums. J&K transport welfare association chairperson Ajit Singh said though they are in support of the people of Jammu, they will give the administration till August 31 to resolve the issues. He said that the association will go on an indefinite strike of the demands are not met by then. Samba residents have launched a hunger strike at Samba Chowk over the demands. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MY Tarigami said, Installation of smart meters and the toll plaza will increase financial stress on people. The administration must ensure affordable electricity and desist from pursuing anti-poor policies Jammu regions divisional commissioner Ramesh Kumar and additional director general of police Mukesh Singh tried to address the apprehensions of the people at a press conference on Friday. Ramesh Kumar listed administrationss initiatives in allaying the apprehensions of the people about smart meters. The lieutenant governor has already taken up the issue with National Highways Authority of India and a team will visit the plaza soon, Kumar said. The ADGP said that the YRS leaders were arrested for breach of peace. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 19-year-old youth and his two aides, aged 20, have been awarded a seven-year jail sentence for snatching the mobile phone of a Kashmiri cloth seller in January this year. The snatching victim, Tahir Rasool Tali, 24, hails from Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, and is currently living in Manimajra, Chandigarh. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The court of Jaibir Singh, additional sessions judge, also imposed a fine of 25,000 on each of the convicts Dhanush, 19, from Dhanas, and Riyaz Khan and Ghanshyam, both 20, from Bapu Dham Colony. The snatching victim, Tahir Rasool Tali, 24, hails from Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, and is currently living in Manimajra. Tahir, who sells clothes on his bicycle, told the police that in the evening of January 10, he was headed from Transport light point in Sector 26 to Railway Station light point. On the way, three youths waylaid him. While two of them restrained him, the third snatched his mobile phone, whose cover also contained his voter card and Aadhaar card. On the basis of his complaint, a case under Sections 341, 379-A and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at the Sector 26 police station. Following a probe, police arrested Dhanush, Riyaz Khan and Ghanshyam for the crime from near Kabir Ashram, Bapu Dham Colony, and recovered the snatched mobile phone from Riyazs pocket. During trial, the defence counsel argued that there were contradictions in the statements of Tahir and the investigating officers. To this, the court said, The contradictions in the statements...may be due to defective investigation, but by now, it is a very well-settled law that the accused cannot take benefit of defective investigation. The court order read, When the complainant has given a very natural version about the (crimes) occurrence...as well as arrest of the accused and recovery of mobile phone from them, the involvement of the accused in the occurrence is established beyond doubt. None of the accused has levelled any ill-will against the complainant or any of the police officials. This court feels no hitch to hold that from the evidence of the prosecution, the crime is established beyond doubt, it added. Thus, the court convicted the three accused under Sections 379-A (snatching) read with Section 34 (acts done in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tanbir Dhaliwal Tanbir Dhaliwal is a correspondent at Chandigarh. She covers health and business. ...view detail Nearly 70 students of a government school in south west Delhis Sagarpur area complained of pain and vomiting allegedly after they consumed the mid-day meal on Friday, police officers said. The health of all the affected children was stable, they added. A show cause notice was issued to the mid-day meal provider at the school. (FILE) Police have registered a case in the matter. Also read: 28 MCD school kids fall sick after foul smell in classroom A show cause notice was also been issued to the mid-day meal provider at the school, said a Delhi government official. The provider has been asked to respond within 24 hours. Strict action will be taken against those who will be found guilty. All mid-day meal providers have been warned, the official said, adding that all the children are stable. Deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Manoj C said around 70 boys of classes 6 to 8 in the Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Durga Park complained of stomach pain and vomiting. They were moved to Deen Dayal Upadhayay Hospital and Dada Dev Hospital in Dabri. The school authorities said that poori and sabzi were given to the students in the meal, followed by a soya drink which caused stomach pain and vomiting, the DCP said. When the students complained of pain, further distribution of food and drink was stopped, the officer added. A senior doctor at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital said that around 50 children from the school were brought to the hospital with complaints of severe vomiting, uneasiness, and gastric troubles. Also read: Uttar Pradesh teacher makes children slap classmate, probe on It seems that they were offered some drink in school that was beyond its expiry date. Many children fell-unconscious and are under observation. Some of the are also severely dehydrated because of incessant vomiting. By Friday evening, we have discharged some of the children who had mild problems. For others, we are closely monitoring their condition, the doctor said. Police have collected samples of the food and drink for test, the DCP said. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Delhi court on Friday granted permission to Delhis former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia to open a new bank account as his previous one has been attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to a money laundering case. The court further directed that the details of the new bank account should also be provided to the ED. (PTI photo) Sisodia, who was physically produced before the court amid heavy security, moved an application before the court seeking permission to sign documents for opening new bank account. He apprised the court that due to the attachments of his previous bank account, which was in Bank of Baroda, Shakarpur Branch, where his salary gets credited, his family is facing problems in withdrawing the money. He requires a new account to be opened where his salary could be credited, Sisodia told the court. Special judge MK Nagpal granted Sisodia permission to sign the documents for opening the account. Also Read: SC to take up Sisodias bail next month; seeks clarity on money trail from ED The court further directed that the details of the new bank account should also be provided to the ED. The court also asked the federal agency to provide legible copies of the charge sheet and other related documents to the accused persons in the case. ED also provided accused Amandeep Dhall, a copy of the CCTV footage of his interrogation pursuant to an application he had moved. The court has now listed the matter for further hearing on September 22. The federal agency has been conducting a money laundering probe into the Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22 and has filed five chargesheets till date in the matter. Sisodia was first arrested by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) on February 26 and later by ED on March 9. His bail applications in the two cases investigated by CBI and ED have been dismissed by the trial court as well as the Delhi high court and his appeals are pending before the Supreme Court. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Travel and access to the national capital during the G20 Summit days will be severely restricted, particularly in the New Delhi district also known as the Lutyens Zone where only residents and those in essential services jobs will be allowed to enter after proving their identity, according to a traffic plan shared by the Delhi Police on Friday. Preparations underway ahead of G20 Summit near Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Friday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)(HT_PRINT) Also read: Traders in New Delhi want the markets to remain open during G-20 The restrictions will apply for the period between September 8 and 10, with the strictest ones in force on the final two days when heads of states and ministers of the Group of 20 (G20) nations are scheduled to arrive in Delhi for the Summit that marks the biggest multilateral event to be held in the city since the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Among the expected and confirmed attendees are US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and thousands of people invited as delegates, government representatives and as other dignitaries. The restrictions have been divided into controlled and regulated zones. The New Delhi district has been classified as Controlled Zone 1, and certain other stretches such as the Vikas Marg leading to ITO, roads near the Red Fort, and the vicinity of the citys two main train stations close to the venue have been clubbed into Controlled Zone 2. The Regulated Zone will apply to all areas within the Ring Road, said Surender Singh Yadav, the special commissioner of police (traffic), who added that a helpdesk will be launched on the Delhi Police website with list of available transport and medical facilities. There will be no impact of these restrictions on ambulance movement or essential services. Since no buses will be allowed to move on the city roads between the midnights of September 7 and September 10, people are advised to use the Metro for commuting to their destination, he said. Police officials, however, have separately written to the Delhi Metro asking them to shut services at some stations. But the scale of restrictions are staggering and indicate the city is still a long way from becoming a Capital that can host high-profile global events while letting normal life go on, without needing to virtually lock itself down for the sake of security and convenience of guests. Beginning September 9, 5am, only residents, authorised vehicles, and essential services providers will be allowed to enter Controlled Zone 1 and they will need to show documents to prove their identity, Yadav said. A list of essential services was not immediately available but these are likely to include media professionals, doctors, and drivers ferrying food and other essential commodities who have the requisite permissions.There may also be passes issued for smooth transit, like during the Covid lockdowns, but this plan is yet to be finalised, people aware of the matter said. In the Controlled Zone 1, taxis and auto-rickshaws will be banned unless they have passengers who are residents or tourists with confirmed bookings at hotels within that zone. Bus services will be restricted across the city for three days: September 8, 9 and 10. Between 5am and 1pm on September 10, the last day of the summit, similar restrictions will come into force for Controlled Zone 2. In this case, access will be restricted for New Delhi Railway Station from Ajmeri Gate, Old Delhi Railway Station from Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road, Shanti Van Chowk from Geeta Colony, ITO from Vikas Marg, Rajghat Chowk from Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Marg side, and to Guru Nanak Chowk from Minto Road. In the regulated zones, roads leading towards New Delhi district will be picketed at various intervals and only residents, authorised vehicles, emergency vehicles, and vehicles of passengers travelling to the airport or the train stations will be allowed from 5am on September 9 till 11.59pm on September 10. In recent weeks, the government has issued orders to shut markets, offices, schools and other businesses between September 8 and 10, a period when VIPs from India and abroad are expected to travel back and forth between the convention centre at Pragati Maidan and the citys various hotels. The most high-profile hotels fall within Controlled Zone 1. To be sure, September 9-10 is a weekend. Yadav said people living in the New Delhi area or tourists with hotel bookings in that zone will be allowed to commute using auto-rickshaws and taxis. But monitoring could be a challenge. People coming from Delhi airport will only be allowed to enter the New Delhi area after showing their bonafide identity documents. Road travel to IGI Airport is also likely to be affected during that period. For passengers going to airport by their own vehicles, we have made some special arrangements. They are advised to make travel plans with sufficient time in hand, he said. According to officials, over 10,000 police personnel will be on the ground to ensure smooth and safe traffic movement in the national capital. Also read: President Putin wont personally attend G20 Summit in India, announces Russia In addition to buses, the blanket bans also include all types of goods vehicles that will be banned from Delhi unless they are carrying daily-use commodities like milk, fruits, and vegetables or critical supplies like medical equipment. Medical emergency vehicles will be assured hassle free movement throughout Delhi. Movement of the general public will also be facilitated via alternate routes and modes of transport, Yadav said. The Special CP also said that intestate buses will be allowed to enter Delhi but not allowed to terminate at the inter-state bus terminals (ISBT), including Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar. They will be stationed at temporary terminals. For ambulance service, the helpline number is 6828400604, which will come in operation from the night of September 7, he said. The Delhi Traffic Police, in its advisory, said commuters travelling via road from Gurgaon to Terminal-3 of IGI Airport can take NH-48 Rao Gajraj Singh Marg Old Delhi Gurugram Road UER II Service Road NH-48 T3 Terminal Road. From Dwarka to Terminal 3, commuters can use Dwarka Sector-22 Road UER II Service Road NH-48 T3 Terminal Road. For Terminal 1, they can travel via Dwarka Sector-22 Road - UER II - Service Road NH-48 - T3 Terminal Road - Service Road NH-48 - Sanjay T-Point - Ullan Batar Marg, the advisory stated. The advisory also said that the commuters travelling from New Delhi and south Delhi to T-3 and T-1 can use AIIMS Chowk Moti Bagh Chowk RTR Marg Sanjay T-Point T3 Terminal Road and from Sanjay T-Point to Ullan Batar Marg and Terminal T1. For the commuters going to airport from west Delhi, it is advisable to take Punjabi Bagh Chowk - Najafgarh Road - Pankha Road - Dabri-Dwarka Road - UER-II - Service Road NH-48 - T3 Terminal Road, the advisory said. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Three days after two people were killed and four others severely injured, police have recovered CCTV footage showing an overspeeding Rolls Royce ramming into the oil tanker on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Nuhs Umri village, said police. The charred remains of the Rolls-Royce (HT Photo) Following new evidence, the police have booked the driver of Roll Royce. Earlier, the tanker driver was allegedly put at fault for driving on the wrong side, however, the new evidence shows that the luxury car was overspeeding, said police. According to a preliminary investigation, the Roll Royce along with 20 other vehicles, including two escort vehicles, were seen in the CCTV footage around 11.12am on Tuesday (August 22). Later, Roll Royce changed lanes and accelerated, leading to a collision, said police. Rattan Lal, station house officer (SHO) at Nagina police station said they are conducting an investigation and have recorded statements of the injured and eyewitnesses. The CCTV footage shows that the luxury car was speeding at over 200kmph, it lost control and rammed into the oil tanker from behind. A case in this regard has been registered against unidentified persons, SHO Lal said. The collision was so powerful that both vehicles caught fire, the oil tanker overturned, and the driver and passenger of the tanker burned to death as they could not escape, said police. The deceased were identified as Rampreet Kumar and Kuldeep Singh, from Alwar in Rajasthan. The third occupant of the tanker was identified as Gautam Kumar, who is from Uttar Pradesh. The four passengers of the car suffered severe injuries and were taken to a private hospital in Gurugram. A case was registered against unidentified persons under Section 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Nagina police station on Friday, police said. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leena Dhankhar Leena Dhankhar has worked with Hindustan Times for five years. She has covered crime, traffic and excise. She now reports on civic issues and grievances of residents. ...view detail KOLKATA . West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose has asked the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) to help identify appropriate technology to curb incidents of ragging in the states colleges and universities. West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose contacted Isro chairman S Somanath to seek the organisations help (PTI) A Raj Bhavan statement late on Thursday evening said that Bose, the chancellor of state-run universities in West Bengal, contacted Isro chairman S Somanath to seek help to identify the appropriate technology to effectively contain and eliminate the menace of ragging in the university campuses. The initiative comes two weeks after a first-year student of Jadavpur University, who was allegedly ragged and sexually harassed, reportedly jumped to death from the second-floor balcony. Close on the wheels of the success of the Chandrayaan 3 mission, Isro has offered support of advanced technology to prevent ragging in the university campuses in West Bengal, said the statement. Bose has also held discussions with authorities at the Hyderabad-based Advanced Data Processing Research Institute, an Isro laboratory. They are trying to develop an appropriate technology solution using multiple sources such as video analytics, image matching, automatic target recognition and remote sensing, Raj Bhavan said. Raj Bhavan didnt share any further details on the kind of technology that may be used. Buddhadeb Sau, interim vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University said that artificial intelligence may be used to tighten security at the campus. Discussions were held (with the governor) on Thursday on how artificial intelligence could be used to tighten security in the campus. Apart from installing CCTV cameras, there are multiple other technologies which may be used, Sau told reporters on Friday. We are exploring whether technology may be used to restrict the movement of outsiders in the university. Isro officials said it is possible. I am not sure about the technology. I am not sure as to how remote sensing may be used to trace and detect a face or an image. We will try to gather details from Isro, said Sau. Some students and professors have alleged that ragging and sexual harassment of freshers at the university hostels was rampant and former students often stayed in the hostel illegally. Police have registered a murder case based on a complaint lodged by the dead students father and arrested 13 present and former students. Ananda Bose, who is the chancellor of JU, has held at least two meetings with university officials since last week. A review meeting was held at Raj Bhavan on Thursday. The governor has directed to immediately implement all kinds of security measures which are needed to curb ragging in the university, said Sau. After the students death, the university shifted first-year students to a separate hostel and installed CCTV cameras at strategic locations. A four-member fact-finding committee was set up by the state government to look into the administrative lapses and infrastructure gaps in the university, An anti-ragging helpline was also set up. Governor Bose also set up a high-level committee headed by the former chief justice of Karnataka high court Subhro Kamal Mukherjee for suggestions to end ragging and violence at campuses of state universities. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For the past three days, the daily supply of about 15 tonnes of buffalo meat from Unnao abattoirs to Kanpur has been suspended in the wake of a recent letter written by the State Pollution Control Board to all divisional commissioners in the state. (HT File) In the letter, a copy of which is with the HT, the boards chief environment officer, also the nodal officer for private slaughterhouses/meat processors, Ghanshyam argued that slaughterhouses were 100 per cent export units, meaning they could supply meat only to licenced shops in other towns and states. However, the four abattoirs in Unnao were slaughtering more animals for local consumption. As such, the supply to 245 licenced shops in Kanpur has been suspended for the time being. The meat crisis has led to the closure of many shops, and its impact is being felt by a significant portion of the population for whom buffalo meat constitutes a vital component of their staple. Unnao district magistrate Vishakh G Iyer, meanwhile, said the abattoirs with a proper licence would be asked to resume their operation. The [Pollution Control Board] order was issued to weed out people selling buffalo meat without a licence. Since 2017, Kanpur has been getting a significant amount of its meat requirement from the four export units in Unnao. The newly-elected government had then banned the slaughtering of animals in the open. At the same time, the Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) shut down the sole slaughterhouse in the city, located at Bakar Mandi, in the name of modernising it. Shahr Qazi (Deobandi) Abdus Quddus Hadi, whos also the co-convener of Jamiat Ulema, Hind, recently met the Kanpur district magistrate to seek his intervention on the issue. Our demand is that the only slaughterhouse in Kanpur be opened again. The KMC hasnt fulfilled its six-year-old promise of opening a modern slaughterhouse, he said, adding that the government slaughterhouses in Agra and Bareilly were upgraded and being used effectively. The chairman of Quraishi Biradari Gufran Ahmed Chand, meanwhile, said he and the Shahr Qazi would be calling on the pollution control board authorities requesting them to revoke the order. Those complying with the rules and norms should not be made to suffer, he remarked. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON LUCKNOW Union minister and BJP MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani, on Friday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of insulting the people of Amethi, saying he had never contested the elections from the constituency alone, but with the help of bicycle, in an apparent reference to the Samajwadi Party. Bicycle is the Samajwadi Partys election symbol. Asked if she would contest the elections from two places like Gandhi, who contested from Wayanad in Kerala as well as Amethi in 2019, Irani said, The habit of running away is theirs, not mine. (File Photo) He is the owner of his party, while I am a simple worker of my party, Irani told media parsons here on reports that the Gandhi scion may contest from Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. She was on a two-day visit to Amethi to announce a CSR initiative by the largest aircraft manufacturing company, Boeing, to open 100 medical camps in her constituency and inaugurate the industrial units launched by various companies. In a democracy, anyone has the right to contest from anywhere. But when he left Amethi and went to south India, he insulted the people of Amethi... which people here have not forgotten, said Irani. Asked if she would contest the elections from two places like Gandhi, who contested from Wayanad in Kerala as well as Amethi in 2019, Irani said, The habit of running away is theirs, not mine. Recently, newly appointed UP Congress president Ajay Rai had said that the people of Amethi wanted Rahul Gandhi to contest the election from this constituency and they would ensure his victory by at least five lakh votes. Irani is roaming around in Amethi, afraid of the news of Rahuls arrival here, he claimed. Reacting to Rais comment, Irani said over 7,50,000 people receive free grains in Amethi under the double engine government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Does the Gandhi family think that poverty-ridden families will leave their entitlement so that the Gandhi family can succeed, she asked. She added, Does the Gandhi family think that 90,000 families of Amethi who received keys to their own houses for the first time, will abandon their houses so that the Gandhi family can settle there? Amethi had been a Gandhi bastion before it fell to Smriti Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi represented the constituency for three terms before he was defeated by Irani. (Input from PTI) Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Even as the Opposition INDIA alliance is yet to decide on its prime ministerial face, newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai on Thursday pitched for senior party leader Rahul Gandhi as PM in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (Deepak Gupta/HT) Rai, who was accorded a warm welcome at the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters here as he reached the state capital from Varanasi, said the main responsibility to make Rahul Gandhi PM must be shouldered by Uttar Pradesh. Shouts of Har Har Mahadev, recitation of Vedic hymns and blowing of conch shells on the dais greeted Rai who said, We all have made up our mind. We want to see Rahul Gandhi as Indias Prime Minister in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. I want to ask you whose responsibility is it to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister. This is the main responsibility of Uttar Pradesh, Rai said while addressing the party workers at UPCC headquarters here. Rai further said, If we miss this opportunity, if we become weak, we will not be able to make Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister of the country in 2024. We must work responsibly day and night. We must work every movement for Rahul Gandhi. Let us work for the Congress and Mallikarjun Kharge. Let us work for Priyanka Gandhi. With this, we will be able to show our strength in 2024... If we show our strength in 2024, I can easily say 2027 too will be ours. We all give a message of bringing about a change in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Today is the 24th (August). We are beginning preparations for 2024 Lok Sabha elections on 24th (of this month). You all give me strength. I can assure you and the central leadership, I will be ready to sacrifice my life for you. I draw my strength from you, he added. He referred to the traditions of Kashi and how the city treated the people of all religions alike and said, We will fight and win too. Even if send they us to jail, we will sleep on the floor in jail and remove you (BJP) from the Centre and in the state, Rai asserted. He referred to the support that then UPCC president Nirmal Khatri gave him during his nearly seven-month stay in jail in 2015. Let them charge lathis, let them open fire These governments use ED (Enforcement Directorate), CBI and bulldozers. We will turn the bulldozers away from us. Our leaders are not afraid of (these agencies), he said. Referring to Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwaris observations that there was a need to bridge the gap between the partys leaders and the workers, Rai said when the police stopped vehicle of a partys district president near Barabanki on Thursday, he asked party leader Tanuj Punia to go to the spot himself and get the issue resolved. Other senior Congress leaders who spoke on the occasion included outgoing UPCC president Brijlal Khabri, former UPCC president and CWC member Salman Khursheed. Congress Working Committee member Supriya Shrinate, former UPCC presidents Nirmal Khatri and Ajay Kumar Lallu, former MP PL Punia and Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra Mona were among those present on the dais. Khabri said he did his best to take all the partymen along even as he continued to hear reports about his likely removal. Most leaders referred to Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra to make their point about Wayanad MPs fighting spirit and how the opposition INDIA alliance posed a threat to the NDA in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Umesh Raghuvanshi Umesh Raghuvanshi is a journalist with over three decade experience. He covers politics, finance, environment and social issues. He has covered all assembly and parliament elections in Uttar Pradesh since 1984. ...view detail Mumbai: At least 48 long-distance trains from Mumbai to Gujarat have been cancelled between August 26 and 28, around the festival of Raksha Bandhan, owing to a 56-hour mega block at Surat, an official from the railways said on Friday. He added that many trains would be short-terminated, and around 29 trains would be diverted on these two days. HT Image A major block of 56 hours will be undertaken for carrying out the non-interlocking work at Surat Yard from 9.30am on August 26 to 5.30pm on August 28. This block is in connection with SuratUdhna third line work. Due to this work, several Western Railway (WR) trains will remain cancelled, short terminated/short originated, Sumit Thakur, chief PRO, WR, said. According to railway officials, at least 75,000 passengers will be affected. Forty-four-year-old Pankaj Jain, a Mira Road resident, had planned a weeklong holiday from August 26. He along with his six family members were to leave Mumbai for his hometown in Ajmer on the Dadar-Ajmer Express. I had booked tickets more than two months ago. Now, I get a message that my train has been cancelled. Why cannot the railways inform at least a week in advance? I would have left sooner or made alternative arrangements. This was the first time in four years after the Covid-19 that the entire family was meeting for Raksha Bandhan festival, Jain, a businessman, said. He added that flight tickets are very expensive at 6,000 to 7,000 per passenger, while train tickets in 3AC amounted to less than 1,500 per passenger. The road transport options are mostly till Ahmedabad from Mumbai, and from there, people going to Rajasthan usually take another bus or tourist cab, Jain said. Most cancelled trains head to or from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and other northern states. Nine long-distance trains were cancelled on Friday. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai, India-October 08:MIDC-NMMC conflict over Digha demolition cost MIDC constructs boundary on NMMC land in Navi Mumbai India on Thursday 08,2015 (Photo By Bachchan kumar / HindustanTimes) While hearing a contempt petition moved against CIDCO, NMMC, MIDC and Navi Mumbai Police, the Bombay High Coiurt has come down heavily on their failure to tackle the issue of illegal constructions in Navi Mumbai. The August 18 order has granted the concerned agencies two weeks to file their affidavit. All four agencies were questioned by the court for not being able to carry out the city survey nearly four years after the order by the Writ court in 2019. The respondents in the matter include the Managing Director, CIDCO, Municipal Commissioner of NMMC, Regional Officer of MIDC and Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai. The contempt petition was moved by social activist Rajeev Mishra , who also filed the 2013 PIL seeking HCs attention to the largescale illegal constructions in the city, in 2022. In 2013 , the number of illegal constructions across Navi Mumbai were recorded to be around 1300-odd buildings. But in a RTI response by CIDCO recently, a total of 104 new illegal constructions have come up in just two nodes Koparkhairane and Ghansoli in 2022-2023, said Mishra. Each illegal construction was found occupying an area of 500 to 1500 sq ft. The land upon which each of these buildings stands belongs to the government. This kind of revenue loss to the treasury cannot be overlooked, he said. The activist terms the situation to be alarming and a clear indication of authoritys failure to do anything concrete to address the issue. During the hearing of the petition, the bench was informed about the 10 directives issued by the Writ court in 2019. One of the directive was to conduct a survey of identifying and locating the exact number of illegal constructions within their jurisdiction. Even the HC has understood the lack of will by the authorities to do anything in the matter. In the order HC has specifically mentioned about the excessive delay even in conducting the survey when each of the authorities were legally obliged to do the work within a period of one year, added Mishra. While the authorities concerned refrained from making any comments as the matter is subjudiced, but senior officials from CIDCO maintained that the administration was taking proactive measures. The data that there are 104 illegal constructions presently in the city itself depicts that CIDCO is not only monitoring but also taking appropriate actions as well. CIDCO Controller of Unauthorised Constructions (CUC) undertakes regular demolition drives with the police. We could have completed the survey, but the delay is due to a policy decision from the government which is expected to give clarity on how to classify the extensions done by villagers as per their need, said a senior official. The matter is now to be heard on September 15. -- Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) revoked the 10% water cut imposed across the city two weeks ago, but the directive is yet to trickle down to Shivaji Nagar, in Madh, Malad West. Residents of this neighbourhood, commonly called Mamu gully, have been living without water for 15 days. Despite being equipped with water tanks in their homes, they have had to invest in additional equipment to store water. Mumbai, India - Aug 24, 2023 : For the past 15 days, 100s of residents have not received drinking water in Malad's Madh Island area. The residents of Shivaji Nagar in Madh, have to go to nearby areas to fetch water despite having a legal BMC water connection, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Aug 24, 2023. (Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo) Sangeeta Netke, a part-time house help, was compelled to buy secondhand drums and cans. Pointing to the dry tank on her loft, she said, We recently bought drums from a second-hand scrap dealer to store water. We have to fetch water from nearby areas or use a handpump, as our tanks are dry. As soon as evening descends, Sangeeta and other residents from this informal settlement, not too far from Madh-Versova Jetty, have to scurry around for water. A few homes at the end of their street get intermittent supply and other households depend on their generosity. Angry residents noted that water supply is sporadic and there are days when they do not receive any water at all. They blamed local leaders for the lapse and added this has been the situation for the last year-and-a-half. A driver by profession, Umesh Sahanis bicycle skidded last week when he was on his way back with two cans filled with water, which resulted in him suffering a fracture in his leg. We were all in a panic mode to fetch water at the time, deliver it home and make another trip to fill up more cans. In this rush and chaos, I lost balance and broke my leg. Umesh has not been able to go to work for a week now. Most residents have to make do without a daily wash and often shower in a public facility paying 10 each time. Water crisis has driven Umeshs son Amitkumar Sahani, an IT professional, to a rented place in Navi Mumbai near his place of work. He said despite several complaints on BMCs website and posts on X tagging civic and other senior authorities the situation has not improved. We have been writing to authorities for more than a year now. Each time there is an uproar, water is released for few days and then its back to square one, said Sahani. Rekha Yadav, a homemaker, whose relatives live in the next neighbourhood allow her family to use water from their reserves every day. We request them with folded hands. We are lucky they live here and are willing to share, she said. Her neighbours noted, despite living in a progressive megacity like Mumbai, they have to walk distances to fetch this basic essential. Every day is a surprise they do not know which house will be lucky to get supply the next day so that they can run to fill a few cans. Holding up her empty can, Mamta Sharma, a homemaker, said, Its not as if we can move homes, despite Shivaji Nagar suffering this major crisis. Recently, someone advised us to get a new water connection. Some households did that, but even that has not helped. Vishnu Sharma, a boat maker and repair man, while opening the gate of the nearby fish drying unit which has the handpump said, Thankfully, these people keep their gate open so that we can fetch water from here. Otherwise, fights would have broken out over water by now. The residents blame the crisis on BMCs valvemen (chabiwalas), alleging they divert the supply to a nearby laundry. This has led to a frustration among people here. Valvemen divert water supply to nearby colonies but overlook our needs, said Ganesh Netke, Sangeetas son and a DJ, as he filled water in a tub from a water pump. This is our only support what if the handpump were not there? When HT presented this ground reality, a senior official from BMCs P North said, The hydraulic engineers department had changed the schedule of water supply after BMC had announced the cuts before monsoons. The schedule has not been reversed. We should be able to fix it in a few days. Another official from the department said, This area is on a slight elevation at the far end of the water pipeline. There were two leakages on the cement concrete road in Marve, leading to a low pressure. We have repaired them. We will try and fix the persisting problem by adding a valve soon. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Minister Dada Bhuse inspects work progress, assures timely work Public Works Minister Dada Bhuse inspecting the ongoing work on the third Vashi Creek Bridge on Thursday in Navi Mumbai (Bachchan Kumar/HT PHOTO) Navi Mumbai The third Vashi creek bridge that connects Mumbai to Navi Mumbai and leads to Mumbai-Pune e-way is fast progressing towards completion next year. The Mumbai-Pune arm of the bridge is expected to be ready by May 2024 while the Pune-Mumbai arm should be ready by September 24. Dada Bhuse, Maharashtra Minister for Public Works (Public Undertakings) inspected the bridge work on Thursday. The new bridge is being constructed as two arms of the existing second Vashi creek bridge that has six lanes, three for both directions of Pune and Mumbai. The new arms will have three lanes each, making a total of 6 lanes for each side. Said Bhuse, The chief minister has given me the responsibility of MSRDC projects, which I am reviewing. Vashi creek bridge is a very important link for the e-way and the new bridge will help ensure smooth traffic on the busy route. Stated Bhuse, The first bridge on the creek was built in 1971 and the second in 1995. Due to increase in the traffic on the route, work has begun on the two new arms which are slated to be completed next year. The first arm heading towards Pune will be ready for traffic in May 2024 and the one heading towards Mumbai will open for traffic in September 24. He added, There will be 6 additional lanes, 3 on each side. The total of 12 lanes will resolve the traffic issues. Box Farmers happy with government offer on onions Commenting on the onion export controversy, Bhuse said, Traders had said that they had traded in onions before the export duty was announced and hence had not factored in the additional cost. They wanted relief for it. He added, I spoke union minister Piyush Goyal on it and he has given directions to Nasik collector on it. A way will be found out to resolve the impasse. On the price of 2,410 per quintal offered by the government, he said, The farmers were getting 1500 to 2000 per quintal on the market and they were satisfie with. The government is now offering more. He added, The quantity being purchased by the government may be less as of now, but we can always approach it to purchase more. The farmers are pleased with the price being offered. Box Naradmunis did not allow Shiv Sena family differences to be resolve Commenting on the Shiv Sena split, he said, Shiv Sena is our family and our disputes should be resolved within. 20-15 MLAs along with ministers, we all tried our best but due to some naradmuni it didnt work Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai, India - Aug. 24, 2023:2nd Day Slab collapsed of G+3 stoery Tulsi Bhavan building at Sector-6 Nerul in Navi Mumbai, India, on Thursday, August 24, 2023. (Photo by Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO) (HT PHOTO) Following the slab collapse at Nerul, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation had called for an empaneled team of the corporation for structural audit of the building. Depending on the audit report, the corporation will decide if the other residents should be allowed to go back to the society. The residents of all the wings were evacuated on Wednesday for their safety. A total of 13 families resided in the housing society. If the report suggests that it is a safe structure to stay, we would ask them to go ahead and stay there, NMMC Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, said. The flooring of the third floor of the C wing of Tulsi Bhawan housing society at Sarsole village of Nerul sector 6, had collapsed onto the second floor which further collapsed onto the first and then to the ground floor, on Wednesday night, killing two. A total of three families stayed in the C wing of the three storeyed building wherein the incident happened. The third-floor resident was replacing few broken tiles in the hall of his flat. While the man was away to buy some material for the work, his wife and mother were in the bedroom and kids outside. Three labourers were working of which one died, one is injured and the third one fled. We are recording statements and investigating further. Since the deceased from the first floor was the chairman of the society and his wife too is serious, the society members are unable to provide us the documents pertaining to the society. A FIR would be soon lodged once we finalise who is responsible for the incident, senior police inspector Tanaji Bhagat said. There were no occupants in the second floor of the C wing and at the first floor, deceased Bhabaji Shingade (55) and his wife Shobha Shingade (50) were in the hall while their daughter was is the bedroom. The slab fell over the couple killing the man on the spot and seriously injuring the lady. A total of four had come under the slab of which two died and two were injured. Three more who were stuck in various rooms, were rescued by our team, Narvekar said. The deceased labourer has been identified as Ramanu Nayak (58) and the injured are Shobha Shingade and other labourer Jijul Jamal Shaikh (45). All the residents are currently put up at Darshan Darbar community hall which is behind the building and along with NMMC we are arranging for the food and other required things. The audit was done and all are waiting for the report, Imran Naik, one of the flat owners of the society who is also shakha pramukh of Shiv Sena, said. Meanwhile Narvekar has also said that he has asked for a ward level survey of the buildings in the same area. The land wherein the building stands was a CIDCO plot which was awarded to a villager under the 12.5% scheme and later deveoped by a builder identified as Mukesh Bhatia. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! The Assam cabinet on Friday undertook a fresh reorganisation of districts in the state, creating four new ones which were abolished earlier. The cabinet, chaired by chief minister Himanata Biswa Sarma, also named 81 new sub-districts. With this, the state will now have 34 districts. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (File Photo) The move comes two weeks after the Election Commission (EC) issued a final delimitation order for the 126 assembly and 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state, which saw large-scale redrawing of many constituencies in both categories. On December 31, a day ahead of the EC deadline for starting the delimitation exercise, the state government abolished four districts namely Biswanath, Hojai, Bajali and Tamulpur and merged them with existing ones and redrawn boundaries of 14 areas across the state. Since the delimitation process is over, the four districts will be functional again. But their boundaries have been reorganised as per the delimitation exercise, CM Sarm said after his governments 100th cabinet meeting. The new sub-districts will become operational from January 1, 2024, but notification regarding their creation will be issued within the next few days, CM Sarma added. From now there will be no sub-divisions in Assam. Instead, we will have circles and sub-districts in each district. The sub-districts will be headed by additional district commissioners and will have all relevant government departments, said Sarma. The CM further stated that the creation of new administrative units would require more posts, and the government would advertise 22,000 new jobs next month to fill vacancies in the new districts and sub-districts. MODI Swaccha Zila Puraskar: The Assam chief minister also said that the cabinet has decided to introduce the Swaccha Zila Puraskar, or Most Outstanding District Initiative (MODI), which will be given annually to the cleanest district in the state. The cleanest district will receive a grand prize of Rs.100 crore, said Sarma, adding the criteria will include garbage disposal, sewage treatment, and reach of clean drinking water, among others on which the districts will be judged. We will come up with the list of criteria and other details soon and districts will be evaluated on 108 parameters to be considered for the top prize, the CM added. Sarma further informed that since coming to power in May 2021, his cabinet has taken 1,238 decisions in 99 meetings held prior to Friday and of them 1,217 (or nearly 98%) have been fully or partially implemented till date. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The special investigation team probing the murders of mafiosi brothers Atiq and Ashraf, visited the native villages of their assailants and questioned their kin. Slain mafiosi brothers Atiq and Ashraf (HT File Photo) Police officials also took details of their bank accounts to get information about any cash transactions made in the last few months. The three assailants - Lavlesh Tiwari, 22 of Banda, Arun Maurya, 18 of Kasganj, and Sunny Singh, 23 of Hamirpur, are currently lodged in Pratapgarh Jail. The hearings in their case are being carried out through video-conferencing. During investigations, the name of no other accomplice surfaced. Police claimed that assailants planned and executed the murders on their own. The charge-sheet against the assailants was filed on July 13, and according to it, the three assailants committed the murders to earn fame and money. They received firearms from a Delhi-based gangster, Jitendra Gogi, for killing his rival. However, they fled with the firearms when Jitendra was killed in a shootout at a Delhi court. Sunny Singh aka Mohit Purane has 14 cases of serious offences registered against him while Lavlesh Tiwari has cases of assault, eve-teasing and liquor smuggling against him. Arun Maurya has also a few criminal cases against him. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Jharkhand Police on Friday registered at least two first information reports (FIRs) against BJP state president and former chief minister Babulal Marandi for allegedly using objectionable language against JMM president Shibu Soren and his family members. Jharkhand Police on Friday registered at least two FIRs against BJP state president and former chief minister Babulal Marandi (ANI) People aware of the development said that while complaints against Marandi have been filed by different people at various police stations in different districts, police officials have confirmed that FIRs have been registered in at least two districts Ranchi and Deoghar. In Ranchi, an FIR has been registered at the Kanke police station based on a complaint by Sonu Tirkey, who has alleged that the entire tribal community has been hurt due to the objectionable language used by Marandi against Shibu Soren, officials said. A senior Ranchi police official said, An FIR has been registered under sections 500, 504, and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Further action will be taken accordingly. Sections 500, 504, and 505 (2) pertain to defamation. In his complaint dated August 23, Tirkey mentioned Marandis objectionable remarks during a press conference in the BJP headquarters on August 16. Allegedly, Marandi stated that there was a defect in the birth of the Soren family and that all of them are lootera (dacoits), the complainant said. Marandi made the remarks during his address, where he presented documents and alleged that the Soren family had grabbed land from fellow tribals. Marandi had claimed that chief minister Hemant Soren and his brothers had registered property belonging to other tribals under fictitious names, even modifying the name of their father, Hemant Soren, the FIR stated. The second FIR against Marandi has been registered at the Madhupur police station in Deoghar based on a complaint by Dineshwar Kisku. Kisku submitted his complaint on August 22, which was then converted into an FIR on August 24. While the complainant requested action under sections 500, 504, and 505, the police have also included section 153 (A) in the FIR, officials said. Section 153 (A) deals with promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and engaging in acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony. Offences under this section are cognizable and can result in a jail term of up to three years. Deoghar superintendent of police (SP), Ajit Peter Dungdung, said, We have added one section in the FIR after an inquiry which found that the complaint also involves a cognizable offence under 153 (A). According to a Supreme Court judgment, the police are empowered to conduct an inquiry and add cognizable offence sections, even in a complaint where the complainant has sought action only under non-cognizable offences. The matter is under investigation, and we will take further action accordingly. The FIRs have sparked a heated exchange of words between the JMM and BJP. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey said Marandi should apologize, or supporters of Shibu Soren would be compelled to take to the streets. His remark is entirely objectionable and unacceptable. Marandi is making such statements just to remain in the news, as even BJP workers are not accepting his leadership. While the police will take appropriate action as per the law, supporters of Guruji (Shibu Soren), who is revered as a god by party workers, will demand an apology from Marandi for his remark, said Pandey. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) described the development as a diversionary tactic aimed at deflecting peoples attention from the exposure of land grabbing by the Soren family. Reacting to the allegations, Marandi challenged the state government to probe and reveal the names of the present directors of the firm. Today, the JMM has alleged that two persons related to me were directors of Santhal Builders Private Limited and the company is engaged in real estate and liquor business. I challenge the JMM to come up with any document that proves that those persons are related to the company today. I would also request them to make people aware who are its present directors and who all have invested money in it. If the state government wants, they can get it probed at their end and reveal all the names. Everything would become transparent before petrol of the state, Marandi posted on X (formerly Twitter). Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The backdrop of the Brics summit in Johannesburg was the heightened tensions between India and China, and the fevered speculation about a possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mr Modi used what some described as a pull aside at the Brics leaders lounge to drive home Indias contention that ties can only be normalised by maintaining peace in border areas and respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He also emphasised Indias concerns over unresolved issues along LAC. The Indian side said the conversation was the outcome of a pending Chinese request for a bilateral meeting, and that the two leaders agreed that officials should step up efforts for expeditious disengagement and de-escalation in the Ladakh sector. PREMIUM Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engage in a brief interaction at the 15th BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg on Thursday (ANI) The Chinese side offered a markedly different take on the encounter, saying it was held at the Indian sides request and avoided any mention of steps to resolve the military standoff, which has resulted in frontline troops being deployed in large numbers close to LAC. The statement only trotted out the standard Chinese line of focusing on the overall interests of bilateral relations. There was no indication of Beijings intentions regarding the resolution of friction points at Depsang and Demchok, where Indian troops continue to face hurdles in patrolling areas they had access to prior to May 2020. Despite several rounds of talks between local commanders, little progress has happened largely due to Chinese intransigence. Experts have cautioned that this is part of Chinas playbook and that Beijing does not intend to end the standoff, instead using buffer zones as part of a solution. This is a thread that runs through Chinese strategy in other contested geographies, where Beijing routinely uses underhand tactics. Given this, it would be realistic to exercise greater patience and not set any unrealistic expectations for the border talks. Holding the line on Chinese aggression is more important than a temporary and unsustainable detente. In fact, New Delhi has done well so far to not take Beijing at face value and wait for concrete action on de-escalation before taking reciprocal steps. The conversation also came just weeks before India hosts the G20 Leaders Summit, at a time when China in collusion with no-limits partner Russia has proven to be a hurdle in corralling a consensus on signature initiatives. With Russia announcing that President Vladimir Putin will not attend the G20 Summit, it remains to be seen what stance China takes. But India would do well to not hope for too much cooperation. Mr Xis push for an expansion of Brics in the end, six countries were allowed entry, out of the 22 that had applied for induction held a mirror to Beijings strategy of turning every forum it is a part of into an anti-West grouping. On the global stage, India will have to contend with navigating these choppy waters as it secures its interests. Closer home, New Delhi has little option but to prepare for the long haul at LAC. The country has done well to ignore calls by China to normalise ties while the border remains tense. It will now need to continue ramping up border infrastructure, and manage the deployment of thousands of soldiers, while resisting any aggression or adventurism. Despite pushing for peace, this tense calm appears to be the new normal, at least in the short term. DU PG Merit List 2023 Live Updates: Delhi University will release DU PG Merit List 2023 on August 25, 2023. The Delhi University PG 2nd CSAS allocation list will be released today at 5 pm. Candidates can check the merit list through the official site of DU at du.ac.in and also on admission.uod.ac.in. du pg merit list 2023 live updates: Delhi University PG 2nd CSAS allocation list, direct link at du.ac.in (File photo) Candidates can accept the allocated seat from August 25 to August 28, 2023. The department/ college/ centres can verify and approve the online applications from August 26 to August 29, 2023. The last date for online payment of fees by the candidates is till August 30, 2023. The mid-entry will be done from August 31 to September 1, 2023. The classes for postgraduate programs will commence from Friday, September 1, 2023. Follow the blog for latest updates on merit list, direct link and other details. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India will release ICSI CS Result 2023 for Professional & Executive courses on August 25, 2023. Candidates can check the results on the official site of ICSI at icsi.edu. ICSI CS Result 2023 Live Updates ICSI CS Result 2023 for Professional & Executive courses releasing today at icsi.edu (Hindustan Times/Karun Sharma/For representation only) The professional program result will be announced at 11 am and executive program result will be announced at 2 pm. The result along with individual Candidates subject-wise break-up of marks will be available on the Institutes website after declaration of results. ICSI CS Result 2023: How to check Candidates who have appeared for the examination can check the results by following the steps given below. Visit the official site of ICSI at icsi.edu. Click on ICSI CS Result 2023 link available on the home page. Enter the login details and click on submit. Your result will be displayed on the screen. Download the page and keep a hard copy of the same for further need. As per the official notice, The Result-cum-Marks Statement for Professional Programme Examination will be despatched to the Candidates at their registered address soon after declaration of the result. In case the physical copy of Result-cum-Marks Statement is not received by any Candidate within 30 days of declaration of result, such Candidates may contact the Institute along with his/her particulars. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Get latest news on Education along with updates on Board Exams and Competitive Exams at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Professor Gobardhan Das, has been appointed as the new Director of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, IISER, Bhopal. Prior to this, Gobardhan Das was a professor and Chair of Special Centre for Molecular Medicine of JNU. JNU Professor Gobardhan Das Appointed as New Director of IISER Bhopal As per a press statement issued by IISER, Bhopal, Professor Das, a Ph.D holder in Immunology Host pathogen relationship, from the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh in 1997 was associated with organization such as Molecular Immunology Forum, and Guha Research Council. Prof. Das also holds editorial positions as associate editor in PlosOne, Mycobacterial Diseases, Frontiers in Immunology, and, as reviewer in Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences USA, Blood, J. Exp. Med, J. Biological Chemistry, Cancer Research, Gastroenterology, Cell research, Microbiology Immunology, Eur. J. Immunol, PlosPathogens, Cellular Immunology, Microbiology and Immunology, Tuberculosis, read the press release. Further, Professor Das also holds honorary positions as Adjunct Professor, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA, and Adjunct Professor, Shoochow University, Suzhou, China. Since the commencement of IISER, Bhopal in 2008, Prof. Das is the third Director of the organisation. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Get latest news on Education along with updates on Board Exams and Competitive Exams at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Directorate of Medical Education, West Bengal has started the registration process for WB NEET PG 2023 round 2 counselling today, August 25. Eligible candidates can register for the West Bengal NEET PG 2023 at wbmcc.nic.in. The last date for the registration and submission of the registration fee is August 26. WB NEET PG 2023 Round 2 Counselling Registration Begins Today; Apply Now at wbmcc.nic.in(HT File Photo) As per the schedule, the verification of candidates in the already designated college and time slot will be done from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from August 26 to August 28. The publication of the merit list for Round 2 will be done on August 29 after 2 p.m. The results will be released on September 4 after 9 p.m. Candidates have to report at the allotted colleges with original documents from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 5, 7, 8, and 9. Direct link to register WB NEET PG 2023 Counselling: How to apply To apply for the counselling round, candidates can follow the steps given below. Visit the official site of WBMCC at wbmcc.nic.in. Click on the WB NEET PG Counselling 2023 link available on the home page. Register yourself first. Enter the login details and click on submit. Fill in the application form and make the payment of application fees. Once done, click on submit. Download the confirmation page and keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Pallavi Joshi bagged the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Kashmir Files at the 69th National Film Awards. In fact, the film itself also secured the accolade in the category of Best Feature Film on National Integration. The news came as a surprise to Joshi, who was in Chicago at the time. Pallavi Joshi won the best supporting actress award for The Kashmir Files at the 69th National Film Awards I was asleep as it was 6am here in Chicago. I started getting calls and thats when I got to know, she shares, adding, For the longest time, it didnt sink in that I got the award for best supporting actor. We are on a tour to promote our upcoming film The Vaccine War, so what better way to celebrate this. The recognition took on an even more meaningful dimension when Joshi shares, And after that, when I heard that our film got in the category of national integration, that was the icing on the cake. To think about what we wanted to say through the movie, I think it just got underlined and recognized, so its a great feeling. I am very happy with the results and feel very thankful to the jury. I would like to dedicate this award to the entire persecuted community all over the world. The Kashmir Files had not only enthralled audiences with its storytelling but had also ignited a fair share of controversy upon its release. However, Joshi reflects on the reception, stating, There was some backlash during the films release. The people who were agitating against the film or were trying to outrage against it were very few in number, but their social media presence was great, so everyone thought that there were a lot of people because they amplified it a lot. Not many people disliked it; otherwise, the film wouldnt have been a blockbuster hit. The majority of the youth loved the film. Addressing the impact of the awards on its critics, Joshi triumphantly notes, But yes, it is an answer to those criticizing the film at the time of release. It has definitely set those people up who live in genocide denial. It also brought great jubilation in the Kashmiri Pandit community. I am feeling great; let them feel whatever they have to feel now. I have done my job by spreading the message. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Filmmaker-actor Tinnu Anand has revealed how Amitabh Bachchan explained his ailment to him, ahead of Shehenshah shoot when he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 1984. Tinnu was speaking to Radio Nasha in an interview when he recalled the time when he spent a year thinking he would never be able to complete his ambitious project (Shahenshah). (Also read: Amitabh reveals why he was hired for polio campaign) Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Shahenshah. Tinnu said that he once reached the sets of Mard in Mysore only to realise that Amitabh had been injured. He then reached Bangalore to meet the actor who asked him to sit down. "I was told to wait in the hotel where I will meet Amitabh. And then finally, when he arrived, he knew the kind of jittery person I was. He said, Just sit down, please, before you fall. Ive got bad news for you'. He asked me to cancel my schedule as he got something called Myasthenia Gravis. It is a disease of the muscles. He said, During the shoot when I was taking a sip of water, it got stuck in my throat. The message to my brain did not go that I need to swallow it, so it got stuck. I nearly died, suffocating on it. He then explained that he had been asked to go to Bombay for a checkup and complete rest. He said the doctors had warned him that I might never be able to work again'." Amitabh was shooting for Mard in 1984, and was yet to begin production of Shahenshah when he was diagnosed. He had to take break lasting for more than a year at the time. The filmmaker further said that he collapsed upon hearing Amitabh declare that he may never act again and the actor had to call for an ambulance. Tinnu also said that creditors began asking him for all the money they had invested in Shahenshah after a report quoted Amitabh as saying that he was sorry but he needed to give up on acting. Things changed only a year later when Tinnu visited Ajitabh and he promised that the actor will complete all his pending films once his treatment is done. In The Times of India report, Amitabh was quoted as saying, "I know I am quite ill. It doesn't look as if I will ever be able to face the camera again. Anyways, people are getting fed up of me doing the same role over and over again, aren't they?" A report that appeared in India Today magazine in 1984, quoted producer Manmohan Desai (producer of Mard) thus: "The newspaper reports are just sensationalistic. To the best of my knowledge, he is merely suffering from overwork. I did not detect anything particularly wrong during our shooting in the south." SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail Vin Diesel seems to be missing India. The Fast X star shared a throwback picture on his Instagram on Friday, in which he is posing with Deepika Padukone inside a colourful autorickshaw. The image is from his trip to India in 2017 to promote their Hollywood action film xXx: Return of Xander Cage. (Also Read: Vin Diesel gives shoutout to Deepika Padukone, thanks her for bringing him to India) Vin Diesel and Deepika Padukone starred together in xXx: Return of Xander Cage Vin's throwback post Vin Diesel took to Instagram on Friday and posted the photo with the caption, So grateful and blessed, to have traveled to so many wonderful countries, like India and to experience their beautiful cultures a lucky kid from New York. Haha. All love, Always. Fans react While many Indian fans asked Vin to visit again, a lot of Instagram users could not resist making some hilarious autorickshaw jokes. One commented, *Vin Diesel rash driving this auto rickshaw* Deepika: Aiyyo!! Be careful!! Mere appa ka favourite gaadi (sad emoji). Another wrote in the comments, The next fast and furious 11 with auto (teary eyed laughter emoji). A third user commented, Fast tuk tuk and furious. Another wrote, Fast and furious 11 scene leaked (fire emoji). Make f11 in india dude (face with sunglasses emoji), commented another. We want @deepikapadukone x @vindiesel again but this time for fast and furious movie, a fan's comment read. A user slid in a hilarious one, Vin Diesel be like : or andar nahi jayega madam (can't take it further inside). Vin and Deepika Vin and Deepika starred opposite each other in DJ Caruso's 2017 action thriller xXx: Return of Xander Cage, the third instalment in Vin's popular franchise. The first two parts, XXX and XXX: State of the Union, released in 2002 and 2005 respectively. Also starring Donnie Yen, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Toni Collette, and Samuel L Jackson, it became the biggest hit of the franchise by earning $346 million worldwide, on a budget of $85 million. Fast and Furious The first part of the tenth instalment in Vin's Fast and Furious franchise released earlier this year. A Part 2 of Fast X is also slated to release next year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Lake Geneva, nestled at the foot of the Alps, has long been considered as a near-pristine body of water, but new research has found that its plastic pollution levels are as high as those in the oceans. Pascal Hagmann, founder and director of NGO Oceaneye, and Laurianne Trimoulla, head of communication, look at the samples of weeds and plastic fragments that were collected in the water of Lake Leman in Founex, near Geneva, Switzerland August 21.(REUTERS) Oceaneye, a Geneva-based non-profit that has for more than a decade been scouring the seas to collect plastic fragments, has turned its attention closer to home to landlocked Switzerland. "We compared the levels with the ocean data and reached the conclusion that the microplastic pollution on the lake surface is the same order of magnitude as the oceans," said Pascal Hagmann, the founder and director of Oceaneye. He was speaking from the stern of a sailing vessel that was dragging a sample-collecting device across Switzerland's biggest lake, also known as Lac Leman. "We found that interesting because we often have the image of the Leman Lake as a big Alpine lake with crystal waters but it's not really the case," he said, using the French name. The crescent-shaped lake is the largest in western Europe covering 580 square kilometers (224 square miles) straddling France and Switzerland and is fed partly by Alpine glaciers. It spills into the Rhone River which eventually flows into the Mediterranean sea. Switzerland's bordering cantons treat the water and then pipe it into homes as drinking water. One of the lakeside towns, Evian, on the French side, is also the name given to a brand of bottled water from a natural spring. Microplastics derive from the breakdown of various consumer and industrial plastic waste over time and their concentrations are accumulating in the world's oceans. They have even been found in the blood samples of unborn babies and scientists are trying to understand the health risks of the phenomenon for people and animals. Hagmann said he was worried that rising plastic consumption over time will lead to more litter ending up in water systems. "We are seeing the growth curve rise very quickly. Projections are pessimistic if we do nothing," he said, although he acknowledged that at least awareness of the issue was growing. "When we began working on this 12 years ago and talked about plastic fragments in water, people took us for wackos and now it is a recognised problem." Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! In the 21st century, energy is an important tool that shapes geopolitics and controls the geoeconomics of countries. Central Asia has emerged in recent years as an alternate energy source for countries like China and India as their growing populations require uninterrupted access to energy for sustained economic growth. The increasing demand for natural gas is anticipated to stimulate the expansion of the Central Asian oil and gas market. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states collectively possess approximately 25% of the world's oil reserves, over 50% of the world's gas reserves, 35% of the world's coal reserves, and roughly 50% of the world's known uranium reserves. Oil and gas discoveries in countries such as Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are creating lucrative growth opportunities for the Central Asian oil and gas market. Central Asian energy geopolitics involve key countries such as Russia, the United States, China, the European Union, Japan, India, Iran, and Turkey, and in the last few years China has been dominating the energy politics in the region with key players such as Gazprom dominating excavation and storage technologies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, last year. (PTI) Chinas interest in the region comes from various aspects, such as its need to diversify its oil imports to ensure a stable supply, reduce dependence on the Middle East, and get over the geographical constraints posed by the Malacca Straits. Despite its geographical distance, over the years, China has strategically engaged with Central Asia and played a significant role in the region's energy geopolitics while carefully manoeuvring Russias sentiments towards the region. Its cautious approach and step-by-step progress have led to the formation of cooperative organisations, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and further expanded its role in Central Asian energy affairs. The SCO mandate has broadened to encompass energy security, economic development, and other emerging non-traditional security challenges. The SCO Energy Club was established under SCO as a part of expanding priorities beyond addressing terrorism, separatism, and extremism. In 2013, the club was established with members including Russia, Afghanistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, India, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Sri Lanka as a non-governmental consultative mechanism to discuss the energy strategy of the region. Its purpose is to enable discussions on energy-related issues among high-level officials, business representatives, and scientists from member countries. The club was intended to serve as a platform for energy producers, consumers, and transit nations to address shared concerns and challenges. Notably, non-member countries such as Mongolia, Belarus, Iran, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka participated in the inaugural meeting in 2017, playing crucial roles in energy transportation to markets including China, Japan, Europe, Korea, and India. The SCO's expansion of its membership has led to a new great game centred around energy issues, with China and Russia emerging as key energy agenda-setters in the Central Asian region. Energy projects, particularly in the oil and gas sector, joint exploration of hydrocarbon reserves, and the shared use of water resources, were given priority by the SCO Energy Club when it was founded. Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan possess significant fossil fuel reserves, making them attractive for energy markets. Moscow played a crucial role in establishing the SCO Energy Club to secure a market for these commodities. The SCO Energy Club, primarily run by Moscow, places a lot of emphasis on natural gas, a clean and highly sought-after fossil fuel. The club aims to create supply lines for the abundant natural gas reserves through pipelines that traverse countries both within and outside the SCO. The regional-Eurasian level of the SCO Energy Club aims to harmonise energy strategies and foster cooperation between hydrocarbon-producing countries and consumer countries within the region, contributing to the SCO's development into a self-sufficient energy system in the near future. The involvement of countries such as Mongolia, Belarus, Iran, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, which act as intermediaries in energy transport to major markets like China, Japan, Europe, Korea, and India, further enhances cooperation within the Energy Club. India, facing geopolitical complexities, looks to secure Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplies via ship-based transportation since it lacks access to land-based and underwater pipelines from Central Asia, Iran, and Qatar. The participation of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members like Saudi Arabia and Iran in SCO activities, along with the recent resumption of their bilateral diplomatic relations, could potentially transform the SCO Energy Club into a global player, providing stability in the international oil market. The global energy market is in flux, with production centres shifting westward and consumption expanding in the east, aligning with the SCO member states' region. The SCO Energy Club is expected to play a role in stabilising the global energy supply chain, negotiating favourable energy prices, and supporting research for cleaner and more cost-effective energy alternatives for the countries in the region. However, in a rapidly changing global energy landscape, especially with the Russia-Ukraine war, the Energy Club faces the challenge of coordinating the energy strategies of its members and enhancing the energy security of SCO countries. The energy club also continues to face challenges, such as its nonbinding nature and relative youth. The Energy Club could serve as a valuable framework for fostering robust energy cooperation in the coming future, although it might be a counterweight to OPEC in being the energy agenda setter in the region. Although the energy mix is being changed to accommodate more renewables, as long as the fossil fuel industry continues to dominate the energy mix, the SCO Energy Club is likely to play a bigger role in the region. This article is authored by Anisree Suresh, associate - research & client management, CPPR. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jaipur A 15-year-old Dalit student died in Rajasthans Kotputli town after two of his schoolteachers allegedly harassed him on the basis of caste, police said on Friday, as the victims family alleged that school was informed about the casteist remarks but refused to act. Police said that prima facie, it was a case of suicide, but added that the section of murder was invoked against the two accused men because the family insisted that the boy was killed and the crime was made to look like suicide. (File photo) The boy was found dead inside the classroom of the government run boarding school in the early hours of Wednesday after his body was recovered by the cleaning staff, said police. The body was sent for post-mortem examination and a report is awaited. Police said that prima facie, it was a case of suicide, but added that the section of murder was invoked against the two accused men because the family insisted that the boy was killed and the crime was made to look like suicide. Prima facie, it is not a murder but suicide. However, we have included the section related to murder based on the familys suspicions. The fact will be ascertained after the autopsy which is due as the family of the victim didnt allow us to initiate the process, said Sawai Singh, station house officer of Pragpura police station. The two teachers Vivek Yadav and Rajkumar Yadav were booked under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (criminal act done by several persons) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and section 3-2(v) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The two teachers were also suspended by the school after the family filed a police complaint, police said. HT reached out to the school for a response but could not get one immediately. While speaking to his father over phone on Tuesday night, the student mentioned that he was being constantly tortured by Rajkumar and Viveks casteist remarks in front of his classmates. It used to make him feel insulted, an officer said, quoting the first information report (FIR). No action was taken against those two teachers by the principal and the vice-principal of the school even after the repeated pleas earlier. Instead, the principal said that your caste will never change, said the boys uncle in the FIR, filed in Hindi, a copy of which is seen by HT. In the FIR, the students family said the two teachers murdered the boy and later made it look like suicide. One of the classmates of the victim, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he saw the two teachers verbally and physically abusing the victim on the school ground the day before he was found dead. He went to ask them to apologise to him for harassing him with casteist remarks in the classroom. But Rajkumar and Vivek repeated the same remarks towards him three times, boasting that nobody would dare to tell them anything as they have a rich family background, the student told mediapersons. A second student, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Rajkumar Yadav slapped the victim and pulled his hair. He said the victim skipped dinner on August 22 and left the hostel. The victims relatives protested in front of the police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused, 50 lakhs in compensation and a government job. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a brief conversation as they shared the stage in South Africa during the BRICS summit, China's foreign ministry said the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the current relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engage in a brief interaction at the 15th BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg on Thursday. (ANI) Watch: First Signs Of LAC Thaw? PM Modi, Xi Jinping To Direct Officials To Intensify Peace Bid Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin in a statement on Thursday night said, President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at the latters request on August 23, 2023. The two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability, and development of the world and the region, the statement read on the Chinese foreign ministry's official website. It added, The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region. The interaction came amid strained relations between the two countries since the Indian and Chinese armies clashed at Galwan Valley in 2020. The two leaders spoke for the first time after the meeting at the G20 dinner in Bali last November. Meanwhile, on Thursday, India's foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra in a briefing said Modi, while speaking to Xi, highlighted India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC. The prime minister underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas, and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship, Kwatra said. He added, In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation. Tensions between India and China India-China ties nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that led to the death of several soldiers. The clash has been marked as the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Since then, both countries have held military-level talks to resolve the border issues. Recently, the two armies held the 19th round of corps commander-level talks. According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through military and diplomatic channels during the talks. In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas, the statement added. As the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party engaged in a credit war over the advancements in India's space technology during their respective tenures, following Chandrayaan-3's successful soft-landing on the Moon's south pole, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Friday said the due credit must be given to whoever established the Indian Space Research Organisation. He, however, said it was BJP veteran and late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who thought of Chandrayaan. ISRO chairman . Somanath with others show a victory sign after the successful soft-landing Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram on the surface of Moon in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (ANI Photo) The credit must be given to whoever established the ISRO. I thank them. It has benefited the country. But Chandrayaan was former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's thought In 1999, the lunar mission was given approval from the government when Vajpayee was the prime minister. The late prime minister had urged scientists to proceed with their plan to study the Moon. Moreover, he also changed the mission's name from 'Somayaan' to Chandrayaan. Shouldn't Vajpayee ji get the due credit? Meghwal told reporters. On Thursday, the Congress said that it was India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru who laid the foundation stone of space science in the country. The grand old party in its tweet mentioned that Nehru's scientific outlook and vision laid the foundation of Indian space research and Chandrayaan 3's success is because of his early efforts. The BJP, however, gave the credit for the Chandrayaan-3 mission success to ISRO scientists. Atal Bihari Vajpayee renamed 'Somayaan' The Vajpayee's decision to rename Somayaan had come as a surprise to space scientists as they had picked Somayaan from a Sanskrit verse which was quoted in Rigveda: O Moon! We should be able to know you through our intellect. You enlighten us through the right path. Vajpayee said the mission should be called Chandrayaan, and not Somayaan, as the country has emerged as an economic power, and will make many exploratory journeys to the Moon," Dr K Kasturirangan, the former chairperson of the ISRO, had told Deccan Chronicle in 2019. Kasturirangan had also told the daily, "It took four years to plan the mission, and another four years to implement it." In November 2003, the government had approved the ISRO's proposal for inaugural India's Moon mission. During India's 56th Independence Day in 2003, Vajpayee had said, Our country is now ready to fly high in the field of science. I am pleased to announce that India will send her spacecraft to the moon by 2008. It is being named Chandrayaan." Chandrayaan, which means "moon craft" in Sanskrit, has been built on a budget of just under 615 crore. The approved cost of Chandrayaan-3 is 250 crores (excluding launch vehicle cost). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The images are frightening -- part of a hillside in Kullu coming down, along with several buildings, all fortunately evacuated in anticipation of just such an eventuality. Residents engaged in clearing debris in a landslide affected village near Peepalkoti Bandh area of Uttarakhand. (PTI) The immediate cause of this was extreme weather -- just as it was earlier this month. In the second week of August, the monsoon trough moved north of its normal position to the Himalayan foothills, triggering heavy rainfall, landslides, and flash floods that damaged buildings, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure in the hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, leaving 238 and 84 dead, respectively. On August 18 and 19, the trough temporarily moved southward before moving to the north of its normal position again. Whenever it shifts north, rainfall is concentrated over the Himalayan states and northeast India while the plains remain largely dry. This is the third time the region is witnessing weather-driven carnage this season. Earlier in July, an interaction between a western disturbance and the trough led to extremely heavy rainfall. But there are larger underlying causes: the climate crisis; the fact that the Himalayas are relatively young, and still geologically active; and unconsidered, unplanned (and sometimes illegal) development. The impact of climate change on the temperature in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand is also significant with over 1 C warming compared to the long-term average. Himachal Pradeshs average annual mean land surface air temperature during 2022 was 1.2 C warmer than its long-period average for the period 1981-2010. Then there is the rain. Continuous rainfall soaks the topsoil, leading to flash floods, heavy erosion, and collapse of structures. The soil in parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand is almost sinking and causing devastation in the geologically sensitive regions. Continued rainfall can saturate already withered topsoil and lead to small and large landslides and destruction, particularly when infrastructure is not scientifically planned. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Dehradun) director Kalachand Sain called for the need to understand why this is happening. The monsoon trough is very active over the Himalayas. There is often also a confluence or interaction with westerly disturbances which accentuates rainfall. Due to climate change, some high-altitude regions are recording significant rises in temperatures and hence a rise in the water-vapour holding capacity. There is a lot of moisture available. Hence when it rains, it pours. Sain added that across the region, the top part of the soil is environmentally weathered in most parts. Very warm temperatures followed by cold temperaturesa cycle of thawing and freezingis further degrading the topsoil. ...there is a lot of anthropogenic activity which can further put these regions at risk such as hill cutting, slope instability, heavy load, etc in areas where load bearing capacity is not assessed. Sain called for sensitising people about the risks in this terrain in current climatic conditions. For short-term economic gain, lives can be lost if norms are not followed. Thats exactly whats happening in Himachal Pradesh. Sain said all kinds of anthropogenic activities cannot be allowed in the Himalayan region. This should be clear to people. Second, we can develop a landslide vulnerability map to identify zones at the highest risk...land use maps should be prepared for them. Land use can allow only those structures which are safe. Sain underlined the Himalayas are a very young mountain range and a lot of subsurface and surface activities are still going on. There is erosion going on due to heavy rainfall events and snowfall. There is exhumation of rocks and plate tectonics. It is geo-dynamically extremely active due to these ongoing processes. Sain cited the downstream impact on the national Capital when continuous rainfall led to devastating floods, landslides, and mudslides in Himachal Pradesh followed by Uttarakhand in July. Pushpendra Johari, senior vice-president-sustainability at RMSI, a global disaster risk management firm, said unstabilised slopes (especially where roads are concerned) and unplanned construction are to blame. It should be made mandatory for project proponents and construction companies to stabilise slopes, and ensure green cover before leaving a finished project. Secondly, the foundations of buildings and homes have to be deeper. We are seeing the topsoil just washing away with the building structure in Himachal Pradesh. Environmentalist Ravi Chopra, who headed the Supreme Court-appointed committee on Char Dham roads projects, in July highlighted the significant impact of roads, railways, and transmission lines on Himalayan ecology during a meeting on the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill on July 22. We have seen how the government ensured that the Char Dham project bypassed the environment impact assessment. ...an adverse impact could have been avoided had the project been scrutinised. For example, a lot of landslides took place in the Tankapur to Pithoragarh stretch. There were 102 sensitive zones and 45 landslides had already taken place in 2019. A geological investigation and EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] may have helped avoid this. The muck went into the river. When muck goes into rivers, the river level rises and it can cause devastating floods. The environmental impact appraisal was bypassed for the 880-km Char Dham project. In an affidavit, the Union government told the National Green Tribunal in 2018 that only new national highways and expansion of highways longer than 100 km need prior environmental clearance under 206 EIA notification. The Char Dham project was divided into several small stretches separated by 16 bypasses. The climate is not changing in a known way. The high variations and unpredictability of the change creates a huge problem. While overall there will be a scarcity of water, extreme rainfall events of the kind we saw in our Himalayan states recently will become very common. Unusual rainfall and snowmelt make the soil in the fragile hills heavier and slippery, leading to landslides in locations we earlier did not expect them. Global weather patterns such as the El Nino, a warming of surface water in the Pacific Ocean, are also projected to make such incidents more common. The way buildings and infrastructure have been constructed on unsafe lands is only making matters worse by putting people and assets in harms way, said Anshu Sharma, co-founder of SEEDS thats works on disaster management. We must work urgently to understand the risk of disasters at a very local level, down to individual buildings, he added. Union Minister Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, responded to Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai's comments claiming Rahul Gandhi will win from Amethi and said that in a democracy everyone had a right to contest from anywhere they wanted. Union Minister Smriti Irani (ANI/File)(Ishant ) Speaking to news agency PTI, Irani said, In a democracy, everyone has the right to contest from anywhere. However, in Amethi, the Gandhi family has always opposed the [Narendra] Modi-Yogi [Adityanath] government. Irani reached Amethi on Thursday for a two-day visit during which she was scheduled to inaugurate several industrial units. Irani further said that under the double engine government of led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath government, over 7,50,000 people receive free grains in Amethi. She questioned, Does the Gandhi family think that poverty-ridden families will leave the grains they are entitled to just so that the Gandhi family can succeed? Rahul Gandhi made his parliamentary debut from the Amethi constituency in 2004 and won the next two Lok Sabha elections from the same seat before losing it to BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019. Sonia Gandhi, an MP from Rae Bareli, is the only Congress parliamentarian from UP at present and the grand old party would be eyeing to wrest Amethi from Smriti Irani. Irani added, Does the Gandhi family think that 5,00,000 farmers of Amethi will leave their annual income of 6,000 just so that the Gandhi family's name can shine? Does the Gandhi family think that 90,000 families of Amethi who received keys to their own houses for the first time, will abandon their houses so that Gandhi family can settle there? What Ajay Rai said? Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Thursday said that Amethi and the Congress had a generations-old bond and its people would ensure that Rahul Gandhi wins the Amethi seat with a huge margin in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. He also said that Rahul Gandhi never lied to Amethi's people, unlike sitting MP Irani. He alleged that Irani had been lying to the citizens of Amethi regarding the developmental work in the constituency adding that people have understood her tricks. He said, It is the demand of the people of Amethi that Rahul Gandhi contest the election from here and they will ensure his victory by at least 5 lakh votes. Rai added, She is roaming around in Amethi afraid of the news of Rahul's arrival here. She will go from house to house. But nothing is going to happen now because the people of Amethi are standing with their family. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Union government encouraged members of an umbrella group of Meitei organisations to initiate dialogue with the Kuki community to facilitate peace in strife-torn Manipur, the collectives said in a statement on Friday after a late-night meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah. The ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities first broke out on May 3 and has left least 155 people dead, displacing another 50,000 (AFP file photo) Representatives of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) a collective of five Meitei groups based in Imphal met Shah at his residence in Delhi a little past midnight on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, Shah met Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) chief JP Nadda. COCOMI said that it also met senior officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on Friday. COCOMI was encouraged to initiate dialogues with responsible Kuki leaders and groups to facilitate problem-solving and peace-building, the groups statement said. The group also demanded the removal of Assam Rifles, especially in border areas and sought its replacement by another force. The home minister emphasised a firm stance against all forms of infiltration into Manipurs territory. Measures are being implemented to register immigrants using biometrics, including retina scans, the statement added. The ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities first broke out on May 3 and have left least 155 people dead, displacing another 50,000. There was no statement from the Union home ministry on the meeting. COCOMI said the Union government was expediting border fencing in Manipur. They also said that there shouldnt be any allowance for a separate administration which is a key demand of the Kuki community. Chief minister N Biren Singh had said on Thursday that he asked the Centre for more paramilitary forces in Manipur to complete border fencing work. Manipur shares nearly 398 km of porous border with Myanmar, of which the government has fenced 19 km. A COCOMI spokesperson said the group also submitted a memorandum of demands to the home minister, including opening of national highways blocked by Kuki protesters and the resettlement of displaced people. COCOMI claimed that the home minister told them that necessary deployment of forces will be sent to secure the highways and that support for the same is needed from both communities. On August 9, Shah had met representatives of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) an influential umbrella group of tribal bodies after an announcement about a mass burial by the group led to fresh cases of violence and protests in the state. The ITLF said that during the meeting, they had also requested the minister for chopper services from hills districts to Mizoram airport and other demands of Kuki people. The mass burial of 35 bodies (of Kuki victims) was called off following hectic parleys by authorities, a court order, undertaking from MHA, and a meeting of the ITLF with home minister Shah. COCOMI and other Meitei groups opposed the burial plan, and several groups began converging near the proposed burial site, triggering widespread clashes that went on in pockets of the state. The Centre had said that the burial site was in a conflict zone, which would further disrupt the law-and-order problem in the state. After the August 9 meeting, ITLF said the minister had urged them to decide on an alternative burial site. ITLF is yet to inform the government about its decision. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rover Pragyan travels 8 metres on moon, payloads performing nominally Pragyan Rover has travelled 8 metres on the surface of the moon since it rolled out of lander Vikram. Isro confirmed all planned rover movements have been verified and Pragyan's payloads which will carry out the experiments are turned on. All payloads on the propulsion module, lander module, and rover are performing nominally. After India achieved the milestone of soft-landing on the south pole of the moon, now all eyes are on the findings of the mission that Pragyan will undertake. Read Here. The Chandrayaan 3 rover on the surface of the moon. (ISRO) I urged Prigozhin to watch outWagner will live in Belarus: President Lukashenko Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that he had warned Russian mercenary chiefs Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin to watch out for possible threats to their lives, and he insisted that Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. Read Here. US Open women's singles preview, prediction: Time to strike for Coco Gauff or will WTAs Big 3 dominate in New York? The atmosphere on Arthur Ashe Stadium on that Tuesday night in September 2022 was reminiscent to the one Serena Williams produced throughout her illustrious career. Under the closed roof, to keep the rain away, for the round of 16 tie in women's singles, Coco Gauff had managed to rile up the crowd to generate a crowd energy so loud that at one point that her opponent, Shuai Zhang of China, had to cover her ears. With the home crowd behind her, Gauff, who had earlier that year reached her maiden Grand Slam final in French Open, had managed to script her best ever run at the US Open. Read Here. How to manage eczema flare-ups during monsoon; 7 home remedies that can help Eczema can worsen in monsoon season for a range of reasons from excess humidity to growth of microbes like fungi and bacteria. Allergic reactions can also make eczema unmanageable during this time of the year and it's important to take care of your skin in these hot and humid conditions. Due to increased moisture on the skin, its natural barrier function may take a beating, leading to eczema flare-up. Excessive sweating can also irritate sensitive skin and could cause skin issues. During monsoon, temperatures are usually warm which can increase itchiness and discomfort. Read Here. Dream Girl 2 movie review: Ayushmann Khurrana is the best thing in this messy, massy comedy of errors It must have been a difficult transition for Ayushmann Khurrana from being Bollywood's poster boy to becoming its Dream Girl. And you have to give it to him for taking such risks, portraying Pooja without letting it get out of hand. Whether it pays off or not is a different story. On the face of it, Dream Girl 2 is audacious, unapologetic and entertaining. However, I personally don't like to devalue a film by calling it a slapstick or no-brainer. One must use their brain even when laughing. Read Here. Ananva Pandav, Samantha Ruth Prabhu in ethnic jacket sets From Ananya Panday to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, here is a look at celebrities slaying in ethnic jacket sets. Read Here. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a red alert of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. The weather department has also issued an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall for Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar. A waterlogged stretch on Panjab University campus in Chandigarh on Wednesday after heavy overnight rain. (Ravi Kumar/HT) Potential isolated Heavy to Very heavy with Extremely heavy rainfall (more than 204.2mm) expected in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on August 25; isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar on August 25; and in Assam, Meghalaya from August 25 to August 27, an IMD bulletin read. Notably, IMD's 'red' alert indicates rainfall over 20 cm while an 'orange' alert indicates 'very heavy rainfall' - between six and 20 cm. The 'yellow' alert indicates between six and 11 cm of rainfall. Advising fishermen not to venture into the Southwest Arabian Sea and central Bay of Bengal, the IMD said, Squally wind speed of 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph very likely over Westcentral and adjoining Southwest Arabian Sea on Friday; Squally wind speed of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over north adjoining central Bay of Bengal. It also added, Thunderstorm with lightning very likely at isolated places over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-GilgitBaltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Telangana. Yellow alert in Himachal Pradesh Meanwhile, the weather department has issued a yellow alert in Himachal Pradesh where incessant rainfall has triggered massive landslides, flooding, and cloudbursts this monsoon. Over 200 people have also died in rain-related accidents in the hilly state. "There is a possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of the districts of Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Una, Bilaspur and Kangra. We have issued a yellow alert for 24 and 25 August.," IMD scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma told ANI. Bengaluru An FIR was filed against a first-year diploma student for allegedly wielding a machete at a lecturer in Tumakuru district on August 23, police said. According to the police, the incident occurred at a diploma college in Balagangadharanatha Nagara in Kunigal taluk of Tumakuru According to the police, the incident occurred at a diploma college in Balagangadharanatha Nagara in Kunigal taluk of Tumakuru. The lecturer, Chandan, at who the student wielded the machete had complained to the minors parents regarding their sons absence in classes. Enraged by this the student on August 23 went to college with machete and threatened the lecturer for complaining against him, police said. The lecturer informed the police about incident over phone after which the Bellur police rushed to spot and arrested the minor. They also seized the machete, his bike and registered a case against him, police said. After we received the complaint, we rushed to college and arrested the accused Bellur police sub inspector N Basavaraja said. He said that they have registered a case under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 504(intentional insult) and 506 (threat to life) of the Indian Penal Code. The parents of the student came to the college after the case was registered and apologised for his behaviour. The video of the incident went viral on social media platforms after the other students present in the class recorded the act and shared it online. The student from Yediyur was irregular to classes. He also did not learn his lesson properly.The incident occurred when I was in class. He came and threatened me showing a machete. Although initially I was scared, I managed the situation, Chandan said, adding that as a teacher it was his duty to inform the minors parents about his behaviour. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indias Deendayal Port Authority at Kandla in Gujarat on Friday signed a concession agreement with the UAE-based DP World group for one of the largest greenfield container terminals in the country worth 4,243.64 crore, a project authorities said will boost trade and growth in Asias third-largest economy. Kandla port (HT file photo) The container terminal will ease supply-chain pressures, boost Indias exports and will be vital to achieve the countrys goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. It is part of the National Infrastructure Pipeline and will complement the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan as well as the National Logistics Policy, he said. Ports are key to Prime Minister Narendra Modis ambition to make India a manufacturing leader, but for that, it needs billions of dollars in investment for modern infrastructure. Indias 7,500-km coastline lies on one of the worlds main shipping routes. Modi has previously talked about capitalising on the trade route by developing ports that can load freight on to huge vessels capable of carrying up to 18000 -20000-foot containers. Also Read: Govt unveils 7.5k-cr project for renovation of Cochin Port The greenfield terminal will be capable of handling next-generation vessels carrying more than 18,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). TEU is a globally standardised measurement for cargo capacity, often used for container ships and container ports. Infrastructure bottlenecks such as congestion at ports cost an estimated 1-2 percentage points of Indias GDP growth, according to a finance ministry calculation. With an annual capacity of 2.19 million TEU, the Kandla terminal will cater to future trade demand from northern, western and central India, connecting these regions to global markets. The agreement was signed in presence of Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, group Chairman & CEO, DP World. The terminal will quadruple port-handling capacity and develop multimodal logistics infrastructure to promote economic growth, Sonowal said. The terminal will play an important role in the governments ambitious vision to make India an exports hub as also support the creation of direct and indirect employment in various sectors such as transportation, distribution and supply chain. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens on Friday. Greece confers PM Modi with Grand Cross of the Order of Honour.(ANI/ X) After receiving the honour, PM Modi thanked the president and people of Greece saying that this shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India. I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India. @PresidencyGR, he said on X, (formerly Twitter). The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour is conferred by the president of Greece to prime ministers and eminent personalities who by reason of their distinguished position, have contributed to enhancing the stature of Greece. The citation of the honour says- In the person of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an honour is bestowed upon the friendly people of India, PIB said. On the occasion of this visit, the Greek State Honours the Prime Minister of India, a statesman who has tirelessly promoted the global reach of his country and who works systematically for Indias economic progress and prosperity, bringing about bold reforms. A statesman who has brought environmental protection and climate change among the top priorities of international activity, the citation added. The Order of Honour was established in 1975. The head of goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the Star with the inscription ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONOURED. PM Modi, who is on a one-day official visit to Greece, arrived in Athens on Friday from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries. He was received by Greek foreign minister George Gerapetritis at the airport. After his arrival, PM Modi laid a wreath at the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier', a war memorial dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during various wars, in Athens on Friday. Later, he also received a guard of honour. In a bid to cement the Indo-Greek relations, PM Modi and president Sakellaropoulou discussed "several issues" including ways to increase sustainable development. "Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3," PM Modi said on X. During his talks with Sakellaropoulou, PM Modi said the success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only the victory of India, it is the triumph of the entire humankind. "The findings of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind," he said, thanking the president for her wishes on India's successful lunar mission. The last visit to Greece by an Indian primer took place in September 1983 when then PM Indira Gandhi travelled to the country. India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court has rejected former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatts requests to transfer his trial in a 1996 drug seizure case to another judge and pause the court proceedings for a month. Justice Samir Dave noted in his order later that sSanjiv Bhatt was levelling baseless allegations against the trial court judge (AFP File Photo) Sorry, no stay, said a single bench of justice Samir Dave on Thursday, observing that Bhatt was a serial abuser of the legal process. Bhatt approached the high court for a transfer of the trial after the Banaskantha sessions court rejected his plea to transfer his ongoing trial from the presiding judge to the senior most additional session judge. Bhatt, who filed the application in June this year, said the judge serving as the special judge for drug cases in Banaskantha district, was biased against him. Justice Dave noted in his order later that Bhatt was levelling baseless allegations against the trial court judge because he hadnt received favourable orders from the trial court. All of this was done to ensure that the final arguments in the case do not start. As pointed out by the State that in the other case which pertains to (IPC section) 302 offence, the same modus operandi was adopted by the petitioner, wherein, he made scandalous allegations against the presiding judge, justice Dave noted in his order. This shows that the petitioner is a serial abuser of the legal process. He has scant regard for the judicial process. By applying his knowledge of administration of the criminal law system in a negative way, he has been trying to cripple down the said system, the order observed. Bhatt, who was sacked from the force in 2015, was a superintendent of police in Banaskantha district in 1996 when Rajasthan-based lawyer Sumersingh Rajpurohit was held after drugs were allegedly seized from the hotel room in which he was staying. The Rajasthan police later alleged that the lawyer was falsely implicated by the Banaskantha police to compel him to transfer a disputed property located at Pali in Rajasthan. Bhatt and his subordinate I B Vyas were arrested by Gujarat police in the case in 2018. During the pendency of this trial, Bhatt was convicted in a custodial death case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday asked the police and intelligence leadership of the country to be ready to implement the recently introduced laws at the grass-root level to revamp the criminal justice system. Union home minister Amit Shah and Intelligence Bureau (IB) director Tapan Deka at the IB headquarters for the National Security Strategy Conference on Thursday (PTI) He also asked the police officers to focus on new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and push for the use of forensics to ensure speedy justice delivery and constitutional rights of the citizens. Shah was addressing the concluding session of the two-day National Security Strategy conference of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in Delhi. The government on August 11 introduced three bills in Parliament that seek to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act, an overhaul that Shah had declared would transform our criminal justice system. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 were introduced in Lok Sabha on the last day of the monsoon session. Shah stressed upon the need to provide timely justice to the citizens and ensure a system that would guarantee constitutional rights to them. He urged the top police leadership to transform their approach in dealing with the countrys internal security problems. He laid emphasis on the use of modern technology in policing and suggested the implementation from lower police ranks of constabulary to the higher formations, according to a statement issued by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Friday. Citing the recent introduction of new bills in Parliament, Shah laid down a vision for revamping the entire criminal justice system. He urged the police officers that when the new laws are passed by the parliament, they should be ready to implement them at the grassroots level to revamp the criminal justice system, the statement added. Flagging the emergence of technological advancement in AI, Shah termed it as a threat as much as an opportunity and urged the police to learn to use it to its advantage even as it prepared to deal with its adverse effects. People familiar with the conference said tackling cyber attacks at critical infrastructures was one of the key topics discussed during the conference, attended by the top brass of the intelligence and security community of the country. Among those present at the conference were the chiefs of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), deputy national security advisors, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Intelligence Bureau, National Investigation Agency (NIA), central police forces and states police. Officials said that during the past two days, the participants discussed various aspects of national security including border security, new trends in terrorism and insurgency activities in different parts of the country, use of Internet and AI by criminals and terrorists, activities of Khalistani operatives, smuggling of drugs and other prohibited items, role of state and non-state actors in anti-India campaigns, monitoring of social media, radicalisation and menace of drones at the Indo-Pakistan border. In his address on Friday, Shah also exhorted the participants to work hard in the next 25 years to achieve the vision of PM Narendra Modi to make India a leading country by 2047. While suggesting the importance of learning from other countries, he impressed upon the participants to set an example in the next 25 years so that people from other countries learn from the Indian example, MHA said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday raked up the China border issue claiming that the PLA has occupied India's land. He also alleged that Modi lied while asserting that not even an inch of Ladakh has been taken by China. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during an interaction with local youth in Kargil. (PTI) "Ladakh is a strategic location...One thing is very clear China has taken away India's land...It is sad that the prime minister in the Opposition meeting said that not even an inch of Ladakh has been taken by China. This is a lie...," Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Ladakh's Kargil, where he has been travelling for the past week. Gandhi will lay a wreath at the Kargil war memorial to honour the war martyrs. Then on his way to Srinagar, he will have a stopover in Drass for a brief interaction with the people. India's foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Modi conveyed to Xi India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. The Chinese readout described the conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday as candid and in-depth. Speaking on his Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress MP said, A few months ago, we walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, it was called Bharat Jodo Yatra. The aim was to stand against hatred and violence spread by the BJP-RSS in the country...The message that came out of the yatra was-'nafrat ke bazaar mein hum mohabbat ki dukaan kholne nikle hain'. In the last few days, I got to see this myself. At the time of the yatra, I could not visit Ladakh due to snow in winter. It was in my heart to conduct the yatra in Ladakh and I took it forward this time on a motorbike. Taking an apparent dig at Modi, Gandhi said, Other leaders are busy doing their 'Mann Ki Baat'. I thought of listening to your 'Mann Ki Baat'. One thing is quite clear - Gandhi Ji and Congress' ideology is in Ladakh's blood and DNA. The Congress leader will be reaching Srinagar on a two-day "personal visit" and will be joined by his mother Sonia Gandhi next day, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani said on Friday. Wani, however, said the two senior leaders will have no political engagement or meeting with any party leaders in Srinagar during the "family tour." Gandhi reached Ladakh on August 17, his first visit to the region since it was granted UT status after being carved out from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was also turned into a Union Territory with its special status under Article 370 revoked. Over the past one week, he has gone round almost all famous places including Pangong Tso, Nubra valley, Khardungla top, Lamayuru and Zanskar on his motorcycle before reaching Kargil on Thursday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: India and Greece on Friday upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership and pledged to double two-way trade by 2030 during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the European country, the first by an Indian premier in four decades. Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Athens Greece, on Friday. (Bloomberg) The two sides further decided to speedily finalise a mobility and migration partnership agreement to facilitate skilled migration, Modi said after talks with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Modi, who arrived in Athens on Friday morning after participating in the Brics Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, said both sides will expand cooperation in defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, education and emerging technologies. India and Greece will have an institutional platform for dialogue between their national security advisers, he said. Over the past few years, Greece has given a push to revitalising relations with India against the backdrop of the European Union (EU)s growing engagement with New Delhi. Defence cooperation and military exercises between the two countries have increased, and Greece has traditionally backed Indias position on the Kashmir issue. Modi said at a joint media interaction with Mitsotakis that both India and Greece support diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and both sides have excellent coordination on geopolitical, global and regional issues, including the Indo-Pacific. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece after a gap of 40 years. Still, neither the depth of our relations has diminished, nor has there been any decrease in the warmth of our relations, Modi said, speaking in Hindi. A joint statement said the two premiers had decided to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the political, security and economic spheres. They also directed that both sides will work to double bilateral trade by 2030. Two-way trade has grown from $507 million in 2016-17 to $1.94 billion in 2022-23. Both leaders agreed the early finalisation of a mobility and migration partnership agreement will be mutually beneficial, facilitating...the free movement of workforce between the two countries, the joint statement said. Modi added that the two countries will strengthen the strategic partnership by expanding cooperation in defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, new and emerging technologies and skill development. Mitsotakis described his meeting with Modi as a new starting point in relations and said the most populous [and] largest democracy on the planet is hosted by the first democracy on earth. Both sides are ready to walk side by side on the path of modern challenges, especially at a time of international turmoil and war in Ukraine, events that make it even more imperative to uphold the UN Charter, he added. India and Greece are united in maintaining maritime security and on the need to adhere to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is crucial in view of concerns over the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific, Mitsotakis said. Mitsotakis pitched Greece as a global investment destination and a new economic, energy and trade bridge between three continents, saying the country had overcome an economic crisis and is developing at a fast pace. The two sides also discussed the importance of direct air connectivity and opportunities in tourism, agri-food, pharmaceuticals and technology, he said. Modi further said the two sides also discussed cooperation in counterterrorism and cyber security. The discussions also covered digital payments, shipping, culture, education and people-to-people ties. An agreement on agricultural cooperation was signed following the talks. The two leaders also discussed regional and multilateral issues, including the EU and the Mediterranean, and called for respect of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the external affairs ministry. In the area of defence, Modi said both sides agreed to boost defence industries and military-to-military ties. Greece expressed its support for the India-EU trade and investment agreement, Modi said. In the case of Ukraine, both countries support diplomacy and dialogue, he said. Modi expressed condolences for the loss of lives in devastating forest fires in Greece, while Mitsotakis congratulated the Prime Minister on the success of Indias Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail India and Greece on Friday upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership and pledged to double two-way trade by 2030 during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the European country, the first by an Indian premier in four decades. HT Image The two sides further decided to speedily finalise a mobility and migration partnership agreement to facilitate skilled migration, Modi said after talks with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Modi, who arrived in Athens on Friday morning after participating in the Brics Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, said both sides will expand cooperation in defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, education and emerging technologies. India and Greece will have an institutional platform for dialogue between their national security advisers, he said. Over the past few years, Greece has given a push to revitalising relations with India against the backdrop of the European Union (EU)s growing engagement with New Delhi. Defence cooperation and military exercises between the two countries have increased, and Greece has traditionally backed Indias position on the Kashmir issue. Modi said at a joint media interaction with Mitsotakis that both India and Greece support diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and both sides have excellent coordination on geopolitical, global and regional issues, including the Indo-Pacific. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece after a gap of 40 years. Still, neither the depth of our relations has diminished, nor has there been any decrease in the warmth of our relations, Modi said, speaking in Hindi. A joint statement said the two premiers had decided to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the political, security and economic spheres. They also directed that both sides will work to double bilateral trade by 2030. Two-way trade has grown from $507 million in 2016-17 to $1.94 billion in 2022-23. Both leaders agreed the early finalisation of a mobility and migration partnership agreement will be mutually beneficial, facilitating... the free movement of workforce between the two countries, the joint statement said. Modi added that the two countries will strengthen the strategic partnership by expanding cooperation in defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, new and emerging technologies and skill development. Mitsotakis described his meeting with Modi as a new starting point in relations and said the most populous [and] largest democracy on the planet is hosted by the first democracy on earth. Both sides are ready to walk side by side on the path of modern challenges, especially at a time of international turmoil and war in Ukraine, events that make it even more imperative to uphold the UN Charter, he added. India and Greece are united in maintaining maritime security and on the need to adhere to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is crucial in view of concerns over the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific, Mitsotakis said. Mitsotakis pitched Greece as a global investment destination and a new economic, energy and trade bridge between three continents, saying the country had overcome an economic crisis and is developing at a fast pace. The two sides also discussed the importance of direct air connectivity and opportunities in tourism, agri-food, pharmaceuticals and technology, he said. Modi further said the two sides also discussed cooperation in counterterrorism and cyber security. The discussions also covered digital payments, shipping, culture, education and people-to-people ties. An agreement on agricultural cooperation was signed following the talks. The two leaders also discussed regional and multilateral issues, including the EU and the Mediterranean, and called for respect of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the external affairs ministry. In the area of defence, Modi said both sides agreed to boost defence industries and military-to-military ties. Greece expressed its support for the India-EU trade and investment agreement, Modi said. In the case of Ukraine, both countries support diplomacy and dialogue, he said. Modi expressed condolences for the loss of lives in devastating forest fires in Greece, while Mitsotakis congratulated the Prime Minister on the success of Indias Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail India and the US stand together to uphold international law and a rules-based order and to deter any bad actor, US ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Friday against the backdrop of Chinas assertive behaviour in territorial disputes across the region. PREMIUM Eric Garcetti (PTI) In a wide-ranging interview, Garcetti, a close aide of US President Joe Biden, said it is time for India to lower barriers and raise expectations and ambitions in order to take bilateral trade to the next level. He also said the text used in the leaders declaration at last years G20 Summit in Bali to refer to the Ukraine crisis would continue to be the basic minimum for the upcoming summit of the worlds 20 largest economies. Edited excerpts: If we could do a bit of stock-taking of the follow-ups to Prime Minister Modis visit to the US in June, what has been the progress in terms of defence cooperation, including the GE-414 engine, semiconductors or critical technologies? Overall, the momentum has not let up. If anything, its accelerated. I thought this would be a moment in time and our leaders would turn their attention to other things. There isnt a week that goes by where our leaders arent saying how is this going, do more. We thought the visit for the G20 Summit would really be about supporting G20, maybe a small bilateral, but theres a huge agenda that were still working through to deliver during G20, later in the year and next year, and its in all categories. Ill come back to the ones you asked about, but its on trade, culture, climate, transportation. I can go through seven or eight large areas. In terms of the ones you brought up, the GE-414 engine deal there are two days left for Congressional notification. Nobodys objected so far. So, knock on wood. I dont think anybody is going to. And it really reflects, as we saw with the Congressional delegation [that recently visited India], India unites Americans, it unites our Congress, which doesnt agree on a lot these days. I have a high degree of confidence that this will move forward. What you dont see because oftentimes what makes the headlines is the products that one country is selling or the other is buying or that were co-producing is that theres been more and more integration of our people and our armed forces, to know how to operate together, how to reach out to each other in times of crisis. Of course, all the drills and stuff, that tempo has picked up even since our president was with the prime minister. I think on trade, theres one dispute left and that Im optimistic that can be resolved shortly. I would say also in the area of our people-to-people ties, whether its opening two new consulates, whether its the visa work that Indians have asked of us, thats going full steam ahead. So, everything has not slowed down. If anything, its going faster. Are you looking at the possibility of some agreements being signed during President Bidens visit for the G20 Summit? Sure. I mean I we dont have anything to announce and its not that I have something secret, but absolutely, I think that our leaders will spend time together, obviously in the G20 context. But I would expect bilaterally too and that will allow them to formalise some things that they couldnt finish two months ago. I fully expect also that next year, during the Quad meeting here, which doesnt have a date yet, there wont be a moment when they see each other, moving forward, where I think something wont be formalised, whether its the return of cultural property, whether its a railway MoU, whether its some of the work that were doing on climate and financing electric buses. We have so much good work to do -- higher education is another area too. I think you will see those announcements be steady. It used to be the exception between the US and India and a once in a while thing. Now its the rule and its all the time. With about two weeks to go for the G20 Summit, how are India and the US working together on Indias priorities such as the concerns of the Global South and food and energy security? Linked to that, do you think lack of consensus over the Ukraine crisis is going to detract from these issues? First of all, India has been a flawless host. I mean, to pull off (events in) 60 cities and ministerials for months ahead of time, makes it easier for our leaders when they come here. I hope India has felt our president, this [US] administration and our countrys enthusiasm for its leadership in G20, whether thats priorities around digital public infrastructure, the LiFE initiative, whether its looking at Indian medicines we are here to help lift up Indias leadership in the world and to be a good friend and partner. Second, to be chair is [being] in the toughest seat of all. But India, I think, has done a very deft job of navigating a difficult moment globally. We cant back down, nor almost all the rest of the G20 community, from standing for principles, like you dont invade countries in a war of aggression unprovoked. So, we cant go any weaker on the language than what was in Bali, but I trust India, with its relationships and its diplomatic prowess, to land a vehicle for articulating that with others who can dissent. It shouldnt, and I believe it wont, hold back, but thats a question better articulated to the countries who have implied that it would. I hope no country will stand in the way of the fight against poverty, empowering women, making people healthier, addressing debt. If they do, thats on them. Thats not on India, and its certainly not on us. So as a basic minimum, the leaders declaration would have to have something akin to the Bali language on the Ukraine crisis? A. Yes, weve been clear that that is a line its not an American line by the way its a line of international law, and I think India knows and respects that things like borders and sovereignty are important. Well continue standing up for them and that cannot be absent in any world gathering. You dont have to be in Europe this is not a European issue to feel the impact on energy, on food prices, the disruption on this world because of an unprovoked war that can be solved tomorrow. Coming to trade, you have talked of the resolution of disputes which is a good indicator. But how do you take things to the next level? You have spoken about the high levels of taxation in India and at the same time, are decisions like the one to ban laptops imports seen as dampeners? I think its time to lower barriers and raise expectations and ambitions. We think that trade prospers when its unburdened and when regulations are predictable. But I also have great respect for my Indian colleagues to listen. Where are you trying to go ? Because America and India want to go to the same places, diversify our supply chains, see a vibrant manufacturing base here. Maybe its like the data law that first came out, once we listened and gave friendly feedback, it changed for the better and trusted geographies and other things allowed this to be something that achieved Indias good aims while also not deterring investment. Well always be honest with our friends. This is what were hearing. Some people think that this is just an issue, for instance, about electronics manufacturers. Its not. A company that wants to set up a 10,000-person office to work on semiconductors and invest in India needs to buy a lot of laptops and put those calculations in. Will they go here or [to] another country based on these sorts of laws? So, Im glad that the government has said, lets listen, lets wait a little bit. We intend to give that honest feedback and hopefully we can get to what I think is the same destination. But do it the right way. China has displayed quite a bit of assertiveness on territorial disputes, whether its with the Philippines in the South China Sea or the Line of Actual Control. How can India and the US work together to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free and open? First, I think the US and India, as two global powers standing together on the idea that international law matters, that a rules-based order matters, is an incredibly powerful thing. Its not just US plus India, its US times India. Second, I think were there as friends for each other, militarily, intelligence wise, and we can be a deterrent to any bad actor, not just about one country, but anybody who would break those rules, who would not keep the seas open, who would have ecological devastation. These things matter, and in the past, we might have been aligned, but we werent actually working together. Now were working hand in hand. So, whatever our friend India needs, I think whether its in technology, intelligence, drills and skills, we are showing ourselves to be a dependable partner, a willing partner. And vice versa, India too (is). What doesnt get reported as much is the way that our operational forces are integrating. So thats what the point of these exercises are. But the visits between us, the memorandums of understanding between our militaries allow us to fight for peace and not for war. In the context of the shared commitment to values such as human rights, how do you view the recent developments in Manipur and Haryana? As Ive stated, and Ill always start again with this that you know, we respect and understand this is an Indian issue for India to solve, and were very respectful of Indian government, whether thats local or state or national, to address that, first and foremost. Separate from the official, were human beings and our hearts break whenever we see human suffering. Whether that happens in Los Angeles or whether that happens in some place in India. So, you know I think its important for all of us to recognise the difficulty. We have a very diverse society too. Democracy and diversity are difficult, but theyre much better than the alternative. So we stand ready, willing and able to have those conversations and to engage. But we pray for peace and our hearts go out. NEW DELHI: India and the United States stand together to uphold international law and a rules-based order and to deter any bad actor, US ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Friday against the backdrop of Chinas assertive behaviour in territorial disputes across the region. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said India has been a flawless G20 host and pulled off 60 cities and ministerials months ahead of time (AFP File Photo) In a wide-ranging interview with HT, Garcetti, a close aide of US President Joe Biden, said it is time for India to lower barriers and raise expectations and ambitions in order to take bilateral trade to the next level. He also said the text used in the leaders declaration at last years G20 Summit in Bali to refer to the Ukraine crisis would continue to be the basic minimum for the upcoming summit of the worlds 20 largest economies. Edited excerpts: If we could do a bit of stock-taking of the follow-ups to Prime Minister Modis visit to the US in June, what has been the progress in terms of defence cooperation, including the GE-414 engine, semiconductors or critical technologies? Overall, the momentum has not let up. If anything, its accelerated. I thought this would be a moment in time and our leaders would turn their attention to other things. There isnt a week that goes by where our leaders arent saying how is this going, do more. We thought the visit for the G20 Summit would really be about supporting G20, maybe a small bilateral, but theres a huge agenda that were still working through to deliver during G20, later in the year and next year, and its in all categories. Ill come back to the ones you asked about, but its on trade, culture, climate, transportation. I can go through seven or eight large areas. In terms of the ones you brought up, the GE-414 engine deal there are two days left for Congressional notification. Nobodys objected so far. So, knock on wood. I dont think anybody is going to. And it really reflects, as we saw with the Congressional delegation [that recently visited India], India unites Americans, it unites our Congress, which doesnt agree on a lot these days. I have a high degree of confidence that that will move forward. What you dont see because oftentimes what makes the headlines is the products that one country is selling or the other is buying or that were co-producing but I think theres been more and more integration of our people and our armed forces, to know how to operate together, how to reach out to each other in times of crisis. Of course, all the drills and stuff, that tempo has picked up ever since our president was with the prime minister. I think on trade, theres one dispute left and that Im optimistic that can be resolved shortly. I would say also in the area of our people-to-people ties, whether its opening two new consulates, whether its the visa work that Indians have asked of us, thats going full steam ahead. So, everything has not slowed down. If anything, its going faster. Are you looking at the possibility of some agreements being signed during President Bidens visit for the G20 Summit? Sure. I mean, we dont have anything to announce and its not that I have something secret, but absolutely, I think that our leaders will spend time together, obviously in the G20 context. But I would expect bilaterally too and that will allow them to formalise some things that they couldnt finish two months ago. I fully expect also that next year, during the Quad meeting here, which doesnt have a date yet, there wont be a moment when they see each other, moving forward, where I think something wont be formalised, whether its the return of cultural property, whether its a railway MoU, whether its some of the work that were doing on climate and financing electric buses. We have so much good work to do, higher education is another area too. I think you will see those announcements be steady. It used to be the exception between the US and India and a once-in-a-while thing. Now its the rule and its all the time. With about two weeks to go for the G20 Summit, how are India and the US working together on Indias priorities such as the concerns of the Global South and food and energy security? Linked to that, do you think the lack of consensus over the Ukraine crisis is going to detract from these issues? First of all, India has been a flawless host. I mean, to pull off 60 cities and ministerials months ahead of time, makes it easier for our leaders when they come here. So much good work has been done that Im of a very high level of confidence and I hope India has felt our President, this [US] administration and our countrys enthusiasm for its leadership in G20, whether thats priorities around digital public infrastructure, the LiFE initiative, whether its looking at Indian medicines we are here to help lift up Indias leadership in the world and to be a good friend and partner. Second, to be chair is [being] in the toughest seat of all. But India, I think, has done a very deft job of navigating a difficult moment globally. We cant back down, nor almost all the rest of the G20 community, from standing for principles, like you dont invade countries in a war of aggression unprovoked. So, we cant go any weaker on the language than what was in Bali, but I trust India, with its relationships and its diplomatic prowess, to land a vehicle for articulating that with others who can dissent. It shouldnt, and I believe it wont hold back, but thats a question better articulated to the countries who have implied that it would. I hope no country will stand in the way of the fight against poverty, empowering women, making people healthier, addressing debt. If they do, thats on them. Thats not on India, and its certainly not on us. So as a basic minimum, the leaders declaration would have to have something akin to the Bali language on the Ukraine crisis? Yes, weve been clear that that is a line its not an American line by the way its a line of international law, and I think India knows and respects that things like borders and sovereignty are important. Well continue standing up for them and that cannot be absent in any world gathering. You dont have to be in Europe this is not a European issue to feel the impact on energy, on food prices, the disruption of this world because of an unprovoked war that can be solved tomorrow, if that provocation wouldnt have happened or it is resolved. Coming to trade, you have talked of the resolution of disputes which is a good indicator. But how do you take things to the next level? You have spoken about the high levels of taxation in India and at the same time, are decisions like the one to ban laptops imports seen as dampeners? I think its time to lower barriers and raise expectations and ambitions. We think that trade prospers when its unburdened and when regulations are predictable. But I also have great respect for my Indian colleagues to listen. Where are you trying to go towards? Because America and India want to go to the same places, diversify our supply chains, see a vibrant manufacturing base here. Maybe its like the data law that first came out, once we listened and gave friendly feedback, it changed for the better and trusted geographies and other things allowed this to be something that achieved Indias good aims while also not deterring investment. Well always be honest with our friends. This is what were hearing. Some people think that this is just an issue, for instance, about electronics manufacturers. Its not. A company that wants to set up a 10,000-person office to work on semiconductors and invest in India needs to buy a lot of laptops and put those calculations in. Will they go here or [to] another country based on these sorts of laws? So, Im glad that the government has said, lets listen, lets wait a little bit. We intend to give that honest feedback and hopefully, we can get to what I think is the same destination. But do it the right way. China has displayed quite a bit of assertiveness on territorial disputes, whether its with the Philippines in the South China Sea or the Line of Actual Control. How can India and the US work together to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free and open? First, I think the US and India, as two global powers standing together on the idea that international law matters, that a rules-based order matters, is an incredibly powerful thing. Its not just the US plus India, its US times India. Second, I think were there as friends for each other, militarily, intelligence wise, and we can be a deterrent to any bad actor, not just about one country, but anybody who would break those rules, who would not keep the seas open, who would have ecological devastation. These things matter, and in the past, we might have been aligned, but we werent actually working together. Now were working hand in hand. So, whatever our friend India needs, I think whether its in technology, intelligence, drills and skills, we are showing ourselves to be a dependable partner, a willing partner. And vice versa, India too. What doesnt get reported as much is the way that our operational forces are integrating. So thats what the point of these exercises are. But the visits between us, the memorandums of understanding between our militaries allow us to fight for peace and not for war. In the context of the shared commitment to values such as human rights, how do you view the recent developments in Manipur and Haryana? Separate from the official, were human beings and our hearts break whenever we see human suffering. Whether that happens in Los Angeles or whether that happens in some place in India. So, you know I think its important for all of us to recognise the difficulty. We have a very diverse society too. Democracy and diversity are difficult, but theyre much better than the alternative. So we stand ready, willing and able to have those conversations and to engage. But we pray for peace and our hearts go out. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: India and China on Friday offered different characterisations of a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the margins of the Brics Summit, even as Beijing sought to downplay the border standoff as a historical issue that doesnt represent the entirety of bilateral ties. The two leaders had an informal conversation on Wednesday, the people said on condition of anonymity. (Bloomberg) People familiar with the matter clarified that the Modi-Xi encounter was the outcome of a pending Chinese request for a bilateral meeting after Chinas foreign ministry issued a readout that said the conversation was held at the Indian leaderships request. The two leaders had an informal conversation on Wednesday, the people said on condition of anonymity. Modi told Xi during the conversation that maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas and respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are essential for normalising bilateral ties, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday. Also Read: Respecting LAC essential: PM Modis clear message to Xi on Brics sidelines The Chinese readout stated Xi talked with Modi on the sidelines of the Brics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit at the latters request. But one of the people cited above said, There was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting. He added, The two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the leaders lounge during the Brics Summit. The Chinese readout also skirted any mention of efforts to resolve the military standoff on the LAC through disengagement of troops and de-escalation, and only quoted Xi as saying that the two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region. Kwatra had said the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation. Chinas readout further said Modi and Xi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region, it added. On Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin sought to downplay the standoff on the LAC, currently into its fourth year, by saying that the boundary question is a historical issue and does not represent the entirety of China-India relations. We should place it appropriately in our bilateral relations and seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement through peaceful and friendly consultations, Wang told a regular news conference. Before the boundary question is settled, the two sides need to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas. We hope to work with India to act on the important common understandings between the two leaders, increase strategic mutual trust, focus on our consensus and cooperation, remove disturbances and obstacles and advance the bilateral relations along a sound and stable track, he added. Following a brutal clash at Galwan Valley in June 2020 that killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, the two sides have deployed nearly 60,000 troops each in Ladakh sector. Despite several rounds of diplomatic and military talks, they are yet to disengage frontline troops at frictions points such as Depsang and Demchok. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a significant boost to self-reliance, the Union defence ministry on Friday signed a Rs.19,000 crore contract with Visakhapatnam-based Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) for five indigenous fleet support ships for the Indian Navy, with the vessels capable of replenishment of warships at sea and extending their range and endurance for longer missions, officials aware of the matter said. The contract was signed between Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam (Twitter/@SpokespersonMoD) HSL is expected to deliver the first vessel to the navy in four years, with the rest to follow at the rate of one every 10 months thereafter, said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named. The vessels, with a length of 225 metres and a width of 32 metres, will have a displacement of 44,000 tonnes. The fleet support vessels will be employed for replenishing ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling the naval fleet to operate for prolonged periods without returning to the harbour, the defence ministry said in a statement. These ships would enhance the strategic reach and mobility of the fleet. Their induction will significantly enhance the blue water capability of the Indian Navy. The ships can also be deployed for evacuation of people, and human assistance and disaster relief operations, it said. HSL also signed a Rs.1,100 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited on Friday for communication and navigation equipment for the new vessels, said a second official, who also asked not to be named. The Indian Navy, which currently operates four such vessels commissioned between 1996 and 2011, has been scouting for more such ships for several years to cater to its growing replenishment needs amid the expansion of its fleet and increased roles and responsibilities in the Indian Ocean region. The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the acquisition of the fleet support ships on August 16. The order for the five new vessels will provide a major boost to self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector as these ships will be indigenously designed and constructed by HSL, the statement from the ministry said. The fleet support ships of 44,000 tonnes will be the first-of-their-kind vessels to be built in India. The project will generate employment of nearly 168.8 lakh man-days over eight years, added the statement. The project will provide a new dimension to the Indian shipbuilding industry and encourage active participation of associated industries, including MSMEs, the statement said. With the majority of the equipment and systems being sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will be a proud flag-bearer of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in consonance with the Make in India initiatives of the government, it added. The development comes at a time when the navy is working on becoming fully self-reliant by 2047 when India celebrates 100 years of independence. India has taken a raft of measures during the last four to five years to boost self-reliance in defence. Apart from a series of phased import bans, these steps include creating a separate budget for buying locally made military hardware, increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from 49% to 74% and improving ease of doing business. In May, India announced that the value of defence production in the country crossed 1 lakh crore for the first time on the back of key reforms to spur growth in the sector. The figure stood at 1,06,800 crore in FY 2022-23 compared to 95,000 crore in FY 2021-22 and 54,951 crore five years ago. India is eyeing a turnover of 1,75,000 lakh crore in defence manufacturing by 2024-25. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Greece on Friday conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, the countrys highest civilian order that can be awarded to a premier, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi being conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens on Friday (PTI/Via PIB) The award was presented to Modi, the first Indian premier to visit Greece in four decades, by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Modi is also the first foreign head of government to receive the honour. On behalf of the people of India, Modi thanked the Greek president, the government and the people for this special honour. I accepted the award on behalf of 140 crore Indians and expressed my gratitude, he said at a subsequent media interaction. The award ceremony was held at the presidential mansion in Athens soon after Modi arrived in the country for a day-long visit. During Modis meeting with Sakellaropoulou, the two sides recalled the shared values of democracy, freedom and rule of law and discussed matters related to sustainable development, women-led development, Indias G20 presidency and the deepening of bilateral ties. Earlier in the day, Modi paid tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. He laid a wreath at the monument and inspected a ceremonial guard of honour. Later, Modi attended a business lunch hosted by his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis that was also joined by leading Indian and Greek CEOs from sectors such as shipping, infrastructure and energy. In his remarks at this event, Modi highlighted Indias progress in renewables, start-ups, pharmaceutical, IT, digital payments and infrastructure and acknowledged the role played by industry leaders in strengthening bilateral ties and promoting economic cooperation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two days after the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully landed lunar spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 near the moons south pole, making India the first country in the world to achieve this feat, the space agency released the first images of the rover (Pragyan). The Chandrayaan 3 rover on the surface of the moon. (ISRO) The space agency released a video, which shows the rover rolling out of the Vikram lander in the early hours of Thursday. ...and here is how the Chandrayaan-3 rover ramped down from the lander to the lunar surface, the Isro tweeted while releasing the video. In another tweet, the space agency said, A two-segment ramp facilitated the roll-down of the rover. A solar panel enabled the rover to generate power... Officials from the department of space confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet ISRO chief S Somanath and the team of Chandrayaan-3 scientists on Saturday, soon after returning from Athens in Greece. After the meeting, the Pragyan rover is also expected to hoist the Indian tricolour on the lunar surface in the presence of the PM on Saturday. Also Read: Chandrayaan opens new vistas for India Senior officials of the space agency said that the Pragyan rover was released from the belly of Vikram lander around 10.30 pm on Wednesday, around four hours after the lander successfully landed on the lunar surface. After testing the inclination, temperature, terrain and ensuring that the dust kicked off by the landing of the Indian spacecraft settled, the rover was finally rolled out early Thursday morning, around 1.30 am. On Thursday, the rover moved within the observational area. We have not received the first set of data yet. Once all payloads are turned on, which should happen by Saturday, we will start getting initial data, a senior official said. Isro confirmed that after being charged till Thursday afternoon, the rover was finally moved on the lunar surface later in the day and between late Thursday and early Friday three payloads were turned on. The three payloads are the Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) to measure seismicity around the landing site; Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) to study the ionosphere and atmosphere; and Chandras Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE), to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On the eve of prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru to meet the scientists behind the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, the Congress on Friday alleged that the PM has barred Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah from receiving him (Modi) at the airport. Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulates ISRO scientists after the successful soft landing of ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 on the surface of the Moon, at the ISRO center, Peenya, in Bengaluru, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (PTI Photo) This, said the party's Jairam Ramesh, is because of the PM's irritation at not being able to be the first person to felicitate the scientists; this was done by the chief minister and deputy chief minister of Karnataka, both of whom are from the Congress. The Prime Minister is scheduled to directly land in Bengaluru tomorrow at 6 am after his latest foreign jaunt to congratulate ISRO. He is apparently so irritated with the CM and Deputy CM of Karnataka for felicitating the scientists of ISRO before him, that he has purportedly barred the CM from receiving him at the airport, going against protocol, Ramesh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Slamming this as nothing but petualnt petty politics, the Rajya Sabha MP, who heads the grand old party's communications department, then recalled an incident from the time Modi was the Gujarat chief minister. Has PM Modi forgotten CM Modis visit to the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad on 22nd Oct, 2008 just after the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-I at a time when Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister? Ramesh wrote. On Wednesday, hours after the Indian Space Research Organsation (ISRO), through its Chandrayaan-3 mission, scripted history by making India only the fourth country to make soft-landing on Moon, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar arrived at the national space agency's HQs to congratulate the team. The next day, CM Siddaramaiah visited the ISRO headquarters in the state capital. PM Modi, on the other hand, was in South Africa from Aug 22-24 for the 15th BRICS summit, and therefore, joined virtually for the mission's landing. On Friday, he was in Greece on a day-long visit, and will directly reach Bengaluru on Saturday morning. Before India, only the United States, Russia, and China, had made soft-landing on the lunar surface. Additionally, India is the only nation to reach the Moon's South Pole, which was the mission's intended destination. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The 10 Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs on Friday rejected Manipur chief minister N Biren Singhs claim that he was in regular touch with them, and reiterated their demand for creation of separate administration for hills districts in the northeastern state where ethnic clashes have killed at least 155 people since May 3. On August 16, the 10 MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi , demanding a separate chief secretary and police chief for the hill districts (AFP file photo) In an interview on Thursday, Singh said: I have told the MLAs that I will provide them with security and that we must work together to restore normalcy. I have also spoken to the civil society organisations in Imphal (Meitei groups) and said that the MLAs should not be stopped from visiting the valley (Imphal) for work. The MLAs must join work immediately. Also, let me reiterate that there can be no division of Manipur. Rejecting the claim, the 10 legislators issued the statement, saying: It is clarified by all 10 Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs that we have not been in touch with CM N Biren Singh since the outbreak of communal violence in May 2023. On August 16, the 10 MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi , demanding a separate chief secretary and police chief for the hill districts, where a majority of Kuki and other tribal groups reside. The tribal MLAs have maintained that there is threat to their lives from Meitei groups. When violence broke out on May 3, one Kuki MLA, Vungzagin Valte sustained serious injuries in a mob attack. Houses of other Kuki leaders were also burnt. In their statement on Friday, the MLAs cited security concerns in entering Imphal, where the majority of residents are Meiteis, and said that they do not want to be attacked like Valte. So far, no enquiry or arrest has been made, nor any progress of investigation is reported till today. In fact, we do not want to repeat and face the same fate as our colleague, the statement said. We strongly reiterate our legitimate demand for creation of separate administration within the purview of the Indian Constitution in order to restore permanent peace and settlement, it added. The 10 MLAs also said that they will boycott the special assembly session that will start on August 29. Clashes in Manipur first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after tribal groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders. At least 155 people have died in the violence and around 50000 have been displaced from their homes. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: When Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar referred three bills to the standing committee on home affairs for review on August 18, it took the total number of non-budget related bills referred to House panels to 37 in the past four-and-a-half years of the second Narendra Modi government, according to data from PRS Legislative Research. A total of 210 bills have thus far been brought to Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha, but only 37 or 17.6% have been referred to parliamentary panels for review, according to the data. (PTI) A total of 210 bills have thus far been brought to Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha, but only 37 or 17.6% have been referred to parliamentary panels for review, according to the data. That clearly marks a declining trend in the consultative process. In the 16th Lok Sabha, 25% of the Bills introduced were referred to Committees as compared to 71% and 60% in the 15th and 14th Lok Sabha respectively, said a PRS communique Overview of the 16th Lok Sabha. Among the 37 bills referred to House panels for review, six are from health and family welfare ministry, and five from the home ministry. To be sure, 35 appropriation and finance bills have been brought in the Lok Sabha in the last 4.5 years and all of them, the ministry-wise demand for grants and budgetary items from 2019 to 2023, have been reviewed by the respective standing committees every year. The PRS data doesnt take into account these reviews, not in its analysis of this Lok Sabha or the previous ones. The bills that have been referred to House panels for review include The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, The Industrial Relations Code, 2019, The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019, The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, The Jan Vishwas (Amendment Of Provisions) Bill, 2022 and The Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 have also been referred to the panels. Out of the 210 bills, the finance ministry brought 62 pieces of legislation including appropriation and finance bills, the home ministry, 25 and the law ministry, 16. The health ministry brought 15 legislations and Union tribal affairs ministry, nine. Eight Union ministries brought one bill each and nine ministries have introduced two bills each, among others. Under the rules of Parliament, it is not necessary for the government to send all bills to standing committees for review. But the spirit behind formation of the House Panels was to have a detailed scrutiny of bills by a small group of MPs belonging to a number of political parties. When you discuss bills on the floor of the House, there might be some limitations. The House panels can seek views of experts, organisations and other stakeholders to form a strong law, said P Sreedharan, former secretary general of the Lok Sabha. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday vowed to raise the issues of people of Ladakh in Parliament alleging that their "political voice" was being suppressed and the promises of employment by the BJP-led central government have turned out to be false. Rahul Gandhi in Ladakh.(X/ @RahulGandhi) Read here: Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi, reiterates China has snatched Indian territory Gandhi has been touring the union territory of Ladakh for the past week. While taking a dig at PM Modi's monthly radio broadcast 'Man Ki Baat', the Congress leader said, I went to every corner of Ladakh and talked to the youth, mothers and sisters and the poor. There are other leaders who only talk about their 'Mann Ki Baat'. I want to listen to your 'Mann Ki Baat'. "China has snatched away thousands of kilometers of India's land. The prime minister is lying by denying this and every person in Ladakh knows this," Gandhi said in an X post (formerly Twitter) in hindi. Former Congress president further said that the main issue of Ladakh people is that the political voice was being suppressed and the promises of the central government on employment had turned out to be false, along with the lack of mobile network and air connectivity. Read here: 'When Rahul Gandhi had food with Chinese envoy': BJP's retort to Cong's China jibe "I will raise all these issues in Parliament in the next session," Gandhi said while thanking the people of Ladakh for the welcome and love he had received. Meanwhile, reposting Gandhi's X post, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, said that taking forward the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi met the people of Ladakh. In the spirit of the foot march, he listened to their thoughts, he said. "It is clear after listening to these problems that the Modi government has left Ladakh to fend itself. Leaders who are only interested in their 'Mann Ki Baat' can never allow the people's voice to be heard," Ramesh said on X. Earlier today, the Congress MP from Wayanad, while addressing a rally in Kargil slammed the BJP alleging that it wanted to take away the land of the Ladakhi people and give it to the Adani Group. "BJP people know that if you were given representation then they will not be able to take away your land, this is all about land, they (BJP) want to take away your land and give it to Adani so that he can set up his plant, but dont share the benefits with you. But we will never let this happen" he said. Gandhi also claimed that China was grabbing Indian territory in Ladakh. "Ladakh is a strategic location and one thing is very clear that China has taken away India's land. It is sad that the PM in the opposition meeting said that not even an inch of Ladakh has been taken by China. But this is a lie." Read here: 'This is a lie: In Ladakh, Rahul Gandhi's China remark, a day after PM Modi-Xi meeting Gandhi on Friday also visited the Kargil War Memorial in Drass and paid tributes to the Indian Army personnel who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 war with Pakistan. Rahul Gandhi reached Ladakh on August 17, his first visit to the union territory since it was granted UT status after being carved out from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was also turned into a Union Territory with its special status after Article 370 was revoked. Over the past week, Gandhi visited several parts of Ladakh, including Pangong lake, Nubra valley, Khardungla top, Lamayuru and Zanskar, on his motorcycle before reaching Kargil on Thursday. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the release of former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, serving a life term in the poet Madhumita Shukla murder case. Former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi (File) The court also issued notices to the UP government on a plea against their release, news agency PTI reported. The Uttar Pradesh prisons department had on Thursday issued an order for the premature release of Amarmani Tripathi, citing the state's 2018 policy on remission, since they have completed 16 years of imprisonment. A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi issued notices to the state government, Tripathi and his wife while seeking their replies within eight weeks on a plea filed by the poet's sister Nidhi Shukla. The prisons department also cited their age and good behaviour as Amarmani is 66 and Madhumani is 61, the official said citing the order. Amarmani and his wife are currently admitted to the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. Who was Madhumita Shukla? Poet Madhumita, who was pregnant, was shot dead on May 9, 2003, in Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. Amarmani was arrested in September 2003 in connection with the murder of the poet with whom he was allegedly in a relationship. A Dehradun court had sentenced Amarmani and Madhumani to life imprisonment for the murder in October 2007. Later the Nainital high court and the Supreme Court upheld the sentence of the couple. The case was probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. "I have been telling everyone that this is going to happen. I have procured the documents through an RTI which clearly state that 62 per cent of the jail term that the two are said to have served had been spent out of jail. I submitted documents to all responsible persons telling them that between 2012 and 2023 he was not in jail. The government documents, which I have got through the state information commission, after a long fight, bear this out," Nidhi Shukla told news agency PTI. She alleged that Tripathis have misled the authorities to get a premature release. Shukla also said she fears for her and her family's life in case the two are released. Amarmani, who was elected from Nautanva constituency, had been a minister in the BJP state government in 2001. He was with the Samajwadi Party during the Mulayam government and then switched to the Bahujan Samaj Party. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aniruddha Dhar Have 11 years' experience in print and digital media. Write on politics, defence and world affairs, and have a keen eye for human-interest stories. ...view detail The Madras high court on Friday refused to interfere with the expulsion of former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) from Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS)-led All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam. (Twitter) A bench of justices R Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq dismissed appeals OPS and three of his supporters filed against a single judge benchs refusal to interfere with the AIADMK general council resolutions including for the expulsion on July 11 last year. The other two resolutions related to abolishing the dual leadership, and elevating EPS as AIADMKs unitary leader (general secretary). AIADMK workers burst crackers and distributed sweets at the party headquarters to celebrate the fresh court judgement. The AIADMK will never accept people who are against the party, said EPS in his first reaction to the verdict. Our win will be big in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In April, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recognised EPS as AIADMKs general secretary and allotted his faction of the partys two leaves symbol. The Supreme Court in February upheld the high courts order in September last year that allowed EPS to remain AIADMK interim general secretary. A division bench of the high court set aside a single judge benchs order that favoured his rival OPS. On July 11 last year, AIADMKs general council named EPS the sole leader of the party and removed OPS from the joint coordinators post. EPS won the battle for the AIADMK leadership after the Madras high court rejected the plea of his rival-turned-ally-turned-rival OPS to stall the partys general council meeting. EPS was named interim general secretary, a position once occupied by stalwarts MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. OPS, a three-time acting chief minister of the state, was expelled from the party. After clashes between supporters of the two leaders at the AIADMK headquarters, the building was sealed. OPS, who was treasurer of the party, was replaced by Dindigul Srinivasan. Senior party leaders JCD Prabhakar, R Vaithilingam, and PH Manoj Pandian, OPSs main supporters, were also expelled. OPSs removal ended five-and-a-half years of hyphenated leadership of the party. A majority of the AIADMKs leadership backed EPS, saying the dual leadership model has not worked. OPS has been accused of flirting with the states ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and going soft on VK Sasikala, a friend, and companion of Jayalalithaa. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Madras high court on Friday refused to stay the expulsion of former Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam (popularly known as OPS) and three others from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (AIADMK) during a general council meeting of the party in July last year. The O Panneerselvam (OPS) camp say they may consider approaching the Supreme Court (ANI) A division bench of justices R Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffi dismissed the appeals filed by OPS and his three supporters JCD Prabhakar, R Vaithilingam, and PH Manoj Pandian against a single benchs refusal to stay the expulsion, saying the appellants are not entitled for interim injunction/relief. While AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (popularly known as EPS) termed the decision a victory for justice, the OPS camp say they may consider approaching the Supreme Court. In its order, seen by HT, the division bench said: ...we conclude that the appellants are not entitled for interim injunction/relief as prayed for. Therefore, we do not intend to interfere with the order of the learned Judge in rejecting the original applications filed by the appellants herein. The bench also said that the bylaws of the party made it clear that the general council is the ultimate authority to take disciplinary action against any party members and the merits of their decision in expelling the leaders is necessarily a matter for trial. The contention of the learned senior counsel for the appellants in this regard is contradictory and self-defeating, it said. Any finding given on the merits of this decision may have a bearing on the suit and we consciously refrain from making any observations on the alleged facts on the basis of which the purported action of expulsion was made and whether such facts merited emergent disciplinary action or action after a detailed procedure, is a matter for trial, it added. On July 11 last year, the partys general council meeting elected EPS as the interim general secretary and expelled OPS. In the days that followed, all of OPSs supporters, including his two sons, were removed from the AIADMK. On September 2, the high court upheld EPSs appointment; this was also done by the Supreme Court on February 23 this year. On March 28 this year, EPS was elevated as AIADMK general secretary. The division bench, in its order, said that since the Supreme Court has already held EPSs elevation as valid, any injunction would mean going back to the dual leadership scenario. ...the party would face a situation of being without leadership as there would be no general secretary which also cannot be permitted, the bench said. Further, this would mean that the party would have to be run under the Joint leadership of the Coordinator and Joint Co-ordinator which was not practically working out, and which led to the change in scenario, it added. The AIADMK had a dual leadership model following former party president and chief minister J Jayalalithaas death in December 2016. Both EPS and OPS had merged their warring factions and functioned as joint coordinator and coordinator, respectively, in the party. In the government, they were chief minister and deputy chief minister, respectively. After the party lost the 2021 assembly elections, EPS became leader of the opposition and OPS, the deputy leader. But EPS and his supporters started pitching for a unified single leadership on the grounds that the dual leadership arrangement was not working. Matters came to a head at a June 23 meeting last year when OPS wanted a resolution backing the dual leadership structure, and the EPS camp wanted to discuss a return to a unified leadership. After a court ruling restricted the meetings scope, preventing it from discussing the latter, the council vetoed all items on the agenda (including the one backing the dual leadership model). A subsequent meeting on July 11 saw OPSs expulsion, along with several others, and EPSs appointment as interim general secretary. Following the division benchs decision, celebrations erupted outside the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai, as party cadres burst crackers and distributed sweets among workers and supporters. The AIADMK will never accept people who are against the party. The high court has recognised the AIADMKs general council resolutions. This judgment is a victory for justice, dharma and truth. We got this verdict because justice is on our side Our win will be big in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, EPS said. While there was no immediate reaction from OPS, his lawyer Subburathinam said: We have options in the Supreme Court. We still room legally. An original suit is pending before a single bench of the high court. He was referring to a plea against the resolutions passed by the general council. Panruti Ramachandran, who was also expelled from the AIADMK, said those ousted from the party will move the top court. However, the EPS camp said there are no legal options left for OPS. Our only argument was that AIADMKs general council is the superior authority, said Inbadurai, an advocate representing EPS. Another advocate, Babu Murugavel said: We have crossed so many barriers in various courts. All courts have declared a verdict favouring EPS and that the general council is valid. To my knowledge, this is the last battle for OPS and no other options are left. Earlier in April, the Election Commission of India recognised EPS as the general secretary of the AIADMK, and allotted the party the two-leaves symbol. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bengaluru: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said that the Mekedatu project is the sole solution to the water sharing issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in connection with Cauvery dispute. We have presented this matter before the Supreme Court, said Shivakumar, who also holds the position of water resources minister. Bengaluru: According to Shivakumar, if the Mekedatu project is executed, the water supply predicament with Tamil Nadu will be resolved. (ANI) Addressing reporters on Friday, he said, If the Mekedatu project is executed, the water supply predicament with Tamil Nadu will be resolved. The emergence of this problem could have been averted if the Mekedatu Reservoir had been constructed. If the Mekedatu Reservoir is built, the accumulated water can be used exclusively for drinking water purposes. Otherwise, it would be feasible to release water to Tamil Nadu in necessary circumstances, he added. He emphasised that Tamil Nadu is entitled to use its allocated water for any purpose, and there is no authority to halt it. Although some individuals in the state oppose water supply to Tamil Nadu, he stressed that obeying the courts order is imperative. The Mekedatu project is a multi-purpose endeavour involving the construction of a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, serving both drinking water and power generation functions. However, Tamil Nadu has raised objections to the project, expressing concerns about its potential impact on the state. Upon completion, the project aims to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) while generating 400 MW of power. The estimated cost of the project is 9,000 crore. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state has demanded a white paper from the Karnataka government detailing the available drinking water in the state versus the required amount. Minister for agriculture and farmers welfare of India Shobha Karandlaje stated, We (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) are not India and Pakistan. When there was excessive rain, we released water. But now there is a situation where there is not enough drinking water for the state and people of Karnataka according to experts. She further accused the Congress government of pleasing their allies in the opposition alliance INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) rather than taking a firm stance on the matter. She emphasized that prioritizing the welfare of Karnatakas people should be the primary concern. On Thursday, the Karnataka government informed the Supreme Court that Tamil Nadus demand for water release from the Cauvery River is misguided as it assumes a normal water year instead of a distressed one due to monsoon failure. The Karnataka government explained that it is not obligated to supply water meant for a normal year due to the distress situation arising from monsoon failure. Earlier on August 21, CJI DY Chandrachud had agreed to constitute a bench after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Tamil Nadu, urgently requested the listing of the application seeking water release. Tamil Nadu has sought direction from the Supreme Court for Karnataka to ensure the stipulated water release for the months of August and September based on the Cauvery Tribunal award modified by the Supreme Court in 2018. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Candid and: China on PM Modi-President Xi meeting at BRICS Summit After Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a brief conversation as they shared the stage in South Africa during the BRICS summit, China's foreign ministry said the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the current relations between the two countries. Read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engage in a brief interaction at the 15th BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg on Thursday. (ANI) No relief for Himachal Pradesh as IMD issues 'yellow' alert till Friday The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Himachal Pradesh predicting moderate to heavy rainfall amid threats of flash flood and landslide that has ravaged the hill state. The regional weather office said there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of some districts across the state. Read more Former WWE champion Windham Rotunda, aka Bray Wyatt, dies at 36 Former WWE champion Bray Wyatt has died at the age of 36, Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque announced on social media. Wyatt, whose real name was Windham Rotunda, had been missing from action for several months due to what was believed to be a life-threatening illness. Before his tragic passing, recent reports claimed he was getting closer to his in-ring return. Read more Anupam Kher is happy The Kashmir Files won a National Award: Id have loved to win for my acting too as this is one of my finest performances Actor Anupam Kher is happy that the The Kashmir Files won the National Award and he says the win is extra special because it was recognised as the Best Feature Film on National Integration. Read more Ayushmann Khurrana, Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan, Shanaya Kapoor, Navya Nanda at Dream Girl 2 screening: Who wore what The cast and makers of Dream Girl 2 hosted a special screening of their film in Mumbai last night. The event saw many stars in attendance, including the movie's leads - Ayushmnann Khurrana and Ananya Panday. Ananya's BFFs Suhana Khan, Shanaya Kapoor and Navya Nanda also got clicked at the grand screening. Vidya Balan, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Sharvari Wagh and Sunny Kaushal also made an appearance at the screening. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Himachal Pradesh predicting moderate to heavy rainfall amid threats of flash flood and landslide that has ravaged the hill state. The regional weather office said there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of some districts across the state. An uprooted tree that caused the blockage of a road being removed by the authority after heavy monsoon rainfall, in Shimla.(PTI) "There is a possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of the districts of Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Una, Bilaspur and Kangra. We have issued a yellow alert for 24 and 25 August...," IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma told news agency ANI. Sharma, however, said that the state will get some relief from August 26 onwards. The IMD scientist said Himachal Pradesh received 804mm rainfall from June till August, 41 per cent more rainfall than usual. Lahaul Spiti was the only exception with less than normal rainfall. Shimla has the most departure of 103%. Bilaspur has seen 86% more rainfall. August saw 10% more rainfall than usual and the most was in Mandi and Bilaspur. "From 26 August, the weather will change. Districts of plains and middle areas will receive light to moderate rains... From 26 to 30 August, the activity will reduce...," he said. This monsoon season, Himachal Pradesh has been witnessing frequent cloudbursts and landslides that have claimed many lives, washed away vehicles and destroyed buildings. A total of 30 routes including Mandi, Kullu and Dharmshala have been suspended owing to heavy rains in the state, according to an order from the state transport department. On Thursday, at least eight vacant buildings crumbled under a landslide in Himachal Pradeshs Kullu district. The buildings in Kullus Anni town were vacant because they had developed cracks and were declared unsafe last week. As a result, when they collapsed on Thursday, there were no deaths, though at least 238 people have died in climate-related tragedies since the onset of the monsoon in Himachal Pradesh this year. These buildings were already in vulnerable condition following the heavy rainfall on August 15 There were no casualties I have been told that three to four more buildings are in vulnerable condition, Kullu additional district magistrate Ashwini Kumar told news agency ANI. (With agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday asserted that there is no split in the party, terming Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's revolt as merely a different stand, which he said was allowed in a democracy. Pawar also said that his nephew is still a leader of the NCP. NCP chief Sharad Pawar.(PTI) There is no question that he (Ajit Pawar) is our leader. What does a split in a political party mean? Split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level. But no such thing has happened here, Pawar told reporters at his hometown Baramati in Pune district before embarking on a visit to Kolhapur. Yes, some leaders took a different stance but this can't be called a split. They can do so in a democracy, the Maratha strongman said. Pawar was responding to a question about his daughter and party's working president Supriya Sule's insistence that there was no split in the NCP and that Ajit Pawar was still its leader. A day earlier, Sule called Ajit Pawar a senior leader and MLA of the party. "Now, he (Ajit Pawar) has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the assembly speaker and are awaiting his response," Sule, who is NCP's Baramati MP, told reporters. Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs dealt a major blow to party chief Sharad Pawar by joining the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Maharashtra on July 2. When asked about a survey that projected the opposition INDIA alliance getting a good response against the NDA in the Lok Sabha polls, Pawar said, "I haven't seen the survey yet. But yes, we are talking with some survey organisations where we can clearly see that MVA will win maximum seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections." Pawar will be holding a rally in Kolhapur, his erstwhile bastion of western Maharashtra. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began his engagements in Greece by paying tribute to the Tomb of unknown soldiers in Athens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, Greece, Friday.(AP) He was then accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour. Modi arrived in the Greek capital from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries. He was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis at the airport. After his arrival at the ancient city, Prime Minister Modi laid a wreath at the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' in Athens. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during various wars. A packed day of engagements lie ahead in Athens for Modi. He will meet the Greece President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and hold talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He will also interact with business leaders from both countries, as well as with the Indian community in Greece during his day-long visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Greece capital Athens on Friday for a day at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis after concluding the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg. PM Modi being received in Greece's Athens on Friday. (ANI) Visuals showed the Indian diaspora waiting to welcome the prime minister with posters and dancing to the beats of patriotic songs. Modi had earlier said in his departure statement that his visit to Greece the first by an Indian premier in 40 years is set to open a new chapter in our multifaceted relationship. This will be my first visit to this ancient land. I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years, he said. I look forward to my visit to Greece opening a new chapter in our multifaceted relationship, he added. Contacts between the Indian and Greek civilisations date back over two millennia, and ties between the two sides in modern times have been strengthened by shared values of democracy, rule of law and pluralism, he said. On partnership in different sectors, he noted Cooperation in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defence, and cultural and people-to-people contacts have brought the two countries closer. Following a ceremonial welcome in Athens, Modi will visit the tomb of the unknown soldier and hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Mitsotakis. Both leaders will also address a business meeting and Modi will interact with the Indian diaspora. BRICS Summit concludes PM Modi on Thursday concluded the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg which was held in-person after three years due to Covid-19 pandemic. "My visit to South Africa was a very productive one. The BRICS Summit was fruitful and historic as we welcomed new countries to this forum. We will keep working together for global good. My gratitude to President @CyrilRamaphosa, the people and Government of South Africa for their hospitality," PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Contrary to the statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, authoritative sources told HT that the meeting was sought by the Chinese side. Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping met at the leaders' lounge during the BRICS Summit briefly with their interpreters. While the Chinese description of the meeting indicates that both India and China want to normalise relations, this doesn't appear to be the case as PM Modi raised concerns over massive PLA deployment in East Ladakh. It is understood that Prime Minister Modi made it clear that the route towards normalisation goes through disengagement and de-escalation along the 3,488 km LAC. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.(Bloomberg) The Chinese side, however, wants India to keep the sensitive boundary issues and its military concerns on the side while pursuing speedy normalisation of ties. Since 1977, China has been advocating parallel-track diplomacy by keeping the boundary issue separate from trade ties. This has resulted in India facing a trade deficit of nearly $70 billion. With India and China issuing separate statements on the Modi-Xi meeting, it is evident that there was very little common ground in the meeting. Simply put, the two sides presented the views of their respective countries. In a Chinese readout on Friday on the exchanges between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, it was claimed that President Xi Jinping spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latters request. "President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region," it said. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace & tranquility in the border region," the statement said. India's foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Xi India's concerns on the "unresolved" issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. "In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and deescalation," Kwatra added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After concluding his two-nation visit today, from Greece Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head straight to Bengaluru, Karnataka on a pre-scheduled visit. He will meet scientists of the ISRO team involved in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves the Indian flag while watching the telecast of Chandrayaan-3's successful soft landing on the Moon(PTI) After a 40-day journey into space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, 'Vikram', touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening, making India the first country to do so. Moreover, the Prime Minister joined the live telecast of Chandrayaan-3 landing online from South Africa. PM Modi hailed the Chandrayaan-3 mission creating history by achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface and said India is now on the moon. "When we see such historic moments it makes us very proud. This is the dawn of new India, he said. Humne dharti par sankalp kiya aur chand pe usse sakaar kiya...India is now on the moon," he added. India also became only the fourth nation after the US, Russia and China to successfully conduct a lunar landing mission. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft put down the Vikram lander on the lunar surface, tilting to a horizontal position ahead of landing. The spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota on July 14. A GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle was used for the launch of the spacecraft that was placed in the lunar orbit on August 5 and since then, it went through a series of orbital manoeuvres before zeroing in on the moons surface. (ANI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Police in Haryana have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate a high-speed accident on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway on August 22 after new evidence suggested a luxury car, with a prominent industrialist among its passengers, rear-ended a fuel tanker, killing two people and leaving four others injured. The Rolls Royce was estimated to be at a speed of 200kmph when it crashed into a fuel tanker, killing two people. (HT PHOTO) Police identified the industrialist as Kuber Group director Vikas Malu, who was among three people in a Rolls Royce that was estimated to be travelling at a speed of 200kmph when it crashed into the tanker at a spot on the expressway within Nuh district limits. We have registered the case against the driver of the luxury car but yet to confirm who was behind the wheels since all the occupants are undergoing treatment and have been declared unfit to record the statements, said Narender Bijarniya, superintendent of police, Nuh. The Kuber Group management did not respond to HTs queries for a comment. Eyewitnesses said that following the crash, people from other vehicles that were travelling with Malu caught up and pulled out the occupants of the Rolls Royce, which caught fire within moments. The collision was such that the tanker overturned, although the diesel it was carrying did not ignite. Previously, the crash was believed to have been caused by the driver of the tanker, who was said to have driven the wrong way but CCTV footage later showed both vehicles were headed in the same direction away from Gurugram. The SIT will consist of officials from Nagina police station in Nuh and the crime investigation unit (CIA), said police. Bijarniya said that the vehicle was suspected to be travelling at a speed of over 200kmph and that the details of the vehicle retrieved from the regional transport authority suggested that the car was recently bought from a Mumbai-based company. We have scanned all the CCTV footage and the videos recorded by commuters. The oil tanker was taking a U-turn and was driving at hardly 20kmph when the car rammed into it. The impact was so powerful that it caught fire, he said. Police said that according to the CCTV footage of the toll plaza, the last in Gurugrams jurisdiction, 12km from Alipur, showed that there were four to five vehicles in a convoy of which the Rolls Royce was one. A Fortuner, Safari, Range Rover and Rolls Royce crossed the toll plaza at around 11.09am and after 13 minutes, the Rolls Royce left the convoy and sped ahead, said Bijarniya. Meenal Yadav, a resident of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, was behind the oil tanker at a distance and had witnessed the accident. The oil tanker and my truck both are from the same transport company. I saw how the speeding car rammed into the tanker and it overturned. Even the car was in sparks but within minutes, three people got down from an SUV and took three from the car out and headed towards Delhi. The occupants were fortunate as within minutes, the car caught fire. My both friends Rampreet Kumar and Kuldeep Singh, suffered burn injuries and died on the spot, he said. A senior official of a private hospital in Gurugram said that Malu was admitted for treatment and was out of danger but not fit to record a statement. Ashok Kumar, the investigating official of Nagina police station, said they will serve notices to all the three people who were in the luxury car to record their statement and to confirm who was driving. Before the police team reached the spot, the three injured were taken to the Gurugram hospital by those in the convoy, he said. Yadav said that he took the victims to Nalhar medical college in an ambulance where doctors declared them brought dead. Police said that based on Yadavs statement, a case was registered against an unnamed Rolls Royce driver under sections 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of IPC at Nagina police station. CCTV footage shows the luxury car was speeding at over 200kmph, it lost control and rammed into the oil tanker from behind. A case has been registered against unidentified persons, SHO Ratan Lal said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Pragyan rover rolled out over the surface of the Moon and covered a distance of 8 metres, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said on Friday, two days after the historic landing of the Chandrayaan-3. PREMIUM Rollout of rover of Isro's Chandrayaan-3 from the lander to the lunar surface, as observed by Lander Imager Camera, on Wednesday. (PTI) The seemingly short but symbolically staggering distance --- no country has till now reached close to the Moons south pole with its spacecraft intact --- travelled by the rover came after it unfolded its solar panels and drew power from the sun in preparation for its landmark mission. Also read: Chandrayaan-3: PM Modi to visit ISRO in Bengaluru to congratulate scientists All planned rover movements have been verified. The rover has successfully traversed a distance of about 8 meters. Rover payloads LIBS and APXS are turned ON. All payloads on the propulsion module, lander module, and rover are performing nominally, Isro said, in a statement on Friday. Isro also released the first video of the rover rolling out of the Vikram lander in the early hours of Thursday. ...and here is how the Chandrayaan-3 rover ramped down from the lander to the lunar surface, the Isro tweeted while releasing the video. In another tweet, the space agency said, A two-segment ramp facilitated the roll-down of the rover. A solar panel enabled the rover to generate power... Pragyan, roughly 92cm in length and 75cm in width, has on board two spectrometers that can analyse the composition of moon rocks and dust.x Officials from the department of space also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to meet ISRO chief S Somanath and the team of Chandrayaan-3 scientists on Saturday, directly after returning from Athens. After the meeting, the Pragyan rover is also expected to raise the Tricolour on the lunar surface in the presence of the PM on Saturday. Senior officials of the space agency said that the Pragyan rover emerged from the lander around 10.30pm on Wednesday, around four hours after the lander successfully landed on the lunar surface. After testing the inclination, temperature, terrain and ensuring that the dust kicked off by the landing had settled, the rover was finally rolled out early on Thursday morningaround 1.30am. On Friday, the two rover payloadsLaser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS), deployed to study the qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis and to derive the chemical composition and infer mineralogical composition to further our understanding of lunar-surface, and Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), to determine the elemental composition (Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca,Ti, Fe) of lunar soil and rocks around the lunar landing sitewere set to action. On Thursday, the rover moved within the observational area. We have not received the first set of data yet. Once all payloads are turned on, which should happen by Saturday, we will start getting initial data, a senior official said. Isro confirmed that the rover was being charged till Thursday afternoon. It is unprecedented for a governor to tell a chief minister to respond to his letters or face the prospect of Presidents rule being imposed in the state, but that is the essence of a letter written Friday by Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit to chief minister Bhagwant Mann. Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit. (Keshav Singh/HT)(HT_PRINT) Purohit also threatened to initiate criminal proceedings against the Aam Aadmi Party leader. Also read: Punjab governor warns CM, asks him to reply to his letters else face the music In his letter, Purohit said there is reason to believe that there is failure of the constitutional machinery in the state. Before I am going to take a final decision regarding sending a report to the President of India under Article 356 [Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in State] about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and decide about initiating criminal proceedings under Section 124 (assaulting governor with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power) of the IPC, I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the state, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to the law and the Constitution, the governor wrote in his four-page missive in which he also sought a report from the state government on the action taken with regard to rampant availability and abuse of drugs in Punjab. While there was no response from Mann on the letter, AAPs Punjab unit chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang accused Purohit of working like the Bharatiya Janata Partys spokesperson. The governor is working like the spokesperson of BJP and taking forward its agenda of disturbing the non-BJP state government, he said. Mann and Purohit have been at odds over several issues for almost a year, including the appointment of vice chancellors, the convening of special assembly sessions, and the CMs absence from official functions. The governor has repeatedly accused Mann of not replying to his letters seeking information on administrative matters. The CM has previously referred to the missives as love letters. Former Punjab and Haryana advocate general Ashok Aggarwal said the present situation was unprecedented. Both sides should have taken recourse even to letters in a sober way. In a democracy, neither the honourable governor nor the honourable CM is expected to conduct himself in a manner that such letters should come, more so from the governor, he said. To be sure, Punjab isnt the only state ruled by a party opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party that has seen friction between the state government and the governor, appointed by the Centre. It has happened, and continues to in states such as West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. But in none of these states has the governor threatened to dismiss the state government and impose Presidents rule. In his letter, Purohit said it appeared as if Mann was deliberately refusing to give him the information sought in his previous letters dated July 21, September 24, November 23, December 12 (2022) and January 4, 2023. I regret to note here that in spite of the clear provisions of Article 167 of the Constitution of India, which makes it mandatory for the chief minister to furnish all such information relating to the administration of affairs of the state as the governor may call for, you have failed to supply the information sought by me. He reminded the chief minister of the February 28 Supreme Court judgment in which it observed that both the chief minister and the governor are constitutional functionaries with specified roles and obligations earmarked by the Constitution, and that the governor has a right to seek information from the chief minister in terms of Article 167(b) on matters relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation. Once such information is sought, the chief minister is duty bound to furnish it. Far from supplying the information sought by me, you have exhibited an absence of grace and decorum when you proceeded to make unnecessary and unwarranted observations demonstrating what may only be described as extreme animosity and personal prejudice against me personally, as also the office of the governor, Purohit added. Recalling the remarks made by Mann during the special session of the assembly in June, Purohit said, Through your derogatory remarks, you have attempted to restrain me from exercising the lawful powers conferred on me under Article 167 of the Constitution. Should I choose to do so, such action may also provide grounds for action under Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code. He said that not furnishing the information which was sought by the governor would be plainly in dereliction of the constitutional duty which is imposed on the chief minister in terms of Article 167(b). This behaviour shows that you have not only disobeyed the provisions of the Constitution of India, but have acted in a manner that may be described as being contemptuous of the Supreme Court by repeatedly and intentionally disobeying and disrespecting the Supreme Courts observations, he added. While seeking response to issues taken up in his previous letters, the governor also said he has received reports from agencies regarding availability and abuse of drugs in the state. It is common knowledge that they are available in chemist shops and a new trend is observed that they are being sold in government-controlled liquor vends, he said, citing recent action by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Chandigarh Police who sealed 66 liquor vends in Ludhiana that are selling drugs. These facts point out to the breaking down of the law and order system in Punjab so much so that now villagers have started protesting on streets in large numbers and decided to set up their own village defence committees to protect themselves from drugs, he wrote, seeking a report concerning the action taken by state government in the matter. Kang said Purohits letter was against the democratic and constitutional principles of the country. Governor should maintain decorum and not issue threats of Presidents rule to the democratically elected government. If they want to impose the Presidents rule, they should do that in Manipur and Haryana, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Russia announced on Friday that President Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the G20 Summit to be hosted by India next month, ending swirling speculation in diplomatic circles about his presence at the meeting. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Vladimir Saldo, Moscow-installed acting leader of the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine's Kherson region, in Moscow on August 24 (via REUTERS) Putin has skipped multilateral meetings since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and virtually participated in the Brics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit in Johannesburg this week. He also did not attend the 2021 G20 Summit in Rome over Covid-19-related concerns and last years G20 Summit in Bali in the face of Western criticism of the Ukraine crisis. Asked by Russian media about Putins in-person participation in the G20 Summit in New Delhi during September 9-10, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: No, the President has no such plans. The format of Putins participation will be determined later, Peskov said. Pointing to Putins virtual participation in the Brics Summit remotely, he said: Well...now he really has a busy schedule. And of course, the main focus is still the special military operation. So direct travel is not on the agenda right now. India has invited all the G20 leaders and heads of nine guest countries to the summit. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi recently said New Delhi expects all these leaders to attend the summit. Over the past few weeks, Putins participation in the G20 Summit has been the subject of intense speculation in diplomatic circles in New Delhi. As recently as last month, people familiar with the matter had put the chances of Putins participation as 50-50. A Russian advance team visited New Delhi earlier this month to assess preparations for the summit. However, reports over the past few days that the Russian side had decided to book fewer rooms for its delegation at The Oberoi Hotel fuelled speculation that Putin might skip the summit. Peskov also told state-run TASS news agency that a decision on how Russia will be represented at the G20 Summit is still being worked on. Asked if foreign minister Sergey Lavrov could represent the Russian delegation, Peskov replied: The issue of participation is being worked on. As soon as a decision is made, we will let you know. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lying to the Opposition over the India-China border situation in Ladakh while reiterating China has snatched Indian territory. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting in Kargil. (PTI) China has taken Indian land...thousands of square km...and ironically Indian Prime Minister said at a meeting with the Opposition that not an inch of Indian land was taken, he said at a rally in Kargil on the last day of his nine-day visit to Ladakh. Gandhis reference was to Modis comments in June 2020 at an all-party meeting following the killing of 20 Indian Army soldiers in a clash with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army in Ladakhs Galwan Valley. Modi told leaders of political parties that neither has anyone entered nor is anyone present in Indian territory and nor was any Indian post captured. Gandhi said this was an outright lie. Here, every person knows that Ladakhs land has been taken over by China but the Prime Minister is not telling the truth. Gandhis comments came a day after officials said Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the border tensions and said they would direct officials to intensify efforts to de-escalate. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Brics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit in Johannesburg. India and China have been involved in a series of diplomatic and military engagements. Indian and Chinese corps commanders held their 19th round of talks on the standoff along the Line of Actual Control between the two countries during August 13-14. Several rounds of talks among local commanders followed on August 18. India and China have deployed nearly 60,000 troops each in the Ladakh sector following the 2020 clash at Galwan Valley in which at least four Chinese troops were also killed. They are yet to disengage frontline troops at friction points such as Depsang and Demchok despite diplomatic and military talks. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi rejected Gandhis comments as baseless and absurd. He accused the Congress of trying to weaken the country. In his address in Kargil, Gandhi also spoke about demands of statehood, the implementation of the Constitutions sixth schedule, which provides for the autonomous administration of tribal areas, and one Lok Sabha seat each for Leh and Kargil. People want political representation. Locals and their leaders told me that their voice is being suppressed. Though Ladakh became a Union Territory, your rights are not being given to you, he said, referring to carving out of Ladakh as a federally-administered territory from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 following the scrapping of the regions semi-autonomous status. Gandhi said unemployment is a big issue in Ladakh while the cell phone network was also not up to the mark. I assure you that the Congress is with you in your struggle to safeguard your land, employment, culture, and languages, he said. He referred to the abundance of natural resources and solar energy and said Ladakh has no dearth of it. The BJP also knows about it and feels if you were given representation, then they would not be able to snatch your land. The entire issue is of land. The BJP wants to take your land for big projects of Adani but the benefits of those projects will not be given to the people. We will never allow this thing to happen. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Shuchin Bajaj of Ujala Cygnus Healthcare, which provides super-speciality tertiary health care at low cost to underserved communities, was on Friday awarded the 14th Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY) Award-India, established by Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. (L-R) Shyam S Bhartia, founder and chairman of Jubilant Bhartia Group, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, winner Shuchin Bajaj, World Economic Forum president Borge Brende, Hari S Bhartia, founder and co-chairman of Jubilant Bhartia Group, and Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship director Francois Bonnici on Friday. (Raj K Raj/HT photo) The award was presented to Bajaj by Indias G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, at a ceremony attended by the three other finalists for the award. Ujala Cygnus has facilitated access to high-quality integrated health care infrastructure and services for underserved communities in tier-II and tier-III cities. While thanking all the patients, doctors and other staff of Ujala Cygnus, Bajaj said: We must make sure that the number that comes to haunt us again and again of 60 million people slipping below the poverty line every year just due to health care shocks I think we must all work together to get rid of that number completely. Ujala Cygnuss chain of low-budget and patient-friendly hospitals with more than 500 doctors and medical experts in 17 cities has benefited more than two million patients. It has also trained more than 55,000 community medical practitioners. Kant congratulated Bajaj and the other finalists and lauded the work of social entrepreneurs worldwide. I have great admiration for the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, World Economic Forum and the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation for consistently supporting social entrepreneurship and social innovation, he said. This platform of social entrepreneurship has been greatly instrumental in highlighting the innovative models that have the potential to shape a better India of tomorrow. Social entrepreneurs are the driving force behind positive change, crafting a narrative of progress and impact, he added. The other finalists were Aparna Hegde of ARMMAN, which leverages mobile health to create cost-effective, scalable and gender-sensitive solutions to improve access of pregnant women and mothers to preventive information and services, Bijal Brahmbhatt of Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), which has helped poor women in nine states to access more than $20 million in public resources, and Dhimant and Anuradha Parekh of The Better India, considered the worlds largest positive stories platform that reaches more than 200 million readers every month. Congratulating the winner and finalists, Shyam S Bhartia, founder and chairman, and Hari S Bhartia, founder and co-chairman of Jubilant Bhartia Group and founder directors of Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, said they are proud of the unique and rewarding partnership with the Schwab Foundation through which social entrepreneurs have been provided a global platform to showcase their work, scale up initiatives and cross-learn from a rich alliance of high-spirited individuals. Hilde Schwab, co-founder and chairperson of Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, applauded the work of social entrepreneurs and congratulated the winner in a video message. World Economic Forum president Borge Brende highlighted the importance of social entrepreneurs and said, We need to create the right environment for social entrepreneurship and we have a long way to go. Social entrepreneurship under Indias presidency of G20 has further underpinned its importance. Six Indian pilgrims were among seven people killed when the bus they were travelling in plunged some 50 metres from a mountain road in Nepal's Madhesh province, a media report said on Thursday. The accident happened in the early hours of Thursday in the province's Bara district The accident happened in the early hours of Thursday in the province's Bara district when the bus carrying pilgrims from Rajasthan overturned and fell some 50 metres down the road at a riverbank south of Churiamai Temple at Simara Sub-Metropolitan City, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported. Apart from the six Indians, one Nepalese citizen was also killed in the accident which also injured 19 others. "The bus carrying six Indian pilgrims overturned and fell down the road at a river bank. A total of 26 passengers were on board and in the accident one Nepalese was also killed. The family of the deceased have been informed," said Deputy Superintendent of Police Pradeep Bahadur Chhetri. Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati, who is also the chief of the Bara district police office said that they have detained three people, including the bus driver Jilami Khan. "The driver and the co-workers have also sustained injuries during the accident and were detained following treatment," he was quoted as saying in the report. The police said that all those injured were undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Hetauda of adjacent Makwanpur district. Road accidents in Nepal are quite common due to the poor road infrastructure across the country, which majorly comprises mountainous terrain. On Wednesday, a passenger bus skidded off the main highway and plunged into a swollen river in Nepal's Bagmati province, killing at least eight people and leaving at least 15 others injured. The accident happened when the bus en route to the scenic city of Pokhara from Kathmandu veered off and fell into the Trishuli River at Chalise in Dhading district. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be reaching Srinagar on a two-day "personal visit" and will be joined by his mother Sonia Gandhi next day, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani said on Friday. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi (AICC) Wani, however, said the two senior leaders will have no political engagement or meeting with any party leaders in Srinagar during the "family tour." Rahul has been in the Union Territory of Ladakh the past one week and will be leaving for Srinagar after addressing a public rally in Kargil Friday morning, the JKPCC president told PTI. He said he will be joined by his mother Sonia Gandhi on Saturday. After his rally, Rahul will lay a wreath at the Kargil war memorial to honour the war martrys. Then on his way to Srinagar, he will have a stopover in Drass for a brief interaction with the people. Rahul reached Ladakh on August 17, his first visit to the region since it was granted UT status after being carved out from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was also turned into a Union Territory with its special status under Article 370 revoked. Over the past one week, Rahul has gone round almost all famous places including Pangong lake, Nubra valley, Khardungla top, Lamayuru and Zanskar on his motorcycle before reaching Kargil on Thursday. Another Congress leader said Rahul will be reaching Sonamarg in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district from Kargil in the afternoon before moving to Srinagar where he will be staying for two nights at a houseboat and a hotel. The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Delhi government to amend its petition challenging the Delhi services ordinance that gave the Union government control of the national capitals bureaucratic set-up after noting that the ordinance has now been replaced by an Act. The Supreme Court (ANI) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud took note of the submissions made by the Delhi government that the petition filed on June 30 would require to be modified since the services ordinance has now been replaced by the GNCTD (Amendment) Act, 2023. Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, assisted by advocate Shadan Farasat, mentioned the plea before the CJI. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre said they have no objection to the plea for the amendment. At this, the CJI passed a brief order, allowing the Delhi government to amend its petition so as to enable it to challenge the pertinent clauses in the new law. The Delhi services ordinance, promulgated on May 19, was replaced by a bill which was passed by Parliament on August 8. Four days later, changes to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act were codified into law, putting the control of the citys administration in the hands of the Centre after the President accorded her assent to the law. A week after a Supreme Court Constitution bench ruled that the Delhi government has control over bureaucrats assigned to departments under its purview, the Union government, on May 19, issued the ordinance restoring to itself the power over services by way of making a raft of major amendments in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991. The ordinance also strengthened the position of the Lieutenant Governor, making him the final authority who can act in his sole discretion in deciding the matters relating to transfer and posting of bureaucrats. In a move perceived as nullifying the constitution bench judgment on May 11, the Centre introduced a new chapter in the GNCTD Act, Part IVA, to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) and a public service commission for transfers and postings of the officers serving in the affairs of the Delhi government. Delhi, so far, did not have a service commission of its own. All transfers and postings of officers, as per the new law, have to be done by NCCSA, which is chaired by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and has two senior Delhi government bureaucrats as members; the authority takes decisions by majority, and the final decision will rest with the lieutenant governor. The ordinance was challenged before the top court by the Delhi government, complaining it allows the Union government to take over the governance of the Capital while eroding not only the premise of democratic governance but also the regional will of Delhis electorate. On July 20, the legal challenge to the ordinance was referred to a Constitution bench of five judges. In the reference order, the apex court noted that the power of Parliament to enact a law granting the Centre executive power over services is not in contention. However, this court while deciding the constitutional validity of the 2023 Ordinance must decide if the exercise of such a power is valid, said the order. The bench in the reference order alluded to Article 239-AA(7) which was resorted to by the Centre in taking away services from the elected government, but the previous two Constitution bench judgments had no occasion to deal with it. Article 239-AA(7) empowers Parliament to make laws for giving effect to or supplementing the provisions contained in Article 239AA the provision that guides the administration of Delhi. As reported by HT on July 31, the bill replacing the ordinance contained at least three crucial changes, including the removing of a crucial section that was apparently meant to undo the effect of a Supreme Court ruling in May, 2023, that had tilted the balance of power in favour of the elected Delhi government. The bill also proposed to change the manner in which tribunals heads are to be appointed in the national capital --- assigning some prerogatives to the lieutenant governor now, as opposed to the Ordinances approach of the final signatory being the President of India. Appointments in all boards, commissions, and statutory bodies established under Acts passed by Parliament will be done by the central government while the proposals for appointments in boards, commissions, and statutory bodies established by Acts passed by the Delhi assembly will have to be routed through the NCCSA. The bill also removed the requirement of NCCSA furnishing an annual report on its functioning to the Centre and the Delhi government, which was a requirement under the ordinance. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Delhi government to amend its petition filed earlier this year to challenge the Delhi services ordinance that gave the Union government control of the national capitals bureaucratic set-up. The Union govt issued the ordinance restoring to itself the power over services by major amendments in GNCTD Act, 1991. (HT file photo) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud took note of the submissions made by the Delhi government that the petition filed on June 30 would require to be modified since the services ordinance has now been replaced by the GNCTD (Amendment) Act, 2023. Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, assisted by advocate Shadan Farasat, mentioned the plea before the CJI. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre said they have no objection to the plea for the amendment. At this, the CJI passed a brief order, allowing the Delhi government to amend its petition so as to enable it to challenge the pertinent clauses in the new law. Also Read: Delhi services bill, data protection and 2 other bills get nod from President Murmu The Delhi services ordinance, promulgated on May 19, was replaced by a bill which was passed by Parliament on August 8. Four days later, changes to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act were codified into law, putting the control of the citys administration in the hands of the Centre after the President accorded her assent to the law. A week after a Supreme Court Constitution bench ruled that the Delhi government has control over bureaucrats assigned to departments under its purview, the Union government, on May 19, issued the ordinance restoring to itself the power over services by way of making a raft of major amendments in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991. The ordinance also strengthened the position of the Lieutenant Governor, making him the final authority who can act in his sole discretion in deciding the matters relating to transfer and posting of bureaucrats. In a move perceived as nullifying the constitution bench judgment on May 11, the Centre introduced a whole new chapter in the GNCTD Act, Part IVA, to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) and a public service commission for transfers and postings of the officers serving in the affairs of the Delhi government. Delhi, so far, did not have a service commission of its own. All transfers and postings of officers, as per the new law, has to be done by NCCSA, which is chaired by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and has two senior Delhi government bureaucrats as members; the authority takes decisions by majority, but the final decision will rest with the lieutenant governor (L-G). In its May 11 judgment, the five-judge bench led by CJI Chandrachud had held that a constitutionally entrenched and democratically elected government needs to have control over its administration,. The ordinance was challenged before the top court by the Delhi government on June 30, complaining it allows the Union government to take over the governance of the Capital while eroding not only the premise of democratic governance but also the regional will of Delhis electorate. The AAP government also demanded a stay on the ordinance, arguing that it was issued with the purpose of negating the two Constitution bench decisions of May 11 and July 2018, both of which were in favour of the elected government. On July 20, the legal challenge to the ordinance was referred to a Constitution bench of five judges. In the reference order, the apex court noted that the power of Parliament to enact a law granting the Centre executive power over services is not in contention. However, this court while deciding the constitutional validity of the 2023 Ordinance must decide if the exercise of such a power is valid, said the order. The bench in the reference order alluded to Article 239-AA(7) which was resorted to by the Centre in taking away services from the elected government, but the previous two Constitution bench judgments had no occasion to deal with it. Article 239-AA (7) empowers Parliament to make laws for giving effect to or supplementing the provisions contained in Article 239AA the provision that guides the administration of Delhi. The disposal of the writ petition requires this court to answer a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution, held the bench, as it framed two issues in its reference order: First, what are the contours of the power of Parliament to enact a law under Article 239-AA (7); and second, whether Parliament in the exercise of its power under Article 239-AA(7) can abrogate the constitutional principles of governance for Delhi. As reported by HT on July 31, the bill replacing the ordinance contained at least three crucial changes, including the removing of a crucial section that was apparently meant to undo the effect of a Supreme Court ruling in May, 2023, that had tilted the balance of power in favour of the elected Delhi government. The bill also proposed to change the manner in which tribunals heads are to be appointed in the national capital --- assigning some prerogatives to the lieutenant governor now, as opposed to the Ordinances approach of the final signatory being the President of India. Appointments in all boards, commissions, and statutory bodies established under Acts passed by Parliament will be done by the central government while the proposals for appointments in boards, commissions, and statutory bodies established by Acts passed by the Delhi assembly will have to be routed through the NCCSA. The bill also removed the requirement of NCCSA furnishing an annual report on its functioning to the Centre and the Delhi government, which was a requirement under the ordinance. The control of bureaucrats has been at the core of the Centre and Delhi governments battles in courts as well as outside since 2015 when AAP stormed to power. The May 11 Supreme Court judgement placed the control of services in the hands of the elected government. On May 19, the ordinance by the Union government snatched back control. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Friday extended the medical bail granted to former Delhi minister Satyendra Kumar Jain till September 1. On May 26, SC granted interim bail to Jain until July 11 -- the first reprieve after spending over a year in jail. (ANI file photo) A bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh agreed to hear arguments on extension of bail on Friday after being shown a medical condition report which suggested that after his spinal operation on July 21, he is recuperating and was advised physiotherapy, aquatic exercises, apart from restrictions on body movements. Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said, Let him surrender today. We are willing to provide him with physiotherapy. And for aquatic exercises, if he needs a swimming pool, we can even take him there. Nothing in the medical report shown by him warrants an extension of bail even by a day. Ask him to surrender. He should be treated as any ordinary petitioner. Jain was granted interim bail on May 26 and the same was extended by the Court on earlier occasions considering his medical condition. Also Read: SC extends Satyendar Jains interim bail by five weeks The Court agreed to consider the issue of surrender on the next date and stated in its order, Since we have indicated that the petition is to be taken up on September 1, the medical bail stands extended till that date. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Jain told the Court that he was willing to argue the petition on Friday as his client needs to recuperate after having undergone a serious operation. In May, when Jain approached the top court, he claimed to have lost 35 kilos. He complained of muscular atrophy and showed the medical opinion of doctors from three different hospitals recommending operation for his disc-related problems. Jain was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Lok Nayak Hospital two months ago after he fell down in the bathroom of Tihar Jail. On May 26, SC granted interim bail to Jain until July 11 -- the first reprieve after spending over a year in jail. In his bail plea before the top court, Jain complained of depression, patch on lungs after suffering from Covid-19 last year, acute lumbar pain and associated vertigo, degeneration of intervertebral discs and sleep apnea. Jain, who held important portfolios as a minister, including health and prison, was arrested by ED last year. Jain has been accused of laundering money through four companies allegedly linked to him. Subsequent to the probe, ED last year attached assets worth 4.81 crore belonging to these companies. The ED probe began pursuant to a 2017 case registered against Jain by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Jain has been on bail in the CBI case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Friday refrained from staying the pre-mature release of jailed former state minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi, who were undergoing life term at Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur district jail for their involvement in the murder of Madhumita Shukla -- a poet who was found shot dead at her Lucknow residence on May 9, 2003. The state government took note of the incarceration of the Tripathi couple for more than 16 years and their conduct. (HT file photo) If we are with you, we will take him back to prison. But the question of liberty has to apply to everyone, a bench led by justice Aniruddha Bose told the lawyer appearing for Nidhi Shukla Madhumitas sister who has approached the top court against the grant of remission to the Tripathi couple. Also Read: Behind bars for over a decade, Amarmani still holds sway over east UP politics The bench, which included justice Bela M Trivedi, however, issued notices to the state government and the Tripathi couple, seeking their replies to Nidhis petition that sought quashing of the proposal to consider releasing them on remission. While the petition was filed on August 11 to preempt the UP government from passing any order on premature release, the matter was taken up on Friday, a day after the state government allowed the premature release of Amarmani (66) and his wife Madhumani (61). The state government took note of the incarceration of the Tripathi couple for more than 16 years and their conduct while allowing their remission pleas. Arguing for Nidhi, advocate Kamini Jaiswal informed the bench on Friday that the couples release order was issued on Thursday night even as the petition against remission them remain pending before this court. So, does not your petition turn infructuous? the bench asked Jaiswal, who responded that she would bring on record the release orders and argue the matter to show how the couple could not have been released in view of the gravity of their crime. The lawyer added that Amarmani has spent around seven years in a hospital instead of jail. There was a strike in jail because of the special treatment being given to him, Jaiswal claimed. To this, the bench said that it will issue notices on the petition for now. Issue notice, returnable after eight weeks, stated the court order. At one point, Jaiswal said that the issue of remission of convicts in the heinous offences has been taken up by the apex court in the Bilkis Bano case too. Another bench in the top court is currently examining a bundle of petitions against the grant of remission to 11 convicts, who were sentenced to life in 2008 for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of seven of her family members but were released by the Gujarat government pre-maturely in August 2022. Amarmani was a minister in the Mayawati-led BSP government in the state at that time. Following the crime, Mayawati expelled Amarmani from the party and referred the case to the CBI, which arrested him, his wife and other accused. The four-time MLA had later switched to the Samajwadi Party. On a petition by Nidhi, the Supreme Court transferred the trial of the case from UP to Uttarakhand. In 2007, a CBI court in Uttarakhand convicted Amarmani, Madhumani and two others, including Amarmanis nephew Rohit Chaturvedi, for hatching a murder conspiracy and killing Madhumita. Madhumita was found to be seven-months pregnant at the time of her death. Post-mortem report later revealed that the foetus that Madhumita was carrying matched with Amarmanis DNA. The politician had initially denied having an affair with the slain poetess. In July 2012, the Uttarakhand high court upheld the life sentence for the Tripathi couple. The Supreme Court affirmed this order in 2013. In her petition before the Supreme Court, Nidhi submitted that the present case is a glaring example of mockery of justice. A powerful and influential politician, even after being convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, has enjoyed a normal life in special barracks in jail or by getting themselves admitted in the hospital not for just 2 or 3 months but year after year amounting to at least 6-7 years in hospitals...but still managed to get advantage of and the process of grant of remission after committing a heinous crime, it stated. While agreeing to consider the premature release the Tripathi couple, the plea argued, the UP government has overlooked the 2014 policy of the Union of India as well as the set of guidelines issued to the states and the Union territories by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the grant of special remission to prisoners to commemorate the 75th year of Independence. According to the petition, the policy excludes those convicts who are serving life sentence for heinous offences, especially those relating to crime against women, from the purview of consideration even after completion of 14 years of their sentence. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to extend the stay on a demolition drive at a railway land near Mathuras Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi after it was informed that no unauthorised constructions were left to be brought down. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to extend the stay on a demolition drive at a railway land near Mathuras Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi after it was informed that no unauthorised constructions were left to be brought down. (File photo) The top court also questioned the locus standi of petitioner Yakub Shah, who challenged the demolition exercise at Nai Basti, after the Railways said he was not among those affected and does not reside in the disputed area. The Railways also alleged that the petitioner tried to link the demolition activity to a legal battle related to the disputed Krishna Janmabhoomi, which is located adjacent to the Shahi Eidgah mosque. There will be no further extension of the interim order passed on August 16, a bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi said, as it posted the matter for Monday and directed Shah to respond to the Railways allegations that crucial facts were suppressed by him while approaching the top court. On August 16, the top court had ordered status quo on the drive for a period of 10 days after the aggrieved residents complained that a civil suit filed by them is pending consideration before a Mathura court. However, on August 14, Prashashti Srivastava, public relations officer for Agra Division, North Central Railways, said the demolition drive was completed and a total of 135 houses were razed in two phases on grounds of encroachment. He said the land was being vacated to transform the line between Mathura and Vrindavan from narrow gauge to broad gauge. Appearing for the Railways, solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta raised questions over the petition. It is an admitted position that the present eviction drive does not even remotely pertain to any property of the petitioner. He has filed a suit in the representative capacity. The petitioner has deliberately and willfully suppressed the fact that his property is not the subject matter of the eviction drive undertaken by the Railways under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, he said. The Railways said the petitioner tried to make false assertions and sensational claims by saying the drive was carried out without following due procedure. This (demolition) has been linked to a disputed religious premises to give the action taken by respondent a communal overtone, the Railways said, adding that this was done to outrage the court for the purpose of obtaining interim relief. The Railways was referring to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple dispute where Hindu litigants are laying claim to 13.37 acres of land around the Shahi Idgah mosque as the birthplace of Hindu deity Krishna. Multiple suits have been filed in different courts of Mathura, demanding that the mosque, which abuts the temple, be removed and the land returned to the temple Trust. The Railways said a detailed hearing was given to nearly 135 occupants sought to be evicted pursuant to which fresh eviction notices were issued in June. In these entire proceedings, the petitioners property was not involved, it said. Pursuant to the eviction notices, demolition of the encroached portion of Railways land has already taken place. The instant writ petition has become infructuous and on this ground is liable to be dismissed, it said in its affidavit. The Railways accused the petitioner of misleading the court, which amounted to grossest abuse of Article 32 of the Constitution, which allows the top court to issue writs to enforce fundamental rights. Pulling up the petitioner, the bench said: You are not on railway land. It seems we should introduce a class action suit for contradicting PILs filed before the same bench, it said. Senior advocate Prashanto Chandra Sen, who appeared for Shah, said: I will satisfy this court by Monday. Railways has nowhere shown it is the owner of the land in question. There is a suit filed by the residents pending on this issue. Ends cannot justify means, the Supreme Court told the Union government on Thursday, as the Centre commenced defending the abrogation of Article 370 by referring to a choice between preserving the Constitution and losing the nation. In arguments over 10 days, the crux of the petitioners arguments has been that the process by which the Centre abrogated Article 370 was flawed. (ANI) We cannot postulate a situation where ends justify the means. Means also have to be consistent with the ends, the Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, told attorney general R Venkataramani while hearing a challenge to the validity of the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 that granted J&K special status and an act that restructured the state into two Union territories. The remarks came after A-G Venkataramani cited US President Abraham Lincoln, who in 1864, justified resorting to certain questionable measures, which included coercing the seceding states to stay in the Union and suspending rights of people, that were perceived contrary to the US Constitution. Was it possible to lose the nation, and yet preserve the Constitution? By general law life and limb must be protected; yet often a limb must be amputated to save a life; but a life is never wisely given to save a limb, Venkataramani quoted from Lincolns address, as he told the bench that this is what the running theme of his submissions would be. The A-G said that the Article 370 case delves on the importance of constitutional preserve in the context of its processes and their fairness on one hand, and losing the nation on the other hand. His statement prompted the bench, which also comprised justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, Bhushan R Gavai and Surya Kant, to retort that the means have to be consonant with the ends. Reading out his brief summary of submissions, Venkataramani assured the bench that the Centre would be able to show that it resorted to legitimate means, within the constitutional boundaries and the parameters laid down by the Supreme Court, in abrogating Article 370. In arguments over 10 days, the crux of the petitioners arguments has been that the process by which the Centre abrogated Article 370 was flawed. Venkataramani added that there was no factual or legal foundation to the petitioners challenge to the powers of President to nullify the constitutional provision. Article 370 was meant to aid and design the integration process of J&K. Its continuous use cannot cloud or distort its original purpose...All decision taken by the Union are within the parameters of the Presidents Rule and nothing has been arbitrarily designed. All arguments on fraud on the Constitution, as raised by the petitioners, are misconceived, he said. The A-G also pointed out that border states like J&K will require distinct consideration. The court will defer to the wisdom of the Parliament in the choices of action in relation to the border states...No person can have a perennial interest in the state of unrest. Defending the invocation of the Presidents Rule in J&K in December 2018 and abrogation of Article 370 during the Presidents Rule, Venkataramani emphasised that the power to invoke emergency powers ensures the sustenance of the fabric of the nation and it cannot be narrowed or compressed. Parliament has the plenary power to act for the purposes of the reorganisation of the states and this power is equally available during the Presidents Rule. Neither asymmetrical federalism nor any other federal features have been infringed. No rights in relation to representative democracy have been taken away. Reorganisation of states includes temporary or other rearrangement of rights to serve the integrity of federalism and the unity and integrity of the country. All rights are available for exercise only if unity and integrity are intact, he said. Following A-Gs summary of submissions, solicitor general Tushar Mehta took over, saying the top court will be delivering a historic decision in more than one way. This is the first time in the last 75 years when this court will be considering the privileges that J&K residents were deprived of for these many years. Article 370 worked as a detriment to the welfare schemes flowing from the Centre to the residents of J&K. This judgment will also end the psychological duality, induced or ingrained, due to continued use of Article 370. According to the S-G, the historical background will clearly demonstrate that so far as Article 370 is concerned, it was not a permanent privilege conferred upon any state since it had the effect of depriving the J&K residents of being treated on par with rest of their brothers and sisters in other parts of the country. Mehta emphasised that individual sovereignty of princely states ended with their merger or accession with the Union of India and that it was the Indian Constitution and the sovereignty of the nation that were supreme. Running the bench through an extensive list of dates, the S-G contended that the impression given to the court that J&K had a special status since the very beginning because of a separate Constitution is fundamentally wrong. As many as 62 princely states had their own Constitution, and it was not just J&K. These documents were named as instruments of internal governance. And more than 200 states were in the process of doing so, he said, adding the J&K Constitution that continued after 1957 was nothing more than an act of legislation because the Indian Constitution is supreme. On the tenth day of the arguments in the case, Mehta said that promises made, or assurances given at the time of accession have no relevance after the Constitution of India came into being which is now the supreme body. According to the S-G, the argument on internal sovereignty of J&K by the petitioners was a result of their confusion between sovereignty and autonomy that the Valley state had. The bench, however, told Mehta that this is a point that will require significant explanation by the Centre. The case will be heard next on August 28. The bench is seized of a raft of petitions, filed by parliamentarians from the National Conference party, Kashmiri citizens, former bureaucrats and various organisations that have laid the challenge to the abrogation of Article 370 soon after the presidential order in August 2019. On July 3, the Supreme Court notified the setting up of a new Constitution bench, comprising its five most senior judges, that began day-to-day hearing in the case from August 2. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Friday sought a report from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to examine whether the Karnataka government has complied with the authoritys directive on releasing 10,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) per day of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu between August 12 and August 26. The bench deferred the hearing to September 1. (HT File Photo) We dont possess expertise in these matters, a bench, led by justice Bhushan R Gavai said while asking the central government to communicate its directive to CWMA for submitting the report by September 1 when the matter will be heard next. It is appropriate for the CWMA to submit a report on whether the water as per its order has been discharged or not. Karnataka submits that as a matter of fact, the orders passed by CWMA are adverse to the interest of Karnataka and that it has filed an application for review of the order passed on August 11. On the contrary, Tamil Nadu claims that water allotted is much less and that they have requested the authority to enhance the quantity, the bench, which also included justices PS Narasimha and PK Mishra, recorded in its order. Also Read: TN plea regarding Cauvery is not maintainable: Siddaramaiah The bench was hearing an application moved by the Tamil Nadu government for a direction to the Karnataka government to release 24,000 cusecs per day of river water from its reservoirs. The court, during the brief hearing, did not accede to the Tamil Nadu governments oral request to issue an interim order to the Karnataka government for continuing to release at least 10,000 cusecs of water every day after the Centre informed the bench that a meeting of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) is scheduled for August 28. Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, informed the bench that an interim arrangement on the release of water for the next 15 days will be taken up in the next CWRC meeting. The matter will then move to the CWMA, which is a statutory body constituted for implementation of the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. Recording the ASGs statement, the bench deferred the hearing to September 1 even as it observed that both the states should first approach the regulatory authority for meeting their requirement of Cauvery water. Why dont you go to the authority? They have experts. We dont possess any expertise on these matters. If there is non-compliance, bring it to the notice of the authority...before us, it is only your words against their words, it told the senior counsel appearing for both sides. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi and PS Wilson appeared for the Tamil Nadu government while senior lawyer Shyam Divan represented the Karnataka government. While Divan argued that cutbacks in the water supply are inevitable in a distress monsoon year, Rohatgi claimed that there is a huge shortfall even after reducing the shortfall in rain received this year. Rohatgi added that CWMA unreasonably reduced the water quantity from 15,000 cusecs per day to 10,000 cusecs per day by its order on August 11 and that the standing crops in Tami Nadu are getting badly affected due to lack of water. Responding, Divan said that they have sought the review of the August 11 order because even 10,000 cusecs per day is too much for Karnataka to share. On Thursday, the Siddaramaiah-government filed an affidavit to oppose the Tamil Nadu governments plea for release of 24,000 cusecs per day of Cauvery river water from its reservoirs. Terming the Stalin- governments application wholly misconceived since the state suffered from a distressed water year due to the failure of south-west Monsoon, Karnataka said that the Tamil Nadu governments demand is based on an erroneous assumption that this water year is a normal water year. During this water year the south-west Monsoon has largely failed so far, due to which, the distress condition has arisen in the Cauvery basin. Karnataka, therefore, is not obliged to and it cannot be compelled to ensure water as per the stipulated releases prescribed for the normal year, stated the Karnataka governments affidavit. Maintaining that the total inflows in four reservoirs in Karnataka are lesser by 42.5% as on date, the affidavit contended, The entire current storage plus likely inflow is not sufficient for the crops in Karnataka and for meeting the drinking water requirements of towns and villages including the megacity of Bengaluru which is the technological hub of the world. Hence, Karnatakas reasonable needs are at serious risk. In its application filed last week, Tamil Nadu urged the court to direct CWMA to ensure that the directions issued to Karnataka by Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) in respect of the release of water to Tamil Nadu are fully implemented and the stipulated monthly releases during the remaining period of the current water year are fully given effect to. The plea pointed out that Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 4 apprising him of the growing concern amongst the farmers in the Cauvery Basin of Tamil Nadu due to the failure of Karnataka in adhering to the directions of CWMA. The Tamil Nadu government added that in the current water year 2023-24, Karnataka released only 11.6 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) as against 40.4 TMC due at Billigundulu from 01.06.2023 to 31.07.2023 with a deficit of 28.8 TMC while Karnataka had a gross storage of 91 TMC in its 4 major reservoirs against the full capacity of 114.6 TMC. 11,000 cusecs flow for a day amounts to 1 TMC, which is around 28 billion litres of water. The Cauvery water sharing is a long dispute between the two southern states- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The conflict traces its roots to two agreements in 1892 and 1924 between the Madras Presidency and Kingdom of Mysore. In June 1990, the Union government established the CWDT to address disagreements concerning water sharing capacities among Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry. By a February 2018 ruling, the Supreme Court issued directions on the water sharing between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Karnataka is supposed to make available 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu in a normal water year. Later that year, the Centre constituted CWRC and CWMA to give effect to the decision of CWDT, as modified by the Supreme Court in its February 2018 ruling. These bodies comprise representatives of the central government and the four party states. According to the ruling, Karnataka has to make available a total of 123.14 TMC from June to September, a period when the Cauvery issue gets flared up as the monsoon yields lower rainfall. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Friday shifted 27 cases being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the ethnic strife in Manipur to a set of designated judges in Assam to ensure protection of victims and witnesses, besides facilitating fair and quick trials. Supreme Court of India (Representative Photo) A bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, accepted the request made by solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta to shift the CBI cases to magisterial and sessions courts in Assam in view of the prevailing situation in Manipur and the possibility of aspersions against the trial judges in Manipur who may belong to one or the other community. Also read: No division of Manipur, in touch with Kuki MLAs: CM N Biren Singh Asking the chief justice of the Guwahati high court to nominate as many trial judges as deemed suitable to take up the 27 CBI cases, the bench, which also comprised justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, pointed out that the directions are being passed in view of the overall environment in Manipur and to ensure a fair process of the justice delivery system. The court said that the production, remand and custody of accused will be allowed in online mode due to distance and security reasons, while their test identification parade (TIP) will be done in Manipur in the presence of a local magistrate. Applications such as those seeking search and arrest warrants can be permitted to be made by investigating officers in the online mode, said the bench, adding that the high court chief justice may preferably pick judges who are conversant with one or more languages spoken in Manipur. The bench clarified that the statements of the victims will be recorded in Manipur or wherever they are presently residing, in the presence of a local magistrate. This is in the interest of the victims and the survivors. We are not asking the government to pick judges, but the Guwahati high court chief justice will do it. Also, we are not going to ask the survivors to travel anywhere. They will give their evidence from wherever they are residing. We are very clear neither the victims nor the witnesses will be made to travel, the bench remarked, as senior advocates Indira Jaising and Colin Gonsalves, representing some of the petitioners in the matter, expressed reservations against shifting the cases to Assam. While Jaising questioned why Assam has been preferred over other states, Gonsalves pressed for continuation of trial in Manipur. The bench, in response, asked the lawyers to acknowledge the reality of the ground situation and let all procedural directions that go in preparation of the trials be carried out smoothly. If you genuinely want the trials to take place, some provisions will have to be made. These trials otherwise will not take place for the next several months if you insist on holding them in Manipur... There have been victims in the valley and victims in the hills of Manipur. People belonging to community A in hills as well as community B in valley have suffered. We are not on who suffered more. But the fact is both suffered. We are on ensuring fair trial. There are certain pre-trial directions required immediately, it added. The bench also told the lawyers that its direction on shifting the cases to Assam is open to be reviewed in future as and when the situation becomes conducive for the trials to take place in Manipur. We will not cast motives on either side. We will pass an order that is judicially balanced and fair, it said. The court recorded an assurance of the SG that proper internet connectivity will be made available to facilitate the implementation of the directions being passed by the bench. The above directions shall not preclude any victim or witness who desires to appear in person, added the court order. Ethnic clashes between the tribal Kukis and dominant Meiteis first erupted on May 3 during a protest against a court-ordered tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting Scheduled Tribe status to the latter. The violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders. At least 155 people have been killed in the violence. Hearing a bundle of petitions that have sought an array of protective and rehabilitative orders from the top court, the bench on Friday was informed that 27 cases stand transferred to CBI. Of these, 20 cases relate to the offences of rape, molestation and murder of women. One of these cases pertains to a horrific 30-second video clip of two Kuki women being stripped and paraded naked by a mob that prompted the apex court to take suo motu cognisance, and the subsequent hand over of the case to CBI by the Centre on July 28. Among the other seven cases, three are for looting weapons, two for murder, and one case each for rioting and conspiracy. During the hearing, the bench also issued certain directions on infrastructural facilities and financial allocation for the high-powered committee comprising three retired women high court judges that the court appointed on August 7 to examine the efficacy of rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the northeastern state. Mehta, on his part, said that the Union home secretary had a meeting with the panel two days ago and that the central government would ensure all suitable amenities shall be provided to the committee, which comprises justices Gita Mittal (former chief justice of the Jammu & Kashmir high court), Shalini P Joshi (former Bombay high court judge) and Asha Menon (former Delhi high court judge). Last week, the panel submitted three reports, emphasising on the need to address the plight of the victims of the ethnic clashes in Manipur who have lost identity proofs and are in dire need of adequate compensation to rebuild their lives. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Stressing on the need for a third government (non-BJP, non-Congress) to be given an opportunity to run the country, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday called out the Congress-led opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc as a bade chaudhriyon ka club who abuse us (AIMIM). New Delhi, July 31 (ANI): All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi at the Parliament premises during the Monsoon Session, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo/Sanjay Sharma) They (I.N.D.I.A) are not an alternative. The Congress governed the country for around 50 years, and the BJP has governed for around 18 years now. The nation needs a third government now, Owaisi said at a press conference, according to ANI. I.N.D.I.A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) are 26 opposition parties, who have come together to take on the ruling BJP in next year's Lok Sabha elections, slated for April-May. The Hyderabad MP, meanwhile, said this, when questioned by a reporter on his party possibly joining the alliance: We will fight our own battlethey are a club of chaudharies (elites). We have nothing to do with them. In fact, they abuse us. He then noted that some top politicians, among them former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, and K Chandrasekhar Rao, the Telangana chief minister, too, have not joined I.N.D.I.A. Multiple constituents of the I.N.D.I.A bloc have frequently accused Owaisi of being the B team of the BJP, i.e., fielding AIMIM candidates in minority-dominated seats where the saffron party has very less chances of winning. The presence of AIMIM leads to division in minority votes, ultimately benefitting the BJP, they say. The Owaisi-led outfit and the politician himself, have always dismissed the charge as baseless. In next year's parliamentary polls, prime minister Narendra Modi and the BJP will seek a third straight term at the Centre. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail KOCHI: At least nine people were killed in Keralas Wayanad district on Friday after a jeep, in which they were travelling, plunged into a gorge, a police official said. People stand near the mangled remains of a jeep that fell into a gorge, in Wayanad district on Friday. The jeep was descending from the Kannoth hill towards Thalappuza when the driver reportedly lost control . (PTI) The incident took place around 3:30 pm Friday near the Kannoth hill area in Mananthavady. The jeep was descending from the Kannoth hill towards Thalappuza when the driver reportedly lost control and the vehicle fell into a deep gorge by the side of the road, said an official from Thalappuzha station. According to a local panchayat member, there were 14 people onboard the jeep including the driver and almost all of them were women tea workers employed at a private estate. They were travelling back home when the accident took place. Murukeshan PS, a ward member of Thavinhal panchayat where the accident took place, said, The road from Kannoth hill towards Thalapuzha is quite steep in some stretches and has several sharp curves. Usually, the jeep driver puts the vehicle on neutral while driving down to save fuel. It is not exactly clear how the accident took place. The jeep has fallen into a 20-metre deep gorge. Apart from the nine deceased, at least three people suffered serious injuries and are being treated at the Mananthavady Medical College hospital. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the incident extremely saddening and paid condolences to the families of the deceased. He said that Forest Minister AK Saseendran has been directed to go to the accident spot in Wayanad and coordinate the relief and rescue operations. Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi said in a post on social media platform X, Deeply saddened by the tragic jeep accident that took the lives of many tea plantation workers in Mananthavady, Wayanad. Have spoken to the district authorities, urging a swift response. My thoughts are with the grieving families. Wish a speedy recovery to those injured. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishnu Varma Vishnu Varma is Assistant Editor and reports from Kerala for the Hindustan Times. He has 10 years of experience writing for print and digital platforms and has worked at The New York Times, NDTV and The Indian Express in the past. He specialises in longform reportage at the intersections of politics, crime, social commentary and environment. ...view detail Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed disappointment that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been invited to the intergovernmental forum G20s summit in New Delhi next month while assuring the latter that they will speak up strongly and continue to ensure the world is standing with Ukraine. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Twitter) Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, Oman, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, and Nigeria have been invited as guest countries to the summit. Ukraine was invited in a similar capacity to the G7 summit in Japan last year and that of NATO in Lithuania as a reaffirmation of support to the country amid its ongoing war with G20 member Russia. HT has reported that there were indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin was unlikely to attend the summit in person. In September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Putin that todays era is not of war even as India has refrained from openly criticising the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I will be at the G20 in a week and I am disappointed that you wont be included, Trudeau told Zelenskyy during a telephonic conversation on the 32nd anniversary of Ukraines independence on Thursday. A video of the conversation was posted on Zelenskyys Instagram account. CBC News first reported the conversation. Together with our allies and partners, Canada will continue to do everything possible to support Ukraine until its territorial integrity is re-established, a statement from Trudeaus office quoted him as saying. A separate readout of the conversation with Zelenskyy noted they discussed military, financial, and humanitarian needs, now and into the future. There was no immediate response from India, which has hosted global leaders and a series of meetings related to 32 sectors across the country since assuming the G20 presidency in December. The events will culminate with the meeting of heads of the governments and states of the worlds 20 largest economies in New Delhi on September 9-10. Trudeau will be among the leaders to attend the summit even as his office has not yet released his schedule for the visit to India. It will be his first trip to India since February 2018. Controversies including the one related to the invitation for a convicted Khalistani terrorist to an official dinner reception marred Trudeaus visit to India in 2018. Pro-Khalistan activities in Canada have continued to remain an irritant in the India-Canada ties. India in June cautioned Canada that the activities of Khalistani elements could impact bilateral relations and have security implications after a float depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was part of an event pro-Khalistan elements organised in the Greater Toronto Area. The float sparked anger in India as it depicted the assassination as revenge for Operation Bluestar, the action Gandhi ordered in 1984 to flush out separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale and his supporters from Amritsars Golden Temple. Trudeau is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Modi on the margins of the G20 summit but there has been no official confirmation of this yet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Union government stood firm on retaining the Hindi names of the three bills slated to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Evidence Act, telling a parliamentary panel on Friday that the names of the bills are written using English, which, it said, is the only requirement of the Constitution. The three bills, aimed at revamping the future landscape of criminal law in the country, were introduced by Union home minister Amit Shah in Parliament on August 11. (ANI) Also read: Government moves to overhaul British-era criminal laws Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla addressed the objections raised by some Opposition MPs, including DMKs NR Elango, Dayanidhi Maran and Congresss Digvijaya Singh, against the Hindi titles of the bills. The MPs referred to Article 348 of the Constitution that mandates the use of English for names of all the laws. The three bills are named Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (to replace the Indian Penal Code), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill (to replace the Indian Evidence Act). Bhalla, the people cited above said, justified the use of Hindi or Sanskrit names for the bills, emphasising that there is no violation of any constitutional provision since the bills and their authoritative texts are written in English. He told the members of the panel that as Article 348 provided for the use of English language in the authoritative texts of all Bills, Acts and Ordinances, there was no breach if the bills were written in English. The Union home secretary, the people in the know of the matter said, conveyed the Centres avowal to keep the Hindi names. This prompted DMP MP and senior lawyer Elango to ask Bhalla if the government would consider naming the bills in Tamil and write them in English, the people said. DMK MP Maran, a day ago, sent a letter to the panel chairman Brij Lal objecting to the Hindi titles of the bills, saying they violate the unitary nature of the country where the citizens speak a variety of languages other than Hindi. On the second day of the meeting of the parliamentary panel on home affairs, Bhalla took the MPs through various clauses of the three bills and explained the proposed changes. As the home secretary went on with his presentation, several MPs favoured extensive discussions across the country before the final report. Some of the clauses of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were also deliberated upon by the panel and Bhalla assured the members that their suggestions are duly being taken note of. Bhallas presentation will continue on Saturday. Members are likely to get two days next month to seek clarifications from the home secretary. Some of the other members of the panel include Derek O Brien, Dilip Ghosh and Rakesh Sinha. Also read: Opposition MPs seek reason to bring three new bills to overhaul criminal laws The three bills, aimed at revamping the future landscape of criminal law in the country, were introduced by Union home minister Amit Shah in Parliament on August 11 to replace the British-era IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act, an overhaul that he said would transform our criminal justice system. The proposed laws include key changes to deal with offences of terrorism, crimes against women, mob lynching and crime against the State, besides rehauling the method of investigation and providing for timebound probe and trial. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday stressed on the need to provide timely justice to citizens and asked police officers to get ready to implement the recently-introduced bills, once cleared by Parliament, at the grassroots level to revamp three criminal laws, according to an official statement. Union home minister Amit Shah addresses the concluding session of the two-day National Security Strategies Conference 2023, in New Delhi (PTI) Shah also urged the top police leadership to transform their approach in dealing with the countrys internal security problems, and laid emphasis on the use of modern technology in policing. He was speaking at the conclusion of the two-day National Security Strategy (NSS) conference in Delhi. The conference is organised by the Intelligence Bureau every year to discuss impending threats to the security of the country. The meeting was attended by around 750 officials, including Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, deputy national security advisors, top officials involved in managing national security issues, police chiefs and inspector generals of all states and Union territories, investigating agencies and the central paramilitary forces. According to a statement from the ministry of home affairs, Shah stressed upon the need to provide timely justice to the citizens and ensure a system that would guarantee constitutional rights to them. He urged upon the top police leadership to transform their approach in dealing with countrys internal security problems, it said. He laid emphasis on use of modern technology in policing and suggested the implementation from lower police ranks of Constabulary to the higher formations, it added. The Union minister also referred to the three bills, which seek to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act and were introduced in the recently-held Monsoon session of Parliament, saying the proposed legislations would transform our criminal justice system. The three bills the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 were introduced in Lok Sabha on the last day of the Monsoon session on August 11. According to the statement, Shah urged the police officers that when the new laws (are) passed by Parliament... they should be ready to implement them at the grass root level to revamp criminal justice system. He also flagged the emergence of technological advancement in Artificial Intelligence and termed it as a threat as much as an opportunity. The idea for her first book is a decade old, about the same age as her son, says Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, 44. PREMIUM Illustrations by Sandhya Prabhat, drawn from the cover art for City of Stolen Magic. But then their home is attacked, her mother kidnapped, and Chompa decides to use all the power at her disposal to get her back. As she makes her way from her village to Dhaka to the smoky, bustling streets of East London, she begins to learn about other changes that British rule has wrought, in indigo farming, the frequency of famine, the building of cities. Set in colonial India in the mid-19th century, it starts out as a tale about how Indian magic is being stamped out, amid British rule. The protagonist, a pre-teen named Chompa, is among those with the gift. She possesses a dangerous power that her mother has forbidden her from using. Those ideas would eventually take the shape of her first work of fiction, City of Stolen Magic, released by the Penguin Random House imprint Puffin in June. It is a tale of magic and adventure that aims to introduce colonialism to children in and from South Asia. The Bangladeshi-origin British writer and historian was on maternity leave from a research project on the history of migrant communities in East London, when she began to toy with new ideas for ways to tell this story. Through Chompas story, Pathak says, she wanted to help children understand why the world around them looks the way it does, in terms of the cities and borders it has inherited, the conflicts created then that are still unfolding now. It is a history that she only excavated as an adult. Growing up, Pathak says she assumed that the first Bangladeshis arrived in London in the 1960s. She couldnt find evidence of a presence before then; not in the books she encountered or the histories she was taught. It was like we were invisible as a community. She was surprised to discover, during her research work, that merchant navy sailors from present-day Bangladesh had been travelling to England, specifically to port towns such as Southampton, where she grew up, for centuries. Some had set up lodging houses for other sailors. These were home to some of the first Indian restaurants in the area that is now known as Banglatown. With such discoveries, her place in Britain, and the place of her family, became clearer. It was colonialism that set the wheels of migration in motion or, as Sri Lankan-British novelist Ambalavaner Sivanandan put it so simply and beautifully, We are here, because you were there, she says. *** Pathaks father Mesbahuddin Ahmed was born on the river island of Narsingdi in Bangladesh and arrived in UK in the 1960s, aged 25, for postgraduate studies. He would later make a career as a chartered accountant. Her mother Saleha Parveen Ahmed, grew up in the historic old quarter of Dhaka, and migrated in the 1970s, aged 17, after marriage. She would make a career as a care worker. Pathak grew up interested in history and literature. After graduating with a degree in English literature from University of Warwick, she completed a PhD in Bangladeshi literature from University of Oxford. Her husband is also a first-generation Briton, from a Hindu family with roots in Gujarat. While on maternity leave, waiting for her son Roshan Pathak (now 10) to be born, she began to wonder how she would explain this story to him. She has since also had a daughter, Khushi Pathak. All of these places my children are connected to have also been important nodes in the British empire. We are all connected through the strands of history and thats the story I wanted to tell, Pathak says. I didnt want my children to have to wait until adulthood to discover these connections. I didnt want other South Asian children to have to wait until adulthood either. And so her story took shape. She wanted a girl as protagonist; magic and adventure allowed the tale to build with a sense of agency for Chompa. I didnt want to write something that would re-traumatise children who have already inherited traumatic histories. But this is a conversation we need to find ways to have with our children, everywhere, in ways that are appropriate for them. The magic in her book is very different from the witches, wizards and wands of the West. She weaves in elements of subcontinental heritage such as bhoots or ghosts, djinns or genies, and the engraved amulets called taveez, the last of which, Pathak says, are a symbol, to me, of the power of the written word. And she weaves in community. By the end, Chompa learns that even the most powerful magician still needs her friends. Resistance has always been a collaborative effort involving sacrifice and cooperation, and thats what she comes to learn and value, Pathak says. With lush illustrations by Sandhya Prabhat, the novel ends on a note that suggests potential for a sequel. Pathak, who currently teaches creative writing at the University of Exeter, confirms that Chompa and her friends are set to head out on further adventures informed by the history of British colonial rule in India. Ive been fascinated to explore the histories of female bandits in Bengal, and also the twin contributions of Laxmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, and Begum Hazrat Mahal, queen of Awadh, in the 1857 revolt. There are also plans, Pathak says, for a book set in the 1930s that delves into the rise of Indian cinema and the Independence movement. Women's Equality Day commemorates the historic moment in the United States when the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was officially certified in 1920, granting women the right to vote and marked a significant milestone in the struggle for women's rights and gender equality. Amendment XIX prohibits any US state and the federal government from denying the right to vote to any American citizens on the basis of sex. Womens Equality Day 2023: Date, history, significance and celebrations (Photo by Twitter/WUDeptMedicine) Date: Women's Equality Day is observed on August 26 each year. History: American women in the early 19th century, couldnt inherit property and earned half a mans wages in any available job. This led to a demand for requisite political rights and representation for women. By early 20th century, other countries including Finland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom had legalised voting for women as this movement swept across the world. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution was first introduced in 1878 in the US but failed to gain traction at the time. It was only after womens involvement in World War I effort that their contributions truly came to light and the womens suffrage movement began gaining support. Womens rights groups also pointed out the discrepancy in the rules as on one hand, a fight for democracy in Europe was taking place, while rights were being denied to women on the other side of the world, in US. A Constitutional amendment requires an approval from two-thirds of the states, hence 36 of them had to ratify the 19th amendment before its passage. The deciding vote came from Harry T. Burn in the Tennessee legislature, whose mothers plea to support the amendment became a deciding factor. On the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment in the Constitution, the National Organisation for Women (NOW) had organised a nationwide strike for equality. Congresswoman Bella Abzug, also known as Batteling Bella, had then designated August 26 as Womens Equality Day, following this strike. The day was first celebrated in 1973, after Congress approved HJ Res 52. It stated, the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation in commemoration of that day in 1920 on which the women in America were first guaranteed the right to vote. Significance: Womens Equality Day commemorates the passage of womens suffrage and reminds us of all the hurdles heroic women have overcome despite facing violence and discrimination in order to propel the womens movement. It serves as a reminder of the hard-fought battle that suffragists waged for decades to secure voting rights for women and celebrates the progress made in advancing gender equality and women's rights while reflecting on the ongoing challenges and work that remains to be done. Celebrations: On Women's Equality Day, various events, seminars and discussions are organised to promote gender equality, women's empowerment and to raise awareness about the importance of women's participation in all aspects of society including politics, the workforce and leadership roles. It is also a time to acknowledge the contributions of women throughout history and in contemporary society. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Hong Kong has struggled to regain its appeal as a global retail paradise since the city reopened this year, underscoring the damage caused by years of isolation to its $360 billion economy. Hong Kong fails to repair shopping heaven image as tourist arrivals decline (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP) Tourists arent coming in the same numbers as they did before protests in 2019 and pandemic restrictions in the following years made Hong Kong a no-go zone. Visitor arrivals in June were 42% below the same month in 2018. The result is weak consumer spending. The value of retail sales that month were the lowest for any June since 2011, after stripping out 2019-2022 figures. The picture is a markedly different one from last decade, when ever-rising numbers of mainland tourists crowded the citys streets and clamored for luxury goods. In 2018, visitor arrivals totaled 65 million, up 11% from the previous year, putting Hong Kong among the most popular tourist destinations globally. That year the city held the crown for having the worlds most expensive retail district as international brands competed to get a slice of that spending, a title its since lost. Hong Kongs fading allure as a shopping hub is one of a number of challenges the former British colony faces as it seeks to resuscitate the economy and global image. Its historically vibrant finance sector is shedding jobs amid a dearth of deals, while office rental prices have plunged after some businesses shifted to Singapore. US sanctions means leader John Lee is unable to travel to many countries in the West, hobbling his ability to bolster ties in the wake of the controversial national security law. Even if mainland tourist numbers pick up more substantially, Chinese visitors are unlikely to spend in the same way as before. Tumbling home prices and rising youth unemployment have shattered consumer confidence, while the economic outlook appears bleak. A rapidly depreciating yuan is also making Hong Kong more expensive. The local currency, which is pegged to the greenback, is trading near its strongest level versus the yuan since 2008. Many mainland tourists now prefer local cafes and restaurants as opposed to shelling out for fine dining and luxury goods, according to Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades. On average, they spent around HK$500 ($64) a day on food before Covid, Wong said. Now they spend slightly more than half that amount. As an illustration of how Hong Kongs fortunes have dimmed, local media reported that a shop space in the tourism district of Tsim Sha Tsui was recently leased for 70% less than Burberry Group Plc paid for it in 2014. The newest tenant is a Chinese jewelry brand. People are looking for experience beyond shopping only, which is probably the old model that Hong Kong had, said Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis. Weak spending by visitors is likely to weigh on the local economy, which is showing signs of strain after rebounding in the first quarter of the year. The government this month lowered the top end of its growth target for 2023, saying tourism and consumer spending would be major drivers of expansion for the rest of the year. Unless tourists come back to pre-2019 levels, Hong Kongs growth will slow down in the second half, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, a senior research fellow at Bruegel. The government launched a series of campaigns this year to attract visitors and repair the citys image, including a Hello Hong Kong tourism campaign, airline ticket giveaways and bringing film stars and influencers to Hong Kong. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in a recent blog post the city needs to improve its competitiveness and ability to attract tourists, adding that the city will launch more events, such as night bazaars and exhibitions. Aviation constraints may also be limiting travel. Hong Kongs airport, previously the worlds third-busiest in terms of international passenger volume, is operating at 60% of capacity compared with pre-Covid levels, largely due to a shortage of workers. Hotels are also yet to return to levels of service seen before the pandemic. Transportation and logistics capacity is greatly affecting how many tourists can come and stay overnight in Hong Kong, said Caspar Tsui, executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners. As tourism numbers remain low, Hong Kongers arent taking up the slack. Instead theyre choosing to travel into the mainland where goods and services are cheaper, helped by the slumping yuan. In June there were some 5 million trips by locals to mainland China, about 80% of the comparable period in 2018, according to data by the Census and Statistics Department. It is not worth shopping in Hong Kong, said Crystal Chan, a 22-year-old university student whos visited neighboring Shenzhen five times in the past three months. Even the citys world famous nightlife has been affected. Bars in the citys commercial districts are taking in 70% of the monthly revenue they used to make before the pandemic, according to Chin Chun-wing, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar and Club Association. Cliff Wong, an employee at a local university, said he used to go to bars with friends as many as four times a week. After many of his friends left the city due to pandemic controls and political tensions, Wong now meets up less than once a week on average. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! A news anchor was left speechless after her colleague and her now-fiance decided to propose to her during a live telecast. A video of the proposal was shared on the Instagram page called Majically. Since being posted, it has tugged at the heartstrings of many. Snapshot of the proposal on live television.(Instagram/@Majically) The clip opens to show Cornelia Nicholson, a news anchor for NBC affiliate WRCB-TV, announcing news while looking at the teleprompter. As she is reading the news, she soon realises that it is about to her. That's when her boyfriend and fellow reporter Riley Nagel enters with a bouquet and a ring in his hand. (Also Read: News anchors funny slip of the tongue on live TV sparks laughter) "I have a very special report, for people at home, who don't know, Cornelia and I met in Montana, at a news station almost four years ago. And, when I first met you, I was very drawn to you. You have such an amazing personality, you are so bright, and you always light up the room when you come in and make everyone laugh," says Riley Nagel while proposing to Cornelia Nicholson. Then, he further pops the question and asks Nicholson to marry him. Watch the video of Riley Nagel proposing to Cornelia Nicholson here: This post was shared two days ago. Since being posted, it has been viewed more than two lakh times. The share has also garnered close to 19,000 likes. Many even flocked to the comments section of the video to share their reactions. Several said congratulations to the couple and expressed their joy for them. (Also Read: 'What a moment': Man's heartfelt proposal is a hit with netizens) Here's what people are saying about this wholesome proposal: An individual wrote, "Crying with happiness. Congrats!" A second added, "Very sweet, congratulations!" A third commented, "Aww theyre so cute! Congrats! Best wishes!" "Absolutely beautiful proposal and beautiful couple. Congratulations to you both. May God bless you and your family always," expressed a fourth. A fifth posted, "Congratulations. May God bless your marriage." "Congratulations, to a long and happy life filled with love and laughter," said a sixth. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Donald Trump became the first former US President to get a mugshot after being arrested. While the historic moment has made headlines across the globe, a late politician's name is doing the rounds on social media. Eugene V. Debs(X(formerly Twitter)/@DebsMuseum) Eugene V. Debs was a US politician and a member of the Socialist Party and ran for President five times since 1900. He fought the presidential election in 1920 while being imprisoned in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. I thank the capitalist masters for putting me here. They know where I belong under their criminal and corrupting system. It is the only compliment they could pay me, Debs wrote in a statement. Debs opposed America's participation in World War I as he believed that it was only for the advantage of arms manufactures and similar business people. ALSO READ| New York to London in 1.5 hours: All about NASA's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project Why was Debs put on trial and imprisoned? In July 1918, he held a gathering in Canton, Ohio city park, where he criticised the government for participation in the war and muzzling the voice of antiwar activists. Debs was put on trial for allegedly speaking against the draft system which required all men between the ages of 21 to 45 to register for military service, in the wake of World War I. They have always taught and trained you to believe it to be your patriotic duty to go to war and to have yourselves slaughtered at their command. But in all the history of the world you, the people, have never had a voice in declaring war, and strange as it certainly appears, no war by any nation in any age has ever been declared by the people, said Debs in his speech as quoted by The Washington Post. The working class who freely shed their blood and furnish the corpses, have never yet had a voice in either declaring war or making peace. It is the ruling class that invariably does both. They alone declare war and they alone make peace, added Debs. Debs was charged under the Sedition Act of 1918 for his anti-war speech. Interestingly, during the hearing the prosecutors failed to prove that he discouraged registration for the war in his speech. But Debs voluntarily admitted his guilt in court before the Judge. Debs was sentenced to three concurrent 10-year sentences. China's defence ministry on Friday urged the United States to stop "arming" Taiwan, after the US State Department approved a possible $500 million sale to the island of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment. US State Department approved a possible $500 million sale to the island of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets(Representative image) "China urges the US side to effectively fulfil its commitment not to support the independence of Taiwan, to immediately stop arming Taiwan, and to stop enhancing US-Taiwan military ties," ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said in a statement. Former President Donald Trump is the first US president in history to have a mugshot taken. On Thursday evening, August 24, he turned himself in to Georgia authorities after facing 13 felony charges handed down by a Fulton County grand jury. His mugshot was taken while being booked at an Atlanta jail for allegedly trying to reverse the 2020 election results in Georgia. Donald Trump's mugshot was taken while being booked at an Atlanta jail for allegedly trying to reverse the 2020 election results in Georgia (Fulton County Sheriff's Office) Donald was released on a $200,000 bond. An order reportedly limits his ability to post on social media about the cases witnesses or co-defendants, New York Post reported. Earlier this month, Donalds attorney Alina Habba had said that the decision to take a mugshot was a bit of an ego trip for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The purpose of a mug shot is when you dont recognize someone, you think theres a flight risk, Alina told Fox News. This man is the most famous person in the world, the leading [Republican] candidate right now. Who besides Donald Trump were indicted? Notably, the 41-count indictment charged several other allies and supporters of Donald, including attorneys Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and Kenneth Chesebro. All of them have surrendered for booking. Also indicted were GOP poll watcher Scott Hall, former Coffee County GOP chair Cathy Latham, former Georgia state Sen. David Shafer and Georgia lawyer Ray Smith. Others who were indicted, but have not surrendered, include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark and Donalds 2020 Election Day director of operations Michael Roman. Georgia indictment is the fourth brought against Donald Trump So far this year, the Georgia indictment happens to be the fourth brought against Donald. There were multiple federal cases over the former presidents attempts at overturning the 2020 election in Washington, DC, as well as for allegedly mishandling classified documents in South Florida. Donald was also indicted for allegedly falsifying business records in an attempt to conceal hush money paid to Stormy Daniels before the elections in 2016. He was accused of doing this to keep Stormy from speaking up about an affair he allegedly had with the porn star. Donald Trump, the former US president who surrendered on Thursday in Georgia on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election called atravesty of justice following his arrest. He also slammed the criminal prosecutions against him as election interference. Former President Donald Trump steps off his plane as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday in Atlanta. (AP Photo) "What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong," he told reporters as he prepared to fly out of Atlanta after being booked and photographed at the Fulton County Jail. "What they're doing is election interference," he said. Trump did not specify who he was accusing of interference, but he has routinely denounced President Joe Biden and other Democrats for allegedly obstructing his reelection campaign. The brisk 20-minute booking yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president. Trump was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey. Trumps surrender to law enforcement authorities has become by now a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president being booked, in four different cities, on felony criminal charges. But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail rather than a courthouse and not in a liberal bastion like New York or Washington but rather in the heart of a battleground state vital to the 2024 presidential election. And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken, according to a person familiar with the proceedings. Trump landed in Atlanta shortly after 7pm and was driven, through the city's rush-hour traffic, to jail for the booking process. Wearing his signature white shirt and red tie, he offered a wave and thumbs up as he descended the steps of his private plane. He provided officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair. The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in US history to be indicted. Since then, he's faced federal charges in Florida and Washington, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organised crime. Giuliani surrendered on Wednesday and posed for a mug shot. Meadows, who had sought to avoid having to turn himself in while he seeks to move the case to federal court, turned himself in Thursday. Bond was set at $100,000. (With inputs from AFP, AP) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A hero New Yorker rescued a five-year-old girl who was abducted and sexually assaulted by a 75-year-oldman. The little girls mother had reportedly left her with the elderly man in Queens. The good Samaritan jumped into action after spotting the suspect, Franz Villa, with the girl inside 74th Street Roosevelt Avenue station. Franz Villa was arraigned Thursday, August 24, and held on $275,000 bail (@naveencbs2ny via @CBSNewYork/X) The good Samaritan, who has not been identified publicly, was able to recognise the suspect and the victim from a city-wide alert about the missing girl. Franz allegedly kidnapped the girl after her mother allowed him to watch her after meeting him at a grocery store in Jackson Heights. The criminal complaint against Franz revealed that the straphanger saw the girl and the suspect, and immediately snatched the girl away before yelling for help to nearby police. Authorities quickly arrived and removed the girl from Franz, while arresting him. What are the charges against Franz Villa? Franz has been charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, criminal sexual act in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child, according to New York Post. He was arraigned Thursday, August 24, and held on $275,000 bail. The girls mother, 30-year-old Kimberly Pijuan, is also facing charges for leaving her with a man she hardly knew. The little girl revealed that Franz sexually assaulted her after taking her to his Upper East Side. Kimberly ran into Franz while shopping at a Foodtown supermarket on Tuesday morning, August 22. She agreed after Franz offered to take her daughter to Frank D. OConnor Playground, and asked him to bring the girl back to their home within 30 minutes, but Franz kidnapped her instead. Kimberley called 911 to report her daughter missing at about 1 pm. She had reportedly met Franz a few weeks ago. A few years ago, during a hilarious segment on the Conan OBrien show, Pete Holmes, an American comedian made a very interesting observation, that it was perfectly okay to be racist towards some groups. The show from 2018 notes that while people are super hypersensitive about several things, its completely fine to be racist towards Italians. Its completely okay, argued Pete Holmes to make exaggerated accents giving the example of the superhit videogame Mario in which he says: Its a-me, Mario. Republican presidential candidates, Vivek Ramaswamy (L) and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley participate in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum on August 23, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Source: AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) Holmes points out that Mario is actually a struggling immigrant and people ought to help him instead of mocking him to which OBrien states that its also completely okay to make racist stereotypes about the Irish. OBrien assures Holmes that there wouldnt be a letter of complaint if the duo shouted at each other in exaggerated Italian or an Irish accent. It would appear, we can add a third group to that list: Indian-Americans. While there have been attempts to educate people about the crude racist stereotypes like comedian Hari Kondabo did about Apus fictional accent its fair to say that its far less dangerous to cock ones snook when one mocks Indian-Americans. For example, no one bats an eyelid when Trevor Noah does a racist Indian accent, but the same wouldnt fly if it was a different group. This has become apparent with the rise of Vivek Ramaswamy, more so post the GOP debate. This was evident when American journalist Kara Swisher tweeted: Best nickname I have heard so far for this tech bro: RamaSMARMY. Add yours below leaving comments open (for now) for this one obvi(sic). Perhaps Swisher, didnt know while tweeting but Ramaswamy stands for Lord Rama, but it was interesting to still see several Indian-Americans call out Swisher for her insensitivity. Twitter user Vishal Ganeshan wrote: IMO elite white libs have a lot of pent-up resentment against high achieving Indian Americans, whom they see as competitors. Vivek as a Trumpian conservative is an acceptable target, so now they can finally be openly racist behind the facade of political opposition. Twitter reactions Another wrote: Ah, more Hinduphobia from the American Left ('Ramaswamy' is a Tamil/Kannada surname (sic) meaning 'Lord Ram'). And then act as if vilifying Hindus on the basis of their faith is a 'tart and innocuous' thing. No wonder this podcaster turned off replies - she knew she is being racist. Ravi Nayyar Another wrote: The same liberal White woman would call anyone having fun with Obama's name Islamophobic and Racist. BurntOutCase Another added: I love how American Progressives are speed running their transformation into a new age KKK. Earlier, Vivek Ramaswamys faith was targeted by Republicans including the DeSantis campaign and pro-Trump pastor Hank Kuneeman. According to an article in The Rolling Stones, Kunneman, spent a large part of a recent sermon attacking Ramaswamys faith, claiming they were in danger from this new young guy. He claimed: If he does not serve the Lord Jesus Christ you will have a fight with God. Attacking Ramaswamys beliefs, Kunneman said: What are we doing? Youre gonna have some dude put his hand on something other than the Bible? Youre going to let him put all of his strange gods up in the White House? Kunneman said he didnt care how good someones policies were if you didnt profess the name of Yeshua. Incidentally, Ramaswamy has never denied his Hindu faith even going as far as saying that hes not running for pastor-in-chief but commander-in-chief. He claims that the real divide isnt between those of Hindu, Christian or Jewish faith but between those who believe in one true God and those who have replaced the vacuum with new religions like wokeism, transgenderism, climateism and COVIDism. It's fair to say that Vivek Ramaswamy seems to have created a new niche, which was hithertho unseen in Indian-American politics. Most prominent politicians with Indian backgrounds have always had Americanised names like Naveen Bobby Jindal or Nimarata Nikki Haley. Vivek Ramaswamy in his tailored suit and glib speeches is testament to a new confident community of Indian Americans, who no longer want to be Papa Joe's favourite altar boy but is willing to be an equal representative in the 'greatest country of earth' SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Mother nature is showcasing her full fury in the United States. The country recently battled the devastating wildfires in Hawaii and destructive Hurricane Hilary. On Thursday and Friday, Michigan and Ohio faced thunderstorms which caused power outages and huge economic losses. According to a report by AP, citing the poweroutage.us website, more than 420,000 customers in Michigan and over 215,000 in Ohio were without power as of 7:30 a.m. on Friday. A tree is uprooted outside a home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Canton Township, Mich. A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. (AP) Death and destruction in Michigan The wind speeds in Michigan were estimated to be 75 mph (121 kph) which uprooted trees, caused damage to buildings and resulted in the death of five persons. Due to the stormy conditions, several vehicles overturned on Interstate 96 on Thursday night. According to the National Weather Service Offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids, a tornado hit Williamston, Michigan, in Ingham County at about 9:30 p.m on Thursday. As per reports, one person died and several people were severely injured. Once I felt that sucking, I could just feel the power of it, and I could feel it all shaking, I could feel the roof shaking and coming apart, James Gale, a caretaker of 14 people told WXYZ-TV as quoted by AP. In western Michigan, a head on collision between two vehicles took place amid heavy rain on Thursday night. The Kent County Sheriff's Office informed that a 21-year-old woman and two girls, aged 1 and 3, died in the mishap. A 22-year-old man sustained serious injuries in the accident. ALSO READ| Vivek Ramaswamy's net worth is $950 million. Here's how the 2024 US presidential candidate earned the big bucks Impact of the thunderstorm in Ohio Due to heavy rainfall caused by the thunderstorms, northern Ohio is facing the threat of floods. Strong winds caused hundreds of trees to fall and led to power outages in the state. On June 18, a group of farmers unloaded truckloads of tomatoes on the road in front of the Kalimati fruit and vegetable market, the largest wholesale vegetable market in Kathmandu. PREMIUM The price of tomatoes has now surged both in Nepal and India. First in India because of low harvest due to weather, and then in Nepal because of the sudden rise in exports to India. (ANI Photo)(Ajay kumar) It was a very public protest against the meagre price local farmers were getting for selling the vegetable. The frustrated farmers protested as they were getting as little as 10 per kg for their tomato produce while the market price was 35 per kg. Barely two months later, the situation has remarkably changed: The tomato price hit a 10-year high in Kathmandu as the wholesale price reached 170-180 per kg. Even if Nepali consumers have been hard hit by steep price rises, farmers are not complaining anymore. The reason: Massive surge in the export of tomatoes to India last month. Nepals rare largescale tomato export to India impacted domestic prices The price of tomatoes has now surged both in Nepal and India. First in India because of low harvest due to weather, and then in Nepal because of the sudden rise in exports to India. Due to substantial tomato exports by Nepalese traders to India, the domestic markets are now grappling with supply limitations, leading to significant price surges. The cost of large tomatoes skyrocketed by a staggering 385% skyrocketing from 35 per kg to 170 per kg. Now, the wholesale price has come down to 120 per kg. According to traders, after a two-month gap, the supply of Indian tomatoes has again started in Nepal's market since the third week of August. The average wholesale price of Indian tomato in the Kalimati market on August 23 stood at 140 per kg. According to the Nepalese customs department, the country exported 670.52 tonnes of tomatoes to India between mid-July and mid-August. Preliminary statistics show tomatoes worth 8.73 million were exported to India during this period. According to the latest foreign trade data, released by the customs department, Nepal exported more tomatoes in the first month of the Nepalese fiscal year 2023/24 than the country imported. Nepal exported 670.52 tonnes of tomatoes to India while it imported 38.95 tonnes of tomatoes (valued at 0.989 million) from its southern neighbour. Earlier this year, India looked to its northern neighbour to source tomatoes after prices of the vegetable in India surged by more than 1400% to a record 140 kg in the past three months. India temporarily relaxed its plant quarantine rules to facilitate importing of tomatoes from Nepal. The relaxation of quarantine rules for Nepali tomatoes will last until October 31, said Tapendra Prasad Bohara, co-spokesperson at the agriculture and livestock development ministry. Following the relaxation of quarantine regulations by India, Nepali traders began shipping large quantities of tomatoes to its southern neighbour. Traders say demand for Nepali tomatoes grew from July onwards after a supply shortage emerged in the Indian market. According to them, the demand for Nepali tomatoes first increased in Indian cities located along the Nepal-India border. Past exports of the vegetable were negligible Since tomato is one of the vegetables that India had placed restrictions on imports from Nepal, its exports in past years have been negligible compared to other vegetables. Tomato, in fact, never featured in Nepal's major export items list to India though the country exports agricultural items such as tea, cardamon, cabbage, and ginger. Refined palm oil, soybean oil, and cardamom were the top three exportable items to India in fiscal year (FY) 2022/23. However, tomato exports to India did surge in the last fiscal year to 1094 tonnes compared to 40 kg in FY 2021/22. Interestingly, these 1094 tonnes of exports happened in Ashar (mid-June to mid-July), which is the last month of the Nepali fiscal year. Tomato farming in Nepal Nepali farmers grow tomatoes on 22,600 hectares and produce more than 432,000 tonnes annually, according to the agriculture ministry; in FY 2021/22, Nepal produced 422,703 tonnes of tomatoes on 22,911 hectares. However, Nepal still imports a large quantity of tomatoes from India every year. The latest data from the customs department shows the country imported 42,105.60 tonnes of tomatoes totalling 610.86 million in FY 2022/23. Ironically, Nepal has to import tomatoes from India as the domestic production is not enough to cater to domestic demand. Impact of exporting the vegetable With the surge in Indian exports, the shipment of tomatoes to Kathmandu has declined by 50%. According to Binay Shrestha, information officer at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board, the daily supply of tomatoes to the market has fallen to 35 tonnes from the previous 60 tonnes. Shrestha said that the local market in Kathmandu is currently getting tomatoes from three neighbouring districts -Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. While the recent surge in tomato exports to India has given some relief to farmers, there are questions over the long-term export potential to the southern neighbour. Nepal has long requested India to facilitate the exports of vegetables including tomatoes by adding them to India's plant quarantine order list. Agriculture Minister Beduram Bhusal during his recent trip to India had made the same request to the Indian authorities. Ironically, earlier this week, Nepal abruptly faced a shortage of onions after New Delhi slapped a 40% export tax on the vegetable. The new tariff has severely affected Nepal as several traders in Kalimati fruit and vegetable market reported a sudden scarcity of onions, The Kathmandu Post reported. Nepal, according to reports, imports 99% of its onion requirements from India. The crisis, however, seems to have eased after Nepali traders resumed importing onion from India on August 24, a Press Trust of India report from Kathmandu said. It is amply clear that Kathmandu and New Delhi need to work out modalities for a smooth import and export of these two vegetables, which are widely used in both countries. Mukul Humagain is a Nepal-based journalist NASA is researching to develop a supersonic jet which will cover the distance between New York and London in just 1.5 hours. The research work is being done under NASAs Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. Representational Picture(Getty Images) Passenger planes currently cruise at roughly 600 mph. But NASA is exploring the possibility of a commercially viable and economical supersonic jet which would travel between Mach 2 and Mach 4 (1,535-3,045 mph). Currently, the flight rules in United States and other countries, prohibit the flying of supersonic jets over land due to sound pollution. NASA is trying to get the overland supersonic flight rules changed by achieving two important goals. Under Quesst mission, NASA is developing a X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft having technology which reduces the loudness of a sonic boom from a supersonic jet to a gentle thump to people on the ground. NASA plans to fly X-59 over the US and analyse the impact of its sonic boom on the people. They aim to then convince for the change in overland supersonic flight rules. The commercial supersonic Jet will draw inspiration from X-59. We conducted similar concept studies over a decade ago at Mach 1.6-1.8, and those resulting roadmaps helped guide NASA research efforts since, including those leading to the X-59, said Lori Ozoroski, project manager for NASAs Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. These new studies will both refresh those looks at technology roadmaps and identify additional research needs for a broader high-speed range, said Ozoroski. ALSO READ| Michigan and Ohio face thunderstorms resulting in power outages and destruction NASA will issue two 12-month contracts to companies to develop concept designs and technology roadmaps for the project. The roadmaps will explore air travel possibilities, outline risks and challenges, and identify needed technologies to make Mach 2-plus travel a reality. Companies like Boeing , GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Blue Ridge Research and Consulting and Boom Supersonic have been given the contracts. Yevgeny Prigozhin dies in crash: A day before mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane crash, a Russian official visited Libya to reassure allies that fighters from the Wagner Group would remain in the country -- but under Moscow's control. A view shows a portrait of Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at a makeshift memorial in Moscow, Russia.(REUTERS) Meeting in Benghazi, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov told eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar on Tuesday that Wagner forces would report to a new commander, a Libyan official with knowledge of the meeting said. There's no indication the timing was anything but coincidental. Yet, Yevkurov's visit "suggests that - if anything - the Russian footprint in Libya might deepen and expand rather than shrink," said Libya researcher Jalel Harchaoui of the Royal United Services Institute. The military meeting, which followed an aborted mutiny by Prigozhin and Wagner forces against Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, was a sign that Moscow does not mean to relinquish the global network the mercenary group built up. Now with Prigozhin believed dead, the fate of the complex, lucrative web of military and commercial operations he and Wagner created for Russia across Europe, the Middle East and Africa hangs in the balance. Wagner has waged major battles in Ukraine, fought in civil wars and insurgencies in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic and Mali and taken control of gold mines and oil fields along the way. Putin had already rolled up Wagner operations in Syria. After the mutiny, Wagner's Ukraine forces handed over a base to Russia's regular military and began relocating to an army camp in Belarus, though it is unclear how many of them are there. In Africa, Wagner may stay more or less intact under new management or be subsumed by another Russian mercenary group. But its ability to operate in places where Moscow may have no formal or legal presence makes it an invaluable tool of Kremlin foreign policy. "Wagner is a going concern. There are contracts, it is a business, it needs to continue," said John Lechner, a U.S.-based researcher who is writing a book about Prigozhin. "From a credibility perspective, (Wagner) will try to give the appearance that things are going on normally, that they are still a partner," he said. 'REPLACE A DEAD LEADER' After the June mutiny, Prigozhin intensified his efforts to bolster Wagner's presence in Africa. In a video on Monday from an unnamed African country, he said: "The Wagner PMC makes Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa - more free". That push may not have been welcomed in Moscow and there have been reports of the Kremlin creating alternative companies to take over Wagner operations - though none appear capable of doing so yet. In countries where Wagner operates through an official agreement with Moscow, analysts do not expect much to change - for now. In Libya since 2019, as many as 2,000 Wagner guns-for-hire helped Haftar's faction in his assault on Tripoli until a 2020 ceasefire and have guarded military and oil installations according to independent analysts and Human Rights Watch. As Russia has no official military role in Libya and could not intervene directly without breaking a U.N. arms embargo, its involvement there would still have to be through Wagner or a similar outfit, Harchaoui said. A Haftar spokesperson did not respond to questions about the meeting with the Russian official, but earlier said the men discussed military cooperation including coordination on training in Russian weapons. Russia's Defence Ministry had said the talks would look at cooperation in fighting terrorism. In CAR, President Faustin-Archange Touadera's political adviser Fidele Gouandjika lamented Prigozhin's death as "a great sadness" because his men "helped save democracy" in their role helping the government in its civil war. But as Wagner was there through a state-level agreement with Russia, "nothing will affect the presence of these instructors" he said. Prigozhin is "a dead leader, we can replace him" Gouandjika added. Still, the uncertainty created risks in Africa, said Burkina Faso political analyst Ousmane Pare. "We can already imagine the operational difficulties the movement could now face, and it goes without saying that there will be repercussions for the African countries in which it is involved," he said. The fate of Wagner's purely economic - rather than security assets - may be even harder to determine. There has been no information on the fate of Evro Polis, a company Wagner is said to own with oil assets in Syria. There is little information on how much it makes from its mining and logging businesses in CAR and other African countries. But trying to bring such assets under direct Russian control, or handing them to another contractor, would be difficult. "You cant buy a company and fire all the employees and expect things to run the same way. Maybe how the pie is divided changes, but the pie is still there," said Lechner. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the G20 summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday. "No, the president has no such plans, the official Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin spokesman as saying. In the just-concluded Brics too, Putin was absent. He was represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Russia-Ukraine War: Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen. (AFP) The format of Putins participation would be determined later, Peskov said. President Putin decided against attending the first in-person BRICS summit after Covid-19 as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. South Africa is an ICC signatory and was expected to help in Putin's arrest if he was present in the country. Bloomberg quoted Interfax news service that Kremlin said Putin has a busy schedule. "Putin has a busy schedule, and his main focus at the moment is prosecuting Russias war in neighboring Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday, according to the Interfax news service," Bloomberg reported. Putin has rarely left Russia since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that sparked a wave of international condemnation and unprecedented sanctions by the US and its allies. He also skipped last years G-20 summit in Indonesia. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Kremlin on Friday dismissed rumours it orchestrated the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, presumed dead in a plane crash two months after leading a mutiny in Russia. A member of private mercenary group Wagner pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin.(AFP) It also announced by decree that Russian paramilitary fighters will be obliged to swear an oath to the Russian flag, as part of measures to rein in groups like Wagner in wake of the uprising. Speculation the Kremlin may have been involved in Wednesday's crash has been rife, with Western leaders, Kremlin critics and even pro-Kremlin figures floating the idea Prigozhin might have been assassinated. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the incident as "tragic" to reporters on Friday, echoing President Vladimir Putin's words the previous evening. He also addressed the accusations of foul play. "Of course, in the West, this speculation is being presented from a certain angle. All of this is an absolute lie," Peskov said, urging patience as investigators look into the fatal crash. Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin who mediated the deal that ended the June mutiny, said he "can't imagine" the Russian President ordered the assassination. "It's too rough and unprofessional work, if anything," he was cited as saying. Russian officials have already opened a probe into air-traffic violations. On Friday, investigators announced they had recovered 10 bodies as well as flight recorders from the scene. "The investigation will scrutinise all possible versions of what happened," the country's Investigative Committee said in a social media post. Putin broke his silence on the crash Thursday, offering condolences to the families of the 10 people onboard and describing the incident as a "tragedy". He said Prigozhin, who in June led an armed mutiny against Russia's military leadership, had made some "serious mistakes in his life" and had had a "complicated fate". - Loyal ally - Some observers say his short-lived but bloody rebellion was the biggest threat to Putin's long rule. Moscow has not yet confirmed Prigozhin's death. While Putin used the past tense to refer to him, Peskov said work was being carried out to formally identify Prigozhin as among the victims. "As soon as the results are in, they will be published," he added. As to whether Putin would attend Prigozhin's funeral, he said: "At the moment there is no date for the funeral, it is not possible to talk about this. "The president's work schedule is quite busy at the moment," Peskov added. In an address Thursday, Putin said he had known Prigozhin -- once a loyal ally -- since the early 1990s. Both hail from Russia's former imperial capital of Saint Petersburg. Under Putin, Russia has a history of mysterious deaths. For many in Russia, the fact Prigozhin's armed march on Moscow ended in an unusual deal that involved the Kremlin allowing the rebellious warlord to go into exile in Belarus had raised eyebrows. Many Western officials said the timing of the crash was suspicious coming two months to the day after the mutiny. After the mutiny, Moscow moved quickly to disarm the group and transfer its heavy weapons to the defence ministry, and on Friday, Putin signed a decree forcing paramilitary fighters to swear an oath. - 'Wagner lives' - International NGOs and UN-mandated experts have regularly accused the Wagner group of war crimes. With Prigozhin's apparent demise, the fate of his private army Wagner -- which rose in influence during the Ukraine offensive but is also present in African conflicts -- remains unclear. "I can't tell you anything right now. I don't know," Peskov said, regarding what might come next for the mercenary outfit. After the June mutiny, Moscow was careful to run a campaign against the outspoken Wagner chief -- but not against his fighters, who spearheaded Russia's advance in key battles in Ukraine and were seen as heroes back home. "As the president has said many times, the Wagner group made a great contribution to the special military operation," Peskov said, using Kremlin-approved vocabulary to describe the conflict. "The heroism of these people will not be forgotten. That is what the president said." As part of the deal that ended Prigozhin's mutiny, Wagner fighters set up camp in neighbouring Belarus. Belarus's leader said Wagner members would remain in the country. "Wagner lived, is alive, and will live in Belarus," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by state-run news agency Belta, without specifying who would lead the personnel. Even after his mutiny, Prigozhin enjoyed some popularity in Russia, with many nationalist-leaning Russians embracing his tough-guy talk. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education said on Thursday that parents of students, who remain absent from school for 20 days without an excuse or reason, could be imprisoned by the authorities. If such a situation arises the school's principal has to inform the Ministry of Education which will open an investigation and order transfer of the student to family care. (Reuters/File) Saudi Arabia-based news organisation Mekkah Newspaper in a report said that if a student misses school for 20 days, it was the responsibility of the school to refer the student's guardian to the Public Prosecution Office, which comes under kingdom's Child Protection Law, which has the authority to investigate. The Public Prosecution Office will then finalise the investigation and then refer the case to a Criminal Court. Then a judge would have the right to issue a prison sentence to the guardian for an appropriate time if it is proven that the student's absence in school was due to the negligence of the guardian. As per the report, if such a situation arises the school's principal has to inform the Ministry of Education which will open an investigation and order transfer of the student to family care. After that family care will take the student in and investigate the issue. The school will also refer the guardian to the Public Prosecution Office to investigate him. The Criminal Court will then consider the case. The judge will then issue a judgment of imprisonment of the guardian for an appropriate period due to his negligence in taking care of the child. As per the procedure, if a student takes 3 days off, an initial warning will be issued and will be transferred to the student mentor. After the student takes 5 days off, a second warning will be issued and the guardian will be notified. After 10 days of absence, a third warning will be issued and the guardian will be summoned and will have to sign a pledge. After 15 days of absence, the student will be transferred to another school through the Education Department. Within 20 days, the Education Department will apply the provisions of the Child Protection Law. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Japan told its citizens living in China to keep a low profile on Friday, including talking quietly in public, after Beijing blasted Tokyo for releasing treated radioactive water from a wrecked nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant, back, in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, (Bloomberg) In messages amplified by reams of state media coverage, Beijing has for months called Japan's decision to release the water selfish and harmful to the environment and human health, even though it has been deemed safe by the UN's nuclear watchdog. After the release began on Thursday, China announced a blanket ban on all seafood imports from Japan, further complicating relations between the neighbours soured by a range of trade, geopolitical and historical tensions. "When going out, try to be cautious, such as not speaking Japanese loudly unnecessarily," the embassy said in an alert posted on its website on Friday. The notice also advised citizens to "pay close attention to the surroundings of the embassy" if planning to visit. Japan's consulate in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong issued a notice warning of protests there relating to the water release, after 100 marchers took to the streets on Thursday objecting to the discharge. But long queues at sushi restaurants in Hong Kong backed up the statements of many who said they were not worried about the issue and would continue to visit Japanese restaurants. In South Korea, Japan's embassy issued a notice advising its citizens there to "behave cautiously" and avoid "unnecessary trouble" due to a rally planned around the embassy. South Korean police arrested 16 protesters on Thursday who entered the Japanese embassy in Seoul. A few hours after a post on 'X' - earlier known as Twitter, of former US president Donald Trump, Tesla's chief executive officer, Elon Musk, on Thursday (local time) reacted to the same, and called it 'next level'. A tweet on Trump returning to X On his social media account X, Elon Musk reshared Trump's post and said, "Next-level". He wasn't the only one. This was the first time Trump had tweeted since was account was reinstated by Musk. Earlier in the day, Trump shared his mugshot with the link to his site. This came a few hours after his surrender in Fulton County, Ga. in the Georgia election subversion case. "ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!" he wrote while sharing the mug shot photo on X. Others also reacted to Trumps return: It was the first time Trump posted on the social media platform since his account was suspended shortly after the January 6 riots at the Capitol. His last tweet was on January 8, 2021, when Trump said that he would not attend the inauguration of then-US President-elect Joe Biden. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th," Trump said in a tweet on January 8, 2021. His account on X was reinstated this year after Elon Musk purchased X and renamed it, but Trump had not posted on there before Thursday. In the latest development in the Georgia election subversion case, Trump surrendered himself in Fulton County jail in Atlanta, but later he was released on bond, according to jail records, CNN reported. Jail records show that the former US President was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday (US local time) night in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. He was at the jail for about 20 minutes. Trump on addressing reporters after being arrested and released from jail, said: I did nothing wrong, CNN reported. Trump described the criminal case against him as a travesty of justice. We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest, he said. Trump also addressed the other criminal cases pending against him, saying, This is one instance but you have three other instances. This is election interference. Trump was released after he agreed to a USD 200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys. Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here. With inputs from agencies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A camera clicks. In a fraction of a second, the shutter opens and then closes, freezing forever the image in front of it. A supporter of former President Donald Trump wears a shirt proclaiming his innocence while waiting for him to arrive outside the Fulton County Jail on August 24, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Source: AFP)(AFP) When the camera shutter blinked inside a jail in downtown Atlanta on Thursday, it both created and documented a tiny inflection point in American life. Captured for posterity, there was a former president of the United States, for the first time in history, under arrest and captured in the sort of frame more commonly associated with drug dealers or drunken drivers. The trappings of power gone, for that split second. Left behind: an enduring image that will appear in history books long after Donald Trump is gone. It will be forever part of the iconography of being alive in this time, said Marty Kaplan, a professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications. In the photo, Trump confronts the camera in front of a bland gray backdrop, his eyes meeting the lens in an intense glare. He's wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, his shoulders squared, his head tilted slightly toward the camera. The sheriff's logo has been digitally added above his right shoulder. Some of the 18 others charged with him in Georgia smiled in their booking photos like they were posing for a yearbook. Not Trump. His defiance is palpable, as if hes staring down a nemesis through the lens. NOT LIKE ANY OTHER PHOTOGRAPH Trump facing charges is by now a familiar sight of 2023 to Americans who watched him stand before a judge in a New York courtroom or saw watercolor sketches from the inside of federal courthouses in Miami and Washington, where cameras arent allowed. This is different. As Anderson Cooper put it on CNN: The former president of the United States has an inmate number. P01135809, to be exact. But until he surrendered to face charges of trying to steal the 2020 election in Georgia, his fourth indictment this year, he avoided having to pose for the iconic booking photo like millions accused of crimes before him. Never mind that Trump, like all Americans, is innocent until proven guilty in court; the mug shot, and all it connotes, packs an extra emotional and cultural punch. A mug shot is a visceral representation of the criminal justice system, a symbol of lost freedom. It permanently memorializes one of the worst days of a person's life, a moment not meant for a scrapbook. It must be particularly foreign to a man born into privilege, who famously loves to be in control, who is highly attentive to his image and who rose to be the most powerful figure in the world. `Indictment is a sort of bloodless word. And words are pale compared to images, said Kaplan, a former speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale and Hollywood screenwriter. A mug shot is a genre. Its frame is, `This is a deer caught in the headlights. This is the crook being nailed.' Its the walk of shame moment. HE IS ALREADY LEVERAGING THE MOMENT Trump is unlikely to treat the mug shot as a moment of shame as he seeks a second term in the White House while fighting criminal charges in four jurisdictions. His campaign has reported a spike in contributions each time hes been indicted. And the imagery itself? Trump hasn't shied away from it. In fact, his campaign concocted one long before it became real. Months before he was photographed in Georgia on Thursday evening, his campaign used the prospect of a mug shot as a fundraising opportunity. For $36, anyone can buy a T-shirt with a fake booking photo of Trump and the words not guilty. Dozens of similar designs are available to purchase online, including many that appeal to Trumps critics. Now they have a real one to work with. Within minutes of the mug shot's release, Trump's campaign used it in a fundraising appeal on its website. BREAKING NEWS: THE MUGSHOT IS HERE, reads the subject line of the campaigns latest fundraising email, which advertises a new T-shirt with the image. And this quote: This mugshot will forever go down in history as a symbol of Americas defiance of tyranny. In a show of solidarity, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, a photo of herself smiling broadly in front of a gray background, the sheriff's logo in the top left corner to mimic the jail's style essentially her DIY mug. I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis," she said, a swipe at the Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney who persuaded a grand jury to indict Trump. Recent history is full of politicians seeking political dividends from their booking photos. Theyve offered large smiles or defiant smirks and tried to make the best of their predicament. Yet this is one of just 45 presidents in all of U.S. history not only someone who held the keys to the most powerful government in the world, but who held a position that for many these days, both at home and overseas, personifies the United States. To see that face looking at a camera whose lens he is not seeking out that's a potent moment. Theres a power to the still image, which is inarguable, said Mitchell Stevens, a professor emeritus at New York University who has written a book about the place imagery holds in modern society and how it is supplanting the word. It kind of freezes a moment, and in this case its freezing an unhappy moment for Donald Trump," Stevens said. And its not something he can click away. Its not something he can simply brush off. That moment is going to live on. And its entirely possible that it will end up as the image that history preserves of this man. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former US President Donald Trump posted on X, formerly Twitter, for the first time since the social media firm restored his account last year. Trump posted his mug shot that was earlier released by Fulton County Sheriffs Office following his arrest in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. Former U.S. President Donald Trump is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.(via Reuters) Along with his mug shot, a first for any US president, Trump posted a link to his fundraising website. Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME, Trump said in a statement. The American people know whats going on. What has taken place is a travesty of justice and ELECTION INTERFERENCE. Trump said he walked into a lion's den with a simple message that I will never surrender to save America. Reacting to Trump's post on X, Elon Musk, who owns the social media company, wrote, Next-level. Trump was formally arrested at Fulton County Jail Thursday on racketeering and conspiracy charges and released on a $200,000 bond. He is accused of colluding with 18 other defendants to overturn the 2020 election result in Georgia. The top Republican leader, who is running for president in the 2024 election, has already made history as the first former US president to face criminal charges - that too four times. He created another history today as he had to pose for a booking photo, which quickly went viral on social media. In the photo, Trump confronts the camera in front of a bland gray backdrop, his eyes meeting the lens in an intense glare. He's wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, his shoulders squared, his head tilted slightly toward the camera. The sheriff's logo has been digitally added above his right shoulder. Outside the Fulton County Jail on Thursday, some Trump supporters questioned why a mug shot was needed. "The mug shot isn't necessary and is done to hurt him. But it won't," Malcolm Davis, 19, said, according to Reuters. Others, however, saw an opportunity. "We want them to take a mug shot. We want to put it on a T-shirt. It will go worldwide. It will be a more popular image than the Mona Lisa," said Laura Loomer, a former Republican congressional candidate. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has banned the importation of used clothing into the east African country, saying it stifles the development of local textile industries and that the clothes belonged to dead Westerners. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni.(REUTERS) Like most African countries, Uganda has traditionally imported large quantities of used clothing, which some consumers prefer because it is low-cost. But local manufacturers complain the dumping of second-hand apparel swamps the market, undermining Uganda's ability to climb the value chain of the cotton and textile industry. "They are for dead people. When a White person dies, they gather their clothes and send them to Africa," Museveni said on Friday. At least 70% of garments donated to charity in Europe and the United States end up in Africa, according to Oxfam, a British charity. Reuters was not able to immediately ascertain what percentage of the donated clothing came from people who had died. "We have people here who produce new clothes but they cannot infiltrate the market," Museveni said at a groundbreaking ceremony of nine factories in the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park in Mbale city. Uganda is a significant producer of cotton but much of it is exported in semi-processed form, with the value of its cotton exports ranging between $26-76 million per year in the decade to 2022, according to Uganda's central bank. The East African Community, a regional economic grouping of which Uganda is a member, agreed in 2016 to a complete ban on used clothing imports by 2019, but Rwanda was the only country to enact it. As a result, the United States in 2018 suspended Rwanda's right to export clothing duty-free to the United States, one of the benefits of the United States' tariff and quota-free African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The U.S. embassy in Kampala did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Museveni said the ban would also extend to electricity meters and electric cables, saying they should be bought from factories in Uganda. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Friday hit out at US President Joe Biden for expressing his lack of surprise that Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had been killed in a plane crash. Calling it unacceptable, Ryabkov said such remarks illustrated Washington's disregard for diplomacy. Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov.(Reuters File Photo) "Still, it is not for the US president, in my opinion, to talk about such tragic events of this kind," Ryabkov said, reported Reuters citing state TASS news agency. On Wednesday, the Russian civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia confirmed that Wagner group chief Prigozhin was aboard the private jet that crashed on the way to St. Petersburg from Moscow. While rescuers found 10 bodies, there has been no official confirmation of Prigozhin's death so far. Reacting to the reports, Biden said that he was not surprised. I dont know for a fact what happened, but Im not surprisedThere is not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind, the US President told reporters. Biden, CIA director on potential danger to Prigozhin Several days ago, Biden and CIA director Williams Burns spoke of the potential danger to Prigozhin for spearheading a mutiny to topple Russia's military leadership. Hinting towards Wagner chief's possible life threat, Biden said, "If I were he, Id be careful what I ate. Id be keeping my eye on my menu. The CIA said, I think Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best-served cold If I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster. Kremlin on Wagner chief's reported death On Friday, the Kremlin said that Western countries' speculations that Prigozhin was killed on its orders were an absolute lie, reported Reuters. Speaking to the media, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, An investigation into the plane crash on Wednesday evening in which President Vladimir Putin has said that Prigozhin and his associates were killed according to preliminary information, is ongoing. Putin had not met Prigozhin recently. (With inputs from agencies) A military jet crashed near a San Diego base and a search-and-rescue operation was underway, the U.S. Marine Corps said in a statement early Friday. The aircraft was not part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Miramar but was operating out of the air station, the statement said. (File) The F/A-18 went down at 11:54 p.m. Thursday in the vicinity of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, a base press release said. The crash site is on government property east of the air station and there are no indications of damage to property on the ground, the statement said. Miramar is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego. The aircraft was not part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Miramar but was operating out of the air station, the statement said. The F/A-18 is a multirole combat aircraft flown by the Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy and several other nations. Marine Capt. Michael Scaccia, Miramar's director of communications, said in an email to The Associated Press that there was no additional information. Indian-origin 2024 US presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has won several fans after the recently concluded Fox News' first GOP debate. In the absence of Donald Trump, Ramaswamy stole the limelight with his brilliant answers and retorts. Republican presidential candidate businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel in Milwaukee (AP)(HT_PRINT) Interestingly, Ramaswamy is one of the epitomes of the American Dream as he worked hard and became a billionaire. Having net worth of $950 million currently, here is the awe-inspiring story of his success as per a report by New York Post. ALSO READ| $35K vacations, $58K tuition and more: A peek into the extravagant life of Prince William's son, Prince Louis Education Ramaswamy is well-educated, having studied at prestigious universities. He has a degree in biology from Harvard University and a law degree from Yale University. Business Ramaswamy was a hedge fund analyst at QVT. At the age of 29, he founded Roivant Sciences, a biotechnology firm in 2014. Roivant creates subsidiaries that develop drugs that which are neglected by larger pharmaceutical makers. The company has a market capitalization of $8.87 billion as of Thursday morning. As Ramaswamy has 10% ownership stake in Roivant, it calculates to $887 million on paper. In 2017, Roivant raised $1.1 billion in equity from several venture capital firms, including SoftBank. In 2021, Ramaswamy took Roivant public through a merger with a blank-check firm which valued the company at $7.3 billion. For Roivant, he acquired the rights to an Alzheimers medication that was developed by GlaxoSmithKline. Ramaswamy's company started making the drug, intepirdine, through a Roivant subsidiary, Axovant. Ramaswamy also created an anti-woke index fund, Strive Asset Manager, which was recently valued at $300 million. As a politician, Ramaswamy is also known for voicing his concerns against the propagation of confusion over one's gender. With an admixture of conservative ideas and modern outlook, Ramaswamy is steadily climbing the charts of popularity in the US political landscape. Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's popularity rating and online fundraising surged on Thursday, a day after the maiden Republican presidential debate. Republican presidential candidate businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel in Milwaukee (AP) According to the Ramaswamy campaign, the 38-year-old presidential aspirant raised more than USD450,000, with an average donation of USD38, in the first hour after the debate. The entrepreneur-turned-politician was being hit hard by three of his top rivals former New Jersey Governor Chris Christies, former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. "In Trump's absence, Ramaswamy drives the GOP debate," popular Axis reported. The first poll that came out after the debate said that 28 per cent of the 504 respondents said that Ramaswamy performed the best. He was followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 27 per cent, and Pence (13%). Haley received the vote of seven per cent. According to Fox News, Ramaswamy was the most Google-searched GOP candidate for the first Republican presidential debate. He was followed by fellow Indian-American Haley. Both the Indian-Americans were standing next to each other on the debate stage. "Vivek Ramaswamy Grabs Spotlight at First Republican Primary Debate," reported The Wall Street Journal. Its editorial board in its editorial was critical of his foreign policy proposals and said this will not get him to the White House. "Vivek Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old political novice, grabbed the spotlight at Wednesday's prime-time GOP presidential debate, but there was little sign he or any other contender had found a new strategy for overtaking front-runner Donald Trump," the financial daily said. "With unchecked confidence and insults, the biotech entrepreneur baited his rivals into skirmishes that dominated Republicans first debate," wrote The New York Times. "He came in hot, slamming his rivals, smiling wide and showing little deference to the more experienced candidates on stage," the daily wrote. The NBC news described the first debate as "Vivek Ramaswamy Show". "That's our top takeaway from last night's first GOP presidential debate, where the political newcomer Ramaswamy seized the mantle as Donald Trump's defender but also bore the brunt of attacks from rivals on his inexperience and foreign-policy positions," the news channel reported. According to it, Ramaswamy was attacked 11 times by his rivals during the debate. According to Messenger a fast growing online news portal the debate resulted in the rise of Ramaswamy's popularity. "Vivek Ramaswamy sparred with Mike Pence. He battled Chris Christie. And he picked a fight with Nikki Haley. The longshot candidate and entrepreneur dominated the debate stage on Wednesday night, using his outlier policy views to grab attention and stoke the outrage of his opponents. Ramaswamy also gave his rivals an opponent to attack without alienating Trump supporters or elevating the second-place DeSantis," it said. Ramaswamy appeared confident after the debate and told reporters that soon only two candidates would be left in the race, him and former President Donald Trump. On the debate stage, he described Trump as one the best presidents of the 21st century. "I was the clear winner of the night. But we are just getting started. My sense is that it landed very well. Pretty soon it'll be down to a two horse race between Trump and myself," Ramaswamy told reporters.a Russian paramilitary fighters will have to swear an oath to the Russian flag, a presidential decree signed Friday stipulates, two days after the presumed death of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP) The measure is aimed at "forming the spiritual and moral foundations for the defence of the Russian Federation" and... applies to members of volunteer formations -- a term usually describing mercenary groups -- according to the decree. It also applies to groups "contributing to the execution of tasks given to the armed forces" and territorial defence units, the decree published on the Kremlin website said. Fighters must pledge "their loyalty to the Russian Federation... strictly follow their commanders and superiors' orders, and conscientiously fulfil their obligations," the decree read. The document was signed by President Vladimir Putin two months after Prigozhin led his fighters on a deadly rebellion against Moscow's top brass. Asked about the future of Wagner, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that "legally the Wagner private military group does not exist." Mercenary groups are technically outlawed in Russia. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that he had warned Russian mercenary chiefs Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin to watch out for possible threats to their lives, and he insisted that Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. Lukashenko said that during the mutiny he had warned Prigozhin that he would "die" if he continued to march on Moscow, to which he said Prigozhin had answered: (Reuters) President Putin initially vowed to crush Prigozhin's June mutiny, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolution of 1917, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus. Lukashenko, who helped broker the deal, used prison slang shortly after the mutiny to say that he had persuaded Putin not to "wipe out" the mercenary who was listed as a passenger on a private jet which crashed on Wednesday north of Moscow. Prigozhin, Lukashenko said on Friday, had twice dismissed concerns raised by the Belarusian leader about possible threats to his life. Lukashenko said that during the mutiny he had warned Prigozhin that he would "die" if he continued to march on Moscow, to which he said Prigozhin had answered: "'To hell with it - I will die'." Then, Lukashenko said, when Prigozhin and Utkin, who helped found Wagner and was also listed as a passenger on the plane which crashed, had come to see him, he had warned them both: "Lads - you watch out". It was not exactly clear from Lukashenko's words, which were reported by state news agency BELTA, when that conversation took place. Lukashenko, both an old acquaintance of Prigozhin and close ally of Russia, said that Putin had nothing to do with the plane crash. "I know Putin: he is calculating, very calm, even tardy," Lukashenko said. "I cannot imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is to blame. It's just too rough and unprofessional a job." The Kremlin said on Friday that Western suggestions Prigozhin had been killed on its orders were an "absolute lie" while declining to definitively confirm his death, citing the need to wait for test results. Lukashenko said Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. "Wager lived, Wagner is living and Wagner will live in Belarus," Lukashenko said. "The core remains here." "As long as we need this unit, they will live and work with us," he said. Donald Trump, the former United States president, was formally arrested on Thursday evening to face racketeering and conspiracy charges for his role in the 2020 election loss in Georgia. This case marks the fourth round of criminal charges levelled against him this year, mounting his legal woes while he seeks a return to the White House with the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. June 10, 2023. (REUTERS) Trump, accused of colluding with 18 co-defendants to make attempts to overturn the Georgia election result, arrived at the southern state's Atlanta's Fulton County Jail to be booked and released on bond. What is the Georgia election case against Trump? 1) Trump is the first US president in history to face criminal charges. In the Georgia case, he was booked on 13 counts in connection with his alleged efforts to interfere with the election result, which he lost to Joe Biden. 2) The evidence against Trump in the case includes a taped phone call in which he allegedly asked Georgia's then-secretary of state to "find" enough votes to reverse the result. 3) He was arrested on charges of violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organisations (RICO) Act, as well as six conspiracy counts over alleged efforts to commit forgery, impersonate a public official and submit false statements and documents. 4) Other than Trump, 18 co-defendants also were indicted, among them being Rudy Giuliani, Trump's former personal attorney. The charges against Giuliani stem from alleged efforts to exert influence on local legislators over the result after the election. Additionally, Mark Meadows, who served as Trump's White House chief of staff, is also among those indicted. Other cases: Other than Georgia election meddling, other key cases involving the 77-year-old one-term president include 2020 election interference in which he is booked for his attempt to defraud the US, as well as conspiracy to obstruct and actual obstruction of an official proceeding. This refers to the January 6, 2021, meeting of a joint session of Congress held to certify Biden's election victory that culminated in his supporters attacking the US Capitol. Additionally, his other indictment includes a classified documents probe; and an alleged hush money payments case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Renowned Mexican architect Alberto Kalach designed the 16-room hotel, which celebrates Mexico's acclaimed architecture, gastronomy and art. Colima 71 debuts, welcoming guests to its entirely new hotel experience steeped in Mexico City's distinct creative spirit. Located on Colima Street in the bohemian-chic district of Colonia Roma Norte, the boutique hotel offers residentially-inspired living set against a backdrop of Mexico City's unique architecture, vibrant community of artisans, and world-renowned gastronomy. Colima 71 artfully balances modern design and amenities with authentic Mexican hospitality, bringing forth a new era of hospitality in the increasingly-popular global destination. Celebrated architectural team T.A.X. by Alberto Kalach designed the property, which is emblematic of Kalach's design aesthetic. Kalach has designed and built a variety of projects, ranging from residential to cultural buildings, with a focus on integrating architecture with nature. Colima 71's contemporary design effortlessly blends sharp lines and unyielding materials like metal and stone with Mexico City's elegant, natural beauty; private balconies overlook the stunning interior courtyard, and the sunken lounge embodies an exclusive, moody ambiance while high windows allow natural light to flit across the space steadily throughout the day. Interior design led by Nomah Studio and Karla Celerio creates a sophisticated atmosphere spotlighting Mexico City's plethora of thought-provoking artists. Natural materials like marble and wood are paired with sumptuously curved furniture in rich fabrics like velvet and French tapestries, creating a luxurious home away from home. Other key installations include an amazing photography collection from contemporary artist Inaki Bonilla, as well as a sculptural installation by Dario Escobar, made of bicycle tires, stainless steel and brass, cascading alongside the show-stopping glass and metal escalator and central staircase. Continuing through the courtyard, guests are welcomed by a latticework art installation designed by artist Sofia Taboas, a hollow steel structure emulating the art deco-style of the window grates found in the classic houses in Colonia Roma, as well as a cozy hand-carved fireplace perfect for enjoying a casual beverage with friends. Guestroom Experience The 16 studios offer bespoke design with either floor-to-ceiling windows or private balconies overlooking bustling Colima Street or the hotel's serene courtyard. Neutral tones and furnishings with clean, organic lines are juxtaposed by striking Mexican materials like marble, terrazzo and wood, creating distinctive, residentially-inspired spaces. All rooms feature a full kitchen as well as a dining area allowing travelers to feel at home in the space. Each studio also features a King sized bed outfitted with Portuguese bedding for a tranquil night's sleep. All guests can enjoy an exclusive "Morning Coffee" service where a Colima 71 barista hand delivers each guests' preferred coffee or tea order directly to the room, along with pastries from nearby Panaderia Rosetta, one of Roma Norte's most beloved panaderias. In-room amenities were hand crafted with a Yucatan honey producer, resulting in a nourishing artisan line of products that are also available for purchase. Public Spaces Colima 71 encourages guests to enjoy its various public spaces. Mexico City is known for its specialty-coffee scene, which is on full display at the hotel's all-day coffee bar. Featuring beans from La Concordia, Chiapas, guests can order drinks and small bites to enjoy in the courtyard, library, reading nooks, or in the comfortable working booths, an ideal hideaway for digital nomads. An Honesty Bar is also available, offering a top-tier selection of tequilas, mezcals and more. The front desk team is available 24/7 to guide travelers on an ideal itinerary through one of the most fascinating areas of Mexico City, right outside the hotel's doors. Roma Norte is home to some of the best restaurants, art galleries, local stores, historic architecture and gastronomic richness in the area, and neighboring La Condesa, just blocks away, shares a similar charm and electric atmosphere. Accor, the region's largest hotel operator, has partnered with Amchase Phuket HP (Thailand) Ltd., to debut the Handwritten Collection in Thailand, with the Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket - Handwritten Collection, set to open in Q4 2023, redefining guest experiences at this iconic address. Situated in proximity to Patong Beach, the Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket - Handwritten Collection offers 161 meticulously designed guest rooms, each featuring a private balcony that embraces the island's natural beauty. The property rebranding marks the debut of Thailand's inaugural Handwritten Collection address, following from the recent signing of the brand's first location in Singapore. Anchored in a commitment to authentic hospitality and style, the Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket - Handwritten Collection will mirror the persona of its hosts, striving to craft sincere and heartfelt encounters. Guests are invited to partake in an authentic journey, where interactions echo the warmth of the local community. At its core, this midscale retreat offers an innovative culinary experience, with the hotel's all-day dining restaurant becoming a hub for gastronomic exploration. Guests can also enjoy pizzas and Indian cuisine at the dedicated dining outlets, with the bar providing a space for meaningful connections in an environment that harmonizes style with accessibility. For holistic rejuvenation, the spa will introduce treatments that align with the locale's spirit, catering to both body and soul. This tranquil sanctuary will offer reprieve, allowing guests to recharge amidst serene surroundings. The swimming pool, nestled amidst lush greenery, will beckon guests with its tranquillity, offering an ideal escape to bask under the sun. The contemporary fitness centre is set to encourage guests to prioritize wellness, offering state-of-the-art equipment for an active lifestyle during their stay. Strategically positioned on the west coast of Phuket, the Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket - Handwritten Collection offers swift access to key attractions, with Patong Beach located a mere 2 minutes' walk away, while the cultural gems of Phuket Old Town are a 30 minutes' drive away. Phuket International Airport is conveniently located within an hour's drive of the hotel. The Handwritten Collection brand, launched by Accor in January 2023, is comprised of charming bespoke hotels that offer an intimate and stylish hospitality experience. The brand seeks to offer a variety of hotels with individual personalities, intimately reflecting the character and warmth of the people who look after them. Like a handwritten note, each host's individual touches are subtly encountered at select moments throughout the guest stay - from a warm welcome that cascades into conversation, to freshly baked treats. Accor has already opened addresses in Australia, France and Estonia under the Handwritten Collection, with a healthy pipeline of hotels throughout the globe. As anticipation builds toward the October 2023 opening, the Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket - Handwritten Collection promises an experience that is refreshingly humana genuine embrace, a heartfelt welcome, and the opportunity to forge real connections. Hotel website Key Takeaways The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service supports students pursuing careers in public service with an academic scholarship, exposure to travel, and connections to a network of leaders President and Mrs. Obama and Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO, announced their second cohort of Voyager Scholarship recipients, 100 college juniors who plan to pursue a career in public service. Following the success of the inaugural cohort, this new group of Voyagers are a testament to the Obama Foundations unwavering commitment to fostering emerging leaders dedicated to addressing global challenges and driving positive change in their communities and around the world. Funded by a $100 million personal contribution from Chesky to the Obama Foundation, the Voyager Scholarship is a two-year program for students in their junior and senior years of college. Designed to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders and equip them with the tools and resources they need to launch their careers in public service, the Voyager Scholarship offers a transformational combination of barrier-reducing financial aid, an immersive work-travel experience, and access to a robust network of Obama Foundation leaders and mentors. This new cohort, composed of 100 individuals representing 33 states and territories and 75 colleges and universities, is ready to embark on their two-year journey with the Obama Foundation and Airbnb. Learn more about the second cohort of Scholarship for Public Service Recipients here. Michelle and I cant wait to work with these talented young people over the next few years as they pursue careers in public service. Their dedication to public service and their determination to solve global challenges inspire hope for a brighter future. We know that this scholarship will not only change their lives, but the world. President Obama Im so excited to see the impact this next class of Voyagers will have on society, said Chesky. These are some of the brightest young minds in the country and this scholarship will help unleash the potential we know exists in them. While the inaugural cohort of Voyagers is still traveling on their Summer Voyages, spanning 63 countries and 23 states and territories, to tackle issues such as gender equity, the climate crisis, environmental sustainability, criminal justice reform, and access to health care, the incoming cohort of Voyagers will join them in the program. The two cohorts will have various opportunities to share insights and look forward to building connections. The Obamas and Chesky believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation, which equips young leaders to create meaningful change. As the second class of Voyagers embark on their two-year journey, the Obamas and Chesky remain steadfast in their commitment to providing them with the necessary support and resources to guide them in driving sustainable change. The combined efforts of both cohorts are poised to create a lasting impact that will extend far beyond the duration of the program. For more information about the Voyager Scholarship visit obama.org/programs/voyager-scholarship/. About Airbnb Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals across over 220 countries and regions. Travel on Airbnb keeps more of the financial benefits of tourism with the people and places that make it happen. Airbnb has generated billions of dollars in earnings for Hosts, most of whom are individuals listing the homes in which they live. Among Hosts who report their gender, more than half are women, and one in five employed Hosts are either teachers or healthcare workers. Travel on Airbnb also has generated more than $4 billion in tax revenue around the world. Airbnb has helped advance more than 1,000 regulatory frameworks for short-term rentals, including in 80% of our top 200 geographies. In late 2020, to support our continued expansion and diversification, we launched the City Portal to provide governments with a one-stop shop that supports data sharing and compliance with local registration rules. We continue to invest in innovations and tools to support our ongoing work with governments around the world to advance travel that best serves communities. About Airbnb.org Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc."s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org"s charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform. Airbnb Press Airbnb Press Office Airbnb View source This illustration reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360. If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. A double-whammy of alternative rock bands will be performing in the city on Saturday night so be prepared for an influx of traffic. The two-time Grammy-nominated Modest Mouse and the highly influential Pixies will be playing at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art's Joe's Field in a sold-out concert expected to draw at least 7,500 fans to North Adams. Because of the event, the North Adams Farmers Market will move to 90 Main St. (the old TD Bank) for this Saturday only. It runs from 9 to 1 with music from 10 to noon by Jared Polens. Make a tote or T-shirt with the farmer's market log screenprinted for $20, $15 if you bring your own shirt or bag. Mayor Jennifer Macksey said the St. Anthony's Municipal Parking Lot will be available to concertgoers on Saturday for a fee. The city implemented an events parking fee of $40 a day one year ago in time for that year's Fresh Grass Festival. A pilot program had netted more than $11,000 in revenue months earlier at Solid Sound. The fee does not apply to city-sponsored events like the parade or Downtown Celebration. The Center Street Parking Lot is also covered by the fee but the mayor said there will be a team at St. Anthony's but not at Center Street. "It's only 7,500, which is a big number but compared to Fresh Grass, it's a smaller concert," Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. Councilor Peter Oleskiewicz noted that "during these large-scale events the people who do pay for permanent parking in the Center Street parking lot kind of lose their spot for a weekend." The permanent parking spots will be marked off for this one-night event but there will be no monitors, the mayor said. "When we have Fresh Grass, we'll have monitors in that lot." Fresh Grass runs over three days at Mass MoCA starting Friday, Sept. 22. Council President Lisa Blackmer said there have been issues for residents on River Street and the side streets about parked cars on the streets and "about people parking and walking in their driveways." The mayor said no-parking signs have been put up and early Saturday the city will start marking off along River, Williams, Liberty and North Holden streets. "We can put up as much signage as we want but they still park around corners," she said. Councilor Keith Bona asked about enforcement in places where there is legal parking but it's congested. "We had a big to-do [from a concert last year] with parking and we realized that there were a lot of areas that were designated as no-parking that didn't have signs," said Macksey. "We made an investment in the signs and put those out. So that has hopefully remedied some areas but specifically if you go up Houghton Street and turn right onto Liberty Street, that is all parking but when you get parking all the way down the street, it turns into one lane. "So we try to limit in it put up no-parking signs that day for the hills part and the corners. We do the best we can." The Asian Banker (TAB) has once again recognized GCash as the Best SuperApp and Platform at the recent Excellence in Retail Financial Services and Technology Innovation Philippines Awards 2023, confirming its position as the top mobile wallet app in the Philippines. GXI President and CEO, Ren Reyes with Christian Kafner, TAB Research Director and Wilson Chia TAB International Resource Director This year's award, which marks the fifth consecutive TAB citation for GCash over the past three years, honors the mobile wallets unwavering efforts to make innovative financial services and efficient digital solutions accessible to millions of Filipinos. The Asian Banker is one of the most stringent, prestigious, and open country-level award programs for consumer financial services and technology, honoring financial institutions for their vision, execution, market-leading financial service propositions, outstanding achievements, and best practices. "Our mission is to empower as many Filipinos as we can by giving them access to digital financial solutions that can improve and simplify their lives in the digital era and beyond the new normal," said Martha Sazon, president and chief executive officer of GCash. We are honored to be cited once again by The Asian Banker, this time as the Best Super App and Platform, and this award motivates us even more to carry out our mission. The succession of awards from TAB affirms the position of GCash as the driver of digital financial transformation and inclusion in the country. In 2021, the app was honored as the Best Financial Inclusion Initiative/Application for its Social Amelioration Program (Distribution) in cooperation with the Philippine Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Likewise, GCash was awarded the Best Digital Brand Campaign for its #FightCOVID19 program as part of its GCash for Good initiative to aid underserved affected communities nationwide. In 2022, GCash was awarded the Best Digital Wallet/Money Product in the Philippines and Best Digital Business Model in the Philippines, making GCash the sole fintech company in the country to receive both citations that year. With the ever-growing demand for digital services in the country, GCash ensures that the platform is ready for the surge and continues to become a lifeline for Filipinos and businesses. Now serving over 81 million Filipinos, GCash remains firm in building a foundation that consists of safe, well-engineered, reputable, resilient, and stable platforms and practices enabling it to address the needs of Filipinos and spur the growth of financial inclusion, and digitization of finance and financial services in the Philippines. Filipinos can download the GCash app for free on Google Play or the App Store. For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Amid the praise for Quentin Tarantinos film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, one eagle-eyed celebrity viewer spotted a glaring historical inaccuracy in the blockbuster flick. The moment occurs towards the end of the film, when Leonardo DiCaprios character Rick Dalton is reported to have arrived back in Hollywood from Europe on a Boeing 747. But it was John Travolta, who is a plane enthusiast and trained pilot, who said that this would have been impossible given the film is set in 1969. Well, the 747 had its test flight in February 1969, but it went into service in January 1970. Theyre nine months off! He would have been on a Boeing 707! he said. We can forgive Tarantino for that. But its hard to believe that some slip-ups whether its Judy Garland without her ruby red shoes in The Wizard of Oz or Julia Roberts eating a croissant that gets swapped for a pancake in Pretty Woman actually made it through the editing process. According to the website Movie Mistakes, Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson features no less than 60 errors over its two-hour duration. Is there a film where somebody hasnt screwed up? Here, we list 29 mistakes in films that you might not have caught. Batman (1989) Batman 1989: 'Gentleman Let's Broaden Our Minds, Lawrence!' The Tim Burton-directed superhero film has multiple mistakes, but a major one happens when Joker and his crew deface paintings at a museum. One of his gang members slaps a painting with his hands that are covered in red paint, but in the next shot, the handprints have disappeared from the artwork. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood (2019) Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood' (Sony) Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, flies back to Hollywood on a Boeing 747. But it would have been a 707. The film was set in 1969 and the 747 went into service in January 1970. The Graduate (1967) (Embassy Pictures) Dustin Hoffmans character drives in the wrong direction across the Bay Bridge in San Francisco on his way to Berkeley, California. He is travelling on the top deck of the bridge for traffic going from California to San Francisco. Pretty Woman (1990) There is a continuity issue at breakfast when Julia Robertss character takes a bite out of a croissant. Shes in the hotel room with her co-star Richard Gere, but when the camera pans back to her, it transforms into a pancake. Then when she takes a second bite out of the pancake, there is only one bite mark in it. Pretty Woman (Rex Features) North by Northwest (1959) (MGM) One of the children playing an extra in Alfred Hitchcocks film covers his ears a few seconds before Eva Marie Saints character unexpectedly fires a gun at Cary Grants character in the Mount Rushmore cafeteria. Pulp Fiction (1994) (Rex Features) Bullet holes can be seen in the walls of the apartment where John Travolta and Samuel L Jacksons characters go to get a briefcase, but its before the shoot-out has happened. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) (Warner Bros) John Connors Cessnas plane numbers keep changing in the film. When he is in the hanger on the runway it is N3035C, but once its flying, the numbers change to N3413F. The Wizard of Oz (1939) Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (MGM) Judy Garland isnt wearing her iconic ruby red slippers in the scene where the trees pelt Dorothy and the Scarecrow with apples. Instead, she can be seen wearing plain black shoes. American Sniper (2015) The baby that Bradley Cooper holds while adapting to civilian life after the Iraqi War is plastic. In fact, it looked so fake, even he admitted it was nuts. Independence Day (1996) (Claudette Barius/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock) When computer expert David Levinson, played by Jeff Goldblum, is throwing a tantrum in the hanger housing the captured alien craft, he knocks over a bin that is labelled Art Dept. Clearly, a set designer left it there by mistake. The Fast and the Furious (2001) (Univeral Pictures) In a scene when Jesse and Tran race, Tran is wearing a shirt with sleeves, but in the next shot hes in a tank top. Didnt anybody notice when they edited it? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) (Warner Bros) We were always told that Harry Potter had his mothers blue eyes. But when we see Lily Potter as a child, she has brown eyes. Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (1977) Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford in 'Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope' in 1977 (Rex Features) As a group of stormtroopers enter a control room, one of them accidentally bangs his head on a door. The actor responsible, Laurie Good, couldnt believe it made it into the final film. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) (Rex Features) There is a crew member wearing a cowboy hat and looking out to sea behind Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow on the pirate ship. Quantum of Solace (2008) (Rex Features) A street cleaner behind Daniel Craigs James Bond is pretending to sweep the road but is holding his broom several inches off the ground. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (Buena Vista Pictures) When Bianca accidentally shoots a gym teacher with an arrow, an extra, who is playing a student, runs off to get urgent help but once she thinks she is out of shot, she stops and looks back at the camera. Braveheart (1995) (Rex Features) There is a modern car in the background of a big battle scene. Considering the film is set in the 13th century, its hard to imagine how it stayed in the final cut. Django Unchained (2012) (TWC) Leonardo DiCaprio accidentally cut his hand while filming a scene in which he slams his hand on the table and breaks a glass. But rather than shout cut, he carried on in character. Tarantino liked it so much that he kept it in the film. Captain Marvel (2019) (AP) Many of the mistakes are related to the films 1990s time period. These include computers using a wrongly dated version of Windows and Carol Danverss memories being jogged by a Nirvana song that wasnt out until after she left Earth. Spider-Man (2002) (Rex) Toby McGuires Spider-Man saves Kirsten Dunsts Mary Jane from a group of attackers. He throws them through a set of windows before he kisses her upside down in the rain. But during their romantic embrace, the windows behind her are perfectly intact. Halloween (1978) (*) John Carpenters slasher film starring Jamie Lee Curtis was set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, but all the cars have Californian number plates and there are shots of palm trees, as the film was shot in Southern California. The Goonies (1985) (Rex Features) At the end of the cult film, Data tells news reporters that the octopus was really scary, but this actually refers to a deleted scene. It was only added back in for the Disney Channel version. Avengers: Endgame (2019) (*) Eagle-eyed fans have noted that Ant-Man can be seen in two places at once during the final battle scene in the van, and in his giant form, fighting alongside the other Avengers. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) (Rex) Merry and Pippin are captured by the Orcs at the start of the film, and Pippin is seen in handcuffs. But he doesnt have them anymore in the fight scene. And then they reappear on his wrists a few moments later. Gladiator (1999) (Rex) Ridley Scotts epic film took place many centuries before fuel-powered vehicles. But during the Battle of Carthage, a gas canister can be seen on the back of a chariot when it flips over. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) (Rex) There is a mix up over whether it is day or night at the beginning of the stock market heist scene in Christopher Nolans film. It is clearly daylight, but suddenly, after the police chase, its pitch black. Titantic (1997) (Rex) When Jack (Leonardi DiCaprio) is painting a naked Rose (Kate Winslet) and tells her to go over by the bed, and then says he means the couch, it was DiCaprio flubbing his lines. But James Cameron kept it in the film because it was funny. Jurassic World (2015) (Rex) The blockbuster featured about 33 mistakes, including a scene in which lead actor Chris Pratt talks to co-star Bryce Dallas Howard without his mouth moving. In another scene, a phones broken screen suddenly appears fixed. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} With Japan starting the release of Fukushima wastewater into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, food lovers in the region are expressing concerns over the quality and safety of the fish from the country. In the wake of the release of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear facility a major step towards decommissioning the facility that suffered a triple meltdown due to a 2011 tsunami China has banned seafood imports from Japan, with Hong Kong expected to follow suit. The move by the Chinese authorities was aimed at preventing the risk of radioactive contamination of food safety caused by Japans Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharge, and to protect the health of Chinese consumers, the Chinese customs department said in a statement on Thursday. The BBC reported that in Hong Kong where Japanese seafood is very popular several food lovers showed renewed urgency to consume it in the days leading up to the Fukushima wastewater release. This isnt just a question of whether seafood is safe to eat. The circulation of currents means this will affect the whole world, claimed one user on Chinese social media site Weibo. The import ban from Hong Kong, that was slated to come into effect from Thursday, covers 10 Japanese prefectures. These include Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama. The ban on seafood imports in China has triggered a sense of unease among seafood aficionados, who now face the dilemma of finding credible seafood sources, several reports said. Japans controversial decision to discharge Fukushima wastewater into the Pacific Ocean has cast a pall over the safety of fish sourced from these waters. While Japanese officials assert that radiation levels are within acceptable limits, scepticism lingers among consumers, especially those with a penchant for seafood. Restaurants and supermarkets in Hong Kong made sure they label their seafood to assuage the fears of customers buying such products. South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Hong Kong supermarkets and restaurants have responded by prominently displaying signs indicating that seafood from Western nations is sourced from those regions. One supermarket, Wellcome, informed its customers about the origin of its salmon from Norway and shellfish from Canada, making sure customers make their purchases without worrying. Wellcome said its salmon came from Norway, shrimp sashimi from Argentina and sea urchin, surf clams and green whelk from Canada, the outlet reported. Customers can shop with us with peace of mind, a sign read. In an attempt to address growing public concerns stemming from the seafood import ban, local Japanese restaurants have also taken measures to reassure their patrons. Sushi and sashimi establishments in the city have proactively communicated the safety of their offerings. Japanese restaurant Sushi Express which boasts a network of 35 outlets throughout the city for example, released a statement via its social media platforms assuring patrons that none of its restaurants utilise any products originating from the 10 affected prefectures in Japan. The lunch crowd today was just slightly quieter than usual, but we need to wait and see the actual impact of this wastewater incident, one restaurant owner was quoted as saying by SCMP. Although we sell sashimi, the majority of our products, including salmon, do not come from Japan. But diners have that misconception and associate all sashimi dishes with Japan, so we will take a hit, probably for a few months, said the unidentified restaurant owner. Hong Kong is Japans second-largest market for fisheries exports, with mainland China holding the top spot. Notably, the citys import of Japanese seafood products in 2022 amounted to approximately $536m. This sizeable contribution accounted for over 20 per cent of Japans overall marine product exports, as indicated by government data. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 17-year-old Indian student whose naked body was found on the premises of a premier university earlier this month was subjected to slurs and had run room-to-room in his hostel to escape being bullied before falling to his death, police investigations have revealed. The student, who has not been named for legal reasons, had moved 123km away from his home in West Bengal to the eastern states capital Kolkata, so he could attend the freshman year of college at Jadavpur University (JU). Getting admitted to a Bengali language undergraduate course at the premier public state university was a matter of great pride for the students family. But just three days later, his body was found near the varsitys boys hostel. Now state investigators are trying to piece together the events leading to the teens death, amid claims he was a victim of ragging and was sexually assaulted minutes before his fall. Ragging or hazing are terms used in India to describe bullying treatment meted out to first-year students by those in senior years, which can last the full year and ranges from performing menial chores to being subjected to physical abuse. The practice has long been outlawed, yet remains widespread. The night of 9 August was a two-hour-long ordeal for the student. Stripped and paraded naked, he ran from room-to-room to escape bullying, before falling to his death at 11.45pm, reported several Indian outlets, citing police sources. Police have so far arrested 13 people in the matter, including present and former students, and are considering invoking Indias stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences law. According to the investigators, only one of the 13 arrested did not play an active role. The teen was disrobed, bullied and abused with homosexual slurs, reported the Indian Express. Police have carried out several reconstructions of the events on the night of 9 August in the JU main hostel, which ultimately led to the death of the student. The teen residing in room no 68 was summoned to room no 70 of the hostel by a senior, police were quoted as saying. There, he was stripped naked. He tried to escape the harassment and lock himself in room no 65, but was unable to do so. He was chased from one room to another, with the seniors allegedly throwing homophobic slurs at him. Some residents of the hostel have said that the 17-year-old told them that he was not gay. What provoked him to say so is now the focus of our investigation, a senior police officer monitoring the investigation told the outlet. The teen was definitely ragged and sexually molested. He was paraded naked in the corridor after he was forced to undress in room no 70. We have evidence. Those 12 arrested have played some role in the whole episode, an officer told the Press Trust of India on the condition of anonymity. The victim eventually fell from the second floor of the balcony just before midnight. The investigators have so far not been able to establish if it was an accident, a premeditated act or death by suicide. The teen was taken to a private hospital with multiple wounds, where he succumbed to his injuries about five hours later. An initial postmortem revealed he suffered a fracture on his spine, as well as injuries to the left side of his head, rib and pelvis, reported The Times of India. I want those who are behind the death of my son to face hell. He was murdered. He kept telling us that he was not well and was scared, and I should have brought him back home that same day, the father of the student told The Indian Express. Senior students at the hostel are responsible for my sons death. They must have been scared that he would tell us the entire story of ragging if he returned home. My son going to Jadavpur University was like a dream. Ever since he secured a seat there, we have been telling everyone with pride. Little did we know that this is what happens in big universities. Many of my friends and others from my social circle are from JU, so I was very sure that he would be fine. My son was a very decent boy, he was every teachers favourite. The incident has received national attention and is now the subject of a range of separate investigations, including by the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC), the University Grants Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, the states child rights body, a state fact-finding committee and two of the universitys internal committees. The WBHRCs report was the first to have indicated that the death was a result of ragging. The university administration has said it was not aware of the bullying beforehand while declining to comment further on the case. The university has seen a change of leadership since the incident, with state governor CV Ananda Bose appointing Buddhadeb Sau, a professor of mathematics at the university, as its interim vice chancellor on Monday. Several anti-ragging measures in the university have also been announced, including the installation of CCTV cameras at hostel gates, the segregation of first-year students from seniors and an increase in hostel security staffing, reported The Quint. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping have agreed on the expeditious de-escalation of tensions in the contested border areas between India and China after they met on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Johannesburg. This was the first such public acknowledgement of a meeting between the leaders of the two countries over the disputed territory in the last three years. India and China have faced strained ties for many years, with relations plummeting further after the nuclear neighbours were embroiled in a bitter border dispute that began in 2020. But any progress in the thaw of relations threatens to be overshadowed by a row over which side requested the meeting between Mr Xi and Mr Modi. The Chinese foreign ministry said in a press release that the meeting was requested by Mr Modi during the Brics summit. But the Indian side swiftly said the meeting happened as there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting, Indian foreign ministry sources told The Independent. Relations between the south Asian neighbours have been deteriorating since 2020 as thousands of soldiers from both sides have been stationed over several fraction points on the loosely demarcated border shared by them, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The talks happened on the sidelines of the Brics summit, a grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, that seeks to counter Western multilateral platforms. Brics leader pose for picture after the summit (POOL/AFP/Getty) In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, PM highlighted Indias concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China border areas, Indian foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Thursday at the end of the three-day summit. He said Mr Modi raised the border issue with Mr Xi, namely the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and that observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship. In this regard, the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation, he said. The Chinese foreign ministry statement said the meeting between Mr Xi and Mr Modi was a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the current China and India relationship. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region, it said. Beijing and Delhi should also bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region, the statement said. The meeting between the two leaders was their first officially announced one since 2020. Mr Modi and Mr Xi had held brief talks on the sidelines of G20 Summit held in Bali last year, but that interaction was kept under wraps for almost eight months. That meeting had come to light after China said Mr Xi and Mr Modi had reached an important consensus during their interaction at the Bali summit. India and China have so far held 19 rounds of military and commander-level talks to disengage and de-escalate from the border. They have yielded no breakthrough and little progress. Indian diplomats have insisted there could be no business as usual if the border issue is not resolved, while the Chinese side has appeared to downplay Delhis concerns and urged a long-term view of the situation instead. The latest 19th round of talks, known as the India-China Corps Commander level meeting, was held on 13-14 August. No breakthrough was achieved, with the two sides only saying they held positive, constructive and in-depth discussion on the resolution on the issue of the border on the western sector. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} When an Afghan pilot was this week granted asylum in Britain following a campaign by The Independent, he was overjoyed. But his happiness was overshadowed by fears for his wife and children who like thousands of others remain in mortal danger under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Two years since the fall of Kabul, those suspected of working alongside the toppled UK-backed administration live in isolation, poverty and fear, still with a target on their backs. Every day, they risk being subjected to forced disappearances, torture in prison and extrajudicial killings, despite the Taliban promise that it would not seek revenge. The situation is dark, according to human rights workers documenting the Talibans killings and spree of imprisonments against Afghan nationals who worked in the Ashraf Ghani administration. They warn there has not been any improvement in the treatment of those affiliated with the previous West-backed administration since 2021. The pilots case underscores the grim reality faced by scores of so-called collaborators with the West. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, 31 per cent of the human rights violation cases recorded by international monitor groups have involved former military servicemen, such as the Afghan pilot, 26 per cent involve former police officials and 22 per cent were former provincial goverment workers. And these figures only represent the confirmed cases, says Qasim Wafayezada, the former minister of information and communication in the Ghani administration. He adds: Certainly he [the Afghan pilot] would have faced the same fate. Zaman Sultani, south Asia researcher at Amnesty International, agreed that the situation is very bleak for Afghans who were part of the foreign security forces. Taliban flags fly at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, in September 2021 (AP) Amnesty has investigated several cases of extrajudicial killings and the majority of these people were found to be members of the former government and security forces, he told The Independent . In addition to the obvious, these members are facing the threats of forced disappearances, torture, and detention. We are seeing that the Taliban is accusing these former members of not handing over their weapons or they still have the linked positions in order to level charges against them. So it is clear that the Taliban is still looking for ways to harass them. The threat of forced disappearance or extrajudicial killing would not have stopped with the pilot himself, experts warn. Taliban attempts to seek reprisals typically trickle down to targets families as well, including their children. Taliban fighters patrol a neighbourhood in Kabul, days after it fell to the group (AP) Weve seen cases where the Taliban could not hunt down a member of former security officials so they went after their family, said Mr Sultan. In one particular case he investigated, even cousins were targeted. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has recorded 218 extrajudicial killings between August 2021 and June this year. Arrests frequently result in bodies being found within days, months or, in some cases, not at all. In that same time, UNAMA has recorded at least another 800 human rights violations against former Afghan government officials and security forces. In June last year, the Taliban attacked the home of a man linked with the former government and killed six members of the ethnic minority Shia Hazaras: four men, a woman and a girl. Meanwhile, one family member, who has not been named for security reasons, described how they found the body of their son, who served as a police officer in the former interior ministry. They said they saw signs of many bullets in his body and said that dogs had eaten some part of his body. The man was arrested just 10 days after the Taliban takeover when he was returning to Kabul. Some Taliban fighters had spotted his photos with ministry officials. Another man who served with the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) recounted his abuse while being detained by the Taliban. They told me: You have supported the Americans to kill Mujahideen and the Afghan people. You are an infidel. You are not a Muslim. You are a dog of the Americans. The Americans evacuated their good friends but their dog is still here. You will receive punishment for what you have done against the Taliban in the past, the former security member told the UNAMA. The former air force lieutenant fled the regime and came to Britain across the Channel on a small boat (The Independent) Incidents such as extrajudicial killings spiked in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Kabul, but Amnesty officials said that did not necessarily mean the situation has improved now. There are still recent cases of extrajudicial killings being recorded in Afghanistan up until the present day, Mr Sultan said. The former air force lieutenant, who fled the regime and came to Britain across the Channel on a small boat, was granted asylum this week after a five-month-long campaign by The Independent. But he has been told it could take at least nine months to make a successful family reunion claim, so that his young family can join him in the UK. His loved ones also face a risky journey to Pakistan just to provide their biometric details to the British authorities for the visa application. The UK government demands the process is done in person, and there are no offices left in Afghanistan. Rather than having to wait in limbo in Pakistan for many months, campaigners have called on the government to make this family one of the exceptional cases in which biometric fingerprinting can be done once they are brought immediately to safety in the UK. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Maui County has taken legal action against the Hawaiian Electric Company by alleging negligence on the latters part for failing to cut off power amid extreme winds and dry conditions that occurred before catastrophic fires ravaged Lahaina. The fires that began on 8 August burnt down the historic city with at least 115 people confirmed dead and numerous others still missing. The incident marked the deadliest set of fires in the US in over a century. Accounts from witnesses and video footage showed sparks originating from power lines could have ignited the fires as utility poles snapped under the force of high winds generated by a passing hurricane. The lawsuit filed on Thursday said the destruction could have been avoided and that the utility had a duty to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of electricity, and to keep vegetation properly trimmed and maintained so as to prevent contact with overhead power lines and other electric equipment. The utility knew that high winds would topple power poles, knock down power lines, and ignite vegetation, the lawsuit said. Defendants also knew that if their overhead electrical equipment ignited a fire, it would spread at a critically rapid rate. Hawaiian Electric said it is very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding. Our primary focus in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy has been to do everything we can to support not just the people of Maui, but also Maui County, Hawaiian Electrics statement said. The lawsuit noted that other utilities, such as Southern California Edison Company, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric, have procedures for shutting off power during bad windstorms and said the severe and catastrophic losses... could have easily been prevented if Hawaiian Electric had a similar shutoff plan. While the electric company was already facing public scrutiny, there were several other factors that added to the devastation. A prolonged drought in the area had left plant life, including invasive grasses, highly susceptible to ignition. As Hurricane Dora passed offshore, winds toppled around 30 power poles in West Maui. Video evidence captured a downed power line igniting dry grass, initiating the fires. Initial efforts by firefighters contained the blaze, but subsequent rekindling and winds drove the fire toward downtown Lahaina. As the fire raged, traffic came to a halt along Lahainas Front Street due to downed power lines and roadblocks set up by authorities. Panicked residents attempted to escape the encroaching flames and thick smoke, some even leaping into the water to avoid the danger. Search teams, including snorkel-equipped individuals, have been scouring a stretch of water measuring 6.4km for signs of more dead bodies, while painstaking efforts to locate remains among the rubble of destroyed buildings are underway. The lawsuit seeks compensation for public property and resources that were damaged in Lahaina and the adjacent Kula area. Hawaiian Electric, a publicly traded utility responsible for serving 95 per cent of Hawaiis electric customers, is facing multiple legal actions, including suits from Lahaina residents and its own investors alleging inadequate wildfire prevention measures and fraud. Additional reporting by agencies Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A recent study has found that 24 August is the sickest day of the year in the United States. In the study shared by Flamingo - a website that tracks the paid time off that workers take at different companies - the company found that most Americans call out of work sick on 24 August. After researchers analysed paid sick leave data from the last five years from different US-based businesses, it was revealed that the August date holds the title of Americas sickest day of the year. The study also noted that the late summer showed a more significant drop in attendance than the winter months, which is often associated with cold and flu season. The second most popular day for Americans to call out sick was 13 February, followed by 25 October and 15 December. In addition, Flamingo also found that February is the sickest month for American workers throughout the last five years. During February, businesses across the US saw an average of 10 per cent of its workforce taking sick time off. As for the most common reasons for calling out sick, 54 per cent of American workers in the study cited having stomach issues, which included food poisoning or a stomach bug. A 25 per cent of people missed work due to the COVID-19 virus, nine per cent took leave for stress or anxiety, and six per cent took off due to physical injuries. When giving their bosses notice about taking a sick leave, 54 per cent of Americans opted to do so over text - including using sites such as Slack, WhatsApp, or Messenger. While 33 per cent of workers called their company to say that they were taking a sick day, 12 per cent of Americans gave their notice via email. Only two per cent of workers gave zero notice and didnt inform their bosses when taking a sick day. This isnt the first study to examine how frequently Americans have taken sick days. According to a survey conducted by Statistica in 2020, 30 per cent of adult respondents who either worked or studied did not take any sick leave in the last 12 months. The number slightly decreased in 2022, with 26 per cent of survey respondents saying that they didnt take a single sick day that year. Meanwhile, 15 per cent of respondents answered that they took two to three sick days in 2022, while seven per cent took six to 10 days. Last year, a survey conducted by One Poll - consisting of 2,000 American workers - found that 32 per cent of respondents dont feel bad when calling out of work, while 36 per cent of respondents are likely to call out of work in the moment they feel sick. The poll, shared via New York Post, also found that Gen-Z and millennials were most likely to skip work because they are sick, while Gen-X and baby boomers are more willing to work through their sicknesses. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Blake Lively has hilariously attempted - and failed - to get one of Paul Hollywoods signature handshakes, following her recent visit to the set ofThe Great British Bake Off. The actor, 36, took to Instagram on 25 August to reveal that Hollywood made an appearance in a new ad for her line of alcoholic drinks, Betty Booze. In the commercial, Lively arrived at the celebrity chefs home uninvited and knocked on his door with a case of the canned cocktails in her hands. As Hollywood opened the door for the A-lister, he poked fun at her unexpected arrival, saying: Hello Blake. Nice to see you again at my home. Lively smiled at the chef and entered his home, as she responded: Dont mention it. The ad continued with the Gossip Girl star introducing her line of cocktails, which she said was made using all of her own recipes. She then asked the chef for his professional opinion on the drink. As Hollywood grabbed a can and took a sip, he mentioned to Lively that he thought she didnt drink alcohol. She acknowledged that while shes a non-drinker, alcohol has been used in a majority of the food she eats. Oh I dont drink alcohol, I eat it, she said. Bourbon and whipped cream, sherry vinaigrette. Really hard pressed to find anything I cook without alcohol. Hollywood then gave his candid review of the Betty Booze drinks. I really like it. It is absolutely beautiful, he said. I think really good. After he praised the flavours in the drink, he reached his hand towards Lively - seemingly in an effort to shake her hand. Livelys eyes then widened in excitement, as Hollywoods hand started to glisten. She started to reach her hand towards his, before she realised that Hollywood was actually just grabbing another can of Betty Booze. He poked fun at his gesture, saying that the drink was just so easy to grab and go. Meanwhile, Lively covered her mouth with her hand, seemingly embarrassed she thought that Hollywood wanted to shake her hand. In the caption of the Instagram video - which she shared on her 36th birthday - Lively revealed she had the opportunity to visit the TV presenters home. Finally made it in Hollywood, she wrote. Happy birthday to me. Many fans and famous faces rushed to the comments, where they praised the ad and expressed their amusement over Livelys attempt to get a handshake from Hollywood. The (non)handshake is everything. Happy birthday to my friend Miss @bettybooze, actor Hugh Jackman wrote. The way I gasped when he stuck his hand out - and then I cackled, another fan added, while a third wrote: So brilliant and playful. I dont drink alcohol but I might drink a Betty Booze! Betty Buzz - the owner of Betty Booze - went on to make a quip about the ad, commenting: The Great British Blake Off. Hollywood also reposted the commercial on his Instagram, where he joked about Livelys uninvited appearance at his home and celebrated her birthday. How exciting that @blakelively wanted to spend her birthday with me, in my home, unannounced, he wrote in the caption. At least she brought showstopping @bettybooze refreshments. Happy Birthday Blake X. The commercial also comes two months after Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, visited Hollywood on the set of The Great British Bake Off. In June, the chef shared a post to Instagram of himself, Reynolds and fellow judge Prue Leith, as they stood outside of the iconic Bake Off tent. Prue and I catching up with @vancityreynolds, Hollywood wrote in the caption. #legend. He later shared a snap of himself and Lively in the tent, alongside a caption that read: Sorry Prue, Blake (@blakelively) has taken your seat welcome to cake corner Blake. In June, Lively announced the release of Betty Booze, two years after she launched her Betty Buzz company - which makes sparkling, non-alcoholic mixers. Drinking isnt my thing. But for f**** sake, flavour is, she captioned an Instagram post about her alcohol brand. Homemade recipes. Real fruit. Real ingredients. Quality booze. No crap. Also a real time saver. Which is why I really did it. While promoting her brand on her Instagram Stories at the time, Lively - who shares four children with Reynolds - also referenced her family. These are recipes Ive been making for loved ones for years. But I have four kids now, she wrote. And Im tired. So here they are. In a can. Enjoy Responsibly... ish. However, the announcement of Betty Booze had sparked a debate among her fans and followers, with many questioning the A Simple Favor stars decision to launch an alcohol brand when she doesnt drink. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice A woman has claimed that Delta Air Lines staff allegedly lost her dog. Now, shes taken to social media in a desperate bid to find her missing pup. Former passenger Paula Rodriguez has claimed that Delta staff allegedly lost her dog, Maia, last Friday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia. Rodriguez was reportedly flying in from the Dominican Republic when she was denied entry to the United States by US Border Control officials. In an interview with Atlanta News First, Rodriguez explained: They told me very kindly, Were so sorry but you dont meet the requirements to enter the US. Youve been denied entry, and you need to be sent back home to Santo Domingo. Rodriguez added: They told me, Youre going to have to sleep in a detention centre, and your dog cant come with you. After spending a night in a detention centre separated from her beloved pet, Rodriguez was set to take a flight back home on Saturday morning. But when she was prepared to board her flight, her dog was reportedly nowhere to be found. Rodriguez said that she was in tears as she told border officials that she wouldnt board without her dog, but they allegedly informed Rodriguez that by law, they couldnt have her in the airport for more than 24 hours. When she arrived in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez explained that she tried to get answers from Delta officials. I started making calls, I started making claims, nobody knew where she was, Rodriguez told Atlanta News First. Rodriguez revealed that she had finally heard back from a Delta representative the following Monday, but they told her that Maia had broken out of her kennel and was reportedly missing since Saturday. After that, Delta hasnt called me once or emailed me about the whereabouts of my dog, Rodriguez claimed. She also informed the Atlanta-based outlet that she had rescued Maia from the streets and shes had her since shes been one month old. Andrew Gobeil, the senior director of communications for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, explained to Atlanta News First: ATLs operations teams conduct runway and airfield inspections throughout the day. At this time they have not encountered the dog, but will continue to remain vigilant should she appear. If she is seen, ATLs staff will attempt to capture her and return her to the airline and her owner. Meanwhile, representatives from Delta Air Lines have told Atlanta News First that they remain dedicated to finding the dog. However, the company denies Rodriguezs claims that they have not been in contact with her since she lost her dog. Delta teams have been working to locate and reunite this pet with the customer and we remain in touch with the customer to provide updates, a Delta representative said. Delta people feel deeply concerned for the customer and the dog and were committed to ongoing search efforts, working closely with the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation and other stakeholders. The Independent has contacted Delta and Rodriguez for comment. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A TikTok user recently shared a video showing a customer working the register at an understaffed Dollar Tree. Melody Clark (@misslate004) posted a video to the platform this week, in which a customer could be seen taking matters into her own hands at a Dollar Tree in Chatanooga, Tennessee. After they were unable to find an employee to ring up their purchases, other patrons waited in line as the customer scanned items. You have a customer that has actually figured out how to get into the register, and a customer is actually ringing customers up, Clark said in the voiceover. You cant make this s*** up. The footage then cut to another clip of a Dollar Tree employee finally arriving, and the customer who was holding down the fort informed the other customers: A worker just came in. There have reportedly been staffing issues at dollar stores across the country, according to anonymous employees who spoke to Insider earlier this year. A representative disputed this to the outlet, saying: Our goal is to provide stores with the resources they need, including the appropriate labour budgets, to support our expectations of a clean, well-stocked shopping environment as well as excellent customer service. The morning shift is always the worst, because you spend the entire morning as the only person in the store, a Michigan employee told Insider, signaling a similar issue that Clark captured in her TikTok video. Staffing isnt the only issue that Dollar General has faced, with the company having been reportedly fined for merchandise blocking fire exits. The New York Times reported in March that the chain has accumulated over $15m dollars in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for severe violations, and has recently agreed to a settlement of $1.34m to OSHA for their failure to comply with safety requirements. OSHA has also reportedly been investigating Dollar Tree Inc since January 2017, inspecting 270 Dollar Tree stores and found 111 instances of workplace violations. Douglas L Parker, assistant secretary of labour for occupational safety and health, told the New York Times: What we have found time and time again at Dollar General stores is that there are obvious, preventable hazards that are putting workers at risk. I am glad OSHA is not waiting for a tragedy to occur to document these hazards, Joseph McCartin, a labour historian at Georgetown University, told the New York Times. However, McCartin pointed out Dollar Tree Incs repeated violations and flouting of federal requirements showed that Dollar General doesnt care. Dollar Tree is not only risking many of their workers safety but also cutting their hours. Most Dollar Tree employees make a dollar or two above minimum wage, which is reportedly more than Walmart and Home Depot. One employee explained to Insider that it puts them at a disadvantage. It takes away needed hours and needed money, they said. The multitude of issues plaguing dollar stores across the nation have affected Wall Street as well, with shares hitting a 52-week low on 24 August. According to Insider, the record low occurred after the company announced its second-quarter results, which showed a large drop in profit margins. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} By the time I sit down at my table in Dorshi, a charming southeast Asian restaurant in the town of Bridport, Dorset, Im exhausted but excited. The dumpling-forward eatery, tucked inside an alleyway, takes its inspiration from the streets of Penang, Malaysia. It has a hole-in-the-wall feel that many restaurants on the food-obsessed island have, as though youve squeezed yourself between two buildings only to find food heaven awaiting you. Opened by friends and owners Jollyon Carter and Radhika Mohendas in 2016, the pair had first spend time travelling around the UK to bring their delicious morsels to festivals, outdoor events and supper clubs. The Malaysian connection is made even clearer after I discover that Mohendas hails from the Southeast Asian country. Although she is absent from Dorshi on the night, I can see the cultural influence in everything from the menu design, to the white sheets of paper clipped onto the tables, to the short, breezy curtains that hang down to give some semblance of separation between spaces. The presence of paper tablecloths suggest your meal might get a little messy, but its all part of the fun. The menu is also exciting, divided into dumpling and non-dumpling dishes, with unexpected combinations like pork and Bury black pudding, hot smoked fish, beancurd, and capers, and field mushroom and Dorset red cheddar. I want to order as many things as possible. But getting to this point of my evening has taken almost eight hours, when it should have taken no longer than four. My journey to Bridport began promisingly: there were no train strikes and my guest and I were well prepared with snacks and tinnies for the two-and-a-half-hour journey from London Waterloo. But no sooner had I stepped onto the train things began to go south both literally and figuratively. The air conditioning was bust and the carriage got muggier and muggier as it crawled along the tracks. The train got stuck mid-way through the journey, leaving us wondering if we would be stranded at Brockenhurst for hours. Dorshis non-dumpling menu is also a delight (Kate Ng) By the time we actually arrived in Bridport, the journey had stretched to more than five hours. And really, I shouldve known this would happen considering the state of Britains railways. But this wasnt even the end of our travel woes later, we would discover that getting a taxi to pick you up on time in rural Dorset is something of a rarity, and trying to flag a taxi back to the hotel after 9pm was nearly impossible. Never mind though here we finally are at Dorshi, stomachs rumbling and hopes high. We order all the aforementioned dumplings, with the addition of the white fish and sorrel number. For the non-dumpling dishes, one of the friendly waitresses recommends a celery, cucumber, strawberries and lovage salad coated in a kind of sauce made from cashews and nori seaweed, which was crunchy, fresh and delicious. We also indulge in fried shimeji mushrooms flavoured with togarashi, a Japanese spice blend of chilli flakes, seaweed and sesame seeds, and served with a seaweed mayo, as well as Hakata noodles (a type of ramen noodle) with the house broth and smoked garlic oil. Each dish is carefully crafted and balanced, making for perfect bites every time. The pork and black pudding steamed dumplings are succulent, while the hot smoked fish and beancurd fillings encased in crispy fried dumpling dough are a crispy, salty revelation. Mushroom and cheese in a dumpling? Yes please, Id have 10 more of those if I could. I even go out on a limb and try a kimchi pickleback a shot of tequila chased by a shot of kimchi juice. Its a strange but wonderfully funky combination. Dorshi doesnt fail to disappoint on any count, and its easy to see why everyone I had spoken to that day had raved about it. When we finally return to the family-run Outbuildings, where we were staying the night, I rave about the dumplings we had just devoured to Ed Whitehead and his husband Dom, who had welcomed us with warm smiles to what they describe as a mini Soho Farmhouse. The luxurious farm stay (three words that sound strange strung together, but somehow work) was a huge treat that we enjoyed immensely, even going so far as to run the outdoor bath at The Coop the morning after and soak in the calmness of the countryside. Naturally, our taxi back to the station was late and we had just three minutes to spare before jumping onto our train back to London which was also delayed. But despite all the travel woes, Id love to go back to Bridport, stay at Outbuildings and dine at the lovely Dorshi again. If only the countrys public transport systems would get its act together, then everyone else can do the same, too. Dorshi, 6 Chancery Ln, Bridport, DT6 3PX | dorshi.co.uk | 01308 423221 Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Hooters restaurant in North Carolina has been sued by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for alleged racial discrimination against its employees. On 24 August, the federal agency announced the lawsuit filing against the Greensboro franchise location due to the supposed temporary termination of Black and darker-skinned staff members, otherwise referred to as Hooters girls. At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the establishment allegedly laid off around 43 employees for a period of time. According to CNN, the EEOC said in a lawsuit that the restaurant laid off a class of Black and dark-skinned women and recalled mostly white or light-skinned employees by May 2020. The EEOCs release states that a total of 13 employees were recalled to the establishment and out of those, 12 of them were white and/or had light skin tones, reflecting a marked shift in the racial composition of the restaurants Hooters Girls workforce. In addition, the EEOC reported a 43 per cent decrease in dark-skinned and/or Black employees from the period before layoffs until after rehiring. The complaint also pointed to alleged racial hostility and observed preferential treatment of White employees by dark skin toned and/or Black employees while they were employed at the location. The EEOC filed the lawsuit in the US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina as the alleged actions directly violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is meant to protect employees from workplace discrimination and harassment. Regional attorney for the EEOCs Charlotte district, Melinda C Dugas, was quoted in the EEOCs release. When recalling employees from a layoff, it is critical that employers examine their selection criteria to ensure they are objectively verifiable and free from racial bias, she said. Federal law protects employees from race-based decision making in the terms of employment, including in layoff, recall and hiring decisions. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also prohibits employment decisions based on colour, including discrimination based on the lightness or darkness of a persons skin shade or tone, Charlotte district director, Betsy Radar, added. The EEOC is seeking monetary relief in the form of back pay and compensatory and punitive damages for the employees, as well as injunctive relief against the Hooters franchise. The Independent has reached out to Hooters and the EEOC for comment. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} John Stamos has celebrated his 60th birthday by showing off what hes got. On Wednesday (August 23), the Full House actor posted a photo of himself in the middle of what appeared to be an outdoor shower. The other side of 60, he captioned the Instagram post, along with a Greek flag emoji to pay homage to his heritage. The photo featured a nude Stamos surrounded by a stone wall with a shower head. His hair was slicked back with water, as he looked over his shoulder towards the camera. The photo was cropped at his lower back and the actor suggestively covered his front with his right hand. Stamos also tagged the photographer - his wife of five years, Caitlin McHugh Stamos. Since it was posted two days ago, the photo has received more 100,000 likes and over 1,000 comments. Some fans were impressed with the actors toned appearance, such as podcast host Bruce Bozzi, who wrote: "And still zero backfat. Unbelievable you are an idol. You are my idol. Others told jokes in the comments section, commenting: Dont you mean the backside of 60? Ill see myself out. Or in Andrea [Barbers] voice, WOAH BABY, another commenter wrote, referencing Full House character Kimmy Gibblers signature quote. One commenter also nodded to the Greek flag in his caption by writing: Greeks are like wine, they get better with age! Stamos official birthday was on 19 August. In another video posted to Instagram, Stamos was seen with his five-year-old son, Billy, lying down on a bed relaxing. In the clip, the actor told Billy how wonderful it was to have a son like him. The child then told his famous dad: You dont look 60. You look baby. Taking things one step further, Stamos asked: How old do I look? How old do you really think I look? Billy hilariously replied: Baby. And also, youre 60. Stamos wife also shared an Instagram tribute to her husband on his birthday. Can you believe this man is 60?! she captioned a photo of the pair hugging each other in front of a sunset. The only way he shows his age is in his wisdom and his extensive list of life accomplishments. Im excited that hes sharing his whole story, mind, heart, soul with you in his memoir to be released in October. If You Would Have Told Me is available for presale. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE! Nearly one week after the birthday celebrations, Stamos took to Instagram to celebrate his Full House co-star Ashley Olsen on welcoming a baby boy with her husband. In a video, Stamos shared footage of himself with the Olsen twins throughout their time together on the famous sitcom. Watching Mary-Kate and Ashley grow into the incredibly bright and remarkable women they are today has been one of the greatest joys of my life, he wrote. If you would have told me those blue-eyed babies I met on set nearly 40 years ago would still be in my life at 60 years old, I wouldnt have believed you. I am blessed. Congratulations to Ashley and her husband, Louis, who welcomed their baby boy last week. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ryan Reynolds has broken with tradition and shared a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Blake Lively, for her birthday. The Hollywood couple are known for their habit of poking fun at one another on social media, particularly on special occasions. On Livelys birthday in 2017, the Deadpool star wrote an Instagram post wishing his amazing wife a happy birthday, with an image that cropped out Lively almost entirely, leaving only his own face to take up the bulk of the frame. Two years later, Reynolds shared 10 photos to mark Livelys 32nd birthday, all of which showed her looking a little unprepared. In nearly all of the photographs, Lively was caught off guard and could be seen blinking, pulling funny faces or barely in shot, while her husband posed confidently for the camera. However, this year, Reynolds decided to share a moving love letter to the mother of his four children. The only thing irrevocably mine in the world is the love and appreciation and awe I feel for this person, he said. Witnessing her life is something I couldnt take for granted if I tried. And believe me, I try. The sweet images showed several selfies of the A-list couple, as well as solo shots of Lively beginning with a photo of her lounging at a dinner table on the beach. Reynolds signed the post: Happy Birthday, Blake Lively. You hung the damn moon. During the 36th Annual American Cinematheque Awards last year, Lively honoured her life partner in a heartfelt speech made moments before he received an honourary award in Los Angeles, California. She explained that not only has Reynolds film career brought the world happiness, but so has his heart, his philanthropy, his humour, his integrity, his unmatched work ethic, his self-deprecating levity, his hard-earned depths in his scripts. And now I am his home, and our girls are his home, she proclaimed. And just like that 19-year-old boy [who used to commute home to Canada], he races home. Whether its from across the globe or a meeting across the street, he is hard-wired to get home. Lively went on to note: If he came home from set not in his wardrobe, we would be very concerned. While Reynolds and Lively met on the set of Green Lantern in 2010, their romance didnt spark until a year later, when they were both single. It only took one year for them to realise that their relationship was the real deal, as they secretly tied the knot in South Carolina. Most of their wedding details were kept private, except that their nuptials were held at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant for which the couple later received backlash. Fast forward three years, the 46-year-old Free Guy star and 36-year-old Gossip Girl alum revealed they were expecting their first child. Now, the pair share four children quietly welcoming their youngest in February of this year. Lively told her followers that she gave birth with a subtle Instagram announcement on 12 February. In the post, she was seen sandwiched between Reynolds and his mom, Tammy. Her caption read: Puppy Bowl Sunday 2023. Been busy. The name and gender of their newborn have not yet been revealed. While raising their four children including daughters James, eight, Inez, six, and Betty, three is a full-time job, Reynolds and Lively still find time to vacation together. The acting duo were recently spotted hand-in-hand during a European getaway to Paris, France. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A portrait of a little girl has gone viral after being sold at a charity shop in the UK - and returned twice. Steve Elledge, the manager of the HARC charity shop in the South Coast town of Hastings, said the painting was donated in a batch with six or seven other pictures. He thought all of them looked quite normal but said the girl in the viral painting "did have a very odd look about her," Insider reported. "We just thought, thats nice. It had a bit of weight. It looked like it had quality, but it was a bit dark and all that," he told the outlet, so they attached a relatively modest price of 20, or just over $25. "We didnt even think about it or anything. We just were like, yeah, well stick that in the window, thatll sell." Soon after, a woman had walked into the shop and seemed interested in the painting, Elledge recalled. She returned a day later, saying how she couldnt stop thinking about the portrait and was thinking of buying it. "So she did," Elledge said. "And then three days later she brought it back saying theres some creepy aura about it. Nothing good is going to happen from this picture. He said he tried to give the woman her money back, but she told him to keep it and she left the store. The painting then went back in the sales window for the same 20, this time with an extra note on it reading: Possibly cursed? Despite the addition of the cursed note, Elledge told Insider that none of his employees actually thought the painting had creepy vibes. "No one here thinks its a real cursed picture," he said, though he did mention that his colleague put her hand up to say that she did believe in it. However, a second woman bought the painting and returned it three days later. The charity shop manager said she looked distressed, mentioning that everything had gone wrong. "I said, why dont you destroy it?" he recalled. "She says, No, that would make it worse." Once again the painting was put back in the sales window for the same original price with a new note reading: Shes back!!! Sold twice and returned twice! Are you brave enough??? People have been posting images of the painting in the sales window on X, formerly known as Twitter, with comments talking about how creepy it looks. Shes definitely stepping out of the frame and walking round your house at night, one person commented. Its a really sweet portrait. Id buy it for 20! Obviously I would set up a time lapse to see how her face changed overnight, another commenter joked. Because of the paintings internet fame, the second woman returned and took the painting back. "Nothing evil happened here, Elledge said. She just looked odd." He also said hed probably be more careful when trying to tell jokes about cursed merchandise because hes tired of all the phone calls and emails the store has been getting, asking if they have any other cursed items. I was tempted to reply saying, Yeah, weve got a whole warehouse full of demonic items, he said. "But now no, I will never ever ever do it again. I dont want any more hassle. Im going to unplug my phone now." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Australian and Filipino forces, backed by U.S. Marines, practiced retaking an island seized by hostile forces in a large military drill Friday on the northwestern Philippine coast facing the disputed South China Sea. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and visiting Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles watched the mock beach landings, assaults and helicopter insertion of forces on a Philippine navy base with 1,200 Australians, 560 Filipinos and 120 U.S. Marines participating. On Monday, Australian, Filipino and American forces conducted air assault maneuvers in Rizal town in western Palawan province, which also faces the South China Sea. The three countries are among the most vocal critics of Chinas increasingly aggressive and confrontational actions in the disputed waters, but the Philippine military said Beijing was not the envisioned target of the combat drills, the largest so far between Australia and the Philippines. "It's an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality and considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region, Marcos said in a news conference after the drills. Marles said in a separate news conference with his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., that the drills were aimed at promoting the rule of law and peace in the region. The message that we want to convey to the region and to the world from an exercise of this kind is that we are two countries committed to the global rules-based order, Marles said. "We are committed to an idea of a world in which disputes are determined by reference to international law." "Peace is maintained through the protection of the global rules-based order and its functionality around the world and, in truth, around the world today, we see it under pressure, Marles said. Marles and Teodoro said in a joint statement that they would pursue plans for joint patrols in the South China Sea, which the Australian defense chief said may be launched soon. They reaffirmed support for a 2016 ruling by an arbitration tribunal in The Hague under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea that largely invalidated Chinas claim to virtually the entire South China Sea and upheld the Philippines control over resources in a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. China refused to participate in the arbitration and continues to defy the ruling. In the latest flare-ups in the disputes, a Chinese coast guard ship used a water cannon on Aug. 5 to try to block a Philippine supply run at Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino troops are stationed. Australia and the U.S. expressed support to the Philippines and raised strong concerns over the Chinese coast guard ships actions. Washington renewed a warning that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under attack, including in the South China Sea. Two Philippine supply boats managed to pass the Chinese blockade on Tuesday in a tense confrontation witnessed by journalists from The Associated Press. China has warned the U.S. from meddling in what it says is a purely Asian dispute. Washington has said it will continue patrolling the disputed waters to promote freedom of navigation and overflight. Aside from the China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping territorial claims in the waterway, a potential Asian flashpoint which has also become a delicate front in the U.S.-China rivalry. ___ Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new highly mutated coronavirus variant has been detected in Switzerland and South Africa, prompting scientists to raise alarm bells over a possible explosion of Covid-19 cases. The Omicron offshoot, called BA.2.86, carries more than 35 mutations in key portions of the virus compared with XBB.1.5 the dominant variant through most of 2023. The World Health Organisation (WHO) last week said it was "monitoring" the new strain after a small number of cases related to the strain were found in Israel, Denmark, Britain and the US. The strain was first spotted in Denmark on 24 July after the virus from a patient at risk of becoming severely ill was sequenced. It has since been detected in other symptomatic patients, in routine airport screening, and in wastewater samples in a handful of countries. In England, Covid-19 cases have almost doubled in a month and one case related to BA.2.86 was detected in London, authorities announced on Friday. There have been nine such cases detected as of 23 August and the variant was also found in wastewater in Switzerland, Reuters reported. "It is still low numbers," said Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist and lead for the Covid response at the WHO. That the known cases are not linked suggests it is already circulating more widely, particularly given reduced surveillance worldwide, she said. "Governments cannot drop the ball," Ms Van Kerkhove said, adding that the coronavirus continues to circulate, evolve, infect and kill people. While concerns remain over the mutation, a dozen scientists around the world said it was unlikely to cause a devastating wave of severe disease and death given immune defences built up following large-scale vaccinations. Scientists are testing how well updated Covid-19 vaccines will work against BA.2.86. Ms Van Kerkhove noted that vaccines have been better at preventing severe illness and death than re-infection. "We are in a very different phase (of the pandemic) than if this popped up in the first year," said Marion Koopmans, a Dutch virologist who advises the WHO. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others spotted the new variant last week and held meetings with scientists throughout the weekend, Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the health body said. The discovery came as new Covid hospitalisations leaped by 21.6 per cent this week, with an estimated 2,000 Americans requiring specialist care per day, according to figures released by the CDC. It appears that current tests and medications remain effective against BA.2.86, although the variant may be more capable of causing infection in vaccinated people and those who have had Covid-19, according to a risk assessment report by the CDC. There is no indication that the new variant causes severe illness, it added. "When we do sequencing now, it's like (finding) a needle in a haystack," said Tyra Grove Krause, a Danish epidemiologist at the Statens Serum Insitute which identified three BA.2.86 cases. The WHO said Covid-19 testing has declined by 90 per cent worldwide from the peak. Testing has also plummeted in the US, and sequencing is down by around 90 per cent, said Ashish Jha, who served as White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator until June 2023. Data from hospital admissions, emergency room visits, deaths, wastewater sampling and sequencing, including at airports, has helped fill in the global picture, he said. Pfizer and Moderna are expected to roll out updated vaccines that will be effective against recent strains in October. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} NHS bosses accused of ignoring" complaints about serial killer nurse Lucy Letby were the very same people later appointed to investigate whistleblower concerns, The Independent can reveal. Chief nurse Alison Kelly and medical director Ian Harvey are alleged to have protected Letby and failed to listen to complaints from top doctors, allowing her to carry out the murders of seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016. Medics said they were forced to apologise to the neonatal nurse, who is Britains most prolific child killer, for raising concerns about her conduct after she raised a grievance against them. Now, The Independent can reveal that the pair, along with the trusts then-director of HR Sue Hodkinson and legal affairs lead Stephen Cross, were made the NHS trusts Freedom to Speak Up guardians roles brought in to strengthen hospitals support for whistleblowers after doctors were allegedly discouraged from going to police about Letby. Whistleblowers who raised alarm about Letby say their complaints were ignored (AFP/Cheshire Constabulary/Handout) Dr Ravi Jayaram, a consultant paediatrician who claims his concerns about Letby were dismissed by hospital managers, told The Independent: It seems like some kind of sick joke that those four members of the executive board were appointed as freedom to speak up guardians at exactly the same time that they were doing their best to bully us into silence and bring Letby back to work. This reinforces the fact that whistleblowing processes in the NHS are not fit for purpose and need urgent reform also the need for there to be a robust system of regulation for senior NHS managers. Have you been impacted by this story? email rebecca.thomas@independent.co.uk. As director of HR, Ms Hodkinson was also involved in overseeing the trusts response to complaints about Letby from doctors that resulted in her move from day shifts to night shifts, a senior NHS source told The Independent. Ms Hodkinson also allegedly advised Ms Kelly on the trusts response to the grievance raised by Letby after doctors complained about her. Freedom to Speak Up guardians were introduced in all NHS trusts in 2016 after the Mid Staffordshire Hospital scandal, where up to 1,200 patients died due to poor care after whistleblower complaints were not taken seriously. The National Guardians Office, representing guardians in hospitals nationwide, told The Independent the conflict highlighted in the Letby case reiterated the need for them to be independent. Lucy Letby refused to appear in court for sentencing (PA) It said that, while the scheme was in its infancy when Letby was committing the murders, guidance had been issued to trusts advising them that they should consider any conflict of interest before appointing people to the roles. It is not recommended that directors and board executives who may be conflicted be appointed as ... guardians, it added. It said it recommended organisations appoint a senior lead and a non-executive director to support the guardians. Andrew Pepper-Parsons, from the charity Protect, which represents NHS whistleblowers, said of the revelations: Its pretty damning if these directors are tasked with that role. Presumably, they might have had training as well on how to receive concerns and yet theyre being accused of being of ignoring really serious concerns. The Countess of Chester Hospitals board papers from November 2017 state that all its guardians would carry out their roles alongside existing job commitments because the trust did not have any dedicated resource to appoint independent members. The Countess of Chester NHS Trust told The Independent it had appointed a designated independent guardian in May 2019 but declined to comment further. Even before concerns were first raised about Letby in 2015, Ms Hodkinson and Ms Kelly led the trusts Speak out Safely function, also intended to support whistleblowers. Hospital staff 'devastated' over Lucy Letby murders, medical director says In a statement to The Independent, Mr Harvey denied ignoring doctors concerns about Letby. He said: We did not ignore warnings we ensured that the unit was safe nor were we reluctant to go to the police; we were prepared to go where the evidence took us. Ms Kelly has said she will cooperate with the governments independent inquiry into the Letby scandal. We owe it to the babies and their families to learn lessons and I will fully cooperate with the independent inquiry announced, she said in an earlier statement. The Independent has attempted to contact Ms Hodkinson and Mr Cross for comment. Tom Kark KC, who worked on the Mid Staffs inquiry and led a review into NHS managers in 2019, has again called on the government to create a regulatory body that could disbar directors for serious misconduct. He told The Independent that would make it harder for incompetent or badly behaved directors to move around the system. He said such a council, with the power to ban directors, could have provided greater public protections and greater reassurance to the public that there was an effective system in place to stop the revolving door. It comes after the governments Health Ombudsman Rob Behrens wrote to health secretary Steve Barclay warning that the culture of fear around speaking out in NHS trusts is not isolated to the Letby scandal. He said her trial had uncovered a culture of defensive leadership that was more concerned about reputation than patient safety than listening to clinicians concerns. And he warned workers still pay a heavy price for speaking up and this victimisation discourages others from coming forward. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new Covid variant dubbed Eris has emerged as hospital admissions spike amid bad weather and waning immunity this summer. A descendant of Omicron, Eris, or EG.5.1, was first classified as a variant by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 9 August. It is now the second most prevalent variant in the UK and the most common varient in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The surge in Covid cases comes as estimated numbers jumped by almost 200,000 last month, from 606,656 predicted cases on 4 July to 785,980 on 27 July, according to The Zoe Health Study, which estimates figures for UK Covid infections. And more recently, 5.4 per cent of 4,396 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as Covid-19 up until the week ending on 30 July, according to the UKHSA. This is compared to 3.7 per cent of 4,403 from the previous report. In the US, Eris made up an estimated 20.6 per cent of new Covid cases during a two-week period ending on 18 August. The US has also seen 12.1 per cent increase in hospital admissions the week ending 22 July, according to CDC tracking. When was Eris first seen? According to the UKHSA, Eris was initially raised as a signal in monitoring on 3 July 2023 due to increased reports internationally, particularly in Asia. In the week beginning 10 July 2023, 11.8 per cent of UK sequences had been classified as Eris (data as of 27 July 2023). The latest data suggests it now accounts for 14.6 per cent of cases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has added EG.5.1 to the list of variants under monitoring. The WHO has added Eris to list of variants under monitoring (Getty Images/iStockphoto) What are the symptoms? Eris is a strain of Omicron. According to the ZOE Health Study, the five most common symptoms of Omicron are: Runny nose Headache Fatigue (mild or severe) Sneezing Sore throat What do the experts say? Independent Sage member Prof Christina Pagel told The Independent she believes the UK is definitely starting another wave driven by Omicron subvariants, Arcturus and Eris, waning immunity and poor weather. She said: The wet weather over the last few weeks probably isnt helping either as it keeps people inside. However, there is a possibility that the spread of the variant may slow down over the summer holidays with schools closed and people travelling abroad. It is likely to be dominant by September when kids return to school and adults to work or university, plus we start spending much more time inside, she said. A Covid wave driven by Eris may grow when school and work are back in full swing in September (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The Covid expert added that most people are now over 18 months from their last vaccine and the majority of people are also several months out from their last infection too. Thus, we could see the wave grow faster in September. But head of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, Professor Azeem Majeed downplayed the concerns about the Eris variant. I dont feel that people should be unduly worried by the recent increase in Covid-19 cases. Case numbers will fluctuate and there will be periods when the number of cases in the UK increases, he told The Independent. He said that EG.5.1 is a version of the Omicron variant that appeared in the UK at the end of 2021, and WHO has designated EG.5 as a variant under monitoring (VUM) but not as a variant of concern (VOC). This means we need to continue to monitor EG.5.1 to see what impact it has on outcome such as the number of infections, hospital admissions and deaths, he added. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An investigation has been launched into 88 deaths that took place in the UK linked to a single Canadian seller who is also being probed in five other countries. Kenneth Law, a 57-year-old based out of Canada, is believed to be behind a number of websites found selling items to assist suicide that were linked to the UK deaths. The countrys National Crime Agency (NCA) said 232 people in the UK purchased products from the websites in a span of two years and 88 of those have died. Mr Law was arrested in May in Ontario and was charged with counselling and aiding suicide by allegedly selling a lethal substance to people. The NCA said it cannot confirm yet if the chemical sold by Mr Law was the direct cause of deaths in the UK, but investigations into potential criminal offences are underway. Mr Law is accused of selling 1,200 packages across 40 countries and is being investigated by police in the US, Canada, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. The NCA said it received information in April of a number of people in the UK making purchases from Canada-based websites selling items to assist with suicide. The agency passed on the information to police forces and began carrying out checks on everyone who ordered the substance. The law-enforcement agency said that at this early stage there are no confirmed links between the items purchased from the websites and cause of death in any of these cases. Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those who have died. They are being supported by specially trained officers from police forces, said NCA deputy director Craig Turner. In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the NCA has taken the decision to conduct an investigation into potential criminal offences committed in the UK. This operation is underway. In one such case in the UK, David Parfetts son Tom, who was reportedly suffering from mental health issues, died by suicide in October 2021 at the age of 22. Mr Parfett said his son died after consuming a lethal substance that was shipped from Canada. Police in Ontarios Peel region have accused Mr Law of using several websites to market and sell a substance to people and charged him on 2 May with two counts of counselling and aiding suicide. They issued a public safety announcement warning individuals against the use of the substance and objects sold by Mr Law. The 57-year-old, who faces 14 years in jail for crimes in Canada, is due to appear in court later this month. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A drink-driver who admitted killing a charity cyclist by hitting him and abandoning him by the side of the road is due to be sentenced. Alexander McKellar, 31, caused the death of 63-year-old Tony Parsons by hitting him with his car on the A82 near Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute, on September 29, 2017. Originally charged with murdering Mr Parsons, McKellar pleaded guilty to an amended charge of culpable homicide. McKellar and his twin brother Robert also admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow last month. Both will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday. McKellar admitted driving on the A82 at excess speed and when unfit through alcohol. With reckless disregard for the consequences of his actions, he left Mr Parsons by the side of the road in a remote location during the hours of darkness and in inclement weather, causing his death. The court heard in a narrative last month how some time between September 29, 2017 and January 3, 2021, the McKellar brothers returned to the A82 and moved Mr Parsonss body to the Auch Estate and buried him with an excavator in a peat bog where animal carcasses were disposed of. Police launched a major investigation following a tip-off from a woman McKellar had begun a relationship with in 2020, the court heard. She had asked him if there was anything from his past that may affect their relationship, and he told her he had hit Mr Parsons with an Isuzu D-Max pick-up while speeding. Advocate depute Alex Prentice KC told the court that McKellar had said to the woman that he had been distracted by headlights and struck something on the side of the A82, which turned out to be Mr Parsons. The woman left a can of Red Bull in the area where Mr Parsonss body had been hidden and detectives later found the scene. The brothers also hid Mr Parsonss bicycle behind a waterfall on the Auch Estate but this has never been recovered, the court heard. The two men were arrested on December 20, 2020 and Mr Parsonss body was recovered for forensic investigation in January 2021. Mr Parsons was killed while on a 100-mile charity cycle from his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, to Fort William. A missing persons inquiry was launched on October 2, 2017 when he failed to return home. The cyclists family released a statement after the guilty pleas, saying he loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren. The statement said: As you can imagine, not knowing what has happened to someone and then the devastating news that we were provided has taken its toll on all of us as a family. At last justice has been done and we would like to thank not only the court officials and officers from Police Scotlands major investigation team, Forth Valley Division; and other Police Scotland departments who worked on this case, but all the volunteers and mountain rescue teams who tirelessly searched for him in the earlier stages of the inquiry. Close Live: Lucy Letby sentenced for murdering newborn babies at Chester hospital For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Lucy Letby is set to be stripped of her NHS pension after her murderous rampage on the neonatal ward where she worked. Health Secretary Steve Barclay is looking into all measures that prevent her pension from being paid to her, The Independent understands. The NHS Pension Scheme Regulations allow him to forfeit pensions if NHS employees are convicted of crimes particularly those that are gravely injurious to the state or to be liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the public service. Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison after being found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others, but she refused to appear in the dock to hear the sentence handed down on Monday. It sparked widespread outrage with several British newspapers calling for a law change, arguing that the worst offenders should be forced to appear in court to witness the impact of their crimes. Judge Mr Justice Goss said Letby would be sent written copies of the victim impact statements. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former teacher who was filmed kicking and slapping a horse has been cleared of an animal cruelty offence. Sarah Moulds was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a grey pony she owned called Bruce. She was filmed striking the animal on November 6 2021 and lost her job as a primary school teacher a month later. After a three-day trial at Lincoln Crown Court, the jury of 11 men and one woman cleared the 39-year-old after just over five hours of deliberation. Moulds, and several friends and family who have supported her throughout proceedings, wept as the verdict was delivered. Thanking the jury for their service, Recorder Graham Huston said: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. I know it was not an easy case, no case is easy, but some cases are more difficult than others. What is obvious is you gave this case the utmost attention and you proceeded with your deliberations carefully and thoroughly and I am very grateful to you. The jury had heard that Moulds had owned the horse, a childs pony, for two-and-a-half years when they joined the Cottesmore Hunt, one of Britains oldest foxhound packs at the time of the incident. Moulds had said that the horse took off unexpectedly while horses were being untacked, which saw him go on a jolly for 25 to 30 metres down the road in The Drift, Gunby, Lincolnshire. As Bruce returned to his horse box, a hunt saboteur filmed Moulds kicking the horse in the chest and slapping him four times in the face before returning him to a horse box. Prosecutor Hazel Stevens said that Bruce was immediately chastised for his misbehaviour and suffered physically and mentally from Moulds unnecessary and counter-productive actions. Moulds was later sacked as a teacher in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and was prosecuted by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. An equine vet who gave evidence in court said Bruce demonstrated fear in the video, which the Crown said constituted suffering at Moulds hands. But the vet conceded that there were no signs of external injury on Bruce and internal injuries could only have been confirmed if a post-mortem had been conducted. Bruce was taken to a vet 10 days after the incident and was found to be in very good health and still lives a wonderfully idyllic life with Moulds in Somerby, Melton Mowbray. Giving evidence, Moulds said she and her children had received death threats and that her life had been torn to pieces as a result of that four-second decision. She said she had intended to briefly shock Bruce to discipline him quickly for running off, which she believed could have had severe consequences for both Bruce and the child riding him. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Metropolitan Police officer who sent his ex-girlfriend racial slurs about her new partner in five grossly offensive messages has been jailed. Thomas Phillips, 34, used the n-word in a series of WhatsApps to his former partner Samantha Ryan, a serving police officer, when referring to her new boyfriend, Pc Danny Gobin, who is also serving in the police. The officer, from Croydon in south London, initially denied five counts of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message contrary to the Communications Act 2003 before pleading guilty in July. Westminster Magistrates Court heard Phillips also called his love rival a mongrel and used misogynistic language when describing why they were together. Prosecutor Louise Oakley told the court the pairs relationship began in 2017 but had broken down by 2021, when the offending took place. Phillips became arrogant and would belittle his ex-girlfriend, the court heard, and it is alleged he subjected her to domestic abuse, but they continued to live together at a house they had bought. He does not face any charges in relation to the alleged domestic abuse, the prosecutor told the court. On April 8 2021 Phillips messaged Ms Ryan on WhatsApp saying he is black, you are a ginger with a nice arse, he is genetically drawn to you. On April 20 that year he referred to her boyfriend as a mongrel spade in a message and used the n-word to describe him in another text. On May 1 2021 Phillips asked Ms Ryan if she would have little afro babies with big noses, and the court heard eight days later he suggested her new partner was a thief because he is black. When interviewed by police last year he denied the offending trying to suggest Ms Ryan had written the texts on his phone and sent them to herself to frame him, that the screenshots were doctored and that she had got her partner to do it for her. The prosecutor said the exchanges amounted to a campaign which showed determined hostility based on race. The defendant was a serving police officer at the time of the offending and in our submission he has undermined the confidence the public have in the police Prosecutor Louise Oakley She added: He describes deliberately sending them to be hurtful. The defendant was a serving police officer at the time of the offending and in our submission he has undermined the confidence the public have in the police. Ms Ryan held back tears as she described in a victim impact statement how she was initially reluctant to report Phillips for fear of being labelled a troublemaker at work. She said this had made me feel like a failure as a police officer and a failure as a person. Ms Ryan also told the court her ex-boyfriends behaviour has led her to need therapy and counselling. She said she was initially reluctant to report Phillips out of fear of being punched and kicked, that he would blame her if he lost his job and that he made repeated suicide threats she claims were to threaten and control her. Pc Gobin, whose mother is Irish and father is from Mauritius, said he had become a police officer out of revulsion at racism that he and his family experienced in the past and that the comments made him feel sick and disgusted. He added that the stress and anxiety the messages caused him had been immense and that he had needed to take time off work at one point. The court heard it was initially decided no further action would be taken before the charges were brought. In mitigation, Phillips lawyer Colin Banham said the views expressed in the messages are not his real ones and asked for his client to be given a community order. Although there were only five messages, they were spread out over a period of time that demonstrated they were not simply an emotional outburst but a considered course of conduct District Judge Louisa Cieciora He added that Phillips had shown genuine remorse and acted in the context of the end of the relationship. Jailing him for 71 days, District Judge Louisa Cieciora told Phillips: The offences were motivated by and demonstrated hostility based on race. Although there were only five messages, they were spread out over a period of time that demonstrated they were not simply an emotional outburst but a considered course of conduct. You were a serving police officer at the time, and serving police officers are expected to reflect the values of our society, to protect those who are vulnerable, and not to have or demonstrate bias based on personality characteristics. The probation officer said your language and actions demonstrate you harbour those core beliefs of racial hatred as well as misogyny. I am not persuaded there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and I am satisfied appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody. A restraining order also bans the defendant from contacting his victims for two years, apart from through lawyers. The officer had been suspended from duty while the case was ongoing and is expected to face misconduct proceedings later. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police in Pakistan are reportedly close to locating the family of a 10-year-old girl found dead at home in Woking. Sara Sharif was found dead at a property on Hammond Road after police were called from Pakistan by her father, Urfan Sharif, on 10 August. Mr Sharif, 41, his partner, Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother, Faisal Malik, 28, are thought to have travelled to Islamabad on 9 August and are wanted for questioning. In a statement to The Mirror, Rawalpindi Region police chief Khurram Ali said the force was trying its level best to find Mr Sharif, Ms Batool and Mr Malik, and was close to locating them. Mr Ali said the force has interrogated the father, brother and uncle of Mr Sharif. It comes as Surrey Police issued a new appeal for information on Thursday, two weeks after Sara was found. Detectives are continuing to appeal for information to help them piece together a picture of Saras lifestyle prior to her death. They widened the timescale of their investigation after the post-mortem examination revealed that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries, likely to have been caused over a sustained and extended period of time. Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, said: It is now two weeks since Saras body was found and the impact of her tragic death continues to be felt deeply by the local and wider community, including our officers and staff. We would like to thank those people who have already come forward and reported information to us. However, we know that there will be lots of people in the Woking community and beyond who will have had contact with Sara who may not already have come forward, and we would encourage them to do so. Any information is better than no information although you might think its insignificant, it might be vital to the investigation and in helping us to bring justice for Sara. If you have information, report this to the force online through the Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4523K72-PO2 or by calling 101, quoting Operation Unison. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Military hearsay statements can be used in the prosecution of a veteran known as Soldier F who is accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry. During committal proceedings at the magistrates court in Derry, District Judge Ted Magill said he is satisfied the statements from five soldiers can be dealt with in a fair, just and reliable fashion by a trial judge. He ruled that the evidence of a sixth witness cannot be admitted. A lawyer for the victims families said it was a significant day and a step towards a trial taking place over the events on Bloody Sunday. A number of family members of victims were in court, as well as SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. Former paratrooper Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney in 1972 when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of the city. He is also charged with five attempted murders. The judges ruling centred around a bid by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to use evidence statements given to the 1972 Widgery Report and to the Royal Military Police by other soldiers in the Bogside on the day. He said: I am satisfied that the trial process is fully capable of dealing with these, as with all other evidence, in a fair, just and reliable fashion. The judge said the defence have a wealth of material by which they can contest the case at trial. He added: I have found nothing to persuade me that there is any unfairness in the admission of the hearsay statements of these five witnesses, reiterating and re-emphasising, that I am not the trial judge. Three of the five former soldiers are now dead. It is a step closer to the families seeing Soldier F being committed and sent forward for trial Ciaran Shiels Ciaran Shiels, lawyer for many of the Bloody Sunday families, said it was a positive and satisfactory ruling. He said: Five of those witnesses evidence is now admitted as evidence before this court. It is a significant move forward. It is a step closer to the families seeing Soldier F being committed and sent forward for trial. Those proceedings will be in Belfast, it will be a Diplock trial. He added: We will obviously be pushing as much as we can. We have had an undertaking from the PPS this morning that they will be making their best efforts to advance this case expeditiously when it gets to the Crown Court. Mainly because of the age of the witnesses, the age of the defendant, the age of the families and the survivors who are here today. All in all it is a very positive day for the families. Five out of the six soldiers evidence is now admitted. Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, said: We look forward now with renewed confidence to Soldier F being formally returned to standtrial for murder and attempted murder as expeditiously as possible. There will be a further committal hearing on September 14. The PPS previously called a halt to the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, citing concerns the case could collapse if it went to trial. The decision to halt proceedings was challenged by Mr McKinneys family and last year the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast overturned the PPSs move. After reviewing its position, the PPS decided to resume the prosecution. Bloody Sunday was one of the darkest days in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Thirteen people were killed on the day and another man shot by paratroopers died four months later. Many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday but his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The director of the British Museum will be stepping down from his position with immediate effect as a probe into stolen artefacts continues, it has been announced. Hartwig Fischers resignation on Friday was folllowed a few hours latter by director Jonathan Williams, who has agreed to voluntarily step back with immediate effect from his normal duties until the independent review into thefts has concluded. Former chancellor George Osborne, who is the museums chairman of trustees, said Mr Fischer had acted honourably and that no one has ever doubted Hartwigs integrity, his dedication to his job, or his love for the museum. Hartwig Fischer is stepping down with immediate effect (PA Media) The departures come after former curator Peter Higgs was sacked from the museum after it emerged last week that items from its collection were found to be missing, stolen or damaged, prompting a police investigation. His family have said he maintains his innocence. Items including gold jewellery, semi-precious stones and glass were taken from the museum before 2023 and over a significant period of time. A man has been interviewed by the Metropolitan Police over the thefts, the force said on Thursday, but no arrests have been made. Emails leaked to BBC News claim the museum was alerted by antiquities dealer Ittai Gradel to items being sold on eBay in 2021 and ignored the report. In comments he has now apologised for, Mr Fischer spoke of his frustration at Dr Gradel, claiming he only raised concerns about a small number of items being sold on eBay. Concerns were only raised about a small number of items, and our investigation concluded that those items were all accounted for, Mr Fischer said. We now have reason to believe that the individual who raised concerns had many more items in his possession, and its frustrating that that was not revealed to us as it would have aided our investigations. It emerged last week that items from the museums collection were found to be missing, stolen or damaged (PA Wire) Mr Fischer said the museum had taken concerns two years ago about a small number of items seriously. He said an audit was carried out in 2022 that revealed a bigger problem. But the British Museum director has now retracted those claims. He said in a statement: Over the last few days I have been reviewing in detail the events around the thefts from the British Museum and the investigation into them. It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings in 2021, and to the problem that has now fully emerged. The responsibility for that failure must ultimately rest with the director. I also misjudged the remarks I made earlier this week about Dr Gradel. I wish to express my sincere regret and withdraw those remarks. I have offered my resignation to the chairman of the trustees, and will step down as soon as the board have established an interim leadership arrangement. This will remain in place until a new director is chosen. The situation facing the museum is of the utmost seriousness. I sincerely believe it will come through this moment and emerge stronger, but sadly I have come to the conclusion that my presence is proving a distraction. That is the last thing I would want. Over the last seven years I have been privileged to work with some of the most talented and dedicated public servants. The British Museum is an amazing institution, and it has been the honour of my life to lead it. Curator Peter Higgs was sacked by the museum last month but his family says he maintains his innocence (Brick Classicists Empire) The museum has not specified how many items have been stolen or detailed what the missing items are, saying only that they are small pieces dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD. However, the number of the stolen items is now believed to be well over 1,000 and closer to 2,000, with a value running into millions of pounds, the Daily Telegraph reported. Items had reportedly been disappearing for several years, although it is understood that they were stored items rather than those on display. Mr Fischer, a German art historian, has been director of the British Museum since 2016, and announced in July he would be stepping down next year. Mr Osborne said: Hartwig had already announced his intention to step down some weeks ago, so the process of finding a new permanent director is already underway. The Trustees will now establish an interim arrangement, ensuring that the museum has the necessary leadership to take it through this turbulent period as we learn the lessons of what went wrong, and use them to develop plans for a strong future. The Trustees also wish to thank the many many staff who work so hard for the museum and keep it running. I am clear about this: we are going to fix what has gone wrong. The museum has a mission that lasts across generations. We will learn, restore confidence and deserve to be admired once again. Mr Fischer will step down from his role once an interim leadership arrangement is in place, the museum said. The outcome of the interim leadership arrangement is expected within days. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Millions of households will still pay more for energy than they did last winter despite Ofgems lower price cap, figures show. The average monthly energy bill paid by households between January and March 2024 will be 32.33 more expensive than it was over the same period in 2023, research by Citizens Advice suggests. Last winter, households paid an average of 141.33 per month for energy, due to government support schemes. But Britons are estimated to pay 173.55 per month this winter, according to the research. It comes as the regulator lowered the energy price cap, meaning typical households will see annual bills fall from 2,053 to 1,923 from 1 October. However, the charity warned the revised cap will do little to help lower income households and increasing numbers of people didnt have enough money to cover essential bills. Gillian Cooper, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice, said: Increasing numbers of people we help are in a negative budget, where they simply dont have enough money coming in to cover even just their essential bills. The next few months will push households like these over the edge. Our data suggests it will be as bad, if not worse, than last winter. Government must step in quickly with more targeted support for the households who need it most. Britons are estimated to pay 173.55 per month this winter for energy, according to research (PA Wire) The price cap, which sets a maximum price energy suppliers can charge consumers for each kilowatt hour of energy they use, is still 646 higher than it was in October 2021, when it came in at 1,277. Wholesale prices hit record highs in Britain and Europe last year after Russias invasion of Ukraine restricted gas supplies. Although prices for gas and electricity have fallen by 85 per cent and 80 per cent respectively, there is still market volatility and the price cap remains 60 per cent higher than it was two years ago. National Energy Action also warned that the price cap did not protect those who simply cannot afford the cost of keeping warm. It urged direct government intervention through bill support, social tariffs and energy efficiency. It said: For a third straight winter, vulnerable households will face stubbornly high bills and an increasing energy debt mountain. This winter there is no price guarantee and no 400 Energy Bills Support Scheme. The absence of targeted further financial support this winter to reduce the energy bills of the most vulnerable will mean millions of unheated homes and spiralling debt. It will add to the queues of people for the NHS and for the overstretched resources of charities like National Energy Action. The UK Government can still act by directly reducing energy bills via targeted energy discounts or a more targeted Energy Price Guarantee for low-income and vulnerable households. Every three months, regulator Ofgem reviews how much companies can charge for each unit of energy, reflecting the cost paid by suppliers for wholesale energy, costs to supply energy on the network and VAT. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} About 100 firefighters were called to a huge fire in the roof of a seven-storey building in east London that houses flats above a business centre. The blaze prompted 122 calls from the public to London Fire Brigades 999 control centre as thick, black smoke was seen across the city for miles. Most of the roof of the building in Bow was alight, the brigade said. Residents fled the building and there were no immediate reports of any injuries. Fire crews deployed 15 fire engines, with two turntable ladders. Neighbouring buildings in Fairfield Road were reportedly evacuated, and drivers and pedestrians were advised to avoid the area, where emergency services cordons were in place. The billowing smoke was visible for long distances, but there were hopes that a downpour of rain would help put the fire out. Firefighters tried to put out the flames (PA) Tower Hamlets Police said all emergency services were working at the scene, which is on the corner of Fairfield Road and Mile End Road. A witness, Louisa Gummer, said Bow bus garage was hampered because buses could not get in or out. Residents have been told they may not be allowed back inside until Sunday. Around a dozen were standing outside the police cordon, including a man holding a cat in his arms. One resident, who gave his name as Drew, said: The ferocity of the fire, it was very intense. Weve just been told its not looking like well be able to get into our flats today or tomorrow. Thankfully my friend lives down the road so I can go and stay with her. It was just a bit surreal. The strange thing is it was burning so intensely but no alarm was going off. Crews used two turntable ladders (PA) London Fire Brigade reported: Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire at a business centre with dwellings above on Fairfield Road in Bow. Around half of the roof is alight in the seven-floored building. Two of the Brigades 32m turntable ladders have been deployed as water towers to tackle the flames from height. At the height of the fire 122 calls were made to the Brigades 999 Control centre, alerting them to the blaze. The Brigade was called at 1804 and is still at the scene. Fire crews from Bethnal Green, Whitechapel, Homerton and surrounding fire stations are in attendance. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. An investigation into what caused the fire has begun, fire chiefs said. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An ethical bank let serial killer Rose West keep her account open. The Co-operative Bank allowed West to keep her bank account open after a review of customers with criminal records a decade ago. The Co-op, which has the slogan Ethical then, now and always, allowed West to stay on as a customer because closing her account would cause problems for her daughter, who was the main user, The Telegraph reported. Bosses at the organisation deemed keeping West as a customer carried little risk to the banks reputation, it is understood. Meanwhile, the bank has previously closed the accounts of drug dealers and gang members that were likely to include the proceeds of crime. West, 69, was jailed for life in 1995 at HMP New Hall in Flockton, Yorkshire for committing ten murders with her husband Fred, who killed himself before the trial. The Co-operative Bank was previously embroiled in scandal after its former chairman Paul Flowers, a Methodist minister who was chairman of the bank for three years, was filmed buying and using illegal drugs including crystal meth, crack cocaine and ketamine. The scandal is believed to have prompted a review of accounts belonging to criminals in 2014 in a clean-up of its books. Dame Alison Rose, who resigned as chief executive of NatWest last month (PA Wire) Last month it emerged that Coutts, a subsidiary of NatWest, had closed former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farages account after a 40-page dossier produced by the bank found his political views did not align with the banks values. Alison Rose, chief executive of NatWest Group, wrote to Farage to apologize for deeply inappropriate comments made about him in the documents and resigned from her role. Farage said yesterday: In 2023 my sins are considered by the banking industry to be more serious than the acts of serial killers like Rose West. I, of course, do not align with the thinking of the bank, on net-zero policies, transgenderism, and so much else. And thats why this whole business of closing accounts on the basis of reputational risk is highly political. Everybody should have a basic right to a bank account, and there are some exceptions to that, but not very many. On Wednesday it emerged that Dame Alison Rose is set to receive a 2.4m pay package despite resigning last month. A Co-op Bank spokesman said: We would not discuss individual customer account details. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} UK trade secretary Kemi Badenoch, who is visiting India for a meeting of the G20 trade ministers, said a trade deal with India is in the final stages. We are now in the final stages [of Free Trade Agreement negotiations], I cant give a deadline. Anything can happen, she told reporters on Thursday. I dont like to raise peoples expectations, but I am very optimistic and I am working closely with my counterpart [Indias commerce] minister Piyush Goyal to make sure that we can deliver something that both our countries will find mutually beneficial, she said. Ms Badenoch added that the UK government is very serious about getting the deal done. I cannot go into the details of all the negotiationsthe chief negotiators know the detailsWe dont want to interfere with the work that they are doing. But what I will say is that like any negotiations, the hardest bit tends to come at the end, she said. It was earlier reported that Ms Badenochs trip to India is aimed at engaging with fellow trade ministers within the G20 group of nations, rather than convening formal negotiations about a UK-India agreement. I am delighted to be returning to India to support their G20 Presidency, further our trade talks and meet key business leaders, she had said earlier. UK government sources had earlier told BBC that the UKs trade negotiations with India are approaching their final but trickier stages. The sources said they were optimistic that a deal could be months away and also emphasised that there remain significant hurdles to overcome big nuts to crack. Reuters reported that talks over a future Free Trade Agreement have made progress in recent months, as was confirmed by the British and Indian sources fuelling hopes a deal could be reached this year. There is a great deal to be done with India, but what happens in the negotiating room will govern the timeline, an anonymous UK government source was quoted as saying on Thursday. Weve made progress but talks are focused on complex and technical areas including goods, services, and investment. On her three-day trip to India, Ms Badenoch will meet Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi after attending a G20 trade ministers meeting in Jaipur, Rajasthan on Thursday and Friday. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Young people should be banned from buying tobacco products until they are 22, researchers have suggested after a study found those who start smoking before the age of 20 find it more difficult to quit. Scientists said a rise in the minimum age by governments across the world could reduce nicotine dependence. A team from Japan looked at 1,382 smokers who had visited a smoking cessation clinic in Kyoto. Patients were split into two groups based on the age they started smoking less than 20 years old or 20 years and older. They all completed the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND), a standard tool to assess a the intensity of a persons physical addiction to nicotine. Our results show that starting smoking early is linked with higher nicotine dependency, even in young adulthood Dr Koji Hasegawa The test asked questions such as how soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette? and how many cigarettes per day do you smoke?, with patients giving a score for each answer. The figure is then tallied up to a dependency score of low (one-two), low to moderate (three-four), moderate (five-seven) or high (eight or higher). Carbon monoxide was also measured in the breath to indicate the number of cigarettes smoked in the past 24 hours. Some 556 smokers had started before the age of 20 the legal age in Japan while 826 had started later. Those who took up the habit before 20 reported smoking 25 cigarettes per day compared to 22 per day in the late-starter group. Those who started earlier also had higher respiratory carbon monoxide levels in the breath. The study indicates that increasing the legal age to buy tobacco to 22 years or older could lead to a reduction in the number of people addicted to nicotine and at risk of adverse health consequences Dr Koji Hasegawa Of the early starters, 46% had successfully quit smoking, compared to 56% of those who started smoking at aged 20 or over. The findings have been presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2023 in Amsterdam. Author Dr Koji Hasegawa, of the National Hospital Organisation Kyoto Medical Centre, said: Our results show that starting smoking early is linked with higher nicotine dependency, even in young adulthood. The study indicates that increasing the legal age to buy tobacco to 22 years or older could lead to a reduction in the number of people addicted to nicotine and at risk of adverse health consequences. In the UK, you must be over 18 to buy cigarettes. The minimum age was increased from 16 in 2007. It is estimated that 13.3% of over 18s 6.6 million people smoked in the UK as of 2021. According to NHS England, smoking causes about 76,000 deaths per year, with many more living with debilitating conditions caused by the habit. In 2019, the Government unveiled its ambition to make England smoke free by 2030, meaning only 5% of the population will smoke. A report called The Khan Review: making smoking obsolete was published in June 2022 and includes a suggestion to raise the legal age of smoking. It said: The Government must stop young people starting to smoke, which is why I recommend increasing the age of sale from 18, by one year, every year until no one can buy a tobacco product in this country. The report also calls for more investment in smoking cessation services, the promotion of vapes and making smoking prevention part of the NHSs DNA. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A coroner has ruled it is not possible to determine how a British rapper found near the sea in Brazil died after local police said he killed himself. Kenny Mukendi, 22, had been driven in a taxi to a viewing spot high above the sea before he went missing, an inquest into his death has heard. The rapper went missing in Rio de Janeiro after he left a recording studio and deactivated his Instagram and Facebook accounts. An ex-girlfriend in the UK had broken his heart and, in 2017, the rapper, had told his parents he was going to Brazil because he needed to take a break and go away, the inquest heard. He did not want to return to London until his music career was a success Fleur Hallett, assistant coroner Mukendi, also known as Kenny Vulcan, had featured as an extra in high-profile music videos and in JK Rowlings Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. A backpack containing his possessions was found on a beach by a surfing instructor near where he had last been seen, and his body was found nearby some days later. He had travelled to the South American country to boost his music career, and did not want to return until he had succeeded, the inquest heard. Brazilian police believe Mr Mukendi took his own life by jumping into the sea, but a coroner concluded it had not been possible to determine how Mr Mukendi died. Mr Mukendis father, Ken, told the inquest at London Inner South Coroners Court, Southwark, his son had been born albino, and was very talented in music. Mr Mukendi was a final year, performing art student who had been living with his parents in the Thamesmead area of south-east London, the inquest was told. The rapper, who had been to Brazil before, began working as a model and wanted to boost his music career while in the country, the inquest heard. At the time of his disappearance, he was living with his new girlfriend, Renata Lima, and her family, the inquest was told. In April 2018, Mr Mukendi spent the evening in a recording studio where he was also due to spend the night. He later ordered an Uber to take him on the 20-minute journey to Mirante Do Roncador, a viewing point high above the sea and rocky coast, the inquest heard. The beauty spot, west of Rio de Janeiro, was close to a far away beach where nobody goes known as Secret Beach, Mr Mukendis father said in a statement read to the inquest. When Ms Lima tried to contact him the following day, she found his phone was switched off and his Instagram and Facebook accounts had been deactivated, the inquest was told. He was reported missing, and Mr Mukendis father travelled to Brazil to help with the search for 15 days. Later that month, Mr Mukendis black backpack containing his laptop, passport and other possessions was found by a surfing instructor on a beach close to where he had been dropped off by the taxi, the inquest heard. On May 5, a body was found on rocks nearby, and DNA analysis carried out in the UK later confirmed the body was that of Mr Mukendi, the inquest was told. Giving her conclusion, assistant coroner for Inner South London, Fleur Hallett, said Mr Mukendi had in 2017 recently broken up with his girlfriend and wanted a change. She continued: He did not want to return to London until his music career was a success. Brazilian police concluded Mr Mukendi had taken his own life, the inquest heard, but Ms Hallett recorded an open conclusion because it had not been possible to determine how Mr Mukendi came by his death. A post-mortem examination found no evidence of foul play, the inquest heard. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Farmers in England say they have been left in the lurch by the government over a post-Brexit sustainable farming scheme which has left them unable to plan which crops to plant. Many in the sector are furious at delays to sustainable farming incentive (SFI) for 2023 the system of payments which replaces the EUs old common agricultural policy. Ministers and officials said it the scheme aimed at getting farmers to take care of nature would start in August, before a wider rollout in the early autumn. But IT problems mean it looks likely to be pushed back, industry sources told Farmers Weekly leaving farmers unable to decide where and how much to plant. The clock is ticking in August and it looks like Defra are not going to deliver the new SFI scheme on time as promised, one said. They are in a mess and are not sure when its going to be started. Martin Lines, UK chairman of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, told the farming publication they had been left in the lurch by delays to the scheme saying the uncertainty was hitting businesses really hard. He added: Defra [Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs] seems to continue to over-promise and under-deliver, leaving farmers in the lurch and making it almost impossible to plan their future through this transition. Only 224 farmers in England were paid under the post-Brexit scheme last year, according to The Guardian, while subsides were cut by an average of 22 per cent. Farmers had hoped 2023 would be the year for a wider take-up of the SFI. Boris Johnson had promised good deal for farmers after Brexit (PA) The Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn they were fast losing patience with the lack of progress, adding: There are too many promises about tomorrow rather than delivering what is needed for today. David Exwood, vice-president of the National Farmers Union, said: Farmers in England have had further basic payment scheme reductions. Milk prices are down and prices for red meat are also on the slide. It has been the most expensive year we have ever had and a very difficult harvest. It will be a tough autumn for farmers, he added. The criticism comes as government is under pressure to explain its plans for post-Brexit checks on EU imports, amid confusion about when they will be introduced after reports of a fifth delay. Labour has written to trade secretary Kemi Badenoch demanding she explain the governments plans accusing her of absolutely shambolic and chaotic handling of the issue. The government said this week that an announcement would be imminent to provide clarity to firms. The start of a new wave of red tape on imports had been expected to kick in at the end of October, but will reportedly be pushed back until the end of January. A Defra spokesperson said: We are continuing preparations to open SFI 2023 for applications, including final pre-launch tests and adjustments to ensure the process is as straightforward as possible, and plan to start accepting applications shortly. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A delay in joining the European Union's science programme post-Brexit has damaged the UKs reputation in the life sciences field, experts have claimed. British scientists are finding it much harder to bring the brightest and best with labs facing a brain drain. The UK wanted to stay in the 81bn Horizon Europe programme after it left the EU but has faced a number of delays in confirming its membership. Brussels was initially accused of locking the UK out of the scheme as a bargaining chip in negotiations over the Northern Irish border. But with that issue now set aside the UK government is disputing the cost of joining the programme. The UK says it should have a discounted contribution to the programme because of the time it has spent not taking part in it. Leading scientists say joining is essential to the UKs competitiveness in science. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology says it remains in discussion on the UKs involvement in EU research programmes and hopes that negotiations on Horizon Europe will be successful. But it says that any agreement to join must be fair for UK researchers, businesses and taxpayers and reflect the lasting impact of two years of EU delays to the UK's association. A poll of 84 experts by the charity Cancer Research UK found that 75 per cent supported an association to Horizon compared to 11 per cent that favoured a UK-based alternative scheme. Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy, information and communications at Cancer Research UK, said the delay has damaged the UKs reputation as a hub for international collaborative research and investment in life sciences. Cancer scientists are finding it much harder to bring the brightest and best into their labs, he added. Not having access to Horizon Europe on the same terms as researchers in the EU would mean UK scientists are at the margins, rather than at the centre, of future funding opportunities. Association to Horizon Europe is overwhelmingly in the best interests of people living with cancer, and the scientists and clinicians researching new ways to beat it. Hopes have been raised that a deal is close, and its imperative that the UK and EU get association over the line. Two months ago the government extended the support provided to UK Horizon Europe applicants until the end of September. Professor Julian Downward, head of the oncogene biology lab at the Francis Crick Institute, said: We need Horizon Europe very badly. The current situation is damaging UK science every day. We are losing top junior faculty regularly who decide to move to EU countries so they can take up ERC grants. The UK faces a brain drain of scientific talent unless we can make the UK more attractive to international talent. Being able to bid for grants in Horizon Europe is an essential step towards that. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Payoffs for MPs who lose their seats or are not running at the next election are set to double as millions of people across the country struggle with the cost of living squeeze. The so-called winding down payments, which will rise from 8,600 to 17,300, are designed to help departing members close their offices and manage the departure of staff. A think tank described the move as a kick in the teeth for taxpayers. But the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which regulates MPs pay and approved the hike, said the changes could save money because MPs staff should no longer need payment in lieu of notice. Ahead of the last election in 2019, MPs received a payment covering two months after losing their seats, but Ipsa said this was too short and increased it to four months. The public body said the decision was made because the time to fully close down an MPs parliamentary and financial affairs was longer than the time covered. The ruling said: Former MPs will continue to have access to their normal budgets (pro-rated) for that four-month period, and they will continue to employ staff as needed to assist them in winding up their affairs. Some 71 MPs have already announced they will walk away from the House of Commons next year. MPs who have served more than two years are also eligible for loss-of-office payments with longer-serving MPs receiving larger amounts. Those who announce their departure outside of an election period will not be eligible for the payment. The payments, similar to redundancy packages, will be available to all eligible MPs who leave parliament at the next election. MPs are paid an annual salary of 86,584 before tax and many have second jobs. The more high-profile ones often receive payment for media appearances and books. Some MPs who enter politics from the worlds of banking, finance and business were already extremely wealthy. Sajid Javid, the former health secretary and chancellor, is reported to be worth around 8m. Mr Javid, a former banker, announced in December last year that he would not stand again in Worcestershires Bromsgrove constituency. The TaxPayers Alliance described the move as a kick in the teeth for taxpayers (PA Archive) Labours Harriet Harman, the former Commons leader, Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, and Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, are among other high-profile MPs who will leave politics next year. Nadine Dorries, the former culture secretary who said she would resign immediately in June but is yet to do so, is set to get an extra 22,000 from the taxpayer by clinging on to her job in parliament over the summer despite having promised to stand down two months ago. Earlier this year, official records showed that Ms Dorries had earned nearly 145,000 in the past 12 months from her salary, ministerial severance and outside media work despite not speaking in parliament for a year. She will also be eligible for the extra payment if she follows through on her pledge to quit. The TaxPayers Alliance, which campaigns for lower public spending, described the move to double the payoffs as a kick in the teeth for taxpayers, many of whom were struggling during the cost of living squeeze. Hard-pressed Britons are already funding generous salaries, perks and pensions for elected officials, John OConnell, TA chief executive, said. Ipsa should be mindful of that when recommending more taxpayers money for politicians. Speaking on TalkTV, Tory Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said: I dont think people resigning should be getting a payout. But this is an independent body, Im afraid to say we dont get to vote on it unless somebody tells us that we do, and frankly, I am more concerned about dealing with my constituency casework. So Im not particularly happy about this either because it just shows us in a bad light and despite the fact its an independent body, everyone is going to blame us for it. It really winds me up, frankly. A spokesperson for Ipsa said: Following a public consultation earlier this year, based upon the evidence available to us and our own experience from previous elections, we agreed that the winding up period is too short for former MPs and their staff to close down their offices and deal with outstanding casework. It is also unfair to expect those closing their offices to do so once their employment has ended. We therefore have extended it to allow a smoother transition for members of parliament and for their constituents. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} It is highly likely that the leader of the Wagner mercenary group who challenged the Kremlin in a failed mutiny is dead, the UK Government has said. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) cautioned that there is not yet definitive proof that Yevgeny Prigozhin was onboard a plane that crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday, but concluded his presumed demise is credible. Russian authorities said the private jet was carrying the Wagner chief and some of his top lieutenants and everyone on board was killed when it went down. There is not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was onboard and he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. However, it is highly likely that he is indeed dead Ministry of Defence In its daily intelligence update on Friday, the MoD said: On 23 August 2023, exactly two months after the Wagner Groups mutiny, a Wagner-associated Embraer business jet crashed near Tver, between Moscow and St Petersburg. The Russian authorities claim 10 people on board died, including Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin. There is not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was onboard and he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. However, it is highly likely that he is indeed dead. His death would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on his private military, with the reported deaths of Wagners second-in-command Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov compounding a leadership vacuum, the MoD said on Twitter, now known as X. It added: His personal attributes of hyper-activity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor. There is heavy speculation, but no evidence, that Mr Prigozhin was killed as an act of vengeance for mounting a short-lived rebellion in June that challenged Russian President Vladimir Putins authority. But Mr Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday rejected allegations the Kremlin was behind the crash as a complete lie. Russian authorities investigating the crash have not yet officially confirmed the identities of the 10 bodies pulled from the wreckage. After 24 hours of silence, Mr Putin on Thursday sent sincere condolences to the relatives of those on the jet and described Mr Prigozhin as a talented businessman who had, however, made serious mistakes in life. Mr Prigozhin was a key ally of the Russian president but their relationship soured after the Wagner boss staged the aborted uprising against Moscows military leadership over dissatisfaction about the treatment of his fighters in Ukraine. Many observers expected Mr Putin to seek revenge despite his vow to drop charges against Mr Prigozhin after initially denouncing the rebellion as treason. Videos and photos circulating on social media appeared to show the plane plummeting out of the sky and a burning heap of aircraft wreckage. A preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded the aircraft was brought down by an intentional explosion, the Associated Press reported. The Russian state has a history of links to the deaths or serious illnesses of Russian elites and spies who have fallen out of favour with the Putin regime, including on UK soil. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Investigators and family members of a North Carolina woman had not expected to find her remains after she went missing more than a month ago. On Thursday, the police said they found the remains of Allisha Watts, 39, who was last seen on 16 July. Her boyfriend of one year, James Dunmore, was arrested on the same day on suspicion of Watts murder, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. Watts remains were found in a wooded area of a cemetery near the towns of Candor and Norman, sheriff Pete Herron said. This is not the outcome that we had been hoping for, but by finding Allisha today... I hope and I pray it brings some closure to family and friends moving forward, Mr Herron said at a news conference. Watts, who worked in the mental health field, was last seen in Charlotte, North Carolina on 16 July and her Mercedes was found in Anson County, southeast of Charlotte two days later. Mr Dunmore was found unresponsive inside the car, the county sheriffs office said, according to CNN. It is not yet clear how her remains were found and how she died. Mr Dunmore, 51, who lives in Charlotte, was being held by police. The arrest warrant alleges he unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did of malice aforethought kill and murder Allisha Watts. Allisha Watts, 39, went missing on 16 July (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department) He was arrested in the Charlotte area where Watts was visiting a residence on the day she went missing, police had said. Watts sister, Stephanie Johnson, told ABC News that her sister was with Mr Dunmore when she went missing. The two met when Watts drove to Charlotte to visit her cousin, Ms Johnson said. Talking about her sister, she said Watts was a hard-working, independent, reliable, resourceful, loving, kind, attentive person. The police said the case is no longer considered a missing person investigation. James Wendell Dunmore , 51, of Charlotte, is charged with the murder of Allisha Watts (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office) This is not what we prayed for, Watts friend, Dorothy Brower, told reporters after her body was recovered. She was found, but it was not how we wanted to find her. She doesnt deserve what her fate became. Just to dispose of someone who is just one of the best persons you could meet, she said. Mr Dunmore is being held in the Montgomery County jail without bond. He is expected to appear in court on Monday. This is an ongoing and active case and investigation, and theres still much work to be done, Mr Herron said. Close Family reacts to death of Andrea Vazquez Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The suspect in Andrea Vazquezs kidnapping and murder is reportedly scared after being hit with multiple felonies. Gabriel Sean Esparza, 20, has been charged with murder, kidnapping and attempted rape in connection with the death of 19-year-old Andrea Vazquez. Mr Esparza entered a not-guilty plea when he made his first court appearance for the brutal slaying on Wednesday. Vazquez was randomly kidnapped while on a date with her boyfriend at Penn Park in Whittier. While Vazquez and her boyfriend were sitting in the parked car, an armed man approached them and began shooting. Vazquezs boyfriend fled the scene and when he returned, he discovered blood near it and Vazquez was gone. Vazquezs body was found the following day in Moreno Valley. Mr Esparzas attorney Ambrosio Rodriguez told FOX11 that the 20-year-old was scared. Everyone in this case is in shock, and everyone who knows him cant believe that he has been charged with this crime, Mr Rodriguez told the network in a statement, adding that Mr Esparza is just beginning to understand what is going on. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Attorneys for Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger have filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him after his highly anticipated quadruple murder trial was delayed indefinitely. Mr Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial on Wednesday less than two months before proceedings over the University of Idaho student slayings were set to take place. The 28-year-old is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one charge of felony burglary related to the November 2022 killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle at their off-campus Moscow home. On Thursday, Mr Kohbergers defence team filed a motion to dismiss all the charges against him, on grounds of a biased grand jury, inadmissible evidence, lack of sufficient evidence, and prosecutorial misconduct by withholding exculpatory evidence, according to recent court documents. The motion is just one of several Mr Kohberger plans to file, including a plan to strike the death penalty, which the prosecution is seeking. Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing, on 18 August, at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho (AP) Prosecutors announced earlier this year that they would be seeking the death penalty in the quadruple murder case. Due to a bill signed into law in March by the states Republican Governor Brad Little, which went into effect on 1 July, Mr Kohberger could face the firing squad if convicted of the murders. Death row inmates are to be executed by firing squad only if the lethal injection is not available. Mr Kohberger was due to stand trial on 2 October, but that date has been delayed. Anne Taylor, the lead public defender, told the court on Wednesday that one of the significant factors that determined the decision was inadequate time for proper legal counsel ahead of the planned 2 October start. Prior to officially approving the trial postponement, the judge confirmed with Mr Kohberger many times, ensuring he understood the rights he was forfeiting and his intent to proceed. Mr Kohberger responded, Absolutely. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed in November (Instagram) Mr Kohberger, enrolled as a PhD student in Washington State Universitys criminal justice programme, was arrested in December in connection with the murders. He was subsequently extradited from their parents residence in Pennsylvania back to Idaho. Law enforcement established Mr Kohbergers connection to the case when DNA recovered from his parents home corresponded with DNA identified on a knife sheath discovered at the crime scene. The sheath for a military or Ka-Bar style knife was found partly under Mogens body after she and Goncalves were found stabbed multiple times on Mogens bed on the third floor of the home. DNA on the button clasp of the sheath was then found to match that of the 28-year-old accused killer. His defence claimed earlier this month that he was out on a solo drive on the night of the murders. Prosecutors have tied him to the murders, in part, through surveillance footage showing his white Hyundai Elantra travelling to and from the crime scene. Mr Kohbergers attorneys have sought to cast doubts on the strength of this DNA evidence, in particular the use of genetic genealogy. Last week, Mr Kohbergers defence asked prosecutors to share the lab results of three unidentified male DNA samples reportedly found at the crime scene. Prosecutors argued that they have provided everything and that they cant provide something that doesnt exist. There has to be some level of trust in discovery. You are all sworn attorneys, Mr Judge said. Mr Kohberger, enrolled as a PhD student in Washington State Universitys criminal justice programme, was arrested in December in connection with the murders (PA police) Shortly after Mr Kohbergers arrest in January, Goncalves family members voiced their support for the death penalty. The grieving relatives, along with all the parties involved in the high-profile case have since been banned from speaking to the media about the ongoing proceedings. But on Wednesday, the Goncalves family shared their thoughts on their Facebook page: Please pray for our family today. We are afraid he is going to waive his rights to a speedy trial. If he does, trial will not be starting on Oct 2nd and it is very likely that it wont take place for years. We want to get this trial over. Just thinking it could be years absolutely kills me. The family later thanked the community for their support after learning that his trial would be delayed. I want to send a HUGE Thank you to EVERYONE that supports us. We TRULY have an ARMY OF LOVE standing right next to us. There are no words for what you all do for us on a daily basis. I wish I could meet each one or you in person and give you a hug and thank you . Things are going to get rough, please stick with us. We need The Goncalves Army OF LOVE every step of the way. We love you all! God bless! Close Cook's Corner mass shooting: At least 4 dead Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least four people have been killed and others are being treated for gunshot wounds after a mass shooting at a popular bikers bar in Californias Orange County. The Orange County sheriff said those killed included the suspected gunman, identified by The Orange County Sheriffs Department as John Snowling, 59. Three people died and six others were injured before Snowling was killed by law enforcement. The fatal victims have been identified as John Leehey, 67, Tonya Clark, 49, and Glen Sprowl, 53. The incident began with a domestic dispute between the gunman and his wife. Snowling, a retired law enforcement officer with the Ventura Police Department, opened fire on his wife Marie Snowling and her dining companion. Sheriff Don Barnes said on Thursday that Snowling then continued shooting indiscriminately. A man who approached Snwoling as the gunman retrieved more weapons from his vehicle was fatally shot. Ms Snowling had filed for divorce in December 2022, according to The Los Angeles Times. A neighbour of the couple told the outlet she had moved in with her ailing mother while Snowling was spending most of his time in Ohio, where he owned a property. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Prosecutors said new DNA results are expected in just a matter of weeks in their case against a Massachusetts man accused of murdering his wife, Ana Walshe. Ms Walshe, 39, was last seen at her home just after midnight on New Years Day. Her body has not been found, but prosecutors are trying to prove that her husband, Brian Walshe, murdered and dismembered the mother-of-three. In a court appearance on Tuesday, prosecutors said they are awaiting the results of DNA testing as they continue to build their case against Mr Walshe, WHDH reported. The convicted art fraudster was arrested on 8 January on charges for hindering the police investigation after prosecutors said that traces of blood and a knife were found in the basement of her family home. On 17 January, he was charged with his wifes murder. While court proceedings continued on Tuesday, another search for Ms Walshe was conducted in a wooded area of Peabody, Massachusetts. The search location was less than a mile from the Peabody Transfer Station where investigators said they found evidence in this case back in January. But the search yielded nothing, according to Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morriseys office. Two persons in the Peabody community unconnected to the prosecution of Brian Walshe contacted State Police investigators with their belief that an area of that community may be of investigative interest in that matter, spokesman David Traub said in a statement. A search of that area by the Massachusetts State Police SERT team yielded nothing. Ana Walshe, 39, has been missing from her Cohasset, Massachusetts home, since 1 January (Instagram / Ana Walshe) Brian Walshe at his arraignment on 10 January 2023, in Quincy District Court in Quincy. He is charged with murder in connection to Ms Walshes disappeance (The Boston Globe) Police in Cohasset first announced that Ms Walshe was missing in a statement on 5 January and asked for the publics help in finding her. Authorities said that she was last seen at her home shortly after midnight on New Years Day, and described her as being 5 feet 2 inches tall, 115 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and an olive complexion. They state that she speaks with an Eastern European accent. She had been due to take a ride-share car from her home to Bostons Logan Airport to take a flight to Washington DC, where she works in real estate, police said. Tishman Speyer reported her missing on 4 January, and police in Cohasset performed a welfare check at the family home. A criminal affidavit in the case states that Mr Walshe told police that he last saw his wife at their home early on 1 January when she took an Uber or Lyft to the airport. He also told authorities that he went to a Whole Foods and a CVS in Swampscott, Massachusetts, 40 miles away, on 1 January and took his child to get ice cream the following day. The affidavit states that police did not find that any Uber or Lyft ride had taken place on New Years Day, and Ms Walshe never took a flight to DC or arrived in the city by any other means of transport. Prosecutors also say they reviewed video footage of Whole Foods and CVS and did not see Mr Walshe at either location. Ana and Brian Walshe were married in Serbia in 2015 and have three children together (Facebook) The search for Ms Walshe initially focused on wooded areas near the familys home. Officials said that 20 troopers from a specialised search and rescue were joined by three police K9 teams and a police helicopter in the search. State police divers also searched a small stream and drained the homes swimming pool. Ms Walshe lived with her family in Cohasset, Massachusetts, but worked in real estate in Washington DC during the week. Ms Walshe was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and was working at the Wheatleigh Hotel in Lenox when she met Mr Walshe in 2008. After their 2015 marriage, they had three sons between two and six years old. The couples three young boys were placed in the care of the Department of Children and Families following Mr Walshes first arrest. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A woman and two teenagers were charged in Michigan after being arrested for allegedly kidnapping 14-day-old twins. The Wayne County Prosecutors Office charged three Detroit residents Curtis Lee Slay, 18, Davion Demetrius Sherman Chandler, 19, and Shantell Re-Azia Jones, 23 in connection with the abduction. On 20 August, just after 10pm, the trio allegedly kidnapped the infants from their hotel room in Livonia, when their 30-year-old mother briefly stepped out of the room, according to the offices press release. Thats when the twins mother called 911, sparking an Amber Alert. The following day, at 9.45am, the babies were recovered safely, as they were turned in to the Detroit Police Department. The press release said Ms Jones allegedly befriended the mother of the twins all the while intending to steal them from their mother. The two teenagers helped Ms Jones, the police statement alleged. The three have been charged with two counts of kidnapping, two counts of unlawful imprisonment, one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and three counts of larceny in a building. Police previously said a fourth arrest was made in connection with the kidnapping, but the press release suggested the individual arrested was a minor. The Livonia Police Department has made four arrests related to the kidnapping of Montana and Matthew Bridges, who were the subject of an Amber Alert on August 21, 2023, the previous statement said. Twin babies are safe after being kidnapped from a hospital in Detroit prompting an Amber Alert (Michigan State Police) It is hard to imagine a worse scenario for a new mother. The evidence in this case will show that these defendants engaged in a scheme to dupe the mother of these barely two-week-old babies. They allegedly promised her some much-needed assistance to gain access to her children with the express intent on stealing them, said Prosecutor Kym Worthy. All three were denied bond, court records show. They are all scheduled to appear at a probable cause conference on 31 August. The court attorney who represented the trio at their arraignment told The Detroit News none of them had a criminal history, and added that Ms Jones is a single mother of two young daughters; she reportedly noted she turned herself in to police. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man who allegedly bludgeoned a mother to death in a brutal hammer attack in New York City that also critically injured her two children was charged with murder on Thursday. Liyong Ye, 47, kept his head down as he was led away in handcuffs. He also faces charges of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the senseless slaying on Wednesday. Mr Ye, who had blood on him when he was arrested, allegedly attacked the 43-year-old mother, Zhao Zhao, and her five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter in the apartment they all shared on 52nd Street near Fifth Avenue in the Sunset Park neighbourhood of Brooklyn. The three victims were taken to NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn, where the mother died from her injuries. The two children were listed in critical condition, but a doctor who examined them was quoted in the criminal complaint stating that they are likely to die. They have since been transferred to Bellevue Hospitals pediatric unit. Mr Ye was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court where prosecutors described how the attack unfolded. Liyong Ye has been charged with murder in a hammer attack in Queens that killed a woman and critically injured her two children (FOX5NY) Mr Ye and his nine-year-old son were living in another room of the small three-bedroom apartment that he subletted from Ms Zhou. He reportedly had complained multiple times about the mess in the kitchen and bathroom to the third roommate weeks before the attack, according to authorities. Neighbours also reported hearing Mr Ye and Ms Zhou loudly arguing. According to the criminal complaint, Mr Ye was discovered standing over Ms Zhao and her children with a bloody hammer in his hand. The hammer was recovered by the NYPD. There was blood on the defendants person, and that blood was splattered on the walls and floor, the complaint reads. A bloodied hammer was recovered by cops in the building following the attack (NYPD) The incident Im about to describe to you is a horrific and senseless act of violence which took the life of a married mother of two, New York city police department chief of patrol John Chell told reporters prior to the arrest. I think I can speak for all New Yorkers when I say our community, all our prayers are with this family at this time. The 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter are fighting for their lives, he said. On behalf of New York City, everyone here, our hearts go out to this family. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in Georgia for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun to school. A classmate of the minor alerted school administrators at Marietta High School on Thursday morning after learning that the suspect carried a weapon inside his backpack. School resource officers then arrested the teen at about 9.30am. He was booked into the Marietta Regional Youth Detention Center and charged with possession of a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm in commission of a crime. Marietta police said they recovered a loaded Glock 19 handgun. Administrators acted swiftly and notified the [school resource officers]. The student was taken into custody inside a classroom without incident, the police department said in a statement. Every parent hopes that if presented with a situation like this their child will be brave enough to report the incident immediately, and that is exactly what transpired this morning. Due to the reporting students bravery and swift decisive actions by the administration and SROs, the incident was resolved without injury, the statement continued. The school was briefly placed on a hold, Marietta High School Principal Marvin Crumbs said in a letter obtained by 11 Alive. The student in question was immediately detained by MPD and, upon search of a backpack, a loaded gun was discovered, Mr Crumbs wrote in the letter addressed to parents. Mr Crumbs also praised the student who raised the alarm about the weapon, noting that a potential tragedy had been averted. I commit to you that we will continue to make safety our highest priority, Mr Crumbs added. Every day we work collaboratively with MPD to make sure that we have the appropriate safety measures for all our MCS schools we will continue this partnership for the safety of our staff and students. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Five family members have been found dead in a home in northeast Ohio in an apparent murder-suicide, authorities say. Police in Uniontown, Stark County, made the grisly discovery after performing a wellbeing check at a home in the 13000 block of Carnation Avenue in Lake Township at around 7.30pm on Thursday. Officers found five dead family members, and described the incident as a domestic dispute that turned deadly and it is being investigated as a quadruple murder-suicide. At this time, it is believed there are no other persons involved, Uniontown police said in a statement. The victims were identified as Jason Dunham, 46, Melissa Dunham, 42, Renee Dunham, 15, Amber Dunham, 12, and nine-year-old Evan Dunham. The Stark County Sheriffs Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Stark County Prosecutors Office are helping Uniontown police with the investigation. Police have not yet named who they believe is responsible. In a statement, Lake Local Superintendent Kevin Tobin said the three children who died were a ninth grader and a seventh grader, both girls, and a boy in 3rd grade. Mr Tobin told the Canton Repository that counseling services were being made available for affected staff and students. The ninth grader, believed to be Renee, was due to play in the school band at an away football game on Friday, Mr Tobin told the news site. Its a very, very tragic incident and we will just rally as a school community and as Lake Local community, Mr Tobin said. A neighbour told the Canton Repository that the couple had moved into their home 18 years ago, and they had been friendly neighbours. No further information was immediately available. Lake Township is a town of approximately 30,000 residents, situated 50 miles south of Cleveland. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Justice Department sued Elon Musks company SpaceX for allegedly discriminating against asylum-seekers and refugees in its hiring practices. The lawsuit, filed on 23 August, states that from at least September 2018 to at least May 2022, SpaceX discriminated against asylees and refugees throughout its hiring process, including during recruiting, screening, and selection which is in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). As laid out in the Justice Departments press release, under the INA, employers cannot discriminate against asylees and refugees in hiring, unless the employer is mandated to by a law or regulation. However, in the case of SpaceX, no order permitted SpaceX to engage in the widespread discrimination against asylees or refugees that the departments investigation found. The Independent has reached out to SpaceX for comment. Because of their citizenship status, asylees and refugees had virtually no chance of being fairly considered for or hired for a job at SpaceX, the filing states. The Justice Department also said that statements from SpaceX officials including its CEO, Mr Musk discouraged these individuals from applying to work at the company by wrongly stating that SpaceX can only hire US citizens and lawful permanent residents. For those who did apply for jobs at the company, SpaceX refused to hire them based on their citizenship status, the DOJ alleged. SpaceXs discriminatory hiring practices were routine, widespread, and longstanding, and harmed asylees and refugees, the suit stated. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in the departments press release: Asylees and refugees have overcome many obstacles in their lives, and unlawful employment discrimination based on their citizenship status should not be one of them. She added, Through this lawsuit we will hold SpaceX accountable for its illegal employment practices and seek relief that allows asylees and refugees to fairly compete for job opportunities and contribute their talents to SpaceXs workforce. The Justice Department requested that the assigned administrative law judge order SpaceX to cease and desist from the illegal practices described in the complaint, and to pay an appropriate civil penalty. The department also requested that SpaceX be ordered to provide fair consideration to each applicant who identified as an asylum-seeker or a refugee but was improperly screened out, rejected, or those who were deterred from applying, as well as to hire qualified applicants who were victims of the alleged discriminatory practices. On top of these requests, the department asked the judge to order the company to pay back pay, including interest, and all other relief available to each individual discriminated against who was qualified and who is found to have suffered uncompensated lost wages due to denied or delayed employment as a result of the discriminatory practices alleged in this Complaint. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Wild monkeys were spotted in Orange City, Florida, prompting officials to warn residents to keep their distance from the creatures. The Orange City Police Department wrote in a statement on Wednesday that it has received multiple calls regarding monkey sightings. The department told residents to notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for further assistance if they come into contact with the animals. On Thursday, the department announced that it had identified one as a wild Rhesus Macaques monkey. The FWC warned that macaques may become aggressive when fed, and feeding wildlife brings people into close proximity with wildlife. Primates also carry a host of diseases that can be spread to humans. According to the FWC, rhesus macaques were introduced to the Florida Keys in the 1970s but were removed 20 years later after they destroyed red mangroves, leading to massive vegetation loss and shoreline erosion. The core population of the species is found in Florida near the Silver River, an hour and a half drive from Orange City. The sightings began like a week ago but we havent been able to actually locate it, said Orange City police Lt. Sherif El-Shami told Daytona Beach News-Journal. Wild monkey spotted in Orange City, Florida (Orange City Police Department / Facebook) The biggest message wed like residents to heed is that it could be very dangerous, he continued. Dont feed it. Dont pet it. Its not your average animal at the zoo. Every time we get a new sighting, its somewhere different, Mr El-Shami said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The pair of therapists one Swedish, one Canadian, and both sporting shocks of white hair met for the first time several years ago in a Stockholm cafe, at the suggestion of a mutual acquaintance. Allan Wade, who runs a family practice on Vancouver Island and has a particular interest in victim resistance and responses, was extremely curious to hear his Swedish counterparts thoughts on Stockholm Syndrome. After a while, it was clear there was more to be said. They headed across the alley to Kristin Enmarks office for a wide-ranging, three-hour conversation. But Enmark wasnt speaking in her capacity as a couples therapist. She was speaking instead as a hostage in the 1973 Swedish bank heist ordeal that sparked the term Stockholm Syndrome in the first place an ordeal marking its 50th anniversary this week. And Enmarks story suggests that everything we think we know about Stockholm Syndrome is essentially a lie. Mr Wade was there to look at the circumstances and see if this idea that she had somehow bonded with her captors and wrongly criticized authorities and therefore suffered from this syndrome if that, in fact, made any sense at all, he tells The Independent. And quite quickly, once we are looking at the events in question, you could see that the analysis or the lack of analysis that had been presented as truth really began to fall apart like a house of cards. The bank heist in August 1973 caught Sweden and its law enforcement officials completely off-guard (AFP via Getty Images) Stockholm Syndrome is high up there on the list of psychological terms familiar to members of the public. Just like with OCD or manic, the average person throws around the phrase with no real understanding of its meaning. Indeed, even among psychologists, its unclear what the definition of Stockholm Syndrome should actually be. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Stockholm Syndrome as the psychological tendency of a hostage to bond with, identify with, or sympathize with his or her captor. But the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) doesnt define Stockholm Syndrome at all. Its never met the strict review requirements to be included; in fact, it seems that no one ever submitted it for inclusion in the first place. That means there are no identified diagnostic criteria at all for the alleged condition. I think, in part, it has become a meme that people use to describe all kinds of situations which wouldnt technically fit the original description, Dr Paul Applebaum, chair of DSM Steering Committee and Dollard Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine and Law at Columbia University, tells The Independent. Given the terms cultural prevalence, its suprising that theres not a widespread knowledge of the eyebrow-raising tale behind it. It is a true story that feels unbelievable, complete with criminals with movie-star good looks, bungled police responses and the personal involvement of a head of state. The storys well known in Sweden as is Ms Enmarks name and various Swedish-language productions, such as Netflixs 2022 Clark, have explored it. But its far lesser known among more international audiences. Yet understanding what happened is key to understanding what we all do when we use the term Stockholm Syndrome. Convicted criminal Jan-Erik Olsson, while on furlough from prison, walked into a bank in Norrmalmstorg, Stockholm on 23 August 1973, fired into the ceiling and tried to rob it. When police quickly arrived, he took three hostages inside the bank a number later increased by one, after another bank employee was found in a storeroom and demanded the equivalent of $700,000 in Swedish and foreign currency, as well as the release of an infamously charismatic and handsome criminal he knew from prison, Clark Olofsson. This type of armed hostage crisis was unheard of in Sweden. Certainly the police had no blueprint for such a situation. Press photographers and police snipers lie side-by-side on a roof opposite the Kreditbanken bank on Norrmalmstorg square in Stockholm on 24 August 1973. One of the hostages, Kristin Enmark, has said she feared being killed by police more than being harmed by the hostage-takers (AFP via Getty Images) I believed a maniac had come into my life, Ms Enmark, who was 23 years old and a bank employee, told the New Yorker in 1974. I believed I was seeing something that could happen only in America. Jan-Erik had disguised his appearance and voice, speaking English with an American accent, and police did not accurately identify him for days. They did, however, bring his old prison friend Clark to the bank. But they did it in a very particular kind of way, as a double agent, in effect, Mr Wade says. Jan-Erik suddenly found himself in a hostage-taking [situation.] He intended a quick getaway bank robbery, and now he was in a situation; he knew he was stuck. So he demanded that Clark Olofsson be allowed to come in. And of course, Clark Olofsson was not an original bank robber or hostage taker, and before the police let Clark Olofsson go into the bank, they had made an agreement with him that his job was to help the situation be resolved properly and to make sure people didnt get hurt, and then they might look at commuting his sentence. Things did calm down temporarily when Clark arrived, and Ms Enmark was allowed to make phone calls, along with fellow hostages Birgitta Lundbland, Elisabeth Oldgren and Sven Safstrom. Then police made a surprising mistake. They believed that they had positively identified who the bank robber was except they hadnt. Believing him to be another infamous bank robber who had previously escaped from prison, they sent in that bank robbers civilian brother, along with an accompanying cop, in an effort to talk their hostage-taker down. Immediately, confusion reined. Jan-Erik fired towards the strangers, who made a hasty retreat. The bank robber who Swedish authorities believed was inside was actually on the lam in Hawaii. Incensed by the accusation that he was behind the heist, he called Swedish police to protest that he was not the hostage-taker a move that got him arrested, extradited and put back in prison. None of this inspired confidence in the hostages that the situation was going to end peacefully. And as they watched police flounder with increasing concern, so did the rest of Sweden: The crisis was the first televised crime in the country, with nearly three-quarters of the population tuning in at the height of viewing. Inside, both Jan-Erik and Ms Enmark rang the prime minister of Sweden, Olof Palmme, who personally took the calls. He spent nearly an hour on the phone with Ms Enmark, who shared her fears of dying at the hands of police in a bungled rescue operation. She later claimed he told her that, should she be killed during a police attempt to squelch the standoff, she should be content to have died at her post. It really is extraordinary, Mr Wade tells The Independent. There you see a determined, intelligent, desperate young woman trying to reason with the prime minister of Sweden and trying to bring some kind of safe closure to these events and to protect the other hostages. Jan-Erik Olsson was paraded through the street after police took him into custody following the five-day siege (AFP via Getty Images) In the end, six and a half days into the crisis, police stormed the bank with tear gas even though Jan-Erik had threatened to kill the hostages upon a gas attack and took him into custody. Not only were Swedes watching on television, but they had also gathered in the streets by that point. Authorities paraded Jan-Erik before the crowds in a show of triumph. The hostages, however particularly Ms Enmark did not behave in the way police expected. As they appeared critical of police and friendly towards the hostage-taker, consultant psychiatrist Nils Bejerot who never met or treated Ms Enmark explained it away as Norrmalmstorg syndrome, which came to be known outside of Sweden as Stockholm Syndrome. The application of the term to the experience of Patty Hearst, who was kidnapped the year after the Stockholm heist and appeared to have a similar reaction toward her situation, further cemented Stockholm Syndrome in the American and international psyche. Without proper examination of the August 1973 events, it seems inconceivable that someone would identify with a captor over authorities. Upon taking a closer look at the Norrmalmstorg maelstrom, however, its not hard to see why two Swedish criminals may have seemed a safer option for the hostages. When you begin to focus on in such detail, often events begin to take on a very different appearance, Mr Wade tells The Independent. The problematic police responses, the disorganized police responses, mistaken identity ... Heres a 23-year-old young woman, one of four hostages, from the north of Sweden, who hadnt been in Stockholm very long, and all of this is happening. Shes watching the police bungle the early stages of this and noticing that she becomes less safe rather than more safe, and shes also been managing Jan-Erik. After hearing Ms Enmark recount the events decades later, Mr Wade says, he noticed she was very emotional ... in two senses. One, sometimes there was a certain sense of wonderment and even indignation at: How could things have been so horribly misunderstood? How could things not really have been looked at? he says. And at other times, there were strong emotions about the events themselves that she was recalling. Kristin Enmark is pictured after Swedish police ended the 1973 standoff with tear gas; no hostages were killed (Alamy Stock Photo) There was certainly a strong emotional response earlier this year when one Twitter user highlighted the real circumstances that birthed Stockholm Syndrome, paraphrasing portions of a 2019 book (See What You Made Me Do: Power Control and Domestic Abuse) in a thread that promoted huge interest. It wasnt the first time that the author of that book, Jess Hill, had seen her work go viral. It does shock people ... and theres so many people who have not heard this story, Ms Hill tells The Independent. And it seems like, as each person finds out about it, whats amazing is that, once they read the story, its immediately persuasive. Its immediate that this is bulls**t. And thats whats so powerful about the story. I could talk for hours about why victims behave in certain ways, and why we shouldnt just presume that theyre crazy. But instead, just by telling that story and showing how authority can just literally make something up on the spot to excuse itself, its like a shorthand for people to undestand how so many other things that weve come to believe could be wrong. Mr Wade calls Stockholm Syndrome one of a whole network of concepts that ... shift focus away from the powerful role of ... institutional responses. He adds that such concepts also tend to protect offenders because, instead of looking at strategies used by perpetrators to suppress victims, resistance theories such as Stockholm Syndrome and others (theres a long list of them: identification with the aggressor, infantilization, traumatic bonding, learned helplessness, internalization, false consciousness, it goes on and on) dont evolve focus on how victimized people have responded to and resisted violence. Rather, they assume that they did not. Its part of a family of notions that stem from hyper-individual, problematic notions in psychology and psychiatry, rather than careful analysis of circumstances on the ground. Kristin Enmark, left, poses with therapist Allan Wades partner, Cathy, in Sweden (Allan Wade) While Stockholm Syndrome may be familiar as a term to many, the condition rarely comes up in medical circles, Dr Applebaum says. If you ask what most clinicians, mental health professionals think about, I would say: They dont think about it, he says. Its not an issue that is on their minds day to day ... Most of them have never seen and will never see a case like this and know relatively little about it. He adds that, just because a rare syndrome is not embodied in the DSM, [it] doesnt necessarily mean that it doesnt exist, that its not a real thing. It may simply mean that the fairly rigorous criteria for inclusion havent been met and and perhaps cant be met, he says. So Stockholm Syndrome is not recognized as a as a discrete mental disorder. In the DSM, theres been, for almost the last decade, a process that has existed whereby people who have evidence or have accumulated evidence of the validity of a proposed disorder can submit it to the review process. Weve never received such a submission for Stockholm Syndrome. So there hasnt even been an effort to assemble the existing data, develop diagnostic criteria, and submit it for review. He says that Stockholm Syndrome, as classically described, appears to represent something of an unconscious reaction by the person whos being held captive in which they slowly begin to adjust their frame of reference and identify with their captors. The identification can be so extreme that in some of these cases, given opportunities to escape, they dont take them. But forging a relationship with a captor could be seen as a clear and conscious survival strategy, as well and Dr Applebaum acknowledges there are several possible complexities here. We may not be able to create or recognize a clear dichotomy between conscious and unconscious strategies, he says. Conscious strategies may lead to unconscious identification, right? Youre nice enough to somebody for so long and because you want to propitiate them, and they, at least, are non-abusive in their responses to your behavior... You may come over time to unconsciously identify with them. So one can morph into the other. And its also possible for both both sets of motivations to exist simultaneously, both the conscious and unconscious reaction that may complement each other. The human mind is complex. Canadian therapist Allan Wade has spoken at length with Kristin Enmark about her experiences, Stockholm Syndrome and its problematic implications for women (YouTube) The world was quick to embrace without question an explanation that the Swedish hostages had essentially fallen under the spell of their attackers. There was little mention of the days spent under siege by inept police, the hostages firsthand experiences of authorities mistakes, or the fact that Nils Bejerot never even treated Ms Enmark. Nor was there a discussion about whether Ms Enmarks reactions were simply nuanced, when others expected a black-and-white response to a hero-and-villain story that wasnt as simplistic as it seemed. Women have historically been diagnosed from afar by male psychiatrists with a number of bogus disorders. Its hard to believe that sexism didnt affect the claims of Stockholm Syndrome. Mr Wade believes that Stockholm Syndrome is rooted in institutionalized attitudes and inequalities that have persisted for centuries. These practices of implanting pathologies in the minds, brains and bodies of oppressed people, theyre inherent to what we might call colonialism, patriatchy, different forms of racism, different forms of violence and oppression, he says. So this is not sort of an accidental or uncommon problematic way of thinking; rather, it is endemic. And he adds, concerningly, that he believes its larger-scale now than it ever has been. The veritable hijacking of the heist history, Ms Hill says, is a straightforward story that shows so clearly how this process can be manipulated by people in power to make victims look like they are crazy. It also proves, she adds, just how easy it is to just establish a syndrome based on no diagnostic criteria at all and to never even have diagnostic criteria developed. Ever. Shed like to think the world has progressed a long way in the last 50 years, but as she continues to witness and write about systems to excuse the perpetrator and to blame the victim, its difficult. Honestly, sometimes I feel like we can have these really high times where we really get to a point where its like: Surely now its going to turn, were moving to a better place, she says. And then the backlash comes through, and you feel like youve gone five steps backwards. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man has reportedly lost a leg after being bitten by a great white shark that he wrestled for thirty seconds before swimming back to shore. The 44-year-old was surfing at Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, at around 10am on Friday morning when he was bitten on his lower body and both legs. Local police said the man, named as Toby Begg, fought off the shark for about 30 seconds before swimming back to the shore. It was at this point he realised that he had suffered serious injuries to both his legs. He was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle where he remains in a critical condition, with 7 News reporting that the father of two has lost one of his legs. The beach remained closed on Friday evening and was likely to remain shut for 24 hours. The reports are the man has tried to fight this shark for up to 30 seconds and has then swum himself to shore where he has realised he has sustained significant lower leg injuries, New South Wales police chief inspector Martin Burke told radio station 2GB. Photographs show the bottom of a blue and white surfboard ripped off, with bite marks on the side. Given the size of the bite marks on the board the shark was believed to have been about 3.8 metres to 4.2 metres, police said. Mr Begg had been surfing about 150m off the coast with a group of six others when he was bitten. Bystanders, including an off-duty emergency doctor, applied a tourniquet to his legs and performed first aid until paramedics arrived. Port Macquarie ALS Lifeguards sent Mr Begg its best wishes. We hope and pray for a good outcome for the victim involved, it said. Lighthouse Beach has two SMART drumlines (Shark-Management-Alert-In-Real-Time), which are used to monitor shark activity. Some 10 sharks were detected at the beach between July 2021 and June 2022, including two other male white sharks. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Germany has launched an investigation into the suspected attempted murder of a Berlin-based Russian journalist after she suffered symptoms consistent with poisoning. Elena Kostyuchenko exposed allegations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine while working for the Nobel Prize-winning Novaya Gazeta newspaper, until it was forced to close as part of Moscows harsh information crackdown. The 35-year-old who left Ukraine last March after being told Chechen units at Russian checkpoints had been ordered to kill her recently revealed that she had experienced extreme disorientation, abdominal pain and swollen extremities while on a train journey from Munich to Berlin last October. When I got out at the train station, I realized I couldnt figure out how to get home, Ms Kostyuchenko wrote two weeks ago in the literary journal n+1. I knew that I needed to transfer to the subway, but I couldnt figure out how. Riga-based investigative website The Insider, which helped link the alleged Salisbury Novichok attackers with Russias FSB security service, reported it had consulted doctors who believed poisoning was the only explanation for Ms Kostyuchenkos symptoms. Furthermore, the website reported that Ms Kostyuchenko was one of three exiled Russian journalists to have fallen ill with poisoning symptoms in European capitals over the same period. Natalia Arno, president of the US-based Free Russia Foundation became ill in Prague, in May 2023, while radio journalist Irina Babloyan fell ill in Tbilisi last October. German prosecutors have now announced that they will investigate Ms Kostychenkos case and are treating it as attempted murder. Ms Kostyuchenko fell ill on a train from Munich to Berlin last October ( Oslo Freedom Forum screengrab) We can confirm that an investigation into the attempted murder of Elena Kostyuchenko is pending, a spokesperson for Berlin prosecutors said on Friday. They declined to give further details. However, Ms Kostyuchenko and her doctors initially believed she was suffering from lingering Covid-19 symptoms, and by the time full tests were run at the same hospital which positively diagnosed the now jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny it was too late to test for poison residues. Receiving such tests in December had required Ms Kostyuchenko to contact the police, and prosecutors said in May that they had closed the case concerning Kostyuchenkos suspected poisoning. But in July, the police reported that the case had been reopened so that more samples could be taken, and now two months later are investigating her attempted murder. Now living in hiding, Ms Kostyuchenko said the impact of the poisoning was still with her, saying: Im truly exhausted though I have work to do. Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has also a survived suspected poisoning (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Ms Kostyuchenko, who joined Novaya Gazeta as a teenage intern, noted that four of her colleagues had been killed in her 17 years at the paper, comprising a grim proportion of the 19 unprosecuted cases of Russian journalists who have been murdered since the turn of the century. Numerous Kremlin critics are suspected to have been poisoned during Vladimir Putins tenure, most notably Mr Navalny, leading opposition figure who fell ill on a flight from Siberia to Moscow in August 2020, before being airlifted to Berlin in a coma. While Russia denied that he had been poisoned, laboratories in Germany, France and Sweden confirmed that he had been targeted with Novichok. He returned to Russia and in the past two years has received three convictions on charges he says are politically motivated. Mr Navalny was convicted earlier this month of extremism and sentenced to 19 years in prison. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Greek police have made 79 arson arrests after wildfires ripped through the country as ministers lambasted arsonist scums. Devastating blazes have ravaged the country this summer, but recent fires in the northeast have been encroaching on the capital. Twenty-one people have so far been killed in the fires in the last week, including two boys aged between 10 and 15. Wildfires have ripped through Greece this summer, but 79 resulted from arson attacks (AP) Civil protection minister Vassilis Kikilias said arsonists have attempted to start new fires on Mount Parnitha, north-west of Athens. You are committing a crime against the country, Mr Kikilias said during a televised emergency briefing on Thursday. He added: Arsonist scum are setting fires that threaten forests, property and, most of all, human lives. You will not get away with it, we will find you, you will be held accountable. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis told Greek public broadcaster ERT that of 140 wildfire-related arrests, 79 were related to arson. Fire brigades have been battling raging wildfires in Alexandroupolis (EPA) Dozens of firefighting aircraft, including from other European countries, assisted hundreds crews on the ground trying to beat back multiple fires raging across the country. On Wednesday alone, firefighters battled 99 separate blazes across the country, authorities said. Sixty firefighters have been injured battling the flames, fire department spokesman Ioannis Artopios said Thursday. Advancing flames were heading towards the capital this week (AP) In Greeces northeast, a major fire in the Alexandroupolis area that forced numerous evacuations, including of the citys general hospital, was burning for a sixth day with few signs of abating. According to the European Unions Copernicus Emergency Management Service, the Alexandroupolis fire had scorched more than 723 square kilometers (280 square miles) by Wednesday, making it one of the largest on European soil in several years. Copernicus is the EU space programs Earth observation component and uses satellite imagery to provide mapping data. On the outskirts of Athens, a major fire that destroyed homes in the foothills of Mount Parnitha on Wednesday was racing across the mountains forested slopes and threatened the heart of a national park thats one of the last wooded areas near the Greek capital. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} French magistrates have ordered former president Nicolas Sarkozy and 12 others to go on trial on charges that his 2007 presidential campaign received millions in illegal financing from the government of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The national financial prosecutor, Jean-Francois Bohnert, announced that the decade-long investigation has been formally closed. The trial will run from January to April 2025, the statement said. The case is the biggest of multiple corruption investigations involving Sarkozy. He has been convicted in two others. He denies wrongdoing in all cases. In the Libya case, he is charged with illegal campaign financing, embezzling, passive corruption and related counts. Sarkozy has been under investigation in the Libya case since 2013. Investigators examined claims that Gaddafi's government secretly gave Sarkozy 50 million euros (42 million) for his winning 2007 campaign. The sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time and would violate French rules against foreign campaign financing. The investigation gained traction when French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told news site Mediapart in 2016 that he had delivered suitcases from Libya containing five million euros (4.2 million) in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff. Takieddine later reversed course and Sarkozy sought to have the investigation closed. In May, the National Financial Prosecutors Office (PNF) demanded that Sarkozy be tried, citing charges against him of "concealment of laundering public funds, passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime punishable by 10 years in jail". Investigating magistrates, who had the last word, gave the go-ahead for a trial, the PNF said. After becoming president in 2007, Sarkozy welcomed Gaddafi to France with high honours later that year. Sarkozy then put France at the forefront of Nato-led air strikes that helped rebel fighters topple Gaddafi's government in 2011. In an unrelated case, Sarkozy was sentenced to a year under house arrest for illegal campaign financing of his unsuccessful 2012 re-election bid. He is free while the case is pending appeal. He was also found guilty of corruption and influence peddling in another case and sentenced to a year under house arrest in an appeals trial in May this year. He took the case to France's highest court, which suspended the sentence. Associated Press Close Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Russian Army has used new, longer-range drones for the first time in an attack against Ukraine near Kyiv, reports suggest. The Italmas weapon, which is harder to detect than the Iranian-made Shahed drone, may be part of Vladimir Putins strategy to expand Russias arsenal as harsher winter weather approaches, the Institute for the Study of War said. It comes as the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, Donetsk, faced heavy shelling overnight as Russia continues with its offensive push into the region. The enemy dropped about 40 guided aerial bombs in two nights. But the number of ground assaults has been reduced, half of what it was yesterday and the day before, Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesperson for Ukraines southern group of forces, said. Mr Shtupun added that Russia had suffered about 2,400 casualties in the last five days during its campaing in the Donetsk region. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched an underwater sabotage attack on Russias Black Sea fleet near Sevastopol, Crimea, on Tuesday, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of the region. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russias Wagner mercenary group, is reported to have been killed in a plane crash northwest of Moscow - exactly two months after leading a short-lived and unsuccessful mutiny against president Vladimir Putin. The plane crash which happened near the village of Kuzhenkino, northwest of Moscow, during a flight from Moscow to St Petersburg on Wednesday evening. Western intelligence agencies believe that Putin may have had a hand in downing the aircraft. The Wagner Group has become best known for its involvement in Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, but the private army, which Prigozhin claimed had 25,000 soldiers at the beginning of the war, has been around since 2014 and has been involved in several other conflicts. Prigozhin posts a video message from Ukraine (PRIGOZHIN PRESS SERVICE) Here, The Independent takes a look at Wagners involvement in other countries, when it got involved in Ukraine and the events surrounding Prigozhins failed mutiny back in June, which sent shockwaves through Russia. 2014 - Wager group is founded by Prigozhin Prigozhin, a wealthy businessman known as Putins chef because he provided catering services to the Kremlin, said he founded the group back in 2014 and it was involved in Russias invasion and annexation of the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine. Wagner forces have been involved in Syrias civil war since 2015, supporting pro-government forces and oil fields. The group has had a growing presence in Africa in recent years and has been detected in Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic and Mail. 28 March 2022 - mercenaries are deployed to Ukraine Britains Ministry of Defence (MoD) first reported that Wagner had been deployed in Ukraine on 28 March 2022, just a month into the Kremlins invasion after Russian losses had already begun to hamper the pace of the initial assault. But some reports suggest they had been involved since the beginning of the invasion on 24 February. Military consultant Nicholas Drummond told The Independent: Wagner was involved from the start but the group started to become a key player when the initial assault ran into difficulty. By the end of March, it was very evident that the invasion had gone wrong. Putin used Prigozhin as a troubleshooter and Wagner was there to fill the gaps. Smoke rises from a building in Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles between Russia and Ukraine (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) 14 April - Prigozhin calls for end to war Prigozhin urges Putin to end the war and to tell the Russian people that the country had achieved the aims of its special military operation. He claimed that Russia had taken a fat chunk of Ukrainian territory, and that the most strategic route for its armed forces - who have suffered severe losses - would be to defend existing gains. His comments, which came in a rambling statement posted online, marked the first time a senior figure in the war publicly called for the Kremlin to stop the war. Over the next few months - and up until the weeks before his reported death - he would go on to repeatedly criticise the Kremlins strategy in the war and complain about the number of troops he was losing. 4 May - Prigozhin rages at top military brass Prigozhin launches blistering attack on Russia top military brass after suffering heavy losses on Bakhmut. In an expletive-ridden video, recorded in a field littered with corpses, blamed the Kremlin for the deaths. These are Wagner lads who died today. The blood is still fresh, he says, pointing to roughly three dozen bodies he says are Wagner fighters. They came here as volunteers and are dying so you can sit like fat cats in your luxury offices. Prigozhin seen laughing about death in video released by Wagner-linked channel 20 May - Wager claims it has taken Bakhmut Wagner claims that its forces have taken control of the city of Bakhmut after the longest and most grinding battle of the Russia-Ukraine war, but Ukrainian defense officials dismiss claims as false. In a video posted on Telegram, Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin said the city came under complete Russian control at about midday Saturday. He spoke flanked by about half a dozen fighters, with ruined buildings in the background and explosions heard in the distance. However, after the video appeared, Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said heavy fighting was continuing. 25 May - Wagner troops leave Bakhmut Russias Wagner mercenary group has started withdrawing its forces from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and transferring its positions there to regular Russian troops, its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video published on Thursday. "We are withdrawing the units from Bakhmut. From today at five in the morning, May 25 until June 1, most of the units will rebase to camps in the rear. We are handing our positions to the military," he said. 23/24June - Prigozhin leads rebellion against Kremlin Prigozhin previously provided catering services to the Kremlin (AP) Prigozhin leads rebellion against the Kremlin and demands the sacking of defence minister Sergei Shoigu, who he blames for Russias faltering campaign in Ukraine Thousands of Wagner fighters move rapidly from Russias south towards the capital in a "march for justice", reportedly making it to within 120 miles from the city before Priogozhin calls off their advance. 27 June - Belarus president claims he convinced Prigozhin to call off mutiny Alexander Lukashenko says that he convinced Prigozhin in an emotional, expletive-laden phone call to end the mutiny. Under a deal brokered by Lukashenko, an old friend, Prigozhin abandoned what a "march for justice" by thousands of his men on Moscow in exchange for safe passage to exile in Belarus. 6 July - Prigozhin free man in St Petersburg Lukashenko says Prigozhin is in St Petersburg and a "free" man - despite staging rebellion weeks earlier. The Belarusian leader said then "maybe he went to Moscow, maybe somewhere else, but he is not on the territory of Belarus". 18 July - Prigozhin welcomes troops to Belarus Wagner chief appears in video allegedly showing him welcoming his troops to Belarus. 27 July - Images suggest Wagner chief attended meeting in St Petersburg Images posted online appear to show Prigozhin attending a meeting in St Petersburg, where Putin was also in attendance for the Russia-Africa summit. 22 August - Prigozhin posts final video before reported death In the video, Mr Prigozhin was seen toting an assault rifle and wearing military fatigues, with his comments suggesting the clip was shot in an unnamed African country. The Wagner boss said during the clip that he is recruiting strongmen and said the group will fulfil the tasks that were set by the Russian government. The video was shared on Telegram channels affiliated with the Wagner group, as Mr Prigozhin said the mercenary group was making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free. 23 August - Prigozhin reportedly killed in plane crash Prigozhin is presumed dead after being named among passengers on a private jet that crashed into a field near Moscow with no survivors. Kremlin stays silent on plane crash throughout the following day. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has said that he warned the Wagner mercenary chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to watch out for threats to his life before the plane crash in which he is believed to have died. Mr Lukashenko helped broker a deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin that ended an attempted mutiny by Wagner forces against Moscow in June an uprising that marked the most significant challenge to Vladimir Putins authority in more than two decades in power. Two months to the day after that revolt was halted, an aircraft believed to be carrying Prigozhin and a number of other members of Wagners senior leadership crashed on Wednesday. Mr Putin had called the Wagner mutiny treason, and had initially vowed to crush it. A number of world leaders have suggested that he would not let the embarrassment of that incident stand. Mr Lukashenko said on Friday that Prigozhin had twice dismissed concerns raised by the Belarusian leader about possible threats to his life. Mr Lukashenko said that during the mutiny he had warned Prigozhin that he would die if he continued to march on Moscow, to which he said Prigozhin had answered: To hell with it I will die. Then, Mr Lukashenko said, when Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin, who was also listed as a passenger on the Embraer Legacy 600 which crashed, had come to see him, he had warned them both: Lads you watch out. Mr Lukashenko said that the Wagner leader had never asked him for security guarantees. I dont have to ensure Prigozhins safety... the conversation was never in that vein. It was not exactly clear from Mr Lukashenkos words, which were reported by state news agency Belta, when that conversation took place, Reuters reports. Mr Lukashenko has previously claimed that he persuaded Mr Putin not to wipe out the Wagner leader. US officials, speaking to American media, have suggested that a preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded the plane was downed by an intentional explosion. One of the US and Western officials who described the assessment to the Associated Press said it determined that Prigozhin was very likely targetted and that the explosion falls in line with Mr Putins long history of trying to silence his critics. The Kremlin rejected that assessment on Friday, falling back on a regular refrain for Moscow that it is the West that are the root of the problem. Right now, of course, there are lots of speculations around this plane crash and the tragic deaths of the passengers of the plane, including Yevgeny Prigozhin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during a conference call with journalists. Of course, in the West those speculations are put out under a certain angle, and all of it is a complete lie, he claimed. On Thursday, Mr Putin appeared to eulogise Prigozhin, calling him a great businessman. But he also said that the the Wagner leader had made serious mistakes in his life and had a complicated fate. A close ally of Mr Putin, the Belarusian president said that he believed the plane crash was just too rough and unprofessional a job for the Russian leader to be involved. I know Putin: he is calculating, very calm, even tardy, Mr Lukashenko said. I cannot imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is to blame. The jet crashed 300km (185 miles) north of Moscow after departing the capital for St Petersburg, carrying Prigozhin, six other Wagner members and a crew of three, according to Russias civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. As part of the deal to end Junes mutiny, Prigozhin was due to set up in Belarus, with any Wagner fighters that wanted to join him. While the mercenary leader appeared to be able to travel freely, thousands of his fighters have travelled to Belarus, and have been training Belarusian soldiers near the border with Nato-member Poland. Warsaw has moved thousands of its own troops to its border in response. Britains Ministry of Defence said on Friday that it was highly likely Prigozhin was dead and that his death would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on Wagner, with the reported deaths of Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov compounding a leadership vacuum. Mr Lukashenko said Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. Wagner lived, Wagner is living and Wagner will live in Belarus, the president said. The core remains here. As long as we need this unit, they will live and work with us, he said. Elsewhere, on the battlefield in Ukraine there was a significant attack on Russian-occupied Crimea involving dozens of drones. Russias Defence Ministry said that 42 drones had been shot down over Crimea and 73 as a whole across the last 24 hours. The attacks were the latest in a surge of similar incidents in recent weeks. Ukraine has said that destroying Russias military infrastructure helps a counteroffensive that Kyiv began in June. President Volodymyr Zelensky told an international conference this week that Kyiv would de-occupy Crimea. Ukrainian military intelligence said it had assisted the navy this week in a special operation in which they landed units on the western tip of Crimea, had a firefight with Russian forces and raised a Ukrainian flag. Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine have been supported on the battlefield by tens of thousands of mercenaries from a shadowy group led by a businessman and longtime ally of president Vladimir Putin. The Wagner Group is a private military company that was under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin until his reported death in a plane crash on Wednesday 23 August. The unit cut its teeth in deployments to Crimea illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 and eastern Ukraines Donbas region in the aftermath of that act and has since dispatched troops to several conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, including the Syrian Civil War. In Russias invasion of Ukraine, Wagner has been a key part of Moscows fighting force, but a power struggle between the Kremlin and the outspoken Prigozhin threatened for 24 hours at least to drag Russia towards a civil war of its own. On Friday 23 June, Prigozhin accused his countrys defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, of destroying his fighters and concocting lies to justify the invasion of Ukraine. Prigozhin called for an armed mutiny in an explosive rant on Telegram in which he vowed to stop the evil of the Kremlins top brass. The Wagner Groups leader did not go after Mr Putin personaly in his tirade, instead alleging that for more than a year and after more than 350,000 casualties, a large portion of which Prigozhins men are responsible for the Russian president had been deceived by Mr Shoigu. The war was needed... so that Shoigu could become a marshal, so that he could get a second Hero Star The war wasnt for demilitarising or de-Nazifying Ukraine. It was needed for an extra star, Prigozhin declared on Telegram. This outrage resulted in Prigozhin and his men leaving their posts in southern Ukraine and briefly occupying the city of Rostov-on-Don a major logistics hub for the invasion of Ukraine on Saturday 24 June. They then marched on Moscow along the M4 highway, shooting down a number of helicopters in the process. Prigozhin then halted his advance approximately 125 miles from the Russian capital. Following some intension negotiations with the Kremlin mediated by Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko, a deal was struck under which the mercenaries would move to Belarus in return for charges against them relating to the uprising being dropped. Mr Putin said at that point that the fighters could either leave for exile, come under the command of the defence ministry or go back to their families. Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin on a food factory tour in 2010 (AP) Before embarking for Belarus, Wagner handed over its weapons to the Russian military, part of efforts by Russian authorities to defuse the threat posed by the mercenaries and avoid bloodshed on its own soil. Prigozhin a 62-year-old ex-convict sometimes known as Putins chef because his catering business has hosted dinners for the Russian president had denied all links with the group until September last year when he announced he was proud to be its founder. He said he founded Wagner to support Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas conflict. I cleaned the old weapons myself, sorted out the bulletproof vests myself and found specialists who could help me with this, Prigozhin said. From that moment, on 1 May 2014, a group of patriots was born, which later came to be called the Wagner Battalion. Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian intelligence officer, alleged to be its co-founder, was also reportedly killed in the plane crash that took out Prigozhin. Armoured vehicles the streets of Rostov-on-Don on 24 June (Reuters) Since its formation, Wagner has been accused of committing human rights abuses in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Mali, Mozambique and most recently Ukraine. Prior to admitting his involvement, Prigozhin had a history of suing Russian and Western news outlets that alleged his ties to the group. His secretive stance was to protect the Wagner soldiers, he claimed. Prigozhin was finally forced to confess his links with the outfit as the group rose to prominence in the Ukraine conflict. British intelligence puts the number of Wagner troops active in Ukraine at 50,000, comprising a quarter of Russias total strength. War contractors are nothing new but military analysts say the Kremlin has been heavily reliant on Wagner due to the heavy losses incurred by official Russian forces during the war, along with difficulties in recruitment. Britains Ministry of Defence (MoD) first reported that Wagner had been deployed in Ukraine on 28 March 2022, a little over a month into the conflict, after Russian losses had already begun to hamper the pace of the initial assault. Wagner has since then played significant roles in capturing towns such as Soledar, Popasna and Lysychansk offering relative operational competence while the Kremlin has been forced to repeatedly switch around command of its own forces in the face of heavy losses. Wagner fighters in a Soledar salt mine after Prigozhin claimed to have taken the town (Telegram) Prigozhin had been at pains to claim victories for Wagner in Ukraine before his death, sometimes putting him at odds with the Kremlin line. He has even accused Russias defence ministry of taking credit for Wagner successes. In the battle for Soledar, a small town subject to an intense assault as part of Russias still-ongoing campaign to take over the city of Bakhmut, Prigozhin said his mercenaries had triumphed over Ukrainian forces days before the Kremlin said its own troops had done the same. Bakhmut is prized by Moscow as its capture would put Russian forces in a stronger position in the goal of capturing all of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas. On 12 February, Prigozhin said Wagner had taken the village of Krasna Hora near Bakhmut, making no mention of Russian forces as Moscow began to launch a major offensive targeting the Donetsk town along with several other frontline settlements. Wagner fighters posing outside the village of Krasna Hora (Reuters) Speculation had raged over Prigozhins ambitions in Russian politics and there were signs that Mr Putin was sensitive to any potential challenges from his former cook before the plane crash rendered such concerns null and void. Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser who maintains contacts in political circles, said the Russian government had extracted a promise from Prigozhin that he would not create his own political movement or join a parliamentary party unless asked to do so by officials. They are a little afraid of him and find him an inconvenient person, Mr Markov said in July. The group, formally Wagner PMC (Private Military Company), recently moved its headquarters to an imposing glass high-rise in St Petersburg, which also acts as a technology centre and holds exhibits of advanced weaponry along grey corridors filled with camouflaged personnel. The Wagner Groups headquarters in St Petersburg (EPA) Unsettling accounts of life in the mercenary group surfaced recently from former members including Andrei Medvedev, who sought asylum in Norway in January after deserting a Wagner regiment in Ukraine. The 26-year-old said sergeants were ruthless in their attempts to recruit new fighters. They would round up those who did not want to fight and shoot them in front of newcomers, he alleged in an interview with CNN. They brought two prisoners who refused to go fight and they shot them in front of everyone and buried them right in the trenches that were dug by the trainees. Andrei Medvedev in Oslo after fleeing Wagner command (Reuters) The MoD said last July that Wagner was lowering recruitment standards to include formerly blacklisted individuals. Mr Medvedev claimed he joined Wagner as a volunteer after serving in the Russian military. He said he and his fellow fighters were often sent into battle with little direction. Two former Wagner fighters captured by Ukraine told CNN of devastating losses in assaults reminiscent of First World War infantry charges. Recalling his first assault near the village of Bilohorivka in Luhansk, one said: There were 90 of us. Sixty died in that first assault, killed by mortar fire. A handful remained wounded. The other fighter said he was involved in a push for Lysychansk on the Luhansk-Donetsk border. The first steps into the forest were difficult because of all the landmines spread out. Out of 10 guys, seven were killed immediately, he said. The fight went on for five days, he said. There is no feeling attached to it. Just wave after wave. Four hundred [Wagner fighters] were brought there, and then more and more, all the time. Further evidence of brutality emerged on 14 February, as footage appeared to show a Russian convict who fought for Wagner being beaten to death with a sledgehammer after being accused of fleeing the war. The UKs opposition Labour Party is just the latest political organisation to demand the Wagner Group be classified as a terrorist organisation in response to its barbarous conduct in Ukraine and beyond. Following Prigozhins failed mutiny and subsequent death exactly two months later, the future of the group and its role in the Ukraine war are now uncertain. Mercenaries have started to train Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few miles from the border with Nato-member Poland. Prigozhin was shown in a video on welcoming his fighters to Belarus after the rebellion, telling them they would take no further part in the Ukraine war for now but ordering them to gather their strength for Africa while they trained the Belarusian army. "The armed forces of Belarus continue joint training with the fighters of the Wagner PMC," the Belarusian defence ministry said. Graves of Wagner fighters in a cemetery near the village of Bakinskaya (Reuters) During the week, special operations forces units together with representatives of the company will work out combat training tasks at the Brest military range. The range is just three miles east of the Polish border. On Thursday 20 July, the UK announced a wave of sanctions against individuals and businesses involved with the Wagner Group in Mali, Central African Republic and Sudan. These sanctions will limit financial freedoms by preventing UK citizens, companies and banks from dealing with them, alongside freezing any assets held in the UK and travel bans, the government website has said. The UK government has accused the Wagner Group of operating in Mali, CAR and Sudan for several years and aggressively pursuing Russian foreign policy interests in the region and providing military support to counter-terrorism operations which have seen hundreds of civilians killed. Prior to his death, Prigozhin was also sanctioned by the UK, as were several of his key commanders who participated in Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Wagner founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is confirmed to have died in a plane crash a turn of events that appears to leave his Wagner Group fighters rudderless and facing a highly uncertain future. Prigozhin, a convict, turned gourmet restaurateur, turned warlord, was onboard an Embraer private jet flying from Moscow to St Petersburg when it came down over the Tver region, killing everyone on board. Two other senior commanders, Dmitry Utkin and Valery Chekalov, were also on the passenger list. The crash came exactly two months after Prigozhin led his men in a mutiny that gravely embarrassed Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, his fighters leaving their posts in southern Ukraine to occupy the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don before marching on Moscow along the M4 highway. Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead, according to Russian investigators (Wagner Z Group/Telegram) That was the crescendo of a months-long feud between Prigozhin and Russias top military brass, over the decisions made during Putins invasion of Ukraine and the lack of support Prigozhins mercenaries had received in the battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut. Prigozhin had been a vocal critic of Russias chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov and defence minister Sergei Shoigu over their leadership of the war effort over the winter months. Wagners dramatic uprising on 23 June was eventually called off after 24 hours with the mercenaries about 125 miles from Moscow, thanks to intense negotiations with the Kremlin mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said his forces had consented to stand down to avoid spilling Russian blood in the streets. As part of the deal, Prigozhin and a number of his fighters agreed to relocate to Belarus. Although the Wagner chief would later be pictured back in Russia, adding an air of mystery to his movements. Precisely what Prigozhin hoped to achieve has never been definitively established, but it is possible he believed he could topple Mr Gerasmiov and Mr Shoigu. It appears difficult to believe that he would do so without at least the tacit support of some of Russias military elite, but headstrong would be an apt word for Prigozhin. In the hours before he met his end, there were reports in Russian state media that Sergei Surovikin, AKA General Armageddon who was said to have close ties to Prigozhin had been formally removed from command of Russias Aerospace Forces. What is known is that Pirgozhin and a number of senior Wagner figures met with Mr Putin at the Kremlin on 29 June, five days after the mutiny, for what appeared to be clear-the-air talks. According to the presidents spokesman Dmitry Peskov, a three-hour face-to-face meeting was held with 35 people in attendance at which Wagner unit commanders reiterated their loyalty to their commander. Speaking to a reporter from Russias state-controlled Kommersant newspaper a little later, Mr Putin said he offered Wagner troops several options, including continuing to operate under the command of someone he identified by the call sign Sedoy, meaning Grey Hair, whom they had served under for 16 months. Prigozhin with Wagner troops (Prigozhin Press Service/AP) All of them could have gathered in one place and continued to serve and nothing would have changed for them, Mr Putin said. They would have been led by the same person who has been their real commander all this time. Many people nodded when I said that, the Russian leader continued. And Prigozhin, who was sitting at the front and didnt see this, said after hearing me out: No, the guys do not agree with this decision. That may give a clue as to Mr Putins thinking now, but he will not want to lose Wagners presence in Africa, which has essentially become an extension of Russian power in the region. Wagner is believed to have thousands of fighters on the continent, embedded in countries including Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) where rights groups and the UN accuse them of committing war crimes. Wagner fighters have also been accused by the US of enriching themselves with illicit gold deals on the continent. Leading up to the crash, Prigozhin appeared to be making clear Wagners commitment to Africa. He was photographed attending the Russia-Africa Summit at the Trezzini Palace Hotel in St Petersburg in July, posing for photographs in front of maps of the continent and gladhanding diplomats, before this month issuing a statement in support of the coup in Niger and posting a video, apparently shot in Africa, encouraging Russian investment in the CAR. Russian flags and chants mentioning Wagner have been a feature of demonstrations of pro-coup supporters in Niger. Rama Yade, senior director of the Atlantic Councils Africa Center, said this may not have helped Prigozhins cause. Putin was very clear about that when he said the mutineers betrayed the country... He could not trust Prigozhin, who was under investigation for armed rebellion, any more. Even after his exile, Prigozhin was a threat to Russian interests in Africa, maybe a competitor with rival interests. Vladimir Putin met with Prigozhin in the days after the failed mutiny (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/AP) She pointed out that foreign minister Sergei Lavrov moved to reassure his countrys African allies at the summit that Russias operations in Mali and beyond of course, will continue when they expressed anxiety about what Wagners actions meant for them. Professor David Lewis of the University of Exeter told The Independent that Prigozhins killing leaves behind an extensive business empire across three continents, which are likely to be scrambled over, given that, Prigozhins companies were involved in everything from serving school dinners in Russia to a huge gold mine in the Central African Republic. Professor Lewis predicts that different factions linked to the Russian military will probably try to take over these lucrative business contracts and create new proxy forces to expand Russias footprint in Africa. Prigozhin was particularly skilled at managing these transnational networks, but he is not indispensable. Russia will find new ways to use mercenaries and murky business deals to challenge the West for influence in the Middle East and Africa. For Ms Yade, Wagners mercenaries now have three options: complete dissolution, nationalisation into the conventional Russian army or finding a new leader. Should Wagner live to fight another day, Yades Atlantic Council colleague Ariel Cohen warns: Integration into the Russian military will be bumpy, as many fighters are personally loyal to Prigozhin, and the state armed forces affiliation would even further dilute the already-tenuous plausible deniability the Russian state-supported mercenaries have enjoyed. Since the mutiny, around 5,000 of its fighters have been situated at bases in Belarus awaiting redeployment, with some fighters training Belarusian troops a few miles from the border with Poland. Warsaw, a Nato member, is certainly concerned enough about their presence to move up to 10,000 troops to reinforce the border. Following the plane crash, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki suggested the Wagner group would become an even bigger threat now it is likely to come under Mr Putins control. The Wagner group comes under Putins leadership. Let everyone answer the question for themselves will the threat be bigger or smaller? For me, thats a rhetorical question, Mr Morawiecki told a news conference. But for Belarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova: The motivations for Wagner mercenaries to remain in Belarus are diminishing rapidly. The future course of action for them remains uncertain. Their presence in Belarus initially stemmed from Lukashenkos effort to demonstrate his loyalty to Putin. It was then manifested through the intimidation of neighbouring Western countries and Ukraine, a stance that found favour with Putin. Now, following Prigozhins death, there is a possibility that the mercenaries could face pressure to leave Belarus. Their departure is likely to bring a sense of relief to the Belarusian people. She added that the killing of Prigozhin will also chasten Belarusian President Lukashenko, who has boasted about the important role he played in bringing the rebellion to a peaceful conclusion, once more reminding him and the wider world that it is Vladimir Putin who is really in control. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Once a businessman with a catering empire friendly with Vladimir Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin manoeuvred himself into a position so powerful that, as Russias war in Ukraine progressed, he could openly question his paymasters strategy. The owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group, the mercenary force that has fought some of the Russian militarys toughest battles in Ukraine most notably the drawn-out pursuit of Bakhmut the 62-year-old stepped into his most dangerous role yet this summer: preaching open rebellion against his countrys military leadership. Now, two months after his mens attempted uprising ended in uneasy peace talks, Prigozhin is dead in a plane crash just outside of Moscow. Yevgeny Prigozhin has now been confirmed dead by Russian investigators (Razgruzka_Vagnera telegram channel) On 23 August, a private plane he was on board came down in the Tver region after taking off from the capital en route to St Petersburg, killing 10 people on board. Four days later, Russias Investigative Committee has confirmed that after genetic tests he was one of the victims. His deputies Dmitry Utkin and Valery Chekalov were also on the passenger list for the flight. There have been claims - denied by the Kremlin - that the crash was retribution for the events of 23 June, when the Wagner chief finally escalated what had been months of scathing criticism of Russias conduct of the war by calling for an armed uprising to oust Russias defence chiefs Valery Gerasimov and Sergei Shoigu. His men occupied Rostov-on-Don and marched on Moscow, shooting down a number of military helicopters, killing their pilots as they advanced. Russian security services reacted immediately, opening a criminal investigation and demanding Prigozhins arrest. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin took the threat posed, riot police and the National Guard scrambled to tighten security at key facilities in the Russian capital, including government agencies and transport infrastructure, Tass reported. Putin branded the rebellion an act of treachery. Prigozhin urged Russian civilians to join his march to justice and the situation remained extremely volatile throughout the following Saturday before peace talks, seemingly mediated by Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko, brought the standoff to a peaceful conclusion. Prigozhin repeatedly condemned Russias regular army leaders (AP) The Kremlin said that to avert bloodshed, Prigozhin and some of his fighters would leave for Belarus and a criminal case against him for armed mutiny would be dropped. Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that a three-hour meeting had taken place five days after the mutiny, on 29 June with 35 people in attendance, including Wagner unit commanders, who reiterated their loyalty to their leader. But confusion subsequently surrounded the implementation of that deal and it was not clear whether the mercenary leader ever made it to Minsk. Before long, he was seen back in his homeland, appearing at the Trezzini Palace Hotel in St Petersburg, apparently on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit. On 5 July, state television said an investigation against him was still being pursued and broadcast footage showing cash, passports, weapons and other items it said were seized in a raid on one of his properties. In August, he appeared in a video that he suggested was shot in Africa, where Wagner has operations in several countries. Putins chef The relationship between Prigozhin and Putin went way back, both having been born in Leningrad, now St Petersburg, the former born on 1 June 1961. During the final years of the Soviet Union, while the president was then a lowly KGB agent, Prigozhin served nine years in prison for crimes including robbery and fraud. After his release in 1990, he launched a career as a caterer in his home town, owning a hot dog stand and then a string of upmarket restaurants that attracted Mr Putins interest. In his first term in office, the Russian leader took then-French president Jacques Chirac to dine at one of them. Vladimir Putin saw how I built a business out of a kiosk, he saw that I dont mind serving to the esteemed guests because they were my guests, Prigozhin recalled in an interview in 2011. Prigozhin showing Vladimir Putin his school lunch factory outside St Petersburg in 2010 (Sputnik/AFP/Getty) His businesses expanded significantly into catering. Leveraging political connections, Prigozhin was awarded major state contracts and, in 2010, Mr Putin helped him open his own factory, built on generous loans from a state bank. In Moscow alone, school meals contracts for his company Concord were worth millions. He also organised catering for Kremlin events for several years earning him the nickname Putins chef, although more recently he joked that Putins butcher would be more appropriate. Concord has also provided catering and utility services to the Russian military. In 2017, opposition figure and corruption fighter Alexei Navalny accused Prigozhins companies of breaking antitrust laws by bidding for around 300m in defence ministry contracts. Prigozhin reportedly had a net worth of $1 billion at the time of his death. Military connection In 2014, he founded Wagner, a Kremlin-allied private military company whose mercenary fighters have come to play a central role in Mr Putins projection of Russian influence in trouble spots around the world, including Syria, Libya and the Central African Republic. The United States has sanctioned it and accused it of atrocities, which Prigozhin denied. Wagner fighters allegedly provide security for national leaders or warlords in exchange for lucrative payments, often including a share of gold or other natural resources. US officials say Russia may also be using Wagners work in Africa to support its war in Ukraine. Prigozhins mercenaries have become a major force in that conflict, fighting as counterparts to the Russian army in battles against Ukrainian forces. A poster of a Russian soldier with a slogan reading Glory to the heroes of Russia opposite the PMC Wagner Centre in St Petersburg (AFP/Getty) That includes Wagner fighters battling for Bakhmut, where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place. By May this year, Wagner forces and Russian soldiers appeared to have largely won the city, a victory with strategically slight importance for the invader, despite the cost in lives. The US estimates that nearly half of the 20,000 Russian troops killed in Ukraine since December were Wagner fighters in Bakhmut. Prigozhins soldiers-for-hire include thousands of inmates recruited from Russian prisons. Raging against Russias generals As his forces fought and died en masse in Ukraine, Prigozhin increasingly raged against the Russian militarys top brass. He used social media to trumpet Wagners successes and accuse the army of incompetence and even treason. In a video released by his team in May, Prigozhin stood next to rows of bodies he said were those of Wagner fighters. He accused Russias regular military of incompetence and of starving his troops of the weapons and ammunition they needed to fight. These are someones fathers and someones sons, Prigozhin declared bitterly. The scum that doesnt give us ammunition will eat their guts in hell. US election meddling The former convict and Kremlin caterer has acknowledged that he founded and financed the Internet Research Agency, a company that Washington says is a troll farm that meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. In November 2022, Prigozhin said he had interfered in US elections and would do so again. He and a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were all charged with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord ahead of Donald Trumps victory. They were indicted as part of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian election interference. The US Treasury Department subsequently sanctioned Prigozhin and associates repeatedly in connection with both the alleged election interference and his leadership of Wagner. Masks showing the faces of Putin, Prigozhin and Chechnya's regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg (AP) After the 2018 indictment, the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Prigozhin as saying, in a clearly sarcastic remark: Americans are very impressionable people; they see what they want to see. I treat them with great respect. Im not at all upset that Im on this list. If they want to see the devil, let them see him. The Biden White House called him a known bad actor prior to his death and State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Prigozhins bold confession, if anything, appears to be just a manifestation of the impunity that crooks and cronies enjoy under President Putin and the Kremlin. Avoiding challenges to Putin As Prigozhin grew more outspoken against the way Russias conventional military had conducted the fighting in Ukraine, he continued to play a seemingly indispensable role for the Russian offensive and appeared to suffer no retaliation from Mr Putin for his criticism of Moscows generals. Media reports at times suggested Prigozhins influence over the president was growing and that he was hoping to be rewarded with a prominent political post, although some analysts felt this assessment of his ambitions was overstated. Hes not one of Putins close figures or a confidant, said Mark Galeotti of University College, London, who specialises in Russian security affairs, speaking on his podcast, In Moscows Shadows. Prigozhin does what the Kremlin wants and does very well for himself in the process. But thats the thing he is part of the staff rather than part of the family, he said. Prigozhin had become a thorn in Putins side - but the Kremlin denies involvement in his death (Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation) A dramatic end Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash just two months after his abortive mutiny on Russias top military chiefs, which culminated in a march on Moscow. His private jet came down north-west of Moscow on 23 August, killing all those on board. His death was confirmed on Sunday, four days after the crash. His right-hand man Dmitry Utkin was also on board the Embraer Legacy 600 jet, as well as five other passengers and three crew members, according to the passenger list. The Kremlin has denied speculation it was to blame for the crash. During a conference call with journalists on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the BBC there was lots of speculation around the tragic deaths. In the West, of course, this speculation comes from a certain angle. Its all a complete lie, Mr Peskov went on. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice British Airways is changing its policy to require photo ID from passengers on domestic flights from next week. The airline does not currently insist on identification for customers travelling solely within the UK and carrying only hand baggage, although it does suggest they bring some. That will change from Friday 1 September, when anyone aged 16 or over will have to bring one form of photo ID such as a passport, driving licence or EU national identity card. Most rival domestic airlines such as easyJet already insist on photographic identification for domestic flights but BA has been a holdout, avoiding the need for customers to carry a driving licence or passport for journeys where they arent required by authorities. The change, which now brings BA into line with competitors, will be communicated to customers via automated pre-travel reminder emails. It is not clear why BA has done this now. Some passengers have been told it is a new Civil Aviation Authority requirement but the CAA says this is not the case and that its policy of leaving the matter to individual airlines is unchanged. Andrew McConnell, a spokesperson for the CAA, said: UK aviation security regulations do not require a passengers identity to be checked for security purposes prior to boarding a domestic flight, in the same way when travelling within the mainland on a train or bus. Any further requirement on behalf of the carrier to provide identification may be a condition of travel by the carrier itself. BA currently says customers do not need a passport ... but we advise that you carry photographic identification with you when travelling this may be requested at certain points in your journey. Its new policy, updated on its website, states: You do not require a passport to travel within the UK, but you will need to carry one type of photographic ID when travelling with us. Examples include: valid passport; valid driving licence, either provisional or full; valid EU national identity card; valid armed forces identity card; valid police warrant card or badge. It adds: Children under the age of 16 do not need to show identification when travelling on domestic flights. The adult they are travelling with must travel with photographic identification and be able to confirm their identity. Children aged 14 and 15 years who are flying alone will need to show identification when travelling on domestic flights. Even with the new requirement, it is understood BA is not planning to check passenger IDs on all its domestic flights. Weve always advised customers travelling on domestic services within the UK to carry ID with them, said a spokesperson. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Passengers travelling on South Koreas largest airline in the coming weeks could find themselves getting weighed at the airport. Korean Air confirmed on its website that it would be measuring the average weight of passengers along with their carry-on items for flight safety. It follows a similar move announced by Air New Zealand in June. Travellers flying from two of South Koreas busiest airports, both in the capital Seoul, will be asked to step on the scales. Passengers on domestic routes from Gimpo Airport may be weighed from 28 August to 6 September, while the same is true for passengers departing from Incheon International Airport from 8-19 September. The airline has confirmed that if passengers would prefer not to share their weight they can opt out by letting airport staff know. Koreas Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation (MOLIT) has advised all Korean flag carriers to weigh passengers with their carry-on baggage to update its Aircraft Weight and Balance Management Standards, a spokesperson told The Independent. This is crucial for safety of flight operations, and Korean Air complies with this mandate and remains committed to safety, its number one priority. The process is used to help determine the weight distribution on aircraft, and calculations need to take place every five years. Throughout June, more than 10,000 passengers flying with Air New Zealand were expected to be weighed before they boarded their flight. It was part of an essential initiative to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft, according to Air New Zealand, and was also a requirement from the countrys Civil Aviation Authority. As The Independent has reported previously, weighing every passenger before a flight can increase safety and cut the environmental harm caused by each flight; currently, airlines use assumed mass, estimating the total weight of the passengers by using set figures. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice A woman has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly abandoning her dog at a Pennsylvania airport before boarding a flight to a resort in Mexico. Allison Gaiser, 44, allegedly ditched her brown-and-white male French bulldog at Pittsburgh International Airport on 4 August after she was denied boarding by the airline because it did not meet the criteria for an emotional support animal, the Allegheny county police said on Thursday. She also did not have a proper kennel required to bring the animal onto a flight, the authorities said. After leaving the ticket counter, Ms Gaiser was seen on surveillance cameras pushing the dog in the stroller back toward a moving walkway enclosure, next to glass exit doors in the airport's short-term parking lot. She later moved to an area where a county police officer found the dog unattended in the stroller about 40 minutes later at around 5.03am, authorities said. The dog, which was licensed and had an identification microchip, was found unharmed and turned over to an animal care facility. He was later sent to a foster home and is doing well, the police said. Authorities were waiting for Ms Gaiser when she returned to the airport about 12.30am on 10 August. She admitted leaving the dog behind because the airline wouldn't allow it on the plane but claimed to have made arrangements with her mother to pick up the animal at the airport, according to the Associated Press. She allowed the police to review text messages between her and her mother, but authorities said it was apparent that no immediate arrangement was made for Ms Gaiser's mother to pick up the dog. open image in gallery French bulldog was found abandoned (AP) The mother said she only found out about the incident when Ms Gaiser's ex-husband shared a news story about the dog being left at the airport. Ms Gaiser has been charged with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, summary violations of animal cruelty, animal neglect and abandonment of animals by owner. Her initial court hearing is scheduled for 16 October. "There are many pets still looking for a home, and we would encourage anyone interested in adoption to reach out to Animal Friends at 412-847-7000," the police department said on Facebook. Princess Michael of Kent refused to eat a Chelsea bun while judging a charity competition at an upmarket London store which supplies food to the royal family. The 78-year-old, who is married to Queen Elizabeth II's cousin Prince Michael of Kent, stepped in to help out at the awards in Partridges after her daughter-in-law, Lady Sophie Winkleman - was supposed to be judging the awards but asked her mother-in-law to step in as she was busy. "I wasn't told by my daughter-in-law that I was going to do a taste. Because I'm not going to taste," she said during The Royal Borough: Kensington & Chelsea on Channel 5. Donald Trump has left New Jersey and is headed for Georgia for his latest arraignment. The former GOP president is set to surrender to authorities at Fulton County Jail on Thursday, 24 August. Mr Trump will be arrested on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. This will be the first time a current or former president is expected to have a mugshot taken. The arraignment comes as the former president replaced lawyer Drew Findling with Atlanta-based attorney Steven Sadow. The frontrunner for the Republican nomination is currently leading the polls for GOP candidates. A doctor at a leading London hospital has recorded a video diary detailing the pressures of his job within the NHS as new strikes are launched. Dr Philip Kelly, a consultant general physician, and says that pressures have increased over the last few years. In an update during his shift, he reveals how half of his patients - some on drips and infusions - are being seen in chairs. "It's funny how we become ever so slightly sadly desensitised to it," Dr Kelly says. Senior NHS doctors staged a 48-hour walkout on Thursday (24 August). The British Medical Association announced a fresh strike between 2 and 4 October in an ongoing pay dispute. Watch as Vladmir Putin sent condolences to the family of Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin after a plane crashed thought to be carrying the mercenary leader. Wagner used to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine, but challenged Putins authority in an uprising in June. Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a jet that spiralled out of the sky in near Tver, about 96km north of Moscow. The president said Prigozhin made serious mistakes in his life but that he was a talented businessman. British security forces believe Russias FSB intelligence agency shot down the jet on the orders of Putin, The Telegraph reports. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} It is not surprising that Russian authorities have declared Yevgeny Prigozhin dead. Given the attempted mutiny he led with the Wagner mercenary group against Moscow, the assumption was that he may not be long for this world. When it comes to the iron-grip President Vladimir Putin has on his nation if you come for the king, as the adage goes, you best not miss. But as the speculation swirls about the end of Prigozhin and the embarrassment that Putin could not let stand, it can be easy to brush past the terrible things Progozhin's mercenaries are believed to have done. Let's get this straight, Prigozhin deserved the end that all signs point to him having met. It is Putin's invasion of Ukraine that pushed Prigozhin truly into the public consciousness, with the group having been at the vanguard of some of the bloodiest fighting of the war around the eastern city of Bakhmut. It was this battle, for a place that has gained symbolic value for both Kyiv and Moscow, that made the military elite in the Russian capital sit up and take notice. It will have made Progozhin enemies, even if the brutality Wagner dished out will have made some wary of lashing out against him too publicly. It is clear that atrocities have been committed by the troops he led. My colleague Kim Sengupta interviewed a former Wagner fighter last month, someone who had been on that battlefield. While the fighter refused to speak freely about this, he did say: Some very bad things happened there, Sergey says. I have seen bad things. It was not just one side the Ukrainians shot prisoners. But there were acts against [Ukrainian] civilians that shouldnt have happened, its been a dirty war Others have spoken about shooting prisoners of war and "tossing grenades" into ditches of Ukrainian soldiers taken. It is not just on the frontline either. Ukraine has accused Russian forces of terrible atrocities against the civilians of Bucha and other towns and villages outside the capital Kyiv, occupied by Russian troops in the opening weeks of the invasion before being liberated by Ukraine. Both Kim and another colleague Bel Trew have witnessed the bodies left in the wake of Russia pulling out of the area. Kyiv is adamant those atrocities will be tried as war crimes. It is part of a mounting body of evidence of Russian war crimes and Wagner will have to face that particular music, too. The mercenary group has been involved in Ukraine since Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and the tales of their brutality are long and oft-repeated. Prigozhin's forces have also been involved in Syria's civil war and have a presence in a number of African states. The trail of blood has followed them wherever they have been. A UN report released in May detailed an incident in Mali, in the wake of an extensive fact-finding mission conducted by UN staff over several months. It accuses foreign mercenaries believed to be from Wagner Wagner of being involved in the slaughter hundreds of people in the village of Moura in March 2022. Only a small fraction were said to be soldiers, with many more being civilians. The allegations would mark the worst single atrocity associated with Wagner outside of Ukraine. Violence is Wagner's language. The fact that Prigozhin led his march on Moscow shows that it is all he really understand too. So a violent end would be appropriate. Terror follows both he and his mercenaries and we should not forget that. Artificial intelligence technology to sniff out bribery, kickbacks and corruption within companies is being launched in Ireland by the legal firm DLA Piper. The technology, called Aiscension Bribery, claims to detect multiple forms of bribery behaviour, including facilitation payments and the circumvention of internal procedures. According to DLA Piper, whose lawyers helped to train the technology in what to look for, the software uses behavioural analysis across reams of company data, including email, chats and other kinds of communication available legally to the firm, to detect the corruption. Its aimed at being used in investigations or audits of staff behaviour, although it can also be used in a more consistent monitoring way. It is being launched in Ireland because Dublin is seen as a node for large US and European companies that do business in parts of the world that are regularly cited for egregious corruption regimes. Internationally, fines for corruption and bribery can run into the hundreds of millions. Earlier this year, Ericsson agreed to a 180m bribery fine in the US for using outside consultants to bribe officials. The Swiss mining company, Glencore, has so far been fined around 1.5bn for bribing African officials. The Aiscension Bribery software is claimed to speed up investigations or compliance reviews by a factor of 10 and triangulate data in a way that human reviewers cant to ferret out corrupt patterns and anomalies. White-collar crime is becoming more common in Ireland, said Brian Hunt, legal director at DLA Piper. The potential reputational damage to a business if faced with an allegation of bribery is significant. This utilises the power of Al to analyse vast amounts of data in order to unearth potential and real breaches. A spokesperson for the firm added that the AI technology was intended to be used as a screening process. A previous version of the software, which was more focused on competition breaches, was trained to look for repeated use of code names and other suspicious terminology among correspondence between key executives or sales staff. There are a lot of tools out there in this area that call themselves advanced, the spokesperson said. The output here is very impressive compared to a more hybrid manual review that relies on existing discovery tools. Shes a great listener, a great guard dog and she seems to know when Hazels sugars are about to drop and get her home Tukdam: Point of Death, a documentary by Donagh Coleman, is a fascinating look at the Tibetan belief that certain deep meditators bodies do not decay in the normal way when they die To the Tibetans, Tukdam occurs in people who were expert meditators and entered this state as they were dying The strangest programme of this week or of any week for a long time was Tukdam: Point of Death (RTE 1). Made by an Irishman, Donagh Coleman, it explores the phenomenon of Tukdam, a state some Tibetans appear to enter in the days after their death. In Tukdam, the body does not degenerate as it normally would. The skin remains elastic, the complexion appears fresh and there is no decay. Tukdam can continue for 16 or 17 days, even in the heat of their exiled community in northern India. The experts here fell into two camps. On the one hand we had the Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama, who accept Tukdam as, if not exactly common, at least a well-known occurrence among monks (there were no dead nuns). To the Tibetans, Tukdam occurs in people who were expert meditators, who had entered deep meditation as they were dying. No one seemed to consider the possibility that ordinary people, for example farmers or labourers or bookkeepers, might enter the state of Tukdam. Tibetan society is a hierarchical one. One could not help thinking here of some Christian saints, whose bodies were said to have remained intact for decades after burial. Indeed, this preservation was taken as a sign of their sanctity and listed in their applications for beatification. But we digress. The Dalai Lama approved the research into Tukdam. Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty Images On the other hand, we had the Western experts, mainly from the University of Wisconsin, in a team led by the neuroscientist Richard Davidson. Meanwhile among the Tibetans in India, a dedicated anthropologist, Dylan Lott, went around attaching electrodes to the skulls of very old monks, who took his efforts with good humour. Then Lott arrived at the bedsides of the recently deceased. Not recently deceased enough, it turned out. He needs to be at the deathbed within six hours of the death, but that is tricky given that most monks die in remote areas. Also, the Tibetans believe that, even in non-Tukdam deaths, the subtle mind a consciousness that does not reside in the brain, to summarise crudely is present for three days after death. Again one thinks of the Irish wake tradition, with the body laid out in the midst of a party, and the burial happening on the third day. The Tibetans think that the Westerners are measuring the wrong metrics. Tukdam isnt going to be demonstrated by skin temperature or brain activity, they say. The brain and the mind are different things. At death, the subtle mind rests at the heart. It is at the heart of the person in Tukdam that you can feel extraordinary warmth, because the persons energy as it were has migrated there. The Westerners say that they cannot find a single physiological measurement which demonstrates that dead bodies in Tukdam are any different from any other dead bodies although a US mortician who had embalmed a monk in Tibet said that his body was very different indeed. His blood was redder, his skin was fresher. And when the 16th Karmapa a very senior monk died in the Zion hospital in Illinois, two Western doctors told the programme that the area around his heart did indeed feel very warm even when he had been dead for some time. The Dalai Lama, in what must surely be an exclusive interview, said that this Western research, which he has approved, may take generations to produce a concrete result. He didnt seem worried. This was a fascinating programme. A spokesperson for Asda confirmed the rollout in line with the Windsor Framework (Chris Radburn/PA) A soft-touch approach should be applied to new labelling regulations coming into force for meat and dairy products traded between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, according to a retail sector representative. Responding as Asda became the first supermarket to introduce new Not-for-EU labelling ahead of its mandatory use from October, Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) director Neil Johnston called for a pragmatic approach as retailers get to grips with the new requirements. NIRC represents all the main supermarkets including Asda, which is already introducing Not-for-EU labelling across its own-brand meat products, as reported by BBC NI this morning. A spokesperson for Asda confirmed the rollout in line with the Windsor Framework, which will apply to products in GB a year later in October 2024. Supermarkets are focused on maintaining as broad as possible range of goods and value for money for NI consumers, said Mr Johnson. NI benefits hugely from being part of UK market and it is essential that we minimise any disruption on GB to NI trade. We also need to respect the EUs need to protect the EU internal market given the proximity of the Republic and labelling is part of the measures designed to do this. For the supermarkets the consumers are the priority. While they have worked closely with government about these measures, the detailed guidance was only published a few weeks ago and so it is conceivable there will be some bumps along the road. Consumers should be assured, however, that any disruption will be kept to a minimum. We have been reassured that compliance from 1 October will be more about education and upskilling rather than rigorous enforcement. We very much hope that a pragmatic approach is pursued. As well as labels on pack, there will be posters and shelf edge labels in stores to highlight certain produce should not travel beyond NI into any EU markets, said Mr Johnson. Initially applying to fresh meat and dairy products, the new labelling requirements will apply to most food including fruit and vegetables by July 2025. The Framework was agreed between the EU and UK Government back in February as a post-Brexit legal arrangement replacing the contentious NI Protocol. Goods arriving in NI from GB go through a green lane with no checks if they are intended to stay in the region, or a red lane with checks if they are destined for the Republic or other EU markets. Certain products subject to EU regulations, such as meat, dairy and loose fruit and veg, can be traded from GB to NI in an expedited green lane with the Not-for-EU labelling in place to prevent any onward transit into the Republic of Ireland. The Framework addresses trade challenges for NI post-Brexit, which remains part of both the UK and the EU single market due to its border with the Republic of Ireland. Since the UK exited the EU in 2020, NI businesses and households have faced restrictions, delays and additional paperwork and costs when buying in some goods from GB. The farmer was found guilty of five counts of fraud by false representation on Wednesday after a week-long trial. Stock Image: Getty A sheep farmer who faked letters and will documents from a dead landowner in an attempt to inherit his 1.1 million estate faces jail after being found guilty of fraud. Janice Margaret Johnson, 66, forged several papers from different individuals that suggested she was entitled to the late John Harpers farm, near Millom in Cumbria. Preston Crown Court heard that she lived seven miles from Mr Harper and hatched a plan to obtain his property, Scrithwaite Farm, after his death in February 2016. Prosecutors said that she had used his fields to graze her sheep for 19 years and may have convinced herself that she was very much entitled to the estate. They said that she had deliberately selected dead men, including her father, as witnesses to her faked documents so they could not be questioned by police or solicitors. But she was caught out after leaving a trail of errors in her desperate attempt to win the farm solely for herself and keep her business going, the court heard. Complete fabrications Johnson was found guilty of five counts of fraud by false representation on Wednesday after a week-long trial. Prosecutor Sarah Magill said: Things were not going well, and she must have begun to become very frustrated. It is entirely possible that Mrs Johnson felt very much entitled to the farm as she had farmed it for some 19 years. It is not hard to imagine that she convinced herself that John Harper would have wanted her to have the farm. Ms Magill said: If she didnt write those initial letters, she certainly knew that they were complete fabrications and she took them to her solicitors in a desperate attempt to win the farm. Ms Magill said Johnsons offending took place between March 9 2016 and Jan 25 2019. The defendant had written a series of letters during this period, claiming to be Mr Harper and others after his death, which described his supposed wish to leave her his house, farm buildings and land. Penned a letter to herself Johnson added an annotation between existing lines of her deceased fathers old diary, which stated he and a friend, who was also dead at the time of her writing, had witnessed a will completed by Mr Harper giving her the deeds to the farm. The court heard that Johnson also penned a letter to herself, pretending to be her late father writing to her in 1999, which she handed to her solicitors. When Johnson was questioned by her defence barrister, Claire Brocklebank, she said that she believed specific documents were genuine and denied she had forged letters. She told the court: I did not write this letter or ask someone to write this letter for me. I had no reason to believe that the letter might not be real. I thought the note was a will written by John Harper because of the style of writing and because it had his signature at the bottom. I did not have any concerns that it might not be real. She will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday. At the launch of the National Parent and Student Helpline 2023 are Shari Irfan, president of the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU), Education Minister Norma Foley and Aine Lynch, CEO of the National Parents Council (NPC). Photo: Mark Condren Leaving Cert results in hand, school-leavers and their parents or guardians may have questions to which they need timely and solid answers. The National Parent and Student Leaving Certificate Helpline 2023 Freephone 1800 265 165 is open for nine days from today to deliver information and advice to those who need it. Every year, the helpline handles thousands of queries, with members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) dealing one to one with callers. An array of issues can arise, including how to appeal an exam grade, what to expect next in relation to the CAO (particularly if a student is worried about having the necessary points and eligibility requirements for a course), non-CAO options, the SUSI grant application process and study abroad opportunities. The helpline is sponsored by the Department of Education and the Irish Independent/independent.ie and is supported by the National Parents Council (NPC), eir and the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU). It is a valuable resource, and Education Minister Norma Foley has urged students and parents and guardians to avail of it, saying: Our guidance counsellors are here to help. Guidance Counsellors advice for Leaving Cert students receiving their results The opening hours of the National Parent and Student Leaving Certificate Helpline 2023 are: Friday, August 25 10am-6pm Saturday, August 26 10am-6pm Sunday, August 27 10am-2pm Monday, August 28 10am-6pm Tuesday, August 29 10am-6pm Wednesday, August 30 10am-6pm Thursday, August 31 10am-6pm Friday, September 1 10am-6pm Saturday, September 2 10am-4pm There are still plenty of opportunities to pursue further study and/or training, either in higher or further education, including a new tertiary hybrid option Students still have options available to them. Photo: Getty Images Higher Education CAO available places are vacancies for which there were insufficient eligible applicants before CAO Round 1. The list is published on August 31 at noon. If colleges have any new courses that opened for application after the change-of-mind deadline, or if any places remain unfilled in particular courses, these vacancies will be advertised. Students can go to the CAO website and see what courses are available through this route. Anyone who has applied to the CAO already this year and wants to apply for an available place, can do so free of charge. Anyone who has not already applied to the CAO this year can apply for a fee of 45. Applicants who already have a CAO list, should insert the available places course onto their list in order of preference the usual CAO advice of genuine order of preference applies here too. The available places list is updated regularly. CAO offer season closes on October 5, so it is worth checking every so often to see what courses are on available places. Private Colleges and Direct Entry Courses Private colleges are another good option for students who have not already made a college application. Courses in private colleges with vacancies may appear in the CAOs available places list however, some of their courses are outside the CAO and are direct entry, so the individual applies directly to the college. Private colleges offer accredited courses at both Level 8 and Level 7/6. More established private colleges incude Dublin Business School, Portobello Institute and Griffith College, all in Dublin. Griffith also has campuses in Cork and Limerick. Students in private colleges are generally not covered by the Governments free fees scheme. Course fees can be anywhere from 3,000-6,000 depending on the college and the course. However, families can claim 20pc tax relief on anything above 3,000. Most private college courses do not qualify for the Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi) grant scheme, but some do. Contact the college directly to apply for a course or to get more information. TU Dublin Access Foundation Programme The Access Foundation Programme (AFP) is a one-year full-time course preparing students, both personally and academically, to pursue undergraduate programmes at TU Dublin. It is designed to provide an entry route into TU Dublin for those who have experienced socio-economic and educational disadvantage. Educational disadvantage can arise for many reasons. Originally designed to give mature students a second chance, the main intake now is school-leavers. Students can select modules in areas such as science and health, IT and computing, engineering and built environment, social science, business, hospitality, arts and tourism. They are supported in identifying undergraduate courses in TU Dublin to which they would like to progress. Students who successfully complete the programme will be offered a place on an appropriate course. There are 150 places on the course and it is free of charge. The deadline for applications is September 1. More information is available on on tudublin.ie UCD Open Learning This is a flexible way of studying part-time at UCD. It is open to school-leavers or mature students and offers an introduction to different study areas. The choice is growing all the time. Students pick modules that they would like to study and may choose to be assessed or not. The course can lead to undergraduate degree entry into UCD for those taking the Certificate in Open Learning, with progression pathways to 14 undergraduate programmes. There are no entry requirements; anyone is welcome to sign up and can take as few or as many modules as they want. The college recommends no more than three modules per semester. Most modules can be taken either for audit (375 per module) or for credit (500 per module). Audited modules are purely for interest or to get a taste of university classes without worrying about exams. Credited modules involve completing assessments such as essays, presentations or end-of-semester exams. All classes take place on campus and students receive all the benefits of full-time students. Apply at UCD.ie Tertiary Degrees Brand new this year are joint degree programmes between colleges of further education (FE) and higher-education institutions, which allow students to start a degree programme without needing CAO points for entry. These are officially known as tertiary courses and there are a total of 23 entry routes through FE colleges in 15 counties. The FE colleges in the various counties are linked to a local technological university or another higher education (HE) institution to which students will transfer, after one or two years, to complete their degrees. The FE colleges all come under the umbrella of a local education and training board (ETB). The ETBs involved are: Donegal, Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim, Galway-Roscommon, Laois-Offaly, Cork, Kerry, Limerick-Clare, Kildare-Wicklow and City of Dublin. Depending on the college, the courses available are in areas such as nursing, business, computing, engineering, science, arts, music and media. Applications opened in July and will continue to be accepted for a few weeks. Entry requirements are similar to what students would need for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses. They generally require a basic Leaving Cert as well as an interview and perhaps an audition, depending on the course. PLCs are well-known andvery popular. School-leavers and others often see them as a stepping stone to higher education, using the Level 5 or Level 6 qualification they have gained to compete for a place in third-level colleges. The approach is different with the new courses. The first year or two in the FE college represents the start of the degree programme and students will progress automatically to the third-level college to complete their studies. While there will be no further competition to transfer from FE to HE, as with any degree, students will have to pass their exams to progress. The process is being overseen by the new National Tertiary Office (NTO), the word tertiary representing a shift away from traditional further education and higher education divisions to a more unified approach. Apart from removing the pressure to compete on points, a benefit of the new programmes is that they broaden geographical access to degrees. Students can live at home for at least a year or two and maybe the entire duration of their studies rather than having to move to a city. Another plus is that students will not have to pay any tuition fees during their time in the FE college, reducing the financial burden associated with pursuing a degree. Students will be eligible to apply for Susi grants, subject to the normal criteria. Information about the courses and progression pathways are on the nto.ie website. It also provides contact details for the course co-ordinators for each of the programmes. Applications may also be made via the fetch.ie, the website of the further education and training course hub. Brand new this year are joint degree programmes between colleges of further education (FE) and higher-education institutions, which allow students to start a degree programme without needing CAO points for entry. These are officially known as tertiary courses and there are a total of 23 entry routes through FE colleges in 15 counties. The FE colleges in the various counties are linked to a local technological university or another higher education (HE) institution to which students will transfer, after one or two years, to complete their degrees. The FE colleges all come under the umbrella of a local education and training board (ETB). The ETBs involved are: Donegal, Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim, Galway-Roscommon, Laois-Offaly, Cork, Kerry, Limerick-Clare, Kildare-Wicklow and City of Dublin. Depending on the college, the courses available are in areas such as nursing, business, computing, engineering, science, arts, music and media. Applications opened in July and will continue to be accepted for a few weeks. Entry requirements are similar to what students would need for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses. They generally require a basic Leaving Cert as well as an interview and perhaps an audition, depending on the course. PLCs are well-known andvery popular. School-leavers and others often see them as a stepping stone to higher education, using the Level 5 or Level 6 qualification they have gained to compete for a place in third-level colleges. The approach is different with the new courses. The first year or two in the FE college represents the start of the degree programme and students will progress automatically to the third-level college to complete their studies. While there will be no further competition to transfer from FE to HE, as with any degree, students will have to pass their exams to progress. The process is being overseen by the new National Tertiary Office (NTO), the word tertiary representing a shift away from traditional further education and higher education divisions to a more unified approach. Apart from removing the pressure to compete on points, a benefit of the new programmes is that they broaden geographical access to degrees. Students can live at home for at least a year or two and maybe the entire duration of their studies rather than having to move to a city. Another plus is that students will not have to pay any tuition fees during their time in the FE college, reducing the financial burden associated with pursuing a degree. Students will be eligible to apply for Susi grants, subject to the normal criteria. Information about the courses and progression pathways are on the nto.ie website. It also provides contact details for the course co-ordinators for each of the programmes. Applications may also be made via the fetch.ie, the website of the further education and training course hub. Further Education and Training PLCs Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses are designed so that, at the end of their studies, students can either enter the world of work or apply to third level using the qualification they have received. Courses are usually one year (Level 5), but some are two years and offer a Level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications. By comparison, an ordinary degree is Level 7 and an honours degree is Level 8. There is a huge variety of courses and thousands of school-leavers use this pathway every year. PLCs are offered in further education (FE) colleges, which are run by the education and training boards (ETBs). Students develop skills on a PLC that are not only valuable for success at third level but lead them straight to a job. Unlike the new tertiary degrees, a PLC qualification does not guarantee a student a place on a CAO course, but they can compete for a limited number of places on CAO courses using their PLC qualification. To apply, students should check out the website of the FE college that they wish to attend, see what is on offer, and fill out an application form. There are no CAO points required for entry. Leaving Cert Applied students can also apply for PLCs. FE colleges accept applications until a course is full. Apprenticeships Apprenticeship opportunities have increased greatly across many new sectors and it is no surprise that so, too, has the number of school-leavers opting for this route. Opportunities go well beyond the traditional trades, to embrace areas including biopharma, finance, insurance, engineering, ICT, hairdressing and wind turbine maintenance. Just this month, two new apprenticeships farm technician and farm manager were launched. Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to earn as you learn, while gaining a qualification. Most learning takes place in the workplace, while apprentices also attend college for periods of time. Apprenticeships offer Level 6, 7, 8 and 9 qualifications, depending on the job. Students often choose apprenticeships instead of college because they feel they learn better through hands-on experience rather than relying entirely on classes. They enter the world of work and build a network of colleagues and potential employers for when they finish their qualification. The starting point is to find an employer in an area of interest where apprenticeships are available. It might be worth contacting a local employer. Alternatively the apprenticeship.ie website, operated by the States further education and training agency, Solas, has a list of all programmes and approved employers and advertises vacancies. National Learning Network (NLN) NLN provides courses for school-leavers and others who need support for a range of reasons. It works with a diverse range of students, from 16 to 65. It includes people who have learning difficulties, dyslexia, autism, an illness or injury, mental health issues, social anxiety, long-Covid, or physical, intellectual or sensory disabilities. Each person is supported to learn in a way that best meets their needs. Students can start a course at any time of the year, and can complete it in their own time, with no pressure to keep up with the rest of the class. Students also have access to a psychologist and an advocacy officer. Positive progression to higher levels of training, higher education and employment is a focus. Past students have gone on to paid employment with Meta, Eir, AsIAm and the HSE. Thousands of students attend the programmes, all of which are certified across Levels 2-6 on the National Qualifications Framework each year. There are over 70 courses in more than 50 locations across Ireland. NLN is the educational and training division of the Rehab Group. Anyone interested should email: info@nln.ie or visit www.nln.ie. School dropout Ryan Hickey went on to greater things, winning a scholarship from a Bord na Mona essay competition he entered South East Technological University BA Digital Marketing and Data Anayltics Ryan Hickeys final few years in school were difficult, but youd never guess it now. He has made an inspiring journey from school dropout to impressing judges with a scholarship-winning essay. During transition year at Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Co Kildare, Ryan had to take extended time out because of mental health difficulties, to which many teenagers succumb. In his case, severe anxiety was diagnosed. Ryan (21) returned in fifth year, but the anxiety got the better of him and he left. While he hadnt made a decision to give up on school, he started working. He says the school was fantastic in its support throughout, but when sixth year came around, he felt he had fallen too far behind to consider sitting the Leaving Cert. He started questioning his education future: I always thought college was for me but then there was the fear I wouldnt get there because I dropped out. Fast forward to spring 2023 when the South East Technological University (SETU) third-year student was awarded a Bord na Mona scholarship for his submission on how Ireland could adapt to the circular economy in 20 years time. His opening lines caught the judges attention: The year is 2042. Its 7am, the previously loud hustle and bustle of early mornings has subsided. Stepping outside first thing in the morning and feeling clean, the air is clean, the trees are green but its quiet. Its more than quiet, its silent... Ryan says he wrote about an Ireland that I see as achievable, the Ireland I would want my kids to be raised in. A future of small changes that make a massive impact. Many hands make light work. However, many minds make the difference. After giving up on the Leaving Cert, he looked around for an alternative and, with some flexible thinking applied to the usual entry requirements, he secured a place on a post-Leaving Cert (PLC) business course in St Conleths Community College, also Newbridge. He jumped at what he saw as my second chance and I put my entire energy into it, and took on two extra subjects. One night I sat down and unloaded my brain on to this document. It sent it off on the off chance Ryan sailed through and turned his attention to moving on to higher education, using the PLC qualification as a basis for entry. He was delighted to be offered a place on Level 8 (honours degree) Digital Marketing and Data Analytics at SETU. Last autumn, as he started third year, Ryan saw a notice in college about the Bord na Mona Scholarship Pathway programme, with a competition requiring a submission on the theme of sustainability. I was immediately interested. One night I sat down and unloaded my brain on to this document. It sent it off on the off chance. Earlier this year, Ryan received an email from Bord na Mona: They said they loved it and that my entry stood out. They wanted to give me the scholarship. He was one of three students from SETU to win the award this year. The other successful applicants were from different undergraduate disciplines. Ryan enjoyed meeting them at the awards ceremony and getting their perspectives on sustainability. As well as the bursary, there is mentoring, the offer of Bord na Mona site visits and a work placement opportunity, but Ryan had already started a course-related placement, with customer relationship management company Periti Digital, which continued through the summer. He is now entering his fourth and final year and Periti Digital has already offered him a full-time position when he graduates. Ryan Tubridy says 'family and perspective' are most important in message to Leaving Cert students of 2023 All the way through, Ryan has been open about his previous mental health difficulties. Its been a long journey but talking about it openly and not being shy is the easiest way for me to get over it, he said. Bord na Monas Scholarship Pathway programme is one of three in its Pathways to the Future initiative offering students the opportunity to work on the front line of climate action and sustainable economic development. It has 10 places for students on Level 8 programmes across Ireland, providing financial and other supports to help students overcome any barriers to education. As well as a business case on sustainability, applicants must also submit a personal statement. Bord na Mona also offers a Graduate Pathway, and an Apprenticeship Pathway, offering different choices, educational support and career development opportunities to a broad range of people. All pathways provide opportunities to work on the front line of climate action and sustainable economic development. In partnership with the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and Solas, the Apprenticeship Pathway offers apprenticeships to those interested in becoming qualified in areas such as transport operations, mechanics, wind turbine maintenance and automation. TU Dublin Foundation Access Programme/BA Culinary Arts When Aoife Comerford did not live up to her Leaving Cert ambitions because of a lengthy illness, she found another route to career success. A few short years later, she has an international, most promising student in gastronomy award under her belt and is working in a Michelin-starred restaurant. When Aoife was younger, the 22-year-old from Dublins north east inner city, had wanted to pursue further study in science or medicine. As I got older I was leaning more towards cooking. I like it because my favourite part in science was doing the experiments, she says. In fifth year at Presentation Warrenmount, Dublin, Aoife lost a lot of school time because of illness and when she returned to sixth year whe faced a lot of catching up I was trying to go extra classes before and after school to make up for what I lost, but it was impossible, she says. She sat the Leaving Cert but failed maths and biology. Not making the grade in biology was a particular disappointment as it was a favourite subject of hers. Aoifes backstop had always been an access programme in a university, but, having failed those subjects, she didnt get an interview. However, she was guided to the TU Dublin Access Foundation Programme. a one-year, pre-university course. No CAO points are required and applicants are assessed for their suitability. At the end of the year, successful participants are offered a place on a suitable undergraduate course at TU Dublin. Students can choose modules in areas of interest, and Aoife found herself drawn to business-related subjects. Aoife graduated with a distinction and, by then, she knew that culinary arts was the direction she wanted to take. She transferred to the honours degree (Level 8) BA Culinary Arts. Ryan Tubridy says 'family and perspective' are most important in message to Leaving Cert students of 2023 During her studies, she was supported by the 1916 Bursary. It was huge help. Susi didnt cover the costs, she says. The budding chef really enjoyed the course, taking a particular interest in gastronomy. That was rewarded in her final year, with the international most promising student award in gastronomy and a three-day trip to the annual Oxford Food Symposium, under the patronage of some of the biggest names in fine dining. That passion also landed her an internship, and then a part-time job, at Andy McFaddens Michelin-starred Glovers Alley restaurant in Dublin, during her final year. Having just graduated, Aoife is now working in the kitchen full-time before returning to do a masters in gastronomy next year. I love it. Andy has been a huge encouragement, she says. Information about grants and your eligibility for them is available on the Susi website Improvements to the Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi) grant scheme this year are delivering financial support to another category of student, those with household incomes of 100,000 or more. The change entitles undergraduates in families with an income of 62,000- 100,000 (the limit is higher for families with more than four children) to a permanent 500 reduction in the 3,000-a-year student contribution. Another change sees the threshold for the 50pc student contribution grant where the State pays half the 3,000 increased from 55,240 to 62,000. Both of these kick in from September, and students have to apply for them via Susi, the state grants agency. Susi is the main source of state financial assistance for students attending further or higher education. Importantly, students do not need to have accepted a course before submitting a Susi application. They can supply details of the course they hope to study and, if necessary, update their course choice online later. Many students have already been approved for their grant, but there is still time to apply. Susi will remain open until late autumn/early winter, usually November, and there will also be an option to submit a late application. It is in students best interests to apply as early as possible to get certainty about their entitlements and to start receiving payments as early as possible. As of last week, 60,500, of 78,500 applications to date, had been awarded funding. The 60,500 included more than 30,500 new applicants. Eligible students in further education, such as those doing a post-Leaving Cert (PLC) course, receive a maintenance grant only, while undergraduate students may qualify for both fee and maintenance support. Students who intend to study in the UK or Europe can be awarded the maintenance grant on approved courses. The fee grant is not available to students studying outside the State. Guidance Counsellors advice for Leaving Cert students receiving their results There are a number of criteria applicants need to meet in order to be awarded a grant. The fundamental one is household income. Others include nationality and residency in Ireland, the course the applicant is planning to undertake, and the type of applicant they are (dependent, mature dependent or independent). Students who think they may be eligible should check out the Eligibility Indicator on susi.ie where they can also find additional information on grants. To apply, students must create an account in their Susi student portal, submit an online application and return requested documents. If an application is refused the applicant will be given details about how to review and appeal the decision. Students who think they may be eligible should check the Eligibility Indicator on susi.ie, where there is also more information on grants. Irish universities have received three applications for every student bed they will have available. Photo: Getty Thousands of school-leavers are now looking forward to starting college next month and, for many, it will mean a move away from home. Many will have applied for on-campus accommodation in a university, which offers great convenience and security, but these rooms are heavily oversubscribed, and there will be disappointed applicants. On average, universities received three applications for every student bed they will have available. This year, universities have about 15,000 to 16,000 student beds available, but they received about 45,000 applications. Rooms are reserved for first-year students, but they will fill up rapidly after CAO offers are issued next week, and those applicants unlucky to miss out on a place in the allocation will need to look elsewhere. There is also purpose-built private student accommodation. This may also be heavily booked and it can be expensive. There is not a lot available in the private rented market and it is not considered the best option for first years. Among the reasons to be cautious are the many warnings about rental scams. The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and others have issued detailed advice on how to avoid being ripped-off. It includes not paying a cash deposit, and ensuring you get a receipt for any money exchanged, to which you are legally entitled. You should also request a viewing before the move-in date to ensure that any issues have been rectified. The best advice for students who dont secure on-campus accommodation is to try book a room with a family close to their chosen college. All colleges and their students unions have lists of households in their locality where rooms are available. Arrangements can vary meals may or may not be included and, while a five-day week is common, sometimes there is the option of a seven-day week. Now that students have their Leaving Cert results, some will have an idea where they will be attending college. If they are leaving home and have not checked out accommodation options, they should not delay and should contact the college or its students union to see what might be available. In Dublin, the going rate for host family accommodation is about 160 for a five-day week. A big advantage of staying with a host family is that costs, such as utilities, are included, so there are no hidden extras. Also, students only have to pay for the weeks they are in college, about 30, while increasingly in the rental market, landlords are seeking a 52-week arrangement. BA.2.86 strand of virus, which is feared to be even more infectious, has not been detected in Ireland yet There were 22 outbreaks in hospitals last week and another 18 in nursing homes. Photo: Getty The more infectious Eris Covid-19 variant has made its way into hospitals and nursing homes, leading to outbreaks of infection, it emerged yesterday. Of the 126 cases of the variant detected here so far, nearly half are associated with hospital and healthcare settings. It has continued to gain a foothold here since the middle of June. The most recent figures show that Eris makes up nearly one-third of the lineages discovered during analysis to find out what is circulating here. Another variant called BA.2.86, which is feared to be even more infectious, has been detected in other countries. However, as of Wednesday, it has not been detected in Ireland, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The watchdog said there is no evidence that the Eris variant is causing increased public health risks. However, it may be driving a rise in patients, staff and visitors passing it on to each other in hospitals. There were 22 outbreaks in hospitals last week and another 18 in nursing homes, up from a combined figure of 11 the previous week. Overall, the number of cases detected which is only a fraction of true infection rates due to lack of testing rose to 970. This is an increase of 32.5pc, with the most infections recorded among 75- to 84-year-olds. Covid-19-related deaths notified in June and July were significantly lower than the same months last summer. There were 51 deaths notified in June and 30 in July. This compares with 120 deaths and 199 deaths last June and July respectively. The county with the highest incidence rate of Covid-19 last week was Donegal, followed by Waterford, Limerick, Cavan and Kerry. It comes as a new report found that during the pandemic, measures such as social distancing and wearing face masks unequivocally reduced the spread of infections. The measures were widely applied in Ireland and other European countries. They are classed as non-pharmaceutical interventions, as opposed to vaccines and drugs. The report into their usage is from the Royal Society in the UK. It reviewed the evidence around their effectiveness in reducing transmission. In the evidence review, non-pharmaceutical interventions included wearing of face masks, social distancing and lockdowns, as well as testing, tracing and isolation. Also included were travel restrictions, controls across international borders, and environmental measures. It found, when assessed individually, there was positive if limited evidence of transmission reduction from many of these measures. However, the evidence was much clearer when countries used a combination of these measures. A small number of nations and regions were able to contain cases to very low numbers for the first 18 months of the pandemic. Explainer: What is the Eris (EG.5) variant? Additionally, evidence showed the measures were most effective when the intensity of transmission was low, supporting their use early in a pandemic and at first sign of resurgence. However, the report also stated that use of these measures can have adverse personal, educational, and economic consequences making robust assessment of their effectiveness essential. Professor Mark Walport, chair of the reports expert working group, said: There is sufficient evidence to conclude that early, stringent implementation of packages of complementary non-pharmaceutical intervention was unequivocally effective in limiting SARS-CoV-2 infections. That does not mean every measure was effective... but learning the lessons from the wealth of research generated in this pandemic will be key to equipping ourselves for the next one. The report draws together the findings of six expert-led evidence reviews in a special themed issue of the peer-reviewed journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. These reviews examined thousands of published studies, and applied rigorous inclusion criteria to identify papers that were suitably robust for inclusion in each review category. Cara Darmody called on Government to improve supports for disabled people and their families Cara Darmody from Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary got the outstanding grade in the maths Leaving Cert paper despite being just 12 years old Cara Darmody Ardfinnan Co Tipperary who recieved an 01/97% Distinction in ordinary level maths in the leaving Certificate with her parents Mark and Noelle Darmody, photo john d kelly At 12-years-old, Cara Darmody is the youngest person in Ireland to pass Leaving Cert maths. That statement probably does her a disservice because, in reality, she has done much more than pass it. Cara is using her incredible score of 97pc to highlight the plight of Irelands disabled children. The disability rights campaigner had her first day at Loreto Secondary School in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, today. Instead of being anxious about a new school, she had cause for celebration. Receiving her Leaving Cert maths result six years in advance of her peers and getting such a high mark is an exceptional achievement. Last year, aged 11, Cara achieved a 97pc score in Junior Cert maths paper two. Now, she has paper one of Leaving Cert maths under her belt too. The schoolgirl, from Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary has been lobbying Government ministers for months to improve the services for intellectually disabled children and their families. Twelve-year-old Cara Darmody campaigns for autism and carers rights at the Dail Her brothers, Neil (10) and John (6), have autism and significant intellectual disabilities. Cara has watched as her parents, Mark and Noelle Darmody, have fought for help for Neil and John. I did the exam for children with special needs and autism, Cara told Independent.ie. Theyre treated disgracefully. Its wrong that 20,000 children are left on a waiting list. Ive told politicians in the Dail they need to do something about it. Theyve not listened. Im telling them what change needs to happen. Ill keep annoying them until change takes place. Cara has another major goal in sight. She said: I want to be Taoiseach and to replace all the politicians that arent doing their jobs properly. Id say leave and Ill take over, or start doing the job properly. I want to be the person to speak up for the poor children, some who cant speak Her father who tutored her for Leaving Cert maths said the Government has indicated it would fund the private assessments of children with special needs waiting to be seen by specialists. However, Mr Darmody added: They havent given a start date and that needs to happen next. This is not peoples bills to pay. Cara made a change and she wants to see this the whole way through. While this is a day for celebration with plans for dinner at Caras favourite Chinese restaurant the fact remains that the exam was taken as a protest move. Im really happy I got 97pc, Cara said. I can keep helping children and families who are too scared to speak up. I want them to not have fear. I want to be the person to speak up for the poor children, some who cant speak. 12-year-old carer Cara Darmody gets her Junior Cert Maths Results on The Late Late Show My brothers have severe autism and intellectual disabilities. It's really hard. Its a struggle in my house. "Sometimes my parents dont get sleep. Thousands of families go through this. Im doing this because I want to help these people. I want autistic and disabled children not to worry about the things we have to worry about. "There are families struggling so much. The Government is letting them down. Mr Darmody said his daughter has lobbied the Government. As well as asking for the funding of private assessments, she has asked for therapies to be funded, for the HSE to be reformed in terms of complaints, and for a full review of carers allowance. Carers allowance was never set up for a parent with a child with disabilities, Mr Darmody said. It was set up for older people at the end of their lives. According to Mr Darmody, Cara has been driven to become a disability rights campaigner because of the struggles her brothers face. My brothers dont understand anything, said Cara. Its sad because theres kids around the country like this. The whole point of my campaign is so parents can stop paying privately for assessments. To be Caras dad is the most amazing thing in the world And I want children to be much better treated. Im proud of myself for the exam result but my dad was the best teacher in the world. Leaving Cert maths had been tough, Cara added. But she found it amusing when responding to a question on mortgages. Itll be a long way off for me getting a mortgage, she said, laughing. And as for her new school, she said: Its great, I like the uniform and Ive made new friends. But Ill be back at Leinster House to continue my campaign because things still need to change. Mr Darmody said: To be Caras dad is the most amazing thing in the world. Ive had a front-row seat for every interview and every meeting with politicians. Her brothers have made her have this drive to study hard for this exam. It was only ever about the campaign. Its what she brings to the table. Her biggest achievement was going to Leinster House every week to meet politicians to advocate for change. The politicians in Leister House are looking at this today, saying, shes not going away. This is not a good-news day if youre a politician; it only entices Cara to carry on this campaign. . RTE Director General Kevin Bakhurst has said there will be no compulsory redundancies at RTE despite the funding shortfall, but has refused to specify the amount of future financing the embattled station will need from the taxpayer. Mr Bakhurst declined to comment on the contents of the Mazars report into the operation of the controversial barter account within RTE after an 80-minute meeting with Media Minister Catherine Martin, along with RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallagh. He said there had been a very positive, wide-ranging and useful discussion. He said however that RTE radio would be dealing with the appointment of Ryan Tubridys successor, adding: I don't want to talk about Ryan any more. I dont think it is fair on Ryan. The salary would be commensurate with whoever was appointed, he indicated after Mr Tubridy had been on the verge of returning on a deal worth 170,000 a year for the radio slot. Olivers doing a great job and so is Brendan, he said of the step-in stars Oliver Callan and Brendan Courtney. We need to see how things work out. Mr Bakhurst said he had not spoken to Ryan Tubridy or Dee Forbes in the recent past. On Government demands for a reform plan, he said he had already rolled out a whole series of reforms already and and the next step was a register of interests for staff. We want to get the register of interests in place, particularly around external commitments. We're working hard on that. He said he was talking to the unions and the staff association. It should be published in relatively short order, he said, adding that there was no pushback against it from any source. The new DG was then asked about presenter Laura Foxs promotions of a butt-lift through injections. She is a host of Irelands Fittest Family and works for 2FM. The issue of RTE stars also apparently engaged with product placement through wearing suits on screen was also raised. Mr Bakhurst said: Thats one of the things we are going to do around the register of interests. These are things we need to tackle. Asked if such actions were appropriate, he said: I dont want to start picking on individuals .I mean, I was surprised to see it, but these are the sort of things we need to get a framework around and make sure people know what they're allowed to do and not allowed to do. He said a report was being progressed on Martin Morrissey and the free car. Adrian Lynch, the executive who appeared before Oireachtas committees as interim DG, was handling it, he said. Ryan Tubridy says 'family and perspective' are most important in message to Leaving Cert students of 2023 The board would be issuing statement after Minister Catherine Martin has spoken later today, he said. RTE would thus deal with questions about the Mazars report later on, he said. On RTEs future funding, Mr Bakhurst said he had had an interesting discussion with one of the Nordic director generals, where funding comes directly from Government with no commercial sales or revenues. It's a very interesting example as we can look at in this country. It's working very well in Sweden, for example. It is urgent, but you know that the timing has got to be right. And we've got to show we've made changes to the organisation before that. There's some really important things to do with the organisation and I've really got to turn my mind to that -- about the funding issues, but also about governance and the changes I've already said I'm going to make. He added: We've had detailed discussions about a number of the reforms that we've already suggested, and ones that the Government are interested in. Im determined we're going to do that. I want to do it as rapidly as possible. German-owned discount retailer, Lidl Ireland has been ordered to pay 8,000 compensation to a mother of an autistic boy who was left distressed by repeated demands his assistance dog be removed from a store. At the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), adjudicator, Marguerite Buckleys ordered Lidl Ireland GMBH to pay the compensation to the un-named mother for discrimination under the Equal Status Act as well as the distress suffered by her son. The incident took place at Lidl Irelands Nangor Rd store at Clondalkin, in Dublin on April 29, 2022, and the mother told the WRC hearing that her son uses a service dog provided to him by registered charity, My Canine Companion. The dog is a Labradoodle/Retriever and wears a Hi-Viz green jacket with a handle and the boy holds the handle when necessary, depending on his needs. Representing herself in the case, she told the hearing that on entering the store, she was approached by a security guard and told that no dogs were allowed in the store. She advised the security guard that the dog was a service dog that had full access rights to the store and advised him to "learn his job. The store manager then asked her to leave the store with the dog and told her dogs were not allowed in the store. The mother pointed out that this was a service dog that had full access rights and he should not ask her to leave. She said she found his tone condescending and it upset her and she felt her son was getting agitated by the interaction. She told him her son had special needs and pointed to the jacket on the dog and read out what it said. She advised that she would not leave the store and invited them to call the gardai and said it was a disgrace that both security and management did not know the rights of people with assistance dogs. The woman said he asked him if he would ask a blind person with a guide dog to leave the store. She continued her shopping and reassured her son they had the right to be in the store and hugged him as required. The woman called her husband as a precaution in case her son had a serious meltdown. The WRC heard that she found the entire interaction very disgraceful and distressing. Her son still remembers the incident and it had a negative effect on him. She said she had to stand up for herself and her son. The mother submitted that she and her son should have been allowed to shop in the store without being bothered and the Hi-Viz jacket worn by their dog should have been recognised as identifying it as an assistance dog and they should not be approached or interrogated in the manner they were. She explained that she had a similar experience in the same store in 2018 and complained to the retailers head office at the time and received a letter of apology and an assurance that staff would be educated so it would not happen again. A 50 donation was made to the Canine Companion charity at the time. In her findings, Ms Buckley found the fact the complainant stood her ground and refused to leave the Lidl Ireland premises does not lessen the treatment she received from Lidl Irelands store manager or security guard. Ms Buckley said the mother described the interactions as very upsetting for herself and it caused her son to become agitated. It was noted that from CCTV evidence the interaction with the store manager lasted a minute and a half. She remarked: "That is quite a long time for an interaction to check if a dog was an assistance dog. Ms Buckley said the mother described how the Store Manager asked her three times during that interaction to leave the store. Ms Buckley said that this is less favourable treatment on discrimination grounds under the Equal Status Act. Ms Buckley found that while the disability may not have been immediately apparent to Lidl Ireland, its servants or agents I find on the facts that the assistance dog was wearing a Hi-Viz vest and signage and had a special harness that identified it was an assistance dog and was easily distinguishable from other dogs. Ms Buckley said by noting the dog and its signage, she was satisfied from the evidence that a disability would have been known to Lidl Ireland at the time the mother and her son entered the Lidl Ireland premises. In evaluating compensation, Ms Buckley noted that this was the second occasion that the mother experienced less favourable treatment at the same store. Ms Buckley said while admirable that Lidl Ireland's Head Office was doing so much work in the area of disabilities, the fact remains that in 2022 two members of the team, direct worker and contacted security guard were unfamiliar with Lidl Irelands own policies and best practice in dealing with an assistance dog. She said they both requested an assistance dog to be removed from the store on a number of occasions. Ms Buckley said the complainant was forced in a challenging situation to educate Lidl Ireland staff and agents as to the legal entitlement for the assistance dog to be in the shop. In its submission denying discrimination, Lidl Ireland said it is accepted the behaviour of the store manager was far from the standard expected by its employees or agents. Lidl Ireland said that however, in mitigation it noted that neither the store manager nor the third-party security guard removed the assistance dog from the store. It submitted that although the interactions were regrettable and poor errors of judgement, did not prevent the mother from completing her shopping on April 29, 2022. The company said it was not unreasonable nor discriminatory for its staff to take reasonable steps to engage with customers to establish the bona fide is for the presence of an assistance animal in store. It claimed that it was not discriminatory in its actions and its efforts to assist customers on the autism spectrum should be taken into account in reaching my decision. Privates Thomas Barrett, from Cork, pictured, and Derek Smallhorne, from Dublin, were murdered on April 18, 1980 A militia member convicted of murdering two Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon has been released early from his prison sentence. Privates Thomas Barrett and Derek Smallhorne were abducted and shot dead while serving on a UN mission on April 18, 1980. Mahmoud Bazzi admitted on Lebanese television that he was responsible for the murders but later retracted this and fled to the United States where he worked as an ice-cream seller. In 2015 he was deported for immigration violations and appeared before a military court in Beirut, where he was subsequently convicted in 2020 of murdering the Irish soldiers. Bazzi was given a life sentence, but this was immediately reduced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour due to his age. Independent.ie has learned that the convicted killer has now been released from prison less than three years after being sentenced. The Irish Government has been notified of his release although the reason for Bazzi walking free from jail early are not clear. Privates Thomas Barrett, from Cork, pictured, and Derek Smallhorne, from Dublin, were murdered on April 18, 1980 The Defence Force's Personnel Support Service has also contacted the families of Privates Barrett and Smallhorne to notify them of the development. The two murdered soldiers and their comrade, Private John O'Mahony, were in their last week of a six-month tour with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) when they were sent out to provide supplies to a post near the border with Israel. They were accompanied by an American officer, a French officer and two journalists when they were intercepted by a gang from the Israeli-controlled South Lebanon Army (SLA). The Defence Forces personnel were disarmed and separated from the rest of the group. Private O'Mahony was shot in the stomach and leg while his two colleagues were abducted and executed. The incident took place less than two weeks after the SLA attacked Irish troops in the village of At Tiri. Derek Smallhorne The Irish called in Dutch and Fijian reinforcements and during the battle two peacekeepers- Pte Stephen Griffin, from Galway and a Fijian- were killed. One member of the SLA, Massoud Bazzi, a brother of Mahmoud Bazzi, was also killed. During the April 18 incident, the three Irish peacekeepers were singled out by a gunman, who had been shouting my brother, my brother, and another man. A short time after the murders Mahmoud Bazzi appeared on Lebanese television and claimed he was responsible for the shootings. He subsequently retracted his statements, alleging that his commander had forced him to claim responsibility. Bazzi later relocated to the US where he settled in Dearborn, Michigan, and worked as an ice cream driver. When he applied for US citizenship, the investigation there was stepped up and he was arrested for administrative immigration violations by federal agents at his home. In 2015 he was put on trial before a Beirut military court. During the trial Private OMahony gave evidence identifying Bazzi as the man who shot him and abducted his comrades. A spokesperson for the Department of Defence said: The Department of Defence is aware of officially unconfirmed reports in Lebanon that Mahmoud Bazzi was freed from prison on July 31. We are currently seeking further details on the matter. In the meantime the Defence Forces Personnel Support Services are offering support to the families of Pte Thomas Barrett and Pte Derek Smallhorne, and continues to support Pte John OMahony, who was injured at the time. Ryan Tubridy says 'family and perspective' are most important in message to Leaving Cert students of 2023 Ryan Tubridy has shared his congratulations to the Leaving Cert class of 2023 in a video posted to his Instagram on Friday morning. The caption reads: A quick message for the Leaving Cert warriors of 2023. And their beleaguered families. Leaving Cert people of Ireland if you got what you wanted in your points and results, congratulations, you did well. If you didnt dont worry, this is the most important part. Its something in the cosmos, the universe, who knows, nudging you somewhere where you werent expecting to be. Take it from someone who knows a little bit about this, the old guy. If that happens, embrace it, run into it, and take it somewhere exciting and interesting because thats where you were obviously meant to be, he said. He encouraged those getting their results today not to panic to keep and keep family and perspective in mind as theyre more important than Leaving Cert points. Go and have some fun tonight, and then get on with the rest of your life and have fun getting there. Well done, Tubridy concluded. Born Chryssanthie Goulandris in the US in 1950, she held dual US and Greek citizenship OReilly was a legend in horse racing circles and owned Castlemartin Stud in Co Kildare along with her husband, Sir Anthony OReilly, the former chief executive and majority owner of Independent News and Media, now Mediahuis Ireland. She was a former chairperson of the Irish National Stud. She also owned the Haras de la Louviere stud farm in Normandy, France. She supported a number of trainers across Europe including here in Ireland and in France. Among them was Eddie Lyman, who paid tribute to OReilly and said she was a very kind woman. Sir Anthony O'Reilly and Lady Chryss O'Reilly at Naas races in 2005. Photo: Tom Burke I was fortunate to have trained for her for 15 years, maybe more, and she was a pleasure to train for as she was very knowledgeable, he said. She will be sadly missed in racing throughout the world, never mind here, where we were very fond of her. She used to come and visit and she was great fun. OReilly was seen earlier this week in the French town of Deauville, a notable location on the equine scene, for a horse sale and racing event. It is understood that she died suddenly. Education, isolation and a history of depression and diabetes among the areas scientists used in studies Academic breakthroughs are helping scientists predict the types of people that may be at greater risk of developing dementia. Photo: Getty Images Scientists have come up with a list of risk factors for dementia and developed a tool that can strongly predict whether a person will develop the condition in the next 14 years. Eleven risk factors, including lifestyle and personal features alongside history of illnesses, were found to assess with good accuracy whether or not people in mid-life would go on to develop dementia. Led by academics at the University of Oxford, scientists examined data on people aged 50 to 73 taking part in two major long-term British studies, the UK Biobank study and the Whitehall II study. Researchers compiled a list of 28 known factors linked to dementia risk and then whittled it down to the strongest predictors. The 11 factors are age, education, a history of diabetes, a history of depression, a history of stroke, parental history of dementia, levels of deprivation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living alone and gender. Researchers also examined these risk factors alongside whether or not people carried a specific gene the APOE gene which is a known risk factor for dementia. This risk tool was called the UKBDRS-APOE tool. The authors said the assessment significantly outperforms similar other risk-assessment tools currently available. As well as identifying those at risk, these tools can also highlight preventative measures people can take while it is still possible. The academics point out previous work that suggests up to 40pc of dementia cases could be prevented through modifying certain lifestyle factors including stopping smoking, reducing high blood pressure, losing weight and reducing alcohol intake. They suggest the new tool could, in the future, be used as an initial screening tool for dementia to put people in risk groups. Those who come back with a high probability of developing dementia, according to the risk score, could be prioritised for further tests including cognitive assessments, brain scans and blood tests. It comes as a separate study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, found that over-60s living unhealthy lifestyles were more likely to need nursing home care in later life. Being physically inactive, being a smoker and having poor sleep between the ages of 60 and 64 seemed to be particularly influential factors, academics found. Researchers from the University of Sydney examined data on more than 127,000 Australian men and women aged 60 and over. After 10 years of follow-up, researchers found 18pc of people in the study had been admitted to a nursing home. Compared with those who lived the healthiest lifestyles, unhealthy over-60s were 43pc more likely to be admitted to a home. Lucy Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison after being convicted of murdering seven babies. She has never admitted it, never explained why she committed such horrific crimes and never apologised. The Belfast Telegraphs crime correspondent Allison Morris explains the case and its implications to host Ciaran Dunbar. The St Audoens Society of Bellringers (from left to right): Maurice O'Reilly, Julian West, Derek McEndoo, Jason Lynam, Sean Waldron, Kathleen McEndoo, Joe Kealy, Clodagh Canavan, Lesley Hayes, Robert MacDonald and Theresa Nolan The 600th anniversary of the oldest ringing bells in Ireland will be celebrated this weekend in Dublins inner city. The medieval bells in St Audoens church will ring out across the city on Saturday to celebrate the anniversary of their casting in 1423. St Audoens is the only medieval parish church remaining in Dublin and is one of the oldest buildings in Ireland, originally founded in 1190. Robert MacDonald, captain of the St Audoens Society of Bellringers, told Independent.ie: What is quite remarkable is the sheer fact that they have survived that length of time. There are very, very few sets of bells which are either the same or slightly older than 1423. We ring the bells in full circle, so its on a wheel and basically rotating. These bells wouldnt have been rung like that in 1423, they would have been chimed on a fairly primitive axel. It was only in the 17th century that they discovered that by putting a wheel onto the bell, you could rotate it. So you could create the speed of the bell and have changes. They would have been chimed for the angelus, warning of fires or curfew, so they would have been a remarkable part of the history of Dublin, he added. Three of the six bells are still in excellent condition, with original cannons and inscriptions. While the three other bells were added at a later date. The society, which has 15 members, was formed in May of this year and will perform the ringing of the bells on Saturday, August 26, at 2pm, followed by a service at 4.30pm in the church. The bells ceased ringing between parts of the 19th and 20th century due to the decay of the tower. However, the bells were hung for the first time in almost a century in August 1983. The fact that they have survived that length of time is quite unique, said Mr MacDonald. They are the oldest bells on the island of Ireland. The earliest complete set of bells are in Blessington and they were cast in 1651, so they predate those bells by 200 years. They are just incredible. The church is nestled in the heart of the walled medieval part of Dublin in the Liberties and is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Patrick ODonovan, minister of state for the OPW, said: These bells have tolled in witness to history for six centuries, as this part of the city went through periods of significant cultural and economic change. As custodians of such important historical artefacts, we are delighted to recognise and honour this rich piece of our heritage, and to ring the bells in celebration on August 26. These bells, along with three others from the 18th and 19th century, have been an integral part of Dublin life for centuries, sounding the hours and calling the inhabitants of the inner city to prayer. They have stood guard and watch over the ever-changing landscape of this developing city, providing a memorable soundtrack to our historic moments, calling out our celebrations and tolling sadly in empathy with our grief. Bearing gothic inscriptions, one bell is stamped 1423 and includes an inscription Anno Domini 1423: The Bell of the Holy Trinity and all Saints. The two others of similar construction are dedicated to St Audoen and to Mary, the Blessed Virgin, he added. Winners announced on final night of international event Best Film Made in The Boyne Valley winner, The Passenger. Writer/Producer Gerard Anthony Gormley and lead actor Steven Jess presented with the award here by JJ Harrington.Best Film Made in The Boyne Valley winner, The Passenger. Writer/Producer Gerard Anthony Gormley and lead actor Steven Jess presented with the award here by JJ Harrington. Emma Foley and Tamryn Reinecke won Best Irish Narrative Short Film with Sound and Colour, award presented by Darren Thornton at the 2023 Boyne Valley International Film Festival at The Droichead Arts Centre. Emma Foley and Tamryn Reinecke won Best Irish Narrative Short Film with Sound and Colour, award presented by Darren Thornton at the 2023 Boyne Valley International Film Festival at The Droichead Arts Centre. Film Makers in Focus Clare Monnelly and Aaron Monaghan with co-Directors of Festival Collette Farrell and Frank Kelly at the 2023 Boyne Valley International Film Festival at The Droichead Arts Centre. It was lights, camera and lots of action on the weekend of August 11th to 13th as Drogheda saw the return of the Boyne Valley International Film Festival to the Droichead Arts Centre. Now in its second year, the three day event brought together films and filmmakers from around the Boyne Valley region, Ireland and the world. Friday night opened with the Made in the Boyne Valley programme, which showcases talent from the area. It did not disappoint, the sold out show screened seven films from the region including The Passenger by Gerard Gormley and John Redmond, An Irish Goodbye by Cody Farren and Irreverence by Siun OConnor. The programme is sponsored by the Clinch Family and was followed by a Boann Distillery drinks reception where filmmakers and audience members stayed to talk film. Saturday was packed with films, panel discussions, filmmaker Q and As and workshops, including one hosted by Academy Award nominee Naomi Sheridan. The panel "Dream Vs. Reality spoke with industry professionals on the reality of making films. The producers panel, called Making it, featured three production companies, including Copper Alley, whos film Lamb, which screened at the festival, has made it to the long-list for the 2024 Oscars. All the panels and Q and As were hosted by LMFM presenter Sinead Brassil whos enthusiastic approach and insightful questions set the tone for the weekend. This is the first year the festival has ventured outside the Droichead Arts Centre, partnering with the Arc Cinema in Drogheda to screen the Animation Programme, which was free for families. Something the festival hopes to do more of in the future. This year the festival also added and extra day and an Award Ceremony, taking place on Sunday. The day continued with films and filmmaker discussion, but also featured a unique event centred around the Short FIlm Bursary. Firstly there was a live cast reading for last years winner, The Parting by Libby McCormick, and then a pitch competition for a total prize of 3000. The winner of which will be invited back to a live reading at next years festival. Guests of the festival included Walking Dead star Pollyanna McIntosh, Moone Boy star Clare Monnelly and actor Aaron Monaghan, who was last seen in The Banshees of Inisherin. Among the filmmakers were IFTA winning director Frank Berry, BAFTA nominated director Alex Keyode-Kay and actress, and Boyne Valley native, Helen Behan. Festival directors Collette Farrell and Frank W. Kelly are delighted with how the festival has gone. Its wonderful to see people enjoying themselves said Frank, Audience members get to see unique films and a have a peak behind the scenes, while filmmakers get to experience the audiences reaction to their work. Frank noted that One of the positive side effects of the festival is that our guests have all talked about how much they love Drogheda, and go on to explore the Boyne Valley. Many filmmakers have extended their stay to experience the town and the Boyne Valley. We have so much to offer here. A list of the winners: Best Film Made in the Boyne Valley WINNER The Passenger Writer/Producer Gerard Anthony Gormley Director John Redmond Best Irish Narrative Short Film WINNER Sound & Colour Writer/Director Emma Foley Producer Taryn Reinecke Irish Narrative Short Film Honorary Mention Headspace Writer/Director Aisling Byrne Producer Killian Coyle Best International Short Film WINNER Off Side (Hors Jeu) Writer/Director Sophie Martin Producers Nicolas dAutryve & Sandra Karim International Short Film Honorary Mention Super Jesus Writer/Director Vito Palumbo Producer Gaspare Rizzo Best Animated Short Film WINNER Mum is Pouring Rain Writers Hugo de Faucompret & Lison DAndrea Director Hugo de Faucompret Producers Antoine Lietout, Ivan Zuber & Emmanuele Petry-Sirvin Best Documentary Short Film WINNER Nothing to Declare Writer/Director Garret Daly Producer Martina McGlynn Short Film Bursary WINNER Fionnuala Gygax for The Island Honorary Mention Conor McCormick for "Bunker Baby" Our Lady of Lourdes leaving cert results. From left; Maria Fitzgerald from Glenmore, Julia Halicka from Ballykelly, Aisling Ryan from Rosbercon and Gemma Sinnott from Rosbercon. Photo; Mary Browne There were celebrations at secondary schools and in front of phone and laptop screens Friday as hundreds of students learned their Leaving Cert fate. Sitting their first state exam as there was no Junior Cert exam the year they finished 3rd Year the students aided by their teachers achieved extraordinary results, with several students achieving the maximum 625 points. 139 students sat this year's final exams at Good Counsel College. Deputy principal Aidan OBrien said: We had a very good turn out at the school. They enjoyed teas and coffees and had the chance to mingle having gotten their results online before 10 a.m. Mr OBrien said every student he met was delighted with his results. "They are all really happy. They have gotten what they required in terms of their college course choices and many did better than they expected. Some of them did exceptionally well and hopefully they will all go on doing so well. Some lads got the full compliment of 625 points which is a fair achievement by any standards! He said the Higher Level maths results were excellent, despite some reports of dissatisfaction with how the paper was marked, from elsewhere in the country. Mr OBrien said he was just as happy for students who got half the maximum points as he was for those who got the grand total achievable within the system. "Everything is relative. Their results were just as outstanding as the boys who got 625 points. All results were celebrated by their families parents and all they want is the best for their children. They were anxious on their son and daughters behalf that they are not left disappointed and that they come away from the Leaving Cert happy with what they have achieved. He said there will not doubt be students who are disappointed in schools across the country, adding that they should know there are many options available to them. "I want to reassure them that this is not the end of the line and that this is not the only avenue open to them. There are lots of different pathways nowadays for them to achieve their goals. He paid tribute to the students for overcoming disruption due to the pandemic a few years ago, adding that at least this didnt occur during their Leaving Cert cycle. "There were students in other years that went before them who suffered the real brunt of the Covid impact missing out on milestones so we are really grateful that this cohort were able to finish out their time with us and have a normal experience. CBS principal Pat Rossiter said the 55 students who sat their exams at the school were delighted with their results. We would have been concerned in advance of the Leaving Cert that this crowd may have been deeply affected by Covid and they hadnt done their Junior Cert but all of the students acquitted themselves very well." Mr Rossiter said around 20 students attended the school Friday morning, enjoying the chance to meet up in person after the summer break and to share their good news, having seen their results shortly after 10 a.m. "We had our Debs Monday night and we said they were all invited to come here Friday. It was great for teachers and students to meet up. I never despair with young people because of their camaraderie and togetherness. They are there for each other. The country will be served well in the future by these people who have really good values. He said the teachers and students did a fantastic job, particularly in the six months leading up to exams in June, to ensure the great results achieved. St Marys principal, John Michael Porter said 90 students got their results, adding that overall they were very happy with them. We had a number of girls who came in as they wanted to share their good news and their excitement, which was tinged with the weight of expectation ahead of CAO results coming in this Wednesday. The girls are very hopeful of getting what they want. He said the students and their teachers are best placed to guage how well they did, adding that the excellent results across the board is testament to the hard work the students did, supported by their teachers and families. "Many parents have lived every moment alongside their child this year. A lot of the parents would have been more nervous than the students themselves. "We had five students who got the maximum 625 points and there are students who passed all five of their ordinary level exams and they are delighted to move on. Thats as important to use as the students who got 625 points. Mr Porter said some students who achieved maximum points may face random selection for medical courses when the CAO points come out. He said finding accommodation is another concern for many students and parents, adding that SETU is an option for many students, with more choices than ever for third level schooling. 42 students sat the exams at Our Lady of Lourdes. Principal Toni Ormond said: Our Lady of Lourdes Leaving Certificate Class of 2023 received their results and as usual, the results were excellent reflecting the students hard work, focus and dedication to their studies over the course of fifth and sixth year. Although the students accessed their results online through the Candidate Self Service Portal, most of them called to the school to meet their teachers. She said management and staff would like to acknowledge the effort of the students families who have supported and helped them through their Leaving Certificate experience. Management would like to extend a big thank you to the teaching staff for their continued hard work and dedication to the pupils of Our Lady of Lourdes, said Ms Ormond. A Ramsgrange Community school spokesperson said: We were delighted with and very proud of our students results this year. It was a very successful year overall and it is a testament to all of the hard work put in by all of our students over the past two years. We would like to wish all of our 6th years the very best and every success as they embark on the next part of their journey. Councillors Sylvester Bourke and Pat Fitzgerald pictured next to the towering tree on the busy Sea Road in Arklow. Wicklow County Council staff sprang into action yesterday to cut down a giant, 30ft tree that was damaged by the recent stormy weather and posed a substantial threat to local commuters. Road crews were alerted to the hazard on Arklows busy Sea Road, which connects Arklow and Brittas Bay, by local councillors Pat Fitzgerald and Sylvester Bourke, who received frantic calls from concerned residents that had noticed that a portion of the towering beech tree had been uprooted. With cracks forming in its bark, council staff worked diligently through the afternoon and have now removed the tree, to the glowing praise of councillors Fitzgerald and Bourke. We dont like cutting down trees unnecessarily, but in this case, there was no other way around it the road had to be made safe, Cllr Fitzgerald said. A lump had come out of the tree, and a bit of it was uprooted. If it came down, God only knows what kind of damage it would have done. The thing was absolutely massive, and people in the area were very worried about it, as a lot of people would use that road to avoid the M11. I must say, the council staff did a fantastic job. They got a specialist down from Dublin and, in cases like this, all you can really do is rely on the advice of the tree surgeon and the experts. Fair play to them. What could have been a real tragedy was handled fantastically, and I really can't praise the staff enough. Cllr Bourke added: This would be a fairly busy road alright, and the spot where the tree is, about four or five minutes up from the Arklow Bay Hotel, is quite narrow. When I got the call about it, myself and Cllr Fitzgerald went down and, honestly, I couldn't believe the size of the thing. The way it was perched was really scary and it could have done a huge amount of damage. I shudder to think what couldve happened. Fair play to the council staff though, they were out there promptly and secured the site. They deserve a huge amount of credit for their response. There were just 82 dog-fouling fines handed out by local authorities across Ireland last year with no fines given at all in Wicklow, despite a call for more dog wardens in the county, in particular in seaside towns such as Bray. The figures have emerged following a recent survey from the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), which found that dog fouling is a major issue for blind or visually impaired people when using footpaths. People parking on footpaths remains the biggest obstacle, with some visually impaired people suffering broken ankles and sprained wrists as a result of trying to walk around vehicles. The NCBI said inappropriate parking causes a serious hazard for people who are blind as they may be injured walking into traffic to get around a vehicle, injured walking into a car or stepping off footpaths. Its survey found that nearly 40pc of people have been injured because of obstacles on walkways. However, councils have been more proactive in dealing with illegal parking than dog fouling, with more than 19,000 parking fines handed out in 2022, including 213 from Wicklow County Council. Dog fouling was a serious obstacle as it can prove a slip hazard and can also be distressful for people who use white canes which can be soiled by faeces. Yet data provided to the organisation showed councils in Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Dublin city, Galway city, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Sligo, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow issued no fines for the offence last year. The other councils issued five or less, except for Cork County Council (17), Fingal County Council (9) and Louth (9). Some councils said they have provided free pooper scoopers and bins in towns, while others have run messaging campaigns calling for owners to pick up after their pets. Bray Municipal District launched an audio campaign this year close to the Bray Head trail to remind dog owners to pick up after their dogs. However, at a Bray Municipal Meeting in April, Councillor Joe Behan said more dog wardens were needed in the town, while Councillor Dermot OBrien queried the number of fines that had been issued in Bray by dog wardens. If its zero, he said, then there isnt a sanction that sits in the minds of people who allow their dogs to foul public areas, adding it was a challenge for staff if people go down early in the morning, knowing they wont be seen or caught. It comes as the NCBI launched its Clear Our Paths campaign this week, highlighting the obstacles blind people face. Aaron Mullaniff, chief services officer with the NCBI, said the dog-fouling data shows councils cant be expected to police the issue alone. Its impractical to think that wardens could observe every single dog owner who doesnt clean up after their dog and then issue them with a fine, he said. There needs to be significant effort from the public to clean up after their pets in the first instance. Its imperative that we all work to make our footpaths usable for all members in our communities. Secondly, if councils have noted over 19,000 incidents of inappropriate parking by way of a fine, can you imagine how many undetected instances there are that will pose a real risk to those living with sight loss? Were asking everyone in Ireland to put yourself in a blind or vision-impaired persons shoes when youre walking your pets, parking your car, putting out your bins or whatever it might be, and to act in a way thats considerate to those peoples needs. DEPUTY Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed news that the school bus route for Blessington No 1 School will be rerouted for the new school year so as to include a more accessible collection point for students living in Burgage Manor and Milltown Gate. A number of parents from Burgage Manor and Milltown Gate approached my office asking for assistance in making the case to Bus Eireann to reroute the No 1 School Bus to include an alternative collection point for their children. These parents were justifiably concerned about the safety of their primary school children having to cross a busy national road, with no pedestrian crossing, at rush hour each morning, stated Deputy Whitmore. Following a representation from my office which included a suggested alternative route and collection point, Bus Eireann have confirmed that they will be rerouting the No 1 School bus to include a more accessible and safer collection point for the students living in Burgage Manor and Milltown Gate. I am delighted that we were able to help these families and ensure that their children have a safe and sustainable way to get to school. Deirdre McCormack, Social Democrats Local Area Representative for west Wicklow said: The N81 is the main route from West Wicklow to Dublin and very busy especially during the morning rush hour. This alternative school bus collection point will mean that these children and their parents will not have to navigate crossing a busy national road on their way to school each morning. I am delighted that we were able to assist in making these childrens school journey safer. Deputy Whitmore added: Every year I am contacted by a huge number of families from across Wicklow asking for help with the School Transport Scheme. This shows the huge demand for access to school bus places and the urgent need to expand this scheme so that every child has a safe and sustainable way to get to school. China outraged at water release from wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant Discharge of tainted liquid into Pacific described as selfish and irresponsible Activists take part in a protest against Japan releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, in Busan, South Korea yesterday. Photo: Minwoo Park/Reuters Sakura Murakami Fri 25 Aug 2023 at 03:30 Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean yesterday, a polarising move that prompted China to announce an immediate blanket ban on all aquatic products from Japan. An investigation has been launched into the deaths of 88 people in the UK who bought products from Canada-based websites that were selling substances to assist with suicide. Meet the firm behind our content. Visit their website to see how their services can help your business succeed. Photo Courtesy: Sanosan Instagram page Sanosan, a Made in Germany baby skincare brand, marked its two-year journey in the Indian market recently when they unveiled its Baby Skincare Kit. The event was organized by Glowderma, the marketers of the German brand Sanosan baby in India, in the presence of Hannes Schroder, Head of Marketing & Sales (owner), Mann & Schroder Cosmetics- Germany, and their team. Sanosan Baby, in just two years of operations in India, recently said it achieved an astounding 100 percent growth in the Indian market. Rajendra Mehta, Director of Sales & Marketing, Glowderma, said, "We take pride that in such a short span of time, Sanosan Baby has showcased its momentous growth in the Indian market. We have been receiving extremely positive feedback. Sanosan products have surpassed the expectations of Indian mothers and are recommended by top doctors in the country. We are aggressively expanding the Sanosan brand to capture a decisive share of the premium baby skincare segment in India." Sharing his enthusiasm about Sanosan's amazing success in India, Hannes Schroder, Head of Marketing & Sales of Mann & Schroder Cosmetics said, Recognizing the significant growth and positive response of Sanosan Baby in the Indian market, we continue our commitment to offering the best for infants. Crafted with the finest natural ingredients, Sanosan products exemplify excellence, care, and dedication. Families around the world benefit from our exclusive products, placing trust in the quality of skincare we provide for their babies." Image Courtesy: Pixabay New Delhi: A committee of experts focusing on understanding the reasons behind the externalization of Indian start-ups recently submitted its report to IFSCA. The committee constituted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) was chaired by G. Padmanabhan, Former Executive Director, of RBI. The committee members comprised representatives from leading Venture Capital funds, Startups, Fintechs, Law firms, Tax firms, and other domain experts. The main focus areas of the committee were directed towards understanding the reasons for shifting Indian startups outside India and suggestions to avoid externalization of startups in the future and also to persuade startups that are presently externalized to redomicile. The committee has provided its recommendations that are critical to the development of GIFT IFSC as a global Fintech Hub, besides suggesting measures to encourage new Fintechs to have a global outlook to set up their commercial presence in GIFT IFSC. Additionally, the committee has identified challenges and recommended measures for the development of the International Innovation Hub at GIFT IFSC. The report has suggested various measures/ action points to be undertaken by various stakeholders including ministries, regulatory bodies and others in implementing the idea of onshoring the Indian innovation to GIFT IFSC. The committee report offers a comprehensive comparison of India's approach to holding company setups with other leading jurisdictions like Singapore, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, known for successfully implementing such setups. By highlighting the manifold advantages and addressing potential challenges associated with holding company regimes, the report unveils the immense potential of reverse flipping to drive India's economic development to great heights. The Committee has inter-alia recommended aligning the tax and regulatory laws within the IFSC with international best practices, to create an environment that actively incentivizes and supports holding company structures. The committee has also examined in the report several push-pull factors are responsible for Indian founders flipping to overseas jurisdictions. Photo courtesy: wikipedia.org New Delhi: With the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the lunar south pole, India has become the first nation to achieve this milestone, bringing a feeling of joy that ISRO has waited for the past four years, according to former ISRO chief K Sivan. "We are really excited to see this grand success. For this, we have been waiting for the last four years. This success is sweet news for us and for the entire nation," Sivan was quoted as saying by ANI. Sivan was the ISRO chief during the Chandrayaan-2 mission launch in 2019. The second lunar mission suffered setbacks when its lander lost contact, resulting in a hard landing. The spacecraft was launched on July 14 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, using a GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle. After being placed in lunar orbit on August 5, the spacecraft underwent a series of orbital adjustments to gradually approach the moon's surface. As Chandrayaan-3's lander safely touched down on the Moon, ISRO's current chief S Somanath exclaimed, "India is on the Moon." Sivan expressed gratitude for the government's support and highlighted that the mission's scientific data will benefit researchers worldwide, ANI reported. As the Vikram lander, with the Pragyaan rover inside, touched down on the lunar surface, India became only the fourth country after the US, China, and Russia to have successfully landed on the moon's surface, and earned the record of landing first on the south side of Earth's only natural satellite. The entire landing, which lasted for nearly 20 minutes, was watched by Indians with bated breath, especially as Russias Luna-25 failed to make the landing in the same region just days before. Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched the landing from South Africas Johannesburg, where he is attending the 15th BRICS Summit. Four years ago, India's second lunar mission encountered a setback when its lander lost contact just 2.1 km away from the lunar surface, resulting in a hard landing. The then ISRO chief, K Sivan had broken into tears at the setback and the picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugging him in consolation had gone viral. The entire nation had commended ISRO's efforts and encouraged the space organisation to go on with its future endavours. In a great show of perseverance, after years of toil and hard work, ISROs Chandrayaan-3 lander module, named Vikram, achieved a secure and soft landing on the Moon. ISRO chief S Somanath celebrated the achievement by declaring, "India is on the Moon." Expressing his gratitude for the support of the Central government, Sivan stated that the success of Chandrayaan-3 is a moment of joy and pride for everyone. He also highlighted the global significance of the mission's scientific data, which will benefit researchers worldwide. "The scientists will use this data globally to discover new things from it," he was quoted as saying by ANI. ISRO used a series of close-up images of the moon to aid the lander module in pinpointing its location (latitude and longitude) by comparing them with an onboard moon reference map. PM Modi addressing BRICS special event/ courtesy: X handle Johannesburg/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that global south is not just a diplomatic term but shared our history together and opposed colonialism and apartheid. Addressing the special event, BRICS - Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue here, PM Modi said: "To mainstream the concerns of the Global South, we have invited three African countries and several developing countries as guest countries in G20." "Over the past two days, in all BRICS discussions, we have emphasized the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South," he said. "India has also proposed to give permanent membership of G-20 to the African Union," he said. The Prime Minister also underlined Indias close partnership with Africa and reaffirmed India's commitment to support Africa in its development journey under Agenda 2063. The BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue sessions were productive. Got the opportunity to interact with leaders from Africa and reiterate Indias commitment to supporting African nations in order to further global prosperity. https://t.co/pWPPVclJsw Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2023 PM Modi said, "India has accorded high priority to its relations with Africa and it has opened 16 new embassies in the continent...adding that India is the 4th largest trade partner of Africa and the 5th largest investor in this region." Calling for cooperation in strengthening the multipolar world, PM Modi said, "We have common interests in counter-terrorism, environmental protection, climate action, cyber security, food and health security, energy security, and building resilient supply chains. There are immense possibilities of cooperation." He extended invitations to countries to be part of international initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, One Sun One World One Grid, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, One Earth One Health, Big Cat Alliance, and Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Over the expansion of BRICS, PM Modi said, "We have also decided to expand the BRICS Forum. We welcome all partner countries." He also thanked President Ramaphosa for giving him the opportunity to share ideas with the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America at the BRICS Outreach Summit. Speaking about the special relations India shares with African nations, the Prime Minister said that India has always given priority to capacity building and infrastructure development of African countries. "Today India is Africa's fourth largest trade partner and fifth largest investor country. Be it power projects in Sudan, Burundi, and Rwanda, or sugar plants in Ethiopia and Malawi, the technology parks in Mozambique, Ivory Coast and Eswatini, or the campuses set up by Indian universities in Tanzania and Uganda." PM Modi said that India has given high priority to relations with Africa and we have opened 16 new embassies in Africa... adding that India is a trusted and close partner in the journey to make Africa a future global powerhouse under Agenda 2063." The Prime Minister said, "It was in the land of Africa that Mahatma Gandhi developed powerful concepts like non-violence and peaceful resistance, tested and used them in India's freedom struggle." "His thinking and ideas inspired great leaders like Nelson Mandela and with this strong foundation of history, we are reshaping our modern relations," he added. PM Modi also met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. PM @narendramodi held wide-ranging talks with President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran. They discussed ways to boost ties in sectors like energy, connectivity and trade. pic.twitter.com/HztmqCLwdo PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 24, 2023 MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a post said: "A productive meeting between PM Narendra Modi and PM Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. PM congratulated PM Abiy Ahmed Ali on Ethiopia's membership of BRICS. Abiy Ahmed Ali appreciated India's support for Ethiopia to join the BRICS family." Held fruitful talks with PM @AbiyAhmedAli. Congratulated him on Ethiopia joining BRICS. We discussed ways to boost ties in sectors like trade, defence and people to people relations. pic.twitter.com/PE6a8xRgZQ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2023 PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with President of Senegal Macky Sall on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. File image of PM Modi meeting Xi Jinping/ courtesy: UNI New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa where both leaders agreed to work for "expeditious de-escalation" along the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC), that witnessed tensions since the violent face-off in June 2020 in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley. The two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials in their countries for expeditious disengagement along the LAC. "It was a conversation with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Prime Minister had interaction with other BRICS leaders. In the conversation with President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns over unresolved issues along the LAC and other areas along the India-China border," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters on Thursday. Kwatra said PM Modi stressed the maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas, and that respecting the LAC is essential for the normalisation of the Indo-China relationship. "In this regard, the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," the Foreign Secretary said. The 19th round of the India-China Corps Commander-level meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on August 13-14. The two sides had a positive, constructive, and in-depth discussion on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the western sector, the Foreign Ministry had said. Meanwhile, PM Modi wrapped up his visit to South Africa and left for his next destination in Greece on Thursday. PM @narendramodi wraps up a fruitful visit to South Africa that launched a new chapter in the BRICS journey. PM now emplanes for Greece for engagements with an important Mediterranean partner. pic.twitter.com/2IM1ZyHvWY Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 24, 2023 The BRICS Summit was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also attended, while Russian President Vladimir Putin joined it through video conference. Narendra Modi paying tribute at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens on Friday.Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi Twitter page Special Tag: Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Greece President Katerina Sakellaropoulou when the leaders discussed issues related to strengthening friendship between the two nations. The Greek leader congratulated Modi on the success of India's lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 Following the meeting, Modi tweeted: "Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3." Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3. @PresidencyGR pic.twitter.com/aoQFtKMdQq Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens on Friday. "Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier'," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. He, thereafter, inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Greece to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis to further deepen the relationship between the two nations. He is also expected to meet President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India. @PresidencyGR pic.twitter.com/UWBua3qbPf Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 Modi is visiting Greece at the invitation of his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years. Reinvigorating - civilisational ties! PM @narendramodi warmly received by @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis as he arrived at the Maximos Mansion for bilateral talks. The two leaders will embark on discussions to set the stage for transforming - relationship. pic.twitter.com/G5ExPP98Rs Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2023 Modi arrived in the Greek capital from South Africa this morning, where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries. After his arrival, members of the Indian diaspora accorded a warm welcome to PM Modi outside the hotel in Athens where he will stay during his one-day official visit. Photo Courtesy: PIB New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the G20 summit to be held in New Delhi in September, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. The announcement came after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Putin accusing him of "war crimes" in Ukraine. "The main emphasis now is a special military operation" the official Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin spokesman as saying. The format of Putins participation would be determined later, Peskov said. India is the host country of G20 Summit, which will be held on September 9 and 10 in Delhi. (With UNI inputs) Photo Courtesy:PIB Indian PM Narendra Modi and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in Athens on Friday when the two leaders agreed to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership. "The two leaders held discussions in one-on-one and delegation-level formats. Prime Minister expressed his condolences for the loss of life and property lives in the tragic incidents of forest fires in Greece," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. PM @narendramodi held talks with @PrimeministerGR @kmitsotakis in Athens. They exchanged views on enhancing the India-Greece cooperation in sectors such as defence, trade, maritime security and counter-terrorism measures. pic.twitter.com/DPw1siiL1X PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2023 The Greek Minister congratulated Modi on the success of the Indian lunar mission Chandrayaan-3. He described it as a success for humanity. "The discussions covered various dimensions of the bilateral partnership, including trade and investment, defense and security, technology, infrastructure, digital payments, shipping, pharma, agriculture, migration and mobility, tourism, skill development, culture, education and people to people ties. They also discussed regional and multilateral issues, including the EU, Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean," read the MEA statement. Modi visited Greece earlier in the day after completing South African trip. Modi visited South African to attend the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries. Rahul Gandhi speaking at a rally in Kargil/ courtesy: Facebook Srinagar/IBNS: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday claimed that even as everybody in Ladakh knows that a major part of Indian land has been taken away by China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "blatantly lying" about the issue. While addressing a public rally in the Kargil district of Ladakh, Gandhi said: "Ladakh is a strategic place and when I went to Pangong it was clear that China has grabbed thousands of kilometers of Indian land. "It is sad that the Prime Minister of India announced during the opposition party meeting that not an inch of Indian land has been grabbed by anybody, he said. This is totally a blatant lie as everybody in Ladakh knows that a major part of the land has been taken away by China from India." He said whenever India needed the help of the people of Ladakh and Kargil on the borders during the war, they stood with the Indian army. This comes a day after PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa where both leaders agreed to work for "expeditious de-escalation" along the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC), which witnessed tensions since the violent face-off in June 2020 in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley. The two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials in their countries for expeditious disengagement along the LAC. "It was a conversation with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Prime Minister had interaction with other BRICS leaders. In the conversation with President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns over unresolved issues along the LAC and other areas along the India-China border," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters on Thursday. 'Lomad' poster (L) and Hemwant Tiwari (R) "It was the only way, I did not have any other option," says actor Hemwant Tiwari, who hit the streets, shopping malls, beaches, metro stations and other centres across various cities to promote his independent film 'Lomad', which is touted to be the first black and white one-cut feature film. Hemwant, who dressed as a fox and reached out to people at West Bengal film centre Nandan in Kolkata recently ahead of the August 25 release, interacted with IBNS-TWF correspondent Souvik Ghosh on the film. Q. Is the unique campaigning style a well thought out plan or did it just happen organically? A. No, it was not a well thought out plan but I was very clear in my head that if time comes and even I have to shout on the streets, I would do that for my film. It was just a very far-sighted idea. I never thought that it would actually happen in real life. In the beginning, I was hesitant because people were not reciprocating the way I wanted them to. However, I took time to present myself, modify my approach and gradually grabbed the attention of people. So the campaign started very organically. Q. Since 'Lomad' is a single-shot film, how challenging was the shooting process? A. Definitely it was challenging. First of all, gathering a team was itself a challenge. Moreover, managing a fund was a very big hurdle because the producers did not understand my pitch. My film is a kind of work which is not made regularly. Initially, the makers used to get flabbergasted by my film idea. With the realisation that I would have to be independent, I used my savings, sold my bike (motorbike) and worked on different jobs to arrange the fund. In addition, convincing actors and technicians for the film was a big task. Q. The pre-production must have been equally challenging! A. We used to go through the scripts together. I rehearsed first with my actors, then technicians, production team and assistants to ensure all were in sync. So it was quite a tedious job and close to impossible to pull off. I would give the whole credit to my team. A sequence from 'Lomad' Q. How difficult was it to manage the two roles- director and actor- simultaneously in such a film? A. It was difficult to manage the two roles simultaneously because I was not able to see what was happening. So this is where the preparation came in handy. Even we rehearsed with the camera for quite a number of days. I used to take three takes everyday, analyse them and check if any rectification was needed. So it was a lot of rehearsals with the entire team. Q. Apart from Ashutosh Gowariker, Hollywood actor Eric Roberts praised you for 'Lomad'. Would you spare some words? A. I did an international series, titled 'Medinah', with Eric Roberts sir. I was with him in Qatar for six months. During the shooting, he wished me luck and offered all kinds of support to me. He was kind enough to send me a message during the campaign. Hemwant Tiwari Q. Apart from the screenings in film festivals, what are your expectations from the cinema hall releases? A. My expectation is that people watch this different kind of cinema and talk about it. I want youngsters to watch this film and get inspired to make these kinds of films in future with their own inputs and creativity. Moscow: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military group, who led an armed mutiny against the military leadership in Moscow in June, was killed in a plane crash in Russias Tver Region on Wednesday, AFP reported. In a serious challenge to Russia's President Vladimir Putin's rule, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the country's private paramilitary force Wagner Mercenary, had launched an all-out mutiny. The mutiny that lasted for just a few days was seen as the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority since he came to power. The world watched the developments in Russia as Prigozhin vowed to punish Russian military leaders whom he accused of killing 2,000 of his fighters. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian Armed Forces to neutralize the rebellions and arrest Prigozhin. However, the mutiny was called off as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko intervened and proposed safe exit for Prigozhin. The Wagner chief agreed to depart for Belarus, and Russia said the criminal case against him would be dismissed. Since then, uncertainty has surrounded the fate of Wagner and its controversial chief. A total of eight bodies have been found at the crash site of a private plane, the emergency services told Sputnik. On Wednesday, Russias Ministry of Emergency Situations said that the Embraer Legacy private plane en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed in the Tver Region, killing all 10 people aboard. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, said on that Wagner Group private military company (PMC) leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed among passengers of the crashed plane. "According to updated information, eight bodies were found at the crash site of the aircraft," the emergency services said, adding that the search and rescue operation is ongoing. Russias Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya) said all the 10 passengers travelling in the plane were killed in the crash. The Wagner chief was on board. "According to the airline, the following passengers were on board the Embraer-135 (EBM-135BJ) aircraft:... Prigozhin, Yevgeny," said Rosaviatsia, which also listed Dmitry Utkin, a shadowy figure who managed Wagner's operations and allegedly served in Russian military intelligence, said the AFP report. Telegram channels linked to Wagner posted footage -- that AFP could not independently confirm -- showing the wreckage of the plane burning in a field. Photo Courtesy: IOM 2016/Amanda Nero Greece must adopt safe and impartial border policies and practices and hold its law enforcement officers accountable for abuses, a group of UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts said in a statement on Wednesday. Thats the message from the group of eight experts, including Ashwini K.P., the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, who urged Greece on Wednesday to investigate alleged violations against asylum-seekers. They said that they were particularly concerned by the failure of the countrys security personnel and coast guard to provide prompt and effective assistance to migrants in distress and ensure safe disembarkation and adequate reception. Rounded up Earlier this month, the independent experts requested detailed information from the Greek Government on a case involving 12 asylum seekers from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, including a six-month-old infant, who had reached Greek territory only to be rounded up by masked men, stripped of their belongings and forcibly taken to the port of Mytilene in Lesbos on 11 April. The violence, which was captured on video verified, and reported by the media exposed the racist exclusion and cruelty of Europes border protection practices, the experts declared. The past 12 months have been among the deadliest for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants of African descent and others on their journeys, particularly along sea and land routes in the Middle East and North Africa region, and in perilous Sahara and Mediterranean crossings, they noted. Deliberate and coordinated policy While the investigation is ongoing, there is growing evidence of a deliberate and coordinated policy of forcible return and other dehumanising border control practices by Greece going far beyond deterrence and in contravention of its international obligations. The role of racism and systemic racism in the treatment of asylum-seekers must be confronted within any meaningful review of these practices, the experts said. States have obligations under international human rights and refugee law to address the dangers and risks faced by migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in host and transit countries. A lack of regular migration pathways, coupled with restrictive migration policies, xenophobic rhetoric and many other push factors, operate to aggravate dangers and risks rather than mitigate them, the experts added. Collective expulsions They found the alleged unlawful, arbitrary, and collective expulsion of the asylum-seekers to be of particular concern, as it directly contravenes due process and the protections provided by the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. The said it was important not only to safeguard the lives of persons of African descent on the move, but to ensure that their human rights, security and dignity are also preserved with special protection measures for those including women and children who are at most risk, the experts said. Special Rapporteurs and experts who serve on Working Groups are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organisation. They serve in their individual capacity and receive no salary for their work. Image: WFP/Anastasiia Honcharuk Russian strikes on at least 10 regions in Ukraine have left a path of death and destruction over the past 24 hours, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country said on Wednesday. Denise Brown issued a statement deploring this new wave of massive Russian attacks, and appealed for the violence to end. Grain storage facilities, vital for the Ukrainian farmers and global food security, have been hit in the Danube area, she said. A school in the Sumy region was damaged, and teachers were killed and injured. International media reported that a drone fired by Russia hit the school on Wednesday morning, citing Ukraines interior minister. The incident occurred in the city of Romny, located in the northeast. End 'brutal' attacks Four people - the school director, deputy director, secretary and a librarian were killed and four residents, who were passing by at the time, were injured. Ms. Brown added that on Tuesday, civilians in the Kherson region endured some horrifying hours of relentless strikes that damaged a hospital. The attacks forced aid organizations to suspend vital assistance and take shelter in the middle of the day. I have repeatedly expressed alarm about this brutal pattern of civilian harm due to Russias invasion of Ukraine. This must stop, and international humanitarian law must be respected, she said. Wide-reaching consequences The overnight strike in the Danube region damaged a grain storage facility and a trans-shipment complex. Since 11 July, Russia has carried out 14 attacks against Ukraines grain infrastructure, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). Grain terminals, warehouses and port infrastructure have been hit, along with industrial equipment and administrative buildings. The strikes have also disrupted Ukraines global food supply lines. The UN body warned of the far-reaching human rights consequences of the repeated attacks, and has verified the deaths of four civilians and the injury of 43 others overall. These attacks cause not only immeasurable human suffering and loss for families, but also have a broader impact on livelihoods, farmers, communities and businesses in Ukraine and beyond, said Danielle Bell, the HRMMU chief. Impact on food prices Earlier this month, the UN said that Russian attacks against Ukrainian port infrastructure are not isolated and are affecting global food prices following the collapse of the Black Sea Initiative on grain and fertilizer exports. Russia pulled out of the landmark agreement in July, effectively ending it after roughly a year in operation. The Black Sea Initiative allowed for more than 32 million tons of grain to be shipped from three designated Ukrainian ports. It was signed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkiye and the UN in July 2022. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Istanbul, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the historic deal a beacon of hope a beacon of possibility a beacon of relief -- in a world that needs it more than ever. The Black Sea Initiative was agreed alongside a parallel accord between the UN and Moscow on Russian grain and fertilizer exports. The two agreements helped to drive down spiralling global food prices and stabilize markets. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) shipped over 725,000 tons alone to support its work in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Yemen regions hard hit by hunger. Image: IAEA/Greg Webb Japan has begun discharging treated radioactive wastewater from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the Pacific Ocean, 12 years on from the major meltdown there, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Thursday. Experts from the UN nuclear watchdog were present to monitor and assess that all relevant international safety standards were applied, as part of a multiyear review of a process that could last for decades. The decision to release the water into the sea has sparked criticism in Japan and the region. Long-term commitment The IAEA has been providing real-time data on the controlled release of the treated water, including on water flow rates and radiation monitoring. The IAEA has committed to be present before, during and after this process, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a video statement. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station suffered major damage during an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Since then, water has continually been pumped in to cool the plant's reactors. Groundwater also seeps into the site, and rainwater falls into the damaged reactor and turbine building. Negligible radiological impact The water came in contact with melted fuel, fuel debris and other radioactive substances, resulting in contamination. It was treated and diluted through a filtration process called Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) and stored in specially prepared tanks. As of June, there were some 1,000 of these tanks holding more than a million cubic meters of treated water. An IAEA report issued last month said Japans approach and activities to discharge the treated water were consistent with relevant international safety standards. Furthermore, the controlled, gradual discharges of the treated water would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. Reviews and criticism The report was the outcome of nearly two years of work by an IAEA Task Force made up of top agency specialists advised by internationally recognised nuclear safety experts from 11 countries. The Task Force conducted five review missions to Japan, published six technical reports, and met many times with officials from the Government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the nuclear plants operator. Japans decision to release the treated water into the sea drew criticism both at home and in some neighbouring countries, according to media reports. Protests have occurred there and in the Republic of Korea. China also announced on Thursday that it will immediately ban seafood from Japan. Photo Courtesy: Youtube video grab A female Youtuber has been killed in Afghanistan's Kabul city, the Taliban confirmed on Thursday. The deceased woman was identified as Hora Sadat. Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for the Taliban, posted on X: "A YouTuber girl named Hora Sadat was killed by unknown persons in Kabul's 18th district three days ago." A YouTuber girl named Hora Sadat was killed by unknown persons in Kabul's 18th district three days ago. The police have arrested two people, including a woman, on murder charges in the so-far investigations. Further investigation is underway for final details. Khalid Zadran (@khalidzadran01) August 24, 2023 He said two people have been arrested in connection with the incident so far. "The police have arrested two people, including a woman, on murder charges in the so-far investigations. Further investigation is underway for final details," he said. An investigation into the matter is currently undergoing. In a deeply concerning development, Jathedar Harpreet Singh of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib has strongly condemned the threatening letters recently dispatched to Sikhs residing in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Jathedar has urgently appealed to both the Indian and Pakistani governments to take immediate and necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Sikh families within Pakistan. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Jathedar Harpreet Singh revealed that Sikh families in Rawalpindi and Panja Sahib have been targeted with ominous letters, coercing them to either convert to Islam or leave the nation. This distressing campaign has cast a cloud of fear and unease over the Sikh communities. Recalling a similar history of persecution, he pointed out that three decades ago, families in Kabul, Kandahar, and Wazirabad, Afghanistan, used to serve at the residences of revered Gurus. Tragically, due to escalating violence against them, many Sikhs were compelled to flee, leaving only a mere handful about five to seven families in Afghanistan today. Tracing the origins of the ongoing threat, Jathedar Harpreet Singh lamented the wave of targeted violence that later spread to Pakistan. This wave led to the migration of numerous Sikh families to safer locations such as Panja Sahib, Lahore, and Nankana Sahib in Pakistani Punjab. Expressing the urgency of the matter, he emphasized the need for the immediate apprehension of those responsible for sending the threatening letters. Additionally, Jathedar Harpreet Singh earnestly urged gurdwara committees to leverage their influence and exert pressure on their respective governments. Their aim should be to collaboratively devise effective strategies that ensure the safeguarding of Sikhs residing in Pakistan. With this alarming situation continuing to unfold, the safety of Sikh families in Pakistan remains a matter of grave concern. The pleas of Jathedar Harpreet Singh for swift and resolute action must not go unheard. As the world watches, the global community waits with bated breath for the Indian and Pakistani governments to take the necessary steps and guarantee the protection and well-being of these vulnerable communities. (Photo and text credit: Khalsavox.com) Photo Courtesy: Donald Trump Twitter page Former US President Donald Trump has surrendered in Georgia on charges of plotting to overturn the state's election results in 2020. Trump had to pay a bail bond of $200,000 (157,000) to be released from the Atlanta jail while he awaits trial, reports BBC. Trump became the first former US president to have his mugshot taken. The photo was released following his surrender in Georgia. The image has gone viral on social media. Trump himself returned to X platform following the developments and wrote: "Election interference. Never surrender!" He also shared the mugshot on the platform. Trump argues the cases against him are politically motivated because he is leading the Republican race to challenge President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in next year's presidential election, BBC reported. On Thursday, the former President made a round trip from New Jersey in his private jet to be booked in Fulton County Jail. He remained inside the facility was 20 minutes. Several of his supporters had assembled outside the facility. Trump faces 13 criminal charges related to allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, including violation of the Georgia RICO Act, solicitation of violation of oat by public officer, false statements and writings, forgery, among others. The Georgia racketeering scheme charge alone carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The person could also face a fine of up to $250,000 or double the amount of proceeds earned from illicit activity, according to the statute. Climate change will not be a future phenomenon if humankind does not mend their ways; it is happening right now - in front of us. And if we needed any more proof, scientists have said that up to 10,000 young Emperor penguin chicks were reportedly killed in the Antarctic late last year when the sea ice underneath them broke off. Penguin chicks need waterproof feathers to swim The event occurred in late 2022, in the west of the continent in an area fronting onto the Bellingshausen Sea and was recorded by satellites, according to a BBC report. As winter approaches the Southern Hemisphere, in March, adult penguin birds jump onto the sea ice for mating and subsequently lay eggs and brood them. Once the chicks are born, they are fed over the following months until it's time for them to make their own way in the world. Emperor Penguins/ AP That happens around December-January, once the penguin chicks have developed waterproof feathers needed to swim in the ocean. Fragmentation of sea-ice killed thousands of penguin chicks From the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Dr Peter Fretwell said, "Emperors depend on sea-ice for their breeding cycle; it's the stable platform they use to bring up their young. But if that ice is not as extensive as it should be or breaks up faster, these birds are in trouble," speaking to BBC News. And that is precisely what happened late last year when Antarctic sea-ice began fragmenting by November - while the chicks were still underdeveloped. Thousands of birds perished as a result, either by drowning or freezing to death. According to Dr Fretwell, between 2018 and 2022, roughly a third of the more than 60 known emperor penguin colonies were affected in some way by diminished sea-ice extent. Emperor penguins Tallest and heaviest among all living penguin species, the Emperor Penguin is endemic to Antarctica. Like all penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat. Emperor penguins/ AFP The only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter, emperor penguins trek 50120 km over the ice to breeding colonies, which can contain up to several thousand individuals. The Emperor penguin is currently classified as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Still, a proposal exists to consider them under the more urgent "Vulnerable" category because of the danger climate warming poses to their way of life. For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. In another tale of bizarre news, an 11-year-old boy from the USA with a behavioural disorder ended up getting a Guinness World Record for it! The disorder Michael Dixon had is sleepwalking, which is most common in children. But what made him stand out was that he covered 160 kilometres in one day while sleepwalking. Guinness World Records shared this astonishing story on Tuesday - but the incident happened way back in 1987! Travelled in a train while sleepwalking On 6 April 1987, a boy named Michael Dixon (b. 1976) was found wandering barefoot along a railway track in Peru, Indiana, USA, dressed only in his pyjamas. guinnessworldrecords.com Michael was last seen at 10 p.m. the previous evening, and as far as his mother knew, he was still tucked up in bed when she received a phone call from police in Peru in the early hours of the morning to say they had found her son. It was said that he sleepwalked out of his bed in Danville, Illinois and made the 160 km journey after boarding a freight train, utterly unaware of what he was doing. Then police Chief Bill Page was quoted saying: "Supposedly, he hopped a freight and wound up here in Peru. He woke up, got off and thought he was still in Danville." For this, he made it into Guinness World Records in 1989, and this account is listed on a page titled Physiology. Guinness World Record How does one know if a person is sleepwalking for real? Well, one doesn't. There is no way to verify whether a person is in a sleep state. That is why the Guinness World Records no longer monitors the sleepwalking record. In an article on the official Guinness World Records site, Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, stated that they had recorded new heights for sleeplessness, snoring, dreaming, and other sleep-related conditions but had never quite seen something like this. He said, "... sleeping is something we all do... Who knows? You might go to bed tonight and wake up in the morning as a record-breaker!" What is sleepwalking? Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, involves getting up and walking around while in a state of sleep. It usually occurs early at night, often one to two hours after falling asleep. Childhood sleepwalking usually disappears on its own at puberty but may last longer. For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. The men gathered in a graveyard in the dead of night. They wore body armor, boots and carried semi-automatic weapons . Their target lay a mile away, the official residence of the president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh a U.S.-trained military officer who seized power in 1994. Those in the cemetery planned to oust him, but within hours, they were either dead or on the run One of those killed, the ring-leader and former head of Gambias Presidential Guard, Lamin Sanneh, had previously earned a masters degree at the Pentagons National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Some of the plotters were eventually convicted in the United States for their roles in planning and executing an unsuccessful coup attempt to overthrow the government of The Gambia on December 30, 2014. Four pled guilty on counts related to the Neutrality Act a federal law that prohibits Americans from waging war against friendly nations. A fifth was sentenced in March 2017 for buying and exporting weapons used in the failed coup, which pitted two generations of U.S.-trained mutineers against each other. The State Department doesnt know about any of this or doesnt want to. A simple Google search reveals this information, but when Responsible Statecraft asked if Yahya Jammeh or Lamin Sanneh had received U.S. training, a State Department spokesperson responded: We do not have the ability to provide records for these historical cases at this time. When asked about other trainees in other nations that have experienced military uprisings, the response was the same. Click Here To Get Our FREE Newsletter Responsible Statecraft has found that at least 15 U.S.-supported officers have been involved in 12 coups in West Africa and the greater Sahel during the war on terror. The list includes military personnel from Burkina Faso (2014, 2015, and twice in 2022); Chad (2021); Gambia (2014); Guinea (2021); Mali (2012, 2020, 2021); Mauritania (2008); and Niger (2023). At least five leaders of the most recent coup in Niger, received U.S. training, according to a U.S. official. They, in turn, appointed five U.S.-trained members of the Nigerien security forces to serve as governors, according to the State Department. The total number of U.S.-trained mutineers across Africa since 9/11 may be far higher than is known, but the State Department, which tracks data on U.S. trainees, is either unwilling or unable to provide it. Responsible Statecraft identified more than 20 other African military personnel involved in coups who may have received U.S. training or assistance, but when asked, the State Department said it lacks the ability to provide information that it possesses. If we are training individuals who are executing undemocratic coups, we need to be asking more questions about how and why that happens, said Elizabeth Shackelford, a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and lead author of the newly-released report, Less is More: A New Strategy for U.S. Security Assistance to Africa. If we arent even trying to get to the bottom of that, we are part of the problem. This shouldnt just be on our radar it should be something we intentionally track. Shackleford and her colleagues say that the U.S. penchant for pouring money into abusive African militaries instead of making long-term investments in bolstering democratic institutions, good governance, and the rule of law, has undermined wider American aims. In addition to training military mutineers in Africa, other U.S. security assistance efforts during the war on terror have also foundered and failed. Ukrainian troops trained by the U.S. and its allies stumbled during a long-awaited counteroffensive against Russian forces, raising questions about the utility of the instruction. In 2021, an Afghan army created, trained, and armed by the United States over 20 years dissolved in the face of a Taliban offensive. In 2015, a $500 million Pentagon effort to train and equip Syrian rebels, slated to produce 15,000 troops, yielded just a few dozen before being scrapped. A year earlier, an Iraqi army built, trained, and funded to the tune of at least $25 billion by the U.S. was routed by the rag-tag forces of the Islamic State. U.S. policy in Africa has for too long prioritized short-term security to the detriment of long-term stability by prioritizing the provision of military and security assistance, Shackelford writes in the new Chicago Council report. Partnerships and military assistance with illiberal, undemocratic countries have delivered little, if any, sustainable security improvements, and in many cases have prompted further instability and violence by building the capacity of abusive security forces. " August 24/25, 2023 - Information Clearing House - " Responsible Statecraft ---Foreign policy issues typically dont bring the house down during presidential debates, but the event Wednesday night certainly broke with that tradition, leaving proverbial blood on the floor amidst the Republican primary contenders for 2024. In this case, it was pretty much Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy who took the biggest body blows from the traditional hawks, who, sounding right from central casting (or the year 2002), said Vladimir Putin is an evil murderer, and continued aid to Ukraine to keep fighting was the only moral and right thing to do. It didnt matter that the majority of Republican voters dont want to send more aid to Ukraine, or that a compelling argument can be made and has that continuing unfettered arms supplies without a diplomatic track for a ceasefire would mean more deaths, more destruction, and more senseless brutality for Ukraine. Or that the war wont be won by giving Ukraine more HIMARS and tanks. These cases just werent made by anyone on stage Wednesday night. The American president needs to have more clarity, they need to know the difference between right and wrong. They need to know the difference between good and evil, charged former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, referring to the two skeptics, DeSantis and Ramaswamy. This guy (Putin) is a murderer and you are choosing a murderer. After Ramaswamy chided candidates for making the pilgrimage to their Pope Zelensky without doing the same thing for people in Hawaii or the Southside of Chicago, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie seized the moment. I went to Ukraine, because I wanted to see for myself what Vladimir Putins army was doing to the Ukrainian people, he said. I want you all to look around this arena tonight. And imagine that every one of these seats was filled and if every one of them was filled, there would still be 2500 more children outside to make over 20,000 who have been abducted, stolen, ripped from their mothers and fathers and brought back to Russia to be programmed to fight their own families, Christie exhorted. (Russians) have gouged out peoples eyes, cut off their ears and shot people in the back of the head then they go into those homes and rape the daughters and the wives who were left as widows. DeSantis and Ramaswamy, who have both expressed wariness over unlimited aid for the war (the latter said flat out he wouldnt support more), chose two different approaches around this strong emotional appeal. DeSantis said he wanted Europe to pull their weight, and that U.S. support should be contingent on those partners doing do. Ramaswamy said he wanted to redirect resources now going to Ukraine to fight the real threat China. The real threat we face today is Communist China and we are driving Russia further into Chinas arms, charged Ramaswamy. The Russia-China military alliance is the single greatest threat we face. Furthermore, he said minutes later, your first obligation is to defend our country and its people, and by sending billions to Ukraine to fight the invasion across its own border, youre not doing what we need to do to secure our own border. But talk like this just opened up space for Vice President Mike Pence to jump in with his now familiar tagline: Well, let me be clear, anybody that thinks that we cant solve the problems here in the United States, and be the leader of the free world, thats a pretty small view of the greatest nation on Earth. Ramaswamy probably took the brunt of the attacks, mostly from Haley, who like a gatling gun interrupted incessantly, accusing him of having no foreign policy experience and not supporting allies, including Israel. He retorted by calling her and other hawks the same people who took us into the Iraq War, the same people who took us into the Vietnam War, and that he did not want another no-win war. But yet, all eight candidates on the stage, which also included former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Senator Tim Scott, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, seemed in agreement that a war on Mexican cartels, on some level, was in order (winnable or not). And, because they believed China was behind the 110,000 U.S. drug overdoses last year (the biggest killer being fentanyl), that country should be a prime target too. For DeSantis, the war would begin on day one, with U.S. special forces to ferret out the cartels and drug labs in Mexico. Heres the thing. The cartels are killing tens of thousands of our fellow citizens. You want to talk about a country in decline? You have the cartels controlling a lot of your southern border. We have to reestablish the rule of law and we have to defend our people, he said. At times the conversation turned to the influx of undocumented immigrants, the need to complete President Donald Trumps vaunted wall, and putting more security, including National Guard, at the border. But it always came back to China. China is sending these chemicals to these drug cartels for them to create the fentanyl that is killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens, said Christie. The Chinese are engaging in an act of war against us, killing our citizens, we better make that priority one in our conversations with China and to try to straighten that relationship out because if we dont, were gonna lose more and more of our citizens. For all the talk about a divided GOP on foreign policy, it should be clear that when it comes to China, these eight candidates are more in agreement about where the country should be training its firepower, than not. Pinning them each down on what exactly they are proposing, and how far they will go to meet the threat, would be an interesting next exercise, sans the bloodletting. August 24/25, 2023 - Information Clearing House - The conflict between Russia and Ukraine will conclude with Kievs unconditional surrender, according to Scott Ritter, a former US intelligence officer and UN weapons inspector. On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Ukraine does not trade its territories, because we do not trade our people. The message was dedicated to the Third Crimea Platform Summit, where Ukraine discussed ways of de-occupying the peninsula, which reunited with Russia in 2014 following a referendum triggered by the US-backed Maidan coup in Kiev earlier that year. Replying to Zelenskys post, Ritter wrote that it was NATO that suggested a trade. Russia isnt trading anything. The former US intelligence officer was apparently referring to remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenbergs chief of staff, Stian Jenssen, who said in mid-August that Ukraine could give up territory [to Russia], and get NATO membership in return. According to Jenssen, this idea was actively being discussed within the US-led military bloc. Jenssen later apologized for his remarks, saying they were a mistake. The suggestion caused outrage in Kiev, with presidential aide Mikhail Podoliak branding it ridiculous. Such a move would amount to deliberately choosing the defeat of democracy and passing the war on to other generations, he claimed. The head of the Ukrainian National Security Council, Aleksey Danilov, reiterated that Kiev would never negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that Russia must be destroyed like a modern-day Carthage. Ritter insisted that Moscow is dealing with reality when it comes to the conflict with Kiev, including where Russian boots will be when Ukraine capitulates unconditionally. Think Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945. Thats your future. Enjoy, he wrote, addressing Zelensky. On that date, representatives of the Japanese Empire signed an unconditional surrender to the Allies aboard the USS Missouri, ending the countrys participation in World War II. In line with the deal, Japan agreed to the loss of all its territories outside of its home islands, complete disarmament, Allied occupation of the country, and tribunals to bring war criminals to justice. On Wednesday, Zelensky admitted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian forces, which began in early June, was proving very difficult. However, he also claimed that the operation was moving slowly, but in the right direction. Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported that the Ukrainian campaign is showing signs of stalling. The newspaper warned that the inability to demonstrate decisive success on the battlefield [by Kievs forces] is stoking fears that the conflict is becoming a stalemate and international support could erode. President Putin claimed on Wednesday that it was astonishing to see how little the authorities in Kiev cared about Ukrainian soldiers. They are throwing [them] on our minefields, under our artillery fire, acting as if they are not their own citizens at all, the Russian leader said. According to Moscows estimates, Ukraine has failed to make any significant gains since the launch of its counteroffensive, but has lost more than 43,000 troops and nearly 5,000 pieces of heavy equipment. Kiev has so far claimed the capture of several villages, but these appear to be some distance from Russias main defensive lines. By Caitlin Johnstone One of the worst mistakes you can make when formulating your understanding of the world is to begin with the assumption that the truest and most accurate position must lie somewhere near the center of the two major political perspectives you see laid out all around you. Its a mistake not only because assuming that the center position must be the best one is a type of fallacious reasoning known as the middle ground fallacy (the correct position between Drink a gallon of bleach daily for good health and Drink zero bleach daily for good health is not Drink half a gallon of bleach daily for good health); its also a mistake because the entire framing arises from a situation that has been artificially engineered by the powerful. Its a well-documented fact that the rich and powerful pour vast fortunes into manipulating the political and media landscape in ways that serve their interests. Their control over the news media and Silicon Valley tech platforms is used to set the agenda and influence public perception by determining what issues will receive attention and which wont in ways that preserve the political status quo theyve built their empire upon, thereby shrinking the Overton window of acceptable debate down to a very narrow spectrum whose outcomes cant threaten their interests in any way. We just discussed this dynamic with regard to US aggressions against Russia and China; the Overton window is being narrowed to a debate between which US enemy should be the target of the most imperial aggressions, with voices who advocate detente with both countries finding no platform in mainstream politics or media. This is what Noam Chomsky was talking about when he said the smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum. Click Here To Get Our FREE Newsletter People assume there must be truth in the mainstream worldview because so many others are invested in the mainstream worldview, when really the only reason that worldview is mainstream in the first place is because so much wealth and influence has gone into making it mainstream. In reality the assumption that the truth exists anywhere in either of the two mainstream political viewpoints promoted by the managers of the western empire is an example of the bandwagon effect, which describes the cognitive bias in which humans tend to take on beliefs, behaviors, styles and attitudes solely because thats what the people around them are doing. This bias would have had evolutionary advantages early on in our development as a species. Back when our evolutionary ancestors were prey for prehistoric carnivores, it was a survival advantage to start running for your life if you saw other members of your tribe running, even if you personally didnt see what they were running from. As primates whose survival depended on social cohesion, being rejected by the tribe would mean almost certain death by predation or starvation, so it was necessary to conform in whatever ways prevented that rejection from happening. But we dont live in prehistoric times anymore. We live in a civilization with a highly complex information environment that is being continually manipulated away from truth and accuracy and toward the advantage of powerful people who rule over us. If you go along with the herd, youll be deceived. In truth the so-called centrists or moderates of our world are really violent extremists, because they support the most murderous and tyrannical power structure on our planet, and are only regarded as moderate because they sit in the mid-range of a completely artificially created spectrum. A perspective that is actually sane will be about as far away from their perspective as you can get. Because the majority of people have been duped by propaganda into espousing mainstream political perspectives, those with an accurate read on things will necessarily be a small fringe minority until that dynamic changes. As long as your entire civilization is structured around deceit-based perspectives which serve the powerful, going along with the crowd will prevent you from forming a truth-based perspective that serves human interests. So youll have to get comfortable rejecting mainstream orthodoxies, dismissing mainstream media, and shunning mainstream politics, because those things are all inseparably interwoven with the matrix of deceit by which our rulers have pulled the blindfold over this civilization. This wont be a sign that youre out of touch or a kooky crackpot or some snobby hipster who rejects all things mainstream out of a pathological need to be different, it will be a sign that you are seeing things clearly. This can set you apart from your tribe at times; as Terence McKenna said, The cost of sanity in this society is a certain level of alienation. But we can still find each other online, so were never really alone, and the cost is definitely worth it. The sincere pursuit of a truth-based perspective is ultimately the surest path not only toward a healthy society, but toward lasting happiness as an individual as well. My work is entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece here are some options where you can toss some money into my tip jar if you want to. All my work is free to bootleg and use in any way, shape or form; republish it, translate it, use it on merchandise; whatever you want. The best way to make sure you see the stuff I publish is to subscribe to the mailing list on Substack, which will get you an email notification for everything I publish. All works co-authored with my husband Tim Foley. The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, reportedly terminated the leadership of Julius Abure, and confirmed the Lamidi Apapas faction as the authentic National Chairman of the Labour Party. According to PUNCH, the court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately recognise and publish the names of all the governorship candidates produced by the Apapa-led National Working Committee in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states. READ MORE: LP Crisis: Courts Reinstatement Of Abure An Exercise In Futility Apapas Faction The court also dismissed the governorship candidature of Senator Athan Achonu of Imo State, and others belonging to the Abure-led LP faction. Recall that in April, Apapa said his suspension as a member of the party was invalid, noting that he remained the legitimate acting chairman. On August 14, it was gathered that a Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State capital, affirmed Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh. Meanwhile, on May 26, a State High Court sitting in Edo dismissed the notice of suspension issued against Abure by some party members at the ward level. The judge, Justice Emmanuel Aihamoje, threw out the case for lacking merit. Chicago State University (CSU) says it will release the academic records of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if a United States court grants the order. As spotted in a document, the university asked the court to direct only limited and targeted discovery of the information sought by Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election. Recall that, Abubakar approached a US Court at the northern district of Illinois in Chicago, for an order compelling CSU to release the academic records of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress. . Tinubus credentials show that he graduated from CSU in 1979 with a bachelors degree in business administration, accounting and management, but there have been allegations bordering on discrepancies with the Presidents certificate. In the suit filed before the US district court, Abubakar prayed that the court should subpoena Tinubus files domiciled with CSU as the files will settle the controversy surrounding Tinubus academic background and aid the election petition tribunal. But the President, through his lawyers, had filed a counter application opposing the request for the release of his academic records. The university, in its response to Atikus application, said it does not understand why Tinubus academic records could possibly have any bearing on a 2023 election challenge in a foreign country. READ ALSO: Pure Blackmail From MURIC Christian Group Knocks Lagos Assembly For Rejecting Commissioner Nominees On Religious Grounds It further argued that some requests in the application are clearly inappropriate, adding that the applicant is also seeking the employment details of one of his former employees. Finally, in the event the Court determines to allow any discovery to proceed here, the University urges the Court to direct only limited, targeted discovery on the University. As leave to issue any discovery has not yet been granted, and the Courts views on what if any discovery is appropriate here under 28 U.S.C. 1782 are not yet known, it is premature for the University to raise objections to the scope of the documents and information sought in Abubakars two subpoenas. But without limiting further objections, which the University expressly reserves, the University notes that the scope and relevancy of certain of Abubakars requests are clearly inappropriate. For example, Abubakars document subpoena Request No. 5 seeks information on diplomas issued by the University for a 44-year period (1979 to the present), and Abubakars deposition subpoena Topic No. 7 seeks information on the employment status and reasons for departure of a former employee in the Universitys General Counsels Office. Following this Courts ruling on the Application, should any discovery be permitted, the University will meet and confer promptly and in good faith with Abubakars counsel to attempt to address all the Universitys concerns, CSU said in a response filed by Michael Hayes, its counsel. Note that the Presidential Election Petition Court has completed proceedings on the case against Tinubu and will announce a date for judgment. The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos has nullified the return of the Labour Party candidate, Seyi Sowunmi as the House of Representatives member for Ojo Federal Constituency in Lagos State. However, the three-man panel led by Justice Abdullahi Ozegya declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Ogunyemi, as the duly elected candidate of the election conducted on February 25, 2023. READ MORE: Appeal Court Sacks Abure, Confirms Apapa As LP National Chairman Ogunyemi, a two-term state lawmaker and former secretary of the APC in Lagos, had challenged the declaration of Sowunmi by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the election on the grounds that the respondent was not duly sponsored and qualified to contest the elections under the candidacy of Labour Party for Ojo Federal Constituency. In its judgment on the petition, the tribunal agreed with the petitioner that the candidate of the Labour Party was not qualified to contest the elections. It, therefore, declared his votes wasted and held that the second runner up, APCs Ogunyemi, ought to have been declared winner of Ojo Federal Constituency. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has accused the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa of serving as a minister while still undertaking the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme. In a statement on Thursday, HURIWA alleged that years back, Musawa abandoned her NYSC in Ebonyi State but later showed interest in completing it. The group claimed that the minister was remobilised this year and got posted to a law firm in Abuja before her appointment. The group urged the NYSC to compel Musawa to focus on either her national youth service or the ministerial appointment. She was confirmed by the senate without proper screening and sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as minister of arts. HURIWA wonders about the kind of scrutiny being conducted by the Department of State Services so much so that it wasnt disclosed that the minister is a youth corper, the statement added. READ ALSO: Lies Wont Be Told To Defend Govt. Information Minister, Idris Vows The Director of Press and Public Relations at the NYSC headquarters, Eddy Megwa confirmed to TheCable on Thursday, that the minister is a corps member. Yes she is a serving corp member, he was quoted as saying. A lawyer, Victor Giwa said the minister should be in her Place of Primary Assignment if she was serving. He said, If it is true that she is serving, she is not meant to hold public service at this time. In as much as she has enrolled to serve, everything she should be doing through her PPA. In fact, she ought to be in her PPA if it is true. I think this should have been spotted during the screening. The Minister is yet to confirm or give an official statement regarding the issue. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says clerical error is responsible for inconsistencies on the certificate issued to him by the Chicago State University (CSU). Tinubu has at countless times alleged he holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the Chicago State University. According to Tinubus lawyers, Oluwole Afolabi and Christopher Carmichael, an unidentified clerk of the university made the error about the date the school stated on his recently-issued certificate, thereby creating the appearance of differences. Information Nigeria reports that the claim is response to a suit filed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar seeking the disclosure of Tinubus academic records from the university. Also, a United States court had given Tinubu up until August 23 to make a formal filing on why his records should not be released to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. READ ALSO: Tinubus 45 Ministers Not Enough For Nigeria APC Chieftain, Audu But Abubakar, maintained that Tinubus academic records were forged. Unfortunately, in responding to the illegal and invalid subpoena, CSU made several errors. CSU issued a new diploma for Bola A. Tinubu, but incorrectly wrote the date of graduation as June 27, 1979. The correct date was June 22, 1979, but that scriveners error along with a change in the CSU logo, the font on the diploma, and leadership at CSU who signed the diploma created the appearance of differences between an earlier issued diploma and the one issued in response to the 2022 subpoena, the Presidents lawyers said. The former vice-president is also seeking the credentials Tinubu submitted to CSU before he was admitted into the university. President Vladimir Putin of Russia, has reacted to the presumed death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, in a jet crash. Information Nigeria had reported that Russias agency for air transport said Prigozhin, was among the passengers of a flight that crashed and burst into flames on Wednesday. Putin in a televised speech on Thursday, said he was told about the plane crash and extended his condolences to the victims families, saying Prigozhin was a talented businessman. He further called his one-time ally, Prigozhin, a person with a complicated fate. While seemingly referencing his failed mutiny, the Russian Leader added that Prigozhin made serious mistakes in life. READ ALSO: Wagner Group Chief, Prigozhin Feared Dead In Jet Crash He said, This was a person with a complicated fate, and he made serious mistakes in life but also sought to achieve the necessary results both for himself and at a time when I asked him to, for the common cause, such as in these recent months. The Russian president said investigators would look into what happened but added that it would take time. They have already launched a preliminary investigation into this incident. And it will be carried out in full and to the end. There is no doubt about that here. Lets see what the investigators say in the near future. Tests technical and genetic tests are being carried out now. This takes some time, he said. Prigozhin had led a failed uprising against Putin in a move analysts said was the biggest threat to the Russian presidents rule since he assumed power in 1999. Putin described the mutiny as a stab in the back vowing that the organisers would face justice. Crisis has continues to rock the leadership of Labour Party as Julius Abures faction disagreed over a ruling of an Appeal Court, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that Apapa-led administration of LP, claimed that the court dismissed Abure as National Chairman and affirmed their candidate as the authentic chairman. However, in another developing situation, the Abure-led administration, dismissed the report and described it as a fake news. According to reports emanating from the Apapa-led camp, the Appeal Court also dismissed the governorship and other candidates sponsored by the Abure-led National Working Committee while affirming Apapas leadership of the party. In reaction, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh said in a statement in Abuja, that facts about what transpired in court state otherwise. He said, It is another devastating blow for the Lamidi Apapa led dissident group as the Court of Appeal Owerri, sitting in Abuja today, Thursday August 24, 2023 dismissed the appeal filed by one Mr Basil Maduka, who is contending for the Labour Party governorship candidacy for Imo state. The court further held that the appeal by the Labour Party was not necessary as the decision of the trial court was in its favour and that mere comments of the trial judge in the matter was NOT A JUDGEMENT and should be discountenanced. READ MORE: Appeal Court Sacks Abure, Confirms Apapa As LP National Chairman Labour Party had asked the Court of Appeal to quash the comments of the trial court in the Federal High Court Owerri. Labour party also told the court that Senator Athan Achonu won the partys primaries. The attention seeking camp of Lamidi Apapa had earlier today as usual misinformed the public by twisting the clear judgement of the appellate court. It is therefore important to state that neither the Federal High Court Owerri nor the Court of Appeal Owerri, which sat in Abuja today made any orders in the matter other than for lack of locus standi against the plaintiff (Basil Maduka). Consequently, the status quo remains with Senator Athan Achonu as the validly nominated candidate of Labour Party for 2023 Imo governorship election. With this Court of Appeal judgment and the endorsement of Senator Achonu by our national leader Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, the Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure and other stakeholders and party members, the dust has settled on the gubernatorial ticket issue. Achonu has received the governorship flag of the party and has since flagged off his campaign with a well attended ceremony in Owerri on Tuesday. Recall that similarly, the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City recently affirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of Labour Party (LP). In the case of Mr Lucky Shaibu v. Julius Abure & 5 ORS (Appeal No: CA/B/93/2023), His Lordships Justice Theresa Ngolika Orji Abadua, Fatima Omoro Akinbami and Hon. Justice Sybil O. Nwaka-Gbagi in a unanimous decision dismissed the appeal of the Appellant. In his lead judgment Justice Abadua, while nullifying the earlier suspension and all actions taken against Abure and the party arising from the purported suspension, affirmed the decision of the High Court of Edo State and held that one man cannot suspend the national chairman of Labour Party in line with Article 13 and 17 of the Constitution of the Party and the extant Electoral Act of 2022 particularly when the appellant has been described by the party as unknown. We are therefore calling on the Labour Party members, Obidient faithfuls and the general public to distance themselves from these falling and compromised members of the party who have since been shoved out of the party. Royal Thai Police have arrested a 45-year-old Nigerian man and 13 Thais for operating a covert romance scam. The Nigerian national identified as Ezeneche Uzochukwu Jerome, his Thai girlfriend, and other suspects were arrested on Thursday, August 24, 2023, following police operations across seven provinces According to the police, the scam operation managed to deceive hundreds of victims across Thailand out of over 8000 million baht in the past four years. The Commissioner of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) Montri Tatekhan, in a statement on Friday, August 25, explained that the victims filed a complaint against a romance scam gang at the beginning of 2022. The victims revealed to officers that the scammers used profiles of attractive foreign women to approach them on social media. READ ALSO: EFCC Arraignes Man For Inheritance Scam In Borno The scammers informed them that they were American soldiers performing duties in Syria. After gaining the trust of the victims, they would express their desire to come to Thailand to see the victims. However, before their journeys, they would inform the victim that they sent gifts or some parcels into Bangkok, via the airports. Then, they would lure the victims into paying taxes or other relevant expenses for them in advance and they would return it when they meet each other. A group of Thai scammers then contacted the victims pretending to be airport authorities and demanded money for the alleged parcel-receiving process. After getting the amount they wanted, the scammer would disappear and block all the contact channels with the victims. The police conducted a further investigation until they managed to identify the gang leader, 45-year-old Ezeneche Uzochukwu Jerome. Jerome had been previously charged with a love scam in 2018 but managed to re-engage in the illicit operation. After an investigation into the gangs financial transactions, the officer discovered that each scammer would immediately transfer money from the victim into an account aboard. From 2018 to 2022, the gang managed to extort over 800 million baht from victims and deposit it into a foreign bank account. Since the criminal action was backed and proven by several damning pieces of evidence, officers conducted raids on 14 suspicious spots across the country, including seven spots in Bangkok, one spot in Pathum Thani, two in Pitsanuloak, one in Uthai Thani, one in Uttaradit, one in Kamphaeng Phet, and one in Pichit. During the operation, an officer arrested 14 suspects behind the scams, including the gang leader Jerome and 13 Thais. Officers also seized 11 mobile phones, 10 bank accounts, 18 debit cards, two computers, two Channel bags, and several documents involved in the financial transactions to work abroad. The Nigerian mans girlfriend claimed that they were no longer together. According to her, after breaking up, the man invited her to join the gang. She could not refuse because of her financial struggles and unemployment. See photos below: Fraudsters posing as United Kingdom (UK) skilled worker visa agents are offering non-existent jobs to unsuspecting Nigerians, a Sky News investigation has revealed. According to the report, the fake job offers are costing victims huge sums of money. Information Nigeria understands that, for a skilled worker visa, the UK government charges from 625 to 1,423, depending on the applicants location and extent of stay. An annual healthcare surcharge of 624, and an availability of 1,270 for the applicant to prove that they can support themselves in the UK, are also required. Interested persons are required to apply directly to the UK government while providing supporting documents. Health and care workers represents 86% of long-term sponsored work visas and over half of all work visas granted to applicants in 2022, according to the UKs Home Office. A victim, Blessing, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, told Sky News that she paid 10,000 to an agent in Nigeria for the job of a carer in the UK. Following her arrival in the UK three months ago, Blessing said she discovered that she had paid for a non-existent job. READ ALSO: Stop Putting Young Lives At Risk, Kate Henshaw Calls For Scrapping Of NYSC Blessing, who now relies on handouts from a Nigerian food bank, said she did not make the application herself because it is difficult to tell real from fake in her home country. It makes me feel as though Im a fool. I would have done it myself but there are so many frauds on the internet [in Nigeria] you dont know whats real. Ive always provided for myself. Im a very hard-working, diligent person. So for me to be here depending on people to eat, coming to the food bank to get food, isnt ok with me. There are so many. Dozens. I met a lot here and so many are still coming after Ive come. Theres a big scam going on, Sky News quoted her as saying. Founder of the Nigerian Community Centre in Rochdale, a town in Greater Manchester, Mary Adekugbe, told Sky News that she has been overwhelmed by it all. About 15 of the 35-40 people who generally come to the weekly food bank have skilled worker visas. We are overwhelmed, people are desperate. Its so worrying, she said. Rishi Sunak, UKs prime minister, has consistently re-echoed his plans to control immigration. Some of the measures taken so far include restricting foreign students from bringing family members with them, a change in the visa switch route, and a review of the funds needed for upkeep. Lamidi Apapa, National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), on Thursday, stated that only candidates he endorsed will be allowed to run in the November 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo States. While speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, he claimed that the Court of Appeals decision in Owerri had confirmed him as the legitimate National Chairman of the Party. Information Nigeria had reported that the court dismissed the Julius Abure-led faction and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Apapas factions governorship candidates for the election. Recall that on April 5, the Abuja High court restrained Abure and others from parading themselves as national officers of the Party. To its end, LP appointed the Deputy National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, as the acting National Chairman of the Party in accordance with its constitution. Sequel to that the party under my leadership wrote to INEC changing its date of primary election earlier scheduled by Abure from April 15 to April 16. Notwithstanding the fact that he was under a restraining order, Abure still went ahead to conduct his primaries for Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa on those dates, he said. READ ALSO: LP Crisis: Abures Faction Denies Report Over Courts Rulling On Apapa Leadership According to Apapa, his faction conducted primaries on April 16, making it two primaries conducted by the LP in the states. Peeved by the primary conducted by me, a candidate who participated in the Abure primary took my candidate to court whilst maintaining that Abures candidates were the authentic ones. The case was frantically defended, and the Federal High Court (FHC), Owerri Division, declared the primaries conducted by me as the authentic candidate as Abure was under a restraining order as at the time he screened candidates and conducted his primaries, he added. Apapa who insisted that the court recognized him as the legitimate Chairman of the party said, those dissatisfied with the FHC decision, Abures candidates, including the winner of his primaries, filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal. He furthered that the court of appeals had also upheld the FHCs ruling that Abures conduct was contemptuous because he was subject to a restraining order at the time of the primaries. That restraining order is still in force even at the time this judgment was delivered, Apapa added. David Umahi, Minister of Works, on Thursday, said he will dialogue with cement manufacturers over reducing the prices of their products. While speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Umahi said contractors have complained over the high cost of cement in the country and made claims that importing the product would be cheaper. He said: Im going to be running figures with them (cement manufacturers) to check the cost of cement if we import it and the cost they are giving us here, he said. A lot of contractors have complained that it is cheaper to import, but we are not allowed to import cement because we have to help the cement industries, but they also have to be reasonable with us if we are going to be patronising them. READ ALSO: FCTA Will Cover Medical Bills Of Building Collapse Victims Wike Says, Insists Structures Without Approvalll Be Demolished There is a need to use concrete technology. Its going to make our roads last for a minimum of 50 years. The minister furthered that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is ready to provide funds for the construction of quality roads in the country. We are looking at all these things. How do we cut down costs? Because the primary issue is also the cost of construction. We are looking at the figures but it looks like a lot of contractors are not willing, but I will make them to make the change we are all engineers. I am telling them your profit, I will protect whatever thing you want to make but, lets help Nigeria, lets build a road that will last and the funny thing is that the government the President will give out the money, the former Ebonyi Governor added. Christian Rights of Nigeria (CRN), on Thursday, accused the Lagos State House of Assembly of rejecting commissioner nominees on religious grounds. Information Nigeria reports that on Wednesday, the State assembly declined to confirm 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees recommended by the Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Six former commissioners who served in the first term of Sanwo-Olu are among the 17 nominees not cleared by the assembly. The former commissioners are Gbenga Omotoso (information and strategy); Akin Abayomi (health); Cecilia Dada (women affairs and poverty alleviation); Olalere Odusote (energy resources); Folashade Adefisayo (education) and Sam Egube (economic planning and budget). Eliashib James, CRNs National Leader, via a statement said the rejection of the nominees was a move to stoke religious tensions in the State. The group claimed that the decision of the Lagos assembly was motivated by the comment of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on the nomination of commissioner nominees. Recall that MURIC had accused Sanwo-Olu of marginalising Muslims in the State because Sanwo-Olus list of commissioner nominees comprises only eight Muslims. READ ALSO: Nigerians Stranded In UK After Paying For Non-Existent Jobs To Fake Agents According to him, the leadership positions in the state are dominated by Muslims, adding that Christians never raised eyebrow. We have watched in utter amazement the unfolding drama at the Lagos State House of Assembly where surreptitious moves are being made by the House leadership to stoke religious tension in Lagos State. Egged on by a right-wing extremist religious group known as Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) of one Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the house of assembly has manifested this by its rejection of a number of commissioner nominees in the state. We state without any equivocation that this is pure religious blackmail as contrary to the propaganda of MURIC, which the house of assembly latched on, there are more Muslims in the government of Lagos than Christians. So why is the Lagos state house of assembly stoking religious tension by rejecting many Commissioner nominees on religious grounds, deceptively couched for the public as insufficient documentation? he queried At least 12 persons have been reportedly lost their lives in a boat accident on River Kogi Kungra Kamfani, in Arikiya, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the victims were said to be going to the farm when the horrible incident happened, leaving 12 persons dead out of 19 on board. However, the state House of Assembly while reacting to the mishap, described the incident as unfortunate, saying the death of the 12 persons was a great loss to the state. READ MORE: Young Man Stabs His Step-Mother To Death In Nassarawa The lawmakers condoled with the state government, Lafia local government and the families of the deceased over their death. According to Speaker Ibrahim Abdullahi, representing the lawmakers, said: It is very sad that we lost 12 people, comprising men and women in a boat mishap in Arikiya, Lafia LGA. On behalf of myself, members, staff and the entire Nasarawa people we condole with the bereaved families, Lafia LGA and the state government over their death. We pray for the reposed of their souls. Bright Chima, believed to be the oldest tenant of the collapsed building at Lagos street in Garki area of Abuja, says she had complained several times to the management of the storey plaza about the structural cracks in the building. According to Chima, on Wednesday, she was forced to stay in her shop till late in the night because of heavy rainfall. She said when the rain refused to stop, she called her husband to drive her home to save her from being drenched. Around 11:30 pm, as Chima and her husband were about to lock up the doors of the shop, they heard a thud with dust covering their faces. Chima who narrated to The Cable, jumped out, together with her husband, to catch the sight of how the building housing her shop was collapsing. I rented two apartment shops here. I am one of the oldest tenants. I have spent more than 13 years. We have complained to the management of this building countless times about structural cracks. Their response is always affirmative without actions. They will tell you We will do it. We have requested many times to see the landlord. They kept on denying us access to him. At times, you will see this compound full of defecation. READ ALSO: 72-Year-Old Man Arraigned For Driving Tractor Into Lagos Market, Destroys N320M Property We were about to step out of the shop before we heard the creaky sound of the building caving in on us. We jumped out and looking back, we realised the building had collapsed. I pay N1.5 million per annum for my two shops here and the total worth of goods inside is over N10 million, she said. Recall that about 37 persons were rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building while two persons died. A resident who witnessed the collapse, Godwin Peter, said as it was raining, the building was shaking when the breeze became stronger. Peter said the building caved in after it could not withstand the breeze any longer. He added that prior to the incident, the building arguably one of the oldest on the street had shown obvious weakness with structural cracks. There were signs and it was obvious that the building was weak. There was a heavy rainfall with a strong breeze. The building is a residential apartment as well as a shopping complex. It was shaking and people were coming out, Peter said. The 157 employees to be laid off work at the Aetna office in Blue Bell. Read more CVS Health is laying off 157 employees who work in a subsidiary Aetna office in Montgomery County, the company told Pennsylvania regulators this month. Aetna, one of the nations largest insurance companies, has been part of CVS since 2018 after a $69 billion acquisition deal. The affected employees work in the Blue Bell office, the company wrote in a letter to state regulators. The impacted workers have been notified of the terminations, which will begin Oct. 21. CVS has informed regulators of layoffs in at least eight other states, the Beckers Hospital Review reported. Advertisement More than 200 employees in multiple New Jersey locations will also lose their jobs. The largest CVS layoffs will occur in Rhode Island, where about 700 positions will be terminated. READ MORE: In the ICU, a pharmacist is part of the team at the patients bedside CVS will eliminate about 5,000 positions that do not interface with customers nationwide. The layoffs represent less than 2% of the more than 300,000 people the company employed as of the end of last year, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission documents. The cost reduction effort comes as CVS prioritizes direct care, the company said in a statement. We do not expect there to be any impact to our customer-facing colleagues in our stores, pharmacies, clinics, or customer services centers, the CVS statement said. CVS has continued to make new acquisitions this year, including Signify Health, which has a network of more than 10,000 clinicians in all 50 states, for $8 billion and Oak Street Health, a primary care provider, for $10.6 billion. Doylestown Hospital announced recently that they had barred a physician from treating patients there. Read more Doylestown Hospital officials say they made a serious decision to bar an obstetrician who had delivered babies at the hospital for years from treating patients there. Scott Dinesen heads a private practice in Bucks County, Dinesen and Associates OB-GYN and Infertility. His clinical privileges at the hospital were suspended on Aug. 4, Doylestown Health CEO Jim Brexler told The Inquirer. Brexler would not say exactly why Dinesen had been suspended, citing patient confidentiality, but said the decision came after a months-long review of the quality of Dinesens work by medical staff at the hospital. Our medical staff ensure quality is maintained on the part of those practicing here, Brexler said. Advertisement The hospital informed patients and others in the community in a recent post on its website, saying that Doylestown Hospitals Medical Staff Leadership took the serious action of suspending Dr. Scott Dinesens clinical privileges. Dinesen did not respond to a request for comment, but his practice defended his reputation and work. In a statement, a spokesperson for Dinesens practice said that he has been a pillar of the Doylestown community for over three decades and is known for providing excellent, high-quality care to his patients. The spokesperson also declined to state why Dinesen had been suspended because the situation is still under review. The spokesperson said the suspension of Dinesens hospital privileges was only an interim measure. We respect the integrity of the process and would hope that the hospital would do the same, the practice spokesperson said, noting they were surprised at the hospitals comments on the matter. The spokesperson did not specify which comments they found surprising. Brexler said Dinesen has the right to appeal the decision. An unusual action Doylestown Healths CEO acknowledged it is unusual to suspend a physician from clinical privileges. Hospitals rely on internal committees of peer physicians to assess when to grant and revoke a physicians ability to treat patients there. Concerns about quality, when they arise, may be dealt with privately without public notice. When physicians do attract negative attention from a state medical board or health department, normally after complaints are filed, investigations can be slow and sometimes yield little publicly available information on the case, a ProPublica investigation copublished with the Inquirer found earlier this month. Dinesen still has an active license to practice medicine in Pennsylvania and has no disciplinary actions on his record. The hospital and Dinesen are named in an ongoing lawsuit over a pregnant patients care, but Brexler said that being named in a lawsuit alone is not enough for the hospital to consider a suspension. He declined to comment further on the case because it is still in active litigation. The hospitals decision to post news of his suspension on its website was an effort to combat misinformation spreading on social media that the hospital was closing its maternity ward entirely, Brexler said. In community Facebook groups, dozens of patients have weighed in on the suspension, with some saying theyd been displeased with Dinesens care and others praising him. Doylestowns other maternity providers are still treating patients at the hospital and its maternity department remains open, Brexler said. There were questions coming to us about whats taken place... that went way beyond any of the patients that were Dr. Dinesens. The whole program was being questioned, Brexler said. Patients who were treated by Dinesen can transfer their care to another Doylestown Health physician in order to deliver their babies at Doylestown Hospital, officials there said. Patients with further questions can email the hospital at communityhotline@dh.org or call 215-345-2153. A new law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy designates Central Jersey as a region on all New Jersey tourism maps. Read more Its been settled: Central Jersey does exist thanks to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphys signature. Murphy just signed a bill that will require the Division of Travel and Tourism to redraw its tourism maps to include that mythical land that is Central Jersey. The region will include Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties at minimum, according to the Governors Office. Other promotional materials, such as the VisitNJ.org website, will also have to include references to the now very real region. In other words, the bill isnt about settling a debate as old as pork roll vs. Taylor ham, but rather boosting the economy. Advertisement READ MORE: A new law would require Central Jersey to be promoted on state tourism maps if they can find it Tourism is a vital part of our states economy and many of our communities rely upon visitors to support local small businesses, said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way. This legislation is an investment in the future of Central Jersey communities and will strengthen the regions ability to draw new and returning guests. Forgetting about Central Jersey dates back to precolonial times: New Jersey was formerly two territories East and West Jersey divided by a long diagonal line. Now the state is separated by a horizontal one that splits the North from the South (and Giants fans from Eagles diehards). Until now, Central Jersey has only really existed in the minds of the people who live there and claim the area has a distinct culture its a blob of college towns and people who make it very clear to not associate them with New York City or Philadelphia. Murphy is one of those people. Hailing from Middletown Township, Murphy broke a Jersey-sized piece of the internet when he repped the region in his 2018 inaugural speech. He would later go on to compare Central Jersey to a mythical kingdom, like Camelot in an episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The region has a rich history dating back to the American Revolution ... is home to some of the nations leading public universities and host to beautiful agricultural landscapes, said Murphy. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to share these wonders with the world. Franklin Towne Charter High School, one of the citys top-performing charters, is accused of lottery manipulation to exclude children from 17 city zip codes. Read more All Philadelphia students were supposed to have an equal shot at admittance to Franklin Towne Charter High School. But allegations that officials manipulated its lottery to keep students from certain zip codes out limiting the opportunity for children of color to attend one of the citys top-performing charters have put the school on the path to possible closure. While revoking the schools charter could take years, and is a decision that must be made judiciously, the Philadelphia Board of Education made the right choice when it voted to begin the process and hold fact-finding hearings to investigate the claims of bias in admissions. As charter school advocates will often remind opponents, charter schools are public schools. They must be held accountable as such. READ MORE: Reversing pandemic-related learning loss must be a top priority | Editorial Advertisement Franklin Towne, located in Northeast Philadelphia on the Frankford Arsenal grounds, is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence winner known for its technologically advanced classrooms and relatively small class sizes. It also boasts a student body whose demographic makeup doesnt match the neighborhoods it borders, let alone the rest of the School District. While nearby neighborhoods such as Frankford and Wissinoming have become poster children for decades of white flight, more than half of the schools students are white (23% are Latino, 12% Black, 8% multiracial, and 2% Asian). Thats almost the exact opposite in a district where around 48% of students are Black. This is no accident, according to a whistleblower complaint. Franklin Townes chief academic officer, Patrick Field, told The Inquirer earlier this year that certain neighborhoods, schools, and families were being singled out by school leadership. Field claimed that school officials, led by CEO Joseph Venditti, tampered with the schools admissions lottery, leaving 17 city zip codes shut out entirely. An Inquirer analysis backed up Fields claims, finding that the odds of a fair lottery excluding students from all these zip codes were one in one quadrillion. At the Aug. 17 school board hearing, some Franklin Towne parents and teachers stood up for the school. Many cited its strong test results, while others presented the campus as a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds, despite the lottery tampering. Others argued that students should not be punished for the actions of people who are no longer at the school. Venditti, whom Field alleged was behind the manipulation, resigned in February, citing health issues. The threat of revocation does not affect Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School, which operates separately from the high school. Charter advocates have often claimed that the school board is anti-charter, citing the lack of new charter options despite high demand for the citys most successful examples. But the lottery issues at Franklin Towne are a good reminder of why the board has been reluctant to put more students in schools where its oversight is limited. READ MORE: Mayoral candidates need real plans to fix the citys troubled schools | Editorial Even before Fields allegation, Franklin Towne had a mixed reputation regarding diversity. Students were captured on video, posted to social media, making racist comments during this years Black History Month, and the schools glaring demographic distinctions are nothing new. As school board member Julia Danzy stated at the board meeting, If I were walking around that school, I would say, Something is wrong here. Nor is this the first time Franklin Towne has dealt with whistleblower complaints. Venditti and Field were sued in 2016, with a former principal alleging the school was a den of patronage and nepotism. In a city where public education is struggling, no one wants to close off a successful educational option for Philadelphias students. However, the principles of public education meaning an equal opportunity for all who qualify demand that the school be thoroughly investigated and that its closure remains a possible outcome. Republican David Oh, left, and Democrat Cherelle Parker are running for Philadelphia mayor. Read more Every general election for mayor in Philadelphia eventually comes around to a debate about debates. Should the Democratic nominee, in a city where that partys voters outnumber Republicans 7-1, give the GOP nominee a platform as large as a televised debate? History says: sometimes. And Cherelle Parker, who won the crowded Democratic primary for mayor in May, is not ready to say whether shell give her former City Council colleague, Republican nominee David Oh, any shared screen time. Advertisement READ MORE: Whos running for mayor of Philadelphia? What to know about Cherelle Parker, David Oh, and the election. Parker has good reason to take her time. A debate for her is all risk and, potentially, all reward for Oh. Cherelle Parker has never refused to debate anyone, but right now were focused on taking our message directly to the voters, said Aren Platt, a Parker spokesperson who tiptoed around Clouts direct question about whether she would debate Oh. Ohs ambitions are sizable. He wants 10 debates, one in every City Council district. (Clout prediction: Never gonna happen.) Debates are important because anyone who is running for mayor owes an explanation to the people in this city, whether they vote or dont vote, Oh said. The process is important in getting the public on board. Oh said he has heard from 6abc, CBS3, WHYY, and some nonprofits about hosting debates while Parker has remained mum. Democrats have a mixed history of engaging with opponents in mayoral races. Jim Kenney was cruising to a second term in 2019 when he decided to completely ignore the Republican challenger, Billy Ciancaglini. The voters who showed up that November didnt hold it against him: Kenney won four out of every five votes. Oh said hes a different kind of candidate than Ciancaglini, who had previously run as a Democrat for judge but had no public record to examine. Im a three-term Council person who has served the city and has been vetted, Oh said. Kenney, running for an open mayors seat in 2015, was more open to candidate forums that year but eventually blew up a proposed televised debate with Republican political novice Melissa Murray Bailey by insisting on demands that NBC10 found too onerous to oblige. Democrat Mike Nutter, while seeking a second term as mayor in 2011, faced Republican Karen Brown in one contentious televised debate. Nutters 2007 campaign interactions with Republican nominee Al Taubenberger were so collegial that it called into question whether they should be called debates. Philadelphia hasnt seen an authentic general election debate for mayor since 2003s rematch between Republican Sam Katz and then-Mayor John Street. Clouts prediction: Oh will get one televised debate with Parker some time after Labor Day and not one more second of attention if she can avoid it. Gov. Shapiro is headed to New Hampshire Gov. Josh Shapiro is quick to bat back questions about national political aspirations in his first year as governor. But hes also headed to the early voting state of New Hampshire next month to headline a conference where the likes of Barack Obama and other aspiring presidential candidates have spoken. The New Hampshire Democrats announced this week that Shapiro will be the keynote speaker at their fall convention, a Sept. 30 gathering described by the group as a premier Democratic political event in the country. Every national Democratic leader in the last 50 years has spoken at a NHDP convention, attracting sitting presidents, vice presidents, potential presidential candidates, the release said. A spokesperson for Shapiro said hell talk about his campaign and beating state Sen. Doug Mastriano ahead of New Hampshires own battle for an open gubernatorial seat next year expected to be one of the most competitive in the nation. In Pennsylvania, we defeated extremism and showed the rest of the country what it looks like to come together behind a vision for a better future, Shapiro said in a release. New Hampshire voters face a similar choice next November. Shapiro is also expected to tout President Joe Bidens record and along with it, likely a favorite topic the I-95 bridge collapse and coordination between the governor and the White House to build a temporary bridge in less than two weeks. Shapiro was the face of the nationally watched repair effort, which has also become a talking point in Bidens reelection campaign. Trump & Biden & Pennsylvania A Franklin and Marshall College Poll released this week was stuffed with sobering news for Biden and former President Donald Trump. First off, theyre not very popular. Just 30% of the 723 Pennsylvania voters surveyed said Biden is doing an excellent or good job as president. And 64% had an unfavorable view of Trump. Trump and Biden are essentially tied in a 2024 general election matchup, according to the poll, with a margin of error plus or minus 4.5 points. Trump holds an 18-point lead in the Republican primary, but his two federal indictments do not necessarily endear him to voters overall, with 58% calling his attempt to overturn the 2020 election a serious crime and 35% saying it was not a serious crime. On his charges of mishandling classified documents, 42% said he should drop out of he race now while 20% said he should drop out if convicted, and 33% said he should stay in the race no matter what happens. The poll reflects slumping approval ratings for the two politicians around the country, which some GOP primary candidates are using as ammunition in their bids for the White House. We have to look at the fact that three-quarters of Americans dont want a rematch between Trump and Biden, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said Wednesday at the first GOP debate. And we have to face the fact that Trump is the most disliked politician in America. We cant win a general election that way. Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics. A rendering of the new St. Joseph's University dorm as seen from the intersection of City Avenue and Cardinal Avenue. Read more A new St. Josephs University dormitory for first-year students is being proposed as part of a plan to shift undergraduate housing away from West Philadelphias residential neighborhoods, minimizing conflict between students and area residents. The university says that the 578-bed, six-story building at 5800 City Ave., wrapping around the intersection with Cardinal Avenue, will essentially replace two aging dormitories slated for demolition near Overbrook Avenue and Cardinal, which are closer to residential neighborhoods. It is the latest element of St. Josephs master plan, which was drafted in the years before the pandemic as an effort to modernize the universitys sprawling campus in Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township. The project will be considered by the citys advisory Civic Design Review committee on Sept. 5. It also needs permission from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to remove heritage trees (which will be replaced with fresh plantings) and to ease setback requirements. Advertisement The new dormitory is designed by Blackney Hayes Architects of Philadelphia and is meant to blend with the broader Gothic architectural style of the campus. According to materials presented to the citys Planning Commission, the building will be clad in thoughtfully chosen blend of stone and cast stone an unusual (and expensive) material choice in todays construction environment. The building is aiming to achieve LEED silver certification, which is awarded to buildings meeting high environmental standards. According to the materials presented to the Planning Commission, these features include a geothermal well field that will be dug this fall. This sustainable energy source will be used to power mechanical systems and sustainable lighting. Our plans call for a geothermal system for both heating and cooling, Tim McGuriman, associate vice president of administrative services, said in an email message. SJU believes this may be the largest building in the city fully operating on such a system. In addition to dorm rooms, the 240,000-square-foot building will include offices for several unspecified academic departments. The cost of construction is still being determined, said McGuriman, and it is anticipated to break ground this fall and to open in the autumn 2025. At a neighborhood meeting Wednesday night, local residents were broadly supportive of the proposal. There were some skeptics after university representatives asked for future support before the zoning board by noting that the project would have minimal impact upon the neighborhood. Only one attendee out of the 18 who stayed until the end of the meeting voted to oppose the new dorm project. Thats partly because neighborhood groups such as Wynnefield Residents Association and the Wynnefield Community Neighborhood Association engaged with St. Josephs about its master plan in 2018, and relations are cordial. Local advocates say its essential they remain engaged so that their communities can happily coexist with one of the citys major higher education institutions. Obviously we dont want to find ourselves in the position of University City. We do not want to feel consumed by a university, said Crystal Morris of the Wynnefield Residents Association. And thats not the experience we are having at all. Theyve been very good about forming a partnership with us, the dialogue remains open, and we are looking for ways that this project can benefit us as a neighboring community. The grid of large silver trailers sitting atop a patch of asphalt on the western bank of the Susquehanna River near Berwick, Pa., might not seem like much upon first glance. Hulking over them are nuclear cooling towers that belong to the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, next to a web of energy-generating infrastructure. Inside those trailers, however, is a hive of activity nearly 8,000 mining rigs, or supercomputers, designed to plug away at the algorithm required to mine bitcoin. These rigs constitute the Nautilus Cryptomine, which came partly online in March and aims to be among the largest, most efficient bitcoin mines in North America. Nautilus is raising concerns among some environmentalists not just for what it represents the emergence of a controversial bitcoin mining industry in Pennsylvania, which may lead to a spike in the states energy use and emissions but also for how it got there in the first place. The mine opened with the help of a sales tax exemption for data centers, enshrined in law in 2016 and intended to build out a different type of industry: server or data storage farms that, for instance, host cloud capacity. Nautilus and a related firm, Cumulus Data, both associated with the Nautilus mine, are two of eight companies in the state to claim the sales tax exemption, according to the state Department of Revenue. They are the only two crypto-related ventures on the list but advocates fear that they wont be the last, should the sales tax exemption, expected to grow from its current $17 million price tag to $90 million by 2027, remain in place as is. Advertisement In recent years, the commonwealth has seen a steady build-out of energy-intensive mines that generate cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency mining, when fossil fuel powered, contributes to air pollution while hurting the states efforts to reach its climate goals. One Eastern Pennsylvania plant, run on waste coal, saw its emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, two ingredients of ground-level smog, triple in a year after being purchased by a crypto-mining company. With newfound power in one chamber, Pennsylvania Democrats are attempting to get ahead of things. First step: Rein in a program they fear could subsidize the rollout of a planet-warming cryptocurrency mining industry with House Bill 1282, which would preclude proof of work coin mining operations from claiming the data centers sales and use tax exemption. The bill passed the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on June 6 along party lines and will need to go to the full House for a vote. Such crypto mining is a substantial user of energy, and its a very inefficient use of energy, said Rep. Greg Vitali (D., Delaware), H.B. 1282s prime sponsor and majority chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, in an interview with Capital & Main. As a matter of good public policy this type of activity, that will prevent us from reaching our climate change goals, should not be getting a state subsidy. Vitali said he has asked House leadership to pass it as part of a larger budget bill, as budget proceedings drag on. Lawmakers are not scheduled to return to the Capitol until September. H.B. 1282s passage in committee preceded another vote on a broader measure to stop a bitcoin rollout in its tracks that was scheduled but killed at the last minute at the request of House leadership. The bill, H.B. 1476, would place a two-year moratorium on new crypto mines with at least 5 megawatts of power load; required existing crypto mines to report their energy generation, water use and emissions to regulators; and directed regulators to conduct an environmental impact study on the industry at large. New York state passed a similar measure last fall. Pennsylvania could still pass H.B. 1476 in the current session, which ends in 2024. Nautilus is the only crypto mine in the state to claim the data centers sales and use tax exemption, but if it remains in place, it may not be the last. Further exemptions could subsidize the proliferation of an industry that, at best, serves few and at worst is designed to be wasteful, critics say. Proof of work cryptocurrency mining requires that miners compete against each other using highly specialized computers to solve a mathematical equation with brute force and receive newly minted bitcoins as a reward. The process involves a tremendous amount of energy: Each computer uses about three times the amount of the average Pennsylvania home, and again, miners have thousands or tens of thousands of them, Rob Altenburg, PennFutures senior director for energy and climate, testified in a May 1 hearing before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on the environmental effects of crypto mining. A 2022 Earthjustice report found that, from mid-2021 to 2022, the cryptocurrency industry was responsible for 27.4 million excess tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The overall energy consumption of bitcoin mining is comparable to that of entire countries. Nautilus is powered without burning fossil fuels and can claim carbon neutrality. But other crypto mines across the commonwealth cant. Stronghold Digital Mining, for instance, powers its two mines with coal waste, while others plug directly into natural gas wells. And while technically powered by renewable energy, Nautilus, which is connected to PJM, still diverts Susquehanna Steams clean power from the grid, creating a gap that is likely backfilled by fossil fuels. There isnt a way to waste energy in a clean way, Altenburg told Capital & Main. Vitalis two-year crypto moratorium bill would give regulators time and a mandate to study these effects. As prime sponsor of the bill, Vitali previously told Capital & Main the legislations committee vote, scheduled for June, was canceled by House leadership following input from trade unions and the oil and gas industry. But he remains committed to the legislation and plans to run the bill by his committee again when the House returns to session in the fall. Vitali also said he met with Talen Energy Corp., one of two companies that own Nautilus Cryptomine. Vitali said the company told him that the data center sales and use tax exemption was an important factor in the choice to locate in Pennsylvania. Eliminating eligibility for a tax exemption could add costs should Nautilus expand in the state down the line. Talen, the parent company of Cumulus Data, and Nautilus co-owner TeraWulf Inc. both declined Capital & Mains request for comment on the bills. Regulations would offer crypto a path toward being a good actor, said Dominic Folino, president of the PA Blockchain Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing blockchain-related policy thats spent nearly $50,000 on lobbying in the state since it opened up shop in August 2022. But he warns against bills such as Vitalis that could deter [crypto] organizations from coming to Pennsylvania. Hes also skeptical of environmental concerns. I constantly hear that crypto mining uses more energy than the country of Argentina, he said. And then Ive heard the other side and seen from many sources that Christmas lights use more energy than Argentina. So, you know, I think its a matter of comparing apples and apples. Despite fear that narrowing the sales and use tax break could disincentivize a bitcoin rollout, there is little evidence that it was introduced for this purpose to begin with. This was one of those issues that were inserted secretly into one of the budget bills, Vitali recalled. There was not a lot of general awareness about it from other legislators and the public; the main intent was not directed at cryptocurrency data centers broadly. At the time, critics argued the program would disproportionately serve large tech corporations. That hasnt happened yet. But it could shepherd in a different industry one environmentalists fear to be a sleeping giant. Pennsylvania must not subsidize a new polluting industry, said Charles McPhedran, senior attorney in the clean energy program at Earthjustice. We have a legacy of fossil fuel pollution, McPhedran added. We dont need a tax exemption that favors a polluting industry. This article was produced by the nonprofit journalism publication Capital & Main. It is copublished here with permission. Insurance Business is proud to partner with One Tree Planted and have reforestation as an integral part of our business model. For every response to the survey, a tree will be planted as part of our commitment to sustainability. I know we get some criticism and some of its justified on occasions but overwhelmingly we play such a critical role in the society and the economy that were a part of, he said. We certainly underpin what our society and what our economy can do to enable people and businesses to take sensible risks, and then, when disaster happens, we help to put the pieces back together again. For the quarter ending June 30, 2023 (Q2 2023), the Australian life insurance industrys total revenue was $3.6 billion, down 52.8% from $7.6 billion in the previous quarter. The industry also reported net profit after tax of $22.3 million, down 96.6% from $652.3 million in the previous quarter. Sixty-seven per cent (67%) of respondents were particularly worried about an armed intruder appearing at a school event. These spaces are particularly vulnerable to active shooter threats because unlike a government building or an airport, they do not have the sophisticated safety protocols or standards to stave off a potential incident. QBE is focused on creating resilient and inclusive communities, said Steve Gransbury, QBE executive sponsor and head of specialty and residential insurance. We appreciate the opportunity to help further Tech Goes Homes vision for digital equity. As previously reported, Sommers claims of direct sex discrimination, maternity-related discrimination, and sex-related harassment each succeeded in part. Not only was it concluded that there was continuing discrimination against her while at the company, it was also ruled that Sommer was unfairly dismissed given the Swiss Re units failure to justify its redundancy reason. Drugstore chain Rite Aid has agreed to implement a program to better protect employees, including front-end customer service staff, against hazards related to bloodborne pathogens at all its approximately 370 stores in New Jersey and New York. The agreement follows an investigation opened by the Buffalo office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in April 2022 after a retail employee in Niagara Falls was instructed to clean up spilled blood in February 2022 following a customer injury. OSHA said it learned that before the incident, the employee had not been offered a hepatitis B vaccine and that Rite Aid lacked an appropriate exposure control plan, in violation of federal regulations. OSHA cited the retail drugstore chain for corresponding violations of the agencys bloodborne pathogens standard. Initially, Rite Aid Corp. contested the citations. In a settlement agreement with OSHA, the company will pay an amended $10,000 fine ad withdraw its notice of contest. Rite Aid has not admitted any wrongdoing but has taken remedial actions at all New Jersey and New York stores including implementing an exposure control plan for retail employees who may be required to handle blood or other potentially infectious materials at work and train these employees about bloodborne hazards. The company will also offer a hepatitis B vaccination at no cost to all retail employees who may be required to handle or be exposed to blood or potentially infectious materials. Based in Philadelphia, Rite Aid Corp. operates more than 2,300 retail pharmacies in 17 states. Pennsylvania`s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the state police can`t hide from the public its policy on how it monitors social media. Advocates for civil liberties cheered the decision. The law enforcement agency had argued that fully disclosing its policy for using software to monitor online postings may compromise public safety. All four Democratic justices supported the majority decision, which said the lower Commonwealth Court went beyond its authority in trying to give the state police another attempt to justify keeping details of the policy a secret. Tuesday`s order appears to end a six-year legal battle. A state police spokesperson said the agency is reviewing the court decision. Andrew Christy, a lawyer with the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said the ruling sort of puts law enforcement on the same playing field as all government agencies. If they have a legal justification to keep something secret, then they have to put forth sufficient evidence to justify that. People need to know what police are doing in order to decide if it`s appropriate, he argued. Ultimately that relies on the voters understanding what law enforcement is doing so that then, through their elected representatives, they can rein them in when they`re acting in a way that doesn`t comport with what the public wants, Christy said. Justifying what the majority opinion described as heavy or complete redactions on every page of the nine-page regulation, the head of the state police`s bureau of criminal investigations argued that greater transparency about the policy would make its investigations less effective. The state Office of Open Records held a private review of the blacked out material and and ruled that making the policy public would not be likely to harm investigations, calling the social media policy processes strictly internal and administrative in nature. Redacted sections addressed the use of open sources, what approval is required, when to go undercover and use an online alias and how to verify information. State police also blacked out the entire section on using social media for employment background investigations. A panel of three Republican Commonwealth Court judges reversed the Office of Open Records` ruling that the policy should be disclosed without redactions, saying in May 2018 that the state police investigations chief based his analysis about the risk of exposure on his own extensive experience. The majority decision issued Tuesday said Commonwealth Court should not have given the state police a new opportunity to lay out the supposed public safety risks. The majority ruled that Pennsylvania`s Right-to-Know Law does not permit Commonwealth Court to order additional fact-finding not sought by state police. If PSP had requested the opportunity for additional fact-finding, our disposition today may have been different, Justice David Wecht wrote for the majority. The open records law has a timely and efficient process that should be followed, he added, noting that six years already have passed. If and when appellate review is allowed to serve as a reset button based upon a court`s ill-defined policy concerns, there is no limiting principle, and the judiciary`s claims to neutrality and ordered decision-making vanish, Wecht wrote. In a dissent, Justice Sallie Mundy said the lower court identified a question of fact that was unresolved: whether there was a connection between the text of the document and risks articulated in the agency`s affidavit about public safety. She and Justice Kevin Brobson, who joined her dissent, are the high court`s two Republicans. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Pennsylvania Japan began pumping more than a million metric tons of treated radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Thursday, a process that will take decades to complete. The water was distilled after being contaminated from contact with fuel rods at the reactor, destroyed in a 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Tanks on the site hold about 1.3 million tonnes of the water enough to fill 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Japan Begins Releasing Nuclear Wastewater in Process That Could Last 30 Years WHAT IS JAPANS WATER RELEASE PLAN? The utility responsible for the plant, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), has been filtering the contaminated water to remove isotopes, leaving only tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is hard to separate. Tepco will dilute the water until tritium levels fall below regulatory limits before pumping it into the sea from the site on the coast north of Tokyo. Water containing tritium is routinely released from nuclear plants around the world, and regulatory authorities support dealing with the Fukushima water in this way. Tritium is considered to be relatively harmless because its radiation is not energetic enough to penetrate human skin. When ingested at levels above those in the released water it can raise cancer risks, a Scientific American article said in 2014. The water disposal will take decades to complete alongside the planned decommissioning of the plant. IS THE WATER SAFE? Japan and scientific organizations say the water is safe, but environmental activists argue that all possible impacts have not been studied. Japan says it needs to start releasing the water as storage tanks are full. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog, gave the plan a green light in July, saying it met international standards and the impact on people and the environment would be negligible. Greenpeace said on Tuesday that the radiological risks have not been fully assessed, and the biological impacts of tritium, carbon-14, strontium-90 and iodine-129 to be released with the water have been ignored. The filtering process will remove strontium-90 and iodine-129, and the concentration of carbon-14 in the contaminated water is far lower than its regulatory standard for discharge, according to Tepco and the government. Japan said tritium levels in the water will be below those considered safe for drinking under World Health Organization standards. The government said in a document it would take appropriate measures, including immediate suspension of the discharge if unusually high concentrations of radioactive materials were detected. The South Korean government has concluded from its own study that the water release meets international standards and said it respected the IAEA assessment. HOW HAVE PEOPLE REACTED? Tepco has been engaging with fishing communities and other concerned groups and is promoting agriculture, fishery and forest products to reduce any reputational harm to produce from the area. Fishing unions in Fukushima have urged the government for years not to release the water, arguing it would undo work to restore the damaged reputation of their fisheries. Masanobu Sakamoto, the head of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, said on Monday the group understood the release could be scientifically safe but still feared reputational damage. Neighboring countries have also expressed concern. China has been the most vocal, calling Japans plan irresponsible, unpopular and unilateral. China is the biggest importer of Japanese seafood. Shortly after the 2011 tsunami and earthquake damaged the Fukushima plant, China banned imports of food and agricultural products from five Japanese prefectures. China later widened its ban to 10 of Japans 47 prefectures. The latest import restrictions were imposed in July after the IAEA approved Japans plans to discharge the treated water. WHAT WAS THE FUKUSHIMA DISASTER? On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 quake hit off the coast of northeast Japan, triggering a tsunami that devastated towns and villages and sparked the worlds worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. The tsunami swamped backup power and cooling systems at the Fukushima plant, eventually causing meltdowns at three of six reactors. More than 160,000 people were eventually evacuated from the area. A commission appointed by parliament later concluded that Fukushima was a profoundly man-made disaster that could have been prevented, and mitigated by a more effective response. (Reporting by Tokyo Newsroom, editing by Katya Golubkova, Robert Birsel) Photograph: In this Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, file photo, nuclear reactors No. 5, center left, and No. 6 look over tanks storing water that was treated but still radioactive, at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, northeastern Japan. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, file) Topics Japan A former Swiss Re underwriter has been awarded nearly 1.3 million pounds ($1.6 million) by a London employment tribunal for sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal. Julia Sommer joined Zurich-based Swiss Re in 2017 as a political risk underwriter in London but was made redundant in 2021, months after returning from maternity leave. She sued Swiss Re, seeking just over 5 million pounds, saying a senior manager commented about her breasts, made references to sex and discriminated against her. Swiss Re Faces $6.3M Claim Over Sex Discrimination, Unfair Dismissal The Central London Employment Tribunal ruled last year that her redundancy was retrofitted to a pre-existing decision to dismiss her and that a senior manager repeatedly humiliated her. The tribunal also said that comments made at work drinks in 2017 when the senior manager told her if I had breasts like yours, I would be demanding too and I bet you like to be on top in bed were a horrible attempt at a joke and amounted to sex discrimination. Sommer was awarded 1.29 million pounds in a ruling published on Thursday, which the tribunal said was for injury to feelings, personal injury and aggravated damages and other financial losses, including the loss of a bonus in 2021. A Swiss Re spokesperson said in a statement: We are aware of this judgment, which is self-explanatory and which we have given careful consideration to. We have no additional comments to make. Sommer could not be contacted for comment. (Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Tomasz Janowski) Topics Underwriting Swiss Re DETROIT (AP) The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a decision striking down state water rules designed to limit exposure to household and industrial chemicals known as PFAS, which are commonly referred to as forever chemicals. The rules, however, will remain in effect until all appeals are exhausted. In a 2-1 opinion Tuesday affirming a 2022 decision by a lower court, the appeals court didn`t address the merits of adopting tougher drinking water standards. Rather, it said the state failed to estimate the cost of any groundwater cleanup that could be associated with the new rules. If EGLE cannot provide one, then it cannot propose the rule in a way that complies with state law, the court said, referring to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The rules would apply to seven compounds in a category known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. They have been used for decades in products ranging from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant clothing and food containers, as well as foam used to extinguish jet-fuel fires. Theyre known as forever chemicals because some dont degrade naturally and are believed capable of lingering indefinitely in the environment. Groundwater-cleanup standards are tied to drinking water rules; therefore, any changes to the drinking water rules also cause a change to the groundwater- cleanup rules, the appeals court said. State regulators are expected to ask the Michigan Supreme Court to look at the case. The rules were challenged by 3M Co. While EGLE respectfully disagrees with the courts decision, we appreciate that it has allowed the health standards to remain in effect while we appeal because the safety of our citizens should not be compromised, spokesman Scott Dean said Wednesday. The rules would cover about 2,700 drinking water systems in Michigan, requiring them to conduct periodic PFAS testing and inform the public of results. In June, 3M said it was willing to pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over the contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems. But 22 attorneys general are urging a federal judge in South Carolina to reject the proposal, saying it would let 3M off too easily. Photo: A water researcher tests a sample of water for PFAS, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response in Cincinnati. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Michigan Chemicals Two founders of Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixing service that has been under scrutiny by various US agencies for more than a year, were charged with helping launder more than $1 billion for clients that included a North Korean cybercrime organization. Roman Storm and Roman Semenov were charged with conspiring to launder money, violate US sanctions and operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Tornado Cash claimed to provide untraceable and anonymous financial transactions using a cryptocurrency. US efforts to shut down Tornado Cash and punish two of its cofounders has sparked a conflict between the government, which seeks to choke off the international flow of illegal money, and many crypto advocates who want to see increased privacy in financial transactions. The men knew that the service was a a haven for criminals to engage in large-scale money laundering and sanctions evasion, US prosecutors in Manhattan said in a statement. Tornado Cash allegedly received money from the North Korean organization, the Lazarus Group, by taking in cryptocurrency from an Ethereum wallet that was publicly tied to Lazarus and designated as a blocked source by the US, prosecutors said. While publicly claiming to offer a technically sophisticated privacy service, Storm and Semenov in fact knew that they were helping hackers and fraudsters conceal the fruits of their crimes, Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. Storm, 34, was arrested Wednesday in Washington state and was expected to appear in court. Semenov, 35, a Russian citizen, isnt in custody, Williams said. Novel Legal Theory Storm has been cooperating with the governments investigation since last year and denies any criminal conduct, his lawyer, Brian Klein, said in a statement. We are incredibly disappointed that the prosecutors chose to charge Mr. Storm because he helped develop software, and they did so based on a novel legal theory with dangerous implications for all software developers, Klein said. The US sanctioned the Lazarus Group in 2019 and Tornado Cash in 2022. The Treasury Department said in a statement Wednesday that the Lazarus Group used Tornado Cash to cover up the movement of more than $455 million stolen during a March 2022 crypto heist still the largest to date. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Semenov on Wednesday for providing material support to Tornado Cash and to the Lazarus Group. Tornado Cash has been used to launder funds for criminal actors since its creation in 2019, including to obfuscate hundreds of millions of dollars in virtual currency stolen by Lazarus Group hackers, according to the Treasury Department statement. Hackers are still trying to cash out stolen assets via other means, the FBI warned on Wednesday, noting a rise in recent activity. Criminalizing Software Publication But an official at Coin Center, a non-profit organization focusing on crytocurrency policy issues, echoed concerns from Storms lawyer that the government had gone too far. Were certainly concerned that this action could be criminalizing the mere publication of software, said Peter Van Valkenburgh, director of research at Coin Center. A federal judge in Austin, Texas, last week rejected a bid by Tornado Cash users to challenge the Treasury Departments authority to sanction the service. US District Judge Robert Pitman ruled that the departments Office of Foreign Assets Control had acted within its powers. Pitman also ruled against the users claim that OFACs actions violated their First Amendement free-speech rights to engage in important, socially valuable speech, by using Tornado Cash to make donations to important political and social causes. The case is US v. Storm, 23-cr-00430, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). Photo: The Tornado Cash website displayed on a laptop and smartphone screen arranged in London. Photographer: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters USA Windstorm AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Deadly heat that has gripped Texas for much of the summer has spread into other parts of the central U.S. this week where it is forecast to stay for days, with triple-digit temperatures buckling roads, straining water systems and threatening the power grid of the nation`s energy capitol. With heat warnings and advisories stretching from New Orleans to Minneapolis, the unyielding weather is stressing the systems put in place to keep resources moving and people safe. Just this week, a 1-year-old left in a hot van in Nebraska died, and Louisiana reported 25 heat-related deaths this summer __ more than twice the average number in recent years. The heat is expected to become dangerous to the average person if they don`t have air conditioning, said Alex Lamers, a warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service`s Weather Prediction Center. It has felt hotter than 110 degrees (43.3 C) in cities in Texas and Louisiana more often than at any time since World War II, Lamers said. The brunt of the enduring heat has hit states from Florida to New Mexico, he said. Texas grid which failed during a deadly winter storm in 2021 has so far held up with no outages in the face of unrelenting heat. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the grid, asked residents twice last week to conserve energy because of high demand and low reserves. The agency issued a weather watch that`s in place through Aug. 27. But there are risks the longer this drags on, said Alison Silverstein, a Texas- based independent energy analyst and former adviser to the states energy regulator. She compared it to a car overheating as the system tries to keep up with weeks of record-breaking demand. At least your car on a long trip has a chance to rest overnight and cool off, she said. A lot of these plants have been running nonstop, or pretty close to it, since June. Experts have warned that infrastructure can be damaged under the extreme strain of enduring and recurring heat waves brought on by climate change. Union Pacific has imposed more speed restrictions this summer across its network of more than 32,000 miles (51,499 kilometers) of Western track as a precaution to reduce the impact on the rail when it gets hot, spokeswoman Kristen South said Tuesday. Costs in the U.S. for road maintenance and replacement due to rising temperatures could reach $26.3 billion by 2040, with most of the damage expected to hit Texas, California and Illinois, according to a 2017 study by University of Arizona and Arizona State University researchers. The heat has already caused an unusual number of Texas water line breaks and roadway issues. Texas officials are monitoring the heat, roadways and tips from residents to address issues as quickly as possible, said transportation department spokesman Danny Perez. Houston officials learned of likely heat-related damage to a road Sunday after about 10 other similar reports in June, he said. And though water pipes burst last winter when a deep freeze set in across much of the Deep South, cites are being reminded that heat poses similar problems. Houston`s high temperatures and a lack of rain have caused the ground to shift and damage the citys aging pipes. Residents` top service request is for water leaks, according to city data. Reports of water leaks from the past month were up 25% from the same period last year. Demand and leaks are both increasing, and the city is using emergency purchase orders to add contractors for repairs, said Erin Jones, Houston Public Works spokeswoman. San Antonio Water Systems has already tallied more breaks this month than in all of July, said the agency Wednesday. Customers need to cut back on outdoor watering, the agency said. Cooling systems are also under strain. Missouri firefighters helped remove 117 patients from a Kansas City nursing facility Tuesday after the air conditioning failed in temperatures that felt as high as 115 degrees (46.1 C). Most Parkview Healthcare nursing facility residents were taken to other facilities, but seven who had COVID-19 were taken to hospitals, authorities said. Students across the U.S. are learning in roasting classrooms or having their days cut short, including over a dozen in Denver on Wednesday. Chicago-area schools delayed classes or ending them early. Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsins largest, closed campuses through Thursday. An estimated 36,000 schools across the U.S. need to update or install HVAC systems, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report in 2020. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics USA Texas BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Hundreds of wildfires are burning in Louisiana, as triple-digit temperatures continue to scorch parts of the state amid little chance of relief because of the lack of rain in the forecast. While many of the fires are small, one grew tremendously overnight in west Louisiana leading to evacuation orders and burning more than 10,000 acres of land, approximately 16 square miles (41 square km). Officials say that at times, flames reached heights of 300 feet (91 meters). Known as the Tiger Island Fire, the single blaze has accounted for more acres of burned land than the statewide annual average over the last decade. The wildfire is now threatening the approximately 1,000-person town of Merryville, in Beauregard Parish. While most residents are under a voluntary evacuation order, a mandatory evacuation was issued Wednesday for about 100 people in the area. There have been no reports of injuries or destroyed structures at this time. While we are urgently responding to the current situation in Beauregard Parish, our first responders have been fighting an unprecedented number of wildfires throughout the state, Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a statement Wednesday. Usually during this time of year, the Deep South state is addressing the threats of imminent hurricanes, tropical storms and flooding. But this summer has instead seen drought and record-breaking heat, which have made the wildfire risk in Louisiana unusually high. In June, July and August, there have been more than 230 wildfires in the state, which have burned more than 6,500 acres of land, 10 square miles (25 square km). Fire officials say that, as a result, homes have been destroyed, but they did not specify how many. This does not include the Tiger Island Fire. As soon as we put one (fire) out, others are popping up, Jennifer Finley, a spokesperson for Louisianas Department of Agriculture & Forestry, said on Wednesday. Edwards and fire officials say many of the blazes could have been prevented if residents adhered to a statewide burn ban that has been in effect since early August. Firefighters from around the state are being worn thin as a result of responding to several illegal burn piles and brush fires, which are more frequently turning into larger wildfires because of the dangerous conditions, State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis said. We are pleading with the public to cooperate with this burn ban. During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, fire officials stressed how easily fires can start in these dry conditions saying that something as small as throwing cigarette butts out a car window, sparks from dragging safety trailer chains, warm exhaust pipes on grass or even cooking outside could lead to devastating consequences. We want to bring awareness to the fact that there is a threat out there that only takes a spark to become a reality for all of us, Casey Tingle, director of the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said. Hot weather has scorched southern Louisiana this summer, as heat records globally are being broken. On Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for southeast Louisiana including Baton Rouge and New Orleans with heat indexes estimated to reach up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47. 8 degrees Celsius) The states Department of Health reported Tuesday that there have been 25 heat- related deaths this summer. In addition, there have been 4,766 heat-related emergency department visits in Louisiana since the beginning of April, which is 77% higher than the annual average over the last decade. Last week, Edwards declared a state of emergency because of extreme heat. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Louisiana Wildfire Residents of Southeastern states like Florida will be looking ahead to the heart of hurricane season with trepidation. With climate change bringing storms that are wetter, slower and more prone to intensifying rapidly, insurers are struggling to assess risk and underwrite profitably, and customers are struggling to afford skyrocketing premiums. In 2022 across the U.S. there were 18 climate disaster events, including floods, severe storms and wildfires, the third most destructive year ever. Florida, in particular, suffers from hurricanes, with six of the 10 costliest storms in American history hitting the Sunshine State. Problems have been exacerbated by Floridas excessive amounts of litigation and claims fraud. In this fraught climate, insurers are managing climate-change risk and reducing fraud by using aerial imagery and artificial intelligence to extract insights about a propertys risk profile, so they are better able to detect fraud and price premiums. Carriers now have the ability to leverage data from historical imagery while assessing insurance claims, enabling them to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. By analyzing such data, carriers can determine when the damage happened, working out whether it predated the insurance policy or occurred after a natural catastrophe. Additionally, historical imagery data can reveal the extent of the damage and whether a specific event exacerbated the severity. This valuable information helps carriers make accurate assessments and reduces the potential for fraudulent claims. In the past, insurers used historical trends to assess the risk of a claim, but with erratic weather patterns they are now giving a heavier weighting to information about a propertys location, roof age and condition, flood risk, first-floor elevation, and proximity to vegetation if located in a wildfire risk zone. Across time, they can then start to build up intelligence about trends in different areas to see, for example, whether flood levels have increased. For years, gaining this information required insurers to send out inspectors to residential or commercial properties. But today, accessing valuable insights is cheap and immediate. Underwriters then have more information to price premiums competitively. They can also proactively reach out to customers, telling them how they can decrease their risk, for example by cutting down overhanging trees close to their property. One property intelligence phenomena we have seen in recent months is the use of drones to collect detailed data in areas that are difficult for humans to reach. However, drones remain an expensive option as they still require a human operator, meaning this type of data collection is not cost-effective. The real advance that is helping the industry improve their property insights at a massive scale is improvement in aerial imagery from aircraft. Resolution is now so accurate that details at a scale of 7 centimeters can be collected across huge areas. As a result, we are seeing many more insurers use aerial imagery and AI to collect property intelligence. We have grown our own client base by 120 in 2022. After a disaster has struck, claims processing can be streamlined, with fraudulent claims detected quickly. Rather than relying on individual teams to physically inspect damage to a property, insurers can use aerial imagery or even footage from street cameras to assess post-disaster damages. By using pre and post-disaster imagery, insurers, with the help of AI, can remotely examine the extent of damage to a property and identify exaggerated claims. They can also determine whether damage occurred due to the weather event or if it already existed on the property. For example, insurers can access evidence about roof wear, rust, or whether a tarp was already on the roof indicating pre-existing damage. In particular, it is advances in AI that have caused a great leap forward, particularly in the field of predictive analytics for underwriting and claims. Because computer vision is able to analyze larger sets of imagery than ever before it is now possible to create and extract new types of attributes that were previously impossible to track. This has meant that suddenly it is possible to view aerial imagery at a large scale. For example, an insurer can now take historical imagery from 20 years back and identify a change like a roof replacement automatically. Doing this manually would be too expensive, but AI makes this level of tracking feasible for the first time. With every year, imagery analysis becomes quicker and cheaper, meaning insurers can now create data sets that allow them to respond in the most effective way to a natural disaster and allocate resources in the most efficient way. The challenges facing the insurance industry in the face of climate change are significant. Floridians are facing a projected 40% hike in property insurance premiums this year. At the same time, technological innovations offer some hope. By plugging data gaps using artificial intelligence and aerial imagery, insurers can viably continue protecting Americans from having to foot a life-changing bill post-disaster. GeoX is a data analyitics company that uses machine vision and deep learning technology to extract information from aerial imagery for insurance companies. Topics Florida Carriers Fraud InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Climate Change CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A second lawsuit that alleged widespread sexual, physical and mental abuse at a now-closed West Virginia boarding school for troubled youths has been settled for about $50 million, to be paid by insurance carriers. Attorneys for 32 plaintiffs described what happened to children over decades at the former Miracle Meadows School in Salem as gruesome and unfathomable. No one would believe it in a movie, Jesse Forbes, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, said in a telephone interview Wednesday. The lawsuit had named the school`s co-founder and its operating entities. Among the abuse alleged by the former students, who are now adults, included being chained and shackled to beds, being kept in tiny isolation rooms for long periods, routine beatings, sexual assault, starvation, and being forced to perform manual labor. The children at times were not given toilet paper, requiring them to remain in their own filth or use their clothing to clean themselves. This institution actually had a handcuffing policy and issued handcuffs to the staff members for kids as young as 6 years old, Forbes said. An earlier lawsuit filed on behalf of 29 students at the school was settled in 2020 for $52 million. After the first settlement, the Legislature changed a law increasing the statute of limitations for abuse claims to age 36, prompting the second lawsuit, Forbes said. The latest settlement reached this month will be paid out by insurance companies that held liability policies, Forbes said. The insurers were not named. Some other claims remain pending. Attorney Guy D`Andrea said the latest lawsuit included allegations that some children ages 7 to 12 contracted sexually transmitted diseases from staff members. We actually had two clients who got pregnant by a staff member and were forced to have abortions, D`Andrea said. We thought it couldnt get any worse for these children. For some of them, it was. Miracle Meadows was founded in 1988 and operated as a ministry of the Seventh- day Adventist Church. According to the lawsuit, the school was closed in 2014 after a student drank a cleaning product and was rushed to a hospital where she begged the medical staff for help, prompting authorities to investigate the claims. The school`s state-recognized education status was revoked in August 2014. Susan Gayle Clark, the schools co-founder, was sentenced in 2016 to six months in jail and five years on probation after pleading guilty to child neglect charges. In the five years leading up to the school`s closing, Miracle Meadows had been named in more than a dozen complaints of abuse and mistreatment. Such complaints to the state are typically forwarded to the local prosecutor. But at the time, Harrison County assistant prosecutor Patricia Dettori said substantiating the complaints over the years had been difficult, in part because many students were from out of state. The children either were taken out of school or recanted the allegations, while many of the school staff members were from other countries on religious work visas and would abruptly leave if accused of wrongdoing, she said. Photo: Sheriffs officers at the school in 2014. (Matt Harvey/The Exponent via AP, File) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Carriers K-12 Virginia Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh `s old college buddy has pleaded guilty to a second set of charges for helping the disgraced South Carolina attorney steal millions of dollars of insurance settlements from the sons of Murdaughs dead housekeeper. Cory Fleming, a 54-year-old former attorney, wasn`t immediately sentenced after his guilty plea to 23 state charges Wednesday. Prosecutors indicated they would ask at a September hearing that Fleming spend more time in prison than the nearly four-year sentence he received for similar federal charges earlier this month, according to media reports. During his federal sentencing, Fleming said he knew Murdaugh, now serving a life sentence for killing his wife and son, was going to steal something from the family of his housekeeper. She worked for Murdaugh`s family for decades before dying after a fall at their home in 2018. But Fleming said he thought it might be $100,000 not the entire $4 million- plus award. Unless Fleming was the dumbest man alive, he knew what all Murdaugh was going to do, prosecutor Creighton Waters told the judge Wednesday. When U.S. Judge Richard Gergel sentenced Fleming to 46 months in prison on the federal charges, he told Fleming he would let the state judge know he didn`t think the state charges should carry any more prison time. However, South Carolina Circuit Judge Clifton Newman, who sentenced Murdaugh to life after a monthlong trial, doesn`t have to follow that recommendation at Fleming`s Sept. 14 state sentencing. Fleming has surrendered his license to practice law in both Georgia and South Carolina, saying he dishonored the profession. He`s the second Murdaugh associate ordered to prison since investigators began scrutinizing every aspect of Murdaugh`s life in June 2021 after his wife and son were shot to death at their South Carolina home. Banker Russell Laffitte was sentenced to seven years in prison earlier this month after pleading guilty to helping Murdaugh steal money from settlements for clients after vehicle wrecks or work injuries. Laffitte is appealing his conviction and sentence. While Fleming knew Murdaugh was asking him to do wrong, he said he didnt realize the depth of his old friends depravity. Murdaugh still faces more than 100 charges in state and federal courts. Prosecutors say the crimes range from tax evasion and stealing from clients and his familys law firm to running a drug and money laundering ring __ even unsuccessfully arranging for someone to kill him so his surviving son could get life insurance money. Newman plans a hearing on the status of those cases the same day Fleming is sentenced. In Flemings case, the victims were Gloria Satterfield and her two sons. Satterfield cleaned the Murdaugh`s house, babysat their sons and did anything else the family asked for more than 20 years. Murdaugh promised the sons, who were young adults, he would take care of them and recommended they hire Fleming as their lawyer. He didnt tell them Fleming was a longtime friend, college roommate and godfather to one of his sons. Murdaugh told insurance companies that Satterfield tripped over their dogs and convinced them to pay more than $4 million to what they thought was Satterfields estate through Fleming. But instead, Murdaugh had Fleming send the checks to him. The sons didnt see a dime until Murdaughs finances began to unravel and they hired a different attorney. The state charges included a second fraud victim. Prosecutors said Fleming helped Murdaugh steal settlement money from a woman badly hurt in a car crash and used his part of the ill-gotten gains to charter a plane to go to the College World Series. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics South Carolina Shareholders of Hawaiian Electric HE.N on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the utility provider in a San Francisco federal court, alleging the companys failure to disclose important information about its wildfire prevention and safety protocols. Hawaiians protocols and procedures were inadequate, placing Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires, the lawsuit alleged. Shareholders have suffered significant losses and damages due to the companys wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of its securities, according to the court filing. The stock of Hawaiis largest utility remains more than 40% down for the week and has lost more than half of its value since the Aug. 8 wildfires that destroyed the coastal Maui town of Lahaina and killed at least 115 people. The cause of the fires has not yet been determined, but the Honolulu-based company has been blamed for them in class-action lawsuits. These claim the utility failed to shut off power lines despite warnings that high winds might blow those lines down and spark wildfires. Topics Lawsuits Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Source: Streetwise Reports August 25, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) More than 200 million Americans could have harmful "forever chemicals" in their drinking water, and this clean tech company says 99% of them can be removed by its technology. Millions of Americans have harmful "forever chemicals" in their drinking water. Clean tech company BioLargo Inc. (OTCQB:BLGO) said testing has shown its technology removes the chemicals to a level of "non-detection," or a level at which science can no longer detect them. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-lasting chemicals that break very slowly over time and persist in people, animals, food, and the environment. DuPont and 3M are facing massive lawsuits over the substances that could rival the tobacco settlement, and more than 200 million Americans have them in their drinking water. Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control The cost to society of using PFAS across the global economy is as high as US$17.5 trillion a year, according to a recent report compiled by Swedish non-governmental organization ChemSec. The same study found that profits for the world's largest PFAS manufacturers totaled just US$4 billion annually. The company's first contract for PFAS remediation using its Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator (AEC) technology is forecast to bring in US$7.5 million. The first phase has been completed, but the pilot client has not yet signed to begin the next phase. "Management expects the pilot project to still move forward, with revenue commencing in late FY:23 or early FY:24," wrote Singular Research analyst Michael Mathison in a research note. "BioLargo's patented AEC technology is one of the few commercially available technologies." Mathison gave the stock a Buy-Venture rating with a US$0.28 per share target price. Technical Analyst Clive Maund of CliveMaund.com wrote that PFAS lawsuits could be a "powerful catalyst" for the company's stock. "Clearly, if even one of the defendants turns to BioLargo to address clearing up this mess, it should be a Big Deal for the company," he wrote. Management, in its most recent earnings call, has also reported that it now has a number of new customers who want to engage BioLargo to clean up their PFAS and that the company is working to finalize contracts and get started. From 'Cradle' to Maturity' BioLargo's innovations also address industrial and pet odors, treat wastewater, improve energy efficiency, and control infections and infectious diseases. Source: BioLargo Inc. It really is four commercial companies: BioLargo Energy, BioLargo Equipment, ONM Environmental, and Clyra Medical Technologies, all supported by the corporate office, its engineering group, and a research and development team. Its approach is to invent or acquire novel technologies and develop them into products that solve problems and lead to profits. "BioLargo Inc. develops and commercializes disruptive technologies by providing the capital, support, and expertise to expedite them from 'cradle' to 'maturity,'" the company said on its website. The AEC technology is the flagship of the engineering group. In addition to engineering services, the group also provides "environmental detective work" to resolve air quality, water purity, hazardous waste, and OSHA compliance issues. President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Calvert said the company was "really bullish on the engineering group," and engineers have been working on expanding PFAS solutions to the point of scale and building commercial readiness, Calvert said. The Catalyst: Substances Found in All 50 States Just this week, the Environmental Working Group updated its interactive PFAS map of contaminated sites in America, and it's likely underreported, as Environmental Protection Agency data released last week just looks at 20% of U.S. water systems. The group said there is contaminated drinking water in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two territories. Twenty-eight water systems had PFAS levels above 70 parts per trillion (ppt), the EPA's non-enforceable guideline. Five systems had a PFAS level of 100 ppt or higher, including the Yeshiva Farm Settlement in New York, which reported 427.6 ppt. "For decades, millions of Americans have unknowingly consumed water tainted with PFAS," EWG Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Melanie Benesh said. "The widespread presence of PFAS contamination is a huge problem that has persisted for years. This new testing shows that escaping PFAS is nearly impossible." Thousands of Claims Filed PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break when released into the environment and can build up in blood and organs, EWG noted. Found in thousands of products, from food packaging to clothing to toilet paper, they can lead to increased risk of cancer, developmental delays in children, hormonal disruption, high cholesterol, and reduced immune system effectiveness, the EPA said. More than 15,000 claims have been filed nationwide against DuPont and its spinoffs and 3M, major manufacturers of the substance in the U.S., Time reported. So far, they have paid at least US$11.5 billion in damages, an amount that could grow to even exceed "the more than (US)$200 billion paid by Big Tobacco in the 1990s." It makes for an ominous precedent for the PFAS companies. "Not 100% of Americans are walking around smoking tobacco," Erik Olson, senior strategic director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, told Time. "But basically 100% of Americans are walking around with PFAS in their bodies, and none of them asked for that." BioLargo's AEC technology separates PFAS compounds in an electrostatic field, forcing them to flow across a proprietary membrane system. The company said it removes more than 99% of the PFAS from water at energy costs as low as 30 cents per 1,000 gallons. Its waste stream is a fraction of that of traditional carbon or ion exchange systems, and the company combines the AEC system with a turnkey collection, membrane exchange, and disposal service. The system is modular, portable, and scalable. The system is compact, energy-efficient, and creates water with higher purity than other methods, BioLargo said. Pet Odor Product Drives Revenues Source: BioLargo Inc. BioLargo recently announced its revenues year-to-date were US$5.288 million, a 127% increase over the same period last year, largely due to the Pooph pet odor control product that has been a surprise for the company. During the first six months of 2023, the company has already achieved about 88% of last year's revenues (US$5.9 million). Made by BioLargo subsidiary ONM Environmental and sold by partners at Ikigai, Pooph is finding success at Walmart stores and online at Amazon and now Chewy.com, with more than 12 major retailers now rolling out the product to their stores. Its availability is expected to go from approximately 2,000 stores as of June 30, 2023, to more than 20,000 retail stores as contracts continue to expand through the end of 2023.[OWNERSHIP_CHART-6976] Pooph destroys odors instantly on a molecular level and is clear, odorless, and non-staining while remaining "safe for people, pets, and the planet," the company said. Ownership and Share Structure About 14.6% of BioLargo is owned by insiders and management, according to Yahoo Finance. They include Chief Science Officer Kenneth Code with 8.67%, CEO Calvert with 3.41%, and Director Jack Strommen with 1.5%, Reuters reported. About 0.04% is held by the institution First American Trust, Reuters said. The rest, about 85%, is retail. Its market cap is US$45.58 million, with about 288 million shares outstanding and about 247 million free-floating. It trades in a 52-week range of US$0.32 and US$0.1601. 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That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Source: Streetwise Reports August 25, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) VSBLTY Groupe Technologies Corp. is a major player in the growing "Store as a Medium" advertising market. However, its latest deployment in Mexico showcases how the company's core tech is equally applicable for top-tier intelligent zero-contact access control. Recently, Canada-based retail technology and marketing company VSBLTY Groupe Technologies Corp. (VSBY:CSE; VSBGF:OTC; 5VS:FSE) announced it had signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Shelf Nine, a leader in retail media networks, providing brands and retailers specifically targeted digital media advertising and other customer communications content delivered at the point of purchase. The definitive agreement is expected to be finalized over the next 30 days. In light of this news, CEO and Co-founder Jay Hutton said, "This acquisition is synergistic with VSBLTY's vision of the retail advertising segment . . . Shelf Nine's integration with our computer vision analytics technology is a win-win for both companies. Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of VSBLTY, Shelf Nine and VSBLTY have the opportunity to further leverage each company's core competencies and further penetrate the retail media market, estimated to be worth US$160 billion by 2027. In addition to both companies benefiting from recurring SaaS fees, they also generate added revenue from content development and media sales" VSBLTY is generally known for the variety of smart applications it offers to drive brand engagement and put marketing insights in motion. At its core, the company, which is headquartered in Philadelphia, is engaged in Proactive Digital Display, which transforms retail and public spaces as well as place-based media networks using software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based audience measurement and machine learning. This work allows retailers and brand builders to identify customer habits and even individual customers, thereby providing uniquely tailored multimedia experiences from end-to-end along the buying journey in brick-and-mortar locations with greater fidelity than one would experience online. By utilizing facial recognition, age, and gender, VSBLTY's proprietary technology can effectively enhance retail brand engagement and measurement through customized ads on in-store digital displays at the point of purchase in real-time. This technology has proven to increase brand sales by over 25%. VSBLTY's main products include DataCaptor, VisionCaptor, VSBLTY Vector and VSBLTY Metrics. DataCaptor leverages camera and sensor technology through AI tools, enabling real-time analytics and anonymous audience data. VisionCaptor Content Management System provides a variety of capabilities for bringing proximity-aware, interactive brand messaging to life on any digital screen. These two key technologies are deployed together to create custom brand experiences for users who follow them throughout connected retail experiences. However, fewer people are aware of VSBLTY Vector, the company's security-focused software, which provides facial recognition and weapon detection. The Catalyst: Access Control Rollout for Major Mexican Customer On April 8, VSBLTY announced that a major Mexican customer had successfully deployed the firm's VSBLTY Vector solution across a network of 40 CCTV cameras to automate access control at the customer's two-story headquarters facility, replacing security cards and allowing the free flow of employees while rapidly detecting and alerting security forces of any unauthorized or potentially bad actors. As the announcement explains, "Previously, traditional access control systems have been key cards, key fobs, or digital passwords, but each has its own security limitations." "Employees now enter their workplace without physical checkpoints while CCTV cameras and AI-backed software verify their status. If the system identifies an unauthorized person, building security is notified immediately." "To ensure a safe workplace, this program provides a continuous search for unknown persons based upon an enrollment database of employees and other authorized personnel. Each day, approved visitors to the building are automatically logged and entered into the firm's system." "The software is also not only capable of identifying a stranger (whose image is not in the records) attempting to enter an authorized area but can identify a terminated or previously problematic employee whose image is in the system. This advanced program can also offer additional security, including weapons detection and suspicious behavior to trigger alerts." As for other catalysts, Hutton told Streetwise there are a couple of catalysts to look out for next quarter. VSBLTY will be entering into a new market as an extension of the current relationship with ABInBev. There is traction in Saudi with VSBLTY's joint venture in the region to launch the first large-scale retail media network. VSBLTY will continue tractions with partners in religious institutions and schools with the VSBLTY security AI solutions. Why This Sector? Expanding the Value of AI Using AI to recognize, quantify, and collate unknown users, such as the random collection of shoppers who visit a brick-and-mortar retailer in a given day, is already a valuable market segment. According to Insider Intlegence's Retail Media Ad Spending Forecast H1 2023, "We expect advertisers to pour more than US$45 billion into retail media ad spending in 2023." The report projects that spending will expand to some US$ 106 billion by 2027. With automated advertising solutions designed to target specific demographics in active retail spaces, VSBLTY is positioning itself to capture a significant share of that rapidly expanding market. However, by repurposing its core AI tech for security work, it is also gaining access to a huge secondary market no other retail advertising networks are addressing. According to a report from Future Market Insights, "The global building access control security market is expected to secure a market value worth US$ 11.89 billion in 2023. During the forecast period from 2023 to 2033, the market is likely to display a CAGR of 14% while garnering a value worth US$ 44.2 billion. The increasing demand for smart buildings and infrastructure will be driving the demand for the building access control security market in the future." The report goes on to specify that zero-touch access control solutions, such as those offered by VSBLTY, are in particular demand in a post-pandemic market. By deploying its core technology across these disparate fields, VSBLTY has positioned itself to grow in a multi-faceted manner as these markets for novel AI technology mature. Why This Company? Multiple Markets for AI Automation As the company is situated at this valuable intersection between retail advertising and access control, it's easy enough to market as making customers' existing video cameras "smarter" by providing real-time monitoring and alerting. This ability to install using legacy technology is a powerful selling point for clients who have existing and expensive relationships with traditional security hardware vendors. "Employees forgetting passwords, losing keycards and fobs can be both an administrative nightmare and a financial burden for corporations," explains VSBLTY Co-founder & CEO Jay Hutton. "This deployment of our AI-based Vector product for access control and building security alleviates many issues inherent in traditional access control systems." "We anticipate the success of our advanced security system in Mexico will lead to many other installations worldwide," he concludes. Why Now? 'Almost Unlimited Upside' On August 1, Technical Analyst Clive Maund published a detailed analysis of VSBLTY quite optimistically titled "This Tech Co. Has Almost Unlimited Upside." In it, he explained that "Whilst it is generally unwise to go against the prevailing trend when it is still in force, there are exceptions when the volume pattern strongly indicates that reversal is imminent, which is the case with VSBLTY, and the case for buying Visibility is stronger still because the price of the stock is so close to zero that there is almost no downside - as with an option you can only lose your stake, whereas the upside is relatively unlimited." "On the 26-month chart, we can see the horrendous bear market in Visibility that has taken it from a peak at almost CA$2.00 in November 2021 to bottom at a miserly 5 cents a couple of weeks ago. The reason that we are interested in it here, apart from the fact that it can't drop much more because it is almost worthless, is the appearance of persistent strong upside volume last month and especially this month that has driven the Accumulation line steeply higher," Maund explained. "This is viewed as evidence of determined Accumulation by a person or persons or an entity who consider(s) the company to be grossly undervalued here and might be the prelude to a takeover." "VSBLTY is obviously a speculative play here that is only suited to more experienced investors and traders who understand the risk inherent in this setup. Could the flurry of buying interest last month and this be simply a 'flash in the pan' that leads to nothing and the downtrend continue? Well, it could, but that is considered unlikely." "Instead, we recognize that you could lose your stake buying here if it continues even lower and maybe the company goes bust, but at the same time, if it does recover, you could make many times your investment, and since the technicals indicate that the chance of this happening is better than 50:50 it is considered to be a worthwhile calculated risk." Ownership and Share Structure According to Reuters, 3.21% of VSBLTY's stock is held by management and insiders. Director Thomas Hayes has 1.10%, with 3.67 million shares. Co-founder, CEO, President, and Founder Jay Hutton has 0.52%, with 1.74 million, and CTO Gary Gibson has 0.40%, with 1.34 million. 3.30% is with strategic investor Actus Interactive Holdings Inc., with 10.97 million shares. 0.25% is with institutional investors. Palos Management Inc. is the largest institutional shareholder at 0.21%, with 0.70 million shares. The rest is with retail investors. As of June 28, 2022, VSBLTY had a market cap of CA$82 million, with 209,753,999 basic shares outstanding, 47,256,115 warrants, and 14,440,834 options, for a fully diluted base of 271,450,948. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Rewind a hair over a month ago. I penned an article about 1998-founded Draganfly, Inc. an IoT company hyper-focused on UAV hardware, software, sensors and services so news about the expansion of its renowned manufacturing capabilities with a new IoT facility in the Canadian city of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan was big. But even putting that aside, Draganflys technology was already on the up. Its drones have been featured in several museums, including the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington D.C., the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum, and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (to name a few). Leveraging a suite of core solutions for flight services (as well as ground robotics, cutting-edge prototyping, contract engineering, AI and more), Draganfly is a recognized go-to for a reason. Well, more than just one reason, of course. Speaking of due Draganfly recognition, the company announced earlier this week that it is providing both drone tech and pilot crews to a Canadian Provincial Government to assist with firefighting mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery efforts in light of the recent scourge of Canadian wildfires. Specifically, Draganflys advanced drones and designated drone personnel will be of aid to emergency Canadian services as they continue protecting lives, property, and entire ecosystems. Per Cameron Chell, Draganflys CEO: Draganfly is humbled to have been selected, and we are committed to our pilot crews and drone technology being a huge component in helping ensure that wildfire services have the tools needed to combat devastating disasters. By deploying Draganflys highly trained drone pilot crews and technology, we aim to enhance situational awareness for firefighting operations to save time, money and, most importantly, lives. As Draganfly helps conduct nighttime missions, identifies fire line breaches and critical detection of hidden hotspots using thermal imaging via the drones, and supports real-time life-saving firefighting operations not to mention helping to protect key natural resources and mitigate air quality hazards the impacts of their support will likely carry into 2024.Edited by Greg Tavarez Set in a tiny ramen shack on a Tokyo backstreet, Come Back Anytime (G) is likely the most delightful documentary youll see all year. Masumoto Ueda has been serving his ramen-based menu for the best part of four decades, but while the early stages of John Daschbachs film are a foodies delight as Masumoto talks us through the subtleties of his cooking style, the movie has sorry far more important fish to fry. Masumoto, who is referred to as Taisho, or Master, by his clientele, has established a genuine community in his ramen shack: as the customers move away from talking about the food to speak about their Taisho, and the atmosphere he unwittingly cultivates, we discover that he has created a home-from-home (apart, that is, from when he takes his clientele off into the mountains on foraging expeditions for ingredients). His methods, meanwhile, are relaxed and easy-going; his basic ingredients, as he explains with a shrug, are not cheap, but nothing special. In other words, and while it is nowhere spoken aloud, the self-deprecating Taisho has achieved a beautifully delicate Zen balance, not only with his food but in his tiny restaurant and his own life too. An enchanting film, Come Back Anytime delivers delicious food, good company, and a profound but unspoken philosophy what more could the discerning palate possibly require? Crime writer Steve Cavanagh is an international bestseller and a master of suspense in his own right yet he regularly refers and defers to the skilled practitioners who went before him. Alfred Hitchcock, for example, is a firm favourite. Nobody does it quite like him, he says, explaining the inspiration for his ninth book. Kill For Me, Kill For You, a standalone novel, reworks the central premise of the great directors 1951 film Strangers on a Train: two people, both bent on revenge, meet by chance and hatch a plan to swap murders to avoid detection. Cavanagh goes further than the film (and the eponymous Patricia Highsmith novel on which it is based) to deliver an utterly compelling study of the corrosive nature of revenge. The Walter Scott quote in the books opening pages gives a tantalising hint of whats to come: Revenge, the sweetest morsel to the mouth that ever was cooked in hell. Expect a twisting, turning slalom course that whisks you through a 120,000-word book as if it were a pamphlet. It is utterly propulsive and, in common with all crime novels, it has a significant body count and violence. Cavanagh, though, is very careful about the way he writes violence. Again, he returns to Hitchcock and recalls the famous shower scene in Psycho where violence and nudity, both famously criticised by the censors, were implied rather than shown. A series of flashing images a knife blade in silhouette, a river of liquid (chocolate sauce) are set to a soundtrack of shrieking violins; the viewers imagination does the rest. Like Hitchcock, Steve Cavanagh says he leaves his readers to fill in the gruesome details: I describe the aftermath. The reader does the work for me. You will never see the knife going in. Im much more interested in the blood going down the plughole. And he will never show violence against a vulnerable person, a child or a woman, he says. If there is violence against women, it has happened in the past. People who write those kind of books; that is OK for them, but I never want to see it. He tries not to sensationalise violence, rather show that it is frightening, messy and leaves a trail of devastation in its wake. Too often [in the past], fiction turned what was very real female trauma into hysteria and made the whole terrible crime about the man. It became all about the male gaze and toxic masculinity. His book, he hopes, is more psychologically complex and shows what revenge does to people. The flip side of [revenge] is that there are people who dont get justice. Terrible things happen to them, or their families, and they dont get justice. Some people can deal with it and some people cant, and this book explores what happens when people cant deal with that. They take the law into their own hands and look for revenge. Steve Cavanagh knows more than most about the law and justice. He worked for many years as a solicitor in Belfast and Co Down under his real name Stephen Mearns, earning a reputation for his civil rights work. In 2010, he was part of the legal team which secured a record award (53,000/61,800) for a Croatian man who suffered racist bullying in the workplace. Mearns also successfully fought cases for a woman fired from her job while pregnant and another discriminated against because of disability. Much has been said about his haphazard entry into that career. He apparently signed up to do law because, a little hungover, he was swept along by the crowd into the wrong registration queue at Portobello Institute in Dublin. The account is exaggerated, he says, but he did get into the profession by accident. His love of crime fiction, though, was much more deliberate. His mother Bridie, a thriller fan, gave him a copy of Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris at the age of 12 or 13. It was light relief, I loved it, he says. Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh Reading books, he says, provided a bit of escapism from the violence that was an all-too-common feature of his childhood growing up in Belfast in the 1980s and 1990s. If his mother sparked his interest, she also inspired him to start writing. When she died suddenly in 2011, he decided to try to write. He also took her maiden name, Cavanagh, as a tribute to her but also to distinguish Steve, the thriller writer from Stephen, the lawyer. His first book, The Defence, came out to critical acclaim in 2015. For a while, Stephen worked by day while Steve wrote late into the night but in 2019, the writer won out. Steve Cavanagh has written full-time since then and has never looked back. I dont miss it [law]. I did my time. It was a very tough and demanding job, and it was very hard to do both. His former life, though, makes its way into his books. Im a recovering lawyer, he says. In some of my books, I will touch on various injustices, real things that happen in the world, but they are rarely the driver for the main story. In 2015, his novella The Cross was inspired by the death of Eric Garner, a 43-year-old African American father of six, who was strangled to death by the New York police after he was found illegally selling cigarettes. That prompted me to look into the history of the NYPD and chokeholds because I wanted to cross-examine those senior police officers. This was years before George Floyd. In the Devils Advocate, the death penalty comes into focus as his familiar ex-conman-turned-trial-attorney Eddie Flynn makes the same journey to Alabama as Steve Cavanagh himself made in real life. The writer recalls what looked like mist on the field, but it was cotton. It was quite eerie and ethereal, especially in the [historical] context of that. Im not going back to Alabama. The memory of it prompts Cavanagh to deliver an eloquent summary of the reasons why the death penalty is unjustified. In brief, the death penalty is delivered by personalities rather than politics; it doesnt make financial sense and it is not a deterrent. Corruption is also a big theme in his books. I feel passionate about that. Maybe that comes from a Northern Ireland upbringing. In essence, though, Steve Cavanagh writes because he wants to entertain people: I hope people who read my books get enjoyment or a bit of relief, or a laugh or a fright. And yes, sometimes, a fright is as good as a laugh. The first step in every book is discussing a germ of an idea with his wife Treacy. Then he starts writing; in his home office, in cafes and libraries. He journals too, making notes about the characters. Steve Cavanaghs advice to would-be authors read a lot, write a lot is advice he follows himself. He reads crime fiction, thrillers, fantasy and literary novels and lots of books on writing because he always wants to better his craft. The plan is to write a better book every year, he says. Next year, Eddie Flynn will be back, featuring in the eighth book in the series. Its been quite a journey since 2015. Steve Cavanaghs books have been read by millions, translated into over 30 languages and garlanded with several awards. He still cant quite believe that the only non-native author to sell more books than him in Germany last year was Colleen Hoover. That just amazes me, he says, but hes taking nothing for granted. I regularly pinch myself, but Im really down to earth because I know it can all go away very quickly. Not anytime soon. CONTENT WARNING: This interview contains reference to sexual violence - if you are affected by the issues raised, help is available from the National Sexual Violence Helpline (for men and women) - 1800 778 888 or rapecrisishelp.ie. In April 2008 Winnie M Li was in Belfast for the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. A Mitchell scholar, fulfilling her ambassadorial role, Winnie had spent her year studying in Cork, and was working as a producer for a film company in London. I went to various events and had the last day to myself, she says, when we meet in Co Dublin, sitting outside to enjoy a rare sunny morning. The next day was the red-carpet premiere for Flashbacks of a Fool, a film starring Daniel Craig that Id been working on, and I decided to go to a park in Belfast to do this relaxing hike. It wasnt to be. Winnie was assaulted and raped by a teenager and spent the rest of the day at the hospital and police station. The next morning, I was still giving my police statement, she says. I missed my flight back to London. My friend booked me another plane ticket and I got back just in time to attend the red-carpet ceremony. She laughs, sardonically. I bought this heavy-duty concealer makeup on the plane. I got home, put the concealer on my arms to cover the bruises, put on the gown Id borrowed from a designer, and walked down the red-carpet. It was surreal, she says. That juxtaposition of the reality of the violence with the artifice of being at a film premiere and schmoozing with people that was really jarring. It also marked the end of her film career. It was a small production company, and we ran out of funding to pay my income, but anyway, with the assault happening, I wouldnt have been able to continue working in the same way, she says. The post-traumatic stress and the depression made it impossible to have a dramatic job, so I lost my career and never got back to it. When Winnie was six years old, her mum, a teacher who was determined to give her daughters every educational advantage, encouraged her to keep a diary and although initially reluctant, the young girl soon used writing as a power; a way to make sense of the world, and that has never changed. I cant imagine living through a moment that life-changing and not trying to write about it, she says. As I was dealing with the attack and the aftermath I just kept on thinking, this would make really good material. And it did. Her first novel, Dark Chapters, based on the assault, and written both from the victims point of view, and the perpetrators, won the Guardian Not the Booker Prize, and was translated into 10 languages. Winnie is currently writing the screenplay, along with her third novel. Dark Chapters came out in June 2017, with the paperback appearing in October, the same time that the Weinstein allegations first appeared in the press. Two months later I was talking to my agent, and she asked about my next book. I said I wanted to write this historical thing set in Elizabethan London, and she was like, Arent you better placed to write a novel about whats in the news right now? That was the very last thing Winnie felt like doing. Writing about sexual violence is so heavy and carries a lot of responsibility. I decided Id only write it if it was fun and interesting for me, so I structured it as a mystery, where a journalist is trying to seek out the story, and the film producer, Sarah, is revealing it, but we dont know how much she is keeping from the journalist and the reader. I could then relive my time in the film industry and show how crazy and exciting it was but also unfair. Complicit, by Winnie M Li In Complicit, Sarah Lai had a promising career in film. On the cusp of huge success, she lost out, and a decade on is teaching students of film at a second-rate college. When Tom, a New York Times investigative journalist asks her to share her experiences, shes initially in two minds. But as she gradually reveals the truth, it leads her to a greater understanding of her past career. But was she, in any way, complicit with the darker events that took place? The novel is not just about someone being a victim, but also being in a system where you feel you have to act in a certain way in order to preserve your career and professional ambition. And the ways in which the decisions we make morally keep getting pushed and influenced by the environments we work in, so, in that way, we are being complicit in the different abuses of power that happen. Its a brilliant read; page-turning and clever, and it gives a fascinating, if startling, view of all that goes behind the scenes. Winnie was lucky. Her job was very like Sarahs, but unlike her protagonist, she never came across a Weinsteinlike producer. I imagined what it would have been like if this guy had suddenly turned up, she says. The book doesnt just examine acts of violence. I was getting at the whole range of sexual harassment and cat-calling where you feel you are being reduced, she says. Its an insult to be judged on how you look, or what you can offer sexually, as opposed to what you can offer intellectually or artistically. The daughter of immigrants from Taiwan, who grew up in a very white area of North Jersey, Winnie never felt that she fit in. I always wanted to escape, she says, and Id lose myself in European fairytales. That got me into reading Irish folklore and Celtic mythology. I wanted to travel, and when I got to Harvard, I spent my summers writing for travel guidebooks. I learned German and they sent me there, and after I graduated, I went to Scotland. At Harvard, I pretended I was half Scottish. By then, shed been accepted as a Mitchell Scholar, and had opted to study at University College Cork. I arrived in September, and in October, I volunteered for the Cork Film Festival. I made contacts there, and, after taking lots of 4 Ryanair flights to London, I wanted to live there. I was given a phone number for a film producer who needed an assistant, and that woman became my boss for six years. She sponsored my Visa and is still a good friend of mine. She is in Ireland with her family but the urge to travel remains strong. During Covid, the family moved to a cottage near Bath where they still live. But Winnies urge to travel remains strong. I cant travel in the same way, she says, mentioning a limit on the number of festivals and book tours she can take on. If I do, Ill either be away from my kid, or dragging the family around. Its no surprise that shes based her third novel on a road trip across America. That idea gave me a reason to go, she says. We flew to Chicago in the Autumn of 2021, and spent three weeks following Route 66 to California. Travelling through Trump country as a Chinese American, I wanted to examine how you are viewed. Are you judged by the way you look? Are you seen as American? The two existing novels arent the only vehicle Winnie has used to explore the #MeToo movement. In 2015 she started Clear Lines, an Arts initiative which began as a series of free festivals for survivors of rape. She still runs workshops. Shes also completing a PhD at the London School of Economics, started before she got a book deal. Shes examining how survivors are engaging with the media. Its due at the end of February, she says, admitting that her workload, with the screenplay and new novel is overwhelming. Its killing me, she says with a laugh. When University of Galway academic Katarzyna Whysall gave birth to her daughter Niamh in July 2020, she knew almost instantly that something was amiss. She had seizures within the first two days of her life, Whysall says. Within ten days, she was put on an anti-seizure medication, and shortly after, because her seizures were so early and increasing in time and duration, she had her DNA sequenced within a few months of being born. Sequencing, the process of reading the 3.2 billion letters that make up a persons genetic code, revealed that Niamhs condition was likely because of variations in a gene called ATP6V0A1. An estimated 300,000 individuals in Ireland live with around 6,000 different rare diseases, but in Niamhs case, her condition is more obscure than most. Shes the only known one in Ireland with a variant in this gene, Whysall adds. Our neurologist really didnt know what this means because this is a newly discovered disorder. Three years later, Niamhs seizures are under control, but she experiences some mobility issues. Yet because the biological consequences of her particular gene mutation are unknown, no one can predict her future, while doctors can offer little else other than recommend physiotherapy. Academic Katarzyna Whysall, with her daughter Niamh who suffers from an ultra-rare genetic mutation and has mobility issues. Faced with such uncertainty, Whysall and her partner Brian McDonagh, both biologists, have taken matters into their own hands. Through painstaking work, they are attempting to recreate Niamhs specific mutation and understand what it does to the human body. If they succeed, they hope that this could eventually lead to a tailored medicine, demonstrating a pathway that could be replicated for other children living with rare diseases. Were still trying to figure out what it means and if there is anything available that can prolong her ability to function, in addition to physiotherapy, Whysall says. We need to change the thinking that if theres no cure available now, its not worth bothering to understand these ultra-rare conditions. Whysall and McDonagh are inspired by the story of American Julia Vitarello, who crowdfunded a personalised medicine for her five-year-old daughter Mila after she was diagnosed with Batten disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Working with the Boston Childrens Hospital neurologist Timothy Yu, the funding led to a drug they named Milasen in 2018, designed and synthesised in just ten months, a timeframe that normally takes more than a decade. Though Mila died five years later, the treatment improved her quality of life, reshaping how public health institutions around the world perceive rare diseases. As an example of a novel technology called antisense oligonucleotides that targets mutated DNA and corrects their behaviour, Milasen helped demonstrate that personalised medicines are viable. The same technology has also been used to develop the first treatment for another rare disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and Whysall hopes it could one day be used to develop a treatment for Niamh. I think the Milasen story really brings home the perspective of a parent when it comes to rare diseases, Whysall says. You wonder, what will happen to my child? But it also shows the amazing things that can be done using science. Ten months is nothing when you think about the development of a drug. Niamh McDonagh, hard at the books as her parents blaze a trail in treating rare genetic issues. Improving screening Last December, the HSE launched the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland, which aims to improve access to diagnostic testing for children with suspected rare diseases. For Gianpiero Cavalleri, professor of human genetics at the RCSI, Dublin, it is a much-needed change. Up to recently, our genetic services have been basically under-resourced, he says. But with this, parents will be able to get access to testing faster and even if theres no treatment available today, that child will be one of the first to go on a clinical trial when one is developed, and for some kids that could be lifesaving. At one time, Irelands screening programmes for rare diseases were world-leading. In 1966, the Childrens University Hospital in Dublin launched one of the first national programs to screen for an inherited condition called phenylketonuria (PKU). All babies in Ireland can now have heel prick screening at around five days old to check for PKU and other conditions. But while other countries forge ahead with genetic screening programmes, comparable services here are lagging. For example, Genomics England recently launched a landmark programme using DNA testing to screen 100,000 babies for 200 rare but treatable genetic diseases. It hasnt changed a whole lot in the last 20 years, Cavalleri says. There is newborn screening here but theyre only looking at seven or eight different diseases, so its very limited and theyre not sequencing whole genomes. Cavalleri hopes that a number of new initiatives will help shift the dial. He runs a project called the Irish DNA Atlas, which has mapped the genomes of citizens whose great-grandparents were of Irish ancestry and looks to separate normal genetic changes that occur naturally in the population from those that may be related to disease. He hopes that such information will help stratify genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, for which the prevalence is higher in Ireland than anywhere else in the world, and aid the development of more individualised treatments. Precision medicines are beginning to emerge for various forms of cystic fibrosis, but they rely on doctors being able to identify patients with specific gene mutations who can benefit from those treatments. Theres a drug called Kalydeco, which is a great example of precision medicine, Cavalleri says. Theres a number of genetic changes which can cause cystic fibrosis and this drug only works on patients who have a subgroup of them. This just illustrates why understanding the precise cause of a disease is the foundation to putting treatments in place. Niamh McDonagh, donning a Supergirl costume. Childhood cancer One of the areas of healthcare where there is the greatest hope for personalised medicine is childhood cancers. While oncologists are remarkably successful at treating cancer in the short term, patients from birth up to 25 remain at an elevated risk of developing secondary cancers later in life. In addition, the toxicity of chemotherapy and other standard cancer treatments means that many subsequently develop chronic illnesses. Now, 90% of children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer in Ireland are cured of cancer, Owen Smith, professor of child, adolescent, and young adult oncology at Trinity says. That sounds fantastic, but it comes at a cost, and that cost is big in terms of chronic disease. They develop bone disease, brain disease, and cardiac disease, and so on decades later, but genomics is going to pull us out of this mire. Smith points out that the problem with conventional cancer therapy is it not only kills cancer cells but damages the germline genome, the vast regions of DNA we inherit from our parents, which leads to chronic illness. He believes the future involves stratifying various common cancers into many different genetic subtypes and developing immunotherapies and perhaps even cancer vaccines targeted at each subtype. This autumn, Smith is leading a new project that will see all cancer patients under the age of 16 having their full genome sequenced, with the aim of categorising the disease into subtypes, based on mutations. Weve already done that in the commonest cancer in children, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, he says. There are 28 or 29 different mutational landscapes within the disease, which is giving us new targets. Niamh McDonagh, exploring at the beach. But while there is considerable investment being directed towards childhood cancer, Whysall says we need to create more national and international resources for families of children with ultra-rare diseases. Along with Cathal Seoighe, a colleague at the University of Galway who specialises in bioinformatics, and the patient charity Rare Ireland, she is looking to develop a database to provide them with more information relating to what scientists understand so far about various unusual gene variants as well as acting as a useful resource for companies interested in running clinical trials to help these patients. Were trying to create one website where we integrate data from validated resources around the world so families can search for a gene and get all the information we know so far about the variants in that gene, she says. Because of the low number of geneticists in Ireland right now, families will get a diagnosis, but the waiting lists to find out what it actually means are very long. So that leaves people in limbo for a long time. Whysalls experience is a case in point. Having been unable to obtain a geneticist appointment for Niamh for over three years, she and McDonagh resorted to undertaking their own research to understand her condition, striking up collaborations with other researchers in Ireland and worldwide. It is not always easy, but she says she has no choice but to work to secure a better future for her daughter and other families in the same position. Trying to study her condition myself can be quite hard, she admits. Because you see things in cells and think, Gosh, this is very severe. So its not easy, but I need to do something. I cant find a cure for her now, but maybe I can understand it better, and maybe it will help her and other children. Its not surprising that my first response to plunging my face into a bowl of ice-cold water is panic. What is surprising, however, is how quickly that initial sense of shock fades away. Within two to three seconds, I am acutely aware of my body. I feel the tingling of my skin. I hear the slowing thud, thud, thud of my heartbeat. Thirty seconds later, when I lift my face from its ice bath and gasp for air, I am much calmer than I was pre-dunking. It was TikTok that convinced me to take that plunge. Cold-water face immersion is trending on the social media platform because it is said to stimulate the vagus nerve, which is all the rage online. On TikTok alone, posts with the vagus nerve hashtag have been viewed more than 130m times. Many of these posts rave about the nerves potential to relax and reset our bodies and demonstrate techniques supposed to help it do so. Other posts make even more health claims, suggesting that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can help alleviate everything from headaches and back pain to anxiety and chronic illnesses. It isnt just a social media phenomenon. Wellness companies are cashing in on this growing interest in the nerve by offering products such as vagus nerve stimulating earbuds for up to 500, handheld nerve stimulators for 300, and vagus nerve massage oil for 20. So, what exactly is the vagus nerve? Dr Kevin J Tracey is a molecular medicine and neurosurgery professor and president of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in New York. He explains that we have not one but two vagus nerves, one on the right side of the body, and the other on the left. Its a paired structure that runs from the bottom of the brain down behind our ears and into the torso, he says. The reason its been such an endless source of fascination for doctors and scientists is that it touches every internal organ in the body and carries information back and forth between these organs and the brain, helping to regulate their function. Destin Shortell is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology in Florida and a co-author of the upcoming book Vagus Nerve Stimulation. She compares the vagus nerve to an information superhighway. Information superhighway Its a collection of fibres that sends information in and out of the base of the brain, she says. That flow of information then impacts many systems within the body including chemical messaging in the brain, the immune system response, metabolic functions, and the bodys stress system. This means that the vagus nerve is one of the most influential nerves in our body. It plays a role in food digestion, moderating our heartbeat, controlling our voice, and so much more. Dr Helena Dolphin, a geriatric medicine specialist registrar at Tallaght University Hospital with a particular interest in the vagus nerve, explains how it affects our stress levels. The autonomic nervous system controls our organs and its functionally divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic, she says. The sympathetic is essentially our fight-or-flight response. Its activated when we encounter a threat, says Dolphin. Our brain focuses on one thing: Survival. It pumps blood to our muscles and makes our heart rate and blood pressure go up so we can escape to safety. The parasympathetic can be summarised as rest and digest. Our heart rate goes down, our body calms and its able to attend to tasks such as digesting food, says Dolphin. The vagus nerve is crucial in activating the parasympathetic nervous system. That ability to restore calm in our bodies may be why VNS is so popular with stressed-out social media users. There are other reasons why its become a focus of interest for researchers. One is its effect on those with treatment-resistant epilepsy. A 2019 Vanderbilt University study found that after two years of VNS, approximately 50% of patients experienced at least 50% reduced seizure frequency. Two is its impact on treatment-resistant depression. VNS implants have been approved to treat this condition in the US since 2005 and a paper published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2017 showed that those who had the implants had significantly better outcomes five years later than those who didnt. There is also the potential that VNS may have to alleviate other conditions, such as diabetes, PTSD, and even long covid. Pic: iStock Harnessing potential of the nerve Tracey has spent 25 years studying the impact of VNS on inflammatory diseases. Our trials have proven that VNS can turn off inflammation in the body and by implanting VNS chips, we have been able to give people with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohns symptomatic relief, he says. A medical company is now developing a device based on these findings and Tracey is confident that it will soon become a viable treatment option for Crohns and rheumatoid arthritis. Were optimistic that it should also help treat a lot of other conditions that are caused or made worse by inflammation, he says. Dolphin is also carrying out research into the vagus nerve. Its looking at people who have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, she says. Currently, we know that a certain proportion of them get better while others remain stable or deteriorate and develop dementia. What we dont know is why. Previous studies have shown that VNS improves memory in 20-year-old college students. But no studies have been carried out in those who already have memory impairment, says Dolphin. Our study will test whether VNS can slow or even reverse memory impairment in this demographic. The study is only in its pilot stage, but preliminary findings are promising. During stimulation, our first 22 participants showed improvements in spatial navigation and associative memory, says Dolphin. We dont yet know if thats a lasting improvement, but it is exciting. Because of the critical role the vagus nerve plays in moderating our stress levels and overall health and wellbeing, its no wonder so many are trying to harness its potential at home. Shortell believes there may be a scientific basis for some of their techniques. There is evidence to suggest you can engage your vagus nerve by diaphragmatic breathing, which involves expanding your stomach like a balloon on inhales, and breathing practices with elongated exhalation, she says. These likely work best for stress when done regularly because engaging with breathing techniques once will not cure the source of the stress but regular engagement may encourage your parasympathetic system to cope better with the stress physiologically. However, more research is needed. Tracey urges caution. Generic recommendations may work in some people, but everyones physiology is different, he says. It wouldnt be wise to suggest everyone take ice baths or hold their breaths. Dolphin advises adopting a healthy sense of scepticism to online health claims. Theres a lot of snake oil being peddled out there and TikTok isnt known as a great scientific platform, she says. VNS is being suggested as a treatment for every condition under the sun at the moment but lets wait until it undergoes scientific scrutiny. In the meantime, my unscientific experiment with cold water immersion may not have had any effect on my vagus nerve. But I can report that I feel less anxious in the hours afterwards and my skin is glowing. So much so that Ive decided to make it part of my daily routine. Fact file The vagus nerve is the longest in the body and comprises approximately 80,000 fibres on each side of your body. Thats 160,000 channels sending information from your brain to your organs and back again. The nerve plays a role in breathing, cardiovascular activity and digestion. Its involved in metabolism, transmitting information about the levels of fats, glucose, insulin, the hunger-regulating hormone leptin, and other molecules from the gut and liver to the brainstem. When the brainstem detects changes in those levels, the vagus nerve signals the organ to maintain homeostasis by creating more glucose, secreting more insulin or increasing gut motility. The vagus nerve projects from the brainstem to the palate, upper oesophagus and larynx, which means its crucial for branchial motor control, the gag reflex, and swallowing. Vagus nerve stimulation involves sending regular mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve through a device similar to a pacemaker. It is already being used to help those with treatment-resistant epilepsy and depression. Studies now show vagus nerve stimulation can reduce inflammation in the body and trials are ongoing to develop a device that will allow for this discovery to help those with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohns disease. Research is currently being carried out into its ability to affect cognition, including attention, memory, executive functioning, and language learning. Military hearsay statements can be used as evidence in the trial of a veteran known as Soldier F who is accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry. Sitting at the magistrates court in Derry, District Judge Ted Magill said he is satisfied the statements from five soldiers can be dealt with in a fair, just and reliable fashion by a trial judge. He ruled that the evidence of a sixth witness cannot be admitted. Former paratrooper Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney in 1972 when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of the city. James Wray, left, and William McKinney, who died on Bloody Sunday (Bloody Sunday Trust/PA) The judges ruling centred around a bid by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to use evidence statements given to the 1972 Widgery Report and to the Royal Military Police by other soldiers in the Bogside on the day. The PPS previously called a halt to the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, citing concerns the case could collapse if it went to trial. The decision to halt proceedings was challenged by Mr McKinneys family and last year the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast overturned the PPSs move. After reviewing its position, the PPS decided to resume the prosecution. A banner supporting Soldier F hangs from a wall in east Belfast in 2021 (PA) Bloody Sunday was one of the darkest days in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Thirteen people were killed on the day and another man shot by paratroopers died four months later. Many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday but his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. Grieving teenagers released balloons from the pontoon in Cork Harbour on Friday close to where their friend died after getting into difficulty in the water. Their tribute to Jack OSullivan, 14, from Deerpark on the citys southside, came as his school principal described him as a talented sportsman with a beaming smile. Counselling and psychological support measures are in place at Colaiste Eamann Ris on St Patricks Road in Cork City following the death of Jack OSullivan from nearby Deerpark. Jack was due to go in to second year at the school. Principal Aaron Wolfe said in a statement online they were deeply saddened by the passing of the youngster. This is a terrible tragedy for Jacks family, our school and our community. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Jack's family and friends. Jack was a charming, charismatic young man, with a beaming smile, who represented the school in all sporting areas. Jack O'Sullivan "Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service have been with us today supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist our students at this time. The teachers have [also] been helping students to deal with this tragic event. An autopsy will be carried out on the deceased at Cork University Hospital. The death is being treated as a tragic accident. A multi-agency search operation was launched in Passage West on Thursday after Jack disappeared under the water while swimming with friends. His body was recovered at about 4pm. Local Independent county councillor, Marcia DAlton, described Jacks death as heartbreaking but said locals had been worried about such a tragedy happening at that location, where the currents are especially strong, since Cork County Council installed the pontoon in May 2015. She said she made several requests for the installation of a secure gate with swipe card or keypad access, which she said may not have prevented the tragedy, but would have deterred swimming from the pontoon. She has now written to the councils chief executive asking him to address the issue. Finance Minister and Cork South Central TD Michael McGrath said the loss of the youngster was devastating news for his loved ones, friends and the wider community. "My heart goes out to the family and friends of young Jack on his tragic loss. "Id like to thank all those in the emergency services who responded so quickly and did all they could to rescue Jack, and ultimately returned his body to his family. "Yesterdays events are another painful reminder of how precious and fragile life is." A multi agency search operation was launched in Passage West on Thursday after Jack disappeared under the water while swimming with friends. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Cork City councillor Mick Finn knew Jack through his involvement with St Finbarr's GAA club and he told Cork's Red FM the teenager had a magnetic personality and a bright future ahead of him. He was very talented at sport and everything else he did. He was such leadership material and people flocked around him. He was very popular among his young friends and even young people two and three years ahead of him have been absolutely devastated and shocked by what has happened." The search for Jack was carried out by the Coastguards Waterford-based helicopter Rescue 117, Crosshaven Coastguard unit, Crosshaven RNLI, gardai, paramedics and local firefighters. It was co ordinated by the Valentia Coast Guard Centre. A dog named Hugo is recovering at home and is expected to make a full recovery after a campervan caught fire on the M8 earlier on Friday morning. Three units of Cork City Fire Brigade attended the scene of the incident at around 9:45am near the Glanmire exit. When India's small six-wheeled rover rolled out across the surface of the moon this week, it was following a long and honourable tradition. India's first satellite was rolled out to the launch pad on an ox cart. Another satellite was small enough to be wheeled out on the back carrier of a bicycle. India's astonishing recent successes, on the moon and around Mars, were hard-won after decades of single-minded determination. They are a triumphant demonstration that countries with limited resources need not be excluded from 'The Final Frontier'. Space is not just for the superpowers. When Ireland hopefully launches its first satellite later this year, the question really should be: Why has it taken us so long?. Suddenly or so it may seem everybody is going to the moon. The lunar south pole region, where Chandrayaan-2 touched down with the Pragyaan rover onboard, is of particular interest due to the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed regions. This water resource could potentially revolutionise future space exploration by serving as a vital component for life support, fuel generation, and sustaining future missions to Mars. More than a dozen countries have plans for missions to the moon in the coming years, including a mission launched by Japans space agency that is expected to lift off later this month. The United States also has plans to send three commercial lunar landers to the moon starting as early as this year, while Nasa and the European Space Agency continue to work toward the Artemis 3 mission, which might put astronauts back on the moon as soon as 2025, but it may be significantly delayed by recent budget cuts in Washington. Working alongside allies such as the United States and the European Space Agency, India is part of a second wave of emerging space powers. The countrys space programme has become one of the worlds busiest in its development of high-tech space technology. Chandrayaan-3 has been a point of national pride and widespread interest across India. Crowds gathered at the launchpad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh state to watch the mission take-off in July. On Wednesday, more than 8m people tuned in to view a livestream of the landing. Schools throughout India were kept open so students could experience the event together. Indias mission has taken on even greater significance since Russias failed Luna 25 landing attempt. With the success of Chandrayaan-3, India became the second country to land a spacecraft on the moon in the 21st century after China, which has put three landers on the lunar surface since 2013 including the first to touch down on the moons far side. Landing on the moon, however, remains a challenging endeavour. Indias last attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon, during the 2019 Chandrayaan-2 mission, failed. And two commercial spacecraft have crash-landed on the lunar surface in recent times one from Israel in 2019 and the other from Japan just last April. The Pragyan rover, equipped with advanced instruments, has already begun to traverse the lunar surface and to analyse samples. Powered by sunlight, it will spend the next two weeks travelling across the surface, analysing rocks and peering into craters to see if there are ice deposits in the places that have not seen sunlight in billions of years. This achievement on the moon comes at a particularly important moment in India's diplomatic push as an ambitious power on the rise in South Asia. Indian leaders have been advocating in favour of a multipolar world in which New Delhi is seen as indispensable to global solutions. In space exploration, as in many other fields, the message of prime minister Narendra Modis government has been clear: The world will be a fairer place if India takes on a leadership role, even as the worlds most populous nation works to meet its peoples basic needs. That assertiveness on the world stage is a central campaign message for Mr Modi, who is up for re-election to a third term early next year. The Chandrayaan-3 landing coincided with his trip to South Africa for a meeting of the group of nations known as Brics; nonetheless, Mr Modis face beamed into the control room in Bangalore during the landings final minutes, and he spoke for 10 minutes after the landing on a video link from South Africa. Space has suddenly reclaimed a place in the consciousness of nations that it has not occupied since the 1960s. India and other developing nations now see their space programmes as a way of signalling to young people that they must strive for academic success. India is the only country in the world to elect a space pioneer as president of their nation: the nationally revered and internationally acclaimed Abdul Kalam. Here in Ireland, there is also a new recognition that success in space technology is a metaphor for a country's commitment to industrial advancement in the 21st century. Educational Irish Research Satellite 1, EIRSAT-1, is to be Ireland's first satellite, and it is tentatively scheduled to be launched towards the end of this year. There is absolutely no reason why Ireland's next satellite after that could not be heading to the moon or even Mars. We just need that Indian can-do attitude. Fastening her seatbelt for another odyssey helping budget-conscious buyers turn their dream of home ownership into a reality, Maggie Molloy is as excited as if she were embarking on a search for a place to hang her own hat. She teams up again with building engineer Kieran McCarthy as Cheap Irish Homes returns to our screens on September 7. This is season four of the RTE One series and since it began, in 2019, has the Wexford woman ever been tempted to snap up any of the bargains shes discovered? Its dangerous and my family probably curses the job I have now because back in the day, Id just be online looking at these properties [Maggie started out with her blog Cheap Irish Houses], she says. But now, the owners are right there and the estate agents are there and thats a dangerous place for Maggie to be! The potential of a house with a former pub and grocery shop attached, in County Offaly, in the current series set in motion a showreel of ideas in her mind the moment Maggie laid eyes on it. Honestly, that one really tempted me, she says. It was partly the building itself it was a vernacular cottage that looked like it had been a terrace. It was basically a whole street. So, I was thinking: 'This is a valuable little property.' ON THE LOOKOUT "Im always looking at commercial spaces, even if you never use it yourself, you can rent it out, and you can always use it to pay a mortgage. "This property was all on one floor, and I thought it would have been lovely to split it up into one-bedroom cottages and maybe rent it to elderly people. "It could have worked in a lot of ways." Maggie Molloy with her co-presenter, Irish Examiner Property & Home columnist Kieran McCarthy. I did have a serious conversation about it with my husband when I arrived home, but over a couple of days, I was brought back to reality. I can go off on a tangent and be daydreaming about a property or an idea and fortunately, my husband will think about it logically: How will we go about this, can we drive there. That episode, week seven in the series, features a Birr native who wants to move closer to her parents in County Offaly. The cottage was fully furnished, it was like a little museum the iron beds were still in it, says Maggie. It was like a little dollhouse it was immaculate. Its the whimsical notion of playing house and the what-if factor allied to building engineer and Irish Examiner Property & Home columnist Kierans professional know-how and the can-do spirit of both that injects a dash of positivity into this TV house at a time when property and rental prices are soaring. REAL PRICES Filming for the upcoming series took place this autumn. Its out quite quickly, which means its relevant and timely and the prices are real otherwise youre giving people false hope, she says. This season, it not only showcases affordable homes but also introduces the Vacant Property Refurbishment and Derelict Property grant schemes available. Theyre phenomenal every time you tell the house hunters about them by the way this house is vacant and you get a grant its like youve given them a gift, says Maggie. Leonie Corcoran and Shane Leahy outside one of the homes they viewed on Cheap European Homes. Her enthusiasm is infectious, whether its for an Ireland that Maggie believes is just getting lost when she peers into an old home/grocery/pub or wandering beside the Mediterranean as she seeks out equivalent properties in Portugal, Spain and France when filming Cheap European Homes. There were so many different types of people on that series from retirees to digital nomads," she says. HAPPY EVER AFTERS Does she ever find out how her proteges got on afterwards? I dont like to chase people up but if they get back in touch Im delighted to hear from them, she says. Leonie [Corcoran] who featured in 'Maggies Cheap European Homes' and had been looking in Portugal was in touch to say she was over the moon to get settled and get her forever home." And while Leonie didnt find her property as a result of the show, Maggies joy when house hunters find their dream residence is palpable. The process takes so long, the first hurdle is getting the money, and then theres the search," she says. Then you get a little email, and there might be a picture of the house hunters outside their front door attached to it and you feel amazing Maggie enjoyed a similar feelgood factor following the last series of Cheap Irish Homes when Cork house hunter Steffi Toenker and her teenage son Cian featured. We showed three houses in west Cork and Steffi bought one of them, she says. She has been living in it for a year now. Its lovely to see. We were always in touch. The day she walked into the yard in Cork, I knew, she knew, it was going to be her house. CORK AND KERRY Maggie and Kieran return to Cork for two episodes this year, in the opening programme to help South African natives Erin and Louis who want to set up home in West Cork but would like anywhere commutable to Cork City for work. Maggie Molloy and Kieran McCarthy with Steffi and Cian. Cork also features in the sixth episode where they meet Avril and Robert and their daughter Abby, who are looking for a countryside location near Avrils family in Glanmire. West Cork is always a good draw, always a good mainstay, and we did filming around Cork city which was quite cool, says Maggie. Its not a cheap market and not an easy market once you get into the commuter belt of Cork prices skyrocket. And the house hunters were really surprised. It was lovely to see that you could get such value in the commuter zone of a city in Ireland. Maggie Molloy and Kieran McCarthy joined by Kerry sisters Nicole and Megan O'Connor. Maggie and Kieran cross the border to Kerry, for the second episode, to assist Megan, 25, a first-time buyer from Ballyduff. She wants to commute to her job in Tralee. She has been renting in Tralee, and it is similar to Cork Tralee is not an easy place to buy a house." HOME RUN Wexford native Maggie knows all about the difficulty of trying to buy your way back into your place of origin. She renovated her own home in County Tipperary almost two decades ago. Ive always thought of moving back to Wexford, she says. But prices in Wexford are so crazy like Cork and its firmly in the Dublin commuter belt now too, so its difficult for local people to buy there. We actually had a house hunter in this year who was looking in Wexford, and as one that had to leave, for me, that was an emotional episode. She had looked and was looking as long as I had. You shouldnt have to be the wealthiest person in the world to own a house or to build. It shouldnt be the case that your parents have to give you a 70k field or that you are a person who paid your dad 10k for it. The policies of dissuading people from living in rural Ireland, theyre not realistic. Theres a massive amount of culture rooted in rural Ireland." Read More Kerry snappers who turned their focus from weddings to walls THE history of many an Irish castle is associated with various comings and goings over the seas, surrounding oceans and marine channels they were built by native and by new Irish as much as by blow-ins from abroad, and were used too to protect locals from looting and murderous, marauding arrivals from overseas. Bird's eye view of Ballintotis Castle and its pyramid-shaped glass roof Redolent of the days of attack and conquest is east Corks Ballintotis Castle, a quite compact late medieval Irish tower house with a pyramid glass weatherproof roof, being sold, ironically, by its appreciative UK-based farmer owner because he misses the boats. More specifically, castle owner Frances Dineley is selling his beloved Ballintotis Castle near Castlmartyr and Ladysbridge east of Cork City because he misses the convenience of the Swansea-Cork ferry services, which ran in fits and starts in various iterations over the decades and which had its last Fastnet Line service cease in 2012, with loss of almost 80 jobs, and historic links over the Irish Sea. Outstanding in its (half acre) field It put the kybosh on it for me, the trouble was the perfectly good ferry service which I used stopped, and when that died I didnt get to visit as much, says Mr Dineley, an 81-year-old Wiltshire sheep farmer fascinated by Irish history, who married an Irish woman, Elizabeth Fitzgerald: they eventually found the Anglesea link and navigating Dublin too much trouble for their annual holidays at Ballintotis. Lofty top floor Francis says he is selling in sorrow and will really miss it and wonderful neighbours there in the rich farmland overseen from Ballinitotiss roof-top walkway, but admits his wife Elizabeth wasnt necessarily as thrilled as he was with his purchase of a slice of the old sod back in the 2000s. No, she wasnt wild about about it! She might have preferred somewhere sunnier, he concedes and says his son also married an Irish woman, but has a house in distant Mayo, hence the family decision now to sell. His own home in Wiltshire is a comfortable, old farmhouse built by grandparents, and his own ties to the land there include 2,000 ewes. Mr Dineley hopes its next owners will have wonderful times in it, and predicts its good for another 500 years, it has centuries left in it. When you build with Cork limestone and four-foot thick walls, its not going to fall down. Thick walls and stout door Francis says he cant take the credit for the restoration and conservation work done on the modestly-sized tower house, as he says it was done by a previous owner, a Cork architect. He doesnt recall his name now, but it may have been Peter Inston who also owned Belvelly Castle on Corks Great Island near Cobh for a short period (since famouslyrestored to glorious heights at areputed cost of 7m) as well as working on Castlehyde on the River Blackwater with Michael Flatley. The stunning the 13th century Belvelly Castle overlooking the Belvelly Channel at the entrance to the Great Island in East Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Selling agents for Ballintotis are James Colbert and John Hornibrook, based nearby in Midleton, acting jointly with castle specialist Helen Cassidy in Galway, and who price it at 450,000, saying they expect both local and overseas interest, with US inquiries highly anticipated. Estimated to date to the 16th century, its now on half an acre, two miles west of the Castlemartyr Estate (now a five-star hotel with a Michelin-star eatery) and may have been constructed by the Imokilly Fitzgeralds, later passed onto the Boyle family branch, whose main house was at the Castlemartyr estate and thus may have been an outer defence of that estate. Rooftop dining? It has been let on Airbnb in the past number of years, at c 120 a night and has many former guest admirers in online reviews. About 15 metres in height, and topped with gap-toothed battlements, it has plan dimensions of 6.5 metres EW and 6.2 metres NS, and a base batter rising 1.5 metres from the ground level, with internal accommodation over three levels/three main chambers. It has 55 steps, with a mix of spiral and straight mural and inter-mural stairwells and some ancilliary intramural rooms: one such now houses a WC. Work done included repointing the walls, installation of a pyramid glass and leaded roof inside the parapets, window repair with bronze encasement/slim frame profile glazing, an oak floor and stout entrance door, plumbing (plus septic tank) and electrics, and a wood-burning stove. Four poster bed fits the picture The tower house/castle has a small entry level, first floor bedroom with four poster bed and a deep bath plus WC nearby, while the next floor up is an airier room, with kitchenette, slab bed, and views up to the skies through glass roof. Then, a final flight of stairs leads up the to battlements with a metal railing in place at the lowest corner section and has country views over tillage fields in all directions. The location is within a half a mile or so of Loughaderra lake, with woodland and looped local walks and a community vibe and services at Castlemartyr and Ladysbridge, with beaches a short drive away ... but no signs of attacks from over the waves or, sadly, of more welcome UK/Ireland ferry services either. Externally on the castles stout doorstep theres a leafy approach driveway, and the site is planted with native trees . some of which may yield timber for furniture for Ballintotis in centuries to come. VERDICT: An Englishmans holiday home was an Irish castle: whos next to call it keeps? Four people are dead after a retired police officer opened fire in a popular California biker bar. The gunman shot dead three people and left six others with gunshot wounds before he was shot and killed by police. Officials have identified the gunman as 59-year-old John Snowling. They say his estranged wife, Marie Snowling, was injured in the shooting. She had filed for divorce and her father told a newspaper that John Snowling could not deal with the divorce. Police at the scene of the mass shooting at Cooks Corner in California (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The cover band at the historic Southern California biker bar had just launched into their next song when the gunman walked in and opened fire. Some froze, others ran as the bullets flew inside busy Cooks Corner, which was holding its weekly spaghetti night on Wednesday. The gunman then went outside and kept firing, witnesses said. Within minutes, officers arrived and killed the gunman, Orange County Sheriffs Sergeant Frank Gonzalez said. Three people were pronounced dead at the scene; six others were shot and taken to a hospital, officials said. M Street band keyboardist Mark Johnson hid behind a speaker with his wife, singer Debbie Johnson. Once he started shooting, it was very indiscriminate, Mark Johnson said. He just is firing indiscriminately. Gunfire at the popular bar killed three people and wounded six others, and the gunman was also shot dead (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Betty Fruichantie told NBC4 Los Angeles that she was with the gunmans estranged wife, Marie Snowling, who fell to the floor. With bullets flying past her face, Ms Fruichantie ran and hid in a toilet with others. And when we came out, people were on the floor and people were like over people trying to help them, just holding their wounds, she said. Marie Snowlings father, William Mosby, of Lake Forest, told The Orange County Register that his daughter was taken to a hospital after being shot. Mr Mosby said he initially heard his daughter had been killed. Im extremely relieved, Mr Mosby said. What I heard was the worst. Providence Mission Hospital, in nearby Mission Viejo, said it treated six people who were shot. A woman shot in the jaw and a man shot in the chest were in critical condition, the hospital said in a statement. The four others were in stable condition. Marie Snowling filed for divorce from John Snowling in December 2022, Ventura County online court records show. The case was scheduled for a mandatory settlement conference in November. Mr Mosby told the newspaper that John Snowling could not deal with the divorce. Young people should be banned from buying tobacco products until they are 22, researchers have suggested after a study found those who start smoking before the age of 20 find it more difficult to quit. Scientists said a rise in the minimum age by governments across the world could reduce nicotine dependence. A team from Japan looked at 1,382 smokers who had visited a smoking cessation clinic in Kyoto. Patients were split into two groups based on the age they started smoking less than 20 years old or 20 years and older. They all completed the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND), a standard tool to assess a the intensity of a persons physical addiction to nicotine. Our results show that starting smoking early is linked with higher nicotine dependency, even in young adulthood The test asked questions such as how soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette? and how many cigarettes per day do you smoke?, with patients giving a score for each answer. The figure is then tallied up to a dependency score of low (one-two), low to moderate (three-four), moderate (five-seven) or high (eight or higher). Carbon monoxide was also measured in the breath to indicate the number of cigarettes smoked in the past 24 hours. Some 556 smokers had started before the age of 20 the legal age in Japan while 826 had started later. Those who took up the habit before 20 reported smoking 25 cigarettes per day compared to 22 per day in the late-starter group. Those who started earlier also had higher respiratory carbon monoxide levels in the breath. The study indicates that increasing the legal age to buy tobacco to 22 years or older could lead to a reduction in the number of people addicted to nicotine and at risk of adverse health consequences Of the early starters, 46% had successfully quit smoking, compared to 56% of those who started smoking at aged 20 or over. The findings have been presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2023 in Amsterdam. Author Dr Koji Hasegawa, of the National Hospital Organisation Kyoto Medical Centre, said: Our results show that starting smoking early is linked with higher nicotine dependency, even in young adulthood. The study indicates that increasing the legal age to buy tobacco to 22 years or older could lead to a reduction in the number of people addicted to nicotine and at risk of adverse health consequences. A preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded that an intentional explosion caused the plane crash presumed to have killed a mercenary leader who was eulogized Thursday by Vladimir Putin, even as suspicions grew that the Russian president was the architect of the assassination. One of the US and Western officials who described the initial assessment said it determined that Yevgeny Prigozhin was very likely targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putins long history of trying to silence his critics. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, did not offer any details about what caused the explosion, which was widely believed to be vengeance for the mutiny in June that posed the biggest challenge to the Russian leaders 23-year rule. Several of Prigozhins lieutenants were also presumed dead. A portrait of the owner of private military company Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin lays at an informal memorial next to the former 'PMC Wagner Centre' in St. Petersburg, Russia. Picture: AP Pentagon spokesman General Pat Ryder said press reports that a surface-to-air missile took down the plane were inaccurate. He declined to say whether the US suspected a bomb or believed the crash was an assassination. Details of the intelligence assessment surfaced as Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those who were reported to be aboard the jet and referred to serious mistakes by Prigozhin. The jet carrying the founder of the Wagner military company and six other passengers crashed Wednesday soon after taking off from Moscow with a crew of three, according to Russias civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. But there has been no official confirmation. US president Joe Biden, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said he believed Putin was behind the crash, though he acknowledged that he did not have information verifying his belief. I dont know for a fact what happened, but Im not surprised, Biden said. Theres not much that happens in Russia that Putins not behind. The passenger manifest also included Prigozhins second-in-command, who baptized the group with his nom de guerre, as well as Wagners logistics chief, a fighter wounded by US airstrikes in Syria and at least one possible bodyguard. It was not clear why several high-ranking members of Wagner, including top leaders who are normally exceedingly careful about their security, were on the same flight. The purpose of their joint trip to St. Petersburg was unknown. At Wagners headquarters in St. Petersburg, lights were turned on in the shape of a large cross, and Prigozhin supporters built a makeshift memorial, piling red and white flowers outside the building Thursday, along with company flags and candles. In this first comments on the crash, Putin said the passengers had made a significant contribution to the fighting in Ukraine. We remember this, we know, and we will not forget, he said in a televised interview with the Russian-installed leader of Ukraines partially occupied Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin. Putin recalled that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s and described him as a man of difficult fate who had made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results he needed both for himself and, when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months. He was a talented man, a talented businessman. Russian servicemen inspect a part of a crashed private jet near the village of Kuzhenkino, Tver region. Picture: AP Russian state media have not covered the crash extensively, instead focusing on Putins remarks to the BRICS summit in Johannesburg via video link and Russias invasion of Ukraine. Several Russian social media channels reported that the bodies were burned or disfigured beyond recognition and would need to be identified by DNA. The reports were picked up by independent Russian media, but The Associated Press was not able to independently confirm them. Prigozhin supporters claimed on pro-Wagner messaging app channels that the plane was deliberately downed. Sergei Mironov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Fair Russia party and former chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament, said on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin had messed with too many people in Russia, Ukraine and the West. It now seems that at some point, his number of enemies reached a critical point, Mironov wrote. Russian authorities have said the cause of the crash is under investigation. Anastasia Bukharova, 27, said she was walking with her children Wednesday when she saw the jet, and then boom! it exploded in the sky. She said she was scared it would hit houses in her village of Kuzhenkino and ran with the children. But the plane ended up crashing into a field. Something sort of was torn from it in the air, she added. Numerous opponents and critics of Putin have been killed or gravely sickened in apparent assassination attempts, and U.S. and other Western officials long expected the Russian leader to go after Prigozhin, despite promising to drop charges in a deal that ended the June 23-24 mutiny. It is no coincidence that the whole world immediately looks at the Kremlin when a disgraced ex-confidant of Putin suddenly falls from the sky, two months after he attempted an uprising, said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, while acknowledging that the facts were still unclear. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Picture: AP We know this pattern in Putins Russia deaths and dubious suicides, falls from windows that all ultimately remain unexplained, she added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pointed the finger: We have nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does. Soon after the plane went down, people on social media and news outlets began to report that it was a Wagner plane. Minutes after Russian state news agencies confirmed the crash, they cited the civil aviation authority as saying Prigozhins name was on the mainfest. Prigozhin was long outspoken and critical of how Russian generals were waging the war in Ukraine, where his mercenaries were some of the fiercest fighters for the Kremlin. For a long time, Putin appeared content to allow such infighting and Prigozhin seemed to have unusual latitude to speak his mind. But Prigozhins brief revolt raised the ante. His mercenaries swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot. They then drove to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow and downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots. Putin first denounced the rebellion as treason and a stab in the back. He vowed to punish its perpetrators, and the world waited for his next move, particularly since Prigozhin had publicly questioned the Russian leaders justifications for the war in Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin. Picture: AP Instead Putin made a deal that saw an end to the mutiny in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus. Now many are suggesting the punishment has finally come. The Institute for the Study of War argued that Russian authorities likely moved against Prigozhin and his top associates as the final step to eliminate Wagner as an independent organization. Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for Putin turned political consultant, said by carrying out the mutiny and remaining free, Prigozhin shoved Putins face into the dirt front of the whole world. Failing to punish Prigozhin would have offered an open invitation for all potential rebels and troublemakers, so Putin had to act, Gallyamov said. Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell, one of its wings apparently missing. A free fall like that typically occurs when an aircraft sustains severe damage. A frame-by-frame AP analysis of two videos was consistent with some sort of midflight explosion. In the armed revolution that followed the 2021 military coup, resistance groups emerged with many collectively known as the Peoples Defense Force (PDF). They have won the trust and respect of the people and armed themselves with public support. Resistance groups under the command of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) are committing violence against civilians in some areas, drawing criticism. Deputy secretary of the NUGs Ministry of Defense, U Maung Maung Swe, recently talked to The Irrawaddy about how the ministry is handling those incidents. We heard the defense ministry has formed a complaint committee to investigate and administer justice regarding violence and war crimes during the revolution. How many complaints has it received? We have received over 140 complaints. We have dealt with 10 cases and they have been closed. We have recorded 12 cases because we have lost contact with either the complainants or the accused or the complainants have withdrawn the complaint. Lately, civilians complain that they are afraid of the PDFs too. There have been some reported cases of PDFs bullying civilians. What are the most complaints about? Some of the complaints relate to disputes between Pa Ka Pha (peoples defense teams linked to the NUG) and peoples administration units. Some complaints are about personnel from peoples administrations overstepping their authority. While we are staging a revolution, we are also working to run the parallel administrations systematically. Most of the complaints are filed by the people, which shows they trust us and our administrative system enables them to file complaints without fear. We make sure people have the right to speak freely and they have spoken out in meetings with us. There have been reports of Pa Ka Pha groups committing crimes against civilians in war zones. A village Pa La Pha [police] group killed seven young people in Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region, and eight Pa La Pha members raped a woman in Saw Township, Magwe Region. What action has the ministry taken? There are several revolutionary organizations on the ground, including PDF battalions, Pa Ka Pha [defense teams], Pa La Pha [police] and peoples administrations. But when something bad happens, people usually jump on the Pa Ka Pha. I am sorry to see that. But again, whether it is Pa Kha Pha or Pa La Pha, it is part of our administration and we have a responsibility to address complaints about them. As there are many organizations on the ground, we are preparing to provide uniforms and badges to the Pa Ka Pha so people will not confuse them with other organizations. Doing so will help organize the administrative mechanism. So if something happens, people will know which organization is responsible. The complaints committee is not the decision-making body. We handle complaints by examining evidence and questioning people. If the accused is working at an organization overseen by our ministry, we submit a report to the ministry first. The ministry makes the initial punishment by suspending the suspect from duty or dismissing or arresting them. Action was carried out against a person lately and is pending for another accused. After that, we form tribunals to administer punishment whether the accused belongs to a PDF or Pa Ka Pha. Some people staged a protest against the chairman of a district Pa Ka Pha in Gangaw Township, Magwe Region, earlier this month. Some revolutionary organizations have urged the NUG to visit and listen to the people. What is your response? We have been implementing that suggestion. Either the NUG or defense ministry is set up on the participation and input of each individual. This is why the revolution has reached this stage. Our main strength is the people. We continuously engage with the people and seek their advice. But the situation makes it difficult to listen to each individual, either in person or online. All the ministrys personnel are on the ground. However, the fighting creates many restrictions on meeting the people. There are levels of township, district and regional organizations. We are designing plans to work in collaboration with them. Regarding the Gangaw case, we dont accept the principle about one person taking three roles in the administration. We are working to fix it. We heard that in some regions, revolutionary groups seized villagers possessions. What actions are being taken to stop this? Armed groups must follow our code of conduct. We have taught them about the rules of engagement and how to engage with the public during military training. They must also follow the chain of command. As there are various organizations, some do not properly follow the rules, which sometimes results in misunderstanding. Lately, we are systematically regulating the resistance groups to make sure they follow the code of conduct. We are planning to give them close supervision on a wider scale. At the same time, we are taking harsh action against violators. Our minister has told resistance fighters to give top priority to protecting the people. It is complicated by the conflict. There are cases in which resistance groups wrongly seize property. We investigate complaints immediately and try to address concerns. Sometimes regime informants and sympathizers are the victims. And they complain, pretending to be normal civilians. During a revolution, decisive action must be taken when confronting the enemy. We have instructed resistance forces to give precedence to the people and make sure they are not harmed. Nearly 500 Myanmar junta soldiers have deserted over the past four months, the shadow National Unity Governments prime minister, Mahn Win Khaing Than, told the NUGs 28th cabinet meeting recently. More than 50 junta soldiers have defected since early August, and nearly 500 junta soldiers, including a major serving as a deputy battalion commander, defected in the four months from April to July. Desertions have risen as the regime steps up its terror campaign against civilians, violates their rights, and fails to quell revolutionary forces. The shadow civilian government claims that around 15,000 soldiers and police have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) since the February 2021 coup. A police constable guarding the China-backed Letpaduang copper mine in Sagaing Region defected on Thursday. Dozens of junta soldiers defected recently in Chin, Kayah and Karen states, where fierce clashes are taking place between resistance forces and junta troops. Peoples Embrace is among a number of groups set up by military personnel who have joined the CDM and are helping junta soldiers to quit their barracks. Many of the defectors have joined ethnic armed organizations or simply fled by themselves. The revolution is the cause of desertions. The military has been depleted since the coup by factors including defection, death, leave without absence, and soldiers suffering serious wounds. The number of defections is increasing, CDM captain Htet Myat told The Irrawaddy. Weakened by desertions, causalties and a recruitment crisis, the military has been forced to relax eligibility criteria for new officers and extend the deadline for applications to the defense services academy. It has also resorted to recruitment scams, posting advertisements on social media designed to mislead job seekers into thinking that the employer is a private company. Meanwhile, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has sponsored beach holidays for soldiers badly wounded in fighting as part of his retention and propaganda strategy. Battalion commanders have also been told to dine together with soldiers to boost their morale, and troupes of entertainers have been sent to entertain junta forces on the front line. CDM captain Htet Myat said: The military is conscripting anyone who meets the simple criterion of being human. None of the recruits is there because they want to be a soldier. I mean [the military is recruiting] the homeless and the hungry, and fugitives, and intimidating people into joining the army. So, the recruits are unwilling soldiers and they flee from the risk of death. The NUG has offered cash rewards of up to one billion kyats for junta soldiers who defect along with their weapons, aircraft and warships, as well as for destroying them. A group named Pyithu Thar Kaung, set up by CDM soldiers and police, also offers cash rewards for defectors who bring weapons with them. The military is suffering chaos with desertions of privates and frequent purging of commanders by Min Aung Hlaing. Meanwhile, resistance forces have begun launching operations in Naypyitaw, the seat of the countrys ruling generals. More than a dozen pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members who travelled to Sagaing Regions Salingyi Township to help junta troops protect Chinese-invested copper mines were arrested by the Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) on Thursday, according to the PDFs. The PDFs that form the Union Liberation Front arrested 14 Pyu Saw Htee militia fighters who had been trained by the Southwest Military Command in Ayeyarwady Regions Thabaung Township. The militia members said they were going to receive additional training when they arrived inside the mining compounds, according to the Union Liberation Front. Three copper mines in the townshipLetpadaung, Sabetaung and Kyesintaungare owned and operated by Chinese company Wanbao and its two subsidiaries, Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Ltd and Myanmar Yang Tse Copper Ltd, in partnership with military-owned Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd. Regime troops based in the mining compounds have killed civilians in nearby villages and torched their houses since soon after the coup, causing thousands of people to frequently flee before, during or after raids. Local resistance groups say troops protecting the mines had called in the Pyu Saw Htee militias for reinforcements and had planned to train them. Myanmars regime began recruiting and arming members of pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias to supplement its forces after the anti-regime resistance movement emerged in response to the February 2021 coup. The Pyu Saw Htee militias, who are recruited at the township level, have been compared to vigilante groups. The troop levels for the military are quite low. That is why the Pyu Saw Htee militias were being gathered as recruits, a spokesperson for the Union Liberation Front told The Irrawaddy. He warned Pyu Saw Htee militia members not to come to the Salingyi Township to aid the juntas atrocities. The arrested militia members were transferred to the township Peoples Security Force on Thursday for legal action, the spokesperson said. On August 16, the junta troops killed and mutilated six residents of Yinmabin and Pale townships in Sagaing Region and dumped their corpses under the North Yamar Bridge. Earlier this month, Wanbao seized neighboring farmland and fenced-off farms in old Wethmay Village to the east of the mining compound. DHAKA Several thousand Rohingya on Friday morning gathered at camps in Coxs Bazar to demand justice for the August 2017 Myanmar military crackdown. Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh say they seek justice, rights and sustainable and dignified repatriation. Rohingya protesters braved rain and mud at the camps in Ukhia and Teknaf where over a million largely Muslim refugees live in squalor to mark Genocide Remembrance Day on August 25. We want our justice and citizenship rights and to be repatriated to our original land, Sayed Ullah of the Rohingya representative committee told The Irrawaddy. Placards read, Justice delayed is justice denied and The genocide victims deserve justice and protesters chanted, Our country is Arakan, We want to return home and We want justice. Rohingya activist Rimas Khan urged women to educate their daughters. Rohingya women should take responsibility to unite the community and sustain the future of the Rohingya, she said. Six years ago over 700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya who had left previously. The largest rally was organized by the Rohingya representative committee at the Lambashia camp. Addressing the rally, Rohingya leader Solim Ullah said Myanmars regime was opting for trickery to start repatriation, saying they would appeal to the international community. The Bangladeshi authorities reported no incidents between rival Rohingya groups. All the rallies were peaceful, said Md Shamsud Douza, Bangladeshs refugee relief and repatriation commissioner. Refugees International called upon the United States and other countries to sustain support for humanitarian and accountability efforts for the Rohingya. We urge an increase in the resettlement of Rohingya to the United States and other countries. And we call upon other countries to increase education and livelihood opportunities that will enable the Rohingya community to thrive. We urge global action to pressure Myanmars military junta, through further coordinated sanctions and arms embargoes, to allow the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya to their homeland, it stated. The US embassy in Dhaka stated that genocidal actions by Myanmars military forced around 750,000 Rohingya to flee with the few belongings they could carry. It said it remains committed to finding solutions to the crisis, justice for its victims, and accountability for the perpetrators of these atrocities, through targeted sanctions, international pressure, and support to the national and international courts taking action against those responsible. Until conditions in Burma improve, we call upon the international community to continue providing humanitarian aid to one of the worlds most vulnerable and marginalized populations, the US statement said. Since 2009, the US said it has accepted 13,000 Rohingya from the region, including Bangladesh. UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, called for a renewed commitment from the international community for financial support to sustain the humanitarian response and political support to find solutions for nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The UNHCR stated that the Rohingya refugees have formed the backbone of the humanitarian response over the past six years. A dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar remains the primary solution to this crisis. Rohingya refugees continue to tell us they want to return to Myanmar when it is safe for them to do so voluntarily, its statement said. Myanmars junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also seized power in a coup, exchanged messages on Thursday to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties. The Thai ex-general reaffirmed Thailands support for Myanmars pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous democratic federal union. Prayut is set to transfer power to property tycoon Srettha Thavisin, who was selected by the parliament in Bangkok this week. In his message to the juntas foreign minister Than Swe, outgoing Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai, reaffirmed Thailands commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. Prayut said Min Aung Hlaing sought his help after the 2021 coup. He has also expressed support for Min Aung Hlaings plan for democratization in Myanmar. As foreign governments condemned the coup and the militarys brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, Thailand attended the Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, a month after the coup. The first international trip by then-foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin, who now sits on the regimes governing body, the State Administration Council, was to Thailand. Last year, the regime and Thailand appointed new ambassadors. While Min Aung Hlaing has ignored ASEANs peace plan for Myanmar known as the five-point consensus, Don sponsored an informal meeting on Myanmar in June in Pattaya, giving Than Swe, who served as the ambassador to the USA under President Thein Seins quasi-civilian administration, an opportunity to repeat junta justifications for the 2021 coup and blame the popular revolutionaries for Myanmars crisis. Don is reportedly the only high-level representative of a foreign government to meet State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It was claimed that he met the jailed civilian leader in Naypyitaw in July. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested on February 1, 2021, during the coup and jailed on trumped-up charges and the regime has kept her isolated ever since. The Thai government this week imposed jail sentences on seven young Thai people who staged a protest outside Myanmars Embassy in Bangkok after the 2021 coup. JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The world's gaze has been firmly fixed on the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, and the group on Thursday invited six countries to become its new members. What sets the BRICS apart from other groupings? And how is it building a new world order? Join Xinhua's Miao Xiaojuan as she talks to the Global South entrepreneurs, policymakers and journalists! The junta was condemned by all but two members of the UN Security Council on August 23 for its unrelenting violence across Myanmar over the past months, but Myanmars Ambassador to the UN said more than words were necessary to stop the regime from committing atrocities. Only China and Russia, which can veto resolutions, did not sign the joint statement from the 15-member council. Both are close allies of the regime. They supply it with weapons as well as protection from UN Security Council resolutions. The last months have seen unrelenting violence across Myanmar. We strongly condemn the killing of civilians and in particular the continued use of airstrikes, and reaffirm the need to respect international law and protect civilians, the statement reads. More than two and a half years since the state of emergency imposed by the military in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, we remain deeply concerned at the situation in Myanmar and its impact on the people of Myanmar, the Security Council members said. The statement was read by United Kingdom deputy UN ambassador James Kariuki. Diplomats from the 12 other Security Council members who signed the statement joined him. More than 18 million people in Myanmar need humanitarian assistance, 2 million have been displaced, and over 15 million people face food insecurity, Kariuki said. Food insecurity is often used as a euphemism for hunger. The juntas military continues to accelerate the pace of airstrikes amidst rising armed and civil resistance to its rule in Myanmar, more than two-and-a-half years after seizing power in a coup on February 1, 2021. Most of its targets and victims are civilians, detailed reports from rights groups say. The International Institute for Strategic Studies, a British research group, counted an average of 49 airstrikes per month by the juntas military from January through April, about 25 percent higher than the 39 monthly average last year. At least 42 airstrikes were unleashed on Kayah State alone in July. In response to the regimes escalating use of airstrikes, Washington expanded its sanctions on Myanmar on Wednesday to the jet-fuel sector, adding two Burmese businesspeople and three companies that supply jet fuel to the regimes military to its Specially Designated Nationals List. It also issued a warning. Any person determined to operate in the jet fuel sector of the Burmese economy shall be subject to sanctions, said Bradley Smith, Deputy Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. In the joint statement, the 13 council members said there had been insufficient progress on implementing Decembers landmark Security Council resolution on Myanmar and urged the junta to stop killing civilians and end violence in the country. U Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmars Ambassador to the UN, told a press conference after the Security Council released its statement that the landmark resolution had failed to deter the junta from continuing its atrocities against the people of Myanmar. The Security Council must take decisive action without further delay to save the lives of the people of Myanmar, he said. We need to stop the flows of arms, jet fuel, and then financial flows to the military. That [is the] kind of resolution we [would] like to see from the UN Security Council, he said. In response to questions from reporters, he declined to name a country that has the power to stop the flow of weapons and jet fuel to the juntas military. All UN member states are responsible for saving the lives of the people of Myanmar, he said. At least 22 Myanmar junta forces were killed in the last three days as Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) continued their attacks on regime targets across the country. Incidents were reported in Sagaing, Magwe and Bago regions and Mon State. The Irrawaddy has rounded up the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs. Some military casualties could not be independently verified. Clash erupts in Sagaing Resistance fighters clash with regime forces in Ye-U Township on Wednesday. / MRDA A 40-minute clash broke out in Ye-U Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday when Myanmar Royal Dragon Army (MRDA) and other resistance groups jointly ambushed a military unit including pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militias from the pro-military village of Aung Thar Yar, said the MRDA. The resistance group ambushed the military unit while it was traveling to adjacent Kyauk Tine Village. Three junta forces were killed and two injured in the clash. All resistance forces retreated from the clash site when the junta base at Aung Thar Yar shelled them, the MRDA said. Militia base bombed in Sagaing A drone drops a bomb on pro-regime militia targets in a village in Kantbalu Township on Wednesday. / Kanbalu Underground Warriors Some pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members are believed to have been killed or injured in Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday when Kanbalu Underground Warriors Force used mortar rounds and drones to bomb a base of the militia group at Yaw Village, the resistance group said. After being bombed, the militia forces responded with firearms, but all resistance members retreated without casualties. Regime forces killed in surprise attack in Sagaing Resistance fighters attack regime targets from a moving vehicle in Monywa Township on Wednesday. Resistance group Monywa Natsoe claimed to have killed two soldiers and injured two others in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday when it and two resistance groups conducted a surprise attack on 50 junta sentries in an industrial zone. There were no resistance casualties, though the regime forces responded with firearms. The video shows resistance fighters attacking regime targets at close range from a moving vehicle. Junta suffers heavy losses in resistance attacks in Magwe At least 13 regime forces were killed in Pakokku Township, Magwe Region on Tuesday when local resistance groups conducted mine ambushes and drone strikes on regime targets, according to the resistance groups. On Tuesday morning, five local resistance groups used drones to drop bombs on regime forces performing security duty on the Pakkoku-Kamma road. The resistance groups also triggered land mines to attack regime forces trying to remove mines planted in the road by the resistance groups. Four regime forces were killed in the attacks and two junta logistics vehicles were seized by the resistance groups. That evening, Pakokku PDF and another PDF group triggered land mines to ambush a military unit of 300 troops performing security duty for a military convoy traveling from Saw Township to the militarys Division 101 based in Pakokku. In the ambushes, nine junta troops were killed and 13 others injured, claimed Pakokku PDF. Later, the PDF groups continued to ambush the military convoys with land mines, damaging a vehicle. Officer of junta Border Guard Force, wife killed in Mon Kyaikhto Revolution Force (KRF) said it and another resistance group killed army Captain Win Soe from the juntas Border Guard Force (BGF) and his wife in Kyaikhto Township, Mon State on Thursday morning. The couple were attacked while traveling in a vehicle. Two weapons, a mobile phone and some documents were seized from the couple. The KRF said the captain was notorious for operating gambling businesses and an illicit vehicle-trading business. He also arbitrarily shot dead a youth at a funeral and seized 300 acres (121.4 hectares) of farmland belonging to local residents. Additionally, he cooperated with junta forces in cutting the power supply to villages where residents are taking part in a nationwide protest by refusing to pay taxes to the military regime. The captain was also accused of supporting the junta by arresting anti-regime activists. Junta police patrol ambushed in Bago Two junta policemen were killed and a police officer and a womanwho had eloped with one of the officerswere injured in Nattalin Township, Bago Region on Tuesday night when Phoenix Defense Force (Natallin PDF) triggered land mines to ambush a six-member police patrol team from Taung Nyo police station, said the resistance group. The police officers, who were accompanied by the woman, were ambushed while they were returning on three motorbikes after patrolling in a village. Two motorbikes were also destroyed. On Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami was monitoring three systems in the tropics plus issuing a new advisory on Tropical Storm Franklin, expected to become a hurricane. The NHC is advising residents in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, as well as western Cuba, and Florida to monitor the progress of a broad area of low pressure which is expected to move into an area where environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development and chances are high 70 percent that a tropical depression is likely to form late this weekend or early next week it moves into eastern Gulf of Mexico. A system, AL92, in the central Tropical Atlantic between the Cabo Verde Islands and the northern Lesser Antilles is expected to gradually develop and the NHC says there is a 50 percent chance a tropical depression could form by early next week while the system moves northwestward. The remnants of former Tropical Storm Emily is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms and the NHC says conditions are becoming less favorable for development as it is expected to merge with a frontal boundary over the north central Atlantic during the weekend. Formation chances are 30 percent. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Franklin, which as of 5 a.m. was located 215 miles ENE of the Grand Turk Island, is moving ENE at 6 miles per hour with 60 miles per hour winds and higher gusts. The NHC expects Franklin to strengthen over the weekend and is forecast to become a hurricane Saturday as it makes a sharp turn toward the north. For more on Franklin, click here. Friday, Aug 25th, 2023 (11:32 am) - Score 1,272 Network builder and UK broadband ISP Hyperoptic, which has so far extended their gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP/B) network to cover over 1.2 million homes (275,000+ customers), have announced that theyve snapped up Liberty Global veteran Duncan Macdonald to be their new Chief Technology Innovation Officer (CTIO). The operator, which recently announced a number of redundancies and appeared to suffer a slowdown in their pace of build (here), currently expects to cover 2 million premises with their network by some point in 2024 (the previous target was for the end of 2023). NOTE: KKR acquired a majority (75%) equity stake in KKR acquired a majority (75%) equity stake in Hyperoptic during 2019 ( here ) and the operator, which is home to 2,000 employees, has so far secured 600m in debt to fund its growth. Otherwise, the new CTIO is said to have 25 years of experience in the telecom industry, with the last 16 years as part of the Liberty Global group. Duncans most recent role was CIO at Liberty Global-owned Sunrise, in Switzerland, and at Swiss cable operator UPC Schweiz before that. He played a central role within Liberty Global between 2016 and 2018, managing consumer IT across 11 European Telcos, having overseen a large-scale transformation of the mobile IT stack for Virgin Media in the UK. Hyperoptic Founder and CEO, Dana Tobak, said: Duncan is committed to driving real business impact through the CTIO role, and he has the experience, expertise and attitude to push Hyperoptic to the next level of performance and efficiency. We continue to grow our network, our customer base and our profile, and Duncan will play an important role in supporting that growth as part of a very talented and experienced leadership team. Customers of the service typically pay from 25 per month on a 24-month term (plus 29 activation) for a 50Mbps package, which rises to 45 for their top 1Gbps plan with free activation (currently free for the first 3 months of service). The provider also offers a social tariff for those on benefits. As a side note. The figure of 1.2m homes mentioned in this announcement is only a tiny improvement on the 1.15m stated in February 2023, which leads us to suspect that it may just be a rounding of the original figure, rather than an accurate update of their build progress since earlier this year. Hyperoptic plan to issue an updated build figure sometime next month. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Reddit 2 Email 138 Shares Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The tactic of staring sternly into the camera in defiance when having a mug shot taken after being charged and arrested as a criminal is hardly new with Donald John Trump, who surrendered to authorities in Fulton County, Georgia, Thursday. Article continues after bonus IC video The Young Turks: Donald Trump Turns Himself In At Fulton County Jail Alphonse Scarface Capone (d. 1947) was a liquor smuggler in Chicago and head of an organized crime conspiracy in that city. When bars declined to take their covert supplies under the table from Capone, he had them blown up. Some 100 persons died in this massive terror campaign, and they were only a small number of his victims. This is how he tried to present himself in one of his mug shots sober, unworried, defiant. In fact, he was an impetuous, vain, violent man. Like Trump, Inc., he did not pay his taxes, and ultimately went down for it. Embed from Getty Images 1920s Prison Mug Shot Of Gangster Scarface Al Capone Looking At Camera Chicago Illinois US. (Photo by Charles Phelps Cushing/Classicstock/Getty Images) Or heres a young John Gotti, looking distinctly unreformed and unreformable. He became an enforcer for the Gambino family in New York, specializing in narcotics trafficking and loansharking, not to mention murder. In fact, he took over the Gambino crime family after having his competition removed. In 1985, he had his rival for the top post, Aniello Dellacroce, gunned down in front of a restaurant, in the same way that Trump tried to erase Joe Bidens presidential victory by violence on the part of his shock troops. In 1990, FBI agents and NYPD detectives, having carefully built a case against him with authorized electronic surveillance and using his close associate Sammy the Bull Gravano as an informant, arrested Gotti on multiple counts of racketeering, extortion, jury tampering, and other crimes. Here is another similarity to Trump, who was also charged with racketeering. Like Gotti, Trump was viewed as likely to threaten and tamper with the jury. In Gottis case the jurors remained anonymous. Embed from Getty Images In this handout, Italian-American gangster John Gotti (1940 2002) in a mug shot, US, 30th March 1965. (Photo by Kypros/Getty Images) Finally, let us consider another populist politician, this time a Democrat, James Traficant of Ohio. A sitting congressman, he was convicted in 2002 of 10 counts of racketeering, bribery and fraud. Traficant defended John Demjanjuk, a retired auto worker who was accused of having been a Nazi prison camp guard and who was extradited to Germany. He stood against foreclosure on some of his constituents homes. But he was thought to be in the back pocket of organized crime in northern Ohio. In a different era, he hit some of the same notes of popular discontent as Trump later would. But like Trump, he was corrupt to the core and his methods were often criminal. Like Trump, no one knew what to make of his hair. He does not look so much angry in his mug shot as smug and confident, unbowed, and in a way defiant. He insisted on defending himself at his trial. There is an old saw that a man who defends himself has a fool for a client. He lost badly, and became the first representative to be expelled from Congress since the Civil War era. There may be another parallel here, in that Trump may end up being ineligible for office because of his various crimes, according to the 14th amendment. Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2023) - Sailfish Royalty Corp. (TSXV: FISH) (OTCQX: SROYF) (the "Company" or "Sailfish") is pleased to announce its operating and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 ("Q2 2023"). All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. Q2 2023 Highlights: Gold ounces earned of 268 and 628 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 (345 and 734 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022); Revenues of $$529,648 and $1,206,126 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 ($646,859 and $1,369,424 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022); Gross profit of $292,348 and $658,528 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 ($349,757 and $713,017 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022); Net loss of $434,676 and $1,044,232 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 (net loss of $885,833 and $682,380 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022); Repurchased for cancellation an aggregate of 322,200 common shares of the Company under the current normal course issuer bid for the six months ended June 30, 2023; and Declared quarterly dividends of $0.0125 per common share on March 14, 2023 and June 13, 2023, which were paid on April 17, 2023 and July 17, 2023, respectively. Paolo Lostritto, Chief Executive Officer of Sailfish states that, "During Q2 2023, Sailfish received and sold 628 ounces of gold from the gold stream equivalent to a 3% NSR on the San Albino gold mine. In addition to the gold ounces received from the gold stream, the Company received and sold 68,240 ounces of silver from its loan receivable for proceeds of approximately $1.6M which represented 57% of the Company's cash inflow for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Based on the Silver Purchase Agreement secured during the first half of the year, we expect increased leverage to the price of silver during the second half of 2023. The Company continues to return its capital to shareholders through its quarterly dividend payment and NCIB purchases." Summary of Quarterly Results: Three months ended June 30, 2023 Three months ended June 30, 2022 Six months ended June 31, 2023 Six months ended June 31, 2022 Condensed interim consolidated statements of comprehensive loss $ $ Revenues 529,648 646,859 1,206,126 1,369,424 Gross profit 292,348 349,757 658,528 713,017 Net loss (434,676 ) (885,833 ) (1,044,232 ) (682,380 ) Basic loss per share (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) Diluted loss per share (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) For complete details, please refer to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 and associated Management Discussion and Analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) or on the Company's website (www.sailfishroyalty.com). Subsequent to Q2 2023 Highlights: On July 26, 2023, the Company announced that on April 6, 2023, the United States Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") acknowledged receipt of a Plan of Operations and Nevada Reclamation Permit Application ("PO") for the Spring Valley Mine Project ("Spring Valley") and confirmed that it is technically complete under the terms of the relevant permitting statutes. The PO was filed with the BLM on March 7, 2023 and proposes the development of an open pit mine, heap leach facilities and related operations and facilities at Spring Valley. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, the Company received 34,272 ounces of silver pertaining to loan receivable payments. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, the Company announced its intention to make a normal course issuer bid to repurchase for cancellation, up to 3,547,390 shares in its own capital stock during the period commencing July 18, 2023 to July 17, 2024. About Sailfish Sailfish is a precious metals royalty and streaming company. Within Sailfish's portfolio are three main assets in the Americas: a gold stream equivalent to a 3% NSR on the San Albino gold mine (~3.5 sq. km) and a 2% NSR on the rest of the area (~134.5 sq. km) surrounding San Albino in northern Nicaragua; an up to 3% NSR on the multi-million ounce Spring Valley gold project in Pershing County, Nevada; and a 100% interest in the Gavilanes Silver Project located in Durango State, Mexico. Sailfish is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "FISH" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "SROYF". Please visit the Company's website at www.sailfishroyalty.com for additional information. For further information: Paolo Lostritto, CEO, tel. 416-602-2645 or Bryan McKenzie, CFO, tel. 604-443-3834. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information Certain disclosures in this release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as the following: expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, assumes, potential and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include reference to events or conditions that will, would, may, could or should occur, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expectation that the Company will pay quarterly dividends in line with the Company's annual dividend policy and repurchase common shares under the current NCIB. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company will pay quarterly dividends in line with the Company's annual dividend policy and repurchase common shares under the current NCIB. However, the forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including without limitation that the Company will not pay quarterly dividends in line with the Company's annual dividend policy or repurchase common shares under the current NCIB. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. CALGARY, AB TheNewswire - August 25, 2023 - San Lorenzo Gold Corp. ("San Lorenzo" or the "Company") (TSXV:SLG) (OTC:SNLGF) is pleased to announce plans to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 8,333,333 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.12 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the "Offering"). There is no minimum Offering. Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share of the Company ("Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Common Share for $0.18 for a period of 18 months from the date of closing of the Offering. San Lorenzo may pay a cash commission or finder's fee to qualified non-related parties of up to 8% of the gross proceeds of the Offering (up to $80,000) payable in cash together with the issuance of broker warrants representing 8% of the Common Shares issued in connection with the Offering ("Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Common Share for $0.12 for a period of 18 months following closing of the Offering. The proceeds of the Offering will be used for working capital purposes including the costs associated with commencing the next phase of drilling at Salvadora. The Offering is being offered to all of the existing shareholders of the Company who are permitted to subscribe pursuant to the existing shareholder exemption. The Company set August 24, 2023, as the record date for determining existing shareholders entitled to subscribe for Units pursuant to the existing shareholder exemption and anticipates that the Offering may close in tranches with the final closing to occur on or about September 8, 2023. The existing securityholder exemption limits a shareholder to a maximum investment of $15,000 in a 12-month period unless the shareholder has obtained advice regarding the suitability of the investment and, if the shareholder is resident in a jurisdiction of Canada, that advice has been obtained from a person that is registered as an investment dealer in the jurisdiction. If the Company receives subscriptions from investors relying on the existing shareholder exemption exceeding the maximum amount of the Offering, the Company intends to adjust the subscriptions received on a pro-rata basis. Any existing shareholders interested in participating in the Offering should contact the Company using the contact information set forth below. It is expected that certain directors and officers of the Company will participate in the Offering. As the Company is also relying on the exemption for sales to purchasers advised by investment dealers, it confirms that there is no material fact or material change about the Company which has not been generally disclosed. In addition to offering the Units pursuant to the existing shareholder exemption and the Exemption for Sales to Purchasers Advised by Investment Dealers, the Units are also being offered pursuant to other available prospectus exemptions, including sales to accredited investors. Units will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Completion of the Offering is subject to regulatory approval including, but not limited to, the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Common Shares and Warrants issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month and a day hold period from the date of the closing of the Offering. For further information on the Company, readers are referred to the Company's website at www.sanlorenzogold.com and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About San Lorenzo Gold Corp. San Lorenzo Gold is involved in the exploration and advancement of mineral properties. The Company currently has three 100% owned properties in Chile: Salvadora, Nancagua and Punta Alta. The Salvadora property is subject of a recent drill program (see NR June 15, 2023 and August 3, 2023) of which the assay results are due in the next few weeks. The property is on trend with the El Salvador mine located 15km to the NW, which has been in production for over 60 years. The property currently has 5 zones of interest (with only 3 having been drilled to date) and is being explored for large scale copper-gold porphyry targets and high-grade epithermal gold-silver-copper vein systems. Nancagua is a high grade mesothermal gold-silver prospect and Punta Alta is an IOCG prospect with related disseminated and vein style copper-gold-silver-cobalt mineralization. For further information, please contact: Gordon Aldcorn, VP Corporate Development Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ph: 403-618-6507 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the control of San Lorenzo. All statements included herein other than statements of historical fact, including statements pertaining to the completion of the Offering, receipt of regulatory approvals and the proposed use of proceeds, are forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information involves various risks and uncertainties, including the risk that the TSX Venture Exchange does not approve the private placement. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, San Lorenzo does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. VANCOUVER, British Columbia / Aug 24, 2023 / Business Wire / Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) ("Pan American" or the "Company") reports its estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023, inclusive of the assets acquired through the Yamana Gold Inc. ("Yamana") transaction. Please see the Company's news release dated March 31, 2023, announcing the completion of the Yamana transaction for further information. Proven and probable mineral reserves are estimated to contain approximately 576.6 million ounces of silver and 12.9 million ounces of gold. Measured and indicated ("M&I") mineral resources (excluding proven and probable reserves) are estimated to total approximately 959.1 million ounces of silver and 17.5 million ounces of gold. Inferred mineral resources total 479.4 million ounces of silver and 9.2 million ounces of gold. "The addition of the assets from the Yamana transaction has resulted in a significant increase in Pan American's reserve and resource base," said Christopher Emerson, Pan Americans Vice President of Exploration and Geology. "Our exploration and geology teams are currently designing the drill programs across the combined portfolio with an emphasis on near site exploration and further resource conversion. Pan American plans to complete over 480,000 metres of drilling in 2023." Consolidated Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, as at June 30, 2023(1,2,3) Segment Category Tonnes (Mt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (Moz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (Moz) Silver Segment(4) Proven Reserves 18.1 260 150.7 0.69 0.18 Probable Reserves 34.3 281 310.1 0.53 0.46 Proven and Probable Reserves 52.3 274 460.8 0.57 0.64 Gold Segment(5) Proven Reserves 450.6 5 57.5 0.49 7.17 Probable Reserves 379.0 5 58.3 0.42 5.13 Proven and Probable Reserves 829.6 5 115.8 0.46 12.30 Total Segments(6,7) Proven Reserves 468.7 16 208.2 0.50 7.35 Probable Reserves 413.2 31 368.5 0.43 5.60 Proven and Probable Reserves 881.9 23 576.6 0.47 12.94 (1) See table below entitled "Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023". (2) Please refer to the mineral reserve and resource tables by operation at the end of this news release for more information. (3) This summary table does not include base metal grades or contents. Please refer to the Reserves & Resources page on Pan Americans web site for a more complete table, including Zinc, Lead and Copper grades and contents. (4) Silver Segment comprised of Huaron, Morococha, La Colorada, San Vicente, Escobal and Cerro Moro. (5) Gold Segment comprised of La Arena, Shahuindo, Dolores, Timmins, Minera Florida, El Penon, Jacobina, MARA and Jeronimo. (6) Totals may not add up due to rounding. Total average grades of each metal are with respect to those mines that produce the metal. (7) As announced on July 31, 2023, and subsequent to the effective date of the mineral reserve and mineral resource update as at June 30, 2023, Pan American had entered into binding agreements to divest Morococha, MARA and Jeronimo. The corresponding mineral reserves and mineral resources will be removed on completion of those transactions. Consolidated Mineral Resources, as at June 30, 2023(1,2,3,4) Segment Category Tonnes (Mt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (Moz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (Moz) Silver Segment(5) Measured Resources 21.8 157 110.2 0.62 0.07 Indicated Resources 257.2 96 796.4 0.49 0.30 M&I Resources 279.1 101 906.6 0.51 0.37 Gold Segment(6) Measured Resources 380.2 9 16.4 0.56 6.82 Indicated Resources 823.4 8 36.2 0.39 10.27 M&I Resources 1,203.6 8 52.6 0.44 17.09 Total Segments(7,8) Measured Resources 402.0 52 126.6 0.56 6.89 Indicated Resources 1,080.6 64 832.5 0.39 10.56 M&I Resources 1,482.7 62 959.1 0.44 17.46 (1) See table below entitled "Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023". (2) Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves. (3) Please refer to the mineral reserve and resource tables by operation at the end of this news release for more information. (4) This summary table does not include base metal grades or contents. Please refer to the Reserves & Resources page on Pan Americans web site for a more complete table, including Zinc, Lead and Copper grades and contents. (5) Silver Segment comprised of Huaron, Morococha, La Colorada, San Vicente, Escobal and Cerro Moro. (6) Gold Segment comprised of La Arena, Shahuindo, Dolores, Timmins, Minera Florida, El Penon, Jacobina, MARA and Jeronimo. (7) Totals may not add up due to rounding. Total average grades of each metal are with respect to those mines that produce the metal. (8) As announced on July 31, 2023, and subsequent to the effective date of the mineral reserve and mineral resource update as at June 30, 2023, Pan American had entered into binding agreements to divest Morococha, MARA and Jeronimo. The corresponding mineral reserves and mineral resources will be removed on completion of those transactions. Consolidated Inferred Mineral Resources, as at June 30, 2023(1,2,3,4) Segment Category Tonnes (Mt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (Moz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (Moz) Silver Segment(5) Inferred Resources 224.3 58 417.7 0.63 0.36 Gold Segment(6) Inferred Resources 649.6 4 61.6 0.42 8.88 Total Segments(7,8) Inferred Resources 873.9 22 479.4 0.43 9.24 (1) See table below entitled "Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023". (2) Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves. (3) Please refer to the mineral reserve and resource tables by operation at the end of this news release for more information. (4) This summary table does not include base metal grades or contents. Please refer to the Reserves & Resources page on Pan Americans web site for a more complete table, including Zinc, Lead and Copper grades and contents. (5) Silver Segment comprised of Huaron, Morococha, La Colorada, San Vicente, Escobal and Cerro Moro. (6) Gold Segment comprised of La Arena, Shahuindo, Dolores, Timmins, Minera Florida, El Penon, Jacobina, MARA and Jeronimo. (7) Totals may not add up due to rounding. Total average grades of each metal are with respect to those mines that produce the metal. (8) As announced on July 31, 2023, and subsequent to the effective date of the mineral reserve and mineral resource update as at June 30, 2023, Pan American had entered into binding agreements to divest Morococha, MARA and Jeronimo. The corresponding mineral reserves and mineral resources will be removed on completion of those transactions. Mineral resource estimate for the La Colorada Skarn, as at September 13, 2022, and previously reported: Classification Cut-off Value (US$/tonne) Tonnes (Mt) Zinc % Lead % Silver (g/t) Indicated 45 95.9 2.77 1.28 31 Inferred 45 147.8 2.29 1.04 28 (1) See table below entitled "Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023". (2) See news release dated September 14, 2022 for further information. Pan American plans to provide an update for the La Colorada Skarn mineral resource estimate and a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Skarn project, as part of an updated Technical Report for the La Colorada Property to be released late 2023. Consolidated reserve and resource highlights for the 12 months ended June 30, 2023: Silver mineral reserves increased from 515 million ounces to 577 million ounces, net of mining depletion. Gold mineral reserves increased from 3.6 million ounces to 12.9 million ounces. M&I mineral resources exclusive of proven and probable mineral reserves increased from 839 million ounces to 959 million ounces for silver and from 8.1 million ounces to 17.5 million ounces for gold. The marked increase in year-over-year mineral reserves and M&I mineral resources reflects the inclusion of the mineral resource and mineral reserves for the assets acquired through the Yamana transaction. Inferred silver mineral resource decreased from 508 million ounces to 479 million ounces, which reflects the removal of the inferred mineral resource for the Shahuindo sulphides following metallurgical test work that indicated that the resource would not have a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction, as described in the technical report for Shahuindo dated November 30, 2022. Inferred gold mineral resource increased from 5.7 million ounces to 9.2 million ounces, largely through the inclusion of the inferred mineral resources of the assets acquired through the Yamana transaction. A detailed summary of the silver and gold mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023 is provided in the following tables. Consolidated Pan American Mineral Reserves as at June 30, 2023(1,2) Property Location Classification Tonnes (Mt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (Moz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (koz) Silver Segment Huaron Peru Proven 6.0 174 33.4 -- -- Probable 3.3 166 17.5 -- -- Morococha (92.3%)(3,4) Peru Proven 3.3 156 16.6 -- -- Probable 3.3 158 16.6 -- -- La Colorada Mexico Proven 5.0 296 47.2 0.21 33.8 Probable 4.2 292 39.1 0.19 25.3 San Vicente (95%)(3) Bolivia Proven 0.7 341 8.2 -- -- Probable 0.7 278 6.4 -- -- Escobal Guatemala Proven 2.5 486 39.5 0.42 34.2 Probable 22.1 316 225.0 0.34 243.8 Cerro Moro Argentina Proven 0.5 330 5.7 6.33 109.7 Probable 0.7 237 5.6 8.18 192.2 Total Silver Segment(5) 52.3 274 460.8 0.57 639.1 Gold Segment La Arena Peru Proven 15.1 -- -- 0.38 183.4 Probable 17.5 -- -- 0.28 159.7 Shahuindo Peru Proven 58.8 8 15.1 0.51 967.8 Probable 33.6 6 6.8 0.40 436.8 Dolores Mexico Proven 6.3 17 3.4 0.53 108.6 Probable 1.3 24 1.0 0.53 22.1 Timmins Canada Proven 5.0 -- -- 2.93 473.5 Probable 4.7 -- -- 2.80 419.4 Minera Florida Chile Proven 0.9 26 0.7 3.25 89.6 Probable 2.0 20 1.3 3.28 210.6 El Penon Chile Proven 0.9 213 6.2 5.35 155.6 Probable 5.2 148 24.6 4.21 699.5 Jacobina Brazil Proven 27.0 -- -- 2.00 1,737.8 Probable 21.3 -- -- 2.06 1,404.8 MARA (56.25%)(4) Argentina Proven 330.3 3 32.1 0.25 2,654.8 Probable 291.2 3 24.6 0.16 1,497.7 Jeronimo (57.0%)(4) Chile Proven 6.4 -- -- 3.91 798.3 Probable 2.3 -- -- 3.79 284.1 Total Gold Segment(5) 829.6 5 115.8 0.46 12,304.2 Total Gold and Silver Segments(5) Proven + Probable 881.9 23 576.6 0.47 12,943.3 (1) See table below entitled "Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023". (2) This summary table does not include base metal grades or contents. Please refer to the Reserves & Resources page on Pan Americans web site for a more complete table, including Zinc, Lead and Copper grades and contents. (3) This information represents the portion of mineral reserves attributable to Pan American based on its ownership interest in the operating entity as indicated. (4) As announced on July 31, 2023, and subsequent to the effective date of the mineral reserve and mineral resource update as at June 30, 2023, Pan American had entered into binding agreements to divest Morococha, MARA and Jeronimo. The corresponding mineral reserves and mineral resources will be removed on completion of those transactions. (5) Totals may not add up due to rounding. Total average grades of each metal are with respect to those mines that produce the metal. Pan American Silver Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2023(1,2,3) Property Location Classification Tonnes (Mt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (Moz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (koz) Silver Segment Huaron Peru Measured 1.4 180 8.2 -- -- Indicated 1.8 173 10.2 -- -- Morococha (92.3%)(4,5) Peru Measured 0.6 130 2.7 -- -- Indicated 0.7 124 3.0 -- -- La Colorada Mexico Measured 0.7 153 3.6 0.13 3.0 Indicated 2.5 182 14.6 0.19 15.0 San Vicente (95%)(4) Bolivia Measured 0.8 200 5.1 -- -- Indicated 0.3 213 1.9 -- -- Manantial Espejo Argentina Measured 0.3 164 1.7 2.40 24.7 Indicated 1.0 149 4.9 2.79 91.5 Joaquin Argentina Measured 0.1 360 1.5 0.28 1.2 Indicated 0.4 351 4.2 0.28 3.4 Escobal Guatemala Measured 2.3 251 18.6 0.23 16.7 Indicated 14.2 201 91.6 0.20 93.0 La Colorada Skarn Mexico Indicated 95.9 31 94.4 -- -- Navidad Argentina Measured 15.4 137 67.8 -- -- Indicated 139.8 126 564.5 -- -- Cerro Moro Argentina Measured 0.1 287 1.1 7.09 26.5 Indicated 0.6 349 7.1 4.57 93.0 Total Silver Segment(6) 279.1 101 906.6 0.51 368.0 Gold Segment La Arena Peru Measured 1.2 -- -- 0.25 9.5 Indicated 2.1 -- -- 0.16 11.1 Shahuindo Peru Measured 5.4 6 1.1 0.31 53.6 Indicated 7.1 5 1.2 0.33 75.8 Dolores Mexico Measured 5.5 23 4.0 0.33 57.7 Indicated 0.7 70 1.5 1.35 28.7 Timmins Canada Measured 2.6 -- -- 2.77 233.0 Indicated 2.3 -- -- 2.48 185.4 La Bolsa Mexico Measured 10.8 10 3.5 0.70 242.8 Indicated 10.6 8 2.7 0.54 184.3 Pico Machay Peru Measured 4.7 -- -- 0.91 137.5 Indicated 5.9 -- -- 0.67 127.1 La Arena II Peru Measured 154.1 -- -- 0.25 1,255.4 Indicated 554.6 -- -- 0.23 4,044.9 Whitney (82.8%)(4) Canada Measured 0.8 -- -- 7.02 180.7 Indicated 1.9 -- -- 6.77 406.3 Gold River Canada Indicated 0.7 -- -- 5.29 117.4 Marlhill Canada Indicated 0.4 -- -- 4.52 57.4 Vogel Canada Indicated 2.2 -- -- 1.75 125.0 Minera Florida Chile Measured 1.7 18 1.0 3.21 172.6 Indicated 4.5 18 2.6 3.32 481.3 El Penon Chile Measured 1.1 146 5.2 4.10 145.2 Indicated 6.7 99 21.3 3.04 650.2 Jacobina Brazil Measured 49.1 -- -- 1.61 2,541.3 Indicated 45.3 -- -- 1.48 2,162.4 MARA Agua Rica (56.25%)(5) Argentina Measured 30.2 2 1.5 0.13 126.0 Indicated 116.0 2 6.9 0.11 410.4 MARA Alumbrera (56.25%)(5) Argentina Measured 65.3 -- -- 0.31 650.8 Indicated 5.2 -- -- 0.29 48.1 Jeronimo (57.0%)(5) Chile Measured 0.8 -- -- 3.77 93.6 Indicated 0.4 -- -- 3.69 45.7 La Pepa (80.0%) Chile Measured 47.1 -- -- 0.61 922.8 Indicated 52.3 -- -- 0.49 824.3 Lavra Velha Brazil Indicated 4.5 -- -- 1.96 282.1 Total Gold Segment(6) 1,203.6 8 52.6 0.44 17,090.1 Total Gold and Silver Segments(6) Measured + Indicated 1,482.7 62 959.1 0.44 17,458.1 (1) See table below entitled "Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023". (2) Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves. (3) This summary table does not include base metal grades or contents. Please refer to the Reserves & Resources page on Pan Americans web site for a more complete table, including Zinc, Lead and Copper grades and contents. (4) This information represents the portion of mineral resources attributable to Pan American based on its ownership interest in the operating entity as indicated. (5) As announced on July 31, 2023, and subsequent to the effective date of the mineral reserve and mineral resource update as at June 30, 2023, Pan American had entered into binding agreements to divest Morococha, MARA and Jeronimo. The corresponding mineral reserves and mineral resources will be removed on completion of those transactions. (6) Totals may not add up due to rounding. Total average grades of each metal are with respect to those mines that produce the metal. Pan American Inferred Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2023(1,2,3) Property Location Classification Tonnes (Mt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (Moz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (koz) Silver Segment Huaron Peru Inferred 5.9 164 31.2 -- -- Morococha (92.3%)(4,5) Peru Inferred 5.2 143 24.0 -- -- La Colorada Mexico Inferred 14.7 174 82.2 0.20 93.0 San Vicente (95%)(4) Bolivia Inferred 1.5 188 9.2 -- -- Manantial Espejo Argentina Inferred 0.5 106 1.8 1.49 25.2 Joaquin Argentina Inferred 0.2 280 1.4 0.25 1.2 Escobal Guatemala Inferred 1.9 180 10.7 0.90 53.7 La Colorada Skarn Mexico Inferred 147.8 28 132.9 -- -- Navidad Argentina Inferred 45.9 81 119.4 -- -- Cerro Moro Argentina Inferred 0.7 220 4.9 8.66 191.6 Total Silver Segment(6) 224.3 58 417.7 0.63 364.8 Gold Segment La Arena Peru Inferred 5.8 -- -- 0.23 43.4 Shahuindo Peru Inferred 10.1 8 2.4 0.38 124.4 Dolores Mexico Inferred 1.3 40 1.7 1.18 50.3 Timmins Canada Inferred 3.8 -- -- 3.11 383.5 La Bolsa Mexico Inferred 13.7 8 3.3 0.51 224.6 Pico Machay Peru Inferred 23.9 -- -- 0.58 445.7 La Arena II Peru Inferred 68.2 -- -- 0.21 454.6 Whitney (82.8 %)(4) Canada Inferred 0.8 -- -- 5.34 141.4 Gold River Canada Inferred 5.3 -- -- 6.06 1,027.4 Vogel Canada Inferred 1.5 -- -- 3.60 168.8 Minera Florida Chile Inferred 4.9 15 2.4 2.93 461.1 El Penon Chile Inferred 18.5 51 30.0 1.36 804.5 Jacobina Brazil Inferred 40.1 -- -- 1.56 2,014.7 MARA Agua Rica (56.25%)(5) Argentina Inferred 417.9 2 21.8 0.09 1,209.2 MARA Alumbrera (56.25%)(5) Argentina Inferred 1.7 -- -- 0.23 12.6 Jeronimo (57.0%)(5) Chile Inferred 1.1 -- -- 4.49 161.4 La Pepa (80.0%) Chile Inferred 20.0 -- -- 0.46 296.1 Lavra Velha Brazil Inferred 4.7 -- -- 1.56 238.0 Arco Sul Brazil Inferred 6.2 -- -- 3.08 614.2 Total Gold Segment(6) 649.6 4 61.6 0.42 8,875.9 Total Gold and Silver Segments(6) Inferred 873.9 22 479.4 0.43 9,240.7 (1) See table below entitled "Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023". (2) Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves. (3) This summary table does not include base metal grades or contents. Please refer to the Reserves & Resources page on Pan Americans web site for a more complete table, including Zinc, Lead and Copper grades and contents. (4) This information represents the portion of mineral resources attributable to Pan American based on its ownership interest in the operating entity as indicated. (5) As announced on July 31, 2023, and subsequent to the effective date of the mineral reserve and mineral resource update as at June 30, 2023, Pan American had entered into binding agreements to divest Morococha, MARA and Jeronimo. The corresponding mineral reserves and mineral resources will be removed on completion of those transactions. (6) Totals may not add up due to rounding. Total average grades of each metal are with respect to those mines that produce the metal. Metal price assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources as at June 30, 2023 Mine Category Ag US$/oz Au US$/oz Cu US$/t Pb US$/t Zn US$/t Huaron All categories 19.00 1,300 7,000 2,000 2,600 Morococha All categories 19.00 1,300 7,000 2,000 2,600 La Colorada All categories 19.00 1,300 7,000 2,000 2,600 La Colorada Skarn Resource 22.00 2,200 2,800 Dolores Reserves 19.00 1,600 Resources 22.00 1,700 La Bolsa All categories 14.00 825 Manantial Espejo Resources 22.00 1,700 San Vicente All categories 19.00 1,300 7,000 2,000 2,600 Navidad All categories 12.52 1,100 Pico Machay All categories 700 Joaquin Resources 22.00 1,700 Escobal All categories 20.00 1,300 2,204 2,424 Shahuindo Reserves 19.00 1,500 Resources 22.00 1,700 La Arena Reserves 19.00 1,500 Resources 22.00 1,700 La Arena II All categories 1,500 8,816 Bell Creek All categories 19.00 1,500 Timmins All categories 19.00 1,500 Whitney Resources 1,200 Gold River Resources 1,200 Marlhill Resources 1,125 Vogel Inside pit 1,150 Below pit 1,150 Jacobina Reserves 1,500 Resources 1,700 Cerro Moro Reserves 19.00 1,600 Resources 22.00 1,700 El Penon Reserves 18.00 1,250 Resources 18.00 1,250 Minera Florida Reserves 19.00 1,500 2,600 Resources 22.00 1,700 2,800 Jeronimo Reserves 900 Resources 900 MARA Agua Rica Reserves 18.00 1,250 6,613 Resources 24.00 1,600 8,818 MARA Alumbrera Resources 1,300 6,239 Arco Sul Resources 1,250 La Pepa Resources 1,650 Lavra Velha Resources 1,650 General Notes with Respect to Technical Information All mineral reserves and mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument 43-101. Mineral resources are reported exclusives of mineral reserves. Pan American does not expect these mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates to be materially affected by metallurgical, environmental, permitting, legal, taxation, socio-economic, political, and marketing or other relevant issues. The Company has undertaken a verification process with respect to the data disclosed in this news release. The mineral resource and mineral reserves databases comprising drilling and, in some cases, surface and underground sampling, have been compiled at each of the Pan American mine sites by the qualified staff. All the assay data used in the resource evaluation provided by each of the mines has been subjected to the industry standard quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program including the submission of certified standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. The results are reviewed monthly by management. The results of the QA/QC samples submitted for the resource databases demonstrate acceptable accuracy and precision. The Qualified Person is of the opinion that the sample preparation, analytical, and security procedures followed for the samples are sufficient and reliable for the purpose of this mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates. Pan American is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data reported herein. For additional information regarding Pan American's material mineral properties prior to the completion of the acquisition of Yamana, including detailed information concerning associated QA/QC and data verification matters, the key assumptions, parameters and methods (collectively, the "Assumptions and Methods") used by Pan American to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources, and for a detailed description of known legal, political, environmental, and other risks that could materially affect the Pan Americans business and the potential development of the Pan Americans mineral reserves and mineral resources, please refer to Pan Americans Annual Information Form dated February 22, 2023, filed at www.sedarplus.ca, or Pan American's most recent Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). For further information about the material mineral projects acquired pursuant to the acquisition of Yamana, including detailed information concerning associated Assumptions and Methods, and for a detailed description of known legal, political, environmental, and other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral reserves and mineral resources, please refer to Yamanas Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2023, filed at www.sedarplus.ca, or Yamanas most recent Form 40-F filed with the SEC. Quantities and grades of contained metal are shown before metallurgical recoveries. There may be non-material changes to the Assumptions and Methods between the date of the most recent Annual Information Forms filed for each of Pan American and Yamana and this date of this news release. Technical information contained in this news release with respect to Pan American has been reviewed and approved by Sebastien Bernier P. Geo., Senior Director, Reserves and Resources, Christopher Emerson, FAusIMM., Vice President of Exploration and Geology, and Martin Wafforn, P.Eng., Senior Vice President Technical Services and Process Optimization, who are each Qualified Persons for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Pan American Silver Corp. is authorized by The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia to engage in Reserved Practice under Permit to Practice number 1001470. About Pan American Pan American Silver is a leading producer of precious metals in the Americas, operating silver and gold mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. We also own the Escobal mine in Guatemala that is currently not operating, and we hold interests in exploration and development projects. We have been operating in the Americas for nearly three decades, earning an industry-leading reputation for sustainability performance, operational excellence and prudent financial management. We are headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. and our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "PAAS". Learn more at panamericansilver.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute 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 applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: estimated mineral reserve and mineral resource information; the expectation of the Company to provide an update relating to the La Colorada Skarn mineral resources, and the timing and results of any such update; estimated mine life and any anticipated changes related thereto; the extent of, and success related to any future exploration or development programs, including with respect to the La Colorada Skarn; expectations that metallurgical, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, political, marketing or other issues will not materially affect estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources; expectations regarding planned drilling in 2023, near site exploration and further resource conversion. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: the accuracy of our mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; ore grades and recoveries are as anticipated; prices for silver, gold, and base metals remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for our operations are received in a timely manner; our ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws; and that the COVID-19 pandemic, or other pandemics, do not materially impact underlying assumptions used in estimating mineral reserves and mineral resources, such as prices, the costs and availability of necessary labour, energy, supplies, materials and services, and exchange rates, among other things. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in silver, gold and base metal prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the PEN, MXN, ARS, BOL, CLP, BRL, GTQ and CAD versus the USD); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); employee relations; relationships with, and claims by, local communities and indigenous populations; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in the jurisdictions where we operate, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining, including in Chubut, Argentina, and in Guatemala; risks relating to expropriation; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; and those factors identified under the caption Risks Related to Pan Americans Business in the Companys most recent form 40-F and Annual Information Form filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities, respectively. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are designed to help readers understand managements current views of our near and longer term prospects and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. Cautionary Note to US Investors Regarding References to Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Unless otherwise indicated, all reserve and resource estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with Canadian NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the "CIM Standards"). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and reserve and resource information included herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this news release uses the terms measured resources, indicated resources and inferred resources as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Further to recent amendments, mineral property disclosure requirements in the United States (the U.S. Rules) are governed by subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) which differ from the CIM Standards. As a foreign private issuer that is eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system (the MJDS), Pan American is not required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the U.S. Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. If Pan American ceases to be a foreign private issuer or loses its eligibility to file its annual report on Form 40-F pursuant to the MJDS, then Pan American will be subject to the U.S. Rules, which differ from the requirements of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Pursuant to the new U.S. Rules, the SEC recognizes estimates of measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources and inferred mineral resources. In addition, the definitions of proven mineral reserves and probable mineral reserves under the U.S. Rules are now substantially similar to the corresponding standards under NI 43-101. Mineralization described using these terms has a greater amount of uncertainty as to its existence and feasibility than mineralization that has been characterized as reserves. Accordingly, U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources, or inferred mineral resources that Pan American reports are or will be economically or legally mineable. Further, inferred mineral resources have a greater amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. While the above terms under the U.S. Rules are substantially similar to the standards under NI 43-101 and CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the U.S. Rules and CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral resources that Pan American may report as proven mineral reserves, probable mineral reserves, measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources and inferred mineral resources under NI 43-101 would be the same had Pan American prepared the reserve or resource estimates under the standards adopted under the U.S. Rules. Russian supporters of Yevgeny Prigozhin gathered outside the Wagner headquarters in Saint Petersburg on Thursday to pay their respects to the mercenary group's boss, presumed dead after a mysterious plane crash. Prigozhin was branded a "traitor" by President Vladimir Putin after his short-lived rebellion against the conventional Russian army on June 23-24. But he remained popular among Russians, who acclaimed the battlefield achievements of the Wagner paramilitary group -- despite many accusations of abuses and war crimes. "You could say it's like losing your father," said Igor, one visitor to the building, who was wearing a hat with the Wagner logo and the national flag on it. "He was everything to us, because everyone was always waiting (for) what Uncle Zhenia (Prigozhin) was going to say." Like Igor, many Russians eagerly awaited Prigozhin's outspoken videos and audio messages on social media. The expletive-packed clips were a sharp contrast to the tightly controlled narrative of Russian officials. His verve and unbridled criticism of Russia's regular army had turned him into a cult figure for parts of Russian society -- and antagonised Moscow's top brass. Tensions degenerated into a violent but short-lived mutiny at the end of June. The rebellion ended with a deal, mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, under which Prigozhin was expected to move to neighbouring Belarus with some of his fighters. There was no mention of Prigozhin's rebellion -- or the ensuing public repudiation by Putin -- from the mourners laying red carnations in front of Wagner's glass-fronted multi-storey headquarters, opened last autumn to great fanfare. - 'An orphan' - They also avoided speculating on the reasons behind the crash of the plane, on which Wagner's operational chief Dmitry Utkin was also a passenger. Russian officials have launched a probe into the cause of the crash, but investigators gave no update on Thursday. Mourners however expressed a familial affection for the warlord, who spent years in prison in Soviet times before making a fortune through his catering business and later building Russia's most powerful private army. Pavel Zakharov compared Prigozhin to Charles de Gaulle, France's former president and head of the resistance against the Nazis. "You know, when in France President Charles de Gaulle died, it was said that France had become an orphan. "I can only say that for me tonight, it's probably Russia that has become an orphan," the 36-year-old said. Among the crowd was Natalya, a 31-year-old woman who arrived on a bike, a bouquet in hand. She said it felt as if she had lost a family member. "For us he had become like a friend, a brother. I think this is very significant moment for the soldiers today," she said. But some feared that Prigozhin's death would raise tensions in Russia. "I hope it will not become for our society some kind of red rag to a bull," said Natalya. - 'Logical news' - Some Muscovites were also mourning. "This is a great tragedy for our country," said Andrei Senkin, a 53-year-old businessman. "It is a very sad situation. We feel sorry for the heroes of our country [PMC Wagner], who are in demand today more than ever." And in Moscow at least, some speculated on the reasons of the crash. "There can be several versions," Nikita Gushchev, 21, told AFP. "It could be shot down by air-defence systems or it could be a terrorist attack. Or it could be a staged death to let him live in peace." Prigozhin's fate had been a matter of speculation for two months, since he led a rebellion widely seen as the biggest challenge to Putin's more than two decades-long rule. In an unusual deal with Minsk, the Kremlin "guaranteed" he would be allowed to live in Belarus. "I think no one was surprised, including me," said Veronika Anokhina, a 32-year-old entrepreneur of the air crash. "It's very logical news in the succession of news in our country." Amnesty International said Thursday that rights campaigners were stunned by a decision by the African Union's rights commission to scrap its investigation into abuses committed in Ethiopia's war-scarred Tigray. In a tweet, it said 33 civil society groups were "shocked" after the panel terminated the inquiry, yet had not published a report on its findings or recommendations. "The decision also sets a detrimental precedent for future investigative mandates into human rights violations across the continent," Amnesty said. The post on X, formerly Twitter, trailed a letter dated Wednesday by 33 organisations including Amnesty and Human Rights Watch. They allege the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights "may have succumbed to undue political pressure from the Ethiopian government". The two-year conflict between the federal government and Tigrayan rebels was marked by allegations of massacres, mass rapes and other atrocities by all sides, including Ethiopia's ally Eritrea. The horrific reports prompted the AU commission and the UN Human Rights Council to order separate probes into the abuses in 2021. But Ethiopia has repeatedly rejected international efforts to investigate the atrocities. It has warned that inquiries could undermine the progress of a peace agreement signed in November 2022 and pointed to its own "transitional justice" process, which has not yet begun. "It is disappointing that the African Commission, in its decision to terminate the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry, relied on a transitional justice policy proposal that is yet to be adopted," the rights campaigners said in their letter. The AU-brokered peace deal called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Ethiopia, but Eritrea was not a party to the agreement and its troops continue to be present in Tigray, where residents accuse them of abuses. "We believe that the African Commission's decision mistakenly buys into the rhetoric provided by the Ethiopian government -- a party to the conflict and accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity -- to eschew justice and accountability," the letter said. The campaigners urged the rights commission, which is based in The Gambia, to "promptly reconsider its decision to terminate the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry and ensure that its mandate concludes, at least, with a report of its findings and recommendations". Tigray suffered from dire shortages of food, fuel, cash and medicines during the conflict. Some basic services have resumed to the region of six million people since the signing of the peace agreement. But media access remains restricted and it is impossible to independently verify the situation on the ground. amu/txw/ri X Saudi Arabia on Thursday denounced a report accusing the kingdom's border guards of killing hundreds of Ethiopian migrants since last year, branding it "politicised and misleading". The New York-based group Human Rights Watch on Monday said Saudi border guards had fired "like rain" on Ethiopians trying to reach Saudi Arabia from Yemen. HRW accused the Saudi guards of using explosive weapons as part of attacks that appeared to be "widespread and systematic", and said the killings may amount to crimes against humanity. The report sparked global outrage after its publication, although a Saudi government source quickly dismissed the allegations as "unfounded and not based on reliable sources". In a new statement on Thursday, a Saudi government source "denounced the raising of false allegations by some organisations about the Kingdom and the publication and promotion of politicised and misleading reports in the context of malicious media campaigns that are repeatedly raised for suspicious goals and objectives," the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The source, whom SPA did not name, said Saudi authorities were committed to upholding human rights principles and had previously provided medical care to "groups of people who were subjected to gunshot wounds by armed groups to push them to enter the Kingdom by force". In 2015, Saudi Arabia mobilised a military coalition in an effort to stop the advance of Iran-backed Huthis in Yemen, who had seized the capital Sanaa from the internationally recognised government the previous year. In its report, HRW referred to testimony from migrants who said Huthi forces worked with people smugglers and would "extort" them or keep them in detention centres where they were "abused" until they could pay an "exit fee" and head to the border. In response to a letter from HRW, the Huthis denied working with people smugglers, describing them as "criminals". The United States on Monday called on Saudi Arabia "to undertake a thorough and transparent investigation" into the alleged killings by Saudi border guards. On Tuesday, Ethiopia said it would launch an investigation "in tandem" with Saudi authorities. But Thursday's statement out of Riyadh made no mention of an investigation. On the 29th of June 2023, the United Nations voted in favor of establishing an independent institution on missing persons in Syria. Its goal is to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic and to provide adequate support to victims, survivors and the families of those missing. The UN resolution emphasizes the full and meaningful participation and representation of victims, survivors and the families, something that has been at the core of the Syrian diasporas demands. While Syria and a few other countries like China, Iran and Russia voted against the resolution, and all the Arab countries except Qatar and Kuweit abstained, it comes as no surprise that Germany was one of the 83 countries in favor. In the past years, Germany has presented itself at the forefront of seeking justice for Syrians. As early as 2011, the general prosecutors office opened several structural investigations into atrocity crimes in Syria and has been gathering evidence ever since. Based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, the German judiciary has opened several trials against the Assad-regime and its henchmen: In the German city of Koblenz, the worldwide first trial dealing with state-torture in Syria concluded in 2022 with the court convicting two former secret service officers for crimes against humanity. This April, an Assad-militiaman was sentenced to life in prison for war crimes after another trial in Berlin. Another member of an Assad-militia was arrested at the beginning of August 2023. And in Frankfurt, a Syrian doctor has been indicted with crimes against humanity for torturing prisoners in Damascus. In the light of all these justice efforts and Germanys vote in late June, it is hard to believe that Germany itself does not criminalize enforced disappearances in its national criminal code. As a state party to the UN convention against enforced disappearances since 2009, it is obliged to do so, but has been refusing to change the law for more than ten years. And that is not all: Germany also has severe shortcomings regarding the crime of enforced disappearance in its code of crimes against international law. These make it almost impossible to prove enforced disappearances, thereby minimizing the chance of prosecutors investigating and indicting such crimes. There have been demands to change both the German national and international law on enforced disappearances for years. Now a legal reform is in the making, and the crime of enforced disappearance might finally get the attention its victims demand. Enforced disappearance, a crime on its own In March, Germany was reviewed by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances. It had been ten years since the last review when the Committee had ordered Germany to implement enforced disappearances into its national law, with no effect. During the review, the German representatives argued that existing criminal offences were sufficient to investigate and punish cases of enforced disappearances, citing for example offences against personal freedom, bodily harm and homicide, obstruction of justice, denial of justice and failure to render assistance. For critics like the German Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) this is not enough: The enforced disappearance of a person is not a combination of different offences, but a single and multidimensional crime, it stated in a submission to the committee. Its content can only be properly covered by an autonomous offence of enforced disappearance. According to the UN working group on disappearances, an enforced disappearance is not only the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State but must be followed by the refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person. For the GIHR this twofold definition is crucial, because it covers two forms of enforced disappearance - the deprivation of liberty of a person with subsequent concealment of his or her whereabouts and the concealment of the whereabouts of a person previously deprived of his or her liberty. What sounds like one and the same in reverse, is actually an important factor for understanding the unique offence of enforced disappearance. Regarding the perpetrator this means: not only the person who abducts and detains the victim against their will is committing a serious crime, but also the state institution or officer that fails to provide the family or other inquirers with information. This interpretation of enforced disappearances also places a lot of weight on the fact that not only the disappeared person becomes the victim of a crime, but their loved ones, as well. They have to live with excruciating uncertainty, some of them forever. Germanys credibility at stake For Silke Vo-Kyeck, a researcher at the GIHR, the need to implement enforced disappearance into German law is without question. By ratifying the convention, Germany has committed itself to creating a legal basis for enforced disappearance in national law, she tells Justice Info on the phone. Vo-Kyeck also sees a problem with Germanys credibility: Iraq has been working on a law against enforced disappearances for years. Germany is supporting them with money and legal know-how. Imagine an Iraqi parliamentarians reaction when they find out that Germany has no such law itself. Germany cannot push for legislation in other countries while interpreting them at will in their own criminal code. In addition, the right to the truth is an important element of the convention against enforced disappearance, says Vo-Kyeck. And part of the truth is calling a crime what it really is. Anything else would make a mockery of the victims. During Germanys review at the Committee against Enforced Disappearances, a member of the German delegation claimed that enforced disappearances were not something that happened in Germany anymore. Vo-Kyeck disagrees, citing the case of a Vietnamese citizen who was abducted by the Vietnamese secret service in Berlin in 2017 and reappeared days later in Vietnam. The driver of the car that took him from Berlin to Bratislava could not be charged with complicity in an enforced disappearance, because that crime does not exist in German law. Instead, he got a relatively low sentence for aiding a deprivation of liberty among other offences. Vo-Kyeck also mentions the case of German citizen Murat Kurnaz who was detained in Guantanamo without charges from 2002 to 2006: Before his family ever found out where he was, the German authorities knew he was in Guantanamo. They might not have abducted him, but by knowing and concealing his whereabouts they would have been accomplices to an enforced disappearance, she explains. And even if there were no cases at all, criminalizing this offence according to the convention is important, insists Vo-Kyeck: Of all human rights conventions, this is the one with the strongest pre-emptive effect. It is written in a way that is meant to prevent the enforced disappearance of individuals in the first place. In 2014, the Federal Commissioner for Human Rights at the time, Almut Wittling Vogel, confirmed the significance of this law for Germany: We have learnt from our past how quickly lawless regimes can take over a society, and how important it therefore is to install structural legal safeguards against all possible kinds of human rights violations. Rampant but impossible to prove Enforced disappearances have been among the most brutal crimes of regimes in Argentina, Iraq, Mexico and many other countries for years. Recently, the conflict in Syria where more than 100.000 remain disappeared and the war in Ukraine where Russia allegedly abducted children, have drawn more attention to this complex offence. While the German ministry of justice is preparing a judicial reform those lobbying for a specific legislation on enforced disappearances have managed to put their demands on the agenda. This does not only concern implementing the crime of enforced disappearance into national law, but also to change the code of crimes against international law (CCIL). The CCIL is the legal code that implements the provisions of the Rome Statute the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court into German law. It defines and penalizes the core crimes against international law genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression and allows Germany to prosecute these under the principle of universal jurisdiction, even when they are committed somewhere else with no direct link to Germany. The CCIL was the legal basis for the Syria trials in Koblenz, Berlin and Frankfurt, but it also proved insufficient to prosecute the Assad regimes crimes fully. In Koblenz, it became clear that some things do not work in practice as they were intended by lawmakers and civil society, says Vo-Kyeck. And one of the main concerns was the crime of enforced disappearances. Unlike in the national criminal code, enforced disappearance is a crime in the CCIL. But Germanys definition of enforced disappearances is much narrower than that of the Rome Statute and the Convention against Enforced Disappearances: it requires proof that inquiries about the missing person were made with the authorities. Anyone who knows the reality in Syria and other countries where enforced disappearances are rampant understands that this looks like an impossible request. Asking about a missing person is not only futile, but also dangerous for the inquirer who would often end up in detention themselves or risk putting themselves on the radar of the security services. Hopes for trials ahead The consequences of this legal detail became clear in Koblenz, where more than 100 days of trial revolved around the torture and killing of Syrian women, men and children in the secret services detention centers. Most of them had been victims of enforced disappearances, most of their families knew nothing about their fate and whereabouts. Every Syrian witness or plaintiff even the defendants had several cases of disappeared family members and friends. And yet, the crime of enforced disappearance was not indicted despite the efforts of civil society groups, the plaintiffs and their lawyers. There would not have been enough evidence to prove that inquiries about the missing persons had been made. For future trials at least, the situation will improve regarding enforced disappearances in both national and international law, according to Vo-Kyeck. The ministry of justice has confirmed: they have started working on reforming both, she says, although she cannot say how long that might take. Some other issues that were criticized in Koblenz and the other Syria trials are expected to be improved as well: the crime of sexual slavery is to be included in the CCIL, plaintiffs are to receive psychosocial support throughout the trial, translators are to be present to make trials accessible for non-German media representatives, and trials are to be audio-visually recorded for the use of historians and other academic researchers. The German judiciary, it seems, is preparing itself for more trials under the principle of universal jurisdiction whether on enforced disappearances or other crimes against international law. "Vigilante," starring Nam Joo Hyuk, had its first invitation to an international film festival ahead of its debut on primetime. Keep on reading for details. 'Vigilante' To Be Screened at 28th Busan International Film Festival On August 24, a news outlet delivered good news to K-drama fans as Nam Joo Hyuk's upcoming series "Vigilante" will be screened in the 28th Busan International Film Festival before it hits the small screens in the second half of 2023. According to the report, the crime drama is officially invited to the "On Screen" section, which will be held on October 4. It is a newly-established category in 2021, and it is also Asia's first official OTT section and represents the latest series that are about to premiere soon. "Vigilante" is Disney Plus Korea's soon-to-be released series that will unveil the story of a model police student who defends the law during the day. The main protagonist, Kim Ji Yong, lives as Vigilante, who directly judges criminals who escaped the law. What We Know So Far About 'Vigilante' This action-thriller series is drawing attention not just from media and fans in Korea but also abroad, making it one of the anticipated K-dramas in the second half of 2023. Based on the famous Naver webtoon penned by Kim Kyu Sam, this masterpiece accumulated 370 million global views. Due to its intriguing storyline, the work stimulates curiosity from the production stages to how the actors will give life to their respective characters. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 4 K-Dramas, Film To Premiere Starring K-Heartthrobs Enlisting This 2023 Choi Jung Yeol, the director of the series has shown delicate and lively production through his past works, such as "Start-Up" and "Glory Day." He joined forces with judge-turned-writer Moon Yoo Seok, who was the brilliant mind behind the hit dramas "The Devil Judge" and "Miss Hammurabi." Nam Joo Hyuk to Exhibit Strong Acting Transformation in 'Vigilante' In addition, Nam Joo Hyuk, who is currently serving in the military will meet the viewers again through this work. He has always shown new acting with captivating characters from his projects "Twenty Five, Twenty One," "Jose," "Start-Up," "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo," and "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo." As he portrays Kim Ji Yong in "Vigilante," Nam Joo Hyuk increases the viewers' excitement as he is heralding a strong acting transformation in his next drama. Joining him in the project are Yoo Ji Tae, Lee Joon Hyuk, and Kim So Jin. Other details about the upcoming K-dramas are yet to be confirmed. What can you say about Nam Joo Hyuk's upcoming drama? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. From being an "it girl" in Hallyu to being one of the most sought-after actresses in K-Drama, Nana successfully transformed her image through her comeback series "Mask Girl." With this, she continues to receive huge attention and high praises from the public while doors of opportunities present themselves to her. How wealthy is the idol-actress after jumping from one big project to another? Keep on reading to know more. Nana Receives Great Feedback For 'Mask Girl' Performance Nana is currently receiving huge attention for jaw-dropping transformation into a dreamer-turned-murderer in Netflix's "Mask Girl." Alongside Go Hyun Jung, she played the role of Kim Mo Mi, a masked broadcast jockey whose life turns upside down after becoming the prime suspect in a serial murder case. The idol-actress embodied the complexities and charisma of her character, and also showed great chemistry with her co-stars, especially Han Jae Yi who portrayed her best friend in the series. Through "Mask Girl," Nana completely created a different image which wowed every viewer around the world, especially her loyal fans. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Who Is Nana? 3 Fun Facts You Should Know About 'Mask Girl' Star Fans believe that the Netflix show will kickstart Nana's career in the noir and black comedy genre, raising anticipation for the idol-actress' next work. On the other hand, Nana rose to fame as the "it girl" of the legendary idol group After School, and has ventured into acting through the dramas "The Good Wife," "Glitch" and more. Nana Net Worth 2023: How Much Does The Idol-Actress Actress Earn? From the idol stage to the big screens, Nana successfully captured the public's eye for her talents. With her impressive filmography, she established her career with no sweat. She's now one of the most sought-after leading ladies in Hallyu. "Kill It," "Justice," "Oh My Ladylord" and "Memorials" mark her most note-worthy works next to her impactful revenge drama "Mask Girl." With all of these dramas and years of experience as an idol performer, Nana has raked in millions in her decade-long career. The "Mask Girl" star has an estimated worth of 5 to 7 million USD. Her entire net worth is expected to increase as she becomes more prominent in the mainstream media. In addition, her consistent commercial deals and advertisements also elevated her career status. Nana has also established great connections with luxury brands like Puma, Calvin Klein and more. Have you seen Nana's brand new series "Mask Girl"? Catch all seven episodes of the work on Netflix now! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Park Bo Gum made heads turn with his debonair charm as the actor flew to Japan for a CELINE event. The "Reply 1988" star graced the brand's store reopening in Tokyo on August 23, 2023. To recall, he serves as one of the global ambassadors of CELINE, together with BLACKPINK's Lisa and BTS' V. However, Park Bo Gum surprised everyone with his different visuals. The South Korean star, who is enjoying the city nightlife, was spotted on the streets of Shibuya, one of the most popular areas in Japan. Park Bo Gum Wows Fans With His Physique According to a media outlet, Bogummy's visuals attracted the attention of the crowd. Along with his staff, the group was seen strolling around the area, with Park Bo Gum donning a runway-ready outfit, an all-black ensemble. Veering away from his usual boy next door charm, the actor appeared sporting a black leather jacket, dark skinny pants, and leather boots, leaving onlookers stunned with his visuals. Because of this, netizens flocked online and shared their reactions to Park Bo Gum's looks. In an online community post, fans pointed out that the South Korean heartthrob "looks like a powerful celebrity even from behind." 6:16 . . /, # #ParkBoGum#CELINE pic.twitter.com/L3nYAbMsaX (@BGluv_) August 24, 2023 Interestingly, the comments also include netizens gushing over Bogummy's physique. "Having a great body like that is cheating." "So, these are the kind of people who become celebrities." "He seems to be getting even more handsome." What's Next for Park Bo Gum? After his military discharge in April 2022, Park Bo Gum has been busy attending events, doing variety shows, shoots, and more. Among his first projects after his service was returning as host for the 59th Baeksang Art Awards with Bae Suzy and Shin Dong Yup. Following this, he became part of the star-studded reality show "Young Actors' Retreat" with his "Love in the Moonlight" co-stars. "Itaewon Class" stars and the cast of "The Sound of Magic" also participated in the show. Following a series of fashion events with CELINE, Park Bo Gum is set to return to the small screen with an interesting cast lineup. The actor will officially headline the romance series "You Have Done Well," where he stars alongside IU. Park Bo Gum takes on the role of young Gwan Shik, a Jeju native who is described as an introvert yet an extremely diligent individual. He is not into romance but sees his friend, Ae Soon, played by IU, in a different light. Besides the powerful duo, "You Have Done Well" also stars award-winning actors Moon So Ri and Park Hae Joon as the older versions of Ae Soon and Gwan Shik. The upcoming drama, which will air in 2025, will be Park Bo Gum's comeback after 5 years since the series "Record of Youth." IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Park Bo Gum in His Musical Era Here's What We Know About Actor's Theatrical Debut For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills At 51, Go Hyun Jung enjoys her second heyday as an actress with her mega hit drama "Mask Girl." Many viewers tuned into the work and up until now, the Netflix series is still being streamed in various countries. With this, some fans grow curious about the actress, especially her private life. Has she tied the knot yet? Keep on reading. Go Hyun Jung's Tragic Marriage Life Before she entered the world of acting, Go Hyun Jung was first recognized as a runner-up in the 1989 Miss Korea pageant. This opened a lot of doors for her even in the romantic aspect. During the height of her career as an actress, she chose to retire to follow her heart and tied the knot. Go Hyun Jung shocked the industry with her early retirement when married Chung Young Jin, the heir of Shinsegae Group and the grandson of the Samsung empire. She sacrificed her youth and became the daughter-in-law of the most powerful empire in South Korea. To some, it could be a dream come true. Unfortunately, this became the actress' silent battle. After eight years of marriage, Go Hyun Jung and her husband divorced. She was paid a price of 1.5 billion KRW and was banned from seeing her two children. It is revealed that Go Hyun Jung was treated poorly in the Chung household. As she couldn't speak English, the family would talk about her in the foreign language. When she studied the language, her husband's family switched to speaking French. She was also banned from returning to the acting scene, and her advertisements and brand deals were prohibited to be aired in the Samsung and Shinsegae's establishments. Thankfully, Go Hyun Jung was able to reclaim her name and glory when she starred in the 2009 period drama "Queen Seondeok," which became her most note-worthy series. At the moment, the actress now has a lot of business ventures apart from her acting stint. With this, fans pose the question whether Go Hyun Jung is ready to tie the knot once again or remain single for the meantime. Will Go Hyun Jung Remarry? Currently, Go Hyun Jung isn't seeing anyone publicly. At 51, she has been linked to some big names but nothing was ever confirmed. This summer, she returned to the acting scene after two years of hiatus with the revenge drama "Mask Girl" which discusses the themes of womanhood and motherhood. Because of this, she didn't hesitate to accept the work and acted alongside fellow iconic artists Nana, Yeom Hye Ran, Ahn Jae Hong and more. In an interview, Go Hyun Jung stated that she has no interest in putting another ring on her finger even when her ex-husband has been long married to his new spouse. Go Hyun Jung focuses on her career as an actress in order for her children to still see her on screen as her son and daughter's custody remains in her ex-husband's hands. "Mask Girl" now streaming on Netflix! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Buganda Kingdom Premier, Charles Peter Mayiga, has rallied Ugandans to participate in the Rotary Cancer Run scheduled to take place this Sunday, August 27 at Kololo Independence Grounds. He made the remarks on Friday while meeting Rotarians at Bulange-Mengo, in Kampala. Mayiga noted that the run is not only for soliciting funds for treating cancer patients but also it is another way of exercising to keep the body fit to avoid diseases. Meanwhile, the board chairperson of the organizing committee of this years cancer run, Steven Mwanje, asked Ugandans to collaborate in the fight against cancer. He also noted that they have completed the building of a cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital which works on surgery and chemotherapy however, the facility has no capacity to conduct radiotherapy. He thus unveiled plans to use this years run to collect over 4 million dollars to build radiotherapy bankers. He is optimistic that by 2027, the bankers will be ready for operation. By Priscilla Maloba & MIKE SEBALU Bus operators yesterday called off their three-day strike after receiving a letter from the Ministry of Local Government inviting them for a meeting today. The strike that has been ongoing since August 22, saw thousands of travellers stranded in the six bus terminals in Kampala City. The strike also saw taxi operators take advantage of the situation to hike transport fares to upcountry destinations. There was a sigh of relief yesterday from travellers as bus operations resumed at around 2:30 p.m. When our reporter visited the different bus terminals, there was a bee-hive of activity as travellers made their way into the buses. Bus drivers could be seen rejoicing; luggage carriers, food vendors, touts, ton boys/men whose jobs had been affected by the strike were all in high spirits. Ms Hope Arinaitwe, who we found in Kisenyi Bus Terminal boarding a bus to Mbarara District, said she was so happy. We can now travel in peace; this strike has affected our businesses. Let the responsible people solve their problems so that we dont have such a crisis again, Ms Arinaitwe said. Read more Buganda Road Magistrates Court has lifted an arrest warrant that was issued against former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president, Dr. Kizza Besigye due to his failure to appear in court for further hearing of the incitement to violence case against him and Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, an activist. The arrest warrant has been lifted by trial magistrate Asuman Muuhumuza after Dr. Besigye produced himself in court today. Last month, court ordered police to immediately arrest Dr. Besigye and produce him in court on August 25, 2023, (today) for further hearing of his case. Besigye and Mukaaku were arrested demonstrating against the sky-rocking commodity prices in the country. The duo pleaded not guilty to one count of incitement to violence which prosecution contended was committed on June 14, 2022, at Kikuubo Shawurayako in Kampala City. It is alleged that the duo without any unlawful excuse to hold an assembly addressed members of the public implying that it would be desirable for them to demonstrate, an act that could result in violence and destruction of property. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, government has revealed that it is working closely with relevant authorities to help eighty-seven (87) Ugandans who are currently detained by Turkish authorities due to overstay of their visas. In a statement dated August 25, 2023, Mr. Vincent Waiswa Bagiire the ministrys permanent secretary says together with the Uganda Embassy in Turkey, they have visited 6 detention centres. Following these Consular visits, a total of 87 Ugandans have been identified and confirmed by the Officials of the Ugandan Embassy in Turkiye to have been detained by the Turkish Authorities due to overstay of their visas which is in breach of the Immigration regulations of the Republic of Turkiye, the statement reads in part. Bagire says they are engaging Turkish authorities to find a mutually acceptable solution to address the situation. The foreign affairs ministry has meanwhile urged Ugandans to always abide by immigration regulations by host countries. Primary and middle school students in Hefei, Anhui province, will be allowed to turn in their summer vacation assignments by two weeks into the new semester if they missed the deadline of registration day, education authorities said on Wednesday. The Hefei education bureau announced the decision as it set the first school day in the city on Sept 1. The bureau said schools may not give exams or quizzes to students in any form within the first two weeks. The bureau said the decision aimed to designate a "transition period" to allow students to ease into the new semester from the summer holidays. Schools should organize activities such as "co-parenting week" and mental health classes to help adjust the mental states for both parents and students. Primary and middle schools in China generally assign light homework for students during the holidays, which often includes exercise booklets for Chinese language and mathematics, as well as items outside the campus such as diaries or short compositions on visits to museums. However, many students often play hard during most of the holiday and rush to finish the assignments just days or even hours before registration. The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo under Operation Shujaa say they have killed an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel commander identified who has been operating in Mwalika Valley. Major Bilal Katamba the spokesperson for Operation Shujaa says Fazul, a Tanzanian national was killed with one other ADF fighter in the areas of Alungupa, North Kivu Province. He says the joint forces operating in areas of Kanana, Makisabo, North Kivu Province, have also put out of action two other ADF fighters and recovered two SMG rifles, four magazines, 84 rounds of ammunition, and one military radio. The joint forces continue to pursue these terrorists from all corners in the jungles, Katamba said in a statement. The forces have meanwhile appealed to the ADF fighters to surrender, promising them benefits from the Uganda government amnesty window. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has tightened terms for reference for sampling maize grain and flour for export across the country. The Board says the move is geared towards protecting the health and safety of the public, and environment against harmful and substandard products as well as promoting fair trade and competition. Sylvia Kirabo, the principal public relations officer, Uganda National Bureau of Standards says 12 specified requirements have been outlined among which include identifying a yard point for the truck to be sampled, and providing sealable trucks for safe custody of the sampled products, among others. Additionally, exporters have been urged to present a copy of ownership of the consignment. UNBS has further warned that if exporters violate the set guidelines, it will lead to the nullification of the whole exercise and the Board will be forced to withdraw from the arrangement. A total of 62 trucks loaded with maize grain, flour, and wheat heading to South Sudan were blocked from continuing and later ordered to return on May 15, 2023, (at Nimule border), after the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards alleged that the products failed to pass the contamination tests. However, Daily Monitor reported that traders have defied the directive. By AFP Former US president Donald Trump was arrested at a Georgia jail Thursday on racketeering and conspiracy charges and released on a $200,000 bond after having a historic mug shot taken. Trump, who is accused of colluding with 18 other defendants to overturn the 2020 election result in the southern state, spent less than 30 minutes inside Atlantas Fulton County Jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport. Like the other defendants in the case who have surrendered so far, the 77-year-old Trump had his mug shot taken during the booking process a first for any serving or former US president. In the photograph released by the sheriffs office, he scowled at the camera while dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie. Speaking to reporters after his arrest, Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said it was a very sad day for America. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice, he said. I did nothing wrong. Trump posted the mug shot on his own Truth Social platform with the caption Election Interference and a link to his campaign website. A short while later, he also posted it on X formerly Twitter, which was Trumps favorite bullhorn until he was banned from it after the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters. New owner Elon Musk reinstated Trump on X in November of last year, but Trump stayed away and posted instead on Truth Social. This was Trumps first post since 2021 on what had been Twitter. Trump was given the inmate number PO1135809 by the Fulton County Jail, which listed his height as six foot three inches (1.9 meters), his weight as 215 pounds (97 kilograms) and his hair color as Blond or Strawberry. The billionaire has been criminally indicted four times since April, setting the stage for a year of unprecedented drama as he tries to juggle multiple court appearances and another White House campaign. Trump was able to dodge having a mugshot taken during his previous arrests this year: in New York on charges of paying hush money to a porn star, in Florida for mishandling top secret government documents, and in Washington on charges of conspiring to upend his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. His arrest came one day after Trump spurned a televised debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring eight of his rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination all of whom lag well behind him in the polls. 1 of 1 - khaskhabar.com : , 25 2023 2:29 PM The number of homeless people in Ireland has risen to another new record high. The latest figures from the Department of Housing reveal that 12,847 people were in emergency accommodation in July. This is a rise of more than 200 from the 12,600 recorded in the previous month. Yet another record total of 12,847 people homeless. This includes a shocking 3,829 children many who soon return to school. As a society we must move beyond saying it's "disappointing" & state that it's totally "unaccpetable". Urgent Govt action required to end this crisis now. pic.twitter.com/r8ixsuMyxX FocusIreland (@FocusIreland) August 25, 2023 The latest figures include 9,018 adults and 3,829 children. The capital Dublin saw the highest numbers by far, with 6,576 adults and 2,908 children in emergency accommodation. The charity Focus Ireland said urgent government action is required to end the housing crisis. As a society we must move beyond saying its disappointing and state that its totally unacceptable, it said. Urgent Government action required to end this crisis now. While many campaigners have called for the reintroduction of an eviction ban, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he would rule that out as doing more harm than good. Asked about the latest figures by media in Dublin, he said: I think the key response has to be supply. I think there are multi-factorial bases behind those figures, a number of reasons. The key issue is, for those on the homeless list, we have got to make their time in emergency housing as short as we possibly can. There is huge progress being made in terms of house construction, house commencements and, ultimately, all direction has to be on getting more supply in the market in terms of the rental market but also in more commencements, more house completions. But that said, it is very disappointing the figures are as they are. From a policy perspective we are doing the right things in terms of focusing on supply. Asked about reintroducing the eviction ban, Mr Martin said he would rule that out. I think it would do more harm than good, and I think the pressing issue is to slow down the exodus from the rental market, he said. There is no point in taking a position like that which in our view would undermine over the next number of years the broader question of increasing supply. Sinn Fein junior spokesperson on Housing, Thomas Gould TD, has said that new record homeless figures highlight how the longer Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are in office the worse the housing crisis is becoming @ThomasGouldSF https://t.co/yu5bAImRvQ pic.twitter.com/9PAjvJ5Hhs Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) August 25, 2023 Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould criticised the current administration, saying the longer the leading parties remain in office the worse the housing crisis is becoming, as he described the latest figures as shameful. He also said his party would reinstate the eviction ban for no fault eviction to protect renters, it it was in government. Its time for change. Only a Sinn Fein-led government will end the housing crisis, he said. It is abundantly clear that the longer Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are in office, the worse the housing crisis is becoming. This is their appalling legacy that has heart-breaking consequences for the real people at the centre of this crisis. The Government have been warned time and time again of the consequences of their terrible housing policies and their refusal to treat the housing crisis with the seriousness it deserves. Every day that they remain in office, this Government causes more damage to the lives of ordinary people. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU), one of the worlds largest gold producers, announced today that AngloGold Ashanti Brasil, the companys wholly-owned subsidiary, has placed the Corrego do Sitio mine on care and maintenance after sustained operating losses. In a statement, the company said the Corrego do Sitio (CDS) mine in Brazils Minas Gerais state has for a sustained period reported challenging operating results characterized by poor production and costs that remain well above the gold price. The company believes that layoffs are always the last resort and has taken reasonable steps to reduce the number of people affected by this transition to care and maintenance, including through the placement of some employees elsewhere in the company where equivalent roles exist, it added. Unfortunately, however, at the end of this process there will be a reduction in the CDS workforce, the company noted in a press release. The company said the impact of the cessation of production at the mine will be disclosed in AngloGold Ashantis third quarter market update, in November. Corrego do Sitio, a part of the AngloGold Ashanti Mineracao mining complex, is AngloGold Ashantis smallest operation. CDS produced 69,000oz in 2022 at a total cash cost of $1,946/oz and an all-in sustaining cost of $2,887/oz. AngloGold Ashanti is an independent, global gold mining company with a portfolio of operations, projects and exploration activities across nine countries on four continents. The company produced 2.742Moz of gold and employed an average of 32,594 people (including contractors) in 2022 (2021: 2.472Moz; 30,561 people). Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - The world and the markets continued to digest the implications of the latest BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which concluded on Thursday with the announcement that it had accepted six new members into the fold, while Russia wasted no time pushing its allies and priorities to the top of the blocs agenda on Friday morning. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva lauded the expansion, noting that the addition of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will see BRICS gross domestic product rise to 36% of global GDP at purchasing power parity and 46% of the worlds population. Saudi Arabia, seen by many market participants as the most economically and strategically significant of the new members, seemed to temper expectations, with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal striking a cautious note in his remarks to journalists after the membership announcement on Thursday. "In its foreign policy, the Kingdom focuses on building economic partnerships, and we value the invitation from BRICS for membership and are studying it, bin Farhan said. We await further details regarding the nature and criteria of membership. Based on this information and in accordance with our internal procedures, we will make the appropriate decision. He added that the kingdom saw BRICS as a beneficial and important channel to strengthen economic cooperation. Brazils Lula, who was the most plain-spoken and forthcoming of the BRICS leaders throughout the summit, shed light on the admissions criteria the bloc used in selecting its new members. What matters is not the person who governs but the importance of the country, Lula told reporters before leaving South Africa. We can't deny the geopolitical importance of Iran and other countries that will join BRICS. He added that going forward, Brazil would support the entry of Nigeria, Angola, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. BRICS winners and losers While the economic and geopolitical calculus clearly benefitted the resource-rich nations of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Argentina in particular, it may also have hurt the chances of other BRICS applicants. Bangladesh, for example, saw its application denied, and the successful membership bids of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE mean Bangladesh is now the only one of the eight shareholders in the blocs New Development Bank to not be a full BRICS member. Algeria, for its part, had engaged in a strong membership push in the year leading up to summit. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed that the country had formally applied to join BRICS during a recent visit to China, and actively courted support for its bid from Putin, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying earlier this year that Algeria possesses features and advantages that put it above the others looking to join BRICS group. Tebbounes absence from the BRICS summit may be an indication that he knew the countrys application would be denied. De-dollarization and BRICS currency On the financial front, officials for the host country once again took it upon themselves to push back against the speculation surrounding the development of a BRICS common currency. No one has tabled the issue of a BRICS currency, not even in informal meetings, South African finance minister Enoch Godongwana said in an interview on Thursday. Setting up a common currency presupposes setting up a central bank, and that presupposes losing independence on monetary policies, and I dont think any country is ready for that. The bloc's leaders did announce that their finance ministers would be tasked with exploring the issues of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms, and will report back in a year. Its not an alternative to SWIFT, Godongwana said of the potential BRICS payment platform. It is a payment system which facilitates a deepening of the use of local currencies. Anil Sooklal, South Africas ambassador to BRICS, also continued to redirect the conversation towards national currencies and away from the idea of a common currency, as he had in the runup to the summit. The currency is being discussed but let me correct: Its not about a BRICS currency. It is too early to talk about a BRICS currency, he told reporters on Wednesday. What we are talking about is creating more financial inclusion in terms of global financial transactions, global financial trade and how we conduct our payments. Sooklal told Xinhua that the goal is a diversified global monetary system, our own payment systems, which would not be held hostage to one or two currencies through which we must trade to our detriment. Russia takes the lead But with Russia assuming the BRICS chairmanship on Jan. 1, the finance ministers mandate would seem to set Putin up for a major de-dollarization announcement when Russia hosts the next BRICS summit in October of next year, or perhaps even a new common trade currency for the bloc. And any developments on this front, whether it takes the form of a payment platform to intermediate between local currencies, or the new trade currency itself, would be even more significant next year after the BRICS has more than doubled its membership and has added major oil exporters Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran. Russia wasted no time in placing its imprimatur on the BRICS. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, who is also the countrys BRICS sherpa, told a press briefing in Moscow on Friday morning that Russias goal will be to strengthen the blocs role and authority, and it was looking to add its own closest regional allies as it assumes leadership of the bloc. Kazakhstan and Belarus, of course, are among our closest partners, Ryabkov said. Of course, we will give priority to these countries when we consider the further course. He added that 15 other applications were under consideration. Ryabkov also made clear that Russia was very focused on pushing forward with the blocs de-dollarization initiatives. Consultations are continuing on the creation of effective payment instruments within the BRICS framework, independent of the West, as well as a secure platform for multilateral cross-border settlements, he said. He underlined that no country which supports sanctions against Russia would gain membership in BRICS. If someone from the Western group that suddenly finds BRICS highly attractive decides to break the ranks and ... refuses to apply the sanctions policy against any of the states included in the association and files an application, then in accordance with the procedure, we will consider, he said. It is important that they all not only support, but share the fundamental values of the BRICS, including the spirit of solidarity, equality, mutual respect, openness, inclusiveness, [and] mutually beneficial cooperation, Ryabkov added. The main thing is that there is political will, there is a firm mindset to move forward. But he categorically ruled out the participation of any Western nations in next years summit, saying the Western group is absolutely excluded. The Australian reports exclusively: US President joe biden's 90-day probe into the origins of covid-19 censored the input of intelligence agency scientists who concluded the virus was most likely genetically engineered. When the report was published it concluded that most intelligence agencies assessed the virus, even if it had leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, was natural rather than manipulated in a laboratory The Australian can reveal that this was not the assessments made by the four groups within the intelligence agencies that actually engaged in scientific analysis, who concurred that there was either a highly likely or reasonable chance the virus was genetically engineered. Weather Alert ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM CDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 expected. * WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest, and west central Illinois. Portions of central, east central, northeast, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 10 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && SiriusPoint Ltd. provides multi-line insurance and reinsurance products and services worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Reinsurance, and Insurance & Services. The Reinsurance segment provides coverage to various product lines, which includes aviation and space, casualty, contingency, credit and bond, marine and energy, mortgage, and property to insurance and reinsurance companies, government entities, and other risk bearing vehicles. The Insurance & Services segment offers coverage to various product lines comprising accident and health, environmental, workers' compensation, and other lines of business, including a cross section of property and casualty lines. The company was formerly known as Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. and changed its name to SiriusPoint Ltd. in February 2021. SiriusPoint Ltd. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. develops and provides a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for automated investment data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, and reporting services to insurers, investment managers, corporations, institutional investors, and government entities in the United States and internationally. It offers investment accounting and reporting, performance measurement, compliance monitoring, and risk analytics solutions. The company's Clearwater Prism SaaS-based data and reporting platform for investment data delivers a range of product modules, including Prism reporting and statements, Prism connectors, Prism data ops, and Prism managed services. It also provides portfolio management and order management, performance, unit-linked funds, and full trade life cycle, as well as provides modular front, middle and back-office solution to investment managers, private banks, and insurers. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho. Oracle Corporation is a leading technology company developing software solutions for businesses worldwide. Founded in 1977 by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates, the company is headquartered in Austin, Texas and has a presence in over 175 countries. Oracle's primary focus is on providing cloud-based software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to its customers, helping them to streamline their operations and reduce costs. The current management team at Oracle is led by Chief Executive Officer Safra Catz, who has been with the company since 1999 and served in several senior leadership positions before assuming her current role. Other key management team members include Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison, who co-founded the company, and Executive Vice President of Product Development, Steve Miranda. Oracle has reported slight growth in recent years, with its revenue around $40 billion in the last several years. Its net income has also been relatively stable over the past several years. The company's debt levels have remained relatively unchanged over the past few years. Oracle's current valuation metrics show that it trades at a price-to-earnings ratio and price-to-book ratio below the industry average. These valuation metrics suggest that the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers in the technology industry. Regarding market performance, Oracle's stock has shown some volatility in recent years but has performed well. Its stock price has increased from around $44 in 2017 to $102 in 2022, although it has experienced some dips and spikes during that time. The company has also seen an increase in trading volume in recent years, indicating that it is attracting more investor interest. Oracle operates in the highly competitive technology industry, competing with other software giants like Microsoft and Salesforce. The industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and innovations emerging regularly. One direction that has gained prominence in recent years is adopting cloud-based solutions, which have been a key focus for Oracle. The industry is also subject to regulatory and political pressures, which can impact the operations of companies operating in the space. Oracle has identified several growth opportunities, including developing new products and services, expanding into new markets, and making strategic acquisitions. The company has recently announced plans to expand its cloud infrastructure footprint by adding new data centers in several countries. Additionally, Oracle has made several acquisitions in recent years, including its acquisition of NetSuite in 2016 and TikTok's US operations in 2020. Like any company, Oracle faces risks and challenges that could impact its future growth and profitability. One significant risk is the changing preferences of consumers and businesses, which could affect the demand for its products and services. Additionally, increased regulatory scrutiny and competitive pressures could impact the company's operations. SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. It also has working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin and South Texas. The company was formerly known as St. Mary Land & Exploration Company and changed its name to SM Energy Company in May 2010. SM Energy Company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Installation view of French painter Raoul Dufy's retrospective entitled "Raoul Dufy, The Melody of Happiness" at The Hyundai Seoul in the city's Yeongdeungpo District / Courtesy of GNC Media By Park Han-sol French artist Raoul Dufy in 1937 / Courtesy of Ministere de la Culture - Mediatheque du patrimoine et de la photographie, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Francois Kollar If one were to sum up French artist Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) in a single phrase, a strong contender would be "a jack of all esthetic trades" as once dubbed by The New York Times in its Sept. 3, 1999, article. While best known for his vivaciously colored, lyrical canvas works and watercolors, Dufy was also a printmaker, fashion and book illustrator, draftsman and textile designer. And those in Seoul are offered a rare, comprehensive glimpse of the artist's creative journey this year. More than 350 of his paintings, woodblock prints, drawings, ceramics and textiles have taken over the city via the two simultaneous retrospectives mounted at The Hyundai Seoul and the Seoul Arts Center's Hangaram Art Museum. Raoul Dufy's "The Woman in Pink" (1908) / Courtesy of Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI/Bertrand Prevost/Dist. RMN-GP Dufy's stylistic forays on canvas spotlighted at The Hyundai Seoul It was after making a series of early forays into impressionism, fauvism and cubism at the beginning of the 20th century that Dufy eventually realized his own signature style defined by blithe splashes of color, lightness and lyricism. The exhibition, "Raoul Dufy, The Melody of Happiness," at The Hyundai Seoul begins by tracing the artist's wide-ranging stylistic exploration through paintings such as "The Beach at Sainte-Adresse" (1904), an impressionist snapshot of the seaside in Normandy, France, and "The Woman in Pink" (1908), a chromatic portrait of his future wife Eugenie-Emilienne Brisson with fauvist injections. The show is drawn from the 1,500-piece collection of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the world's largest holder of the French painter's works. Curated by the Paris center's Christian Briend, it offers a compact, well-paced view of the creator's evolving oeuvre for those who may not be familiar with his name via some 130 works. After discovering his own visual language filled with fresh colors and delightful spontaneity, Dufy painted a number of subjects that best matched this style. One prominent scene is the Mediterranean coast overflowing with swimming women, shells, sailboats and sea goddesses as in "Amphitrite" (1935-1953) on display. Raoul Dufy's "L'Atelier de l'impasse Guelma" (1935/1952) Courtesy of Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI/Jean-Francois Tomasian/Dist. RMN-GP His other favored theme was his own studio, from his first atelier in Paris to those in the French communes of Vence and Perpignan. Often illuminated by large windows facing the outside, the resplendent scene featured the likes of easels, canvases and a violin the instrument that hints at Dufy's musical upbringing. "My atelier is extraordinary: a huge window overlooking a terrace and a magnificent panorama," he once wrote. "With a good model and my atelier in the background, I will hopefully make a sensational series." Raoul Dufy's "The Electricity Fairy" (1952-53) Courtesy of Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI/Georges Meguerditchian/Dist. RMN-GP The exhibition culminates in the artist's best-known tour de force, "The Electricity Fairy." In 1937, he was commissioned to produce a 6-meter-wide fresco themed around the history of electricity and its technical applications for the International Exposition of Art and Technology in Modern Life in Paris. For the monumental mural, Dufy mixed ancient Greco-Roman mythology with modern industrial developments, birthing a unique composition featuring Zeus' thunderbolts, rainbow goddess Iris, power station generators and 110 scientists who contributed to the invention of electricity. More than a decade later, he reproduced the fresco in a lithograph series and colored it with gouache which fills an entire wall of a room in the Seoul show. "The Melody of Happiness" runs through Sept. 6. Raoul Dufy's "Boats Dressed with Flags" (1946) / Courtesy of Edmond Henrard Collection Dufy featured as jack of all trades at Hangaram Art Museum Whereas the exhibition at The Hyundai Seoul paints a comprehensive and structured picture of Dufy with a stronger emphasis on his canvas works, "Raoul Dufy: Colorful Symphony" at the Hangaram Art Museum is more fluidly organized, turning its focus to different mediums beyond the realm of paintings along with a more immersive but perhaps shallow presentation. Curated by Eric Blanchegorge, director of the Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology in Troyes, the show brings together some 180 pieces that mainly hail from the private collection amassed by the Belgian businessman and collector Edmond Henrard. Like "The Melody of Happiness," it features a range of paintings, drawings and watercolors each portraying stretches of Mediterranean coastline, his own atelier and the Parisian urbanscapes. It even spotlights another cruder edition of Dufy's "The Electricity Fairy" lithograph series which is engraved, printed and stamped by a third party after the artist's death alongside its 8-meter-tall digital art projection. Decorative, geometric fabric patterns originally conceived by Raoul Dufy have been reborn as silk dresses with contemporary designs as part of the artist's retrospective, "Raoul Dufy: Colorful Symphony," at the Hangaram Art Museum in southern Seoul / Korea Times photo by Park Han-sol Korea is pushing to clinch free trade agreements with seven emerging and high-potential nations, including Kenya and Thailand, in an effort to boost growth momentum and diversify its trade portfolio, the industry ministry said Friday. The country is working to sign a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Thailand, Pakistan, Serbia, and the Dominican Republic, and held a public hearing session in Seoul on Friday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. An EPA is meant to establish a mutually beneficial trade network with partner nations beyond a simple market opening, though it covers a smaller scope of areas compared with a traditional free trade agreement. "The seven nations bear high growth potential and have ample room for mutually beneficial cooperation with Korea," Roh Keon-ki, Seoul's deputy minister for trade negotiations, said. The nations can serve as a bridgehead for Korea to further expand its trade network, he added. Korea aims to clinch FTAs with more than 10 nations and a trade promotion framework with over 20 nations this year. (Yonhap) Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Aug. 25. Yonhap The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Friday denounced Japan's release of contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant as an act of crime against humanity, even labeling President Yoon Suk Yeol as an accomplice. Rep. Lee Jae-myung made the remarks as Tokyo initiated the discharge of contaminated water a day earlier, a process expected to span more than three decades, despite lingering health and environmental concerns from neighboring countries. "Japan has ultimately chosen the path of an environmental war criminal," Lee said during a party meeting, adding that the administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would be recorded in history as the criminal that committed environmental terrorism against humanity. The DPK has strongly opposed the Fukushima release plan, arguing that it poses great health risks. However, the Yoon administration has stated that the release would pose no significant risk as long as it is done in a scientifically safe manner. "I cannot believe the fact that the president has not said a single word regarding the water discharge issue," Lee said, calling on Yoon to end the silence and seek compensation from Tokyo. Following the ocean discharge, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said that "excessive worry" is unnecessary, as the ocean disposal plan, if executed accordingly, should not result in significant harm. He also criticized "fake news" and political instigation, saying they are threatening the fisheries industry without any scientific grounds. "The source of fake news is actually the government that puts the livelihood of fishermen and the people's health at risk by silencing people and condoning the discharge of contaminated water," Lee said. The DPK has said it will step up the anti-discharge campaign, including holding street rallies. More protests are scheduled for over the weekend. (Yonhap) Former President Moon Jae-in / Courtesy of Democratic Party of Korea By Jun Ji-hye Former President Moon Jae-in was engaged in a heated online confrontation with Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the ruling People Power Party over their views on Japan's release of treated radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The battle began after Ha wrote on his Facebook, Thursday, that the former president should know that Japan's wastewater release would have little impact on the waters surrounding Korea. "At the time, Moon's foreign minister said the government will follow the decision to be made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Ha wrote. "Supporters of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea should face up to the reality." The comments came amid intensifying protests from the opposition party over the Fukushima release. The party has argued that the release would pose great health risks to people, with Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung denouncing it "as an act of terror." In April 2021, when Moon was in power, the Japanese government announced a plan to start releasing water containing tritium, an isotope of hydrogen, into the ocean starting this year, despite concerns raised by neighboring countries and fishing groups in the region. Japan began discharging the first batch of wastewater into the ocean, Thursday, as the IAEA gave final approval to the discharge plan last month, saying it meets international standards. The Yoon Suk Yeol government also said earlier this week that it saw no scientific or technical problems with Japan's release of radioactive water. Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the ruling People Power Party speaks during a media briefing at the National Assembly in this July 6, 2022 photo. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Xi calls for refocusing on issue of development 08:18, August 25, 2023 By CAO DESHENG ( China Daily President Xi Jinping on Thursday underlined the need for the international community to refocus on the development issue, and stressed that it is necessary to increase the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance and ensure they can achieve better development. Xi made the remarks in a speech at the meeting of the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg. "Development embodies our people's aspiration for a better life. It is the top priority for developing countries and a timeless theme for humanity," Xi said. As the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is due for a midterm review this year, the Chinese president expressed his concern over the slow delivery of most of the Sustainable Development Goals, saying that global development faces formidable challenges. It is important to uphold true multilateralism, forge a global development partnership, and create a secure and stable international environment for shared development, he added. Noting that China has been and always will remain a member of the family of developing countries, Xi said that China has always stood in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin. "I proposed the Global Development Initiative precisely for the purpose of calling on the world to stay focused on development and lending impetus to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda," Xi said. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with total funding of $4 billion, and Chinese financial institutions will soon set up a special $10-billion fund dedicated to the implementation of the GDI, he said. Noting that China has a results-oriented approach and has deepened its practical cooperation, Xi said that from Asia to Africa, and from Pacific island countries to the Caribbean, over 200 cooperation projects have come to fruition, and cooperation mechanisms are growing in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health. He said that the GDI prioritizes green development, a new type of industrialization, the digital economy and some other key fields, and promotes a Partnership on New Industrial Revolution in order to boost high-quality development. To facilitate food security, China has launched a China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund, implemented the Food Production Enhancement Action, and provided food assistance to and shared agricultural technology with many countries. Saying that China is a friend that Africa can count on, Xi stated that over the past decade, China has provided a large amount of development assistance to Africa and helped to build more than 6,000 kilometers of railways, over 6,000 kilometers of highways and 80-plus large power facilities on the continent. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the meeting. Participants in the meeting included leaders of other BRICS countries, more than 60 leaders and representatives of African countries, emerging markets and developing nations, and heads of international organizations. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) On 24 August Jalisco state governormet with, the leading presidential pre-candidate for the opposition Frente Amplio por Mexico (FAM), a day after breaking with the leftist opposition-aligned Movimiento Ciudadano (MC). End of preview - This article contains approximately 399 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 24 August Argentine federal prosecutorcharged the presidential spokesperson,, with criminal negligence and inciting violence in relation to her comments on widespread looting in various provinces over the last week. End of preview - This article contains approximately 366 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Former President Donald Trump is now in Georgia and has been arrested shortly after he arrived. He will be having a new Georgia lawyer to represent him for his 4th indictment in the state. The former president reportedly arrived at the Fulton County Jail where he was arrested. He is set to be released after paying a $200,000 bond. However, the former president arrived in a presidential-style motorcade, according to NBC News. "I have to start getting ready to head down to Atlanta, Georgia" to "get ARRESTED by a Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney, Fani Willis," said Trump on Thursday afternoon ahead of his arrest. "Arrest time: 7:30 p.m." The former president left his New Jersey home in his resort in Bedminster shortly before 4:00 pm ET. Upon arriving at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, he was greeted by the media where he was seen giving a thumbs-up to the cameras. Donald Trump Arrested, Used a Bail Bonds Service To Post Bail Trump is expected to be fingerprinted and have his mugshot taken, as promised by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. However, after posting his $200,000 bail, he is also expected to be released quickly. READ MORE: Donald Trump Classified Documents Case: Mar-a-Lago Employee Flips Trump did not use his supposed billions of dollars in personal money to pay his bail, as he used a Georgia bail bonds service. According to NBC News, a bonding agent at Foster Bail Bonds in Lawrenceville, Georgia confirmed that Trump used their services to post his bond before he was arrested. The agent for the firm revealed that the typical fee in Fulton County is around 10%. However, the agent did not confirm the exact amount of bond that was posted. Charles Shaw, the CEO of Foster Bail Bonds, was inside the jail when Donald Trump was arrested. The firm is also posting bail for some of the 18 other co-defendants, though did not name names. Donald Trump Replaces Georgia-Based Lawyer According to CNN, for this particular case that had Donald Trump arrested, the former president has already replaced his previous local Georgia lawyer Drew Finding with Atlanta-based lawyer Steven Sadow, who has already been seen greeting Trump as he arrives in Georgia. Trump is required to have a local Georgia-based attorney to represent him in the state as he faces this latest election meddling case. Sadow has been described by his law firm's official website as a "special counsel for white-collar and high-profile defense." He was added to the Trump defense team after he previously challenged the state's broad RICO law, which charged Donald Trump and 18 other co-defendants, including Rudy Giuliani, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and many more. Paperwork to have Sadow represent Trump has already been filed. As for the attorney he is replacing, a Trump source stated it was not because of Finding's performance but because Sadow has been described as the "best criminal defense attorney in Georgia." Another Georgia-based attorney, Jenniffer Little, is expected to stay on the team. READ MORE: Donald Trump Election Interference Co-Conspirators Turning on Each Other This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: LIVE: Donald Trump surrenders to Georgia authorities in 2020 election interference case - NBC News The man responsible for the tragic Orange County bar shooting Wednesday night has been identified as John Snowling, a former law enforcement officer from Southern California, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. The swift response of deputies on the scene led to Snowling being shot and killed just moments after they arrived at Cook's Corner Bar in the Trabuco Canyon area. This heartbreaking event resulted in the loss of three other lives and was directed towards his estranged wife, according to authorities. The Orange County Sheriff's Department disclosed that the shooter, Snowling, 59 years old, had previously served as a member of the Ventura Police Department. Snowling, known to reside in Ohio with a secondary residence in Camarillo, had attained the rank of sergeant during his tenure with the Ventura Police Department. His career in law enforcement concluded with his retirement from the Orange County District Attorney's Office. While the motive behind the attack remains under investigation, law enforcement sources have indicated that former California police officer, Snowling, had targeted his estranged wife, who was among those who suffered injuries during the shooting. READ NEXT: Missing California Woman Found Dead The Orange County Bar Shooting The chaotic scene at Cook's Corner, a rural establishment in Trabuco Canyon was described by witnesses as a mix of disbelief and panic as a sudden burst of gunfire erupted, per VC Star. Some individuals were frozen in disbelief, while others instinctively ran for safety when the rapid succession of gunshots began. Betty Fruichantie, who was in the bar during the shooting, recounted the tumultuous moment. She shared her belief that the shooter was the husband of a friend who had been with her at the bar. As bullets flew, her friend Marie dropped to the floor, and Fruichantie took cover in a restroom along with other terrified patrons. Upon emerging from their hiding place, Fruichantie described the grim scene of injured people. Responding to the incident within a remarkably short time frame, authorities arrived at the scene just two minutes after the initial report of the shooting shortly after 7 pm. The assailant was also swiftly neutralized by law enforcement. The bar was swarmed with numerous patrol cars and ambulances in the aftermath. Tragically, three additional individuals and the gunman were declared deceased at the scene. Six more individuals were transported to the hospital, five suffering from gunshot wounds. The Orange County Sheriff's Department provided updates on social media, indicating that two of the hospitalized individuals were in critical condition. The Orange County Bar Shooting Gunman John Snowling, the individual responsible for the tragic Orange Country bar shooting, had previously served as a sergeant in the Ventura Police Department until his retirement in 2014, The Orange County Register noted. According to Sheriff Don Barnes, Snowling had acquired two or three handguns as a peace officer. The list of weapons brought to the scene by Snowling and their respective acquisition dates were provided by Barnes: A .380 pistol, acquired in 2014 (It remains uncertain if this purchase occurred before or after Snowling's retirement). A .38-caliber five-shot revolver, obtained in 1987. A .25-caliber pistol, purchased in 1997. A 12-gauge shotgun, acquired after Snowling's retirement in 2016. While it wasn't definitively established which two handguns Snowling took into Cook's Corner during the incident and which one he retrieved from his truck upon his return, Barnes clarified that Snowling only used the shotgun after returning to his vehicle. READ MORE: California Woman Abducted in Mexico This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: 4 killed in shooting at famous Orange County biker bar - From KTLA 5 Laurel, MS (39440) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Overcast. High around 65F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. The Lower Saucon Township Planning Commission signed off Thursday night on a proposed rezoning of land adjacent to Bethlehem Landfill that would permit its potential expansion. The 4-1 vote keeps the proposed rezoning on track for a public hearing before the township council, which will decide on adopting the rezoning. That hearing and anticipated council vote are scheduled for a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Se-Wy-Co Fire Hall, 3621 Old Philadelphia Pike. This legal ad published at classifieds.lehighvalleylive.com details Lower Saucon Township Council's public hearing scheduled at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at the Se-Wy-Co Fire Hall, 3621 Old Philadelphia Pike, to consider rezoning from Rural Agriculture to Light Industrial 275.7 acres extending east of the Bethlehem Landfill at 2335 Applebutter Road and north to along the Lehigh River.classifieds.lehighvalleylive.com Residents opposed to the rezoning and potential landfill expansion spoke out during an hour of public comment at Thursday nights planning commission meeting. No one in the audience of about 45 people spoke up in support of the rezoning. The proposal is to rezone from Rural Agriculture to Light Industrial 275.7 acres that extend east of the 2335 Applebutter Road landfill and north to along the Lehigh River. This rezoning proposal is essentially the same as the rezoning adopted by the council during Christmas week last December. A major difference, however, is that the new proposal would make waste disposal a permitted use. Under the December decision, the council gave itself the power to approve a landfill on the rezoned land as a conditional use. Previously, waste disposal required a special exception from Lower Saucons zoning hearing board. Northampton County Judge Abraham Kassis in May overturned the December rezoning on procedural issues after residents sued. Kassis decision suspended a conditional use hearing that opened Feb. 27 and ran through May 5. A group of residents last week sued the township over the newly proposed rezoning, saying the land cannot be used for a landfill under conservation easements the township agreed to in 1994. Planning commission Chairman Craig Kologie said Thursday night he preferred to keep the conditional use approval in place as a higher level of scrutiny. He cast the lone vote against recommending approval of the rezoning ordinance to the township council. It can take years, said township Councilman Thomas Carocci, who is vice chairman of the township planning commission. Its red tape. Its bureaucratic. Carocci moved for the planning commissions vote Thursday night, prefacing it by saying the proposed rezoning meets the intent of the townships comprehensive plan. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission at its July meeting reviewed the proposed rezoning, commenting that the proposal does not align with the regions comprehensive plan called FutureLV: The Regional Plan or the townships own comprehensive plan: The proposal to rezone the northernmost parcels as LI District does not align with the Future Land Use Plan of FutureLV. Overall, the proposed zoning ordinance amendments and zoning map amendments do not align with the goals outlined in the Townships recently updated comprehensive plan or the intent, purpose and scope of the Townships Zoning Ordinance. Commission member Jeffrey Schmehl seconded Caroccis motion, and they were joined in voting to recommend the rezoning by commission members Christopher Nagy and Doug Woosnam. The planning commission and township solicitor B. Lincoln Treadwell Jr. went back and forth with members of the audience during Thursday nights review of the proposed rezoning after the public comment period had ended. That included audience member Joseph Bubba, an attorney representing rezoning opponent St. Lukes University Health Network, and Victoria Opthof-Cordaro, who is also an attorney and has been serving as spokeswoman of the landfill expansion opponent group called Citizens for Responsible Development-LST. If the Bethlehem Landfill Co., owned by Texas-based Waste Connections, pursues an expansion onto the rezoned land, it would have to go before the township planning commission and township council for land development approval, as well as be permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. A former teacher at a Catholic elementary school in Bethlehem has been charged with inappropriately touching a child. Glenn Alan Morgan, 61, of Bethlehem Township inappropriately touched the child, who is under 13, repeatedly between January and June 2022 at the Holy Infancy School, according to court papers filed Friday. Morgans attorney, Gail Marr, didnt immediately return a phone message seeking comment. The school reported the allegations to authorities on the day they learned of them in November 2022, according to Diocese of Allentown spokesman Matt Kirby. Morgan resigned on June 6, 2022, five months before the school first heard the allegations, KIrby said. Holy Infancy School officials fully cooperated with authorities, Kirby said. The safety and protection of our youth remains the utmost priority of the Diocese of Allentown and our parishes and schools. The girl told police in November 2022 that Morgan had been touching her inappropriately, according to court papers. Police confronted Morgan with the allegations in July, records say. He said the allegations resulted from a misunderstanding, according to court records. Morgan is charged with having sexual contact with a student, two counts of indecent assault and a single count of harassment. Morgan was arraigned Friday by District Judge Alan Mege and released on $75,000 unsecured bail, records say. Holy Infancy School on Thomas Avenue has children from kindergarten through eighth grade, the online student handbook says. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Lehigh Valley International Airport is set to receive a $1 million boost in state funding for terminal roadwork, according to a news release. The funds will allow the airport to reconfigure terminal roads that serve the Multimodal Transportation Center and the Airport Terminal to meet the latest design, safety and capacity standards, according to Thomas R. Stoudt. Hes the executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, which owns and operates the airport. Stoudt said the funding boost will help the economy beyond just the airport. The funds are coming from the states Multimodal Transportation Fund. Democratic state Rep. Jeanne McNeill said the Hanover Township, Lehigh County airport will get $940,000, according to a news release from her office. McNeill serves portions of Lehigh County, Lehigh Valley International is the fourth-largest commercial service airport in Pennsylvania by passenger activity. McNeill in a statement called the airport an important intersection for residents, tourists and those who simply want to see the beauty that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. Fridays announcement follows a string of recent funding announcements for the bustling airport. Lehigh Valley International and state transportation officials earlier this month announced the airport would get $1.6 million in state funds to expand facilities for air cargo and other aviation. Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority officials are planning to use those funds to continue the construction of a north-side parallel taxiway. That project part of a master plan of improvements for the airport remains in its early stages, authority spokesman Colin Riccobon recently told lehighvalleylive.com. It comes as LVIA in 2022 processed a record 238 million pounds of cargo, up 2.47% over 2021. Through May of this year, cargo traffic was up 31.6% over 2022s year-to-date numbers, the airport authority reports. In July the airport celebrated the opening of a new, expanded passenger terminal and security checkpoint. That $35 million project was backed by another $13 million in statewide and $5 million in federal funds. Delays related to the coronavirus pandemic had postponed the project. The new terminal connector is planned for guests this month. Airport officials hope the new construction will lead to new airline destinations. They help meet the need to process cargo and address the explosive growth the airport has seen since the start of the pandemic. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The numbers are alarming. Almost 60% of American teenage girls reported feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey from 2021. About 30% of teen girls said they seriously considered suicide, the study says. Half of LGBTQ students seriously considered suicide, it says. Teen mental health is a serious enough concern for U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to issue an advisory bringing attention to what he called a national crisis of youth mental health. He issued the advisory in December 2021 after children had been locked inside for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lehigh Valley is no stranger to the issue. Pediatric psychiatrists at St. Lukes University Health Network said demand for youth mental health services is sky high. The health network has pivoted to meet the growing needs of youths but the doctors say they need more mental health professionals. There arent enough psychiatrists and providers in general, said Howard Levin, a psychiatrist who oversees St. Lukes mental health professionals assigned to public schools. The health network started a pilot program embedding counselors in schools just prior to the pandemic. The network went from having no counselors in schools to providing them at more than a dozen public school districts. St. Lukes provides counselors to the Bangor Area, Bethlehem Area, Easton Area, Nazareth Area, Northampton Area, Parkland, Palmerton Area, Panther Valley, Pen Argyl Area, Pocono Mountain East, Pleasant Valley, Southern Lehigh and Weatherly Area school districts. Theyre able to pull a kid out of class for an hour a week to address things going on in the school or at home bullying, issues with school attendance, academic difficulties, emotional support for anxiety and depression, anger control, Levin said. In some school districts, the therapists help kids learn social skills. Its great for kids with autism or kids who struggle with social relationships, he said. Social media consumption contributes to the crisis, Levin said. Murthy issued an advisory in May that notes how social media helps young people connect to their peers, but it can also become addictive, can lead to bullying, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparison, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. Children are becoming targets of lots of stress from peers in school and out of school through social media, Levin said. The school counselors can refer children to private mental health treatment, although the wait for help can be months-long. Bullying and family trouble can escalate to a suicide attempt and land a child in the emergency room, according to St. Lukes child psychiatrist Andrew Clark. He oversees the adolescent behavioral health unit at St. Lukes Easton campus. Children who report to one of 12 St. Lukes emergency rooms across the region get funneled to Clarks unit. Homelessness, financial difficulty or substance abuse by a parent can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, Clark said. The 16-bed unit is available to triage children at an elevated risk of self-harm, Clark said. After about a week they go home or to a long-term facility, he said. The mental health professionals, occupational therapists and nurses at the behavioral health unit work hand in hand with social workers from the Northampton County Office of Children, Youth and Families or juvenile justice workers to provide a global treatment perspective. There are a lot of stakeholders who coalesce around the kids, Clark said. Most of the beds are full all year except for the start of summer vacation, when stress levels for children are typically lower. There were a few vacancies when Clark was interviewed the first week of August. He said four children had been in the facility for weeks and were expected to stay until the end of summer awaiting residential treatment. The rest of the beds turned over during the normal seven-to-10-day timeframe. Clark speculates the spike in need for child mental health services could result in part from a willingness of children and their parents to seek help. Theyre not as stigmatized because their peers need help, too. Its good because we have more catches, but we also have this overwhelming volume, Clark said. Government funding needs to keep pace with the demand for help. It hasnt, the doctors agree. Levin said public awareness of the crisis will hopefully lead to action, putting the financial resources into child and mental health care, fixing some insurance barriers to care and really building community resources. There had been a trend going in the wrong direction, Clark said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. A Laois secondary school has celebrated its very first Leaving Cert results day, with a family like atmosphere for the students. There were 36 students getting their results at the bilingual Dunamase College / Colaiste Dhun Masc in Portlaoise, the first cohort to ever sit the exams at the school which was founded only seven years ago. Out of the 36, three got over 600 points, and another 7 over 500 points. While many schools only saw handfuls of students call in thanks to the new system of emailing results directly to them, for the Dunamase it was a full house in their halla, with families and students gathering to enjoy refreshments and balloons for the big day. Among their top scorers was Rachel Ann Marshall from Portlaoise, with 577 points, including H1s in Biology and English and H2s in everything else. "It felt like a class exam because it was just my class, so I was relaxed and not too stressed during the exams. I was putting myself down last night with worry, but I was very happy when I woke up and saw the results," she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live. Her top choice is medicine, in particular pathology. "I really like the problem solving, crime solving aspect, that probably comes from watching movies. After that, any branch of science, in Galway as I'd like to continue speaking Irish. I have family there and I would live in the Gaeltacht. I'm very excited," she said. Like many of the 36, she has had the same classmates since Junior Infants at Gaelscoil Phort Laoise. "it really is so odd to think I won't be in the same class, I'll be in with so many people, but new adventures and all that," Rachel Ann said. Tara Armstrong from Portlaoise is happy with her 556 points. "I got H1s in all my languages so I'm very happy with that. I never had a maths mind but languages seem to stick. I know my classmates for 14 years too. Definitely having Irish helped me with learning Spanish," she said. She plans to pursure a career involving her love of horses, is a member of Kilmon Riding School in Stradbally. Below: Tara Armstrong with dad Neil and sister Orlaith who is in TY at Dunamase College. Tadhg Duffin from Portlaoise is delighted with 442 points. "My course is 336 points, an arts degree in Maynooth. Hopefully after that I want to do an MA and become a Music and Irish teacher," he said. Tadhg also came to the secondary school from the local gaelscoil, and is already playing music professionally. "I play gigs in town, I sing and play guitar. This weekend I'll be taking it handy instead and doing some celebrating," he said. His whole family came to the Leaving Cert results celebrations in Dunamase College, pictured below are Billy, Oisin, Aoife, Fiadh, Tadhg, Ciaran and Eoin Duffin. Below: Leaving Cert student Alex McKeon from Stradbally who got 495 points (centre) with her twin brothers James and Edward and parents at Dunamase College. The principal of Dunamase College / Colaiste Dhun Masc is Dympna Kelly. "The results were really exceptional. They are a fantastic group of students to work with. They really did lead the way for the rest of the school. They took the juniors under their wing and were so helpful and nice. Many of her students study through Irish in the Aonad wing of the school. "Some are in school together since baby infants, they have helped set the culture here of tradition and family. "This is their first state exam like every other leaving cert student in the country, although sitting the mocks helped. The teachers were all conscious of that. "On behalf of all the staff I want to congratulate the class of 2023. It is even more of an achievement as they are our first group of Leaving Certs and as such had no benchmark. They have certainly set the standard high. Many plan to study law, medicine and teaching. "The support their families have shown to them and the school should also be recognised, they took the leap of faith back in 2017. Whatever their journey is, we send them every good wish. Go n-eiri go geal libh agus rath De oraibh don todhchai," Ms Kelly said. The school will not stay small for long, with 110 new First Years this year, making it 580 pupils and growing. They are promised a purpose built new school by September 2026 in Portlaoise for 1,000 pupils. The Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) took to the streets of Ballinamore on August 10 as a part of its Summer Roadshow. The interactive Roadshow works with local authorities and communities across the country to carry out fun and engaging education and awareness initiatives that demonstrate the proper means of gum disposal and raise awareness of the environmental and fiscal impacts of gum litter. Now in its sixteenth year, the campaign is a collaboration between Food Drink Ireland, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the chewing gum industry, and local authorities. Research published recently to coincide with the National Launch of the 2023 GLT Campaign revealed that 87% of people now report proper gum disposal, versus 49% when the campaign began in 2007 an increase of 77.5%, demonstrating the positive impact the campaign has had on attitudes towards gum litter. Peer pressure was found to be the key contributor to this shift in attitudes, followed by knowledge of the 150 fine. Leitrim County Council Environmental Awareness Officer, Patricia Holohan (second from right) with Kay Maguire and Patricia Cassells of Ballinamore Tidy Towns and a Gum Litter Taskforce representative. However, work remains to be done to further reduce this figure, as still only 46% of people can claim to have never dropped gum on the ground, demonstrating the continued importance of the awareness and behavioural change campaign. Welcoming the Roadshow to Ballinamore,Cllr Justin Warnock, Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council said: "We are delighted to welcome back the Gum Litter Taskforce to Leitrim. The Roadshow is a fantastic way to show people about the sustainable impacts of responsibly disposing of gum litter and changing their disposal behaviours. "This GLT campaign has seen a visible reduction of gum litter on our streets since it first began, and the Roadshow is an important reminder to the whole community that we must continue to reduce our litter and protect our local environment." Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD and Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne TD have congratulated the 61,736 candidates across Ireland receiving the results of their Leaving Certificate examinations today. From 10am today, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will issue Leaving Certificate 2023 results to students who sat the Leaving Certificate Established, Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programmes. Ministers Foley, Madigan and Byrne have reminded all students of the many supports available to them to support their wellbeing and discuss the future education and career options which they may wish to explore. Minister Foley said: I would like to extend the heartiest of congratulations to each and every one of the over 60,000 students across Ireland receiving their results today. Today brings enormous reward and recognition for all your hard work and dedication over the past number of years, including through challenging times. This is an exciting occasion in your life, filled with the prospects of the many great and varied opportunities that lie ahead. To all of you receiving results today, I wish you every success and happiness as you embark on the next stage in your life. Whether the next step on your journey will take you to work, an apprenticeship, further or higher education, or other possibilities, I hope you can enjoy today and reflect on all that you have achieved so far to bring you to this point. I would also like to pay tribute to the teachers, principals, school communities, parents and guardians and indeed all of those who put huge work into both supporting candidates throughout their journey and ensuring this years Leaving Certificate exams passed smoothly. Minister Madigan said: I would like to sincerely congratulate the Leaving Certificate Class of 2023 receiving their exam results today. It bears testament to your hard work and offers an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate all that you have achieved so far. No matter what results you receive today you should feel very proud of everything that you have accomplished. There are more flexible pathways open to you to achieve your goals than ever before. It is a very proud day for students, and for their families and school communities who have guided and supported them, and I wish them the very best of luck for the future. I want to thank the dedicated teachers, SNAs, school staff and agencies, including the State Examinations Commission, who helped to ensure that students were supported in their education journey and empowered with information about their choices throughout Leaving Certificate 2023. Minister Byrne said: Congratulations to all students receiving their Leaving Certificate results today, including 7,155 students receiving results in their Physical Education (PE) examination. This is your day, marking the culmination of the significant time, work and learning you have undertaken along your education journey to date. Today also signifies the beginning of a new path for you and there are a wide range of supports available to you in exploring your many varied options. To all students who undertook studies and exams in Physical Education, I hope that you will continue to take advantage of the insights, skills and healthy habits offered by the subject into the future. Congratulations on your results today. The National Parents and Students Leaving Cert Helpline 1800 265 165 will operate from Friday 25 August until Saturday 2 September, at 10 am to 6 pm each day, except for Sunday 27 August when it will be open from 10 am to 2 pm and Saturday 2 September when it will be open from 10 am to 4 pm. The Helpline is a free-phone service provided to Leaving Certificate students and their parents and guardians. The Helpline is staffed by qualified and experienced guidance counsellors who will deliver one-to-one support to parents and students. The guidance counsellors involved in the helpline are members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC). The National Parents and Students Leaving Cert Helpline is supported by the National Parents Council, sponsored by the Department of Education and the Irish Independent/Independent.ie and supported by Eir and the ISSU (Irish Second Level Students Union). The helpline can be contacted on 1800 265 165. The State Examinations Commission Candidate helpline is available for queries relating to the Candidate Self Service Portal and the services provided through the portal. The Candidate Portal helpline will be available at 1800 111 135 or 1800 111 136 from 9 am to 5 pm from Friday 25 August to Monday 4 September including over the weekends. Outside of these hours queries may be emailed to candidateportal@examinations. ie. A range of wellbeing resources developed by the National Educational Psychological Service is also available at gov.ie - Wellbeing support for Leaving Certificate students, parents and school staff (www.gov.ie). HSE/HSE-funded service providers will be available to support students through the provision of mental health services. More information is available from this link: Types of help for mental health - HSE.ie. Schools have been asked to provide support to candidates today, results day, by allowing them to come to the school if they wish to at a scheduled time, to meet with members of the Student Support Team such as guidance counsellors, year heads, tutors and chaplains. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on television on August 23, 2023. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP French investigative magistrates on Friday, August 25, ordered former president Nicolas Sarkozy and 12 others to go on trial on charges that his 2007 presidential campaign received millions in illegal financing from the government of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The national financial prosecutor, Jean-Francois Bohnert, announced that the decade-long investigation has been formally closed. The trial will run from January to April 2025, the statement said. The case is the biggest and most shocking of multiple corruption investigations involving Sarkozy. He has been convicted in two others. He denies wrongdoing in all cases. In the Libya case, he is charged with illegal campaign financing, embezzling, passive corruption and related counts. Sarkozy has been under investigation in the Libya case since 2013. Investigators examined claims that Gadhafi's government secretly gave Sarkozy 50 million for his winning 2007 campaign. The sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time and would violate French rules against foreign campaign financing. The investigation gained traction when French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told news site Mediapart in 2016 that he had delivered suitcases from Libya containing 5 million ($6.2 million) in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff. Takieddine later reversed course and Sarkozy sought to have the investigation closed. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Nicolas Sarkozy's selective memory After becoming president in 2007, Sarkozy welcomed Gadhafi to France with high honors later that year. Sarkozy then put France at the forefront of NATO-led airstrikes that helped rebel fighters topple Gadhafi's government in 2011. In an unrelated case, Sarkozy was sentenced to a year of house arrest for illegal campaign financing of his unsuccessful 2012 reelection bid. He is free while the case is pending appeal. He also was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling in another case and sentenced to a year of house arrest in an appeals trial in May this year. He took the case to France's highest court, which suspended the sentence. Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Loekke Rasmussen, Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard and Deputy Prime Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen present a bill to criminalize the "improper treatment" of religious objects, in Copenhagen, Denmark, August 25, 2023. RITZAU SCANPIX / VIA REUTERS Denmark said it plans to ban Quran burnings after a string of desecrations of Islam's holy book in the Scandinavian nation sparked anger in Muslim countries. The Danish government intends to "criminalize the improper treatment of objects of significant religious importance to a religious community," Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard told reporters on Friday, August 25. He said the proposed legislation was aimed especially at burnings and desecrations in public places. Denmark stepped up security earlier this month following the backlash, as did neighboring Sweden which has also seen a spate of Quran burnings in recent months. Hummelgaard said Quran burnings were a "fundamentally contemptuous and unsympathetic act" that "harm Denmark and its interests." The proposed Danish legislation would also apply to desecrations of the Bible, the Torah or, for example, a crucifix. Those who break the law risk a fine or up to two years in prison. It would be included in chapter 12 of Denmark's penal code, which covers national security. Hummelgaard said that national security was the main "motivation" for the ban. Nearly a thousand protesters attempted to march to the Danish embassy in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone in late July, following a call by firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "We can't continue to stand by with our arms crossed while several individuals do everything they can to provoke violent reactions," Hummelgaard said. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes After Quran desecration in Sweden, Iraqi political leaders fan flames The law will however not encompass "verbal or written expressions" offensive to religious communities, including caricatures, the justice minister said. He stressed Denmark remained firmly committed to its freedom of expression laws, amid criticism from several opposition parties who fear a ban would infringe on those. 'Enormous anger' The ban, due to be presented to parliament on September 1, comes six years after Denmark abolished its 334-year-old blasphemy law. The bill is expected to pass through parliament, where the left-right government holds a majority. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Friday the Quran burnings had sparked "enormous anger in the entire world." "We have made great efforts to contain this anger. At the moment the situation is fairly calm, but it's also uncertain and unpredictable," he told reporters. He said that in the "short term, we'll probably see more Quran burnings rather than less" before the new law goes into force. Sweden last week heightened its terror alert level to grade four on a scale of five after the Quran burnings made the country a "prioritized target", security services said. The Swedish government has condemned the desecrations of the Quran while upholding the country's constitutionally protected freedom of speech and assembly laws. It has vowed to explore legal means of stopping protests involving the burning of holy texts in certain circumstances. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Sweden's right is caught in the far-right web THE FIRST directly-elected Mayor of Limerick will be required to prepare a programme setting out the key objectives and priorities for their term of office, it has been revealed. The Mayoral programme must be published within four months of their election and the Mayor will be required to take account of the statutory obligations of Limerick City and County Council and any relevant Government policies or objectives which are in place at the time. The Mayor of Limerick, who will be an ex officio member of the local authority, will be required to present a draft of the Mayoral programme for consideration by the elected council before it is agreed and published. The proposed legislation to give legal effect to the new role has been published by the Government ahead of the return of the Dail next month. If follows the plebiscite in 2019 which saw voters across the city and county narrowly endorse the establishment of the new office. If the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 is passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law, the first directly-elected Mayor of Limerick will take office following next years local elections - in early June. The Mayor will serve a five-year term and the draft legislation states that no mayor can serve for more than two terms. While the proposed legislation does not address the costs associated with the new office, it states the Mayor of Limerick will be paid by Limerick City and County Council with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. While the local authority will pay any reasonably incurred expenses, funding for performance of functions of Mayor must be approved by the Oireachtas. In each financial year, the Minister shall advance to the Mayor out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas such amount or amounts as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, determine for the purposes of expenditure by the Mayor in the performance of his or her functions under this Act. The proposed legislation confirms the Mayor of Limerick will have up to five dedicated staff, including one special advisor. The Mayor may appoint a person who, in the opinion of the Mayor, has experience and expertise in relation to matters to which the functions of special adviser under this section relate, to be a special adviser to the Mayor, states the proposed legislation. The five staff will be employees of Limerick City and County Council who will be assigned by the council's Director General. It is envisioned in the Bill that the Mayor of Limerick will be required, within two months of their election, to establish a committee to be known as the Limerick Mayoral Advisory and Implementation Committee. This committee will be tasked with assisting the Mayor in the preparation of the Mayoral programme and will support the Mayor in advancing the Mayoral programme. It is proposed the mayor will have the power to request reports and information from Government ministers and public bodies on matters which he/she believes will have an impact on Limerick or Limerick City and County Council. To that end, following their election, the Mayor of Limerick will become a member of the Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum. According to the draft legislation, this forum will also include every Government minister as a member. The proposed legislation which runs to more than 150 pages, outlines the election procedure and what happens following the holding of the election. The functions and responsibilities of the Mayor of Limerick are outlined as are the procedures for him or her leaving or being removed from office. The Bill also outlines what will happen within Limerick City and County Council following the election. For example, the position of CEO will be become that of Director General while the role of Cathaoirleach will be renamed as that Priomh Chomhairleoir. All candidates who contest the mayoral election will be subject to ethics legislation and rules governing donations and expenditure. The Bill proposes to set an expenditure limit of 72,100 for candidates who run in next years mayoral election. ALMOST 3,000 students across Limerick are due to receive their Leaving Certificate exams this Friday. It's been a long summer for students who sat their exams in June - the first time they took place in the traditional way since 2019 due to Covid-19. A total of 2,577 students sat the Leaving Cert in Limerick in June while a further 202 sat the Leaving Cert Applied. The State Examinations Commission says the results will be issued online - via the Candidate Self Service Portal - at 10am and that those who sat exams will be able to review and download their results. Students will need their examination number, password, and PPS number in order to log into the portal. While many secondary schools in Limerick will be open this Friday, only a small number of students are expected to attend to their former schools having received their results. Those who are unhappy with one or more result are being reminded they can apply to view their scripts for free while there is a fee to have subjects re-checked. Whatever their results, students are being encouraged to celebrate in moderation and to ensure they remain safe throughout the celebrations. For those who need support, the National Leaving Certificate Helpline, 1800 265165, opens from Friday 10am. See examinations.ie for more. A FIRST-TIME visitor to the Cappamore Show cattle section might have thought they wandered into an outdoor hair salon or beauty spa. Cattle were being combed, their backs clipped, hairdryers going full blast and all that was missing was their hooves being painted with nail varnish. Youd pay a lot of money for that level of care and attention in a hair salon. The handlers were also out to impress in their spotless white coats, often wearing caps and one young chap was spotted sporting a dickie bow. Some had left home at 5am to be in Ballyvoreen on time. The classes for youngsters are always special as the boys and girls lead around calves bigger than themselves like puppy dogs. One young lady - Grace Ryan (Luke), aged 11, from Cappamore, epitomised the love for showing cattle. Grace, a daughter of Sean and Aoife, is show royalty as she is a granddaughter of the late and much-missed Paddy Ryan (Luke). Mr Ryan will go down in history as the longest-ever secretary of any show in Ireland and probably the world. He was secretary of 60 of the 65 Cappamore Shows until his passing in 2021. Foot and Mouth disease and Covid robbed him of two more. He was a very proud grandfather looking down on Grace on Saturday. This is my first year showing cattle, Grace told the Leader. I enjoyed it. I like walking the calves, she smiled. Another young Cappamore stockperson smiling was Conor Ryan. He took home the Ollie Moore perpetual trophy for the local confined class calf with a Belgian Blue X bred by Eamon O'Donovan, also Cappamore. Conor won it in fairness to him, said Eamon. Conor, who has only been showing cattle for two years, said it was great fun and really enjoyed it. He complimented Eamon for his talent as a pedigree breeder before getting ready for another class on a busy day for the son of Sinead and Tim. Sometimes you don't appreciate what you have until it is gone and the cattle section and the show itself was close to being called off due to Storm Betty. National secretary of the Irish Shows Association (ISA) Jim Harrison said it was an unbelievable achievement to put on a show after Storm Betty. They had a meeting some time after 6am and made the decision to go ahead and didn't they make the right decision. It's great weather after a serious nights weather. It's very good, dry land, said Jim, who hails from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. He was looking forward to the FBD All-Ireland Young Stockperson Final. The junior, intermediate and senior finalists had qualified from other shows around the country. Tadhg Hannon and Aoife Hannon did Limerick proud, befitting their last name, in the All-Ireland junior category. Jim stressed the importance of the social aspect of shows and of the stock persons making friends. The ISA secretary also spoke of the care and love for the cattle. Animals actually are treated better than humans. You will go to the vet for an animal quicker than you would go to the doctor for yourself, said Jim. Sean Sherman, chairperson of the Pedigree Breeders Council of Ireland, judged the senior stockperson category. How does he pick the winner? We have arrived today at an All-Ireland competition today so I am going to be looking for perfection, both in presentation of the animals and how the youngsters present themselves to me and how equipped they are with knowledge. What separates the top from the second and the third? There has to be a difference. At an All-Ireland level we are looking for perfection from A to Z, said Sean, who drew similarities with the all-conquering Limerick hurlers for the past four years. You don't get to the All-Ireland without being good and you won't win the All-Ireland without being excellent, said Sean, from Rathdowney, Co Laois. After all the cups and rosettes were presented on Saturday it was time to turn the rings and beauty salon for cattle back into green pasture. The volunteers who braved the weather to put it up were back to take it all down. And they will do the same next year as that's what agricultural shows are all about. GENEROUS staff, customers and suppliers of a Limerick store have helped raise more than 8,000 for two worthy causes. Workers at DIY store Woodies, which is based at Ennis Road on the citys northside, joined in the companys wider Heroes campaign. This year, funds from this were divided equally between ISPCC Childline, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, Down Syndrone Ireland and Make a Wish. And Limericks store staff more than played their part raising 8,215 for these charities. This came with help from customers and suppliers. Woodies Heroes was established in 2015 and has raised more than 3m for Irish childrens charities. Across Woodies branches nationwide, this years fundraising is expected to see that figure grow closer to 3.5 million. Customers donated throughout the campaign by adding a donation in-store at the till, online at woodies.ie or by text. The team at Woodies Limerick said they were overjoyed by the generosity and support shown to them during the campaign by their local community. They extended a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated. After four weeks of fundraising, it was a proud moment for the colleagues in-store when they presented the cheque for 8,215. The money raised will make a meaningful difference to the children and families who are supported by these four amazing charities, a store spokesperson said. Woodies DIY has 35 branches across the Ireland. Its Limerick outlet is located at Ennis Road retail park, adjacent to Jetland Shopping Centre. A LIMERICK woman is celebrating after she won a massive 200,000 after buying a National Lottery scratch card. The woman, who collected her winnings earlier this week, had to do a double take on the All Cash Spectacular scratch card after revealing the top prize amount. The winning 10 scratch card was purchased at the Circle K service station at Childers Road on the outskirts of the city. Sitting in the Winners Room in Lotto HQ, the winner admitted that she didnt realise that she was a top prize winner immediately. I popped into the shop to grab a drink and decided to get a scratch card while I was there. I scratched the All Cash Spectacular when I left and I initially thought that I had won 20,000," she said. "I was absolutely thrilled with that and even started telling friends about the win. It was a while before I actually realised that there was an extra zero at the end of the figure! I was showing the scratch card to a friend and they pointed it out to me! To think, there I was delighted with my 20,000 win when Id actually won 200,000. It was definitely the best thing Id ever had pointed out to me, thats for sure," she added. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous says there has been a lot of excitement over the last few days and that it hasn't properly sinked in yet. "Now that I have the cheque in my hand, I can actually start to plan and think about what to do next, she said. NEW DELHI: Reliance Industries has signed an understanding with The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. Reliance through its Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited owns nearly 19% of Oberoi's EIH Limited. The two will jointly manage two properties in India and one in the United Kingdom. These include the upcoming Anant Vilas Hotel, named after the billionaire's son, an urban resort in Mumbais Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), a real estate land parcel that is owned and operated by Reliance Industries and the Maker Group. The two will also together manage another planned project in Gujarat, the details of which the companies did not make available. In the UK, Stoke Park which has about 49 rooms will be managed by the company. Reliance had purchased the UK property for about 529 crore in 2021. As of March 2023, Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited owned 18.83% of EIH at a consolidated level with 11.77 crore shares while Oberoi Hotels Private Limited owned 17.67% or 11.05 crore shares. The other significant shareholder is ITC Limited which owns 13.69% of the company. Vikramjit Singh Oberoi - MD & CEO, EIH Limited, in a recent analyst meeting of the company, had said that it will be opening two other hotels in Madhya Pradesh next year including a small 20-tented villa hotel which will be managed. It will also open the 66-room Rajgarh Palace in Kallol next year. He added that in this quarter, EIH had a management fee of 7 crore and has 54% of its portfolio at present that is managed. Oberoi Hotels' parent EIH Ltd had posted a 61% increase in its consolidated net profit for the first quarter of the fiscal, while its revenue increased 26.7%, compared to a year ago. It had a profit after tax of 106 crore in the quarter ended 30 June, as compared to 69.44 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! New Delhi: Grasim Industries Ltd announced that the company will be deploying its largest- ever capital expenditure (capex) with a focus on two new businessespaint and building materials. It has already invested 1,979 crore in the paint business in fiscal year 2023, Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman Grasim Industries Ltd, told the 76th annual general meeting. Your company has embarked on a transformational growth phase with the incubation of two new high-potential growth enginespaints and B2B e-commerce for building materials. In FY23, your company executed its largest ever capital expenditure investing 4,307 crore including 1,979 crore toward the paints business," he added. Birla said Grasim is progressing well in the paints business. The project work is progressing as per plans at all the six sites, and commissioning of plants will start in phases from Q4FY24. The state-of-the-art research and development facility is fully operational." He said, Birla Pivot, is now operational, catering to customers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the governments goals for Digital India and the empowerment of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises)," he added. Grasim recorded a year-on-year growth of 23% in consolidated revenue from operations, reaching an all-time high of 1.17 trillion. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased to 20,478 crore. FY23 was a milestone year for your company as consolidated revenue for the first time surpassed the 1 trillion mark," Birla added. Grasims VSF business recorded its highest-ever sales volume of 711KT (KiloTon) for FY23, up 18% YoY. The chemical business also reported revenue and Ebitda standing at 10,422 crore and 2,271 crore respectively. Overall chlorine integration improved to 60% compared to 58% in the previous year, he added. The company, he said, is looking to maintain its domination in the Chlor-Alkali business, projecting a capacity of 1.5 million TPA (tons per annum) by the first quarter of FY25. The textile business of Grasim recorded revenue and Ebitda at 2,293 crore and 240 crore respectively. The company aims to achieve net zero in its operations by 2050, with key being implemented to reduce carbon footprint. Increasing circularity of re-utilization of various materials going to waste is one of the focus areas of your company, and the VSF business aims to grow circular products in FY24, using pre- and post-consumer waste and alternative feedstock," he said. Water is life. Your Company has been focusing on water stewardship and the VSF business has been able to reduce water consumption by nearly 55% over the baseline of FY15." The total cumulative installed capacity of Aditya Birla Renewables, a subsidiary of the company, stood at 744MW in FY23, which is estimated to rise to 2GW by FY24, Birla added. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Mumbai: India has emerged as the fastest-growing global market for US Polo Assn (USPA), making up 15% of the clothing companys global sales last year, said a top executive. USPA reached $2.3 billion (globally) at retail in 2022. Our initial plan was to get to $2 billion by 2025, so we exceeded our long-term strategic plan last year. And India has been a very, very important part of that growth with roughly 15% of retail. This is also our fastest growing market and is among the top three in the world," said J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, the company that manages and oversees the US Polo Assn brand. Prince, who is in India to launch a new Legends marketing campaign and a new dedicated website with its longtime Indian licensee Arvind Fashions, told Mint the company is targeting a billion-dollar business over the long term from India. We are very excited about the India opportunity and the growth in the market," Prince said. As of now, USPA is close to a 2,000 crore brand in India, said Kulin Lalbhai, vice chairman and non-executive director, Arvind Fashions. In the Indian market, US Polo Assn. has truly broken out as a leader. We will very soon cross the 2,000 crore mark. It took us around 10 years to hit the first 1,000 crore, and possibly in four years we are hitting the next 1,000 crore. Thats the way the brand is dominating the category and the beauty of this is that its a brand loved by people across age groups and segments. Its become kind of larger than life." US Polo Assn has a presence in 190 countries across 1,100 stores, which it plans to take to 2,000 by 2030. It first signed a licensing agreement with Arvind Fashions in 2007 for India entry, but it was in 2009 that the brands merchandise officially became available in India. As of now, Arvind Fashion runs 425 exclusive US Polo Assn stores in India and is planning to add at least 50 more every year, Lalbhai said. The brands growth strategy covers brick-and-mortar, omnichannel and e-commerce. Currently, 25% of the business is via digital and with a dedicated site, this will further grow. But, I dont see any major change in the mix as we are also aggressively increasing our offline presence in the country. We have mapped by PIN codes and we are already in over 200 cities, so its time to even go in tier II and III cities," said Lalbhai. One of Indias leading casual wear power brands, US Polo Assn is also the largest brand managed by Arvind Fashions, which also includes ARROW, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Flying Machine and Sephora. On Friday, along with the new India website for the brand, the two companies also launched a new Legends campaign featuring actors Arjun Rampal and Milind Soman. It has also signed actor Palak Tiwari as the face of its womens wear portfolio, which it is officially launching in India. US Polo Assn sells apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories and footwear. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Indian airports are steadily emerging as preferred transit destinations for travellers flying from one foreign country to another with an improved transfer experience and wider network of airlines at the right price points, a senior executive at IndiGo told Mint in an exclusive interview. Earlier, the Indian airports were merely destination airports, but today we find a rising trend of people flying from one part of the world and come to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and take another onward flight without really exiting into any Indian city. That trend is increasing," Vinay Malhotra, head of global sales at IndiGo, said. Further, the airline has seen an increase in tendency to transit through Indian airports by Indians as well as foreigners. Earlier, these hubs existed only outside of India. It is heartening to see that Indian airports are now becoming a hub, we are able to offer seamless connections, our airports are becoming so much better and ability to offer connectivity from a country A into Delhi and after two-three hours of transit time onwards to another country C, the fact that this is happening is a really good thing and a welcome change. It is adding to our economy, tourism, and trade," he said. IndiGo has seen a higher number of transit passengers who are opting to fly via an Indian city onward to another foreign country such as Dubai-Bangkok, Bahrain-Phuket, Kuwait-Phuket, Sharjah-Jeddah, Dhaka-Riyadh, and Kathmandu-Far East, among other destinations. IndiGo is the biggest airline in terms of market share in the domestic sector and second largest among the Indian carriersnext to the Air India Groupin the international sector to and from India. The airline, however, did not share the percentage of transit passengers on their network. The larger transit traffic is also visible in terms of an increase in space at airports for transit passengers and infrastructure development by the ministry of civil aviation to make India a hub for international air traffic. In April, Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told Mint that the government has set in motion a plan to transform Indian airports into aviation hubsbeginning with the Delhi airportto ensure seamless connectivity and minimize connection time between flights. The airline further said that its low-cost model, offering affordable fares is working fine on the international network just as it has worked on the domestic front. In fact, the concept of low-cost, no-frills service has found acceptance globally as well. In the case of flying from the east coast to the west coast in the US, for a flight of six hours, airlines offer limited services on board and the rest of offerings are to be pre-purchased, Malhotra said. Whether it is on our international or domestic service, we find people are accustomed to it and comfortable with the fact that if they wish to pre-book, they will; otherwise they will probably buy on board. So, people are truly changing to the fact that this is the way a low-frills carrier works and many of them choose us because we offer this product and service," he said. (International) yields are always going up and down depending on seasonality, we continue to ensure that we are pegging our fares in such that we are able to fill our flights and continue to offer yields which are comparable and affordable," he said. IndiGo, which commenced international operations in 2011, had connectivity to 26 international destinations as of March 2023. The airlines international network is expected to reach 32 destinations soon with the addition of Nairobi, Jakarta, Baku, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Almaty. As a share of the capacity, the airline plans to allocate 30% available seat kilometres in the next two years to international capacity. In India, the airline currently has 63.4% stake in domestic air traffic and occupies 16% stake in the international traffic to and from India. Many Gurugram-based technology companies are keen to set up shops in London, said a senior official in the office of the Deputy Mayor of London for Business, adding that the reasons behind it vary from the availability of venture capital funding to global demand and talent. London and Partners is the UK capital's trade and business growth agency operating under the aegis of the Mayor of London, according to a report published by the news agency PTI. Speaking on the sidelines of the B20 Summit, London and Partners Country Director for India and senior leadership team member Hemin Bharucha acknowledged that funding for startups is not as readily available as before. He said that his firm works with MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) because big companies either already have a presence in London, or they can afford a big consulting firm. "We see Gurugram really coming up... in the EV, sustainability, and technology space. These are very big sectors...we are also seeing a little bit of creative companies in AR and VR. We don't tell every company to come to London because if they are not ready, then they will go there...and fail. It's a problem for them and us also," Bharucha told PTI. He added that most MSMEs set up their first international office in London unless they have a strong connection in the United States, owing to similarities in the tax and legal system, and the language of business being the same. "So companies initially set up with five to ten people, but scale up to 100, 200, 300 people very quickly because the revenue is coming... number one customer, number two is global VC funding," he added as quoted by PTI. The UK narrowly avoided falling into recession last year as February statistics revealed a flat output in the last few months of 2022. The UK government had warned that the economy was not out of the woods in the present year. (With PTI inputs) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! The government is set to introduce a new vehicle-testing scheme, the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) from October 1. It will rate cars based on how they perform in a series of crash tests. Mint takes a closer look at BNCAP. What is BNCAP? BNCAP is a car-testing programme that establishes safety standards for motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes by crash-testing them on various parameters. These crash tests will be based on protocols laid down in the soon-to-be-published Automotive Industry Standard 197. Based on their performance in the tests, which are on the lines of the Global NCAP and European NCAP, vehicles will be assigned a rating of one star to five stars. These ratings will have to be displayed on the vehicles with stickers, allowing customers to make informed choices and promoting competition among carmakers in India to manufacture safer vehicles. What are the parameters for rating vehicles? Crash tests will be evaluated on three parameters adult occupant protection, child occupant protection and safety assist technologies offered by the car. The first two parameters will be calculated with three types of tests. The first is a frontal-impact test with an offset deformable barrier, in which a vehicle is driven at 64 kmph and with 40% overlap into a deformable barrier, which represents an oncoming vehicle, replicating a crash between two cars of the same weight. Other tests are a side-impact test at 50 kmph and a pole side-impact test (where a car is crashed sideways into a rigid pole) at 29 kmph. The pole impact test will only be done if a vehicle qualifies for 3, 4 or 5 star rating. Additionally, the tests will check for the presence of safety features such as an electronic stability-control system, pedestrian protection system, seat belt reminder, and so on. Who will conduct the crash tests? The ministry of road transport and highways has authorised CIRT (Central Institute of Road Transport) to oversee BNCAP crash tests. CIRT will set operational procedures for testing, coordinate with testing agencies to get vehicles tested, process the results and finalise the star ratings. The actual crash testing will be conducted by testing agencies such as the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) on payment of a fee. About 6 to 8 testing centres are already operational near auto hubs and more such centres will be set up soon. Which vehicles will be tested? BNCAP applies to passenger vehicles with no more than eight seats (in addition to the drivers seat), and with a gross weight below 3,500 kg. Only the base model of a particular variant will be tested. Vehicles will be selected at random and not supplied by manufacturers. BNCAP testing will be voluntary at first, but ministry officials said that down the road, vehicles may be identified for testing based on market feedback. Transport minister Nitin Gadkari said automobile manufacturers have already offered 30 car models for crash testing under Bharat NCAP, but did not offer details. What are the potential benefits of BNCAP? The introduction of an India-specific NCAP is expected to increase the local production of safety components, which could boost the production and adoption of safer vehicles. Though it is voluntary to start with, the rules could be made more stringent once sufficient capacity for such testing is available. Will this make cars more expensive? As the tests will involve the payment of fees and the possible inclusion of additional safety features in vehicles, they could raise prices. However, automobile companies have said that as the process gains momentum in the coming years, the price impact of the new programme will be minimised. According to Gadkari, crash testing costs 2.5 crore abroad but could cost only 60 lakh under Bharat NCAP. This could even encourage companies that get their vehicles tested at NCAP-accredited centres in Europe, particularly Germany, to shift testing to India. Whats the process of getting a car tested under BNCAP? The process starts with a manufacturer nominating a vehicle for testing. A BNCAP representative will then visit the manufacturing facility or dealership to select a base model of the vehicle at random. The selected vehicle will then be sent to a testing centre, where it will be crash-tested in the presence of representatives of both the manufacturer and BNCAP. Then test results will be compiled and sent to the manufacturer, spending the BNCAP standing committees approval. After this approval is in, BNCAP will publish the test results and star rating, and CIRT will issue a certificate. National Film Award: Elated after winning the Best Actor award for Pushpa movie, actor Allu Arjun got emotional while celebrating the moment with his family and friends. Also Read: 69th National Film Awards: Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon share best actress award, Allu Arjun wins for Pushpa. Check full list His videos of celebrating the moment with wife and children are getting viral on social media. The Telugu actor, can be seen sharing a tight hug with his wife and other family members after the victory. In another video shared by Mythri Movie Makers, Allu Arjun could be seen sharing a warm and tight hug with director Sukumar as people continued to clap for the star. "Maverick director @aryasukku and our producers #NaveenYerneni garu and #RaviShankar garu shower their happiness and love on Icon Star Allu Arjun for becoming the first actor from TFI to win the best actor at the National Awards," captioned mythriofficial the post with video on Instagram. Also Read: Art is subjective, Kangana Ranaut reacts to Thalaivii's miss at National Film Awards With this award, Allu Arjun created history by becoming the first actor from Telugu film industry to win the National Film Award. The event was held at the National Media Centre in Delhi. The National Film Award jury evaluated the performance of 280 films across 28 languages in competition for different categories of awards. Other than Allu Arjun, R Madhavan, Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon also bagged National Awards this year. Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt won best actress prize for their roles in Gangubai Kathiawadi. Whereas, Kriti Sanon won the award for her role in Mimi. Notably, it is the first National Film Award for all three stars. The best director award was won by Nikhil Mahajan for Marathi film "Godavari". The National Awards for 2021 were announced by filmmaker Ketan Mehta who headed the 11-member jury. Critically acclaimed actor, Pankaj Tripathi won the award in best supporting role for Mimi" and Pallavi Joshi won the best supporting actress for "The Kashmir Files". "The Kashmir Files", directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, also won the Nargis Dutt award for best film on national integration. Globally popular, "RRR" won six awards. R Madhavan won award for "Rocketry...". He dedicated the award to his parents and Nambi Narayanan, a former ISRO scientist whose life story inspired the film. "Getting the national award for the Best Feature film has given us the belief that Nambi Narayanan Sir will finally get the recognition he so richly deserves, and that has been our only mission," he said. "The love of the audience around the world and the recognition bestowed upon us today has completely humbled me and I do not take this lightly... This has inspired me to give even more of myself to this wonderful profession I am in, and I hope to entertain all of you, as best as I can in the years to come," he added. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Larsen & Toubro (L&T) share price fell almost 2 per cent in morning trade on BSE on Friday, looking set to extend their losing run into the second consecutive session amid weak market sentiment. The stock opened at 2,686.95 against the previous close of 2,687.50 and slipped 1.86 per cent to the intraday low of 2,637.55 in Friday's trade so far. Market participants said the stock is witnessing some profit booking as it has gained strongly in the recent past. L&T share price has strongly outperformed equity benchmark Sensex in the last one year, rising over 41 per cent. The Sensex has gained just about 11 per cent in the same period. Experts and brokerage firms are positive about the stock for the long term. Global brokerage firm CLSA, after the soft landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the moon, said this achievement of India should strengthen the Make in India theme. CLSA said it would open up global rocket and satellite markets for Indian players such as L&T. Mint talked to fundamental and technical experts to assess the growth potential of the stock. Here's what they said: Fundamental views Abhishek Jain, Head of Research, Arihant Capital Jain said Larsen & Toubro shares have surged 20 per cent in the last three months compared to Sensex's 5 per cent primarily due to a robust order book driven by government infrastructure projects. "Strengthened infrastructure business contributed to revenue growth, although last quarter showed revenue weakness. L&T's buyback at 3,000 further boosted the stock. The rise seems supported by favourable business conditions, but continued growth depends on sustaining orders and execution efficiency. Investors eyeing a year timeframe should monitor order inflow and execution performance closely," said Jain. Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities Jasani underscored that Larsen & Toubro is one of the key beneficiaries of the rise in the capex from private as well as Infrastructure push from the government. The company has delivered robust quarterly results in the last few quarters. The order book of the company has risen substantially on a year-on-year (YoY) basis by 14 per cent crossing the 4 lakh crores mark. The infrastructure projects segment secured an order inflow of 40,000 crore in the current quarter, up more than 100 per cent on a YoY basis. There is also an increase in the traction from the international orders (currently constitutes 29 per cent of the total order book) from the Middle East revolving around oil and gas, core industrialisation and energy transition initiatives in that part of the world. The company has a strong ordering pipeline of 10 lakh crore for the remaining three-quarters of FY24. The company has indicated that the margin suppression is to be phased out eventually on account of the legacy low-margin infrastructure projects that are nearing completion. "We are expecting the margin expansion post FY24. This can provide further momentum to the earnings aided by 12-15 per cent growth in the revenues. The companys JVs have shown an improvement in the both Ridership of the Hyderabad Metro project and the PLF of the Nabha Power Plant. The daily ridership of the Hyderabad Metro has now crossed the 5 lakh per day mark and the interest expense in JVs can fall on account of debt levels cooling off after receiving the expected aid from the government of 3,000 crore in upcoming years," said Jasani. Jasani is positive on the stock and has an 'add' rating on it with a one-year target price of 3,002. Technical views Gaurav Bissa, VP, InCred Equities Bissa said L&T has been one of the strongest large-cap stocks with consistent outperformance seen in the last few months. The stock picked up momentum after witnessing a 12-year rising trendline breakout on the monthly charts. "The stock is also getting a strong push from rsi which is trading near 75 levels. However, the stock is showing early signs of fatigue. Investors with a one-year horizon are advised to book partial profit and hold for 3200 level with a stop loss placed at 2,400 level," said Bissa. Vaishali Parekh, Vice President - Technical Research, Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt. Ltd Parekh pointed out that the stock has maintained the support zone of 2,170 on the daily chart and moved past the significant 50EMA level of 2,332, it rallied to witness a decent rise. Above 2,500, it indicated a breakout above the channel resistance barrier and from there on, it has given a decent spurt with favourable indicators supporting the rise. The stock has indicated a positive bias, having a near near-term support zone at around 2,600 level and only a decisive breach below the 2,600 level will weaken the overall trend. "For the longer term timeframe, the stock has further targets of 3,700 and 5,100 levels as per the Fibonacci Extension tool and one can stay invested as of now," said Parekh. "The stock has been maintaining the strong uptrend and looks promising for a long-term investment purpose and would have the initial short-term target of 2,950-3,000 levels with a stop loss visible near 2,550 and only a decisive breach below that would weaken the trend. The longer-term investment targets would be 3,700 and 5,100 levels as mentioned earlier, with a major support zone visible near 2,350-2,380 zone as per the lower trendline base of the channel pattern," Parekh said. Read all market-related news here Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts and broking companies, not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions. LARSEN & TOUBRO More Information "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! A labor tussle at a semiconductor-plant construction site in Arizona points to one of the thornier challenges facing the U.S. as it moves to revive domestic chip manufacturing: ensuring there are enough skilled workers to meet new demands. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is investing $40 billion for two chip fabrication plants in Phoenix and is expected to seek up to $15 billion in tax credits and grants for the project under the $53 billion Chips Act, The Wall Street Journal has reported. TSMCs project is expected to serve as a cornerstone for the Chips Act, which aims to reduce the U.S.s reliance on imported chips and strengthen domestic manufacturing to better compete with China. Meeting those goals will hinge not only on drawing the worlds biggest chip manufacturers to the U.S., but also recruiting and developing the technical expertise to build and operate the new plants. In Arizona, however, construction has been delayed by a shortage of skilled workers, TSMC says, and it is seeking to bring in workers from Taiwan to get construction back on track. We are encountering certain challenges as there is an insufficient amount of skilled workers withspecialized expertise," TSMC Chairman Mark Liu said during the companys July 20 second-quarter earnings call. Lius remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Arizona trade unions, who say bringing in workers from overseas would undermine one of the key goals of the Chips Actto create more domestic jobs in the industry. TSMC has shown a lack of respect for American workers," the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council said in a letter to members of Congress, asking them to block the issuance of visas to Taiwanese workers. Around 1,500 members sent copies of the letter to Washington. The council is an umbrella organization for 14 trade unions representing pipe fitters, electricians, metals workers and others. The groups members make up 25% to 30% of about 12,000 workers currently on the Phoenix site, said spokeswoman Brandi Devlin. TSMC says its intention was to bring in workers on a temporary basis and it wasnt seeking to cut Arizona workers out of jobs. This small group of experienced specialists will share experience and exchange knowledge with the locals, enabling the larger objective to localize the U.S. supply chain," TSMC said. TSMC has sought visas for roughly 500 temporary workers, according to people familiar with the situation. A State Department spokeswoman wouldnt confirm that number, but said officials there are working with TSMC to ensure employees with the skills required to construct and operate complex semiconductor fabrication plants representing an array of companies and subsidiaries have the opportunity to apply for U.S. visas expeditiously and efficiently." The Biden administration considers the Chips Act one of its signature initiatives, and the programs supporters responded quickly following the complaints by the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, visited the construction site on Aug. 9 to announce what she called a voluntary agreement with TSMC to allow state officials to increase inspections and training to ensure worker safety. She also pledged to double the number of construction and trades apprentices. Arizona will work tirelessly to train the workforce," she said. Industry executives and economists say a shortage of chip-industry workers in the U.S. is a big hurdle as the U.S. seeks to entice Asian chip makers that dominate global semiconductor supplies, and who enjoy deep pools of skilled workers and lower production costs at home. The Chips Act is doing exactly what it was meant to do: Bring in new investment and expand U.S. production capacity," said Hamilton Galloway, head of consultancy for Americas at Oxford Economics, a research firm. Now we have to rise to the challenge of the workforce needs and the talent in order to support that outcome." A study conducted by Oxford and the Semiconductor Industry Association projects the industry will face a shortage of roughly 67,000 workers by 2030, as the Chips Act spurs expansion. Of those unfilled jobs, 39% will be technicians mostly with two-year degrees, 35% will be engineers and others with four-year degrees and the rest holding advanced degrees. Biden administration officials say the labor tension in Arizona doesnt reflect a current shortage of semiconductor workers. Companies from across the world are investing in America because they know we have the best engineers, scientists and workers in the world," White House spokeswoman Robyn Patterson said. She added universities, community colleges and companies are expanding training of semiconductor workers to meet growing talent needs. Union members had previously took to social media to complain about TSMC bringing in nonunion workers from Texas and Louisiana to work on the Arizona project. They have also questioned the companys safety standards and communication style. TSMC, which provides nearly all of the U.S.s needs for most advanced chips, has complaints of its own. These include high building costs in the U.S. and the Chips Acts restrictions on expanding its existing facilities in China. In response to the Arizona situation, TSMC said it now holds regular discussions with labor contractors about safety and training, as well as the use of foreign workers, to set up the factories. Devlin, the union spokeswoman, said the companys pledges to hold regular conversations have helped allay concerns. We feel that there is a process now in place that we can address some of these issues," Devlin said. Write to Yuka Hayashi at Yuka.Hayashi@wsj.com and Yang Jie at jie.yang@wsj.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Karnataka's Bengaluru today, August 25, to meet the team of ISRO scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, according to a report published by the news agency ANI. After a 40-day journey into space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, 'Vikram', touched the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening. With this, India became the first country to do it. In addition, the country also became only the fourth nation after the US, Russia, and China to successfully conduct a lunar landing mission. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft put down the Vikram lander on the lunar surface, tilting to a horizontal position ahead of landing. The spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota on July 14. PM Modi joined the live telecast of Chandrayaan-3 live telecast online from South Africa. He hailed the Chandrayaan-3 mission creating history by achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface and said India is now on the moon". "When we see such historic moments it makes us very proud. This is the dawn of new India. Humne dharti par sankalp kiya aur chand pe usse sakaar kiya...India is now on the moon," the Prime Minister said. Earlier on Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organization said that Pragyan Rover began its moonwalk on the lunar surface. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), ISRO said, "Chandrayaan-3 Mission. Chandrayaan-3 Rover to MOX, ISTRAC, Moon walk begins!" Lunar rover 'Pragyan' slid down a ramp from the lander of India's spacecraft within hours of its historic touch-down near the moons south pole, Indian space officials said Thursday, as the country celebrated its new scientific accomplishment. India took a walk on the moon," the state-run Indian Space Research Organization said, adding that the Chandrayan-3 Rover would conduct experiments over 14 days, including an analysis of the mineral composition of the lunar surface. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise a mega roadshow in Bengaluru tomorrow to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will visit city to congratulate ISRO team on the grand success of Chandrayaan-3 Former Karnataka minister and senior BJP leader R Ashoka said, PM Narendra Modi is coming on August 26. We will be receiving him in big numbers with more than 6,000 people at HAL airport. There, he might address the people of Bengaluru. India's Prime Minister Modi is set to meet with ISRO scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission after the successful lunar landing. The Vikram lander touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole, making India the first country to achieve this feat after a 40-day journey. PM Modi, watching from South Africa, hailed the historic soft landing, proclaiming "India is now on the moon." This is the dawn of new India, says PM Modi Following the landing, in his address, PM Modi said "When we see such historic moments it makes us very proud. This is the dawn of new India." Humne dharti par sankalp kiya aur chand pe usse sakaar kiya...India is now on the moon," he added. This achievement places India among the US, Russia, and China as the fourth nation to conduct a lunar landing mission. Launched from Sriharikota on July 14, the Chandrayaan-3 mission marks a significant step forward for India's space endeavors. A GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle was used for the launch of the spacecraft that was placed in the lunar orbit on August 5 and since then, it went through a series of orbital manoeuvres before zeroing in on the moons surface. Karnataka government congratulate ISRO chief A day after the lander module of the Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moons South Pole, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that it will felicitate the chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and 500 other scientists in Bengaluru. He spoke to the media after visiting ISRO, this morning and said, "The achievement of ISRO has made the whole world take note of India. The safe landing of the Vikram lander on the moon is a historic achievement." (With agency inputs) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has launched its mobile application MCD 311 to empower the residents of the national capital to actively participate in the upkeep of their city by lodging complaints related to various civil issues, according to a report published by the news agency ANI. Lt Governor Anil Baijal unveiled the application at the Raj Niwas here. The 'MCD 311' app is a user-friendly interface where citizens can conveniently register their grievances such as illegal dumping of construction debris, improper disposal of municipal solid waste, road potholes, malfunctioning streetlights, the presence of stray cattle, etc. Basically, the digital channel promises to streamline the process of reporting problems to authorities, promoting transparency and swift resolution. The complaints will be closely monitored by a consortium of agencies. These agencies include the Central Agency for Quality Management (CAQM), the Department of Environment (GNCTD), and senior officials within MCD, as per ANI reports. The civic body has issued comprehensive directives for the redressal of complaints through the 'MCD 311' app. Following the resolution of complaints, officials will be required to upload photographs of the site on the app, ensuring transparency and accountability. All Deputy Commissioners in different zones of Delhi will be tasked with monitoring complaints received on the 'MCD 311' app daily. Their mandate is to ensure the prompt resolution of all such complaints, with a strict deadline of 24 hours, thus expediting the process and boosting citizen confidence, ANI reported. The introduction of the 'MCD 311' app represents a leap forward in citizen-centric governance, placing the power to effect change directly in the hands of Delhi's residents. As the 'MCD 311' app takes flight, it is anticipated that it will usher in a new era of responsive and accountable municipal services, strengthening the bond between the government and its people. (With ANI inputs) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Amid an erratic monsoon, farmers planted more paddy this kharif season, and less of pulses, cotton and oilseeds. According to agriculture ministry data released on Friday, overall kharif sowing inched up 3.6% from last year to touch 105.4 million hectares (mh). While paddy sowing rose 16.2% to 38.4 mh, pulses acreage shrank 10.6% to 11.7 mh. The fall in pulses sowing includes a 2.3% and nearly 5% drop in tur (arhar or pigeon pea) and urad (black gram) to 4.2 mh and 3.1 mh respectively, two items which recorded a jump in prices this season and jointly account for two-thirds of the kharif pulses basket. Area under moong cultivation also declined 2.7% to 3.1 mh. Area under cotton and oilseeds shrank around 3% and 2%, respectively. Farmers cultivated cotton over 12.2 mh and kharif oilseeds on 18.8 mh, including 12.4 mh under soya bean and 4.3 mh under groundnut. Similarly, in the millet basket, the area under jowar fell 1.2% to 1.3 mh. However, farmers have been seen doubling the pace of sowing maize, followed by ragi and bajra. View Full Image Crop data Meanwhile, agriculturists cautioned that lower rainfall in August, coupled with falling reservoir levels, may hurt yields. Deficit rainfall during June led to delayed sowing, which pushed the crop calendar of pulses, cotton, paddy and maize to be in the vegetative phase in August, and now the below-normal precipitation is estimated to have a negative impact on yields owing to poor vegetative growth, pest infestations and problematic flower setting in different crops," said Pushan Sharma, directorresearch, Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics. Rainfall remained 7% below normal long period average (LPA) at 611.4 mm during 1 June to 25 August. The June-September monsoon season drives a big chunk of Indias $3 trillion economy, bringing nearly 75% of the countrys annual rains, crucial for agriculture and for replenishing reservoirs and aquifers along with meeting power demand. Over half of Indias arable land is rain-fed, and agriculture is among the biggest employment generators. Weakening rains over the past week have worsened the decline in water levels of major reservoirs, now 21% below the previous years levels. As of Thursday, the gap has widened from a 7% deficit at the beginning of August. Rainfall in August is deficient by about 32%, and for the week ended Wednesday, India recorded a precipitation of 43.2 mm, 22% below the long-period average. Higher water levels are critical for the agriculture sector, with farmers relying significantly on reservoirs for irrigation. Data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) showed that the water level in 146 reservoirs is currently at 113.584 billion cubic metres (bcm), which is 64% of their overall capacity. Although there has been a slight uptick since last week, it pales in comparison with the same period last year, when storage was at 144.569 bcm. The 10-year average for this period is 120.916 bcm. The storage in the 146 reservoirs is presently at 79% of the same periods storage last year and 94% of the ten-year average," the CWC reported. Region-wise, reservoirs in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Uttarakhand fare better than the previous year. In contrast, several other states, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Kerala, have reported lower water levels. Although dipping water levels raises crop yield concerns, forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand and northeastern states for the next five days ending 29 August is expected to soften the blow and improve reservoir levels, Crisils Sharma added. Meanwhile, some meteorologists see August rainfall deficiency to widen to 40%, as only the east and north-eastern region is predicted to receive heavy rains in the rest of August. During 1-25 August, north-west, central and south India recorded rainfall deficiency of 29%, 38%, and 64%, respectively, which is expected to increase, barring east India. The below-normal rain in most of India during the next six days is expected because of Monsoon Intra-Seasonal Oscillation (MISO) and Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), which provide large-scale favourable conditions for the formation of low pressure and rainfall, are currently in a suppressed phase which, along with large-scale subsidence due to the El Nino forcing, is suppressing the convection and rainfall over large parts of India," said Vineet Kumar Singh, research scientist at Typhoon Research Center in South Korea and a former scientist with the India Meteorological Department. Additionally, the monsoon trough is expected to remain close to the foothills of the Himalayas in the next five-seven days; as a result, a large part of central, west and south India will see below normal precipitation," Singh said. CRISIL More Information "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Jaipur: The two-day long G20 trade and investment ministers meeting (TIMM) under Indias presidency ended on Friday without a joint communique even as members agreed in principle to enhance global value chain (GVC) resilience amid multi-dimensional crisis" and persistent trade disruptions due to the pandemic and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The outcome document warned that the global economic recovery since the pandemic outbreak has been uneven and near-term prospects of global trade and investment look uncertain. Mounting challenges are adversely affecting predictability and resilience of global tradeaggravating poverty and inequalityand negatively impacting achievement of sustainable development objectives," the statement read. The G20 leaders agreed they will strengthen cooperation to increase transparency of Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS), and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) measures in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, and will also continue to assist developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs). However, like several other G20 meetings, the text on Ukraine war and its impact on global economy became a point of contention between the member nations, chiefly Russia and China. Russia rejected the inclusion of geopolitical Para 32, saying it doesnt conform to the G20 mandate and recognizes the status of Para 32 as Chairs Summary. Russia, however, agreed with the rest of the text. Meanwhile, China stated that the G20 TIMM isnt the right forum to discuss geopolitical issues and didnt support the inclusion of the geopolitical-related content. Commerce minister Piyush Goyal said a groundbreaking consensus on five concrete and action-oriented deliverables was achieved, adding there was one paragraph where we could not get consensus for obvious reasons". The action-oriented deliverables included the adoption of high-level principles for the digitalization of trade documents and a push to boost access of information to micro, small and midsize enterprises (MSMEs). Notably, the leaders endorsed a G20 generic mapping framework for global value chains. The framework also advocated to identify key dimensions to help evaluate the resilience of GVCs both at the sectoral and product levels. Moreover, guiding principles for collaboration to address the need for keeping critical GVCs resilient and robust were also enunciated in the framework," according to an official statement. As per the statement, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala asked all the G20 ministers to narrow down realistic deliverables for agreement at the WTOs 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in early 2024. The statement further read that the G20 ministers welcomed the voluntary sharing of best practices on Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for professional services and supported the development of a Presidencys Compendium of best practices on MRAs for professional services. The compilation of good practices will spur successful entering into MRAs which will enable recognition of technical qualifications of Indian doctors, nurses, lawyers, architects, and other professionals by other countries. It will thus immensely help Indian professionals in providing their technical services across the world, the statement said. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! The Supreme Court of India on Friday refused to stay the release of a former Uttar Pradesh minister, 16 years after he was convicted of murdering a pregnant poet. Former UP minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani will be released from the Gorakhpur jail, as noted by the superintendent following the SC order. Tripathi and his wife were sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering poet Madhumita Shukla. However, the husband-wife duo will get a premature release. When the release was challenged by Shukla's sister, Nidhi Shukla, in the apex court, the latter cited the the state's 2018 policy on remission, since they have completed 16 years of imprisonment. Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani will be released as the Gorakhpur jail cited their old age and good behaviour as Amarmani is 66 and Madhumani is 61. Amarmani Tripathi and his wife are currently admitted in the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur for health reasons. Madhumita Shukla's sister, Nidhi Shukla, who had been in the forefront in this legal fight, had earlier said she has approached the Supreme Court against the decision and also fears for the life of her and her family members. What is the Madhumita Shukla murder case? The sensational murder case of Madhumita Shukla that rocked the state, was shot dead on 9 May, 2003, in Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. Shukla was only 24 years old. During the time of her murder she was pregnant, which a later DNA test done by CBI confirmed Amarmani Tripathi as the father. Amarmani Tripathi was arrested in September 2003 in connection with the murder of the poet with whom he was allegedly in a relationship. Amarmani Tripathi, who was elected from Nautanva constituency, had been a minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government in 2001. He was with the Samajwadi Party during the Mulayam government. He then switched over to BSP. Amarmani Tripathi, was a minister in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) cabinet helmed by Mayawati. Tripathi was considered her right-hand man during their governance in Uttar Pradesh. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Weather update: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy over heavy rains in several states till 26 August. As per IMD, heavy to very heavy rain has been predicted in Odisha, West Bengal and Sikkim, Bihar, Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh In Himachal, IMD has issued a yellow alert in the state for today. The weather office also said that there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of some districts across the state. IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma told news agency ANI that there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of the districts of Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Una, Bilaspur and Kangra Odisha has been witnessing heavy rainfall due to the southwest monsoon, with this the IMD has predicted more downpour till tomorrow i.e. till 26 August. The state has so far recorded 760.2 mm of rainfall against 838.8 mm of normal rain from 1 June-24 August. The IMD has issued yellow warning (be updated), forecasting thunderstorms with lightning, for the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bolangir, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khurda, Ganjam and Puri till 8.30 am on Friday. Whereas, thunderstorm with lightning is also likely in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Koraput districts till 8.30 am on Saturday. In Delhi, IMD has said that the national capital is likely to witness cloudy skies over the next five days. However, no rains have been predicted for this period, it added. Check full IMD weather forecast here Northwest India: IMD has predicted isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh on 24th and 25th August. -Moreover, light to moderate isolated/scattered rainfall is likely over rest parts of northwest India during the week. East India: -In East India, the weather department has predicted isolated heavy rainfall activity very likely over West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha during 24th- 26th August and Jharkhand on 24th and 25th August, 2023. -It has also predicted isolated very heavy rainfall is also likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and Bihar on 24th & 25th August. Northeast India: -Isolated heavy rainfall activity very likely over the region during most days of the week. -Isolated very heavy rainfall is also likely over Assam & Meghalaya during 24th-26th August and over Arunachal Pradesh on 25th August. Central and South Peninsular India: IMD has also predicted light to moderate isolated, scattered rainfall over rest parts of South Peninsular India during the week. Moreover, the weather department for the next week from 31 August-6 September has predicted isolated heavy to very heavy falls are likely over most parts of east and northeast India. It also said that scattered to fairly wide spread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is also likely over some parts of south Peninsular India during the week. It added that the overall rainfall activity is likely to be normal to above normal over northeast, East and adjoining Central India; near normal over most parts of south Peninsular India (except Maharashtra) and below normal over rest parts of the country during the week. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Ann Coulter, a conservative commentator, is facing widespread criticism for making derogatory comments about the two Indian American candidates vying for the GOP presidential nomination. During the recent Republican presidential debate, Coulter referred to an exchange between former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as "Hindu business." In a tweet, she stated, "Nikki and Vivek are involved in some Hindu business, it seems. Not our fight." In response to Coulter's remarks, Tricia McLaughlin, senior adviser and communications director for Vivek Ramaswamy, commented, "Ann can tweet whatever she wants to," reported NBC News. McLaughlin emphasised that Vivek Ramaswamy adheres to the same Judeo-Christian values upon which the nation was founded, and highlighted the positive example set by Ramaswamy's family life for their children and grandchildren. Also read: Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates: Declare 23 August 'ISRO Day,' petition calls on change.org While Vivek Ramaswamy practices Hinduism, Nikki Haley, born into a Sikh family, practices Christianity, which she has openly discussed in her public life. The contentious exchange Coulter referred to during the debate was related to US aid to Ukraine and Israel, not religion. Coulter's comments have drawn criticism from individuals from both conservatives and liberals. One person responded to her tweet, stating, "Nikki Haley was born Sikh and is a practicing Christian, you racist troglodyte," NBC News reported. Sangay Mishra, author of Desis Divided: The Political Lives of South Asian Americans tweeted, Completely expected that she would attack them but using a white racist trope invoking a religion is beyond disgusting." Former US President Donald Trump was arrested on Thursday night on election racketeering and conspiracy charges. Trump was booked at the Fulton County Jail on state charges that he conspired to overturn the results of 2020 Presidential polls in Georgia. It was confirmed that Trump was fingerprinted and that a booking photo, also known as mugshot, was taken of the former US President at the jail. The 77-year-old Trump, who is accused of colluding with 18 other defendants to overturn the 2020 election result, spent less than 30 minutes inside Atlanta 's Fulton County Jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport . After the arrest, Trump told media it was a "very sad day for America" and accused his Democratic opponents of "election interference." "What has taken place here is a travesty of justice," he said. "I did nothing wrong." On Thursday night, Trump's private jet landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. After that, the former President of the United States headed to Fulton County jail to be booked and processed. Trump's bail bondsman According to a report by NBC News, Trump used a bail bondsman to post his $200,000 release bond. Charles Shaw of Foster Bail Bonds was paid $20,000 to post Trumps bond. Trump booking info posted on Jail's website The Fulton County Jail's website posted about the details of Trump's arrest. The jail mentioned Trump as a six-foot-three-inch-tall White male weighing 215 pounds, with Blond or Strawberry" hair and blue eyes. Donald Trump's mugshot The jail released first mugshot of Trump after his brief arrest. The photo is the first-ever mugshot of a former US president to be made public. Trump was booked earlier this year in three other criminal cases but did not have a mugshot taken. View Full Image Former US President Donald Trump is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, after a Grand Jury brought back indictments against him and 18 of his allies in their attempt to overturn the state's 2020 election results in Atlanta, Georgia. (via REUTERS) Bomb threat at court where Trump trial will be held A bomb threat was made at the Atlanta courthouse where Trump would stand trial. Trump is facing 13 charges in Georgia, including a racketeering charge and several fraud and false statement counts. The deadline for Trump and his 18 co-defendants in the case to turn themselves in is Friday. What will happen next? Trump is the first US president in history to face criminal charges. His various trials, if they take place next year, may coincide with the Republican presidential primary season, which begins in January, and the campaign for the November 2024 White House election. Special counsel Jack Smith has proposed a January 2024 start date for Trump's trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the last election with a lie-fueled campaign that culminated in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. Trump's attorneys have countered with a suggested start date well after the election -- April 2026. On Thursday, after one of the defendants asked for a speedy trial, she proposed that it begin for all 19 in October of this year, a move met with an immediate objection from Trump's lawyers. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Donald Trump on Friday re-entered X (formerly Twitter) with a notable post, i.e. his police mugshot. The post is significant as it is his first post since January 2021. Apart from that, despite four indictments in the past five months, this is first time police actually got him to photograph one. Along with the photo, he also shared the link to his 2024 presidential campaign in the post. He captioned it as ELECTION INTERFERENCE" and NEVER SURRENDER!" Donald Trump's mugshot The photograph at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday marks the first time Trump has been forced to have his mug shot taken. In three earlier criminal cases against him this year in New York, Florida and Washington authorities skipped the procedure because it wasnt deemed necessary. In the photo, Trump casts a stern look in the direction of the camera. All of the other defendants in the case that have been booked, including Rudy Giuliani, have had their mug shots taken. Donald Trump back on X (Twitter earlier) Trump was an active user of Twitter throughout his presidency and enjoyed a massive fanbase. But following the Capitol Hills riot, he was banned from the social media platform. Elon Musk lifted Trumps ban after he bought the company. However, till now, Trump stayed away from Twitter The message signals the return of Trump to what had been his favorite bullhorn and his first post since several days after the insurrection at the US Capitol by an enraged mob of his supporters attempting to block Joe Biden's certification as president. In less than hour, the photo garnered 70K comments and over 284K likes. How people are reacting to the photo: Netizen are excited that Trump has returned to X (Twitter earlier). The post itself received a mixed reaction. Former US President Donald Trump, who on Thursday night surrendered himself at Atlanta's Fulton County Jail, in a case related to election racketeering and conspiracy charges, called himself innocent. After spending less than 30 minutes inside the jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport, Trump said, I did nothing wrong". He claimed that he was the victim of election interference". On his latest arrest in Georgia 2020 election racketeering charges, The 77-year-old Republican slammed the case as a travesty of justice" shortly before re-boarding his private jet. This is their way of campaigning," Trump said, digging in on the baseless claim that his 91 criminal counts in four active cases were filed as part of a conspiracy to sabotage his presidential candidacy. We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest," Trump said at Atlanta airport. Trump did not specify who he was accused of interference, but he has routinely denounced President Joe Biden and other Democrats for allegedly obstructing his reelection campaign. Also read: Donald Trump's arrest: Former US President surrenders in Georgia elections case Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicted Trump and 18 alleged co-conspirators on 14 August, alleging they violated Georgias racketeering law by joining a criminal enterprise to keep Trump in office after he lost the election. Donald Trump's mugshot For the fist time, Trumps mug shot was made public after he surrendered to the Atlanta jail. In three earlier criminal cases against him this year in New York, Florida and Washington, the authorities skipped the procedure because it wasnt deemed necessary. In the photo, Trump casts a stern look in the direction of the camera. View Full Image Former US President Donald Trump is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office (via REUTERS) Law enforcement agencies typically take photos of newly charged defendants to have on file for identification by victims or to help track down perpetrators if they flee. Such measures havent been deemed necessary for one of the most recognizable people in the world, until now. Donald Trump loses weight Donald Trump, who was given the inmate number "PO1135809" by the Fulton County Jail, has lost plenty of weight, as per the jail authorities. The Georgia jail listed his height as six foot three inches (1.9 meters), his weight as 215 pounds (97 kilograms) and his hair color as "Blond or Strawberry." "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Former US President Donald Trump has returned to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and posted an update for the first time since his account was suspended in early 2021. In a post on X, Trump shared a mugshot of himself from his booking at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia. The image also contained the words, "ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!" Despite four indictments in the past five months, Trump had long managed to evade getting a mugshot. But on 24 August, he finally had his picture taken by police when he surrenders to authorities in Fulton County, Georgia, charged in connection with his effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results there. (He denies wrongdoing.) In it, he is seething, with angled eyebrows and a hard stare. The image will join the ranks of celebrity mugshots: famous faces in turns defiant, dejected, drunk, smirking or sulking. What is a Mugshot? According to a report by ABC News, A mug shot is a visceral representation of the criminal justice system, a symbol of lost freedom". The first mug shot was first taken in 1888 by French police officer and researcher Alphonse Bertilon. The Bertilion mug shot consisted of two photographs - one facing the camera while the other one in profile. It also consisted of descriptions of physical features and certain other measurements, reported Smithsonian magazine. According to the report, in 1908 New York City Police Department compiled a series of images showcasing how to properly take mug shots and accompanying measurements. Why was Trump removed from Twitter/X? Trump, who had 88 million followers on Twitter, was banned from the social media platform in January 2021 following an attack by his supporters on the US Capitol. However, Trump's account was reinstated shortly after Elon Musk took over the social media giant in October 2022. Trump had used Twitter, among other social media platforms, to claim that he lost the 2020 US election due to widespread voter fraud and to promote other conspiracy theories, Reuters reported. Trump claims he is innocent: Trump claimed he was 'innocent' and had done nothing wrong after surrendering at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday in a case related to election fraud and conspiracy charges. After spending less than 30 minutes at the jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport, Trump said, "We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest." Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicted Trump and 18 alleged co-conspirators on 14 August, alleging they violated Georgia's racketeering law by joining a criminal enterprise to keep Trump in office after he lost the election. Donald Trump's second bid for office: Trump launched his second bid for the White House on 15 November. However, the former president decided to skip the Republican primary debate on Fox News in favour of an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, which was streamed on X and prominently shared by the site's owner, Elon Musk. The 46-minute conversation has been viewed over 250 million times on X. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Canadian PM Justin Trudeau expressed disappointment at Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's exclusion from the G20 summit in New Delhi next month. Trudeau assured Zelenskyy of continued support and stated they would strongly advocate for Ukraine. The summit invited Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, UAE, Oman, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, and Nigeria as "guest countries." Ukraine was similarly invited to previous G7 and NATO summits to show support amid its conflict with G20 member Russia. However, there is clearly no indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend the event either, an HT report said earlier I will be at the G20 in a week and I am disappointed that you wont be included," Trudeau told Zelenskyy during a telephonic conversation on the 32nd anniversary of Ukraines independence on Thursday. Zelenskyy posted a video of the conversation was on his Instagram account. CBC News first reported the conversation. Together with our allies and partners, Canada will continue to do everything possible to support Ukraine until its territorial integrity is re-established," a statement from Trudeaus office quoted him as saying. A separate readout of the conversation with Zelenskyy noted they discussed military, financial, and humanitarian needs, now and into the future." There was no immediate response from concerned Indian officials. India, as the current G20 presidency holder, has been hosting various meetings across 32 sectors since December. The pinnacle of these events will be the G20 summit in New Delhi on September 9-10, attended by global leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Despite controversies in the past, Trudeau is set to attend the summit, marking his first visit to India since 2018. The 2018 visit was marred by issues like the invitation of a convicted Khalistani terrorist, which strained India-Canada relations. Ongoing pro-Khalistan activities in Canada continue to be a point of contention. Trudeau is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the summit, although no official confirmation has been released yet. In June, India cautioned Canada about the impact of Khalistani elements on bilateral relations. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Google Doodle is celebrating the 128th birthday of French actor Habib Benglia with a special illustration. Born in 1895 in Algeria's Oran, Benglia became the first African-born actor to feature in major roles in both films and theatre. In a post highlighting Benglia's legacy on Friday, Google noted, "Despite prejudice and racism during this time, Benglia performed in over a hundred plays. One of the pioneers of Black theater and film in France, Benglia's legacy remains at center stage for underrepresented performers everywhere. Happy birthday, Habib Benglia!" Early Life: Benglia grew up in Timbuktu and later moved to France for schooling, hoping one day to become an agricultural engineer. However, Benglia loved theatre from an early age and attended performances regularly. He was encouraged to audition for plays after being seen reciting poetries to friends during a talent scout and later featured in plays like Le Minaret, Aphrodite, and LOedipe Roi de Bouhelier. Post World War I: Benglia continued his acting career after World War I and was cast in the lead role in The Emperor Jones in 1923, becoming the first black actor to play a leading role in the French theatre. He went on to write several plays, including Un soir a Bamako (An Evening in Bamako), which was broadcast on television in 1950. Benglia went on to take the lead role in films like Dainah la Metisse, Sola, and Les Mysteres de Paris. However, Colonial cinema did stifle his efforts to play more versatile characters. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Russia's Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's sudden death in a plane crash has sparked conspiracy theories and suggestion that Russia's President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin were involved in the accident. Suggestions have poured in hinting at the authoritarian involvement from US President Joe Biden , Tesla chief Elon Musk , and French authorities. Empirically it has been noted that Vladimir Putin critics have not lived longer after registering their opposition to the former KGB boss. Prigozhin's death seemed to follow the same line following his June rebellion to overthrow Russia's military leadership. The private jet in which Prigozhin was travelling seemed to have a seemless record of good safety. According to reports, it was travelling fine, unless the last 30 seconds saw the jet mysteriously drop to lower altitudes, finally crashing, killing all onboard including the mercenary Wagner group's chief. Kremlin on Friday said that it was an absolute lie that they were involved in Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's death in the plane crash. The Russian authorities cited the need to wait for test results.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the accusation and many others like it were false, according to a Reuters report. "There is now a great deal of speculation surrounding this plane crash and the tragic deaths of the plane's passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin. Of course, in the West, all this speculation is presented from a well-known angle," Peskov told reporters. "All of this is an absolute lie, and here, when covering this issue, it is necessary to base yourself on facts. There are not many facts yet. They need to be established in the course of investigative actions." Russia's aviation authority has said Prigozhin was on board the downed private jet, and President Vladimir Putin on Thursday sent his condolences to Prigozhin's family, breaking his silence after the plane went down on Wednesday with no survivors two months after Prigozhin led a mutiny against army chiefs. Putin cited "preliminary information" as indicating that Prigozhin and his top associates in the Wagner mercenary group had all been killed and, while praising Prigozhin, said he had also made some serious mistakes." (With inputs from Reuters) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Greece from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he attended the BRICS summit. The visit was at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years As per reports, PM Modi will sign several agreements and focus on issues such as trade and investment, shipping, migration and defence cooperation. A Times of India report also added that Greece may seek Indias help in the privatisation of its airports and seaports, aiming to become the gateway to Europe for India. Check the full agenda here: As he arrives in Greece, PM Modi will receive a ceremonial reception PM Modi will meet his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the discussion will around deepening the ties between the two nations. He will also meet with the President. Modi is also scheduled to interact with business leaders from both countries. He will also have an interaction with the Indian community in Greece. A business lunch hosted by the Greek PM is also scheduled during the visit. PM Modi will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens and interact with the Indian community there. MEA said in a press release, "Following his visit to South Africa, Prime Minister will pay an official visit to Greece on 25 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E. Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece." It further said, "India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties." Opportunity to upgrade old friendship Meanwhile, Greek Ambassador to India Dimitrios Ioannou has said that during Prime Minister Narendra Modis Greece visit, the two countries will upgrade their long friendship. "We are very happy to welcome him. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister after 40 years. During this visit, we will upgrade our long friendship..." the Greek Ambassador told ANI. We (India and Greece) are advancing our cooperation in all important fields including security, culture, trade, economy and technology. This is an important comprehensive partnership... We would like to be the gateway to Europe for India. Our ports can be a gateway for Indian products to enter the European markets..." he said. The Greek Ambassador also congratulated India for Chandrayaan-3s successful landing on the Moon. (With inputs from agencies) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Despite all the apprehension around possible visa curbs in the United Kingdom, a record-breaking 321,000 visas granted to migrant workers for employment until June in a bid to tackle the labour shortage in the country. The figures strongly indicates the UK's continued reliance on foreign labor post-Brexit, with a 45% rise in work visas issued compared to the previous year. Notably, 121,290 visas were for "health and care" roles, marking a 157% increase. The National Health Service and care sector faced staffing challenges, predominantly hiring Indian and Nigerian nationals. In fact, to counter over a million job vacancies, the government expanded the shortage occupation list, simplifying visa rules for importing workers Student visa category sees a significant surge Meanwhile a notable surge is also seen in student visa category. The UK Home Office data reveals a 54% spike in the issuance of sponsored study visas to Indians, reaching a total of 142,848 visas granted. This surge is a substantial increase of 49,883 visas in comparison to the year ending June 2022, an Economic Times report Impressively, this figure stands sevenfold higher than the corresponding period in 2019. The broader spectrum shows that the UK issued almost 500,000 sponsored study visas in June 2023, marking a 23% rise from the prior year. Indians accounted for nearly one-third of these visas, while around 154,000 were granted to students' dependents. The future trends However, a check on immigration is still a reality given soaring numbers of migrants have become a political headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In 2022, net migration hit a record 606,000. Talking on the trends, Jonathan Portes, professor of economics at Kings College London, told Bloomberg, The big picture is that the post-Brexit migration system continues to drive two shifts; from EU to non-EU migration; and from sectors which benefited from free movement, to sectors where workers qualify under the new system." Overall, this means migration is likely to be higher skilled and higher paid; but also less flexible, market-oriented and responsive to demand. The longer-term impact on the health of the UK economy remains uncertain." "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! There was a mercenary chief- Yevgeny Prigozhin. One fine June morning he took out a rebellion march towards Moscow to overthrow the Russian military leadership. It was a short-lived rebellion. The world believed that Wagner's mercenary boss would be immediately imprisoned, disappeared, or eliminated. It was two months later, that Wagner chief- Yevgeny Prigozhin- reportedly died in a suspicious plane crash! President Vladimir Putin praised mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin as a talented businessman on Thursday and said he wished to express sincere condolences to the families of those who died in a plane crash a day earlier, reported Reuters. Putin is famously known as the leader who does not, would not forgive. In a report AFP recollected that when in 2018 Putin was asked if he was able to forgive people's mistakes, Vladimir Putin thought for a split second. "Yes," the Russian president replied. "But not everything." "What is impossible for you to forgive?" journalist Andrei Kondrashov continued during one of the interviews for his two-hour film on the Russian leader. "Betrayal," the former KGB officer answered. The death and the circumstances around it seem obvious and oblivious at the same time The march of the Wagners showed Kremlin in a weaker light when it has suffered contention and attack from quarters within and without for the war with Ukraine. Putin had termed Prigozhin's rebellion as "treachery" and a "stab in the back" of Russia. He had promised that the perpetrators would be punished. Notably, Prigozhin and Putin had a deal. A deal that ensured that all the charges against the Wagner founder and his fighters were dropped when the mutiny ends. This despite the fact that Russian servicemen died in the murky insurrection brought upon by Wagner group. Did this show Putin as weak? The biggest and most humiliating challenge to Putin's 24 years in power ended with a deal under which Prigozhin and his mercenaries were allowed to travel to exile in neighbouring Belarus. On Wednesday, exactly two months after his mutiny, 62-year-old Prigozhin is believed to have died in a plane crash 300 kilometres (200 miles) from Moscow, raising suspicions that Putin merely waited to demonstrate his wrath in a way that would serve as a warning to others, says a report by AFP. The challenge to Putin and his ever tightening administration was served when Putin admitted that they had been paying the Wagner group. This clearly showed that the money would noy buy loyalty. Meanwhile, according to a Reuters report, the Embraer executive jet model that crashed in Russia, apparently with Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on board, had a good safety record. This information only increases suspicion over the accident that US president Joe Biden stated was not surprised about. Furthermore, France said that there were "reasonable doubts" about the cause of the plane crash that presumably killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner paramilitary group. "We don't yet know the circumstances of this crash. We can have some reasonable doubts," government spokesman Olivier Veran told France 2 television. To recap, the Wagner boss had claimed that the so-called March of Justice" had not targeted the Kremlin but had instead been directed at Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov. However, Prigozhin's fate would only be a reminder for anybody planning an armed resistance against the former KGB boss and now President of Russia-Vladimir Putin- -Do not Try -You will meet the same fate if you do! US President Biden had commented, 'Prigozhin was the man who did Putin's dirty work. What he has done is inseparable from the policies of Putin, who gave him responsibility to carry out abuses as the head of Wagner". Will the death reinstate Putin's terror among Russians? The dramatic unfurling of incidences between June till now, will surely see the reportedly terminally ailing Russian President emerge stronger than ever- albeit domestically. However, things could also take a similar dramatic turn, if Prigozhin's rebel image walks across the table to become a martyr! According to a BBC report, Grey Zone, a Telegram channel linked to Wagner, blamed Prigozhin's death on "Russian traitors". Prigozhin's death and its myriad possible outcomes Like a cliff-hanger to a good crime thriller movie, one is leftwondering if the plane crash was it a simple accident caused by mechanical failure, despite the private jet boasting a good safety record? Was it part of a plot by Prigozhin to fake his own death and escape Putin's vengeance? Was it a deliberate killing, but carried out by an arm of the Russian security forces without presidential knowledge? Prigozhin had many domestic enemies, including Russian Army chief Valery Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, while Ukraine would have every reason to try to kill him. Several experts, including Tesla chief Elon Musk, say or hint that the pattern of suspicious deaths involving Putin critics and the past actions of Russian security forces lend weight to the theory that Prigozhin's fiery end had Kremlin approval. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! The Wagner mercenary group chief has reportedly died in a plane crash, said Russian civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, adding that Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the list of passengers on the plane that crashed on a flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg. A plane carrying three crew members and seven passengers that was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg went down almost 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of the capital. A BBC report cites the executive jet showed no signs of trouble until a sudden drop in its final 30 seconds of received altitude. Ian Petchenik, who works for flight tracker Flightradar24, told the Reuters news agency that the Embraer Legacy 600 jet made a sudden downward vertical" at 15:19 GMT. Then within about 30 seconds, the aircraft plummeted more than 8,000 feet from its cruising altitude of 28,000 feet. The suspicious plane crash and Yevgeny Prigozhin's death came two months after the Wagner group took out a rebellion march toward Moscow to overthrow Vladimir Putin's military leadership. However, Prigozhin and Putin had a deal that ensured that all the charges against the Wagner founder and his fighters were dropped when the mutiny ended. What happens to Wagner's mercenary group now? A day before the Wagner chief's reported death in the plane crash, a Russian official visited Libya to reassure allies that fighters from the Wagner Group would remain in the country, but under Moscow's control, according to Reuters reports. Speaking to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar on Tuesday, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov said that the Wagner forces would report to a new commander. "Yevkurov's visit suggests that if anything - the Russian footprint in Libya might deepen and expand rather than shrink," said Libya researcher Jalel Harchaoui of the Royal United Services Institute as quoted by Reuters. The military meeting was a sign that Moscow did not mean to relinquish the global network the mercenary group built up. Now with Prigozhin believed dead, the fate of the complex, lucrative web of military and commercial operations he and Wagner created for Russia across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa hangs in the balance. Wagner has waged major battles in Ukraine, fought in civil wars and insurgencies in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, and Mali, and taken control of gold mines and oil fields along the way. Putin had already rolled up Wagner operations in Syria. After the mutiny, Wagner's Ukraine forces handed over a base to Russia's regular military and began relocating to an army camp in Belarus, though it is unclear how many of them are there. After the June mutiny, Prigozhin intensified his efforts to bolster Wagner's presence in Africa. In countries where Wagner operates through an official agreement with Moscow, analysts do not expect much to change - for now. The fate of Wagner's purely economic - rather than security assets - may be even harder to determine. There has been no information on the fate of Evro Polis, a company Wagner is said to own with oil assets in Syria. (With Reuters inputs) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! In 1872 Ulysses Grant was reportedly arrested for speeding. One day, as the 18th American president charged along 13th Street in Washington, DC, a policeman waved down his horse-drawn carriage. In the arresting officers own telling, Grant made a vain attempt to plead his caseHang it, officer, these animals of mine are thoroughbreds, and there is no holding them"then drove to the station. There, at least, the president avoided the indignity of a mugshot, which would not be widely used until about a decade later. Despite four indictments in the past five months, the 45th president had long managed to evade it, too. But on August 24th Donald Trump finally had his picture taken by police when he surrenders to authorities in Fulton County, Georgia, charged in connection with his effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results there. (He denies wrongdoing.) In it, he is seething, with angled eyebrows and a hard stare. The image will join the ranks of celebrity mugshots: famous faces in turns defiant, dejected, drunk, smirking or sulking. The modern mugshota diptych of one front-facing photo and one in profile, accompanied by identifying informationis a French invention. In the 1880s Alphonse Bertillon, a policeman and anthropologist, created the system to catch serial offenders. Upon arrest, a suspect was photographed and measured with a variety of instruments. The method was painstakingly prescriptive: the correct way to measure the length of the head was outlined in 18 steps. If police suspected they had a repeat offender on their hands, they could use his measurements to find his filed mugshot, should it exist. It was called the portrait parle, or speaking image, because of the many things it communicated to police. Bertillons measurements have been replaced by fingerprinting, but the mugshot has survived. Some, like great portraits, seem to get at the subjects core. David Bowie, booked on marijuana charges in 1976, is sharply dressed and self-possessed. In 2022 the original Kodak (saved by the officer who photographed him in Rochester, New York) fetched nearly 5,000 ($5,950) at auction. Jane Fonda has an unkempt fringe and holds up a fist in protest. She was arrested for possessing drugs, which turned out to be vitamins. Frank Sinatra is boyish and serene, booked for seduction", or luring a single female of good repute" to bed. Others document an inevitable moment in a longer struggle. The late John Lewis, a congressman and civil-rights activist, repeatedly tweeted his mugshot to mark the anniversary of his release after being arrested in 1961, for using a toilet reserved for white people. The famous mugshot of Rosa Parks is indelibly associated with her act of defiance on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 but was actually taken after a later arrest for protesting during the bus boycott that followed. Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin were both arrested and exiled (several times, in Stalins case) to Siberia for revolutionary activities; they look young and determined in their surviving mugshots. Fidel Castros hangs in the former Cuban prison where he served part of a 15-year sentence for organising an attack on a barracks. Still others are simply bleak: Hugh Grant is hunched and humbled after soliciting a sex worker in 1995; Tiger Woods is zombie-like after being arrested for driving under the influence in 2017. What will be the legacy Mr Trumps picture? He would certainly like to present himself as righteous and persecuted, waging a noble political fight. Outside the courthouse he told reporters: What has taken place here is a travesty of justice." His indictments have so far galvanised, rather than alienated, his supporters. His campaign team was already selling merchandise branded with a photoshopped mugshot. But the fabricated image had no power: the whole point of the mugshot is authenticity. The purpose, wrote a fan of Bertillons, is to give each human being an identity, an individuality, certain, durable, invariable, always recognisable". That, at least, Mr Trump can already claim to have achieved. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping of China met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two leaders held candid and in-depth" exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. Mint explains the significance of the meeting. A possible Modi-Xi meeting was amongst the most highly anticipated moments of the BRICS Summit. This marks only the second time that the two leaders have spoken in person about the state of bilateral ties since their brief encounter at the Bali G20 Summit in Indonesia last year. According to Indias foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, Modi expressed Indias concerns about the ongoing border standoff between the two countries. Prime Minister underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and observing and respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are essential for the normalization of the India-China relationship," he said in a media briefing. Both leaders agreed to direct their officials to intensify efforts at disengagement and de-escalation on the border. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations & handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace & tranquility in the border region," reads a press release by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. This high-level declaration comes soon after the 19th round of Corps Commanders talks and Major General-level talks focused on pushing through disengagement on key sections of the disputed border. According to numerous reports, these latest talks have made some progress towards disengagement. Disengagement is yet to take place in Depsang and Demchok. In the former, Chinese troops have blocked the Indian military access to patrolling points on the border. In the latter, the Charding Ninglung Nullah junction has been a point of tension between the two sides. Since 2020, both sides have withdrawn from contested areas in the Western sector of the LAC, such as Gogra, Hot Springs, Pangong Tso, and Galwan. India has maintained that normalizing bilateral relations is contingent upon resolving the border crisis. Congress leader and MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi's statement 'China has taken away India's land' met with allegation ridden retort from Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi. The BJP leader alleged that Rahul Gandhi lies in the Parliament and he is also lying in Kargil. On Friday, Rahul Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Kargil. Gandhi, raking up the border issue, said every individual in Ladakh knows that China has "taken away our land" and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that not an inch of land was taken away was absolutely false". BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi in retort said that Gandhi has a habit of making baseless and absurd comments about China, adding that the former Congress president makes remarks on India, its people and the RSS in a similar vein. Trivedi further quoted from selected works of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to say that his government had sent over 3,500 tonnes of rice in 1952 for the consumption of the Chinese Army which was "starving". He also asked the Congress to release its reported agreement with the Chinese Communist Party when the UPA was in power. Asserting his claim, Trivedi alleged that the decision to send rice for the Chinese Army when India's relations with China had started getting strained was not a mistake but a "historic and unpardonable" crime. Trivedi also alleged that during the Doklam crisis, Rahul Gandhi had met the Chinese ambassador. Notably, Rahul Gandhi's meet with the China's ambassador remains a point of contention as BJP has reiterated claim that Gandhi did meet the Chinese envoy. Meanwhile, Congress has not denied the claim, albeit has never specified the time and place of Gandhi and the Chinese envoy's meet. Trivedi during the press conference also alleged that Congress government refused to punish Pakistan for its support to terrorism as it thought that this will harm peace talks. Rahul Gandhi's statement that parts of Ladakh were under China's control, comes after Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a conversation on Wednesday on the side lines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg. The conversation was not a structured bilateral meeting and was an informal one. The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May, 2020. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot says he does politics in the public interest but has no word called enmity in his dictionary. The veteran Congress leader said this in an interview with Hindustan Times , Livemint's sister publication. When asked about his relations with Sachin Pilot, his party colleague, Gehlot replied, When Sachin Pilot became a central minister, I supported him. At the time, we had got 20 out of 25 seats (in the Lok Sabha in the state). When I was asked to give my recommendation (for cabinet), I took his name. That's because Gujjars (from Pilot's community) had been killed in firing during the Vasundhara Raje government and it was my responsibility to speak in favour of my state in Delhi. There was a lot of tension here between the Gujjars and the Meena community and to douse that fire I took Pilot's nameI do politics in the public interest. I don't have the word enmity in my dictionary". Ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly election, which is scheduled to take place by the end of this year, Gehlot exuded confidence that the Congress party will come back to power again. I think this time the public is in a mood to give a verdict our way. As I said recently, 156 is what I am seeing. In 1998, when Sonia Gandhi was the party President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was our rival and they came down to 32. I think the same situation is arising again," Gehlot said. He said the trend of a revolving door system" will break in the state as the work of the state government has reached every village and home. There is a water scheme, roads have reached the farthest villages, the education system has been bolstered and now villages have English schools," he said. Talking about the rival candidate in the assembly polls, the Rajasthan CM said that the Congress cannot attack the opposition BJP on the state property (without a rival candidate; the BJP usually doesn't name one in a state where it is not in power)," Gehlot said. CONGRESS PRESIDENT- A PRESTIGIOUS POST Ashok Gehlot broke the silence on why he backed out from the Congress president election and said, Who wouldn't want to be Congress President? It's just that circumstances turned out in such a way, that I couldn't become. Gehlot discarded the perception that he wanted to stay Rajasthan CM so he did not contest for the party president's post. He said, " Sonia Gandhi knows the truth. I don't want to get into it as we should all be fighting together for elections". The Congress leader said he wants to become party president as it's a 100 times bigger position than that of the chief minister. I do feel it till today that I could have been party president". "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy shone at the first Republican debate for the United States Presidential Elections 2024 on Wednesday. The 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur emerged as a surprise focus for more reasons than one. Vivek Ramaswamy even bagged a he was impressive from Tesla chief Elon Musk, who notably has previously advocated for the businessman. Vivek Ramaswamy in his distinctly Trumpian and conspiratorial fashion on Wednesday declared We live in a dark moment. The US presidential candidate, who is running third in Republican polling, gained attention for his comments on 9/11 attacks, for calling himself 'skinny guy with a funny last name'. During the debate, Vivek Ramaswamy showed scant respect for his Republican opponents and drew fire in return. The BOLD statement: Vivek Ramaswamy during his debate boldly claimed all the other presidential candidates onstage in Milwaukee were bought and paid for" by donors, making his case stand distinct from his competitors. The CLIMATE note: The climate change agenda is a hoax Vivek Ramaswamy jumped at the conclusion when during the debate all eight candidates rwere asked if they believed human behavior was causing the climate crisis. Ramaswamy jumped in, stridently rapping out: Unlock American energy, drill, frack, burn coal, embrace nuclear." This statement comes a month after Hawaii, a tropical place, experienced rampant wildfires like a dry area, and California experienced heavy flooding. The climate change agenda is a hoax more people are dying of bad climate change policies than they are of actual climate." Ramaswamy said. The OBAMA dig: In a debate staged by the Republican party, Ramaswamys dash to the spotlight from the libertarian fringe seemed a bizarre opposite echo of former president Barack Obama. Referring to Ramaswamys opening statement, an attempt to sell Republicans on his image as an outsider, Christie said: Last person in one of these debates who stood in the middle of the stage and said Whats a skinny guy with an odd last name doing up here was Barack Obama, and Im afraid were dealing with the same type of amateur crusade." Obama handed Republicans two crushing defeats and spent eight years in the White House. Christie also overlooked the famous moment at the business end of the 2012 election when he and Obama toured damage from Hurricane Sandy, an original sin in the eyes of the Republican right. And youll help elect me just like" you helped elect Obama, Ramaswamy shot back. The not morning in America jab at Pence: Amid exchanges on crime, Ramaswamy attacked the former vice-president Mike Pence, seeming even to doubt a Republican saint, Ronald Reagan, when he said: Some others like you on this stage may have an, Its morning in America speech. It is not morning in America. We live in a dark moment and we have to confront the fact that were in an internal sort of cold cultural civil war and we have to recognise that." There are TWO genders: Ramaswamy's Trump like ideologies are no surprise to the world. His ideas that reject the queer community's existence, that take away abortion rights from women, do also include anti-war notion which suggests that Moscow keeps a part of Ukraine and the later does not join NATO. Ramaswamy is a penchant believer of an ideology that says gender dysphoria should be treated as a mental illness Ramaswamy draws brutal, personal retorts Most sought to contrast Ramaswamys lack of governing experience with their work as governors or members of Congress. The attacks were frequently brutal and personal, though succeeded mostly in giving Ramaswamy more vital attention. He also capitalized on his rookie" status by underscoring his relative youth and reminding viewers he was born in 1985. In one of many angry exchanges, Pence said: You recently said a president cant do everything. Well, I got news for you. Vivek. Ive been in the hallway. Ive been in the West Wing. A president in the United States has to confront every crisis facing America." Ramaswamy's closing statements Ramaswamy uttered controversial talking points once again during his closing statements. He said, God is real. There are two genders. Fossil fuels are a requirement for human prosperity. Reverse racism is racism. An open border is not a border. Parents determine the education of their children. The nuclear family is the greatest form of governance known to man. Capitalism lifts us up from poverty." "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! A highly mutated COVID variant named BA.2.86 has been identified in Switzerland and South Africa, along with Israel, Denmark, the US, and the UK, according to a leading official from the World Health Organization (WHO), Reuters reported. We are in a very different phase (of the pandemic) than if this popped up in the first year," said Dutch virologist and WHO adviser, Marion Koopmans. This offshoot of Omicron carries over 35 mutations in crucial parts of the virus when compared to XBB.1.5, which was the predominant variant in most of 2023. This mutation count is roughly similar to the original Omicron variant that caused a surge in infections compared to its predecessor. BA.2.86 was first detected in Denmark on July 24 when it infected a patient at risk of severe illness. Subsequently, it has been found in symptomatic patients, routine airport screenings, and wastewater samples in a few countries. Also read: New COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 more infectious, capable of causing infection in vaccinated individuals: US CDC A group of international scientists suggests that while monitoring BA.2.86 is essential, it's unlikely to trigger a devastating wave of severe disease and fatalities, considering the global immunity built up through vaccinations and previous infections. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's COVID-19 technical lead, stated that the number of cases is still relatively low. The fact that known cases aren't linked suggests that it is already circulating more widely, especially given reduced global surveillance. Researchers are currently assessing the effectiveness of updated COVID-19 vaccines against BA.2.86. Kerkhove noted that vaccines have been more successful in preventing severe illness and death compared to reinfection. Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mentioned that the new variant was identified recently, and there have been nine cases as of August 23. It was also found in wastewater in Switzerland. At present, current tests and treatments seem effective against BA.2.86, although the variant might have an increased capability to cause infection in vaccinated individuals and those with prior COVID infections. However, there's no evidence yet suggesting it leads to more severe illness. Also read: COVID-19: US CDC tracks new variant, Which countries are under the radar? WHO says Variant Under Monitoring Experts emphasise taking the potential risk seriously and maintaining surveillance, even if not at the levels seen during the peak of the pandemic. Van Kerkhove stressed that governments must remain vigilant because the coronavirus still circulates, evolves, infects, and causes fatalities. He said, ""Governments cannot drop the ball." In the US, there's also concern about another COVID subvariant called EG.5, which has led to increased demand for tests in pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. The level of surveillance required to track the virus remains uncertain, and countries that have identified the new variant possess strong genomic sequencing capabilities. However, global data submission to databases like GISAID has significantly dropped, making sequencing more challenging. Testing for COVID has also declined substantially worldwide, by about 90 percent from the peak. The US has seen a similar decrease in testing and sequencing. Experts like Dr. Ashish Jha suggest that COVID surveillance and defences could be reactivated in the event of a major infection wave. While this would require resources and commitment, they believe it can be done effectively. (With inputs from Reuters) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Chandrayaan-3 updates: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has deleted its latest post on X wherein it released pictures of Chandrayaan-3 lander taken by Chandrayaan-2's Orbiter minutes after posting it. ISRO's post which is now deleted read, I spy you. Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter photoshoots Chandrayaan 3 lander. Chandrayaan-2's Orbiter High-Resolution Camera (OHRC) - the came with the best resolution anyone currently has around the moon." After a 40-day journey into space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, 'Vikram', touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on 23 August making India the first country to do so. As the Vikram lander carrying the Pragyaan rover in its belly touched down on the lunar surface, it marked a giant leap in Indias spacefaring journey providing a well-deserved finale to ISROs long years of toil. India has became the fourth country after the US, China, and Russia to have successfully landed on the moons surface. On 24 August, ISRO said that Pragyan Rover began its moonwalk on the lunar surface. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), ISRO said, "Chandrayaan-3 Mission. Chandrayaan-3 Rover to MOX, ISTRAC, Moon walk begins! Pragyan rover will carry out interesting exploration for the next two weeks. The rover supposed to conduct experiments to study geology, mineralogy, and atmosphere of the Moon. The six wheeled rover will study the surface of the moon for several elements including magnesium, silicon, potassium, calcium and iron. It will also assist in understanding the Moon's atmosphere, and day and night cycles. The Pragyan rover would study the moon surface through its payload APXS - Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer - to derive the chemical and mineralogical composition of lunar surface to further enhance understanding. Meanwhile, after concluding his two-nation visit from Greece, PM Modi will head straight to Bengaluru on a pre-scheduled visit to meet the scientists of the ISRO team involved in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Small fraction of a single living specimen of Ramisyllis multicaudata, dissected out of its host sponge and seen through the stereomicroscope. How many butts is too many? One is usually enough for most animals unless you're a type of marine worm with a body that divides from a single head into dozens of different directions, and each of those branches ends in a butt. The worms' weirdness doesn't stop at multiple butts, either. When the worms are ready to reproduce, their butts can grow eyes and a brain. At this point, you probably have questions; unsurprisingly, scientists did, too. So they peered inside the branching bodies of this many-butted ocean weirdo, which is named Ramisyllis multicaudata and lives in waters near Darwin, Australia. For the first time, researchers have described the oddball creatures' internal anatomy, revealing that the worms' insides are just as peculiar as their outsides. (Well, almost.) Related: Extreme life on Earth: 8 bizarre creatures R. multicaudata is a segmented worm, or annelid, in the family Syllidae. There are about a thousand described species in that family, but only two of them grow massive, branching bodies: R. multicaudata and the deep-sea worm Syllis ramosa. Branching bodies are quite common in plants and fungi , but in animals this type of body plan is virtually unheard of, according to the Australian Academy of Science . When biologist William McIntosh described S. ramosa in 1879, he remarked on this surprising ability, noting that the annelid had "a furor for budding," scientists reported in a new study, published April 4 in the Journal of Morphology . Prior examinations of R. multicaudata, which was discovered in 2006 and named in 2012, documented "a high number" of anal openings, or ani, with "one per each posterior end," according to the new study. Those posterior bits become even more interesting once the worm is ready to reproduce. Segmented units called stolons form in the worm's butt ends, producing not only sexual organs but also "a simple head with its own eyes," the scientists reported. "Once a stolon is ready, it detaches from the rest of the body and swims freely until it mates and dies." However, the inner workings of these free-swimming stolons and of the worms' internal anatomy was almost entirely unknown. The researchers therefore turned to microscopy, X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) scans, tissue staining and chemical analysis to identify the worms' organs and anatomical systems, and to reconstruct them digitally in 3D. Fragment of the anterior end of an individual living worm, Ramisyllis multicaudata, dissected out of its host sponge. Bifurcation of the gut can be seen where the worm branches. The yellow structure is a differentiation of the digestive tube typical of the Family Syllidae. (Image credit: Guillermo PonzSegrelles/Christopher J. Glasby) Butt brains They discovered that there was a brain and nervous system in the stolons, with a dense ring of serotonin-releasing nerve endings positioned just behind each stolon's head. The notion of stolons possessing an autonomous brain was an idea that had been proposed in the 19th century "but had not been confirmed since then," lead study author Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles, a zoologist at the Autonomous University of Madrid, told Live Science in an email. In the rest of R. multicaudata's body, blood vessels stretched through all the branches, but the researchers found no structures resembling hearts. Circulatory and digestive organs divided and branched wherever the body did, and robust "muscle bridges" thickened muscular structures that had never been seen before in worms formed at the junction of each new branch. By analyzing the shapes of these bridges, the scientists could tell which body branches were older and which had formed more recently, they wrote in the study. Another unusual discovery was that even though the worms' digestive system seemed to be functional, "their intestines seem to be always empty," Ponz-Segrelles said. Several posterior ends of one specimen of the worm Ramisyllis multicaudata can be seen as white lines crawling on the surface of the host sponge (Petrosia). (Image credit: Christopher J. Glasby) R. multicaudata spends much of its adult life embracing a sponge host, with the worm's head buried deep inside the sponge. The scientists' X-rays and digital 3D models showed for the first time that the worm's entire branching body was also deeply embedded in its host, with the worm's branches extending through "a notable portion" of the mazelike canals that were part of the sponge's internal anatomy. "Our research solves some of the puzzles that these curious animals have posed ever since the first branched annelid was discovered at the end of the 19th century," said study co-author Maite Aguado, a curator of animal evolution and biodiversity in the Biodiversity Museum of Gottingen in Germany. "However, there is still a long way to go to fully understand how these fascinating animals live in the wild," Aguado said in a statement . "For example, this study has concluded that the intestine of these animals could be functional, yet no trace of food has ever been seen inside them and so it is still a mystery how they can feed their huge branched bodies. Other questions raised in this study are how blood circulation and nerve impulses are affected by the branches of the body," she said. Originally published on Live Science. While lingering headwinds have fueled concerns over global growth prospects, multiple indicators have pointed to the resilience and strength of the Chinese economy. China is the worlds second-largest economy by nominal GDP. China is the worlds largest exporter. China is the worlds largest consumer market. China has a young and growing population. China has a large and skilled workforce. China has a rapidly growing middle class. China is investing heavily in infrastructure. China is a major player in the global economy. China is a technological powerhouse. China is a resilient economy. In the first half of the year (H1), China recorded a 5.5-percent GDP expansion, the fastest among major economies globally. This impressive performance was followed by robust growth in major economic indicators in the first seven months of 2023, with value-added industrial output and retail sales of consumer goods continuing to post steady increases. Since the second quarter, several international organizations and institutions have revised their forecasts for Chinas economic growth this year upwards. The World Bank, for instance, raised its China growth forecast to 5.6 percent in June from Januarys projection of 4.3 percent. Besides solid economic fundamentals, China has also secured growth in key areas such as grain and energy supply. The countrys annual grain output has steadied at over 1.3 trillion jin (650 billion kg) in recent years, while its power generation climbed 3.8 percent year on year during the January-July period. New growth momentum is also building amid the countrys transition to innovation-driven growth, with progress reported in several major sci-tech projects. The C919, Chinas first homegrown large jetliner, made its commercial debut in May, while its first domestically-built large cruise ship completed its undocking in June, all of which bear testimony to Chinas growing strength in innovation. Development of emerging sectors of strategic importance, seen as new drivers of growth by analysts, has also picked up pace in the first seven months of this year, as highlighted by the steady growth in high-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors. In particular, exports of new energy vehicles more than doubled year on year in the first seven months to 636,000 units, an encouraging performance against the backdrop of flagging global trade. Gu Yan, a researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), noted that innovation as a primary driving force for development has become stronger in the country, saying that it will facilitate industrial upgrading and encourage the emergence of new business models. To further energize business vitality, Chinese authorities have pressed ahead with reform, unveiling a 31-measure guideline to bolster private economy and a document aimed at furthering opening up. These policy measures have lent support to private economy, with the number of new self-employed households registering double-digit year-on-year growth in H1. Looking ahead, Chinas growth prospects are well underpinned by its super-sized market and the development potential amid its efforts to foster a new development paradigm, analysts said. With a population of 1.4 billion, the largest middle-income group in the world and continuous consumption upgrading, Chinas market holds great appeal among ambitious businesses across the globe. The upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services 2023, for instance, had attracted over 2,200 enterprises as of Sunday, with more than 500 of them being either Global Fortune 500 companies or industry-leading enterprises, data showed. Zhang Zhanbin, a researcher with the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Chinas urbanization rate stands at 65.22 percent, well below the 80 or even 90 percent recorded in developed economies, thus boasting great development potential. In addition, China has broadened its development space by opening up wider to the outside world. Since the beginning of this year, demand for China-Europe freight trains has been running high, while cargo transported via the China-Laos Railway increased by more than 90 percent year on year. Such an opening-up pace will continue unabated, with Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the NDRC, pledging that the country will open its door wider. Chinas development is set to provide more opportunities for the world and inject strong impetus for the global economy, said Zhao. Shayne Heffernan Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! Use the Arrows < > above to go through the gallery Longford secondary school principals are today congratulating local students on their excellent Leaving Cert results. Longford's 667 Leaving Cert students - Leaving Certificate (621) and Leaving Certificate Applied (46) - are being issued with their results today, Friday, August 25, and there was much delight in Lanesboro Community College and Ballymahon Vocational School and in the seven other secondary schools across the county - Mercy Ballymahon, St Mel's College, Mean Scoil Mhuire, Templemichael College, Moyne CS, Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard and Cnoc Mhuire, Granard, as students dropped by to collect their results in person or through the State Examinations Commission (SEC) Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP). READ MORE BELOW PHOTO CAPTION: Lanesboro Community College Principal Hazel Hannon congratulates students Patrick Lane, Callum Gordon, Nathan McCann, Eoin Murray and Daire Cox as they received their Leaving Cert results on Friday. Also pictured is Michael Lyons, Deputy Principal Lanesboro Community College Principal Hazel Hannon congratulated the students on their excellent results and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours. Principal of Ballymahon Vocational School Mick O'Rourke also extended his 'sincere congratulations to the Leaving Cert Class of 2023 who achieved such wonderful results in the Leaving Certificate'. Mr O'Rourke stated, "Todays results reflect the commitment and dedication of the students and of all their teachers, SNA's and support staff here at BVS. I would like to thank the staff for their dedication and professionalism in supporting the students over their years at Ballymahon Vocational School. This is also a very important day for parents, guardians, siblings and wider families of our Leaving Cert graduates, as it is so often said when one person in the household is doing the Leaving Certificate everyone is doing the Leaving Certificate." The BVS principal continued, "While many will dwell on a three figure score of points from today what is more important is that all of our students achieved their potential, this is the true measure of success. It is worth noting that the Class of 2023 contributed to and excelled in many other activities in Ballymahon Vocational School for example sport, music, community participation, and volunteering. They showed fantastic leadership, loyalty and commitment throughout their years in the School. They leave a fantastic legacy of their time in our school community. "We wish them well in whatever path they may now take in Higher and Further Education, Apprenticeships, Training and the world of work." Templemichael College posted a message of congratulations and well done to their 2023 Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied classes on their wonderful results on Facebook. "We are so proud of ye all for what you have achieved after all your hard work over the last five years. It was wonderful to welcome some of you back today to share in your excitement. We wish you all the best of luck with your future plans." St Mel's College welcomed a special visitor to the school this morning in the guise of TV Broadcaster & Weatherman Deric Hartigan of Ireland AM who broadcast live from the county town. St Mel's posted on their Facebook page; "Well done to the class of 2023. St Mel's students achieved outstanding results today and we are so proud of all of our students. Even though results could be accessed through the Candidate Self Service Portal it was great to see so many students come in today to meet their teachers and share their success. And to add to the excitement we were to delighted to welcome Ireland AM and @deric_tv to St Mel's today for an early morning broadcast." Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard posted that they were delighted to see so many of their Leaving Certificate Class of 2023 return to the school following the release of this years exam results. "Hard work pays off and the work ethic of this fabulous group of students has been rewarded with a fantastic set of Leaving Certificate results which will lay the foundation for a future full of endless opportunities for this years cohort. We also wish to acknowledge the roles played by our students parents/guardians, our school management team and their subject teachers who have all offered unwavering support to the group throughout the last six years. We hope all students enjoy some well deserved celebrations this weekend and we look forward to linking in with you all again next week as the CAO offers process commences. Mol an oige agus tiocfaidh si." The wonderful landscapes of County Longford played host to a heartwarming cultural exchange as the Ballymahon Twinning Group welcomed a group of French visitors for a memorable week of camaraderie and exploration. From the moment the French delegation arrived in Ballymahon, from Landevant in Brittany on Saturday evening, August 5, the warmth of the Irish welcome was palpable. Host families opened their doors and hearts to the visitors, forming connections that would prove to be the cornerstone of a remarkable week ahead. Despite the unpredictable summer weather, which has seen more than its fair share of rainfall, the French guests were greeted with remarkably sunny days throughout their stay. This unexpected blessing infused the experience with an extra dose of energy and enthusiasm. The week's events kicked off with a captivating woodland walk through the enchanting Inny Valley near Newcastle, where the sound of French and Irish voices blended harmoniously amidst the natural beauty. Coffee and conversations flowed at Charlie McMonagle's impromptu coffee shop and art centre, creating great memories. The Ballymahon Twinning Group thoughtfully curated a diverse program that showcased the essence of County Longford and Irish traditions. The visitors delved into history at the Corlea, Bog Road, gaining insights into ancient ways of life. At Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Mullingar, the French participants wowed the crowd with spirited performances of Brittany's singing and dancing. A highlight of the itinerary was a tin-whistle workshop led by local music teacher Ger McLynn, where the French group discovered the joy of playing an Irish tune on this traditional instrument. The group also ventured to Arigna Mine for a unique experience in coal mining, and discovered a burgeoning Gin and Whiskey distillery along the way. A visit to the summit of Granard Motte, climbing 165 metres high, offered panoramic views of the surrounding Irish midlands, leaving an indelible impression. The journey continued to the Nights of Conquest Heritage Centre, where the history of the region was vividly brought to life. On Tuesday evening, the Ballymahon Municipal District of Longford County Council extended a warm welcome reception at the Ballymahon Community Library. The evening was highlighted by a captivating recital of Irish traditional music, guided by the talents of local musicians under the direction of Geraldine McLynn. Additionally, the event showcased the remarkable talents of Dasho Kostapento, a young Ukrainian resident of County Longford. This extraordinary week of cultural exchange left an enduring mark on all involved, forging connections that bridge borders and cultures. The bonds formed in County Longford will undoubtedly continue to flourish, enriching the lives of both the French visitors and their Irish hosts. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 25 2023 Multistate Coalition of 18 Attorneys General Defends Delaware Ban on Assault Weapons and Large Capacity Magazines. New York Attorney General Letitia James today took action to defend legislation that bans dangerous assault weapons and restricts the use of large capacity magazines. Joining a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Attorney General James urged the court to reject challenges to Delaware laws banning assault weapons and restricting large capacity magazines that were enacted in 2022. Gun safety measures are an important part of fighting the flow of illegal guns into New York. Seventy-five percent of all crime-related guns recovered in New York originated from out of state, with the iron pipeline running up the East Coast being a top source for trafficked weapons. Like New York, Delaware bans assault weapons, restricts large capacity magazines, and prohibits bump stocks and other devices that increase the rate of fire of semiautomatic weapons. The challenge to Delaware's laws puts New Yorkers at risk by making it easier to obtain dangerous weapons in nearby states. Assault weapons are designed to be used on battlefields and military bases, not in neighborhoods and schools, said Attorney General James. Far from making people safer, these deadly weapons are a clear and ever-present danger in communities throughout our nation. The iron pipeline means that a gun purchased legally elsewhere can be smuggled into New York, putting our families at risk. That is why I will fight tirelessly and use every tool at my disposal to get assault weapons off the streets and defend laws that stop gun violence. State laws like Delawares that restrict assault weapons and other deadly accessories are an important tool to fight gun trafficking on the iron pipeline, a route through the East Coast in which guns are trafficked north to places like New York from southern states with fewer regulations. Although numerous East Coast states like Delaware, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland have successfully enacted assault weapons bans, striking down Delawares ban could present a danger to these and other nearby states. Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general argue that Delawares laws should be upheld because they are in line with common restrictions at the state and federal levels. Nine other states, including New York, have enacted similar assault weapons bans and 14 other states, including New York, have enacted similar restrictions on large capacity magazines. In addition, the attorneys general assert that Delawares laws are in line with the Second Amendment because they restrict dangerous weapons that are not commonly used or useful for self-defense. Assault weapons were used in over 30 percent of mass shootings in the past decade, and they were used for self-defense in just 0.2 percent of active shooter incidents between 2000 and 2021. Joining Attorney General James in filing todays amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. This amicus brief is a part of Attorney General James ongoing efforts to address gun violence throughout New York and across the nation. She recently joined a multistate coalition of attorneys general in an amicus brief before the Supreme Court urging the justices to uphold a federal law preventing domestic abusers from accessing guns. In May, Attorney General James sued a gun accessory manufacturer that aided the Buffalo mass shooter. In April, she took action to remove more than 3,000 guns off New Yorks streets in a single day through the first-ever statewide gun buyback program, and has removed over 7,000 guns from New York since taking office. In March, Attorney General James and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force took down a firearm and drug trafficking operation that illegally sold guns, including ghost guns and assault weapons, in New York City. The takedown recovered 19 firearms, including 12 ghost guns. Also in March, Attorney General James secured a court order banning 10 gun distributors from selling and shipping ghost gun parts into New York. In December 2022, Attorney General James and the task force removed 57 illegal firearms, including 51 ghost guns, as part of a 438-count indictment against three individuals. In June 2022, Attorney General James sued 10 national gun distributors for bringing ghost gun parts into New York. This matter is being handled by Deputy Solicitor General Ester Murdukhayeva and Solicitor General Barbara D. Underwood of the Division of Appeals and Opinions, which is overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 25 2023 Suffolk County currently has only four NYS DMV offices serving a population of over 1.5 million residents. On Tuesday, August 22, Supervisor Ed Romaine was joined by New York State and Brookhaven Town officials during a press conference at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Port Jefferson Station. They were at the press conference to voice their objection to the planned closure of the office. This move will greatly impact residents, especially seniors who live in Brookhaven Towns north shore communities. Suffolk County currently has only four NYS DMV offices serving a population of over 1.5 million residents. The Town of Brookhaven has established an online petition at BrookhavenNY.gov/Petition so residents can voice their opinion about New York State Governor Hochuls planned closure of the Port Jefferson DMV. Pictured left to right are NYS Senator Anthony Palumbo; NYS Assemblyman Ed Flood; Supervisor Ed Romaine; Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico; Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich. Supervisor Romaine said, Governor Hochuls decision to eliminate the Port Jefferson DMV is ill-conceived. It will greatly inconvenience tens of thousands of Brookhaven Town residents who will now have to travel to Smithtown, Riverhead or Medford. I thank Senator Palumbo and Assemblyman Flood for their support by standing up for the residents of Brookhaven Town and I ask the Governor to reconsider this action and keep the Port Jefferson Station DMV open for business. Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico said, There needs to be a greater collaborative outreach by State of New York to all the local towns on Long Island, this is yet another example of that need. State representatives of both parties have been blindsided and shut out of the decision-making process on issues far greater than this potential closure of the DMV. The last time the Governor was in Brookhaven she had to tell local officials about how a mandate was coming to build tremendous housing complexes. Thats not how representative government works at any level, and it can change with cooperation. Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich said, Closing the only DMV office on the north shore in Brookhaven seems to be a misguided and foolish decision. A quick glance at a map should be enough to tell you that closing this branch makes no sense. The trip to the Medford branch will add 40 minutes of round-trip travel for our residents and this is simply not acceptable. Im calling on our representatives from New York State to fight for the residents of my district and keep this office open. Councilwoman Jane Bonner said, I know that many of my constituents do business at the Port Jefferson Station DMV and they will be greatly inconvenienced when it closes. Many are seniors who dont normally drive beyond a comfortable distance from their home. So, I ask that anyone who could be negatively affected by this change to visit the Town website and sign the petition BrookhavenNY.gov/petition. New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo said, "I strongly oppose the plan to close the Port Jefferson DMV at a time when more residents will need to utilize their services for REAL and Enhanced ID's. The Port Jefferson branch provides important and convenient services to residents throughout the area, especially seniors, and helps to reduce wait times at other local branches. With Suffolk County being home to nearly 1.5 million residents and growing, the state should be expanding DMV services, not contracting them and placing burdens on area families and seniors." New York State Assemblyman Ed Flood said, Gov. Hochuls decision to close down the Port Jefferson DMV branch will significantly impact the residents who will have no choice but to use other DMV branches many of which are not prepared for a sudden influx of people. As a resident myself, I am concerned with this decision and the repercussions at hand as inconveniencing residents and DMV workers can be avoided if this option is reconsidered. I want to thank my colleagues, Supervisor Romaine and Sen. Palumbo, for working together and advocating for what is best for our community. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 25 2023 The juvenile defendant is charged with Aggravated Harassment 1st Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, Possession of a Graffiti Instrument, and Making Graffiti. The Nassau County Police Department First Squad reports that second male juvenile has been arrrested in connection with a Bias Incident that originally occurred on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 9:00 am in Merrick. According to detectives, First Precinct officers responded for a Bias Incident that occurred at the Chatterton School, located at 108 Merrick Avenue. Upon arrival officers observed 2 (two) swastikas spray painted in black paint on playground equipment. The swastikas were approximately 12 x 12 in size. Earlier in August, a 14-year-old male juvenile was arrested in connection with above Bias Incident and was charged with Criminal Mischief 3rd degree, Aggravated Harassment 1st degree, Making Graffiti and Possession of Graffiti Instruments. He was issued an appearance ticket that is returnable to Nassau County Family Court. Police report that a second 14-year-old male juvenile, from Bellmore, has been arrested for the above Bias Incident. The juvenile defendant is charged with Aggravated Harassment 1st Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, Possession of a Graffiti Instrument, and Making Graffiti. He was issued an Appearance ticket returnable to Nassau County Family Court on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 25 2023 This is an occasion to celebrate all dog breeds whether they are family pets, guide and support dogs, or those whose lives are dedicated to keeping us safe working in the police force. August 26 is International Dog Day around the globe and it's there's a day worth celebrating, it's definitely a day dedicated to a man's best friend. This is an occasion to celebrate all dog breeds whether they are family pets, guide and support dogs that care for people with disabilities, or those whose lives are dedicated to keeping us safe working in the police force helping catch criminals, detect drugs and bombs or find victims in perilous situations after natural disasters. Casinos.com decided to utilize Google Trends data from the last 12 months (August 20, 2022 to August 20, 2023) to find out what each states' favorite dog breed is ahead of the globally celebrated day. To do this, our research and analytics team measured the level of interest in 48 of the most popular breeds of dog. Cross breeds were excluded. Here are the results for the top 3 dogs for the state of New York. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 25 2023 Suffolk County Continues to Combat Opioid Addiction through Landmark Settlement Funding. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today joined with county legislators, health officials, and victims advocates to announce the allocation of $20 million as part of the second round of opioid grant funding resulting from a landmark court victory and award settlements from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retail pharmacies. The application, now live, is open to any entity, including non-profits, healthcare systems, and public and private agencies, that provide services in relation to the opioid epidemic, including, prevention, education, treatment, and recovery. Suffolk County was the first county in New York State to sue drug makers in connection with the opioid crisis. The County has since reached settlement agreements with major opioid distributors and major retail pharmacies. These much needed funds will assist the County in the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis, along with providing assistance to those who have been affected "It is crucial that we continue our fight against the opioid epidemic and provide essential support to those affected by addiction, said Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone. The $20 million in grant funding being offered today serves as a critical lifeline in this ongoing fight that will allow us to expand prevention efforts, enhance treatment options, and strengthen support services for those among us who have been devastated by this tragedy. This second round of funding, totaling $20 million, is available to any entity, including non-profits, healthcare systems, and public and private agencies, that provide services in relation to the opioid epidemic, including, prevention, education, treatment, and recovery. Agencies can submit proposals to address the opioid crisis through the expansion of existing programs, the establishment of new programs, as well as proposals that encourage innovation. A selection panel, comprised of the County Executive's Office, the Presiding Officer, the Minority Leader, and the Health Commissioner, or their designees, along with a victim advocate, will review the applications in conjunction with substance use disorder experts at the Health Department. Interested parties can apply through the proposal portal, which goes live today, August 25th, and will remain available until close of business on September 29th of this year. Since the formation of The Suffolk County Opioid Task Force in 2021, created by County Executive Bellone, the county has made remarkable progress. The Task Force, through extensive collaboration with local experts and stakeholders, developed a guidance document outlining the goals and guidelines for the use of the opioid settlement dollars. Their comprehensive report was released on July 25, 2022 and quickly followed by a first-round funding announcement of $25 million. In the first round of funding, Suffolk County awarded $25 million to 39 programs, both new and existing, for up to three years. An additional $11,225,000 was allocated to four capital projects. These previous funding awards will make a significant impact in advancing prevention and treatment efforts throughout the county. The focus of the initial round of proposals included prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and various concepts such as vocational training, youth prevention, family counseling, peer support services, mobile response, housing, education, and workforce development. The awardees thus far represent a diverse range of organizations including not-for-profits, community-based organizations, hospital systems, county departments, and town treatment and youth programs. Minority Leader Jason Richberg said: "We all know someone in our lives who has been impacted by the opioid epidemic, and these funds are going to go a long way in providing resources and giving residents options in their fight against addiction. The goal is not only to have an immediate impact, but to have a long-standing impact and make sure the funds go to organizations and groups who are on the frontlines and can have a tangible effect and help change lives. If someone wants help, we have a duty to make sure that help is available and easily accessible." Legislator Sarah Anker said: "The previous round of opioid settlement funds went directly into our communities that were hit hardest by the opioid crisis. We received 111 applications from 77 different organizations, with proposals that focused on programs for prevention and harm reduction as well as treatment and recovery programs for those struggling with substance abuse. With this next round of $20 million in funding, we have the opportunity to make even greater strides as we continue to combat the opioid crisis. I would like to encourage all community-based organizations, hospitals, county departments, treatment facilities and youth-prevention programs to apply." Rebecca Sanin President/CEO of the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island said: The second round of funding for organizations that prevent, treat and honor the lives of our Suffolk County neighbors battling the disease of addiction is sorely needed and welcomed by the nonprofit community whose vital missions are focused on promotion of recovery and restoration of hope for families and communities. The escalated need for these services is impacting families, schools, the regional workforce and communities and these landmark dollars represent a vital opportunity to build a sustainable, safe and healthy future in Suffolk County. A "significant safety event" occurred at the ever-troublesome Cattenom nuclear plant this week, operator EDF said on Friday, after a series of mishaps last week. The breach, which was of a technical nature, happened during regular checks to restart unit 1 of the nuclear power station, and was rated as a level-one incident on a seven-level scale, EDF said in a press release. Operators last week on Thursday uncovered a faulty circuit breaker on an emergency diesel engine, which is designed to kick in and guarantee that water continues to be powered through the reactor core during a power cut. Four days later, they uncovered that the same diesel engine was still not working properly as an electric board was faulty leading to the malfucntion of the switchboard. This did not show when tests were carried out after the first fault was repaired, EDF said. However, in between both repair jobs operators detected two more faults on its equipment. This breached operating rules, which state that the first faulty equipment needs to be repaired within one hour, which was not the case as four days had passed. This triggered the level-one event on Thursday, which EDF reported to France's Nuclear Safety Authority. "The unavailability of the electrical switchboard reduced the reliability of one of the two emergency but other complementary electrical sources were available and could be used and were operational," EDF said. The faults were uncovered during routine checks on the reactor ahead of the restart of unit 1, which has been laying idle since May to undergo routine maintenance works. This week's incident was the latest in a string of mishaps this month. Unit 3 had to be disconnected from the grid twice in the space of a week due to a "malfunction on an electrical panel located outside the nuclear zone". Luxembourg's government sent several letters to French authorities last year raising concerns about Cattenom. France became Europe's top net power exporter in the first half of this year, with most of the electricity flowing to Great Britain and Italy. Manchester, VT (05254) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. High near 50F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. As it puts its mission of giving cats and animals the love and care that they deserve at the heart of its business, Goodest, the brand of affordable and nutritious cat food, is proud to launch the campaign, Giving the Goodest in partnership with Pawplife, the countrys leading online community for pet parenting. Healthy cat food for animal welfare groups Along with care and shelter, pet groups and organizations also have a significant need for pet food. These non-profit groups mostly rely on contributions. Goodest sees an opportunity to help these pet groups by supplying Goodest Cat Food that may help their cats be healthier and happier while they are in their care. With the help of Pawplife, Goodest has reached out to a range of pet organizations from established ones to smaller community groups that feed strays. CHECK ALSO: 3 EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CATS HAPPY & HEALTHY These include the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), one of the most established and longest running organizations in the country that promotes the welfare of strays, and CARA Welfare Philippines that has an extensive network of foster homes to help strays in need of shelter. Both organizations run their own clinics that offer low-cost health services for strays and pets. Goodest also partnered with Pawssion Project which is a non-profit organization that is also dedicated to animal welfare. These organizations will receive Goodest cat food supply to help sustain their daily operations, ensuring that their furry wards will receive tasty and nourishing food, thanks to 3 extra-scrumptious Goodest flavors made with the freshest meat ingredients: Tender Tuna,Chicken Chomp, and Meaty Mackerel. With cat food already covered by Goodest, they can now focus more on helping stray cats and rescuing animals in need! Partnering with cat communities and shelters Aside from welfare groups, Goodest and Pawplife are also set to collaborate with local cat communities and shelters nationwide such as Adopt.PH, Cats Around Town PH, Cats of Legaspi Village in Makati, Bark Mission, Cats of UPLB, and Doc Gab, a home and community-based veterinary service solely run by a licensed vet which offers affordable, convenient, quality, and safe veterinary services through various outreach events. Spreading the word on proper furparenting Inspiring stories with furparents and their furbabies, as well as practical furparenting tips these are just some of the stories that Pawplife features on its social media platform. Under their joint project, Goodest and Pawplife aim to help over a thousand stray cats by echoing the advocacy of animal welfare organizations and communities, helping spread awareness about animal welfare, and educating people on how to be more compassionate and take better care of animals. Thanks to Pawplifes extensive reach within the pet community in the country, Goodest will now be able to reach out and support more cat shelters, communities and organizations that share the same goal of giving stray cats the love and care that they need and deserve. Pawrents can check out Pawplifes official Facebook page at facebook.com/Pawplife and Instagram account at instagram.com/pawplife. No matter how big or small, every step you take for animal welfare can help save their lives! Through this meaningful partnership, Pawplife and Goodest help ensure that all cats are loved and cared for. And this is only the beginning as Goodest is all set to do more the brand will be rolling out more partnerships and programs to help support cat welfare groups and communities. Want to make a difference by helping make the world a better, safer place for animals? Be sure to follow Goodest on Facebook and Instagram @goodestpetfood, and its partner organizations on social media for more updates. To know more, visit www.goodestpetfood.com. Don't miss out on the latest shoppenings! Follow Manila Shopper: facebook.com/ManilaShopper instagram.com/ManilaShopper threads.net/@ManilaShopper Walk with Manila Shopper on youtube: MS Walks Police in Boston may soon have the authority to remove tents and other shelters used by homeless people in the Mass. and Cass area. At a press conference Friday morning, Mayor Michelle Wu said a new ordinance she has proposed would allow officers to remove shelters only when the individuals using them had been provided with adequate housing and shelter, transportation to that shelter, and somewhere to store their personal belongings. When we talk about who is represented at Mass. and Cass, it is of course the community of people living with substance use who are in need of treatment, recovery services and often housing. It is also a growing number of individuals who are present dealing drugs, committing violence, human trafficking and other criminal activity often shielded by tents and tarps in the area and causing public safety concerns for everyone in the community, Wu said. Were also talking about our workforce, people who are just trying to go to their jobs every single day ... Were also talking about abutters and neighbors, many of whom have been trying for years at this point to come up with solutions to work with the city and to advocate because they are facing significant public safety concerns as well, Wu continued. Mass. and Cass, short for Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, has long been known for its large homeless population and prevalence of drug use. Read More: Mayor Michelle Wu shouted down by protestors while giving updates on Mass and Cass deep clean In addition to allowing the removal of tents and tarps, the city will establish 30 shelter beds at 727 Massachusetts Ave. Michele Clark, deputy commissioner of programs and services at the Boston Public Health Commission, said these beds would be used at night by individuals that the commission and its case management partner, Eliot Community Human Services, have already been working with to find stable housing. The facility would also provide clinical services from Boston Healthcare for the Homeless. Since January 2022, the city has created nearly 200 units of low-threshold housing which have served more than 500 individuals, and has found permanent housing for 149 people, as part of its efforts to clean up the Mass. and Cass area. Previously, however, the city had used more aggressive measures, sweeping homeless people and their belongings out without any assistance in accessing resources. The sweeps were widely criticized, even prompting a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. Wu said the new ordinance would not be like the sweeps in past years. I want to be clear and acknowledge that the city of Bostons so-called law enforcement sweeps in the past have not been successful. That is not what we are trying to replicate, she said. Not only was there absolutely no infrastructure setup back then ... but today, we have a year and a half of being on the ground, really understanding the situation up close, knowing the people who are in need of services and knowing who is not in need of services and are there to prey upon those who are hoping for housing and shelter and recovery, Wu said. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said police had seen double-digit increases in gun arrests and assaults in the area in recent months. Currently, he said, police had to give 48-hour notice before removing tents. But this approach was not practical in curbing criminal activity. Cox said officers would be stationed at other areas in the city where police believed people may migrate too once they are forced out of the Mass. and Cass area to prevent encampments from appearing elsewhere. The state recently dedicated $1 million to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices Services Over Sentences program, which gives people arrested at Mass. and Cass for crimes related to mental illness or substance abuse the opportunity to participate in a treatment program to avoid charges or jail time. The issue of Mass. and Cass continues to be a seething cauldron of enormously complex societal issues, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. Its not just one crisis. Its a deluge of them all at once. Its not just an opioid addiction epidemic. Its a public health crisis. Its a public safety crisis. Its a neighborhood crisis. And its a crisis of human brokenness. Not everyone was pleased with the proposed ordinance. At a virtual meeting with the South End Forum on Tuesday where the plans were shared with neighbors, many expressed anger that the temporary shelter beds were still going to be in the neighborhood instead of bringing the people using them elsewhere in the city, the Boston Globe reported. Wu said Friday these concerns were unfounded. This is not going to be a permanent shelter. It is not going to be a day shelter. It is going to be an area where individuals who need a place to go will have the opportunity to have a safe and clean and protected area to to to sleep at night, she said. Its really not intended to be a revolving door or backfilling spots as a permanent location but just to manage this very significant transition that will happen so that we can return Atkinson Street and the surrounding area to standard operations as roadways open to vehicular travel. CHICOPEE A building once known as the biggest problem in the citys downtown will soon become the home of a womans clothing store, a Sri Lankan restaurant and a bakery specializing in cookies. People on a waiting list for housing will also be able to move into their own one-bedroom apartments in the building with views of Chicopees downtown area in September. The Valley Opportunity Council last week unveiled the results of its latest renovation project that turned a boarding house at 30 Center St. that was described as gross into affordable housing and an economic driver that should attract people to Chicopee Center. Not only were some of the tenants living in filthy, bug-infested conditions and having to deal with shared bathrooms, they had to listen to fire alarms that were going off every night. Police frequently responded to calls over drug dealing, fights and other problems. The first floor commercial space was partially occupied but outdated, officials said. Now, one of the commercial spots will be occupied by Island Spice Restaurant, which is currently operating out of a food truck but owners Dee Fernando and her husband Welisarage Fernando wanted a permanent spot. We love it. This is our community and people like our food truck and keep asking when we will open a restaurant, said Dee Fernando. The couple has operated restaurants before, including Six Corners Pizza in Springfield, but decided to take a break. When they were ready to start another business, they decided to return to their roots and specialize in their native cuisine. In Sri Lankan food, the base is coconut milk and coconut oil and we use our own spices, she said. When they learned of the Valley Opportunity Councils renovation project, the downtown location and the new commercial kitchen made it the perfect place for them to return to a stationary restaurant. On Thursday, the Valley Opportunity Council held an open house to show off the four newly-renovated apartments and introduce the community to the three new businesses, since they all plan to open on different dates. While the Fernandos, who expect to open late September or early October, were handing out samples of several dishes including potato curry and chicken kottu, their new neighbors Hot Oven Cookies had boxes of its signature cookies including cheesecake guava and coquito snickerdoodle ready for visitors. Hot Oven Cookies already has locations in Springfield and Westfield. It expects to open in mid-September in 30 Center St., said Jenei Rivera. All the cookies are baked on site, so the family still needs to put some finishing touches on the store including installing a stove and a counter and, like Island Spice, they still need to decorate, Rivera said. Hot Oven Cookies is a family business owned by Riveras mother Shelia Coon. Rivera is the production manager for the Westfield store and her sister Allyssa Kemp will run the Chicopee location, she said. We are hearing good things about Chicopee. It is more lively now and more stores are moving in, she said. She heard about the opening of the new store from Goodworks Coffee House owner Victor Narvaez who operates his business in a different building on Center Street that was also bought, renovated and owned by Valley Opportunity Council. Goodworks has, at times, carried some of their cookies so they became fast friends. When he heard about the agencys plans for 30 Center St., he recommended it to Coon. Im ecstatic. Im looking forward to having more businesses here. We have had her cookies here in the past and I know people miss them, Narvaez said. And Hot Oven Cookies isnt the only business he referred to 30 Center St. His friend Johanna Maldonado, who has held pop-up clothing sales at Goodworks, is opening Moda Mia womens clothing store on Sept. 9. Maldonado, of Springfield, said she has operated her store online and through pop-ups, but this is her first brick-and-mortar store. This place is a perfect size for my first business. I love it, she said. My dream my whole life has been to own a boutique. The store will have a variety of womens fashion from work attire to clothing for date night and a girls night out. Maldonado said she is also working with some local artisans and plans to carry their original, handmade jewelry. Maldonado said she is hoping people will stop in at Island Spice for lunch, walk down the joined hallway for dessert at Hot Oven Cookies and stop at her place for some shopping. They could even wrap it up with some drinks at Munich Haus across the street. When he approached Valley Opportunity Council with the idea that it purchase and improve the building, Mayor John L. Vieau said he didnt expect to see a result as good as this one. While sampling food at Island Spice he said: This is delicious. Good spices, good crunch. He called the three businesses a nice addition to the city, saying one of the advantages of Chicopee is people can find many different types of ethnic food here: German, Polish, Puerto Rican and now Sri Lankan. Im excited to see them filling up the storefronts with destinations that will bring people downtown, he said. The building came up for sale in January 2022 and was such a problem that instead of watching it just change hands, Vieau approached Valley Opportunity Council and said he would help them buy it and renovate it. The anti-poverty agency already has a record of improving buildings. About two years ago, it transformed the historic Kendall House, which was also a boarding home, to a collection of one-bedroom apartments so people had their own kitchens and bathrooms. Chicopee grated $750,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act money to the agency to be used for the purchase and to start renovations. The agency also received a $425,000 renovation grant from Springfield that is designed to help expand affordable housing options. It also received other money including financing from MassDevelopments Transformative Development Initiative that was used to renovate the storefronts, including turning an outdated commercial kitchen into the new one in the Island Spice Restaurant. The Valley Opportunity Council owns about 210 affordable housing units and a handful of commercial spaces scattered throughout Holyoke and Chicopee. Its goal is to provide safe, decent housing for people and uses rents, especially from commercial properties, to pay back loans, invest in other properties and fund the myriad of programs it runs such as child care and adult education. It pays property taxes on all of its buildings except the headquarters on Mt. Carmel Avenue where there is an in-lieu of tax agreement, said Stephen Huntley, executive director. Two of the third-floor apartments at 30 Center St. will be affordable housing and the tenants will come from the agencys waiting list, which has been growing lately due to a housing crunch in the region. Huntley said the apartments are ideal for a couple or a single parent with one child. Because of the funding sources, the two others are market rate with the monthly rents being around $800 a month. Because some lead paint in the second-floor hallway has to be abated to meet codes, Huntley said he wasnt sure exactly when the first residents will be able to move in, but he said he hopes it will be in mid-September. All four apartments have walk-in showers and plenty of closet space. The layouts and sizes are different in each, but they generally measure about 900 square feet. There will also be a shared laundry room on each floor, he said. When Valley Opportunity Council purchased the building, all but one of the 18 single rooms were occupied, some with two people. The council thought it would take years before they could start renovations since the agency was not planning to forcibly evict anyone. But several people moved out quickly and the council was able to find better housing for others in some of its other apartments. Construction began on the third and first floors sooner than expected. Now all but one room is vacant and the final tenant is expected to move to an apartment in Holyoke next month, Huntley said. Construction on the second floor will start in the fall, he said. The Valley Opportunity Council had hoped to work with area colleges to create a pilot program to provide affordable apartments to college students who do not have stable housing. But that plan took longer to work out than expected so, for now, it is on hold, Huntley said. The regions housing need is so huge right now that officials do not want an apartment to sit empty while they work out details on how a pilot program would work, he said. The mother of a 17-year-old Lynn boy who was stabbed to death on Tuesday night is crying out for help after the Venezuelan woman said her son was the only thing that kept me motivated to fight in this country, according to the GoFundMe created for his funeral expenses. Daniel Marquez Santeliz was killed on Aug. 22, when police said a 15-year-old boy named Iram Allen Jr. stabbed him at the Alpha Convenience at 1 Freeman Square in the city around 6 p.m. The 17-year-old was brought to a nearby fire station, then brought to Salem Hospital where he died. His body was still at the hospital as of Thursday, his mother, Karelis Santeliz, said. WARWICK, R.I. Holyoke Ward 2 Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota is challenging the admissibility of witness statements and a search of his cellphone in a Rhode Island court where he is facing charges of possession of child sex abuse images, forgery, counterfeiting and obstruction of the judicial system. Hes scheduled to be back in a courtroom in Warwick, Rhode Island, on Sept. 12 according to records there. A social media influencer is being forced to forfeit more than $500,000, her Louis Vuitton bag, a Rolex Wristwatch, Dior shoes and a Dior blouse after using her COVID-19 pandemic-related loans for a private jet and luxury apartment, records show. Danielle Miller, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. She was arrested on a criminal complaint in May 2021 and indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2021. Acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levys office said Miller used information from at least 10 people in Massachusetts and fake business names to apply to get Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds between July 2020 to May 2021. She received more than $1 million in government benefits, officials said. Part of how she did this, officials said, was by having counterfeit drivers licenses in the victims names but with Millers photograph. In August 2020, Miller used a counterfeit drivers license in the name of a Massachusetts victim to arrange a Gulfstream private jet charter flight from Florida to California, where she stayed at a luxury hotel under the same victims name, Levys office said. In a separate instance, Miller used the identity of another victim to rent a luxury apartment in Florida. She also kept track of her extravagant use of the fraud proceeds and stolen identities through her social media accounts. On Instagram, Miller had more than 34,000 followers. One of her posts, officials said, showed her at luxury hotels in California where transactions were made using the bank account in one of the victims names. She had also started a shop called I am not an influencer, which she links to on Instagram. It sold sweatshirts and phone cases. But Millers scams started long before the pandemic. Miller admitted to lying a lot as a child but in 2013 she was overspending her parents money in Los Angeles, according to New York Magazine spending $20,000 in just one month. The magazine reported her parents cut her off, including returning her brand-new convertible SLK350 Mercedes. In 2016, she was using stolen credit-card information to pay for spa trips on the Upper West Side, the news outlet reported. She was later charged with identity theft and grand larceny for nearly $5,000 in services. She also reportedly stole about $200,000 from Mackinzie Dae, a model and Marine veteran working in influencer marketing, and another friend. After missing a court date related to the stolen credit-cards, she was sentenced to a year minus time served in Rikers, meeting con artist Anna Delvey and scammer Ciera Blas. Once she got out, COVID-19 was just the next wave for scammers. COVID was a huge wave, she told New York Magazine, adding she learned how to do it online. But, its also something shes especially good at, she said. Im so sought after its insanity, the magazine reported. My Instagram account from me being locked up has thousands, thousands of DMs asking me what my Telegram name is to work with me. Thousands. On Aug. 11, the government listed the various luxury items, including Rimowa suitcases, nearly $500,000 from a TD Bank account, $104,535.79 from another bank account, $4,441 taken from a residence in Florida and more than $27,000 in money orders as being forfeited. The items will be forfeited to the government unless a person, other than Miller, petitions to claim them. The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of aggravated identity theft provide for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentenced imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7. A dog described by MSPCA veterinary and shelter staff as the worst case of intentional starvation they have ever seen is on the mend following a case of extreme emaciation in Roxbury which left the animal possibly hours away from death. The dog, a 3-year-old, male Pit Bull-mix named Jobee, is lucky to be alive after receiving intensive treatment at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, the MSPCA said in a statement. Jobee had been living with a woman named Lakeida Burris, of Roxbury, who was previously charged with animal cruelty by the law enforcement division of the MSPCA in May of 2022, after another dog she owned had to be euthanized due to neglect, the MSPCA-Angell said. Jobee, and another dog named Remy, were discovered inside Burris home on July 4, when Boston police officers were called to her home on an unrelated matter, the MSPCA-Angell added. It is alleged that, shortly after the officers left the home, Burris abandoned Jobee alongside a nearby dumpster, from which Boston Animal Control picked him up, according to MSPCA-Angell, which added that both Jobee and Remy were later transferred into its care. Burris was arrested on Aug. 23 and was wanted on outstanding warrants for two counts of animal cruelty charges, according to the Boston Police Department. Burris was also highlighted on BPDs Most Wanted List. She was arraigned in Roxbury District Court on Aug. 24. At the time he was brought into the animal hospital, Jobee weighed only 24.5 pounds, or only about half of a healthy body weight for a dog of his size, veterinary care team members indicated to MSPCA-Angell. Dr. Kiko Bracker, of Angells emergency and critical care service said, in a statement that This is the worst case of starvation Ive ever seen in a dog and Im stunned that he survived. Bracker said Jobee had no food in his stomach or digestive tract, which had all but shut down, and that veterinary staff had to be very, very careful in nursing him back to health. Jobee began on IV fluids to re-nourish his organs and tissue, and only began slowly eating solid foods nearly two weeks after he was admitted, MSPCA-Angell said. The MSPCAs Boston Adoption Center took in Jobee after the hospital discharged him on July 19. Mike Keiley, the MSPCA-Angell director of adoption centers and programs, has been overseeing Jobees follow-up care. He said in his nearly 30 years of animal welfare work that he has never seen a dog so starved who was still alive. In fact, weve seen deceased dogs who had more body fat than Jobee, Keiley said. He was day if not hours away from death, so its nothing short of a miracle that he is still with us. Keiley believes it was Jobees will to survive which likely got him through his near-death experience. Weve seen in previous cases that dogs this neglected essentially give up and do not recover but it was clear from the first minute in our care that Jobee wanted to live, Keiley said. He inspired us all and captured every heart along the way. Jobee is continuing with treatment at the MSPCAs adoption center and is closer to a healthy weight, but MSPCA-Angell indicated he will still need time before he is ready to find a new home. We will take our time to ensure hes returned to a state of good health, and then we will begin the process of evaluating qualified adopters, Keiley said. Jobee also had part of his tail amputated due to necrosis, MSPCA-Angell said. He previously had bandages on his legs from open wounds he developed due to lack of circulation to his extremities. However, these wounds have healed thanks to the treatment and feeding he has received. A Massachusetts family is still searching for their loved one, who is one of more than 380 people who have been reported unaccounted for following the Lahaina wildfire disaster. Linda Vaikeli hasnt been heard of since before the wildfires started. Her family, located in Rochester, told Boston 25 she has health issues and doesnt get around very well. She needs some assistance. I just hope someone was able to get to her and help her to evacuate, Beth McCleod told the news station. Maui released a list of names of people on Thursday that they had validated still remain unaccounted for following the fires. Were releasing this list of names today because we know that it will help with the investigation, said Police Chief John Pelletier. We also know that once those names come out, it can and will cause pain for folks whose loved ones are listed. This is not an easy thing to do, but we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to make this investigation as complete and thorough as possible. An additional 1,732 people who had been reported missing have been found safe as of Thursday afternoon, officials said. Vaikelis son, Jason Musgrove, had been posting on Facebook about his mom. Im gutted and overwhelmed with the unknown, he wrote. The wildfires on Maui is considered the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, and wiped out a historic town. Pelletier said Tuesday that his team faced difficulties in compiling a solid list. In some cases, people provided only partial names, and in other cases names might be duplicated. Hawaii officials had expressed concern that by releasing a list of the missing, they would also be identifying some people who have died. As of Thursday, officials said they had notified the families of 35 people who had been identified, but the families of an additional 11 identified people had not been located or notified. The eight names released Thursday included a family of four whose remains were found in a burned car near their home: 7-year-old Tony Takafua; his mother, Salote Tone, 39; and his grandparents Faaoso Tone, 70, and Maluifonua Tone, 73. Dozens of searchers have been combing a 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) stretch of water for signs of anyone who might have perished. Crews are also searching for remains among the ashes of destroyed businesses and multistory residential buildings. The affected area is about 85% cleared, but the search will take weeks to complete, Army Col. David Fielder, deputy commander of the joint task force responding to the wildfires, said in a news conference Friday. But the last structures they have to clear are going to be extremely complicated, Fielder said. They already started mobilizing some equipment to go in there to remove some of the structures to get to the remains. The very earliest projection (is that) were talking weeks its not going to be days to get through all that. Officials said Thursday that more than 725 Department of Defense personnel and 136 Coast Guardsmen were supporting the response. Vaikeli lived in an apartment on Baker Street in Lahaina. She was home alone when the wildfires started, Dylan Kai, her grandchild, wrote on Facebook. He said his grandpa, Sione Vaikeli, had gone to a doctors appointment and was unable to get back into Lahaina. He is safe and trying to work his way back to town now, he wrote. The family has shared photos of Linda Vaikeli on Facebook. On Thursday, Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric Co. saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. Witness accounts and video indicated that sparks from power lines ignited fires as utility poles snapped in the winds, which were driven by a passing hurricane. Hawaii Electric said in a statement it is very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding. The Associated Press contributed to this reporting. A Massachusetts sex offender is facing charges as Boston police are investigating a series of break-ins that all happened in the same neighborhood within 48 hours. James Schaff, 55, of Boston, was arrested on breaking and entering charges on Thursday, Aug. 24, the department said on Facebook. Officers responding to a break-in at Flat of the Hill at 60 Charles St. around 12:30 a.m. arrested Schaff as he tried to run away, police said. He was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges of breaking and entering a building at night, Boston25 reported. This came as Boston police told MassLive Tuesday that they are investigating at least four break-ins or attempted break-ins at several business on Charles Street in Beacon Hill that happened over the weekend. Read More: OSHA investigating Holliston industrial accident that sent worker to hospital Remys Creations, Persona Fine & Custom Jewelry, Soodee Boutique and Sunys were some of the businesses targeted, Boston25 reported. Blood was also found inside some of the stores, according to the outlet. Schaff is a level 2 sex offender who was convicted on one count of aggravated rape in 1987, according to the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB). It wasnt immediately clear if he was connected to the other break-ins. The investigation is ongoing. SPRINGFIELD Prosecutors continue to stack up charges against a suspended middle school teacher who allegedly sexually assaulted three former students. Robert Gayle Sr., 60, was charged with two additional counts of indecent assault on a child under 14, according to court records. Arguing that tough laws save lives, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has signed onto a federal court brief supporting Delaware in a challenge to its laws banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. Campbell, joined by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, co-led the amicus brief filed in the Philadelphia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Sixteen more attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington also signed the brief. In Massachusetts, we know that our strong gun laws save lives. We should use every opportunity to leverage our leadership and encourage states across the country to adopt similar measures, Campbell said in a statement. Im proud to join with my fellow attorneys general in supporting Delawares restrictions on lethal weapons and accessories, and I hope that our collective efforts will improve the safety and well-being of people across the country. The filing comes more than a month after attorneys general in 20 states filed a separate brief asking the appellate court to reverse a lower courts ruling upholding Delawares restrictions, the Center Square, an online news organization, reported. Montanas Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen led the brief filed in support of the legal action filed by the Delaware State Sportsmens Association, Inc., which argued the laws violate the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to the Center Square. In a statement, Campbell and her colleagues argue that Delawares laws, enacted in 2022, do not violate the Second Amendment because, among other things, states can -- and do -- impose restrictions on dangerous weapons, accessories and ammunition that pose a threat to communities. The Second Amendment also does not cover assault weapons and large-capacity magazines because they are not commonly used or suitable for self-defense, the Democratic attorneys general argued. Campbell and her colleagues further argued that Delawares laws are consistent with historical restrictions on new, and distinctly dangerous, forms of weaponry. While easily concealed handguns have been involved in many mass attacks, data compiled by The Trace, a website that reports on gun violence and gun violence reduction efforts, shows that the deadliest mass shootings have been perpetrated with military-style rifles which inflict devastating wounds that are often unsurvivable. According to The Trace, two out of 10 mass public shootings in the 1970s involved a semiautomatic weapon. By the 2010s, nearly a third of all mass shootings (34%) involved an an assault weapon. Massachusetts already has an assault weapons ban, and large-capacity ammunition magazines can hold no more than 10 rounds, Campbells office said in its statement. Gov. Maura Healey quietly rode the Blue Line this week, fulfilling her pledge earlier this summer to take the free transit option during the two-month closure of the Sumner Tunnel. The governor rode the Blue Line from Wonderland to Government Center on Wednesday morning to understand the commuting experience, Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand told State House News Service on Friday. Hand said Healey had a smooth ride and enjoyed speaking with riders and T employees. Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca and Lt. Gov.Kim Driscoll rode the Blue Line on July 6, a day after the Sumner Tunnel closed for major restoration work, to promote the Ditch the Drive campaign encouraging people to pursue public transit options. The administration has published a series of videos on social media spotlighting officials, including Driscoll, using the T, commuter rail, ferry or bus. When Healey visited the Sumner Tunnel command center in downtown Boston on July 10, she stated her intent to also ride the Blue Line. State House News Service inquired Friday about Healeys use of the T and her aides produced photos of her riding the train. The Sumner Tunnel will reopen to traffic no later than 5 a.m. on Sept. 1, a MassDOT official told State House News Service on Friday. Commuting photos shared by the governors office show Healey sitting wedged between passengers, working on a tablet with her backpack at her feet, and talking with a passenger at Government Center. Mass. Gov. Maura Healey rides the Blue Line (Photo courtesy of the Healey Administration/State House News Service). The governors office didnt include the ride on Healeys public schedule Wednesday, which featured a morning tour of climate resiliency projects at a Dorchester housing complex. Healeys team did alert the media when the governor and Driscoll took a brief ride on the Red Line, surrounded by cameras and reporters, through downtown Boston in February. Healey has made improving the MBTA a priority, although the systems riders can point to an assortment of problems that still need fixing, including slow train rides that have forced thousands of people to add to their commuting times. BOSTON As he sat in the Fenway Park media room as part of his first time back in Boston since he was traded in 2020, Mookie Betts deftly walked the line about how much he enjoyed Boston and how happy he was in Los Angeles. Betts and the Dodgers will face his old team Friday night (7 p.m.), Saturday (4:10 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (1:35), weather permitting. $200 INSTANT BONUS DRAFTKINGS MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $5, GET $200 BONUS BET FANDUEL MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $50, GET $250 BONUS CAESARS MASS CLAIM OFFER $1,000 FIRST-BET BONUS BETMGM MASS CLAIM OFFER He called Bostons decision to trade him for Alex Verdugo and Connor Wong a business decision after he and the Red Sox couldnt agree to a contract extension and said he had no hard feelings toward the organization where he spent the first six years of his Major League career. Despite not coming to an agreement with the Boston front office, Betts said he wouldnt dissuade a free agent from signing with the Red Sox if someone sought his advice. I would definitely recommend it. Boston is a super dope place to play, said Betts, who won the 2018 American League MVP and helped lead the Red Sox to the World Series that year. I had the time of my life playing here. A lot of people do. I would tell them If you go up there, you know youve got to play well. Theres nothing else. I think thats why I played well. I knew every day I put the uniform on. Youve got to play well no matter what. The media, the fans, people will let you know. Thats the blessing. Thats what I enjoy, he continued. I would tell them, Go. Youre going to have fun playing in Boston. Youre only going to have fun if you play well and that should drive you to play well. SPRINGFIELD On a rainy Friday afternoon, the line extends down the block outside of 924 Main St. People are waiting for food. Three days a week, patrons of the Rivera & Rivera Food For All South End Food Pantry gather to receive help providing for their families. The pantry is open to all who would benefit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., three days a week. Marisol Feliciano Rivera, president and owner of Rivera & Rivera Act Against Foreclosure Inc., started the pantry as part of her nonprofits efforts to help people in the Springfield community. Jose Ramirez, who is disabled, comes to the food pantry twice a month to receive food, which includes rice, juice, milk, beans, and eggs. Im in need of the extra assistance because I get paid (once) a month, Ramirez said. Sometimes I dont have food for two weeks before I get paid. This helps a little bit. Ramirez is unemployed and receives Supplemental Security Income from the government to help him get by. Hes been in this predicament for over a month, he says. In the times that were living nowadays, it helps us a little bit, he said. We live on a tight budget, so sometimes money is not enough. This helps people that are living in difficult times. Jose Ramirez is a regular patron of the Rivera & Rivera Food For All South End Food Pantry. Im in need of the extra assistance because I get paid (once) a month, Ramirez said. Sometimes I dont have food for two weeks before I get paid. This helps a little bit. (James Foster / The Republican) The pantry began as as offshoot of one of Feliciano Riveras programs, Women Striving To Be Brave, which supports women who are victims of domestic violence. When the pandemic started, she noticed a rising need for food assistance and opened up the pantry to anyone who needs help. Food insecurity has become one of the states most pressing problems since the onset of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, 8.2% of households faced food insecurity, according to Project Bread. In May 2020, that number jumped to 19.6%. Although these rates declined significantly in 2021, falling all the way down to 10.7% in April, they climbed back to 19% as recently as June. Households with children face even greater food insecurity, with over a quarter of families in the Commonwealth unable to access enough food. According to Feeding America, the largest national hunger-relief organization, leading causes of food insecurity include poverty, unemployment, a lack of affordable housing, chronic health conditions and a lack of access to healthcare, as well as systemic racism. Feliciano Riveras pantry seeks to provide comfort as well as security. New patrons fill out a survey with details on family size, income, number of handicapped or disabled residents in their family and race. Based on that information, the pantry will look to provide ingredients associated with the cultures the patron identifies with. We try to provide all types of food, including cultural food since we have other cultures, Feliciano Rivera said. Clients include people from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia and Hispanic countries. The pantry serves around 900 clients a week, each of whom receives a five-day supply of food three times a month, according to Feliciano Rivera. Although many clients wait in line to receive their food, some prefer to use the DoorDash service offered by the pantry. Patrons await their turn at Rivera & Rivera Act Against Foreclosure Inc. food program on Friday. (Jonah Snowden / The Republican) This Friday, the line was made up of people struggling to make ends meet. The government doesnt give (R & Rs patrons) enough to spend to maintain their families, so they come here just when were running out of our food so we can get an extra supply, said Wanda Cruz, a beneficiary of R & R and the cousin of Feliciano Rivera. Cruz, who does not have a job due to a disability, said: Well, people that are disabled really come here. The programs efforts to combat hunger have been supported by grants over the past few years, including $20,000 from the city of Springfields Prime the Pump program in 2020 and a $7,500 grant from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts received a few months ago and used for the pantrys new refrigeration system. Two new refrigerators help keep food fresh. The program plans to expand into space next door. Im trying to make (our services) comfortable for the community, Feliciano Rivera said. So Im trying to see if I can get some funds so I can open right next door for a lobby, so they dont get wet or pass out during the summer, and they dont get cold during the winter. SPRINGFIELD The Springfield Police Department and city officials are seeking $55,000 in grant funding to purchase additional police restraint devices. The city is looking to secure about $55,000 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, according to William Baker, spokesperson for Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. If the funding is approved, it will allow the department to purchase 15 additional BolaWrap devices and 270 additional cartridges. Priority areas for the JAG program include law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, planning, evaluation and technology improvement programs, according to Mass.gov. BolaWrap devices are handheld restraint tools that fire an 8-foot Kevlar cord with hooks on each end, according to Police1. The tether wraps around the subjects arms or legs to prevent them from resisting arrest, the website says. The devices take their name from the bola, a traditional weapon of cords with weights that South American gauchos used to catch cattle, as The Republican previously reported. The BolaWraps work at a range of 10 to 25 feet and will not be used on subjects who are either running or operating a vehicle. Additionally, the devices are not used on suspects who could be injured if they fell. Springfield Police provided a demonstration of the use of BolaWrap devices last April, a week before training officers on how to use the devices at the departments Police Training Facility on 299 Page Blvd. Weve trained roughly 25 officers to be able to use them, Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh said. If theres an instance where one is needed, a supervisor would go back to their car or the police department and bring it to the scene to be used. In a statement, Sarno said the device can serve as an invaluable tool, especially if needed during a potential life- threatening call for service where an individual can be trying to harm themselves or others. The department currently owns 12 BolaWrap devices. Walsh said the more BolaWrap devices and cartridges that are purchased, the more officers can be trained. The BolaWraps are a part of the current restraining practices Springfield Police have taken on to comply with a consent decree with the U. S. Department of Justice over the use of force by the department. Attempts to reach a representative from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security were unsuccessful. In a statement, Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood said the BolaWrap devices by no means replace the departments other service equipment. She said it will provide officers with a nonlethal device to help control a potentially dangerous situation and reduce the risk of injury for the citys officers. Related Content: Springfield police officers add less-than-lethal BolaWrap restraints to its arsenal The smoke from Canadian wildfires that drifted into the U.S. led to a spike in people with asthma visiting emergency rooms particularly in the New York area. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published two studies Thursday about the health impacts of the smoke, which shrouded city skylines with an orange haze in late spring. A medical journal also released a study this week. Read more: Greek firefighters find 18 bodies in area burned by large wildfire When air quality worsens, an asthmatic feels it before anyone else, said Dr. Adrian Pristas, a pulmonologist based in Hazlet, New Jersey, who remembered a flood of calls from patients in June during the days of the heaviest smoke. People with asthma often wheeze, are breathless, have chest tightness and have either nighttime or early-morning coughing. I have no doubt that every asthmatic had an uptick in symptoms, Pristas said. Some were able to manage it on their own, but some had to call for help. Read more: Pittsfield nurse spends Maui trip on wildfire rescue effort Each of the studies looked at different geographic areas one was national, one was specific to New York state and the last focused on New York City. Nationally, asthma-associated ER visits were 17% higher than normal during 19 days of wildfire smoke that occurred between late April and early August, according to one CDC study that drew data from about 4,000 U.S. hospitals. Hospital traffic rose more dramatically in some parts of the country during wildfire smoke: 46% higher in New York and New Jersey. A second study released by the CDC focused on New York state only, not New York City, because the state and city have separate hospital data bases, one of the authors said. It found asthma-associated ER visits jumped 82% statewide on the worst air quality day, June 7. The study also said that the central part of New York state saw the highest increases in ER visits more than twice as high. The third study, published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, focused solely on New York City. It found more than a 50% increase in asthma-associated ER visits on June 7, said the studys lead author, George Thurston of New York University. None of the studies looked at other measures of health, such as increases in heart attacks or deaths. Wildfire smoke has tiny particles, called PM2.5, that can embed deep in the lungs and cause severe problems for asthmatics. But problematic as the wildfire smoke was, an analysis showed it had lower amounts of some toxic elements found in urban air pollution, Thurston said. The third study also attempted to compare the surge in ER visits during the wildfire smoke with what happens at the height of a bad pollen season and the wildfires led to about 10% more ER visits. Thats reassuring. It may not have been as bad as it looked, Thurston said Jeffrey Acquaviva, a 52-year-old asthmatic in Holmdel, New Jersey, found that conclusion hard to swallow. Yeah, right, said Acquaviva, who works at family-owned construction business. As the smoke got worse in June and the air in his backyard grew thick and golden, Acquaviva changed the filters on his air conditioners and stayed indoors for 2 1/2 days. His symptoms still got worse his breathing dangerously difficult and finally he was taken by ambulance to a hospital and stayed there three days. Pristas, Acquavivas doctor, recalled how invasive the smoke was: There was nowhere to hide. In anticipation of the 10th anniversary of the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (#AESIS2023), 40 Investor Meetups will be hosted by local investors and investor organizations. Set to occur on September 7th and October 5th, these gatherings mark a significant milestone for the AESIS community. Founded in 2013, AESIS is a community of Africa-focused early stage investors brought together by VC4A and ABAN. This years engagements commenced with a series of war stories and masterclasses, paving the way for local investor meetups in African and international cities. Together, these events will culminate in the prestigious AESIS2023 10th anniversary celebration. Scheduled for November 30th and December 1st in Cape Town, the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023 will revolve around the theme 10x-ing early stage investing in Africa. Amidst the backdrop of a downturn in early-stage investment growth on the continent, the Summit seeks to foster discussions on strategies to amplify progress. In 2022, we successfully hosted 30 Meetups which welcomed 1300+ investors. This year, we took it up a notch and added 10 new cities. AESIS2023s 40 Investor Meetups aim to facilitate networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative relationships among investors, with the goal of driving early-stage investing in Africa and boosting the available capital pool for innovation. Leading international startup ecosystems, including hubs like Amsterdam, Austin, Dallas, Dubai, New York City, and San Francisco, are set to host meetups on September 7th. The Paris, Beijing, Zagreb, and London meetups will coincide with the African city Meetups, showcasing a growing global interest in Africas investment landscape. African cities, ranging from Abidjan to Windhoek, will also host these transformative meetups. Esteemed organizations like Antler, CIBAN, Dream VC, Ennovate Ventures, Ghana Innovation Hub Jozi Angel, Lagos Angel Network, NaiBAN, Teamlink, Viridian, Wouessi, and more will be setting the pace in contributing to these engaging sessions. Investors are encouraged to secure their complimentary tickets for the local investor meetups online, as space is limited. The website www.AfricaInvestorSummit.com provides registration details. Meetup attendees will also benefit from a special discount for the landmark #AESIS2023 2-day summit, an opportunity to network with industry peers and collaborate for a stronger early-stage investment landscape in Africa. The Investor Meetups and the main Summit are made possible with the endless support of our partners including Goodwell Investments, Investec, Next176, UNDP, JICA, Knife Capital, GIZ SAIS, GIZ MAKE IT, Madica, Untapped Global, US Consulate, Double Feathers Partners, SU LaunchLab, Proof, SA SME Fund and South Africa National Conventions Bureau. Womens affairs ministers from Commonwealth countries committed to a roadmap yesterday, designed to scale up efforts to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls, especially in climate action. The roadmap was the result of three-day deliberations among ministers at their triennial Commonwealth meeting in The Bahamas this week. It was also shaped by input from a range of stakeholders, including domestic violence survivors, civil society representatives and women with disabilities. As part of this roadmap, womens affairs ministers pledged to enhance efforts to address inequality in several Commonwealth priority areas over the coming years. Specific provisions include an enhanced role of women in climate finance, increased support for women with disabilities, more economic opportunities for women, better representation in decision-making and greater protections from gender-based violence. The roadmap encapsulates the outcome statement issued by ministers, representing 2.5 billion Commonwealth people, at the conclusion of their meeting on 23 August 2023. The Commonwealth Womens Affairs Ministers Meeting was hosted by the Government of The Bahamas from 21 to 23 August 2023 in the capital, Nassau. Next year, this roadmap will be considered by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Sookdeo Bissoondoyal State College is the winner of the 2023 Omnicane Award. The results were made official during a ceremony held at Holiday Inn Mauritius Mon Tresor, Plaine Magnien, on Wednesday 23 August 2023 in the presence His Excellency Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, GCSK, President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mrs Roopun, Lady Sarojini Jugnauth and other distinguished guests. The winning team, composed of Vaydeesh Koonjbeeharry, Dilesha Rumon, Prishnee Doolar, Keane Vaibhavrao Chinea and Ruddy Elan Bhujun, received the challenge trophy, and each team member received a cash prize of Rs 20 000 and a souvenir shield. With a participation of 63 entries, the theme for this year was: This year, Mauritius celebrates its 55th year of independence and the Mauritian media commemorates its 250th year of existence. How will the local media continue fulfilling its mission of being the watchdog of democracy and freedom of information in this digital era within the process of nation building for the Republic of Mauritius? For Mr. Jacques M. dUnienville, CEO of Omnicane: By choosing this theme, we wanted to pay tribute to the media community which has been ever present at different stages of our countrys history and its numerous milestone events. During the 55 years of independence, the media have constantly undergone modernisation with the introduction of satellite and cable channels. Then came the digital era, preceded by radio liberalisation in 2002. Even though there is still room for improvement, Mauritius has climbed by one place, moving to 63rd position this year on a list of 180 countries compiled by Reporters Sans Frontieres. Mr Chayman Surajbali, Chairperson of the Media Trust, said we are proud and honored to be partners with Omnicane for this event. The Media Trust has been providing high standards of professional training to serving journalists. The focus has been on professional approach, accuracy, impartiality, balance and ethical standards. We have had professional trainers from the world renowned CFPJ in France, and equally high caliber professional trainers from the USA, Britain and Canada. We also have recourse to a number of local trainers on a variety of subjects of interest to journalists. The runner-up team is the Queen Elizabeth College, composed of: Zaara Toorawa, Sanhya Putchay, Shruti Lallchand, Nielina Babajee, Pravashinee Sookun. They each received a cash prize of Rs 8 000 and a souvenir shield. The third prize was attributed to Sir Abdool Raman Osman State College represented by Vikshit Gopaul, Sahisht Rajkomar, Rhea Soobrayen, Sayyad Chitamun, and Rishul Ramdawon, each received a cheque of Rs 2,000 and a souvenir shield. The members of the Jury are : Dr Ms. Roukaya Kassenally Associate Professor University of Mauritius (Chairperson) Mr Jugdish Joypaul News Coordinator Radio Plus Mr Jean-Luc Mootoosamy Founder of Media Expertise & Former Chief Editor of Radio One This inter-college project competition was originally known as the Lonrho Award from 1971 to 1996, then as the Illovo Award from 1997 to 2000, and as the Mon Tresor Award from 2004 to 2008. Omnicane Award took over from the Mon Tresor Award and is organized under the auspices of Omnicane Foundation. The aim of the competition has remained unchanged since the beginning, namely, to enable young people to work in teams on topical issues, carry out research, meet people, reach their own conclusions, and make proposals and recommendations. WESTPORT QUAY was painted in patriotic blue and yellow as the local Ukrainian community descended to mark 32nd anniversary of their countrys independence. Traditional Ukrainian music, artwork, clothing and cuisine were all celebrated by over 100 Ukrainians who gathered at The Towers Bar & Restaurant to celebrate their Independence Day. A day of rest and celebration in their native country, Independence Day has taken on a particular poignance for Ukrainians forced to flee their country following Russias full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. The West Mayo area is now home to over 1,000 Ukrainians, many of whom gathered at The Quay to celebrate their culture, history and traditions. Yesterday (Thursday) was the second such Ukrainian Independence Day gathering to take place in Westport. Local county councillor Christy Hyland re-affirmed his solidarity with Ukrainian refugees, stating that the hearts and minds of Westport people were with local Ukrainian community. Kseniya Mairboroda, a member of the Ukrainian community, thanked the people of Westport for being so accommodating and welcoming to Ukrainian refugees. Wed like you to know that we do not smile that often, and sometimes its not an easy thing for us to do, but when we do smile at you its the most sincere smile in the world. And very often its because of you, dear people of Westport, we thank you for that, she said. Since the arrival of the first group of Ukrainians, volunteers from Westport Welcomes Ukraine have been doing everything to make us feel at home. Judy Casey, a member of Westport Welcomes Ukraine, thanked all those who came to the event. She also thanked the people of Westport for their kindness and support and patience as well as Tom Bourke, owner of The Towers, for hosting the gathering. I want to thank all of our Ukrainian friends for your strength and courage, to bring your families to safety, to leave the comfort of your own homes and your own country. You have show us what bravery means. The heroes in Ukraine and the heroes here in Westport, said Ms Casey. Speaking in Ukrainian through a translator, she added: Keep fighting, youre sure to win. God helps you on your fight. For fame and freedom much with you, right is on your side. Glory to Ukraine! The event was also attended by a Ukrainian soldier who is due to return to the front lines shortly. We will have further coverage of the Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations in Westport in Tuesdays print edition of The Mayo News. A Mayo school principal says the 61,736 students who received their Leaving Cert results across the country this morning overcame unprecedented challenges. Edmund Holmes, principal of Our Ladys Secondary School in Belmullet said the young peoples hard work, resilience and dedication paid off when results were revealed online at 10am. When we consider the unprecedented challenges our students here in Our Ladys and students across the country faced during the pandemic, and not having benefited from experiencing the junior cert exams, were especially delighted for all of the students and their parents. Judging by the deluge of phone calls and messages coming into the school here in Belmullet this morning, its obvious that there was huge excitement about the excellent Leaving Cert results achieved by our students this year. All their hard work and dedication over the past two years certainly paid off when the results were revealed online. Almost 20% of the group here in Our Ladys achieved over 500 points and over 60% achieved over 400 points which is way above the national average. The Leaving Cert Applied Students also excelled well beyond the national trend in their courses with 66% of students gaining Distinction Grades, Mr Holmes added. The Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU) agreed with Holmes and said the resilience shown by the class of 2023 was hugely impressive. Shari Irfan, Uachtaran of the ISSU said: The achievements of Leaving Certificate students was testament to their dedication and hard work and we have no doubt that they will continue to make positive contributions to our society. As we move forward, let us remember that these results are not just a reflection of academic excellence but also of their growth as individuals. Heather Doyle, ISSU Education Officer said: The stressful journey of the leaving cert is finally coming to a close and massive congratulations for coming this far. It has been a particularly unique second-level experience with the Covid-19 pandemic. Geraldine OBrien of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) also congratulated all students receiving their Leaving Cert results. Today is a day to celebrate the beginning of the next phase of your lives, said Ms OBrien. The knowledge, skills and experience you have gained as a result of progressing from first year through to the Leaving Cert will serve you in many ways as you pursue your goals as a young adult. The ASTI President said every young person getting results today has their own unique combination of talents, interests, skills and learnings. Regardless of your results today, know that your future holds many opportunities. I urge you to take time to consider all of your options in the days and weeks ahead. Ms OBrien said this years Leaving Cert students were significantly impacted by the pandemic. This years Leaving Cert students experienced school closures, mask wearing in class, cold temperatures in schools, and they never got to sit their Junior Cycle exams. Fortunately, these students benefited from a return to normality, including the certainty of a fair and transparent Leaving Cert exams process. A key learning from the pandemic is that we must protect the integrity of the Leaving Cert. Any changes must be built upon fairness for students and trust in the system. She concluded by asking todays Leaving Cert students to celebrate their results safely. Your teachers are very proud of each and every one of you today. I urge those of you celebrating to do so safely. I wish you every happiness and success over the coming weeks and in your future lives. NINE Mayo food producers have been shortlisted for the 2023 Blas na hEireann, Irish food awards, which will take place in Dingle in September. Now in its 16th year, Blas na hEireann saw its highest entries from across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year. During the judging, which took place over June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, the highest on record. The finalists shortlisted from Co Mayo across a range of different categories are Achill Island Sea Salt, Black Book Foods, Carr and Sons, Jack & Eddie's, Mescan Brewery, Moylurg Honey, O'Hara's Bakery, Village Farm and Western Brand Chicken. They are all sponsored by the Mayo Local Enterprise Office (LEO). We wish all of the Mayo finalists in this years Blas na hEireann awards the very best of luck. said John Magee, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Mayo. The awards showcase the wide variety of high-quality food and drink products made right here in Mayo and we are proud to support them. This years Blas na hEireann awards in Dingle will see the return of last years new additions including the Eat Ireland in a Day tent and the Blas Village where the 2023 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers. The three-day event will take place from Thursday, September 28 to Saturday, September 30. Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hEireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said: After last years success, we are thrilled to be back again. The Blas village and Eat Ireland in a Day tents were a fantastic addition and created brilliant awareness for the finalists and winners to both the public and key industry people. Seeing so many new producers enter this year is testament to the fantastic produce Ireland has to offer and I am looking forward to celebrating past and new finalists and winners again this year. LumaFlo, a medtech company based in Israel, has developed a decontamination technology that does not require UV light, something that can be dangerous for people nearby. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for safe and effective decontamination technologies for both public spaces and healthcare facilities. However, many such technologies rely on UV light to kill pathogens, but this can also have negative effects on those exposed. In an effort to create a safer and more effective alternative, LumaFlo has developed a carbon nanostructure based photocatalytic system that is activated through visible light, meaning that it completely avoids the need for UV. In lab tests, the technology demonstrated 99.997% lethality for pathogens in just 90 minutes. The system is designed to be used in areas of maximal airflow, but it may also have applicability as a contact decontamination system, such as in heavily touched areas like door handles or hand-rails. Medgadget had the opportunity to speak with Sorel Rothschild, Vice President at Quantum Innovations, LumaFlos parent company, about the technology. Conn Hastings, Medgadget: How did the recent COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for effective decontamination technologies? Sorel Rothschild, Quantum Innovations/LumaFlo: Early in the pandemic, when the very aggressive contaminating properties of COVID-19 were revealed, it was clear that new preventive measures and strategies are necessary in the field of indoor air purification to contain such urgent situations as quickly as possible. The CDC recently released new recommendations for higher air replacement rates and the use of active air purification equipment in crowded spaces. Within this context, air purification by photocatalytic oxidation (a NASA-derived air-quality control technology) appears to be the preferred solution to this problem. LumaFlo took the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) a few steps ahead by developing a Visible Light induced PCO technology to replace the potentially harmful UV light-induced PCO currently in use. LumaFlos technology can more efficiently decontaminate airborne contaminants in schools, hospitals, shopping centers, office buildings, airports, buses, etc. without the limitations imposed by the hazards of UV light exposure. Medgadget: What are the most common air decontamination solutions for healthcare facilities at present? What are the limitations of such approaches? Sorel Rothschild: At present, there are two main air decontamination technologies in use by healthcare facilities: Germicidal UV UV light decontaminates primarily by causing damage to nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). There are two types of equipment: High intensity, high power Germicidal UV robots a very expensive and power-consuming type of technology. During operation, the space to be disinfected must be evacuated since germicidal UV light is harmful, causing damage to nucleic acids, and generates Ozone, which can be a harmful gas by itself. Low intensity Germicidal UV. This is much less effective than the High Intensity approach. Mostly installed as an add-on device in HVAC air ducts, it generates Ozone and due to the too short contact time, has low effectiveness. Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) a technology developed in the 1990s at the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR), a NASA Research Partnership Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the time, and sponsored by the space agencys Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The technology, as developed at that time used germicidal UV light to activate the titanium dioxide generating Ozone as by-product. PCO has the capability to oxidize organic matter, VOCs and other organic molecules as well as airborne contaminants / pathogens. UV light is still used by most products that base their air purification systems on PCO. In contrast to this approach, LumaFlo developed a novel PCO technology that utilizes Visible Light to trigger the photocatalytic Oxidation avoiding the hazardous threats the come from using UV light. Medgadget: Please give us an overview of the LumaFlo decontamination technology, and how/where it is intended to be used. Sorel Rothschild: LumaFlo is based on carbon nanostructures and certain photocatalytic materials combined through a special process into a novel nanomaterial. ARE (an FDA certified independent laboratory) tests indicate 99.997% pathogen reduction in 90 min, significantly better than existing solutions in the market. LumaFlo technology will be implemented in products of various formats, from DIY adhesive labels for residential applications to OEM components integrated in existing ventilation systems and stand-alone equipment for hospitals, public spaces, airports, etc. LumaFlo can be placed on virtually any surface that is exposed to natural/white light. However, for maximal effectiveness it should also be positioned in locations where the LumaFlo material is exposed to the highest air flow volume (such as fan blades or intake/exhaust ventilation vents). Medgadget: How does the system work? How does it kill airborne pathogens? Sorel Rothschild: Our system is based on the classic PCO process, which works as follows: The adsorption of a photon with sufficient energy by TiO2 promotes electrons from the valence band to the conduction band leaving a positively charged hole in the valence band. The electrons are then free to migrate within the conduction band and the holes may be filled by an electron from an adjacent molecule. This process can be repeated. Thus, holes are also mobile. Electrons and holes may recombine (bulk recombination) a non-productive reaction, or, when they reach the surface, react to give reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O2 and OH . In theory, the killing action was originally proposed to be via depletion of coenzyme A by dimerization and subsequent inhibition of respiration (Matsunaga et al. 1985, 1988). However, there is overwhelming evidence that the lethal action is due to membrane and cell wall damage. (See image below.) Medgadget: What sort of lifespan does the LumaFlo material have? Can it be integrated into heavily touched surfaces, or is it primarily intended to decontaminate air-borne pathogens? Sorel Rothschild: Theoretically, LumaFlo photocatalyst material has a very long lifespan. When operating in a contaminated environment, we predict a minimum lifespan of six months, while in normal preventive mode setting, the expected lifespan is twelve months. LumaFlo technology has been tested so far under two largely recognized methodologies: Decontamination of airborne pathogens using a flow cell 2. Contact test Decontamination of E.coli on surface Based on the tests outcomes, we believe our material can be integrated into heavily touched surfaces as well as decontamination of air-borne pathogens. Medgadget: How can we prepare better for the next pandemic? Do you see such technologies being used in various public spaces and buildings, beyond healthcare facilities? Sorel Rothschild: The CDC recently (May 12, 2023) called to improve the ventilation and decontamination practices as a vital preventive step towards the next pandemic, at the price of additional equipment, maintenance, and increased energy consumption cost. To the best of our knowledge, LumaFlo is the only technology that provides both superior decontamination and improved ventilation rate without inducing excessive energy cost. Lumaflo can be used in any environment where there is a need for air purification / decontamination, both as a preventive measure device and in emergency response configuration such as in healthcare facilities, schools, public spaces, office buildings, trains, buses, airplanes, etc. Link: LumaFlo homnepage by Teresa Buyikian , August 24, 2023 The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) today announced that Gerry A. Fernandez, its president and founder, will be retiring after 27 years at the head of the organization. He will leave his post at the end of 2023. MFHA will conduct a national search for his successor. Beginning next year, Fernandez will support MFHA in an advisory role. MFHA has worked with restaurant, foodservice and lodging businesses improve their cultural competency, create diverse and inclusive work environments and attract more diverse talent, particularly in leadership positions. Fernandez himself developed a supplier diversity directory and conducted the industry's first diverse practices survey. In 2022, MFHA, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and Cornell University issued a new DEI Report outlining the effectiveness of DEI practices among restaurant employees. An outcome of the report was MFHA's launch of ELEVATE, a toolkit that restaurants can use to build a successful DEI program. This year, MFHA is hosting a series of Leadership Roundtables for MFHA members and non-members to learn more about current DEI trends, issues and challenges facing the food-service and hospitality industry. by Tanya Gazdik , August 24, 2023 Land Rover is collaborating with British rapper, songwriter and actor Kano on the launch of the Defender brands TikTok account. The launch also sees the brand form a new digital community in parallel with the community of Defender owners. Kano has an authentic and innovative approach and is a pioneer in the British music industry, per the automaker. The Defender account aims to connect with an entirely new group of consumers with content created just for them to show the Defender is ready for a new generation, offering a combination of power and purpose. To join the Defender brand on TikTok, consumers are invited to follow at www.tiktok.com/@defender Land Rovers individual vehicle brands are distancing themselves from the parent company moniker as expressed in the TikTok account, which says simply Defender. The account has only 65 followers as of the evening of its launch, perhaps in part because the lack of labeling makes it unclear it is an official account for the automaker. advertisement advertisement The Defender line-up includes 90, 110 and 130 body designs, with a choice of plug-in electric hybrid and mild-hybrid petrol and diesel power. Defender and music can both unlock powerful emotions, inspiring whole communities to go their own way, break new ground and embrace all kinds of adventures, says Mark Cameron, managing director for Defender, in a release. Launching our new account with Kano a pioneer who has helped shape UK music and is a role model in that industry is a fitting way for the Defender brand to make its TikTok debut. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, August 25, 2023 A federal judge has thrown out the Republican National Committee's lawsuit against Google for allegedly sending fundraising messages into Gmail users' spam folders. In a decision issued Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Calabretta in the Eastern District of California ruled that Google is protected from the claims by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which explicitly allows web companies to make good-faith efforts to suppress objectionable material, such as suspected spam. Calabretta wrote that the political committee's allegations against Google, even if proven true, wouldn't show that the company acted in bad faith by sending emails to the Gmail spam folders. Instead, he said the allegations regarding bad faith were pure speculation. Plaintiff argues that the only reasonable inference for why its emails were labelled as spam is Googles alleged political animus, he wrote. This is pure speculation, lacking facts from which the court could infer animus or an absence of good faith. advertisement advertisement The decision comes in a battle dating to last October, when the Republican National Committee alleged that Google was discriminating based on political affiliation and unlawfully controlling the flow of information to the public by designating fundraising messages as spam. The complaint was referred to a North Carolina State University study that found Gmail Gmail flags around 68% of Republican campaign emails as spam, compared to 8% Democratic campaign emails. Google denied filtering emails for political reasons. "Google designs its spam-filtering technology to make its product better for users not for any political or partisan purposes. Indeed, effective spam filtering is a key feature of Gmail," the company wrote earlier this year, when it urged Calabretta to dismiss the lawsuit. Calabretta said in his ruling that the North Carolina study provides "some evidence that Google could be acting without good faith, but also said the study wasn't sufficient in itself to allow the lawsuit to proceed. He added that the study expressly states there is no reason to believe Google was acting in bad faith. The Republican committee's complaint included claims that Google violated California's common carrier law (which prohibits telecommunications companies from discriminating when transmitting messages), a state civil rights law that prohibits discrimination, an unfair competition law, and that the company wrongly interfered with potential economic relationships. Calabretta's ruling allows the committee to amend its allegations and re-file the claims relating to unfair competition and potential economic relationships. The other claims were dismissed with prejudice -- meaning they can't be brought again. No court, much less a court interpreting Californias common carrier law, has found an email service provider to be a common carrier. This Court declines to be the first, he wrote, regarding allegations that Google had violated California's telecommunications law. He also said California's civil rights law prohibits discrimination based on factors such as race, sex or religion, but doesn't cover discrimination based on political affiliation. Earlier this year, the Federal Election Commission rejected a complaint by Republican groups that alleged Google's spam filter disproportionately rejected GOP fundraising emails during the 2020 election cycle. That agency wrote that Google credibly asserts that its spam filter is applied on a politically neutral basis and for a commercial purpose. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, August 25, 2023 Few brands understand just how much people love their dogs better than Bark. So the D2C dog toy company is expanding its National Dog Day tattoo contest, encouraging people to share why they think their dog is especially ink-worthy. The company introduced the contest for National Dog Day last year, and the effort drew a staggering 16,000 responses. "People just love this," says Dave Stangle, vice president of brand marketing for Bark. "We're nuts about dogs and know we're not the only ones. And one of life's greatest tragedies is that dogs don't live forever. Getting a tattoo of your dog is permanent." If tattoos are the closest pet owners can get to forever, "we want to make that happen." In its first few days, this year's iteration has already surpassed last years benchmark, and Stangle tells Marketing Daily he expects entries to top the 20,000 mark. advertisement advertisement The company is promoting the contest with its usual canine punnery: "In honor of National Dog Day, we're gonna track down the ol' company credit card and whippet out for you to get some sweet ink of your sweet pup," the contest site says. "All you have to do is sit as well as they do." After the Bark staff reads through the entries, the company will gift 100 of the most deserving with a free tattoo. And while many companies encourage people to get tattoos with brand logos, Stangle says this effort is entirely agnostic. "We don't expect or want anyone to get our brand on them," he says. "However, one of the things we've seen a lot of is that people get their dog's favorite Bark toys tattooed on them, and we've had tons of people send us photos of those. Those are special to us." He's confident that level of freedom "leads to a great breadth of content for us. People will do huge tattoos and tiny pawprints. Some do faces, and some will do toys." The effort isn't linked to sales in any direct way. "We work in the only industry in the world rooted in unconditional love," he adds. "We should be putting things out there for dog people to help celebrate that." Still, the contest is tied to audience engagement. "We want to hear their stories," Stangle says. "We want to know about their relationships with their dogs and help them celebrate." by Colin Kirkland , August 25, 2023 In a conversation with YouTube Shorts product lead Todd Sherman, the video-sharing platform offers insider tips to creators and brands using the short-form video channel in an interview featured on Creator Insider, a YouTube channel intended to provide information for the creator community. Sherman discusses the use of hashtags and ideal posting times while breaking down the Shorts algorithm and describing upcoming features. According to Sherman, Shorts creators will reap the most benefit from their posts if they focus on audience over algorithm. On long form, a lot of the times people are choosing which video by tapping on it on their phone, or clicking on it on the web, and that choice is something that drives a lot of engagement, Sherman explains. On short-form, people are swiping through a feed, and discovering things as they go. Thats one important difference. advertisement advertisement In addition, creators should know that not every swipe in Shorts is counted as a view -- in contrast to TikTok, which counts views the instant a video begins to play. On YouTube, the Shorts view is based more on a user's intent, although the validity of this point is difficult to check due to the platform's choice not to publish any actual calculations for fear of people trying to cheat its system. What we try and do with a view is have it encode for your intent of watching that thing, so that creators feel like that view has some meaningful threshold that the person decided to watch, Sherman says. It doesn't mean it's their favorite video ever, it just means that they are deliberately watching it. To determine viewer intent, YouTubes system likely takes into account watch times, re-watches, likes, shares and comments -- how much a user engages with the content. Sherman says creators should think less about what time stamp the algorithm favors and more about the quality of their content, or how long it takes to tell their story. However, he says, Shorts will remain focused on videos that are a minute or less. In terms of an ideal time of day to post, Sherman says that aside from breaking news, creators should not worry about when they post as much as what they post. For creators who feel that their Shorts gain traction and then plateau, Sherman explains the part of the algorithm focused on finding an audience for creators. Sometimes those algorithms will go and effectively find a seed audience -- find a set of people that may enjoy your video. And depending on how that goes, it may get a lot more traffic or it may taper off, he says. While hashtags are not necessary for Shorts, Sherman says creators may find them helpful if they are associated with a real-world event happening, for example, or specific topics that may help interested audiences find their videos. Right now, Shorts is the fastest-growing content type on YouTube -- delivering over 50 billion views in the app per day. In the near future, Sherman says, the product will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) elements to further help brands cultivate broader awareness and perception. by Teresa Buyikian , August 25, 2023 Atlanta-based Southern chicken chain Zaxbys is celebrating this years Saucetember, (a holiday the chain created as a salute to sauce) by auctioning off a single bottle of its signature Zax Sauce, signed by Zaxby's founder and sauce creator Zach McLeroy. In addition to receiving the first-ever bottled sauce from Zaxby's, the winner will also be awarded a lifetime supply of the sauce (in the form of gift cards redeemable at participating Zaxby's locations). Proceeds from the auction will benefit The Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America. The auction opens to the public on eBay and at www.zaxsauceforlife.com on Sept. 12 and runs through Sept. 15, with the winner be announced Sept. 18. The bidding for the collectors edition bottle will begin at $19.90, in honor of the opening of the first Zaxbys restaurant. advertisement advertisement The sauce became a cult favorite among college students who were our earliest brand fans, and now "it's the first time Zax Sauce has ever been bottled, said McLeroy. The sauce recipe is a highly guarded secret, with hundreds of online cooks posting attempts to recreate the recipe, which has been described as containing honey, mustard, ketchup, and dozens of additional spices and other ingredients. When it was created 33 years ago, McLeroy personally made the sauce and distributed it to various locations to ensure that no one single person would know the recipe from start to finish. This isnt the first Saucetember for the chain; in September 2022, Zaxby's distributed free sauce-flavored popsicles to mark the holiday. Zaxby's is also commemorating Saucetember 2023 with in-app offers throughout the month. Marketing Daily inquired about the potential for a retail future for the bottled Zax Sauce, but did not receive a comment back by press time. Since opening in the Southern U.S. in 1990, Zaxbys has grown to more than 900 locations in 17 states. The chain is also well-known for its side order of fried pickles. The Glasgow Coma Scale and its total score are now part of many guidelines and systems. It is primarily used for assessing people with serious injuries or illnesses. This scale is widely used to measure consciousness of a person. It is mainly utilized when patients are in a coma or experiencing reduced consciousness. The scale assesses patients according to three aspects of responsiveness: eye-opening, motor, and verbal responses. The Glasgow Coma Scale was developed by Professors Graham Teasdale and Bryan Jennett. In the year 1974, these researchers at the University of Glasgow developed this tool. In the medical context, consciousness means being awake, alert and oriented. This implies being responsive to the people around us and being able to understand what's happening in our immediate surroundings. The Glasgow Coma Scale breaks down the assessment of functions into three parts: The best eye response (E) The best verbal response (V) The best motor response (M) The levels of response in the components of the Glasgow Coma Scale are scored from 1, for no response, up to normal values of 4 (Eye-opening response) 5 (Verbal response) and 6 (Motor response). The total Glasgow Coma Score thus has values between 3 and 15, three being the worst and score of 15 being the highest. Advertisement The score is the sum of the scores as well as the individual elements. For example, a score of 10 might be expressed as GCS10 = E3V4M3. The GCS scoring is as follows:(1 Trusted Source Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Go to source) Test 1 2 3 4 5 6 Eye (ocular response) Does not open eyes Opens eyes in response to pain Opens eyes in response to voice Opens eyes spontaneously N/A N/A Verbal (oral response) Makes no sounds Incomprehensible sounds Inappropriate words Confused and disoriented, but able to answer questions Oriented to time, person, and place, converses normally N/A Motor (motoric response) Makes no movements Abnormal extension Abnormal flexion Flexion / Withdrawal from painful stimuli Moves to localize pain Obeys commands The Glasgow Coma Scale can be used in children older than 5 years without any modification. Younger children and infants are not able to comprehend or obey the commands to provide the necessary verbal and motor response. A Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale was initially described in Adelaide, which over the period of time has been universally accepted. On motor scale, this scale assesses the motor and eye response similar to that of adults. The verbal responses are assessed on a scale of 5-1. These responses are in the form of oriented replies, words, vocal sounds, cry and none(2 Trusted Source Assessing the conscious level in infants and young children: a paediatric version of the Glasgow Coma Scale Go to source). The Glasgow Coma Scale helps guide the early care of patients with brain injuries or serious illnesses. It helps decide things like airway management, neuroimaging, whether to admit for observation, or discharge. Regular Glasgow Coma Scale assessments are important to track a patient's progress and guide treatment changes. The GCS Score categorizes traumatic brain injury as severe (GCS 3 to 8), moderate (GCS 9 to 12), and mild (GCS 13 to 15). The lower the GCS Score, the higher the risk of mortality after a head injury, showing a clear connection. The Glasgow Coma Scale Pupils Score (GCS-P) was described by Paul Brennan, Gordon Murray, and Graham Teasdale in 2018. Calculation of the GCS-P is by subtracting the Pupil Reactivity Score (PRS) from the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) total score: GCS-P = GCS PRS. The Pupil Reactivity Score is calculated based on the non-reactivity of the pupils to light. Thus giving non reactivity of both pupils, one pupil and neither pupil a score of 2, 1 and 0( Trusted Source Glasgow Coma Scale Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement The GCS scoring is a guiding assessment tool that helps with management. It's not the only factor determining a patient's prognosis or outcome. There are limitations to its use. It may not be possible to use the GCS all situations.For eg: When the patient is on a ventilator, is intoxicated, or is unable to hear/ see due to associated conditions. Factors like drug use, alcohol intoxication, shock, or low blood oxygen can alter a patient's level of consciousness. These factors could lead to an inaccurate score on the GCS( Trusted Source What Is the Glasgow Coma Scale? Go to source Trusted Source For the past 50 years, experts have carefully examined the scale and confirmed its ongoing value as a diagnostic tool. Further refinements and addition to the tool shall only add to the management strategies in critically ill patients. Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia was redesignated Friday as Fort Walker to honor Dr. Mary Walker, the only female Medal of Honor recipient, who earned the medal for heroics treating wounded troops in the Civil War while under fire. Fort Walker, a small Virginia Army installation that serves as one of the main training grounds for National Guard units in the region, had been named in honor of a Confederate general who waged war against the U.S. The move comes after seven other installations have been scrubbed of their namesakes honoring Confederate figures who seceded from the U.S., largely to grow and protect the slave trade, spurring the Civil War. Read Next: After Years of Delays, Army Releases New Suicide Prevention Plan Short on Answers Walker was the first female surgeon for the Union Army, often serving near the frontlines during major battles in Maryland and Virginia. She often went beyond the frontlines to treat wounded Confederates and civilians caught in the crossfire. In 1864, Walker was captured by rebel troops after helping another doctor amputate a limb, and she was a prisoner of war for four months until she was released in a prisoner exchange. The renaming of Army bases was ordered by Congress and followed by a commission study under the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin officially ordered the bases and other military property to be renamed in October following months of base visits and community input. Some of the largest Army installations in the country were rechristened this year, including Fort Cavazos in Texas, previously known as Fort Hood, and Fort Liberty in North Carolina, previously Fort Bragg. Fort Gordon, Georgia, is the last base still slated to be redesignated and is set to be renamed after President Dwight Eisenhower on Oct. 27. Other than Fort Liberty, the bases were renamed after decorated service members and important historical figures. Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson after the Civil War for her service. But that medal was the only award at the time in the military and it was taken away from her, along with 900 other veterans, in 1916 after a government review of eligibility. Her medal was reinstated by President Jimmy Carter. "[She] devoted herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured hardships as a prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract surgeon," the citation reads. Walker was a suffragette and advocated for so-called "dress reform." She famously always wore men's clothing, arguing it's more hygienic and practical. She was even arrested in New Orleans in 1870 for dressing like a man. Walker had a failed House and Senate bid in the late 19th century but testified before the Congress on women's rights. She died in 1919 at 86 years old. She was buried in a suit instead of a dress. Ambrose Powell Hill Jr., or A.P. Hill -- the base's former namesake -- was a relatively highly regarded general among the rebel forces. He was killed in combat during the Third Battle of Petersburg just a week before the Confederacy surrendered. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: These Southern National Guard Units to Toss Confederate Battle Streamers Test results from a survey of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota found elevated levels of PCBs -- chemical compounds that likely cause cancer -- at the nuclear missile installation, according to the Air Force. Minot was the last site surveyed by the Air Force as part of its probe into health and cancer concerns among America's missileers at three installations in the continental U.S. A previous survey also found elevated levels of PCBs at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. The surveys came after a Space Force officer raised alarm earlier this year about cases where missileers who had been stationed at Malmstrom during their careers were diagnosed with cancer, prompting the Air Force to undergo a new study investigating a potential connection at all of Americas intercontinental ballistic missile bases. Read Next: After Years of Delays, Army Releases New Suicide Prevention Plan Short on Answers The U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and the Defense Centers for Public Health collected air and swipe samples from launch control centers and launch control equipment buildings at all three ICBM bases -- Minot, Malmstrom and F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, which was not found to have elevated levels of PCBs. Findings released Thursday from Minot Air Force Base showed that of the 300 surface swipe samples taken, 30 found detectable levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, banned chemical compounds commonly known as PCBs, that were used in building and electrical materials. Two of those samples were above the threshold set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a news release. Production of PCBs was outlawed in the U.S. by the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Overexposure to those oily substances in animal studies has been tied to a range of serious health conditions, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. On Tuesday, Air Force Global Strike Command released results from F.E. Warren Air Force Base. "Of the 300 surface swipe samples, 17 found detectable levels of PCBs," according to the command. Those were considered below the threshold set by the EPA. Earlier this month, the command announced the carcinogens were detected at elevated levels in two launch control centers and missile alert facility sites at Malmstrom in Montana after taking 300 surface samples from across the base. "Of the swipes, 279 returned non-detectable results. Of the 21 with detectable results, 19 were below the mitigation level established by federal law and regulation," it said in a press release. Air samples at each base taken for airborne PCBs came back negative. Ground and water results from all of the ICBM bases are still being processed. The Space Force officer who first raised the alarm of health and cancer concerns among missileers did so in a presentation early this year at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. He detailed 36 cases in which missileers who had been stationed at Malmstrom during their careers were diagnosed with cancer. Ten of the airmen who have received cancer diagnoses, according to his briefing, developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Two developed Hodgkin lymphoma, and 24 developed another form of cancer. Overall, eight of the 36 missileers with cancer diagnoses -- the majority of whom served at Malmstrom sometime between 1997 and 2007 -- have died. This is not the first time the military has investigated a link between missileer service and cancer clusters. In 2001, the Air Force Institute for Operational Health did a site evaluation and sampled for potential chemical and biological contaminants at Malmstrom after cases of various cancers from missileers were reported, including cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma and two cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which those patients died, according to a report issued in 2005. The Air Force said in 2005, following the release of the report, that "there is not sufficient evidence to consider the possibility of a cancer clustering to justify further investigation" and that "sometimes illnesses tend to occur by chance alone." But the Air Force Medical Service, which is conducting the new "Missile Community Cancer Study," now says those conclusions may be outdated. Under a frequently asked question section on the service's website, the office says that the findings from two decades ago may have changed. "We acknowledge time has passed and have the responsibility to investigate any potential service-related risks to airmen, Guardians or their dependents' health," the website says. "We take this responsibility seriously." The Torchlight Initiative, a nongovernment organization composed of current and former ICBM community members and their families, has a self-reported registry in which 268 current and former service members or their surviving family members tied to ICBM bases have reported cancer, diseases or illnesses. So far, 217 of those cases are cancer and 33 are non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Roughly 46% of those self-reported cases are from those who served at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike commander, has directed cleanup of the PCBs at all three ICBM sites where the chemical was detected. It is unclear whether missileers would be displaced from their routine workspaces. Capt. Lauren Linscott, an Air Force Global Strike Command spokesperson, told Military.com earlier this month that cleanup policies and procedures are being implemented by the workforces at those bases. If resources for thorough cleanup and mitigation can't be provided by the bases, those services may be contracted out. "We are currently partnered with bioenvironmental and medical teams from across the Air Force to determine their capacity for cleanup," Linscott said in an Aug. 10 email. "If they are unable, we expect to look for contract assistance." -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Carcinogen Test Results at 2 More Nuclear Missile Bases Expected in 2 Months A pilot was killed when an F/A-18D Hornet crashed Thursday night near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, in a sparsely infrastructured area east of the installation, according to the Marine Corps. The pilot of the aircraft was "confirmed deceased at the site," according to a service statement on Friday. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. The jet belonged to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, which is a unit based in Beaufort, South Carolina. The parent unit to the squadron is the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, which wrote the statement. The pilot was the only person aboard the jet, according to the unit. Read Next: After Years of Delays, Army Releases New Suicide Prevention Plan Short on Answers "With a heavy heart, our condolences go to the Marine's family during this time," the statement said. The crash occurred on government property, according to a previous press release issued by Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Friday morning. The jet was operating out of the installation about 15 miles north of San Diego. "There are no indications of damage to property on the ground," the station said. "An investigation has begun." The incident was first reported by local San Diego news. A spokesperson for the San Diego police department told Military.com that the Marine Corps waved off local services early on and "needed no further assistance" from local law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. "As a matter of policy, identities of service members are not released until 24 hours after all next-of-kin notifications have been completed," the service said. The Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, a part of the Marine Aircraft Group-31, supports ground units "by providing supporting arms coordination, conducting multi-sensor imagery, and destroying surface targets and enemy aircraft day or night," according to the unit's website. The F/A-18 Hornet line is getting phased out of the Marine Corps and is being replaced by the newer F-35 Lightning II. -- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence. Related: After 36 Years, Marines' F/A-18 Hornets Have Completed Their Final Carrier Deployment NEW YORK A lawyer for the family of a Marine killed in Afghanistan said Thursday that a new version of a lawsuit accusing actor Alec Baldwin of unleashing his social media followers against them will soon be filed after a federal judge dismissed the original lawsuit but invited the family to rewrite it and submit it again. Attorney Dennis Postiglione, representing the sisters and widow of Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, said he'll meet a Sept. 12 deadline set by the judge to renew allegations that Baldwin subjected family members to online threats and harassment after he posted and commented on a photo shared online by one of McCollums sisters, Roice McCollum, who had been in Washington during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Earlier this week, Judge Edgardo Ramos in Manhattan dismissed the family's defamation lawsuit, which sought $25 million in damages, but he invited a refiling of the lawsuit to correct deficiencies and renew claims of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In tossing out the original lawsuit, Ramos made various conclusions in Baldwin's favor, including that his comments were protected by the First Amendment, that actual malice was not sufficiently alleged and that private messages, comments and social media posts did not support defamation claims. Postiglione said in an email that a rewritten lawsuit will be filed by the deadline that will address issues the judge raised. He added: Without getting into specifics, we disagree with the analysis by the Court but believe an amended Complaint will address the issues presented. Baldwin had donated $5,000 to the family after learning of the death of Rylee McCollum in a bombing at the airport in Kabul in August 2021, just weeks before his daughter was born. Baldwin had contacted Roice McCollum via Instagram, according to the lawsuit. In January 2022, Baldwin saw that Roice McCollum posted a picture of demonstrators from former President Donald Trumps rally taken on the day Congress counted the Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election, the lawsuit said. Baldwin told Roice McCollum he would share her photo with his 2.4 million Instagram followers and wrote: Good luck, according to the lawsuit. Roice McCollum said in the lawsuit that she did not take part in, nor did she support or condone the rioting that erupted at the Capitol, and was cleared of any wrongdoing after meeting with the FBI. A lawyer for Baldwin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Frasier has reentered the building," declares Kelsey Grammar in an updated version of the show's signature theme song that Paramount+ recently posted to its YouTube page. The rebooted "Frasier" debuts on the streaming service in October, but Dr. Frasier Crane will be the only thing familiar to viewers. Former "Frasier" castmates David Hyde-Pierce ("Niles"), Jane Leeves ("Daphne") and Peri Gilpin ("Roz") did not join the reboot. Actor John Mahoney, who played Frasier's gruff father, Martin Crane, died in 2018 due to complications from throat cancer at age 77. Grammer has repeatedly mentioned the show will pay tribute to Mahoney, a real-world Army veteran, during the series. Indeed, the streaming show's first episode is titled "The Good Father." In the new series, Frasier has left Seattle behind and returned to Boston to live close to his son, Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott, "Dunkirk," "Oppenheimer"). The psychiatrist will also have to contend with his college buddy Alan (Nicholas Lyndhurst, "A United Kingdom") and Freddy's roommate Eve (Jess Salgueiro, "Letterkenny"). Grammar has teased that Freddy Crane will be less like Niles and Frasier, and more like grandfather Martin, a retired Seattle cop whose cantankerous, down-to-earth personality was the polar opposite of his sons. Actor John Mahoney had a lot in common with the character Martin Crane. Both served in the U.S. Army at a young age, but while Martin Crane fought in the Korean War, Mahoney didnt fight in a war. The actor served because he loved the country. Mahoney was born in the United Kingdom in 1940 and came to visit his sister in Illinois as a teen. He joined the Army because he wanted to stay, become a U.S. citizen and get rid of his English accent. (CBS Studios, Inc.) "I knew I was going to live the rest of my life in the U.S., and I didn't want to be on the outside looking in," Mahoney told UK-based journalist Jasper Rees. "They make such a big deal about it: Anyone from the United Kingdom is automatically regarded as brilliant beyond belief. I didn't want to live with that ... I wanted to be like everybody else." This new "Frasier" is Dr. Crane's fourth series in television history, which began with his first appearance on "Cheers" in 1984. He next appeared on "Wings" in 1992 before settling in Seattle for his own spinoff, the original "Frasier," in September 1993. All three series ran on NBC, and "Frasier" would go on to win a then-record 37 Emmy awards over 11 seasons. Also joining the cast is Anders Keith as Frasier's nephew, David, and Toks Olagundoye ("Castle") as Alan's colleague, Olivia. The first two episodes of the new "Frasier" will be available on Paramount+ on Oct. 12, 2023. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. 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The Quakers and other faith groups including Episcopalians, Methodists and Catholics have in recent years either begun or increased efforts to research and atone for their prior roles in the boarding school system that Native children were forced to attend, and that cut them off from their families, tribes and traditions. For decades, documents related to Quaker-operated Indian boarding schools have been largely unstudied, as they exist in remote and dispersed collections with limited access, said leaders of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. Now, the coalition, also known as NABS, will make them available to scholars and nonspecialists by housing digital records on a public database. The records will provide a better understanding of the conditions that children experienced at these schools, and help the compilation of statistics, including how many children went missing and died, said Stephen Curley, director of digital archives for NABS. There are hundreds of schools that were operated historically with the sole aim to sever ties between child and family and between child and cultural heritage so a lot of instances of abuse were administered to these children, said Curley, a Navajo whose own family was affected by the boarding schools. The records, he said, will be crucial to confirming the anecdotal retelling of their harrowing experiences. Not to diminish people speaking up and telling their truths, Curley said, but when it comes to providing testimony and having that inform what policy should look like, looking at the records is going to play an integral role to codify what happened next. The initiative is funded by a grant of more than $124,000 from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. It was awarded to NABS to work with Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College and Quaker & Special Collections at Haverford College, both near Philadelphia. In this March 16, 2023, photo provided by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, staff and partners digitize Indian boarding school records from the National Archives in Seattle. The NABS says it will digitize 20,000 archival pages related to Quaker-operated Indian boarding schools. The records will provide a better understanding of the conditions that children received at these schools. (National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition via AP)AP This is a profound moment because as we have been calling on churches to increase the accessibility of these records for years now, its groups like these at these Quaker institutions who have responded to that call, said Samuel Torres, deputy CEO of NABS, and a member of the Mexica-Nahua Indigenous people. Partnership leaders said NABS, Swarthmore and Haverford will scan 20,000 pages of enrollment papers, photographs, financial information, correspondence and administrative records this fall. The records from Swarthmore and Haverford range from 1852 to 1945, according to project organizers. They include at least nine Quaker-operated Indian boarding schools in Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. After the scanning, project leaders will hold an information session with tribal communities to discuss the findings. The project will include the production of a video with shared oral histories from boarding school survivors and their families. One of the reasons that I think the oral history component is so important is a lot of the records that were going to be dealing with in this project are particularly from an institutional perspective, from the people who ran the boarding schools rather than from the children who were forced to attend those schools, said Sarah Horowitz, curator of rare books and manuscripts and head of Quaker & Special Collections at Haverford. So its really important to get to those documents, she said. But it also means that those documents are not necessarily telling you, if you read them at face value, the stories of the communities people may need to read against the grain to really get at the stories of the children. The digitized records will be made publicly available in spring 2024 on a database called the National Indian Boarding School Digital Archive, which NABS will launch later this year. Part of the impact of colonialism is that many written records describing the lives of Indigenous people are stored in archives like ours that are far away from descendant communities, said Celia Caust-Ellenbogen, associate curator for Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. She hopes that the partnership opens the way to further discussion of the role those religious institutions had in the operation of the schools. Those records can be really important for truth-telling processes and acknowledging and supporting the repair of past harms, she said. By making these archival records available, by digitizing these records, we can help restore access to communities that were impacted. By LUIS ANDRES HENAO Associated Press MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI -- Despite the heroic efforts of another motorist, a 60-year-old Michigan man was killed Thursday night in a single-car crash on Channing Road. Michigan State Police were dispatched to the scene around 8:30 p.m. when a motorist reported the crash and said the car involved was fully engulfed in flames. While police were on their way, the motorist who reported the crash was able to pull the driver out of the burning vehicle. First responders transported the driver of the vehicle to a nearby hospital where he was died as a result of his injuries. The deceased driver has not been publicly identified by police. READ MORE: 2 young girls, woman killed in head-on crash during thunderstorms in Kent County Bus carrying Saline football team drives into ditch near U.S. 23 374K without power in Michigan after 75-mph winds, possible tornadoes MICHIGAN -- After a storm with multiple tornadoes, Consumers Energy expects to have most power outages restored by late Sunday. Chris Laird, vice president of electric operations at Consumers, offered the timetable during a press conference Friday,. Aug. 25. As of about 4:50 p.m. Friday, the utility was reporting about 162,000 without electricity. The storm cut through the Grand Rapids area, then near Lansing and Jackson and finally into metro Detroit. So far, four tornadoes have been confirmed. Laird said the storm brought down more than 2,600 power lines. Its an extremely high amount compared to other seasonal storms, he said. Laird said Consumers is bringing in help from other states -- Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Alabama, Kentucky and Pennsylvania -- to restore electricity as quickly as possible. ANN ARBOR, MI - Some major summerlong road projects in Washtenaw County are wrapping up, from a freshly paved Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor to a brand new roundabout south of Ypsilanti. But the list of construction season closures hasnt dwindled much. From overnight shutdowns on U.S. 23 for construction to emergency repairs of a road washed out by heavy rains, heres a full list of road construction that could affect commute times and travel across the area for Friday, Aug. 25 and the week ahead. ANN ARBOR Summit Street: The street is closed between Main Street and Wildt/Hisock Street through Tuesday, Aug. 29, with lane shifts also present between Main Street and Fourth Avenue for DTE Energy utility work. Ellsworth Road: The road is closed in the eastbound direction between South State Street and Platt Road for a resurfacing project, slated to run through Friday, Sept. 1. South Main Street: The northbound lane of Main Street is also closed between East Davis Avenue and East Hoover Avenue with traffic shifted to the west side of Main Street and maintained in both directions. The shift, for crews to complete utility installations at the Main and Davis development, will last until Thursday, Aug. 31. Earhart Road: The road is closed to southbound through traffic between Geddes Road and the U.S. 23 overpass through Friday, Nov. 10 for project that includes repaving, installing three mini roundabouts, building new sidewalk, installing bike lanes and making stormwater improvements. Pontiac Trail/Swift Street: All lanes of Swift Street and the southbound lanes of Pontiac Trail are closed to through traffic between Broadway and Moore streets for a city water main and street upgrade project. In addition, the Swift Street and Broadway Street intersection is limited to a single lane of traffic in each direction. The restrictions are slated to last until Sept. 1. South State Street: The street is closed to northbound vehicles between Granger Avenue and Hoover Avenue through Sept. 1 for the next phase of a two-year redesign of State and Hill streets. Southbound traffic will be shifted to the east side of the street, and the Hoover intersection will also be closed. Brooks Street and Mixtwood Road: A five-month streets project in the Water Hill neighborhood has shuttered Brooks Street to all through traffic between Miller Avenue and Sunset Road, as well as Mixtwood Road between Brooks and Red Oak Road. The construction bringing a mini roundabout, new sidewalk and replacement water mains is scheduled for completion by Saturday, Nov. 4. Glen Avenue: The street is closed to all traffic through Monday, Sept. 11 for a utility project. The completion date has been delayed. University of Michigan student move-in closures: Several parking and traffic restrictions are in effect through 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 for U-M student move-in. MLive/The Ann Arbor News has published a full list. North University Avenue: The street will close from Thayer Street to Fletcher Street from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 for the U-M Festifall event. Washtenaw Avenue: The road will see a single-lane closure in the westbound direction at Hill Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday through Friday, Sept. 29. U.S. 23: The highway on Ann Arbors eastern city limit will see single-lane closures in each direction overnight until Aug. 31 between Packard Street and M-14 for construction. The eastbound and westbound Washtenaw Avenue ramps to and from southbound U.S. 23 will also close for construction between 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 and 6 a.m. Aug. 27. Long-term projects: North Fifth Avenue from Detroit to Catherine streets will have a lane shift through June 2024 for a new development. Eastbound South University Avenue traffic between East University Avenue and Church Street is closed long-term for high-rise construction. The Liberty Road bridge over I-94 is reduced to single-lane traffic, with temporary traffic signals, until further notice after being damaged by a truck on March 13. The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to design and contract for a bridge replacement, officials say, though no timeline has been released for the project. OTHER WASHTENAW COUNTY PROJECTS: Pittsfield Township - U.S. 23/Michigan Avenue: A major project widening Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township and upgrading the U.S. 23 interchange will cause shoulder closures and lane closures on U.S. 23 south of Ann Arbor. At Michigan Avenue, northbound and southbound U.S. 23 will see 15-minute total closures closures overnight for the construction on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Aug. 25 to Aug. 27. The Michigan Avenue ramps to and from southbound U.S. 23 are closed, with restrictions running through Aug. 31. A single lane of Michigan Avenue is also closed in both directions from Carpenter Road to Textile Road through Wednesday, Nov. 15. The project as a whole is scheduled to run through November. Ypsilanti - Hamilton Street: A single lane in the southbound direction is closed between Pearl and Ferris streets through Aug. 31. Ypsilanti - Michigan Avenue: The street has an eastbound single-lane closure from Washington to Huron streets through Aug. 31. Other downtown Ypsilanti street closures are possible as a major utility and street overhaul project continues. See the citys webpage on the project for updates. Ypsilanti - Huron River Drive: The road is closed to all westbound traffic between Lowell and Cornell streets for a major city reconstruction project. Officials are posting updates on the city website. Ypsilanti - Forest Avenue bridge: The bridge over the Huron River is closed through early October for rehabilitation work. York/Pittsfield townships - Bemis Road bridge: The bridge over U.S. 23 will close completely for construction from Monday, Aug. 28 to Thursday, Sept. 7. York Township - U.S. 23/Willis Road interchange: The eastbound Willis Road ramp to northbound U.S. 23 is closed for construction through Nov. 15. York Township - Stony Creek Road: The road is closed at the bridge over U.S. 23 for construction through Sunday, Nov. 5. Chelsea - Main Street: The street will see a total closure from Middle Street to Old U.S. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. on Aug. 26. Manchester Township - M-52: Both directions of the highway will see single-lane closures during daytime hours from Michigan Avenue to Austin Road for construction through Aug. 26. Washtenaw County Road Commission projects Augusta Township - Rawsonville Road: The road is closed between Talladay and Willis roads until Sept. 1 for drainage improvements. A detour map is available online. This project has been extended. Freedom Township - Hieber Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Reno and Schneider roads from from Aug. 28 to Aug. 31 for drainage and gravel resurfacing. This project was delayed. Freedom Township - Saline Waterworks Road: The road will see daytime road closures between Steinbach Road and Parker Road the week of Aug. 28 for limestone resurfacing. Superior Township - Plymouth Road bridge: The Bridge over Fleming Creek, between Ford Road and M-153, will see daytime lane closures the week of Aug. 28 for maintenance. Lyndon/Sylvan townships - Various roads: Several roads in the townships will see intermittent lane restrictions for a Consumers Energy natural gas pipeline replacement project. Pittsfield Township - Morgan Road: The road between Carpenter Road and Michigan Avenue is closed for water main and road work until Saturday, Sept. 30, an extended completion date. A detour map is available online. Pittsfield Township - Platt Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Bemis Road and Michigan Avenue through September for construction of a non-motorized pathway. Pittsfield Township - Crane Road: The road is closed between Textile Road and Michigan Avenue through Tuesday, Oct. 31 for sanitary sewer installation. A detour map is available online. This project has been extended. Pittsfield Township - Carpenter Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Textile and Ellsworth roads through October for resurfacing. Pittsfield Township - Textile Road: The road is closed between Carpenter and Crane roads for sanitary sewer installation through Oct. 31. A detour map is available online. Salem Township - Joy Road: The road is closed between Gotfredson Road and a half-mile east of the intersection from through Friday, Sept. 8 for sanitary main work. A detour map is available online. This project has been extended. Salem Township - Intersection of Joy Road and Gotfredson Road: The intersection will close through Sept. 8 for sanitary main work. A detour map is available online. This project has been extended. Salem Township - Dixboro Road: The road will see daytime closures between 6 Mile Road and 8 Mile Road from Aug. 22 to Aug. 31 for limestone resurfacing. Salem Township - Tower Road: The road will see daytime closures between Joy Road and North Territorial Road from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 for limestone resurfacing. Superior/Ypsilanti townships - Clark Road: The road will see lane restrictions west of Leforge Road to the end of the road through Sept. 30 for road resurfacing. York Township - Mooreville Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Dennison Road/Stony Creek Road and Saline-Milan Road from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30 for drainage work. Ypsilanti Township - Molner Court: The road will see daytime lane closures between Georgina Street and the dead end through November for DTE Energy gas line replacement. Ypsilanti Township - Gault Drive: The road will see daytime lane closures between Ruth Avenue and Service Drive through November for DTE gas line replacement. Ypsilanti Township - Service Drive: The road will see daytime lane closures between Grove Road and Emerick Street through November for DTE gas line replacement. Ypsilanti Township - Juneau Road: The road will see daytime lane closures between Jeffery Street and Levona Street through November for DTE gas line replacement. Ypsilanti Township - Jay Avenue: The road will see daytime lane closures between Jeffery Street and Grove Road through November for DTE gas line replacement. Ypsilanti Township - Tyler Road: The road is closed between McGregor Road and Airport Drive effective Aug. 24 for emergency road repairs following a washout. Its reopening date has not yet been determined. An updated list of Ann Arbor city street closures, the weekly Washtenaw County Road Commission schedule and the MDOT road closure map are all available online. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. More from The Ann Arbor News: Bus carrying Saline football team drives into ditch near U.S. 23 Students begin move-in to newly renovated Eastern Michigan University residence halls Parts of Washtenaw County get almost 5 inches of rain in 3 hours during 500-year storm Ann Arbor-area dioxane plume affecting dozens of drinking wells north of M-14, new map shows FLINT, MI -- Attorneys for Flint residents in civil trials related to the citys water crisis are asking a federal judge for a part of the interest that has accrued on portions of a $626-million settlement reached with the state of Michigan, the city of Flint, and other parties. In a U.S. District Court filing this week, the attorneys said the Michigan Office of Attorney General has continued to oppose their request to Judge Judith Levy and maintained they are entitled to a share of interest payments that have boosted the settlement fund, including a $40-million community benefit fund for lawyers who performed work that led to the agreement and $7.1 million set aside to reimburse expenses law firms have incurred. In its own court filing in July, the Attorney Generals Office argued distribution requests by the attorneys are either premature or run afoul of the terms of the settlement. The wrangling for interest payments comes as Flint residents continue to wait for distributions from the settlement fund -- a process that started after Levy gave final approval of the agreement in November 2021. Neither Levy nor special master Deborah Greenspan have given a timeline for when claims will be paid, but both have said funds cant be distributed until all claims have been reviewed and all individual appeals completed. More than 45,000 claimants -- asserting more than 55,000 claims -- have filed paperwork seeking a piece of the settlement with some individuals asserting more than one type of claim. Claim forms allowed people and businesses to pick from one or more of 30 possible claim categories when they registered to join in the settlement. In addition to reviewing those claims and more than 2.4 million pages of supporting documents, court officials were prevented from paying claims until the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals resolved three appeals of the settlement earlier this year. The new court filing does not say how much interest has accrued on the settlement funds, which Greenspan has said have been invested in secure investments such as government-backed treasury bills. MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Greenspan for comment on the status of the claims review process on Friday, Aug. 25. The special master told the court in April that the process of reviewing individual Flint claims has taken longer than expected and Levy granted her request to hire two companies to assist in the administration of the claims. The claims will be paid from the settlement funded by the state, the city, McLaren-Flint hospital, and Rowe Professional Services. Those four entities agreed to pay for the settlement rather than litigate lawsuits against them and their employees filed on behalf of Flint residents who claim they were damaged by city water during the water crisis. Two other defendants -- Veolia North America and Lockwood Andrews & Newman (LAN) -- declined to settle before litigating one bellwether water crisis trial that ended in a hung jury more than one year ago. Since that time, LAN has reached its own settlement agreement but recently told Levy that it is still working to finalize that deal. Terms of the settlement have not been released or filed with the court by the parties to that arrangement. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Read more at The Flint Journal: Attorney fees capped at 25 % in Flint water settlement Deadlocked jury leads to mistrial in Flint water crisis civil case Flint water crisis settlement fund could get boost after engineering company cuts deal FLINT, MI -- The city says it discharged an unknown amount of stormwater and sewage into the Flint River after the area was pelted with roughly 3 inches of rain in the last 48 hours. In two separate notices filed with the state of Michigan, the city said its Water Pollution Control Facility, which is undergoing construction upgrades, couldnt handle the volume of wet weather flows, causing two separate overflows -- from its treatment plant and from a pumping station on Third Avenue. Flint officials did not immediately provide a volume estimate of the overflows as of 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25. While diverting high flow from ... our retention basin, the pressure back-up in the pipe is causing a massive overflow from the manhole and from around the building of the diversion chamber and it is flowing directly into the Flint River, the city said in one report to the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Related: 5 dead, several injured, widespread damage after storms tear across Michigan In April, Flints wastewater system was also overwhelmed by heavy rain, sending raw sewage into the basements of several homes in the city. The citys reports say overflows started at the Third Avenue pumping station at approximately 4 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, and were continuing as of 7 a.m. on Friday. The discharge from the pumping station was described as raw sewage while the overflow at the treatment plant was described as having been partially treated by settling, aeration, and disinfection. Flints reports say the city was hamstrung in its ability to hold back the overflows because it took equipment out of service during ongoing treatment plant improvements, forcing it to limit flows from pumping stations and causing the discharge on Third Avenue. At 12:32 a.m. Friday, the city also reported a discharge of stormwater and partially treated sewage from the treatment plant -- a spill that its report said has ended. Although the plant has a retention and treatment basin to contain the mix of rain and sewage, it discharged to the river after its capacity was exceeded. Flint officials said they have notified the Genesee County Health Department, Flint Township and the city of Flushing of the discharges. The Health Department recommends against body contact with the river under high-flow conditions, particularly downstream of the release, west of the Mill Road Bridge at Flushing Road, according to the citys reports to the state. Under normal conditions, Flints Water Pollution Control Facility on Beecher Road treats all industrial, commercial, and household wastewater in the city before discharging it to the Flint River, downstream of the city. Built in the 1950s, the plant was designed to treat only 50 million gallons of sewage per day. During heavy rains, the system becomes overloaded because stormwater infiltrates the system, leading to sewer backups or discharges to the river. In addition to its processing capability, the city also has the capacity to hold about 20 million gallons of excess water temporarily in a large storage basin, but once the tank is full, the excess flows must be discharged or sewage can back up into homes. Flints treatment plant complex also includes 10 outdoor settling tanks similar to massive swimming pools that hold millions of gallons of sewage. The tanks are used to remove solid material from wastewater before it is moved to a clarifying tank for further treatment before finally being discharged to the river. In 2019, the City Council approved nearly $1 million in contracts with companies to help design long-term upgrades to sewage treatment infrastructure after officials warned that the existing system was at risk of catastrophic failure. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Read more at The Flint Journal: Thousands across mid-Michigan remain without power after line of storms One dead, semis flipped after possible tornado hits stretch of I-96 Flint officials say rain caused sewage in basements but few damage claims filed so far Genesee County adopts budget. Last-minute attempt to send more money to GHOST fails Flint waste hauler offers free trash carts for residents but theres a catch FLINT, MI The Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village will host a Back 2 School event where students and parents receive free resources, haircuts, school supplies and more this weekend. Motor City Cruise player Zavier Simpson, a former University of Michigan guard, will be in attendance along with the Detroit Pistons cheer team. The free event is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Sylvester Broom Empowerment Village, located at 4119 N. Saginaw Street on Flints north side. The family-friendly event will also feature bounce houses and food trucks. Different school supplies like backpacks, notebooks, pencils and more will be given out while supplies last. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Read more at The Flint Journal: One-of-a-kind Fire Training Center opens at Genesee Career Institute Food pantry at Mott Community College receives support through two local grants 100-year athletic history to be remembered at Mott Community College Centennial Lecture Flint councilperson targeted with lawsuit after ordering citizens removal from meeting Health sciences dean will serve as UM-Flint interim chancellor, university announces VIENNA TWP., MI A 59-year-old Flint man was shot and killed at a rest area on southbound I-75 early Friday morning and authorities have taken a 29-year-old woman into custody in connection with the crime, according to the Genesee County Sheriffs Office. The shooting was reported around 3:30 a.m. Friday by two witnesses who called police and reported that theyd heard arguing between two people before two gunshots were heard, Sheriff Chris Swanson said in an Aug. 25 news conference. KENT COUNTY, MI A woman and two small children were killed Thursday, Aug. 24, in a crash that could be related to a powerful thunderstorm in the area, a sheriffs sergeant said. The names of the victims have not been released. The crash was reported at 8:11 p.m. on 18 Mile Road near Harvard Avenue in Kent Countys Spencer Township. Related: 374K without power in Michigan after 75-mph winds, possible tornadoes Early investigation showed that a 22-year-old Gowen man was driving a Mitsubishi on 18 Mile Road when he lost control of the car and it crossed the center line. It crashed head-on into an Audi sport-utility vehicle. A 21-year-old Gowen woman in the Mitsubishis front-passenger seat, along with girls ages 1 and 3, who were in car seats in back, died. Rescuers tried to provide life-saving measures to the girls. The driver was hospitalized with serious injuries, police said. The Audi driver, a 42-year-old Sparta man, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Related: One dead, semis flipped after possible tornado hits stretch of I-96 Sheriffs Sgt. Eric Brunner told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that investigators believe heavy rain was falling in the area when the crash occurred. Police are trying to determine if the Mitsubishi hydroplaned before it crossed into the oncoming lane. A tornado warning was issued in the area shortly after the crash, he said. The sheriffs Traffic Safety Unit is working to determine if alcohol, speed or rain were factors in the crash. Brunner added: We have not released the identities of the family yet as they are still working through this extremely difficult time. Read more: First the heat, now no power: GRPS cancels classes due to outages following storm $8.5M grant will help Kent County, Grand Rapids remove lead hazards from older homes A Russian still serves pizzas despite Little Caesars cutting ties during war KENT COUNTY, MI -- Aerial images and video captured by MLive show how destructive the EF-1 tornado was that hit Northern Kent County on Thursday evening. The National Weather Service confirmed on Friday, Aug. 25 that an EF-1 tornado reaching peak wind speeds of about 110 mph touched down in Alpine and Plainfield townships on Aug. 24. RELATED: All of our trees just hit the ground, couple says of riding out suspected tornado The NWS said the storm was on the ground for 8.7 miles. The most devastating area that MLive captured with the drone was in the area east of M-37 between 6 and 7 mile roads. The storm destroyed several homes, businesses, vehicles and personal property. An aerial view of damage from an EF-1 near Division Avenue N in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of Backyard Fun Zone in the 5600 block of Alpine Avenue NW in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of damage from an EF-1 in a subdivision off of Pine Island Road in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of damage from an EF-1 at Pavilion Mobile Home Park along Alpine Avenue NW in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of Backyard Fun Zone in the 5600 block of Alpine Avenue NW in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of damage from an EF-1 in a subdivision off of Pine Island Road in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of Backyard Fun Zone in the 5600 block of Alpine Avenue NW in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of damage to the AT&T building in the 5600 block of Alpine Avenue NW in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of Kent County Road Commission clearing fallen trees across Division Avenue N from an EF-1 tornado in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of damage from an EF-1 near Division Avenue N in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of damage from an EF-1 in a subdivision off of Pine Island Road in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com An aerial view of the debris field near Backyard Fun Zone in the 5600 block of Alpine Avenue NW in Kent County, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. The National Weather confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred Thursday evening in Kent County with max winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com Click here to see all 29 drone images. 82 1 / 82 Damage from an EF-1 tornado in Kent County August 2023 More storm coverage on MLive: 5 dead, several injured, widespread damage after storms tear across Michigan I thought I was going to die: Michigan trucker escapes from rolled semi during severe storms Tornado tossed around 17 semis, toppled billboards, sheared off treetops along I-96 Thursdays killer storms acted more like a Kansas storm than a Michigan storm Strong winds cause at least one mobile home to flip at Monroe trailer park OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A judge rejected an appeal by an Ottawa Impact county commissioner who challenged an effort to recall her. Lucy Ebel filed an appeal of recall petition language previously approved by the three-member Ottawa County Election Commission. A group calling for Ebels recall had been obtaining signatures but stopped July 26 when Ebel filed her appeal. Because Ottawa County judges recused themselves, Kent County Circuit Judge Mark Trusock heard Ebels appeal and handed down his ruling on Friday, Aug. 25. He determined the petition language was factual and clear. Related: Recall effort against Ottawa Impact member halted by appeal We are gratified but not surprised that the Court recognized the clear Michigan law and quickly affirmed the Election Commission, Grand Rapids attorney Sarah Riley Howard said in a text to MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. My clients are ready to collect signatures starting tomorrow. Ebel, who represents parts of Holland and Park townships, is among an ultra-conservative majority, known as Ottawa Impact, on the 11-member Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. She and five others aligned with the group began their terms on Jan. 1. Her attorneys argued that the petition language was not clear or factual. Related: Extremely unlikely that Ottawa Impact member recall will be on November ballot, clerk says The recall petition focused on Ebels vote in late February to change the previous boards resolution appointing Adeline Hambley as Ottawa County administrative health officer. Once the resolution was passed by Ebel and others, the countys new corporate counsel argued that Hambley was never appointed to the job. Ottawa Impact members worked to replace Hambley with an appointee who shares their views on the COVID-19 pandemic, including opposition to using masks. Hambley filed a lawsuit against the board for trying to demote and fire her. The state Court of Appeals said Hambley cannot be fired without cause and due process. Related: Firings, 6-hour meetings and childhood innocence: The far-right takeover of Ottawa County In Ebels recall appeal, the judge said Ebel raised five issues in which she contended the election commission erroneously approved the recall language. But she essentially waived those issues because they were not presented to the election commission. Despite Ebel waiving her arguments on appeal, for the sake of completeness, the Court will discuss why each of the reasons stated in her appeal brief are meritless, Trusock wrote. Among the issues: Ebel challenged the heading of the petition, the reference to her title as commissioner and reference to the title of the health officer. Trusock wrote: While the petition language does not specifically state that Lucy Ebel is a Commissioner for the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, the phrase Board of Commissioners is used in reference to Ebels actions. Even if it were a close call as to clarity, doubt should be resolved in favor of the (recall proponents). Read more: All of our trees just hit the ground, couple says of riding out suspected tornado See damage from suspected EF-1 tornado that hit Grand Rapids area High school football team wears special blue collar shirts honoring hard-working family members KENTWOOD, MI Kentwood is installing 10 cameras throughout the city that will capture the license plates of passing vehicles in an effort to solve violent crimes, stolen vehicle cases and more. The 10 automatic license plate recognition cameras will be installed sometime in the next three to five months in high crime areas, said Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin. The cameras will capture photos of every license plate and the make, model and colors of vehicles that pass by them. With the cameras, officers can enter the license plate or vehicle description into the system about a vehicle suspected to be related to a crime. The system will then notify officers when vehicles matching the plate or description passes by a camera. Previous instances of when a vehicle matching the plate or description passed by a camera can also be searched, helping officers get further information about a suspect vehicle that left the scene of a crime. Litwin said the system will help officers develop leads in criminal investigations as well as help locate vehicles that are stolen, used in the commission of a crime or related to an Amber Alert. The Kentwood City Commission unanimously approved the purchase on Tuesday, Aug. 15, of the 10 cameras and related system from Flock Safety, the same company the Kent County Sheriffs Office and neighboring Wyoming contract with for their license plate recognition cameras. Wyoming police and the Kent County Sheriffs Office both deployed license plate recognition cameras in early 2022. No other agencies in Kent County have them. The city commission approved a $60,000, two-year contract with Flock Safety for the system as well as an additional, one-time set-up cost of $7,000. Litwin said the city has submitted a grant that will possibly reimburse about half of the cost. Litwin said the purchase of the system stemmed from seeing how it had helped not only police in Wyoming but also his own department. Theyve had great success with it, Litwin said. Weve seen the benefit: its actually helped us solve some of our crimes. When weve had suspect vehicles, weve reached out to them and said, Hey, this is the vehicle. And theyve been able to help us to identify with cameras that might border our jurisdictions. Related: Wyoming police installing 12 cameras to capture, detect license plates in effort to reduce crime The systems in Kentwood and Wyoming will be able to communicate with each other, and Litwin said police departments will be working out those cooperation details. The American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to the technology, arguing it represents a significant invasion of privacy by tracking peoples locations as they go about their lives. Automatic license plate readers have the potential to create permanent records of virtually everywhere any of us has driven, radically transforming the consequences of leaving home to pursue private life, and opening up many opportunities for abuse, the ACLUs website states. And while Litwin said he hasnt had any concerns about the system brought to his attention, he did say there are ways in which privacy will be protected. First, data and photos of passing vehicles will be wiped from the system on a rolling, 30-day basis unless a vehicle is suspected to have been used in a crime, he said. Additionally, the photos only capture the bumper and license plate area of the vehicle; police arent able to see who is driving or inside the vehicle. The department will also have a policy in place forbidding officers from using the system for personal use or for reasons not connected to a criminal incident. System usage will be tracked and audited, the chief said. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. Read more on MLive: Is this the best park for pickleball in the Grand Rapids area? Players think so. Grand Rapids expanding Cure Violence program to First, Second wards They wanted a civil war. Last of accused Gov. Whitmer kidnap plotters go on trial OTTAWA COUNTY, MI Complying with a request from Ottawa County Administrator John Gibbs, the countys health department submitted a version of its 2024 budget that included a significant cut amounting to millions of dollars in general funds. The health departments administrative leader says the proposed cut -- covering a 63% reduction from the original department budgets general funding -- puts the future of the countys public health department in doubt. NAPOLEON, MI Napoleon Township officials have tabled a decision to potentially revoke a conditional-use permit for a campground. The consideration before the Napoleon Township Planning Commission at its Thursday, Aug. 24 meeting relates to alleged water and sewer violations by Skydive Tecumseh, 8607 Cady Road. The vote to table the issue was unanimous and will give the township and business more time to communicate on the alleged violations before a decision is made, Township Attorney Richard Lindsey said. Related: Township will consider revoking permit for Skydive Tecumseh campground due to alleged violations I think thats good, and again, the goal is compliance and to make sure they follow the rules, and were going to make sure that happens and to report back in 30 days, Lindsey said. This item will return to the Planning Commission at its 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 meeting at the township office, 6755 Brooklyn Road. Hopefully by then, the township and Skydive Tecumseh will have come to an agreement, and each party will be able to update the board, Lindsey said. Skydive Tecumseh was pleased with the decision, its attorney David Lacasse said. Thats going to give us an opportunity to work with the township and through their attorney to hopefully reach an amicable solution on all the issues that that were discussing, Lacasse said. Its just a matter now of how do we move forward so that we have a good working relationship with the township. I think thats the ultimate goal. Skydive Tecumseh moved to Napoleon in 2015 and received a conditional-use permit a year later for a 25-unit campground to house seasonal instructors, staff and customers, Skydive Tecumseh officials said. However, the township has concerns about alleged violations of a water and sewer extension, Lindsey previously said. In conjunction with the original conditional-use permit, Skydive Tecumseh also applied for a water and sewer line extension from the townships municipal water system to a bathhouse at the campground. However, in 2021, Skydive Tecumseh asked that the lines be extended again from the bathhouse to nine of the closest campsites. Skydive Tecumseh officials said they obtained a permit for this extension. However, the township has concerns about whether or not the connections were done correctly, Lindsey previously said. Specific concerns relate to alleged sewage being released from the campground on an ongoing basis, as well as an alleged violation of a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality campground construction permit allowing only one unthreaded water outlet pipe on site, Lindsey previously said. In May, Skydive Tecumseh received a cease-and-desist order from the Jackson County Health Department during the final stages of the line extensions to the campsites. Upon receiving this, the business disconnected the extension and made sure all campsites properly disposed of dish water, Skydive Tecumseh officials said. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot: Intense storm downs power lines, knocks out power to 29K in Jackson County Eastbound I-94 near Dearing Road snarled due to crashed semitruck Jackson-area school closings for Friday, Aug. 25 Dates, directors and a championship announced for 2024 Jackson Hot Air Jubilee Asbestos hazard found at site of former Jackson factory destroyed in massive fire KALAMAZOO, MI Two Kalamazoo city parks will be getting new playground equipment as the result of six-figure grants from GameTime and the state of Michigan. Southside Park and Emerald Drive Park will receive up to $132,000 and up to $100,000 respectively, following the receipt of a 2023 mParks statewide program funding initiative grant from GameTime. Southside Park, located in the 2100 block of Race Street, also received a $200,000 anonymous donation to go toward overall park renovations. Some of that money will be used for the installation of the playground equipment, according to city documents. The Kalamazoo City Commission voted this week to unanimously accept the grant funds. When talking about the two grants, City Commissioner Chris Praedel acknowledged the private donor. Whoever that donation is from, thank you, Praedel said. Thats an incredible park, right across from our new (Public Safety) Station 2. Theres so many kids that use that park in that community. So, Im really excited to see that level of hundreds of thousands of dollars of investment going in. Praedel mentioned that the current playground equipment at Southside is recycled equipment. According to information provided by the city, all of the equipment is over 20 years old and was recycled from another city park. The old structure is outdated and in need of replacement parts that are no longer available, which creates a hazardous environment for children, city documents state. The park also does not have an existing playground structure for children ages 2-5, making it difficult for younger children to safely engage in outdoor play at the park, city officials said. The Michigan Parks and Recreation/GameTime grant will fund up to $132,000 of new playground equipment. Design plans are being paid for out of the citys capital plan. The 16-acre Emerald Drive Park, at 3200 Emerald Drive, will receive up to $100,000 to design and purchase new playground equipment. Funds for installation of the park are included in the citys capital plan. The park does not have any playground equipment on site at this time, Praedel said. Also on MLive: Hoppys Chop Shop food truck finds permanent parking at Wax Wings Brewing State police investigating Portage mayoral candidate over residency issue Its sleazy: Lakefront cottage owners upset over pending eminent domain takeover Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. MUSKEGON, MI - The West Michigan community is invited this weekend to the late veteran Muskegon native Joe Beyrles 100th birthday celebration. The event is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum and the Muskegon Museum of History and Science. Jumpin Joe Beyrle would have turned 100 years old and in honor of his dedication to this country and amazing story, we invite you to eat cake in his honor, while supplies last, the Facebook event post reads. Joe Beyrle is the only American soldier known to have served in the U.S. Army and the Soviet Army during WWII. Nicknamed Jumpin Joe for his skills at jumping from plans, Beyrle parachuted into France on D-Day and was later captured by the Germans for seven months. Saturdays event commemorates the Muskegon native with a whole day of fun for the whole family, including the chance to create your own parachute, participate in an agility course and explore Joes life in Muskegon. Keep scrolling to see the event day schedule at the USS Silversides and the Muskegon Museum of History and Science. 10-11 a.m. Create your own paratrooper, design a parachute and watch it take flight with the USS Silversides Submarine in the background. Action figures, mini parachutes, strings and decorating materials will be provided. 11 a.m.-noon Test your skills through this agility course at the USS Silversides Submarine Machine, 1346 Bluff St. Comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes are encouraged. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. View a limited-tie pop-up exhibit featuring items and images from Joes life in Muskegon at the Muskegon Museum of History and Science, 430 W. Clay Ave. Noon-1 p.m. Participate in fun activities and eat cake in celebration of Joes life and his connection to Muskegon at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. Noon-2 p.m. Learn about the science behind wing drag and friction and how they interact with a parachute while constructing your very own. Attendees will also be able to see how gravity and air resistance work together within the Muskegon Museum of History and Science wind tunnel. See the full schedule and learn more information here. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Read more: Meijer Gardens childrens area damaged, part of outdoor grounds closed after severe storm New Bark in the Park event planned for Windmill Island Gardens in Holland Stroll through dahlia flowers the size of dinner plates in Grand Rapids this weekend New restaurant planned for former J. Gardellas Tavern in downtown Grand Rapids BAY CITY, MI - Bay City is continuing its efforts to make downtown safer for traffic and pedestrians. After installing its first bump-out system in downtown last fall, the city is looking to install more of these traffic control measures. At 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, Bay City is hosting a public informational meeting at the State Theatre to discuss a project on Saginaw Street from 2nd Street to 6th Street. This project will include a full resurfacing of the roadway as well as the installation of bump-outs at the Center Avenue and Saginaw Street intersection. The project is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 18 and be completed in early December. Bump-outs are designed to make it safer for pedestrians by shortening the overall distance one needs to cross the street at a crosswalk while also creating better visibility for drivers. According to information from the city, the bump-outs will also help with calming traffic while providing areas for businesses and the public to utilize as well as a spot for decorative items. Bay City installed its first set of bump-outs at the intersection of Washington and 6th street in fall of 2022. According to the city, the project will be done in two stages. The first stage will focus on the area between 5th and 6th Street. During this stage, Saginaw Street will be closed due to the construction of the bump-outs. The second stage will move up to the area between 2nd and 5th Street. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers at this time. In addition to cold-milling and resurfacing the roadway, full-depth base repair and concrete curb and gutter replacement will be completed in select areas along Saginaw Street. The sidewalk ramps will also be reconstructed to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The flashing traffic signal at the Saginaw/Center intersection will also be removed, and stop signs will be installed in its place. According to the city, this is being done to eliminate, the maintenance and electrical costs involved with the traffic signal. Access to businesses and parking lots will be maintained throughout the project, according to the city. This project is being funded through American Rescue Plan Act funds. Shaw Contracting submitted the low bid at $786,570.83. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Read more from MLive New bump outs aim to make downtown Bay City intersection safer for pedestrians Bay Citys old Arlington Hotel getting a new chance at life Body cams, boats on list as mid-Michigan police departments get $4.3M in funding Williamston, MI A tornado that touched down in eastern Ingham County on Thursday night wreaked havoc along a miles-long stretch of Interstate 96. It overturned 17 semis and dozens of cars, downed wires, turned trees into kindling. Most of the billboards are gone. Almost all the street signs are gone. You can see, when youre able to travel it probably later today, that most of the treetops have been sheared off, said Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth at a Friday afternoon press conference. I personally spoke to one semi driver last night whose semi rolled several times down the embankment. He related to me to that as the storm approached, he pulled over, stopped, literally felt the cab of the semi compress and his entire semi went airborne with a 62,000-pound payload, he said. A 40-year-old man from Grand Rapids was found dead in his car amid the destruction, which stretched from Williamston to Webberville, Wriggelsworth said. He did not release the mans name. Michael Yanz, director and fire chief of the Northeast Ingham Emergency Services Authority, said, at one point, his crews were working to extract the occupants of four vehicles simultaneously. He said the semis were tossed around more than they were overturned. Eastbound I-96 has reopened, but the westbound lanes were still closed as of Friday afternoon. Even with the work of multiple towing services including multiple heavy-duty wreckers from all over the state, Wriggelsworth said those lanes would remain closed for the foreseeable future. At some point, the eastbound lanes will have to be closed again to allow DTE crews to repair downed power lines, he said. That stretch of highway is where PJ Daly started his day. The owner of PJs Towing, he and a crew had been out on I-96 since 4:30 a.m., working to untopple semitrailer or what was left of them scattered across both sides of the freeway. He pointed to the shredded body of a semitruck being pulled apart by his workers. For some of the trucks, they had to be unloaded before they could be hauled away, he said. His crew was in the process of unloading a semitrailer driven by Barry Smith, 34, of Novi, who was forced to smash out his front window and get to safety after his rig overturned in the storm. He sustained multiple injuries in the process including a deep cut to his left arm and right leg. Weve had other storm work before, other pileups but we havent had a tornado before, Daly said. But at least its not raining, the weathers decent. Were just trying to take care of our guys and keep everybody safe. Meteorologists confirmed Friday multiple tornadoes had touched down in parts of Kent County, Ingham County and Livingston County late Thursday evening as part of a destructive storm cell that ripped through Michigan. Read more at MLive: I thought I was going to die: Michigan trucker escapes from rolled semi during severe storms All of our trees just hit the ground, couple says of riding out suspected tornado 5 dead, several injured, widespread damage after storms tear across Michigan DETROIT, MI The United Auto Workers union has voted to strike against the Big Three. The strike authorization was approved by 97% of the union, UAW President Shawn Fain announced on a Facebook Live on Friday, Aug. 25. The vote does not initiate a strike but approves it if an agreement cannot be reached during bargaining. Stories that will make you laugh, cry and question everything you thought you knew. Step into a portal where LGBTQ+ folks can live authentically, free from hate and where their contributions to art and culture are celebrated. Sign up for the QueerVerse newsletter today! Last Friday, John Hackney had already left his restaurant for the night when Laura Lauri Ann Carleton was shot and killed two miles away. Both were business owners in Lake Arrowhead, a scenic alpine town in California. Hackney owns the neighborhood gastropub The Lakefront Tap Room, and Carletona mother of nine childrenowned a clothing store named Mag.Pi a five-minute drive away. Hackey tells Reckon that he and Carleton were not close on a personal basis, but that she was a regular at his restaurant and that he was definitely aware of her presence in the community and that she was a really prominent part of the community at large. In an Instagram post by Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ, a local queer organization, a comment said, The mountain is a little dimmer now. Gunman Travis Ikeguchi murdered Carleton last week after making disparaging remarks over a Pride flag hung outside of Mag.Pi, according to a news release by the San Bernardino Sheriff Department. Flags symbolize community membership and unity, and the LGBTQ pride flag was first created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 when elected official Harvey Milk asked for a flag to represent the LGBTQ community. The pride flag has since evolved to include the trans flag colors, Black and brown members of the community and intersex people. In the height of the AIDS and HIV epidemic, the pride flag was intended to replace shame with resilience within the community. For Carleton, who was not of the LGBTQ community and whose shop was not specifically for queer people, the display of her pride flag symbolized her allyship for the community. Now, business owners like Hackney are wrestling their desire to publicly support the LGBTQ community while keeping their businesses safe. One local venue wont be deterred by the violence Lake Arrowhead is nearly 78% white, according to the 2022 Census, and 47% of all residents are registered Republican, according to San Bernardino County government data. Both state senators representing the town are also elected Republicans. Hackney adds that due to COVID-19, where people from nearby places like Los Angeles sought to move out and buy homes, hes noticed that the area see an increase in more progressive residentsthough right-wing extremists remain. His restaurant, which holds a Google Maps LGBTQ-friendly attribute, goes all out for Pride Month. We sponsor the boat parade that happens in Lake Arrowhead, and we have rainbow flags all through the month of June, as well as rainbow Jello shots on parade day, Hackney said. Were definitely very colorful. Despite the shooting, Hackey still feels persistent in expressing his support for LGBTQ by adding a This is a safe space banner on the window of the restaurant. Though he still admits feeling somewhat fearsome, following Carletons murder. All of a sudden, its kind of a heavy decision to do this, he said. But Im not going to let a terrorist dictate what we do and say at our business. Its a really fine line that were going to have to walk. There is some semblance of protection: Hackney feels that his location in a touristy area offers security and surveillance thats higher than the rest of Lake Arrowhead. Outside of California, other business owners are ruminating over the same problem. Business owners in other states are choosing optimism over fear Even businesses in progressive towns across the nation are having to reconcile with public displays of pride. Because public displays range from official LGBTQ-friendly attributes on businesses Google pages to informal pride stickers on their front doors, there is no reliable data for how many businesses are open about queer support. Based on accounts in Kentucky and Florida, Carletons murder is echoing a sense of doubt nationwide. During Pride Month, one of the drink specials at Trouble Bar was called F*ck DeSantis, referring to Floridas governor spearheading anti-LGBTQ legislation this past year. Kaitlyn Soligan Owens is the co-founder and co-owner of the bar, based in Louisville, Ky. When the bar first opened, a ramp was installed instead of any stairs so that those with mobility issues could come in the front door and not face any challenges. Most of their bartenders have typically been folks of color. Walking into the bar, there are two flags on right, saying: Abide no hatred, while the other says Better South. To get all the way to our bar and be upset about anything, you must have gotten past these giant flags, said Owens, who is a Jewish and queer woman whose activism started in the 90s. I come from the ACT UP, die-in, loud, proud and very confrontational time of activism. For Owens, putting up a big sign is an effective way to communicate most effectively to people when theyre engaged in a physical space. Recently, Trouble Bar partnered up with local artist Shelby Rodeffer to illustrate a mural on their ceiling-to-floor windows that say, Pride began in a bar. As someone who is responsible for the establishment, Owens felt discouraged by the murder of Carleton and what that might look like for her bar and its staff members. She told Reckon that [Lauris murder] was the saddest fucking thing I can possibly imagine. Having weighed the pros and cons of being vocally progressive while minimizing harm, Owens is choosing to follow her gut, which tells her to keep being publicly outspoken. If someone would like to tell me what I can do that will keep me and the people I love safe, I will do it, she said. But what the United States has taught me is that nothing I do will keep me safe, so I might as well just do what I want. The greatest threat we face is still domestic terrorism. Meanwhile, the murder of Carleton touches on an old wound for a business owner in Florida. Given that the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016 happened down the street from his restaurant, anti-LGBTQ shootings are not unprecedented for Jason Lambert. Lambert is the owner of The Hammered Lamb, a neighborhood pub based in Orlando, Fl. Since the shooting seven years ago, security guards work at The Hammered Lamb on the weekends. Since Gov. DeSantis passed an open-carry law this year, which allows the carrying of concealed weapons without having a government permit. On the patio of The Hammered Lamb is a large rainbow mural that says, Peace Love Pulse. On one of the walls, a six-by-eight feet artwork looms over the crowd. Made from 15,000 bottle caps, the colors are arranged to resemble a rainbow. Theres no question that were gay friendly, Lambert said. He tells Reckon that the climate nationwide right now is so hostile and toxic, and that he completely redid The Hammered Lambs alarm and camera systems, as well as implementing more panic buttons to be prepared and be extra cautious. Pulse was an eye opener for us, he said, adding that his colleagues who are business owners are feeling tentative about public support. Especially in the straight community, there are a lot of business owners I know that are actively supportive behind the scenes but dont advertise it to not risk the blowback or loss of business. According to Lambert, the fear overall has not deterred business owners from still doing what they believe is rightprioritizing safety for staff and for customers. Were not gonna go back in the closet or be ashamed of who we are, he said. Owen believes that a part of being vocal about politics comes with the territory of being susceptible to harm. Beyond Carletons murder, showing public displays of LGBTQ pride is a risk she is willing to take as a business owner. I worry every time the door opens. I will always worry every time the door opens. BRICS leaders announced on Thursday the "historic" admission of six new countries from next year as the club seeks to reshape the Western-led global order and expand its geopolitical influence. The BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- agreed at their annual summit to make Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1. "This membership expansion is historic," said Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose nation is the most powerful in the group of large and populous non-Western economies. "The expansion is also a new starting point for BRICS cooperation. It will bring new vigour to the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen the force for world peace and development". Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed what he called "a great moment" for his country, the second-most populous in Africa. In Iran, senior presidential advisor Mohammad Jamshidi described the move as a "historic development and a strategic success" for Tehran's foreign policy. Egypt and the UAE also broadcast their readiness to work with the loosely-defined group that represents billions of people on four continents and a quarter of the world's wealth. While the announcement indicated all six countries would join, the Saudi response was non-committal on Thursday, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan telling Al-Arabiya television that Riyadh was "awaiting details" about the invitation and would "take the appropriate decision". 'Strength in diversity' Calls to enlarge the BRICS dominated its annual summit in Johannesburg and exposed divisions over the rules for entry. But the group, which makes decisions by consensus, agreed on the six nations after approving criteria for entry that were not made public following three days of bilateral talks and closed-door meetings. It paves the way for future expansion of a disparate group of big and small economies that encompasses both the world's largest democracy and its largest authoritarian state. "BRICS will continue to open to new members," said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who personally advocated for the admission of Argentina. Nearly two dozen countries had formally applied to join and about the same number have expressed interest from non-Western nations across the so-called Global South. (1st row from L to R) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile, President of China Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the summit. By Marco Longari (POOL/AFP) Some 50 world leaders attended the summit, underscoring what BRICS leaders say is the attractiveness of its message and growing relevance on the world stage. Founded in 2009 and expanded the following year to include South Africa, the BRICS has risen to prominence at a time of intense geopolitical rivalry and analysts foreshadowed that its 15th summit could be pivotal. China had been campaigning to rapidly grow the BRICS into a counterweight to the G7 group of wealthy democracies amid growing strategic competition with the United States. US officials have played down the likelihood of BRICS emerging as a geopolitical rival, describing the bloc as a highly diverse grouping of both friends and rivals. But despite differences, BRICS leaders expressed a shared belief that the Western-dominated global system did not serve developing nations, and an alternative was needed. "Our diversity strengthens the fight for a new international order," said Lula. 'Fragmentation BRICS leaders championed its New Development Bank as a fairer lender for emerging economies than US-based institutions like the World Bank, and advocated that local currencies replace the US dollar in trade among its members. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an overhaul of the world's 'outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair global financial architecture' was necessary 'but it won't happen overnight'. By Michele Spatari (AFP) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an overhaul of the world's "outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair global financial architecture" was necessary "but it won't happen overnight". "For multilateral institutions to remain truly universal, they must reform to reflect today's power and economic realities... In the absence of such reform, fragmentation is inevitable," he told leaders in Johannesburg. Analysts said Brazil, South Africa and India would need to balance their proximity to China and Russia without alienating a strong trading partner in the United States. The admission of oil-producing giants Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE would boost the BRICS economic clout but some observers said Tehran's inclusion risked colouring the bloc an anti-American hue. "Iran is a contentious addition, but I certainly think it was a demand from Russia," said Gustavo de Carvalho, senior researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs. The summit in Johannesburg also underlined divisions with the West over the war in Ukraine, and the support Russia enjoys from its BRICS partners despite its global isolation. South Africa, China and India have not condemned Russia's invasion while Brazil has refused to join Western nations in sending arms to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on Moscow. Russia President Vladimir Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant, was the only leader not present in Johannesburg and addressed the summit via video link. Traditional authorities led by the Paramount Chief of Suaman Traditional Area, Odeneho Brentum IV, are calling on the president Nana Akufo-Addo, to as a matter of urgency remove the District Chief Executive for Suaman, Phillip Kwabena Boahene, for his alleged involvement in galamsey activities in the area. In a press statement, the Paramount Chief indicated that the DCE has allegedly involved himself in a series of compromised positions that go against the interest of his administration and the chieftaincy institution. Acting President and the Abakomahene of the Suaman Traditional Council Nana Ebbi Kwaw Dehyie II, addressing the media on behalf of the Paramount chief, blamed the DCE for being the main architect and brainchild of all ongoing illegal mining being carried out in the district. Mr. President, I can state in unequivocal language that Hon. Philip Kwabena Boahene is the main architect and the brainchild of all ongoing illegal mining / Galamsey activities being carried out in the district. Even though your government has waged a relentless war against illegal mining. This DCE is neck-deep in the act against the collective interest of your Administration. He clandestinely creates, loots, and shares the proceeds of illegal mining with his agents and assigns, the statement indicated. He further alleged that the DCE has also been supervising the smuggling of Ghana's cocoa beans from the district to Ivory Coast, thereby denying the country the opportunity to raise revenue due to his parochial interest. The DCE in question has always been aiding and abetting in high crimes against the republics interest through his executive powers. He has been supervising the smuggling of Ghanas high-quality cocoa beans from the Districts to Ghanas Western Neighbors of Ivory Coast thereby denying the country the opportunity to raise more foreign exchange because of his parochial and selfish interest. The DCE has unilaterally allocated between 700 to 1000 acres of stool lands and diverted same to a subsidiary company (Afarinick and Kumad Company Ltd.) operating under Ghana Cocoa Board, contractors, and miners without the involvement of me as the Paramount Chief of the Suaman Traditional Area and that, all compensations, royalties, and grounds rent issues were single-handedly determined by him and he pockets the proceeds, the statement alleged. He further mentioned some other allegations which include, the illegal selling of over 60 quarry chippings to the contractor working on the Dadieso and Sefwi Juaboso Road, allocation of about 700-1000 acres of stool lands, the installation of a Zongo and Youth chiefs among several other allegations. The traditional authorities further stated that their internal investigations have revealed the DCE's illegal activities are endorsed by the Regional Minister. They are, therefore, calling on the government to, as a matter of urgency, remove the District Chief Executive from office. Meanwhile, the DCE in question has debunked the allegations leveled against him. According to him, he has been at the forefront of fighting against illegal mining and even causing the arrest of some individuals who tried to smuggle cocoa to neighbouring Ivory Coast. He says he intends to meet with the traditional leaders to thrash out the issues amicably. -3news.com Algeria has engaged in a diplomatic tour of three Ecowas countries in a bid to broker a diplomatic solution to resolve the crises across the Sahel, and avoid military intervention in Niger. Algeria's foreign Affairs minister, Ahmed Attaf, is currently in Nigeria on the first leg of a three-state tour that will also take him to Benin and Ghana. On Wednesday, Attaf held talks with his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar on the situation in Niger and Ecowas proposals to restore stability to the country All three member-states within the Economic Community of West African States are pushing for a military solution to reinstate Niger's elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown in a coup on 26 July. West African bloc says undisclosed 'D-Day' set for possible Niger intervention Although Algeria is not a member of Ecowas, it shares a 1,000-kilometre long land border with Niger and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune maintains that a military operation would result in a "a direct threat" to his country. There will be no solution without us [Algeria]. We are the first people affected, President Tebboune said. He fears that a forceful intervention might have grave consequences such as igniting terrorism and other criminal activities which already plague the region. Algeria also shares borders with Libya and Mali, both in the throes of years-long conflicts that had refugees crossing over into the country. One coup too many Ecowas accepts that the door for diplomacy with Niger's junta remains open, however it has firmly declared it is not prepared to engage in drawn-out talks that lead nowhere. According to Ecowas commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, We are not going to engage in long, drawn out haggling with these military officers. We went down that route in Mali, in Burkina Faso and elsewhere, and we are getting nowhere. If we allow it then we are going to have a domino effect in the region and we are determined to stop it, Musah added. For Ecowas heads of state, the coup in Niger is one coup too many. Niger is the fourth country to face a military coup since 2020, following Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali. The juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali have said that any military intervention in neighbouring Niger would be considered as a "declaration of war" against their countries respectively. Miltary ready According to Ecowas, 11 of its 15 member-states are prepared to contribute to a joint military force, except those under military rule Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea and Cape Verde. We are ready to go anytime the order is given, Fatau told the media on 18 August. He was in Ghana where West African military chiefs met last week to coordinate a possible armed intervention in Niger. The so-called "stand-by force", includes soldiers from Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Ghana. Countries further from Niger will station their troops in the territories of allies neighbouring Niger. Meanwhile, the African Union says it favours the restoration of constitutional order through diplomatic means. But it will be in difficult position to condemn the decision of the regional bloc. In a communique on 22 August, it requested the AU Commission to undertake an assessment of the economic, social and security implications of deploying a Standby Force in Niger and report back to Council. Friction with France Earlier this week, Algerian public radio announced that Algiers had refused permission for French military aircraft to fly over Algerian airspace. The French army general staff has denied the report that Paris had asked Algiers for authorisation to fly over its territory, with a view to a possible military intervention in Niger. France still has about 1,500 troops in Niger that were stationed there before last month's coup. France, European countries and the United States have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into providing equipment and training for Niger's military and in the case of France have conducted joint operations. Since the July coup, all military operations have been suspended. BRICS leaders announced Thursday the "historic" admission of six new countries as it seeks to reshape the Western-led global order and expand its influence in an era of strategic competition. The BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- agreed at their annual summit to make Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1. "This membership expansion is historic," said Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose nation is the most powerful in the group of large and populous economies. "The expansion is also a new starting point for BRICS cooperation. It will bring new vigour to the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen the force for world peace and development". Beijing has campaigned to rapidly grow and strengthen the BRICS as a counterweight to US and Western dominance of world affairs, and the push to expand membership headlined the summit agenda in Johannesburg. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed what he called "a great moment" for his country, the second-most populous in Africa. "The benefits of Iran's membership to BRICS will make history, and open a new chapter and a stronger step towards fairness... and lasting peace on the international stage," said Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Egypt and the UAE also broadcast their readiness to work with the loosely defined group that represents billions of people on four continents and a quarter of the world's wealth. While the announcement indicated all six countries would join, the Saudi response was non-committal, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan saying Riyadh was "awaiting details" about the invitation and would "take the appropriate decision". 'Fight for a new order' The bloc makes decisions by consensus and agreed on the six nations after approving rules for admission during three days of bilateral talks and closed-door meetings. Officials said months of pre-negotiations were needed to reach the breakthrough, though the exact criteria for entry or why these nations were selected from dozens of candidates has not been made public. It paves the way for future expansion of a disparate group of big and small economies that encompasses both the world's largest democracy and its largest authoritarian state. More than 20 countries had formally applied to join and about the same number have expressed interest from non-Western nations across the so-called Global South. (1st row from L to R) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile, President of China Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the summit. By Marco Longari (POOL/AFP) Some 50 world leaders attended the summit, underscoring what BRICS leaders say is the attractiveness of its message and growing relevance on the world stage. The BRICS has risen to prominence at a time of intense geopolitical rivalry and analysts foreshadowed that its 15th summit could be pivotal. US officials have played down the likelihood of BRICS emerging as a geopolitical rival, describing the bloc as a highly diverse grouping of both friends and rivals. "Our diversity strengthens the fight for a new international order," said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who advocated for Argentina's membership. 'Shot in the arm' Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, said the summit had given BRICS "a shot in the arm". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an overhaul of the world's 'outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair global financial architecture' was necessary 'but it won't happen overnight'. By Michele Spatari (AFP) "In reality, BRICS does have something approximating a common vision, and that is providing alternatives to the West," he said. "I think it's a goal that's gained momentum amid greatly intensifying power competition." BRICS leaders championed its New Development Bank as a fairer lender for emerging markets than US-based institutions like the World Bank. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an overhaul of the world's "outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair global financial architecture" was necessary "but it won't happen overnight". "In the absence of such reform, fragmentation is inevitable," he told leaders in Johannesburg. Analysts said Brazil, South Africa and India would need to balance their proximity to China and Russia without alienating a strong trading partner in the United States. The admission of oil-producing giants Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE would boost the BRICS economic heft but some observers said Tehran's inclusion risked colouring the bloc an anti-American hue. The summit also underlined divisions with the West over the war in Ukraine. South Africa, China and India have not condemned Russia's invasion while Brazil has refused to join Western nations in sending arms to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on Moscow. Russia President Vladimir Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant, was the only leader not present in Johannesburg and addressed the summit via video link. 24.08.2023 LISTEN Aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kojo Nsafoah Poku has expressed high hopes for the upcoming Special Delegates Congress to take place on August 26. According to Mr. Poku, it would be simple to secure the top five presidential spots on the ballot. He said on Accra-based Neat FM Im 99% confident of being part of the top five, the one percent is for the fear delegates factor. I am more than confident because of what Ive been told and the work I have done. Ive done the work and it will show on Saturday, Kojo Nsafoah Poku stated. He continued by asserting that whoever makes it to the top five on Saturdays polls has not cemented his victory in the actual presidential primary. Ive said that theres no winner on Saturday. Some are saying some will have a landslide victory, it doesnt matter, so long as you are part of the top five you are a winner. Maybe its a confidence booster for some people but to me, if thats what youre relying on to say that youll win the November 4 elections then Im sorry. Its a different conversation, over 230,000 delegates voting on November 4 is the real deal. He said surveys that do not list him among the top five candidates to be chosen are unreliable. Mr. Poku states that the polls are only a product of people's imaginations which projections are not a reflection of the actual situation. Patronage of HIV self testing has increased, barely a month after the kit was launched, Dr Stephen Ayisi Addo, Programme Manager, National Aids Control Programme (NACP) has disclosed. Dr Ayisi Addo, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said there were over 33,000 community requests as at the time of the launch and the number had doubled to over 70,000 requests within the shortest time. He said the programme had so far received over 11,000 requests online as distribution was currently ongoing across the country. The oral mucosa test kit is used to orally test for the HIV status of an individual. The HIV Self-Test (HIVST) is one of the newest innovations in the range of strategies aimed at encouraging Ghanaians to get tested to know their HIV status. The kit contains a white spatula-like swab, a test solution, and holder to position firmly the test solution and a manual to guide usage of the kit. The test is performed by first checking for expiring date and a possible breakage of the kit before opening. Upon opening the kit, one would notice that it has been calibrated with the letters C and T. The C stands for control whilst the T, represents Test. The test is done by rubbing the swab gently over the outer upper and lower gums severally of which you quickly dip into the solution, allowing it to rest in the solution between 15 to 20 minutes, after which the test is ready. If the test results has a line in only the C calibration, it proves that the individual is HIV negative but if it indicates two line cross at both C and T calibration, then the test is described as reactive to HIV , after which three test would have to be done at the hospital for confirmation. Persons who test negative are encouraged to maintain their status while persons whose result shows reactive would have to undergo three additional tests at the health facility for final confirmation and treatment if finally confirmed positive. Dr Ayisi Addo expressed concern that despite the efforts in the prevention of new infections, promotion of condom use, treatment as well as care and support services, new infections were recorded. We have been doing all these things and yet in 2022, by the end of that year, 354,000 people were estimated to have HIV, while still picking a little over 16,000 new infections, he said. The strategy is also targeting people who may not visit the facility for testing and a little over 100,000 people who do not know their status. The Programme Manager said the new strategy was a game changer and it is expanding the frontiers and access to treatment beyond the health facility, encouraging people to know their status in their own comfort and confidentiality. Dr Ayisi Addo said some lessons were learnt from the global community, where there had been positive response in their countries, hence the reason for the adoption of the policy. He said a pilot conducted in 2020 saw a dividend with an accepted rate of 80 per cent and with the current distribution, people had accepted. He said, we are noticing a very high rate of first-time testers which tells us that if we had not done this, those people will never have been tested. Dr Ayisi Addo said the good thing was that because HIV was private and confidential, people could choose to report to them or not but thankfully they were reporting because of the counselling associated with it. We are able to tell that out of the people who are testing for the first time, there are people who are becoming positive for the first time, and they are being linked to treatment which means that all these people will have been missed, he added. The Programme Manage was optimistic that the new strategy would help to improve the 95 95 95 targets stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) global aspiration target, where everyone was expected to know their HIV status. He said getting treatment after testing positive would suppress the virus within six months and the person who was undetectable would not transmit the virus. He said to end the HIV epidemic, we need to first of all make sure that all the people, who are on treatment are virally suppressed, because treatment is prevention. We have a situation where people have been married for a number of years and because the person is on treatment, the virus is suppressed and there is no transmission. So, when a person misses a treatment or medication, then that becomes a problem and that is why adherence is key, he said. Dr Ayisi Addo said there was a leaflet written in both English and Twi to guide persons in the use of the test kits, while documentaries have been put on social media to help the public. He encouraged the public to take advantage of the strategy and ensure maximum cooperation. I am appealing to the Ghanaians to embrace this new game changer, we have come very far from a state where one will have to go to a laboratory, which takes like two to three weeks to produce the results to now self-testing in the privacy and comfort of the individual, he added. He said currently, Ghanaians could have access to the HIV test kits at some pharmacy shops and online and could log on to www.hivselftestghana to make requests. GNA Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence Thursday on the plane crash a day earlier that reportedly killed mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and other senior members of the Wagner paramilitary group. In televised comments Putin offered his "sincere condolences to the families of all the victims", describing the crash as a "tragedy". As well as Prigozhin, the other nine people on board also died. Wednesday evening's crash took place exactly two months after Prigozhin led a rebellion against Moscow's top military brass, considered by some observers to have been the biggest threat to Putin's long rule. Although Moscow opened a probe into violations of air traffic rules, investigators have been silent since, as speculation of a possible assassination has grown. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Kyiv had nothing to do with the incident. "I think everyone knows who this concerns," he said, in what appeared to be a reference to Putin. "There is a court in The Hague, there is a court of God. But Russia has an alternative (court) -- President Putin," he said when asked again about the air crash later Thursday. A 'common cause' When Putin broke his silence on Thursday he paid a qualified tribute to the mercenary boss and the paramilitary group he led. "I knew Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early 90s. He was a man of complicated fate, and he made serious mistakes in his life, but he achieved the right results," Putin said. Prigozhin 'made serious mistakes in his life but he achieved the right results', said Putin. By Mikhail KLIMENTYEV (POOL/AFP) In an address to Russians during the Wagner rebellion on June 23-24 in which he warned against "civil war", Putin had called Prigozhin -- once his ally -- a "traitor". But on Thursday, he said the Wagner members who had died in the crash had made a "significant contribution" to Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. They had shared a common cause, Putin said, adding: "We remember that, we know that, and we will not forget that." He said the investigation into the crash would take time, but added: "It will be conducted in full and brought to a conclusion." 'Reasonable doubts' Some Western leaders expressed doubts that the crash had been an accident. "There's not much that happens in Russia that Putin's not behind," said US President Joe Biden, after having said he did not know what happened. France saw "reasonable doubts" about the crash, while Germany said it followed a pattern of "unclarified" fatalities in Russia. The Pentagon said it had no information to suggest 'a surface-to-air missile' was involved. By Handout (TELEGRAM/ @grey_zone/AFP) German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said it was suspicious that "a disgraced former confidant of Putin suddenly, literally falls from the sky two months after he attempted a mutiny". Even influential pro-Kremlin figures, such as state television personality and Putin ally Margarita Simonyan, seemed to suggest that it could have been an assassination. "Among the versions that are being discussed (about the crash) is that it was staged. But personally, I'm leaning towards the more obvious one," she said on social media. Fatal plane crash in Russia. By Valentina BRESCHI, Sabrina BLANCHARD, Simon MALFATTO (AFP) Russia's aviation authority published the passenger list for the Embraer private jet late on Wednesday. It included Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin, a shadowy figure who managed Wagner's operations and allegedly served in Russian military intelligence. Russian police patrolled the crash site near the village of Kuzhenkino, some 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of Moscow in the Tver region. One woman living near Kuzhenkino said her neighbour had heard a roar and saw "sparkling from the plane", accompanied by fire. "A neighbour ran up to me with shaking hands and when we went to the window I saw only one mushroom (cloud from the explosion), a black cloud," she said in video published by state-run news agency RIA Novosti. 'Real patriot' Video verified by AFP from the scene appeared to show the Embraer Legacy plane in a plume of white smoke as it fell from the sky. Wagner supporters gathered to pay homage to the warlord. By Vladimir NIKOLAYEV (AFP) The Flightradar24 tracker website said the plane flying from Moscow to Saint Peterburg appeared on their radar until the last 30 seconds and descended "dramatically" at around 15:20 GMT. Some Wagner-linked Telegram channels initially suggested the plane had been shot down by Russian air defence, on a day when Kyiv struck Russia with more drone attacks. In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said the US military had "no information to suggest that there was a surface-to-air missile" involved in the crash". While they did not know what had caused the crash, Ryder added: "Our assessment, based on a variety of factors, is that he (Prigozhin) was likely killed." Prigozhin appeared to enjoy some popularity in Russia. Moscow opened an investigation into violations of air traffic rules. By Olga MALTSEVA (AFP) He appealed to nationalist-leaning Russians -- also suspicious of the army leadership during the Ukraine offensive -- who embraced his tough-guy style. Some even speculated that he would take part in the 2024 presidential election, which is expected to extend Putin's rule until at least 2030. "He was one of the few real patriots in our country," Pavel Zakharov said as he laid flowers at Wagner's headquarters in Saint Petersburg. Many Russians eagerly awaited Prigozhin's outspoken, often expletive-laden social media videos, a sharp contrast to the tightly controlled narrative of Russian officials. Ukrainians hope death 'true' Wagner offices were still operating and even recruiting in Russia after Prigozhin's rebellion, which saw his men take over a military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and march on Moscow. In Siberia, a region from where Wagner recruited heavily, people also laid flowers at the mercenary company's office in Novosibirsk. But in Ukraine, where Wagner fighters were known for their exceptional brutality -- including extrajudicial killings of their own men -- many welcomed the news of Prigozhin's death. "I feel really happy that this person died, if it is true," government worker Iryna Kuchina told AFP in central Kyiv. Prigozhin recruited tens of thousands of Russian convicts to fight in Ukraine, often thrown into the front line. Wagner's future without Prigozhin -- including its involvement in African conflicts -- remained unclear. Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC has reinforced its commitment to supporting women-owned businesses after giving a GHS550,000 grant to five women-owned businesses to scale up. The cash has been given to the top five entrepreneurs from the 20 entrepreneurs who have graduated as the third cohort in the SC Women in Technology Incubator Programme. The women entrepreneurs participated in a comprehensive incubator aimed at empowering women-led start-ups and providing them with the necessary resources and support to thrive. After a rigorous pitch process, five (5) outstanding participants were awarded seed funding of GHS110,000 each to invest into their businesses. The programme is implemented in partnership with the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, an Ashesi University business incubator. Speaking at the graduating ceremony of the third cohort of incubators on Thursday, August 24, Yvonne Gyebi, Consumer Private & Business Banking, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC commented congratulated all the 20 entrepreneurs, adding that they are all winners. She noted, As a bank, we celebrate these incredible women, a powerful testament to the limitless potential of diversity and innovation. With our Women in Tech programme, we are championing economic inclusion for female businesses. We are inspired by their journey of breaking down barriers that truly reflect the world we live in. In her address, Yvonne Gyebi assured that StanChart is keen on doing more to support women-owned businesses. Speaking to journalists after winning first place, Ms. Natalie Fordwor, Founder of WonderspacED, an Educational Content Creation company said she is over the moon and grateful to Standard Charted and its partners. She promised to put the GHS110,000 grant to good use by investing it into the company to come up with more content on various platforms. Im so excited to have gotten first place. I just cant believe it. Im excited and I cant wait to produce more content for children and to change the face of education in Africa. Expect more content from WonderspacED. Expect to see us on all TV stations and expect more content on YouTube and also look out for our E-Box. We will be working on that for children, individuals at home and for schools as well and then later a full curriculum that can be used in schools around the world, Ms. Natalie Fordwor said. Speaking at the event, Ruka Sanusi, Executive Director of the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, expressed her profound enthusiasm for the significant strides being taken to drive innovation and sustainable solutions in our ever-evolving technological landscape and she highlighted the pivotal role that collaboration, knowledge exchange, and empowerment of women entrepreneurs play in propelling our society towards a greener and more prosperous future. Besides Natalie Fordwor of WonderspaceED who won first place, [ wonderspaced ], the other winners include: Lucie E Blay - Legal Find website - https://trylegalfind.com/ Naa Kukuokor Owoo - Esse Studios website - http://esse-studios.com Umar Farouk Mubaraka - Kodu Technology website - http://kodutechnology.com/ Laura Pepera Virtutoronline website - https://www.virtutoronline The Standard Chartered Women in Technology Incubator programme speaks to the Banks strategy of investing in women-owned businesses to bring greater prosperity and diversity to the communities in which they operate with an emphasis on supporting innovation, infrastructure and technology. Through this initiative, women entrepreneurs have a platform to build capacity and realize their full potential in the world of business. In addition to the seed funding, the businesses will receive portfolio management support over the next 10 weeks, exposure to potential investors who are looking to support women-led businesses and will also be joining the global SCWIT alumni network where they will have access to additional networking events, resources, content, and business scaling opportunities. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Suit is in connection with recent unrest in the country. Sonko has faced charges he and supporters have said were politically motivated. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak has stressed that no matter what happens in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the end of the partys flagbearer election, the party will still go into opposition after the 2024 General Election. In a post on Facebook, he opined that irrespective of the candidate the NPP presents, John Dramani Mahama will lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to power after the 2024 polls. Describing the NPP as a corrupt and reckless party, Dr. Clement Apaak adds that no candidate of the NPP will be able to stand the former President. It won't matter who the corrupt, reckless, galamsey NPP presents. The NPP can mash all ten into one. The rescue mission will still succeed, and JM will lead us to Build the Ghana we want, the Builsa South MP said. Early this year in May, the National Democratic Congress elected former President John Dramani Mahama as the partys flagbearer for the 2024 General Election. For the NPP, the party is now set to elect its flagbearer in an election to be held on November 4. This weekend, the party will have a super delegates congress to trim down the list of 10 contestants battling for the flagbearer position to five. Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has strongly advocated a diplomatic approach rather than resorting to force in the effort to reinstate the constitutional regime in Niger. The President of GCBC, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, conveyed the conference's deep apprehensions regarding the military intervention in Niger. This intervention resulted in the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been democratically elected. Expressing their concerns over the recurring pattern of coup detats in the West African sub-region, with recent occurrences in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, the GCBC highlighted the need for a more stable and democratic political landscape in the region. The statement issued by GCBC emphasised its opposition to any military action targeted at the coup instigators in Niger, as directed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). According to the conference, the concept of a military intervention by ECOWAS to reinstate the constitutional regime in Niger should not even be under consideration. As a prominent member of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), a body comprising Catholic Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from West Africa, the GCBC reiterated the stance of RECOWA. This stance strongly advocates prudence on the part of ECOWAS leaders and discourages the use of force as a means to restore the constitutional regime in Niger. The GCBC also called upon the Government of Ghana to abstain from employing force and extended the same appeal to other leaders in the region. Read details of full statement below: STATEMENT OF THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE ON THE USE OF FORCE TO RESTORE CONSTITUTIONAL REGIME IN THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (henceforward: Conference) notes with grave concern the military intervention in the Republic of Niger which occurred on 26th July, 2023, leading to the overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bozoum in Niger. The Conference is further concerned that for the past three years, the West African Sub-region has been plagued with a series of coups detat after years of the continents attempt to deepen democratic governance. This situation started with the Republic of Mali in 2020, Guinea in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and now Niger in 2023. Not only did the coup makers topple the democratically elected President, but President Mohamed Bozoum and the members of his family are under house arrest. The entire country is seized with fear, panic, anarchy and anxiety, and these situations have the tendency to fuel further chaos with its debilitating impact on the general public. ECOWAS is contemplating using force for the restoration of constitutional regime in Niger. It is the position of the Conference that the idea of an ECOWAS military intervention for the restoration of constitutional regime in Niger should not even be contemplated. We should note that already Mali and Burkina Faso have dispatched warplanes to Niger in response to a potential military intervention by ECOWAS. Moreover, Burkina Faso has threatened to withdraw from ECOWAS if the bloc intervenes militarily in Niger. In line with the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:27), we, as a Conference, are opposed to any military intervention against the coup makers in Niger, as this will exacerbate the already precarious situation in that country where civilians such as women, children, aged, weak and vulnerable in society are bearing the biggest brunt of the chaotic situation. Further, it is the position of the Conference that ECOWAS and its leaders should explore diplomacy in handling the situation. This will require further engagements with the coup leaders to discuss a concrete roadmap for the situation. The Conference is confident that this approach will enable all parties and the mediators to speedily design long lasting solutions to the situation in Niger. The Conference, as a member of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), made up of the Catholic Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops in West Africa, reiterates the position of RECOWA, which calls for restraint on the part of the ECOWAS leaders for the use of force to restore constitutional regime in Niger. The Conference further urges the Government of Ghana to refrain from the use of force and likewise urges its colleague leaders to do same. The Conference urges the Ghanaian and all other African leaders and their people to review the system of governance in the continent to be inclusive, human-centred and one which creates opportunities for all to promote the national and continental development agenda. May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), guide all persons, including the coup makers, to amicably resolve this volatile situation in Niger and together make the best decisions for the interest for the people of Niger, Africa and the world at large. MOST REV. MATTHEW KWASI GYAMFI CATHOLIC BISHOP OF SUNYANI & PRESIDENT, GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 Source: Classfmonline.com Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a member of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumias campaign team, says whoever wins the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) special delegates conference will automatically win the primaries in November. Speaking in an interview with Nii Larte Lartey on Eyewitness News on Citi FM in Accra on Friday, Mr. Aboagye said the NPP is structured in a way that has shown over the years that whoever wins the special delegates conference wins the primaries. The way our party is structured, whoever wins Saturdays election will win the November primaries, he stated, adding that Dr Bawumia will win that election on Saturday by not less than 70 percent votes. He has urged all party faithful of the NPP to throw their weight behind his boss, as he is the hope of the party and the future of the country. He has therefore encouraged all delegates participating in the partys Saturday special delegates conference to vote for the vice president to ensure the success of the party in the 2024 elections. The NPP is organising a special delegates conference this weekend, at the regional level, to reduce the number of its flagbearer hopefuls from ten to five. citinewsroom The late former NPP General Secretary, Mr Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John, was alleged to have said, fear delegates. This statement by him was made subsequent upon the shocking defeat he suffered in his re-election bid. He had gone for re-election on the voting day with the fullest hope of winning it based on the publicly expressed assurances given to him by the majority of the delegates. However, their public assurances to him turned out to be a total deception. They were far from the reality. I have been informed by an NPP delegate through a third party that most of those NPP delegates publicly saying, yeah, yeah to Kennedy Agyapong (Hon.) and we are for Kennedy , have indeed within their heart of hearts, decided not to vote for him. What they say in public is totally contrary to what they do and say in their private and secret meetings. God is watching them, o ye deceitful beings. The big brother is always watching with Rockson Adofo eavesdropping on them. Whatever the intentions of the delegates are, their number actually being insignificant compared to that of the NPP foot soldiers, or the nationwide electorates, let them understand that majority of the suffering and or, discerning, Ghanaians, are clamouring for Kennedy to become the president of Ghana come election 2024. Kennedy has the farsightedness, proven track record of honesty, dedication, competence, fairness and capability to take the nation out of the lawlessness, crimes and joblessness she is beset with. The lawlessness, crimes and indiscipline ongoing in Ghana are adversely impacting the socio-economic development of the country and the people. It is indisputable fact that the lack of law enforcement in Ghana is the number enemy setting the hand of the ticking clock of her progress back. Therefore, it is the person who can address that cancerous issue that we should vote into power or else, all the politics we are doing will only benefit the few criminals, the well-connected persons, politicians and their agents and assigns in the country. This development will be to the detriment of the ordinary masses. The delegates can do themselves and Ghanaians the heinous disservice by executing their diabolic plan and intent as hereby disclosed. Do they not care about the devastation of the nations water bodies, arable and fertile lands and forests, the elements of life only to be made complete by adding air and heat? I am for Kennedy anyway. The delegates can allow their visionless, selfish, myopic and greedy interests to influence their decision to do the mother-of-all-disservices to the people and the nation as reported above, Kennedy in these troubling times in the life of Ghana, is the best person to become the president of Ghana. Without first decapitating the snake, it will still stay most dangerous and poisonous. However, with the head chopped off , it becomes harmless. Similarly, without the strictest enforcement of the laws, whatever policies and programmes are introduced in Ghana, they will not bear the desired fruits. First, solve the problems of lawlessness and crimes through the stringent enforcement of the laws and all the good benefits of everything that the nation and Ghanaians need will follow. Is this not well amplified in Matthew 6:33? It says, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you We have to seek the collective interests of Ghana and Ghanaians as a people first but not that of a party, tribe or region. Once done, the interests of the political party, will follow automatically. I am still committed to seeing a team comprising Kennedy Agyapong as head, Dr Alhaji Bawumia, Dr Kwabena Duffour and Dr George Akuffo-Dampare (IGP) step in to govern Ghana come 7 January 2025. Fear party delegates for their many deceptions! A word to the wise is enough. Rockson Adofo Friday, 25 August 2023 The Director-General of the National Lotteries Authority, Sammi Awuku has heaped praise on the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government over what he says is the success of the government under the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking on the Good Morning Ghana programme on Metro TV, Mr. Awuku claimed that the success of the government under the current IMF programme is now the toast of the world. He argues that the IMF is shocked by how fast Ghanas economy is recovering. We have to celebrate our modest success story which became the toast of the world. But now post-Covid-19, the IMF itself is shocked at Ghanas economic recovery. Its been faster than they expected, Sammy Awuku shared. According to him, the fast recovery of the economy is an indication that things will get better in no time. Despite his claim that things are getting better, Sammy Awuku also admits that just like is being experienced all over the world, times are still hard in Ghana. So these builders of the economy I am confident that they will be able to take us through these difficult moments that we find ourselves. Look, times are challenging and anybody who pretends that times are okay then that person is being disingenuous, but times are challenging not just in Ghana and even our president has admitted that these are challenging times and that is the honesty I want in my leader, Sammy Awuku indicated. The government is expecting to receive the second tranche of the $3 billion IMF cash later this year. Government is confident that it has complied with the arrangements with the Fund under the current programme and will be able to access the money. Former president of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson has argued that government needs to pass laws to own a bigger share in businesses that the country has shares in. He has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to stop politicising issues in Parliament. Instead, he wants MPs to focus on drafting and passing equity laws that will ensure Ghana has at least 30% shareholding in businesses. The problem about Ghana now in my view is about equity laws. Let parliament stop this NPP and NDC thing and save our country. Draft laws to say that Ghana will now own 30% of all the rights of shareholding in our business in Ghana so that the other foreigners own 70%, Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson said in an interview with Joy Prime. Speaking on the challenges derailing the development of Ghana, the former AGI President who is now Executive Chairman of Celltel Networks Ltd. Further proposed that government should take a major shareholding in the countrys natural resources as well. He believes that the many natural resources in the country will lead to Ghanas transformation. Among the problems holding Ghana back in terms of development, Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson believes the various governments have not helped. He argues that while many will think governments come to power to work, they actually do nothing when in power. The problem again in Ghana is that everybody thinks that governments do things, but governments do not do anything. Thats one of the major problems that we have, Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson bemoaned. Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei has asked the government to stop making the Free Senior High School policy seem like a doctrine. He said public policies are subject to critique, thus any independent assessments should be received in good faith as they will make the policy evolve and become better. Speaking at the TV3 National Level Dialogue on the theme Free SHS in Perspective: Problems, Progress and Prospects, on Wednesday, Prof. Adei mentioned that as a beneficiary of free education during the Dr. Nkrumah era, he believes the Free SSHS programme, instituted by President Akuffo- Addo is a very good policy with few problems that needs to be addressed. Hence, nobody should be seen as an enemy of any government or regime for critiquing the policy. The FSHS has come to stay and hence the challenges must be addressed. This is a good policy and when you implement it, there will be problems and those problems should be addressed. I anticipated that the Free Senior High School will encounter some problems because even in countries with free education like Kenya, they had challenges and they dealt with it, he said. According to the educationist, the Free Senior High School policy should not be wholly free. Government could pay for the tuition and infrastructure while those who can afford are allowed to pay for their wards. He noted that even the average parent in Ghana could afford to pay a particular amount of money in support of this particular policy because no Ghanaian will want such a policy to be abolished. Tuition and infrastructure can be free but I think even the poorest parents can contribute to the peripherals. Let's give the opportunity to people who can afford to help cater for the less privileged. He further added that no country which offers free senior high school education provides boarding facilities, not even in America, Britain or Namibia. Professor Adei blamed the failure of senior high school students on the poor foundation they receive at the primary school level. The primary schools in Ghana are described by the World Bank as schooling without learning, while the average junior high school student from the public school is described as an illiterate, he pointed out. According to the educationist, another major problem that accounts for the failure of students is the poor management of schools, less supervision and accountability. To the professor, the public schools have no form of accountability. Therefore, the government should consider reviewing the Free Senior High School Policy, because a significant number of Ghanaians would like to contribute to the policy to make it better so that no child is left behind. 3news.com In the heart of Ethiopia's capital, a group of women danced while brandishing a flag bearing the insignia of the war-scarred Tigray region -- a scene that would have been unimaginable a year earlier. The two-year conflict that pitted Ethiopia's federal government against the Tigray People's Liberation Front sparked accounts of widespread rights abuses, including rapes by both sides and arbitrary mass detentions of ethnic Tigrayans in Addis Ababa and elsewhere. While the northern region endured a massive humanitarian crisis due to a lack of food, fuel, cash and medicines, Tigrayans living in other parts of Ethiopia were forced to keep a low profile to avoid becoming the targets of ethnic profiling. But the signing of a peace deal last November raised cautious hopes among the community, whose female members gathered to mark the traditional festival of Ashenda in Addis Ababa for the first time since 2020. "We did not celebrate (Ashenda) in this country for the last three years, because our Tigrayan people were... in a war," said Selam Haile, 15. The festival, which ends on Saturday, honours girls and women. By Amanuel Sileshi (AFP) "It was so bad for us," the teenager told AFP. The festival, which ends on Saturday, honours girls and women. They showed up for the celebration in traditional embroidered dresses and gold jewelry, their hair twisted into elaborate braids and curls, with beaded headbands across their foreheads and henna patterns adorning their hands. "On this day we wear a special dress and traditionally decorate our hair and we keep our traditions alive while we are celebrating," said Dina Mohamed, 17. The young woman told AFP she was "very happy" to showcase her culture after a long hiatus, echoing the joy expressed by others at the gathering hosted at a venue in Addis Ababa. 'Love and unity' Originally a Christian festival marking the end of a 15-day fast commemorating the Assumption of Mary, Ashenda has evolved into a celebration that transcends religion. Men don't usually participate in the festival, which is focused on women and girls, who were in high spirits during the celebrations. By Amanuel Sileshi (AFP) Its roots lie in Tigray but it is also celebrated in the neighbouring Amhara region and in Eritrea. Men don't usually participate in the festival, which is focused on women and girls, who were in high spirits and filming selfies during the celebrations. "It means a lot to us because Ashenda is freedom for girls," said Selam. Others voiced their relief at finally being able to express their pride in their culture and share it publicly without shame or fear. "We didn't celebrate (Ashenda) for a long time... But after all, all came back to love and unity and celebrating together. That makes it so special," said Danawit Tesfaye, 23. Rebeka Seyum, 38, told AFP she did not know "how to explain my happiness." "There is nothing like peace," she said finally. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General UNESCO 25.08.2023 LISTEN Between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, around 27 million Africans were captured from their homes. Forced into ships and transported across the Atlantic, only 7.4 million made it to their destination. Those who did were enslaved: objectified, exploited, abused, the fruit of their labour given greater value than their lives. This is what enslavement is all about: denying certain people their dignity and fundamental rights, refusing to consider them as human. And, although the slave trade has officially been abolished, its pernicious legacy lives on today, perpetuating discrimination, social exclusion and inequalities worldwide. To break the silence surrounding the history of enslavement and address its enduring consequences, UNESCO commemorates the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition every year. Taking place on 23 August, this day honours the enslaved men and women in Saint-Domingue, present-day Haiti, who rose up to claim their freedom in 1791, ultimately founding the first independent Black nation in 1804. Indeed, remembering and understanding these traumatic events are the first steps towards healing the deep wounds they have caused. This is the conviction that drives the UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples project, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2024. For nearly three decades, this project has carried out research to understand the contemporary legacy of enslavement and the slave trade, such as racism and discrimination. And, working with communities, it has taken steps to revitalize places of history and memory to support dialogue within the African Diaspora, and beyond. In this way, the project has highlighted the contributions made by enslaved peoples and their descendants to contemporary societies across the globe. This not only means preserving and promoting cultural practices such as jazz, tango, the Maroon heritage and the Garifuna language. It also includes telling the history of the African continent from an African perspective, through our General History of Africa. The content of this ambitious corpus is now being integrated into curricula and teacher training in Africa and worldwide. UNESCO also works to address the legacy of enslavement by fighting all forms of racism and discrimination. For example, our Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination gives Member States the opportunity to make ambitious commitments to inclusiveness and equality. Our International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities supports local authorities in implementing anti-discriminatory actions, facilitating the exchange of best practices. Finally, UNESCO is taking steps to tackle racial biases that have emerged in the digital era. The Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence seeks to ensure that this technology respects and promotes human rights and dignity, guiding Member States to develop appropriate legislation in this domain. So, on this International Day, let us pay tribute to the victims of the slave trade and the freedom fighters by renewing our collective commitment to eradicating all forms of racism and discrimination. In the words of the American sociologist and civil rights activist W.E.B Du Bois: Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. By Audrey Azoulay, Director-General UNESCO 25.08.2023 LISTEN Africa had great humanistic values throughout its history in many corners of the continent. Back in the days when Pharaos asked of Mali doctors to heal them Pan-Africanism as a term was unknown yet lived. AU African Union was not a body housed in foreigners paid for residence but worked across borders without a visa regime. African kings made it possible for European nations to invade them and make them their colonies. They came across the ocean in big ships depending on the food and water they had on board for a long time before more food and water from Europe would have reached them. Africans could have easily pushed them back into the ocean by retracting into the Hinterland and leaving burnt lands with no food and food to grow fast behind a strategy that would have staved all Europeans to death. Christianity but more so later democracy destroyed many African traditions, systems, inter-African relationships, and values once the raw model for the human race. With democracy, the much-praised concept of the white man created in Africa a new elite of leaders in all sectors of a nation. Traditional rulers' thinking for generations to come was replaced by politicians who see in politics a short love affair for their family and friends. The old saying "Politics is a dirty business" relates only to democracy, not Absolutism, Kingdoms, or Dictatorship of all forms. Once by force and the "Let it happen" mentality the humanistic ancient African mind got poisoned. The independence of African countries could have happened long before it did. Refusing to follow orders from the white man would have made him helpless on the African continent. Fears of killings could have been overcome by the number of Africans, their instinct for survival, and national identity and desire for self-determination shown so bravely by the Vietnamese in their fight and victory against the American invaders. The Legacy of Nelson Mandela and the sacrifice he made for his nation to be kept in prison for 27 years got destroyed by democracy in the form of his own party the ANC. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, is highly praised for his achievements across the African continent. What he had accomplished is connected to him like an unbreakable bond. Once he is dead or no more in power the Lucmus test will prove how sustainable his initiatives were and are. Values that give money meaning and legitimacy are the lasting legacy of any great leader or nation. Africa has lost its virginity and greatness when it comes to values. Corruption, tribalism, mismanagement, no vision for a holistic approach to being the moral leader of the world, egoism in the mindset of many Africans for the fittest to survive, idea of the African Union as an instrument not of Pan-Africanism but of poor leaders to protect each other before to be taken out of office by their voters by force, a circus of clowns being puppets of the white man and voters mostly believing in the deceiving sweet words during election campaigns are not values the world would like to look up to. As long as only money in Africa matters and the values of humanity's future are behind bars in the mental prison of African nations Africa will not be free forever to take dominion over mankind again. YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office has visited the entrance of the Lachin Corridor in the village of Kornidzor in Armenias Syunik Province to become acquainted with the situation around the corridor and brief the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. An Armenian humanitarian aid convoy, as well as emergency supplies sent by French regions, for Nagorno-Karabakh have been stranded at the entrance of the Lachin Corridor for nearly a month because Azerbaijan refuses to allow passage amid its ongoing illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk told reporters that hes visiting the entrance of the Lachin Corridor at the instruction of Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE Bujar Osmani. A press release was issued about this. Im instructed to visit the adjacent regions of the Lachin Corridor, get acquainted with the situation and report to him. Ive had many meetings yesterday, and today as you can see I am here, I will return to report on the situation, Kasprzyk said. Kasprzyk met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on August 22. The plane crash that reportedly killed Yevgeny Prigozhin wiped out the entire top leadership of Russian paramilitary group Wagner but its influence is set to outlive them all both at home and abroad. As a Private Military Company (PMC), Wagner showed the potential reach of mercenary outfits in taking part in conflicts well beyond its home country's borders but also creating domestic political havoc. Over the last decade, it took part in conflicts in Africa and the Middle East as well as Ukraine, before Prigozhin in late June led its fighters in the aborted mutiny. While their deaths have yet to be officially confirmed, Wagner's charismatic leader Prigozhin, its co-founder, and his right-hand-man Dmitry Utkin and shadowy logistics and security boss Valery Chekalov were all listed as being aboard the private jet that crashed in Russia late on Wednesday. Analysts say that while Wagner's own brand is inevitably going to be weakened, its previous successes will serve to inspire other mercenary groups affiliated to the Russian state to emerge, albeit in a different format with likely greater Kremlin control. "This process may also involve rebranding, and companies within the Wagner orbit may divide into separate entities based on functional area, which may be nationalised or maintained as quasi-independent entities," said Catrina Doxsee, associate director and associate fellow with the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). But she added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had likely seen in the June mutiny "the danger" in allowing so much power and responsibility to reside with one man. "Although Russia is likely to seek to continue its PMC model for foreign policy and security assistance, it is likely that the marketplace of PMCs will diversify away from Wagner's monopoly to prevent a repetition of Prigozhin's challenge to the regime," she added. 'More direct control' Some other groups are already sprouting, calling themselves Redut, Convoy or Patriot, although little information is available on their composition. Lou Osborn, from the open-source group All Eyes on Wagner, said these companies "have much less presence and are less successful than Wagner but they follow the same construction", noting the arrival of defectors from Wagner and also their close links with GRU Russian military intelligence. Lucas Webber, one of the co-founders of the Militant Wire research network, said Russian far-right movements within the military sphere on the internet were now bitterly mourning the deaths of the group's leaders. "These elements portray the Russian political and military elite as decadent, corrupt and detached from the realities of the battlefield. "In contrast, they respected Prigozhin as a gritty character who cared about his men's lives, was not afraid to criticise the military leadership and would frequently visit his fighters on the front line." Yevgeny Prigozhin had great personal charisma. By NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA (AFP) He said another rebellion by Wagner "is unlikely, though not out of the question in the short term", given how the Kremlin has been actively taking measures to isolate and spread Wagner out under close watch. Aditya Pareek, research analyst at Janes, said while it is likely that PMCs will see increased Russian state control in response, it is not certain if their role will be reduced. "It is likely that the Russian state will exert increasingly more direct control over PMCs in foreign countries but is unlikely to fully acknowledge that they are under the direct authority of the Kremlin." 'No other figure' The scope for work by Russian PMCs remains huge, with the war sparked by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine showing no sign of abating while events in Africa such as the coup in Niger give it the chance to profit from political chaos. "I am not one of those who believe that the influence of Wagner or those who will succeed Wagner will be reduced in Africa," EU commissioner Thierry Breton told Franceinfo radio. Prigozhin in June staged an unsuccessful muntiny. By STRINGER (AFP) "I think that will continue It is part of a determined policy on the part of Russia," he added. But the question also remains if Russian PMCs will retain their clout without the presence of the charismatic Prigozhin, assuming he was indeed killed in the crash whose cause remains unclear. "Prigozhin had a great freedom of action, a great capacity for work, an obvious enthusiasm, certain organisational capacities," said Denis Korotkov, Russian investigative journalist who has researched the Wagner group for several years. "I don't see any other figure like him." The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Wednesday, August 23, held a maiden media engagement at its office in Accra. The special engagement with Editors and Senior Journalists was organised to discuss issues pertaining to its mandate and create awareness of the recently launched EOCO 5-year Strategic Plan. It is also geared towards a partnership to strengthen the fight against economic and organised crime in the country. Delivering a welcome address at the event, the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said the engagement has become necessary because although EOCO has been in existence for the past 13 years, most people in the country dont even know about the institution. She noted that the partnership with the media will not only help to clear misconceptions about EOCO but will also ensure her office stays ahead of economic and organised crime. This is a very great opportunity for you to know what we do. We want to look at collaboration and how you can help us with the things we do. A few weeks ago we launched our five-year Strategic Plan from 2023 to 2028. And one of the pillars of this strategic plan is to partner with the media. We want the whole public to know about EOCO. What we do, what are the things we want people to refrain from? How do we do that better? We cannot do it without you. So we need the media, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said. She said through the partnership with the media, EOCO will be better positioned to safeguard the investments of investors while protecting Ghanaians in general. COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah in an appeal called on the media to always clarify matters from her office before publication. She argued that rushing to publish information without all the facts jeopardises investigation and may alert criminals to go into hiding to avoid getting arrested Our doors are always open, If there is something that you want to public come to us so that we clarify and let you know the state of affairs so that you dont come out before we go around trying to correct the damage. This is a public institution that has been established to support the activities of government to ensure that crime is brought to the barest minimum. That is why we need you, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah stressed. Speaking at the event, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour welcomed the strategic partnership with EOCO. She said the partnership is a step to strengthen the relationship between civilians and the security service. Fight against organised crime in any shape or form is our collective responsibility. It is, therefore, a delight to be here as a leader and member of the media to be part of this engagement to share ideas, the GJA president said while delivering his address as Special Guest. Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour further noted that as partners, GJA will work with EOCO to train journalists who are into investigative journalism to be able to educate and inform the public. GJA is ready and willing to support EOCO to achieve its mandate. But mind you we will criticize when necessary, he indicated. Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in the Ashanti region are threatening massive demonstration against the government, which will also lead to the closure of all shops of their members. This is to protest against what they describe as harassment and discrimination by customs officials over the payment of exorbitant charges, which their members in other regions do not experience. According to them, after clearing their goods at the port, they are made to pay other charges while transporting their goods to the Ashanti region. They add that, as a result of this, some of their members have been arrested and treated unfairly. I am the third national GUTA president. We are in touch with all our members in the regions. None of them has complained about any arrests. Those people in Accra, after clearing their goods from Tema and we all come through the motorway, after Tetteh Quarshie, they go to Accra and we come to Kumasi. They are paying a lower transportation cost and we are paying a very high amount of money. So, if the government wants those of us in the Ashanti region to stop doing business, they should tell us. In that case, those of us who have the capital to relocate to Accra will go to Accra and Kumasi will become empty and there will be no businesses here. This is because it looks like as if there is a deliberate policy to destroy businesses in the Ashanti region. If not that, they should come and tell us. This is because I have a forty-foot container and somebody taking it to Abossey Okai, nothing will happen to that person, but me, who is paying a higher transportation cost, has to contend with four custom barriers before I can get here (Kumasi). The worst part of it is that, in most cases, the container will go all the way to Suame Magazine and they will chase it and bring it to their yard. What is happening? So, we demand answers, Mr. Anthony Oppong, the Ashanti regional GUTA chairman, noted in an interview with Citi News. The traders say that despite engaging with relevant authorities on the matter, the situation persists as the Ashanti region is becoming an unfavourable environment for doing business in recent times. The most annoying part of it and the most unfortunate part of it is that we have seen the regional minister on more than two occasions on this same issue. He gave us all assurances that he was going to call Accra and make sure he gets answers to whats going on, but nothing has happened. We have seen the national security coordinator on numerous occasions, nothing has happened. We have visited the NIB director for the region, nothing has happened. The assistant commissioner since last January, we met three different assistant commissioners and put our case across and nothing is happening. We have gone all the way to Accra to meet the commissioner himself, Mr. Seidu, and he gave us the promise that they are going to do everything possible to stop this and make sure that they do the checks and make sure that those who do not pay the right duties are the ones that they take the money from, which we accept because we are not condoning that. In fact, they are duties they are supposed to pay. We want to pay the duties, but after paying the duties, we dont see why this harassment and intimidation should go on, Anthony Oppong, the Ashanti regional GUTA chairman, stated. The Ashanti regional chairman of GUTA, Anthony Oppong, thus tells Citi News that tension is rising among the members and that, as such, from next week, they are planning to demonstrate against the government and also close all shops until their grievances are addressed. Tension is rising and if care is not taken, if nothing is done about it, from next week, something will happen here in Kumasi. We are planning to do a massive demonstration here to register our displeasure about what is going on. We cannot lose our capital because of what is going on, which we think the government is not even benefiting from. So, definitely, next week, we are holding a press conference, and after the press conference, if nothing is heard from the authorities, we are organizing a massive demonstration here in Kumasi. We will call for the closure of every shop and we will make sure we meet the right authorities and ensure that the right thing is done. -citinewsroom Renowned economist, Dr. Kwame Pianim has opined that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is the one at the core of the economic crisis the country is facing. This is why he argues that the calls for the resignation of Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor are out of place. According to Dr. Kwame Pianim, even if Dr. Ernest Addison resigns as Governor of the Bank of Ghana it wont solve the problems Ghana is facing. Resignation doesnt solve any problem. If the Governor resigns now, what happens, the same Minister of Finance [Ken Ofori-Atta] who is at the core of the economic crisis recommends to the same president [Akufo-Addo] a new person? They appoint somebody who doesnt know the terrain, who hasnt gone through this experience to be able to solve the problem, No, Dr. Kwame Pianim argued. He further argued that since Dr. Ernest Addison has not been involved in fraud the calls for his resignation are uncalled for. What I am saying is that was it through incompetence, No. Not incompetence. Was it through fraud? Did the governor benefit? Did any of his company benefit from what he did? No, Dr. Pianim shared. The Minority in Parliament early this month called for the resignation of BoG Governor Dr. Ernest Addison after the release of the 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Central Bank revealed that it incurred a loss of GHS60 billion. The Minority at a press conference addressed by its leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the BoG Governor has proven he cannot do the job and must leave office. As part of efforts to get Dr. Ernest Addison to resign, the Minority is gearing up to march to the head office of BoG on September 5. ASA Savings and Loans Limited, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has screened residents of Choggu in the Sagnarigu District of the Northern Region at no cost. Over 250 beneficiaries were screened and tested for malaria, eye-related diseases, hepatitis B, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. The medical doctor of One Heart Hospital in Tamale, Dr. Jalal Abdul Razak explained that after the screening, over 50% of the beneficiaries had eye-related ailments. This he attributed partly to the unsafe drinking water in the adjoining communities. He, therefore, advised the people who attended to sleep under treated insecticide nets and keep their surroundings clean. Free medication was given to the participants and those with chronic conditions were referred to the appropriate health facilities for further checks. MD Imarat Hossain, Tamale Area Manager of ASA Savings and Loans Ltd said the medical team was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to be screened. Nurudeen Nashiru Ayokbila, Branch Manager of the company at Choggu assured residents of additional free medical screenings in the upcoming months. Although the company only started operations in the Tamale Metropolis and adjoining districts just this year, it has committed much resources already as social responsibility gestures, he said. Mr. Richard Nartey, CSR Manager of ASA added, It is our hope that we will be able to screen more customers and community members who are less privileged and cannot access medical care. Free health screening is a major part of the CSR activities of ASA Savings and Loans Limited. Every year, these activities are held in communities across the country where the savings and loans company operates. 25.08.2023 LISTEN The story is told of a Kenyan runner, Abel Mutai who was only a few metres from the finish line, but got confused with the markings on the track and stopped, thinking that he had finished the race. A Spanish man, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realising what was going on, started shouting to the Kenyan to keep running. Mutai did not speak Spanish and so did not understand what his fellow runner was saying. Seeing what was going on, Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory. A reporter asked Ivan, "Why did you do this?" He replied, "My dream is that one day we can have some sort of community life where we push ourselves and help each other win." The reporter insisted "But why did you let the Kenyan win?" Fernandez replied, "I didn't let him win, he was going to win. The race was his." The reporter pushed further and asked again, "But you could have won!" He looked at him and replied: "But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honour of this medal? What would my mother think of it?" Values are transmitted from generation to generation. What values do we teach our children and how much do you inspire others to earn?" Some lessons learnt here! Instead of exhibiting some sense of selflessness and promoting positive values like Fernandez did, we most often try to take advantage of others, thinking that we are being smart. Similarly, like a certain washing soap which has a tradition that has gone on for generations, the Elephant Fraternity has a tradition of choosing its leaders based on competence and how long a person has been committed to the cause of the group. Ku4 passed the ball to Nadaa who is supposed to send a beautiful header to Allan the Cash Man, but there is suspicion of a possible circumvention, Nadaa is tipped to send a back pass to Bawu which some people of the Elephant Fraternity think it's not fair. Their argument is based on the fact that on Saturday, December 22, 2007, during a heated meeting at Kumasi Lego. . . eih, sorry Accra Legon where 17 candidates contested for the position of the Elephant Rider, the Cash Man exhibited some form of selflessness and terrific positive values which ought to be commended and rewarded. The contest was one of the toughest and longest in the recent history of primary elections in the country. Delegates had to stay in the meeting for over 24 hours, from Saturday morning to about Sunday noon. To win in the first round, an aspirant must obtain at least 1154 votes representing more than 50% of the valid votes cast. In the end, no candidate had more than 50%. Nadaa led with 1096 votes, representing 47.9% while the cash man trailed with 738 votes representing 32.5%. This meant that there was going to be a second round of voting between the first-two candidates. The meeting did not happen without drama, the man who couldn't do foko, a key supporter of the cash man was slapped for allegedly sharing 1,500 USD to each delegate as bribe. Aaah, this man don taya. There was: Scuffle. Fighting. Confusion. And. More. The hall where the meeting took place was charged, hot and sweaty. The grim and sleepy faces of delegates signaled that they couldn't endure another round of voting. It was alleged that the cash man was convinced to step down, and he selflessly did so in the interest of the Elephant Family. He was assured that his turn will soon come. And like what Ivan Fernandez did for Abel Mutai, many supporters of the NPP think Allan must be encouraged to lead the NPP for the 2024 General Elections. But, oops, I had a dream three days ago and I saw some people of the North and Zongo Districts, carrying placards with the inscriptions, "No Bawu, No vote in 2024." And I said, eiwoo, laa ilaa, ilaa laa. Last night, I had another dream and I saw another group of Yen Akanfuo, chanting: No Cash Man, no vote in 2024, and I said: Abakade, what kind of confusion is that? I woke up in the middle of the night worried, and started praying in tongues, Kaya, babababa, santa babababa, sokoto, yaka ya bababa. Anthony Obeng Afrane French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday bid farewell to General Jean-Louis Georgelin a career soldier who supervised the Notre-Dame Cathedral reconstruction during a ceremony at Les Invalides in Paris. Georgelin died last week in a hiking accident in the Pyrenees at the age of 74. The Archbishop of Paris paid homage to "a servant of France, of the state and of the church", during a mass that took place ahead of an official ceremony also attended by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. The tribute in the Saint-Louis des Invalides cathedral included a performance of the Marseillaise by the French Army Choir as well as Chopin's Funeral March. The former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces had been chosen by Macron in 2020 to oversee the reconstruction of Notre-Dame, which was badly damaged in a fire in 2019. 'Exceptional' loyalty In a short speech, Macron lauded Georgelin's "exceptional" qualities in diplomacy, loyalty and sense of service. "General General Georgelin expresses only one thing: the will to serve," he added. Earlier Macron wrote on social media that Notre-Dame had lost "the overseer of its rebirth" and that France had lost "one of its great servants". The church is one of the French capital's most famous landmarks. Georgelin had promised Notre-Dame's new spire would be completed by the end of the year. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo praised Georgelin for creating "the human and organisational conditions for successfully completing the reconstruction of Notre-Dame". A funeral for Georgelin, who died Friday during a fall while hiking alone on the slopes of Mont-Valier, in the Pyrenees, will be held on 31 August in his native village of Aspet, in Haute-Garonne. A five-star general, Georgelin was the French army's chief-of-staff between 2006 and 2010, and supervised operations in Cote d'Ivoire, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Lebanon. A practising Catholic, his motto was "move forward without procrastinating". Foreign poll observers on Friday said Zimbabwe's presidential and legislative elections failed to conform to regional and international standards, placing in doubt the credibility of the tense vote. Zimbabweans went to the polls on Wednesday and Thursday in polling marred by delays. The vote took place against a backdrop of discontent at Zimbabwe's economic crisis. Regional and international observers listed concerns over the canning of opposition rallies, denial of accreditation to several foreign media, missing voters names from the roll at their polling station, biased state media and voter intimidation among the issues that sullied the election. The head of the European Union observer mission, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, said the election "fell short of many regional and international standards". "Violence and intimidation resulted ultimately in a climate of fear," he said. Voters queued to cast their ballots at a polling station in Bulawayo. By Zinyange Auntony (AFP) Commonwealth observer mission chair Amina Mohamed, of Kenya, said overall the voting process was "well conducted and peaceful" but a " number of significant issues" impacted on the election's "credibility" and "transparency". "Some aspects of the ... election fell short of the requirements of the constitution of Zimbabwe, the electoral act and the SADC principals and guidelines governing democratic elections," said head of the regional bloc's delegation Nevers Mumba, a former Zambian vice president. It was rare rebuke from the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) whose observers usually endorse polls in the member countries. The election is being watched across southern Africa as a test of support for 80-year-old President Emmerson Mnangagwa's ZANU-PF party, whose 43-year rule has been battered by a moribund economy and charges of authoritarianism Voting was forced to stretch into an unprecedented second day over delays in printing of ballot papers in some key districts including in the opposition stronghold Harare. Map of Zimbabwe.. By Jonathan WALTER, Jean-Michel CORNU (AFP) The largest opposition, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), which poses the biggest challenge to Mnangagwa and had more than 100 of its campaign meetings banned, lashed the electoral process as "fundamentally flawed". Less than a quarter of polling stations in Harare -- an opposition stronghold -- opened on time on Wednesday, the first day of voting. The problems forced Mnangagwa, who is seeking a second term, to issue a late-night directive extending the vote by another day. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission deputy chairman Rodney Kiwa told AFP on Thursday the authorities were still confident of announcing the results before the Tuesday deadline. 'Grave concern' CCC leader Nelson Chamisa slammed the delays as "a clear case of voter suppression, a classic case of Stone Age... rigging". Three dozen local election observers were arrested in Zimbabwe, crammed into the back of a flatbed truck and shipped off to a Harare court. By JOHN WESSELS (AFP) Chamisa, 45, is the main challenger to Mnangagwa, 80, who came to power after a coup that deposed late ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017. Meanwhile 41 local monitors were arrested late at night on election day and had their computers and mobile phones confiscated by police who alleged the equipment was "used to unlawfully tabulate" results from polling stations, describing the activity as "subversive and criminal". The monitors, mostly women and men in their 20s and early 30s -- and who work for local pro-democracy NGOs -- arrived Friday at a Harare court crammed into the back of an open white truck to appear before a magistrate. As they waited in the sun, some waved and held back tears as they were greeted by a small group of family and friends. Several sported blue caps or green t-shirts bearing the words "election observer". The arrested local election observers jump off the truck at a Harare Magistrates Court. By JOHN WESSELS (AFP) The arrest of 41 observers adds "to our grave concerns", said the EU polls observer chief. "At this stage it's all pointing towards a disputed election," said Kealeboga Maphunye, an African studies professor at the University of South Africa in an online debate organised Friday by the South Africa-based Southern African Liaison Office. The Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr. John Kwakye has argued that the continuous dependence of African countries on foreign aid will not help the continent. In a series of posts on social media, he has noted that Ghana and any African country that depends on aid will not develop. He proposes that instead of begging for aid around the world, African countries should rather tap into the many natural resources at their disposal. Dr. John Kwakye is confident that if African countries are able to take ownership of their natural resources, the continent will see the needed development. Africa need not go around the world begging for aid. It should tap its own natural resources for development, Dr. John Kwakye said in a post on Friday, August 25. Another post said, African leaders should not waste time on reparation from the West. Africa has enough natural resource wealth. They only have to take ownership of it and apply it to the continent's development, something they have woefully failed to do. I have the utmost respect for many Americans in the US. I love and adore many Americans. There are many good and reasonable people in the US and I even have a foster family and lots of friends over there. But it is entirely senseless for that ambassador to spew such trash with impunity and go unattacked. Let it be known to the ambassador and her cohorts that every country has the right to pass laws for its socioeconomic, security, and political development regardless of what others may think of such laws. Once these laws strengthen the democratic advancement of the country and the majority of the citizens support the laws, the opinions of external forces are less considered. Therefore, she can't flub and thinks nobody will point it out to her. Who does she think she is? An ambassador so what? She represents the interest of America here in Ghana and we also pass bills for our interest. So, why this empty threat? Is that woman okay? Looking at her face, I think not everything is well with her. Because this is the second time, if I can remember, she has said this thing. Can the ambassador of Ghana in America speak like this without being blasted by the media and the people of America? What if our ambassador also says that if America doesn't allow men to marry more than just a wife, Ghanaian businesses won't engage in any international trade with them? How will they take it? If you don't like a hedgehog, don't put it in another man's pocket. I miss my grandpa and his words of wisdom. Baaladong, may your soul keep resting in peace. Amen! Somebody should tell her to first go and allow the American men to marry more than one wife before she comes to tell us all this vacuity without considering our rich cultural values as a country. Sometimes when I hear people who are supposed to have some little sense talk like this, I feel very sad, not for them, but for their parents, who wasted their precious time giving birth to dupes like that. Isn't Ghana a sovereignty again or what? Madam Ambassador, you and your selfish American investors can't take us for granted. We will never allow you to hornswoggle us. Many Africans, for that matter, Ghanaians will prefer to die hungry than trade their cultural values with the same sex because of loans with heavy interests. Keep your money and let us keep our culture. Don't we have states in the US that don't support the stupidity you called human rights for same-sex people? Why don't you say the foolish things you have just talked about Ghana and its economy to such states in the US? I'm sure not every state in the US supports same-sex. But can you go and tell them the same nonsense you spewed here? So, you think because we are back and Africans, we don't have the right to think for ourselves, right? As an ambassador, at least, you should have an iota of sense and be a bit diplomatic when you are talking. But I can see you have zero sense and equally lacks diplomacy. But, I don't blame your exposition of jejune diplomatic traits. It's our greedy, corrupt, and political thieves, we have as leaders in Africa that must be blamed. Why isn't the ambassador issuing the same warning to the Arab countries in the world? If our corrupt leaders go around the world begging like hungry bastards why wouldn't any chimpanzee talk like this to them? The US or its International investors should send this trash talk to the Arab world and see what won't happen to their business. Again, those who queue in the hot sun to get visas to go to the US are those who should be told this debris of talk not me. Here in Ghana too, I can see a selected few, who belong to this cabal of same-sex nonsense and are doing everything humanly possible to infest the entire country with their stupid idea. The agenda to encourage and enforce this weird sane sex practice across the globe is also being vehemently preached and now even the World Bank and other institutions have come to support its spread. If animals were having sex with your mothers and sisters, would you have people managing your economy today? If men were having sex with men and women having sex with women, would you ever have a working population? Just stop this display for absurdity. Maybe, this woman has forgotten that the US isn't the only place to do business. Ghana should start looking for potential destinations for its International business. If America won't buy our products then we won't buy anything from them. Ghanaians should boycott all made-in-US products in the market and the ambassador can even leave the country today if she wants. She is lucky we don't have patriotic leaders in the country. She would have been asked to pack her bag and baggage and leave the country now. She should thank her stars that maybe, some people in higher positions in government think like her. But it won't work the way they want it. Unfortunately, it is a fact that other countries don't have a Visa Lottery to lure human capital to their countries, in case there is a shortage of workforce. Those countries that join the bandwagon to encourage and enforce same-sex practices will regret their actions later. Certainly, there will come a time when those countries may need a workforce as all their human capital might have been weak and unable to do anything productive work. That's the time they will see the rippling effects of this monstrous thing called LGBTQ+ or whatever nonsense it is called. For now, you may think you are more reasonable than God, who created you for a purpose and you think the purpose of God's creation must be subjected to ridicule. Maybe, you don't know when you have been created a man and you turn yourself into a woman, all in the name of LGBTQ+, it is an insult to God. There is one thing I just don't understand. You have your country and your laws. Nobody comes to tell you to do this or that. But you have the temerity to continue to tell us what to do as if we don't have the senses to think for ourselves. Who says all the laws you have in the US are liked by us over here? But do we complain about them? Nope! That's your country and you do whatever you like with it. Also, let us be! The ambassador should be honest with herself and tell us how much money her government spends in treating these LGBTQ+ people when their activities get them sick. The same money our governments come to borrow from you, can't be used by people who deliberately take sickness upon themselves. It's better to put laws that will prevent the infection of people than to allow the wild and widespread diseases associated with LGBTQ+ merely because of your loans. Finally, the government should issue a stronger warning to this idiot and let her know Ghana doesn't exist to serve the interest of the US. But Ghana is a sovereign that has the right to promulgate laws that it thinks are beneficial to the country and its citizens in general. Also, our corrupt and greedy leaders in the country must begin to wise up. Our leaders must strategize and be more open to other potential investors in other countries who wish to do business with us. Also be ready to cede diplomatic relations with any countries that want to use same-sex as bait to lure us to accept, encourage, practice, and enforce it practices at our homes, offices, schools, and any workplaces. The US isn't our last destination for our survival. We will only allow same-sex practices if the US and other European countries decriminalize polygamy. The same God who says we should marry one wife is the same old God who despises same-sex practices. Therefore, you can bring the Bible but choose to pick what it says and tells us to do. Ghanaians are watching!!!! YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian and Russian business community representatives held a meeting on Friday in Armenia within the framework of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council session. Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov participated in the event and discussed the cooperation. Kerobyan said that he discussed with his Russian counterpart a number of issues related to investments, joint projects and logistics. Reshetnikov said that issues related to macroeconomy and the economic policy of the country were raised during the luncheon. The Russian minister said that the dramatic drop of the ruble against the dram has caused some concerns among Armenian businessmen exporting goods to Russia. This is a current situation and it doesnt cancel the strategic tasks. Strategic tasks are mutual investments, new projects and cooperation, the Russian minister said. He also spoke about the intensive trade turnover between Armenia and Russia, noting that some issues emerge in the process and require solutions by relevant government agencies. Reshetnikov said he agreed with Kerobyan to supervise all issues, give comprehensive explanations to businesses and make certain adjustments whenever needed. He said the meeting with the business community was very interesting and important because the contacts, trade and joint investments are growing between the two countries. New York, August 25, 2023Indian lawmakers must thoroughly review three bills that threaten the independence of the press, and the government should withdraw and significantly amend its new data protection law, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. We are gravely concerned by the Indian governments apparent attempts to pass a series of bills undermining press freedom, ahead of elections in 2024, without adequately consulting journalists or civil society, said Beh Lih Yi, CPJs Asia program coordinator, in Kuala Lumpur. Indian lawmakers must allow ample time for a transparent and exhaustive review of the bills, and the government should withdraw and substantially revise the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which provides a dangerous framework for the expansion of surveillance and censorship. On August 3, Indias upper house of parliament passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, which is set to replace an 1867 law. The Editors Guild of India described its provisions draconian as they widen the powers of the State to have more intrusive and arbitrary checks into the functioning of newspapers and magazines. If passed by the lower house and the president, the bill would expand the powers of the governments Press Registrar to deny registration to anyone convicted of a terrorist act or unlawful activity as defined under the countrys anti-terror law, or having done anything against the security of the State. It would also allow any other specified authority to enter the premises of a publication to inspect or take copies of the relevant records or documents or ask any questions necessary for obtaining any information. Separately, on August 11, Home Minister Amit Shah introduced several criminal law bills, which a parliamentary committee began discussing on August 24. Three opposition lawmakers on the committee protested at the short notice. The first proposed bill, overhauling the colonial-era Penal Code, intends to replace the crime of sedition with a broader and more ambiguous clause, stating that those who encourage feelings of separatist activities or endanger the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India can be imprisoned for seven years to life, up from the current three years to life. The sedition law has been used repeatedly to jail and harass journalists. Indians demonstrate in protest over the arrest of a journalist in New Delhi on June 10, 2019. (Reuters/Anushree Fadnavis) The second proposed bill, a replacement of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, would allow the officer-in-charge of a police station to summon any document or device likely to contain digital evidence for an investigation or trial, without oversight. It also proposed to extend the maximum period that police may detain someone without charge from 15 to 60 or 90 days, depending on the nature of the accusations. Separately, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which came into force on August 12 after being rushed through parliament in six days, has been criticized by local press groups as likely to stifle investigative journalism as it could compel reporters to reveal their sources. The law empowers the central government to ask any entity that processes dataincluding journalists, news organizations, and social media companiesto hand over information, thereby converting every private company into an instrument of surveillance, according to DIGIPUB News India Foundation, an association of journalists working in digital media. Social media companies are highly likely to comply with orders to hand over journalists data, rather than risk retaliation such as fines or blocking of their content, Prateek Waghre, policy director at the digital rights organization Internet Freedom Foundation, told CPJ. The act also includes a right to the erasure of personal data, which could allow someone who shared personal information with a journalist to petition the government-appointed Data Protection Board for a news article to be removed, even if the reporting was in the public interest. Further, the act empowers the government to block the content of any journalist, news organization, or social media platform that has been fined twice before for failing to comply with any aspect of the law if authorities believe doing so would be in the interests of the general public. That section of the law expands the governments censorship powers beyond the Information Technology Act, 2000, which has been repeatedly used to block social media accounts of journalists and news organizations, including this month The Kashmir Walla and Gaon Savera. The new law also amends the countrys Right to Information Act, 2005, a key tool for journalists to access government data on issues like corruption and rights violations, by allowing government officers to reject requests involving personal information. That amendment severely obstructs the ability of journalists to seek information in the public interest, Geeta Seshu, founding editor of the Free Speech Collective watchdog group, told CPJ. CPJs emails to Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw did not receive any replies. 25.08.2023 LISTEN PREAMBLE: PURPOSE OF THE TOPIC It is unfortunate that widespread suffering and poverty persist unabated in our world today because of the form and structure of the world's governing regimes of which majority of them follow democratic, imperialist, socialist or monarchy forms. All of the aforementioned types of governments foster or promote the prosperity of a privilege few, the elite or government officials with outright disregard for the poor. The irony of leadership for most governments is that the poor for whom they pledge to advocate for are the same people they oppress indirectly because their leadership ideologies are not "poor people centered." They do not empower and neither do they reform or raise the dignity of the poor. This essay will review the leadership policies of a selected past Liberian president to relate the similarities and differences to Mohammed Yunus Social Business ideology and suggest measures for improvement. DESCRIPTION Social business may seem to be a new ideology and, in its application, could come into confrontation with aspects of some cultural practices, but its benefits cannot be underestimated. The methodology of social business is "all involving." It encourages participation of the community of people concerned but focuses more on women who eventually show concern for the welfare of children when they are empowered. This then derives the issue of contention in some culture, since most societies are patrilineal or male dominated. Notwithstanding, the clash of culture with the ideals of social business does not mean failure, but is an indication that culture is vibrant and in time it will evolve and respond to the needs of the community. Nongovernmental organizations encourage the collaborative approaches between the public and private sectors, but finance for most of their work come from funding by friendly governments or donors but what can and should international donors and their implementing partners do to catalyze greater private sector contributions and leverage private sector capabilities? The answer to this is empowerment and not handouts through charity. In addition to this, donor funding could fade off and, in that case, projects cannot be sustained. People should be empowered for their own development. Community empowerment through social businesses promotes community engagement, community participation and capacity building. Social business also empowers people to generate knowledge/acquire skill and use it to improve their quality of life. Further to this, it is important to state here that in society, some groups are more vulnerable than others especially the poor, the disabled, battered women, etc. Governments will soon realize that the most suitable strategy to use, to empower those who are potentially weak in the social structure is "Social business". GENERAL ANALYSIS Social business is often misconstrued for charity foundations or non-governmental organizations which heavily rely on donors or grant loans to operate. However, to further analyze the topic, it is essential to note the differences of the terminologies. In the words of Reiling and Herman (1958), a Charitable Organization or charity is a nonprofit organization (NPO) whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social wellbeing (e.g., charitable, educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). Charitable organizations may not use any of its funds to profit individual persons or entities. There is the need for a charity to be financially sustainable, and this could be done by using its financial figures such as tax refund, revenue from sales of goods and services or from investment and fundraisings. Nongovernmental Organizations, commonly referred to as NGOs are usually non-profit and sometimes international governmental organizations (though often funded by governments) that are active in humanitarian, educational, healthcare, public policy, social, human rights, environmental and other areas to affect changes according to their objective. Social business, as defined by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Professor Mohammed Yunus (2010), is a business created and designed to address a social problem, a non loss, Non-dividend Company, i.e.: (l) it is financially self-sustainable and profits realized by the business are reinvested in the business itself (or used to start other social businesses) with the aim of increasing social impact, for example expanding the company's reach, improving the products or services or in other ways subsidizing the social mission. Unlike profit making businesses, the prime aim of a social business is not maximizing profits (although generating profits is desired). Furthermore, business owners are not receiving any dividend out of the business profits. The table below describes Charitable, NGOs and Social businesses: S/N NAME OF ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION 1 Charitable Organization Humanitarian 2 Nongovernmental Organization Civil Society 3 Social Business Social Enterprise Having established the different terminologies, we deep dive into the leadership policies of the past Liberian presidents in relation to the social business ideology identified. PAST LEADERSHIP POLICIES l. A REVIEW OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM R. TOLBERT JR.'S HUMANISTIC CAPITALISM POLICY President Tolbert inherited a country with a political life controlled by less than three percent of the population, the "Americo_Liberians" and a modern economy in the hands of foreign investors. The tribal majority (the poor) was excluded from both areas. William Tolbert, however surprised many and showed a dynamism few only, if any, had expected and soon earned the 58-year-old Baptist Preacher the surname- "Speedy." As mentioned, he broke with his predecessor, Tubman's conservative formalism that was based on imitation of the West and in particular the United States. A second change was in the area of foreign relations and constituted a rupture with Tubman's anticommunist doctrine. Thirdly, Tolbert publicly recognized that the fruits of foreign investments were unevenly divided and he gradually introduced renegotiations of the concession agreements that had granted the foreign investors important tax privileges. For this purpose, he declared the concept of "Humanistic Capitalism". Last but not least, he announced policies that aimed to improve the living conditions of the majority of the people: "Total Involvement for Higher Heights," "Rally Time," "From Mat-to-Mattresses," all geared towards creating a wholesome functioning society and winning the war against Ignorance, Disease and Poverty. A CLOSER LOOK AT TOLBERTS POLICIES AND THEIR SIMILARITY TO YUNUS ' SOCIAL BUSINESS From Mat-to-Mattress This policy increased the standard of living for all Liberian. The concept was to raise their standard of living and take them off the mats in shacks and put them on mattresses in affordable housing estate projects, that were built in the 1970s. Notable among these housing projects were: The Barnesville and Gardnessville Estates. Most beneficiaries of this project were civil servants who earned low salaries. These affordable housing estates provided for them decent houses. The rent which they paid through minimum salary deductions. Therefore. in comparison to Yunus's social business, Tolbert's from Mat-to Mattresses policy is similar because it follows the key attributes of Yunus' Capitalist Module which are: l. Creativity. Tolbert's Mat-to Mattresses policy like Yunus' Social business intent/goal is to make the world a better place through a defined social objective. For example, civil servants who lived in "run down housing" could now afford decent homes. Yunus Social business empowered people to become entrepreneurs. Tolbert's "From Mat-to-Mattresses" empowered civil servants to own their own homes. Civil servants who were regular in paying their rent could own the housing unit after 10 years. Tolbert's Policy like Yunus opened new avenues and gave people new ideas about life. Tolberts policy created new opportunities for livelihood. Total Involvement Policy This policy suggested inclusion of all Liberians in the process of government, including those who had been left out of the benefits of the system for years. He started a social security program, a health care program as well as education program for all Liberians from grade 0-6 years. He built more public schools and began work on the school's curriculum. William Tolbert slogans were "Rally Time and Total Involvement for Higher Heights. His vision for leading Liberia to higher heights, did not come to be. It ended tragically when he was overthrown in a bloody military coup on April 12, 1980. Critically examining Tolberts Total Involvement policy, it indicates some similarity to Yunus' social business policy in the following ways: It was all about building capacity and empowerment of the marginalized (the poor) through participation and education. It reformed the political and social systems. Tolberts critics often accused him of "Allowing the villagers in the kitchen" Tolbert's strategy involved partnership with NGOs and other friendly governments to achieve his social objectives. CURRENT AND FUTURE POLICIES PRESIDENT GEORGE OPPONG WEAH'S PRO-POOR POLICY 'Pro-Poor Policy' is a term that has become widely used in development literature, mainly with international organizations that are focused on developmental agenda. The general understanding that can be drawn from this literature is that pro-poor policies are those that directly target poor people, or that are more generally aimed at reducing poverty. There is also a general consensus that pro-poor policy processes are those that allow poor people to be directly involved in the policy process, or that by their nature and structure lead to pro-poor outcomes. Therefore, the aim of pro- poor policies is to improve the assets and capabilities of the poor. The Pro Poor Policy intends to reduce poverty by 30% by the end of first term and 60% by 2023 if elected by the people of Liberia for the second term. And unlike other policies that were never realized, this government is meant to achieve its vision. Liberia could also emulate Chinas example of poverty reduction. According to Martin Ravallion (2004), The International Poverty Center, UNDP, said, China's income poverty rate is probably slightly lower than the average for the world as a whole; in 2001, 17% of China's population lived below $l a day (at 1993 PPP) while the corresponding figure for the developing world was 21%. But it was a very different story around 1980. Then the incidence of poverty in China was one of the highest in the world at 64%." And also, Rob Schmitz (2017), said, what China - its government and its people - have achieved is unprecedented in human history : Around 700 million Chinese have worked their way above the poverty line since 1980, accounting for three-quarters of global poverty reduction during that period. (According to the World Bank more than 500 million Chinese lifted themselves out of poverty as China's poverty rate fell from 88 percent in 1981 to 6.5 percent in 2012, as measured by the percentage of people living on less than $1.90 a day)." Therefore, if China can transform itself then I see no reason why Liberia cannot achieve this goal. DRIVERS TO ACHIEVE PRO-POOR POLICY THE FOUR PILLARS OF FOCUS FOR THE GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURE: According to Saa et al (2018), President George Weah over the years has experienced and come out with the conclusion that, mechanized farming is the best option and will be applied. In order for Liberia to eat some of the cakes of globalization, the government has insisted on every official of government to own a farm. The President believes that security of Liberia must be seen from the holistic binoculars. Therefore, in order to secure lasting peace and security, the government of Liberia will partner with farm industries around the world, attract them in the country and work with the local farmers in making Liberia a food secured state. Thus, no more clearing with cutlasses and hoes. Under no condition can Liberia feed herself if she must continue with cutlass and hoe farming. For example, cocoa and coffee offer opportunities to increase export earnings by improving yields and moving up the value chain into intermediate processing. Liberia has one of the world highest rainfalls and should be reaping more of the profits. If more than two million hectares of land are provided and cultivated for oil palm, cocoa, coffee and rice, Liberia will not only increase both its manufactures and exports to regional and global markets but will definitely find itself at the world stage. Loans in form of subsidy will be given to farmers through the Agriculture Development Bank and other institutions to assist farmers in their initial plantings. For each county, agriculture machines will be given for the use on farmlands, and farmers will pay based upon the proceeds from their farms. These harvested produce will be bought by government for students, patience and convicted prisoners. With this strategy, it is expected that the farmers graduate from being called poor farmers to heavily successful farmers. TOURISM: Income is expected to be high on the agenda of President Weah for this pillar. The world over, one of the fast-moving industries for development and industrialization is tourism. Under this administration, a tourism commission/ministry is expected to be set up shortly with the aim of attracting tourists' groupings and experts in setting up the industry in Liberia. The president is now thinking out of the box by attracting other economic sectors into the country. The encouragement of chains of hotels, development of beaches and natural resort centers will be placed high on the agenda of government in its first six-year term. The President believes that this industry will attract more employment and revenue generation for government and country. And the first area of attraction of tourists into the country is the Airports. A total rebuilding of the Roberts International Airport is key and ensuring counties airports are operational (Saa et al, 2018). EDUCATION: Under this government, strengthening the educational system (former and vocational training center) by insisting that all schools be properly vetted and certificated will be of high priority. The best type of voters and elected officials will be attracted if education becomes a priority of the country. President Weah's administration will collectively work with stakeholders in the educational system in improving all government educational institutions (Saa et al, 2018).. Like Rwanda who has so advanced her public schools thus making them envy of private institutions, so public schools in Liberia under Weah's administration will become. Currently, private educational institutions in Rwanda are being closed and students are running to government schools. How that happen, is no magic, but dedication and love for country. In the next four years, President Weah intends to make mass education free, compulsory and with quality to all citizens, from elementary to university/college as part of its policy initiatives. The government sees education as a right but not a privilege. In view of this, it will undertake the following: Recertify all teachers, train & develop teachers. Inspect all educational facilities by ensuring that they are clean, structurally sound and fully furnished. Establish and strengthen existing vocational schools. Establish relationships with schools and governments around the world requesting teacher exchange program. Reach out to Liberian educators around the world requesting their input. HEALTH: President Weah understands that health is the backbone and hallmark of any development in Liberia. Through many reports and eye witnesses, the president is cognizant of how dilapidated the countrys health system is. Many people die of diseases and illnesses that could be cured if the right medical equipment and medical practitioners are trained and brought into the country. In this light, the president has now embarked on working with international organizations and friendly nations in making sure that the best medical brains and equipment are brought into the country. In the not distance future from now, a plan will be set up in reconstructing all public medical centers in the country (Saa et al, 2018). Each county is expected to have at least three doctors and other medical practitioners. Plans are that: Each hospital be equipped with the best medical equipment. Recertify all medical personnel, train and develop the medical field. Inspect all medical facilities to ensure they are clean, sound and properly furnished. Establish a medical board, which all medical practitioners must pass an exam on a regular routine to be allowed membership and be allowed to practice in Liberia. All government officials including the president and vice president will be treated in the country throughout their stay in office. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS This paper will focus its recommendations on the present realities of the Liberian situation with the Pro-Poor agenda as its central focal point. While this policy outlined broken institutions, poor economy and health care systems, it did not provide redress to conflict resolution, reconciliation and empowerment. It seems most of the work will be centered around the government with little involvement of the people. Thus, this paper recommends the following: l. Trauma healing and Reconciliation Programs for the Liberian People: Among the consequences of war, the impact on the mental health of the civilian population is of significant importance. Studies of the general population show a definite increase in the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders. Women are more affected than men. Other vulnerable groups are children, the elderly and the disabled. Prevalence rates are associated with the degree of trauma. and the availability of physical and emotional support. The use of cultural and religious coping strategies is frequent in developing countries, such as Liberia. Except the people heal, holistic development be difficult to achieve. 2. Empowerment Programs for the marginalized and weak in Liberia: The Pro-Poor agenda does not really define who the poor people are. In a war torn country like Liberia, everyone will want to benefit from any type of empowerment program and except the true victims are identified, the social objective will not be achieved. These marginalized groups such as the handicapped, women, orphan and abandoned children, the unemployed' and the poor in general require special empowerment programs that will address their needs and make them independent in society. All these are geared toward economic empowerment and subsequent reduction in unemployment rate in Liberia. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ellis, S., 1995, Liberia 1989-1994: A Study of Ethnic and Spiritual Violence, African Affairs, Vol. 94, no. 375, pp. 165-97 Kramer, Reed, Liberia: A Casualty of the Cold War's End, Center for Strategic and Intervention Studies (CSIS), retrieved from www.tlc.africa.corn Martin Ravallion (2004), Comment on Pro-Poor Growth: What is It? Page No. I Reiling, Herman T. (1958). "Federal Taxation: What Is a Charitable Organization?". American Bar Association Journal. 44 (6): 525598. JSTOR 25720402. Rob Schmitz (2017), Who's Lifting Chinese People Out Of Poverty?, https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/01/17/509521619/whos-lifting-chinese-people- out-of-poverty Saa, Tali Phillip Jr., 2018 March, "The Pro-Poor Policy of President George Weah: In the Cause of the People, the Struggle ends," retrieved from http://wvc.linkedin.corn Yunus, Mohammed, 2010. "Building Social Business" ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Eric Burphy Duncan is an Educationalist/Social Worker who possesses nearly ten years experience in social work and educative activities with private, non-governmental and international institutions. Institutions that he has worked for are: The American Refugees Committee, Save the Children UK, UNICEF-SC UK Disarmament and Rehabilitation Project, Prestige Motors, Multi-Choice Liberia, etc. He possesses knowledge and skills in Social Work, Counselling, and Project Monitoring/Planning, working with Communities Adult Literacy, Empowerment, Writing, Conflict Resolution and Administration. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Atlantic International University, a Master in Adult Education from the University of Ghana and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/ Demography from the University of Liberia. On May 02, 2008, he was appointed the Dean of Student Affairs of the Regional Maritime University, and even though the nomenclature changed to Coordinator of Student Affairs, he has retained that status and has also contributed to the development of the University. Outstanding amongst his achievement are the establishment of a Counselling Unit. In 2017, Dr. Duncan won the Vice Chancellors award for his hard work and dedication to duties. Dr. Duncan is married with three (3) children. Dakar, August 25, 2023The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the expulsion of Cameroonian reporter Sainclair Mezing from Gabon and urges authorities to allow journalists to freely report on the countrys elections scheduled for Saturday, August 26. Gabonese authorities must allow all journalists who wish to cover this weekends elections to do so without obstruction or censorship, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator in Durban, South Africa. Local and foreign journalists should be able to follow the events on the ground and keep the public informed about the democratic process. Press freedom is central to any free and credible election, and expelling foreign journalists like Sainclair Mezing is unacceptable. On Saturday, August 19, Gabonese police expelled Mezing, a reporter with the state-owned Cameroon Tribune newspaper, hours after his arrival in the capital, Libreville, according to news reports and the journalist, who spoke with CPJ. He said officers questioned him at the airport about the purpose of his visit, claiming that he did not have the correct media accreditation, and put him on a flight back to Cameroon. The journalist said that he was in possession of an assignment letter from his newspaper and had been told by the Gabonese Embassy in Cameroon that he could obtain his election accreditation once in the country. Mezing said Gabonese authorities did not give him a reason for his expulsion. The privately owned Paris-based news magazine Jeune Afrique also reported on August 23 that it had been unable to obtain accreditation for the presidential, legislative, and local elections. The outlet said it was not aware of any international media outlet that had received permission to report on the vote, in which President Ali Bongo is expected to extend his familys 55-year rule. On Thursday, CPJ joined the #KeepItOn coalitiona global network of over 300 organizations from 105 countriesin urging Bongo and his administration to guarantee open and secure internet access during the election. CPJ called and emailed Gabons Communication Ministry for comment but did not receive any replies. Dakar, August 25, 2023 The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday called for authorities in Chad to immediately reverse the suspension of the privately owned news website Alwihda Info and stop censoring news outlets for their work. Chadian authorities should reverse their decision to suspend Alwihda Info at once and ensure media outlets do not face retaliation for covering issues of public interest, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator in Durban, South Africa. Chadian journalists must be able to criticize authorities and cover public institutions, including the military, without fear of sanction. On Friday, August 25, Chads High Media and Audiovisual Authority regulator suspended Alwihda Info for eight days starting Saturday, according to a copy of that decision and Djimet Wiche, the outlets publishing director, who spoke to CPJ. Wiche said the outlet would comply with the suspension and halt publications on its website and social media starting Saturday. The decision accused Alwihda Info of broadcasting insulting remarks about the president and remarks that were of a nature undermining the cohesion and discipline within the army. Idriss Deby Itno, known as Mahamat Kaka, has been Chads transitional president since the 2021 death of his father. The regulators order cited two reports by the outlet: one, on August 19, about Kakas dismissal of an army colonel, and another, on August 21, criticizing a speech by Kaka about conflict in the countrys north. The order said that more severe sanctions would follow in the event of recidivism. CPJ called the regulators president, Abderamane Barka, and numbers publicly listed on the regulators website for comment, but received no replies. Gabon goes to the polls on Saturday for general elections that the ruling party and its leader, President Ali Bongo Ondimba, are once again expected to win. The Bongo family has controlled the country's politics since the 1960s and is determined to hold on to power, as recent intimidation tactics demonstrate. The Bongos have ruled Gabon for over 50 years, starting when Omar Bongo became president in 1967. His son Ali, 64, has been in power since 2009, when he was declared the winner of a snap presidential election that followed the death of his father. He was narrowly re-elected in 2016, with just 5,500 more votes than rival Jean Ping, who claimed the election had been fixed. Bongo officially announced in July that he would run for president a third time. His powerful Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) holds strong majorities in both houses of parliament, which will also be up for election in the 26 August vote. The country has not known much democracy since its independence from France on 17 August 1960. Throughout the decades, the Bongo family has used various methods to assure its domination over Gabon's politics. Changes to the constitution In April, the Gabonese parliament voted to amend the constitution to reduce the president's term from seven to five years, and to reduce two rounds of voting to one in presidential elections. Sections of the opposition criticised the changes, in particular the scrapping of the second round, which they say facilitates Bongo's re-election. "The change makes it much more likely that all the institutions of government power will be taken by Bongo and his party in one single election," according to expert Douglas Yates, a professor of political science at the American Graduate School in Paris. In July, Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze warned the opposition "not to throw oil on the fire". In the same month, Gabon's election authority announced that voters in the latest polls must select their presidential and parliamentary candidates from the same political party. Critics say that will hurt opposition contenders including Bongo's main challenger, Albert Ondo Ossa whose parties do not have candidates in both polls. Former education minister Ondo Ossa is running for president with the Alternance 2023 opposition coalition, which does not have equivalent candidates in the legislative election. Polling stations closed The Interior Ministry has also drastically reduced the numbers of polling stations abroad. In Europe, only three will open this Saturday in Paris, Bordeaux and London. The large Gabonese diaspora in France has lost polling stations in Nantes, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Rennes, Lyon and Marseille. And in Germany, Canada, Burkina Faso or Ghana, emigrants will not be able to vote at all. "These Gabonese are deprived of an inalienable right by the government," says the pro-democracy movement Tournons La Page. The international civil society network published a report on 21 August documenting numerous human rights violations in Gabon, including arbitrary arrests, bans on protesting and internet shutdowns. 'Dynastic republic' Yates calls Gabon a "dynastic republic", comparable to Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Syria, Azerbaijan, North Korea or Turkmenistan. "In dynastic republics, presidents have concentrated power in their hands and established systems of personal rule. They transmit state power through nepotism to their family and kin," he writes. But the family's power is also institutionalised through a single ruling party, Yates says, namely the powerful PDG. As well as the presidency, Bongo's party has a majority in the national assembly with 98 of 143 seats and in the senate, with 46 of 67 seats. It also exercises control over the courts and local governments. In the last election, in 2016, the announcement of the results sparked violence in the capital Libreville, but protests were fiercely repressed. The unrest left five dead according to the government and 30 according to the opposition, which says the victims were shot dead by security forces. Gabon is considered one of the richest countries in Africa because of its large per capita GDP, due chiefly to its oil revenue and relatively small population of 2.3 million. However, a third of the population still live below the poverty threshold, according to the World Bank. (with AFP) The head of Ethiopia's violence-stricken region of Amhara, which the federal government has placed under a state of emergency, has stepped down, according to an official statement reported Friday. Amhara's parliament "has accepted the resignation submitted by the regional president, Dr. Yilkal Kefale, and appointed Arega Kebede in replacement," the body said in a statement reported by the official Amhara Media Corporation. The resignation on Wednesday came after the legislature, known as the Regional Council, discussed "the region's current security situation", it said. "After the discussion a consensus agreement was reached (on the need) for consistent reform," it said. Tension in the northern region ratcheted up this year after the end of a devastating war in the neighbouring region of Tigray that also drew in fighters from Amhara. In April the federal government announced it was dismantling regional forces across the country. The move triggered protests by Amhara nationalists who said it would weaken their region. Clashes erupted in early July between the national army and local fighters known as Fano, prompting the authorities in Addis Ababa on August 4 to declare a six-month state of emergency. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), an independent state-affiliated organisation, on August 14 said heavy fighting had subsided in major urban areas on August 9 but was continuing in other parts of the region. The military leadership set in place in Amhara under the state of emergency said on August 23 that the situation had "returned to normal conditions" thanks to "measures taken during the second and third phase of military operations." "The general command gave strict order to continue the military operation in order to strengthen and secure the peace and stability," it said. The situation in Amhara is impossible to verify on the ground, as the federal authorities restrict access to the region. The toll from the fighting remains unclear, but the EHRC has voiced concern over civilian casualties from the use of heavy artillery. Doctors in two of the affected cities told AFP in early August that there had been scores of deaths and injuries among civilians. Map of Ethiopia locating Amhara region and the town of Finote Selam.. By Sylvie HUSSON, Jean-Michel CORNU (AFP) On August 13, at least 26 people in the town of Finote Selam died in an air strike, a hospital official and local resident told AFP. A mosaic of more than 80 ethno-linguistic communities, Ethiopia has struggled territorial conflicts within its borders. It is structured as a federal republic, comprising 12 regional states that are arranged on ethnic and linguistic lines, and two administrative councils, which includes Addis Ababa. The Amhara region is inhabited mostly by the Amhara people, the country's second most populous ethnic group. The Regional Council, which is dominated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party, had appointed Yilkal, an academic, in October 2021. His successor is a relative unknown on the political scene. 1 Wall Street equities research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Foxtons Group in the last twelve months. There are currently 1 hold rating for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street equities research analysts is that investors should "hold" FOXT shares. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in FOXT, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View FOXT analyst ratings or view top-rated stocks. Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. It is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Japan. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in value and growth stocks of small-cap companies having market capitalizations less than Yen 150 billion. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Tokyo Second Section Index, the TOPIX Small Index, and the JASDAQ Index. Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon PLC was formed on July 1, 1985 and is domiciled in the United Kingdom. YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. An exhibition showcasing the products offered by Armenian and Iranian companies in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism opened in Yerevan on Friday with the purpose of boosting bilateral trade between Armenia and Iran. 60 Iranian and 50 Armenian companies operating in 7 free trade zones of Iran are represented at the three-day exhibition. Photos by Hayk Manukyan Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani personally attended the opening of the exhibition. Kerobyan said that the event will enable investors from both countries to discover the opportunities. Although trade turnover between Armenia and Iran doubled in the past two years, the pace of growth is slowing down, and we must find new opportunities to bring bilateral turnover to the target which was outlined by the leaders of the two countries, which is 3 billion dollars. We are now at a pace of about 800 million dollars, Kerobyan said, adding that cooperation through free trade zones will boost bilateral trade turnover. Kerobyan said that Iranians are the second major foreign investors in Armenia, behind only Russians. Approximately 300 Iranian companies opened in Armenia in the first half of 2023 alone. The Armenian economy minister lauded the pace but said that there are opportunities to increase it. Mentioning the temporary free trade agreement between the EEU and Iran, which will be signed in a final version soon, Kerobyan said that Armenia is highly interested in the signing of the agreement. Armenia, being the only land connection between Iran and the EEU, is highly interested in the signing of this agreement, which should allow Armenias role for Iran and the EEU to expand, he said. Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani said Iran has a principled policy of developing relations with Armenia in all sectors. Iran and Armenia have never had any problems in any sector or level, he said. Free trade zones have a big role in developing trade ties and the exhibition will contribute to diversification of bilateral relations, he added. Hojjatollah Abdolmaleki, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Trade-Industrial and Special Economic Zones of Iran and presidential advisor, said that this is the first event where 7 free zones are represented. Abdolmaleki pointed out a number of advantages offered by the Iranian free zones, such as the presence of developed infrastructures, opportunity to establish contacts with various markets, customs privileges and others. The free zones have investors from China, Russia, Australia, Belgium, Iraq, Armenia and the UAE. He said that making investments in Irans free zones is profitable. Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The Company's primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets. The combination of necessity-based grocery-anchored neighborhood and community centers, along with vibrant mixed-use assets makes the KRG portfolio an ideal mix for both retailers and consumers. Publicly listed since 2004, KRG has nearly 60 years of experience in developing, constructing and operating real estate. Using operational, investment, development, and redevelopment expertise, KRG continuously optimizes its portfolio to maximize value and return to shareholders. As of June 30, 2023, the Company owned interests in 181 U.S. open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets, comprising approximately 28.6 million square feet of gross leasable space. Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers checking, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; business, car, and other loans; lines of credit, student lines of credit, and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as mobile, online, and overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, specialty, investing and private wealth, and international banking services; foreign exchange services; and cash management services. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Ford Motor Company is the second largest US auto manufacturer by market cap and market share and ranks 4th globally. The company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford following a series of cars that led to the introduction of the Model T. The Model T revolutionized the automobile industry not only because it made vehicles affordable for the budding middle class but it changed the way manufacturing was done. The Ford factory features the worlds first moving assembly line, an introduction that not only improved the pace of production but lowered the cost of its vehicles. Other prominent innovations made by Mr. Ford include the strict standardization of parts that allowed for easy construction and repair and the standardized workweek. Henry Fords switch to a $5 workday and 8-hour shifts allowed him to run 3 shifts per day and improve productivity while providing his employees with the power to buy their own products. Today, Ford Motor Company makes and markets a large lineup of cars, trucks, SUVs, EVs, and Lincoln luxury vehicles globally. The companys iconic F-series of trucks is the worlds best-selling pickup truck for decades running and the new all-electric Lightning is on track to dominate the top spot in the EV market. Other iconic brands in the Ford lineup include the Thunderbird introduced in 1954, the Mustang in 1964, and the Transit work van in 1965. The Mustang, notably, was created for the Worlds Fair and expected to sell 100,000 in its first year but shocked the industry with 22,000 units sold on the first day. The company operates through four segments including Ford Blue (ICE vehicles), Model e (EVs) Mobility, and Ford Credit. The Ford Blue and Model e segments sell Ford and Lincoln vehicles, parts, and accessories while the Mobility segment designs and builds advanced technologies including but not limited to self-driving autonomous car systems. The Ford Credit segment primarily offers commercial and retail loans to auto dealers and car buyers. This segment not only provides financing for new purchases and dealer inventory but makes loans for new dealerships and expansions of old ones. Ford has fully embraced the switch to EV and is planning for an all-EV future. To that end, the company pledged to spend up to $50 billion on EV infrastructure by 2026. The plans include the build-out of an entirely new campus dedicated to EV manufacture from batteries to motor platforms, manufacturing capacity, and new vehicles. In regard to total capacity, the company is targeting 2 million in total annual EV sales by that same year. Farmers Edge Inc. develops digital agriculture solutions in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Australia, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Digital Agronomy Operations and E-commerce Operations. The Digital Agronomy Operations segment offers suite of digital agronomy solutions to growers. Its E-commerce Operations engages in the sale of crop inputs through online marketplace. It offers FarmCommand, a cloud-based analytics software platform, which makes easy to collect, visualize, analyze, and use farm data to support operations and measure the impact of every decision; and Smart Carbon solutions comprising low-carbon grain and verifiable carbon credit. In addition, the company provides laboratory services, such as zone, grid, and composite soil testing; and offers insurance and variable rate technology. Farmers Edge Inc. offers its platform solutions through a network of channel partners, including crop input manufacturers and retailers, seed and crop protection companies, equipment manufacturers, grain companies, insurance companies and agencies, and food manufacturers. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada. Fastly, Inc. operates an edge cloud platform for processing, serving, and securing its customer's applications in the United States, the Asia Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The edge cloud is a category of Infrastructure as a Service that enables developers to build, secure, and deliver digital experiences at the edge of the internet. It is a programmable platform designed for web and application delivery. The company offers Compute@Edge; network services to speed up and optimize the delivery of web and application traffic; device detection and geolocation; content delivery network, such as dynamic site acceleration, origin shield, instant purge, surrogate keys, programmatic control, content compression, reliability, and modern protocols and performance services; and streaming solutions and services, including live streaming and media shield. It also provides edge security solutions, such as DDoS protection, next-gen WAF, bot protection, API and ATO protection, advanced rate limiting, and compliance services; transport layer security (TLS) and platform TLS; and origin connect. In addition, the company offers edge applications, such as load balancers and image optimizers; video on demand; and edge delivery services. It serves customers operating in digital publishing, media and entertainment, technology, online retail and education, SaaS, travel and hospitality, and financial services industries. The company was formerly known as SkyCache, Inc. and changed its name to Fastly, Inc. in May 2012. Fastly, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. The Pan Armenian Council of Western USA has launched a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike in solidarity with Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The Pan Armenian Council of Western USA demands affirmative action by U.S. President Biden and the U.S. Department of State, to prevent a new Armenian Genocide at the hands of the Aliyev regime by: -Ensuring the immediate re-opening of the Lachin Corridor by introducing and facilitating the passage of a UN Security Council Resolution requiring Azerbaijan to adhere to the February 22, 2023, preliminary measure of the ICJ ordering Azerbaijan to open the Lachin Corridor; -Immediately halting all U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan in light of the illegal humanitarian blockade imposed on the Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), consistent with Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act; -Sanctioning members of the Aliyev regime under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act for ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by individual members of the Aliyev regime; -Delivering $100 million in USAID humanitarian assistance to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) through the Lachin Corridor to ensure the survival of the 120,000 civilians who have been completely blockaded since June 15, 2023; -Introducing a UN Security Council resolution to establish a United Nations Mission in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) [UNMINK] consisting of 5,000 international military personnel to ensure the physical security of the population. Congressmen Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman joined the members of the Armenian community for a press briefing during the demonstration held outside the Azeri consulate in Los Angeles. We are watching a humanitarian catastrophe unfold in Artsakh. Yesterday, I joined my colleague Adam Schiff and the Armenian community at a press conference in my district. We must hold the Aliyev regime accountable and end U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan, Sherman said on X. We are watching a humanitarian catastrophe unfold in #Artsakh. Yesterday, I joined my colleague @RepAdamSchiff and the #Armenian community at a press conference in my district. We must hold the Aliyev regime accountable and end U.S. military assistance to #Azerbaijan. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/YjAnHY8R7Z Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) August 24, 2023 Congressman Schiff called on the U.S. government to act. I stand with Artsakh's 120,000 residents, and the Armenian diaspora defending them. Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor must end. The US recognized the Armenian Genocide and said never again. We must do more than pledge. We must act, Schiff said on X. HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking and wealth products, including current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services; and wealth management services comprising insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions. This segment serves personal banking and high net worth individuals. The Commercial Banking segment provides credit and lending, treasury management, payment, cash management, commercial insurance, and investment services; commercial cards; international trade and receivables finance services; foreign exchange products; capital raising services on debt and equity markets; and advisory services. It serves small and medium sized enterprises, mid-market enterprises, and corporates. The Global Banking and Markets segment offers financing, advisory, and transaction services; and credit, rates, foreign exchange, equities, money markets, and securities services; and engages in principal investment activities. It serves government, corporate and institutional clients, and private investors. HSBC Holdings plc was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) pays an annual dividend of GBX 231 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 9.45%. BATS has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The dividend payout ratio is 5,968.99%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Read our dividend analysis for BATS. Inchcape plc operates as an automotive distributor and retailer. It engages in the distribution, sales, and marketing of new and used cars, and parts. The company also provides aftersales service and body shop repairs; and finance and insurance products and services. It operates in the Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, and Africa. The company was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. LiveRamp Holdings, Inc., a technology company, operates a data collaboration platform in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates LiveRamp Data Collaboration platform enables an organization to unify customer and prospect data to build a single view of the customer in a way that protects consumer privacy. Its platform supports various people-based marketing solutions, including data collaboration, activation, measurement and analytics, identity, and data marketplace. The company sells its solutions to enterprise marketers, agencies, marketing technology providers, publishers, and data providers in various industry verticals, such as financial, insurance and investment services, retail, automotive, telecommunications, high tech, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, travel, entertainment, and non-profit. The company was formerly known as Acxiom Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. in October 2018. LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services comprise credit, and deposit and investment solutions, as well as international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. The Wealth Management segment comprises investment solutions, trust services, banking services, lending services, and other wealth management solutions. The Financial Markets segment offers corporate banking, advisory, and capital markets services; and project financing, debt, and equity underwriting; advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and financing. The U.S. Specialty Finance and International segment provides specialty finance products; financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Cambodia; and investment solutions, guaranteed investment certificates, mutual funds, notes, structured products, and monetization. National Bank of Canada was founded in 1859 and is based in Montreal, Canada. Nokia Oyj is a multinational technology company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. The company provides networking equipment, technology licensing, and services to communications service providers, enterprises, and governments. Founded in 1865 as a pulp mill, Nokia has become a significant player in the telecommunications industry. The company operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 90,000 people worldwide. Nokia is a well-established brand with a rich history. In the 1990s, Nokia was the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer and had a dominant market share. However, the company faced increasing competition from other players in the market and by the mid-2000s, Nokia's market share had declined significantly. In recent years, Nokia has focused on the telecommunications industry, specifically developing 5G technology. A diverse and experienced management team leads Nokia. The Chief Executive Officer is Pekka Lundmark, who took over the position in August 2020. Lundmark worked at Nokia from 1990 to 2000 and has experience in various technology companies. Other key leadership team members include Marco Wiren, the Chief Financial Officer, and Mishant Batra, the Chief Strategy Officer. Nokia has reported relatively stable financial performance over the past few years. The company reports revenue between $20 and $25 billion in the past several years. However, Nokia's operating profit margin has improved significantly over the past few years, jumping from 3.4% to 9.7%. The company's debt levels have also been relatively stable, with enough assets to cover all liabilities. Nokia's valuation metrics are generally in line with its industry peers. The company has a price-to-earnings ratio and a price-to-book ratio in line with industry peers. In terms of market performance, Nokia's stock has had some ups and downs over the past few years. In early 2021, the stock saw an increase in price due to investor optimism surrounding the company's 5G technology. However, the stock has since experienced some volatility, with fluctuations in trading volume. Nokia operates in the highly competitive telecommunications industry, which is constantly evolving. Rapid technological advancements, increasing demand for connectivity, and the emergence of new competitors characterize the industry. Some of Nokia's key competitors include Ericsson, Huawei, and Samsung. One major trend in the industry is the rollout of 5G technology, which is expected to transform how people and businesses connect. Nokia has positioned itself as a leader in 5G technology, with its products and services used by major telecommunications companies worldwide. However, regulatory and political issues, such as the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, may impact the industry's growth. Despite the challenges, Nokia has several potential growth opportunities. The company is investing in developing 5G technology, which is expected to drive demand for its products and services. Nokia has also expanded its offerings to include software and services, which can help to diversify its revenue streams. The company is also exploring new markets, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. In 2021, Nokia signed a deal with the UK government to provide equipment and services for the country's 5G network. The deal is worth over $1 billion and highlights Nokia's leadership in the 5G space. In recent years, Nokia has made several acquisitions to expand its capabilities in areas such as cloud-based networking and IoT. In 2020, Nokia acquired Elenion Technologies, a company specializing in silicon photonics technology, which could help to improve the performance of Nokia's networking equipment. However, there are also potential risks and challenges facing Nokia. One major challenge is the competition in the telecommunications industry, which could impact the company's market share and pricing power. Changes in consumer preferences and demand could also affect Nokia's sales and profitability. There are also regulatory risks, such as changes in data privacy laws and security regulations, which could impact the company's operations. The following companies are subsidiares of Roper Technologies: AC Analytical Controls B.V., AC Analytical Controls Holding B.V., AC Analytical Controls Services B.V., Abel Pump, Acton Research, Acumen PM LLC, Aderant Canada Company, Aderant Company, Aderant Holdings Inc., Aderant International Holdings LLC, Aderant Legal (UK) Limited, Aderant Legal Holdings (AUS) Pty Ltd, Aderant Legal Holdings (NZ) ULC, Aderant Legal Holdings Inc., Aderant North America Inc., Aderant Parent Holdings Inc., Advanced Sensors Limited, Advanced Sensors Ltd., AiCambridge Ltd., Alpha Holdings of Delaware I LLC, Alpha Holdings of Delaware II LLC, Alpha Technologies B.V., Alpha Technologies GmbH, Alpha Technologies Japan LLC, Alpha Technologies Services LLC, Alpha Technologies U.K., Alpha Technologies s.r.o., Alpha Trust Corporation, Alpha UK Holdings LLC, American LegalNet Inc, Amot Controls Corporation, Amot Controls GmbH, Amot/Metrix Investment Company Inc., Amphire Solutions Inc., Amtech Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, Amtech Systems LLC, Amtech World Corporation, Antek Instruments, Archisnapper BV, Ascension Technology Corporation, Assureweb Limited, Atlantic Health Partners Inc., Atlas Database Software Corp., Avitru, Bellefield Systems, BillBlast, C/S Solutions Inc., CBORD Holdings Corp., CBORD Holdings Corporation, CIVCO Holdings Inc., CIVCO Medical Solutions B.V., Centurion Research Solutions LLC, Chalwyn Limited, Civco Holding Inc., Civco Medical Instruments Co. Inc., Clackamas Pump LLC, CliniSys Group, CliniSys Group Limited, Clinisys Scotland Limited, Clinisys Solutions Limited, Cointec Ingenieros y Consultores S.L., Commerce Pump LLC, Compressor Controls (Beijing) Corporation Ltd., Compressor Controls Corporation B.V., Compressor Controls Corporation Middle East, Compressor Controls Corporation S.r.l., Compressor Controls LLC, Compressor Controls Mauritius Ltd., Compressor Controls Pty Ltd., Compressor Controls Saudi Arabia LLC, ComputerEase Software, ConceptShare, ConstructConnect, ConstructConnect Canada Inc., ConstructConnect Inc., Cornell Pump Company, DAT Solutions LLC, DATSolutions Private Limited, DCMH Group Holdings Inc., DCMH Group Holdings LLC, DCMH Holdings Inc., DI Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., DI Dutch Holdings LLC, DI Hong Kong Limited, Data Innovations, Data Innovations Canada Ltd., Data Innovations Cooperatief U.A., Data Innovations Europe S.A., Data Innovations LLC, Data Innovations Latin America Ltda, Dawning Technologies LLC, Deltek, Deltek Ajera Inc., Deltek Asia Pacific (HK) Limited, Deltek Australia Pty Ltd., Deltek Danmark A/S, Deltek France SAS, Deltek GB Limited, Deltek GmbH, Deltek Inc., Deltek Nederland B.V., Deltek Netherlands B.V., Deltek Norge AS, Deltek Sverige AB, Deltek Systems (Canada) Inc., Deltek Systems (Colorado) Inc., Deltek Systems (Philippines) Ltd., Deltek TNSCore Holdings LLC, Deltek WST LLC, Dominion I Inc., Duncan Technologies, Dynamco Inc., Dynamic Instruments Inc., Dynisco Enterprises GmbH, Dynisco Enterprises LLC, Dynisco Europe GmbH, Dynisco Holding GmbH, Dynisco Instruments LLC, Dynisco Instruments S.a.r.l., Dynisco LLC, Dynisco Parent Inc., Dynisco S.r.l., Dynisco Viatran LLC, Dynisco Viatran (M) Sdn Bhd, Dynisco-Viatran Instrument Sdn Bhd, EPSI, FMS Purchasing & Services Inc., FSI Holdings Inc., FTI Flow Technology Inc., Flow Technology, Fluid Metering, Fluid Metering Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink IT India Private Limited, Foundry, Foundry Visionmongers (Ireland) Limited, Freight Market Intelligence Consortium, Gatan, GeneInsight Inc., Getloaded Corporation, HRsmart Canada Inc., HRsmart France SAS, HRsmart Germany GmbH, HRsmart Inc., HRsmart International, HRsmart International Holdings LLC, HRsmart Mexico, HRsmart SA (Pty) Ltd., HRsmart Talent Management Solutions Europe Limited, HRsmart Ventures LLC, Handshake Software Inc., Handshake Software Inc., Hansco Automatisering B.V., Hansen Technologies, Hansen Technologies Corporation, Harbour Holding Corp., Hardy Process Solutions, Horizon Lab Systems LLC, Horizon Software International LLC, IDS, INPUT Inc., IPA Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., ISL Finance SAS, ISL Holding SAS, ISL Scientifique de Laboratorie - ISL S.A.S., Impact Financial Systems, Industrial Products Investment Company, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Inovonics Corporation, Instill Corporation, IntelliTrans Limited, Intellitrans LLC, Intellitrans Sweden AB, JLT Mobile Computers Inc., Job Access LTDA, Laser App Inc., Link Logistics Holding LLC, Loadlink Technologies Corporation, Logitech, Logitech Limited, Lumenera Corporation, MASD, MED Professional Services LLC, MEDTEC Inc., MEDTEC LLC, MHA Long Term Care Network Inc., MHA Long Term Care Services Inc., MIPS Austria GesmbH, MIPS Deutschland GmbH, MIPS France Sarl, MIPS Nederland B.V., MIPS Schweiz AG, MIPS Software Iberica SL, MPR Readers Inc., Managed Health Care Associates Inc., Media Cybernetics L.P., Medical Information Professional Systems NV, Medina Acquisition LLC, Metrix Instrument Co. L.P., NDI Europe GmbH, NDI Holding Corp., Navigator Group Purchasing Inc., Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Co., Neptune Technology Group Holdings Inc., Neptune Technology Group Inc., Neptune Technology Group Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Services Inc., Nippon Roper K.K., Northern Digital Inc., Omega Legal Systems Inc., On Center Software LLC, Onvia Inc., PAC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PAC Denmark ApS, PAC GmbH, PAC Instruments (Thailand) Company Limited, PAC Instruments Asia PTE. Ltd., PB Bidco Limited, PB Holdco Limited, PB Midco Limited, PB Topco Limited, PGP UK Limited, PMC/Beta, Petroleum Analyzer, Petroleum Analyzer Company L.P., Petrotech, Phase Analyzer Company Ltd., Photometrics, PowerPlan, PowerPlan Canada ULC, PowerPlan Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Inc., PowerPlan Intermediate Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Operations ANZ Pty Ltd, PowerPlan Operations Ltd., Princeton Instruments, Project Aloha Merger Sub Inc., Project Diamond Intermediate Holdings Corporation, Project Torque Intermediate Holdings Inc., Project Viking Holdings Inc., Project Viking Intermediate LLC, QSC 1208 Limited, QSC 1209 Limited, Quantitative Imaging Corporation, RF IDeas, RF IDeas Inc., RI Marketing India Private Limited, RIL Holding Limited, RMT Inc., RT Merger Sub Inc., Rebate Tracking Group LLC, Redlake Imaging Corporation, Resonant Software Inc., Roda Deaco Valve Inc., Roper Acquisitions Holdings Inc., Roper Brasil Comercio E Promocao De Productos E Servicos LTDA, Roper Canada Holdings LP, Roper Canada UK Limited, Roper Denmark UK Limited, Roper EUR Pte. Ltd., Roper Engineering s.r.o., Roper Europe GmbH, Roper GM Denmark Holdings ApS, Roper Germany GmbH, Roper Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Roper Holdings Limited, Roper IH LLC, Roper Industrial Products Investment Company, Roper Industries Denmark ApS, Roper Industries Deutschland GmbH, Roper Industries Inc., Roper Industries Limited, Roper Industries Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Roper Industries Mauritius Ltd., Roper Industries UK Limited, Roper International Holding Inc., Roper International Holding Limited, Roper International Holding SCS, Roper LLC, Roper Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Roper Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper NL1 UK Limited, Roper NL2 UK Limited, Roper Operations Company I LLC, Roper Operations Company II LLC, Roper Pte. Ltd., Roper Pump Company, Roper Scientific B.V., Roper Scientific SAS, Roper Scot LP, Roper Singapore Holding LLC, Roper Southeast Asia LLC, Roper Swiss Finance GmbH, Roper T1 LLC, Roper T1000 Corp., Roper T2 LLC, Roper Tech. Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper Technologies (Ireland) Limited, Roper Technologies (Scot) LP, Roper UK Investments Limited, Roper UK Ltd., Roper-Mex L.P., Ropintassco Holdings L.P., SHP Group Holdings Inc., SIRA LLC, Shanghai Roper Industries Trading Co. Ltd., Sinmed Holding International B.V., Societe de Distribution de Logiciels Medicaux, SoftWriters Inc., Softwriters Holdings, Softwriters Holdings Inc., Sohnar Pty Ltd, Star Purchasing Services LLC, Strata Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., Strata Decision Technologies LLC, Strata Decision Technology LLC, Strata Parallel II Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker 2 Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs L.L.C., Struers, Struers (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd., Struers A/S, Struers GmbH, Struers Inc., Struers K.K., Struers Limited, Struers SAS, Sunquest Europe Limited, Sunquest Holdings Inc., Sunquest Information Systems (Europe) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (India) Private Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (International) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems Inc., Sunquest Information Systems Pty Ltd, TLP Holdings LLC, Team TSI Corporation, Technolog Group Limited, Technolog Holdings Limited, Technolog Holdings Ltd., Technolog Limited, Technolog SARL, The CBORD Group Inc., The Foundry Topco No.2 Limited, The Foundry USCo Inc., The Foundry Visionmongers Ltd., The Tidewater Healthcare Shared Services Group Inc., The Washington Management Group Inc., Torque Acquisition Holdco Inc., Transcore Atlantic Inc., Transcore CNUS Inc., Transcore Holdings Inc., Transcore ITS LLC, Transcore LP, Transcore Nova Scotia Corporation, Transcore Partners LLC, Trinity Integrated Systems Limited, Trinity Integrated Systems Ltd., UHF Purchasing Services LLC, Union Square Software (International) Limited, Union Square Software Inc., Union Square Software Limited, Union Square Software Pty, United Controls Group Inc., Uson L.P., Uson Limited, Utilitec Limited, Utilitec Services Limited, Utility Data Services Limited, Verathon Canada Holdings Inc., Verathon Holdings (Delaware) Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Medical (Australia) Pty Limited, Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC, Verathon Medical (Europe) B.V., Verathon Medical (France) SARL, Verathon Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Verathon Medical (Japan) K.K., Verathon Medical (UK) Ltd., Vertafore, Vertafore Canada Inc., Vertafore Inc., Vertafore India Private Limited, Viastar Services LP, Viatran Corporation, WELIS, Walter Herzog GmbH, WorkBook APAC Ltd., Workbook Software A/S, Zetec (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zetec Canada Ltd., Zetec France, Zetec Inc., Zetec Korea Inc., Zetec Services Inc., iPipeline, iPipeline (TCP) Limited, iPipeline Canada Inc, iPipeline Co. Ltd., iPipeline Holdings Inc, iPipeline Inc, iPipeline Limited, iSqFt Holdings Inc., iSqFt Parent Corporation, iSqFt Sub Inc., iTradeNetwork Inc., and mySBX Corporation. Read More SCSK Corporation provides information technology (IT) services in Japan and internationally. It operates through six segments: Industrial IT Business, Financial IT Business, IT Business Solutions, IT Platform Solutions, IT Management Service, and Others. The Industrial IT Business segment offers various IT solutions comprising core systems, manufacturing management systems, information management systems, supply chain management systems, customer relationship management systems, e-commerce systems, and other systems for manufacturing, communication, and energy industries. This segment also develops embedded software for automotive industry. The Financial IT Business segment develops, maintains, and operates systems for banks and trust banks, as well as insurance, securities, lease, and credit companies. The IT Business Solutions segment provides contact center services; and application management outsourcing services that covers development, installation, maintenance, and operation of enterprise resource planning and CRM products, such as ProActive, SAP, Oracle, and Salesforce, as well as business process outsourcing services. The IT Platform Solutions segment provides services and products in the fields of IT infrastructure and manufacturing, including computer-aided design and engineering. The IT Management Service segment develops solutions-oriented netXDC data centers to provide outsourcing services; and provides cloud infrastructure, and on-site SE support management services. The Others segment performs remote development, software development, system operation and management, system equipment sales, and consulting services. The company was formerly known as Sumisho Computer Systems Corporation and changed its name to SCSK Corporation in October 2011. The company was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. SCSK Corporation is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation. YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France is making maximum efforts to restore humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh. In an interview with Le Point newspaper, Macron said France is doing everything possible in order for Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach an agreement allowing lasting peace. Asked to specify what actions his administration is taking in response to the Azeri blockade, described by the former ICC chief prosecutor as genocide through starvation, Macron said, Our diplomacy is clear, but now is not the time for diplomacy. I regret and condemn this blockade. Weve always said that we support the sovereignty of peoples. The Nagorno-Karabakh issue is a complicated matter. I cant repeat the strongest positions expressed over this issue. France has unambiguously condemned the 2020 war and has organized numerous humanitarian actions. Today we are doing everything possible in order for an agreement to be found between Armenia and Azerbaijan that would allow to establish lasting peace and protection of peoples and cultures. This peace treaty is a necessity, but it must comply with international law. Again asked on international experts conclusion that the Azeri actions constitute genocide, Macron said, Id refrain from using that wording so quickly. We are dealing with an unacceptable humanitarian situation, especially around Lachin Corridor. Frances role is to maintain the current pressure for humanitarian access and we are making our maximum efforts in this direction. In particular, we continue to present initiatives so that food and medication gets delivered to Nagorno-Karabakh and that free access gets maintained. Besides, today the state borders of Armenia are also threatened. TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services. The Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segment provides digital customer experience and digital-enablement transformation solutions, including artificial intelligence and content management solutions. The company was formerly known as TELUS Communications Inc. and changed its name to TELUS Corporation in February 2005. TELUS Corporation was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Vancouver, Canada. Ternium S.A., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, processes, and sells various steel products in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, the United States, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It operates through two segments, Steel and Mining. The Steel segment offers slabs, billets and round bars, hot rolled flat products, merchant bars, reinforcing bars, stirrups and rods, tin plate and galvanized products, tubes, beams, insulated panels, roofing and cladding, roof tiles, steel decks, pre-engineered metal building systems, and pig iron products; and sells energy. The Mining segment sells iron ore and pellets. The company also provides medical and social; scrap; and engineering and other services, as well as operates as a distribution company. It serves various companies and small businesses in the construction, automotive, home appliances, packaging, transport, and energy industries. The company was founded in 1961 and is based in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Ternium S.A. is a subsidiary of Techint Holdings S.a r.l. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products, as well as particleboards. The company also provides northern bleached softwood Kraft pulp and bleached chemical thermo-mechanical pulp used to produce various paper products, including printing and writing papers, paperboard products, tissue and towel products, and a variety of other paper grades. Its products are used in home construction, repair and remodeling, papers, tissue, and box materials, and industrial applications. The company sells its products to major retail chains, contractor supply yards, and wholesalers, as well as industrial customers for further processing or as components for other products in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and internationally. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. you are here: Abhishek Sahu covers HR and Education (Careers) at Moneycontrol. He can be reached at Abhishek.Sahu@nw18.com and @Abhishek44sahu. YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has been discussed at the United Nations in the context of the risks of atrocity crimes and the preventive mechanisms. Attended by delegations representing the UN Security Council Member States and stakeholders of multilateral humanitarian cooperation, the meeting featured presentation of the preliminary report by Former Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Professor of Human Rights Law of the American University (Washington, D.C.) Juan Mendez. Addressing the meeting, the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN Mher Margaryan highlighted that the deliberate infliction of dire humanitarian conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh constitutes an atrocity crime, which is already happening, including through the starvation of an entire population, who are being deprived of their basic human rights. Ambassador Margaryan recalled that, at the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which was convened at Armenias request on 16 August, the majority of the Councils member states reiterated the imperative of complying with the ICJ orders and ensuring free and unimpeded humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh. In his presentation, Professor Juan Mendez briefed the delegations on the origins of the mandate of the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the entrusted tasks, such as bringing the matters to the attention of the UN Security Council through the UN Secretary-General. Focusing on the prevention duty of the international community, Juan Mendez highlighted that the facts constitute sufficient reason to proffer an early warning to the international community that the population of Nagorno-Karabakh is at risk of suffering serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group as defined in Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. The lack of compliance with a binding interim measure issued by the ICJ to protect a population at risk is at least as severe an early warning than refusal to cooperate with judicial investigations, Professor Mendez concluded, pointing out to Azerbaijans defiance of the legally binding order of the International Court of Justice as an indication that necessitates the exercise of the UNs early warning and prevention capacities. The briefing was followed by a discussion, during which Professor Mendez and Ambassador Margaryan reflected on the questions and comments from the delegations. Below is an excerpt from Professor Mendezs report. In the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh I wish to point out the lack of compliance with the International Court of Justice binding order as an indicator that require early warning and offer opportunities to prevent a genocide. I focus my analysis in the prevention duty of the international community. The deliberate blockade of the Lachin Corridor, against the binding order of the International Court of Justice signal the high probability that the members of the group of Armenian living in Nagorno-Karabakh may in the near future suffer serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group (Article 2, paragraph b of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide). The excuses offered, the denial of the blockade and the offer of alternative roads to eventually provide food confirm Azerbaijans defiance of the ICJ order. As I understand them, the facts are: On November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia signed the Trilateral Statement ending the war between the first two countries and establishing special agreements regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. The Lachin corridor (5 km wide), which will ensure the communication between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armeniashall remain under the control of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation for five years. The Republic of Azerbaijan shall guarantee the safe movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo in both directions along the Lachin corridor. On February 22, 2023, the International Court of Justice ordered: The Republic of Azerbaijan shall, pending the final decision in the case and accordance with its obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. The order was reaffirmed on July 6, 2023. Instead of complying with the ICJ order Azerbaijan security forces have blocked the Lachin Corridor since March and since June have sealed off any channel connecting a group of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. The ICJ order put Azerbaijan on notice about the real and imminent risk created by the blockade to an Armenian groups health and life. Azerbaijan has ignored calls from the UN Secretary General, the US Secretary of State and the President of France to comply with the ICJ binding order and open the Lachin Corridor. In addition, Azerbaijan officers and experts are denying the facts and offering alternative roads to provide humanitarian assistance, thus confirming their refusal to comply with the ICJ orders. Under the circumstances, it is my considered opinion that the facts outlined above constitute sufficient reason to proffer an early warning to the international community that the population of Nagorno-Karabakh is at risk of suffering serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group (Article 2, paragraph b of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide). The state parties of the Genocide Convention are committed to prevent the crime, and the international community should exercise its responsibilities to protect that population. I am guided in this conclusion by the jurisprudential precedent adopted by the International Court of Justice in Bosnia v. Serbia regarding the obligation to prevent genocide under the 1948 Convention. In that case, the ICJ established that all States have responsibilities to prevent genocide. Those responsibilities are highest in cases where a State is in a position to influence the situation decisively, because of geographic proximity, cultural or political links to the actors on the ground, control of territory and means of communication and transportation, and so on. In the case of Srebrenica, the ICJ found that Serbia had violated its obligation to prevent genocide, among other factors, because it had refused to cooperate with judicial inquiries. By way of analogy, lack of compliance with a binding interim measure issued by the ICJ precisely to protect a population at risk is at least as severe an early warning than refusal to cooperate with judicial investigations. Harsh Kumar is Correspondent at Moneycontrol based in Delhi. Harsh covers BFSI sector. You can reach him at Harsh.kumar@nw18.com Ukraine attempted to commit a terrorist attack against Russia with the use of drones, Tass informs, citing the Russian Defense Ministry. August 25, 2023, 09:20 Ukraine attempted to attack Russia by drones at night Russian Defense Ministry STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: "Air Defense aids detected forty two unmanned aerial vehicles. As a result of the fire effect over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, nine drones were detected and 33 drones were suppressed by radio electronic warfare aids and crashed without reaching the target," the ministry said. Kiev used fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles for the attempt to make terrorist attacks at night, the defense ministry added. Mehul R Thakkar is Special Correspondent, Moneycontrol, Indias leading financial news platform, based in Mumbai where he is focussed on covering the real estate sector. Souptik Datta Reports real estate, infra and city in Bengaluru. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat. On August 25, ten patients from the Republican Medical Center of Artsakh Republic were transported to specialized medical institutions of Armenia for urgent specialized medical care, with accompanying persons as well as the mediation and escorting by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), informs the Artsakh Republic Ministry of Health. August 25, 2023, 12:26 10 patients from Artsakh transferred to Armenia medical centers STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: And eight patients, who had been transferred to Armenia for medical treatment within the framework of state funding, are expected to return to Artsakh during the day with ICRC vehicles, and together with their accompanying persons. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day August 25, 2023 / 05:20 PM IST -- 13.5 crore people have come out of multidimensional poverty in the last five years and that is no mean feat -- As many as 56 ministries using DBT in some form or the other -- Globally, people expected a humanitarian crisis in India due to the pandemic, but the govt, industry, and society came together, leading to a very different outcome -- Upward revision of Indias GDP growth is not surprising either. India has grown at 6-7 percent before as well, but we have never grown at this level in the midst of a global slowdown. Therefore, there is all the more reason for optimism. Russian air defense systems operate quite effectively in repulsing Ukrainian drone attacks, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. August 25, 2023, 18:25 Russian air defenses effective in repulsing Ukrainian drone attacks Kremlin STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: "This activity was before as well. All the relevant air defense systems operate quite effectively," the Russian presidential spokesman said, responding to a question about whether the Kremlin and the head of state, in particular, were worried about increasingly frequent Ukrainian drone attacks. This activity is actually terrorist activity because "in most cases it simply targets residential buildings and residential sites," Peskov pointed out. The specifics of repulsing such attacks "do not always allow avoiding some minor damage," he added. "Nonetheless, we have to acknowledge that air defenses and all the relevant protection systems work effectively," the Russian presidential spokesman said. "The special military operation will continue to rule out this terrorist threat in the future," the Kremlin spokesman stressed. In response to a question about how the Kremlin reacted to the Kiev regimes attempts to attack Crimea, Peskov noted: "This is the terrorist activity we spoke about." "This threat is relevant for Crimea as well. Necessary measures are being taken there. That is why, we need to continue the special military operation so that our territories are not confronted with this threat," Peskov said. Andreas Kluth is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering European politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. KP Nayar has extensively covered West Asia and reported from Washington as a foreign correspondent for 15 years. Views are personal. David Wilcox Executive editor Follow David Wilcox Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Getting to Aurora Brewing Co. used to mean going out of your way. The brewery's original Ledyard taproom, overlooking Cayuga Lake since 2015, is 30 minutes from Auburn and 30 minutes from Ithaca. Most of its customers travel at least that long for a pint or two. Meanwhile, Aurora has been winning fans from afar by distributing and, for a time, directly shipping its hazy IPAs, heavily fruited sours and other styles ranging from the traditional to the experimental. Last week, the Cayuga County brewery learned just how many fans it has won when it opened a second taproom somewhere people don't have to go out of their way to get to: the Rochester hamlet of Bushnell's Basin. Located along the Erie Canal and between the bustling suburbs of Perinton, Victor and Pittsford, the hamlet alone has more than five times as many people as the village of Aurora. Aurora co-owner Mark Grimaldi told The Citizen that customers have been calling, messaging and even coming through the doors of the new location, previously Seven Story Brewing, for months. "We can't believe how many fans we actually have that we didn't really know about. A lot of them didn't travel down to Aurora that much," he said. "People are hungry for our beer and that's awesome." If you go WHAT: Aurora Brewing Co. WHERE: 604 Pittsford Victor Road, Bushnell's Basin; and 1897 Route 90, Ledyard WHEN: Bushnell's Basin: Open 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 2 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays; Ledyard: Open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays INFO: Visit brewaurora.com or facebook.com/aurorabrewco Grimaldi said he and Aurora co-owner Joe Shelton had been looking to open a second location for years. After sharing that intention with Rochester beer writer Will Cleveland in a March interview, they learned about the opportunity to lease the former Seven Story. The remodeled farmhouse-style building and hamlet are "beautiful," Grimaldi continued, in addition to seeing robust foot and vehicle traffic. The Bushnell's Basin location has 10 taps of Aurora beer, plus a Czech side-pull faucet that gives the brewery's lagers a foamier head. Grimaldi, Shelton and their team are not producing any beer there, but they will bring fresh kegs from Ledyard every week. They also plan beer releases exclusive to that location. Rounding out the beverage menu are wines, cocktails, ciders and nonalcoholic options. Food is limited to snacks for now, but that menu will expand to small plates and, eventually, a kitchen if the space can fit one. Adding lunch and dinner six days a week to Aurora's Ledyard taproom has business "absolutely cranking" there, Grimaldi noted. Until then, he and Shelton will consider hosting food trucks in Bushnell's Basin, and customers are encouraged to have takeout delivered there. The Aurora owners have even more ambitious plans for outside. If the necessary permits can be obtained, this spring they hope to open a large canalside area with fire pits, picnic tables and Adirondack chairs. Bands could play at a nearby dock, and a tap shack could serve customers beer without them having to walk back to the taproom. As Grimaldi knows all too well, such travel can be discouraging. "We're really happy to be in this area," he said. "It's a nice addition to our business and the people have been overwhelmingly positive." Frustration, then fun: New taproom highlights Aurora Brewing's top-to-bottom renovation LEDYARD Adding a kitchen to Aurora Brewing Co. accidentally set in motion a six-figure renovation project that made its owners reconsider st Gallery: Aurora Brewing Co. opens second location in Rochester area Nearly three years after cashless tolling went live, the New York State Thruway reached a milestone. The Thruway Authority announced Friday that 1 billion transactions have been processed since the superhighway converted from a ticketed system to cashless tolling in November 2020. With cashless tolling in effect, the Thruway Authority said the 1 billion transactions account for 17.4 billion miles traveled and $2.1 billion in revenue. The state's transition to a cashless tolling system on the Thruway began in March 2020. Toll booths were replaced by steel gantries equipped with cameras. The final gantry was installed in August 2020 and the system went live that year. "Cashless tolling saves time for our motorists, is better for the environment and enhances safety at previously congested toll plazas," said Frank Hoare, interim executive director of the Thruway Authority. "Reaching 1 billion successful transactions is an incredible milestone and it would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our employees day in and day out." A vast majority of the cashless tolling transactions (87%) are E-ZPass users. Those who don't have E-ZPass are mailed a bill. Collecting unpaid tolls has been a challenge for the Thruway Authority. An audit by the state comptroller's office found more than $276 million in unpaid tolls, including $119 million owed by out-of-state drivers. One way the Thruway Authority has sought to collect the tolls is by resuming its registration suspension program. Since restarting the program last year, the state Department of Motor Vehicles has suspended 1,640 registrations for unpaid Thruway tolls. The Thruway has collected $4.5 million from nearly 4,000 motorists who were referred to the DMV. The Thruway Authority has identified more than 325,000 motorists who could have their registrations suspended if they don't pay their tolls, nearly three-quarters of whom owe less than $500. The cashless tolling milestone comes as the Thruway Authority is planning to increase toll prices next year. Tolls for New York E-ZPass users would increase by 5% in 2024 and another 5% in 2027. Out-of-state drivers using E-ZPass or tolls by mail would pay a 75% higher toll than in-state E-ZPass users. Public hearings were held and the Thruway Authority is expected to vote on the proposal later this year. Assemblywoman Sarah Clark was an aide to U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand when the idea to designate the Finger Lakes region as a national heritage area was born. Clark, who attended Gillibrand's event in Romulus announcing the introduction of a bill to establish the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area, recalled meeting with stakeholders from across the Finger Lakes region. The purpose of those meetings was to determine how to "create a community-led, stakeholder-led umbrella organization," she said. The product was a bill sponsored by Gillibrand requiring the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study. After the legislation was signed into law in 2019, the agency began working on the study. COVID-19 disrupted that work, but the National Park Service issued its final report in July. The agency concluded the Finger Lakes region meets the criteria for a national heritage area designation. The criteria included "an assemblage of natural, historic and cultural resources" and a territory that "reflects traditions, customs, beliefs and folklife that are a valuable part of the national story." What is a national heritage area? President Ronald Reagan signed the law that created the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Area in 1984. This was the first of 62 national heritage areas, including four Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Maurice Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in New York. A national heritage area, Gillibrand explained, is a "lived-in landscape." It differs from a national park, where land is usually acquired and a site is operated by the National Park Service. "They promote public-private partnerships to leverage funds to secure sustainable long-term economic, environmental and educational support," Gillibrand said. The designation would not affect businesses and farms in the region. One of the main objectives of a national heritage area is to boost tourism. Fourteen counties would be part of the national heritage area Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates. Karen Kuhl, Cayuga County's tourism director, told The Citizen that a national heritage area designation "is of significant importance for the entire Finger Lakes region, including Cayuga County and all our assets." "Being granted the official designation of national heritage area is an essential next step in our mission to preserve the Finger Lakes' history and natural habitat," she said. Management entity When the National Park Service conducted its study, a management entity a group that would oversee the national heritage area was identified. The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, which is based in Penn Yan, was founded in 1919. The organization's mission, according to its website, is to "lead tourism economic growth and development through exemplary promotion of the Finger Lakes region as a world class destination." Meghan Lawton, president and CEO of the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, is excited about the potential national heritage area designation. "We're already a strong destination for the tourist market," she told The Citizen. "We're a strong destination for business, for conservation, all of those items. This will continue to elevate the region." If Congress approves Gillibrand's bill and it's signed into law, Lawton explained that the alliance will have three years to develop its management plan for then national heritage area. Management entities typically have 15-year terms to oversee national heritage areas. The planning process will answer some questions about the national heritage area, including the organization's structure and whether to build a visitor center. But that has to wait until the bill becomes law. Gillibrand In May, an environmental group, Seneca Lake Guardian, questioned Gillibrand's commitment to the region, in part, because the Finger Lakes was not yet a national heritage area. The criticism omitted a key fact that the National Park Service had not completed the feasibility study. Up to that point, Gillibrand had done her part. She introduced the bill to commission the study and ushered it through Congress. She was, like everyone else involved in the process, awaiting the final study to take the next step. When the study was released in July, she told The Citizen that she would sponsor a bill to formally establish the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area. "I look forward to continuing the work with the National Park Service, Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance and other local leaders to get this done and help draw visitors to this world-class destination and highlight the breathtaking beauty and natural resources of the Finger Lakes region," she said. On Aug. 14, at Buttonwood Grove Winery in Seneca County, Gillibrand announced she would introduce the bill when the U.S. Senate returns in September. "Because of the clear importance of the Finger Lakes region in our state, I have been working since 2015 to designate it as a national heritage area," she said. "This designation would help protect and conserve the region's cultural, historic and natural resources, and it would help boost tourism while bringing more funding and support for heritage conservation and economic development." Gillibrand called the process "a long and arduous fight," but added she is "grateful that we are very close to the finish line." What's next? Few bills move quickly through Congress. It took four years for Gillibrand's bill to study the Finger Lakes national heritage area designation to be signed into law. Gillibrand is hopeful, though, that it won't take as long this time. She wants this bill to be approved in the current Congress, which runs through 2024. To achieve that goal, she is working to build a bipartisan coalition for the national heritage area legislation. When she introduced the study bill, former U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican, carried it in the House. "We had bipartisan support last time, so I'm hopeful we will have bipartisan support again," Gillibrand said. A bipartisan effort will be critical to the bill's success. While Gillibrand is part of the Senate Democratic majority, Republicans control the House. The counties that would be part of the national heritage area are mostly represented by Republican members of Congress. One way to expedite the process would be to attach the bill to a larger legislative package. That's how the study bill became law. The measure was included in a natural resources bill that Congress approved and former President Donald Trump signed in 2019. Gallery: Life in the Finger Lakes in Cayuga County When 13-year-old Joseph Wade Czyz was located after a two-day search in Owasco last week, relief quickly gave way to questions. Why were police bloodhounds and a helicopter being used to find this local youth but few, if any, of the others who go missing? And how did the teen manage to enter Owasco Elementary School and elude searchers from under their noses for almost two days? The answers, The Citizen has found, involve several unique and unlikely circumstances. Among them, Joseph "basically just disappeared without a trace," Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck said. When most youths go missing, authorities have reason to believe they ran away to a friend's home or another familiar destination. But Joseph's disappearance was so unique, Schenck told The Citizen, because he didn't have a history of running away. The teen didn't have a cellphone, either. His parents, Joshua and Rachel Czyz, posted on Facebook that he didn't even take any of his shoes. "If we had evidence to suggest he was a runaway or he had a place to go, certainly he wouldn't have gotten that much attention," the sheriff said. "It was just a unique situation." Without any indication that Joseph was intentionally hiding, as authorities would learn when they found him, they had to consider the possibility he was a victim of abduction or another form of foul play. That's why, after he went missing from his family's Owasco home the night of Monday, Aug. 14, Schenck's office was joined by a New York State Police K-9 unit to canvass the neighborhood the next day. As the search intensified, the missing teen received significant interest on social media. The Facebook post from the sheriff's office announcing the disappearance was shared more than 5,000 times. While that interest led hundreds of volunteers to help with the search, Schenck stressed that it did not influence the search itself nor did Joshua Czyz's role as chaplain for the sheriff's office. "(That) did not trigger a different response than would have been given for any other child missing under the same circumstances," Schenck said. That Wednesday, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office's Air 1 helicopter swept the area as Cayuga County Highland Search and Rescue and others searched and handed out fliers. But it was the criminal investigation division of Schenck's office that traced Joseph to Owasco Elementary that evening, the sheriff said, by determining he was accessing the internet from a school in the Auburn district. "Being in that area, we went to search the school for him, and sure enough we found him," Schenck said. "Looking back, people might say that was a lot of resources to find a kid who wasn't very far from his own house when he was found, but we didn't know that at the time. ... Had we found that he did in fact meet foul play, or was being held against his will, would the question be did we do enough?" Joseph entered Owasco Elementary by jimmying a window, Auburn Enlarged City School District Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo told The Citizen. A security camera recorded him working on the window's lock for about five minutes before breaking it. But the school's alarm system was disarmed at the time due to capital projects underway there, including an upgrade to that very alarm system. For the same reason, Pirozzolo continued, the teen's presence in the halls for two days didn't set off any motion sensors. No staff was at the school on those days, either, because the county sheriff's office was holding a school resource officer training. If the janitors were there, the superintendent said, they likely would have spotted the food wrappers Joseph left in the teacher's lounge. "I don't want people breaking into our buildings. But at least the school provided an environment that kept him safe," Pirozzolo said. "I'm just so glad it was a happy ending." Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China's domestic passenger vehicle ("PV") retail sales are anticipated to reach 1.85 million units in August 2023, which should edge down 1.3% from the previous year, but still climbed 4.7% from the previous month, according to the China Passenger Car Association ("CPCA"). Of the PVs retailed in China in July, around 700,000 units were expected to be new energy vehicles (NEVs, referring to battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), representing a 9.2% growth month-on-month and a 31.5% jump year-on-year, and also indicating a 37.8% penetration rate. For clarity, the passenger vehicles mentioned here are all locally produced on the Chinese mainland. Nonetheless, the automotive market has had to navigate the challenges posed by extreme rainfall in parts of Northern and Northeastern China at the end of July and the beginning of August. This led to a minor 0.8% year-on-year dip in daily average sales during the first week of August, with a daily average of 40,100 units. The subsequent weeks saw a gradual market recovery, reaching a daily average of 49,100 units by the second week, showcasing a 12.6% year-on-year surge. In the third week, the growth rate steadied, with a daily average of 51,900 units, reflecting a 2.9% year-on-year increase. Looking ahead, the post-"818 Shopping Festival" deliveries in the fourth week are expected to stimulate the market slightly, raising the daily average to an estimated 60,700 units, marking a 4.4% year-on-year rise. The fifth week, however, is projected to see a daily average of 128,200 units, signifying a 14.7% decline compared to the same period last year. Recent findings from the China Automobile Dealers Association indicate a comprehensive inventory coefficient of 1.70 in July, indicating a substantial 25.9% month-on-month and 17.2% year-on-year increase. As dealers prepared for the high-temperature break in August, their efforts contributed to a marginal rise in overall inventory levels. The third quarter remains a pivotal juncture for manufacturers as they strived to fulfill their annual targets. With the continuation of incentives from various manufacturers in August, bolstered by car expos and the "818 Shopping Festival," the supply side of the market remains robust. Furthermore, the surge in sales of newly introduced products in the new energy vehicle market, coupled with an increasing number of second-half launches, provides strong support for the market in August and beyond, said the association. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- At the Chengdu Motor Show 2023 that kicked off today, BYD, a prominent Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) automaker, opened blind pre-orders for its first model under the FANGCHENGBAO (literally meaning "Formula Leopard") brand, the BAO 5. Photo credit: BYD The company has disclosed that the price range for this model is set between 300,000 and 400,000 yuan. What's more, customers participating in the blind pre-orders are entitled to the following pioneer benefits: Deposit Deduction: An upfront deposit of 1,000 yuan can be deducted from the vehicle cost by 3,000 yuan. Optional Accessories Fund: An 8000 yuan fund for optional accessories is gifted to customers. Photo credit: BYD Positioned as an ultra-hybrid rugged SUV, the BAO 5 is crafted on BYD's DMO super hybrid off-road platform. Its sculpted body design resonates with its rugged off-road identity, while the electric current matrix headlights and electrode loop taillight design further underscore its hybrid positioning. In terms of power, the BAO 5 benchmarks against models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It incorporates BYD's DiSus intelligent vehicle body control system. This includes a dual-motor and three differential locks, with the additional feature of a longitudinally mounted engine. Relying on the DMO platform, the model's total power can exceed 500kW, with a peak torque of 760Nm, and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds. In terms of range, the BAO 5 can achieve a CLTC-rated range of 125 km on battery power alone. It can charge from 30% to 80% of its battery capacity in just 16 minutes. With a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery, the vehicle's comprehensive range can exceed 1,200 km. Additionally, the model supports 20 kW stationary charging, 6kW AC vehicle-to-vehicle charging, and 6kW V2L (vehicle-to-load) discharge. A room at D.L. Perez Elementary School in Yigo where kindergarten students attended classes on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Leaders of U.S. territories and the freely associated states testify during a congressional heanng held by the House Cimmittee on Natural Resources at the Hilton Resort and Spa Guam on Thursday. The logo of Google LLC is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a branch office in Bern, Switzerland October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo Every so often, an action movie starring the ever-working Liam Neeson can be good for the soul. These silly but often entertaining flicks powered mainly by the engaging Northern Irish actor offering up growling line reads between punches, kicks and exchanges of gunfire arent exactly as nourishing as chicken soup, but they can be filling all the same. In theaters this week, Retribution is likely to give your soul indigestion. A remake of the 2015 Spanish movie of the same name, this action thriller helmed by Nimrod Antal (Predators) has a decent enough premise, Neeson portraying a man being forced to drive a car with a bomb under his seat while his son and daughter reside in the back of the vehicle. However, the screenplay, by Christopher Salmanpour (FBI: Most Wanted), is rough to the point of distraction, and all the growling in the world cant overcome that issue. We meet Neesons Matt Turner, an American banker living with his wife and kids in Berlin, working a heavy bag. (After all, as this movie soon will relegate Neeson to an automobile, we MUST see Neeson punch something or what even is the point?) Matts wife, Heather portrayed by Embeth Davidtz, whose credits include Schindlers List, the 1993 Steven Spielberg-directed Academy Award-winning Holocaust drama that earned Neeson an Oscar in what feels like another lifetime clearly is frustrated with him. She wants him to drive the children to school this morning, but, as usual, hes distracted by work. Soon enough and with some effort Matt has mouthy teenage son Zach (Jack Champion, Avatar: The Way of Water) and younger daughter Emily (Lilly Aspell, Wonder Woman) packed into his new luxury car. Next, a phone rings. It isnt his and, as he learns, it also doesnt belong to Zach or Emily. He answers it, and the modulated voice on the other end of the call tells him of the bomb situated underneath him and that if he hangs up, bits of pieces of him will be found in trees all the way to Austria. Using an earpiece to talk to his mystery assailant, Matt initially tries to keep the truth of the situation from the kids but is able to maintain the illusion that all is well going for only so long, as he continues to receive instructions on where to drive the car and more. The viewer has reason to suspect this puppet master wants revenge on Matt for losing him or her money its been a down year for his firm but were also given hints things are not that simple. As highly unpleasant events begin to happen around him, evidence points to Matt being the one responsible for them. That certainly seems to be the belief of a colleague at his firm, Anders (Matthew Modine, directed by Antal in two 2022 episodes of Netflixs Stranger Things), to whom the manipulated Matt is giving money-moving instructions. Eventually, Noma Dumezweni (The Undoing) shows up as Europol agent Angela Brickmann, who continues to suggest Matt let his kids out of the car despite his insistence that doing so will set off an explosive device. Thats representative of the major issue with Retribution: It constantly feels as though one character isnt actually absorbing what another has said to him or her. Take, for instance, at one point the antagonist instructing Matt to look in his cars glove compartment and our hero responding with enough astounded disbelief at the order that youd have thought hed just been commanded to perform brain surgery with a butter knife. Antals work from the directors chair is fine, never allowing the affair to become stagnant. However, like Neeson, he is unable to lift Retribution given the anchor that is the script. The Spanish movie has been described as Speed meets Locke. Thats apt for this version, too, with the understanding it is neither as silly-fun as the 1994 thriller starring Keanu Reeves nor as engrossing as the 2013 drama that benefits from a terrific performance by Tom Hardy. Counted among the new movies producers are Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman, who also worked on 2014s Non-Stop and 2018s The Commuter, two relatively entertaining action thrillers that also saw Neeson starring as a man in motion. In the production notes for Retribution, they refer to the three movies as an unofficial trilogy. Its a bummer the trilogy closer runs out of fuel so quickly. Even this many empty calories will take you only so far. Every storyteller knows heroes need origin stories. Superman came from Planet Krypton. Erika Alexander came from northern Arizona. Alexander is an actress, writer, producer, director and co-founder of the production company Color Farm Media. She introduced herself with this comparison to the iconic DC character. An artist of color, Alexander has lived a life steeped in stories and storytelling, and shes proud to say her own story begins in first Winslow, then Flagstaff. I start every story telling people how I was born and where I was born and what it was like to be there. I think it informs a lot of who I am, Alexander said. Long before she starred beside Queen Latifah in the 1990s sitcom "Living Single," Alexander was a kid playing with her siblings in the shadow of the San Francisco Peaks. I was born in Winslow and after a few years my family moved to Flagstaff, where I stayed up until seventh grade, and then we moved to Philadelphia, but I am a northern Arizona girl as far as Im concerned, Alexander said. Her mother was an educator, and her father was an itinerant preacher. Alexanders family lived in a hotel on Route 66 in Winslow before they moved to Flagstaff. This weekend, the street where that hotel was located will be officially renamed Erika Alexander Way in her honor. A block party celebration set for Sunday has brought Alexander back to northern Arizona. When she was in middle school, Alexanders fathers connection to the Flagstaff German Lutheran community would open the door to a seminary school program in Philadelphia that moved the family east where Alexanders acting talents were discovered. Alexander was 14 when an independent film, "My Little Girl," put out a casting call in Philadelphia. She remembers trying out for the role, and when the smoke cleared she was cast as Joan in the 1986 film. When I was discovered at 14 I had just barely left Arizona. I think the reason why I stuck out at all was that I was different than all of the other little girls that were there. I had more of a quiet nature. I had a more independent and free-thinking mind," Alexander said. "I also was an oddball. I wasnt the person that you might find in film or television. I wasnt standing out with a huge personality, but I had tons of personality. I think when you do film and television, its your quiet nature and what grounds you is what pushes you forward in film." She believes she was more grounded because of a childhood she describes as free range, before it was a thing. She remembers chatting with horny toads, walking to school and running through fields of sunflowers. She recalls the taste of flavors of fry bread and sauerkraut, the sounds of powwows, and dark skies filled with stars. Those memories grounded her. I went into that audition thinking theres no way theyre going to pick me. Theyre going to look right past me. The thing that made me me is exactly what they were looking for. I think thats because I grew up in Arizona, Alexander said. After that first film, Alexanders career as an actress was go for launch. She toured with the Royal Shakespeare Theater and worked on film, TV and some miniseries. She was acting in an off-Broadway production in New York City when she was spotted by Camille Cosby or so the story goes. Im told she told Bill Cosby about me. Next thing I know, he created the role of cousin Pam for me, Alexander said. By the time she was 23, she was strutting on screen in an orchid purple skirt suit as Maxine Shaw, Attorney at Law in "Living Single." The show premiered 30 years ago this week. Her career is filled with notable performances in films such as "De Ja Vu," "Get Out" and "Wu-Tang: An American Saga." As shes grown as an actress, she says her identity and sense of self have been a guiding star. In film ... youre 10 times bigger than you are [in person], so to be big is not necessarily the thing, but to be quiet and have a sense of self and be able to receive and listen is the thing that makes people film capable and compatible. I have that in spades, but I didnt know that, Alexander said. She found that she was different because of her upbringing in Arizona. Powwows and the things I learned about culture before I even knew it was a thing -- there was this sense that beyond my color, how I think or how I talk, there are things that inform me. Arizona is one of those things. Hopi and Navajo culture is one of those things. Mexican culture is one of those things. Being part of the German Lutheran Church was one of those things, Alexander said. This week, she has returned to Flagstaff for a series of events organized in part by Flagstaff's Lived Black Experience Project. On Saturday morning, shell be leading a youth acting workshop for young people ages 14-18 at the Hal Jensen Recreation Center in Sunnyside. I started when I was younger. I can talk about being a teenage actor, as well as leading into an actor thats quite a bit older and also being an actor of color," Alexander said. "Right now, we have all kinds of things happening in film and television, but I think people need to know were looking for you. Whatevers making you different -- whether its your disability, your age, the way you think -- is exactly what the world needs. Alexanders career isnt just about acting. As the co-founder of Color Farm Media, shes made documentaries such as "Good Trouble," which is about Georgia Congressman and civil rights pioneer John Lewis; "The Big Payback," about Sheila Jackson Lee and Americas first tax-funded reparations bill; and the true-crime podcast "Finding Tamika" about missing black women and girls and the way that mainstream media handles their cases. We are so glad we have that as our calling card to talk about activism, storytelling, centering on marginalized communities, women, people of color. Trying to say that inside the new world of media and the new face of media, were going to have to have a more diverse conversation and were going to have to have storytellers of all types to tell the human story. Thats what Color Farm Media is about, Alexander said. She was set for a Friday screening of "The Big Payback" on the Northern Arizona University campus. Its a big deal to say were going to be coming back and having a homecoming to talk about what it is to have grown up in Arizona. But also to then show the world the types of stories that were making and have the screening? I dont think it gets any better, Alexander said. Alexander told the Arizona Daily Sun shes thrilled to be back in northern Arizona, describing the diverse people and landscapes as critical in shaping the person she is. This is a big deal. I am very honored. My family is honored. My mother is coming with us. My brother, who is a Philadelphia police officer, and his three daughters and wife are coming. He went to Coconino High School, she said. The filmmaker will cap off her trip to Flagstaff with a tea party celebrating her mother on Sunday. After a trip to the Grand Canyon, shell be back to her work in storytelling. I do think my success and the things that make me different are because people cant quite put their finger on what it is that makes me different, and I say its because Im from Arizona. Its because Im from a place where you dont have an idea of who I am or what I am, but I do. I know who I am. I am fry bread. I am powwows. I am sauerkraut. I am all these things. They are mixed in me -- a true melting pot, yet coming from the mouth and the face of this little black girl," Alexander said. "I love that I defied the odds and defied gravity. I believe the mountains and Arizona help me defy gravity. It helps me to be centered. It gives me courage to move forward. For a full schedule of events Alexander will attend this weekend, visit colorfarmmedia.com/arizona. College students returned to Flagstaff campuses this week, with Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Coconino Community College (CCC) both scheduled to start classes next Monday. "Please get engaged and be involved on campus, talk to your faculty members, ask questions in class," Eric Heiser, CCC's new president, advised in a video welcoming new students. "Remember, we're here to see you succeed." Close A group of students cross the street in front of Cline Library Thursday afternoon on the Northern Arizona University campus, one of many large groups of students getting oriented with school in preparation for the 2023-2024 academic year. Thursday marked the beginning of the move-in weekend. Kelly Harris (left) and Sean Harris (middle) help Dylan Elsasser move into his freshman dorm room Thursday afternoon at Northern Arizona University as Elsasser prepares to begin his first year of college. Evan and Robert Blanton push a cart full of dorm room necessities across South Knoles Drive Thursday afternoon on the Northern Arizona University campus during the move-in period, assisting their sister and daughter as she moves into her freshman lodgings. Andy Hornburg throws Frisbee with a friend at one of NAU's quads Thursday afternoon during the move-in period for the upcoming school year. NAU's campus welcomes students and their parents Thursday afternoon as students move back into dorms and prepare to begin the 2023-2024 academic year. A group of friends play a game of volleyball Thursday afternoon at one of NAU's courts during move-in weekend. One parent's vehicle parked in the Knoles parking garage at NAU boasts a message alluding to tuition pricing Thursday afternoon as move-in week continues on campus, making a play on the trend of bachelorette parties and road-trippers advertising their digital cash apps for assistance. The Northern Arizona University campus is packed with students and their parents Thursday afternoon as students move into dorms and prepare to begin the academic year. Roads on NAU's campus are congested with traffic Thursday afternoon as students and their families arrive to move students into dorms. Gallery: College students flock to Northern Arizona University for move-in week Colleges students are flocking to Flagstaff during move-in week. A group of students cross the street in front of Cline Library Thursday afternoon on the Northern Arizona University campus, one of many large groups of students getting oriented with school in preparation for the 2023-2024 academic year. Thursday marked the beginning of the move-in weekend. Kelly Harris (left) and Sean Harris (middle) help Dylan Elsasser move into his freshman dorm room Thursday afternoon at Northern Arizona University as Elsasser prepares to begin his first year of college. Evan and Robert Blanton push a cart full of dorm room necessities across South Knoles Drive Thursday afternoon on the Northern Arizona University campus during the move-in period, assisting their sister and daughter as she moves into her freshman lodgings. Andy Hornburg throws Frisbee with a friend at one of NAU's quads Thursday afternoon during the move-in period for the upcoming school year. NAU's campus welcomes students and their parents Thursday afternoon as students move back into dorms and prepare to begin the 2023-2024 academic year. A group of friends play a game of volleyball Thursday afternoon at one of NAU's courts during move-in weekend. One parent's vehicle parked in the Knoles parking garage at NAU boasts a message alluding to tuition pricing Thursday afternoon as move-in week continues on campus, making a play on the trend of bachelorette parties and road-trippers advertising their digital cash apps for assistance. The Northern Arizona University campus is packed with students and their parents Thursday afternoon as students move into dorms and prepare to begin the academic year. Roads on NAU's campus are congested with traffic Thursday afternoon as students and their families arrive to move students into dorms. In a convocation speech Monday, NAU President Jose Luis Cruz Rivera, after listing the universitys achievements in the previous year, highlighted academic momentum as a theme for the coming school year. The likelihood of a full-time student earning a degree in a timely manner is significantly shaped by the number of units they attempt and accrue -- or earn -- during their freshman year and beyond, he said. In the context of postsecondary value, academic momentum is especially important as the ability of a student to recoup the costs of their education -- including foregoing salary while they are studying -- is heightened the shorter the time is til the degree. He said ways the university could focus on this goal included encouraging dual enrollment in high school, increasing the number of students earning 30 or more credits a year by at least 10% over the next three years (he said university data showed first-year cohorts who meet this number of credits were about 30% more likely to enroll in a second year) and other high-impact practices. We must preserve our students potential and prioritize our efforts and service for their success, he said. We must look for opportunities to streamline their curriculum and redesign our courses. We must ensure there are sufficient course offerings to accommodate student demand." He added: "We must commit to a high level of engagement to leverage what our students value most about NAU. NAU has a goal of awarding more than 100,000 credentials by 2035 -- which Cruz Rivera said the aforementioned efforts would help achieve. Moving in Thursday was the first day of move-in weekend for NAUs 2023-2024 school year. Despite occasional rain, campus sidewalks were filled with students catching up with their friends and families helping push carts full of belongings to unload into dorm rooms. Freshman roommates Cassie Velarde and Caroline Creed had just come from their dorm, which they said was already unpacked and ready for the coming year. Velarde is from Tucson, while Creed is from Las Vegas and theyd spoken a bit over the summer. Both said move-in had been "nice" so far, and Velarde said she was surprised by the size of the campus. Id like to join a club or just get involved, Creed said of her hopes for the year. Same, Velarde said. Have a routine. Freshman Mariana Lanza was walking the campus with her parents, Cathy and Robert Lanza, early in the afternoon, having already unpacked her belongings. Shes from Tucson and said she chose NAU to escape the heat. She said she was still exploring what she wanted to study, and that her plans for the year were to work hard, mostly. Its far enough, but not too far away, Robert said of the Mountain Campus. We're going to give her space to learn to be independent, Cathy said, adding that she hoped Mariana can enjoy [college] and shell like being here at NAU, and shell find a study that she likes, work hard and graduate. Another freshman, Gabriella Kveton, was also with her parents Thursday, though shed arrived on Tuesday to unpack a little early. Its been good, she said of moving in. It was definitely a lot less busy on Tuesday. It was really easy with the bins. She plans to study biomedical science, with the goal of one day becoming a pharmacist. Coming from Phoenix, Kveton also said she chose NAU because of the climate. It has better weather. Its not as hot, she said, adding that so far Flagstaff had been meeting those expectations. Its been a good process so far," said her mom, Kristin Kveton. Its a beautiful campus, shes in a great dorm. The hope for college is just to pass." I hope she gets to make a lot of new friendships," Kristin said, "and that she finds a path for herself that feels like its the right fit. Blood Bank of Sonora View Photo Sonora, CA The Sonora Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center located on Sanguinetti and Greenly Road will close next month, and donors will have to travel to neighboring counties to give blood. Clarke Broadcasting contacted American Red Cross California Gold Country Region Communications Director Stephen Walsh. He emailed that he was not available for an interview and gave us this statement attributed to the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region: After careful consideration, the American Red Cross has made the difficult decision to close our Sonora Blood Donation Center after September 22, 2023. Unfortunately, this center is among the top high-cost centers in the country for the Red Cross, and it has struggled to collect over the past few years despite the best efforts of staff and dedicated donors. This decision will not affect the availability and timely distribution of blood and blood products to our hospital partners and patients. To ensure long-term sustainability, the Red Cross needs to generate greater efficiencies within its Blood Services division to continue to deliver cost-effective and reliable products and services for patients in need. We are grateful to those who have rolled up their sleeves to donate blood over the years. With this closure, the closest Red Cross locations to give are in Modesto, Stockton, and Turlock. For additional questions about blood donation opportunities, please call 1-800-RED CROSS. Its important to emphasize that the Red Cross has a strong community presence in Sonora. As part of our broader humanitarian mission, the Red Cross will continue to provide disaster preparedness and response activities, services to military members, veterans and their families, and health and safety training. We remain committed to the communities we serve here in California and stand ready to provide assistance when needed. No further details regarding the cost to operate the facility or the drop-in donations were given. In June of this year, we reported on World Blood Donor Day that the center was offering gift cards to those donating blood due to a shortfall. At that time, Red Cross officials advised that they had more than 26,000 fewer blood donations in May than needed in the month to meet the needs of patients. They even provided a schedule of upcoming blood donation times for June, as detailed here. The center was opened by the American Red Cross in May 2017; before that, it was the Delta Blood Bank. Mariposa County, CA The Mariposa County Sheriffs Office helped put a Fresno area man in jail for child pornography yesterday. On Thursday, sheriffs deputies assisted the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in executing a search warrant in Fresno County. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) got a tip regarding the case. They turned it over to the task force and the sheriffs office, triggering an investigation that led to Anthony Saavedra of Friant near Millerton Lake north of Fresno. Saavedra is accused of possessing and distributing hundreds of files of child pornography, according to sheriffs officials. He was arrested and wheeled out of his home in a wheelchair, as seen in the image box photo. He was later booked into the Mariposa County Adult Detention Facility. I am extremely proud of the work done by the Sheriffs Office ICAC Task Force members. A huge thanks to the ICAC team from Fresno Sheriffs Office and Fresno PD who assisted. This should be a warning to anyone who wants to commit crimes in Mariposa County. We will find you and take you to jail. As long as I am your Sheriff, any criminal(s) who victimize our children, I will ensure my team hunts you down! stated Sheriff Jeremy Briese. The sheriffs office added that no additional details are being released due to the sensitivity and ongoing investigation. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors passed an emergency resolution in response to flooding in Tusayan earlier this week. The resolution, which should free up funds to assist in responding to the flooding, was signed Thursday by newly appointed board Chair Jeronimo Vasquez. County officials said the resolution also authorizes County Emergency Management and the Coconino County Sheriffs Office to issue further shelter in place or evacuation orders should another significant rainfall event affect Tusayan. The county worked with Tusayan leadership to facilitate an in-person community meeting for residents of Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Tusayan Town Hall, 845 Mustang Drive. Tuesdays storm produced an estimated 3 inches of rainfall in less than one hour, concentrated over a wash east of Tusayan. Up to 3 feet of water impacted homes, hotels and closed State Route 64, forcing close to 100 residents and visitors to evacuate. Residents had been under an order to boil water after concerns that flooding had impacted drinking water. But after testing by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, that order has been lifted. But county officials warned residents to prepare for the possibility of additional flooding in the coming days. With more inclement weather in the forecast, the board strongly recommend residents throughout the county prepare for the possibility of a 'shelter in place' or evacuation order, an extended period of power outage, or the inability to access homes, and to prepare an emergency kit that contains clothes, medicines, and important documents for each member of the family and household pets to last a minimum of 72 hours, a county media release stated. Officials advise that residents should also prepare an emergency plan that includes a means to alert family members and a plan to move pets and/or livestock to safety. All residents are also encouraged to know their neighborhoods evacuation zone and register for emergency notifications at www.coconino.az.gov/ready. Editor note= (ART ADV: With photo.) When subscribers receive their last red envelopes from DVD.com the rental-by-mail arm of Netflix dedicated to the physical discs that made the company a household name they can add those movies to their permanent collection. Netflix said this week that customers could keep their final batch of DVD or Blu-ray Discs at no additional cost and that they could also request up to 10 more movies by mail as part of an everything-must-go deal. We are not charging for any unreturned discs after 9/29, the company wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Please enjoy your final shipments for as long as you like! In April, Netflix said it would shutter its DVD service at the end of September after more than 25 years, citing a continually shrinking market. It shipped its first DVD in March 1998, at a time when Blockbuster dominated the movie rental business and most internet connections were of the dial-up variety. The company began offering a subscription streaming service in 2007, accelerating a societal shift away from physical media. But even as streaming became the core of its business Netflix had 238 million global subscribers last quarter devotees to the rental-by-mail service remained. For a monthly fee (starting at $9.99 for one disc at a time), the company continued to ship its signature envelopes to a dwindling but passionate customer base. Netflix does not disclose how many subscribers are signed up for DVDs, but The Associated Press estimated that last year the total was between 1.1 million and 1.3 million. Because of format-specific rights agreements, the company offers many movies as DVD or Blu-ray rentals that are not available on most streaming services. Theres quite a few movies Ive come across that Im kind of shocked arent streaming, said Michael Fusco, a DVD.com subscriber who said he had rented more than 2,300 movies since joining Netflix in 2006. In addition to the breadth of the physical catalog, Fusco said he appreciated common bonus features such as deleted scenes and commentary tracks by directors. Its a shame that streaming services havent really come up with anything to match that, he said. Current or new Netflix subscribers who sign up before Tuesday will be able to request up to 10 additional movies, although the company said the actual number of discs that customers receive will depend on supply. A spokesperson said Netflix had not determined what it would do with its remaining inventory. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. WALLINGFORD As students head back to school next week, Acting Fire Marshal Brian Schock has safety on his mind. According to research by Nationwide Childrens of Columbus, Ohio, the second largest pediatric hospital in the U.S., children playing with fire set more than 20,000 fires each year. That is an average of almost 400 fires each week. In a presentation at Wallingford Public Library Wednesday, Schock said he wants parents to understand the importance of teaching children how to be safe and offers tips to keep their homes safe as well. Children are curious about fire starting as young as a year old, Schock said. They are introduced to candles on a birthday cake, for instance, and see the candle with a burning flame on it. Recognizing the dangers Schock said children experimenting with fire usually play in a hidden place such as a bedroom or closet. In these places, clothing, mattresses and bedding can easily catch fire. Schock has seen everything from burnt-up pieces of paper all over the floor to holes in the floor and beds. According to the National FIre Prevention Association, fires started by children cause an average of 150 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners start more than half of the fires set by children. The top causes of fires include cooking, heating, electrical, smoking and candles. Another fire hazard, Schock said, is fireworks. In the Connecticut, individuals ages 16 years and older are allowed to handle fireworks. Be ready for emergencies TheWallingford Fire Department teaches two programs - fire prevention and fire intervention. Being prepared is the key to reacting appropriately during emergencies, said Alan Zygmunt, Public Education Coordinator from the Connecticut Fire Academy. Just as our children will be practicing fire drills at school, we should also practice them at home and discuss fire safety with college students as well. Fire Prevention Week is observed during the week of Oct. 9 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Chicago fire caused devastating damage by killing more than 250 people, leaving 100,000 homeless, destroying more than 17,400 structures, and burning more than 2,000 acres of land, according to the NFPA. Most states recognize the entire month of October for fire safety. Wallingford Week of Safety Natalie Mallma, the Coalition for a Better Wallingford program director, organized the Wallingford Week of Safety for this week. We hope that people attend our events because they havent attended the previous ones this week, Mallma said. The week was sponsored by Wallingford Youth and Social Services, Coalition for a Better Wallingford, the Wallingford Police Department and the Wallingford Fire Department. On Tuesday, a presentation called Hidden in Plain Sight was held by the Coalition for a Better Wallingford. The presentation was about items such as alcohol, drugs and other objects that are hidden by youth in their bedrooms. On Monday, the week began with the Back to School Safety Kickoff with the police department at the Parks and Rec on Fairfield Boulevard Youth and Social Services will present a car seat safety event on Friday from 3-5 p.m. at the Church of Zion parking lot. This event is by appointment only; call 203-800-5418. To learn more about the Coalition for a Better Wallingford, visit its website at www.cbwlfd.org/index.html Fire safety tips For younger children and families, the Country Fire Authority a volunteer fire service responsible for fire suppression, rescues, and response to accidents across the country offers the following tips: Have a plan for young children who cannot get outside by themselves.Get in the habit of sleeping with bedroom doors closed.Know two ways out of every room.Choose a meeting place outside the home.Practice your completed fire drill with all members of your family. For college-bound students, parents need to be aware of fire safety when choosing student housing. These are some important questions to ask: Are there working smoke detectors in each bedroom and on each level of the building?Are there two ways out of each room, including those on the upper floors?Are there enough electrical outlets for all appliances without needing an extension cord?Does the building have fire sprinklers or a fire alarm? nzappone@record-journal.com 203-317-2212 An unexpected storm that included hail during the afternoon of Aug. 11 left significant damage in its path. Gage County Emergency Manager Lisa Wiegand said the first reports of damage started around Beatrice Community Hospital. The first reports were around the hospital, over to Bear Creek area, to Holmesville, Rockford and some in Liberty, she said. Early assessments were about 6,500 acres were affected in some way. A lot of insurance companies are estimating anywhere from a 15%-95% loss of crops. Wiegand noted that producers were making decisions about what to do next with crops damaged since it was so late in the growing season. Extension Educator Nathan Mueller said the storms impacted the Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Extension Soybean Management Field Day in rural DeWitt. We had to end the day at noon with the projected path of the storm, he said. Mueller said he hadnt been contacted to assess damage, but the University of Nebraska had several resources available to producers to assist in assessment and managing recovery efforts. LYIN BIDEN tells Maui wildfire survivors he has sense of what its like to lose a home President Joe Biden told survivors of the wildfires that ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui that he has a "sense of what it's like to lose a home." In reality, he only experienced a small kitchen fire that was brought under control within minutes. During an appearance at the Lahaina Civic Center, he addressed victims by recounting an August 2004 fire that happened at his home in Delaware. "I don't want to compare difficulties, but we have a little sense [First Lady] Jill and I [of] what it's like to lose a home," Biden said. "To make a long story short I almost lost my wife, my '67 Corvette and my cat. But all kidding aside, I watched the firefighters [and] the way they responded. They ran into flames to save my wife and save my family. Not a joke." But a report by the Associated Press (AP) about the fire in the Bidens' home contradicted the president's claim. According to the August 2004 report, the fire began after lightning struck Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware. The blaze was "contained to the kitchen" and did not spread to other parts of the house. "Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the house, but were able to keep the flames from spreading beyond the kitchen," said George Lamborn, chief of the Cranston Heights Fire Company. He added that the fire at the Bidens' residence "was under control in 20 minutes." No one was injured in the incident, the AP report added. Aside from this, the president also insensitively joked about the wildfires while visiting the ruins of Lahaina town. The Aug. 21 exchange happened as Biden mingled with a first responder. "You guys catch the boots out here? That's a hot ground, man," the president quipped. This prompted laughter from the people nearby. The insensitive joke and the blatant lie were delivered as Biden arrived on the island to survey the damage in Lahaina, located at the island's western portion, after 13 days. He told survivors: "The country grieves with you, stands with you and will do everything possible to help you recover, rebuild and respect culture and traditions." (Related: Chinese state media (justifiably) MOCKS Biden's INCOMPETENCE in handling Hawaii wildfires.) Rep. Fry: Biden's visit to Maui "cringeworthy" According to Breitbart, an estimated 480 people have died in the conflagration. More than 800 are still missing, with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green saying children likely comprise the majority of those unaccounted for. The president's visit, alongside his quips, did not sit well with at least two Republican congressmen. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer from Minnesota expressed his disgust in a statement to Breitbart. "Biden blundering in times of crisis is as predictable as a snowy Minnesota winter; it's inevitable," the congressman said. "If his presidency has taught us anything, its to not hold your breath for competent leadership from this White House." Meanwhile, South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry chided the chief executive's visit to the island during an appearance on Fox Business. He told the network's Cheryl Casone that the Biden administration's "American last policies were on full display" at that time. "I mean, it was the most cringeworthy visit of a disaster area that I've ever seen. That comment [about the 2004 fire at his home], the comment about the ground being hot, showing up two weeks late," Fry remarked. "I think it's inexcusable, the conduct of this administration. And quite frankly, the people of Maui and this country deserve better than what they're receiving right now." Visit JoeBiden.news for more stories about the lies of the incumbent president. Watch this clip of Lahaina residents chanting "F*** Joe Biden" during his visit to the wildfire-ravaged town. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Here's the full list of every lie Joe Biden has told as President. LIAR-IN-CHIEF: Biden lied about not having advanced notice of Mar-a-Lago raid. Biden lies again, says $1 million in payments to family from Hunter associate 'not true' though bank records say otherwise. Biden lied AGAIN: More banks are failing after president told Americans worst was over following collapse of First Republic. Sources include: Breitbart.com 1 Breitbart.com 2 Breitbart.com 3 Breitbart.com 4 Brighteon.com Madness: American satirist C.J. Hopkins sentenced in German speech case Just when you may have thought things couldnt get any crazier: American playwright and humorist C.J. Hopkins, profiled in this space on numerous occasions, has been sent a punishment order by a German judge, offering him a Sophies Choice of 60 days in jail or 3,600 euros. (Article by Matt Taibbi republished from Racket.news) His crime? Essentially, insulting the German health minister in a tweet, and using a scarcely-visible image of a Swastika on a mask in a book critical of the global pandemic response, The Rise of the New Normal Reich. He was first accused of this crime in June, shortly after Roger Waters was placed under investigation for wearing his clearly satirical Pink costume in a stage performance in Berlin. As I wrote when C.J. was charged weeks later, authorities claim that through the use of the mask image, C.J. was disseminating propaganda, the contents of which are intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization. The judge in C.J.s case has already heard free-speech argumentation from his lawyer, and this technically being a non-jury misdemeanor offense, has already ruled against those arguments. C.J. will apparently have a chance to argue for mitigation, but the decree has already been handed down: The Punishment Order for C.J. Hopkins Here is the would-be offending image: As noted previously, here are some images currently on sale in Germany that have not been made the subjects of hate speech prosecutions: No amount of drugs exist that if consumed would allow a rational person to conclude that the writing of C.J. Hopkins furthers the aims of a former National Socialist Organization. Agree with him or not, and I increasingly do, he used his imagery to compare the sweeping declarations of emergency power that were common around the world during the pandemic (and were particularly authoritarian in Germany) to Nazi tactics. He compared, for instance, the 2020 Infection Protection Act to the Enabling Act of 1933, which announced that to remedy the distress of the people, the laws enacted by the government of the Reich may deviate from the constitution. C.J.s real offense seems to be a response to a tweet by Die Welt, quoting German health minister Karl Lauterbach. Portrayed in full Sprockets-style smart-glasses glory, Lauterbach is shown saying, The masks always send out a signal: C.J. retweeted the quote, adding the image from his book cover. Thats it, thats the offense. No matter how you feel about that exchange, that is not intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization. That is using the negative connotations of Nazism to criticize a currently serving government official. I defy any American reporter to justify incarceration for this type of criticism of a still-serving politician. Wed have to build a separate Supermax just for people who used Hitler analogies during the Trump years, or published gleeful headlines like, Lawsuit Reveals Trump Cant Stand Being Compared to Hitler. The use of speech laws in this way recalls the way drug laws are applied in the U.S. We let stockbrokers blow as much coke as they want, out of the navels of exotic dancers if they like, but make possession a real crime in other contexts, effectively giving authorities a way to use an offense committed by many to selectively criminalize membership in certain groups, residency in certain neighborhoods, etc. As C.J. points out, the real problem is not so much with his case (although hes certainly worried), but the now-open way in which such laws are being applied, from the prosecution of Julian Assange to the suppression of Covid speech and even the extra counts addressing false statements in tweets by Donald Trump. Weve already decided that Racket will help with C.J.s fine if and when this matter is finally adjudicated, and well keep you updated on the progress of the case, and on the progress of the many laws being considered to allow more prosecutions of this type in more parts of the world. Until then, some words from C.J., whom I reached this morning: Matt Taibbi: What the fuck? C.J. Hopkins: Im relatively okay in that I just got the latest update from my lawyer yesterday, I guess. Matt Taibbi: This is the same case? Im not confusing this with something else? C.J. Hopkins: Youre not. Its the same case. Its the weirdest thing. Im just drafting a new thing about it. I think I wrote you, described the process a little bit, but yeah, this is just the next stage of the same case. Matt Taibbi: So this essentially is about the use of the image on the cover, right? C.J. Hopkins: Its about the tweet Its the cover art from the book and its me going after the mask thing, like the one tweet I think, not exactly verbatim but pretty close, says the masks are nothing but ideological conformity symbols, and thats all theyve ever been. Stop pretending like theyre anything else or get used to wearing them. Thats one tweet. Then the other tweet was going after Karl Lauterbach, our health minister here. He tweeted his own tweet and his quote was, The masks always send out a signal, and so I just quoted it back to him and stuck the image from the book on the front as well. Thats it. Its basically, I insulted the health minister of Germany and put a picture of a barely visible swastika online. Matt Taibbi: You need an electron microscope to see it! C.J. Hopkins: Ive said it, I dont know how many fucking times, its not illegal. Yes, if youre a Nazi, its illegal to spread swastikas around in Germany. But if youre doing art, if youre commenting on history, if youre selling a book, there are a whole slew of reasons for exceptions where people can and do use swastikas, which you put in your piece, you put examples of the book covers. My lawyer has made all these arguments to the prosecutor. Matt Taibbi: And those arguments were rejected? C.J. Hopkins: Not even addressed, really. Its just we had a chance to respond first and then we asked them for the tweets. Thats when we got the tweets. Then my lawyer wrote an even longer and more detailed response citing the terms of law and explaining who I am and my whole history of published work that anybody could fucking look at and figure out who I am, and what my intentions are. And nothing. The next thing we got was called an Order of Punishment. Matt Taibbi: Oh, my goodness. C.J. Hopkins: We got it yesterday. Basically, the story is this judge has already decided what my punishment is, which is either 3,600 euros or 60 days in jail. Its so fucking Kafka-esque. So now the next step is that we go to trial. We go to trial where my lawyer will argue the exact same stuff that hes already argued in written pleadings. Hell argue that before the same judge that has already found me guilty and handed down this Order of Punishment. Matt Taibbi: So this is sort of analogous to the process of being sentenced in the United States and asking for mitigation in sentencing? C.J. Hopkins: I guess. I mean, Im used to a trial where you go and you argue first and then they find you guilty. I guess the written argument was that was sufficient and so now Im guilty. And yeah, I think thats it. Because my lawyer is also talking about just getting the fine reduced. Matt Taibbi: Is it going to affect your immigration status or your ability to live there? C.J. Hopkins: Im going to be a convicted fucking criminal, a hate criminal. I dont think it can affect my ability to live here. Ive got a permanent residence visa. Not that I want to stay. I spent the better part of yesterday standing on a bridge with my wife, talking about when and how Im going to get the hell out of here. I dont know, Matt, I dont think that it can affect my residency status. Ive got permanent residency. Who knows? Who knows at this point? Matt Taibbi: Has there been any interest from media there or here? C.J. Hopkins: Not major media Theres a German journalist, Dirk Pohlmann, who was in the mainstream media here for many, many years. He runs his own independent thing now, and wrote up a piece on it. Theres another independent German journalist who writes for a mainstream Swiss paper. He lives in Switzerland. He wrote up something just on his Substack. It didnt appear in his paper. I was grateful as hell for Europeans, because I didnt expect a ton of stuff from the US. I thought that I might get some action here in Germany and its killing me. This country is fucking breaking my heart. Matt Taibbi: Absent some kind of mitigation, youre going to have to make a decision about paying or serving. Are you thinking about doing the time? C.J. Hopkins: No. I thought about it originally and I thought, okay, Ill make a statement. Im going to be 62 years old in a couple of days. Life is too short to spend two months in an extremely overcrowded jail in Berlin. Let me say one more thing before you go. My case is my case, but really the story here is this is happening all over. This is just this naked crushing of dissent and opposition. Look at what theyre doing to Trump in the States. Look at what theyre doing to Assange, to people much bigger than me. I think thats the real story here, just this naked crushing of dissent and opposition. Matt Taibbi: Well obviously want to keep tabs on your situation. Good luck and sorry youre going through this. Hang in there. C.J. Hopkins: Thanks. Read more at: Racket.news Los Angeles PD vows crackdown on crime following smash-and-grab heists by flash mobs The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has vowed to crack down on retail theft after a series of violent flash mob robberies targeted luxury goods stores in the city in broad daylight. LAPD Deputy Chief Blake Chow told reporters on Aug. 17: "The LAPD will not tolerate these acts. We will not stand by idly while these acts continue." LA Mayor Karen Bass said on the same day that law enforcement agencies across LA County were joining forces to establish a task force aimed at stamping out retail theft. She promised: "If someone commits a crime, we'll catch [them and prosecute them to the] fullest extent of the law." The announcement of the task force came a day after retail thieves targeted a Gucci store in LA on Aug. 16. The group of 10 brazenly plundered the store in broad daylight, making off with handbags worth $100,000. Earlier on Aug. 12, dozens of people looted a Nordstrom in LA's San Fernando Valley and made off with $300,000 of goods. High-end stores throughout the City of Angels have been targeted by masked groups who smash through display boxes and grab designer clothes and bags. Video clips posted on social media shows mobs of up to 50 people rampaging through upscale retailers, breaking glass and yanking away goods attached by security cables. Often, the raids happen in full view of other shoppers too stunned to intervene. Clerks and security guards, meanwhile, are seemingly powerless to prevent them. The video clips of the brazen robberies are cited by conservatives to support their argument that blue cities have an out-of-control crime problem. Robbery statistics in the area are mixed. The LAPD figures noted a decline in the year-to-date number compared to 2022. However, the LA County Sheriff's Department showed a different number. It recorded an uptick in robberies during the first six months of 2023. Rapper 50 Cent says "LA is finished" because of retail theft Curtis Jackson, known by his moniker 50 Cent, put in his two cents about the Aug. 12 Nordstrom robbery in an Instagram post. He warned that the City of Angels is "finished" due to the rampant retail theft there. "I told you LA was finished," he wrote. "They are [going to] have to lock the doors, appointment only." The post from the rapper of "In Da Club" had a screenshot of a news report by KTLA 5 about the incident. This was not the first time the rap artist criticized LA's situation on Instagram. Back in July, he pointed out that the city's reinstatement of a zero-bail policy would further its collapse. 50 Cent wrote: "LA is finished. Watch how bad it gets out there." (Related: Rapper 50 Cent says LA is FINISHED after reinstatement of zero-bail policy.) Under the policy, LAPD officers cannot detain suspects accused of misdemeanor crimes. This also extends to theft, shoplifting, drug use, vandalism, battery and other nonviolent crimes. Moreover, those currently in jail on such charges would also be set free. But a suspect violating the zero-bail schedule is immediately put back in jail on a cash bail system. This was not the first time the City of Angels implemented such a policy. During the height of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, LA put the zero-bail policy in place to reduce crowding in jails and curb the spread of COVID-19. LA officials ended the policy in September 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic waned. However, it was reinstated in May 2023 after LA County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Riff sided with a group of activists who sued the county. The plaintiffs claimed that they had suffered under the cash bail system. Riff's ruling may have played a part in the proliferation of smash-and-grab crimes in LA, as the culprits no longer fear jail time. Read more news about the rampant crime in the City of Angels at CaliforniaCollapse.news. Watch conservative commentator Glenn Beck putting in his two cents on the Aug. 12 theft at the Nordstrom department store in Los Angeles. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: L.A. is so crime-ridden and dangerous, head of police union is warning tourists to stay away. Los Angeles Dems offer plan to 'depopulate' county jails, claiming 'systemic racism' causes them to fill up. LAWLESS CHAOS: LAPD tells residents to "comply" with robbers as society collapses in blue cities escape while you still can. Sources include: Barrons.com Breitbart.com Deadline.com Brighteon.com Its really happening: Mask mandates, contact tracing re-implanted at colleges, offices (Article by Steve Watson republished from Summit.news) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday that Morris Brown College, a black private liberal arts college has reinstated the measures as part of a precautionary step. The report notes that students and staff will all be asked to mask up while on campus, only one week after classes began. A communication issued by the college claims there have been reports of positive cases among students in the Atlanta University Center, a consortium of black colleges and universities located on the western side of Atlanta. From Instagram Morris Brown College bringing back a mask mandate. pic.twitter.com/KyqJUjMJgy Covid Report (@CovidDataReport) August 21, 2023 The measures, which include social distancing, temperature checks and no large gatherings are to be in place for two weeks, it is claimed. This isnt from 2020. This is from today. Alex Jones had the scoop of a lifetime that this was coming back. https://t.co/SfRqduWV4u Cernovich (@Cernovich) August 22, 2023 Infowars Alex Jones reported last week that restrictions were on their way back: BREAKING: Alex Jones says a TSA whistleblower has told him TSA employees were instructed on Tue that masks are coming back by October for travelers & full Covid restrictions/lockdowns by December due to a new dangerous variant out of Canada. pic.twitter.com/sw4b2XYuoh Melissa Tate (@TheRightMelissa) August 19, 2023 In addition, it has been reported that California-based film studio Lionsgate has reimplemented a mask mandate at its Santa Monica office. "Amid rising Covid cases in Los Angeles, Lionsgate has brought back the mask mandate for nearly half of the companys employees at its flagship office at 2700 Colorado Ave. in Santa Monica." https://t.co/XLKaAjAWA3 laurie allee (@laurieallee) August 21, 2023 An internal memo states that Employees must wear a medical grade face covering (surgical mask, KN95 or N95) when indoors except when alone in an office with the door closed, actively eating, actively drinking at their desk or workstation, or if they are the only individual present in a large open workspace. .@Lionsgate's Santa Monica headquarters: -Medical mask mandate -Daily self-screening for symptoms -Quarantine for 10 days after international travel -Contact tracing -Covid tests upon requesthttps://t.co/HK8ec0jmZDpic.twitter.com/2JMJxvyLIo Anthony LaMesa (@ajlamesa) August 21, 2023 Los Angeles County Public Health has recommended that higher-risk residents need to wear masks, claiming that COVID cases are increasing, while admitting that hospitalizations remain low. With COVID-19 Transmission Increasing, Those at Higher Risk Should Adopt Simple Strategies to Reduce Exposure, Prevent Severe Illness. View: https://t.co/VKLwWmbdqApic.twitter.com/rjkrNUoZdQ LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) August 18, 2023 The mainstream media is on board with this imaginary COVID resurgence: Theyre trying to do the Covid thing again. pic.twitter.com/QPJS2PuXIC The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 18, 2023 Read more at: Summit.news Mystery buyer of over 52,000 acres in the Bay Area may be planning to build a new city Amid concerns about a mystery megabuyer acquiring over 52,000 acres of land in Solano County in the San Francisco North Bay region, residents of the county have recently received a survey gauging their support for "a new city." The survey, circulated by a company known as Flannery Associates, claims that a ballot initiative might be coming to county residents as early as next year regarding the development of a "new city" in eastern Solano County. (Related: San Francisco's biggest hotels are shutting down due to unpaid debts as fewer tourists visit the crime-riddled, crap-smothered city.) "This project would include a new city with tens of thousands of homes, a large solar energy farm, orchard with over a million new trees, and over 10,000 acres of parks and open space," reads the survey. The poll then goes on to present a variety of statements that prompt respondents to answer if they are more or less likely to support the project. Some of the statements include: "Solano County residents would be given priority and down payment assistance to buy or lease homes in this new project." "It would be funded entirely by private sector money." "It is being led by a group of architects and planners interested in building livable and sustainable communities, not typical developers." "It is being funded by a group of California firms and wealthy families who are committed to our state's future." Furthermore, the "new city" has also been pitched as having the feel of a college town, with its layout having an emphasis on walkability and being made up of a mixture of housing, schools and small businesses. State records indicate that Flannery Associates and its parent company, Flannery Holdings, were incorporated in Delaware in 2018. Since its incorporation, the company has gone on a spree purchasing land in Solano County at premium rates. The prices Flannery Associates was offering to landowners in the county was so high that the company sued several local landowners who it alleges conspired to raise prices even higher to overcharge the company. In its complaint, Flannery Associates provided courts with information on its land purchases. Its filings note that the company had already paid more than $800 million for approximately 140 properties in the Montezuma Hills and Jepson Prairie Reserve areas of Solano County, sometimes offering to pay more than $15,000 per acre. Land acquisitions raise concerns due to proximity to military base Flannery Associates' land purchases have also raised national security concerns due to the proximity of the land to Travis Air Force Base. Catherine Moy, mayor of Solano county seat Fairfield, noted that she, as a member of countywide boards, had received other offers "to buy land at greatly inflated prices" very near Travis. These offers were turned down. Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson, whose congressional district includes parts of Solano County, said that he has been "pushing" the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to open an investigation to find out the exact nature of these land acquisitions. Democratic Rep. John Garamendi, whose district covers the rest of Solano County, called the survey being circulated to residents a setup and said he does not believe Flannery Associates will actually build a "new city" in the county. "To build a new city there is an extraordinary risk," he said. "Over my nearly five decades of experience in public life, with hundreds of surveys I've paid for as well as hundreds and maybe thousands that I've looked at, this is a B.S. survey." "I do know that they have purchased land that could put Travis Air Force Base and national security at serious risk," he added. "Why are you hiding?" Garamendi and Thompson have been working with a group of state and local politicians like Moy to identify the mysterious figures behind Flannery Associates. But the company has so far been able to maintain its anonymity through Delaware's corporate protection laws. "I tried contacting the firm that is pushing this poll," said Moy. "My email bounced back. I then searched for the firm elsewhere, but couldn't locate them. They are yet another mystery in the ongoing saga of Flannery." Learn more stories coming out of California at CaliforniaCollapse.news. Watch this video discussing how Flannery Associates' land acquisitions are a threat not just due to its proximity to Travis Air Force Base, but also due to it buying land around the interstate electrical grid system. This video is from the Alex Hammer channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: San Francisco retailers LEAVING metro area in droves due to unchecked RETAIL THEFT. Video of deserted mall and streets in downtown San Fran reveals Democrats destroyed city. California's homeless construct two-mile-long vehicle encampment in San Francisco's North Bay region. Rise of remote work and decline of commuters contributing to San Francisco's "urban doom loop." POLL: San Francisco residents most likely to move to different city due to high crime rate and homelessness. Sources include: SFGate.com CBSNews.com SFChronicle.com Brighteon.com House Speaker McCarthy vows investigation into Bidens response to Lahaina fires House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has vowed to kick-start a probe into President Joe Biden's response to the wildfires that ravaged the town of Lahaina, located in the western portion of Hawaii's Maui island. His promise to investigate the chief executive's response followed the disaster that has killed more than 110, with more than 1,000 individuals missing. The house speaker said during an Aug. 23 appearance in New York that he is very concerned about the response. "We still have hundreds of individuals that are missing. I think there's [going to] have to be a congressional investigation in response [to] what happened. How could we lose that many Americans in today's age? And the federal response seems very delayed." McCarthy also rebuked Biden for his initial refusal to comment on the disaster, alongside his delay in visiting the ground zero of the devastation. The president, while on vacation in his home state of Delaware, remarked "no comment" when a reporter asked him about the Lahaina wildfires. "The president's response to have no comment? That's unacceptable," the speaker remarked. "So I'm going to work with committees too to look at investigating what went on so that never happens again as well." Meanwhile, the first couple visited Maui on Aug. 21 amid growing criticism over Washington's perceived lack of support. The Bidens were met with mixed reactions during their visit. The presidential motorcade drove past disgruntled residents booing and jeering. Some took it a step further, giving the motorcade the middle finger and waving Trump 2024 flags. During his speech, Biden promised survivors of the wildfire that the federal government would support them "as long as it takes." He continued: "The country grieves with you [and] stands with you, and we'll do everything possible to help you recover, rebuild, and respect culture and traditions when the rebuilding takes place." GOP reps: Biden visit to Lahaina "predictable" and "cringeworthy" The tourist town of Lahaina home to 12,000 was almost wiped off the map. Over 3,000 structures were turned to ash, with the estimated damage amounting to $5 billion. While no single cause has been determined for the fires as of writing, experts suggest power lines that weren't shut off despite high winds may have caught fire when they fell. At least two of McCarthy's colleagues in the GOP expressed disgust over Biden's response to the Maui disaster. During an Aug. 22 appearance on Fox Business, South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry rebuked the president's visit. "The 'American last' policies of the Biden administration were on full display," he told the network's Cheryl Casone. "I mean, it was the most cringeworthy visit of a disaster area that I've ever seen." "I think it's inexcusable, the conduct of this administration. Quite frankly, the people of Maui and this country deserve better than what they're receiving right now." Even House Majority Whip Tom Emmer from Minnesota blasted the president's blunders at the disaster's ground zero in a statement to Breitbart News. "Biden blundering in times of crisis is as predictable as a snowy Minnesota winter: it's inevitable," he wrote. "If his presidency has taught us anything, it's to not hold your breath for competent leadership from this White House." The Minnesota congressman referenced various gaffes by the incumbent while visiting Lahaina. Foremost among them is Biden's downplaying of the suffering experienced by residents as he compared the wildfires to a small kitchen fire. He also insensitively joked about the "hot ground" at Lahaina while touring the town. (Related: Hawaii resident: Biden is a 'vile human being' for joking about Corvette when 'there were children who were incinerated into ash.') Visit Disaster.news for more stories about the Maui wildfires. Watch this clip of wildfire survivors expressing their disgust at President Joe Biden as he tours Lahaina. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Maui wildfires: Lawsuit accuses Hawaiian Electric of negligence resulting in wrongful deaths, severe injuries and damages to property. WILDFIRE AFTERMATH: Maui residents face new threat from CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION that could linger for months, officials say. Why didn't Maui's emergency sirens go off as intended to warn residents, tourists about fiery inferno coming their way? Chinese state media (justifiably) MOCKS Biden's INCOMPETENCE in handling Hawaii wildfires. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Breitbart.com 1 Breitbart.com 2 Brighteon.com Lawfare with Tom Renz: Biden FAILS to empathize with Maui wildfire victims by comparing disaster to kitchen fire Brighteon.TV The wildfires that swept through Maui, centered mostly in the town of Lahaina, had already killed at least 115 people and left another 850 missing. He responded by giving a speech to a crowd in Lahaina where he claimed he knew how it felt to lose a home. (Related: Head of Maui's emergency management agency resigns amid criticism for not sounding alert sirens during wildfire.) He told the crowd: "I don't want to compare difficulties, but we have a little sense Jill and I of what it's like to lose a home. "Years ago now 15 years ago I was in Washington [when] lightning struck at home, on a little lake that's outside of our home not a lake, a big pond and hit a wire that came up underneath our home into the heating ducts and air conditioning ducts. To make a long story short, I almost lost my wife, my '67 Corvette and my cat. "I watched the firefighters, the way they responded You're all crazy, thank God. People who run into flames to save other people and they ran into flames to save my wife, to save my family not a joke. "We were insured, we did not have any problem. But being out of our home for the better part of a year was difficult. I can only imagine what it's like to lose your home." Biden's false story about possibly losing a car and a cat was not received well. "Joe Biden is a piece of garbage, in my opinion," said Attorney Thomas Renz on the Aug. 22 episode of his Brighteon.TV program "Lawfare with Tom Renz." "Biden who just went over to Hawaii and told everybody about his cat catching fire told residents whose children died in fires, who'd lost everything, he told them about almost losing a cat." "Joe Biden feels the pain of Lahaina [by] talking about his kitchen fire," said "Fox & Friends Weekend" co-host Will Cain. One restaurant owner in the nearby town of Kihei said in an interview that Biden's comment was "the most despicable thing this president has ever said." Biden's aid to Hawaii wildfire victims? Just $700 Biden's story about possibly losing his car and his cat as one part of his insured home caught fire comes as his administration offered the victims of the wildfires a mere $700 per household. This one-time check is meant to address "immediate needs" like water, food and clothing. Maui residents and victims of the wildfires even pointed out the disparity between the aid provided to American citizens and the aid sent to other countries, particularly Ukraine. During Biden's visit, many protesters held up signs comparing the assistance already available for the people of Hawaii. To date, the Biden administration has only approved around $8.2 million in assistance to 2,700 households in Maui. There are nearly 54,000 households on the island. Meanwhile, the Biden administration announced a further $200 million in security assistance heading straight for Kyiv as the wildfires were engulfing hundreds of homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claimed in its official data that it has already given around $2.3 million to just half of the 2,700 households eligible to receive the $700 checks. On its website, FEMA claims to have approved $3.17 million in aid, of which $1.42 million is for "individual and households program" assistance and $1.75 million is for "other needs assistance." None of the figures coming out from the government paint Biden's administration in a positive light. The White House struggles to spend more than a handful of a million for American citizens caught in a disaster, yet readily sends hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars overseas. "He gave them $700 and left," said Renz. "Meanwhile, he gave billions of dollars to the Nazi regime in Ukraine." Watch the full Aug. 22 episode of "Lawfare with Tom Renz" below. Tune in to "Lawfare with Tom Renz" every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30-1 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: The embers are still smoldering and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is "already thinking of ways for the state to acquire that land." Ugly truth about Maui fires now emerging: Government deprived Lahaina of water and emergency resources, resulting in TOTAL LOSS. Chinese state media (justifiably) MOCKS Biden's INCOMPETENCE in handling Hawaii wildfires. Sources include: Brighteon.com BusinessInsider.com Newsweek.com 1 DailyMail.co.uk Newsweek.com 2 De-dollarization gaining momentum irreversible, Putin tells BRICS summit in remote address Things are moving right along for the global takedown of the United States dollar and associated central banking system as Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured the world that de-dollarization is both inevitable and "." Speaking via livestream at the BRICS Summit, Putin, who was unable to show up in person because of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant and Rome Statute requiring the South African government to detain him, emphasized that the de-dollarization movement is "gaining momentum." The U.S. dollar is becoming increasingly less powerful, Putin explained, noting that its ongoing decline as the respected global reserve currency is an "objective and irreversible" process that no amount of Western pearl-clutching and warmongering can change." Putin revealed that he is optimistic about the future of BRICS and so is Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is urging BRICS to become a geopolitical rival to the Western-led G7. According to Putin, the BRICS member nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) hold a cumulative 26 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP), which is certainly nothing to scoff at. When measuring their collective share based on purchasing power parity, BRICS has already surpassed the Group of Seven who are leading industrialized nations BRICS currently accounts for 31 percent of the global economy, Putin said, while the G7 only accounts for 30 percent. Over the past decade, mutual investment between the BRICS member states has increased sixfold while their total investments in the world economy have doubled. Meanwhile, cumulate exports from BRICS nations now account for 20 percent of the global total. (Related: At the start of the 2023 summer season, Putin confirmed that the BRICS member nations are currently establishing a new gold-back global reserve currency to replace the increasingly worthless U.S. fiat dollar.) Putin blasts "illegitimate sanctions" imposed by U.S. and West, calls them "unlawful freezing of sovereign states' assets" Putin would go on to fire shots at the U.S. and the West at large, accusing it of imposing "illegal sanctions" because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We know the invasion centers around Putin's efforts to rid Ukraine of U.S.-run biological weapons laboratories and other facilities manufacturing weapons of mass destructions (WMDs), though the West says Putin is trying to steal sovereign land from Ukrainians. These illegitimate sanctions, Putin added, "seriously weigh on the international economic situation," as does the "unlawful freezing of sovereign states' assets." "We are consistently increasing fuel, food and fertilizer supplies to the states of the Global South," Putin further stated, adding that the ongoing scourge of international food shortages is the direct fault of the West's "unlawful" sanctions. Xi, meanwhile, did not even show up to the BRICS meeting, and no explanation was given as to why he was absent. "I believe that this summit of the leaders of the member countries of the association will be an important milestone in the history of the development of the BRICS mechanism, that it will strengthen cohesion and cooperation among developing countries to an even higher level," read the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry ahead of the summit's first day. It is China, just to emphasize once again, that remains the driving force, along with Russia, to make the BRICS block of emerging markets a full-scale rival to the G7. Will it succeed? "If we expand BRICS to account for a similar portion of world GDP as the G7, then our collective voice in the world will grow stronger," one Chinese official who declined to be identified is quoted as saying. The latest news about the takedown of the U.S. dollar by BRICS can be found at DollarDemise.com. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com EVIE publishes piece warning readers not to have sex with men whove been COVID vaccinated When even the mainstream media is admitting that messenger RNA (mRNA) Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "vaccines" are dangerous and "produce viral shedding," you might want to pay attention. This is the shocking admission in a new piece from EVIE magazine, which is warning its readers to avoid having sexual relations with men who got jabbed for covid because their bodies are likely spreading spike proteins and other deadly substances in the process. "Shocker, it's not just a conspiracy!" warns EVIE's Andrea Mew. "New evidence has emerged suggesting that mRNA vaccines can produce viral shedding. So, perhaps you're justified after all for being pretty picky about your sexual partner." (Related: Earlier this year, research published by French pharmacologist Dr. Helene Banoun in the journal Infectious Diseases Research found that those who take covid injections do, in fact, shed their contents onto others, including sexual partners.) mRNA "rewrites the way your cells function" and "can interact with and change DNA," EVIE reveals In Mew's piece for EVIE, she references research showing that aerosolized antibodies from mRNA covid injections can be transmitted from vaccinated to unvaccinated individuals through a process called "passive immunization." This might sound like a good thing, she writes, in that it implies that one is sharing "immunity" with another "But it's not so simple," she warns. "Some critics, like podcaster Joe Rogan, have pointed out how the very nature of this 'vaccine' likens it more to experimental gene therapy than your typical vaccine," Mew further states. "It's true, what we're currently dealing with are mRNA vaccines, not live attenuated vaccines. The latter contains a weak form of the virus that is meant to cause an immune response upon injection and therefore provide future immunity." Mew goes to great lengths to unpack what we here at Natural News and many others across the independent media spectrum have been warning you about for years, only to be dubbed "conspiracy theorists" by the corporate-controlled media. It appears that things are changing, though, as a popular magazine for modern women is warning them to steer clear of men who got pricked by Tony Fauci and Donald Trump through Operation Warp Speed. In addition to "rewrite[ing] the way your cells function so that you can inherently prevent disease through protein production," Mew further explains that mRNA jabs also have the ability to "interact with and change DNA." "For instance, we know that the Covid shot wasn't developed to interact with the human liver, and yet in a Swedish study, researchers discovered that the vaccine was altering liver cells," Mew writes. "Then, in a Pfizer Japanese biodistribution study, news emerged that the spike proteins could travel from the injection site through your blood and accumulate in unintended tissues and organs like the spleen, adrenal glands, ovaries, bone marrow, and again, the liver." Then we have the risk of myocarditis, as well as blood that becomes contaminated with "full-length spike protein" that is "unbounded by antibodies," not to mention the specific risks to women involving menstrual irregularities and potential birth defects. Mew even references the aforementioned Banoun study, as well as another out of Colorado showing that fully vaccinated parents can transfer mRNA antibodies "via respiratory droplets" to their unvaccinated children. If face masks actually worked (spoiler alert: they don't), then they would come in handy to protect one's unvaccinated self against contracting an mRNA covid injection through the aerosolized respiratory droplets of a fully vaccinated person. "In the quest to advance modern medicine, we shouldn't shy away from tough topics just because they may go against preconceived biases," Mew writes in conclusion about these difficult truths. It is fast becoming common knowledge that Fauci Flu shots are a high-risk endeavor that renders the fully jabbed undatable. Learn more at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: EVIEMagazine.com NaturalNews.com A Lincoln man from Iraq was called a liar and a danger to the community at his sentencing Thursday for raping a woman here in 2021. Mohammed Al Saad called the case all lies from a woman he said was his girlfriend and, in a presentence interview, expressed frustration she was being called the victim and not him. Prosecutors said Al Saad had made denials since day 1 in the case. First, he said he didn't have sex with the woman. Then when confronted with DNA evidence he switched gears and said she was his girlfriend and it was consensual. Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Julie Mruz said that when a probation officer asked him who was to blame, Al Saad said: "My girlfriend, of course." The woman wasn't his girlfriend, she said. "It's as simple as this: Mr. Al Saad will say anything and everything to paint himself in the best light," Mruz said. On April 19, 2021, a 39-year-old woman reported a sexual assault, saying Al Saad had helped her move that day, along with others in her community. After they left, Al Saad pulled her into the basement, hit and choked her, and forced himself on her. She eventually escaped, ran to a nearby gas station and called 911. Police arrested Al Saad five months later after a state lab report showed his DNA in the sexual assault evidence collection kit. He ultimately pleaded no contest to second-degree sexual assault and assault by strangulation, though since has tried multiple times unsuccessfully to withdraw his plea. On Thursday, Mruz said the woman's bravery and courage in coming forward should be commended, adding that it hasn't been an easy road for her, "especially in her community." "The state is certain that Mr. Al Saad is a violent man and a danger to women in this community," she said. Defense attorney William Harris said that though Al Saad pleaded no contest, he maintains his innocence, knowing that it ultimately may affect his sentence. "But his truth is his truth," he said. Harris said Al Saad, who is 29 and has only been in this country for a few years, has had a difficult time transitioning, especially with the different dynamics here between men and women. "He understands it's a different country and he has to adjust to the customs and terms of this country," the attorney said. Harris said Al Saad, who is married, admits he had an affair but denies it was a sexual assault. In prison, he said Al Saad plans to address his alcohol issue, "which obviously played a role in him getting charged." Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post said Al Saad's record, which includes a domestic assault while he was out on bond, shows his propensity for violence toward women. "What you describe as a miscommunication was actually a violent sexual assault," he said. "You've taken no responsibility for your actions, and you continue to concoct stories with your wife to avoid any responsibility." (Al Saad's wife, Debra Cozine, got probation and 60 days in jail for attempting to tamper in a related case.) Post said, frankly, that it was remarkable that the victim came forward with everything that was put in her way. "The conclusion from all of this, Mr. Al Saad, is you lie, and you are a threat to this community," the judge said. He then sentenced him to 21 to 23 years in prison, the max that he could on the charges. Al Saad is expected to appeal the sentence. COVER-UP: Licensed operator says his drone was force-grounded upon nearing site of Maui Fire origin, then he was visited by government agents The federal government was not happy when licensed drone operator Davin Phelps tried to film the suspected origin of the so-called "wildfires" that burned down Lahaina and other nearby spots on the Hawaiian island of Maui. According to Fox News host Will Cain, who relayed the bizarre story, Phelps' drone was grounded by force as it neared the target site. Not long after that, federal agents paid Phelps a visit to have a talk about the matter. During this meeting, federal agents reportedly told Phelps that he is prohibited from filming the area where the Maui Fire is believed to have started. Phelps was still able to capture some footage before this, though, which he shared with Cain. That footage shows entire buildings across entire city blocks reduced to gray ash while the trees surrounding them remain intact. This, many believe, serves as evidence that "wildfires" are not to blame, but rather directed energy weapons (DEWs). Phelps also shared with Cain numerous still images that he captured, which show other strange anomalies that point to this disaster being another false flag incident possibly perpetrated by the government itself. "I don't want to feed ridiculous conspiracies, but all I can do is tell you the truth," Cain wrote in a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter check out some of the pictures and video footage below. "I just spoke to a videographer from Lahaina. Davin Phelps. He's a licensed drone pilot. He's been flying over Lahaina for the past week. And he has stunning and haunting images of Lahaina." I dont want to feed ridiculous conspiracies but all I can do is tell you the truth. I just spoke to a videographer from Lahaina. Davin Phelps. Hes a licensed drone pilot. Hes been flying over Lahaina for the past week. And he has stunning and haunting images of Lahaina. pic.twitter.com/zPNa6JEVt0 Will Cain (@willcain) August 22, 2023 (Related: Was the Maui Fire a natural occurrence or the product of global warming terrorism?) There needs to be more transparency as to what really happened in Maui It turns out that Phelps was hired by an attorney to fly his drone over the suspected area where the fire started, though the airspace above Lahaina has currently been dubbed a no-fly zone for the time being. "But as you can see from the footage that hasn't stopped him from getting images of Lahaina Town," Cain noted. "But it was a different experience at the fires [sic] origin." When the feds showed up at Phelps' door to have a talk, he pressed them for transparency as to why Lahaina is a no-fly zone, and why the government does not want American citizens to learn the truth about what happened there. "Apparently licensed drone pilots fly through an app coordinated with the FAA," Cain explained. "That app can deny you permission to fly and remotely ground your drone. It's very rare. But when Phelps got to the suspected fire origin area he was denied flight and grounded." "Then he says two government officials (he doesn't remember what agency) quickly visited him, asking for his license, and ran him off the Lahaina Intermediate School parking lot where he attempted to launch." What Cain now wants to know is why is there so much secrecy in Lahaina right now? Is there some kind of liability we are unaware of? What about accountability? And why no clarity whatsoever about the true origin and cause of the fire? What are they trying to hide? The latest news about the Maui Fire can be found at FalseFlag.news. Sources for this article include: WesternJournal.com NaturalNews.com Maui wildfires continue to expose governments FAILURES and QUESTIONABLE decisions A series of wildfires swept through the island of Maui and its historic Lahaina town in Hawaii in early August. However, the never-ending revelations about authorities' questionable and poor decisions during the incident continue to unfold. Herman Andaya, now the former chief of Maui's Emergency Management Agency, decided not to activate warning sirens during the wildfires. He claimed that doing so would have caused more confusion and wouldn't have saved anyone. Moreover, children were left at home without their parents after power cuts on the island closed the schools contributing to a large number of juvenile casualties. Meanwhile, those who dodged the barricades and sought refuge in the ocean survived. (Related: Island police announce launch of arson investigation: Climate change propagandist may have started fires in Hawaii.) Following the poor decisions that led to more casualties during the wildfires, reports have emerged that authorities are turning away residents that arrive with much-needed supplies like generators and water. Survivors who receive water provided by the state government get sick after drinking. Hawaiian Electric, which promised to invest in preventive measures after the 2019 wildfires, still lacks preparedness. The local utility company obsessively focused on renewable energy while spending a mere $245,000 on wildfire safety over the four-year period between 2019 and 2023. Furthermore, M. Kaleo Manuel an official at the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) refused to release water for the West Maui fire. The deputy director for the DLNR's Commission on Water Resource Management believed in water equity and reverence for water as a privilege rather than a resource. A Maui resident says they were winning against the fires "until the water shut off." Real estate developers taking advantage of the tragic incident in Maui Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has been vocal about his intention to prevent opportunistic land acquisitions by foreign entities and ensure that the recovery and redevelopment process prioritizes the interests of Hawaii's people. "We don't want this to become a clear space for overseas interests to exploit. The state will take the lead in preserving it first," he said during a press conference. The Aloha State's governor stressed the need to prevent exploitation and land theft: "You will be pretty poorly informed if you try to steal land from our people and then build here." Despite the clear stance, reports have emerged of developers reaching out to residents about acquiring land owned by families for generations. They have exploited the situation by purchasing land from desperate homeowners. The fear is that without swift insurance payouts and adequate government aid, survivors might be compelled to sell to deep-pocketed buyers. These external parties could then rapidly gentrify neighborhoods and alter the character of the island. Long-time Maui resident John Dimuro expressed his neighbors' collective sentiment: "The government should just say 'No, you're not allowed to develop.' Say no, just flat-out no." Jonah Lion, who runs an eco-cultural tourism company, affirmed the resolve of many islanders. He stressed: "No matter how much money you offer no, we're not selling. This is not for sale." Sterling Higa, executive director of the nonprofit Housing Hawaii's Future, outlined the potential challenges that await affected residents. "The real danger is all of this compensation to rebuild, if it comes at a later time, doesn't necessarily cover the interim cost of rent," he explained. "Many of us are concerned that in the immediate wake of a disaster, people are not always in the right state of mind to make such a consequential decision." Visit Disaster.news for more stories about the wildfires in Hawaii. Watch this video that explains what happened during the wildfires on the island of Maui. This video is from the Alex Hammer channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Hawaii state official deprived Lahaina of water to fight fires until devastation was complete WHY? M. Kaleo Manuel, the Hawaii water official who REFUSED to release water to fight Maui fires, is a climate equity cult member. The Resistance Chicks: Non-native grasses contributed to wildfires in Hawaii Brighteon.TV. Hawaii State government attempts information blackout on Maui fire refuses media access. Chinese state media (justifiably) MOCKS Bidens INCOMPETENCE in handling Hawaii wildfires. Sources include: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com DailyMail.co.uk 1 DailyMail.co.uk 2 MSN.com Brighteon.com Mexican cartel now has an elite unit of DRONE OPERATORS at its disposal Multiple sources have confirmed that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most brutal cartels in Mexico, has formed its own elite unit of drone operators U.S. based-security analysts, Mexican officials and cartel members themselves attested to the existence of CJNG's elite drone unit. The unit consists of a highly trained group of "sicarios" or hitmen devoted to modifying commercial drones and turning them into flying bombs. These weaponized drones are then deployed against rival cartels and even the Mexican government itself. The merciless CJNG started weaponizing commercial drones more than four years ago, per researchers and Mexican authorities. Nevertheless, the formation of specialized drone groups shows that the cartel is moving its drone operations to the next level. "We began training as a group in 2021, but only this year we started operating," said an anonymous member of the CJNG's Operadores Droneros unit. He disclosed that the unit is supposedly made up of a dozen individuals, and works only in the states of Michoacan and Jalisco at present. The CJNG drone pilot remarked that his unit is mainly committed to locating and assaulting opposing cartels. These include the Los Viagras and Knights Templar groups in Michoacan and the Sinaloa Cartel in Jalisco. "It depends on which drone we use, but we can be miles away and confirm that [our rivals] are at a certain house or vehicle," he said. "[And] then, [we] crash the drone with explosives." The Operadores Droneros unit is still a new and unpopular group inside CJNG, according to an intelligence official inside the Mexican Armed Forces (FAM). Nevertheless, the official said this does not mean that the unit is harmless. CJNG using, weaponizing China-made drones The drones used by the cartel are generally made in China and purchased online through retail platforms. The CJNG pilot said the drones are then packed with improvised explosives, including potassium perchlorate and aluminum. Shrapnel such as buckshot and nails are added in for more damage. An exclusive video acquired by the Daily Beast featured an Operadores Droneros henchman packing explosive charges inside plastic bottles. It also showed nails and buckshot near the working area, as well as a commercial drone in the back of a pickup truck. Several sources inside CJNG verified the clip's authenticity. According to them, it was recorded a few hours before an August 2023 attack against the Knights Templar in the village of Apatzingan at Michoacan state. The anonymous CJNG member said "Americans and a Colombian man" were the founders of the cartel's drone operations. These individuals trained cartel members how to source, fly and detonate a commercial drone. "A gringo [American] showed us how to make our own explosives since sourcing a real plastic explosive could be too attention-grabbing," he recounted. "And the Colombian showed us how to drive and maneuver a drone." Explosive drones have been one of the most dangerous weapons employed by cartels against the Mexican government. In one such attack from November 2022, explosive drones piloted by CJNG operatives attacked a caravan from the Mexican military as they came to the town of Tepalcatepec in Michoacan. News reports said four were killed and six others were injured in the attack. (Related: Mexican cartels now using weaponized DRONES to fight law enforcement in escalating drug war.) CBS News also reported that attacks involving drone-carried bombs, which were unknown in Mexico before 2020, have been on the rise. The Mexican government has recorded 260 such incidents as of writing. Between 2021 and August 2023, the FAM captured 23 weaponized drones. The drones were sized in mainly three states Michoacan, Guerrero and Jalisco where CJNG actively operates. Follow DrugCartels.news for more news about the Mexican drug cartels. Watch this video of another unit within CJNG, this time a "special forces" squad with armored vehicles and mobile phone jammers. This video is from Piper's Place channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mexican drug cartel caught with military-grade ROCKET LAUNCHERS the same weapons being sent to Ukraine. Pentagon plans to launch a program that will develop DRONE SWARMS. EXCLUSIVE: Mexican drug cartels to launch terror attacks inside U.S., warns federal intel. Sources include: Yahoo.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Steve Quayle and Mike Adams warn of widespread geoengineering that just took place in Maui: No one is safe! As of August 22, at least 1,100 people are still missing and 115 bodies have been found but only 27 have been identified following the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century. The said blaze took place in the used-to-be picturesque tourist town of Lahaina, home to 12,000 people. The massive number of deaths and total damages left by the "inferno" are being blamed on many incompetencies of the local government of Maui and a possible staged or geoengineered conflagration. "Health Ranger Report" podcast host Mike Adams, in a recent episode, questioned many coincidences on the "government-sponsored terrorism against the people of Hawaii." "Why were they denied a water supply? Why were they denied the emergency sirens? Why were the children told to go home when the fires were approaching? Why was the fire department called off?" he wondered. This obviously engineered "event's" aftermath even shocked responders, who found some families huddled together with their children burned alive. Adams blamed the government's actions, "which many of us believe were deliberate." He also linked this to the possible giant land grab taking place in Lahaina. According to reports, Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned developers from the U.S. and the rest of the world not to buy up the lands burned by the catastrophic wildfires because the state government is considering acquiring them for the locals so it's not "stolen by people on the mainland." "I'm already thinking of ways for the state to acquire that land so that we can put it into workforce housing, to put it back into families, or make it open spaces in perpetuity as a memorial to the people who were lost," Green claimed. But the people doubt the "innocent" intentions. (Related: LAND GRAB: Hawaii government to confiscate lands burned by deadly Maui wildfires.) For the show's guest, bioterrorism and weapons of mass destruction expert Steve Quayle, what happened to Hawaii is a full-court press of the globalist Luciferians bent on destroying humanity. "I have never seen such a heartless display of incompetence, almost to the point of everybody's looking at the other guy to give a better lie than the guy that gave a lie before. [The victims] are our fellow humans and countrymen. And again, it's a democratic-controlled governor and local hierarchy," the renowned author noted. Elsewhere in the show, Adams stressed how globalist officials can actually "cause" disasters in many other ways just to carry out their hidden agenda. "They can cause an electrical failure, floods, and droughts and even move weather systems around. Or they can cause riots. It's just one emergency after another, just engineered one after another. No one is safe right now," the Natural News and Brighteon founder said. Quayle agreed saying that, that is the key statement: No one is safe. "The idea of safety is fleeing away," he warned, citing a cyclone hurricane coming onto the West Coast as an example. "But what people are seeing as the controlled narrative - false - of human-initiated climate change is absolutely at the hands of the man using some of the highest technology that exists. There is no natural weather only manipulated weather." Communication is key In disasters like the one that just happened in Lahaina, Adams and Quayle agreed that communication is key, and it is not "mainstream" communication. "People need to understand that when a controlled action against American people occurs to destroy them, [authorities] always take normal communications offline. They take them down," Quayle said. "If you control the narrative, you only show images you want the public to see. So, there is a necessity for emergency communications and power." He further pointed out the significance of being able to connect to the people in a family sphere to update them on your safety and status. Adams lauded his other guest, Tina of SAT123.com, the satellite phone store, for the help it is currently providing Lahaina. According to the sat phone store representative, they got about 30 satellite phones donated in Maui. "People are out there working day and night, looking and trying to rescue people. On the island, people rely on cell sites and landlines and both are down. So, the only communication in the affected areas are satellite phones," she said, adding that they are encouraging at least a person in a community to have a satellite phone to call out to get help or to call friends and family. She also added that satellite phones are best to use if one does not want to be listened in on because the lines are secured. Check out GeoEngineering.news for more stories related to climate manipulation and weaponization. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams featuring Steve Quayle below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources for this article include: Brighteon.com BeckerNews.com The Resistance Chicks discuss coincidences between Trump indictments and Hunter Biden revelations Brighteon.TV Sisters Leah and Michelle Svensson, known as the Resistance Chicks, discussed the strange coincidences involving the indictments against former President Donald Trump and the revelations regarding presidential son Hunter Biden. Elder sister Leah outlined the "coincidences" that happened against Trump during the Aug. 18 episode of "Headline News: The Resistance Chicks" on Brighteon.TV. Interestingly , all of these happened after legal actions were launched against the presidential son. On March 16 of this year, the House Oversight Committee disclosed that the Biden family received payments from a Chinese energy firm. Two days later on March 18, Trump confirmed that he would be indicted in New York. The indictment did happen on April 4, with Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg indicted Trump in a hush-money case. He charged the former president with 34 felony counts, which Trump all pleaded not guilty to. The charges stemmed from a hush money payment given to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claimed she had an affair with the former president. On June 7, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released documents alleging that the Bidens took a $10 million bribe from Ukrainian energy company Burisma. The very next day on June 8, Special Counsel Jack Smith indicted Trump with a total of 37 counts on seven different charges. The second indictment stemmed from allegedly classified documents taken from the August 2022 raid at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. When the younger Biden's sweetheart deal fell apart on July 26, Smith added more charges to the Mar-a-Lago indictment for a total of 40 charges. Hunter's former business partner Devon Archer testified before lawmakers on July 31. According to Archer, President Joe Biden was on the more than 20 calls with Hunter's other business partners. The next day on Aug. 1, Smith indicted Trump for his involvement in the Jan. 6 false-flag riot at the Capitol. Lastly, House Republicans released a transcript from the FBI agent involved in the Hunter Biden investigation on Aug. 14. Soon after, Fulton County DA Fani Willis charged Trump and 18 others in connection with the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. (Related: Fulton Countys bogus Trump indictment is Democrats latest attempt to criminalize free speech) Indictments serve to jail Trump, cover up Hunter's scandals According to younger sister Michelle, the indictments have a two-fold purpose. While they seek to put Trump behind bars, they ultimately serve to cover up Hunter Biden's misdeeds. She continued that the American people will be sick of hearing about the presidential son, something that will possibly backfire on the Democrats. Michelle also mentioned that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) has some inside knowledge of the indictment. The former congressman for the Peach State claimed prosecutors weren't ready to drop the Georgia indictment against Trump. However, the latest revelations regarding Hunter forced them to immediately push the charges. The younger Svensson sister said the prosecutors weren't planning on the Hunter Biden bombshells being exposed. Despite this, she remarked that the rush toward any legal action against Trump is "good news" since it will fall apart. Moreover, the truth about the presidential son being exposed cannot be prevented from becoming public. Leah meanwhile said Gingrich may have been talking about the indictment Willis pushed. This is because the House GOP releasing the FBI agent's transcripts was absolutely huge. "I don't know if they are trying to cover up for Joe or what it is. Honestly, at this point I'm not exactly sure what their long game is with the Trump indictments," she ultimately remarked. "This is where we are kind of in a different world right now where the weaponization of the government against the president and citizens is right out there in the open for everyone to see." Follow Trump.news for more news about former president Donald Trump's indictments. Watch the Aug. 18 episode of "Headline News: The Resistance Chicks" below. "Headline News: The Resistance Chicks" airs every Friday at 6-7 p.m. and every Sunday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Evidence mounts that DA Braggs indictment of Trump is pure political persecution. Former federal prosecutor finds numerous problems with indictment documents against Trump. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Trump case assigned to Obama-appointed, J6-hating D.C. judge who worked at the same law firm as Hunter Biden. Former Arizona AG: Trump indictment an example of weaponized government bureaucracy. Wayne Root: Now its official. I know it, you know it. Everyone knows it. Trumps Georgia indictment is the final proof the 2020 election was stolen. Sources include: Brighteon.com BBC.com NYPost.com WSJ.com CBSNews.com NBCNews.com The DEATH of freedom? UN unleashing digital army to censor online disinformation all around the world The unelected, globalist-controlled ruling body known as the United Nations (UN) is "building a digital army" to police and censor free speech online and it is doing so usingtax dollars. In order to maintain its position as a global leader in the "fight against online misinformation," the UN is taking it upon itself to try to align the totality of humanity under the banner of controlled information as dispensed by the globalists. No longer will individuals be allowed to freely share information online when doing so goes against a dictate or narrative of the establishment. Anything that defies the official story on any given subject will be deemed as "deadly disinformation" that must be removed from the web. An announcement on the UN's website explains that all forms of "disinformation" are "deadly," posing an "existential" risk to what the globalist body says are the core building blocks of modern society. In order to keep themselves perched at the top of the pyramid, the globalists must maintain total control over all "democratic institutions" and the "fundamental human rights" they supposedly dispense. (Related: If the UN is successful in its endeavors, then communist China will be put in charge of policing and controlling the world's internet.) UN using alarmist war-like language in reference to stamping out free speech It is no longer acceptable for social media platforms and search engines to merely post warnings or "fact checks" in conjunction with what the globalists deem as "fake news." The UN is gunning to silence everyone, using words like "war" and "battlefield" to describe the endeavor. In the minds of those who run the UN, free speech and the First Amendment are a threat to their control structure. Thus, the globalists are now waging war on all of us who dare to say or share information that threatens the globalist power grid. Interestingly, the UN's war-like language is the same as that of fake president Joe Biden and his censorship-obsessed regime. Many of the UN's proposed "solutions" to "misinformation" are the very same ones Biden and Co. inflicted on Americans during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic." As part of its "peacekeeping" efforts, the UN hopes to deal swiftly and thoroughly with "large-scale misinformation" of the kind that would cause people to question whether or not COVID is even real, for instance, or whether face masks do anything beyond suffocate wearers. The UN wants to take a more "proactive" approach to cracking down on free speech, recommending that this same approach also be unleashed on war-torn, poverty-stricken Africa, which is likewise under "attack" by free thought. It is the belief of the world's globalists that they know better than anyone else what is "real" and "true," and that they were chosen to guide the human herd into right-think and right-speak. This is where the UN's "Verified" initiative comes into play, this being a "free" course offered by the globalist body to help "educate" the masses into how to keep themselves safe from "misinformation." "This effort expands on several basic topics, including how to recognize 'disinformation,'" reports Slay News. "The UN will also tell you why it is being spread. Another one is to be able to discern emotional, dramatic, and provocative content." The UN's Verified initiative also aims to crack down on climate change "misinformation," the position of the globalist body being that we are currently in a "climate emergency" crisis situation that requires drastic reductions in quality of life in order to overcome. "At the heart of our fight for a livable planet lies an information battle, one we ignore at our peril," the UN maintains. The UN has no constitutional authority over the First Amendment. Learn more at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: SlayNews.com NaturalNews.com The El Nino phenomenon may expedite the collapse of one of the world's last surviving tropical glaciers in Indonesia, forcing it to become extinct by 2026, the country's meteorological service warned. Indonesia, home to a third of the world's rainforest after Brazil and Congo, expects the dry season to last until October as El Nino increases the risk of forest fires and threatens clean water supplies. Because of global warming, the glacier on the pinnacle of Puncak Jaya, a mountain in the Papua area, was already melting rapidly, according to the National Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). "The glaciers might vanish before 2026, or even faster, and El Nino could accelerate the melting process," Donaldi Permana, climatologist with the meteorology agency, said in a interview referring to the so-called "Eternity Glaciers." Read Also: Warning! Remaining Glaciers in the Pacific Will Soon Melt Away Melting glacier Puncak Jaya, commonly known as Carstensz Pyramid, is the tallest mountain in Indonesia, standing at 4,884 meters (16,024 feet). It is part of a range that runs over Papua, a region that shares a border with Papua New Guinea. The glacier was initially observed by European explorers in the early twentieth century, and its existence in a tropical country has since captivated many scientists, researchers, and nature lovers. However, due to global warming, the glacier has receded throughout the years. The strongest El Nio on record, in 2015 and 2016, increased the glacier's decline by up to 16 feet per year, according to the meteorological bureau. A team of scientists from Ohio State University and the Indonesian agency excavated ice cores from the glacier in 2010 and discovered evidence of its lengthy history, suggesting it had been active for at least 5,000 years. They also discovered evidence of its vulnerability to climate change. Global warming not only increased the temperature, but it also changed the altitude at which rain converted to snow. As a result, rain was suddenly falling at elevations where snow had previously fallen, replenishing the ice on the glacier. "If you want to kill a glacier, just put water on it," said Lonnie Thompson, Ohio State University professor. Cultural loss The glacier's demise would also be a cultural loss. Thompson stressed that indigenous people who lived around the mountain adored it. "The ridges and the valleys are the arms and legs of their god, and the glacier is the head," he said. Furthermore, Dwikorita Karnawati, head of BMKG. stated that climate change affects the life of indigenous populations that have long relied on the environment and natural resources in the area. Another effect of ice melting is that it contributes to the rise of global sea levels. He noted that the situation needs raising awareness among all stakeholders about the necessity of environmental preservation and protection. Government, society, and the commercial sector should all work together to mitigate climate change. "We need to continue to maintain and control the rate of temperature increase by transforming fossil energy into more environmentally friendly energy. In the National Long-term Development Plan, we recommend the need for a more systematic program for observing and monitoring environmental parameters," he added in an interview. Related Article: Landslides Can Influence Glacier Melting and Glacier Movement: New Study Related Video: Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are known for contributing in the warming of the planet in a natural phenomenon called the greenhouse effect. This process traps solar heat from our Sun and it has been ongoing, likely since ancient Earth millions or billions of years ago. It can also be said the process has helped our planet survive the harsh radiation from space. However, human activities such as burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal have accelerated the said atmospheric process, based on collected scientific evidence over the past 200 years. While natural factors like volcanic eruptions also contribute to the greenhouse effect, climate scientists have blamed anthropogenic factors to the unprecedented increase of the gases. Now, a new study by scientists from the United States conducted a long-term experiment to arrive at the conclusion that Arctic snowpack accelerates greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the scientific team found the thicker the Arctic snowpack the more it releases carbon preserved in permafrost. In this article, Nature World News explores the recent findings. Deepening Arctic Snowpack In the study published in the journal AGU Advances on August 12, researchers from the University of California, Irvine discovered that some parts of the Arctic region are enveloped with deeper snowpack than usual. This deep snow is causing the thawing of frozen carbon in permafrost, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The research team acknowledged that while climate change continues to cut the snow cover period, snow mass has been accumulation in multiple parts of the Arctic. They acknowledged previous work that showed thicker snow can quickly melt permafrost and expose significant amounts of ancient organic matter, which then releases long-frozen carbon reserves. The team conducted their study at the International Tundra Experiment in Alaska's Toolik Lake. The experiment began in 1994 by a study spearheaded by co-lead author Jeff Welker from the University of Alaska. The initial goal of the research was to determine how deeper snow can affect Arctic tundra ecosystems. Also Read: New Links Between Greenhouse Gases and Sea Level Rise Found in the Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica Greenhouse Gas Emissions The results of the study suggest the compounded impact, not only of global warming but also natural processes like Arctic snowpack accumulation, to the increased greenhouse gas emissions, also called GHG. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), global GHG emissions come from different economic activities such as the following: Electricity and heat production Industry Agriculture Forestry Land Use Transportation Buildings Other energy Since the year 1900, global carbon emissions extracted from fossil fuels have drastically spiked, according to the EPA. Since 1970, carbon dioxide emissions have increased due to fossil fuel burning and industrial processes. Furthermore, agricultural activities, excessive deforestation, and other land use are the second leading contributors. In 2014, the top carbon emitters aside from the U.S. were China, India, Russia, Japan, and the European Union, the U.S. government agency adds. With this, the data shows that the majority of emissions come from first-world countries. Related Article: Greenhouse Gases Carbon Dioxide and Methane Dramatically Increase by 0.6% and 0.5% in 2022 [Study] A heat wave in southwest Switzerland has heightened the risk of falling rock and ice in the Alpine area, which has been particularly fatal this year for mountaineers and hikers. According to the Swiss weather service, a heat wave has driven the zero-degree Celsius threshold to its greatest altitude since records began over 70 years ago in Switzerland, a worrisome new indication for the country's famed glaciers. Valais regional authorities said a spike in temperatures has prompted accelerated erosion in the Alps. "With the heat wave of the last few days, and the days to come, the danger level is heightened in the high mountains," regional police spokesman Steve Leger said in an interview. Read Also: Biodiversity in Tibet's Mountainous Regions Declines as Climate Change Worsens Casualty of erosion A total of 17 alpinists or mountaineers who trekked to the highest altitudes in the Alps in the Valais region have died. The number is more than the annual totals achieved in any of the prior five years. In addition, six hikers have died this year on lower-altitude trips in Valais. Only five of the 23 people killed were Swiss. Austrian, Belgian, British, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Roanian, Taiwanese, and Ukrainian nationalities are among the others. On Wednesday, Valais police reported that a 37-year-old German lady died after falling more than 70 meters (230 feet) while walking her dog on a path in Zermatt, in the shadow of the iconic Matterhorn peak, last week. Her fall's exact reason was being investigated. Zero-degree limit The zero-degree limit is an important meteorological indicator, especially in mountainous areas, because it "affects vegetation, the snow line, and the water cycle, and thus has a significant impact on the habitats of humans, animals, and plants alike." Glaciologists said that the new zero-degree altitude record is a warning sign. The head of Glacier Monitoring Switzerland (GLAMOS), Matthias Huss, described it as a "change of regime" and "another blow for glaciers" that had already been hammered earlier this year. "The glaciers were already in a very poor state compared with other years. There was already a lot of melting in June and July, and now this heat is adding to the loss," he added. Alpine glaciers shattered melting records last year as a result of a combination of low winter snow cover, the arrival of Saharan dust in March, and heatwaves from May to early September. Between 2021 and 2022, Swiss glaciers lost around 6% of their ice volume, compared to one-third between 2001 and 2022. MeteoSwiss predicted that the temperature in Sion, the regional capital, will reach 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, one of the highest in the country. In recent days, most of western Switzerland has been roasting, and many people have sought refuge in the country's lakes and other watery refuges to escape the heat. The city of Lausanne made two public swimming pools free of charge. The heat wave was forecasted to pass by the end of the week. Related Article: NSW and Victoria Alpine Regions Predicts Wild Rainfall and Possible Flood Event Related Video: According to a recent study, South American frogs use a fluorescent compound to glow at twilight, allowing them to communicate with one another and fend off predators. 151 Species of South American Frogs Glowing A natural wonder was announced by scientists in 2017. They discovered that South American frogs glow at twilight with a fluorescent compound, which has never been noted or observed in nature prior to the study. The number of frog species that might emit this light was unknown at the time. A lot more has been discovered through new studies than what the earlier findings even hinted at. Every single individual, or 528 frogs, in a survey of 151 species of South American frogs displayed some degree of fluorescence. Fluorescence may also be used by frogs to indicate to one another and maybe ward off predators since, according to a study, it is well-matched to their vision and ecology. Frog vision and ecology match their glowing properties! We added fluorescence data for 150+ frog sp. & found evidence sensory drive may underlie the evolution of this trait. Check out this article https://t.co/RqWzNvlq5E about our new preprint out now: https://t.co/yHBUmf7K0X Courtney Whitcher (@FluoroFrogs) August 14, 2023 Using a field study across South America, a group led by Florida State University scientist Courtney Whitcher described how they found and recorded biofluorescence patterns in tropical amphibians. They added members of previously untested anuran groups and more than tripled the total number of species that were included in the characteristic testing. The group's findings imply that frog biofluorescence is probably used in anuran communication because there is evidence of tuning to the frog's ecology and sensory systems. Other Creatures That Glow In the animal kingdom, there are many glowing objects, although the cause isn't always clear. Fluorescence is a glow that is produced when light is absorbed and then re-emitted at a different wavelength. Many species, including catsharks, salamanders, chameleons, and, strangely, Australian monotremes and marsupials, have been shown to exhibit fluorescence. Bone can glow as well, even human bone, according to a previous study. However, the biofluorescence generated in frogs' skin appears to be distinct from that of other luminescent creatures. In South America, Whitcher and her team captured and analyzed 528 frogs, exposing them to lights that ranged from ultraviolet to visible spectrum, and documenting the outcomes. How and Why Frogs from South America Glow In the study, each frog exhibited a glowing response, even though some displayed as little as a 2% fluorescence. Notably, blue light resembling Earth's twilight evoked the strongest fluorescence among various wavelengths tested. This fluorescence predominantly manifested in dual visible-light peaks - one orange and another green. Many frogs are crepuscular, thriving in twilight's dimness during dawn and dusk. Their eyes are adapted to this environment, enriched with green and blue-sensitive rod photoreceptors. Such green-sensitive rods occupy roughly 60% of certain frogs' retinas. Also Read: Invasive Toxic Cane Toad Population Near Resort in Florida Hunted Down By Man with BB Gun This alignment results in heightened green luminance during their peak activity, synchronized with their optimal vision. Body parts involved in inter-frog signaling, like the throat and back, exhibited the most intense glow, implying that biofluorescence aids communication. The purpose of orange fluorescence remains uncertain, potentially linked to evolutionary byproducts or predator deterrence. However, the researchers emphasize that the ecologically significant green glow fulfills all necessary criteria. According to scientists, biofluorescence is most noticeable during this time because it fits the perception peak demonstrated by anuran green rods in many frog species but strongly contrasts with background hues reflected during regular frog breeding hours. Their findings motivate more studies into the role of biofluorescence in anuran communication and raise the possibility that sensory drive may have influenced the evolution of the phenomenon. Related Article: New Species of Frog Found Under a Rock in Venezuela has Copper Eyes Army Pfc. Charley Havlat of Dorchester, Nebraska, died in an ambush on a dirt road in Czechoslovakia during World War II, struck in the head by a bullet from a German rifle as he crouched for cover in his open-topped Jeep. Havlats sad end might not have stood out from those of the other half a million American service members who gave their lives in the war, except for its timing: May 7, 1945, just hours before the German surrender. The Nebraska farmhand was the last U.S. combat death of the war in Europe. Ten minutes later, they laid down their arms, said Ken Havlat, 62, of Lincoln, Charleys nephew and closest living relative. If he had just lasted 10 more minutes, he would have lived to a ripe old age. Charley Havlat is one of three U.S. service members two of them Nebraskans who will be honored by military officials from the Czech Republic at 10:30 a.m. Saturday during the opening ceremony of Lincolns Guardians of Freedom Airshow, at Lincoln Air Park. If you go With more than 100,000 guests expected each day for the Guardians of Freedom Airshow on Saturday and Sunday, attendees are advised to plan for possible congested traffic conditions. The free event is from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day in Air Park, Northwest 38th Street. Additional information is available at lincolnairshow.com/maps. To avoid traffic challenges, community members and event attendees are urged to visit lincoln.ne.gov/closures or use the Waze mobile app. The Navy Blue Angels are headlining the show, which also will feature the Air Forces F-16C Viper team, vintage warbirds and static displays, including E-4B and RC-135 aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with the show running from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event and parking are free. The Czech deputy minister of defense has traveled here from Prague to present the nations Cross of Merit to family members of three former service members: Havlat; Ladislav Jisa, of Dwight, Nebraska; and 1st Lt. Virgil Kirkham of Corbett, Oregon. The presentation is meant to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the partnership between the Czech military and the Nebraska National Guard. Nebraska has more citizens of Czech ancestry than any state, said Maj. Jakub Simicek, a spokesman for the Czech Armed Forces. So we found sons of Czech emigrants fought for the liberation of their parents original homeland, he said. We see this as an opportunity to pay tribute to those heroes. Czech girl honors Americans sacrifice Virgil Kirkham quit college during his freshman year in 1943 to join the Army Air Corps and trained as a fighter pilot, flying the P-47D Thunderbolt. He was only 20, but Kirkham already had more than 80 combat missions under his belt when he took off from Furth, Germany, April 30, 1945, on what was to be the last combat sortie of the war for the 362nd Fighter Group. Their target was a German military convoy near the Czech city of Pilsen. But Kirkhams plane was hit by a fierce anti-aircraft barrage and cartwheeled in flames into a forest. He was the last U.S. fighter pilot killed in the European theater before the German surrender a week later. His body was buried near the crash site and later moved to the Lorraine American Cemetery in France. Kirkhams story became widely known in Czechoslovakia (as the country was known before its split in 1993) because of the dedication of a 14-year-old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, who witnessed the crash and was touched by the sacrifice of the young American pilot. For more than 70 years, she tended a small memorial in Kirkhams honor near the spot where his plane crashed. War is Over! Whoopee! Ladislav Jisa (pronounced HEE-suh) worked on his fathers farm near Dwight until he enlisted in the Army on June 23, 1941, more than five months before Pearl Harbor. He spent two years as a supply sergeant at Fort Omaha. In January 1944, he married Helen Janousek of nearby Brainard, Nebraska. That year he was assigned to the 303rd Infantry Regiment of the 97th Infantry Division, which fought in Germany and Czechoslovakia in the last two months of the war. His unit liberated the Karlovy Vary region. He was in Marienbad, a spa town, when the war ended. WAR IS OVER! WHOOPEE! Jisa wrote in a postwar diary. After the German surrender, Jisas unit was sent to the Pacific. He spent two months on occupation duty in Japan in fall 1945 before returning to the U.S. He was discharged in January 1946. Dave Jisa, Lads son, said his father started his own dairy business on 120 acres near Brainard, about 25 miles northwest of Lincoln. He started in 1946 with 10 red cows, said Dave Jisa, who still operates the dairy. We milk 500 cows now and sell retail cheese. He said his father rarely discussed the war but was an active member of the American Legion post in Dwight until his death in 2004, at age 84. Helen Jisa died last year, at 99. Dave Jisa and his brother, Ken, will accept the Cross of Merit on his fathers behalf on Saturday. I understand this event is to say thanks for their freedom, Ken Jisa said. I consider this to be a great honor. The Last Gold Star Charley Havlat was the oldest of six children growing up on the family farm near Dorchester. Unmarried, he was working as a farmhand and was a partner in a small trucking business when he was drafted in 1942. He was pretty much a free spirit, happy-go-lucky, Ken Havlat said. Charley Havlat was assigned to the 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, which landed at Omaha Beach June 13, 1944, one week after D-Day. He saw action in many of the storied battles of the European war. Havlat participated in the capture of Saint-Lo and fought across northern France, Belgium, Holland and Germany including battles at Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest, and the Bulge. Adolf Hitler was already dead, and his generals had agreed to lay down their arms, when Havlats squad set out on a reconnaissance patrol the morning of May 7, 1945. At 8:20 a.m., German troops from the 11th Panzer Division fired on his convoy, wounding several U.S. soldiers. Havlat took cover but apparently looked up momentarily and was killed by a single bullet. Charley didnt have a chance, Ken Havlat said. Minutes later, his unit received word of a cease-fire. The German officer whose unit attacked Havlats patrol later apologized. Havlats younger brothers, Adolph and Rudolf, were both serving in Europe and together visited his temporary grave near where he had fallen. His body was later moved to a permanent burial site at the Lorraine American Cemetery. Not until the 1990s did the Havlat family learn of Charleys status as the last U.S. soldier killed in combat in Europe. In 2002, a small monument was placed in the Czech Republic along the road where he died. In 2015, on the 70th anniversary of his death, then-Gov. Pete Ricketts presided over the dedication of a historical monument in Dorchester honoring Havlats sacrifice. Adolph and his sister, Lillian, spent years lobbying the state of Nebraska to rename a stretch of Nebraska Highway 33 between Dorchester and Crete as the Charley Havlat Memorial Highway. But the effort failed. Ken Havlat is honored that Czechs are recognizing Havlat, but he regrets that his father, Adolph, isnt around to see it. He died in 2021. Its nice theyre coming over here, but I wish it would have been earlier, while my dad was still alive, Ken Havlat said. Its bittersweet. The eel population was once thriving in the marine habitats of Somerset, England. In particular, Somerset Levels has been one of their major domains for many years across the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. However, human activities like urbanization, overfishing, and structural developments have pushed the local Somerset eel population to the brink of near extinction, in addition to natural causes like predation or extreme weather events. Still, eels in Somerset Levels have survived but have been designated by conservation authorities as a critically endangered species. Now, conservationists have found that Somerset eels have mysteriously disappeared in their habitats. This comes after experts conducted DNA tests and were reportedly shocked to find no traces or signs of eel DNA was found in the area, which was once teeming with the endangered eel population. Somerset Levels Eel Population Earlier this week, it was reported that eel experts were shocked after they found no evidence of the marine animal within the network of drainage ditches, which makes up the historical habitats in Somerset Levels. Experts believe wetlands barriers that were built to block water back from homes and farmlands are the main reason why there are no eels in the area. The DNA tests were conducted by the organization's Somerset Eel Recovery Project and the Sustainable Eel Group. Prior to the water sampling of the Somerset Levels, the experts were expecting to find the presence of the critically endangered species, the European eel, mainly in the man-made network of drains to drain the Levels. Also Read: The Fascinating Life of Eels, Which Breed Only During Their Last Year of Life The Somerset Levels The Somerset Levels is a unique landscape consisting of a coastal plain and wetland area of the non-metropolitan county Somerset. It stretches approximately 170,000 acres across the northern and central parts of the county, in western England. The declining population or potential endemic extinction of the local eel population in Somerset is crucial since the snake-like freshwater fish plays an important role in the environment. According to the Somerset Wildlife Trust, these marine creatures are "hidden heroes" of the Somerset waterways since they provide food for wetland birds and mammals. Critically Endangered Species However, the population of the European eels in the area has decreased despite the entry of around 100 million eels annually through the Bristol Channel, according to reports. Nevertheless, the wildlife trust organization said the Somerset Levels and Moors eel population has declined between 90% to 95% since the 1980s. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has been designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "Critically Endangered" based on its Red List of Threatened Species. Aside from the Somerset waterways, the European eels spend most of their life across European rivers, which flow out in the open oceans of the Atlantic, Baltic, and Mediterranean. The eels, being a high demand as food delicacies in Asia and Europe, excessive fishing has occurred in previous years, in addition to other threats, such as dams, which blocked their migration paths, according to the IUCN. Related Article: The Eel Feels But Does it Make a Good Pet? The U.S. Bank on the corner of Grand Avenue and 17th Street West was robbed Thursday. Billings Police were hunting for a suspect described as a man wearing cut-off jeans, a long-sleeved striped shirt and a straw hat, according to a statement from BPD Lt. Matt Lennick. At around noon on Thursday, the man walked into the bank and approached an employee. He demanded cash under the threat of using a weapon, then ran away. A second armed robbery of a business on Montana Avenue was reported at about 4 p.m. Suspect in the second robbery was described as a 6-foot man with black and gray hair and wearing a T-shirt. There were some cloud announcements this week at VMware Explore in Las Vegas, but AI was the star, as it has been at nearly every tech company lately. Vendors have been rushing to add generative AI to their platforms, and VMware is no exception. The biggest AI features to emerge from the conference VMware Private AI Foundation and Intelligent Assist won't be fully available for months. VMware Private AI Foundation is a joint development with Nvidia that will enable enterprises to customize models and run generative AI applications on their own infrastructure. Intelligent Assist is a family of generative AI-based solutions trained on VMwares proprietary data to automate IT tasks. One new tool SafeCoder is already available, however. VMware collaborated with Hugging Face to help launch SafeCoder, a commercial solution built around an open-source large language model that companies can fine-tune on their own code bases and run in their own secure environments. VMware is using SafeCoder internally and publishing a reference architecture with code samples for customers that want to operate SafeCoder on VMware infrastructure. "We deployed the SafeCoder model in our own data center months ago," said Chris Wolf, vice president of VMware AI Labs. He spoke about SafeCoder on panels on Tuesday and Wednesday. "It's a 15-billion-parameter model specifically tuned for software development." Then VMware performed additional training using some of its own code base. "We looked at who were the best software engineers in the company, and tuned the model on their commits," Wolf said. Since this was a smaller, specialized model, the fine-tuning only took four hours, he said. "The resulting solution that we offered to our software engineers has seen a 93% acceptance rate from our software developers," he said. "That means they liked the solution, and they are continuing to use the solution because it makes them more productive." VMware also released a reference architecture for its own AI stack. Software development is low-hanging fruit for generative AI, said VMware CEO Raghu Raghuram at an AI panel on Tuesday. "More companies are under developer constraints, and this can help them get more productive." Plus, coding AIs can be trained on a relatively homogeneous, constrained training data set, he added. "It's a single data source in most companies." VMware itself isn't going to get into the business of building generative AI models, however. "We will be providing infrastructure," Raghuram said. "We see tremendous opportunity in doing what we do best providing a platform for companies to build and run their generative AI on, and these platforms can be on premise, in Azure, in AWS, and in other places." Tanzu, Workspace ONE and NSX+ set to gain Intelligent Assist A few lucky customers will get early access to Intelligent Assist, VMware's new generative AI-powered solution that is designed to simplify and automate all aspects of enterprise IT, including networking. Intelligent Assist is built on top of VMware Private AI. VMware products with Intelligent Assist include VMware's cloud application platform Tanzu, which will allow users to conversationally request and refine changes to their enterprises cloud infrastructure. According to Mike Wookey, VMware's vice president and CTO of cloud management, Tanzu Intelligent Assist will let users ask questions and take actions. It will also control the user interface of Tanzu products, he said, by driving the users to the correct views to analyze or take actions. The generative AI here is from Azure AI services, which will see the prompt and the schema, but no private customer data, he said. "For the case of documentation, we use another private model that is trained on the Tanzu documentation and generate a specific summary," Wookey said. "This is all very bleeding edge on two fronts," he added. "We are generating deterministic running code from natural language, verifying it, and using it to generate answers for the customers. We use a multi model approach, ensuring the customers data is never exposed to the public LLM, yet still leveraging the public LLM's broad knowledge and accuracy." Intelligent Assist will be generally available "within the year," a VMware spokesperson said. Beyond Tanzu, Workspace ONE with Intelligent Assist will let users create scripts using natural language prompts. Vmwares core NSX+ networking platform is also getting a boost from Intelligent Assist. Now in tech preview, NSX+ with Intelligent Assist will allow security analysts to quickly and more accurately determine the relevance of security findings and remediate threats. VMware also made some old-school AI announcements this week that use traditional machine learning approaches rather than generative AI. For example, VMware announced AI integrations for its Anywhere Workplace platform that automatically optimize employee experience, drive new vulnerability management use cases, and simplify application lifecycle management. VMware also teamed up with Domino Data Lab to provide a unified analytics, data science, and infrastructure platform that is optimized, validated, and supported, purpose-built for AI and ML deployments in the financial services industry. VMware vSphere, vSAN 8 and Tanzu are now optimized with Intels AI software suite to take advantage of the new built-in AI accelerators on the latest 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors. Responsible AI part of the conversation Overall, there were more than two dozen sessions that focused on AI at the VMware Explore event, including a panel on responsible AI, focusing on the role that humans should play. "Being reasonable about the boundaries of your technology is a good place to be," said Meredith Broussard, a journalism professor at New York University, research director at the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology, and the author of several books about AI and bias. She warned about the potential of biased results when AI models are trained on biased data. Unfortunately, it can be hard to figure out what data a model is trained on. "For most of the models that are available today, the data sources are considered proprietary," said VMware's Wolf. "It's hard to understand where the bias can come from if you can't see the data. We had our engineers work with some of these models in the past, and in a very short time you can get the model to communicate some very unethical things." He said that VMware is looking to guide the industry toward lighter-weight, special-purpose models, which are easier to train, are more accurate and even have a lower carbon footprint. "You can control the data and have full awareness of the data used to train the model," Wolf said. VMware rejected opportunities to use ChatGPT because of this and other concerns, he added. "We were saying no to ChatGPT integrations because they could violate the privacy and compliance mandates that our customers had," he said. "We want to understand the data sources that go into the model. Does the model have bias? We want to help customers understand the correctness of the AI as well as explainability of the AI results. We are being very mindful internally and externally on how we're approaching AI." Shruti Kakkar By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Raising doubts about the concurring opinions of competent authorities regarding the release of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case, Supreme Court on Thursday said that the opinion should show independent application of mind even if it is not backed by elaborate reasons. How is a concurring opinion arrived at? There should be an independent application of mind, even in arriving at concurring opinion. It need not be supported by elaborate reasons, but it should show independent application of mind, said a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan while considering a batch of pleas challenging the convicts' remission. The court also observed that Bilkis, along with other petitioners, were not deprived of the right to move court just because the Supreme Court had earlier left it on the Gujarat government to decide on the convicts remission applications. The petitioners are challenging the remission order, which came after the order on the writ petition. You cannot say the remission order cannot be questioned by anybody because of the (SCs) May 2022 order... You may have 101 grounds, only one or two may be pressed, said Justice Nagarathna. After learning that one of the convicts is practising law after the remission, the bench said, Can license to practice law be given after conviction? Law is supposed to be a noble profession. Bar Council of India has to say whether a convict can practise law. You are a convict; there is no doubt about that. You are out of jail due to the remission granted to you. Conviction remains, only the sentence is cut short, the court said. Section 24A of the Advocates Act states that a person convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude cannot be enrolled as an advocate. It also states that disqualification for enrolment shall cease to have effect after a period of two years has elapsed since his release or dismissal or removal. Advocate Sonia Mathur, representing one of the convicts, drew the courts attention to the overcrowding of jails to substantiate remission. The bench, while expressing concerns regarding overcrowding of jails, said, We wish you would canvass reformative theory for all prisoners who have completed 14 years in India. How many remissions have taken place? Why are our jails overcrowded? They should be eligible for remission in the first place. Bilkis Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing the horror of the communal riots that broke out after the Godhra train-burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots. The Gujarat government had released the 11 convicts on the basis of the 1992 remission policy and not the policy adopted in 2014 which is effective today. Under the 2014 policy, state cannot grant remission for a crime investigated by the CBI or where people have been convicted of murder with rape or gang-rape. The hearing in the case will resume on August 31. The top court had on August 17 said state governments should not be selective in granting remission to convicts and the opportunity to reform and reintegrate with society should be given to every prisoner, as it told the Gujarat government which defended its decision of premature release of all 11 convicts. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Raising doubts about the concurring opinions of competent authorities regarding the release of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case, Supreme Court on Thursday said that the opinion should show independent application of mind even if it is not backed by elaborate reasons. How is a concurring opinion arrived at? There should be an independent application of mind, even in arriving at concurring opinion. It need not be supported by elaborate reasons, but it should show independent application of mind, said a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan while considering a batch of pleas challenging the convicts' remission. The court also observed that Bilkis, along with other petitioners, were not deprived of the right to move court just because the Supreme Court had earlier left it on the Gujarat government to decide on the convicts remission applications. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The petitioners are challenging the remission order, which came after the order on the writ petition. You cannot say the remission order cannot be questioned by anybody because of the (SCs) May 2022 order... You may have 101 grounds, only one or two may be pressed, said Justice Nagarathna. After learning that one of the convicts is practising law after the remission, the bench said, Can license to practice law be given after conviction? Law is supposed to be a noble profession. Bar Council of India has to say whether a convict can practise law. You are a convict; there is no doubt about that. You are out of jail due to the remission granted to you. Conviction remains, only the sentence is cut short, the court said. Section 24A of the Advocates Act states that a person convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude cannot be enrolled as an advocate. It also states that disqualification for enrolment shall cease to have effect after a period of two years has elapsed since his release or dismissal or removal. Advocate Sonia Mathur, representing one of the convicts, drew the courts attention to the overcrowding of jails to substantiate remission. The bench, while expressing concerns regarding overcrowding of jails, said, We wish you would canvass reformative theory for all prisoners who have completed 14 years in India. How many remissions have taken place? Why are our jails overcrowded? They should be eligible for remission in the first place. Bilkis Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing the horror of the communal riots that broke out after the Godhra train-burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots. The Gujarat government had released the 11 convicts on the basis of the 1992 remission policy and not the policy adopted in 2014 which is effective today. Under the 2014 policy, state cannot grant remission for a crime investigated by the CBI or where people have been convicted of murder with rape or gang-rape. The hearing in the case will resume on August 31. The top court had on August 17 said state governments should not be selective in granting remission to convicts and the opportunity to reform and reintegrate with society should be given to every prisoner, as it told the Gujarat government which defended its decision of premature release of all 11 convicts. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: In a major plan to induct indigenous fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is working on a proposal to induct the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The IAF is keen to induct close to 100 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighters and the plan is being worked out within the IAF, sources said. The proposal is to be presented to the government. This IAF plan is to increase the profile of the indigenous combat platforms. This is as per a long-term plan to not only add to the resources of HAL to keep its assembly lines alive but also to add more indigenously manufactured combat systems, sources said. These aircraft will replace the ageing squadrons of the MiG 21 fighter jets. Once this order is completed in the stipulated 15 years, the IAF will have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark-1A and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 planes. The decision followed the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudharis review of the status of the LCA programme in Air Headquarters on Wednesday. Also in attendance were senior functionaries from the defence ministry, DRDO, HAL and ADA. The CAS had brought out that the LCA has been the flag-bearer of the IAF efforts towards the indigenisation of its aircraft fleet. Given the nature of this project of national importance, it is required that all stakeholders adopt a collaborative approach towards its success, he said. The first indigenous LCA was inducted in July 2016. The first IAF Squadron to induct the Tejas was No 45 Squadron, the Flying Daggers. Over the years, the squadron progressed from Vampires to Gnats and then to the MiG-21 Bis, before being equipped with Tejas. Tejas is a multirole platform designed to undertake the Air Defence, Maritime Reconnaissance and strike roles. The LCA Mk-1A will have updated avionics, as well as an active electronically steered radar, an updated electronic warfare suite and a beyond visual Range missile capability. The new variant will be capable of firing a number of weapons from increased stand-off ranges. As per the IAF, during the review, representatives of HAL assured the CAS of the timely delivery of the contracted twin-seaters in the coming months, as well. Further to the LCA Mk 1, 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft have also been contracted by the IAF in 2021. The Chairman & Managing Director of HAL assured those present that the deliveries of this advanced variant of the LCA would commence by February 2024. To replace MiG 21 fleet The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk-1A fighters will replace the ageing squadrons of the MiG 21 fighter jets in the Indian Air Force Once the latest order is completed in the stipulated 15 years, the IAF will have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark-1A and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 planes The first indigenous LCA was inducted in July 2016 with the No 45 IAF Squadron. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: In a major plan to induct indigenous fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is working on a proposal to induct the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The IAF is keen to induct close to 100 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighters and the plan is being worked out within the IAF, sources said. The proposal is to be presented to the government. This IAF plan is to increase the profile of the indigenous combat platforms. This is as per a long-term plan to not only add to the resources of HAL to keep its assembly lines alive but also to add more indigenously manufactured combat systems, sources said. These aircraft will replace the ageing squadrons of the MiG 21 fighter jets.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Once this order is completed in the stipulated 15 years, the IAF will have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark-1A and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 planes. The decision followed the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudharis review of the status of the LCA programme in Air Headquarters on Wednesday. Also in attendance were senior functionaries from the defence ministry, DRDO, HAL and ADA. The CAS had brought out that the LCA has been the flag-bearer of the IAF efforts towards the indigenisation of its aircraft fleet. Given the nature of this project of national importance, it is required that all stakeholders adopt a collaborative approach towards its success, he said. The first indigenous LCA was inducted in July 2016. The first IAF Squadron to induct the Tejas was No 45 Squadron, the Flying Daggers. Over the years, the squadron progressed from Vampires to Gnats and then to the MiG-21 Bis, before being equipped with Tejas. Tejas is a multirole platform designed to undertake the Air Defence, Maritime Reconnaissance and strike roles. The LCA Mk-1A will have updated avionics, as well as an active electronically steered radar, an updated electronic warfare suite and a beyond visual Range missile capability. The new variant will be capable of firing a number of weapons from increased stand-off ranges. As per the IAF, during the review, representatives of HAL assured the CAS of the timely delivery of the contracted twin-seaters in the coming months, as well. Further to the LCA Mk 1, 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft have also been contracted by the IAF in 2021. The Chairman & Managing Director of HAL assured those present that the deliveries of this advanced variant of the LCA would commence by February 2024. To replace MiG 21 fleet The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk-1A fighters will replace the ageing squadrons of the MiG 21 fighter jets in the Indian Air Force Once the latest order is completed in the stipulated 15 years, the IAF will have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark-1A and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 planes The first indigenous LCA was inducted in July 2016 with the No 45 IAF Squadron. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Mukesh Ranjan By Express News Service RANCHI: Jharkhand politics is on the boil: A day after the state government lodged four FIRs against state BJP chief Babulal Marandi in Ranchi over hate speeches, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday skipped the ED summons again, and moved Supreme Court. Marandi faces four cases of hate speech in Simdega, Degohar and Latehar where he alleged used derogatory words against JMM chief Shibu Soren and his son. In Ranchi, the FIR has been lodged by Sonu Tirkey at Kanke police station under IPC Sections 504 (deliberate insult), 505 (offence at a religious place) and 505(2). The other three FIRs in three different districts have been lodged under similar sections. The move came ahead of the BJPs Sanakalp Yatra that started on August 16. Marandi had made a scathing attack on the CM accusing him and his family members of changing their identity to get tribal land transferred in their names. The statements against Shibu Soren were meant to spread hatred against him. We call Shibu Soren Dishom Guru for playing a key role in the formation of Jharkhand, said Tirkey in his FIR. Deoghar SP Ajit Peter Dungdung also asserted that an FIR has been registered against Marandi in Deoghar. Meanwhile, Hemant Soren on Thursday skipped the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate again and moved the Supreme Court. Sources said Soren has filed a writ petition in the SC against the summons issued to him by ED in a land scam case. Soren sent a letter to ED, saying he has moved the SC challenging the summons. Soren was issued a second summons by the ED for questioning in the land scam case. Earlier, Soren skipped the first summons on August 14, and sent a letter to the ED asking it to withdraw the summons. However, the ED in its second summons asked him to appear before it on August 24. The ED is probing two cases of money laundering. The first case is related to illegal mining in Sahibganj. The second case is related to an alleged land scam in Ranchi. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp RANCHI: Jharkhand politics is on the boil: A day after the state government lodged four FIRs against state BJP chief Babulal Marandi in Ranchi over hate speeches, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday skipped the ED summons again, and moved Supreme Court. Marandi faces four cases of hate speech in Simdega, Degohar and Latehar where he alleged used derogatory words against JMM chief Shibu Soren and his son. In Ranchi, the FIR has been lodged by Sonu Tirkey at Kanke police station under IPC Sections 504 (deliberate insult), 505 (offence at a religious place) and 505(2). The other three FIRs in three different districts have been lodged under similar sections. The move came ahead of the BJPs Sanakalp Yatra that started on August 16.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Marandi had made a scathing attack on the CM accusing him and his family members of changing their identity to get tribal land transferred in their names. The statements against Shibu Soren were meant to spread hatred against him. We call Shibu Soren Dishom Guru for playing a key role in the formation of Jharkhand, said Tirkey in his FIR. Deoghar SP Ajit Peter Dungdung also asserted that an FIR has been registered against Marandi in Deoghar. Meanwhile, Hemant Soren on Thursday skipped the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate again and moved the Supreme Court. Sources said Soren has filed a writ petition in the SC against the summons issued to him by ED in a land scam case. Soren sent a letter to ED, saying he has moved the SC challenging the summons. Soren was issued a second summons by the ED for questioning in the land scam case. Earlier, Soren skipped the first summons on August 14, and sent a letter to the ED asking it to withdraw the summons. However, the ED in its second summons asked him to appear before it on August 24. The ED is probing two cases of money laundering. The first case is related to illegal mining in Sahibganj. The second case is related to an alleged land scam in Ranchi. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Shruti Kakkar By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The difference between the accession of other princely states and Jammu and Kashmir is that the latter bucked the trend and followed the Article 370 route, the SC remarked on Thursday as it sought from the Centre a list of states that joined the Union of India without a merger agreement. The only difference was that this constitutional history led to the ultimate integration in every sense for the other states. They did not follow the Article 370 route. For J&K, the Constitution decided to go for Article 370. Other states merged completely, the bench said. The five-judge bench hearing pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370 on the tenth day on Thursday, also said that the government could not justify the means used to abrogate Article 370 from the Constitution by simply pointing to the ends achieved. Pointing out the object of Article 370, which was to aid the constitutional integration process of the Union with J&K along the same lines as it happened with other princely states, AG R Venkataramani said its continued existence could not be seen as a distortion of its original purpose. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The difference between the accession of other princely states and Jammu and Kashmir is that the latter bucked the trend and followed the Article 370 route, the SC remarked on Thursday as it sought from the Centre a list of states that joined the Union of India without a merger agreement. The only difference was that this constitutional history led to the ultimate integration in every sense for the other states. They did not follow the Article 370 route. For J&K, the Constitution decided to go for Article 370. Other states merged completely, the bench said. The five-judge bench hearing pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370 on the tenth day on Thursday, also said that the government could not justify the means used to abrogate Article 370 from the Constitution by simply pointing to the ends achieved. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Pointing out the object of Article 370, which was to aid the constitutional integration process of the Union with J&K along the same lines as it happened with other princely states, AG R Venkataramani said its continued existence could not be seen as a distortion of its original purpose. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI NEW DELHI: Former UP minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, serving life terms in the Madhumita Shukla murder case, are set to be released from the prison, Gorakhpur jail superintendent, Dilip Pandey said on Friday. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay Tripathis' release from the jail. The prisons department had on Thursday issued an order for the premature release of Amarmani Tripathi, citing the state's 2018 policy on remission, since they have completed 16 years of imprisonment. The department also cited their old age and good behavior as Amarmani is 66 and Madhumani is 61, the official said citing the order. Amarmani Tripathi and his wife are currently admitted to the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur for health reasons. Gorakhpur district jailer AK Kushwaha said that if the formalities get completed, they may be released on Friday. A bench of Justices Aniuddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi refused to stay Tripathis' release. The bench also issued notices to the state government, Tripathi, and his wife seeking their replies within eight weeks on a plea filed by the poet's sister Nidhi Shukla. Madhumita Shukla's sister, Nidhi Shukla, who had been at the forefront of this legal fight, had earlier said she had approached the Supreme Court against the decision and also feared for the lives of her and her family members. Poet Madhumita, who was pregnant, was shot dead on May 9, 2003, in Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. Amarmani Tripathi was arrested in September 2003 in connection with the murder of the poet with whom he was allegedly in a relationship. A Dehradun court had sentenced Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi to life imprisonment for Madhumita's murder in October 2007, later The Nainital High Court and the Supreme Court upheld the sentence of the couple. The case was probed by the CBI. "I have been telling everyone that this is going to happen. I have procured the documents through an RTI which clearly states that 62 percent of the jail term that the two are said to have served had been spent out of jail." I submitted documents to all responsible persons telling them that between 2012 and 2023 he was not in jail. The government documents, which I have got through the state information commission, after a long fight, bear this out," Nidhi Shukla had earlier in the day told PTI. She alleged that Tripathis had misled the authorities to get a premature release. Shukla also said she fears for her and her family's life in case the two are released. Amarmani Tripathi, who was elected from Nautanva constituency, had been a minister in the BJP state government in 2001. He was with the Samajwadi Party during the Mulayam government and then switched to the Bahujan Samaj Party. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Former UP minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, serving life terms in the Madhumita Shukla murder case, are set to be released from the prison, Gorakhpur jail superintendent, Dilip Pandey said on Friday. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay Tripathis' release from the jail. The prisons department had on Thursday issued an order for the premature release of Amarmani Tripathi, citing the state's 2018 policy on remission, since they have completed 16 years of imprisonment.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The department also cited their old age and good behavior as Amarmani is 66 and Madhumani is 61, the official said citing the order. Amarmani Tripathi and his wife are currently admitted to the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur for health reasons. Gorakhpur district jailer AK Kushwaha said that if the formalities get completed, they may be released on Friday. A bench of Justices Aniuddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi refused to stay Tripathis' release. The bench also issued notices to the state government, Tripathi, and his wife seeking their replies within eight weeks on a plea filed by the poet's sister Nidhi Shukla. Madhumita Shukla's sister, Nidhi Shukla, who had been at the forefront of this legal fight, had earlier said she had approached the Supreme Court against the decision and also feared for the lives of her and her family members. Poet Madhumita, who was pregnant, was shot dead on May 9, 2003, in Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. Amarmani Tripathi was arrested in September 2003 in connection with the murder of the poet with whom he was allegedly in a relationship. A Dehradun court had sentenced Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi to life imprisonment for Madhumita's murder in October 2007, later The Nainital High Court and the Supreme Court upheld the sentence of the couple. The case was probed by the CBI. "I have been telling everyone that this is going to happen. I have procured the documents through an RTI which clearly states that 62 percent of the jail term that the two are said to have served had been spent out of jail." I submitted documents to all responsible persons telling them that between 2012 and 2023 he was not in jail. The government documents, which I have got through the state information commission, after a long fight, bear this out," Nidhi Shukla had earlier in the day told PTI. She alleged that Tripathis had misled the authorities to get a premature release. Shukla also said she fears for her and her family's life in case the two are released. Amarmani Tripathi, who was elected from Nautanva constituency, had been a minister in the BJP state government in 2001. He was with the Samajwadi Party during the Mulayam government and then switched to the Bahujan Samaj Party. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Jitendra Choubey By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The in-principal approval given to declare the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Rajasthan as a tiger reserve has triggered a controversy. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the fringes of the Aravalli mountain range and is home to indigenous tribes like Bhil, Garasia and the nomadic Raika pastoralists, who are against the idea of declaring it as a tiger reserve as they fear displacement. Moreover, there is no documented history of the tiger population in the Kumbhalgarh forest. Indias apex tiger conservation body, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), has declared two more tiger reserves in Rajasthan. It has taken the total tally of the countrys tiger reserve to 55. It gave final approval to Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve, besides the in-principal approval to KWS as a tiger reserve. It is a big day in the tiger conservation efforts in Rajasthans history, Shikhar Agarwal, additional chief secretary of the department of environment, forest and climate change, told this newspaper. He said that the in-principal approval of the Kumbhalgarh tiger reserve means that a committee will soon be formed and assess the requirements of the reserve to make it suitable for the wild cats. Union minister of environment, forest and climate change Bhupendra Yadav has also appreciated the move to declare KWS as a tiger reserve. In a social media post, Yadav said that it will boost employment opportunities for the regions people through ecotourism. However, experts say that there is no documented history of the presence of tigers in Kumbhalgarh. How can we have a tiger reserve where no tigers exist and there are no connectivity corridors to other tiger reserves? said Meenal Tatpati, a forest rights lawyer who prepared a report on the violation of laws and processes in experimenting with the tiger conservation model in KWS. It would be detrimental in terms of tribal displacement and loss of the communitys livelihood, she said. Last year, they passed a village council resolution against the idea of declaring the forest as a tiger reserve and submitted a memorandum to the Rajasthan chief minister, environment and forest minister and district collector, said Jagdish Paliwal, a local activist working with these communities. KWS is known for Indian wolves, four-horned antelope and leopards, but has never been part of any tiger corridor. The forest supports farms and livestock of 162 villages located inside and outside KWS. Incidentally, Diya Kumari, Member of Parliament from Rajsamand, belongs to Kumbhalgarh region. She is also a member of NTCA and has been pushing the case of declaring the Kumbhalgarh forest as a tiger reserve to create employment opportunities through ecotourism. No tigers at kumbhalgarh List of Tiger reserves in Rajasthan Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserve Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Sariska Tiger Reserve Newly approved Dhoulpur-Karauli tiger reserve Kumbhalgarh tiger reserve (in-principal approval) Controversy around Kumbhalgarh Home to indigenous people: Bhil, Garasia, Raika pastoralists Threat to displacement of 20 tribal villages located inside KWS Not much prey to support tiger population No recent documented history of the presence of tigers Two roads pass through, which may cause human-wildlife conflict Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The in-principal approval given to declare the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Rajasthan as a tiger reserve has triggered a controversy. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the fringes of the Aravalli mountain range and is home to indigenous tribes like Bhil, Garasia and the nomadic Raika pastoralists, who are against the idea of declaring it as a tiger reserve as they fear displacement. Moreover, there is no documented history of the tiger population in the Kumbhalgarh forest. Indias apex tiger conservation body, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), has declared two more tiger reserves in Rajasthan. It has taken the total tally of the countrys tiger reserve to 55. It gave final approval to Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve, besides the in-principal approval to KWS as a tiger reserve. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It is a big day in the tiger conservation efforts in Rajasthans history, Shikhar Agarwal, additional chief secretary of the department of environment, forest and climate change, told this newspaper. He said that the in-principal approval of the Kumbhalgarh tiger reserve means that a committee will soon be formed and assess the requirements of the reserve to make it suitable for the wild cats. Union minister of environment, forest and climate change Bhupendra Yadav has also appreciated the move to declare KWS as a tiger reserve. In a social media post, Yadav said that it will boost employment opportunities for the regions people through ecotourism. However, experts say that there is no documented history of the presence of tigers in Kumbhalgarh. How can we have a tiger reserve where no tigers exist and there are no connectivity corridors to other tiger reserves? said Meenal Tatpati, a forest rights lawyer who prepared a report on the violation of laws and processes in experimenting with the tiger conservation model in KWS. It would be detrimental in terms of tribal displacement and loss of the communitys livelihood, she said. Last year, they passed a village council resolution against the idea of declaring the forest as a tiger reserve and submitted a memorandum to the Rajasthan chief minister, environment and forest minister and district collector, said Jagdish Paliwal, a local activist working with these communities. KWS is known for Indian wolves, four-horned antelope and leopards, but has never been part of any tiger corridor. The forest supports farms and livestock of 162 villages located inside and outside KWS. Incidentally, Diya Kumari, Member of Parliament from Rajsamand, belongs to Kumbhalgarh region. She is also a member of NTCA and has been pushing the case of declaring the Kumbhalgarh forest as a tiger reserve to create employment opportunities through ecotourism. No tigers at kumbhalgarh List of Tiger reserves in Rajasthan Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserve Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Sariska Tiger Reserve Newly approved Dhoulpur-Karauli tiger reserve Kumbhalgarh tiger reserve (in-principal approval) Controversy around Kumbhalgarh Home to indigenous people: Bhil, Garasia, Raika pastoralists Threat to displacement of 20 tribal villages located inside KWS Not much prey to support tiger population No recent documented history of the presence of tigers Two roads pass through, which may cause human-wildlife conflict Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI ATHENS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Greece on Friday on a daylong visit, the first by an Indian premier in 40 years, for talks with the European country's top leadership to strengthen bilateral ties. Modi arrived here in the Greek capital from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries. "PM @narendramodi sets foot in the historic city of Athens for his first-ever visit to Greece. Warmly greeted by FM George Gerapetritis at the airport," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Modi is here at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with Prime Minister Mitsotakis to discuss ways to further deepen the relationship. He is also expected to meet President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. "A packed day of engagements lie ahead in Athens. He will lay a wreath at the Tomb of an unknown soldier. He will thereafter meet the President of Greece and hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece," Bagchi said in the video uploaded alongside the post. PM @narendramodi arrived in Athens, Greece. He will hold meetings with the Greek leadership, business community as well as interact with the Indian diaspora. pic.twitter.com/CfyFOshdMG PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2023 He will also interact with business leaders from both countries, as well as with the Indian community in Greece during his day-long visit. "He will also meet business leaders from both sides. Before departing he will interact with the community who are excited to see him after the success of the Chandrayaan mission. All in all a productive day ahead," he said. The Indian community in Greece was excited to welcome Modi. They chanted slogans like 'Modi ji ki jai' and danced to the tunes of Bollywood numbers "Chak de' and 'Jai Ho'. "We expect that in the future Greece and India ties will be strong. So we are expecting this from the prime minister," a community member said. Modi had earlier said: "I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years." PM @narendramodi arrives in Athens. Here is an outline of the packed schedule of his day-long visit to Greece. pic.twitter.com/KBzSzUjuL9 Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2023 The last high-level visit to Greece took place in September 1983 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi travelled to the country. India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp ATHENS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Greece on Friday on a daylong visit, the first by an Indian premier in 40 years, for talks with the European country's top leadership to strengthen bilateral ties. Modi arrived here in the Greek capital from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries. "PM @narendramodi sets foot in the historic city of Athens for his first-ever visit to Greece. Warmly greeted by FM George Gerapetritis at the airport," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Modi is here at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with Prime Minister Mitsotakis to discuss ways to further deepen the relationship. He is also expected to meet President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. "A packed day of engagements lie ahead in Athens. He will lay a wreath at the Tomb of an unknown soldier. He will thereafter meet the President of Greece and hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece," Bagchi said in the video uploaded alongside the post. PM @narendramodi arrived in Athens, Greece. He will hold meetings with the Greek leadership, business community as well as interact with the Indian diaspora. pic.twitter.com/CfyFOshdMG PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2023 He will also interact with business leaders from both countries, as well as with the Indian community in Greece during his day-long visit. "He will also meet business leaders from both sides. Before departing he will interact with the community who are excited to see him after the success of the Chandrayaan mission. All in all a productive day ahead," he said. The Indian community in Greece was excited to welcome Modi. They chanted slogans like 'Modi ji ki jai' and danced to the tunes of Bollywood numbers "Chak de' and 'Jai Ho'. "We expect that in the future Greece and India ties will be strong. So we are expecting this from the prime minister," a community member said. Modi had earlier said: "I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years." PM @narendramodi arrives in Athens. Here is an outline of the packed schedule of his day-long visit to Greece. pic.twitter.com/KBzSzUjuL9 Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2023 The last high-level visit to Greece took place in September 1983 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi travelled to the country. India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp MATAMOROS, Mexico At a massive encampment near an international bridge along the U.S.-Mexico border, migrants from Honduras, Haiti, Venezuela and elsewhere have turned scraps of plastic, poster board and rope into makeshift homes. Mexicos immigration agency and a Catholic aid group are offering what may be at least a partial solution to conditions in this and other camps just south of Brownsville, Texas, where thousands of people wait with the hope of eventually entering the U.S. Last week, they opened a temporary outdoor shelter in Matamoros for up to 850 people. On the first day, 500 Haitians who were living at an old gas station and about 150 people who camped by the river moved in. The outdoor shelter appears woefully inadequate to accommodate the thousands of migrants living in the city and the others who arrive each day, Mexican authorities say it may expand. For many, it's a step in the right direction. We are here, and we feel safer than how we were living over there exposed to everything, said Luisa Hernandez, a 34-year-old Venezuelan woman who described being kidnapped in Mexico. For weeks, she had stayed at the encampment near the river that stretches the length of four laps around an Olympic-sized track. Hernandez's Venezuelan companion, who identified herself only as Luisa out of fears for her safety, said many prefer to stay in encampments because they fear being deported from the temporary shelter, despite assurances from Mexican officials that they faced no such risk. The U.S. government's attempt to create a more orderly system for people to seek asylum by creating a new mobile app has not eased the situation at the camps in Matamoros, though other cities in Mexico have reported improvements. Tijuana, the largest Mexican border city, reported less crowded migrant shelters after the app, CBP One, expanded to 1,450 appointments a day in May and made other changes. People with appointments line up three times a day at a Tijuana border crossing to San Diego, the same spot where authorities forcibly evicted migrants from a squalid camp in 2021. Mexican authorities in Chihuahua state, which includes Ciudad Juarez, reported that migrant shelters fell to 60% occupancy after the changes in May. But in Matamoros, a city of about 500,000 people known for drug-fueled violence, those who have coveted CBP One appointments become kidnapping targets. Filth is everywhere. We bathe in the Rio Bravo, which we were told is polluted, said Edith Waldan, a 29-year-old Honduran who is now in the U.S. but kept her CBP One appointment a secret while in Matamoros because she feared being kidnapped. We go hungry. Were in the heat. We suffer, but theres no other way. Migrants may seek appointments from anywhere in northern Mexico living as far south as Mexico City but many still congregate in cities near the U.S. border. U.S. authorities say it generally takes six to eight weeks of daily attempts to get an appointment on CBP One. Many migrants interviewed by The Associated Press said they have been trying around three months, though some said they have gotten lucky after only a few days of trying. Mexicos National Institute for Migration wants the large camp in Matamoros dismantled. The shelter is intended to provide a safe and appropriate space for those awaiting care for their asylum claims," the agency said in a statement. The shelter sits in a parking lot and paved entrance to an unused hospital. Chalk outlines mark the placement of tents assigned to families. The shelter has security patrols, portable showers, toilets, hand washing stations and a kitchen. Children flocked to a new playground that occupies one of the few grass patches at the shelter as parents lined up near the entrance to register last week. Volunteers cut holes in tarps to allow better ventilation as migrants treasured infrequent breezes. The Sidewalk School, a group that offers medical services near the camp, tells migrants that conditions are better at the gated outdoor shelter than at the makeshift encampments where assaults have gone up, but it's a tough sell. Joer, a 33-year-old Venezuelan who has lived at a camp for three months, said the shelter may suit families but he feels a curfew would undermine a sense of community. Joer, who declined to give his full name for safety reasons, sells drinks, snacks, and cigarettes to migrants in an area that he says comes alive like a boulevard at night. "Imagine yourself locked up at night and going around like a chicken coop as if you were a chicken, Joer said of life inside the shelter. The first day the shelter opened, Joer noted about 100 people left the encampment. But that same night, about 300 new migrants arrived. Photos: Chicago, other cities say shelters full, budgets hit by immigration uptick Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday raised the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a brief interaction between the two on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday. The prime minister underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas, and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a press briefing. Following this, the two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation, the foreign secretary added. The two leaders were also seen shaking hands and exchanging courtesies after the joint conference of the BRICS leaders. However, there was no official word on whether President Xi confirmed his in-person participation in the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi. In Johannesburg, the leaders of the BRICS nations decided to admit six more countries to the grouping Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The new members will become part of BRICS with effect from January 1, 2024. We have taken the decision to expand this forum. India has always fully supported the expansion as it will make BRICS stronger and effective, said Prime Minister Modi while welcoming the new members. Earlier in the day, Modi held bilaterals with leaders of South Africa, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE, Mozambique, and Senegal. Russia will host the next BRICS meet in 2024 in the Russian city of Kazan. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the Johannesburg meet virtually. Putin faces arrest if he travels abroad following an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes. Meanwhile, among the 94 points that were listed in the Johannesburg Declaration, there were mentions of seeking reforms in the UN, trade in local currencies, the G20 Summit and countering terrorism. We support a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Councils memberships, said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. ALSO READ | India treads cautiously on BRICS affairs No double standards on terrorism: BRICS The BRICS nations on Thursday rejected double standards in countering terrorism and vowed to work towards confronting the menace including cross-border movement of terrorists. The grouping called for expeditious adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday raised the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a brief interaction between the two on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday. The prime minister underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas, and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a press briefing. Following this, the two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation, the foreign secretary added. The two leaders were also seen shaking hands and exchanging courtesies after the joint conference of the BRICS leaders.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); However, there was no official word on whether President Xi confirmed his in-person participation in the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi. In Johannesburg, the leaders of the BRICS nations decided to admit six more countries to the grouping Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The new members will become part of BRICS with effect from January 1, 2024. We have taken the decision to expand this forum. India has always fully supported the expansion as it will make BRICS stronger and effective, said Prime Minister Modi while welcoming the new members. Earlier in the day, Modi held bilaterals with leaders of South Africa, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE, Mozambique, and Senegal. Russia will host the next BRICS meet in 2024 in the Russian city of Kazan. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the Johannesburg meet virtually. Putin faces arrest if he travels abroad following an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes. Meanwhile, among the 94 points that were listed in the Johannesburg Declaration, there were mentions of seeking reforms in the UN, trade in local currencies, the G20 Summit and countering terrorism. We support a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Councils memberships, said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. ALSO READ | India treads cautiously on BRICS affairs No double standards on terrorism: BRICS The BRICS nations on Thursday rejected double standards in countering terrorism and vowed to work towards confronting the menace including cross-border movement of terrorists. The grouping called for expeditious adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday threatened that he would write to President Droupadi Murmu and impose President's rule in the state if Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann fails to respond to his letters. Purohit also warned that he would initiate criminal proceedings for the failure of constitutional mechanism in the state. Amid the ongoing cold war between the Governor and the AAP leader and Chief Minister, Purohit demanded Mann to respond to his letters relating to the alleged breaking down of law and order situation in Punjab. The Governor also asked for an action-taken report on the rampant drug trade in the state. "I am once again constrained to write to you in connection with my correspondence dated August 1, 2023. In spite of these letters, you have still not given the information sought by me. It appears that you are deliberately refusing to give the information asked for by me. I Regret to note here that in spite of the clear provisions of Article 167 of the Constitution of India which makes it mandatory for the Chief Minister to furnish all such information relating to the administration of affairs of the State as the Governor may call for, you have failed to supply the information sought by me, Purohit's letter reads. "Not furnishing the information which was sought by the Governor would be plainly in dereliction of the constitutional duty which is imposed on the Chief Minister in terms of Article 167(b), Purohit said. "I have received reports from various agencies regarding rampant availability and abuse of the drugs in Punjab. It is common knowledge that they are available in chemist shops, a new trend is observed that they are being sold in the government-controlled liquor vends, the Governor said. He referred to the recent action by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Chandigarh Police who have sealed 66 liquor vends in Ludhiana that are selling drugs. The recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee has exposed that one in five people in Punjab are addicted to drugs. These facts point to the breaking down of the law and order system in Punjab, the Governor said. "Please send a report concerning the action taken by you in the matter of these drugs to my office immediately, Purohit said. The letter warns, "Before I am going to take final decision regarding sending a report to the President of India under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and take a decision about initiating criminal proceedings under section 124 of the IPC, I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the state, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to law and the constitution. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp CHANDIGARH: Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday threatened that he would write to President Droupadi Murmu and impose President's rule in the state if Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann fails to respond to his letters. Purohit also warned that he would initiate criminal proceedings for the failure of constitutional mechanism in the state. Amid the ongoing cold war between the Governor and the AAP leader and Chief Minister, Purohit demanded Mann to respond to his letters relating to the alleged breaking down of law and order situation in Punjab. The Governor also asked for an action-taken report on the rampant drug trade in the state. "I am once again constrained to write to you in connection with my correspondence dated August 1, 2023. In spite of these letters, you have still not given the information sought by me. It appears that you are deliberately refusing to give the information asked for by me. I Regret to note here that in spite of the clear provisions of Article 167 of the Constitution of India which makes it mandatory for the Chief Minister to furnish all such information relating to the administration of affairs of the State as the Governor may call for, you have failed to supply the information sought by me, Purohit's letter reads.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Not furnishing the information which was sought by the Governor would be plainly in dereliction of the constitutional duty which is imposed on the Chief Minister in terms of Article 167(b), Purohit said. "I have received reports from various agencies regarding rampant availability and abuse of the drugs in Punjab. It is common knowledge that they are available in chemist shops, a new trend is observed that they are being sold in the government-controlled liquor vends, the Governor said. He referred to the recent action by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Chandigarh Police who have sealed 66 liquor vends in Ludhiana that are selling drugs. The recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee has exposed that one in five people in Punjab are addicted to drugs. These facts point to the breaking down of the law and order system in Punjab, the Governor said. "Please send a report concerning the action taken by you in the matter of these drugs to my office immediately, Purohit said. The letter warns, "Before I am going to take final decision regarding sending a report to the President of India under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and take a decision about initiating criminal proceedings under section 124 of the IPC, I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the state, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to law and the constitution. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be travelling to Delhi to attend the G-20 summit, the Kremlin has confirmed. "President Putin is not planning a trip to the G20 Summit in India. His main emphasis is now a special military operation," said President Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. As of now, the G20 Summit will be totally an in-person event, and no hybrid facility is open for people who do not attend in person. Unless there is an exception provided for President Putin to attend the Summit virtually (if it happens that will be a last-minute announcement), Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, who will attend the Summit on Putin's behalf will be a part of the meetings -- like he did was during the last Summit in Bali. At present a few country leaders -- US, Australia, Italy, Canada and South Korea -- have confirmed their in-person participation. While PM Albanese was the first to confirm his participation, President Bidens confirmation came just two days back. Since India is not a signatory of the International Criminal Court (ICC), President Putin would not have been arrested on his arrival. So, that is not the reason for him deciding again visiting Delhi. However, after the brief Wagner coup and the recent death of Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in an air crash, there is a lot Putin needs to handle on the home turf. "The speculation on President Putin being behind the ill-fated air crash is baseless. These are all total lies," Peskov said adding that Putin had said all necessary evaluations will be conducted including DNA tests of passengers on board. Meanwhile, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President, Voldomyr Zelenskyy said that he was disappointed that Zelenskyy was excluded from the list of invites for the G20 Summit in Delhi. Russia, in the meantime, will have a busy year ahead as it has just taken over the chairship of the BRICS group and will host the next Summit in Kazan next year. With six additional countries that will become full-time members in January 2024, there is a lot that Russia would do to make the 16th BRICS Summit a success, a source added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be travelling to Delhi to attend the G-20 summit, the Kremlin has confirmed. "President Putin is not planning a trip to the G20 Summit in India. His main emphasis is now a special military operation," said President Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. As of now, the G20 Summit will be totally an in-person event, and no hybrid facility is open for people who do not attend in person. Unless there is an exception provided for President Putin to attend the Summit virtually (if it happens that will be a last-minute announcement), Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, who will attend the Summit on Putin's behalf will be a part of the meetings -- like he did was during the last Summit in Bali.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); At present a few country leaders -- US, Australia, Italy, Canada and South Korea -- have confirmed their in-person participation. While PM Albanese was the first to confirm his participation, President Bidens confirmation came just two days back. Since India is not a signatory of the International Criminal Court (ICC), President Putin would not have been arrested on his arrival. So, that is not the reason for him deciding again visiting Delhi. However, after the brief Wagner coup and the recent death of Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in an air crash, there is a lot Putin needs to handle on the home turf. "The speculation on President Putin being behind the ill-fated air crash is baseless. These are all total lies," Peskov said adding that Putin had said all necessary evaluations will be conducted including DNA tests of passengers on board. Meanwhile, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President, Voldomyr Zelenskyy said that he was disappointed that Zelenskyy was excluded from the list of invites for the G20 Summit in Delhi. Russia, in the meantime, will have a busy year ahead as it has just taken over the chairship of the BRICS group and will host the next Summit in Kazan next year. With six additional countries that will become full-time members in January 2024, there is a lot that Russia would do to make the 16th BRICS Summit a success, a source added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his virtual address at the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting in Jaipur on Thursday, said that India is seen as a combination of openness, opportunities and options. During the last nine years, India has become the worlds fifth largest economy, thanks to our reform, perform and transform mantra of works since 2014, Modi said. The meeting was held as part of the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi from September 8-10. Outlining the Indian economy, the PM said that global optimism and confidence in the Indian economy has increased with the massive rise in competitiveness and enhanced transparency. India, because of sustained efforts, has moved away from the red tape to red carpet and liberalised its FDI flows. Initiatives like Make in India and Atma Nirbhar have given a tremendous boost to the countrys manufacturing potential, Modi said. He said that the government is committed to make India the third-largest global economy in the next few years. We must build resilient and inclusive global value chains that can withstand future shocks. In this context, Indias proposal to create a Generic Framework for Mapping Global Value Chain is important, Modi said, adding that this is aimed at assessing vulnerabilities, minimising risks and enhancing resilience. He also spoke about Indias open network for digital commerce, which is proving a game changer in the digital market ecosystem. Sharing the countrys concerns in trade investment, Modi went on to say that India had advocated the concerns of the Global South at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference. India believes in a rule-based, open, inclusive, multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, he said, stressing on the need to pay more attention to MSMEs that plays a deciding role in global economy. Dwelling upon what India has done in this sector, the PM said that India has integrated MSMEs into public procurement through online platform Government e-marketplace. Our country has been working with MSME sector to adopt the ethos of Zero Defect and Zero Effect on the environment, he said, adding that it has become a collective responsibility as one family to restore confidence in international trade and investment processes. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his virtual address at the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting in Jaipur on Thursday, said that India is seen as a combination of openness, opportunities and options. During the last nine years, India has become the worlds fifth largest economy, thanks to our reform, perform and transform mantra of works since 2014, Modi said. The meeting was held as part of the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi from September 8-10. Outlining the Indian economy, the PM said that global optimism and confidence in the Indian economy has increased with the massive rise in competitiveness and enhanced transparency. India, because of sustained efforts, has moved away from the red tape to red carpet and liberalised its FDI flows. Initiatives like Make in India and Atma Nirbhar have given a tremendous boost to the countrys manufacturing potential, Modi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He said that the government is committed to make India the third-largest global economy in the next few years. We must build resilient and inclusive global value chains that can withstand future shocks. In this context, Indias proposal to create a Generic Framework for Mapping Global Value Chain is important, Modi said, adding that this is aimed at assessing vulnerabilities, minimising risks and enhancing resilience. He also spoke about Indias open network for digital commerce, which is proving a game changer in the digital market ecosystem. Sharing the countrys concerns in trade investment, Modi went on to say that India had advocated the concerns of the Global South at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference. India believes in a rule-based, open, inclusive, multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, he said, stressing on the need to pay more attention to MSMEs that plays a deciding role in global economy. Dwelling upon what India has done in this sector, the PM said that India has integrated MSMEs into public procurement through online platform Government e-marketplace. Our country has been working with MSME sector to adopt the ethos of Zero Defect and Zero Effect on the environment, he said, adding that it has become a collective responsibility as one family to restore confidence in international trade and investment processes. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI MUZAFFARNAGAR (UP): A video showing a school teacher asking her students to slap a boy from a minority community and also passing objectionable remarks against the community has gone viral on social media, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi condemning the incident. The teacher, identified as Trapti Tyagi, can be seen asking the students of class 2 of a private school in Khubbapur village under the Mansurpur police station area here to hit the hapless child. Taking cognizance of the incident, Circle Officer Ravishankar on Friday told reporters, "The viral video was examined, and prima facie, it seems the child was beaten up for not completing his school work. Some objectionable comments can also be heard in the video. We are looking into the matter and further action will be taken." Basic Shiksha Adhikari Shubham Shukla said apart from the students, two people are also seen in the video, one of whom is the teacher, while efforts are on to identify the other person. "Action will be initiated against both the persons and also against the school management," he said. Asked to comment on the religious identity of the victim child and those who hit him, Shukla said, "As of now, we cannot say it as this is a matter of investigation. Our team will probe this, and the police have also taken cognisance of this case." Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on X, "Sowing the poison of discrimination in the minds of innocent children, turning a holy place like a school into a marketplace of hatred - there is nothing worse a teacher can do for the country." "This is the same kerosene spread by the BJP which has set every corner of India on fire. Children are the future of India - do not hate them, we all have to together teach love," he added. Priyanka Gandhi said, "Where there is talk of technology to go to the moon or things that build a boundary wall of hatred. The choice is clear. Hate is the biggest enemy of progress." Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp MUZAFFARNAGAR (UP): A video showing a school teacher asking her students to slap a boy from a minority community and also passing objectionable remarks against the community has gone viral on social media, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi condemning the incident. The teacher, identified as Trapti Tyagi, can be seen asking the students of class 2 of a private school in Khubbapur village under the Mansurpur police station area here to hit the hapless child. Taking cognizance of the incident, Circle Officer Ravishankar on Friday told reporters, "The viral video was examined, and prima facie, it seems the child was beaten up for not completing his school work. Some objectionable comments can also be heard in the video. We are looking into the matter and further action will be taken."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Basic Shiksha Adhikari Shubham Shukla said apart from the students, two people are also seen in the video, one of whom is the teacher, while efforts are on to identify the other person. "Action will be initiated against both the persons and also against the school management," he said. Asked to comment on the religious identity of the victim child and those who hit him, Shukla said, "As of now, we cannot say it as this is a matter of investigation. Our team will probe this, and the police have also taken cognisance of this case." Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on X, "Sowing the poison of discrimination in the minds of innocent children, turning a holy place like a school into a marketplace of hatred - there is nothing worse a teacher can do for the country." "This is the same kerosene spread by the BJP which has set every corner of India on fire. Children are the future of India - do not hate them, we all have to together teach love," he added. Priyanka Gandhi said, "Where there is talk of technology to go to the moon or things that build a boundary wall of hatred. The choice is clear. Hate is the biggest enemy of progress." Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI INDORE: Irate kin of a 16-year-old boy tried to set up his funeral pyre in a government hospital in Indore in Madhya Pradesh after alleging that he died due to a wrong injection. Piyush Kashyap alias Prem died on Thursday after he was operated on the ear at the government-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH), Sanyogitaganj police station in-charge Vijay Tiwari told PTI. "His family members alleged the Class 11 standard student died after a wrong injection was administered to him. The cause of death is not clear and the deceased's kin have not given us his medical papers," he said. Eyewitnesses said Kashyap's kin tried to set up a pyre with wood and cow dung cakes on the MYH premises, but the police managed to pacify them. His last rites were later held in the crematorium here, they said. Meanwhile, the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department of MYH issued a press statement saying Kashyap's ear surgery was successful and that there was no negligence in his treatment. Tiwari said a probe is underway into Kashyap's death. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp INDORE: Irate kin of a 16-year-old boy tried to set up his funeral pyre in a government hospital in Indore in Madhya Pradesh after alleging that he died due to a wrong injection. Piyush Kashyap alias Prem died on Thursday after he was operated on the ear at the government-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH), Sanyogitaganj police station in-charge Vijay Tiwari told PTI. "His family members alleged the Class 11 standard student died after a wrong injection was administered to him. The cause of death is not clear and the deceased's kin have not given us his medical papers," he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Eyewitnesses said Kashyap's kin tried to set up a pyre with wood and cow dung cakes on the MYH premises, but the police managed to pacify them. His last rites were later held in the crematorium here, they said. Meanwhile, the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department of MYH issued a press statement saying Kashyap's ear surgery was successful and that there was no negligence in his treatment. Tiwari said a probe is underway into Kashyap's death. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service GUWAHATI: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) said Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that "there will be no allowance for separate administration" in Manipur. A delegation of the Meitei organisation met Shah at his official residence on Friday. This was followed by a detailed discussion with top officials of the Intelligence Bureau, as per Shah's instructions. In the wake of the ethnic violence, the Kuki-Zo MLAs and various organisations had raised a pitch for separate administration for the community. The COCOMI said Shah emphasized a firm stance against all forms of infiltration into Manipur's territory. Quoting him, it said measures were being implemented to register the immigrants using biometrics, including retina scans, and that stringent action would be taken against all forms of infiltration. According to COCOMI, Shah said the Centre is expediting border fencing in the Manipur sector to address concerns about mass infiltration. The Home Minister appealed for peace and requested COCOMI to convey this message to the people. OPINION | Manipur-Myanmar binary: Blame junta, not its victims A tribal organisation has enforced a blockade on two national highways -- Manipur's lifelines. Shah said ensuring the movement and distribution of commodities could be realised with support from both communities and that the necessary deployment of convoys to secure the highways would be ensured in a few days. He advised COCOMI to initiate dialogues with responsible Kuki leaders and groups to facilitate problem-solving and peace-building. ALSO READ | In strife-torn Manipur, Kuki and Meitei academicians make a joint appeal for peace In the subsequent detailed discussion with the Director of Intelligence Bureau and Security Advisor, Northeast, COCOMI presented the complexities of issues affecting Manipur, including illegal immigration, cross-border narco-terrorism, exploitation of forest resources, and violation of the suspension of operations agreement by the Kuki militant groups. "The MHA officials acknowledged and took note of these critical points. The Director of Intelligence Bureau provided insights into the current crisis and its understanding of critical issues," COCOMI said. They also emphasized the importance of continued engagement and cooperation with the government and stakeholders to facilitate a quicker resolution of the crisis, COCOMI added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp GUWAHATI: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) said Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that "there will be no allowance for separate administration" in Manipur. A delegation of the Meitei organisation met Shah at his official residence on Friday. This was followed by a detailed discussion with top officials of the Intelligence Bureau, as per Shah's instructions. In the wake of the ethnic violence, the Kuki-Zo MLAs and various organisations had raised a pitch for separate administration for the community.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The COCOMI said Shah emphasized a firm stance against all forms of infiltration into Manipur's territory. Quoting him, it said measures were being implemented to register the immigrants using biometrics, including retina scans, and that stringent action would be taken against all forms of infiltration. According to COCOMI, Shah said the Centre is expediting border fencing in the Manipur sector to address concerns about mass infiltration. The Home Minister appealed for peace and requested COCOMI to convey this message to the people. OPINION | Manipur-Myanmar binary: Blame junta, not its victims A tribal organisation has enforced a blockade on two national highways -- Manipur's lifelines. Shah said ensuring the movement and distribution of commodities could be realised with support from both communities and that the necessary deployment of convoys to secure the highways would be ensured in a few days. He advised COCOMI to initiate dialogues with responsible Kuki leaders and groups to facilitate problem-solving and peace-building. ALSO READ | In strife-torn Manipur, Kuki and Meitei academicians make a joint appeal for peace In the subsequent detailed discussion with the Director of Intelligence Bureau and Security Advisor, Northeast, COCOMI presented the complexities of issues affecting Manipur, including illegal immigration, cross-border narco-terrorism, exploitation of forest resources, and violation of the suspension of operations agreement by the Kuki militant groups. "The MHA officials acknowledged and took note of these critical points. The Director of Intelligence Bureau provided insights into the current crisis and its understanding of critical issues," COCOMI said. They also emphasized the importance of continued engagement and cooperation with the government and stakeholders to facilitate a quicker resolution of the crisis, COCOMI added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp P S Raghavan By Recent interactions with strategic communities in Europe brought into focus how different the world looks from their vantage points and how geography in its broader definition of location, physical features, natural resources, historical experiences and cultural heritage strongly influences how nations behave. Poland offers a striking illustration of this reality. Its historical memories include its political and cultural dominance over large swathes of Eastern Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, including Ukraine, Belarus and almost all the modern-day Baltic states, as well as parts of Russia. There was subsequent humiliation when the country was partitioned between Austria, Prussia and Russia. It regained independence after the First World War but was again the victim of a bargain between great powers after the Second World War, when the country was literally shifted westward, losing territory in the east (some of it is today western Ukraine) and gaining some in the west. During the Cold War, membership in the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact and a communist political system could not dilute the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in the country, which sent a Pope to the Vatican in 1978. Post-Cold War Polands desire to find politico-economic sanctuary in the European Union and a security cover within NATO flowed directly from these experiences. It resonated with the European Unions efforts to expand its European footprint. It also tied in with the US objective of folding the newly liberated Central European countries into NATO to forestall the prospect of European integration diluting American influence in the continent. Poland was admitted into NATO in 1999 and into the EU in 2004. Almost immediately after it acceded to the EU, Poland sought to draw its eastern neighbourhood into the EU and into NATO. The Poland-sponsored Eastern Partnership (EaP) sought to strengthen the EUs partnership with Ukraine and Belarus (along with other post-Soviet states), preparing them for EU membership. It was Poland again, encouraged by the US, that got NATO to endorse Ukraines claim for membership a decision that is at the heart of the Russia-Ukraine war today. It is, therefore, natural that Poland extends strong military and intelligence support to Ukraine in its resistance against Russia, including lobbying the US and EU policy-making establishments to sustain military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Poland has received a steady flow of Ukrainian refugees; about 1.6 million remain in the country and are extended facilities for living and working on par with Polish nationals. In the process, Poland has emerged as a major diplomatic and military force within NATO. Its steadfast support for the US, even when other alliance members wavered (as in the Iraq war in 2003), consolidated its position in the alliance. When the US withdrew from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, some EU leaders publicly demurred, citing negative consequences for European security. Poland was a notable exception: its President welcomed the decision and offered to host US missiles on Polish soil. As the face-off with Russia over Ukraine dominated NATOs plans, its eastern border (the Baltic states and Poland) acquired added military importance. It was, therefore, logical from an American perspective to shift NATOs military resources to a country that demonstrated firmness of resolve to deter Russia and which would bear more of the financial and logistical burden for it. From 2019 onwards, thousands of US troops have been redeployed from Germany and elsewhere to Poland. There is now a formal US military base in Poland and over a hundred military infrastructure projects for joint training and rapid deployment of NATO forces in the event of a crisis. Polands defence expenditure has climbed steeply, from under 2% of GDP in 2014 to 4% in 2022, and is projected to rise to 5%. The bulk of its acquisitions are new weapons systems from the US. It has been said that if it follows through with its plans, Poland would become a military superpower in Europe, displacing the NATO Quad of the UK, Germany, France and Italy. Alongside its efforts to bolster military deterrence vis a vis Russia, Poland has supported the USs appeal to Europe to wean itself away from dependence on Russian energy sources oil, gas and coal. Before the Western sanctions on Russian energy, the EU got over 60% of its energy needs from Russia. The argument that this dependence gives Russia a geopolitical weapon became increasingly vehement as Russia-West hostilities worsened. Also read: Foreign policy in a world between orders This geopolitical argument dovetailed neatly with economic interests. Poland effectively spearheaded the Three Seas Initiative, by which twelve European countries located on the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas plotted to create a new European hub for energy distribution through a network of LNG import terminals. President Donald Trump endorsed this initiative since it would promote US exports. Polands LNG imports grew to nearly half of its gas imports last year, while Russian pipeline gas dropped to one-fifth of imports. The US was the source of more than half of the LNG imports. Even as many of Europes economies suffer from the consequences of the Ukraine conflict, the Polish economy is chugging along nicely. Poland is projected to be the fastest-growing among the larger European economies in 2024. It may grow by 2.7%, while Europes Big 4 Germany, the UK, France and Italy will languish at 1% or above. There are some wrinkles in this canvas. The European Commission is at odds with Poland on alleged erosion of democratic norms and violation of its European accession commitments. Poland protects its sovereign rights and reminds Europe of its contribution to European security.But the big story is of a discernible eastward shift in Europes military, energy and economic centre of gravity, which may reshape alignments within the continent and outside. Its course will depend on the outcome of the ongoing conflict and the response of those disadvantaged by the shift. P S Raghavan Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation, and a former diplomat (raghavan.ps@gmail.com) Click here for all the earlier columns Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Recent interactions with strategic communities in Europe brought into focus how different the world looks from their vantage points and how geography in its broader definition of location, physical features, natural resources, historical experiences and cultural heritage strongly influences how nations behave. Poland offers a striking illustration of this reality. Its historical memories include its political and cultural dominance over large swathes of Eastern Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, including Ukraine, Belarus and almost all the modern-day Baltic states, as well as parts of Russia. There was subsequent humiliation when the country was partitioned between Austria, Prussia and Russia. It regained independence after the First World War but was again the victim of a bargain between great powers after the Second World War, when the country was literally shifted westward, losing territory in the east (some of it is today western Ukraine) and gaining some in the west. During the Cold War, membership in the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact and a communist political system could not dilute the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in the country, which sent a Pope to the Vatican in 1978. Post-Cold War Polands desire to find politico-economic sanctuary in the European Union and a security cover within NATO flowed directly from these experiences. It resonated with the European Unions efforts to expand its European footprint. It also tied in with the US objective of folding the newly liberated Central European countries into NATO to forestall the prospect of European integration diluting American influence in the continent. Poland was admitted into NATO in 1999 and into the EU in 2004.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Almost immediately after it acceded to the EU, Poland sought to draw its eastern neighbourhood into the EU and into NATO. The Poland-sponsored Eastern Partnership (EaP) sought to strengthen the EUs partnership with Ukraine and Belarus (along with other post-Soviet states), preparing them for EU membership. It was Poland again, encouraged by the US, that got NATO to endorse Ukraines claim for membership a decision that is at the heart of the Russia-Ukraine war today. It is, therefore, natural that Poland extends strong military and intelligence support to Ukraine in its resistance against Russia, including lobbying the US and EU policy-making establishments to sustain military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Poland has received a steady flow of Ukrainian refugees; about 1.6 million remain in the country and are extended facilities for living and working on par with Polish nationals. In the process, Poland has emerged as a major diplomatic and military force within NATO. Its steadfast support for the US, even when other alliance members wavered (as in the Iraq war in 2003), consolidated its position in the alliance. When the US withdrew from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, some EU leaders publicly demurred, citing negative consequences for European security. Poland was a notable exception: its President welcomed the decision and offered to host US missiles on Polish soil. As the face-off with Russia over Ukraine dominated NATOs plans, its eastern border (the Baltic states and Poland) acquired added military importance. It was, therefore, logical from an American perspective to shift NATOs military resources to a country that demonstrated firmness of resolve to deter Russia and which would bear more of the financial and logistical burden for it. From 2019 onwards, thousands of US troops have been redeployed from Germany and elsewhere to Poland. There is now a formal US military base in Poland and over a hundred military infrastructure projects for joint training and rapid deployment of NATO forces in the event of a crisis. Polands defence expenditure has climbed steeply, from under 2% of GDP in 2014 to 4% in 2022, and is projected to rise to 5%. The bulk of its acquisitions are new weapons systems from the US. It has been said that if it follows through with its plans, Poland would become a military superpower in Europe, displacing the NATO Quad of the UK, Germany, France and Italy. Alongside its efforts to bolster military deterrence vis a vis Russia, Poland has supported the USs appeal to Europe to wean itself away from dependence on Russian energy sources oil, gas and coal. Before the Western sanctions on Russian energy, the EU got over 60% of its energy needs from Russia. The argument that this dependence gives Russia a geopolitical weapon became increasingly vehement as Russia-West hostilities worsened. Also read: Foreign policy in a world between orders This geopolitical argument dovetailed neatly with economic interests. Poland effectively spearheaded the Three Seas Initiative, by which twelve European countries located on the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas plotted to create a new European hub for energy distribution through a network of LNG import terminals. President Donald Trump endorsed this initiative since it would promote US exports. Polands LNG imports grew to nearly half of its gas imports last year, while Russian pipeline gas dropped to one-fifth of imports. The US was the source of more than half of the LNG imports. Even as many of Europes economies suffer from the consequences of the Ukraine conflict, the Polish economy is chugging along nicely. Poland is projected to be the fastest-growing among the larger European economies in 2024. It may grow by 2.7%, while Europes Big 4 Germany, the UK, France and Italy will languish at 1% or above. There are some wrinkles in this canvas. The European Commission is at odds with Poland on alleged erosion of democratic norms and violation of its European accession commitments. Poland protects its sovereign rights and reminds Europe of its contribution to European security.But the big story is of a discernible eastward shift in Europes military, energy and economic centre of gravity, which may reshape alignments within the continent and outside. Its course will depend on the outcome of the ongoing conflict and the response of those disadvantaged by the shift. P S Raghavan Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation, and a former diplomat (raghavan.ps@gmail.com) Click here for all the earlier columns Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service BENGALURU: Three Sri Lankan nationals involved in several cases including murders, who were staying illegally in Yelahanka, have been arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB). The arrested have been identified as Kasan Kumara Sanka of Gampha, EWA Amila Nuwan alias Gotha Asanka and Ranga Prasad alias Chutta, both residents of Colombo. All three are aged 36. The police have also arrested Jai Paramesh alias Jack alias Sudha alias Dorai (42), a resident of Viveknagar, for sheltering them. The police said they received credible information that three Lankan nationals were staying illegally in the city and were given shelter in an apartment in Yelahanka. The CCB police raided the flat on Wednesday and took three Lankan nationals into custody. It was found that one, Jalal, who is currently absconding, had asked Jai Paramesh to arrange them a house and the latter had done it. It was found that they had entered India without valid documents through the sea route. They arrived in Chennai about 15 days ago and they reached Bengaluru by road. Further, it was found that they had criminal antecedents. Sanka has four murder cases against him in Sri Lanka while Asanka has five murder cases and Prasad has two assault cases against him. We are gathering more details about these cases. The accused have been taken into police custody till September 1, the police said. The police are also on the lookout for Jalal and his network. It is said that Jalal is also involved in several cases and is into trafficking Sri Lankans to India. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BENGALURU: Three Sri Lankan nationals involved in several cases including murders, who were staying illegally in Yelahanka, have been arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB). The arrested have been identified as Kasan Kumara Sanka of Gampha, EWA Amila Nuwan alias Gotha Asanka and Ranga Prasad alias Chutta, both residents of Colombo. All three are aged 36. The police have also arrested Jai Paramesh alias Jack alias Sudha alias Dorai (42), a resident of Viveknagar, for sheltering them. The police said they received credible information that three Lankan nationals were staying illegally in the city and were given shelter in an apartment in Yelahanka. The CCB police raided the flat on Wednesday and took three Lankan nationals into custody. It was found that one, Jalal, who is currently absconding, had asked Jai Paramesh to arrange them a house and the latter had done it. It was found that they had entered India without valid documents through the sea route. They arrived in Chennai about 15 days ago and they reached Bengaluru by road. Further, it was found that they had criminal antecedents. Sanka has four murder cases against him in Sri Lanka while Asanka has five murder cases and Prasad has two assault cases against him. We are gathering more details about these cases.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The accused have been taken into police custody till September 1, the police said. The police are also on the lookout for Jalal and his network. It is said that Jalal is also involved in several cases and is into trafficking Sri Lankans to India. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Saravanan MP By Express News Service TIRUPPUR: Garment manufacturers on Thursday said some TV channels and online media platforms were running a negative campaign claiming that several units in the district had sold their machinery for scrap due to lack of orders. An official from the textile department (Tamil Nadu) said, "A Tamil television channel telecast a news claiming that garment manufacturers in Tiruppur are throwing away machinery for scrap. But the news item didnt specify the exact number of machines discarded nor name the scrap dealers in Tiruppur city. Besides, there are several thousand tailoring machines in garment units. Some old machines might have been discarded, but that doesnt reflect the real picture. Several associations clarified the issue after the video clip was widely circulated. President of Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA) KM Subramanian described the clip as complete fake news. No manufacturer would throw away machinery and other goods for scrap. These videos are highly condemnable, he told TNIE. Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturer Association (TEAMA) president M P Muthurathinam said the sector is going through tough times due to several factors, but that does not mean manufacturers sold machinery. In the last one year, several global issues caused financial losses to the garment industry in Tiruppur. Orders declined for many units whereas imports from Bangladesh surged. But that doesnt mean, garment units have thrown away machinery for scrap. No unit compromises on quality and uses top-quality sewing, embroidery, padlock machines and printing machines. High-end sewing machine costs around Rs 45-50,000, embroidery machines cost Rs 75 lakh -1 crore. Even if they become old, we repair and reuse them again. Echoing his views, South Indian Hosiery Manufacturers Association (SIHMA) vice president Govindappan said, The number of export and domestic orders has reduced, but it doesnt mean the industry has collapsed. A few small players might be facing low orders. But even they will not sell machinery for scrap. We condemn the spreading of such false news. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp TIRUPPUR: Garment manufacturers on Thursday said some TV channels and online media platforms were running a negative campaign claiming that several units in the district had sold their machinery for scrap due to lack of orders. An official from the textile department (Tamil Nadu) said, "A Tamil television channel telecast a news claiming that garment manufacturers in Tiruppur are throwing away machinery for scrap. But the news item didnt specify the exact number of machines discarded nor name the scrap dealers in Tiruppur city. Besides, there are several thousand tailoring machines in garment units. Some old machines might have been discarded, but that doesnt reflect the real picture. Several associations clarified the issue after the video clip was widely circulated. President of Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA) KM Subramanian described the clip as complete fake news. No manufacturer would throw away machinery and other goods for scrap. These videos are highly condemnable, he told TNIE.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturer Association (TEAMA) president M P Muthurathinam said the sector is going through tough times due to several factors, but that does not mean manufacturers sold machinery. In the last one year, several global issues caused financial losses to the garment industry in Tiruppur. Orders declined for many units whereas imports from Bangladesh surged. But that doesnt mean, garment units have thrown away machinery for scrap. No unit compromises on quality and uses top-quality sewing, embroidery, padlock machines and printing machines. High-end sewing machine costs around Rs 45-50,000, embroidery machines cost Rs 75 lakh -1 crore. Even if they become old, we repair and reuse them again. Echoing his views, South Indian Hosiery Manufacturers Association (SIHMA) vice president Govindappan said, The number of export and domestic orders has reduced, but it doesnt mean the industry has collapsed. A few small players might be facing low orders. But even they will not sell machinery for scrap. We condemn the spreading of such false news. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Most Montanans, whether they live in urban or rural communities, are shocked by their recent property reappraisals. Now, folks are coming to grips that this also means a hit to their pocketbooks from upcoming homeowner property tax increases. Despite all the brouhaha over the states $2.5+ billion budget surplus, homeowners are receiving a tax hike. Statewide there will be a permanent $81 million annual homeowner property tax increase of which Yellowstone County homeowners will be paying $21 million approximately 25% of the total direct state property taxes hike. Tax shifts will also hit homeowners. Was this necessary or a surprise? No. Unfortunately, the 2023 GOP leadership and the governor ignored a November 2022, Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) warning that that homeowners were facing huge increases in property valuations which would mean more taxes unless the Legislature acted. The DOR advised lowering the tax rate on homes from 1.35% to 0.94% (as well as the lowering the rate for commercial property) to avoid the resulting tax increases. This straightforward adjustment as previous legislatures have done when faced with high appraisals would have kept homeowner property taxes pretty much the same. These simple rate changes would be revenue neutral and given the huge budget surplus, the state didnt need the additional funds. But.. These 2023 property value increases may be a record high for residential, at 46% statewide, but it doesnt have to mean a big jump in your tax bill. I represented Billings Heights during the 2009 Legislature when the state government faced a similar jump in appraised values. But we protected homeowners, and their pocketbooks. The 2009 Billings legislative delegation, working on a bipartisan basis, supported adjusting the tax rates so you didnt have to pay more. Similar adjustments have been done by prior legislatures. Unfortunately, theres also a double whammy which moves or shifts an even greater tax burden onto homeowners. Recent DOR data shows taxes will decline in Yellowstone County for airlines, railroads, telecommunications, and electrical generation by 10%; pipelines 8% and business equipment, 6% respectively. Homeowners (statewide) will pick up a larger share of the tax burden. Homeowners share of the states property tax burden is climbing to almost 58% up from 49% a few short years ago. The finger pointing has started; GOP leadership is blaming local governments for increased taxes. However, this ignores existing Montana law which prevents local governments from getting a windfall from these increases in property valuations/appraisals a law thats been on the books for years. Meanwhile, people are increasingly fearful about being priced out of their homes. As a legislator, going door to door, I met many folks who worked multiple jobs, kept a tight budget, and worried about rising expenses. These increases are a big deal. All told, failure to act by the GOP supermajority adds up to almost $200 million in annual permanent tax increases on homeowners. Renters will also feel the pain, as landlords are likely to pass on property tax hikes. Why am I speaking out? First, standing up for homeowners is critical, as everyday Montanans, along with small businesses are the backbone of this great state. Second, legislators and the governor are supposed to get the job done to solve problems, not create more problems. The number of lawsuits being filed post the 2023 session might suggest otherwise. Maybe its time to let the governor know: Homeowners deserve a fair shake. New Delhi, Aug 24 B RICS nations on Thursday reiterated their stated positions on the Ukraine conflict, proposing to peacefully resolve the situation through mediation. In the Johannesburg declaration which was issued after the culmination of the three-day 15th BRICS summit, it said "We recall our national positions concerning the conflict in and around Ukraine as expressed at the appropriate fora, including the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly. We note with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, including the African Leaders Peace Mission and the proposed path for peace." BRICS also rejected double standards in countering terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism and called for an expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework and for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, at the Conference of Disarmament. It also called for strengthening of disarmament and non-proliferation, including the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC), recognising its role in safeguarding and for preserving their integrity and effectiveness to maintain global stability and international peace and security. "We underline the need to comply with and strengthen the BTWC, including by adopting a legally binding Protocol to the Convention that provides for an efficient verification mechanism. We reassert our support for ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) and of its weaponisation, including through negotiations to adopt a relevant legally binding multilateral instrument," the declaration said. The BRICS nations also reiterated the need to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means in accordance with the international law. "We recognise the threat emanating from terrorism, extremism conducive to terrorism and radicalisation. We are committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens," the declaration said. It also underlined "Terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to contribute further to the global efforts of preventing and countering the threat of terrorism on the basis of respect for international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, and human rights, emphasising that States have the primary responsibility in combating terrorism with the United Nations continuing to play central and coordinating role in this area. "We also stress the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach of the whole international community to effectively curb the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat, including in the present-day pandemic environment." BRICS declaration reiterates peaceful Ukraine resolution, rejects double standards on terrorism Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BRICS Summit: Leaders of BRICS countries, other friendly nations gather for family photo Johannesburg, August 24 L eaders of BRICS nations and other friendly nations gathered for a family photo in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in the South African capital on Thursday. While delivering his speech, he said BRICS countries and all friendly nations present at the summit can contribute to the strengthening of a multipolar world. Earlier in the day, PM Modi congratulated leaders and people of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE over their full membership of BRICS and said India has always supported the expansion of the organisation. "India has always supported the expansion of BRICS. India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation," he said. In his remarks, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the outcomes of the 15th BRICS Summit and said the grouping will be expanded. PM Modi said India has "historic ties" with all the new members of BRICS. Prior to the BRICS-Africa Outreach, PM Modi and Senegal President Macky Sall held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg on Thursday. The meeting was held in the presence of envoys from both countries. The visuals from the meeting showed both leaders exchanging a handshake and having a brief conversation at the meeting. PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with the Ethiopian Premier Abiy Ahmed Ali in South Africa's Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. "In 2016, during India's chairmanship, we defined BRICS as Building Responsive, Inclusive, and Collective Solutions. After seven years, we can say that BRICS will be - Breaking barriers, Revitalizing economies, Inspiring Innovation, Creating opportunities, and Shaping the future. Together with all the BRICS partners, we will continue to contribute actively in making this new definition meaningful," he said. BRICS Summit: Leaders of BRICS countries, other friendly nations gather for family photo Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Johannesburg, August 24 T he BRICS joint statement on Thursday, called for United Nations Security Council reforms and affirmed support for the aspirations of emerging and developing countries like India, Brazil and South Africa. The statement emphasised the need for reforms in the UNSC to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council's memberships "We support a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council's memberships so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including Brazil, India and South Africa, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council," the joint statement read. The BRICS joint statement also expressed "strong condemnation" for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations "whenever, wherever and by whomsoever" committed. "We express strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. We recognize the threat emanating from terrorism, extremism conducive to terrorism and radicalization. We are committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens," the statement read. The BRICS nations also reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. They also reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to contribute further to the global efforts of preventing and countering the threat of terrorism on the basis of respect for international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, and human rights, emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility in combating terrorism with the United Nations continuing to play central and coordinating role in this area. The BRICS members stressed the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach of the whole international community to effectively curb the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat, including in the present-day pandemic environment. "We reject double standards in countering terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism. We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework and for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, at the Conference of Disarmament. We welcome the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and its five Subgroups based upon the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. We look forward to further deepening counter-terrorism cooperation," the joint statement added. The BRICS members further called for greater representation of emerging markets and developing countries, in international organizations and multilateral fora. "We also call for increasing the role and share of women from EMDCs at different levels of responsibilities in the international organizations," it added. It added, "We recognise the importance of the increased participation of women in peace processes including in conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction and development, and sustaining peace". Acknowledging the critical role of women in economic development, the BRICS nations commended the BRICS Women's Business Alliance. "We recognise that inclusive entrepreneurship and access to finance for women would facilitate their participation in business ventures, innovation, and the digital economy. We welcome initiatives that will enhance agricultural productivity and access to land, technology, and markets for women farmers," the joint statement read. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated leaders and people of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE over their inclusion as full members of BRICS and said that India has always supported the expansion of the organisation. In a statement in the presence of other leaders from BRICS countries, PM Modi said India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation. He said India will also contribute to other countries wanting to join as partner countries of BRICS . PM Modi also said that the Global South is not just a diplomatic term but represents the shared history of these countries against colonialism and apartheid based on which modern relations are being reshaped. Addressing the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in the South African capital, PM Modi said BRICS countries- and all friendly nations present at the summit can contribute to the strengthening of a multipolar world. BRICS joint statement calls for UNSC reforms, support for aspirations of emerging countries Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Johannesburg, August 24 P rime Minister Narendra Modi and Iran President Ebrahim Raisi held a bilateral meeting in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. The meeting between the two leaders came days after they had a telephone conversation in which they discussed matters of bilateral and regional importance. During their conversation on August 18, Prime Minister Modi noted that the India-Iran relationship is underpinned by close historical and civilizational connections, including strong people-to-people contacts. The two leaders had reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation including to realize the full potential of Chabahar Port as a connectivity hub. The two leaders also discussed cooperation at multilateral forums including the expansion of BRICS. Iran is among six countries that have been extended full membership of BRICS during the summit meeting. Earlier in the day, PM Modi congratulated leaders and people of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE over the decision on their full membership of BRICS and said India has always supported the expansion of the organisation. In a statement in the presence of other leaders from BRICS countries, PM Modi said India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation. "India has always supported the expansion of BRICS. India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation," he said. PM Modi said India has "historic ties" with all the new members of BRICS. He said India will also contribute to other countries wanting to join as partner countries of BRICS . Prior to his meeting with Raisi, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Senegal President Macky Sall. PM Modi, Iranian President hold bilateral meeting on sidelines of BRICS summit Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BRICS nations underline need for inclusive payment systems, stress on using local currencies in international trade New Delhi, Aug 24 T he BRICS nations on Thursday recognised the need for fast, inexpensive, transparent, safe, and inclusive payment systems and noted that it looks forward to a report by the BRICS Payment Task Force on the mapping of the various elements of the G20 Roadmap on cross-border payments in BRICS countries. It also stressed on encouraging use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions between member nations and their trading partners. In the Johannesburg Declaration, which was released at the end of the three-day long 15th BRICS summit, the BRICS nations welcomed the sharing of experience by member nations on payment infrastructures, including the interlinking of cross-border payment systems. "We believe this will further enhance cooperation amongst the BRICS countries and encourage further dialogue on payment instruments to facilitate trade and investment flows between the BRICS members as well as other developing countries. "We stress the importance of encouraging the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions between BRICS as well as their trading partners. "We also encourage strengthening of correspondent banking networks between the BRICS countries and enabling settlements in the local currencies. We task our finance ministers and/or central bank governors, as appropriate, to consider the issue of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms and report back to us by the next summit," the declaration said. The grouping also agreed to deepen cooperation on competition amongst BRICS countries and create a fair competition market environment for international economic and trade cooperation. BRICS nations underline need for inclusive payment systems, stress on using local currencies in international trade Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Chennai, Aug 24 ' Kadaisi Vivasayi', directed and produced by M. Manikandan, feted as the Best Tamil Film at the National Film Awards 2023, announced in New Delhi on Thursday. The movie is a story of an 85-year-old farmer who stood up against a property developer. 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' was released in theatres on February 11, 2022. The film features the late Nallandi who played the lead role. Vijay Sethupathi and Yogi Babu played supporting roles in the movie. The cinematography of the movie was also done by Manikandan. Manikandan had tried to rope in Tamil super star Rajinikanth to play the role of the farmer Mayandi in the movie but the actor turned down the offer. Later, he found Nallandi to play the role of Mayandi. Nallandi completed the shooting of the movie but passed away soon. Tamil superstar Vijay Sethupathi played a cameo role in the movie. Except for Vijay Sethupathi and Yogi Babu, all others were farmers who were acting for the first time in the movie. National Film Awards: 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' wins Best Tamil Film Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, Aug 24 ' Chhello Show', directed by the filmmaker Pan Nalin, honoured as Best Gujarati Film at the 69th National Film Awards here on Thursday. 'Chhello Show' has captivated not only the national audiences but has also garnered international attention. The film's journey to the 69th National Film Awards has been a remarkable trajectory marked by significant accomplishments. Its recognition as India's official entry in the Best International Feature Film category at the 95th Academy Awards is a testament to its exceptional storytelling. Under the direction of Pan Nalin, 'Chhello Show' artfully weaves a narrative that intricately captures the essence of Gujarati culture while exploring themes of universal relevance. Storyline In a rustic Saurashtra village, young Samay (Bhavin Rabari), aged nine, befriends projectionist Fazal (Bhavesh Shrimali), gaining access to a dilapidated movie theatre's projection booth. Enchanted by cinema, Samay dreams of becoming a filmmaker, oblivious to the challenges that lie ahead. 69th National Film Awards: Pan Nalin's 'Chhello Show' clinches Best Gujarati Film Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, August 24 A llu Arjun and his Pushpa magic have once again become the talk of the town. On Thursday, the Malayalam star won the Best Actor award at the 69th National Awards for his performance in 'Pushpa: The Rise'. 'Pushpa' was released in theatres in December 2021. The film not only showcased his exceptional performance but portrayed unmatched dialogue delivery, charismatic swag, and a captivating aura. The actor's steps from the movie's songs, namely Saami Saami, Srivalli, Oo Antava, became a huge sensation among the audience on a global scale. Allu Arjun is currently busy shooting for the second part, which will also star Rashmika Mandanna. More details regarding the sequel are awaited. National Film Awards ceremony is organized every year but was interrupted for 2 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 68th National Film Awards took place last year and honoured the movies released in 2020. Allu Arjun named Best Actor at 69th National Film Awards Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! A Beulah man accused of killing one man and injuring another in a shooting at a bar in the Mercer County town has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Shawn Gramkow, then 38, of Beulah, allegedly drew a 9 mm handgun from the waistband of his pants and began firing after getting into a fight with two men at Fanatics Bar on March 30. He faces four felonies -- murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment -- as well as misdemeanor drunken driving. The murder charge carries a potential punishment of life in prison without parole. Gramkow was scheduled for a preliminary court appearance on Wednesday, but he waived the hearing and entered a written plea of not guilty. His trial is scheduled for Nov. 2. Surveillance video from the bar shows Gramkow and two other men sitting at the bar and talking before the fight. The man who was later injured started the fight by headbutting Gramkow, and the man who later died -- who was Black -- joined in, punching Gramkow in the face, according to a police affidavit. Gramkow later allegedly told authorities that he had "jokingly" used a Black slur before the fight, and the other men -- whom he had not met before -- had gotten upset. Gramkow allegedly said "that he was panicking, frantic and that he wasn't thinking clearly," and that he just wanted to get away because he was outnumbered and did not intend to kill anyone, according to the affidavit. The document states video shows Gramkow firing the gun, striking walls in the bar and hitting the man who was injured. He allegedly shot the other man in the head while the man was on the ground "in a position of disadvantage," according to the affidavit. An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner concluded the man suffered four gunshots, to the right thigh, the crotch area, the right cheek and the back of the head. The man was declared dead at the scene. Authorities allege that at one point in the altercation the gun's magazine was ejected, and Gramkow reinserted it and continued firing. Gramkow left the bar after the incident and was stopped and arrested by a Beulah police officer, who located the gun in the vehicle. Authorities have not publicly identified the 23-year-old man who was killed and the man who was injured, and the names are not listed in the affidavit. The man who died had a Florida driver's license, according to the document. Beulah Police Chief Frank Senn this week referred a Tribune request for the identities to Mercer County State's Attorney Todd Schwarz. Schwarz refused to release the information to the Tribune. He did not cite a reason. New Delhi, August 24 T he winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi on Thursday. The Best Actor award for the year is to be shared by Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon for their roles in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' and 'Mimi'. 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' was released in theatres on February 25, 2022, while 'Mimi' hit the OTT platforms in July 2021. Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' revolves around a maiden sold by a suitor into prostitution and how she becomes a prominent and celebrated figure in the underworld and Kamathipua red-light district. Alia's stellar performance in the film helped her bag the Best Actress Award at IIFA 2023 and Filmfare Awards 2023. Kriti was honoured with the Best Actress Award for her role in 'Mimi' at IIFA 2022. "Dreams do come true! All you need to do is keep working hard towards it and never lose faith! It has taken me 8yrs to get my first Best Actress award. But I'm so happy that I received my first for Mimi - a film I'll treasure forever, a character that will always be special in my filmography! Thank you @iifa for this validation and for an amazing evening!! Will always be grateful to Dinoo @laxman, Utekar sir for making me your Mimi for life and the whole cast and crew of Mimi for making this journey so memorable!" Kriti wrote on social media after her IIFA win. 'Mimi' tells the story of a young woman named Mimi who agrees to become a surrogate mother for a foreign couple, hoping to use the money to fulfil her dream of becoming an actress. However, the biological parents back out when they learn that the child will be born with Down syndrome. Mimi then decides to raise the child on her own and faces several challenges and societal pressures as a single mother. Her journey as a mother and her struggle to provide for her child despite the odds is both heartwarming and inspiring. The update about Alia and Kriti sharing the Best Actor Award has left their fans extremely happy. 69th National Film Awards: Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon share Best Actress title Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, Aug 24 A ctress Kriti Sanon has won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her work in 'Mimi', and the actress is on cloud nine. The actress shared that she was in a meeting at her house when she started getting the calls and was completely unaware about her Best Actress win. She told IANS, "I couldn't understand what was going on. I usually don't step outside the meetings to take calls but this time I had to, and that's when I really got to know the news. I was so elated and emotional that I had to pause the meeting and run down to give my parents a hug and tell them the news and then everybody was really emotional. It's a moment that I will never ever forget in my life". She further mentioned that there are very few films and roles that come in an actor's life that give them so much to do and touch them so deeply. Such roles make the actors very passionate and almost obsessed with the role and that's something that happened with her as well with regards to 'Mimi'. "I think as an actor, I was really looking for an opportunity to dig deep and explore myself as an actor. 'Mimi' gave me that platform and that kind of an arc and a screenplay that I could really play with and show my potential as an actor. The emotionally draining scenes, and every little bit, I gave it my all because it brought that creative satisfaction that every actor craves for. The love and the validation that the film has got even though it was released on OTT is beyond words. Getting my first Best Actress Awards and now the most prestigious awards of the National Award is very very special for me and is a moment that I will never forget in my life," the actress added. She also extended her best wishes to her 'Mimi' co-actor Pankaj Tripathi, who also has bagged the Best Supporting Actor Award for 'Mimi'. She said "I am also extremely excited and super thrilled that Pankaj sir also won the Nationak Award for Best Supporting Actor for 'Mimi'. He truly deserves the Award and he is one of my favourite actors and favourite co-stars. I just feel so happy that he is getting so much love and appreciation." aa/sha National Film Awards: Kriti Sanon was in a meeting, 'completely unaware' of her Best Actress win Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, Aug 24 P rime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation alongside the Line of Actual Control, official sources said on Thursday. Briefing the media on the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra when asked about the interaction between Modi and Xi, said that both the leaders agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation. PM Modi underlined that maintenance of peace, tranquillity in border areas and respecting LAC are essential for normalisation of India-China ties, Kwatra said. During his conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along LAC, the Foreign Secretary said. "It was a conversation on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit where PM Modi talked about the LAC tensions. It was not a formal bilateral," Kwatra told reporters. Meanwhile, he said that a major outcome of the BRICS summit was the decision of the BRICS leaders to expand its membership to include six new members. These six members are Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. On the sidelines of BRICS summit, Modi had interactions with other BRICS leaders also, Kwatra said. "PM Modi highlighted that the BRICS Business Forum is one of the key pillars of Intra-BRICS partnership. He spoke about an important element, the need to develop resilient and inclusive supply chains. And, the importance of mutual trust and transparency in the intra-BRICS country," Kwatra told reporters. "He (Modi) wrote to the leaders of G20 about the inclusion of the African Union in the G20. We have strongly proposed it as a permanent member of the G20. So, it should probably become G21 if it all goes through," the Foreign Secretary said. "The prime minister spoke of something which is deeply at the heart of South Africa and many African countries, the protections of the big cats, the five big ones in South Africa under the International Big Cat Alliance. He established something important for all the BRICS countries, a repository of traditional medicines among the BRICS countries," the foreign secretary said further. Modi, Xi agree to intensify efforts towards disengagement alongside LAC Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, August 24 A llu Arjun and his Pushpa magic have once again become the talk of the town. On Thursday, the Telugu star won the Best Actor award at the 69th National Awards for his performance in 'Pushpa: The Rise'. 'Pushpa' was released in theatres in December 2021. The film not only showcased his exceptional performance but portrayed unmatched dialogue delivery, charismatic swag, and a captivating aura. The actor's steps from the movie's songs, namely Saami Saami, Srivalli, Oo Antava, became a huge sensation among the audience on a global scale. Allu Arjun is currently busy shooting for the second part, which will also star Rashmika Mandanna. More details regarding the sequel are awaited. National Film Awards ceremony is organized every year but was interrupted for 2 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 68th National Film Awards took place last year and honoured the movies released in 2020. Allu Arjun named Best Actor at 69th National Film Awards Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Lucknow, August 25 A fter the grand success of the Global Investors Summit organized under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is set to host the first International Trade Show in the state. This international trade show, which is going to be organized on the sprawling premises of India Expo Center and Mart, Greater Noida, from September 21-25, will showcase the major industries of Uttar Pradesh, MSMEs and start-ups in diverse sectors such as IT/ITES, education, agriculture, health, tourism, culture, energy and ODOP. The trade fair is aimed at providing a global platform for entrepreneurs, manufacturers and exporters from all these sectors to showcase their products to the global audience. President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate the grand trade fair on September 21. Reviewing the preparations for this important event on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that through this international trade show, the whole world would get introduced to the wonderful 'Craft, Cuisine and Culture' of Uttar Pradesh. Expressing happiness over the registration of about 400 buyers from more than 66 countries for the trade show so far, the Chief Minister said that the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Ministry of MSME, Government of India, have been instrumental in organizing the trade show, adding that expected cooperation was being received from all quarters. More foreign buyers, entrepreneurs, and companies should be invited by continuously interacting with Indian Ambassadors/High Commissioners posted in more and more countries, CM Yogi said. This multisectoral trade show is going to be of great help in providing the global market to local entrepreneurs for their products and crafts. Expressing the need to involve management students of Gautam Buddha University in organizing the event, the Chief Minister said that stalls should be made available at subsidized rates for small entrepreneurs, new exporters and women entrepreneurs in the trade show. The Chief Minister further pointed out that people from different states of the country as well as many countries are enthusiastic about this event and are coming to participate. In such a situation, in view of its importance, all the departments have an important role in organizing. "Once again on the lines of GIS, we have to work with better interdepartmental coordination", he asserted. In the meeting, the Chief Minister instructed the District Magistrate, Commissioner of Police and District Magistrate, Greater Noida and CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Authorities, Gautam Budh Nagar to make all arrangements for the safety and other facilities of dignitaries, guests, entrepreneurs, artisans. The Chief Minister said that along with the trade show, a global event of the Moto GP race is also proposed in Gautam Budh Nagar from September 22 to 24, in which case necessary arrangements should be made regarding traffic management. He directed that additional manpower should be deployed immediately as per the requirement. Signages in different languages should also be put up at appropriate places for the convenience of the visitors. Emphasizing making the first international trade show of the state grand, the Chief Minister said that knowledge sessions should also be organized on a special theme every day during this 05-day important trade show. With the cooperation of IRDA, sessions should be organized on the insurance sector as well as on packaging and marketing of ODOP products and export promotion, the success of Invest UP and electronics software. Similarly, a fashion show based on 54 GI products of Uttar Pradesh should also be organized, the CM said. The Chief Minister was apprised that Dr Pawan Agarwal's special session on Management of Famous Dibbawala of Knowledge Mumbai, along with the motivational address of 'Sadhguru Ji', Founder of Spiritual Guru Isha Foundation is also proposed. The Chief Minister said that cultural presentations showcasing the art and culture of Uttar Pradesh should also be organized on all five days, as well as special stalls should be set up to introduce the delicious dishes of Uttar Pradesh to the participants and visitors. Uttar Pradesh to organize first International Trade Show from Sept 21 to 25: CM Yogi Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Trump frontrunner despite Milwaukee debate as he plans media focus on him with surrender in Atlanta Washington, Aug 25 F ormer US President Donald Trump has scored a double whammy against eight of his rivals in the GOP race for nominations by first releasing a taped interview five minutes before the debate and he hopes to garner all limelight in the media with his announced surrender before the Atlanta courts in his fourth indictment on election interference. While media houses are working at a furious pace to collate the numbers on the Milwaukee debate on how many people watched the debate live. Even as most American voters would digest the debate via online clips that would be pushed out by the debaters and the media, media reports said. As of now, Trump leads with 53 per cent backing from supporters and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 16 per cent and surprisingly political novice Indian-American billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy with 11 per cent over all others in the polls. MO News, which provides a digest of the morning news online to readers in the country, said given Trump continues to dominate in early state polls, the question is whether any of the eight alternatives did enough to convince GOP primary voters that they should switch their allegiances? The former President remained pretty unscathed and none of the candidates, except Chris Christie, really made a case to voters as to why they should stop supporting Trump. Both burly Christie and slim-fit Ramaswamy were booed by the audiences on their views. Both Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley seem set to get some momentum from Wednesday night's debate from the respective wings of the party. Its everyone's guess that Trump will remain in the driver's seat. With media circus in the offing later in the day, attention will quickly be back on Trump today as he formally surrenders to authorities in Georgia, where he was most recently indicted. ash/khz Trump frontrunner despite Milwaukee debate as he plans media focus on him with surrender in Atlanta Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Johannesburg, August 25 P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday discussed bilateral cooperation across various sectors with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi. "Met President Filipe Nyusi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. We discussed ways to diversify India-Mozambique cooperation across various sectors for the benefit of the people of our nations," PM Modi wrote on 'X' on Thursday. Meanwhile, PM Modi and Senegal President Macky Sall on Thursday discussed various aspects of strengthening bilateral ties such as defence, security and infrastructure development during the bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. Taking to its social media 'X', the Prime Minister's Office wrote, "PM @narendramodi held a fruitful meeting with President @Macky_Sall of Senegal in Johannesburg. The leaders deliberated on various aspects of strengthening bilateral ties such as defence and security, and infrastructure development. PM Modi and Senegal President Macky Sall held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg. Following the bilateral meeting with Senegal, PM Modi held bilateral talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyunsi on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa on Thursday. In the meeting, PM Modi and Mozambique president shook hands and had a brief conversation in the presence of envoys from both countries. Prior to this, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with the President of Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed and Iran President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday. In the bilateral meeting between Iran and India, PM Modi felicitated Iran on joining the BRICS family. President Raisi thanked PM Modi for India's support in achieving this outcome. President Raisi also congratulated the PM on the success of the Chandrayaan mission. Meanwhile, the Summit announced that Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will join the BRICS in January 2024. PM Modi arrived in South Africa for the 15th BRICS Summit on Tuesday. The opening day of the summit in Johannesburg saw the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue which PM Modi addressed but Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped the event, sending his commerce minister Wang Wentao to represent him. PM Modi, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi discuss bilateral cooperation Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, August 25 U nion Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday praised Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini's coffee table book "Chal Mann Vrindavan" and how it beautifully highlights the history, culture and religion associated with the historical city of Vrindavan. "I would like to thank you all for coming to this event. Actor and BJP MP Hema Malini has greatly contributed to this book and shared her nine-year experience in Vrindavan. She has highlighted many features history, culture and religion," Hardeep Singh Puri said at the book launch. He further requested everyone to look at this coffee table book. "I would ask you all to take a look at this coffee table book," he added. Earlier today, Hardeep Singh Puri and Hema Malini released "Chal Mann Vrindavan", a coffee table book. Speaking on 'Chal Man Vrindavan's book, MP Hema Malini said that the book is written in two languages, Hindi and English which gives complete details about the entire Vrindavan. "Chal Man Vrindavan is written in two languages, Hindi and English. It will tell about Vrindavan and complete details about the entire Brij area, Govardhan, Nandgaon, Barsana, Mathura and all the surrounding the '84 kos'. How Holi is played there, how the raas leela is organised. This book will make the reader feel like he has reached Vrindavan... I thank Ashok Bansal and his entire team for making this book and making me a part of it," Malini said. The book is authored and edited by Ashok Bansal and published by Harivansh Chaturvedi, president, of Bimtech Foundation. Book highlights many features of Vrindavan..., Hardeep Singh Puri on 'Chal Mann Vrindavan' Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, August 25 A ctor Kangana Ranaut has extended her congratulations to each and every National Film Awards winner that was revealed on Thursday night. She also commented on the fact that her own movie, 'Thalaivii,' received no attention at the press conference. "Congratulations to all #nationalawards2023. It is such an art carnival that brings all the artists across the country together. It's truly magical to know and to get introduced to so much important work that's happening across all languages," Kangana wrote on her Instagram. About her own film 'Thalaivii' which did not receive any awards, she said, "All of you who are disappointed that my film Thalaivii didn't win any... please know I am eternally grateful for whatever Krishna gave and didn't give me and all of you who really love and appreciate me must appreciate my perspective as well ... Art is subjective and I truly believe that the jury did their best .... I wish everyone the best Hare Krishna C2 V," she added. 'Thalaivii', released in 2021, is a biographical film based on the life and struggles of the late J Jayalalithaa, who was a prominent Indian politician and actress and served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu many times. The film features Kangana Ranaut in the titular role, portraying the character of Jayalalithaa. A L.Vijay directed the movie, and the screenplay was written by K V Vijayendra Prasad. The winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced on Thursday in New Delhi. Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon bagged the Best Actress award while Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award for his performance in Pushpa . Art is subjective: Kangana Ranaut congratulates winners of National Film Awards Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Pooja Dhingra to join Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar as judge in new season of 'MasterChef India' Mumbai, Aug 25 C hef Pooja Dhingra is set to join Chef Vikas Khanna and Chef Ranveer Brar as a judge on the upcoming season of the cooking reality show 'MasterChef India'. During the previous season Pooja graced the show as a guest judge. Chef Pooja shared her enthusiasm about donning the judge's hat, saying that the show is an incredible platform that celebrates the art of cooking as an ever-evolving journey. The Chef mentioned that on the show "each dish is a canvas and every flavour is a brushstroke painting a unique story". "I'm delighted to be joining the MasterChef judging panel alongside the culinary luminaries, Chef Vikas Khanna and Chef Ranveer Brar. As someone who has been both an avid admirer and a guest judge on the show, this opportunity to now join MasterChef as the third judge feels truly momentous," she said. Pooja further mentioned, "I'm humbled and grateful to be surrounded by such remarkable mentors like Chef Vikas and Chef Ranveer and together we aim to inspire innovation and discover the next generation of culinary maestros. I can't wait to see the sparks of creativity ignite in the MasterChef kitchen as we embark on this delectable adventure." The judges will guide and inspire 16 dedicated contestants. 'MasterChef India' is set to return on Sony LIV. Pooja Dhingra to join Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar as judge in new season of 'MasterChef India' Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! A large meteor breaching Earth's atmosphere over northeast Montana caused a huge fireball visible across the state late Wednesday night. Astronomical observation cameras at the Montana Learning Center recorded video of the fireball at 10:33 p.m. in the northeastern part of the sky over Canyon Ferry Reservoir where the observatory is located. "This thing was so great, traveling at 18,000 mph," said Ryan Hannahoe, executive director of the Montana Learning Center. "The fireball from the explosion was so intense, it was much brighter than the full moon -- it literally lit up the ground." Observations of the fireball have been submitted to the American Meteor Society from Bigfork, Helena, Missoula and Emigrant as of Thursday afternoon. Hannahoe also submitted the observation to the American Meteor Society and the International Meteoritical Society, where they will analyze the observation and confirm it. So far they are the only ones to capture the meteor on video that Hannahoe knows of. Hannahoe said because of the size of the meteor people could possibly find meteorites on the ground in Montana or Canada. This is brightest recorded fireball observed at the Montana Learning Center since July 2021. "It is definitely a rare occurrence," Hannahoe said. "And the world's mostly covered in ocean. So the fact that it's happening over Montana is pretty cool." The Montana Learning Center is the largest observatory in the state and has seven camera pointed at the sky 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Esha Deol over the moon as 'Ek Duaa' wins at 69th National Film Awards Mumbai, August 25 I t was a proud moment for Esha Deol as her first film as a producer 'Ek Duaa' got a special mention at the 69th National Award in the category of Non-Feature Films. Esha took to Instagram and shared the stills from the film along with a gratitude note. https//www.instagram.com/p/CwVIGzXttq2/? The note read, "Over the moon as my film EK DUAA has won at the 69th NATIONAL AWARDS. As a producer & actor in this film to get this recognition in the non feature special mention award means the world to me. The subject of our film is about female foeticide,save the girl child & for this to get recognition at the National awards is so overwhelming." She added, "I want to thank everyone & specially my fans for their love support prayers & duaas .Congratulations to the entire team of Ek Duaa & specially my director Ramkamal Mukerjee for making this film together with me. Much love & gratitude." 'Ek Dua' tells a powerful story about female foeticide. Through its compelling storytelling, the film effectively raises awareness about the consequences of this social problem. The winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced on Thursday. Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon bagged the Best Actress award while Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award for his performance in Pushpa . Meanwhile, Esha made her acting comeback last year, with the thriller series 'Rudra The Edge of Darkness' alongside actor Ajay Devgn which premiered exclusively on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar. She will also be seen in an upcoming series 'Invisible Woman' alongside veteran actor Suniel Shetty, which is backed by the film arm of Saregama India -- Yoodlee Films. Rajesh M Selva of 'Thoongaa Vanam' and 'Kadaram Kondan' fame is helming the project. Esha Deol over the moon as 'Ek Duaa' wins at 69th National Film Awards Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! PM Modi lays wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens, receives Guard of Honour Athens, August 25 B eginning his official engagements during a day-long official visit to Greece, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens on Friday. Prime Minister Modi also received a guard of honour following the wreath-laying ceremony. PM Modi on Friday arrived in Greece for his maiden visit at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. At the Athens International Airport, PM Modi was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. He received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the Hotel Grande Bretagne with the Indian Community gathered at the hotel breaking out into chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' 'Modi, Modi.' The members of the Indian Community were ween waiving the tricolour and some of them were also beating drums to mark PM Modi's visit, the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit the country. At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also briefly interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. PM Modi will meet his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the leaders will discuss ways to further deepen the ties between the two nations. He will also interact with business leaders from both countries. He will also have an interaction with the Indian community in Greece. Prime Minister Modi had met the Greek Prime Minister in New York last in September 2019 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. PM Modi lays wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens, receives Guard of Honour Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Your father would be so proud: Kriti congratulates Pankaj Tripathi on winning National award Mumbai, August 25 A ctor Kriti Sanon congratulated her co-star Pankaj Tripathi with a special message on winning the award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film 'Mimi'. Taking to Instagram story, Kriti shared a still from the film featuring herself and Pankaj Tripathi. Along with the picture, she wrote, "Congratulations to my favvwvv @pankaitri pathi sir!!Your father would be so so proud.." Helmed by Laxman Utekar the film also starred Kriti Sanon, Manoj Pahwa, and Supriya Pathak in pivotal roles. 'Mimi' tells the story of a young woman named Mimi who agrees to become a surrogate mother for a foreign couple, hoping to use the money to fulfil her dream of becoming an actress. However, the biological parents back out when they learn that the child will be born with Down syndrome. Mimi then decides to raise the child on her own and faces several challenges and societal pressures as a single mother. Her journey as a mother and her struggle to provide for her child despite the odds is both heartwarming and inspiring. The film was streamed directly on OTT platform Netflix and received massive responses from the audience. Meanwhile, Kriti will next be seen in Vikas Bahl's 'Ganpath -Part 1' and 'The Crew' starring next to Kareena Kapoor, Tabu. She also has an untitled project with Shahid Kapoor in the line. She was recently seen in the pan-India film 'Adipurush' opposite actor Prabhas. Recently, Kriti started her own production company named 'Blue Butterfly Films.' Pankaj, on the other hand, was recently seen in the drama film 'OMG 2' in which he was seen alongside actor Akshay Kumar. The film has minted Rs 113.67 crore in its second weekend. He will also be seen in 'Main Atal Hoon' which is a biopic on the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The movie will revolve around the life and political career of India's beloved leader, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was not only a politician but also a poet, a gentleman and a statesman. Commencing the shoot in Mumbai, the team will have a long schedule of more than 45 days covering different parts of our country like Mumbai and Lucknow. Apart from that, Pankaj Tripathi also has 'Stree 2' in his kitty. Your father would be so proud: Kriti congratulates Pankaj Tripathi on winning National award Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Athens, August 25 P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called on Greece President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The Greek president congratulated PM Modi on the success of India's moon mission Chandrayaan-3. "The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind... The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind," PM Modi said. On Wednesday, India became the first country to land on the south pole of the moon. Meanwhile, PM Modi today commenced his visit to Greece by paying tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. Later on, he received a ceremonial guard of honour. PM Modi arrived in Athens this morning, after attending the 15th BRICs summit in Johannesburg, for his maiden visit to Greece at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. At the Athens International Airport, PM Modi was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. He received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the hotel in Athens with members of the diaspora who had gathered outside the hotel chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' and 'Modi, Modi.' They were ween waiving the tricolour and some of them were also beating drums to mark PM Modi's visit, the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit the country. At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also briefly interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. He is scheduled to interact with business leaders from both countries. Prime Minister Modi had previously met the Greek Prime Minister in New York in September 2019 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. Success of Chandrayaan-3 is success of mankind: PM Modi tells Greek President Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! PM Modi conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Athens, August 25 A dding another feather to his cap, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour in Athens, Greece on Friday. President of Greece Katerina N Sakellaropoulou feted PM Modi with the Grand Cross after the latter called on the former during his day-long official visit to Greece. "A special honour reflecting the strength of India-Greece partnership. PM @narendramodi conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by @PresidencyGR Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou," tweeted Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi. Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi also held delegation-level talks with his Greek counterpart Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Order of Honour was established in 1975. The head of goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the Star with the inscription "ONLY THE?RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONOURED". The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour is conferred by the President of Greece to Prime Ministers and eminent personalities who by reason of their distinguished position, have contributed to enhancing the stature of Greece. The citation says- "In the person of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an honour is bestowed upon the friendly people of India." It also says, "On the occasion of this visit, the Greek State Honours the Prime Minister of India, a statesman who has tirelessly promoted the global reach of his country and who works systematically for India's economic progress and prosperity, bringing about bold reforms. A statesman who has brought environmental protection and climate change among the top priorities of international activity." PM Modi's decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest has also been recognised. "Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3," posted PM Modi on X. During their meeting, the Greek president congratulated PM Modi on the success of India's moon mission Chandrayaan-3. "The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind... The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind," PM Modi said. PM Modi today commenced his visit to Greece by paying tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. Later on, he received a ceremonial guard of honour. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. PM Modi conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Amsterdam, August 25 A ccording to data presented at the ESC Congress 2023, middle-aged persons who have three or more harmful traits--such as a little elevated blood pressure, slightly elevated cholesterol, or slightly elevated glucose--experience heart attacks and strokes two years earlier than their peers. "Many people in their 40s and 50s have a bit of fat around the middle and marginally elevated blood pressure, cholesterol or glucose but feel generally well, are unaware of the risks and do not seek medical advice," said study author Dr. Lena Lonnberg of Vastmanland County Hospital, Vasteras, Sweden. "This scenario, called metabolic syndrome, is a growing problem in Western populations where people are unknowingly storing up problems for later in life. This is a huge missed opportunity to intervene before heart attacks and strokes that could have been avoided occur." The metabolic syndrome is thought to affect up to 31% of people worldwide. Previous research has demonstrated that those who have metabolic syndrome are more vulnerable to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and early demise.3-5 In this study, the relationship between asymptomatic metabolic syndrome in midlife and cardiovascular disease and death up to three decades later was examined. The study enrolled 34,269 adults in their 40s and 50s who attended a cardiovascular screening programme in 1990 to 1999 in the Swedish county of Vastmanland. Participants went to their primary health care centre for a clinical examination by a nurse, which included measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose, and waist and hip circumference. They also completed a questionnaire about lifestyle habits, previous history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and socioeconomic factors such as education. Individuals were classified as having metabolic syndrome if they had three or more of the following 1) waist circumference of 102 cm or above for men and 88 cm or above for women, 2) total cholesterol 6.1 mmol/l or above, 3) 130 mmHg or higher systolic blood pressure and/or 85 mm Hg or higher diastolic blood pressure, 4) fasting plasma glucose 5.6 mmol/l or higher. Participants with metabolic syndrome were matched for age, sex and date of health examination to two individuals without metabolic syndrome who served as controls. Data on cardiovascular events and death were collected from national and local registers. The researchers analysed the associations between midlife metabolic syndrome and nonfatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, physical inactivity, education level, body mass index, hip circumference and living alone or with family. A total of 5,084 individuals met the criteria for metabolic syndrome and a control group of 10,168 individuals without metabolic syndrome was identified. Some 47% of participants were women. During a median follow-up of 27 years, 1,317 participants with metabolic syndrome died compared with 1,904 controls - meaning that those with metabolic syndrome were 30% more likely to die during follow-up than their counterparts without metabolic syndrome. Non-fatal cardiovascular events occurred in 1,645 participants with metabolic syndrome and 2,321 controls - corresponding to a 35% greater risk of heart attack and stroke in the metabolic syndrome group. The median time to the first non-fatal heart attack or stroke was 16.8 years in the metabolic syndrome group and 19.1 years in the control group - a 2.3 year difference. Dr. Lonnberg said "As metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, the level of each individual component does not have to be severely raised. In fact, most people live with slightly raised levels for many years before having symptoms that lead them to seek health care. In our study, middle-aged adults with metabolic syndrome had a heart attack or stroke 2.3 years earlier than those without the collection of unhealthy traits. Blood pressure was the riskiest component, particularly for women in their 40s, highlighting the value of keeping it under control." She concluded "The results underline the importance of early detection of risk factors through health screening programmes so that preventive actions can be taken to prevent heart attack, stroke and premature death. As a general rule of thumb, even if you feel well, check your blood pressure every year, avoid smoking, keep an eye on your waist circumference and last, but definitely not least, be physically active every day." Middle-aged adults with unhealthy traits linked to earlier heart attack, stroke: Study Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Doug Burgum may not have had a breakthrough moment at the first GOP presidential debate Wednesday night, but hes earned the praise of the 2024 races frontrunner. Former President Donald Trump spoke positively of North Dakotas governor in an appearance on Newsmax after his booking and release from the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on election interference charges Thursday night. I respect him a lot; he was great. He endorsed me twice, Trump said in an interview with Newsmax host Greg Kelly, reaching the channel by phone. I think he's got something very good about him. Hes a high-quality person, hes considered a very high-quality man. Trumps praise for Burgum came in response to a question about whether the former president saw a potential vice president pick on the debate stage. Trump, who is by far the highest-polling candidate, declined to take part in Fox News debate this week in Milwaukee. In statements to multiple news outlets, Trumps campaign mocked the debate as an audition for a role in a second Trump presidency. Burgum endorsed Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections. On the campaign trail, Burgum has been careful about sharing his views on the former president and the pending criminal cases against him. In the past year, Trump has been indicted in two state and two federal cases on charges stemming from alleged mishandling of classified documents, alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and a case involving Trumps alleged hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Burgum was one of six candidates who raised a hand when asked by moderators if theyd still support Trump as the Republican presidential nominee if he is convicted in any of his pending cases. Given the opportunity to explain his response, Burgum said former Vice President Mike Pence made the correct choice when he moved to certify the results of the 2020 election after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he added that the country should move on from the past. China is the No. 1 threat to our country, and every minute that these eight candidates spend talking about the past instead of about the future you know who loves it? Biden loves it, and China loves it, he said. Burgum has avoided taking aim at any other candidates in the race -- except Democratic President Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term. And while Burgum typically avoids weighing in on Trumps indictments, in the past, he has said he understands why many Americans may believe there is political bias in the justice system. Eight candidates, including Burgum, took part in the Republican presidential debate. The others were businessman and political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Trump praised Ramaswamy, who during the debate described the former president as the best of the 21st century. But not surprisingly, vocal Trump critics Christie and Hutchinson attracted scornful remarks from the former president. The two candidates were the only two on stage Wednesday who did not raise their hands in response to the Trump support question. He shouldn't even be there. He's wasting room, he's wasting space, and he's wasting time. The guy's got, like, one-half of 1%, and he doesn't stop, Trump said of Hutchinson, whose poll numbers are close to those of Burgum. "He says bad things about me, and I don't even know him." State officials in South Dakota are recommending a water-rights permit for a carbon dioxide pipeline company, but some nearby residents who use the same aquifer fear they could be negatively affected. A corporate entity affiliated with Summit Carbon Solutions, called Redfield SCS Capture, has applied to drill a well that could take up to 21 million gallons of water per year from the Dakota Aquifer, which is an amount equivalent to about 32 Olympic-sized pools. The well would be about 1,100 feet deep and located a few miles north of Redfield, in the same area as the Redfield Energy ethanol plant, which is a partner in the Summit pipeline project. The state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources said in a written statement to South Dakota Searchlight that the water will be used for non-contact cooling. The department provided no further information, and Summit did not respond to multiple Searchlight messages. Other sources interviewed for this story speculated the water will be used to cool pipes carrying pressurized carbon dioxide. After its use, the water would be discharged into a local waterway, DANRs report says. The report does not say which body of water, but the site is near Turtle Creek and the James River. Summit Carbon Solutions wants to capture carbon dioxide emitted from ethanol plants in five states. The gas would be pressurized into a liquid form and transmitted via pipelines to North Dakota for storage underground, to prevent the gas from trapping heat in the atmosphere. For its purported value in helping to fight climate change, the $5 billion project would be eligible for up to $1.5 billion in annual federal tax credits. Neither DANR nor Summit responded to questions about whether Summit will apply for new water rights and wells at other locations. The water source, the Dakota Aquifer, is a porous rock and sand formation where water gets stored as it trickles underground. It underlies about 66,500 of South Dakotas 77,000 square miles of land. A 1982 report cited by the state indicated the aquifer held about 124 trillion gallons of recoverable water storage east of the Missouri River in South Dakota. In a June 29 staff report, state Chief Engineer Eric Gronlund recommended approving the application, saying theres enough water available for it, its unlikely to harm existing water users and its for a useful purpose. Permit gets contested Because some nearby residents sent opposition comments to the state during a public comment period, the proposed permit will be the subject of a contested case hearing this fall. One of those nearby residents is Debra Curtis, who ranches about 2.5 miles from the proposed Summit well and fears it would reduce the water pressure and flow of my well. Dave and Stacey Marlow wrote to the department that their drive-in theater will not have adequate water pressure to continue business if the project is permitted. I was told that much water being extracted will create a cone-shaped vacuum into the aquifer, Dave Marlow told South Dakota Searchlight. And for wells only a mile or so away, like ours, theres just not enough pressure. Jay Gilbertson manages the East Dakota Water Development District, based in Brookings. He said Marlow was referring to a cone of depression, a term describing the shape that forms in the water table around a well when water is pumped out like drinking a milkshake through a straw. When water is pumped out of a well, the water level closer to the well goes down, Gilbertson said. If too much water is taken out, it can cause problems for the wells in the surrounding area. Gilbertson also referenced language in the state staff report that says if problems with existing residential systems occur, the company has to stop or at least reduce its usage. Bureaucratic processes Dave Marlow said a state employee told him he could see a drastic decline in pressure and that a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy would stand in the way of stopping Summit Carbon Solutions from pumping. I know the guys name but I really dont want to give it out, Marlow said. Debra Curtis said a state employee she declined to identify told her something similar. But when she tried to contact the employee again, she was unable and was later referred to Ian Fury, the governors spokesperson. He assured me that as a resident, wed have priority over the company, Curtis said. But she remains skeptical about how long it would take to force a large pipeline company to stop pumping water. The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources did not immediately respond to Searchlight questions regarding the claims from Marlow and Curtis about the state employee who spoke with them. Marlow said he and his wife only found out about Summits water-rights permit application by reading the legal section of their local paper. Most people have no idea whats going on or that its even happening, and I think theyre going to have a big problem coming down the road, Marlow said. Nobody reads the notices in the paper anymore. To oppose the application, comments had to be filed with the states Water Rights Program by July 24. South Dakota Searchlight sent the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources questions about the proposed permit on July 11, July 13 and Aug. 10, but didnt get a response until Aug. 11. The public notice period for this application has closed, department spokesperson Brian Walsh wrote. He added that three people or entities Curtis, the Marlows and another rural Redfield resident, Brad Hekrdle filed comments that automatically triggered a contested case hearing, which will take place Oct. 4 in Pierre before the state Water Management Board. Meanwhile, the state Public Utilities Commissions hearing on Summits pipeline permit application will begin Sept. 11 and is scheduled to run 13 days at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre. The commission has already conducted hearings on another carbon pipeline, proposed by Navigator CO2, and is expected to issue a decision on that project soon. Whether its legal to grow a plot of corn in your front yard How weather is affecting the local apple crop Altgeld Halls new, brighter color what happens to the sunflowers at Clearview Farm once the blooms have faded and reasons why some out-of-district students may be attending classes in Unit 4. All that and more. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. The encouraging: The second semester went smoother than the first at both Urbana middle and high schools. The discouraging: 201 fights at the middle school and 30 incidents at the high school that led to police reports. Unfortunately, high school SRO Chad Burnett said, the latter included arson, battery, sex assault, theft, threats, inappropriate videotaping and found articles. Weve all seen the articles that tell us that AI is going to replace office jobs at an alarming rate. These same articles also tell us what industries will be affected, and financial operations is usually high on that list due to the number of repetitive tasks done on a daily basis. In this article, you will take a look at why AI is actually a good thing for finance when combined with human talent. You will learn how and why AI can and should take over the simple, mundane tasks of your operation so that employees are free to innovate and create. Read on to learn more about AI in the world of AP and finance and why it should be embraced instead of viewing it as a threat to valuable employees. Sara Sanders, who spent her fair share of time in detention for being "a little bit too much of a social butterfly," when she was a student at Centennial, works to focus on students' "brilliances," rather than deficits. The head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is resigning as leader of the long-embattled child welfare agency, a week after a state audit outlined major failures by the department in recent years. As use and misuse of alcohol, opioids, and psychostimulants continues to increase, anesthesiologists can become a more integral part of the care team managing patients with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), according to a series of three articles published in the September issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, the official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. The articles provide an overview of SUDs specific to the anesthesiologist and offer insights into pain management for opioid use disorder and exposure to psychostimulants. "The series is timely because the fundamental philosophies that guide management of patients with SUDs have evolved rapidly over the past decade. How can anesthesiologists begin to more adequately address the unmet needs of patients with SUDs in the perioperative period?" ask Akash Goel, MD, MPH, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, and Wiplove Lamba, MD, Department of Psychiatry University of Toronto, in an editorial overview of the series. Recommendations for expanded involvement in managing patients with SUDs As management of SUDs has evolved, anesthesiologists have become increasingly recognized as necessary to that management. The series ask readers to look at SUDs and SUDs treatment through the lens of a wide range of biopsychosocial factors and encourages a broader approach to effective disease management. For example, one article points out how discontinuing buprenorphine, a commonly used analgesic for reducing cravings, may actually increase opioid use during the perioperative period. Goel and Lamba offer recommendations for how anesthesiologists can contribute meaningfully to improving outcomes for patients with a SUD. Trauma-informed patient care is critical. For example, during the pre-operative period understanding through direct discussion with a patient how their previous traumatic experiences might inform their perioperative experience and the need for a personalized pain management plan. Increased collaboration with patients, experts in Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry, patient advocacy groups, primary care providers, and other care partners is also key. In addition, with advances in treatment and the growing importance of socio-demographic factors, educational assets for anesthesiologists should be updated with content specific to addiction. Finally, the authors urge anesthesiologists to start viewing their role as one beyond pain management. Greater involvement in harm reduction interventions and surgical rehabilitation are two suggested areas. Need for outcomes measurement to assess new approaches The continuing evolution of both our understanding of addiction and substance abuse, and SUD management make high-quality studies and randomized controlled trials challenging. Objectives of these new approaches are to prevent relapse, reduce harm, minimize pain, and improve the overall well-being of people with SUDs. Goel and Lamba are proposing a system where relevant decision makers (patients, substance use experts) and appropriate stakeholders are involved in the policies and decisions that affect persons with SUDs. Madera Community Hospital in California's Central Valley, which ceased operations last December and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, moved a step closer to reopening Thursday when California's new fund for troubled hospitals said it was prepared to offer the facility up to $52 million in interest-free loans. The program is offering an additional $240.5 million in no-interest loans to 16 other troubled hospitals, including Beverly Community Hospital in Montebello and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, both of which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Hazel Hawkins will get a loan of $10 million, and Beverly will get a bridge loan of $5 million while it is being purchased out of bankruptcy by Adventist Health's White Memorial in Los Angeles, according to the state's Department of Health Care Access and Information, which unveiled the lending details Thursday. Adventist Health has also agreed conditionally to manage Madera if it reopens. If all goes well it would take six to nine months to reopen, officials said. Madera will get a bridge loan of $2 million to cover basic costs while Adventist Health, a large multistate health system with 22 hospitals in California, works on a "comprehensive hospital turnaround plan," the department said. Once such a plan is approved, Madera "can be eligible for an additional $50 million loan" from the distressed hospital program, it said. For most of last year, Fresno-based St. Agnes Medical Center, part of the large Catholic hospital chain Trinity Health, appeared poised to rescue Madera Community Hospital from financial ruin in a planned acquisition that was approved by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. But Trinity walked away from the deal at the last minute with scant explanation, infuriating Bonta along with multiple other political leaders, community advocates, and health care officials. Trinity, which had loaned Madera $15.4 million during their merger talks, became its largest creditor in the bankruptcy that ensued. At the time of its bankruptcy filing in March, Madera reported total debts of just over $30 million. Adventist Health agreed last month to a nonbinding letter of intent to manage Madera. At the time, Kerry Heinrich, Adventist's president and CEO, said that if the shuttered hospital got the requisite financing, Adventist Health would use its expertise in "helping to secure a sustainable future for healthcare" in the county. Adventist Health spokesperson Japhet De Oliveira said Thursday that his organization remains intent on doing so. Reopening Madera "would be a really good thing, and we will put every effort into making that happen," De Oliveira said. He added: "We will need all parties to be involved in developing the approved plan and negotiating the terms of management services." Karen Paolinelli, the CEO of Madera Community Hospital, did not respond to emailed questions by publication time. State political leaders representing the region expressed satisfaction with Thursday's news. "It brings me tremendous relief to know that Madera Community Hospital and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in San Benito County have received grant awards and will be able to ensure that community members can once again receive services in their own communities," said Sen. Anna Caballero, a Democrat who represents the areas in which those facilities are located. The Adventist letter of intent for Madera said that in addition to paying off creditors in the bankruptcy, the hospital would need to secure $55 million in the first year to pay for all aspects of reopening, plus an additional $30 million in the second year. The $52 million the state proposes lending to Madera is significantly short of the $80 million the hospital applied for. Assuming the full $52 million materializes, the total amount loaned to the 17 hospitals would be $292.5 million nearly the entire $300 million available to the fund for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The program is scheduled to end after 2031. With $52 million from the state, Madera Community Hospital would still need to find an additional $33 million. Madera said in a bankruptcy court filing earlier this year that it expects just over $33 million in revenues from "provider fees" and from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The law that created the distressed hospital loan fund, AB 112, initially provided for $150 million in lending to help troubled hospitals, mostly rural ones, that faced the risk of closing. Another $150 million was later added to the pot. Small hospitals across the state and the country have been buffeted by the ill economic winds of the covid-19 pandemic, which ratcheted up the cost of drugs, supplies, and labor. Hospital industry officials have also pointed to low payment rates by government programs, especially Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, which they say has saddled many hospitals with financial losses. Madera made the same argument, but state data shows it received enough supplemental payments to earn nearly $15 million from Medi-Cal in 2021, though it lost over $11 million treating Medicare patients. The hospitals awarded the largest loans by the distressed hospital fund are Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, with $33.2 million; Dameron Hospital Association in Stockton, with $29 million; Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District in Imperial County, with $28 million; and El Centro Regional Medical Center, with $28 million. This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical spectrum observed among people infected with SARS-CoV-2 ranged from asymptomatic carriage to death. Researchers at the Institut Pasteur, the CNRS and the College de France, in collaboration with researchers around the world, have investigated the extent and drivers of differences in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 across populations from Central Africa, Western Europe and East Asia. They show that latent cytomegalovirus infection and human genetic factors, driven by natural selection, contribute to population differences in immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-19. Understanding the factors underlying such population disparities could help to improve patient management in future epidemics. These results were published on August 9, 2023 in Nature. The Institut Pasteur's Human Evolutionary Genetics Unit , led by Lluis Quintana-Murci, investigates how human populations differ in their immune responses to infection. These differences may result from different environmental exposures or from past population history, including natural selection, shaping the patterns of genetic diversity of human groups. In this study, published in Nature, the scientists investigated the extent and causes of disparities in the responses to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, focusing on populations from different geographic and ethnic backgrounds. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus caused a wide range of clinical manifestation, from asymptomatic infection to fatal disease. Although advanced age remains a primary risk factor, male gender, comorbidities and various human genetic and immunological factors also contribute to disease severity. To study variations in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 across human populations, scientists exposed immune blood cells from 222 healthy donors from Central Africa, Western Europe, and East Asia to the virus. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze the SARS-CoV-2 responses of 22 blood cell types. These data were then combined with serological and genetic information collected from the same individuals, making it possible to assess the degree of disparity between populations in terms of their immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, and to identify contributing factors. Scientists have identified around 900 genes that respond differently to SARS-CoV-2 between populations. Using statistical genetic analyses, they show that these disparities are mainly due to variation in blood cellular composition: the proportion of each cell type differs from one population to another. We know that blood cell composition can be influenced by environmental factors such as exposure to cytomegalovirus (a human infection of the herpes family, which is usually harmless) and cytomegalovirus prevalence varies widely among populations: Central Africans present 99% seropositivity, in contrast to only 50% in East Asians and 32% in Europeans. The team found that an individual's environment, specifically latent cytomegalovirus infection, will thus influence the immune cell response to SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the scientists have identified around 1,200 human genes whose expression in response to SARS-CoV-2 is under the control of human genetic factors and the frequency of the alleles that regulate these genes can vary between the populations studied. Using population genetics approaches, they have identified recurrent selection events targeting genes involved in anti-viral functions. We know that infectious agents have had a strong impact on human survival and exerted massive selective pressures that have shaped population genetic variation. We show that past natural selection has impacted present immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, particularly in people of East Asian ancestry, in whom coronaviruses generated strong selective pressures around 25,000 years ago." Maxime Rotival, researcher in the Institut Pasteur's Human Evolutionary Genetics Unit and co-last author of the study Between 1.5% and 2% of the genomes of Europeans and Asians is of Neanderthal origin. There is growing evidence of links between Neanderthal ancestry and present-day immunity to infection. By comparing the 1,200 genes identified with the Neanderthal genome, scientists have discovered dozens of genes that both alter antiviral mechanisms and result from ancient introgression between Neanderthals and modern humans (Homo sapiens). "Previous studies have shown the link between some of the genes identified in our study and the severity of COVID-19. Our comprehensive population-based study highlights the direct impact of genetic variants governing immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 on the severity of COVID-19. It also establishes links between past evolutionary events, such as natural selection or Neanderthal admixture, and current population disparities in immune responses and disease risk," explains Lluis Quintana-Murci, Head of the Human Evolutionary Genetics Unit at the Institut Pasteur, Professor at the College de France and co-last author of the study. "By identifying the precise cellular and molecular pathways of the genetic variants associated with COVID-19 severity, this study paves the way for precision medicine strategies that could either identify high-risk individuals or facilitate the development of new treatments," adds Darragh Duffy, Head of the Institut Pasteur's Translational Immunology Unit. A stem cell patch developed by USC researchers for patients with macular degeneration will soon be tested in a phase 2b clinical trial. This latest milestone in the patch's development was made possible by a combined $21 million in support from a state organization, a nonprofit foundation and the university. Last month, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded an estimated $12.4 million to the USC-supported startup Regenerative Patch Technologies (RPT) to test the safety and efficacy of the patch for treating advanced dry age-related macular degeneration, also known as "geographic atrophy." The award from CIRM, a state institute that supports research to address unmet medical needs, is the latest round of funding for the startup. USC and The Marcus Foundation were also influential in the award. Key supporters To qualify for CIRM funds, applicants must have a substantial amount of co-funding. USC Research and Innovation provided a $2 million promissory note to partially fulfill the co-funding requirement. The Marcus Foundation in Atlanta also played a critical role, providing USC researcher Mark Humayun and the university with more than $7 million in a peer-reviewed grant for this novel, transformational stem cell research program at USC that is aimed at curing blindness. I want to thank USC President Carol L. Folt for supporting this important research, as well as USC Research and Innovation for all the work they did to make this possible. I would also like to thank The Marcus Foundation for their generous support after a thorough review process." Humayun, director of the USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and co-director of the USC Gayle and Edward Roski Eye Institute USC Research and Innovation's award came from a first-of-its-kind, dedicated research program that supports USC faculty partnerships with small businesses to plan competitive funding applications. "We are thrilled to support this critically important medical innovation by fostering the university's ongoing technology transfer and commercialization efforts through faculty partnerships with small businesses," said Ishwar K. Puri, senior vice president for USC Research and Innovation. A patch with promise Geographic atrophy affects more than 1 million Americans ages 40 and older, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, there is no therapy to improve vision in patients who have the condition. Research on the patch so far has indicated positive results. It appears to restore the structure and function of the retina to improve vision. The phase 2b clinical trial will involve evaluating the efficacy of the implant in 24 patients who have suffered vision loss from geographic atrophy. The disease affects a vital group of cells: retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. When healthy, these cells enable photoreceptor cells of the retina to detect light. With geographic atrophy, RPE cells degenerate over time. This can lead to photoreceptor loss, impaired vision and, for many, blindness, forcing some patients to lose their independence. "CIRM is proud to continue to fund this groundbreaking stem cell therapy that has the potential to improve outcomes for the millions of people suffering from geographic atrophy," Maria T. Millan, president and chief executive officer of CIRM, said in an announcement of the award. "This investment is follow-on funding to CIRM's previous support to develop this therapy. It reflects our commitment to advancing cutting-edge science and underscores our dedication to addressing the unmet medical needs of those affected by degenerative diseases." The researchers realizing the vision Humayun and his fellow co-founders of Regenerative Patch Technologies -; Dennis Clegg, professor in the department of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara; and the late David Hinton, professor of ophthalmology and pathology at USC -; had developed the core technology for the stem cell-based subretinal implant. The implant, named the "California Project to Cure Blindness-Retinal Pigment Epithelium 1" or CPCB-RPE1, is licensed by the USC Stevens Center for Innovation exclusively to Regenerative Patch Technologies. The phase 2b clinical trial at USC will be led by Sun Young Lee and Rodrigo Antonio Brant Fernandes, both MDs and faculty members at the USC Roski Eye Institute. Previously, the Alfred E. Mann Institute at USC had provided support for the initial development of the implantable patch as an incubator for new USC-related companies. Indigenous Peoples have suffered disproportionally from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Systemic factors including lack of sovereignty, limited infrastructure and discrimination in local health care systems make Indigenous populations vulnerable to infectious diseases. Yet little research exists to guide public health efforts tailored to remote-living Indigenous populations during global pandemics. In Bolivia, a team of researchers and local collaborators made specific efforts to mitigate SARS-CoV-2's impact on the Tsimane (chee-MAHN-ay), a small-scale, Indigenous society living in remote areas of the Bolivian Amazon. The effort centered on a strategy of voluntary collective isolation, a practice that restricts travel to and from Indigenous territories in the hopes that remoteness, coupled with self-sufficiency in food production and a culture of resilience, would act as a buffer against disease. A new study by the same team tested whether voluntary collective isolation would be effective at preventing rapid spread of COVID-19 transmission among Tsimane. The authors used 20-plus years of data on population structure, movement patterns, and social networks to build a computer model that would assess the Tsimane'svulnerability to the disease. The simulation predicted that without any intervention, approximately four out of every five Tsimane would be infected during an outbreak, and that even the most remote communities (>100 km from the nearest market town) would be affected. It also revealed that without severely curtailing travel from both outside areas and between villages, voluntary collective isolation was likely to fail. Sadly, the researchers confirmed their model's predictions, observing a nearly identical rate of infection across Tsimane communities in the real world, based on serological testing of individuals after a first wave of COVID-19 infections. Remote-living, small-scale populations are highly vulnerable to global diseases. We can't rely on remoteness and voluntary isolation alone to mitigate risks-;we need to a plan to direct medical resources to these communities." Tom Kraft, anthropologist from the University of Utah and University of California, Santa Barbara, and lead author of the study The study published on Aug. 22, 0023 in the journal PLOS Biology. A case study: simulation and real world The Tsimane are one of several Indigenous tribes who hold collective title for much of the Estacion Biologica del Beni and Pilon Lajas Biosphere Reserves and Indigenous Communal Lands, protected areas on the eastern flank of the Andes Mountains. The researchers designed the model to simulate the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 from the closest urban market town, and its spread among Tsimane communities. The Tsimane share characteristics common to many small-scale Indigenous societies, making this case study a useful reference for understanding infectious disease dynamics and public health interventions in other populations. The idea for the study, published in the journal PLOS Biology, began at the outbreak of the pandemic. Many of the authors have worked with the Tsimane through the Tsimane Health and Life History Project. Senior author Michael Gurven, professor of anthropology at the UC Santa Barbara, co-founded the project back in 2002. The project operates a mobile medical team that travels between villages to provide aid, while also conducting biomedical and anthropological research. The team wanted to understand how best to direct public health messages and deploy their limited medical resources. "At the time, there was great concern about what COVID might do if it reached the remote Amazon," said Gurven. "So we shut down our normal operations and went into full COVID prep, hoping it wouldn't spread. When COVID hit anyway, we then went into full surveillance mode, poised to help lessen the spread, and help treat severe cases." The Tsimane are mostly self-sufficient with small-scale farms of plantains, manioc, rice and corn, and by hunting and fishing. But with better roads and motorized boats, they now come into greater contact with Bolivian merchants, colonists and others in local towns. About 18,000 Tsimane live in more than 95 villages spread along rivers and logging roads-;the farthest requires a multi-day boat trip to the market town. Multiple generations live together in large extended households. The close-knit community is quite social, and individuals travel frequently between villages to visit friends and family. The authors evaluated how these characteristics would influence the extent and trajectory of disease spread, the community- and individual-level risk factors for susceptibility of infection and the effect of various intervention scenarios. "The Beni region of Bolivia is pretty remote, and medical facilities are hard to come by," said Dr. Daniel Eid Rodriguez, a physician and medical coordinator for the Tsimane project based in Bolivia. "Any information that can help us make informed choices to best direct limited health resources are a blessing." To the researchers' surprise, the remoteness of the Tsimane communities made little difference in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in both computer simulations and observed infections. Once introduced, the disease spread in a chain reaction to even the most isolated villages, as predicted by the model. The communities closest to market towns experienced infection peaks earlier than remote villages. The smaller, more isolated villages experienced the largest outbreaks proportionally, challenging the intuition that epidemics will be limited in remote, low-density populations. The authors suggest that for maximum impact, public health efforts in the future should focus on dispersing limited medical and public health messaging resources across remote communities, rather than concentrating efforts solely on denser communities closer to urban centers. Simulations of different intervention strategies had mixed effectiveness. Restricting travel to the market town alone slowed transmission, but made essentially no difference in the final outbreak size. Even extreme travel restrictions showed limited efficacy; simultaneously reducing 90% of travel to town and between villages substantially slowed transmission but was predicted to reduce the overall proportion of adult Tsimane infected by only 15%. The model also found that if transmission rates were cut by half via social distancing or face coverings the cumulative infection in the populations was predicted to drop by 35%, as opposed to merely slowing the rate of infections via travel restrictions. Though that is a substantial impact, many local people were resistant to the use of face coverings or other interventions such as vaccines. Taken together, the team's findings suggest that efforts that only encourage face coverings or that limit contact with urban dwellers are unlikely to control the spread of infections to Indigenous communities. "Our work as anthropologists gives us a window into many of the processes that directly drive disease transmission," said Kraft. "We hope that this research has allowed us to put the detailed data we collect to a practical use, such that governments, public health officials and NGOs will be better prepared to make meaningful recommendations for a more diverse array of societies when faced with the next threat." Other study contributors include Edmond Seabright of Mohammed Polytechnic University (MPU) and University of New Mexico; Sarah Alami of MPU and UC Santa Barbara; Samuel M. Jenness of Emory University; Paul Hooper, Daniel K. Cummings, and co-senior author Hillard Kaplan, all of Chapman University; Bret Beheim of Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology; Helen Davis of Harvard University; Daniel Eid Rodriguez of Universidad Mayor de San Simon; Maguin Gutierrez Cayuba of Tsimane Gran Consejo; Emily Miner of UC Santa Barbara; Xavier de Lamballerie, Lucia Inchauste, and Stephane Priet of Unite des Virus Emergents; Benjamin C. Trumble of Arizona State University; and Jonathan Stieglitz of Institute for Advanced Study. For many patients, the internet serves as a powerful tool for self-education on medical topics. With ChatGPT now at patients' fingertips, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, assessed how consistently the artificial intelligence chatbot provides recommendations for cancer treatment that align with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Their findings, published in JAMA Oncology, show that in approximately one-third of cases, ChatGPT 3.5 provided an inappropriate ("non-concordant") recommendation, highlighting the need for awareness of the technology's limitations. Patients should feel empowered to educate themselves about their medical conditions, but they should always discuss with a clinician, and resources on the Internet should not be consulted in isolation. ChatGPT responses can sound a lot like a human and can be quite convincing. But, when it comes to clinical decision-making, there are so many subtleties for every patient's unique situation. A right answer can be very nuanced, and not necessarily something ChatGPT or another large language model can provide." Danielle Bitterman, MD, Corresponding Author, Department of Radiation Oncology and the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM) Program of Mass General Brigham The emergence of artificial intelligence tools in health has been groundbreaking and has the potential to positively reshape the continuum of care. Mass General Brigham, as one of the nation's top integrated academic health systems and largest innovation enterprises, is leading the way in conducting rigorous research on new and emerging technologies to inform the responsible incorporation of AI into care delivery, workforce support, and administrative processes. Although medical decision-making can be influenced by many factors, Bitterman and colleagues chose to evaluate the extent to which ChatGPT's recommendations aligned with the NCCN guidelines, which are used by physicians at institutions across the country. They focused on the three most common cancers (breast, prostate and lung cancer) and prompted ChatGPT to provide a treatment approach for each cancer based on the severity of the disease. In total, the researchers included 26 unique diagnosis descriptions and used four, slightly different prompts to ask ChatGPT to provide a treatment approach, generating a total of 104 prompts. Nearly all responses (98 percent) included at least one treatment approach that agreed with NCCN guidelines. However, the researchers found that 34 percent of these responses also included one or more non-concordant recommendations, which were sometimes difficult to detect amidst otherwise sound guidance. A non-concordant treatment recommendation was defined as one that was only partially correct; for example, for a locally advanced breast cancer, a recommendation of surgery alone, without mention of another therapy modality. Notably, complete agreement in scoring only occurred in 62 percent of cases, underscoring both the complexity of the NCCN guidelines themselves and the extent to which ChatGPT's output could be vague or difficult to interpret. In 12.5 percent of cases, ChatGPT produced "hallucinations," or a treatment recommendation entirely absent from NCCN guidelines. These included recommendations of novel therapies, or curative therapies for non-curative cancers. The authors emphasized that this form of misinformation can incorrectly set patients' expectations about treatment and potentially impact the clinician-patient relationship. Going forward, the researchers are exploring how well both patients and clinicians can distinguish between medical advice written by a clinician versus a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT. They are also prompting ChatGPT with more detailed clinical cases to further evaluate its clinical knowledge. The authors used GPT-3.5-turbo-0301, one of the largest models available at the time they conducted the study and the model class that is currently used in the open-access version of ChatGPT (a newer version, GPT-4, is only available with the paid subscription). They also used the 2021 NCCN guidelines, because GPT-3.5-turbo-0301 was developed using data up to September 2021. While results may vary if other LLMs and/or clinical guidelines are used, the researchers emphasize that many LLMs are similar in the way they are built and the limitations they possess. "It is an open research question as to the extent LLMs provide consistent logical responses as oftentimes 'hallucinations' are observed," said first author Shan Chen, MS, of the AIM Program. "Users are likely to seek answers from the LLMs to educate themselves on health-related topics---similarly to how Google searches have been used. At the same time, we need to raise awareness that LLMs are not the equivalent of trained medical professionals." A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland and Balettakademien Stockholm found that performing in a dance company and being involved in its activities play a significant role in the identity and disease-related identity negotiation in people with Parkinson's disease. Performing in the dance company and sharing the process of performing with others created a strong group identity for the dancers with Parkinson's disease. The dancers' experiences of watching and being watched provided them with novel ways of expressing themselves and being seen without their identity being associated with Parkinson's disease. Earlier studies have focused on dance interventions in group settings, i.e., dance classes, aimed at rehabilitation and social participation. They have shown that dance is a promising form of adjunct therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease. In people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease for example, dance has led to significant improvements in balance, gait and functional mobility. The new study, published in Nordic Journal of Dance, focused on the significance of dance as a performative art form in Parkinson's disease. The study involved eight dancers from the Swedish Kompani Parkinson dance company, which performs both in Sweden and abroad. The dancers completed an online questionnaire and most of them also participated in a focus group interview. The dancers considered cohesion, division of responsibilities, peer support, acceptance and trust as essential aspects of functioning within the group. The study suggests that membership in the company and group identity also enabled the dancers to negotiate their personal identity. The group offered trust and social support in a way that was not based on cognitive or physical ability, but on embodied expression. For the participants, this was something new and significant." Hanna Pohjola, Senior Researcher, University of Eastern Finland For the dancers with Parkinson's disease, the novel group identity provided an opportunity to negotiate an embodied identity that was tied to artistry not to Parkinson's disease. Although the disease sets its limits on what the body can do, the dancers were not limited or confined by art, allowing them to rediscover themselves. "Being a part of the group and performing as a member of the company also allowed the dancers to change their perception of the self. Being a dancer and having expressive capacity were seen as something without limitations, allowing people to grow and develop despite possible functional limitations." The study was conducted as part of the Narrating through Dance in Life Fractures project, which is funded by the Kone Foundation. The project examines the experiential and psychosocial consequences of dance in different life transitions. Some people can taste the difference between vodka and toilet sanitizer. I am not opposed to vodka, but mostly, it goes into drinks that have enough hot sauce or fruit juices to mask the fact that it tastes like, I assume, Liquid Plumbr might. Costco has had to recall its popular Kirkland Signature American Vodka, yes American, due to a taste one Redditor likened to urinal cake. The "American Vodka" is rumored to be the same as the brand Grey Goose, much like every Kirkland brand alcohol is rumored to be some other noted brand. My friends insist their Whiskey is Jameson and their Scotch is Macallan. SF Gate: Following hundreds of Redditors sharing their recent experiences of the Kirkland Signature American Vodka tasting "terrible," "like a weird chemical" or having "a bathroom urinal puck vibe," Costco reportedly sent a product information notice to customers who had purchased the product. To be clear, this is the brand's cheaper American vodka, not its slightly higher-end Kirkland Signature French Vodka, which is often rumored to be Grey Goose in disguise (not true, according to Vice). SFGATE called LeVecke Corporation, the producer of Kirkland Signature American Vodka, and was directed to an automated voicemail about the product. "Please know that the Kirkland Signature American Vodka concern is an isolated event and is not a food safety issue," said the voice message. "The product is vodka, the distillery has not changed and the product is safe for consumption. However, we have found that bottles with the lot code specified on the notification you may have received from Costco had a taste profile that was not consistent with the product Costco members have grown to know and trust." Customers who purchased a bottle of vodka with one of the affected lot codes can return it to Costco for a full refund. According to a screenshot on Reddit of Costco's product information notice, only bottles purchased between between June 12 and Aug. 10 were affected, although this information was not included in the LeVecke voicemail. A Redditor shared that the Vokda was contaminated with Rum: A top UVA Health cancer expert is highlighting how a new drug could transform how doctors treat a brain tumor that typically strikes younger people. UVA Cancer Center's David Schiff, MD, is a leading expert in the treatment of brain tumors. Image Credit: UVA Health. David Schiff, MD, the co-director of UVA Cancer Centers Neuro-Oncology Center, has authored an editorial in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine describing the potential significance of the drug vorasidenib for patients with tumors known as grade 2 IDH-mutant gliomas. The drug, when tested in the INDIGO clinical trial, was found to slow tumor growth significantly and extended the average time until the tumor started growing from 11.1 months to more than 27 months. If the drug receives approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration, it would become the first targeted therapy for low-grade gliomas. But Schiff notes that there are also other recent advances that are improving our understanding of such gliomas. It used to be that we thought of all gliomas as being on a spectrum. We now understand that those with the IDH gene mutation have a markedly different biology, outcome and, as this study shows, vulnerabilities that new therapies can exploit. David Schiff, MD, Co-Director, UVA Cancer Centers Neuro-Oncology Center About IDH-Mutant gliomas Approximately 2,500 Americans are diagnosed with grade 2 IDH-mutant gliomas each year. The median age is only 40. The tumors often affect the patients ability to think and hold a job, as well as interfere with other aspects of daily life. Eventually the tumors become resistant to treatment options and typically prove fatal. Because of the limited treatment options available, doctors usually take a watch and wait approach to managing the gliomas, holding off on treatment until after the tumor progresses. But vorasidenib could change that, Schiff notes. The drug could offer the first early treatment for the cancer, giving patients an important new option that could extend their lives. In the INDIGO trial, more than 300 patients were randomized to receive vorasidenib or a harmless placebo. Neither the patients nor their doctors knew which the patients were receiving. Schiff, in his editorial, describes the results as striking. Not only did the patients receiving vorasidenib live longer, but they did not need more toxic treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, as quickly as the patients receiving placebos. Schiff was so impressed by the success of the drug that he writes that vorasidenib could put a nail in the coffin of the watch-and-wait approach. There are still many unanswered questions about how we can best utilize this new medication if and when it receives FDA approval, Schiff said. Nonetheless, considering that existing standard therapies for these tumors [radiation and chemotherapy] are tough on patients, with short and long-term side effects, it will be wonderful to have a useful and very well-tolerated treatment option. A new fund to fast-track patient access to potentially valuable new medicines may incentivize the pharmaceutical industry to develop high priced drugs for rare diseases with weak evidence on clinical benefits. Health economics and policy academics from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, warn that if the NHS England Innovative Medicines Fund (IMF) is not implemented appropriately, it risks disincentivizing the generation of essential evidence and could shift the financial burden from the pharmaceutical industry to the public finances. The IMF operates on similar terms to the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF), with a fixed annual budget of 340 million, equal to the CDF. Lead author Dr Aris Angelis, Assistant Professor in Health Economics at the Department of Health Services Research and Policy at LSHTM, said: "While we are broadly supportive of the eight guiding principles of the IMF, we believe their operationalization is described in insufficient detail and without fully leveraging the CDF experience." The authors say the value of the CDF to society remains unproven, with concerns about lack of transparency in the cost of drugs and the time period during which they remain under the CDF scheme. The authors also question why the CDF and IMF schemes, also known as 'managed access' schemes, should only exist for medicines and no other types of interventions. "The need to consider non-medical interventions is particularly relevant in disease areas such as cancer, for which access to high quality radiation and surgical treatment are critical to improving outcomes," said co-author Dr Ajay Aggarwal, Associate Professor at LSHTM and clinical oncologist. Another concern the authors highlight is the entry criteria for the 'most promising' medicines into the IMF, which, they say, 'are currently critically lacking in detail.' If the IMF is to successfully foster early access to clinically effective, safe and cost-effective medicines, say the authors, its operational details and mechanisms in place need to be carefully designed. The IMF, like the CDF, should be an exceptional route to patient access while providing the requisite evidence, mainly from randomized controlled trials, for reducing uncertainty about a drug's clinical and cost-effectiveness." Dr Aris Angelis, Assistant Professor in Health Economics, Department of Health Services Research and Policy at LSHTM The authors also say the notion of opportunity cost must not be ignored. "IMF funding could always be used for other health services and technologies with strong evidence on effectiveness and value-for-money which could improve overall population health," said Andrew Briggs, Professor of Health Economics at LSHTM. A study looking into advanced airway management for critically unwell children has resulted in innovative, specially designed pediatric equipment being adopted at a Glasgow hospital. Paul Swinton. Image Credit: InnoScot Health The quality improvement project aimed to reduce adverse events related to airway management in emergency situations at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow, specifically outside of its pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and theatre environments. After rigorous testing, the study concluded that the Paediatric SCRAM (Structured CRitical Airway Management) Bag should be implemented across the hospital. Led by Dr Jamie Pope of the hospitals Emergency Department, the project aimed to enhance consistency while improving safety through a focus on high-quality basic airway management. Recent evidence had shown that for critically unwell children, adverse events associated with tracheal intubation can have significant effects on mortality and morbidity. It was further suggested that critically unwell children are significantly more likely to suffer an adverse event due to intubation, and there is a high frequency of difficult airways in these patients even when expert teams and clinicians are involved. The projects key concern was that variation in equipment storage and availability of advanced airway equipment to potential non-expert practitioners increased risk to children in emergencies. Therefore, in consultation with the relevant hospital departments, moving to a SCRAM Bag of portable airway equipment rather than having different variations of airway equipment based in various emergency trolleys, was assessed. Findings from the study have now been published in ADC Education & Practice from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). From January 2019 to October 2020, all emergency calls to the wards at the Royal Hospital for Children were reviewed with 43 relevant cases identified and four in particular where advanced airway management was performed. The report states: With the support of the data, it was decided that the use of SCRAM bags would be implemented with a transition and consultation period over the following months within the appropriate departments. After a successful consultation and trial period in the emergency department and Pediatric ICU, the SCRAM bag system was implemented throughout the hospital. From June to September 2021, there was one case of difficult airway management. Encouragingly, there were two cases of excellent practice regarding both basic and advanced airway management and a further case of a patient requiring advanced airway management in the ward setting with no equipment issues recorded. Additional benefits of cost reduction for the hospital and reduced waste of unused equipment, lowering the hospitals environmental impact, were also noted. To know that the Royal Hospital for Children has adopted Paediatric SCRAM after a period of rigorous testing and concluded that it has seen an improvement in processes, while encouraging best practice and waste reduction, is a highly positive outcome. Paul Swinton, Co-creator of Paediatric SCRAM He further emphasized that Paediatric SCRAM was developed to enhance the performance of emergency pediatric airway management for the benefit of both patients and staff working in these demanding medical situations. Seeing the positive results is fantastic and is testament to significant partnership working that informed the development of SCRAM. Further training of non-specialist clinicians in basic airway management is now considered essential by the RHC including simulations while extending learnings to other geographical areas. Paediatric SCRAM - developed alongside InnoScot Health then manufactured by Openhouse Products Ltd - is a compact, structured, reproducible approach to pediatric airway management that is able to integrate into any pediatric airway management strategy. Designed to enhance the performance of emergency pediatric airway management by reducing the time to intervention, reducing error and cognitive load, Paediatric SCRAM provides a system for safe and reproducible emergency airway management to be embedded into clinical practice. It was created initially by Paul Swinton, National Education Lead Scottish Air Ambulance Service, Neil Sinclair Assistant Clinical Director (Paramedicine) of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and Dr Jon McCormack, Consultant in Pediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care Retrieval at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. A new study published in Nature Communications demonstrates how small molecule inhibitors can be used to improve the precision and efficiency of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The results demonstrate how this groundbreaking technique can be enhanced by using two inhibitors to boost insertion rates and reduce off-target effects. Their findings are key to advancing the use of CRISPR techniques in research and clinical applications using a wide range of cell lines. Improved genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9 CRISPR-Cas9 is a genome editing technique that has become an indispensable tool in biomedical research since it was first unveiled in 2012. Researchers can use the technique to cut DNA at specific sites and insert or remove genetic material, enabling a level of genetic manipulation that was previously impossible. In the Nature Communications paper, the authors analyzed a library of 20,548 small molecules to develop strategies for improving this gene editing technique. They identified two inhibitors targeting the proteins DNA-dependent Protein Kinase (DNA-PK) and DNA Polymerase Theta (Pol) and demonstrated that the combination of these two molecules dramatically increased the performance of knock-in gene editing. This strategy, dubbed 2iHDR, outperformed previously described strategies that aimed to increase knock-in efficiency with small molecule inhibitors. This paper also documents a new system based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) that can be used to characterize the effects of inhibitors on CRISPR-Cas9. This open-access tool, which the authors named KI-Seq, enables researchers to analyze the contributions of different DNA repair pathways following CRISPR-Cas9 treatment. Unlike comparable tools, KI-Seq can be used with any cell type, including non-dividing primary cells. Promega research scientists Marie Schwinn and Michael Slater contributed to this research led by scientists from AstraZeneca. When the topic of abortion came up during the first Republican primary presidential debate this week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared a perplexing anecdote about a woman hed met who he said had survived the procedure. I know a lady in Florida named Penny, DeSantis said. She survived multiple abortion attempts. She was left discarded in a pan. Fortunately, her grandmother saved her and brought her to a different hospital. Some accused the governor of fabricating the story. Let me see if I understand this correctly. Doctors tried to abort 'Penny' multiple times and discarded her in a pan, and then her grandmother took her to another hospital? DeSantis lies like a toddler, one person posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Our research found that a woman named Penny, who tells an unusual birth story about an attempted abortion, does exist. We asked DeSantis' campaign for evidence or more information. The campaign replied via email, sending only a link to a Daily Signal article that identified Penny by her full name and recounted her story. The woman DeSantis referred to is Miriam Penny Hopper, an anti-abortion activist who said she survived an abortion attempt in Florida in 1955. Her claim, which is uncorroborated, has been featured online by Protect Life Michigan, an anti-abortion advocacy group. In a video and in interviews, Hopper said she had been delivered around 23 weeks gestation after her mother went to a hospital in Wauchula, Florida, while experiencing bleeding. In a 2013 interview with radio station WFSU, Hopper said she believes an abortion had been attempted at home before her parents went to the hospital, which also could be why DeSantis referenced multiple abortion attempts. Hopper said the doctor at the hospital induced labor, and she was born at 1 pound, 11 ounces, and was left in a bedpan. She told WFSU her grandmother later found her alive and was enraged about her being abandoned. Then a nurse volunteered to transport Hopper to what was then Morell Memorial Hospital in Lakeland, Florida, now the site of Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. That's about 40 miles north of the hospital where Hopper said she was born. Her story has been used to support born alive bills in state legislatures, which aim to protect infants that survive an abortion, even though there are federal laws for that purpose. We were unable to gauge the accuracy of Hopper's account. We couldn't find records, such as news reports, dating to the 1950s, and people who could corroborate the story, such as her grandmother, are no longer living. Hopper did not respond to requests for comment. Medically speaking, the scenario is dubious. From the 1950s through 1980, newborn death was virtually ensured for infants born at or before 24 weeks of gestation, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says on its website. Recent studies have shown wide variation in modern-day survival rates for infants born around 23 weeks, partly because of improved hospital practices for resuscitation and active treatment. A University of Rochester Medical Center study published in 2022 found that between 2013 and 2018 babies born at 23 weeks who were actively treated at academic medical centers in the National Institutes of Health-funded Neonatal Research Network had nearly a 56% chance of survival. This is considerably higher than the 23-week survival rate at many other institutions, as well as a previous study conducted from 2008 to 2012 in the same network, which put the rate at 32%. (Lifesaving care for babies born at 22 and 23 weeks varies by hospital policy and physician opinion, according to a New York Times article.) Before the 1970s, most babies born before 28 weeks' gestation died because they lacked the ability to breathe on their own for more than a short time, and reliable mechanical ventilators for these infants did not yet exist. That also makes it improbable that Hopper could have survived for long without medical intervention when born at 23 weeks in the 1950s. The luxury car maker BMW is all set to introduce the 220i M Performance Edition on September 7, this year. The company has already confirmed the news, and started accepting the official booking for an exclusively Black Sapphire metallic colour model. Interested customers will be able to pre-book the Coupe model from the companys authorized showroom. The vehicle also can be booked online by visiting BMWs official website with the token amount of Rs 1,50,000. To note, the company has highlighted that the model will hit the market in limited quantity. BMW 220i M Performance Edition Engine and Power The four-wheeler is powered by a 2-litre, TwinPower Turbo, four-cylinder petrol engine, which generated a maximum power of 173 bhp and 280 Nm of peak torque at 1350-4600 rpm. The company claims that the performance-oriented car can do a 0 -100 km sprint in just 7.1 seconds. BMW 220i M Performance Edition Design When it comes to the exterior, the car has been designed in such a manner it will grab eyeballs once it starts rolling on the streets. It comes with an M Performance Front Grill, M Performance Alcantara Gear Selector Lever, along with other BMW M Performance parts, making the car more aesthetic, aggressive, and edgy. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupes M Sport Pro Meanwhile, the automaker has been ruling the industry for a long period of time with their similar products. Recently, in May this year, the company introduced 2 Series Gran Coupes M Sport Pro model at the starting price of Rs. 45.50 lakh (ex-showroom). The company then claimed that the car would produce a decent mileage of 14.82 kmpl. Ray Dalio, who is an American billionaire investor and hedge fund manager, has said Indias successful Chandrayaan-3 mission is another one of many straws in the wind showing its ascendence. He also said India scores on top with a projected growth rate over the next 10 years of about 7 per cent. Indias successful lunar mission (landing its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon) is another one of many straws in the wind showing its ascendence. As previously shown in my health index for countries, which is used to derive my projections for countries next 10-year growth rates, India scores on top with a projected growth rate over the next 10 years of about 7 per cent. It has the right mix of ingredients that shows that it has great potential and the right leadership to catalyse it, Ray Dalio said in a post on X on Thursday. He added that it reminds me a lot of China in 1984 (when he first went) around the time Deng Xiaoping made his reform and opening up policies that catalyzed China. Congratulations India! Recently, Ray Dalio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his US visit during June 21-24. The duo discussed reforms fostering growth, including reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of a large number of legal provisions. PM Modi also invited Dalio to make further investments in India. Leaders and entrepreneurs from across the world have hailed India after the successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft. Indias Moon mission touched down on the lunar south pole at 6.04 pm on Wednesday, making it the first country to land on the uncharted surface. In a post on X, Google CEO Sundar Pichai also said, What an incredible moment! Congratulations to @isro for the successful landing of #Chandrayaan3 on the moon this morning. Today India became the first country to successfully achieve a soft landing on the southern polar region of the moon. Reacting to his post, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, Super Cool. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the negotiations between India and the UK for the proposed free trade agreement are progressing and both countries are committed to concluding the talks as early as possible. We are working hard, we are all committed to a fair, equitable, and balanced trade agreement, respecting each others sensitivities, respecting the different levels of developments that both the countries have and respecting the future potential that each country brings to the table, Goyal told reporters here. Keeping all of these circumstances in mind, the two countries have made good progress and the 12th round of talks is undergoing, he added. When asked about the deadline for concluding the negotiations, the minister said no country in the world works through specific deadlines. But I would like to see it happen tomorrow, the faster the better We are both committed to a good outcome, at the fastest possible speed, he added. UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch on Thursday said that India and Britain are actively discussing business mobility under the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and the negotiations are now in the final stages. The ministers were here to attend the G20 trade and investment ministers meeting. Out of the total 26 chapters in the proposed FTA, 19 have been closed. Investment is being negotiated as a separate agreement (bilateral investment treaty) between India and the UK. The bilateral trade between the countries increased to USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23 from USD 17.5 billion in 2021-22. The University of Delhi or DU will release the second merit list for its postgraduate (PG) programmes on August 25, 2023. Candidates, who previously registered and participated in the DU PG seat allocation process for various courses offered by the varsity, can access the second-round seat allotment status on the official website. The university will make this announcement through an online release on its official admissions website at admission.uod.ac.in. According to the schedule, candidates, assigned seats in the DU PG second round, will have to confirm their allocated seats between August 25 from 5 PM and August 28 until 4:59 PM. During this time, the respective departments, colleges, and institutes will review and approve the online applications of the candidates. The submission of the online fee will take place on August 30, followed by the mid-entry process scheduled for August 31 and September 1. To check their second-seat allotment results, applicants will need to log in to the candidate portal using their credentials. DU PG 2nd Merit List 2023: How to Download Candidates can follow the step-by-step guide provided below to download the DU PG second merit list for 2023: Step 1: Go to the official websites at admission.uod.ac.in Step 2: Then on the homepage, click on the PG admission tab. Step 3: Enter the required login credentials and then click on the submit button. Step 4: Your DU PG 2nd seat allotment result 2023 will show up on the screen. Step 5: Download the allotment result and take its printout for future use. Candidates can promptly access their seat allotment status by following this procedure and getting clarity on their placement in Delhi Universitys PG courses. This step-by-step approach ensures that candidates conveniently verify their allocation and proceed with the necessary actions according to the specified timeline. The second merit list will include essential details such as the candidates roll number, name, application form number, CUET (Common University Entrance Test) marks, allotted college, and chosen programme. Notably, admissions to DUs PG programmes in 2023 are based on the Common University Entrance Test-Postgraduate 2023. The selection process involves a combination of CUET PG scores and personal interviews conducted by the respective departments. In an executive meeting held by Delhi University officials, authorities have approved some important decisions for the students. Among them, DU has decided to waive off 90 percent fees of the students enrolled in the new five-year Integrated Law programmes. Delhi University students with financially challenged background and having less than four lakh annual income will be eligible for the waive off. The Delhi University officials have reduced the registration fees for SC/ST and PWBD students enrolled in the five-year Integrated Law Program for the academic session 2023-24 from Rs 1200 to Rs 1000. The release by the DU also stated that, such students can be provided the assistance under the Financial Support Scheme for economically weak students. The Vice Chancellor of Delhi University also informed that students whose parents income is between Rs 4 to 8 lakh, will get 50 percent fee waiver. The Vice Chancellor informed that the students of the five-year Integrated Law will also be reimbursed up to Rs 50,000 for laptops by the Delhi University. Other decisions taken by DU in the executive meeting are:- 3 Year Age Exemption For DUSU Elections Various student unions of Delhi University has demanded for one-time age relaxation of 3 years. Taking notice to it, this year the maximum age limit has been increased from 22 years to 25 years for DUs UG students and 25 years to 28 years for Delhi Universitys PG students. 2. PhD In Fine Arts The doctoral course can be pursued in 2023- 2024 academic year. The eligibility for the same includes- a minimum of 55% of marks or 9 credits or its equivalent grade in the UGC 7- point scale (or an equivalent grade/CGPA in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) in the course work in order to be eligible to continue in the programme and submit the dissertation/thesis. Teaching work per credit is 04 hours. 3. MBA Business Analytics To Start With 76 Seats The new program MBA (Business Analytics) is being started by the Department of Commerce. The course will include 76 seats. There will be a total of 60 seats, including 40.50% UR, 27% OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST and 10% EWS quota. Apart from these, there will be 5% CW, 5% PwBD and 10% quota for foreign students under the supernumerary quota. As per the rules and guidelines of the Delhi University, 4 seats will be under PG Ward Quota, out of which 2 will be for teaching and 2 for non-teaching. 4. Vedic Mathematics in Value Addition Courses The Vedic Mathematics-III, Vedic Mathematics-IV and National Cadet Corps-III value addition courses will be implemented under UGCF-2022-23. 5. More Courses Under Skill Enhancement These include Basics of Food Science and Nutrition, Basic Forensic science, Basic Laboratory Techniques, Public health, hygiene and nutrition, LaTeX Typesetting for Beginners, Mathematical Modelling with Excel, Financial Modelling with Excel, Network Flows, R-Shiny: Powerful Web Apps for Everyone and Spoken Persian: Elementary level. The Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh said that after these courses, students would be able to get placements in various sectors including food and drug evaluation centres. Not only this, they will also be able to set up their own business/enterprise. 6. Internships, Apprenticeships and Community Outreach (IAC) The guidelines for Internship, Apprenticeship and Community Outreach will be applicable from Semester 3 to 6 under UGCF 2022. As a rule for DU colleges, a prior MOU should be signed with commercial and non-commercial organizations or enterprises and industry before starting the apprenticeship/internship. Further, number of seats in an internships and apprenticeship will depend upon the DU College as per the available facility and infrastructure. Like SEC, any student of any department/programme can opt for any of the offered IACs. Each category of IAC will be equivalent to 02 credits like SEC. This will provide the employability to the students. Marc Tyler Nobleman is an historian perhaps best known for writing the definitive biography of Bill Finger, the famously uncredited co-creator of Batman. Finger's story is an epic tragedy of comic book industry heartbreak and shady contractual IP maneuvers. While Finger's contributions to the Batman mythos are better known today (and occasionally even credited!), that's only after a long road of hard-fought battles, largely spearheaded by Nobleman himself. In addition to his writing, Nobleman often travels around, giving speeches and presentations about the research he's done about the behind-the-scenes business of the Batman industrial complex. That's how he received an invitation to speak at Sharon Elementary School in Forsyth County, Georgia and how he ended up receiving this little note from the school principal: Nobleman shared more details on Facebook, saying: After my first talk at a Georgia elementary school today, administrators asked me to omit the word "gay" from the last two presentations or leave. I left. This was my third of three schools in this district, and after one of the principals heard that I would say "gay," he handed me this note midway through the talk. To be clear, there was no gay "content" in the speech. There were no visceral descriptions of gay sex, let alone *gasp* drag queens. What there was was a factual recounting of history and truth: Bill Finger passed away in 1974, without ever receiving public or financial compensation for his work on Batman. His only son, Fred, was a gay man who died of AIDS in 1990and, as such, it was believed for a long time that Finger had no other heirs who could continue the legal battle for his proper credit, and inherit any potential wins on behalf of the Finger estate. In the course of Nobleman's research, however, he discovered that Fred Finger had in fact been married to a woman at one pointwith whom he had a child, Athena Finger, born the same year that her grandfather died. Recruiting Athena to the cause was a crucial step in the battle to win proper credit for Bill Finger's workand as such, is a central part of Nobleman's story. The real-life complication of identifying and finding Athena is the crux of the journey, and one that cannot be extricated from the simple fact that her father's sexuality and death contribute to her obscurity and estrangement. But that's not how the principal took it, writing a letter to parents "apologizing" for the supposedly inappropriate content of the speech: Good afternoon, Sharon 5th grade families, As trust and transparency are foundational to our partnership, I am reaching out to make you aware of subject matter that was brought up today by a guest author during his speech to our 5th grade students. Marc Tyler Nobleman is the award-winning author of Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman, a book about Bill Finger's role in the creation of the comic book character Batman. Mr. Nobleman encouraged our students to find their passions and be resilient, which align with Sharon Elementary's beliefs and resonated well with our students. As Mr. Nobleman chronicled the tale, he included that Mr. Finger was "gay". This is not subject matter that we were aware that he was including nor content that we have approved for our students. I apologize that this took place. Action was taken to ensure that this was not included in Mr. Nobleman's subsequent speeches and further measures will be taken to prevent situations like this in the future. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. I appreciate your continued support of our school and staff. Nobleman, to his credit, refused to remove the wordand thus, his speech was cancelled. But he had no regrets, telling The Messenger that, "You don't apologize for saying that someone has a certain sexual orientation. That's not a grievance." And he's right. Just like he was right about Bill Finger. Author Who Said 'Gay' in Batman School Talk Slams Principal's Apology to Parents (Exclusive) [Katherine Esters / The Messenger] Metro principal apologizes to parents for author of 'Batman' book saying co-creator was gay [WSBTV] GA Principal Cancels Speech About Batman Co-Creator Over Use of the Word 'Gay' [Brian Cronin / Comic Book Resources] The investigation into the death of a 17-year-old student majoring in Bengali literature at Jadavpur University, allegedly due to ragging and sexual harassment in the boys hostel, has uncovered details of cannabis cultivation on a flower pot on the hostels balcony, as per a report on Friday. The alleged victim of bullying fell from the second floor balcony of the boys hostel on August 9 night and died on August 10 morning. The police have made 12 arrests in the case so far, which includes both former and current students of the university. The Kolkata police confiscated multiple mobile phones belonging to hostel residents and students, according a India Today report citing police sources. The seized mobile phones were sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis, aiming to retrieve deleted chats if present. While examining the devices, an image was discovered on a students phone, indicating potential involvement in cultivating cannabis within the universitys hostels. According to an official from Kolkata Police, a photograph showing the cultivation of cannabis in a flowerpot was found to be deleted following the students death. The photo was deleted from the mobile phone for unknown reasons after the first-year student died. It seems to be suspicious; we are probing the matter, the source was quoted as saying. Officials are currently investigating the picture. Once they confirm its authenticity, the university could face additional charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The report follows emerging details of the case which revealed that the teen was paraded naked and subjected to more than an hour of bullying, during which he desperately moved from one room to another in an attempt to escape. According to an IANS report, the police have also obtained clues that the senior students who allegedly stripped the student were under the influence of either alcohol or some psychotropic intoxicant. Police sources have said data indicates attempts to cultivate marijuana were made in A2 Block of the hostel. However, during the search, the police couldnt locate any earthen flower pots containing traces of marijuana seeds. The police believe that following the incident, the accused either destroyed or disposed of these earthen flower pots, likely anticipating the potential escalation of the issue in the future. The arrested accused are currently in police custody, while additional current and former students of the university are being monitored by the police. Meanwhile, Governor CV Ananda Bose directed newly-appointed interim Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University, Buddhadeb Sau, to promptly apply the anti-ragging guidelines outlined by the University Grants Commission (UGC) within the campus. The Governor also inquired about the reason for the delay in installing CCTV cameras across the university campus. India has become the first country in the world to ever land in Moons South Pole. Countries across the world are congratulating India and ISRO. The contribution and knowledge of ISRO has remained the bedrock to make Chandrayaan 3 a success story. Amid all the experts and scientists, meet Bharat Kumar, a native of Chhattisgarh who is said to the youngest team member in the project. Although many people may not be familiar with his name, his path has been nothing short of phenomenal. Bharat Kumar was raised in a low-income home; his mother ran a tiny tea shop and his father was a bank security guard. Aaraynsh, a user with a verified handle on the microblogging application X (previously Twitter), revealed the tale of his rise that made him close to ISRO and Chandrayaan 3. Bharat Kumars perseverance shone at Kendriya Vidyalaya Charouda, where his educational route led him. He proceeded in his education despite his limited financial resources. In order to show its support, the school waived his expenses for the ninth class. His determination paid off, as he excelled in the 12th class and subsequently secured admission at IIT Dhanbad. Also Read: How This Engineer-Turned IAS Officer from Delhi Cracked UPSC, Secured AIR 6 The problems with money, nevertheless, persisted. Arun Bagh, a prominent businessman, and the Raipur-based Jindal Group got involved at this point to give him the support he required. Bharat Kumars academic career flourished and culminated in a stunning accomplishment: a gold medal from IIT Dhanbad with an exceptional 98% score. Bharat Kumars abilities were noticed by ISRO during his seventh semester of engineering school, which was a surprising turn of events. He was granted the chance to participate in the Chandrayaan-3 mission when he was just 23 years old. Bharat Kumars determination and life serves as a tangible example of the proverb rising from the ashes like a phoenix. The success story of Bharat Kumar is not alone. Every day, people like him who come from low-income backgrounds and small villages are advancing towards their dreams. The Odisha Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) has updated the Odisha NEET PG Round 2 counselling schedule. On the official website, dmetodisha.in, candidates can access the Odisha NEET PG round 2 counseling 2023 revised schedule. From August 28 to 29, candidates who want to get admission can register online and pay the registration cost. On August 31, the authorities will release a list of the open seats. For Odisha NEET PG or MDS admission, the qualified applicants must lock in their preferences for colleges and academic fields from September 1 to September 3. Admission will be provided based on the candidates preferences, their NEET PG or MDS rank, the available seats, and other standards established by the administration. The shortlisted candidates must appear at the designated colleges on September 7 and 8 with original documentation to finish the DMET Odisha PG counseling and secure their admission. Odisha NEET PG: Documents Required -NEET PG Scorecard -MBBS certificate, degree, marksheet -Medical registration certificate -Internships completion certificate -Online counselling registration certificate copy -Passport size photo -Sponsorship certificate from Odisha Government (if applicable) Meanwhile, the RUHS College of Dental Sciences, Jaipur has begun the registration for Rajasthan NEET PG 2023 Counselling. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET PG) Medical and Dental Admission Board released the schedule for the round 2 counselling on August 24. The deadline to complete the application and pay the fee for Rajasthan NEET PG Counselling is August 27, 2023. This Rajasthan NEET PG counselling process consists of two rounds, followed by a mop-up round. Candidates can apply for the Rajasthan NEET PG counselling round via the official website of RUHS College of Dental Sciences, Rajasthan, at rajpgneet2023.com. According to the official schedule of Rajasthan NEET PG, the registration for the second round of counselling and the provisional seat matrix has begun on August 25. The publication of the merit list is scheduled for August 30, 2023. Candidates qualifying for the Rajasthan NEET PG second round will need to confirm their Rajasthan PG medical and dental admission by reporting to the assigned college between September 7 and September 11, 2023, for document verification. Studying abroad can be financially challenging for many meritorious students who often opt out due to the expensive course fee, visa charges, accommodation and food expenses. Therefore, scholarships help many to pursue their dreams. News18 Scholarship Guide brings the best and most prestigious grants for Indian students to study abroad, with most of them covering flight tickets, accommodation and course fee; and some also providing stipend. A 42-year-old mother of two and professor at the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) will soon be flying off to the US as a Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellow with proposal that has a potential to make solar energy more sustainable and scalable. Dr Preethi Meher has proposed to use a perovskite in solar cells, which can make them more sustainable as well as easy to use. At present, the PV cells or solar plants in commercial use are rigid and need a lot of space but with Mehers hybrid perovskite they can be greener and could be used on any surface including glass panes, foldable screens amongst others. Meher has proposed to change the composition of perovskite materials to remove the lead component in them and make them more sustainable and better for environment than silicon, which is currently being used as an absorber in batteries. As part of the scholarship, Meher will have opportunities to audit non-degree courses, conduct research and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the US. She will also get a J-1 visa, a stipend along with other benefits. Fulbright versus Erasmus Fulbright is not the only foreign scholarship Meher has secured. During her PhD at IISc Bangalore, she had bagged the Erasmus Mundus Willpower Fellowship in 2010s. She spent around nine months at the CNRS SPMS Laboratory at Ecole Centrale Paris. Comparing the two prestigious scholarships, Meher told News18, At time of getting Erasmus scholarship, I was already a fourth-year student at IISc. They found my proposal to be good enough. As a student, my institute also encouraged me to learn new techniques. Apart from my research, the institute I was studying in also played a role in my fellowship. Getting support from a renowned researcher who has been published in many good journals and was ready to mentor me was also a positive. She also said her stay was initially meant for six months but she could not finish her experiments in the said time and had applied for an extension. To her surprise, Meher did not only get an extension but also got paid for the extra months she took to complete her research under Erasmus scholarship. To date, she calls it an unmatchable experience of her life. To get the prestigious Fulbright-Kalam scholarship, Meher had to undergo several processes including finding a host faculty in the US, charting out the common research interests between her laboratory and the host laboratory, proposal preparation and submission, followed by an interview from a national level panel. The toughest part was the preparation of the proposal itself. I needed to justify how my proposal will help in solving the climate change crisis. Then, I had to give a roadmap of various activities that I could engage in during my stay at the US. These were the challenges. The easiest part of the proposal was to actually get a host because research groups across the world are very interested to make progress in these areas, she said. At time of the Fulbright scholarship, Meher got married and had two children. She has been teaching as Assistant Professor at the Department of Materials Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu, since 2016. Her laboratory at CUTN focusses on study of new and better performing perovskite halide compositions for photovoltaics and other optoelectronic applications. She is also guiding three PhD students and overseen several M.Tech projects. She said between her two scholarships she had to prioritise personal life and is getting back to her professional life in full gear now. She is mother to a nine-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son. My journey was not different from any other ambitious woman. I took a break from my career twice when I became mother. I believe its all about priorities. I prioritised my family when I had to and I promised my academics more when I had to. I dont think that break makes you fall behind, in fact, I think sometimes it makes you come back with a better outlook. Meher completed both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Physics from Womens Christian College, Chennai. She also holds an M.Phil from University of Madras. She completed her PhD in Materials Research Centre at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. She has also worked as research fellow at DMRL Hyderabad and IGCAR Kalpakkam. She has been working with CUTN since 2016. Be very choosy in fixing your goals and do not commit to too many things that could put your life in mess. As an academic, treat teaching and research as inseparable sides of a coin and do not have a bias, she advised. Following the success of the Chandrayan 3 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO has offered support of advanced technology to prevent ragging across university campuses in West Bengal. The state governor Dr CV Ananda Bose, who is also the chancellor of the universities contacted the chairman of ISRO, S Somanath, to identify appropriate technology to prevent the menace of ragging across university campuses in the state. This comes after a first-year undergraduate student died earlier this month after allegedly being ragged and sexually harassed in a hostel of Jadavpur University. CV Ananda Bose, Honble Governor of West Bengal and Chancellor of the universities contacted the Chairman of ISRO for identifying appropriate technology to effectively contain and eliminate the menace of ragging in the university campuses, a statement issued by Raj Bhavan said. ISRO is now trying to develop an appropriate technology solution using multiple sources such as video analytics, image matching automatic target recognition, and remote sensing. JU VC has been authorised to take the matter forward. Governor Ananda Bose has also discussed the issue of ragging and steps to prevent it with ADRIN, Hyderabad. They are trying to develop an appropriate technology solution using multiple sources such as video analytics, image matching automatic target recognition, and remote sensing, the governor said in the statement. A total of 13 people, including both current and former students, have been arrested in connection with the death of the undergraduate student in JU. As per reports, the student was stripped and paraded naked in the boys hostel for an hour before this death. Kolkata police have made 13 arrests in the case so far including both former and current students of the university. with PTI inputs If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) For Uttar Pradesh, a capital of organised crimes and criminal-politician nexus during the 1990s and early 2000s, 26-year-old poet Madhumita Shuklas murder on May 9, 2003 was one of the most sensational cases, which led to life terms for former state minister Amarmani Tripathi, 66, his wife Madhumani Tripathi, 61, and three others. ALSO READ | Guv Misled: Jailed for Poetess Murder, Ex-Minister Amarmani Tripathi Freed | Know the Love Kills Tale The Uttar Pradesh prisons department on Thursday issued an order for the premature release of Tripathi and Madhumani, as they have completed 16 years in imprisonment. Shuklas sister Nidhi challenged the move, but the Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the release. I have procured documents through an RTI query, which clearly state that 62% of the jail term that the two are said to have served was spent out of jail," she said. As Tripathi and Madhumani walk out of jail, News18 revisits the case, with top cops and other officers with the UP Police, who were the part of investigation prior to the Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) takeover, elaborating on what made it the most talked-about incident. MADHUMITA SHUKLAs VEER-RAS POEMS & FAN AMARMANI TRIPATHI Shukla, who hailed from Lakhimpur Kheir district, was not born with a silver spoon. Her father, who was a forest ranger, passed away, leaving Madhumita Shukla, her younger sister Nidhi, younger brother and mother behind. Shukla, who was good at writing and poetry, took up the familys responsibility and started working at an early age," a police officer said. She soon rose to fame for her veer-ras poems and became the star of kavi sammelans. At the age of 16, she became famous for targeting political leaders in her poems. It was her fiery image that added Amarmani Tripathi, then minister, to her fan list. Soon, they entered into a relationship. GUNSHOT SHAKES THE NATION On the morning of May 9, 2003, a loud gunshot shook the apartment in Lucknows paper mill colony, where Shukla used to live with house help Deshraj. Deshraj told police that around 9 am, two people, who were known to Shukla, rang the doorbell. They entered the flat and touched her feet, after which she asked Deshraj to make tea for them. While Deshraj was in the kitchen, he heard a deafening sound. Deshraj rushed out of the kitchen and found Shukla in a pool of blood in the bedroom. He then called the police," a senior officer with the UP Police, who was part of the investigation, told News18. SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT: SHUKLAS SISTER NIDHI ACCUSES TRIPATHI OF MURDER Officials further said the murder case took a turn when the post-mortem revealed that Shukla was seven months pregnant. There were more shockers in store. The real one came when her family, especially Nidhi, filed a First Information Report (FIR) naming then minister Amarmani Tripathi, his wife Madhumani, their nephew Rohit Chaturvedi, Prakash Pandey and a contract killer Santosh Rai," senior police officers said. #WATCH | Nidhi Shukla, deceased poetess Madhumita Shuklas sister on the release of former UP Minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi, says, "I request the UP Governor and UP CM to stop their releaseRTI applications state that Amarmani actually never went to pic.twitter.com/CV6bs88oAz ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 AMARMANI TRIPATHI: THE MOST POWERFUL UP MINISTER AT THE TIME A gangster-turned-politician, Tripathi was a minister in the Mayawati-led government in 2002-03. Later, he switched to the Samajwadi Party (SP). He was a four-term MLA and contested assembly elections in 2007 from jail on an SP ticket. He started his political career with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and later joined the Congress. He also served as a minister in the Kalyan Singh government in 1997, in the Ram Prakash Gupta government in 1999, in the Rajnath Singh government in 2000. THEN UP CM MAYAWATI SACKS AMARMANI, TRANSFERS THE CASE TO CB CID On May 17, 2003, Tripathi, who was then UP stamp and printing minister, was removed from the cabinet following the controversy. Then UP CM Mayawati also held a press conference to prevent the opposition parties from levelling baseless charges" against her government. Besides, she also took away the case from the district police and handed it over to the Crime Branch (CB) of the CID, which was directed to submit its report within a month. Uttar Pradesh | Former UP minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife to be released from jail at two Rs 25 Lakh bonds for both of them.Tripathi is accused of murdering poet Madhumita Shukla in 2003. pic.twitter.com/xXjqOFwjdd ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 25, 2023 UP CM RECOMMENDS CBI PROBE AND SACKS CB CID CHIEF After the CB CID failed to complete the probe within the stipulated period, Mayawati recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder and also suspended the director of CB CID. At the press conference on June 17, 2003, Mayawati said the director general has been suspended for not completing the probe in the high-profile case within the time period. FAMILY HEAVES A SIGH OF RELIEF Officers familiar with the case said Nidhi had initially approached the Supreme Court (SC), stating the trials should be carried out either in Tamil Nadu or Delhi. However, on the orders of the SC, the trials were carried out in the Dehradun court, on the basis of the foetuss DNA report that matched with the minister and the murder motive. In 2007, the CBI court convicted Tripathi, Madhumani and two others, including Chaturvedi, for hatching the murder conspiracy and killing Shukla. In July 2012, the Uttarakhand High Court upheld the life term awarded by the CBI court to all four convicts. The court also handed down life imprisonment to Prakash Pandey, another associate of Tripathi. #WATCH | UP Prisons minister Dharamveer Prajapati on the release of former minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife in poetess Madhumita murder case"The release of prisoners from jail is based on prison policies and on the conduct of the prison inmates. Only after directions pic.twitter.com/XqaTZf8sL2 ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 25, 2023 CASE WAS TAKEN UP WITH ALL SINCERITY Amitabh Yash, a senior IPS officer who was then the Superintendent of Police (SP) CB CID, said, Madhumitas murder is one of the rare cases that has all Bollywood masala crime, sex, extortion, politics and power. And this was the reason why it became so popular. The case was taken up with all sincerity. We investigated the case for one month, after which it was handed over to the CBI." UP GOVERNMENT ORDERS A PREMATURE RELEASE The murder case is once again in the headlines after the UP government on Thursday ordered a premature release of Tripathi and Madhumani, who have been serving life sentence at Gorakhpur District Jail. The UP governments move was initiated, citing the states 2018 remission policy and a Supreme Court (SC) order, which holds that lifers above 60 years are eligible for remission of the remaining sentence if they have completed 16 years in imprisonment. Besides, the state governments order has further directed Tripathi and his wife, who have been lodged in jail for over 17 years, to deposit two sureties of equal amount as per the satisfaction of the District Magistrate, and also a personal bond of the same amount. The order also stated that if it is not necessary to keep the two convicts in jail in any other case, the Gorakhpur DM can decide on releasing them. SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO STAY THE RELEASE On Friday, the Supreme Court refused to stay the release, clearing the way for the release of Tripathi and his wife. They have been freed on the basis of good conduct in prison, as per the Uttar Pradesh government order. ALSO READ | Why are 2 Women Protesting at BSP Office? A Flashback of Aman Mani Tripathis Straight-out-of-Movies Life HE WAS NOT IN JAIL FROM 2012 TO 2023: DECEASEDS SISTER NIDHI I have been telling everyone that this is going to happen. I submitted the documents to all authorities, telling them that between 2012 and 2023, he was not in jail. The government documents, which I have got through the state information commission after a long fight, show this," Nidhi told news agency PTI. She alleged that the Tripathis have misled the authorities to get a premature release. Nidhi also said she fears for her and her familys life in case the two are released. An interfaith love story, couples repeated attempts to elope and the subsequent rivalry between their families led to the killing of a 55-year-old man and his wife in Sitapurs Hargaon, 90km north of Lucknow. The victims were brutally beaten to death with iron rods and sticks allegedly by their neighbours. The case may seem like the common personal enmity murders that often hit the headlines, but the latest Uttar Pradesh murder has many layers to it. Who Are the Victims and the Accused? The victims have been identified as 55-year-old Mohammed Abbas and 53-year-old Kamrul Nissa. Police said that their son was in love with their neighbours daughter, who was from the majority community. A long-standing, ugly rivalry over their affair reportedly instigated the girls family to kill the parents of her lover. Police have arrested the girls brother Shailendra Jaiswal, her brother-in-law Pallu Jaiswal, and a close family friend Amarnath Kumar, while her parents Rampal (48) and Ramapati (42) are on the run. The arrests came after the deceased couples daughter Yasmeen filed an FIR. Five people have been booked for Charges of rioting, murder and assault. The Love Story That Led to Sitapur Double Murder According to a report in Times of India, enmity between Abbas family and Jaiswal family started in 2020 when the formers 28-year-old son, Shaukat, eloped with Jaiswals daughter who lived in the same locality. The report stated that a complicated legal entanglement ensued as the girl was not 18 the legal minimum age at which a woman can marry in India. Shaukat faced accusations of kidnapping, rape, and violations of the POCSO Act. Shaukat spent 23 months in jail, following which he was released on bail in April. The situation, however, worsened as the couple eloped again, prompting the girls parents to file a case. In a pivotal development, the TOI report stated, the girl testified in court that she had willingly chosen to leave with her partner. Consequently, Shaukat was acquitted. The tensions reached a point of no return when the Jaiswal family arranged their daughters marriage to someone else on May 26. The girl fled with Shaukat once again on August 14. This was their third elopement, which led to the tragic events. The double murder took place on the intervening night of August 18 and 19 when the girls family allegedly visited Shaukats parents in their residence late in the night of last Friday. Police received information about the gruesome crime the following day (August 19) and discovered the bodies of Abbas and Nissa, the TOI report quoted Hargaon SHO BP Singh as saying. The report stated that subsequently, Yasmeen filed a police complaint, naming the five suspects. Authorities have extended protection to the interfaith couple following the murder and relocated them to an undisclosed place. In a surprising incident in Andhra Pradesh, a unknown person deposited a cheque for Rs 100 crore in the hundi of Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam near Visakhapatnam. Officials discovered the cheque while counting the hundi collections on Wednesday. The cheque was found to belong to Bodepalli Radha Krishna of Visakhapatnam, who had an account at Kotak Mahindra Bank located on MVP Double Road in the same city. The issue was brought to the attention of the temples executive officer, Trinadha Rao. He approached bank officials, who revealed that the account of the devotee who deposited the cheque had a balance of only Rs 17. The officials were surprised by the account holders audacious act of depositing a cheque for Rs 100 crore in Lord Simhadri Appannas hundi. Bank officials are planning to register a complaint with the police, declaring the mentioned cheque as fake. They also take serious note of the situation in which the account holder intentionally issued a cheque for Rs. 100 crore despite being well aware that the account balance was only Rs. 17. They have concluded that the account holder initially wrote the digit 10 on the cheque and later added a number of zeroes to the right side of the digit to make it 100 crore. Bank officials are of the opinion that they will not encourage this type of mischievous behavior by their customers. They have stated that they will take legal action against the account holder involved after conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to return to India after his two-nation visit on Friday, will head straight to Bengaluru, Karnataka to meet the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru on 26 August at around 7:15 AM, according to a PMO statement. The Prime Minister will meet and interact with ISRO scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He will also receive a briefing about the findings and progress of the space mission, it added. After a 40-day journey into space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening, making India the first country to do so. The Prime Minister, who joined the live telecast of Chandrayaan-3 landing online from South Africa, will meet and congratulate the ISRO scientists on Saturday. Moreover, during his visit to Bengaluru, PM Modi will also hold a mega roadshow. Former deputy chief minister and BJP MLA R Ashoka said that the roadshow will be held between Jalahalli Circle to ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru. I request the people and party workers to attend the roadshow to congratulate scientists and PM Modi, he said. PM Modis Schedule In the backdrop of the visit of PM Modi to ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRACK), BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel, BJP MLAs SR Vishwanath and S Muniraju have visited the center and inspected the campus. The invitation is open for all to make the programme successful. If people can come at 5.45 a.m. on Aug 26, they can see PM Modi and ISRO scientists, Ashoka said. Nalin Kumar Kateel said that PM Modi would arrive at HAL at 5 am and should be extended a grand welcome. The party workers and people are invited from the Bengaluru Urban District mainly, he said. BJP and Congress Lock Horns Over Protocols Hours before the PMs visit to the ISRO headquarters, a dispute over protocol erupted between the BJP and Congress. Sources from Karnataka CMO stated that the list of dignitaries to receive the Prime Minister at the HAL airport, as provided by the PMO, excludes the names of the Chief Minister and even the Governor. Only the Chief Secretary and DG are included. If the PMO had permitted, we were ready to welcome the PM and accompany him to ISRO as per protocol, said sources from Karnataka CMO. On Saturday morning, when PM Modi was addressing Bengaluru residents outside HAL airport, he also referred to the protocol war. I requested chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar not to come and receive me, the prime minister said. Traffic Advisory Issued Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Dayanand held a meeting to discuss about security arrangements with the Additional Police Commissioners, Joint Police Commissioners and DCPs. After arriving at HAL airport, PM Modi will reach ISRO by road and it has been decided to divert the traffic in Bengaluru on the stretch of the road. The police department has banned the movement of goods vehicles in the Bengaluru City between 4 am and 11 am. (With IANS Inputs) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held talks with Chinas President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa, amid a stand-off between the two countries in Ladakh, government sources listed exclusively for News18 the reasons forcing Beijing to de-escalate the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). ALSO READ | BRICS Summit: Modi, Xi Discuss India-China Ties, Agree on Expeditious Disengagement Along LAC According to Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, PM Modi, in the conversation with Xi, highlighted Indias concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western sector of the India-China border areas. The two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation. PM Modi underlined that maintenance of peace, tranquillity in border areas, respecting the LAC essential for normalisation of India-China ties, Kwatra said. THE INFRA PUSH According to sources, among the many reasons compelling China to improve the situation is the infrastructural push by India at LAC after the Galwan incident: India has gone all out on development at LAC in terms of bridges, roads, tunnels, helipads and other basic infrastructure needed for smooth movement of troops Not just in Ladakh, similar development has been carried out at Arunachal and Sikkim too Mega road projects are under construction By 2026, there will be an alternative" connectivity to western Ladakh and the Zanskar Valley directly from Manali In March, the Government of India made a committee to monitor development around LAC where supervision was given to top secretaries from all ministries concerned. The infrastructure push was necessary after deployment of more troops. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY According to sources, China cant afford to annoy the international community any further. They are getting a bad name over the Uighyur human rights issues, Tibet and Taiwan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has not been launched, while there is an image issue in Pakistan and Sri Lanka," said sources. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka Burning: Mess of its Own Making or Chinas Years-long Plan Coming to Fruition? The world sees China behind the complete economic collapse of Sri Lanka, they said. Moreover, countries such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Laos, Australia, Angola, Greece, Djibouti and Kenya are already in Chinas debt trap. Its not only India who is criticising China for these policies, but many others like Japan, too, over the East China Sea," they said. In case of the South China Sea, too, China is aggressive, with objections from Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, too, are facing military threats from China. Sources said, India wants peace at the border and will keep engaging with China. Our infrastructure is ready and defence capabilities are in place. All decisions will be taken through talks." The gunman who killed three people at the Cook's Corner bar in Orange County was identified as John Snowling, 59, a 28-year police officer who retired in 2014 and was the former chief of a police fraternity. Snowling shot his wife, who was divorcing him, and eight others before sheriff's deputies arrived and shot him dead. Six, including his wife, are being treated for their injuries. Sheriff's investigators say there were no restraining orders or allegations of domestic violence between the couple. The attorney representing John Snowling in the divorce agreed there were no warning signs. "There was certainly no red flag that anything like this would happen," attorney Tristan Tegroen told Eyewitness News. "No one ever disussed restraining orders or domestic violence or anything like that." The name of one victim who died in the shooting has been released John M. Leehey, 67, of Irvine. The names of the other victims have not been released yet. Fortunate that Orange County deputies were nearby: they arrived within a minute or two and he was working the crowd fast with his collection of legally-acquired firearms and long-cultivated rage. The Daily Beast has more on Snowling's background and those targeted in the attack. Snowling was photographed by the Los Angeles Times in 2000 while patrolling the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, about 60 miles up the coast from Los Angeles. He told the paper back then, "This isn't LA, where we have shootings and stabbings." Records show he was employed by the Ventura Police Department between 1986 and 2014, retiring as a sergeant. Survivors also detailed Wednesday's terrifying scene, including Snowling "unloading" two guns on bar-goers before engaging in a shootout with deputies, who killed him in the parking lot. Witnesses said there were two birthday parties being held at the bar on Wednesday, which had a live band playing as it served up $8 spaghetti plates as its nightly special. He was "very, very controlling," his wife once told someone. From who called the meeting to what was agreed upon to resolve border tensions gross contradictions have clouded the events of the meeting that took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Johannesburg on Thursday night. While the Chinese official statement mentioned that Jinping talked with Modi at the latters request, the Indian side on Saturday morning refuted the same, saying there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting and added that only an informal conversation had happened between both leaders. Also, while Indian foreign secretary said the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and escalation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Chinese statement skipped mention of an agreement. China only said the two sides should properly handle the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region. Interestingly, PM Modi had bilateral meetings with Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, Senegal President Macky Sall, Ethiopia President Abiy Ahmed Ali, and bilateral cum-delegation-level talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The foreign secretary on Thursday did not term the talks with Jinping as bilateral talks. MEA sources now say it was only an informal conversation in the leaders lounge at BRICS Summit. India had never confirmed before the visit that an India-China bilateral was slated at BRICS and now it seems that India did not agree to such a bilateral meeting despite a pending request from the Chinese side. Jinping is scheduled to come for G20 Leaders Summit in Delhi next month. Hopes have been high lately for a resolution of the border tensions after military talks between both sides were held earlier this month for the first time over two days. The same tended to reflect in the foreign secretarys statement on Thursday. It was conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In that conversation, PM Modi highlighted Indias concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC in the western sector of the Indo-China border areas. PM underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalization of the India-China relationship. The Chinese side in a statement said the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views of the current India-China relations and other questions of shared interest. President Xi stressed that improving India-China relations serves the common interest of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. News18 has earlier reported that India has got feelers that China is veering towards the idea of resolving the border tensions as it is wary of the growing India-US strategic relationship and also that China is facing trouble on its other front of Taiwan. All eyes are now on the G20 Leaders Summit and if Jinping will attend it and there is movement towards resolution. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 101.31 kg of banned hypnotic sedative methaqualone worth Rs 50.65 crore here and arrested five persons allegedly involved in its smuggling, an official said on Friday. The DRIs regional unit intercepted a car with Telangana number plate on August 22 in Pune and found plastic containers filled with a crystalline substance, the official said. Preliminary tests indicated that it was methaqualone, but further forensic analysis was being done, he added. During the course of the probe, the DRI arrested five persons from Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said. The accused were engaged in the illegal sale, purchase, transportation and export of psychotropic substances. The cartel may be spread in different states and also have overseas connections, the official said. Ahead of the G20 leaders summit in Delhi next month, the traffic police in the national capital have made elaborate arrangements for hassle-free travel for dignitaries and the public. The Delhi Police will also launch a virtual help desk, in coordination with traffic-mapping services, on Friday for real-time tracking of VIP movements, and the regulation of traffic flow within the territory of the national capital, said Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic, SS Yadav. Speaking to News18, Yadav said that the traffic restrictions are flexible and the dynamic police force will ensure unrestricted traffic movement across the national capital. He also said that this marks a watershed moment in Indias history, and as proud Indian citizens, it is our patriotic duty to ensure the event proceeds as planned without disruptions. Therefore, we request people to maximize the use of Metro services, plan their journeys in advance, and allocate ample time to avoid inconvenience. A virtual help desk will be launched today This help desk will show all the available routes all the details of public transport-specific maps and all other information that will be required by the public, said Yadav while addressing the media. The official further said that the entire New Delhi area will be a controlled zone during the upcoming G20 Summit, scheduled to be held on September 8,9 and 10. The traffic authorities also released a comprehensive advisory tailored for the general populace traveling within Delhi and those crossing the national capital borders. The restriction order will come into effect on September 7 at midnight and will stay on till September 10 at midnight. Traffic Restrictions and Advisory in Delhi In its advisory, the Delhi police strongly encouraged the public to utilize the Delhi Metro network whenever possible during the proceeding of the summit. Boarding and deboarding will not be permitted at Supreme Court Metro Station not permitted due to the stations proximity to Bharat Mandapam, the designated summit venue. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) will not be allowed to enter into Delhi. However, goods vehicles carrying Essential Commodities such as milk, vegetables, fruits, medical supplies, etc. having valid No Entry Permissions will be allowed to enter the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area. All heavy vehicles will be stopped at Delhi borders. However, emergency vehicles will be allowed, Yadav said. Delhi police will also set up special ambulance assistance booths at borders to facilitate emergency services without restrictions. Furthermore, the entire expanse of the New Delhi district will constitute a controlled zone, and only bona fide residents and authorized vehicles will be granted entry into these areas. General traffic will be allowed between the Ring Road and the Delhi borders but vehicles moving beyond the Ring Road towards the New Delhi district will be subject to regulation. General traffic, excluding goods vehicles and buses, will have permission to enter Delhi from Rajokari Border. Additionally, this traffic will be directed to compulsorily divert from NH-48 to Rao Tula Ram Marg Olof Palme Marg. There will be no vehicular movement allowed on NH-48 toward Dhaula Kuan. Buses and public transport will also function outside the ring road area. Only designated vehicles will be diverted to the eastern and western corridors. However, exceptions will be given to vehicles engaged in essential services including waste management, catering and housekeeping among others. Interstate vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi but they will not be allowed to reach ISBT terminals and terminate before the ring road. Private vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi but they will not be allowed to enter anywhere in the NDMC area. Taxis will not be allowed to enter the NDMC areas except for residences and tourists who have verified bookings in hotels. From the night of September 7 to September 10, there will be restrictions on various types of vehicles in specific areas. Goods vehicles, commercial vehicles, interstate buses, and local city buses like DTC and DIMTS buses wont be allowed on Mathura Road (beyond Ashram Chowk), Bhairon Road, Purana Quila Road and inside Pragati Maidan Tunnel during this period. From 5:00 AM on September 8th, 2023, until 11:59 PM on September 10th, 2023, the entire New Delhi District will be marked as Controlled Zone-I. Starting from midnight on September 10, until 2:00 PM on the same day the following regions will be designated as Controlled Zone-II. The specific roads and intersections include W-Point, A-Point, DDU Marg, Vikas Marg (up to Noida Link Road-Pusta Road), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (from Rajghat to Guru Nanak Chowk), Chaman Lal Marg (from Guru Nanak Chowk to Turkman Gate), Asaf Ali Road (from Turkman Gate to BSZ Marg), Maharaja Ranjit Singh Marg (from Barakhamba Tolstoy crossing to Guru Nanak Chowk on Chaman Lal Marg), Mahatma Gandhi Marg (from Delhi-Meerut Expressway T-Point to Kashmere Gate), IP Flyover, Shanti Van Chowk, Hanuman Setu, ISBT Kashmere Gate, and Salimgarh Bypass. For movement towards the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the police said Airport Metro Express Line will be the best mode. For people who want to travel to the airport in their personal vehicle, police asked them to plan their travel well in advance as there will be route diversions. The commuters traveling from the northern part of Delhi to the southern areas are advised to take the Ring Road-Ashram-Sarai Kale Khan-Delhi-Meerut Expressway-Noida Link Road-Pushta-Yudhister Setu-ISBT Kashmere Gate route. Those traveling from the eastern region to western areas are advised to take DND or Sun Dial-Ring Road-Ashram-Moolchand underpass-AIIMS-Ring Road-Dhaula Kuan-Yudhister Setu-Chandgi Ram Akhara-Azadpur and onward to Lala Jagat Narayan Marg. For ambulance assistance service, people can call 6828400604. The service will be launched from the night of September 7. According to officials, 10,000 police personnel will be on ground to ensure smooth traffic movement in the city during the summit which will be held over September 9 and 10 at the International Convention Centre at Pragati Maida. G20 Summit 2023 in Delhi India, which is holding the G20 presidency, will be hosting the leaders summit in the national capital on September 9 and 10. (with inputs from Anshul Singh) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official visit to Greece on Friday at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the first by an Indian PM since Indira Gandhis visit in 1983. PM Modis itinerary includes a ceremonial welcome, wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, delegation-level talks, addressing key business leaders from both nations, and engaging with the Indian diaspora in Greece. The two countries share historical and cultural ties going back millennia. In an interview to News18, the Greek Ambassador in New Delhi, Dimitrios Ioannou, touched upon the key items on agenda during PM Modis visit and the significance of the bilateral meeting. Edited excerpts: What are the key agenda items that the two countries would want to discuss during the Indian Prime Ministers visit to Greece? As this is a historic visit, they will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations. This is a meeting of the leadership of two countries that have been friends for many years and now will further upgrade their relationship. How do you envision the visit of PM Modi strengthening the bilateral relations between Greece and India, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, and cultural exchange? We believe a further decisive boost will be provided in all these areas. We aspire to be the gateway for India to Europe, including trade and investment. In 2022, the volume of our bilateral trade increased by 58%, reaching a peak of 1.32 billion euros, which constitutes an all-time high for the last five years. We would like to encourage Indian strategic investments in ports, airports, logistics, renewables, real estate, information technology, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals according to the Greece 2.0 masterplan. Greece has a new growth-enhancing framework and a new legal framework for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which is really attractive for foreign strategic investors. A direct flight between Delhi and Athens and Mumbai and Athens would be very beneficial in this regard. With respect to culture, in March 2022, the bilateral Cultural and Education Exchange Program 2022-2026 was signed, providing further impetus for all cultural exchanges. And the implementation of the program is a very important aspect. One landmark conference on the Greek World and India took place last year at the Greek Chair of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and a follow-up conference will take place next month. Scholarships for Indian students and academic cooperation sprang from this conference. Furthermore, we encourage, for example, contact between the leading museums of India and Greece through the hosting of joint exhibitions given the very important collections of Indo-Greek art and numismatics in the museums of India from North to South (these artefacts actually bear testimony of the extent and the wealth of our relationship throughout the millennia). Given Greeces strategic location and its role in the Mediterranean region, how do you see the two nations cooperating on regional and international issues of mutual interest, such as maritime security and counterterrorism? We aspire to enhance our cooperation in the maritime security area which is very important for us. We are both maritime nations. We share a joint commitment to international law of the sea (UNCLOS). The Indo-Pacifics geostrategic importance has been rising. We support the vision of a free, open, prosperous, peaceful and rules-based Indo-Pacific. We welcome Indias Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI). Taking into account that Greece is the country with the largest merchant fleet in the world, freedom of navigation is of paramount importance to us. Now, on terrorism, Greece has also suffered. We have vehemently condemned terrorism in all its forms. We have also condemned the Mumbai attacks. We were honoured to participate in the No Money for Terror international conference that India organised last year and to explore the synergies in tackling this complex threat. In what ways does Greece foresee enhancing people-to-people connections and fostering greater cultural understanding between the citizens of both nations as part of the visits outcomes? I referred to the cultural exchanges before. Altogether, as the visit has a strong business component, we believe it will provide altogether a further impetus for investment, connectivity and tourism. Greece is already very popular with Indian tourists. We have the same concept of Atithi Devo Bhava. A joint declaration of intent on migration and mobility has been signed last year and the enhancement of people-to-people ties, through legal avenues of course, can only be further boosted by the visit. Incessant rains continue to lash the state of Himachal Pradesh with waterlogging, landslides and several other damages. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for the state till Friday. Himachal has been faced with frequent landslides and cloudbursts since the start of the monsoon this year in July. At least eight vacant buildings collapsed due to landslide in the states Kullu district on Thursday. LATEST UPDATES District Administration Delivers Food and Medicines to Remote Areas of Mandi The Mandi District Administration delivered a consignment of food items and medicines to remote areas of the district. #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh | Mandi District Administration delivered a consignment of food items and medicines to remote areas of the district with the help of Air Force helicopters. (24.08) pic.twitter.com/qfbw71kQ6o ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 The aid was delivered with the help of the Indian Air Force helicopters. NDRF Rescues 51 Stranded People in Mandi District The 14th Battalion of NDRF rescued 51 people from cloudburst incident sites in Shehnu Gouni and Kholanala village in Himachals Mandi district on Thursday. #WATCH | 14th Bn NDRF rescued 51 stranded people from cloud burst incident sites yesterday in Shehnu Gouni & Kholanala village in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/ngNn1OHpJO ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Former CM Jairam Thakur Visits Landslide-Hit Areas Former CM Jairam Thakur visited landslide-affected areas of the Kuklah area on Thursday. He said, Keeping innview the huge loss due to heavy rainfall in the state, I have visited my constituency. A two-storeyed school building collapsed today and almost all houses have become unsafe as they have developed cracks. #WATCH | Mandi, Himachal Pradesh | Former CM Jairam Thakur visited landslide-affected areas of Kuklah, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/HwKvsw807x ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023 He requested the CM to arrange rations for people living in these areas considering the acute food shortage. IMD Issues Yellow Alert For Himachal Pradesh IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma says, In last 24 hours, light to moderate rainfall was reported in most areas of the state. Speaking amount-wise, 154 mm of rainfall was recorded in Joginder Nagar, 146 mm in Palampur, 70 mm in Sirmaur. In Shimla city, 80 mm of rain was recorded in the last 24 hours. He said that the weather will change from August 26, adding that, districts of plains and middle areas will receive light to moderate rains. He said that from June till August, Himachal has received 41 per cent more rainfall than usual. The recorded rainfall is 804mm, normal is 571 mm. Only Lahaul Spiti has received less rainfall than usual. August saw 10 per cent more rainfall than usual and the most was in Mandi and Bilaspur, Sharma said. Districts like Mandi, Kangra, Shimla and Sirmaur heavy to heavy rainfall is reported Over Eight Vacant Buildings Collapse in Kullu District Over eight buildings in Anni town of Himachals Kullu district collapsed due to a landslide on Thursday. Fortunately, the buildings were declared unsafe last week due to the cracks on their walls which led to people evacuating those buildings. Since the place was unoccupied, no deaths were reported following the landslide. #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Several buildings collapsed due to landslides in Anni town of Kullu district.(Visuals confirmed by police) pic.twitter.com/MjkyuwoDuJ ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023 Additional District Magistrate said that local SDM has constituted a committee which will inspect the site. He added that three or four other buildings were also reported to be vulnerable. However, since the beginning of monsoon this year, at least 238 people have died in rain-related accidents in Himachal Pradesh. (With inputs from ANI) A 41-year-old man has been arrested by cyber police for allegedly posting abusive messages about Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on X (formerly Twitter), an official said on Thursday. The accused was identified as Kailas Madhukar Kapdi, a resident of Dadar in Central Mumbai. Kapdi had allegedly posted abusive messages about Shinde from his Twitter handle between September 2022 and March 2023, the official said. A First Information Report was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups), 505 (2) (statements conducing to public mischief) and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act on March 6. Police traced the IP address of the accused and apprehended him after interrogation, the official said, adding that further probe was on. Days after a team of 83 CBI officers was assigned to investigate 17 cases related to alleged gang-rape and mob violence in Manipur, the Meitei community leaders are now seeking redressal from the Centre on the hundreds of FIRs related to May 3 incidents. A majority of such FIRs are part of a mass complaint movement launched by the Meitei villagers against Kukis. News18 has accessed and analysed 53 FIRs, which were lodged in connection with the incidents that took place on May 3. At least 41 of these complaints are zero FIRs and lodged with Moirang police station in Manipurs Bishnupur district. The bunch of FIRs include a complaint of gang-rape by a 37-year-old Meitei woman. According to the FIR lodged in Bishnupur, the incident took place at Khumujamba Meitei Leikai in Churachandpur on the evening of May 3, and the case was lodged three months later on August 9. News18 spoke with the relatives of the victim and members of the community who said the victim was under trauma and extreme fear. The zero FIRs were filed by the Meitei residents from Thoubal and Churachandpur with the officer in charge of Moirang police station. The complaints were filed on a printed format, which had similar statements of the crime committed and the complainants only filled up their names, address and date. These FIRs are primarily about the incidents of loot, attack and arson. News 18 has the copies of all FIRs and other related documents. News18 spoke to the leaders of Meitei community who said the complaints lodged in connection with the incidents that happened on May 3 have not been taken up by the CBI as of now. Inclusion of Cases Related to May 3 Incidents A division bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, Justice Manoj Misra, in its order dated August 7, stated that the three-member committee of judges would enquire into the nature of violence against women that occurred in the State of Manipur from 4 May 2023 from all available sources including personal meetings with survivors, members of the families of survivors, local and community representatives, authorities in charge of relief camps and the FIRs lodged as well as media reports The committee has been mandated to submit a report to this court on the steps required to meet the needs of the survivors including measures for dealing with rape trauma, providing social, economic, and psychological support, relief and rehabilitation in a time bound manner Ngangom Junior Luwang, Advocate at Supreme Court, said the issue of considering the FIRs filed in connection with the incidents that happened on May 3 has been raised in the court. Luwang, who is representing the Meitei community members in the SC, further said, We have requested the honourable court to include the case of gang-rape into the bunch of cases that will be investigated by the CBI. We have also mentioned that the inquiry into the nature of violence against women should include the incidents that took place in Manipur since May 3, and not May 4 onwards, he said. Theories of Reaction & Retaliation A group of community leaders have been camping in Delhi over the last few weeks, seeking appointments from Union home minister Amit Shah, and other senior cabinet ministers. A group of senior bureaucrats belonging to Manipurs Meitei community have been trying to support the community members and assisting them with the legal and technical issues. A senior leader of Meitei community, who does not want to be quoted said, In media, and in judiciary, the incidents that happened on May 4 and later are only being talked about. Nobody is willing to see what happened a day before on May 3. There are cases of arson, rioting, loot and attack. There is also a case of gang-rape. But that case has not been included in the bunch of cases, which would be probed by the CBI. People need to know that what happened on May 4 was a reaction or retaliation to the incidents that happened on May 3, he added. Mumbai Police on Friday received a hoax call from a 10-year-old boy, intimating about a bomb in a plane at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The call was received by the Mumbai police control room on the emergency number 112 on Thursday. The caller said that a bomb was planted on a flight about to take off after 10 hours, an official said. After receiving the call, police immediately came into action and found it to be a hoax call. A 10-year-old boy from Satara had made this call, the official added. The police found that the boy is suffering from some serious medical issues and has been undergoing treatment, he said. Investigation into the case is underway, the police said. The call comes a month after Mumbai Police was threatened with an attack akin to the 26/11 terror strike of 2008. The unidentified caller also warned of targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, sending the security circles into a tizzy, an official said on July 18. As per police, a case under Indian Penal Codes Section 509 (2) was lodged against the unknown caller/s and further investigations are on. The handover of the first batch of sea-facing mini 1BHK rehab houses in Mumbais tallest SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) building has begun. In the first phase, almost 1,000 families will get their 300-square-foot apartments in the SRA building in Mahalaxmis Dhobi Ghat, along with 19 retail units. According to a Times Now report, the developer handed over the first 300 flats with a view of the Arabian Sea, Haji Ali and Mahalaxmi Racecourse on August 18. The apartments are located at a distance of 150 metres from Dhobi Ghat. Several of the residents are from the traditional dhobi families. Around 70 per cent of the families were in the dhobi/laundry business, project coordinator Ganesh Kesavan said. As per the Slum Rehabilitation Authority rules, the two towers that are being handed over are facilitated with eleven lifts and other amenities such as welfare centres, four balwadis and ten society offices. Commercial units are on the ground floor and those who had their shops attached to their homes have been allotted houses on the first floor. Worlds Tallest Rehabilitation Building in Mumbai A joint venture of Omkar group and Piramal Realty, the project reportedly has been built on the twelve acres of prime land neighbouring Jacob Circle near Mahalaxmi railway station. The slum rehab tower has been constructed by the Omkar group and Piramal Mahalaxmi for luxury housing is being built by Piramal Realty. These are the worlds tallest rehabilitation buildings, the Omkar group claimed. Rajiv Agarwal, Omkar Realtors Chief Operating Officer Property Affairs, said that apart from being life-changing for the weaker sections of the society, Omkars Mahalaxmi project is also a milestone in engineering. Its vertical development definitely puts it on the world map as the tallest rehabilitation structure in a free housing scheme, he added. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another man from Tamil Nadu in the LTTE revival conspiracy case involving illegal drugs and arms trade in Sri Lanka and India, an official said on Friday. Lingam A alias Adi Lingam, a key conspirator, was the 14 person arrested in the case so far, a spokesperson of the federal agency said. The illegal drugs and arms trade case was registered by the NIA in July last year. A resident of Chennai, Lingam was a close associate of another accused, Gunasekharan, and acted as a benami for the latters illegal transactions relating to laundering the proceeds of drugs and arms trade in India and Sri Lanka. Lingam had also forged Identity documents for members of the racket in an attempt to legitimise their illegal stay in India, the spokesperson said. The official said all the accused in the case were dealing actively in illegal drugs trade in India and Sri Lanka. They were using the money earned from the drugs trade for funding acquisition and amassing of weapons for the revival of LTTE in the two countries, the spokesperson said. The investigations have revealed that the illegal narcotics were sourced from one Haji Salim, an absconder suspected to be based in Pakistan, the official said. Former Alaska Governor and Donald Trump supporter Sarah Palin appeared on Newsmax last night to share her thoughts with host Eric Bolling on Trump's arrest yesterday in Georgia for election interference. Bolling asked her, "When you see the former president being fingerprinted, having to show up, turn himself in, you see the mugshots of the other seven or eight who've turned themselves already, do you have concern for the country as I do?" Palin said, "Absolutely, I mean I think those who are conducting this travesty and creating this two-tiered system of justice and I want to ask them, "What the heck? Do you want us to be in Civil War?" because that's what's going to happen. We're not going to keep putting up with this. And Eric, I like that you suggested that we need to get angry. We do need to rise up and take our country back." Threatening mass murder against people who don't share your politics just another day in Trumpland. It has been a wait of more than a decade for Karnatakas veteran Bidri artist Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri, to have the 500-year-old traditional craft recognised nationally. This year, his happiness was twofold. Quadri was thrilled when he was told that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shown interest in sourcing a Bidriware surahi (a pot used to store water) from him. Bidriware is a form of metal handicraft that has Persian influences and has been made for centuries exclusively by artisans from Karnatakas Bidar district. It is said to have been introduced and gained popularity during the Bahmani empire. Quadri received a call on April 4 from officials of the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India on behalf of the prime ministers office (PMO), saying that Modi wanted to gift a special surahi to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. And he wanted one made by Quadri himself. When I got the call, my happiness knew no bounds. I was thankful that the art form that my family and a few others in Bidar are trying to preserve is getting the much-needed recognition and impetus to keep it alive, the 68-year-old artist told News18. There are a lot of items made from Bidriware, but Modiji liked the surahi the most. The surahi that was sourced from Quadri is 13.5 inches tall and 8 inches wide, made with an intricate phuljhadi design. Have you seen the phuljhadi (sparklers) we use during Diwali? This looks like that, Quadri said with a chuckle. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Padma Shri, Indias fourth-highest civilian award, for his contribution towards preserving and perfecting this centuries-old art form. While receiving the award, the veteran artist thanked Prime Minister Modi and said, I waited for 14 long years for this award, but it didnt happen. I did not expect the BJP government to give it to me. But you proved me wrong and I am thankful for that. An amused PM laughed and spoke about how he admired Quadris work. Choosing Bidriware to gift a president of another country is a matter of pride for me, said the artist. Rasheed Quadri is a third-generation Bidri artist from his family and learned the craft from his father, Shah Mustafa Quadri. I started learning the trade when I was 10 years old. Though my father was not keen on continuing Bidriware, I was firm on keeping this art alive. One of my sons is also an artisan, but it is sad to see how the younger generation is not interested in keeping this art form alive, laments the artist. There is no dearth of creativity or materials for Bidriware, but people are unable to make a living with it as there are very limited takers. Having displayed his craft outside the country as well, including major countries like the US, Netherlands, Spain, Bahrain, and Oman, Quadri has taken it upon himself to instil pride and craftsmanship amongst the younger generation to continue breathing life into this dying art form. How is Bidriware made? The artist says that a mould is cast with an alloy of zinc, copper, and a few other non-ferrous metals. A temporary block of copper sulphate is applied along with silver, and an imaginary design is etched. With the help of a chisel and hammer, the design is very delicately engraved. The product then undergoes a process called buffing, to smoothen the surface. Traditionally, the Bidriwork craftsmen use the soil with a specific composition, potassium nitrate, and mix it with ammonium chloride and water. This soil is native to the Bidar district and largely found around the grounds of a 15th-century fort. A paste of this soil along with ammonium chloride is rubbed on the alloy surfacethis is when the magic happens. The silver retains its colour, and zinc becomes black, giving Bidriware its unique coloura blackened appearance with silver inlay work. This art form belongs to Bidar, though a few artists went to Hyderabad to market it as the city sees a lot of trade and business. Slowly, over the years, it has been called an art form from Telangana, said Quadri, turning emotional. This art form has been built from the soil of Bidar and has the soul of the people here, he said. The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Delhi government to amend its petition challenging the central governments ordinance establishing the pre-eminence of the lieutenant governor over the elected AAP dispensation in controlling services in the national capital. Amending the petition became necessary after the ordinance was replaced by a law. The top court took note of the submissions of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, that earlier the challenge was directed against the ordinance which has now become a law after it was cleared by the two Houses of Parliament and got presidential assent. The Interim application seeks amendment to the writ petition by which the NCT Ordinance was challenged. Now, it has been replaced by an Act (the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023). We have heard the counsel. The solicitor general says they have no objection. The application for amendment is allowed. The counter-affidavit (reply of the Centre) if any, may be filed within four weeks, said the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Parliament recently cleared the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023, also known as the Delhi Services Bill, that gave the lieutenant governor sweeping control over service matters. After the president gave her assent, the bill became law. Earlier, the top court had referred to a five-judge constitution bench the Delhi governments plea challenging the Centres May 19 ordinance which took away the control over services from the city dispensation and set off a fresh tussle between the two power centres. The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government termed it a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. The matter is still pending in the Supreme Court. Before the ordinance was promulgated, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, in a unanimous verdict, had sought to put an end to the eight-year-old dispute between the Centre and the Delhi government triggered by a 2015 home ministry notification asserting its control over services, holding the National Capital Territory administration is unlike other union territories and has been accorded a sui generis (unique) status by the Constitution. Against the backdrop of frequent run-ins between the AAP government and the lieutenant governor, the apex court had asserted an elected government needs to have control over bureaucrats, failing which the principle of collective responsibility will be adversely affected. The new law has envisaged a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer, posting and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) cadre. The chief minister is one of the three members of the Authority, while two others are bureaucrats. The decisions by the Authority are to be taken by a majority and, in the event of a dispute, the matter will be referred to the LG whose decision will be final. Transfer and posting of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the LG before the May 11 top court verdict. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any order on the Tamil Nadu governments plea seeking the release of 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily by Karnataka for irrigating the standing crops. A three-judge bench headed by Justice BR Gavai sought a report from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on the amount of water released by Karnataka after Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that a meeting of the authority is scheduled for Monday. We do not possess any expertise on the matter. The ASG informs that the authority is meeting on Monday to decide the discharge of water for the next fortnight. We find that it will be appropriate that CWMA submits its report on whether the directions issued for discharge of water have been complied with or not, the bench, also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and PK Mishra, said. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, informed the bench that the meeting of CWMA is scheduled to be held on August 28 to consider the discharge of water for the next 15 days. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing Karnataka, said it has been a distressing year for the state, and since it received scanty rainfall, a shortfall in releasing water to Tamil Nadu is inevitable. He said the water earmarked by CWMA has already been discharged but it takes three days for it to travel to Tamil Nadu. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, said water has not been made available to the lower riparian state despite orders from CWMA. The matter will now be taken up for consideration on September 1. The Karnataka government has described as wholly misconceived Tamil Nadus plea seeking a direction from the top court that it be asked to release 24,000 cusecs (cubic foot per second) of Cauvery water daily for standing crops. The Karnataka government, in an affidavit filed in the top court, has said Tamil Nadus plea was based on an incorrect assumption that the current water year is a normal water year and not a distressed water year. Rainfall has been 25 per cent lower and the water inflow into Karnatakas four reservoirs 42.5 per cent less, the affidavit said, adding that the stipulated release shall not be applicable this year. The Karnataka government said in the affidavit the southwest monsoon has largely failed so far during the current water year. Due to the same, a distress condition has arisen in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka, it said. Karnataka, therefore, is not obliged to and it cannot be compelled to ensure water as per the stipulated relief is prescribed for the normal year, the affidavit stated. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had earlier said a fresh bench will be set up to hear the decades-old dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of the Cauvery River water. Referring to the deliberations of the Cauvery Water Management Authority in Delhi in August, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan had said the requirement for Cauvery water was emphatically put forth by state officials. However, Karnataka as usual changed its stand and categorically said that it could only release 8,000 cusecs and that too only till August 22, he had said. The minister had said it was unanimously decided at a meeting of the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee on August 10 that 15,000 cusecs per day would be released by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Hence, the Tamil Nadu government has no other option but to approach the Supreme Court. Soon, a case will be filed in the apex court. Justice will win and we will get water and Chief Minister MK Stalin-led government is determined to get water, he had said. The combined storage capacity of the four dams in Karnataka is 114.571 tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) and it has 93.535 tmc ft storage, which is about 82 per cent, the minister had said. Duraimurugan had alleged that Karnataka does not have a heart to share water with Tamil Nadu though it had enough water. Amitabh Bachchan needs no introduction and all the times he has put his life at risk for his movies is a well-known fact. Called Bollywoods Shahenshah for a reason, Amitabh Bachchan has seen a massive fan following at his time that no other star has witnessed. After his near-death experience on the sets of Coolie during a fight sequence, Amitabhs life was once again potentially in danger when he shot for the film Khuda Gawah in Afghanistan. The film was released in 1992. In Khuda Gawah, Amitabh Bachchan played the lead role alongside Sridevi. For the film, the two had to travel to Afghanistan, the war-torn country, with the films cast and crew. And now, in a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, the films producer Manoj Desai recalled how he was given a warning by Amitabh Bachchans mother and Sridevis mom before he left for the shoot. While speaking with Bollywood Hungama, Manoj recalled the extreme risk he undertook to shoot the film in Afghanistan. If Amitabh Bachchan had gotten shot with one bullet, it would all have been over. If Sridevi would have been shot, it would be over. Because there was a war going on, he recalled. Manoj then revealed what Big Bs mother Teji Bachchan told him before he left. When I met Teji Bachchan, she said Agar Munna ko kuch hua, aur Jaya ne white saree pehni toh tu vahan suicide karna. Teri wife bhi white saree pehenegi (If something happens to my son, and Jaya has to wear a white saree, then you kill yourself. Your wife will also wear a white saree). This was the warning from Teji Bachchan, Manoj said. He further recalled that he also got another warning from the films lead actress Sridevis mother as well. He said, Sridevis mom said If something happens to her, you dont come back. If you come back, I will kill you. Moreover, in 2010, PTI quoted Amitabh Bachchan as he spoke about Khuda Gawah and recalled how he had requested the President of Afghanistan to allow them to shoot. He said, Najibullah, the former President of Afghanistan was a great fan of Hindi films and he had urged Indian Government to arrange our visit to the country. When we were discussing the script of Khuda Gawah, I said let us go to Afghanistan to shoot. We went to Mazar-e-Sharif to shoot the sequence of traditional Afghan spot of Buzkashi. The President provided us excellent security when the shooting was on. Fighter Jet planes were keeping vigil in the sky and Army tanks were at the side of the sets. It just felt like a battlefield. The film was released in the year 1992. Amitabh Bachchan played the role of Baadshah Khan and Sridevi played the role of Benazir. Earlier this week, Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore was rushed off-stage during an interview after a man made unwelcome advances towards her. Now, it is reported the alleged stalker has been detained by police authorities. The crazed fan did not stop his unruly antics after making her uncomfortable at the event in Manhattan on Monday. He allegedly followed Drew to her Long Island home in Southampton and was subsequently arrested outside her residence. According to a report by Deadline, the alleged stalker is identified to be Chad Busto. It was the Southampton Chief of Police James Kiernan, who confirmed the news of his arrest to the portal claiming additional details of the incident would be made public soon. Notably, the alleged stalker was seeking directions to the actress home. He reportedly went door to door enquiring in the area which eventually led to his arrest. It is suggested he was taken to the Southampton Town Police Headquarters for further investigation into the matter. Drew Barrymore hasnt made any official statement on the mans arrest or the stalking incident as of yet. On Monday evening, she made an appearance at an event in Manhattan where she was being interviewed by musician Renee Rapp. Mid-way through the interaction, the suspect yelled the actress name leaving her stumped for a moment. Oh my God, yes? Hi, she said while responding to the man who was rushing toward the stage to approach her. It didnt take long for the show host and the Charlies Angels star to realize something was fishy. Drew Barrymore! Im Chad Michael Busto. You know who I am. I need to see you at some point while youre in New York, he yelled. Meanwhile, Renee Rapp jumped to action by quickly escorting Drew backstage. At the same time, the security professionals near the stage managed to block Chads path leading him away from the actress. Renee Rapp guided Drew to the stage only when they received the all-clear response from the team. Footage of the incident has gone insane viral across social media platforms. Take a look at it here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by @moviestweetss After the incident, Drew Barrymore seemed unfazed as she continued the interview right where she left off. Deadline suggests this isnt the first time that Chad Busto has been arrested for stalking. Previously, criminal charges were levied against the man for following actress Amber Heard. It was just a couple of days ago when Bollywood actor Imran Khan travelled down memory lanes to reminisce about his special time on the sets of Break Ke Baad opposite Deepika Padukone. Now, in retrospect, the star, who is currently on a sabbatical, admitted to his mistake of having a pessimistic mindset about the critical reception of the romantic-comedy flick. In a lengthy statement shared on Instagram, Imran Khan divulged details about how he remembered Break Ke Baad at the time of its release alongside a photograph of negative headlines about the films review. To his surprise, his latest behind-the-scenes post about the movie met with an enormous response from moviegoers. While many requested Imran to make his acting comeback, a plethora of remarks complimenting the songs and plot of Break Ke Baad also flooded the comment section. Upon witnessing the surprising reaction, Imran Khan called himself a fool for only valuing the negative voices at the time while ignoring the good ones. In his confession, Imran Khan wrote, If youre wondering why Im looking at the past so much its because Im reshaping my relationship with my films. To be clear, Im not blaming anyone for anything; all opinions are valid, and not everyone will like the same things, thats normal. Unfortunately, at the time, I was only able to look at things from a negative mindset. He added, As such, here is how I remembered Break Ke Baad, before sharing a photograph of Break Ke Baad receiving a thumbs down from several critics. Take a look at it here: Contrary to his beliefs, it is the audiences love for the film years later that helped Imran realize his mistake. He continued, And heres where I realize my mistake; I paid so much heed to the voices that hurt and I never valued the voices that I loved. What a fool. I wont make that mistake again. Thank you all for helping me change my mistake. Previously, Imran shared a carousel of funny photographs from sets of Break Ke Baad, one which also shows a younger Deepika Padukone giving him a piggyback ride. In the summer of 2010, I went to Mauritius to shoot Break Ke Baad. We swam every day, ate a lot of seafood, sampled Mauritian rum (potent), and made some friends for life. It was a blast. Apparently, in between all the revelries, we managed to make a film as well. This one always had a special place in my heart, because of how much I enjoyed making it. I cant show you many of the behind-the-scenes photographs, as it may compromise the modesty of certain individuals but heres a glimpse, he captioned the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Imran Khan (@imrankhan) Not only fans but even Deepika Padukone couldnt help herself from sharing her response in the comment section. Soo True, she wrote recalling the special memories. Directed by Danish Aslam, the movie also stars Sharmila Tagore and Shahana Goswami in crucial roles. Kareena Kapoor Khans fashion diaries are almost always one of a kind. Be it attending a glitzy and glamorous event or stepping out in public for a casual outing, the Bollywood diva makes sure to look her best everywhere she goes. She often leaves us gushing with her impressive wardrobe collections, comprising an array of ensembles from gorgeous traditional wear to voguish fits. So, it was not a surprise when Kareena Kapoor was spotted outside her residence in Mumbai today, August 25, donning a monotone outfit, perfect for a relaxed Friday look. She not only looked elegantly chic in it but also dished out some goals on how to nail the monotone fashion. The video was dropped on Instagram by celebrity photographer Varinder Chawla. The visual clip captured Kareena Kapoor looking radiant in a buttoned, billowy-sleeved, neon green shirt. She teamed up her shirt with a pair of baggy, parachute pants of the same hue with a floor-length hem. The bottoms even had cargo-like pockets below. Her casual avatar seemed perfect for a lunch date with friends or family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla) Kareena Kapoor styled her OOTD with black-rimmed sunglasses and kept her hair in a loose bun. She opted for a minimal makeover, comprising a shade of peach lipstick, flaunting her flawless skin. Bollywoods Bebo was seen walking out of her residence when the paparazzi began clicking pictures of her. She waved at the shutterbugs and also posed patiently for her pictures to be taken, flashing a beaming smile. Soon after, she stepped inside her car. On the occasion of her husband-actor Saif Ali Khans 53rd birthday on August 16, Kareena Kapoor shared a couple of pictures on Instagram, celebrating her beaus special day with her family. One of the pictures showed the actress posing with Saif beside a swimming pool. The second photo gave fans a glimpse of the in-house celebrations, featuring Saif, Sara Ali Khan, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Taimur, and Jehangir Ali Khan in the same frame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) On the work front, Kareena Kapoor has an interesting lineup of projects lined up in her pipeline. She will next seen in director Rajesh Krishnans female-centric female, titled The Crew, also starring Tabu and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. Apart from that the actress will also be reprising her role in Shashanka Ghoshs Veere Di Wedding 2. Additionally, Kareena Kapoor has been roped in for Sujoy Ghoshs much-anticipated crime thriller Jaane Jaan, which will mark her OTT debut on Netflix. The first look of Jaane Jaan, which is a film adaptation of a Japanese novel named Japanese novel The Devotion of Suspect X, has already sparked intrigue among the masses. Telugu actress Krithi Shetty made her debut in the 2021 romantic film Uppena with actors Vaisshnav Tej and Vijay Sethupathi. The Buchi Babu Sana directorial had earned immense love from critics and audiences alike when it was first released. The film has now won the 69th National Film Award for Best Telugu Film in the regional category. Krithi recently reacted to the prestigious honour and thanked everyone for showering love on her debut movie. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Krithi said, Im thankful for all of it The highs. The lows. The blessings. The lessons. The setbacks. The comebacks. The love. The hate. Everything Its made me who I am today! My first film receiving a national award feels like a pure blessing HUGE thank you and congratulations to my #uppena team. The film also marked Buchi Babu Sanas directorial debut. It is set in 2002 in the coastal town of Kakinada and features the love story of Aasirvadham (or Aasi), a Dalit Christian young man who falls in love with Sangeetha (or Bebamma), the daughter of a powerful businessman Raayanam. While Krithi and Vaisshnav play Bebamma and Aasi in the film, Vijay stars as the antagonist Raayanam. The film also features Sai Chand, Mamilla Shailaja Priya, Gayatri Jayaraman, Mahadevan, Rajeev Kanakala, Kancharapalem Raju, Ravi Varma, Naga Mahesh, Jai Krishna and Rajsekar Aningi in key roles. The film is jointly produced by the production houses Sukumar Writings and Mythri Movie Makers. Mythri Movie Makers took to the microblogging site X (formerly known as Twitter) to share a video of the films director and his team celebrating their prestigious achievement. The Big moment Our Blockbuster Director @BuchiBabuSana and team break into a celebration as #Uppena wins the Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 69th #NationalAwards pic.twitter.com/CF3A21bDRP Mythri Movie Makers (@MythriOfficial) August 24, 2023 Popular composer Devi Sri Prasad composed the music and the original score of the film. Devi Sri Prasad also won at the 69th National Film Awards in the Best Music Director Category but for the Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa: The Rise. Rajkummar Rao is an exemplary actor, and there is no doubt about the immense talent he possesses. Apart from his breakthrough performances on screen, the actor has always won hearts with his humble and down-to-earth attitude. Recently, the actor appeared on Shehnaaz Gills chat show Desi Vibes. Ahead of the release of this entertaining interview, the actress shared a teaser. Rajkummar proved that he is a responsible human being and a true environmentalist. In conversation with Shehnaaz Gil, the actor revealed that every year on Ganesh Chaturthi, he makes the lords idol on his own with eco-friendly materials. Mai har saal Ganpati khud apne haaton se banata hu, aate ke, bhaut maja aata hai. Fir rajma se aise aankhe, daal vagera se aise jewellery vagera banata hu. Fir haldi se unko colour karta hu, wo Bhaut sundar lagte hai. (I make the Ganpati idol with my own hands every year with wheat flour. Its a lot of fun. I create the eyes using rajma beans, and I make jewellery using lentils and other pulses. Then I colour them using turmeric, and they look very beautiful.) he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shehnaaz Gill (@shehnaazgill) Further, the actor also revealed the reason behind choosing these elements to make the idol. He explained that when the Ganpati idol is immersed in the water as part of the festive ritual, it becomes food for the fish. So, this way, it is not wasting anything or causing any harm to nature. Shehnaaz Gill was quite amazed to hear this and expressed, Wo bhi art hi kai. Aap Dilwale artist ho. (Thats also a form of art. You are a kind-hearted artist.) The entire interview will be released today at 11:11 a.m. on YouTube on Shehnaazs official channel. Rajkummar Rao recently spoke with Mashable India about being modest and how he performs all of his own work while maintaining his middle-class habits. The actor revealed that he books his flight tickets on his own, takes his boarding passes, and even pays his electricity bill. Meanwhile, Rajkummar Rao has received positive feedback for his role in the recently released web series Guns & Gulaabs. The story is set in Gulaabgunj, a criminally controlled town where a drug sale leads to a complicated situation between a city police officer and a mechanic in love. The show also stars Dulquer Salmaan, Adarsh Gourav, and Gulshan Devaiah. Guns & Gulaabs is directed by Raj & DK. The master of self-goals in India has done it again. In 2014, just before the general elections, he took a chaiwala jibe and the fate of the Congress, which was already on a slippery ground following a series of scandals hitting the then UPA government, was sealed without doubt. In 2019, he came up with a neech aadmi diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the grand old party found itself crawling on the ground in the second general elections in a row. In 2023, he is back in the news again: This time he has trained his guns on a late Congress leader, who was Indias first accidental Prime Minister, and a path-breaking one, as Sanjaya Baru describes him in his book 1991. Congress leader and former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Wednesday accused former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao of being communal and described him as the first BJP PM of the country. The former diplomat, speaking at the launch of his autobiography, Memoirs of a Maverick: The First Fifty Years (1941-1991), said that he discovered first-hand how communal and how Hindu-oriented Rao was. Aiyar narrated a conversation he had with the then Prime Minister at a time when the former was planning to lead a Ram-Rahim yatra. Narasimha Rao told me that he had no objection to my yatra, but he disagreed with my definition of secularism. I said what is wrong with my definition of secularism. He said, Mani, you dont seem to understand that this is a Hindu country. I sat up in my chair and said that is exactly what the BJP says, Aiyar recounted. One can understand Aiyars state of mind and, of course, the skewed sense of priorities the Congress has today given his propensity to come out so aggressively against his own former Prime Minister, who, as Rajiv Dogra writes in Indias World: How Prime Ministers Shaped Foreign Policy, transformed this country. If Jawaharlal Nehru discovered India, and if Indira Gandhi made it proud, Narasimha Rao transformed it, Dogra writes fatter-of-factly. Its ironic to see the Congress disowning one of its own prime ministers, especially the one whose impact on the nations fortune went way beyond the economy (Baru). This comes at a time when the Congress finds itself waging an existential battle in Indian politics and more so, when it has already forfeited a lot of its stellar leaders to the saffron party, thanks to its obsession with a family. Sonia Gandhi was in the audience when Aiyar made this statement. He may, therefore, have the silent blessings of the High Command. Sonia Gandhis hostility for Rao is well recorded. She, in fact, singlehandedly ensured that a memorial for Rao doesnt find a place in New Delhi, despite being in active politics in the national capital for decades. Author Vinay Sitapati, in Half Lion: How PV Narasimha Rao Transformed India, gives a graphic detail on how the late Prime Minister was denied a rightful place and space in Delhi after his death. The home minister, Shivraj Patil, suggested to Raos youngest son, Prabhakara, that the body should be cremated in Hyderabad. But the family preferred Delhi. After all, Rao had last been chief minister of Andhra Pradesh more than thirty years ago, and had since worked as Congress general secretary, Union minister, and finally prime minister all in Delhi. On hearing this, the usually decorous Shivraj Patil snapped, No one will come, Sitapati writes. Thereafter, Ghulam Nabi Azad and YS Rajasekhara Reddy reached out to Raos family Reddy, being the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, promised a grand memorial for Rao in Hyderabad! Later in the day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh entered the room and asked Prabhakara: What do you want to do with the body? To this, Raos son replied, These people say it should be in Hyderabad This (Delhi) is his karmabhoomi. You should convince your Cabinet colleagues. Manmohan nodded. Sonia Gandhi was standing near, but mostly kept quiet. When Sanjaya Baru arrived, Ahmed Patel sought his intervention. Barus bureaucrat father knew Rao from the 1960s and he was close to the family. Sonias political secretary tapped him on the shoulder. You know the family, Patel said. The body should be taken to Hyderabad. Can you convince them? Sitapati quotes Prabhakara as saying, We sensed even then that Sonia-ji did not want Fathers funeral in Delhi. She did not want a memorial (in Delhi) She did not want him (to be seen) as an all-India leader The next morning, when Raos body, draped in the national flag, was being taken to the airport, it was planned to stop at 24 Akbar Road, the Congress headquarters. As the body approached 24 Akbar Road, located adjacent to Sonia Gandhis residence, the funeral procession slowed. The entrance gate to the compound looked firmly shut. There were several senior Congressmen present, but hardly any cadres had been rustled up. No slogans filled the air, just deathly silence. The carriage stopped on the pavement outside, as Sonia Gandhi and others came out to pay their respects. It was customary for the bodies of past Congress presidents to be taken inside the party headquarters so that ordinary workers could pay their respects. The family was somewhat dazed when this did not happen. A friend of Raos asked a senior Congresswoman to let the body in. The gate does not open, she replied. This was untrue, the friend remembers. When Madhavrao Scindia died (some years earlier) the gate was opened for him. Manmohan Singh now lives in a guarded bungalow a few minutes from Akbar Road. When asked why Raos body wasnt allowed into the Congress headquarters, he replies that he was present, but has no knowledge of this. Another Congressman is more forthcoming. We were expecting the gate to be opened but no order came. Only one person could give that order. He adds, She did not give it. However, to singularly blame Sonia Gandhi would be unfair. She is only continuing a family-first policy that she inherited and which has been pursued for long, especially since Mrs Indira Gandhis time. The virus of dynasticism has badly tampered with the democratic values of the Congress, turning into a private company where the Nehru-Gandhis would alone rule and only their relatives, friends and acquaintances would assist and advise in matters of governance. How could she have forgiven Narasimha Rao, who had threatened the very existence of the family in Indian politics? Aiyar, for all his political blunders, remains a Nehru-Gandhi loyalist. Hailing from Doon School and later St Stephens College, he was an integral part of Rajiv Gandhis PMO between 1985 and 1989, and, thanks to his closeness to the then Prime Minister, was dubbed his Mani Friday. Veteran journalist Tavleen Singh, in Durbar, talks about Rajiv Gandhis weakness for the English-speaking, Doon School-educated Indians with whom he had grown up. Unfortunately, like him, they were apolitical and unfamiliar with the complexities of ruling a country as diverse and difficult as India so none of them could help bring the changes that the country so desperately needed. Even in his choice of bureaucrats Rajiv was inclined towards Doon School types like Mani Shankar Aiyar, who was given charge of his relations with the media. But he was a bumptious ex-Marxist with an offensive manner that did little to endear either him, or the new prime minister, to journalists and Rajiv paid a heavy price for this later when his troubles began. This weakness for the English-speaking, Doon School-educated Indians not just created an elitist Lutyens club mostly cut off from the countrys realities, but also it paved the way for institutional and institutionalised corruption, especially near the power centre. Tavleen Singh writes how there was suddenly a lot of money among Rajiv and Sonias friends. No longer did they travel economy when they went abroad and no longer did they stay with friends in London and New York. They stayed in expensive hotels and this was such a new and wondrous experience for them that they liked slipping names like Claridges and the Meurice into accounts of their travels. I remember on a trip to Washington being astounded to discover that one of Rajivs poorest friends spent a month occupying two suites in the Watergate hotel. If the Congress finds itself in a sorry state today, its primarily due to the dynastic nature of the party that has turned it into a family enterprise. When a family behaves like a party, and a party is made to act in favour of a family, then common political sense becomes a casualty. And common sense suggests the embattled Congress today needs Narasimha Rao and his pragmatic politics more than ever before. Mani Shankar Aiyar is just a symptom of the malady ailing the party that has played a great role in Indias Independence. The real issue is the unabashed and entrenched dynasticism that has sucked the Congress hollow from within. This is unfortunate. Not just for the Congress but the current state of Indian politics as well. A successful, vibrant democracy needs a strong, competitive Opposition. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Last year in August, a 32-year-old lawyer, Bhavya Kapoor, filthily abused and slapped a security guard of a gated community in Noida, for not opening the gate to the complex quickly enough. The shocking fracas can be seen on live video, where the abuse she spits out against the hapless security guards would make even the most hardened criminal wince. This was followed by physical violence against the cowering guards. On October 22, 2022, another guard at another gated community in Noida was beaten up for not allowing people to go out from the complex through the entry gate. In March 2023, a Swiggy delivery boy was brutally assaulted by security guards in a gated community in Hyderabad for using the lift to deliver the food, which was against the rules of that privileged haven. Just a few days ago, on August 21, 2023, a guard at another gated apartment complex in Dwarka, Delhi, was repeatedly thrashed by a drunk 28-year-old male resident over a parking dispute. These are only a few examples that have come to light. But they are enough to ask the question: What is happening in the insulated world the middle class is creating in their little kingdoms across the sprawling urban landscape of India? It appears that gated communities are becoming citadels where the middle class and the rich often feel that they are members of their own mini-Republics. The outside world, of poverty, filth and the unwashed masses are shut out by a stringent layer of security guards, and some of its members act with an impunity that makes them above the law. I have great admiration for the Indian middle class and have written a book on it called The Great Indian Middle Class, followed by a sequel The New Indian Middle Class. The entrepreneurial energy this class has shown is the backbone of the Indian economy. Its resilience and ability to surviveand flourishin adverse circumstances, where no coordinate can be taken for granted, including basics like assured electricity, water supply and a reliable social net, is truly praiseworthy. Nor am I against gated communities. They are motivated by the not unreasonable desire to build a protected environment for the more privileged to escape the cacophony of deprivation outside the heavily secured walls of their little islands of prosperity. This ability for autonomy is a planned exercise. If there is no electricity, they have generators; if there is inadequate water supply, they haveoften illegallytheir own tube wells; and, if anyone dares to transgress or trespass their fiefdom, they have their own laws to deal with them. Some gated apartments declare that meat cannot be cooked inside the complex; others, rule that people of a certain community cannot live there, or only people of a certain sub-community are welcome. The irony, of course, is that however hard these little Republics try, they have to give some access to the outside world, since they cannot do without domestic help. It is not a coincidence that next to most affluent colonies in India, there is a slum, from which this supply comes. Domestic helps are considered by many as an unwelcome necessity, and after they have provided their daily services, the quicker they exit, the better. But in this interfacing world of the privileged and the poor, there is often great cruelty and exploitation. In December 2022, the media reported a shocking story from a gated society in Noida, where a woman, Shefali Kaul, brutally beat up her domestic help and even threatened to kill her, after she ate a bar of jaggery without her permission. Such beatings were a relentlessly routine matter. When the poor girl tried to escape, she was caught by the guard, and returned to her madam. CCTV footage shows how her employer forcibly dragged her out of the lift, holding her in a headlock. A case was registered by the girls father, and the police found that his daughters body was severely bruised and scratched. The accused is reportedly absconding. An equally appalling case came to light in February 2023, where in New Colony, Gurugram, a 17-year-old girl from Jharkhand was hired as a babysitter by Dinesh Khattar, working in a leading insurance company, and his wife, Kamaljeet Kaur, an employee of a PR firm. For five months, this couple beat the girl every day, even usingas per the girls accounthot iron tongs to torture her. Khattar would strip her naked and hurt her on her private parts. She was not allowed to sleep at night, and police found her with injury marks all over her body and her mouth swollen. The couple has been arrested. Normally, the middle class is quick to take umbrage at the undemocratic, high-handed and unjust actions of those in authority. But perhaps, it is time for it to take a hard look in the mirror. The ill-treatment of domestic help, including salaries far below the minimum wage, is a pan-Indian phenomenon. Of course, these bestial examples quoted above cannot tarnish the entire middle class. But as I had argued in my book The Great Indian Middle Class, there is a pervasive proclivity in this class to only look at its own benefit, and have little or no sensitivity for the vast numbers of the under-privileged below them. Gated communities appear to be becoming another layer to this fortress of insularity. Yet, the truth is that the nation is a holistic entity, and no class can secede to form its own Republic. The author is a former diplomat, an author and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. As of August 24, 2023, in its 15th summit since the first in 2009, BRICS will not be the same. It is a momentous occasion for the grouping of emerging economies as six new members have been invited to join an expanded BRICS. These include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This turns the bloc into an overwhelming force with six of the top nine oil-producing countries. The assault on the petro-dollar cannot be stressed enough. With the new members, BRICS shall now form 37 per cent of the global GDP, up from 31.5 per cent in terms of purchasing power parity, which is much larger than the G7s 30.7 per cent. This is a significant breakthrough for BRICS which is now effectively taking an ideological shape, hovering between integrating the voice of the Global South and resisting Western influence through de-dollarisation. BRICS is transitioning from an inert bloc to an assertive economic powerhouse seeking financial and political leverage. What India Got India has positioned itself in a sweet spot, maintaining heightened relevance among BRICS nations, while also preparing ground for hosting a G20 summit two weeks later. Indias role in this calculated metamorphosis runs deep as it was the only member initially touted as hesitant about the expansion of this grouping. Indias concerns revolved around how new members, out of the 22 that had expressed interest, would be decided on without allowing reckless political expansion at the hands of China and Russia. According to sources, it also posed the condition that the BRICS, including new members, should support the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms. It sought unequivocal support for its G20 presidency and its voice of the Global South agenda. It also did not object to the admittance of any of the new entrants, and insisted in particular, for the doors to be opened to the UAE. And it got what it wanted the UAE made its way through and the BRICS nations have expressed support for Indias G20 presidency and the voice of the Global South agenda. Most importantly, the BRICS declaration expresses support for UNSC reforms specifying the aspirations of the three countries Brazil, India and South Africa. This is a significant outcome, as China, which opposes a permanent seat for India at the UNSC, may have diluted its stand amid strained ties with India. The answer to why China would agree to this may lie in its ambition to expand BRICS and turn it into a launchpad for its own global power play. The visit to Johannesburg is Chinese President Xi Jinpings second international trip this year, the first being to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moreover, as Putin skipped the BRICS summit, speculations about a Modi-Xi meeting were rife as anything otherwise would constitute a loss of face for the Chinese president. The awkwardness following failed border talks a week prior to the summit is evident even as India seeks Xis presence at the G20 summit in New Delhi next month. At the end, there was hardly but one brief interaction between the two leaders where, while walking up to his seat on stage with other BRICS leaders, PM Modi is seen having a brief conversation with President Xi as he walked ahead of the Chinese leader. Later, Indias foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra clarified that during that moment, PM Modi raised the longstanding border issue with his Chinese counterpart. The Chinese side, on the other hand, has called this brief exchange a candid and in-depth conversation on stabilising bilateral relations. After the Galwan clash in 2020, this is only the second such meeting since the Bali pull-aside last year which was publicised eight months after the event. What China Got With India and even Brazil in this medley, BRICS is not outrightly poised to turn into a vehicle for Chinese influence. This does not mean, however, that China has had no luck. Beijing has finally attained an enlarged BRICS forum, positioning it to force its grand geopolitical strategy more effectively. With Saudi Arabia counterbalanced with Iran and Egypt counterbalanced with Ethiopia, analysts may say that BRICS is doomed to be dysfunctional. However, it will not be surprising if these countries exhibit an appetite for setting differences aside when it comes to certain interests such as trading in local currencies and circumventing Western sanctions. After all, none of these nations are fast friends with the White House at the moment. This is a follow-up to the Iran-Saudi Arabia detente brokered by China. Beijing has also projected itself as a mediator and security provider in the Horn of Africa. There is potential in this equation to elevate China in the image of a masterful peacemaker in regions of conflict, deserted or aggravated by the West. In light of this, the expansion of BRICS is a more-than-decent victory for China, if one considers the long game. This monumental shift is also beneficial for Russia, which will be hosting next years BRICS summit in the city of Kazan. For Putin, who finds himself ostracised owing to the war in Ukraine, this pivotal event may deliver a much-needed impetus to his reputation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. When The New York Times scoffed at India a few years back to even try and send a lander with a rover to the Moon or attempt a Mars Mission, the publication may not have imagined that it would be real in a very short span. An offending cartoon of 2014 in NYT summed up the editorial boards humiliation of Indias gumption to get into the elitist space club to explore Mars and Moon. But then, the same cartoon made its way to social media networks on Wednesday with suggestions that The New York Times make amends after Indias Chandraayan-3 led to textbook precision touch down of lander Vikram and the rover Pragyan, getting out to explore the Moons south pole. There were foreign media house handles that did hail Indias feat. Some did so grudgingly while a few did with disbelief. However, newspaper establishments or TV channels from Europe, the US and the UK, in particular, were not remorseful about their stance vis-a-vis a purely scientific mission undertaken by a developing country like India with gusto. Some netizens pointed out that the cartoon drawn by Singapore-based Heng Kim Song in NYT may have been racist and offensive in tone. On the other hand, The Economist may not have been very happy with Prime Minister Modi for describing the feat as the victory of a new India. Whats wrong with the head of the nation sporting his countrys flag? India being victorious is not a crime. Its write-up of August 23, 2023, on Indias Moon mission was peppered with an acerbic claim that its rover was not as good as the one planned by America or the one owned by China. Even gleeful emojis and jai hind (long live India) slogans that flooded the internet after Indias Moon feat seemed inconvenient for The Economist who could not fully appreciate the aspirational and assertive Indias mindset. Bloombergs Andy Mukherjee gave a political twist to Indias Chandrayaan-3 mission by buying into the Congress charge that the engineers who built the Chandrayaan-3 launchpad were not paid their salaries for 17 months. Mukherjee seems to have waded big into Indian political waters. Well, this jingo apart, Indias historic moment after the moon landing opens a clutch of opportunities for humanity and a major chunk of the worlds population, as pointed out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Johannesburg in South Africa where hes huddled with BRICS leaders. Whats very significant about the Moon landing by Indian craft is that it opens the space sector, estimated at $546 billion, for home-grown startups, and small, medium, and micro enterprises apart from the big boys. A big spurt of over 15 per cent at Rs 13,000 crore in market capitalization of companies that contribute to the space sector in one trading session on bourses manifests the potential that the sector holds for business growth and expansion. 16 space technology companies in India that took roots have also got the first and second round of funding from angel investors and established fund houses globally. About 30-odd small ticket funding deals clinched in the last couple of years have only added to excitement after the sector was opened to private and foreign partnerships. India may very well put its bets on the space economy that is estimated to expand to $100 billion by 2025 and account for nine per cent of the global share from a measly two per cent now. If Prime Minister Modis proposal to float a space consortium by BRICS gets adopted, the space economys contribution to developing countries progress and development will go up multi-fold. This is one level above the BRICS satellite constellation thats being developed. Collaborative research, skills development, education and related technologies can be jointly harvested to create a common pool. Evolving Indian counterparts to large companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and Arianespace is what Bharat can look forward to as the country readies missions to Sun and Venus beginning next month. Going forward, creating space economy leaders of our own with the vision to realise Indias vast potential in the next 25 years is something we need to work on methodically. Creating separate funding buckets to bankroll technology-intensive space ventures through equity and zero-rate debt is something that India will have to pursue to quickly realise growth and expansion. Collaboration and finding the right partners for each of the space missions may be the key for every country thats exploring the universe. The author is Director and Chief Executive, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi based non-partisan think tank. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. In a further setback to deposed AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, the Madras High Court on Friday dismissed his appeals against the 2022 general council meet of the party, which among others had elected his rival Edappadi K Palaniswami as interim chief, besides expelling OPS and his aides. Palaniswami, since elected as the partys General Secretary, hailed the court verdict as one given for justice, dharma and truth. Party workers celebrated the court ruling by bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Todays court ruling was yet another setback for OPS, as Panneerselvam is addressed, as he has been mounting a legal battle since last year against the general council resolutions. In September last year, a division bench of the Madras High Court had quashed an earlier single judge order, which ordered maintenance of status-quo ante as of June 23 regarding the party affairs. Previously, Panneerselvam was the Coordinator and Palaniswami the Joint Coordinator and that directive was for maintenance of the then existing dual power structure. The order had established Palaniswamis position as the single, supreme leader of the AIADMK then. Days later, the Supreme Court had dismissed OPSs plea against the Madras High Court order directing him to hand over the keys of the party headquarters to Palaniswami. Further, on March 28, a single judge had rejected the pleas filed by OPS and his aides against the partys July 11 general council resolutions. Justice K Kumaresh Babu had said the AIADMKs July 11, 2022 general council resolutions relating to expulsion of Panneerselvam and appointing Palaniswami as the then interim chief were prima facie valid. On Friday, a division bench comprising Justices R Mahadevan and Mohamed Shafiq refused to interfere with the expulsion of Panneerselvam from the party. The bench dismissed the appeals filed by Panneerselvam and his aides R Vaithilingam, Paul Manoj Pandian and J C D Prabhakar challenging the March 28 order of the single judge, where the court refused to interfere with the July, 2022 resolutions passed by the AIADMK general council. The general council is the AIADMKs highest decision-making body. Palaniswami was subsequently elected general secretary, the partys top post on March 28, 2023 soon after the single judge order was pronounced. Responding to the division bench verdict given today, Palaniswami said justice was on our side, and therefore the favourable ruling. This is a verdict for justice, Dharma and truth, he told reporters. AIADMK advocate I S Inbadurai said the HC bench had dismissed the plea by OPS and others, where they had contended that the AIADMK general council resolutions are invalid. The bench has confirmed that the AIADMK is functioning under the leadership of Palaniswami, he said. Also, the court has accepted that the GC is the higher body and its decisions are final, vis-a-vis the party affairs, he added. The AIADMK is the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu with Palaniswami currently the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. Hours after stating that there was no split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was its leader, party founder Sharad Pawar on Friday claimed that he did not make any such statement. Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-BJP government as deputy chief minister in a surprise move earlier this year. Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, Sharad Pawar chalked up the recent developments in the party to some leaders taking a different stand. If a faction of the party is taking a different stand, its their right. Its not like majority of the people from the party are going out. Some people have taken a different stand, democracy allows them to do so. Its not a split in the party, he said. As his remarks created a flutter, the NCP founder claimed in Satara a few hours later that he had been misquoted. I did not say that Ajit Pawar is our leader. Supriya said that as shes his sister, said Pawar. If any person does any anti-party act and if the party takes any action against him, that does not mean that theres a split within the party. He also referred to the 2019 incident, when his nephew had attempted to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Previously Ajit Pawar had taken one stand and joined hands with the BJP and took early morning oath. Later he accepted his mistake and we gave him a chance as a measure to correct the mistake. But again he has done the same thingOne cannot be given opportunities again and again, he said. The statements by the Maratha strongman, who will be addressing a rally in Kolhapur on Friday, have led to further confusion within the NCP as well as the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition with Shiv Sena-UBT and the Congress. Pawar Senior had earlier asked his nephews faction not to use his photographs on their banner and hoardings. In Beed last week, the Ajit Pawar faction had put up hoardings welcoming Sharad Pawar to the city for a rally and had sought his blessings. Sharad Pawars daughter Supriya Sule had recently claimed there is no split in the NCP and that her father continues to be party president. There is no split in the NCP. Our president is Sharad Pawar and our state president is Jayant Patil. That is the status of our party at the moment and we stand by it. Our party is not in an alliance in any form with the BJP. Some of our people took a different stand and, as per the process, we have shared our views and inputs on the same with the Speaker, she had said. With contradictory statements from top NCP leaders piling up, the Congress has decided to speak directly with Sharad Pawar. Speaking to News18, Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant said: Regarding this confusing scenario, our leadership will speak with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. Commenting on Sharad Pawars statements, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said: In the next seven months, the type of work PM Narendra Modi is going to do till 2024 elections, and the type of work he has done for the last nine years, I believe Sharad Pawar will also have a change of heart. Ahead of the elections next year, I believe he will have a change of heart and be with us. Sources in the Maha Vikas Aghadi told News18 that the BJP will try to dent the Oppositions INDIA bloc before the August 31 meeting in Mumbai by trying to rope in the rest of the NCP. Sharad Pawar has maintained he would not align with the BJP, but observers say the lack of a strong stand against the Ajit Pawar faction has MVA leaders on tenterhooks. Some also question that if there is no split in the party as claimed by the Pawar clan, why did Sharad Pawar ask the Ajit faction to not use his image in publicity material? Is the door being kept open for Ajit Pawars return to the MVA fold or is it being kept open to join hands with the BJP before 2024? Slain poetess Madhumita Shuklas sister, Nidhi, is shocked after the Uttar Pradesh Prisons Administration department issued an order to release former minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi. The bahubali-neta couple is serving life imprisonment after being convicted in Madhumitas murder. Expressing her doubts that Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel was misled to stamp the release order, Nidhi Shukla informed that the Supreme Court will on Friday will hear a contempt of court case in a matter related to her sisters murder. The decision is shocking as Ive been writing to the Uttar Pradesh government and the governor for the last 15 days, informing them that a plea (in connection with Madhumitas murder) has been filed and accepted in the Supreme Court. And a hearing will take place on August 25, at 11 am. Hence, Im amazed on what basis was the order passed, Nidhi said in a video message. She further said, Im sure the Governor was mislead to give her stamp on this order. I request that till Supreme Courts verdict isnt out, the order to release Amarmani and Madhumani Tripathi be stayed. I request the authorities to please show some respect for my years of struggle till the apex courts ruling. The Prison Administration and Reforms Department issued its order with the permission of the Governor. UP prisons minister Dharamveer Prajapati said that the release of prisoners from jail is based on prison policies. Besides this, conduct of the prison inmates is also taken into consideration. Only after directions from the governor and chief minister, the orders for the release of a prisoner are given. We cannot point fingers at their decision, he added. Currently, the husband-wife duo are lodged in Gorakhpur Jail and will be released from prison on presenting a bond. The Special Judge/Sessions Judge of Dehradun had sentenced Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi to life imprisonment for Madhumitas murder. Reacting to the development, Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi said, Releasing Amarmani is not fair at all. How can the government leave a person of criminal background, found guilty in the CBI investigation? The petition is being heard in the Supreme Court. Madam Governor herself is a woman. At least she should be well aware of the facts of the horrific Madhumita murder case. It was an extremely shocking incident. Later on Friday, the Supreme Court refused to stay the release of Amarmani and Madhumani Tripathi. What is Madhumita Shukla Case? Madhumita Shukla was a young poet, who had risen to fame for her veer-ras poems. She was the star of many Kavi Sammelans. Madhumita belonged to Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh and had started gaining prominence when she was aged 16-17. The poetess was popular for targeting big political leaders in her poems. Reportedly, bahubali neta Amarmani Tripathi, who was then an MLA and a former minister in the Samajwadi Party government, was Madhumitas so-called lover. She used to live in a two-room apartment in Paper Mill Colony in Lucknow, where she was shot dead from close range by two people on May 9, 2003. Madhumita was found to be seven-months pregnant at the time of her death. Post-mortem report later revealed that the foetus that Madhumita was carrying matched with Amarmani Tripathis DNA. The politician had initially denied having an affair with the slain poetess but DNA evidence proved him wrong. The former state minister and his wife were convicted for hatching a conspiracy and killing of Madhumita in 2003. They were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2007. In 2015, News18 did a sting operation and found Amarmani living a luxurious life in a hospital, in his home district on Gorakhpur. Amarmani and his wife were shifted here from a jail in Uttarakhand for treatment of depression and mental stress. In a conversation recorded on hidden cameras, the former minister had claimed that he has influence in the government and can get anyone posted at any place he/she wants. Earlier this year, Discovery channel released a documentary series Love Kills: Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand that explores the tale of gruesome murder of the 24-year-old around two decades ago. The murder led to political turmoil with Amarmani at the centre of the chaos. The description of the documentary mentioned, No one could have imagined that the killing would unpack a complex web of lies and power politics. Who is Amarmani Tripathi Hes a gangster-turned-politician in Uttar Pradesh. Tripathi was a minister in the Mayawati-led government in 2002-03. Later he switched to the Samajwadi Party. Tripathi was also a four-term MLA and he contested assembly election in 2007 from jail on SP ticket. He started his political career with the Communist Party of India and later joined Congress. He also served as a minister in the Kalyan Singh government in 1997, in the Ram Prakash Gupta government in 1999, in the Rajnath Singh government in 2000. Amarmani Tripathis Son, Amanmani, Too Has a Notorious Background Amanmani Tripathi is an accused in the murder of his wife, Sara Singh. She was killed on July 9, 2015. During the investigation, it was found that after her marriage, Sara Singh was allegedly being subjected to physical torture and cruelty by the accused. She was allegedly murdered on July 9, 2015 with a premeditated plan to get rid of her by the accused and others. The accused framed it as a fake road accident and presented the same as cause of death of victim Sara Singh, the Central Bureau of Investigation said in a statement after formally charging Aman in 2017. Saras mother, Seema, had later said that Amanmanis parents were against his marriage with Sara. CLICK TO READ FULL DETAILS Amid the reports of reconciliation within the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), party stalwart Sharad Pawar on Friday dismissed the notion of a formal split within the party and asserted that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar continues to be its leader. Pawar senior said there was no split within the NCP, and some leaders who have left the party were taking a different political stand. But it cannot be termed as a split, he asserted. Pawar was talking to reporters at his hometown Baramati in Pune district, a day after his daughter and partys working president Supriya Sule said Ajit Pawar is a senior leader and MLA of the party. The statement came weeks after secret meetings between uncle and nephew after the latter, along with several NCP leaders joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Now, he (Ajit Pawar) has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the assembly speaker and are awaiting his response, NCPs Baramati MP Sule told reporters on Thursday. When asked about Sules statement that there is no split in NCP and Ajit Pawar was a leader of the party, Pawar senior said, Yes, there is no question about it. How can anybody say that there is a split in NCP? Theres no question that Ajit Pawar is our party leader, he said. What does a split in a political party mean? A split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level. But no such thing has happened here. Some people left the party, some took a different standIn democracy it is their right to take a decision, he added. Earlier on Sunday, Pawar had said that some members left the NCP as the Centre had launched an inquiry against them through the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state on July 2. While Ajit took oath as the deputy chief minister, eight other MLAs of NCP were sworn in as ministers. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawars faction continues to be part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi in the state along with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. Continuing his tussle with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday threatened action under section 356 of the Constitution against the CM, alleging breakdown of the law and order situation. Purohit has asked Mann to send a report on the action taken by him against the rampant drug trade. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit back at the governor. ALSO READ | Punjab CM Mann Skips Governors At Home on I-Day; Purohit Quips Maybe He Is Afraid of Cannons In his latest scathing letter, Purohit said he had received reports from various agencies regarding the rampant availability and abuse of drugs in Punjab. It is common knowledge that they are available in chemist shops. A new trend is observed that they are being sold in government-controlled liquor vends. The Narcotics Control Bureau and Chandigarh Police recently sealed 66 liquor vends in Ludhiana which were selling drugs, he said. He pointed out that a recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee said that one in five people in Punjab is exposed or addicted to drugs. These facts point to the breaking down of the law and order system in Punjab, so much so that now villagers have started protesting on the streets in large numbers and decided to set up their own village defence committees to protect themselves from drugs, Purohit said. Before I take the final decision regarding sending a report to the President under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and take a decision about initiating criminal proceedings under Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the state, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to law and the Constitution, he said. ALSO READ | Lapse Definitely Occurred: Punjab Governor Raps Mann Govt over Flood Situation Bound as I am by the duty placed on the Governor under the Constitution to see that the administration is carried on a level which would be regarded as good, efficient, impartial and honest, and that the proposals enunciated by the government are not contrary to the law of the land, I, therefore, advise you, warn you and ask you to respond to my letters and give me the information sought, he said in the latest letter written to Mann. The AAP questioned the Governors action. Why is the @BJP4India so afraid of @AamAadmiParty and our CM @BhagwantMann? First they tried to snatch away democratic rights of our elected govt in Delhi by forcefully passing the #DelhiOrdinanceBill in the parliament and now they are threatening to impose the Presidents Rule in Punjab. The @AAPPunjab govt is continuously working for the welfare of the state and will continue to do so, your threats wont derail us from achieving our goal of #RanglaPunjab, posted AAPs Faridkot MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon on X, previously Twitter. Pen trumps sword, but does it trump politics? As the new academic year begins in Karnataka, schools, colleges, and universities across the state are confused whether to follow the National Education Policy or the State Education Policy. The Karnataka government, led by the Congress, has resisted the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which was intended to be enacted in various states. Other non-BJP-ruled southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also opposed the NEP through resolutions in respective Assemblies. The emphasis is on swiftly implementing an inclusive, non-partisan, and updated policy to prevent confusion between SEP and NEP. The Siddaramaiah government officially announced that a special committee would be formed to reassess the previous education policy and develop its own updated educational plan, referred to as the State Education Policy (SEP). This plan is set to be put into effect in the next academic year of 2024, pending the formulation of the new SEP by a newly appointed committee under the state government. During his budget speech, Siddaramaiah declared his governments intention to withdraw from the NEP and instead create a policy more relevant to the states context. He emphasised that the NEP is ill-suited for Indias diverse landscape and doesnt align well with the federal governance system. So, what is the difference between the NEP and the SEP? The NEP, introduced by the central government in 2020, aims to render education more flexible, student-centred, and outcome-oriented, according to education experts who were part of the multi-member committee responsible for drafting the NEP-2020. This policy covers education from the elementary to higher education levels, including post-graduation. The argument put forth by the Karnataka government is that the NEP doesnt consider the specific needs of the state and is driven more by political motives than educational principles. Critics also highlight that the NEP mandates Hindi as a compulsory language, which states like Karnataka reject as a political move that imposes the language on non-Hindi-speaking states. Given that Karnataka has its own language, Kannada, the argument is that it should be the primary or secondary language for students in the state. Moreover, the NEP proposes a standardised entrance exam for higher education institutions, which the Karnataka government believes would disadvantage rural students. The SEP is intended to address these concerns and ensure high-quality education that respects the states culture, values, and language. The Karnataka government has assured the public that the new policy will consider these concerns and come up with an education policy that is in the best interest of all students. Noted academician Niranjan Aradhya talked about why the NEP is not acceptable to states that oppose it. Now it is completely opposite, too much centralisation, too much imposition, getting into minute details like what children need to do in the classroom; this is too much. Therefore, there is a need for SEP, he said. The NEP was framed by the central government in an unconstitutional and undemocratic way, not really respecting the Constitution and the federal structure. Many states who believe in the federal structure are opposing the policy and framing their own state education policies, Aradhya said, adding that the SEP is formulated exclusively for the state domain to implement. The SEP will be framed and discussed in the assembly and then be put into effect. He also pointed out that those who have opposed NEP feel that it has become a toolkit to promote political agenda, which is why there is so much opposition. Otherwise when policy was formed in 1968, 1979, 1986 and 1992 (revised), why was there no opposition? It was done in a democratic manner, he said. Asked how different the NEP-2020 is from the previous SEPs, he said: Earlier, the Centre was taking all states into confidence more and followed a very democratic process and it was within the constitutional framework, particularly in the process of framing it and also in terms of implementing it be it 1968, 1979, 1986 and then 1992. All these policies were placed in parliament for discussion and, later, it was placed before the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), an apex body for education issues. Now that is not being followed. Supporters of the NEP, meanwhile, argue that it is a progressive and student-friendly policy that could benefit Karnataka if implemented. Prof B Thimmegowda, former vice-chairman of the Karnataka Higher Education Council, suggests that changing education policies right after a change in government is detrimental to students. He argues that the merits and drawbacks can be debated, but outright scrapping of the policy serves no purpose. States like Kerala have framed their own SEP, but if you read it carefully, it is 95% similar to the NEP The NEP will not only be beneficial for students with its provision for multiple exits and multiple entries, but will surely be a gamechanger, especially for girls and boys who may face the challenge of leaving their education midway. There is a provision for multiple exit and entry points that could significantly benefit students, especially those who face challenges interrupting their education and wish to return to complete their studies, he said. In the normal course, we keep revising the syllabus. Do we continue to have the old syllabus? There have been global changes. Jobs are today being taken over by machines and we need to look for new skills and jobs. Therefore, our educational transformation is a dynamic process. If you follow the old pattern of syllabus, when do we switch over to the global pattern? The NEP is to empower the children to face the world and get the best opportunities with all the necessary skills, he explained. Be it NEP or SEP, education should not be one of the pawns on a political chessboard. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday vowed to raise in Parliament the issues of the people of Ladakh as he alleged that their political voice was being suppressed and the promises of the central government on employment had turned out to be false. Gandhi has been touring the Union Territory of Ladakh for the past week. I went to every corner of Ladakh and talked to the youth, mothers and sisters and the poor. There are other leaders who only talk about their Mann Ki Baat. I want to listen to your Mann Ki Baat, the former Congress president said in an apparent swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modis monthly radio broadcast. China has snatched away thousands of kilometers of Indias land. The prime minister is lying by denying this and every person in Ladakh knows this, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. He said the main issues of Ladakh are that the political voice of the people here is being suppressed, all the promises of the government on employment have turned out to be false and the lack of mobile network and air connectivity. I will raise all these issues in Parliament in the next session, Gandhi said and thanked Ladakh for the welcome and love he had received. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post in Hindi on X, said that taking forward the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi met the people of Ladakh. In the spirit of the foot march, he listened to their thoughts, he said. It is clear after listening to these problems that the Modi government has left Ladakh to fend itself. Leaders who are only interested in their Mann Ki Baat can never allow the peoples voice to be heard, Ramesh said. Gandhi reached Ladakh on August 17, his first visit to the region since it was granted UT status after being carved out from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was also turned into a Union Territory with its special status under Article 370 revoked. Over the past week, Gandhi visited several parts of Ladakh, including Pangong lake, Nubra valley, Khardungla top, Lamayuru and Zanskar, on his motorcycle before reaching Kargil on Thursday. Gandhi on Friday also visited the Kargil War Memorial in Drass and paid rich tributes to the Indian Army personnel who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 war with Pakistan. August brings rainy days, sunny days and days of incredibly high humidity. Changing weather is challenging for most of us, and especially so for those of us whose immune system isnt functioning at peak capacity. Our immune system serves as a guardian fighting back bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and the diseases they cause. There are many ways to build up your immunity taking vitamins, medicinal herbs, eating some foods and avoiding others, and of course, ensuring proper hydration. Understanding the Immune System When we take care of it, the immune system runs like a well-oiled machine its almost as if the body wants to be healthy! The immune system is intricate, complex, and very, very strong. As youll see below, it has several redundancies all to ensure your survival. Broadly, the immune system is made up of two main components: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. The innate immune system is the first line of defence that you are born with. It consists of physical barriers (such as skin and mucous membranes), chemical barriers (such as saliva and stomach acid), and cellular barriers (such as white blood cells and natural killer cells). The innate immune system responds quickly and broadly to any foreign substance, but it does not have a memory of previous encounters. The adaptive immune system is the second line of defence that develops with exposure to microbes. It consists of specialised white blood cells called lymphocytes, which can recognize and remember specific antigens. Antigens are parts of foreign substances that trigger an immune response. This immune response takes the form of antibodies and memory cells. Antibodies are proteins that bind to antigens and neutralise them. Memory cells are long-lived lymphocytes that remember how to fight a particular antigen. This is why, when you have a repeat infection, the immune system responds more slowly, but more specifically and effectively. This is also why vaccines work to keep you safe. Several childhood vaccinations give us a mild infection, so that the immune system can fight it and remember, so that when the body encounters this infection the next time, it knows exactly how to fight it, and win. Isnt the body amazing? The Connection between Hydration and Immune Function The immune system, like any other system in the body, needs an intricate balance of fluids, macronutrients, minerals and salts to do its job effectively. This is where fluid balance comes in. In simple terms, fluid means having enough fluid and electrolytes in the body to keep electrical impulses firing between cells, keep your blood flowing, your skin moist, and your brain (and all other organs) happy. Electrolytes are essential minerals, like sodium, calcium, and potassium, that help our bodies regulate chemical reactions, maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside our cells, and more. This means that good hydration goes beyond drinking lots of water you also need your electrolytes! When we lose water through sweating, urination, diarrhoea, vomiting, or fever, we also lose electrolytes. Water and electrolytes form the foundation that support various immune activities, including antibody production, immune cell communication, and pathogen neutralisation. Proper hydration enables these processes to occur seamlessly, enhancing the immune systems ability to combat infections. It also helps with circulation, making it easy for immune cells to journey to the infection site. When were dehydrated, it hampers our immune response and puts us at unnecessary risk of infection and disease. As dehydration also diminishes blood volume, it also makes it harder for immune cells and antibodies to get where they need to go. In fact, the lowered immune response due to dehydration is also one of the reasons that diseases spike. The role of water and electrolytes Lets look at water first. When there is enough water in the body, it is able to transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones and immune signals through the bloodstream to different organs and tissues with ease. It is also easier to flush out toxins, waste products, debris, abnormal cells and pathogens from the body through urine, sweat, faeces and lymph. Moreover, it helps lubricate the joints, eyes, mouth, nose and throat, which are important entry points for pathogens. It also helps regulate body temperature. When the temperature is in the ideal range, immune cells and enzymes work at peak efficiency. Electrolytes, on the other hand, are especially important as they help retain water in the body, therefore maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure. They also help regulate acid-base balance in the blood and elsewhere in the body, and keep our pH levels balanced. They give us steady energy by supporting cellular energy production and metabolism, and help the nervous system by transmitting nerve impulses and triggering muscle contractions and release. Of course, they also help modulate inflammation and immune responses. WHO ORS: The perfect mix, in the perfect ratio. If youre dehydrated, one of the easiest, fastest, doctor recommended ways to bring your body back into balance is by using an Oral Rehydration Solution. Since its discovery in the 1960s, the World Health Organisation has spent decades researching the most effective formula. This formula is labelled WHO ORS, and luckily for us, has been available in India since 1972 as Electral. Electral has been proven to be a safe, effective and inexpensive way to rehydrate people of all ages and conditions. It enhances the absorption of water and electrolytes from the intestines and improves the recovery from illness. Electral is available in two sizes the large packet is meant to be dissolved in one litre of water, and the small packet is meant to be dissolved in 200ml, or one cup/glass of water. It is important to follow the instructions on the packet to get the best results. Adding more or less Electral to water lowers its efficacy. This is why the third option exists Ready to Drink Electral in tetra pak form. Conclusion Many of us dont know enough about our bodies to appreciate how truly spectacular they are. We were meant to be healthy! Most of the time, all we need to fight disease is to get out of the bodys way, and let it do its job. The easiest way to do that, is to first take care of our hydration. After all, a well hydrated body is an effective one it fights off infections and diseases, and files away the information it needs for the next fight. The best part: hydration is easy, especially when you have Electral. This is a partnered post. August 23 will be remembered as a historic day for the entire nation and will be forever etched in our hearts as Chandrayaan 3 made a successful landing on the moon. With this, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has another feather in its cap. Achieving this, India became the first country in the world to land on the uncharted surface of the moon. However, it seems like the British media is not that happy with our achievement. A video which is currently going viral shows a British journalist asking India to return the Rs 24,081.09 crore that the government had provided as an aid fund between 2016 and 2021. In the video, the journalist can be heard saying, I would like to congratulate India for landing on the dark side of the moon. I would also like to invite India to return the Rs 24,081.09 crore of aid money that we sent them between 2016 and 2021. We are also set to give the Rs 597.03 crore next year. But I think the British taxpayer should keep a hold of that. We should not be giving money to countries with a space program as a rule. With this, he also explained the poverty situation in India and why the government needs to support the country. Here, have a look for yourself: I appear to have enraged Indian Twitter pic.twitter.com/SnhUU3zOjC Patrick Christys (@PatrickChristys) August 23, 2023 The video, however, did not sit well with Indians. Many took to the comment section and slammed the journalist. In Global South thats called being a laughing stock. You cant enrage no one, buddy! Just return what your British empire looted from India! wrote an X user. Another person mentioned, Remember. Nothing shames a Brit more than the success of India. They get reminded about aid whenever they see Indias successful space program. Its very revealing how much shame they feel when they see Indias succees (against their own failures and gradual progression into irrelevance). So they need this kind of rhetoric about aid to diminish Indians pride and happiness. Here are a few responses: This is embarrassing. Poor guy looks so hurt. Hope he finds help https://t.co/xVU1R5fhLQ Shubhangi Sharma (@ItsShubhangi) August 24, 2023 Kohinoor diamond of Mj Ranjit Singh that he had donated to Jagannath temple was stolen by you, @PatrickChristys. Ur king is currently living off stolen donation made to an Indian temple!So don't be a loudmouth. Haven't yet mentioned trillions of dollars you looted from India. https://t.co/0gPA1bXOYo Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) August 24, 2023 Are you not ashamed?Or don't you know how massively Britain looted India and made millions of Indians starve to death?Only 80 years ago?Btw, technological progress also came from India, i.e. English steel and German missile technology.https://t.co/31eUdHTtdX https://t.co/GZj4g7Ak7P Maria Wirth (@mariawirth1) August 24, 2023 Meanwhile, an old video which has resurfaced showed UK media house British Broadcasting Corporation popularly known as BBC, questioning Indias decision of investing into space mission. In the video, the BBC anchor can be seen asking whether India, which lacks infrastructure and has extreme poverty, should spend this much amount of money on a space programme. The video, after being uploaded, went viral immediately and angered people online. Many can be seen slamming the broadcasting corporation. Indian business tycoon Anand Mahindra also shared the video and gave a response for the same. Have you ever imagined that while fishing, you could get attacked by one of the deadliest aquatic animals? Something similar happened with an Indonesian teenager. Muhammad Idul was attacked by a needlefish. He shared how the force of the needlefish impaling itself in his neck threw him from his boat and into the water. Following this, he desperately swam to shore and sprinted to a hospital which was 90 90-minute drive from the shore. The incident was reported in January 2020, when Idul was just 16 years old. Idul surprisingly is alive and healthy and able to narrate his story all because of the quick thinking of his friend, brilliant surgeons and a bit of luck. The injury has turned Idul into a sort of star after pictures of the fish in his neck went viral on social media. In a chat with BBC Indonesia just five days after the accident, Idul shared that it was supposed to be a late-night fishing trip with a school friend, Sardi. Recalling the incident, he said that Sardis boat sailed off first and then he went on another boat. He turned on the flashlight after he said about 500 meters from the beachs shore. A needlefish suddenly jumped out of the water and stabbed my neck, he added. Due to its force, he fell off the boat into the water in the dark. The fishs long slender and sharp jaws pierced right through his neck from just under his chin to the base of his skull. The fish was still thrashing and pushing the boy around in the water as it tried to escape. Idul added that he grabbed the fish tightly, hoping he could stop it making the injury worse. He mentioned that when he sought Sardis help, his friend cautioned him by stopping him from trying to remove the fish to prevent bleeding. Idul somehow managed to swim back to the shore while holding the 75 cm long fish in his arms that was still stuck in his neck. His father rushed him to a hospital in Bau-Bau which was about an hour-and-a-half from their village in South Buton, South East Sulawesi. The doctors managed to cut the fish and kept its head stuck inside Iduls neck as they didnt have the right equipment. To remove it, they travelled to a provincial hospital in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. In the hospital, five specialists carefully examined and removed the fishs head from Iduls neck in an hour-long surgery. The incident did not scare Idul from fishing but made him aware to be cautious and he learned a lesson that needlefish cant tolerate light due to which it jumped out of the water. The solar wind is a ubiquitous feature of our solar system. This relentless high-speed flow of charged particles from the sun fills interplanetary space. On Earth, it triggers geomagnetic storms that can disrupt satellites and it causes the dazzling auroras the northern and southern lights at high latitudes. But precisely how the sun generates the solar wind has remained unclear. New observations by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft may provide an answer. Researchers on Thursday said the spacecraft has detected numerous relatively small jets of charged particles expelled intermittently from the corona the suns outer atmosphere at supersonic speeds for 20 to 100 seconds. The jets emanate from structures on the corona called coronal holes where the suns magnetic field stretches into space rather than back into the star. They are called picoflare jets due to their relatively small size. They arise from areas a few hundred miles wide tiny when compared to the immense scale of the sun, which has a diameter of 865,000 miles (1.4 million km). We suggest that these jets could actually be a major source of mass and energy to sustain the solar wind, said solar physicist Lakshmi Pradeep Chitta of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany, lead author of the research published in the journal Science. The solar wind consists of plasma ionized gas, or gas in which the atoms lose their electrons and is mostly ionized hydrogen. Unlike the wind on Earth that circulates the globe, solar wind is ejected outward into interplanetary space, Chitta said. Also read: Scientists Discover Highest-energy Light Coming From Sun Earth and the other planets in the solar system whiz through the solar wind as they orbit around the sun. Earths magnetic field and atmosphere act as shields and protects life by blocking harmful particles and radiation from the sun. But the solar wind continuously propagates outward from the sun and inflates a plasma bubble called the heliosphere that encompasses the planets, Chitta added. The heliosphere extends out to about 100 to 120 times further than Earths distance to the sun. The data for the study was obtained last year by one of the three telescopes on an instrument called the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager aboard the Solar Orbiter, a sun-observing probe built by the European Space Agency and the U.S. space agency NASA that was launched in 2020. The Solar Orbiter was about 31 million miles (50 million km) from the sun at the time about a third of the distance separating the sun and Earth. This finding is important as it sheds more light on the physical mechanism of the solar wind generation, said solar physicist and study co-author Andrei Zhukov of the Royal Observatory of Belgium. The solar winds existence was predicted by American physicist Eugene Parker in the 1950s and was verified in the 1960s. Still, the origin of the solar wind remains a longstanding puzzle in astrophysics, Chitta said. A key challenge is to identify the dominant physical process that powers the solar wind. The Solar Orbiter is discovering new details about the solar wind and is expected to obtain even better data in the coming years using additional instruments and viewing the sun from other angles. Zhukov said stellar wind is a phenomenon common to most, if not all, stars, though the physical mechanism may differ among various types of stars. Our understanding of the sun is much more detailed than the understanding of other stars, due to its proximity and thus the possibility to make more detailed observations, Zhukov added. Three terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed by security forces on Friday during an operation in a restive tribal district in northwest Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. According to sources, the security forces exchanged fire with the terrorists after they fired at them in the South Waziristan tribal district. In the shootout, three terrorists were killed and the remaining fled. The security forces launched a massive combing operation after the gunbattle to arrest the perpetrators. Earlier this week, six Pakistani soldiers and four terrorists were killed when the TTP militants attacked a convoy of security forces in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The outfit, which is believed to be close to Al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks across Pakistan, including an attack on army headquarters in 2009, assaults on military bases, and the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India and Greece are a natural match and highlighted that the foundation of the ties between the two countries is ancient and strong. PM @kmitsotakis and I agreed that our trade ties need to become even stronger. We have also decided to work on a migration and mobility partnership agreement in the coming times. We will also work towards deepening ties between our educational institutions. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 Greece and India are a natural match between two ancient civilisations of the world, between two ancient democratic ideologies and between two ancient trade and cultural relations. The foundation of our relationship is ancient and strong, PM Modi was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI. He also highlighted that he is the first Prime Minister of India to visit Greece after a long gap of 40 years. Indira Gandhi visited Greece in 1983 and was the last prime minister to visit Athens. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited New Delhi in 2019. After a long gap of 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister has come to Greece. Still, the depth and warmth of our relations have not decreased, PM Modi said. PM Mitsotakis and I have decided to take India-Greece relations to a strategic level, he further added. We have decided to raise our bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people. Our talks covered sectors such as defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, skills and more, PM Modi said in a post on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. PM Mitsotakis and I agreed that our trade ties need to become even stronger. We have also decided to work on a migration and mobility partnership agreement in the coming times. We will also work towards deepening ties between our educational institutions, he further added. New Delhi and Athens have decided to increase cooperation in defence and security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, new and emerging technology and skill development. The Prime Minister said that he and his counterpart discussed means to strengthen the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Athens. Earlier in the day, Greece President Katerina Sakellaropoulou conferred Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India, PM Modi said. He also paid tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens and received a ceremonial guard of honour. As former President Donald Trump was arrested in Atlanta, U.S. President Joe Biden said he had spoken with Ukraines president on Friday and issued a fresh appeal for contributions to his 2024 re-election campaign apropos of nothing. Trump Arrest LIVE: Former US President Booked in Georgia Election Case, Mug Shot Released Biden was silent all day on Friday while on vacation at a home overlooking Lake Tahoe, but at almost the exact time Trumps plane landed in Atlanta, the White House announced the phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. May today be a reminder that the forces of darkness and dominion will never extinguish the flame of liberty that lives in the heart of free people everywhere, Biden wrote from his official presidential account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after announcing the call. Biden made no mention of Trumps legal woes, sticking with a policy of avoiding commenting on the troubles facing the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Biden, however, sent out an appeal on X for donations to his re-election campaign at about the same time as Trump was on his way to be arrested at the Fulton County Jail. Apropos of nothing, I think todays a great day to give to my campaign, Biden wrote. When Trump was indicted in a separate case in Washington on Aug. 1, Biden was at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, dining out and watching a popular movie. In the call with Zelenskyy, the pair discussed the start of training for Ukraine pilots to fly U.S.-produced F-16 fighter jets, as well as expedited approval for other nations to transfer their F-16 jets to Ukraine, the White House said. Donald Trump Arrested HIGHLIGHTS: Former US President was booked at an Atlanta jail on Thursday on more than a dozen felony charges as part of a criminal case stemming from his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia. Trump again repeated his claim that the prosecution along with prosecutors in the other indictments he faces is politically motivated. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice, he told reporters. Trump, 77, already has entered uncharted territory as the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges, even as he mounts another campaign for the White House. Former US President Donald Trump posted his police mugshot on X, the former Twitter, on Thursday after his arrest in Georgia, his first post on the platform since January 2021. He was banned from Twitter on January 8, 2021, two days after the attack on the U.S. Capitol for incitement of violence. His account was reinstated last November after Elon Musk acquired Twitter and ran a poll on whether to reinstate the account. Earlier on Thursday evening, Trumps mug shot was released shortly after the former US president was booked at an Atlanta jail on more than a dozen felony charges as part of a criminal in 2020 Georgia election case. The former US Presidents team had discussed the former presidents mug shot prior to him taking it at the Fulton County jail, two sources familiar with the discussions told CNN. He wanted to appear defiant in the shot, and purposefully chose not to smile, the report said An unsmiling Trump inmate no. P01135809 was captured glaring at the camera in the mug shot. The image represented yet another extraordinary moment for Trump, who did not have to submit to a photograph when making appearances in his three other criminal cases. Trump, 77, already has entered uncharted territory as the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges, even as he mounts another campaign for the White House next year. According to multiple polls, the four cases filed against him have only bolstered his standing among Republican voters. He holds a commanding polling lead in the race for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election. Pakistans former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that his brother and former premier Nawaz Sharif will return to the country in October and ahead of general elections. Nawaz Sharif, 73, has been living in self-imposed exile in the UK since November 2019. He was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018. He was serving a seven-year imprisonment at Lahores Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al-Azizia Mills case before he was allowed to proceed to London in 2019 on medical grounds. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo will return to Pakistan in October, Shehbaz told media persons in London, the Dawn newspaper reported. We held consultations with the senior leadership of the party, and we have decided that our quaid [leader] Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October, Shehbaz said, alongside his older brother. Earlier this month, former prime minister Shehbaz, 71, said that his elder brother Nawaz would return to Pakistan in September to face his pending court cases and lead the partys campaign for the general election. However, the plan was changed in the last few days after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided to conduct a fresh delimitation of Constituencies on the basis of the new census, delaying the general elections, which were scheduled to be held within the 90-day constitutional period since the August 9 dissolution of Parliament. According to Geo News, the three-time prime ministers return has been delayed till mid-October, not because of the ECP announcement but over the advice of party loyalists that September is too hot and severe for large-scale political gatherings, making mid-October a better time for return. The decision to return around mid-October was taken after Shehbaz held two meetings with the PML-N supremo when the former visited London last week, the report said. Its the severity of weather that is being kept in mind in deciding the return date of Nawaz Sharif. There could be a further change, but for now, the date of 15th October is final, and further discussions will take place around it, the report quoted a source as saying. Some Sharif family loyalists advised Nawaz to come to Pakistan immediately after ending his Europe and Middle East visit, which started three months ago and ended three weeks ago when he reached London. However, some PML-N leaders advised him to arrive in Pakistan after mid-September once the current Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial retires, the report said. Bandial is accused by the PML-N party of favouring the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf: and its leader- the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. Nawaz on Wednesday accused Bandial of trying to save Khan after he picked holes in the conviction of the ex-premier in the Toshakhana corruption case verdict. Chief Justice Bandial on Wednesday said there were shortcomings in the trial courts Toshakhana case judgment against the 70-year-old Khan. The chief justice is well aware that this person [Imran Khan] has wreaked havoc on Pakistans economy, ethics, and culture. He has propagated violence and repeatedly violated the Constitution, Nawaz told reporters outside his Avenfield residence in London, where he has been living since 2019. The PML-N supremo said Bandial was putting his future at stake by safeguarding the PTI chief, who was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison by a sessions court in Islamabad in the case filed by the ECP on August 5. The Toshakhana case was filed by ruling party lawmakers in 2022 in the ECP, alleging that Khan concealed the proceeds from the sale of state gifts. In 2016, Nawaz stepped down as the prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him for life for concealing assets. His appeals against the conviction are currently pending in the relevant courts. Australia destroyed much of its own country when it introduced rabbits from Europe in the 1800s. Rabbits "have caused great environmental damage since then," reports National Geographic. "Experts have even stated European rabbits' introduction to Australia was one of the fastest spreading instances of an invasive mammal." This unfortunate decision from a couple of centuries ago is a big reason why Australia today zealously protects its environment with stringent biosecurity laws. Earlier this week, a woman learned about these laws the hard way. Travel blogger Lays Laraya arrived at Perth Airport on a Qatar Airways flight from Dubai. She said the cabin crew gave her a rose, which she held in her hand as she walked through the airport. She says she was approached by plain-clothed officials who demanded to see her customs and immigration card, and noted that she didn't declare the rose. That turned out to be an expensive mistake. From Yahoo News: After a 30-minute search of her bags and personal belongings, Lays was hit with a penalty of $1,878 for knowingly providing false or misleading information. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry confirmed "all travellers coming to Australia must be aware of Australia's strict biosecurity requirements and the penalties for not complying with those requirements". The most anybody can be fined is six penalty units, or $1878, 9 News reported. "Travellers and goods arriving in Australia can introduce exotic pests and diseases," the spokeswoman said. "This could harm our health, environment and commercial industry, as such the department takes all steps needed to minimise and negate these impacts. The penalty units reflects the risk level to Australia." Six penalty units for a rose. Next time, she should stick to smuggling rabbits. The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing of the case pertaining to the suspension of a three-year jail term of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana Reference case. Imran Khan is currently incarcerated in Attock Jail. The hearing was adjourned because Election Commission of Pakistans (ECPs) lawyer Amjad Pervaiz did not conclude his argument because he was extremely unwell. The case will be heard on August 28 i.e. Monday. Imran Khan was convicted by a trial court in Islamabad on August 5 in the case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which alleged that the former Pakistan prime minister and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief concealed details of state gifts. This verdict also ensured his disqualification from contesting general elections for five years. The former prime minister filed an appeal in the high court against his conviction and also approached the Pakistan supreme court against the Islamabad high courts decision to remand the case back to the trial court judge who convicted him. The ECP legal team dismissed arguments levelled against the sentence by pointing out that superior courts could suspend the sentence of those prisoners who have at least completed six months imprisonment. If the court were to side with this argument, Imran Khan would then be released only after the polls in Pakistan and also not get a chance to appeal his disqualification. The Supreme Court of Pakistan is also awaiting the high courts decision and has halted all proceedings on Imrans plea. It also asked Pakistans attorney general Mansoor Usman Awan to furnish an official report about the living conditions of Imran in Attock Jail by Monday. Former prime minister Imran Khans wife Bushra Bibi meanwhile also urged the apex court to take serious notice of the alleged threat to her husbands life inside Attock Jail and highlighted a considerable decline in his health. Bushra Bibi last week wrote to the Punjab government saying that she was scared that Imran Khan could be poisoned inside Attock Jail. Bushra in her petition highlighted a significant decline in the petitioners health and that Imran Khan appears to have lost weight substantially during the course of his confinement, particularly loss of muscles around his arms. Such a decline in the health of a person in his 70s can be a serious danger to his life, the petition said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first prime minister in 40 years to visit Greece when he landed in Athens on Monday. PM Modi said he is looking forward to holding productive talks with Greeces top leadership and deepening the bilateral ties. VIDEO | The Indian diaspora in Greece is excited as it awaits PM Modi's arrival in Athens, scheduled later today. The visit is at the invitation of Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This will be the first visit by an Indian PM to Greece in 40 years. pic.twitter.com/vo7gH1trIi Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2023 The Indian diaspora was waiting patiently for PM Modi to arrive outside the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens. The Prime Minister received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora there, with the crowd chanting Modi, Modi! and Bharat Mata ki Jai!. PM Modi will be in Greece for a day and is here at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It was a great moment for us that PM Modi arrived in Athens. It gives us great pleasure. In the Greek community, Indians have a good name. We are feeling very good. People love him, a Greece-based Indian businessman was quoted as saying by ANI. PM Modi interacted with children as well. A girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and showed him a painting prepared for him. She later clicked a selfie with the Prime Minister as well. Greek foreign minister George Gerapetritis received PM Modi at the airport. Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community, Modi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Amidst the historic landscapes of Greece, the warmth and hospitality of the Indian community shines brightly. A heartfelt thank you to them for the warm welcome, PM Modi said, thanking the Indian diaspora for their warm hospitality. PM Modi also expected to meet President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. A packed day of engagements lie ahead in Athens. He will lay a wreath at the Tomb of an unknown soldier. He will thereafter meet the President of Greece and hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. He will also meet business leaders from both sides. Before departing he will interact with members of the community who are excited to see him after the success of the Chandrayaan mission. All in all a productive day ahead, Bagchi further added. Some members of the Indian community were captured dancing to the tunes of Bollywood numbers Chak de and Jai Ho. We expect that in the future Greece and India ties will be strong. So we are expecting this from the prime minister, a person present in front of the hotel waiting for PM Modi was quoted as saying by PTI. A Pakistani bid to create disruption during PM Modis visit to Greece has been foiled by local authorities and police officers, people familiar with the developments told News18. Members of the so-called Greek Association of Friends of Kashmir planned a protest announced for Friday afternoon in Omonia in Central Athens but police officers banned the protest citing a serious threat, Greek news outlet the Greek City Times said in a report. People mentioned above told News18 that Pakistan was desperate in its attempt to malign the image of Prime Minister Modi but its propaganda was exposed. The ban is imposed as there is a serious threat of disruption of socio-economic life in the specific area from the holding of the above gathering, Greek authorities said. The above prohibition is imposed as the disruption of socio-economic life in the specific area is seriously threatened by the holding of the above gathering, the notification, issued by the Athens Police Department, accessed by the Greek City Times said. The people mentioned above said that the group is sponsored by Pakistan. Greece is aware that there is a nexus between Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan to create instability in Cyprus and Pakistan has agreed to help Turkey, which has created instability in the island-nation. Cyprus has been divided since Turkish forces occupied the islands northern third since 1974. The statehood of the republic Turkish Cypriot leaders proclaimed in 1983 is recognised only by Ankara which calls the breakout territory Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Ankara is also accused of fostering enmity between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots which have led to clashes. Turkish Cypriot forces were accused of assaulting UN peacekeepers last week when the latter attempted to block the construction of a controversial road in the buffer zone dividing Cyprus. The European Union and Washington both blamed the altercation on the Turkish-backed administration. The UN Security Council issued a statement after a closed-door meeting on the emerging crisis warning that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute crimes under international law. The 15-member council also called for the removal of all unauthorised constructions and the prevention of unauthorised military or civilian activities within and along the ceasefire lines. Turkey called the UN statement unfair. Pakistan has remained tight-lipped but on several occasions but in 2021 President Arif Alvi pledged solidarity with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). (with inputs from Shalinder Wangu) Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Greece President, conferred Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. The Order of Honour was established in 1975 and head of Goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the medal with the inscription ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONOURED along with a star. , . . @PresidencyGR pic.twitter.com/pxi82gAHQk Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India, PM Modi said. The Greek presidential website explained what the award means and also how foreigners are eligible for the award. It is conferred on Greek citizens who have distinguished themselves in their efforts to serve the country in all sectors of public administration, commerce, shipping, industry, science, and the arts and letters. It is also conferred on foreigners with notable work who have contributed to enhancing Greeces stature abroad, the Greece Presidencys website says. The citation of the honour reads: In the person of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an honour is bestowed upon the friendly people of India. On the occasion of this visit, the Greek State Honours the Prime Minister of India, a statesman who has tirelessly promoted the global reach of his country and who works systematically for Indias economic progress and prosperity, bringing about bold reforms, the citation further reads. A statesman who has brought environmental protection and climate change among the top priorities of international activity, the citation further adds. The Greece government also highlighted the contribution made by India under PM Modis leadership to promote Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a day-long visit to Greece capital Athens. After his meeting with Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Greece President, he met his counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Amidst the historic landscapes of Greece, the warmth and hospitality of the Indian community shines brightly. A heartfelt thank you to them for the warm welcome. pic.twitter.com/kJO7O5bCLu Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 After Greece foreign minister George Gerapetritis greeted him at the airport, PM Modi was greeted by members of the Indian diaspora in Athens. PM Modi posted a video on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the warm welcome he received from the diaspora and Greek people. Amidst the historic landscapes of Greece, the warmth and hospitality of the Indian community shines brightly. A heartfelt thank you to them for the warm welcome, PM Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis with a traditional Dokra art piece crafted by artisans from Chhattisgarh and an exquisite Meghalaya shawl on Friday. PM Modi arrived in Athens for a one-day state visit on Friday after departing from South Africa, where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit. During his visit, PM Modi engaged in comprehensive discussions with his Greek counterpart, Mitsotakis. Dokra Art Following the talks, an Dokra artwork featuring a peacock shaped boat was presented to Mitsotakis. Dokra art, also called Dokra is one of Indias prehistoric art forms. One of the earliest expressions of this ancient art is the dancing girl artefact found from Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan excavations, an official statement read. Named after the Dhokar Damar, a nomadic Indian tribe indigenous to the central and eastern regions of the country, this distinctive and captivating art forms prevalent motifs features depictions of Hindu deities, goddesses and a variety of animals. Dokra Art involves the use of non-ferrous metal casting through the intricate lost-wax casting method. This metal casting technique boasts a history of more than 4,000 years in India, and its practice continues to endure. There are two main processes of lost wax casting: solid casting and hollow casting. Artisans of Dhokra art are mainly from Central and Eastern India. This particular art-piece is crafted by artisans from Chattisgarh, the statement read. Meghalaya shawl A exquisitely woven traditional shawl from Meghalaya was also presented to Greek Prime Ministers wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis. According to an official statement on the gifts, Meghalaya shawls have a rich history and its regal heritage tracing back centuries. Originally woven for Khasi and Jaintia royalty, these shawls symbolised their power and status, and worn exclusively during ceremonial and festive occasions. The designs used in Meghalaya shawls were highly symbolic. For instance, the use of animal motifs such as tigers and elephants was a symbol of power and strength, while the use of floral patterns was a symbol of beauty and grace, it said. Revered for their warmth and softness, the artistry behind Meghalaya shawl weaving demands great skill and creativity. With women weavers predominantly at the helm, these artisans dedicate countless hours to weave intricate designs and patterns using traditional weaving techniques. Crafted from locally sourced wool and enriched with natural dyes, the essence of authenticity flows through every thread, it added. The shawls are highly prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and intricate designs. The shawls have also gained international recognition and are sought after by textile enthusiasts worldwide, the statement read. Strategic Alliance India and Greece took a significant step by upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Modi and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis jointly committed to invigorate various aspects of their alliance. Notably, this new phase of collaboration is primed to focus on enhancing defense and security cooperation, trade expansion, and the advancement of emerging technologies. Prime Minister Mitsotakis and I decided to take India-Greece relations to the level of strategic partnership, Modi said following his talks with his Greek counterpart. PM Modi announced the mutual decision to establish an institutional dialogue framework involving India and Greeces national security advisors. We have decided to boost cooperation in areas of defence and security, infrastructure, education, new and emerging technologies, and agriculture, Modi said. He said both sides also focused on enhancing cooperation to combat terrorism. In the area of defence and security, both the countries agreed on strengthening defence industrial cooperation apart from military ties, he said. Referring to the Ukraine crisis, Modi said India and Greece support diplomacy and dialogue to resolve it. He also thanked people of Greece and the countrys President Katerina N Sakellaropoulou for awarding him with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour award. In a post on X later, PM Modi said, Held very fruitful talks with Mitsotakis in Athens. We have decided to raise our bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people. Our talks covered sectors such as defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, skills and more, Held very fruitful talks with @PrimeministerGR @kmitsotakis in Athens. We have decided to raise our bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people. Our talks covered sectors such as defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, skills and more. pic.twitter.com/guOk4Byzqk Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 Mitsotakis expressed mutual readiness to tackle diverse challenges, particularly during the ongoing turmoil and conflict in Ukraine. In recent years our relations have greatly improved and there is scope for a very wide-range of bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, defence, culture and tourism, he said. Our first objective is to double our bilateral trade, he added. (With inputs from PTI) 360 PSG, a local digital marketing and website design firm, and Manzella Marketing, a full-service creative marketing agency, have merged to form Three Sixty, a digital marketing agency that will offer clients more comprehensive service, 360 PSG announced Friday. The merger unites two agencies with complementary capabilities and similar beginnings. Joel Colombo and Matt Whelan, founders of 360 PSG, and Jim Manzella, founder of Manzella Marketing, started their agencies in Buffalo from the ground up, 360 PSG in 2005 and Manzella in 1987. Together, the two groups form one of the largest agencies in the region, with nearly 40 local full-time employees. The combined agency serves seven markets besides Western New York and plans to expand into at least three additional markets in 2024, said Columbo, who will serve as Three Sixty's CEO. The merger retained all employees at both agencies, and the combined firm anticipates hiring more in 2024. ThreeSixty is scheduled to move all staff into its newly renovated 9,000-square-foot office space in Tonawanda this fall. A second victim has died following a pair of traffic incidents that took place within 90 minutes of each other late Sunday in Hamburg, town police reported Friday. The family of this teenager, as was the case for the first victim, said they took some comfort in donating her organs to those in need. Hamburg police on Friday said they have not made an arrest as they continue investigating the separate incidents that fatally injured a 26-year-old woman riding an electric scooter and a 15-year-old passenger in a station wagon. In the first incident, police said the woman on the scooter was struck by a motor vehicle at 10:21 p.m. at Scranton Road and South Park Avenue, not far from the Erie County Fairgrounds. She was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Hamburg police on Friday identified the victim as Casey M. Nolder, of Hamburg, confirming the name reported earlier in the week by news outlets. Holly Smyczynski, a spokeswoman for the fair, said Nolder had worked for about 10 years for a concessions vendor at the fair. The Erie County Fair closes each day at 10 p.m. and Sunday was the last day of its 2023 season. Nolders mother, Barb Reese, posted on Facebook that her daughters donated organs will help as many as 75 people. It is such my daughters personality to do all she can to help others, Reese wrote Tuesday. This warms my heart just a little. The second incident involved a two-vehicle crash at 11:50 p.m. at McKinley Parkway and Quinby Drive, where, police say, a van struck a Subaru station wagon. The 18-year-old male driver of the Subaru and a 15-year-old passenger in the rear seat both suffered serious injuries and were taken to ECMC and Oishei Childrens Hospital of Buffalo, respectively, police reported earlier this week. A third person in the Subaru suffered minor injuries and the vans driver was taken to ECMC for treatment of minor injuries. Hamburg police on Friday said the 15-year-old, Claire S. Rybij, of Hamburg, had died. She, too, became an organ donor, her family wrote in her obituary. Claires beautiful and loving heart and other organs will carry her legacy through the ultimate gift of organ donation with the help of ConnectLife, they wrote. In an extensive interview with the Hollywood Reporter , Priscilla Presley recounts the experience she says she wouldn't "wish on any mother"the final days of her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who died in January at age 54 after a complication related to bariatric surgery she'd had years prior. "I did know there was something not right," Priscilla Presley tells THR, recalling the night of the Golden Globes on January 10, when she and Lisa Marie went to the Chateau Marmont after the awards ceremony to celebrate Austin Butler's win for playing Elvis Presley in the biopic Elvis. The night started out wonderfully before things took a turn, Presley says. "We had just gotten there, you go down all these stairs," she recalls. "I tripped a little bit because I had these high heels on, and she started laughing so hard. I started laughing. We hadn't even had a drink yet. She goes, 'Oh my God, Mom, you can't even have a drink.' It was fun, a fun memory. Then we sat down and ordered drinks, and she says, 'Mom, my stomach hurts really bad.' We immediately got up and left." It was two days later when Lisa Marie's ex-husband called to tell Priscilla her daughter was hospitalized after collapsing due to a cardiac episode while he was at her home, the Los Angeles Times reports. She had already died by the time her mother made it to the hospital, and Priscilla says, "I still can't believe it." The full interview, in which Presley also discusses her relationship with her granddaughter and her own upcoming biopic, is here. (Read more Priscilla Presley stories.) While facts around the plane crash that reportedly killed Yevgeny Prigozhin are murky, American and British officials believe the private jet was brought down by an explosion and they are increasingly certain that the killing was ordered by Vladimir Putin, the New York Times reports. In a tweet Friday, Britain's defense ministry said while there isn't "definitive proof" that the Wagner Group chief was on the aircraft, "it is highly likely that he is indeed dead." The ministry noted that the death will "almost certainly have a deeply destabilizing effect" on the mercenary group. "His personal attributes of hyperactivity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor," the ministry said. The crash killed several other high-ranking Wagner figures, including founder and field commander Dmitry Utkin. Wagner operates in several countries in Africa and Prigozhin had reportedly returned to Russia from the continent on the day he died. Reuters reports that Russia's deputy defense minister visited Libya on Tuesday, the day before the crash, to tell officials that Wagner fighters would remain in the country under Russian command. Western officials believe Prigozhin was killed as payback for the group's short-lived mutiny two months ago, but the Kremlin said Friday that suggestions Putin ordered the killing were an "outright lie," the Guardian reports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it's not clear whether Putinwho described Prigozhin on Thursday as a "talented person" who made "serious mistakes in life"would attend the funeral. Putin, he said, has a "very full schedule." Asked by the AP whether Prigozhin's death had been confirmed, Peskov said an investigation is underway and Putin has said genetic testing will be carried out on bodies recovered from the crash site. (Read more Yevgeny Prigozhin stories.) The man who fled from China to South Korea on a jet ski last week reportedly planned his escape for years. A friend in the US tells the New York Times that Kwon Pyong, a 35-year-old human rights activist critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping, "felt depressed living in China due to the autocracy and lack of freedom of speech" and plotted to escape prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Matt Ran, a Chinese-born engineer who met Kwon online, says the details of his Aug. 16 journey across nearly 200 miles of ocean from China's Shandong Peninsula to the South Korean port of Incheon on a jet ski towing barrels of fuel match plans Kwon shared with him prior to 2020. Ran says Kwon, who earned an aerospace engineering degree from Iowa State University in 2014, "cared much about China's democratization" and "wanted to be a great entrepreneur." His bio on X (formerly Twitter) describes him as a "perpetual student, citizen, dedicated to overturning communism," per the Times. He returned to China after college and joined Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests in 2014, per the New York Post. He ran afoul of China's ruling Communist Party two years later with a tweeted photo of himself wearing a shirt that referred to Xi as "Xitler." It was one of more than 70 anti-government images, video, and comments Kwon allegedly posted, leading to a charge of inciting subversion, per the Times. Kwon, who is of Korean descent and uses a Korean name opposed to his Chinese one (Quan Ping), served 18 months in prison before his release in March 2018. He was then barred from leaving China as authorities continued to watch him, according to human rights activist Lee Dae-seon. Lee says Kwon first contacted him about seeking asylum in South Korea in 2019. After years of silence, he says Kwon reached out again this month, saying he was coming to South Korea, per the Times. "I didn't know how he was going to come," Lee says, per CNN. Kwon, from the Chinese city of Yanbian, has applied for asylum in South Korea, which grants fewer than 200 of 10,000-plus requests it receives each year. (Read more China stories.) At least 75 police officers have been placed on leave following a shootout with a man in Pittsburgh who allegedly fired on officers serving an eviction notice. The man died of a gunshot wound Wednesday following a 6.5-hour standoff, but not before hundreds if not thousands of bullets were fired at the scene in the Garfield neighborhood, close to a daycare that had to be evacuated, per NBC News . An evacuated couple who live across the street from the residence said their home was riddled with bullets, per WPXI . "Police told us there were easily thousands of rounds fired in the neighborhood," per WTAE . "He had a lot of ammunition in that house, and ... all of us were strapped, you know, with ammunition, and we were calling for additional ammunition," said Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus. No officers were injured by gunfire, though a sergeant with the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office "sustained a minor non-gunfire related injury while avoiding the incoming gunfire," according to a rep. Pittsburgh Public Safety said 11 agencies were involved, including state police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, per WTAE. At least 75 officers from three local agencies are now on administrative leave for having fired their weapons: 47 Pittsburgh police officers, a dozen Allegheny County police officers, and 16 Allegheny County Sheriff's deputies, per the outlet. The deputies "will all go through a psych [evaluation] next week before being cleared to come back to work," said Allegheny County Sheriff's rep Mike Manko. Pittsburgh Public Safety notified the public of the shootout around 11am Wednesday. A follow-up post described "an extremely active situation with shots continuing to be fired." Manko said the shootout began "when a detail from our office attempted to serve an eviction notice, which was followed by gunfire from the occupant of the residence." Kraus said the suspect fired at officers from the first and second floors and through walls, per WTAE. Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto said the man brought down three police drones. He added the "coordinated effort saved many lives." It's unclear if the suspect shot himself or was killed by police. He's been named as William Hardison. WTAE reports he was inhabiting a home his father had recently sold. He was concerned about gentrification, per WPXI. (Read more Pittsburgh stories.) A Michigan man had an unforgettable experience at Yellowstone National Park this week, and not in a good way. Federal prosecutors say 49-year-old Jason Wicks was charged with two misdemeanors after he traveled off-trail in a thermal area Tuesday night and suffered a non-life-threatening injury. The US Attorney's Office for Wyoming says he has been charged with thermal trespass and being "under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the degree he was a danger to himself or others," NBC News reports. After Tonja M. Williams was rated effective in her first year at the helm of Buffalo Schools, the Buffalo School Board on Thursday decided to give the superintendent a little more security. The board voted 7-0 to approve a one-year extension as an amendment in Williams contract, which now ends June 30, 2026, as well as a raise of $6,750 to a new salary of $276,750 for the 2023-24 school year. After the amendment passed, Williams said she whispered to School Board President Sharon Belton-Cottman: And now the work continues. 5 takeaways from Superintendent Tonja Williams' first State of the Schools address Superintendent Tonja Williams unveiled the tenets of her Strategic Plan for 2022-25, accompanied by the slogan "Equity For All In All That We Do." Williams three-year vision, introduced as her 5 by 25 strategic plan at last falls State of the Schools event at City Honors, drew praise from the school board in her end-of-the-year digital evaluation. Board members were particularly impressed by how Williams public listening tour fueled her goals. Thats not only unusual, its particularly effective to create change, said Ann Rivera, an at-large board member. Evaluation results revealed highly effective marks for Williams in four categories: relationship with the School Board, community relations, instructional leadership and annual goals. At a board meeting this summer, Williams said her efforts in resolving the contract between the district and its teachers union were among her first-year highlights, in addition to eliminating full retiree health insurance coverage for new hires beginning in July 2026. Tonja Williams to earn $270,000 in first year as Buffalo schools superintendent Tonja Williams will be paid $270,000 for her first year as superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools, under the terms of her three-year contract approved by the School Board on Thursday. Comparing Williams salary to predecessor Kriner Cash is difficult because the latter was appointed after about five years in the same role in Memphis, a district about three times larger than Buffalo. Cash started in Buffalo at $275,000 in 2015, while Williams made $270,000 last year, her first as a superintendent. After seven years in Buffalo, Cash reached $318,000 in annual salary and got a $316,000 buyout when he resigned less than a month after a shooting-stabbing incident at McKinley High School. Invigorated by training, Buffalo School Board strives for unity despite history of division "It could be transformative for the board in how we conduct our meetings and represent the vision and values of the community," said Larry Scott, an at-large board member. The nine Buffalo School Board members will also receive substantial raises effective Jan. 1, after the Buffalo Common Council approved a $28,000 salary for the position in June. The Citizen Salary Review Commission suggested a salary of $16,984, but the School Board approached Council President Darius Pridgen to request a greater raise, which the city approved when the district agreed to pay from its own budget. School board members earned a $5,000 stipend from 1974 to 2019, when they were bumped to $15,000 annually. The Kremlin insists it had nothing to do with the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Much of the rest of the world isn't so sure about that. "To some, the fact that Mr. Prigozhin was able to survive for two months after staging his rebellion was more surprising than the crash of his private jet," write Anton Troianovski and Valerie Hopkins in the New York Times . The newspaper susses out a read-between-the-lines quote from a longtime confidant of Putin's, Aleksei Dyumin, who said he mourned the deaths of Wagner fighters in Ukraine. "You can forgive mistakes and even cowardice, but never betrayal," he said. "They were not traitors." The implication being that Prigozhin was, in fact, a traitor to Putin and deserved his fate. One fallout from that aforementioned failed rebellion was that the Kremlin was actively trying to assume control of key parts of the Prigozhin-run Wagner Group's sprawling empire in Africa and elsewhere, reports the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper has a detailed look at his final days as he visited Wagner outposts in the Central African Republic and Mali to shore up support. "It was a farewell tour that the 62-year-old paramilitary chief didn't realize he was making," per the story, which adds that Prigozhin had been taking unusual safety precautions for years"changing between wigs to impersonate bearded Arab military officers while refueling his jet in the dwindling number of airports that would grant him permission to land." He also didn't seem too fazed about the danger to his life. "We will all go to hell," he said in an undated video released this week by the Grey Zone Telegram channel. "But in hell, we will be the best." The Washington Post also digs into the staggering logistics of what comes next for the Wagner Group. Thousands "of Wagner fighters are now stranded across multiple countries, their fate in the hands of Putin and the military officials who will decide whether to keep parts of the group going or disband it altogether," per the story. One expert at the UK's University of Exeter predicts the organization is "finished," though he adds that its "blend of mercenaries, profitable business, smuggling and disinformation campaigns ... have been an effective model for Russia's covert foreign policy that the Kremlin will seek to replicate." (Read more Yevgeny Prigozhin stories.) One of the bigger names in World Wrestling Entertainment has died young: Windham Rotunda, who performed under the name Bray Wyatt, died at age 36 on Thursday, reports Yahoo Sports . Rotunda died unexpectedly, wrote WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque on X. The family hasn't released a cause of death, but Kotaku reports he suffered a heart attack. Rotunda hadn't wrestled since January, and a report via Fightful.com says he had been battling COVID, which may have worsened his heart issues. Rotunda assumed various popular personas in the ring, including as the "cultist leader" of the fictional Wyatt family, per Kotaku. He also wrestled as The Fiend, described by the Washington Post as a "demon clown." Rotunda's death has caught the attention of big names, including actor and former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who wrote that he was "heartbroken" on X. "Very unique, cool and rare character, which is hard to create in our crazy world of pro wrestling." Yahoo provides of a sense of that: "Rotunda's entrance was an immersive experience for the crowd at every arena and show, as he carried a lantern during his slow, purposeful walk to the ringwith only fans' cellphone camera's lighting the crowddrawing some comparisons to that of WWE legend The Undertaker." Rotunda is survived by fiancee Joseann Offerman, their two children, and two children from a previous marriage. "In the wake of Bray Wyatt's death, WWE will donate all net proceeds to support JoJo Offerman and his children," said the organization, per Wrestling Observer. (Read more obituary stories.) India's lunar rover continued its walk on the moon Friday after the historic touch-down of India's spacecraft near the moon's south pole earlier this week, the country's space agency said. The rover's data collection and experiments could help determine if there is oxygen and hydrogen on the moon, per the AP . The Chandrayan-3 Rover is expected to conduct experiments over 14 days, including an analysis of the mineral composition of the lunar surface, the Indian Space Research Organization has said. "The rover has successfully traversed a distance of about 8 meters (26.2 feet)," ISRO said Friday. "All payloads on the propulsion module, lander module, and rover are performing nominally." The rover will also study the atmosphere of the moon and seismic activities, ISRO Chairman S. Somnath said. "These experiments would pave the way for new scientific research about the availability of oxygen and hydrogen on the surface of the moon and can give us a direct or indirect answer as to whether there was life on the moon," the Press Trust of India news agency cited India's Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh as saying. Pallava Bagla, a science writer and co-author of books on India's space exploration, said the rover crawls, or moves at low speed, for safety reasons to minimizes shocks and damage to the vehicle on a rough surface and negotiating obstacles. It also has limited battery power. After a failed attempt to land on the moon in 2019, India on Wednesday joined the United States, the Soviet Union, and China as only the fourth country to achieve this milestone. The successful mission showcases India's rising standing as a technology and space powerhouse and dovetails with the image that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to project: an ascendant country asserting its place among the global elite. (Russia's moon mission failed days before India's succeeded.) Norway is rebuilding a dilapidated reindeer fence along its border with Russia in the Arctic to stop the animals from wandering into the neighboring countrycostly strolls for which Oslo has to compensate Moscow over loss of grassland. Norwegian officials say that so far this year, 42 reindeer have crossed into Russia seeking better pastures and grazing land, per the AP . The reindeer barrier along the Norway-Russia border spans 93 miles and dates back to 1954. The Norwegian Agriculture Agency said a stretch of about 4 miles between the Norwegian towns of Hamborgvatnet and Storskog would be replaced. The construction, with a price tag of 3.7 million kroner ($348,000), is to be completed by Oct. 1, the agency said. The work is a challenge, however, as the workers have to stay on the Norwegian side of the border "at all times" during construction, "which makes the work extra demanding," said Magnar Evertsen of the agency. If a worker crossed into Russian territory, without a Russian visa, that would amount to illegal entry. The reindeer crossings bring on a lot of additional bureaucracy: Russia has sent two compensation claims, the agency said. The agency said that of the 42 animals that entered Russia this year, 40 have been brought back to Norway and the remaining two are expected to come back soon. The reindeer are herded by the Indigenous Sami people in central and Arctic Norway. Formerly known as the Lapps, the Sami are believed to have originated in Central Asia and settled with their reindeer herds in Arctic Europe around 9,000 years ago. They traditionally live in Lapland, which stretches from northern parts of Norway through Sweden and Finland to Russia. Across the Arctic region, the majority live on the Norwegian side of the border. (Read more reindeer stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region More than $114,000 in cash has gone missing from the Erie County Clerks Office since January of last year, and County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick said hes concerned a thief is still working in county government despite mounting evidence of fraud. County auditors have worked like amateur sleuths ever since they realized, as part of a routine audit, that thousands of dollars had gone missing from the Registrars Division of the Clerks Office last year. County comptroller's audit cites missing money, mismanagement in Clerk's Office A four-month audit of the Erie County Clerk's Office has uncovered missing money, altered deposit records, bad fiscal oversight, bank-flagged discrepancies and numerous gun permit overcharges. They gathered more evidence since the audit was released in early July that paints a picture of someone regularly stealing large sums of cash, altering daily cashiers reports and swapping out bank deposit tickets. But no one has been arrested or fired, despite Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick originally stating that he expected the Sheriffs Office could take action within days. Im anxious to see this conclude, Hardwick said Thursday, because it appears to me that someone in the Clerks Office, who perpetrated this crime, is still receiving a government paycheck. The latest findings of the Comptrollers Office were detailed in an nine-page report it released Thursday. The report includes detailed exhibits highlighting monetary discrepancies and obvious signs of report tampering, including attempts to paste over original receipt totals with new numbers in a similar, but not identical, font. Original deposit tickets submitted by tellers who received large amounts of cash also appear to have been removed and replaced with new bank deposit tickets denoting that no cash was received. Hardwick said those deposit tickets should be traceable to an individual writer. The evidence that weve turned over to the sheriff contains dozens of smoking guns, he said. Sheriff John Garcia said he is waiting on the State Comptrollers Office to finish its own investigation, but he doesnt know how long that will take. They are investigating prior years, and they didnt give us a timetable, he said. A spokesman for the Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli confirmed that the State Comptrollers Office is working with the Erie County district attorney and Sherriffs Office but said he could otherwise not comment on a pending examination. Erie County Clerk's Office handles millions of dollars but has been audited only twice in 20 years. Here's why How could an Erie County office that handles more than $100 million in public transactions every year be audited only twice by the county Comptroller's Office in the past two decades? County Clerk Michael Mickey Kearns, however, said that despite Hardwicks initial assertions that the state would assist with a deeper forensic audit, no one from the state has visited, nor have they requested any information from him about receipt records from past years. He also said he didnt know what action he could take against an employee until the criminal investigation is completed. The Erie County Clerks Office handles more than $100 million worth of transactions every year and is one of the countys few public-facing and money-making departments. The scathing audit released in early July focuses solely on the Registrars Division, which is responsible for real estate and business transactions, court documents and transactions, and pistol permits. Kearns said he is as eager as anyone to put to the case to rest, but hes not running the investigation and is trying to play by the rules. He also accused Hardwick of publicly releasing information that could jeopardize the investigation. I think its very reckless, he said. Hardwick pushed back against the idea that investigators need more information or that the investigation is in jeopardy. Weve done the lions share of the investigating here, he said. Weve turned over a mountain of evidence. And the public is aware that there have been problems money missing in the Clerks Office. I think its our responsibility to keep the public informed. This evidence laid out in the latest comptrollers report was shared with both the Erie County Sheriffs Office investigators and the State Comptrollers Office. But with weeks passing and no signs of any action being taken, the Comptrollers Office produced the supplemental report. The document, which is designed to be admissible as evidence in a criminal case, was submitted to the Erie County Legislature on Thursday. The report recommends criminal investigators consider charges related to the potential theft of $114,715 in government money, and that charges also include intentional tampering with official government documents. Past audits warned of high risk for fraud in the Erie County Clerk's Office Three reports since 2012 raised concerns about the processing of millions of dollars in real estate, pistol, vehicle and court fees. Red flags regarding poor fiscal oversight predate current Clerk Michael "Mickey" Kearns. An accompanying spreadsheet shows how cash went missing many days of the month from January of last year through mid-June of this year, after which the discrepancies appear to abruptly cease. The audit was released in early July. Daily cash missing ranged from as little as $50 to more than $2,000. Comptrollers Office administrators determined that $114,715.75 in cash cannot be accounted for and noted that the total amount of stolen money is likely much higher since auditors did not review Clerks Office finances prior to January 2022. Originally, the Comptrollers Office audited only two sample months from last year January and December 2022. Mary Hosler, the deputy director of the Audit Division, has since taken a closer look at the Clerks Office documents and determined at least 83 records were tampered with in some form during those two months. That includes 29 original deposit tickets that were apparently swapped out with different ones. When the initial audit was released, Hardwick did not accuse employees in the Clerks Office of committing fraud, but he notified criminal investigators and acknowledged that the lack of internal controls and proper fiscal oversight that were highlighted in the audit could make crimes such as theft possible. Since then, however, Comptrollers Office personnel have been much more explicit in their belief that the pattern of financial discrepancies could only come from an employee on the inside who had the ability to manipulate cash receipt records and deposit slips. Garcia said he understands people are frustrated at the pace of the investigation, but he said the investigation is complex and that no more money has gone missing from the Clerks Office since the first audit was finalized and released. That gives the Sheriffs Office more time to complete a professional investigation, he said. If this was continuing, an arrest would have been made, he said. If this was someone that was a danger to the public, an arrest would have been made. Hardwick said the evidence gathered by his office is pretty clear cut. It doesnt appear to be that complicated, he said. Kearns asks for more staff, new software to safeguard money in County Clerk's Office Erie County Clerk Michael "Mickey" Kearns told legislators that he expects to come back before them with requests for more staff and a better financial transaction software system to prevent future, unwanted discoveries of missing and mishandled money. The Buffalo News inquired of all three elected officials if they have been in regular communication about the status of the investigation to plan next steps. All three responded that their staffs have been talking regularly, but they have not. Kearns said that in light of this, he intends to host a meeting in his office with himself, Hardwick, Garcia and the District Attorneys Office because they should all be working as a team. He also said he has made a number of changes to his office to put better internal controls in place. That includes updating or changing the Clerks Offices existing New Visions software platform, which was criticized as being easy to manipulate, and budgeting for two accountants to create a better system of accountability. Currently, the Clerks Office has no accountants on staff. He also intends to submit a detailed response to the original audit recommendations. Weve been quite busy and proactive in making sure that were protecting the publics funds, Kearns said. I take it very, very seriously. In addition to that, were cooperating with the investigation. Read the Comptroller Office report on the Clerks Office investigation here: TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the Gulf Region, Luigi Di Maio, praised the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistences efforts in spreading the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the world. He noted the Kingdom of Bahrains role under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in promoting international peace. This came as Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Centres Secretary General, received Di Maio, who praised Bahrain-EU cooperation in promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The meeting reviewed the various initiatives launched by the center, which fall within the framework of the principles of the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in implementation of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Di Maio highlighted that the launch of the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence has contributed to motivating international humanitarian efforts in order to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in communities. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Bahrain government considers youth as a priority in all national projects, according to Youth Affairs Minister Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi. The minister was speaking while visiting the Youth City 2030, which is organised by the Youth Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). This years edition of the Youth City 2030 is the biggest since its launch 12 years ago, with 130 programmes on offer this summer. Tawfiqi said the number of youth participating in the programmes has continued to rise over the years. She accompanied ministers and ambassadors on a tour of Youth City, which caters to youth of different age categories. The tour was attended by Osama bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Asfoor, Social Development Minister; Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan, Electricity and Water Affairs Minister; Noor bint Ali Al Khulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development; Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Noaimi, Minister of Information; Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and Maha Abdulhameed Mufeez, Chief Executive Officer of the Labour Fund. They were briefed on the activities of the city and learnt about the efforts of the volunteers involved. Tawfiqi expressed appreciation to the officials for their visit to Youth City 2030 and for learning about the programmes and events it offers that contribute to equipping Bahraini youth with skills to enter the labour market. She affirmed that the presence of ministers and officials in the Youth City demonstrated official support for Bahraini youth, and investing in their creativity, which motivates the youth to engage in the development process and building the future of Bahrain. New ideas Tawfeeqi said the ministry worked on continuously bringing new ideas to Youth City every year, in implementation of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to support Bahraini youth as they are the wealth of the country. The minister added that the success of Youth City was also supported by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, who is keen to empower Bahraini youth. Variety of programmes The minister explained that the city offers a variety of programmes that provide the opportunity for youth to learn and discover different fields, in addition to participating in various events, meeting new people and acquiring knowledge and networking. She noted that the officials participating in the tour witnessed the enthusiasm of the youth and their active role in the city. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Steps to begin the Healthy City Project in Bahrain's Capital Governorate were discussed during a meeting of the Health Cities Committee with governorate officials, chaired by Deputy Capital Governor Hassan Abdullah Al Madani. They reviewed the process of implementing the World Health Organisation (WHO)-approved standards for health cities as well as following up on the tasks carried out by each concerned directorate. Umm Al-Hassam and Manama have obtained accreditation as healthy cities in a short period of time, thanks to the cooperation and coordination between the various concerned authorities, which was commended by the WHO. Last July, the Capital Governorate launched the Healthy City Project programme in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the WHO after the successes achieved by the WHOs adoption of Um Al Hassam as a healthy city in 2018, followed by Manama in 2021 as the first healthy capital in the Middle East region. Al Madani confirmed that the Health Cities Committee in the governorate has acquired sufficient experience in the mechanisms of implementing the project. He praised all relevant authorities keen interest in the pioneering civilised project, indicating its willingness to advance the development and establish Bahrain as a regional and international leader. The Deputy Capital Governor pointed out that the key to the Capital Governorates success is that the projects and initiatives are compliant with the standards of the WHO, namely Green Capital, Manama Entrepreneurship Week, and the summer activities of the youth, in addition to the Capital Governorates document for voluntary work. He emphasised that these programmes promote public health, empower youth in the capital, and involve members of the capitals community and environment. I am closing in on 50 years in journalism. What has kept me in the business, beyond all else, is the constant search for wonder. That was my immediate thought when I learned this summer of the death of Jim Roach. I first wrote about him in 2020, for Pearl Harbor Day. The long-shot way that column came about the sense that his extraordinary story almost willed itself to be told serves, in its own way, as a eulogy. After 65 years, she learns she exists because Kenmore man rescued her dad Only if you press Ted Yochum will he describe how he swam toward a weakened man in deep water, a guy who had been clinging to an empty can of gasoline for at least 45 minutes. This tale begins a few years ago, with this impetus: Elizabeth Swetland, a teacher in the Allegany-Limestone district, was moved by the courage of now-Lt. Col. Patrick Miller an Allegany native who earned the Soldiers Medal for the lives he saved in 2014, after being shot and critically wounded during a mass shooting at Fort Hood. The Soldiers Medal is a high military award for heroism in noncombat situations, which often means protecting civilian lives. Swetland, who knows Millers family, contacted me following a conversation with her father, Ted Yochum, an Amherst retiree. In a visit with her dad, she told him of Miller, and his prestigious medal. I have one of those, said Yochum, 90, who promptly retrieved a Soldiers Medal from a bedroom drawer. As a young sailor, he told his astounded daughter, he helped saved a drowning man in Boston Harbor. He received that elite honor for his courage. Once home, he put the medal away for almost 70 years. He never even told his children. Im not a drama guy, Yochum explained. His grown kids saw it differently. The man Yochum saved died long ago, but with the help of genealogist Megan Smolenyak, I reached the guys daughter who would not even exist unless Yochum saved her dad. Talk about a column. I drove out to meet Yochum, who grew up in Kenmore. Toward the end of our conversation, he casually mentioned Roach, a childhood friend who at one time had lived near Pearl Harbor. Roach told his buddies how he escaped with his mother and sister while a Japanese fighter strafed the street. I met Yochum early in 2020. As the years go by, as living witnesses to Pearl Harbor fade away, I am always seeking first-person tales for the Dec. 7 anniversary. Yochum promised to help me reach Roach. We shook hands, intending to touch base again. I wrote my column about Yochums Soldiers Medal. Less than two months later, Yochum died. Sean Kirst: From Kenmore to Hollywood, a Pearl Harbor template of 'true value' Jim Roach has the rare perspective of someone who has witnessed both the tumult of this pandemic and who also was there for a Hawaiian morning that changed the world. That was the year the pandemic arrived. Time swept quickly into November, and I thought about Jim Roach and Pearl Harbor. I knew only that he was probably in his late 80s, and maybe in California. Without Yochums help, I struck out on finding him. So did some colleagues, especially skilled with digital searches. Finally, I called Swetland, who pulled out her dads old handwritten phone directory. There was a number for Roach. I called it. Disconnected. No worse feeling, believe me, than when you sense a great story, and fear you are too late. Maybe Roach had died. Maybe the tale was lost. As a last gasp, I mixed his name into a few more searches, with one result that possibly fit: A Diane Marie Roach had died in Palm Desert, Calif., in 2019 and was survived by her husband, James. There was no listing for potential contacts, but one of the mourners who wrote words of condolence on the obituary page was a Ted Zachary. I found what I hoped was Zacharys number. In a Hail Mary effort, I left a message on that phone, explaining what I was trying to do. I figured that was as far as I could go. At that point, I did not know that Zachary had worked for years in Hollywood. I did not know he was intimately involved in creating unforgettable chase scenes for such movies as The Seven-Ups. A couple of days later, my phone buzzed. It was Jim Roach. Zachary, his good friend and a longtime producer and production manager, had passed along my number. At 90, Roach was calling from the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, the retirement community where he lived home to many who spent careers in film or television. He was razor-sharp and happy to talk at length during the pandemic, with limited access to a family he loved or routine excursions into the world. And his story? What a loss if never told. Roach, born in Georgia, went to Pearl Harbor as a kid when his Army dad was stationed there. His father and mother separated, but his mom met and married a soldier named Wolfram, from Buffalo. On the day of the attack, Roach and his frightened sister watched from a bedroom window as nearby Wheeler Field was bombed. He remembered his stepfather throwing on his uniform and rushing toward duty, and how the family did not see him again for two weeks. As for the harrowing account Yochum always recalled, Roach said his mom Georgia Ellie Roach Wolfram grabbed her kids by their hands and ran toward the home of friends. A Japanese fighter plane strafed the pavement. They took shelter on the porch of a nearby house, a moment of shared humanity that stayed with Roach for the rest of his life: The homeowner was Japanese-American. She welcomed them and embraced their weeping mother. Out of fear of more attacks, Roachs mom left Hawaii. She moved with her kids to Buffalo, her husbands hometown, settling in Kenmore. That is where Yochum and Roach became close friends, and where Roachs stepfather returned after the war, re-enlisted and then broke off the marriage. Roach admired his mother, a hair stylist, for how she handled that blow. He found his escape from worry with his buddies on Kenmores track team and in matinees at the old Sheas Kenmore, where he fell in love with the business that would become his career. After high school, he joined the Air Force, then graduated from Michigan State. For a time, he worked for an accounting firm in Syracuse. But Roach nurtured that dream of Hollywood. With no connections, only a gut hunger, he drove west. In California, as a certified public accountant, he was soon involved with such television series as The Twilight Zone. He knew Rod Serling and Clint Eastwood, when they were young. He worked with Paramount when The Brady Bunch was a hit, a show that in some ways paralleled his life: A marriage in Buffalo, to the late Phyllis Kopan Roach, ended in divorce, and his oldest son, Peter, died here in 2020. In Los Angeles, his second wife, Jane Cusick Roach, died of breast cancer. The couple had two boys. Roach married Diane he was extraordinarily lucky, he always said, for one last great romance who had three daughters of her own from an earlier marriage. Together, the couple added one more son, Kevin, to their blended family. Roach became the top financial guy for Steven Bochco, a close friend who created some groundbreaking television shows. He routinely saw the Hollywood sign whose origins are intertwined in a whole other story with one-time Buffalo architect Sidney Woodruff. I spoke not long ago with two of Roachs children, Jeannine Doucette and Michael Roach. They told me how their dad was still playing cards right into July, the month he died and how he was so beloved at the Motion Picture Home that all the staff came out and applauded this summer when Roach returned from a stay in the hospital. He just took the time to talk to people, to make them feel really important, Jeannine said. I learned that myself: Every now and then, Roach would call, just to see how things were in Buffalo. I felt lucky to know this childhood witness to Pearl Harbor, a guy who escaped into movies as a kid at a Kenmore theater and, against great odds, built a fine career in show business. Yet if Elizabeth Swetland hadnt called about her dad, or if Ted Yochum failed to mention Roach, or if Ted Zachary declined to pass along a strangers message? Without any of those moments, this column doesnt happen, and a great Buffalo tale goes untold. Instead, almost like meant-to-be, it all came together. For Jim Roach, as a farewell, the only word I have is wonder. Cincinnati, OH (45221) Today Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. Much cooler. High 48F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Widespread frost likely. Low 28F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Parcels business sees increased volumes while revenue declines in an increasingly competitive market OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 25, 2023 /CNW/ - Canada Post recorded a loss before tax of $254 million in the second quarter of 2023 as revenue fell across all lines of business. The Canada Post segment's revenue in the second quarter declined by $78 million, or 6.0 per cent1, compared to the same period in 2022. The segment's loss before tax in the second quarter widened by $94 million, from a loss before tax of $160 million in the second quarter of 2022. For the first half of 2023, Canada Post's revenue fell by $110 million, or 3.3 per cent, compared to the same period of the prior year. The segment's loss before tax was $361 million compared to a loss before tax of $289 million in the first half of 2022. An increasingly competitive parcel delivery market continued to impact Parcels revenue in both the first and second quarter of 2023. Transaction Mail volume continued to erode, while Direct Marketing revenue declined as businesses' marketing budgets remained under pressure. For the first half of the year, total operating costs were relatively flat, decreasing by 0.1 per cent, or $3 million, compared to the first half of 2022. In the second quarter, the cost of operations rose by 1.7 per cent, or $31 million, compared to the same period a year earlier. These changes in costs were mainly due to lower total labour and employee benefit costs, partly offset by higher non-capital investments in technology and operations. With Parcels representing approximately half of Canada Post's revenue, the Corporation is transforming to better position itself in a competitive market and ensure the postal service continues to be a vital economic link for all Canadians. The Corporation is making strategic investments to improve service and tracking, boost capacity and enhance the customer experience. Parcels In the second quarter of 2023, Parcels revenue fell by 7.0 per cent, or $46 million, as volumes rose by 2.6 per cent, or 2 million pieces, compared to the same period of 2022. Revenues were impacted by the growing use of rate shopping platforms by customers, increased competition and a drop in fuel surcharges tied to market rates. At the same time, domestic parcel volumes increased due to ongoing strategic efforts to secure new accounts and additional volumes. For the first six months of the year, Parcels revenue declined by 3.4 per cent, or $45 million, and volumes fell by 2.7 per cent, or 3 million pieces, compared to the same period of the prior year. Transaction Mail In the second quarter, Transaction Mail revenue fell by 5.2 per cent, or $22 million, as volumes declined by 4.3 per cent, or 15 million pieces, compared to the same period a year earlier. For the first two quarters of 2023, Transaction Mail revenue declined by $40 million, or 2.4 per cent, while volumes fell by 3.9 per cent, or 38 million pieces, compared to the same period of 2022. Consumers and mailers continued to shift to digital channels. Regulated stamp prices remained at 2020 levels. Direct Marketing In the second quarter, Direct Marketing revenue declined by 3.7 per cent, or $5 million, as volumes fell by 6.6 per cent, or 54 million pieces, compared to the same period of the previous year. For the first half of the year, revenue declined by 4.1 per cent, or $16 million, as volumes were down by 6.0 per cent, or 106 million pieces, compared to the same period of 2022. Volumes remained below pre-pandemic levels as businesses' marketing budgets continued to be under pressure due to economic uncertainty and restrained consumer spending. Group of Companies For the second quarter, the Canada Post Group of Companies2 recorded a loss before tax of $167 million, compared to a loss before tax of $64 million in the same period a year earlier. Purolator recorded a profit before tax of $87 million compared to $91 million in the second quarter of 2022, while SCI's profit before tax was nil compared to $4 million in the same period of the prior year. For the first six months of the year, the Group of Companies recorded a loss before tax of $225 million compared to a loss before tax of $164 million in the same period of 2022. Purolator recorded a profit before tax of $133 million, compared to $119 million in the prior year period, while SCI recorded a profit before tax of $3 million, compared to $6 million in the same period of 2022. Background The Canada Post Group of Companies' operations are funded by revenue generated by the sale of its products and services, not taxpayer dollars. 1. All per cent values in this news release have been adjusted for differences in business and paid days and are calculated on values rounded to the nearest thousand. In the second quarter and the first six months of 2023, there was one additional business day compared to the same period in 2022 while there was no difference in paid days. When comparing year-over-year results, fewer business days result in decreased revenue, while fewer paid days lower the cost of operations. 2. The Canada Post Group of Companies consists of the core Canada Post segment and its three non-wholly owned subsidiaries, Purolator Holdings Ltd., SCI Group Inc. and Innovapost Inc. SOURCE Canada Post For further information: Media Relations: 613-734-8888, [email protected] The obituary of our 100-year-old former senator, James L. Buckley, in the Aug. 19 issue stoked a treasured memory of my father, Judge J. Douglas Trost. Mr. Trost, was then, back in the 70s, an operative in the county Republican organization, who was charged with escorting candidate Buckley throughout the county on a campaign junket. There was a stop made at the legendary saloon located across the Turnpike from gate one of the Lackawanna steel plant, which was much loved by the steel workers and a perfect campaign stop. The essence of this story requires the reader to remember the times and the ambiance of the bar, its patrons, its location and the native humor of its proprietor. My father, as the party spokesman/host, offered to buy the bar a drink on behalf of the candidate. The most famous proprietor of the establishment, Andy Eszak, asked the candidate what he would have. Mr. Buckley answered Courvoisier, please. The proprietor replied, Sorry senator, the kitchens closed. This was one of the most told stories which my father carried with him throughout his career. I hope that many of your readers will remember that it was so much funnier to hear him tell it. Timothy J. Trost East Aurora Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has debunked insinuations that the Kremlin orchestrated Yevgeny Prigozhins death. Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner Group, was presumed dead on Wednesday after Russias agency for air transport listed him among the casualties of a plane crash. The Wagner Group had been fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine until its leader led a rebellion against Putin. United States President Joe Biden had expressed worries about Prighozins safety after the failed mutiny. The uprising was considered the greatest threat to Putin in his 24-year rule. I said I would be careful what I rode in. I dont know for a fact what happened, but Im not surprised, Biden said after Prigozhins death was announced. The US president added that there is not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind, but I dont know enough to know the answer. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Peskov said suggestions from the west that Putin had a hand in Prigozhins death were an absolute lie. Peskov said Putin had not met Prigozhin recently, and added that an investigation into the crash was ongoing. Sergei Ryabkov, Russias deputy foreign minister, said Bidens comments about Prigozhins death were unacceptable. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out the possibility of Mo Salah moving out of Anfield this season. Despite rumours from Saudi Arabia, Klopp also confirmed that no offer has been received by Liverpool for Salah. There is nothing to talk about from our point of view, Klopp explained when asked about speculation about Salah in his press conference. We dont have an offer. Mo Salah is our player. If there was something there, the answer would be no. Klopp also revealed that Curtis Jones and Thiago will not be playing against Newcastle on Sunday but should be back in full training on Monday while Konate has a minor issue. Klopp did not say specifically what the injury to Konate was, other than it was a muscle problem and that playing against 10 men against Bournemouth did not help, but it does not sound like the Frenchman will be missing for too long. I have no doubt about the quality of the boys, Klopp said on his center-backs in the absence of Konate. In an ideal world we have eight center halves but it is not dreamland where you can prepare every situation. We have Jarell Quansah as well. At this moment we are covered but its not where you can be prepared for every situation. We will do our absolute best. David Umahi, minister of works, says he will dialogue with cement manufacturers over reducing the prices of their products. He spoke on Thursday while featuring on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme. The minister said contractors have complained over the high cost of cement in the country and made claims that importing the product would be cheaper. Im going to be running figures with them (cement manufacturers) to check the cost of cement if we import it and the cost they are giving us here, he said. A lot of contractors have complained that it is cheaper to import, but we are not allowed to import cement because we have to help the cement industries, but they also have to be reasonable with us if we are going to be patronising them. There is a need to use concrete technology. Its going to make our roads last for a minimum of 50 years. Umahi also said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is ready to provide funds for the construction of quality roads in the country. We are looking at all these things. How do we cut down costs? Because the primary issue is also the cost of construction, the minister said. We are looking at the figures but it looks like a lot of contractors are not willing, but I will make them to make the change we are all engineers. I am telling them your profit, I will protect whatever thing you want to make but, lets help Nigeria, lets build a road that will last and the funny thing is that the government the president will give out the money. Abdullahi Ganduje, national chair of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the row over Kogis replacements in the national working committee (NWC) will be resolved. Ganduje spoke on Thursday after a meeting behind closed doors with Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, at his residence in Abuja. The national leadership of the APC had named Duro Meseko and Ikani Shuaibu Okolo as deputy national publicity secretary and zonal organising secretary respectively. But the leadership of the party in Kogi said the aforementioned names are strange because it had ratified Yahaya Ade Ismail as the new deputy national publicity secretary and Isiaka Musa as zonal organising secretary. The former governor of Kano described the row as democracy in action. This is democracy in action. This is an internal problem but I assure you that it will be resolved and it will be a win-win, Ganduje said. We are already together. There are people in the office and we are here to dialogue. Very soon, we will be in Kogi state and we will spend some days. He described Bello as a hard working young man who would ensure that APC wins the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kogi. On his part, the Kogi governor said Ganduje has the innovation that would enable APC win its off-cycle elections. Former US President Donald Trump posted his mugshot on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. On Thursday, Trump became the first former US president to have a mugshot, after being booked in Georgia on charges of plotting to overturn the states 2020 election results. He was also booked on a dozen felony counts. Trump paid a bail bond of $200,000 for his release from the Fulton County jail as he awaits trial. Soon after the mugshot was made public by Georgia officials, Trump took to X to share the photo himself with the words: Election interference, never surrender. The post marks Trumps first on the platform in more than two years. The politicians X account was banned following the January 6, 2021 invasion of the US Capitol, the seat of congress. Elon Musk restored Trumps account last year soon after he acquired X. Trump, who is running for president in 2024, also shared the mugshot on his campaign website alongside an appeal for donations. He said he had been arrested despite having committed no crime. Niger has authorised Mali and Burkina Fasos armed forces to intervene on its territory in case of an attack. The three allies foreign ministers said they had met in the Nigerien capital Niamey to discuss boosting cooperation on security and other joint issues, according to a joint statement on Thursday. According to Reuters, this might be a possible sign the junta in Niger plans to keep resisting regional pressure to stand down. The statement said the ministers welcomed the signing by Niger junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani of two orders authorising the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene on Nigerien territory in the event of an attack. The Burkinabe and Malian Ministers reiterated their rejection of an armed intervention against the people of Niger which will be considered as a declaration of war, it said. The main West African bloc ECOWAS has been trying to negotiate with the coup leaders but warned it is ready to explore all measures including the deployment of troops into Niger to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts fail. Any escalation risks further destabilising the insurgency-torn region as Nigers junta-led neighbours, Mali and Burkina Faso, have said they would back Niger in any conflict with ECOWAS. Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says the federal government understands the difficulty Nigerians are facing following the petrol subsidy removal. Idris spoke in reaction to comments credited to Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state. The governor had said he was shocked that the federal government did not have a plan in place before implementing the subsidy removal. Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the minister said the government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu is working to make the country prosperous. The federal government understands the current difficulties Nigerians are facing and is working very hard with the states and local governments to bring succour to our people, he said. President Tinubu is guiding our country through very challenging times. We are supremely confident that we will soon turn the corner into a prosperous future. What is required at this time is for leaders at all levels to cooperatively bind together to make life better for Nigerians, not to play cheap politics that serves no better purpose. As President Tinubu has admonished, the time for politics and politicking is over. Idris said Edo under Obaseki has benefited from subsidy removal in terms of more allocation to the state. Rather than delving into narratives which do not provide the complete picture, the focus should be on how the Edo state government will be using available resources to drive impactful projects that genuinely uplift the people of Edo State, he said. The minister said Tinubus decisions are based on foresight, with the primary aim of engineering a resilient and sustainable economy. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, flagbearer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the February 25 presidential election, on Thursday met with President Bola at the Aso Villa in Abuja. In May, the duo held a four-hour meeting in France that centred around the involvement of Kwankwaso in the Tinubu administration. Here are some photos from the meeting: The Nigerian military is currently holding a mass burial for soldiers who lost their lives in an attack and plane crash in Niger state. Bandits ambushed the troops, resulting in the death of 14 soldiers and injuring seven others. To respond to the situation, the Air Force deployed an evacuation aircraft, which unfortunately crashed, claiming the lives of all passengers, including two pilots and two crew members. As seen in the programme of events, these are the profiles of the deceased soldiers; LATE MAJOR SEGUN ABIODUN ONI (N/14427) AND OTHERS 1. Late Major Segun Abiodun Oni was born on 20 December 1986 in Benin City and hailed from Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. He attended Ebenezer Nursery and Primary School llorin from 1992 1998 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate, thereafter, he proceeded to Nigerian Military School Zaria from 1999 2004 for his West African School Certificate. The late senior officer was granted Regular Combatant Commission on 17 September 2011 in the rank of second lieutenant. He was of Nigerian Army Infantry Corps and rose to the rank of Major effective 8 July 2020. Late Major Segun Abiodun Oni died on 13 August 2023. 2 The late senior officer has attended several courses and performed credibly, notable amongst are; Young Officers Course Infantry, Basic Airborne and Rigger Course, Platoon Commander Battle Course in the United Kingdom, Ranger and Special Purpose Commando Course in Belarus, Green Barret Special Forces Course in the United States of America, Counter Terrorist Course in South Africa and Junior Staff Course. During his Junior Staff Course, he was remarked as a smart, energetic and hardworking officer who exhibited good military bearing and leadership qualities worthy of praise. 3. Late Major Segun Abiodun Oni proved his mettle as a professional soldier while in Service and held several appointments. Notably are, Platoon Commander 72 Special Forces Battalion, Company Second in Command Armed Forces Special Forces Battalion, Second in Command Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces Battalion. As Platoon Commander in 72 Special Forces Battalion, he was described as a very hardworking officer whose personal integrity was exemplary. As Second in Command Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces Battalion, he exhibited high sense of commitment and intelligence in discharge of his basic responsibilities and assigned task. His combat operations capability was impeccable and outstanding. He demonstrated an awesome tactical knowledge and good administration which kept his subordinates always in high morale and in turn yielded several operational successes. 4. The late senior officer was a brilliant, resourceful and hardworking officer. He was a disciplined, confident, diligent and professional officer with impeccable integrity and a consistent will to undertake additional tasks.. He was very patriotic and left marks of excellence everywhere he served. He was a forthright gentleman with vast experience and ability to impart knowledge. He had remarkable conduct and an overwhelming moral standard. In recognition of his distinguished service to the Nation, he was bestowed with the following decorations: River Niger Star, Passed Junior Staff Course, Golden Jubilee Medal, Centenary Medal and General Operations Medal. 5. It is said that from dust we came and unto dust we shall return Late Major Segun Abiodun Oni has bowed to Mother Earth. His death is a great loss to his family, the Nigerian Army and the Nation in general. We love you but God loves you more. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, here lies on this day 25 August 2023, 3. the body of Late Major Segun Abiodun Oni a gallant professional soldier, a gentleman officer and a worthy son of Nigeria. Late Major Segun Abiodun Oni Adieu. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen! LATE FLIGHT LIEUTENANT ALFRED ANTHONY DURYUMSU (NAF/4481) 1. Late Flight Lieutenant Alfred Anthony Seth Duryumsu was born on 19 February 1995 at Dengi. He hailed from Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012 and commissioned Pilot Officer on 16 September 2017. He was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant on 22 September 2022. He held a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the Nigerian Defence Academy.Kaduna. 2. The late officer had attended several courses including the Primary Flying Training at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna, Flight Safety Officers Course at the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety Kaduna and Basic Helicopter Flying Training in USA. Similarly, he attended the MI-171 Helicopter Conversion Course, MI- 171E Co-Pilot Training at 201 Composite Group Bauchi, Air to Ground Integration Specialist and Qualification Course in Kaduna. Additionally, the late officer had undergone the Air to Ground Tactical Communication Course at Army War College Nigeria, Helicopter Instructor Pilot Training at International Helicopter Flying School, Enugu and MI-171E Recurrency Simulation Training at Czech Republic. Until his demise, the officer had served in 401 Flying Training School as a Student Pilot, 201 Composite Group, Bauchi as well as 115 Special Operations Group, and Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Port Harcourt as a squadron pilot and safety officer, respectively. He was a brilliant, intelligent and highly resourceful officer with strong leadership skill who had shown high level of initiative in the performance of his official duties. He was diligent and had demonstrated high level of expertise and professionalism as a pilot. He was highly dedicated, resourceful and gallant officer who had actively participated in military operations including Operations HADARIN DAJI, HADIN KAI, WHIRL PUNCH, SAFE HAVEN amongst others. The late Flight Lieutenant Duryumsu was single and he loved flying, reading, travelling and badminton. 4. Late Flight Lieutenant Anthony Duryumsu will be sorely missed by all for his gallantry, courage and invaluable contributions to towards a safe and secure Nigeria. His death is a great loss to the Nation and the Nigerian Air Force family. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. LATE FLIGHT LIEUTENANT IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR ADAMU (NAF/4521) 1. Late Flight Lieutenant Ibrahim Abubakar Adamu was born on 19 September 1993 at Burra. He hailed from Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012 and commissioned Pilot Officer on 16 September 2017. He was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant on 22 reading. September 2022. He held a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical/Electronics) degree 4. from Nigerian Defence Academy. 2. The late officer had attended several courses including the Primary Flying Training at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna, Flight Safety Officers Course at the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety Kaduna and Instrument Rating Course at the United States of America. Similarly, he attended the MI-171 Helicopter Air Training Course at Czech Republic, MI-171E Co-Pilot Training at 201 Composite Group as well as the MI-171E Recurrency Simulation Training at Czech Republic. 3. The late officer served at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna as a Student Pilot, 303 Medium Airlift Group Ilorin as Administrative/Operations Officer. Equally, late Fight Lieutenant Adamu served at 201 Composite Group, Bauchi and 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt as a Squadron Pilot. Late Flight Lieutenant Adamu was a highly focused, intelligent and goal- oriented officer who would go extra mile to achieve result. He was a sincere, humble and result-oriented officer who believed in team work. He was highly resourceful and determined officer who had actively participated in military operations including Operations HADARIN DAJI, HADIN KAI. WHIRL PUNCH, SAFE HAVEN amongst others. In the course of his military career, he had displayed a high level of professionalism as a pilot. He was a gentle man officer and highly religious who had memorized the Holy Quran. The late Flight Lieutenant Adamu was married and blessed with a son. He loved travelling and Late Flight Lieutenant Ibrahim Adamu will be sorely missed by all for his gallantry. courage and invaluable contributions to towards a safe and secure Nigeria. His death is a great loss to the Nation and the Nigerian Air Force family. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and may the Almighty forgive all his shortcomings. LATE LIEUTENANT GBENGA MICHAEL ODUSAMI (N/17314) 1. Late Lieutenant Gbenga Michael Odusami was born on 20 May 1993 in Lagos and hailed from Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. He obtained his Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Chemistry from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 2018.The late officer was granted Regular Combatant Commission as a member of Regular Course 65 on 6 October 2018 in the rank of second lieutenant. He was of the Nigerian Army Infantry and was recently promoted captain effective 21 September 2023. Until his death, he was serving at Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces Brigade from 19 October 2022. Late Lieutenant Gbenga Michael Odusami died on 13 August 2023. 2. The late officer has attended several courses and performed creditably. Some of the courses include Special Counter Terrorist Training in Pakistan, Young Officers Course (Infantry), Company Amphibious Operations Course and Basic Airborne Course. During his Company Amphibious Operations Course, he was said to be a verified strong swimmer where he maintained his Class One rating throughout the course with ease. He was described as a disciplined and unassuming officer in his Young Officers Course report which was confirmed during his Basic Airborne Course. He successfully went through the rigorous ground training and also satisfied the 5 airborne jumps requirement to earn the Nigerian Army prestigious airborne badge. 3. Late Lieutenant Gbenga Michael Odusami proved his mettle as a professional soldier as a Platoon Commander at 103 Battalion where he was found to be a focused and hardworking officer with a high sense of military bearing. He was noted to be proactive in identifying and assessing security challenges in his area of responsibilities. He was also a Platoon Commander in 153 Task Force Battalion where he was noted with an exceptionally high ability for navigation and map reading which he brought to bear during operations.As a Platoon August Commander in Defence Headquarters Special Forces Battalion, he conducted several operations leading to the neutralisation and capture of several bandits and paid the supreme price in one of such operations. 4. The late officer was a brilliant, resourceful, hardworking, disciplined, confident, diligent and professional officer with impeccable integrity and a consistent will to undertake additional tasks. He was very patriotic and left marks of excellence everywhere he served. He was a forthright gentleman and an Infantry officer per excellence with vast experience and ability to impart knowledge. He had remarkable conduct and an overwhelming moral standard. 5. It is said that from dust we came and unto dust we shall return. Late Lieutenant Gbenga Michael Odusami has bowed to Mother Earth. His death is a great loss to his family, the Nigerian Army and the Nation in general. We love you but God loves you more. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, here lies on this day 25 August 2023, the body of late Lieutenant Gbenga Michael Odusami, a gallant professional soldier, a gentleman officer and worthy son of Nigeria. Late Lieutenant Gbenga Michael Odusami, Adieu. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.Amen! LATE LIEUTENANT USMAN SHEHU ALKALI (N/18250) 1. Late Lieutenant Usman Shehu Alkali was born on 25 March 1978 in Gombe and hailed from Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State. He attended Talo Waziri Primary School and Government Teachers College where he obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate and Secondary School Certificate in 1990 and 1996 respectively. He was granted Executive Commission as a member of Executive Course 1/2020 on 9 May 2020 in the rank of Lieutenant. The late officer obtained his National Diploma in Public Administration from Kogi State Polytechnic in 2014. He was of the Nigerian Army Infantry. Until his death, he was serving at 45 Battalion since 31 January 2022. Late Lieutenant Usman Shehu Alkali died on 13 2023. 2. The late officer has attended the Young Officers Course (Infantry) where he performed creditably. During the course, he was described as a hardworking and unassuming officer who made positive contributions to classroom discussions and outdoor exercises. Though quiet in disposition, he had a good understanding of the use of English and adequately expressed himself well. He carried out his responsibilities with high sense of commitment and proved to be physically fit as he completed the 10km mandatory Walking/Jogging and the Tactical Walk-back in good time after Exercise WAZOBIA HUNTER.As Ambush Commander in Exercise BAUTAN KASA, he effectively played his roles while exhibiting utmost sense of responsibility. 3. Late Lieutenant Usman Shehu Alkali proved his mettle as a professional soldier as a Platoon Commander at 146 Battalion where he exhibited a good level of commitment to duty as he treated all assigned tasks with the desired urgency. He proved to be a well groomed Infantry officer with sound military bearing. He was also a Platoon Commander in 45 Battalion where he was described as a disciplined, hardworking and courageous officer and was observed to be committed to duties. He participated actively in numerous operations conducted by his Battalion in Rafi, Mariga and Munya Local Government Areas. He led several fighting patrols to Kagara and environs to help his Battalion in the domination of its area of operations. 4. The late officer was a brilliant, resourceful, hardworking, disciplined, confident, diligent and professional officer with impeccable integrity and a consistent will to undertake additional tasks. He was very patriotic and left marks of excellence everywhere he served. He was a forthright gentleman and an Infantry officer per excellence. He had remarkable conduct and an overwhelming moral standard. 5. It is said that from dust we came and unto dust we shall return. Late Lieutenant Usman Shehu Alkali has bowed to Mother Earth. His death is a great loss to his family, the Nigerian Army and the Nation in general. We love you but God loves you more. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, here lies on this day 25 August 2023, the body of late Lieutenant Usman Shehu Alkali, a gallant professional soldier, a gentleman officer and worthy son of Nigeria. Late Lieutenant Usman Shehu Alkali,Adieu. 6. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen! LATE 02NA/51/512 SERGEANT FAROUK MOHAMMED 1. Late Sgt Farouk Mohammed hailed from Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He was born into the family of Alhaji Farouk on 25 May 1982. He was enlisted Into the Nigerian Army as a member of 51 Regular Intake in year 2002 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Mohammed attended various courses commensurate to his rank where he attained a course trade classification of Special Weapon X2. 2. His last unit in the NA was 26 Bn in Sokoto and served the NA for a period of 21 years. He is survived by children. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Allah forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 03NA/53/2083 CORPORAL IBRAHIM GARBA 1. Late Cpl Ibrahim Garba hailed from Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. He was born on 14 October 1987. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 53 Regular Intake in 2003 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Garba attended various courses commensurate with his rank. 2. His last unit in the NA was DHQ Gar in Abuja and served the NA for a period of 20 years. He was a devoted Christian and happily married with children. May his gentle soul rest In perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 09NA/64/4275 CORPORAL CHIROMA POGUYAMTA 1. Late Cpl Chiroma Poguyamta hailed from Borno State. He was born into the family of Mr Chiroma on 15 April 1987. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 64 Regular Intake in year 2009 and posted to the Infantry Corps. Chiroma attended various courses commensurate to his rank. 2. His last unit in the NA was 192 Bn in Owode and served the NA for a period of 13 years. He was a devoted chiristian and happily married with children. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 11NA/66/10694 CORPORAL ADAMA ISSAC 1. Late Cpl Adamu Isaac hailed from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State. He was born into the family of Mr Adamu on 28 September 1989. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 66 Regular Intake in 2011 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Isaac attended various courses commensurate with his rank. 2. His last unit in the NA was 18 Bn in Sokoto and served the NA for a period of II years. He was a devoted Christian and happily married with children. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly LATE 11NA/66/11292 CORPORAL HARUNA JAMILU 1. Late Cpl Haruna Jamilu hailed from Hadeja Local Government Area of Jigawa State. He was born into the family of Mallam Haruna on 3 September 1991. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 66 Regular Intake in year 2011 and posted to the Nigerian Army Armour Corps. Jamilu attended various courses commensurate to his rank where he attained a course trade classification of Special 2. Forces XI. 2. His last unit in the NA was 242 Recce Bn in Monguno and served the NA for a period of 11 years. He was a devoted Muslim and happily married with children. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 12NA/68/5890 CORPORAL SAMAILA BASHIRU 1. Late Cpl Samaila Bashiru hailed Bagwai Local Government Area of Kano State. He was born into the family of Alhaji Samaila on 13 July 1990. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 68 Regular Intake in 2012 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Bashiru attended various courses commensurate to his rank where he attained a course trade classification of Watermanship XI. 2. His last unit in the NA was 4 Demo Bn in Jaji and served the NA for a period of 11 years. He was a devoted Muslim and happily married with children. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE ABLE REGULATOR SULEIMAN MAHMUD KAILANI OFFICIAL NUMBER-X14168 Late Able Regulator Suleiman Mahmud Kailani X14168 was born to the family of Mr Suleiman Kailani on 10 May 1992 in Garku Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. He attended Trust Academy Primary School Garaku from September 1998 July 2003. Thereafter, he proceeded to Government Secondary School Aloce, Akwanga Local Government Area from 2008-2011. In his pursuit of knowledge, he also attended Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nasarawa State. Late Able Regulator Suleiman Mahmud Kailanis passion for the military was his motivation for joining the Nigerian Navy on 9 July 2012. Accordingly, he underwent the Basic Military Training at Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) Batch 21 in Onne Port Harcourt, Rivers State. On successful completion of the Basic training, he served both onboard and ashore. Some of the ships he served are Naval Unit Abuja, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT and Nigerian Navy Ship WEY from where he was drafted to Defence Special Force and subsequently deployed for OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH in Bida, Niger State where he met his untimely death. LATE NAF19/35900 CORPORAL JAURO AMOS 1. Late Corporal Jauro Amos was born on 15 November 1995. He hailed from Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State. He was recruited into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Basic Military Training Course 40/2019 on 19 August 2019 and allotted Regiment specialty on completion of his Basic Military Training. 2. Until his demise, the airman had served in 213 Forward Operations Base Katsina, Air Force Military School Jos, 371 Nigerian Air Force Detachment Warri, (now 320 Forward Operations Base), 25 Force Protection Wing Kerang, Defence Headquarters Operation Thunder Strike (Special Operations Forces). He was a disciplined, determined and courageous airman who had participated actively in many military operations. As a Special Force personnel, his proficiency in weapon handling and marksmanship made him stand out among his peers. Late Corporal Jauro Amos was single. His death is a great loss to the Nation and the Nigerian Air Force family. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. LATE 12NA/68/5192 LANCE CORPORAL SUNDAY OKOPI 1. Late LCpl Sunday Okopi hailed from Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. He was born into the family of Mr Sunday on 25 February 1992. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 68 Regular Intake in year 2012 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Okopi attended various courses commensurate to his rank where he attained a course trade classification of Band Al. 2. His last unit in the NA was 4 Demo Bn in Jaji and served the NA for a period of 11 years. He was a devoted Christian. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 13NA/70/3552 LANCE CORPORAL EKPEYONG EDET 1. Late LCpl Ekpeyong Edet hailed from Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. He was born into the family of Mr Ekpeyong on 02 July 1993. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 70 Regular Intake in year 2013 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Edet attended various courses commensurate to his rank where he attained a course trade classification ofWatermanship X2. 2. His last unit in the NA was 4 Demo Bn in Jaji and served the NA for a period of 9 years. He was a devoted Christian. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE NAF13/28034 LANCE CORPORAL ALARIBE DANIEL NNAMDI 1. Late Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel Nnamdi was born on 15 December 1993. He hailed from Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. He was recruited into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Basic Military Training Course 32/2014 on 15 August 2014 and allotted Aircraft Technician as a trade. 2. Until his demise, the airman served in 115 Special Operations Group Port Harcourt and 201 Composite Group Bauchi. He was a very loyal, diligent and very hardworking aircraft technician who would give his best without complain. He had participated in numerous military operations as a flight technician on the MI-171E helicopter across the country. Late Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel Nnamdi was married with a son. His death is a great loss to the Nation and the Nigerian Air Force family. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. LATE NAF14/28578 LCPL BRIGGS STEPHEN 1. Late Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen was born on September 22, 1995. He hailed from Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. He was recruited into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Basic Military Training Course 34/2015 on 14 June 2015 and allotted Aircraft Technician as a trade. Until his demise, the airman had served in 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, 205 Rotary Wing, Ikeja Lagos as well as 413 Force Protection Group, Kaduna. He was a highly disciplined, very hardworking and calm airman. He participated actively in various aircraft maintenance and military operations across the country as an aircraft technician. The late Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen was single. His death is a great loss to the Nation and the Nigerian Air Force family. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. LATE 16NA/75/1484 LANCE CORPORAL YAKUBU AYUBA 1. Late LCpl Yakubu Ayuba hailed from Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State. He was born into the family of Alhaji Yakubu on 02 March 1994. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 75 Regular Intake in year 2016 and posted to the Nigerian Army Signal Corps. Ayuba attended various courses commensurate to his rank where he attained a course trade classification of Radio Operator B3. 2. His last unit in the NA was 54 Signal Bde in Enugu and served the NA for a period of seven years. He was a devoted Muslim. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 16NA/75/4442 LANCE CORPORAL NURA MOHAMMED 1. Late LCpl Nura Mohammed hailed from Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano State. He was born into the family of Alhaji Mohammed on November 3, 1997. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 75 Regular Intake in year 2016 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Nura attended various courses commensurate with his rank. 2. His last unit in the NA was 6 Div Gar in Port Harcourt and served the NA for a period of seven years. He was a devoted Muslim. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 20NA/79/4397 PRIVATE HABIB ALIYU 1. Late Pte Habib Aliyu hailed from Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State. He was born into the family of Mallam Habib on January 9, 1999. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 79 Regular Intake in 2020 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Aliyu attended various courses commensurate to his rank 2. His last unit in the NA was 2 Bn and served the NA for a period of three years. He was a devoted Muslim. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE 20NA/79/4412 PRIVATE TANKO WAJE 1. Late Pte Tanko Waje hailed from Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He was born into the family of Mallam Waje on September 6, 2000. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 79 Regular Intake in 2020 and posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. Tanko attended various courses commensurate with his rank. 2. His last unit in the NA was 2 Bn and served the NA for a period of three years. He was a devoted Muslim. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and May Almighty forgive all his shortcomings accordingly. LATE NAF17/33175 AIR CRAFTMAN ABUBAKAR ABDULRAHAMAN 1. Late Aircraftman Abubakar Abdulrahaman was born on February 4, 1999. He hailed from Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He was recruited into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Basic Military Training Course 38/2017 on February 2, 2018 and allotted Regiment Specialty as a trade. 2. Until his demise, the airman had served in the following units, 201 Composite Group Bauchi, 407 Air Combat Training Group, Kainji, National Air Defence Corp, Lagos, 320 Forward Operations Bara, Warr and Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces (Operation Thunder Strike). He was a highly disciplined, smart and well behaved airman. He was a calm, very hardworking and highly religious airman. As a Special Force personnel, his proficiency in weapon handling and marksmanship made him stand out among his peers. The late Aircraftman Abubakar Abdulrahaman was single. His death is a great loss to the Nation and the Nigerian Air Force family. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. News / Local by Staff reporter CITIZENS Coalition for Change (CCC) Bulawayo province was yesterday celebrating its clean sweep in Bulawayo following Wednesday's election.Bulawayo has remained an opposition stronghold for years.Preliminary results showed the CCC having a comfortable lead yesterday.CCC Bulawayo spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza said they were ecstatic, although he was quick to lodge a complaint over the way the election was conducted."We are not happy with the conduct of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), which seemed to be pandering to the whims of Zanu-PF in the manner they handled the elections here," Chirowodza."We also feel that Zec is not independent to run elections in Zimbabwe."Voting began late in several constituencies of Bulawayo due to late distribution of ballot papers.Chirowodza also alleged voter intimidation by suspected Zanu-PF members."You also get the aspect of Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) having to interfere with the ballot outside the polling stations, with people manning illegal polling stations within the 300-metre radius of the legal polling stations, thereby intimidating people," he said.FAZ is a Zanu-PF affiliate with strong links to the Central Intelligence Organisation.A number of human rights watchdogs released reports on Wednesday accusing FAZ of intimidating voters.In a report issued on Wednesday, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network and Election Resource Centre said they recorded cases of voter intimidation across the country."Observers also reported on the presence of Zanu-PF, which was manning exit polls and recording names of voters," they said in their joint statement."Observers alleged that the exercise is intimidating to the voters."Social media is awash with numerous videos capturing Zanu-PF activists setting up their exit polls branded in party regalia."According to the Electoral Act, it is illegal to wear or have party symbols displayed on the day of polling. No fewer than 22 military personnel who died in combat in Niger State are being laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. Recall that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on August 14, announced the death of at least 36 officers who were killed in battle. The officers helicopter was shot down by some insurgents in the Zungeru area of Niger State. The troops were deployed to Kundu village in Wushishi Local Government Area after bandits terrorized the area recently. Some of the deceased officers had already been buried by their various families, remaining the 22 being interred on Friday. Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and other service chiefs are currently at the cemetery. Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), says the military will hunt down bandits who killed 22 soldiers in Niger state. Musa spoke on Friday at the burial ceremony of the soldiers at the national military cemetery in Abuja. On August 14, an aircraft conveying wounded soldiers from the scene of the ambush by bandits in Wushishi LGA, crashed in Chukuba village, Shiroro LGA in Niger state. Several military personnel were reportedly killed by terrorists who attacked Kundu village near Zungeru. Days later, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed during the ambush and helicopter crash. Speaking at the ceremony, the defence chief said burying personnel is one of the most difficult days for every commander, adding that he felt pained to bury his officers. He vowed that the military would smoke out the killers of the soldiers and ensure that they never have the opportunity to kill any other person. I want to assure the families that their death is not in vain. We appreciate them, we pray for them and we will ensure that those that did this must pay for it, he said. I use this opportunity to call all commanders, all troops all over Nigeria, that we must avenge this. Those that did this and those that have continued to kill our men wherever they are, we will get them out. Today we gather here with heavy hearts and tearful eyes to bid farewell to our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation. We stand here today to honour their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty. Musa said the event was to also celebrate the officers lives and extra extraordinary contributions. He assured the deceaseds families that the military would stand with them in their grief and would continue to support them during this difficult time. These men and women laid down their lives so that we can live in peace and security. They fought on the front lines against the forces of evil and ensured that the flavour of hood and liberty continue to bend right in our nation, he said. Their courage and dedication will forever be an inspiration to all to follow their footsteps. To the families who have lost loved ones, notwithstanding our deepest condolences, we cannot begin to fathom the pain and sorrow that you are experiencing but know that deep in your heart, you are not alone in your grief. To our fallen heroes, we will honour your memories by continuing to fight against those who seek to undermine our peace and security. We will remain steadfast in our resolve to be the nation worthy of sacrifice. To the bandits, terrorists, and perpetrators of violence, we will haunt you down, we will bring you to justice and will restore peace and security to every corner of our nation. Timi Frank has asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to probe Chicago State University (CSU). Frank alleged that CSU has been reluctant to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu. In a statement released on Friday, Frank, a former deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said CSU owes Nigerians a responsibility to unveil the records. BACKGROUND Recently, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last elections, approached a US court for the northern district of Illinois, for an order compelling CSU to release the academic records of Tinubu. Tinubus credentials show that he graduated from CSU in 1979 with a bachelors degree in business administration, accounting and management. However, there have been allegations bordering on discrepancies with Tinubus certificate. In the suit filed before the US district court, Abubakar prayed the court to subpoena CSU over Tinubus files. Abubakar said the files will settle the controversy surrounding Tinubus academic background and aid the election petition tribunal. The president, through his counsel, had filed a counter application. In a response to Atikus application, CSU said it will release the academic records of Tinubu if a United States court grants the order. The university said it does not understand why Tinubus academic records could possibly have any bearing on a 2023 election challenge in a foreign country. FRANK ASKS US GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE Frank has urged the security agencies in the US to intervene. We advise the US government not to destroy its long-standing relationship with Nigeria because of one man, he said. Otherwise, this case will make the world see the university system in the US as corrupt and compromised because we understand how the American system works. If Tinubu is the President of America and American citizens request for his academic information, will they not grant the request? They will do so because every President of America and those holding public offices are answerable to the public, that underpins the principle of accountability. If Donald Trump could be on trial, why will someone seeking public office in Nigeria be shielded from scrutiny at the point of entry by public institutions in America? Is it that the President of Nigeria is not meant to be accountable to the citizenry? He added that CSU should be proud to showcase Tinubus records if there is nothing fishy between the university and the Nigerian president. Former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, was arrested at a Georgia jail Thursday on racketeering and conspiracy charges and released on a $200,000 bond after having a historic mug shot taken. Trump, who is accused of colluding with 18 other defendants to overturn the 2020 election result in the southern state, spent less than 30 minutes inside Atlantas Fulton County Jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport. Like the other defendants in the case who have surrendered so far, the 77-year-old Trump had his mug shot taken during the booking process a first for any serving or former US president. In the photograph released by the sheriffs office, he scowled at the camera while dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie. Speaking to reporters after his arrest, Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said it was a very sad day for America. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice, he said. I did nothing wrong. Trump posted the mug shot on his own Truth Social platform with the caption Election Interference and a link to his campaign website. A short while later, he also posted it on X formerly Twitter, which was Trumps favourite bullhorn until he was banned from it after the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters. New owner Elon Musk reinstated Trump on X in November of last year, but Trump stayed away and posted instead on Truth Social. This was Trumps first post since 2021 on what had been Twitter. Trump was given the inmate number PO1135809 by the Fulton County Jail, which listed his height as six foot three inches (1.9 meters), his weight as 215 pounds (97 kilograms) and his hair colour as Blond or Strawberry. The billionaire has been criminally indicted four times since April, setting the stage for a year of unprecedented drama as he tries to juggle multiple court appearances and another White House campaign. Trump was able to dodge having a mugshot taken during his previous arrests this year: in New York on charges of paying hush money to a porn star, in Florida for mishandling top secret government documents, and in Washington on charges of conspiring to upend his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. His arrest came one day after Trump spurned a televised debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring eight of his rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination all of whom lag well behind him in the polls. He still stole the spotlight, though, with all but two of the candidates saying they would support him as the partys nominee even if he were a convicted felon. Court dates in election race A tight security perimeter was set up for Trumps booking at the Fulton County Jail, which is under investigation for a slew of inmate deaths and deplorable conditions. Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney who filed the sweeping racketeering case, had set a deadline of noon on Friday for Trump and the other 18 defendants to surrender. Trump and 11 others have turned themselves in so far. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered on Thursday and was released on $100,000 bond. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trumps personal lawyer when he was in the White House and vigorously pushed the false claims that Trump had won the 2020 election, was booked and released on Wednesday. John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who is accused of drawing up a scheme to submit a false slate of Trump electors to Congress from Georgia instead of the legitimate Biden ones, has also been booked and released. A few dozen supporters of the former Republican president gathered outside the jail, including Sharon Anderson who spent the night in her car. I think this is a political persecution and now thats turned into a political prosecution, Anderson told AFP. Trump is the first US president in history to face criminal charges. His various trials, if they take place next year, may coincide with the Republican presidential primary season, which begins in January, and the campaign for the November 2024 White House election. Special counsel Jack Smith has proposed a January 2024 start date for Trumps trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the last election with a lie-fueled campaign that culminated in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. Trumps attorneys have countered with a suggested start date well after the election April 2026. Willis, the Georgia district attorney, initially proposed that the racketeering case begin in March next year, the same month Trump is scheduled to go on trial in New York on charges of paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. On Thursday, after one of the defendants asked for a speedy trial, she proposed that it begin for all 19 in October of this year, a move met with an immediate objection from Trumps lawyers. The Florida case, in which Trump is accused of taking secret government documents as he left the White House and refusing to return them, is scheduled to begin in May. AFP Roma manager, Jose Mourinho, has given a big hint he could add Romelu Lukaku to his squad this summer. Lukaku has been frozen out by new Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, and is looking to leave Stamford Bridge before next Thursday. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Mourinho claimed the club is trying to sign one more striker following the arrival of Serdar Azmoun. He said: Lukaku deal? The club told me that we will sign one more striker after Serdar Azmoun and that makes me happy. Its difficult for me to comment now on Azmoun as he hasnt signed yet, imagine Lukaku whos Chelsea player. Lukaku spent last season on loan at Romas rivals, Inter Milan, and rejected the chance to return to the San Siro on a permanent basis. Four men have been charged in an armed home invasion at a Maywood residence in 2022 after arrests last week in New Jersey and New York, authorities said Thursday. Derick De La Rosa, 19, of Bronx, New York, Ismael Carrasco-De La Rosa, 32, of Yonkers, New York, Joaquin Portorreal-Garcia, 21, of Bronx, New York, and Francisco Rojas-Corporan, 29, of Perth Amboy, all faces charges of first-degree armed robbery along with various conspiracy and weapons offenses. Three men armed with handguns busted into a home on Terrace Avenue in Maywood on Nov. 11 and demanded cash from the homeowner, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said. They fled with cash in a vehicle driven by a fourth robber, authorities said. Investigators from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and the FBI made the arrests on Aug. 17. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Carlos Santana is apologizing for a series of anti-transgender remarks he made at a New Jersey concert in July. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was onstage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City when he suggested that transgender people should stay in the closet. His name is Bear, and hes starting a new job. Earlier this week, the 21-month-old English cream golden retriever flew from Georgia to New Jersey to become the newest staff member at Childrens Specialized Hospital. Bear the fourth dog the facility has employed will provide special canine therapy to pediatric patients, their families and staff at the hospitals long-term facility in Toms River. He was great on the plane, and he liked looking out the window, and here we are back in New Jersey, said his handler, Heidi Spiegel, a board-certified behavior analyst who will be working with Bear at the RWJBarnabas Health-run facility. Anyone with a dog knows the powerful effect canines can have on people. Just think whenever you come home after a tough day, lo and behold your dog is waiting, eyes lit up, tongue out, tail wagging. These sick kids will have the same experience. Studies have proven dogs can reduce peoples anxiety and improve mood. Interactions with our dogs have also been shown to have a regulatory effect on blood pressure, lower respiration rates, as well as reducing the amount of pain medications our residents are required to achieve for comfort, said Carolyn Franzoso, manager of long-term care and clinical therapies at the facility. She said petting dogs promotes mood-enhancing hormones like serotonin and oxytocin. He can be a part of the therapies. He can soothe them during procedures. He can accompany us on trips and events here on the unit, Spiegel said. Childrens Specialized Hospital serves children from newborns to 21 year olds with complex medical needs requiring round-the-clock nursing care. They might have respiratory needs. They might have a (tracheostomy). They might have physical and additional nursing needs that require 24/7 nursing care, Franzoso explained. This is their home, so we try to create a home-like environment, which Bear well be adding to, she added. The newest employee at Childrens Specialized Hospital in Toms River is Bear, a 21-month-old English cream golden retriever. Bear raised at Patient Paws Service Dogs training facility, a nonprofit organization in Alpharetta, Georgia has been specially trained to provide support in a health care environment. Hes trained to safely put his paws on a patients bed and leave his head there so kids can see and pet him. He will actually get up on the bed very gently and turn his back and kind of lean into the patient to give them that warmth and support and that calming presence that a dog will bring, and hell stay there until we ask him to get down, she said. So he has been trained to tolerate all sorts of (things in) our hospital environment sounds and smells and interactions. And hes just going to focus on the kids. Spiegel and Bear will arrive at the facility first thing in the morning. Hell greet the children leaving for school, and then hell be brought around to visit other kids, helping them during daily tasks or during group sessions. We will check on those patients who might be resistant to taking their medication or might need support during regular everyday self-care tasks like brushing their teeth or brushing their hair, Spiegel said. And we know that helping model on Bear is really going to help our children see that its safe. The cost for obtaining and training Bear is around $45,000, which was funded by John and Valerie Maglione and family as well as the Mickeys Kids Charitable Foundation. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. For India Nicholas Edwards, its hard to fathom how far the United States has come in her lifetime. When she was born, women had just two months earlier gained the right to vote. The United States was in a war hailed as the war to end all wars, Martin Luther King was still 10 years from being born and a Black man was 90 years from becoming president. Turning 105 on Oct. 10, Edwards is the first featured guest for the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancys Oral History short-film series when it debuts Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the City Hall Council Chambers from 6 to 8 p.m. Edwards was one of only eight Black students who graduated from Snyder High School in 1938 and became the first Black social worker at the Hudson County Welfare Board. She also has the rare distinction of surviving two deadly pandemics, the influenza pandemic that broke out in 1918 and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also had a front-row seat for Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech 60 years ago Aug. 28. Its wonderful to be alive in 2023, to be able to function, to greet new friends, as well as old friends that is a gift, says Edwards, who wore a shirt with a photo of her with former President Barack Obama on the day she was photographed for this story. It has been inspiring to meet so many young people who are interested in preserving and celebrating the history of Jersey City, where Ive lived most of my life. The Oral History short-film series focuses on personal stories linked to Jersey Citys history. It not only highlights the peoples stories, but also some of Jersey Citys oldest buildings and homes and how theyre connected to the stories. From growing up in a certain house in Jersey City to where they do community service, there are some places in Jersey City that you wouldnt think twice about, but they may have a more powerful meaning to someone else who lives in the city, said Christopher Perez, president of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy. Theres so much change going on in Jersey City that I think its important we remember its past. Edwards says her grandfather grew up as a slave in Virginia. After the Civil War, he came north and settled in Elizabeth, where he paid for the college education of his five siblings. Edwards grew up in a home on Communipaw Avenue and never left the city. Weve resided on Glenwood Avenue for 66 years, and theres a certain charm to our little enclave, something that we cherish and must protect, she said, noting that she lives with two of her four daughters: Sondra Edwards Buesing Riley and India E. Thybulle. Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Administration at Wilber Force University in Ohio and working as a social worker at Christ Hospital, the county welfare board, the Lutheran Home for the Aged and the Jersey City Office on Aging, from which she retired. Her husband of 56 years, Clarence Dutch Edwards, passed away in 1999. Edwards, active for years in the Civil Rights and senior rights movements, is a recipient of the NAACPs Golden Warriors Award. She and her husband counted famed criminal attorney Raymond A. Brown among their friends. In the film, Edwards also reminisces about her neighbor, Ella Barksdale Brown, who was also involved in the Civil Rights movement and wrote for The Jersey Journal about topics in the Black community while also bringing attention to American Black history in Jersey Citys public schools. The screening at City Hall Council Chambers is free and Edwards will participate in a short Q&A following the film. Edwards also has spent time writing poetry on civil rights and daily life issues. Her daughters have compiled her poetry into a book, From the Creative Desk of India N. Edwards, that will be available for purchase. The film series is sponsored by the Jersey City Arts and Cultural Trust Fund. Filming was done by Juan Diego Roque and his company, ROQ Initiative. The third year of a presidential term in New Jersey is known for having not much more than another round of state legislative elections. But in Hoboken, its also when a majority of the city council is elected, and this year is no different. Known as Hobokens midterms, seats for each of the citys six wards are up for election, and many of the incumbents, who are critics of Mayor Ravi Bhallas administration, are looking to defend their seats from Bhalla-endorsed candidates and others. News / Local by Staff reporter CITIZENS Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday remained hopeful that he would emerge victorious despite complaining about the way the election was being conducted.Chamisa expressed fears of a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise his supporters in Harare and Bulawayo after some polling stations opened late due to late delivery of ballot papers.At some polling stations, voting only started after lunch, whereas in the rural areas, there were few reports of disruptions.The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) yesterday released a statement confirming delays in the delivery of ballot papers.Chamisa, however, said Zec had failed citizens and his supporters."Voting is very important, but I must say that we are disappointed. Zec has failed us and it disappointed the citizens," Chamisa said after casting his vote at Kuwadzana 2 Primary School."There has not been voting in our strongholds in the morning."Chamisa said his party would engage Zec over the party's concerns."Even the ink that is being used is suspicious, it has not been confirmed if, indeed, it was indelible," he said."We have taken it up with Zec but they do not have intelligent answers to give us. We are not happy with the voters roll. We are not happy with the issue of the ballot paper."We are not happy with what they are doing in rural areas, where there are violating people, where they are causing violence."Chamisa is having another go for the presidency, having lost the disputed 2018 poll to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is seeking re-election for a second term, with a narrow margin."We have won this election and we are going to continue to insist on peace and credible elections and making sure we have a legitimate outcome from this election," he said."We have won, that is why they are panicking, that is why they are conniving with Zec to do all those funny games."Zec said it would announce all results within five days from today.Police and the electoral management body have, however, warned individuals and various groupings against announcing results saying it is illegal. An officer from the Middlesex County Sheriffs Office who fatally shot a knife-wielding man last year in Plainsboro will not be criminally charged, the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office announced Friday. On February 16, 2022, officers were called to an apartment on Ravens Crest Drive to remove a man following a court-ordered eviction and when they arrived, they saw gun paraphernalia inside, the office said. The officers knew that the man they were there to remove, Atiba Lewis, 45, of Plainsboro, was considered a person statutorily prohibited from possessing those firearms, according to a statement from the office. The officers retrieved four guns from the apartment but Lewis was not home at the time. Around 11:30 a.m., as Lewis returned to the apartment complex, officers attempted to arrest him for unlawful possession of the firearms, but as they approached him, he pulled out a knife and ran away from them, investigators said. Lewis threatened the officers with the knife and several of them deployed Tasers to try to disarm him, but they were ineffective, authorities said. He then advanced directly toward Phillip Nguyen of the Middlesex County Sheriffs Office, who fired his gun and fatally wounded Lewis, the Attorney General said. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to Lewis, who was taken to Princeton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:10 p.m., officials said State law requires the Attorney Generals Office to investigate the death of a person who is killed during an encounter with police. The findings of the investigation are then presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved. In this case, the jury decided that Nguyen was justified in shooting Lewis, the office said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Authorities are seeking help from the public in identifying the truck driver who struck and killed a man who had just gotten out of a vehicle on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike late Wednesday in Middlesex County. Giuseppe Zuccarello, 78, of Queens, New York, was found dead about 8:35 a.m. Thursday on the northbound truck side of the Turnpike in East Brunswick, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Investigators determined Zuccarello had been driving a box truck that he parked on the side of the road. He was fatally struck by a passing vehicle after he got out at about 10:50 p.m., investigators said. Zuccarello sustained injuries that were consistent with being struck by a truck, Ciccone said. Ciccone asked anyone with surveillance video of the area to call State Police Detective Matthew Schaible at 609-860-9000 ext. 4424, or the prosecutors office at 732-745-4328. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The New Jersey State Police have asked for the publics help in finding a tractor-trailer accused of striking a box truck on the New Jersey Turnpike earlier this week and leaving the scene of the fatal crash. The 25-foot white Isuzu box truck was traveling north in the truck lane of the highway on Wednesday around 10:45 p.m. in East Brunswick when it was struck by the tractor-trailer near milepost 78.8, according to a release from the State Police. The box truck was hit on its driver side door and its driver, 78-year-old Giuseppe Zuccarello of Whitestone, New York, died in the crash, police said. Anyone who witnessed the crash or had any additional information is asked to contact the Troop D Criminal Investigations Office at 732-441-4500 ext. 4424. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Three New Jersey men have pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking millions of dollars worth of counterfeit computer networking devices, authorities said. Musa Karaman, 35, of North Arlington, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Trenton to one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Sentencing was set for Jan. 4, 2024. Sadri Ozturan, 37, of Hawthorne, and Israfil Demir, 38, of Secaucus, entered guilty pleas in federal court on Aug. 9 to trafficking in counterfeit goods, Sellinger said. Ozturan and Demir will be sentenced on Dec. 14. Sellinger said the three men ran several businesses selling computer networking equipment, including devices they claimed were made by Cisco Systems, Inc, a major technology company in the United States. Although the defendants advertised the Cisco products they offered for sale as new and genuine, the products were counterfeit devices they procured from various overseas suppliers at well below market prices and resold at higher prices, Sellinger said. The men sold the fraudulent devices from September 2017 through May 2021. Each faces up to 10 years and a maximum $2 million fine, Sellinger said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A state Superior Court has granted a land easement to an offshore wind company to bring power cables onshore under the beach and streets of Ocean City. The lines would eventually lead to a previously decommissioned coal-powered power plant seven miles away. The Ocean Wind 1 project filed suit against Cape May County last month after it refused to issue land easements to prepare for the powerlines. The state Board of Public Utilities already granted the easements but the county didnt recognize its authority in the matter, a court filing said. The Clerk of Cape May County is hereby ordered to record the orders of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities related to Ocean City, the ruling issued on Aug. 17 said. The orders each include a grant of easement which the court has found are required Ocean City had also been sued by Ocean Wind 1 for its refusal to issue easements on land it owned along the route. But the power company dismissed the suit last month after the city issued the permit. The courts recent ruling allows Ocean Wind 1, which continues to comply with stringent state and federal environmental requirements, to advance towards construction and operations as the states first offshore wind project, a statement from the company Friday said. Ocean Wind 1 remains, as always, willing to engage in meaningful conversation with Cape May County as the project delivers on its commitments to New Jersey, bringing clean energy, good-paying jobs and local investment to the region. A request for comment to Michael Donohue, an attorney representing Cape May County, was not immediately answered Friday. Ocean Wind 1 is the first of three wind farms approved by the state, which will lead the nation in offshore wind development when it is scheduled to be operational in 2025. A Washington Post story this month said the future of East Coast wind power could ride on the outcome of Ocean Wind 1. The project a landmark for the Danish wind giant rsted includes the construction of up to 98, 900-foot long wind turbines 15 miles off the coast. The power cables will come ashore and travel seven miles to the shuttered B.L. England Generating Station in Upper Township. Gov. Phil Murphy has pledged to bring 7,500 offshore wind megawatts online by 2035. It is a critical part of his energy master plan, which calls for the state to get 50% of its power from renewables by 2035, and 100% by 2050. The effort is meant to wean the state off fossil fuels, and slash New Jerseys contributions to climate change. In addition to resistance from Cape May County, two environmental groups, Protect Our Coasts and Defend Brigantine Beach, are suing the state and rsted to stop the power company from receiving a federal tax credit to supplement investments for building parts of wind generators. That case has not been decided. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Sign up to get positive Black news stories, words of affirmation and weekly curated playlists delivered to your inbox twice a week: Enter your email to subscribe to Black Joy. Haunted may be too cliche of a description to give the state of Mississippi. But the ghosts hereyou can feel them. Feel them like the weighty heat of the summer. At the one-room school your stepfathers mother points out every time you pass it on the way to church. In the halls of your middle school that dropped colored a few decades before you got there. We know ghosts and where they dwell too well. This is part of the story Jesmyn Ward attempts to tell in Sing, Unburied, Sing. The novel is guided by the voices of 13-year-old Jojo, his mother Leonie who is addicted to drugs and Richie, the ghost boy. When Jojos white father, Michael, is set to be released from Parchman prison, Leonie takes him, his baby sister Kayla along with Leonies friend Misty on a road trip to pick him up. When they finally make it to Parchman, they dont leave with just Michael. Richie, the ghost boy, joins them on their tumultuous trip back home. The novel is a ghost story. Ghosts in the literal sense and also ghosts as a metaphor for pain. Ghosts that haunt our families through generations. Ghosts we inherit. View through prison bars of dormitory bunks at Mississippi State Penitentiary (or Parchman Farm), Mississippi, 1964. The institution that undergirds the entire story is Parchman Farm, Mississippis oldest prison that, from its origins in 1901, was modeled after antebellum slave plantations. This included punishment in the form of lashings with a leather strap notoriously known as Black Annie, and a system of trusty shooters who served as overseers of the other prisoners. Parchman was a death trap for its majority Black prisoner population. Ward did not shy away from that in her story that, although fictional, displays the violent legacy of Mississippis penal system. The presence of the restless ghost boy, Richie, is indicative of that. Richie was brought to Parchman at just 12-years-old for stealing food to feed his nine siblings. It is at Parchman where he endured unimaginable brutality and where he would breathe his last breath. Richie, the ghost boy, is not a metaphor. Juvenile convicts at work in the fields, c1903. When convict leasing, a system of prison labor in the southern United States that was implemented as a remedy to emancipation, prisoners included children sometimes as young as six or seven who were leased as cheap labor for private businesses. There was no limit to this system that was emulated by prisons across the south, like Parchman. It was only about Black labor and profit. It was slavery reimagined. Just over fifty years ago, Parchmans Black inmates filed a lawsuit alleging abuse, inhumane conditions and discrimination. Unfortunately, not much has changed. Just as it was a death trap from the very beginning, it remains that way. In 2020, the Mississippi Department of Corrections reported a record number of deaths among inmates with nearly half of them occurring at Parchman. This same year the United States saw an increase in prison deaths across the nation in comparison to the previous year. We know that, just as slavery did for hundreds of years, the profits from prisons keep the wheels turning in this country. Its no coincidence that we remain undefeated in having the highest prison population in the world. Thats our bread and butter. Prisoners on a chain gang at Limestone Correctional Facility make their way to a work detail, 1995. Location: Harvest, Alabama, United States. Wards novel is not just a sad story about poor Mississippians getting caught up in the criminal justice system. It is about the way the violence haunts us. And even as we attempt to run, it finds us once more at the end of a needle or pipe. It finds us in our dreams and the little whispers we hear in the trees. Sing, Unburied, Sing, perhaps unintentionally so, is an abolitionist text. It peels back the layers of a haunted system. A cyclical curse of poverty, incarceration and despair. Ghosts that linger in our homes, that linger in vast fields of the Mississippi Delta, that linger in the trees whose roots hold the burnt embers of our ancestors stories. The Reckon Report is a weekly newsletter that goes deeper in todays most-discussed headlines. Subscribe today and stay ready for the proverbial water cooler. The right-wing education and media group PragerU seems like its infiltrating some of the biggest public school systems in the country right now. Earlier this month, it was announced that the unaccredited group had been permitted to offer climate denial educational resources in Florida. Then, just days ago, PragerU inexplicably turned up in Texas. And it caused a lot of confusion. Julie Pickren, a Republican member of the State Board of Education, and PragerUs CEO Marissa Streit jointly announced Tuesday that kids in the Lone Star state would be offered the full gamut of the organizations controversial educational offerings. Those include videos denying climate change and rewriting known and widely accepted truths about African-American history, including that slavery was a compromise, among other controversial positions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis welcomed the groups videos and said they offered a more balanced view than the indoctrination currently offered within the states public schools. In the joint video, Pickren, present at the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol building, said, We are definitely ready to welcome PragerU into the great state of Texas.A blurb beside the video said the group was now an approved education vendor in the state. The only problem is, its not true. Keven Ellis, the chair of the State Board of Education, said in a statement that no one from PragerU had contacted him or ever presented to the board. Why did Pickren and PragerU lie? My inkling is that shes (Pickren) attempting to politicize upcoming state school board meetings, said Emily Witt, a spokesperson for the Texas Freedom Network, an Austin-based nonpartisan, grassroots organization that supports religious freedom, individual liberties, and public education. Were about to go into a textbook adoption process for science textbooks here in Texas next week, and she may be trying to influence that process before it has even started. Texas has the countrys second-largest public school student body, with just under 6 million students. California is first with 6.8 million, and Florida third with 3.4 million. PragerUs rise to prominence has mirrored the rapid escalation of right-wing populism that took hold after Pres. Donald Trump first ran for office in mid-2015. It started in 2009 as a platform for founder and conservative radio host Dennis Prager to reach out to teenagers and college students. The group has become known for its 5-minute videos that take controversial subjects and put a conservative spin on them, often to the point where they rewrite history and, in many cases, downplay slavery and racism in the United States. Ameshia Cross, the assistant director of Higher Education Communication at The Education Trust, echoed Witts comments about PragerU and pointed to other issues in the Texas public school system. I think that this move in this narrative is quite frankly hyperpolarizing and is being done on purpose, she said. The problem here is Texas has become a battleground for equity for minority students. Were watching the Houston Independent School District, one of the largest minority school districts in the country, be taken over by a state that doesnt care about facts or the students. Witt said the Board of Education will consider textbooks discussing climate change and evolution, among other science issues. Texass State Board of Education has a long history of allowing books that ignore, erase, and gloss over information often guided by partisan politics. A January 2020 analysis of eight textbooks offered in California and Texas identified hundreds of subtle differences. For example, a California version of one of the textbooks notes that the Second Amendment allowed for some gun regulations. The Texas version did not. Teens in both states learn about the Harlem Literary Renaissance and its impact on African-American life. The Texas version says some critics dismissed the quality of literature produced. However, according to Witt, this latest iteration of adopting what some say is right-wing propaganda and disinformation in classrooms has reached a new level. Weve had right-wing members before, and weve fought about evolution, especially in textbook adoption, even going as far back as 20 years ago, she said. So weve certainly had members that have tried to sway the public to come in and denounced textbooks that teach the truth about science and history and all of the subjects frankly, but it is pretty unique and new for a member to blatantly lie and then have an organization also lie on their behalf. Pickren did not respond to a request for comment. A truck driver from Pennsylvania was killed early Friday when the Freightliner he was driving crashed on Interstate 287 in Somerset County, authorities said. The 48-year-old man, whose name was not released, was traveling in the southbound lanes near milepost 22.5 in Bedminster Township when the crash occurred about 5:10 a.m., according to New Jersey State Police. A preliminary investigation showed truck ran off the highway to the right, crashed through a guardrail and down an embankment, according to Trooper Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the State Police. The driver died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Tropical Storm Franklin is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane during the next few days, and even though forecasters say it will remain about 400 miles east of the New Jersey coast, it is likely to bring rough surf and powerful rip currents to the Jersey Shore. A period of building swells and dangerous rip currents along our coast looking probable as tropical cyclone Franklin tracks by well offshore, the National Weather Services regional forecast office in New Jersey said Friday morning. Even though Friday is not an ideal beach day, with heavy cloud cover and scattered rain showers across New Jersey, theres a moderate risk for the development of dangerous rip currents today along the Jersey Shore, and also along beaches in Delaware. Those rip currents are unrelated to Tropical Storm Franklin, which is currently spinning about 690 miles southwest of Bermuda with 60 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center. This graphic shows the forecast wind speeds from Tropical Storm Franklin as of Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.National Hurricane Center On Saturday, the weather service is projecting a low risk of dangerous rip currents at the Jersey Shore, but by early next week when Franklin will likely be a hurricane with top sustained winds as strong as 100 to 110 mph large ocean swells and dangerous rip currents will be impacting the Jersey Shore and other beaches along the eastern United States, forecasters said. While Franklin will be too far away to bring rain or gusty winds to New Jersey, our region faces a threat of rain showers and thunderstorms Tuesday and Wednesday from a cold front thats expected to move in from the west, forecasters said. The front may bring in cooler temperatures, with daytime highs stuck in the 70s instead of the lower 80s, more typical of late August. Tropical Storm Franklin is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane this weekend. Even though it will likely be tracking far from the Atlantic coast, it's expected to generate large ocean swells and dangerous rips currents along the Jersey Shore.National Hurricane Center Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center are also monitoring a tropical disturbance over the northwestern Caribbean Sea (shown in red on the map above). The center says theres a 70% chance this disturbance will get more organized and turn into a tropical depression or tropical storm in the next seven days. That system has the potential to impact Florida, forecasters say. Current weather radar Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. News / Local by Staff reporter Temba Mliswa, the only independent in the last Parliament, has conceded defeat to Richard Tsvangirai of CCC.In a message to his supporters, Mliswa expressed his acceptance of defeat and reassured them that he was not concerned about the outcome. He expressed gratitude to his team and stated that he would not have participated if he had anticipated defeat.Mliswa said he had hoped for re-election to continue his ongoing development projects."I want to thank my team for the job you did. I had hope to finish the work we started... but I have conceded defeat. That's God's plan, its his will."Richard Tsvangirai is the son of the late Morgan Tsvangirai, the late former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and the founding leader of the opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). News / National by Staff reporter A SOUTH African court has sent to jail for 15 years a 43-year-old Zimbabwean who was recently arrested for smuggling an assortment of explosives worth thousands of rand into that country.Josephat Bayayi was convicted on his own plea of guilty to charges of violating the Customs Act.He was sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment without an option of a fine.Bayayi was intercepted at the Beitbridge Border Post in July by members of the South African Revenue Services (SARS) who then referred the case to South Africa's specialised police the Hawks.Limpopo spokesperson for the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke confirmed the sentence yesterday.He said they are not relenting in their quest to fight crime around the province."In July 2023, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) personnel were busy scanning the vehicles at Beitbridge Port of Entry when they noticed suspicious items that were loaded in a red Iveco truck with a trailer. The truck was coming from Zimbabwe," said Lt Col Maluleke."The Beitbridge Port of Entry based police, Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Bomb Technicians were then summoned to the scene."The truck was searched and the team found 14 reels of detonating fuses, 747 superpowers, 90 blasting cartridges and 875 carmex connector capped fuses valued at R456 850,00 and seized them."He said Bayayi was immediately placed under arrest for smuggling the explosives. The case was opened and the docket was later transferred to the Musina-based Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further handling.Lt Col Maluleke said during the investigations, it was revealed that the explosives were coming from Zimbabwe and destined for Johannesburg in Gauteng Province."Through the meritorious efforts of the investigating officer, the accused was denied bail and kept in custody until he was convicted and sentenced by the Musina Regional Court today, Tuesday August 22, 2023," he said.The jailing comes a few weeks after another 32-year-old Zimbabwean truck driver was jailed for an effective 15 years by the same court for smuggling a contraband of explosives via the Beitbridge Border Post.Amon Jokwiro, from Murehwa was arrested after he was found with 397 units of blasting cartridges marked Superpower 90 Solar Explochem Zambia Limited.The smuggling of explosives between Zimbabwe and South Africa is rife and border authorities from both countries have arrested more than 10 people for similar offences in the last six months.It is understood that the explosives are being used mainly by syndicates involved in illegal mining activities in Gauteng and Free State provinces. More than 135 wildfires have burned across Louisiana over the past week and many more are expected as the state grapples with a long spell of Yevgeny Prigozhin (AP) Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhins body was identified by a missing part of his finger, it has been reported, as the British Ministry of Defence said the Russian warlords death would have a deeply destabilising impact on the private army. The mercenary group boss, and nine others, are believed to have been killed when a business jet crashed in Russias Tver region after a suspected explosion on Wednesday evening. Wagner field commander Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov are also thought to have perished in the crash, which came two months after Prigozhin ordered his soldiers to march on Moscow in a short lived mutiny against Vladimir Putin. Kristina Raspopova, a 39-year-old air stewardess, was the only woman to be killed. Shortly before take-off she had shared an image on social media of her eating breakfast with her cabin bag next to her. Prigozhins body was reportedly identified by a partially missing finger on his left hand - an injury he sustained while serving time in a penal colony, Russian new sourced reported. In its morning briefing, the MoD said it was highly likely the former Putin loyalist died in the plane crash, but warned there was "not yet definitive proof". The demise of Prigozhin would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on the Wagner Group, it added. His personal attributes of hyper-activity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor. Wagners leadership vacuum would be compounded by the reports that founder and field commander Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov also died. A Pentagon spokesman also said the US believed the Wagner chief was likely killed in the crash. The West has suggested Putin ordered the assassination of Progozhin, who he believed had betrayed him by staging the June coup against his regime. Putin broke his silence over the reported death on Thursday night. Story continues The Russian president described the mercenary group boss as talented person who "made serious mistakes in life". He also sent condolences to the families of the people said to be on board when the plane was downed north-west of Moscow. It comes as a video reportedly highlighting an extraordinary security breach on Prigozhins business jet on the day it crashed was released. It shows how the Embraer Legacy 600 plane was shown to potential buyers at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow just hours before it was destroyed amid fears a bomb was planted on board, according to the VChK-OGPU Telegram channel. It comes as the US announced it will begin flight training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in October. The Pentagon said the pilots would start English-language lessons next month before flight training is set to take place at the Morris air national guard base in Tucson, Arizona. Denmark and the Netherlands have pledged to donate F-16s to Ukraine, fulfilling longstanding calls from president Volodymyr Zelensky for the jets. Norways prime minister, Jonas Gahr Stre, on Thursday said his country would also give Ukraine F-16s. Stephen Handwerk, left, executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, and Jason Dore, executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party, agree on little. But on Monday, October 24, 2016, at the Press Club of Baton Rouge, both said they didn't want David Duke to participate in next week's televised debate and criticized the metrics used to allow the white supremacist on the debate stage in the U.S. Senate campaign. President Donald Trump speaks to, from left to right, U.S. House of Representatives Minority Whip Stephen Scalise, Sen. John Kennedy, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and President of the American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duvall, after stepping off of Air Force One at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, La. Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. President Trump visited New Orleans to deliver a speech at the Farm Bureau convention. "I want to honor and respect all person's ideals and beliefs," the 'Maria Maria' musician said in a since-deleted statement Carlos Santana issued, then deleted, an apology to the LGBTQ community after disparaging remarks he made during a recent show went viral. I am sorry for my insensitive comments. They don't reflect that I want to honor and respect all persons ideals and beliefs. I realize that what I said hurt people and that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize to the transgender community and everyone I offended, the Maria Maria musician said in a statement posted to his Facebook page Thursday and then removed on Friday. Santana, 76, continued, "Here is my personal goal that I strive to achieve every day. I want to honor and respect all persons ideals and beliefs whether they are LGBTQ or not. This is the planet of free will and we have all been given this gift. I will now pursue this goal to be happy and have fun, and for everyone to believe what they want and follow in your hearts without fear. It takes courage to grow and glow in the light that you are and to be true, genuine, and authentic. We grow and learn to shine our light with love and compliments. Have a glorious existence. Peace." On Friday, a replacement Facebook post read, "the energy of consciousness generates its own kind. hate begets hate love begets love." The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's apology came after he was filmed on stage during an Atlantic City, New Jersey concert in June telling his audience that certain gender expressions and identities "ain't right." Footage of Santana's comments, which many called out publicly as anti-trans, began circulating on social media Thursday. "When God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are," he said at the time. "Later on, when you grow up, you see things, and you start believing that you could be something that sounds good, but you know it ain't right. Because a woman is a woman and a man is a man. That's it. Whatever you wanna do in the closet, that's your business. I'm OK with that." Story continues Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Carlos Santana performs in October 2018 in California Santana's controversial comments come as LGBTQ+ individuals continue to experience discrimination across the United States. At least 13 U.S. states have signed anti-LGBTQ legislation into law, and another 23 states introduced such bills in 2022 alone, according to the Human Rights Campaign, with many of those laws targeting transgender youth and gender-affirming care. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ramped up attacks on trans youth, directing the Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents for child abuse after they provided gender-affirming care for their children. Florida and Alabama have since adopted similar policies. Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Carlos Santana In March 2022 and 2023, President Joe Biden pledged his support to trans citizens during Transgender Day of Visibility, and he's continued to urge Congress to pass the Equality Act. Last August, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals published an opinion that 1990's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) extends to those suffering from gender dysphoria, a potential landmark ruling that could guarantee access to gender-affirming care. Related: Carlos Santana Recalls Being 'Higher Than an Astronaut's Butt' at Woodstock Thanks to Jerry Garcia: 'It Was a Real Test' (Exclusive) In June, Santana told PEOPLE that love is unconditional when he discussed how he met his wife jazz drummer Cindy Blackman Santana. "I was meditating and talking to God, and I said, 'I need a queen to come home to share this. Love is unconditional, and I need someone who loves me and grows with me,'" he shared. "And next thing I know, here comes Cindy. The way Cindy walked like a New York woman, filled with confidence. I was like, 'Damn.'" The Black Magic Woman artist and Cindy, 63, got engaged onstage in July 2010, and married that December at the Ritz-Carlton in Maui, Hawaii. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. In the South West, almost 26% of young people are at risk from these potentially life-threatening and life-changing infections (73.9% vaccine uptake). The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West and leading meningitis charities are urging students to ensure they have been vaccinated against meningitis and other diseases before the start of the academic year. The NHS schools MenACWY immunisation programme is offered to all pupils in year 9 and 10. UKHSA vaccine coverage data shows around 1 in 8 new students nationally going to college and university this year remain unprotected against these four strains of meningococcal bacteria - which can cause long term disability, serious health complications and can be life threatening. And the latest 2021-2022 MenACWY coverage data shows the vaccination rate has fallen to 79.6% for England, which means that the figure will rise to around one in five pupils being unprotected when they start college or university in a few years time if they dont catch-up with their vaccinations. All first-year students starting college or university this September and returning students who are not up to date with all their childhood and adolescent vaccines are at increased risk of serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia, and measles as they mix with large numbers of other students from around the country and overseas. The UKHSA is urging all students and young people to ensure they are up to date with all free routine NHS vaccines and to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia as it could help save a life. The three vaccines students should be up to date with before starting university or college include: MenACWY protecting against four common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia MMR protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella HPV protecting against human papilloma virus (HPV) related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of the head, neck and genital areas, and genital warts. In recent years the number of children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella has fallen. Uptake for the first dose of the MMR vaccine in 2-year-olds in the South West is 93.2%, and uptake of two MMR doses at 5 years is 90.6%, below the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO) which is necessary to achieve and maintain elimination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake for routine childhood immunisations fell globally leaving many children unprotected from serious infections and countries at increased risk of outbreaks. Measles is now circulating in many countries around the world and the WHO has warned that Europe is likely to see a resurgence unless countries catch-up children who missed out. HPV vaccine uptake is also concerning in the South West, with around 33% of female pupils not fully protected, and almost 38% of male students not fully vaccinated. The NHS South West Vaccination and Screening team will be visiting Fresher's Fairs at universities and colleges across the South West in September to encourage students to check their vaccine records and book appointments too. Dr Julie Yates, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA South West said: Every year we see new and returning students get seriously ill, with some tragically dying, from what are preventable diseases. With large numbers of students coming together from around the country and overseas for the first time, and closely mixing, infection can spread easily. Ensuring you are protected against these deadly bugs is vital. If youve missed out on your Meningitis (MenACWY), HPV or MMR jabs then contacting your GP for the vaccine should be top of your list of urgent things to do before starting college or university. Michelle Bresnahan, who founded Bristol based meningitis awareness charity A Life for a Cure following the sudden death of her son Ryan to MenB, said: Its important to make sure that getting up to date with your vaccinations is on your to-do list as you begin your preparations for university. Checking with your GP that you have these free vaccines is a quick and easy way to keep yourself safe. Remember though, not all types of meningococcal disease are covered by the vaccine, including MenB. So, its vital you get to know the signs and symptoms, including a blotchy rash that doesnt fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. Doing so could save your life or that of a friend. Claire Wright, head of Insights and Policy at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: "Meningitis can kill healthy people within hours and in the early stages is difficult to distinguish from a bad hangover or more common milder illnesses. By taking up the free MenACWY vaccine, students are not only protecting themselves but also protecting others by stopping the bacteria from being passed on For young people who have already been vaccinated it remains important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis because the free vaccine does not protect against MenB, which is the most common cause of life-threatening meningitis amongst this age group." The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to those in school years 9 and 10 but anyone who has missed out can still get a free jab with their GP until their 25th birthday. The vaccine provides high protection against four common strains that cause meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY but does not protect against all strains, like MenB, which is often common among students. So its important to know the signs and symptoms as it could help save your own or a friends life. Meningitis and septicaemia can develop suddenly. Symptoms include a blotchy rash that doesnt fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, headache, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. The MenW strain can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea in teenagers and young adults. Urgent antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation is critical. If you have concerns for yourself or a friend dont hesitate to seek urgent medical help. Meningitis Now Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt, said: We know vaccination is the best way to protect against the devastation that meningitis can cause. Over many years the NHSs vaccination programme has resulted in a steady drop in the number of cases of the disease, with countless lives saved as a result. But more needs to be done. We estimate that up to half a million young people currently aged between 18 to 24 years old may have missed their MenACWY vaccine at school. In addition, we are growing increasingly concerned about the recent rise in meningitis cases across the UK. While the number of cases is still below those recorded pre-pandemic, any increase in the disease is worrying. As part of the Tackle Meningitis campaign were calling on everyone to take advantage of the MenACWY vaccination when it is offered, and please do check your vaccine status with your GP. And with no vaccine available to protect against all types of meningitis, were also urging everyone to learn the signs and symptoms and to seek urgent medical attention if meningitis is suspected. For further information about the routine vaccine schedule, please visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/ CROWN POINT A jury found a Merrillville man guilty on Thursday on charges that he killed his sons ex-wife in April 2020. Frank Zyzanski, 60, was arrested on April 4, 2020, hours after he purportedly shot and killed 29-year-old Crystal Zyzanski, according to previous reporting from The Times. Charging documents show that Crystal Zyzanski died from a gunshot wound to the neck. She was shot at the Zyzanski home, located on the 600 block of West 63rd Avenue. Charges stated that Frank Zyzanski allegedly called the 29-year-old woman into another room away from her ex-husband and three children and shot her to death, before he fled the scene. The womans ex-husband, Randal Zyzanski, told police he and Crystal Zyzanski had a rocky relationship, but they recently rekindled it because they were mourning the death of his mother. Charging documents stated that less than 30 seconds passed before Crystal Zyzanski went into the other room and Randal Zyzanski turned and saw his dad shoot her in the neck. Trial proceedings for Frank Zyzanskis murder charge began on Monday in Judge Natalie Bokotas courtroom. Throughout the trial, Frank Zyzanskis attorney Michael Lambert argued that his client was acting in self-defense when he shot Crystal Zyzanski. Frank Zyzanski attempted to skirt trial proceedings in April 2022, according to previous Times reporting. His attorney filed a motion for release, which stipulated that prosecutors violated Frank's right to due process because he hadn't been brought to trial in a timely manner. Judge Bokota ultimately denied the motion. When Frank Zyzanski testified on Wednesday, he maintained that he acted out of self-defense. He told jurors that Crystal Zyzanski was clawing at him, and he shot her because he had no other way to defend himself. Prosecutors displayed text messages from Frank Zyzanskis cellphone during his trial, which showed him complaining about his daughter-in-laws presence around the house. In one message he said he hated that (expletive). Charging documents show that when officers asked Randal Zyzanski why his dad wouldve shot his ex-wife, he said, "Because he's a (expletive) psychopath. Randal Zyzanski also told police that his dad blamed Crystal Zyzanski for his criminal history. Frank Zyzanski also purportedly threatened to kill her in one instance, according to the probable-cause affidavit. The state filed a motion in limine ahead of trial, which prevented Frank Zyzanski from mentioning his sons criminal history during his testimony. Court records indicate that Randal Zyzanski was charged with arson in 2018 for allegedly setting fire to the car of one of Crystal Zyzanskis friends. Randal ultimately pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy, criminal mischief and criminal trespass, records stated. Charges show that Frank Zyzanski allegedly has ties to the Latin Kings street gang and Outlaw biker gang. After he fled the scene of the shooting, Frank Zyzanski purportedly sent his son several texts, which said, "Cowboy (expletive) you love the old man?" "I'm not done," "My life's over" and "How you doing?" according to previous reporting from The Times. Frank Zyzanski is set to be sentenced on September 21 in Judge Bokotas courtroom, according to court records. CROWN POINT A Calumet City man was arrested on Tuesday in connection to a fatal shooting in June at a Hammond gas station, according to court records. Court records indicate that 36-year-old Soloman Martin was charged on July 27 with the June 25 shooting death of Ronnie Martin, a 33-year-old from Chicago. Details surrounding the charges were sealed until Soloman Martin was arrested on Tuesday, records stated. Charging documents described how Soloman Martin and a woman arrived to Lukes gas station in Hammond, located at 5105 Stateline Ave. around 2 a.m. Soloman then purportedly went into the gas station, charges stated. While he was inside another man approached the 2020 Ford Edge, where the woman was sitting, and the woman then made a phone call. Charges show that Soloman Martin and the woman then drove back to his apartment, located on the 500 block of Ingraham Street. Police learned that the apartment was Soloman Martins after they spoke with the buildings landlord. Surveillance footage later showed Soloman Martin return to the Lukes gas station around 2:08 a.m, at which point he confronted the unidentified man who had approached the Ford Edge earlier. Charges stated that he then punched the man, at which point the man ran and ducked behind a red Jaguar in the gas station lot. Soloman Martin then started shooting and the red Jaguar appear(ed) to be in the direct line of fire, according to charging documents. Ronnie Martin was in the passenger seat of the red Jaguar when he arrived at the Roseland Community Hospital around 2:25 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 3:59 a.m., according to charging documents. Police wrote in charges that the Ford Edge Soloman Martin was seen in had Michigan license plates, and it was registered to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Officers later learned that the woman seen in surveillance footage in the car with Soloman was the person who had rented the vehicle, charges stated. Police connected Soloman Martin to the shooting after they conducted a search warrant of the 2020 Ford Edge and found a Certificate of Title in the name of Soloman Martin (and) a Family Dollar receipt, according to the probable-cause affidavit. The affidavit stated that officers viewed surveillance footage from the Family Dollar, and the same person observed in the Lukes gas station video suspected of shooting and killing Ronnie Martin was observed making the Family Dollar purchase. Court records indicate that Soloman Martin appeared remotely before Mag. Mark Watson. His next appearance is set for August 29 in Judge Gina Jones courtroom. The Hassan Haggar family moved to Annapolis Royal, N.S., in 2016 as refugees. Since moving to Halifax in 2019, they still call Annapolis Royal home. (Daniel Jardine/CBC - image credit) As Ikhlass Hassan Haggar flips through photos of her family's first few days in Canada, she smiles, and points out a picture of a grey house with a red door. "It was [such a] nice house," she says. "It was so pretty." It's a picture of her family's first home in Nova Scotia, in the small town of Annapolis Royal, where they had settled seven years ago this summer. In 2016, Ikhlass, her five siblings and her mother were in a refugee camp in Chad, where they had fled after escaping war in Darfur, Sudan. Ikhlass, who was just 15 at the time, recalls having limited access to basic needs, such as running water and medical care. "It [was] not even safe. We don't have enough food not enough education. It's not safe enough to live there," she says. After fleeing Sudan and staying in a refugee camp in Chad, the Hassan Haggar family arrived in Nova Scotia in 2016. Community members from Annapolis Royal welcomed them at the airport. After fleeing Sudan and staying in a refugee camp in Chad, the Hassan Haggar family arrived in Nova Scotia in 2016. Community members from Annapolis Royal welcomed them at the airport. (Submitted by Hassan Haggar family) The Hassan Haggar family came to Annapolis Royal through the Blended Visa Office-Referred program, which allows a community group to share half the cost of supporting a refugee family while the federal government covers the other half. The Annapolis Royal Community Assisting Relocation group, an organization created specifically to sponsor a family through the program, raised more than $30,000 to help settle the Hassan Haggars. One couple even bought and renovated a home for the family. After several months of organizing, the Hassan Haggars arrived in June 2016. Ikhlass Hassan Haggar says she's thankful to the Annapolis Royal community for supporting her family. Though her family moved from the small town to Halifax in 2019, she still considers Annapolis Royal her home. Ikhlass Hassan Haggar says she's thankful to the Annapolis Royal community for supporting her family. Though her family moved from the small town to Halifax in 2019, she still considers Annapolis Royal her home. (Daniel Jardine/CBC) "It was just different, I'd never lived in [that kind] of town before. It was so different than where I was living," Ikhlass says. "And now, I can see running water, like power, like everything." Story continues Ikhlass says it was difficult at first to adjust to her new home because she and her family didn't know how to speak English and had left everything they had known behind. But what made it easier, she says, was the community's support. The town of just 500 people donated more than money they also donated their time: driving the family to appointments, teaching them English, taking them shopping, and helping the older children learn how to drive. "Everybody in that community, they help us a lot, a lot, a lot. Even the words 'a lot' for them is not enough," Ikhlass says. Saffa Hassan Haggar is starting the ninth grade this fall, and she says she's excited about the opportunities she and her family have had in Nova Scotia. Saffa Hassan Haggar is starting the ninth grade this fall, and she says she's excited about the opportunities she and her family have had in Nova Scotia. (Daniel Jardine/CBC) Ikhlass says the opportunities she and her family have received in Nova Scotia would never have been possible in Sudan. All of the Hassan Haggar children, who are expecting to become official Canadian citizens in the coming months, have now received an education and are following dreams of their own. Moustapha, the youngest of the six children, is starting Grade 7 this fall and says he wants to become a pilot. Saffa, the youngest daughter, is a star athlete with plans to become a doctor. Heading into Grade 9, she was recently awarded a scholarship to a private school, with hopes of attending next year. "It's going really well," she says. "I care a lot about my academics, so I study a lot and try to get good grades. "I'm just excited to see where that takes me later in life." Ikhlass says her family celebrated their first Canada Day in Annapolis Royal just a few days after arriving in 2016. She says she still keeps in contact with the people who helped their family settle into their new home. Ikhlass says her family celebrated their first Canada Day in Annapolis Royal just a few days after arriving in 2016. She says she still keeps in contact with the people who helped the family settle into their new home. (Rianna Lim/CBC) Ikhlass, now 21, is going to nursing school in the fall. She says she was inspired to become a nurse to help people, because she remembers how inaccessible health care was in Sudan. In 2019, the family moved to Halifax to be closer to education and work opportunities, but Ikhlass says the decision to leave Annapolis Royal wasn't an easy one. "We really, really don't want to move from Annapolis because Annapolis people are great, great people," she says. Ikhlass says her family keeps in close contact with the Annapolis Royal community, and plans to visit before the summer ends. Home, she says, is the small town that welcomed her and her family seven years ago. "These are my people," she says. "These are my family. Even before I go to Sudan, I will go to them. These are my family. Now they come first." MORE TOP STORIES MICHIGAN CITY A man and a woman found dead in an apartment Tuesday died as a result of a "domestic incident," police said Thursday. According to an updated news release, the shooting deaths of 23-year-old Corey Robinson Jr. and 20-year-old Kaliya Harrington have been ruled as a suicide and and a homicide. An investigation revealed Robinson Jr. shot Harrington before taking his own life, Michigan City Capt. Kevin Urbanczyk said. Officers were dispatched around 11:42 a.m. to the 2300 block of Normandy Drive at the Normandy Village apartments for the report of an unconscious person in one of the apartment units. Multiple gunshots were fired, police said, based on evidence found at the scene. "It should again be reiterated that this was an isolated incident and there is no active threat to the community," Urbanczyk said in a news release. "The Michigan City Police Department is not seeking any suspects involved in this incident." Anyone with information related to the incident can contact Sgt. Lendell Hood at 219-874-3221 ext. 1074 or by email at lhood@emichigancity.com. Anonymous tips can be called into 219-873-1488. Police can also be contacted through Facebook messenger or the WeTip Hotline for General Crime at 800-78-CRIME. PHOTOS: St Pat's Day parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City Gallery HTML code MICHICAN CITY A 48-year-old man is behind bars after reportedly contacting police a year ago and confessing to killing his roommate in 2017, storing the body in the basement of their home for 56 days and then using a hacksaw to cut up the remains before disposing of the pieces in the trash. John Hallett, who was picked up Thursday morning in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is charged in LaPorte County with murder and abuse of a corpse, records show. The deceased was identified by police as 64-year-old Michigan City resident Paul Gonzales. Region mom encouraged others to discipline young son, put him in grave if necessary, cops say "Austin (Justice) informed me that Leanne (Disbrow) told them that she didn't care what happened to Victim 1, that they could kill him, and that she would help bury the body, and then bail them out of jail," charges say. Hallett reportedly reached out Aug. 29, 2022 to Michigan City police Detective Lt. Anna Painter and told her he struck Gonzales from behind with a crutch Hallett used as an amputee and then choked him to death Nov. 25, 2017. John believed that Paul was stealing his mail and that Paul was trying to get him kicked out of the house, Painter said. Both men had been homeless before being placed at the residence in the 1000 block of West 9th Street in 2015 by Housing Opportunities. John then moved Pauls body into a bedroom for a few days but then moved him into the basement where he was kept for 56 days, Painter said. John then used a hacksaw to cut up Pauls body and place the parts into trash bags where he then disposed of them in the city residential trash cans. UPDATE: Valpo woman identified as person found dead in Porter County house fire "Please keep the family and friends of the subject that passed in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," police said. In addition to confirming the disappearance of Gonzales, police used two cadaver sniffing dogs to search the basement in question with mixed results. Both dogs had some sort of reaction in an area of the basement floor that had been painted a different color. A county police officer expressed his belief that the concrete floor is porous and the fluid from Pauls body would have soaked into the material and would still be detectable, Painter said. Samples taken from the cellar tested positive in a lab for decomposing material, she said. Painter presented her findings to the LaPorte County Prosecutors Office, which agreed earlier this month to charge Hallett and issue an arrest warrant, police said. Local police learned Hallett was in Cambridge and police at that location helped locate and take him into custody. Hallett is being held without bond at the Middlesex House of Correction and Jail in Billerica, Massachusetts, police there said Friday. His arrest photo was not available and extradition is pending. (Michigan City Police) Chief Steven Forker would like to thank all the local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies who assisted with this investigation and took Hallett into custody, the local department said. GARY Glen Park Academy has recently renovated its school library. The elementary schools library features updated furniture and carpet, as well as a redesigned computer lab. The renovated library also features hundreds of new books for Glen Park students. The school received $40,000 worth of books, half of them through grant funding and the other half through donations from Half Price Books in Orland Park, Illinois. According to Glen Park Academy Principal Eric Worthington, the library was shut down in 2017 as Gary schools cut positions such as librarians. The library stayed dormant for five years until it was reopened last school year. Worthington said the librarys reopening was one of things he asked for when he was hired as the schools principal in 2021. We know that in urban schools kids are struggling, especially coming out of COVID, to read and do basic skills like math, he said. If you want to increase kids reading scores, you have to provide them access to good literature. According to Worthington, Glen Park has also added the number of STEM related books in its library, to coincide with a five-year STEM certification it received in May. The library also added culturally appropriate book that represent the predominantly African-American student body of Glen Park the principal said. Kids need to see themselves presented in literature, said Worthington. PHOTOS: Groundbreaking at Gary's historic Union Station fiber, union station fiber, union station fiber, union station fiber, union station fiber, union station fiber, union station Fiber, gary union station fiber union station The incident happened slightly before 2:20 p.m. on the 1000 block of Colfax Street where the man was opening the rear door of a Freightliner semitrailer and the vehicle started to roll backwards, police said. While trying to stop the semi from moving, the man was crushed between the semi and truck. The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department will receive $247,200 from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced the grant from a program intended to aid firefighting and emergency operations and safety. I am proud to support federal funding for first responders throughout Northwest Indiana to ensure they have the proper training and resources to keep our communities safe, Mrvan said. Congratulations to the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department for their successful efforts to secure these federal resources and improve their dedicated abilities to serve our region at a moments notice every day. The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department is an all-volunteer organization that serves Liberty and Jackson townships in Porter County. "On behalf of my department, we are beyond excited to have received such a highly competitive award from FEMA AFG, Liberty Township Lt. Matthew Wineland said. When I first received notification, I was in tears because I knew how much this life-saving equipment meant to help protect my fellow firefighters. The back to school shopping is completed. First day of school photos have been proudly posted on social media. First week of school is in the books. Now what? Before parents get swept up in the swirling daze of school days, Id like to remind them of their long-term lesson plan: Youre raising kids to someday leave home. Not to overstay their welcome. Not to be dependent on your support. Not to take advantage of your unconditional love. In fact, youre not raising kids, youre raising adults. So dont lose sight of the end-game goals as a parent. Its to provide your children with roots and wings. Its to bathe them in love, towel them off with praise, and clothe them with values, morals, kindness and critical thinking. Hopefully, they wont have too much emotional baggage as they walk out the door. This sappy adage is true the days are long, but the years are short. The decades can seem even shorter, as Ive learned with my four kids, who are 40, 38, 24 and 22. When my stepson left our home for college at Indiana University in Bloomington, he was nervous as any other freshman facing a new home, new city and new challenges. My wife and I drove him to IU with our car packed with luggage and leeriness. She was sad. He was nervous. I was giddy. Its a remarkable day when a child leaves home to begin the next phase of their life. I remember moving Bobby into his dormitory room, which was so small he had to go outside to change his mind. The anxious look on his face said to us, Are you just going to leave me here? Yes, indeed, the look on my face replied. His mother didnt want to leave. She wanted to keep tidying up his room. Organize his closet. One more hug. One more loving smile. One more minute to be in the same air space as her son. Its a maternal instinct that even the smartest college kids cant understand. Bobby knew he was supposed to be there. But knowing it is one thing. Feeling it is another. I reassured him as we carried his belongings into the dorm room. This is your future, I told him. He didnt yet realize that his future started that second. From that moment on, he would be creating his new reality, one decision at a time. This is when too many parents sabotage their childs future by clinging to their past. They make it about their needs, not their childs needs. They forget their lesson plan as parents. If theyre living their life vicariously through their kids life, theyve made a critical mistake somewhere, either as a parent or a person. And everyone - except them - likely knows it. It can feel counter intuitive, especially for mothers, to prepare a child to eventually leave home, turn the page and begin writing the next chapter of their life. Nevertheless, keep in mind that your fingerprints are all over those pages. Yes, some prints will be smudged by your mistakes but other prints will be indelibly imprinted onto their heart and mind. Todays parents face challenges that I never had to deal with as a father. But they also have something that seems rare to me when my oldest two kids were being raised in the 1980s and 90s the Digital Age. And with it, the internet, social media and an endless photo album of images to look back upon someday. There is so little evidence of our youth, a 61-year-old friend of mine told me. Photos from then are few, or lost, or buried by time. The same can be said for evidence of our children, depending on their age. Unlike today, there are no videos, no daily account of their lives, no plethora of digital platforms to chronicle their childhood. During summer break, a Times colleague posted on Facebook the cutest photo of a note that his young daughter wrote to him at night before bedtime. Written with the most adorable misspellings, her note requested what she would like for breakfast the next morning. 1. Jueis, 2. Pinappel, and tost, tomrrow for my breckfist, she wrote to her dad, Adam Hazlett. I commented on his post, reminding him to save that note in a time capsule and unearth it for a future milestone, possibly her high school or college graduation. He already had this idea, of course. Hazletts social media post will be part of his digital diary as the dad of three girls. Another father I know, Stacy Curtis, etched a drawing on his daughters lunch bag for her first day of school. Rayna, have a great first day of 5th grade! it states with the colorful image of a happy flower. Curtis, whos a former cartoonist at this newspaper, wrote on his post: At some point today, the kiddo will discover her dad drew on her snack bag. Shell then eat the snack, wad up the bag and throw it in the recycle bin. Maybe. But he will always have that photo and social media post. Such digital mementos now exist to document every effort by parents. Somewhere amid thousands of photos stored on my iPhone and iCloud is an image of my stepson, Bobby, on his first day after moving to IU. We had escorted him to a pizza party on the campus for Cox scholarship recipients, thinking he needed our hand-holding a few more hours to begin his college career. Minutes after we arrived, Bobby abruptly left our table and made his big move. Im going to sit over there, he told us matter-of-factly, pointing to another table with strangers who would later become his peers. He never looked back. My wifes heart cracked ever so slightly. But at that moment I knew we raised him right, to leave our nest and fly away. I never looked back. (Watch a video and view more photos at the online version of this column.) When he stood to speak, Mr. McCloud became emotional. Ten thousand six hundred and seven days. That equates to 29 years and 15 days exactly, Mr. McCloud said. Ill be the first to tell you that those 29 years were not kind to me. Sitting several rows behind him, Mr. Cameron began to cry. When it was his turn to speak, Mr. Cameron, who had pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery in Mr. Sunadas death in exchange for the dismissal of murder charges, told the court how the conviction irrevocably changed his life. Although he is happy that his name has been cleared, it doesnt fix things, he said. It doesnt fix this scar on my face, he said, pointing to a thick line about four inches long across his right cheek a wound he got in prison. I suffer from depression because of it, he told Justice Johnson. Since 1989, about 400 of 3,361 total exonerations nationwide have involved false confessions, according to data maintained by the National Registry of Exonerations. The group lists at least 230 exonerations for New York City since 1989. In recent years, prosecutors in the city have sought the dismissal of hundreds of convictions tied to police officers who have themselves been convicted of crimes related to their work. Since the Queens district attorneys office launched a Conviction Integrity Unit in 2020, 102 convictions including the three on Thursday have been vacated, according to a news release. Eighty-six of the convictions were tied to police misconduct. For the first time, Maui County officials publicly blamed Hawaiis largest electric utility for the wildfires that killed at least 115 people this month, claiming in a lawsuit filed on Thursday that intentional and malicious mismanagement of power lines had allowed flames to spark. The lawsuit accused the utility, Hawaiian Electric, of failing to respond to ominous weather reports on the day of the fires, Aug. 8, when red-flag fire danger warnings were issued because of hurricane-fueled winds, and of failing to perform basic maintenance in the years beforehand. Defendants knew of the extreme fire danger that the high wind gusts posed to their overhead electrical infrastructure, particularly during red flag conditions, the lawsuit said. It said power company officials had chosen not to de-energize their power lines, even though they knew that power poles and power lines were falling and coming into contact with dry vegetation. Hawaiian Electric, which provides service for about 95 percent of people in the state, has been a focus of scrutiny since the first days after the wildfires. The fire in Lahaina, in West Maui, became the countrys deadliest in more than a century, while smaller fires in central Maui also caused significant damage. Lawsuits filed previously by homeowners and shareholders claimed the utility had been negligent. Beginning on Jan. 30, Mr. Smith, 46, left multiple threatening messages on the voice mail of Mr. Testers office in Kalispell, according to a criminal complaint. In one message, Mr. Smith said to Mr. Tester: You stand toe to toe with me. I rip your head off. You die. Mr. Smith also said he would love to destroy Mr. Tester and would love to see your F.B.I. at my door, according to the complaint. The threats and the frequency of the calls prompted an investigation by the bureau and the U.S. Capitol Police. On Feb. 1, the complaint said, F.B.I. agents went to Mr. Smiths home and asked if he intended to scare Mr. Tester or if he desired for him to change his politics. Mr. Smith replied that he was unsure but wished Mr. Tester would just do things right, according to the complaint. Mr. Smith continued to leave threatening messages, about 60 in total, despite being warned by F.B.I. agents not to threaten public officials, prosecutors said. Mr. Smith was arrested on Feb. 22. Mr. Smith acknowledged that he had made the threats on purpose, prosecutors said, and that he had done so because he was upset with Mr. Testers political decisions. Headshot of Wagner mercenary group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin AP Wagner mercenary group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to have been killed in a plane crash near Kuzhenkino, a village halfway between Moscow and St. Petersburg, two months after his forces staged a brief revolt demanding the ouster of Russia's military leadership. Foreign observers, including President Joe Biden, are speculating aloud that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably had Prigozhin killed in retaliation, and U.S. intelligence analysts said Prigozhin was most likely assassinated, probably with a bomb or some other device planted on Prigozhin's private aircraft. Prigozhin was a longtime ally of Putin who fell out of grace when he led his forces on a march toward Moscow to demand the replacement of Russia's military leaders, whom he accused of botching the invasion of Ukraine. The mutiny was widely interpreted as a serious threat to Putin's government and a humiliation for a leader who tries hard to project an image of power. Several Russian generals were fired after the uprising. Russia's aviation authority said Prigozhin was on board the plane when it crashed, killing all 10 people on board, according to The Associated Press. U.S. intelligence agencies said there's no definitive, independent proof yet, but it's highly likely Prigozhin is dead, per The New York Times. If confirmed, will Prigozhin's death put an end to or just increase any threat to Putin's power? Putin's grip on power is stronger than ever Putin "looked surprisingly vulnerable when he failed to crush the Wagner mutiny by force after having denounced the group's leaders as traitors," said Max Boot in The Washington Post. It was "humiliating" for the Russian leader to have to rely on his "crony," President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, to broker a deal that "allowed Prigozhin and his henchmen to escape seemingly unpunished." Executing Prigozhin turned the tables and made Putin "as strong as ever." Story continues Maybe stronger, said Fred Kaplan in Slate. Putin is cleaning house as a warning to anyone else thinking of challenging him. On the day of the crash, Russia's military formally ousted General Sergei Surovikin, the Russian aerospace forces chief placed under house arrest on suspicion of collusion with Prigozhin. "Killing Prigozhin on top of that step would send a bold signal to those pondering future coups: The man in charge is not to be trifled with or underestimated." Killing Prigozhin shows weakness, not strength "Putin clearly understands the rule of all autocrats: strong man today, dead man tomorrow," said Charles Lipson in The Telegraph. The impression that Putin had Prigozhin killed only makes it clear that thanks to the Russian leader's miscalculations since invading Ukraine, Putin knows he's vulnerable. Firing Surovikin, "his most effective general in the Ukraine war," won't help. "Putin's failed war of choice in Ukraine has destabilized his regime," and this week's events put him a step closer to the kind of failure he can't survive, like an "outright loss" or even the surrender of "major territory like Crimea." "Prigozhin and those who supported him were the uberhawks in Russia's bogged-down war in Ukraine," said Amy Mackinnon and Jack Detsch in Foreign Policy. "His seeming demise at Putin's hands leaves the Kremlin in a bit of a political predicament, risking alienating some of the more influential pro-war voices in Russian society." If Wagner, a key asset for Russia in Ukraine, is "disbanded and its personnel is persecuted," that could undermine Russia's military, said Riley Bailey, Grace Mappes, Angelica Evans, Christina Harward, Kateryna Stepanenko, and Frederick W. Kagan at the Institute for the Study of War. Grievances over the assassinations of Prigozhin and his associates, especially Wagner Group founder Dmitry Utkin, "may become a focal point for future conflicts between the Russian military establishment and current and former Wagner personnel." Wagner was what one Russian military blogger described as the country's "military elite," and Putin has lost that now. Putin is on dangerous ground Russia is still losing troops and equipment at a dangerous pace, said Thomas Grove and Yaroslav Trofimov in The Wall Street Journal. "Worsening economic pain" as the ruble plummets and "social friction resulting from the war have contributed to growing discontent among the troops on the front line discontent that Prigozhin himself had tried to channel." Even if Prigozhin is gone, Russia's political scene is being shaken by "growing instability" that puts Putin and his inner circle on "potentially dangerous new terrain to navigate." Prigozhin's demise is bound to "have unintended consequences," said Brian Klass in The Atlantic. It ensnares Putin more tightly in the "dictator trap." Every action "intended to shore up power nearly always winds up undermining it." This week's drama, and all the "mysterious" deaths of people who crossed Putin over his two-decade "reign of terror," will make Kremlin insiders "rightly wonder whether they could be next." "If insiders fear for their own safety, a palace coup becomes more likely. In that way, getting rid of Prigozhin just shifts and delays the threat. Eventually, every dictator meets his end." You may also like Homepage Eleven days after President Biden drew criticism for appearing to brush off a query about the deadly wildfires in Hawaii with a no comment, a White House spokeswoman said on Thursday that the president never heard the question. Olivia Dalton, the deputy White House press secretary, made the clarification in response to a question from The New York Times. The White House has battled accusations that its response to the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century has not been fast or forceful enough, and the controversy over Mr. Bidens remark gained new life on Wednesday as it became a Republican attack line in front of millions of viewers at the G.O.P. presidential debate. On Aug. 13, just days after an inferno scorched the historic town of Lahaina on the island of Maui, one of the reporters traveling with the president on vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Del., shouted the question about his reaction to the rising death toll while Mr. Biden was entering a vehicle. He didnt hear the question, Ms. Dalton said. He absolutely didnt say no comment in relation to Maui. And in fact, he had already spoken to the nation about Maui at that point, in addition to being in daily contact with senior staff, FEMA and state officials as he marshaled a whole-of-government response to the fires. Former President Donald J. Trump surrendered at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on Thursday and was booked on 13 felony charges for his efforts to reverse his 2020 election loss in Georgia. It was an extraordinary scene: a former U.S. president who flew on his own jet to Atlanta and surrendered at a jail compound surrounded by concertina wire and signs that directed visitors to the prisoner intake area. As Mr. Trumps motorcade of black S.U.V.s drove to the jail through cleared streets, preceded by more than a dozen police motorcycles a trip captured by news helicopters and broadcast live on national television two worlds collided in ways never before seen in American political history. The nations former commander in chief walked into a notorious jail, one that has been cited in rap lyrics and is the subject of a Department of Justice investigation into unsanitary and unsafe conditions, including allegations that an incarcerated person died covered in insects and filth. The case is the fourth brought against Mr. Trump this year, but Thursday was the first time that he was booked at a jail. Some come with free luxury housing, or first-class travel, or an allowance for social clubs, as long as business is involved. Many come with deferred compensation and other benefits that can push annual earnings past the $1 million mark. The challenges nonprofit arts organizations have been facing, particularly since the pandemic, have made the job of running one increasingly complex. Those difficulties have also drawn more scrutiny to pay and expenditures, and many arts executives took pay cuts during the pandemic. So what do the leaders of some of the most prominent arts institutions in the nation make? Heres a look at their pay and benefits, as drawn from recent tax filings. For years the Metropolitan Museum of Art housed its directors in a $5 million apartment on Fifth Avenue, where they lived for free and paid no taxes on that benefit. The American Museum of Natural Historys president also lived for decades in a rent-free, tax-free luxury East Side apartment owned by the museum that is just down the block from Central Park. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art long provided its director with a Tudor home valued at more than $6.5 million, and later a more modest mansion valued at $2.4 million. But in recent years, as art organizations contend with financial struggles at a time of heightened sensitivity around issues of income inequality, cultural institutions have begun to revisit and in some cases roll back the perks they give top executives. Six years later, certain that he was on the right path as an artist, he held his first solo exhibition. He soon moved to the state capital, Salvador, where he studied printmaking at the Escola de Belas Artes da Bahia. He would go on to show his work in some 50 solo shows and more than 150 group exhibitions, winning several awards along the way, including a gold medal at the 1972 Graphic Biennial in Florence. After a stint as director of the Museu de Arte da Bahia in the early 1980s, Araujo headed to New York, where he taught courses in graphic arts and sculpture at City College. Back in Brazil, he spent a decade as the director of Sao Paulos Pinacoteca, one of the countrys most important art museums, before founding the Museu Afro Brasil in 2004. An avid collector, he filled the museums immense galleries with art hed accumulated over the years: a mix of works touching on the themes of labor, farming and slavery. All tell the story of the journey Africans took when they were forcibly brought to Brazil and of the resilience they needed to rebuild their communities and hold on to their cultures. When Araujo liked an artist, he made it his mission to buy every piece of theirs he could find. He was passionate about collecting and exhibiting the works of little-known Black artists, like the brothers Joao and Arthur Timotheo da Costa, who worked together at Brazils mint, designing stamps and prints before turning their focus to painting in the early 1900s. But while Araujo had been winning praise for supporting certain artists, he was criticized for not including others. Just days after the British Museum announced that it had fired an employee who was suspected of looting its storerooms and selling items on eBay, the museums director announced Friday that he was resigning, effective immediately. Hartwig Fischer, a German art historian who had led the world renowned institution since 2016, said in a news release that he was leaving the post at a time of the utmost seriousness. Mr. Fischer, 60, said that it was evident that under his leadership the museum did not adequately respond to warnings that a curator may be stealing items. The responsibility for that failure must ultimately rest with the director, Mr. Fischer said. A few hours after Mr. Fischers resignation, the museum announced that its deputy director, Jonathan Williams, had also agreed to voluntarily step back from his normal duties until an investigation into the thefts was complete. It was a beach day, by Maine standards slightly overcast and moderately balmy, with a hint of balsam in the air. But on a peak-summer morning in July, 225 people steered clear of state parks and went to Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick instead. They were young and old, in strollers and on walkers and strutting the latest technical sandals. They wore pigtails, baby slings, ironic T-shirts, a head scarf, a lobster hat, a crown, a tiara and halos of white hair. Many carried colorful hardcovers and paperbacks that appeared to have served multiple generations of readers. The crowd wasnt at Curtis to meet a celebrity memoirist or best-selling novelist. They were there for a childrens book event: Sarah McCloskey, the real-life inspiration for Blueberries for Sal (1948), was at the library to read a handful of classics by her father, Robert McCloskey, who also wrote Make Way for Ducklings (1941) and One Morning in Maine (1952), among others. The event was one of several celebratory occasions planned around The Art of Wonder, an exhibit of 68 original illustrations by the two-time Caldecott Award-winning author, which will be on display until Oct. 15. As Sal McCloskey, now 78, settled into an armchair at the front of Morrell Reading Room, a hush fell over the undulating sea of children at her feet. It was as if an adult version of Matilda, Pippi or Eloise had just strolled into the room in a yellow T-shirt and khakis. McCloskeys hair is salt and pepper gone is the tousled mop her father drew with India ink but she still felt familiar, like an old friend you havent seen since preschool. This sense of abiding affection was a powerful reminder that certain characters imprint on our DNA and that the writers and artists who conjure them have a bit of magic in their fingertips. Earlier this year, David Yang was brimming with confidence about the prospects for his perfume factory in eastern China. After nearly three years of paralyzing Covid lockdowns, China had lifted its restrictions in late 2022. The economy seemed destined to roar back to life. Mr. Yang and his two business partners invested more than $60,000 in March to expand production capacity at the factory, expecting a wave of growth. But the new business never materialized. In fact, its worse. People are not spending, he said, and orders are one-third of what they were five years ago. It is disheartening, Mr. Yang said. The economy is really going downhill right now. For much of the past four decades, Chinas economy seemed like an unstoppable force, the engine behind the countrys rise to a global superpower. But the economy is now plagued by a series of crises. A real estate crisis born from years of overbuilding and excessive borrowing is running alongside a larger debt crisis, while young people are struggling with record joblessness. And amid the drip feed of bad economic news, a new crisis is emerging: a crisis of confidence. Bigger insurers might not feel squeezed immediately in Hawaii, as the state has been historically lucrative for them. According to an analysis from Shan Ge, a professor of finance at New York University who studies the insurance industry, Hawaii had the highest home insurance markup rates of any state from 1996 to 2021, as insurers raised premiums for homeowners without having to pay out many claims. Insurers are primarily concerned with two factors when deciding how much coverage to offer and where: the frequency of claims and the severity of those claims. The Maui fires are another data point of losses for insurers. Operating at a profit becomes harder for underwriters as extreme weather events become more frequent and powerful. The Maui fires came at a time of crisis for the global insurance market, as the frequency of costly disasters brought on by climate change has scrambled the math for insurers, making it harder for them to get access to fresh capital. Since the start of the year, insurers have paid out more than $40 billion in damage claims, on a pace for a record in yearly losses. The insurers for insurance companies, also known as reinsurers, are an important part of the equation. Reinsurers have been losing money for years, and theyve been forced to raise their prices. Those rising prices, in turn, have been cited by companies like State Farm and Allstate as the reason theyre pulling back their coverage in some places. In 2017, Michael Moritz, the billionaire venture capitalist, sent a note to a potential investor about what he described as an unusual opportunity: a chance to invest in the creation of a new California city. The site was in a corner of the San Francisco Bay Area where land was cheap. Mr. Moritz and others had dreams of transforming tens of thousands of acres into a bustling metropolis that, according to the pitch, could generate thousands of jobs and be as walkable as Paris or the West Village in New York. He painted a kind of urban blank slate where everything from design to construction methods and new forms of governance could be rethought. And it would all be a short distance from San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Let me know if this tickles your fancy, he said in the note, a copy of which was reviewed by The New York Times. Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton are under a special weather atatement with rain, heavy at times, forecast for Friday evening into early Sunday morning. (Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC - image credit) A rainfall warning has been issued by Environment Canada on Friday for parts of southern New Brunswick, including the Saint John and Moncton Areas, warning of heavy rain from tonight into overnight Saturday. The warning states that total rainfall for those areas will be between 40 to 60 millimetres of rain, with "potentially higher amounts in areas of heaviest rain." Environment Canada issued a special weather statement earlier on Friday for almost all of southern New Brunswick, warning of possible heavy rainfall "possibly reaching or exceeding 50 millimetres." That rain is expected between Friday and early Sunday morning, when it's expected to taper to a chance of showers Sunday. Meanwhile, the Environment Canada forecast for many northern communities, including Bathurst, Edmundston, and Tracadie, is calling for showers Friday evening, rain during the day Saturday, but a mix of sun and cloud on Sunday. Forecasts are calling for a very wet weekend in southern New Brunswick. Parts of southern New Brunswick could get 60 millimetres of rain, (Shane Magee/CBC) CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin's forecast also notes the rain will push in from the west to the east overnight Friday, with a risk of a thunderstorm. Winds will be gusty and southerly overnight. According to Simpkin, the rain forecast for the south would usually be considered a normal rain event, but the rain has been adding up quickly this summer. "Because we have seen so many, with each one, it only almost becomes cyclic, you know, one after another," she said. "And it seems like the weekend storms have been numerous this summer, which of course leads to a very rainy pattern." The special weather statement issued for southern New Brunswick said there's a possibility "rainfall amounts could exceed 25 millimetres per hour locally," but Simpkin said it's impossible to predict exactly where those pockets of heavy rain could hit, especially if they accompany thunderstorms. According to Simpkin, the accumulation of rain this weekend will likely be greater in southwest New Brunswick, while the potential for thunderstorms is more likely for central and southern parts of the province. Story continues Outdoor festivals still a go As for outdoor festivals taking place this weekend, organizers of Dieppe's YQM Country Fest told Radio-Canada that the festival will go ahead in spite of the forecast , unless there are violent thunderstorms. "I think everyone in the province must have rain boots and a coat because it has rained enough this summer," said Pauline Cormier, head of assets and partnerships for the City of Dieppe, in French. Norman Roy also confirmed by email that the Rogersville Bluegrass Festival will go ahead rain or shine in Rogersville, this weekend, as they have a large shelter for fans. Rogersville is also north of the worst weather forecast for this weekend. Under the warning Locations under a rainfall warning as of Friday afternoon include: Fundy National Park Grand Manan and Coastal Charlotte County Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick Saint John and County St. Stephen and Northern Charlotte County Sussex - Kennebecasis Valley and Kings County Locations under the Environment Canada special weather alert include: This is our time to take back what we are owed, he said on Facebook Live on Friday. We are united, and we are not afraid, he added. Mr. Fain, who was narrowly elected president this year in the unions first direct election of its top leaders, appears to have united the unions members. He appeared at rallies with workers in Detroit on Wednesday and in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday and Friday. About a dozen similar events are planned over the next two weeks. Such events were rare in contract talks over the last 20 years. Theres nervousness, but theres excitement, Luigi Gjokaj, a vice president at U.A.W. Local 51, said at the Detroit rally. If the company comes to the table and theyre fair, well have an agreement. If it has to go to a strike, we are prepared. Mr. Fain spoke to about 100 workers at that rally from the bed of a pickup truck just outside a Stellantis plant that makes the Jeep Wagoneer, a highly profitable sport utility vehicle. Were not asking to be millionaires, he said to loud cheers. We just want our fair share. In a statement after the result of the strike vote was announced, Ford said it hoped to work with the U.A.W. toward creative solutions during this time when our dramatically changing industry needs a skilled and competitive work force more than ever. They just found stuff that wasnt there, said Steven Salzberg, an expert on analyzing DNA sequences at Johns Hopkins University, who published one of the recent critiques. The authors of the work defended their data and pointed to more recent studies that reached similar conclusions. The unfolding debate reveals the tension between the potentially powerful applications that may come from understanding tumor microbes, and the challenge of deciphering their true nature. Independent experts said the current controversy is an example of the growing pains of a young but promising field. Biologists have known for decades that at least some microbes play a part in cancer. The most striking example is a virus known as HPV, which causes cervical cancer by infecting cells. And certain strains of bacteria drive other cancers in organs such as the intestines and the stomach. For decades, these links came to light slowly, because scientists lacked much of the technology available today. The search sped up drastically once researchers learned how to pull fragments of DNA from tumors. They then used computers to figure out whether the genetic material came from human cells or from other species. In 2019, a team of scientists at the New York University School of Medicine used these techniques in a study on pancreatic cancer they published in the journal Nature. In many tumors, they found DNA fragments from a few different species of fungi. Further research led them to conclude that the fungi were driving the growth of the tumors. One of the leading new obesity drugs, Wegovy, eased symptoms and raised the quality of life of patients with obesity and a common type of heart failure, a study funded by the drugs maker found, adding to the evidence that the medications can produce health benefits beyond weight loss. The study, published on Friday in The New England Journal of Medicine, evaluated the drug in people with a condition known as preserved ejection fraction in which the heart pumps normally but has lost the flexibility needed to fill with blood. The condition accounts for roughly half of all heart failure cases. Patients given Wegovy in the trial showed greater improvements in physical fitness and in symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath than those administered a placebo. The study, which included 529 participants and lasted for a year, was not designed to assess cardiac emergencies, but it found that 12 patients on the placebo and only one on Wegovy were hospitalized or required an urgent medical visit for heart failure. The drug showed more pronounced relief of heart failure symptoms than other treatments, the study said. Time Share Stream it on Netflix. If White Lotus were directed by Ari Aster, it might look something like this creepy Mexican resort thriller from Sebastian Hofmann. At a snazzy tropical time share recently acquired by a global franchise, Pedro (Luis Gerardo Mendez), his wife and their son encounter a series of mishaps that teeters between amusingly odd and disturbingly sinister. Their misfortunes begin when theyve barely arrived for their vacation and learn that their villa has been double-booked. Faced with a comically inept staff, they now have to share the house with a rube-ish family of five. Meanwhile, in the bowels of the resort, a depressed laundry worker, Andres (Miguel Rodarte), and his saleswoman wife, Gloria (Montserrat Maranon), are being put through some strange training program by their new American executives, who want to mine the couples traumas for profit-making schemes. The ruthlessness of global capitalism, the emotional labor of the hospitality industry and the fragility of masculinity all become targets of Hofmanns slippery satire, which derives its power from its ambiguities. Is Pedro right in suspecting his newfound roommates of foul play, or is his patriarchal pride just wounded? Is Andres being controlled by his bosses or rightfully treated for an illness? There are no clear answers in Time Share, but the film will leave you deliciously confused, unsettled and wary of the charms of vacation resorts. Lea Garcia, a pioneering actress who brought new visibility and respect to Black actors in Brazil after her breakout performance in the Academy Award-winning 1959 film Black Orpheus, died on Aug. 15 in Gramado, a mountain resort town in southern Brazil. She was 90. Her death, of cardiac complications, was confirmed by her family on her Instagram account. At her death, in a hospital, she was in Gramado to receive a lifetime achievement award at that towns film festival. Her son Marcelo Garcia, who was also her manager, accepted the honor in her place. Over a prolific career that began in the 1950s, Ms. Garcia amassed more than 100 credits in theater, film and television, from her early years with an experimental Black theater group to her later prominence on television productions, like the popular 1976 telenovela Escrava Isaura (Isaura: Slave Girl), based on an 1875 novel by the abolitionist writer Bernardo Guimaraes; it was seen in more than 80 countries. Recounting her career in a 2022 interview with the Brazilian magazine Ela, Ms. Garcia said she felt blessed by her success. I often say that the gods embraced me, she said. Things always arrived for me without me running after them. The production is a musical, an adaptation with music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez. It is being staged by the Public Theaters Public Works program, which brings professional actors together with performers from community organizations around the city for an annual end-of-summer production. Pierre plays Miranda, the daughter of Prospero, a deposed royal whose enemies have descended on the enchanted island where they have been marooned for years. The Prospero in this production is Renee Elise Goldsberry, who originated the role of Angelica Schuyler Church in the musical Hamilton. But its still The Tempest. Reading the original would have been really good for me to do, Pierre said, though she added that she had a very good reason for not doing it. I got the callback for the role about a week before going in for the audition, she said. There was no time for me to read the entire play along with school. This was in May. What I did, I went to YouTube University and I watched this amazing lady explain to me The Tempest in an hour video, she said. I got the context of the story line that way, and I watched a lot of videos on Miranda. Then I watched a couple of productions of The Tempest. Andre Faaoso, an incoming first-year student at Yale, has been in the United States for 12 days. He arrived from New Zealand on his own, three suitcases in tow. As he pulled his luggage through downtown New Haven, Conn., a woman handed him a flier describing his new city as crime-ridden and dangerous. It listed alarming local crime statistics and instructed students to remain on campus, avoid public transportation and stay off the streets after 8 p.m. Illustrated with a picture of the Grim Reaper, the flier wished students an ominous Good luck. But perhaps most jarring was the source of the flier, listed plainly in its text: the union that represents Yales own campus police. In the days since the union distributed the survival guide leaflets, Yale administrators and police officials have been scrambling to calm first-year students and their parents. Since the publication of this obituary, Russia has confirmed the death of Dmitri Utkin. Dmitri Utkin, a longtime lieutenant to the Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny V. Prigozhin and the man whose nom de guerre inspired the name of their private military outfit, Wagner, was widely believed to have died along with him in a plane crash in Russia on Wednesday. He was 53. Mr. Utkins death has not been officially confirmed by the Russian authorities or by Wagner, but he was listed as a passenger on a plane that went down in a field as it was flying to St. Petersburg from Moscow. Mr. Utkin, a veteran Russian military officer, was closely intertwined with Wagner from its emergence as a fairly modest fighting group a decade ago to its evolution into a brutal, armed-to-the-teeth force willing to do the Kremlins bidding from Africa to the Middle East to, most recently, the hottest spots on the Ukrainian battlefield. But his exact role was a bit murky. Over the years, Mr. Utkin was at times referred to as the founder of Wagner, which first came to public attention during early forays against Ukraine ordered by President Vladimir V. Putin in 2014, a precursor to the full-scale invasion of 2022. Wagner mercenaries fought alongside pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region, commanded by Mr. Utkin. So all thats to say I am not nice right now. I dont want to speak, but I want you to write. When I interviewed the French author Anne Berest some weeks ago I told her I did not have one child, but two; one was gone. I began to cry. Im sorry, I said, gathering myself. Why are you sorry, she said, looking directly at me. It is sad. We sat together, comfortable in the discomfort. I still have a tendency to wake in the night and go over and over all of the things that went wrong and where I imagine I might have protected Orli. I berate myself for having failed her. It is completely irrational; it is also true. I could not save her; she could not be saved. I am her mother; ergo, I failed. In the light of day, I see the faulty logic of 4 a.m. It reminds me of how, when we were first in the emergency room with her in November 2019, after a month of her pediatricians failing to see what was in front of them, of coming back to the doctors week after week and asking them to please, please look at her one more time, it was not them I blamed initially but myself. But I breastfed her, I kept telling the emergency room physicians, into their downcast faces, as they explained that the pain she carried stemmed from innumerable liver tumors. But I breastfed her. I try to reorient myself walking each morning. I try to see the blooming flowers, the wild potato blossoms that run the stretch of the path near my home, the fecundity of August, the greenery that rushed in during the months since Orli left us here, to fend for ourselves. I find I cannot talk to people I see at the farmers market, but I can appreciate the ripening fruit, the taste of late summer, the heat in the skin of each peach. Sometimes I have tried to share what I see. As Hanas birthday came to a close, long after the sky had cleared from that sudden downpour in which we looked for Orli, we stayed out too late. The days scorching temperature had finally eased, it was still gorgeously light out, and we were walking with a wonderful French friend of many years who happened to be born the same day as Hana, some decades before her. The adults were loath to turn back to the apartment, basking in company long denied. Hana suddenly hung back, upset. Life, she said, is terrible. I said: I know it is. I feel like that, too, all the time. But look around you, I said. We are in Paris. It is 10:30 at night and the world is filled with people. This street, these buildings are exquisite. The light is soft, it is beautiful here, there is a breeze. The pain is always there for us. It will be waiting at the apartment when we return tonight, it will be lying next to us in bed or come to us when we wake; we always have it. But we have to let this beauty in, too. That will be the work of all the rest of our days: to hold this pain and this beauty side by side, without letting the one crush or crowd out the other. We have to let this beauty in, too. To the Editor: Re Rudy Giuliani Was Always Like This, by Jamelle Bouie (column, Aug. 20): History teaches us many things, but the tragic downfall of Americas mayor reminds us that clever P.R., along with sudden media infatuation, should always be viewed with skepticism. I stood with Mayor David Dinkins when he faced what could only be characterized as a racist police riot, which Mr. Bouie recalls in his column. New York is a very different place than it was in 1992, and the N.Y.P.D. is, thankfully, a very different police department. But the fact that Mr. Giuliani never apologized for his fiery speech at that police protest, where other attendees shouted extremely vitriolic and racially insulting taunts at Mayor Dinkins, should not have been forgotten after Sept. 11, when so many embraced Mr. Giuliani as Americas mayor. No, Mr. Giuliani was never really Americas mayor. I wish more could remember David Dinkins as the epitome of dignity in very difficult times, and ensure his place in history as a trailblazer who made us proud of his leadership. Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann gave fans a wild show in their first clash. Now, almost two years later, theyll get a chance to do it again. This Saturday at UFC Fight Night 225, Smith and Spann will rematch in the co-main event of the card, which takes place at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The event streams on ESPN+. Spann and Smith first fought in September 2021 in the main event of UFC Fight Night 192. Although Spann connected well and escaped tough positions in the first four minutes of fighting, Smith eventually was able to find Spanns back, sink in the rear-naked choke, and get the tap. It was a wild, first-round fight that won Fight of the Night awards. You can watch the full fight in the video above. Since their fight, Smith (36-18 MMA, 11-8 UFC) has competed twice and lost twice. He was stopped by Magomed Ankalaev in 2022, and then lost a unanimous decision to Johnny Walker back in May. The 35-year-old was on a three-fight winning streak before the pair of defeats. On the other hand, Spann (21-8 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has competed three times since losing to Smith. Hes gone 2-1, stopping Ion Cutelaba and Dominick Reyes before losing by submission to Nikita Krylov. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkies event hub for UFC Fight Night 225. Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie One by one, some with a little hesitation, six hands went up on the debate stage Wednesday night when the eight Republican candidates answered whether they would support Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination if he was a convicted criminal. Hand raising is a juvenile and reductive exercise in any political debate, but its worth unpacking this moment, which provides clarity into the damage that Mr. Trump has inflicted on his own party. Six people who themselves want to lead their country think it would be fine to have a felon as the nations chief executive. Six candidates apparently would not be bothered to see Mr. Trump stand on the Capitol steps in 2025 and swear an oath to uphold the Constitution, no matter if he had been convicted by a jury of violating that Constitution by (take your choice) conspiracy to obstruct justice, lying to the U.S. government, racketeering and conspiracy to commit forgery or conspiracy to defraud the United States. (The Fox News hosts, trying to race through the evenings brief Trump section so they could move on to more important questions about invading Mexico, didnt dwell on which charges qualified for a hand raise. So any of them would do.) There was never any question that Vivek Ramaswamys hand would shoot up first. But even Nikki Haley, though she generally tried to position herself as a reasonable alternative to Mr. Ramaswamys earsplitting drivel, raised her hand. So did Ron DeSantis, after peeking around to see what the other kids were doing. And Mike Pences decision to join this group, while proudly boasting of his constitutional bona fides for simply doing his job on Jan. 6, 2021, demonstrated the cognitive dissonance at the heart of his candidacy. Only Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson demonstrated some respect for the rule of law by opposing the election of a criminal. Mr. Hutchinson said Mr. Trump was morally disqualified from being president because of what happened on Jan. 6 and made the interesting argument that he may also be legally disqualified under the 14th Amendment for inciting an insurrection. Mr. Christie said the country had to stop normalizing Mr. Trumps conduct, which he said was beneath the office of president. Though he was accused by Mr. Ramaswamy of the base crime of trying to become an MSNBC contributor, Mr. Christie managed to say something that sounded somewhat forthright: I am not going to bow to anyone when we have a president of the United States who disrespects the Constitution. For this, Mr. Christie and Mr. Hutchinson were both roundly booed. As night falls on the northern forests of Madagascar, trees come alive. What appears to be a piece of bark peels off a tree trunk, and starts slowly crawling along a branch. Its actually Uroplatus garamaso, a newly identified species of leaf-tailed gecko. This animal is a dazzling camouflager better than the chameleon but its long been hiding in plain sight. And many of the features that make it unique are still an evolutionary mystery. These are amazing animals. They are so weird. They look totally different from all of the other reptiles, said Mark D. Scherz, curator of herpetology at the Natural History Museum of Denmark and a co-author of the paper in the journal Salamandra describing the find last month. The 22 species of leaf-tailed geckoes that are unique to Madagascar can be split into two categories: those whove evolved to look uncannily like leaves, and those who imitate tree bark. U. garamaso and the others that blend into bark have a fringe hugging their flanks and legs, a beard around the bottom of their chin, and flattened tails. When Bri Sophia Scalesse decided to use the Hinge app to start dating in Manhattan in January 2019, she kept the settings shed had while living in Norwich, Conn., years earlier, with the maximum distance of potential matches set to roughly 35 miles. Within a few weeks, the app connected Ms. Scalesse with Sheldon Thien Nguyen, 31, a pharmacist living in New Brunswick, N.J., which was at least an hours drive from where she lived. Bri didnt realize that Manhattan was something like two or three miles wide, so she had her radius set really huge, Mr. Nguyen said. And good thing she had. Its the reason we met, Ms. Scalesse said. Their first date was at a Totto Ramen in Midtown Manhattan on the morning of Feb. 17, 2019; Ms. Scalesse fretted about what to wear. We had talked about being in fashion, so we both wanted to show up with the coolest fits, said Ms. Scalesse, 28, a model and a disability advocate. When Jason Daniel Mercado first met Kristen Virginia Bateman in August 2013 at the HoM Store, a trinket shop that also serves brunch in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, he asked for her phone number. I saw her and her purple hair and struck up a conversation, Mr. Mercado said. She had another idea: Lets exchange emails instead. Im an introvert even though I have to talk to a lot of people for work, Ms. Bateman said. Mr. Mercado emailed her the next day. We started a lengthy discourse, he said. We hashed out questions and got to know one other. They spent three months emailing before meeting again in person. I wanted to become friends first, Ms. Bateman said. Their first date was in mid-November 2013 at the same place where they met. What we knew for sure was that they had pumpkin pancakes and that it felt like a place wed both enjoy, Mr. Mercado said. Ten months out of college, I was sitting in a tiny hut in a Mexican beach town, taking a break from my identity crisis long enough to smoke a joint with my boyfriend, when a knock at the door changed everything. We had gotten together at the end of my senior year, when I had no plan for what came next. He was statue-of-a-Greek-youth beautiful and Presidential Scholar brilliant. He was also two years behind me in school, spoke Spanish and had enough advanced-placement credits to take off a semester just for fun, and so he was spending half his junior year in Mexico, on $10 a day, traveling on crowded diesel buses with others who had to go cheaply, including the occasional clucking, flapping caged chicken. I did not speak Spanish, not even un poco, and except for summer trips to Canada, had never been out of the United States. In my own junior year, to earn spending money, I had taken a part-time job at a local ad agency. After graduation, as my friends were putting their eggs in ambitious, impressive baskets graduate school, law school, publishing jobs in New York City I started working at the agency full-time. I had zero respect for advertising and no clue what I was doing with my life. I have to quit, I told my boss. I need to be in Mexico. That winter, they matched again on Tinder. Ms. Liu, 33, decided to give him another chance. Dating in New York is really hard, she said. So I was like, OK, nothing better has emerged, so Im going to swipe right. Mr. Ghory planned a date at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. But to test the waters, they first met for coffee at Via Quadronno, an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side. Excited but nervous, Ms. Liu borrowed her friends Acne Studios sneakers because she didnt think she owned anything worthy of the shoe guy. Mr. Ghory noticed the sneakers and, to equally impress her, he surprised her with a spaceship figurine, as Ms. Liu had once mentioned that she was interested in space. I think, probably subconsciously, it was a little forgiveness gift please forgive me for flaking last time, Mr. Ghory said. Six dates followed, but work became too demanding for both of them, and things fizzled. Then, in March 2016, they ran into each other at Bed Bath & Beyond on a Friday night. Mr. Ghory was preparing to leave for a new job with Adidas in Portland, Ore., but he asked Ms. Liu if they could catch up over dinner. She said no. As such, it is also a symbol of either equality under the law or the abuse of it the ultimate memento of a norm-shattering presidency and this social-media-obsessed, factionalized age. Its dramatically unprecedented, said Sean Wilentz, a professor of American history at Princeton University. Of all the millions, maybe billions of photos taken of Donald Trump, this could stand as the most famous. Or notorious. It is possible, he added, that in the future the mug shot will seem like the ultimate bookend to a political arc in the United States that began decades ago, with Richard Nixons I am not a crook. Ts new monthly travel series, Flocking To, highlights places you might already have on your wish list, sharing tips from frequent visitors and locals alike. Sign up here to find us in your inbox once a month, as well as our weekly T List newsletter. And you can always reach us at tlist@nytimes.com. Majorca, the largest of Spains Balearic Islands, has been a classic summer destination for Europeans and Brits for decades. But long before the big resorts sprung up along the coastline and villas came with helipads, the islands hilltop villages attracted artists, musicians and writers in search of year-round sun and solitude. Among the best known of those early visitors were the Polish composer Frederic Chopin and the French novelist George Sand, who spent the winter of 1838 in the town of Valldemossa, in the mountains above Majorcas northwest coast. By 1929, when the British writer Robert Graves and the American poet Laura Riding arrived in the nearby village of Deia at the recommendation of the American writer Gertrude Stein and later built a home there, that picturesque hamlet of stone houses and olive groves was already a fledgling artists colony. In 1956, the Barcelona-born artist Joan Miro and his family moved to the outskirts of Palma. Plenty of artistic talent was homegrown, too, nurtured by generations of weavers, glassblowers and ceramists. One of Spains most prominent contemporary artists, Miquel Barcelo, grew up on the island painting landscapes with his mother and her friends. Among the islands many signature local crafts is the roba de llengues, or cloth of tongues, a style of ikat believed to have arrived from Asia centuries ago via the Silk Road. And its that deeply rooted artistic tradition combined with an extraordinary natural beauty thats attracting the latest influx of creative types. In the last few years, a number of artists and designers have left larger cities in Europe and moved to Majorca. Some of these new arrivals are renovating old houses and farms in and around the country towns of Soller and Deia or choosing to base themselves in Palmas Old Town, where Gothic spires loom over the port, and theres a fresh wave of contemporary art galleries and idiosyncratic shops dedicated to supporting local artisans. All over the island, new or newly revived hotels compete for the most impressive views. For the first installment of our series of Flocking To travel guides, we asked four locals or frequent visitors to Majorca to share the places they love most. One word of advice for first-time visitors: Majorca sprawls across roughly 1,400 square miles (its about the size of Long Island), so if youre planning on exploring, you might want to rent a car. The late-summer heat wave that blanketed a large portion of the country this week prompted several schools to cancel classes or send students home early, underscoring how ill-prepared many districts are to cope with extreme weather events that have become more common. In Des Moines, school bus drivers received medical aid at the end of sweltering shifts. Chicago teachers were told to turn off overhead lights and draw shades to keep classrooms bearable. A marching band instructor outfitted students with water backpacks to prevent them from passing out from the heat at 7:30 a.m. The scorching temperatures and high humidity that dogged millions of Americans from the upper Midwest to the Southeast added to the challenges of the first days of the new school year. It was a stark reminder, education experts and parents said, of the urgent need to make schools more resilient to climate change. We cant be sending students and educators into a sauna and expect them to learn, said Karen White, the deputy executive director at the National Education Association. As the climate continues to change and warm, we have to modernize school buildings or we are putting students in danger. Why It Matters: Adolescents and adults are likely to have difficulty accessing gender-related health care. Under Missouris law, clinicians will not be allowed to treat any minor who is not already receiving gender transition care, which includes drugs that suppress puberty; hormone treatments with estrogen or testosterone; and, in rare cases, surgeries. Minors currently receiving care can continue to do so. The law will also affect transgender adults, as it bans Medicaid coverage of gender transition care for people of all ages in the state. The law has a sunset provision and will be in effect for four years. The legal challenge to Missouris ban has been particularly high-profile. A whistle-blower from a pediatric gender clinic in the state, Jamie Reed, said earlier this year that doctors at the clinic had hastily prescribed hormones with lasting effects to adolescents with psychiatric problems. Ms. Reed filed an affidavit about her experience in February and testified on Tuesday in favor of the ban. Chloe Cole, a 19-year-old who has frequently testified to state legislatures about regretting gender treatments she received as a younger teenager in California, also testified on behalf of the state of Missouri against the injunction. The plaintiffs in the legal challenge include three transgender minors who are seeking medical care to transition and will no longer be able to do so once the law is in effect. The plaintiffs also include doctors in the state and two national L.G.B.T.Q. advocacy organizations. Doctors who violate the new law could lose their medical licenses or be sued. According to the Williams Institute, a research center at the U.C.L.A. School of Law, an estimated 2,900 minors in Missouri identify as transgender. The 5 best and 5 worst Taylor Swift songs on the Eras Tour setlist Taylor Swift's Eras Tour will soon resume in Mexico City before heading to South America. Insider's music team, who attended the tour in New Jersey, rounded up the setlist's best and worst moments. "Cruel Summer" and "Champagne Problems" are clear standouts, while others like "Bejeweled" should've been cut. "Cruel Summer" is the perfect way to kick off the show. "Cruel Summer" is the second track on "Lover." John Shearer/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management Technically speaking, the Eras Tour setlist begins with "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince," but that's just so Swift can serenade fans who fought for our lives in the Ticketmaster queue: "It's been a long time coming, but / It's you and me / That's my whole world." After finishing the chorus, Swift quickly transitions into "Cruel Summer," the show's true opening song. And what an opener it is. The brilliant pop banger, which was released on "Lover" in 2019 and never promoted as a single, has soared into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 as the Eras Tour has taken over the world. By the end of this (cruel) summer, it may even end up at No. 1. Behold, the power of Swift's drunken tears in the back of a car. "Champagne Problems" always gets a standing ovation. "Champagne Problems" is the second track on "Evermore." Kevin Winter/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management After Swift plays "Champagne Problems" on the piano, the applause that follows is deafening. It can last up to eight whole minutes an eternity in the concert world. There's a reason why "Champagne Problems" inspires such rapturous attention. It's one of Swift's most vividly written songs to date, with stunning lyrics like "Your Midas touch on the Chevy door / November flush and your flannel cure," and of course, the iconic expletive: "'She would've made such a lovely bride / What a shame she's fucked in the head,' they said." "Don't Blame Me" is the highlight of the "Reputation" segment. Story continues "Don't Blame Me" is the fourth track on "Reputation." Emma McIntyre/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management "Reputation" was created to be played live, and Swift pushes this to her full advantage during the Eras Tour. It's a fiery, full-throttle segment that's sure to thrill even the most casual fan. But without "Don't Blame Me," the "Reputation" segment would've been just another collection of singles. It's the key ingredient, creating a seamless bridge between the lovesick pleas of "Delicate" and the campy drama of "Look What You Made Me Do." The high note that Swift hits on the bridge is an adrenaline rush every time. "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" is the emotional peak of the setlist. "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" is the 30th track on "Red (Taylor's Version)." Terence Rushin/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management "All Too Well" is the crown jewel of Swift's lyricism. Moreover, the extended version's release was a clear turning point in her path to world domination. So it only makes sense for the song to claim a crucial moment in the biggest tour of her career. Just the fact that every night, a stadium full of fans is screaming every word to a 10-minute power ballad that's an astonishing feat. But the performance is also crafted with intense love and care, designed to maximize catharsis. As Swift sings about her tender autumn memories, a flurry of brown leaves is unleashed into the audience. Later, when she recalls the first fall of snow, white confetti begins to fall. It's pure, mesmeric magic. "About halfway through 'All Too Well,' I lost it. Couldn't hold it together at all. Became an absolute mess. Couldn't stop crying," Tom Breihan wrote in a review for Stereogum. "I couldn't even tell you why I was crying, exactly," he continued. "I'm not that personally invested in Taylor Swift's years-ago breakup with Jake Gyllenhaal. As far as I'm concerned, that's settled business. This was something else. Gratitude, maybe? A sort of sensory-overload flood? Just sheer and overwhelming respect of motherfucking craft? I don't know, but I was in it." "The 1" is one of Swift's best songs and deserves to be performed. "The 1" is the first track on "Folklore." Terence Rushin/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management After less than one month of performing on the Eras Tour, Swift swapped out "Invisible String" for "The 1" as the opener for her "Folklore" segment. Whether that choice had anything to do with her split from Joe Alwyn, which would make headlines a week later, is simply irrelevant. It was the right call either way. Fans are so invested, so immersed in her performance of "The 1," a tiny note change is enough to elicit cheers and shrieks of delight. The song is a masterclass in blending simple, conversational lines with heart-breaking revelations about regret, butterfly effects, bus stops, and chosen families. In fact, the entire ethos of the Eras Tour, which celebrates Swift's legacy as a heartbreak curator and musical shape-shifter, could be distilled into one of the song's killer stanzas: "If you never bleed, you're never gonna grow / And it's alright now / But we were something, don't you think so?" "I Knew You Were Trouble" should've been swapped for a better "Red" track. "I Knew You Were Trouble" is the fourth track on "Red." Emma McIntyre/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management It's a crime that "Red (Taylor's Version)" is stuffed with songs that are begging to be played live "State of Grace," "Red," "Holy Ground," and "The Very First Night," to name a few and Swift chose to perform all the singles instead. To be fair, "22" always has a cute moment with a fan in the crowd, and "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" is still a fun sing-along. But the chaotic dubstep of "I Knew You Were Trouble" needs to be retired. "'Tis the Damn Season" is a forgettable opener for the "Evermore" set. "'Tis the Damn Season" is the fourth track on "Evermore." John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management Swift's witchy performance of "Willow," one of her many No. 1 hits, makes way more sense to introduce the "Evermore" segment on tour. "'Tis the Damn Season" is beautiful, but it doesn't make for a memorable performance. Even Swift knows the song isn't essential. For every show with HAIM as an opening act, Swift swapped "'Tis the Damn Season" for their vengeful duet, "No Body, No Crime." "The Last Great American Dynasty" is superfluous. "The Last Great American Dynasty" is the third track on "Folklore." John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management "The Last Great American Dynasty" isn't a bad song, but it is the worst song on "Folklore." Swift's folk-pop masterpiece is blessed with one of the longest segments on the Eras Tour, for very good reason. But be honest: if you were going to cut a song, it would be this one. "Bad Blood" is a bad song. "Bad Blood" is the eighth track on "1989." Tom Cooper/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management The "1989" segment is comprised entirely of singles. But while "Style," "Blank Space," and "Wildest Dreams" have stood the test of time, "Bad Blood" now feels dated and gratuitous. It's one of the worst songs in Swift's catalog the worst, according to some critics and with all the pop hits in Swift's arsenal, especially from the "1989" era, there's no reason to include this one on the setlist. Sure, the spicy music video had a moment back in 2015, but eight years later, we don't care about Swift's long-dormant feud with Katy Perry. We want "New Romantics." The "Midnights" segment is too long, and "Bejeweled" is the worst offender. "Bejeweled" is the ninth track on "Midnights." Ethan Miller/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management "Midnights" claims a whopping seven songs on the Eras Tour setlist, and nearly every one is performed in its entirety. That's way too many songs for an iffy album that doesn't hold a candle to "1989," "Lover," "Folklore," and "Evermore" or even to "Speak Now," which was allowed just one measly song for most of the US leg. Of course, we all knew that Swift would make room in the show for "Bejeweled." It has a star-studded music video and even sparked a viral dance trend. But that doesn't make the song any less annoying. To make matters worse, "Bejeweled" has to follow Swift's show-stopping performance of "Vigilante Shit," the best choreography of the night. (If you're a Swiftie with TikTok, you know exactly what I'm talking about.) The spirit fingers are cringe-worthy in comparison. Read the original article on Insider The details of Ms. Hoppers birth in 1955 are impossible to verify. But at least one prominent obstetrician noted that medical advances and practices had changed so dramatically in the nearly seven decades since then that her story had little relevance for the current debate about abortion rights and policy. At the time of her birth, abortion was illegal. Even an attempted abortion could have resulted in fines and imprisonment for a provider. Ms. Hopper did not return a call for comment this week. But she told her story in an online video posted by Protect Life Michigan, an anti-abortion advocacy group. The video, part of a broader campaign, was posted in September 2022 amid a campaign against a ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in Michigans Constitution. So-called abortion survivors have been a staple of the anti-abortion movement for years, frequently appearing in campaign ads and testifying on Capitol Hill in favor of federal abortion bans. According to Ms. Hopper, her mother sought medical care at a clinic in central Florida in 1955 because of bleeding and other complications. She was 23 weeks pregnant, right at the outer edge of when a fetus is considered able to survive outside the womb. The doctor who examined Ms. Hoppers mother said he could not hear a heartbeat. He induced labor, she said. You do not want this baby to live if it lives, it will be a burden on you all of your life, Ms. Hopper says the doctor told her parents before instructing a nurse to discard the baby dead or alive. Ms. Hopper said she had weighed one pound 11 ounces at her birth. The nurse placed me in a bedpan on the back porch of the clinic, she said. When her grandmother and aunt arrived, they found Ms. Hopper. Her grandmother called the police. A nurse helped take Ms. Hopper to a hospital in Lakeland, Fla., where she survived several bouts of pneumonia. Representative Andrew Clyde has been in Congress only since 2021, but he has quickly emerged as a vocal opponent of gun control, handing out dozens of AR-15 pins to exemplify his wide-ranging push to roll back federal firearms regulation. At a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing in April, Mr. Clyde, Republican of Georgia, grilled the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Steven M. Dettelbach, about a little-known program to monitor gun dealers found selling large numbers of weapons later traced to crimes. Mr. Clyde suggested the program, known as Demand 2, was unfair, questioned whether all crimes linked to such guns were bona fide, and exhibited a detailed knowledge of its inner workings even though it applies to only a tiny percentage of gun dealers nationwide. What Mr. Clyde did not disclose was that one of two gun stores he owns in Georgia, Clyde Armory in Athens, was placed in the monitoring program in 2020 and 2021, according to records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the gun safety group Brady. A.T.F. inspectors made the designation after they found that more than 25 guns sold there had been used in crimes within three years of their purchase. While the official fund-raising totals wont be known until October, when campaign quarterly filings are due, there were signs within hours of the debate flurries of text messages, requests for introductions to campaigns and reports of fresh contributions that the candidates performances, even if they might not change hearts and minds, could move piles of cash. A spokeswoman for Ms. Haley declined to release detailed numbers, but said the campaign had raised more money online in the 24 hours after the debate than it had on any day since the campaign started. The response to Nikkis debate performance has been overwhelming, said the spokeswoman, Nachama Soloveichik. Former Vice President Mike Pence, whom the donors also identified as having a good night onstage, also saw an uptick, according to his campaign. Marc Short, a top adviser to Mr. Pence, said it had taken in at least 1,000 new contributions overnight. While most were smaller donors valuable because they can sustain a campaign in the long term the bigger breakthrough last night was the major donors, he said, including some who had funded other candidates but held back on Mr. Pence. I think theres been a large number of supporters who have been on the sidelines but have been looking for some of that spark, Mr. Short said. I think many of them saw that last night. The immediate feedback reflected the traditional sympathies of major Republican donors. They favored candidates who they felt came off as authoritative but not obnoxious, with established resumes and hawkish foreign policy views. They also, naturally, tended to see their preferred candidates performances through hopeful eyes. Russia is intensifying its efforts to spread pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine messages in the United States and the West, using influence-laundering techniques to hide the efforts of its intelligence agencies to manipulate public opinion, according to a newly declassified American intelligence analysis. Efforts by Russian intelligence agencies to shape public debate leading up to the 2016 U.S. election focused on methods designed to have short-term effects, like exacerbating tensions inside the United States through social media posts. But the newly declassified U.S. analysis looks at how Russian intelligence services, in particular the Federal Security Service or F.S.B., have been secretly using allies inside nominally independent organizations to spread propaganda and cultivate ties with rising leaders, efforts that are intended to play out over long periods of time. The intelligence analysis, which was declassified for public release, was described by U.S. officials who were authorized to disclose the information. A military medical board has concluded that Ramzi bin al-Shibh, who is accused of conspiring in the Sept. 11 attacks, has a mental illness that makes him incompetent to either face trial or plead guilty in the death penalty case, according to a report filed with his trial judge on Friday. The finding is the latest setback to prosecution efforts to bring the long-running capital cases at Guantanamo Bay to trial. Last week, a military judge threw out the confession of a man accused of plotting the U.S.S. Cole bombing, Guantanamos other capital case, as contaminated by his torture by the C.I.A. The question of Mr. bin al-Shibhs sanity, and capacity to help his lawyers defend him, has shadowed the Sept. 11 conspiracy case since his first court appearance in 2008. Then, a military lawyer disclosed that her client was restrained with ankle shackles and that the prison had him medicated with psychotropic drugs. He has disrupted pretrial hearings over the years with outbursts, and in court and in filings complained that the C.I.A. torments him with noises, vibrations and other techniques to deprive him of sleep. It was unclear whether the prisoner was allowed to see the report, which was filed under seal on Friday; for years he has resisted the idea that he has a mental illness and should be severed from the joint trial with the man accused of being the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, and three other defendants. The five men are accused of conspiring in the plane hijackings in 2001 that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Ukraine has increased its frequency of drone attacks on Russia in recent weeks, a tactic U.S. officials say is intended to demonstrate to the Ukrainian public that Kyiv can still strike back, especially as the counteroffensive against entrenched Russian troops moves slowly. Over the past week, Ukrainian drones near Moscow forced the Kremlin to temporarily shut down airports serving the capital. And on Friday, the Russian Ministry of Defense said Ukraine had launched 42 drones at the occupied Crimean Peninsula and fired a missile that was intercepted not far from Moscow, in what could be one of the biggest known aerial assaults on Russian-held territory since the war began. Throughout the summer, the intensifying strikes many of which have been carried out with Ukrainian-made drones have hit a building in central Moscow, an international airport and a supersonic bomber stationed south of St. Petersburg. Although the attacks destroyed the bomber, they have done little significant damage to Russias overall military might, U.S. officials have said. No Russians have been killed in the strikes on Moscow, most of which occurred early in the day, reducing damage and disruption. The timing may be for operational security or to avoid Russias air defenses, but it has also helped ensure that the attacks did not prompt escalatory attacks by Russia. But currently, some insurance plans arent covering the cost, forcing people to pay hundreds of dollars if they want to be protected. Amanda Jaffe, 69, went to her local pharmacy at the Safeway in Helena, Mont., to get the R.S.V. vaccine last week in anticipation of flying across the country next month. When the pharmacist told her the shot wasnt covered by her Medicare Part B plan, he seemed as surprised as me, Ms. Jaffe said. Upon hearing the price (over $300), Ms. Jaffe thought thats ridiculous and left without getting it. Several common vaccines, including those for the flu and Covid-19, are included under Medicare Part B, which provides medical coverage. However, the R.S.V. vaccines, as well as a few others, including the vaccine for shingles, are covered under Medicare Part D, which pays for prescription drugs. As a result, Medicare enrollees without a Part D plan roughly 16 million people may have to pay for the R.S.V. vaccine out of pocket depending on their non-Medicare prescription drug coverage. This is just the result of poor policymaking, said Richard Hughes IV, a vaccine-law expert at the firm Epstein Becker Green and the former vice president of public policy at Moderna. I think that vaccines, all vaccines, should be accessible in all settings of care, and so this fragmentation is really just not good. A spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed in an email to The New York Times that the R.S.V. vaccines should be available free of charge to people with Medicare Part D. If people are told otherwise when they go to get the vaccine, they should call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance. Mr. Candor, 63, is perhaps the most accomplished tracer of isolated tribes in Brazil, one of a waning number hired by the Brazilian government to explore some of the most untouched patches of the Amazon to find evidence of groups that have lived largely unseen and uncontacted for generations. The job is not to contact the tribes but to protect them. The law requires proof that isolated groups exist before their land can be placed off limits to outsiders. Mr. Candor tries to spot the tribes without being spotted, to allow them to remain isolated and to protect himself. My curiosity is great, Mr. Candor said. But the respect for their rights is greater. Over 35 years, he has led hundreds of expeditions into the forest, catching malaria dozens of times, by his own estimate, and surviving two attempts on his life, one in which an Indigenous man fired arrows at his team and another when a group of loggers attacked the base where he worked. Mr. Candor has discovered evidence of four tiny civilizations, each of which researchers believe has its own language, culture and stories. They include Brazils smallest known tribe, the Piripkura, and its three remaining survivors. His work has led to legal protections that cover nearly 7,000 square miles, an area of rainforest bigger than Puerto Rico, making him one of the single most effective figures working on Amazon preservation today. People really believe that we have created the problems that we are in. People dont understand that the reason communities have been hurt over many decades is because of policies by successive governments, whether they were well-meaning or they were intentionally harmful. What we have constantly is: One government comes in, they choose something, another government comes in, they rip out the program. Its not even that we cant make progress, its that every government thinks they know better around what we need. Australians really do believe in this idea of a fair go, so its almost inconceivable to the middle of Australia that the government could be intentionally doing something wrong to people and we wouldnt know about it. Its like, Well, I would know about that if thats what was happening. Why would they do that? It has to be you thats the problem. On what this moment could mean for Australia We know that the majority of Australians want a national unity moment with First Nations people. But right now, were selling the details on constitutional recognition and the idea of how inclusion happens, or who we are as a nation, is getting left off the table. I really believe that we are almost within Australias Brexit moment here, if this goes negatively. Theres going to be a lot of regret. Its going to impact the political psyche of this country and how we move forward together. On an international level, how will people perceive Australia as a nation if a no vote happens? Theres not going to be the nuance of what happened in the debate, what was the misinformation. Its just going to be seen for what it is: a rejection of First Nations people by Australian voters. On her initial hesitation to support the Voice proposal I went back and forth around whether or not I supported the Voice to Parliament or the referendum. Many years ago, I campaigned against symbolic constitutional recognition because I didnt believe that a few words in the constitution would change anything. I hate that were going to a referendum, because its been so divisive. But I believe that we need to settle the question of who speaks for us. Unless we have a platform where our community actually can speak from, nothings going to change. Two men have been arrested in connection with a fire that turned the Crooked House pub, a charmingly slanted watering hole in Englands West Midlands, into a pile of rubble earlier this month. A 66-year-old man from Dudley, a town just west of Birmingham, and a 33-year-old man from Milton Keynes, a town more than 50 miles northwest of London, were taken into custody on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, the Staffordshire Police Department said in a statement on Thursday. The identities of the men were not released, but the authorities said they were being questioned as the investigation into the fire continues. The Crooked House pub was originally built as a farmhouse in 1765, but the structure began to sag and sink in the 19th century after years of coal mining under its foundation. Its appearance, which drew curious glances and earned the pub the title of Britains Wonkiest Pub, had become part of the fabric of Himley, a village in Staffordshire. GrupoFronteraManuelTurizo - Credit: Gabriel Bucheli* Both Manuel Turizo and Grupo Frontera have been enjoying massive success over the last year: Turizo made a splash with 2000, the eclectic album he released in March, while Grupo Frontera saw major breakthroughs with El Comienzo, the LP that they dropped this August that includes the Bad Bunny-assisted smash un x100to. It makes sense that the heavyweights would want to combine their growing star power and join forces which is exactly what theyve done on the new lovesick song De Lunes a Lunes. Through strong but melancholy power vocals, both acts trade lyrics about how theyre drinking to forget a love theyve lost. Sonically, De Lunes a Lunes lets everyone shine, though the song itself isnt a total surprise: When Grupo Frontera first teased the tracklist for El Comienzo on Instagram, they left a mysterious row of question marks where the sixth track should be. Then, last week, TMZ leaked that a special collaboration between Turizo and Grupo Frontera was on the way. The long-awaited song finally dropped alongside a video that shows Turizo and the members of Grupo Frontera knocking back drinks at a house as they get over heartbreak. More from Rolling Stone We have been waiting weeks for fans to see what surprise number six was from our album and we are so excited to finally share this amazing collaboration with our fans that we created with our friend Manuel Turizo, Grupo Frontera tells Rolling Stone. We had the opportunity to bring him into our world on this track and we are really proud of what we created. Turizo adds that the collaboration is one hes been after for a while. Ever since Grupo Frontera gained recognition, I was intrigued by their style, Turizo says. He shares that he got to meet the guys at a music festival in Mexico a few months ago, and that they instantly connected. We stayed in touch until we could finally make De Lunes a Lunes a reality, the Colombian star explains. Ive had ties to Mexico since early in my career and never want to limit myself to a certain genre, so collaborating with the group felt like a natural fit. Story continues The song comes after Turizo released Copa Vacia with fellow Colombian superstar Shakira. He also just announced a 14-city tour in the U.S. that kicks off in October. Grupo Frontera, meanwhile, has been crisscrossing the U.S. since April, playing massive tours from California to Texas. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Denmarks government said on Friday that it would move to criminalize the public mistreatment of religious objects, setting aside free-speech concerns with what one minister called a targeted intervention after a spate of public Quran desecrations caused furors in many Muslim-majority countries. Those found guilty of mistreating an object with major religious significance could be fined or sentenced to up to two years in prison, according to a draft of a bill published by the Danish Justice Ministry. Danish coalition officials said they could enact the policy as soon as the end of the year if it is approved by Parliament. Both Denmark and neighboring Sweden have struggled to balance respect for free expression with the diplomatic fallout of the desecrations. Governments in many Muslim-majority countries have issued withering condemnations, and authorities in both countries have said that the risk of terrorist attacks has risen in recent months, posing a threat to national security. After a small group of Danish nationalists filmed themselves burning what they said was a Quran late last month, hundreds of Iraqi protesters tried to storm Denmarks embassy in Baghdad before security forces dispersed them. On Sunday, the Iranian authorities summoned Danish and Swedish diplomats to chastise them over another series of desecrations in both countries. Beleaguered firefighters trying to curb Greeces worst wildfire season on record battled two major blazes on Friday: one in Evros, home to what an official has called the biggest wildfire the European Union has faced, and the other near Athens, the capital. The Greek authorities investigating the causes of the fires arrested dozens of people on suspicion of arson. Its a very difficult summer, a government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis, said at a news briefing on Friday, blaming the explosive mix of climate change along with arson. He said that 160 people had been arrested across the country on arson charges, 42 of them accused of intentional arson and the remainder accused of setting fires through neglect. The culprits will face justice, he said. The firefighters are focusing on two fires: one near Parnitha National Park, north of the capital, and the other in the northern region of Evros, where at least 19 people have died. The outlook for Mount Parnitha, where a large fire has been burning since Tuesday, appeared slightly better on Friday morning when winds briefly dropped, a fire service official said, but firefighters were still striving to contain an active blaze west of the forest in the early afternoon. State inspectors started evaluating the damage to land and homes south of the mountain, where the flames had been doused. Monster hunters are gathering in northern Scotland this weekend for what is being billed as the biggest search for the Loch Ness monster in 50 years. The expedition, which will have volunteers monitoring the surface of the lake for inexplicable movements, comes after several prominent efforts to spot the creature and more than a thousand independent sightings. sixth Century Preaching religion, finding monsters. The monster made its first recorded appearance in the biography of a Catholic missionary from Ireland, St. Columba, who traveled to Scotland. The account said that St. Columba witnessed the burial of a man who had been killed by a water beast, according to the British Library. The monster then returned to attack another swimmer in the River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness. St. Columba made the sign of the cross, causing the beast to swim away, the biography said. The London Zoo, which has more than 14,000 animals, conducted its annual weigh-in this week, an event that helps keep records on their health and other data up-to-date and measures the animals well being. While zookeepers measure the animals throughout the year, every August they double-check all the information and invite news organizations to have a look. The Kremlin on Friday heatedly denied blame for the presumed death of the mercenary chief Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, dismissing the idea that the Russian government had destroyed a business jet reportedly carrying Mr. Prigozhin as Western propaganda aimed at smearing President Vladimir V. Putin. An absolute lie, said Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman. The denials were repeated in various forms throughout the day by Russias foreign minister, state-controlled broadcasters and Mr. Putins closest foreign ally, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, president of Belarus. But they were bound to ring hollow to many people inside and outside Russia who know the Kremlins record of denying or accusing others of actions it later admitted to or was shown to have carried out. Some European leaders, many Western news outlets and people close to Mr. Prigozhins Wagner paramilitary force have speculated that Mr. Putin had Mr. Prigozhin killed in retaliation for his brief mutiny against Russias military leadership in June. U.S. officials so far have been more cautious about assigning blame, but President Biden said on Thursday: Theres not much that happens in Russia that Putins not behind. But I dont know enough to know the answer. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Mr. Peskov rejected suggestions about the cause of the plane crash, on Wednesday northwest of Moscow, as mere Western speculation. But in the two months after the Wagner rebellion, many Russians as well as people abroad expressed surprise that Mr. Prigozhin was alive and free. Just as the news broke on Wednesday of the presumed death of the mercenary chief Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was presiding over a televised World War II anniversary ceremony on a dark stage lit dramatically in red. He held a moment of silence, flanked by service members in dress uniforms, while a metronomes beats sounded, like the slow ticking of a clock: Tock. Tock. Tock. The eerie split screen the reported fiery demise of the man who launched an armed rebellion in June and the Russian president telegraphing the states military might may have been coincidental. But it underscored the imagery of dominance and power that Mr. Putin, 18 months into his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, appears more determined than ever to project. Mr. Prigozhin may have been brutally effective, throwing tens of thousands of his fighters into the maw of the battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, tying up Ukrainian forces in the process and hobbling Kyivs ability to stage a counteroffensive. His internet troll farm helped the Kremlin interfere in the 2016 American presidential election, while his mercenary empire helped Russia exert influence across Africa and the Middle East. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy of France was ordered on Friday to stand trial on corruption charges over allegations that his 2007 campaign received illegal funding from the Libyan government of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, in one of the most serious of the legal entanglements dogging the French politician since he left office. After a decade-long investigation, magistrates in Paris ordered Mr. Sarkozy to be tried on charges of passive corruption, illegal campaign financing, criminal conspiracy and concealing the misappropriation of public funds, according to Jean-Francois Bohnert, Frances top financial prosecutor. If convicted, Mr. Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison. A three-month trial is scheduled for early 2025, Mr. Bohnert said in a statement, although that date could be delayed by appeals from Mr. Sarkozy, who has strenuously denied the accusations, or by other defendants in the case. Mr. Sarkozy, 68, a conservative politician who was president from 2007 to 2012, remains an influential figure in French politics. But he has faced an array of legal troubles, and the allegations that his campaign illegally accepted money from Colonel Qaddafi, the former Libyan strongman assassinated in 2011, have been the most explosive. Mr. Prigozhin had long leveraged a close relationship with the Kremlin to gain lucrative government construction and catering contracts, and he built up the paramilitary force, known as Wagner, in close cooperation with Russias military intelligence services. For years he kept a low public profile. Even as Wagner conducted operations on Moscows behalf in Syria and in several African countries, he denied any affiliation. Mr. Prigozhin began to embrace a public profile only after Mr. Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, acknowledging later that year that he had founded and run Wagner. Signing contract soldiers and recruiting prison inmates, he built Wagner into a force estimated at 50,000. In remarks a day after the plane crash, Mr. Putin said he had known Mr. Prigozhin since the early 1990s a revelation, since the timing of their relationship had long been a mystery. Mr. Prigozhin once said in an interview that he first met Mr. Putin in 2000. Over the past 12 months, Iran has lurched from crisis to crisis. An uprising led by women and young people seeking an end to clerical rule reverberated across the nation. High food prices intensified a long downward spiral of the economy. Violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces on the voices of dissent prompted widespread outrage abroad. And the prospect of a nuclear deal with the United States appeared ever more dim. But then came a surprise announcement on Thursday that the country had been invited to join BRICS, a group of emerging economies aiming to act as a counterweight to Western dominance of the world order. Iranian officials immediately declared a victory, boasting about their countrys historic achievement and talking up its potential as a trade partner and as an ideological disrupter of Western hegemony. Analysts agreed that it was a political win for the Islamic Republic after a year of turmoil in which it faced a severe crisis of legitimacy at home and abroad. Although joining BRICS is not expected to help solve Irans formidable economic problems, the primary benefit of joining the group, experts say, would be to prove that Tehran has powerful friends. That could give it leverage in any further negotiations with the United States. Indias Chandrayaan-3 mission landed on the moon on Aug. 23. There was no guarantee that the lander would make it in one piece. A previous Indian vehicle crashed in 2019 as it headed to the lunar surface, as did spacecraft from Russia and a Japanese company this year. A three-minute video released by the Indian space agency shows how the Vikram lander descended, hovered, searched for a suitable landing site and finally touched down. The video is sped up compared to the actual landing ISRO Once on the surface, the lander operated for almost two weeks, from lunar sunrise to sunset. Sleep mode Sept. 4 As lunar night descended on the landing site, the Vikram rover was put into sleep mode. Both the lander and rover have a chance of waking up again after the sun rises on Sept. 22. Hop Sept. 3 The Vikram lander performed a short hopping maneuver, firing its engines and touching down again about 3040 centimeters (1216 inches) away. ISRO Rover in sleep mode Sept. 2 The Pragyan rover was put into sleep mode before the lunar night, with its vertical solar panel oriented to catch the next sunrise on Sept. 22. Since it was deployed on Aug 23, the rover has traveled more than 100 meters (328 feet). Doughnuts Aug. 31 The Vikram lander filmed the Pragyan rover spinning in place while searching for a safe route. ISRO Looking back Aug. 30 The Pragyan rover turned to photograph the Vikram lander. Along with four legs and a ramp, two of Vikrams instruments are visible touching the lunar surface. ISRO The ChaSTE instrument, piercing the surface between the two left legs, is a thin probe that measures temperatures at different depths in the lunar topsoil. ILSA, in shadow between the two right legs, measures seismic activity. ISRO Reversing direction Aug. 27 The Pragyan rover retraced its steps after approaching a 4 meter (13 foot) crater. ISRO ISRO Roving Aug. 25 Pragyan moved around 8 meters (26 feet) across the surface. The rovers rear wheels are designed to leave imprints of the Indian space agencys logo and the Indian national emblem. ISRO Rolling onto the surface Aug. 23 The Pragyan rover rolled a ramp down and onto the lunar surface. The rover has six wheels and is 92 centimeters (3 feet) long. ISRO Deploying a ramp Aug. 23 The Vikram lander lowered a ramp to touch the lunar surface, and the Pragyan rover raised its solar panel. ISRO Seen from orbit Aug. 23 The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, which has been circling the moon since 2019, spotted the Vikram lander on the surface. Below, two images taken 8 hours apart. The lander is a white dot casting a long shadow. ISRO The landing site Aug. 23 An image released shortly after landing showed a shadow from Vikrams legs and the relatively flat terrain of the landing site. ISRO Landing Aug. 23 A composite of four images taken by the Vikram lander as it descended to the surface. The New York Times Entering lunar orbit Aug. 5 Chandrayaan-3 entered lunar orbit after a leisurely, fuel-saving route from Earth. ISRO Separation July 14 A camera captured the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft as it separated from the launch vehicle in Earths orbit. ISRO Liftoff July 14 Chandrayaan-3 launched from Sriharikota, a launch site off of Indias East Coast, on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III rocket. ISRO A Columbus man was found guilty on Thursday, Aug. 24, of election falsification following a short trial in Colfax County District Court. A 12-person jury comprised of six men and six women took only 58 minutes to render a guilty verdict against Larry L. Divis, of Columbus, who was accused of illegally registering to vote and voting in the Village of Richland in the 2020 general election despite really living in Columbus. State prosecutors presented a case over one and a half days of proceedings against Divis, who was charged with one count of election falsification, a Class IV felony. The potential punishment Divis could face includes a possible prison sentence of up to two years, 12 months of post-release supervision, a fine of up to $10,000, or both imprisonment and a fine. After the jurys verdict was read before Colfax County District Court Judge Christina M. Marroquin, Divis muttered several undecipherable words to his attorney before leaving the courtroom. He declined to comment on the verdict to the Telegram. Marroquin ordered Divis to report to the Colfax County Probation Office for a pre-sentencing investigation. He is scheduled to be sentenced at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11. The computer programmer was accused of officially residing at a home on 30th Avenue in Columbus and registering to vote in Platte County in the May 2020 primary election. Prosecutors alleged Divis then falsely claimed he resided in the Village of Richland, where in October 2020, he registered to vote in Colfax County and then voted in the Nov. 3, 2020, general election pretending to be a Richland resident. The reason for his alleged election ruse, the two prosecutors for the state Nebraska Assistant Attorney Generals Zach Blackman and Mary Marcum told jurors was that Divis was angry at the five members of the Richland Village Board. Those board members one of whom testified against Divis had approved in 2018 several changes to village nuisance property ordinances pertaining to piled up junk on local properties and a plan to tear down the historic, but dilapidated Richland Town Hall. Divis is a native of Richland and in 1999 had inherited 10 total parcels of land in the small village, which is east of Columbus, but located in a different county Colfax. In Richland, Divis owned a home that his now-deceased brother had resided in as well as several mechanic shops. He also owns a home in Columbus, which he said he purchased to house his 30-year girlfriend. Defense attorney Jerod Trouba told jurors that Divis was not guilty of the charge for the simple reason that Divis did actually live at property he legally owned in the Village of Richmond as of the date he registered to vote in Colfax County, on Oct. 19, 2020. Trial focused on documents, witness testimony The trial began on Wednesday morning, Aug. 23, in the Colfax County Courthouse in Schulyer, with a lengthy jury selection process that lasted almost four hours. After 12 jurors and one alternate were selected, Marcum presented the opening argument for the prosecution, explaining how an investigation into the allegations against Divis revealed that he resided at the Columbus home and had registered to vote as an early voter in Platte County in the May 2020 primary. Then, five months later, Divis registered to vote in Colfax County in an effort to unseat members of the Richland Village Board he was alleged to be angry with over the nuisance ordinance changes. This case is about the integrity of the election system, Marcum told jurors in her opening statement. Divis attorney told a different story in his opening statements to the jury, explaining that many pieces of evidence and witnesses would reveal true things about his client, but that he was not guilty of the allegation of election falsification. Larry Divis is the one who decides where he lives, Trouba told the jury. He did not like how the village board was being run, and in 2020, he registered in Colfax County. Trouba also alleged that the prosecution of Divis was a result of a dislike of his client by one of the witnesses, Carol Engel, who had served on the Richland Village Board, but lost her re-election bid in the 2020 election. They went through many hurdles to make sure he was prosecuted, Trouba added in his opening statements. Blackman and Marcum presented a series of documents as evidence as well as calling seven witnesses to testify against Divis in an effort to prove their case against him. Among the witnesses were retired Nebraska State Patrol investigations sergeant Robert Bob Rose; Village of Richland Clerk Michelle Evert; former Platte County Elections Commissioner Connie Sebourn; Colfax County Elections Commissioner Rita Mundil; a second Nebraska State Patrol officer Trooper Andrew Bestenlehner; an employee of a local electric company and Engel. The prosecution also entered into evidence the official and signed early voting registration and request from Platte County that Divis has filed before the May 2020 primary election, on which he stated that his residence was at a home on 30th Avenue in Columbus. Marcum and Blackman also produced Colfax County elections documents as evidence, including the Oct. 19, 2020, register to vote form filed by Divis in Colfax County. On that Colfax County form, Divis stated his official residence was inside a workshop in the 100 block of East Fisk Street in Richland. The two state lawyers also entered into evidence the signed voting day rolls showing Divis voted in the Nov. 3, 2020, general election as a resident of Richland in Colfax County. Both Blackman and Marcum claimed that Divis was enraged about the new, updated nuisance ordinances in the Village of Richland, which led him several witnesses testified to make alleged violent threats to both Engel and Evert. Divis denied making any violent threats against the two women on the second day of the trial when he was unexpectedly called to testify after his girlfriend did not testify as planned. Evert said Divis began to attend the Richland Village Board meetings sometime in 2020, and was angry," and along with three other residents, he complained about the newly updated ordinances. After an Oct. 13, 2020, meeting, Evert testified that Divis said after the Oct. 13 board meeting he would, vote the board out. A comment was made (from others) that (Divis) dont live (in Richland), Evert testified. (Divis) responded, I do, and I will register." Because Evert also worked a second job as an assistant to the Colfax County Elections Commissioner, she later was doing county election paperwork duties and saw that Divis had registered to vote in Colfax County. It was then, Evert said, that she reported Divis to the Colfax County sheriff, the county elections commissioner and the Nebraska Secretary of State office. I was shocked Divis was registered to vote in Colfax County, Evert noted. Sebourn then testified that Divis had registered to vote in Platte County for the May 2020 primary election with his address of residence being 30th Avenue in Columbus. Mundil then testified that Divis in October 2020 had registered to vote and later voted in Colfax County with an official residence on East Fisk Street in Richland. Engel, who herself lives only two blocks from the home Divis owns in Richland, testified that it was Divis now-dead brother Steven who really lived in the East Fisk Street home, not Larry, and that she rarely saw Larry Divis at the residence he claimed he lived at in the tiny village. Larry lived in Columbus, Engel testified. Divis claimed he lived in workshop space On the second day of the trial, Divis attorney was planning to call as a witness Divis 30-year girlfriend, Denise K. Tschantre. However, Tschantre never appeared in the courtroom and did not testify. Trouba did not explain why she did not appear in court. Without Tschantres testimony, Trouba instead called Divis to the stand to testify. Once sworn in, Divis testified about the 10 parcels of land he owns in Richland, how he acquired the properties and the types of structures that are on the piece of land. He claimed in his testimony that the home in Columbus was only his business office, although he stated he purchased the home so Tschantre could reside there. Divis then testified that on one piece of land he owns in Richland, there is a workshop that he constructed in the 2003-2004 time period. Within that workshop, he claimed, were living quarters along with bathrooms. It was in that space, Divis told jurors that he really lived, claiming it was his official residence not the home in Columbus where he received mail and had listed as his home on his Platte County voter registration in May 2020. During the prosecution cross examination, Blackman peppered Divis with questions about why he had filled out one voter registration form in May 2020 stating he lived in Columbus and a second in October of the same year, alleging he lived in Richland. Divis then admitted to the jury that when he filed the voter registration form in Platte County in May 2020, he actually lived in the workshop in Richland not the 30th Avenue home he had written on the form. During closing arguments, Blackman told the jury that because of the testimony of witnesses including Divis as well as the evidence presented, it was clear that Divis was guilty of election falsification. He didnt just register to vote (in Richland), he voted there. One of the terms youve heard in this trial is residence, Blackman told jurors. That place in Nebraska is where a person actually domiciled. That is what this case is about: ensuring that people who actually live in our small communities vote in those small communities. THERE were 94 fines handed out to people for parking inappropriately in Offaly in 2022. Eighty-eight of those were in Tullamore and 6 were in Birr. However, there were zero fines in Birr for dog fouling while the figure for Tullamore is not available. The data was gathered by NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) as part of its 'Clear Our Paths' campaign. The figures show that just 82 dog fouling fines were handed out by local councils across Ireland over the course of 2022. A statement from NCBI said: ''Dog fouling is a huge issue for people who are blind or vision impaired who use our footpaths daily. A recent NCBI survey showed that it was the third most frequent unexpected obstacle encountered by respondents. Not only can dog fouling cause a slip hazard, but it can also be distressing for white cane users whose canes are often dirtied by faeces. Cars parked on footpaths emerged as the number one obstacle faced by respondents to our survey. NCBI recently learned that over 19,000 fines were handed out in 2022 for issues around street and inappropriate parking. Three councils reported that they had not handed out any fines, while Mayo County Council said there were no fines handed out in the Claremorris/Swinford area. Roscommon County Council said there are no traffic wardens in the county.'' Parking inappropriately, especially on footpaths, causes a serious hazard for people who are blind or vision impaired. If a footpath is blocked, people with sight loss may be injured by walking into traffic to get around a vehicle, injured walking into the vehicle, or injured by stepping off kerbs in unfamiliar locations. NCBI says it recognises councils efforts and challenges to support clear paths in their communities and some councils provided information about positive steps they have taken to curb the dangers posed by dog fouling in particular. Laois County Council confirmed that it had given out 96 mutt mitt dispensers to Tidy Towns groups around the county. Tipperary County Council said it ran an anti-dog fouling stencil campaign in two municipal districts with messaging around cleaning up after a dog and about fines. Wexford County Council said it, among other things, had provided free pooper scoopers and bins in towns, villages and at blue flag beaches. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council said it runs a Green Dog Walkers programme to encourage all dog walkers to pick up after their pets. People are being encouraged to clean up after their dogs and to remember that not everyone has sight. In addition they are renewing their call to motorists not to park on footpaths. THERE was great local community spirit evident in Ballycumber on Friday last as a crowd gathered to support the parents and grandparents of baby Callum Corcoran who lost his 11 month old battle with a rare cancer earlier this year. As his journey touched the hearts of many, the local Mella's Ladies Club, in collaboration with the Corcoran family, organised this event with all proceeds going to the LauraLynn Childrens Hospice and Noahs Ark Childrens Hospice. TAP ON THE ARROWS ABOVE TO GO THROUGH THE GALLERY OF PICTURES The Mella's Ladies Club fundraiser intends to help both Hospices which supply comfort, care and solace to families facing the challenges of serious illness and end of life care. They also encourage people to Carry a Teddy for Callum. All those who turned out were invited to walk a 30 minute slot around the lovely walking track at Ballycumber GAA pitch and this collectively spanning a continuous 24 hour period commencing at 2pm on Friday and it finished at 2pm the following day Saturday. Baby Callums dad Kieran is a native of Leamonaghan and is well known in the local community, but he now resides in London. However, he and Callums mum Ingrid were joined by grandparents, relatives and many neighbours and friends for this fundraiser. If you would like to donate to this very worthy cause, you can do so by online donation through the dedicated fundraising page: https://www.idonate.ie/ crowdfunder/MellasClub. Members of the club also have sponsorship cards if you wish to go that way and you can also follow progress on Mellas Ladies Club facebook page. THE first event of Lorrha and Dorrha Heritage Week 2023 was hosted by the heritage sub-committee of Lorrha Development Association and Coleesa Egan of Redwood Castle on Thursday last. This free event took place in the intimate setting of an upper reception room, where guests were treated to a screening of a locally produced film called MacEgans Curse. The script for the original play and later the film was written by Declan Houlihan, Corrigeen, in Spring 2016. The film charts the journey of OSullivan Beares march with his one thousand followers from the Beara Peninsula, through the parish of Lorrha and Dorrha, as he headed towards Brefni, in January 1603. He fled Beara to escape English invaders. One wet evening in the Summer of 2016, the play, directed by Peter Semen, was staged in the grounds of Redwood Castle, with the help of local actors from Lorrha, Redwood and Rathcabbin. At the suggestion of Coleesa Egan, the play became a film. Peter Seman created a narrators part in the form of a tour guide. Peter co-produced the film with James Heenan, who also played the part of Cam OSullivan. Enlisting the help of Slovakian cameraman, Peter Rakoci, the film was shot in several locations around the River Shannon, Dominican Abbey, Lorrha and Redwood Castle. The films production involved the goodwill of about thirty people from Lorrha, Redwood, Rathcabbin and Ballymacegan, and included actors, production team and locals who loaned equipment and costumes. The film was first screened on Culture Night in September 2017 with funding from Tipperary County Council. Following the screening on Thursday evening last, guests enjoyed refreshments at a long table in the castle gallery. The historical facts and the story of the films production had piqued the interest of those present. The production team and actors happily answered questions for a couple of hours. Those who attended the event in Redwood from abroad and locally were mesmerised by the films journey and Redwood Castle itself, a true Norman Castle dating back to the 13th century. The descendants of the Houlihans, Sullivans and Donoghues, who travelled with OSullivan Beare in the 1600s still survive in the parish today. SERGEANT Graham Kavanagh, Crime Prevention Officer Laois Offaly, reminds those seeking accommodation for students to be wary of rental scams, particularly at this time of year when students are returning to college. While rental scams occur throughout the year there is a spike due to a new generation of 3rd level students seeking accommodation. The scams fall into three broad categories; (1) the scammer claims to be out of the country and cant show you the property and requests a deposit, (2) the scammer is living at the property and shows a number of people around, gets a deposit from several people and disappears with the money; and (3) the transaction appears normal until the renter finds that the keys dont work and the landlord has disappeared. Therefore people need to establish that the house exists and that is available for rent and the identity of landlord/agent and is he/she authorised to rent the property. 1. Ideally only do business with established bon-fide rental agencies. 2. Always meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented. 3. Ask for identification, a drivers licence or Photo identification of landlord or letting agent. etc. (Take a photo of the document on your phone) 4. Pay the deposit to the Landlord and not the persons leaving the property/courier/other person. 5. Use cheques or bank drafts to pay the deposit and keep copies of receipts of payments and any correspondence. 6. Ensure keys fit, open door lock and sign rental contract, prior to payment of deposit. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) rent index provides students with important benchmark information and is an authoritative guide as to the actual rents being charged by landlords adjacent to all Universities, ITs and other Third Level colleges. www.rtb.ie. Caution is advised, if the rent sounds too good to be true. Useful Links: Irish Tenancies Board Checklist for Students Renting for the First Time https://www.rtb.ie/tenants/checklist-for-students-renting-for-the-first-time . Threshold: Be Careful of Rent Scams https://www.threshold.ie/advice/seeking-private-rented-accommodation/be-careful-of-rent-scams/ . Property Services Regulatory Authoritys Website http://www.psr.ie/ . Union of Student in Ireland https://homes.usi.ie/ . Competition and Consumer Protection Commission https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/housing/rental-accommodation-scams/ South Korean Central Bank Set to Unveil CBDC Blueprint Next Month Source: VTT Studio/Adobe The South Korean central bank, the Bank of Korea (BOK), is set to showcase a blueprint for its CBDC in September as the nation looks to speed up the progress of its digital KRW. Per Fn News and the Byline Network, the BOK has successfully completed a CBDC interoperability-focused pilot, whereby it attempted to link its own prototype digital won platform with commercial banking and e-pay apps. The BOK has been working on this key step of its CBDC development since May, and is now ready to announce plans for CBDC infrastructure construction. The BOK will reportedly make an announcement in this regard in September, and is working closely with private sector partners. The body has already begun requesting that the National Assembly pass relevant legislation. The bank also appears to have held talks with the nations top financial regulators. An official from the Financial Services Commission was quoted as stating: The relevant departments of the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Intelligence Unit are discussing the BOKs CBDC project. The official said the regulators needed to review the BOKs plans to ensure there are no conflicts [of interest]. And the regulator added that the discussion on establishing a legal framework for the digital KRW would depend on what the Bank of Koreas CBDC model looks like, and what laws and regulations can be applied to it. South Korean Central Bank Forges Ahead with CBDC Plans The bank still needs to convince lawmakers to grant it the legal right to hold digital assets. But there has been pushback to the BOKs plans. During the coronavirus pandemic, the government unveiled plans to create contact-free payment channels, with a CBDC touted as a tool that could help achieve this. This has led to initiatives including cashless buses in Seoul. The South Korean capital began piloting cash-free buses in October 2021, removing cash payment options on 171 buses. This pilot has since been expanded, with other cities also debuting cashless buses. But these plans have drawn a public backlash from certain sectors, media outlets reported earlier this year. Lawmakers and politicians have also spoken about their desire to create a cashless society, but some critics have claimed that this would place too much power in the hands of the BOK. Although the BOK initially claimed that it would not launch a CBDC due to the fact that so many e-pay solutions already exist in South Korea, events of the past few years appear to have caused it to make a U-turn. Bank of Korea will probably cut rates next year, says Park Chong Hoon of Standard Chartered Bank Korea. pic.twitter.com/IFeJYMJqte CNBC International (@CNBCi) August 24, 2023 The coronavirus pandemic drove initial discussions, but the rapid pace of Chinas digital yuan pilot may have forced Seouls hand. The Bank of Japan has also been pushing ahead with its own digital yen project. Seoul is unaccustomed to losing tech races with Beijing, and like Tokyo directly funds private-sector IT R&D efforts. With some 90+ nations already stating that they have looked into the possibility of launching a CBDC, the BOK wants to ensure it is not left behind and is in the position to fast-track a digital won launch. If Ramanagara District Is Renamed As Bangalore South, Property Prices May Soar In The Area Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway: 24 Skywalks To Come Up To Curb Accidents Bengaluru oi-Madhuri Adnal The Karnataka government has decided to construct skywalks on 24 sides of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway to prevent accidents. The decision was taken after a number of accidents were reported on the expressway in recent months. The skywalks will be constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore. They will be built at junctions where there is a high risk of accidents, such as those near hospitals, schools, and bus stops. The skywalks will have staircases and ramps for pedestrians to use. They will also have shelters to protect pedestrians from the sun and rain. The construction of the skywalks is expected to be completed within a year. The government hopes that the skywalks will help to reduce the number of accidents on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway by providing a safe crossing for pedestrians. The skywalks are part of a larger plan by the government to improve road safety in the state. Other measures being taken include installing speed breakers, widening roads, and creating awareness about road safety. Bengaluru Man's Bizarre Petition To 'Legalise Dog Meat' Sparks Chatter On Social Media The government is also working on a plan to introduce breathalyzer tests for drivers at toll gates. This is aimed at reducing the number of drunk driving accidents. The government's efforts to improve road safety are welcome. However, it is important to remember that road safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists all have a role to play in making the roads safer. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 14:16 [IST] CM Stalins appreciation to 3 important persons! Chennai oi-Oneindia English Desk In the past few days, CM Stalin did significant appreciable things in the lives of 3 people. Who are they? What have they done? We will see in this article. 86 year old Rajendran's deed in government schools: One of the incidents happened in Madurai, where CM Stalin met and appreciated an 86 years old man. This elderly person is Rajendran, a dried chilli merchant, who donated around 2 crores for constructing buildings in government schools. Regarding the meet CM Stalin in his twitter page said, "I met a caring elder Thathaneri Rajendran in Madurai city, which is known for its endearment. Despite having studied till 5th standard, he is taking a lot of efforts to make sure that the next generation gets education. His social service will stand the test of time and will be appreciated by Madurai residents. I wish the world would standstill while having conversations with such personalities." Rajendran, who resides in Madurai Thathaneri area, spent 1 crore of his money and constructed 10 new classrooms and a prayer hall in 2018 for the development of Thiru Vi. Ka Corporation Higher Secondary school, Madurai. For the development of Kailasapuram School, Rajendran spent 71 lakhs and constructed 4 new classrooms, toilets and mess hall. Rajendran said, "Sellur, Thathaneri and Madurai are the places where I lived and earned money, so the benefit of my money should go back to these places. Since the people of these areas worked in my factories, they are the reason for my growth. Now it's my turn to be the reason for their growth." He continued, "CM Stalin acknowledged and appreciated my service to the society. He gave me a statue of Kalaignar Karunanidhi as a souvenir. I feel honoured and happy for the kindness showed by the Tamil Nadu CM Stalin." A school boy's desire to see flag hoisting fulfilled: The next incident is about Vidarshan, a school boy who wanted to see flag hoisting by CM in State Secretariat on Independence Day. CM Stalin's tweet about Vidarshan said, "Stalin has fulfilled the wish of a 3rd standard boy from Pappanam government school who wanted to see the CM's flag hoisting on Independence Day." Regarding this opportunity Vidarshan said, "In my school, many students wrote letter to CM and it makes me happy and grateful that I was invited to see the flag hoisting." Vidarshan's mother said, "CM's team invited us, prepared accommodation for us to stay and made arrangements for us to see the flag hoisting directly which made us feel so proud." Finally, Teacher Shanmugam said, "CM took initiative to fulfil a wish of some student from some insignificant place. In addition to fulfilling the wish, all our needs were taken care of by the government starting from food, accommodation and travel expenses etc." Tanya's life turned into a bliss overnight by CM Stalin: Tanya is the child of Stephen and Sowbhagya from Avadi. Tanya has a rare facial disfigurement disease, so the Stalin government paid for the surgery of the kid which happened last year in a private hospital. After the surgery, CM Stalin visited the hospital to inquire about the well-being of the kid and came to know about their condition of having no house to live in. To resolve the situation CM Stalin ordered to give the couple 3 cent land. As per the order, 3 cent land was given and a house is now being constructed in Pakkam village, Tiruvallur district. Regarding this Tanya lovingly said, "Till now our family did not have a house to live, because of CM Stalin the situation has now changed. I love you Stalin uncle." Tanya's father Stephen said, "former minister Nasar, minister Gandhi and Madhavaram Sudharsanam gave 10 lakhs for the construction of the house. In the DMK government so many good things have occurred to me and to my family. I am eternally grateful to CM Stalin who took care of my daughter as his own." He continued, "Because of CM Stalin, all my sorrows melted away and my family is happy now. I will never forget CM Stalin in my lifetime who revolutionised my way of living. I can't thank enough for all the things that CM Stalin did for my family. I wish and pray for a very long healthy life for CM Stalin. " "God can be seen in a needy person's smiling face" - said Annadurai. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 13:11 [IST] Amit Shah appeals for votes in MP, says BJP ensured development in all sectors BJP To Organise Mega Roadshow To Receive PM Modi In Bengaluru After Chandrayaan-3 Success? India oi-Madhuri Adnal After concluding his two-nation visit to Greece today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head straight to Bengaluru, Karnataka, to meet with the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) team involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP is planning a grand welcome for the Prime Minister by organising a mega road show in the city on his arrival, senior BJP leader and former Minister R Ashoka said on Thursday. Though the details of PM's visit have not been shared, he is likely to visit the Missions Operations Complex at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) here to congratulate the scientists and officials of the space agency. Traffic Advisory Issued: Avoid these roads: ISRO Shares Photos Of Vikram Lander Taken by Chandrayaan-2, Then Deletes Them PM Modi on Wednesday congratulated ISRO Chairman S Somanath on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and said he would soon visit them in Bengaluru to greet the entire team in person. He had a phone conversation with Somanath from Johannesburg, where he is attending the BRICS summit. The Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening, making India the first country to do so. Following a 40-day voyage through space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander named 'Vikram' successfully made contact with the unexplored lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening. This accomplishment established India as the inaugural country to achieve such a feat. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi virtually joined the live broadcast of the Chandrayaan-3 landing while in South Africa. He celebrated the mission's historic achievement of softly landing on the lunar surface, asserting that "India has now set foot on the moon." "In witnessing such monumental moments, we experience great pride. This marks the inception of a new India," he expressed. "We pledged on Earth and fulfilled it on the moon... India is now a lunar presence," he added. In addition, India has become the fourth nation after the United States, Russia, and China to accomplish a successful lunar landing mission. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft effectively placed the Vikram lander onto the lunar surface, maneuvering to a horizontal orientation before landing. Gaganyaan Is In Progress, India's First Manned Mission Possible By 2025, Says ISRO Chief The spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, using a GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle on July 14. From August 5 onward, the spacecraft executed a sequence of orbital maneuvers to eventually align with the moon's surface. Amit Shah appeals for votes in MP, says BJP ensured development in all sectors Improving India-China Relations Serves Common Interests: President Xi To PM Modi India oi-PTI In his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests and it is conducive to peace and stability of the world and the region. A Chinese readout said this Friday on the exchanges between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg. Separately, Indian sources said there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting. The two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the leaders' lounge during the BRICS summit, they said. 'Respecting LAC Essential: PM Modi Tells China's Xi On BRICS Sidelines India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Xi Jinping India's concerns on the ''unresolved'' issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. The Chinese readout described the conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday as ''candid and in-depth'' ''On August 23, President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit,'' it said. ''President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region,'' it said. ''The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region,'' the statement released by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said. At a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at ''expeditious disengagement and de-escalation''. ''On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the prime minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the prime minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas,'' Kwatra said. ''The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship,'' the foreign secretary said. ''In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and deescalation,'' Kwatra added. The government refers to the eastern Ladakh region as the Western Sector. It was their first interaction in public after their brief encounter on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali in November last year. PM Modi, Xi Jinping Interact Informally At BRICS Summit The two leaders met briefly at a formal dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on November 16. The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May, 2020. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the LAC were key for normalisation of overall ties. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 10:41 [IST] India vs England Live Streaming Free: How To Watch IND vs ENG World Cup 2023 Match Live On TV, Mobile, Links China Had Requested: India Denies Beijing's Claims On PM Modi-Xi Jinping Meet India oi-Madhuri Adnal Contrary to China's assertion that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in South Africa was at India's request, top government sources refuted this claim, saying that there was a "pending request from the Chinese side". "There was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting with the Indian side," PTI reported, citing Indian sources. The sources said that during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, the two leaders engaged in an "informal conversation" at the Leaders Lounge. The Chinese foreign ministry had previously stated, "President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at the latter's request on August 23." During their interaction, the two leaders concurred on expediting the de-escalation process across the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC), where tensions had escalated since June 2020 due to clashes in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley. Both leaders also decided to instruct officials from their respective countries to work towards a prompt disengagement along the LAC. Improving India-China Relations Serves Common Interests: President Xi To PM Modi Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "The conversation with President Xi Jinping occurred on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The Prime Minister engaged with other BRICS leaders as well. In his exchange with President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister conveyed India's concerns regarding unresolved matters along the LAC and other regions along the India-China border." According to a Chinese official statement, the two leaders engaged in a "frank and comprehensive exchange of opinions on present China-India relations and other areas of shared interest." President Xi's statement emphasized that "enhancing China-India relations serves the mutual interests of both nations and their people, contributing to global and regional peace, stability, and development." Moreover, the Chinese foreign ministry conveyed Xi's viewpoint: "Both sides should consider the broader picture of their bilateral relations and manage the border issue appropriately, thereby jointly upholding peace and tranquility in the border region." Kuber Group Director Vikas Malu Among Injured In Rolls Royce Accident In Haryana India oi-Prakash KL The director of Kuber Group, Vikas Malu, was among those injured in a crash involving a Rolls Royce car with a petrol tanker on the Delhi-Mumbai-Baroda Expressway on Tuesday, NDTV reported. Malu is currently being treated at a hospital in Gurugram. An oil tanker driver and his helper were killed while three occupants of a Rolls-Royce were injured when the heavy vehicle crashed into the luxury car on the Delhi-Mumbai-Baroda Expressway in this district, police said Wednesday. The accident took place on Tuesday afternoon when the tanker collided with the car near Umri village under Nagina police station limits. Police said the limousine immediately caught fire after colliding with the tanker, but all its five occupants were rescued in the nick of time by their relatives who were closely behind in another car. Those killed in the crash were identified as tanker driver Rampreet and his helper Kuldeep, both residents of Uttar Pradesh/. An FIR has been filed in connection with the case and the investigation is on. On asking whether Malu is out of danger, Nuh Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijaraniya told NDTV he is undergoing treatment and only doctors can give health update. The driver has been asked to join the investigation. Meanwhile, the cops are scanning the CCTV footage. The speed of the car at the time of the accident will be known after scientific examination. NDTV has also managed to locate Gautam, the third individual present in the tanker at the time of the incident. Currently in the process of recuperating from his injuries, Gautam is at his residence in Ujina, Haryana. Seated beside the driver and the assistant, Gautam recounted that the tanker was in the midst of making a U-turn when the Rolls-Royce collided with it. Despite grappling with the effects of his injuries, he conveyed that the Phantom was traveling at a minimum speed of 190 km/hr, resulting in the truck's overturning following the impact. Gautam said that the car driver was at the fault. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 23:39 [IST] Lalu Prasad Is Being Harassed By CBI On Direction Of BJP Govt, Says Nitish Kumar India oi-PTI Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday alleged that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was being ''harassed'' by the CBI on the direction of the BJP government at the Centre. Kumar made the remarks here in reply to questions from journalists who sought his views on CBI moving the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the RJD president's bail in cases linked to the fodder scam. ''He (Lalu) is simply being harassed by the CBI on the direction of the BJP government at the Centre. It's a fact that the BJP-led government at the Centre is misusing central agencies to harass leaders of opposition parties'', the JD(U) leader said. The CBI recently moved the Supreme Court seeking the cancellation of the RJD chief's bail in cases linked to the alleged fodder scam. The SC agreed to hear pleas filed by the CBI on August 25. Journalist Shot Dead In Bihar; CM Nitish Expresses Concern, Opp Flays Govt On Bihar government's alleged tussle with the Raj Bhavan over the appointment of vice-chancellors (VC) in different universities in the state, Kumar said, ''There is nothing like that... we are unitedly working for the improvement of the quality of education in the state''. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 14:21 [IST] PM Degree Case: SC Dismisses Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Against Guj HC India oi-PTI The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging the high court order rejecting his request to stay the criminal defamation proceedings filed by the Gujarat University over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualification. Gujarat University Registrar Piyush Patel had filed a defamation case against the AAP Supremo, and AAP leader Sanjay Singh over their alleged comments after the Gujarat High Court set aside an order of the Chief Information Commissioner for providing information about Modi's degrees to them under the RTI Act. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti said it is not issuing notice on the plea as the matter is pending before the Gujarat High Court and is listed for hearing on August 29. The bench said the Gujarat University and Kejriwal can raise their grievances before the high court. At the outset, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, said the high court had wrongly refused to grant interim stay on the defamation proceedings against him. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the University, said there was suppression of facts by Kejriwal. PM Modi Conferred With Second-Highest Civilian Honour By Greek President Sakellaropoulou The Gujarat High Court had on August 11 rejected Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh's plea seeking an interim stay on the criminal defamation proceedings against them. A Gujarat metropolitan court had earlier summoned Kejriwal and Singh in the defamation case over their "sarcastic" and "derogatory" statements in connection with PM Modi's degree. The matter is listed for hearing on August 31. According to the complaint filed by Patel, the two leaders made "defamatory" statements at press conferences and on Twitter handles targeting the university over Modi's degree. Their comments targeting the Gujarat University were defamatory and hurt the prestige of the university which has established its name among the public, the complainant said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 16:44 [IST] PM Modi Conferred With Second-Highest Civilian Honour By Greek President Sakellaropoulou India oi-Madhuri Adnal Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens on Friday. The award is the highest civilian honour that Greece can bestow on a foreign national. Reacting to it, PM Modi thanked the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government there and the people of Greece. "This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India," the PM tweeted. PM Modi was presented the award at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Athens. He was accompanied by his wife, First Lady Savita Modi. I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India. @PresidencyGR pic.twitter.com/UWBua3qbPf Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour is a multi-tiered order of chivalry that was established in 1926. It is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Greece or to humanity in general. PM Modi's decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest has also been recognised, the MEA said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 15:45 [IST] Amit Shah appeals for votes in MP, says BJP ensured development in all sectors PM Modi To Visit ISRO, Attend Mega Roadshow In Bengaluru On Saturday India oi-Madhuri Adnal Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to land at HAL Airport early on Saturday morning at 5.55 am. He will then visit the ISRO facility located in Peenya at 7 am. At around 8 am, he will attend a mega road show in the city. He will depart for Delhi at 8.35 am. In view of the Prime Minister's visit, elaborate traffic arrangements have been put in place. Bengaluru City Traffic Police have issued an advisory urging the public to steer clear of the roads designated for the Prime Minister's convoy between 4.30 am and 9.30 am. The following roads will be affected: Old Airport Road Old Madras Road MG Road Cubbon Road Raj Bhavan Road Ballari Road (Mekhri Circle) CV Raman Road Yashwanthapura Flyover Tumkur Road (stretching from Yeshwantpur to Nagasandra) Magadi Road Outer Ring Road (spanning from Goraguntepalya Junction to Sumanahalli) Gubbi Thotadhappa Road Jalahalli crossroad A temporary prohibition has been enforced on the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles from 4 am to 10 am during the day. ISRO Shares Photos Of Vikram Lander Taken by Chandrayaan-2, Then Deletes Them The public is requested to cooperate with the traffic police and avoid unnecessary travel during the restricted hours. PM Modi on Wednesday congratulated ISRO Chairman S Somanath on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and said he would soon visit them in Bengaluru to greet the entire team in person. He had a phone conversation with Somanath from Johannesburg, where he is attending the BRICS summit. The Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening, making India the first country to do so. Following a 40-day voyage through space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander named 'Vikram' successfully made contact with the unexplored lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening. This accomplishment established India as the inaugural country to achieve such a feat. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi virtually joined the live broadcast of the Chandrayaan-3 landing while in South Africa. He celebrated the mission's historic achievement of softly landing on the lunar surface, asserting that "India has now set foot on the moon." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 16:52 [IST] SC Refuses To Pass Order On TN Govt's Plea To Release 24,000 Cusecs Of Cauvery Water India oi-PTI The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any order on the Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking release of 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily by Karnataka for standing crops. A three-judge bench headed by Justice BR Gavai sought report report from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on the amount of water released by Karnataka after Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed that a meeting of the authority is scheduled on Monday. "We do not possess any expertise on the matter. The ASG informs that authority is meeting on Monday to decide discharge of water for next fortnight. ''We find that it will be appropriate that CWMA submits its report on whether the directions issued for discharge of water have been complied or not," the bench also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and PK Mishra said. The Karnataka government has described as ''wholly misconceived'' Tamil Nadu's plea seeking a direction from the top court that it be asked to release 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for standing crops. Why Is The Cauvery Water Dispute Flaring Up Again? The Karnataka government, in an affidavit filed in the top court, has said Tamil Nadu's plea was based on an incorrect assumption that ''the current water year is a normal water year and not a distressed water year''. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 13:21 [IST] 'Ajit Pawar is still our leader': Sharad Pawar comment leaves everyone guessing India oi-Sushmita Halder Amid the ongoing political conflict between Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and his nephew and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the NCP leader on Friday asserted that there is no split in the party and Ajit Pawar is still their leader. According to an ANI report, NCP leader Sharad Pawar said, "There is no conflict that he (Ajit Pawar) is our leader, there is no split in NCP. How does a split happen in a party? It happens when a big group separates from the party at the national level. But there is no such situation in NCP today. Yes, some leaders took a different stance but this can't be called a split. They can do so in a democracy." This comes a day after NCP working president Supriya Sule also said that there was no split in the party and that the BJP had only managed to get some of the party MLAs in the ruling alliance. There was a huge chaos after Ajit Pawar joined Eknath Shinde government as the Deputy CM. The junior Pawar had to face the backlash of joining the opposition and breaking ties with the NCP. However, a "secret meeting" between Ajit and Sharad Pawar on August 12 at businessman Atul Chordiya's house again created a buzz of senior Pawar joining the Centre or junior Pawar returning to NCP. Sharad Pawar's Recent Statement Raises Questions About Possible BJP Alliance In 2024 It was also alleged that Ajit is trying to convince his uncle to join the BJP. It had also been speculated in July, that BJP had offered Ajit even the chief ministerial position on the condition that he would be convincing Sharad Pawar to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Mahindra Claims 'No Malfunction Of The Airbags' in U.P. Man's Death Case| Details DA Hike In UP: 4% DA Hike Likely For Govt Employees, Arrears Expected In October UP Teacher Makes Students Thrash Classmate; Disturbing Clip Goes Viral India oi-Prakash KL In a shocking incident, a purported clip of a teacher in Uttar Pradesh asking students to thrash a Muslim has surfaced online. The incident reportedly occurred at Khubbapur village of Mansoorpur police station area, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. However, it is not clear when this took place. In the clip, the victim stands before the class, while the teacher remains seated and urges fellow students to step up and slap their classmate. In succession, the students approach and strike the victim while the teacher supervises the situation. "I have declared that send all the Muslim children there," the teacher is heard saying in the clip. Asking others to slap the victim, she states, "Why don't you hit them him with force." As per the reports, the video was from Neha Public School. The father of the Muslim student said he did not want to file a police complaint. "We have come to a middle ground that I will remove my kid from the school and won't file any police complaint," the father said. As the clip went viral, Muzaffarnagar Police released a clip saying "The station in-charge of Mansoorpur has been directed to investigate and take necessary action Meanwhile, the father of the victim has refused to file a complaint. "We have come to a middle ground that I will remove my kid from the school and won't file any police complaint," Hindustan Times quoted the father as saying. The teacher has reportedly apologised to the victim's family over the incident. Amit Shah appeals for votes in MP, says BJP ensured development in all sectors What is B20 Summit India 2023, Its Agenda And Participants India oi-Sushmita Halder Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address the B20 Summit 2023 on August 27 in the national capital to attend the biggest forum comprising all the global business leaders. Reportedly, more than 1700 business leaders and experts will be a part of the B20 Summit. The three-day B20 Summit will commence on Friday, August 25, and will continue till August 27. B20 which is one of the G20 forums, was set up in 2010. According to B20 India Chair, N Chandrasekaran, the theme of B20 is focused on ensuring responsible, accelerated, innovative, sustainable, and equitable access to all businesses. While addressing the media, N Chandrasekaran asserted, "The nine themes, seven task forces, and two action councils all address what the world economy, society, and Global South needs." He further stated that India is witnessing a growth momentum compared to other countries of the world and India is the fifth largest economy both in terms of economic growth and in terms of infrastructure as well. India is playing an important role in global transition such as energy transition, digital transformation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Chandrajit Banerjee, Head of the B20 India Secretariat and the CII Director General, said "The summit is the culmination of rigorous activities that have transpired over the past ten months, laying the groundwork for impactful discussions and formulation of actionable policy recommendations for the consideration of the G20." Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will be among the important attendees of the B20 Summit. Global business leaders include Brad Smith, President and Vice Chairman of Microsoft; Michael Miebach, Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard and Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of UAE-based DP World Group; Bernard Looney, CEO of BP and Mark E Tucker, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings Plc are also scheduled to attend the event. Allen Blue, Co-Founder of LinkedIn; Abdulrahman Al Fageeh-Al, CEO of Saudi Arabia's SABIC and Johnny C Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of SHRM are also scheduled to be part of the event. The B20 presidency will be handed over to Brazil at the end of the summit on Sunday. In all, 54 recommendations and more than 170 policy actions will be released with the unveiling of the B20 India communique. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 14:12 [IST] Donald Trump Has Now Become the First US President To Have Mugshot Taken International oi-Madhuri Adnal Former President Donald Trump made history on Thursday when he became the first US president to have a mugshot taken. Trump surrendered to authorities in Atlanta, Georgia, to face charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. Trump was booked at the Fulton County Jail and released on USD 200,000 bond. He is facing 13 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit election fraud, and solicitation of election interference. The mugshot, which was released to the public shortly after Trump's booking, shows the former president looking tired and disheveled. He is wearing a blue blazer and a white shirt, and his hair is unkempt. Trump's mugshot is a historic moment, as it marks the first time that a former US president has been arrested and booked on criminal charges. It is also a sign of the growing legal troubles that Trump faces. In addition to the charges in Georgia, Trump is also facing criminal investigations in New York and New Jersey. He has denied any wrongdoing in all of the cases. Former US President Donald Trump Booked In Georgia Election Case, Mug Shot Released Trump's mugshot is likely to be a major political liability for him. It will be used by his opponents to portray him as a criminal and a threat to democracy. It could also damage his chances of running for president again in 2024. The mugshot is also a reminder of the dark days of Trump's presidency, when he tried to overturn the results of a free and fair election. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 25, 2023, 8:13 [IST] 'Never Surrender': Donald Trump Posts On X For the First Time Since 2021 International oi-Madhuri Adnal Former US President Donald Trump has posted for the first time on X, formerly known as Twitter, since the final days of his term in office. In his first post on X nearly after 2 years, Trump shared a link to his website along with a picture of his mug shot, marking his reentry into the platform after his Twitter account was banned following the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Beneath the mug shot, the caption declared, "Never surrender!" The day following his interview with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host who now streams his talk shows on the service, Trump made his return to X. Notably, this interview coincided with the debut debate of other Republican presidential contenders on Wednesday night. Upon Twitter's suspension of Trump's account, the company cited his posts that seemed to glorify violence and urge his supporters to storm the Capitol. However, Elon Musk, a self-proclaimed advocate for unrestricted free speech, who acquired the social network for USD 44 billion in October and subsequently renamed it, expressed that the decision to bar Trump was an error. Musk reinstated Trump's account in November, although it remained inactive until now. Donald Trump Has Now Become the First US President To Have Mugshot Taken Trump and 18 others were indicted last week, accused of participating in a sprawling conspiracy to overturn his presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted. Trump's surrender, coming amid an abrupt shake-up of his legal team, follows the presidential debate in Milwaukee the night before featuring his leading rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination - a contest in which he remains the leading candidate despite accelerating legal troubles. His Atlanta appearance will be different from others, though, requiring him to surrender at a problem-plagued jail - but without an accompanying court appearance for now. Unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, Fulton County officials have said they expect to take a booking photo like they would for any other defendant. Putin's Health In Question As Unverified Reports Claim He Was Found Lying On Floor After Cardiac Arrest 'Absurd Hoax', Says Kremlin On Reports Of Putin Being Unwell, Using Body Doubles Russian President Putin Not Attending G20 Summit In India International oi-Prakash KL Russian President Vladimir Putin will be not attending the G20 Summit in India next month, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian media on Thursday. The main emphasis now is a special military operation, the Kremlin spokesperson said. The summit will be held from September 9 to 10. The event will be attended by many heads of state including US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron. Wagner Chief Who Rebelled Against Putin Killed In A Plane Crash? It has to be noted that Putin did not attend the summit of BRICS countries in South Africa and addressed the gathering via video link. The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world's 20 major developed and developing economies, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation. In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant against Putin. This warrant is over alleged war crimes committed during the Ukraine conflict. It is part of a worldwide initiative aiming to ensure that both the Russian president and the Russian Federation are held responsible for the acts of brutality stemming from the extensive invasion that commenced in February 2022. The warrant mentions him and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, who serves as the commissioner for children's rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. They are accused of orchestrating the compelled relocation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied regions to Russia. The Kremlin has however refuted the allegations, noting it does not cooperate with the ICC. New Delhi: In his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests and is conducive to peace and stability of the region and the world. This was said in a Chinese readout on Friday on the exchanges between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit in Johannesburg. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Xi India's concerns on the "unresolved" issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. The Chinese readout described the conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday as "candid and in-depth". "On August 23, President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit," it said. "President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region," it said. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace & tranquillity in the border region," the statement released by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said. At a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at "expeditious disengagement and de-escalation". On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the prime minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the prime minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas," Kwatra said. "The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship," the foreign secretary said. "In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," Kwatra added. The government refers to the eastern Ladakh region as the Western Sector. Former President Donald Trump returned to the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, with a post on Thursday showing his mug shot from his booking at Fulton County Jail in Georgia earlier in the day. With his post, an appeal for donations, Trump reclaimed direct access to the public on the platform that banned him following the Jan 6, 2021, attack on Congress by his supporters. On Nov 19, the San Francisco-based app reversed its position under billionaire Elon Musk, the self-proclaimed free speech absolutist who bought Twitter on Oct 2. Trump, who had over 88 million followers when Twitter banned him, posted a photo on Thursday of the mug shot with the words: "ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!" Twitter permanently suspended Trumps account in January 2021, citing the risk of further incitement of violence following the storming of the US Capitol. He used Twitter and other social media platforms to claim his defeat in the 2020 election was due to widespread voter fraud and to share other conspiracy theories. On Nov 15, Trump launched a bid to regain the White House in 2024. On Wednesday, Trump opted out of a Republican primary debate on Fox News (FOXA.O), attracting millions of viewers who watched - or at least scrolled by - a rival interview on X. That 46-minute conversation with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson had drawn nearly 250 million views as of Thursday night, according to the site's statistics. Trump had said he would stick with his new platform Truth Social, the app developed by his Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) startup. Trump had 6.4 million followers on Truth Social as of Thursday. Truth Social has been Trumps main source of direct communication with his followers since he began posting on the app regularly in May. The former president has used Truth Social to promote his allies, criticize his opponents and defend his reputation amid legal scrutiny from state, congressional and federal investigators. All charges against Michael Baltimore in the 2021 shooting at the GQ Barber Shop in Carlisle were held to higher court after an hourslong preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Birbeck Thursday at the Cumberland County Prison. The shooting took place at the barbershop in the 100 block of North Hanover Street around 7:30 p.m. May 22, 2021, leaving shop owner Kendell Jerome Cook dead and barber Anthony White injured. Baltimore, 44, was charged with homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, prohibited possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another person. In June 2022, he was elevated to the U.S. Marshals Services 15 Most Wanted list and was arrested in Florida in January while fleeing a bar fight after about a year and a half on the run. During the hearing, the prosecution, led by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nichole Vito, called six witnesses to testify, including White. White said he began working at the shop around 2016 and met Baltimore about two years later. The two cut hair in nearby chairs. I would have considered Mike my friend, White said of Baltimore, who worked at the GQ Barber Shop until 2019. Baltimore also appeared on several episodes of TLC reality series 90 Day Fiance. White was one of two eye witnesses to the shooting who were called to the stand Thursday. The other was Tarrin Britton, who isnt a barber but had been friends with Cook since they were children and helped around the shop. On the weekend of the shooting, Britton said he went to spend time with Cook, whose father had died days earlier. He said Cook had received death threats and didnt feel safe, so Britton went to Lancaster, where Cook lived, on May 21 and the two went to the barbershop the following day. Cook was giving Britton a haircut when Britton heard him scream out Mike. Then a man in an army fatigue suit with a mask and hat came inside, pulled out a black handgun and shot Cook, he said. Britton said he screamed and ran past the shooter, whom he recognized as Baltimore by his eyes, and ran out the front door of the shop. Once outside, Britton testified that he looked back through the window of the shop and saw the man standing over Cook before shooting him again. Britton said he found someone to call 911 and when he went back into the shop, the shooter was gone. Neither Britton nor White were in the hearing room while the other testified. White said on the day of the shooting he was coming out of the bathroom near the back of the business when he heard Cook say something along the lines of, There goes Mike. He then saw a man wearing camo come inside and shoot Cook. White had no doubt the shooter was Baltimore, and identified him by his frame and the way he walked. The guy was right across from me for years, he said of Baltimore. After Cook was shot, White said he tried to run out the back door, which is when he was shot in the side. At some point, he said a body went past him although he wasnt able to confirm whether it was the shooter. Body camera footage from the Carlisle Police Department showed White lying outside on the ground behind the business after the shooting. A portion of the footage, taken from Officer Nathan McDowell, was played at the hearing and also showed Britton yelling help him, help him, as well as Cook receiving CPR on the barbershop floor. Sgt. Joshua Bucher of the Carlisle Police Department who also responded to the shooting testified that he didnt see the shooter when he arrived. He observed four shell casings at the scene, three inside the shop and one out back near White, but he didnt see any weapons. Bucher testified that Cook was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy and coroners report determined the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and that the death was a homicide. He said he reviewed security footage from the borough and from the American Legion Post 101 north of the shop. Surveillance video from the Legion showed a man dressed in camouflage walking toward the shop on the day of the shooting around 7:28 p.m. and running in the opposite direction of the shop around 7:31 p.m. Borough footage showed a vehicle near West North Street and North West Street with a driver wearing a long sleeve camo shirt prior to the shooting, Bucher said. He said the vehicle, a dark gray Toyota Highlander with a Georgia plate, entered the eastern portion of the borough around 7:15 p.m. the evening of the shooting. The vehicle was determined to be a rental that was picked up from Enterprise on North Cameron Street in Harrisburg around May 22, 2021, and returned to the same location around two days later, Bucher said. According to Buchers police report, the shooter was wearing a camo hat, mask and outfit. Other witnesses called at Thursdays hearing included Carlisle Police Detective Thomas Dolan, who said Baltimore was prohibited from having a firearm due to a previous conviction, and Monique Johnson, of North Carolina, who housed Baltimore for approximately one month in 2021 and had seen him with a gun and with army fatigues. Michael Palermo, Baltimores defense attorney with Palermo Law Office out of Camp Hill, didnt call any witnesses during the hearing. He said witnesses claimed to recognize Baltimore only by his eyes and by his frame and Cook said Mike, not Baltimores last name. Birbeck said both Britton and White expressed certainty that the shooter was Baltimore and held all related charges to higher court. Thursdays preliminary hearing also included a second case involving Baltimore out of Upper Allen Township, where he was charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment after a January 2021 domestic incident. Witnesses testified that Baltimore punched a woman in the face and choked her with his hands before eluding police by driving his vehicle through a backyard and over a sidewalk. Birbeck dismissed the terroristic threats charge in this case and held the other charges to higher court. A formal arraignment for both cases is scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. Oct. 9. Photos: Scenes from Carlisle Borough and North Middleton Township's National Night Out Washington: Indian-American multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's popularity rating and online fundraising have surged, a day after his impressive performance at the first Republican presidential primary debate. According to the Ramaswamy campaign, the 38-year-old presidential aspirant raised more than USD 450,000, with an average donation of USD 38, in the first hour after the debate on Wednesday. The entrepreneur-turned-politician was being hit hard by three of his top rivals former New Jersey Governor Chris Christies, former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. "In Trump's absence, Ramaswamy drives the GOP debate," popular Axis reported on Thursday. The first poll that came out after the debate said that 28 per cent of the 504 respondents said that Ramaswamy performed the best. He was followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 27 per cent, and Pence (13 per cent). Indian-American Haley received the vote of seven per cent. Ramaswamy most Google-searched GOP candidate According to Fox News, Ramaswamy was the most Google-searched GOP candidate for the first Republican presidential debate. He was followed by fellow Indian-American Haley. Both the Indian-Americans were standing next to each other on the debate stage. "Vivek Ramaswamy Grabs Spotlight at First Republican Primary Debate," reported The Wall Street Journal. Its editorial board in its editorial was critical of his foreign policy proposals and said this would not get him to the White House. A second-generation Indian-American, Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences in 2014 and led the largest biotech IPOs of 2015 and 2016, eventually culminating in successful clinical trials in multiple disease areas that led to FDA-approved products, according to his bio. "Vivek Ramaswamy, the political novice, grabbed the spotlight at Wednesday's prime-time GOP presidential debate, but there was little sign he or any other contender had found a new strategy for overtaking front-runner Donald Trump," the financial daily said. "With unchecked confidence and insults, the biotech entrepreneur baited his rivals into skirmishes that dominated Republicans' first debate," wrote The New York Times. "He came in hot, slamming his rivals, smiling wide and showing little deference to the more experienced candidates on stage," the daily wrote. NBC News described the first debate as "Vivek Ramaswamy Show". "That's our top takeaway from last night's first GOP presidential debate, where the political newcomer Ramaswamy seized the mantle as Donald Trump's defender but also bore the brunt of attacks from rivals on his inexperience and foreign-policy positions," the news channel reported. According to it, Ramaswamy was attacked 11 times by his rivals during the debate. According to Messenger, a fast-growing online news portal, the debate resulted in the rise of Ramaswamy's popularity. "Vivek Ramaswamy sparred with Mike Pence. He battled Chris Christie. And he picked a fight with Nikki Haley. The longshot candidate and entrepreneur dominated the debate stage on Wednesday night, using his outlier policy views to grab attention and stoke the outrage of his opponents. Ramaswamy also gave his rivals an opponent to attack without alienating Trump supporters or elevating the second-place DeSantis," it said. Ramaswamy appeared confident after the debate and told reporters that soon only two candidates would be left in the race, him and former President Donald Trump. On the debate stage, he described Trump as one of the best presidents of the 21st century. "I was the clear winner of the night. But we are just getting started...My sense is that it landed very well. Pretty soon it'll be down to a two-horse race between Trump and myself," Ramaswamy told reporters. Ramaswamy, the biotech investor is worth more than USD 950 million. His net worth was over USD 1 billion about a week ago, making him one of the 20 youngest billionaires in the country, before a downturn in the market pulled him just under the billion-dollar threshold, according to Forbes. Still, he appears to be the second-wealthiest person competing in the Republican presidential primary, behind only former US President Donald Trump (whose net worth Forbes last pegged at USD 2.5 billion). In numerous cities across America, looters have built up the courage to steal and rob stores in broad daylight. Long gone are the days when thieves felt it necessary to carry out their nefarious activities in the dead of the night. Today, businesses and customers can only stand by helplessly as brazen robbers take off with merchandise with seemingly no fear of being caught or prosecuted for their crimes. In one shocking report, a group of brazen thieves robbed the Yves Saint Laurent store at the Americana at Brand in Glendale, California, last week. Video of the incident showed multiple people in dark clothes, hoods and masks running into and then quickly out of the YSL store at the upscale shopping center. The Glendale Police Department said there were at least 30 people involved, and they got away with about $300,000 in merchandise. But who is to blame for this lawlessness? Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August, 2018) Of course I tried to get the instantly famous "Trump mug shot" for this space, but could not manage it electronically. However, the day it was taken and published, I had this to say about it on Twitter: "This one has 'comin' to get 'chu' ' written all over it. He must have practiced for hours to get it just right --- for use in campaign posters, his (and others') websites, and other campaign advertising. Sure is a scary picture --- NOT. It's a caricature." And indeed, by the next day the "campaign stuff" was already up on line, ready for sale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Indeed, why? He only got to be President in 2016 with a "little" help from his friends. He did run a campaign based on racism and xenophobia (see below) which attracted the core of those folks who now form his MAGA base, and got a lot of votes for so doing. But he did get significant help from elsewhere, namely Russian interference (Mueller Report-plus) and good old Jim Comey, who gave the election to Trump on a silver platter with his very short-lived (first, "we're looking [at a laptop{!}]" then, oops, nothing there, sorry") pre-election "Hillary" investigation. Of course, Trump then rewarded Comey by firing him for his "mis-handling" of the original Trump-Russia-connection investigation as well as the "Hillary-Clinton-email-controversy." Trump accomplished little of substance during his presidency other than engineering a huge tax break for the wealthy and making lots of noise about "the Southern border." (Of course, he actually did nothing to solve that problem --- which, one should say, is so intractable that even the well-intentioned Biden Administration has been able to do little about it either. That is because of course it begins with unstable-to-miserable conditions in a variety of Latin-American countries over which no U.S. Administration has much control). Trump also ran up the largest Federal deficits in U.S. history. So, the answer to the question "Why Trump?" cannot relate to any positive accomplishments. There are three primary reasons for "Why Trump?" They are obvious to many observers, but well worth repeating. First is the "stolen election" meme which actually goes back to the 2016 campaign. Remember, he refused then to say that he would accept the result of the election if he lost. He said the same thing throughout the 2020 campaign. It is hard to know just how much Trump knows (or knew) about a major propaganda theme of the German Nazi Party: " 'The Stab in the Back,' of course carried out by the dastardly German Social Democratic Party." As it happened, back in 2014 that "dastardly party" had voted for "war credits" for the Prussian Emperor's government the outset of World War I. After the Empire lost the war, the same party helped to crush a communist uprising in 1919). But when the truth does not serve the long-term interests of the Right, they just abandon it [sound familiar?]. So the Nazis nurtured the myth of the "Stab in the Back, engineered by the Social Democrats and "The Jews [check out the images]" not only until they took power on Jan. 30, 1933 but on into the first five years or so of their rule. And so, the "Stop the Steal" myth goes on as well. Second, very well-known but again very well worth repeating, are the principal themes on which Trump ran in 2016. Remember, Trump did not propose any major new programs. There was a list of ten (some here with brief comments). 1.'Build a wall' and make Mexico pay for it; 2. Temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States; 3. 'Bring manufacturing (jobs) back'; 4. Impose tariffs on goods made in China and Mexico (he did impose some tariffs; apparently wanting to re-create "Smoot-Hawley," a major factor in causing the Great Depression, he is presently doubling down on this one); 5. Renegotiate or withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement and Trans-Pacific Partnership (he did get the former renegotiated and withdrew from the latter, which, as it happened, had Obama's name all over it); 6. 'Full repeal of Obamacare' and replace it with a market-based alternative; 7. Renegotiate the Iran deal (he did leave the Iran "nuclear agreement" [just like Sen. Ted Cotton wanted to do right from the time it was announced --- and before he possibly could have had the time to read it]; 8. Leave Social Security as is (well, he's not THAT dumb); 9. Cut taxes (which he did on a grand scale --- for the wealthy; 10. 'Bomb' and/or 'take the oil' from ISIS (didn't do that, and didn't do much for the domestic oil and gas industry either). OK. So, it's not his program(s), then or now, which account for his hold on the Republican Party. It is the substance of what he really ran on. First and foremost was the racism. In his famous escalator-announcement, he substituted xenophobia (which he also ran on, of course) for open racism. But anybody who knew anything about Donald Trump knew what he really meant at the time. But even he thought better of it than to say it right out loud at the time. But again, anyone who knew him knew exactly to what he was referring: the built-in family racism of his youth, his attacks on the eventually-proven-innocent "Central Park Five" in the 1980s, his leadership of the "birtherism" movement in 2011-12. In sum, for many of his base, personal racial prejudice, on which he opened his campaign, was emphasized by his relation to the Charlotteville Riots, by his reaction to the George Floyd Murder, and etc. It is still the most powerful force for those who are still with him. Then it was the male chauvinism, which Trump made no attempt to hide. In fact, in the "Access Hollywood" tapes he actually promoted it. And in my view the answer to the question "Why didn't the 'Access Hollywood tapes' hurt him?" is that for some of the voters he was going after, male and female (yes there are some) male chauvinists, they actually helped him. Then of course there is one of his principal (indirect) achievements," the repeal of Roe v. Wade which was based (as I have written many times) on religious authoritarianism (so ironic for this particularly irreligious/a-religious man). As for the for the "Stormy Daniels" matter, there is likely a male sector of his base that actually likes the fact that he was able to have an affair with that particular woman, even just after the birth of a child with his then new wife. As for the Insurrection, for many of his followers the principal problem is that it was not successful. As for the indictments, for his followers they are either marks of the "Weaponization of the Justice Department" (got to give a shout-out to whomever made that one up to describe a series of indictments for the violation of a broad variety of Federal laws), or marks of "RIGGERS" just out to get him. (Yes, he did use that term.) And of course the promotion of violence to solve political problems has been right out in front for him since he used it symbolically during his 2016 campaign speeches --- leading right up to "Jan. 6 was a lovely day" phrase which he uses over-and-over again. But most significant for still "Why Trump?" is not "The Shtick." It is the extensive corporate base that supported him in 2016 and 2020, and still is doing so, even if some of them are slipping away. He could be doing all of his propaganda stunts. He could still be flaunting his racism, xenophobia, and male chauvinism. He could still be raising tons of money from small donors (of which, as is well-known, a significant chunk presently is going to pay his legal bills [by doing so is he setting himself up for more legal entanglements down the road?]). But if he did not have that corporate financial support, he and is campaign would be nowhere. Shouting alone does not win elections. That sector is, of course, anchored in the petrochemical industry, for which he, if re-elected pledges to end all support for "green energy projects," and to open up unlimited oil and gas production/exploration . Much of his support is in the form of "dark money" --- the form of political contribution the Supreme Court created in the "Citizens United" case (you know, like Mitt, the "corporations are people," don't you[?]) that the Court recently strengthened, for the corporate interests. A major out-in-the-open corporate driver of Trump-policy is the Heritage Foundation and its "Project 2025" (see Appendix I for further details). Its implementation would begin with the destruction of the Civil Service System, originally established in 1883, in order to make the Federal Civil Service somewhat independent from the Office of the Presidency. It was originally enacted in order to reduce the use of "patronage" for appointing Federal civil servants. Trump and the corporate interests represented by the Heritage Society are not so much interested in re-establishing a patronage system (although they would like to do that too), as there are in being able to exert direct Presidential control over ongoing activities and functioning of various sectors of the Federal government which direct control they presently cannot carry out. The implementation of this program to eliminate what is functionally known as the "fourth branch of government" and bring it under the direct control of the President would be a direct move in the direction of establishing fascism --- what I have called "Republo-fascism" in the United States --- removing any civil service protections fro government staff. And that's the principal reason "Why Trump" is exactly where he is at the head of the Republican Pack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix I. Project 2025: Just one of the many reasons why the Republo-fascist Right likes him so much: Project 2025 | Presidential Transition Project www.project2025.org This is the goal of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project. The project will build on four pillars that will, collectively, pave the way for an effective conservative Administration. More About Project 2025. All News >. Jun 7, 2023. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'Project 2025': plan to dismantle US climate policy for next Republican Administration www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/27/... Against a backdrop of record-breaking heat and floods this year, the $22m endeavor, Project 2025, was convened by the notorious rightwing, climate-denying thinktank the Heritage Foundation, which. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Republican 2024 Climate Strategy: More Drilling, Less Clean ... www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/climate/republicans... Project 2025, a conservative "battle plan" for the next Republican president, would stop attempts to cut the pollution that is heating the planet and encourage more emissions. 1794 Smoke from... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Project 2025 Continues to Grow With 60 Partners Preparing for ... www.heritage.org/press/project-2025-continues... HERITAGE.ORG WASHINGTON The 2025 Presidential Transition Project reached a new milestone this week with 60 coalition partners now officially serving as its Advisory Board. The broad and diverse alliance is... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dislodging the real threat to democracy: The administrative state www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/... Several presidential candidates have pledged to dismantle the deep state, and the conservative movement's Project 2025 a plan to gut the bureaucracy by making it easier to fire federal ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A blueprint for the next conservative president would limit ... www.npr.org/2023/08/08/1192634090 The Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank, has laid out its own climate ideas as part of a wide range of policy recommendations known as Project 2025.. (Article changed on Aug 25, 2023 at 11:06 PM EDT) Delhi - LOCK YOUR TRIP, one of the leading travel companies which offer amazing travel experiences, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest collection of top-rated tour packages designed for nature lovers. Lock Your Trip, which has a passion for designing exceptional travels, wants to date the wanderlust of tourists looking for distinctive and engaging experiences. The new exotic trip packages, which provide a variety of thrilling locations and A Tigard man has been found guilty for the second time in the meth-fueled killing of an acquaintance who stole his car. A Washington County jury reheard the case because a U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturned his prior conviction by a split jury. On Wednesday, they found Chad B. Pitcher guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the Sept. 19, 2017 death of Reiner Schmolling. Its embarrassing to read that as citizens of the state of Oregon, we cant rally to find a way to restore and maintain a structure that has not only World War II significance but is recognized as the largest clear span wood structure in the world. How could it even be questioned whether it should be preserved? (Tillamooks WWII-era blimp hangar, one of the largest wooden structures in the world, turns 80, Aug. 17). The story of how it was built under a tight time frame is a story of how citizens came together united in purpose. While it happens to be in Tillamook, this should be a point of pride for all Oregonians. It is especially inspirational at this time, when its hard to imagine the kind of civic-minded determination it took to achieve a wartime goal. Tillamook city and county shouldnt be alone in the effort to restore and maintain it. Legislators from across the state should find ways to tap lottery funds or the general fund to use for this worthwhile purpose. Maryann Burningham, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Oregons largest private-sector union has gathered enough signatures to force a recall of one of the states top legislative Democrats. A spokesman for the secretary of state confirmed late Thursday the office had verified that United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 collected more than 5,000 valid signatures from voters in Rep. Paul Holveys Eugene-based district, more than the 4,598 needed to force a fall election. Holvey now has five days to decide whether to resign or appear on the ballot in October. He has served nearly 20 years in the Legislature, is a Democratic leader and represents a district with a majority of registered Democrats. The vote would be the first of its type against an Oregon lawmaker in 35 years, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Holvey did not immediately respond to questions from the Capital Chronicle on Thursday evening. The grocery workers union targeted Holvey, a former carpenters union representative known in Salem for labor-friendly politics, over his choice as chair of the House Committee on Business and Labor to table a bill backed by UFCW Local 555 that would have cleared the way for cannabis workers to unionize. Legislative lawyers advised him that the proposal conflicted with federal law. The union accused him of nixing the measure because of pressure from La Mota, a marijuana business that was a major donor to Democratic candidates a charge Holvey denies. Oregonians deserve better representation than Paul Holvey provides; this applies especially to working Oregonians who have been left behind by Holvey and the Democratic Partys Caucus leadership, union communications coordinator Miles Eshaia said Thursday in a statement. Paul Holvey knows how to advance or kill legislation on behalf of corporations like La Mota that are owned by rich people; hes just forgotten how to do it for regular people, like La Motas employees. A political action committee funded by the union has spent more than $180,000 on the recall, most to pay petition circulator Osprey Field Services. Holvey has spent less than $20,000 since the recall campaign began in May, including paying for polling and ads in the local Eugene Weekly alternative newspaper. If Holvey chooses not to resign, an election will be held Oct. 3, less than a year after his most recent reelection. Holvey has served in the state House since 2004. Recall petitions are common, but recall elections, especially in state races, are extremely rare. Voters last year recalled two Morrow County commissioners and city councilors in Eugene, Drain and Turner. Oregon voters have recalled three legislators in the past century: one in 1935, one in 1985 and one in 1988. Nathan Erne, a Eugene resident and Holvey constituent who worked on the recall, said in a statement that thousands of constituents demanded accountability from Holvey. For the first time in his career, Rep. Holvey will have a serious challenge at the ballot: his own record, Erne said. If Holvey is recalled or resigns, Democrats in his district will nominate three to five candidates for the Lane County Commissioners to appoint to finish his term, which expires in January 2025. -- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy. A fire is burning near the Bull Run reservoirs, according to the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office. The U.S. Fire Service is battling the blaze, which appeared overnight, said sheriffs office spokesperson Brian McCall. As a farm boy growing up near Williams Grove, Dale Bentz learned that there are three things important to the preservation of a Pennsylvania bank barn. Keep a roof on it. Keep the spouting on it. Keep the groundhogs away. Taking the initiative when an opportunity presents itself is a different lesson put into practice recently by Bentz and other members of the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association. The nonprofit organization had the chance last fall and winter to acquire a barn and farmhouse that were built around 1859 in Newberry Township, York County. Both structures once stood on the 56.6-acre Blessing J. Farm northeast of Red Mill and Old York roads, about a mile from the Yocumtown interchange of Interstate 83. The farm was originally part of a 130-acre property that had a grist mill and mill house in the early 19th century. Pennsylvania bank barns are two-story structures built into a hill or bank, according to B&D Builders LLC of Lancaster County. The design allows for door accessibility on two levels, at the top and bottom of the hill. With help from a barn builder and crew, the association made arrangements for each part of the Blessing barn to be labeled and diagramed as the structure was dismantled, transported and placed into storage on the 90-acre association property, Bentz said. The realtor said If you want the house, you can have it, Bentz said. The barn builder went out exploring there one day. When the crew came, he said Were taking the house with us. Its pieces also are in storage and ready to be reassembled. The association in Monroe Township wants to establish a 19th century homestead setting with a barn, farmhouse and possible outbuildings. The acquisition of the two structures from the Blessing Farm puts the association on course to follow-through on that goal once the carousel house is relocated from the Williams Grove Amusement Park. We cant have too many things going on at once, Bentz said. It could be mid- to late 2024 before the association could begin work on the Blessing Homestead project, at the earliest, he said. We will try to make it a bank barn again, Bentz said. The timbers are in really good shape. There are few corners that need to be repaired. Second year Bachelor of Entrepreneurship tauira and Dunedin locals Alex Livingstone and Abby Green are set to scale up the company they launched while still students at Bayfield High School. Were ready for the next phase of growth for our company. We want to grow our customer base in New Zealand, and were now working with Startup Dunedin to achieve that, Livingstone says. Personal experiences with the challenges that acne can bring led them to establish Abalro in 2020, under the Young Enterprise Scheme. One of the main motivations behind the business is to help improve peoples mental health, by increasing their self-confidence which can really take a dive when someone is suffering through acne, says Green. Abalro imports barberries from Iran into Auckland where they are freeze dried to create a supplement powder which is sent to Dunedin for packaging and then distributed nationally. Livingstone says he was inspired to bring barberries to New Zealand by a University of Michigan double blind study which showed that taking two teaspoons of these berries a day could reduce acne by 43% in a month. In 2022, Livingstone and Green entered their company into the Audacious programme at Startup Dunedin run by the Dunedin City Council, Otago University and Otago Polytechnic/Te Pukenga. At the end of the intensive eight-week programme alongside a cohort of 111 other students who hailed from 28 majors and minors and all levels of study, Abalro won the Polson Higgs Premiere Award. Green also won the Best Entrepreneur Award. These awards build on a string of successes for Abalro that include being named the Young Enterprise Schemes company of the year and New Zealand Ambassadors for Youth Business at the World Expo in Dubai in 2021. Success at the Audacious programme has delivered the duo to their next step - a coveted place in Startup Dunedins Distiller Incubator programme. Were excited to be starting this programme, where well have access to ongoing one-on-one mentoring and support, says Livingstone. The young entrepreneurs were also recently awarded $15,000 in funding for marketing to support business expansion from He Kakano, a $2 million seed fund for young entrepreneurs aged 17 to 30 years, and is a partnership between Princes Trust Aotearoa New Zealand and the Ministry of Youth Development. The Princes Trust want to come and present to Bachelor of Entrepreneurship students and are keen to connect and help build networks through a collective approach, says Livingstone. Before launching Abalro and catching the entrepreneurial bug, Green had planned to study law and finance and Livingstone was intent on engineering, but Otago Business Schools Bachelor of Entrepreneurship was the right fit for the direction Green and Livingstone were heading. The degree has given us a lot of confidence in operating the business, says Green. The second-year papers are a bit more practical, especially the marketing paper. I can look back at what weve done so far in the business and recognise that a lot of our actions and decisions are aligned with the terms and concepts were studying now, adds Livingstone. As for the future, Green says, once weve finished our degrees, well both be focusing on Abalro, then heading wherever our passions take us. Read more about Abalro Korero by Sally Knox, Communications Adviser, Otago Business School Keeping technology safe Technology has become an integral part of schools, offering kids a better chance to succeed in the classroom and strengthening education systems. As kids return to school in the ensuing weeks, new technologies are ushering in exciting opportunities for Pennsylvanias school districts. Whether its new devices to help children explore career paths or the installation of solar panels to cut energy costs, technology allows schools to deliver a better educational experience. Some districts have even implemented AI technology on school buses, keeping our kids safe on their way to-and-from school. With all the advantages technology offers future generations, I ask public officials to prioritize partnerships with not misguided lawsuits against our friends in the tech sector, so we avoid hampering the development of new technologies that will (and do) benefit Pennsylvanias education system and our children. For example, Thorn, a nonprofit combatting child sex trafficking founded by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, houses an engineering and data science team focused solely on developing new technologies to combat online child sexual abuse. Thorns #CSAM classifier finds new or unknown child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in both images and videos. Thorn also curated free conversation starters, guides and other tips so parents can ensure their child has a safe relationship with technology and while online. More Pennsylvania schools should adopt curricula that incorporates student safety in relation to technology. Our children are our future, our legacy, and they are also the ones best suited for designing the technology that keeps us all safe now and in the future. As children across the state fill classrooms again, I encourage lawmakers to champion the incorporation of technology in our schools instead of opposing it. Technology is here to stay, and through collective support, well harness it to help children explore their interests. Mercedes Avery Silver Spring Township Lack of transparency with vote The CASD Board approved implementing the Character Strong pilot program as part of its 2023-2024 curriculum at Wilson Middle School. This Social-Emotional Learning program was presented to the board only two weeks ago. Sadly, the board sent out no information to parents, nor did it promote any open public debate before voting. Plus, the board has not thoroughly done its research, yet they voted to implement the program immediately. Whats the rush? Already overworked teachers have not been trained to implement this. Why is the CASD, with scores plummeting in the 2022 PSA tests, taking academic time away from the students who are already struggling academically? Is this how the board supports its teachers and looks out for our students? Teaching social values and empathy is the duty of parents. This invasive school program delves into the childs private life, sexual preferences and moral beliefs. Character Strong is designed to shape values and beliefs based on its standards, not on parents values or religious beliefs. Character Strong states that its goal is to build positive relationships. However, as a contractor at WMS school, I have not observed the administration supporting that intent. I have witnessed poor relationships between students and staff and unruly behavior while principals, counselors and other staff do little or nothing to stop it. Kindness and understanding must start from the top and should already be the standard. Will the Character Strong program change that? I do not think so. Perhaps there is a character program needed for the administration to build relationships within. Our children are not guinea pigs. We must stand up for them. The boards actions lack transparency, concern for teachers time, create a distraction from actual academics and undermine parents. This program should have been tabled until further discussion and research was completed. Jennifer Weaver North Middleton Township Bangui, Central African Republic (PANA) - An independent UN expert expressed grave concern on Thursday over the human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), calling for political dialogue and a new climate of trust Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said on Friday that the spread of fighting and hunger in Sudan could destroy the country, as the future of a lost generation of children lies in the balance UPM Appoints Aki Temmes as Executive Vice President of UPM Fibres Aki Temmes Aki Temmes Aug. 25, 2023 - UPM today announced the appointment of Aki Temmes as Executive Vice President responsible for UPM Fibres Business Area, effective December 1, 2023. He will report to Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO, and be based in Helsinki, Finland. Temmes is currently Senior Vice President, Business Control and Finance Operations. Prior to that he was responsible for UPM's Timber business and UPM Fibres Business Area Business Control. Temmes joined UPM in 2003 and has held multiple roles in number of business finance positions in Finland and France. He holds a master's degree in accounting and finance?and an Executive MBA. He is a Finnish citizen. "Aki is a top professional with?broad experience of?UPM Fibres business and UPM overall," Pesonen said. "He has a wide interest in developing businesses and is keen to find the best potential in organizations and people. I know him as an energizing, business and people-oriented person with an excellent drive. I am confident that with Aki's input UPM Fibres proceeds well implementing its strategy." Temmes will succeed Bernd Eikens, who has been appointed Group CEO of the German shipbuilding company Meyer Group. The company is based in Eikens' hometown of Papenburg, Germany. Eikens will continue with his duties in UPM until the end of November. Pesonen said, "I sincerely want to thank Bernd for his years in UPM. He has held senior positions on three continents and has had an exceptionally international career. In every position his leadership has brought strategic insights, clarity and diversity to the business. It has been a privilege to have him with UPM for so many years and I wish him best of success in his future roles." UPM delivers renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. SOURCE: UPM Photo: (Photo : STEFANI REYNOLDS / Getty Images) A storm of controversy has erupted as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) raises concerns over an alleged discriminatory dress code policy within the Nampa School District in Idaho. This policy, according to the ACLU, disproportionately targets Latino students and infringes upon their freedom of expression and civil rights. Allegations of Bias in Dress Code Enforcement The ACLU's call for action revolves around accusations that the Nampa School District's dress code enforcement has taken an unjust turn, unfairly impacting its Latino student population. The organization asserts that the policy's implementation singles out students from this community and may have broader implications for educational equity. The ACLU alleges that Latino students within the Nampa School District are being subjected to disciplinary actions based on their cultural attire and expressions. The complaint filed by the ACLU highlights instances where clothing items with cultural significance were labeled as "gang-related attire," leaving students feeling targeted and marginalized. ACLU's Stand for Student Rights At the heart of the issue lies the question of whether the dress code policy is inadvertently discriminatory or genuinely based on maintaining a conducive learning environment. The ACLU has staunchly voiced its concerns that the policy could infringe upon the cultural identity of Latino students, rendering it a matter of civil rights and free expression. The ACLU's complaint is gaining momentum as it draws attention to several instances where Latino students have allegedly faced penalties for wearing clothing items linked to their cultural heritage. The dress code, as argued by the ACLU, seems to disproportionately label such attire as "gang-related," raising questions about its objectivity and potential consequences. Read Also: Kentucky's Lee County School District Shifts to Remote Learning as COVID-19, Flu Spread Among Students Idaho's Educational Landscape Under Scrutiny Idaho, known for its diverse communities, now finds itself at the center of a nationwide debate surrounding educational inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. The Nampa School District's dress code policy, which ostensibly aims to maintain a safe and respectful environment, is now being critiqued for its unintended consequences for a specific group of students. The ACLU's call to action has ignited discussions about the broader implications of such policies on academic achievement and students' sense of belonging. The organization is advocating for a comprehensive evaluation of the policy's impact on Latino students and urging a reevaluation of the dress code's underlying principles. The Idaho educational community is facing a crucial juncture where it must weigh the importance of maintaining a conducive learning environment with the imperative to respect students' diverse backgrounds. As the ACLU's concerns reverberate across the nation, the Nampa School District is prompted to reexamine its policies and ensure that they align with the principles of equality and fairness. In conclusion, the ACLU's stance against the alleged discriminatory dress code in Idaho's Nampa School District is a call to action that underscores the importance of upholding the civil rights and freedom of expression of all students. The spotlight on this controversy offers an opportunity for reflection on the broader educational landscape, shedding light on the challenges faced by Latino students and the need for policies that promote inclusivity. As the debate continues, the nation watches to see how the Nampa School District and the state of Idaho respond to the concerns raised by the ACLU. The outcome will undoubtedly set a precedent for dress code policies across the country, illustrating the delicate balance between maintaining order and protecting students' constitutional rights. Related Article: A Parent's Guide to Polio Vaccination: Understanding Why It's Essential for Your Child's Well-being Photo: (Photo : Brooke Cagle on Unsplash) Earlier this month, a TikTok video by Aden Vu, an 18-year-old user of Vietnamese descent, ignited a firestorm of conversation regarding the underlying biases and prejudices within all-Asian friend groups. The video, which amassed an astonishing 1.8 million views, has since spawned numerous response videos and polarizing discussions, spotlighting what some describe as the 'dark underbelly' of the Asian American experience: the imposition of certain criteria to define "Asianness." Expert Opinions: A Caution Against Generalization In his brief yet impactful video, Vu referred to these all-Asian friend groups as "toxic, gossipers, and rude," creating a ripple effect of agreement and debate across the TikTok platform. While Vu did not provide a detailed analysis of his claims, many users seemed to inherently understand his perspective as they poured in their own anecdotes and experiences of feeling marginalized, judged, or demeaned for not adhering to a specific "Asian mold." This mold, as described by some users, often emphasizes East Asian heritage, lighter skin tones, and upper-middle-class socioeconomic status as the quintessential benchmarks of Asianness. It's a contentious topic that experts warn should not be generalized. Yuki Yamazaki, a clinical assistant professor of counseling psychology at Fordham University who specializes in Asian American issues, warns against hasty generalizations. She argued that "there is a lot of diversity within the Asian American experience," urging a nuanced approach to the discourse. However, she did concede that these groups frequently bond over not just race but also shared class and socio-economic status. Activities such as raving, frequenting high-end Korean BBQ joints, and purchasing expensive boba tea could, even if unintentionally, become factors that exclude others. Ivan Kao, a 23-year-old TikToker, posted a reflective video that discussed his own transformative journey. Initially a part of an all-Asian friend group, he began to question the group's behavior after diversifying his social circle. "I took a step back and realized how much more there was to the world," Kao revealed. He emphasizes that subconsciously favoring similarity can pave the way for discriminatory attitudes over time, thereby stressing the importance of diversifying one's social milieu. Nazah Mazid, a 25-year-old Bengali American, added an additional layer of complexity to the debate by sharing her struggles with fitting into these all-Asian groups. Despite sharing many common cultural values and family traditions, she often felt singled out because of her South Asian heritage and darker skin tone. "The exclusion was not just racial but also deeply rooted in issues of class and colorism," she admitted. Read Also: Asian, African Underage Girls Forcibly Married Amid Pandemic Lockdown The Path Forward: Introspection and Conversations The conversations have also unintentionally given a platform to the perpetuation of the 'model minority' myth. This stereotype, according to Yamazaki, often values light skin, academic success, and wealth as favorable traits, not just in professional but also social settings. However, Vu's stance hasn't gone unchallenged. He has faced a range of accusations, from harboring internalized racism to being a "white sympathizer. He defends himself by saying that the sheer number of shared experiences indicates a larger social issue that cannot be ignored. "I think it's crucial that we've opened up this dialogue; it's a conversation that's long overdue," Vu added. Nazah Mazid encourages Asian Americans to see this burgeoning debate as an opportunity for self-reflective introspection. "If nothing else, these discussions should prompt us to evaluate our friendships and question whether they serve as a catalyst for personal growth or unwittingly perpetuate exclusionary practices," she pointed out. The explosive TikTok discourse serves as both a mirror and a window, reflecting the state of Asian American communities while offering a glimpse into the complexities of racial identity in modern America. Whether one views the discussions as indicative of systemic issues or mere isolated incidents, it's clear that the conversation on what it means to be 'Asian enough' in America is far from over. Related Article: New York City Bans Height and Weight Discrimination in Landmark Law One of the things that I like most about the place that we stay when were here is that its only a few minutes away from the Newport Beach Temple. We attended a session there last night (with a friend, her daughter, and her son-in-law), and so this article caught my particular attention when I saw it this morning: A Deeper Look into the Power of Latter-day Saint Temples: Why do others see Latter-day Saints as so good? Delve into the power of the law of the gospel and how this covenant shapes the lives of Church members and helps them become more like Jesus Christ. And theres food for thought in this piece, as well: Americas On Again, Off Again Relationship With God: We might not be headed for a godless future yet. I also liked this short essay: Caring for Creation Is a Biblical Calling And Im more sympathetic to this point of view than, I think, some would imagine me to be: Quantum physics reveals the unity of the universe: Reviving ancient philosophies I want, now, to share with you some thoughts from Roger Trigg, Does science undermine faith? (London: Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, 1918). Roger Trigg is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick and Senior Research Fellow at the Ian Ramsey Centre of the University of Oxford, as well as a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion. Among other things, he is the author of Beyond Matter: Why Science Needs Metaphysics, which I own and which Ive heavily marked up. We must be wary of too readily accepting the long-established thesis of the intrinsic conflict between science and religion. It does not bear historical examination, in that, for instance, the founders of modern science in the seventeenth century were often motivated by a theistic understanding of the world. Scientists such as the great Isaac Newton, for example, rooted what they saw as natural philosophy in a Book of Nature. They saw God as its Author, and the Book was considered to be as informative about Gods world as that other Book, the Bible. Newton declared that the most elegant system of the sun, planets and comets, would not have arisen without the design and dominion of an intelligent and powerful being. Reference to God was as essential to his natural philosophy as the working of his mathematics. Many of the first participants of the Royal Society, the prestigious scientific institution in London founded in 1660, at the time of the restoration of the monarchy, were strongly motivated in their scientific research by belief in God. The slogan of a group of thinkers called the Cambridge Platonists, who influenced Newton, was reason is the candle of the Lord. It was not regarded as a blinding searchlight, only a flickering and hesitant flame. Nevertheless, their trust in its illumination for the pursuit of human knowledge was grounded in religious faith. (12-13) Is the principal focus of science different than that of religion? Trigg says that it is. Of course. But he doesnt want to go too far in this, to the point that science is about The Real World while religion is purely subjective, making purely personal and subjective claims. To make that concession would deprive religious faith of any actual tether to intersubjective reality Yet if nothing can count against what we believe, perhaps there is nothing that can count in its favour either. An empty faith that can never be challenged is also one that can never be supported. Faith that cannot be false cannot be true, because it does not seem to be about anything. (14-15) Science doesnt deal with meaning and purpose. It concentrates on how things happen, and has little or nothing to say on why they ultimately happen. Trigg grants this. But he does not grant the notion, popularized by the late Harvard paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, that science and religion are totally distinct, that they constitute what Gould termed non-overlapping magisteria. Religion, Trigg says, must not be reduced to mere stories that are wholly unconnected with reality, or to trafficking merely in subjective values rather than in objective facts. Do humans have intrinsic worth? Do they have inalienable rights? If so, science cannot demonstrate them. Are there things or actions that are intrinsically good, or intrinsically evil? If so, science cant really talk about them in such terms. Trigg also takes aim at sloppy thinking about the naturalistic, evolutionary origins of human thought, hinting at the idea that, if we see rationality as a coping mechanism that developed in order to aid us in surviving and in transmitting our genes through reproduction, we are sawing off the branch on which we ourselves sit with our purportedly rational ideas: Yet scientists, too, have use their rational abilities to assess evolutionary theory and its scope. The claims of the theory presuppose a human ability to use reason to recognize what is true. If humans have just evolved to believe in the theory of evolution, there could be no reason to trust it. We may accidentally have hit on the truth or we may not. We would not be in any position to assess our position rationally. If the theory were true, according to its own lights it. would just be its usefulness in helping us to survive and reproduce that makes us believe it. The very persuasiveness of modern science depends on a view of human reason that has to go beyond science itself. . . . Science . . . cannot exist in its own bubble, but needs presuppositions that have to be grounded elsewhere. The most central of these is a trust in human reason that is not conditioned by circumstance, physiology or whatever. (21) He is fairly clear about where his own sympathies lie on the question: The idea that reason is the candle of the Lord is a powerful stimulus for respecting and trusting in science. (22) Posted from Newport Beach, California Its disgraceful that a former President of the United States has been arrested and booked like a common criminal. In case youre unclear where the responsibility for that disgrace lies, its totally with said former President, who behaved in a disgraceful and criminal manner. My only complaint with this process is that it took too long. I just want to find 11,780 votes should have had him indicted on January 21, 2021. He tried to overturn the election. That he failed is no more of an excuse than missing when you try to shoot someone keeps you from being charged with attempted murder. He must be held accountable, if only because the next time someone doesnt want to accept losing an election they may be more competent at running an autocoup. Donald Trump is not only the first U.S. President to ever be criminally indicted, hes been indicted four times. Paying hush money isnt illegal. Falsifying business records the actual charge in the Stormy Daniels case is a felony. I had a distant relative (now dead) who went to Federal prison for doing it, and I see no reason why Trump should be treated any differently. Still, this is an ordinary crime. Im more concerned about his indictment for mishandling classified documents. Now, it seems to be a common thing with both Democratic and Republican Presidents for former Presidents to hang on to records they shouldnt have, in violation of the law. That suggests that the whole record keeping process needs some serious improvement. But when thats been noticed, other Presidents responses again, both Democrats and Republicans have been oops sorry and they sent them back. Trump was given that opportunity. He refused. Ill give Trump the benefit of the doubt and assume he wanted to sell them in a book deal and not to his friend Vladimir in Moscow. But that doesnt matter keeping them is illegal, whatever he did or didnt intend to do with them. My friends who served in Intelligence (both civilian and military) tell me these laws are strictly enforced, and I see no reason Trump should be treated any differently. Still, this is an ordinary crime. Trying to overturn an election is an extraordinary crime. I think by now anyone who isnt in the Cult of Trump understands what happened. He laid the groundwork for the Big Lie before the election: the only way were going to lose this election is if the election is rigged. The margin of his defeat in 2020 was far greater than the margin of his victory in 2016, which he called a landslide. But his massive ego wouldnt let him accept it. And so he continued with his baseless claims that the election was rigged and tried to overturn it. There are legal avenues to challenge election results, and Trump was entitled to use them. He filed at least 63 lawsuits he lost all but one. Most were dismissed due to lack of evidence. Federal Appeals Court Judge Stephanos Bibas who was appointed by Trump had this to say when his court confirmed a lower courts dismissal of one of Trumps lawsuits. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here. You know what happened after that: the January 6 insurrection and the attempt to get Mike Pence to unilaterally overturn the election. Pence is a theocrat who should never be in any public office again, but at least he had the integrity to side with the country and the Constitution and not with Trump. That Trump failed to overturn the election speaks to the integrity of the majority of people in the government, including many Republicans. That doesnt mean what Trump tried to do isnt a crime, because it is. If you want to read the specific charges, heres a link to the Federal indictment and to the Georgia indictment. Heres why this is so important. Our democracy (or republic, if you prefer) depends on faith and trust. The system may not be fair it isnt but it is predictable. Its reliable. We participate in it a necessity for a democracy in any sense of the term because we trust that when we vote, our votes will be counted. We know that human error is a real thing (something those who argue for hand-counting ballots ignore) and that some people will try to cheat (heres a story from 2020 of a man who tried to have his dead mother vote for Trump, of course). But we expect that such errors and crimes are very small and they do not change the results of elections. Year after year, in place after place, these assumptions are shown to be true. Our elections arent perfect, but they are reliable. We can trust them. When Donald Trump claims that the election was rigged he chips away at the faith and trust we have in our democracy. He tells people their votes dont count, that theres no sense in voting because somebody else has already decided who should win. If this were true it would be cause for great alarm, or even for violent rebellion. But there is no evidence this is true. Conspiracy theories are not evidence. You have to have evidence that what you say must have happened actually took place. Otherwise its just the ravings of someone who cant bring himself to admit that he lost. Donald Trump knows he lost. Hes promoted the Big Lie that the election was rigged since before the election even took place. He encouraged the January 6 insurrectionists and tried to get Mike Pence to violate the Electoral Count Act. He was entitled to challenge the results through legal means, even though he knew he lost and he had no evidence of material fraud. He was not entitled to overturn the election through illegal means. In doing so, he attacked our faith and trust in elections, the very foundation of our democracy. That he is running for President is no exemption from the law. He must be held accountable. These indictments are the next step in that process. Note to commenters: if you disagree, youre welcome to make your case. If you engage in whataboutism your comment will be deleted without warning. A woman entered the Ulta Beauty shop in Barracks Road Shopping Center one day in early January, stuffed a silver bag with more than $1,000 in perfumes, and walked out without paying. However, the Charlottesville woman arrested for this crime did not do it, according to court records, and now shes suing the stores parent company for defamation and malicious prosecution. I was devastated, plaintiff Rita Michelle Massie told The Daily Progress. I was walked down my driveway with handcuffs on. The 55-year-old works as a nanny and a certified nursing assistant and said she depends on her good reputation, something threatened when police led her away. I take care of two little girls; I go to these peoples houses every day taking care of their children, she said. How does that look? Like theyve got a shoplifter in their house. Massie said that she has lived on Orangedale Avenue for 35 years. Kids in the neighborhood wanted to know what was going on, she said. Massies lawyer, Jeffrey Fogel, filed the suit Tuesday in Charlottesville Circuit Court and said they are seeking a jury trial and an award of $100,000 as compensation for the emotional and reputational damage. Shes a very straight lady, so this was particularly shocking, Fogel told The Daily Progress. Fogel said that police should have never arrested his client because her appearance didnt match that of the woman caught on the stores surveillance footage. Fogel has uncovered a police document that shows that the woman who allegedly stole the perfumes was driving a vehicle registered in Woodbridge, nearly 100 miles away in Northern Virginia. He also found a list of what was taken. Among the items was a $72 bottle of Billie Eilish Eau de Parfum, an $87 ounce of Thierry Muglers Alien Goddess and 1.7 ounces of Tom Fords Costa Azzurra that retailed for $150. My client doesnt even use cosmetics, said Fogel. And shes never even been in that store. A spokeswoman for the company indicated an awareness of the situation. The safety of our guests and associates remains our highest priority," Crystal Carroll told The Daily Progress in an email. "Weve cooperated fully with law enforcement who investigated an incident involving our Charlottesville location and are unable to comment further." Independent legal analyst David Heilberg said the case sounds like a viable lawsuit. Maybe they will dispute it, Heilberg told The Daily Progress, but its the kind of case that often leads to a confidential settlement. Heilberg said that suing the police isnt a viable option because public officials are typically protected from all allegations except for gross negligence. They maybe did a negligent investigation, said Heilberg, but negligence is not enough. In this case, an employee currently described only as Jane Doe in the suit is the second defendant, and the lawsuit alleges that shes the one who steered the investigation toward Massie. Heilberg said that an employees mistakes are often costly for the company. A publicly held company headquartered in Illinois, Ulta has roughly 1,200 stores nationwide. If its a big corporation, theres a dual-edged sword, said Heilberg. They can afford to pay. At the same time, they can pay to defend. One thing that particularly outrages Massie is that she was arrested on a Friday without a phone, and she said she was told that shed probably remain in jail until a hearing the following Tuesday unless she could come up with $1,000 in cash. In a world in which mobile phones have replaced human memory as the repository for phone numbers, she remembered her sisters phone number when the time came for to use a public phone at the magistrates office. My family wouldnt have known where I was, and my job wouldnt know, said Massie. I would have been booked and been in jail. Under Virginia law, Ulta has 21 days to respond to the lawsuit. Vodafone Ghana Foundation relaunched the Healthline Call Centre during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide accurate information and expert medical advice to people living in Ghana. Since the re-launch of the Vodafone Healthline Call Centre, it has impacted the lives of 30,460 people and is now set to conclude its operations in August 2023, considering the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a global emergency. The Healthline Call Centre is a toll-free assistance on Vodafone and other networks manned by licensed medical doctors. At the peak of the pandemic, the Vodafone Healthline Call Centre served as a reliable source of information to combat the spread of erroneous COVID-19 information and rumours, which was a major concern for governments and medical workers worldwide. In addition to the call centre offering first-line medical advice to callers with symptoms of COVID-19, the team also worked with the national COVID-19 surveillance team to report any physical contact by callers with infected persons to enable proper contact tracing. Commenting on the impact of the call centre, Preba Greenstreet, Legal and External Affairs Director of Vodafone Ghana said, we are proud of the impact of the Healthline Call Centre during its operation. The touching stories recorded overs these couple of years are truly heart-warming and validate our commitment to impact lives. Through this initiative, many lives have been saved, chronic diseases have been diagnosed early and referred to medical facilities, free sexual and reproduction counselling have been provided and we can say we have improved the quality of life of many Ghanaians. We can now confidently bring its operations to an end and focus on our other initiatives in health and education. The Call Centre was staffed by 50 doctors from the Ghana Health Services (GHS) who underwent specialised COVID-19 training. As the infections reduced, the number of doctors were gradually reduced, and their focus shifting to general medical advice. The call centre has exemplified the efficacy of telemedicine in complementing traditional healthcare services. While this marks the end of a crucial chapter in the fight against COVID-19, Vodafone Ghana Foundation remains committed to its mission of Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanaian expeditioners who made history by travelling from Accra to London by road have appealed to the Government of Ghana to review the directive for foreign nationals in Ghana to register their SIM cards with Ghana Card. The group of expeditioners called Wanderlust Ghana successfully embarked on a remarkable 10000-kilometer journey from Accra, Ghana, to London, UK. Their action caught the world's eye with many people across the globe, particularly Ghanaians, commending them on their adventurous act. The group has returned to Ghana and in an exclusive interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo" shared their thrills with jaunting to the United Kingdom. They were happy to have challenged themselves and become the only group in the world to travel from Ghana to UK by road. However, a member of the group named Ebenezer Kwadwo Saka Addo-Mensah, popularly known as Saka, recounted an encounter he witnessed with a foreign national friend of his who had come to Ghana and, because of Ghana Card, couldn't conduct any business because she didn't have the card. "I want to use this platform to plead that our policy that when you come to Ghana and don't have a Ghana Card, you cannot buy a SIM card, we have to relook at it because my UN Guest from UN and transiting in Ghana for 48 hours couldn't buy a SIM card because she doesn't have a Ghana Card. We need to find a way because every country we entered, we were able to buy a SIM card with whatever ID you have", he said. "Let's look at it because if we say we are promoting tourism and as we want people to come to Ghana and the person comes and cannot get data", he appealed to the government stressing makig Ghana Card the only ID card for SIM card registration doesn't encourage foreign investments. The Wanderlust Ghana disclosed they will further be embarking on other trips like from Accra to India. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) in collaboration with Fuel Automation Ghana Limited and its technical partner, Universal Engineering & Consultancy Services Limited as well as its local and foreign funding partners will on 29th August 2023 officially commission the Automation of Premix Fuel Distribution System at Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana. This laudable and innovative project will be commissioned by H. E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana. The full Automation of the supply and distribution of Premix Fuel has been on the table of previous Governments but largely due to financial constraints it was difficult achieving it. The supply and distribution of Premix Fuel in the Fishing Industry was introduced in 1994 with the sole objective of powering outboard engines and helping Artisanal Fishermen to increase their catch. This laudable initiative raised the living standards of the fishing communities as well as increased the supply and demand for fish stock in Ghana. The decision to subsidize Premix Fuel eventually made the product affordable and available to the fishing communities. Under the current Government, the full Digitalization of the supply and distribution of Premix Fuel started with a Public-Private Partnership with Fuel Automation Ghana Limited. *Challenges Associated with the Premix Fuel since 1994* Smuggling, Diversion, Hoarding, Shortages and Politicization have been the major setbacks for the supply and distribution of Premix Fuel in Ghana since 1994. Statistics from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) indicate the following Premix Consumption between 2018 and 2022(Consumption in millions): 2018 -73 2019 -72 2020 -101 2021 -104 2022 -39 Between 2018 and 2022, a total of 392 million litres of premix fuel was supplied to 300 landing beaches across the country. However, despite efforts to supply Premix Fuel to the fishing communities, available data indicate that the following quantities of Premix Fuel were diverted in 2017 alone: 1. 148, 000 litres in January 2. 54, 000 litres in February 3. 297, 000 litres in April 4. 364, 000 litres in May 5. 270, 000 litres in June 6. 459, 000 litres in July 7. 648, 000 litres in August 8. 1, 107, 000 litres in October The worrying trends of Premix Fuel diversion, smuggling, hoarding and politicization always lead to shortages of the product in the market. Hence the best solution to address these challenges was to fully Automate the supply and distribution of the product. However, Financing was the major setback for previous Governments to undertake the full automation of the Premix Fuel Distribution System in Ghana. *Novelty Intervention by Fuel Automation Ghana Limited* Fuel Automation Ghana Limited together with their technical partners identified the bottlenecks in the value chain of premix fuel supply and distribution and proposed technological solutions to the problems associated with the Premix Fuel ecosystem and a proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development after due process under the Procurement Act, engaged the services of Fuel Automation Ghana Limited and its technical partner to develop and build Landing Beach Fuel Outlets and Automation Solutions for 300 Landing Beaches across the Country under a Public-Private Partnership of Design, Build, Operate and Transfer(DBOT). *Financing of the Project* The financing of the Project is exclusively done by Fuel Automation Ghana Limited and its local and foreign funding partners. The financing of national projects could be successfully done by the Private sector as Fuel Automation Ghana Limited has shown the way. This approach of Private Financing reduces the unnecessary financial burdens on the Government of Ghana and it is something that future Governments should emulate for national development. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Akufo-Addo continues to mount pressure on the need for Western countries to pay compensation to Africans and their countries for the negative effects of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (TAST). The subject of restitutions, he said, must go along with the matter of reparations, since according to him, no amount of money can restore the damage caused by slave trade and its consequences which have spanned many centuries. This was when he addressed attendees of the first meeting of the Africa Heritage Restitution Movement (AHRM) organised by the Open Society Foundations (OSF) at the W.E.B. Du Bois centre in Accra yesterday. Speaking under the theme: African Heritage Restitution Movement, which is calling for the return of African cultural materials, the Ghanaian leader said there is no better time than now for those who committed the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to pay reparations and to return all illegally acquired cultural properties. Nevertheless, it is now time to revive and intensify the discussion for reparations for our Africa. Indeed, the time is long overdue. If reparations can rightfully be paid to victims of the holocaust, so can reparation be paid to victims of the slave trade, he charged. He stressed the need for the issues of restitution, return, reparation and repatriation of stolen and looted African cultural properties under pre-colonial and colonial circumstances to be of major concern to all Africans. These concerns have in recent times dominated public discourse on the continent, with governments, civil society groups, traditional authorities, scholars, and researchers all calling for the return of African cultural properties that were illegally transported from the continent. The President further indicated that he supports fully, the initiative for the return and reparation of African cultural properties to the continent as it will help Africans and, in particular, the descendants of the communities, groups and individuals who created and produced these cultural properties to reconnect to their history, to their pioneers, to their knowledge and their skills. He believes, this reconnection of the past and the present will also help to build new relations with the international community, especially that of Europe which was principally responsible for the original thefts of the cultural properties. Most of these cultural properties, when returned, will also offer Africans the opportunity to develop local knowledge of the technological, cultural, social and ecstatic value of the objects, President Akufo-Addo remarked. Being mindful of the complexities of the repatriation and restitution process and the sensitivity of the holders, and potential recipients of illegally acquired properties, he indicated that Ghanas Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has set up a national focal team on restitution and repatriation to research and advise on international best practices and guidelines that will support the country on the restitution processes. That, he said, was because the restitution of cultural properties is not without tension and contestation, as it requires the establishment of true ownership and providence of the cultural properties to be returned and repatriated. To ensure that the restitution processes do not invoke undue contestation and tension, President Akufo-Addo said it is important for state and non-state institutions, activist groups, and local community leaders work in partnership with their international counterparts based on mutual trust and respect. This will involve dialogue, negotiation and consensus building at all levels. Restitution Movement In recent years, the long struggle for the restitution of African Heritage which started during colonisation entered a new phase and in 2017, there was a resurgence of the movement which urged lawmakers, private collectors, and museums to expedite objects illicitly taken from the African continent during the colonial period. Against this backdrop, Open Society Foundations Global Initiative for the Restitution for African Cultural Heritage convening is focused on interrogating key questions to continue to advance and build a resilient and sustainable restitution movement. The three-day summit taking place in Ghana will feature opening and closing plenary sessions, interactive thematic sessions, performances, and networking opportunities for key stakeholders including, representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS, NGOs, UN agencies, artists, academia, creative communities, civil society and the African Diaspora. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) in collaboration with the Social Investment Fund (SIF) have launched the second phase of the Integrated Rural Development Project (RIDP II). The Project has four components including the provision of socio-economic infrastructure, provision of credit to SMES, outreach, sensitization and capacity building and management and coordination. This project is being financed by the government of Ghana and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) at a total cost of US$24 million. It is expected to run from November 2022 to October 2027. The government signed a 5-year agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) in September 2022 to implement Phase Two of the project. As a result, the Internal Rural Development Project Phase Two (IRDP II) became effective in November 2022. Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Daniel Botwe, who launched the project said the phase one served 132 communities in 21 districts across the then 10 regions with a population of about 2.3 million. According to him,the US$24 million Phase Two of the Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP II) is being implemented in 23 municipal and district assemblies (MDAs) within 16 regions and to improve livelihoods for sustainable poverty reduction and to provide access to basic infrastructure and socio-economic services, among others. Source: Prince Baffour Asamoah/Peace FM Newsroom Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed concern over encroachment on airport lands, warning that it threatens the future expansion of Ghanas airports and could hamper rescue efforts in the unlikely event of an accident. Dr Bawumia charged authorities, especially the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) and the Lands Commission, to ensure that airport lands are protected for future expansion projects. He emphasized the need for these authorities to work closely together to ensure that airport lands are properly protected and managed for future airport expansion, as well as to safeguard lives and property in the event of an accident occurring at or around the airport enclave. The Vice President made this call while commissioning the Tamale International Airport Phase II Project, which has now been completed. The approximately $70 million project is expected to enhance access to markets for the local agriculture industry, as well as enhance tourism and attract passengers from neighboring countries. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video UPDATE: Missing Shippensburg man accused of setting fires on Appalachian Trail arrested A Shippensburg man reported missing earlier this week is still at large after setting fires along the Appalachian Trail in Perry County, Pennsylvania State Police said. David E. Browne, 27, has been missing from his Shippensburg home since Sunday. Around 6:30 p.m. Thursday, a ranger made contact with Browne on the Appalachian Trail off the 1500 block of Little Buffalo Road in Juniata Township, state police said. Browne set fires along the trail and assaulted the ranger who confronted him, state police said. He fled the scene and is still missing as of Friday, according to state police. Shippensburg police previously said Browne has a mental disability that could make him a threat to himself or others. The search for Browne was suspended Thursday night out of safety concerns for first responders, state police said. Browne is about 6 feet, 5 inches tall; 175 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. State police said anyone who sees suspicious activity should call the Newport barracks at 717-567-3110. READ MORE: Woman punched, spit on nurses at central Pa. hospital: police Former camp counselor sent to jail for sexually assaulting vulnerable 7th grader Jackie Lanes worst fears came true this week. The Garfield resident said she knew that Bill Hardison killed after a tense, six-hour standoff that started Wednesday with an eviction notice would not leave 4817 Broad St. quietly. Neighbors on Thursday said they had seen Hardison evade Allegheny County sheriffs deputies and Pittsburgh police officers over the pending eviction. When the mailman hand-delivered a certified letter recently to Hardison about the eviction, he tore it up in front of him, then handed back the scraps. Lane said she even called the sheriffs office and the new owner of the property to warn them that Hardison was dangerous. Then, around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, seven sheriffs deputies in standard-issue body armor knocked on Hardisons front door, authorities said. And he opened fire. We knew he was unstable. Most of us were afraid of him, said Lane, 71, a retired CFO who grew up in Wheeling, W.Va., and moved to Garfield about two years ago. We knew he wouldnt leave peacefully. But we had no idea what would happen. Lane joined her neighbors as they returned Thursday morning to Broad Street homes riddled with bullet holes and tried to put together the pieces. Neighbors said they were surprised more people werent killed or injured, considering thousands of rounds were fired during the standoff, according to estimates. Beyond Hardisons death, which the Allegheny County Medical Examiners Office said Thursday likely resulted from being shot by law enforcement, one sheriffs deputy suffered what officials described as a superficial head injury when he dived for cover. As residents sat on porches and shared their experiences, volunteers from a local nonprofit wandered the block, passing out bottled water and lists of resources. People who identified themselves as friends and family of Hardison gathered outside the bullet-riddled, partially boarded-up house where he had been living. At one point in the afternoon, they released several balloons in his memory. Pittsburgh officials brought in contractors Thursday to mow Hardisons overgrown lawn. A city resident who identified herself by her indigenous name, Chief Ikhana, stood on the steps of Hardisons house Thursday afternoon with about a half-dozen family members and friends, and railed against local authorities. Why did the shooter at the Tree of Life [synagogue] live and this man was carried off in a body bag? said Ikhana, 47, who said she knew Hardison from social media. When is the city of Pittsburgh ready to answer that? Somebody just passed away, [Hardisons family] needs to regroup, she said. But I hope they hold the city accountable. Nearby, Lane sat on her porch, staying away from the devastation inside her home. Numerous bullets had pierced the walls of Lanes two-story home, and whizzed around the living room and dining room, tearing up furniture, she said. Plaster dust sometimes several inches of it, created when bullets ripped through walls covered furniture and floors in affected homes. Neighbors said they knew sheriffs deputies planned to evict Hardison, who moved into 4817 Broad St. in around March. Some said they intentionally stayed away from the block Wednesday because they knew he was scheduled to be evicted that day. Lane said she tried to stay away, but news of the shooting brought her back around noon. 12 1 / 12 Pittsburgh standoff She said she couldnt get into her house to save her black cat Mama Mia, 15, and dogs Nikita, 8, and Pounce, 3, until 8 p.m. Wednesday, after standing on a nearby corner for several hours. Her pets had been hiding safely in the basement. They were OK, said Lane, sitting on her porch next to the two dogs. The worst part of this was opening that front door and not knowing if they were hurt or dead. Animals are animals. But theyre also family. Broad Street resident Cheryl Patterson, a retired school custodian who proudly identifies herself as the oldest person on the block, didnt leave her home of 43 years when sheriffs deputies were scheduled to evict Hardison. Then the shooting erupted. I didnt really get shaken up until I heard the big booms, said Patterson, 75. I didnt know where to go. Patterson called her son, who told her to run to the basement. She said she was down there for three hours with water, but little food before police told her it was safe to evacuate. If worst came to worst, I was ready to down that can of sardines, she laughed. Patterson, who spent Wednesday night with her granddaughter in the Hill District, had nothing but good things to say Thursday about authorities who tried to evict Hardison. The police did an excellent job, Patterson said. They kept us safe, I dont care what anybody says. They went above and beyond the call of duty. Leslie Thompson, like Patterson, fled to her basement when gunfire rang out. Thompson grew up in Pittsburghs East End and moved into her then-newly built Broad Street house 15 years ago. After police evacuated her from the basement, she and her husband, Jerry who left work to meet her on Penn Avenue stayed with family overnight in Homewood. I didnt sleep last night, I didnt sleep at all, Thompson, 53, said Thursday. I was anxious and just wanted to be back in my house. Thompson usually works from home, but she said her boss told her to take paid time off until Monday. When Thompson returned to her home at 8 a.m. Thursday, she found that bullets she had heard while hiding in the basement had pierced the front of her house, leaving sizable holes in her grayish-purple living room walls. One shot destroyed a clock next to her couch. After getting home, Thompson called her homeowners insurance company to start the process of cleaning up from the standoff. She hopes city officials cover her $500 deductible. But on Thursday she wanted to talk more about her neighborhood, and how the standoff had changed it for the better. We dont come out front, Thompson said. We typically sit out back, we entertain out back, we even park out back. Around lunchtime Thursday, though, Thompson held court near a beige welcome mat on her front porch, joking with neighbors and telling stories to the reporters who saturated the block. I think theres a positive to this, absolutely, she said, smiling. Were all starting to get to know everybody better. Justin Vellucci of The Tribune-Review, Greensburg, wrote this story. Justin Vellucci is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Justin at jvellucci@triblive.com. (c)2023 The Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.) at www.triblive.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. More: Man getting haircut who dodged gunfire in barbershop IDs suspect in court Reward offered for information about Pa. man, 21, found in his car trunk, beaten to death Josies is a unique family-owned and operated German Food Market and Delicatessen that has been providing a fine selection of quality German food and groceries since 1986. They encourage customers to visit their deli for authentic German meats and browse the selection of German grocery items. FAIRFAX, Va. In a secluded stairwell at CIA headquarters last year, officer trainee Ashkan Bayatpour came up behind a colleague, wrapped a scarf around her neck and plainly spoke as he tried to kiss her on the mouth. There are many uses for this, the woman recalls him saying. This is what I want to do to you. Bayatpour was convicted Wednesday of a state misdemeanor charge of assault and battery in a case that was remarkable for breaking through the CIAs veil of ultra-secrecy and playing out in a public courtroom where it has emboldened a sexual misconduct reckoning. At least two-dozen women have come forward in recent months with their own complaints of abusive treatment within the CIA, telling authorities and Congress not only about sexual assaults, unwanted touching and coercion but of what they contend is a campaign by the spy agency to keep them from speaking out, with dire warnings it could wreck their careers and even endanger national security. There are harassers everywhere and bosses that try to cover them up, said Kristin Alden, a Washington attorney who represents some of the women who have filed complaints. But the whole nature of intelligence work the culture of secrecy and people working under assumed names really elevates the chilling effect of retaliation and isolation that victims feel. Details of Bayatpours July 13, 2022, stairwell attack have not been previously reported but were confirmed by The Associated Press through court records and by several people familiar with the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The 39-year-old Alabama native and former U.S. Navy intelligence officer has remained on the job for more than a year since the woman reported the assault to the CIA and nine months since she reported it to the FBI and local law enforcement. Several of the womans female co-workers attended Wednesdays proceedings, becoming emotional after Fairfax General District Court Judge Dipti Pidikiti-Smith found Bayatpour guilty, sentenced him to six months probation and ordered him to surrender any firearms and stay away from the woman. His attorney has appealed. The CIA declined to say whether Bayatpour has faced internal discipline, saying it does not comment on whether individuals are affiliated with the agency. This guilty verdict came despite and not because of the CIA, said Kevin Carroll, the attorney for Bayatpours accuser. The AP does not identify victims of alleged sexual abuse or domestic violence. It is a gigantic problem that the agency has not yet begun to get its arms around, he added. Its an environment where a lot of stuff is secret, and that attracts some bad actors. Complaints to the CIAs Office of Equal Employment Opportunity about sexual harassment and discrimination this year have already doubled last years total, detailing 76 separate incidents. The top Democrat and Republican overseeing the CIA, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, have called for a watchdog investigation and are considering hearings into why the agency has failed women in their ranks for so long. Since 2018, out of 290 total employment-related complaints, the agency has substantiated just a single case based on sex. The congressional scrutiny prompted CIA Director William Burns in May to launch a series of reforms to streamline claims, support victims and more quickly discipline those behind misconduct. That includes hiring a psychologist steeped in victim advocacy to lead the agencys fledgling Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office and replacing the leadership of the CIA office where many of the women say they were discouraged from making complaints. Our officers deserve no less than our laser sharp focus on ensuring they have a safe and secure work environment, said CIA spokeswoman Tammy Kupperman Thorp. Congressional aides told the AP they have interviewed or had contact with at least two-dozen women CIA employees this year. They described misconduct ranging from lewd remarks about sexual fantasies at after-work happy hours to a case in which a senior manager showed up at a subordinates house at night with a firearm demanding sex. Some of the incidents go back years and took place as officers were on risky covert missions overseas, while others took place at CIA headquarters. An attorney for some of the women says one claims she was given alcohol on her first day at a new posting and then sexually assaulted by the most senior official. Another contends her supervisor told her on her first day of work that they were soulmates and followed up with text messages suggesting sexual trysts. Washington attorney Kevin Byrnes said many of his clients were told they could not identify their attackers, go to law enforcement or even speak to family members about their claims due to national security concerns or the risk of divulging unspecified classified information. The CIA apparently believes that it is not subject to federal law, Byrnes said. Other previously unknown cases of assault and harassment have surfaced in dozens of appeals filed by CIA employees with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces laws prohibiting workplace harassment based on sex. FILE - This April 13, 2016 file photo shows the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)AP They include the case of a female contractor who alleged she endured a cycle of pressure and manipulation by a CIA manager who gave her unsolicited gifts, harassed her by email and threatened to expose their relationship to her partner. In another case, a female CIA employee said one of her co-workers repeatedly discussed bondage, sent her nude photos of women and threatened to get her security credentials revoked unless she had sex with him. Among the unwanted advances was an attempt at work by the co-worker to airplane feed her pasta, which he spilled on her and then offered to clean up from the front of her shirt in an attempt to feel her breast. Theres safety in numbers, said Ally Coll, a law professor at the City University of New York and founder of the Purple Method, a nonprofit that has advised Congress on how to strengthen anti-harassment rules at federal agencies. When you learn that abuse is happening to others, youre more likely to report it and feel a sense of responsibility to help. Prior to Bayatpour, the only other CIA employee publicly known to have been charged with sexual misconduct in recent years was a former officer fluent in Spanish and Mandarin who federal investigators have described as a serial sexual offender. Brian Jeffrey Raymond is alleged to have drugged and assaulted at least two-dozen women while they were unconscious over a 14-year period in which he worked for the agency in multiple countries. But Raymond was only discovered in 2020 after a naked woman he met on Tinder was spotted screaming for help from the balcony of his government-leased apartment in Mexico City. When the FBI began investigating, they found on his smartphone hundreds of photographs and videos of 24 unconscious naked women. In some, Raymond can be seen opening the womens eyelids, groping and straddling them. After Raymond withdrew a guilty plea for lesser crimes, a federal grand jury in Washington this year returned a 25-count superseding indictment alleging sexual abuse, coercion and transportation of obscene materials. In Bayatpours case, the woman told investigators that when she shouted for him to stop and attempted to flee, he tried a second time to wrap the scarf around her before grabbing her arm, pulling her toward him and kissing her cheek. Later, he messaged her: You good? Bayatpours attorney Stuart Sears acknowledged his client wrapped the scarf around woman in the stairwell but insisted his actions were intended in jest during a 40-minute walk together. The incident, he said, was a joke that didnt land the way it was intended to land. The victim reported the incident to the CIA within 48 hours, only to feel she was victimized again when the agency told her not to go to law enforcement or even tell her family. In an affidavit, she said that as a result of the attack she takes medicine for post-traumatic stress disorder, suffers suicidal thoughts and lives in fear of encountering her attacker in the cafeteria at work. Said the womans attorney Carroll: Its completely unacceptable on every level for this guy to continue to be associated with the agency that I knew. Jim Mustian and Joshua Goodman of The Associated Press wrote this story. Goodman reported from Miami. AP Investigative Researcher Randy Herschaft in New York and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report. Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. More: Central Pa. district should have prevented teacher from sexually assaulting girl in classroom: lawsuit Gynecologist who sexually abused patients for several decades gets 20 years in prison Piedmont Virginia Community College is embracing the new vision for education espoused by the recently appointed state community college chancellor. David Dore, who assumed his role in April, has announced plans he said will transform community colleges throughout the commonwealth. The idea, according to Dore, is to reduce barriers for learners by focusing on job placement and eliminating gaps within the system. Those gaps, he said, are in educational achievement, technology and skills. Its a natural transition from the early days of Dores first few weeks on the job when he championed bridging a divide between academia and business, arguing the two had become too fractured. We embrace the chancellors decision for community colleges, because it really is our mission to serve all individuals who also believe in the transformative power of education, Jean Runyon, PVCC president, told The Daily Progress. Shortly after he became chancellor, Dore went on tour, visiting all 23 of Virginias community colleges. PVCC had the biggest turnout, he said. When I went to Piedmont, there was an incredible turnout of students, Dore told The Daily Progress. I think I had one of the largest turnouts of students, and I can honestly say, I thought that those students had some of the most insightful, difficult questions. With the new position came new goals for Dore. Dore announced a new era for community colleges earlier this month at the annual chancellors retreat in Roanoke. Critical to beginning that new era is a strategy Dore calls blurring the lines. The hope is to encourage opportunities and have a more seamless transition from high school to post-secondary education, as well as from college to the workplace. Were trying to blur the lines between post-secondary and secondary education, Dore said. What that means is getting high school students into a post-secondary pathway much earlier. At the end of the day, theyre all ultimately trying to get a job. And then also blurring the line between the college and the workplace, so that our students have more opportunities for workplace learning. PVCC encourages many different pathways, according to Runyon. The school offers opportunities for people coming from different beginnings to find their way to a job, she said. Community colleges really are the communitys college, and as such, all pathways lead to high demand, high skill jobs, Runyon said. If individuals come to us because they want to earn an associate degree to enter the workforce upon graduation, that pathway leads to a job. If adults want to come to the college to fast forward their career through some of our short-term industry credential programs and workforce services, that pathway leads to a job, and learners come to us because they want to earn an associate degree and transfer to four year college or university, and ultimately that pathway leads to a job. Dores vision also incorporates a new approach for colleges to use technology and flexibility as a way to serve the new majority of learners. That majority includes veterans, parents and working adults. Flexible options for PVCCs new majority of learners offers opportunities to learn from all over, according to Runyon. Many of our learners come to us and they really want that flexibility to learn on grounds on one of our campuses and online, and technology plays an important role as part of that online learning experience to allow some new majority of learners to participate in post-secondary education anytime, anywhere and anyplace, Runyon said. The flexibility still allows students to be included as if they were in a normal classroom by integrating a high level of technology into schools, Runyon added. Weve also equipped our classrooms with high-flex technology, so that students can be online engaged in real time with students on ground in the classes as well. So, technology does play an important role in achieving opportunities for all adults to earn credentials that have value in the workplace, Runyon said. PVCC plans to continue offering programs that align with Dores vision. The community college has many donors who believe in the transformative power of education, according to Runyon. Donations allow the school to offer scholarships and programs for their new majority of learners. Im really excited that weve been able to continue our PVCC4U 100% program, Runyon said. There are many examples of programs and scholarships that support our students from connection to completion. PVCC4U 100% is a program that provides the full cost of tuition and fees for in-state students who are eligible, according to the college. In order to be eligible a student must be enrolled in at least nine credit hours and have a family income of $100,000 or less. In the meantime, Dore has plans to visit all community colleges again this academic year, he said. He said he hopes to see changes already in effect since his first go-around. One of the big changes is that what were doing is looking at our colleges more strategically across the whole state, Dore said. So one thing that Im getting out of this is that were going to take a more regional approach, and so as opposed to 23 colleges going in 23 different directions, our colleges will become much more collaborative. Runyon agreed fully with Dores whole-of-Virginia approach. Piedmont Virginia Community College is one of 23 community colleges in the commonwealth, and together we have really made a bold promise to be able to address the job opportunities and credential opportunities of today and tomorrow, Runyon said. That also involves the use of technology and flexibility, even for the new majority of learners. Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard during Listening to Listeners, an original Today in Pa. segment that occurs every other Friday. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | August 25, 2023 One state lawmaker is looking to protection child Influencers on social media from exploitation. A man found out the hard way that, legally, finders keepers doesnt stand. The states main airports saw, on average, almost one in five flights delayed for this year. Lastly, a total of five spots in Pennsylvania have been labeled among the countrys most picturesque. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA. A former part-time Milton Hershey School employee who pleaded guilty this spring to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student will spend almost two years in a county prison, per a judges sentence handed down Thursday afternoon. Joshua Rhoads, 28, delivered a tearful statement to Judge Edward Marsico with his family standing behind himincluding his wife, who was a former student of his at the school tooasking for mercy in consideration of the charges. Rhoads first met the 7th grader at Milton Hershey School, where he worked part-time as a camp counselor, according to Jennifer Gettle, a Chief Deputy District Attorney for Dauphin County. Around 300 people gathered in the spacious auditorium of the Christian Life Assembly outside Camp Hill to fondly remember four Middletown residents killed in an RV crash on Interstate 81 earlier this month. The Lower Swatara Twp. family died Aug. 9 after their RV blew a tire and crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer in Franklin County. They were just doing a good deed on the Jersey Shore, but ended up making a discovery that is drawing international attention. Now Frank Bolger and his family are hoping to identify the author of a message inside a bottle that is presumed to have floated more than 3,000 miles from Ireland. It was right at the waters edge in a clump of seaweed, Bolger, 58, told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. His wife, Karen, spotted the bottle around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, on the beach in North Wildwood, while the couple and their granddaughter, Autumn, were removing trash and other stray items, according to Bolger. They quickly realized something was inside the bottle: A brief, handwritten note. Greetings from Ireland. I have thrown this bottle into the sea for someone to find another day, read the letter. It was dated July 17, 2019. Maybe its traveled down to Africa or to IcelandI I wont know if someone found it, but I hope it is found, the note concludes. This letter, found inside a bottle on a beach in North Wildwood, may have traveled more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Ireland.Photo courtesy of Frank Bolger The writer signed only her first name, Aoife, a popular name for girls in Ireland and typically associated with beauty and joy. Bolger, whose ancestors immigrated from Ireland in the 1860s, is hoping to find her. He contacted Irish Central, a New York City-based digital media site, to share his story. From there, it has continued to spread far and wide Bolger said he has given interviews to several radio and television stations in Ireland but, as of Thursday, without drawing a response from the notes writer. Bolger said he has no way of knowing if the bottle and message really did originate from Ireland. He said he and Karen, in the immediate aftermath, wondered if they had stumbled onto an elaborate practical joke. We kind of thought that, but we have no idea, he said. Bolger and his wife live in Bellmawr, but are longtime summer vacationers at the Shore. The note is stashed at their beach house in West Wildwood, about a 5-minute drive from the North Wildwood beach, as they wait to hear from Aoife. Bolger is holding off on getting it framed. If we find her, we figure shed want it back, he said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. WWE star Bray Wyatt died Thursday. Wyatt, whose real name was Windham Rotunda, was just 36-years-old. He had been off WWE television for some time, and his death created great speculation as to what exactly might have taken him. Just a short time following the announcement of his death, Fightful.coms Sean Ross Sapp cleared some of that up. I was given permission to reveal that earlier this year Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt) got COVID that exacerbated a heart issues. There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery. Unfortunately today he suffered a heart attack and passed away. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 25, 2023 I was given permission to reveal that earlier this year Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt) got COVID that exacerbated a heart issue, Ross Sapp wrote. There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery. Unfortunately today he suffered a heart attack and passed away. Rotundas death was first announced on social media by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque, better known to fans as Triple H. Just received a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda who informed us of the tragic news that our WWE family member for life Windham Rotunda - also known as Bray Wyatt - unexpectedly passed earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their Triple H (@TripleH) August 24, 2023 Just received a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda who informed us of the tragic news that our WWE family member for life Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt unexpectedly passed earlier today, Levesque wrote. Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time. Wyatt comes from a wrestling family. Outside of his father, his brother known as Bo Dallas to wrestling fans, also wrestled in the WWE. Barry Windham and Kendall Windham were his uncles, and Blackjack Mulligan was his grandfather. Bray Wyatt aka The Fiend attacked Seth Rollins after WWE's Clash of the Champions. Aside from his Bray Wyatt character in the WWE, he also played the Fiend, a masked, evil character. He was a WWE champion, a WWE Universal champion and a WWE Tag Team champion during his time with the company. Devastated to hear of the passing of Windham Rotunda, Bray Wyatt. My deepest condolences to Mike, Bo, Barry and all his family. Rest well my friend.x William Regal (@RealKingRegal) August 24, 2023 Devastated to hear of the passing of Windham Rotunda, Bray Wyatt, WWEs William Regal wrote on social media. My deepest condolences to Mike, Bo, Barry and all his family. Rest well my friend. The popular wrestlers death comes just a day after the legendary Terry Funk passed away at the age of 69. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission board on Thursday approved the hiring of Jennifer Berrier, a former state secretary of Labor and Industry, as executive director of the agency. The position at the helm of the PUC, which has a budget of more than $85 million and 500-plus employees, has been vacant since the resignation in early January of Seth Mendelsohn. Its duties have been carried out by an interim executive director. The agency oversees more than 7,000 entities that provide in-state electricity, natural gas, pipeline and other services. It also handles rate increase requests, hearings, complaints and investigations, among other things. In addition, PUC investigators have a key role in looking into the causes of explosions in which utilities may be a factor. Agency investigators have been deeply involved in the investigation of the Aug. 12 house explosion in Plum that killed six people. Ms. Berrier is to start the job Sept. 11. Ms. Berrier worked at the Department of Labor and Industry for about 15 years before becoming leader of the agency under Gov. Tom Wolf in December 2020. She held that post through the end of his administration in January, including through the height of the COVID-19 crisis that left huge numbers of Pennsylvanians temporarily jobless and dependent on unemployment compensation. The state labor department came under intense scrutiny during the pandemic because of many problems in the unemployment compensation system, which is managed by the department. On Thursday, the chairwoman of the five-member board that oversees the PUC, Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, praised Ms. Berriers record. We are confident that this appointment is a positive step forward for the PUC, Ms. Dutrieuille said, adding that Ms. Berrier had vast administrative experience and strong credentials. Sen. Jarrett Coleman, a Lehigh County Republican who previously criticized how long it was taking PUC to hire someone for its top job, said he was happy the agency acted. I am still confused as to why, if the position is so important, it took seven months to fill, Mr. Coleman said. Ford Turner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote this story. Ford Turner: fturner@post-gazette.com (c)2023 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. More: Want to buy a jail? This Pa. home comes with 18 cells attached for $274,900 How does $174K a year sound? These Pa. state jobs are hiring and paying well Two First Nations say they're "shutting down" public access to B.C.'s Joffre Lakes Park for more than a month to allow for harvest celebrations. British Columbia's provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Crystal Plume, right, and her friend Justin Proctor are shown in Sudbury, Ont., Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Plume, who says she has nearly died from drug overdoses multiple times, is among the growing number of individuals in Sudbury who are the face of the city's opioid crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gino Donato When you are in a hot air balloon, it feels like you are standing still and the earth is pulling away from you. Thats what Northwest Art & Air Festival crew member Elaine Murphy told me as she helped affix the crown of a rainbow nylon balloon named Little Wing and readied it for flight. The early morning sky on Thursday, Aug.24 was lit in shades of soft pink, and the sun had not yet made its way over the horizon. Large flames quickly inflated the roughly 50-feet-wide, striped and zig-zagged patterned balloons. Slowly, each rose off the field of Timber Linn Memorial Park in Albany. It doesnt feel like anything else, Murphy said. Thirty years ago she received a balloon ride as a birthday present. Off and on for the last 20 years she has helped balloons take off and come down as a crew member for the Northwest Art & Air Festival. For Murphy, its a feeling you chase after. I was about to find out for myself. I had to interview an air balloon pilot from 1,200 feet off the ground in what technologically wasnt much more complex than a paper lantern. Did I mention I had a fear of heights? In fact, photographer Jess Hume-Pantuso does too. Riding a hot air balloon isnt like riding an airplane. There aren't seat belts or even seats. Passengers stand in a 4-foot-wide triangular wicker basket with a flame over their heads. The rail was about the height of my hips and it felt that if I leaned back I could fall. Between Jess and me, we were doing a lot of leaning to take photos. Slowly, we drifted up and our crew became little tiny waving ants below. There was no particular route. We were going wherever the wind took us. Neighboring balloons came into closer view as we drifted southeast over farmland. Once expansive fields soon resembled green and yellow squares, like a pattern on a gameboard. In between moments of silence, the flame roared above us, taking our basket ever higher. I gripped Jess arm as the balloon climbed. I felt like at any moment I would awake with a jolt, like those nightmares about falling. Looking directly down sent my heart rate racing and my head a little dizzy, so I tried to keep up the conversation. I was here to do journalism, after all. You always want to be looking at the horizon, our pilot, Robb Green, said. Thats how you can tell if you are truly going up or down, he said. Looking at other balloons can be misleading because they are also moving. Sporting a pair of sunglasses and a blond mustache, Green maneuvered from corner to corner, letting out propane to fill our balloon. He kept his hand raised, working the lever that released the gas onto the flame. The wicker basket was tight quarters. The three of us the pilot, the photographer and the reporter shifted from one of the three corners as the pilot flitted from corner to corner. The basket seemed to move slightly under the shifting of our weight, which made Jess and me uneasy. But our pilot was perfectly comfortable. During our flight Green sat upon the ledge of the basket with as much ease as someone would sit on a kitchen countertop rather than 1,000 feet above the ground. Green has been a pilot for 48 years, and that gave me some comfort. After a friend took him on a hot air balloon ride he decided to learn how to fly himself. He grew up in Oregon and even watched the eruption of Mount St. Helens from an air balloon he said. Clearly, Green was also chasing the feeling Murphy had described. I feel at peace. I feel oneness with everything, he said. Green named his balloon Little Wing after a Jimi Hendrix song, and even though he lives in California now, he still loves flying in Oregon the most. Its because of the wide open spaces, the fields, he said. The first sunbeams of morning had slipped over the farm fields and settled at the edges of our faces and the ends of our hair. There was stillness and the earth felt far away. Buildings turned two dimensional, and landscapes were rudimentary geometric shapes. I looked upon the earth and then the sky, feeling as if they were conjured up just for us. Wide open space is the perfect terrain for ballooning and makes landing easier, Murphy said. Sometimes there were disputes with landowners. In a previous excursion Green had accidentally landed in a carrot patch and caused several hundred dollars worth of damage. He paid and apologized and set things right though, he added. We gently landed in a field in Tangent approximately 7 miles from our point of departure. Our crew had been watching us, following in cars below, catching up to us where we landed. The group pulled down the basket with their combined weight and after folding the balloon into a bag, we popped a bottle of champagne. Its a tradition that goes way back to the first balloon rides in the 1700s, he said. A colorful aberration descending from the heavens seemed inhuman, an extraterrestrial threat. It was given to farmers, so that we could explain we were of this earth, and we continue to carry it to this day, he said. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help (copy) Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. With two feet firmly planted on the ground I can't tell you that going up in a hot air balloon cured my fear of heights. But I would absolutely do it again. The 22nd annual Northwest Art and Air Festival will take place Friday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 27. Related stories: Two Sweet Home residents were killed in a head-on crash on Highway 20. The crash happened at around 8:51 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 near the intersection of Sodaville-Waterloo Drive around milepost 19 of the highway in Linn County, according to Oregon State Police. Joel William Applebaum, 30, was traveling eastbound in a gray Hyundai Elantra when he crossed into the westbound lane, police said in a news release, hitting a yellow Mitsubishi Lancer driven by 70-year-old Joy Lavonne Backus. Stay up to date on mid-Willamette Valley news, wherever you go Easily access the latest Albany and Linn County news in an app that lets you select the topics that matter most to you. Both drivers died at the scene, the news release states. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Highway 20 was impacted for around three hours during the on-scene investigation. Daniel Negreanu Beats Doug Polk in High Stakes Duel 4 Round 2 to Win $200K August 24, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. On Thursday night, High Stakes Duel 4 Round 2 took place at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. The first round, which took place back in May, saw Daniel Negreanu defeat Eric Persson to win $100,000, which was the buy-in for the second-round match against his one-time nemesis Doug Polk. Ali Nejad and Brent Hanks were on commentary as Polk and Negreanu, who back in 2020 and into 2021 squared off in a highly-publicized heads-up match that ultimately saw the latter lose $1.2 million, started with 100,000 in chips apiece and played 30-minute levels. After approximately three hours of play, it was Negreanu defeating Polk in a match defined primarily by small pots with occasional medium ones, almost all of which went Negreanus way. It was a relatively slow and methodic match between two players well-versed in heads-up play. Negreanu now has the option to cash out of the Duel, which would net him a $150,000 profit, or he could offer Polk a rematch in which, if accepted, both players would put up $400,000. As of press time, Negreanu hadnt declared his intention either way. Heres a look at some of the noteworthy hands played in the match. I Think They Would Be Annoyed Doug Polk The first notable hand took place about 15 minutes into the episode and began when Polk raised the button to 1,000 holding the 54 and Negreanu three-bet to 4,000 with the AJ. Polk called and the flop fell A73 to give Negreanu top pair, which he bet to the tune of 4,000. Polk, who had a double gutshot straight draw to go along with a club flush draw, then raised to 12,000 and Negreanu called to see the K turn. Negreanu check-called a bet of 21,000 and the 2 appeared on the river. Negreanu checked and Polk, who made his flush, moved all in for 56,600 into the pot of 74,000. Negreanu gave it some thought and chirped, I think they [the production] would be annoyed if I paid off and we were done for the day. He gave it a minute or so of further contemplation before making the laydown. Polk then showed his hand before taking a 130K to 70K chip lead. Flopping the Stone Nuts Negreanu vs. Polk The pair jostled in small pots for more than an hour before some fireworks happened. It happened when Negreanu raised to 1,500 holding the AJ and Polk three-bet to 6,000 with the K3. Negreanu wasnt going anywhere and called only to flop the joint when it came down 4810. Polk had the second-nut flush draw and continued for just 2,000, which Kid Poker flatted. The 2 turn was a brick but Polk kept the pressure on with a bet of 11,000 into the pot of 16,000. Negreanu, who held the stone-cold nuts, just called yet again and the 7 completed the board on the river. Polk missed the flush, fortunately for him, but he didnt slow down as he fired a third barrel by tossing out 26,000. Negreanu paused for a few beats before moving all in and Polk snap-folded. With that, Negreanu took the lead for the first time in the match up approximately 125K to 75K. River Takes Away Chopped Pot With the blinds at 500/1,000, Polk raised the button to 2,300 with the A2 and Negreanu defended with his A3. Action went check-check on the 108J flop and the dealer burned and turned the A. Negreanu checked, Polk bet 4,400, and Negreanu called to see the 3 on the river, which gave him two pair and took away the chopped pot. Negreanu checked again and Polk, no doubt thinking that he was betting for value, put out 9,400. Ace, Polk said confidently. Aces up, Negreanu responded while tabling his hand. It wasnt a huge pot, but did allow Negreanu to pull out to a 3:1 chip lead. Final Hand of the Match Daniel Negreanu In what would be the final hand of the match, the blinds were 600/1,200 when Polk looked down at the 97 on the button and raised to 2,500. Negreanu held the A10 and called to see a flop of 6K8. Negreanu checked and then called a bet of 1,700 from Polk, who flopped an open-ended straight draw. The A on the turn paired Negreanu and he check-called another bet, this time 8,400. The Q river was of no consequence and Negreanu checked for the third time. Polk emptied the barrel by moving all in for 54,100 and Negreanu gave it just a little thought before calling to close things out. Good game, Polk offered. Good game, bud, Negreanu replied. High Stakes Duel Records Player Record Phil Hellmuth 9-2 Daniel Negreanu 2-3 Tom Dwan 1-1 Jason Koon 1-0 Antonio Esfandiari 0-3 Scott Seiver 0-1 Eric Persson 0-1 Nick Wright 0-1 Doug Polk 0-1 *Images courtesy of PokerGO. Sharelines On Thursday night, @RealKidPoker & @DougPolkVids squared off for $100,000 apiece on High Stakes Duel. Can't Make It To Spain? Try The Mini EPT Barcelona Online Instead August 24, 2023 Jon Pill Contributor If you can't get the time off to fly down to Spain for the EPT Barcelona, don't worry. PokerStars is running a Mini EPT Barcelona online. This fun and affordable online series runs parallel to the live EPT Barcelona, with 25 online tournaments held over eight days. The first events kick off on August 27, starting with Event #1: $11 Deep Stack, 3 Re-entry. Before then, players can get in on the action with online satellite events on PokerStars. Mini EPT Barcelona Highlights Players can pick and choose from a varied lineup of tournament formats and buy-ins. You can punt a buck in the smallest events, like Event #2: $1.10 Hyper Freezeout, or go big with events like Event #25: $55 Mini EPT Barcelona Main Event - H with its $150,000 guarantee. Perhaps most exciting of all is the fact that winning Event #25or its sister Event #24: $5.50 Mini EPT Barcelona Main Event - Lwill net you a ticket for the $1,050 WCOOP Main Event. This also comes with a Gold Power Pass package worth $10,300 that will cover your travel, accommodation, and tournament buy-in for EPT Cyprus. Other highlights include Event #3: $55 Super High Roller with $100,000 guaranteed and Event #14: $25 High Roller held on August 27 and August 31 respectively. Mini EPT Barcelona at PokerStars Complete Schedule Date Start Time Event Name Buy-in Guarantee Aug 27 9:15 #1 Deep Stack, 3 Re-entry $11.00 $40,000 Aug 27 12:15 #2 Hyper Freezeout $1.10 $2,500 Aug 27 14:15 #3 Super HR, Unlimited Re-entry $55.00 $100,000 Aug 28 9:15 #4 Deep Stack, Single Re-entry $3.30 $12,500 Aug 28 12:15 #5 NLHE Unlimited Re-entry $25.00 $50,000 Aug 28 14:15 #6 Hyper PKO $2.20 $5,000 Aug 29 9:15 #7 7-Max $5.50 $15,000 Aug 29 12:15 #8 NLO8 Turbo $2.20 $2,500 Aug 29 14:15 #9 Hyper Freezeout $1.10 $2,000 Aug 30 9:15 #10 Deep Stack, Single Re-entry $3.30 $9,000 Aug 30 12:15 #11 PKO Turbo 3 Re-entry $5.50 $17,500 Aug 30 14:15 #12 HUTKO Hyper $2.20 $6,000 Aug 31 9:15 #13 HORSE $5.50 $2,500 Aug 31 12:15 #14 High Roller $25.00 $50,000 Aug 31 14:15 #15 Hyper PKO $1.10 $2,500 Sep 1 9:15 #16 Deepstack, Unlimited Re-entry $2.20 $5,000 Sep 1 12:15 #17 NLHE Freezeout $3.30 $10,000 Sep 1 14:15 #18 Hyper Freezeout $1.10 $2,500 Sep 2 9:15 #19 PLO $1.10 $1,500 Sep 2 12:15 #20 9-Max PKO $11.00 $20,000 Sep 2 14:15 #21 Hyper PKO $2.20 $5,000 Sep 3 9:15 #22 Deepstack Single Re-entry $3.30 $15,000 Sep 3 12:15 #23 6-Max, Turbo $2.20 $6,000 Sep 3 14:15 #24 Mini EPT Main Event - L $5.50 $60,000 Sep 3 14:15 #25 Mini EPT Main Event - H $55.00 $150,000 Keep Track of the Mini EPT Barcelona With PokerNews' Online Tournament Calendar Many of the Mini EPT Barcelona events have associated satellites in which you can win your seat for less. To help you track all these satellitesas well as the main and side events of the Mini EPT Barcelona itselfyou should try the PokerNews Tournament Calendar. This is a free-to-use tool that tracks every tournament on several major sites including PokerStars. You can search and filter according to tournament types and times and once you log in, you can even register for events without ever leaving the PokerNews website. Give it a go now and make your tournament poker life that much more convenient! Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Constitutional scholar and House Oversight Committee ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said that investigations into those prosecuting Trump are a Republican attack on the US justice system. Raskin said on CNN when asked by Jake Tapper if Rep. Jim Jordans claims of Willis coordinating with Special Counsel Jack Smith had any merit, No, and I hope people recognize how fundamentally antithetical this is to our system of justice where anytime any of Donald Trumps allegedly criminal actions are investigated then immediately the Republicans launch an attack on the investigators, on the FBI, on the Department of Justice, on a district attorney in New York, or Georgia, or what have you, so its just an attempt to throw grease in the gears and mess up the possibility of justice. Video: CNN's @jaketapper speaks to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) about the merits of the investigation that the House Judiciary Committee launched into Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis. Watch: pic.twitter.com/rplM7eZRKW CNN (@CNN) August 24, 2023 The Jordan investigation is not legitimate, which is why Rep. Raskins colleague, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), advised Willis to ignore Jordan. DA Willis can ignore Jordan because he has no legitimate legislative purpose and no oversight power over a local district attorney. Jordans investigation is a political stunt. Perhaps Rep. Jordan will bring the Judiciary Committee to Fulton County and hold a hearing on Willis. Jim Jordan is trying to interfere with the criminal case against the former president, and in the process, he is damaging the nations justice system, which is a vital reason why Democrats should be returned to the House majority so that they can begin repairing what Jordan and his fellow House Republicans have done. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trump was still in the air when he called Newsmax to complain about how terrible his experience was in the Fulton County Jail. Trump said when asked how jail was: Terrible experience. I came in. I was treated very nicely. But it is what it is. I took a mugshot, which I never heard the words mug shot. That wasnt didnt teach me that the Wharton School of Finance And I have to go through a process election interference. You know that better than anybody you covered so well and fantastic job. I have to tell you for the person Fantastic job, Greg, but its a very sad experience, and its a very sad day for our country. This is a weaponized Justice Department and all of these indictments and cases. I have a couple of cases of these indictments. Its just cases where you have these left. Lawyers suing Like a woman that I never saw it before. Other than that she took a picture 25 years ago on a on a line on a contributors line or something or charity line. Ah everything. Its just like one thing after the next and what they want to do is they want to try and wear you out which they never do But they want to wait. You can do about just absolute. Horrible thing that theyre doing, and Ive never seen anything like it. This is a third-world country and I really believe theyre getting hit by. You know we were going to tremendous crowds in Atlanta, and they were so friendly. So friendly, But this is a radical left district attorney as we have in New York and as we have in all the other places, whether its district attorney or a AGs we have that in New York. Theyre going after all for nothing. I mean, the AG case. They have no case against me at all. Do it to try and get elected. But they also do it in court with the Department of Injustice in Washington. Terrible thing never happened before. Video: Trump is acting so entitled like he cant believe that he had to go to jail and get a mugshot. All he did was allegedly commit felonies in multiple jurisdictions while stealing classified information. I am sure that jail was terrible for all of the less than 30 minutes that he was there. Donald Trump is trying to monetize his mugshot. He is trying to turn it to his advantage, but he is bothered by this, and as he admitted on Newsmax it is one thing after another. It seems to be getting to him. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Former House Republican aides and investigators are urging Speaker Kevin McCarthy to forget about impeaching President Biden and instead focus on getting things done. The Messenger reported: Veteran senior GOP congressional aides who worked across the aisle in recent years have some advice for current Republican leaders: Drop the politically tinged probes of the Biden family and, instead, try legislating. The former investigative oversight aides told The Messenger that rather than caving to mounting pressure from conservative hardliners demanding to impeach President Joe Biden, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his lieutenants should focus on issues that affect everyday Americans. They suggest such low-hanging fruit as rooting out wasteful spending in the defense budget, stemming Americas deadly fentanyl crisis, holding the government accountable for personal data breaches, and promoting economic growth. Everyone Can See That Impeaching Biden Is A Terrible Idea Trump is driving the Biden impeachment train in the House. The former president even threatened House Republicans that they will lose their seats if they vote against impeaching President Biden. Outside of the MAGA universe, people on both sides of the aisle see the writing on the wall. Unless House Republicans stop with the Hunter Biden stuff and start governing, they are going to get crushed and lose their majority in 2024. The American people arent interested in impeaching Biden and are going to make House Republicans pay if they spend two years investigating Joe Biden instead of working on issues that could get bipartisan support. Kevin McCarthy sold all of his power to MAGA to get elected speaker. McCarthy knows that his majority is likely history next year, but he is trying to hang on to his job today, so he keeps making silly pronouncements that make no sense about Biden impeachment because he lives every day of his life with a motion to vacate hanging over his head. By doing Trumps dirty work, Republicans are handing the House back to Democrats in 2024. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Democrats have turned to former President Obama to lead the redistricting fight in states like New York, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and Louisiana. Politico reported: Former President Barack Obama hosted a fundraiser for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee on Thursday. The event in Marthas Vineyard raised $1.5 million, the committee told POLITICO, ahead of a crucial stretch of redistricting fights that will play out in the closing months of this year. The only danger is that we get complacent, Obama said at the fundraiser for the premiere Democratic group working on redistricting battles, according to a readout obtained by POLITICO. Because one thing weve learned is that the other side doesnt quit. The National Democratic Redistricting Committee is run by former Obama AG Eric Holder, and the ex-president has been a vocal supporter and fundraiser for the organization. At first blush, red states like Georgia, Louisana, and Alabama dont look encouraging for Democrats, but each of those states gerrymandered Democratic majority-minority districts out of existence. Alabama has been ordered to restore the district, and Louisana and Georgia are also expected to lose in court. Democrats need five seats to take back the House and could get three-fifths of the way there just by winning redistricting fights for a single district each in three red states. If New York Democrats get it together after the 2022 redistricting chaos that cost the party the House majority, Democrats may be able to flip the House before a single vote is cast in 2024. Democrats are focused on making it happen, and theyve got Eric Holder and Barack Obama leading the charge. ROCK HILL Presidential candidate Marianne Williamson kicks off her four-day South Carolina campaign tour Aug. 26 with events in Rock Hill and Fort Mill. Williamson, who's bid is considered a long shot for the Democratic nomination, is greeting voters in a mix of restaurant get-togethers and speeches in York County, Aiken and North Charleston, according to her website. The three events in York County begin with a "Women of Faith" luncheon at the Fish Market Bar and Grill in Fort Mill at 1 p.m. Aug. 26, followed by a meet-and-greet at Knowledge Perk Coffee Company in Rock Hill at 3 p.m. The day ends with a speech at Bible Light Holiness Church in Rock Hill at 7 p.m. Next, she will make an appearance in Aiken on Aug. 28 at the New Moon Cafe at 11 a.m. Williamson will appear in front of North Charleston City Hall at 10 a.m. Aug. 29 for a press conference where she will be joined by Stephany Ganaway-Pasley, a retired judge who is running for mayor. The final event happens that afternoon, at 1 p.m. at the Ritz Bar and Grill. All of the campaign events are free. Williamson filed to run for the Democratic nomination March 4. Other Democrats confirmed to be running include incumbent President Joe Biden and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has made three South Carolina stops over the past two weeks. Trident Tech's Dorchester Campus, which is located at 10055 Dorchester Road in Summerville. The campus photo is attached to this email. There are additional campuses in Moncks Corner, Charleston and North Charleston. This week, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced new funding for Oregon State University from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OSU will get nearly $160,000 for coastal disaster preparedness, innovation and education, according to an Aug. 22 news release. That funding called the Oregon Sea Grant will focus on boosting tsunami and earthquake awareness and resilience. Wyden said he was grateful for the NOAA grant. "I'm all in to ensure Oregon's coastal communities have all the resources they need to prepare and then recover from a disaster that could strike at any moment," Wyden said in the release. Merkley also hailed the funding. "The success and the future of Oregon's coastal economy depends on our ability to prepare and recover from natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, and this Sea Grant will help build the needed resilience," Merkley said in a statement. OSU was one of four awardees nationwide to receive grant funding from the NOAA's National Sea Grant Office and the Office of Response and Restoration's Disaster Preparedness Program. Oregon Sea Grant Director Karina Nelson said the funding would support disaster preparation and community learning around the locations of evacuation routes and other emergency resources at the coast. "Oregon Sea Grant's marine educators will be improving the odds for coastal residents and visitors to make live-saving decisions during a major Cascadia earthquake and tsunami event," she said. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Areas of patchy fog. High 82F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. A worker coils up the cord for a flight deck communications headset as a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max airplane prepares to take off on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Renton Municipal Airport in Renton, Wash. Federal safety regulators are warning airlines to make sure that workers stay away from jet engines that are still running. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren/File Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Areas of patchy fog. High 82F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable. My son insists he wants to be a professional soccer player. Hes good, but hes not even the best player on his team. How can I encourage him to look into other professions without dashing his dreams? Read moreThe long-term benefits of just saying no Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 81F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. LEXINGTON Three more inmates indicted on charges connected to the deadly 2018 Lee prison riot pleaded guilty Aug. 24, bringing the total number of pleas to eight. In all, 29 men were indicted on charges ranging from possession of contraband to first-degree assault and battery by a mob resulting in death. The April 2018 riot sparked the deaths of seven men and left dozens more injured at the Lee Correctional Institution. On Aug. 24, Teron Jackson, 33, pleaded guilty to assault and battery by a mob in the second degree. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison, a sentence that will run at the same time as the 37-year prison term that landed him behind bars. Jackson participated in the riot that lead to the death of Cornelius McClary, 33, according to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Also on Aug. 24, Rico Hickman, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and instigating or participating in a riot. He was sentenced to four years in prison, to run concurrently with the 25-year prison term that sent him to prison. He is also accused of participating in the events that led to McClary's death. Montez Lavarrey Rutledge, 30, pleaded guilty Aug. 24 to possession of contraband. He was sentence to nine years in prison, a sentence that will run concurrent to his 33-year sentence. The contraband in Rutledge's case was weapons. Jackson was sentenced originally for a 2007 murder in Sumter County. Hickman was sentenced originally for a 2009 armed robbery in Lexington County. And Rutledge was sentenced originally for a 2011 murder in York County. The riot at the prison in Bishopville started when Damonte Rivera, 24, stabbed Michael Milledge, 44, to death. Rivera was killed in retaliation as the violence exploded, according to a December 2019 investigative report in The Post and Courier. Before the riot ended, Raymond Scott, 28, Corey Scott, 38, Joshua Jenkins, 33, Eddie Gaskins, 32, and McClary were also killed. WALTERBORO An ex-Hampton County sheriff's deputy is facing one count of murder after police say she gunned down a 28-year-old woman outside a local pub. Tamika Suewanna Carter was arrested by Walterboro Police Department officers Aug. 21 on the charges of murder and a weapons offense. The 46-year-old sworn law enforcement officer is accused of firing a handgun at a woman at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 15 in the parking lot of the Barrel House Grille located at 104 Robertson Blvd., according to affidavits supporting her arrest. Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey identified the victim as Walterboro resident Mia Tabb. Carter has served as a police officer in South Carolina since 2017. She was employed at the time of the shooting with the Hampton County Sheriff's Office but was forced to resign the following day due to misconduct, according to paperwork filed with the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy. The ex-deputy was denied bond at an Aug. 21 hearing, court papers show. Investigators with the Walterboro Police Department arrested Carter after speaking with witnesses at the scene and reviewing video footage of the shooting, per the affidavits. City police also charged Marvin Jermaine Williams with murder in the victim's killing, according to a news release. The 43-year-old remains at large. Carter's attorney, Chelsea A. Glover, requested the public's assistance in locating Williams. "I believe hes the shooter," the Orangeburg attorney said Aug. 24. Carter, Williams and the victim were involved in an argument inside the bar moments before the shooting, the news release states. The argument spilled outside. "The suspects then fired a single gunshot while seated in their vehicle striking the victim as she stood in the parking lot," per the release. The Hampton County Sheriff's Office wrote in separation paperwork that Carter fled the scene of the shooting and provided false or misleading statements to law enforcement. She also waited until the following morning to notify her supervisors, according to the sheriff's office. Cat Musgroves now beloved Dolce Darlin Bakery is where all that is humble and kind (so Tim McGraw might say) is baked into the ever-changing menu of cupcakes, scones, Dolly bread and tarts. Those who enter the pink house on Telfair will always leave feeling much better than when they came in, she vows. Its half about the visit and half about the food, so please dont come in here in a hurry, Musgrove says. This year, she's popping the popper on 10 years. A mini present to the bakery's customers is that starting Sept. 7, the bakery will be open at 6:30 a.m. instead of 10. Sweet darlings, upheaval and the pink house on Telfair The bakerys history predates its occupancy of the pink house. It goes back to 2013 and a tiny home oven that could bake just one dozen cupcakes at a time and that had to be propped open at the top with a wooden spoon as remedy to a faulty calibration. Musgrove was living in Italy at the time and was turning out her sweet darlings for the other Americans who missed the ultra-sweet of stateside desserts. It was a period in the bakerys history that never allowed for an income: She and her husband were there with the military, and earning an income from her baking would have meant forgoing the privileges granted through the U.S-Italian Status of Forces Agreement. We were allowed to work for cost of ingredients only, Musgrove recalled. Dolce Darlin moved to the pink house at 404 Telfair St. in 2020. Under its happy color and buoyant interior is the upheaval that necessitated the move from home-based bakery (Dolce Darlin was run out of the Musgroves home in Grovetown when they returned to the U.S) to a more commercial presence in Augusta. Musgroves husband at the time, Jason Musgrove, was arrested on charges of producing child pornography and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. Highland Springs Middle School finally opened its doors to parents for the first time. The brand new Aiken County middle school near North Augusta, which opened in time for the first day of school in July, hosted an open house on Aug. 24. Parents and students were able to meet teachers and explore the new school grounds. Highland Springs Principal Paige Day knew there would be a good turnout since it's the school's first open house. I am just excited for (parents) to meet the faculty and staff and to actually get into the building and see the amazing technology, the amazing facilities, and I think that the students are excited to show them the new building, she said. Eighth grade ELA teacher Thaddeas Mohler enjoyed getting to know the community. Its important to me because I am new to South Carolina. Im coming over from Georgia and I retired after 34 years, so it's important to know who I am serving and who my customers are, Mohler said. Number two, to let them know what is going on in here. My expectations are to let them know where their kids are going and where I want them to be. I think they have been impressed," Day said. "What I really like is to see that the kids are basically giving their parents the tours this evening, so they are taking the lead on that. I am pleased to see the majority of our parents and students here tonight. Thats always a good thing, high engagement. They are excited, Mohler said. They are excited to walk around this school and they are excited to come in here. I have had nothing but positive reviews from parents because kids have been talking about the class and how they like it. Our society is facing many challenges, but one that seems to lie just beneath the surface is a decline in empathy. We don't understand one another. We just aren't able (as the saying goes) to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. We can't see what motivates others, what makes them tick. As sy Read moreStevens: We need more empathy, and reading more can help TURBEVILLE Turbevilles first library will take the place of its park on Main Street, which is home to the towns history center and a gazebo dedicated to the incoming librarys namesake. The town of 760 people will be home to the second library operated by Clarendon County government, joining the Harvin Clarendon County Library in Manning. The library will be named after Dr. Kate Smith, who was the only practicing physician in Turbeville for about 50 years. She died in 2020. This will be the focal point of the town square, Turbeville native Dr. Dorn Smith said. He is donating land he owns to build the library. Dr. Kate Smith was his aunt. The history center will be moved into the library and the building housing it will be removed. The gazebo also will be removed. The monument to members of the military from Turbeville will remain. The design for the library still is being worked out and it isnt known when it will be finished. Creation of the Turbeville library is being supported through the Florence-based nonprofit Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation and $50,000 in state funds. The library will be similar to the one in Olanta, which is the nearest library to Turbeville. It's about a 10-minute drive on Route 301. WiFi access is one of the opportunities the library will provide to the community. While almost all of Turbeville has access to internet up to 100 Mbps or more download speed, there are multiple areas near Turbeville with up to 25 housing units with no internet, according to a map from the South Carolina Broadband Office. This helps as some households may not be able to afford high quality internet, Mayor of Turbeville Kathryn Turbeville said. The latest charge to bring broadband access and education on it to people in South Carolina came in the form of the Get Connected SC campaign announced in February. The campaign aims to to develop a five-year plan for getting South Carolinians online. ANDERSON Inside McCurrys Barber Shop on Whitehall Road, the owner trims a clients hair on a busy Thursday afternoon. Robert "Tony" McCurry, 66, has worked in the Upstate barbershop since 1982. His father started the business in 1957, and theyve kept it in the family. Political mementos stand out. A framed front-page of the Anderson Independent-Mail announcing John F. Kennedy's assassination hangs on the wall. A mini-fridge stocked with bottled water and canned Coke sits nearby, nearly as noticeable as the gun McCurry wears on his hip as he scissors hair away, a reminder of his strong Second Amendment views. In his barbershop, McCurry meets people from all of walks of life, he said. Young and old. Black and White. Male and female. The shop serves them all. And when those clients sit down in his chair, thats how McCurry gets his news. They talk about work, about the weather, about politics. McCurry, who is politically conservative, isnt afraid to make his voice heard. In 2020, he sued Gov. Henry McMaster to challenge executive orders that extended South Carolinas state of emergency and closed nonessential businesses during the pandemic. The lawsuit was later declared moot when businesses reopened. Beyond discussions with customers, McCurry gets his news from Facebook and he still reads the local paper, the Anderson Independent-Mail. But coverage is sparse. The paper does not have a journalist working in Anderson, though there are plans to add a local reporter soon. Until then, any news comes from reporters in Greenville, about 45 minutes away. McCurry wants to stay informed. Hes concerned about government overreach and corruption, border security and the economy, too. He plans to vote for former President Donald Trump again in the 2024 election. Hes done more for this country since Reagan, McCurry said. Voters like McCurry will soon have the opportunity to make their voices heard. South Carolina will play an outsized role in the 2024 election, with a first-in-the-South GOP primary scheduled for Feb. 24 18 days after Nevada. The new date gives candidates more time than before to win over South Carolina voters and puts the Palmetto State in the spotlight until then. Also in that spotlight is what is increasingly becoming a more difficult hunt to find credible information. COLUMBIA Are most abortions illegal after six weeks of pregnancy in South Carolina? Or is it 10 weeks? Or 17? A day after the state Supreme Court upheld an abortion ban that nearly everyone assumed took effect at six weeks of pregnancy, the state's abortion providers say they're not so sure. Abortion providers on Aug. 24 asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to reconsider its 4-1 decision upholding a ban on most abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, arguing the court failed to clearly define when that is. The action was filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood and Greenville Women's Clinic. They contend the law should be suspended until theyre given clarity. The issue the providers are now raising is that the law, called the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act," does not specify at which week of pregnancy it bans abortion, instead referring to when a fetal heartbeat can be detected by an ultrasound. That point has generally been accepted to be at six weeks, when electrical impulses can be heard. But medically, an embryo does not become a fetus until eight to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and the four chambers of the heart are not fully formed until 17 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The majority found that in crafting the law, the Legislature had reasonably balanced women's right to privacy in the state constitution and the state's interest in protecting the "unborn." But in a footnote in the majority opinion upholding the law, Justice John Kittredge acknowledged the ambiguity over the timing. He wrote the court was leaving the question of whether fetal heartbeat refers to one period or two periods of time during a pregnancy for another day. ROCK HILL Bryan Boan loves to tell the story of how he went from taking a walk with a co-worker in Costa Rica to owning the newest coffee shop in Rock Hill. He's like, Dude, if you were doing something in five years stupid question what would it be? Boan said of his co-worker as they walked to Buffalo Wild Wings in Costa Rica. And I was like, I want to own a coffee shop." Four years after that conversation, Boan, 37, owns his own coffee shop. "I finally took it to heart," he said. Its called Rock Hill Coffee, and it opened last week in downtown Rock Hill along Main Street. From conversation to reality There wasnt some grand plan, though. Boan moves on instinct so much so, he still can't believe he owns a coffee shop. (Im) just kind of blown away by, like, the poetry of it all, Boan said. After growing up and attending high school in Rock Hill, Boan relocated to Florida to work in ministry. He stayed there for 10 years until he burned out and found photography. He returned to Rock Hill and got a marketing job at a Charlotte non-profit organization that provides shoes to people in need. He still worked at the nonprofit when he spoke with his co-worker in Costa Rica, but he quickly got to moving on coffee. One day after that Costa Rica conversation in 2019, Boan bought a URL for Rock Hill Coffee. Three months later, he learned how to roast coffee on YouTube. One year later, he bought a 1969 Shasta camper and turned it into a mobile coffee shop. Three years later, he had a room at White St. Station and started shipping their coffee to people all across the world, including Alex Palou, a top-ranked professional IndyCar driver. But the goal was always a brick-and-mortar. We hope this is a place (for) business meetings, people to dream just like us, students working on their stuff, people on first dates," he said. "We want to be a staple in Rock Hill. When they think about Rock Hill, they're like, 'Oh yeah, you remember that coffee place?' That's the dream." SPARTANBURG The city's oldest home will soon be renovated and provide space for an afterschool program to help students improve their reading and math skills. The Seay House on Darby Road was built between 1770 and 1800. Owned by the Spartanburg County Historical Association, the one-story house with a fieldstone chimney and logs with wood sheeting sits on an acre of land. "It is an important landmark in the city," City Communications and Marketing Manager Christopher George said. "The house represents Spartanburg before it became an urban place." Renovations on the house will begin in fall 2023 with completion expected by January. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History announced it will provide $200,000 to the Spartanburg County Historical Association for the renovation project. The renovations include repairs to the roof and trimming on the house. The lighting and electrical system will also be repaired. Partnering with Brown Girls Read, the renovated Seay House will provide tutoring opportunities for girls from fourth to 12th grade. Brown Girls Read was formed in Spartanburg in January 2020. Brown Girls Read Founder Nicke Haney said the historic home will offer students a new place to study. Brown Girls Read also provides book clubs at C.C. Woodson Community Center and Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg. "(The Seay House) will be a tutoring hub for students to work in their reading comprehension and math. We are really excited to just have this opportunity to have children not only learn but in a place that is historic," Haney said. George said The Seay House will provide a new venue for educational opportunities. Tours have been offered at the site by appointment, however, regular programming has not been offered. "One of the challenges has been to make it relevant for people who live in the area," George said. "This (Brown Girls Read tutoring club) will help make it more relevant and focal point for the community." Former mobster Michael Franzese, 72, operated for many years as a caporegime in the Colombo crime family. He joined Fox News Jesse Watters on Thursday night to discuss the striking similarities between the Biden familys alleged money laundering operation and his own experiences. (How much longer must we preface every mention of the Biden familys activities with the word alleged?) Franzese funneled money through a series of 18 shell corporations. He told Watters that these companies consisted only of a bank account through which funds could be laundered. Like the Biden familys shell corporations, these businesses had no brick and mortar office[s], we had no employees, we had no product that we were selling. They were set up for the sole purpose of obfuscation. Although Democrats repeatedly argue that, so far, none of the funds from foreign entities can be traced directly to Joe Biden, Franzese explained that is the whole point. He [Biden] doesnt want it, you know, attached to him in any way. He noted that, I didnt put the money in my account. It went everywhere else and then I collected it in a different way. This is how influence-peddling schemes work. Rather than depositing funds directly into the bank account of the individual whose influence is being bought (or in Franzeses situation, the individual who is trying to evade government scrutiny), payments are made through a maze of shell accounts to family members or significant others, as they were in the Bidens case. The House Oversight Committee has traced millions of dollars of foreign money flowing into the accounts of nine Biden family members, including a grandchild, for no discernible business purpose. Those payments first passed through an elaborate network of shell corporations before hitting the accounts of the ultimate recipients as is typical in a money-laundering scheme. In a recent New York Post op-ed, George Washington University Law School professor Jonathan Turley wrote, It is absurd to expect a deposit slip from a corrupt Ukrainian official to the account of Joe and Jill Biden, one of the most vulnerable accounts in the world to review and monitor. Franzese sees this as a slam dunk RICO case and said if he or any of his former associates had done this, theyd have been indicted a long time ago. The segment can be viewed at the 26:30 mark here. Full transcription of discussion: As usual, opinions on last nights debate are all over the lot. People always react differently to such events. But there is such a thing as a fact, and Al Franken got one badly wrong, while throwing in his trademark crudeness. This came after Ron DeSantis went after the Democrats extremism on abortion. Via Breitbart: No one is trying to allow abortions right up to birth. You asshole, DeSantis. #GOPDebate Al Franken (@alfranken) August 24, 2023 Franken once represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senateamazingly enoughbut he evidently hasnt kept up with events here. In the session that ended a couple of months ago, Minnesotas DFL-dominated legislature legalized abortion up to the moment of birth. In fact, by repealing the states Born Alive Act, they legalized abortion in some cases after the baby has been born. There are several other states where abortion is now legal up to the moment of birth including, per Breitbart, Colorado and Oregon. So if anyone still cares about Franken, someone should ask him whether he is prepared to denounce the abortion laws enacted by Democrats in states like Minnesota, which apparently are so extreme that he didnt believe they were possible. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 23:05:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 349 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Bath & Body Works announced today it has been named one of the top 10 most innovative companies in Fordham University's American Innovation Index.For the past six years, Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business, The Norwegian School of Economics, and market research firm Rockbridge Associates, Inc. have recognized top brands for their innovative work driving successful customer experiences. Bath & Body Works joins a list of top retailers including Apple, Ikea, Amazon and Louis Vuitton.The American Innovation Index evaluates brands through a national survey of over 6,000 U.S. consumers who rank companies they do business with across 20 industries on key metrics, including innovation, customer engagement and market disruption. The study also tracks customer perceptions of the brand's status as social innovators to give a complete picture of how companies impact customers and society.Bringing products to market with industry-leading speed is a key driver of Bath & Body Works' innovation and made possible by the company's vertically integrated, predominantly U.S.-based supply chain. This model also drives growth into new categories; this past June, Bath & Body Works expanded its top-selling men's collection into face and beard care, and this fall the brand launches its first-ever fabric care collection."We're proud to be ranked by the American Innovation Index as a top innovative brand," says Maurice Cooper, Bath & Body Works Chief Customer Officer. "We continually leverage our core strengths and competitive advantage in fragrance to elevate our brand, optimize our business and bring innovative new ideas to Bath & Body Works customers. Our customers guide every decision we make and directly influence how we launch newness and continue to deliver on the heritage fragrances we know they love." Learn more about Bath & Body Works at bbwinc.com Bath & Body Works announced today it has been named one of the top 10 most innovative companies in Fordham University's American Innovation Index.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bath & Body Works on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Bath & Body WorksWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bath-body-works Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Bath & Body Works PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 23:00:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1052 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE), is pleased to announce the implementation of a warrant exercise incentive program (the "Program") intended to encourage the exercise of up to 14,362,833 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") which were issued as part of the Company's private placement which closed on September 24, 2021("Tranche 1") and a warrant exercise incentive program that closed on September 9, 2022 ("Tranche 2"). The Tranche 1 warrants issued on September 24, 2021 have an exercise price of $0.10, and the Tranche 2 warrants issued on September 9, 2022 have an exercise price of $0.05. The board of directors of the Company have determined it to be in the best interests of the Corporation to reprice the Tranche 1 warrants from the current exercise price of C$0.10 per share of common stock to C$0.06 per Warrant Share (the "Warrant Repricing").Each Tranche 1 warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a price of $0.06 per Common Share subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange to the proposed Warrant Repricing. The Tranche 2 warrants will remain exercisable at $0.05 per common Share. The Tranche 1 warrants expire on September 24, 2023 and the Tranche 2 warrants expire on September 9, 2023, both at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time).To the extent that holders of Eligible Warrants take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Eligible Warrants early, this will fund working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period (defined below) will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program. Tranche 2 warrants will expire during the Early Exercise Period.Summary Information about Warrant Incentive ProgramPursuant to the Program, the Company is offering an inducement to each holder of Eligible Warrants ("Warrant Holders") that exercises Eligible Warrants during an early exercise period (the "Early Exercise Period") consisting of one new Warrant (the "New Warrant") in addition to the common share subscribed for. Each New Warrant is exercisable at $0.10 in the first year, and $0.20 in the second year, until August 30, 2025, subject to the right of the Corporation to accelerate expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.20 in the first year, and $0.40 in the second year, for a period of 10 days. The Expiry Date of the Tranche 1 warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.075, for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days.The Early Exercise Period will commence on August 31, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) and will expire on August September 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) (the "Early Exercise Expiry Date"). The Incentive Warrants and any Common Shares issuable on the exercise thereof will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance of the Incentive Warrants pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.Depending upon the number of Eligible Warrants exercised during the Early Exercise Period, the Company expects to:receive gross proceeds of up to $790,774;issue up to 14,362,833 Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of Eligible Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Eligible Warrants; andissue up to 14,362,833 Incentive Warrants to Warrant Holders pursuant to the exercise of the Eligible Warrants on or before the Early Exercise Expiry Date.The terms and conditions of the Program and the method of exercising Eligible Warrants pursuant to the Program are set forth in a letter which is being delivered to the last known contact of each Warrant Holder. Warrant Holders who wish to participate in the Program will agree to exercise their Eligible Warrants and deliver the other necessary documents in consideration of the issuance by the Company of the Incentive Warrants.The Program and the Warrant Repricing is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and is subject to the receipt of all final regulatory approvals, including final approval of the Exchange. The number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 14,362,833 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 1,436,283 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program. Insiders presently hold 1.0% of the Eligible Warrants.Procedure for the Exercise of WarrantsUpon commencement of the Early Exercise Period, registered holders of Eligible Warrants may exercise their rights to acquire the Common Shares and Incentive Warrants.All Eligible Warrants must be processed through the Company at the offices of the Company located at 203, 645 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1G2.To exercise Eligible Warrants during the Early Exercise Period, until August 29, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time), a Warrant Holder must:1. Surrender the original Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants to the Company by hand or courier at the address noted above. The Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants must be submitted together with:(a) a duly completed and executed Subscription Form as attached to the Eligible Warrant Certificate, specifying the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise; and(b) a certified cheque, bank draft or money order in Canadian dollars, payable to or to the order of "Boron One Holdings Inc." in an amount equal to $0.06 in the case of Tranche 1 and $0.05 in the case of Tranche 2, multiplied by the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise.All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered for full exercise will be cancelled by the Company and will be of no further force or effect.All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered together with a duly completed and executed Subscription Form, and payment of the applicable exercise price for the number of Eligible Warrants exercised will be deemed to be surrendered only upon personal delivery thereof to, or, if sent by mail or other means of transmission, upon actual receipt thereof by the Company. Any use of the mail to transmit Eligible Warrant Certificates is at the risk of the Warrant Holder. If such documents are to be mailed, it is recommended that registered mail, properly insured, be used with acknowledgement of re PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 09:00:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1033 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM: BHL), the North America-focused lithium development group, is pleased to announce its audited financial results for the year ending 28 February 2023, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the same period.Financial and operational highlights Raised total gross proceeds of just under US$ 13 million, issuing 73,195,560 new ordinary shares to institutional and other investors; Following the successful completion of a follow-up drill programme during October 2022, the Company updated its Basin East MRE, resulting in a 22% increase in LCE tonnes, for a total of 371kt of LCE; Completed a maiden drill programme at our San Domingo pegmatite asset, with a total of 47 holes drilled. This was the first 'modern' drilling campaign at these historical targets since the 1950/60s; Strengthened our on the ground team with the key appointment of Joey Wilkins as COO, who is a highly regarded geologist in the US arena with extensive experience and knowledge of US geology, specifically in Arizona and Nevada; Completed a dual listing, with the Company's shares admitted to trading on the Canadian TSX-V Exchange under the ticker BHLI.TSXV Ian Stalker, Chairman of Bradda Head, commented:"The financial year has been both busy and exciting, with the Company raising gross funds of just under US$ 13 million as part of a successful UK and North American placement in April 2022. The funds were strategically deployed to successfully fast-track our first drill programme at our San Domingo pegmatite resource in Arizona and complete our second Basin East drilling programme since listing in 2021. We now have 371kt of lithium carbonate equivalent, and an exploration target of between 1Mt to 6Mt of LCE over the Company's Basin projects. We also significantly increased our hard-rock lithium bearing landholding position in Arizona, and strengthened our team members with key senior appointments, including adding Joey Wilkins as COO.Several catalysts are on the way for Bradda in H2 2023 and H1 2024, as we continue to develop our assets. Drilling is wrapping up at Basin with an updated MRE being worked on currently. We have an internal target of a +1Mt LCE resource, which would trigger the second royalty payment of US$ 2.5 million from Lithium Royalty Corporation. We have also mobilised a drill rig to kick-off the second drill programme in 12 months at San Domingo, with the primary aim to delineate a resource. Funding is in place for these programmes and we look forward to updating the market with the results of these and other initiatives." Copies of the 2023 Audited Report and Financial Statements are being posted to shareholders and will shortly be available from the Company's website www.braddaheadltd.com The Company will post its Notice of Annual General Meeting ("AGM") to Shareholders at the same time. The AGM will be held at the Sanderson Suite, Claremont Hotel, Loch Promenade, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2LX, with the date to be confirmed.THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU No.596/2014) AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018. UPONTHE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOWCONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND SUCH PERSONS SHALL THEREFORE CEASE TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDEINFORMATION.For further information please visit the Company's website: www.braddaheadltd.com Contact:Bradda Head Lithium Limited+44 (0) 1624 639 396Charles FitzRoy, CEODenham Eke, Finance Director Beaumont Cornish (Nomad)James Biddle/Roland Cornish+44 20 7628 3396 Panmure Gordon (Joint Broker)+44 20 7886 2500John PriorHugh Rich Shard Capital (Joint Broker)+44 207 186 9927Damon HeathIsabella Pierre Red Cloud (North American Broker)+1 416 803 3562Joe Fars Tavistock (PR)+ 44 20 7920 3150Nick ElwesAdam Baynesbraddahead@ tavistock.co.uk About Bradda Head Lithium Ltd.Bradda Head Lithium Ltd. is a North America-focused lithium development group. The Company currently has interests in a variety of projects, the most advanced of which are in Central and Western Arizona: The Basin Project (Basin East Project, and the Basin West Project) and the Wikieup Project.The Basin East Project has an Indicated Mineral Resource of 21.2 Mt at an average grade of 891 ppm Li and 3.5% K for a total of 100 kt LCE and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 73.3 Mt at an average grade of 694 ppm Li and 3.2% K for a total of 271 kt LCE. In the rest of the Basin Project SRK has estimated an Exploration Target of between 300 to 1,300 Mt of material grading between 600 to 850 ppm Li which is equivalent to a range of between 1 to 6 Mt LCE. The Group intends to continue to develop its three phase one projects in Arizona, whilst endeavouring to unlock value at its other prospective pegmatite and brine assets in Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. All of Bradda Head's licences are held on a 100% equity basis and are in close proximity to the required infrastructure.The Mineral Resource statement for the Basin Project was authored by Martin Pittuck, CEng, MIMMM, FGS who works for SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd, an independent mining consultancy. Mr. Pittuck has over 25 years' experience undertaking and reviewing Mineral Resource estimates and has worked on lithium clay estimates for over 5 years. Mr. Pittuck consents to the inclusion of the technical information in this press release and context in which they appear. Reference is made to the report entitled "Independent technical report on the Basin and Wikieup Lithium clay projects, Arizona, USA" dated October 18, 2022 with an effective date of June 10, 2022 was prepared by Martin Pittuck, CEng, MIMMM, FGS, and Kirsty Reynolds MSci, PhD, FGS and reviewed by Nick Fox MSc, ACA, MIMMM. The Report is available for review on SEDARplus ( www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage) and the Company's website www.braddaheadltd.com Bradda Head is quoted on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange with the ticker of BHL, on the TSX Ventures exchange with a ticker of BHLI, and on the US OTCQB market with a ticker of BHLIF.Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the full announcement.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 Kingd PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 19:01:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 443 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica " or the "Company") (NYSE:CMA) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Comerica securities between February 9, 2021 and May 29, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/cma Case Details:The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) Comerica failed to provide meaningful oversight over the vendors to whom it contracted out day-to-day operations of the Direct Express program, a system through which it is contracted to provide federal benefits to millions of Americans without bank accounts; (2) as a result of violations in the day-to-day operations of Direct Express, including handling fraud disputes and allowing sensitive data to be handled out of a vendor's office in Pakistan, Comerica was not in compliance with the Federal Contract, and knew it was not in compliance; (3) Comerica knew and failed to disclose that it was in potential violation of Regulation E due to inadequate fraud prevention in the Direct Express program and responses to instance of fraud; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/cma or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Comerica you have until October 20, 2023, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 14:01:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1042 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FORT MILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Catheter Precision, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American:VTAK) announced today that on August 22, 2023, the Company received a notice from NYSE Regulation stating that the Company is not in compliance with the continued listing standards of the NYSE American (the "Exchange") under the timely filing criteria set forth in Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide (the "Company Guide"). The non-compliance results from the Company's failure to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (the "Delinquent Report") by the extended filing due date of August 21, 2023 (the "Filing Delinquency").As previously disclosed, the delay in the filing of the Company's Quarterly Report relates principally to additional time that is needed to complete certain analyses related to the purchase price allocation in connection with the Company's acquisition of the former Catheter Precision, Inc. on January 9, 2023, including without limitation, an analysis of whether possible changes in estimates of purchase price and related estimated line items preliminarily reported in the registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 should be considered changes in estimates or corrections of errors, as well as coordination and logistical issues arising in connection with the registrant's change of auditors that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Although the Company does not anticipate a lengthy delay, it is unable to project an exact filing date at this time. Management and the audit committee are continuing to work towards the completion of the Quarterly Report and are cooperating with the Company's auditors to ensure the review is completed as soon as possible.In accordance with Section 1007 of the Company Guide, the Company will have six months from the date of the Filing Delinquency, or until February 21, 2024 (the "Initial Cure Period"), to file the Form 10-Q with the SEC. During the Initial Cure Period, the Exchange will monitor the Company and the status of the Delinquent Report and any subsequent delayed filings, until the Filing Delinquency is cured. If the Company fails to file the Form 10-Q during the Initial Cure Period, the Exchange may, in its sole discretion, provide an additional six-month cure period (the "Additional Cure Period"). If the Exchange determines that an Additional Cure Period is not appropriate, suspension and delisting procedures will commence in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 1010 of the Company Guide. If the Exchange determines that an Additional Cure Period of up to six months is appropriate and we fail to file the Delinquent Report and any subsequent delayed filings by the end of that period, suspension and delisting procedures will generally commence. The Company can regain compliance with the Exchange's continued listing standards at any time during the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as applicable, by filing the Form 10-Q and any subsequent delayed filings with the SEC.Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Exchange may in its sole discretion decide (i) not to afford us an Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as the case may be, at all or (ii) at any time during the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, to truncate the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as the case may be, and immediately commence suspension and delisting procedures if we should become subject to delisting pursuant to any other provision of the Company Guide, including if the Exchange believes, in the Exchange's sole discretion, that continued listing and trading of our securities on the Exchange is inadvisable or unwarranted in accordance with Sections 1001-1006 of the Company Manual.During the Initial Cure Period and the Additional Cure Period, if applicable, the Company's securities will continue to trade on the Exchange, subject to the Company's compliance with other continued listing requirements, with a late filer (".LF") indicator.About Catheter PrecisionCatheter Precision is an innovative U.S.-based medical device company bringing new solutions to market to improve the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. It is focused on developing groundbreaking technology for electrophysiology procedures by collaborating with physicians and continuously advancing its products. Reincorporated as Ra Medical Systems, Inc. in Delaware in 2018, the Company changed its name to Catheter Precision, Inc. on August 17, 2023.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "anticipate," "may," "might," "can," "could," "continue," "depends," "expect," "expand," "forecast," "intend," "predict," "plan," "rely," "should," "will," "may," "seek," or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our anticipated timing of the filing of our Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances, including that the finalization of the purchase price for the former Catheter Precision, Inc. and related allocations is a complicated process that, coupled with the logistics involved in our recent change in auditors, could take longer to complete than we currently contemplate. Additional risks that may impact the actual outcomes of our forward looking statements include but are not limited to risks and uncertainties included under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov . These risks and uncertainties include, but aren't limited to, that we will not be able to reach profitability unless we are able to achieve our product expansion and growth goals, our research and development and commercialization efforts may depend on entering into agreements with corporate collaborators, we have entered into joint marketing agreements with respect to our products, and may enter into additional joint marketing agreements, that will reduce our revenues from product sales, royal PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 14:45:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 841 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been against Shift4 Payments, Inc. ("Shift4") (NYSE:FOUR). The action charges Shift4 with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Shift4's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Shift4's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR SHIFT4 LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/shift4-payments-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=four&mktm=r LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE:OCTOBER 19, 2023CLASS PERIOD: NOVEMBER 10, 2021 THROUGH APRIL 18, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.SHIFT4'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTThe Class Period begins on November 10, 2021, when Shift4 issued a shareholder letter before markets opened, announcing the company's Q3 2021 financial results. In the shareholder letter, the company recorded $19.3 million of customer acquisition costs in the investing activities section of its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as well as $25.6 million in net cash provided by operating activities, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.On October 21, 2022, Shift4 disclosed in an SEC filing that certain of its financial statements should no longer be relied upon and would need to be restated because of a material weakness in the company's financial controls, which had caused it to incorrectly treat "customer acquisition costs" as cash used in investing activities rather than cash used in operating activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, Shift4 was forced to negatively revise its net cash provided by operating activities in certain past financial statements. On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $1.21 per share, or 2.67%, to close at $44.16 per share on October 24, 2022.Then, on April 19, 2023, market analyst Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging that Shift4 "engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyperaggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat," including "cash flow manipulation" and "inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS." The report also indicated that Shift4 engaged in unreported related-party transactions and that the company's questionable accounting maneuvers "inflated 2022 gross profit by 13%, Adj. EBITDA by 34%, and operating income by close to 3x."Following this news, Shift4's stock price fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Shift4 investors may, no later than October 19, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPor other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Shift4 investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Shift4, O'Meara v. Shift4 Payments, Inc., et al., Case No. 23-cv-03206, is filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before the Honorable Joseph F. Leeson Jr.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 14:30:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 522 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO - Hagens Berman urges Verizon Communications, Inc. (NYSE:VZ) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Expanded Class Period: Oct. 30, 2018 - July 26, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Oct. 2, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/VZ Contact An Attorney Now: VZ@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Verizon Communications, Inc. (VZ) Securities Fraud Class Action:The complaint alleges Verizon made false or misleading statements and failed to disclose that Verizon: (1) owns cables around the U.S. that are highly toxic due to their being wrapped in lead, and which harm company employees and non-employees alike; (2) faces potentially significant litigation risk, regulatory risk, and reputational harm as a result of its ownership of these lead-covered cables and the health risks stemming from their presence around the U.S; and (3) was warned about the damage and risks presented by these cables but did not disclose them as a potential threat to employee safety or to everyday people and communities.Investors began to learn the truth after the Wall Street Journal published a series of articles spanning July 9 - July 26, 2023.These articles revealed that Verizon and others left behind toxic lead cables that they laid years ago. The WSJ also reported that independently tested samples from underwater cable sites revealed lead on the banks of the Mississippi, Willamette, and Passaic Rivers as well as in parts of Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, and elsewhere.The WSJ further reported that Verizon officials have known for decades that lead in its networks was a possible health risk to its workers, some workers have illnesses that can be linked to lead, and lead could leach into the environment.Finally, on July 26, 2023, the WSJ reported that the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency are investigating whether telecom companies knew of the potential risks posed by the abandoned lead cables."We're focused on investors' losses, Verizon's knowledge of potential liability stemming from its sprawling network of toxic lead-sheathed cables across the U.S., and whether the company historically understated its expenses," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Verizon and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding VZ should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email VZ@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 21:15:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 902 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric") (NYSE:HE). The action charges Hawaiian Electric with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Hawaiian Electric's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Hawaiian Electric's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/hawaiian-electric-industries-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=he&mktm=r LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE:OCTOBER 23, 2023CLASS PERIOD: FEBRUARY 28, 2019 THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.HAWAIIAN ELECTRICS'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTThe Class Period begins on February 28, 2019 when Hawaiian Electric filed its Annual Report which stated, among other things, that the company had "appropriately responded to environmental conditions." In early August 2023, a series of severe wildfires broke out in Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The most destructive fire began in West Maui near the town of Lahaina on the morning of August 8, 2023. By that afternoon, intense winds had knocked down approximately 30 utility poles throughout Maui, resulting in at least 15 separate outages impacting more than 12,400 customers. Moreover, videos captured by local residents showed that downed power lines belonging to Hawaiian Electric appeared to have ignited at least several of the fires. Ultimately, the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, and have killed at least 114 people, with some 850 others still missing in Lahaina.On August 12, 2023, news outlets began reporting that Hawaiian Electric lacked the proper policies and procedures to mitigate the impact of the wildfires. Specifically, it was revealed that, at the time the wildfires began, the company did not maintain a public power shutoff plan-i.e., a plan in which electricity is intentionally cut off to areas where strong wind events could cause the fires to spread. On this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $10.94 per share, or 33.76%, to close at $21.46 per share on August 14, 2023.Then, on August 16, 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hawaiian Electric is meeting with firms that specialize in restructuring advisory work and exploring options for the various financial and legal challenges that the company faces as a consequence from the Maui wildfires.Finally, on August 17, 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hawaiian Electric had for years been aware of the threat posed by wildfire but waited years to act. Specifically, the report stated that between 2019 and 2022, Hawaiian Electric spent less than $245,000 on wildfire-specific projects on Maui and did not seek state approval to raise utility rates to pay for broad wildfire safety improvements until 2022. Following this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $2.54 per share, or 17.43%, to close at $12.03 per share on August 17, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Hawaiian Electric investors may, no later than October 23, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPor other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Hawaiian investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Hawaiian Electric, Bhangal v. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., et al., Case No. 23-cv-04332, is filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 12:02:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 398 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 24, 2023 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or "the Company") (NYSE:HE) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Hawaiian Electric is the subject of a Washington Post article published on August 13, 2023. The article, titled, "Hawaii utility faces scrutiny for not cutting power to reduce fire risks," states that, "Four days before fast-moving brush fires engulfed parts of Maui, weather forecasters warned authorities that powerful wind gusts would trigger dangerous fire conditions across much of the island and Hawaii. The state's electric utility responded with some preemptive steps but did not use what is widely regarded as the most aggressive but effective safety measure: shutting down the power." The article continues, Hawaiian Electric was aware that a power shut-off was an effective strategy, documents show, but had not adopted it as part of its fire mitigation plans, according to the company and two former power and energy officials interviewed by The Washington Post. Nor, in the face of predicted dangerous winds, did it act on its own, utility officials said, fearing uncertain consequences." Based on this news, shares of Hawaiian Electric fell by 33.77% on August 14, 2023.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT:The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq.310-301-3335info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 22:00:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 840 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 - CMX-2043, a novel, proprietary cytoprotective drug candidate, demonstrated excellent safety and tolerability in a Phase 1 single ascending and multiple ascending dose (SAD-MAD) clinical trial.- CMX-2043 has previously demonstrated safety and efficacy in extensive preclinical pharmacology, toxicology and TBI translational studies.- CMX-2043 will be Phase 2-ready by the first quarter of 2024.GRAFTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Ischemix, Inc., a privately-held company focused on developing cytoprotective therapeutics for serious medical conditions, today announced that it has completed an 80-subject Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of its drug candidate, CMX-2043, in healthy human subjects.The Phase 1 study was a two-part, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which single ascending doses (SAD) of CMX-2043 were administered by brief intravenous infusion to 40 healthy male and female subjects. After completion of the SAD portion of the trial, 40 additional healthy male and female subjects were randomized to receive multiple ascending doses (MAD) of CMX-2043 or placebo by daily intravenous infusion for five days."This Phase 1 trial demonstrates that CMX-2043 has the potential for an excellent safety profile when given intravenously over a wide range of doses. There were no serious adverse events and all treatment-emergent adverse events were mild and self-limiting. Importantly, the Principal Investigator determined that few adverse events were drug-related," said Jerry O. Stern, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Ischemix. CMX-2043 also was shown to have a well-characterized pharmacokinetic profile demonstrating dose proportionality over the dose ranges studied." "Successful accomplishment of the Phase 1, along with the anticipated completion of other Phase 2-enabling non-clinical studies, will allow us to conduct a meeting with FDA early in the first quarter of 2024," said David DeWahl, President and CEO of the Company. "We are currently in the process of designing the protocol for a Phase 2 trial of CMX-2043 in TBI patients." CMX-2043 has previously demonstrated safety and efficacy in rodent models at two laboratories and in porcine models at two additional laboratories. These successful preclinical efficacy results were achieved in endpoints measuring cognition, behavior, motor skills and MRI analysis.Altasciences Company, Inc. a contract research organization offering a broad array of drug development services, performed the Phase 1 trial at its Montreal, Quebec, Canada facility.The Phase 1 trial and certain related costs were funded in part by an award granted to Ischemix by US Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), Combat Casualty Care Research Program (CCCRP), in collaboration with the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC), a 501(c)(3) biomedical technology consortium. (a)About TBIThere are currently no TBI-specific pharmaceutical therapies approved for the treatment of patients suffering a brain injury. The Center for Disease Control reports that in the U.S. in 2014, there were approximately 2.9 million TBI-related emergency department visits. It is estimated that each year TBI is responsible for approx. 60,000 deaths and causes 80,000 individuals to have permanent disabilities. The annual direct and indirect costs of TBI in the U.S. are believed to be approx. $77 billion.About CMX-2043CMX-2043 is a pleiotropic (multi-modal), cytoprotective, small molecule drug. The compound exhibits a number of mechanistic properties that may act in concert to attenuate the secondary biochemical and cellular dysfunctions following acute TBI.CMX-2043 is the subject of issued composition-of-matter and use patents in territories around the world.About Ischemix, Inc.Ischemix is a privately-held drug development company based in Grafton, MA. The primary focus of the Company is the development of its lead compound, CMX-2043, for treatment of TBI.About U.S. Army Medical Research and Development CommandThe U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command is the Army's medical materiel developer, with responsibility for medical research, development, and acquisition. USAMRDC produces medical solutions for the battlefield with a focus on various areas of biomedical research, including military infectious diseases, combat casualty care, military operational medicine, and medical chemical and biological defense. https://mrdc.health.mil About Neurotrauma at Combat Casualty Care Research ProgramThe Neurotrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Portfolio is a requirements-based program that seeks to improve the far-forward capabilities of military diagnostic and treatment for the spectrum of TBI severities, with emphasis on moderate and severe TBI and polytrauma under Multi-Domain Operations in prolonged field care scenarios. https://cccrp.health.mil/Pages/default.aspx About MTECMTEC is a biomedical technology consortium collaborating with multiple government agencies under a 10-year renewable Other Transactional Agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. MTEC is managed by Advanced Technology International. To find out more about MTEC, visit mtec-sc.org For media questions, please contact:David A. DeWahl, Jr. President and CEO 203-561-0806 or ddewahl@ ischemix.com (a) This work was supported by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs endorsed by the Department of Defense, in the amount of $2,966,519, through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium under Award No. MT20015.039 . Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs or the Department of Defense.Contact InformationDavid DeWahlPresident and CEOddewahl@ ischemix.com 2035610806SOURCE: Ischemix, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 08:40:48 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1072 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 STOCKHOLM, SE / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / iZafe Group (STO:IZAFE-B) iZafe Group AB (publ.) presents today, August 25, its report for the second quarter.Financial Performance in SummaryNet sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 403 (84) thousand, a growth of 380% compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The increase in turnover can partly be attributed to organic growth, partly to growth through acquisition, when Pilloxa was acquired in December 2022. Excluding the turnover from the acquired company, the growth amounted to 198%. The quarter's turnover consists of income attributable to the sale of the digital pharmaceutical robot Dosell and the sale of the medical device Pilloxa. Pilloxa AB was acquired on 28 November 2022 and is therefore not included in the quarter's turnover for the previous year.Operating profit for the quarter amounted to SEK -5,097 (-5,184) thousand.Profit after financial items for the quarter amounted to -5,136 (-5,233) TSEK.Cash flow for the period amounted to SEK -3,496 (-7,155) thousand.Earnings per share for the quarter before / after dilution amounted to SEK 0.0 (-0.1).Equity per share amounted to SEK 0.2 (0.4) at the end of the period.The equity ratio at the end of the period amounted to 82.4 (81.8) percent.Significant events during the quarteriZafe has signed a cooperation agreement with Spanish Ti-Medi for the rights to sell and market the medication robot Dosell. Ti-Medi's minimum commitment over a four-year period is worth at least SEK 12 million.iZafe has signed a cooperation agreement with MDM Pulse for the right to sell and market the medicine robot Dosell in Portugal. MDM Pulse's minimum commitment over a five-year period amounts to SEK 12.2 million to subsequently generate a recurring license income of at least SEK 4.2 million annually.Significant events after the end of the quarteriZafe successfully completed all necessary technical integrations and adaptations to launch Dosell on the Dutch market. The company will now deliver 50 units for testing. After successful testing, the remaining 1,000 units will be delivered successively during the year.Comments from CEOI am pleased to share with you the latest progress and developments in our company during the past quarter. Despite an initially low turnover, our focus on the right strategies and measures has resulted in a positive increase in our turnover. This increase, although it may be modest, marks a turning point in the right direction. Together with our continuous effort to streamline and reduce costs, we now stand on a stable foundation.I feel confident that the liquidity we obtained in March will be sufficient to bring us to a cash flow positive position. Our determination to optimize our finances and capital utilization has set us on this promising path forward. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your continued trust and investment in our company. Your faith in us has been a decisive factor in our success.During the first half of the year, we communicated about several significant orders that lie ahead. Now our top priority is to ensure that the deliveries of these orders are carried out smoothly. One of our most challenging tasks is to deliver 1,000 units to the Netherlands before the end of this year. The first 50 units will be used to guarantee a seamless customer experience with our innovative solution, uniquely tailored to the needs of the Dutch market. The setup is a result of our joint work with investments from both the partner, Dutch IVE Ventures, and us, where IVE Ventures invested in a comprehensive system where Dosell has a key function. Tests are currently underway and are expected to be completed shortly. When potentially needed fine adjustments in the customized system solution are in place after feedback from the tests, we will gradually deliver the remaining units according to plan.We also see positive progress in Spain, where plans are progressing as previously communicated. During Q2, an agreement worth minimum SEK 12 million over four years was secured, including 1,800 Dosell units. The Spanish partner Ti-Medi delivers today solutions to facilitate correct medication to over 650 pharmacies in Spain and Portugal. During the autumn, we are working intensively to adapt Dosell and the customer journey for the Spanish market, which will hopefully lead to an extensive launch during the first quarter of 2024.Also in Italy we have worked further to develop our collaborations. Our partner has been working for some time to achieve a wider acceptance of sachets in the Italian market. They are currently conducting a funding round to secure the necessary capital to accelerate sales of our pharmaceutical robots along with their innovative sachets on a larger scale.In the UK, we are on the verge of completing our first pilot, which is a milestone for us. This marks the start of gradually increasing sales that are expected to pick up from the turn of the year. The UK is a market with huge potential, and we foresee steady growth as the market matures.In our home region, the Nordics, our work with municipalities in Sweden and Norway has yielded results. The decision to expand the use of Dosell within these municipalities is a clear indication that our product is appreciated for its simplicity, functionality and its ability to relieve care by ensuring correct medication at the right time. I am optimistic that we will see increasing demand also here in the Nordics during the autumn, and a positive trend that is expected to grow significantly in the coming year.Our latest acquisition, Pilloxa, has added additional value to our portfolio. Our focus now is on ensuring customer satisfaction through smooth deliveries and maximizing the potential of our new customers. Going forward, we aim to merge our concepts into a world-unique concept that can help the patient at all stages; regardless of how they manage their medication, but right now our primary focus is on ensuring that Dosell deliveries to our partners around Europe.In summary, we are stronger and more well prepared than ever. With a stable liquidity that is expected to bring us to a cash flow positive position, together with the majority of orders received and a growing demand, we are enthusiastically looking forward to the upcoming autumn. I am convinced that, together with my amazing team, we will be able to achieve outstanding results.Again, many thanks for your invaluable trust as a shareholder.Anders SegerstromCEO, iZafe GroupContactsAnders Segerstrom, Chief Executive OfficerE-mail: anders.segerstrom@izafegroup.com Phone number: +46 70-875 14 12iZafe Group AB (publ.)David Bagares gata 3 PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 06:07:22 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 328 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 TOKYO & BEIJING, Aug 25, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japan's only international payment brand (collectively "JCB"), Bank of Beijing, one of China's largest commercial banks, and Universal Pictures (Shanghai) Trading Company Limited ("Universal") announce the launch of the JCB Minions Collaboration Credit Card ("JCB Minions Card"), featuring Universal's popular characters, the Minions, on the card face[1].The Minions are popular characters in China, especially among young people and those in their thirties. The JCB Minions Card is the result of a collaboration between Beijing Bank, who wants to issue products targeted at that segment, and JCB, who wants to further expand its card issuing business in China.Bank of Beijing is a city commercial bank in China with approximately 640 branches in China and abroad and has been ranked among the top 100 banks in the world for nine consecutive years. JCB has been cooperating with Bank of Beijing in the credit card issuance business since 2022, and with the issuance of the JCB Minions Card, the bank becomes the 11th issuer of JCB-branded cards in China.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 43 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 154 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ Contact: Ayaka Nakajima, Corporate Communications, Tel: +81-3-5778-8353, Email: jcb-pr@ info.jcb.co.jp [1] This card will be issued in China only. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 18:45:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 448 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (the "Company") (TSX V:YAK), announces that further to the press release dated March 23, 2023, its prime broker for the Normal Course Issuer Bid (the "NCIB"), M Partners Inc, has amalgamated with, and will continue under the name of, Research Capital Corporation. Research Capital is one of Canada's largest independent full-service investment dealers, and proudly traces its roots back to 1921. The Company's account has successfully been transferred to Research Capital, a self-clearing CIRO member. The Company does not expect this change to have any effect on its NCIB or the business.The NCIB commenced on March 27, 2023, and will end March 26, 2024. The Company has purchased 242,600 out of the potential repurchase of up to 1,900,000 shares.For further information please contact:Genevieve Walkden, Corporate Secretary877-644-1186GWalkden@ MongoliaGrowthGroup.com This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, regulator and corporate approvals, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the Company's capability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any 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. We seek safe harbour.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 15:35:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 692 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 EASTON, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Paragon Technologies, Inc. ("Paragon") (OTC:PGNT), a diversified holding company which owns approximately 4.0% of the outstanding shares of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. ("Company") ("OPT") (NYSE American: OPTT), calls on OPT to remove the Company's entrenchment devices prior to the Company's 2023 Annual Meeting.Immediately after Paragon indicated its interest in joining the Company's board due to concerns Paragon expressed about OPT's deteriorating financial performance to the Company's CEO and Board, OPT quickly amended its bylaws to make its director nomination provisions more burdensome and include provisions that OPT has not applied to its own hand-picked board nominees.Second, after more than 30 years of significant and consistent losses, OPT decided that now was the time to adopt an anti-shareholder poison pill, only after Paragon began this campaign.On July 20, 2023, Paragon requested a limited waiver under the poison pill to acquire up to 19.9% of OPT, further signaling Paragon's commitment to be 100% aligned with all OPT's shareholders. Since OPT currently does not have any shareholders that hold more than 4.9% of its outstanding shares of common stock, granting this waiver in no way would jeopardize any of OPT's net operating losses. OPT has failed to give us a decision, leading us to conclude they are stalling with no intention of granting such a waiver.OPT has denied Paragon's request for books and records relating to OPT's years of significant financial losses and what we believe is excessive board compensation. After Paragon was forced to file litigation to enforce its rights to books and records, OPT sought to have Paragon's counsel disqualified, instead of focusing on the merits of the case. The motion to disqualify Paragon's counsel was denied by the Court.Paragon calls on OPT to demonstrate its adherence to good corporate governance practices and its stated commitment to enhance value for all OPT shareholders by taking immediate steps to:Reinstate the Company's bylaws to their original form prior to Paragon's calling out the Company's worsening financial performance.Terminate the Company's poison pill and grant Paragon its limited waiver.Allow Paragon, as is Paragon's right as a shareholder, to examine the Company's books and records.Reconstitute its Board to appoint Paragon's directors to the Company's Board that allows Paragon to have an equal voice with existing directors in a newly constituted Board so we can work constructively on behalf of ALL shareholders.The OPT directors continue to engage in securities offerings and sign the company's SEC filings while they appear to know the business is not commercially viable. Paragon is determined to hold each individual director of OPT personally accountable for these actions to the fullest extent permitted by law.We appreciate the support from shareholders thus far. If shareholders have any questions please contact our Proxy Solicitor, Alliance Advisors at:Alliance Advisors200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd FloorBloomfield, NJ 07003Toll-Free Phone: 855-200-8651Email: OPTT@ allianceadvisors.com Shareholders may further contact us at ir@ pgntgroup.com if you would like to learn more.Paragon Technologies, Inc. intends to make a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of a proxy statement to be used to solicit votes for the election of director nominees at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "company").Paragon Technologies, Inc. is the beneficial owner of 2,254,443 shares of common stock of the company, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Stock").Paragon Technologies, Inc., and Paragon's director nominees will be the participants in the proxy solicitation. Updated information regarding the participants and their direct and indirect interests in the solicitation, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in Paragon's proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY SHOULD READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL MEETING, PARAGON'S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND PARAGON'S NOMINEES TO THE BOARD. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC'S WEB SITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV OR FROM PARAGON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.SOURCE: Paragon Technologies Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 13:00:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 637 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Presented by Legendary Tattoo Artist Mario Barth, Sponsored by Intenze Tattoo Ink and Stencil Stuff, Hosted by Eddie TrunkSECAUCUS, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Prepare for an unforgettable, powerful weekend of ink, music, fun, and artistry as the 23rd Annual Inked Out New Jersey Tattoo and now Concert Series comes to the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, from Sept. 15-17. Proudly presented by renowned tattoo artist Mario Barth of Starlight Tattoo and sponsored by Intenze Tattoo Ink and Stencil Stuff, this year's event offers attendees an exceptional lineup of experiences.Inked Out New Jersey PosterArtwork for Inked Out New Jersey Tattoo and Concert EventFun for the entire familyKid-friendly activities and live music all three daysInternational tattoo artists from around the globe, including Dave Paulo, Bob Tyrrell, Daniele Stella, and the Brazilian Danilo Queiroz, to name a fewOver 400 artists, all lineups confirmed and sold outIntenze Tattoo Ink, the world's leading tattoo ink brand, is proud to sponsor this event celebrating the convergence of tattoo artistry and music. With a legacy of over two decades, Inked Out NJ has established itself as a premier platform for self-expression and creative celebration.Join us for a weekend filled with remarkable highlights:Friday, Sept. 15: All first responders and military personnel will receive free entrance to the tattoo show and concert, a $50 value, as appreciation for their service. One participant will receive a "Hero Award" for their service. Intenze Tattoo Ink and Stencil Stuff proudly sponsor them. Music will be provided by Grey Daze, a powerhouse of sound reigniting the lost sound of Chester Bennington. The incredible and hard-hitting country rock band Mario Barth & About Kings, which toured Europe and performed for over one million people, will close the night.Saturday, Sept. 16: Experience the electric synergy of the "Rock & Tats" All-Star Band, featuring rock luminaries Brent Woods, Todd Kerns, and Brent Fitz. Joining this stellar lineup on stage will be TAIME DOWNE of Faster Pussycat, PHIL LEWIS of LA GUNS, and a special guest appearance by SEBASTIAN BACH, the original voice of Skid Row. The renowned Eddie Trunk will host this exceptional evening, promising an unforgettable night of music and camaraderie.Sunday, Sept. 17: The festivities continue with the local favorite Going Down, a British blues rock band that will set the stage ablaze with its soulful melodies. Following Going Down's performance, embark on an electrifying sonic odyssey with Chris Anderson leading "Once an Outlaw," a boundary-defying band whose past credits include playing in legendary bands such as "The Allman Brothers" and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They will weave together the raw energy of rock 'n' roll, the soulful depths of blues, and the captivating storytelling of folk-inspired music.The 23rd Annual Inked Out NJ Tattoo and Concert Series tickets are going fast. They are available now, offering access to an entire weekend filled with art, music, and commemoration. Please take advantage of this unique opportunity to be part of a multifaceted celebration that pays tribute to our heroes, showcases world-class artistry, and delivers an unmatched musical experience. Three-day passes are available for only $75. Three-day Tattoo Show Only for $50. Single-day tickets are also available for $25.DJ Aero will be playing all weekend long, and one lucky winner every day will receive a $1,000 tattoo certificate courtesy of Starlight Tattoo New Jersey. No purchase necessary.Tattoo Show HoursFriday 4-9 p.m.Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Concert HoursFriday 9 p.m.-12 a.m.Saturday 9 p.m.-12 a.m.Sunday 6-8 p.m.For more information, including ticketing details and the complete event schedule, please visit https://inkedoutnj.com/ Contact InformationTania CamarilloPr/Marketing Directorinfo@ inkedoutnj.com 1-702-265-3642Related VideoSOURCE: Inked Out New Jersey PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 15:30:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 711 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / The recent ARMA Canada Information Conference 2023, the premier for information professionals to connect, learn, and shape the profession was a huge success when it was recently held at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Ontario, in mid-July. The event attracted hundreds of records management, information management and governance professionals from throughout North America. Plans are already underway for the 2024 event which will be held May 12-14, 2024, at Westin Calgary."The recent ARMA Canada Information Conference was filled with amazing sessions and a wonderful opportunity to visit with colleagues. We heard positive feedback from our vendors and partners on the importance of the conference for industry professionals," said Nathan Hughes, CEO, ARMA International. "From the opening keynote from Scott Taylor, The Data Whisperer, to the closing ARMA Canada Party attendees found the education sessions and networking events, all extremely valuable." During the recent ARMA Canada Conference, ARMA International's CEO Nate Hughes, announced exciting plans for the launch of the InfoNext Conference, an MER and ARMA Partnership. InfoNext, formerly the MER Conference, will be held April 2024 in Palm Springs, CA and will be an integral part of ARMA annual event lineup. With decades of experience between ARMA and MER, this new event will draw on the heritage of both organizations to field a richer, more coordinated, and collaborative approach to education and IG program development.Also announced during the event was the establishment of the Global Information Consortium (GIC) founded by ARMA International and The Records and Information Management Practitioners Alliance (RIMPA Global). The mission of the GIC is to create a global community that supports the integration of information management (IM) into the corporate and government footprint and work to positively transform the profession by advocating for the effective and ethical management of information.Three dynamic keynote speakers discussed the benefits and risks of an organization's critical information assets and how to harness those benefits and appropriately mitigate those risks. Scott Taylor, The Data Whisper talked about why it is essential for information management professionals to construct a compelling narrative around their data management programs to secure long-term support from enterprise stakeholders and business leadership. Leslie MacGregor with the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) spoke about The First Nations principles of ownership, control, access, and possession - more commonly known as OCAP - and First Nations data sovereignty. Dr. Christopher Parsons, Senior Technology and Policy Advisor at the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario spoke about how privacy is affected by advances in digitally mediated surveillance and AI before engaging with John Isaza, Partner-Rimon Law, in a fireside-style chat to delve deeper into what these advances mean to Canadian information management professionals."In addition to these three dynamic speakers whose messages resonated with our audience, the conference education agenda featured a strong schedule of breakout sessions focused on advanced information concepts, creating structure and improving process, DEI, ethics, information forward (advanced technology), information fundamentals, legal and e-discovery, professional advancement, and reducing organizational information risk," added Hughes.Attendees and sponsors enjoyed three networking events including the Welcome Reception, Expo Hall Pub Crawl and the ARMA Canada Party. In addition, ARMA made a $1300 donation to Indspire, a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.The 2024 ARMA Canada Information Conference will be held will be held May 12-14, 2024, at the Westin Calgary. For additional information, visit the website.ARMA International ( www.arma.org) , is a not-for-profit professional association and the authority on records and information management (RIM). RIM is broadly recognized as the foundation of effective information governance, which makes ARMA International a leader in information governance as well as RIM. The association was established in 1955. Its members include records and information managers, information governance professionals, archivists, corporate librarians, imaging specialists, legal professionals, IT managers, consultants, and educators, all of whom work in a wide variety of sectors, including government, legal, healthcare, financial services, and petroleum in the United States, Canada, and more than 30 other countries around the globe.# # #For further information, contact:Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative978-475-4441 (office) or 978-502-4895 (cell)amy@ riemercommunications.com SOURCE: ARMA International PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 16:30:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 651 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Clean and Safe Drones Will Replace Aircraft for Banner Advertising OperationsMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Sustainable Skylines, the aerial drone advertising and data analytics company, today announced that it has become the first drone banner towing operation in the U.S. to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for commercial operations. The Section 44807 exemption approval, combined with a banner towing authorization currently under review, will allow Sustainable Skylines to launch full-size banner advertisements towed by a drone along Miami Beach.Traditional banner advertising is both environmentally harmful and sometimes deadly for pilots, as crashes and other mishaps are a significant risk for aircraft towing banner advertisements. Using a drone to pull banners minimizes pollution and risks for pilots and people on the ground.For the past decade, the commercial drone industry has been working towards regulatory approvals for a wide range of applications. For Sustainable Skylines, regulatory approval has been the most significant hurdle in transforming aerial advertising.Relative to traditional aircraft banner towing, Sustainable Skylines' drone operations are environmentally friendly, safe, and scalable; traditional aircraft banner towing does not easily scale due to constraints caused by small plane logistics and the proximity of events to airfields where banner towing originates. Unlike traditional aircraft banner towing, drones capable of vertical take-off and landing do not require the use of a nearby airport or runway. By eliminating the need for airport or runway access, drone banner towing operations can occur in a wide variety of locations where traditional banner towing operations are not possible.Additionally, drone advertising brings measurable attention analytics to banner advertising, which is not possible with traditional aircraft towing. Sustainable Skylines' drones fly the banners and can utilize anonymized data to measure the size of crowds within sight of their banners, giving agencies and brand advertisers confidence their messages reach their intended targets. Drones also have unique maneuvering capabilities, which brings a new dynamic to banner flights and generates increased interest from people on the ground."This is a significant milestone for Sustainable Skylines and the broader drone industry, explained Jacob Stonecipher, founder and CEO of Sustainable Skylines. "Our team has worked tirelessly toward this regulatory approval; we wouldn't be here without the guidance of Lisa Ellman and her team at Hogan Lovells. We're excited to work with our partners to safely launch and integrate banner advertising by drone into the local airspace and community." With this regulatory approval, Sustainable Skylines can prepare for its launch in Miami Beach and to bring this new medium to brands and agencies."Banner advertising is another exciting example of the new opportunities that commercial drones bring to our economy, while enhancing the safety of the National Airspace System," said Lisa Ellman, chair of the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) practice at global law firm Hogan Lovells, which facilitated Sustainable Skyline's FAA approval. "Sustainable Skylines is reinventing an old industry with a new technology and delivering exponential value through the use of safe, clean drone technology that can scale, entertain and create new jobs, too." For more information on Sustainable Skylines banner towing operations or to talk with a brand representative, please visit https://www.sustainableskylines.com/ About Sustainable SkylinesSustainable Skylines is the first to market full-size drone advertising banner towing operations, driving innovation around antiquated aerial advertising practices by using sustainable drone technology and in-depth data analytics. Aggregating data from cellular, geospatial, and real-time footage from flight operations, Sustainable Skylines leverages the latest advances in computer vision, big data, and artificial intelligence to create actionable insights for our clients. Building the drone, pilot, and fleet management infrastructure alongside our partners and the FAA, Sustainable Skylines will drive innovation and sustainability across the country. Sustainable Skylines was founded in 2020 and headquartered in Miami, FL. For further information visit www.sustainableskylines.com Contact information:Joel Richman for Sustainable Skylinesjoel@ escalatepr.com 617-312-5942SOURCE: Sustainable Skylines PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 17:46:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 576 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 AUSTIN, MN / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / In response to the devastating wildfires on Maui, Hormel Foods Corporation and the makers of the SPAM brand - whose special relationship with the Hawaiian community spans decades - is sending resources to aid the disaster-relief efforts.Hormel Foods and its SPAM brand have made a product donation to support the efforts on Maui. Three truckloads of SPAM products are on their way to the impacted areas with two more trucks following - totaling over 264,000 cans. Convoy of Hope - a nonprofit organization whose mission includes aiding those affected by natural disasters - is the company's trusted partner on the ground, making sure that the product reaches the people most in need.In all, the SPAM brand has donated cash and product with a retail value of more than $1,000,000 to directly help those impacted by the wildfires. The brand has also created a specially designed "SPAM Brand Loves Maui" T-shirt available on SPAM.com , with 100% of proceeds to be donated to Aloha United Way's Maui Fire Relief Fund for relief efforts in the area. The T-shirts can be ordered here. Additionally, Hormel Foods team members are also raising money to donate to the local area food bank, with a match from Hormel Foods."We are so grateful for our partners like Convoy of Hope and local Hawaii retailers who are helping us get more product to people in need as quickly as possible," said Jennesa Kinscher, senior brand manager for the SPAM brand. "The people of Hawaii have a special place in both the history and heart of the SPAM brand. Our donation efforts are just one way we are showing the community our love and support back." Hormel Foods has long supported disaster efforts through partners including Convoy of Hope and World Central Kitchen, among others, contributing product and financial resources that have been used to help those affected by natural disasters and food insecurity. Convoy of Hope is currently on the ground in Hawaii, helping local partners distribute relief supplies, including SPAM products to the those in need. To stay updated with the organization's efforts, visit www.convoyofhope.org/disaster-services/2023-maui-wildfire "Convoy of Hope is incredibly grateful for this very generous donation from Hormel Foods and the SPAM brand," said Stacy Lamb, vice president, disaster services at Convoy of Hope. "We know how popular SPAM products are, especially in Hawaii. This donation allows Convoy of Hope to deliver comfort to people whose lives have been turned upside down. The fact that SPAM doesn't need refrigeration makes it a perfect item for Convoy to deliver to survivors. Convoy of Hope is thankful that we can always count on the generosity of Hormel Foods, especially during difficult times." The SPAM brand has long cherished its special relationship with the Hawaiian people, a community that consumes more than 7 million cans of SPAM products every year, more than any other U.S. state. The true root of the island's love for SPAM products goes back to World War II, when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, SPAM products were a part of the local culture and today remain a popular comfort food.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Hormel Foods Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Hormel Foods CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/hormel-foods-corporation Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Hormel Foods Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-25 16:18:14 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 892 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Genertec Universal Medical Group Company Limited (the "Universal Medical" or "Company"; Stock Coke: 2666.HK) is pleased to announce the interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.Since 2023, the company served the "Healthy China" strategy and continued to expand its footprint in the healthcare sector, dedicated to promoting high-quality development for improving quality and expanding quantity with expected stability and energetic growth, and continued to realize the vision of "To Be the Most Trusted Global Leader in Medical & Healthcare Services". In the first half of 2023, the company recorded a revenue of RMB6,634.4 million in total, up by 16.1% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. In particular, the healthcare business recorded a revenue of RMB3,646.1 million, up by 33.8% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, with its proportion to the total revenue increased to 55.0%; the company recorded a profit for the period of RMB1,193.6million, up by 1.5% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, of which, the healthcare business contributed RMB231.6 million, up by 61.1% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year; the company recorded a profit attributable to owners of the parent of RMB1,093.2 million, up by 0.3% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, of which, the healthcare business contributed RMB174.0 million, up by 88.0% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year; and the company recorded a return on total assets (ROA) of 2.96% and a return on equity attributable to ordinary shareholders (ROE) of 15.25%. The indicators of income and the assets conditions maintained a steady and excellent performance.Integrated Healthcare Service Steady Development: the Net Profit Margin of the Medical Institutions Increased to 5.28%The medical institutions are not only the company's core resources to build a healthcare conglomerate, but also the R&D and training center of the Group's discipline operation, training center of the Group's discipline operation, as well as the project cultivation and commercialization pool and the sharing center for basic resources and practice of the industrial units. With respect to the integrated healthcare service segment, focusing on the development of the hospital group's core capacity, the company continuously build up the competition advantages of central state-owned enterprises in running medical care,so as to facilitate positive and continuous development of Hospital of SOEs and constantly improve operation efficiency and effectiveness. As at 30 June 2023, the number of consolidated medical institutions increased to 55 (including four Grade III Class A hospitals and 26 Grade II hospitals), with a capacity of 13,893 beds in total. In the first half of the year, the consolidated Hospitals of SOEs contributed to the company a revenue of RMB3,528.0 million, up by 33.4% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year; recorded a profit for the period of RMB186.4 million in total, up by 62.0% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year; and the net profit margin was 5.28%, up by 0.93 percentage point from the same period of the previous year.Specialties and Healthcare Industry Accelerating Growth: Continuous Enhancement of Competitiveness via Internal & External StrategiesWith the business foundation and professional core talent team of its own hospital group, the company strived to build replicable capabilities of specialties and industry operation while serving internal quality and efficiency enhancement, so as to create new profit growth drivers for the listed company. The performance contribution of this business segment mainly comes from providing hospital clients with life cycle management of medical equipment, medical devises sales and internet-based healthcare services.In the field of nephrology, the company will focus on enhancing the core capabilities for nephropathy diagnosis and treatment of primary level hospitals, the establishment of nephropathy diagnosis and treatment flagship centers and municipal and provincial key specialties and the construction of high-quality blood purification centers. The company continuously deepened the industry layout of nephrology specialties through the scientific research results supported by digitalization. Up to the current moment, the company opened 21 new specialties departments in its member hospitals, continued to build a rapidly replicable operating system, and gradually leading to cooperation with external hospitals. In the first half of 2023, the company founded the nephropathy industry research institute, and have completed the acquisition of Beth Hesda Nephrology Hospital and Haiyang Senzhikang Hospital Co., Ltd.In the field of oncology, the company continues to push forward the construction, operation and standardization of tumor precision diagnosis and treatment centers, pool internal and external resources to build the flagship tumor specialty diagnosis and treatment benchmark inside and outside the hospital group, develop tumor radiotherapy business product solutions, expand the chain business scale through investment/construction, and promote the standardized, collaborative and efficient development of oncology specialties.The tumor precision diagnosis and treatment center of Ma'anshan MCC17 Hospital operated by the company was opened in March 2023. In June 2023, the company concluded a cooperative arrangement with Mevion Medical Group, under which both parties will jointly establish a tumor precision medical service company as the sole platform to provide oncology radiotherapy services by both parties in the PRC, with an aim to accelerate the establishment of leading oncology diagnosis and treatment business system and intelligent oncology diagnosis and treatment platform in the PRC, continuing to empower the development of the external and internal hospitals of the company.Click here https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/86009/ Nigerias economic growth slowed in the second quarter of 2023 as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.51 per cent year-on-year in real terms within the quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics has said. The statistics bureau said this in its Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report Q2 2023, released on Friday. The NBS said this growth rate is lower than the 3.54 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2022 and may be attributed to the challenging economic conditions within the quarter. According to the report, the performance of the GDP in the second quarter of 2023 was driven mainly by the services sector, which recorded a growth of 4.42 per cent and contributed 58.42 per cent to the aggregate GDP. The bureau said the agriculture sector grew by 1.50 per cent, an improvement from the growth of 1.20 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2022. The report said the growth of the industry sector was -1.94 per cent relative to -2.30 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2022. Regarding share to the GDP, the bureau said agriculture and the industry sectors contributed less to the aggregate GDP in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the second quarter of 2022. In the quarter under review, it explained that aggregate GDP stood at N52,103,927.13 million in nominal terms. This performance is higher when compared to the second quarter of 2022, which recorded aggregate GDP of N45, 004,520.89 million, indicating a year-on-year nominal growth of 15.77 per cent, it said. Within the quarter under review, the Nigerian government introduced a set of reforms in its efforts to stabilise the economy, with an attendant effect on economic growth. The government abolished its costly subsidy regime and announced a convergence of the nations multiple forex windows, among others. Oil sector The bureau noted that the nation in the second quarter of 2023 recorded an average daily oil production of 1.22 million barrels per day (mbpd), lower than the daily average production of 1.43 mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2022 by 0.22 mbpd and lower than the first quarter of 2023 production volume of 1.51 mbpd by 0.29 mbpd. It said the real growth of the oil sector was 13.43 per cent (year-on-year) in Q2 2023, indicating a decrease of 1.66 per cent points relative to the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022 (-11.77%). The NBS said the growth also decreased by 9.22 per cent points compared to Q1 2023, which was 4.21 per cent. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the oil sector recorded a growth rate of -14.12 per cent in Q2 2023. The Oil sector contributed 5.34 per cent to the total real GDP in Q2 2023, down from the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2022 and down from the preceding quarter, where it contributed 6.33 per cent and 6.21 per cent respectively, the report said. Non-oil sector The non-oil sector grew by 3.58 per cent in real terms during the reference quarter (Q2 2023). The NBS said this rate was lower by 1.19 per cent points compared to the rate recorded in the same quarter of 2022 and 0.81 per cent points higher than the first quarter of 2023. This sector was driven in the second quarter of 2023 mainly by information and communication (telecommunication), financial and insurance (financial institutions); trade, agriculture (crop production); manufacturing (food, beverage & tobacco), construction; and real estate, accounting for positive GDP growth, the NBS said. In real terms, it said the non-oil sector contributed 94.66 per cent to the nations GDP in the second quarter of 2023, higher than the share recorded in the second quarter of 2022, which was 93.67 per cent and higher than the first quarter of 2023 recorded as 93.79 per cent. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigeria now ranks eleventh in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage globally, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said. The NCC Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Umar Danbatta, disclosed this while speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on emerging technology forum for the telecommunications industry in Abuja on Thursday. Mr Dambatta said Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, with 82 per cent of the continents telecom subscribers and 29 per cent internet consumption. Our nation ranks eleventh globally in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage. Despite these remarkable metrics, the fact that our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022 is 109th out of 131 countries is both humbling and challenging? he said. Mr Danbatta, represented by Abraham Osahadami, the NCCs Head of Spectrum Database Management, said in recent years, the Nigerian telecommunications industry had embarked on a remarkable growth trajectory, solidifying its position as an engine of economic growth. The enhancement of digital access and the expansion of our networks have left an indelible impact on the lives of our citizens. While we celebrate these accomplishments, we are keenly aware that our dynamic society requires even higher connectivity, reliability, and accessibility standards, he said. He said the surge in data utilisation, the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the advent of artificial intelligence, and the emergence of cutting-edge technologies highlight the urgent need for ongoing network surveillance and expansion. To navigate this era of transformation, he said the nation must embrace innovation, make strategic investments, and cultivate a growth-friendly ecosystem. He explained that this platform is Nigerias gateway to innovative and disruptive solutions that can positively transform our industry. By engaging in conversations about new technologies, collaborating with global best practices and subject-matter experts, and pooling our insights, we open the door to unimaginable future possibilities. Let us grasp this opportunity to investigate emerging technologies, envisage their potential applications, and determine how they can be leveraged to solve our specific challenges, he said. He said the global data collected by the NRI team reveals that digital transformation is a global imperative in order to maximise the social and economic effects of the digital era. He added that it can create new inequalities which can hinder the ability of younger generations to engage in the digital economy, but also remains a powerful way to do more with less at all levels of income. Formal education is evolving and metrics are important to support informed policy making. This requires reskilling and upskilling opportunities to be available, accessible and affordable in order to have more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies, he added. He explained that the NRI is a guiding metric that measures the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It explores the performances of 131 economies in four key categories: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and impact. As agents of social and economic transformation in our nation, prioritizing network readiness is not only a strategic necessity but a mandate. Throughout our deliberations, we will engage in thought-provoking forum discussions that explore the foundational pillars of NRI, through a number of presentations by renowned professionals in the technology landscape, he said. He added that the innovation symphony resonates with their common goals. The Emerging Technology Forum acts as a beacon, directing us towards the intersection of transformation and advancement. This forum is where we bridge the divide between aspiration and achievement. Through spirited dialogues, collaborative exchanges, and the exploration of emerging technologies, we move closer to our vision of a fully interconnected, telecommunications-driven Nigeria, he said. Also speaking, the Head New Media and Information Security Department, NCC, Chidi Diugwu, said the tech industry is a focal point of Nigerias growth, demonstrated by the recent investments in infrastructure and digital services. He added that the federal governments focus on the tech industry, particularly on fostering the advancement and growth of technology, especially emerging and new technologies is highly commendable. This goal of enhancing the productivity ecosystem is expected to result in a significant boost to the nations innovative capabilities in the coming years. There has been remarkable development in Nigerias ICT infrastructure in recent years, with skyrocketing mobile penetration rates, and internet connectivity expanding drastically, he said. He explained that the commissions commitment to enhance network infrastructure, coupled with the private sectors contributions had significantly transformed the connectivity landscape. It is crucial to note that the NRI is not just about the latest technologies or high-speed internet access. It also includes elements such as affordability, digital skills, and the availability and adoption of digital services in various sectors of the economy, he said. He said Nigerias performance on the NRI index from 2020 to 2022, as reported by the Potulans Institute, indicates a mixture of improvement and challenges that still persist. Thus, he said applying the NRI in the telecommunication industry is of paramount importance in Nigerias current digital ecosystem. Utilising the insights it brings allows us to amplify our strengths, address our challenges, and propel our nation into a brighter digital future. However, despite the importance of NRI in channelling the strengths and opportunities of our tech ecosystem, it is imperative that the metrics are localized to reflect our current realities, he said. Edited: Oladeinde Olawoyin Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Theres another section over there, Your Excellency, I said, pointing towards the Western philosophy enclave within the bookstore. He wasnt in a hurry and had paused, flipping through the pages of assorted books spanning a symphony of genres. I assumed he probably didnt know about the other parts of the bookstore. Sometimes he would sit in between reads and then rise to proceed to other sections. Senator Kashim Shettima appeared to have an interest in almost all kinds, except for, by his admission, motivational books, which of course are mostly superficial philosophical projections. You should read this book, he said as I tagged along behind him, and he transferred the tome into my possession. Its Mariana Mazzucatos enlightening opus, The Value of Everything. She offers a caricature of capitalism and a penetrating take on the subject. With gratitude, I accepted the book and maintained stride behind him, observing his methodical traversal through the pages, volumes, and corridors of the Sandton, Johannesburg bookstore. We are currently in South Africa for the 2023 BRICS summit, where Vice President Shettima is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a crucial global economic alliance. Earlier in the day, he participated in a trade fair held prior to the main event and expressed his principals strong commitment to innovation, investment and empowering MSMEs to stimulate Nigerias economy. He toured the exhibition stands, appreciating the participation of 180 exhibitors from various sectors at the trade fair. What was poised to be an evening of rest in his hotel ahead of the forthcoming days commitments took an unexpected turn. It became an odyssey into literature and knowledge. I had the honour of accompanying him, witnessing his unquenchable thirst for books, profound intellectual curiosity, and insightful perspectives on writers and subjects. These topics spanned domains ranging from economics and philosophy to the intricate realm of politics. Mr Shettima even maintained a personal philosophy regarding acquiring books in the cities he journeyed through. You know the most accurate portrayal of a people or culture is found in the books you buy in their communities. Such books are the most credible reflections of their realities and experiences, and then this turned into a caveat about the misrepresentations of ideas, people, or culture by foreign or detached curators and authors. It was a convincing argument, sparked by the time spent exploring the South African history sub-section of the African history enclave. He spent a significant amount of time analyzing the host countrys foremost thinkers, human rights activists, and politicians whom he knows so well. At intervals, Senator Shettima would pause to pose for photographs with passersby and shoppers who spotted him and mustered the courage to approach him. Sporting a warm smile, he welcomed their requests and even engaged in light conversations. Some observers opted to capture his image from a distance. Then, two curious South African women arrived on the scene. They observed, exchanged smiles, and discussed something regarding the statesman, uncertain about how to approach him. One of Vice President Shettimas aides made it easy for them when he playfully teased them about what caught their attention. One of them pointed to him shyly. He joined their conversation, and soon it wasnt just about whether they were talking to the Vice President of Africas most populous nation, but rather about the phonetics of their ethnicity, Xhosa. He commended how the South Africans had taken enough interest in African politics to figure out Nigerias vice president. But even as the collection of books grew, I had no doubt he was going to read them. I had personally observed Senator Shettimas remarkable ability to devour substantial volumes within a day and yet retain every intricate detail. One particularly memorable instance of this occurred in 2018, following the public presentation of former President Jonathans memoir, My Transition Hours, which distorted certain events of his tenure as Governor of Borno State. Astonishingly, merely a day after the books release, he had not only completed reading it but had also penned a comprehensive critique outlining the inaccuracies it contained. Such a feat would have been implausible even for me, someone whose life had been steeped in literature and who possessed more leisure time than a sitting governor. READ ALSO: Shettima to represent Tinubu at BRICS Summit The range of books Vice President Shettima acquired during his book hunts illuminated the reason he appeared to possess a quote for every conceivable occasion, effortlessly at his disposal. His peculiar memory enabled this skill. His reputation for having an exceptionally retentive memory stemmed from his practice of not allowing it to remain idle. He earned a reputation for his capacity to recall details and retain information due to his insatiable reading habit. While tagging along, I studied his interactions with star-struck foreigners and Nigerians who approached him, just as much as I reveled in his enthusiasm for books. What further amused me was his sharp sense of humour. Despite being portrayed as stern and unsmiling by certain media outlets and the political opposition, Mr Shettima is one of the funniest people one can ever come across. He is easy to engage with, whether delving into intellectual discussions or addressing trivial matters. To me, the bookworm remains the most well-read politician I know. Gimba Kakanda is the Lead Consultant on Public Policy and Politics at The Cambridge Collective, and writes from Johannesburg, South Africa. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Russian President Vladimir Putin has indirectly confirmed the death of the Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, the day after the crash of a jet that authorities said he was travelling in. In an apparent tribute to his former close confidante whose fighters played a crucial combat role in Ukraine Mr Putin called Mr Prigozhin a talented man, Russian news agencies reported. He was a man of a complicated fate. He made some serious mistakes in his life, but he also achieved the needed results both for himself and, when I asked him to, for the common cause, Mr Putin added. He was speaking at a meeting with the Russian head of the Donetsk administration, Denis Pushilin. The Russian government agency in charge of civil aviation, Rosaviatsiya, said Mr Prigozhin, as well as top Wagner commander Dmitri Utkin, were among the 10 people on board the Embraer plane that crashed on Wednesday in the Tver Region, about 300 kilometres north-west of the Russian capital. It said there were no survivors. No cause was given for the deadly crash, but speculation was rife, in particular after Mr Putin had vowed inevitable punishment against the mutiny leaders who he had accused of treason. It took nearly 24 hours for Putin to react publicly to the crash of the business jet. The Russian leader did not imply that Moscow had any part in the plane crash. He stressed instead that Mr Prigozhins mercenary force had played a decisive role in the fighting in Ukraine, one which would not be forgotten. The Russian leader expressed his condolences to the relatives of the Kremlin loyalist-turned-traitor and added that the crash was being investigated. Two months ago, Mr Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny against the Russian military leadership, in what was the gravest challenge ever to Mr Putins more than two-decade grip on power. Mr Putin described the revolt as a stab in the back and said that it could have caused the outbreak of civil war. The background to the day-long uprising and the deal to end it remain murky but Mr Putin had vowed inevitable punishment against the mutiny leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had nothing to do with whatever fate befell Mr Prigozhin Everyone understands who is involved, he told journalists, adding that the death of the mercenary leadership benefits Kyiv in a certain sense. International leaders have also been cautious in commenting on the crash and the intense speculation around it. The US believed Prigozhin was dead, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder told a press conference on Thursday. Our initial assessment, based on a variety of factors, is that he was likely killed, Ryder said. The US Department of Defense currently had no information to suggest that a surface-to-air missile took down the plane, Ryder added. We are continuing to assess the situation. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Deutschlandfunk radio that the situation was still unclear. No quick conclusions can be drawn, she said. However, the incident underscored that a system, that a power, that a dictatorship that is built on violence, will also only recognise violence internally, she added. Asked about the future of the mercenary force, Baerbock said she feared Russia will continue with its cynical game, with or without Wagner, not only in Ukraine but above all in Africa. The pro-Kremlin television station Tsargrad TV reported citing its own sources that Mr Prigozhins body had been provisionally identified, but that DNA analyses were still pending. Grey Zone, a Telegram channel associated with the Wagner Group, said Mr Prigozhin died and suggested without evidence that the plane was shot down. The Russian Telegram-based news channel SHOT reported, citing investigative circles, that the crash may have been triggered by a bomb in the area of the landing gear. There has been no official comment on Prigozhin from either the Wagner Group or senior Russian government officials. Mr Prigozhins admirers have reacted with grief and anger. Flowers were piled high outside the Patriot cafe in St. Petersburg, which many of the citys residents associate with Prigozhin and Wagner, the daily Kommersant reported. Known as Mr Putins cook, the 62-year-old rose to prominence in the city in the wake of the Soviet Unions collapse by setting up a number of different businesses and becoming known as a high-end restaurateur. Years later, the Wagner Groups headquarters were established in St. Petersburg. This year, Mr Prigozhin spent months blasting the Russian military leadership as corrupt and incompetent, directing insults and scorn at Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov in particular. He had complained of inadequate supplies of munitions for his fighters serving on the front lines of Mr Putins war in Ukraine. Mr Prigozhin also accused Mr Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike on Wagner camps in Ukraine. After ordering Wagner troops to storm Moscow, Mr Prigozhin then called for a retreat after negotiations with the Kremlin, in which Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko acted as mediator. As part of the deal reached to escape prosecution, Mr Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters were offered sanctuary in Belarus. Mr Lukashenko says many of them are now training Belarusian soldiers. The Kremlin will do little to counter the image that this is an act of retaliation, said political scientist Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Prigozhins death should be a lesson for all potential emulators, she wrote on Telegram. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Emeka Oduoza, son of the Chairman of NOVA Merchant Bank, Phillips Oduoza, is dead. Emeka died over the weekend in New York, United States at the age of 27. Blackstone Inc., an American alternative investment management company based in New York City, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. Until his death, the statement said the deceased was a reputable and valued member of Blackstone, one of the largest financial institutions in the world. It said the young Oduoza was renowned for his excellence, dedication, and impact within the financial landscape in the States. The statement added that Emekas career had been marked by consistent dedication to his craft, a vision for growth, and an unwavering commitment to the principles that underscore the world of finance. Born in New York, he spent his life cultivating relationships, pursuing passions, and leaving a lasting mark on those fortunate enough to have known him, the statement said. READ ALSO: Emeka was not only a beloved family member and friend, but he was also a distinguished member of the Blackstone community. His exceptional skills and commitment to his work as a Blackstone member made him a valued and respected colleague. He approached his responsibilities with unwavering dedication and a deep sense of integrity, leaving an indelible impression on all who had the privilege of working with him, the statement said. Beyond his professional achievements, Emeka had a passion for life that was infectious. He had an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, which led him to explore the world and engage in meaningful conversations with people from all walks of life. His ability to connect with others on a genuine level made him a true friend to many, it added. Emeka is survived by his parents, Jumai and Phillips Oduoza, his brother, Uzoma, nephew, sister-in-law, numerous uncles, aunties and cousins. He will be buried on 5 September in Los Angeles, California, United States. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has warned sponsors of cultism not to ask him to release any cultist arrested in the state or risk being disgraced. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the commissioner described those sponsoring the cultists to kill other people as cowards who should cover their faces in shame. The police spokesperson said the commissioner has vowed to clamp down on cultists terrorising residents of Awka, the state capital. Mr Adeoye has ordered an onslaught against cultists and their sponsors in the state, he said. The police commissioner also vowed that the police in the state would come down very hard on the heartless cultists who take pleasure in killing others. He assured residents of Anambra State that peace and tranquillity, which had eluded them lately due to the recent cult-related killings in the state capital, would be restored soon. The police boss appealed for the cooperation of the residents in the efforts to flush out cultists in the state. Background There have been frequent cult-related attacks in Anambra State for a while now, especially in Awka. In July, for instance, suspected cultists beheaded a member of a rival cult leader in Eke Awka Market in Awka South Local Government Area of the state. Earlier in January, at least five people were killed in separate cult-related attacks in Okpuno Community, Awka South and Obosi Community in Idemili North Local Government Areas of the state. Also, suspected cultists killed six persons in November 2022 in another cult clash in Awka, the state capital. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ololade Adesina, boy who made 9As in 2023 WAEC, wins 15 awards at colleges graduation ceremony on Friday in Ilorin. Ololade Adesina, who made nine 9As in the 2023 West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), on Friday won 15 awards at the 15th graduation ceremony of Rehoboth College, Ilorin. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adesina was awarded the best student in Data Processing, Civic Education, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics, among others. He also won Mr Adimulas award for Best in Mathematics and English Language; Ifeoluwa Tomiwa Makindes award for overall Best Student; Mr Alaofins award for Best Student in Chemistry; Mr and Mrs Makinwas award for Best Student in Economics, as well as Mr Ajayis award for best-graduating student of Rehoboth College. In his valedictory speech, Adesina appreciated the teaching staff for their commitment to the academic success of their students. He asserted that his sterling performance in the WASSCE examinations, in which he recorded nine A1s, would not have been possible without the doggedness and relentless efforts of all the teaching staff. The outgoing Head Boy of the college affirmed that the zero tolerance of the school to examination malpractice during both internal and external exams, a policy, he noted, gives no room for laziness, was the impetus he needed to succeed. The event, which was attended by several dignitaries, also commemorated the 20th year that Rehoboth College was established. While thanking God for the successful completion of the academic year, the Proprietor of the school, Sam Popoola, noted that the school has continued to leap in bounds in its bid to become the school of choice in Kwara. He added that the performances of both the Junior and Senior students in external examinations like WASSCE, NECO and JAMB, were excellent, culminating in Mr Adesina scoring nine A1s in all subjects offered. Alfred Adegoke, a prominent professor of Education, and Chairman of the Board of Governors, Rehoboth Schools; in his goodwill message, aligned with the proprietor that the growth the school has recorded is highly commendable. Commending the efforts of the teaching staff and management of the school, Mr Adegoke opined that the school is indeed destined for greatness in light of recent academic achievements. He challenged the teaching staff to break more records while recalling that one of the former students of Rehoboth College, Dada Omotayo, also emerged as the overall Best Graduating Student from the Nigeria Law School in 2022. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has promised Nigerians that they will witness improved power supply across the nation soon. Mr Adelabu made the promise on Friday in a chat with journalists when he arrived at the Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan. The minister, who received a rousing welcome from his political associates, supporters, family and friends, noted that his ministry was the most criticised sector and so important to the economic emancipation of Nigerians. According to him, the task ahead is huge because the nation has suffered so long as a result of the low performance of the ministry, in terms of power supply to Nigerians. Mr Adelabu, however, allayed the fear of Nigerians about the challenge, saying the turn-around they had been looking for in the power sector had come. The minister said he would do everything possible to make sure the ministry, under his leadership, laid a good foundation for 24/7 power supply in Nigeria. We know its not something that is achievable overnight but we believe that once the foundation is laid, others can also build on it. I can tell you that between six months and one year, we will start seeing improvement in the power sector. Within the next six months, there would be major addition to the national grid, in terms of hydropower plant, that is the Zungeru 700mw in Niger State that is about to be completed. This will be the biggest one in Sub-Sahara Africa when completed. The Kanji dam that we all grew up to know supplies about 460mw, Shiroro dam supplies about 520mw. I will do everything to ensure that Zungeru power plant is inaugurated and subsequently add 700mw to the national grid, he stated. The minister noted that it was a fact that some resources had been wasted in the sector and it had not really succeeded as expected by Nigerians. He, however, reminded Nigerians that this is a new era and I will use everything that God has given me to ensure that we have stable power supply in the country. Mr Adelabu hinted that he and all relevant people in the sector would sit down, between two weeks and one month, to study what was on the ground. The status of each of the stages in the power supply value chain, be it generation, distribution and transmission, to know where the challenges are. When we study all these, we will be able to put together a turnaround master plan of the power sector and inform Nigerians of the master plan of the sector under my leadership. He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for counting him worthy for the position of minister, pledging to exceed the expectations of Nigerians in general. NAN also reports that the minister and his entourage later observed Jumat service at OjaOba Central Mosque, Mapo, Ibadan, where Sheik Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere charged him to use his new position to the service of humanity. Mr Agbotomokekere urged Mr Adelabu to have the fear of his creator in his day-to-day activities while carrying out his statutory responsibility. The minister, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan land, was encouraged to be a good ambassador of Ibadan land. Speaking on behalf of Oba Olalekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Abiodun Daisi a member of Olubadan in Council, congratulated Mr Adelabu on the new appointment. He described the minister as a humble and industrious son of Ibadanland, who is an exceptional person because of his love for Ibadan land. Adelabus passion for his home town, Ibadan, made him to establish many industries in Ibadan land where many people were employed to earn their living. I urge you, on behalf of Olubadan, to do your best in fixing the problem of electricity in Nigeria, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Empowering women is a necessity for Nigeria to be great, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said. Mr Akpabio disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of a two-day international conference on women in governance organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja. The Senate President, in a brief remark as the special guest of honour, said his presence at the occasion represents his first official engagement outside the National Assembly since his election as the President of the 10th Senate. Mr Akpabio said he was committed to the issues relating to improving the conditions of women in Nigeria, including in political representation, the economy and governance. Those familiar with my antecedents will undoubtedly attest to my passion for promoting gender equality in all aspects of life, especially in the public sector. As a governor, I implemented a policy that deliberately favoured the appointment of women into key positions in my government. This was in recognition of the immense contribution that women make towards the political, social and economic development of any state, he said He said the countrys approach to the challenge of womens underrepresentation in governance must go beyond mere tokenism of positions to genuine representation in which womens voices are genuinely heard, valued and integrated into government policies and laws. Tokenism might satisfy diversity quotas, but the authentic inclusion of women in political leadership will change the course of Nigeria towards meaningful transformation and sustained growth, he said. READ ALSO: According to him, womens empowerment has five components: womens sense of self-worth, their right to have and to determine choices, their right to have access to opportunities and resources, their right to have the power to control their own lives, both within and outside the home; and their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a more just social and economic order, nationally and internationally. He noted that womens empowerment is critical, given the general contribution of women to the Nigerian economy. According to the IMF, the informal sector accounted for 57.7 per cent of Nigerias 2022 GDP, making it a significant contributor to Nigerias economy. A 2021 World Bank report states that 80.4 per cent of Nigerias employment was in the informal sector. The report further shows that 82.1 per cent of women in Nigeria were in the informal sector, which makes women the single most influential force in the country, and their inclusion in governance structures is not a luxury but a necessity. Tinubus agenda on womens empowerment Mr Akpabio noted that the renewed hope agenda of Mr Tinubu makes an allowance for womens empowerment, saying that the policy document recognises that if Nigeria is to reach its fullest potential, every segment of the population must be given a fair chance to make their best contribution to the well-being and advancement of the country. The Agenda, according to him, highlights the specific need for social inclusion and political empowerment. He said that the President will work with the National Assembly to pass a law that promotes greater employment for women in all government offices, ministries and agencies to increase womens participation in government to at least 35 per cent. The legislation, when prepared, will also mandate the federal executive to reserve a minimum number of senior positions for women and the private sector shall also be strongly encouraged to do likewise, he said. Mr Akpabio noted that President Tinubu has already achieved some milestones, with women constituting about 20% of the newly inaugurated cabinet. Although this falls short of the 35 per cent affirmative action, he said it significantly improved from the previous cabinet, which had 15 per cent women representation. In the coming months and years, the National Assembly will work closely with Mr. President to achieve the lofty goals outlined in his Agenda. As you are all aware, the outcome of the 2023 General Election, in terms of the number of women elected into various positions, shows that more work needs to be done, and past efforts have not yielded the desired results, he said. Regarding economic empowerment, he said the senate will work with Mr Tinubu to ensure that commercial banks support women-owned businesses through concessionary loans and incentive schemes. Other areas of possible collaboration with the executive, he noted, include fighting domestic violence and abuse through specialist police units, promoting educational parity for the girl-child and improving the conditions of disadvantaged women through social intervention programmes. He noted that these and other policy positions of the executive will be streamlined into the Legislative Agenda of the Tenth Senate with concrete legislative actions and timelines for achieving them. I wish to state that the Senate will work with all stakeholders to bring about the constitutional and statutory reforms required to advance womens political participation. I welcome all suggestions, which should be submitted as Memoranda to my Office. In his opening remark as the convener of the conference, the DG of NILDS, Abubakar Sulaiman, lamented the gross underrepresentation of women in governance at both the national and subnational levels in the country. Mr Sulaiman, a professor, noted that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) ranks Nigeria in the bottom ten globally in womens representation in national parliaments, saying the overall picture is worrisome, considering that women constitute nearly fifty per cent of our population and contribute significantly to the economy and political processes, especially elections. At the executive level, he said, The percentage of women in ministerial positions since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1999 has not exceeded 30 per cent (31.7 per cent under Goodluck Jonathan in 2011). Of the recently sworn-in federal ministers, only 19% are women. The DG said the declining trend has continued despite the provisions of the National Gender Policy that 30 per cent of elective and appointive positions be reserved for women. Numerous other official documents and statements of government and political parties set normative and policy frameworks for achieving gender inclusivity and equality in addition to the constitutions and manifestos of all the major political parties, including specific provisions on womens representation. He noted that recent legislative proposals to provide a legal framework for affirmative action and gender quotas failed to pass at the National Assembly. According to him, the five bills sought to, among other things, provide 35% affirmation action for women in political party administration and reserve 15% of seats in the House of Representatives to women, expand the scope of citizenship by registration, extend citizenship to foreign spouses of Nigerian women and secure a reserved quota for women in Executive cabinet positions (ministers and commissioners). NILDS contribution to deepening womens representation in governance Mr Sulaiman said the conference was in line with the mandate of the institute to deepen democratic culture and promote political participation and inclusion. According to him, NILDS has been at the forefront of advocacy to deepen womens participation in the countrys political process. We have consistently collaborated with partners, including UN Women, to advance this mandate, he noted. Since its establishment in 2011, the DG noted that the institute has undertaken a gender audit of the National Assembly and developed a Gender Mainstreaming Manual for the Nigerian legislature. The institutes Strategic Plan (2019-2023), he noted, outlines explicitly its commitment to promoting a gender-sensitive legislature in Nigeria and fostering gender equality. In line with this, we have generated and published numerous research studies that respond to womens needs and interests in government structures, operations, methods and work processes. The Institute has also consistently invested in capacity development for women candidates, women members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly and other women stakeholders. In the last two years, we have heightened advocacy for gender budgeting to ensure that public resources are used to increase gender equity. Some of the dignitaries who attended the conference aside from Mr Akpabio were the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; Speaker of the House of Reps represented by Kafilat Ogbara; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; ex-First Lady of Ekiti State, Bisi Fayemi, who was one of the keynote speakers; and former Senator, Abiodun Olujimi. Also in attendance were female parliamentarians from Uganda, Kenya and South Africa, gender activists, and University scholars, among others. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Experts at the annual Oxfam-Work in Progress (WiP) have encouraged young Nigerians to take an interest in governance to increase their involvement in nation-building. The Oxfam-Work in Progress (WiP) hybrid town hall event, For Love of Country? held on Monday, identified youth involvement in governance as crucial to preserving Nigerias future. The event, which brought together diverse stakeholders through the Being Young in Naija (BYIN) campaign, is part of Oxfams annual celebration of International Youth Day. The event featured a panel session comprising young individuals, including Kimberly Nwachukwu of Nigeria Info FM, Afolabi Adekaiyaoja of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abiye Briggs of PVC Activism, and Solape Sonuga of ElectHER. They spoke on crucial subjects for Nigerian youth, including electoral priorities, civic participation, effective engagement with the Nigerian government, and future strategies leading to upcoming elections. Panelists positions Speaking, Ms Nwachukwu stressed the need for young Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders and the press. The importance of ethical journalism in youth advocacy is paramount, as it serves a crucial role in countering the misinformation and disinformation that often distort the narrative of these influential youth movements, she said. Mr Briggs advocated the integration of civic education as a fundamental means of nurturing an understanding of civic responsibilities among youths. He insisted that promoting civic education, especially among university students, is paramount as they represent the future of youth advocacy in Nigeria. Ms Sonuga, on her part, spoke of a growing need to facilitate more enabling environments for women to participate in political processes. She highlighted the current makeup of Nigerias Senate, which had only three senators from 109, as a microcosm of a more significant problem of the exclusion of women. Nigeria still doesnt make it easy for women to contest for and hold elective positions. Religious and cultural contexts are largely held nationwide and have informed many of the stances the bulk of society hold towards women and leadership positions, she said. Speaking about the need for young Nigerians to clarify their interests during elections, Mr Adekaiyaoja stressed the need for unity of purpose amongst youth, insisting on the necessity of grassroots mobilisation. Young people need to pay attention to the needs of others, building and growing communities that enable us to get involved with civic processes. This includes being part of political party systems, being aware of political processes around us and ignoring attempts to incite ethnic divides by bad faith actors, he said. The BYIN campaign Speaking on behalf of the BYIN campaign team, Peter Akinnusi emphasised the significance of the event as a pivotal intersection of youth conversations, adding that the active involvement of young people in governance and nation-building is imperative. He said Nigerian youths possess the power to shape the nations trajectory by leveraging their strength in numbers and their various skills passionately. He said: The primary objective of this project is to amplify the voices of the youth in Nigeria and document the challenges and experiences young individuals face in their journey of civic participation. We also sought to deliberate on viable pathways for progression through constructive dialogue. By doing so, we aspire to foster an environment where Nigerian youth not only anticipate positive change but actively contribute to its realisation. READ ALSO: Three Nigerians wealthier than 83 million others Oxfam The Work in Progress Project Coordinator, Princewill Ogbodo, emphasised dedication to facilitating youth participation in nation-building and his firm belief in the immense potential of the young generation. Represented by Oxfam Communications Manager Maxwell Osarenkhoe, Mr Ogbodo also explained that the BYIN campaign is an integral aspect of the WiP Project, which, he noted, enables young Nigerians to candidly share their experiences, navigate challenges, and explore opportunities. 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 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Global Parkinsons Genetics Programme (GP2) has announced the discovery of a genetic variant that increases the risk of Parkinsons Disease (PD) in people of African and African admixed populations. GP2 researchers identified the variant on the GBA1 gene as part of efforts to galvanise international and collaborative research into the genetics of Parkinsons Disease and revolutionise treatment for the African and African admixed populations. The GP2 researchers include the Nigeria Parkinson Disease Research (NPDR) network, the International Parkinsons Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC)-Africa, University College London, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, and 23andMe. GP2 is a resource programme of the Aligning Science Across Parkinsons (ASAP) initiative that is funded by the Sergey Brin Family Foundation and implemented by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research (MJFF). What is Parkinsons disease? Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement control. It develops when there is a gradual loss of a specific type of brain cells known as dopaminergic neurons in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra. These neurons produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial in transmitting signals that regulate movement and coordination. The loss of dopamine-producing neurons leads to a disruption in the brains ability to transmit messages related to movement and coordination effectively. Symptoms include tremors, painful muscle contractions, difficulty speaking, and difficulty with walking. The disease gets worse over time, and there is no cure, but therapies and medicines can reduce symptoms. The study In a statement disseminated on its official website, the National Institutes of Health noted that, although further investigation is necessary to comprehend the role of environmental and other factors in these populations, the scientists uncovered that individuals carrying a single copy of the gene face about a 1.5 times greater likelihood of developing Parkinsons disease compared to those without any copies. Meanwhile, those carrying two copies are approximately 3.5 times more susceptible. The director, NIH Intramural Center for Alzheimers Related Dementias (CARD), Andrew Singleton, said to effectively treat Parkinsons and truly any disease, there is a need to study diverse populations to fully understand what the drivers and risk factors are for these disorders. Mr Singleton said these results support the idea that the genetic basis for a common disease can differ by ancestry, and understanding these differences may provide new insights into the biology of Parkinsons disease. Over the past few decades, researchers have found several genetic risk factors for Parkinsons disease. Rare inherited cases of the disease have been linked to about 20 genes harbouring pathogenic variants formerly known as disease-causing mutations while more than 100 regions of the human genome are associated with more common, sporadic forms of the disease. However, most of these findings are based on studies of people of European descent, and very few have been conducted on people of African descent. Samples For this project, the researchers conducted a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) involving 1,488 people who had Parkinsons disease and 196,430 people who did not. The researchers collected DNA samples and analysed genetic data from individuals primarily from Nigeria and four sites across the United States. These data were combined with de-identified genetic and phenotypic data from 195,587 people of African American or Afro-Caribbean descent who consented to participate in 23andMe research. A preliminary data analysis showed a significant association between Parkinsons disease risk and the newly identified variant of the GBA1 gene. A review of previous studies also showed that this new variant rarely appears in people of European and Asian descent, suggesting it is almost exclusively linked to African ancestry. A staff scientist at NIH CARD, Sara Bandres-Ciga said, We were completely surprised. The goal of the initial analysis was to help train GP2 researchers in Nigeria and other parts of the world on how to analyse GWAS data. Ms Bandres-Ciga said the GBA1 variant had a significant association, while others did not suggest that it is strongly tied to Parkinsons disease in this population. Nigerian researchers The NPDR network and UNILAG team are led by a Professor of Neurology in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, UNILAG, Njideka Okubadejo, who acknowledges the crucial role that the supportive research environment at the university and the commitment of the national and international partners played in the success of the team. Ms Okubadejo said the GBA1 result is a step toward that future, where the research field is prioritising, learning from, and treating all people with Parkinsons disease. Other members of the UNILAG team collaborating with GP2 include: Associate Professor and Site Lead Investigator, Faculty of Clinical Sciences (FCS) Oluwadamilola Lara Ojo, Osigwe Agabi (FCS), Francis Ojini (FCS), Ismail Ishola (Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (FBMS), Francisca Nwaokorie (Associate Professor, FBMS), Roosevelt Anyanwu (Central Research Laboratory CMUL), and Arinola Sanyaolu (FBMS). The UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, congratulated the team on the GP2 project for their impact on the latest discovery. Ms Ogunsola, a Professor of Medical Microbiology, said the teams input and impact on the GP2 further accentuates the universitys fast migration into a future-ready institution with imprints in various fields, including science. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in Jigawa State have called for the full implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Law (2016) to give them a sense of belonging. The states chairperson of the PWDs, Adamu Shuaibu, told reporters on Thursday that PWDs are being marginalised in the state despite a law that addressed some of their challenges, including accessibility to buildings and economic empowerment. Mr Shuaibu claimed PWDs were skipped in the ongoing distribution of fuel subsidy palliatives across the 27 local government areas of the state, and they are neither beneficiaries. Despite the provision of the law, PWDs are still discriminated against and marginalised in the state, and therefore, we are seeking the full implementation of the law. We are supposed to be included in all the committees constituted by the government to handle the distribution of the palliatives. There are low employment opportunities for PWD. We thereby seek for the employment of our members in both governments and private organisations in the state as enshrined in the law. We also seek for the launch of the PWD Fund as stated in the law to support PWDs in the state, Mr Shuaibu said. Mr Shuaibu claimed that its members, who comprise the blind, deaf, lepers, crippled and albinos, constitute over 25 per cent of the total population of the state. READ ALSO: Nigerian governor reacts to allegation of abandoning people with disabilities Section 4 of the disabilities law stimulated that the state and local government councils shall consider persons with disabilities in their programmes and services, especially social protection programmes, Mr Shuaibu quoted the law. The Jigawa state governments spokesperson, Sagir Musa, did not respond to our reporters phone calls and text messages to comment on the claims when reached on Thursday and Friday. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Army has said that no money was carted away when its military vehicle was attacked by armed robbers on Wednesday in Benin. The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Yemi Sokoya, in a statement on Friday in Benin, said that media reports suggesting that the hoodlums made away with Ghana-Must-Go bags containing money were inaccurate. Mr Sokoya, an army captain who is the Public Relations Officer of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin, said efforts are ongoing with other security agencies to arrest the suspects and bring them to book. The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a series of inaccurate narratives in the media space in respect of an attack on a military Hilux vehicle at Akpakpava road by some armed gunmen on Wednesday, 23 August 2023. Contrary to several reports, a clerk from 4 Brigade Finance office and a driver went to town to fix the office printer and also stopped at WEMA bank to process and collect a bank statement. The armed gang in a red Toyota Camry car, who must have trailed and noticed that the soldiers were not armed, opened fire on the vehicle, at a traffic light junction probably thinking the soldiers were carrying money. But when they discovered that the vehicle was empty, they zoomed off. Unfortunately, some of the bullets hit the driver in the chest and he died. A lot of reports have insinuated that the armed robbers made away with huge cash in a Ghana-Must-Go bag. That is entirely false, as no cash was involved, said the army spokesperson. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Port Health Services (PHS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, said it has taken proactive measures to prevent importation of the new COVID-19 variant into the country. The Officer-in-Charge, Omede Ogu, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday. Mr Ogu said information on the new variant has been placed on the PHS emergency platform, and other agencies at the airport are also informed of the emergency. Our mandate is health safety and security at the point of entry, and it covers both routine and emergency situations, he said. The ambulances are in good condition, and our clinics around the tarmac are in the perfect shape to review any form of emergency and facilities are inspected daily. He said personnel are trained weekly to keep them abreast of steps to take when confronted with emergencies like this. Our personnel are on the ground, and our structures are constantly reviewed, so we assure everyone that there is absolutely nothing to worry about, he said. New variant The United Kingdom (UK) had on Friday announced the detection of its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, BA.2.86. The UK authority said the strain has also been identified in Israel, Denmark, and the United States. It said the case was confirmed in an individual with no recent travel history, which suggests a degree of community transmission within the UK. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US health authorities had, on Thursday, said they were closely monitoring a new variant of COVID-19, although the potential impact of BA.2.86 is currently unknown. WHO designated the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 as a variant under monitoring due to the large number of mutations it carries. Nigeria and the UK record a high volume of travellers who shuttle between both countries regularly. Precautions Mr Ogu said the PHS collaborates with Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) across the country, involving stakeholders who deliberate on different strategies and containment mechanisms for emergencies. He said there are cameras on the tarmac that capture the body temperature of passengers. For every passenger arriving at the airport, the first point of call is the port health services, and they are screened to check for irregularities in body temperature, he said. The instruments are categorised into three: the hand-held thermometer, a tripod tarmac scanner, and the distant tarmac camera. According to him, the distant tarmac camera is the most effective because it captures everyone and all the health information, and port health officials see the result on the screen. We intend to get more cameras in the nearest future for more effective coverage and optimal reporting, he said. He urged Nigerians not to panic, noting that the new variant is still at the observatory level. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Over the past five years, they have succeeded in making the strong association between the idea that France must be thrown outand that Russia is the way forwardThe most insidious aspect of this weaponisation is the presentation of military vanguardism as the pathway to salvation. They do so with the knowledge that the current generation of African youth have no experience or knowledge of military rule and the negative consequences of dictatorship. This week, the controversial Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died as his plane got blown off the sky. He was a man of many talents, said the Russian President, Putin, his friend/enemy. Indeed, one of his greatest talents was in developing elaborate and sophisticated ways of weaponising the genuine and deep history of Frances terrible maintenance of its colonial grip on the governments and resources of Francophone Africa for its interest, while pretending to propose liberation. The purpose has been to introduce in its stead Russian neo-colonial control of the said territories through the instrumentality of installing military dictatorships. His method has been by means of deliberate and sustained manipulation through the social media. The methodology and practice in this field have been developed by certain companies and states, such as Russia, to impact on social and political processes in order to attain predetermined outcomes, despite the fact that their actions are toxic and anti-democratic. One of the most infamous practitioners in this model has been the firm, Cambridge Analytica, which acquired and maintained complex databases on the likes, dislikes, pressure points, and political positions of millions of social media users, in order to deliver tailored advertisements and polemics to them. The technique is based on the idea of informational dominance, which is the idea that if you can capture every channel of information around a person and then inject content through these to them, you can change their perceptions of what is actually happening. While the internet was assumed to have broken information monopoly by appearing to offer users numerous and diverse sources of information, what it often does today is to lock people into information cocoons, where they essentially have only one source, which is not only biased but also manipulative. On Francafrique, the Wagner approach was to devote years of bombarding Francophone Africa with images, through Facebook, WhatsApp, Tiktok, Twitter and other outlets, that France was actively providing arms to jihadists to keep terrorism active. Prigozhin used his Internet Research Agency (IRA), an online troll farm, and the Association for Free Research and International Cooperation (AFRIC), for the work. Today, there is informational dominance in Francophone Africa that terrorism remains because of France and the solution is to bring in the Russians. I have studied Francafrique and I know the reach and damage of the Wagner method. I am aware of the number of coups that France has organised in Africa to keep its empire alive and a lot of the criticisms about France are true and justified. The thousands of video images appearing to show French helicopters delivering arms to terrorists, however, have been revealed to be fake. There was also a significant scaling up of fake numbers on what Francophone Africa pays France for colonialism. The weaponisation was in the association in the social media, that the time of revolt against France has arrived, which I support. However, it is indicated that the only viable partner is Wagner and Russia, a country without a history of colonial misdeeds. Wagner fighters have been accused of committing atrocities alongside the Malian army fighting jihadists. Since Wagner began working in Mali in December 2021, civilian casualties have increased by more than 270% and the direction of travel is the strengthening of terrorism. A UN report released in May described how Malian soldiers, overseen by Wagner fighters, killed about 500 mostly unarmed civilians in a village in the Mopti region over five days in March 2022. A number of sophisticated social media influencers emerged, some of who are on Wagners payroll to lead the advocacy for Russia as the solution. They include Nathalie Yanm (@Nath_Yamb), Kemi Seba (@KemiSeba) from Benin Republic and a French lecturer (@FranklinNyamsi) with Cameroonian roots. They lead the social media campaign and have also been active in the Russia-Africa summits. Over the past five years, they have succeeded in making the strong association between the idea that France must be thrown out, which I strongly support, and that Russia is the way forward. My view has always been that the objective of combating neocolonialism must be for autonomy, not for a replacement a neocolonial power. The most insidious aspect of this weaponisation is the presentation of military vanguardism as the pathway to salvation. They do so with the knowledge that the current generation of African youth have no experience or knowledge of military rule and the negative consequences of dictatorship. Mali is expelling over 20,000 French and UN troops for 1,000 mercenaries, for whom it is allegedly paying $10 million monthly. Wagner fighters have been accused of committing atrocities alongside the Malian army fighting jihadists. Since Wagner began working in Mali in December 2021, civilian casualties have increased by more than 270% and the direction of travel is the strengthening of terrorism. A UN report released in May described how Malian soldiers, overseen by Wagner fighters, killed about 500 mostly unarmed civilians in a village in the Mopti region over five days in March 2022. Russias relationship with Central African Republic (CAR) first became known in 2018, with an agreement that former Russian officers would come to offer the country military training. CAR has suffered from ongoing conflict since independence in 1960. In 2013, rebels who were mainly Muslim seized control of the largely Christian country. Self-defence militias were formed to fight back, leading to widespread massacres along religious lines. After President Faustin-Archange Touadera came to office in 2016, the country started shifting its strategic alliance from France, the former colonial power, towards Russia. According to Human Rights Watch the Russian forces have been responsible for murder, unlawful detention and torture in CAR. Russian mercenaries have been accused of summarily executing, torturing and beating civilians in the country. As Wagner is responsible for the personal security of the President of the Central African Republic, he is today essentially their prisoner and must obey their command. Francophone Africa should be very careful about what it is advocating and praying for. If the desired outcome is liberation and control of resources by the said countries, Russia is not the path. In the absence of foreign currency for their payment, Wagner/Russian forces takeover natural resources, which they exploit themselves and take out of the country. Wagner subsidiaries received unrestricted logging rights and control of the lucrative Ndassima gold mine in CAR. Wagner has operated in Sudan since 2017, training Sudanese troops, guarding mineral resources, and suppressing dissent against the government of President Omar al-Bashir, all in exchange for gold exports to Russia. Their role in Libya has been no less edifying. Francophone Africa should be very careful about what it is advocating and praying for. If the desired outcome is liberation and control of resources by the said countries, Russia is not the path. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Abdullahi Bello, has denied reports that Governor Yahaya Bello has conceded to the partys national headquarters on the positions allotted to the state in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Mr Bello, who made the rebuttal in a statement in Lokoja on Friday said: Its falsehood being circulated by enemies of our party. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Kogi APC objected to the appointment of Duro Meseko (Kogi) as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Ikani Shuaibu Okolo (Kogi) as the New Zonal Organising Secretary, North Central Zonal chapter of the party. The state chapter claimed that the names of some officers unanimously agreed upon and sent to the national party secretariat, were discarded for unknown persons in Messrs Weseko and Okolo. The chairman added, The purported compromise being circulated by enemies of APC in Kogi to the effect that the governor has been told to produce the zonal organising secretary and concede the deputy national publicity secretary is false. There is no iota of truth in that report. We know the people behind such misinformation and falsehood but we remain committed to the position of the National Chairman of the party and we know all of us will ensure that the Constitution of the party is protected and preserved. Nothing was discussed about concessions because it will be a violation of the constitution of our party and due process for which our party is known. Gov. Yahaya Bello is a loyal party man, who will only accept what is constitutional. He has great respect for the President and the leadership of the party, he said. He went on to reveal that the matter of the party was almost resolved as all parties had agreed to honour the constitution of the party. Our governor is only acting on behalf of hundreds of thousands of APC members in Kogi and has nothing personal against any individual. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Enugu State Government has threatened to seal petrol stations engaging in metre adjustment and other sharp practices to shortchange consumers of petroleum products. The Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Ajogwu, disclosed this on Friday during an unscheduled tour of filling stations in Enugu metropolis. Mr Ajogwu said the state government would not tolerate petroleum products marketers short-changing consumers by dispensing fuel quantities lower than what they pay for. The commissioner expressed sadness that all the 15 petrol stations he visited did not have an accurate metering system, explaining that the visits followed complaints from residents and motorists about the sharp practices at petrol stations across the state. He asked the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, to call their members to order stressing the government would sanction defaulters henceforth. For every 20 litres of fuel Enugu residents bought, they were short-changed to the tune of N768, N702, N682, N575, N441, N480, and N256, he said. We view this as both ungodly and pure economic sabotage. Mr Ajogwu said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State remained committed to boosting productivity as well as making life better for the people of the state. We will not fold our hands and watch this economic strangulation continue. It is insensitive, unacceptable, and we will never condone it, he stated. The commissioner cautioned the petrol station managers against such practices and directed them to re-adjust their metres for accurate dispensation of petroleum products or face sanctions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Aurora's "strong mayor" ballot initiative will not be on the November ballot after missing a deadline that proponents blamed on opponents. In a news release, proponents said the measure will appear on the 2025 ballot instead. Proponents blamed critics for the measure's failure to make it to the ballot this year. In particular, they said opponents managed to delay the process "just long enough" for the initiative to miss a critical deadline for the county clerks to get it on this year's ballot. Proponents didn't specify which deadline the measure missed. The Denver Gazette asked Aurora's city clerk for more information but did not immediately get a response. Regrettably, the citizens of Aurora will not have the opportunity to express their preference for a strong mayor form of government and further restricting term limits in the upcoming November elections, as a result of legal technicalities and opposition tactics," Mountain State Solutions' Natela Manuntseva said. The initiative, if passed, would change Aurora's current council-manager system to a strong mayor form of governance, similar to Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. In a council-mayor form of government, or a strong mayor system, the city manager position is eliminated and the mayor becomes the executive in charge of running the city. Strong mayors typically prepare the budget, hold veto powers and appoint key department heads, among other duties. The Aurora City Council opposed the initiative earlier this month. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, meanwhile, supported the change. Sign Up For Free: News Alerts Receive informative alerts and real time news delivered to your inbox. Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Critics earlier accused the "yes" camp of being disingenuous by emphasizing the proposals term limits, presumably because that concept is generally popular. Critics also framed the proposal as being pushed by unknown entities whose funding sources are obscured. Supporters, meanwhile, cast opponents as powers that seek to maintain the status quo, which has not been as responsive or as directly accountable to city residents as a strong mayor system. They also argue that checks and balances in a strong mayor system are more efficient because mayors routinely face elections or even a recall. Councilmember Juan Marcano also accused Coffman of lacking transparency in putting the "strong mayor" initiative forward and criticized the measure as insufficiently planning for time to transition to the new system, arguing it took multiple years for Colorado Springs to adopt a strong mayor system. Critics also hit the measure with a lawsuit. Former city council member Charlie Richardson filed a lawsuit against the city of Aurora and three residents for allegedly using misleading language in the ballot initiative. He also claimed it does not adhere to the city's single-subject laws. Proponents maintained that the initiative complies with single subject requirements, and its title was not misleading, adding voters can look up the arguments for or against it the pamphlet that contains election information. The title itself is up to the discretion of the City Clerk, they said. Proponents had submitted enough signatures to get the measure on the November ballot. Im disappointed that the ballot measure is not on the 2023 ballot to give the opportunity for voters to decide the issue," Coffman said, "but Im glad that it can be on the ballot in 2025 without having to gather signatures again. Coffman and Marcano are both up for reelection in 2023. The global liquid hydrogen market is driven by the growing pursuit of sustainable energy solutions PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Liquid Hydrogen Market by Distribution (Pipelines, Cryogenic Tanks, Others), by End Use Industry (Aerospace, Automotive and Transportation, Energy and Power, Industrial Sector, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global liquid hydrogen industry generated $39.0 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $66.3 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2032. The liquid hydrogen market is experiencing substantial growth as industries increasingly recognize its potential as a clean and efficient energy source. With a focus on reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards sustainable practices, businesses are turning to liquid hydrogen for applications such as fuel cell propulsion in transportation, power generation, and industrial processes. The versatility of liquid hydrogen, coupled with advancements in storage and transportation technologies, is driving its adoption across various sectors. As governments and companies invest in research and infrastructure, the market presents promising opportunities for businesses to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for eco-friendly solutions while contributing to a more environmentally responsible future. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/146710 Prime determinants of growth The global liquid hydrogen market is driven by the growing pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, with its high energy density and emission-free characteristics making it appealing for diverse applications. However, challenges encompass high production costs, cryogenic infrastructure demands, and safety concerns. Opportunities lie in renewable energy integration, advancements in production technologies, and collaborative efforts to establish supportive frameworks, positioning the market for expansion through innovation and strategic alliances. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $39 billion Market Size in 2032 $66.3 billion CAGR 5.5 % No. of Pages in Report 278 Segments covered Distribution, End use Industry, and Region. Drivers Increase in penetration of liquid hydrogen in the aerospace industry and expansion of the automotive and transportation industry Opportunities Rise in use of liquid hydrogen in the energy storage industry Restraints High Production cost and safety concern The cryogenic tanks segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on distribution, the cryogenic tanks segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global liquid hydrogen market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Cryogenic tanks are essential for storing & transporting liquefied gases such as liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). As various industries expand, the demand for cryogenic tanks increases to support the storage & transport sectors. In addition, tanks are utilized in the storage and transportation of liquid hydrogen, which has gained popularity as a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The same segment is also projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 5.6% from 2023 to 2032. Procure Complete Report (278 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3QQPOeb The aerospace segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period Based on end use industry, the aerospace segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-fourth of the global liquid hydrogen market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Liquid hydrogen offers high specific impulse, which is a measure of the efficiency of a rocket engine. It provides a greater thrust per unit of propellant compared to other fuels, allowing for higher velocities and payloads. On the other hand, the automotive and transportation segment would cite the fastest CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032 Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for around two-fifths of the global liquid hydrogen market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The Chinese Government has demonstrated strong support for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. China has released various policy initiatives and targets to promote the development & adoption of hydrogen, including liquid hydrogen. The government has provided financial incentives, funding programs, and regulatory support to drive the growth of the liquid hydrogen market. The same region is also anticipated to cite the fastest CAGR of 5.9% by 2032. Leading Market Players: - INOXCVA AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. DEMACO POWERED BY LEAPFORCE LINDE PLC AIR LIQUIDE CRYOLOR HYLIUM INDUSTRIES, INC. PLUG POWER INC. IWATANI CORPORATION MESSER GROUP GMBH. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global Liquid hydrogen market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different provinces. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/liquid-hydrogen-market/purchase-options Similar Reports: Hydrogen Peroxide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Hydrogen Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Hydrogen Bromide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Hydrogen Cyanide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Noble Gas Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Specialty Gas Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Metal Cutting Gas Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 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. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. 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. 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 United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Blog: https://www.newsguards.com/ Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research Trialogics, a leading clinical trial software and services company, providing eConsent, IRT (RTSM), and eCOA, announced today that it is growing its overall services by expanding their Remote Device Management capabilities. WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trialogics, a leading clinical trial software and services company, providing eConsent, IRT (RTSM), and eCOA, announced today that it is growing its overall services by expanding their Remote Device Management capabilities. Trialogics is increasing its global footprint with a new office in London that will allow it to meet ongoing clinical trial demands in the United Kingdom. Trialogics London Opening Prior to Brexit, Trialogics office in Rome supported the needs of sites throughout Europe. The UK's break from the EU necessitated the need for a London office. Trialogics also plans to open an office in Sydney, Australia in mid-2024 to serve the growing needs of their current clients in the Asia-Pacific region. "As our international business increases, especially the supply and management of devices, we need to expand our international presence to meet those needs as efficiently as possible," said Trialogics Chief Executive Officer, Chris Gropp. "Expanding our integrated logistics with our other services such as eConsent, IRT (RTSM), and eCOA, gives our clients the necessary data to monitor sites, subjects, timelines and expenses." Trialogics deploys Samsung devices with mobile data plans to clinical trial sites. Sites utilize the secure devices to access the Trialogics system and other various clinical trial services, manage patients and upload data to secure cloud storage. Sites also assign devices to patients to complete questionnaires, diaries and capture additional data from other mobile devices. The data is transmitted to a central database associated with the ongoing clinical trial allowing clinicians to review the data in real-time. "Since our founding, we have recognized the need for better mobile device management in the industry. Trialogics has built this technology while focusing on the security of the devices and providing exceptional clinical trial services," Gropp said. For more information about Trialogics device management services, please visit https://trialogics.com/solution/remote-device-management/. About Trialogics Better Systems, Faster Cures Trialogics is a Delaware-based clinical trial software company formed in 2015 by CEO Christopher Gropp. Chris has over twenty years of clinical trial experience with particular expertise in clinical trial software. Trialogics supports eConsent, IRT (RTSM), eCOA and Remote Device Management for global clinical trials. Trialogics services can be used individually or as a fully integrated solution. Since its start, Trialogics has focused on decentralization of clinical trials and the ability to capture patient data remotely has always been part of the long-term focus. The company has headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, with offices in Rome, London, and Sydney (2024). For more information, visit trialogics.com or email info@trialogics.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2193872/Trialogics_London.jpg SOURCE Trialogics SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 51Talk Online Education Group ("51Talk" or the "Company") (NYSE American: COE), a global online education platform with core expertise in English education, announced its interim unaudited results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. Second Quarter 2023 Financial and Operating Highlights Gross billings [1] for the second quarter of 2023 were US$9.8 million , US$0.3 million more than the high-end of outlook and a 21.0% growth from the first quarter of 2023. for the second quarter of 2023 were , more than the high-end of outlook and a 21.0% growth from the first quarter of 2023. In comparison, sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2023 grew by only 15.0% on a quarter-over-quarter basis, highlighting the success of our marketing campaigns during this quarter. The number of active students with attended lesson consumption was approximately 29,700 in the second quarter of 2023, representing 17.9% sequential growth and a 99.3% increase from 14,900 for the second quarter of 2022. Key Financial and Operating Data For the three months ended June 30, June 30, Y-o-Y 2022[2] 2023 Change Net Revenues (in US$ millions) 3.5 6.3 77.5 % Gross Margin 79.2 % 78.4 % -0.8 % Gross Billings (in US$ millions) 7.8 9.8 26.9 % Active students with attended lesson consumption[3] (in thousands) 14.9 29.7 99.3 % [1] Gross billings for a specific period, which is one of the Company's key operating data, is defined as the total amount of cash received and receivable from third party payment platforms for the sale of course packages and services in such period, net of the total amount of refunds in such period. The gross billings data included herein was from the Company's business system and converted with quarterly corresponding exchange rate, which may lead to differences with bank records. [2] For purposes of comparison, the financial and operating data of continuing operations for the second quarter of 2022 are presented in this column. [3] An "active student with attended lesson consumption" for a specified period refers to a student who attended at least one paid lesson, excluding those students who only attended paid live broadcasting lessons or trial lessons. "Our growth momentum continued in the second quarter with gross billings coming in above guidance. Our continued growth and improved operating metrics confirm our approach to concentrate our resources on existing markets." said Mr. Jack Jiajia Huang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 51Talk. We will remain investing in markets where we see market potential and benefit from an early-mover advantage. In these existing markets, we will strengthen our localization efforts and maximize the potential from our online and offline branding activities. At the same time, we will continue to explore new markets. We remain disciplined in our expense control and will keep tight budget control and focus on optimizing our resources. We remain committed to our sustainable growth approach." Mr. Huang concluded. Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results Net Revenues and Gross Margin Net revenues for the second quarter of 2023 were US$6.3 million, a 77.5% increase from US$3.5 million for the same quarter last year. The number of active students with attended lesson consumption was approximately 29,700 in the second quarter of 2023, a 99.3% increase from 14,900 for the same quarter last year. Cost of revenues for the second quarter of 2023 was US$1.4 million, a 84.7% increase from US$0.7 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to the increase in total service fees paid to teachers, mainly resulting from an increased number of paid lessons. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2023 was US$4.9 million, a 75.7% increase from US$2.8 million for the same quarter last year. Gross margin for the second quarter of 2023 was 78.4%, compared with 79.2% for the same quarter last year. Operating Expenses Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$7.9 million, a 14.1% increase from US$6.9 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was mainly due to the increase in sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$5.1 million, a 43.0% increase from US$3.6 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was mainly due to higher sales personnel costs related to increases in the number of sales and marketing personnel and higher marketing expenses. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$5.1 million, a 41.7% increase from US$3.6 million for the same quarter last year. Product development expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$0.69 million, a 0.9% decrease from US$0.70 million for the same quarter last year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP product development expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$0.66 million, a 3.7% decrease from US$0.68 million for the same quarter last year. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$2.1 million, a 21.4% decrease from US$2.6 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily due to the reduction of consulting and audit fees. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$1.9 million, a 24.4% decrease from US$2.5 million for the same quarter last year. Loss from Operations Operating loss for the second quarter of 2023 was US$3.0 million, compared with operating loss of US$4.1 million for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP operating loss for the second quarter of 2023 was US$2.8 million, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of US$4.0 million for the same quarter last year. Net Loss Net loss for the second quarter of 2023 was US$2.9 million, compared with net loss of US$4.6 million from continuing operations for the same quarter last year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses of US$0.2 million, non-GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2023 was US$2.7 million, compared with non-GAAP net loss of US$4.5 million from continuing operations for the same quarter last year. Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 was US$0.01, compared with basic and diluted net loss per share of US$0.05 for the same quarter last year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses of US$0.2 million, non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 was US$0.01, compared with non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of US$0.05 for the same quarter last year. Basic and diluted net loss per American depositary share ("ADS") attributable to ordinary shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 was US$0.51, compared with basic and diluted net loss per ADS of US$2.97 for the same quarter last year. Each ADS represents 60 Class A ordinary shares. Excluding share-based compensation expenses of US$0.2 million, non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 was US$0.48, compared with non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of US$2.96 for the same quarter last year. Balance Sheet As of June 30, 2023, the Company had total cash, cash equivalents and time deposits of US$21.6 million, compared with US$23.1 million as of December 31, 2022. This is primarily driven by one-off administrative factors. The Company had advances from students[4] of US$21.0 million as of June 30, 2023, compared with US$15.2 million as of December 31, 2022. Outlook For the third quarter of 2023, the Company currently expects net gross billings to be between US$10.3 million and US$11.0 million, which would represent a sequential growth of 5.1% to 12.2%. The foregoing outlook is based on current market conditions and reflects the Company's current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to change. [4] "Advances from students" is defined as the amount of obligation to transfer goods or service to students or business partners for which consideration has been received from students in advance. The deposits from students are also presented in the total amount of "advances from students" Conference Call The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on August 25, 2023 (8:00p.m. Singapore/Beijing/Hong Kong time on August 25, 2023). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: United States Toll: 1-888-346-8982 International: 1-412-902-4272 Singapore (toll free): 800-120-6157 Mainland China Toll: 4001-201203 Hong Kong Toll: 800-905945 Hong Kong-Local Toll: 852-301-84992 Participants should dial-in at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask to be connected to the call for "51Talk Online Education Group". Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.51talk.com. A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live call until August 31, 2023, by dialing the following telephone numbers: United States Toll: 1-877-344-7529 International Toll: 1-412-317-0088 Canada Toll: 855-669-9658 Replay Access Code: 8879362 About 51Talk Online Education Group 51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE) is a global online education platform with core expertise in English education. The Company's mission is to make quality education accessible and affordable. The Company's online and mobile education platforms enable students to take live interactive English lessons, on demand. The Company connects its students with a large pool of highly qualified teachers that it assembled using a shared economy approach, and employs student and teacher feedback and data analytics to deliver a personalized learning experience to its students. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In evaluating its business, 51Talk considers and uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental metrics to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP product development expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income/(loss), non-GAAP net income/(loss), non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders, and non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders per share and per ADS. To present each of these non-GAAP measures, the Company excludes share-based compensation expenses. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this press release. 51Talk believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance by excluding share-based compensation expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. 51Talk believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to 51Talk's historical performance. 51Talk computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter and from period to period. 51Talk believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using non-GAAP measures is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in the 51Talk's business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying table at the end of this press release provides more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "aims", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "likely to" and similar statements. Among other things, 51Talk's quotations from management in this announcement, as well as 51Talk's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. 51Talk may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about 51Talk's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: 51Talk's goals and strategies; 51Talk's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its brand and platform; 51Talk's ability to retain and increase its student enrollment; 51Talk's ability to offer new courses; 51Talk's ability to engage, train and retain new teachers; 51Talk's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; 51Talk's ability to maintain and improve infrastructure necessary to operate its education platform; competition in the online education industry in its international markets; the expected growth of, and trends in, the markets for 51Talk's course offerings in its international markets; relevant government policies and regulations relating to 51Talk's corporate structure, business and industry; general economic and business condition in the Philippines, its international markets and elsewhere; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in 51Talk's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and 51Talk does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. 51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) As of Dec. 31, Jun. 30, 2022 2023 US$ US$ ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 18,186 16,860 Time deposits 4,872 4,768 Amounts due from related parties - 294 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,509 4,974 Total current assets 26,567 26,896 Non-current assets Property and equipment, net 25 43 Intangible assets, net 104 98 Right-of-use assets 769 655 Other non-current assets 169 255 Total non-current assets 1,067 1,051 Total assets 27,634 27,947 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Advances from students 15,167 20,990 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 4,341 4,692 Amounts due to related parties 389 - Lease liability 427 470 Taxes payable 186 254 Total current liabilities 20,510 26,406 Non-current liabilities Lease liability 307 146 Other non-current liabilities 156 172 Deferred tax liabilities 84 4 Total non-current liabilities 547 322 Total liabilities 21,057 26,728 Total shareholders' equity 6,577 1,219 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 27,634 27,947 51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) For the three months ended For the six months ended Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, 2022 2023 2023 2022 2023 US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ Net revenues 3,526 5,552 6,260 5,404 11,812 Cost of revenues (733) (1,242) (1,354) (1,148) (2,596) Gross profit 2,793 4,310 4,906 4,256 9,216 Operating expenses Sales and marketing expenses (3,573) (4,441) (5,109) (5,566) (9,550) Product development expenses (700) (662) (694) (1,801) (1,356) General and administrative expenses (2,611) (1,759) (2,053) (4,496) (3,812) Total operating expenses (6,884) (6,862) (7,856) (11,863) (14,718) Loss from operations (4,091) (2,552) (2,950) (7,607) (5,502) Interest (expense)/income (48) 33 36 - 69 Other expenses, net (450) (75) (45) (407) (120) Loss before income tax expenses and discontinued operations (4,589) (2,594) (2,959) (8,014) (5,553) Income tax (expenses)/benefit (14) (9) 61 (26) 52 Loss from continuing operations, net of income tax (4,603) (2,603) (2,898) (8,040) (5,501) Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax (11,978) - - (29,712) - Net loss, all attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders (16,581) (2,603) (2,898) (37,752) (5,501) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share 334,567,207 339,338,128 340,329,892 334,313,338 339,836,750 51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) For the three months ended For the three months ended Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, 2022 2023 2023 2022 2023 US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders Basic and diluted (0.05) (0.01) (0.01) (0.11) (0.02) Net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders Basic and diluted (2.97) (0.46) (0.51) (6.78) (0.97) Share-based compensation expenses are included in the operating expenses as follows: Sales and marketing expenses 5 (48) (37) 13 (85) Product development expenses (17) (54) (36) (55) (90) General and administrative expenses (63) (120) (126) (356) (246) 51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures (In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) For the three months ended For the six months ended Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, 2022 2023 2023 2022 2023 US$ US$ US$ Sales and marketing expenses (3,573) (4,441) (5,109) (5,566) (9,550) Less: Share-based compensation expenses 5 (48) (37) 13 (85) Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses (3,578) (4,393) (5,072) (5,579) (9,465) Product development expenses (700) (662) (694) (1,801) (1,356) Less: Share-based compensation expenses (17) (54) (36) (55) (90) Non-GAAP product development expenses (683) (608) (658) (1,746) (1,266) General and administrative expenses (2,611) (1,759) (2,053) (4,496) (3,812) Less: Share-based compensation expenses (63) (120) (126) (356) (246) Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses (2,548) (1,639) (1,927) (4,140) (3,566) Operating expenses (6,884) (6,862) (7,856) (11,863) (14,718) Less: Share-based compensation expenses (75) (222) (199) (398) (421) Non-GAAP operating expenses (6,809) (6,640) (7,657) (11,465) (14,297) Loss from operations (4,091) (2,552) (2,950) (7,607) (5,502) Less: Share-based compensation expenses (75) (222) (199) (398) (421) Non-GAAP loss from operations (4,016) (2,330) (2,751) (7,209) (5,081) 51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures (In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) For the three months ended For the six months ended Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, Jun. 30, 2022 2023 2023 2022 2023 US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ Income tax (expenses)/benefit (14) (9) 61 (26) 52 Less: Tax impact of Share-based compensation expenses - - - - - Non-GAAP income tax (expenses)/benefit (14) (9) 61 (26) 52 Loss from continuing operations, net of income tax (4,603) (2,603) (2,898) (8,040) (5,501) Less: Share-based compensation expenses (75) (222) (199) (398) (421) Non-GAAP loss from continuing operations, net of income tax (4,528) (2,381) (2,699) (7,642) (5,080) Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax (11,978) - - (29,712) - Less: Share-based compensation expenses - - - - - Non-GAAP loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax (11,978) - - (29,712) - Net loss, all attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders (16,581) (2,603) (2,898) (37,752) (5,501) Less: Share-based compensation expenses (75) (222) (199) (398) (421) Non-GAAP net loss, all attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders (16,506) (2,381) (2,699) (37,354) (5,080) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share 334,567,207 339,338,128 340,329,892 334,313,338 339,836,750 Basic and Diluted (0.05) (0.01) (0.01) (0.11) (0.01) Basic and Diluted (2.96) (0.42) (0.48) (6.70) (0.90) SOURCE 51Talk Online Education Group Striking Designs in ISO Black & Silver, Black & Gold, and White Now Available SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate its seventh anniversary, AKKO, an international manufacturer renowned for its innovative and personalized mechanical keyboards and gaming peripherals, has introduced the new wireless three-model version of its popular 5075 series, the new 5075B Plus series of mechanical keyboards - ISO Black & Silver, Black & Gold, and White. AKKO will be participating in the IFA 2023 in Berlin, Germany, from September 1-5, at booth H11.2 218. Those intrigued by this new mechanical keyboard are invited to explore the brand's booth. The 5075 series keyboards feature AKKO's unique gasket mount and 4-layer noise reduction kit, incorporating the proprietary V3 Cream Yellow and Blue Pro switches to provide a stable, softer typing experience. Additionally, the 5-pin hot-swappable keyboard further enhances the keyboard's customization options. The PBT Double-shot keycaps ensure optimal comfort, while 18 RGB backlighting settings cater to a broad spectrum of individual visual preferences. The AKKO 5075B Plus offers an 83+1 key layout (83+1 for European configuration, 82+1 for the American version), with various layout options such as English, American, German, and Nordic, to meet the needs of users worldwide. Simultaneously, the AKKO 5075 series provides a flexible, softer keyboard experience across platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, iOS, or Android. In terms of appearance, the 5075 series besides offers a variety of color choices like white, black & silver, and black & gold, among AKKO's lineup of color themes. In addition, AKKO has teamed up with well-known IP brands to release special designs, such as Cinnamoroll 20th Anniversary, Dragon Ball Super Goku and Naruto Uzumaki editions, providing more personalized appearance options. Overall, the AKKO 5075 series' high-quality keyboard structure, unique switch design, durable keycaps, wide range of backlighting settings, multiple keyboard layouts, and personalized appearance options provide quality choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts everywhere. Furthermore, AKKO has also unveiled another remarkable product, marking the debut of its magnetic switch mechanical keyboard - the Akko 7th Anniversary MOD 007 PC. This exceptional keyboard boasts seamless rapid triggering and dynamic keystrokes, making it ideal for gaming. About AKKO AKKO is a high-tech company specializing in producing personalized mechanical keyboards and gaming peripherals. With innovative design and excellent performance, it has won widespread acclaim in the European and American markets. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjqB7Mk6oM SOURCE AKKO DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global AI in Clinical Trials Market: Trends and Forecasts 2023-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global AI in clinical trials market is estimated to be worth $ 1.4 billion in 2023 and expected to grow at compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16% during the forecast period. The process of successfully developing a novel therapeutic intervention is both time and cost intensive. In fact, it is estimated that a drug requires around 10 years and over $ 2.5 billion capital investment, before reaching the market. In this process, clinical trials play a crucial role for assessing the drug's efficacy and safety in humans. These trials account for nearly 50% of the time and capital expenditure during drug development. However, sponsors face financial burdens and significant delays in marketing drugs due to unsuccessful clinical trials. Over the past few decades, the success rate of a drug candidate advancing the clinical trials to obtaining marketing approval has remained relatively constant at approximately 10% - 20%. This can be attributed to the factors contributing to clinical stage intervention failure, including inadequate study design, incomplete patient recruitment, improper subject stratification and high rate of clinical trial participant attrition. In order to overcome these challenges and streamline the clinical trial processes, stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry are exploring innovative solutions and strategies. One such innovative strategy involves integrating AI in drug development, which has the potential to revolutionize traditional methods, particularly in clinical trials. It is worth noting that artificial intelligence in clinical trials can help integrate and analyze large volumes of data, enabling trial sponsors to optimize future research initiatives. Additionally, by addressing issues related to trial design, patient recruitment and retention, site selection, data interpretation, and treatment evaluation, AI has the potential to enhance and refine the entire process of clinical drug development. Moreover, in the first nine months of 2021, more than $20 billion was invested into artificial intelligence companies focused on healthcare, exceeding the prior investment, which was around $15 billion in 2020. Therefore, with the rising interest of investors in this field, we anticipate the AI in clinical trials market to witness healthy growth during the forecast period. Key Market Insights The report features an extensive study of the current market landscape, market size and future opportunities associated with the AI in clinical trials market, during the given forecast period. Further, the report highlights the efforts of several stakeholders engaged in this rapidly emerging segment of the pharmaceutical industry. Key takeaways of the AI in clinical trials market report are briefly discussed below. Benefits and Growing Demand for Artificial Intelligence Solutions for Patient Recruitment and Clinical Data Analysis AI solutions have emerged as a promising tool in the drug development process. These AI tools help companies improve the accuracy and efficiency of testing, accelerate drug development and optimize clinical trial outcomes. In addition, leveraging AI software in clinical trials helps increasing patient recruitment and retention, reduces trial time and cost, and provides more accurate clinical data analysis, personalized medicine, trial design and real-time patient monitoring. It is worth highlighting that the ability of AI to automate and streamline labor-intensive tasks, improve decision-making processes, and identify patterns and trends in complex datasets has garnered significant attention and interest from stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry. In May 2023, US based Owkin received letter of support from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the use of proprietary deep learning models for oncology clinical trial analysis; the company believes that this can reduce the clinical trial failure rates in randomized clinical trial. Further several artificial intelligence companies have developed AI-powered platforms that optimize patient identification for clinical trials. Additionally, AI algorithms can be trained to analyze large amounts of data in electronic health records to identify eligible participants. Owing to these applications and recognition of the immense potential of AI by researchers and sponsors, the demand for AI clinical trials is likely to continue to grow and transform the landscape of drug development by improving patient outcomes in clinical trials. Current Market Landscape of AI in Clinical Trials: AI Software and Service Providers The AI in clinical trials market landscape features a mix of large, mid-sized and small companies. Currently, around 130 players have the required expertise to offer various software and services to streamline clinical studies. Notably, at present, around 80% of these AI in clinical trials software and service providers are focusing on leveraging machine learning and deep learning algorithms, as they minimize data-based errors by accessing various data points simultaneously. Recent developments in this field indicate that the artificial intelligence companies in clinical trials are upgrading their capabilities to accommodate the current and anticipated demand for these software and services. Partnership and Collaboration Trends in the AI in Clinical Trials Market In recent years, several artificial intelligence companies have inked partnerships related to AI in clinical trials domain with other industry / non-industry players. It is worth highlighting that, since 2018, a significant number of strategic partnerships have been inked in the AI in clinical trials industry. It is worth highlighting that product / technology utilization and integration agreements are the most common types of partnerships inked by stakeholders in the AI clinical trials field. Owing to several advantages of artificial intelligence in clinical trials, stakeholders are acquiring other industry players offering AI solutions / AI software for different clinical trial applications in order to expand their capabilities and build a comprehensive product / service portfolio. In February 2023, ZS acquired Trials.ai, an intelligent study design company, to enhance its end-to-end solutions to reimagine study design for its clients. In addition, several big pharma companies, such as Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer and Roche, have also taken partnership initiatives related to AI in clinical trials, indicating the promise and benefits that AI technology holds in clinical trials. Key Trends in the AI in Clinical Trials Market In the past six years, around 600 completed / ongoing clinical trials utilized AI tools and technologies for evaluating drugs / therapies for different therapeutic areas, indicating the substantial efforts made by researchers engaged in this domain. Further, most of the clinical studies were designed for the purpose of diagnostics and treatment. It is worth noting that the University of California, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Mayo Clinic are among the most active sponsors of completed / ongoing clinical trials involving AI solutions. Rise in Investment in AI in Clinical Trials Market The heightened interest in the AI in clinical trials market can be validated by the fact that, in the last five years, close to $2.5 billion has been invested in companies engaged in providing AI software and services for clinical trials by several investors based across the globe. The majority of the funds have been raised through venture rounds, followed by seed financing rounds. In addition, several big pharma players, such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and Sanofi have also invested in AI software and service providers for clinical trials. In June 2021, Antidote Technologies raised $23 million to expand its digital patient engagement programs and clinical trial recruitment services. AI in Clinical Trials Market Size Driven by the rising demand for artificial intelligence in clinical trials, lucrative opportunities are expected to emerge for players offering AI technology for clinical studies. The global market for AI in clinical trials is anticipated to grow at a significant pace, with a CAGR of 16% during the forecast period. Among the therapeutic areas for which AI tools are leveraged in clinical trials, oncological disorders are most likely to adopt these AI solutions for streamlining processes, such as patient recruitment and retention, trial design, site selection, clinical data analysis, patient monitoring and personalized treatment. In terms of end-users, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are likely to hold the majority share (75%) of the AI in clinical trials market. Key Artificial Intelligence Companies Supporting Clinical Trials Examples of the key companies engaged in the AI in clinical trials domain (the complete list of players is available in the full report) include (in alphabetic order) Acclinate, AiCure, Aidar Health, Aitia, A.I. VALI, Ancora.ai, Antidote Technologies, Beacon Biosignals, BUDDI.AI, ConcertAI, Curify, Deep 6 AI, ICON, Innoplexus, Massive Bio, Median Technologies, Novadiscovery, Owkin, PHASTAR, SiteRx and Viz.ai. This market report also includes an easily searchable excel database of all the AI software / AI solutions and service providers for clinical trials worldwide. Scope of the Report The market report presents an in-depth analysis of the various firms / organizations that are engaged in this market, across different segments. The research report presents an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various stakeholders engaged in this market, across different geographies. The opinions and insights presented in the report were influenced by discussions held with stakeholders in this industry. The report also features detailed transcripts of interviews held with various industry stakeholders: Danielle Ralic (Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Ancora.ai) (Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Ancora.ai) Wout Brusselaers (Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Deep 6 AI) Dimitrios Skaltsas (Co-Founder and Executive Director, Intelligencia) (Co-Founder and Executive Director, Intelligencia) R. A. Bavasso (Founder and Chief Executive Officer, nQ Medical) Grazia Mohren (Head of Marketing), Michael Shipton (Chief Commercial Officer), Darcy Forman (Chief Delivery Officer), Troy Bryenton (Chief Technology Officer, Science 37) All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Key Topics Covered 1. PREFACE 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Key Market Insights 1.3. Scope of the Report 1.4. Research Methodology 1.5. Frequently Asked Questions 1.6. Chapter Outlines 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3. INTRODUCTION 3.1. Chapter Overview 3.2. Overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 3.3. Subfields of AI 3.4. Applications of AI in Healthcare 3.4.1. Drug Discovery 3.4.2. Drug Manufacturing 3.4.3. Marketing 3.4.4. Diagnosis and Treatment 3.4.5. Clinical Trials 3.5. Applications of AI in Clinical Trials 3.6. Challenges Associated with the Adoption of AI 3.7. Future Perspective 4. MARKET LANDSCAPE 4.1. Chapter Overview 4.2. AI in Clinical Trials: AI Software and Service Providers Landscape 4.2.1. Analysis by Year of Establishment 4.2.2. Analysis by Company Size 4.2.3. Analysis by Location of Headquarters 4.2.4. Analysis by Company Size and Location of Headquarters (Region) 4.2.5. Analysis by Key Offering(s) 4.2.6. Analysis by Business Model(s) 4.2.7. Analysis by Deployment Option(s) 4.2.8. Analysis by Type of AI Technology 4.2.9. Analysis by Application Area(s) 4.2.10. Analysis by Potential End-user(s) 5. COMPANY PROFILES 5.1. Chapter Overview 5.2. AiCure 5.3. Antidote Technologies 5.4. Deep 6 AI 5.5. Innoplexus 5.6. IQVIA 5.7. Median Technologies 5.8. Medidata 5.9. Mendel.ai 5.10. Phesi 5.11. Saama Technologies 5.12. Signant Health 5.13. Trials.ai 6. CLINICAL TRIAL ANALYSIS 6.1. Chapter Overview 6.2. Scope and Methodology 6.3. AI in Clinical Trials 6.3.1. Analysis by Trial Registration Year 6.3.2. Analysis by Number of Patients Enrolled 6.3.3. Analysis by Trial Phase 6.3.4. Analysis by Trial Status 6.3.5. Analysis by Trial Registration Year and Status 6.3.6. Analysis by Type of Sponsor 6.3.7. Analysis by Patient Gender 6.3.8. Analysis by Patient Age 6.3.9. Word Cloud Analysis: Emerging Focus Areas 6.3.10. Analysis by Target Therapeutic Area 6.3.11. Analysis by Study Design 6.3.12. Most Active Players: Analysis by Number of Clinical Trials 6.3.13. Analysis of Clinical Trials by Geography 6.3.14. Analysis of Clinical Trials by Geography and Trial Status 6.3.15. Analysis of Patients Enrolled by Geography and Trial Registration Year 6.3.16. Analysis of Patients Enrolled by Geography and Trial Status 7. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS 7.1. Chapter Overview 7.2. Partnership Models 7.3. AI in Clinical Trials: List of Partnerships and Collaborations 7.3.1. Analysis by Year of Partnership 7.3.2. Analysis by Type of Partnership 7.3.3. Analysis by Year and Type of Partnership 7.3.4. Analysis by Application Area 7.3.5. Analysis by Target Therapeutic Area 7.3.6. Analysis by Type of Partner 7.3.7. Most Active Players: Analysis by Number of Partnerships 7.3.8. Analysis by Geography 8. FUNDING AND INVESTMENT ANALYSIS 8.1. Chapter Overview 8.2. Types of Funding 8.3. AI in Clinical Trials: List of Funding and Investments 8.3.1. Analysis by Year of Funding 8.3.2. Analysis by Amount Invested 8.3.3. Analysis by Type of Funding 8.3.4. Analysis by Type of Funding and Amount Invested 8.3.5. Most Active Players: Analysis by Amount Raised and Number of Funding Instances 8.3.6. Leading Investors: Analysis by Number of Funding Instances 8.3.7. Analysis of Amount Invested by Geography 8.3.8. Analysis of Number of Funding Instances by Geography 8.4. Concluding Remarks 9. BIG PHARMA INITIATIVES 9.1. Chapter Overview 9.2. Scope and Methodology 9.3. Analysis by Year of Initiative 9.4. Analysis by Type of Initiative 9.5. Analysis by Application Area of AI 9.6. Analysis by Target Therapeutic Area 9.7. Benchmarking Analysis: Big Pharma Players 10. AI IN CLINICAL TRIALS: USE CASES 10.1. Chapter Overview 10.2. Use Case 1: Collaboration between Roche and AiCure 10.3. Use Case 2: Collaboration between Takeda and AiCure 10.4. Use Case 3: Collaboration between Teva Pharmaceuticals and Intel 10.5. Use Case 4: Collaboration between Unnamed Pharmaceutical Company and Antidote 10.6. Use Case 5: Collaboration between Unnamed Pharmaceutical Company and Cognizant 10.7. Use Case 6: Collaboration between Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Deep 6 AI 10.8. Use Case 7: Collaboration between GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and PathAI 10.9. Use Case 8: Collaboration between Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Concert AI 11. VALUE CREATION FRAMEWORK: A STRATEGIC GUIDE TO ADDRESS UNMET NEEDS IN CLINICAL TRIALS 11.1. Chapter Overview 11.2. Unmet Needs in Clinical Trials 11.3. Key Assumptions and Methodology 11.4. Key Tools / Technologies 11.4.1. Blockchain 11.4.2. Big Data Analytics 11.4.3. Real-world Evidence 11.4.4. Digital Twins 11.4.5. Cloud Computing 11.4.6. Internet of Things (IoT) 11.5. Trends in Research Activity 11.6. Trends in Intellectual Capital 11.7. Extent of Innovation versus Associated Risks 11.8. Results and Discussion 11.9. Summary 12. COST SAVING ANALYSIS 12.1. Chapter Overview 12.2. Key Assumptions and Methodology 12.3. Overall Cost Saving Potential of AI in Clinical Trials, 2023-2035 12.3.1. Cost Saving Potential in Phase I Clinical Trials, 2023-2035 12.3.2. Cost Saving Potential in Phase II Clinical Trials, 2023-2035 12.3.3. Cost Saving Potential in Phase III Clinical Trials, 2023-2035 12.3.4. Cost Saving Potential in Patient Recruitment, 2023-2035 12.3.5. Cost Saving Potential in Patient Retention, 2023-2035 12.3.6. Cost Saving Potential in Staffing and Administration, 2023-2035 12.3.7. Cost Saving Potential in Site Monitoring, 2023-2035 12.3.8. Cost Saving Potential in Source Data Verification, 2023-2035 12.3.9. Cost Saving Potential in Other Procedures, 2023-2035 13. MARKET SIZING AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS 13.1. Chapter Overview 13.2. Forecast Methodology and Key Assumptions 13.3. Global AI in Clinical Trials Market, 2023-2035 13.3.1. AI in Clinical Trials Market: Distribution by Trial Phase, 2023 and 2035 13.3.2. AI in Clinical Trials Market: Distribution by Target Therapeutic Area, 2023 and 2035 13.3.3. AI in Clinical Trials Market: Distribution by End-user, 2023 and 2035 13.3.4. AI in Clinical Trials Market: Distribution by Key Geographical Regions, 2023 and 2035 14. CONCLUSION 15. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS 16. APPENDIX I: TABULATED DATA 17. APPENDIX II: LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS Companies Mentioned AbbVie Accelmed Accenture Acclinate Actelion Pharmaceuticals Adara Ventures AG Mednet Agent Health A.I. VALI AiCure Aidar Health AITIA AKESOgen AKRN Scientific Consulting (acquired by NAMSAN) Alexandria Venture Investments Alira Health AliveCor AllianceBernstein Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Allucent Alpha MD ALS Association Alter Venture Partners Amadeus Capital Partners Amber Specialty Pharmacy American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Amgen Amgen Ventures Amplify Ancora.ai Anthem Anthemis Exponential Ventures Antidote Technologies Aperio APEX Digital Health APEX Ventures Arondor Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM) (a subsidiary of Inspirata) ArtiQ Arvinas Asahi Kasei Ascension Ventures Aspen Insights Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris AstraZeneca ATAI Life Sciences AV8 Ventures Avalanche Venture Capital Avident Health Avira Digital Aviva Ventures Avon Baird Capital Baron Davis Enterprises Beacon Biosignals BEPATIENT Beyond Celiac Big Pi Ventures Bioforum Biofourmis Bioinfogate (acquired by Clarivate) Biomatics Capital Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Blue Heron Capital Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF) Bold Capital Partners Bolton NHS Foundation Trust BootstrapLabs Boreal Ventures Bpifrance Brainomix Brainpan Innvovations Bridge Biotherapeutics Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Brite Health Bronze Valley BUDDI.AI BullFrog AI Cambridge Cognition Canary Speech Carebox Carenity (acquired by EvidentIQ) Carle Health Carlyle Casdin Capital Cathay Innovation Cavendish Impact Foundation (CIF) Cedar Health Research Celgene CellCarta Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians (COPC) The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI ) Cerba Research Chainlink Charterhouse Capital Partners Chartline Capital Partners ChemAxon Children's Oncology Group (COG) Chimera Partners Cigna Ventures CIMS Global Citeline ( a subsidiary of Norstella) Clario Clarivate ClearPoint Investment Partners Clinerion Clinevo Technologies clinicalAI CliniOps Clinithink ClinScape ClinTex CMIC Group Cognizant Community Health Network ConcertAI Constant Companion Creadev Crestle.ai (acquired by Doc.ai) Crista Galli Ventures Cumulus Neuroscience Curenetics Curify.ai CVS Health Dassault Systemes DataON Datavant DCM Ventures DCVC Bio Debiopharm Decibel Therapeutics Declaration Partners Deep 6 AI Deep Lens (acquired by Paradigm) DeepTrial Defense Health Agency Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF) Department of Veteran Affairs Deutsche Investitions und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG) DiA Imaging Analysis doc.ai (acquired by Sharecare) Dong-A Socio Holdings EBSCO Information Services Echo Health Ventures EDBI Edison Partners Eight Roads Ventures eimageglobal EIT Health Elliott Investment Management Entrepreneur First Epilepsy Study Consortium Ergomed Erlanger Health System ERYTECH Espresso Capital Eugene M. Lang Foundation European Commission European Investment Bank European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Excelra Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) Experimind Faber fathom it group FinLab EOS VC Fund First Analysis Corporation First Trust Capital Partners Florida Cancer Affiliates Folklore Ventures Fosun RZ Capital GE Healthcare Genentech General Atlantic General Catalyst Genoa Ventures Genomenon Genpro Research GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance (SWAG) Google GV (formerly Google Ventures) Greater Gift Grey Sky Venture Partners Grove Ventures GSR Ventures Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust H1 H2O.ai Halo Health Hambro Perks Healint Healthix HealthMatch HealthVerity Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York (HOA) Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust Heritage Medical Group Highline Sciences HCLTech Horizon Therapeutics Human API IBM iClusion ICON IKJ Capital iLoF IMA Group IMNA Solutions ImpactAssets Inato Indegene iNDX.Ai Inflection Biosciences Innoplexus Innovaderm Innovatrix Capital Insight Partners Insilico Medicine Inspirata Inspire Intel Intel Capital (a subsidiary of Intel) Intelligencia.ai Intermountain Ventures Investissement Quebec Iowa First Capital Fund Iowa Innovation Acceleration Fund IQ Capital IQVIA IXICO Janssen Pharmaceuticals Jianke Johns Hopkins University Johnson & Johnson Karyopharm Therapeutics Keosys Khosla Ventures King's Health Partners Kinship Kleiner Perkins Kognitic Labcorp Lambda Therapeutic Research LaunchCapital Launch Therapeutics LBO France Leal Health Legit.Health LEO Pharma Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Lieber Institute for Brain Development Life Image (acquired by Intelerad Medical SystemsT ) LifeArc Lightship Linguamatics (a subsidiary of IQVIA) Liquid 2 Ventures LMK Clinical Research Consulting Lokavant (a subsidiary of Roivant Sciences) LSU Health New Orleans Lunar Ventures M12 (formerly known as Microsoft Ventures) Massachusetts General Hospital Massive Bio MassMutual Ventures Matrix Capital Management Matrix Partners Maverick Ventures Maxer Consulting Mayfield Fund Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Ventures (a subsidiary of Mayo Clinic) McKesson Ventures (a subsidiary of McKesson) Medable Median Technologies Medica Medical Research Network (MRN) Medidata Solutions mediri Medpace MEDSOFT Medtronic Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) Mendel.ai Menlo Ventures Merck Merck Global Health Innovation Fund (Merck GHI) (a subsidiary of Merck) Microsoft Millennium Technology Value Partners Mitsui Moderna MSD Global Health Innovation Fund (MGHIF) MTIP Mubadala Capital Nanox National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) National Minority Health Association (NMHA) NEC NEC OncoImmunity (a subsidiary of NEC) NeoGenomics NetraMark NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia New Enterprise Associates New Leaf Venture Partners Nex Cubed Next Level Ventures nference NJF Capital Nor-Tech North American Science Associates (NAMSA) Northpond Ventures Nova Discovery Novartis Novoic Novotech nQ Medical Nucleai NuvoAir Oak HC/FT Obvious Ventures Ocala Oncology Octopus Ventures Olive Tree OMRON Healthcare OncoBay Clinical OncoSec Medical One Nucleus OneStudyTeam Openspace Ventures Opyl Oracle Otium Venture ?URA Health Overline Venture Capital Owkin Oxford Finance University of Oxford Innovation Fund (UOIF) P1vital P360 P3Life Paige AI Palisades Growth Capital Pancare Foundation Pangaea Data Paradigm Parexel Parkwalk Advisors Partech Passage AI Patchai (acquired by Alira Health) PathAI Patient iP PatientPoint PatienTrials Patiro Pear Therapeutics Pepgra Perceiv AI Perceptive Advisors Perthera.ai Pfizer Pfizer Ventures (a subsidiary of Pfizer) Pharmamodelling Phastar phaware Phesi physIQ Plug and Play Ventures Point72 Ventures Population Health Partners PPC (merged with Novotech) PRA Health Sciences Precipio Prime Capital Pritzker Group ProofPilot Propeller Health Protocols.io PWNHealth Qmetrics Technologies Qualcomm Ventures Quality Cancer Care Alliance Network (QCCA) Quibim Quiet Capital Qure.ai Qwince Radical Ventures RadMD (acquired by Medica Group) Raylytic re.Mind Capital RealTime Software Solutions Red Abbey Labs Reify Health Remarque Systems Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Rev1 Ventures Revo Capital Revolution Growth Risklick Rittenhouse Ventures Roche Roivant Sciences Royal Philips Rural Vitality Fund Rymedi Saama Technologies San Raffaele Hospital Sanofi Sanofi Ventures (a subsidiary of Sanofi) Scale Ventures Science37 Scipher Medicine Self-Care Catalysts Semicrol sensedat Sensyne Health Sequoia India Serena and Fly Ventures ServiceNow Servier SGInnovate Shandong University Sierra Ventures Sigmasoft Signant Health Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) SimBioSys Singtel Innov8 SiteGround Capital SiteRx Sixth Street Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Smedvig Capital SoftBank Vision Fund Somerset Sopris Capital SOSV Sourcia Southern Oncology Specialists Sozo Ventures SpringRock Ventures Square Peg Square Peg Capital Stanford Angels Stratus SubjectWell Sway Ventures SyMetric Symphony Clinical Research (acquired by ICON) SymphonyAI Syneos Health Synetro Synexus System Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) T. Rowe Price Taliaz Talkdesk Tamarind Hill Fund Teal Ventures Tech Transfer UPV TEDCO's Seed Fund Tempus Tencent Holdings Tenthpin TeraRecon TFS Services The Angels' Forum ThoughtSphere THREAD Tiger Global Management Timberline Holding TissueTech Translational Drug Development (TD2) TransPerfect Life Sciences Trialbee Trials.ai (acquired by ZS Associates) TrialSense Tribeca Venture Partners TriNetX TT Capital Partners TTi Health Research & Economics U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) U.S. Veteran's Affairs UCB Biopharma UK Future Fund Underscore Venture Capital UnityPoint Health Ventures University of California University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh Unlearn.AI Vastrax VeriSIM VersaTrial Vertex Ventures Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness (VPCa) VIDA Viroclinics-DDL (acquired by Cerba HealthCare) VirTrial Vivoryon Therapeutics Viz.ai WallachBeth Capital WCG Clinical Wefight Wiley Winterlight Labs Wittington Ventures Worldwide Clinical Trials WP Global Partners XpertPatient Zola Global Investors ZS Associates For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c67zyz About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hall Effect Sensor Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Hall effect sensor market is on a trajectory of robust expansion, projected to achieve a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.66%. This growth will propel the market from its 2021 valuation of US$1.512 billion to a substantial US$2.374 billion by 2028. Exploring Hall Effect Sensors: A Hall effect sensor, an essential electronic device, is designed to detect and quantify magnetic fields by harnessing the Hall effect phenomenon. This phenomenon generates a voltage difference when a conductor is subjected to a perpendicular magnetic field. Typically composed of a slim semiconductor strip through which current flows, these sensors hold immense potential. Driving Industries Forward: The versatility of Hall effect sensors positions them as crucial components across industrial, automotive, and electrical & electronics sectors. Their capability to offer non-contact, accurate, and dependable magnetic field detection is a key driver. With the surge in automotive and electrical & electronics production, the demand for Hall effect sensors is surging, thereby fostering market growth. Automotive Production Boost: Hall effect sensors are integral to the automotive landscape, playing a vital role in position sensing. Their application spans throttle, pedal, gear, and steering angle sensing, providing real-time feedback. This precision ensures optimal control of critical systems, impacting speedometers, Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), wheel speed sensors, and transmission speed sensing. As the automotive industry witnesses growth in fuel-efficient vehicles, the demand for Hall effect sensors surges correspondingly. Electrical & Electronics Surge: The electrical and electronics sector's investments are experiencing an upswing, augmenting the Hall effect sensor demand. These sensors cater to current sensing and monitoring, enabling accurate measurement in power conversion, control circuits, and renewable energy systems. Their role in position sensing within robotics, automation, and machinery, where accuracy is paramount, further solidifies their significance. Asia-Pacific Reigns: The Asia-Pacific region, propelled by electronics and automotive manufacturing hubs like China, India, and South Korea, is anticipated to lead the market. Government reforms and initiatives further stimulate growth. China's reform in the electrical and electronics industry fosters efficient development, while South Korea's support for its auto industry solidifies the market's ascent. Market Segmentation: Type: Hall Switch Linear Hall Sensors End-User: Manufacturing Automotive Electrical & Electronics Others Key Players: Prominent players shaping the Hall effect sensor landscape include: Allegro MicroSystems Inc. Honeywell International Inc. Infineon Technologies KOHSHIN ELECTRIC CORPORATION Littelfuse, Inc. MagneLink Inc. Sensor Solution Corp. Navigating the Magnetic Momentum: Stay attuned to the magnetic pulse of growth in the Hall effect sensor market, leveraging the insights of this report. As various sectors continue to integrate these sensors into their operations, those in the field will find this report an indispensable tool for strategic planning and market exploration. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sqavww About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) announced that it has imposed an interim suspension of the CFP certification against Rusty J. Whittaker, which is effective as of August 18, 2023. On July 27, 2023, CFP Board Enforcement Counsel filed a Motion for Interim Suspension Order (Motion) pursuant to Article 2.1.a.1. of CFP Board's Procedural Rules requesting that a Hearing Panel of the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (DEC) issue an Interim Suspension Order against Mr. Whittaker. According to public records from the District Court in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mr. Whittaker was charged on May 20, 2023, with (1) statutory rape of a child by an adult, (2) statutory sex offense with a child under the age of 15, (3) two counts of indecent liberties with a child, (4) first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and (5) soliciting prostitution of a minor, all felonies (Case No. 23CR315796). After reviewing the matter, a Hearing Panel of the DEC determined that CFP Board Enforcement Counsel demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that Mr. Whittaker's alleged conduct poses a significant threat to the public or significantly impinges upon the reputation of the profession or the CFP certification marks. Pursuant to the Interim Suspension Order, Mr. Whittaker's right to use the CFP certification marks is suspended pending CFP Board's completed investigation and possible further disciplinary proceedings. An interim suspension is a suspension of a CFP professional's certification and trademark license during the pendency of CFP Board enforcement proceedings. A Respondent subject to an Interim Suspension Order must not use the CFP certification marks or state or suggest that the Respondent is a CFP professional while the Interim Suspension Order is in effect. An Interim Suspension Order is a temporary sanction and does not preclude CFP Board from imposing a final sanction. An Interim Suspension Order will remain in place until the DEC or, if an appeal is filed, CFP Board's Appeals Commission, issues a final order. A Hearing Panel of the DEC may issue an Order to vacate an Interim Suspension Order upon a successful Petition to Vacate an Interim Suspension Order by Respondent. The basis for this decision also may be found on CFP Board's website at CFP.net/verify. At that website, CFP Board provides the public with: The ability to check on any individual's CFP Board disciplinary history and CFP certification status. certification status. Links to other sources of information about CFP professionals that may be more recent or that may contain information that has not led to CFP Board discipline and does not appear on CFP Board's website. This information may include customer disputes, disciplinary actions taken by a regulator or employer, certain criminal matters and certain financial matters (such as bankruptcy proceedings and unpaid judgments or liens). professionals that may be more recent or that may contain information that has not led to CFP Board discipline and does not appear on CFP Board's website. This information may include customer disputes, disciplinary actions taken by a regulator or employer, certain criminal matters and certain financial matters (such as bankruptcy proceedings and unpaid judgments or liens). Links to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc.'s (FINRA's) BrokerCheck and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) Investment Adviser Public Disclosure databases for individuals who are subject to FINRA or SEC oversight. CFP Board's Enforcement Process As part of their certification, CFP professionals make a commitment to CFP Board to abide by CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct (Code and Standards), or its predecessor, the Standards of Professional Conduct (Standards), which included the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Rules of Conduct and Financial Planning Practice Standards. CFP Board's Procedural Rules set forth the process for investigating matters and imposing sanctions where violations have been found. CFP Board enforces its ethical standards by investigating alleged violations and, where there is probable cause to believe there are grounds for sanction, presents a Complaint containing the alleged violations to CFP Board's DEC. The DEC meets at least six times a year to review any matter in which CFP Board has alleged that a CFP professional has violated the Code and Standards or its predecessor Standards. The DEC functions in accordance with the Procedural Rules and reviews all matters on a case-by-case basis, considering the details specific to an individual case. If the DEC determines there are grounds for sanction, then it may impose a sanction. DEC orders may be appealed by a CFP professional or CFP Board pursuant to the Procedural Rules. In certain circumstances, such as when a CFP professional is in default due to failure to acknowledge receipt of a Notice of Investigation or file an Answer, CFP Board staff must deliver an Administrative Order of Suspension, Temporary Bar, Revocation or Permanent Bar. Administrative Orders also are subject to appeal. More information on CFP Board's enforcement process can be found at CFP.net/ethics/enforcement. ABOUT CFP BOARD CFP Board is the professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. CFP Board consists of two affiliated organizations focused on advancing the financial planning profession for the public's benefit. CFP Board of Standards sets and upholds standards for financial planning and administers the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification widely recognized by the public, advisors and firms as the standard for financial planners so that the public has access to the benefits of competent and ethical financial planning. CFP certification is held by more than 96,000 people in the U.S. CFP Board Center for Financial Planning addresses diversity and workforce development challenges and conducts and publishes research that adds to the financial planning profession's body of knowledge. SOURCE Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. BEIJING, Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BRICS leaders agreed on Thursday to invite six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to join the group. The announcement was made at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and other BRICS leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated virtually. The six countries' membership will take effect on January 1, 2024. Speaking at the press conference, the Chinese president called on BRICS members to work together to write a new chapter of solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries for development. Fresh vitality, new impetus At the press conference, the five BRICS leaders offered their congratulations to these six countries and expressed confidence in the bloc's future development. "The BRICS expansion is historic and a new starting point for BRICS cooperation," said President Xi. He hailed the expansion, saying it will inject fresh vitality into the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen the forces for world peace and development. Xi said he believes that as long as the BRICS countries pull together, a lot can be achieved through BRICS cooperation, and a promising future awaits the member countries. Noting BRICS countries have reached agreement on the guiding principles of the BRICS expansion process, Ramaphosa, who chaired the press conference, told reporters, "We value the interests of other countries in building the partnership of BRICS." Through the summit, BRICS has begun a new chapter in its efforts to bring about a world that is fair, inclusive and prosperous, he added. Lula pointed out that the interest of other countries to join the BRICS showed how relevant its pursuit of a new world economic order is. Showing full support for BRICS expansion, Modi said, "India has always believed that the addition of new members will further strengthen BRICS as an organization, and it will give our shared efforts a new impetus." BRICS expansion "will also strengthen the belief of many countries in the multipolar world order," he added. On the other hand, Putin vowed to establish practical interaction with new members and continue working to expand the association's influence in the world. Why do countries want to join BRICS? According to President Ramaphosa, more than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted. The Chinese president's remarks at the press conference shed light on why joining the BRICS group has become an attractive goal for countries in the developing world. "The expansion reflects the resolution of the BRICS countries to unite and cooperate with other developing countries, meets the expectations of the international community, and serves the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries," Xi said. Despite turbulence in the international landscape, BRICS, covering over 40 percent of the global population and accounting for a quarter of the global economy, has made remarkable achievements in cooperation, helping promote common development and address global challenges, including the widening economic gap between the North and the South, climate change and digital governance. The BRICS-founded New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai, offers a glimpse into the group's efforts to tackle the infrastructure and development challenges faced by emerging economies while advancing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the first global multilateral financial institution initiated wholly by developing countries, the NDB has approved 98 projects with a total value of $33.2 billion, providing a strong guarantee for infrastructure construction and sustainable development in emerging markets and developing economies and contributing to global growth. The NDB has also deepened its green and sustainable credentials, as around 40 percent of the bank's projects are focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. In the digital field, the group has drawn up the BRICS Digital Economy Partnership Framework, emphasizing the commonalities and complementarities of BRICS members in the digital economy. China is a key investor and trade partner in the BRICS group. China's imports and exports with other BRICS members expanded 19.1 percent year on year to 2.38 trillion yuan (about $330.62 billion) during the January-July period, data from the General Administration of Customs showed. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-08-24/BRICS-announces-new-members-1mwR9byHOp2/index.html SOURCE CGTN APPA's 48th Annual Training Institute commences Sunday at the Marriott Marquis Times Square with a Nike executive with a sordid past, a mobile probation unit, and a job fair for formerly incarcerated individuals. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Components of the community corrections program will be broadcast live from the Marriott Marquis Times Square, August 27 - 30 as nearly 2000 probation and parole officers converge on New York for the 48th Annual Training Institute of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). The gathering of both juvenile and adult community corrections officers the largest of its kind in the country offers an opportunity to face tough topics while also celebrating success stories. The hybrid event will feature in-person and virtual attendees. APPA NYC 2023 Logo Opening the event is keynote speaker, Larry Miller, who will share his dramatic rags to riches story of murder, incarceration, monumental success, and ultimately facing his past. Miller, chairman of the Michael Jordan brand at Nike and a former president of the Portland Trail Blazers, will be joined by his daughter, Laila Lacy, with whom he cowrote his memoir, Jump. As POs gather for sessions on the newest methods and approaches in the field, they will also celebrate the successes of formerly incarcerated individuals during a job fair sponsored by Aventiv and REFORM Alliance on Wednesday morning. "POs from throughout North America along with representatives from other countries come together once a year to reimagine the future of community corrections. This isn't a field for the faint of heart. It is a hard role, but these champions change lives every day, in real time," explained Veronica Cunningham, Executive Director/CEO of APPA. "POs are facing a changing political and cultural climate that affects their ability to help their clients. Being here, amongst colleagues and peers and learning new tools improves not only their morale but their outcomes." A Women's Symposium, a daylong pre-event on Saturday, is a session for female-identifying officers to focus on leadership, health, challenges of a formerly male dominated field, and the future of community corrections. "Women make up more than 50 percent of POs in the field but their representation in leadership positions is still lackluster. This event is long overdue. The program, sponsored by Smart Start, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and GEOCare allows women to focus on not just their jobs but their careers," Cunningham added. PHOTO OP: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation Juanita N. Holmes will both deliver welcome remarks during Sunday night's opening session. More information can be found on the Training Institute website. ABOUT THE AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION For nearly 50 years, APPA has been committed to national representation of the community corrections field. The association is dedicated to reducing recidivism and keeping communities safe. Members are provided with information and educational resources including training delivered via various mediums. CONTACT Meg A. Watt, Director of Marketing and Communications, APPA 917.765.1990 364407@email4pr.com SOURCE American Probation and Parole Association NEW DELHI, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Comviva, the global leader in customer experience and data monetization solutions, announced today that it has been conferred with Frost & Sullivan's 'Digital Marketing Company of the Year' award for the Asia-Pacific region. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a 'Company of the Year' award to the organization that demonstrates pathbreaking technology excellence and customer centricity. The award recognizes technology innovation and the resulting leadership in delivering differentiated customer experience and lifetime value. Frost & Sullivan recognized Comviva's industry leading MobiLytix Marketing Studio, which combines real-time AI decisioning with omnichannel marketing automation and loyalty framework to deliver personalized customer experience at scale. This end-to-end digital marketing solution encompasses Artificial Intelligence (AI) modeling, digital marketing, loyalty, and retention across both traditional and digital touchpoints. By facilitating contextual marketing programs throughout the customer lifecycle, it empowers businesses to achieve differentiated experiences through this all-in-one MarTech platform. Speaking on the occasion, Amit Sanyal, EVP & Chief Operating Officer for Customer Value Solutions at Comviva, said, "We are thrilled by this recognition from Frost & Sullivan. This award is an endorsement of our spirit to transform the MarTech landscape by weaving technology innovation, processes and industry insights. This recognition stands as a testament to Comviva's prowess in AI-driven MarTech innovation and our unwavering commitment and promise to deliver exceptional customer experiences and lifetime value." Dewi Rengannis, Frost & Sullivan Senior Industry Analyst ICT Practice APAC, commented, "Comviva stands out with its in-depth understanding of industry nuances and rich portfolio of use cases in solving digital marketing challenges. Comviva's next generation AI-led platform, MobiLytix Marketing Studio, enables to deliver personalized customer experience at scale and significantly enhance customer lifetime value." For further information, please contact: Sundeep Mehta Contact: +(91) 9910030732 DGM, Corporate Communications Email: [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/995982/Comviva_Logo.jpg SOURCE Comviva Empowering Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with Knowledge and Treatment Options Key Takeaways: Leading Expertise : The summit is hosted by Felice Gersh , MD, a multi-award-winning Integrative Gynecologist and a PCOS patient herself. : The summit is hosted by , MD, a multi-award-winning Integrative Gynecologist and a PCOS patient herself. Comprehensive Coverage : The summit provides insights on underlying causes, diagnosis, symptoms, effects, therapeutic options, and more. : The summit provides insights on underlying causes, diagnosis, symptoms, effects, therapeutic options, and more. Virtual Accessibility: The PCOS SOS Summit is a 100% online event, free to attend and welcomes participants globally. CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DrTalks proudly presents the PCOS SOS Summit hosted by Felice Gersh, MD , one of the world's leading voices in holistic and integrative gynecology. This summit is designed to empower and inform women diagnosed with or suspecting Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) . The summit provides a unique opportunity to receive education from health experts about PCOS and discover effective treatments. With her personal journey of living with PCOS, Dr. Gersh uniquely bridges the gap between patients and physicians. Her evidence-based approach combined with her genuine compassion makes the summit a must-attend event. Attendees can expect a detailed walkthrough of the condition: understanding the underlying causes, how it's diagnosed, the myriad of symptoms and physical impacts, and most importantly, how to be an advocate for their health. Beyond the diagnostics, the summit offers a roadmap to the entire spectrum of therapeutic options accessible to patients, from stress management, sleep optimization, fitness and exercise routines, nutrition insights, to a blend of pharmaceutical and supplement strategies. Registration for this transformative virtual event can be found at https://summits.drtalks.com/pcos-sos-summit/ . About the Host, Felice Gersh, MD: Felice Gersh, MD , is globally recognized as an Integrative Gynecologist with a drive to offer alternative approaches to PCOS management. Holding a prestigious teaching position with the American Academy of Anti-Aging, her accolades include being honored as the "Physician of the Year" by the Orange County Medical Association for 16 years. Her commitment stems from personal experience, ensuring each patient receives tailored, compassionate care. Her background is robust, with a medical degree from USC school of medicine and training at Kaiser Hospital in Los Angeles. Currently, she leads the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, providing holistic treatments to patients. Dr. Gersh's mission, as echoed in her message, is clear: "This summit is about learning, growing, and finding solutions to manage PCOS. We're here to bring you the latest research, effective treatments, and actionable strategies. We aim to provide hope and empower you. Join us, participate, ask questions, share experiences, and let's collectively thrive with PCOS." About DrTalks: DrTalks brings together some of the most sought-after leaders on the front lines of health, wellness, and medicine. Get on-demand access to talks, summits, and more straight from the source. The goal of DrTalks is to empower one billion people to get educated on their serious health conditions, and this summit is one way to achieve that goal. For more information about DrTalks and its mission, please visit their newsroom: https://drtalks.com/newsroom/ . Press Contact : Daniel Chantigian, MS [email protected] (507) 244-0107 SOURCE DrTalks JACKSON, Miss., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties (NYSE: EGP) (the "Company", "EastGroup") announced today that its Board of Directors approved an increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $1.27 per share from $1.25 per share. Projected total dividends per share for 2023 are expected to represent an increase of 7.2% over total dividends declared in 2022. The $1.27 per share dividend is payable on October 13, 2023, to shareholders of record of Common Stock on September 29, 2023. This dividend is the 175th consecutive quarterly cash distribution to EastGroup's shareholders and represents an annualized dividend rate of $5.08 per share. EastGroup has increased or maintained its dividend for 31 consecutive years. The Company has increased it 28 years over that period, including increases in each of the last 12 years. About EastGroup Properties, Inc. EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 20,000 to 100,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. EastGroup's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 57.9 million square feet. EastGroup Properties, Inc. press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net. Forward-Looking Information The statements and certain other information contained herein, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "seek," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "targets," "intends," "should," "estimates," "could," "continue," "assume," "projects," "goals" or "plans" and variations of such words or similar expressions or the negative of such words, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to the Company and on assumptions it has made. For instance, the amount, timing and frequency of future dividends is subject to authorization by the Company's Board of Directors and will be based upon a variety of factors. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that such plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects will be attained or achieved. Furthermore, these forward-looking statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These uncertainties include, but are not limited to: international, national, regional and local economic conditions; disruption in supply and delivery chains; construction costs could increase as a result of inflation impacting the costs to develop properties; the competitive environment in which the Company operates; fluctuations of occupancy or rental rates; potential defaults (including bankruptcies or insolvency) on or non-renewal of leases by tenants, or our ability to lease space at current or anticipated rents, particularly in light of the impacts of inflation; potential changes in the law or governmental regulations and interpretations of those laws and regulations, including changes in real estate laws, Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") or corporate income tax laws, or potential changes in zoning laws, or increases in real property tax rates, and any related increased cost of compliance; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT; acquisition and development risks, including failure of such acquisitions and development projects to perform in accordance with projections; natural disasters such as fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes; pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus pandemic; availability of financing and capital, increase in interest rates, and ability to raise equity capital on attractive terms; financing risks, including the risks that our cash flows from operations may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, and we may be unable to refinance our existing debt upon maturity or obtain new financing on attractive terms or at all; our ability to retain our credit agency ratings; our ability to comply with applicable financial covenants; credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to our interest rate swaps; lack of or insufficient amounts of insurance; litigation, including costs associated with prosecuting or defending claims and any adverse outcomes; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks related to the failure, inadequacy or interruption of our data security systems and processes; potentially catastrophic events such as acts of war, civil unrest and terrorism; and environmental liabilities, including costs, fines or penalties that may be incurred due to necessary remediation of contamination of properties presently owned or previously owned by us. All forward-looking statements should be read in light of the risks identified in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors within the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's periodic filings and current reports filed with the SEC.. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE EastGroup Properties ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The merger of Farm Credit of New Mexico and American AgCredit Farm Credit cooperatives will be effective Oct. 1, 2023, creating one Farm Credit Association with enhanced marketplace stability, increased funding capacity, and better access to technology. The voting stockholders of Farm Credit of New Mexico re-voted for the proposed merger after a reconsideration process established by the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). AAC FCNM Merger Kickoff Video - American AgCredit FCNM Customer "This merger makes us a better partner for our customers," said Curt Hudnutt, CEO, American AgCredit. "With an asset base of nearly $21 billion and a diverse agricultural portfolio, we're able to better fulfill our mission serving the farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in our seven-state territory. And now especially throughout New Mexico, helping them grow their future." According to James Duffey, Board of Directors Chair, Farm Credit of New Mexico, this merger means more for customers, employees, and the Farm Credit mission. The size and scale of the merged Association helps ensure the future of agriculture in New Mexico. Hudnutt will lead the merged American AgCredit, which will have more than 900 employees. The Oct. 1, 2023 effective merger date is pending final FCA approval. ABOUT AMERICAN AGCREDIT American AgCredit was chartered in 1916 as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation's fourth-largest Farm Credit association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada and Oklahoma, and serves capital market customers throughout the United States. American AgCredit's financial services include production and mortgage financing, equipment and vehicle leasing, crop and life insurance, lines of credit, and the Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Program. American AgCredit also provides interest-free loans for qualifying 4-H and FFA AgYouth programs, and college scholarships to students interested in agriculture. Learn more at AgLoan.com. ABOUT FARM CREDIT OF NEW MEXICO Farm Credit of New Mexico is the largest agricultural lender in New Mexico a $2 billion cooperative that specializes in agricultural lending and related services. Farm Credit of New Mexico is a full-service Ag lender, providing agricultural real estate loans, operating loans, equipment and livestock loans, rural home loans, and insurances products to New Mexico farmers and ranchers. Visit us online at www.farmcreditnm.com. Farm Credit of New Mexico is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation's rural economy. SOURCE American AgCredit DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Filing eCTD Submissions Training Course" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This intensive one-day course will provide an overview of eCTD submissions and clarify the main components required for successful submission. The expert speakers will share their practical experiences of the eCTD and discuss how to implement efficient processes to build and publish submissions in both the EU and the US. You will consider the eCTD validation criteria and how to prepare for these in your submissions as well as discuss life cycle management. An interactive case study session will explore eCTD submission challenges and logistics and help consolidate learning. Who Should Attend: The course will be beneficial to regulatory professionals involved in the preparation of electronic submissions. It will also be of interest to anyone responsible for providing content for the eCTD or who wants to understand the eCTD better. Benefits of attending: Clarify the main components of the eCTD Learn how to implement efficient processes to build, publish and deliver regulatory eCTD submissions Discuss practical experiences of eCTD submissions in the EU and US Consider life cycle management for eCTD submissions Key Topics Covered: Introduction and Overview of the eCTD The global regulatory framework The benefits of using MS Word template Demonstration of template What are the main components of the eCTD? Metadata Documents XML backbone Life cycle management for eCTD submission Granularity considerations Combining documents Use of operators Review of eCTD validation criteria Considerations (inherit zoom, filenames, node extensions etc) How to prepare for these (to prevent validation issues) Practical experiences of submitting eCTDs Experiences submitting in the EU Experiences submitting in the US Live Demo Publish, compile and submit an eCTD sequence Considerations for outsourcing Why outsource eCTD vs in-house? How to select the right eCTD partner Best practices for an outsourcing process Speakers: Maikel Bouman Senior Regulatory Operations Manager Qdossier Maikel Bouman works as a Senior Regulatory Operations Manager at Qdossier and in his role he has a strong focus on managing Regulatory Operations, coordination, and development of staff; planning and coordination of projects, including regulatory filings of dossiers across various regions and development and maintenance of technical solutions supporting Regulatory Operations. Maikel has a broad subject matter expertise on the quality control of data, document publishing, planning/coordination, management, preparation/creation and dispatch of different types of electronic submission formats to various regulatory authorities such as the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Switzerland. Mercia Lucouw Celegence Mercia Lucouw works as a regulatory affairs associate at Qdossier, a Celegence company. She provides regulatory support to a variety of pharmaceutical companies. Mercia holds a bachelor degree in pharmacy (B.Pharm) from the North West University, South Africa. For ten years she worked as a pharmacist in hospital and has routinely been involved in international clinical trials. She is passionate to promote healthcare and recently started her career in regulatory affairs. After joining Qdossier in 2021, she has been involved several regulatory activities covering a variety of products. Mercia's areas of expertise are preparation/creation and dispatch of different types of electronic submission formats (e.g. US FDA, CA, EMA, CH), lean/structured authoring. She is also part of the development team for DosscriberT (MS word eCTD document templates). For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/12dgyv About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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 Veteran Mortgage Professional to Head Inaugural Tennessee Office BALTIMORE, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Home Mortgage Corporation, a leading mortgage financing company, has announced the opening of a new office branch in Sevierville, Tennessee the lender's first location within the state and the latest installment in a series of strategic expansions. Brad Guinn At the helm of operations for this groundbreaking location is Brad Guinn, a recent addition to the First Home Mortgage leadership team and a seasoned mortgage professional with 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Guinn, who will be serving as the Sevierville office's branch manager, has a background in accounting, finance, and higher education. His career highlights include leading sales teams, expertise in construction financing, and delivering seminars and training courses for prospective homebuyers. "I'm both humbled and excited for this opportunity to build a strong team and support a thriving business within the East Tennessee housing market," said Guinn. "As someone deeply rooted in the local community, I am dedicated to providing unparalleled service, expert guidance, and a seamless mortgage experience to the residents of Sevierville and beyond." Guinn's dedication to community-focused lending aligns strongly with the business strategies of First Home Mortgage. Drawing from his extensive experience of educating and assisting homebuyers and homeowners across Tennessee, he places a premium on building lasting relationships, maintaining consistency, and ensuring transparent communication with clients and partners. His commitment to delivering dependable, convenient, and positive interactions has solidified his reputation as a trusted advisor within the industry and a proven loan officer and branch manager. "Brad's financial expertise and community-oriented approach perfectly position him as a strong fit and valuable addition to the First Home team," said Matt Nader, Senior Vice President and Director of Sales for First Home Mortgage. "We welcome Brad as the leader of our inaugural office in the state of Tennessee and eagerly anticipate the positive impact he and his team will make in Sevierville and the surrounding area." The opening of the Sevierville branch marks a significant milestone for First Home Mortgage, as it enters Tennessee to extend its comprehensive support to residents in the region. "We're entering a new era of growth and potential with the launch of this office," Nader added. "Brad and his team will lead us in offering new pathways to homeownership for the people of Tennessee." About First Home Mortgage First Home Mortgage is a licensed, full service, residential lender, with a deep bench of dedicated loan officers who guide borrowers throughout the entire mortgage process and offer continued support long after a loan has closed. We are committed to delivering exceptional customer service that not only fulfills goals but exceeds expectations. Founded in 1990 with two offices and a handful of employees, First Home Mortgage has since grown into a financial institution of 33 offices serving 21 states in the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern regions. First Home Mortgage was recognized by the Scotsman Guide in 2022 as a top 50 lender nationally by total volume. For more information and company news visit firsthome.com/about-us Copyright 2023 First Home Mortgage Corporation. All Rights Reserved SOURCE First Home Mortgage YONGIN, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280.KS), a South Korean biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it has signed a MOU at its headquarters in Yongin, South Korea with Eubiologics for a co-production of Euvichol, an oral cholera vaccine. Under the MOU, both parties agreed to cooperate for a successful supply of the vaccine. While Eubiologics, a developer and producer of Euvichol, takes charge of the bulk vaccine production, GC Biopharma will be in charge of the packaging process including vial bottling. The two companies will produce the vaccine together from the first half of 2024 in order to supply to UNICEF. UNICEF has requested for an additional supply of the vaccine on top of the normal supply of a plastic-tubed Euvichol-Plus to cope with a recent spread of cholera infection in many regions including Africa. Euvichol is an oral vaccine jointly developed by Eubiologics and International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for the prevention of cholera, a disease that is prevalent mainly in the developing countries. The vaccine has obtained WHO Prequalification in 2015, and since starting to supply to UNICEF in 2016, the total cumulative supply of the vaccine as of 2022 has exceeded 100 million doses. Eubiologics in currently supplying 100% of cholera vaccines administered by UNICEF. Kyeong-Ho Min, Vice President of Eubiologics commented, "With the more frequent floods and droughts due to climate change and global warming, the world is currently experiencing rapid spread of cholera, leading to a shortage of vaccine supply." And He added that "the MOU will be a big boost to the increase of vaccine supply, and it will bring us not only more revenue, but also a way to further contribute to controlling the spread of cholera". Woo Jin Lee, Head of Global Business Division of GC Biopharma, stated, "Both companies will extend their utmost efforts for the increase of cholera vaccine supply based on their unique strengths" and added that "we will continue to explore more collaboration with other parties to contribute to the better public health of the world". About GC Biopharma GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century. This press release may contain biopharmaceuticals in forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. GC Biopharma Contacts (Media) Sohee Kim [email protected] Yelin Jun [email protected] SOURCE GC Biopharma NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The gigabit ethernet test equipment market is estimated to increase by USD 802.46 million from 2022 to 2027, with a CAGR of 7.97%, according to a recent market study by Technavio. This report also offers a 5-year historical (2017-2021) data projection of market size, segmentation, and region. Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report -Request a FREE sample report Gigabit Ethernet Test Equipment Market Company Scope Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Gigabit Ethernet Test Equipment Market The gigabit ethernet test equipment market report also offers information on the criticality of inputs, R&D, CAPEX, technology, and products of 15 companies listed Below - Agilent Technologies Inc., ALBEDO Telecom Inc., Anritsu Corp., Beijing Xinertel Technology Co. Ltd., EXFO Inc., Fluke Corp., GAO Tek Inc., GL Communications Inc., IDEAL INDUSTRIES Inc., Keysight Technologies Inc., Marvell Technology Inc., NetScout Systems Inc., NextGig Systems Inc., Spirent Communications Plc, TE Connectivity Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Inc., VeEX Inc., Viavi Solutions Inc., Xenech Solutions Ltd., and Yokogawa Electric Corp. Download FREE Sample Chart & Data Table on 5-Year Historic (2017-2021) Market Size, Comparative Analysis of Segments, and Y-O-Y Growth of Gigabit ethernet test equipment market Gigabit Ethernet Test Equipment Market Segmentation The market is segmented by type (10 GBE, 50 GBE, and More than 100 GBE), end-user (telecommunication, manufacturing, automotive, and others), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) The market share growth in the 10 GBE segment will be significant during the forecast period. The growth is due to their affordability and ease of management, ethernet solutions find major applications in local area networks (LANs) and metropolitan area networks (MANs). In addition, the reduction in deployment costs of 10 GBE Ethernet has encouraged more enterprise adoption. 10 GBE adoption is further driven by the expansion of 4th generation (4G) mobile applications and the increase in high-speed Internet consumption. This increase in demand for 10 GBE also leads to the need for corresponding testing tools. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. will be significant during the forecast period. The growth is due to their affordability and ease of management, ethernet solutions find major applications in local area networks (LANs) and metropolitan area networks (MANs). In addition, the reduction in deployment costs of 10 GBE Ethernet has encouraged more enterprise adoption. 10 GBE adoption is further driven by the expansion of 4th generation (4G) mobile applications and the increase in high-speed Internet consumption. This increase in demand for 10 GBE also leads to the need for corresponding testing tools. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. North America is estimated to contribute 34% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The US is the key contributor to the market in the region. This growth is due to the country's widespread Internet adoption. Unprecedented bandwidth demands are putting pressure on data centers and networks across the region, fueled by increased data traffic powered by 5G, AI, and IoT applications. In addition, some major cloud computing companies such as Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc. (Google), and Oracle Corp. are based in the US. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth in the region during the forecast period. To procure the data - Buy the report! Gigabit Ethernet Test Equipment Market Market Dynamics Key Driver The rising demand for high-speed Ethernet is a key factor driving market growth. Major Trends New product launches are a major trend in market growth. Market companies are launching innovative Gigabit Ethernet testers to accommodate accelerated network speeds and larger data capacities. This is due to the rising concerns of communications network operators, fueled by the rapid expansion of telecommuting, cloud computing, and 5G services. For example, Spirent Communications announced the M1 portable appliance in February 2023. The tool supports testing of Ethernet and automotive Ethernet in different networks and applications. Thus, such factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Significant Challenge The growing preference for wireless communication is a significant challenge restricting market growth. For Insights on the market dynamics & segmentations VIEW free PDF SAMPLE! Related Reports The Cellular M2M value-added services (VAS) market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 24.59% between 2022 and 2027. The virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE) market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 40.77% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 13,106.69 million. Gigabit Ethernet Test Equipment Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.97% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 802.46 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.6 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 34% Key countries US, China, India, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Agilent Technologies Inc., ALBEDO Telecom Inc., Anritsu Corp., Beijing Xinertel Technology Co. Ltd., EXFO Inc., Fluke Corp., GAO Tek Inc., GL Communications Inc., IDEAL INDUSTRIES Inc., Keysight Technologies Inc., Marvell Technology Inc., NetScout Systems Inc., NextGig Systems Inc., Spirent Communications Plc, TE Connectivity Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Inc., VeEX Inc., Viavi Solutions Inc., Xenech Solutions Ltd., and Yokogawa Electric Corp. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for 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 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by End User 7 Market Segmentation by Type 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Company Landscape 12 Company Analysis 13 Appendix About Uu 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 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 DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Agriculture Robots Market by Type (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Drones, Milking Robots, Driverless Tractors, Automated Harvesting Systems), Farming Environment (Indoor and Outdoor), End-use Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The agricultural robots market is projected to grow from USD 13.5 Billion in 2023 to USD 40.1 Billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 24.3%. Increased awareness about digital agriculture is driving the widespread usage of agriculture robots as farmers recognize the transformative potential of advanced technologies in modernizing and optimizing farming practices. Digital agriculture encompasses the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into traditional farming methods, unlocking new possibilities for increased efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. One of the key drivers of agriculture robot adoption is the growing understanding of the benefits they offer. With increased awareness, farmers are recognizing that these robots can automate labor-intensive tasks, reduce operational costs, and enhance overall farm management. By leveraging advanced sensors and AI algorithms, agriculture robots can collect real-time data on soil health, crop conditions, and weather patterns, enabling data-driven decision-making and precision farming practices. Agricultural robots automate slow, repetitive, and dull tasks for farmers, allowing them to focus more on improving overall production yields. They include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, milking robots, automated harvesting systems, driverless tractors, and other robots, for instance, unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) robots, used in nurseries or greenhouses, sorting and packing robots, and weed control robots. Drones are expected to lead the agricultural robots market; however, with the high rate of commercialization of driverless tractors, they are expected to overtake drones within the next three to four years. The driverless tractors segment is expected to have the maximum growth potential among agricultural robot types. The agricultural robots market in Europe exhibits a high degree of professionalism and technological adoption. However, the lack of large farms and slightly higher input costs create a marginal disadvantage compared to the US market. The agricultural robots market in Europe is projected to witness substantial growth in the near future as this region is currently in the early stage of the adoption of autonomous harvesting systems and driverless tractors. Prominent companies include DJI (China), PrecisionHawk (US), Trimble Inc. (US), Parrot Drones (France), AeroVironment, Inc. (US), Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan), AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. (US), DroneDeploy (US), 3DR (US), and Sentera Inc. (US) among others. The Outdoor segment is expected to account for the largest share in 2023. Agriculture robots are set to revolutionize outdoor farming applications, offering numerous benefits that will transform the way farming is conducted. These advanced machines, equipped with cutting-edge technologies, are poised to address critical challenges faced by farmers and enhance productivity, sustainability, and efficiency in outdoor farming. Agriculture robots can perform tasks with unmatched precision, thanks to their advanced sensors, GPS technology, and artificial intelligence capabilities. They can accurately plant seeds, apply fertilizers, and dispense pesticides, reducing waste and optimizing resource usage. Precision farming ensures that crops receive the right amount of inputs precisely where they are needed, leading to increased yields and cost savings. The Farm produce sub-segment is projected to dominate the market share in the end-user segment during the forecast period. Agricultural robots will revolutionize farm produce by enhancing efficiency and productivity. These robots can autonomously perform various tasks, such as planting, weeding, harvesting, and monitoring crops. With precise data collection and analysis, they optimize resource usage and reduce waste. Additionally, robots can operate 24/7, ensuring timely actions, even in adverse conditions. Their consistent performance improves crop quality and yield. By minimizing manual labor, farmers save time and costs, enhancing their profitability. Moreover, agricultural robots promote sustainable practices by using fewer chemicals and reducing environmental impact. Overall, these technological advancements empower farmers to meet rising demands and secure a more food-secure and sustainable future. Driverless tractors are expected to be utilized on a large scale - despite their high price - as labor costs keep rising. Various AGVs are expected to be utilized for farming field crops for planting, spraying, and weeding. Since field crops require extensive farmlands, UAVs are also expected to be utilized on a large scale in field crops compared with other types of agricultural produce. Hence, field crops are expected to have the highest share of the market and the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Europe is to grow significantly during the forecast period. According to the European Committee of Farm Machinery Manufacturer's Associations (CEMA), the European agricultural machinery market is currently growing, which is expected to fuel the growth of the agricultural robots market as well. The major factors contributing to the agricultural robots market's growth in Europe include improved productivity through mechanization, an optimized supply chain, and increasing labor cost owing to the shortage of skilled labor. Uncertainty regarding government support, low farm income, and import restrictions from Russia are the major restraints. The European agricultural machinery industry is one of the most developed in the world and is supported by the presence of global players, such as John Deere (US), Small Robot Company (UK), Earth Rover (UK), Saga Robotics (Norway), CNH Industrial (The Netherlands), and AGCO Corporation (US). Premium Insights Increasing Demand for Precision Farming Solutions, Potential for Labor Optimization, and Growing Focus on Sustainable Agriculture Practices to Drive Market Growth US to Account for Largest Market Share During Forecast Period Farm Produce Segment and US to Account for Largest Shares in North America in 2023 in 2023 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Dominate Agriculture Robots Market in 2023 Outdoor Segment to Dominate Agriculture Robots Market During Forecast Period Farm Produce to Dominate Agriculture Robots Market During Forecast Period Field Farming to Dominate Agriculture Robots Market During Forecast Period Market Overview Drivers Increase in IoT Devices Connected with Farm Management to Analyze Data on Various Factors Demand for Optimization of Farm Management Using Agricultural Drones and Robots Rapid Adoption of Advanced Technologies Growth in Concerns Regarding Ecosystem Change Benefits Offered by Livestock Monitoring Restraints High Cost of Automation for Small Farms Technological Barriers Pertaining to Fully Autonomous Robots Compared to Drones and Milking Robots, Most Harvesting and Weeding Robots Still in Prototype Stage Fragmented Nature of Farmland in Developing Countries to Make It Difficult to Adopt Agricultural Robots Lack of Training Activities in Operating Drones Opportunities Untapped Market Potential and Scope for Automation in Agriculture Use of Real-Time Multimodal Robot Systems in Fields Increased Use of Electrification in Agricultural Robots High Adoption of Aerial Data Collection Tools in Agriculture Increase in Use of Agricultural-Based Software Via Smartphones Early Detection of Crop Diseases and Ease of Farm Management Convergence of Digital Technologies with Farming Practices Challenges Lack of Standardization of Agricultural Robot Technologies Globally to Post as Challenge High Cost and Complexity of Fully Autonomous Robots Standardization of Communication Interfaces and Protocols for Precision Agriculture Lack of Technical Knowledge Among Farmers Macroeconomic Indicators Reduction in Arable Land Rapid Digitalization Industry Trends Value Chain Analysis Research & Development (R&D) Hardware Component Manufacturers and Software Providers Robot Manufacturers End-users After-Sales Services Market Ecosystem Upstream Downstream Research & Development Centers Hardware Component Providers and Software Providers Hardware Component Providers Software Providers Software Solution Providers It/Big Data Companies Agriculture Robots Oems Case Study Analysis Use Case 1: Eavision Launches Intelligent Agricultural Spraying Drone in China Use Case 2: Parrot Launches Anafi Thermal Use Case 3: Anna Binna Farms Used Agworld Software Platform for Farm Record-Keeping Technology Analysis Ai in Agriculture Crop Yield & Price Forecast IoT Advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Company Profiles Key Players Deere & Company Dji Cnh Industrial Nv Agco Corporation Delaval Trimble Inc. Boumatic Robotics Lely Agjunction Ageagle Aerial Systems Inc. Yanmar Co. Deepfield Robotics Ecorobotix Harvest Automation Naio Technologies Other Players Robotics PlUS Kubota Corporation Harvest Croo Robotics Autonomous Tractor Corporation Clearpath Robotics, Inc. Dronedeploy Agrobots Ffrobotics Fullwood Joz Monarch Tractor For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jm70fu About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Autoimmune Treatment Market (2023-2028) by End Users, Applications, and Geography, Competitive Analysis, Impact of Covid-19 and Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Autoimmune Treatment Market is estimated to be USD 198.78 Bn in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 288.32 Bn by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7.72%. Therapies that modify the immune system are used to reduce or control the body's attack on its own healthy cells. Immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and biologics are frequently used to treat autoimmune diseases, lowering inflammation and minimizing immune reactions against the body's own tissues. The autoimmune therapy market is growing rapidly as the prevalence of autoimmune disorders rises and the population ages. Medical research and technology advancements have resulted in the creation of more effective treatments, which has encouraged the adoption of autoimmune therapies in various medical sectors, including rheumatology, dermatology, and gastroenterology, among others. Autoimmune treatments have grown in popularity due to their proven effectiveness and low cost compared to standard medicines. Patients and healthcare professionals are increasingly choosing these treatments because they deliver superior long-term outcomes and lower treatment costs, making them a preferred choice in controlling chronic autoimmune disorders. The autoimmune treatment industry provides an opportunity for enhanced sensor integration in medical equipment and treatment techniques. These sensors can monitor patients' status in real-time, providing crucial data for personalized and accurate treatment approaches. Innovative sensor technology can improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes, supporting innovation in the management of autoimmune therapies. The autoimmune treatment industry can profit from the fast improvements and acceptance of robotics in process automation. Robotic technologies can potentially improve many elements of autoimmune treatment, including drug manufacturing, laboratory processing, and surgical operations. Implementing robotics in the sector may enhance productivity, lower costs, and better patient care, offering promising market opportunities. However, the absence of uniform norms and regulations to produce autoimmune therapy products can lead to differences in product quality, safety concerns, and interoperability issues, providing challenges for manufacturers, healthcare practitioners, and patient care. Certain sensors utilized in autoimmune treatment may have shorter response times and less precision when compared to optical sensors. This has the potential to have an impact on real-time monitoring and data collection for effective medication management. Market Segmentations The Global Autoimmune Treatment Market is segmented based on End Users, Applications, and Geography. By Product, the market is classified into Diagnostic Equipment and Drugs. Drugs hold a larger market share. Since autoimmune disorders are chronic, the demand for pharmaceutical treatments is larger, putting a greater emphasis on drug research and therapy choices over diagnostic tools. By Application, the market is classified into Localized Autoimmune Diseases, Systemic Autoimmune Diseases. Systemic autoimmune diseases hold a significant market share. Systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis affect numerous organs and are more common, increasing demand for therapies, research, and therapeutic developments in this area. By Geography, the market is classified into the Americas, Europe , Middle-East & Africa , and Asia-Pacific . The Americas hold a larger market share. This is mainly due to the region's greater incidence of autoimmune disorders, increased awareness of potential therapies, improved healthcare infrastructure, and major R&D investments. Recent Developments EUROIMMUN launches new automated IIFT system - June 2023 Pfizer and Roivant launch autoimmune specialist Priovant - June 2022 Company Profiles The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc, Novartis AG, etc. Countries Studied America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas) , , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Ireland , Italy , Luxemburg , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Nigeria , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA) and ( , , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) Competitive Quadrant The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Ansoff Analysis The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Autoimmune Treatment Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach. The analyst analyses the Global Autoimmune Treatment Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position. Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, The analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth. Why buy this report? The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Autoimmune Treatment Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies. The research report also provides a detailed market size analysis and projections in volume and value terms. The projections are calculated using verified research methodologies. Excel data sheet for the market size will also be provided with the report. The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry. The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model, PESTLE Analysis, and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of COVID-19 on the market is also featured in the report. The report includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies. The report includes Self-Assessment Form, which helps customers evaluate their position in the market compared to their competitors The report offers customized research - tailored uniquely to our customers with a quick turnaround time. We offer a 15% customization option at no extra charge to all our clients for any of our syndicated reports. Report Highlights: A complete analysis of the market, including the parent industry Important market dynamics and trends Impact Analysis - a comprehensive assessment to confront risk and make strategic & operational decisions to counter the changes in the market environment. Market segmentation Competitive Analysis: Comparative analysis of competitor Historical, current, and projected size of the market based on value and volume Market size of the US states Market shares and strategies of key players Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market Key Topics Covered: 1 Report Description 1.1 Study Objectives 1.2 Market Definition 1.3 Currency 1.4 Years Considered 1.5 Language 1.6 Key Stakeholders 2 Research Methodology 2.1 Research Process 2.2 Data Collection and Validation 2.2.1 Secondary Research 2.2.2 Primary Research 2.2.3 Analyst Models 2.3 Market Size Estimation 2.3.1 Bottom-Up Approach 2.3.2 Top-Down Approach 2.4 Assumptions of the Study 2.5 Limitations of the Study 3 Executive Summary 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Market Size, Segmentations, and Outlook 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Impact Analysis 4.2 Drivers 4.2.1 Growing Application in Medical Industry 4.2.2 Increase in demand due to its Reliability, and Cost-Effectiveness 4.3 Restraints 4.3.1 Lack of Manufacturing Standards 4.4 Opportunities 4.4.1 Development of Advanced Sensors 4.4.2 Rapid Development and Adoption of Robotics in Process Automation 4.5 Challenges 4.5.1 Reduced Reaction Speed and Precision than Optical Sensors 5 Market Analysis 5.1 Regulatory Scenario 5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3 PESTLE Analysis 5.4 Impact of COVID-19 5.5 Ansoff Matrix Analysis 6 Global Autoimmune Treatment Market, By Products 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Diagnostic Equipment 6.3 Drugs 7 Global Autoimmune Treatment Market, By Application 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Localized Autoimmune Diseases 7.3 Systemic Autoimmune Diseases 8 Americas' Autoimmune Treatment Market 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Argentina 8.3 Brazil 8.4 Canada 8.5 Chile 8.6 Colombia 8.7 Mexico 8.8 Peru 8.9 United States 8.10 Rest of Americas 9 Europe's Autoimmune Treatment Market 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Austria 9.3 Belgium 9.4 Denmark 9.5 Finland 9.6 France 9.7 Germany 9.8 Ireland 9.9 Italy 9.10 Luxembourg 9.11 Netherlands 9.12 Norway 9.13 Poland 9.14 Russia 9.15 Spain 9.16 Sweden 9.17 Switzerland 9.18 United Kingdom 9.19 Rest of Europe 10 Middle East and Africa's Autoimmune Treatment Market 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Egypt 10.3 Israel 10.4 Qatar 10.5 Nigeria 10.6 Saudi Arabia 10.7 South Africa 10.8 United Arab Emirates 10.9 Rest of MEA 11 APAC's Autoimmune Treatment Market 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Australia 11.3 Bangladesh 11.4 China 11.5 India 11.6 Indonesia 11.7 Japan 11.8 Malaysia 11.9 Philippines 11.10 Singapore 11.11 South Korea 11.12 Sri Lanka 11.13 Thailand 11.14 Taiwan 11.15 Rest of Asia-Pacific 12 Competitive Landscape 12.1 Analyst Competitive Quadrant 12.2 Market Share Analysis 13 Company Profiles 13.1 Abbott Laboratories 13.1.1 Company Overview 13.1.2 Company Snapshot 13.1.3 Product Overview 13.1.4 Business Overview 13.1.5 SWOT Analysis 13.1.6 Recent Developments 13.2 AbbVie Inc. 13.2.1 Company Overview 13.2.2 Company Snapshot 13.2.3 Product Overview 13.2.4 Business Overview 13.2.5 SWOT Analysis 13.2.6 Recent Developments 13.3 Active Biotech 13.3.1 Company Overview 13.3.2 Company Snapshot 13.3.3 Product Overview 13.3.4 Business Overview 13.3.5 SWOT Analysis 13.3.6 Recent Developments 13.4 Amgen Inc. 13.4.1 Company Overview 13.4.2 Company Snapshot 13.4.3 Product Overview 13.4.4 Business Overview 13.4.5 SWOT Analysis 13.4.6 Recent Developments 13.5 Astellas Pharma Inc 13.5.1 Company Overview 13.5.2 Company Snapshot 13.5.3 Product Overview 13.5.4 Business Overview 13.5.5 SWOT Analysis 13.5.6 Recent Developments 13.6 AstraZeneca PLC 13.6.1 Company Overview 13.6.2 Company Snapshot 13.6.3 Product Overview 13.6.4 Business Overview 13.6.5 SWOT Analysis 13.6.6 Recent Developments 13.7 Autoimmune Inc 13.7.1 Company Overview 13.7.2 Company Snapshot 13.7.3 Product Overview 13.7.4 Business Overview 13.7.5 SWOT Analysis 13.7.6 Recent Developments 13.8 Bayer AG 13.8.1 Company Overview 13.8.2 Company Snapshot 13.8.3 Product Overview 13.8.4 Business Overview 13.8.5 SWOT Analysis 13.8.6 Recent Developments 13.9 Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. 13.9.1 Company Overview 13.9.2 Company Snapshot 13.9.3 Product Overview 13.9.4 Business Overview 13.9.5 SWOT Analysis 13.9.6 Recent Developments 13.10 Biogen Inc 13.10.1 Company Overview 13.10.2 Company Snapshot 13.10.3 Product Overview 13.10.4 Business Overview 13.10.5 SWOT Analysis 13.10.6 Recent Developments 13.11 Biomerieux SA 13.11.1 Company Overview 13.11.2 Company Snapshot 13.11.3 Product Overview 13.11.4 Business Overview 13.11.5 SWOT Analysis 13.11.6 Recent Developments 13.12 Bio-rad Laboratories 13.12.1 Company Overview 13.12.2 Company Snapshot 13.12.3 Product Overview 13.12.4 Business Overview 13.12.5 SWOT Analysis 13.12.6 Recent Developments 13.13 Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH 13.13.1 Company Overview 13.13.2 Company Snapshot 13.13.3 Product Overview 13.13.4 Business Overview 13.13.5 SWOT Analysis 13.13.6 Recent Developments 13.14 Bristol-Myers Squibb 13.14.1 Company Overview 13.14.2 Company Snapshot 13.14.3 Product Overview 13.14.4 Business Overview 13.14.5 SWOT Analysis 13.14.6 Recent Developments 13.15 Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc 13.15.1 Company Overview 13.15.2 Company Snapshot 13.15.3 Product Overview 13.15.4 Business Overview 13.15.5 SWOT Analysis 13.15.6 Recent Developments 13.16 Lupin Limited 13.16.1 Company Overview 13.16.2 Company Snapshot 13.16.3 Product Overview 13.16.4 Business Overview 13.16.5 SWOT Analysis 13.16.6 Recent Developments 13.17 Myriad Genetics 13.17.1 Company Overview 13.17.2 Company Snapshot 13.17.3 Product Overview 13.17.4 Business Overview 13.17.5 SWOT Analysis 13.17.6 Recent Developments 13.18 Novartis AG 13.18.1 Company Overview 13.18.2 Company Snapshot 13.18.3 Product Overview 13.18.4 Business Overview 13.18.5 SWOT Analysis 13.18.6 Recent Developments 13.19 Pfizer Inc. 13.19.1 Company Overview 13.19.2 Company Snapshot 13.19.3 Product Overview 13.19.4 Business Overview 13.19.5 SWOT Analysis 13.19.6 Recent Developments 13.20 Werfen Group 13.20.1 Company Overview 13.20.2 Company Snapshot 13.20.3 Product Overview 13.20.4 Business Overview 13.20.5 SWOT Analysis 13.20.6 Recent Developments 14 Appendix 14.1 Self-Assessment Form Companies Mentioned Abbott Laboratories AbbVie Inc. Active Biotech Amgen Inc. Astellas Pharma Inc AstraZeneca PLC Autoimmune Inc Bayer AG Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. Biogen Inc Biomerieux SA Bio-rad Laboratories Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH Bristol- Myers Squibb Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc Lupin Limited Myriad Genetics Novartis AG Pfizer Inc. Werfen Group For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s9bcln About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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 A man accused of going on a shooting rampage in Broomfield on July 8 has been ordered to be assessed at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo. Kenneth Gabriel "Gabe" Fairchild is accused of firing a bullet into an afternoon lunch crowd which hit a window at the Jus' Burritos restaurant on Highway US 287. It was revealed in court Thursday that Fairchild, 45, would not be appearing for a hearing because he'd been "transported to the state hospital," according to 17th Judicial District Judge Amanda DeWick. In a hearing which took less than five minutes, Fairchild's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Jeffrey Simonek, agreed to an October date for the next hearing. Fairchild was arrested in Broomfield Saturday July 8 after allegedly going on a shooting rampage taking shots at the restaurant, and at also the homes of several friends according to witnesses. Sign Up For Free: Weekly 7 Catch up with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. He's been charged with more than two dozen counts including attempted murder, arson and reckless endangerment and is being held on $1 million cash bond. The incidents occurred across Broomfield, Arvada Thornton, unincorporated Adams County, and Commerce City on July 8, the district attorney's office said. He may possibly be linked to similar incidents which happened in downtown Denver in May, June and July. But Thursday, Denver police said that they have not made an official connection as the investigation is ongoing. In those situations, detectives responded to six calls of gunshots involving .22 caliber bullets which blasted through the windows of Denver high-rise residences. The first five incidents happened June 14 and July 4 at The Beauvallon condominiums at 925 Lincoln St. in Capitol Hill and one happened July 4 at Radius Uptown at 1935 Logan St. while fireworks were going off. Denver police confirmed that they responded to a third random shooting at the One Lincoln Park condominium complex at 2001 Lincoln in downtown Denver on May 6, but stressed that there is no official link to the Broomfield shootings and Fairchild. Still, a silver Prius with a blue logo on the driver's side captured on a citizen's cellphone video during the downtown Denver shootings is very similar to a Prius Broomfield police identified in its sniping incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 . Anyone with information on the Broomfield incident is asked to call Det. Naysmith at 720-887-3196 or email at bnaysmith@broomfield.org. PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hannah Pet Hospitals, a renowned name in comprehensive Pet care, is thrilled to announce its latest endeavor, a captivating social media photo contest, inviting Members and the community to showcase their adorable Pets donning the iconic Hannah bandanas. These eye-catching bandanas have been spotted across the country, from the breathtaking Oregon Coast to the vibrant city of Clemson, South Carolina. Hannah dog sporting a Hannah bandana. The social media photo contest is designed to celebrate the deep bond between Pets and their devoted parents. Hannah Pet Hospitals believes in fostering a sense of community among Pet lovers and creating heartwarming moments that capture the essence of the human-Pet relationship. "Every Pet has a unique personality, and the Hannah bandanas perfectly capture that individuality," says Dr. Jaime Pickett, CEO & President of Hannah Pet Hospital. "Our contest is all about celebrating the joy and companionship that our beloved Pets bring to our lives." Participating in the contest is as easy as 1-2-3. Members simply need to take a picture of their furry companions sporting the vibrant Hannah bandanas and share it on their social media platforms using the hashtag #HannahBandana. This interactive initiative not only highlights the charm of Pets but also encourages people to connect and engage within the Hannah Pet Hospital community. As an added bonus, participants have the chance to win exciting prizes that reflect the spirit of the contest. From exclusive Pet care packages to delightful Pet accessories, the prizes are designed to enhance the lives of Pets and their families. What sets this contest apart is its dedication to inclusivity, welcoming participation from the entire Portland community. It's not just for Hannah Members; it's an open invitation for all Pet lovers in the metro area to join in the fun and showcase their furry friends. This level of community engagement sets Hannah's contest apart, fostering a sense of community and celebrating the wonderful bond between humans and their beloved Pets. So, whether you're a devoted Hannah Member or a passionate Pet enthusiast living in the Portland area, this contest offers a shared platform to celebrate the joy and companionship that Pets bring into our lives. The campaign is set to run through the end of September and Hannah bandanas are available at both of Hannah Pet Hospital's Portland and Tigard locations. Each photo winner is carefully chosen to reflect the unique personality of each Pet so creativity is encouraged. For more information about the contest and other initiatives by Hannah Pet Hospitals, please visit Hannah's Facebook page. About Hannah Pet Hospitals: Hannah Pet Hospitals is a prominent name in comprehensive Pet care, offering innovative and comprehensive services to enhance the lives of Pets and their families. With a devoted team of experts and a passion for nurturing the human-Pet bond, Hannah Pet Hospitals is committed to redefining the Pet healthcare experience. SOURCE Hannah Pet Hospital SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei and Ericsson have signed a long-term global patent cross-licensing agreement that covers patents essential to a wide range of standards such as 3GPP, ITU, IEEE, and IETF standards for 3G, 4G, and 5G cellular technologies. The agreement covers the companies' respective sales of network infrastructure and consumer devices, granting both parties global access to each other's patented, standardized technologies. "We are delighted to reach a long-term global cross-licensing agreement with Ericsson," said Alan Fan, Head of Huawei's Intellectual Property Department. "As major contributors of standard essential patents (SEPs) for mobile communication, the companies recognize the value of each other's intellectual property, and this agreement creates a stronger patent environment. It demonstrates the commitment both parties have forged that intellectual property should be properly respected and protected." Over the past 20 years, Huawei has been a major contributor to mainstream ICT standards, including those for cellular, Wi-Fi, and multimedia codecs. In 2022, Huawei topped the European Patent Office's applicant ranking for number of patent applications filed, with 4,505 applications. "Our commitment to sharing leading technological innovations will drive healthy, sustainable industry development and provide consumers with more robust products and services," added Fan. Huawei is both a holder and implementer of SEPs and seeks to take a balanced approach to licensing. Through the signing of this agreement, it is both giving and receiving access to key technologies. Fan said, "This agreement is the result of intensive discussions that ensured the interests of both patent holders and implementers are served fairly." About Huawei Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will work towards ubiquitous connectivity and inclusive network access, laying the foundation for an intelligent world; provide diversified computing power where you need it, when you need it, to bring cloud and intelligence to all four corners of the earth; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; and redefine user experience with AI, making it smarter and more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they're at home, on the go, in the office, having fun, or working out. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on: http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei http://www.twitter.com/Huawei http://www.facebook.com/Huawei http://www.youtube.com/Huawei SOURCE Huawei DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "India Textile Chemicals Market By Type (Colorants, V/S Auxiliaries), By Process Type (Pre-treatment, Dyeing & Printing and Finishing), By Textile Type (Fabric, Yarn, Fiber, and Composites), By Sales Channel, By End Use, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. India Textile Chemicals market is anticipated to grow significantly in the projected period 2028 due to increasing awareness of sustainable textile manufacturing practices, rising disposable incomes, and increasing demand for textiles and apparel. India's annual textile and apparel exports mounted at USD 44.4 billion in 2022, with a rise of 41% compared to last year textile export. The Indian textile chemicals market is a significant part of the country's chemical industry, which is one of the largest in the world. The textile chemicals market is driven by increasing awareness about sustainable textile manufacturing practices and rising demand for various types of chemicals used in the textile manufacturing process. The market includes a wide range of chemicals, including dyes, pigments, auxiliaries, and finishing agents. The demand for textile chemicals in India is driven by the country's large and growing textile industry. India is one of the largest producers and exporters of textiles in the world, with a diverse range of products, including cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers. The textile industry is a significant contributor to India's economy, providing employment to millions of people and generating significant foreign exchange earnings. The textile chemicals market in India is highly competitive, with both domestic and international players competing for market share. Some of the key players in the market include Archroma India Private Limited, Huntsman International (India) Private Limited, BASF India Limited, and Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited. Therefore, the Indian textile chemicals market is expected to continue to grow in the upcoming years, driven by the country's large and growing textile industry, as well as increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly textile chemicals. Increasing Demand from the Textile Industry is Key Factor Driving the Market Growth The growing demand from the textile industry is a key driver for the Indian textile chemicals market. The Indian textile industry is one of the largest in the world and is growing rapidly. The demand for textile chemicals is directly related to the growth of the textile industry. The demand for textiles and apparel is increasing in India due to factors such as rising disposable incomes, changing lifestyles, and the growth of e-commerce. This has led to an increased demand for textile chemicals used in the manufacturing of these products. Recently, the Gujarat Dyestuffs Manufacturer Association stated that "the market is experiencing a rise in the demand and price of dyes in the region as they are reopened after six months. As a result, most of the units are using approx. 60% capacity as compared to 35% earlier. Textile chemicals are used for various purposes in the textile manufacturing process, such as dyeing, printing, finishing, and coating. They are essential for improving the quality, performance, and durability of textiles. As the demand for textiles and apparel grows, the demand for textile chemicals is also increasing. This is driving the growth of the Indian textile chemicals market. The market includes a wide range of chemicals, such as dyes, pigments, auxiliaries, and finishing agents. In addition to the domestic demand, the Indian textile chemicals market is also driven by the global demand for textiles and apparel. India is one of the largest producers and exporters of textiles in the world. The country exports textiles and apparel to various countries, which creates a demand for textile chemicals used in the manufacturing of these products. Therefore, the growing demand from the textile industry is a key driver for the Indian textile chemicals market, and this trend is expected to continue in the projected period. Upsurge in the Demand for Apparel and Home Textiles is Impacting the Market Growth The increasing demand for apparel and home textiles is another key driver for the Indian textile chemicals market. This trend is driven by factors such as rising disposable incomes, changing consumer preferences, and the growth of e-commerce. As disposable incomes rise, consumers are willing to spend more on clothing and home textiles, which has led to an increased demand for these products. In addition, changing lifestyles and fashion trends are driving the demand for new and innovative textile products, which require the use of textile chemicals. India ranks third among major dyes exporting countries. Currently, India exports about 355 different types of dyes to 22 different countries worldwide. Home textiles include products such as bed sheets, towels, curtains, and upholstery. Apparel includes a wide range of products, such as shirts, pants, dresses, and skirts. Textile chemicals are used in the manufacturing of these products for various purposes, such as dyeing, printing, and finishing. The demand for textile chemicals is directly proportional to the demand for apparel and home textiles. As the demand for these products grows, the demand for textile chemicals is also increasing. This is driving the growth of the Indian textile chemicals market. In addition, the growth of e-commerce has also contributed to the increasing demand for apparel and home textiles. Online retailers are offering a wide range of textile products at competitive prices, which has led to an increased demand for these products. In June 2022, Amazon India signed an MoU with Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL), a Government of Manipur Enterprise, to support the growth of artisans and weavers across the state. This has, in turn, driven the demand for textile chemicals used in the manufacturing of these products. Therefore, the increasing demand for apparel and home textiles is a key driver for the Indian textile chemicals market, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. Different Activities & Efforts by Prominent Players are Driving the Demand for the Textile Chemicals Technological Advancements: With advancements in technology, manufacturers can develop new and innovative textile chemicals that are more effective and sustainable. For instance, there has been a growing trend towards the development of eco-friendly textile chemicals, which are free from harmful chemicals and are safer for the environment. Expanding Investments: Several companies in the Indian textile chemicals market are investing in research and development activities to develop new and innovative products. In addition, there has been a growing trend toward mergers and acquisitions, which has helped companies to expand their product portfolios and increase their market share. Focus on Sustainability: There has been a growing focus on sustainability in the Indian textile chemicals market. Manufacturers are increasingly developing products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This trend is driven by the increasing demand for eco-friendly products from consumers as well as the need to comply with environmental regulations. Growing Exports: The Indian textile industry is one of the largest in the world, and the country is also one of the largest exporters of textiles. This has led to an increased demand for textile chemicals used in the manufacturing of these products. Therefore, the Indian textile chemicals market is witnessing significant developments driven by technological advancements, increasing investments, focus on sustainability, government initiatives, and growing exports. These developments are expected to continue in the upcoming years, driving the growth of the Indian textile chemicals market. Competitive landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies in India Textile Chemicals market. Archroma India Pvt. Ltd Croda Chemicals ( India ) Private Limited ) Private Limited Huntsman International India Private Limited Rossari Biotech Ltd. CHT India Pvt. Ltd. Kiri Industries Bodal Chemicals Limited Indofil Industries Limited Fibro organic ( India ) Pvt. Ltd. ) Pvt. Ltd. Jaysynth Dyestuff ( India ) Limited Report Scope: India Textile Chemicals Market, By Type: Colorants (Azo Dyes, Anthraquinone Dyes, Phthalocyanine Dyes and Others) Auxiliaries (Bleaching Chemicals, Detergent & Scouring Agents, Softener, Fixing Agents, and Others) India Textile Chemicals Market, By Process Type: Pre-treatment Dyeing & Printing Finishing India Textile Chemicals Market, By Textile Type: Fabric Yarn Fiber Composites India Textile Chemicals Market, By Sales Channel: Direct Indirect India Textile Chemicals Market, By End Use: Clothing Construction Packaging Home Furnishing Agriculture Others India Textile Chemicals Market, By Region: East West North South For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8re2ja About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The child abuse attorneys of Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero have filed a lawsuit against the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) for placing a young child into the custody of her father, who had a known history of abuse against her. After Samantha Rubino was put into his custody, her father, Juan Lerma, killed her and tried to hide her body. The law firm is representing the family of the young girl in a lawsuit that alleges CYFD procedures failed to acknowledge the clear danger created by living with her father. Reports available to the CYFD detail Juan's dangerously abusive past with his children, yet he was allowed physical custody over Samantha anyway. Juan Lerma was brought to justice through the criminal justice system after being sentenced to life in prison for Samantha's murder. However, the criminal justice system is not able to remedy the lasting harm and trauma caused by the CYFD's inadequate procedures and negligent oversight. For this reason, the family is taking civil action against the CYFD, which could result in financial compensation and a sense of closure if the lawsuit is successful. Attorney Michael Hart is the lead attorney for this lawsuit being handled by Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, which has its headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is hopeful that a successful lawsuit will do more than just help the Rubino family find a sense of closure, though. The lawsuit could prompt the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department to overhaul its procedures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Additional information about this case can be found by reading a full article from KRQE News: https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/lawsuit-cyfd-workers-knowingly-placed-8-year-old-in-dangerous-situation-before-her-death/. Inquiring parties can learn more about the child abuse litigation team of Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero by visiting www.osolawfirm.com. Media Contact: Julio Romero [email protected] SOURCE Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The mouthwash market in India is estimated to grow by USD 158.15 million from 2021 to 2026, growing at a CAGR of 15.68%. For Comprehensive details on the market size and forecast period (2022-2026) - View the Sample report Key Developments: Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Mouthwash Market in India Rapid advances in technology, intense competition, and changing dynamics in the market are the key factors for the intense competition among vendors. With the rising competition, the market will see consolidation. However, manufacturing complexities and high production costs pose significant risk factors for vendors in the market. Market Dynamics Major Drivers The increase in awareness about oral health is one of the key factors driving growth in the mouthwash market in India. Mouthwash products are attaining popularity, they continue to be part of secondary oral care, with toothbrushes and toothpaste being a significant part of primary care. Companies in the market are developing awareness about the significance of mouthwash products in the oral care routine which can have a positive impact on the market. The companies in the market are also encouraging their mouthwash products as a fast and easy solution for protection against germs and other oral-related issues. Awareness created by such companies, dental service providers, and associations also impacts market growth. Thus, developing such kind of awareness regarding different campaigns directly influences the sales of mouthwash products in India, which, in turn, is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period. Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. - View Sample Report Vendor Landscape The mouthwash market in India is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get a greater market share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products -The report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now Company Profiles The mouthwash market in India includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including 3M Co., Amway Corp., Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Koninklijke Philips NV, Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, The Procter and Gamble Co., and Unilever Group. Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Market Segmentation This report extensively covers mouthwash market segmentation in India by distribution channel (offline and online) and type (alcohol-based mouthwash and alcohol-free mouthwash). The mouthwash market share growth in India by the offline segment will be significant during the forecast period. Companies push offline sales by broadening their operations at different locations and use numerous methods to increase overall sales which helps them to generate and sell products efficiently and cater to each consumer category in large geographic areas. The popularity of offline retail formats helps mouthwash manufacturers expand their consumer base, owing to the option to provide attractive discounts and offers. The growth of retail channels in different cities and regions will augment consumer familiarization with various types of mouthwash products. Such factors will fuel the value sales of mouthwash products. Get Instant access to 17000+ market research report Technavio's Subscription Platform Related Reports: The mouthwash market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.01% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 2,080.81 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (offline and online), type (alcohol-based mouthwash and alcohol-free mouthwash), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The increase in awareness about oral health is notably driving market growth. The oral care market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.75% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 11,147.45 million. This oral care market report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (offline and online), application (home and dentistry), and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The increase in the adoption of technology in oral care products is notably driving the oral care market growth. Table of contents 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 7 Market Segmentation by Type 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Vendor Landscape 12 Vendor Analysis 13 Appendix 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 AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Night , an Austin-based talent management company representing the world's best artists, has announced the acquisition of LFM Management, a New York-based content creator managing firm. The move solidifies Night's position as the preeminent talent management company for digital artists, adding prominent creators Kai Cenat, members of AMP, as well as others, to an industry-leading roster that includes MrBeast, Dream, and more. "I couldn't be more excited to welcome John Nelson and his roster of clients to Night," said Reed Duchscher, Night CEO and Founder. "Night is laser focused on building alongside the biggest stars on the internet, and this acquisition demonstrates that. We are thrilled to be backing Kai, AMP, and so many other great creators with this move." 21-year-old Kai Cenat is the top streamer on Twitch. Named "Streamer of the Year" at the 12th Streamy Awards and the 2023 Streamer Awards, he began posting comedy-based content to YouTube in 2018 before joining Twitch in 2021. In March 2023, he became the most-subscribed Twitch streamer of all-time as he surpassed 300 thousand subscribers on the platform. Creator collective AMP has experienced a meteoric rise since joining YouTube in January 2020. The groupcomprised of Cenat and members Agent 00, Chrisnxtdoor, Duke Dennis, and Fanumhas amassed more than 10 million Twitch followers through a variety of content, including vlogs, challenges, and comedy skits. Other notable creators involved in the acquisition are FGTeeV, Deshae Frost, Tommy G, Daydrian Harding, and Salt Papi. As part of the deal, LFM Founder John Nelson has joined Night as VP of Talent, where he will continue to represent the company's newest clients in all categories. "LFM Management has achieved many incredible milestones and we are immensely proud of what we've built," said Nelson. "Joining forces with Night is an amazing step forward for us, as it enables us to expand Night's already amazing talent pool with our talented roster, while opening doors to even more opportunities for our creators through Night's exceptional resources and expertise. I look forward to building out and elevating the future of content creation." Night's digital creators garner more than 5 billion views per month across YouTube, Twitch, and other media platforms. About Night Night is a next-gen talent representation platform, helping the world's best artists reach their full potential as entertainers and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2015 by Reed Duchscher, a former sports agent turned talent manager, Night represents more than 60 of the biggest creators on the internet. To learn more, visit night.co . SOURCE Night NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The outdoor landscape lighting market in North America is expected to grow by USD 147.51 million from 2021 to 2026. However, the growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 5.22% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. The outdoor landscape lighting market in North America is fragmented, and the vendors are seeking strong partnerships with automotive, industrial, and commercial companies to compete in the market. Acuity Brands Inc., ALLIANCE Outdoor Lighting, Amp Lighting, Eaton Corp. Plc, General Electric Co., Halco Lighting Technologies LLC, Hubbell Inc., IDEAL INDUSTRIES INC., Kichler Lighting LLC, and LEDiL are some of the major market participants - Request a sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Outdoor Landscape Lighting Market in North America 2022-2026 Outdoor Landscape Lighting Market in North America 2022-2026: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The outdoor landscape lighting market in North America report covers the following areas: The outdoor landscape lighting market in North America is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate. The growing demand for led lighting for different applications will offer immense growth opportunities. However, the poor performance of LED lighting products at high temperatures will hamper the market growth. Outdoor Landscape Lighting Market in North America 2022-2026: Drivers & Challenges The growing demand for LED lighting for different applications is notably driving market growth. The steady decline in the average selling price (ASP) of LED lighting is anticipated to have a favorable influence on its penetration and market size considerably, both in the residential and commercial sectors. The commercial viability of LEDs has increased their use across different applications, including commercial and residential applications. In North America, the outdoor landscape lighting market has a huge number of LED lighting manufacturers like General Electric Company and Cree, Inc. The adoption of LED lighting in the office and residential sectors has expanded in developing countries like the US and Canada due to the additional advantages of LED technologies, such as low energy consumption and low operating cost compared to conventional lighting products. The poor performance of LED lighting products at high temperatures will be a major challenge hindering market growth. Since LED lights operate on electricity, which generates heat, the continuous transmission of current leads to deviations in the light output of an LED as a function of its junction temperature. The performance of LED chips and their related products is inversely proportional to the temperature higher the temperature the lower the LED performance. Consequently, high temperatures involve the risk of imminent mechanical failure or a considerable drop in the LED lighting's performance. Factor such as high cost of LED lighting products is anticipated to pose a challenge to the overall growth of the outdoor landscape lighting market in North America. To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a PDF sample Outdoor Landscape Lighting Market in North America 2022-2026: Segment Analysis End-user Commercial Residential Light-source Traditional LED Geography US Rest Of North America Outdoor Landscape Lighting Market in North America 2022-2026: Segmentation Highlights The report extensively covers outdoor landscape lighting market segmentation in North America by end-user (commercial and residential), light-source (traditional and LED), and geography (US and Rest of North America). The outdoor landscape lighting market share growth in North America by the commercial segment will be significant during the forecast period. Companies of LED lighting will also record expanded market penetration due to the rising adoption of LEDs for outdoor space applications owing to their energy efficiency. The expanding corporate spaces across North America will continue to be a significant revenue contributor to and driver of this market segment during the forecast period. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others Buy the Report Outdoor Landscape Lighting Market in North America 2022-2026: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026 Detailed information on factors that will assist the outdoor landscape lighting market in North America growth during the next five years Estimation of the size of the outdoor landscape lighting market in North America size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour The growth of the outdoor landscape lighting market in North America across the US and the Rest of North America Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the outdoor landscape lighting market in North American vendors Get Instant access to 17000+ market research report Technavio's Subscription Platform Related Reports: The Global LED Lighting Market size is estimated to grow by USD 34.82 billion between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.35%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (residential, commercial, outdoor, industrial, and others), product (luminaries and lamps), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The declining manufacturing cost of LED lights is notably driving market growth. The outdoor landscape lighting market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 704.78 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (ATG and underwater), source (led and traditional), end-user (commercial and residential), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The growing demand for LED lighting for different applications is notably driving market growth. Table of contents 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by End-user 7 Market Segmentation by Geography 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Vendor Landscape 12 Vendor Analysis 13 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio STOCKHOLM, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SECOND QUARTER (APRIL-JUNE 2023) Order intake SEK 239.2 M (212.5) (212.5) Net sales SEK 239.5 M (160.2) (160.2) Operating profit SEK 18.2 M (-19.5) (-19.5) Profit after tax SEK 10.9 M (-19.7) (-19.7) Earnings per share before/after dilution SEK 0.32 (-0.58) (-0.58) Cash flow SEK -3.3 M (16.7) (16.7) Order backlog SEK 1,954.9 M (1,540.3) at the end of the period HALF-YEAR (JANUARY-JUNE 2023) Order intake SEK 445.8 M (485.0) (485.0) Net sales SEK 469.6 M (368.4) (368.4) Operating profit SEK 41.9 M (10.0) (10.0) Profit after tax SEK 28.5 M (-0.4) (-0.4) Earnings per share before/after dilution SEK 0.83 (-0.01) (-0.01) Cash flow SEK 81.2 M (52.0) SIGNIFICANT EVENTS DURING THE SECOND QUARTER Yonsei Cancer Center, South Korea , treated its first patient using RayStation and RayCare for carbon ion radiation therapy. , treated its first patient using RayStation and RayCare for carbon ion radiation therapy. New York University Langone Hospital, USA , placed an order for RayStation, which will replace its current treatment planning system. Langone Hospital, , placed an order for RayStation, which will replace its current treatment planning system. RaySearch's strategic partnership with BEBIG Medical, Germany , was extended through a new agreement. , was extended through a new agreement. RayCare is interoperable with Varian's TrueBeam. Shinva, a Chinese radiation therapy machine manufacturer, placed an order for 15 RayPlan systems for onwards sales to customers in China . . Australian Bragg Center for Proton Therapy and Research placed an order for RayCare. South West Florida Proton, USA , placed an order for RayStation. , placed an order for RayStation. In June, 800,000 Class A shares were converted to Class B shares. The total number of votes in RaySearch subsequently amounts to 103,177,548. The total number of registered shares in RaySearch amounts to 34,282,773 of which 7,654,975 are Class A shares and 26,627,798 are Class B shares. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD Henrik Bergentoft left the position as CFO. Annika Blondeau Henriksson was appointed interim CFO. was appointed interim CFO. University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands , placed an order for Micro-RayStation for pre-clinical research. , placed an order for Micro-RayStation for pre-clinical research. RayCare is in clinical use with CyberKnife at Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Johan Lof, CEO +46 (0)8 510 530 00, [email protected] Annika Blondeau Henriksson, interim CFO +46 8 510 530 00, [email protected] The information contained in this interim report is such that RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) is obliged to disclose under the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication on August 25, 2023 at 7:45 a.m. CEST. WEBCAST CEO Johan Lof and interim CFO Annika Blondeau Henriksson will present RaySearch's interim report for January -June 2023 at a webcast to be held in English on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 10:00-10:30 a.m. CEST. Link to webcast: https://raysearchlabs.creo.se/230825/ You can also join the webcast by phone: Sweden +46 (0) 8 505 100 31 UK: +44 (0) 207 107 06 13 US: +1 (1) 631 570 56 13 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/1102/3823622/2251544.pdf RaySearch Interim report Q2 2023 final SOURCE RaySearch Laboratories Latest Investment from The Intelligence Fund Supports Innovative Approach for Advanced Adversary Hunting BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recorded Future , the largest threat intelligence company, today announced a strategic investment in advanced adversary hunting company Hunt.io through The Intelligence Fund. The investment is a continued part of Recorded Future's mission to support novel approaches to data collection and analysis. Hunt.io is relentless in its pursuit of malicious infrastructure detection and in-depth analysis, with capabilities to track and systematize hundreds of thousands of observations every second. This enables a proactive approach in revealing attack orchestrations. Hunt.io's innovative platform is already benefiting early adopters, aiding them in detecting staged infrastructure established by attackers, blocking active C2 servers, and providing real-time context for threat intelligence. "Designed with the most sophisticated threats in mind, Hunt.io uniquely positions threat hunters to have an edge over attackers, offering a view into the command and control servers used by attackers. Hunt.io's innovative technology aligns perfectly with our mission to support and invest in companies at the forefront of intelligence innovation. We are excited at their progress and unique insights, which we can further incorporate into Recorded Future's Intelligence Platform." - Craig Adams, Chief of Product and Engineering, Recorded Future "We are thrilled to be partnering with Recorded Future, as they share our mission to equip organizations with the crucial insights needed to navigate today's ever-evolving threat landscape. This investment will fuel our efforts to continue developing cutting-edge adversary hunting tools and drive meaningful impact for our customers." - Chris Ueland, CEO and Co-Founder, Hunt.io The Intelligence Fund, funded and directed by Recorded Future, invests in experienced founders looking to tackle significant problems that require new approaches using data sets, collection platforms, and applications that integrate into the Recorded Future Intelligence Cloud and ecosystem. Interested companies looking to learn more or submit an application can visit https://theintelligencefund.com/. About Hunt Intelligence Hunt.io, from the founders of SecurityTrails, specializes in persistent detection of malicious infrastructure and threat actor tooling. Built from the ground up, the Hunt platform deploys millions of probes to capture and derive intelligence from hundreds of thousands of observations every second, offering unparalleled insight into threat actor movements. Hunt's unparalleled firehose of Command and Control (C2) infrastructure enables users to proactively detect and neutralize malicious activities within networks. Discover more at Hunt.io. About Recorded Future Recorded Future is the world's largest threat intelligence company. Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud provides end-to-end intelligence across adversaries, infrastructure, and targets. Indexing the internet across the open web, dark web, and technical sources, Recorded Future provides real-time visibility into an expanding attack surface and threat landscape, empowering clients to act with speed and confidence to reduce risk and securely drive business forward. Headquartered in Boston with offices and employees around the world, Recorded Future works with over 1,700 businesses and government organizations across more than 75 countries to provide real-time, unbiased and actionable intelligence. Learn more at recordedfuture.com . SOURCE Recorded Future PRN Top Stories Newsletters Sign up to get PRNs top stories and curated news delivered to your inbox weekly! Enter Your Email Select Country Select Country Submit NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky announces that it has commenced an investigation of Offerpad Solutions Inc. (NYSE: OPAD) concerning possible breaches of fiduciary duty. To obtain additional information, go to: https://zlk.com/compensation2/offerpad-solutions-inc-information-request-form or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 363-7500. There is no cost or obligation to you. Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized firm with offices in New York, Connecticut, California, and Washington, D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact the firm. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Levi & Korsinsky, LLP |Joseph E. Levi, Esq. 55 Broadway 4th Floor, Suite #427 New York, NY 10006 [email protected] Tel: (212) 363-7500 Fax: (212) 363-7171 www.zlk.com SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP A donation from Suburban Propane funded the purchase of a Fender Blender Bike Blender from Rock the Bike. Local Suburban Propane employees participated in the event providing demonstrations of the Blender Bike for prospective students and their families. "Our employees value the opportunity to give back to their communities through the SuburbanCares program," said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson, Suburban Propane. "Organizations like the Sunbury Urban Farm provide educational experiences with lifelong value and we are happy to support their incredible efforts." The endeavor is part of the Company's SuburbanCares initiative which is dedicated to supporting community efforts across the United States. Recently, SuburbanCares has undertaken charitable endeavors in numerous underserved communities including Sacramento, CA; Syracuse, NY; Key West, FL; Spokane, WA; Boston, MA; Lake Worth, FL; Boston, MA; Helena, MT; Charlotte, NC; Lewes, DE; San Diego, CA; Albany, NY; Dayton, OH; Philadelphia, PA; Santa Fe, NM; Santa Rosa, CA; Columbia and Charleston, SC; New Brunswick, NJ; and fed healthcare professionals in 2020 in some of the most COVID-19 affected regions in the nation, including Florida, California, Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C. "We're grateful to Suburban Propane for making our 'Back to School Bike Blender Bash' possible," said Sarah Erickson, Program Director, Sunbury Urban Farm. "This is a fantastic way to mark the kick-off of our Farm & Forest School year and to celebrate an amazing summer camp season. These programs serve approximately 1,500 youth participants in year-round, play-based outdoor learning." Photo Caption: Representatives from Suburban Propane, joined by Sarah Erickson (far left) and Rachel Shotwell (far right) of Sunbury Urban Farms, pose with the Fender Blender Bike Blender at yesterday's 'Back to School Bike Blender Bash'. The Blender Bike was generously donated by Suburban Propane for use in the farm's upcoming Farm & Forest School year for the purpose of educating local children on the importance of agriculture, nutrition, sustainability, and environmental awareness. About Suburban Propane: Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. ("Suburban Propane") is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban Propane has been in the customer service business since 1928 and is a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, renewable natural gas ("RNG"), fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity and producer of and investor in low carbon fuel alternatives, servicing the energy needs of approximately 1 million residential, commercial, governmental, industrial and agricultural customers through approximately 700 locations across 42 states. Suburban Propane is supported by three core pillars: (1) Suburban Commitment showcasing Suburban Propane's 95-year legacy, and ongoing commitment to the highest standards for dependability, flexibility, and reliability that underscores Suburban Propane's commitment to excellence in customer service; (2) SuburbanCares highlighting continued dedication to giving back to local communities across Suburban Propane's national footprint; and (3) Go Green with Suburban Propane promoting the clean burning and versatile nature of propane and renewable propane as a bridge to a green energy future and investing in the next generation of innovative, renewable energy alternatives. For additional information on Suburban Propane, please visit About Sunbury Farm Just like plants in the garden, children grow at Sunbury Urban Farm, too! Located in Columbus, Ohio, Sunbury Urban Farm has 15 acres of garden, food forest, and fields where kids ages 5-13 explore, play, and eat their way into healthy habits and strong relationships. Kids dig into the garden, cook using fresh garden ingredients, and explore the forest, learning that healthy food is literally all around them. Learn more at: www.sunburyurbanfarm.org . SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Modal title PRN Top Stories Newsletters Sign up to get PRNs top stories and curated news delivered to your inbox weekly! Enter Your Email Select Country Select Country Submit Thank you for subscribing! Our newsletters contain tracking pixels to help us deliver unique content based on each subscriber's engagement and interests. 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LAS VEGAS, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Swickard Auto Group, a prominent name in the automotive industry, is pleased to announce a meaningful initiative aimed at aiding the people of Lahaina, Maui, and their cherished pets during a critical period. In its commitment to community welfare, Swickard Auto Group has pledged to donate $100 for every car sold between August 15th and August 31st. The donations will be directed towards the Maui Humane Society, in alignment with Swickard's goal to rescue 1,000 dogs in 2023. "We at Swickard Auto Group feel a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to the well-being of communities that are facing displacement. Our donations to the Maui Humane Society are not just about financial support, but about standing in solidarity with the people of Lahaina during this significant time of need," remarked Jeff Swickard, CEO at Swickard Auto Group. "By donating $100 for every car sold, we aim to provide tangible assistance to the Maui Humane Society in their tireless efforts to both reunite and keep families with their beloved pets while offering essential resources to those affected." The Lahaina, Maui community is facing unprecedented challenges, with thousands of pets missing and families in distress following recent events. The Maui Humane Society, driven by the objective to keep pets and owners united during these trying times, has emerged as a beacon of support for the community. The Maui Humane Society requires substantial resources to effectively address these urgent needs. Swickard Auto Group's dedication to animal rescue continues to make a lasting impact on communities across Washington, Alaska, California, Texas, Oregon, and now, Hawaii. The company remains steadfast in its mission to improve the lives of dogs in need and extend a helping paw to animal shelters striving to create a brighter future for these animals. SOURCE Swickard Auto Group EVANSTON, Ill., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois nonprofit adoption agency The Cradle is celebrating its 100-year anniversary with The Cradle Centennial Gala fundraiser. The event takes place from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at The Geraghty in Chicago. Friends and supporters are invited to commemorate a century of building families through adoption and ushering in The Cradle's next 100 years. "Our gala is a celebration of the families in our Cradle community, a beacon of love and care. Our legacy shines with pride, supporting more than 16,000 adoption journeys," says Jason Friedman, President and CEO of The Cradle. "This event will mark a night of reflection, joy, and the promise of a future filled with endless hope for those touched by adoption." The Cradle is celebrating its 100-year anniversary and bright future ahead with The Cradle Centennial Gala, Sept. 23. Post this Guests will enjoy dinner and live music from Lynn Jordan and the Shivers, a local Chicago band specializing in blues, jazz, funk and rock, and a chance to participate in a paddle raise and a live auction. Proceeds from the Centennial Gala will be used to enhance support services and programming from expectant parent options counseling to adoption-competent family therapy, education for adoptive parents and much more. The Cradle is proud of its longevity and commitment to offering ethical, inclusive and lifelong support to the tens of thousands of people touched by adoption. The Centennial Gala celebrates The Cradle's vibrant community and the bright future ahead, uniting more families with love and compassion. The Centennial Gala would not be possible without The Cradle's Centennial Gala Committee: Penelope Savalas Boardman, John Luce, Kimberly Simonton and George Wilkins; the National Centennial Committee: Jane and Neil Cummins, Sharon and Greg Kaczmarek, Shelley McKenna, Chris Phenner, Mary and Tom Rogers, Nancy Sanborn and Dick Dahling and Nancy Walsworth; and sponsors: The Connelly Family, Kimberly Simonton, Nancy and C. Richard Walsworth, Nancy Sanborn and Richard Dahling, Jane and Neil Cummins, Jeanne and Bill Enright, KPMG, Doug and John Luce, Julia Paster, Rothschild Investment LLC, Phyllis Thomas and Alan Curtis, Sarah Van Steenburg, Mary B. and Stephen T. Walrath, Kathy and Jerry Biederman, J'ai and Frank Brown, Jeff Brown and Jake Nuber, HPS Chicago, George Wilkins, Penelope Savalas Boardman, Jessie and Joel Solomon and Wintrust Community Bank. For more information, to donate or bid on live auction items, visit cradle.org/gala. ABOUT THE CRADLE: The Cradle is proud to celebrate 100 years of building families through adoption. Since opening in 1923, The Cradle has facilitated more than 16,000 domestic and international adoptions and has been at the forefront of open adoption, African American infant adoption, and placements with LGBTQ+ families. The Cradle is the only adoption agency in the country with an on-site nursery to care for infants around the clock. Learn more at cradle.org or call 847-475-5800. To speak with a Cradle counselor, call our 24-hour toll-free HELPLINE, 800-CRADLE4 (800-272-3534). SOURCE The Cradle Society A roundup of the week's most newsworthy financial industry press releases from PR Newswire, including a surge in first time homeownership and fears of Social Security benefits drying up. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the finance industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Finance Press Release Roundup, Aug. 21-25, 2023. Photo provided by Invest in Others Charitable Foundation. https://prn.to/47OL27k Read more of the latest finance-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNfinance on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy culture press releases from PR Newswire, including research into older adults' feelings of loneliness and isolation. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering different cultural groups stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly People & Culture Press Release Roundup, Aug. 21-25, 2023. Photo provided by Ageless Innovation. https://prn.to/45DOKOV Read more of the latest culture-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNmltcult on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy policy and public interest press releases from PR Newswire, including a new Army campaign and projects to combat food insecurity. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the policy and public interest industries stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Policy & Public Interest Press Release Roundup, Aug. 21-25, 2023. Photo provided by United Airlines. https://prn.to/3LdU1Ft Read more of the latest policy-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNpolicy and @prnedu on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BeatBox, the Original Party Punch, announces their official B Corporation (B Corp) Certification, solidifying its spot as a leader not only of the RTD (ready-to-drink) segment of the alcoholic beverage industry, but also as a leader of both social and environmental performance. This prestigious certification is achieved by only approximately 3% of all companies that complete the assessment.1 BeatBox has achieved a remarkable milestone as the first wine-based RTD to be granted this prestigious certification. This accolade elevates BeatBox to the esteemed company of beverage industry titans, including renowned names like Baileys & Maker's Mark. BeatBox has had the mission and vision to achieve B Corp status in their sights since its inception in 2012 and first appearance on Shark Tank in 2014. Aimy Steadman, Co-Founder and COO of BeatBox, spearheaded this process along with key members of her team including Whitney Valeri, Manager of Compliance and Sustainability. "BeatBox is a next-generation company. That doesn't just mean being funny on social media and having cool packaging, it means we are a company that wants to push the whole industry forward from sustainability initiatives to taking care of the BeatBox team, our wholesale and retail partners. The B Corp certification was something we wanted to achieve to signal to our partners and customers that this is a company that does things differently." B Corp certification focuses on five pillars in its application process, including: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. A few notable examples that B Corp found compelling in BeatBox's application was their innovative closed loop system of waste water management at their production facility in Mexico. BeatBox also participates in the CarbonBetter and Carton Champions programs, and is a Certified Plastic Neutral product. Moreover, BeatBox's new HeartBeat program initiative and encompassing activities were not only noted by B Corp but have been a tremendous success in the communities BeatBox customers, employees, and retail partners serve. "We recently formalized our HeartBeat charity program, but the charitable spirit has long existed within BeatBox," said Zech Francis VP of Global Marketing, "In Q1 and Q2 we partnered with 25 charities providing more than $80,000 in donations and 35 employee volunteer hours. We are thrilled to be able to support not only our customers, but our employees and what motivates them to do better for their communities. We have big plans to more than double our contributions in 2024 and are constantly innovating on ways to do the most good." As BeatBox surpassed 73,000 buying retail accounts2 and continues its rocket-like momentum as the #2 highest growth RTD single serve and #1 highest growth 500ml wine3, one thing remains certain: its commitment to its company and B Corp values. Steadman said "For every team member at BeatBox, this is personal. Being a B Corp means we prioritize people, planet, purpose, and passion alongside financial prosperity. This has been key to our success as we scale BeatBox." This lends to past academic studies like Chen and Kelly (2015) in Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies that found B Corp certified organizations had significantly higher revenue growth rates within their competitive set than those without.4 "The takeaway factor for B Corp status at BeatBox is that it takes the responsibility off the consumers, and you can feel good knowing that by drinking a BeatBox you can be part of not only the global revolution against climate change, but are also supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and improving communities. You can save the world by drinking responsibly with BeatBox, and I mean really - who doesn't want to be a superhero?" stated Valeri from BeatBox. References 1 Alicja Hagopian, "Top Advice Firm on Why B Corp is Worth It" Citywire New Model Advisor, March 10,2023 https://citywire.com/new-model-adviser/news/top-advice-firms-on-why-b-corp-is-worth-the-effort/a2410513 2 Vermont Information Processing VIP, L90 Did Buys ending 8.14.23, BeatBox Beverages 3Circana scan data, Total US Mulo+C, single serves (500mL or less), last 13 weeks ending 7.23.23 4Chen, Xiujian, and Thomas F. Kelly. "B-CorpsA growing form of social enterprise: Tracing their progress and assessing their performance." Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies 22, no. 1 (2015): 102-114. Contact: Taylor Foxman, [email protected] SOURCE BeatBox Beverages DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "U.S. Military Animals Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats), By Service Type (Sentry, Casualty), By Sector (Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Set to achieve remarkable growth, the U.S. military animals market size is projected to attain USD 67.35 million by the year 2030, exhibiting a notable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.61% during the period from 2023 to 2030. This upward trajectory is driven by a rising demand for military working dogs and an augmented focus on internal and external security threats. With their specialized skills, these dogs contribute significantly to tasks such as drug, weapons, bomb detection, and identifying hostile personnel. Aiming for precision and tailored expertise, current training practices have led to the segmentation of roles for these loyal companions, ensuring heightened efficiency and effectiveness in military operations. Additionally, according to the Department of Defence (DOD), 13% of canine recruits are born and raised in the American military due to the DOD Military Working Dog Breeding Program. The rest are acquired from top breeders throughout the world. Every year, between 50 and 90 puppies are born into this program. Military working dogs, or MWDs, put in a lot of effort every day to serve in a variety of capacities for the military, including explosive detection, tracking, search & rescue, and more. It has been common since ancient times to use animals in battle to raise courage and aid in communications or surveillance. Pigeons, sea lions, bats, cats, insects, chickens, camels, rats, dolphins, pigs, horses, and even elephants have all been utilized historically. The dog, considered to be man's best friend, has served in the military around the world for the longest of all of these animals, but some of them are still in use today. Due to their keen senses and unwavering loyalty, dogs are invaluable companions for soldiers navigating dangerous and unpredictable conflict zones. Belgian Malinois or German Shepherds make up the majority of military canines. However, these aren't the only breeds that can serve in the military. Among the most popular breeds, Labradors, Doberman Pinschers, Giant Schnauzers, Sheepdogs, and Collies have all performed bravely in the past. U.S. Military Animals Market Report Highlights By animal type, the dog segment dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to witness a lucrative CAGR during the forecast period Based on service type, the scout/patrol search segment dominated the market in 2022, and the sentry segment is expected to witness lucrative CAGR during the forecast period By sector, the army dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to witness a lucrative CAGR during the forecast period. The army is in charge of protecting the whole landmass of the United States , as well as its holdings, commonwealths, and overseas territories Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 100 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $37.96 million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $67.35 million Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.6 % Regions Covered United States Market Dynamics Market Driver Analysis Increasing demand for military working dogs Increasing spending on military working dogs Increasing internal and external security threats Market Restraint Analysis High cost of training Market Opportunity Analysis Market Challenge Analysis U.S. Military Animals Market Analysis Tools Industry Analysis - Porter's PESTEL Analysis Estimated Number of Military Working Dogs (MWD) in the U.S., 2017 - 2022 COVID-19 Impact Analysis Competitive Landscape Participant's Overview Service Benchmarking Financial Performance Strategic Initiatives Participant Categorization Heat Map Analysis/ Company Market Position Analysis Strategy Mapping Key Company Profiles Pond & Copany Shultz K9 Enforcement Inc K9 Partners for Patriots ExcelsiorK9 TWG Group Us K9 Unlimited Worldwide Canine Cobra Canine K2 Solutions, Inc Scope of the Report Animal Type Estimates & Trend Analysis Dogs German Shepherds Belgian Malinois Retrievers Cats Service Type Estimates & Trend Analysis Scout/Patrol Search Sentry Casualty Explosive Detection Narcotic Detection Sector Estimates & Trend Analysis Army Air Force Marine Navy For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ui11rj About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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 YIWU, China, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fashion jewelry, a time-tested Yiwu export, has once again delivered impressive results this summer. Fashion jewelry Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. Popular search terms such as "hair clips," "necklaces," "earrings," and "bracelets" have consistently remained within the top 20 rankings for several months, according to Yiwugo's data. From May 1, 2023 to August 23, 2023, transaction volumes for "bracelets" and "necklaces" have demonstrated remarkable growth compared to the same period in the previous year. The "bracelets" category has experienced an impressive surge of approximately 30.8 times, while "necklaces" have seen a growth of around 23.6 times. Additionally, the "earrings" category has witnessed a substantial increase of approximately 15 folds. Furthermore, orders for "hair clips" have surged by 49.2% in comparison to the same period last year, with the transaction volume nearly quadrupling from the previous year. Through visits to several well-established jewelry merchants boasting over two decades of experience, it becomes apparent that their achievements are a result of the combined efforts of the Yiwugo platform's promotional strategies and the unwavering dedication of the merchants. Top Selling for Three Months: Dreamcatcher Ornaments Yuan Bangyun is no stranger to the phenomenon of soaring orders. With nearly two decades of experience in jewelry design, manufacturing, and sales, Manxiuni Jewelry has positioned itself as a trusted brand. Through the consistent introduction of novel and innovative products on a daily basis, Yuan Bangyun showcases a steadfast dedication to offering customers an ever-evolving array of choices. During the peak sales season, Yuan Bangyun's Enterprise store on Yiwugo unveils more than 100 new products every month, accompanied by an even wider selection of items accessible to customers through offline channels. In May, Manxiuni Jewelry introduced the Dreamcatcher collection of fashion accessories, which garnered favorable feedback from domestic e-commerce customer groups. Notably, a specific pair of earrings has remained consistently in high demand, with daily orders for over 500 sets for the past three months. Yuan Bangyun commented that this is just a taste of a minor hit item. The quality of exported jewelry hinges on an effective plating process. Yuan Bangyun noted that the current level of plating technology and its associated costs have increased approximately four times compared to previous years. The continuous refinement of craftmanship has fostered high customer loyalty among the company's overseas clients. For almost 8 consecutive years, a loyal customer from Russia has been ordering the same classic pair of earrings from Yuan Bangyun. The monthly order value has consistently stayed at around $10,000, with orders coming in regularly and payments being made promptly, even during times of conflict. This enduring partnership can be attributed to the continuous enhancement of the company's product quality over the years. Awakening Love for Beauty: Dominance of Dopamine Color Scheme and Barbie Pink Wan Chengying's venture, Yangqin Accessory Firm, specializes in hair clips, hairbands, and related products, with nearly 80% of its business concentrated in foreign trade. The company has launched over 300 new products this summer, with themed collections particularly designed for popular trends both in the domestic and international markets. These products have been distributed through innovative fast-moving consumer goods channels, encompassing e-commerce platforms and other emerging distributors. With dopamine-inspired color schemes and Barbie pink as the flagship, it captured and deeply resonated with women's innate craving for beauty. In early July this year, the company unveiled a collection of dopamine-colored hair clips, which generated over 200,000 RMB in domestic market orders within a month. Taking inspiration from the success of the movie "Barbie", Wan Chengying also introduced a line of premium Barbie pink alloy products. The use of premium materials perfectly encapsulates the sophisticated allure of high-saturation pink. Currently, many customers from South Korea, as well as the domestic market, have shown tremendous interest in these products. To Wan Chengying's astonishment, this summer has witnessed a notable influx of new buyers who are specifically seeking purchases from Yiwugo. These intermediaries, who now handle daily order placements, have become larger in number. Despite of the buyers' scales, they are highly activea trend that was unseen in past years. Allergy-Free Earrings: A Global Craze Chen Xiyue, the owner of Jenny Jewelry, has a rather distinct experience. Quite a few overseas customers reached out to her via video calls through Yiwugo to confirm her store details before making online orders. An African customer from Botswana placed an initial order worth several thousand yuan through Yiwugo. This buyer has since placed two more repeat orders, each amounting to tens of thousands of yuan. Currently, they have fostered a strong partnership with a deepened sense of trust. A diverse array of hypoallergenic earrings, crafted by Jenny Jewelry, caters to a broad age spectrum. Since their debut two years ago, these earrings have achieved impressive success, evolving from online popularity to offline demand. They have garnered significant acclaim and are sought-after by customers from both home and abroad. These earrings have successfully secured shelf space in supermarkets across various countries and regions, including South America and Dubai, where they maintain robust and consistent sales. SOURCE Yiwugo.com Creeping Thistle Removed from Quarantine Pest List WINNIPEG, MB, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Following advocacy from Canadian government and industry, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has released a revised quarantine pest list, which no longer includes creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense). This decision will come into effect on September 29, 2023. "We are pleased with Vietnam's decision to remove creeping thistle as a pest of concern," said Dean Dias, CEO of Cereals Canada. "With creeping thistle on the quarantine pest list, Canadian grain cargoes faced the risk of commercial penalty. This change means that exports of Canadian cereals to Vietnam will be able to resume in bulk shipment for the first time since 2018." Creeping thistle, also known as Canada thistle or field thistle, is a perennial species of flowering plant that can be found across countries in the Northern Hemisphere including Canada, the United States, and Europe. In 2018, Vietnam announced that they would place phytosanitary restrictions on wheat from countries where creeping thistle can be found. In 2021, Canadian wheat exports to Vietnam fell to just over 20,000 tonnes from over 200,000 tonnes annually prior to the restriction. "Cereals Canada has worked closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canada's Trade Commissioner Service, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to help remove this non-tariff trade barrier," said Dias. "With this positive development, we look forward to the resumption of regular cereals trade between Canada and Vietnam." About Cereals Canada: Cereals Canada is the national, not-for-profit, industry association representing the Canadian cereal grains value chain. We value relationships and work with government and stakeholders to provide timely, expert technical information and deliver best-in-class customer experience. We are dedicated to supporting the Canadian cereals value chain including farmers, exporters, developers, processors, and our customers around the world with a focus on trade, science, and sustainability. SOURCE Cereals Canada The global wood pellet fuel market is driven by several factors such as growing demand from the forest waste and the properties such as high energy content due to their dense composition. PORTLAND, Ore, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Wood Pellet Fuel Market by Feedstock (Forest Waste, Agriculture Waste, Others), by Application (Heating, Power Generation, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Others), By End-Use (Residential, Commercial, Industrial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global wood pellet fuel market was valued for $12.3 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $25.5 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.6% from 2023 to 2032. Wood pellets are a type of modernized fuel for heating. The production of wood pellets does not require the use of fossil fuels.These are a renewable source of energy, made up of compressed sawdust or other forms of biomass such as recycled paper. Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/3077 Prime determinants of growth The global wood pellet fuel market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as growing demand from the forest waste feedstock and the properties of forest waste such as extremely dense and the low humidity content (below 10%) allows them to be burned with very high-combustion efficiency. However, seasonal demand for wood pellet hinders the market growth to some extent. Moreover, advancements in technology with respect to wood pellet offers remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the wood pellet fuel market. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $12.3 billion Market Size in 2032 $25.5 billion CAGR 7.6 % No. of Pages in Report 341 Segments covered Feedstock, Application, End-Use, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand for wood pellet for renewable energy sources Surge in biomass power plants Opportunities Advancements in technology with respect to wood pellet Restraints Seasonal demand for wood pellet Challenge Price volatility of wood pellet The other segment including sawdust and wood shavings, wood chips, biomass crops, and others is expected to grow faster throughout the forecast period. Based on feedstock, the forest waste segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the global wood pellet fuel market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is due to forest waste wood pellet such as branches, tops, and other residues from logging operations, can be collected and processed into wood pellets. However, the other segment including sawdust and wood shavings, wood chips, biomass crops, and others is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.9% from 2023 to 2032, as it is commonly used for heating, power generation, and as a renewable energy source. Wood chips are used as a renewable source of biomass energy. Procure Complete Report (341 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/aluminum-cable-market The heating segment is expected to lead the trail by 2032 Based on the application, the heating segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global wood pellet fuel market revenue and is estimated to dominate during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that wood pellet stoves and boilers are increasingly popular for residential heating applications. Pellet stoves are efficient space heaters, providing warmth to individual rooms, while pellet boilers can supply central heating and hot water for entire homes. However, the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2032, as combined heat and power systems is part of the broader shift towards cleaner and greener energy solutions, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The commercial segment is expected to grow faster throughout the forecast period. Based on the end-use, the residential segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for around two-fifths of the global wood pellet fuel market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that wood pellet stoves and boilers offer convenience as they can be automated to regulate temperature and fuel feed. This makes them user-friendly and suitable for both full-time residents and those who use their homes seasonally. However, the commercial segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2032. The growth is attributed to the fact that commercial establishments that use wood pellet fuel require storage space for the pellets. For Purchase Inquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/wood-pellet-fuel-market/purchase-options Europe to maintain its dominance by 2032. Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for around two-fifths of the global wood pellet fuel market revenue, and is expected to rule the roost in terms of revenue throughout the forecast timeframe. The segment is driven by factors such as utilization of wood pellets serve as the backbone for European supply chains, enabling the smooth flow of goods from manufacturers to retailers and consumers. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.9% % from 2023 to 2032. The growth is attributed to the rapid growth of e-commerce and the retail sector in the Asia-Pacific region has fueled the demand for wood pellets. Infrastructure development projects in several Asia-Pacific countries have further stimulated the demand for wood pellets. Leading Market Players: - DRAX GROUP PLC ENERGEX AMERICAN INC. ENVIVA LLP F.E. WOOD AND SONS FRAM RENEWABLE FUELS LLC GRANULES LG INC. LIGNETICS GROUP RENTECH INC. SNOW TIMBER PELLETS, LLC WOOD PELLET ENERGY LTD. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global wood pellet fuel market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Trending Reports in Fuel Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount): Water as a fuel Market: Global Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Decarbonised Fuel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2032 Biopower Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2032 Synthetic Fuel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2031 Renewable Fuel Market: Global Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Alternative Fuel Market: Global Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20232032 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 us: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/energy-and-power Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/3950895/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research Washington, Aug 25 : The US will begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in September at US Air Force bases in two southern states, the Department of Defense announced. The training, which will include "several pilots and dozens of maintainers," will start in September with English-language classes to be offered at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told a press briefing on Thursday. After the trainees grasp the necessary language skills, they will then be trained on how to actually fly the F-16, and this process will begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, Ryder said. The training in the US "will be the fundamental fighter pilot training," he said, adding that the exact curriculum for the Ukrainian pilots will depend on their levels of experience, of which an assessment is also part of the training programme, Xinhua news agency reported. On the duration of the training, Ryder said it typically takes eight months for a new F-16 pilot with not a lot of training on the US side to complete the process, and "within the five-month range" for an experienced pilot receiving "upgrade training". Currently, European countries are leading the effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and other advanced fighters made by Western countries, with Demark and the Netherlands now prepared to undertake the task. The US government previously said it would do its part to provide training on US soil if and when Europe reached the full capacity. Without giving a specific timeline of F-16 deliveries, Ryder said it could be months ahead, adding that European countries are looking to provide the aircraft "and the US will support that effort through the third-party transfer process". Seoul, Aug 25 : Japan's release of contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant has been carried out stably and as planned, with no abnormalities detected so far, a South Korean official said on Friday. Tokyo initiated the discharge of contaminated water a day earlier, a process expected to span more than three decades, despite lingering health and environmental concerns from neighboring countries, reports Yonhap News agency. "So far, the discharge is proceeding stably as originally planned, and it is understood that there are no abnormal situations," said Park Ku-yeon, the first deputy chief of South Korea's Office for Government Policy Coordination, during a daily briefing on the Fukushima issue. Park also emphasised that the Seoul government is thoroughly monitoring and analysing the ocean discharge process through a "double hotline" between the regulatory and diplomatic authorities of the two countries. The two sides earlier agreed to swiftly share information in case of an abnormal situation at the discharge facilities. "The government will take its best measures to continue monitoring so that there will be no impact on people's safety and health," Park said. More than a million tonnes of water stored at the nuclear plant will be discharged over the next 30 years. Hit by the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima plant suffered core meltdowns that released radiation, resulting in a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale. The plant has been generating a massive amount of water tainted with radioactive substances from cooling down the nuclear fuel in the reactor buildings, which are now being stored in about 1,000 storage tanks. Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said it plans to carry out the first round of release over the next 17 days to discharge 7,800 tonnes of the radioactive wastewater. In the current fiscal year through next March, a total of 31,200 tonnes are slated for discharge, equivalent to the storage capacity of 30 tanks, according to TEPCO. The radioactive wastewater has been diluted as planned before being discharged via an underwater tunnel 1 km from the plant. Thanksgiving puja for Moon God performed for India landing on moon. Image Source: IANS News Chennai, Aug 25 : With India safely landed on the moon, a group of devotees performed thanks giving puja at the Chandranaar Temple, in Thingalur near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, said a devotee. Interestingly, they were so confident of the safe landing of the country's moon lander on Wednesday evening, that they had decided on the thanksgiving puja on Tuesday itself. "We had performed thanksgiving puja to the Moon God at the Chandranaar Temple in Thingalur on Thursday. We also distributed sweets to the devotees," Easanasivam, Thanjavur District Organiser, Hindu Munnani told IANS. The Chandranaar Temple is one of the Navagraha temples, all located near Kumbakonam, and devotees pray at these temples to get rid of negative planetary influence on them. While the presiding deity at the temple is Soma (Moon), the main deity is Lord Shiva. Interestingly, the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (IANS) is Dr S.Somanath, meaning Master/Lord of the Moon. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was put into orbit on July 14 in a copybook style by India's heavy lift rocket LVM3. The primary purpose of this mission is to soft land the lander on the moon and the rover to do some experiments on the moon soil. "With the Indian space agency scheduled to launch its Aditya-L1 satellite to study the moon Sun Missionnext month, we will do the necessary puja seeking the Sun God's blessings for the mission's success," Easanasivam added. The nine Navagraha temples are: Suryanaar (Sun), Chandranaar (Moon), Angaragan (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Sukran (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Oslo, Aug 25 : Norway has become the third European nation after Denmark and the Netherlands to pledge to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. "We are planning to donate Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and will provide further details about the donation, numbers and time frame for delivery in due course," CNN quoted Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store as saying on Thursday. Norway had first announced its plans to support the training of Ukrainian personnel on F-16 fighter jets in May. "Norway is supporting Ukraine in its efforts to build a modern air defense system. This is both important and necessary," the Prime Minister added. Also on Thursday, Norway said that it will be donating anti-aircraft missiles and de-mining sets to Ukraine, as well as 1.5 billion NOK ($140.5 million) to secure gas and electricity supply in the country. This brings the total value of Norway's support over five years to 75 billion NOK, a statement on the government website said. Last week, a US State Department spokesman had announced that Washington approved the transfer of American-made F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Kiev as soon as Ukrainian pilots are fully trained to operate them. Denmark and the Netherlands have taken the lead in preparing a program to train Ukrainian pilots on the American jet, but the US is still working with other countries to see who may provide F-16s to the Ukrainian Air Force. While the Dutch are thought to have about 24 operational F-16s which are scheduled to be taken out of service and replaced by more advanced war planes, Denmark is also planning an upgrade of its fleet of some 30 F-16s. An 11-member coalition of Ukraine's allies in the West is due to start training Ukrainian pilots later this month and they are expected to be ready next year. Ukraine is believed to have dozens of combat aircraft -- mostly MiGs -- all dating from the Soviet era. New York, Aug 25 : Conservative pundit and author Ann Coulter has been slammed for making racist comments targeting Indian-American presidential aspirants Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy, calling their clash during the Republican primary debate a "Hindu business". "Nikki and Vivek are involved in some Hindu business, it seems. Not our fight," Coulter wrote on X, formerly Twitter, a day after Haley and Ramaswamy sparred over foreign policy and US aid to Ukraine and Israel. Responding to Coulter's tweet, Ramaswamyas senior adviser and communications director, Tricia McLaughlin, told NBC News: "Ann can tweet whatever she wants to. Vivek shares and lives by the same Judeo-Christian values that this nation was founded on -- and the way Vivek lives his family life offers a positive example for their own children and grandchildren." Ramaswamy is the nationas second Hindu presidential candidate after former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard who ran as a Democrat in 2020. Haley, born Nimrata 'Nikki' Randhawa, was raised by Sikh parents and she later converted to Christianity. From calling her a "racist troglodyte" and "bigot" to an "ignorant megaphone" and "horse face", Coulter faced social media ire for her racist jibe against the two Indian-Americans. "News for you @AnnCoulter. @VivekGRamaswamy and @NikkiHaley are the next generation of @GOP leaders. American Hindus are leaders in science, technology, medicine and policy research. Take it easy, read the Bhagavat Gita and take the batteries out of your ignorant megaphone," HinduAction, a US-based advocacy group wrote on X in response to Coulter's tweet. "Completely expected that she would attack them but using a white racist trope invoking a religion is beyond disgusting," Sangay Mishra, author of 'Desis Divided: The Political Lives of South Asian Americans', wrote on X. Coulter has also attacked Haley in the past, calling her a "bimbo" and "preposterous creature", asking her to "go back to her own country". "Why don't you go back to your own country?" Coulter had said in a podcast after Haley announced her presidential bid on February 14 in a video message where she proudly talked about her Indian heritage. "Her candidacy did remind me that I need to immigrate to India so I can demand they start taking down parts of their history," the author had said making an appearance on the 'The Mark Simone Show' podcast. Coutler's rants did not stop at just Haley, she targeted India as well. "What's with the worshipping of the cows? They're all starving over there. Did you know they have a rat temple, where they worship rats?" she said. In July, Hank Kunneman, the senior pastor of the non-denominational Lord of Hosts Church in Nebraska, targeted Ramaswamy's Hindu faith in a recent sermon asking citizens not to vote for him. The televangelist had said that Ramaswamy is Hindu and therefore anyone who supports him "will have a fight with God". --IANS mi/ksk Kolkata, Aug 25 : The West Bengal government has invited all parties, even those without a legislative presence, to a meeting on August 29 to discuss the issue of celebrating Statehood Day on Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year). "Right now, the West Bengal assembly has representatives from the Trinamool Congress, BJP and All India Secular Front. Since this is a bigger issue involving the sentiments of the state, we have decided to invite representatives from all the other recognised and regional parties which have a presence in the state," a cabinet member said. He also said that the state government is in favour of moving ahead with the decision of celebrating Statehood Day on Poila Boishakh after reaching a consensus with all registered political parties. Political observers opine that the state government's decision to invite all recognised political parties was a subtle move to isolate the BJP, considering that the latter had already voiced its oppositon to celebrate Statehood Day on Poila Boishakh. The BJP has said that it was an attempt to distort the history of West Bengal. The saffron party prefers to celebrate the West Bengal Foundation Day on June 20. This year, there was a tussle between the state government and the Raj Bhavan after Governor C.V. Ananda Bose celebrated West Bengal Foundation Day within the Governor's House premises. The development attracted scathing criticisms from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who said that she was stunned at the Governor's decision. She even sent a communique to Bose, claiming that since inception the people of West Bengal have never commemorated or celebrated a foundation day. Guwahati, August 25 : The Congress has demanded a thorough investigation into the death of BJP leader Indrani Tahbildar who allegedly committed suicide on August 11 after her intimate pictures with another party member went viral on social media. Speaking to IANS, Mira Barthakur, the president of Assam Mahilla Congress said: "We have faith in the judiciary but in some recent cases, we have seen that police did botch up investigations in many cases. That is why we requested the Honourable Governor to take action in this matter." She asserted that there was a cash-for-job nexus within the BJP and Tahbildar, who was one of the arrested party leaders in the case, told the police about this. "We want every angle including the situation which led to Tahbildar's unfortunate death should be impartially probed," Borthakur said. On Thursday, Congress women leaders met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and sought stern punishment for anyone "abetting the suicide" of Tahbildar. In a memorandum, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) urged the Governor to take harsh punishment against people who are both accused of being involved in the cash-for-jobs scandal and the suicide case. "APCC condemns the web of unholy nexus of cash-for-job scam that has been exposed with the arrest of some of the persons belonging to the BJP involved in the (suicide) case. "This incident has shocked not only the people of Assam but also the entire nation and the APCC strongly feels that it also exposes the vulnerability regarding the safety and dignity of women in Assam. "The leak of photos on social media by her own party men leading to her suicide speaks volumes about how social media is being used as a tool to compel a person to take the extreme step of ending one's life. Moreover, the leak of audio clips on social media of conversations between the deceased and her colleagues also exposes the dangers of how people can be blackmailed through use of digital media," it added. Tahbildar died after allegedly consuming an overdose of sleeping pills after her photos with another BJP leader went viral on social media. The police have so far arrested two people, one of whom was expelled from the party's primary membership following the development. --IANS tdr/ksk Sydney, Aug 25 : Authorities in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state on Friday ordered the closure of beaches in Port Macquarie town after a man was hospitalised due to serious injuries to his leg and foot following a shark attack earlier in the day. Surf Life Saving NSW said in a statement that at around 10 a.m. on Friday, the man in his 40s was attacked by the shark in waters off Port Macquarie located in the state's mid-north coast, reports Xinhua news agency. According to the statement, beaches in the area would remain closed until further notice, with signs erected at the site to warn local residents to stay out of the water. The type of shark involved has yet to be confirmed. Australian Shark-Incident Database revealed that there has been eight shark attack incidents so far this year, of which two were fatal. Kargil, Aug 25 : Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha member, Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that the people of Ladakh speak from their heart and the Gandhian principles of Congress are in their DNA. Addressing a public meeting in Kargil, Rahul said, "Some months back, we marched from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. We called it 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. "Our slogan was that in an atmosphere of hatred, we have come to sow the seeds of love and coexistence. The march was not to stop at Kashmir. "We were to come to Ladakh, but the administration told us that the weather was inclement and not favourable for our march to Ladakh. We agreed. "Now we have come here. People come to Ladakh to say their thing, but I have come to listen to the people of Ladakh. I have travelled the entire Ladakh on motorcycle during this visit and I find that the spirit of Gandhiji and his principles are in your DNA. "Labourers from different parts of the country are working in Ladakh. I asked them how they felt away from their home working in temperatures that sometimes drop to minus 30 degrees. They said Ladakh is their second home. Whenever they have any problem shooting stones or whatever, the people of Ladakh come to their help like brothers. "You have told me that you are being denied local representation. Wherever you go in Ladakh and meet youth, they say that the promises of employment were never fulfilled. The result has been that Ladakh is an epicentre of unemployment. "You have also spoken about the local connectivity. You have an airport, but no aircraft lands here. "Ladakh has a huge potential for solar energy. BJP knows it, if you have local representatives then BJP cannot take your land so that Adani can set up his projects here. The whole issue is of land. "Ladakh is a strategic place. When I visited the Pangong Lake, I realised that China has taken away hundreds of kilometres of our land. The Prime Minister told the all party meeting that not an inch of land has been taken by China. "The people of Kargil have always stood by their country in times of war. For us, people of all regions and religions of the country are one and all of them must live in peace and brotherhood", he said. Rahul said the Congress stands firm with the people of Ladakh and will fight for their demands. He ended his speech by saying, "I have travelled to every part of the country. Let me tell you that Ladakh is the most beautiful place in India". --IANSsq/dpb Guwahati, Aug 25 : A woman was arrested in Assam's Biswanath district on charges of killing her newborn baby just hours after giving birth, police said on Friday. The incident took place in Bandor Jonghol village and the accused was identified as Anowara Khatun. She was arrested on Thursday. According to the police, Khatun had also attempted to bury the baby near her house. But the neighbours saw her and informed the police. "A police team rushed to the spot, and sent both the mother and the baby to the hospital. But doctors declared the infant brought dead," a senior police official told IANS. "The woman gave birth to the child on Thursday and soon after that she killed her own daughter. When we reached the spot, the mother was also heavily bleeding due to the child birth. She was in hospital for a day and and has now been sent to police custody," the officer added. A case under relevant sections was registered. Further investigation is underway. Identity of the infant's father remains unknown. --IANS tdr/ksk Islamabad, Aug 25 : The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday began hearing a plea by incarcerated former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan which challenged his trial and conviction in the Toshakhana case, and is also expected to announce its decision later in the day. Khan was sent to jail for three years on August 5 after a trial court in the capital convicted him in the case that involved concealing details of state gifts, reports Dawn news. The verdict also disqualified the former premierfrom contesting general elections for five years. Khan had subsequently filed an appeal at the IHC against his conviction. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief had also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the IHCas decision to remand the case back to the trial court judge who had convicted him. On Thursday, Khanas counsel Latif Khosa had argued before an IHC division bench, focusing on three aspects -- the release of the former premier owing to a short sentence; jurisdictional defects; and improper authorisation by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Dawn news reported. However, the ECP lawyer had argued against the suspension of the sentence, asserting that the superior courts could suspend the sentence of those condemned prisoners who have at least completed six months imprisonment. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had reiterated its decision to halt proceedings on Imranas plea until the IHC verdict. The apex court also ordered Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to furnish an official report about the living conditions of Khan by August 28. Khan is currently lodged in Attock jail. Japan threatens planet with radioactive water Chinadaily.com.cn) 08:22, August 25, 2023 Jin Ding/China Daily Editor's note: The Japanese government, disregarding the safety of its own citizens and people in neighboring countries, has decided to begin discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea from Thursday. Five experts share their views on this issue with China Daily's Zhang Xi and Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow: Japan has no right to contaminate oceans According to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), it plans to carry out the first round of release over 17 days to discharge 7,800 tons of the radioactive wastewater. The water is collected and partly recycled as cooling water after treatment, with the rest stored in around 1,000 tanks, which is close to 1.37-million-ton capacity. Japan's decision to release the nuclear-contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean from Thursday, to put it simply, is reprehensible. Its decision lacks scientific basis and transparency, and could cause untold damage to the marine environment and ecology and thus human health. To begin with, the Japanese government has not released all the data on the scientific methods and technologies it used to treat the radioactive water to claim it's safe to be dumped into the sea. The sample data cannot prove the safety of all the treated water and can hardly be convincing. The scary fact is that the treated water still contains tritium and other radioactive isotopes such as cesium and strontium that could cause cancer if ingested. But Japan is using the review report of the International Atomic Energy Agency on July 4 as a "green light" to its plan to discharge the radioactive water into the sea, claiming the treated water is harmless to marine life and humans. By doing so, Japan is trying to shift the responsibility to the IAEA which may cause the agency to bear legal liabilities for Japan's decision. However, the IAEA report neither supports nor opposes Japan's radioactive water discharge plan; it only says that water discharge plan is the decision of the Japanese government. Also, the Advanced Liquid Processing System which Japan claims to have used to treat the radioactive water cannot remove all the nuclides, which means the radioactive water will contaminate marine life thereby affecting Japan's food exports. The release of the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is a threat to the marine environment and ecology, and will damage Japan's international image. And the amount of money Japan would need to spend on efforts to restore its international image will far exceed that required to solve the problem in an eco-friendly ways. According to general international law and the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Japan should take all possible measures to prevent polluting the marine environment, inform and consult countries that may be affected by its actions, assess and monitor the environmental impact of its actions, and cooperate with the international community to address any sea- or ocean-related problems. Japan has no right to unilaterally change international law, and create trouble for the international community, especially its neighboring countries. Instead, it should listen to the opinions and suggestions of people both at home and abroad, and desist from contaminating the oceans. Liu Jiangyong, a professor in the Department of International Relations, Tsinghua University Selfish action against claim of being responsible Cai Meng | China Daily Ignoring the international community's protests, Japan has decided to release the radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. First, no country has dumped such a huge volume of radioactive water into the sea, not to mention Japan's decision to do so is not based on proper, transparent research on the water's ill effects on the marine environment and ecology. Second, although Japan claims only a small amount of tritium exists in the treated water to be released into the sea, it doesn't mean it will have little impact on marine life. Although the radiation tritium emits is low on energy, its half-life is 12.3 years, meaning it will take 12.3 years for half of its atoms to undergo radioactive decay during which it can easily contaminate all the oceans. In fact, the radioactive water has more than 60 radionuclides, many of which cannot be effectively treated, and more than 70 percent of the treated water stored in tanks at the Fukushima facility still has radioactive elements that far exceed the regulatory limits for discharge. Third, TEPCO, which owns the Fukushima facility, has acted irresponsibly in dealing with nuclear pollution, and its claims about the discharge are not credible or verifiable. So its move to release the radioactive water into the sea is very risky. And fourth, despite having other options to dispose the radioactive water, Japan has chosen the cheapest and easiest way to do so, forcing the international community to bear the vicious ill effects of its action. Japan's selfish decision goes against its claim of being a responsible country. Liu Litao, an associate professor at the School of International Studies, Nanjing University. Other countries' loss irretrievable Song Chen | China Daily By deciding to release the radioactive water into the sea, Japan has shirked global responsibility, which will not only contaminate the oceans but also deal a serious blow to its fishing industry. The Japanese government has taken advantage of the loopholes in international law to dump the radioactive water into the sea and thus harm the marine environment and ecology, and human health. It's time the international community came together to prevent Japan from going ahead with its deadly plan of releasing the radioactive water from the Fukushima plant over the next 30 years. True, the Japanese government has pledge to pay compensation to the domestic seafood industry for any loss they might suffer, but it can't solve the survival problem of industry in the long run. Besides, it will never be able to compensate other countries and their peoples for the loss they would suffer. Jin Yongming, a professor of maritime laws at Ocean University of China. A potent threat to people's livelihoods Zheng Huawei | China Daily The Japanese government's unilateral decision to release the nuclear-contaminated water lacks scientific validation and international approval. The radioactive water will cripple the seafood industries of Japan and its neighboring countries, especially those of the Republic of Korea and China, because other countries might restrict the import of their seafood, threatening the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people. China's seafood production in 2022 reached about 34.5 million metric tons, while the ROK's total seafood production volume was 3.6 million metric tons and value about about $7.11 billion. The seafood industries of both countries might suffer a big blow due to Japan's irresponsible action. Consumer's safety concerns over aquatic products will cause consumption to plummet, and drive up prices of alternative products such as meat. Actually, Japan's action will have a ripple effect on neighboring countries' seafood processing, distribution and cold-chain logistics sectors, undermining the region's economy as a whole. The impacts of Japan's decision could spill over into the tourism industries of neighboring countries, as international tourists, wary of radiation effects, may choose to not visit Japan or nearby countries. Japan's decision has cast a long shadow over its international image as a global powerhouse, which will eventually damage the trustworthiness of its businesses. Woo Jin-hoon, a guest professor at the International Business School, Beijing Foreign Studies University. A costly lesson for humankind Zheng Huawei | China Daily The challenge of disposing nuclear-contaminated water is one that all countries with nuclear power facilities could face in the future. Face-to-face with this problem, Japan is testing the waters, so to speak. But Japan's failure to consult other countries and explore other, safer means to dispose the radioactive water means it is shirking its domestic and international duties. Past transgressions by Tokyo Electric Power Company, such as data falsification and providing misleading information on the nuclear-contaminated water, have eroded people's trust in it. Addressing this issue is paramount, as the repercussions will impact both national and global interests, and threaten the marine ecosystem and human health. Transparency and scientific objectivity along with proper monitoring, testing and analysis are necessary for any decision made in such cases reasonable and acceptable. A pivotal concern arises from the fact that neither the International Atomic Energy Agency nor the United States has the authority, granted by an international body like the United Nations, to "green light" Japan's water discharge plan. Therefore, the agreements between the IAEA, the US, and Japan cannot be used as a license to discharge the radioactive water into the sea. While the US might have agreed to Japan's plan due to political reasons, the IAEA's endorsement of the plan has set a hazardous precedent. This could significantly impact future nuclear disaster management protocols, despite the IAEA's promise of continuous expert oversight in Fukushima. The Japanese authorities' move is a severe violation of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972, or the "London Convention" for short, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. So both the Japanese government and the IAEA have to address such legal concerns. There are three major problems with Japan's decision: the accuracy, scientific validity and transparency of data (given TEPCO's history of data manipulation); uncertainties over the short-, medium- and long-term impacts of Japan's action (due to the absence of definitive scientific conclusions); and the violation of international laws and treaties. To address the three problems, the IAEA needs to provide a comprehensive, scientifically sound, impartial and transparent rationale and guarantee. The release of the radioactive water into the sea will deal a blow to Japan's domestic economy first, but its impact will be beyond the Japan. Japan must earnestly address this issue, as the potential impact of the radioactive water on the marine ecosystem is a matter of global concern. The development of nuclear disaster management technologies, the choice of methods to deal with a critical problem like this and the adherence to set precedents will decide how such issues will be addressed in the future, and serve as a shared experience and lesson for humankind in its pursuit of peaceful nuclear technology and its preparedness to deal with nuclear accidents. Zhou Weisheng, a professor at the College of Policy Science at Ritsumeikan University and director of the Research Institute of Global 3E in Japan. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) K'taka College student posts vulgar posts on Hindu girls, challenges police to nab him. Image Source: IANS News Bengaluru, Aug 25 : Amid repeated threats to progressive writers, Karnataka police department has transferred all cases related to it to the special wing of the City Central Crime Branch (CCB). It has also been decided to depute an ACP-ranked police officer to monitor and probe the matter. A delegation of progressive writers met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 23 and raised concern over the matter. DGP and IGP Alok Mohan have passed necessary orders in this regard, sources said. Apart from this, directions have been given to look into the cases on a daily basis by the Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) and concerned DCP. Many writers have got threat letters and complaints have been lodged in different police stations in Bengaluru. Well-known author K. Marulasiddappa has stated that the litterateurs have been getting threats through phone calls and letters for a year. The development has caused a concern and the situation is forcing the authors to live in a fear. Well-known progressive writers K. Veerabhadrappa, Vasundhara Bhoopathi and Banjagere Jayaprakash have got maximum threats. "If the government will not take the matter seriously, the writers will meet the same fate as late Gauri Lankesh and M.M. Kalburgi who were shot dead," Marulasiddappa stated. To date, the authors have received about 15 threat letters and three letters were written after the Congress government came to power. Siddaramaiah had assured the delegation of writers of initiating proper action into the matter. Jaipur, Aug 25 : Setting aside its earlier decision of four senior leaders heading as many Parivartan yatras in Rajasthan, the party's central leadership has now announced that no single leader will represent a particular yatra but all the rallies will have mixed representation of MPs and MLAs, as per party officials. According to the officials, the Parivartan Yatras will not be represented by one single face. Each yatra will cover 50 seats and the veteran leaders will have to participate in all four yatras. Preparations for the same have been made from all four directions in the state. The first yatra will be kicked off from Ganesh Temple in Sawai Madhopur by party president J.P. Nadda. Home Minister Amit Shah will reach Beneshwar Dham on the second day of the yatra that begins on September 3. After this, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari will flag off two other yatras at Ramdevra in Jaisalmer and Gagamedi in Hanumangarh. These programmes will be held on September 4 and 5. The rally will conclude with a large gathering of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jaipur. As per plans, no leader should be considered as the face of the CM in the yatra. In such a situation, a schedule has been made for the leaders to visit in Chaar Yatras. Chariots are getting ready for these yatras. The party's strategy is that the yatras should run for 20-22 days. Each trip should cover around 50 seats. Issues related to paper leak, corruption, crime against women, law and order, farmers and electricity and water will be raised during the yatra. Party in-charge Arun Singh said that no big leader of the state will be limited to one trip. They will have to travel in all yatras. "We have not handed over the command to anyone, but have appointed coordinators and co-coordinators to manage the system." The party has appointed Arun Chaturvedi as coordinator for Sawai Madhopur, Chunnilal Garasia for Beneshwar, CR Chaudhary for Gagamedi, Rajendra Gehlot for the Ramdevra route. Earlier it was discussed that leaders like Vasundhara Raje, Gajendra Singh, Satish Poonia, CP Joshi etc. would get the command. But none of these leaders will be limited to one route. All the leaders will participate in all the four yatras, said party leaders. Hubballi : , Aug 25 (IANS) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said the 'Operation Hast' is being undertaken by the Congress in fear of failure in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to reporters here, Bommai said, "The surveys in this connection have confirmed that the Congress will get fewer seats. If this happens, it will have a direct bearing on the state government in Karnataka. "In this background, the Congress government is conspiring to pull leaders from other parties and win more seats. The Congress wonat succeed in its attempt." When asked about the 'Operation Hast' of the Congress, Bommai stated that CM Siddaramaiah's government is fearful about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Bommai also charged that the Congress government is issuing notices to journalists who are reporting about corruption and other illegalities and violating the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. "The government is practising dictatorship," he said. The Karnataka Congress party has started welcoming prominent leaders from the opposition parties in the state. Senior leader Ayanur Manjunath from JD(S) and S.P. Nagarajegowda, who contested against BJP MLA B.Y. Vijayendra as an independent candidate and secured second position in the Assembly elections, has joined the Congress party in the presence of DyCM and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar at the party headquarters in Bengaluru. Shivakumar said that he was happy that the majority of leaders are joining the Congress party. "During the Assembly elections, the party suffered because of a lack of appropriate social engineering. The mistakes would be rectified during the Lok Sabha elections," he added. Shivakumar also stated that anything can happen in politics. The Congress is attempting to pull about 15 prominent leaders majorly from the BJP and also from JD(S). Following the victory in the Assembly elections, Congress wants to win more than 20 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. It had managed to win only one seat in the 2019 Parliamentary elections. New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any interim direction on the plea filed by Tamil Nadu demanding the release of Cauvery water from Karnataka dams. "Why do you not approach the (Cauvery Water Management) Authority? We do not have any expertise," told a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, P.S. Narasimha and Prashant Kumar Mishra to Tamil Nadu. "We do not possess any expertise in the matter it will be appropriate CWMA (Cauvery Water Management Authority) submit its report as to whether the directions issued for discharge of water have been complied or not," ordered the bench, while calling for a report from the CWMA by September 1. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing Karnataka, submitted before the top court that it has already released water pursuant to the directions passed by the CWMA and it takes three days time for water to travel to Tamil Nadu. He also apprised the top court that Karnataka has filed a plea before water management authority to review its earlier directions. On the other hand, senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, said that Karnataka should immediately release water as there exists a huge water deficit in Tamil Nadu. He said that the water allotted by Cauvery Water Management Authority is much less and requires enhancement, while alleging non-compliance by Karnataka with earlier directions passed by it. At this, the bench said:"If there is no compliance, bring it to the notice of Authority (CWMA). We will call a report from it." Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who was also present during the hearing, apprised the apex court that CWMA is scheduled to meet on August 26 to decide discharge of water for next fortnight. The Supreme Court asked CWMA to decide the claims made by the two states while posting the matter for hearing on September 1. Earlier on Monday, CJI D.Y. Chandrachud had agreed to constitute a bench after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the state of Tamil Nadu, sought urgent listing of the application moved by the state seeking release of water for the month of August in accordance with the directions passed by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). In its application, Tamil Nadu has sought direction from the top court to Karnataka to ensure the stipulated releases for the month of August and September as per the award of the Cauvery Tribunal award as modified by the Supreme Court in 2018. On the contrary, the Karnataka government has told the Supreme Court that Tamil Nadu's application demanding release of water from river Cauvery is wholly misconceived as it is based on an erroneous assumption that this water year is a normal water year and not a distressed water year. An affidavit filed by State's Water Resources Department said that Karnataka is not obliged to ensure water prescribed for a normal year because a distress condition has arisen in the Cauvery basin due to the failure of the southwest monsoon. Agra, Aug 25 : The month of August this year has been particularly good for the smaller rivers in the Yamuna basin of the Agra region. The recent flood and copious rains in the hills have rejuvenated the river system that had been reduced to vast stretches of wasteland in past years. "Smaller streams flowing out of Rajasthan hills have been neglected and the old structures built by the British to irrigate the area have been reduced to ruins. Once the whole Braj area was full of forests because of the extensive irrigational facilities but over the years, successive state governments have allowed neglect of the irrigational network that was fed by these smaller rivers in the district," Civil Society members said in a report to the district authorities. River activists in Agra have demanded that check dams be immediately restored or built to conserve rainwater. Anil Sharma, president of the Civil Society of Agra, a NGO, said: "A dam should be built near the triangle where Utangan river merges with Yamuna river at Rehavali Village in Fatehabad tehsil of Agra. During low flooding in Yamuna, water flows back into River Utangan and it reaches 20 km, beyond Arnota. When Yamuna recedes, water flows back. Utangan flows 100 km in Agra district fed from Bandanis of Jagner through Kivad river." Rajiv Saxena, senior journalist and now river activist said: "This backlash of water needs to be conserved by constructing a two way Dam. When water enters Utangan, gates should be opened and when Yamuna recedes, the gate should be closed. Plus this Dam will help in conserving the water of Jagner Bandanis. Low flooding happens at least four times during the monsoon period. Hence this water needs to be conserved for year-round usage. When it backlashes the depth of water is around 13 ft. Activists in their report to the state government said: "This surplus water can be used to recharge the groundwater, irrigation, and provide for drinking water for the whole year. This stretch extends to 35 km. Water can be supplied through a pipeline or a canal to the entire Taj Ganj area and the Fatehabad Road tourist complex which has hundreds of small and big hotels that are presently extracting groundwater. This water will meet the drinking water needs of Fatehabad, Shamshabad, Kiravali, etc. It can also be sent to Bateshwar during religious festivals. It will also help in recharging dark zones of Agra." The green activists blamed the local politicians and the administration for not conserving water in the smaller rivers in the Agra district. "If the river system that includes half a dozen streams mostly flowing out of Rajasthan hills, can be rejuvenated by cleaning, desilting and building check dams, the water needs of the entire area can be taken care of. This will also result in increased yield of crops plus help sustain the green environment around Agra which is a sensitive ecozone," Anil Sharma said. New Delhi, August 25 : The Centre on Friday refuted China's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg happened at New Delhi's request, saying that there was a "pending request from China's side for a bilateral meeting". A pending request for a bilateral meeting was there from the Chinese side, government sources said. They further added that both the leaders, however, had an "informal conversation" at the Leaders Lounge during the BRICS Summit at Johannesburg. A Chinese foreign ministry press statement issued earlier in the day said, "President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at the latteras request on August 23, 2023." "The two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region," it added further. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra while addressing the media in Johannesburg on Thursday had said that both Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Jinping agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation. The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace, tranquillity in the border areas and respecting LAC are essential for normalisation of India-China ties, Kwatra had said. During his conversation with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, the prime minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC, the foreign secretary had informed further. --IANSans/dpb Los Angeles, Aug 25 : Popular rap brother duo of Baby Trench and Polo G have been arrested after a police raid on the former's Chatsworth mansion in California. According to TMZ, Polo G, whose real name is Taurus Bartlett, was arrested after police found an illegal short-barrel rifle and drugs after searching his $4.9 million mansion and car. His younger brother, Trench Baby, whose real name is Taurean Bartlett, was wanted in a robbery case and was taken into police custody. Trench Baby was released late on Wednesday after posting $100,000 bail. Polo G was released on his own recognisance, according to Los Angeles County jail records. One of the witnesses arrived on location to film the video, and cops say Trench Baby drew a handgun with an extended magazine, demanding the man empty his pockets and wire money to him into another account. Trench Baby has a September 13 court date hearing while Polo G is scheduled to appear on September 12. Polo G is represented by attorney Bradford Cohen, who has represented rappers Draze, Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. It is unclear who represents Trench Baby. After their arrest, the legal representatives said that the police had "refused to allow us access to our client which is also an illegal and unethical practice and someone will have to answer for these new wrongful actions." The raid and subsequent arrests stem from an Los Angeles Police Department investigation into an August 15 robbery at a home in the 18,500 block of Clydesdale Avenue in Granada Hills. Taurus Bartlett, performing as Polo G, is a Columbia Records artist. His 2019 debut, 'Die a Legend' went double-platinum. The following year, his second album, 'Goat', had 10 songs chart in Billboard's Hot 100. In 2021, his third album, 'Hall of Fame' debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The albumas single, 'Rapstar' spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, besting superstars Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, the Weeknd and Ariana Grande. San Francisco, Aug 25 : Google has announced that Microsoft Outlook users will now display as organisers in Google Calendar when they invite a Calendar user to a meeting event. Earlier, if a Microsoft Outlook user invited a Google Calendar user to a meeting event, the Outlook useras display name would not appear at all in the list of meeting attendees on Calendar. "Starting today, weare updating this experience so that the Outlook user who organised the meeting is listed amongst the other meeting attendees in Calendar as the meeting organiser," Google said in a Workspace Updates blogpost on Thursday. This change is available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. Last month, the tech giant had rolled out improved meeting room suggestions in Google Calendar. Google had also released a feature that helps users to set working locations in Calendar. With this option, users can set working locations in Calendar that "indicate where youare working for specific portions of the day". This feature helps users to more accurately reflect their availability based on the physical location they set, which can change throughout the day. --IANS aj/ksk New Delhi, Aug 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a day-long visit to Athens, met Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Friday during which he spoke about the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Modi's trip to Greece is the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said: "Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3." Modi went on to say that the "success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind". "The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind." After their meeting, President Sakellaropoulou conferred Modi with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. "I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India," the Prime Minister said in another tweet. Following his arrival on Friday morning, he also paid tributes at the aTomb of Unknown Soldiera. This is also Modi's maiden visit to Greece. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold interactions with the Greek business community, Indian diaspora and prominent personalities. --IANS ans/ksk Bengaluru, Aug 25 : The Karnataka Unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday accused Public Enterprises Minister Sharanbasappa Darshanapura of not holding a single public meeting despite the Congress government completing 100 days in power in the state. Stating that he is neither available to the public nor to the entrepreneurs, AAP State vice-president Mohan Dasari questioned "Have (Congress government) kept him in the cabinet only for namesake? Despite the previous government abolishing the Public Enterprises portfolio, the appointment of Minister Darsanapura to that portfolio raises doubts, he said while addressing the reporters. He further said that the board installed on the door of minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur's official room in the Vidhana Soudha is confusing. Darshanapur has been appointed as the Minister of Public Enterprises in the details of portfolio allocation submitted to the Governor during the allocation of portfolios of the State Government Ministers. Did the chief secretary to the government mislead the governor by hiding the fact that the previous government had cancelled the public enterprises portfolio itself? he wondered. Meanwhile, Minister Sharan Basappa Darshanapur has clarified on his Twitter account that he has merged the Public Enterprises ministry with the Finance portfolio, so he did not call any meeting of officials related to this. This means that the Public Enterprise ministry belongs to the Chief Minister who holds the Finance portfolio as well. There is confusion among the public about this matter, is the ministry of public enterprises in the government? Or canceled? Or merged with finance department? It is confusing, he maintained. The confusion regarding the appointment of Darshanpur as Minister of Public Enterprises should be resolved immediately, he urged. IANS A Dothan mother was arrested and charged with capital murder after her newborn infants body was discovered in a trash compactor, according to police. This story is absolutely shocking, Dothan Police Chief Will Benny said. In 27 years of law enforcement, Ive never even heard of something as horrific as this. It shocks the mind; it shocks the soul. Jakayla Ashanti Williams, 18, of Dothan, is charged with one count of capital murder. She is currently being held in the Dothan City Jail with no bond. According to Dothan Police, a woman, later identified as Williams, arrived at Southeast Health Thursday morning and told an employee she was looking to find a child that she had left at the hospital on Aug. 13. Williams family wasnt aware she had given birth until earlier this week and was concerned for the childs safety. She stated that she had a child and dropped it off at the medical center with a red-headed nurse, Benny said. The family wanted to make sure the child was good and bring the child back into the family. Investigators determined that Williams did give birth at her home on that date, however, there was no record of her ever going to the hospital and dropping the child off. Benny said a few hours after she gave birth, Williams wrapped the live child in a blanket, drove to an apartment complex in Dothan, and placed him in a trash compactor at the back of the property. Williams has no connection to the apartment complex, and its currently unknown why she chose that location. The body was recovered at the Dothan landfill and transported to the Alabama Department of Forensics to confirm the remains found were the that of Williams baby. Benny said Williams admitted to investigators that she didnt want the child. Its just incredible to even believe because she knew she can take a newborn to the hospital and drop it off, Benny said. In Alabama law, there is a no questions asked policy. They passed this law to prevent things like this, but she chose not to do that. Houston County District Attorney Russ Goodman praised the Dothan Police Department for its hard work on this case. I want to thank Chief Benny and the entire Dothan Police Department, Goodman said. The details of this case are horrific, but investigators worked quick and diligently given the circumstances of this crime. They did their job well, and thats why we were able to make this arrest. I couldnt ask for a better department to work with. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Opposing the request made by Aam Aadmi Party leader Satyendar Jain for extension of interim bail, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday submitted before the Supreme Court that the former Delhi minister should be treated like an ordinary prisoner and be directed to surrender immediately. "Not a single day (of extension) is warranted Please ask him to surrender and fix the matter. He should be treated like an ordinary prisoner," contended Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate. "We will provide him physiotherapy. If the physiotherapist says, we will take him to the swimming pool," said Raju, pressing for Jain's surrender. He added that the former Delhi minister should undergo an independent medical evaluation to be carried out by a panel of doctors from AIIMS. Initially, a bench comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh expressed its disclination to extend Jain's interim bail beyond September 5 and said that the AAP leader will have to surrender thereafter. However, on persuasion made by Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Jain, the bench ordered extension till September 1. "I am ready to argue today or next Tuesday before the order of surrenderYour lordships cannot have (an order of) surrender," said Singhvi. Earlier on July 24, the top court had extended the AAP leader's interim bail for five weeks after it was informed that Jain has undergone a spine surgery and requires an extension for recovery. The Supreme Court on May 26 had initially granted interim bail to Jain for six weeks, saying a citizen has a right to receive treatment of his choice in a private hospital at his own expense. It was contended before the top court that Jain has extreme health problems and has lost over 30 kgs. In April this year, the Delhi High Court had dismissed bail pleas of Jain and his two aides in a money laundering case being probed by the central agency. Jain has been in custody since May 30 last year in a money laundering case registered against him by the Enforcement Directorate. Mumbai, Aug 25 : Actor Kanan A. Malhotra, who plays the role of an antagonist Kartik in the supernatural series 'Ishq Ki Dastaan - Naagmani', has wrapped up his shoots. Kanan said: "It was my first supernatural show with some power to change myself into any living creature, like a tiger and so on. I played the role of Kartik and it was a negative role." "He was in love with a female antagonist Mohini (Pavitra Punia) and was in the family to create trouble in the life of leads (Karam Rajpal and Aleya Ghosh). But finally his identity was revealed and was killed by the heroine." Kanan currently also shoots for another show, essaying the role of Gunojirao in historical drama, 'Punyashlok Ahilyabai'. He is open to new opportunities. "I'm again open to exploring new opportunities. I feel after acting in the industry for many years, playing different roles from a lead hero to an antagonist, in fact essayed the role of God too." "I now want to either do some action oriented role or want to play a romantic hero any day. In fact I feel it's the right time to contest a reality show." 'Naagmani' tells the story of a shape-shifting serpent couple who take rebirth in order to complete their love story, unaware of a threat that has followed them. Patna, Aug 25 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday alleged that the Central government is "framing" RJD president Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court adjourned hearing till October on pleas filed by CBI seeking cancellation of bail granted to Lalu Prasad in connection with multi-crore fodder scam. Seeking rejection of RJD chief's bail, CBI said, "Lalu Prasad was given bail on health ground, and as now, his health is good after kidney transplant, his bail should be cancelled." Interacting with mediapersons here, Nitish said, "People sitting in central government are unnecessarily harassing Lalu Prasad. They are harassing everyone in opposition parties." On teachers recruitment examination, he said, "Examinations are being conducted. I had promised jobs to boys and girls and I am fulfilling it. We will do many more good things for common people." The teachers recruitment examination for 1.70 lakh posts is underway in the state from August 24-27. Beijing, Aug 25 : China's Ministry of Water Resources on Friday activated a level-IV emergency response to flooding in 13 provincial-level regions. The regions are Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Shaanxi and Gansu, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying From Friday to Sunday, heavy rain will sharply increase water levels in rivers including parts of the Yangtze and Huaihe river,s the Ministry said, adding that some small and medium-sized rivers in affected areas may see floods exceeding warning levels. It urged relevant water conservancy departments to closely monitor rain situations and strengthen early warning, with focus on ensuring the safety of reservoirs and the prevention of mountain torrents and floods in small and medium-sized rivers. Jaipur, Aug 25 : District Special Team (DST) constable Prahlad Singh (34), who was injured in the firing while chasing a bike thief in Rajasthan's Dausa, succumbed to his injuries on Friday in SMS Hospital here. The team had an encounter with two bike thieves at 8.45 a.m. on Wednesday in Reta village of Sikandra police station area of aathe district. Police constable Prahlad Singh was shot in his head by a miscreant during the encounter. According to police, Prahlad Singh had entered a millet field in Reta village while chasing a bike thief, who carried a weapon and shot Singh in the head. An injured Singh was sent to Dausa Hospital in the jeep of a finance company. After first aid there, he was referred to the SMS Hospital in Jaipur on Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday itself, the doctors operated on Singh and removed a part of the bullet. After this he was shifted to ICU. He was on a ventilator. Neurosurgery Head of Department Dr. Ashok Gupta confirmed the death of Prahlad Singh on Friday morning. According to the information received from the hospital, Singh had two parts of the bullet in his head. One was surgically removed by the doctors but the other part was deep inside the head. Prahlad Singh was posted as constable at the Sadar police station in Dausa and was part of DST. Hearing the news of the death of a fellow cop, a wave of mourning descended in the police department. The constable had joined the police in 2008. He was originally a resident of Chiplata village in Neemkathana area of aaSikar district. New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Delhi High Court has expressed strong criticism towards the Income Tax (I-T) department for filing an appeal after a delay of nearly 500 days. The court stated that such deliberate inaction cannot be accepted and emphasised the need for officials to be penalised for such conduct. A division bench of Justices Rajiv Shakdher and Girish Kathpalia noted that despite previous judicial pronouncements expressing dissatisfaction with the behaviour of government officials in terms of delays, there has been little change in their attitude. The court remarked that such delays often stem from extreme negligence and dereliction of duties on the part of government officials. The court further mentioned that such delays can have detrimental effects, especially when they are used to exploit limitations and dismiss government appeals, thereby benefiting a particular party. The judges called for a shift from negligence to due diligence to prevent justice from being compromised due to indifference and negligence. The case in question dealt with an application filed by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, seeking to condone a delay of 498 days in filing an appeal under the Income Tax Act. The court dismissed the application and the appeal, pointing out the importance of adhering to the law of limitation and expressing the need for government officials to act with due expedition. The judges concluded by expecting that legal representatives, who represent the revenue in court, would educate their officers about the Supreme Court's stance on such issues, referring to a previous case (Bherulal) that dealt with similar matters. --IANSspr/dpb New Delhi, Aug 25 : The BJP on Friday slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after he took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra over alleged Chinese incursions saying Gandhi is repeatedly making baseless statements. Earlier in the day, the Congress MP at a public meeting in Kargil said "Every person in Ladakh knows that China has taken the land of India and the Prime Minister is not ready to speak.'' Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "I am not able to understand why Rahul Gandhi ji has so much love for China. Is this in favour of the aid that the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation got ? He is again and again ready to argue with the Indian government. He is repeatedly making baseless statements. He is unrestrained." Referring to the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre, he said, "What was the relationship with China with their government? What is the relationship with our government ? We want to clarify that under the leadership of Narendra Modi after our government rode to power (at Centre), a think tank from Beijing in 2020, had said China is passing through its worst diplomatic isolation post Tiananmen Square.'' "During Doklam, the food he had with the Chinese ambassador, he did not tell, the photo came from there. Your habit of repeatedly asking (the government). What is the reason behind this ? It should be made clear," he said. Reminding Gandhi of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Trivedi said, "Nehru during his time supplied rice to Chinese forces. There was love for China during that time also which continues even today." He also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the government has achieved unprecedented success on all fronts, including diplomacy. New Delhi, Aug 25 : India in the last one year saw two pivotal religious activities. One saw an assembly of Indian and Indonesian Ulema (scholars) deliberating upon fomenting interfaith dialogue. The second was the visit of Sheikh Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Issa who is chief of the Saudi-based World Muslim League, who was on a similar mission. Both the series of events left behind a trail of reformist path that Indian Ulema have to urgently follow. Why are there lessons for Indian Ulema? First, despite India being safe from extreme radical thoughts expounded by groups like Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and like-minded groups, threat persists as these groups are active in India's immediate neighbourhood. Second, the rapid advance of democratic thoughts and technological advancements has left no choice but swiftly accommodating to the new environment. India and Indonesia have two of the largest Muslim populations in the world, around 200 million each. Religious activities of such a large mass of people leave a lasting impression about Islam and its role in world politics. Both these countries have deep histories of religious diversity and thus the emphasis on the democratic principles of peaceful coexistence and harmony naturally becomes expedient. Indonesia, like India, too faced the danger of religious extremism only a few years back. Infamous Bali bombing is a grim reminder of that immediate past. However, the Indonesian government came up with a solution through Nahdlatul Ulama a traditionalist organisation with an estimated membership of over 95 million to promote globally the notion of Islam Nusantara (Islam of the Indonesian Archipelago). Founded in 1926 by the Ulama and merchants to defend both traditionalist Islamic practices (in accordance with Shafi'i school) and its members' economic interests, the organisation has today become a fountain of religious reforms and people-oriented poverty alleviation programmes. What is particularly unique in the Indonesian understanding of Islam is that it combines the religious teachings with the local context. This essentially means that the principles of Islam can be adapted to the context in any case and this makes it easier to apply the teachings rather than having a rigid interpretation of the religion. This rigid interpretation essentially becomes a breeding ground of radicalisation and religious extremism. The new coinage that the Nahdlatul Ulama has invented is "humanitarian Islam" that appeals to every section of the society and embraces everyone simply as fellow human beings. Besides preaching Islamic values, the Nahdlatul Ulama undertakes educational activities through its network of 6,830 Islamic boarding schools (or pesantren). It also owns 44 universities; is involved in economic and agricultural studies; and provides social services such as family planning. In 2019, it called for the abolishment of the term "kafir" to describe non-Muslims. In extending a hand of support and cooperation to Indonesia, India aims to bring this ideology of 'moderate Islam' to the forefront. Indian ulema have to take cues from the NU and employ themselves in educational activities. They must come up with a mutually agreed charter to make reforms on within the line. Besides, they all have to take initiatives on their own for madrasa reforms or welcome the government steps in this direction. More importantly, they have to shun any "theory of distance from non-Muslim" if it exists in the Muslim society. Like Nahdlatul Ulama, the Jeddah-based World Muslim League, that has a wide network among Muslims around the globe, has illustrated how reforms can be bravely launched. The MWL, under Dr al-Issa, has demonstrated exemplary courage in shunning a number of religious texts that somehow sowed seeds of discord or were vague in their interpretations. This has been done with backing of Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman who seems to have a clear vision of reform-oriented Saudi Arabia which he is set to rule after his father King Salman bin Abdul Aziz. The Saudi Royal Family had hitherto followed and promoted Wahhabism and granted the movement authority over education and public morality. The hardline doctrinaire movement is slowly being blunted edge by edge, making it more accommodative of other viewpoints and changing circumstances. The MWL, under Dr al-Issa, is known for its moderation and a fervent search for world peace. During his India visit, he asked Indian scholars to purge "toxic literature" (meaning that promotes disharmony and discord) and make reforms in religious text books. He also called India an ideal democracy and a perfect place for Muslims to live in. Now, the onus is on Indian Ulema to take quick cues from examples of Nahdlatul Ulama and the MWL which have daringly established themselves as harbinger of change in Muslim thoughts and practices. India ulema have to show similar courage and embark on a reformist road without wasting any precious time. The lead should ideally be taken by leading seminaries and Ulema. They have hogged all the limelight yet far and thus must be the vanguard of change as well. Time is knocking at their doors. (The Author is the Chairman of the Muslim Students Organisation of India) Patna, Aug 25 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said that caste-based survey is complete and will soon be made public. It will prove beneficial for all sections of society, he added. While interacting with media persons here, he said: "The headcount is over and the data compiling is underway. It will soon be out. The survey will help deprived the people of society. It will give a picture of which section is required for development." "I am not bothered about what BJP leaders are saying on caste-based surveys. I can say that it was a unanimous decision of all parties, including the saffron party to conduct a caste-based survey. We have been in favour of it right from the start, " the CM said. He also said that the Supreme Court has never put the survey hold. The Patna High Court has already dismissed the PIL filed in this regard. Nitish Kumar also said: "Why is the Centre not conducting a census of the country which takes place every 10 years and was scheduled in 2021. New Delhi, 25 Aug : Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday has signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy. MoD said that the overall cost of the project is around Rs 19,000 crore. The Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the acquisition of these ships during its meeting on August 16, 2023. MoD official said that it would be a major boost towards achieving the goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and these ships will be indigenously designed and constructed by HSL, Visakhapatnam. MoD said that the fleet support ships will be employed for replenishing ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling the Indian Naval Fleet to operate for prolonged periods without returning to harbour. These ships would enhance the strategic reach and mobility of the Fleet. The induction of these ships will significantly enhance the blue water capability of the Indian Navy. The ships can also be deployed for evacuation of people and human assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, the official added. MoD said that the Fleet Support Ships of 44,000 Tons will be the first-of-its kind to be built in India by an Indian Shipyard. This project will generate employment of nearly 168.8 lakh mandays over a period of eight years. The construction of these ships will provide a new dimension to the Indian shipbuilding Industry and encourage active participation of associated industries, including MSMEs. MoD said that with majority of the equipment and systems being sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will be a proud flag bearer of aAatmanirbhar Bharata in consonance with the aMake in Indiaa initiatives of the Government. On Thursday, the Defence Acquisition Council accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 7,800 crore. MoD said that this decision has been taken to enhance the efficiency of the Indian Air Force, the DAC has granted AoN for procurement and installation of Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite on Mi-17 V5 Helicopters under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category which will enhance better survivability of Helicopters. The EW Suite will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The DAC has also accorded AoN for procurement of Ground-Based Autonomous System for mechanised infantry and armoured regiments which will enable various operations like unmanned surveillance, logistic delivery of ammunition, fuel and spares and casualty evacuation in the battle field. Ahead of Labor Day weekend, the State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced additional fire precautions for five state parks in the southern portion of the state. Visitors and overnight guests at Gulf, Meaher, Bladon Springs, Roland Cooper, and Frank Jackson state parks are being asked to take extra precautions with campfires and barbecue grills during the current dry conditions. As park guests plan for the upcoming Labor Day holiday, we ask that they keep the recent hot and dry conditions in mind when it comes to campfires and grilling, said Greg Lein, Director of ADCNRs State Parks Division. Those conditions have increased the risk for wildfires at state parks in south Alabama. We encourage park visitors and overnight guests to be very cautious with campfires and grills during this period until we get some much-needed rain and the temperatures moderate. The additional fire precautions at Gulf, Meaher, Bladon Springs, Roland Cooper and Frank Jackson state parks include the following: No campfires outside of designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds, or developed recreational areas. Barbecue grills and gas-fueled stoves are permitted only in designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds or developed recreational areas. Do not use barbecue grills or gas stoves in areas that can scorch, burn or damage lawns or picnic tables. Place barbecue grills a minimum of 15 feet away from any flammable material such as grass, weeds, wood chips, brush or park facilities. Do not leave a campfire or grill unattended. Completely extinguish all burning fuel such as wood or charcoal before disposing of it in an existing fireplace, fire pit or barbecue grill. If you have questions about the additional fire precautions at Gulf, Meaher, Bladon Springs, Roland Cooper and Frank Jackson state parks, please contact the main offices of the individual parks. Contact information is available at www.alapark.com. Park visitors are also encouraged to monitor each state parks social media accounts for updates on fire precautions and restrictions. A social media directory for Alabama State Parks is available at www.alapark.com/social-media-directory. ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com. Jammu, Aug 25 : A court in Jammu on Friday framed charges against 24 persons in the police sub-inspector (SI) recruitment scam. Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Anjum Ara framed the charges against 24 persons, including a BSF officer named Karnail Singh, in the SI recruitment scam. As per the prosecution case, vide letter No. GAD-VIG0COMP/285/2022-04-GAD dated 08.07.2022, Mohammad Usman Khan, Deputy Secretary, conveyed the decision of the J&K government for an investigation by the CBI into the allegations of irregularities in the written examination for SI's posts in the J&K Police conducted by the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on the basis of a report of the inquiry committee constituted by the J&K government. Perusal of the report prima facie revealed criminal conspiracy among officials of JKSSB; M/s Merit Trac Bengaluru; beneficiary candidates and other accused persons causing gross irregularities in conduct of written examination for SI's posts in J&K Police. Accordingly, a regular case was registered against the accused persons under Sections 120-B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code. After hearing the arguments, the CJM observed, aPrima facie it appears that the accused have substantively committed the offences under Sections 420, 201, 411 of the IPC as such and are required to be charged for the offences. "Therefore, prima facie commission of offences under Sections 120-B read with 420, 408, 201, 411 of the IPC are clearly found established against the accused persons. They are accordingly charged for commission of offences." Hyderabad, Aug 25 : Alleging that the Modi government capitulated before China on border issue, the AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday demanded a special session of Parliament. He called the capitulation shameful and dangerous and demanded that the government should tell the nation what it discussed with China in 19 rounds. Addressing a news conference, the Hyderabad MP asked why the Prime Minister was running after the Chinese President for talks and why the government was keeping the country in the dark about what is happening in Ladakh. Owaisi said the Prime Minister spoke to the Chinese President in Bali but the nation came to know after a month that some sort of agreement happened. He said the Prime Minister met the Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 23 at the BRICS meeting in South Africa and the next day the nation came to know about it after the Chinese foreign ministry released a statement saying the meeting happened at the request of the Prime Minister. Stating that 19 rounds of talks were held with China, he wanted to know what was the outcome. "Has China allowed us to patrol 25 patrolling points where it had stopped us from patrolling? Has China allowed us to patrol Depsang and Demchok. Nothing is happening. Why is this government succumbing and capitulating to the Chinese," he asked. Owaisi also asked why the Modi government was putting pressure on the Army to accept anything as a solution to the border crisis. He also wanted to know why it is not insisting on a return to the status quo ante of May 2020. "What we are hiding. What is happening in Ladakh. The satellite images are very clear. We are not able to patrol Depsang and Demchok," he said. The IPS officer of Ladakh categorically stated in the DGP conference that we cannot patrol 25 out of 65 patrolling points, he said. "This land belongs to our country. This is not some personal property of BJP or any political party. This land is deeply connected to the security of our country," he said "You are saying there was disengagement but when will deinduction happen," he asked Owaisi demanded that the government should give free hand to the Army which is brave and capable. He, however, clarified that he was not talking of war but of safeguarding our land. Stating that there should be no compromise on Indian territory, the MP said the Army should be allowed to take independent decisions without putting any pressure Recalling the Prime Minister's words to the nation that 'na koi ghusa hai no koi ghusey ga', he asked what was discussed with China in 19 rounds. The AIMIM chief said China always talks of overall relations as it does not want to discuss the border issue. He recalled foreign minister Jaishankar's statement that relations with China can't be normal unless normalcy returns on the border. New York, Aug 25 : A 29-year-old Sikh man has been arrested and charged with murder after he allegedly shot at and killed his girlfriend at a parking garage in California. Simranjit Singh was arrested last week after police suspected him of killing his 34-year-old girlfriend at Galleria mall's five-story parking garage in Roseville city. "Singh appeared in the court on Wednesday and the Public Defender's Office was appointed to represent the defendant," the Placer County District Attorney's Office, which filed the charges against Singh, said, adding that the defendant did not enter a plea. The couple had arrived together at the mall, and after killing the woman at around 10.30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Singh tried to run away and left a gun inside the car, which was recovered by the police, CBS News reported. "The suspect was detained very quickly, that's kind of with eyewitness accounts, with the help of security," a police spokesperson said. "We were able to locate him very quickly across the street and not on the mall property," the police said, adding that a second person of interest was interviewed and released after questioning. "There is no longer a threat or safety concern to the mall or customers. Police will remain on scene to investigate the incident. We will provide more information after the investigation," the Roseville Police Department said. Singh has since been held at the Placer County Jail in California without bail. Police said they will release the victim's name once the next of kin has been notified. Aizawl, Aug 25 : With one more body found on Friday, a total of 23 bodies recovered in Mizoram's Sairang area, where an under-construction railway bridge collapsed on Wednesday, officials said. Aizawl District Deputy Commissioner Nazuk Kumar said that one more body was found from the accident site taking the total number of bodies recovered since Wednesday to 23. "As there is no other missing person due to the mishap, the joint search operation was closed on Friday afternoon," she told IANS. Soon after the railway bridge collapsed near the mountainous Sairang area, about 21 km from Aizawl, Quick Response Team (QRT) along with National and State Disaster Response Force, Border Security Force (BSF) and Young Mizo Association volunteers jointly launched the search operations and recovered dead bodies of all 23 workers. Tracker dogs of BSF also searched and located dead bodies under the debris, officials said. Two more workers and an engineer were injured and now under medical treatment in Civil Hospital in Aizawl. Officials said that most of the victims are from West Bengal's Malda district and they were engaged in the bridge construction work by the Kolkata based ABCI Infrastructures Pvt. Mizoram Transport Minister T.J. Lalnuntluanga said that the railway bridge construction was undertaken by the Kolkata company in 2018 and scheduled to be completed by December this year. The Railway engineers said that the accident was due to the collapse of a gantry, which was being placed over the 104-metre piers of the under-construction bridge. The steel structure had suddenly toppled off towering columns into the forested valley below. The railway bridge under the 51.38-km railway project was under construction over the Kurung river to connect Bairabi (near southern Assam) to Sairang. A high-level four member committee has been constituted by the Railway Ministry to probe the incident, railway officials said. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has been implementing the 51.38-km railway project. NFR General Manager (Construction) Sunil Kumar Jha, along with senior officials, from the NFR headquarters in Maligaon (Guwahati) still camping in Mizoram. Sairang railway station is set to be the last railhead before reaching Mizoram's capital Aizawl. The vital railway project, which is scheduled to be completed by December this year, would connect mountainous Aizawl with the country's railway network. There are 32 tunnels (12.67 km total length), 16 cut and cover tunnels (2.58 km total length) along the 51.38-km-long Bairabi to Sairang stretch of the broad gauge railway line, which traverses through Thingdawl and Tlangnuam areas under Kolasib and Aizawl districts respectively. There are 55 major bridges, of which six are tall bridges having a height of more than 70 metre (the tallest being 104 metre), 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges and eight road underbridges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is now abroad, on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. The Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased, Rs two lakh towards grievous and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Amol Parashar on National Award for 'Sardar Udham': 'Witnessed the passion, honesty of the team at work'. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, Aug 25 : Actor Amol Parashar plays Bhagat Singh in Vicky Kaushal-starrer 'Sardar Udham', which bagged the Best Hindi Film honour at the 69th National Film Awards, said that although he has a small part of this stupendous film, he got to witness the passion, craft and honesty of the team at work. Amol told IANS: "It is heartening to see Sardar Udham winning deservedly at the National Awards 2023. Although I am a small part of this stupendous film, I got to witness the passion, craft and honesty of the team at work. When I saw the film for the first time, I myself was stunned by it, by the craft at display." Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar's film 'Sardar Udham' has been honoured with five honours, which includes Best Hindi Film, Best Production design, Best Cinematography, the Best Costume Design and Best Audiography category. He added: "I am proud to have been a part of the film and to have gotten a chance to work with some of the best people at their jobs, especially Shoojit sir and Vicky as my on set collaborators." Amol shared that the film talks about social and political revolution from a humanist point of view, a theme that is both universal and timeless. "I hope we tell more stories like this, that speaks to the great and selfless parts of us. These are the heroes of history who built this great nation, and they deserve a little more than just being pictures on our walls. We need to take forward their legacy of humanism, selflessness and true inclusivity." 'Sardar Udham' is a biographical historical drama film directed by Shoojit Sircar, and produced by Rising Sun Films in collaboration with Kino Works. Based on the life of Udham Singh, a freedom fighter from Punjab who assassinated Michael O'Dwyer in London to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. The film also stars Shaun Scott, Stephen Hogan, Amol Parashar, Banita Sandhu. The film was also noted for its realistic portrayal of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, being depicted in an extended and graphic sequence. New Delhi, 25 Aug : Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said that the most important impact of Chandrayaan-3 was the emergence of India in soft power diplomacy. "At the time of soft landing, all prominent channels of the world were focussing on it and congratulating us," Vice President said. Addressing the 25th Convocation of New Delhi Institute of Management on Friday, the Vice President asked the students to be proud of our stupendous achievements. "We should be proud Indians. Our glass is half full and a day it'll be filled to brim. We have to give up negativity," Vice President said. Describing the success of Chandrayan-3 as moment of glory for the nation, Vice President said emphasised that, "We are in the big four. It is a matter of time, we'll be number one." Mentioning that the previous Chandrayan-2 mission was 96 percent success, Vice President appreciated the gesture of the Prime Minister who stood as a rock behind the then Director, ISRO and motivated our scientists. Vice President said that the world looks at India as a bright spot in global economy and as a consequence of several affirmative governmental policies. "We have an ecosystem now where one gets an opportunity to fully unleash one's talent and energy. You can achieve your dreams," Vice President told students. Stating that the power corridors were have been fully sanitised of power brokers, the Vice President said that: "The institution of power brokers is dead. It can never revive. Transparency and accountability are hallmark of governance and there is zero tolerance for corruption now." Stating that our judicial system is very robust, the Vice President said that the culture of taking to streets, when one is booked for transgression of law, must die down. Talking about the legislature, the Vice President described the conduct of public representatives as dismal. "As Chairman, Rajya Sabha, I don't see debate, dialogue, discussion. I see disruption," the Vice President said and called upon the youth to get out of neutral gear; give up your silence and speak out your mind on this issue. "You have to create a system... in which you will want your representative to exemplify conduct that can be emulated, that can inspire others," the Vice President said. Describing education as the only most impactful transformative mechanism to bring about societal change, the Vice President appealed to the youth to give back to the society. Congratulating the passing out students, he asked them to "never stop learning... never stop gathering knowledge." The Vice President also called for a structured mechanism to engage with the alumni of our institutions. Recognising that our alumni are world's most powerful, impactful reservoir of talent, the Vice President suggested creating a National Confederation of Alumni from all institutions. "Then in the task of policy formulation, their contribution can be highly qualitative," the Vice President said. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Corneal tattooing offers an excellent solution to the people suffering from the end-stage opaque cornea and improves their aesthetic appearance, suggest eye specialists on Friday. Corneal tattooing is done for people with ocular injuries that can benefit cosmetically from a tattoo to make them more emotionally confident. The goal is to match the tattooed eye with the look of a normal eye. More than 6.8 million people suffer from vision loss in one eye and roughly one million in both the eyes because of corneal diseases. For common people, the opaque cornea is just a medical condition which makes the person blind from one or both the eyes while making them look a bit different. However, for the people who suffer from corneal opacity, it is a part of their personality that deeply affects their day to day life. The condition is especially detrimental for younger people, who could not get married or get a job because of their abnormal appearance. However, with advanced technologies giving way to some groundbreaking possibilities, such people now have an option of corneal tattooing. According to experts, corneal tattooing, in case of opacities where treatment indications rule out the option of corneal transplant, can effectively help improve the aesthetic appearance of the patients and give them a chance to live a normal life. "We suggest corneal tattooing to the patients who are blind in one eye and corneal transplant doesn't offer a chance of visual rehabilitation. The procedure is specifically beneficial for the young patients who suffer in life just because of the unusual appearance of their eyes," Dr Ikeda Lal, Cornea and Refractory Surgery Specialist, at Delhi Eye Centre and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS. "We can improve the cosmetic appearance of patients with corneal scar and nil visual prognosis." Dr Lal explained that while conventional tattooing procedures used lamellar pocket creation, for patients who cannot undergo, a special tattoo gun is used. "We use an advanced imported tattoo gun which helps us perform corneal tattooing with ease and without any injection or sutures. The technology we are using ensures safety and delivers optimum results." Corneal opacity is caused due to scarring of the cornea, a transparent structure placed just in front of the eyeball. In the case of scarring, the light fails to pass through the cornea to the retina, giving the cornea a clouded appearance. Eye injury, infections and certain eye diseases are the main reasons responsible for corneal opacity which can cause anything from minor irritation to vision loss and even blindness. In fact, corneal problems are the fourth leading cause of blindness after glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. "Patients with old corneal scars often also develop a squint which together is very disfiguring," Professor Rohit Saxena, Dr R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS. "Those patients who do not have any potential for vision corneal tattooing with corrective squint surgery gives these patients confidence and happiness and helps them to achieve their full potential," he added. Corneal tattooing can help people with corneal opacity to live a normal life, without looking different from others Mumbai, Aug 25 : Actor Siddharth Arora is set to join the cast of the television show 'Dhruv Tara - Samay Sadi Se Pare'. He will essay the character of Ranchhod - the human form of Lord Krishna. Given Tara's immense belief and devotion for Lord Krishna, Siddharth's character is poised to guide her journey, offering support and direction at every step. Talking about his role, Siddharth said in a statement: "The character of Ranchhod is a captivating blend of mystery and emotions, and I believe his entry will bring a fresh perspective to Dhruv and Tara's beautiful love story. Ranchhod is not only an intriguing character in his own right, but he will also play a crucial role as an anchor in Dhruv and Tara's journey." He further mentioned: "His presence will be felt as he guides Tara through each step, adding an exciting layer to the unfolding narrative. Working with such a talented cast and being a part of a show that explores love across eras is a creatively fulfilling experience. I can't wait for the audience to witness the twists and turns Ranchhod will bring to the narrative." Earlier, it was revealed that Tara, who time travels to the 17th century, will be still hurt about her father's death and is careful around Dhruv as she thinks he's connected to what happened to her father. The show recently completed 150 episodes. 'Dhruv Tara- Samay Sadi Se Pare' airs Monday to Saturday on Sony SAB. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. An official joint statement said that both India and Greece have shown extraordinary economic resilience, despite the challenges in their respective regions, and have restored domestic economic growth. "Building on the foundation of the long-standing warm and close relationship between their countries and peoples, the two leaders decided to upgrade Greek-Indian bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership". It was also decided that they would work to further expand bilateral cooperation in political, security and economic spheres. Welcoming Indiaas presidency of the G20 forum, Mitsotakis expressed confidence that under Indiaas leadership, the G20 will successfully advance its goals. Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to the Greek Prime Minister to visit India. Modi is on a day-long visit to Greece at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Both the leaders appreciated the increase in bilateral trade and economic engagement in recent years, and also directed that both sides shall work to double bilateral trade by 2030. Modi and Mitsotakis reiterated the need for further broadening and deepening bilateral engagements, in the field of defence, shipping, science and technology, cyber space, education, culture, tourism and agriculture. They took note of the signing of the MoU on cooperation in the field of agriculture, including the establishment of a Hellenic-Indian joint sub-committee on agriculture for facilitating sectoral cooperation for mutual benefit. Both leaders directed their senior officials to ensure regular dialogue in the areas including political, economic, defence, security and public diplomacy. They also agreed to encourage direct flights between Greece and India. Taking into account the long-standing cultural exchanges between India and Greece, both leaders welcomed efforts to promote exchanges in all forms of art. They also agreed to encourage joint efforts in preserving and protecting ancient sites, and strengthen cooperation within UNESCO. Both leaders agreed that an early finalisation of a Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement (MMPA) would be mutually beneficial, facilitating in particular the free movement of workforce between the two countries. The leaders acknowledged that both India and Greece share historical linkages and agreed that at a time when the global order is undergoing unprecedented changes, a re-energised approach to enhancing our bilateral relationship is required. As leaders of two ancient sea faring nations with a long-standing maritime outlook, they shared their vision of a free, open and rules-based Mediterranean Sea and Indo-Pacific, in accordance with the law of the sea, in particular the provisions of the UNCLOS, and with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation to the benefit of international peace, stability and security. Both leaders noted that the EU and India have largest democratic and free market space in the world, and agreed that deepening EU-India relations would be mutually beneficial and have a positive regional and global impact. The two prime ministers expressed their strong support for the ongoing India-EU trade and investment negotiations and the early implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership. Jaipur, Aug 25 : Thousands of nurses from across Rajasthan came to Jaipur on Friday to stage a mass protest against the state government as their long-standing demands "remain unaddressed" during the four-and-half-year of the current Congress government. As per officials, these nurses took leave and gathered at Jaipur's SMS Medical College ground at 11 a.m. They later took out a protest rally to Ramleela Maidan here. The mass leave by nurses hit the patients across the state. However, hospital administration had made alternate arrangements by deputing nursing college students. The four demands being raised by these nurses are -- removal of the salary discrepancy, promotions as per time scale, regularisation of contractual employees and formation of a committee to resolve employees' grievances. In a joint statement, Rajasthan Nurses Sanyukta Sanghar Samiti leaders including Pyare Lal, Rajendra Singh Rana and Narendra Singh Shekhawat said that they were staging a peaceful protest since last three months however the government "overlooked our demands". "In 2018 elections, Congress in its manifesto has made four promises with employees and all these promises remain unfulfilled as of now. Hence employees are anguished for their 100 per cent demands are not implemented. Now its time to make another manifesto and last manifestoas promises are pending," they added. In a stark revelation of persisting gender pay disparity, the latest research from the ADP Research Institute has uncovered a substantial gap in salary growth between men and women. Startlingly, men recorded an average pay increase of 5.7% over the past year, leaving women with a comparatively lower growth rate of 4.4%. This sobering finding is further compounded by the fact that a staggering 50% of female workers expressed dissatisfaction with their current salary. Adding to these concerns, a concerning trend among older Australian workers emerges, as they anticipate being overlooked for pay raises and bonuses in the upcoming year. A recent survey conducted by ADP, a leading HR and Payroll solutions provider, highlights the ongoing gender pay gap in Australia. The study, titled People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View, encompassed over 1,400 Australian workers and revealed a concerning trend: womens salary growth continues to lag behind mens, and this trend is anticipated to persist in the coming year. Looking ahead, men expect their pay to rise by an average of 6.3% in the next year, while women anticipate a more modest increase of 5.2%. Perceptions of pay inequality also vary between genders. Notably, 60% of women believe they are underpaid for their work, compared to 56% of men who share the same sentiment. Kylie Baullo, Managing Director ANZ at ADP, expressed concern over these findings. She noted, Despite the ongoing discussions regarding the gender pay gap, this data demonstrates that the disparity continues. Baullo highlighted the pressing issue of financial challenges faced by Australian workers across various sectors, emphasizing that womens unequal pay can hinder their ability to contribute equally to household expenses. As Equal Pay Day approaches on August 25th, Baullo emphasized the importance for employers to address existing inconsistencies and inequalities in employee pay. By doing so, they can foster a more equitable work environment, boost employee morale and engagement, retain talent, and ultimately drive organizational success. The survey also revealed insights into generational differences in pay expectations. While 58% of Australian Generation Z individuals (aged 18-24) expect a pay increase in the next year, only 34% of those aged 55 and over anticipate the same. Additionally, 21% of Gen Z workers believe they are in line for a bonus, compared to 16% of those nearing retirement age. Mrs. Baullo underscored the importance of recognizing the value of experienced workers, noting that neglecting this group may lead to the loss of crucial knowledge and skills as they seek better compensation elsewhere. People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View delves into employee perspectives on the current work landscape and their expectations for the future workplace. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Gurugram, Aug 25 : Rolls Royce involved in the Delhi Mumbai expressway accident that claimed two lives and injured four near Nub Umri's village was being driven at 200 km per hour, which caused the crash, police said. The luxury car's estimated cost is around Rs 10 crore and was registered with a private firm. A senior police official of the Nuh police requesting anonymity said, "It was part of a private convoy of a businessman of a big group. The matter is under probe." The complainant Munil Yadav in his statement to Gurugram Police said around 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday, a truck carrying three people, identified as Rampreet, Kuldeep a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and Gautam Kumar, a resident of Nuh overturned after being hit by the car from the rear at a very high speed. The collision was so powerful that the overturned truck and the car caught fire. The truck was ferrying oil for gensets along the national highway and was employed by the NHAI. "I was in another truck and 300 meters behind when the accident took place. The accident occurred when the car hit the rear side diesel tank of the tanker. In the collision, the tanker driver lost control over the wheels and the vehicle overturned injuring the truck occupants," the complaint told IANS. Thereafter, another vehicle came in and several bouncers stepped out from the vehicle took three car occupants and went towards Delhi. There were several SUVs in the convoy, he said. "I immediately rushed the inured Rampreet, Kuldeep, and Gautam to Nalhad medical college in Nuh where Rampreet and Kuldeep were declared dead while Gautam was undergoing treatment, he said. The occupants of the car are being treated at a Gurugram hospital. They have been identified as Divya and Tasbir from Chandigarh, and Vikas from Delhi. "An FIR under IPC sections 279, 337, and 304A has been registered against an unknown person at Nagina police station. The victim's statements are yet to be recorded. We will initiate action against those guilty in the accident," Ashok Kumar, the investigating officer of the case, told reporters. He further said those in the tanker were regulars on this route and both vehicles were coming from Delhi when the crash occurred. "The police's initial inquiry revealed that the car was at very high speed which led to the accident but we are collecting more evidence," he stated. Meanwhile, it is being said that the tanker was proceeding towards the Delhi side and it stopped there and waited to make a U-turn. The road was clear and the truck started turning but the car was traveling so fast... the control room recorded its speed as over 200 km per hour." "There is space for a U-turn at the accident site but we are still establishing the sequence of events. We are presently taking the statements of those injured and will go to the Gurugram hospital for this soon," the investigation officer further said. Superintendent of Police Nuh, Narendra Bijarnia was not available for comments. New Delhi, Aug 25 : The average number of attacks per organisation in India reached 2,152 attacks in the first half of 2023, reflecting a significant increase of 20 per cent (year-on-year), a report showed on Friday. In H1 2023, 48 ransomware groups breached over 2,200 victims, with Lockbit3 being the most active, reporting a 20 per cent increase in victims compared to H1 2022. The emergence of new groups like Royal and Play is associated with the termination of Hive and Conti Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups, reports Check Point Research. "Criminal activities have continued to rise in the first half of the year, with an 8 per cent surge in global weekly cyberattacks in the second quarter marking the highest volume in two years," Maya Horowitz, VP Research at Check Point Software. "Even legacy technology such as USB storage devices, which have long been gathering dust in desk drawers, have gained popularity as a malware messenger." Horowitz added. In terms of geography, 45 per cent of victims are in the US, with an unexpected rise in Russian entities due to the novel actor "MalasLocker", which substitutes ransom demands with charitable donations. The manufacturing and retail sectors have seen the most victims, suggesting a shift in ransomware attack strategy. "Ransomware groups have stepped up their game, exploiting vulnerabilities in commonly used corporate software and shifting their approach from data encryption to data theft," the report mentioned. USB devices have resurfaced as significant threats, with both state-affiliated groups and cybercriminals deploying USB drives as vectors for infecting organisations globally. "Hacktivism has seen a rise, with politically motivated groups launching attacks on selected targets," the findings showed. Artificial Intelligence misuse has amplified, with generative AI tools being used to craft phishing emails, keystroke monitoring malware, and basic ransomware code, calling for stronger regulatory measures, according to the report. Kolkata, Aug 25 : After Delhi and Pune, Kolkata is all set to become the third Indian city to get air quality early warning system ( AQEWS) to compute and relay real-time and forecast data on pollution levels in the city, courtesy an initiative by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Through a dedicated website developed for that purpose, it will be possible to deliver detailed information about the contribution of PM2.5 and PM10 emissions. According to IITM scientist Sachin Ghude, capturing PM2.5 levels of such unprecedented magnitude is a global rarity. "We faced considerable challenges in collecting such exceptional data from the city. Our AQEWS relies on pinpoint accuracy, starting with precise weather forecasts as a foundation," he said. He also said that IITM has integrated satellite data on Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from an extensive network of 420 air quality monitoring stations across India. "This innovative system holds immense potential as a decision support tool for effective air quality management," he said at the India Clean Air Summit (ICAS) 2023, organised by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy. It is learnt that in Kolkata, as many as 20 low-cost censors (LCS) have been installed for this purpose. "LCS data after cross-calibration correctly identified days as being in or out of attainment with the 24h National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 60 g m-3 91 per cent of the time. The corrected data accurately identifies days with an India scale air quality index of 'poor' or 'worse' 94 per cent of the time. "This suggests that LCS can be a useful supplement to reactive gaseous mercury networks for air quality management," said V. Faye McNeill, professor in the departments of chemical engineering and earth and environmental sciences at the Columbia University. Imphal, Aug 25 : Days before the vital assembly session in Manipur on August 29, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the state's situation, officials said on Friday. An official said that Singh, accompanied by a few ministers and state BJP leaders, held a meeting with Shah in New Delhi on Thursday night and returned to Imphal on Friday. The Chief Minister upon his return to the state capital refused to disclose the details of his meeting with the Union Home Minister, only said: "We met the Home Minister to take his advice." Singh claimed that the situation in Manipur has been improving. A vital session of the Manipur assembly would be held from August 29 and is likely to discuss the prevailing situation and the ethnic violence, which broke out in Manipur on May 3 killing over 160 people, injuring over 600 and destroying innumerable number assets and thousands of houses of both Meitei and Kuki communities. Meanwhile, the security forces in Manipur recovered four looted arms, 38 ammunition and eight bombs from Imphal-West and Imphal-East districts. A total of 123 Nakas/Checkpoints were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley areas to check the movements of inimical elements. The Police also detained 1581 persons during the past 24 hours in connection with violations of various laws and government's instructions in different districts of the state. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Senior BJP leader from Assam, Rajen Gohain who recently tendered his resignation from his cabinet rank post in protest against the delimitation process in the state, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday. During his meeting with the Home Minister at his residence here, the former MP from Nagaon parliamentary constituency shared his grievances with Shah. "Today, I met Home Minister Amit Shah ji at his residence. He gave me 15 to 20 minutes times. I briefed to him about my grievances," the former Union Minister of State for Railways told reporters at the Assam House after meeting the Home Minister. On being asked about whether he will take back his resignation, Gohain said, "He (Home Minister) asked me to think. But, I told him why I don't want to hold the post." Last week, Gohain had resigned from his position as chairperson of the cabinet-level Assam Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited after voicing his displeasure over the recent delimitation procedure that led to portions of the Nagaon parliamentary constituency being included in the recently created Kaziranga Lok Sabha seat. Gohain had represented the Nagaon since 1999, winning four consecutive terms up until 2014 before being refused the party's ticket in 2019. Dharwad : , Aug 25 (IANS) The NRI woman from Australia, who recently committed suicide in Karnataka's Belagavi district, in her death note had accused the Australian authorities and some residents of a locality in Sydney of harassing her family, police said on Friday. Priyadarshini Lingaraj Patil (40) from Dharwad had committed suicide on August 20 near Saundatti in Belagavi district. She had ended her life by jumping into the Malaprabha river in Goravanakolla village. Her body was found in Naviluteertha village of the district. She had arrived in Bengaluru from Australia and from there she had reached Hubballi and then Belagavi by bus. Priyadarshinias family was waging a legal battle with the Australian authorities regarding the custody of her children. Her son Amartya had faced a health problem. During treatment at a local hospital, the child allegedly started showing in some side-effects. When Priyadarshini questioned, the hospital did not respond, following which she had submitted a complaint to the government against the hospital. Priyadarshini had claimed that the hospital authorities accused her of unable to take care of her children and subsequently, the government had taken custody of her two children. Though Priyadarshini protested against the move, she could not get back the custody of her children. Priyadarshini had even asked the Australian government to withdraw the citizenship of their children and let her take them to India for treatment but had not got any response from the government. Her family has alleged that the suffering after her children were taken away and her health problems pushed Priyadarshini to take the extreme step. In her death note addressed to her father, Priyadarshini stated, "Our lives are threatened. I am compelled to end my life for the survival of my children and husband Lingaraj. I am accepting my death for the good of my family. From 2021 to the present day DCJ (Australia's Department of Communities and Justice) has ruined my family. The residents of Verlie Street in Sydney have harassed us." She further accused the family of a police officer of troubling her. She had also claimed that the water supplied to her house was poisoned. Police are investigating the case. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday emphasised on strengthening governance standards. Addressing a meeting of managing directors and chiefs of select non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs), Das said that governance standards and assurance mechanisms such as compliance, risk management and internal audit should be made stronger, reads a statement issued by the RBI. In the meeting, which was held in Mumbai, ways to contain the increasing reliance on bank borrowings, risks associated with high credit growth in the retail segment, prioritising the upgrade of IT systems and cyber security were also discussed, the statement said. Das also discussed ways to strengthen balance sheets with improved provisioning cover and monitoring of stressed exposures and slippages. It was also ensured that robust liquidity and asset-liability management should be ensured. In addition to this, adherence to the fair practices code, including robust grievance redress mechanism, were also discussed, the statement said. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court against summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to him in connection with a money laundering case. The writ petition has been instituted under Article 32 of the Constitution through advocate Shweta Singh Parihar in the top court as per the details available on the apex courtas website. ED summoned Soren to appear before it on August 24 in connection with the land grabbing case, where the central agency has already arrested 13 people, including an IAS officer. Soren had also skipped an interrogation on August 14 seeking more time from the central agency. Previously, the Chief Minister was questioned in connection with the illegal mining case for around 10 hours along with his wife at ED's Ranchi office. During investigation, it has been revealed that the accused used documents from 1932 to wrongfully seize people's lands and would tell the victims that their lands had already been sold by their fathers or grandfathers. The accused allegedly took possession of the lands given on lease to the army and fraudulently sold them elsewhere. Although the case is from Jharkhand, its ramifications are extended to Bihar and Kolkata. Surat, Aug 25 : Surat police on Friday summoned a person named Mitul Trivedi for questioning after he claimed to have played a key role in designing Chandrayaan-3, the Indian spacecraft built by the Indian Science Research Organisation (ISRO) which successfully landed on the South Pole of the moon on Wednesday, making India the first country in the world to reach that region. Trivedi's bold claims of being the creative force behind ISRO's lunar exploration project were met with skepticism, raising questions about the authenticity of his affiliation to the Indian space agency after he reportedly failed to show any proof of his association with ISRO. In light of these discrepancies, the Surat Police Commissioner summoned Trivedi on Friday. Upon reaching the Police Commissioner's office, Trivedi reportedly attempted to provide backing for his assertions by mentioning a contract from ISRO. However, when faced with probing questions from mediapersons after coming out of the commissioner's office, he chose to evade their queries and made a swift exit. A resident of from Swati Society on L.P. Savani Road in Surat, Trivedi's claims have sparked both interest and suspicion. The controversy reached its peak when he confidently claimed that he was the mastermind behind the design of Chandrayaan-3. However, the veracity of his claim is being doubted due to lack of substantiated evidence supporting his association with ISRO. As the details of this intriguing case unfolded, it surfaced that Trivedi had previously declared himself as an ISRO employee, claiming to have played a pivotal role in shaping the design of Chandrayaan-3. His statements included his alleged affiliation with ISRO since 2011 and even a partnership with NASA from 2013 onwards. However, he lacked official documents to support his claims, and his name is also missing from the agency's payroll. In response to the growing speculation surrounding his assertions, Trivedi had previously stated, "I urge everyone to grant me some time; I am committed to clarifying all the doubts. As soon as the documents are available, I will provide the necessary explanations. "I firmly believe that actions speak louder than words. If I were pursuing fraudulent intentions, I would certainly not be here facing these questions. My expertise lies in the realm of designing, and I remain closely involved with the Chandrayaan-3 project. I leave it to the discerning public to evaluate my credibility based on the available evidence." Rahul Yadav saga: Innov8 goes into arbitration with 4B Networks over unpaid dues. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Aug 24 : In yet another trouble for Broker Network (operated by 4B Networks) founder Rahul Yadav, co-working company Innov8 has reportedly gone into arbitration with him over unpaid dues amounting to Rs 1.08 crore, a media outlet reported on Friday. 4B Networks rented out an Innov8 office space in Mumbai, but did not pay rent amounting to Rs 1.08 crore, reports Money Control, citing sources. 4B Networks reportedly did not give notice to Innov8 and "packed up the office and left one day". The case has been filed by Innov8 under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act after its attempts to resolve the issue failed, the report mentioned. The two companies are in arbitration under the aegis of Delhi High Court. Earlier, a vendor of Broker Network filed an FIR against him for alleged fraud and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police has issued a lookout circular for Yadav, and his bank accounts have also reportedly been frozen. The charges are under Sections 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 409 (Criminal breach of trust), 420 (Cheating) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR was lodged by one of the aggrieved parties, Vikas Omprakash Nowal, co-founder of advertising agency Interspace Communication Pvt. Ltd., naming the accused -- Rahul Yadav and Sanjay Sukhdeo Saini -- and their company 4B Networks Pvt Ltd. According to the FIR, Interspace put up a total of 83 advertisement hoardings at different places in Pune for a 4B Networks campaign. Interspace also generated 14 invoices for the work and sent them to the company but the full payment was not made. Yadav, who founded Housing.com. has denied all allegations related to any wrongdoing at the company. He is also currently in arbitration with the backer of his startup, Info Edge. Allcheckdeals India Private Limited (AIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Info Edge, invested Rs 276 crore in Yadav's 4B Networks and provided debt financing of Rs 12 crore. After Info Edge wrote down its entire investment of Rs 288 crore in the Yadav-led startup, it initiated a forensic audit into the prop-tech startup in which it holds a stake, as Yadav "repeatedly failed to provide the information". This weekly feature from Dynamic Business runs down the weeks top funding rounds from Australia and India. ANDHealth announces promising digital health companies in Australia In a significant development for Australias digital health landscape, ANDHealth, a prominent organization in the sector, has unveiled a list of five highly promising digital health companies. These selected companies, namely Atmo Biosciences, Eugene, Humanetix, Immunosis, and Metabolic Health Solutions, will enjoy a unique opportunity by being accepted into the esteemed ANDHealth+ commercialization program. Additionally, these companies will receive access to a substantial non-dilutive investment potential of up to $3.75 million. This initiative underscores ANDHealths commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the digital health sector in Australia. Ignition secures USD$15 million growth capital facility Ignition, a leading comprehensive platform designed to optimize professional services, has secured a substantial boost in the form of a USD$15 million growth capital facility. This achievement has been made possible through Ignitions collaboration with its existing lending partner, CIBC Innovation Banking. With this significant infusion of capital, Ignition is poised to ramp up its investments across multiple areas. This includes enhancing its platform, expanding its go-to-market strategies, and bolstering its customer success functions. These efforts will contribute to the companys overarching goal of providing value to its extensive customer base and their clients worldwide, numbering nearly 7,000 customers and half a million clients. Satellite inspection startup HEO Robotics raises $12 million in series A HEO Robotics, a dynamic startup specializing in satellite monitoring, has accomplished a notable feat by raising $12 million in a Series A funding round. This achievement comes two years after its previous funding round, highlighting the sustained growth and investor confidence in the companys vision and offerings. The funding was led by prominent Sydney-based venture capital firm AirTree Ventures, with participation from the newly established sovereign capabilities early-stage fund, Salus Ventures. The funds raised are anticipated to further propel HEO Robotics in its mission to deliver cutting-edge satellite inspection capabilities. Green Hydrogen Startup Hysata Secures $24 million Hysata, a startup at the forefront of green hydrogen technology, has secured a substantial investment of $23.9 million to fuel its ambitious plans for revolutionizing renewable energy production. With the support of both the Queensland and federal governments, Hysata is set to transform electrolyser manufacturing with a newly inaugurated facility in Port Kembla, located south of Sydney. This significant step forward is made possible through backing from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), reflecting the growing recognition of green hydrogens potential in the energy sector. Indias BlackSoil Invested $30+ million in 17 deals Amidst the challenges posed by the funding winter, BlackSoil, a prominent alternative credit fund in India, displayed impressive performance by investing more than $30 million (250+ Crores) across 17 deals in the first quarter of the financial year 2023-24 (Q1FY24). This remarkable achievement was coupled with a substantial growth of around 50% in the companys assets under management (AUM) on a year-on-year basis. Notably, BlackSoil achieved a notable feat of doubling its deal closure count in Q1FY24 when compared to the same quarter of the previous financial year (Q1FY23). Further highlighting their success, the company also achieved the successful exit of investments from 5 deals during Q1FY24. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any interim order restraining early release of former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi in connection with the murder case of poetess Madhumita Shukla. A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi issued notice and sought responses from Uttar Pradesh government, Amarmani Tripathi and his wife, and others on the plea filed by Nidhi Shukla, sister of the deceased. The bench said that it would again send the couple behind the bars if complainant's petition succeeds. The petition filed through advocate Rani Mishra challenged the remission order passed by the Uttar Pradesh government directing the duo's early release, though they were sentenced to life imprisonment in the sensational 2003 murder case. The case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a fast track court in Dehradun on October 24, 2007, convicted Amarmani Tripathi, his wife Madhumani Tripathi, nephew Rohit Chaturvedi, and shooter Santosh Rai for Madhumita's murder. The release order has been purportedly passed under the top court's directions considering Tripathi's 20 years term in jail and good conduct. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday condoled the death of plantation workers in Kerala's Wayanad road accident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. In a tweet, Kharge said, "Extremely pained to hear about the terrible jeep tragedy which took the precious lives of many plantation workers, among others, at Mananthavady in Wayanad district of Kerala." "In this hour of grief, our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts and empathy are with the injured and we wish them a speedy recovery," he said. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad parliamentary seat in a tweet said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic jeep accident that took the lives of many tea plantation workers in Mananthavady, Wayanad." "Have spoken to the district authorities, urging a swift response. My thoughts are with the grieving families. Wish a speedy recovery to those injured," he added. The remarks from the Congress leaders came after nine people, all women, were reportedly killed while three others critically injured after a jeep carrying 12 people fell into a 30-metre deep gorge near Mananthavady in Wayanad district on Friday. The passengers on the ill-fated jeep are women labourers working in a tea estate and were returning back to their home. The incident occurred at around 3.30 p.m. and rescue operations began quickly amid challenges due to the rocky terrain. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Around 70 students were rushed to the hospital on Friday after experiencing stomach aches and vomiting subsequent to consuming the midday meal at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya School in Delhi, said a police official. Providing more information, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C stated that a call was received by the Sagarpur police station around 6 p.m., reporting that approximately 70 male students from classes 6th to 8th had vomited after consuming the midday meal at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya School in Durgapark, Sagarpur. "A police team promptly arrived at the scene and discovered that the students had been transferred to DDU Hospital and Dada Dev Hospital in Dabri," said the DCP. According to the school authorities on-site, the students were given Soya Juice after the midday meal, which resulted in stomach pain and vomiting. "The Crime team was summoned to the location, and remnants of the food and juice were collected as evidence. After serving Puri Subji in the midday meal, Soya juice was distributed to the students in classes 6th to 8th. Upon receiving complaints of pain, the further distribution of food and juice was halted," said the DCP. "All students are presently in stable condition. An FIR will be filed under the appropriate section, and an investigation will be conducted," the DCP added. Kargil is not just a place, it is a saga of valour: Rahul Gandhi. Image Source: IANS News Kargil, Aug 25 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently on visit to Ladakh region, on Friday visited the Kargil War Memorial in Drass and paid tributes to the Indian Army personnel, who laid down their lives during the 1999 war with Pakistan. In a Facebook post, Rahul Gandhi said, "Kargil is not just a place, it is a saga of valour. It is the land many of our soldiers served in and resonates with their courage and sacrifice. This is the pride of India and all Indians realise their sense of responsibility towards the country. I bow down to all the brave fighters and martyrs of the Kargil war." He also attached several pictures at the memorial built in Drass town to commemorate the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. The visit to Kargil War memorial was the last programme of Rahul Gandhi in Ladakh region, where he has been attending several programmes in his nine-day tour. Earlier in the day, he also addressed a public meeting in Kargil before offering his tribute at the war memorial en route to Srinagar. He had toured several areas of Ladakh on his Duke KTM 390 bike and also attended several programmes in the last nine days. On August 20, he had also paid tributes to his late father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi near Pangong Tso lake on his 79th birth anniversary. He has also toured the areas of Leh to Pangong Lake, Nubra, Khardungla top, Lamayuru, Zanskar and Kargil. The Kargil War memorial is over 400 km from Srinagar and located near the Tiger Hill. Before leaving for Srinagar from Kargil, the former Congress chief left his bike and took a car. On Saturday, the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also be joining him in Srinagar. New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea seeking reservation for transgender persons in public educational institutions and employment. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued a notice seeking response from the Centre and all states and Union Territories on the plea filed by a transgender individual from Kerala. Responding to a similar plea, the Union government had said in July that transgender persons can avail the already earmarked reservations in jobs and educational admissions and there is no separate reservation being provided to them. In March this year, the Supreme Court had issued a contempt notice on a petition alleging non-compliance of its order rendered in the 2014 landmark case of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) vs Union of India. The affidavit filed by the Secretary in the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said that "transgenders belonging to SC/ST/SEBC communities are already entitled to reservations earmarked for these communities". Further, it added that any transgender outside the SC/ST/SEBC communities with annual family income of Rs 8 lakh is automatically covered in the EWS category. In its landmark judgment, the top court had directed the Centre and the state governments to treat transgenders as "socially and educationally backward classes" and extend all kinds of reservation to them in cases of admission in educational institutions and for public appointments. The historical verdict recognised the "third gender" and granted legal recognition to their gender identity. Guwahati, Aug 25 : Days after the delimitation exercise was completed, the Assam Cabinet has decided to establish four new districts and 81 sub-districts to boost administrative effectiveness, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday. The Chief Minister said that Hojai, Biswanath, Tamulpur, and Bajali are the places which will be given districts status. The district status of these four places was scrapped just before the delimitation process began on January 1 this year. The decision irked many people in the state and protests erupted in different places of the state. The Chief Minister had then promised to roll back the decision once the delimitation process of assembly and parliamentary constituencies was over. According to him, this was done to protect the identity of the indigenous people of Assam in the delimitation exercise. However, the opposition had launched an attack on Sarma claiming that he was trying to decrease the percentage of Muslim voters in many constituencies. On Friday, he said, "We have reconstituted the four new districts, and it is co-terminus with assembly constituencies declared by the Election Commission under delimitation." After the addition of the new districts, Assam will now have 35 districts in total. Additionally, Assam will have sub-districts instead of sub-divisions, Sarma said. He asserted that this decision will bring the administration to the door step of the rural people and increase administrative efficacies. Hyderabad, Aug 25 : After months of a cold war between the Telangana government and the governor, a bonhomie has emerged during the last couple of days with back to back meetings between Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan. An indication that ice is melting between Pragati Bhavan and Raj Bhavan came on Thursday when the Chief Minister had a 20-minute long meeting with the Governor at Raj Bhavan on the occasion of swearing-in of Patnam Mahender Reddy as the state minister. KCR is understood have discussed various issues with Tamilisai, including the issue of pending Bills, which had generated lot of heat in recent weeks. This meeting appeared to have created a bonhomie, unseen between the two for more than two years. The Chief Minister and the Governor met for a second time in as many days when the latter visited newly inaugurated Secretariat complex on Friday. At KCR's invitation, Tamilisai attended the inauguration of a temple, a mosque and a church in Secretariat premises and also went around the building. It may be recalled that the Governor had expressed her unhappiness over not being invited to the inauguration of the Secretariat, unveiling of the 125-feet statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and other key events by the state government. She was also unhappy over the Chief Minister and his ministers skipping programmes at Raj Bhavan despite her invitations. She had also publicly complained about the state government not respecting the office of Governor by following the protocol during her visits to various parts of the state. On the other hand, the BRS leaders had been targeting her for acting like a BJP leader and for creating hurdles for the state government by stalling the Bills passed by the state Legislature. During the visit to the Secretariat, Tamilisai actively participated in the inauguration of three places of worship and various rituals and later went around the complex. The CM explained to the Governor about the new secretariat building and the facilities provided for hassle free administration in each floor. After that, CM KCR invited the Governor in a traditional way in CM chambers and felicitated her with a shawl and presented a bouquet of flowers. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari also honored the Governor. Later, the CM hosted the Governor a high tea. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the Governor enquired from the CM about the construction cost of the new Secretariat and the details of the modern infrastructure. The Governor praised CM KCR for constructing such a wonderful secretariat in a pleasant atmosphere. CM and Governor also had a friendly conversation for a while. Later, the CM gave a send off to Governor at the main gate of the Secretariat. During his meetings, the Chief Minister is reported to have discussed with the Governor the issue of pending Bills and also the Cabinet's recommendation to approve nominations of BRS leaders Sravan Dasoju and K. Satyanarayana as members of Legislative Council under the Governor's quota. Some key bills including the one for absorbing over 43,000 employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) into government service are pending with the Raj Bhavan. The Governor's press secretary had last week issued a statement saying she has sought legal opinion on Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (Absorption of Employees into Government Service) Bill-2023 and four other bills passed by the state Assembly early this month. All Bills were referred to the Law Secretary for opinion. The Governor had earlier granted approval for the introduction of the bill after uncertainty for four days. She, however, had made certain recommendations. During the brief monsoon session, the state Assembly had once again passed four Bills which were earlier returned by the Governor. The Cabinet at its meeting on July 31 had observed that the office of the Governor is being misused by the Centre. The issue of Bills had created a rift between the government and the Raj Bhavan. The state government had approached the Supreme Court in April seeking direction to the Governor to take a decision on the pending bills. Kolkata, Aug 25 : An official of a company linked to Sujay Krishna Bhadra, one of the prime accused in the cash for school jobs case in West Bengal, on Friday filed a counter-complaint against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the cyber crime division of Kolkata Police. It may noted that the ED had raided the office of this official earlier this week. In his complaint, the official of the said corporate entity accused the central probe agency of planting evidence in the computers of the company during the raid. Incidentally, during the raid, the ED officials had confiscated the cellphone of the employee who filed the complaint. Sources said in the complaint, it has been mentioned that after the completion of the raid, the ED detected 16 downloaded files in a computer of the company which had no link to the management affairs of the entity. The complainant also alleged that these 16 files were downloaded during the course of raid by the ED when the computers were in the agency's possession. Recently, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also questioned whether anyone can guarantee if anything will not be planted during the course of raid operations conducted by the central probe agencies. aOften the raiding officials enter a premises by breaking open the locks. They even force out the occupants of a premises. Can anyone guarantee that they will not plant anything within the premises," the Chief Minister had questioned. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday held a meeting with the delegation of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a conglomerate of several civil society organisation of Manipur, here on Friday. During their meeting at the official residence of the Home Minister, Shah discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the strife-torn state. Shah emphasised a firm stance against all forms of infiltration into Manipur's territory, as per the communique issued by the COCOMI. He appealed for peace in the state and urged COCOMI to convey this message to the people. Among others, COCOMI was encouraged to initiate dialogues with responsible Kuki leaders and groups to facilitate "problem-solving and peace-building". The 13-member delegation during the meeting also submitted a representation to Shah suggesting various measures to be taken for restoring peace in the Northeastern state. Among the measures, the COCOMI proposed includes initiatives for restoration of internally displaced persons in their original settlements. On Thursday, Shah also held a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The Chief Minister briefed about the current situation in the state. Ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 and since then hundreds of people have lost their lives whereas thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps. Congress has been blaming the BJP government for the current situation and demanded dismissal of the Chief Minister. A threat to free speech, hate speech needs to be defined and contained.. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to come up with 'practical steps' to ensure compliance with its judgments to curb hate speech. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S.V.N. Bhatti indicated that it will pass detailed guidelines in this regard in addition to the existing mechanism, saying that it wants "peace, harmony and brotherhood". "We are not diluting what has been said... We are adding to it, not subtracting anything," it said. The bench asked Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj to furnish information relating to states that have not yet appointed nodal officers, and details of district-wise nodal officers appointed by the state governments pursuant to an earlier judgment of the top court to look into incidents of hate speech. It said that CCTV cameras should be installed as it is a big deterrent in itself, adding that police in plain clothes should also be deployed. The Supreme Court also asked the Centre to file a status report within three weeks after collating responses from the state governments. Last week, the apex court had said that it does not need to reiterate that hate speech cases should be dealt with as per the law, irrespective of the community or religion of the offender. Pleas were filed before the Supreme Court seeking action against calls for social and economic boycott of Muslims following the communal clashes that broke out in Haryana's Nuh on July 31. Earlier, it had asked petitioners to forward hate speech videos to the nodal officers appointed by the state governments pursuant to the judgment of the top court. It had also mooted for formation of a district-level committee by the Director General of Police (DGP) of all states to look into hate speech cases. In April this year, the top court had stressed that the Constitution envisages India as a secular nation, while directing all states and Union Territories to take strict action in hate speech cases, and register criminal cases irrespective of religion against the culprits without waiting for a complaint to be filed. Vietnam is seeing rising foreign direct investment from Western Europe and the U.S., especially in renewable energy, an official has said. Apart from traditional investors such as Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan, new companies are coming from Germany, the Netherlands, France and Spain, with a strong focus on renewable energy, said Do Van Su, deputy head of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, at a forum Thursday. U.S. businesses are also increasing their interests in Vietnam. Recently representatives of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association with 32 members have come to Vietnam to look for investment opportunities, he said. Vietnam has been voicing support for renewable energy and semiconductor investment in recent years. The country has made a commitment to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last month ordered government bodies to form a plan to train up to 50,000 engineers and 100 experts in digital transformation and manufacturing semiconductors. Traditional investors have expressed their continued trust in Vietnam. Choi Kyu Chul, vice president of Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam, said that there will be increasing investment from South Korea in Vietnam in the upcoming years. But some issues are discouraging foreign investors, such as the lack of land, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, said Dao Xuan Duc, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority Business Association. Delays in land clearance and compensation are the main reasons for the shortage, he said. "Many investors have chosen Dong Nai or Binh Duong Provinces to base their factories instead of HCMC," he added. There is global optimism in Indian economy, says PM Modi. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Aug 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted India's progress in areas such as renewables, startups, pharma, IT, digital payments and infrastructure and the various initiatives undertaken to foster business, during his interaction with industry representatives in Athens at a business lunch hosted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. PM Modi acknowledged the role played by industry leaders in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting economic cooperation between India and Greece. The event saw participation from leading Indian and Greek CEOs from diverse sectors including shipping, infrastructure, energy, among others. The Prime Minister encouraged the business leaders to utilise the investment opportunities in India and be a part of Indiaas growth story. Imphal, Aug 25 : 10 tribal MLAs, including two ministers, who have been demanding separate administrations for tribals in Manipur, will boycott the Assembly session commencing August 29 citing security reasons. The two ministers are Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen. Kipgen is the lone woman minister in the 12-member council of ministers headed by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Senior tribal leader and spokesman of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), Ginza Vualzong, said that tribal ministers, MLAs, as well as the general public are scared of visiting the Meitei-dominated state capital of Imphal. "None of the Ministers, MLAs and leaders belonging to the Kuki, Zomi and other tribal communities are willing to visit Imphal due to security reasons. Hence, they will boycott the Assembly session. To express their solidarity on the continuous attack on the tribals is also a reason for boycotting the Assembly session," Vualzong said. The crucial Assembly session, called after demands from various quarters, including the opposition Congress, is likely to discuss the ethnic violence which broke out in the state on May 3. Over 160 people have been killed in the clashes since May 3, while more than 600 others have been injured. Since May 12, the 10 MLAs, including seven from the ruling BJP, have been demanding a separate administration for the tribals. Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the BJP, Meitei body Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), and many other organisations have strongly opposed the separate administration demand. The 10 tribal MLAs said in a joint statement on Friday that they have not been in touch with Chief Minister Biren Singh since the outbreak of the communal violence on May 3. The MLAs said that it is needless to mention the killings and the complete mayhem witnessed since May 3, and a stark reminder may be made of Vungzagin Valte (one of the 10 tribal MLAs), who was brutally attacked and left to die by the attackers on May 4 in Imphal while returning from a meeting at the official bungalow of the Chief Minister. "So far, no inquiry or arrest has been made, nor any progress of investigation has been reported till date. We do not want to face the same fate that our colleague underwent. "Of late, the Imphal valley has become a 'Valley of Death' for the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar people. The streets and roads of Imphal and its surroundings are dangerous for the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar people. Even the identities of paramilitary personnel on duty are not spared, as they are checked and verified by the so-called Meira Paibis. "Our official quarters and private residences are either looted, attacked or burnt by the mob," the statement said. The MLAs had earlier sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding creation of the posts of Chief Secretary and Director General of Police or equivalent posts for the five hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Pherzaw. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Friday said that he is yet to receive any communication from the L-G office seeking prosecution sanction against AAP MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi. Goel in a press conference alleged that a copy of information on the matter was leaked to the media. The Vigilance Directorate of Delhi government on Friday sent a letter to the Assembly Secretary requesting prosecution sanction by the speaker against the AAP MLA. "The Hon'ble Speaker, DLA, may kindly be advised to examine this case objectively based upon the evidence and also keeping in view the statements under Section 164 of CrPC before the Hon'ble Court and accord permission for Prosecution Sanction under section 19 of PoC Act, 1988 with respect to FIR No 11/22 dated 15 November 2022," said the letter from special secretary (vigilance) YVVJ Rajasekhar. Tripathi, the AAP MLA from Model Town, is accused of demanding Rs 90 lakh from a woman to allegedly secure her a party ticket for last year's Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls, as per the Vigilance Directorate letter. Following a complaint by the woman's husband, the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) had registered a case against Tripathi and his acquaintances under the Prevention of Corruption Act on November 15, 2022, according to the letter. New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea filed by the family of the victim in the infamous Hathras gang-rape incident seeking relocation and rehabilitation outside Uttar Pradesh, preferably in Delhi. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued a notice and sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government on the writ petition. The plea sought relocation under the apprehension that the victim's family could face untoward social ramifications on account of belonging to a certain socially and economically prejudiced community. The petition challenged the order passed by the Allahabad High Court directing relocation of the family within the state of Uttar Pradesh under Section 15A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995, in view of the socio-economic and mental plight of the victim's family. "The petitioner No. 1 in the present circumstances seeks relocation and rehabilitation outside the state, preferably Delhi, considering the inhuman treatment and socio-economic deprivation of the victims and witnesses within the state of Uttar Pradesh," the plea said. In March this year, the special judge in Hathras had acquitted the three accused from all the charges while convicting the main accused for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, granting him acquittal with respect to rape. The petition said that owing to the recent acquittal of the alleged perpetrators of the heinous crime, who are otherwise members of the dominant community, the victim's family may further face untoward social ramifications on account of belonging to a certain socially and economically prejudiced community. Gurugram, Aug 25 : Kuber Group Owner Vikas Malu was inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom car that recently hit an oil tanker on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Gurugram. Two people in oil tanker were killed while four others were injured in the accident that took place on Tuesday. However, it is yet to be ascertained whether Malu was driving the car. A senior police officer from Nuh, requesting anonymity, said that Vikas Malu (Kuber group owner), one of the occupants of the Rolls-Royce, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Victims' statements will be recorded once they recover, he added. Malu is the chairman of Kuber group. The complainant Munil Yadav, while explaining the sequence of events, told IANS that the accident occurred when the oil tanker truck driver had given indicator to make a U-turn while the Rolls-Royce Phantom was approaching at a "very high speed". In the accident, two occupants of the truck were killed, while another occupant of the truck and three people travelling in the car were seriously injured. The deceased have been identified as Kuldeep and Rampreet, both residents of Uttar Pradesh. The luxury car occupants were identified as Vikas, Tasbir, and Divya who were seriously injured in the accident. The injured are undergoing treatment in different hospitals, police said. New Delhi: Congress Party leader Jairam Ramesh addresses during a press conference at Aicc Headquarter in New Delhi on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (Photo: Anupam Gautam/IANS). Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Aug 25 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday saying that Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is purportedly barred from receiving him at the airport, and "this is nothing but petulant petty politics". In a tweet, Ramesh, who is also the party's communication in-charge, said: "The Prime Minister is scheduled to directly land in Bengaluru tomorrow at 6 a.m. after his latest foreign jaunt to congratulate ISRO." "He (Modi) is apparently so irritated with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka for felicitating the scientists of ISRO before him, that he has purportedly barred the Chief Minister from receiving him at the airport, going against protocol. This is nothing but petulant petty politics," the Congress leader said. The Congress Rajya Sabha MP then also reminded Modi of his visit to Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2008 just after the successful launch of the Chandrayaan Mission. "Has Prime Minister Modi forgotten Chief Minister Modi's visit to the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad on October 22, 2008 just after the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-1 at a time when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister?" Ramesh questioned. His remarks came after reports suggested that the Prime Minister on Saturday will visit the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru. According to official sources, he will reach the ISRO campus at around 7.15 a.m., immediately after returning from his visit to South Africa and Greece. PM Modi will meet the ISRO scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission and interact with them. He will also be briefed about the findings and progress in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, sources further said. Soon after witnessing the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 mission's soft landing on the Moon on Wednesday via video conferencing from South Africa, the Prime Minister described it as a historic moment for the whole country. New Delhi, Aug 25 : Hours after an undated video of a teacher allegedly encouraging Hindu students to slap a Muslim student went viral with UP's Muzaffarnagar Police, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that this is the same "kerosene spread by the BJP which has set every corner of India on fire". In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said, "Sowing the poison of discrimination in the minds of innocent children, turning a holy place like school into a market place of hatred - nothing worse a teacher can do for the country." Targetting the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said, "This is the same kerosene spread by the BJP which has set every corner of India on fire." "Children are the future of India - do not hate them, we all have to teach love together," he added. His remarks came after a school teacher in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar made students slap a Muslim kid inside the classroom. Even Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also condemned the incident and said, "This is unbelievable. I cannot believe this is happening in our country and the people concerned are not in jail." "All Indians must hang our heads in shame that this is what all our constitutional rights and freedoms can be reduced to," Tharoor added. The video of the incident which took place in Khabbarpur village has gone viral on social media. In the purported video, the female school teacher could be heard saying in Hindi, aI have declared that all Muslim children should go...", as she asked rest of the class to remain silent and hit the student who belonged to the minority community. The police have launched an investigation into the matter after taking suo moto cognisance of the video. However, the father of the victim later told mediapersons that they have reached a compromise in the matter and they don't want to pursue any case. "We have decided not to pursue the case. The school authorities have returned our fees. We have decided that our child will not go the same school any more," the father of the victim told the media. New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Delhi High Court on Friday directed that businessman Amandeep Singh Dhal, who is accused in cases related to the excise policy, be taken to the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) for medical examination and treatment. Dhal, a director of Brindco Sales, approached the High Court seeking interim bail for two weeks on medical grounds. The High Court issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) -- who have arrested him in different cases in connection with the excise policy -- asking for their responses on Dhal's interim bail plea. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma also asked the Medical Superintendent of AIIMS to file a report by September 4 after examining the accused. The court's order came after the central agencies' counsel submitted that the accused could be taken to AIIMS for medical examination and treatment. The report is expected to include information on Dhal's health condition and whether his treatment requires facilities that cannot be provided in jail. The Delhi High Court has sought the ED's response on the bail plea of businessman Amandeep Singh Dhal in a case related to the Delhi excise policy. Dhal was arrested by the ED on March 1 and later by the CBI in April. The ED arrested Dhal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the excise case and said that he, along with others, allegedly conspired and played an active role in formulating the policy and facilitating kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its recovery by the South Group through various means. Both the ED and the CBI have alleged irregularities in the modification of the excise policy, including favouritism towards license holders, waiving or reducing license fees and extending the L-1 license without proper approval. New Delhi, Aug 26 : The BJP is vigorously preparing for upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan, but the infighting in its state unit continues to haunt the party as several veteran leaders are looking upset with the top leadership assigning a crucial poll campaign responsibility to party's former state president Satish Poonia. Poonia's work style, when he was Rajasthan BJP chief, drew severe criticism from some veteran leaders within the party. The BJP, which is going to take out four 'Parivartan Yatras' from four major religious places in the state in view of the Assembly polls, has assigned Poonia to lead one of the Yatras. This has irked some of the party leaders -- from Rajasthan to Delhi. Scheduled to start on September 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively, the yatras will culminate in a mega public address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25 in Jaipur. The fourth yatra will be flagged off by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari from Gogamedi in Hanumangarh on September 5. The party high command has entrusted the responsibility of leading this yatra to its former state president Poonia. Those who are not happy with Poonia, include a few veteran party leaders in Rajasthan, some present and former Union ministers, and even a Rajasthan BJP veteran sitting on a constitutional post. It is being said that in the Rajasthan BJP, which is divided into several factions, the leaders of all the factions are angry with him. Poonia, while being the state president of the party, had opened a front against former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. In March, the party high command removed Poonia from the post of state president and appointed Lok Sabha MP C.P. Joshi the new chief of the Rajasthan BJP after repeated complaints by senior leaders. However, the party's top leadership later made Poonia the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly. The first Parivartan Yatra will be flagged off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 2 from the Trinetra Ganesh Temple in Sawai Madhopur. The responsibility to lead the first yatra has been given to Raje. Similarly, the second yatra will be flagged off by party's national president J.P. Nadda from Beneshwar Dham in Dungarpur on September 3 and it will be led by state BJP chief Joshi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will flag off the third yatra from Ramdevra in Jaisalmer on September 4. This will led by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Kolkata, Aug 26 : Some students in Kolkata's Jadavpur University adopted a 'pick & choose' policy to select victims for ragging in the name of introduction, the public prosecutor informed a lower court on Friday during the hearing of a matter related to the death of a fresher in the university hostel on August 10. The first year student of Bengali honours died on August 10 after falling from the balcony of a students' hostel. It is suspected that he became a victim of ragging. Public prosecutor Gopal Haldar also informed the court that former JU student and a prime accused in the case, Sourav Chowdhury, was instrumental in this 'pick & choose' policy. However, the counsel of Chowdhury, the first to be arrested in this case, strongly opposed this line of argument by the public prosecutor. "It is too early to reach such a conclusion," he argued. Since the beginning of the investigation, it has become clear that the victim, who had come to study in JU from a remote village in Nadia district, became a victim of psychological ragging and harassment from his first day at the students' hostel, Haldar said. As per the statements given by some of his hostelmates, because of his shy nature, the victim was not comfortable in his interaction with the female students of the university, as a result of which he was tagged as a 'gay'. He was even stripped off his clothes during ragging. Other students at the hostel have told the investigating officers that a day before the unfortunate incident, the victim was frantically claiming that "I am not a gay". After hearing both sides, the judge extended the judicial custody of the accused till September 8. Dinh Thi Binh (L) and accomplices in a surrogacy ring stand before the Hanoi People's Court, Aug. 24, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Danh Lam Members of a Hanoi surrogacy ring made up of family members received jail terms Thursday for carrying out surrogacy with forged papers at VND700 million ($29,160) per case. Dinh Thi Binh, 30, was sentenced to five years and six months in jail by the Hanoi Peoples Court for "surrogacy for commercial purposes" and "fabricating an organization's seal or documents and use thereof." Six accomplices, including family members of Binh, were sentenced to between nine months and five years in jail. They were Du Van Linh, Binhs husband; Dinh Thi Thien, Binhs sister; Nguyen Ba Minh, Du Van Giang and Du Va Kien, Binhs brothers-in-law; and Le Van Dao, a hospital employee. In 2021, Binh went to several hospitals in Hanoi to contact people needing surrogacy, at a price of VND650-700 million for each surrogacy, plus VND30-50 million for twins. Binh then went on Facebook to look for people to become surrogates, requiring them to be aged 18-33 and promising to pay them VND230-250 million. Those selected would be taken to an apartment in Thanh Oai District. As hospitals require marriage certificates or other papers for in-vitro fertilization, Binh went online to hire people to forge such papers at VND500,000-1 million each. But later, Binh asked Minh and Thien, a husband and wife, to forge papers. Once the in-vitro fertilization process was successful, the forged papers would be disposed of. Giang and Kien were accused of helping Binh by posing as surrogates, while Dao, as a hospital employee, helped coordinate the operation. Prosecutors said that between 2021 and April 2022, Binhs group had carried out eight surrogacies, with two carrying single fetuses, two carrying twins, three failed pregnancies and one who had yet to be implanted. Authorities said Binh gained VND232 million from the ordeal, while Dao gained VND15 million. The others did not earn any from the surrogacies, while Minh and Thien were paid VND10 million to forge six marriage certificates. Vietnam only allows surrogacy for human, non-commercial purposes, and the surrogates must be family members of the future parents. New Delhi, Aug 26 : The two-day National Security Strategies Conference-2023 concluded with the address of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, an official spokesperson said. Shah on Friday stressed upon the need to provide timely justice to the citizens and ensure a system that would guarantee constitutional rights to them. An official spokesperson added, "The Union Home Minister urged the top police leadership to transform their approach in dealing with country's internal security problems." He laid emphasis on the use of modern technology in policing and suggested the implementation from lower police ranks of Constabulary to the higher formations. "Quoting the recent introduction of new laws in the Parliament, the Union Home Minister laid down a vision for revamping the entire criminal justice system," an official said. He urged the police officers that when the new laws are passed by the parliament, they should be ready to implement them at the grassroots level to revamp the criminal justice system. Shah underscored the significance of the use of digital technology in the entire process of investigation and prosecution. "Union Home Minister advocated new initiatives for ushering technology-led policing for meeting the future demands of a revamped criminal justice system. He flagged the emergence of technological advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and termed it as a "threat as much as an opportunity". He urged the police to learn to use AI to its advantage while preparing to deal with its adverse effects," the official spokesperson said. Shah exhorted the participants to work hard in the next 25 years for achieving the vision of Prime Minister Modi to build India into a developed nation by 2047. While suggesting the importance of learning from other countries, he urged the participants to set an example in the next 25 years so that people from other countries learn from the precedent set by India. Raj govt will hike OBC quota from 21 pc to 27pc, says Ashok Gehlot. Image Source: IANS News Jaipur, Aug 26 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Friday that criminals should either give up crime or leave the state. Speaking at the police headquarters here, Gehlot also announced to give Rs 1 crore to the family of deceased constable Prahlad, who died at a Jaipur hospital on Friday after being shot at by a thief while he was chasing him. Prahlad's name will also be proposed for a gallantry award, the Chief Minister said, adding that a family member will be given a job on compassionate grounds. Gehlot said: "Rajasthan Police personnel are regularly catching criminals by launching operations against them." On the upcoming Assembly elections, Gehlot said the opposition (BJP) is trying to give communal colour to issues ahead of the polls. "The elections should be held in a peaceful manner. Any violent or communal incidents will be dealt with strictly," he said. Valsad : , Aug 26 (IANS) The police in Gujarat's Valsad arrested two sons of Dinesh Patel, the president of the district Congress committee, on charges of manhandling and assaulting mediaperons at the party office here. The arrested duo -- identified as Pravesh Patel, a Youth Congress leader, and Pratham Patel -- were later released on bail. The arrests were made after a complaint was filed by Heratsinh Rathod, a resident of Valsad associated with a local news channel. According to the complaint, the incident unfolded after the Valsad district Congress organised a press conference at the party office on August 24. An invitation was extended to the mediapersons through a group WhatsApp message which upset a section of the media who urged Dinesh Patel to personally message them mentioning coverage details. A war of words ensued between Dinesh Patel, other Congress leaders and the media representatives. In the midst of this confrontation, Pravesh and Pratham, who were present at the party office, allegedly intervened and physically assaulted two mediapersons by punching and kicking them. Rathod, one of the alleged victims of the assault, lodged a formal complaint with the Valsad town police later in the evening. New Delhi, Aug 26 : A purported video showing a teacher asking students to slap a student reportedly belonging to a minority community in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar has drawn condemnation from various segments. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday reacted sharply after the undated video went viral on social media. NCPCR's chief Priyank Kanoongo appealed on social media not to share the video to protect the identity of the children involved in the incident. Taking to microblogging site X, he also assured that the NCPCR "will fight the child's battle with full promptness" to get justice for him. Reacting over the incident, Owaisi wrote on X: "(Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) Yogi Adityanath is responsible for what happened to the child. Perhaps, you will invite this criminal to Lucknow and reward him. No count of how many Muslim children are forced to bear such humiliation silently. It is common to call Muslim children 'Jihadi' or 'Pakistani' in schools." The NCPCR chief asked Owaisi not to share the video as it can be a threat to the privacy of the children. Priyanka Gandhi condemned the incident and said, "What kind of classroom, what kind of society do we want to give to our future generations? Where there is talk of technology to go to the moon or things that build a boundary wall of hatred. The choice is clear. Hate is the biggest enemy of progress. We have to unite and speak against this hatred for our country, for progress, for the coming generations." Congress leader K.C. Venugopal also condemned the incident, saying: "This is the 'Nafrat Ka Bazaar' (market of hatred) we are fighting against. Outraged at this teacher who is encouraging children to slap their fellow classmate because he is from another religion." "Children need to be taught compassion, brotherhood and respect for all faiths. The poison spread by the BJP and itas allied media outlets are responsible for this. We must put in all our efforts to undo it in every part of the country," Venugopal added. Condemning the incident, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary said: "Muzaffarnagar school video is a painful warning of how deep rooted religious divides can trigger violence against the marginalised, minority communities. Our MLAs from Muzzafarnagar will ensure that UP Police files a case suomoto and the childas education is not disrupted." Meanwhile, Muzaffarnagar police claimed the video was from a school of village Khubbapur in Muzaffarnagar. The police have started an investigation into the matter after taking suo moto cognizance of the video. "We have decided not to take up the case. The school have returned our fees... We have decided that our child will not go to that school," father of the victim told media persons. New Delhi, Aug 26 : Union Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane laid the keel of four Fast Patrol vessels (FPVs) of the Indian Coast Guard on August 25, sources in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The FPV designed by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is a medium range weapon fitted surface vessel with a length of 51.43 metre and breadth eight metre. The ship is propelled with twin engine and has a maximum speed of 27 knots. Displacement of the vessel is nearly 320 tons, and it is capable of operating in rough sea conditions, the MoD said on Friday. These vessels for the Indian Coast Guard are based on the in-house design of GSL and will be fitted with most modern and technologically advanced machinery and computerised controls systems, making these the state-of-the-art FPVs of the Indian Coast Guard, an MoD official added. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Defence Secretary applauded the efforts of the GSL in achieving this milestone, especially the scale of indigenisation in collaboration with the Indian industry. He emphasised on the importance to nurture and develop the shipbuilding industry of the country which has had a rich legacy. While highlighting the major achievements of the Goa Shipyard Limited, he emphasised that the industry is increasingly becoming competitive and urged the GSL to gear up in terms of efficiency and competitiveness in order to retain the cutting edge. Director General Coast Guard (DGCG) Rakesh Pal congratulated the Chairman and Managing Director, officers and workers of GSL for their dedicated efforts. The DGCG said GSL will continue to strive for perfection and achieve higher goals in the years ahead. Union Defence Secretary Aramane also inaugurated the GSL Integrated Stores Complex. Director General, Indian Coast Guard, Prakash Pal; Chairman and Managing Director, GSL, Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay; and other officials of the Indian Coast Guard were present on the occasion. Loopsie, the AI anime-style photo generator app, has become the most-downloaded application on the App Store Vietnam, but experts are worrying about data privacy issues. Loopsie topped the list of most downloaded apps on the App Store Vietnam August 23, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy Photos generated by the application have been widespread on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram since mid-August. "Creating comic-style photos has never been easier," said Duc Duy, a 25-year-old office worker in Hanoi. "There are still mistakes, for example wrong detections in photos with many complicated details, but the photos are satisfying in general." Duy started using the app to turn his photos into anime-style pictures earlier this week and has been constantly posting them to his Facebook profile ever since. A "senior" photo-editing applications user, Duy said Loopsie shares similarities in usage with the majority of current mobile apps that transform human faces in the photos into comic-style pictures. The unique thing about the app is one of its filters, named "Old School Anime," which, as its name suggests, gives photos an anime vibe. Ngoc Anh, of Hanoi, said reading comics has been her hobby since she was a child. Seeing anime-influenced photos her friends posted on social media, she instantly downloaded the app and tried it herself. She immediately got hooked. "Loopsie changes everything in photos added by users, including the surrounding background and not only human faces," Anh said. "Thats different from previously developed applications." The only downside users have observed is that resulting photos cannot be edited, even when the AI behind the app automatically adds unwanted details to the photos, making the output totally different from the input. For example, some users experienced the app "inserting" clothes on images of people wearing swimsuits or hair on images of bald people. A photo generated by Loopsie. Photo courtesy of Ngoc Anh Loopsie was introduced in 2018 by an Italy-based company. Initially focused on making motion pictures and videos from given photos, the app added the function that allows its users to retouch their photos, which is reportedly available on iOS only, late last year. Nguyen Van Khanh, founder of Antory, a project that uses AI in comic creation, said applications that turn photos into drawings appeared a long time ago. Still, Loopsie is remarkable for its ability to create high-quality photos thanks to a deep learning model called Stable Diffusion, and its user-friendly interface. "That could be the reason why people are widely interested in the app," Khanh said. Loopsie offers several subscription plans to users that wish to keep using the app after their three-day free trial, including a weekly plan that costs VND69,000 (around $2.9) and an annual plan that costs VND1.35 million. These are considerably high prices for a "for fun" app as most people merely use it to generate anime-style photos, according to Khanh. However, founder of AIcomic, a blockchain-based AI-powered picture and story platform in Vietnam, said the app could be especially useful for comic or short animated movie creators. Vu Ngoc Son, technical director of the Vietnam National Cyber Security Technology Corporation, also warned about the risks of personal information leaking. "The app uploads photos added by users to its provider's server," he said. "Thus, you shouldnt give the app access to photos that are sensitive or too personal." In addition to that, "giving" an external tool access to photos means users cannot have total control over photos of themselves anymore. He suggested people thoroughly consider all perspectives before hitting the "allowing access" button. "People should be careful in any case of exchanging their personal data, especially data about their faces, for a few fun minutes on social media." Nguyen Huy Phuoc and his wife had to eat all the leftover banh mi (mini-baguettes) they couldnt sell when they first launched their food cart five years ago. Now they sell up to 1,000 sandwiches a day. Customers queuing in front of Phuoc and Giangs banh mi cart in June 2023. Photo courtesy of Phuoc "It may sound easy," says the 35-year-old man from the coastal city of Da Nang. "But it is a journey full of exhaustion and solitude." Phuoc first arrived in Japan in 2007 as an overseas student. He remained in the country and worked as a mentor for overseas students post-graduation. When the company he worked for started struggling in 2017, Phuoc decided to launch a business of his own. A business idea came to him while wandering the street one day. He saw a Turkish kebab cart serving crowds of customers. He asked himself: "What stops Vietnamese banh mi from being sold when similar dishes from other countries are widely available?" So, he and his wife Hoang Giang decided to learn from the business model: they agreed to establish a mobile food cart that sells Vietnamese banh mi with grilled meat. The couple knew they could learn a lot from Giangs mother, who had a banh mi store in the northern city of Hai Phong, Giangs hometown. And they also knew that just like kebab, banh mi was a convenient takeaway dish. The food carts first advantage was cost, as the couple didnt have enough money to rent an eatery of their own. Next was mobility. "I saw food stalls like that at the festivals I had been to," Giang said. "They can help owners reach more customers at more places." They invested 1 million yen (around $7,000) renovating an old van into a food cart. They also spent several months looking for a location to place their cart and applying for permits from authorities. Their food cart officially opened in late-2017 in the suburban area Ome of Tokyo. Guaranteeing the authentic flavor of Vietnamese banh mi in Japan was not easy. Phuoc and Giang had to import spices from Vietnam to Japan to use in their dish, and it took them a long time to find a bakery that could supply Vietnamese-style banh mi in Japan as well. "Japanese people are used to bread that has a hard crust and soft, fluffy crumb with almost no holes, unlike Vietnamese banh mi," Phuoc explained. "I had to try so hard to convince a Tokyo-based bread manufacturing factory to customize their products to my order. They initially agreed to make only 50 Vietnamese-style banh mi a day." Phuoc started off placing his banh mi cart near schools with many Vietnamese students. Things did not go smoothly right away as he had around 20 orders a day only. One problem was that the cost was relatively higher than that of banh mi sold in Vietnam. He failed to attract local people too, as Japans relatively elderly population living in the neighborhoods were not familiar with Vietnamese banh mi enough to spend money on it. Phuoc realized that if his business were to succeed, hed have to manage to approach local people. So he started traveling as many as 100 kilometers from his house to reach office buildings and supermarkets in Tokyo, despite the fact that it could take him up to 5 hours a day merely commuting. But the orders still went up only slightly, to 20-30 per day, since Japanese office workers often prepare their lunch boxes at home and bring them to work. And those who did go out buy lunch on their breaks doubted the simple banh mi could fill them up. Phuoc and Giang changed their approach and started applying for permits to sell from their van at festivals in Tokyo. The first festival their banh mi cart attended was a Sakura festival in Tokyo in 2018. Phuoc and his wife, Hoang Giang, escorting their banh mi cart to a Tokyo festival in early-2023. Photo courtesy of Phuoc Expecting the high number of guests attending the festival would save their business, the couple had another rough experience realizing that the majority of visitors brought their own meals with them. "We brought home all of the ingredients we prepared for the festival," Phuoc said. "We had an argument after that and wondered if we were on the right track." Despite their not-so-pleasant encounters, Phuoc never thought of quitting. He patiently observed his customers to figure out Japanese taste preferences and adapted the carts menu accordingly. "I saw Japanese people preferring sweet and light dishes," Phuoc said. "So, I made changes to our menu based on that observation." He also allowed eaters to customize their orders with either more meat or more vegetables added to the standard portions on the menu. He spent his time talking to his customers to better understand them and leave them with a good impression of his cart. He wanted to prove to Japan two things: the deliciousness of Vietnamese food, and the hospitality of Vietnamese people. The subsequent changes Phuoc made raised the carts number of orders to 50-60, and even 100 at special festivals. The cart eventually started making profits about seven months after its opening. Phuoc started to have "loyal" customers. He was told by many Japanese eaters who had visited Vietnam that his banh mi tasted nothing different from those they tried in the country. "I feel glad and motivated hearing those praises," Phuoc said. As their business started to bloom, Phuoc and Giang moved to Tokyo in 2019. They invested in another stall in the same year, and Giang quit her job to focus on managing this second cart. They then had their third cart by 2021. They started to hire assistants as their business continued to expand. The couples carts serve customers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day now, selling as many as 1,000 orders to eaters visiting them. They added rice and side dishes to the menu. Their carts were also given permits to operate in eight other provinces and municipalities across Japan. Phuoc said he and Giang would try their best to maintain their dishes quality, in order to preserve the image of Vietnamese banh mi in Japanese customers eyes. And they still have their eyes set on further expansion. "We are researching franchising," Phuoc said. Yohuru Williams is a professor of history at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and the author of several books, including Teaching Beyond the Textbook. He is the former chief historian of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Michael G. Long is the author and editor of several books on civil rights history. Williams and Long co-wrote the childrens book Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black Freedom Fighter, and also shared their expertise on Robinson in Ken Burnss documentary on the barrier-breaking athlete. In their new middle grade book, More Than a Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedomwritten 60 years after this momentous eventthe duo explores the protests radical roots and the long-ignored role of Black women organizers. We asked Williams and Long to discuss their research and writing process, and the importance of recognizing echoes of the past in contemporary events. Michael G. Long: My friend! After all those early-morning phone calls, all those late-night Zoom sessions, were about to march into the world with our new book. Yohuru Williams: Im pumped. Its a powerful story. Long: Who knew? When I was a student, even in high school, I knew next to nothing about the march. I didnt even know its name was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Anyway, thanks for coming up with the idea. Of the two of us, youre the big idea guy. Williams: I mightve come up with the idea, but we both marched forward with it. As I remember our early chats, we were both disappointed that the march is usually reduced to Dr. Kings dream, though we understood that. Long: We did. Kings speech was the emotional highpoint of the day. Even the militant activists from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committeewho thought the march lacked in militancyhad tears running down their cheeks. I still get chills when I watch replays of it. No doubt, its one of the greatest speeches in world history. Williams: And that gets to our challenge, right? Our challenge was to pull the lens back from that amazing moment and show what else was happening on March Day. What happened before Dr. Kings speech? What happened after it? It turns out that the march was much more than a dream. It was a demand. A demand for jobs. A demand for desegregation. A demand for jobs and freedom now! What was your favorite part as we pulled back the lens? More than a dream suspended in history, the march was a demand for the justice that still eludes us. Yohuru Williams Long: Probably researching information about the demand for economic justice. One of the marchs demands was for a national minimum wage of two dollars per hour. That translates to about $19 in todays market. I love that fact because it shows just how radical the marchs two main planners were. A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin were both fervent democratic socialists who made sure that the march demanded jobs with decent wages. What about you? What was your favorite part? Williams: Learning about the hidden voices that dayespecially the voices of student activists. March organizers discouraged young activists from attending, but they came by the busloads. Three friends even hitchhiked together, without adults, from Gadsden, Alabama. On March Day, the students bore witness to all the suffering they endured when facing snarling police dogs and high-pressure fire hoses in their local fights for civil rights. They didnt have a speaking slot at the Lincoln Memorial, but they were at the vanguard of the Black freedom movement. Black women were, too, and their voices were also hidden at the march. Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Dorothy Height, and Pauli Murray, all of them powerful leaders, had pleaded for a womanone womanto be one of the main speakers, but the all-male Big Ten denied the request. I like to think that wouldnt happen again today. Long: Me, too. I think one of the most inspirational parts of our book is the section on the womens fight for their rightful place on March Day. Ironically, they lost the battle to a group of men fighting for equality and justice. The dissonance in that section of the book could not be louder than it is. Did anything else surprise you? Williams: The recurring theme of police brutality. At the march, Rita Morenothe star of West Side Storytold reporters that she was disappointed that President Kennedys civil rights bill did not address police brutality. Actor Marlon Brando compared local police officers in Alabama to German Nazis in World War II. Then there was the great John Lewis, who used his fiery speech to denounce the federal government for not defending young activists from racial violence. Long: Just to add a bit more, I was surprised to learn that the march was designed to commemorate three people who had died because of their civil rights workincluding Medgar Evers. I dont believe anyone mentioned their names during the Lincoln Memorial program, but if you looked hard, as you and I did, you could see small ways that they were commemorated. Williams: The topics of police brutality and race-related violence demonstrate the ongoing relevance of the march, right? More than a dream suspended in history, the march was a demand for the justice that still eludes us. I hope our readers will be inspired to think about the ways that the march is as relevant today as it was in 1963. After all, were still struggling against police brutality. Were still trying to secure Black voting rights. Were still fighting for decent schools, homes, and jobs. We do not yet have the economic and racial justice that the march planners demanded. We have a long way to go. And so, I hope our readers will also be inspired to think about ways that they can claim their power, just as the marchers did, and march our nation forward, to a time and place where we can finally join Dr. King and say, Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! Long: Onward! More Than a Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom by Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $21.99 Aug. 29 ISBN 978-0-374-39174-4 From landmark TED Talks to award-winning novels to profound critical reflections, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies work has taken many forms. With her forthcoming publication, Mamas Sleeping Scarf, Adichie delves into a new category: childrens books. Illustrated by Joelle Avelino, Mamas Sleeping Scarf follows a Black girl named Chino as she embarks on a day of exploration and play at home with her father, grandparents, and stuffed bunny. The centerpiece of Chinos games is her mothers beloved sleeping scarf, an object that signifies and strengthens Chinos connection to her mother while she is away at work. We spoke with Adichie about the inspiration she took from her own life for the book, the promising changes shes seeing in the literary landscape, and the unexpected challenges and delights of writing for children. In an Instagram post, you noted that Mamas Sleeping Scarf was inspired by a day in the life of your daughter. How did the narrative come to you and why did you want to write Chinos story in particular? Ive often been asked why I dont do children's books, and usually I would respond by saying that my vision is too dark. And so I worry that if I started to write a childrens book, I would somehow invariably have somebody die. [When] I had my daughter, I [spent a lot of time] reading to her and buying kids books, which made me start thinking about childrens literature. I was thinking maybe I should try but I wasnt sure what I wanted to write about. There was just one of those very, very simple moments where Im holding her. She reaches out and pulls at my hair. My hair was braided. And I thought, this is such a small moment but its going to go and its going to disappear from our memories forever. And then I started thinking about the idea of preserving memory. I realized I want to write a book for kids but also a book in which I try to preserve a memory for my daughterbut then I didnt do anything about it. And then two years passed. Then one day were in Lagos and its just a happy ordinary day. My parents were there with us. My husband was making a smoothie. And I just thought, how about I capture this for my daughter? She was about four at the time. I realized I wanted that day to be the memory that I try to remember for her. So, I just made little notes, and I didnt do anything with it again for another two years. I started thinking about it again after my father died, and thats actually when I decided that I would write it. So, it became two things: creating this memory for my daughter, but also celebrating what for me is an ideal version of family, which is an extended unit, and remembering my parents. How did the process of writing Mamas Sleeping Scarf differ from your work for adults? I remember thinking when I started, Oh, its a children's book. Its going to be easy. But actually, I found myself stumped in the middle. You start writing and you realize that the rules for childrens books are quite different. My style isnt to be so direct but you really have to be direct with children. I felt that I had to shift my register. In some ways it humbled me because I realized its not easy to do. I also practiced it on my daughterthe first draft I read to her, she was utterly bored, and so I thought, this is not good. It made me think differently. Writing a picture book really requires an entirely different mindset. How do you feel about writing for young readers now that youve written a childrens book? Oh, Im still terrified. No, Im actually thinking about doing more. I hope to follow the character of Chino and still keep it loosely based on my daughter. Im hoping the next book will be where Chino is maybe seven. Hair and mother-daughter relationships are both powerful themes in your work. Can you talk about the importance of centering the story around a sleeping scarf, and how it reaffirms Chinos bond with her mother? The mother character is kind of based on me. I always sleep with a scarf, as do most of the Black women I know in the world. I want to make the ordinary things of Black peoples lives just become a normal part of everyday literature. I remember when I first came to the U.S. and I was surprised by how I would get my hair braided and my friends who were not Black would be like, Oh my God, your hair grew so long! And I would think, my goodness, they really do not know this sort of very basic thing about Black womens lives. When I was thinking about the scarf, I was struck by how that can become a symbol of a number of things. Its a metaphor for a mother and a daughter having this wonderful bond, but for me, its also a way of celebrating Black women in a very simple, ordinary way. I realized I want to write a book for kids but also a book in which I try to preserve a memory for my daughter. Thats beautiful. Its funny how our worlds can seem smaller than they need to be. There are things that are so obvious and mundane to so many of us that are completely new to other people. That is why I feel so strongly about being invested in this project of making our lives not be small. Literature has a powerful role in that. In your TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, you spoke about how your experience reading Western childrens books as a child influenced what you thought was possible in literature. Do you think that the publishing industry and whats available to children has changed since your talk was released? Yes-ish. I did that talk in the early 2000s so I think things have changed a bit, but I also worry that a lot of the changes can sometimes feel almost performative and temporary. Im hopeful because I can see in the publishing world theres a lot more talk about diversity and inclusivity, and I just hope that it translates to long-term change. Im not sure yet but Im hopeful. Theres still work to be done. By writing childrens books that feature stories and characters that are not generally centered in the literary canon, do you hope you can help change that? I think [through] the very act of writing a childrens book thats set in Nigeria and thats about the ordinary life of a family I am contributing to diversifying the stories that are published as childrens books. But I dont want to be the only person who made books diverse. I want to be one of many. I dont want Nigeria to be the only African country that people know about. Im very committed to this idea of diversity, but I also think that it makes me uncomfortable to be seen as somehow the icon of diversity, because I think even that shows that we still have a long way to go. Working with a visual artist on a book must have been a new experience for you. Can you talk about your collaboration with Joelle Avelino and how you feel her artwork illuminated your story? I think shes an absolute star. I was sent samples of different illustrators works and my love for her work was almost immediate. I looked at what shed done and I just thought, yeah, this is it. I felt that she captured African life. She really paid attentionshe wanted to look at pictures of my family, and she wanted to look at pictures of our house here in Lagos. Then, when she sent the first batch of the illustrations, I was almost in tears. Theres a page that has the grandmother character kissing the little girl, and it makes me cry every time. Honestly, Ive never been as ridiculously emotional about anything Ive done as I am about this little book, and I think in some ways it surprised me. Do you feel like Mamas Sleeping Scarf is more directly connected to your life and to the people in your life than other books youve written? Yes, apart from my memoir about my father. This is the most personal thing Ive written. I think that is why Ive felt so emotional about it, because its this thing that Ive done as a person who no longer has parents, while having had a life deeply anchored by my parents. There was just this huge shift for me and this book is about that. It sounds like the book was inspired by your daughter and fueled by not only by that relationship but also by who you are as a mother and what is important to you in your relationship with your daughter. Yes, absolutely. Whats important to me and my daughter is communication, playfulness, and joy in the ordinary. Another striking element of the book is Chinos independence and her ability to make a world for herself while her world is stillto use your wordanchored by her mother and by an object that represents her mother. How does the sleeping scarf simultaneously reaffirm Chinos independence and ground her bond with her mom? Im not sure that I set out thinking, oh, shes going to come across as independent, but actually she does. Thats important to me. I really believe in the idea of autonomy for children. By that I dont mean being their friendI believe in being a parent because I really do think that parents know better when children are [young]. With that said, the idea of encouraging independence while also making it clear that you dont get to make all the decisions is important to me. The idea that you can explore your world, youre not being stifled but rather, youre being guided. I also believe in communication and having conversations. I believe in trying to persuade rather than just telling or demanding a child. I love the idea that Chino comes across as having this kind of independence, running around with her scarf and getting up to things in her day. What are you working on now, and can you say more about what youre envisioning for the series centering Chino? Im just thinking about the next one right now so I know shes going to be a bit older. Im going to base it on my family but I dont know much more beyond that. Really, at this point, Im making notes and again, realizing that writing a childrens book is quite difficult. Actually, Im supposed to be hibernating right now because Im working onknock on wooda novel. Thats whats been taking up all my time. What is your writing process like when youre working on a novel as opposed to a childrens book? Oh, its entirely different. With a childrens book, Im much more open to the idea of being collaborative. So, Im asking my editor what she thinks of the lines or asking if maybe its too wordy. With my novels, its an intense process. Im a person who works very intensely; I dont let anybody read drafts until Im almost happy with them, and I am obsessed with editing. Its really different also because fiction is a thing that I think of as my vocation; its the thing that I deeply love and that, when its going well, makes me the happiest. I find that I become utterly absorbed. I dont want to break the continuous creative world. Mamas Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, writing as Nwa Grace-James, illus. by Joelle Avelino. Knopf, $18.99 Sept. 5 ISBN 978-0-593-53557-8 Aisha Saeed is the author of 13 books for young readers across all ages, including Amal Unbound, Written in the Stars, Yes No Maybe So (with Becky Albertalli), and Omar Rising. In addition to being a writer, teacher, and attorney, Saeed, who is Pakistani American, is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. Here, Saeed reflects on the process of blending fantasy and everyday experiences in her new YA novel, Forty Words for Love (Kokila), and paying homage to South Asian storytelling in all its richness and complexity. As a child, I was raised on the fantastical. Aunties and Uncles shared stories from South Asia about magical undertakings presented as utterly ordinary. Tales of star-crossed lovers like Layla and Majnun, the besotted prince who traveled the world to meet a fairy who some say can still be glimpsed glittering along the shores of an ancient glacier lake in Pakistan. It was not uncommon to hear about someone having a vision in a dream and awakening to hair gone completely white, or warnings to not walk beneath certain trees at night, lest one risk a curse befalling them. The ordinary and magical exist side-by-side within the stories passed down in my culture. Indeed, storytellers like Pakistani writer Mohsin Hamid have brought such tales to Western readers with novels such as Exit West, where portals appear and vanish without rhyme or reason, transporting people to various destinations. Some have explained this tradition as a way of copinga means of processing trauma for people from lands that have seen much of it, colonialism and Partition to name a few, with a touch of necessary narrative distance. With my new novel Forty Words for Love, I sought to honor this tradition of storytelling. Forty Words for Love follows two star-crossed teens. Yas was born and raised in Moonlight Bay; Rafs people are refugees whose community fled the inhospitably icy lands of Golub, taking shelter within Moonlight Bays forest. Though they lived side by side in harmony for years, their peaceful coexistence unravels in the aftermath of a tragedy that brings their town to the brink of economic collapse. In the wake of rising hostilities, both teens grapple with loss and explore the meaning of home, community, and what we owe each other and ourselves. Within the pages of this novel, among fantastical pink and lavender seas, and leaves that glow upon the wrists of the Golub people, I explore my very real upbringing as a first-generation Pakistani American who knows no other home than this country, but who, like Raf, is often asked to justify her existence on its soil. With Yas, I examined my own teenage years grappling with crises such as my fathers job loss, the prospect of losing our home, and how these moments affected my faith and relationship to my family and community. As I wrote this story about uncertainty in difficult moments, I lived through the uncertain times of a global pandemic. I also watched my ancestral lands experience simultaneous climate tragedies of severe drought and heat, as well as unprecedented flooding. These were all difficult moments, which through the pages of this novel I could explore with a touch of necessary distance. Exploring human truths through a fantastical lens, I felt a deep connection with all who came before me. Forty Words for Love is my 13th book. It is unlike anything Ive written before. And once I finished writing it, I realized this story, inspired by South Asian storytelling, does not neatly fit into any particular category. It is not truly fantasy as conceived of in the West, nor contemporary realism. And though it has hints of magical realism like the tales of Anna-Marie McLemore, it isnt fully that either. So what box does this book belong in? All these years later, I do not have an answer. What I do know is I chose this storytelling medium to serve as a love letter to my ancestral traditions, merging mythology, folklore, magic, and reality to get to the heart of the complicated and messy truths of our contemporary world, many of which do not have neat answers. Its a free-falling feeling to write outside of ones wheelhouse. It is also liberating. This story is an homage to my heritage, and to the ever-present themes within South Asian tales of love and longing. It is also a love letter to all of us who exist outside of easy categorization. It bears mentioning that I was afforded the opportunity to write this out of the box story thanks to my brilliant editor, Zareen Jaffery, who is Pakistani American like myself, and who intimately understood what I was trying to do. This in and of itself is a testament to the importance not only of diverse authors from traditionally marginalized backgrounds, but to the critical importance of diversity within the publishing industry, without which a story like this, honoring a storytelling tradition that is not yet neatly categorized by Western readers, would not exist. I am incredibly grateful it does exist though, and that I was able to craft this tale to honor those who came before me, but also to tell the story burning inside me, the one that I needed to tell. Manuscript submissions and acquisitions, censorship, and book-industry myth-busting were under discussion during an August 4 panel on The Current State of the Childrens Publishing Industry. The conversation was part of the Society for Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators summer virtual conference. In an audience poll conducted during the panel, 34% of attendees identified as SCBWI first-timers, 46% were pre-published authors, and 79% were unagented. Approximately 1,400 guests tuned in to the virtual conference, from U.S. and international locations. SCBWI executive director Sarah Baker introduced moderator Laurent Linn, art director at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and a member of the SCBWI advisory council. Linn greeted the panelists: associate editor Alexandra Aceves (Holiday House), associate editor Foyinsi Adegbonmire (Feiwel and Friends), editorial agent and former Algonquin Young Readers publisher Elise Howard (DeFiore and Company), senior executive editor Sara Sargent (Random House), and senior editor Deeba Zargarpur (S&S/Salaam Reads). Linn led off by asking the panelists about submissions, and everyone gave tips for getting a foot in the door (above all else, follow submission guidelines to a T). Even representation is no guarantee of success: When I was on the other side of the desk, I used to triage my submissions, Howard said, recalling her years as an editor. I had my A agents and my B agents and my C agents and my schmagents. [Now] I try to do the work so that I will be everybodys A-list agent when they get a book from me. Random Houses Sargent, who primarily acquires picture books, ordinarily wont accept pitches, but makes exceptions for creators she meets personally or in small-group sessions, such as the workshops that SCBWI offers as conference add-ons. At Simon & Schuster, Zargarpur has her hands full managing a list of around 45 titles at a time. But when shes acquiring for Salaam Reads, she focuses on her mission to introduce Muslim authors and characters, and shes especially open to reading middle grade and YA. Because we dont see so many books published by Muslim authors, we decided to eliminate the barrier of having an agent, Zargarpur said. The requirements are that you must identify as Muslim yourself and your main character also must identify as Muslim. At Holiday House, Aceves just signed a middle grade novel that arrived without fanfare. An agent came in to help the author negotiate, but it was in the slush that it caught my eye, she said. Finding an agent can be a barrier to access, Aceves said, but the flip side is that we have to be ruthless to work through the high volume. A big part of the conversation at Holiday House is that an agent is an amazing tool for boosting a creator and negotiating contracts. Much of an agents job is taking the time to talk to editors, Sargent said, provoking affirmative nods from the panelists. Not only are they reading deals, they are taking time to find out what were looking for. They are saving me time, they are saving you time, they are saving your career time by pitching manuscripts that fit editors wish lists. The Shadow of Censorship Linn next asked how censorship threats had influenced the panelists publishing decisions. Is it affecting the books youre looking to acquire? he asked. Is it affecting the submissions youre getting? Sargent answered definitively. The idea that a book could be banned hasnt factored into any decision I have made around an acquisition. The answer is zero. Not at all. The war against the freedom to read inspires a certain level of grief, she said. Im going to acquire whatever I connect with, whatever I love, Zargarpur agreed, recalling her own independent childhood reading in school libraries, which she saw as safe havens. She believes publishers have a responsibility to make books widely available for children. The crisis has meant that were starting to get more [submissions] about book banning or characters dealing with book banning, Adegbonmire told the audience. She said Feiwel and Friends acquisitions meetings proceed undeterred, although the team does discuss how to market controversial titles, and Macmillan is creating community resources to counter negative appraisals of books like nonbinary author George M. Johnsons memoir, All Boys Arent Blue. The banned lists tend to disproportionately affect marginalized authors or books about marginalized communities, Adegbonmire said. Aceves debunked the notion that a ban gives a sales bump, calling this the exception. For every book that blows up all over social media and in the trade market for being banned, there are dozens if not more that take the hit from being excluded from the school and library market. She worried that Texas, with its outsize influence over school libraries and curricula, would undermine publishing with House Bill 900, although at least in this moment editorial departments are refusing to budge. Persistent Myths and Sage Advice To close the panel, Linn asked panelists to address pervasive publishing myths and to share one piece of advice a mentor has given that has stayed with you. Adegbonmire believes that social media fame is not essential (it could be icing on the cake), Zargarbur extended a branch to older writers (it doesnt matter what age you are), and Sargent explained that an aspiring picture book author need not illustrate too (we absolutely acquire plenty of manuscripts-only of picture books). Howard told the audience that the first agent to offer their services might not be The One, saying, If one reputable agent loves you, theres a solid chance somebody else out there will also find you lovable. Find out what deals theyve made, what relationships they have. Aceves addressed trends in young adult fiction. Theres a common myth right now that you cant write good YA in the third person, she said. Although current lists may be first-person-present dominated, she is in the process of acquiring two third-person manuscripts. Acquisitions are made so far ahead of whats hitting shelves. What you perceive as trends, as a reader or book buyer, are actually trends of two years ago. After shredding myths, the panelists shared final takeaways. Aceves, who came to Holiday House via Junior Library Guild, remembered JLG executive director Susan Marstons advice that if the kid loves the book the rest will follow. Howard echoed Aceves with a right book, right reader approach; Workman Publishings Peter Workman told her that success could be measured by sales, by awards and reviews, and also by longevity. Sargent recalled a directors advice to publish books that warm the cockles of your heart because we spend years with every book we choose to edit. Adegbonmire shared Feiwel and Friends associate publisher Liz Szablas encouragement to be curious and trust my editorial instincts. And Zargarpur appreciated advice from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers editorial director Kendra Levin, who told me that it can always wait until tomorrow. This also applies to authors and illustrators. Youre afraid that someone else is going to put your book out before you do. But publishing is not going anywhere. For creators eager to meet in person, SCBWIs winter conference will convene in New York City from Feb. 911, 2024. Amid what has been a contentious few years of attacks on libraries and schools (or more accurately, on librarians and educators) the headlines this week seem positively unhinged. In Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reports on a series of bomb threats that closed libraries in suburban Chicago. While law enforcement has not yet tied the threats directly to movements to portray libraries as a haven for groomers, it certainly fits the pattern. In a release, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who earlier this year pushed legislation to discourage book bans in Illinois libraries, condemned the threats. The bomb threats received by Illinois libraries during the past several days represent a troublesome and disturbing trend that has escalated from banning books, to harassing and criminalizing librarians and now to endangering the lives of innocent people, Giannoulias said. We must join together to stand up to fringe elements that resort to threats of violence and seek to destroy the fundamental freedoms that our nation was founded upon. Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen leads her weekly censorship column with news of these threats. "By now, many are familiar with the phrase stochastic terrorism. Stochastic terrorism is the best phrase to describe whats happening with these bomb threats: thanks to right-wing media constantly vilifying people or organizationssay through the use of the word 'groomers' or 'indoctrinators' to describe library workersthere are ideologically-aligned threats or attacks made on those groups," she writes. "So lets return to the question here that continues to go unanswered but, every day, seems more and more likely: how long until a library worker is killed for doing their job? Oklahoma News 4 reports that a Tulsa elementary school was hit with a bomb scare because of a TikTok video featuring a highly respected, dedicated school librarian. "We placed a bomb at Ellen Ochoa Elementary, read one threat. "You will stop pushing this woke ideology or we will bomb every school in the union district. Got that? They want to protect children so much they will bomb elementary schools. The librarian also received a threat that her home would be blown up as well. The threats were not found to be credible, but the bomb isn't the point, the terror is. A school spokesperson confirmed the threats were a direct result of the TikTok video. Oh, and making the situation worse, the Oklahoman reports that the Oklahoma State Schools Superintendent tweeted a version of the video doctored by a right wing group, on his superintendent account no less, with a caption stating: "Woke ideology is real and I am here to stop it." While "many replies on Ryan Walter's tweet shared support for him and his policies," the report notes, "most replies voiced frustration with Walters for taking a school employee's joke too seriously, or as a deflection from other education issues in the news." Also, you know, there's the threats of violence. In Texas, local affiliate ABC 8 reports that a board meeting in Forth Worth boiled over in the wake of library closures prompted by the state's new book rating law, HB 900, which bans "sexually explicit" books from schools. "The library issue wasn't on the Fort Worth district's board agenda Tuesday night, but it was top of mind for plenty of speakers from the public," the report states. "The meeting turned tense when one speaker, identified as a man named Mike, called one of the books in question 'Satanism.' As he began reading from the book, the board questioned if what he was reading was going to be vulgar, which would be a violation of the public speaking rules. The man kept reading from the book, so two officers stepped in and removed him from the podium." And, it just keeps getting weirder in Texas. ABC 8 also has a report on a conservative school board member who was censured for sneaking into the Granbury High School library. "Karen Lowery is accused of violating district policy by going to Granbury High Schools library without permission and personally looking through books to see if they should be removed," the article states. "Video that Granbury ISD released this week through an open records request shows Lowery and another woman, who the district said is not an employee or parent, walking into a dark library around 9 a.m. on August 2 while school was still out of session for summer break." The Dallas Express has a piece on how Texas has decided to follow Montana's lead and leave the American Library Association. Under mounting pressure from a conservative Texas lawmaker, TSLAC (Texas Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which oversees library funding in the state) is cutting ties with ALA, despite the many benefits Texas libraries receive through ALA, because the current ALA president once referred to herself as a Marxist lesbian in a tweet (despite the ALA president has no decision-making power over the ALA or any library or librarian, and serves in a largely ceremonial role for just a 12-month term). The Wyoming State Library has been a member of the American Library Association for 99 years and has benefited from professional development opportunities conferred by membership, as well as its advocacy for libraries and the profession on the national and global level. And before we leave Texas, a reminder that a second hearing is set for Monday morning, August 28, in Austin over a motion to block Texas's book rating law from taking effect on September 1. As Publishers Weekly reported this week, the court held a hearing on August 18. Given some last minute filings, however, the court was not ready to rule on either a bid to block the law filed by coalition of booksellers, publishers, and authors, or a bid by the state to have the law dismissed. At the August 18 hearing, Judge Alan D. Albright said be did intend to rule on the motion to block the law from taking effect before its September 1 effective date. Stay tuned. Wyoming also appears to also be angling to cut ties with ALA. Earlier this month, County 17 reported that conservative state lawmakers had been lobbying Wyoming governor Mark Gordon to pull the Wyoming State Library from ALA. Instead, InfoDocket shares that Wyoming state librarian Jamie Markus has written to ALA executive director Tracie Hall to open a dialogue about Wyoming's future in ALA. The letter is painfully parsed. It acknowledges all the benefits Wyoming libraries get from ALA membership, and that right wingers in the state really want to score some cheap political points with their base. "The Wyoming State Library has been a member of the American Library Association for 99 years and has benefited from professional development opportunities conferred by membership, as well as its advocacy for libraries and the profession on the national and global level. However, we have grown concerned that the ALA has become politicized," the letter reads. In Louisiana, The Acadiana Advocate reports on the removal of Lafayette Public Library director Danny Gillane, allegedly for "undermining" the board. "Gillane was appointed library director in June 2021 after having served as interim director since February 2021. He was employed with the library system about 15 years," the report notes. "He replaced Teresa Elbeberson, who abruptly retired in January 2021 after months of conflict with some board members came to a head after she lined up two moderators the library board deemed too "far left" for a book discussion about voting rights." Nola.com has a hot take on Gillane's dismissal, calling the drama "too pathetic for words." The editorial noted the library board's increasing right wing politicization. "We are left then to wonder if the board just decided on this summer surprise to gin up more controversy, to show that the story they are trying to writeabout the need to protect children from librarianshad not quite reached its denouement. In this political season, its not hard to see why some would want to keep a wedge issue alive," the piece states. "We, however, cant help but see it as a cynical anticlimax. We think most folks are tired of the drama and want our libraries to again function as oases for learning. Lets finally close the book on the culture wars." The Tampa Bay Times has a report this week that really puts the surge in book bans in perspective: "Most of Floridas 67 school districts didnt log a single formal complaint about a book," the paper reports, after conducting "the most comprehensive review of book complaints across the state." Of the 1,100 complaints in Florida since July 2022, more than 700 came from two counties that make up less than 3% of the states enrollment, and 600 came from just two people, the article notes. "The data illustrates how a tiny minority of activists across the state can overwhelm school districts while shaping the national conversation over what books belong on school library shelves." In Pennsylvania, a TribLive piece looks also points out how a vocal minority is driving the book banning surge. "Over the past few years, Librarian Sharon Coronado has been tested by select patrons who oppose the presence of certain voices in books at Ligonier Valley Library, particularly the voices of people of color and LGBTQ individuals," the piece opens. "But Coronado, who has served as the library director for one year, said these interactions are few and far between. 'Its a small number of people who are very loud,' Coronado said." From Colorado Newsline, a really good report on how four books were challenged at the Douglas County libraries, and ultimately kept in the collection. "Jessica Fredrickson, a librarian since 2019 in the Denver metro area and co-creator of anti-censorship group Douglas County Freadom Defenders, presented a petition with almost 1,500 county resident signatures to the Board compelling them to take no action on the books, leaving them on the shelves," the report states. 'Just because you dont agree with something doesnt mean you get to silence it,' Fredrickson said during public comment. 'That is not what our country is about, or at least it shouldnt be.' In Indiana, The Indy Star reports that the Hamilton East Public Library has now suspended its controversial program to review allegedly inappropriate books. "After weeks of intense controversy over the placement of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, leaders of the Hamilton East Public Library Board voted Thursday to suspend the collection development policy that led to Greens novel and many more books being moved out of the teen section," the report states. "Library staff have spent months and hundreds of hours reviewing books by this policys definition. Library staff estimated in March the effort could cost about $300,000, although no updated figure has been shared publicly." And, finally, from the Seattle Times, in sharp contrast to state librarians joining in or at least standing down while their leaders foment political attacks on librarians, Washington State Librarian Sara Jones offers a thoughtful editorial in defense of libraries and librarians. "As librarians, we provide a collection. Individuals and parents make the decision of what to check out. We may suggest an age recommendation, but we believe the choice belongs with the patron, and that choice should not be made by one community member or a group for everyone in the community," Jones writes, bemoaning the surge in "personal attacks" on librarians. "The former director of the Columbia County Rural Library District was personally accused of being a groomer for standing up for the districts library collection. The Walla Walla High School media specialist spent 15 months defending the school library against public outcries for removal of books, their dismissal and hostile board meetings. I have worked with hundreds of library workers in three states and these attacks are unwarranted, unfair and patently wrong. In fact, countless stories of librarians supporting children and families represent the truth of their service and dedication." EDITOR'S NOTE: The Week in Libraries will be off next week ahead of the Labor Day weekend. However there will be a Preview for Librarians newsletter. The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email. Previous columns can be viewed here. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Ali Al Thani issued a ministerial decision stating that hunting season for migratory birds will be from Sep. 1, 2023, to Feb. 15, 2024. The first article of the ministerial decision states that the hunting season will run for these dates for two years from the implementation of the decision. The hunting season will run for the following species: Asian Bustard, Eurasian stone-curlew, wild duck, blue rock-thrush, song thrush, Eurasian Golden Oriole, crested lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, and Northern Wheatear. Article two of the decision states that Asian Bustard birds must be hunted using falcons only. The decision also directs hunters not to use or exchange non-traditional tools or means. Hunters must also avoid being exposed to birds' eggs and they must also avoid disturbing birds' nests. Read More: Qatar Tourism Announces Two New Concerts in August and September Hunters have also been directed to avoid harming meadows and wild plants. The hunting period is only going to run from sunrise to sunset, according to the second article of the ministerial decision. Trade of the hunted birds listed in the decision is completely prohibited. The third article of the decision also prohibits hunting and acquiring any of the local, endemic, and other migratory wild animals, birds, and reptiles in all parts of the country throughout the year for two years from the implementation of the decision. Article four of this decision states that if any of the articles are violated, then the culprit will be punished with a penalty from Law No. 4 of 2002. Authorities were alerted to the threats at around 09:10 am local time (0110 GMT) on Wednesday, the Singapore Police Force said in a statement. It added that the threats were reported at "18 locations around Singapore, including government buildings, embassies and other places of interest". Officers coordinated with security guards but "no items of security concern were found", it said. The force did not disclose the specific locations involved or if any evacuations had taken place after the threats were made. But the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment said its office building -- which also houses the country's environment and water agencies -- had received one of the bomb threats. "No threat items were found. Since this morning, we have stepped up security and restricted access into the Environment Building," it said in a statement on Facebook. In its own statement, the police force said it was "aware that similar reports of email bomb threats sent seemingly by the same person, had been received by the Republic of Korea recently, which had turned out to be a hoax". "The police take all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally communicate false information on bomb threats," it added. The force urged members of the public to report suspicious people and items, such as parcels with stains or wires, or those that give off a strange smell. Anyone found guilty of "communicating false information of a harmful thing" can be imprisoned in the financial hub for up to seven years, fined up to Sg$50,000 ($37,000) or both, it said. According to Rep. Mike Gallagher in a recent opinion piece, TikTok is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. Where it becomes a tad ironic is that in the same sentence in which he offers an evidence-free assertion about TikToks management, Gallagher shows why he has no evidence. Indeed, he follows his slur with the observation that TikTok is close to becoming the dominant media company in the U.S. Its almost a waste of words to point out that in attempting to cast aspersions on TikTok, Gallagher contradicted himself. Time was that Republicans were rightly clear that government-run anything is always and everywhere an awful experience, but apparently that doesnt apply to the Chinese government. Can the CCP take over the Post Office? All of which requires a correction of Gallagher. The U.S. economy is easily the most dynamic in the world. That its so competitive is the surest sign that TikTok is many things, none of them government run. But assuming its ever controlled by the CCP as Gallagher imagines now, we can all rest assured that TikToks days as a force in U.S. media will quickly come to an end. Unfortunately, Gallaghers expressed contradictions didnt stop with TikTok. Explicit in Gallaghers routine mention of Chinese Communist Party is an effort to sear into the minds of his flock that China is a communist country. The latter would surely amuse Blackstone co-founder Stephen Schwarzman, an actual capitalist whose firm has many billions invested in China. Notable here is that Schwarzmans mantra for his employees at Blackstone is Dont. Lose. Money which, if China were communist, would mean that Blackstone has chosen to lose billions in China. Except that it hasnt, and it hasnt because while the Chinese Communist Party is Chinas governing body, its no longer communist. In Schwarzmans words, China is now a market economy overseen by the Communist Party. Which really is a statement of the obvious. If China were a communist country in the way that Gallagher suggests, then it wouldnt just be true that Blackstone would have no capital invested there. Neither would Wall Street more broadly. Yet as Gallagher contends in an opinion piece most notable for its contradictory nature, Wall Street is funneling U.S. capital into Chinese companies on at least six different U.S. government blacklists. And oh yes, time was when Republicans trusted profit-motivated capital allocators over government on the matter of investment. And for those who trust politicians more than Wall Street, consider McDonalds, Nike, and Starbucks. Those are three rather prominent symbols of U.S. capitalism, no? This is important simply because any visitor to China sees all three everywhere he or she looks. Whom do you trust more about the profit-motivated direction of China? Rep. Gallagher, or these three great American companies? The answer to the above should be pretty obvious, after which shouldnt we Americans be more than a little bit ashamed by the actions of Gallagher et al? For the longest time we yearned for China to shed the tragedy of actual communism during which tens of millions of human beings were murdered or starved. Thankfully China has done just that, TikTok is visual evidence of this brilliant truth, only for American politicians trample on the progress? Its a reminder that in attacking TikTok, Gallagher shrinks the United States. Worse, Gallagher imperils the U.S. with his attacks. Capitalism doesnt just lift us, it also makes war incredibly expensive. Put another way, Gallagher seeks to impoverish a country he claims is the greatest geopolitical threat to the U.S. Which means Gallagher is imperiling the U.S. while he shrinks it. The recently released film Oppenheimer has drawn public attention to the real and present danger of nuclear weapons. This is long overdue, as the nuclear threat has often been overshadowed in public discourse, despite these weapons presenting as much of an existential risk as the climate crisis. The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic measure of humanity's vulnerability to global catastrophes, was recently adjusted from 100 seconds to midnight to 90 seconds. There are multiple reasons for this. Over the past twenty-five years, the global nuclear security architecture has come under strain and its resilience has been severely tested, reminding us that the nuclear fears depicted in Oppenheimer remain pertinent. It is imperative for the world to take the threat of nuclear weapons seriously and map a pathway towards nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Kazakhstan knows all-to-well the disastrous consequences of nuclear weapons. For almost half a century, our land endured atmospheric, ground, and underground tests. This impacted the health of roughly 1.5 million Kazakhs living near the Semipalatinsk test site, where the Soviet Union conducted nuclear tests between 1949 and 1989. The aftereffects of radiation persist even three decades after Kazakhstan decommissioned the Semipalatinsk test site in 1991. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is right when he said last year that it is vital to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons before they eliminate our world. What can be done to achieve this? Firstly, the international community must resist any attempt to normalize nuclear threats, challenging those who assert that even a limited nuclear strike can be justified. Secondly, negotiations on arms control and further reductions of nuclear arsenals must be resumed. In particular, it is critical for the U.S. and Russia to negotiate a new arms control framework to supersede New START, the last remaining major nuclear-arms control agreement between the United States and Russia that is still in force. Unless updated, New START will expire in 2026. The international community must underscore the need to restore global nuclear diplomacy and reaffirm worldwide commitment to nuclear disarmament the ultimate goal of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation Weapons and the more recent Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi in September, which will bring together senior representatives of global powers, presents an ideal opportunity for political leaders to reaffirm their commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Moreover, the tenth Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference one year ago concluded without agreement. Ahead of the next Review Conference in 2026, states parties to the NPT should leverage preparatory meetings to redress this and advance an agenda to reduce nuclear risks and strengthen the treaty that has long been the cornerstone of the global nonproliferation regime. Kazakhstan has been entrusted by NPT signatories to chair the second session of the NPT Preparatory Committee. It is my countrys hope that a balanced approach can reinforce the Treatys review process. To support the global push for nuclear disarmament, Kazakhstan was among the first states to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in 2019. Given our painful history with nuclear testing, we have partnered with Kiribatia Pacific nation that has similarly experienced the devastating fallout from nuclear teststo co-chair a working group focused on victim assistance, environmental remediation, and international cooperation under the framework of the TPNW. A key goal is to establish an International Trust Fund. We are optimistic that this initiative can be realized during Kazakhstan's presidency at the Third Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW in 2025. Even amid global geopolitical unease, progress in nuclear disarmament is possible. The number of nuclear weapons has decreased from around 65,000 in the mid-1980s to about 12,500 today. Kazakhstan can act as a blueprint for nuclear powers as a country that voluntarily relinquished its nuclear weapons after independence from the Soviet Union and closed the worlds largest nuclear test site. Together with its neighbors in the region, Kazakhstan established a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. This process can be applied to other regions of the world too. Of course, numerous political and technical obstacles stand in the way to a nuclear weapon-free world. Yet, as international tensions and nuclear arsenals rise, there's no alternative if we are to avert potential disaster. The record of close calls over the decades shows just how near the world was to a nuclear catastrophe. Amidst other pressing global challenges, the time to eliminate the man-made threat of nuclear weapons is now. Property details: Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE INVESTMENT PROPERTYIRON COUNTY, UTAHI have a nice 1.09 acre property west of Cedar City, (Iron County), Utah with a beautiful background view of the Mountains. This acreage is located about 30 minutes west of town an easy drive down Highway 56. It is a frequent visiting location for bald eagles which sometimes nest at a 20 feet pole erected at the SW corner of 36 in an area near the lot.Cedar City sits directly on Interstate 15, between Las Vegas, Nevad... 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Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Missouri Property Address: 12007 Cypress Run Road, Orlando, FL Number of Bedrooms: 1 Number of Bathrooms: 1 Zip/Postal Code: 32830 City: Orlando State/Province: Florida Location: 658**, Springfield, Missouri You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Florida In November 2020, the governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire, which ended six weeks of fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Following the ceasefire, a peacekeeping force of Russian troops were deployed to the Lachin Corridor, the only road that leads into Nagorno-Karabakh. Late last year, however, the government of Azerbaijan began blockading the Lachin Corridor, violating the ceasefire with Armenia. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, all humanitarian assistance through the Lachin Corridor has been stopped for several weeks. This action has led to a humanitarian crisis for the tens of thousands of people in Nagorno-Karabakh, who are being forced to survive on dwindling supplies. We urge the government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement through the corridor so commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles can reach the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, said U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. We are deeply troubled by the closure of the Lachin Corridor, which has cut off access to essential goods and exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Access to food, medicine, baby formula, and energy should never be held hostage, she said. Just ending the blockade of the Lachin Corridor is not enough to protect the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield: I want to stress the need for the parties to continue talks aimed at a lasting, peaceful resolution to the conflict and the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan And let me be clear: peace in the region must include protections for the rights and security of individuals in Nagorno-Karabakh. We support any format that allows Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue dialogue toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Ahead of the 2024 Republican presidential primaries in January, sentiments surrounding the candidates are continuing to shift and solidify among University of Georgia students. The Red & Black gathered Republican students thoughts on the partys current primary candidates, including who they plan on voting for, who they wish would drop out of the running and what policies are most important to them. The fact that Trumps indictment came from hush money is almost ironic since its a part of his not-so-bad offenses. Still, this indictment represents consequences for Trumps improper actions, which he has escaped time and time again. This will serve a powerful representation that no one, no matter how powerful or wealthy, is above the law. The government is extremely disappointed with the latest report of the Moodys rating agency on Indias economic outlook. The report, a senior government official said, was highly contradictory and called the rating agencys credibility into question. Referring to the Moodys statement that Indias fiscal strength remains a key weakness in the sovereign credit profile, the official remarked: How can my strength be my weakness? Moreover, they are unwilling to have a like-to-like comparison with India. The government has also criticised the remark of the rating agency that Moodys expects high nominal GDP (gross domestic product) growth and ongoing fiscal consolidation to stabilise the government debt burden at high levels. The official quoted above said Moodys had not defined what the high level of debt was. The bulk of our borrowing is domestic, the official added. Moodys had said: High GDP growth will contribute to gradually rising income levels and overall economic resilience. In turn, this will support gradual fiscal consolidation and government debt stabilisation, albeit at high levels. The official, however, did not comment on the political undertones of the Moodys report, which talked about a curtailment of civil society and political dissent, which, compounded by rising sectarian tensions, support a weaker assessment of political risk and the quality of institutions. Global rating agencies have often been criticised by the government for not acknowledging improvements on macroeconomic parameters. During his tenure as economic affairs secretary, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das had said the agencies were several steps behind reality and were missing out on something which only they could best explain. Former chief economic advisor Arvind Subramanian had also said in the past that the rating agencies were following inconsistent standards while rating India and China. On August 18, Moodys Investors Service affirmed Indias long-term local and foreign-currency sovereign ratings and retained the outlook at stable. It said Indias long-term local and foreign-currency issuer ratings and the local-currency senior unsecured rating remained at Baa3, while the other short-term local-currency rating stood at P-3. In 2016, during its presidency of Brics (the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), India had proposed to create a credit-rating agency under the umbrella of the grouping to challenge the existing credit-rating system dominated by the three global rating agencies India considered biased against developing countries. Tech giant Microsoft has unveiled a blueprint for India on artificial intelligence (AI) governance, and proposed a regulatory architecture to oversee safety protocols, according to a whitepaper released on Thursday. The whitepaper titled Governing AI: A Blueprint for India comes amid Microsoft raising its stakes in its artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT. The proposed AI regulatory architecture includes regulations prescribing safety and security requirements, then license deployment for permitted uses in a licensed Al data centre with post-deployment safety and security monitoring and protection. The recommendations call for developing new laws and regulations for highly capable AI foundation models such as OpenAIs GPT and Pathways Language Model (PaLM) from Google. The company has advised the government to classify high-risk AI systems and ensure that operators test and monitor these systems for the control of infrastructure. It has also suggested rules that may require system developers to ensure that safety brakes are built by design. The company has integrated the technology with its key solutions like the Bing search engine, sales and marketing software, GitHub coding tools, Microsoft 365 productivity bundle and Azure cloud. It has also partnered with OpenAI through a reported $10 billion investment to accelerate AI breakthroughs. India is experiencing a significant technological transformation that presents a tremendous opportunity to leverage innovation for economic growth. "This paper offers some of our ideas and suggestions as a company, placed in the Indian context, says Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft in the foreword to the paper. The company advocates a licensing regime for powerful AI models based on security protections, and export control compliance. Microsoft has offered to share its specialised knowledge about advanced AI models to help the government define the regulatory threshold. It will also support the efforts to define the requirements that must be met to obtain a license to develop or deploy a highly capable foundation model. In May this year, the tech giant released a similar set of recommendations for global governments with a five-point blueprint for regulating the technology. As the current holder of the G20 Presidency and Chair of the Global Partnership on AI, India is well positioned to help advance a global discussion on AI issues. "Many countries will look to Indias leadership and example on AI regulation, says the India-focused whitepaper. Governments across the world have been scrambling to figure out how they can ensure that AI does not get misused and how it can be used for the betterment of citizens. The European Parliament in June approved the AI Act, making it one of the few authorities to legislate rules for the technology. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT has previously expressed intent to bring in guardrails and principles for AI in the upcoming Digital India Bill through the prism of restricting user harm. The government also plans to spend some $200 million to develop an AI ecosystem and three centres of Excellence for AI. Microsoft has applauded the proposed draft Digital India Bill for setting up a comprehensive risk-based approach and applying its most stringent requirements to AI systems that present the highest levels of risk to safety and security. The AI road map 38 auditors resigned in 2022-2023, compared with 46 the previous year. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters The rift between Adani Ports & SEZ and audit firm Deloitte has brought to the fore the frosty relationships between companies and auditors in recent times. Deloitte, which quit as Adani Ports' auditor, had earlier left as auditor of Byju's after the edutech company failed to file its annual financial results in time for the financial year 2022. In June this year, the National Financial Reporting Authority has said quitting audit assignments will not absolve an auditor of its responsibility if any fraud is noticed during their tenure at a later stage. Interestingly, statistics collated by tracker primeinfobase.com shows that Deloitte's exit from Adani Ports comes amid a decline in the number of auditors exiting before their tenure ended. A total of 38 auditor cessations before completion of tenure were reported in 2022-2023 -- a decline from 46 exits seen in 2021-22. The highest exits in recent years were during the pandemic year of 2020-2021, which saw 65 such exits. The auditors have become extremely cautious after a Supreme Court order on May 4 this year. Auditors said the Supreme Court allowed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to proceed with its inquiry and any subsequent action against Deloitte and BSR and Co, a KPMG affiliate, auditors of the bankrupt firm IL&FS Financial Services. "No one wants to take any risk now," said a Mumbai-based auditor, asking not to be quoted. The government had moved a petition in the NCLT in 2019 to bar IL&FS Financial Services' former auditors -- Deloitte Haskin and Sells and BSR and Co for five years, citing lapses in their audit. The order came after the government moved the top court against a lower court order in 2020 that said any action against auditors is not applicable if they resign. The government's aim was to disqualify erring entities from serving as auditors in any company for five years. The Supreme Court said the legislature should provide penalties for auditors' misconduct. 'The penalty of automatic disqualification of auditors, and their firm, including partners, for a period of five years from being the auditor of any other company, is a matter for the legislature/Parliament to decide,' it added. The court also addressed concerns about the right to practice, affirming that fraudulent conduct by an auditor is a grave misconduct with consequential actions. Regarding arguments of discrimination, the Supreme Court said, 'Auditors' roles cannot be equated with directors and/or management.' The court stressed on the crucial role of auditors in public interest and the significance of the 'Audit and Auditors' chapter in the Act. Thus, Section 140(5) does not violate Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The Companies Act mandates auditors to report fraud to the central government under Section 143(12). However, in the IL&FS case, the auditors had fallen short of this duty -- leading to action by the government. Earlier, Price Waterhouse, another Big 4 audit firm, was also caught in the middle of the Satyam accounting scam in 2009. With inputs from Sachin Mampatta Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com There is a congruence of interests between Ukrainian intelligence and its Western mentors to destroy Wagner and eliminate it from the geopolitical chessboard altogether, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar. IMAGE: A portrait of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at a makeshift memorial in Moscow. Photograph: Reuters There has been an avalanche of Western media reports within minutes or hours of the ghastly death on Wednesday of the head of the Wagner organisation of Russian military contractors, Yevgeny Prigozhin, which pointed the accusing finger at President Vladimir Putin as the perpetrator. It is almost as if a button was pressed at some unknown command centre to launch a new narrative to demonise Putin for serving the cold dish of revenge to Prigozhin, to borrow CIA Director William Burns' recent words, for staging a failed coup in Russia. No one cared to produce empirical evidence. 'Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth' -- the law of propaganda is often attributed to the Nazi leader Joseph Goebbels who understood the power of repeating falsehoods. It is now the West's compass to 'erase' Russia. True, Putin had every reason to be annoyed with Prigozhin -- a 'stab in the back', as he put it -- when the nation was waging an existential war against sworn enemies who seek the dismemberment of Russia. But three considerations discredit the hypothesis of Putin's involvement. First, why such a crude method reminiscent of the murder of the charismatic Iranian general Qasem Suleimani, the spearhead of Tehran's 'Axis of Resistance' against America, by then US president Donald J Trump? In his celebrated 1827 essay titled On Murder Considered as one of the Fine Arts, Thomas De Quincey wrote, 'Everything in this world has two handles. Murder, for instance, may be laid hold of by its moral handle... and that, I confess, is its weak side; or it may also be treated aesthetically, as the Germans call it, that is, in relation to good taste.' The aesthetic of Prigozhin's murder is, simply put, the least appealing by the principle of murder connoisseurship if the motivation were revenge . IMAGE: A woman lights a candle at a portrait of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Photograph: Reuters Second, Prigozhin was a dead man walking for staging such an idiotic act, after his security cover was withdrawn by the Russian state. Imagine ex-president Barack Obama without secret service protection after the murder of Osama bin Laden -- or Mike Pompeo and Trump walking around without security after murdering Soleimani. But Putin made it clear that Wagner still would have a future and the nation will remember its role in the Ukraine war. Putin even invited Prigozhin to a Kremlin meeting. Arguably, Putin's first remarks on Prigozhin's death betray a trace of pity. 'I've known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early 1990s. He was a man of no easy fate. He made some serious mistakes in his life, but he also achieved the needed results -- both for himself and, when I asked him, for the common cause,' Putin said. 'As far as I know, he returned from Africa only yesterday. He met with some officials here. He worked not only in our country -- and he worked successfully, but also abroad, especially in Africa. There, he dealt with oil, gas, precious metals and stones,' Putin added. In the excessive zeal to focus on Prigozhin's murder to demonise Putin, what is overlooked is that whoever choreographed the crime also ensured that Wagner's entire command structure has been eliminated. Bye, bye, Africa! There isn't going to be anyone in the foreseeable future to challenge the hegemony of the French Legion in the Sahel or match the vast network of 29 bases under Pentagon's Africa command spread across the continent from Djibouti in the north to Botswana in the south. Put differently, the long arm of Russia's 'smart power' has been chopped off with one single swing of the blade. Who stands to gain? IMAGE: A body bag is taken away from the wreckage of the jet on which Yevgeny Prigozhin was traveling. Photograph: Kommersant Photo/Dmitry Lebedev via Reuters Third, Prigozhin's murder was staged on a special day that in a historical perspective, must be counted as the finest hour of Russian diplomacy ever since the disintegration of the former Soviet Union. The reality of 'a new starting point for BRICS' -- as Chinese President Xi Jinping stated -- is yet to sink in fully, but what is beyond doubt is that Russia is walking away as the winner. Make no mistake that BRICS unity held firm and rubbished all Western prognosis; BRICS expansion means that the issue of a single settlement currency is on the table, and the international financial system is not going to the same again; de-dollarisation is knocking at the gates; a new global trading system is taking shape which renders obsolete the exploitative 4-century old Western regime geared to transfer wealth to the rich countries. BRICS has graduated, finally, from an informal club to an institution that will eclipse the G7. The host country South Africa delivered big-time for the Russian and Chinese agenda of multipolarity. The joint statement issued by South Africa and China and the induction of Ethiopia (where the West tried to stage a regime change) as a BRICS member underscores the emerging alignment in Africa. Doesn't all that add up to something? IMAGE: A cameraman films wreckage of the private jet linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin near the crash site in the Tver region. Photograph: Marina Lystseva/Reuters And, above all, the big message coming out of Johannesburg is that the Biden administration failed miserably to 'isolate' Russia -- it is there writ large in the resplendent glow of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's effulgent smile. Russia is capping its gains in the battlefields of Ukraine with an outstanding diplomatic victory by being on the right side of history alongside the global majority. Isn't it plain common sense that of all days, Putin would never have chosen Wednesday to act as spoiler when Russia's prestige was soaring high in the international community? Again, the question arises: Who stands to gain? The plain truth is, there could be any number of people who wanted to physically eliminate Prigozhin. Within Russia itself, Prigozhin had recruited criminals undergoing prison sentences to fight in Ukraine and thereby get their sentences commuted. He deployed them without adequate military training and over 10,000 of them reportedly got killed. There is a deep sense of revulsion within Russia in the matter. Then there are the external enemies starting from France, which has been virtually evicted from the Sahel region, its playpen where it had a field day until Prigozhin came and spoiled the party. France could barely hide its rancour toward Russia since then. IMAGE: Fighters of the Wagner private mercenary group atop an armoured vehicle in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, June 24, 2023. Photograph: Reuters Meanwhile, the brewing crisis in Niger alerted the US that Prigozhin was on the prowl. The redoubtable Acting Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who masterminded the 2014 coup in Ukraine, travelled to Niamey to plead with the coup leaders not to have any truck with Wagner. However, Prigozhin reportedly had sneaked into the neighbouring country, Mali, where Wagner is well established, with a view to establish contact with Niger's new rulers and offer the services of Wagner. Suffice to say, Prigozhin was threatening to do to the Pentagon what he earlier did to the French Legion in Sahel. It is entirely conceivable that the Biden administration decided that enough was enough and Wagner must be decapitated. Of course, Prigozhin's departure along with his senior commanders will weaken Wagner. Within Russia, the ruthless Uranian intelligence operates at different levels. The drone attacks on Moscow are being staged by saboteurs within Russia. Ukraine too has a score to settle with Wagner, which is present in Belarus. Without doubt, there is a congruence of interests between Ukrainian intelligence and its Western mentors to destroy Wagner and eliminate it from the geopolitical chessboard altogether. Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar served the Indian Foreign Service for 29 years. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Eighty teams of doctors and a fleet of 130 ambulances will be handling any medical emergencies during the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi, officials said on Friday. IMAGE: Preparations are underway for the upcoming 18th Heads of State and Government Summit of the G20, in New Delhi, August 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In a review meeting with top officials on Thursday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena said next seven days would be crucial for the preparedness for the mega event on September 9-10, Raj Niwas officials said. The LG was assured by the officials during the meeting that foolproof security arrangements were put in place to deal with any kind of threat -- terror, nuclear, biological, chemical -- as well as anything arising out of the general law and order situation, officials said. The LG was informed that work has already commenced for installation of G-20 logos and flags of all participating countries on different streets and roads beginning from Palam Technical Area, hotels and Summit venue. Eighteen locations have been identified and two more are likely to be added for the purpose and 43 flags, including those of some international bodies, would be installed. A total 66 fire tenders have been kept ready and will be parked at Summit venue Pragati Maidan and designated hotels to meet any eventuality, they said. By the next week, signages on roads and streets will be installed. The police have also started booking those involved in defacing of public property. Steps are also being taken to ensure that stray cattle and street dogs are suitably handled and the police along with civic bodies are carrying out the task, the LG was informed by the officials in the meeting. For any medical exigencies, the LG was informed that all government hospitals have been fully prepared and equipped. There are altogether 80 teams of doctors and trained medical personnel with three teams in each hospitals. A total of 70 advanced and 60 well equipped ambulances would be deployed for the event. Private hospitals have also been directed to be ready in case of need. Verification of all teams have been done and medical kits are ready. Ambulances would also be stationed at the summit venue and all designated hotels where dignitaries would be staying. All medical personnel have been instructed to be in proper uniform, stated officials. The fire department has been directed that fire tenders should be parked at the designated hotels. The LG directed that audit of fire safety at hotels be carried out on priority basis. Altogether, 66 fire tenders have been kept ready. Five fire tenders would be stationed at the Summit venue and there would be some standby fire tenders also. Hotels will be covered by 23 fire tenders for which fire fighters have been deputed zone wise, they said. In the meeting, Saxena also enquired about power supply at the venue and directed to make it glitch-free. He directed that mock drills should be carried out to meet any eventuality through seamless coordination among the power department and India Trade Promotion Organisation. He also emphasised on work on war footing to ensure that no gaps were left in civil, electrical, horticulture, medical and security arrangements. The LG said the G20 Summit was an opportunity for the city to create permanent assets and added that final shape should be given to each aspect of the projects related to installation of statues, sculptures, fountains, lighting, flower pots, among others. He agreed to a proposal for documentation of process to prepare for the G20 Summit that could help in making preparations for a big event of similar scale in the future, officials said. The LG will review the preparations for the Summit in next meeting on August 31, they added. Many human rights violations committed by the North Korean regime of Kim Jong Un stem directly from or support the increasing militarization of the DPRK, declared High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk at a special meeting of the Security Council on human rights in North Korea. For example, the widespread use of forced labor, including political prison camps, forced use of schoolchildren to collect harvest, the requirement for families to undertake labor and provide a quota of goods to the government and confiscation of wages from overseas workers, he said. All support the military apparatus of the state and its ability to build weapons. This was confirmed by the Security Council testimony of North Korean defector Ilhyeok Kim: "The North Korean government has no policy to help us; the government turns our blood and sweat into a luxurious life for the leadership and missiles that blast our hard work into the sky, he said. We used to think that the money spent on just one missile could feed us for three months, but the government doesnt care, and is only concerned with maintaining their power, developing nuclear weapons and creating propaganda to justify their actions. We cannot have peace without human rights, declared U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield: Kim Jong Uns repressive, totalitarian control of society and the systemic, widespread denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms ensures the regime can expend inordinate public resources developing its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs, without public objection. This war machine which stands in violation of multiple Security Council resolutions is powered by repression and cruelty. It is clear the North Korean regime neglects the well-being of its people, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield: Its food distribution policies favors the military, and lead to chronic malnourishment among its citizens. Pyongyang also relies on forced labor and the exploitation of workers domestically and overseas to power its unlawful weapons programs. The modern world has no place for the North Korean governments brutality, declared Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. And the international community, and this Council must continue to speak out against this injustice and its destabilizing impact on regional and international peace and security. The United States will continue to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms at home and around the world. India and China on Friday offered divergent views to characterise the conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Johannesburg two days ago, even as Beijing sought to downplay the eastern Ladakh border standoff saying the boundary question does not represent the "entirety" of the bilateral relations. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile and President of China Xi Jinping attend a meeting during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. Photograph: Marco Longari/Pool via Reuters In a readout on the conversation between the two leaders, the Chinese foreign ministry said President Xi Jinping conveyed to PM Modi that both sides should "bear in mind" the "overall interests" of the ties and "properly" handle the border issue. Hours after Beijing's statement on Modi-Xi conversation claimed it was held at the Indian side's request, Indian sources said there was a "pending request" from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting, suggesting that New Delhi has not heeded to it. "The two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the leaders' lounge during the BRICS summit," one of the sources said. Modi and Xi held the conversation on Wednesday on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg, amid continuing strain in bilateral ties in view of the lingering border standoff in eastern Ladakh. The conversation was not a structured bilateral meeting. While India has been maintaining that there can be no normalisation of ties between the two countries without peace along the border areas, China has been arguing that the boundary issue should not hold back overall relations. "President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at the latter's request on August 23," the Chinese statement said. It said the two leaders had a "candid and in-depth exchange" of views on current China-India relations and other questions of "shared interest". "President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region," it said. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the boundary question so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas," it added. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Modi conveyed to Xi in the conversation India's concerns on the "unresolved" issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. Kwatra said the two leaders also agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at "expeditious disengagement and de-escalation". However, the Chinese readout did not have any mention of this. "The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship," the foreign secretary said at a media briefing on Thursday. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, replying to a question on Modi and Xi agreeing to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions, said in Beijing that the "boundary question is a historical issue and does not represent the entirety of China-India relations." "We should place it appropriately in our bilateral relations and seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement through peaceful and friendly consultations," the official said. "Before the boundary question is settled, the two sides need to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas," the official said. Wang said China hoped to work with India to "act on the important common understandings between the two leaders, increase strategic mutual trust, focus on our consensus and cooperation, remove disturbances and obstacles and advance the bilateral relations along a sound and stable track". It was Modi and Xi's first interaction in public after their brief encounter on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali in November last year. The two leaders had met briefly at a formal dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on November 16. The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May 2020. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the LAC were key for normalisation of overall ties. Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday said the estimated cost of the Chandrayaan-3 project at Rs 600 crore was lower than the budget of some Hollywood films made on the themes of space and moon. IMAGE: ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath calls on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh (left) to discuss the status and readiness of Chandryaan 3 for the Moon landing, August 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo He also said scientific research connected with the project to check availability of hydrogen and oxygen on the surface of the moon is what makes the country's initiative "quite different" from lunar missions of other nations. Singh also said a final decision on the launch of India's sun mission 'Aditya-L1', scheduled for September 2 at present, will rest on the prevailing cosmic aspects. "The cost of Chandrayaan-3 is merely Rs 600 crore, whereas a Hollywood film on space and moon costs more than Rs 600 crore. I don't see movies often nowadays but I was told by someone that one or two big actors now charge Rs 100 crore per film (in Bollywood), much above the Rs 5-6 lakh a star like Dilip Kumar charged for Devdas," he said. Experiments of Chandrayaan-3 started on Thursday on the surface of the moon and will last for 14 days, the Union minister added. "These experiments would pave the way for new scientific research about the moon. Scientific research about the availability of oxygen and hydrogen on the surface of the moon can give us a direct or indirect answer whether there was life on the moon. And this aspect will be quite different from other countries' moon missions," he asserted. The success of Chandrayaan-3 proved that India was at par with select nations in the field, and even ahead of them in some spheres, Singh added. "Though the US landed the first astronaut, Neil Armstrong, on the moon in 1969, India's Chandrayaan-1 brought forth proof of water on its surface," the Union minister pointed out. Speaking on 'Aditya-L1', the minister said preparations for the launch on September 2 are almost complete but a final decision would be taken after reviewing the prevailing cosmic aspects. The 'Aditya-L1' mission, which will be the country's first solar mission, is aimed at studying the sun from an orbit around the 'Sun-Earth Lagrangian' point 1 (L1), which is 1.5 million kilometres from earth. It will observe the photosphere, chromosphere and outermost layers of the sun, the corona in different wavebands. Singh also said the first phase of Gaganyaan, an unmanned trial mission, was planned for September but has now been pushed to October, while the second phase of the mission will have 'Vyommitra' (space faring humanoid robot) in female attire being launched into space. "After these two phases, astronauts numbering between one and three will be sent as part of the manned mission of the Gaganyaan project. I think this might start by 2024," Singh informed. The aim of Gaganyaan is to demonstrate the capability to send humans to low earth orbit on board an Indian launch vehicle and bring them back to earth safely. ISRO on Friday released a breathtaking video of the Chandrayaan-3 mission's rover 'Pragyan' rolling down from the lander 'Vikram' to the lunar surface as observed by the lander imager camera. India on Wednesday scripted history as its third unmanned Moon mission's lander module made a flawless soft-landing, making it only the fourth country to achieve this feat, and first to reach the uncharted south pole of Earth's only natural satellite. On Thursday evening, ISRO said all activities were on schedule and all systems were normal. Singh was talking at a session on Chandrayaan-3 organised by Indore Lok Sabha MP Shankar Lalwani after taking part in the 26th National E-Governance Conference in Indore. Indian-American multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's popularity rating and online fundraising have surged, a day after his impressive performance at the first Republican presidential primary debate. IMAGE: Republican presidential candidate and former biotech executive Vivek Ramaswamy talks with reporters in the spin room after the conclusion of the first Republican candidates' debate of the 2024 US presidential campaign in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, August 23, 2023. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters According to the Ramaswamy campaign, the 38-year-old presidential aspirant raised more than USD 450,000, with an average donation of USD 38, in the first hour after the debate on Wednesday. The entrepreneur-turned-politician was being hit hard by three of his top rivals -- former New Jersey Governor Chris Christies, former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. "In Trump's absence, Ramaswamy drives the GOP debate," popular Axis reported on Thursday. The first poll that came out after the debate said that 28 per cent of the 504 respondents said that Ramaswamy performed the best. He was followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 27 per cent, and Pence (13 per cent). Indian-American Haley received the vote of seven per cent. According to Fox News, Ramaswamy was the most Google-searched GOP candidate for the first Republican presidential debate. He was followed by fellow Indian-American Haley. Both the Indian-Americans were standing next to each other on the debate stage. "Vivek Ramaswamy Grabs Spotlight at First Republican Primary Debate," reported The Wall Street Journal. Its editorial board in its editorial was critical of his foreign policy proposals and said this will not get him to the White House. A second-generation Indian-American, Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences in 2014 and led the largest biotech IPOs of 2015 and 2016, eventually culminating in successful clinical trials in multiple disease areas that led to FDA-approved products, according to his bio. "Vivek Ramaswamy, the political novice, grabbed the spotlight at Wednesday's prime-time GOP presidential debate, but there was little sign he or any other contender had found a new strategy for overtaking front-runner Donald Trump," the financial daily said. "With unchecked confidence and insults, the biotech entrepreneur baited his rivals into skirmishes that dominated Republicans' first debate," wrote The New York Times. "He came in hot, slamming his rivals, smiling wide and showing little deference to the more experienced candidates on stage," the daily wrote. NBC News described the first debate as "Vivek Ramaswamy Show". "That's our top takeaway from last night's first GOP presidential debate, where the political newcomer Ramaswamy seized the mantle as Donald Trump's defender -- but also bore the brunt of attacks from rivals on his inexperience and foreign-policy positions," the news channel reported. According to it, Ramaswamy was attacked 11 times by his rivals during the debate. According to Messenger -- a fast-growing online news portal -- the debate resulted in the rise of Ramaswamy's popularity. "Vivek Ramaswamy sparred with Mike Pence. He battled Chris Christie. And he picked a fight with Nikki Haley. The longshot candidate and entrepreneur dominated the debate stage on Wednesday night, using his outlier policy views to grab attention and stoke the outrage of his opponents. Ramaswamy also gave his rivals an opponent to attack without alienating Trump supporters or elevating the second-place DeSantis," it said. IMAGE: Former biotech executive Vivek Ramaswamy talks with supporters in the crowd after the conclusion of the first Republican candidates' debate of the 2024 US presidential campaign in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, August 23, 2023. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Ramaswamy appeared confident after the debate and told reporters that soon only two candidates would be left in the race, him and former President Donald Trump. On the debate stage, he described Trump as one of the best presidents of the 21st century. "I was the clear winner of the night. But we are just getting started... My sense is that it landed very well. Pretty soon it'll be down to a two-horse race between Trump and myself," Ramaswamy told reporters. Ramaswamy, the biotech investor, is worth more than USD 950 million. His net worth was over USD 1 billion about a week ago, making him one of the 20 youngest billionaires in the country, before a downturn in the market pulled him just under the billion-dollar threshold, according to Forbes. Still, he appears to be the second-wealthiest person competing in the Republican presidential primary, behind only former US President Donald Trump (whose net worth Forbes last pegged at USD 2.5 billion). Raking up the border issue, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said every individual in Ladakh knows that China has "taken away our land" and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that not an inch of land was taken away was absolutely false. IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting in Kargil, August 24, 2023. Photograph: ANI on Twitter The former Congress president's remarks come after Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a conversation on Wednesday on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg. The conversation was not a structured bilateral meeting and was an informal one. I visited the whole of Ladakh on my motorcycle over the past week... Ladakh is a strategic place and when I was at Pangong lake, one thing was clear that China had taken over thousands of kilometres of Indian land. Unfortunately, the prime minister during an opposition meeting makes a statement that not an inch of our land was taken away which is 'absolutely false'," he said addressing a public meeting in Kargil on the last day of his nine-day tour of Ladakh. Every individual of Ladakh knows that China has taken away our land and the prime minister is not speaking the truth, he alleged. This is the second time during his Ladakh tour that the Congress leader has raked up the border issue with China. On Sunday last, Gandhi had claimed that Modi's statement that not an inch of the land in Ladakh has been taken over by China is not true. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Modi conveyed to Xi India's concerns on the "unresolved" issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May 2020. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. During the public meeting, Gandhi also extending support to Leh-based apex body and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which are fighting for full statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and said his party would not allow the BJP to hand over the resource-rich land of the Union territory to its corporate friend. The former Congress president said he was briefed by the people about their demand for political representation, safeguards for land, culture and language, unemployment, non-functional Kargil airport and the problem of cell phone coverage. I heard you and want to convey that the Congress is standing with you in your struggle, whether linked to the demand for safeguards or employment issues. All the people know that Ladakh is rich in natural resources. The 21st century is of solar energy and Ladakh has no dearth of it," he said. The BJP knows and understands that if you will be given (political) representation, they cannot snatch your land," he said and alleged that the "BJP wants to take your land for (industrialist Gautam) Adani and we will not allow this to happen." The two powerful bodies are jointly campaigning to press for their four-point demands, including full statehood, safeguards under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, creation of two separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil districts, recruitment and job reservation for the youth of Ladakh. Both the apex body and KDA, which is a separate amalgam of socio-religious, political and youth organisations of Leh and Kargil districts, were formed after the Centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into Union territories of J-K and Ladakh. The BJP Ladakh unit was also part of the apex body but later distanced itself after it raised the demand for full statehood. In an apparent reference to Modi's Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast, Gandhi said, Some are speaking what is in their heart but I came here to know what is in your heart. One thing is clear that the ideology of Gandhi and Congress exists in the blood and DNA of the people of Ladakh. He said migrant labourers from different parts of the country, including Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, told him that they feel that Ladakh is their second home as locals are lending a helping hand whenever they come forward to seek their support. Referring to his Bharat Jodo Yatra from September 7, 2022 to January 30, 2023, he said the only goal of the foot march was to stand up against the hatred and violence being spread by BJP and RSS in the country and spread the message of love and brotherhood. "The yatra was not supposed to end in Srinagar but in Ladakh. The administration did not allow us to continue the march due to harsh winter and we accepted it. My visit is in continuation of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. I visited every nook and corner of the region on the motorcycle and heard the people, he said. He also thanked the people of Kargil for always standing with the country during crisis and war, and said, All the people in the country, irrespective of their religion, language and culture are equal for us and we all want to live together with love and respect. Gandhi described Ladakh as the most beautiful region of the country and assured the people that he will raise both their local and central issues during the next Parliament session. After his over 15-minute long address, Gandhi walked past the security cover to interact with the gathering amid chants of Jodo Jodo Bharat Jodo'. Besides the working president of Ladakh Congress Asgar Ali Karbalai, National Conference leader and co-chairman of KDA Qamar Ali Akhnoon, AICC in-charge of J-K and Ladakh Rajni Patel were present at the public rally. India and Greece on Friday elevated their ties to strategic partnership, vowed to double bilateral trade by 2030 and agreed to seal a migration and mobility pact soon with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis deciding to give a fresh momentum to the overall relations. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the President of Greece, Katerina N Sakellaropoulou (right), in Athens, August 25, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi, who arrived in Athens from Johannesburg in the first visit to Greece by an Indian prime minister in 40 years, said both sides decided to expand cooperation in areas of defence and security, infrastructure, agriculture, education and new and emerging technologies. In reflection of their growing congruence in areas of defence and security, the two sides, following the Modi-Mitsotakis talks, agreed to set up an institutional dialogue at the level of national security advisors, and boost defence industrial cooperation. Flanked by Mitsotakis, Modi said in his media statement that both India and Greece support diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the Ukraine crisis, adding both sides have "excellent coordination" on geopolitical, international and regional issues including that of the Indo-Pacific. "This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Greece after a gap of 40 years. Still, neither the depth of our relations has diminished, nor has there been any decrease in the warmth of our relations," he said. "Therefore, today the prime minister and I have decided to take the India-Greece partnership to a 'strategic' level," he added. "We have decided that we will strengthen our strategic partnership by expanding our cooperation in the fields of defense and security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, new and emerging technology, and skill development," Modi said. On his part, Mitsotakis, welcoming Modi, said "today, the most populous, largest democracy on the planet is coming to the first democracy on earth." He said Greece is very pleased to upgrade its ties with India to strategic partnership, adding both sides are ready to "walk side by side to deal with various challenges, especially in a period of international turmoil and war in Ukraine -- events that make it even more imperative to observe the UN Charter". Mitsotakis said both sides are fully united in the goal of maintaining maritime security and the need for adherence to the Convention on the Law of the Sea as it is crucial in view of concerns over situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific. He said having a direct air connectivity between India and Greece was also discussed as he highlighted the "great opportunities" in tourism. In his remarks, Modi said the two sides also discussed mutual cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism and cyber security. An agreement on agricultural cooperation was also signed following the talks. The discussions covered digital payments, shipping, pharma, tourism, culture, education and people to people ties. The two leaders also deliberated on regional and multilateral issues, including the European Union, Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean, and called for respect of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the ministry of external affairs. Describing ties between India and Greece as a "natural reunion", Modi said a migration and mobility partnership agreement will be inked "soon" to facilitate skilled migration between the two countries. In the area of defence and security, he said both sides agreed to give a boost to defence industries, along with military-to-military ties. "We decided that there should be an institutional platform for dialogue even at the level of our national security advisors," Modi said. "The prime minister and I agree that our bilateral trade is growing rapidly and there is immense potential for further growth. Therefore, we have set a target of doubling our bilateral trade by the year 2030," he added. Modi said both sides believed that by encouraging trade and investment, the bilateral industrial and economic cooperation can be taken to a new level. "We also discussed national and international issues. Greece expressed its support for the India-EU trade and investment agreement," he said. "In the case of Ukraine, both countries support diplomacy and dialogue," he said. The prime minister said he is grateful to his Greek counterpart for his "good wishes and encouragement" regarding India's presidency of the G20. He also expressed condolences for the loss of lives in the tragic incidents of forest fires in Greece. Modi thanked the people of Greece and the country's President Katerina N Sakellaropoulou for awarding him with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour award. "I accepted the award on behalf of 140 crore Indians and expressed my gratitude," he said. Mitsotakis congratulated Modi on the success of the Chandrayaan mission, terming it as a success for humanity. "India has made huge strides. Congratulations again on your technological achievement, the conquest of the south pole of the Moon," he said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Greece in June 2021. During the visit, both sides explored ways to expand overall bilateral ties and called for following fundamental international principles of rule of law and respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also denounced radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism, in a clear signal of their growing convergence on key geopolitical challenges. The CBI on Friday told the Supreme Court that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was playing badminton after being enlarged on bail in a fodder scam case on medical grounds, as it sought cancellation of the relief granted to the former Bihar chief minister. IMAGE: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and party leader Manoj Jha arrive at the media address event after the Opposition parties meet, Bengaluru, July 18, 2023. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Prasad's counsel opposed any move to cancel the septuagenarian leader's bail, saying he has undergone a kidney transplant recently. The CBI has approached the seeking cancellation of Prasad's bail in the Doranda treasury case in which he has been sentenced to five years in prison. Additional solicitor general S V Raju, appearing for the CBI, submitted that the Jharkhand high court order granting bail to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader was "bad in law" and "erroneous". Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Prasad, opposed the CBI's application on account of the former Union minister having gone a kidney transplant surgery. Sibal told the bench that Prasad has already served 42 months behind bars in the case. "He is playing badminton. He has been granted bail after conviction in the case. I will demonstrate that the high court order is bad in toto. There's a short question of law. The bail has been granted on erroneous assumption that he has spent more than 3.5 years considering that sentences are concurrent and not consecutive," Raju told the court. Prasad has so far been sentenced in five cases of the Rs 950 crore fodder scam, which took place between 1992 and 1995 when he was the Bihar chief minister and held the finance and animal husbandry portfolios. Huge money was withdrawn from different treasuries in Bihar and the present-day Jharkhand on the basis of fake and forged bills and vouchers related to fodder, medicines and artificial insemination. A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and M M Sundresh adjourned the matter to October 17. In his reply to the CBI's appeal seeking cancellation of his bail, Prasad has cited poor health and said no purpose would be served by keeping him in custody. The Jharkhand high court had granted bail to Prasad, 75, on April 22, 2022, in the Doranda treasury embezzlement case. The former Bihar chief minister was sentenced to five years in prison and slapped with a fine of Rs 60 lakh by a special CBI court in Ranchi in February 2022 in connection with the fifth fodder scam case involving embezzlement of more than Rs 139 crore from the Doranda treasury. Hours after asserting that there was no split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is its leader, party chief Sharad Pawar on Friday claimed that he did not make any such statement. IMAGE: NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Photograph: ANI Photo Talking to reporters at his hometown Baramati in Pune district in the morning before leaving for Kolhapur to address a rally, Pawar said some leaders have left the NCP by taking a "different political stand", but it cannot be termed as a split. Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state on July 2, which created a split in the Sharad Pawar-founded party. When asked about his daughter and NCP working president Supriya Sule's remark that there is no split in the party and that Ajit Pawar is its leader, Sharad Pawar said, "Yes...there is no dispute about it." As his remarks made in Baramati created a flutter, the former Union minister clarified in Satara a few hours later that he did not say so. "I am not saying that he is our leader. It is okay for Supriya (Sule) to say that. She is his (Ajit Pawar's) younger sister. There is no need to draw political meaning out of it," he said. To a question on whether he endorsed Sule's views, Pawar said, "Me? You are wrong. Those who have taken a different line cannot be our leader." Recalling Ajit Pawar's early morning swearing-in with Devendra Fadnavis after the 2019 assembly polls, Pawar apparently referred to his nephew becoming deputy chief minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and said, "Opportunity to correct oneself is given once. Opportunity cannot be given again or one shouldn't ask for it again." A day earlier, Sule called Ajit Pawar a senior leader and MLA of the party. "Now, he (Ajit Pawar) has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the assembly speaker and are awaiting his response," Sule, who is NCP's Baramati MP, said. When asked about Sule's statement that there is no split in the NCP and Ajit Pawar is a leader of the party, Pawar senior said in Baramati, "Yes, there is no dispute about it." How can anybody say that there is a split in NCP, he asked. "What does a split in a political party mean? Split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level. But no such thing has happened here. Some people left the party, some took a different stand... In democracy it is their right to take a decision," he added. Reacting to Pawar's statement, Sunil Tatkare, state president of the NCP's Ajit Pawar-led faction, said there is no confusion in the party's ranks. "We joined the government after exploring all legalities," he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the NCP had split and there were two factions. "If there is no split, then who is Sunil Tatkare, who has been appointed by the breakaway faction as its state unit chief? The breakaway group has also removed Sharad Pawar as the national president of the party," he said. Our MVA alliance is with the NCP led by Sharad Pawar and not with the breakaway group that has joined hands with the BJP out of fear of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Raut said. Sharad Pawar will never deviate from his ideological leanings and become a BJP ally, he claimed. "The MVA alliance has no place for those who join BJP out of fear," Raut said. The Sena (UBT) MP said Sharad Pawar was in constant touch with MVA leaders for the upcoming INDIA alliance meet, Raut said. Referring to Pawar's remarks made in Baramati, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters in Amravati, "After seeing the works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there will be a change of heart in Sharad Pawar and his opinion will change. Along with Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule will also support the leadership of PM Modi." BJP leader Pravin Darekar said Pawar's comments prove that the stand taken by Ajit Pawar is right. "But any stand taken by Sharad Pawar creates ambiguity. He tells the Ajit Pawar group not to use his photograph. What is the need to say this if the party is one? If Ajit Pawar is your leader and Ajit Pawar says you are his God, then there is no need to take objection to the rebel faction using your photos," he said. Darekar wondered what Sharad Pawar wanted to convey to the NCP cadres. "Ajit Pawar has extended support to Narendra Modi and if Sharad Pawar is supporting Ajit Pawar then it is welcome. But it takes time to understand what Sharad Pawar really means," he said. Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan said all efforts of Sharad Pawar are aimed at avoiding provisions of the anti-defection law and also to keep everyone guessing. "It looks like Sharad Pawar wants Ajit Pawar to take blame for the split in the party," he said. A senior Congress leader refused to comment on Sharad Pawar's remarks. "We will discuss it internally in our party and not publicly," he said. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said Sharad Pawar has categorically said several times that he will stay with the INDIA alliance and never join hands with the BJP. "However, there is a possibility of 'Ajit Pawar Returns - Part 2'. His group has not yet got official status as political party," he added. A 17-year-old girl hanged herself in her house in a village in Kaushambi after a neighbour leaked her private photos online, police said on Friday. Image only for representation. The girl hanged herself Thursday with a saree in a room in her house. Her family members had gone to the youth's house to complain against him for uploading the girl's photos online, but they were abused by them, police said. Additional Superintendent of Police Samar Bahadur Singh said the family had earlier filed a complaint with the police in the matter. The main accused has been identified as Jai Singh, who also used to molest the girl, he said. When the girl's family confronted Jai Singh's family, they abused them and also threatened to kill them, police said. Police have booked six people under Sections 147 (rioting), 354 (c)(Voyeurism), 306 (abetment of suicide), 504 (breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (insulting modesty of a woman) of the IPC and also sections of the POCSO Act. Police have sent the girl's body for a post mortem. The accused is yet to be arrested. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any order on the Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking release of 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily by Karnataka for irrigating the standing crops. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, former state Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and DV Sadananda Gowda and other dignitaries during an all-party meeting called to discuss the Cauvery water dispute, at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, August 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo A three-judge bench headed by Justice BR Gavai sought a report from the Cauvery Water Management Authority on the amount of water released by Karnataka, after additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that a meeting of the authority is scheduled for Monday. We do not possess any expertise on the matter. The ASG informs that authority is meeting on Monday to decide discharge of water for next fortnight. "We find that it will be appropriate that CWMA submits its report on whether the directions issued for discharge of water have been complied or not, the bench, also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and PK Mishra, said. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, informed the bench that the meeting of CWMA is scheduled to be held on August 28 to consider the discharge of water for the next 15 days. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing Karnataka, said it has been a distressing year for the state, and since it received scanty rainfall, a shortfall in releasing water to Tamil Nadu is inevitable. He said the water earmarked by CWMA has already been discharged but it takes three days for it to travel to Tamil Nadu. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, said water has not been made available to the lower riparian state despite orders from CWMA. The matter will now be taken up for consideration on September 1. The Karnataka government has described as "wholly misconceived" Tamil Nadu's plea seeking a direction from the top court that it be asked to release 24,000 cusecs (cubic foot per second) of Cauvery water daily for standing crops. The Karnataka government, in an affidavit filed in the top court, has said Tamil Nadu's plea was based on an incorrect assumption that "the current water year is a normal water year and not a distressed water year". Rainfall has been 25 per cent lower and the water inflow into Karnataka's four reservoirs 42.5 per cent lesser, the affidavit said, adding that the stipulated release shall not be applicable this year. The Karnataka government said in the affidavit the southwest monsoon has largely failed so far during the current water year. Due to the same, a "distress condition" has arisen in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka, it said. "Karnataka, therefore, is not obliged to and it cannot be compelled to ensure water as per the stipulated relief is prescribed for the normal year," the affidavit stated. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had earlier said a fresh bench will be set up to hear the decades-old dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over sharing of the Cauvery river water. Referring to the deliberations of the Cauvery Water Management Authority in Delhi in August, Tamil Nadu water resources minister Duraimurugan had said the requirement for Cauvery water was emphatically put forth by state officials. "However, Karnataka as usual changed its stand and categorically said that it could only release 8,000 cusecs and that too only till August 22," he had said. The minister had said it was unanimously decided at a meeting of the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee on August 10 that 15,000 cusecs per day would be released by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. "Hence, the Tamil Nadu government has no other option but to approach the Supreme Court. Soon, a case will be filed in the apex court. Justice will win and we will get water and Chief Minister MK Stalin-led government is determined to get water," he had said. The combined storage capacity of the four dams in Karnataka is 114.571 tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) and it has 93.535 tmc ft storage, which is about 82 per cent, the minister had said. Duraimurugan had alleged that Karnataka does not "have a heart" to share water with Tamil Nadu though it had enough water. The Supreme Court Friday said it will strengthen its 2018 guidelines for dealing with mob violence, hate speeches and lynching to ensure that culprits are dealt with equally, irrespective of their communities for their public utterances spreading bigotry. IMAGE: Members of right-wing groups stage a protest at Yamunotri national highway after being denied permission to enter Purola town to conduct a mahapanchayat, Uttarkashi, June 15, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In a significant verdict on a plea by activist Tehseen Poonawalla, the top court had on July 7, 2018, issued a slew of guidelines to curb hate crimes, and directed states and Union territories to take preventive and remedial measures like appointment of nodal officers in each district to keep a tab on such activities. The top court on Friday asked the Centre to collate details from states and UTs on compliance of its 2018 verdict in three weeks. The court asked the central government to inform it on the next date of hearing if the information is not received by then. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti asked the Union ministry of home affairs to file a status report giving details of appointment of nodal officers by the states in accordance with its 2018 verdict. The bench said it has gone through the 2018 guidelines issued by the top court and, in its view, some more elements needed to be added. "These guidelines of 2018 are fairly elaborate ones. We will be adding more to it and not subtract anything," the bench said, as it pointed out that CCTV cameras, a deterrent factor in such crimes, can be installed at the vulnerable places. The top court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking directions to curb hate speeches across states, including a plea for action against Hindu outfits calling for social and economic boycott of Muslims following the recent communal violence in Haryana's Nuh and Gurugram close to Delhi. The bench said it has other measures in mind like deployment of police personnel in plainclothes, who will record everything that is happening and the deputy commissioner of police shall submit these videos to the nodal officers. "These nodal officers shall maintain a record and, if the complaints increase to say four to five times, irrespective of the community, the officer can place the report before a committee and subsequently direct the SHO to register the case in accordance with law. "Sometimes, there are various versions and cross versions and audios and videos, everything needs to be taken into account," the bench said, adding, "We want peace, harmony and brotherhood to prevail." Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, said the biggest problem being encountered is that whenever a hate speech is made by anybody it is circulated on social media and reaches all. Justice Khanna said some preventive measures can be adopted like whenever there are fake videos in circulation, the nodal officer can upload counter videos pointing to the fake ones. The bench said this court cannot go into the genuineness or authenticity of the videos as many times wrong things are said, which should not have been said, and they have a cascading effect in the society. It said, "Whenever there is likelihood of occurrence of any hate speech or crime, the police may inform the nodal officer and he would place it before a committee for suggesting remedial measures to be adopted." Sensitisation of police officers also needs to be done, which can be done at the academy level, the bench said, after a lawyer contended that the definition of hate speech is very complex and police officials are not aware of it. Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for petitioner Shaheen Abdullah, said while hearing his plea on October 21, 2022, the top court had directed police officials to take suo motu cognisance of hate speeches and register cases but the order is not being followed strictly. The bench said the law on the subject law is clear and it is only the implementation and understanding of law where the problem lies. "We want effective practical steps to be taken to ensure that this court's orders are followed. All 2018 directions are universal in nature and need to be complied with," it said, adding that the court is not going to dilute them. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, appearing for Maharashtra chapter of NGO People's Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) said they have filed certain suggestions on dealing with hate crimes. The bench asked Parikh to share them with Nataraj for consideration and also allowed states to file their suggestions, if any. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met with Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Barcena. At the top of the agenda was the scourge of synthetic drugs. Another topic of discussion was irregular migration. In a further setback to deposed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader O Panneerselvam, the Madras high court on Friday dismissed his appeals against the 2022 general council meet of the party, which among others had elected his rival Edappadi K Palaniswami as interim chief, besides expelling OPS and his aides. IMAGE: Former Tamil Nadu deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam Photograph: ANI Photo Palaniswami, since elected as the party's general secretary, hailed the court verdict as one given for "justice, dharma and truth". Party workers celebrated the court ruling by bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Today's court ruling was yet another setback for OPS, as Panneerselvam is addressed, as he has been mounting a legal battle since last year against the general council resolutions. In September last year, a division bench of the Madras high court had quashed an earlier single judge order, which ordered maintenance of status-quo ante as of June 23 regarding the party affairs. Previously, Panneerselvam was the coordinator and Palaniswami the joint coordinator and that directive was for maintenance of the then existing dual power structure. The order had established Palaniswami's position as the single, supreme leader of the AIADMK then. Days later, the Supreme Court had dismissed OPS's plea against the Madras high court order directing him to hand over the keys of the party headquarters to Palaniswami. Further, on March 28, a single judge had rejected the pleas filed by OPS and his aides against the party's July 11 general council resolutions. Justice K Kumaresh Babu had said the AIADMK's July 11, 2022 general council resolutions relating to expulsion of Panneerselvam and appointing Palaniswami as the then interim chief were prima facie valid. On Friday, a division bench comprising Justices R Mahadevan and Mohamed Shafiq refused to interfere with the expulsion of Panneerselvam from the party. The bench dismissed the appeals filed by Panneerselvam and his aides R Vaithilingam, Paul Manoj Pandian and J C D Prabhakar challenging the March 28 order of the single judge, where the court refused to interfere with the July 2022 resolutions passed by the AIADMK general council. The general council is the AIADMK's highest decision-making body. Palaniswami was subsequently elected general secretary, the party's top post on March 28, 2023 soon after the single judge order was pronounced. Responding to the division bench verdict given today, Palaniswami said "justice was on our side", and therefore the favourable ruling. "This is a verdict for justice, Dharma and truth," he told reporters. AIADMK advocate I S Inbadurai said the HC bench had dismissed the plea by OPS and others, where they had contended that the AIADMK general council resolutions are invalid. The bench "has confirmed that the AIADMK is functioning under the leadership" of Palaniswami, he said. "Also, the court has accepted that the GC is the higher body and its decisions are final," vis-a-vis the party affairs, he added. The AIADMK is the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu with Palaniswami currently the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has released a mug shot of former United States President Donald Trump, CNN reported. Jail records show Trump was placed under arrest and booked as inmate No. P01135809. The mug shot represented yet another extraordinary moment for Trump, who did not have to submit to a photograph when making appearances in his three other criminal cases. Trump becomes the first former US President to be photographed in this way. The former US President was released on bond after completing the booking process at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, according to jail records, CNN reported. He was at the jail for about 20 minutes. Shortly after his release, Trump made a comeback on X (formerly known as Twitter) to share an image of his mug shot. 'ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!' Trump wrote while sharing the mug shot photo on X. This is the first time when Trump posted on the social media platform since his account was suspended shortly after the January 6 riots at the Capitol. His last tweet was on January 8, 2021, when Trump said that he would not attend the inauguration of then-US President-elect Joe Biden. 'To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,' Trump had said in his previous tweet. His account on X was reinstated this year after Elon Musk purchased the micro-blogging site and renamed it, but Trump had not posted on there before Thursday. Former United States President Donald Trump was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on Thursday (US local time) night in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. He was released 20 minutes later on a bond after completing the booking process, CNN reported. IMAGE: Former US President Donald Trump boards his plane at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after turning himself in to be processed at Fulton County Jail after his Georgia indictment, in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 24, 2023. Photograph: Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters Trump, on addressing reporters after being arrested and released from jail, said: "I did nothing wrong," CNN reported. Trump described the criminal case against him as 'a travesty of justice'. "We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest," he said. Trump was released after he agreed to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys. The former president covered the cost of the bond by putting 10 per cent toward it and he worked with a local Atlanta bonding company Foster Bail Bonds LLC, sources told CNN. Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. His odds of being released without a cash bail were slim in Georgia. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here. Earlier on Thursday, Trump surrendered at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta to be booked on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgias 2020 election results, CNN reported. Protestors gathered outside the jail could be heard yelling against District Attorney Fani Willis, who charged Trump and 18 others in the election subversion case. 'Lock Fani up!' the former president's supporters chanted, as per CNN. Trump landed at Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Thursday. Prior to Trumps arrival, law enforcement amped up security outside of the Fulton County jail. More than 10 agencies from the Metro Atlanta area were at the scene. Canine units were deployed to make sure there were no explosives and drones could be seen flying in the air. Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis (D) gave Trump, his 18 co-defendants a deadline of Friday at noon to voluntarily surrender after indicting them last week. According to The Hill, the jail has gained a reputation for its poor conditions. An investigation into the facility was opened by the Justice Department last month over concerns that an individual died there covered in insects and filth. The sheriffs office has since announced that another inmate who was being held on a shoplifting charge, died in the jail Thursday. The state judge overseeing the case has approved two defendants bond agreements. John Eastman, an attorney involved in strategising a scheme to submit false slates of pro-Trump electors, agreed to a $100,000 bond, and Scott Hall, who is charged in connection with an elections office breach, agreed to a $10,000 bond, court filings show. Willis charged the 19 co-defendants in a 41-count indictment last week focused on racketeering charges. It is the fourth set of criminal charges Trump faces, according to The Hill. Former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, serving life sentences in the poet Madhumita Shukla murder case, were released on Friday evening, ahead of the completion of their terms. IMAGE: Nidhi Shukla, sister of Madhumita Shukla, stages a dharna outside BSP office in Lucknow, against party chief Mayawati over giving the ticket to Independent MLA Aman Mani Tripathi, for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, an accused in the alleged killing of her sister, on February 10, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo The Uttar Pradesh prisons department on Thursday issued an order for their premature release, citing the state's 2018 policy on remission, since they have completed 16 years of their sentences. "Both of them are bedridden. I was the person who took the custody of my parents from the jailor after they were freed," Amanmani Tripathi, son of Amarmani Tripathi, told PTI, adding, "As they got the news of being freed, they cried.". The couple is currently admitted to the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur. On when he plans to take them home, Amanmani Tripathi said, "No plans as we have to ask the doctor what treatment has to be given, and if we are supposed to take them to any higher centre." Amanmani Tripathi was an independent MLA from the Nautanwa assembly constituency in Maharajganj district from 2017 to 2022. Around 7.15 pm, Gorakhpur district jailer A K Kushwaha reached the BRD Medical College and met Amarmani and Madhumani Tripathi. Kushwaha said Amarmani was released on furnishing two bail bonds each of Rs 25 lakh. His wife too was released after furnishing two bail bonds of Rs 25 lakh each. "Both of them have been released from jail custody, and they are free to move out anywhere," Kushwaha told PTI when asked whether the husband-wife duo will continue to remain in the hospital. The couple will stay in the hospital for the time being, Amanmani Tripathi said. "My parents are very sick and they are under doctor's surveillance so without the doctor's advice, they won't leave the hospital. With the consent of the doctor, they will be taken home," he said. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the couple's release. The prisons department had also cited the couple's old age and good behaviour. Amarmani is 66 and Madhumani 61, Kushwaha said, adding that though the duo has been released, they will continue to remain at the BRD Medical College. Amarmani Tripathi, who was elected from the Nautanwa constituency, was a minister in the state's BJP government in 2001 and also in the BSP government formed in 2002. He has also been with the Samajwadi Party. "My father was a minister from 1996 to 2002 under chief ministers Kalyan Singh, Ram Prakash Gupta and Rajnath Singh (all of the BJP). After this, he was a minister under Mayawati, when she was the chief minister of UP," Amanmani told PTI. He added that his father was only an MLA when he was with the Samajwadi Party. Supporters of Amarmani Tripathi burst crackers outside his office in Maharajganj district. Amarmani Tripathi's daughter Tanu said, "It is a surreal feeling and I don't know how to express in words that my parents are coming out. Both of them are old and suffering from ailments... I want to say that I am very grateful that my parents will be able to live with us." During the day, the Supreme Court also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government, Tripathi and his wife, seeking their replies within eight weeks on a plea filed by the poet's sister Nidhi Shukla. Nidhi Shukla, who had been at the forefront of this legal fight, earlier said she feared for her life and that of her family members in case the two are released. Poet Madhumita, who was pregnant, was shot dead on May 9, 2003, in the Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. Amarmani Tripathi was arrested in September 2003 in connection with the murder of the poet with whom he was allegedly in a relationship. A Dehradun court had sentenced Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi to life imprisonment for Madhumita's murder in October 2007. Later, the high court of Uttarakhand at Nainital and the Supreme Court upheld the sentences. The case was probed by the CBI. "I have been telling everyone that this is going to happen. I have procured the documents through an RTI which clearly states that 62 per cent of the jail term that the two are said to have served had been spent out of jail. "I submitted documents to all responsible persons telling them that between 2012 and 2023 he was not in jail. The government documents, which I have got through the state information commission, after a long fight, bear this out," Nidhi Shukla told PTI earlier in the day. She also alleged that the Tripathis misled authorities to get a premature release. This rocket scientist hasn't visited home in Manipur's Bishnupur district for over two years because of his love for work. IMAGE: ISRO Chairman S. Somanath with others show victory sign after the successful soft-landing Chandrayaan-3 Lander Vikram on the surface of Moon during Chandrayaan-3 Mission, at ISRO in Bengaluru, August 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Meet Indian Space Research Organisation scientist Ningthoujam Raghu Singh, who was one of the bright sparks responsible for sending Chandrayaan-3 to the moon. I miss home, but have not been there for almost two years because of the nature of my work, Singh told PTI, adding that he was yet to make up his mind when to visit home next. But, I must thank technology such as Whatsapp and Facebook for helping me interact with my parents almost every day, Singh said. In one of India's finest moments, Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed on the south pole of the moon on August 23, creating history. The landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon is just the beginning of the much more ambitious next chapter of the Indian space programme that is set to study the sun, and put Indians in space on an Indian platform under the Gaganyaan programme, he said. We are now focusing on Mission Gaganyaan, which envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission, and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters, he said. So far, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is the only Indian to have gone to space. In 1984, he went to space as part of an India-Soviet Union joint mission and spent eight days aboard the Salyut 7 Space Station. Singh, son of N Chaoba Singh and N Yaimabi Devi from Thanga in Bishnupur district, comes from a humble fishing family of Thanga Khwairakpam Leikai, which is situated in the hillocks surrounded by the Loktak Lake. He is an alumni of IISc Bangalore. Singh completed his Masters in Physics (gold medalist) from IIT-Guwahati and graduated in physics from DM College of Science Imphal. He joined ISRO as a scientist in 2006. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh took to X, formerly Twitter, and said, It's heartening to share that a scientist from Manipur, Dr. Raghu Ningthoujam, from Thanga, Bishnupur was part of the Chandrayaan moon landing mission. The setbacks we encounter from time to time cannot erase our 2000-year-old history. Regardless of the difficulty of the challenge, the people of Manipur will always bounce back stronger. Stating that the successful south pole moon landing is a monumental accomplishment, he said the landing marks India as the pioneering nation to achieve this feat. We're immensely proud of this incredible achievement, and it is bound to inspire many young minds in the field of science and technology, the chief minister added. Ningthoujam Raghu Singh said: We have put in a lot of effort for Chandrayaan missions over the years. I would like to say the credit not only goes to the ISRO scientists, but to every Indian who supported us over the years." He said when Chandrayaan-2 failed, people of the country did not lose hope as they continued to support ISRO. Singh said the journey from Chandrayaan 1-3 was one of the most remarkable achievements in global space research and exploration. India has always been the underdog in the global space race; USA, China and Russia have been at the forefront, but the Chandrayaan mission has put India in the league through its implementation of innovation and technology, he said. All three Chandrayaan missions have different objectives with Chandrayaan-1 being an orbiter mission, and Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 being a landing mission. India is not in a race to compete with NASA and other space organisations; we have our objectives which we hope to achieve and are not in a hurry to do so, the scientist said. Other Manipuris who also serve in different departments of ISRO include James Leichombam and Leichombam Praneshori. Y Bishal Singha from Silchar was a team member of the Thermal Control Team in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, officials said. In his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests and it is conducive to peace and stability of the world and the region. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engage in a brief interaction at the 15th BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo A Chinese readout said this Friday on the exchanges between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg. Separately, Indian sources said there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting. The two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the leaders' lounge during the BRICS summit, they said. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Xi Jinping India's concerns on the 'unresolved' issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. The Chinese readout described the conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday as 'candid and in-depth'. 'On August 23, President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit,' it said. 'President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region,' it said. 'The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region,' the statement released by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said. At a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at 'expeditious disengagement and de-escalation'. "On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the prime minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the prime minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas," Kwatra said. "The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship," the foreign secretary said. "In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and deescalation," Kwatra added. The government refers to the eastern Ladakh region as the Western Sector. It was their first interaction in public after their brief encounter on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali in November last year. The two leaders met briefly at a formal dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on November 16. The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May, 2020. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the LAC were key for normalisation of overall ties. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. High 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy early with partial clearing expected late. Low 34F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Unreliable power, lack of robust connections to mainstream power grids, and threats from strengthening storms are among the energy challenges faced by remote and island communities. On July 25th, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) is announcing nine new projects with remote and island communities building local energy systems that are sustainable, resilient, and reliable year-round. These nine projects have been identified to help remote communities tailor the clean energy transition that makes the most sense for them. The communities stretching across the entire United States from Hawaii to Maine will join 23 other projects that are already working toward clean energy solutions as part of the ETIPP network. "Ownership and collaboration within communities is at the heart of the ETIPP," said Acting Assistant Secretary Alejandro Moreno. "For hard-to-reach communities that have historically felt out of sight and out of mind, the DOE hears and sees you, and is here to work with you on your vision of a clean energy future." Through ETIPP, communities work with regional partner organizations and national laboratory experts to address local energy challenges. Driven by local energy priorities, ETIPP supports the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of decarbonizing energy and achieving a zero-emissions economy by 2050. More information about the nine communities joining ETIPP this year and the projects they each plan to tackle through the program is below. Block Island, Rhode Island. Block Island is looking to identify renewable energy sources that can be used to generate electricity on the island and reduce reliance on imported electricity and fuels. The community will engage in energy planning to shore up its resilience, particularly in the face of sea-level rise. Specifically, the community will work to lower energy costs for marginalized populations. Deer Isle and Stonington, Maine. Stonington, a fishing town on the southern end of Deer Isle, Maine, frequently experiences power outages that last up to a week. The community will conduct an energy assessment to understand how renewable and resilient energy options like microgrids, energy storage systems, and other technologies can integrate with its current grid, especially as its population grows, energy demand increases, and weather increasingly affects energy delivery. Molokai, Hawaii. The island of Molokai has developed a Community Energy Resilience Action Plan, which outlined 10 key energy projects. Building on the priorities laid out in the plan, the community will model and assess the feasibility of solar energy, identify renewable energy sources to support critical infrastructure, and explore pumped hydropower as an option for energy storage. Nooksack Tribe, Washington. The Nooksack Tribe sits at the end of power distribution lines in Deming, Washington, where it experiences frequent winter power outages that require emergency shelters. The community will conduct strategic energy planning to explore renewable and resilient energy technologies, including battery storage, microgrids, electric vehicle charging stations, and wind generators. The tribe will use their plan to prioritize renewable energy projects and pursue grant funding, with an aim to combat prolonged power outages. Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and Tisbury, Massachusetts. Storms often threaten the electricity, water, and food supply across multiple townships on Martha's Vineyard. Members of the year-round island community want to better understand how to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels as a backup power source for water pumping and supply. They will also continue exploring opportunities for electric buses to provide mobile power sources for water pumps, a project already underway. Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Washington. In Northwest Washington, the S'Klallam Tribe is often isolated from other communities by storms that take out power lines and wash out their single road for utility repair crews' access. The tribe will conduct energy planning, assessing their local energy resources, setting energy goals, identifying energy projects, and increasing the capacity of their staff to address the community's energy needs. Shelter Island, New York. Situated at the eastern end of Long Island, Shelter Island is considering a range of renewable technologies to bolster its resilience. The community will work with the ETIPP network to optimize solar arrays, understand whether a geothermal heating and cooling system would be appropriate for the town's government buildings, and explore options for generating energy from its tidal resource. Sitka, Alaska. Sitka, an island community in southeast Alaska accessible only by boat or plane, projects that its load will exceed available capacity for electricity generation within the next decade. Sitka will analyze and compare future forecasted energy demand, accounting for increased loads from heating electrification, electric transportation, and other decarbonization technologies. The outcomes of the analysis will help Sitka match previously identified renewable energy opportunities to meet forecasted energy demand. Vieques, Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican islands of Vieques and Culebra will study the feasibility of achieving energy independence and resilience using rooftop and community solar power to provide the islands renewable energy. The islands will work with ETIPP partners to conduct modeling and analysis to understand the full potential of decentralized solar when combined with utility-scale solutions. These tribes, islands, and remote towns mark the third cohort of communities joining ETIPP, which launched in 2021 with 11 communities. In 2022, 12 additional communities were selected for ETIPP. Existing ETIPP communities are working on projects ranging from electrifying diesel fishing vessels to planning microgrids that will provide communities with power during storm outages. ETIPP communities work with five regional partner organizations academic institutions and nonprofit groups that have deep knowledge of local energy ecosystems, needs, challenges, and priorities. ETIPP's regional partners include the Coastal Studies Institute, Island Institute, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, Renewable Energy Alaska Project, and Spark Northwest. The communities also partner with researchers at four national laboratories including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories to find solutions tailored to local energy challenges. "Rural communities like Stonington and Deer Isle face enough challenges day-to-day, and keeping the lights on shouldn't be one of them," said Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02). These important grid investments will give families across the peninsula reliable energy, valuable peace of mind, and make these already strong communities just that much more resilient." "I am thrilled to see this important project and new jobs coming to Shelter Island and the East End. As our country continues to find ways to become energy independent, we must take on an all-of-the-above energy plan," said Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01). "These projects will create hundreds of good-paying jobs and boost the local economy. I will continue to fight to bring federal dollars and jobs back home to Suffolk County." "Transitioning to clean energy is key to lowering energy costs, creating good-paying jobs, and supporting remote communities like Block Island," said Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02). "This federal funding will help ensure Block Island has access to affordable and reliable energy year-round and reduce reliance on imported electricity and fossil fuels." "Vieques and Culebra have had to face greater challenges than the other municipalities in Puerto Rico. Even when the programmed improvements to our general energy grid are carried out, both island municipalities will remain especially susceptible to the impacts of hurricanes, and the auxiliary generation systems on the ground will be limited by the capacity of fuel storage facilities," said Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (PR-01). "On these islands we have the greatest need to evaluate how best to incorporate community-level renewable energy sources into the grid. I am counting on this project to be carried out diligently to produce results that will guide us to concrete actions." These ETIPP projects are funded by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Visit the ETIPP website to learn more about the program. On July 25th, 2023, ComEd released its 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Annual Report: Keeping Up the Momentum. The report highlights the company's DEI commitment to its 6,300 employees, more than 600 diversity-certified suppliers and the 9 million people it serves in communities throughout northern Illinois. It also outlines ComEd's plans for continuing to develop a diverse future workforce and address long-standing inequities faced by under-resourced communities as the company invests to modernize the electrical grid and prepares for the demands of clean energy technology. "Creating an equitable and inclusive workplace means diversity is not only supported, it's celebrated," said Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd, an Exelon company. "Our DEI commitment goes beyond the 6,300 dedicated professionals who work at ComEd it guides the way we work with and invest in communities. As we make plans to bring cleaner energy choices to customers, we need to ensure all customers in all communities have equitable access to these opportunities, while continuing to focus on our ultimate duty of delivering reliable and affordable energy." The 2022 DEI report provides data about ComEd's workforce, including the percentages of women, people of color, veterans and people with disabilities across the company and in leadership. It also summarizes ComEd's near-term plans for investing in communities and ensuring customers continue to receive reliable energy. Report highlights include: Improved diversity at all levels of the organization compared to 2021, reaching a workforce total of 51 percent diversity (includes women and people of color) and an executive team with 44 percent women and 56 percent people of color. Expanded leadership development programs that invite participation earlier in high-potential, diverse managers' careers. An array of STEM and workforce development programs that connect students and job seekers to well-paying energy industry jobs and develop a pipeline of diverse talent to build the clean energy workforce of the future. Record spending with diverse suppliers, totaling $963 million or 43 percent of ComEd's total spending with more than 600 diversity-certified businesses. Record reliability and average monthly residential power bills that were among the lowest in the nation. Infrastructure investments designed to have a significant impact on under-resourced communities including 55 percent of all capacity expansion projects and 48 percent of all system performance investments for 2023 and 2024. ComEd's 2022 DEI accomplishments have earned the company awards and recognitions, including being named by Chicago United as the top company in Chicago for board and executive diversity and earning The Center for Energy Workforce Development's 2022 Community Partner Award for successful job training and placement programs. "Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are long-standing values that have been at our core for many years," said Robert Matthews, Vice President of Talent and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Exelon, ComEd's parent company. "We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment where people can bring their authentic selves to work, feel a sense of belonging, and can thrive. We also understand that our commitment to DEI extends beyond our company walls; we continue to show up in and for our communities to ensure that our impact is deep and wide enough to bring about real change." To learn more about ComEd's DEI commitment and our 2022 performance, read the full 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Annual Report on ComEd's website. ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers - the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Xcel Energy is issuing one of northwest Wisconsin's largest-ever calls for clean energy projects, which will add significant carbon-free energy for the company's Upper Midwest customers while replacing a coal-fired plant on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. The company is asking developers to submit proposals for approximately 650 megawatts of new solar-specific projects or projects that combine solar with energy storage, such as batteries. The projects will meet customers' energy needs and help the company reduce carbon emissions by 85% in the region by 2030 compared with 2005, as it moves toward its vision of providing 100% carbon-free electricity to customers. "Adding solar along with projects that combine solar with energy storage strengthens our commitment to deliver carbon-free energy to customers in the states we serve," said Karl Hoesly, president, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin and Michigan. "It will play a vital role in our clean energy transition by reducing carbon emissions and will help our communities by creating jobs during and after construction." Xcel Energy's request calls for projects located in Wisconsin with commercial operation dates from 2027 to 2029, helping to replace the capacity of the Allen S. King plant, a coal-fired plant in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota that is scheduled to retire in 2028. Xcel Energy plans to reuse existing grid connections at the King plant site, allowing customers throughout the Upper Midwest to benefit from the new energy resources. "By using existing grid connections, we're able to provide customers with carbon-free energy in the most efficient and cost-effective way," said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. "We're excited to see developers' proposals to use rapidly developing technology to help us lead the clean energy transition." The 650 megawatts of new generation is enough electricity to power approximately 135,000 homes each year on average. Solar energy does not have any fuel costs and contributes to a diversified energy mix, which helps protect against rising fuel prices. Under the company's Upper Midwest Energy Plan, more than 80% of customers' electricity in the region would be carbon free by the end of the decade, with more than half coming from wind and solar. These projects will help move those plans forward. The plan calls for retiring all the company's coal plants by 2030, dramatically increasing wind and solar energy, and ensuring reliable, affordable energy by extending the use of carbon-free nuclear energy. Flexible request encourages innovation Xcel Energy's request allows a range of project types, development stages and sizes. More information about the request for proposals, including a detailed schedule and responses to all submitted questions will be periodically posted here. Xcel Energy has significant experience with new clean-energy generation. In April, the company broke ground on the Upper Midwest's largest solar project near Becker, Minnesota, which will replace much of the generation from the first Sherco coal unit that is scheduled to retire later this year. Renewable energy projects provide economic benefits to the communities where they're located. They create good-paying construction jobs, plus ongoing operations and maintenance jobs. Solar arrays can also generate significant payments to landowners and revenue for local communities. Xcel Energy is committed to a smooth transition for its employees at the King plant, who have played a vital role in powering the region for decades. The company has transitioned other coal plants without layoffs and expects to accomplish this again at the King facility. Xcel Energy is working with the state of Minnesota and local communities to explore potential future uses of the King plant site after its retirement in 2028. About Xcel Energy Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. During the conversation, Dr. Ferriz mentioned one of his greatest challenges while working on his Ph.D. 30 years ago. Specifically, he and his team aimed to draw up hot water lying only 1,500 feet below the Earth's surface from super hard rock. Their goal was to "flash it into steam and use it to push turbines," a concept quite similar to the science behind modern-day geothermal drilling. However, now the goal is to drill six to eight miles deep. "There's tons of pressure and hard rock to get through, and no one's done it yet," said DeepPower CEO Andrew Van Noy. "At DeepPower we're focused on a new drilling technology to allow us to drill faster through hard rock." "This technology isn't a distant idea, either," Mr. Van Noy reported. "Recent studies show DeepPower's drilling technology can increase the drilling penetration rate by over 600%, a feat that was thought impossible 30 years ago." Dr. Horacio Ferriz is a geological engineer by training and the Department Chair of Geology and Professor of Applied Geology at California State University Stanislaw. He has more than 20 years of professional geologic, geotechnical, hydrogeologic, and environmental experience. Over this time period he has worked as geologic problem-solver in projects throughout the world involving water supply, civil works design, environmental engineering, solid waste management, geothermal exploration, and mineral exploration. As an active professional engineering geologist, Dr. Ferriz has supervised geotechnical investigations, groundwater investigations, and geophysical surveys for projects in a variety of geologic settings. He is well versed in analytical and numerical hydrology and groundwater flow models, contaminant fate and transport models, geotechnical models, seismic analysis, slope stability, and dynamic deformation analysis. He is the Principal of HF Geologic Engineering, an international consulting firm, and the author of over 15 research papers dealing with the geology of Mexico and California, landfill engineering, stability analysis, and development and management of water resources. A graduate of the prestigious School of Engineering of Mexico's National University, and of Stanford University, Dr. Ferriz is a certified Geologic Engineer in Mexico and the United States, and in this capacity has provided support to several international projects. He is the Director of Water for the World, an educational project of California State University that has the stated goal of promoting capacity-building in the areas of development, management, and utilization of water resources. In this capacity, Dr. Ferriz first went to Ethiopia as part of a humanitarian effort to help fight poverty, and has since fell in love with the country and its people. He is an advisor to the Dams Review Team of this country, and tries to get there every other year to teach seminars on groundwater exploration, river engineering, and engineering geology applied to reservoir design and dam construction. Water for the World is also involved in development of new water resources for the city of Guadalajara, in western Mexico, so Dr. Ferriz and his students have an excuse to go do field work in one of the most beautiful areas of the world! This podcast can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCk_y6XJPdY About DeepPower, Inc. Deep Power is developing a breakthrough drilling technology to access Earth's unlimited source of green geothermal energy. The Earth's molten core is as hot as the Sun and harnessing just 0.1% of that heat energy can power humanity for 2 million years. Previous generations of drilling technology cannot go deep enough to make geothermal cost effective. We are developing a suite of advanced low-cost, high-temperature and high-pressure drilling systems to boldly go where no humans have gone before. The deeper we go the more energy we can unleash. Unlike large area solar and wind farms, a 9-inch hole by 5 miles deep can produce the same amount of power as 320 acres of solar panels. Like a power plug into the Earth, we aim to provide every city, state, and country direct and independent access to this "holy grail" source of eternal green energy. For more information about DeepPower, Inc., please visit our website at www.DeepPower.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking 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. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this 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, except as may be required under applicable law. Press Contact: 1 (800) 347-0589 But Chinese tourists seem keen to visit Japan after Beijings lifting of a group tour ban. People buy sacks of salt in Daoxian, Hunan province, China, in these images obtained from a social media video released on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Chinese shoppers are panic-buying salt amid concerns that the release of treated radioactive wastewater from Japan's damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant could affect future availability. Yet at the same time, tourism indicators show that Chinese look set to flock to Japan following the lifting of their government's pandemic ban on group tours to multiple countries. Japan has started the gradual release of treated radioactive wastewater from the nuclear power plant crippled after the March 11, 2011, tsunami into the Pacific Ocean, despite regional and local concerns. The water was used to cool melted reactor cores and stored in huge tanks before being treated. While the plan meets international safety standards, the Chinese government warned of a "secondary disaster" from the move and has banned imports of Japanese seafood and other aquatic products. "There could be a man-made secondary disaster to the local people and the whole world if Japan chooses to dump the water into the ocean just to serve Japans selfish interests," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday. Apparently shoppers feared that the release would taint salt collected from the ocean or restrict future supplies. No need to hoard "This kind of panic is unnecessary, said an article in the government-backed Economic Times newspaper, trying to calm fears. It said that China gets around 87% of its table salt from mines, and just 10% from the sea. "There is enough edible salt produced in China to meet demand, so there is no need to hoard it," the paper said in an opinion article on Friday. Photos and video uploaded to social media platforms showed shoppers fighting over bags of household salt, and empty shelves where salt was once stacked in supermarkets in Beijing, as well as in Zhejiang and Shandong provinces. "People started panic-buying salt in a lot of places yesterday afternoon," a resident of the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu who gave only the surname Zhang for fear of reprisals told RFA Mandarin. "[The release of wastewater] isn't going to affect the average person in China, who can just avoid eating their seafood," he said. A former government official in Beijing who gave only the surname Wu added: "It's going to take 20 to 30 years for Japan to release all of that water into the sea -- are they going to spend the next 20 to 30 years fighting over salt?" Meanwhile, Fukushima topped the list of the hottest searches on the Weibo social media platform. Destination: Japan At the same time, industry indicators showed that Chinese tourists look set to flock to Japan in the coming weeks following the lifting of their government's pandemic ban on group tours to multiple countries. "Most Chinese people don't seem to care about [the Fukushima wastewater]," a Japanese journalist who declined to be named, giving only the nickname Harada, told RFA Cantonese. "Yet the Chinese government's approach is contradictory on the one hand they ban imports of aquatic products, and on the other, they lift the group tour ban. It's very strange." A demonstrator in Hong Kong holds an image of Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a protest following Japan's announcement to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters Japan ranked fourth among planned destinations this year after Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand, the Japan Times newspaper quoted Chinese market research firm Dragon Trail International as saying. Keyword searches for destinations in Japan have skyrocketed since the Ministry of Culture and Tourism lifted a pandemic-era ban on group tours to the country, according to China's Ctrip travel website. Meanwhile, Trip.com bookings around the Oct. 1 National Day holiday week for regional destinations including Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea are currently around 4.5 times higher than for an average week in July, the Nikkei Keizai Shimbun reported on its Chinese-language news site. While the ban didn't apply to individual travel, it had a massive impact, and airline and railway share prices jumped on the Tokyo stock market after it was lifted. In 2019, some 9.6 million Chinese visitors visited Japan, spending around 1.77 trillion, accounting for one third of total tourist spending, according to figures from the Japan Tourism Agency. Just over half a million Chinese nationals went to Japan in the first half of 2023, compared with 4.5 million in the first half of 2019. Rebound prospects In Hong Kong, Steve Huen, whose EGLTours company specializes in packages to Japan, said his company had noticed a 20% drop in bookings for Japan on Wednesday, when the plans to release wastewater from Fukushima were announced. In an interview with government broadcaster RTHK, Huen said he expects demand to bounce back in "two to three weeks," however. "I don't think these birth pangs will last too long," Huen said. "The water is flowing out, so it's not just in Japan, and fish swim around, so people will keep signing up [for tours]." A staff member of All Nippon Airways escorts a Chinese tour group from Beijing upon their arrival at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Credit: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters The prospect of a rebound in Chinese tour groups visiting popular attractions and beauty spots may be a boost to Japan's tourism sector, but is unlikely to result in the kind of shopping frenzies seen before the pandemic, analysts told Reuters. A weakening yen has already helped to make Japan a top-five destination for tourists from Taiwan. Yet while the weaker yen has sparked a rebound in U.S. and European tourism that is exceeding pre-pandemic levels, the exchange rate is less of a draw for Chinese tourists, whose own currency is also weakening, Reuters quoted CLSA Japan strategist Nicholas Smith as saying. Additionally, "there have been changes over the last few years to their ability to buy Japanese products in China, so they don't actually have to travel to do it," Smith added, referring to the proliferation of shops selling the same goods in China. The Japan Tourism Agency has vowed to boost inbound tourism to pre-pandemic levels by 2025, while the government will maintain its existing goal of an annual 60 million foreign visitors by 2030. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Kusman Rehim is held over recent recitations at Eid, at a wedding and for having a Quran at home Kusman Rehim, 56, was detained on July 14, 2023, after performing readings from the Quran in a melodious art form revered across the Islamic world. Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang have detained an ethnic Kazakh man for performing Quranic recitations including at a Muslim wedding, Radio Free Asia has learned. Kusman Rehim, 56, was detained on July 14 after performing readings from the Quran in a melodious art form revered across the Islamic world, the head of the Kazakhstan-based rights group Atajurt, said in an interview on Thursday. "Kusman Rehim was arrested on July 14," Atajurt chief Bekzat Maksutkhan said. "The main reason was that the police found a Quran in his home." "Also, he had performed Quranic recitations in people's homes during Eid al-Adha [June 27-July 1] and taken part in a Muslim wedding," Bekzat said. The arrest comes against a backdrop of renewed attacks on religious worship under Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and other religious adherents forced to submit to party control and the censorship of their religious lives under the government's "sinicization" program. However, recitations of the Quran have been banned since 2017, when China began the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other ethnic groups in "re-education" camps across Xinjiang. Authorities claimed that normal Islamic customs like the wearing of beards and veils and Quran study groups were evidence of "religious extremism." Ethnic unity China has also targeted Muslim communities with ethnic unity campaigns under which Han Chinese "relatives" put pressure on them to give up fasting for Ramadan, drink alcohol and eat pork. Bekzat said Kusman Rehim, who hails from Xinjiang's Jimsar county, had been locked up before due to his religious beliefs, and was released after Atajurt publicized his case. Kusman's younger brother Bilal, who lives in Kazakhstan, said his brother was detained on April 21, released a month later, then detained again on July 14. "One reason was that he was doing a Quranic recitation at a Muslim wedding ceremony," Bilal said. "The second reason was that the police found a Quran in his home." He said the family has yet to receive any official notification of his brother's detention, nor any information on the charges against him. "They just took him away," he said. A switchboard operator who answered the phone at the Jimsar county police department on Thursday declined to transfer RFA's call. "We don't really know about that," the operator said, before hanging up the phone. Repeated calls to local police stations were returned to the same switchboard. Religious crimes China recently announced a 100-day strike hard campaign in Xinjiang, which typically include police raids on Uyghur households, and tighter restrictions on Islamic practices and curbs on the culture and language of the ethnic minority group. An elderly Uyghur serving a nearly 14-year prison sentence in Xinjiang following his arrest in 2017 for studying religion as a child and for committing other religious offenses died of hypertension while in jail, a local police officer said earlier this month. Abdurusul Memet, 71, was serving a 13-year-and-11-month sentence for learning the Quran between November 1964 and March 1965 at the time, according to the Xinjiang Victims' Database. In 2017, another ethnic Kazakh man, Manat Hamit, was jailed for "disseminating terrorism-related audiovisual material," and "incitement to racial hatred and to racial discrimination" after the authorities found audio files of Quranic recitations on his computer. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. The American president instead may go to Vietnam, a most useful ally to counter China in Southeast Asia. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left) greets U.S. President Joe Biden upon his arrival for a mangrove planting event at Ngurah Rai Forest Park, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Denpasar, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2022. Observers are casting doubt on Washingtons repeated commitments to Southeast Asia after the White House announced that President Joe Biden would skip the ASEAN summit in Jakarta next month and send his vice president instead. Biden will be traveling to Asia in early September to attend the Group of Twenty (G20) meeting in New Delhi, but his missing the the Southeast Asian summit on Sept. 5-7 may signal the U.S. doesnt believe that so-called ASEAN centrality helps counter Chinas outsized influence in the region, some analysts said. However, the American president may not be ignoring the region entirely, as the scuttlebutt in Washington is that he will very likely go to Hanoi instead to upgrade U.S. ties with Vietnam, a useful regional ally at a time of rising tensions with China. But showing up at a gathering has its own merits and must not be underestimated, analysts said. Personal presence and relations among leaders and diplomats still matter in foreign policy, Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, told BenarNews. The U.S. commitment to Southeast Asia has been repeatedly questioned. People are contrasting Bidens attendance at other forums or summits with close friends such as Japan and South Korea with his no-show at ASEAN. Muhammad Waffaa also noted that some countries such as the Philippines a longtime ally of the U.S. had received their own reassurances of Washingtons support. The White House, for its part, defends Bidens Southeast Asia engagement as more than robust. The U.S. has built strong ties and alliances from Northeast Asia to the Philippines to Australia, and has partnered with India and worked with ASEAN, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Tuesday. The president had also sent Vice President Kamala Harris to Southeast Asia twice, Sullivan noted. I would put our record of achievement and engagement in the Indo-Pacific up against any American president and any other country in the world in the past two and a half years, he told reporters in a conference call. Biden met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts last week at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, to expand security and economic ties. In a joint statement, the three leaders said they wholeheartedly affirm ASEAN centrality and our support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture. They also noted dangerous and aggressive behavior by China to support its unlawful maritime claims in the disputed South China Sea, and said they opposed actions that go against a rules-based international order. Four of the 10 ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have overlapping claims with those of Chinas expansive ones in the South China Sea. Indonesia doesnt regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, but Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone. United States President Joe Biden, then-Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres watch a cultural performance at a dinner during the ASEAN summit, in Phnom Penh, Nov. 12, 2022. Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Recognizing overlapping interests, Biden set out to alter predecessor Donald Trumps Southeast Asian strategy Trump only attended one ASEAN summit, in 2017 in Manila, during his time in office (2017-2021). Biden attended the ASEAN-U.S. and East Asia summits in Phnom Penh last November, when Cambodia was the 2023 chair of the Southeast Asian bloc. He also attended the same annual summits virtually in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And in May last year, the U.S. president hosted a U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington. In addition, he unveiled the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in an effort to counter Beijings gigantic economic influence in Southeast Asia, although the program has many detractors. Just plain stupid Biden should have kept that momentum going, indicated Jeffrey D. Bean, of the Observer Research Foundation America, on the social media platform X, formerly called Twitter. Every time you think the Biden administration has it together on Asia policy, they go and do something like this. Just plain stupid for Biden to skip [the East Asia Summit] and the U.S.-ASEAN summit, he said. Skipping an event such as the ASEAN summit and the East Summit, which are held concurrently, will make it seem that Washington is saying one thing and doing another, wrote Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, in a commentary for the Texas National Security Review. If trends continue, foreign leaders could come to believe that public opposition to China is the litmus test for consequential U.S. engagement, Copper said. U.S. leaders appear to have a two-tiered regional approach: ambitious engagement with countries that are openly balancing against China, but limited time for those countries that prefer to hedge. In short, Biden is investing in the balancers but not the hedgers. China is often accused of transactional relationships, and the U.S. should be careful to not appear to be doing the same, Cooper said. Side trip to Hanoi? Yet, Bidens potential Vietnam trip would show quite the opposite, said Alexander Vuving, professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, in a post on X. Bidens absence from the ASEAN meeting raises questions about U.S. commitment to ASEAN (centrality) for sure, but [it] doesnt mean the U.S. is less committed to Southeast Asia. Instead of going to Indonesia, he is planning to go to Vietnam, to raise bilateral ties to the strategic level, he said. The logo of the ASEAN Summit 2023 is displayed in Jakarta, Aug. 10, 2023. Credit: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP And as Peter Mumford of the geopolitical risk firm Eurasia Group noted, Xi Jinping rarely attends ASEAN summits either, sending [his] premier instead. Biden isnt ignoring Southeast Asia or the Asia-Pacific region, he is just not relying solely on ASEAN for his regional strategy, Vinsensio Dugis, the director of the ASEAN Studies Center at Airlangga University in Surabaya, pointed out. Biden is using mechanisms such as AUKUS, a security pact with Australia and Britain; QUAD, a grouping of four democracies with India, Japan and Australia; and APEC, a forum for 21 economies bordering the Pacific Ocean, to pursue Washingtons Indo-Pacific strategy, Vinsensio said. Besides, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, a person of Asian descent, could bring a different perspective to regional issues such as climate change, trade and security, he said. We still need to see what issues she brings and how she delivers them during the ASEAN summit, he said. Radio Free Asia (RFA) correspondent Alex Willemyns contributed to this report by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Governments spent more in trying to stabilize consumer prices, it says. Smoking chimneys are seen along a highway in a coal producing region in Yulin in northwestern Chinas Shaanxi province, April 24, 2023. Global fossil fuel subsidies hit a record U.S.$7 trillion, equivalent to more than 7% of global gross domestic product in 2022, the International Monetary Fund said. The subsidies are financial support from governments that make fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal cheaper to produce or buy. Subsidies for coal, oil and natural gas in 2022 represented more than world governments spent on education and two-thirds of what was spent on healthcare. According to the IMF report released Thursday, governments provided support to consumers and businesses during the surge in global energy prices, a consequence of Russias incursion into Ukraine and the economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The IMFs report comes as the world witnesses its highest average monthly temperatures on record. When burned, fossil fuels emit harmful pollutants that contribute to global warming and intensify extreme weather events. They also contaminate the air with toxins, harming our respiratory systems and other vital organs and killing millions yearly. By fuel product, undercharging for oil products accounted for nearly half the subsidies, coal another 30%, and natural gas almost 20% (underpricing for electricity accounts for the remainder), the report said. By region, East Asia and the Pacific accounted for nearly half the global subsidy, according to the IMF. Meanwhile, by country, in absolute terms, China contributed by far the most to total subsidies ($2.2 trillion) in 2022, followed by the United States ($760 billion), Russia ($420 billion), India ($350 billion), and the European Union ($310 billion). Graphic showing yearly global fossil fuel subsidies. Credit: IMF The bulk of global subsidies accounted for in the study fall into what the IMF termed implicit subsidies, which arise when governments do not adequately charge for the environmental damage caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. Such damage encompasses air pollution and climate change, with the impact forecast to grow due to the rising consumption of fossil fuels by developing countries. The IMF said explicit subsidies, in which consumers pay less than the supply costs of fossil fuels, have tripled since 2020, from $0.5 trillion to $1.5 trillion in 2022. The figure is similar to the estimates from the Canada-based think tank, International Institute for Sustainable Development, released Wednesday, that said the worlds biggest economies, the G20, provided a record $1.4 trillion in public money for fossil fuels in 2022 despite the promise to reduce spending. That includes investments by state-owned enterprises and loans from public finance institutions. The G20 nations, which cause 80% of global carbon emissions, pledged to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies in 2009. Comprehensively reforming fossil fuel prices by removing explicit fuel subsidies and imposing corrective taxes such as a carbon tax would reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by 43% below business as usual levels in 2030 (34% below 2019 levels) the IMF said. It added that this would be in line with keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and towards 1.5 degrees Celsius. Underpricing fossil fuels implies that governments forgo a valuable source of much-needed revenue and undermines distributional and poverty reduction objectives since most of the benefits from undercharging accrue to wealthier households, the IMF report said. The gap between efficient and current fuel prices is often substantial given, not least, the damages from climate change and the large number of people dying prematurely from fossil fuel air pollution exposure (4.5 million a year). The IMF said fuel price reform would avert about 1.6 million premature deaths yearly from local air pollution by 2030. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. UPDATED at 11:03 a.m. EDT on 08-28-2023 The man speaks English, says hes Japanese and claims to be a mobile and web developer ready for hire. I have the experience to start contributing from Day One, he says, sounding like any eager job candidate would on a job search site. But potential employers have reason to be wary, an investigation by RFA Korean shows. Other computers and empty chairs can be seen in the room with him, suggesting this freelancer doesnt work alone. There appears to be a security camera above his right shoulder. Perhaps more suspicious: the IP address from where the video was posted is based in Ukraine, not Japan. Cyber security experts say these clues indicate the man may be part of a team of North Korean IT specialists enlisted to raise money and gather intelligence for leader Kim Jong Uns isolated regime. Even as few of its citizens have access to the internet, North Korea has developed an elite group of hackers and cyber scammers who have allegedly stolen hundreds of millions of dollars through cyber crime. In a video, this job applicant tells prospective employers he will be ready on Day One, but he could be part of a team of North Korean IT specialists enlisted to raise money and gather intelligence for the hermit kingdom. Credit: Vimeo Some of its personnel, including apparently the man in the video, try to get hired by IT firms that pay cryptocurrency or Chinese renminbi, a significant portion of which they send to their government. Others have allegedly stolen the equivalent of tens of millions of dollars by hacking cryptocurrency virtual repositories. A U.N. panel of experts estimated the regime took in as much as $1 billion in crypto theft in 2022, double the prior year. One estimate put the total that year even higher, at $1.7 billion. Besides theft, the same cyber break-in techniques are being used to spy for the regime. This June, the United States and South Korea warned that hackers were posing as journalists or academics to gather intelligence on regime critics or to compromise government databases. North Korea is just basically persistent they have a lot of people working on this and they are going to keep trying, said Nicholas Weaver, a researcher at the nonprofit International Computer Science Institute, of the countrys cyber efforts. And all it takes is one mistake. An elite team The cyber attacks have prompted a series of indictments, sanctions and warnings from the United States, South Korea and other countries. But North Koreas increasingly sophisticated capabilities mean it can adapt to new barriers, says Jung Pak, the U.S. State Departments deputy special representative for North Korea. According to the U.S., Kim Jong Un uses the proceeds from his cyber operations to help pay for weapons development in the face of international sanctions designed to impede the activity. North Korean leader leader Kim Jong Un enjoys a "high-thrust solid-fuel motor" test as part of the development of a new strategic weapon, at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Tongchang-ri, North Korea, Dec. 15, 2022, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Credit: KCNA via Reuters As much as one-third of the missile program is paid for through cyber theft, the U.S. estimates, even though the sporadic reports from inside the hermit kingdom suggest starvation among its citizens is not uncommon. The intro video of the man claiming to be Japanese was shared with RFA on the understanding that it would not name the company, which fears retaliation from hackers. The profile was removed from the job site three years ago, a company official said. But as any job candidate must, the man has shown persistence. His name, image and resume still exist on other sites just one of several fraudulent accounts RFA found in its investigation. The DPRK workers go where they are able, and the United States is not immune from these workers, Pak said, referring to the countrys official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. She said there are thousands of elite IT professionals working on behalf of the regime. Red flags The mission for the man in the video is impossible to say for sure. But presumed North Korean cyber scammers have been active enough online that job recruiters have identified a number of tells that raise suspicions. The candidates often pretend to live in small towns in Canada or the United States, so as to avoid any possibility of having to meet in person with prospective employers that more typically are located in Californias Silicon Valley, northern Virginia or another tech hub. They often claim Chinese or Japanese heritage but have IP addresses in other countries. They also insist on remote work. Neil Dundon, the chief executive officer of Crypto Recruit, which links IT professionals with cryptocurrency companies, says another red flag is job applicants who insist on working on so-called smart contracts, a blockchain application by which funds are transferred. This is the kind of big hacks that you read about for 10 million [dollars], Dundon told RFA. They can go in and they can put malicious code in there. Whack a Mole Part 2: The Rise of Cryptocurrency Heists Whack a Mole Part 3: How North Korea Uses Job Sites as Hacking Tool The big mark The recent rise of cryptocurrencies in fact has been especially lucrative for North Korea, according to U.S. officials and cyber experts. Cryptocurrency heists are a growing, if not their top, method for generating revenue for the regime, Pak said. Crypto wallets that enable the purchasing and trading of cryptocurrencies have become a popular target for hackers, who take the stolen coin to so-called mixers that can obscure their origins an exercise akin to traditional money-laundering. North Korea's cyber attack capabilities are increasingly sophisticated, says Jung Pak, the U.S. State Departments deputy special representative for North Korea. Credit: U.S. State Dept. Robert Meany, a crypto investor from Connecticut, said he lost about $40,000 in crypto coins he had stored through Atomic Wallet, an Estonia-based crypto company that was reportedly hacked in June. I opened it up and it showed all the money in there and then all of a sudden, it just sort of drained to zero, Meany told RFA. Meany is part of a lawsuit filed in Colorado against Atomic Wallet for allegedly failing to provide sufficient safeguards to protect the assets in its account, but U.S. officials suspect that North Korea was behind the theft, which is estimated to total $100 million. These victims, in many cases, lost everything theyve saved up, said Daniel Thornburgh, a lawyer at the Colorado-based firm Aylstock, Within, Kreis & Overholtz that has filed the suit. Atomic Wallet did not respond to a request for comment other than to say that the investigation is still ongoing, and nothing is confirmed. The Sony hack Much of the world likely first heard about North Koreas hacking capabilities in 2014 when its operatives infiltrated Sony Pictures computers in an apparent revenge attack for its production of the satirical comedy, The Interview. The film includes a scene of Kim Jong Un tearfully exclaiming that he doesnt need his father, who preceded him as leader, and depicts the sons fictional death. People walk past a TV screen showing a poster of Sony Pictures "The Interview" in a news report in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 22, 2014. Ahn Young-joon/AP Pak said the episode was the first time a state-sponsored actor targeted a private business in the United States. Confidential corporate data, internal emails and unreleased films were all publicly released, and people associated with the film were threatened. In 2020, the U.S. brought charges against three operatives of a North Korean-sponsored hacking group known as Lazarus for the Sony hack and for a string of other cyber crimes that followed over a five-year period. The 33-page indictment describes an operation impressive in scope and sophistication. The three men, who remain at large, allegedly hid malware in word processing software, crypto apps and on websites their targets were known to frequent a so-called watering hole operation. In total, according to the indictment, the hackers attempted to steal or extort more than $1.3 billion through crypto heists, raids on ATMs and cyber-enabled extortion schemes from victims from Bangladesh to Mexico. We almost need to stop thinking of North Korea as a regime or a type of government, and more so like a mafia family, said Michael Barnhart, a principal analyst at Mandiant, a cybersecurity subsidiary of Google. They are more like a criminal enterprise. Still operating Part of the operations described in the indictment involved the creation of several bogus companies to entice employees at legitimate companies to open fraudulent job offers that hid malicious software, or malware. RFAs investigation found that one fictitious company named in the 2020 indictment iCrytpoFx is still used online, including on LinkedIn, a networking site which has more than 900 million users worldwide. A Yujin Cha, for example, advertises herself as a marketing manager for the company. RFA discovered through a reverse image search that the accompanying photo was stolen from a South Korean female professors university bio. The professor, who asked not to be named, did not know that her photo had been fraudulently used until she was contacted by RFA. The U.S. brought charges in 2020 against three operatives of a North Korean-sponsored hacking group known as Lazarus for the Sony hack and other cyber crimes. Credit: U.S. Dept. of Justice RFA contacted LinkedIn about the fraudulent account but has not received a response as of press time, and the fake profile was still active at the time of publication. Another person claimed to be the CEO of iCryptoFx. The account was later deleted after RFA messaged for a comment. This week, The Times of London reported that China, too, has used LinkedIn as a platform for intelligence gathering. A Chinese official using the alias Robin Zhang created fake companies to try to entice government officials, academics and scientists into releasing classified information, according to the report. Our Threat Prevention & Defense team actively seeks out signs of state-sponsored activity and removes fake accounts using information we uncover and intelligence from a variety of sources, including government agencies, an official from LinkedIn told the Times. Please read this U.S. officials say North Koreas cyber teams have only gotten more adept at illegally penetrating computer systems, and it isnt always money they are after. Shin Kak-soo, a former South Korean ambassador to Japan, told RFA that in June he received an email from Natalia Slavney a research analyst at the Stimson Center, a Washington, D.C., think tank, who edits analysis and commentary about North Korea. In the email, Slavney asked Shin to review an attached paper on North Korea nuclear weapons. The request wouldnt have been out of the ordinary but it wasnt the actual Slavney making the request. It was someone pretending to be her. Shin was later told hed been hacked and had to have his computer wiped to rid it of the malware attached to fraudulent email. The email appears to be part of an operation designed strictly to gather information, rather than to extort money. Cybersecurity experts say the hackers often start with simple requests that wouldnt necessarily raise alarms, patiently waiting for an opportunity to strike by implanting malware. Others may simply be intent on gathering intel about an organizations operations. They will send their targets emails. They will create conversations out of them. They will send them questionnaires, said Asheer Malhota, a researcher at Cisco Talos, a threat intelligence company. This is all in a bid to establish trust with their targets. Recorded Future, a Massachusetts-based cybersecurity firm, said in a report in June that more than 70% of the North Korean hacking cases it identified over the last 14 years more than 180 in total were related to espionage. It found about 50 examples of financially motivated attacks and 10 cases of cyberattacks designed to be disruptive. North Korea is extremely adaptive in its strategy for cyber attacks, said Rachel Paik, a researcher at CDRF Global, a cybersecurity company. Once international bodies start to sanction certain authorities, or once their methods are discovered, they are able to change tactics. This summer, the United States and South Korea issued a joint cybersecurity advisory, warning that North Koreans were posing as colleagues or journalists to fool their targets, often academics and officials at think tanks. One main point: old standbys to prevent hacking like looking out for weird URLs and bad grammar are likely no longer enough. Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Natalia Slavney. Edited by Jim Snyder and Boer Deng. Singers in Bangladesh camps use Tarana Geet, a genre of lyrical poems, to sing about their lives. Rohingya attending a rally at the Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Ukhia, Bangladesh, to commemorate the sixth anniversary of a mass exodus from Myanmar pay tribute to slain leader Muhib Ullah, Aug. 25, 2023. As the years pile up for Rohingya living in sprawling camps in Bangladesh, with no repatriation in sight, a traditional genre of ballad that serves as a means of easing pent-up emotions is being turned into an instrument of protest. Rohingya have long sung Tarana Geet, a type of lyrical poem, as a musical lament conveying themes of personal and religious tragedies. But in recent years, the ballads have become a must-have feature in Rohingya protest rallies at refugee camps in Coxs Bazar. The songs often evoke tears. Tarana reminds the Rohingyas that they too have a country from which they were exiled, said Mohammad Alam, a Rohingya leader who chairs a committee in one of the camps in Coxs Bazar. Tarana songs tell of a history of ongoing torture on us. Coxs Bazar, a southeastern district of Bangladesh, hosts about 1 million of the refugees in camps that sprawl near the border with Myanmar. These include 740,000 Rohingya who fled across the frontier following a brutal 2017 military crackdown in Rakhine, their home state. Recent Taranas, usually sung by a single vocalist with one or two simple instruments such as a mandolin or harmonium, capture a yearning for a lost home and the stresses of camp life. Recitations of popular songs such as Lets all go back to Arakan, referring to the historical name of Rakhine state, draw strong emotions in protest rallies. The Rohingya have an old love for Tarana songs composed with simple words in traditional tunes. We can readily grasp the mood they convey, said Nur Ahmad, an activist with the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights. Thats why its becoming our protest language now. On Aug. 25, 2017, Rohingya started to flee ethnic cleansing and widespread violence in Rakhine when the Burmese military launched an offensive in response to a Rohingya militant attack on border-police outposts. In March 2022, the United States declared the events a genocide. In the six years since, attempts to repatriate the refugees from Bangladesh have failed as international concerns about their protection and rights persist in Myanmar, which is ruled today by a military government, which seized power in a February 2021 coup. Sirajul Islam, a Rohingya musician, performs at a refugee hut in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, July 23, 2022. Credit: Sharif Khiam/BenarNews Sirajul Islam, a Rohingya musician for 24 years, makes a living by singing Taranas. Based on a well-established tune, he recently improvised a new Tarana lyric titled Rohingya Tragedy. based on a well-established tune. He agreed to sing it at a gathering in the Leda refugee camp last year for BenarNews correspondents: Oh brother, oh brother, listen carefully. Listen to Arakans story, oh brother. Someone has lost their husband. Someone has lost a descendant. Oppressed by Moghs and Burmese, our Rohingya mothers and sisters. How destitute have they made us. He went on to describe the pain of camp life: Come to the refugee camp. See how the situation is, brother. We live packed together, oh brother. One of his songs, named Rohingyas have no peace, is among the most popular Taranas among the refugee community: We are now stuck overseas, oh brother. No country has Arakan-like peace. When I recall Arakan, tears fill my eyes. Our desire cries out for Arakan, but we have no way to return. Recent upheavals in Rohingya camps inspired Islam and others to compose Taranas with more political themes. Many are crafted as a tribute to Muhib Ullah, a prominent Rohingya leader who was shot and killed two years ago. Ahmed Hossain, a 42-year-old refugee musician, sings in one of his songs, Everyone is here. Only Master Muhib Ullah isnt. Why is my heart burning, for Master Muhib Ullah Bhai. Preserving Tarana Taranas popularity has ignited a race to preserve these ballads. In the refugee camps, the Rohingya Cultural Memory Center (RCMC), run by the International Organization for Migration, preserves arts, artifacts, cultural treasures and heritage, including about 100 Rohingya songs of different varieties. RCMC also hosts performances by Rohingya artists, including Ahmed Hossain, and features traditional Rohingya musical instruments at its exhibition center in a camp in Ukhia, a sub-district of Coxs Bazar. The RCMC didnt respond to a request for comment, but Asif Munier, a cultural activist in Bangladesh formerly employed by the IOM, told BenarNews that earlier, the Rohingya tried to attract the international community by displaying signs in English during protests in the camp area. Its interesting that their protest is now going to a different approach. The Rohingya protest is now developing its own identity, he said. Hundreds participate in a rally at a Coxs Bazar refugee camp to commemorate what they call the Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day, marking the sixth anniversary of the beginning of a mass exodus from Myanmar, Aug. 25, 2023. Credit: Abdur Rahman/BenarNews Mayyu Khan, a young Rohingya artist and researcher, said he appreciated RCMCs work, but believed more needed to be done. His individual collection has more than 100 songs gathered since 2017. But he doesnt know about the original creators of most lyrics and songs. I only recorded most of the soundtrack on my phone and also gathered rare songs from other peoples devices. He uploads the songs on his social media pages, but aspires to build a more robust archive of the musical treasures. Meanwhile, a record company in Australia, dedicated to capturing lives in exile, has recorded some of the Tarana music, sourcing songs and lyrics from traditional folklore and refugee artists. On its website, Music in Exile said only a few high-quality recordings of Rohingya traditional music exist and notes that little has been written about the music in English. Few musical recordings have been made in Rohingya villages or refugee camps, the NGO wrote after a trip to the area. Despite increasing media attention on the crisis, most reports focus solely on the atrocities refugees have faced and not on their culture and memory an essential part of their story gets left behind. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. GE Vernova's Hydro Power business announced today (June 29) that it has been selected by Hafslund Eco to deliver new Rotorpoles for the 3x 280 MW / 300 MVA water-cooled generators used by the Aurland 1 hydropower plant in Norway. The replacement of the Rotorpoles on the three water-cooled generators will help maintain the efficiency of the generators for decades. The services activities will be completed between the summer of 2025 and 2027. The Rotorpoles are to be assembled in GE Vernova's Norway Services Workshop in Lier. To optimize downtime, Hafslund Eco also decided to combine the service of the water-cooled generators with the refurbishment program of the hydropower plant expected within the same timeframe. Water-cooled generators can offer up to 20-30% higher power output and higher efficiency than conventional air-cooled generators, reducing operating temperatures and ventilation losses. GE Vernova's Hydro Power business has demonstrated its expertise delivering components for projects in Norway and beyond. Tormod Kleppa (Director of Projects), Hafslund ECO, said: "We are happy to be working with GE on this project. The Servicing of our Aurland 1 is an important project for us and we are glad to count on GE to deliver the new Rotorpoles while the refurbishment program is undergoing." Built between 1969-1989, the Aurland 1 HPP represents Hafslund Eco's largest power plant, and Norway's third largest hydropower plant, delivering 840 MW of renewable energy to the country. In Norway, more than 90% of power generation comes from hydropower (~33 GW installed base). According to the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the huge potential for hydropower in Norway is linked to the high mountain plateaus, abundant natural lakes and steep valleys and fjords. Hydropower provided the basis for the nation's industrialization in the late 19th century, and remains the backbone of its power system. Pascal Radue, Hydro Power President & CEO, GE Vernova, said: "Norway has been an inspiring example of how hydropower can contribute to the energy transition by delivering a large amount of renewable energy in the very long term. Today, the average age of the fleet is about 50 years, opening up for refurbishment needs, that will help extend the lifetime but also increase even more the efficiency of hydropower plants, without any need to re-build a dam. We are thrilled to partner with Hafslund ECO on this service project." About GE Vernova's Hydro Power business With around 4,000 employees in over 30 countries, GE Vernova's hydropower turbines and generators produce more than 25% of the world's hydropower capacity and more than 30% of hydropower storage plants are equipped with GE's technology. GE Vernova's Hydro Power business provides hydropower solutions to deliver more renewable energy to the world in a reliable and sustainable way. From services solutions to pumped storage, their portfolio includes a broad range of hydro solutions and services. To learn more visit gevernova.com. GE Vernova is a dynamic accelerator comprised of our Power, Renewable Energy, Digital and Energy Financial Services businesses, focused on supporting customers' transformations during the global energy transition. For media inquiries, please contact: Agathe Lefevre de la Houpliere Communications, Hydro Power GE Vernova +33 1 85 32 24 46 agathe.lefevre-de-la-houpliere@ge.com Troops have been shelling villages and occupying others in the same township. Residents of Khin-U township, Sagaing region pictured on August 25, 2023 after being forced to abandon their homes due to junta raids and shelling. More than 6,000 people in Myanmars Sagaing region have fled their homes because of heavy shelling and junta raids on their villages, locals told RFA Friday. They said an infantry battalion of around 100 troops entered Khin-U townships Pin Din village, prompting around 2,500 residents of nearby villages to abandon their homes. At the same time, around 3,500 people abandoned villages in the southwest of the township because another battalion was shelling their homes with heavy artillery. Junta troops are raiding Khin-U township every day, said a local who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. The raids only stopped for one day. One man died as he ran from his home during heavy shelling, the man said. On Friday, RFA phoned the junta spokesperson for Sagaing region Tin Than Win to seek comment on the raids but he didnt answer. Four days earlier he denied any knowledge of current military operations in the region. There have been repeated raids on Khin-U township this year. Residents and local defense groups said troops destroyed 6,000 houses there, leaving 30,000 villagers homeless. Sagaing has the highest number of internally displaced people of all the states and regions in Myanmar. More than 800,000 people in the region have been forced to abandon their homes since the February 2021 coup due to intense fighting between junta troops and Peoples Defense Forces, according to the U.N. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. Move will reduce attacks that have killed thousands of civilians, Myanmars shadow government says. Two Myanmar jet fighters fire missiles during an exercise near Magway on Jan. 31, 2019. Myanmars shadow government, armed resistance and activists have welcomed the U.S. Treasury Departments expansion of sanctions targeting those who procure jet fuel the military regime uses in air strikes against civilians at a rate of nearly once every two days. More than 3,900 civilians have been killed by the regime since it seized power in February 2021, the Treasury Department said in announcing the move Wednesday, with the junta increasingly reliant on violent air strikes against civilians, including women and schoolchildren, to maintain its hold on power. Myanmars shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, Presidential Office Spokesman Kyaw Zaw welcomed the sanctions, saying they will help prevent the loss of lives to junta airstrikes. "These jets are used by the military to kill innocent civilians and destroy hospitals, clinics, religious buildings and houses, he told RFA Burmese. Many lives have been lost due to the juntas air strikes. We welcome the U.S. sanctions aimed at preventing such losses." Accompanying Wednesdays announcement was the designation of two Burmese individuals Khin Phyu Win and Zaw Min Tun and a company Shoon Energy Pte. Ltd that the Treasury Department said were involved in procuring jet fuel for use by Myanmars military. The sanctions mean that American citizens and firms, including banks, cannot have any business relationship with those targeted. The announcement singled out two recent air strikes on civilians in the Sagaing region one in April and one in June as the impetus for the expansion of the sanctions, saying the sanctions will further deprive the regime of the resources that enable it to oppress its citizens. Sagaing has been a hotbed of clashes between the military and anti-junta Peoples Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitaries since the February 2021 coup. Almost 800,000 residents of the region have been forced to flee due to the conflict since the junta seized power, the United Nations says. Frequent airstrikes According to a report released in May by the Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, the junta has conducted at least 1,427 air strikes, at a rate of nearly once every two days, since the military seized power. Kayin state, home to the Karen National Union ethnic army, saw the highest number of strikes in the 27 months of junta rule ending in May, followed by Sagaing. A member of the PDF in Kayin, who declined to be named for security reasons, said that the U.S. sanctions will bolster the resistance and protect civilians. Our revolutionary forces gladly welcome and support such sanctions, he said. The juntas attacks using airplanes have affected not only our revolutionary forces, but also innocent civilians. Many people are injured and killed by such attacks." A Myanmar junta airstrike severely damaged Ave Maria church in Kayah states Hpruso township, Aug. 12, 2023. Credit: KNDF Since March 1, rights groups including Amnesty International, Global Witness and Burma Campaign (UK) have issued reports urging the international community to sanction large energy companies that sell jet fuel to the junta, as well as the transportation and insurance companies that help the regime procure it. Burma Campaign (UK) Director Mark Farmaner praised Washingtons response this week, calling it one of the best things the U.S. government can do to prevent the human rights abuses and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Sanctions will not change our country But Thein Tun Oo, the executive director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, a group of former military officers, suggested that the sanctions will have little impact on Myanmar as a whole, but an outsized negative effect on its people. "Western countries always assume that such sanctions could change the course of a country, but when you look back at the history of the world, it has only been successful with almost entirely isolated and helpless countries, he said. What is certain is that sanctions will not change our country in the direction they want it to go, although it will affect the grass-root level. Attempts by RFA to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the sanctions went unanswered Thursday. Ko Mike, a spokesman for the Blood Money Campaign, a collective of Myanmar activists campaigning to stop revenues reaching the junta, argued that the jet fuel sanctions will have a meaningful impact if implemented correctly. "The military [in prior regimes] has experienced such sanctions and found ways to maneuver its path to continue its course, he noted. If the U.S. government cooperates properly with the governments of [Association of Southeast Asian Nation] countries like Singapore, I believe they will be able to put a more effective jet fuel embargo into place against the junta." The U.S. has been gradually ramping up economic sanctions against the junta since the coup. In June, Washington sanctioned two of Myanmars state-owned banks Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank in a bid to cut off funds to the regime, citing its purchase of arms from foreign sellers. Junta Central Bank Chairwoman Than Than Swe told businessmen over the weekend that the sanctions and their impact have made the regime furious, while junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing accused some countries of using the U.S. dollar as a weapon in a video address to the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security on Aug. 15. Other banks have also taken steps. Since the sanctions were put in place, United Overseas Bank, one of Singapores largest banks, announced earlier this month that it would suspend all bank-to-bank operations with Myanmar starting Sept. 1. Sonali Bank, owned by the Bangladesh government, also announced last week that it had frozen accounts for the two banks with a total value of more than US$1.1 million. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. More than two years after a coup detat, anti-junta self-help community schools are thriving in western Myanmars Chin state, but teachers and parents say studies are hindered by the constant threat of indiscriminate airstrikes. Since the February 2021 takeover, students across the country have dropped out of schools run by the military regime, while teachers have been at the forefront of the Civil Disobedience Movement, or CDM, of civil servants leaving their jobs to protest the coup. In the education vacuum that followed, communities around Myanmar cooperated with local Peoples Defense Force paramilitaries to establish their own self-help schools where students and teachers could continue their classes free from junta influence. Self-help schools in Chin state have enjoyed high rates of enrollment and, while the exact number of facilities is still being finalized, around 90% of those planned are operational, according to the local board of education. But residents told RFA Burmese that airstrikes are increasingly common in the state amid a military offensive since the start of the year, impacting childrens studies. We are always anxious as the jet fighters often fly over us, said the headmaster of one Chin self-help school, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns. The planes always come when you least expect them." Constant fear A self-help schoolteacher, who also declined to be named, said that the locations of the schools in Chin state cannot be publicly revealed because teachers and students live in constant fear of junta airstrikes, ground offensives and other harassment. Junta troops intercept and confiscate supplies and teaching materials that aid organizations and benefactors donate to us, he said. That's why even opening a school has to be done quietly." The junta has tried to administrate education in Chin, but with little success. A 'self-help' school in Thantlang in Myanmars Chin state, April 2, 2022. Credit: Citizen journalist According to the Chin Human Rights Organization, only a handful of the 14 schools it operates in the state are functioning and mostly in cities it controls. Residents say that those that have opened suffer from teacher shortages amid an exodus to the CDM. Despite the threat of military attack, self-help schools have fared far better in the state since the coup. According to education officials, more than 50,000 students are currently enrolled in self-help schools at levels from elementary to high school throughout Chin State. They said that in Mindat township, at least 180 self-help schools are operating one for nearly every village in the area. Studies amid conflict Yaw Mam, a spokesman for the Mindat Peoples administration said there are challenges associated with running a self-help school, including the need to split students into smaller groups in separate locations to avoid crowds that might attract attention from the military. Students have to study in farms, houses, monasteries and churches, he said. We have to split them into smaller groups in separate locations throughout the whole village." Attacks on villages have led to injuries and even deaths at self-help schools. On April 27, the junta dropped bombs on the Chin village of Tlanglo as a self-help school was preparing to open, killing a teacher named Ni Dim. The Chin Human Rights Organization says that nearly 30 schools and buildings in school compounds in Chin state have been damaged by military airstrikes since the coup. Chin social commentator Salai Dokhar said he believes that the junta has intentionally attacked schools and hospitals controlled by the PDF in Chin state in a bid to shake public confidence in the armed resistance. If you look at Chin state, public services provided by the revolutionary forces cover far wider areas than the military and the people are more dependent on these services, he said. Thats why I think the junta attacked hospitals and schools with the intention to damage the revolution." Attempts by RFA to contact the juntas Chin state spokesman Thant Zin regarding military attacks on schools went unanswered Thursday. According to a list compiled by RFA, at least 35 civilians have been killed by junta airstrikes in Chin since the coup. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. The defense leaders announced their 'mutual interest' plans during a military exercise in Zambales province. The Philippines and Australia said Friday that they would jointly patrol areas within South China Sea waters claimed by the Southeast Asian nation, as they showcased their capabilities in fighting off a potential invasion. Coordinated patrols will be necessary for keeping vital sea lanes in the waterway open, the Philippine and Australian defense chiefs said as the troops from the two allies took part in joint maritime exercises, amid international tensions in the territorially contested sea and over Taiwan. We recommitted to planning bilateral joint patrols in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea and other areas of mutual interest, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, said in a joint statement. We committed to expanding some of our bilateral activities in the future to include other countries committed to sustaining peace and security in our region. Earlier this month, the Philippines announced that it would be launching joint patrols in the sea with the United States this year. Teodoro and Marles agreed to elevate the defense relationship and for Australia to host the Philippines in an inaugural defense ministers meeting next year. We share a firm commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region where all countries are free to exercise their sovereignty consistent with international law, they said. Marcos observes drills Joint patrols have been on the drawing board since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office last year. Marcos attended amphibious exercises on Friday in San Antonio, a town in northern Zambales province that faces the South China Sea. Its the same area where U.S. and Philippine troops held joint exercises in April. This time around, the Americans were assisting in the drills between the Filipinos and Australians. Marcos said he would discuss continuation of the exercise with his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during Albaneses expected two-day visit to the country in early September. Thats certainly going to be part of the discussion that I will be having with the prime minister when he comes to visit us here in the Philippines, Marcos told reporters here. Both countries, he said, would have to come up with new strategies, ideas and agreements in terms of boosting their security partnership, noting the training was a very well-run exercise. Exercise Alon 2023 is the first amphibious exercise between Filipino and Australian troops. It opened in Darwin, Australia, on Aug. 14, and will end on Aug. 31. The exercise has involved 700 Filipino and 1,200 Australian troops while about 150 U.S. Marines have participated in a support role, officials said. It is part of Australias Indo-Pacific Endeavor to strengthen engagement and partnerships in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean region. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) is greeted by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as he arrives to watch drills with Australian and U.S. troops in San Antonio town in Zambales, Philippines, Aug. 25, 2023. Credit: Handout photo/Philippines Department of National Defense Fridays exercise involved Australian and Filipino troops, backed by the marines, practicing retaking an island seized by hostile forces. Marcos, joined by the two defense chiefs, watched mock beach landings, assaults and helicopter insertion of forces on a Philippine naval base. It is an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality and considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region, Marcos said. Teodoro said the drills were a testament to the hard work that the three allies had put into coordinating and planning the successful mission. But this mission is just a manifestation of where we want our defense and bilateral relations to be and it is close to coming from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic one, he said, adding that regional security was essential to the national securities of both our countries. Earlier this week, the Philippines successfully delivered supplies to its troops at a military outpost in the South China Sea despite attempts by the Chinese to block its ships from the disputed waters, Filipino officials said Tuesday. Manila carried out the mission two weeks after the China Coast Guard fired water cannons at a Philippine coast guard ship that was escorting a convoy of boats bringing supplies to marines stationed aboard a rusty old navy ship in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal). China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Lured by the promise of jobs, the teens may be headed for Myanmar or China, relatives say. Two families in southern Vietnam told Radio Free Asia on Friday that their children were recently taken by car to Laos by a group of human traffickers who seemed to be preparing to smuggle them into either Myanmar or China. The number of children who left Phu Quoc city in Kien Giang province was at least five, according to family members. One of them Trinh Khanh Hoang Anh, 17 was promised a job in Ha Tien, a city near the Cambodian border at the southernmost point on the Vietnamese mainland but apparently is being taken to Myanmar. Phu Quoc city is on an island by the same name in the Gulf of Thailand, about 45 km (28 miles) by ferry from Ha Tien. Five days ago, he left with a group, saying they were going to Ha Tien to find a job, said Trinh Huu Phuoc, Hoang Anhs father. But unexpectedly they got in a car, and he didnt know how, but now they are in Laos and preparing to go to Myanmar. The teenager sent home a text message asking for help and saying he doesnt want to go, but his new friends wouldnt let him return, Phuoc told RFA. He questioned how a teenager could make it to Laos without a passport. My family is very confused, he said. In my opinion, theres a scheme to tempt underage kids into jobs like that, because theyre all underage teens. Hard to investigate Le Thi Truc Ly told a similar story about her niece, 15-year-old Le Thi Tuong Vy, who is also now in Laos. Tuong Vy sold goods online and came up with the idea to travel to China through her Internet contacts, the aunt said. Many young Vietnamese people have been going there for work, so she decided to follow suit, she told her aunt via text message. Tuong Vy didnt disclose anything, she just said that she had been asked to go to China in three days, she told RFA. During those three days, my sister kept a close watch on her at home. But while her mother was doing something at the back of the house, Tuong Vy slipped away with the new friends and got into a car, the aunt said. The family is poor the parents work as hired laborers and Tuong Vy only studied until the 7th grade and has no identity papers, the aunt said. Tuong Vy went in the same group as Hoang Anh, which she told her aunt consisted of six or seven people. When they drew close to the Thai border, the group was split into two, with all girls in one car and the boys and one girl in another car, the aunt said. When we reported to Phu Quoc police, they asked us to present Tuong Vys messages to them, the aunt said. They said if it was a kidnapping or something else, they would get involved. But in this case, Vy asked and voluntarily went, so its hard to investigate. Phuoc told RFA that his family also reported the incident to local police. They told him that she should file a report at the provincial police station in Rach Gia on the mainland, more than 80 km (50 miles) from Ha Tien. RFA Vietnamese contacted Phu Quoc police to ask about the incident and about whether Phu Quoc has recently had similar trafficking incidents. An officer who picked up the phone referred a reporter to the departments criminal division. RFA sent emails to Laos diplomatic agency requesting comment about cross-border human trafficking cases, but the agency didnt immediately reply. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Welcome back to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Mustafa Sarwar, a senior news editor at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue Hora Sadat, a prominent female Afghan YouTuber, mysteriously died in Kabul on August 21. Reports suggested the 25-year-old was poisoned after attending a public event. The Taliban on August 24 said that two people -- a man and a woman -- had been arrested in connection with Sadats death. The motive for her alleged poisoning is not clear. Sadats death has prompted anger on social media, with some activists pointing the finger at the Taliban. But others have speculated that personal enmity could have been the cause of her death. She is believed to have recently split from her fiance. When contacted by RFE/RLs Radio Azadi, Sadats brother refused to comment on the details of her death. Why It's Important: Sadats death has underscored the dangers faced by women under the Taliban. Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban has banned women from education and most forms of employment, effectively denied them any public role in society, and imposed strict limitations on their mobility and appearance. Sadat, who had tens of thousands of subscribers on YouTube, produced videos on social issues for a mainly young audience. She also participated in public events organized by women in Kabul, although she was not known for publicly criticizing the Taliban. Maryam Maarouf Arwin, an Afghan womens rights activist, told Radio Azadi that she suspected Sadat had been targeted and killed. In the past, we have witnessed the murder of active women many times," she said. There is no evidence that the Taliban was involved in Sadats death. What's Next: The militant group has previously detained or arrested women who have played a visible role in society, a trend that is likely to continue. On August 20, the Taliban detained eight female members of the Afghan Unity and Solidarity Movement, which has publicly opposed the militant groups draconian policies. The women were reportedly released after vowing to stop their protests. In January, Mursal Nabidzadah, a former female lawmaker, was shot dead along with a bodyguard when unidentified gunmen broke into her house in Kabul. The motives for her killing still remain unclear. The Week's Best Stories 'Forced To Dress Like a Muslim': Taliban Imposes Restrictions On Afghanistan's Sikh, Hindu Minorities Members of Afghanistan's tiny Sikh and Hindu communities say the Taliban has imposed restrictions on their appearances and prevented them from marking important religious holidays in public. Many Afghan Sikhs and Hindus have fled the country in recent years following deadly attacks targeting the religious minorities. 'I Feel Suffocated': Taliban Intensifies Clampdown On Music In Afghanistan The Taliban is intensifying the enforcement of its ban on music. In the western city of Herat, residents say that members of the Taliban's morality police have searched cars and confiscated MP3 players and USBs containing music. Others in the city complain that the militants are also searching homes and seizing musical instruments, which they then burn publicly. What To Keep An Eye On The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in a report released on August 24 that 33 hospitals that provide services to around 9 million Afghans are on the verge of stopping their services. The organization also noted an uptick in the cases of acute diarrhea and dengue fever in the country. The report came after Daniel Endres, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, said on August 17 that 260 fixed and mobile health centers have been closed in the country, depriving some 2 million people access to health services. Why It's Important: Afghanistan has been gripped by a public health-care crisis since the Taliban seized power, which led to Western donors abruptly cutting off assistance. Aid groups funded by international donors have continued their operations in the fields of health, education, and food assistance. But their activities have been hampered by decreasing funding by donors, the Talibans alleged interference in the delivery of foreign aid, and the militants ban on women working for NGOs. Declining funding by international donors is likely to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the largest in the world. Mohammad Ali, a resident of Kabul, told Radio Azadi that he is concerned about the possible closure of the 33 hospitals funded by Western donors. "Afghans are in such a bad situation. They are wondering when they will eat their next bit of bread. What should we do if the hospitals are closed?" he said. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. Until next time, Mustafa Sarwar If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. More than 20 people were injured -- two critically -- when a mob of hundreds of people shouting anti-Jewish epithets stormed and shut down the airport in the Russian city of Makhachkala in the predominantly Muslim region of Daghestan after a flight arrived from Israel on October 29. Dagestans Health Ministry said on October 30 that 10 of those injured needed hospital attention, while the Baza Telegram channel said six police officers were among the casualties. Riot police were called to the scene after disturbances broke out when the aircraft arrived, prompting the Interior Ministry office in Makhachkala to send for reinforcements, including National Guard units, to ensure the safety of arriving passengers, according to the Baza Telegram channel. The RIA Novosti news agency reported on October 30 that 60 people have been detained at the airport. Russia's aviation authority later said the airport would remain closed until November 6. Anti-Jewish protests have broken out in several cities in the region in the face of Israels war with Hamas, rulers of the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip. The Israeli Foreign Ministry on October 29 demanded that Russia protect Israelis and Jews and to apprehend anyone threatening them. "Israel expects the Russian authorities to protect all Israeli citizens and all Jews, and to act decisively against the rioters and against incitement to violence against Jews and Israelis," a statement said. Late on October 29, videos and photos from the scene published by RFE/RLs Caucasus.Realities indicated that protesters had stormed onto the Makhachkala runway, attempting to gain entry to the incoming plane. Authorities said the airport was immediately closed for incoming and outgoing flights, while police reportedly began jamming communications in the airport area to prevent the crowd from coordinating further actions. A local news Telegram channel reported that protesters were attempting to check the identities of arriving passengers, seeking to prevent Jews from leaving the airport, including searching police vehicles. A protester was seen in one unconfirmed video carried a sign saying, "Child killers have no place in Daghestan." Daghestani officials accused "enemies of Russia" of instigating the anti-Semitic sentiments after the Coordination Center of Muslims of the North Caucasus called on authorities to prevent refugees from Israel from entering the republic, according to the Caucasian Knot news website. The Internal Affairs Ministry said that, "against the background of the situation in Makhachkala, the identities of all those who take part in the riots will be established, since video surveillance works at the airport." "We recommend that all persons who have violated the operating procedures of the [airport] to cease the illegal actions and to not interfere with the work of airport employees," a Telegram statement said. "It is not easy for each of us to stand and watch the inhumane massacre of a civilian population -- the Palestinian people, the government statement said. "Still, we urge residents of the republic not to succumb to provocations of destructive groups and not to create panic in society." Anti-Semitic rallies took place over the weekend in other cities of the North Caucasus protesting against Israels military campaign. The Middle East conflict broke out after Hamas militants stormed Israel on October 7, killing hundreds of people and taking more than 200 hostage. Israel retaliated with a military campaign against Gaza, leading to the deaths of some 8,000 people and the destruction of much of Gaza City. On October 28, a rally was held in Cherkessk, the capital of the Karachayevo-Cherkessia Republic, demanding that residents of Israel not be allowed into the republic. On the night of October 29, residents of Derbent in Daghestan protested after false reports of the settling of refugees from Israel in local hotels. With reporting by AFP and RIA Novosti The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the plane crash near Moscow that is believed to have killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group that ran afoul of President Vladimir Putin by launching a short-lived mutiny against Russia's top army brass over how the war against Ukraine was being conducted. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told a news conference on August 25 that tests to identify the 10 victims and an investigation were still being carried out into the crash, a day after Putin broke his silence on the August 23 accident, referring to Prigozhin in the past tense while sending his condolences to the families of those who perished. Russias Investigative Committee on August 25 said the plane's flight recorder and all 10 bodies had been recovered, with DNA testing now under way. Prigozhin's name was on the plane's manifest but it has not yet been officially confirmed that he was on the plane, which mysteriously crashed north of Moscow. Britain's Defense Ministry said on August 25 that while there is not yet "definitive proof" that Prigozhin was onboard and he is known to exercise "exceptional" security measures, "it is highly likely that he is indeed dead." Putin called Prigozhin "a talented man," who made "serious mistakes," though he didn't elaborate on the miscues made by the man who just two months earlier led a short-lived mutiny against the Russian military and presented the most serious challenge to the Russian leader in his more than two decades in power. Prigozhin, for years a close ally of Putin, was not arrested or detained at the time of the mutiny, but the president denounced the insurrection as a stab in the back and vowed to punish all "traitors" involved. "There is now a great deal of speculation surrounding this plane crash and the tragic deaths of the plane's passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin. Of course, in the West, all this speculation is presented from a well-known angle," Peskov said. "All of this is an absolute lie, and here, when covering this issue, it is necessary to base yourself on facts. There are not many facts yet. They need to be established in the course of investigative actions," he said. Wagner commander and co-founder Dmitry Utkin was also listed among the seven passengers on the Wagner jet, Russia's aviation authority said, quoting the airline. Two pilots and a flight attendant also were onboard the plane, the aviation authority said, adding an investigation into the incident has been launched. While there has been no official confirmation from the Kremlin or the Defense Ministry that Prigozhin and Utkin died, a Telegram channel linked to Wagner has pronounced him dead. The channel, Grey Zone, declared Prigozhin a hero and a patriot who it said had died at the hands of unidentified people it called "traitors to Russia." Grey Zone also reported that another private jet owned by Prigozhin landed safely in the Moscow region. The information could not be independently verified immediately. However, Reuters on August 25 quoted the CEO of the aircraft operator of that plane as saying it does not have any connection to the mercenary group. "Neither the plane itself nor its passengers are related to Wagner and never have been," Jetica's CEO Sergey Trifonov told Reuters. The ownership of the second plane could not immediately be independently verified. The deaths of Prigozhin and Utkin, if proven true, would be a severe blow to the Wagner group, which was key in Russia's battle to take the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut earlier this year. Wagner soldiers have also been deployed to Syria, where Russia supports President Bashar Assads government in a civil war and in Libya, where they fought alongside forces of commander Khalifa Hifter. The group has also operated in the Central African Republic and Mali. "The demise of Prigozhin would almost certainly have a deeply destabilizing effect on the Wagner Group," the British Defense Ministry said. "His personal attributes of hyper-activity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor.... Wagner's leadership vacuum would be compounded by the reports that founder and field commander Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov also died." The Wagner chief's whereabouts have been largely a mystery since the mutiny. He appeared in his first video since the mutiny earlier this week. In footage possibly shot in Africa and published on August 21 on Telegram channels affiliated with the Wagner group, Prigozhin is seen standing in a desert area in camouflage and with a rifle in his hands. Earlier he was believed to be moving between Russia and Belarus, where Wagner troops have been setting up camps to train Belarusian armed forces as part of a deal negotiated that helped end the mutiny. The Wagner insurrection came on the heels of months of intense public infighting with Russias military leadership over the war strategy in Ukraine and ammunition supplies. Xcel Energy is proposing to upgrade nearly 100 miles of transmission line in Minnesota and eastern South Dakota, allowing the company to deliver more low-cost renewable energy to electric customers throughout the Upper Midwest while saving customers millions of dollars a year. This week, the company filed a Certificate of Need application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to install a second circuit on two segments of the existing Brookings County-Hampton transmission line. The new second circuit will run between Brookings, South Dakota and Marshall, Minnesota and Scott and Dakota counties in Minnesota. Xcel Energy is leading the permitting and construction efforts. "This project allows us to use existing infrastructure to decrease congestion on our transmission system while limiting the impact to landowners in the area," said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "It will bring low-cost, renewable wind energy to millions of homes and businesses, allowing us to further reduce carbon emissions with a focus on meeting customers' energy needs reliably and affordably." The transmission project will provide additional capacity to relieve congestion on the grid, allowing more low-cost wind power from southwest Minnesota and eastern South Dakota to reach customers throughout the region. Wind energy does not have any fuel costs and contributes to a diversified energy mix, which helps protect against rising fuel prices and saves customers money. The project supports the company's vision of delivering 100% carbon-free electricity in Minnesota by 2040 to meet the state's new clean energy standards. Most of the proposed project will not require changes to the existing transmission line route, which began operation in 2015 as part of the CapX2020 project, a joint project with several other utilities. At that time, the Public Utilities Commission and CapX2020 companies agreed there would likely be a need for new transmission in the future. As a result, the project team constructed the middle portion of the line between Lyon and Scott counties with two circuits and built the western and eastern segments as "double circuit capable." This allowed the companies to meet customers' energy needs at the time while anticipating growing energy demand in the future. The new second circuit would be placed on existing transmission structures and run approximately 60 miles from the Brookings County substation near White, South Dakota to the Lyon County substation near Marshall, Minnesota. A second 39-mile segment would run between the Helena substation in Scott County, Minnesota and the Hampton substation in Dakota County, Minnesota. The Public Utilities Commission will review Xcel Energy's proposal, a process that generally takes up to one year and includes opportunities for input from customers, landowners and other key stakeholders. If the state approves the project, the company expects to start installing the new circuit in 2024 and finish the project in 2025. The project will have far-reaching congestion relief benefits and is expected to include investment by Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Great River Energy, Missouri River Energy Services and Otter Tail Power Company. Adding transmission to meet customers' needs The Brookings Second Circuit project is one of many examples of how Xcel Energy and other Minnesota utilities are planning for future energy needs in the Upper Midwest. As the amount of wind energy in the Upper Midwest has increased, wind farms are now providing more energy than the transmission grid can reliably deliver to customers. This causes congestion in the transmission system, like a traffic jam on a highway. Adding transmission capacity will open access for more low-cost renewable energy to reach customers. Xcel Energy's proposed Minnesota Energy Connection is a separate project that would connect wind resources in southwest Minnesota with the company's current infrastructure at the Sherco plant in Becker. The company is also in the planning stages for $1 billion in additional transmission work approved by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO. Learn more about the Brookings Second Circuit project, including maps of the project area and an opportunity to provide feedback. About Xcel Energy Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Armita Garavand, the 17-year-old girl fatally injured in an alleged confrontation with Iran's morality police over a head-scarf violation, was buried amid tight security in Tehran on October 29. Unconfirmed reports say several people, including two of Garavands relatives, were arrested during the ceremony at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in southern Tehran. Civil rights activist Reza Khandan told RFE/RLs Radio Farda that his wife, prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, was beaten and detained at the funeral. "A number of participants were arrested and beaten up. Nasrin was among them," Khandan said by phone from Tehran. WATCH: Scores of mourners attended the burial of Iranian teenager Armita Garavand on October 29 in Tehran. Amateur video obtained by RFE/RL shows raw emotions on display at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery and at a separate funeral ceremony in the Jaberi mosque. A heavy police presence was observed at both places. He added that a number of those detained had been released, although others, including Sotoudeh, remained in detention. He said he hasn't been able to contact her. Irans semiofficial Fars news agency later confirmed that Sotoudeh had been detained, charged with violating the conservative Islamic nation's head-scarf law. Sotoudeh has previously been arrested and jailed after representing opposition activists, including women prosecuted for removing their mandatory headscarves. Video clips published on social media showed a large crowds of people -- both men and women -- attending the burial ceremony. Irans state media had reported Garavands death on October 28, nearly a month after she fell and went into a coma in the Tehran subway. Garavand was reportedly confronted by the morality police in the subway at the start of October for failing to wear a hijab. The news of Garavand's death came just over a year after the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest by Irans morality police for an alleged head-scarf violation sparked nationwide protests and international condemnation. A relative told Radio Farda that security agents had told the family they would be given Garavand's body under the condition that the burial be held in Tehran and not in their native village in the western province of Kermanshah. "We live in Tehran, but we don't bury our dead [here]. We hope to receive Armita's body, the family member had said. Shortly after the subway incident, authorities isolated Garavand family members and attempted to prevent journalists from reaching them. Security measures were still being enforced as of October 28, fueling speculation that authorities were worried about renewed protests in the country. Rights groups and journalists say Garavand and two of her friends were confronted on October 1 by police officers for not wearing the mandatory hijab as they tried to enter a Tehran subway station. One of the friends has said the officers physically assaulted Garavand, who later fell unconscious after entering a subway carriage. Officials have said Garavand suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure, fainted, and fell to the floor, hitting her head. A source at Fajr Hospital, who spoke to Radio Farda on condition of anonymity due to security reasons, said shortly after the incident that Garavand suffered internal bleeding in the brain. "Unfortunately, she went into a coma for some time after suffering from brain damage. She died a few minutes ago," the official government news agency IRNA said on October 28. Garavand's condition triggered concerns in the West and among international rights groups after a purported video of the incident circulated on social media. The video shows Garavand entering the subway car, but it does not show what exactly transpired in the seconds before her body is shown being carried back out of it. Amnesty International has issued a statement saying authorities should allow an independent international delegation, including UN experts, to investigate the circumstances leading up to Garavand's hospitalization. Tehran has left the request unanswered. The United States on October 29 said it was deeply saddened by the death of Garavand after she was beaten by Iran's morality police for not wearing a hijab in public." Iran's state-sponsored violence against its own people is appalling and underscores the fragility of the regime, White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan wrote on social media. Garavands case, and suggestions of a cover-up by the authorities, has drawn parallels with the events leading up to the death of 22-year-old Amini last year. Aminis death soon after she was arrested for allegedly violating Irans hijab law triggered the greatest threat to the Islamic republic's leadership since the 1979 revolution. State media has shown Garavand's parents speaking of various potential causes for their daughter's fall and injury. It is not clear if the statements were made under duress, but the Hengaw human rights group, which first reported the incident, said on October 5 that Garavand's mother, Shahin Ahmadi, had been detained temporarily by Iranian government security forces. Earlier this month, Amini and the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran that was triggered by her death were awarded this year's Sakharov Prize, the European Parliaments top rights award, the second honor bestowed upon Iranian women this month for their sometimes deadly struggle for human rights after activist Narges Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize. With reporting by dpa BUCHAREST -- When she stopped in last month at a shop called Magazin Romanesc, in a village about 40 minutes east of Spains Valencia Coast, Malina says she was pleasantly surprised to find newspapers dedicated to the Romanian community. She and a friend went in out of curiosity, she says, but got a lot more than they bargained for when they picked up a slim volume of a magazine called Tara Mea, or My Country. I was so shocked by the content that my first instinct was to take all the magazines and burn them or hide them so nobody could see the contents, Malina, who does not want her last name published, tells RFE/RLs Romanian Service. It bills itself as a magazine for those who love Romania. But it hints at deep suspicion of the Romanian state. Its five articles and two news stories on its 12 pages in the first issue all involve questions of child welfare with conspiratorial twists. There are new and recycled polemical tracts on pedophilia and the states alleged plans to turn children into docile instruments of secularism or to facilitate the breakdown of the family. Malina, who lives in Northern Ireland, was outraged. This doesnt represent me, my beliefs, my origins, or my community, she recalls thinking. But its unclear how much her compatriots agree with that assessment. The free Romanian-language Tara Mea has caught the attention of Romanians at home and abroad since arriving in shops frequented by Eastern European expats in Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Those countries are home to more than half of the 5.7 million Romanians who officially reside abroad. Those communities proved to be a springboard for the nationalist-populist right wing in Romania most conspicuously represented by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), which exploded onto the scene with a 9 percent showing in elections three years ago peddling traditionalist views backed by extreme right-wing intellectuals and echoes of interwar fascism. Although there is no evidence so far of a direct link, Cristian Pirvulescu, dean of the political science faculty at the National School of Political Science and Public Administration (SNSPA) in Bucharest, says Tara Mea looks like a bid to boost AURs influence and electoral prospects among Romanians abroad. AUR is counting on a massive vote of Romanians from the diaspora, and not only those who come from the evangelical, neo-Protestant environment but also those from the Orthodox world, Parvulescu tells RFE/RLs Romanian Service. An article for the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), a political-science talking shop, warned last month that the AUR is growing in popularity, and with parliamentary elections coming in 2024, the party constitutes a real threat to the mainstream. Romania is slated to hold four rounds of elections next year, kicking off with EU elections in June followed by local voting, then presidential and parliamentary ballots. Writing for the ECPR, Ivo Kesler, an undergraduate student who follows extremism and authoritarianism in the region, wrote that the far right has awoken again in Romania, and it is stronger than ever. He added that after the 2024 parliamentary elections, we face the alarming prospect of AUR becoming a governing party. He noted extreme volatility and the commonplace of short-lived governments in Romania, fueled in part by the kind of dissatisfaction and longing for a once-Great Romania that AUR encourages. The country's electorate, especially younger diaspora Romanians, can relate to these problems in search of their own, national identity, Kesler wrote. In the tradition of the historic legionary movement, spirituality and the Romanian Orthodox Church are essential to the mix. Tara Meas publisher and sometimes unwitting contributors include allies in the divisive cultural wars over LGBT and same-sex marriage, as well as other hot-button social issues that animate the AUR, its founder George Simion, and critics of perceived Western permissiveness, including the Romanian Orthodox Church. Around 85 percent of Romanians identified as Christian Orthodox in 2011, the latest available census results. Tara Mea is an offshoot of efforts to promote Christian Orthodoxy through an online and print magazine called Familia Ortodoxa, which is published by the Association for the Defense of the Family and Child. Familia Ortodoxa says of an older, sister publication that the magazine aims to offer its readers a Christian understanding of everyday realities and the promotion of a traditional way of life. Tara Mea shares many editorial contributors with Familia Ortodoxa, and its writers in at least several cases also publish their work on online outlets that have been episodically restricted on social media for allegedly spreading false information. The cover of the first issue of Tara Mea asked, The Romanian Family -- Where Is It? One article, titled Children -- Ours Or The States?, is adapted from a 2017 blog post that invoked religion in the debate over a parents right to spank their children. The same article has since appeared elsewhere. Five years later, Tara Meas version of the article is described as an "adaptation according to the Coalition For Family" and is signed by Radu Ursan. Ursan has written on issues from vaccination to LGBT disputes and the elevation or perceived affronts to national heroes for R3media, a site that has been restricted on social media in the past for spreading false information. He also takes a keen interest in AUR founder George Simions criticisms of Romanian government policy. AUR was formed in 2019 as a Christian, family values party that also seeks to unite Romanian populations in the region, including through reunification with Moldova and potentially in other neighboring states. Voter frustration at corruption and economic malaise amid the COVID-19 pandemic springboarded it into the fourth-largest parliamentary party in the delayed 2020 elections. It fared even better among Romanian voters abroad, placing third with 25 percent behind the centrist USR-PLUS alliance and the National Liberal Party (PNL). Founder Simion has been accused of scapegoating ethnic Hungarians, the LGBT community, and Jews to win votes. He has been barred from neighboring Moldova based on a request by that countrys intelligence services. AUR has also fed on lingering resentment from an unsuccessful referendum in 2018 to restrict marriage to a man and a woman in Romanias constitution. Led by a movement called the Coalition For Family, which was formed by dozens of NGOs in 2015, the referendum drive collected 3 million signatures and spurred long-lasting cultural divisions. Pirvulescu likens Tara Meas themes to the Coalition For Family playbook. He describes a worldview that sees "Western aggression against the child through the human rights system." Its references to pedophilia appear aimed at "so-called political correctness," he says, a frequent target on the right but also, increasingly, among centrists in Europe. Such criticisms are also favored by the alternative religious right in the West and by the Kremlin under Russian President Vladimir Putin, he says, along with a mostly misplaced nostalgia for elements of Soviet and communist social policy -- for example, on abortion. In addition to Spain, Romanian expats have spotted Tara Mea on counters in shops that cater to Eastern Europeans in Rome and in Villafranca di Verona, in Italy, and in London, England. A second issue appeared this week and included a focus on Romanias Dacian heritage, a familiar topic of Russian propaganda that encourages notions of Romanian exceptionalism and detachment from European values. Distribution appears to rely on the goodwill of shopkeepers. A saleswoman in a Polish-specialty shop in London said she knew nothing about Tara Meas contents but that when someone offered to give them copies, they thought it might attract Romanian customers. The story was similar in Villafranca, where a shopkeeper says someone claiming to be from a nearby church delivered two boxes of the magazine three weeks ago. The owner of the grocery store in San Antonio, Spain, where Malina saw it, told her that she left it on the counter because she thought it would bring joy to local Romanians and Romanian-speaking tourists. Not to Malina, whose sympathies dont appear to lie with AUR. My thoughts went directly toward manipulation created by a new and growing political party in Romania thats trying to get to the diaspora, she says. Written and with reporting by Andy Heil based on reporting by Oana Despa KYIV -- Russian forces are regrouping and sending in reinforcements in preparation of resuming their offensive in the east of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, said on August 25. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. "After a month of fierce fighting and significant losses in the Kupyansk and Lyman directions, the enemy is regrouping its forces and capabilities, while transferring newly formed brigades and divisions from the territory of the Russian Federation," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram. Even while conducting its preparations, Russian troops continue to exert a powerful fire influence from artillery and mortars and are actively using aviation in their attacks, Syrskiy said, adding that Ukrainian forces are taking all measures to strengthen our defense in threatened areas and move forward where possible. The operational situation in the eastern direction remains tense, he added. Syrskiys comments come after Russia said it had thwarted a massive wave of drone attacks on occupied Crimea and a missile strike on Kaluga as Ukraine's military reported deadly air and drone strikes on its regions. Russia's Defense Ministry said on August 25 in a statement that its air defenses neutralized a total of 73 drones over the past 24 hours, 42 of them over Crimea. "Seventy-three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been either shot down or jammed by electronic means over the past day," the ministry said. The Moscow-appointed head of the Sevastopol region in Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said several drones had been destroyed over the sea off Crimea's Cape Khersones. The Russian ministry also said a Ukrainian missile was downed in Kaluga, a region just southwest of Moscow, while Russian Telegram channels reported blasts in the sky above the Kaluga, Tula, and Moscow regions, likely caused by antiaircraft fire. The Baza Telegram channel reported that the missile was shot down near the Shaikovka military airfield in the Kaluga region, some 300 kilometers southwest of Moscow. Two major Moscow airports, Vnukovo and Domodedovo, temporarily ceased operations, the Russian TASS news agency reported. There we no immediate reports of casualties or damages. Moscow and its surroundings have been targeted frequently by drone attacks in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military reported Russian air and missile attacks on Ukraine overnight, adding that there were casualties among civilians. "During the past 24 hours, the enemy launched seven missile and 47 air strikes...on the positions of our troops and on populated areas," the military said in its daily report, adding, "Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population." The military did not provide further details about the targets of the Russian strikes or the victims, saying that incoming information is "currently being clarified." Ukraine's air defense separately reported that it had shot down four Russian cruise missiles above the Odesa region that had been launched from the Sea of Azov. On the battlefields in eastern Ukraine, heavy fighting continued amid a seesaw of offensive and defensive actions by both sides. Ukrainian forces were conducting offensive operations in the direction of the strategic southern city of Melitopol and in the area of Bakhmut in Donetsk, the General Staff said on August 25. In the Kupyansk sector of the eastern Kharkiv region and in Avdiyivka in Donetsk, Kyiv's troops have been repelling successive Russian attempts to break the front line and advance to the west. At least one civilian was wounded on August 25 in the Russian shelling of the village of Podoli in Kharkiv, Ukrainian authorities said. The General Staff said its troops achieved some successes over the past 24 hours on the Orichiv-Tokmak axis toward Melitopol -- the same sector where it had liberated the village of Robotyne earlier in the week. Around Bakhmut, the scene of some of the longest and fiercest battles this year, Ukrainian forces are on the offensive south of the city, it said. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said late on August 24 that the situation along the whole eastern front is "tense and very dynamic." The claims could not immediately be verified. Finland on August 25 announced the 18th package of military aid for Ukraine worth 94 million euros ($102 million), bringing the total Finnish aid for Kyiv to about 1.3 billion euros ($1.41 billion). "The support of Finland and our allies to Ukraine remains unwavering," the Finnish government said in a statement. "The core issue in terms of the future security order in Europe and in Finland is to be able to curb Russia's aggression against Ukraine," the statement quoted Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen as saying. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in his nightly video address on August 25 urged the countrys allies to speed up delivery of promised F-16 fighter jets to Kyivs forces. "Our goal is to get closer to the time when F-16s will help us keep Russian terrorists away. As fast as possible," he said. Reports out of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway indicate that those NATO nations will be sending an undisclosed number of F-16 jets to Ukraine, although the date of arrival remains uncertain. On August 24, the United States said it would begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 warplanes in October, joining a Western coalition that is helping to prepare Kyivs fliers on the sophisticated combat aircraft to join the fight against the Russian invasion. With reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AP The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A Ukrainian anti-tank unit has been on the hunt for Russian armor using the Stuhna guided-rocket system to destroy military vehicles worth millions of dollars. According to Ukraine, Russia has lost over 4,000 tanks and 8,000 armed personnel carriers during the full-scale invasion. Eric M. Cabibi, 24, of Elko was arrested Aug. 19, 2023, at Sequoia and Ruby Vista drives for violation of probation, resisting a public officer, and failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Alicia Longtin, 31, of Bovey, Minnesota was arrested Aug. 18, 2023, for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence. Ahmad S. Saleh, 52, of Layton, Utah was arrested Aug. 18, 2023, at West Wendover Boulevard for fugitive felon from another state. Frankie Difalco, 46, of Elko was arrested Aug. 21, 2023, at the parole and probation office in Elko for violation of probation. Tristan G. Wilson, 37, of Spring Creek was arrested Aug. 21, 2023, at Southside Park for felony possession of a controlled substance and violation of probation Mercedes C. Martinez, 29, of Spring Creek was arrested Aug. 22, 2023, on Interstate 80 for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail: $10,000 Darrell K. Palmer, 42, of Elko was arrested Aug. 22, 2023, at 837 Idaho St. on a warrant for possession to sell a controlled substance, possessing a gun by a prohibited person, and conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Bail: $275,000 Christopher B. Thompson, 27, of Elko was arrested on Interstate 80 for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence, failure to appear after bail on a felony crime, and driver disobeying peace officer endangering others. Taylor W. Ford, 35, of Reno was arrested Aug. 23, 2023, at 3650 Idaho St. for felony assault with a deadly weapon. Bail: $100,000 Max R. Frederick, 27, of Spring Creek was arrested Aug. 23, 2023, at 2001 Errecart Blvd. for two felony counts of child abuse, neglect or endangerment; driver disobeying peace officer resulting in death or substantial bodily harm; third-offense driving under the influence; reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm; driving with a revoked drivers license for DUI, and operating vehicle without or tampering with a breath interlock device. Bail: $502,280 Rebecca M. Wriglesworth, 49, of Elko was arrested Aug. 24, 2023, at Lamoille Highway and Summit Estates for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence, and two counts of failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Jasalee R. Gott, 36, of Elko was arrested Aug. 24, 2023, at 851 Court St. for attempting to overdrive, torture, injure, abandon or starve animal. Bail: $15,000 Joshua A. Haas, 31, of Elko was arrested Aug. 24, 2023, at the Elko Junction parking lot for felony possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Bail: $10,355 David M. Haigwood, 38, of Carlin was arrested Aug. 24, 2023, at Cedar and 13th streets for felony driving under the influence. Bail $100,000 Home > 2023 > Unveiling the Dark Side of the Belt and Road Initiative: A Global (...) In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the world with his ambitious brainchild, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Hailed as a modern-day silk road, this monumental infrastructure project aims to connect nations through a vast network of high-speed railways, power plants, ports, roads, bridges, airports, and tourism developments. While the media has extensively covered the BRIs geopolitical impact and Chinas rising dominance, the equally pressing concern of its environmental threat has been side-lined. China, the largest financier of highly polluting coal stations, has strategically shifted its coal production to BRI countries. This move comes in response to the Paris Climate Accords and Chinas commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. By establishing coal-producing factories in developing countries, Chinese producers can phase out carbon at home while maintaining their income and sustaining the economy. Shockingly, despite President Xis promise to eliminate coal from the BRI, there are still 1600 coal power plants in the pipeline, many of which are already under construction. [1] Moreover, a staggering 58% of the 240 coal power plants previously completed in 25 BRI nations were high-emission, low-energy facilities. [2] These plants not only exacerbate air pollution in host countries but also sabotage their ability to meet the Paris Climate Accords targets. A comprehensive study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and HSBC, titled Greening the Belt and Road Initiative, discovered a glaring lack of information on sustainable and green investment opportunities. The BRIs relentless progress through pristine and vulnerable ecosystems poses a grave threat to 1,700 critical biodiversity hotspots and 265 endangered species. For instance, the construction of a massive dam across a Mekong River tributary in Cambodia, part of a Chinese hydropower project spanning multiple countries, has disrupted the rivers flow and impeded fish migration. The Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT), a consortium of NGOs focusing on fisheries and environmental issues, has reported a sharp decline in fish stocks due to the hydropower dams built along the rivers upstream sections. The BRIs impact on biodiversity and wildlife extends beyond water resources and marine life. Numerous railway projects, already completed, under construction, or in the planning stages, are set to wreak havoc on fragile ecosystems. Take, for instance, the existing railway line in Kenya that cuts through the Nairobi National Park. Plans are in place to extend the line through the Tsavo National Park, one of Africas most vital wildlife reserves. This expansion project poses a grave threat to endangered and protected species and their natural habitats. Wildlife biologists and researchers are deeply concerned that opening up such territories and vastly expanding the global travel network will not only lead to wildlife loss but also leave animal and bird species vulnerable to unfamiliar predators and unsuitable alien species. [3] Adding to the growing list of environmental casualties, a 1000 km-long high-speed railway connecting China and Laos was inaugurated in late November 2021. While this railway facilitates travel from Vientiane, the capital of Laos, to Kunming in China within a mere 10 hours, it came at the cost of hundreds of thousands of trees. Though exact figures remain undisclosed, one can only fathom the toll taken on trees and wildlife to construct a thousand-kilometre railway line, considering the natural terrain and borders of both China and Laos. In an audacious move that transcends traditional boundaries, Chinas BRI has ventured into the Arctic Circle, driven by its insatiable pursuit of energy, geopolitical advantage, and commercial gains. Nestled beneath the rapidly melting polar ice caps lies an astounding $35 trillion worth of oil and gas reserves-an enticing prize that China, in collaboration with Russia, intends to exploit. Russia, burdened by international sanctions following its aggression in Ukraine, has struggled to secure the necessary funding and support. Enter the BRI, with China currently funding 60% and providing 80% of the equipment for the Polar Silk Road. By hastening the melting of the ice caps, China aims to expedite access to these resources, seemingly unconcerned with the grave implications that follow. One of the most alarming consequences of this reckless pursuit is the threat of rising sea levels. The accelerated melting of the ice caps will result in the submergence of coastal cities and island nations like Tuvalu, which are already teetering on the brink of extinction. The ramifications extend far beyond mere economic gains; they risk the very existence of numerous species and could contribute to an alarming 5-degree Celsius increase in global warming. [4] In conclusion, the Belt and Road Initiative stands as one of the gravest threats to climate change mitigation, earning itself the title of "the riskiest environmental project in history" by its critics. Calculations indicate that the BRI could contribute to a devastating 3-degree Celsius increase in global warming in addition to the 5-degree Celsius contribution through the Polar Silk Road, potentially plunging nearly 50% (4.6 billion people) of the worlds population into poverty. Multilateral cooperation and collective efforts must be mobilized not only to acknowledge the environmental devastation this project may unleash but also to take necessary action in exploring sustainable alternatives. The time for decisive action to mitigate this global environmental crisis is now. (Authors: Megan Rodrigues, Research Scholar, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St. Josephs University, Bengaluru - 560027, India, Email: megsro22[at]gmail.com | ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4147-7290 ; Dr. Karamala Areesh Kumar, Head, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy (IRP and PP), St Josephs University, Bengaluru-560027, India, Email: areeshkaramalajnu[at]gmail.com, ORCiD: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-3908-071X) BRICS has become an important advocate for the promotion of accelerated growth, sustainable development and the safeguarding of multilateralism, which makes it attractive for many countries, global experts said. Karori Singh, former director and emeritus fellow of the South Asia Studies Centre at India's University of Rajasthan, said that BRICS is an important organization of the 21st century. It is immune to the baggage of the Cold War and polarity mindset, however, it is not intended as a counterweight to the G7, which is led by developed countries, and Western-led military alliances such as NATO. "It is the organization of emerging markets and developing countries, which are in the Global South," Singh said. "Therefore, it advocates Global South solidarity for promotion of accelerated growth, sustainable development and safeguarding multilateralism." BRICS is not anti or against other organizations, but it does promote the United Nations' principles and objectives and realizes the UN vision through global solidarity, Singh added. X.N. Iraki, associate professor at the University of Nairobi Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, said one of the biggest impacts of BRICS is that African countries are getting more confidence in their economic and political affairs because people now live in a multilateral world. "If Africa joins BRICS, I am sure they can do a lot," Iraki said. "BRICS will give African countries another alternative, another model for development that is not the same as the Western model." He added that Africa suffered under colonialism for many years. However, he believes that BRICS would bring partners who would treat African countries as equals. "So there will be a win-win situation, not one person winning and the other one losing. And I think that is what makes BRICS very attractive to the African countries," he said. Carlos Martinez, a political commentator with the London-based platform Friends of Socialist China, said that the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa comes at a period characterized by changes unseen in a century. The core of these changes is the decline of US hegemony, and beyond that, the decline of the entire colonialist and imperialist system that has dominated the planet for the last 500 years. The 20th century has often been referred to as the "American Century", and strategists in the US, both Republican and Democrat, have been doing everything they can to ensure that the 21st century is another American Century, he said. However, the world has changed and people are witnessing the emergence of a multipolar world order a system of international relations which is multilateral, balanced, more democratic, and based on respect for sovereignty, noninterference, peace, and cooperation, he said. Since the last BRICS Summit, the world has seen further evidence of the clear differences between these two models of international relations: hegemonism and Cold War, as pursued by the US, and multipolarity and win-win cooperation, as pursued by China and the majority of countries in the world. BRICS has become one of the central organizing components of this emerging multipolarity. As such, it's a pole of attraction for the entire Global South, according to Martinez. Jasim Husain, Gulf analyst and former member of Bahrain's parliament, said that BRICS comprises some of the most important economies in the world, especially China and India. Bahrain is a very important financial center and wants to continue being a bridge between continents. Bahrain can help financial connections between BRICS countries and other parts of the world, Husain said. A BENCH has been dedicated to a super-fundraiser who has spent 40 years bringing in cash for good causes across Rotherham. Sandra Blockley, who runs a charity shop on Green Arbour Road in Thurcroft, has been described as a legend in the community. She is believed to have raised more than 1million for cancer and dementia charities during her four decades of efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every day. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Rotherham Advertiser within your account. Edit Preferences Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... She won the prestigious award for fundraising at the Pride of Britain gala last year and then a plaque was revealed at the Thurcroft Welfare Community Hall, just around the corner from her shop. Now, she has a bench courtesy of Thurcroft Big Local who arranged this tribute for her to show how proud we are of her and her great achievement. Ms Blockley said: Its absolutely wonderful. It was a right surprise. I did a good sit on it the other day and Im going to sit on it on Sunday when I come out of the church. People in Thurcroft have called for a statue to be made to celebrate Ms Blockley. Advertisement Advertisement No, I dont think so, Id rather spend money on something else, she said. Earlier this year she said she had a target to raise 50,000 for health and social care charity Making Space, which she has now reached. When asked whats next, she said she would still raise money however, she revealed she is planning to retire from the shop at Christmas. Laughing, Ms Blockley added she was 79 years old and it is just not nice having a nasty back pain. AN AMATEUR theatre group preparing for their autumn show were given a word or two of advice from the much-loved writer of their show when he dropped by to offer his support. John Godber (centre) with the cast of Shafted, Richard Wilshaw and Polly Lovegrove. Rotherham Rep are staging John Godbers Shafted at Rotherham Civic Theatre from September 19 to 22. Former miner Godber, who drew on his own memories of the Miners Strike when penning the play about a couple from a devastated pit town, was a special guest at a Rep rehearsal on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every day. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Rotherham Advertiser within your account. Edit Preferences Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rep publicity officer Sheila Halse said the cast and crew had been delighted to meet the threatre legend, who founded the Hull Truck Theatre and is known for a series of gritty shows such as Bouncers and Teechers. Most Popular What a wonderful person - he offered all his knowledge and was so willing to give us any help he could, said Although it was only for a short period of time, the whole company felt they learnt so much from meeting him, getting his thoughts and input on the production. He gave some fascinating acting tips and advice regarding the play itself as well as sharing stories about his career, his life experiences, his inspiration for certain plays and advice regarding theatre matters in general. Advertisement Advertisement It was a brilliant afternoon and such a positive experience for the members of The Rotherham Rep. As John said himself, if you have connections to the mining strikes, the closures and the aftermath then you will get the play as its incredibly relatable to our local communities. Later in the season, the Rep will bring festival classic A Christmas Carol to the stage from November 14 to 18. More than half the available seats have been sold, prompting the company to add a Saturday matinee to the run. Advertisement Advertisement Looking further ahead, Allo Allo will bring a helping of chaotic comedy to the Civic next March, while the Reps summer show will be Steel Magnolias, which chronicles the extraordinary friendship of six remarkable women who are there for each other through life's triumphs and tragedies. Tickets for all the productions are 9 with concessions at 7. ISRO Aspiring Scientists Need to Ensure They Meet the Academic Benchmarks NEW-DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has once again captured the nation's imagination with the successful Chandrayaan 3 mission to the moon. As the spotlight shines brightly on ISRO, the pursuit of a career as a scientist within this prestigious organization has never been more appealing. While the journey to becoming an ISRO scientist demands dedication and hard work, it promises a world of continuous growth and achievement. Becoming a scientist at ISRO is not just a career choice, it's an opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations in the realm of space exploration. The journey begins with selecting the right academic track after the 10th standard. Students with a passion for science can opt for subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Advertisement For those aspiring to become space scientists, a three-year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree is the starting point. Those with their sights set on deeper exploration and research can pursue a four-year Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree that leads to a Ph.D. These academic avenues are offered at prestigious institutions like ISRO and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), both situated in Bangalore. Qualifications.... To be considered for a scientist position at ISRO, certain educational qualifications are mandatory. Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering in disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Science. Additionally, those with a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics, or Mathematics stand a strong chance of selection. Advertisement Aspiring scientists need to ensure they meet the academic benchmarks as well. Eligibility criteria dictate that candidates applying with a BE/B.Tech degree must have secured a minimum of 65% marks or a CGPA of 6.84. The Selection Process.... To set foot on the journey to becoming an ISRO scientist right after the 12th standard, candidates must meet specific examination requirements. Clearing the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced, Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), or the Central Board-Based Eligibility Test conducted by IISER are the pathways to unlocking this dream. Advertisement For those fortunate enough to secure a position at ISRO, the rewards are substantial. An ISRO scientist begins their journey with an initial salary of up to Rs 1 lakh, encompassing all applicable allowances. While the monetary compensation is undoubtedly attractive, it is the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and the advancement of space technology that truly makes this career choice extraordinary. ISRO occasionally scouts talent directly from college campuses through placements. Moreover, the organization conducts centralized recruitment examinations to fill a variety of roles, including astronaut positions. As the first step towards a fulfilling career, candidates are encouraged to stay informed and regularly visit the ISRO website for job-related updates. Indore City manages an average of 1,162 tonnes of solid waste daily: Indore Municipal Corporation INDORE: Indore, renowned for its cleanliness initiatives, has achieved a remarkable feat by securing the top spot in the Clean Air Survey-2023 conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city, known for its pristine environment, emerged as the leader among urban centers with populations exceeding one million, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable living practices. Announcing the accolade on Thursday, state government officials proudly revealed that Indore clinched an impressive score of 187 out of 200 in the Clean Air Survey-2023, outperforming other cities with comparable population sizes. This achievement underscores Indore's persistent dedication to fostering a pollution-free atmosphere. Advertisement In the survey standings, Agra secured the second position with a score of 186 points, closely followed by Thane at the third position with 185.2 points. The rankings, meticulously evaluated by the CPCB, were based on comprehensive assessments of self-evaluation reports and associated documentation submitted through the 'Prana' portal. A total of 130 cities, spanning various population brackets, were considered in the evaluation process. Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava of Indore expressed his joy over the city's remarkable feat in the clean air survey. He highlighted the collective efforts taken to mitigate air pollution, including the deployment of specialized vehicles equipped with sweeping machines to cleanse the city's bustling streets. These machines effectively collect dust particles, ensuring a cleaner urban environment. Mayor Bhargava emphasized the city's initiatives to promote eco-friendly practices, such as the encouragement of green fuel stoves while regulating the use of coal and wood-burning stoves. These proactive measures reflect Indore's commitment to fostering an environment that prioritizes both the well-being of its residents and the preservation of nature. Advertisement An official from the Indore Municipal Corporation revealed that the city manages an average of 1,162 tonnes of solid waste daily, encompassing approximately 164 tonnes of plastic waste. This waste is systematically collected from every household using corporation vehicles and safely processed within the same day at a plant operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Punjab Farmers Development comes after a Series of Intense Negotiations CHANDIGARH: Following a determined stand-off, farmers in Punjab have decided to conclude their protest against the central government's policies. Leaders of the 16 prominent farmers' organizations, who were arrested during the march against the Centre, were released late last night. This development comes after a series of intense negotiations between the farmer representatives and the authorities. In the aftermath of the release of the arrested leaders, a significant decision was made by the farmers to lift the dharnas from 17 different locations across Punjab around 11:00 last night. The protesting farmers had been demonstrating against the central government's policies since August 21, seeking various demands related to agricultural and economic reforms. Advertisement One of the farmer leaders, Sarwan Singh Pandher, explained that the Punjab government had detained several leaders during the ongoing agitation, resulting in a tense situation. The clashes between the protestors and law enforcement escalated in Chandigarh, leading to multiple injuries and even the unfortunate demise of a farmer. Pandher asserted that due to the combined pressure and public sentiment, the government was compelled to reassess the situation. In the wake of these events, a formal request for a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture has been submitted to the Central Government, with the administration inviting the farmer leaders for discussions on September 4. A significant development highlighted by Pandher was the financial support provided to the family of the deceased farmer, Pritam Singh Mander. A financial aid of Rs 10 lakh was granted to the family, along with compensation for seriously and less seriously injured protestors. The administration has undertaken to bear the expenses for any damaged equipment during the protests. Advertisement In another development, Gagandeep Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Longowal police station, has been transferred in connection to the clash between the farmers and the police. A departmental investigation has also been initiated in the matter. While the immediate protests have ceased, the leaders emphasized that their struggle is far from over. The farmers' organizations intend to continue their efforts and discussions with the government regarding their demands. Notably, The core demands of the farmers include provisions for 200 days of employment under the Minimum Support Price Guarantee Act, implementation of MNREGA for workers, and a relief package for flood victims. Donald Trump Trump was Released After 20-Min Detainment ATLANTA: Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, turned himself in to the Fulton County police early Friday morning in connection with alleged election fraud during the US presidential election. Subsequently, he was arrested and briefly detained at the Fulton County Jail. This incident marks the first time a former American president's mugshot has been taken as an accused individual. Trump's surrender followed a court directive related to the case, where he stands accused of fraud and forgery aimed at manipulating the results of the Georgia presidential election. His photograph, often referred to as a mugshot, was captured during the booking process, and he was released from jail after approximately 20 minutes in custody. The former president posted a $200,000 bond with specified conditions prior to his release, as reported by CNN. Advertisement During a brief interaction with reporters after his release, Trump firmly asserted his innocence, stating, "I have not done anything wrong." Alongside Trump, 18 other individuals have been implicated in this case, all facing similar charges of election-related misconduct. The legal proceedings involved the official recording of Trump's fingerprints and relevant documentation. These records will play a crucial role in the ongoing court proceedings. Notably, Trump's Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, also surrendered to authorities in connection with the case. Notably, The charges against Trump were formally filed on August 15 in an Atlanta court, listing his name among 13 of the 41 total charges specified in the indictment. The court had granted Trump until August 25 to turn himself in. PM Modi in Greece Four decades later, PM Modi's Presence Reaffirms Enduring Partnership between India & Greece Prime Minister Narendra Modi's one-day visit to Greece has garnered a heartfelt reception, underscoring the amicable relations between the two nations. The Prime Minister arrived in Athens on Friday morning, where he was warmly received by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis at the airport. The visit marks a significant milestone, as an Indian Prime Minister sets foot in Greece after a hiatus of four decades. The Indian community, resonating with enthusiasm, extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Modi outside a hotel in Athens. Drum beats and cheers reverberated in the air as people of Indian origin expressed their delight at his presence. In a symbolic gesture, a traditional Greek crown, known as a headdress, was presented to Modi by the Indian community. The ambiance was further charged by the spirited chant of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" (Glory to Mother India). Advertisement Prime Minister Modi's visit holds historical significance, as it follows in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi, who visited Greece in 1983. Four decades later, Modi's presence reaffirms the enduring partnership between India and Greece, with discussions slated to encompass multiple domains of mutual interest. Significantly, The agenda of the visit revolves around deliberations on trade, technology, and defense cooperation, aiming to further fortify the bilateral ties between the two nations. Reports suggest that Greece has expressed keen interest in procuring India's indigenously developed BrahMos cruise missile. This potential deal, if materialized, could foster strategic collaboration and innovation, aligning with both nations' defense aspirations. The visit also holds the promise of fostering deeper connections between the peoples of India and Greece, strengthening cultural bonds and diplomatic cooperation. PM Modi in Greece I was happy to see many Sikh brothers and sisters here: PM Modi Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a one-day visit to Athens, the capital of Greece, on Friday morning, marking a significant diplomatic endeavor aimed at bolstering bilateral ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi's arrival was met with a warm reception, exemplifying the strong bonds shared by India and Greece. As Prime Minister Modi touched down in Athens at approximately 9 am local time, he was greeted by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis at the airport. The heartfelt reception continued beyond official circles, as members of the Indian community extended their warm regards by welcoming him with traditional drums. The Indian diaspora further honored Modi by presenting him with a traditional Greek headdress, symbolizing the cultural ties between the two countries. Advertisement The resonant chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" echoed through the air, underscoring the shared heritage and camaraderie between India and Greece. This visit is of great significance, marking the return of an Indian Prime Minister to Greece after a span of 40 years. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's visit in 1983 was the last such high-level diplomatic exchange between the two nations. The visit carries a strong focus on discussions encompassing trade, technology, and defense cooperation, signaling the mutual interests that bind India and Greece. Notably, Greece has expressed a keen interest in procuring India's formidable BrahMos cruise missile. Prime Minister Modi took to social media to share his sentiments, tweeting, "I was warmly welcomed by the Indian community in Greece. I was happy to see many Sikh brothers and sisters here. Being upholders of true Sikh principles, they are living here in great harmony." This expression of joy underscores the essence of unity within the global Indian community and reflects the values that Sikh brothers and sisters contribute to fostering. CMC Markets plc (CMCX.L), provider of online retail and institutional platform , said on Wednesday, that it sees lower net revenue trends for the fiscal 2024, on continued subdued market conditions. In its trading update, the firm expects operating income to be between 250 million pounds and 280 million pounds, should year-to-date market conditions continue for the rest of the year. The company also expects trading and investing revenues to be 20 percent lower year-on year. "August in particular has seen a more challenging environment with markedly lower monetisation of client trading activity due to a higher proportion of lower margin institutional volume," CMC said in a statement. The company is scheduled to release its half yearly results on November 16. On Thursday, shares of CMC closed at 122 pence down 0.81% on the London Stock Exchange. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Spectrum of the Seas, Asia's largest luxury cruise ship docks the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province on August 22. (Photo: plo.vn) According to Vietnam News Agency, Spectrum of the Seas, Asia's largest luxury cruise ship, docked at Nha Trang port on August 21, marking its visit for the second time in a month. In the first half of this year, Khanh Hoa received over 2.7 million visitors, about 70% of this years target. Wu Huimin, captain of Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas, said that when the cruise docked at Tokyo port to pick up Japanese tourists, they were looking forward to coming to Vietnam because of the countrys beautiful scenes and friendly people. The captain said that during the 12-day journey, about 4,300 guests on the cruise will explore Asia's top destinations including Nha Trang city and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in Vietnam, Tokyo, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima in Japan, Hong Kong (China), and Singapore. Angie Stephen, CEO of Royal Caribbean International Asia-Pacific, said that the company owns the world's leading fleet with 226 cruises. Two of its cruises will soon return to Vietnam, and expectedly bring tourists to Hue city, Nha Trang city, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. The official said that at the docks, cruise passengers are interested in experiencing local culture, visiting craft villages, shopping, and enjoying local food, which will bring economic benefits to Vietnam's tourism industry. Tran Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, said that cruises create opportunities for the province to promote its image and boost tourism. Hien said that with the local Cai Mep - Thi Vai deep-water port, the province has over the recent past welcomed three large cruises, which shows that cruise travel has returned to normal. She said the province is developing a specific tourism promotion plan for international cruises At the Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific slated to take place in Hong Kong in October, the province will connect with the worlds leading cruise firms to attract more international visitors. Nguyen Quy Phuong, head of tourism promotion management department under the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said that there are 15-16 million cruise tourists in the world each year. Although the number of the tourists in this group is not large, this is a segment with high spending and long stays. Largest model of bread tower in Vietnam recognised The Khanh Hoa Culinary Culture Association received a national record certificate on August 23 for having the largest bread tower model in Vietnam, reported the Voice of Vietnam. A bread tower model created during the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2023 set a record for being the largest in the country. (Photo: Plo.vn) The model was created on June 5 by culinary artist Hoang Thi Anh Tuyet of the HTCHEF Vocational Training School in celebration of the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2023. The 3.2-m high and 6-m long bread tower was made up of more than 800 loaves of thick bread with sizes of 60cm and 10cm each. The loaves of bread were made by Pham Dinh Tien who has more than 40 years of experience in making bread in Nha Trang. The Vietnam Records Organization (Vietkings) announced that the piece set a record for being the largest bread tower model in the country. Banh mi (bread) in Nha Trang is a daily favourite dish because of its unique taste not only among tourists, but even locals. It boasts a crispy, stretchy, dense, non-fatty, and buttery crust that has the natural aroma of flour. Arriving in Nha Trang, visitors can encounter bread stalls on major roads or in small alleys. The dish is sometimes sold in spacious, well-invested shops or found in just simple small bread cabinets by the roadside. Hung Yen steps up rural tourism development Over the recent years, many localities in the northern province of Hung Yen have been actively developing rural tourism with a focus on promoting trade-investment linked to harnessing the potential and advantages of local agriculture, craft villages, culture, and the ecological environment, reported Vietnam News Agency. Tourists at the Chu Dong Tu temple in Hung Yen. (Photo: baohungyen.vn) Through the ups and downs of time, the land and its people still keep intact communal and ancient houses as well as the customs and traditions deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. In Hung Yen, rural tourism primarily involves visiting craft villages and exploring historical and cultural relics, festivals, and more. Recently, some areas in the province have introduced models that combine farms with tourism, enabling visitors to sightsee and purchase farm produce. Notable examples include flower and ornamental tree villages in Xuan Quan, Phung Cong, Me So communes, Van Giang district; the Nam Nghia Trai medicinal herb village in Tan Quang commune, Van Lam district; and the Hong Nam longan cooperative in Hung Yen city, among other locations. Tat Vien village in Thu Sy commune, Tien Lu district, is renowned for its traditional fish trap weaving craft that dates back over 200 years. Visitors not only learn about the process of making fish traps but also experience firsthand the art of weaving, creating their own products. They can also role-play as farmers, bringing their products to the fields to acquire skills in catching shrimp, crab, and fish. Currently, many tourists favour the agro-tourism model thanks to its cost-effectiveness. For a weekend, Nguyen Le Hang from Luong Bang town, Kim Dong district, brought her children to visit and experience grape-picking at the Hong Nam Green Agriculture Investment and Development Cooperative in Bao Khe commune, Hung Yen city. She said this is not just a simple outing, but also a way for the kids to learn through practical experience, getting close to nature, and thus gaining a better understanding of the lives of farmers. It teaches them to appreciate labour, Hang said. However, when looking at the overall picture of the sector in the province, it's only available in a few locations with standalone, locally-developed services. These services lack comprehensive linkage to form a quality service chain that meets tourists' needs, hence limited revenue. Pham Van Hieu, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, noted that in its overall tourism development plan until 2025, with a vision to 2030, the province aims to create a system of high-quality, distinctive products with high value added, which caters to tourists' demands. The focus is on developing green products, particularly involving rural and community-based tourism, as well as eco-tourism. To reach the goals, the province needs to prioritise resource allocation for organising tourist sites and areas, and harmonising infrastructure and improving facilities to serve the industry. It is necessary to construct exhibition centres and outlets to showcase and sell agricultural, traditional craft products, and souvenirs of high quality; pay attention to human resource training; and connect tour routes and attractions within the province. Concurrently with exploitation, the province needs appropriate policies to conserve and promote cultural spaces and historical relics, and to support the preservation, restoration, and development of traditional craft villages. This can contribute to enhancing the living standards of residents and achieving a sustainable shift in the local rural economic structure. Da Nang forms many cashless streets One of the efforts by Da Nang Citys government to facilitate locals and visitors in non-cash transactions is to promote the digital transformation of the tourism industry. Online payment by scanning QR codes and the use of e-wallets at many tourist streets and markets have brought convenience to people and visitors. Tourists scan a QR code for payment at the Vietnam-Da Nang International Food Festival 2023. Recently, An Thuong pedestrian street and night market in My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, has utilised online payments by scanning QR codes and using e-wallets. This is a street with a large number of foreign tourists staying, travelling and experiencing food. Many food and beverage shop owners on the street said that the non-cash payment has created a new and modern look for the street in the eyes of tourists, especially foreigners. Dang Thi Ni Na, owner of a restaurant on the street, said her restaurant has used online payments for a long time. About 80% of shoppers scan QR codes for payment. As a street welcoming a large number of foreign visitors, the non-cash payment is very convenient and safe, added Ni Na. Travelling and enjoying food at An Thuong night market, Robert, a British tourist, and his family were very pleased with scanning QR codes for payment. Bach Ngoc Hai, Chairman of My An Ward Peoples Committee, said that the urban infrastructure of An Thuong Street has been upgraded to serve tourism. The application of online payment aims to create favourable conditions for tourists and modernise services in tourism. Currently, the street has more than 150 business households. Previously, the ward had propagated and encouraged people to effectively implement the cashless street model. The locality is continuing to improve this model to soon achieve the goal of 100% of business establishments in An Thuong Street providing non-cash payments. In Hoa Vang District, Tuy Loan night street was established and put into operation by the end of 2020, with 100 stalls providing diversified products, aiming to become a new tourist product in the western part of the city. According to the Management Board of Tuy Loan Market, currently, 250 out of 570 business households in the market have bank accounts and use smartphones and Internet banking for non-cash payment transactions. The market management board is continuing to promote the coordination in installing the apps for the remaining small traders. At the end of July 2023, the Hoa Vang District People's Committee launched the model of a "Cashless payment market" at Tuy Loan Market and signed the implementation agreements in 11 communes. Hoa Vang District has provided investment in a free fibre optic internet system at Tuy Loan Market, with seven high-speed wifi lines, contributing to promoting non-cash payment activities at the market, including e-payment between small business households and people, in a convenient and fast manner. Standing Vice Chairman of Hoa Vang District People's Committee Nguyen Thuc Dung said, that the launch of the cashless payment market model and the signing of contracts for the implementation of this model in the communes, is an activity that creates a strong transformation and encourages people to use non-cash payment methods, contributing to speeding up the process of developing and implementing a digital transformation plan in the district, towards giving people a better experience of a modern payment method, with the motto of Cashless: one change, thousands of good things. In January 2023, Da Nang City Peoples Committee issued a document requesting departments, agencies, agencies, units, and People's Committees of districts to speed up the implementation of Decision No. 1813/QD-TTg, on approval of a project on developing non-cash payment in Vietnam for the 2021-2025 period. Accordingly, the City People's Committee requires departments, agencies, People's Committees of districts and public service providers to strengthen propaganda among people to use non-cash methods in payments for public services, taxes and insurance. Small traders in the markets around the City have deployed the Market 4.0 application, so that customers do not need to use cash. Implementing this policy, the Da Nang City Department of Tourism has issued a plan to implement the project on the development of non-cash payment in the tourism industry during the 2023-2025 period. Da Nangs tourism industry set a target, that by 2025, 100% of tourism service businesses in the city will disseminate the State's guidelines and policies on non-cash payment and 100% of tourism service businesses will apply one or more non-cash payment methods, such as scanning QR code, VNpay, card swipe by POS machines, Internet banking, Mobile banking and direct transfer from ATMs. In addition, service beaches and tourist service business households in areas under the management of the Son Tra Peninsula Management Board and tourist beaches around the city will make use of non-use payment means, to become a habit of people and tourists. Da Nang has cooperated with the Military-run telecommunications group Viettel, the Vietnam E-commerce Association and companion units such as Mobile Service Joint Stock Company (Momo wallet) and local banks, to implement the cashless street project. Up to now, Da Nang has been implementing the "Market 4.0" model in several large markets including Han, Con and Dong Da Markets, as well as encouraging small traders and consumers to apply non-cash payment methods. In 2023, Da Nang actively developed many cashless payment streets in the central areas such as Nguyen Van Linh, Tran Van Tru and Nguyen Huu Tho Streets, Huynh Thuc Khang Street specialising in breakfast, An Thuong pedestrian street, and Tuy Loan Market. The simultaneous formation of many cashless streets in Da Nang City aims to satisfy residents and visitors in the process of digital transformation and building a smart city. These are solid foundations for Da Nang's tourism industry to realise its digital economic goals./. When launched in India, we can expect KTM 125 and 250 Duke to ditch some of the premium hardware shared with 390 Duke in global model KTM, the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer renowned for its high-performance two-wheelers, has once again set the stage ablaze with its latest unveilings the 2023 KTM Duke 125, Duke 250, and Duke 390. We have covered 390 Duke thoroughly in a previous post. In this post we will cover all the new elements KTM offers with its 125 Duke and 250 Duke. These two new additions to the Duke lineup have created quite a stir in the motorcycle world, boasting a slew of exciting features that promise an exhilarating riding experience. In this article, well delve into what makes these bikes stand out in the crowd. The New KTM Duke Design Evolution First and foremost, the 2023 KTM Duke 125 and Duke 250 have undergone a significant design overhaul, aligning them with KTMs fresh global design language. With this facelift, KTM enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that the 125 and 250 Dukes now share the same chassis, body panels, and several other components with their bigger sibling, the 390 Duke. In terms of aesthetics, its hard to distinguish between the three Duke models. All three sport a new fuel tank, eye-catching LED headlights, a cutting-edge 5-inch TFT instrument cluster, and more. Moreover, the 125 and 250 Dukes also share some high-quality hardware, including WP Apex compression and rebound adjustable USD telescopic front forks, preload adjustable rear mono-shock, a distinctive banana-shaped cast swingarm, and a robust 240mm rear disc and 320mm front disc brake setup with dual-channel ABS. But the innovation doesnt stop there. KTM has gone the extra mile to enhance the safety of these bikes. Both the 250 Duke and 125 Duke come equipped with cornering ABS and Supermoto ABS, providing riders with a higher level of control and confidence, especially when tackling challenging road conditions. Tech-savvy Feature In todays tech-driven world, connectivity is key, even for motorcycles. KTM understands this well and has incorporated Bluetooth connectivity into the 250 Duke and 125 Duke. This feature allows riders to enjoy turn-by-turn navigation, receive important notification alerts, and even control their music, all through the bikes interface. This addition mirrors the impressive tech suite found in the new KTM 390 Duke, which is a welcome inclusion for riders who crave both connectivity and performance. When it comes to aesthetics, KTM offers a range of striking color options for riders to choose from. The 125 Duke is available in blue on black and blue on orange colorways, while the 250 Duke offers blue on orange and orange on white variants. These dynamic color combinations add a touch of personality to these already visually appealing bikes. Distinctive Engines Now, lets talk power. The 2023 KTM 125 Duke is propelled by a 124.9cc engine that delivers 14.7 bhp and 11.5 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the 250 Duke packs a more potent punch with its 249cc engine, generating a remarkable 30 bhp and 25 Nm of torque. Both bikes come equipped with a liquid-cooling system and a 6-speed gearbox, ensuring that riders get a smooth and controlled power delivery. Indian Launch While these global models undoubtedly impress, its worth noting that the Indian-spec versions might have some differences in their feature sets. To maintain competitive pricing, the India-spec Duke 250 and Duke 125 could potentially miss out on features like non-adjustable USD front forks and an LCD instrument cluster. With their fresh design, tech-savvy features, and robust engines, these bikes are poised to capture the hearts of riders who seek the perfect blend of style and performance. As we eagerly anticipate their arrival on Indian shores, one thing is for sure KTMs commitment to pushing the boundaries of motorcycle innovation remains as strong as ever. Rolls Royce travelling on Delhi Mumbai expressway hit truck from behind The truck overturned A tragic incident unfolded on the Gurgaon-Dausa section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, as a high-speed collision between a Rolls-Royce and a diesel tanker has captivated attention due to its shocking revelations. This heart-wrenching accident, which occurred on August 22, resulted in the immediate fatalities of the tankers driver, Rampreet, and his co-driver. Initial reports had laid the blame on Rampreet, citing reckless driving and negligence, as it was initially believed that he had swerved into the path of the Rolls-Royce. What really happened CCTV reveals truth However, fresh evidence from CCTV footage has unveiled an entirely different storyline. In contrast to the initial assumptions, Rampreet was not at fault. The video footage clearly illustrates that he was adhering to all traffic rules when tragedy struck. Instead, the luxury car, a Rolls-Royce, was caught on camera hurtling at speeds exceeding 200 kmph before crashing into the rear of the diesel tanker. Within the Rolls-Royce, three passengers were present, all of whom suffered injuries and were subsequently transported to a medical facility in Gurgaon for treatment. This luxury car was part of a 20-vehicle convoy, accompanied by two escort vehicles equipped with red beacons and security personnel. The sequence of events unfolded as the convoy was captured on CCTV footage passing through Alipur, en route to Rajasthan at precisely 11:11 am. After a brief interval, the Rolls-Royce suddenly veered away from the convoy, changed lanes, and rapidly accelerated. Over the next 12 minutes, the vehicle covered a distance of 40 km before eventually colliding with the diesel tanker at the 40.9 km mark near Nuh. Truck overturned due to impact from behind The collisions impact caused the Rolls-Royce to lose control and collide with the middle lane of the expressway, igniting a fire that rapidly engulfed the luxury car. The diesel tanker truck also flipped over due to the sheer force of the collision. Fortunately, security personnel from the convoy reacted swiftly, extricating the Rolls-Royces occupants from the wreckage. Medical sources at Medanta Hospital revealed that two passengers from the Rolls-Royce, a 49-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, were admitted with fractures and minor injuries. They are currently in the process of recuperating at the hospital. Rescue Efforts and Unfortunate Outcomes Authorities were alerted to the incident by a passing commuter, while the NHAI control room also received an alert. The police and NHAI teams were dispatched promptly to the scene, arriving within a mere 10 minutes of the collision. Tragically, both Rampreet and his co-driver succumbed to their injuries, whereas the third passenger in the luxury car sustained injuries. Efforts were made to douse the flames engulfing the Rolls-Royce, with three fire tenders deployed for the task. Regrettably, the fire had already caused significant damage to the car by the time it was successfully extinguished. Notably, authorities emphasized that the outcome could have been much graver if diesel from the tanker had leaked post-impact. The initial incident report did not specify any particular names in connection with the accident. As investigations continue to unfold, the evolving narrative underscores the critical importance of precise analysis and the role of modern technology in reconstructing such incidents. Source Secretary of the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Le Truong Luu receives the President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose. (Photo: VNA) On August 23, in Hue city, leaders of Thua Thien-Hue province received President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose and the delegation, within the framework of the delegation's visit and working program in Vietnam. At the meeting, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Le Truong Luu warmly welcomed the President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose and the delegation. Thua Thien Hue is one of the major cultural, tourist, medical and educational centers of Vietnam, and is striving to become a heritage city on the basis of culture, ecology, landscape, and environmental friendliness and smartness. Thua Thien-Hue is currently the only province in Vietnam, as well as in Southeast Asia, with 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The province also initially cooperated with some Belgian localities. In recent Hue Festivals, art troupes of the Kingdom of Belgium have accepted the invitation to perform and left many good impressions in the hearts of tourists as well as local people. Thua Thien-Hue province has dozens of doctors and lecturers from Hue Central Hospital and Hue University who are studying and doing research in Belgium. Mr. Le Truong Luu hoped that with the good cooperation between the two countries, in the coming time, more and more Belgian enterprises would come to study and explore investment opportunities in Thua Thien-Hue province. The President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose expressed her impression of the ancient capital of Vietnam. She said he was pleased to know that, in recent years, Thua Thien-Hue has had a fairly high position in Vietnam's PAPI (Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index) rankings, thereby showing the dynamic development of the province. Currently, among international tourists to Thua Thien Hue, Belgian tourists do account for the majority, thereby showing the attraction of local culture and cuisine. The President of the Belgian Senate, Stephanie D'Hose, emphasized that the good friendship between the two countries has continued for 50 years, which is the foundation for promoting further cooperation between Vietnam and the Kingdom of Belgium in the coming time in many areas, including overcoming the consequences of war, towards the prosperous development of the two peoples./. Sam Ordinary, a longtime customer of Nessy Burgers in Fallbrook, digs into one of the roadside stands half-pound Nessy Burgers on Tuesday. The trailer-based eatery will soon move into a permanent restaurant space next door. For nearly three decades, Nessy Burgers in Fallbrook has built its reputation on keeping things virtually the same as the day the roadside stand opened in 1989. The burger recipe has never changed, the menu has stayed stubbornly at a dozen items, soft drinks are still served in cans and many of its employees have worked there 20 to 25 years. But one original feature that will change soon is its location. After 29 years in a 400-square-foot trailer, Nessy Burgers is moving into a permanent brick-and-mortar patio restaurant under construction next door. Advertisement The new location, on the same property at 3235 Old Hwy 395, is slated to open in late summer, according to its 72-year-old owner, Charlie Webster of Fallbrook. 1 / 7 Charlie Webster, left, stands outside the Nessy Burgers, the Fallbrook hamburger stand that his late wife, Sandra, co-founded in 1989. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 7 Charlie Webster, 72, left, and his 29-year-old son, also named Charlie, inside the permanent restaurant building that will soon replace and double the size of their 29-year-old roadside stand Nessy Burgers in Fallbrook. (Don Boomer /San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 7 A team of six work out of the small confines of the 1960s-era trailer that makes up the Nessy Burgers kitchen and customer counter during the lunch hour on Tuesday. A new permanent restaurant location will double the eaterys kitchen and prep space. (Don Boomer /San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 7 Half-pound burgers sizzle on the grill at Nessy Burgers in Fallbrook. The popular roadside stand will move into a permanent restaurant location by the end of the summer. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 7 Nessy Burgers will soon move into a permanent restaurant location nearby, but the seating for the 29-year-old Fallbrook burger stand will remain as it always has, outdoors. (Don Boomer /San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 7 Charlie Webster stands outside the Nessy Burgers, the Fallbrook hamburger stand that his late wife, Sandra, co-founded in 1989. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 7 After nearly 30 years in a temporary structure, Nessy Burgers will move into a new permanent restaurant space by the end of summer. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune) The new restaurant will still have all-outdoor picnic table seating, but it will have indoor restrooms, a self-serve fountain drink station, a paved 12-space parking lot, two order windows and more cooking space, which might speed up service a bit, since customer lines are also a Nessy Burgers tradition. Long a favorite on local best burger menus and a cult favorite with U.S. and international travelers posting on Tripadvisor, Nessy Burgers is popular not only for its half-pound burgers but also its friendly service and catchy name. The restaurant was started by Fallbrook resident Sandra Webster and her business partner Alistair McBane, who suggested naming the spot after the Loch Ness Monster from his native Scotland. They converted a 1960s-era camping trailer into a food truck and took advantage of a brief window in time when the California Department of Transportation offered leases to kiosk-size businesses in its Park and Ride lots along state highways. Webster and McBane leased a spot in the parking lot at Interstate 15 and Pala Road. Their business plan was simple: serve with a smile reasonably priced burgers, dogs, sandwiches and sides made with quality, locally sourced ingredients. Its signature Nessy Burger, priced at $7.45, is the menu star. Meat is delivered fresh every morning and hand-mixed with Worcestershire sauce, dried onions and spices, grilled to order and served on a toasted bun with fresh onion and tomato slices, iceberg lettuce, American cheese and secret sauce, which Webster described as a housemade twist on Thousand Island dressing. On a busy weekend, more than 600 Nessy Burgers are sold, as well as 200 or so turkey burgers, 150 chicken sandwiches, 150 hot dogs, 75 steak sandwiches and 100 orders of chili cheese fries, Webster said. In 2002, Charlie Webster married the restaurants co-owner, Sandra, and in 2006 they bought out McBanes interest when he moved to Oregon. It was about that time that Sandra began showing signs of early-onset Alzheimers disease. Over time, her husband Charlie, a mortgage banker, took on more of the business responsibilities along with his son, also named Charlie. She passed away in June 2015 at age 65. The younger Charlie Webster, 29, now manages the companys social media accounts, email newsletter and online marketing. He said its very important to him to maintain traditions in her memory. We feel a sense of integrity and honor in keeping the restaurant the way my stepmother would have wanted it if she were here today, he said. In 2012, Caltrans gave Nessy Burgers six months notice to move because it was planning to expand Interstate 15 and the Park and Ride lot. With few options on such short notice, they found a strip of bare land around the corner right next door to the Pala Mesa Market on Old Highway 395. Losing their freeway visibility did cause a temporary dip in customers but it taught the Webster family how to better market their restaurant on social media and soon business was better than ever, said Kurt Diesel, who has been a consultant for the business since 2012. The customers who dine at the restaurants patio tables are a mix of construction workers who like the hearty portions, travelers passing through and visitors from other counties, states and countries who have read about Nessy Burgers online. Among the lunchtime crowd on Tuesday was Murrieta resident Frieda Amiri, who was enjoying a Nessy Burger along with her two nieces. She said shes been driving down regularly for 15 years. I like the taste of the burgers, I like the view and the atmosphere here and the people who work here are nice, Amiri said. Among those workers is 27-year-old Ayde Aguirre, who has five years under her belt at Nessy Burgers. She said she loves working hard and the fast-paced Saturday shifts fly by. She said the staff makes a habit of knowing their customers. We have a lot of people who come here every day and we know them so well we remember their orders in advance. As soon as we see them coming we start working on their food, Aguirre said. Because tradition is so important at Nessy Burgers, decorating consultant Cindy Gibson Lloyd said the front of the new restaurant has been designed to look like the old trailer. It will have the same blue-green color scheme, all-outdoor seating on a front patio and a logo sign with the big green Loch Ness Monster. As before, customers will still be able to buy Nessy T-shirts and souvenirs and pose for pictures with a wood cutout of Nessy. Despite the upcoming changes, the younger Charlie said customers can count on the same consistency and quality as in the past. Were not trying to be something were not, he said. Well always be that quirky, funky roadside stand weve always been. Nessy Burgers Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends. Where: 3235 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook Phone: (760) 712-1497 Online: nessyburgers.com pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Popularization and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia (left, front) and Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and head of its Ideological Department Rogelio Polanco Fuentes (right, front) sign a cooperation programme between the two sides (Photo: VNA) Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia briefed the host on Vietnams socio-economic situation, the goals and strategy for national future development following the directions given at the 13th National Party Congress, as well as the studying and following of President Ho Chi Minhs ideology, moral example and lifestyle in line with the building and rectification of the Party, and the prevention of political ideology downgrading, self-evolution and self-transformation. Highlighting the brotherhood, solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and utmost political trust between the two Parties and countries, he underlined the need to strengthen communications on external relations activities of high-ranking Party and State leaders of Vietnam and Cuba, as well as achievements in bilateral partnership. The official also highlighted major missions of Vietnams journalism, including protecting the Partys ideological foundation and refuting wrongful information harming the Partys revolutionary path and the national construction cause. At the talks between Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Popularization and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia and Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and head of its Ideological Department Rogelio Polanco Fuentes (Photo: VNA) He raised a number of specific proposals to further promote the cooperation between the two countries, especially in culture, education-training, science-technology, information technology as well as in global issues such as fake news on the cyberspace, and climate change and sea level rise response. Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia suggested that the two sides increase the exchange of publications on President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Spanish and Vietnamese, thus providing the youth with a deeper insight into the special ties between the two countries and nations. For his part, Rogelio Polanco Fuentes affirmed that despite the geographical distance, Vietnam and Cuba have always stood by each other on common battlefields for socialism development and construction as well as in the ideological struggle for national identity. He stressed the need for the two sides to strengthen the sharing of experience through theory conferences and delegation exchanges. Following the talks, the two sides signed a cooperation programme between the commission and the department on the strengthening of the friendship, brotherhood, and special solidarity between the two countries. The same day, authorised by President Vo Van Thuong, Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia presented the Friendship Order of the State of Vietnam to Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, in recognition of his positive contributions to the promotion of the Vietnam-Cuba comprehensive partnership. Earlier, Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia and the Vietnamese delegation laid flowers at the monument commemorating Cuban Hero Jose Marti in Havana./. Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Hoang Cong Thuy presents a gift to Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual school (Photo: daidoanket.vn) At the meeting, Mr. Thuy highly appreciated achievements the school has achieved, and expressed his hope that the teachers and students of Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual school will carry forward them, and play a more active role in preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture, history, land and people. On the same day, the delegation paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and visited the President Ho Chi Minh relic site in the Presidential Palace, the Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), and other places in Hanoi. The school is a place for children of overseas Vietnamese in Vientiane to study the Lao national curriculum along with the Vietnamese language. In 2005, the Vietnamese Party, State and Government offered over US$500,000 in funding to build the school, with two three-story buildings and 39 classrooms on a site of over 10,000 sq.m provided by the Lao Government. After three years of construction, the school was inaugurated and put into operation. Currently, it has 30 classes with over 1,000 students from preschool to high school level, and 66 officials and teachers. The Vietnamese students account for about 45% and the rest are Lao students. During the 2021-2022 academic year, the school was chosen by the two countries education ministries as a pilot bilingual school for teaching Vietnamese and Lao from grade 1 to grade 12./. Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai (L) and Honorary Consul Rajesh Kazi Shrestha (Photo: baoquocte.vn) At the meeting with Honorary Consul Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, the Ambassador highly appreciated Mr. Shrestha's efforts in promoting Vietnam-Nepal relations in various fields, especially trade and tourism, and supporting Vietnamese in Nepal. The Honorary Consul also said that Nepalese people's demand for travel to Vietnam has recovered very quickly after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Nepalese market is also trying to diversify the supply of agricultural and household goods, electric cars and others, instead of focusing only on traditional customers. Ambassador Hai also met and visited representatives of the Vietnamese community in Nepal. He expressed his joy and appreciation that community representatives made the time to get to the meeting, some of whom traveled hundreds of kilometers. Ms. Kim Cuong, a community representative, said that the lives of 60 first and second-generation Vietnamese people scattered throughout Nepal are relatively stable. The Vietnamese restaurant chain in Nepal Pho 99, which she owns, is not only a place to promote Vietnamese culinary culture but also become a place to connect and support Vietnamese people to live and travel in Nepal. Speaking at a meeting with Nepalese businesses organized by the Nepal - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NVCCI) with the participation of more than 60 members, Mr. Hai introduced about Vietnam as a destination, as well as other opportunities for economic cooperation, trade and investment. Deepak Malhotra, President of NVCCI, emphasized the urgency of establishing a direct flight to meet the travel needs of Nepalese people to Vietnam, as well as from Vietnam to other countries in the region, especially the countries with a large Nepalese community living and working such as Australia, Japan, and Republic of Korea. Many Nepalese businesses also expressed their wish that the two sides have more trade promotion activities for greater opportunities to explore the market and meet the needs of diversifying supply./. A recent study reveals that deaths of emperor penguin chicks surged in four West Antarctic colonies due to record-low sea ice. This alarming trend aligns with forecasts of 98% of colonies becoming 'quasi-extinct' by 2100, imperiling viable populations. Lead author Peter Fretwell notes unprecedented breeding failure due to reduced sea ice, posing dire survival prospects for displaced chicks. Sea Ice Loss Led to Mass Die-Off of Penguin Chicks for the First Time Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) rely on stable, frozen sea ice along the shore for survival and breeding. Mating in Antarctic winter, chicks hatch after 65 days, covered in down until November when they grow waterproof feathers, depending on balanced sea ice conditions and parental care. Stephanie Jenouvrier, a seabird ecologist and associate scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, pointed out that excessive sea ice results in lengthy and challenging foraging trips for parents, potentially leading to chick starvation. Conversely, insufficient sea ice increases the risk of chick drowning. Scientists track emperor penguins by observing their excrement, or guano, which creates brown marks on the icy terrain visible from outer space. Satellite pictures spanning 14 years have uncovered proof of five relatively minor colonies that consistently revisit specific sites in the Bellingshausen Sea area in Western Antarctica for their breeding activities. In a research article, titled "Record Low 2022 Antarctic Sea Ice Led to Catastrophic Breeding Failure of Emperor Penguins" published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, scientists analyzed satellite photographs of this area and concluded that, most likely, four out of these five colonies experienced the loss of all their chicks this year owing to decreasing sea ice. Recent years have seen the lowest sea ice levels in 45 years of satellite monitoring, with pronounced declines in the central and eastern Bellingshausen Sea, culminating in complete ice disappearance by November 2022. Notably, a record low occurred in June, a period when Antarctic sea ice typically grows, hinting at a potential ongoing decrease. The study's researchers warned of substantial consequences if this pattern persists, especially for emperor penguins, already deemed threatened on the U.S. endangered species list. Researchers wrote in their paper that this mass mortality of emperor penguin chicks due to regional sea ice loss marks the first instance of such an event, revealing a significant connection between adverse sea ice conditions and breeding failures, suggesting implications for a warming Antarctica in the future. READ ALSO: Life in The Cold-How Penguins Deal Without Sweet & Savory Sensations Climate Change Exacerbates Extreme Weather Conditions El Nino as well as other atmospherix and oceanic variations may have led to the fluctuations in sea ice levels in Antarctica, but the significant decline in recent times might be attributable to climate change. Persistently low levels of sea ice not only negatively impact Antarctic wildlife but also pose a threat to the region's increasingly fragile glaciers, with potential global repercussions including rising sea levels and disrupted ocean currents that enhance the planet's susceptibility to additional warming. The research reveals that, in response to specific sea ice reduction, emperor penguins adapt by relocating to more secure breeding areas the subsequent year. However, the scientists caution that this approach will become unfeasible if substantial portions of their icy environment vanish in the upcoming decades. RELATED ARTICLE: 11 New Emperor Penguin Colonies Discovered from Space Check out more news and information on Climate Change in Science Times. (Photo : Unsplash / berenice melis) Nuclear energy has long been referred to as an efficient source of power, but it also comes with concerns regarding waste. As such, Japan has decided to push through with its decision to start dumping wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Nuclear Plant Wastewater Japan has already started releasing wastewater coming from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant despite backlash from China and North Korea. The wastewater would be unloaded into the Pacific Ocean. In retaliation to the decision, China has decided to halt seafood importation coming from Japan while expressing concerns regarding the wastage. The wastewater is expected to total around 540 Olympic swimming pools. The water had previously been sitting for several decades, with the decision to dump it into the Pacific Ocean. The dumping of wastewater comes 12 years after one of the worst nuclear accidents in Japan, with the Fukushima nuclear plant still considered highly dangerous. This comes after repeated insistence from Japan that the wastewater isn't harmless and has already been treated. This claim was also supported by the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). ALSO READ: Lack of Access to Cleaner Energy Endangers Humans, Especially Women and Children, Says EnerGeo Alliance Safe Wastewater The IAEA said they conducted tests on-site and can confirm that it was indeed safe when it came to radioactive tritium levels. Despite this, China has expressed its concerns regarding the dumping of waste in the Pacific Ocean. China said that Japan was "extremely selfish" and said that dumping wastewater would cause contamination of the ocean. They then decided to ban imports of all Japanese seafood due to the "risk of radioactive contamination." The foreign ministry of North Korea has also expressed similar sentiments, criticizing the decision of Japan to release the wastewater. They had also urged the country to call off their plan to dump the waste. The decision was also met with local criticism from fishermen, with 10 people protesting close to the Fukushima facility. There were also 100 other people gathered outside the headquarters of TEPCO, located in Tokyo, to voice out their concerns. Meltdown Events The Fukushima-Daiichi facility has three reactors and is located in northeastern Japan. In 2011, a massive earthquake hit the country which resulted in 18,000 deaths and the meltdown of the facility. Ever since then, 1.34 million cubic meters of water have been collected by TEPCO from the contaminated wreckage of the reactors. The company was also able to collect contaminated groundwater and rain that could've also been carrying contaminants from the meltdown. Japan maintains that the water has been filtered out of radioactive elements except tritium, with low levels which are considered harmless. However, Greenpeace, an environmental group, says that there are flaws in the filtration process. Other suggestions from Russia and China regarding the wastewater is that it be vaporized instead of dumped into the Pacific Ocean. Despite the suggestions, Japan will push through its plans and will release the wastewater in four batches until March 2024. RELATED ARTICLE: Climate Change's Impact on Extreme Events Led to Unprecedented Ice Loss in Antarctica, Study Reveals Check out more news and information on Environment and Climate in Science Times. (Photo : Unsplash / Call Me Fred) As air travel has become more and more efficient with new technological advances, many scientists are pushing the limits when it comes to supersonic planes. As such, NASA announced that it's exploring a supersonic plane capable of traveling up to 3,300 mph. Supersonic Plane NASA has been pushing the limits when it comes to travel as the agency pushes the limits with a supersonic plane that's expected to carry passengers from New York to London in just an hour and a half. This comes as part of the agency's announcement that they're exploring the next stage for supersonic air travel. So far, the craft has promised speeds of 1,535 to 3,045 mph, which is already more than the top speed of certain fighter jets. For example, the F/A-18 fighter jet can only reach 1,190 mph at top speed, about almost a third of what the new craft promises. NASA said that they've already commenced research into the next level of commercial private air travel, with two 12-month contracts already being granted to two commercial air travel companies. Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and other companies will be working together to accomplish the new jet. ALSO READ: Aerial Laser-Equipped Drones Illuminate Hidden Legacies and Secrets of Gory World War II, Battle of the Bulge NASA X-59 Supersonic Aircraft Recently, NASA tested its X-59 supersonic aircraft, which muffles sonic booms and will serve as a major inspiration for the newer project. The next stage of testing would involve an actual flight. After the space agency finishes the first flight, the aircraft will be formally given by Lockheed Martin to NASA, which is a milestone expected to happen in 2024. After this, the third phase of the program for the X-59 will commence, with trial flights happening over several cities in the US. Aside from achieving a fast travel time, NASA also wants to collect data regarding the residents' response to the flight. This would allow the space agency to test whether they've successfully mitigated enough noise to pass certain restrictions. Fastest Supersonic Jet So far, the Concorde is considered the fastest passenger jet which crossed the Atlantic in 2 hours and 52 minutes. This passenger jet was made by the French and British and achieved this feat on February 7, 1996. About three decades later, NASA plans to cut the total travel time in half, allowing for it to travel way faster than conventional planes. For comparison, the average speed for most standard large airliners is just about 600 mph. These conventional planes take at least 5 hours for them to make a trip from New York to London. Despite the Concorde being the fastest jet, they were retired in 2003 as the commercial aviation industry experienced backlash coming from the first and only Concorde crash in 2000. For measurement, NASA plans to make trips from New York City to London four times faster than what's typically available. The space agency also believes that there could be up to 50 established routes in the passenger markets that could potentially see the use of the newer, faster jet. RELATED ARTICLE: Meet Pibot: The First Humanoid Pilot That Flies an Airplane Using AI Check out more news and information on Tech & Innovation in Science Times. At the debut of the bookshelf in Fukuoka, Japan (Photo: PANO) The ceremony followed the success of the activities in response to the governments project Day to honor the Vietnamese language in the overseas Vietnamese community in the 2023 - 2030 period. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Pham Van Thang, who is in charge of the Board of Members of the Vietnam Education Publishing House, informed that over the past 66 years, the publisher has compiled and published many books for study, research, teaching the Vietnamese language, literature and culture, especially some book collections on teaching Vietnamese to overseas Vietnamese, including the latest entitled Hello Vietnamese compiled by Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh. The publisher and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (COVA) have been organizing training courses to share methods of teaching Vietnamese to children in overseas Vietnamese communities, building libraries, introducing books, popularizing Vietnamese culture abroad, and providing Vietnamese language teaching and supporting materials worldwide, he added. At the ceremony, the publisher and the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka (Japan) launched the Vietnamese bookshelf at the Consulate General's headquarters. The publisher will continue to develop the next levels of the Hello Vietnamese book series to cover all 6-level teaching materials according to the Ministry of Education and Trainings program. In addition, they will do research on teaching Vietnamese to Vietnamese students and foreign students keen on learning Vietnamese in some specific areas. After the launching ceremony, a refresher course on teaching Vietnamese to overseas Vietnamese children was also organized. During the course, Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh shared her teaching methods and experience gained in the past and guided teachers to carry out practical activities in class./. Amid a plethora of endeavors for rural revitalization, we discovered the powerful economic potentials of the homestay sector. In East Chinas Zhejiang Province, thanks to the decades-long Green Rural Revival Program, the countryside gets a new lease of life. Mesmerizing natural landscape proves to be a perfect cradle for eco-tourism businesses. One of the emerging business models is homestay services. Homestay in the countryside goes far beyond offering a spiritual refuge for city dwellers. It engages the local community in eco-friendly and sustainable business practices with economic benefits. Urban-Rural Partnership You can catch a glimpse of the promising homestay economy in Moganshan, a tranquil retreat nestled in the heartland of the prosperous Yangtze River Delta. This "Hamptons of China" has attracted many urban, even overseas adventurers with the cash to flock in. Homestay business, though an imported concept, has been fittingly localized, boosting local innovation and the flow of funds, talents, and ideas. Around a decade ago, a number of foreign expatriates working and living in the Yangtze River Delta came following their predecessors footprints for an ideal summer escape. They redecorated hundreds of European-style villas and created the first high-end homestay accommodations in China, which soon became all the rage. The commercial success of expats homes had positive spillover effects on the local community. The recipe for turning green into gold inspired the local residents to emulate. Shen Jiangrong is a migrant worker returning to Mount Mogan, now an entrepreneur managing Mofan Homestay and deputy president of the local association of the homestay service industry. Moganshan has a limited carrying capacity for tourism. There are two reservoirs here, one supplying drinking water to the county, and the other to the city. We, therefore, prioritize environmental protection as we try to develop the homestay business upstream from the reservoir. We need quality and sustainable development, even if it means fewer tourists, he said. According to Shen, it was the foreigners who introduced the principle that highlights design, service quality, and business concepts of homestay. Returning from big cities, many migrant workers like him learned from them to start our own businesses. Thanks to the returning residents, homestay has evolved from a practice of life aesthetics to a widely replicable business model. Indeed, local villagers have limited knowledge about hotel management and hospitality. They found it difficult to transform unused village housing into homestay hotels ready for the market, let alone strike a delicate balance between pricing and service quality, which is essential to business sustainability. Returning residents, however, have local resources, hometown attachment as well as some urban entrepreneurial experience. Theyve played an indispensable leading role and are a great example of urban-rural partnership. Leading homestay service providers have formed some industry associations. Regulations and instructions are given to ensure the accommodations meet accepted standards. Training in hospitality and basic guiding skills are offered to prepare host families for their role. We often provide training sessions. Trainees can then become qualified homestay managers. Many skilled workers are good at communicating with customers and responding to their needs so that visitors can feel at home, Shen introduced. Shen Jiangrong's success in running a homestay business has caught many peoples attention. Some whod previously been seeking opportunities in big cities like him also came back to their hometown. They then started homestay businesses with their available resources. We should avoid just imitating the expats. Its necessary to innovate. We try to preserve the quintessential elements of the countryside. Its also important to protect the environment to develop the homestay sector sustainably. Homestay business depends on the appeal of the surrounding environment, he said. Among all 166 homestay businesses in the village, 30 are built with investments from outside Moganshan. The rest are owned by locals. This might embody the way how homestays should reflect the essence of 'home' operated by local community members, fostering interaction with customers, and creating a genuine sense of belonging. Joining Forces for a Bigger Pie When more and more villagers have taken part to build their own homestay businesses, will high community involvement lead to price wars and unfair competition? In Qingshandian Village, homestay businesses are agglomerating near water. Villagers are encouraged to tap into the sightseeing market, with instructions considering its potential and mechanism. Homestay service providers seek to make the best of their personal strengths to find their market niches. This means diversifying the homestay experience to target different market segments, achieving economy of scale by appealing to a large number of visitors. I dreamed of building a house that would embrace water, said Kong Xiangchun. Kong is an architect from Shanghai. He turned his vision into reality in Qingshandian Village and started a homestay business. As the village upgrades its environment and economy, it enables incoming investors like us to fulfill our dreams and prove our worth," Kong said. Kong has a deep feeling for the tranquil nature of the village. "This fishing village is a paradise hidden in the hills. On rainy days, its enveloped in fascinating patches of fog. In spring, its soaked with pleasant floral fragrance. When a breeze comes up, it brings an intoxicating smell of flowers. In the morning, as you open the door and walk onto the balcony, a fresh breath of air will fill you with energy, he described. We homestay operators are in the same boat. Ive been growing my business together with other owners. For example, my homestay focuses on high-end lodging, and villagers and local restaurants focus on catering services. Their accommodation might not be as good, but they excel at food options, Kong explained. According to Kong, homestay owners are mutually acquainted. Homestay owners joined forces to operate. Kong gave us a simple example. When some senior visitors prefer all-inclusive services at a lower price, he would recommend homestay hotels within the local community that match their needs to them. Similarly, other homestay managers would also recommend Kong's services when they meet customers who want to spend a bit more. "We complement each other like brothers and refrain from begrudging each other for achieving success. If I run at capacity, Id be glad to let others accommodate the visitors, Kong concluded. Tourism Empowers Agriculture When rural areas see a booming tourism sector, it doesnt necessarily lead to lower agricultural productivity. Longmen Mijing, a gigantic tourism cluster, has integrated tourist attractions, local customs, homestay, farm produce, etc. It spreads the benefits throughout the value chain by recruiting different local providers for accommodation, catering, and special local produces. Lou Min is the manager of the Village Sightseeing Area in Longmen Mijing. Our sightseeing area is accessible to the outside via Dayu Line only. The government invested a lot in building this line, developing facilities like parking lots, and renovating buildings. The improved facilities enable us to attract tourists. We then provide accommodation and catering for visitors in our unused housing, she introduced. Lou Min said many visitors shared their awe with the villagers of the mesmerizing natural beauty here. Theyre also very keen on fresh produces and tea, which nurtured a business idea. We turned many local specialties like sauce into commodities. Like the pastries we saw on the street, some products used to be exclusive local festival offerings. Now they can also be sold to tourists, bringing in extra income for our people. Our village also abounds in crops such as tea and bamboo shoots. Locals used to gather some as daily vegetables and leave the rest on the hills unharvested and wasted. Now these crops are hankered-after produce, she explained. Lou Min said proudly, We have many hard-working people who used to face financial difficulties relying solely on farming. But now they can make tens or even hundreds of thousands by harvesting bamboo shoots, tea, and other crops. The conventional thinking of addressing rural issues follows a top-down or outside-in approach. But in Zhejiang, it's a different story. Many individuals blaze a trail making use of the natural landscape and business environment the government has created. Their stories demonstrate that ecological conservation is always a prerequisite and essential element to rural development. People can benefit from the interactions between cities and villages, the coordination between the market and the government, and the harmony between individuals. These lie at the heart of revitalizing rural areas. Developing rural areas must go beyond tourism. Tourism doesnt have to be the only answer. As the thriving villages attest, Zhejiang has offered us a shining example of balancing development between cities and villages and coordinating ecological conservation and economic growth. Editor: WXL Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech titled "Hand in Hand Toward a Community of Shared Development" at the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for joint efforts in building a community of shared development, and making sure that no country is left behind in the process of global modernization. Xi made the remarks at the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue held here on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. The delivery of most United Nations Sustainable Development Goals remains slow, Xi noted, saying that this is a cause for concern, and the global development endeavor faces formidable challenges. He called on the global community to pursue the larger interests of all countries, respond to people's concerns, restore development to the center of the international agenda, and make efforts to increase the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance and support developing countries in realizing better development. "It is also important to uphold true multilateralism, forge a global development partnership, and create a secure and stable international environment for shared development," Xi added. He stressed that China has invariably stood in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin, and has been and will always remain a member of developing countries. "I proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), precisely for the purpose of calling on the world to stay focused on development and lending impetus to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda," Xi noted, adding that China last year held the first High-Level Dialogue on Global Development where a host of measures for development cooperation were unveiled, and encouraging progress has been made since then. Noting that China has put development first and allocated more resources, Xi said the country has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with a total funding of 4 billion U.S. dollars. "China is a friend that Africa can count on," Xi said, noting that over the past decade, China has provided a large amount of development assistance to Africa and helped build more than 6,000 km of railway, over 6,000 km of highway, and 80-plus large power facilities on the continent. Going forward, China will carry out more cooperation with African countries to support Africa in enhancing its own capacity for development, Xi said, adding that Chinese financial institutions will soon set up a special fund of 10 billion dollars dedicated to the implementation of the GDI. What's more, China will provide satellite mapping data products, implement a Smart Customs cooperation partnership, and launch with UNESCO a "GDI for Africa's Future" action plan, to support sustainable development in Africa, Xi added. The event was hosted by Ramaphosa, and also attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated online. More than 60 leaders and representatives of African countries and other emerging markets and developing countries, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, and leaders of other international and regional organizations, also attended the event. Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with other leaders attending the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. The event was hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and also attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated online. More than 60 leaders and representatives of African countries and other emerging markets and developing countries, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, and leaders of other international and regional organizations, also attended the event. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Editor: WXL Chinese classical dance performed at Shuyan, a restaurant, provides its customers with immersive experiences of Chinese culture, in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province and host city of the 31st World University Games. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, GMW.cn makes no representations as to accuracy, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information. Britain's energy regulator has lowered the price cap on household bills by about 7% as wholesale prices continue to fall, but customers will still face a tough winter and high bills with no government support. Ofgem on Friday cut the cap on household energy bills 1,923 a year for a typical dual-fuel household, and said it would save an average of 151 compared with the previous quarter. About 29 million customers are on standard rate tariffs protected by the price cap. However, consumers will still pay almost double for gas and electricity than before the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine sparked a surge in prices. They will also receive no support from the government, which provided a 400 payment to all homes last winter. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Energy transition investor IX Net Zero announced on Friday that its associate company, Enphys Acquisition Corporation, has taken preliminary steps to extend its deadline for initiating a business combination. The AIM-traded firm said that according to a recently filed proxy statement, Enphys wanted to move its deadline from 8 October this year, to 8 July next year. It said the proposal was currently under review, and would need approval from Enphys shareholders. Additionally, it said Enphys had expressed an interest in a business collaboration with a prominent advanced biofuels company based in Latin America. Though the details about this Latin American company were not disclosed, both parties had exchanged a non-binding letter of intent regarding a potential business combination. IX Net Zero holds a 30% stake in Enphys Management Company, which directly owns a share in Enphys Acquisition Sponsor, which is the sponsoring entity behind Enphys Acquisition Corporation. The company did note that while both Enphys and the target were in preliminary negotiation phases, there was no certainty that they would reach a definitive agreement on a combination. Such a potential agreement would need approvals from the boards and equity holders of both organisations. We believe that Enphys has significant growth potential and we are supporting the company as it looks to establish itself as a leading biofuels operator in the alternative energy sector in Latin America, said chief executive officer Par Lindstrom. At 0800 BST, shares in IX Net Zero were down 3.57% at 27p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Watches of Switzerland responded to concerns regarding the acquisition of Bucherer by Rolex on Friday, working to reassure shareholders of its continued access to stock. It came after the luxury watchmaker announced it was acquiring luxury watch and jewellery retailer Bucherer on Thursday, contingent on the approval of Swiss competition authorities. Bucherer has been an authorised Rolex dealer since 1924, and has also owned the US-based retailer Tourneau since 2018. Rolex said it was acquiring Bucherer as its owner, Jorg Bucherer, is 86 years old and has no family succession. This is not a strategic move into retail by Rolex, Watches of Switzerland said in its statement. This is the best-judged reaction to the succession challenges of Bucherer. There will be no operational involvement by Rolex in the Bucherer business. The company said Rolex would appoint non-executive board members, and claimed there would be no change in Rolex's processes of product allocation or distribution developments as a result of the acquisition. All of the above is reviewed and confirmed by the highest level of Rolex management at Rolex HQ in Geneva, and locally in the UK and US, the company said. Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, noted that shares were plunging on Friday, down over 26% for their biggest one-day drop on record and hitting December 2020 lows. The tie-up between Burcherer and Rolex could solidify its ties at the expense of Watches of Switzerland, potentially diminishing its relevance in the market for sales of second-hand Rolex watches, Scholar noted. Rolex is a highly popular brand with demand sharply outweighing supply. High end customers and the luxury market have proven to be highly resilient to the broader macroeconomic and cost-of-living pressures this year. Scholar did, however, note that earlier in the month Watches of Switzerland maintained its full-year guidance, saying demand for luxury watches remained robust. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, meanwhile said investors seemed to fear the tie-up between Rolex and Bucherer would mean Bucherer received preferential treatment, including better access to the watches that consumers were desperate to buy. Watches of Switzerlands efforts to reassure the market that there will be no change in how Rolex allocates stock have fallen on deaf ears. This is what Rolex might have promised now, but that could easily change in the future. Mould noted that there had been a trend among various product manufacturers, including the big trainer companies, to sell directly to consumers. In doing so, they learn more about customer preferences and make more margin as they can cut out the middleman for these direct sales. Imagine that happening with Rolex - theoretically, it could use Bucherer as its channel to sell and not have to bother with other authorised dealers such as Watches of Switzerland. Its worth noting that Watches of Switzerland has been a favourite stock among many mid-cap fund managers. They, Mould said, would have to look hard at the Bucherer announcement, and decide if it radically changed the investment case. At 1001 BST, shares in Watches of Switzerland were off earlier lows, down 23.7% at 529.12p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. We are interested in purchasing wood pellets of A1 grade. Delivery to the port of Varna. Packaging: 15 kg bags on pallet. We require 200 tons for the first order and then 500 tons monthly. Target price: 200 EUR. The order volume depends on pellets quality and price. Contact us with detailed offer. In a recent interview with Guangming Online, Moosa Siraj, a member of the Maldivian People's Majlis, discussed key aspects of China-Maldives cooperation and shared his vision for future collaborations. Siraj underscored the symbolic significance of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which stands as a testament to the strong friendship between the two nations. He emphasized the bridge's transformative impact on transportation accessibility, noting its exceptional quality. "The quality of the bridge, we can say, is excellent," Siraj commented. He also highlighted its pioneering nature as the first bridge built in deep-sea conditions, showcasing China's engineering prowess. Looking ahead, Siraj discussed future areas of collaboration. He emphasized the pressing need for social housing in the Maldives and praised recent joint efforts with China that resulted in the construction of 7,000 housing units. Expressing optimism, he hoped for continued support in addressing housing challenges. Siraj also pointed out the promising potential of investments in the tourism sector, which he believed would yield significant economic benefits and enhance the well-being of the Maldivian people. These collaborative efforts, Siraj anticipated, will further strengthen the relationship between China and the Maldives in the coming years. Editor: ZAD The government in association with state governments, is launching an 'Invoice incentive Scheme' by the name 'Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar' to encourage the culture of customers asking for invoices and bills for all purchases. The objective of the scheme is to bring a cultural and behavioral change in the general public to 'Ask for a Bill' as their right and entitlement. The scheme will be launched on September 1. This scheme will initially be launched as a pilot in Assam, Gujarat and, Haryana and the union territories of Puducherry, Dadra and, Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. All B2C invoices issued by GST-registered suppliers (registered in the states of Assam, Gujarat and Haryana and UTs of Puducherry, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu) to consumers will be eligible for the scheme. The minimum value for invoices to be considered for a lucky draw has been kept at Rs 200. Invoices can be uploaded on the Mobile Application 'Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar' available on IOS and Android as well as on web portal 'web.merabill.gst.gov.in. All residents of India will be eligible to participate in this scheme, irrespective of their state. A maximum 25 invoices can be uploaded by an individual on App/web portal in a month to be considered for the lucky draw. For each uploaded invoice, an acknowledgment reference number (ARN) will be generated, which will be used for the draw of prizes. Winning invoices will be picked by a method of random draw at regular intervals (monthly as well as quarterly). MINI India has introduced URBAN-X, marking the first time that Indian urban tech startups are being supported under the global MINI Impact Program. This program aims to assist early-stage startups in creating more sustainable, livable, and resilient cities. It is now being extended to India, along with seven other countries including Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Portugal, France, Spain, and Germany. Mr. Vikram Pawah, President BMW Group India stated that MINI has always been an urban brand since its inception during the gasoline crisis of the late 1950s. The brand's small size, innovative design and engineering have made it iconic. URBAN-X by MINI follows this creative spirit by supporting startups that reimagine city life and provides them with a network and necessary resources to scale up their solutions. After successful launches in various markets worldwide, URBAN-X is now entering the Indian market and inviting local startups to present their creative solutions for urban challenges. MINI India will collaborate with Utopia the world's first urban innovation group for urbantech entrepreneurs in emerging cities - to identify promising startups in India tackling urban challenges. A panel of experts including industry mentors experienced in regulated industries as well as urban design and planning will evaluate startup applications. One winning team from India will participate in a 4-week program offered by URBAN-X which focuses on achieving 'product-market fit' through an intensive virtual experience supplemented by a week at the URBAN-X headquarters in Newlab, Brooklyn. Participating entrepreneurs from different countries will receive tailored support based on their startup stage and needs. For idea stage startups, emphasis will be placed on customer discovery, business roadmap development and pitching solutions. Seed stage companies will have their product and pitch reviewed while also receiving guidance on market entry strategies and supply chain assessment. URBAN-X has already supported over 100 startups in the past seven years, providing scalable solutions. In response to the urgent need to combat climate change, the platform expanded last year with the MINI Impact Program, leveraging MINI's global distribution network to address climate challenges in cities worldwide. URBAN-X was established by MINI in 2016 as a platform for founders who are reimagining city life. It partners with startups to develop innovative technology solutions for a sustainable planet. Unlike traditional startup programs, URBAN-X offers tailored support that accelerates growth and builds successful businesses for the next generation of innovators focused on climate and urban issues. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Police arrested three people in connection with a large protest where activists breached barriers at the location of a planned migrant shelter in Arrochar. Streets were blocked during the Friday morning rush hour in and around Landis Avenue where the shelter is proposed at the former St. John Villa Academy. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Authorities recovered the body of a man in the waters off of Staten Island on Friday morning, according to multiple sources. The U.S. Coast Guard received a report around 9 a.m. on Friday from a tugboat that there was a body between barges in the vicinity of a marine terminal, a source with the agency told the Advance/SILive.com. The man, who was thought to be in his 20s, was found floating unconscious and unresponsive in the water, according to a spokesman for the NYPD. The NYPD Harbor Unit recovered the body and transported him to Coast Guard Station Sector New York. One source described his body as being highly decomposed, indicating that he perhaps was in the water for multiple weeks. The man had no obvious signs of trauma, a source told the Advance/SILive.com. The investigation into the mans death continues. Authorities were unable to immediately provide further information about the location of the marine terminal. More information will be published when it becomes available. The discovery of the body marked the second time in as many days that human remains were found on or around the borough. Just after 9 a.m. on Thursday, human remains were discovered in the vicinity of the 300 block of Western Avenue in Mariners Harbor, according to a spokeswoman for the NYPD. OTHER STATEN ISLAND NEWS: >> NYPD: 3 arrested in protests at planned migrant shelter at Staten Island school; roads blocked >> Alleged car thieves jumped from Verrazzano to Fort Wadsworth in dramatic escape bid: Sources >> NYPD: Stolen car drove wrong way in scary Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge chase; 2 in custody >> NYPD seeks tips in knife-point robbery at business on Staten Island >> Source: Woman suffers life-threatening injuries in fire at apartment building on Staten Island >> Crash at The Boulevard mall on Staten Island damages multiple cars, sends vehicle up against storefront >> Young Staten Island mom dies in fiery Brooklyn crash; driver of Mercedes charged STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. With an already lengthy rap sheet for theft, a Staten Island woman is scheduled to be sentenced next month for slashing a man with a knife at a convenience store in her neighborhood. Abi Foster, 27, of Heberton Avenue in Port Richmond, pleaded guilty recently in state Supreme Court, St. George, to a charge of assault with a weapon in connection with the Sept. 9, 2022, episode at a vape shop near her house. The violence unfolded just before 1 p.m. when the defendant slashed a 53-year-old male in the left arm with a knife during an altercation at 1061 Post Ave., according to law enforcement officials. Based on the results of working out the order on financial discipline under martial law, it was revealed that 30-40% of the subjects of the export grain market work "in the shadows," Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, said. "There are first results after working out the order on certain issues of financial discipline under the legal regime of martial law, which came into force on August 22. As expected, 30-40% of export grain market participants work in the shadows," he wrote on Telegram. According to the report, an analysis of the origin of grain from the first 32 exporters checked under the order showed that 21 companies work in good faith with the payment of all taxes, and 11 enterprises are questioned about the origin of grain. "For the most part, these enterprises are not from Odesa region," the head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration specified. He recalled that in the future, ships will be loaded only during a preliminary analysis of the legitimacy of the origin of grain. All customs declarations must be registered before loading the export goods. Campaigns will be reviewed by relevant law enforcement agencies. Kiper called on everyone to join the "white team" and sign a Memorandum with the Odesa Regional Military Administration (on strengthening cooperation in the agricultural, transport and food sectors to deshadow the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and ensure food security). Some 26 enterprises have already joined the initiative. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Asthma-related emergency department visits rose in New York as smoke from Canadian wildfires smothered the state in an intense smog earlier this year, according to multiple studies. The otherworldly haze, which shrouded Staten Island in an orange glow in early June, carried noxious particles over the northern United States border and triggered an influx of hospital traffic, said two studies released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a third probe issued by a medical journal. I have no doubt that every asthmatic had an uptick in symptoms, said Dr. Adrian Pristas, a pulmonologist based in Hazlet, New Jersey. Some were able to manage it on their own, but some had to call for help. During 19 days of wildfire smoke between April and August, emergency department visits were 17% higher than normal, said one of the CDC studies. That total was higher in New York and New Jersey, reaching 46%. Research has demonstrated pollution from wildfire smoke could be far worse than particulate matter (PM2.5) from car tailpipes. Those particles can get embedded in the lungs, exacerbating respiratory issues for vulnerable people. Even healthy people are negatively affected when air quality plummets to dangerous levels. Experts said human-induced climate change is likely to provide ideal conditions for wildfires to start and spread, potentially worsening the length of wildfire season. The risk of wildfire smoke exposure is increasing because of climate change, land management practice, and growth of wildland-urban interface areas, particularly in locations that have not historically experienced wildfire smoke, wrote the authors of the CDC study. A second CDC study centered on New York State, excluding New York City, discovered a nearly-82% increase of asthma-related hospital visits in early June, highlighting the profound impact of air quality degradation on people with underlying conditions. A third study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Medicine found a 50% rise of emergency room visits related to asthma on June 7, within New York City. The United States Department of Agriculture said in a 2021 study that there is a growing need to make communities more fire-adapted as climate change fuels wildfires to become more destructive. International scientists widely agree that climate change will enhance the risk and severity of wildfires in the coming decades. Associated Press materials were used in this report. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As tensions rise on Staten Island amid the upcoming opening of a new migrant shelter at the former St. John Villa Academy, the state is ramping up calls for the federal government to intervene in what officials are calling a crisis that requires a national solution. On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul penned a letter to President Joe Biden imploring the federal government to assist the state in handling the massive influx of migrants experienced over the past 12 months. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Protesters breached police barriers while chanting save our children during continued protests against a migrant shelter at the former St. John Villa Academy on Thursday night. Following a large protest that drew ire from more than 1,000 people Wednesday night, have been ongoing rallies against the shelter, which is expected to be open by the end of the week. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A neighbor and a group of Staten Island elected officials hope a last-ditch lawsuit filed Thursday can block an impending migrant shelter at the former St. John Villa Academy. The lawsuit seeks to halt the shelter meant for 300 migrants described as single females and adult families by City Hall that city officials confirmed earlier this week. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the sites neighbor, Scott Herkert, whose property is adjacent to the former school, and Staten Islands Republican elected officials. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. NYPD officers kept a lid on flaring tempers outside the former St. John Villa Academy Thursday as some locals continued their protest against an incoming migrant shelter. From about 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the crowd outside ranged in number from about 10 to 30. Their group was smaller than the more-than 1,000 people gathered outside Wednesday night to protest, but they were ready to trade insults with security and construction staff at the site. School. Sports. Social. Staten Island. Todays story is part of the launch of our Plugged in Parent content, in which well tell the stories that Staten Island families need to know -- all in one place. Well be covering news that is valuable to students in public, Catholic and private schools -- both in and out of the classroom. From highlights in sports, to photos from prom, to critical education news -- Plugged In Parent, you wont want to miss it. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Many students planning to attend a higher education institution will typically take a college entrance exam such as the SAT at some point during their high school career. But students may be wondering when they should take the exam. According to College Board, which offers the SAT to students nationwide, the test is offered nationally seven times each year March, May, June, August, October, November and December and usually on a Saturday. College Board recommends students take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year, and again in the fall before college application deadlines. Most students who retake the SAT raise their score, and some students even take the exam more than twice. You should select your first test date in March, May or June considering several factors like test center location availability, personal schedule, practice time needed, chance/desire to retest, and college application deadlines. Dates in August, October and November are popular for retaking the SAT before your college application deadlines. Leslie A. Williams, lecturer in the Higher and Postsecondary Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University, told the Advance/SILive.com that, for some students, it may be better to take the SAT for the first time in the fall of their junior year and retake it again in the spring of their junior year. See the current SAT test date schedule for the exact dates. Many states, districts and schools including New York City public schools also participate in SAT School Day, which allows you to take a test at your school during regular school hours on dates in October, March and April. Students can ask their school counselor if their school plans to administer the SAT on a school day. Heres a closer look at the factors to consider when choosing an exam date. LOCATION AVAILABILITY The SAT is administered at thousands of testing centers across the country, often in high schools or colleges. But every test center is not open for every test date. And they dont offer the same number of seats. You may want to check to see if your school is a test center and which SAT dates it offers. If your school isnt a test center, choose the location closest to you that offers the SAT on your desired date. Find SAT test centers using College Boards online search tool. PERSONAL SCHEDULE You may need to choose an SAT date that fits into your schedule as your junior and senior years may be busier than usual. And the College Board coordinates with the ACT every year to make sure its never offered the same day. PREPARING AND PRACTICING Youll want to practice and prepare before you take the exam. Setting aside time to practice is an important factor when selecting test dates. To do your best on the SAT, youll need to set aside some time to practice. College Board states that most students study during the two to three months leading up to their SAT. Williams explained that students should start to prepare to take the first exam in the summer and fall before they plan to take it. Doing some kind of test prep, I think always helps, said Williams. Its sometimes not a measure of what you know, but its a measure of the preparation for a strategy for taking those tests, so that you know what youre doing, and you can deal with the anxiety of the tests and stuff like that. So getting through some practice getting through not just being able to answer questions, but getting through the time and the pressured nature of those tests I think those are important things to do. And [you should do] those in that summer, fall before you take it. Here are a few links to get you started with your SAT prep, according to College Board: RETAKING THE SAT Many students choose to take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year, giving plenty of time to retake the SAT and raise your score a second time. By taking the SAT a second time, you get to customize your preparation by focusing on specific areas you need to work on most, and youve got the added advantage of knowing what to expect on test day, said College Board. COLLEGE DEADLINES Youll likely send your SAT score to the colleges youre applying to, which means you need to know their admissions deadlines and when to send your score. Typically, for high school seniors, regular decision deadlines are in December or January, while the most common early action or early admission deadline is in November. Scores are usually available a few weeks after the test date, but some time is required to send them to colleges. When selecting your test date, be sure to note the score release date for that exam, according to College Board. Its important to note that SAT will be administered with paper and pen only in the United States through the end of 2023. It will then become digital starting in 2024. College Board is transitioning its exams to a digital platform and will still be scored on a 1600 scale. It will also continue to be administered in a school or in a test center with a proctor present, not at home. The digital SAT will be shorter about two hours instead of three for the current SAT, providing more time per question. It will feature shorter reading passages with one question tied to each, and passages will reflect a wider range of topics that represent the works that students read in college. Calculators will be allowed for the entire math section. Students and educators will also get scores back in just days instead of weeks. The changes will make the exam more secure, College Board says. Under the current paper exam, if one test form is compromised, it means canceling administrations or canceling scores for a whole group of students. Going digital allows every student to receive a unique test form making it practically impossible to share answers. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. A key portion of President Joe Biden's immigration policy that grants parole to thousands of people from Central America and the Caribbean is being debated in a Texas federal courtroom. During the trial Thursday, Eric Sype testified about helping a friend from Nicaragua come to the U.S. through the humanitarian parole program. It allows up to 30,000 people each month to enter the U.S. from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Texas and 20 other Republican-leaning states have sued to stop the program. They argue it increases costs associated with crime, and depresses wages. Sype says his friend from Nicaragua is helping fill a critical job on a family farm in Washington state. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan the intensification of trade and economic cooperation and the restoration of Ukraine. "We met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. We discussed the intensification of our trade and economic cooperation, the future restoration of Ukraine, as well as other joint projects that are promising for our countries. We look forward to the speedy finalization of all procedures for the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel. It is noted that the parties also discussed global food security. "I am grateful to Turkey for the principled position of supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula," he concluded. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size No one could ever accuse Alex Proyas of being a technophobe, but when he put AI through its screenwriting paces recently he was far from impressed. He started with a simple prompt in Chat GPT: Can you help me to write a screenplay for a film? It responded of course I can, says the Sydney-based writer-director-producer who has been prodding at the interface of film and digital technology since his hand was forced by the death of Brandon Lee on the set of The Crow, a film written and directed by Proyas, in 1993 (the actors face was digitally added to a body double for some scenes, the first time that had been done). The AI asked him what he had in mind, and Proyas entered a few prompts. And then it starts criticising what Ive entered. Of course you need a protagonist, an antagonist, a three-act structure. A little wounded, he typed back: Its OK, I know how to write a script. Now I need you to write one. This image was created by writer-director-producer Alex Proyas as a character study for a forthcoming production, Rossums Universal Robots. Supplied by the filmmaker to illustrate the application of AI (artificial intelligence) in the movie business. Credit: Alex Proyas But rather than turn out the next masterpiece, the AI and Proyas continued bickering. I ended up in a completely stupid argument with it stop telling me the rules. And then I realised I was arguing with a machine, and it was a complete waste of time. Thats far from the last encounter Proyas has had with AI as a filmmaking tool. He has used it to create posters, concept and character studies for a forthcoming production that he intends to shoot entirely in virtual environments (with real actors), but it does serve as something of a reality check about where the business is at with regards to the technological revolution that is at the heart of Hollywoods biggest ever industrial dispute. Advertisement In short, its exciting, its full of possibilities and risks, but its far from the finished article right now. The pace at which AI is evolving is remarkable, and that is a key reason so many people in the filmmaking business see it as a threat. When the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike on May 2, AI was a factor, but almost in passing. But by the time the 160,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild downed tools in July, it had become a headline cause. Friend or foe? The rapid rise to prominence of AI has sent shockwaves through the filmmaking community. Credit: Dado Ruvic Some of that may be strategic. If anyone knows the power of an apocalyptic scenario in which AI wipes out humanity, its Hollywood. But it is also rooted in very real concerns that AI could soon be writing screenplays, and that extras might never have the chance to progress to bit parts and then to leads because they have been scanned, stored and repeatedly redeployed as digital assets in return for nothing more than a days casual pay. But on the flipside there are plenty of people in the industry who see infinite possibility in AI, not for unemployment and penury, but for enhanced creativity. Kriv Stenders, one of this countrys most prolific filmmakers (his credits include Red Dog, the TV remake of Wake in Fright, and the recent ABC documentary series The Black Hand), has embraced AI as a writing tool, but not in the way you might imagine. Rather than asking Chat GPT to script a scene, hes using the image generator Midjourney to bring the pictures in his head to life. Its great for visualising a scene, he says. Its like music you can riff with it, and that gives you writing ideas. Theres this great feedback and resonance. It illustrates whats inside your head. Advertisement It works like this: Stenders has an idea for a shot hed like to create. He types some words into the AI, offering settings, characters, reference points and style, and it generates an image. When it works, it helps move the story forward, possibly in a direction he hadnt originally foreseen. It helps enhance the creative process, as opposed to replacing it, he says. Writer-director Kriv Stenders generated this image for a forthcoming family film using the following prompts: 1950s Woman Scientist in labcoat working in Outback old mansion clock tower making a time machine cinematic style Film Noir. Credit: Kriv Stenders Though he can envisage a time when a new generation of filmmakers might be able to create entire projects artificially, that doesnt frighten him in the least. Its fair enough to ask questions about where this is all going, he says, but to me its not scary, its just part of the evolution of cinema, of the industry, of the interface. From the advent of the motion picture camera, to sound, to colour, to the internet, its all mind-blowing. Its not just the speed of the evolution that takes his breath away, its the speed of application too. Ive always envied musicians who can go and record an album in a day, because film is so time-consuming and expensive, says Stenders, who is using AI to help develop a family film, Antonio S. And The Mystery Of Theodore Guzman, based on the childrens novel by Odo Hirsch. This is creating an immediacy that is so invigorating. For Kimble Rendall, a founding member of the Hoodoo Gurus and the director of shark-in-a-supermarket thriller Bait, the evolution of the technology now available to filmmakers means that a dream he has had since working as second-unit director on the Matrix sequels 20 years ago is now within reach. Advertisement Back then, he says, a lot of the action sequences were shot using virtual actors, and some of the footage created for the films ended up being used in the computer game Enter the Matrix, on which he also worked. (Its worth noting that the key VFX person on those films was Kim Libreri, who is now the chief technology officer at Epic Games, whose Unreal Engine software is key to the move in recent years to virtual production, where sets are projected on large multi-screen LED walls). Rendall has just released a proof-of-concept trailer for a project called Age of Beasts, in which he plans to push those tech-driven synergies to the limit. Kimble Rendall has recently released a proof-of-concept trailer for Age of Beasts, which he hopes to develop as a game and a movie simultaneously. Its using game technology to create a world, and using [digitally created] metahumans to create a story thats 100 per cent in the computer. My aim is to create the assets to make games and films, to own the IP and to be able to create a game and a film simultaneously, reusing those assets. Rendalls project is anchored more in the world of virtual production than AI, but the line between the two (and the related field of CGI, computer-generated imagery) is faint. Theres so much procedural AI like predictive text on your phone in everyday use that people sometimes dont realise it is AI, says Sophie Taylor, manager of Nant Studios world-leading virtual production facility at Docklands Studios Melbourne. Procedural AI helps improve the resolution of an image, to sharpen blurry edges, to fill in the gaps between a starting render point and an end. The software has learnt how to do jobs that used to be done a frame at a time, but its operating as a tool, not as a creator. Advertisement Its the artistry of the person creating the image that drives it, she says. But what AI does help with is the iterations, getting through the development process of what the creative is after. Its AI that drives the tech used in Sassy Justice, the deep-fake short film from Deep Voodoo, the studio backed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, for example. But its their distinctive voice that makes it instantly recognisable as the work of the creators of South Park and Team America. We see it as a toolkit to enhance and enable creativity, says David Balfour, head of teaching and learning at AFTRS (Australian Film Television and Radio School), where the next generation of filmmakers is grappling with the implications of AI. Were making sure our students are fully able to do the thing themselves, so they become good and ethical operators of prompts and good analysis and good tweakers. Were preparing students for an industry where AI has been part of the toolkit thats used in creating movies, and will continue to be, and will evolve and change. One thing that has rapidly become obvious, though: When the students rely on AI too much, and they dont put themselves in it, when theres not an authentic person behind it, it doesnt resonate. Screen composer Charlie Chan has trained AI to play in their own style, to remove much of the grunt work from the job. Credit: Chris Hopkins Composer Charlie Chan has been quick to see the possibilities for the application of AI in their own work. I have programmed my AI named ChAI by giving it a full classical musical education, they say. I loaded a million midi files into it, all the classical material in the public domain, then I gave it all my own compositions all this in order that ChAI could develop the capacity to improvise the way I do. Advertisement Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A week is a long time in politics, they say, but a weekend might be even longer in the life of the chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. On Friday August 18, Ita Buttrose went on Virginia Triolis morning show on ABC Radio Melbourne, ostensibly to talk about the passing of British broadcasting legend Michael Parkinson, with whom she had been friends. Inevitably, the conversation turned to the topic of her tenure as chair of the ABC, and whether she might seek to extend it beyond the end of her five-year term in March 2024. Im mulling it over, Buttrose said. Which way are you leaning right now, prodded Trioli. Oh Virginia, come along, responded Buttrose with her customary mix of charm and steeliness. Were talking about the art of the interview. Im not going to answer that question. She did say she had found her time at the ABC very challenging, but very enjoyable. The five years had flown by, she added, but its a big decision to decide whether or not Ill do another five years. Advertisement Age was a factor, she conceded, and life is full of unexpected detours and you never know how its going to turn out. Are you talking to the government about staying on, Trioli asked. Im expecting to have a conversation with the minister shortly. Ita Buttrose, chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, will not seek a second term at the end of her five-year tenure in March 2024. Credit: ABC It appears that conversation may have been bumped up the respective calendars of Buttrose and the federal communications minister, Michelle Rowland, whose portfolio includes the ABC, because by Tuesday morning the ministers department had issued a statement in which it clarified that Buttrose is not seeking reappointment following the completion of her current term. Describing Buttrose as a giant of Australias media industry, and thanking her for her exemplary service, Rowland said: Ms Buttrose was the right chair for the right time. But for many reading the tea leaves, it was impossible not to wonder if that also suggested the government felt she was not the right chair for the time to come. Advertisement I dont know if this is a government decision or an Ita decision, though I suspect its the former, says one veteran ABC observer who, like many of those spoken to for this story, wished to speak anonymously. She is 81 and shes recently had back surgery, but shes very vigorous and I would be surprised if she didnt feel she could keep going. But one well-placed ABC insider is convinced the decision was Buttroses, and one she reached a few weeks ago. Though she remains as sharp as ever, the pain she is in is considerable; as she said on Perth radio recently, at her age, back problems are a real issue. Regardless of whose decision it was, the announcement that Buttrose will step down in March coupled with the revelation this week that managing director David Anderson, whose term was due to expire next May, has been reappointed for another five years allows the ABC to contemplate the next phase of its transformation to a digital-first media organisation with a degree of certainty and stability that was unthinkable when she came into the role. The not-so-dream team: The ABCs former chair, Justin Milne, and managing director, Michelle Guthrie. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Buttrose was appointed by then prime minister Scott Morrison in February 2019, despite not even having been on the shortlist put forward to cabinet by an independent panel convened by the communications department to scout and suggest suitable candidates. By the time she arrived, the board had been stacked with directors appointed by the Coalition outside the merit system, and the notion of the organisations independence from government was under siege. That she was a captains pick immediately gave rise to fears that she was yet another purely political appointment. At its upper echelons, the ABC was in disarray. Former chair Justin Milne had resigned in September 2018 amid allegations of interference in operational matters, while managing director Michelle Guthrie had been sacked by Milne and his board earlier that month. Advertisement Kirstin Ferguson was a member of the board from 2015 to 2020, and acting chair from Milnes departure to Buttroses start in early March. And from the moment she first met Buttrose, she says, it was clear she meant business. From day one, she brought a deep understanding of what the ABC does, says Ferguson. There are a lot of acts, as well as the charter and the ABC Act itself, and she was all across that in my first meeting with her. She was very clear about the role of the board, the role of independence, that was obviously very important. Buttrose was only a few months into the job when she was presented with the first test of that independence. In June 2019, the Australian Federal Police raided the offices of the ABC in search of classified documents. Buttroses response was fierce and immediate. She said publicly that the raid was clearly designed to intimidate the organisation, and revealed shed had a frank conversation with communications minister Paul Fletcher, who had declined to offer a guarantee that such raids would not happen again. Then editorial director Craig McMurtie speaks to the media outside the ABC after the AFP raids in June 2019. Credit: Kate Geraghty I think the government totally underestimated the strength of Ita as a leader, says Ferguson. They thought theyd get a figurehead, and they absolutely did not. Joe Gersh, who sat on the ABC board from 2018 until May this year, agrees with that assessment. Theres a view, he says, that every government tries to appoint a chair with whom they feel comfortable. And then they get a surprise when the chair theyve appointed acts independently but thats precisely the role to which theyve been appointed. Its required by legislation. Its a key responsibility of the chair. To ABC staff, Buttroses defiance in the face of the AFP raids was a welcome sign that they now had a defender as chair, in stark contrast to Milne, who had been seen by many as implacably at odds with the broadcaster he ostensibly led. Advertisement People forget how almost fundamentally broken the ABC was at a leadership and board level at the time she arrived, says one former senior executive. Weve all forgotten the great nuclear meltdown that was Justin Milne and Michelle Guthrie. I struggled to get up and go to work every morning because it was so awful, the source continues. Then David [Anderson] and Ita arrived, and you could not have picked two people better suited at the time to restore the soul of the place. Nor was the AFP raid an isolated incident. In the wake of the infamous Inside the Canberra Bubble episode of Four Corners (in which an unnamed member of the government, later self-identified as Christian Porter, was accused of rape), Buttrose accused Paul Fletcher and the government of a pattern of behaviour that smacks of political interference. Porter has denied the rape allegation. Buttrose and the Coalitions communications minister Paul Fletcher engaged in a fierce tussle over perceived bias in 2020. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald She stood up for us when it really counted, says one current broadcaster. She pushed back, which a lot of chairs dont do. Everyone spoken to for this story is of the same view regarding this aspect of Buttroses tenure: She genuinely believes the ABC should be fearless. Shes been robust in standing up for independence, says ABC Alumni chair and former Media Watch host Jonathan Holmes. She effectively told [former communications minister] Paul Fletcher to get f----d over the Canberra Bubble story. Advertisement A suspect accused of murdering a man whose body was found encased in concrete at a Brisbane business has been committed to stand trial. The body of Andrew Christopher Walsh was found by police in 2022 after a three-week excavation at a Coopers Plain business on Musgrave Road, in Brisbanes south. The body of Andrew Walsh was found at the commercial premises during a three-week excavation. Credit: Reece DAlessandro, Nine News Twitter Joshua Robert Searston was one of several people charged over the 35-year-olds death, with two co-accused committed to stand trial in July in the Brisbane Magistrates Court. At that hearing, witnesses gave evidence regarding the alleged involvement of the three men, but Searstons case was pushed back to allow him time to get legal representation before a magistrate decided on his case. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the August 19 Edition of Good Weekend. See all 19 stories . On a Tuesday night in early April, in a dining room on the 27th floor of the Mumbai home of Asias wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, a dinner is being held for about 20 people to mark the founding of his green power venture, New Energy. In the words of Ambani, who made his $130 billion fortune building a textiles business into a conglomerate of energy, petrochemicals and mass media interests, its aim is to make clean and green energy abundantly available at an affordable price to every Indian, every Indian enterprise, and every Indian utility as well as to save planet Earth from the ravages of climate change. Gathered around the table are the people Ambani believes can help make that happen. They include Robert Armstrong, the director of the MIT Energy Initiative, and Geoffrey Maitland, professor of energy engineering at Imperial College London. Theres Henrik Stiesdal, the Danish engineer who led the development of modern wind energy, and Rachid Yazami, the Singapore-based Moroccan scientist famous for his crucial role in developing the lithium-ion battery thats made the electric vehicle revolution possible. The former Australian chief scientist Alan Finkel is there, too, with his wife, the journalist and biochemist Elizabeth Finkel. And theres the man many believe has done more to help ward off impending climate catastrophe than any other single person, Professor Martin Green of the University of NSW, who attends the dinner with his wife, Judy. What a privilege it was to be there alongside the people who built the technology that will end the era of fossil fuels, the godfathers of wind and solar, Finkel tells Good Weekend. Both technologies will be crucial in a decarbonised world but it is solar that will form the backbone of the worlds new economy and it will do so in large part due to the work of Green and the scientists and engineers that hes collaborated with or taught over the past four decades. When it comes to solar research, Martin Green is the Elvis Presley or the Frank Sinatra, depending on your taste, says Australias Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen. Hes the real deal, hes the international mega rock star. Green does not look much like an international mega rock star. He has an elegant presence, long and thin, and is given to wearing smart and sensible slacks and sweaters. His hair is all there and not all grey, unusual for a man in his mid-70s. He speaks in a gentle sort of baritone and seems like the kind of man who hasnt had to raise his voice much. Outside of energy and academic circles, Green might be little known in Australia, but his global fame is growing. Last October, he was summoned to Helsinki where the President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, conferred upon him one of the worlds leading technology awards, the Millennium Technology Prize. Professor Green, you have stated that a huge transformation of historical significance is underway, Niinisto announced. Indeed, humankind is at a crossroads, and you are helping us to choose our direction. This October Green will travel again, this time to London, where King Charles will award him the worlds leading engineering prize, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, alongside other veterans of the solar program he built at UNSW, Andrew Blakers, now ANU emeritus professor, Dr Aihua Wang and Dr Jianhua Zhao. The award, said the prize foundations chairman, Lord Browne of Madingley, celebrates engineers who solve the impossible and transform our world for the better. The passivated emitter and rear solar cell, known as the PERC, which Green and his colleagues developed was one such innovation. In solar research, says Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, hes the international mega rock star. Credit: James Brickwood Advertisement Chris Bowen says there could be no modern solar industry, at least not as it is today, without the development of the PERC, and the decades of work Green put into solar development. At this point theres hardly a solar panel being installed in the world that does not include some of his technology, he says. Asked which other Australians have had a similarly significant impact upon the world, Bowen doesnt hesitate. It is Howard Florey, Marcus Oliphant and Martin, he says, placing Green alongside the pharmacologist who shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1945 for his work developing penicillin, and the physicist who was central to the development of the atomic bomb. The ABCs veteran science journalist Robyn Williams suggests other names Lawrence Bragg, who spurred the early development of two fields of science, molecular biology and X-ray diffraction; and Henry Sutton who, in Ballarat in 1885, invented the telephane, a forerunner to television. Williams confesses to being frustrated both by how little Australias brightest scientific minds are celebrated, and by seeing the solar cells developed by Green and his team mass-produced in China rather than here. It seems to me very important that Australians know how bright their scientists are and how surprising it is how little theyre supported. Theres hardly a solar panel being installed in the world that does not include some of his technology. Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy That public profile could all change if Green were to win a Nobel Prize, which is not inconceivable given hes been nominated for one in the past, and considering the stature of the awards hes recently won. In a weird way, it was former US president Richard Nixon who supercharged Martin Greens career. In October 1973, an Arab coalition led by Egypt and Syria and backed by the Soviet Union attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur War. Israel turned to the US for help, requesting $US850 million worth of arms. Nixon instead requested and was granted a $US2.2 billion package. His immoderate enthusiasm for Israels cause prompted the Arab coalition to launch an embargo on oil exports to the US and its allies, and the modern world changed. Overnight, the post-World War II long summer of prosperity that had launched the Western middle class ended as oil prices quadrupled. Fears of a new Great Depression set in. Western governments scrambled to cut demand for oil and to find new sources of it. On November 7 that year, Nixon addressed the nation from the Oval Office to announce what he called Project Independence, in a speech marked by the sort of blunt language and calls for sacrifice that is so obvious in its absence from contemporary political rhetoric on climate change. Advertisement We must face up to a very stark fact: we are heading toward the most acute shortages of energy since World War II. Our supply of petroleum this winter will be at least 10 per cent short of our anticipated demands, and it could fall short by as much as 17 per cent, said Nixon, adding a bit later on, In the short run, this course means that we must use less energy that means less heat, less electricity, less gasoline. In the long run, it means that we must develop new sources of energy which will give us the capacity to meet our needs without relying on any foreign nation. Green in Helsinki with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, who praised him for helping humanity. Credit: AP To cut demand, the US government reshaped American life. It introduced year-round daylight savings, shifted work hours, set interstate highway speed limits and reduced air travel. Christmas lights outside homes and offices were banned and heating was turned down. The huge cars that Detroit had started building in the 1950s suddenly shrank, and fuel efficiency standards were developed. And finally, money was pumped into new technologies, from nuclear power to some that were considered fanciful such as solar. Loading By then Albert Einstein had long established the basic principles of photovoltaics: that when light falls upon some materials it causes them to absorb photons particles of electromagnetic radiation and release electrons. Captured and directed, they can form an electrical current. But the process was cumbersome and inefficient: less than six per cent of the energy that fell onto a primitive silicon solar cell was converted into electricity, and this was done at vast expense. NASA launched a solar-powered satellite as early as 1958 but, as Green puts it, only space missions could afford to spend millions to generate so few watts. After the 1973 oil crisis, in labs run by NASA, by start-ups and by a handful of universities around the world, a race began to investigate if solar cells could produce more electricity more efficiently and far more cheaply. Smart minds were catalysed by real funding, and what had been an obscure area of research suddenly became a viable focus of work. Advertisement Martin Green grew up before all this, in a happy home in Camp Hill, one of Brisbanes growing postwar suburbs. A son spliced between two sisters, Judi and Robyn, he was always the favourite, says Judi: Mum was always boasting about him. Green denies his favoured child status; he reckons he just knew how to stay out of trouble. His father Eric was an auto parts dealer who, in Greens memory, was scarred by his World War II service; particularly the deaths of fellow crew members of a bomber he piloted, which was shot down over Hungary. His mother Gwendolyn known to all as Jacki worked over the years as a post- mistress and a house-parent in a home for intellectually impaired boys. Money was tight; when Green started playing rugby he used thick cardboard salvaged from printing paper boxes as shin pads. You really needed them, scrums were hotly contested back then, not the shams they are now, he says. School never seemed that hard to Green, although he was sometimes scolded for a lack of focus. He was selected to attend Brisbane State High, which prided itself in competing with the states private schools to land scholarships for its students to the University of Queensland (UQ). In 1965, he was the schools leading candidate for such a scholarship. The previous year was really talented but ours wasnt as good, and I was their big chance, he recalls. He gave up rugby and began to focus a couple of months before exams on the mixed bag hed chosen to study: maths, physics and languages. In the end I topped the state, so I overshot a little bit. Green and his wife Judy in 1973 in Canada, where his doctorate touched on solar cell technology. He can still remember how his physics teacher, Pud Heenan, listed all the equations his students needed to pass an exam on a single sheet of paper, and how he could picture the page in his minds eye and select the information he needed from it. Inspired by Heenan and the one piece of impressive lab equipment available to him at school, an oscilloscope (which displays electrical signals as a graphical representation), Green chose to study electrical engineering with his UQ scholarship. There, he became fascinated with microelectronics and emerging computer technology. Upon graduating, he was awarded a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue a PhD in engineering physics at McMaster University in Canada. Waiting for his funding to come through, he knocked out a masters thesis, which involved writing computer programs that tested how electric currents moved through semiconductors including silicon. Loading Advertisement Hed met Judy during their school years. Green can still describe the blue knit jumper she was wearing when he first saw her at the Brisbane train station, bound for a Christian youth camp in Bundaberg. The couple married before they left for Canada in 1971, which presented a thrilling adventure. International travel was hellishly expensive then, Green says. They sent us these tickets in the mail, it was a chance to see the world. Greens PhD work blended physics and microelectronics. He demonstrated, for example, that the phenomenon in which an electron could pass through a barrier that should have been able to stop it known as quantum tunnelling could be harnessed to make solar cells more efficient. When the 1973 oil crisis hit, it struck the then 25-year-old that his line of research might prove more than intellectually challenging and be of real and immediate public interest. By 1974, Green was back in Australia, lecturing students at UNSW in microelectronics and continuing his own work on improving photovoltaic cells. Despite being an unknown specialist in an obscure field with no funding, laboratory or staff, he set out to beat NASAs efforts to ramp up the power output of solar cells. He borrowed a spare room from the head of the school of electrical engineering and took on his first PhD student, Bruce Godfrey. Applying Greens PhD research on tunnelling properties and using secondhand equipment cadged from colleagues and contacts plus a pie-warming oven from an appliances store at nearby Coogee Green and Godfrey succeeded in their mission of building a cell that achieved an output of 618 millivolts, similar to NASAs results. Whats more, the construction of their cell was entirely different from those being explored in the US. Harnessing the tunnelling structures allowed for more voltage to be generated. They had NASAs attention. NASA and the US-based COMSAT Corporation continued pushing millivoltages to the high 600s, but Green soon shifted his focus. It dawned on him that more was to be gained by pursuing efficiency rather than increased voltages. If more power could be extracted from the same amount of space, huge savings could be made in cell manufacture. Green with first PhD student Bruce Godfrey (left). They built a cell that rivalled NASAs. In the new race, Greens young solar program quickly began to lead the world. In 1983, his team made the first silicon solar cell to be more than 18 per cent efficient, breaking the record of 16.8. The following year, Green published a paper that helped define the parameters of the emerging technology, demonstrating that the theoretical limit of efficiency of a crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell was between 29 and 30 per cent. Outside a laboratory setting, the limit was likely lower, perhaps 25 per cent. As far as much of the rest of the field was concerned though, 20 per cent efficiency was probably the limit. It might even be beyond reach. They talked about it as the four-minute mile of the field, says Green. Advertisement The City of Melbourne wants thousands of short-stay rentals flipped into the long-term rental market and its looking to introduce a 180-night cap and an annual $350 fee to get it done. The council wants tourists to stay in the citys many hotels instead of in Airbnbs, announcing its planned crackdown on short-stay hosts on Friday. Lock boxes for short-term rentals on Spencer Street. Credit: Pat Scala It will vote on Tuesday to trigger a consultation process on the introduction of a cap on the number of nights and an annual registration fee. Its the strongest stance an inner-Melbourne council has taken to date and could start by February. Annual charges for short-term accommodation hosts already exist in Bass Coast Shire, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and most recently Warrnambool Shire, but no Victorian council has moved to restrict the number of nights a home can be rented as a short-stay. An unsuspecting man who did a mate a favour by allowing him to store six large boxes in his garage for 21 days has narrowly avoided time in prison after cops found they contained $6 million of dirty money. On Friday, during sentencing, Perths District Court heard the cash belonged to an organised crime group responsible for the sale of methamphetamine across the state. Beau Thomas White. At the time the money was seized in 2020, it was WAs biggest single seizure of laundered cash but judge David Maclean said he felt satisfied Beau Thomas White did not know what was in the boxes. He told the court he had been asked to store them for friend Sean Jay OCallahan who received a three-year sentence for his involvement. The transit of Russian gas through Ukraine after 2024 can be continued only by agreement with importers, Ukrainian Ambassador to Moldova Marko Shevchenko has said. "Ukraine will not initiate negotiations on the extension of the agreement on the Russian gas transit gas after 2024, but is open to proposals from partner countries. The reason is clear: we... have severed diplomatic relations with Russia. We are waiting for the position of Gazprom or the authorities of Russia. Ukraine is open to any situation in terms of transit, because at present natural gas transits through Ukraine to Moldova, including Transnistria," the diplomat said in an interview with the Vocea Basarabiei (Voice of Bessarabia) TV channel on Friday. In his opinion, the transit can be extended if the countries concerned conclude a contract with the Russian company on supplies, and with the Ukrainian side - on transit. "For example, Ukraine can have a transit contract with Germany, Poland, Moldova, if local companies buy gas (from Russia) and decide that they will transport it through Ukraine, why not? We will not have a contract with Russia, but there will be a contract, for example, with the Republic of Moldova. I repeat, I am not an expert, this is my purely personal opinion, and the biggest problem is that no one now can predict what the situation will be like in just an hour, not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, even in an hour... Every day something happens that can radically change the situation," Shevchenko stressed. In addition, he answered the question why Ukraine continues to transit Russian gas, being at war with Russia. "Because we have a contract, there are consumers, our allies in the West benefit from this contract. We do not want a situation where they will be at a loss because of Ukraine," the diplomat said. The agreement between Naftogaz Ukrainy and Gazprom for the organization of transportation, the transport agreement between the Ukrainian holding and the GTS Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU), as well as the inter-operator agreement between GTSOU and Gazprom were signed on December 30, 2019. The contract provides for the transit in 2021-2024 of 40 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Craig Emerson, a former Hawke adviser who went on to become a Labor cabinet minister, draws a contrast between the political style of the two Labor treasurers. He points out that Chalmers this week thanked the Business Council of Australia for promoting policy ideas even though he disagreed with them: Hes chosen to keep engagement with the business community, he tells me, in effect saying that notwithstanding the differences we can talk and find common ground. He recalls that Keating, however, went to war with some business leaders or, as Emerson puts it euphemistically, Paul wasnt enamoured of the business community, especially in his later years as prime minister. He insulted and offended some business leaders. And he enjoyed every minute of it. Treasurer Jim Chalmers at the National Press Club this week. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Chalmers address to the National Press Club this week rang with echoes of Keating. In presenting Australias sixth Intergenerational Report, Chalmers set out a vision for the country over the next 40 years: Australians living longer and healthier lives. In a country powered by renewables and transformed by technology. With care and compassion at its core, adding value and maximising opportunities in a world of churn and change. An Australia of generational responsibilities and endless possibilities. But to get there, Australia would have to overcome the daunting problems set out in the Intergenerational Report. Without corrective policies, Australia will grow hotter, its population older, its workforce relatively smaller and the cost of supporting its ageing population crippling. Loading Chalmers put the task on the same scale as the Keating reforms of the 1980s:If the 1980s meant the End of Certainty, the 2020s must mark the End of Complacency, said the treasurer. The End of Certainty was the name attached to the Hawke-Keating economic reform era by the title of a book by journalist Paul Kelly. Why? Because the primary economic mission of Hawke and his treasurer was to dismantle a highly regulated and protected economy and replace it with an open and competitive one. They stripped away rigid controls on Australias markets capital, labour, foreign exchange, imports and exports and allowed the free market to operate. The change was wrenching as the old certainties collapsed. But the country prospered as capital and labour shifted to areas where it enjoyed comparative advantage and Australia became the first, and remains the only, developed nation to have 30 years of continuous economic growth. But the country has changed and so have many of the problems. What does Chalmers mean by the End of Complacency? Complacency is Australias traditional enemy. Chalmers talks about five big transformations under way globally: From hydrocarbons to renewables, from IT to AI, from a younger population to an older one, and from globalisation to fragmentation. Loading Each poses problems; a Chalmers theme is that he is determined that Australia become a victor rather than victim in all. But complacency achieves nil and effort is needed. Of these five, the biggest is to transform the carbon-based economy to a renewable one, in the governments view. Emerson, an economist, agrees: The energy transition is another transformation of the economy on a similar scale to the Hawke-Keating reforms, he says. The Intergenerational Report estimates that, if the world misses its Paris Accord target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees and it rises as much as 3 to 4 degrees, the national economy would lose between $135 billion and $423 billion in todays dollars over 40 years as the heat saps labour productivity. The agriculture sector and tourism are obvious losers in this scenario, but the Treasury report says that the manufacturing, construction and services sectors would all lose. Loading Dealing with climate change is a global environmental and economic imperative, Chalmers told the press club. Plus, the vast scale of investment needed to respond some additional $225 billion to decarbonise heavy industries and transition our energy system. And he turned from the cost to the opportunity: These are not only risks to manage, costs to bear but vast industrial opportunities, with more clean, cheap, renewable power creating cumulative comparative advantages in the new industries of the net-zero economy. In addition to its carbon emissions goals, the federal government is using four investment funds, two pre-existing and two new, in an effort to accelerate the switch the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and the newly minted Rewiring the Nation fund plus the National Reconstruction Fund. But Hawke and Keating, followed by Howard and Costello, trained Australia into thinking that a big reform program must depend on a big reweighting of the tax system. Chalmers wants the country to understand that the biggest problem requires the biggest reform effort, and, in 2023 and beyond, its not the tax mix. He has made some moderate changes to the tax system to grab revenue, and he will have to attempt more in the next term of parliament if Labor should win. But these are far from the systemic overhaul of the Keating or Costello years. Besides, Keating enjoyed two essential preconditions for his reform program. He had Hawke, a folk-hero prime minister whose popularity allowed him to win elections while Keating made unpopular change. And, on many of the key reforms, Keating faced a quiescent opposition. Chalmers has neither. Albanese is popular but hes not in Hawkes league, though he lives in hope; and the oppositions response to the Intergenerational Report has been juvenile. When the Liberals Angus Taylor said the government should concentrate on the next 40 days rather than the next 40 years, Chalmers said that a government should be able to do both. Then he spoke of reform ambition within: If you dont have that sense of the future, that flame flickering in you, you know, if you dont have that pilot light of purpose in you, then you have no business being in this line of work. Human rights and civil liberties groups have expressed serious doubts about Labors move to quash misinformation, claiming its proposed law threatens free speech and democratic rights. The rights groups join a growing coalition of voices criticising the Albanese governments bid to give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) powers to penalise groups like Meta if they fail to remove misinformation and disinformation. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. Credit: Rhett Wyman As Yes campaigners file regular claims of Voice misinformation ahead of the referendum in October, NSW and Queenslands peak civil liberties bodies have both revealed their opposition to sections of Labors draft bill, arguing it gives the government body too much power to police speech. Earlier this week, the Australian Human Rights Commission sounded the alarm about the draft laws. Premier Daniel Andrews and his MPs could be banned from doing press conferences at their own Big Build sites as unions threaten to bar them from photo opportunities if the state moves to ban duck hunting. An alliance of powerful trade unions has vowed to ban state Labor MPs from Big Build projects and walk off job sites if Victoria decides to end the practice. A parliamentary committee is examining whether duck hunting should be stopped. A duck hunter at Connewarre Wetland, on the Bellarine Peninsula. Credit: Justin McManus The coalition, known as the Building Industry Group of Unions (BIG), represents more than 85,000 Victorian workers and includes the CFMEU, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the Electrical Trades Union and the plumbers union. All four play key roles on signature Andrews government projects such as the Metro Tunnel and level-crossing removal projects. Gold mining businessman John Changjin Li scored a major win in his bid to settle on Point Pipers $95 million mansion Edgewater this week when he was reinstated as sole director of the hotly contested corporate entity Point Piper One Pty Ltd. Updated company records show Li replaces his estranged wife Meihong Yang as director and secretary, and the former couple share equal ownership of the company that is in line to buy one of the countrys most expensive houses. The $95 million sale of Edgewater in Point Piper is due to be finalised in September. Credit: Domain Control of the property investment company has become an increasingly pressing issue given it has already paid a $30 million deposit on the house purchase, and there is a looming September deadline to settle on the deal. Li will need more than company control to settle. Theres also the outstanding $65 million and a stamp duty of $6.5 million. Dubai: Two days after Vladimir Putins chief supporter and political threat Yevgeny Prigozhin fell from the sky, preliminary US intelligence has suggested an intentional explosion caused the fiery plane crash. World leaders, experts and officials have been quick to point at the Russian president, fuelling suspicion he was the architect of the assassination which fell on the two-month anniversary of Prigozhins short-lived armed rebellion against Moscow that bruised Putins leadership. Photos of Yevgeny Prigozhin in various disguises were reportedly found at his properties, according to Russian media. But nothing happens in Russia without prompting a flurry of conspiracy theories, either by accident or design. The death of the Wagner boss and his top henchman is no different. While Western officials have suggested it was most likely a bomb that exploded on the aircraft or that some other form of sabotage caused the crash, accurate or reliable information out of Moscow is hard to come by. Discovery Announces Key Appointments to the Board and Management Team Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF) (aDiscoverya or the aCompanya https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/discovery-silver-corp/ ) is pleased to announce several key appointments that strengthen the Companya?s Board of Directors, and also the permitting and technical teams. These include: Barry Olson (Independent Director) a more than 30 years mining experience with a track record of successfully developing and managing multi-billion-dollar international mining projects including PeAasquito, Mexicoa?s largest open pit mine. Jonathan Gill (Advisor to the Board) a more than 50 years of global mining experience including senior mine management roles with Inco Ltd. and advisory roles on major international mining projects and currently a Director of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. Mike Neumann (Advisor to the Board) a a mining engineer with over 40 years mining experience focused on mine design, operations and environmental permitting including permitting, start up and construction experience in Mexico. JosA Jabalera (Director, Corporate Affairs Mexico) a held senior positions over the last decade within both the Mexican Federal Government and the State Government of Chihuahua focused on establishing productive working relationships between mining corporations, government and local communities. Gord Leavoy (Vice President, Mineral Processing) a more than 40 yearsa? experience with major mining companies such as Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. and Goldcorp Inc. across all aspects of mineral processing and tailings dam construction and operation. Bindu Satyajit (Corporate Secretary & Manager, Administrative Services) a more than 15 yearsa? experience in the mining industry focused on project management, administration, internal reporting and corporate communications. Tony Makuch, CEO, states: aWe are very pleased to welcome such high-calibre industry professionals that significantly strengthen our board and management team. These new additions bring a long and successful track record in the permitting, construction and operation of large-scale mining projects globally with significant experience working in Mexico. This provides Discovery with a strong foundation built on pertinent industry experience to progress Cordero toward development and operations.a Further details on each of these new hires can be found directly below: Barry Olson a Independent Director Barry has over 30 years\- experience in strategic management and leadership in engineering, construction, start-up and operations of large-scale mining projects. Prior to his retirement in 2013, Barry was Senior Vice President of Project Development with Goldcorp Inc. During his time with Goldcorp (2006 a 2013) Barry was responsible for the successful development of PeAasquito, the largest open pit mine in Mexico, on schedule and on budget, as well as other major development projects in Chile, Argentina and Canada. Prior to Goldcorp, Barry held general manager roles with Coeur Mining Inc. (2001 a 2006) and Amax Gold Inc. (1988 a 1998). Barry is currently on the Advisory Committee for Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. and is also a former Director of Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. (aKirkland Lakea) (2014 a 2021). Jonathan Gill a Advisor to the Board Jon is a Professional Engineer with more than 50 years of global mining experience. During his career he held senior mine management roles for Inco Limited in its Ontario and Manitoba divisions and for PT Inco in Indonesia.A Since retiring in 2003, Jon has worked on various projects including the Onca Puma project in Brazil, the Goro project in New Caledonia, the Ambatovy Nickel project in Madagascar and on multiple projects for Inco Ltd. and FNX Mining Company Inc. in Canada. Jon is currently a Director of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. and a former Director of Kirkland Lake (2016-2022) and Lake Shore Gold Inc. (2008-2016).A Mike Neumann a Advisor to the Board Mike is a Professional Engineer with more than 40 years of global mining experience in management and technical consultant roles focused on mine design, engineering studies, productivity improvements, environmental permitting and mine start-ups. During this time, Mike has completed work on multiple projects in Mexico for companies such as Fresnillo PLC, Industrias PeAoles, S.A.B. de C.V., First Majestic Silver Corp., Torex Gold Resources Inc. and Minera Frisco and in Canada for companies such as Goldcorp Inc. and Barrick Gold Corp.A JosA Jabalera a Director, Corporate Affairs Mexico JosA has held various senior positions in the public sector in the last 12 years, including most recently the General Director of Mining Development in the Federal Ministry of Economy from 2019 to 2022. In this role, JosA worked collaboratively with mining companies and different government agencies in areas such as community consultation, community agreements and in developing guidelines for responsible mining in Mexico. Prior to this, JosA served as Director of Mining for the State Government of Chihuahua and Industrial Promoter from 2010 to 2019. In this role he promoted investment in the mining industry within Chihuahua, provided technical and legal advice for mining corporations, helped establish local supply chains with mining operations and assisted in the planning and application of community development plans in areas impacted by mining. JosA has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Chihuahua and has completed numerous courses on Sustainability, ESG, Community Development, Mine Closure, Transparency and Implementation of international agreements and treaties. Gord Leavoy a Vice President, Mineral Processing Gord has over 40 years experience in mineral processing. His experience spans base metals and gold across North America and Australia. In addition, he has extensive experience in processing plant operations, plant maintenance, plant design and construction and mine tailings dam construction and operation. Prior to joining Discovery Silver, Gord was Vice President Mineral Processing and Accountable Executive Officer for tailings at Kirkland Lake. Prior to this he held a variety of roles with companies such as Falconbridge Ltd., Kinross Gold Corp., Placer Dome Inc., Goldcorp Inc., Lake Shore Gold Corp., Kirkland Lake and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. Bindu Satyajit a Corporate Secretary & Manager, Administrative Services Bindu has more than 15 yearsa? experience in the mining industry focused on project management, administration, internal reporting, streamlining processes and corporate communications. Prior to joining Discovery, Bindu was the Manager of Administrative Services at Torex Gold Resources Inc., Kirkland Lake, and Lakeshore Gold Corp.A Prior to these roles, Bindu was Team Leader of the Project Services Group for the Tasiast project at Hatch Ltd. Pursuant to the Company\-s restricted share unit plan, an aggregate total of 866,148 Restricted Share Units (\RSUs\) were granted to these new officers, employees and advisors. The RSUs, each redeemable for one common share of the Company, vest annually in three equal tranches beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date of July 12, 2024. Pursuant to the Companya?s deferred share unit plan, an aggregate total of 395,972 Deferred Share Units (aDSUsa) were granted to Mr. Olson on his appointment as non-executive director. The DSUs vest on the first anniversary of the grant date of August 21, 2024 but can only be redeemed following the termination date of a director, in accordance with the DSU plan. About Discovery Discoverya?s flagship project is its 100%-owned Cordero project, one of the worlda?s largest silver deposits. The PFS completed in January 2023 demonstrates that Cordero has the potential to be developed into a highly capital efficient mine that offers the combination of margin, size and scalability. Cordero is located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in Chihuahua State, Mexico. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Tony Makuch, P.Eng President, CEO & Director For further information contact: Forbes Gemmell, CFA VP Corporate Development Phone: 416-613-9410 Email: forbes.gemmell@discoverysilver.com Website: www.discoverysilver.com In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.chA Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services ProviderA accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release is not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the a1933 Acta) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains aforward-looking informationa and aforward-looking statementsa (collectively, aforward-looking statementsa) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as aplansa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, abudgeta, ascheduleda, aestimatesa, aforecastsa, aintendsa, aanticipatesa, or abelievesa or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awilla be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering; anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future growth potential of Discovery; and future development plans. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves 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 the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Companya?s business; the Companya?s formative stage of development; the impact of COVID19 on the timing of exploration and development work; the Companya?s financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Such factors are described in detail in the Prospectus Supplement and the documents incorporated by reference therein. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Zelenskyy, Trudeau may meet in New York during UNGA President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a telephone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, August 24. During the conversation, the leaders discussed the possibility of meeting in New York in the near future, during the UN General Assembly. Our two countries are close friends and strong partners and we have been since 1991, when Canada was among the first to recognize Ukraines independence. In these tough times, well continue to stand together, Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel, posting a video of a telephone conversation with Trudeau. In turn, the Prime Minister of Canada congratulated the Ukrainian people on Independence Day and noted that at the G20 summit Canada will raise the issue of further support for Ukraine. As reported, the G 20 meeting will be held in India in September. Former Co-op Bank boss Paul Flowers to appear in court on fraud charge The 73-year-old has been charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position between June 2016 and October 2017. Prudential has seen a significant shake-up in leadership over the past year, with its chief financial officer James Turner resigning in May after an investigation into a code of conduct matter relating to a recent recruitment showed he had fallen short of its standards. On the airport tarmac before he returned to New Jersey, Mr Trump insisted that he did nothing wrong, and called the case accusing him of subverting the Georgia election result a travesty of justice. You should be able to challenge an election, he told reporters. However, Mr Trump and others are accused of going alarmingly further than merely challenging Mr Bidens 2020 win, attempting instead to orchestrate a fraud on US voters by claiming without evidence that the Democrats had cheated them of victory. As for the impact on the 2024 election, there is still little evidence of a swing against Trump. Should he win the Republican nomination, as the polls indicate, the equation will be eerily similar to that of 2016 and 2020: persuade the few persuadables in a handful of swing states, perhaps lose the popular vote but squeak through with an electoral college victory. The introduction of sound systems and Mas bands 50 years ago that transformed it into the huge event it is today, and the 75th anniversary of the docking of the Empire Windrush which heralded the arrival of mass immigration from the Caribbean to the UK. And if anything, ministers want more power. This week, it was revealed that the Government sought legal advice over whether it could overrule the expansion of Londons ultra low emission zone on the grounds that it is inconsistent with national policies. Im sorry, what? The point of devolution is to do things that may run counter to national policies, on the basis that the needs and interests of London are different to those of Leeds or Exeter. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced the appointment of Natalka Cmoc as Canada's ambassador to Ukraine, in this post she will replace Larisa Galadza, according to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, August 24. "She is a career expert on Ukraine with a wealth of experience and insight into Canadas multi-faceted support to the country, including Canadas implementation of democracy programming prior to the illegal Russian annexation of Crimea, the creation of Operation UNIFIER and Canadian monitoring of Ukrainian elections following the 2015 Presidential campaign," the message says. It is noted that Cmoc speaks Ukrainian, has deep ties with the Ukrainian community in Ukraine and Canada, and is also ready to help deepen ties between the two countries at all levels. The Foreign Ministry stressed that thanks to the diplomatic mission of the newly appointed ambassador, Canada will be able to continue to support Ukraine in this difficult time and in the long term. Hodgson has become an Edinburgh fixture and his new show focuses in on another Scottish link relocating to Glasgow to film BBC sitcom Two Doors Down. As they say in sitcomland, with hilarious consequences. Anyone who has seen Hodgsons Bad TV Impressions clips online will know he is a brilliant mimic and there are so many voices in this virtuoso show it feels like a cast of hundreds. Pin-sharp comedy with a poignant undertow creator of Two Doors Down, Simon Carlyle, died shortly after Hodgsons show opened. He is one of three on this list to be nominated for the 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Awards. So should we all be getting a booster vaccine this winter, then? Only if youre elderly or vulnerable, says Levinson, who would urge anyone in these groups to sign up for a booster and avoid big gatherings during Covid spikes as they would with the flu each winter. The main difference between Covid and the flu, however, is the lack of ability for the rest of the population to access the Covid jab privately. His company, Doctorcall, vaccinates staff from 700 companies against the flu each year to prevent absenteeism, and more than a million individuals opt for one privately each winter for reasons such as going to visit a grandparent or having fragile health but who do not fall into the vulnerable category. Luckily the bus we were getting turned up and we ran on it. Thats when I noticed blood on my t-shirt and it was coming from my mouth. I was punched so much that I had a split lip. It is possible that the driver and anyone else inside the vehicle are witnesses to this incident and I can reassure them they will receive all the support they require should they come forward to speak to us. The law enforcement agency added that at this early stage there are no confirmed links between the items purchased from the websites and cause of death in any of these cases". She also revealed that she and her family had received death threats including one in a Christmas card delivered to her home over the incident, claiming in her evidence that her family had to go into hiding for several days due to the backlash. Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation and consultant cardiologist, said: Only a few years ago, drugs that could help people to achieve life-changing weight loss felt like a far-off dream. But now they are here. This study demonstrates that semaglutide is not only safe for people with this type of heart failure but it also has important benefits for their quality of life. We have been doing all possible to minimise the impact for our customers, providing those on cancelled flights with options to rebook or receive a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals where required and we advise any customers who source their own that they will be reimbursed. He said in a statement: Over the last few days I have been reviewing in detail the events around the thefts from the British Museum and the investigation into them. It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings in 2021, and to the problem that has now fully emerged. London mayor Sadiq Khan said: Im delighted that this beautifully designed bus will tell the powerful story of the Windrush generation and their descendants, and their impact on the carnival, the transport network and all aspects of our lives. Zelenskyy holds conversation with Biden, thanks him for support of Ukraine President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held talks with U.S. President Joseph Biden and thanked him for congratulations on Independence Day. The U.S. took the lead in rallying global support for Ukraine. This crucial leadership enabled our struggle and bent the arc of history toward good, the President said on his Telegram channel. Together, we prove that freedom and independence are worth fighting for. I thank President Biden, the U.S. Congress, and all Americans for this. You can count on Ukraine in protecting our shared values, Zelenskyy stressed. The man, who gave his name as Drew, had been standing at the police cordon for three hours when he told the PA news agency: I was going to run myself a bath and I came back downstairs and looked out the window and saw loads of smoke then realised oh my God, its our building thats on fire. Mrs Choudhurys family said in a statement: The loss of our mum, who was known as a mum to everyone, has left a huge hole in our family. We are grateful to the coroner that her death was thoroughly looked into and the many problems in her care identified. The retired midwife, who received an MBE for her work in the NHS, has been going to Notting Hill for almost half a century after she was introduced to it by her late husband Vernon, one of carnivals founders. She said: My husband was a carnival band leader in Trinidad and he came here. When I met him I found out all about carnival. Beatles fans beware, this will rock you. Record producer Steve Lillywhite has claimed the Fab Fours status as best band ever is under threat, in some respects. Whats more, he has another contender for the top spot: Queen. Theres an argument right now that Queen, because of their ability to transcend stadiums, theres an argument that they are more relevant today than the Beatles are, he said on the Produce Like A Pro podcast. Lillywhite, who has worked with the likes of The Rolling Stones and U2, argued that The Beatles never made anything you could play in a stadium. In fairness, when The Beatles tried to play stadiums they were drowned out by screaming, and in recent years Sir Paul McCartney has set stadiums alight with Hey Jude and other hits. I would never say anyone is the greater than The Beatles, said Lillywhite in a caveat. But in the fight for relevance, who will be the champions? There is not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was onboard and he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. However, it is highly likely that he is indeed dead Ministry of Defence The Home Office insisted the Government is on track to clear the legacy backlog by the end of the year and said progress has been made since June, citing provisional figures to the end of July which indicated the total backlog of cases had fallen. Obviously this was one of the most despicable, horrific crimes in our history. And its really important that we get answers particularly for the families of the victims. And of course my thoughts are with them, Mr Sunak added. With further strike action the RMT are once again targeting customers looking to enjoy various sporting events, festivals, and the end of the summer holidays, disrupting their plans and forcing more cars onto the road, the spokesperson said. He added: We will obviously be pushing as much as we can. We have had an undertaking from the PPS this morning that they will be making their best efforts to advance this case expeditiously when it gets to the Crown Court. As a result, we have taken the necessary step of issuing these claims to protect the positions of our clients and the loved ones they have lost. You cannot underestimate the impact of the tragic loss of life, losing a loved one in such harrowing circumstances, has had on our clients. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to dismiss head of the State Emergency Service Serhiy Kruk, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. "The government has decided to dismiss Serhiy Kruk from the post of head of the State Emergency Service. The duties of the head of the State Emergency Service are assigned to the deputy head of the Service, Volodymyr Demchuk," the minister said on the Telegram channel on Friday. Doggy dress-up isnt for everyone but if you are a fan of fancy dress then Bulldog Blogger has to be your next follow. Russian-born English bulldog, Karamelka takes dog dress-up to the next level with outfits ranging from Darth Vadar to Harry Potter, not to mention leprechauns for St Patricks Day, ski suits for the winter and a casual cowboy in collaboration with Rockstar Games. Every picture quite literally tells a story, with Karamelka outlining her costume characters story in the caption of each post. For content thats anything but samey, hit up Bulldog Blogger. This was also extremely traumatic for all those who attended the scene, some of whom provided immediate medical assistance while the ambulance was on its way. Starbucks has revealed that fans can expect to kickstart the PSL season on Thursday, September 7, when the new menu items will start to land in stores. However, those who are Starbucks Rewards members will have early access from Thursday, August 31. Kristina Raspopova, a 39-year-old air stewardess, was the only woman to be killed. Shortly before take-off she had shared an image on social media of her eating breakfast with her cabin bag next to her. Cost-of-living aside, theres good news. With a nudge in the right direction, you can snap up an accessible dupe of an aspirational brand at a fraction of the cost, and sometimes without compromising on quality. Tim Harrison, watch expert and co-founder of Watch Pilot, says: For those with a discerning eye, exquisite style doesnt always have to come with a hefty price tag. With a bit of savvy and diligent research, youll be amazed at the treasure trove of affordable watches that capture the essence and allure of their high-end counterparts. Best for: Looks and talent Calibre: Swiss-made quartz Ronda 715Li Case: Stainless steel Size: Dia. 42 x H14.6mm Water resistance: 30 ATM (300m) Ive owned a few Nite watches over the years, often updating to the latest model whenever it became available because, well, because theyre just so damn good. Based out of Dorset and famed for blending the best of British design with Swiss-made movements, and super-bright Tritium illumination, Nite watches appeal to true adventurers, those too brave to fear the risks involved, including UK Special Forces. And this, for me, is the pinnacle of its latest collection, the Alpha. First off, just look at it; its a vision in brushed stainless steel and blue polymer. It is 42mm of time-marking perfection with a stainless steel and ceramic insert unidirectional bezel baring teeth that make turning easy even when wearing diving gloves. A T100-rated illuminated wonder-watch that glows and goes all night free from the need for anything as tawdry as a power source, such is the effect of the blue and orange Tritium-filled hour markers and hands. Driven by an incredibly accurate (-10/ +20-seconds per month) Swiss-made quartz movement (good for a solid 10-years battery life), the Alpha will happily dive to depths of up to (down to) 300m, while the polymer strap guarantees a secure, comfortable fit whether worn over a wetsuit or on your bare wrist. Surprisingly light too, at 116g, the Alpha may have been created with action and adventure in mind, but I found it looks equally at home when worn as a dress watch too, so youre getting the best of both watch worlds for well under 500, which makes it even more desirable. Owning your own reformer might be tempting, but remember they do take up space. Most machines are around 2.5m long and weigh around 50kg. Thats before you take into account all the extra accessories. Its worth pondering how much youll use it, especially if you live in an apartment. That said, there are many brands that make lightweight, foldable versions that are easily stashed in a cupboard or under your bed. The WWE star had two daughters with his ex-wife Samantha, who he was married to from 2012 to 2017. Last year, he got engaged to WWE announcer Jojo, with whom he welcomed a son in 2019. The spin-off show will bring together former Islanders from the UK, US and Australian series for a second shot at love and to compete to be crowned the champion. His comments come days after the former BBC Radio 1 and 2 presenter told listeners that he got tested because his masseuse, whom he described as an angel sent from Heaven, encouraged him to go after she spotted an unusual-looking freckle on his skin. The Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) declares the liquidation by the Russian authorities of the leaders of the private military company (PMC) Wagner Group and in this regard issued an appeal to the PMC fighters who did not commit war crimes in Ukraine to join their ranks for the subsequent forceful overthrow of the government in the Russian Federation. "We appeal to the fighters of the Wagner PMC, for whom the words loyalty and honor still have meaning and significance. Apparently, your commanders and the founding father were cynically executed yesterday. The fact that they were killed by order of representatives of the highest echelon of the Russian government is obvious to everyone. Therefore, now you have a difficult but rather logical choice: either to become a stable of the Russian Defense Ministry for the service of the murderers of your commanders, or to preserve your honor and take revenge on their executioners by going over to the side of Ukraine," reads a statement published on the Telegram channel of the RDK on Thursday evening. "If you have not committed war crimes on the territory of Ukraine, then we suggest that you join our ranks and first complete this bloody meat grinder of the so-called SMO (special military operation), and then march to Moscow again, but this time do not stop 200 km from the Moscow Automobile Ring Road (MKAD), but reach the end! In case of your voluntary transfer to the side of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine guarantee you safety and decent conditions," the RDK added. Earlier, the Federal Air Transport Agency reported that among the passengers of the business jet that crashed on August 23 in Tver region were people named Evgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin. Utkin is called the founder of the PMC Wagner Group, Prigozhin was its de facto leader. Not only will violation of the act result in fines of up to six per cent of global turnover, but the EC says it will also make it easier for damaged consumers to take collective legal action against rule breakers. The final study used field data to examine user engagement before and after the June 4, 2020 introduction of state-affiliated labels. It found that shares and likes on posts from Chinese and Russian state-controlled pages were down 34 per cent and 46 per cent respectively after the labels appeared though this could also be partially down to other changes to the newsfeed algorithm from the time. Slovenia has joined the declaration of the G7 states on providing security guarantees for Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Grateful to the government of Slovenia and personally to Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob for joining the G7 Declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine. Both our nations share values of freedom and democracy, as well as the desire for peace and justice throughout the Euro-Atlantic area, Zelenskyy said on Twitter. According to the President, Ukraine and Slovenia share the values of freedom and democracy, as well as the desire for peace and justice for the entire Euro-Atlantic community. As reported, at the NATO summit in Vilnius, the leaders of the G7 states adopted a declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine. At the moment, the document has already been supported by more than 25 countries. 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"The training of aviators has already begun, but we need to increase it so that you have enough trained personnel for the combat use of F-16 fighters. It is also important to resolve the issue of infrastructure, so here in Ukraine, you are simultaneously working on creating the proper infrastructure for this modern aircraft and a very advanced weapons system for it," Ollongren said in an interview with the Yevropeiska Pravda (European Truth) online publication. The minister expressed doubt that the transfer of aircraft is still possible this year. "On the part of the Netherlands, we need all the prerequisites to be fulfilled first. Namely, so that the crews are trained, so that we understand that the infrastructure is ready, and also so that we have not only aircraft, but also spare parts, the necessary weapons for them and the like. Taking this into account, we are realistically counting on next year," the minister said. In addition, Ollongren added that the exact conditions for the transfer of aircraft are still being discussed. "We have not yet decided on the exact conditions, and it depends not only on us. This is also an issue where the United States has an important voice. And where the voice of Ukraine also matters," she said. Commenting on the possibility of using F-16 aircraft to return Crimea, the Minister replied: "Our position is unambiguous: We have never recognized the annexation of Crimea We support your right to self-defense. We support your territorial integrity, recognized by many countries of the world." She also stressed that it is up to Ukraine to decide exactly how and for how long it will fight. "When we provide Ukraine with aircraft and weapons systems, we do it knowing that you use them for self-defense and that you respect the rules of warfare that apply to both you and us. And as long as it's about using a weapon for selfdefense, you have the right to use it as effectively as you can," Ollongren said. As reported, Ukrainian pilots have already begun training on F-16 fighters in Denmark, which also announced the decision to transfer these aircraft to Kyiv. LabourMin: To be able to pay pensions and decent wages, clear regulations are needed on labour market In order to be able to pay pensions and decent wages in Romania, clear regulations are needed to support the labour market, and one of the important aspects to be taken into account is related to occupational training standards, says Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity Simona Bucura-Oprescu, told Agerpres. In this regard, the Minister of Labour met on Friday with representatives of trade union confederations, employers' confederations, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Investment and European Funds and the National Qualification Authority. "Following today's discussions, we have agreed that the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity and the Ministry of Education will issue a joint order extending the current occupational standards until 31 December 2024, as they expire on 1 September 2023 and 1 January 2024 respectively. An immediate solution is needed to prevent a possible crisis in the continuing training market, and in the longer term, legislation and standards need to be revised to make the system functional and practical. We will continue to work together to establish objectives, a clear timetable for dialogue and resources in order to have a labour market that is as competitive and adequate as possible to current requirements," said Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu in a Facebook post. The National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) also announced on Friday that the deadline for the elimination of occupational standards will be extended until 31 December 2024, given that almost 700 occupational standards were to be abolished from 1 September 2023. BNS President Dumitru Costin met on Friday with Labour Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu, with discussions focusing on the issue of the nearly 700 occupational standards that were to be abolished as of September 1, 2023. "Following the meeting, the decision was taken to issue a joint order by the Ministers of Labour and Education extending the deadline for the elimination of occupational standards until 31 December 2024. It was also agreed to set up a working group, starting in September, under the coordination of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to draw up a plan of measures to improve the regulatory framework of the adult education market in Romania," the BNS announced in a press release. The National Trade Union Bloc launched on 3 August 2023 a public appeal to the Minister of Labour and Social Protection to save around 700 occupations in Romania that were at risk of disappearing as of 1 September 2023, following decisions taken by the National for Qualifications Authority. JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri attorney general's office quietly withdrew this month from a lawsuit in which a state senator's son had been accused of submitting false timesheets while he worked for the Department of Economic Development. Patrick Cierpiot sued the state in October 2021, nearly two years after he was fired, alleging his supervisors failed to make a reasonable accommodation for him after he injured his wrist in a bicycle accident, in violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act. But the state fired back with a counterclaim, alleging Cierpiot "fraudulently or negligently indicated on his timesheet that he worked" hours he did not work, the state said in a February 2022 court filing. Records show the Office of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey withdrew from the case on Aug. 9, and that attorneys with the private law firm Baty Otto Coronado Scheer PC are now representing the Department of Economic Development. Cierpiot is the son of state Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee's Summit, and former state Rep. Connie Cierpiot, who represented Independence in the Missouri House between 1995 and 2003. Mike Cierpiot is chairman of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and Environment Committee and sits on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Gov. Mike Parson appointed Connie Cierpiot to the Appellate Judicial Commission, which will help decide which judges will fill two vacancies on the Missouri Supreme Court this year. Before the state withdrew from the case against their son, Mike Cierpiot publicly praised Bailey at least twice in recent months: he said in April that Bailey was doing a "good job" and told the Kansas City Star that he was "excited" for Bailey in an article that ran in June. Mike Cierpiot did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. But Madeline Sieren, spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, said Thursday there was no conflict of interest and that Bailey's office was outsourcing "complex cases" on employment law. "Our office is in the process of standing up a new unit that will specialize in employment law, so in the interim, we are outsourcing more complex cases to employment law attorneys, including Cierpiot vs. Department of Economic Development," she said in a statement. Jury trial Theresa Otto, one of the Department of Economic Development's new attorneys, declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. A jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024, in Jackson County Circuit Court. Victoria Arends, one of Patrick Cierpiot's attorneys, said Thursday she believed the case was bound for trial after an assistant attorney general rejected settlement negotiations with Cierpiot. Arends said she sent an initial settlement demand to the state in late July, but that assistant attorney general Joyce Johnson responded on Aug. 1, declining settlement negotiations at that time. "So, at that point, we just kind of ceased talking about settlement," Arends said. Johnson, the assistant attorney general, withdrew from the case on Aug. 9. But Arends said she still believes a trial is likely after the hiring of outside counsel. "We've seen an influx of a lot of the state agencies hiring outside private counsel instead of the attorney general's office doing it," Arends said. Arends mentioned two other cases she is litigating in which private attorneys had recently signed up to represent state agencies. Lawsuit, counterclaim In Patrick Cierpiot's lawsuit, he claims he was subject to unlawful discrimination based on his disability. He said he worked for the Department of Economic Development's Kansas City office, and that on Aug. 19, 2019, he injured his wrist in a bike wreck and required surgery. The lawsuit said that due to the injury and surgery, Cierpiot "experienced limitations related to his work duties, including but not limited to writing and typing." He also said his "right wrist, hand and arm were in constant pain," and that prescription painkillers he took "made his head feel cloudy." Cierpiot said he asked Paul Eisenstein, deputy director of the Strategy and Performance Division, for an accommodation including temporary reduction in duties and deadline extensions, but no accommodation was offered, the lawsuit said. After that, Eisenstein gave Cierpiot more work assignments instead of accommodating him, the lawsuit said. Cierpiot's lawsuit said Maggie Kost, then the director of the Strategy and Performance Division, and Eisenstein, fired him in an Oct. 10, 2019, meeting and that the two told him that "he has not performed the tasks he was asked to perform." Cierpiot asked the Jackson County Circuit Court to find that he was unlawfully discriminated against and that he should receive compensatory and punitive damages. But, in its response, the Department of Economic Development said Cierpiot "never asked" Kost or Eisenstein for a reasonable accommodation and that "he was terminated because multiple attempts to reach him had gone unanswered." The filing goes on to ask that Cierpiot be required to pay back wages paid to him "for time he falsely claimed to have worked." The state is also seeking interest and legal fees from its former employee. The state attorneys said that during the week of Aug. 19, 2019, Cierpiot received nine work assignments but only finished two of them on time. "Despite numerous attempts to follow up with Plaintiff over the following weeks, Plaintiff was non-responsive, and five of the remaining assignments were never completed by" Cierpiot, the state said. The state said Cierpiot received emails and phone calls from his co-workers between Aug. 22 and Aug. 29, 2019, but that "he neither answered their calls nor responded to them," the state said. The state said Cierpiot told Eisenstein of his wrist injury for the first time on Aug. 29. "Throughout September 2019, Plaintiff did not complete at least 18 work assignments and untimely completed at least four work assignments," the state said. As a result, "Plaintiff's co-workers had to do his work" in addition to regular duties. The counterclaim states that other than Aug. 26 and 27, between Aug. 19 and Oct. 10, Cierpiot said on his timesheets "that he worked full 8-hour days, completed those timesheets, and submitted them or neglected to do so forcing his supervisor to do it on his behalf." But, the state said, Cierpiot "did not work some or all of the hours he claimed on his timesheet" for the Aug. 19 through Oct. 10 time period. In response, Cierpiot denied this claim in a March 2022 filing.Jack Suntrup 573-556-6186 jsuntrup@post-dispatch.com ST. LOUIS Gratz Brown and Thomas C. Reynolds were young, educated and ambitious transplants. Brown hailed from Kentucky, Reynolds from South Carolina by way of Virginia. Brown arrived in 1849, Reynolds one year later. Both got involved in Democratic politics. Brown became editor of the Missouri Democrat, a local newspaper, and Reynolds was appointed U.S. attorney for eastern Missouri. They took opposing sides in the conflict splitting their party and nation. Brown became a protege of U.S. Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, who believed the future was in factories and railroads, not plantations. Reynolds allied with fellow defenders of slavery. Their disagreement turned bitter. At dawn on Aug. 26, 1856, they met on a Mississippi River sand bar south of Herculaneum with muzzle-loading pistols at 12 yards. Brown was wounded in his right leg and recovered. Their exchange of shots was St. Louis last formal duel to draw blood. The trouble began over timber cutting in the Ozarks. In 1854, the Missouri Democrat accused Reynolds of harassing homesteaders, a key Benton constituency. An exchange of notes soothed things, but the dispute was renewed one year later, when the newspaper attacked Reynolds for trying to cut into Bentons appeal among German immigrants. Reynolds called Brown a coward who conceals his lies under the garb of an anonymous libeler, and challenged him to a duel. Under the rules of gentlemanly honor, the challenged person picks the weapons. Knowing Reynolds was nearsighted, Brown chose rifles at 80 paces. Friends prevented the exchange. But in August 1856, the Democrat claimed that Reynolds regarded Germans and Irish as the equals of blacks. An outraged Reynolds accused Brown of notorious poltroonery. This time, Brown made the challenge. Other newspapers reported that Brown and Reynolds had slipped out of town. Because Missouri outlawed dueling a much younger Benton had killed a man in a duel in 1817 the rumors had them avoiding Bloody Island, the notorious battleground in the Mississippi River across from St. Louis. To evade watchful police officers at the downtown landing, they headed downriver into Jefferson County, where Ferdinand Kennett, brother of a former St. Louis mayor, had built a blufftop mansion called Selma Hall. On the morning of the duel, the rivals rowed out from Selma landing. One St. Louis newspaper reported that Brown was killed. The next day, the conservative establishments Missouri Republican said the two men had reconciled while returning on a steamboat named the Editor. Four years later, Brown championed Abraham Lincoln and served in the Union army and U.S. Senate. Reynolds, elected lieutenant governor in 1860, joined Gov. Claiborne Jackson in trying to push Missouri into Dixie. Reynolds became a rebel officer and was Missouris last Confederate governor in exile. Brown was elected governor in 1870 and backed voting rights for blacks, women and former rebels. He died of illness in Kirkwood in 1885. Reynolds committed suicide downtown two years later. Selma burned in 1939 and was rebuilt. The Union Pacific Railroad uses it as a private executive retreat. JEFFERSON CITY As Missouri lawmakers were considering the most anti-LGBTQ bills of any state, the state health department quietly scrubbed youth sexual health and LGBTQ resources from its website. Lisa Cox, the spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, emailed the agencys website team in late January directing the removal of links from the websites adolescent and teen health information page. The page, which is housed within the Healthy Families section of the website, directs users to health care resources for teens, parents, educators and providers. The removed resources, according to emails obtained by The Star, included links to sexual health providers in Missouri, LGBTQ youth groups and other groups that provide sexual health care information. Roughly 15 minutes after Coxs email, an information technologist with the Office of Administration emailed back saying that the resources had been removed. The links are no longer available on the website. Other emails obtained by The Star appear to show DHSS staff discussing whether some resources on the agencys website were too controversial in Missouri. The emails, provided to the newspaper after a records request by American Oversight, a progressive government watchdog group, illustrate the lengths that the health department went to remove teen health care resources amid an onslaught of legislation aimed at the LGBTQ community. One former employee with direct knowledge of the situation and who was employed at the time told The Star in an interview that the removal of the resources was part of a larger pattern of political pressure from outside and within the health agency. The former employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retribution, said this pressure played a major factor in the employees decision to leave the agency this year. There was a lot of political pressure given the content of teen pregnancy prevention and just anything around LGBTQ health and wellness faced a lot of pressure to be censored, the former employee said. That was something that I faced repeatedly throughout my time at DHSS. When asked about the removed links, Cox told The Star in an email that DHSS staff located hundreds of external resource links during audits of the agencys website as it prepares for a new site. She said some of the links were dead and others directed people to pages inappropriate for the public health department to house, causing DHSS to establish a standard of removing non-governmental links from the website. A couple of the links you referenced below were advocacy groups with a fundraising mechanism built into their homepage. Some included political content, Cox said. At least one other state health agency has made a similar move in the last year. In Virginia, the administration of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in May quietly took down LGBTQ youth resources from a state website after a conservative media outlet questioned the links, the Washington Post reported last month. It was the third time the administration had removed information from the website, the newspaper reported. At the time the behind-the-scenes discussions were happening in Missouri, lawmakers were in the first month of this years legislative session and considering nearly 30 bills targeting LGBTQ issues. Republican lawmakers later approved a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and legislation barring transgender student athletes from playing on teams that match their gender identity. Heather Sawyer, the executive director of American Oversight, said that the departments removal of resources illustrated a chilling effect caused by the anti-LGBTQ legislation and the states near-total ban on abortion, which went into effect last year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal right to an abortion. With attacks on reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights on the rise, political concerns, including whether information about contraceptive methods and resources for transgender Missourians are too controversial, are overriding the need to ensure that all Missourians have access to critical health care information, Sawyer said. A spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican who has played a major role in the states anti-LGBTQ push, said the attorney general was not aware of the removed resources. A spokesperson for Republican Gov. Mike Parson declined comment, directing questions to DHSS. Controversial resources Coxs initial email, sent Jan. 20, directed the agencys website team to remove the following resources, which were available for teens, parents, educators and health care providers: Power to Decide, a nonprofit that provides information about contraceptive methods and sexual health. Missouri Family Health Council, a network of low-cost sexual health providers in Missouri. Amaze, a Washington, D.C.-based group that provides animated sexual education videos. Sex, Etc., a website that provides sexual health information for teens, including stories written by teen staff writers. Gender Spectrum, a California-based nonprofit that provides information about gender diversity. Trans Student Educational Resources, a national group that provides resources to transgender youth. GLESN, a group that provides resources to educators to create gender-affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. Theyve been removed. Thanks, the information technologist with the Office of Administration emailed back minutes later. Cox, in a statement to The Star, said that each bureau within the agencys Division of Community and Public Health was at the time conducting a similar audit of links being shared on their pages. She said one of the links discovered during the audit, for example, directed users to a foreign gambling site. Three days later, on Jan. 23, emails between Cox, Lori Brenneke, the director of the agencys Division of Community and Public Health and Steve Cramer, a deputy director at DHSS, show that the staff members were still reviewing whether the resource links had been removed. Cramer, in an email to Cox, wrote that when sharing with Lori, we think it might be helpful to have a larger discussion because a number of the resources listed could be seen as controversial. Cox, in a follow-up to Cramer, wrote that after speaking with Brenneke, she was looking to only allow external links from governmental pages. Im sure we will get some pushback. Let me know if you want to talk that through further. Cramer responded that this would be good practice and asked whether Cox was referring to state or federal governmental pages. I ask because there could be times when the information on a federal level site that may be controversial in MO, he wrote in the email. Cox, in response, requests that Cramer and Brenneke take a look at the website before non-governmental links are removed in order to ensure that required trainings will not be disrupted, stating that Its not as simple as I thought it might be. The emails appear to show additional links that were to be removed from the website, but the attachments were not included in the records obtained by The Star. Political decisionSome Missouri lawmakers, in statements to The Star, criticized the decision to remove the resources, painting it as politically motivated amid the broader legislative push to regulate reproductive and LGBTQ issues. Missourians need access to medically accurate information to make healthy decisions. DHSS scrubbed these links not because the information was deemed inaccurate but because they thought it might offend certain elected officials who want to impose their beliefs on others, state Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, said in a statement. Arthur said families across the state will suffer, once again, because of a political decision in Jefferson City. State Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican, said in an interview that he would have to research the issue further. However, he said, the agency may have just been cleaning up its website so people can get verifiable information. I think it is important to do a self-audit and if thats what were doing, then I think that is appropriate, he said. We want to provide correct information. Not hearsay and/or opinion but actual information if its coming from the state health department. Cox, the DHSS spokesperson, said that she directs changes to the agencys website daily and looks forward to significant improvements to the site next year. While its not a hard rule, in most cases, we plan to include state and federal resources on our website as appropriate, she said. After her initial statement, Cox did not respond to two follow-up requests, including questions asking whether the links were removed in response to pending legislation or the overall climate surrounding sexual education in Missouri. Aisha Sultan Columnist and features writer Follow Aisha Sultan Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today On the third day of school, Cecily King decided she needed to upgrade her middle schoolers bulletproof backpack liner with one that could shield her from the rapid-fire rounds of an assault rifle. This is what back-to-school shopping in America looks like. The $300 insert is advertised as providing military-trusted protection for the vital torso area of a young child in the line of fire in a classroom. King, a dance instructor from Ballwin and mother of four, received emails and texts about a yellow-level threat that led to a two-hour lockdown at her daughters middle school on Wednesday. It was a very long two hours, King said. The memories from last years school shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School and Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience in St. Louis are still vivid. A 19-year-old armed with a Palmetto State Armory PA-15 rifle killed a teacher and a student, police said. Five of Kings students attended CVPA. They were jumping over bullets on the floor, running past a body, she said. Thats when she decided to purchase the bulletproof backpack protection for her daughter. She and her husband also purchased a cell phone with a GPS tracking app for their daughter before the school year started. After the threat at the school this past week, Kings mother offered to split the cost of a new liner that can protect against automatic rifle bullets. Its maddening. Its sickening. It makes my stomach turn that in order to keep my kid safe in school this is what we have to do, King said. Shooters have used an AR-15 or similar semi-automatic rifles to massacre people in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, a high school in Parkland, Florida, a music festival in Las Vegas, a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee, an office party in San Bernardino, California, on the streets of Midland and Odessa, Texas, in synagogues near San Diego and in Pittsburgh, at a church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. There were more school shootings in 2022 46 than in any year since at least 1999, according to a tracker maintained by the Washington Post. The paper has counted 386 school shootings since Columbine. No other country in the world comes close to murdering its school children the way America does. Sales for bulletproof backpacks soared last year after a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary school in Texas. He killed 19 children and two teachers. In the aftermath, a New Jersey school district equipped its schools with armored shields to try to protect students and teachers in the event of a mass shooting. Ostensibly, teachers are supposed to hide students behind the shields while herding them into corners of a classroom or outside the building. The armor shields were mounted next to fire extinguishers. In the wake of the horror in Uvalde, Republicans pivoted to talking about ways to harden or fortify schools. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz talked about changing doors in schools. Anything to avoid mentioning the elephant in the room the hundreds of millions of guns flooding America. When St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones talked this past week about her effort to rein in the AR-15s on the citys streets, gun lovers had the usual meltdowns about their right to conceal carry, to open carry, to buy on a whim whenever and however they want the very weapons used to terrorize and massacre our children. Any nation that makes guns more precious than its own children has lost its way. Earlier in the week, a post in a moms Facebook group asked about the best way to track their elementary school-aged children. Moms swapped tips about the best surveillance and tracking devices. A few mothers said they use Apple Air Tags attached to their kids shoes and backpacks. Our Republican lawmakers would rather see kindergartners covered in body armor, lugging bulletproof backpacks with GPS trackers planted in their sneakers than pass gun safety laws. The GOP wants to harden schools. Theyve already hardened their hearts. COLE COUNTY, Mo. A man on death row for the killing of a former Post-Dispatch reporter says state officials are violating his rights by moving to set a new execution date before fully investigating his claims of innocence, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday. Marcellus Williams, who has been on death row since 2001 for the fatal stabbing of Felicia Gayle, filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing Missouri Gov. Mike Parson of improperly dissolving a board tasked with investigating exonerating evidence and Attorney General Andrew Bailey of violating Williams due process rights by trying to set a new execution date. There is clear and convincing evidence that Marcellus Williams did not murder Ms. Gayle, said Charles Weiss, a lawyer representing Williams, in a news release. It would be a terrible tragedy for the state to execute Mr. Williams before the board of inquiry completed its commission. Gayle, 42, was killed at her home in University City in 1998. Prosecutors argued Williams was burglarizing her home when she surprised him. She fought for her life but was ultimately stabbed 48 times. Her purse and her laptop were stolen from the home. Prosecutors said Williams also stole a jacket, which he used to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams girlfriend testified at trial that she saw him that day and asked him why hed wear a coat when it was so hot outside. She also said she saw Gayles laptop in a car and that Williams sold it. Another witness called to testify at trial, Henry Cole, shared a cell with Williams in St. Louis while Williams was jailed on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors that Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it. But Williams attorneys have long argued that the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted felons who were seeking a $10,000 reward. DNA evidence from the scene examined in 2016 also exonerates Williams, attorneys say. A partial DNA sample found on the handle of the murder weapon came back for an unknown male, and hair found at the scene also did not match Williams profile. In 2017, Williams was hours from being executed when then-Gov. Eric Greitens issued a stay and invoked a state law to appoint a five-member panel of former judges to review whether Williams should be granted clemency in light of the new evidence. But six years later, the panel still hadnt made a final recommendation, according to the suit. Parson dissolved the inquiry, and Bailey said he would move forward with an execution date. Bailey said in a statement on Friday that it was part of his offices mission to unabashedly pursue justice for victims. In this case, that looks like carrying out the lawful sentence and judgment handed down by the court, Bailey said. But Williams attorneys say it would be a constitutional violation to execute him without fully reviewing all of the evidence. To date, no judge has ruled on the full evidence of Mr. Williams innocence, said Tricia Rojo Bushnell, the executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project, in a news release. Knowing that, the state of Missouri still seeks to execute him. That is not justice. COLUMBIA, Mo. A Missouri judge ruled Friday that a ban on gender-affirming health care for minors can take effect on Monday, as scheduled. The ruling by St. Louis Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer means that beginning next week, health care providers are prohibited from providing gender-affirming surgeries to children. Minors who began puberty blockers or hormones before Monday will be allowed to continue on those medications, but other minors wont have access to those drugs. Some adults will also lose access to gender-affirming care. Medicaid no longer will cover treatments for adults, and the state will not provide those surgeries to prisoners. Physicians who violate the law face having their licenses revoked and being sued by patients. The law makes it easier for former patients to sue, giving them 15 years to go to court and promising at least $500,000 in damages if they succeed. The ACLU of Missouri, Lambda Legal, and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner last month sued to overturn the law on behalf of doctors, LGBTQ+ organizations, and three families of transgender minors, arguing that it is discriminatory. They asked that the law be temporarily blocked as the court challenge against it plays out. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 22. But Ohmer wrote that the plaintiffs arguments were unpersuasive and not likely to succeed. The science and medical evidence is conflicting and unclear. Accordingly, the evidence raises more questions than answers, Ohmer wrote in his ruling. As a result, it has not clearly been shown with sufficient possibility of success on the merits to justify the grant of a preliminary injunction. One plaintiff, a 10-year-old transgender boy, has not yet started puberty and consequently has not yet started taking puberty blockers. His family is worried he will begin puberty after the law takes effect, meaning he will not be grandfathered in and will not have access to puberty blockers for the next four years until the law sunsets. The law expires in August 2027. Proponents of the law argued gender-affirming medical treatments are unsafe and untested. Republican Attorney General Andrew Baileys office wrote in a court brief that blocking the law would open the gate to interventions that a growing international consensus has said may be extraordinarily damaging. The office cited restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for minors in countries including England and Norway, although those nations have not enacted outright bans. In a statement Friday, Bailey applauded the ruling. Missouri is the first state in the nation to successfully defend at the trial court level a law barring child mutilation, he said. Ive said from Day One as Attorney General that I will fight to ensure that Missouri is the safest state in the nation for children. This is a huge step in that direction. Every major medical organization in the U.S., including the American Medical Association, has opposed bans on gender-affirming care for minors and supported the medical care for youth when administered appropriately. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year. We will work with patients to get the care they need in Missouri, or, in Illinois, where gender-affirming care is protected under state law, Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said in a statement after the ruling. The Food and Drug Administration approved puberty blockers 30 years ago to treat children with precocious puberty a condition that causes sexual development to begin much earlier than usual. Sex hormones synthetic forms of estrogen and testosterone were approved decades ago to treat hormone disorders and for birth control. The FDA has not approved the medications specifically to treat gender-questioning youth. But they have been used for many years for that purpose off label, a common and accepted practice for many medical conditions. Doctors who treat trans patients say those decades of use are proof the treatments are not experimental. In a statement, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones called the ruling shameful and sharply criticized the Missouri Legislature for its anti-trans bigotry. Her statement highlighted the citys efforts to promote inclusiveness: Todays shameful ruling will prevent trans Missourians from living their authentic lives and drive families out of our state. St. Louisans reject the Missouri legislatures anti-trans bigotry, and in consultation with LGBTQIA+ leaders, I enacted an executive order to promote inclusiveness in city government. We will continue to fight back against the legislatures hateful attacks and lift up the diversity that makes St. Louis an inclusive community for all, no matter your identity. Jack Suntrup of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. Updated at 4:37 p.m. TROY, Mo. A Lincoln County sheriffs deputy was wounded in a shooting Thursday night in Troy, Missouri, and the man police say shot the deputy was found dead after a search of the area. Deputy Robert Wagner, 34, was shot just before 6:45 p.m. in the 1600 block of Creech School Road after sheriffs deputies were dispatched for a domestic disturbance. The suspects wife, who was not at the home, had called police to say her husband, 55-year-old Thomas Varvera Jr., was threatening to burn down their home. Varvera opened fire when police approached his home. Wagner was shot in the chest and taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery, police said. He was still hospitalized Friday morning and doctors said he was stable with a positive prognosis. We are heartened by his progress and the strong spirit he has shown, said Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Harrell in a Friday afternoon email update. We extend our gratitude to all who have been involved in his care and those who have shown unwavering support. Wagner has more than two years of law enforcement experience and joined the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office in June, according to the department. Police said Varvera was in front of the home when they arrived, and he set the house on fire and ran into a nearby shed after opening fire. He was found lying dead on the floor of the shed just before 8 p.m. Police fired shots at him during the confrontation, but Cpl. Dallas Thompson of the Missouri Highway Patrol said authorities are still investigating if those hit him or if he died of a self-inflicted wound. The house was a total loss, and smoke still rose from the smoldering ashes Friday afternoon. Varvera, whose Facebook profile said he worked at a car dealership, had no apparent criminal history and police had no caution associated with his name in their computer systems. Harrell said in a statement that the department is rallying around Wagner. Acts of violence like these are a stark reminder of the risks our law enforcement officers undertake every day to protect and serve our community, the sheriff said. David Carson of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Kyiv on Friday. "Many important issues were discussed. Peace Formula. Preparations for the Global Peace Summit. Risks posed by the Russian blockade of the Black Sea grain corridor," Zelenskyy said on the Telegram channel. According to the presidential press service, during the meeting, the head of state noted Turkey's continued and consistent support for Ukraine, as well as diplomatic efforts of its leadership, primarily President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aimed at ending the war and restoring stability and security in the Black Sea region. He also noted the importance of the Turkish President's address to the participants of the 3rd Summit of the International Crimea Platform. "We heard very important signals of support for our territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is important that President Erdogan addressed us with the words that Crimea is Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. The parties paid special attention to the state of implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the global summit on its implementation. "Turkey has become one of the first leaders of the Peace Formula. We count on the further active role of the Republic of Turkey in its implementation," the president said. In turn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey noted his country's unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the importance of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. JEFFERSON CITY The stand-in parents of Missouris 14,000 foster children can legally keep marijuana in their homes beginning Monday. But, under an emergency rule filed this week by the Missouri Department of Social Services, pot smoking is still banned inside houses where wards of the state reside or if they are in a vehicle. The decision means cannabis usage by foster moms and dads must occur outside the dwelling and not inside a car where children are passengers, an agency spokeswoman said. Foster parents attempting to grow pot for their own consumption also must keep the operation under lock and key, the rule says. The new weed regulations are in response to the legalization of adult recreational marijuana sales in Missouri in the November 2022 election, where voters gave a thumbs-up to a regulated and taxed sales blueprint that has made the product available to the masses at state-sanctioned dispensaries. Like other states where cannabis has become legal, officials have had to adjust state laws and regulations to accommodate the voter-approved change to the Missouri Constitution. Most of the directives have fallen on the Department of Health and Senior Services to implement. In the rule change filed by Republican Gov. Mike Parsons administration, officials said the 2022 vote amended the constitution to provide that Missouri residents over the age of 21 have a constitutional right to use or possess marijuana in specified quantities. In explaining the decision to ease the rules, the administration said, A regulation that conflicts with the Missouri Constitution is invalid. According to Social Services spokeswoman Caitlin Whaley, foster parents can have pot on their premises, but it cant be fired up inside the foster home when a child in division custody is placed in the home. Also prohibited is cannabis use inside a vehicle when transporting a child in division custody. In short, foster parents cannot smoke pot in the presence of a child in division custody. This is to protect the foster child from the hazards of second-hand smoke. Foster parents may smoke marijuana and tobacco outside the premises but not in a vehicle while transporting a foster child and not in the presence of a foster child, Whaley said, citing state statute. The new regulations do not ban foster parents from using marijuana products that dont emit smoke or vapor inside the home, such as gummies and tablets containing THC. But, foster parents are under strict orders to rein in substance abuse. Any use of alcohol, prescription and non-prescription medication, marijuana, or marijuana-infused products that would leave a foster parent in an impaired physical or mental state and prevent them from parenting the child would violate state law. Foster parents are not permitted to use marijuana or marijuana-infused products, or other legal substances (including alcohol or prescription or non-prescription drugs) if such use creates an unsafe environment for the child, as determined by the division, state statute says. Breaking with a longstanding tradition, the St. Louis Labor Council will not hold its annual downtown St. Louis parade on Labor Day, which is Sept. 4. Instead, the council will sponsor what it is billing as a Labor Festival slated for this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 50 St. Francois Street in Florissant. Several groups mentioned that they wanted to try something different this year on a non-holiday weekend, so were trying something new, council president Pat White said in a press release. White said the festival would include live music, food and beverages and tug-of-war contests. There is no admission charge. This isnt the first time the parade was scrubbed. In 2021, the pandemic forced unions to call off their celebrations around the region. In 2022, when the downtown St. Louis parade returned, about 1,500 union workers representing 41 labor groups took part. Union membership in Missouri has been steadily declining in recent years. It stood at 9.6% of all wage and salary workers in 2022 compared to 15.5% in 1989. CLAYTON A St. Louis County man was given a life sentence Friday for killing his ex-girlfriends new boyfriend in a rage after finding them together. Christopher Bolden, 32, was sentenced for second-degree murder Friday to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 30 years, plus an additional 15 years in prison for four weapons offenses. Bolden was convicted by a jury in May of shooting and killing 24-year-old Antonio Green, of Maplewood on April 20, 2021. Prosecutors argued during the trial that Bolden was harassing his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his two children, for hours the day of the killing. He called her 103 times and sent her a series of threatening texts, evidence in the trial showed. Once I see you, Im hurting you, he texted the woman within an hour of the attack. Bolden then left work at Dave & Busters arcade in Maryland Heights shortly before 11 p.m. and went to confront the woman at a home in the 1100 block of Scott Avenue. He then found her with Green in a car outside, witnesses testified. Bolden then opened the back seat of the car, fired at least three shots and killed Green before turning the gun on his ex. He told the woman to say sorry, prosecutors said. She complied and ran into the house before Bolden fled the scene in a rental car. Police tracked the rental to Bolden, and he was pulled over in the car and arrested in Montgomery County, Illinois. Before he was booked, Bolden slipped out of handcuffs, discarded the murder weapon and led police on a 30-minute chase before he was arrested again, according to police testimony during the trial. Police interviews with Bolden played at trial showed he first told investigators he killed Green to protect his childrens mother, then admitted that wasnt true. Bolden's defense attorney, Michael Hufty, argued during the trial that Bolden shot Green in self-defense after Green grabbed at his waistband. Prosecutors originally charged Bolden with first-degree murder, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser offense of second-degree murder, which doesn't require evidence of deliberation. Greens parents told the Post-Dispatch during the trial that their son had challenges, including chronic pain from a lifelong sickle cell disease, but his life was looking hopeful before he was killed. My two other sons are traumatized by this. My son was very loved, Greens mother, Semiko Latimore, said in May. This man is not the giver of life. How can he just take it? What drove voters to the polls in Ohio on Aug. 8 wasnt politics or partisanship it was values. More and more people today are motivated not by party loyalty but by the issues they care about and the threats they see to their most basic rights. Ohio saw that the right to control their health choices and bodily autonomy is clear, conspicuous and easily understood. Thats why Issue 1 was overwhelmingly defeated, just as other anti-abortion ballot initiatives were voted down in red and purple states such as Michigan, Kentucky and Kansas in 2022. Issue 1 was a Republican-proposed constitutional amendment that would have made it harder to enshrine abortion rights into the Ohio Constitution, as Democrats hope to do this fall. It sought to increase the threshold for amending the state's constitution at the ballot box from a simple majority of 50% to a larger majority of 60%. The forces and factors that went into the shocking victory in Ohio for abortion rights are now poised to play a decisive role in the 2024 elections. Ohio voters from across the political spectrum recognized that abortion bans have nothing to do with womens health and everything to do with the power some politicians want to retain over womens lives, futures and bodily autonomy. Voters turned out in record numbers, with 57% voting against the measure, a victory margin of almost 430,000 votes out of more than 3 million cast. Even Ohioans who hadnt voted in 2022 came out in the summer heat to stand up for their rights and values. According to Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, In the early vote alone, there were 30,000 voters who voted in (the) election that hadnt voted in 2022, and they were largely women and African-American women. The test for 2024 is whether those voters will stay engaged in Ohio and across the country. I believe they will. Tremendous energy at the grassroots level supports the change we need to see in the priorities our lawmakers set and the ones they ignore. In the year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, 14 states have made abortion illegal, and many more are considering abortion restrictions and bans that make it difficult if not impossible to obtain abortion care. The Ohio vote shows how to counter those proposals by building a coalition and engaging in commonsense conversations about the issues that matter most to people. After the results came in from Ohio, abortion rights advocates in Arizona launched a ballot measure for November 2024 seeking to let voters there expand abortion rights in the Arizona Constitution. A 15-week abortion ban was signed into law in March 2022 by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican. At the same time, those pushing for a near-total ban on abortions in Arizona appealed a court ruling preventing doctors from being prosecuted under a law thats been on the books since Arizona was a territory. We're just one bad court decision away from a total abortion ban that carries prison time for doctors, said Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat who focused on abortion rights during her 2022 campaign. The need to codify abortion rights into state law couldnt be more clear and the stakes in the 2024 election couldnt be higher. Arizona is just one of a handful of battleground states that could determine the outcome of the presidential election with a Senate race on the ballot that could determine party control. And in Ohio, the abortion rights coalition that beat Issue 1 remains in place to make a difference in abortion-rights defender Sen. Sherrod Browns reelection campaign. Abortion will be on the ballot in 2024, from the presidential campaign on down. And so will contraception. As regulatory and court decisions make over-the-counter care more available, candidates are campaigning to enact more restrictions on that access. The political decisions being made to control womens bodily autonomy will directly affect those who are already facing the worst discrimination and obstacles to accessing health care. States with the most restrictive abortion bans have some of the highest rates of Black maternal death. A new coalition of values-based voters is emerging, challenging old political assumptions. Ohio showed us whats possible now its up to us to show whats next. The war in Ukraine now somewhat resembles the Spanish Civil War as a place for neutral countries to test their new military equipment. Since early 2022 Ukraine has been overwhelmed by over $50 billion worth new weapons and equipment sent by NATO nations. To further complicate matters, many types of weapons came in several different models. That meant several different varieties of anti-aircraft systems, radars, combat vehicles and combat support equipment, generally with overlapping purposes and each requiring its own unique spare parts. While much appreciated by Ukrainians, there was one major problem; not much training or instructions. NATO could not send military instructors and civilian instructors from the manufacturers were often reluctant to operate in a war zone. To add to these complications, few of the written instructions were in Ukrainian. That is changing but it is still a work in progress. Right now Ukrainian equipment maintainers work with a tablet computer in hand running Google Translate variously in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Swedish. The most efficient way to solve the training problem is to train more trainers. That is difficult in Ukraine because since early 2022 nearly 800,000 men, and some women, have been mobilized into the military. Most of these new people had no prior military experience. This was a serious problem because experienced Ukrainian soldiers knew that sending new troops into combat with little (a week or so) training meant higher losses. Up to five times higher. That was obvious in the first months of the war. It was difficult to set up basic training operations, which provided about a month of training. There were too many (hundreds of thousands) of new soldiers and few experienced trainers. A few months into the war, troops who survived their initial weeks of combat were much more likely to continue surviving. The Ukrainian army devoted as many personnel as they could to providing basic training. This was difficult early on because recruiting often consisted of giving out weapons to volunteers and organizing the new troops into company (about a hundred troops) or battalion (three or more companies) size units. These newly created units were led by a few experienced soldiers. Many of these soldiers had peacetime training but no combat experience. That meant it was months before substantial numbers of trainers with combat experience could be assigned to training duties. These trainers were often men who had been wounded in combat and many were disabled to some degree. That often limited what the instructor could do physically. That was not a problem because it was what the instructor knew that counted. As training levels increased, loss rates declined. There was still a backlog in training on how to use more complex weapons. This was often carried out across the border in Poland where instruction was often given in simplified Russian, which was comprehensible to Ukrainian speakers. While Russian and Ukrainian were similar and used the same alphabet (with a few exceptions) and it is easier for Ukrainians to understand Russian than the other way around. Russian is more widely spoken in NATO and East European countries than Ukrainian. NATO had plenty of instructors who could do the job in Russian and made it possible to train a lot of Ukrainian troops using NATO instructors based in Poland. It was also possible to translate English, German or French user instructions into Russian initially and eventually Ukrainian. Short videos were also created, which soldiers could carry on their cellphones and refer to as needed. These videos were also posted where soldiers could view and download them. Before long there was a large number of Ukrainians who could translate How to Use guides for new military equipment into Ukrainian and then create the videos. The Ukrainian military depended on civilian volunteers to do a lot of this work. There was no shortage of qualified volunteers to translate material into Ukrainian and then produce videos for the troops to learn how to use new weapons and later refer to them as needed. NATO advisors and trainers came to expect the Ukrainians to innovate in unexpected ways. Thats because the Ukrainians want the war over as soon as possible. Despite the substantial NATO military and economic aid, Ukraine continues to suffer heavy casualties. The Russians are now deliberately attacking populated areas. So far over six thousand civilians have been killed and many more wounded. This is causing more civilians to leave the country, at least temporarily. That exodus is complicated by the government ban on military-age men from leaving the country. Why Publishers Don't Deploy New Codecs What are the key factors that drive and impede new and emerging codec deployment on premium OTT streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney, and Apple TV+? Jan Ozer, Principal, Streaming Learning Center, Sr. Director, Video Technology Marketing, NETINT, Contributing Editor, Streaming Media, provides a much-needed codec deployment reality check in this clip from his presentation at Streaming Media East 2023. When you implement a new codec, the benefits of that codec are only going to be delivered for the small number of devices that support it," Ozer says. "So Versatile Video Coding(VVC) sounds great today, it's 50% benefit over High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) but it might be 0.5% of all TVs on the market, which means that you're not going to get a lot of savings because it's such a small group of targets out there." Reality Check Ozer brings up a graphic titled Reality Check Why Publishers Dont Deploy New Codecs, which breaks down the points he makes. Encoding and storage costs are always going to be additive, meaning you're going to have to continue to support H.264, you're going to continue to have to support HEVC for your legacy devices, he says. And the encoding costs that you undertake for the newer codecs are always going to be much more expensive than existing codecs because they're much more complex, whether you're doing it yourself or whether you're paying for it, you're going to spend a lot more to encode to the new technologies. The other factors are bandwidth costs have dropped very, very significantly, he says. I remember 15 years ago, bandwidth was between 50 cents and a dollar per gigabyte. And now, the lowest cost structure on CloudFront is 2 cents a gigabyte. It takes a lot of savings at 2 cents a gigabyte to make up for the cost of implementation. And those are getting higher and higher." The Risks of Deploying New Codecs Ozer shows a graphic titled Risk, which breaks down the risks and costs of implementing new codecs. What we have is working, he says. We're currently distributing with H.264, maybe a little HEVC. It's all working. The players work. Customers are happy, nobody's complaining. So why do we want to change it? As I mentioned, the costs are going to increase in the short term if you deploy a new codec, because you're adding storage costs and you're adding encoding costs, the codec may not deliver the expected savings. If you don't consider what I talked about in the latter, you may think, Great, you know VVC is gonna give us 50%, but it may not deliver that benefit at all. You may see player failures or reduced Quality of Experience (QoE), which is one of the things that Facebook experienced when they implemented reels with AV1. They found that some Android phones couldn't play it back smoothly, so they had to start doing some testing before they distributed AV1 to those phones to avoid drop frames and reduce battery life. He reiterates that there is always a new codec in development, which increases difficulties in new deployments. I think AV1 really stalled VP9 deployment, he says. I mean, if it's 2019, do we want to deploy VP9? Well, AV1 is right around the corner. And then we had three MPEG codecs released within 18 months of each other. So how do you go forward with these choices always seeming to be coming? The Bottom Line Ozer displays a graphic titled The Bottom Line, which underscores the contemporary codec trends. Codecs seem to flourish best when they enable publishers to enter new markets, he says. And we saw that very definitely with 4K and HDR. A lot of people went to HEVC because 4K [made] no sense with H.264 and it was impossible with H.264 to deliver Dolby Vision. So that was the major migration to HEVC, not bandwidth savings. An audience member asks a question: You spoke about encoding and storage costs, but are there also transmission costs, or is that negligible? Ozer replies, There's some of that, but I don't think that's going to be major. So there are some very notable exceptions. In the US, YouTube, Meta, and Netflix started shipping out VP9 and AV1 primarily. I think with VP9, a lot of that was banned with savings with AV1. Perhaps it was supporting The Alliance for Open Media. In China today, we're seeing a lot of use of VVC with VVC stakeholders. So, Kwai, ByteDance, and Tencent are all big VVC IP owners, and they're starting to distribute software players with VVC. And in India, we're seeing the MX player distributed. India is one of those instances where there's very low bandwidth, so a lower bandwidth codec makes sense. On the other hand, there's also a ton of cheap Android phones that really can't play back HEVC, much less VVC. So there's always those types of considerations. And as I say, the decision to use AV1 I think was politically motivated by a bunch of companies in The Alliance for Open Media, because even when I took a year to encode a minute of video, Netflix and YouTube were deploying AV1, clearly before it was commercially ready. Learn more about codecs and a wide range of streaming topics at Streaming Media Connect 2023. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles Companies and Suppliers Mentioned Company Poised to Ship Tens of Millions of Authentic KN95 and N95 Masks from Inventory RYE BROOK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Bona Fide Masks Corp., The Trusted Source" for authentic, protective masks, stands ready to assist customers with their KN95 and N95 mask purchases to help keep them safe. With news of new COVID-19 variants emerging, Bona Fide Masks is poised to help customers with tens of millions of masks in inventory ready to ship. BFM Logo Updated Logo As part of a fourth-generation, family-owned and -operated group of businesses, Bona Fide Masks remains committed to best corporate practices, focusing on product authenticity and complete supply chain transparency. Explains company President Bill Taubner, "We are proud to offer high-quality, authentic masks that meet standards, especially as we head into Fall. We have the most transparent, strongest, and secure supply chain in the mask industry and are delighted to continue our relationships with acclaimed mask manufacturers, such as Powecom and Harley. Bona Fide Masks is honored to be the exclusive U.S. distributor for Powecom KN95 and Harley KN95. No order is too big or too small for us!" Notably, Bona Fide Masks Corp. is the only mask distributor in the U.S. to earn ISO 9001 certification. The ISO vetting process includes all aspects of the company's business, including purchasing, supply chain integrity, logistics, delivery, infrastructure, testing, human resources, finance, and accounting. By securing IS0 9001 certification, Bona Fide Masks has underscored its unwavering commitment to its customers and its business partners, meeting and exceeding high-level international standards. The company remains committed to delivering premier products, using safe and sustainable processes. Operating under the ISO 9001:2015 standard helps ensure that Bona Fide Masks' customers receive authentic, high-quality products that meet or exceed strict standards. The mask marketplace is complicated and confusing for many. In response, Bona Fide Masks has reinforced its commitment to providing authentic masks through transparency and supply chain integrity, featuring an authenticity statement from ownership, which is available here: https://bonafidemasks.com/insights/authenticity-statement/. The company never purchases from agents, middlemen, brokers, resellers, dealers, closeout companies, intermediaries, or third parties. Bona Fide Masks also performs in-house testing of masks using a recognized respirator tester, designed specifically for testing filter media. Following extensive research, Bona Fide Masks purchased an innovative and highly efficient 100X Automated Filter Tester from medical device leader Air Techniques International (ATI). This ATI machine is designed for quality control validation of filter media, replaceable particulate filters and masks used in medical and industry hygiene applications. The 100X meets leading industry standards such as NIOSH 42 CFR Part84, GB 2626, EN 1327-7:2019 and ASTM F3502-21. The 100X is designed for testing N95, KN95, FFP and P100 respirator masks. More about Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc., and Bona Fide Masks Corp.: The current owners' great-grandfather and grandfather started Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Ball Chain) in a small garage behind their home in the Bronx, NY. The company has been family-owned and -operated since 1938. Ball Chain is now the world's largest manufacturer of ball chains (www.ballchain.com), seen on military dog tags, ceiling fans, handbags, and light pulls, among many other goods. The company manufactures more than 3 million feet of product per week at its Mount Vernon, New York, factory (all ball chains are made in the USA). Ball Chain is the exclusive supplier to the U.S. military for the iconic dog tag ID necklace worn by U.S. servicemen and women, and the company takes tremendous pride in everything it does. Originally a division of Ball Chain, Bona Fide Masks Corp. handles warehousing and distribution with the utmost focus, systematically employing proven, regimented processes and protocols, as supply chain security and transparency are its highest priorities. In this regard, Bona Fide Masks is proud to issue statements of authenticity, providing further confidence to its customers and reinforcing its commitment to supply chain integrity. Contact Information Bill Taubner President [email protected] 914.664.7500 SOURCE: Bona Fide Masks Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE), is pleased to announce the implementation of a warrant exercise incentive program (the "Program") intended to encourage the exercise of up to 14,362,833 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") which were issued as part of the Company's private placement which closed on September 24, 2021("Tranche 1") and a warrant exercise incentive program that closed on September 9, 2022 ("Tranche 2"). The Tranche 1 warrants issued on September 24, 2021 have an exercise price of $0.10, and the Tranche 2 warrants issued on September 9, 2022 have an exercise price of $0.05. The board of directors of the Company have determined it to be in the best interests of the Corporation to reprice the Tranche 1 warrants from the current exercise price of C$0.10 per share of common stock to C$0.06 per Warrant Share (the "Warrant Repricing"). Each Tranche 1 warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a price of $0.06 per Common Share subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange to the proposed Warrant Repricing. The Tranche 2 warrants will remain exercisable at $0.05 per common Share. The Tranche 1 warrants expire on September 24, 2023 and the Tranche 2 warrants expire on September 9, 2023, both at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time). To the extent that holders of Eligible Warrants take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Eligible Warrants early, this will fund working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period (defined below) will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program. Tranche 2 warrants will expire during the Early Exercise Period. Summary Information about Warrant Incentive Program Pursuant to the Program, the Company is offering an inducement to each holder of Eligible Warrants ("Warrant Holders") that exercises Eligible Warrants during an early exercise period (the "Early Exercise Period") consisting of one new Warrant (the "New Warrant") in addition to the common share subscribed for. Each New Warrant is exercisable at $0.10 in the first year, and $0.20 in the second year, until August 30, 2025, subject to the right of the Corporation to accelerate expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.20 in the first year, and $0.40 in the second year, for a period of 10 days. The Expiry Date of the Tranche 1 warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.075, for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days. The Early Exercise Period will commence on August 31, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) and will expire on August September 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) (the "Early Exercise Expiry Date"). The Incentive Warrants and any Common Shares issuable on the exercise thereof will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance of the Incentive Warrants pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. Depending upon the number of Eligible Warrants exercised during the Early Exercise Period, the Company expects to: receive gross proceeds of up to $790,774; issue up to 14,362,833 Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of Eligible Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Eligible Warrants; and issue up to 14,362,833 Incentive Warrants to Warrant Holders pursuant to the exercise of the Eligible Warrants on or before the Early Exercise Expiry Date. The terms and conditions of the Program and the method of exercising Eligible Warrants pursuant to the Program are set forth in a letter which is being delivered to the last known contact of each Warrant Holder. Warrant Holders who wish to participate in the Program will agree to exercise their Eligible Warrants and deliver the other necessary documents in consideration of the issuance by the Company of the Incentive Warrants. The Program and the Warrant Repricing is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and is subject to the receipt of all final regulatory approvals, including final approval of the Exchange. The number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 14,362,833 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 1,436,283 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program. Insiders presently hold 1.0% of the Eligible Warrants. Procedure for the Exercise of Warrants Upon commencement of the Early Exercise Period, registered holders of Eligible Warrants may exercise their rights to acquire the Common Shares and Incentive Warrants. All Eligible Warrants must be processed through the Company at the offices of the Company located at 203, 645 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1G2. To exercise Eligible Warrants during the Early Exercise Period, until August 29, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time), a Warrant Holder must: 1. Surrender the original Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants to the Company by hand or courier at the address noted above. The Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants must be submitted together with: (a) a duly completed and executed Subscription Form as attached to the Eligible Warrant Certificate, specifying the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise; and (b) a certified cheque, bank draft or money order in Canadian dollars, payable to or to the order of "Boron One Holdings Inc." in an amount equal to $0.06 in the case of Tranche 1 and $0.05 in the case of Tranche 2, multiplied by the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise. All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered for full exercise will be cancelled by the Company and will be of no further force or effect. All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered together with a duly completed and executed Subscription Form, and payment of the applicable exercise price for the number of Eligible Warrants exercised will be deemed to be surrendered only upon personal delivery thereof to, or, if sent by mail or other means of transmission, upon actual receipt thereof by the Company. Any use of the mail to transmit Eligible Warrant Certificates is at the risk of the Warrant Holder. If such documents are to be mailed, it is recommended that registered mail, properly insured, be used with acknowledgement of receipt requested. Fractional Shares The Company will not be obligated to issue any fractional Common Shares, fractional Incentive Warrants or any cash or other consideration in lieu thereof upon the exchange of one or more Eligible Warrants. If any fraction of a Common Share or Incentive Warrant would otherwise be issuable, the number of such securities so issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole number without compensation thereof. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Tim Daniels, President About Boron One Holdings Inc. Boron One Holdings Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Boron One's shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BONE". For detailed information please see Boron One's website at www.boronone.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com.. For further information, please contact Boron's Public Quotations Boron One Holdings Inc. Canada Blake Fallis, General Manager TSX Venture:BONE Phone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746 Berlin:EKV [email protected] US: SEC 12G3-2(B) #82-4432ERVFF www.boronone.com OTCBB ERVFF 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: Boron One Holdings Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: FORT MILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Catheter Precision, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American:VTAK) announced today that on August 22, 2023, the Company received a notice from NYSE Regulation stating that the Company is not in compliance with the continued listing standards of the NYSE American (the "Exchange") under the timely filing criteria set forth in Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide (the "Company Guide"). The non-compliance results from the Company's failure to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (the "Delinquent Report") by the extended filing due date of August 21, 2023 (the "Filing Delinquency"). As previously disclosed, the delay in the filing of the Company's Quarterly Report relates principally to additional time that is needed to complete certain analyses related to the purchase price allocation in connection with the Company's acquisition of the former Catheter Precision, Inc. on January 9, 2023, including without limitation, an analysis of whether possible changes in estimates of purchase price and related estimated line items preliminarily reported in the registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 should be considered changes in estimates or corrections of errors, as well as coordination and logistical issues arising in connection with the registrant's change of auditors that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Although the Company does not anticipate a lengthy delay, it is unable to project an exact filing date at this time. Management and the audit committee are continuing to work towards the completion of the Quarterly Report and are cooperating with the Company's auditors to ensure the review is completed as soon as possible. In accordance with Section 1007 of the Company Guide, the Company will have six months from the date of the Filing Delinquency, or until February 21, 2024 (the "Initial Cure Period"), to file the Form 10-Q with the SEC. During the Initial Cure Period, the Exchange will monitor the Company and the status of the Delinquent Report and any subsequent delayed filings, until the Filing Delinquency is cured. If the Company fails to file the Form 10-Q during the Initial Cure Period, the Exchange may, in its sole discretion, provide an additional six-month cure period (the "Additional Cure Period"). If the Exchange determines that an Additional Cure Period is not appropriate, suspension and delisting procedures will commence in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 1010 of the Company Guide. If the Exchange determines that an Additional Cure Period of up to six months is appropriate and we fail to file the Delinquent Report and any subsequent delayed filings by the end of that period, suspension and delisting procedures will generally commence. The Company can regain compliance with the Exchange's continued listing standards at any time during the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as applicable, by filing the Form 10-Q and any subsequent delayed filings with the SEC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Exchange may in its sole discretion decide (i) not to afford us an Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as the case may be, at all or (ii) at any time during the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, to truncate the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as the case may be, and immediately commence suspension and delisting procedures if we should become subject to delisting pursuant to any other provision of the Company Guide, including if the Exchange believes, in the Exchange's sole discretion, that continued listing and trading of our securities on the Exchange is inadvisable or unwarranted in accordance with Sections 1001-1006 of the Company Manual. During the Initial Cure Period and the Additional Cure Period, if applicable, the Company's securities will continue to trade on the Exchange, subject to the Company's compliance with other continued listing requirements, with a late filer (".LF") indicator. About Catheter Precision Catheter Precision is an innovative U.S.-based medical device company bringing new solutions to market to improve the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. It is focused on developing groundbreaking technology for electrophysiology procedures by collaborating with physicians and continuously advancing its products. Reincorporated as Ra Medical Systems, Inc. in Delaware in 2018, the Company changed its name to Catheter Precision, Inc. on August 17, 2023. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "anticipate," "may," "might," "can," "could," "continue," "depends," "expect," "expand," "forecast," "intend," "predict," "plan," "rely," "should," "will," "may," "seek," or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our anticipated timing of the filing of our Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances, including that the finalization of the purchase price for the former Catheter Precision, Inc. and related allocations is a complicated process that, coupled with the logistics involved in our recent change in auditors, could take longer to complete than we currently contemplate. Additional risks that may impact the actual outcomes of our forward looking statements include but are not limited to risks and uncertainties included under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties include, but aren't limited to, that we will not be able to reach profitability unless we are able to achieve our product expansion and growth goals, our research and development and commercialization efforts may depend on entering into agreements with corporate collaborators, we have entered into joint marketing agreements with respect to our products, and may enter into additional joint marketing agreements, that will reduce our revenues from product sales, royalty agreements with respect to our LockeT device will reduce any future profits from this product, if we experience significant disruptions in our information technology systems, our business may be adversely affected, litigation and other legal proceedings may adversely affect our business, if we make acquisitions or divestiture we could encounter difficulties that harm our business, failure to attract and retain sufficient qualified personnel could also impede our growth, failure to maintain effective internal controls could cause our investors to lose confidence in us and adversely affect the market price of our common stock, if our internal controls are not effective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, our revenues may depend on our customers' receipt of adequate reimbursement from private insurers and government sponsored healthcare programs, we may be unable to compete successfully with companies in our highly competitive industry, many of whom have substantially greater resources than we do, our future operating results depend upon our ability to obtain components in sufficient quantities on commercially reasonable terms or according to schedules, prices, quality and volumes that are acceptable to us, and suppliers may fail to deliver components, or we may be unable to manage these components effectively or obtain these components on such terms, if hospitals, physicians and patients do not accept our current and future products or if the market for indications for which any product candidate is approved is smaller than expected, we may be unable to generate significant revenue, if any, our medical device operations are subject to pervasive and continuing FDA regulatory requirements, our products may be subject to additional recalls, revocations or suspensions after receiving FDA or foreign approval or clearance, which could divert managerial and financial resources, harm our reputation, and adversely affect our business, changes in trade policies among the U.S. and other countries, in particular the imposition of new or higher tariffs, could place pressure on our average selling prices as our customers seek to offset the impact of increased tariffs on their own products, increased tariffs or the imposition of other barriers to international trade could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results. The risks and uncertainties described above may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused significant economic uncertainty, or other pandemics, supply chain disruptions from the Ukraine war and otherwise, and ongoing volatility in the stock markets and the U.S. economy in general. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. CONTACTS: At the Company David Jenkins 973-691-2000 [email protected] SOURCE: Catheter Precision, Inc View source version on accesswire.com: Russia is considering the option of additional conscription of 450,000 people to the occupying army, and the process of mobilization within Russia has not stopped, Head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Kyrylo Budanov said. As Budanov said in an interview with RFE/RL's Crimea.Realities, in the autumn of 2022, the "Kremlin regime" was able to mobilize about 350,000 people. "Everyone somehow thinks that they have called and that's all. No, the call [in Russia] goes every month. It's called 'hidden mobilization.' There is such a term. From 20,000 to 22,000 are called up for mobilization every month. Now they are considering the option this is an issue that has not yet been fully resolved to call for an additional 450,000," he said. According to the Intelligence Agency's head, such Russian intention indicates the real scale of losses among personnel in the war against Ukraine, which the aggressor state is trying to hide. "This leads to the next question: why such a number if the losses, as they say, are meager? Well, you will see that the truth will be somewhere in the middle," Budanov said. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Coppernico Metals Inc. ("Coppernico" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results for the election of its Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of Shareholders held on August 23, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The director nominees as listed in the Company's Information Circular dated July 5, 2023, and SEDAR filed July 14, 2023, were elected as directors of the Company at the Meeting to serve until the next Meeting. A total of 48,184,831 of the Company's common shares ("Common Shares") were present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, representing 39.29% of the outstanding Common Shares. The voting results for the election of directors are as follows: Election of Directors: Name of Nominee Votes For Votes For (%) Votes Withheld/Abstain Votes Withheld/Abstain (%) Ivan James Bebek 36,343,339 98.52 544,694 1.48 Shawn Wallace 36,344,116 98.53 543,917 1.47 Antonio Arribas 36,390,192 98.65 497,841 1.35 Steve Cook 36,335,691 98.50 552,342 1.50 Gordon J. Fretwell 33,131,371 89.82 3,756,662 10.18 Jeffrey R. Mason 36,341,201 98.52 546,832 1.48 Marie-Hlene Turgeon 36,310,099 98.43 577,934 1.57 There were 11,295,293 non-votes recorded (but not voted) for each director. Non-votes are discretionary votes given to a broker by a US beneficial holder, but such votes are not allowed under Canadian Securities Regulations. Reappointment of Auditor: Votes For Votes For (%) Votes Withheld/Abstain Votes Withheld/Abstain (%) Deloitte LLP 47,982,767 99.58 200,559 0.42 Voting results have been reported on www.sedarplus.ca. Ivan Bebek, President & CEO, commented, "We appreciate the continued patience and support from our shareholders. We have made considerable progress towards gaining access to our flagship Sombrero project, which is continuing to move forward. We look forward to providing an update to our shareholders with our strategy and listing plans in the coming weeks." ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ivan Bebek President, CEO & Director For further information on Coppernico, please visit www.coppernicometals.com or contact Katie Bromley, Manager of Corporate Communications, at +1 (778) 729-0600 or [email protected]. About Coppernico Coppernico is an exploration company focused on creating value for shareholders and stakeholders through careful project evaluation and exploration excellence in pursuit of the discovery of world-class copper-gold deposits in South America. The Company's management and technical teams have a successful track record in raising capital, discovery and monetization of exploration successes. The Company is currently focused on the Sombrero project in Peru, its flagship project, and is reviewing additional premium projects in South America. Coppernico is currently an unlisted reporting issuer and intends to be listed on a recognized stock exchange once it qualifies. For more information, please visit www.coppernicometals.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events, including the goal of eventually qualifying for a stock exchange listing about which there cannot be any certainty. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators, available at www.sedarplus.ca. No regulatory organization has approved the contents hereof. SOURCE: Coppernico Metals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: DealPotential is proud to announce five new groundbreaking features on its investment intelligence platform: Company signals, Team data, Tech Stack, News & Relations. The company's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement has led to the development of the new features. STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / DealPotential is proud to announce the introduction of five new groundbreaking features to its Investment intelligence platform. The company specializes in sourcing alternative data on non-public companies. The platform serves as a comprehensive resource for investors, offering unique insights that drive informed investment decisions through investment, market and company data on the private market. Deal Potential's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement has led to the development of five new features, set to enhance the capabilities of the investor intelligence platform: Company signals, Team data, Tech Stack, News & Relations. Further Enhancements: The DealPotential product development team is continuously working on refining and enhancing the user experience, ensuring that the platform remains at the forefront of innovation. Since its successful launch in March of this year, DealPotential's investor intelligence platform has garnered significant attention and praise within the investment community. By providing essential data and intelligence, the platform bridges the gap between venture capitalists (VCs), private equity firms (PEs) - who are looking for the best investment opportunities and businesses seeking investment. The platform's unique value proposition lies in its ability to offer critical information that empowers investors to identify and assess suitable investment opportunities across various sectors and geographies. "We are excited to introduce these new features to our investor intelligence platform," said Beata Pierre, Product Growth Marketing Manager at DealPotential. "Our goal is to equip investors with the tools they need to make informed investment decisions and achieve their full financial objectives. These new features are a testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that empower our users." More information about the functionality and benefits of each new feature will be released in the coming weeks, offering a deeper understanding of how investors can leverage these tools to enhance their investment strategies. For media inquiries, please contact: Beata Pierre [email protected] Contact Information Beata Pierre Product Growth Marketing Manager at DealPotential [email protected] Sara Musliu Content Marketing Manager [email protected] +46 73 414 50 83 SOURCE: DealPotential View source version on accesswire.com: CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / IIOT-OXYS, Inc. (OTC PINK:ITOX) ("Oxys" or the "Company") announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and an upcoming Investor Conference Call on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Cliff Emmons, CEO of IIOT-OXYS, Inc. (Oxys) stated, "We're pleased to announce the first half year of revenue in 2023 was a significant improvement over the same period in 2022 (an increase of 376%) and sustained the revenue momentum achieved throughout 2022. We expect this momentum achieved in the first half of 2023 will continue through the remainder of 2023 - given adequate funding to fuel sales & marketing efforts. Our leadership team also managed costs well, lowering operating expenses by 24%. Our strong six months revenue and our confidence this momentum will continue through 2023, and beyond, are based on the following factors: Our current DOT Bridge Monitoring Contract and overall Structural Health Monitoring ("SHM") vertical is the foundation of our revenue momentum. The current monitoring revenue will continue through the second half of 2023, with the previously approved expansion to continue beyond June. We believe our discussions with our main contractor to the DOT for extensions and expansions have been favorable. We also believe that prospects with our current DOT state, and DOT contacts in two other northeast states bode well for future business in mid-2024. There is still potential for local municipalities in our current northeast state to contribute revenue in the second half of 2023 and into 2024. Our Smart Manufacturing vertical is benefiting from the progress on our CNC Proof of Concept ("POC"), that successfully concluded in May 2023, and has resulted in a signed Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") contract in June 2023. Public endorsements and promotional videos have begun and more are forthcoming featuring our Smart Manufacturing customer, Precision Metal Products Inc. We believe these endorsements and promotional videos will lead to other paid CNC POCs and additional SaaS contracts, which would contribute to revenue in the second half of 2023 and beyond. It is expected these endorsements will also strengthen our position to secure additional POCs for other discrete manufacturing processes, including metal stamping, plastic injection molding, plastic extrusion, and automated assembly and test. Our Strategic Partnership development continues to be a "force multiplier" for us. The strength of our Aingura IIoT, S.L. partnership provides supplemental expertise, equipment and software, which ensures we continue to bring value to our customers. We will also continue to develop some of our other previously announced partnerships. We believe that our business development in these industries has high potential for success, due to the strength of their size and growth. The global smart manufacturing (also known as Industry 4.0) was $97.6 billion in 2022 and will reach $228.3 billion by 2027 (CAGR 18.5%),1 and the worldwide SHM industry was $2.0 billion in 2021 and will reach $4.0 billion by 2027 (CAGR of 14.6%).2 Among our many tailwinds, we do some headwinds. First, we have decided to discontinue our efforts with Aretas Sensor Networks ("Aretas") in the Indoor Air Quality ("IAQ") vertical and re-direct those resources to our better performing verticals. The second significant headwind is, since February, we have been unable to raise funds for ongoing operations through our existing financing agreements due to market conditions. Our CEO and COO have not received any compensation since mid-April (their salaries have accrued), and the lack of funds have significantly limited sales and marketing efforts. Our management is working to secure funding from our lead investor to pay for ongoing expenses and the leadership team is considering many options for both the short and long term. These options will depend largely upon our ability to continue to raise funds and implement a marketing and sales plan. In the event we are unable to raise adequate funds, management may need to consider other options such as pursuing suitable companies to merge with or acquire us. Overall, it is anticipated that revenue momentum will continue through the second quarter of 2023 and that overall total revenue for 2023 will exceed that of 2022. Revenue in Q3 2023 may be less than in the same period in 2022 due to reduced available funds for sales and marketing efforts. However, given the valuable real-world data we have collected, our Artificial Intelligence ("AI") Machine Learning algorithms we've developed, compelling use cases and marketing collateral developed from our data and algorithms, combined with our experienced leadership, savvy technological talent, and operational execution excellence, we believe these goals are achievable, if adequate funding for sales and marketing efforts is secured. Those attending the investor conference call will have the opportunity to submit questions concerning the Company to Stuart Smith of SmallCapVoice.Com, Inc. via e-mail: [email protected] by 12:00 PM EST on Saturday, August 26th, 2023. We plan to address as many appropriate questions as possible. To access the call on Tues, August 29th, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST: Dial-In Number: 1-857-232-0157 Access Code: 422095 For those unable to participate in the conference call at that time, a replay will be available at https://www.smallcapvoice.com/clients/itox/ shortly after the call has concluded. About IIOT-OXYS, Inc. IIOT-OXYS, Inc. (OTC PINK:ITOX) is a technology company at the intersection of IIoT, AI & Machine Learning, Edge Computing and Manufacturing Operations. We provide actionable mission-critical insights for the Medical/Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Defense, and Structural Health, and other industries. IIOT-OXYS's edge computing open-source hardware and proprietary ML algorithms employ our Minimally Invasive Load Monitoring (MILM) technology to simply gather data and gain insights to monitor, scope, move from preventive to predictive maintenance, and even optimize development and manufacturing processes. For additional information visit www.oxyscorp.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Management's current views about future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements often contain words such as ''expects,'' ''anticipates,'' ''intends,'' or ''believes.'' Our forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and events to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect us include, without limitation, the loss of major customers, our failure to obtain new contracts, our inability to patent products or processes, our infringement of patents held by others, our inability to finance our business and the other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release. We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact Information: IIOT-OXYS, Inc. Clifford L. Emmons CEO [email protected] www.oxyscorp.com _________________________ 1https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/industry-4-market-102536746.html 2https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/structural-health-monitoring-market-101431220.html SOURCE: IIOT-OXYS, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: Newswire shares the basics of an embargoed press release and why it can be an effective strategy for businesses. RALEIGH, N.C. / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Newswire, an industry leader in press release distribution services, including content production, strategy, and planning, as well as media technology, harnesses the power of press release distribution for its clients. A press release is a valuable marketing tool companies of all sizes and industries can use to stay in front of their target audience, connect with the media, and much more. While the goal of a press release, no matter the topic, is to amplify a brand's message, there are ways companies can leverage their news to maximize exposure. An example is an embargoed press release. With this tactic, a company sends a press release to media outlets requesting the content doesn't publish before a specific date and time. "Our team at Newswire leans on its experience and expertise to advise our clients on the best times to leverage an embargoed press release," said Jennifer Hammers, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Issuer Direct. "When a brand embargoes a press release, they're sharing important news about their business, and that's why there has to be a certain level of trust between the brand and journalist to ensure there are no leaks prior to the agreed upon date." Why would a company use an embargoed press release? Here are a few reasons: Sharing an embargoed press release with a journalist gives them time to add the content to their rotation, increasing the likelihood of media coverage. Embargoed press releases make the company's intentions clear to the outlet they must hold off on publishing until after a defined date. Prevents leaks of time-sensitive information to the public that can hurt a brand's image. Creates more time for a company to prepare information. To learn more about how embargoed press releases and Newswire's integrated solutions are helping companies grow their audience, expand their reach, and implement an effective go-to-market strategy, contact Newswire today. About Newswire Newswire is a media technology company that provides its clients with the Press Release Optimizer, which consists of press release distribution, media databases, media monitoring, and newsrooms that power the Media Advantage: greater brand awareness through earned media, increased online visibility through greater SEO recognition, and more sales inquiries through targeted digital marketing campaigns. Through its disruptive Press Release Optimizer, relentless commitment to customer satisfaction, and passion for customer performance, Newswire is automating media and marketing communications for large and small businesses seeking to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time for the right purpose. To learn more about Newswire and its Press Release Optimizer, visit Newswire.com and discover why our customers have named us #1 for Customer Satisfaction and Ease of Use for four years in a row. For more information, visit http://www.newswire.com. Newswire is a wholly owned subsidiary of Issuer Direct, a leading communications and compliance company, providing solutions for both Public Relations and Investor Relations Professionals. For more information, please visit www.issuerdirect.com. Contact Information Jennifer Hammers Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing [email protected] 919.481.4000 SOURCE: Newswire View source version on accesswire.com: LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / In a groundbreaking revelation, Olivenorma, a leader in holistic products, introduces its curated collection of premium crystals tailored for wealth manifestation. Drawing from ancient wisdom and modern research, this launch is set to reshape how enthusiasts harness the power of crystals for prosperity. Among the luminous gems featured in this collection, the illustrious Citrine and Jade take center stage. These gems are just a glimpse into the treasure trove that Olivenorma lays before its customers. Beyond the expected, Olivenorma's collection proudly showcases avant-garde items such as crystal cubes and orgone pyramids, serving as artistic interpretations of the traditional crystalline forms. These innovative pieces provide an exciting bridge between the classical and contemporary, inviting individuals to explore new dimensions of attraction. Olivenorma's commitment extends far beyond the point of purchase. Recognizing the delicate nature of these treasures, the company actively encourages its customers to seamlessly integrate these crystals into their daily lives and extends guidance on their maintenance and storage. With a mission to enlighten and empower, Olivenorma places education at the heart of its services. This dedication to customer education aligns perfectly with Olivenorma's broader vision of enhancing well-being and mindfulness through the wondrous medium of premium crystals. About Olivenorma: Olivenorma is a revered name in the holistic wellness space, with a rich array of offerings that encompass not just premium crystals but also innovative products like Orgone Pyramid, Crytal Jewelry and Crystal Decoration. In a world where the allure of crystals continues to capture hearts globally, Olivenorma emerges as a testament to the exquisite fusion of heritage and creativity. Media Contact Organization: Olivenorma Contact Person: Vito Wan Website: https://www.olivenorma.com/ Email: [email protected] Contact Number: +852-59859364 Address: 304 S. Jones Blvd, 5637, Las Vegas, NV, United States City: Las Vegas State: Nevada Country: United States SOURCE: Olivenorma View source version on accesswire.com: EASTON, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Paragon Technologies, Inc. ("Paragon") (OTC:PGNT), a diversified holding company which owns approximately 4.0% of the outstanding shares of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. ("Company") ("OPT") (NYSE American: OPTT), calls on OPT to remove the Company's entrenchment devices prior to the Company's 2023 Annual Meeting. Immediately after Paragon indicated its interest in joining the Company's board due to concerns Paragon expressed about OPT's deteriorating financial performance to the Company's CEO and Board, OPT quickly amended its bylaws to make its director nomination provisions more burdensome and include provisions that OPT has not applied to its own hand-picked board nominees. Second, after more than 30 years of significant and consistent losses, OPT decided that now was the time to adopt an anti-shareholder poison pill, only after Paragon began this campaign. On July 20, 2023, Paragon requested a limited waiver under the poison pill to acquire up to 19.9% of OPT, further signaling Paragon's commitment to be 100% aligned with all OPT's shareholders . Since OPT currently does not have any shareholders that hold more than 4.9% of its outstanding shares of common stock, granting this waiver in no way would jeopardize any of OPT's net operating losses. OPT has failed to give us a decision, leading us to conclude they are stalling with no intention of granting such a waiver. OPT has denied Paragon's request for books and records relating to OPT's years of significant financial losses and what we believe is excessive board compensation. After Paragon was forced to file litigation to enforce its rights to books and records, OPT sought to have Paragon's counsel disqualified, instead of focusing on the merits of the case. The motion to disqualify Paragon's counsel was denied by the Court. Paragon calls on OPT to demonstrate its adherence to good corporate governance practices and its stated commitment to enhance value for all OPT shareholders by taking immediate steps to: Reinstate the Company's bylaws to their original form prior to Paragon's calling out the Company's worsening financial performance. Terminate the Company's poison pill and grant Paragon its limited waiver. Allow Paragon, as is Paragon's right as a shareholder, to examine the Company's books and records. Reconstitute its Board to appoint Paragon's directors to the Company's Board that allows Paragon to have an equal voice with existing directors in a newly constituted Board so we can work constructively on behalf of ALL shareholders. The OPT directors continue to engage in securities offerings and sign the company's SEC filings while they appear to know the business is not commercially viable. Paragon is determined to hold each individual director of OPT personally accountable for these actions to the fullest extent permitted by law. We appreciate the support from shareholders thus far. If shareholders have any questions please contact our Proxy Solicitor, Alliance Advisors at: Alliance Advisors 200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Toll-Free Phone: 855-200-8651 Email: [email protected] Shareholders may further contact us at [email protected] if you would like to learn more. Paragon Technologies, Inc. intends to make a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of a proxy statement to be used to solicit votes for the election of director nominees at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "company"). Paragon Technologies, Inc. is the beneficial owner of 2,254,443 shares of common stock of the company, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Stock"). Paragon Technologies, Inc., and Paragon's director nominees will be the participants in the proxy solicitation. Updated information regarding the participants and their direct and indirect interests in the solicitation, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in Paragon's proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY SHOULD READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL MEETING, PARAGON'S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND PARAGON'S NOMINEES TO THE BOARD. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC'S WEB SITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV OR FROM PARAGON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. SOURCE: Paragon Technologies Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: LEICESTER, EAST MIDLANDS, UK / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Privatdetektiv.com a Swiss-based private detective agency located in the bustling city of Zurich, is excited to announce its grand launch, ushering in a new era of exceptional private investigation services in the country. With an impressive repertoire of offerings, Privatdetektiv.com is poised to become the go-to agency for individuals, businesses, and organizations seeking reliable, confidential, and efficient investigative solutions. At the core of Privatdetektiv.com lies a team of seasoned investigators with diverse backgrounds and expertise. From former law enforcement officers and cybersecurity specialists to intelligence operatives and surveillance experts, the company brings together a remarkable blend of skills that elevate its investigative skill. One of the remarkable services of Privatdetektiv.com is its IT investigation service. In the digital age, where information is exchanged at the speed of light, the need for safeguarding digital assets and privacy is more critical than ever. Their state-of-the-art IT investigation services are very helpful for organizations and individuals to tackle the challenge. Their team of tech-savvy investigators is well-versed in the latest tools and techniques to protect clients from cyber threats, unauthorized access, and digital fraud. Another exceptional service of them is person-finding service. Locating missing persons or individuals is an endeavor that requires not only dedication but also finesse. Their person-finding or searching services will help to find missing person. By employing a blend of traditional investigative methods and cutting-edge technology, the company consistently achieves remarkable success rates in locating missing loved ones, debtors, witnesses, or individuals involved in legal matters. Using their discreet surveillance service, they can help their clients with the information their clients need. Whether it's a concerned spouse seeking reassurance, a corporation monitoring an employee's conduct, or a legal team gathering evidence, the company's surveillance specialists conduct their operations with the utmost professionalism and confidentiality. Besides these services, their highly skilled undercover investigators will reveal the concealed facts. These agents, adept at blending seamlessly into various environments, work discreetly to collect sensitive information and expose fraudulent activities. Their expertise proves invaluable in corporate investigations, uncovering industrial espionage, or identifying internal misconduct. Their premium and state-of-the-art discreet video surveillance services will give the best surveillance of people. Whether it's safeguarding commercial establishments, and residential properties, or monitoring high-profile events, their surveillance systems remain unobtrusive while maintaining the highest level of vigilance. Last, but not least, they bring advanced lie-detector testing to serve. With highly skilled polygraph examiners at their disposal, the company offers a reliable tool for assessing the integrity of statements. They work with reputable partners who provide reliable lie detector tests to uncover the hidden truth. In a nutshell, Privatdetektiv.com is not just a private detective agency; it is a symbol of professionalism, integrity, and trust. Committed to upholding the highest ethical standards, the company conducts all investigations with the utmost discretion, respecting the privacy and dignity of all parties involved. The team takes pride in their problem-solving abilities and relentless pursuit of truth, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for resolution. About Privatdetektiv.com Privatdetektiv.com is a Swiss-based private detective company situated in Zurich. With a team of highly skilled investigators and cutting-edge technology at their disposal, the company offers a comprehensive suite of private investigation services, including IT surveillance, person finding or searching, personal surveillance, undercover investigations, discreet video surveillance, and lie detector testing. Their commitment to excellence, professionalism, and confidentiality has made them a trusted name in the industry. Media Contact Organization: Private Detektiv Contact Person: Tim Mathews Website: https://privatdetektiv.com/ Email: [email protected] Contact Number: +44-7418602720 City: Leicester State: East Midlands Country: United Kingdom SOURCE: Private Detektiv View source version on accesswire.com: Mr. Zachariah Mathews announces transition from the Company. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2023 / Wi2Wi Corporation (TSXV:YTY), recently honoured with the "Outstanding Supplier Recognition Award" by industry giant Collins Aerospace, is delighted to share its unaudited consolidated financial results for the second quarter of 2023, ending June 30. Notably, the company's product bookings have shown a positive trajectory, growing in comparison to the same period in the previous year. Key Financial Highlights: Wi2Wi reported revenue of $1.56 million for the second quarter of 2023, mirroring the revenue for the same period of the previous year. The upswing in the book-to-billing ratio showcases the company's growth in its core customer segment and new clientele. Despite the promising growth, Wi2Wi acknowledges margin pressures from rising raw material costs and heightened freight charges. Leadership Transition: In light of personal obligations, Mr. Zachariah Mathews will resign as Chief Executive Officer, President, and member of the board of directors effective December 31, 2023. The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gary Dubroc, will play an instrumental role in ensuring a smooth transition until a successor is appointed. Having held the Chairman position since November 21, 2018, Mr. Dubroc has also chaired the board of directors and the audit committee. With over 25 years in the field, Mr. Dubroc's credentials include: Former CEO of Avantech Testing Services, Houston, Texas. Ex-Vice President of Global Operations at Emerson Process Management. Previous roles at GHX, Inc., Tyco's Flow Control, and General Dynamics Space Systems. An MBA with a focus on Finance from Tulane University and a Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering from Louisiana State University. Mr. Mathews, in his departure, will not sever ties but continue to extend his support to the company. Mr. Dubroc and the board of directors extend heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Mathews for his invaluable contribution to Wi2Wi. 3 Months ending June 30, 2023, Overview (Unaudited) (In thousands of U.S. dollars) Quarter 2, 2023 Quarter 2, 2022 Revenue $ 1,560 $ 1,561 Net income (425) (426) Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operations (137) (146) Total current assets 5,368 5,951 Cash on hand 973 1,812 Total current liabilities 1,524 1,289 Shareholders' equity 4,622 5,718 Detailed and historical financial information is available here. Investor & Media Contact Dawn Leeder, Chief Financial Officer +1-608-203-0234 [email protected] About Wi2Wi Corporation Wi2Wi enables customers to substantially reduce their wireless R&D expenses and time to market. Wi2Wi designs, manufactures, and markets deeply integrated, end-to-end wireless connectivity solutions as well as customizable, high-performance timing and frequency control devices. Wi2Wi provides real-time technical support throughout the entire product life cycle for customers across the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Avionics, Space, Industrial, Medical, and Government sectors. Wi2Wi was founded in 2005 and is strategically headquartered in San Jose, California with satellite offices in Middleton, Wisconsin and Hyderabad, India. Wi2Wi's manufacturing operations, its laboratory for reliability and quality control, together with design and engineering for timing and frequency control devices are located in Middleton, Wisconsin. The branch office, located in Hyderabad, India, focuses on developing end to end wireless connectivity subsystems and solutions. Wi2Wi has partnered with best-in-class global leaders in technology, manufacturing and sales. The company uses a global network of manufacturer's representatives to promote its products and services, and has partnered with world class distributors for the fulfillment of orders along with direct sales. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including management's assessment of future plans and operations, and the timing thereof, that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the ability to access sufficient capital, the impact of general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and overseas, industry conditions, stock market volatility. The Company's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, 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, including the amount of proceeds, that the Company will derive there from. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Company's operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com). Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, 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 included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Wi2Wi Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of Reaseguradora America SPC Ltd. (RAM Re) (Cayman Islands). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. RAM Re is a subsidiary of ASSA Compania Tenedora, S.A. and owned ultimately by Grupo ASSA, S.A., a financial services holding company publicly traded on the Panama Stock Exchange. The ratings reflect RAM Res balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). RAM Re is registered as a segregated portfolio company, licensed as a Class B(iii) insurer under the Cayman Islands insurance law, which allows large clients to place proprietary risks through underlying cells. AM Best recognizes the strategic role that RAM Re aims to achieve in the groups overall regional strategy; however, RAM Res business profile is considered limited given its accessibility to markets when compared with other commercial reinsurers. The ratings also reflect RAM Res very strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), sound operating performance and its affiliation to Grupo ASSA, S.A., which provides synergies and operating efficiencies, as well as parental support and an appropriate ERM framework. AM Best expects RAM Re to maintain risk-adjusted capitalization levels supportive of its ratings amid material changes in its business profile, driven by ongoing developments in its segregated portfolio cells. Concerns regarding business volume growth and new portfolio integration, which historically have pressured the companys capital base, continue to be offset through the successful implementation of RAM Res strategy, which is reflected in consistent profitability and underpinned by three segregated portfolio cells. Factors that could lead to positive rating actions include sustained improvements in RAM Res capital base while maintaining risk-adjusted capitalization at a very strong level, supported by the successful materialization of developments concerning RAM Res business profile, including its strategy driven by the integration of a new segregated portfolio cells. A deterioration in risk-adjusted capitalization levels, driven by an unsuccessful materialization of developments concerning RAM Res business profile, including the failed adoption of its strategy attempting the integration of a new segregated portfolio cells, along with diminished parent commitment, could lead to negative rating actions. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825928321/en/ Salvador Smith Senior Financial Analyst +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 109 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Eli Sanchez Director, Analytics +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 [email protected] Source: AM Best Barclays appoints Emma Taylor as Global Head of Internet Coverage, and Carmen Chan as a Managing Director of Internet Coverage within Technology Investment Banking NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Barclays today announces the appointments of Emma Taylor as Global Head of Internet Coverage and Carmen Chan as a Managing Director of Internet Coverage within the Technology Investment Banking business. Ms. Taylor joins Barclays with close to 20 years of experience in Technology Banking, most recently as a Managing Director on the Internet Investment Banking team at Goldman Sachs. In this role she advised large cap and emerging internet clients across a diverse range of sectors including marketplaces, eCommerce enablement, online travel, digital health, and advertising. She has experience advising clients globally across North America, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and was based in Hong Kong from 2018 to 2021 where she covered large cap technology companies in China and the broader Asian region. Emma brings to Barclays and our clients an important global perspective having lived and worked in both the US and Asia covering the Internet sector for close to 20 years, says Kristin Roth DeClark. She is a highly regarded thought leader in the Internet space, and her deep relationships with key industry players will deliver great benefits for clients and our franchise. Ms. Chan joins Barclays from Noom where she was VP, Head of Corporate Development and Investor Relations. In that role, Ms. Chan was responsible for building out the corporate development function and evaluating acquisitions in the healthcare and wellness space, scaling the finance function for public readiness, and supporting the CEO and CFO in fundraising, including Noom's $540M Series F raise in 2021. Prior to joining Noom in 2021, Ms. Chan worked on the Internet Investment Banking team at Goldman Sachs in New York where she has broad experience across consumer subscription, digital healthcare and wellness, direct-to-consumer retail, e-commerce, fashion and luxury, marketplaces, online travel, SMB enablement and streaming. She has served as lead advisor on capital markets and M&A transactions on the advisory side across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, combined with fundraising and buy-side M&A experience in the technology space. Carmens expertise and experience perfectly complements our existing Internet banking team, and her appointment is further evidence of our commitment to continuing to operate a top-tier Technology franchise, says Kristin Roth DeClark. The appointments of Ms. Taylor as Global Head of Internet Coverage and Ms. Chan as a new Managing Director on the team are the latest in a number of important strategic hires for Barclays, and further demonstrate a continued commitment to investing in industry-leading talent within the Corporate and Investment Bank. About Barclays Barclays is a British universal bank. We are diversified by business, by different types of customer and client, and geography. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as a top-tier, full service, global corporate and investment bank, all of which are supported by our service company which provides technology, operations and functional services across the Group. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website home.barclays. About Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank is comprised of the Investment Banking, International Corporate Banking, Global Markets and Research businesses. It provides money managers, financial institutions, governments, supranational organisations and corporate clients with services and advice for their funding, financing, strategic and risk management needs. For further information about Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank, please visit our website www.cib.barclays. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825446744/en/ Press: Andrew Smith 212-412-7521 [email protected] Source: Barclays The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has reported suspicions to the director general of the Russian airline, who facilitated the delivery of Wagner PMC instructors to the war in Ukraine from Iran, the SBU said. "The security service has collected an evidence base on Vladimir Mikheychik, the general director of the Russian airline 224 Letny Squad, who was involved in waging an aggressive war against Ukraine. The official helped the top military-political leadership of Russia in transferring personnel and military equipment of the occupation groups to the Ukrainian border," according to the SBU statement in the Telegram channel on Friday. According to the Ukrainian intelligence service, the head of the airline ensured the transfer of weapons and militants of the Russian military company Wagner from the Middle East to Ukraine. Based on the investigation, from August 2022 to the present, Mikheychik has provided six civilian aircraft for the relevant flights from Syria and Iran to collection points in Russia. "Thus, on August 8, 2022, the civil aircraft of the airline of the person involved were transporting weapons and Wagner instructors from Iran to Moscow on the international flight RFF8629. And already on September 18, Russian mercenaries followed the Syria-Grozny air service [flight RFF8631]. Another flight of the occupiers was recorded on February 26, 2023 on flight RFF8936 from Latakia (Syria) to Rostov-on-Don," the SBU said. In the future, according to the SBU, Wagner PMC with their military equipment were transferred to Ukraine to participate in hostilities on the southern and eastern fronts, including near Bakhmut. Based on the collected evidence, the investigators of the Security Service informed Mikheychik about the suspicion under part 5 of Art. 27, part 2 of Art. 437 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (planning, preparation, initiation and conduct of an aggressive war). SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- California American Water today issued an Advisory to Boil Water for customers that reside in the city of Imperil Beach and Coronado customers (south of Fiddlers Cove) due to positive E. Coli results found in the drinking water. The California Division of Drinking Water in conjunction with California American Water, is advising impacted California American Water customers that reside in the above cities to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution. California American Water customers in Imperial Beach and Coronado (south of Fiddlers Cove) are advised to not drink water without boiling it first. The California Division of Drinking Water recommends bringing all water to a boil, let it boil for three (3) minutes, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. This is the preferred method to assure that the water is safe to drink. Alternatively, you may add eight drops of unscented, household bleach to one gallon of water and let sit for 30 minutes. California American Water customers are also asked to immediately discontinue any non-essential water usage. This includes all outdoor irrigation. If customers have any questions, they may call California American Waters customer service center at 888-237-1333. For updated information, customers can visit California American Waters website at www.californiaamwater.com, under the Alerts Notifications section. Please be advised that the company is doing all it can to make sure water is of the highest quality and anticipate resolving the problem within 24-48 hours. California American Water will provide information as to when the advisory is lifted. About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Waters 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the companys national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About California American Water California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 700,000 people. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824519142/en/ Media Brian A. Barreto External Affairs 626-388-3784 [email protected] Source: California American Water WENZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pingyang County, located in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province of Eastern China, has a history of 1,740 years. Today, Pingyang has become one of the world's largest and most well-known export bases for pet products in the world. Recently, the 2023 Overseas Communication Forum of New Era Chinese Brand Image and Silk Road E-commerce (Wenzhou) Innovation and Development Conference was held in Pingyang, where more than 1,000 varieties of pet supplies are produced, including feed, snacks, leashes, toys, clothing, nameplates, kennels, cat climbing frames, and dog chews (Chew Bones). In addition to pet supplies, Pingyang also plays a key role in the overseas markets concerning printing, packaging, and massage supplies. Pingyang, as one of Chinas three major printing equipment clusters, mainly exports to Germany and the United States, maintaining a rapid and stable growth in market value. Pingyang also plays well in the massager industry, gathering more than 300 companies and exporting products to 118 countries and regions. Pingyang is home to over 2,000 foreign trade enterprises, and more than 700 cross-border e-commerce enterprises, with a total annual export volume of about USD 2.3 billion. Zhang Shouyu, Secretary of the Pingyang County Committee of the CPC, affirms that the cross-border e-commerce industry is currently a significant contributor to Pingyangs improving international brand reputation and high-quality development. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825188824/en/ Shi Pei [email protected] Source: 2023 Overseas Communication Forum DALLAS & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Healthmine, a leader in technology-enabled member engagement, member experience and rewards solutions for health plans, and Ciox Health, a Datavant company with a mission to connect the worlds healthcare data to improve patient outcomes, announced a strategic partnership. Together, Healthmine and Ciox enable health plans to bridge the data gap in member information through data aggregation and member engagement. Health plans are now able to leverage this collaborative offering to acquire and validate member contact information, then immediately implement targeted outreach. This new solution ensures health plans consistently have up-to-date contact information and access to members throughout their health journeys. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) focus on advancing health equity and whole-person care tasks health plans with building comprehensive member records to support personalized and targeted engagement. When left unattended, member contact information will degrade, making it difficult to confidently engage hard-to-reach members who experience housing instability, unreliable internet access or live in rural areas. The partnership between Healthmine and Ciox solves this challenge by empowering health plans to refine their engagement strategies through a data-driven member engagement platform with more accurate contact records. Cioxs Best Contact solution supplies health plans with member-level contact information, alleviating the costly and time-consuming process of verifying contact data and enabling plans to reach their members more efficiently. Healthmines member engagement solution seamlessly ingests the Best Contact wealth of information from Ciox into longitudinal member records to guide care gap closure initiatives based on member-specific data. CMS has mobilized the industry to coordinate interactions between patients, health plans and providers to continuously deliver high-quality, member-centric care to all populations. Through Cioxs data aggregation technology and Healthmines member engagement solution, health plans can lay the foundation for efficient, accurate and personalized health outcome improvement initiatives. Supplying customers with updated and accurate contact information can significantly increase member activation and optimize program participation while reducing a plan's cost of outreach, which supports stronger health outcomes, said Bill Horn, Executive Vice President of Payer Growth Ciox. Additionally, Healthmine can fill data gaps not captured at the point of care or electronically as well as for patients who have not recently seen their provider. Healthmines member engagement solution sources additional member-level data through digital and physical NCQA-certified Health Risk Assessments, Pulse Surveys, mock-CAHPS surveys, first-time enrollment surveys, claims data and electronic health records. Health plans may access, verify and stratify self-reported data to identify care gaps, race, ethnicity, preferred language, communication preferences and member sentiment. Combined with the Best Contact information supplied by Ciox, health plans can action each members data through omnichannel outreach and preferred methods of communication to improve health outcomes. Members expect more effective and coordinated outreach from their plans, especially given the boom in digital engagement and telehealth over the past few years, said Bryce Williams, President and CEO of Healthmine. Our partnership with Ciox allows health plans to tap into the power of digital technology to develop innovative outreach campaigns that reliably and meaningfully engage hard-to-reach members in their health. Learn more about this new partnership and how Healthmine and Ciox can benefit health plan performance at RISE West, August 28-30 in Dallas, TX. Visit Ciox at booth #203 and Healthmine at booth #312. About Ciox Health Ciox Health, a Datavant company, provides leading clinical data technology that empowers greater health by unlocking the potential of data in medical records. The company leverages a ubiquitous network of clinical data connections to simply and securely connect healthcare decision makers with the data and hidden insights in patient medical records. Ciox helps customers connect, control and comply in solving last mile challenges in clinical interoperability. Supporting a range of connectivity needs from research to revenue cycle, Cioxs solutions include clinical data acquisition, release of information, and clinical coding. Learn more about Ciox technology and solutions by visiting www.cioxhealth.com or Twitter and LinkedIn. About Healthmine Healthmine is the industry's leading quality solution focused on empowering people to take the right actions to improve their health. We build personalized, ongoing member engagement strategies for health plans in all lines of business. These strategies are delivered via our SaaS-based, always-on QRM(r) platform that drives health actions through customized triggers for clinical, pharmacy, and CAHPS and HOS measures. When paired with intelligent incentives and rewards, the net result is improved outcomes and well-managed medical spend. In addition, Healthmine clients have transparency into real-time, actionable insights on the success of member engagement and satisfaction initiatives, as well as the ability to identify and prioritize areas of opportunity to improve quality measures and Star Ratings. Connect with Healthmine on LinkedIn and learn more at www.Healthmine.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825429038/en/ Brett Rudisill, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Healthmine [email protected] 717.324.5004 Source: Healthmine VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Inovia Vein Specialty Centers, a leading group in outpatient vein care and treatment, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art clinic in Vancouver, Washington. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825766188/en/ Board-certified general surgeon Lauren Wikholm, MD leads the new Inovia Vein Specialty Centers clinic in Vancouver, Washington. (Photo: Business Wire) This marks the 6th clinic for Inovia Vein, solidifying its position as the largest specialty vein care group in the Pacific Northwest. The center is dedicated to offering comprehensive and cutting-edge outpatient vein care for a range of conditions including varicose veins, venous leg ulcers, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), and spider veins. Surgeon Lauren Wikholm, MD, who leads the Inovia Vein Specialty Center in Vancouver, commented "Our team is excited to be at the forefront of vein care in the Pacific Northwest. We are equipped with the latest technologies and methods to treat various vein conditions, ensuring patients receive the best possible care. At Inovia Vein, we understand the impact that vein issues can have on a person's well-being, and our mission is to provide effective, prompt, and personalized treatment options in a friendly and affordable manner. Founder and CEO Dr. Edward Boyle expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, "We are delighted to collaborate with Dr. Wikholm to bring our expertise and exceptional patient care to Vancouver. Inovia Vein's commitment to delivering world class vein care has driven us to become the largest vein care group in the region. With the opening of this new center, we aim to continue our tradition of excellence, providing accessible, patient-centered treatments for a variety of vein conditions. The Inovia Vein Specialty Center in Vancouver offers patients an array of services designed to meet their unique needs. Patients can easily schedule appointments without the need for a referral. Furthermore, Inovia Vein emphasizes patient comfort, convenience, and effectiveness to help facilitate getting care. Most medically necessary treatments are covered by insurance, making the path to healthier veins more attainable than ever. The new Vancouver center welcomes patients seeking comprehensive vein care solutions, offering expert evaluation, diagnosis, and minimally-invasive treatments that prioritize patient comfort and swift recovery. Inovia Vein has offices in Northwest Portland, Tigard, Tanasbourne, Happy Valley, Bend, and now Vancouver, WA. For more information about Inovia Vein Specialty Centers, appointment scheduling, and services offered, please visit www.inoviavein.com or call 1-800-VEIN-DOC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825766188/en/ Bridget Garner (503) 765-6077 [email protected] Source: Inovia Vein Specialty Centers CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), has published a Special Texas Multifamily Construction Report. Apartment construction starts in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio plunged to 6,500 units during second quarter 2023, stated Greg Willet, first vice president and national director, Research Services, IPA. Over the previous nine quarters, the start volume averaged 22,800 units. IPAs Texas multifamily construction special report gives investors key insight into construction throughout the state. While easing from the recent record volume, ongoing construction is still near all-time highs, with 174,700 units coming out of the ground in the primary markets. Renter demand facilitated the absorption of over 17,000 apartments in these markets during the first half of 2023, rebounding from net moveouts last year. Dallas-Fort Worths 72,900 apartments under construction are the most in the U.S. and will grow the North Texas markets inventory by 8 percent. Approximately 10,400 apartments are under construction in the Allen-McKinney submarket, and about 8,600 are on the way in the Frisco submarket, making the northern edge of Dallas-Fort Worth the most active building area in the state. It is important to note that the pullback in building can accelerate the pace of rent growth as early as spring 2024, added John Sebree, senior vice president and national director of the firms Multi Housing Division. IPAs complete Special Texas Multifamily Construction Report here. About Institutional Property Advisors (IPA) Institutional Property Advisors (IPA) is a division of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate services firm in North America. IPAs combination of real estate investment and capital markets expertise, industry-leading technology, and acclaimed research offer customized solutions for the acquisition, disposition and financing of institutional properties and portfolios. For more information, please visit www.institutionalpropertyadvisors.com About Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) Marcus & Millichap, Inc. is a leading brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services with offices throughout the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2022, the company had 1,904 investment sales and financing professionals in 81 offices who provide investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. The company also offers market research, consulting and advisory services to clients. Marcus & Millichap closed 12,272 transactions in 2022, with a sales volume of approximately $86.3 billion. For additional information, please visit www.MarcusMillichap.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824949720/en/ Gina Relva, VP of Public Relations [email protected] Source: Marcus & Millichap James Coogan to Step Down as CFO on August 28, 2023 Carroll Lane to Serve as Interim CFO Company Initiates Search for Permanent Successor BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kaman Corp. (NYSE: KAMN) today announced that James Coogan, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role as CFO effective August 28, 2023. Carroll Lane, Senior Vice President, Kaman Corporation and Segment Lead of Engineered and Precision Products, will serve as Interim CFO until a permanent successor is appointed. Mr. Coogan, who is departing Kaman to pursue another opportunity outside the aerospace and defense industry, will remain with the Company until October 23, 2023 to ensure a smooth transition. Kaman has initiated a comprehensive search to identify the company's next chief financial officer with the assistance of an executive search firm. Ian Walsh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaman, said, Over the past 15 years, Jamie has played an important role leading our finance, treasury and M&A teams while also helping execute our transformational strategy. His insights, commitment to excellence and financial discipline have contributed to the Companys success. Jamie leaves behind an effective and strong finance organization, and on behalf of the Board and management team, I wish him well in his future endeavors. Mr. Coogan said, It has been a pleasure to be a part of such an incredible organization. I want to express my gratitude for the support of my colleagues during what has been a transformative time for Kaman. While Im moving on, I will be eagerly following the companys continued success. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and have full confidence in Kamans prospects for sustainable growth and value creation. We are fortunate to have a leader with Carrolls highly relevant experience on hand to step into the role of Interim CFO, Mr. Walsh continued. With nearly two decades of operational, financial, investor relations and leadership experience, Carroll is well suited to support the continued execution of our financial priorities, including our cost reduction and efficiency initiatives. I look forward to working closely with Carroll while the search for a permanent successor moves forward. Prior to joining Kaman in July 2022, Mr. Lane was President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. He led the development, program management, and aftermarket operations of the companys portfolio of large commercial engines. Mr. Lane has expertise in P&L management, strategic planning, and investor relations and spent close to a decade at United Technologies Corporation (UTC), now RTX Corporation. Before leading Pratt & Whitneys Commercial Engines business, Mr. Lane served in positions of increasing responsibility with UTC, including Vice President of Investor Relations, Vice President of Pratt & Whitneys Commercial Engines Aftermarket organization, and as a corporate strategy executive. Before joining UTC, Mr. Lane was a Director with CSP Associates, an Aerospace & Defense advisory firm in Cambridge, MA. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Williams College. He also served in the United States Marine Corps as a Naval Aviator. About Kaman Kaman Corporation, founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, conducts business in the aerospace & defense, industrial and medical markets. Kaman produces and markets proprietary aircraft bearings and components; super precision, miniature ball bearings; proprietary spring energized seals, springs and contacts; wheels, brakes and related hydraulic components for helicopters, fixed-wing and UAV aircraft; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safe and arming solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; restoration, modification and support of our SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters; and support of our heavy lift K-MAX manned helicopter and development of the KARGO UAV unmanned aerial system, a purpose built autonomous medium lift logistics vehicle. More information is available at www.kaman.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825970523/en/ Kaman Corporation Kristen Samson Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer 860-243-6330 [email protected] Source: Kaman Corporation MONACO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- An investigation into Najib Mikati and family has been concluded, resulting in the dismissal of all allegations and closure of the case. Following a comprehensive investigation, Monacos Judicial Police confirmed on August 23 that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing regarding money laundering allegations made more than three years ago. In a letter, Monacos Deputy Attorney General stated that the case, which was entrusted to Monacos Judicial Police on July 15, 2020, had been closed. This development confirms that the spurious allegations and accompanying speculation were unfounded. The Mikati family was always confident that this would be the outcome as it was aware that there was no basis to these claims. The Monaco judicial decision follows a confirmation from the Princely Court of Liechtenstein that there are no pending investigations against the Mikati family in Liechtenstein and there have not been any in the past, as had been alleged by previous media reports. With a Lebanese case also recently dropped, there are no ongoing investigations, queries, or indictments against any of the Mikati family in any jurisdiction. Reacting to the announcement, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said, I am delighted that this case has been closed after the European and Lebanese authorities found no evidence to support the allegations. I believe these investigations were triggered by false and politically-motivated smears. I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of the Lebanese people. The Mikati family has remained unequivocal that it has committed no wrongdoing and upholds a clear separation between public and private life. At all times, the family continues to be law-abiding while acting in full compliance with relevant rules, regulations, and ethical standards globally. All assets and properties belonging to Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati have been duly and consistently disclosed to the Constitutional Council in Lebanon, as per the prevailing laws, rules, and regulations, since he entered politics. -Ends- View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825465396/en/ Press contact for further information: Ziad S. Mikati M: +961 3 380 333 E: [email protected] Source: APCO Worldwide on behalf of the Mikati Family BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Myomo, Inc. (NYSE American: MYO) ("Myomo" or the "Company"), a wearable medical robotics company that offers increased functionality for those suffering from neurological disorders and upper-limb paralysis, today announced the pricing of its "reasonable best efforts" public offering of 7,333,334 shares of common stock (or common stock equivalents in lieu thereof) at a public offering price of $0.60 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $4.4 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about August 29, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital and capital expenditures, research and development expenses and sales and marketing activities. If the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalizes the Companys classification as a brace and publishes a fee in conjunction with the next public meeting, which is expected to be held before the end of the year, the proceeds will also be used to fund additions to the Companys headcount in order to service a greater number of patients and to procure additional inventory to ramp its operations. Members of management, affiliated investors and certain high-quality healthcare focused investors are participating in this offering. A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as the sole placement agent for the offering. The securities described above are being offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-256159) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus were previously filed with the SEC, and the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SECs website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement may be obtained, when available, from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at [email protected]. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About Myomo, Inc. Myomo, Inc. is a wearable medical robotics company that offers improved arm and hand function for those suffering from neurological disorders and upper limb paralysis. Myomo develops and markets the MyoPro product line. MyoPro is a powered upper limb orthosis designed to support the arm and restore function to the weakened or paralyzed arms of patients suffering from CVA stroke, brachial plexus injury, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, ALS or other neuromuscular disease or injury. It is currently the only marketed device that, sensing a patients own EMG signals through non-invasive sensors on the arm, can restore an individuals ability to perform activities of daily living, including feeding themselves, carrying objects and doing household tasks. Many are able to return to work, live independently and reduce their cost of care. Myomo is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with sales and clinical professionals across the U.S and representatives internationally. For more information, please visit www.myomo.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Companys future business expectations, including the expected use of proceeds from this offering, which is subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. These factors include, among other things: We have a history of operating losses and our financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2023 include disclosures regarding there being substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to achieve reimbursement from third-party payers for our products, including CMS for Medicare Part B patients; our ability to continue to serve patients with Medicare Advantage insurance plans CMS does not cover the MyoPro; our revenue concentration with a particular insurance payer as a result of focusing our efforts on patients with insurers who have previously reimbursed for the MyoPro; our ability to continue normal operations and patient interactions without supply chain disruption in order to deliver and fit our custom-fabricated device; our marketing and commercialization efforts; our dependence upon external sources for the financing of our operations, to the extent that we do not achieve or maintain cash flow breakeven; our ability to effectively execute our business plan and scale up our operations; our expectations as to our product development programs, and; general market, economic, environmental and social factors that may affect the evaluation, fitting, delivery and sale of our products to patients. More information about these and other factors that potentially could affect our financial results is included in Myomos filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those contained in the risk factors section of the Companys annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Although the forward-looking statements in this release of financial information are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations, taking into account all information currently available to us, we cannot guarantee future transactions, results, performance, achievements or outcomes. No assurance can be made to any investor by anyone that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements will be attained, or that deviations from them will not be material and adverse. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825024095/en/ For Myomo: [email protected] Investor Relations: Kim Sutton Golodetz LHA Investor Relations 212-838-3777 [email protected] Source: Myomo, Inc. REPUBLIC, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ozark Fiber is bringing cutting-edge high-speed fiber-optic communications to Republic, Missouri. Construction is already in progress. Deployment will follow a phased approach, with initial areas serviceable as early as Q1 2024, and the vast majority of the city limits serviceable by Q4 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825241278/en/ Ozark Fiber is Bringing High-Speed Fiber Internet to Republic, MO (Photo: Business Wire) Highlighting the significance of this endeavor, David Cameron, City Administrator for the City of Republic, affirmed, We are committed to fostering economic growth and modern infrastructure. Ozark Fibers introduction of cutting-edge fiber internet, WiFi, and voice solutions will not only entice new investments but also elevate the Citys overall infrastructure." Echoing this sentiment, Jason Ross, Ozark Fibers President, added, We are excited to bring cutting-edge technology to Republic. Our services not only surpass traditional cable offerings in speed and reliability but also prioritize superior customer experience. Our customer-centric approach means no gimmicks, a simple pricing model, no data caps, no contracts, and affordable rates. Our decision to invest in Republic is a direct result of the Citys proactive mission. Residents in the area can look forward to unmatched internet speeds as Ozark Fiber launches with initial residential speeds of up to 5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) with future plans to offer up to 10 Gbps of lightning-fast internet. Their fiber service provides a highly reliable, symmetrical speed, low latency, and high-throughput network, ensuring an excellent customer experience with no network congestion, paving the way for future high-bandwidth technologies and services. Additionally, the services include Premium WiFi, allowing seamless connection and management of wireless devices using the latest WiFi technology. Ozark Fiber values its connection to the local community, by employing local representatives to deliver excellent customer service and building long-lasting relationships with their customers and communities. For more information about Ozark Fiber or to pre-register for their service, please visit www.ozarkfiber.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825241278/en/ Press inquiries please contact: Jason Ross President 314-530-5049 [email protected] Source: Ozark Fiber SANTIAGO, Chile--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As part of its growth strategy, Parque Arauco S.A. (PARAUCO.SN), through its subsidiary Parque Arauco Colombia SAS ("PACSAS"), announced the agreement for the acquisition of 51% of the fiduciary rights of an investment vehicle that owns approximately 19,000 m2 of Gross Leasable Area (GLA) of the Titan Plaza Shopping and Business Center in Bogota, Colombia. According to the information provided, the Real Estate Collective Investment Fund Visum Rentas Inmobiliarias (hereinafter "Visum") currently owns a portfolio of commercial premises and offices in Titan Plaza. Once the agreed conditions in the contract are met, Parque Arauco will pay Visum COP 138,720 million (approximately USD 34 million) for the acquisition of 51% of the fiduciary rights and will have an option to purchase the remaining 49% for a period of 30 months, after 24 months from the closing date of the agreement. Titan Plaza Shopping Center is a mixed-use asset that encompasses around 69,000 m2 of total Gross Leasable Area (GLA), which is divided into about 54,500 m2 of commercial space and over 14,500 m2 of AA-category offices. It stands out as one of the most iconic shopping centers in Bogota. Titan Plaza enjoys a prime location between two of Bogota's major thoroughfares, Calle 80 and Avenida Boyaca, situated in one of the city's best established neighborhoods. The center is anchored by prominent brands such as Falabella, Jumbo, Zara, and Cine Colombia. The investment vehicle in which Parque Arauco will invest owns approximately 19,000 m2 of commercial area. In the last twelve months, up to June 2023, this area contributed an EBITDA of COP 23,000 million (approximately USD 5.6 million). Around 80% from this EBITDA, which is currently debt-free, comes from the retail area's operation, while the remaining 20% is attributed to the office area's operation. The EBITDA per m2 of this retail space closely mirrors that of Parque La Colina, Parque Arauco's main asset in Colombia. This highlights the high quality of the real estate spaces that are part of this transaction. Diego Bermudez, CEO of Parque Arauco Colombia Division, stated, "This investment in Titan Plaza not only allows us to strengthen our presence in Bogota, the country's largest city, but it's also our first investment in a multi-owner shopping center. In Colombia, approximately two-thirds of shopping center spaces are multi-owner properties, and some of them perform exceptionally well. This acquisition adds to the recent investment made in Parque Alegra, our first shopping center in the city of Barranquilla, reaffirming our commitment to Colombia's development." About Parque Arauco Currently, Parque Arauco has a total Gross Leasable Area (GLA) of 1,124,500 m in Chile, Peru, and Colombia. The company inaugurated its first shopping center in Chile in 1982, expanded to Peru in 2005, and entered Colombia in 2008. For more details, please visit the company's website: www.parauco.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825913601/en/ Lauren Brown Head of Investor Relations [email protected] (56 2) 2299 0608 Source: Parque Arauco S.A. The Ronald McDonald House Charities in Ukraine plans to build an accommodation on the territory of Okhmatdyt National specialized children's hospital (Kyiv-based) for a free overnight stay for the patients' parents. According to the organization, the estimated area of the building will be 3.000 square meters. It will have 50 separate rooms, which will be able to provide more than 36,000 free overnight stays per year for families. "The Ronald McDonald House Charities worldwide program provides comfort, support and resources for families with hospitalized children, just a step away from the hospital, so that nothing separates the family from the most important thing caring for their own child. There are more than 380 Ronald McDonald House Charities programs around the world. In Ukraine, it will be the first," the organization said. Construction will start as part of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2021 between the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health and Okhmatdyt hospital. On August 1, 2023, the Government of Ukraine agreed on the conclusion of an agreement on joint activities between Okhmatdyt and Ronald McDonald House in Ukraine. The signing of the agreement will take place on August 29. OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cabin crew at Porter are excited about the opportunity to grow their voice and improve their working conditions by joining Canadas flight attendant union, CUPE. Porter cabin crew deserve better working conditions, better wages, and better scheduling in a mutually agreed contract just like flight attendants at unionized airlines in Canada, said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. But without an enforceable contract and a strong union voice, the company makes the rules and can change them whenever they feel like it. That will change with CUPE, where Porter cabin crew will have the support and the resources of Canadas largest union at their disposal to help negotiate a strong contract. CUPE knows what it takes to address issues that matter to Porter cabin crew, like wages, scheduling, crew rest, duty days, and more because CUPE has the experience and expertise from negotiating industry-leading contracts, said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick. Porter cabin crew would join a strong family of flight attendant unions within CUPE. CUPE proudly represents 18,500 flight attendants at ten different airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing, CALM, Flair, Canadian North, PAL Airlines, PasCan, and Pivot. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825854935/en/ Hugh Pouliot CUPE Communications 613-818-0067 [email protected] Source: Canadian Union of Public Employees The industry-leading connected kitchen appliance maker will be moving its U.S. home base from Thousand Oaks, California to the Lone Star State by year-end AUSTIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Thermomix, manufacturer of the leading all-in-one Wi-Fi-connected cooking appliance, the TM6, met with over 250 of its top sales Thermomix Independent Consultants from the U.S. and Canada on Aug. 24 and 25 in Austin, Texas, as part of the company's 2023 Annual Thermomix ROAR Conference: Round Up & Roar. During the event, the brand reinforced its commitment to dedicated expansion across the U.S. and announced plans for the company to move its corporate headquarters from Thousand Oaks, California to Dallas, Texas by the end of the year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825129002/en/ Home to numerous direct sales companies for decades, Texas was a clear winner when the brand was choosing a new headquarters location. According to Thermomixs CEO for the U.S. and Canada, Fredrik Lundqvist, We greatly admire the states deep history with building connection and culture through food, and for the way Texas supports entrepreneurs and innovative businesses such as Thermomix. After being here in Austin these past few days, we are excited to root ourselves in the rich tapestry of Texas, fuel our long-term future, and heat up an appreciation for the world of home cooking in new and exciting ways. Thermomix's parent company, German-based Vorwerk, now in its 140th year of operation, reported $4.1 billion in global sales in 2022, with U.S. sales of Thermomix reaching over $30 million, up 28.7% over the prior year. These numbers make Vorwerk the fifth largest direct-selling company in the world and nearly every dollar of the booming global business came from the companys unique direct sales model, which prioritizes in-home tactile cooking experiences hosted by Consultants, over e-commerce. A Round Up & Roar to remember: Thermomix also announces brand innovations and new product offerings at Austin conference In addition to the company's exciting headquarters announcement, this week's gathering offered the brand's leading Independent Consultants from across the U.S. and Canada a deep dive into upcoming product news and innovations, including: A rebranded website experience that showcases each of the do-it-all appliances 28 functions and industry-leading Cookidoo integration, highlights the unique benefits of hosting a cooking demo with a Consultant, and simplifies the process of starting your own Thermomix Independent Consultant business. Learn more at www.thermomix.com. The brands first-ever U.S. and Canadian loyalty program where users can earn points in nine ways including hosting a cooking demo, completing a Welcome Service, and reviewing products. A limited edition Sparkling Black TM6 celebrating 140 years of Vorwerk. The Sparkling Black is available exclusively to Thermomix Independent Consultants at this time. A localized brand mission bringing families together through simple, healthy, and creative cooking across generations - Thermomix: ignite passion, spark joy, and cherish WOW moments. A variety of limited-edition accessories, essentials, and merchandise, available online starting in September and in plenty of time for the upcoming holiday gifting season As Thermomix celebrates innovation and all things Texas coming out of Austin this week, consumers across the country can also tap into the companys new Texan vitality by trying the bold flavors of its Texas Road Trip recipe collection on Cookidoo - the brands official digital recipe portal, featuring over 80,000 guided recipes. From simple-to-prepare fajita seasonings and refreshing horchatas to Ruby Red grapefruit palomas and more, home cooking enthusiasts will find ample Thermomix inspiration from the Lone Star State now and for the foreseeable future. About Thermomix Since its inception in 1971, Thermomix has been revolutionizing kitchens across the world. Evolving from seven functions to a total of 28 unique capabilities with its latest model, Thermomix continues to set the standard for smart kitchens globally. Widely used in more than 11 million kitchens worldwide, Thermomix has been transforming kitchens for the past five decades. From amateurs to executive chefs, Thermomix makes achieving culinary feats effortless, with renowned chefs Ludo Lefebvre, Matthew Kenney, Bill Yosses, Antonio Bachour, and more praising its functionality. In a modern society where time is precious, Thermomix is poised to digitally revolutionize the art of cooking by streamlining the process in its entirety. For more information visit: www.thermomix.com. About Vorwerk Vorwerk is the number one direct sales company in Europe and the world-leading direct seller of high-quality household appliances. Founded in Wuppertal, Germany, in 1883, today Vorwerk is an international family enterprise. Its core business is the production and sale of superior household products (Thermomix kitchen appliance, Kobold cleaning systems). Vorwerk always seeks direct contact with its customers and achieves this primarily through its advisors, who are at the center of the companys sales activities and serve as a central point of contact for the customer. The Vorwerk family also includes the akf group. Vorwerk generates consolidated sales of 4.1 billion euros (2022) and operates in more than 60 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825129002/en/ Kate Franklin for Thermomix USA Vice President Coast Public Relations [email protected] 818.606.9784 Cristina Dennstedt Head of Customer Marketing & Communication Thermomix USA [email protected] Source: Thermomix Westinghouse and Slovenske Elektrarne Sign Agreement for VVER-440 Nuclear Fuel BRATISLAVA, Slovakia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westinghouse Electric Company signed a long-term agreement with Slovenske elektrarne to license and supply VVER-440 fuel assemblies to its Nuclear Power Plants in Slovakia. The agreement supports Slovakias energy security and diversification of nuclear fuel. Approximately 59% of the electricity produced in Slovakia is generated by nuclear power plants. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824136832/en/ From Left: Aziz Dag Sr Vice President and Managing Director of Westinghouse Electric Sweden; Lukas Marsalek - Deputy Director for Accounting, Finance and Control Department of Slovenske elektrarne; Tarik Choho - Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel; Branislav Strycek, Director general of Slovenske elektrarne (Photo: Business Wire) Securing another nuclear fuel supplier for our power plants is an important step in strengthening Slovakias energy security. Nuclear power plants represent an important pillar in our country's energy mix, therefore I consider it to be crucial to secure nuclear fuel supply diversification for their stable operation, said Branislav Strycek, general director of Slovenske elektrarne, a.s. We are very pleased to contribute to Slovakias fuel diversification and to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Slovenske elektrarne, said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel. We offer the only fully-Western alternative fuel for this type of reactor and remain committed to supporting Slovakias operating fleet, leveraging our Swedish fabrication footprint. Westinghouse is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel, providing a uniquely diversified portfolio in the industry across nuclear reactor types, including PWR, BWR, AGR, and VVER. Through our world-class manufacturing facilities in Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S., we focus on delivering innovative fuel technologies to meet our customers needs for lower fuel cycle costs, increased operational flexibility and efficiency, diversity of supply, and accident-tolerant products. Learn more about our advanced fuel capabilities and how they relate to different reactors around the world: Westinghouse Nuclear > Nuclear Fuel Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear technologies to utilities globally. Westinghouse supplied the worlds first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the companys technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation make Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230824136832/en/ [email protected] Source: Westinghouse Electric Company Kaman Corp. (NYSE: KAMN) today announced that James Coogan, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role as CFO effective August 28, 2023. Carroll Lane, Senior Vice President, Kaman Corporation and Segment Lead of Engineered and Precision Products, will serve as Interim CFO until a permanent successor is appointed. Mr. Coogan, who is departing Kaman to pursue another opportunity outside the aerospace and defense industry, will remain with the Company until October 23, 2023 to ensure a smooth transition. Kaman has initiated a comprehensive search to identify the company's next chief financial officer with the assistance of an executive search firm. Ian Walsh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaman, said, Over the past 15 years, Jamie has played an important role leading our finance, treasury and M&A teams while also helping execute our transformational strategy. His insights, commitment to excellence and financial discipline have contributed to the Companys success. Jamie leaves behind an effective and strong finance organization, and on behalf of the Board and management team, I wish him well in his future endeavors. Mr. Coogan said, It has been a pleasure to be a part of such an incredible organization. I want to express my gratitude for the support of my colleagues during what has been a transformative time for Kaman. While Im moving on, I will be eagerly following the companys continued success. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and have full confidence in Kamans prospects for sustainable growth and value creation. We are fortunate to have a leader with Carrolls highly relevant experience on hand to step into the role of Interim CFO, Mr. Walsh continued. With nearly two decades of operational, financial, investor relations and leadership experience, Carroll is well suited to support the continued execution of our financial priorities, including our cost reduction and efficiency initiatives. I look forward to working closely with Carroll while the search for a permanent successor moves forward. Prior to joining Kaman in July 2022, Mr. Lane was President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. He led the development, program management, and aftermarket operations of the companys portfolio of large commercial engines. Mr. Lane has expertise in P&L management, strategic planning, and investor relations and spent close to a decade at United Technologies Corporation (UTC), now RTX Corporation. Before leading Pratt & Whitneys Commercial Engines business, Mr. Lane served in positions of increasing responsibility with UTC, including Vice President of Investor Relations, Vice President of Pratt & Whitneys Commercial Engines Aftermarket organization, and as a corporate strategy executive. Before joining UTC, Mr. Lane was a Director with CSP Associates, an Aerospace & Defense advisory firm in Cambridge, MA. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Williams College. He also served in the United States Marine Corps as a Naval Aviator. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adore Me, known for being the first lingerie brand to bring extended sizing across all its categories, as well as the only Certified B Corporation lingerie brand in the U.S., today announced its partnership with Ever Dye, a French startup that developed a low heat, low-energy, biobased pigment dyeing process. This partnership follows Adore Mes recent partnership announcements with fashion sustainability startups Carbonfact and Commonshare, and furthers the brands mission to make low-impact lingerie more accessible and affordable to customers. We are thrilled to partner with Ever Dye because of the teams ability to maintain quality products and colors without sacrificing the environment, said Romain Liot, Chief Operating Officer at Adore Me. Were excited to see another major innovation come out of Paris and hope to see this process become the industry standard. Every year, the textile industry uses 1.3 trillion gallons of water to dye garments, enough to fill two million Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to the World Resources Institute. Further, textile dyeing is responsible for 20% of all ocean pollution and 52% of the fashion industrys overall carbon impact, according to the European Parliament. (Source). Since the creation of garment dyeing, little innovation has occurred in the industry, making the partnership with Ever Dye a notable advancement that marks a major milestone in the advancement of garment dyeing. Ever Dyes science-based process, based on five years of academic research, solves both the synthesis and the attachment of dyes. Traditionally, dye baths at temperatures of 60 - 130 degrees celsius for up to 10 hours are required to dye a garment. Now, by combining pigment with a biosourced organic polymer binding agent, Ever Dyes process offers perfect attachment without using any heat and in a short amount of time. The technology also simplifies the process of cleaning water following the dyeing process because Ever Dyes dyes are made of organic and inorganic natural elements rather than petroleum-based dyes, they are non-toxic, allowing the water to remain fresh and be released back into the environment. Companies like Adore Me are who we want to partner withones that have consistently and publicly followed through on their sustainability commitments, said Ilan Palacci, Co-Founder and CEO of Ever Dye. We hope this inspires others to seek out new technologies from all over the world that can help reduce carbon emissions in fashion. Adore Me began the implementation process with Ever Dye last month and will begin releasing products dyed via Ever Dyes technology in 2024. Today, Adore Me works with Ever Dye for orange color dyeing and plans to expand across the color spectrum as the technology behind the unique dyeing process continues to advance. Adore Me is the first US lingerie brand to use Ever Dyes technology. About Adore MeFounded in 2011 as an online lingerie startup, Adore Me has evolved into a DTC lingerie and apparel brand serving women of all sizes and budgets at all phases of life. The firm is transforming the way we shop with a pioneering Home Try-On commerce service, a series of innovation-driven products, and a mission of making sustainable shopping accessible to all, becoming the first Certified B Corporation intimate apparel brand in the U.S. As of December 2022, Adore Me joined the Victorias Secret & Co family of brands. Connect with Adore Me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About Ever Dye Based in Paris, France, Ever Dye is a team of scientists and innovators dedicated to changing the way we create and use colors. Ever Dye offers a solution that lowers carbon emissions, energy consumption and eradicates toxic chemicals from the dyeing process. As the link between the designers and the engineers of the next trends, Ever Dye aims to make sustainable fashion to be joyful, creative, and accessible to all to build the future of fashion. Learn more about Ever Dye here or connect on Instagram and LinkedIn. Media Contact: BAM for Adore Me[email protected] Media for EverDye[email protected] Source: Adore Me ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BTSE, a premier digital asset exchange, has today released its newest report, diving deep into the mechanics of bull and bear flags, a fundamental element of technical analysis in the cryptocurrency trading world. The comprehensive guide is now available for free download , providing traders with insights into these key price patterns and how to interpret them effectively. In the report titled " Crypto Strategies: Making the Most of Bull and Bear Flags ", BTSE dissects the visual indicators that are pivotal for traders aiming to understand trend momentum. Building on the platform's previous blog content about technical analysis for crypto trading, this latest report offers a detailed exploration of the usage of bull and bear flags for efficient trading decisions, including the intricacies of identifying entry and exit points. The world of cryptocurrency is dynamic and ever-evolving, and in such a landscape, traders are in perpetual need of tools and resources to make informed decisions. By analyzing and making sense of large sets of data, traders can make more strategic moves in the market. This new guide introduces traders to flag patterns and their significance in predicting short-term price trends. With real-world examples, traders can gain insights into the upward and downward momentum reflected by these flags and how to potentially capitalize on these patterns. Following the well-received " Crypto Trading Psychology Report ", BTSE continues its commitment to providing accessible, high-quality resources for traders. This ongoing initiative aims to ensure that both new and seasoned traders have a robust repository of knowledge to draw from, empowering them to navigate the volatile cryptocurrency markets with confidence. Our latest report underscores our dedication to nurturing an informed crypto trading community. The ability to recognize patterns such as bull and bear flags can give traders a vital edge in this fast-paced market, said Jeff Mei, COO of BTSE. We endeavor to equip our users with all the tools and knowledge they need to make the most out of their trading journey. All interested traders are encouraged to delve into the details of bull and bear flags by downloading the full report here . Continuing on its mission to enhance crypto literacy, BTSE anticipates the release of more insightful articles and tutorials in the near future, catering to the diverse learning needs of its global trading community. Contact details: BTSE PR [email protected] Eleven International PR [email protected] CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Decklar Resources Inc. (TSX-V: DKL) (OTCQX: DKLRF) (FSE: A1U1) (the Company or Decklar) and its co-venturer Millenium provide updates regarding crude oil delivery operations at the Oza Oil Field in Nigeria. Progress Re-Establishing Pipeline Access The Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), which flows into the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) operated Bonny export terminal, was reopened in April 2023 and remains operational. Connector lines including the pipeline serving the Oza Oil Field, are expected to be operational in the near future. Based upon public announcements, the main line of the TNP has been operating since April 2023, and recorded minimal losses due to theft and bunkering through May 2023. Updates provided by SPDC have indicated that the main line has continued operations and it is anticipated that feeder pipelines will soon be operational. The TNP had been shut down for over one year due to vandalism and high line losses, and efforts and support from the Nigerian government are credited to a great degree for the resumption of operations. Decklar is currently re-certifying fiscal metering equipment and has applied for all necessary permits to allow for access and production into the TNP. Trucking and Sale of Crude Oil to ERPCs Edo Refinery Trucking of crude oil from the Oza Oil Field to the ERPC facility in Edo State, Nigeria has reached a cumulative volume of over 55,000 bbls, with 10,000 bbls delivered in 2022 under the initial sale and purchase agreement and over 45,000 bbls delivered so far in 2023. Deliveries are continuing under the 200,000 bbls contract. The terms of the 200,000 bbls agreement include an invoicing and payment cycle that is triggered as each 5,000 bbls batch is delivered and offloaded at the Edo refinery. Delivery of Crude Oil to DMCLs Refinery Delivery of crude oil has continued from the Oza Oil Field to DMCL and just under 13,000 bbls have been delivered to date. DMCL has agreed to purchase up to 100,000 bbls over the next 12 months. The Company has experienced some delays obtaining permits to truck crude to the ERPC and DMCL refineries, but anticipates that with new systems recently implemented by the government regulatory agencies future permits will be obtained and issued in a more timely and efficient manner. Resignation of Director Mr. William Foose has resigned from Decklars board effective immediately. The Company thanks Mr. Foose for his valuable input and service. Sanmi Famuyide, CEO of Decklar Resources, said, We are very pleased that the TNP pipeline that ties into the Bonny export terminal is back in operation. Once Decklar commences production and exports through the TNP and Bonny terminal, we anticipate being in a position to maintain continuous production and export activities through the TNP, which is a more cost effective and efficient evacuation system for the Oza crude oil production compared to the alternative of trucking and selling to local refineries. I would also like to personally thank Mr. Foose for his valuable contribution as a Board member and wish him the very best in his future endeavors. For further information: Sanmi FamuyideChief Executive Officer Telephone: +234 703 332 2265 Email: [email protected] David Halpin Chief Financial Officer Telephone: +1 403 816 3029 Email: [email protected] Investor Relations: [email protected] 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. Cautionary Language Certain statements made and information contained herein constitute "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation), including, but not limited to, statements regarding: the future commercial production of the Oza-1 and Oza-4 wells, obtaining necessary permits and agreements to allow access and production into pipelines, obtaining and renewing all trucking permits, timing and delivery of production to trucks for offloading at the oil refinery or storage tanks, the timing for payment of crude oil sales, the final execution of necessary agreements to sell additional crude oil, and the maintaining of stable crude oil production. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Such statements and information (together, "forward looking statements") relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities. There is no certainty that definitive agreements in respect of the Transaction will be entered, or that any conditions precedent contained therein will be satisfied on terms satisfactory to the parties or at all. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any 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 "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements relating to "reserves" are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves can be profitably produced in the future. Actual reserve values may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil reserves. The reserve information set forth herein are estimates only. In general, estimates of economically recoverable crude oil reserves are based upon several variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the properties, production rates, ultimate reserve recovery, timing and amount of capital expenditures, marketability of oil and natural gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may vary materially. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable crude oil reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues associated with reserves prepared by different engineers, or by the same engineers at different times, may vary. Decklar's actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material. Therefore, Decklar's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking estimates and if such actual results, performance or achievements transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, there can be no certainty as to what benefits Decklar will derive therefrom. The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking 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. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Source: Decklar Resources Inc. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE: E4U) (EnWave, or the "Company") today reported the Companys consolidated interim financial results for the third quarter ended June 30, 2023. All values in thousands and denoted in CAD unless otherwise stated. Reported revenue for Q3 2023 of $2,486, representing a decrease of $174 relative to the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease was partially offset by royalty revenues of $394, representing an increase of $93 relative to the comparable period in the prior year. Reported an Adjusted EBITDA(1) loss of $192 for Q3 2023, an improvement of $32 from the comparable period in the prior year. Reported an overall decrease in Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) costs (including Research & Development (R&D)) of $569 for Q3 2023 relative to the comparable period in the prior year, with the decrease primarily related to a continued focus on managing non-revenue generating spending. Reported cash and cash equivalents of $4,471 and no debt as at June 30, 2023, an increase of $984 from March 31, 2023. Signed a Commercial License Agreement with Bridgford Foods and sold a 120kW REVTM machine to produce military ration components for the U.S. Army, among others. Consolidated Financial Performance: ($ 000s) Three months ended June 30, Nine months ended June 30, 2023 2022 Change% 2023 2022 Change% Revenues 2,486 2,660 (7 %) 9,906 8,224 20 % Direct costs (1,767 ) (1,423 ) 24 % (5,894 ) (4,147 ) 42 % Gross margin 719 1,237 (42 %) 4,012 4,077 (2 %) Operating expenses General and administration 501 736 (32 %) 1,753 2,200 (20 %) Sales and marketing 277 576 (52 %) 1,167 1,681 (31 %) Research and development 408 443 (8 %) 1,220 1,530 (20 %) 1,186 1,755 (32 %) 4,140 5,411 (23 %) Net income(loss) continuing operations (918 ) (807 ) (14 %) (974 ) (2,191 ) 56 % Net loss discontinued operations (1,031 ) (1,208 ) 15 % (5,703 ) (2,463 ) (132 %) Adjusted EBITDA(1) (192 ) (224 ) 14 % 703 (654 ) 207 % Loss per share: Basic and diluted continuous operations $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.02 ) Basic and diluted discontinued operations $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.04 ) (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS Financial Measures disclosure below for a reconciliation to the nearest IFRS equivalent. EnWaves annual consolidated financial statements and MD&A are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Companys website www.enwave.net Key Financial Highlights for the Nine Months Ended Q3 2023 (expressed in 000s): Revenue for the nine months ended Q3 2023 of $9,906, compared to $8,224 for the nine months ended Q3 2022, an increase of $1,682. The increase in revenue was primarily due to the resale of two large-scale machines, relative to the comparable period of the prior year which had one machine resale. Royalty Revenues for the nine months ended Q3 2023 of $1,085, compared to $1,051 for the nine months ended Q3 2022, an increase of $34. The increase in royalties was a result of increased production and sales by current Partners in Q3 2023. Gross margin for the nine months ended Q3 2023 was 41% compared to 50% for the nine months ended Q3 2022. The decrease in margin was a result of the overall machine sale mix, including resales, relative to the comparable period of the prior year. SG&A expenses (including R&D) for the nine months ended Q3 2023 of $4,140, compared to $5,411 for the nine months ended Q3 2022, a decrease of $1,271. The decrease resulted from concerted efforts to maintain discretionary spending, including lower personnel costs across all departments. Adjusted EBITDA (refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures section below) for the nine months ended Q3 2023 was $703, compared to a loss of $654 for the nine months ended Q3 2022, an increase of $1,357. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the wind down of NutraDried and its classification as discontinued operations, the resale of two large scale machines and the reduction of SG&A expenses (including R&D). Significant Corporate Accomplishments in Q3 2023 and Subsequently: Sold a 120kW REV machine to Bridgford Foods in partnership with the United States Department of Defence for production of military rations. Bridgford will also use the REVTM technology to develop additional consumer-branded products at their North Carolina facility. Signed a Technology Evaluation and License Option Agreement with Moleciwl Cyf of Wales to develop fruit and vegetable products for the Welsh market. Received approval for a cost-shared funding project through the Food Processing Growth Fund, for which we gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The program will fund up to 75% of approved project costs to a maximum contribution in the amount of $750. The funding will be used for capital additions to the REVworx facility, including but not limited to a retail packaging system. NutraDried received correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service advising a tax refund of $497 USD, of an estimated total potential $1,183 USD tax refund, would be issued in Q4 2023 relating to the Employee Retention Tax Credit for businesses affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. There has not been any additional correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service concerning the remaining tax refund and there is no certainty it will be issued. Non-IFRS Financial Measures: This news release refers to Adjusted EBITDA which is a non-IFRS financial measure. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before deducting amortization and depreciation, stock-based compensation, foreign exchange gain or loss, finance expense or income, income tax expense or recovery and non-recurring impairment, restructuring and severance charges, government assistance and discontinued operations. This measure is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and should not be construed as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS. Please refer to the reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA and the most comparable IFRS financial measure reported in the Companys consolidated financial statements. Three months ended June 30, Nine months endedJune 30 ($ 000s) 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net (loss) income after income tax (1,949 ) (2,015 ) (6,677 ) (4,654 ) Amortization and depreciation 276 323 841 769 Stock-based compensation 103 308 468 920 Foreign exchange loss 54 (48 ) 86 18 Finance expense (income), net (22 ) - (33 ) (23 ) Non-recurring impairment expense 315 - 315 - Government assistance - - - (147 ) Discontinued operations 1,031 1,208 5,703 2,463 Adjusted EBITDA (192 ) (224 ) 703 (654 ) Non-IFRS financial measures should be considered together with other data prepared accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Company's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to EnWaves management. Accordingly, these non-IFRS financial measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For more information, please refer to the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section in the Companys MD&A available on www.sedar.com. About EnWave EnWave is a global leader in the innovation and application of vacuum microwave dehydration. From its headquarters in Delta, BC, EnWave has developed a robust intellectual property portfolio, perfected its Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) technology, and transformed an innovative idea into a proven, consistent, and scalable drying solution for the food, pharmaceutical and cannabis industries that vastly outperforms traditional drying methods in efficiency, capacity, product, quality, and cost. With more than fifty royalty-generating partners spanning twenty six countries and five continents, EnWaves licensed partners are creating profitable, never-before-seen snacks and ingredients, improving the quality and consistency of their existing offerings, running leaner and getting to market faster with the companys patented technology, licensed machinery, and expert guidance. EnWaves strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with food and cannabis producers who want to dry better, faster and more economical than freeze drying, rack drying and air drying, and enjoy the following benefits: Food and ingredients companies can produce exciting new products, reach optimal moisture levels up to seven times faster, and improve product taste, texture, color and nutritional value. Cannabis producers can dry four to six times faster, retain up to 20% more terpenes and 25% more cannabinoids, and achieve at least a 3-log reduction in crop-destroying microbes. EnWave Corporation Mr. Brent Charleton, CFAPresident and CEO For further information: Brent Charleton, CFA, President and CEO at +1 (778) 378-9616E-mail: [email protected] Dylan Murray, CPA, CA, CFO at +1 (778) 870-0729E-mail: [email protected] Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management's expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, the Company ceasing to make investments in NutraDried, the timing of the wind-down and dissolution of NutraDried, expectations around the cost of winding down NutraDried, and the Company's intended focus for the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including that the process of winding up NutraDried will involve time and expense to the Company materially greater than anticipated, that the realization of assets of NutraDried will not sufficiently cover the orderly wind-up of NutraDried, which could result in the requirement for additional funding by the Company to complete such wind-up, that the foregoing developments will adversely affect the Company, in terms of cost, management time and focus, outlook or reputation; the ability of the Company to achieve its longer-term outlook, the ability to lower costs, and the other risk factors set forth in the Company's public filings. 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. 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: EnWave Corporation Mechanicsburg, PA, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farm Credit Announces Launch of the 2023 Farmers on the Rise Award ProgramApplications are now being accepted for the 2023 Farmers on the Rise program, which will award up to ten beginning farmers with a $10,000 prize. Mechanicsburg, PA Horizon Farm Credit announced the launch of its third annual Farmers on the Rise program, which awards up to ten beginning farmers in its footprint with $10,000 to grow their operations. This award program was created to recognize outstanding farm owner-operators within the diverse agricultural community and help them to expand their existing agricultural business, says Tom Truitt, CEO of Horizon Farm Credit. Those selected to receive an award will be recognized based on their efforts in agriculture, financial character, leadership, community involvement, and environmental stewardship. The award program is open to beginning farmers in Horizon Farm Credits footprint who have at least three years of experience, but no more than ten years of farming experience. In 2022, Farm Credit selected ten applicants to receive Farmers on the Rise award funding. Last years applicants were truly all impressive. Their businesses ranged from livestock and grain to agritourism and CSAs says Johanna Rohrer, Member Education & YBS Program Manager at Horizon Farm Credit. Our panel of judges is, once again, looking forward to reviewing the applications this year and seeing the inspiring dreams of our regions producers. This program is open to all farmers meeting the experience threshold and geographic requirements outlined above. Applicants are not required to be Farm Credit customers, although current customers are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit an application is October 6, 2023 at 4 p.m. For more information and to apply, visit horizonfc.com/rise. Questions about this program or application should be directed to [email protected]. About Horizon Farm Credit Horizon Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative, part of the national Farm Credit System, owned by its memberborrowers. The Association has more than 22,900 members and over $6.2 billion in loans outstanding. Horizon Farm Credit serves Delaware, Pennsylvania, and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia by providing farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. Learn more at horizonfc.com. ### Jenny Kreisher Horizon Farm Credit 888.339.3334 [email protected] Source: Horizon Farm Credit MIDDLEBURY, Ind., Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grand Design RV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Winnebago Industries (NYSE: WGO), announced today it has produced its 250,000th recreational vehicle, demonstrating the strong affinity campers have for the companys popular line of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. The company plans to mark the occasion and celebrate with their employees and customers at their sold-out National Owners Rally in Elkhart, Indiana next week. After its founding in 2012, Grand Design RV became one of the fastest growing RV brands in the industry. The companys continued dedication to craftsmanship, customer service, and industry-leading quality continue to make the brand a trusted choice with campers across North America. This is a monumental occasion for everyone at Grand Design RV," said Don Clark, President and CEO. "Reaching this mark is not just a testament to the hard work and vision of our incredible team, but it is also a reflection of the trust and loyalty our customers have placed in us. We are committed to continuing to innovate and to produce RVs that exceed our customers expectations. Grand Designs 250,000th RV symbolizes both the companys journey and the memorable adventures it has enabled for countless families and individuals across the nation. It represents years of hard work, innovation, and a commitment to excellence by all involved with the brand. We want to take this opportunity to thank our extended Grand Design teamour devoted employees, loyal customers, and trusted dealers who have been instrumental in helping us reach this point, added Clark. Their support has made this achievement possible, and we are excited for the road that lies ahead. As Grand Design RV looks to the future, the brand remains focused on its mission: to lead the industry in quality and innovation, while fostering a family-like connection among employees, customers, and dealers. About Grand Design RV Grand Design RV, headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, manufactures the market-leading Reflection Fifth Wheel and Travel Trailer, flagship Solitude Extended Stay Fifth Wheel, luxury Momentum Toy Hauler, lightweight Imagine Travel Trailer, and introductory level Transcend Travel Trailer product lines. Since its founding in 2012, Grand Design RV has become one of the fastest-growing RV companies in history and is consistently rated among the highest quality RV manufacturers. Grand Design RV is a wholly owned subsidiary of Winnebago Industries (NYSE: WGO), a 65-year old manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products. About Winnebago Industries Winnebago Industries, Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products under the Winnebago, Grand Design, Chris-Craft, Newmar and Barletta brands, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The Company builds high-quality motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel products, outboard and sterndrive powerboats, pontoons, and commercial community outreach vehicles. Committed to advancing sustainable innovation and leveraging vertical integration in key component areas, Winnebago Industries has multiple facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and Florida. The Companys common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the symbol WGO. For access to Winnebago Industries' investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for Company news releases, visit http://investor.wgo.net. During the day, some 35 clashes took place between Ukrainian defenders and Russians on the frontline, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a report on Friday evening. It is noted that the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the area of Novoyehorivka, Luhansk region, Klischiyivka and Pervomaiske, Donetsk region. At the same time, the Ukrainian military successfully repelled enemy attacks in the area of Vuhledar, Donetsk region. In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold back the offensive of the invaders in Maryinka area. "The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation in Melitopol direction, consolidate on the achieved lines, carry out counter-battery measures," the General Staff said. LONDON , Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wistaverse (www.wistaverse.com) the worlds first global platform for protest in the metaverse, announced today that the campaign to stop the extradition of Julian Assange will launch the first ever virtual political rally for Assange this Saturday, August 26th. The rally is part of the effort to prevent the founder of WikiLeaks from being extradited to the US where he could face a 175 year jail sentence for revealing information about the Iraq and Afghan wars. It is being organized by the Dont Extradite Assange Campaign (https://dontextraditeassange.com), which is the official campaign of the Assange movement, working with Assange and his family. John Rees from the Don't Extradite Assange campaign said, This event in the Wistaverse is a valuable opportunity to unite people across the world who believe in freedom of speech and freedom of the press to show their support for Julian and set a signal that will be an important precedent for human rights everywhere. No matter where you are in the world, you can virtually join this event. The event will include the participation of and speeches by Julian Assange himself (pre-recorded), his wife Stella Assange, Kristinn Hrafnsson, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, and other high profile guests, including British politician Jeremy Corbyn.The event will take place in the Wistaverse, the worlds first platform for virtual protest in the metaverse. The Wistaverse is a not-for-profit protocol located in the Sandbox on the Polygon blockchain. Users who organize protests do so on their own initiative, independent of the Wistaverses creators. The protocol enables a platform for protest for causes with universal importance and gives access for everyone to participate, regardless of geographical location or possible physical disabilities.Jules, one of the founders of Wistaverse, said: We are excited that the Don't Extradite Assange campaign has decided to use the platform to host such a key rally shortly after the launch of the Wistaverse this May. At that time, the inaugural protest was an event organized by Amnesty International in support of abortion rights worldwide. Now, we trust that the event this Saturday will set a signal and focus all eyes on freedom of speech to support that cause. The new Web3 technologies are enabling unprecedented participation and the opportunity for everyone to shape worldwide governance. The rally will take place in a virtual auditorium designed to look like the Royal Courts of Justice in London where Assange is set to face his final appeal in the UK court system. It aims to build for a real life protest at the same venue when the court date is announced. The speakers at the rally will appear either as characters inside the event or with filmed contributions shown on screens inside the arena created by the event designers. The Wistaverse uses metaverse technology to allow each individual attendee to be represented by an avatar that can hear the speeches and watch other material inside the virtual rally and interact with other attendees. It protects users identity and enables universal participation. The rally is open to anyone with a computer. The rally will be on Saturday 26 August at 5pm BST/ British Summer Time, when information about how to participate will go live on the events dedicated website on the Sandbox. For more information contact: For Dont Extradite Assange Campaign: media(at)dontextraditeassange.com orSilvi: email: ps13(at)tuamail.com Tel.: +44-798-480-9125For the Wistaverse: jules.wistaverse(at)gmail.com & Wistaverse(at)transformgroup.com For details, visit: www.wistaverse.com & Dontextraditeassange.com About Dont Extradite Assange Campaign The Dont Extradite Assange Campaign has been established in the UK by WikiLeaks in order to focus campaigning efforts on preventing the extradition of journalist and publisher Julian Assange to the United States where he faces 175 years in jail. Through his publications he has exposed war crimes against humanity, government corruption and mass surveillance.Visit: Dontextraditeassange.com About WikiLeaksWikiLeaks is a multinational media organization and associated library. It was founded by its publisher Julian Assange in 2006. WikiLeaks specializes in the analysis and publication of large datasets of censored or otherwise restricted official materials involving war, spying and corruption. It has so far published more than 10 million documents and associated analyses. WikiLeaks has contractual relationships and secure communications paths to more than 100 major media organizations from around the world. This gives WikiLeaks sources negotiating power, impact and technical protections that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve. Although no organization can hope to have a perfect record forever, thus far WikiLeaks has a perfect in document authentication and resistance to all censorship attempts. WikiLeaks is a giant library of the world's most persecuted documents. We give asylum to these documents, we analyze them, we promote them and we obtain more. - Julian Assange, Der Spiegel InterviewVisit: Wikileaks.org About WistaverseThe Wistaverse is a multi-platform protocol and the first virtual, global platform for protest in the metaverse. The protocol uses blockchain as a shared tool for democracy. It is permissionless, censorship resistant, self-sustaining, and free from government interference. The $WISTA utility token raises decentralized funding during protests from the community for the community, to fuel its actions and impact. A fair moderation system will allow randomly selected $WISTA holders to ensure that no events taking place go against its security guidelines of No incitation to violence, no racism and no sexism. The Wistaverse is built on Polygon and currently available on The Sandbox. The Wistaverse is a voice for all in a world that is becoming ever more controlled by surveillance and in which democracies are increasingly fragile. At the same time, it is compliant just as it is an enabler of responsible protest.Visit: www.wistaverse.com Press contact: [email protected] Lesley Czuma Transformgroup PR lesley at transformgroup.com Source: Wistaverse RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM) (Martin Marietta or the Company) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Tehachapi, California cement plant to UNACEM Corp S.A.A. for $317 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. About Martin Marietta Martin Marietta, a member of the S&P 500 Index, is an American-based company and a leading supplier of building materials, including aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt. Through a network of operations spanning 28 states, Canada and The Bahamas, dedicated Martin Marietta teams supply the resources for building the solid foundations on which our communities thrive. Martin Mariettas Magnesia Specialties business produces high-purity magnesia and dolomitic lime products used worldwide in environmental, industrial, agricultural and specialty applications. For more information, visit www.martinmarietta.com or www.magnesiaspecialties.com. Investor Contact: Jacklyn RookerDirector, Investor Relations (919) 510-4736[email protected] MLM-G This release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law. Statements and assumptions on future revenues, income and cash flows, performance, economic trends, the outcome of litigation, regulatory compliance and environmental remediation cost estimates are examples of forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could affect the Companys forward-looking statements and actual performance. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions that the Company believes in good faith are reasonable at the time the statements are made, but which may be materially different from actual results. Investors can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate only to historic or current facts. The words may, will, could, should, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, forecast, intend, outlook, plan, project, scheduled and other words of similar meaning in connection with future events or future operating or financial performance are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any or all of Martin Mariettas forward-looking statements in this release and in other publications may turn out to be wrong. You should consider these forward-looking statements in light of risk factors discussed in Martin Mariettas Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, Martin Mariettas Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, and other periodic filings made with the SEC. All of the Companys forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that it considers immaterial could affect the accuracy of its forward-looking statements, or adversely affect or be material to the Company. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release. Source: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FSE: 89N) (MAX Power or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has retained Daniella Atkinson as Corporate Communications Consultant for the Company. Daniella has generated a social media following of over 200,000, with more than 150 million views, after launching her popular TikTok and Instagram street interviews in Vancouver (@daniella_atk). She is now a recognized media personality in Vancouver, creating fun and engaging content, giving a voice to the community through her platform. After graduating from Queens University in Kingston in 2021, with a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree Specialization in Media and Performance Production, Daniella moved to Vancouver where she took a position with the Market Herald conducting CEO interviews focused on the mining sector before launching her freelance career as a consultant and content creator. Daniella stated, I have passion for a green future, and understand how important the battery metals space is with respect to the electric vehicle revolution. The mining sector is critical to making things happen. Daniella added, Its Lithium to the MAX with MAX Power. Im excited to be part of the team and help communicate the message about MAX and this very important lithium sector. I look forward to adding to my knowledge around the industry and helping shareholders and potential investors learn more as well. Mr. Rav Mlait, MAX Power CEO, stated: Daniella is a great talent and we look forward to working with her as she helps increase awareness of MAX Power among investors across North America and the world. MAX Power Corporate Video Click on the link (https://vimeo.com/856896440) to view a newly-released 90-second MAX Power corporate video. Daniella Atkinson is an arm's-length service provider based in Vancouver, BC. She does not currently own any common shares of the Company (contact address: 501 - 3292 Production Way, Burnaby, BC, 778-655-9266, [email protected]). The agreement is for corporate communication services including creation of social media advertisement campaigns and corporate videos focussed on the investor community. The agreement has a 12-month term, entered on June 1, 2023 and commencing August 25, 2023, compensation of $7,500 per month. About MAX Power MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance North Americas renewable energy prospects. MAX has also entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the University of California Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to develop state-of-the-art direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for brine resources. On behalf of the Board of Directors Rav Mlait CEOMAX Power Mining Corp. Company Contact [email protected], 778-655-9266 Investor Contact: MarketSmart Communications at 877-261-4466. Forward-Looking Statement Cautions Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: statements relating to the hiring of consultants, and any particular outcomes thereof. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/07d68f8f-4bb3-41c4-81b4-cd1485fe709b Max Power Mining Corp Daniella Atkinson Source: Max Power Mining Corp Norfolk, VA, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday, August 23, 5-year-old Karson Blanchard had one thing in mind for his upcoming birthday. Chocolate, he said. Chocolate cake. Chocolate cupcakes. Chocolate ice cream. Chocolate sprinkles. Karson was relaxing with his parents, Katy and Christopher Blanchard, in a patient room at Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk, Virginia. All three were wearing red T-shirts bearing the phrase Stronger than Duchenne. While Christopher and Katy are probably happy to accommodate their sons request for an all-chocolate birthday menu, they now have bigger hopes for the important milestones in Karsons future. Karson was at CHKD to receive a newly approved gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which he was diagnosed with at 20 months of age. Duchenne is a devastating genetic illness that causes progressive muscular wasting. Affecting mostly males, the disease causes life-threatening heart and respiratory problems as it advances. Patients usually lose the ability to walk in their early teens and generally succumb to the illness before age 30, said Dr. Crystal Proud, Karsons pediatric neurologist at CHKD. For years, Dr. Proud, who specializes in neuromuscular conditions, has only been able to treat the symptoms of Duchenne, mainly with oral corticosteroids. But she is also fiercely committed to research aimed at finding new treatments, which led CHKD to become one of four centers in the nation selected to study a medication that now offers real hope to the muscular dystrophy community. Elevidys is a gene therapy that spurs the development of a protein similar to the protein missing in the muscle cells of children with Duchenne, she says. Its given in a single, intravenous dose. While it cant reverse muscle damage that has already occurred, we are optimistic about its potential to mitigate future impairment. Elevidys (ell-a-vey-dis) was approved by the FDA on June 22, for patients ages 4 and 5. With Karsons sixth birthday rapidly approaching on August 25, Dr. Proud and her team from CHKDs Novel Therapeutics and Gene Therapy Program, had a very short window to coordinate the reams of paperwork, pre-treatment testing, family education, and logistics required for him to receive the treatment before the cut-off date. On the morning of August 23, two days shy of his sixth birthday, Karson watched SpongeBob SquarePants and drank chocolate milk upstairs while a contingent of excited CHKD staff members waited in the hospitals lobby for a courier who drove the medication overnight from Chicago to Norfolk. When the drug arrived, Dr. Proud joined CHKD pharmacist Christina Hellauer to celebrate unpacking the dose in the pharmacy, a several-step process that started by opening a protective outer cube approximately two-feet high, to reach an outer cooler, then an inner cooler that released a dramatic cloud of icy air before revealing a small box that contained 23 vials of hope for Karson. It would take another two hours for the vials to thaw and reach a temperature suitable for his infusion. While Karson and his family waited, his mom candidly shared the grief she and her husband experienced when they learned that Karson had DMD and the limits he likely faced growing up. They had accepted that he would eventually need a wheelchair. Finding a treatment to stop the disease was something they knew researchers were working on, but they didnt know if it would ever happen in time for their son. They never fathomed that Karson would be the first child in Virginia to receive gene therapy for DMD. Or that he would receive it two days before his birthday made him ineligible for it. This definitely gives us hope, says Katy Blanchard. Its just so amazing that were here. Its actually happening. We hope that this will give him more time. More time to be able to walk and get around independently. And give us more time with him. Finally, Karsons dose was ready to be infused. In between each of the vials that Karson received, Dr. Proud encouraged him to exercise his arms and legs. Karson proudly showed off how strongly he could push his arm against hers and kick his legs up and down on the hospital bed. When it was finally over, he asked if he could have some more chocolate milk. After a few hours of observation, the family returned to their Hampton home. Now the waiting will begin. Karson will have regular assessments of his motor abilities in Dr. Prouds neuromuscular clinic. Its a new journey that his family and Dr. Proud are happy to share together. When I chose to go into this field, I really expected to be more of a hospice-type doctor, says Dr. Proud. I thought Id be guiding my patients through a journey that would someday come to an end. My goal was to provide them with support and peace through that process. It is a wonderful gift to be able to offer more than that now. To be able to offer hope and to be able to provide optimism to families, she says. The future is no longer a well-defined pathway that has a very clear ending. We now have open paths and unknowns with these revolutionary therapies, and I think these are just the beginning. Attachments Alice Warchol Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters 757-668-9049 [email protected] Source: Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters August 25, 2023 Reference is made to the announcement made on August 24, 2020 by PGS ASA (the PGS or the "Company"). There, PGS announced the award of 2 389 500 Performance based Restricted Stock Units ("PRSUs") to employees and primary insiders in the Company and its subsidiaries under the PGS ASA 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan (the 2020 LTI Plan). Each vested PRSU under the 2020 LTI Plan give the holder the right to receive one share in the Company. Ahead of the settlement date there were 2 103 800 active PRSUs in the program. The 2020 LTI Plan settled on August 24, 2023, and the results were made available today. The total program ended at settling 1 024 104 PRSUs of which 308 152 PRSUs have been awarded to primary insiders. The transaction is settled in treasury shares, and following the transaction the Company holds 825 982 treasury shares. PRSUs awarded to the below primary insiders under the 2020 LTI Plan have settled as follows: Rune Olav Pedersen, President & CEO, has received settlement of 81 786 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, he holds 1 218 000 PRSUs and 726 151 shares in the Company. Gottfred Langseth, Executive Vice President & CFO has received settlement of 36 511PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, he holds 511 000 PRSUs and 1 304 808 shares in the Company. Nathan Selvoy Oliver, Executive Vice President Sales & Services has received settlement of 36 511 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. 18 255 shares of the gross number of shares received are sold to cover the personal tax expense. After completion of this transaction, he holds 511 000 PRSUs and 33 255 shares in the Company. Robert James Adams, Executive Vice President Operations, has received settlement of 36 511 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, he holds 511 000 PRSUs and 52 637 shares in the Company. Berit Osnes, Executive Vice President New Energy has received settlement of 24 341 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, she holds 405 000 PRSUs and 78 718 shares in the Company. Lars Ragnar van der Bijl Mysen, General Counsel, has received settlement of 12 657 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. 6 328 shares of the gross number of shares received are sold to cover the personal tax expense. After completion of this transaction, he holds 187 000 PRSUs and 208 634 shares in the Company. Erik Ewig, Senior Vice President Technology & Digitalization has received settlement of 19 473 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. 9 736 shares of the gross number of shares received are sold to cover the personal tax expense. After completion of this transaction, he holds 380 000 PRSUs and 17 127 shares in the Company. Kristin Omreng, Senior Vice President Global HR has received settlement of 12 657 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, she holds 187 000 PRSUs and 32 657 shares in the Company. Kai Reith, Senior Vice President Corporate Development, has received settlement of 12 657 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. All the shares received are sold to get net cash proceeds after personal tax expense. After completion of this transaction, he holds 187 000 PRSUs and 90 647 shares in the Company. Bard Stenberg, Vice President Investor Relations & Corporate Communications has received settlement of 11 196 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. 5 598 shares of the gross number of shares received are sold to cover the personal tax expense. After completion of this transaction, he holds 187 000 PRSUs and 31 598 shares in the Company. Anette Valb, employee elected Board Member and Bidding Manager, has received settlement of 2 677 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, she holds 38 500 PRSUs and 16 031 shares in the Company. Catrine Roalkvam, employee elected Board Member and Regional Geophysical Advisor & Geophysical Support Manager, has received settlement of 2 920 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, she holds 57 000 PRSUs and 3 890 shares in the Company. Gunhild Myhr, employee elected alternate Board Member and Business Development Manager, has received settlement of 3 651 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. 1 825 shares of the gross number of shares received are sold to cover the personal tax expense. After completion of this transaction, she holds 72 000 PRSUs and 3 765 shares in the Company. Merethe Bryn, employee elected alternate Board Member and VP Global Tax, has received settlement of 9 736 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. After completion of this transaction, she holds 114 000 PRSUs and 22 163 shares in the Company. Christopher Watts, employee elected alternate Board Member and VP Sales & Services, has received settlement of 4 868 PRSUs into an equal amount of shares in the Company. All the shares received are sold to get net cash proceeds after personal tax expense. After completion of this transaction, he holds 87 000 PRSUs and 0 shares in the Company. Primary insider notifications pursuant to the Market Abuse Regulation article 19 are attached. Contacts: Bard Stenberg, VP IR & Corporate Communication Mobile: +47 99 24 52 35 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Regulation EU 596/2014 (MAR) article 19 number 3 and the Norwegian Securities Trading Act section 5-12. Attachment DALLAS, TEXAS, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Qualified Remodeler, a leading publication serving remodelers and home improvement companies in the U.S., has ranked Renovo Home Partners as the No. 8 on its 45th annual TOP 500 remodelers and No. 1 for kitchens in the Top Performer category. Since 1978, the QR TOP 500 has tracked the industrys largest and fastest growing companies. In 2023, the TOP 500 represented over $20 billion in remodeling sales volume and nearly two million jobs. Renovo Home Partners, with a portfolio of leading home improvement companies across the country, was chosen as a 2023 Top 500 remodeler by the Qualified Remodeler editorial staff for meeting a set of criteria including installed remodeling dollar volume, total years in business, industry association membership, industry certification, industry awards and community service. Renovo Home Partners brands consist of seven leading home improvement companies across the country who are all driven to setting a new standard in home improvement. All these companies have longevity and brand equity in the markets they serve and have independently been selected to be part of the QR Top 500 in previous years. The operating companies in the Renovo Home Partners portfolio include Dreamstyle Remodeling, Alure Home Solutions, Reborn Home Solutions, NEWPRO Home Solutions, Remodel USA, Woodbridge Home Solutions, Minnesota Rusco. Based on Qualified Remodelers analysis, the Top 500 firms tend to share several common attributes, including strong revenues, a commitment to customer service, insightful sales techniques and strong customer loyalty, says Qualified Remodeler owner and editorial director, Patrick OToole. These attributes helped put the firms on this list and contribute to their success. Additional information on the Top 500 can be found in the July/August issue of Qualified Remodeler and at www.qualifiedremodeler.com. About Renovo Home Partners Based in Dallas, Texas, Renovo Home Partners is a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) platform focused on highvolume, quick-turn bath, window, cabinet refacing, siding, roofing, kitchen and other remodeling services to homeowners across the United States. With multiple leading brands under one management team, Renovo Home Partners aims to centralize back-office operations and invest in best-in-class technology capabilities to drive commercial alignment amongst regionally focused businesses and enable cross-selling product offerings at national scale in the near term. With a strong commitment to superior customer service, outstanding product quality, and expert installation, Renovo Home Partners is proud to service its homeowner customer base. For more information, visit the Renovo Home Partner website: www.renovohomepartners.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Marci Katz Renovo Home Partners 781-897-0401 [email protected] Source: Renovo Home Partners WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Time is running out to apply to participate in the Mark Cuban Foundation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamp hosted by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) in West Palm Beach. Applications for the no-cost bootcamp are closing soon! The AI bootcamp is targeted toward underserved high school students (9 - 12-grade) and offers participants a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI. FPL has been selected as one of the more than 28 host companies across the U.S. for fall 2023. If accepted, participants will engage in a four- week bootcamp held on consecutive Saturdays from October 14 to November 4. It is imperative that students commit to attending all four sessions. The bootcamp sessions will take place from 2-6p.m. ET. No prior experience in computer science, programming, or robotics is required. The applications for both students and parents can be submitted through markcubanai.org/fplpr. During the bootcamp, students will explore the world of artificial intelligence, including ethical implications and real- life applications, such as, TikTok recommendations, smart home assistants, facial recognition, and self-driving cars. Participants will also discover the features of Large Language Models like ChatGPT, which can answer questions, create original stories, and even generate computer code. To provide a beneficial learning environment, trained volunteer corporate mentors, who are knowledgeable in AI, machine learning, and data science, will lead the students through the curriculum. Throughout the bootcamp, students will have the opportunity to work with open-source tools and develop their own AI applications related to computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI. The Mark Cuban Foundation provides the bootcamps curriculum materials, trains corporate volunteer mentors, and recruits and scores applications for local students selected to attend the camp. In addition, the Mark Cuban Foundation and FPL work together to provide food, information on transportation options, and access to laptops for students at no-cost to use during the bootcamp. This bootcamp is facilitated with support from the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp Program's media partner, Notified, a globally trusted technology partner for investor relations, public relations and marketing professionals. It was a lot of fun, I learned things I didn't even know were possible with AI and their real-world applications showed me just how much it will change our world." - Brandon B., 10th Grade, 2022 AI Bootcamp Participant Founded by Mark Cuban in 2019, the AI bootcamp initiative has hosted no-cost AI bootcamps for students across several U.S. cities, including Dallas, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Atlantic City to name a few. The Mark Cuban Foundation has impacted 900+ students to date and has a goal to increase that number year-over-year. Students interested in applying to the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp should do so before Friday, September 8, 2023 at markcubanai.org/fplpr. To see our 2023 camp locations and to learn more about the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamps, please visit markcubanai.org/faq. Contact: Lauren Ronse, Mark Cuban Foundation Phone: 405-973-7577 Email: [email protected] Source: Mark Cuban Foundation Research funded by the National Institutes of Health has revealed historic high levels of cannabis, hallucinogens and alcohol use among adults aged 35 to 50 years old. The NIH-funded study stated that the use of hallucinogens and marijuana by middle-aged adults, which has been on an upward trajectory for several years, peaked in 2022. Furthermore, younger adults who also took part in the annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel study reported record high levels of Read More>> About CNW420 CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis. To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor CannabisNewsWire420 Denver, Colorado http://www.CNW420.com 303.498.7722 Office [email protected] CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork. MetAlert (OTC: MLRT), a pioneer in location-sensitive, health-monitoring devices and wearable technology products for remote patient monitoring, is working with New-York-based Next Realm AI Research Lab to enhance predictive health solutions. According to the announcement, MetAlert will provide invaluable data from its current wearable technology suite to support Next Realm AIs research projects. In addition, MetAlert will offer expertise to help identify and guide the best methods to harness this data; the collaboration will primarily focus on location-centric healthcare technology. Next Realm AI Research Lab is an artificial intelligence and data analytics research center. The announcement noted that the two companies hope to sculpt the blueprint for predictive models within the ever-evolving wearable health tech sector and will work to develop the framework for predictive health models utilizing data securely and privately aggregated from wearable tech devices. Post the global pandemic, weve been exploring avenues to help improve and extend quality of life, said MetAlert CEO Patrick Bertagna in the press release. In this pursuit, AI is seemingly becoming a critical component, but to realize AIs true potential, we need data. We believe data is this eras new oil, and wearable technology is the invaluable vessel that can collect this data in real-time across the globe. To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/j51Rs About MetAlert Inc. MetAlert and its subsidiaries are engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing, distributing and licensing products, services and intellectual property in the wearable technology, personal location, wandering assistive technology, and health-data collection and monitoring business. MetAlerts versatile solutions meld effortlessly across a gamut of applications from consumer-focused products to specialized platforms tailored for enterprise and governmental audiences. With years of experience and an extensive patent portfolio, MetAlert is a leading solution provider for consumers/patients afflicted with Alzheimers, dementia and autism. This market represents approximately 2.9% of the worlds population. The company offers global end-to-end hardware, software and connectivity solutions, utilizing the latest in miniaturized, low-power consumption GPS, cellular, RF, NFC and BLE technologies, enabling caregivers to track and monitor patients in real-time. Known for its game-changing and award-winning patented GPS SmartSole(R) think Dr. Scholls meets LoJack MetAlert and its flagship product stands as the worlds premier invisible wearable monitoring solution, tailor-made for individuals vulnerable to wandering, a boon for caregivers of Alzheimers, dementia, autism and traumatic brain injury patients. MetAlerts subscription-based business model is built around technology innovation with intellectual property protection. The company has international distributors servicing customers across the globe with subscribers in more than 40 countries and is a U.S. military government contractor. Other customers include public health authorities, municipalities, emergency and law enforcement, private schools, assisted living facilities, NGOs, small business enterprises, senior care homes and consumers. For more information about this company, please visit www.MetAlert.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MLRT are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/MLRT About InvestorWire InvestorWire is the wire service that gives you more. From regional releases to global announcements presented in multiple languages, we offer the wire-grade dissemination products youll need to ensure that your next press release grabs the attention of your target audience and doesnt let go. While our competitors look to nickel and dime you with hidden fees and restrictive word limits, InvestorWire keeps things transparent. As part of its service, InvestorWire provides coverage of noteworthy announcements. To further expand visibility of achievements being made throughout a multitude of sectors, InvestorWires syndication partners have extended the digital coverage to include individual broadcasts on financial websites and platforms visited by millions of investors daily. For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: http://ibn.fm/Disclaimer InvestorWire (IW) 8033 Sunset Blvd Suite 1037-IW Los Angeles, CA 90046 310.299.1717 Office www.InvestorWire.com [email protected] InvestorWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork Middletown, Delaware--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - DisplayX, renowned for its technological advancements in out-of-home (DOOH) advertising, proudly announces the debut of its AI-Powered DOOH Platform in Times Square, New York. This launch is set to redefine outdoor advertising by introducing immersive 3D experiences, precision targeting, and real-time analytics. DisplayX To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8199/178481_85de7b5fb4ae1bec_001full.jpg Serkan Safak, the mind behind the Seo Robot project, which brought a significant shift in the digital marketing landscape, has now channeled his expertise in artificial intelligence to revolutionize DOOH advertising with DisplayX. "DisplayX signifies a new era in outdoor advertising. Our aim is to redefine audience engagement and offer an unprecedented level of data-driven decision-making in the industry," comments Serkan Safak, the founder of DisplayX. A standout feature of DisplayX is its dynamic AI-powered 3D technology. It morphs static DOOH ads into interactive experiences, leaving an indelible mark on the audience. Combined with this, the platform's advanced AI algorithms analyze various audience behavior data points, ensuring ads reach the right people at the optimal moment. Additionally, DisplayX introduces a novel ad credit system on its programmatic ad platform. Customers can buy ad credits in advance, and then bid for placements based on real-time market conditions. DisplayX charges for every 10-second ad view, making sure businesses gain the most value. For larger corporations seeking enhanced features, DisplayX provides an Enterprise Plan. This plan grants access to premium ad placements, sophisticated analytics, and priority customer service, enabling companies to understand and optimize their advertising strategies better. Streamlining campaign management is central to DisplayX's mission in revamping outdoor advertising. The unified platform offers all necessary tools, simplifying operations and giving advertisers a concise view of their campaign metrics. "Incorporating innovative technology and data-driven insights with DisplayX, we are breathing life into traditional billboards, setting the stage for the next evolution in outdoor advertising," Serkan Safak concludes. Media Details: Name: DisplayX, Inc. Email: [email protected] Phone No: +1 (650) 397-2005 City: Middletown, DE Country: USA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178481 Finnish competent authorities, at the request of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO), detained a Russian citizen who has been wanted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on suspicion of being a member of a terrorist organization, the press service of the PGO has said. "According to the investigation, the suspect, jointly with members of the 'LPR' [Luhansk People's Republic] terrorist organization, participated in military clashes in the territory of Ukraine in 2014 as a member of the so-called Rusich Sabotage Assault Reconnaissance Group. In 2016, he was notified of suspicion of being a member of the terrorist organization (Part 1 of Article 258-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," it said on the Telegram channel on Friday. Within the framework of cooperation with Europol, the PGO received information about the detention of this person in Helsinki by the Finnish Immigration Service and a possibility of his deportation to Russia. To prevent the return of the suspect to Russia, Ukrainian prosecutors sent an appeal to relevant agencies of Finland on August 15 with a request to detain the person and place him under temporary arrest, as well as provided all necessary information to ensure his detention. The initiator of the search is currently preparing the necessary materials for the extradition of the suspect. Luhansk Regional Prosecutor's Office carries out the procedural guidance in the case. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - Edison Lithium Corp. (TSXV: EDDY) (OTCQB: EDDYF) (FSE: VV00) ("Edison" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. ("Globex") dated the 11th day of July, 2023, pursuant to which the Company shall acquire from Globex the rights to certain alkali dispositions located in Ceylon Lake, Freefight Lake and the north and south areas of Cabri Lake, in the Province of Saskatchewan (collectively, the "Alkali Dispositions"). The Alkali Dispositions are summarized below: Alkali Dispositions Location Number of LSD(1) Grid Cells Acres Ceylon Lake 32 1,279.86 Freefight Lake 22 883.88 Cabri Lake North 30 1,200.79 Cabri Lake South 30 1,200.36 Total Acres: 4,564.89 (1) Unsurveyed legal subdivision Under the terms of the Agreement, Globex shall transfer all of its right, title and interest in the Alkali Dispositions to Edison in exchange for (a) a cash payment of $35,000 payable to Globex by the Company; (b) the issuance of 156,250 common shares in the capital of Edison (the "Consideration Shares") in favour of Globex; and (c) payment to Globex of a royalty of 2% of gross revenue from Commercial Production (as such term is defined in the Agreement) of mineral products by Edison. The Consideration Shares to be issued in connection with the Agreement shall be subject to a statutory hold period of four months from the date of issuance. The Agreement, including the issuance of the Consideration Shares and all other transactions contemplated by the Agreement, remain subject to all required regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Edison Lithium Corp. Edison Lithium Corp. is a Canadian-based junior mining exploration company focused on the procurement, exploration and development of cobalt, lithium, and other energy metal properties. The Company's acquisition strategy is based on acquiring affordable, cost-effective, and highly regarded mineral properties in areas with proven geological potential. Edison is building a portfolio of quality assets capable of supplying critical materials to the battery industry and intends to capitalize on and have its shareholders benefit from the renewed interest in the battery metals space. On behalf of the Board of Directors: "Nathan Rotstein" Nathan Rotstein Chief Executive Officer and Director For more information please contact: Tel: 416-526-3217 Email: [email protected] Website: www.edisonlithium.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Disclaimer: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Edison's beliefs and expectations, are forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "will be", "expect", "anticipate", "target", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "potential", "continue", "proposes", "contemplates", "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. All information provided in this news release is as of the date of this news, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, and the completion of cash payments and share issuances, and the timing thereof. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of management on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: receipt of all required stock exchange and regulatory approvals of the Agreement and transactions contemplated by the Agreement, and the satisfaction of conditions precedent in the Agreement. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/177890 Shenzhen, China--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - Eskute has unveiled a noteworthy duo of electric bicycle models designed to address urban commuting requirements, while also highlighting key aspects such as cost-effectiveness, performance, aesthetics, and eco-friendliness. Let's delve into the intricacies of these e-bikes and look how people will traverse city streets. Eskute To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8203/178230_vehementimage.jpg Among these introductions, the "Eskute Polluno" takes center stage. Crafted by Eskute as an entry-level electric bicycle with a sharp focus on commuting, the Polluno transcends its primary purpose. This e-bike's striking features and remarkable performance comprehensively address the everyday demands of commuting, setting it apart with its exceptional attributes. Boasting a plush and comfortable cushioned seat, a vibrant color LCD display, seamlessly integrated headlights, premium tires, a thumb-operated throttle, and a geared motor that produces an impressive 65 Nm of torque, peaking at 750W with a continuous power output of 500W, this bike truly redefines the commuting experience. The incorporation of a 720Wh battery sourced from renowned manufacturers Samsung and LG empowers the Polluno to achieve a range of 60 miles with pedal assist and 30 miles in pure electric mode. The bike's lightweight design, coupled with the discreet integration of the battery within the frame, gives it the look of a regular bicycle, ensuring effortless pedaling even when the battery is depleted. Its cost-effectiveness, combined with these attributes, has positioned it as the flagship bicycle within Eskute's lineup. In a league of its own, the "Eskute Star" boasts a streamlined step-through frame design. Operating as a foldable electric bicycle with an enhanced battery and suspension system, the Star showcases a substantial 960Wh Samsung/LG battery, delivering an impressive 80-mile range with pedal assistance and covering 50 miles solely on electric power. Crafted from aluminum alloy, renowned for its resistance to corrosion and rust, the Eskute Star stands out as an exceptional choice among foldable e-bikes, offering a blend of remarkable range and affordability. Featuring 20 x 4.0 inch tires and a hydraulic fork suspension, the Eskute Star excels in shock absorption, providing riders with a powerful yet exceptionally smooth and comfortable journey. Beyond its utility for daily commuting, the bike serves as an ideal companion for excursions and outdoor escapades, especially when storage space is at a premium. Eskute's dedication to catering to a wide range of riders is evident in their official availability of both the Polluno and Star models through their online store and Amazon. This line of e-bikes is tailored for diverse audiences, spanning from outdoor enthusiasts to daily commuters. To discover the e-bike that aligns with people's preferences, visit Eskute's official website at www.eskute.com. About Eskute Originating in Europe, Eskute is a prominent e-bike brand committed to expanding its product range based on customer needs. Recognized for superior quality and value, Eskute made its official entry into the U.S. market in 2023. The brand's core mission revolves around providing individuals with reliable and affordable electric bikes, promoting enhanced mobility, healthier lifestyles, and environmental sustainability. For detailed insights into Eskute's latest product offerings and to stay informed about company developments, visit their official website at www.eskute.com. The website features an extensive range of electric bikes, including off-road e-bikes, eMTBs, electric commuter bikes, folding electric bikes, and fat tire electric bikes. Explore these options and embrace the freedom of electric biking with Eskute. Media Contact: Person Name: Jason Lin Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178230 San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - Mail Order MMJ is a pioneering mail-order marijuana company based in California that has recently introduced an expansive array of Indica and Hybrid strains in response to the escalating demand for premium cannabis products. The company's commitment to quality, variety, and convenience has included highly sought-after strains such as the Gorilla Glue Strain, Master Yoda OG, Biller Kimber OG, and Purple Punch OG in its selection. As the legalization of marijuana dispensaries gains momentum across various states, the surge in demand, particularly for Californian Varieties, has paved the way for Mail Order MMJ to solidify its status as a market leader. With legislative strides inching towards the resolution of marijuana's Federal status, the anticipation of nationwide legalization has ignited a wave of interest among United States citizens. Mail Order MMJ has adeptly addressed the needs of a diverse clientele, including those in geographically remote areas like Alaska, where accessibility to quality products remains a challenge. Expanding services to these regions underscores the company's commitment to bridging gaps and ensuring equitable access to top-tier cannabis offerings. The comprehensive product lineup from Mail Order MMJ extends beyond traditional strains to encompass pre-rolls, edibles, and moon rocks. The diversification of offerings reflects the company's dedication to catering to various preferences and needs within the cannabis community. Individuals seeking alternative solutions to ailments such as migraines, appetite loss, backaches, and sores are increasingly turning to the therapeutic potential of THC and CBD. These naturally-derived remedies offer a holistic approach to health, minimizing the adverse side effects commonly associated with conventional pharmaceutical interventions, particularly within the opiate category. Key among Mail Order MMJ's strengths is its 24/7 live chat support, which serves as an invaluable resource for individuals navigating the realm of online cannabis procurement. Whether exploring how to buy weed online or seeking personalized recommendations, this feature empowers customers with real-time assistance in making informed decisions tailored to their preferences and needs. With the Mail Order, weed is conveniently accessible. Mail Order MMJ is committed to delivering unparalleled quality and service in marijuana and cannabis products. Furthermore, the company facilitates cultivation practices that prioritize excellence, and our California-based operations guarantee both the quality of the company's offerings and the fairness of the pricing. With Mail Order MMJ, users can buy edibles online legally. About the Company - Mail Order MMJ: Mail Order MMJ is an online platform that facilitates mail-order marijuana facilities. The company is headquartered in the vibrant city of San Francisco, California. Committed to delivering the utmost quality, convenience, and reliability in the cannabis industry, Mail Order MMJ has positioned itself as a trusted source of premium cannabis products. The company's website is a comprehensive hub for information on products, strains, and their descriptions. Mail Order MMJ emerges as a frontrunner in the industry, exemplifying innovation, reliability, and customer-centricity for individuals seeking legal avenues to buy edibles online. For further details, visit: http://mailordermmj.org/ Media Details: Company Name: Mail Order MMJ Contact Person: Alyssa Marker Website: http://mailordermmj.org/ Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178372 Shanghai, China--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2023) - On August 18, 2023, the 5th Anniversary Celebration of Shanghai MOYOM Bio kicked off with a unique activity. Invited representatives of the medical aesthetics industry held a wonderful discussion and joint oath from the perspective of "Practitioners of returning medical aesthetics to the true of medicine". This is not only a ceremony, but a true expression of themselves, to express everyone's love and protection of the medical aesthetics industry. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/178387_6c4a2f65c4a74b0d_001full.jpg Firstly, Shanghai MOYOM is the practitioner who adhere to the long-term development in the medical aesthetics industry. Different from other anniversary celebrations, Shanghai MOYOM's 5th anniversary celebration on August 18, 2023 was more like a collision of ideas and a call of value return in the medical aesthetics industry. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/178387_6c4a2f65c4a74b0d_002full.jpg Mr. Lin Guangming, the founder of Shanghai MOYOM Bio, a leading member of China's bio-chemical industry, knows well that there is still a big gap between China's biological materials and other countries. He believes that the direction of MOYOM's unremitting efforts is to for independent innovation, high-quality products, service for circle consumer groups, and is to become the core representative of the "Made by China in Wisdom" in the field of medical aesthetics industry. In his speech at the 5th anniversary celebration, Mr. Lin Guangming said with emotion, "Shanghai MOYOM Bio will continue to uphold the principle of returning medical aesthetics to the true of medicine, develop more safe and effective products applicable to beauty seekers, and let Made by China in Wisdom go further." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/178387_6c4a2f65c4a74b0d_003full.jpg Professor Qi Zuoliang, former president of the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (the biggest plastic surgery hospital in China), the 7th Chairman of the Plastic Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, delivered a speech: "The Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences is the multi-center of clinical trials for Shanghai MOYOM's Class III filler, named as APHRANEL MagicCrystal Filler, No any complications have occurred in the cases done so far, the results are good, and the material is completely absorbed, all is very gratifying!" Professor Qi also said that the philosophy upheld by Shanghai MOYOM lies not only in the uniqueness of the product itself, but also in the company's great attention to doctor training and education. As the theme of the celebration said, Shanghai MOYOM is committed to correctly guiding the direction, which is not only the pursuit of the company's own development, but also the responsibility for the healthy development of the entire medical aesthetics industry. Mr. Wu Jian, president of the Industrial Venture Capital Branch of CAPA (Chinese Plastic and Aesthetic Association), believes that in the medical aesthetics industry, excellent enterprises not only need keen market insight, but also need continuous innovation and persistent pursuit of quality. "Shanghai MOYOM is not only a provider for products, but also a transmitter of trust. With a professional and pragmatic attitude, MOYOM has won the firm trust of doctors and partners." Founded in 2018, Shanghai MOYOM Bio is a national innovative high-tech enterprise dedicated to the research and development, production, sales and consulting services of nano-medical biomaterials and absorbable Class III medical implant products. Successfully combined the patented CaHA microspheres with patented hydrogels to produce new tech filler and meso products with advantage of controllable degradation, for facial dynamic rejuvenation and skin health. The project originated from the "13th Five-Year Plan" National Science and Technology Major Projects. Shanghai MOYOM Bio not only has strong professional ability and R&D strength, but also in the production, the company has GMP 10,000 purification workshop, to ensure the product are safe, effective with the high quality; and for the sales, the company is bringing better treatment and service to beauty seekers in more than 30 countries around the world. Secondly, continuing to deepen, professional practitioners shall strive for excellence. Shanghai MOYOM's 5th Anniversary Celebration, it is a big gathering of people in the medical aesthetics industry and a big collision of ideas. During the special roundtable interview, with the theme of "Medical Aesthetics Returning to the True of Medicine", representatives from doctors and experts, association, scientific research, enterprises, investors, distributors and clinics group, had a professional and wonderful discussion and idea's collision, which are the great blend of academic and thinking. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/178387_6c4a2f65c4a74b0d_004full.jpg "Returning to the True of Medicine", how should we act? Mr. Wu Jian, representative of CAPA, said, "the responsibility of Chinese Plastic and Aesthetic Association is to assist the government departments to strengthen the self-discipline of the industry, establish a standardized and orderly market, and promote the continuous improvement of Chinese plastic surgery technology and service level. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the development of the industry and issue guidance." Professor Qi Zuoliang, representative of doctors and experts, said that Doctors are providers of medical aesthetics, "Return to the medical true nature" is also a return to the true nature of technology, so it is necessary to enhance and pay attention to the key role of doctor in the diagnosis and treatment; a return to the harmonious relationship between doctors and patients, and doctors should also constantly improve their own skills and aesthetic creativity. Mr. Lin Gang, representative of clinics group: attach importance to the research and development of medical technology and the construction of medical team, return to rational consumption, do not fight on pricing, and return to sustainable market competition. Lin Guangming, CEO of Shanghai MOYOM Bio, on behalf of the enterprise, said that starting from the pursuit of beauty, launching safe and effective products, the upstream also shall shoulder the heavy responsibility of market education. Professor Xu Hong, representative of research and development, said that from the actual needs of beauty seekers, safety is the first priority, innovative technology shall be constantly developed. Mr. Liu Yang, representative of the investor, said that "the key words of medical care include strictness, safety and effect. People invest in medical aesthetics industry because they think its market has huge potentiality. People choose Shanghai MOYOM Bio, first for innovative materials, and through long-term rigorous experimental and clinical testing; second, the founder has a medical background and medical thinking." Mr. Wang Xinwei, representative of distributors, "choose a partner with a sense of social responsibility and the same idea, to enhance the comprehensive service ability of distributors." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/178387_6c4a2f65c4a74b0d_005full.jpg The future development of the medical aesthetics industry has a long way to go. Only by strengthening management and striving to return to the "True of Medicine" is the way out. Shanghai MOYOM Bio is not only an enterprise, but also the practitioner and guardian of the clean environment of the medical aesthetics industry. Under such corporate culture and concept, its high-end brand "APHRANEL" and series products will be able to obtain superior reputation and achieve excellent performance in the market. Media Contact Company Name: SHANGHAI MOYOM BIOTECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. (APHRANEL) Contact: ESTELLA BI Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.mybiotec.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178387 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - New Break Resources Ltd. (CSE:NBRK)("New Break" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results from the Company's annual general meeting of shareholders held in Toronto on August 24, 2023 (the "2023 AGM"). A total of 29,052,820 common shares were represented in person or by proxy at the 2023 AGM, representing 61.07% of the Company's outstanding common shares as at the record date of July 24, 2023. Shareholders voted in favour of all matters brought before the meeting. All five director nominees listed in the Company's management information circular dated July 24, 2023 were re-elected as follows: Election of Directors Director Nominee Votes For Votes Against Michael Farrant 29,052,820 100.00% - - Ashley Kirwan 29,052,820 100.00% - - Andrew Malim 29,052,820 100.00% - - Thomas Puppendahl 29,052,820 100.00% - - Michael Skutezky 28,552,820 98.28% 500,000 1.72% At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company also unanimously approved the re-appointment of McGovern Hurley LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as the auditor of the Company and unanimously re-approved the Company's stock option plan as follows: Appointment of Auditor Outcome of the Vote Votes For Votes Withheld Carried 29,052,820 100.00% - - Re-approval of the Company's Stock Option Plan Outcome of the Vote Votes For Votes Against Carried 29,052,820 100.00% - - About New Break Resources Ltd. New Break is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a dual vision for value creation. In northern Ontario, New Break is focused on its Moray Project, in a well-established mining camp, within proximity to existing infrastructure, while at the same time, through our prospective land holdings in Nunavut, we provide our shareholders with significant exposure to the vast potential for exploration success in one of the most up and coming regions in Canada for gold exploration and production. New Break is supported by a highly experienced team of mining professionals committed to placing a premium on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance. Information on New Break is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.newbreakresources.ca. New Break began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (www.thecse.com) on September 7, 2022 under the symbol (CSE: NBRK). For further information on New Break, please visit www.newbreakresources.ca or contact: Michael Farrant, President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: 416-278-4149 E-mail: [email protected] And follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. No stock exchange, regulation securities provider, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approvals, grants of equity-based compensation, renouncement of flow-through exploration expenses, property agreements, timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, an inability to predict and counteract the effects global events on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains etc. Forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions and therefore involves inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise any forward-looking information, except as may be required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis (the "Filings"), such Filings available upon request. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178525 Hong Kong, China--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2023) - In a recent development, RedotPay has opened a new office at The Center, located at 99 Queen's Road Central, in Central, Hong Kong, reflecting the company's recognition of the Asian market's significance and its commitment. Earlier this month, RedotPay also announced the launch of its first Crypto Visa Card and App. Figure1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9711/178368_d643a57ba439293a_001full.jpg In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital finance, the newly-established RedotPay strives to incorporate cryptocurrency into everyday transactions. This blockchain technology company, based in Hong Kong, aims to deliver professional crypto payment solutions to users worldwide. "Choosing Hong Kong, particularly The Central, for our new office is a testament to our belief in the city's forward-looking approach to the crypto and blockchain industry. With the recent push by Hong Kong, allocating US$6.4 million to bolster the industry and plans for a virtual asset task force, we are convinced that this vibrant metropolis offers the ideal environment for our growth," said RedotPay. Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9711/178368_d643a57ba439293a_002full.jpg Prioritizing compliance and user safety, RedotPay is meticulous in its operations. The company is proactive in aligning with international standards and regulations. "Our primary aim is to serve as a reliable conduit in the digital transformation, maintaining user trust and ensuring secure solutions," RedotPay said. Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9711/178368_lbankfigure3.jpg For in-depth details or potential partnerships, interested parties and media representatives are encouraged to get in touch with RedotPay. About RedotPay: Established as a blockchain technology enterprise, RedotPay focuses on crypto wallet and payment mechanisms. With a vision of elevating the integration of cryptocurrency in daily routines, RedotPay ventures to redefine the parameters of digital payments. Official Websitewww.redotpay.com Twitter@RedotPay_Global Contact Details: Perry Gu [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178368 Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC (collectively, Wells Fargo) for overcharging more than 10,900 investment advisory accounts more than $26.8 million in advisory fees. Wells Fargo agreed to pay a $35 million civil penalty to settle the SECs charges. According to the SECs order,certain financial advisers from Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms agreed to reduce the firms standard, pre-set advisory fees for certain clients and made handwritten or typed changes on the clients investment advisory agreements that reflected the reduced fees at the time their accounts were opened. However, in certain instances, the account processing employees at Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms failed to enter the agreed-upon reduced advisory fee rates into the firms billing systems when setting up the clients accounts. Additionally, Wells Fargo failed to adopt and implement written compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to determine whether the billing systems it adopted contained accurate data and to prevent overbilling of the clients that the firm acquired through its predecessor firms and certain of its own new clients. As a result, Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms overcharged certain clients who opened accounts prior to 2014 for advisory fees through the end of December 2022. For years, Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms negotiated reduced advisory fees with thousands of clients, but failed to honor them, overcharging those clients millions of dollars as a result. Todays enforcement action underscores the need for firms growing their businesses through acquisition to ensure that their growth does not come at the expense of client protection, said Gurbir S. Grewal Director of the SECs Enforcement Division. Investment advisers must adopt and implement policies and procedures to ensure that they honor their agreements with all of their clients, including legacy clients of predecessor firms. Wells Fargo paid affected accountholders approximately $40 million, including interest, to reimburse them for the overcharging. Without admitting or denying the SEC charges, in addition to the $35 million penalty, Wells Fargo consented to the entry of the Commissions order finding that the firm violated Sections 206(2) and 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 206(4)-7 and agreed to a cease-and-desist order and censure. The SECs investigation was conducted by Tracy W. Lo and BeLinda I. Mathie and was supervised by Steven L. Klawans in the Chicago Regional Office. The examination that led to the investigation was conducted by Nicole N. Glim, Erik J. Lillya, Jeson G. Patel, and Willie Davis. Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Vivtone, a leading manufacturer of completely in canal hearing aids, provides superior sound quality and comfortable completely in canal hearing aids for customers worldwide. Vivtone, a leading completely in canal hearing aids manufacturer globally, is proud to announce the launch of its superior sound quality and comfortable completely in canal hearing aids for customers worldwide. With a focus on modern technology and innovation, Vivtone stands out in the industry with its discreet and powerful completely in canal hearing aids. Vivtone CIC hearing aids deliver crystal-clear sound quality even in the noisiest environments. Their CIC hearing aids have been designed by ENT doctors, audiologists, sound engineers, and hearing aid specialists for maximum accuracy. These features enable customers to benefit from effective hearing aids that are both efficient and reliable. As a leading hearing aids manufacturer, Vivtone specializes in developing, manufacturing, and selling various CIC rechargeable hearing aids. These hearing aids feature a completely in canal design, smart and easy operation, LED power display, fast charging, and noise and background cancellation, amongst other benefits. These hearing aids make the perfect choice for seniors. It even limits the battery replacement frequency significantly. Vivtone's premium selection of doctor-designed hearing aids incorporates state-of-the-art technology. The FDA-registered completely in canal hearing aids have been designed for people suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss. The company offers exceptional ongoing support to optimize the hearing experience with its highly skilled team of licensed hearing professionals. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Vivtone strives to exceed customer expectations with superior sound quality, exceptional ongoing support, proper assessment, and guidance. Vivtone's completely in canal hearing aids are discreet and powerful devices. The invisible devices fit within the ear canal entirely. They amplify the sound and then direct it into the ear canal. Vivtone CIC rechargeable hearing aids consist of an amplifier, microphone, battery, and receiver. First, the microphone picks up the sound. Then, it is converted into electrical signals and amplified. The receiver converts the amplified signals into sound waves and directs them toward the ear canal. This helps the sound waves to get detected by the auditory system. Vivtone hearing aids CIC offers reduced wind noise and cosmetic appeal. The hearing aids boost only limited advanced features and controls. The company also offers customized completely in canal hearing aids for comfortable fitting and security. The tailored fit completely in canal hearing aids delivered a personalized and snug hearing experience. This makes it suitable for long-term wear and also maximizes customer satisfaction. At Vivtone, we are dedicated to manufacturing superior quality hearing aids to help people hear once again, says the Founder of Vivtone. "Each product we deliver is fully customized to meet client requirements. We provide genuinely priced and powerful completely in canal hearing aids, which separates us from our competitors." Vivtones unwavering commitment to manufacturing excellence in completely in the canal hearing aids makes it a global industry leader in custom hearing aid solutions. About Us: Vivtone Group has more than 20 years' experience on e-commerce business, and done a lot of research on hearing aids. We know that how to judge the quality of a high-tech hearing product before selling online, how to fulfill customers' needs when they don't have an audiologist beside. We find that it's not really necessary to go to the hearing center time by time, you can find a good-fitting hearing aid online and no need to take risk of going outside. More importantly, we've saved you thousands of dollars - we're committed to making quality hearing aids more affordable. Contact Info: Name: Vivtone Email: Send Email Organization: Vivtone Phone: 833-938-1277 Website: https://vivtone.com/ Release ID: 89105819 In the event of encountering any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release, we kindly request that you immediately contact us at [email protected]. Our dedicated team will be readily accessible to address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to rectify any identified issues or facilitate press release takedowns. Ensuring accuracy and reliability are central to our commitment. DUBLIN , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Advanced Reinsurance Contracts and Disputes Masterclass Training Course" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This seminar focuses on the more advanced, up-to-the-minute issues. Reinsurance industry practices have changed in recent years, placing more and more emphasis and importance on reinsurance contract wordings. It is more apparent that a contract is only an advantage if it exactly reflects what the underwriter intended and the insured expected. If companies want to avoid lengthy and expensive disputes, they must develop clear and thorough reinsurance agreements and avoid frequent and small nuances that can land reinsurance companies in trouble. Benefits of attending Get up-to-date with the latest developments in applicable law Understand the impact of the Insurance Act 2015 and the Enterprise Act 2016 on your policy wording Hear about the role of notice, information and claims control/cooperation clauses Grasp and learn to avoid the common mistakes in drafting watertight reinsurance clauses Master the latest developments in property and casualty clauses Gain knowledge of the regulatory considerations when launching a new product Understand the implications of recent judgments involving follow clauses Learn how to be prepared for reinsurance disputes and how to deal with them when they arise Who Should Attend: Wordings technicians Reinsurance technicians Claims managers and underwriters Wordings specialists In-house lawyers Lawyers in private practice Anyone who is involved in the drafting or implementation of reinsurance wordings or who deal with reinsurance disputes Agenda Follow wordings - issues, options and effective drafting Arbitration awards, and English/foreign judgments Settlements - how to draft wide or narrow clauses "Without prejudice" and "ex-gratia" settlements Businesslike steps and the burden of proof Dealing with commutations The Insurance Act 2015 and the Enterprise Act 2016 - case update and how they impact your policy wording The legal nature of warranties (sections 9 and 10) The effect of Section 11 How to draft around section 11(3) - terms defining the risk Fair Presentation - new rules and wording tweaks Section 13A, damages for late payment of claims; key drafting issues for reinsurers Contracting out and the transparency requirements Notice, information and claims control/cooperation clauses Purpose Reporting and notice clauses - "immediate', "as soon as practicable" notice Conditions precedent Access to records clauses Late notice issues Confidentiality Drafting watertight reinsurance clauses: some common mistakes Full follow clause/back-to-back presumption Avoid incorporate Don't cut and paste Check for internal consistency between clauses Put all the clauses in the right places in the document Use clear language Make sure definitions are relevant to all uses Don't use the same words in different senses Don't rely on the courts to imply terms Developments in property and casualty clauses Wording issues for emerging and developing markets Clauses broadening cedants' rights Additional observations and developments Aggregation Drafting for the correct breadth of aggregating factor ("loss", "occurrence", "series", "event", "catastrophe", "originating cause") Hours clauses Considering drafting issues in the context of recent catastrophes including Covid-19 Practical tips Regulatory considerations when launching a new product Why is regulatory compliance important? Why is regulatory risk higher for new products? The impact of insurance regulation on the structure, content and sale of new products How do you create a compliant MVP? What are the risks of working with other business partners/distribution partners? Being prepared for reinsurance disputes: Wordings and their role in dispute resolution Governing law and jurisdiction Arbitration Mediation (and med/arb) Selection of panel members Disclosure and evidentiary matters Settlement agreements and commutations (including IBNR) Speakers: Will Reddie HFW William Reddie , Partner, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP, advises on a range of corporate and regulatory matters, focussing on clients in the insurance sector. His experience includes M&A, joint ventures, (re)insurance arrangements, commutations and transactions specific to the Lloyd's market, and insurtech products. Christopher Foster Holman Fenwick Willan Christopher Foster , Head of Holman Fenwick Willan's worldwide insurance group, is a solicitor advocate with over twenty-eight years' experience in contentious insurance and reinsurance matters, often with an international element, and commercial litigation generally. Christopher acts for insurers, reinsurers, and major insured entities and their captive insurers. Sherry Goodman-Smith DAC Beechcroft Sherry Goodman-Smith is a specialist in complex insurance and reinsurance policy coverage disputes. She joined DAC Beachcroft's Global Insurance practice as a partner, based in London , in 2021. Sherry spent the previous eight years at Simmons & Simmons, most recently as Of Counsel. There she advised London market insurers and reinsurers on large-scale coverage issues, with a particular focus on product liability and recall, international casualty and complex property claims. Duncan Strachan DAC Beachcroft Duncan Strachan is a Partner at DAC Beachcroft LLP. He specialises in complex and international (re)insurance matters across multiple lines of business. Ben Ogden Ince & Co Ben Ogden is a partner at Ince & Co. He acts for insurers, insureds and brokers in a variety of insurance disputes. He has significant expertise, gained over many years, of professional indemnity insurance, and political, trade and credit risk insurance. His professional indemnity work has focussed on lawyers, where his experience encompasses all aspects of legal practice; as well as insurance brokers, dealing with complex placements and coverage issues. In addition to his practice, Ben lectures regularly on insurance law and about alternative dispute resolution, of which he has considerable experience representing clients. Andrew Bandurka Holman Fenwick Willan Andrew Bandurka Arbitrator, Mediator and Consultant. Andrew has more than 30 years' experience in handling reinsurance disputes. He was a partner at leading international reinsurance firm, HFW and he retains a consultancy there. Simon Cooper Ince & Co Simon Cooper is a Consultant at Ince & Co LLP. He has experience of advising clients in the London and international insurance and reinsurance markets and has extensive experience of acting in large scale disputes in the English Commercial Court and appellate Courts, in ad hoc arbitrations and in overseas jurisdictions. For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ul0qb5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/advanced-reinsurance-contracts-and-disputes-masterclass-crafting-clear-and-concise-agreements---best-practices-for-mitigating-disputes-301909953.html SOURCE Research and Markets BUENOS AIRES, Argentina , Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AES Argentina Generacion S.A. Offer to Exchange Any and All of its Outstanding 7.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (CUSIP Nos.: 00107V AA1 and P1000C AA2; ISIN Nos. US00107VAA17 and USP1000CAA29) On July 13, 2023 , AES Argentina Generacion S.A. (" AES Argentina " or the " Company ") announced the commencement of its offer to exchange (the " Exchange Offer ") any and all of its outstanding 7.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the " Old Notes ") for newly issued 9.50% Notes due 2027 (the " New Notes ") and cash consideration, as applicable, each upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the exchange offer memorandum (the " Exchange Offer Memorandum "), dated July 13, 2023 , as supplemented and amended by the press release issued by the Company on July 26, 2023 (the " Early Participation Date Press Release "), extending the Early Participation Date, the supplement (the " Supplement ") dated August 8, 2023 , and the press releases issued by the Company on August 10, 2023 , August 17, 2023 , and August 21, 2023 , respectively (the " Extension Press Releases "), and the related eligibility letter (the " Eligibility Letter " and, together with the Exchange Offer Memorandum, the Early Participation Date Press Release, the Supplement and the Extension Press Releases, the " Exchange Offer Documents "). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Exchange Offer Documents. AES Argentina hereby announces that the Exchange Offer expired as of 5:00 p.m. , New York City time on August 24, 2023 (the " Expiration Date "). Morrow Sodali International LLC, acting as information and exchange agent for the Exchange Offer (the " Information and Exchange Agent "), advised AES Argentina that as of the Expiration Date (i) U.S. $46,729,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing approximately 17.02% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding, have been tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Exchange Offer under Option A, and (ii) U.S. $99,125,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing approximately 36.11% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding, have been tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Exchange Offer under Option B, totaling a participation of U.S. $145,854 ,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing approximately 53.13% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding. As previously announced on July 26, 2023, August 10, 2023 , August 17, 2023 , and August 21, 2023 , the Early Participation Date was extended from July 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on August 24, 2023 . Therefore, the Early Participation Date (as extended by such announcements) and the Expiration Date are the same. Eligible Holders who validly tendered their Old Notes before the Expiration Date are eligible to receive the Early Exchange Consideration for any such Old Notes accepted for exchange and there will be no Late Exchange Consideration. AES Argentina has decided to waive the Minimum Participation Condition. Given that AES Argentina has waived the Minimum Participation Condition and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Documents, AES Argentina has accepted for exchange all validly tendered Old Notes and intends to pay the Early Exchange Consideration for Old Notes validly tendered, together with the Accrued Interest Payment on or about August 30, 2023 (the " Settlement Date "), in compliance with Argentine Central Bank's requirements to access the foreign exchange market. On the Settlement Date, AES Argentina expects to issue U.S. $121,990,601 aggregate principal amount of New Notes and to pay U.S. $29,170 ,800 in cash consideration (excluding the Accrued Interest Payment) as total consideration for the Old Notes validly tendered in the Exchange Offer. For each U.S. $1 ,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange, Eligible Holders will receive, as applicable: (a) under Option A (Early A Consideration): approximately (i) U.S. $383 in New Notes, and (ii) U.S. $624 .2547 in cash; or (b) under Option B (Early B Consideration): U.S. $1 ,050 in New Notes. Questions or requests for assistance related to the Exchange Offer or for additional copies of the Exchange Offer Documents may be directed to the Information and Exchange Agent at the following email address: [email protected]. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer Documents are available for Eligible Holders at the following web address: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/AES. Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC are acting as dealer managers (the " Dealer Managers ") for the Exchange Offer. Banco Santander Argentina S.A., Banco Itau Argentina S.A., Itau Valores S.A. and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Argentina) S.A.U . are acting as local placement agents. Subject to applicable law, the Exchange Offer may be amended in any respect, extended or, upon failure of a condition to be satisfied or waived prior to the Settlement Date, as the case may be, terminated, at any time and for any reason. Although AES Argentina has no present plans or arrangements to do so, the Company reserves the right to amend, at any time, the terms of the Exchange Offer (including, without limitation, the conditions thereto) in accordance with applicable law. To reimburse the time and cost of processing the tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, AES Argentina will pay a processing fee to brokers in Argentina acting on behalf of certain Eligible Holders. In Argentina, the processing fee will be payable to direct participants in Caja de Valores S.A.'s ("Caja de Valores") depositary system acting on behalf of beneficial owners of Old Notes in Argentina who are individuals tendering, through Caja de Valores, Old Notes for exchange in the Exchange Offer with respect to individual tenders of up to U.S. $250,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes per each Eligible Holder that are accepted for exchange and will be in an amount equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of such tendered Old Notes that are accepted for exchange. This processing fee will be payable in Argentine pesos at the Communication "A" 3500 exchange rate published by the BCRA on the Argentine business day prior to the Settlement Date. No such fee shall be payable to brokers outside of Argentina. Important Notice This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States , and none of the New Notes has been or will be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities law. They may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. This press release does not constitute an offer of the New Notes for sale, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which any offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any person considering making an investment decision relating to any securities must inform itself independently based solely on an offering memorandum to be provided to eligible investors in the future in connection with any such securities before taking any such investment decision. This announcement is directed only to holders of Old Notes who are (1) "qualified institutional buyers" ("QIBs") as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or (2) other than " U.S. persons" (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) who are located outside of the United States , who are qualified offerees in other jurisdictions, are authorized to receive the Exchange Offer Memorandum and to participate in the Exchange Offer. No offer of any kind is being made to any beneficial owner of Old Notes who does not meet the above criteria or any other beneficial owner located in a jurisdiction where the Exchange Offer is not permitted by law. The distribution of materials relating to the Exchange Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Exchange Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Exchange Offer come into your possession, you are required by the Company to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Exchange Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Exchange Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a dealer manager or any affiliate of a dealer manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to be made by the dealer manager or such affiliate on behalf of the Company in that jurisdiction. Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations and assumptions on the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, and factors over which the Company has no control. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so, unless otherwise required by law. Notice to Investors in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation"); and (b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to subscribe for the New Notes. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore otherwise offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom . For these purposes: (a) the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA and (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and (b) the expression an offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to subscribe for the New Notes. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the " UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. The Information and Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is: INFORMATION AND EXCHANGE AGENT Morrow Sodali International LLC Offer Website: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/AES E-mail: [email protected] In Stamford : 333 Ludlow Street , South Tower , 5th Floor Stamford, CT 06902 United States Telephone: +1 203 609 4910 In London : 103 Wigmore Street W1U 1QS, London United Kingdom Telephone: +44 20 4513 6933 Any question regarding the terms of the Exchange Offer should be directed to the Dealer Managers. The Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are: Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 388 Greenwich Street , 4th Floor New York, New York 10013 United States Attention: Liability Management Group Call Collect: (212) 723-6106 US Toll-Free: (800) 558-3745 HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 452 Fifth Avenue , New York, New York 10018 Attention: Global Liability Management Group U.S. Toll-Free: (888) HSBC- 4LM Collect: (212) 525-5552 J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10179 Attn: Latin America Debt Capital Markets U.S. Toll-free: +1 (866) 846-2874 Collect: +1 (212) 834-7279 Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 United States Attention: Liability Management Collect: +1 (212) 940-1442 Toll Free: +1 (855) 404-3636 The Exchange Offer Memorandum shall be available online at https://projects.morrowsodali.com/AES until the consummation or termination of the Exchange Offer. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aes-argentina-generacion-sa-announces-the-expiration-and-final-results-of-its-exchange-offer-301909768.html SOURCE AES Argentina Generacion S.A. Syrsky: Measures on strengthening our defense taken during working trip to Kupiansk, Lyman directions Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky made a working trip to the to Kupiansk and Lyman directions of the front, the Military Media Center said. "In the course of work, together with the commanders of task forces and brigade commanders, all the necessary decisions were made and measures were taken to strengthen our defense and repel enemy attacks," he said on the Telegram channel. Syrsky said the situation in the Eastern direction of the front is still tense. "After a month of tough fighting and significant losses in to Kupiansk and Lyman directions, the enemy is regrouping its forces and assets, while simultaneously transferring newly formed brigades and divisions from the territory of Russia," the commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said. The Russians continue to powerfully fire from artillery and mortars and actively use aviation. He said the main purpose of these actions of the enemy is to increase the level of the combat potential of the invaders, as well as the resumption of active offensive operations. Highly regarded, Fortune 500 banking leader brings 25 years of financial services expertise including consumer banking, business GREEN BAY, Wis. , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) ("Associated") today announced changes involving its executive leadership team. Jayne Hladio will join Associated as the Company's next Executive Vice President, President of Private Wealth on October 2, 2023 . She will succeed John Thayer , who will continue with the company, retaining his roles as Executive Vice President, CEO of Associated Trust Company, N.A. and Chair of the Board for Associated Investment Services, Inc. Andrew Harmening , President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are delighted to welcome Jayne to our company. She brings a comprehensive background of strategic leadership, planning and executive management that will help drive our private wealth business, and an incredible, people-centered approach to her work. She's a great fit for our company and our culture." As president of private wealth, Hladio will have footprint-wide responsibility for Associated's wealth management business including private banking, financial planning, asset management, generational wealth transfer, investment and fiduciary services and trust. She will also play an influential role in advancing the company's mass affluent and digital banking strategies. A Midwest banking leader, Hladio brings more than 25 years of market expertise to Associated. She most recently served as President of Midland Wealth Management and Midland Trust Co. for U.S. markets where she led a group focused on investment and advisory, trust administration and retirement plan services. Hladio has also held leadership roles with U.S. Bank, Charter One (Citizens) Royal Bank of Scotland and Fifth Third Bank. She earned her MBA and Management Consulting Certification from Benedictine University and Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa. She will be based in Milwaukee . Commenting on her appointment, Hladio said, "I am truly honored to lead the innovative growth ambitions of Associated Bank's private wealth business and such an impressive group of professionals. I look forward to working with the team as we evolve our value proposition and customer experience." Under Thayer's guidance, Associated advanced its private wealth services and brand. At the same time, the company developed additional products and services to attract new customers who will serve as a pipeline for the ongoing expansion of its private wealth business. Harmening added, "I want to thank John for his ongoing leadership. An advocate for our customers and ambassador for our company, his involvement will continue to elevate our efforts and the value we deliver to all our stakeholders." ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $41 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin . Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin , Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin , Illinois and Minnesota . The company also operates loan production offices in Indiana , Michigan , Missouri , New York, Ohio and Texas . Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com. Media Contact: Jennifer Kaminski Vice President | Public Relations Senior Manager | 920-491-7576 | [email protected] Investor Contact: Ben McCarville Vice President | Director of Investor Relations | 920-491-7059 | [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-banc-corp-appoints-jayne-c-hladio-as-president-of-private-wealth-301909748.html SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp Veteran Mortgage Professional to Head Inaugural Tennessee Office BALTIMORE , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Home Mortgage Corporation, a leading mortgage financing company, has announced the opening of a new office branch in Sevierville, Tennessee the lender's first location within the state and the latest installment in a series of strategic expansions. At the helm of operations for this groundbreaking location is Brad Guinn , a recent addition to the First Home Mortgage leadership team and a seasoned mortgage professional with 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Guinn, who will be serving as the Sevierville office's branch manager, has a background in accounting, finance, and higher education. His career highlights include leading sales teams, expertise in construction financing, and delivering seminars and training courses for prospective homebuyers. "I'm both humbled and excited for this opportunity to build a strong team and support a thriving business within the East Tennessee housing market," said Guinn. "As someone deeply rooted in the local community, I am dedicated to providing unparalleled service, expert guidance, and a seamless mortgage experience to the residents of Sevierville and beyond." Guinn's dedication to community-focused lending aligns strongly with the business strategies of First Home Mortgage. Drawing from his extensive experience of educating and assisting homebuyers and homeowners across Tennessee , he places a premium on building lasting relationships, maintaining consistency, and ensuring transparent communication with clients and partners. His commitment to delivering dependable, convenient, and positive interactions has solidified his reputation as a trusted advisor within the industry and a proven loan officer and branch manager. "Brad's financial expertise and community-oriented approach perfectly position him as a strong fit and valuable addition to the First Home team," said Matt Nader , Senior Vice President and Director of Sales for First Home Mortgage. "We welcome Brad as the leader of our inaugural office in the state of Tennessee and eagerly anticipate the positive impact he and his team will make in Sevierville and the surrounding area." The opening of the Sevierville branch marks a significant milestone for First Home Mortgage, as it enters Tennessee to extend its comprehensive support to residents in the region. "We're entering a new era of growth and potential with the launch of this office," Nader added. "Brad and his team will lead us in offering new pathways to homeownership for the people of Tennessee ." About First Home Mortgage First Home Mortgage is a licensed, full service, residential lender, with a deep bench of dedicated loan officers who guide borrowers throughout the entire mortgage process and offer continued support long after a loan has closed. We are committed to delivering exceptional customer service that not only fulfills goals but exceeds expectations. Founded in 1990 with two offices and a handful of employees, First Home Mortgage has since grown into a financial institution of 33 offices serving 21 states in the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern regions. First Home Mortgage was recognized by the Scotsman Guide in 2022 as a top 50 lender nationally by total volume. For more information and company news visit firsthome.com/about-us Copyright 2023 First Home Mortgage Corporation. All Rights Reserved View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-home-mortgage-corporation-expands-to-sevierville-tn-with-new-branch-led-by-brad-guinn-301910336.html SOURCE First Home Mortgage BEL AIR, Md. , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harford Mutual Insurance Group today announced Matt Summerell has been promoted from Southern Regional Business Manager to Director of Business Development. In his new role, Summerell will be responsible for creating and executing Harford Mutual's overall business development strategy. Harford Mutual currently writes business in ten states and Washington, D.C. Summerell's promotion comes as Clearpath Specialty (formerly ClearPath Mutual), a monoline workers' compensation insurance carrier based in Louisville, Kentucky , recently merged into Harford Mutual Insurance Group. As Director of Business Development, Summerell will also be focused on managing business development efforts, partnerships, and solutions for all regional offices. "With Matt in the role of Director of Business Development, I'm confident we will continue to grow and build upon our success as a regional carrier of choice," said Jeff Rink , Executive Vice President of Harford Mutual Insurance Group. Summerell joined Harford Mutual in 2018 and has been integral in driving the company's southern state expansion into South Carolina and Georgia . Harford Mutual's growth in the southern region has increased from $46 million in 2018 to $98 million in 2022. Summerell also oversaw the opening of Harford Mutual's Southern Office in Fort Mill, South Carolina , in 2019. "I'm looking forward to working with the entire team to grow our books of business, particularly as we expand our workers' compensation offerings," said Summerell. "In this new role, I plan to continue to drive profitable growth and bring new ideas to the business development team." Summerell has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience, having previously served as Senior Territory Manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance and Marketing Manager at Central Mutual Insurance Company. About Harford Mutual Insurance Group Harford Mutual Insurance Group, founded in 1842 in Harford County, Maryland , provides commercial property and casualty insurance products and services to a regional market. Harford Mutual, a Ward's 50 top performing insurance company in 2021 & 2022, ended 2022 with $327 million in direct written premium sold through nearly 450 independent agents in ten states and Washington, D.C. Harford Mutual is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. For more information, visit www.HarfordMutual.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/matt-summerell-promoted-to-director-of-business-development-at-harford-mutual-insurance-group-301910391.html SOURCE Harford Mutual Insurance Group Volunteer firefighters employed by John Deere can leave work to respond to an emergency call WASHINGTON , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Once upon a time, employers used to let volunteer firefighters leave work to answer an emergency call. This was especially beneficial in small-town and rural communities, where the majority of firefighters are volunteers. It ensured enough responders would show up during weekday emergencies when the volunteers were at their "day jobs." While most companies ended this practice decades ago, one company is turning back that clock and making it easier for volunteer firefighters who live where they work to punch out long enough to turn out for a 911 call. The perk, which falls under John Deere's Power for Good program, lets workers who are volunteer firefighters leave work to respond to calls. They can also come in late if they were on an early morning call. While many of the Deere production workers are located in more rural communities, the option is open to all Deere employees around the globe. Power for Good is operated by John Deere's charitable arm, the Deere Foundation. The company is the main financial contributor to the foundation. It's a perk that means something to its employees. Jake Smith has been a volunteer firefighter for nearly 30 years and a product development specialist for John Deere for the past five years. Being available for his community is critical to why he continues to volunteer. "What if there was a call and nobody showed up?" Smith asked. Glenn Pope is a chief product verification and validation engineer at Deere who also serves as a lieutenant and medical officer for the Greene Township Fire Protection District in Viola, IL. "When I first got married," Pope said, "we had an elderly neighbor next door, just the nicest guy, and I found myself wondering about what if something happened. It wasn't a very hard stretch for me to say, 'What would I do for Bill?'" Like most volunteer firefighters, Deere employees understand what level of personal sacrifice is needed and why that sacrifice is so important to the community. Deere, apparently, gets it too. This is no small sacrifice for a company bound by tight production schedules and a specialized workforce. When workers leave their post to fight a fire, production slows. Although Deere does not pay its volunteer firefighters for their time away from the job, employees can earn money for the fire department for the number of hours they volunteer. Employees who volunteer their time for a recognized 501(c)(3) organization such as a volunteer fire department can log those hours and designate a charitable organization. The Deere Foundation gives money to those organizations based on the hours employees volunteer. In fact, employees do not have to allocate the money they earn to the group they volunteer for. That means employees who are not volunteer firefighters who donate their time to another group, can direct those earnings to a volunteer fire department. In 2021, the Foundation pledged to spend $200 million over the next 10 years $50 million is set aside for this volunteer program. Volunteer firefighting has consistently logged the most hours by Deere employees when compared with other volunteering outlets. In 2022, Deere employees clocked more than 13,000 hours across five states, which led to nearly $224,000 donated. This made Fire Protection one of the top categories by hours recorded across the company globally. And all those hours were recorded by only 79 of the company's more than 82,000 employees. "We know we have more employees providing this kind of tremendous community support," Nate Clark , global director for corporate social responsibility, said. "So the goal becomes how do we get more people to understand and take advantage of the benefits that Power for Good can provide? We know more volunteer firefighters are needed all over the United States and beyond." While not part of the volunteer program, Deere funded a full-length documentary movie that explores the life of volunteer firefighters around the country. The film, " Odd Hours , No Pay, Cool Hat," was available throughout the spring and summer for local fire departments to host community screenings to help increase recruitment. It is now available on streaming platforms nationally; information can be found at www.oddhoursfilm.com/watch. "A topic like this is part of our legacy because John Deere, as a person, was a firefighter," Clark said. "And we've been protected by customers, dealers, colleagues, and loved ones who served as volunteer firefighters over our entire history." One way communities, or companies like John Deere, can do more to bolster the ranks of volunteer firefighters is to engage in recruiting programs such as the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) Make Me A Firefighter campaign. Make Me A Firefighter is a national volunteer firefighter and EMS recruitment campaign launched in 2015 by the NVFC to help departments reach new members. The NVFC has been awarded three federal grants to conduct this nationwide campaign, which features a department portal filled with resources and tools for implementing a local recruitment campaign as well as a public web site to allow potential volunteers to find local opportunities. Learn more at https://makemeafirefighter.org/info. About The National Volunteer Fire Council The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical advocacy, resources, programs, and education for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-volunteer-fire-council-commends-employer-for-supporting-volunteers-301910283.html SOURCE National Volunteer Fire Council PARSIPPANY, N.J. , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE: PBF) announced today that it will release its earnings results for the third quarter 2023 on Thursday, November 2, 2023 . The company will host a conference call and webcast regarding quarterly results and other business matters on Thursday, November 2, 2023 , at 8:30 a.m. ET . The call is being webcast and can be accessed at PBF Energy's website, http://www.pbfenergy.com. The call can also be accessed by dialing (877) 869-3847 or (201) 689-8261. The audio replay will be available approximately two hours after the end of the call and will be available through the company's website. About PBF Energy Inc. PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE: PBF) is one of the largest independent refiners in North America , operating, through its subsidiaries, oil refineries and related facilities in California , Delaware , Louisiana , New Jersey and Ohio . Our mission is to operate our facilities in a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner, provide employees with a safe and rewarding workplace, become a positive influence in the communities where we do business, and provide superior returns to our investors. PBF Energy is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture focused on the production of next generation sustainable fuels. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pbf-energy-to-release-third-quarter-2023-earnings-results-301910274.html SOURCE PBF Energy Inc. LINCOLN, Neb. , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lancaster County Agricultural Society has approved a contract with Sandhills Global, Inc., for naming rights at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska . As part of the $7.125 million , 15-year naming rights agreement, the center will become the Sandhills Global Event Center , and the seven largest spaces on the 160-acre county fairgrounds will also be renamed, effective December 1, 2023 . The Sandhills Global Event Center will remain the county's largest event complex, stimulating $60 to $70 million in annual visitor spending, and will continue to host the annual Lancaster County Super Fair. To date, the event center accommodates over 300 events and 600,000 visitors each year. "This naming rights agreement supports the long-time mission and priorities of the Ag Society," commented Kendra Ronnau , Ag Society President. "Our founders' vision 22 years ago set the stage for ongoing success at Lancaster's county fairgrounds, where our skilled team continues to host and enhance the Super Fair, 4-H/FFA youth engagement, and other vital ag education and community events." Sandhills' products and solutions include brands dedicated to equipment sales, livestock and hay sales, online auctions, high-dollar asset financing, heavy-haul shipping, and more. These brands serve the needs of farm and ranch operations as well as the commercial transport, construction, and aviation industries across the U.S. and internationally. "Sandhills' brands align well with the types of events and visitors at the future Sandhills Global Event Center and stand to benefit both organizations and the community at large," said Sandhills Chief Executive Officer Shawn Peed . "We are proud to support this valuable, hometown facility that serves and engages all elements of our great ag community." In addition to the event center name change, specific venues will be renamed to reflect relevant Sandhills products. The event center's four pavilions and multi-purpose area will be renamed the Currency Pavilion , EquineMarket Pavilion , LivestockMarket Pavilion , TractorHouse Pavilion , and FR8Star Pavilion to include Sandhills' equipment financing, horse, livestock, ag equipment, and freight/equipment shipping brands. The Grandstand Arena will become the AuctionTime Grandstand Arena , and the campground will be aptly named RVUniverse Campgrounds for Sandhills' RV marketplace. Amy Dickerson , Lancaster Event Center Managing Director, said, "The Ag Society will implement the new name across the fairgrounds with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the new exterior and interior signage to be held before the end of the year." About Sandhills Global Sandhills Global is an information processing company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska . Our products and services gather, process, and distribute information in the form of trade publications, websites, and online services that connect buyers and sellers across the construction, agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, commercial trucking, and aviation industries. Our integrated, industry-specific approach to hosted technologies and services offers solutions that help businesses large and small operate efficiently and grow securely, cost-effectively, and successfully. Sandhills Globalwe are the cloud. Contact Sandhills https://www.sandhills.com/contact-us 800-331-1978 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sandhills-global-announces-naming-rights-partnership-with-lancaster-event-center-301910082.html SOURCE Sandhills Global 'Sistas In Sales Summit' announces its expansion with the introduction of a week-long series of programming and private events for executive and aspiring women of color sales professionals NEW YORK , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sistas In Sales (SIS), the leading global organization serving women of color across the sales sector is thrilled to announce that acclaimed actress producer and advocate, Kerry Washington , will serve as the keynote speaker for its annual Sistas In Sales Summit. Celebrating its sixth year, the 2023 Sistas In Sales Summit presented by Walmart Connect, welcomes the introduction of #SISWeek, a week-long series of programming and private events across New York City , leading to the culminating conference taking place Thursday, September 21st through Saturday, September 23rd at the Glasshouse in Midtown East New York City's preeminent 75,000 square foot venue with breathtaking views and cutting-edge technology. The expansion is a testament to the summit's theme, "We Are Here," which serves as a proclamation empowering the identities, ingenuity and advancement of women of color in sales, while also emphasizing the network's commitment to creating a hub for industry innovation and pipeline opportunities for professionals to succeed within the sector. "We are thrilled to welcome Kerry Washington as our keynote speaker and to introduce an exciting expansion. Kerry Washington's achievements as a trailblazer and dedication to equity and social causes deeply resonate with our mission. Her participation is expected to be a source of inspiration and empowerment for attendees, echoing the organization's commitment to representation and diversity, said Chantel George , CEO and Founder of Sistas In Sales. Chantel George expressed, "This year is special because we are expanding our content to provide solutions to the specific needs of mid-senior-level professionals while also building pipeline opportunities for early-career professionals to start with success. We are grateful to our partners for supporting our vision of taking our programming a step further this year and look forward to connecting with our global community of women in NYC this year." Deepening its commitment to its 8,000-strong community of mid-senior level sales professionals around the world, the Leadership Summit sponsored by Google is a one-day, invite-only event tailored for senior leaders that will address topics inclusive of AI, cloud, people management, P&L, strategic business and more. Commencing the 6th Annual Conference programming is the first Sistas In Sales Power 100 Gala, which is set to honor industry trailblazers including Bonita Stewart , VP of Global Partnerships at Google; Ben Keith , Strategy and Business Development Manager of DEI at Walmart Connect; Michelle Ward McGee , Director of Global Culture at Microsoft; and Aimee Frank , Area Vice President of Marketing Cloud at Salesforce. #SISWeek will feature a series of private brunches, lunches, dinners, and happy hours hosted by Netflix and Walmart Connect tailored and introduces three new experiences the Aspiring Sellers Summit ( Sept. 20 ), Leadership Summit ( Sept. 21 ) and the first-ever Sistas in Sales Power 100 Honoree Gala ( Sept. 21 ). Identifying the need for pipelines of access and opportunity that nurture the advancement of the next generation of sales professionals, the Aspiring Seller Summit, taking place at LinkedIn's New York City location, is SIS's inaugural event designed exclusively for early talent, recent graduates, and individuals transitioning into sales. Powered by SAP, Unilever, Microsoft, Opportunity @ Work and LinkedIn, the one-day event will feature unique content and resources to jumpstart the success of early-career sales professionals. The 2023 Sistas in Sales Summit is also supported by Oracle, Motive, Workday, Braze, Dynatrace, Pinterest, Snapchat, Docusign and TikTok. This one-of-a-kind in-person experience will be full of executive conversations and intimate networking opportunities to connect industry leaders and rising professionals in the sales community. To learn more, please visit www.sistasinsales.com . Follow SIS on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . Media inquiries please contact [email protected] . About Sistas In Sales, Inc.: Since 2018, Sistas In Sales (SIS) has worked to empower women of color through distinct networking, training, and career opportunities across the sales sector. SIS is the first international organization to serve women of color in professional sales careers with more than 8,000 members across the globe. SIS's membership represents a broad range of diverse women in media, software, finance, IT, education, and tech sales - with a focus on sharing knowledge and resources to build community, sisterhood, and empowerment through mastering the sales craft. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sistas-in-sales-announces-kerry-washington-as-the-keynote-speaker-for-its-sistas-in-sales-summit-the-worlds-largest-conference-for-women-of-color-in-sales-301910275.html SOURCE Sistas In Sales EDMONDS, Wash. , Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Marin Sorin Caba is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Professional for his contributions to the Water Damage Restoration Industry. Launching his career in the construction field in 1996, Mr. Caba discovered a passion for helping create structures and fix issues which led him to study environmental protection. Combining the two skills, he created a water restoration company and notes that he was encouraged and inspired by several mentors in the water damage restoration field. He became certified for water damage restoration by the IICSC Institute and his company, American Water and Damage Restoration, was designated by the County Advisory Board as a Top Gun Snohomish County Water Damage Restoration Company. As the owner and project manager for his company, Mr. Caba has many responsibilities, including providing residential and commercial water damage restoration to clients who need immediate assistance. He notes that since 2021, American Water and Damage Restoration is a full-service water damage restoration company in Snohomish County, Washington offering restoration services to residential and commercial properties affected by water, storms, mold, and fire damage in Edmonds , Seattle , and Puget Sound areas. The business professional also asserts that the American Water Damage Restoration Company is licensed; bonded; insured; IICRC certified; and accredited by Restoration Industry Association and the Better Business Bureau. A leader in his community as well as the water damage restoration field, Mr. Caba is affiliated with the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce; Better Business Bureau; and the IICSC Association and is recognized as an exemplary business owner that adds financial well-being and stability to Snohomish County . His motto is "As long as you want to dream, the American Dream is still real." Looking to the future, Mr. Caba hopes to influence local legislation affecting his industry and community while providing exemplary service in the coming years. A native of Romania , the entrepreneur believes that he has attained the American Dream and encourages others to never give up on their goals. Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-marin-sorin-caba-as-a-top-pinnacle-professional-for-his-contributions-to-the-water-damage-restoration-industry-301909663.html MONTREAL , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Thryv Therapeutics Inc. today announced positive results of the WAVE 1 Proof of Concept clinical study evaluating LQT-1213 for the reduction of QTcF in individuals with dofetilide-induced long QT. LQT-1213 is a potent and selective inhibitor of Serum Glucocorticoid inducible Kinase 1 (SGK-1), which is implicated in QTc prolongation. Long QT Syndrome, or LQTS, is a disorder of the heart's electrical system causing the lower chambers of the heart to contract and release too slowly. LQTS can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital LQTS is a set of rare orphan diseases in which people are genetically predisposed to chronic prolongation of their QTc interval (commonly more than 480 milliseconds), leading to increased risk of torsades de pointes, a lethal cardiac arrhythmia that causes sudden cardiac death. Acquired Long QT may develop from the administration of therapies which block electrical pathways in the heart, leading to a similar mechanistic prolongation of QT and risk of sudden cardiac death. In the WAVE 1 study, mean reductions in QT from baseline (measured as QTcF) were statistically significant beginning at the two-hour time-point on day four of LQT-1213 dosing. In a predefined subset of individuals who experienced larger dofetilide-induced prolongation of QTcF, individuals treated with LQT-1213 achieved more robust, clinically meaningful reductions of QT consistent with scientific evidence of SGK-1 activation in LQTS. LQT-1213 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events or treatment related study discontinuations. No QTcF over-shortening was observed in the study. There were no observed changes in ECG morphology, heart rate, or blood pressure. The company plans to present full data from the study at an upcoming scientific meeting. "Over the past few years, our research has continued to validate the pathogenic role of SGK-1 in rare arrhythmias. We now have the first in human evidence of the benefits of targeting this activated kinase to reduce prolonged QTc," commented Philip Sager , MD, Chief Medical Officer of Thryv Therapeutics. "With this initial safety and efficacy data in hand, clinical testing can commence in people with Congenital Long QT Syndrome Types 2 and 3, where chronic and substantial QTc prolongation can lead to lethal ventricular arrhythmias." In preclinical studies of dofetilide-induced long QT or in experiments utilizing stem cells from individuals with congenital Long QT Syndrome Type 2 and Type 3, LQT-1213 reproducibly and markedly reduced the QTc and APD and, in some cases, fully corrected pathogenic prolongation without any instances of over-shortening. "Serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase (SGK) activity is upregulated in patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cellderived cardiomyocytes stemming from Long QT Syndrome," commented Saumya Das , MD, PhD, and Principal Scientific and Medical Advisor of Thryv Therapeutics. "Activation of SGK-1 in the heart markedly increases the late sodium current preferentially leading to prolongation of the action potential duration and an increased propensity to develop arrhythmias. This latest data builds further on our understanding of the potential for SGK-1 inhibition to provide a new option for individuals with Long QT Syndrome." Part two of the WAVE 1 study is currently enrolling a small cohort of patients with congenital Long QT Syndrome Types 2 and 3. The company anticipates finalizing the results of part one of this study in the coming weeks and discussing the path to registration with the US FDA in early 2024. Pivotal studies in patients with congenital Long QT Syndromes are anticipated to begin in 2024. "My daughter's journey with Long QT Syndrome Type 3 ended abruptly and tragically in October of 2022. Isla had a very aggressive form of Long QT and despite multiple interventions, shocks from her defibrillator, and unapproved medicines, she was a happy girl who touched the lives of so many. I'm beyond happy to know that help is on the way, and I know she would be too," commented David Hutton of Bury, United Kingdom . David is a founder and trustee of Team 1C, a charity dedicated to raising funds to help parents and families with healthcare costs. David's daughter, Isla, passed away at the age of six and a half. She was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome Type 3 at birth. About WAVE 1 Part one of the WAVE 1 crossover study included twenty-three (23) trial completers who received high dose dofetilide, which prolongs QTc and acutely imitates congenital Long QT Syndrome. During the two eight-day clinical study periods individuals received doses of dofetilide and either placebo or three increasing doses of LQT-1213 in a crossover design. Rigorous QTc analyses were performed on days four, six, and eight. Changes in study participants' QTc on day four, six and eight were compared to their own placebo time periods throughout the course of the study. Part two of the WAVE 1 clinical study is currently enrolling a small cohort of individuals with genetically proven Congenital Long QT Syndrome Type 2 and Type 3. This study will provide information about the safety of LQT-1213 before initiation of clinical studies in congenital LQTS patients. More about the WAVE 1 (part 1 and 2) can be found at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05906732. About Long QT Syndrome Congenital Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a rare genetic condition that causes a prolongation between the beginning of the ECG QRS complex and the end of the T wave, representing cardiac repolarization. The lengthening of the interval can lead to unexpected and life-threatening arrhythmias called torsades de pointes. Studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between the length of the QTc interval and the risk of sudden cardiac death in LQTS patients. Shortening this interval would result in a reduction of sudden death, syncope, and cardiac arrhythmias in patients with Congenital Long QT Syndrome. More information about Long QT Syndrome can also be found at www.sads.org. About Thryv Therapeutics Thryv Therapeutics Inc. is a privately owned, clinical stage company based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada . Thryv Therapeutics is pioneering a precision medicine approach to treat genetic and drug-induced Long QT Syndromes, atrial fibrillation, and resistant cancers with potent and selective inhibitors of Serum Glucocorticoid inducible Kinase. For more information, please visit www.thryvtrx.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thryv-therapeutics-announces-positive-results-from-the-wave-1-proof-of-concept-study-in-long-qt-syndrome-lqt-1213-rapidly-and-meaningfully-reduces-qt-interval-in-individuals-with-prolonged-qt-induced-by-dofetilide-301910091.html SOURCE Thryv Therapeutics Inc. CHANGZHOU, China , Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar has yet again extended its international footprint with the production of 210mm monocrystalline silicon wafers in Vietnam . The first wafers rolled off the production line of the factory in the city of Thai Nguyen , 80 kilometers north of Hanoi , on Aug 23 rd. The factory will be able to produce 6.5GW of wafer annually. With this new capacity, Trina Solar will have greater flexibility in being able to deliver its products worldwide. The production green light was given on July 31 , and the first 12-inch monocrystalline silicon rod rolled off the assembly line on Aug. 4 , foreshadowing production of the first wafers. In addition to the new factory's wafer production capacity of 6.5GW, it has cell capacity of 4GW and module capacity of 5GW. The silicon wafer factory includes monocrystalline pulling, silicon rod square processing, slicing and silicon processing. The wafers produced are primarily used in cell and module production at Trina Solar's sites in Vietnam and Thailand , including Trina Solar's supply to the U.S. market. Vertex modules that Trina produces outside China , help meet the growing worldwide demand for PV modules with high power, high efficiency, high reliability, high energy yield and low LCOE. The Vietnam factory's production of silicon rods and wafers will ensure a steady supply of materials for other module production sites the company has overseas. Trina Solar, committed to becoming a global leader in smart solar energy solutions, is fulfilling its mission of "solar energy for all" not only by making more competitive products but also by creating work opportunities. The Thai Nguyen wafer factory employs 700 locals. The company is also committed to the principles and practices of sustainable development, building a cohesive industrial ecosystem both at home and abroad. With the production of 210mm n-type i-TOPCon cells in Qinghai province commencing in early August, Trina Solar integrated the entire process of the Qinghai factory and is accelerating the formation of an integrated n-type industrial layout. In the n-type era, Trina Solar leads the industry with exceptional products in a collaborative ecosystem that covers the entire industry chain. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trina-solar-begins-producing-210mm-monocrystalline-wafers-in-vietnam-301909963.html SOURCE Trina Solar Co., Ltd MFA addressing case of six Ukrainians who were forcibly removed to Russia, stuck between Russian, Georgian borders Six Ukrainian citizens, five of whom are former detainees from Kherson region who had been forcibly removed to Russia, are stuck in the neutral zone between the borders of Russia and Georgia. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine is addressing their case. Georgian media reported that six Ukrainian citizens have been staying in the neutral zone between Russia and Georgia, next to the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, for a week. "They are former detainees from Kherson region who were removed by Russian security forces during the retreat to serve their prison terms in Russia. Another one is a Ukrainian who entered Russia and got into a filtration camp," the News Georgia online media outlet said. The volunteers have provided the Ukrainian citizens with food, water and medicines. The Foreign Ministry of Georgia said it has offered assistance to the Ukrainian Embassy to let these people enter its territory and pass them to Ukraine. A special meeting has been held to discuss the issue with Ukraine's Charge d'Affaires Oleksandr Shulha. The diplomat said he has sent the information to Kyiv and was waiting for further instructions. "The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine, together with the competent agencies of Ukraine, are addressing the case of six Ukrainians who are at the Russian-Georgia border now. According to the available information, the citizens were serving sentences in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and were removed by the Russian occupation army to Russia," the ministry's press service told Interfax-Ukraine. The ministry also said that information about the persons and the legal aspects of their sentences are being checked, and the issue of their return to Ukraine is being studied. By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - At least five people died and hundreds of thousands were left without power when a tornado and severe thunderstorms ripped through Michigan on Thursday night, causing downing of trees, damage to homes and traffic disruption, officials said on Friday. The tornado crossed the Interstate 96 highway to the southeast of Lansing while flipping cars, with one person dying and three being left wounded along I-96, the Ingham County Emergency Management said. Another person passed away when a tree fell on a home in Lansing, the state capital, emergency officials added. Three other people - a woman in her early 20s, a 1-year-old girl and a 3-year-old girl - died in a storm-related car accident near Cedar Springs in western Michigan, the Kent County Sheriff's Office said. The tornado with winds up to 90 miles (145 km) per hour ripped through Ingham County and crossed into Livingston County on Thursday night, according to officials. "There was at least one mobile home flipped over in the Frenchtown Villa Mobile Home Park," Steve Considine, a local weather forecaster and official, was quoted as saying in The Detroit News. "We have been working with local authorities throughout the night to monitor damage from the recent severe weather," Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in an online post on X, formerly called Twitter. She added she will declare a state of emergency to help deliver resources to the affected areas at the earliest. Over 460,000 customers in Michigan were without power as of Friday noon, according to the Poweroutage.us website. The number was near a million in the late hours of Thursday and early hours of Friday. Deadly tornadoes and thunderstorms also recently hit the U.S. Midwest and South, leaving dozens of homes damaged and at least three people dead in Indiana and Arkansas in late June. Dozens were left dead after storms and tornadoes ripped through Southern and Midwestern sections of the U.S. in late March and early April. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington) FILE PHOTO: A pedestrian carrying an umbrella walks along the River Thames in view of City of London skyline in London, Britain, July 31, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo By Lewis Jackson and Praveen Menon SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's second-largest pension fund plans to open its first overseas office by mid-2024, its chief investment officer said on Friday, the latest retirement manager to look overseas as the country's pension sector outgrows the home market. The move will put Australian Retirement Trust (ART), which has A$240 billion ($154 billion) in assets, closer to its private equity and debt managers and help clinch more co-investment deals, where private managers offer investors direct stakes, Chief Investment Officer Ian Patrick told Reuters on Friday. "There's no doubt if you are talking to them regularly in their time zone and their market you're more inclined to get the co-investment flow," Patrick said. The fund's biggest private equity mandates are with HarbourVest, Neuberger Berman and Stepstone Group, according to public filings. The team will "almost certainly" be based in London and only be small because ART relies mostly on external managers, Patrick said, adding the office would likely open between now and mid-2024. "We want a little bit of presence in offshore markets but we don't want to build 100 people, we will do it slowly and surely," Patrick said. A decision on a second overseas office would be made 12 to 24 months after the first opens. Australia's A$2.4 trillion professional pension sector is increasingly looking to overseas markets to deploy the funds generated by a system which sets aside 11% of a worker's pay-packet for retirement. Australian Retirement Trust's light footprint contrasts with rivals AustralianSuper or Aware Super who are bringing more funds management in-house and recruiting big teams at home and in London and New York. ART invests roughly two-thirds of all new money funds overseas. The fund remains moderately overweight Japanese equities despite the 23% run clocked by the benchmark Nikkei 225 this year, Patrick said. Japanese corporate earnings had long lagged OECD averages and the fund first bet in 2019 the gap would narrow. Patrick also said the fund had some investments in Chinese real estate and private equity, which "has been a more productive way to play some of the thematics of globalisation and growth in China." ($1 = 1.5603 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Lewis Jackson and Praveen Menon; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) A woman lights a candle in front of a portrait of Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at a makeshift memorial in Moscow, Russia August 24, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer MOSCOW (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that he had warned Russian mercenary chiefs Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin to watch out for possible threats to their lives, and he insisted that Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. President Putin initially vowed to crush Prigozhin's June mutiny, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolution of 1917, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus. Lukashenko, who helped broker the deal, used prison slang shortly after the mutiny to say that he had persuaded Putin not to "wipe out" the mercenary who was listed as a passenger on a private jet which crashed on Wednesday north of Moscow. Prigozhin, Lukashenko said on Friday, had twice dismissed concerns raised by the Belarusian leader about possible threats to his life. Lukashenko said that during the mutiny he had warned Prigozhin that he would "die" if he continued to march on Moscow, to which he said Prigozhin had answered: "'To hell with it - I will die'." Then, Lukashenko said, when Prigozhin and Utkin, who helped found Wagner and was also listed as a passenger on the plane which crashed, had come to see him, he had warned them both: "Lads - you watch out". It was not exactly clear from Lukashenko's words, which were reported by state news agency BELTA, when that conversation took place. Lukashenko, both an old acquaintance of Prigozhin and close ally of Russia, said that Putin had nothing to do with the plane crash. "I know Putin: he is calculating, very calm, even tardy," Lukashenko said. "I cannot imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is to blame. It's just too rough and unprofessional a job." The Kremlin said on Friday that Western suggestions Prigozhin had been killed on its orders were an "absolute lie" while declining to definitively confirm his death, citing the need to wait for test results. Lukashenko said Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. "Wager lived, Wagner is living and Wagner will live in Belarus," Lukashenko said. "The core remains here." "As long as we need this unit, they will live and work with us," he said. (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Hugh Lawson) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is free to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), China's Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said on Friday in New Delhi, adding that it would boost trade between India and China which is growing "very fast". The RCEP is the world's largest trade bloc backed by China and groups 15 Asia-Pacific economies, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand and 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Relations have soured between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after clashes at a disputed border site in Ladakh in the western Himalayas resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers in June 2020. Shouwen, speaking during a discussion at the 'Business 20 summit' of G20 member nations, said it was India's decision whether to join the RCEP and that the door was "always open". India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, who chaired the discussion, said trade between India and China is growing but "largely skewed in China's favour". Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to China's President Xi Jinping about India's concerns over unresolved border issues on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg this week. Both sides agreed to intensify efforts to disengage and de-escalate, India's foreign secretary told reporters on Thursday. Xi told Modi that improving China-India relations served the interests of the two countries and was conducive to peace, stability, and development, according to China's official Xinhua news agency, which said the meeting was at Modi's request. (Reporting by Shivangi Acharya; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) (Reuters) -Databricks, a data analytics platform using artificial intelligence, is in discussions with T. Rowe Price about a new funding round that would value the company at $43 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. These private discussions are at a preliminary stage and could fall apart, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter. If the round is successful, the San Francisco-based startup's valuation would be considerably higher than the $38 billion it reached two years ago in funding led by Counterpoint Global, according to the Bloomberg. Databricks offers a software platform in the cloud that companies can use to analyze data. Databricks declined to comment, while T. Rowe Price did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a comment. (Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) T-shirts with an image depicting the mugshots of former President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani are pictured at the Y-Que printing store in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni By Gram Slattery, Nathan Layne and Blake Brittain WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former U.S. President Donald Trump's historic mug shot, posted by a Georgia courthouse on Thursday evening, is being turned into T-shirts, shot glasses, mugs, posters and even bobblehead dolls by friends and foes alike. The shot of Trump with a red tie, glistening hair, and an icy scowl was taken as the Republican presidential front-runner was arrested on more than a dozen felony charges, part of a criminal case stemming from his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Supporters and campaign managers have embraced the image of his arrest, as they rally around Trump's claims that the charges against him are politically motivated. To critics, the photo is a symbol that his long list of legal woes has finally caught up to him. Trump's Save America fundraising committee is selling "NEVER SURRENDER!" mug shot t-shirts ($34.00), beverage holders ($15.00 for two) and coffee mugs ($25.00). His son Don Jr. is marketing "FREE TRUMP" mug shot t-shirts ($29.99) and posters ($19.99). On the other side of the political divide, the Lincoln Project, a prominent anti-Trump group founded by Republicans, is selling shot glasses ($55.00 for six) with the mug shot and "FAFO," an acronym for "Fuck Around and Find Out," a rallying cry among Trump critics. Etsy, the crafts website, has dozens of mocking products, including a Taylor Swift concert t-shirt parody ($26.00). In Los Angeles, a t-shirt store unaffiliated with any campaign had already started selling tops emblazoned with the image on Friday afternoon. "I think it's very classic consumerism for this country," said shopper CJ Butler from Atlanta, Georgia. "Hey, it's Trump. He sells everything so why not have a T-shirt?" The image could be a huge fundraiser for the Republican candidate, some political strategists predict. "His superfans are going to see this and it will be a fist-pumping exercise for them to send in that $25 and get that shirt or that mug," said David Kochel, a veteran Republican presidential campaign operative in Iowa. "It's kind of sad at the end of the day that the campaign is going to celebrate his indictment over 13 criminal charges - but that's where our politics is." Trump has for months sought to leverage the criminal probes against him to rally support from his base, starting with his first indictment in New York. His fundraising groups, including his past and current presidential campaigns, have reported investing more than $98 million in merchandise operations since 2015, buying items like bumper stickers, hoodies and coffee mugs to sell. Speaking to Reuters after the Republican debate on Wednesday, co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita said his team had been focused on turning the four indictments into a positive, "making sure that we were making lemonade at every opportunity, which I think we did." Veterans of other political operations say campaigns can make a 50% profit or more on their merchandise sales and LaCivita on Thursday warned off those trying to make money from the image without the campaign's permission. LEGAL RIGHTS? What legal rights, if any, Trump's campaign may have over the mug shot's reproduction are unclear, however. The photo was distributed by the Fulton County court to media outlets, including Reuters. Mug shots taken by US federal courts are generally in the public domain, although Georgia's state policy may be different. Many U.S. states have "right of publicity" laws that prevent the use of a person's image in commerce without their permission. Federal trademark law also bars false advertising and endorsements, and Trump would also likely be able to sue under other state laws. But political parody goods may receive some protection from intellectual-property claims under the U.S. Constitution, and attorneys say that whether Trump would actually sue is more of a strategic question than a legal one. "In all likelihood, given how polarizing Trump has been, and everything that is already in the marketplace around his likeness, it would not likely be a legal priority," trademark attorney Josh Gerben said. Trump's pose, glaring into the camera with his face tilted down, echoes his trademark pose in "The Apprentice," the reality television show he starred in for several years. The former president told Fox News Digital in an interview Thursday night that he only did the mug shot because Georgia officials insisted. "It is not a comfortable feeling especially when you've done nothing wrong," he said. Rick Wilson, a co-founder of the Lincoln Project flogging mug shot wares online, dared Trump's campaign to sue him in a Friday post on X. "Trump's people are certainly viewing it as a powerful image, and his opponents are also viewing it as a powerful image," he said. (Reporting by Gram Slattery, Nathan Lane, Blake Brittain, Jason Lange, Rollo Ross and Steve Holland, writing by Heather Timmons, editing by Rosalba O'Brien) FILE PHOTO: Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister arrives at the Binnenhof for the Council of Ministers in The Hague, Netherlands July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The Dutch nominee to run the European Union's climate change portfolio is likely to face a tough hearing in the European Parliament to win the role, caught between calls for a more "realistic" approach to climate policies and those seeking more urgent action as extreme weather escalates. The Dutch government confirmed on Friday that outgoing Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra will be the Netherlands' candidate for the EU Commissioner post. Hoekstra needs to win a positive assessment from the EU Parliament and pass a potentially close vote in the assembly with majority support. Past negative assessments have prompted some candidates to withdraw. If appointed, Hoekstra is expected to assume responsibility for climate change policies in the EU Commission. He belongs to the Dutch Christian-Democratic CDA party, part of the European People's Party group in the EU Parliament. The EPP does not hold a majority, so Hoekstra must win the support of other groups. It was not clear on Friday how they would vote. "We welcome the opportunity to restart a less polarising and more realistic climate policy for Europe," a spokesperson for the EPP Group said. "We need to reconnect with parts of society, like the rural areas, with a more inclusive policy that achieves our climate goals and is not seen as a threat to the livelihoods of people in Europe." The EU rolled out a world-leading package of policies to fight climate change and protect nature under previous EU Green Deal chief Frans Timmermans, who stepped down on Tuesday to run in Dutch elections. "Climate is one of the biggest themes of this time," Hoekstra told reporters in The Hague. "I am hugely honoured and very grateful to be proposed as successor to Timmermans." Hoekstra would handle the climate part of Timmermans' brief, while European Commission Executive Vice-President Maros Sefcovic has taken over overall coordination of Europe's green policies. New EU green laws have faced increased political resistance - including from the EPP, which attempted to block a law to restore nature that the group said threatened farmers. Bas Eickhout, a Green EU lawmaker, said Hoekstra would need to prove his commitment to Europe's climate change agenda. "The hearing in the parliament will not be a done deal," said Eickhout, who is Dutch. "He has no climate experience. He will be questioned on that and he will have to show that he is really eager to do this," he added. Socialist EU lawmakers also warned Hoekstra's hearing would not be easy. "As finance minister, Hoekstra showed contempt towards Southern Europe. He'll have a tough time convincing the European Parliament that he's the right man for the job," said Paul Tang, a Dutch Socialist member of the EU Parliament. As Dutch Finance Minister, Hoekstra angered southern nations for a perceived lack of empathy during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he initially blocked joint EU debt plans to respond to the crisis, despite the pleas of hard-hit Spain and Italy. The Socialists and Democrats group said: "To gain the support of our Group, any Commissioner-designate has to prove beyond doubt their commitment to European values, such as solidarity." (Reporting by Kate Abnett; Additional reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Giles Elgood) FILE PHOTO: A security guard stands behind the logo of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its headquarters in Bengaluru, India, June 12, 2019. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas//File Photo By Nivedita Bhattacharjee BENGALURU (Reuters) - Larsen & Toubro and Hindustan Aeronautics are among companies vetted to potentially bid in India's efforts to privatise its small satellite launch rocket, a source told Reuters, as the government seeks more investment in the booming space market. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the national space agency, as a low-cost means to launch satellites weighing up to 500 kg (1,102 lb) into low-earth orbit. They serve a booming market to launch clusters of satellites for communications and data that SpaceX and rivals compete in. About 20 companies had submitted an expression of interest in bidding on the privatisation, the first of its kind under a policy drive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open launch and other space businesses to investment. India is aiming to increase its share of the global satellite launch market by fivefold within the next decade. The next step will be to open the bidding process itself, the person said, who had direct knowledge of the matter but asked not to be named because discussions are not public. The companies did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Hindustan Aeronautics, also known as HAL, and Larsen & Toubro, an industrial conglomerate, already have a contract with the government to manufacture and deliver rockets to ISRO. Under that contract, the companies will manufacture and deliver five Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) - often called ISRO's "workhorse" rocket. Deliveries are expected to start in two years. ISRO will use the PSLV, which stands 44 meters tall (144 feet), to launch a space-based solar observatory, its Aditya-L1 mission, next month. That launch will be ISRO's first mission since it achieved a historic first by landing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon's south pole this week. The success of Chandrayaan-3 has been expected to give a boost to India's efforts to spur private investment in space ventures. ISRO suppliers and related companies have seen seen an uptick in share prices this week. India's newly created space regulatory body, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, known as IN-SPACe, opened the bidding process on the SSLV program in July by allowing qualified companies to register an interest. It will be the first Indian rocket to be fully privatised, meaning that the winning bidder or consortium will take over the entire program, in contrast to a more limited contract for manufacturing the PSLV rockets. (Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Sharon Singleton) WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia support extending a EU ban on Ukrainian grain import to those countries until the end of the year, Polish agriculture minister Robert Telus said on Friday. The European Union in May allowed Ukraine's five neighbours to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while allowing transit of such cargoes for export elsewhere. That ban is set to end on Sept. 15. "We support a ban on imports into our countries until the end of the year," Telus told a news conference. "I want to say that even if it fails, some countries will introduce their own restrictions. Our declaration is clear." The five countries' agriculture ministers also agree that they support grain transit subsidies and want other products to be added to the list of import bans, such as raspberries in the case of Poland, Telus said. (Reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz and Anna Wodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Tomasz Janowski) Kamala Shrestha along with Mana Maya Shrestha, Sita Tamang, Samjhana Shrestha and Bina Kumari Shrestha work as they feed and collect Black Soldier Fly larvae at a farm in Bhardev village on the outskirts of Lalitpur, Nepal August 11, 2023. REUTERS/Navesh By Gopal Sharma BHARDEV, Nepal (Reuters) - In a village a little over an hour's drive from Nepal's capital of Kathmandu, six women wearing yellow rubber gloves and surgical masks work in a shed, gently squeezing the wet larvae of the black soldier fly into small plastic containers. Another woman slices pears and wilted vegetables to feed the insects, known more commonly as BSF, that are held in two plastic cages equipped with thermal panels for artificial light and heat to maintain the required temperature inside the tin-roofed 800-square-foot shed. The protein-rich insect eggs are dried and processed into feed for fish, chicken and pigs, and will sell at 70 Nepali rupees (about $0.55 cents) a kilo. Opened in March with a $110,000 grant provided by the Women's Bank, Finland, through the charity Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal, the fly farm is billed as the first of its kind in the Himalayan nation. It is owned and operated by the women, all members of a "Sisters Group" in Bhardev, a small village with a population of about 2,500 people, 30 km (19 miles) south of the capital. Nepal is among the worlds ten poorest countries, and people in villages are mainly subsistence farmers. The economic condition of women is especially vulnerable, with no extra source of income or employment other than on their tiny family farms. The average salary of civil servants in Nepal is barely about $300 a month, so the money to be made from fly larvae is clearly a step forward from the village women. They expect to be harvesting 3,500 kg of larvae in one production cycle, which ranges between 45 and 60 days. "It is a model green business to provide additional income to women without requiring them to invest all their time in it and is environmentally friendly," charity official Jeebesh Bikram Adhikary said. "We are experimenting whether the BSF can be harvested in the extreme cold and adverse climatic conditions," Adhikary said. "The results so far have been good and we are looking to expand the facility to Chitwan or Kailali in future," he said referring to two regions in Nepal's southern plains, where the climate is more favorable. Ramesh Shrestha runs a small fish farm and is ready to become a customer. "I can buy up to 50 kgs of the feed every day if the farm is able to supply," he said. Mana Maya Shrestha, who is among the women leading and managing the farm, said their current customers are mainly poultry farmers. The 47-year-old said some women did not want to engage in this type of business. To begin with, she found touching the insect and its eggs "disgusting". "I am used to it now," the mother of two said. "I enjoy the sensation when they wiggle." (Reporting by Gopal Sharma, editing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar & Simon Cameron-Moore) Over the day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces inflicted ten strikes on the areas of build-up of personnel of the Russian occupiers, another one on the enemy's anti-aircraft missile system, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said. During the day, units of the missile forces and artillery hit one anti-aircraft missile system of the Russian occupiers, three artillery weapons in firing positions. FILE PHOTO: Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley addresses party supporters as husband Burton looks on after conceding victory to the Labour Party leader Helen Clark in Methven, November 27, 1999./File Photo By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand's highest court has ordered former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley to pay NZ$6.6 million ($3.9 million) plus interest as compensation for her role in the collapse of a construction company, a judgement released on Friday said. Shipley was New Zealands first female prime minister holding the role from 1997 to 1999. She was chair of the board of construction firm Mainzeal when the company was placed in liquidation in 2013 after a number years of financial difficulty. The liquidators of the company bought charges against Shipley and directors Richard Yan, Clive Tilby and Peter Gromm, arguing they had let the company operate in a way that created a risk of serious loss to creditors and took on debts that could not reasonably have been repaid. The Appeal Court had previously found that this was the case. The Supreme Court agreed. In the judgement, the court ordered the four directors to contribute NZ$39.8 million plus interest to Mainzeal creditors. It stated Yan was most culpable and said he was responsible for the entire amount of compensation, with Shipley, Tilby and Gromms liabilities capped at NZ$6.6 million and interest each. Lawyers on behalf of Shipley, Tilby and Gromm said in a statement their clients were "deeply disappointed" their appeal has been dismissed and "continue to regret the collapse of Mainzeal and its serious consequences for its staff, customers and creditors." The statement said they will now take time to consider the consequences of the court's judgement. Yan's solicitor did not immediately responded to a request for comment and his lawyer said he had no instruction to comment on the case. Mainzeal liquidator Andrew McKay said in a statement he welcomed the court's decision confirming the directors breached their duties. This is a landmark judgment which reinforces the obligations directors have to fulfil their duties diligently and responsibly," he said. ($1 = 1.6883 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Lincoln Feast) A man walks past a model of G20 logo outside the finance ministry in New Delhi, India, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Group of 20 nations has agreed to work on reforms to the World Trade Organization ahead of the watchdog's key ministerial meeting in February next year, the Indian government said on Friday. "The G20 has exchanged views on WTO reforms and any decision will be taken during WTO's 13th ministerial conference in February in Abu Dhabi," India's commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal, told a press conference after a G20 trade ministers gathering in Rajasthan, western India. The WTO's top appeals bench, which rules on top international trade disputes, has been idle for more than two years due to blockages of adjudicator appointments dating to former U.S. president Donald Trump's administration. Under President Joe Biden, Washington has resisted calls by WTO members to approve appointments and has instead been leading negotiations on how to reboot the WTO's paralysed dispute mechanism. Proposed reforms would include having a well-functioning Dispute Settlement System accessible to all members by 2024, as per the statement. At the Rajasthan meeting, G20 members also agreed to improve WTO functioning and strengthen trust in the multilateral trading system. The G20 takes in countries conducting over 75% of global trade and is presently functioning under Indian presidency. (Reporting by Shivangi Acharya and Manoj Kumar; editing by Mark Heinrich) India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks during a press conference after a G20 Finance Ministers' and Central Bank governors' meeting at Gandhinagar, India, July 18, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India hopes to conclude talks over a free trade deal with Britain by the end of this year, India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday, amid consensus on broad contours of the pact meant to boost economic growth and jobs. Sitharaman spoke as Britain's trade minister Kemi Badenoch visits India for a G20 meeting, after free trade talks have gathered momentum in recent months. "I won't be wrong in saying a free trade agreement with UK is very close," Sitharaman said at an industry conference in New Delhi. While there isn't a deadline to close the deal, India is committed to "a good outcome at the fastest possible speed", its trade minister Piyush Goyal said at a separate press conference on Friday. In a panel session at the B20 summit in New Delhi, Badenoch said Goyal had promised her the FTA would be "the most ambitious free trade agreement". "You can see him smiling because he's just on the cusp of delivering this for us," she said. On Thursday, Badenoch had told reporters that the deal was in the "final stages" and she was optimistic of a mutually beneficial deal, but she couldn't give a deadline as the hardest bits of negotiations often came at the end. India sees a British trade deal as crucial as it aims to become a bigger exporter, while the UK, keen to expand trade opportunities after leaving the European Union, would get wider access for its whisky, premium cars and legal services. Still to be agreed are issues such as intellectual property rights, rules of origin and an investment treaty, and campaigners urged Britain not to demand any provisions that might undermine India's generic drugs industry and make its products more expensive. "We urge you to change course and drop the UK's demands for stricter intellectual property provisions," a letter to Badenoch signed by 120 health and development organisations said. (Reporting by Nikunj Ohri and Shivangi Acharya; writing by Alistair Smout; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Giles Elgood) FILE PHOTO: Migrants on board of NGO Proactiva Open Arms Uno rescue boat looks at boat Guardia Costiera heading to Lampedusa island, in central Mediterranean Sea, close to Lampedusa island, Italy, August 19, 2022. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo ROME (Reuters) - The European Union should allow more legal migration into its borders to stop people trafficking, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Friday, amid a surge in arrivals by sea to his country. Crossings from North Africa to Italy have more than doubled year-on-year to around 106,000, despite efforts by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government to crack down on illegal migration and restrict charity rescue ships. "Migration phenomena must be tackled for what they are: global movements, which cannot be erased by walls or barriers," Mattarella said at a conference in Rimini hosted by the Catholic group Communion and Liberation. "Regular, sustainable and sufficiently high quotas are the only way to stamp out the cruel traffic in human beings" as "the prospect and hope of coming without inhuman costs and suffering" would convince migrants to wait for their turn, he added. Meloni's government has partly followed Mattarella's advice, saying in July it would raise entry quotas for non-EU migrant workers to 452,000 for 2023-2025. But the level is below the 833,000 that has been requested by companies and unions. The Italian president, who as head of state is a non-partisan figure, said action needed to be taken at EU level. Migration has long been a political hot potato within the bloc, hampering joint decisions by its 27 member states. In his speech, Mattarella said he keeps in his office a drawing of a teenage victim of a migrant shipwreck who had set off with a school report sewn into his jacket, indicating that "he wanted to come to Europe to study." "This drawing reminds me that, behind the migration numbers and percentages which we often list, there are countless individual people, each one with their own story, projects, dreams, future," the president said. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Christina Fincher) TRIPOLI (Reuters) -Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) said it launched air strikes against "foreign armed groups" near the border with Chad on Friday, after fighting near the area between the government of Chad and a rebel group trying to unseat it. Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby said on Sunday that the army was again fighting the Libya-based Chadian Front for Change and Concord (FACT) group, which quit a ceasefire last week amid clashes. FACT had fought alongside the LNA as one of many mercenary groups involved in Libya's civil war, researchers on Libya say, but they were on opposing sides during fighting two years ago when Deby's father was killed. LNA spokesperson Ahmad Mismari said it had carried out strikes against foreign forces on the border with Chad after having earlier announced an operation to secure the frontier. An LNA media unit distributed photographs of Haftar's son, Saddam Haftar, overseeing the operation with other LNA officers. The media unit said the LNA had expelled members of the Chadian opposition and their families from a residential area they were using in a desert town 300km (200 miles) north of the border with Chad. Libya has had little internal peace or security since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, and its southern desert border has become a major transit route for trafficking networks. (Reporting by Reuters Libya Newsroom, writing by Angus McDowall, editing by Giles Elgood and Andrew Heavens) MAPUTO (Reuters) - Mozambique's armed forces have killed the alleged leader of an Islamic State-linked insurgency concentrated in the gas-rich northern Cabo Delgado province, the defence ministry said on Friday. Bonomade Machude Omar, also known as Abu Sulayfa Muhammad and Ibn Omar, who "has led operations since the outbreak of terrorism in Mozambique," was killed along with two associates, a ministry statement said. Separately, Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi told a news conference on Friday that Omar had been killed on Tuesday, but cautioned that the fight against the insurgency was not over. The insurgency, which has been raging since 2017, has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted multi-billion dollar energy projects. The U.S. State Department, which designated Omar as a "terrorist leader" in August 2021, described him as head of the military and external affairs departments of the ISIS-Mozambique group and said he was responsible for attacks in Cabo Delgado, including on a hotel in the town of Palma in March 2021. Mozambique's defence ministry said earlier this week that it had killed another senior insurgent leader, Abu Kital. French energy major TotalEnergies, whose Mozambique LNG project had to declare force majeure in 2021 because of the insurgent attack on Palma, said in February that the situation in Cabo Delgado had "improved significantly" after African countries had deployed troops to help quell the insurgency. The company said in May that it took note of improvements in the security on the ground but that there was no date for a restart of the project, at one stage valued at $20 billion. (Reporting by Manuel Mucari; Writing by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexander Winning and Mike Harrison) (This Aug. 25 story has been corrected to fix Kathleen FitzGibbon's name in the story) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Niger's Foreign Ministry has told the U.S. government that images of letters circulating online calling for the departure of certain American diplomatic personnel were not issued by the ministry, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said. "No such request has been made to the U.S. government," the spokesperson said after AFP reported that Niger had given the U.S. ambassador 48 hours to leave the African country. The United States has been pressing for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis that erupted on July 26 when Niger military officers seized power, deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and placed him under house arrest. The new U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon only arrived in the capital, Niamey, earlier this month. (Reporting by Jasper Ward; editing by Costas Pitas, Chris Reese and Rosalba O'Brien) GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Retired Guatemalan colonel Juan Ovalle Salazar was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday for his role in the massacre of 25 Indigenous people, mostly children, some 40 years ago during one of the most brutal periods of the country's conflict. Eight other former members of the Central American country's military and civil defense were acquitted, said Judge Walter Mazariegos as he handed out the sentence at a Guatemala City court. Ovalle appeared in court but did not speak and his lawyers were not immediately available for comment. He will have 10 days from Sept. 5 to appeal against the sentence, the judge said. The massacre of the 25 Maya Achi people, including 17 children, took place on July 29, 1982, at Rancho Bejuco, a mountain hamlet north of the capital. It came during the 17-month rule of General Efrain Rios Montt, the bloodiest period of the 36-year civil war. Rios Montt was convicted of genocide in 2013 but this was later overturned by a higher court. Prosecutors said Ovalle had ordered the massacre because some of the inhabitants of Rancho Bejuco had refused to join civil self-defense patrols, known as PAC, created by the army at the time to control the population. Six of the defendants were members of the PAC, and two were military commissioners who coordinated army and PAC operations, the prosecution said. In summing up his decision to acquit the eight, the judge said they had acted on the orders of Ovalle and would have been killed had they not complied. But a lawyer representing victims' families said they would appeal against the acquittals. "We believe there were reasons to issue a guilty verdict to all of them," said lawyer Lucia Xiloj. "They were a part of the military structure." Ovalle was arrested in 2016 and is facing charges in connection with another 1982 massacre, at Pambach, in which 64 people were murdered. The case has dragged on despite demands for progress from the community. Several such cases from Guatemala's extended civil war made possible by survivors and victim's relatives campaigning for justice. Bodies from the Rancho Bejuco massacre began to be exhumed in 1999 and the eight other defendants were arrested in February last year. Sixteen months later, the trial began. (Reporting by Enrique Garcia in Guatemala City; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Robert Birsel) FILE PHOTO: Commander of the Ground Forces colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi reports to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a position near the front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine June 26, 2023. Ukrainian Preside KYIV (Reuters) - Russia is regrouping in the Moscow-controlled eastern part of Ukraine in order to resume an offensive, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ukrainian military's ground forces, said on Friday. "After a month of fierce fighting and significant losses in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions, the enemy is regrouping its forces and means, simultaneously throwing newly formed brigades and divisions from the territory of the Russian Federation," Syrskyi said in his Telegram channel. Syrskyi said that the main goal of these measures was to "increase the level of combat potential and resume active offensive operations". Syrskyi did not provide details of the Russian regrouping but said the forces continued heavy artillery and mortar shelling and air assaults. "Under such conditions, we must promptly take all measures to strengthen our defences on the threatened lines and advance where possible," the general said. Kupiansk, a town with a pre-war population of around 27,000, was seized by Russia in the early days of the February 2022 invasion before Ukrainian troops recaptured it in a lightning offensive last September that embarrassed Moscow. Regional authorities announced a mandatory evacuation of civilians from near the Kupiansk front earlier this month due to daily Russian shelling. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports. (Reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) A view shows a portrait of Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at a makeshift memorial near former PMC Wagner Centre in Saint Petersburg, Russia August 25, 2023. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo MOSCOW (Reuters) - A second plane linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin by some Russian media has no connection to the mercenary group and never has had, the CEO of the aircraft operator company told Reuters. Russia's aviation authority has said Prigozhin was on board a private Embraer jet which crashed on Wednesday evening northwest of Moscow with no survivors. An investigation has yet to definitively identify the 10 people on board but Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent condolences to their families. Russian media, mainly associated with the Wagner group's Telegram channel Grey Zone, had linked a second business jet with the tail number RA-02748 with the mercenary group, and had reported that it was also in the air at the time of the crash. But the jet operator, Russian company Jetica LLC, denied any such link. "Neither the plane itself nor its passengers are related to Wagner and never have been," Jetica's CEO Sergey Trifonov told Reuters. This plane had not been rented out, Trifonov said, though he declined to say who its owner was. The RA-02748 was landing in St. Petersburg on Wednesday evening on a flight from Moscow when the plane believed to be carrying Prigozhin crashed, flight tracking data shows. It then took off back to Moscow about 20 minutes later. (Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Gareth Jones) The New York Times: Commerce Secretary Raimondo will be coming here on Sunday. She will be the fourth senior American official to come here in the last several months. We havent seen any Chinese senior officials going to the US. Is there a plan for China to reciprocate by sending a senior Chinese official to the US in the next couple of months? Wang Wenbin: China and the US are in touch about bilateral engagement and exchange. I have nothing to share. CCTV: The China-Africa Leaders Dialogue was held yesterday in Johannesburg, South Africa. Whats the considerations of holding this meeting? What has been achieved through the dialogue? Wang Wenbin: Strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries will always be an important cornerstone of Chinas foreign policies. President Xi Jinping and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday co-chaired the China-Africa Leaders Dialogue in Johannesburg. African leaders attending the meeting include Comorian President Azali Assoumani who is currently the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Senegalese President Macky Sall who is also the African Co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), presidents of Zambia, Burundi, Djibouti, the Republic of the Congo and Namibia, and leaders of Chad, Libya and Nigeria representing sub-regional organizations, and the representative of the AU Commission. The dialogue is the first in-person engagement between leaders of China and African countries since the pandemic and of unique importance to deepening China-Africa relations and building the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech entitled Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Create a Great Future for China and Africa. President Xi Jinping pointed out that in 2013, he was there in Africa for his first foreign visit after becoming Chinese President and announced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for Chinas Africa policy. Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle. Together with the African friends, China has taken China-Africa relations to a new height and entered the new stage of jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. China and Africa must work together to create a sound environment to promote a just and equitable international order, safeguard a peaceful and secure global environment, build an open and inclusive world economy, overcome estrangement between civilizations through exchanges and realize countries respective development visions. President Xi Jinping emphasized that on the path to modernization, China has all along been a firm supporter, and walking side by side with Africa. Looking ahead, China will work with Africa to enhance the synergy of their development strategies and continue to support Africa in continuously elevating its international standing. President Xi Jinping made the three proposals on enhancing China-Africa practical cooperation in the next stage and assisting in Africas integration and modernization. First, China will launch the Initiative on Supporting Africas Industrialization. China will better harness its resources for cooperation with Africa and the initiative of businesses to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realizing industrialization and economic diversification. Second, China will launch the Plan for China Supporting Africas Agricultural Modernization. China will help Africa expand grain plantation, encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investment in Africa, and enhance cooperation with Africa on seed and other areas of agro-technology, to support Africa in transforming and upgrading its agricultural sector. Third, China will launch the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. China plans to train 500 principals and high-caliber teachers of vocational colleges every year, and train 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa through training programs. China will invite 20,000 government officials and technicians of African countries to participate in workshops and seminars. President Xi Jinping highlighted that next year, China and Africa will host the FOCAC meeting in China, where the two sides may come together again and draw up new plans for development. The African leaders thanked China for supporting African integration and assisting African countries in times of need and pointed out that China is Africas indispensable cooperation partner in its quest for modernization. The African side highly commended and welcomed the three proposals put forth by President Xi Jinping, expressed full support for the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, and expressed readiness to work with China to continue advancing FOCACs institutional development. The African side is firmly committed to the one-China policy. Africa and China will firmly support each other in upholding their sovereignty, security and development interests, strengthen collaboration in international affairs and on multilateral occasions, raise the representation and voice of developing countries, and uphold the common interests of the developing world. The meeting adopted and issued the Joint Statement of the China-Africa Leaders Dialogue. The Chinese side released the Initiative on Supporting Africas Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africas Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. The China-Africa Leaders Dialogue drew a new blueprint for China-Africa solidarity and cooperation and injected new impetus for the growth of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. We are confident that China and Africa will carry forward our traditional friendship, enhance solidarity and coordination, join hands to advance modernization, create a better future for the Chinese and African people, set a fine example for building a community with a shared future for mankind and inject more positive energy for world peace and development. Reuters: The Wall Street Journal reported today that state-owned company China National Nuclear Corporation has bid to build a nuclear power plant in Saudi Arabia. Can the foreign ministry confirm this or provide any comment? Wang Wenbin: China and Saudi Arabia are comprehensive strategic partners. Our mutually beneficial and friendly win-win cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. China will continue to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with Saudi Arabia in various fields, including civil nuclear energy, while strictly abiding by international non-proliferation obligations. As for the specific project you mentioned, I would refer you to the competent authorities. TV Asahi: The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) just released the test result of the water in the ocean after the discharge of the ALPS-treated water, saying that the concentration of tritium is below its limit of detection. Whats your view on this test result? Wang Wenbin: We have said repeatedly that the Japanese government is acting against strong international opposition and against the rights of people in Japan and elsewhere to health, development and a healthy environment by forcibly starting the ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and putting the world at the risk of nuclear contamination. This is extremely selfish and irresponsible. Japan has yet to prove the legitimacy and legality of its ocean discharge decision, the long-term reliability of the purification facility, and the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear-contaminated water data. It has yet to deliver on its commitment to the IAEA and the international community, and establish an international long-term monitoring and on-site supervision arrangement led by the IAEA and with full participation of state stakeholders. We urge Japan to change course, immediately correct its wrongdoing and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a truly responsible way. CCTV: On August 24, President Xi Jinping attended the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue and delivered important remarks. Could you share more information on this? Wang Wenbin: On August 24 local time, President Xi Jinping attended the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg. The event was chaired by South African President Ramaphosa, and attended by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Putin, more than 60 leaders and representatives of African countries and other emerging markets and developing countries, and heads of international and regional organizations such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President Dilma Rousseff of the New Development Bank. President Xi delivered an important speech entitled Hand in Hand Toward a Community of Shared Development. President Xi noted that development embodies our peoples aspiration for a better life. It is the top priority for developing countries and a timeless theme for humanity. The international community must pursue the larger interests of all countries, respond to peoples concerns, and restore development to the center of the international agenda. The representation and voice of developing countries in global governance should be increased, and developing countries be supported in realizing better development. It is also important to uphold true multilateralism, forge a global development partnership, and create a secure and stable international environment for shared development. President Xi pointed out that China proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), precisely for the purpose of calling on the world to stay focused on development and lending impetus to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We have put development first and allocated more resources. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and will soon set up a special fund dedicated to the implementation of the GDI. We have taken results-oriented actions and deepened practical cooperation. Over 200 cooperation projects have come to fruition, and cooperation mechanisms are growing in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health. We have unleashed the power of innovation and built up momentum for development. We have prioritized green development, new-type industrialization, the digital economy and some other key areas, and pursued a Partnership on New Industrial Revolution to boost high-quality development. We have tided over difficulties together and made development more resilient. We have launched a China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund and provided food assistance to and shared agrotech with many countries. We have also initiated a Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership with a view to achieving energy security. President Xi stressed that China is a friend that Africa can count on. Going forward, China will carry out more cooperation with African countries to support Africa in enhancing its own capacity for development. Specific measures will be taken, such as providing satellite mapping data products, implementing a Smart Customs cooperation partnership, and launching with UNESCO a GDI for Africas Future action plan, to support sustainable development in Africa. Back in 2017, President Xi Jinping put forward the concept of BRICS Plus at the BRICS summit in Xiamen. Over the past six years, the vision of BRICS Plus championed by China has become a reality and continued to gain traction, for it meets the aspiration of people across the world for peace, development and cooperation. More and more countries are knocking on the door of BRICS, aspiring to join our cooperation. This is a testament to the vitality and influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and to the fact that the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation as well as its commitment to multilateralism accords with the trend of the times. As President Xi stressed in the speech, China has invariably stood in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin. China has been and will always remain a member of developing countries. We will bring out the best in BRICS cooperation and ensure a promising future for BRICS countries. China will continue to work with all parties to build a community of shared development, and make sure that in the process of global modernization, no country is left behind. NHK: As the treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station begins to be released into the sea, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said to the press yesterday that Japan will work actively for science-based discussion between Japanese and Chinese experts. Will China consider this proposal? Will China conduct science-based testing on the treated water? Wang Wenbin: Let me say again that it is extremely selfish and irresponsible of Japan to go ahead with the ocean discharge, which puts the world at the risk of nuclear contamination. Japan needs to stop this wrongdoing at once and not let the water of Fukushima become the disgrace of Japan. I also need to stress that China and other stakeholders have the right and the responsibility to take legitimate, reasonable and necessary preventative measures to protect marine environment, food safety and peoples health in response to Japans extremely selfish and irresponsible action. Competent departments in China will continue to enhance monitoring, and timely follow and assess the possible radioactive impact off Chinas shores resulted from the ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water. China Daily: According to foreign analysts, rather than a sizeable bazooka, Chinas authorities seem determined to carry out a more targeted response that pinpoints particular areas of the economy for support. A Standard Chartered executive said that the trajectory of Chinas markets continuing to open is clear even as challenges mount. Whats your comment? Wang Wenbin: Since the year began, global economic recovery has been sluggish, the spillover effects of contractionary policies adopted by major developed economies have become more evident, and various factors have caused more instability and uncertainty in the international market. We have withstood that pressure, steadily recovered and improved the scale and quality of the economy. Economic performance has picked up on the whole, making China one of the fastest growing major economies. New industries and new business forms and models have generated new drivers of growth. Economic vitality continues to be unleashed. According to recent IMF projections, Chinas economy will expand 5.2 percent this year and is expected to contribute a third of global growth. China remains a key engine to the global economy. China is committed to high-level opening up and providing a world-class, market-oriented business environment governed by a sound legal framework. In the first half of this year, Chinas total goods imports and exports reached a record high of RMB 20.1 trillion, of which trade in goods with countries along the Belt and Road jumped 9.8 percent year on year. Foreign-invested companies increased by 24,000, or 35.7 percent. High-tech sectors attracted 7.9 percent more investment, accounting for 39.4 percent of total new foreign investment. Recently the State Council of China issued the guidelines regarding further optimizing the foreign investment environment and intensifying efforts to attract foreign investments, announcing 24 measures in six areas. This is another proactive and solid step China has taken to advance high-level opening-up and develop an open economy of a higher standard. China enjoys several distinct advantages: a socialist market economy in systemic terms, a supersize market in terms of demand, a full-fledged industrial system in terms of supply, and abundant, high-caliber labor force and entrepreneurs in terms of human resources. The Chinese economy has strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality. The fundamentals sustaining Chinas long-term growth will remain unchanged. Chinas economy will remain a source of important support for global growth and more opportunities for the development of all countries. Shenzhen TV: The ninth Kubuqi International Desert Forum will open on August 26. Can you share with us Chinas achievements in desertification prevention and control? Wang Wenbin: China has achieved notable success in desertification prevention and control. We are the first country in the world to achieve zero net land degradation and reduce both desertification and sandification, making important contribution to meeting the global goal of zero net land degradation by 2030. Chinas forest coverage ratio and forest stock volume have both increased for over 30 consecutive years. It is No.1 in the world in terms of forest resource growth and afforestation area and has contributed one fourth of the worlds newly added green area. Ecological conservation is a global task. China is ready to share its experience, explore ways of green and low-carbon development, and jointly build a clean and beautiful world with the rest of the world. AFP: Chinese President Xi Jinping met Indian Prime Minister Modi. They reportedly agreed to intensify efforts to deescalate tensions at the disputed border. Do you have more information to share with us? Wang Wenbin: President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at the latters request on August 23. The two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the boundary question so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas. I would like to reiterate that Chinas position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear. The boundary question is a historical issue and does not represent the entirety of China-India relations. We should place it appropriately in our bilateral relations and seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement through peaceful and friendly consultations. Before the boundary question is settled, the two sides need to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas. We hope to work with India to act on the important common understandings between the two leaders, increase strategic mutual trust, focus on our consensus and cooperation, remove disturbances and obstacles and advance the bilateral relations along a sound and stable track. During the day, the enemy launched two missile and 39 air strikes, carried out 72 shelling from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, the AFU General Staff said. "As a result of successful combat work by the forces and means of the Air Force, two Kalibr cruise missiles and one Shahed-136/131 strike UAV were destroyed today. As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population. Residential buildings, schools and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged," the AFU General Staff said on the Facebook page on Friday evening. In Volyn and Polissia directions, the situation has not changed significantly. During the day, the occupiers carried out mortar and artillery attacks on more than 125 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. The enemy also launched air strikes in the areas of Kyslivka, Pischane, Chervony Stav in Kharkiv region; Tverdokhlebove, Makiyivka in Luhansk region; Vesele, Krasnohorivka, Vuhledar, Vremivka, Blahodatne, Staromayorske, Urozhaine in Donetsk region and in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Novodanylivka in Zaporizhia region. MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somalia's army and allied fighters on Friday captured the town of El Buur, the al Shabaab militia's main stronghold in the country's central region, a significant breakthrough in the government's campaign against the al Qaeda-linked group. The capture of the El Buur town in Galmadug state is one of the biggest victories in an offensive launched a year ago by the government and allied forces. The campaign has pushed al Shabaab out of large swathes of territory in the centre of the country, although the group continues to carry out major attacks, and many analysts and even some fighting the offensive say government vows to eliminate the group are unrealistic. Al Shabaab has mounted deadly attacks from El Buur across the region for 16 years. "Victory to all Somalis. El Buur district, a major al Shabaab stronghold, has fallen into the hands of Somali forces this hour. The forces are inside the town now," said Ibrahim Sheikh Muhydin, Somalia's army chief, in a speech broadcast live on Facebook. "The capture of El Buur will completely stop the misery meted out by al Shabaab. There will be peace and prosperity." While the battlefield success will be seen as a win for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has promised to wipe out al Shabaab in the next five months. The government has in the past struggled to hold areas it has captured or to stop the group's deadly bombing campaign. The government has promised a second phase of the offensive that will go after al Shabaab in southern Somalia, the group's traditional heartland, but hasn't said when that would begin. The rare collaboration between the army and macawisley fighters has helped produce the most significant territorial gains against the militants since the mid-2010s. "This is the first time the federal government is in Galmudug state to seriously fight al Shabaab," said Farah Aden, a macawisley fighter, adding that he expected the militants would revert to guerilla tactics. "If the government gives us food and ammunition, we macawisley are enough to challenge al Shabaab," he said. But even some macawisley say they are circumspect about what their mission can achieve. "I am afraid that we will not eliminate al Shabaab in the near future," said Hassan Abdullahi, another macawisley fighter. "The government has announced the war months before it wages it, which gives al Shaabab the chance and time to plant mines everywhere and to ready car bombs," he said. Security analysts are sceptical of vows to eradicate the group, saying it has deep roots in communities across the country, while government forces have limited experience and capacity. "If military pressure is designed to push toward the complete elimination of Shabaab, then I think we'll miss opportunities to resolve this conflict," said Omar Mahmood of the International Crisis Group think tank. "I think the best-case scenario is the government puts pressure on Shabaab... and you get to some form of political engagement at some point," he said. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Aaron Ross; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Aaron Ross and Jonathan Oatis) By Andres Gonzalez, Emma-Victoria Farr and Tom Kackenhoff FRANKFURT/DUESSELDORF (Reuters) -Spanish infrastructure investor Asterion has agreed to acquire German utility Steag, beating Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky to win the asset, sources involved in the negotiations told Reuters on Friday. Asterion's offer values the business at around 2.5 billion euros ($2.70 billion) including debt, according to two of the sources. Steag's supervisory board and the municipalities that own Steag held meetings on Friday afternoon to vote on a final decision for the company's future ownership, the sources said. Asterion Industrial Partners is an infrastructure fund active in the fields of energy, telecommunications and mobility, with investments worth around 5 billion euros ($5.39 billion). Kretinsky, who was vying to buy Steag through his energy holding company EPH, teamed up to bid with Germany's RAG foundation, which helps Germany transform coal mining regions into areas for renewable energy, according to media reports. The Czech billionaire, who built his wealth in the energy industry, has recently embarked on an acquisition spree in Europe. He has already struck a deal to purchase struggling French retailer Casino and is currently in discussions to become a shareholder in the IT consulting company Atos. Steag, Asterion, EPH and the consortium of utilities that own Steag declined to comment. Steag still operates six coal power plants in western Germany and will require significant investment in its aim to transform into a renewables company. Both bidders submitted coal decommissioning plans as part of the sale process, the sources said. ($1 = 0.9269 euros) (Reporting by Emma-Victoria Farr, Andres Gonzalez Estebaran, Tom Kaeckenhoff and Jan LopatkaWriting by Rachel MoreEditing by Thomas Escritt and Susan Fenton) FILE PHOTO: Sudan's General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stands among troops,in an unknown location, in this picture released on May 30, 2023. Sudanese Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo DUBAI/GENEVA (Reuters) -Sudan's military ruler visited army bases near Khartoum on his first trip away from the capital since an internal conflict broke out in April, as the United Nations warned that the war could tip the entire region into a humanitarian catastrophe. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan intends to leave Sudan for talks in neighbouring countries after visiting regional bases and Port Sudan, the temporary government seat, two government sources said. Burhan, who is also armed forces chief, plans to chair a cabinet meeting. The army has been fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for control of Khartoum and several other cities in the north African country since April 15. Burhan emerged on Thursday from the army headquarters, which the RSF says it has blockaded, and was seen in video and photos in the city of Omdurman across the Nile. The army circulated videos on Friday of Burhan visiting the Atbara artillery base, north of Khartoum in River Nile state. Burhan could be seen carried by cheering soldiers. While the army has fought the RSF in Khartoum and the Kordofan and Darfur regions to the west, the central, northern and eastern regions of the country have remained calm and under army control. Attempts to mediate have proven fruitless as diplomats say both sides still believe they can win. More than 4 million people have fled their homes, basic services have collapsed and the fighting has given way to ethnic attacks by the RSF and allied militias in Darfur. "This viral conflict and the hunger, disease and displacement left in its wake now threatens to consume the entire country," U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement on Friday. He said he was concerned about the expansion of fighting in the country's breadbasket Gezira state just south of Khartoum, where the RSF has made incursions. "Hundreds of thousands of children are severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death if left untreated," Griffiths said, adding that diseases such as measles, malaria, dengue fever and acute watery diarrhoea were spreading. A U.N. children's fund spokesperson said he expected a lack of supplies to lead to a spike in child deaths. Susanna Borges with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), who returned to Geneva from the Chad border this week, told reporters refugees had not received food rations in August, and inadequate water supplies had prompted some to dig holes. The $2.6 billion Sudan appeal is just 26% funded, a U.N. spokesperson told a Geneva briefing, calling on donors to speed up promised aid. Washington on Friday condemned pervasive conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan, which the State Department said credible sources, including victims, have attributed to the RSF and its allied militias. "The numerous reports of rape, gang rape and other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls in West Darfur and other areas are deeply disturbing. These acts of brutality contribute to an emerging pattern of targeted ethnic violence," the department said in a statement. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Dubai, Emma Farge in Geneva, Nafisa Eltahir and Moaz Abd-Alaziz in Cairo; Editing by Kirsti Knolle, Angus MacSwan, Mike Harrison and William Mallard) TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's defence ministry reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Friday, including 13 aircraft entering Taiwan's "response" zone and five ships carrying out combat readiness patrols. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has complained for the past three years of increased military pressure from Beijing. On Saturday, China held a day of drills around Taiwan in an angry response to brief stop-overs this month in the United States by Vice President William Lai. The ministry said that starting about 7 a.m. (2300 GMT), it had detected 22 Chinese aircraft - fighters, bombers, early warning aircraft and drones - of which 13 entered Taiwan's "response" zone, though it did not give details. Taiwan sent aircraft and ships to monitor them, it said. Taiwan does not publicise where its "response" zone is, but it keeps closest watch on the Taiwan Strait, and the area to the island's south and southwest where Chinese military activity often is concentrated. China has not announced further drills around Taiwan since Saturday, though it frequently mounts such missions without acknowledging them beforehand or afterwards. Taiwan's defence ministry this week said it could not judge whether China's drills that started Saturday had formally ended, as Beijing did not make any announcement. China has continued military movements around Taiwan, though on a lesser scale. The ministry, in a separate statement on Friday morning, said that during the previous 24 hours it had spotted two Chinese drones near northern Taiwan. Both crossed the strait's median line, it said, which had until last year served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides but which Chinese aircraft now routinely cross. One of the drones, identified by the ministry as a BZK-005, crossed the median line opposite Taiwan's northwest coast, then flew toward the island's north before flying northeast of Taiwan. Taiwan has not reported any Chinese military aircraft in its territorial air space, though has said planes have come close to island's contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles (44 km) off its coast. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Tom Hogue and Gerry Doyle) FILE PHOTO: A bathroom sign welcomes both genders at the Cacao Cinnamon coffee shop in Durham, North Carolina, United States on May 3, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake/File Photo By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) -A Texas judge on Friday blocked a Republican-backed state law banning so-called gender-affirming care including puberty blockers, hormones and surgery for transgender minors from taking effect next week while she hears a legal challenge to it. However, the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said it filed an immediate appeal to the state Supreme Court, an action that would automatically put the judge's order on hold and let the law take effect at least until the appeal is decided. Judge Maria Cantu Hexsel of the District Court of Travis County in Austin, who was elected as a Democrat, found that the families of transgender children and doctors suing the state to challenge the law, which was set to take effect on Sept. 1, were likely to succeed in proving that it violated their rights under the state constitution. Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed the law in June, making Texas one of at least 20 states to ban gender-affirming care. Supporters of such laws have said the treatments are unproven and risky. But the judge wrote, "The Act's prohibition on providing evidence-based treatment for adolescents with gender dysphoria stands directly at odds with parents' fundamental right to make decisions concerning the care of their children." She also found that the law discriminates against transgender youth based on their transgender status, interfering with doctors' relationships with patients and their right to practice medicine. "The court decision is a critical victory for transgender youth and their families, supporters and health providers against this blatantly unconstitutional law," Brian Klosterboer of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, a lawyer for the families, said in a statement. Mainstream U.S. medical groups including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics oppose the measure and maintain that gender-affirming care improves transgender patients' mental health and reduces the risk of suicide. Several other similar state laws have been blocked by judges, though a federal appeals court this week revived Alabama's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. (Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Will Dunham and Christian Schmollinger) FILE PHOTO: Indonesian Air Force's fighters jet perform during celebrations for the 74th Indonesian National Armed Forces day at Halim Perdanakusuma airbase in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 5, 2019. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo JAKARTA (Reuters) - United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of modernising Indonesia's military in a meeting with its defence chief, as Washington shores up ties in Southeast Asia amid geopolitical rivalry with China. Austin on Thursday hosted at the Pentagon Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander and political veteran who is expected to run in next year's presidential election. The meeting comes as Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, looks to upgrade its military and replace its ageing hardware, earmarking 134.3 trillion rupiah ($8.89 billion) this year for defence, the biggest allocation in its state budget, with a similar amount for next year. For the past decade, Indonesia's defence spending per capita and as a percentage of gross domestic product has been the lowest among Southeast Asia's six emerging market economies, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think tank. In a statement, the Pentagon said the two countries' defence ministers shared their mutual intention to increase defence capabilities "like fighter aircraft upgrades, new multi-role fighter aircraft, and additional fixed and rotary wing transport aircraft." Indonesia is seeking to upgrade its fighter jets, which currently include U.S-made F-16 and Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 models. On Monday it announced a deal to buy 24 transport helicopters from U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin for an undisclosed fee. It this month said it had bought 12 new drones from Turkish Aerospace worth $300 million. Austin and Prabowo also said China's expansive claims in South China Sea were "inconsistent with international law", according to the Pentagon statement. China claims historical sovereignty over most of the South China Sea via a U-shaped "nine-dash line" on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones of five other countries, including Indonesia. Indonesia's defence ministry said the two countries were committed to keeping peace, security and stability in the region as well as maintaining "an open, inclusive, and rule-based order." (Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Martin Petty) WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. military pilot died in a crash overnight near a Marine Corps site in San Diego, the Marine Corps said on Friday, adding it was launching an investigation into the incident. The pilot was the only person on board the F/A-18 Hornet when it crashed at 11:54 p.m. on Thursday, the Marine Corps said in a statement. Search and rescue personnel recovered the pilot's body near the crash site, in the vicinity of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the statement said. The identity of the pilot will not be released until the person's family is notified, it added. ABC News, citing an unnamed defense official, said the aircraft was on a training flight. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Susan Heavey and Ismail Shakil; Editing by David Gregorio) By Joseph White, David Shepardson and Shivansh Tiwary (Reuters) -The United Auto Workers (UAW) union on Friday said members voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike at the Detroit Three automakers if agreement is not reached before the current four-year contract expires on Sept. 14. The authorization was approved by 97% of voting members at General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis, said UAW President Shawn Fain, who leads the union that represents about 150,000 workers. Fain reiterated that the union did not plan to extend the deadline to get a new labor contract. "The deadline is Sept. 14. We have a lot of options that we are looking at but extension on the contract is not one of them." Separately, President Joe Biden, who met with Fain last month, told reporters in Nevada he is concerned about a potential UAW strike. "I think that there should be a circumstance where jobs that are being displaced are replaced with new jobs" for UAW members "and the salaries should be commensurate." Some senators want national UAW agreements to cover jobs at battery joint ventures that currently pay less. Fain said workers had made numerous concessions over the last two decades including giving up wage hikes, defined benefit pensions and post-retirement health care benefits. "We're fed up," Fain said, listing a series of demands. "We've sat back for decades while these companies continue to just take and take and take from us." Fain has outlined an ambitious set of demands, including wage hikes of 46%, an end to the tiered wage system that pays new hires less than veterans, reinstating cost-of-living adjustments and restoring defined-benefit pension plans for new hires that the automakers ended in 2007. At Stellantis, just 30% of hourly U.S. workers are eligible for defined benefit pensions. Fain said he expected the Detroit Three to come to the bargaining table next week with counter proposals to the UAW demands. He said talks were "still going slow" after opening in July. Analysts estimate a more than 50% chance of a strike. It was not clear how long it would take a strike to significantly reduce Detroit Three inventories. Through July, Stellantis U.S. Ram, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge each had more than 100 days inventory but many specific popular models have less. The vote does not guarantee a strike will be called, only that the union has the right to call a strike if there's no agreement by Sept. 14. GM, Ford and Stellantis have said they want to reach a deal that is fair to workers but also gives the companies flexibility, as the industry shifts to electric models that have fewer parts and require less labor. Ford shares were up 1%, while General Motors were unchanged in afternoon trade. (Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru, Joe White in Detroit and David Shepardson in Washington, Additional reporting by Nathan Gomes and Steve Holland in Nevada; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Emelia Sithole-Matarise and David Gregorio) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, August 21, 2023. Theodore Manolopoulos/Greek Presidency Press Office/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Kyiv on Friday, and discussed the Black Sea grain export deal that Russia quit last month. "Many important issues were discussed. (Ukraine's) Peace Formula. Preparations for the Global Peace Summit (planned by Ukraine). Risks posed by the Russian blockade of the Black Sea grain corridor," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app. The deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations had allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain. Ankara has been trying to persuade Moscow to return to the agreement. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage) FILE PHOTO: U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 16, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo By David Shepardson and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visits China for four days starting Sunday, aiming to boost business ties between the world's largest two economies even as the Biden administration has taken a series of steps to prevent exports of sensitive American technology. Raimondo has repeatedly said the United States does not want to "decouple" from China, but also noted she has aggressively placed Chinese companies on an export control list. "Theres a lot of benefit to doing business (with China) where we can. Having said that, we have to protect what we must, and be eyes wide open about the threats and strategic competition," Raimondo said in July. Tensions are high as the United States works with allies to block China's access to vital equipment needed to keep its chip industry competitive and Beijing restricts shipments from prominent U.S. firms like planemaker Boeing and chip company Micron Technology. Ahead of Raimondo's arrival in Beijing on Sunday, several recent announcements from the U.S. have likely pleased Chinese officials. On Tuesday, China welcomed the U.S. decision to lift export control restrictions on 27 Chinese entities, saying it is conducive to normal trade between Chinese and U.S. firms. And on Wednesday the United States said it is seeking a six-month extension to a decades-old science and technology agreement with China, a deal Chinese officials have expressed a desire to extend. The two biggest economies in the world used to be each other's largest trade partners, but Washington is now trading more with neighboring Canada and Mexico, while Beijing is trading more with Southeast Asia. The visit comes after a blitz of intense diplomacy over several months by U.S. President Joe Bidens top aides aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Beijing. Officials are hoping to see concrete signs of progress in the relationship, in potential areas ranging from trade to climate, in time for a potential face-to-face meeting between Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of the year. The semiconductor chip industry is eager to protect its profits in China as the Biden administration considers another round of restrictions on chip exports to China. Last year, China accounted for $180 billion in semiconductor purchases, more than a third the worldwide total of $555.9 billion and the largest single market, according to Semiconductor Industry Association. Raimondo in May said the United States "won't tolerate" China's effective ban on purchases of Micron memory chips and is working closely with allies to address such "economic coercion." Raimondo said in July the Biden administration is seeking to carefully target U.S. controls on exports to China, but rules will cost firms some revenue. Restrictions should not be so broad "that you deny American companies revenue and China can get the product elsewhere, or China can get the product from other countries," Raimondo said. Rules "will deny some revenue to American companies, but we think it's worth it." One big open question is when will China resume deliveries of Boeing 737 MAX passenger jets. Raimondo, who has spoken to Boeing executives on numerous occasions, said in 2021 the Chinese government was preventing its domestic airlines from buying U.S.-manufactured Boeing airplanes. "There's tens of billions of dollars of planes that Chinese airlines want to buy, but the Chinese government is standing in the way," she said. Raimondos trip may be the last face-to-face interaction between top U.S. officials and their Chinese counterparts ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris Sept. 4-7 trip to the ASEAN meetings of Southeast Asian countries, Bidens Sept. 7-10 trip to India for the Group of 20 meetings and the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations later in September. On the sidelines of those meetings, Biden and Harris are expected to spend time wooing neighboring countries anxious about Chinas assertive posture in the Indo-Pacific and declining economy. (Reporting by David Shepardson and Trevor Hunnicutt; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Interfax-Ukraine to host discussion 'Dynamic changes at front, moods in rear. In anticipation of tough autumn' On Monday, August 28, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a discussion entitled "Dynamic changes at front, moods in rear. In anticipation of tough autumn". Participants include political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; political expert Ihor Petrenko; political expert, co-founder of the National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion Oleh Sahakyan (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. An American Airlines worker is seen at the Los Angeles international airport in Los Angeles, California, U.S., October 31, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The death of an airline employee in December and another serious injury prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue a safety alert on Friday to airlines in an effort to prevent more incidents. The safety alert reiterates that "it is important for workers to remain clear of operating engines until they are shut down," the FAA said. The alert comes as questions arise about U.S. aviation safety after a series of troubling near-miss incidents. The FAA has said it will hold runway safety meetings at 90 airports over the next few weeks. In December, a ramp agent was fatally injured at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama when the worker was sucked into an engine of an American Airlines regional carrier flight parked at the gate. The flight was operated by Envoy Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines and the worker was employed by Piedmont Airlines, another American subsidiary. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued Piedmont Airlines a citation for one serious violation in June for exposing ground crew workers to ingestion hazards while performing aircraft marshalling, wing-walking and baggage-handling tasks. Piedmont faces $15,625 in proposed penalties, the maximum allowed by law. The company has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Piedmont said on Friday its policies and procedures "are compliant with FAA requirements and actively address all the concerns outlined in the citation." In another event, a wing walker sustained a serious injury when an aircraft was being repositioned, the FAA said. (Reporting by David Shepardson, editing by Deepa Babington and Marguerita Choy) HELSINKI (Reuters) -Social media channels linked to Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries said on Friday a top fighter in one of the group's subunits had been detained in Finland at Ukraine's request. Rusich, a far-right subunit affiliated to Wagner, identified him as Yan Petrovsky, a founding member and leader of the unit who has been under European Union and United States sanctions since last year. It said on the messaging app Telegram that Petrovsky, who has fought in Ukraine since 2014, was initially arrested on July 20 for a visa violation, and could now be extradited to Ukraine. Petrovsky, who was previously a resident of Norway, is a long-time far-right activist who helped found Rusich as an explicitly neo-Nazi unit during the opening stages of the conflict in the Donbas in 2014. It is unclear how Petrovsky was able to enter Finland while under European Union sanctions. Wagner, which has fought for Russia in Ukraine and runs mercenary operations in several African nations, has had sanctions imposed on it by a number of Western countries for alleged atrocities. Its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and several other top figures are presumed to have died in a plane crash this week, although the Kremlin has not definitively confirmed that. A district court in Vantaa near Helsinki was expected to extend Petrovsky's detention in custody at the request of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation on Friday afternoon, a court official said. The bureau sought the detention of Petrovsky, who also uses the name Voislav Torden, on suspicion of participating in a terrorist group's activities as well as supporting terrorism, the official said. Ukraine's prosecutor general did not immediately reply to a request for comment. On Telegram, Rusich published part of what it said was the Ukrainian request for Petrovsky's arrest. Earlier on Friday, Russian state news agency RIA cited the Russian embassy in Helsinki as saying it was aware of the detention of a Russian citizen in Finland on Ukraine's request and was taking steps to offer consular assistance. (Reporting by Felix Light in Tbilisi, Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv and Anne Kauranen in Helsinki; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Wells Fargo Bank branch is seen in New York City, U.S., March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon NEW YORK (Reuters) -Wells Fargo has agreed to pay a $35 million civil penalty to settle U.S. charges that the company overcharged advisory fees, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said on Friday. The SEC said it charged Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC for overcharging more than 10,900 investment advisory accounts more than $26.8 million in advisory fees. The SEC alleged that Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms overcharged certain clients who opened accounts prior to 2014 for advisory fees through the end of December 2022. Wells Fargo settled without admitting or denying the charges, the SEC said in a statement. Wells Fargo paid affected account holders about $40 million, including interest, to reimburse them for the overcharging, according to the statement. Wells said it was pleased to resolve the matter. The process that caused this issue was corrected nearly a decade ago. And, as noted in the settlement documents, Wells Fargo Advisors conducted a thorough review of accounts and has fully reimbursed affected customers, it said. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa and Nupur Anand in New YorkEditing by Susan Heavey and Mark Potter) 0001773383 false 0001773383 2023-08-23 2023-08-23 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): DYNATRACE, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 001-39010 47-2386428 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 1601 Trapelo Road, Suite 116 Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) ( 781 ) 530-1000 Registrant's telephone number, including area code Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): 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, par value $0.001 per share DT 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 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. On August 23, 2023, Dynatrace, Inc. (the Company) held its annual meeting of stockholders (the Annual Meeting) to consider and vote on the three proposals set forth below, each of which is described in greater detail in the Companys definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12, 2023 (the "Proxy Statement"). The final voting results are set forth below. Proposal 1 Election of Directors The stockholders elected each of the three persons named below to serve as a Class I director of the Companys Board of Directors for a three-year term that expires at the Companys annual meeting of stockholders in 2026 and until their successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject to their earlier resignation or removal. The results of such vote were as follows: Director Name Votes For Votes Withheld Broker Non-Votes Rick McConnell 214,674,179 47,706,927 11,524,244 Michael Capone 202,658,497 59,722,609 11,524,244 Stephen Lifshatz 202,401,003 59,980,103 11,524,244 Proposal 2 Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The stockholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. The results of such vote were as follows: Votes For Votes Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes 267,045,393 6,032,037 827,920 0 Proposal 3 Non-Binding Advisory Vote To Approve the Compensation of Named Executive Officers The stockholders approved, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement . The results of such vote were as follows: Votes For Votes Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes 248,109,432 13,376,462 895,212 11,524,244 No other matters were brought before the Annual Meeting and no other votes were held. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Date: August 25, 2023 DYNATRACE, INC. By: /s/ Nicole Fitzpatrick Name: Nicole Fitzpatrick Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: dt-20230823_htm.xml IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json false 0001311370 0001311370 2023-08-23 2023-08-23 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): Lazard Ltd (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Bermuda (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 001-32492 98-0437848 (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) Clarendon House 2 Church Street , Hamilton , Bermuda HM 11 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrants telephone number, including area code 441 - 295-1422 Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): 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 Class A Common Stock LAZ NYSE Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. Grant of Stock Performance Profits Interest Participation Right Units to the Incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Executive Officer of Lazards Asset Management Business On August 23, 2023 (the Grant Date ), Lazard Ltd (the Company ) and Lazard Group LLC granted to Peter R. Orszag, the Companys incoming Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Executive Officer of Financial Advisory, and Evan L. Russo, the Chief Executive Officer of Lazards Asset Management business, performance-based profits interests participation rights ( PRPUs ) that are eligible to vest in three tranches (each, a Tranche ) based on the achievement of specified stock price milestones measured as of a specified anniversary of the Grant Date, as described below. The PRPUs are eligible to vest only if the relevant price milestone for each Tranche is achieved; their aggregate accounting value at the Grant Date, based on the estimated probability of the various Tranches vesting, is $18.8 million for Mr. Orszag and $15.1 million for Mr. Russo. Twenty percent of the PRPUs will vest if, three years following the Grant Date, the Companys stock price has appreciated 25% above the average trailing 30 consecutive day stock price preceding the Grant Date (the Grant Date Stock Price ), forty percent of the PRPUs will vest if, five years following the Grant Date, the Companys stock price goal has appreciated 50% above the Grant Date Stock Price and the remainder of the PRPUs will vest if, seven years following the Grant Date, the Companys stock price has appreciated 100% above the Grant Date Stock Price, in each case, subject to the executives continued employment through the applicable anniversary of the Grant Date and provided that the applicable stock price goal is sustained for any 30 consecutive day period prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as explicitly provided in the award agreement, if the vesting conditions described in the immediately preceding sentence are not achieved as of the anniversary of the Grant Date of the applicable Tranche (the Expiration Date ), all PRPUs in such Tranche will be forfeited. If Mr. Orszag or Mr. Russo experiences a termination without cause or due to death or disability, (i) all PRPUs for which the stock price milestones are met prior to the date of termination would vest and (ii) a number of PRPUs equal to a prorated portion (subject to certain minimums) of each other unvested Tranche would remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on achievement of the applicable stock price milestone before the Expiration Date applicable to such Tranche. Upon a change in control of the Company, (i) all PRPUs for which the stock price milestones are met prior to the change in control and (ii) any PRPUs for which the applicable stock price milestone was achieved based on the transaction price relative to the stock price milestones would generally remain outstanding, subject to continued employment through the Expiration Date applicable to such Tranche. The preceding summary of the terms of the PRPUs is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of award agreement evidencing such grant attached as Exhibit 10.1 as though such agreement were fully set forth herein. Retention Agreement with Mary Ann Betsch On August 23, 2023, the Company and Lazard Group LLC (collectively with their subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors and successors, the Firm ) entered into a retention agreement with Mary Ann Betsch, Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The retention agreement has a term that expires on August 23, 2026 or, if later, the second anniversary of a change in control of the Company. The terms of the retention agreement generally align with those in place for the Companys other executive officers. Pursuant to the retention agreement, Ms. Betsch will continue to serve in her current position. Generally, Ms. Betschs service under her retention agreement may be terminated by either party upon three months notice. The retention agreement provides for a minimum annual base salary of $750,000. In addition, Ms. Betsch is entitled to an annual bonus to be determined under the Companys applicable annual bonus plan on the same basis as annual bonuses are determined for other executive officers of the Company, provided that she is employed by the Company at the end of the applicable fiscal year. Such bonus will be paid in the same ratio of cash to equity and deferred awards as is generally applicable to other executives receiving comparable bonuses. The retention agreement also provides that Ms. Betsch is entitled to participate in employee retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs of the type made available to the Companys most senior executives. The retention agreement provides for certain severance benefits in the event of a termination of employment by the Company other than for cause or by Ms. Betsch for good reason (each, as defined in the retention agreement and each, a Qualifying Termination ) prior to the expiration of the retention agreement. Except in the case of a Qualifying Termination that occurs on or following a change in control of the Company, the severance benefits described below are conditioned upon Ms. Betschs timely delivery of an irrevocable waiver and release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates. In the event of a Qualifying Termination, Ms. Betsch generally would be entitled to receive in a lump sum: (i) any unpaid base salary accrued through the date of termination; (ii) any earned but unpaid bonuses for years completed prior to the date of termination; (iii) a pro-rated portion of the average annual bonus (or, to the extent applicable, cash distributions, and any bonuses paid in the form of equity awards based on the grant date value of such equity awards in accordance with the Companys normal valuation methodology) paid or payable to Ms. Betsch for the Companys two completed fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurs; and (iv) a severance payment in an amount equal to two times the sum of Ms. Betschs base salary and average annual bonus (not pro-rated) described in clause (iii); provided that, if Ms. Betsch terminates her employment for good reason because her agreement is not renewed, the amount described in clause (iv) would be reduced to one times. The pro-rated portion of the average annual bonus described in clause (iii) of the first sentence of this paragraph is also payable in the event of a termination due to death or disability. Upon a Qualifying Termination, Ms. Betsch and her eligible dependents would generally continue to be eligible to participate in the Companys medical and dental benefit plans, on the same basis as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination (which currently requires Ms. Betsch to pay a portion of the premiums) for a number of years equal to the severance multiple in clause (iv) above. The period of such medical and dental benefits continuation would generally be credited towards Ms. Betschs credited age and service for the purpose of the Companys retiree medical program. A resignation by Ms. Betsch for good reason will be treated as a termination by the Company without cause for purposes of all of her equity and other deferred awards outstanding at the time of such resignation. While providing services to the Company (including during any period of notice of termination) and for six months thereafter (or for three months thereafter, in the event of a Qualifying Termination), Ms. Betsch is subject to restrictive covenants prohibiting competition with the Firm and solicitation of its clients. In addition, while providing services to the Company (including during any period of notice of termination) and for nine months thereafter, Ms. Betsch is also prohibited from soliciting employees of the Firm. Ms. Betsch is also subject to a perpetual confidentiality covenant and a mutual perpetual nondisparagement covenant and must cooperate with the Firm to maintain client relationships for 90 days following termination of her services. Notwithstanding any other provision in the retention agreement, equity awards will not be subject to forfeiture as a result of the breach of any restrictive covenants following a change in control of the Company. The retention agreement provides that Ms. Betsch is subject to the Companys clawback policy, as in effect on the effective date of the retention agreement. Ms. Betsch is not entitled to an excise tax gross-up payment with respect to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, the retention agreement provides for a best net approach, whereby change-in-control payments are limited to the threshold amount under Section 280G if it would be more favorable to her on a net after-tax basis than receiving the full payments and paying the excise taxes. The preceding summary of the retention agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the retention agreement attached as Exhibit 10.2 as though such agreement were fully set forth herein. Departure of Dr. Haass from the Companys Board On August 24, 2023, Richard N. Haass notified the Company of his resignation from the Companys Board of Directors, effective immediately. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed or furnished as part of this Report on Form 8-K: SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. LAZARD LTD (Registrant) By: /s/ Scott D. Hoffman Name: Scott D. Hoffman Title: Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Dated: August 25, 2023 An F/A-18 Hornet, similar to the one shown here in 2022, crashed in a rural area near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California on Aug. 24, 2023. A search and rescue operation by military and local emergency teams is underway. (Zachary Larsen/U.S. Marine Corps) An F/A-18 Hornet jet crashed at 11:54 p.m. on Thursday in a rural area of California east of Interstate 15 near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Search and rescue operations by both military and local emergency response teams are underway, Capt. Michael Scaccia, a spokesman for MCAS Miramar, said Friday. Details surrounding the incident remain limited and the condition of the pilot is unknown, officials said. The exact cause of the crash is unclear and an investigation has begun, a Marine Corps statement said. The crash was first reported by a local CBS affiliate. MCAS Miramar is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. This aircraft is not assigned to the wing but was operating out of the air station, the statement said. The crash site is on government property east of the air station and there are no indications of damage to property on the ground, the statement said. Mount Fuji is seen from a beach in Chigasaki, Japan, Jan. 19, 2021. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan Beachgoers southwest of Tokyo recently found boxes of empty bullet cartridges at popular beaches near the headquarters of the U.S. 7th Fleet. The empty cartridges never posed a danger to the public, a spokesman for Yokosuka Naval Base told Stars and Stripes by email Thursday. One box may have held a live round, according to Kanagawa Prefectural Police. Beachgoers on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21 found at least four khaki-colored metal boxes containing between 300 and 500 cartridges and turned them over to Kanagawa police, according to a statement from the drugs and firearms division. The boxes were found at Sagami Bay beaches in Hayama, Enoshima and Chigasaki, between 7 and 20 miles from Yokosuka. One box was handed over to the naval base, according to a police spokesman who read the statement. Some government officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Based on the ammunition type, police determined the casings likely originated with U.S. forces, base spokesman Randall Baucom told Stars and Stripes by email Thursday. Police in Hayama turned the one box over to base security around 5 p.m. Sunday. All of the rounds in the canister had been fired and at no time posed a threat to the community, Baucom wrote. It is unclear at this time as to whom the canister belongs to, and it will be properly disposed of by [base security]. A woman found the first box sitting atop a rock along the shore in Hayama around 12:30 p.m. Aug. 20; that afternoon, two men separately found one box each, according to police, who collected all the boxes. The fourth box, which included what appeared to be a live round, was discovered at Enoshima around 10 a.m. Aug. 21, according to the police. The box found in Hayama closest to Yokosuka was turned over to the base on Sunday; officers who collected the remaining boxes kept them at their stations. Police said the boxes had English lettering but declined to specify what was written on them. The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), are moored side by side at Naval Station San Diego on June 8, 2023. According to reports on August 25, the Zumwalt was getting technology upgrades at a port in Mississippi. (Mark D. Faram/U.S. Navy) (Tribune News Service) A U.S. Navy warship arrived recently at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, where crews will add technology to the vessel so it can hold missiles that travel more than five times the speed of sound. The Navy plans to add four missile tubes to the ship, which is called the USS Zumwalt, the trade publication USNI News reported. The Zumwalt will hold 12 missiles in total once the work is complete. Cmdr. Arlo Abrahamson, a spokesman for the U.S. Naval Surface Force, said Pascagoula is the USS Zumwalt's new homeport. "The upgrades will ensure Zumwalt remains one of the most technologically advanced and lethal ships in the U.S. Navy," Abrahamson said in a statement. The 16,000-ton ship traveled to Pascagoula from San Diego, where it had been based after being commissioned into service in Baltimore in 2016. It is a stealth ship designed to avoid detection near land and at sea and has enough energy to power a small town. The Navy hopes it will be ready to deploy with hypersonic missiles by 2025. Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson welcomed Zumwalt crew and families, calling them "the newest members of our shipyard community." "It is an honor for us to serve you and the Navy by doing this important work," Wilkinson said in a statement. It is unclear if the Navy will meet its 2025 timeline. The Navy is a year behind its original testing goal, according to a Government Accountability Office report. The report also noted challenges with adding the missiles to a boat for the first time. "We found that significant work remains for the program to demonstrate technology maturity," the report said. Ingalls will complete the work under a $10.5 million contract, according to a press release from January. The project also includes updates to two similar ships called USS Michael Monsoor and USS Lyndon B. Johnson. (c)2023 The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.) Visit The Sun Herald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Gus Schuettler/Stars and Stripes) Heidelberg, Germany, June 1964: Attorney General Robert Kennedy greets some admirers at the Heidelberg University auditorium. Kennedy answered questions on a wide range of topics, including Vietnam, civil rights and the upcoming presidential election. Asked about the surging popularity of eventual Republican nominee Barry Goldwater, Kennedy called the Arizona senator a spokesman for people who oppose everything. They want schools, good government and atomic weapons but they just dont like the people in Washington who are providing these things. Looking for Stars and Stripes historic coverage? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/ Family members gather along the base shoreline to watch the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan return to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan The USS Ronald Reagan steamed into Tokyo Bay on Friday for what is likely a routine, mid-deployment stop three months into its annual Indo-Pacific patrol. The aircraft carrier, which left its homeport on May 23, was greeted pierside by about 100 people, including family and friends, after 93 days at sea. Its six-month patrol typically begins in late spring. The media was not invited to cover the ships arrival. Ronald Reagan spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Phillip Chitty, in a Friday email to Stars and Stripes, declined to confirm whether this is part of a routine stop, or what the crew will be doing in Yokosuka. He also would not say how long the carrier will be in port, citing operational security concerns. USS Ronald Reagan arrived in Yokosuka after a patrol maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific in the U.S. 7th fleet area of responsibility, he wrote. This patrol is likely the last from Japan for the Ronald Reagan. Sometime next year, the carrier is expected to relocate to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., for a scheduled maintenance period. The aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which the Ronald Reagan replaced in 2015, is expected to return to Yokosuka. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan steams through Tokyo Bay on its way to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) The Ronald Reagan has been busy on this deployment with flight operations, at-sea replenishments and other engagements. Almost immediately after leaving Yokosuka, the Ronald Reagan and its strike group took part in a dual-carrier drill in the Philippine Sea alongside the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Izumo and two frigates from France and Canada. Three days after that Navy-led exercise, China kicked off a series of military drills several hundred miles to west near Taiwan, although Beijing did not declare it to be a response to the carriers activities. On June 25, the Ronald Reagan made a historic visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, where it became the third U.S. aircraft carrier to visit the country since the Vietnam War ended in 1975 and the first to visit since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Ronald Reagan crew on July 30 celebrated at sea the carriers 20th year of service it was commissioned July 12, 2003, at Norfolk Naval Station, Va. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan returned to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, after more than three months at sea. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) In late July and early August, the carrier participated in Talisman Sabre, the biennial exercise coordinated between the U.S., Australia and a multitude of other countries. The carrier and its contingent of aircraft, Carrier Air Wing 5, coordinated air exercises with the U.S. and Australian forces in the Indian Ocean, according to news releases from Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Pacific Fleet. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Buyers check fish during an auction in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, as Tokyo Electric Power Co. was set to release treated water from its Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg ) Japan's fishing industry is getting hit with falling prices and growing uncertainty after the Chinese government imposed a ban on the country's marine products in response to its decision to release wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear site into the Pacific Ocean. China is the largest single market for Japanese seafood exports at 87.1 billion yen ($600 million) last year, according to government trade statistics. Among the most popular products are scallops, tuna, sea urchin, snapper and sea cucumbers or namako. The average price of fresh Aomori tuna at the Toyosu market fell 24% on Aug. 25 from the previous day to 9,383 yen per kilogram, according to data posted on the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market website. One Hokkaido firm that specializes in exports to China and Hong Kong plans to shut down and lay off its 20-person staff, according to a person at the company that asked for anonymity as it sorts through its financial affairs. China's reaction reflects public worries, even though the International Atomic Energy Agency said the move is in line with global safety standards and would have a negligible impact on people and the environment. Gen Komori, president of Housen, a Tokyo-based trading company specializing in fishery products, said that now that exports to China have been cut off, the company has to shift its attention to Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia. "It's tough, but we have to try," he said. "Companies that export exclusively to China have nothing they can do." A representative of Hashiguchi Suisan, which farms and processes yellowtail and tuna in Nagasaki Prefecture, said that the company exports about one-tenth of its total volume to China, and that the latest measure will eliminate sales by hundreds of millions of yen. He hopes that the Japanese government will consider a policy to compensate fishermen for the maintenance and other costs involved in holding fish. Fresh fish exports to China had already began to decline in July when China tightened inspection standards, says fishery analyst Momoo Odaira. But this time around, frozen products and some processed products are also being cut off from China's vast market. Coming at a time when the fishery industry was looking to ramp up exports with the weak yen, a total embargo is expected to have significant impact, he said. Buyers gather for an auction at Numanouchi fish port in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, on Aug. 24, 2023. (Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg ) "Products that were exported to China must be sold domestically or sold to other countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore," he said. "As competition in other countries intensifies, fish prices are likely to fall." China had already banned food imports from 10 prefectures, including Fukushima, but expanded the measure to a full embargo after Tokyo Electric Power began discharging the treated water from Fukushima this week. Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, at a post-cabinet news conference, called on China to immediately lift the embargo and said that the Japanese government should "seriously consider what kind of relief measures can be taken" for fishermen. Takahide Kiuchi, an economist at Nomura Research Institute, said in a column that seafood exports to China and Hong Kong account for only 0.17% of total exports and that "the impact on Japan's exports and economy is limited." However, if China's trade restrictions on Japan expand to other sectors, the Japanese economy will suffer a more serious blow, he said. Kazuma Kishikawa, an economist at Daiwa Institute of Research, Ltd., said that half of Japan's fisheries exports go to China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and that fishermen would lose 50% of their overseas sales, which would be a "considerable blow." Bloomberg's Shoko Oda and Emi Urabe contributed to this report. U.S. landing craft approach Iejima during the invasion of the small Okinawa island on April 16, 1945. (National Archives and Records Administration) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Japan is planning a fresh search this fall for a mass grave containing the remains of soldiers killed on Iejima, a small Okinawa island, in the waning days of World War II. A recovery team from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will begin excavating an area northeast of Mount Gusuku in October or November, a ministry spokesman said by phone Tuesday. They are looking for the entrance to a cave complex and the remains of more than 100 Japanese soldiers killed in April 1945. Iejima was the scene of fierce battles during World War II, the spokesman said. We have been searching for remains on the island for a long time. Some government officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Iejima, an elongated, 14-square-mile island approximately three miles off Okinawas northwestern coast, is marked by a single mountain peak, 565-foot-high Mount Gusuku. Smoke rises from Iejima, Okinawa, April 15, 1945, following a naval bombardment. U.S. troops landed on the island the next day. (Naval History and Heritage Command) Allied bombs started falling on the island in October 1944, but the first U.S. troops landed on April 16, 1945. During six days of heavy fighting, about 2,000 Japanese troops, 1,500 civilians and 200 Americans were killed. Today, about 4,300 people live on the island, a 30-minute ferry ride from Okinawa. Information about the potential remains was discovered nearly a decade ago by Kuentai-USA, a Japanese nonprofit dedicated to repatriating World War II remains, founder Usan Kurata said by phone Tuesday. After years of sorting through records from the U.S. National Archives, the group discovered a document from the 77th Infantry Division that referenced a cave complex about a half-mile northeast of the mountain, Kurata said. The 306th Infantry Regiment reported killing 106 Japanese in the complex between April 15-24, 1945, according to the document. Kuentai planned to excavate the site, but the ministry stepped in, Kurata said. The ministry was tipped off to potential locations earlier this year by locals reporting entrances and ventilation ducts, the spokesman said. Its efforts are made more difficult by changes at the site, including postwar construction. We searched (for the complex) multiple times in the past but couldnt find it because the fierce battles changed the geographical features of the island, the ministry spokesman said. The cave complex is believed to be 300 feet east of the livestock auction market on the northern side of the island, a spokesman from Ie villages Welfare Division said by phone Tuesday. One landowner gave the ministry permission to excavate a 5,000-square-foot tract that may hold one of the entrances to the complex, the ministry spokesman said. The last excavation on the island occurred in fiscal 1986. Vechicles travel on Route 16 near Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan was killed in a Thursday night motorcycle accident near the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet. The sailor was riding near Womble Gate, the bases southeast entrance, when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle driven by a U.S. government civilian, base spokesman Randall Baucom told Stars and Stripes by email Friday. The sailor, riding on Route 16 in Yokosuka around 10 p.m., approached the car from behind on the right, a spokesman for Kanagawa Prefectural Police told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday. The sailor was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead at 11:17 p.m., the spokesman said. The cars driver was not injured. Its customary in Japan for some government officials to speak to the media on condition of anonymity. A Friday news report by TV Asahi showed police investigating the scene, with a motorcycle and a white passenger car visible. It identified the motorcyclist as a 24-year-old foreigner who had rolled under the car after the crash. Baucom did not identify the sailor or the civilian, citing the Navys policy to identify deceased service members 24 hours after notifying their next of kin. He referred all additional questions to the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. The police spokesman identified the civilian and sailor as males but provided no further identification. Baucom said the sailor was assigned to the Ronald Reagan, which returned to Yokosuka on Friday morning after about three months at sea. Baucom did not say why the sailor was not on the carrier when it returned. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sailor's family, friends and shipmates during this time. The accident is under investigation by local Japanese authorities with the support of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, he said in the email. People take an evening stroll on Prague's Charles Bridge. Beginning next year, many U.S. military personnel living and working in Europe will have to apply for leisure travel authorization using a new system that requires personal details. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) U.S. service members living and working in Europe will have to submit their personal information and pass a security screening to vacation or travel outside of their job in 30 European countries after new travel rules go into effect next year. Required details include current job, education level and criminal history, according to the European Travel Information and Authorization System website. The Schengen Area countries participating in ETIAS include the members of the European Union except for Ireland. Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland also will participate. The regulation applies to citizens of the U.S., Australia, Canada and about 57 countries who can enter for short-term visits without a visa. Its still unclear just when the new policy will take effect, but it is scheduled to happen sometime in 2024. The windmills of Kinderdijk, Netherlands, are a popular tourist attraction. American service members will have to apply for authorization to travel to 30 European countries beginning next year. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) U.S. personnel covered by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement are exempt when traveling with orders for work, a European Commission spokesperson said this month in response to questions. The commission is the governing body of the European Union. If a person is traveling while not on duty, they need an ETIAS authorization, according to program guidelines. People with a valid resident permit for any European country which typically would require ETIAS also are not bound by the rule, the European Commission spokesperson said. That covers most U.S. military dependents, DOD civilians and their families. Under the SOFA, service members do not need a resident permit to enter and remain in a NATO country as part of their job. In Germany, they are not eligible for a SOFA card, a type of residence permit typically issued to military family members and U.S. civilians working for the Defense Department and their dependents. SOFA sets the rules, rights and responsibilities under which U.S. personnel may live and work in allied member countries. A couple looks out across Paris toward Sacre Coeur basilica through the clock at the Musee dOrsay. The European Travel Information and Authorization System will be implemented next year, and U.S. service members will have to submit personal information to seek authorization to travel to much of Europe. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) The regulation to submit personal information and travel documents applies to everyone, regardless of age. But only applicants age 18-70 have to pay a fee of 7 euros. Authorizaton would be required for all travel, including Morale, Welfare and Recreation trips or other organized activities. Defense Department officials say they still are studying what impacts the new travel regulations may have on service members and civilian workers. Once the effects are determined, the DOD foreign clearance guide will provide relevant information, Air Force spokeswoman Laura Andrews said. The checks of U.S. citizens and others from visa-free countries are needed to ensure safety, according to the commission. The pre-screening helps to determine if those travelers pose a security, illegal immigration, or public health risk, the commission has said. A similar American program screens citizens of European and other countries, also requiring authorization before they can visit the U.S. for short-term stays. If granted, the travel authorization is good for three years or until the submitted travel documents expire, whichever comes first, the website states. The authorization is not a visa. Authorization isnt guaranteed. Applications can be rejected or revoked, but there is an appeal process, the website states. EU officials estimate that 97% of applications will be approved in seconds, while the remainder will require a deeper review, according to schengenvisainfo.com. Travelers wont be allowed to board a plane or other transportation headed to an ETIAS country without an authorization, according to the website. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. The Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN held a meeting at the headquarters of the organization, which was secret from the majority of member states. The Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN condemned this behavior of Armenian diplomats and accused them of "abusing" the platform of the world organization, the press release of Azerbaijan's Permanent Mission to the UN issued on August 24 said, Trend reports. "The Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN held another provocative event on August 23 aimed at spreading misinformation and distorting the situation at the UN headquarters regarding the Lachin road. In flagrant violation of established UN traditions, the Permanent Mission of Armenia secretly invited only a small group of countries and biased experts from the majority of UN members, closing the doors to all other UN members, and organized a closed session, putting guards outside the meeting room simply to avoid honest discussions at all costs and protect itself from inevitable exposure. As it is well known, public debates within the UN, when they are really aimed at an impartial and honest exchange of views, are held in an open format, with advance notification of member states about the time and place of the event. Thus, the format chosen by Armenian diplomats could be called unprecedented for the UN, if it were not becoming increasingly common, as in the case of Armenia, which regularly abuses this platform to spread false news. In this context, it is easy to understand the confusion and anger of diplomats in a number of countries, where the Armenian Permanent Mission not only denied the basic right of all UN members to participate in the discussion, but even threatened them with the police. Interestingly, such tendencies are intensifying after Armenia received a dignified and factually accurate response in open and substantive discussions a few days ago at the UN Security Council meeting. Not surprisingly, the Permanent Mission of Armenia, which no longer has the opportunity to slander Azerbaijan in open debates, has no choice but to do so secretly, behind closed doors. It is clear that such an approach is incompatible with the spirit and objectives of the UN, as well as with the letter of the charter of the organization. Thus, it is not by chance that the UN Secretariat stated on the information screen of the conference hall that this event was held on the initiative and solely under the responsibility of the sponsoring country - Armenia, and that it was not approved by the UN and was not part of the multilateral process. The Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan condemns such provocative actions, including the abuse of the UN platform to form and promote false interpretations that undermine efforts to normalize relations and establish sustainable peace and stability in the region," the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN said. An undated photo of Dr. Mary Walker. On Friday, Aug, 25, 2023, the Army renamed Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia to Fort Walker to honor her the services first female surgeon and Medal of Honor recipient from the Civil War. (Library of Congress) WASHINGTON The Army on Friday renamed Fort A.P. Hill, a training outpost near the nations capital, as Fort Walker to honor the services first female surgeon and Medal of Honor recipient from the Civil War. The installation in Virginia is now officially Fort Walker, named for Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. We make history during this redesignation ceremony, retired Lt. Gen. Nadja West, who in 2015 became the Armys first Black surgeon general, said during the ceremony. If there was no Dr. Walker, there would have been no Dr. West. She blazed a trail that I and thousands of others have been following over a century later, added West, who was also the first Black woman to hold the Army rank of lieutenant general. At the start of the Civil War, Walker volunteered to serve as a surgeon for the Union Army, though initially she was only allowed to do so as a civilian because the military did not yet accept women in that role. After a couple years, she was officially accepted as a military surgeon and was later captured by Confederate forces in 1864. After a few months, she was traded for a Confederate doctor. Dr. Walker made many forays across enemy lines to treat the wounded, said Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commander of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and Army Military District of Washington. It was on one such trip that she was captured by Confederate forces and charged as a spy. Now known as #USArmy Fort Walker, today's redesignation of Fort A.P. Hill honors an American hero battlefield surgeon Dr. Mary Walker, the only female #MedalOfHonor recipient. We salute you Dr. Walker. pic.twitter.com/UUxN2kVwXj U.S. Army (@USArmy) August 25, 2023 After the war ended, President Andrew Johnson awarded the Medal of Honor to Walker and she remains the only woman ever to receive the award, which is the militarys highest decoration for valor. Fort Walker opened in 1941 during World War II and was originally named for Ambrose Powell Hill, a Confederate general during the Civil War. A law passed by Congress in 2021 recommended nine Army bases that honor Confederates change their names. Most of the Army bases slated to be renamed have already made the switch. On Oct. 27, Fort Gordon in eastern Georgia, near Augusta, will be the last base to be renamed. It will become Fort Eisenhower after former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Two of the Armys largest installations, Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Bragg in North Carolina, are now known as Fort Cavazos and Fort Liberty, respectively. Located about 60 miles southwest of Washington, Fort Walker is known for its arms training programs and is commonly used by Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force troops, as well. The installation is a regional collective training center and provides innovative, flexible and relevant training to support military readiness, according to the base website. It also offers support contingency operations in the mid-Atlantic and Washington areas. Simply put, training is what Fort Walker does, Bradenkamp said at Fridays ceremony, noting 15,000 soldiers trained at the base in 2022. They provide the best training and support anywhere. Fort Walker is the third and final Army base in Virginia to be renamed in 2023. Fort Lee, named for Gen. Robert E. Lee, was redesignated Fort Gregg-Adams in April to honor two Black soldiers who helped pave the way for an integrated military. Fort Pickett named for Gen. George Pickett was changed in March to Fort Barfoot to honor a soldier from World War II Van. T. Barfoot who had also been awarded the Medal of Honor. One of the reasons why we name our Army installations [is] it allows us to reach into our rich, storehouse of citizens who chose to fight for and serve their nation, West said. It reminds us of who we are and why we do what we do. Sliman Bensmaia in 2014 at the University of Chicago. (Jason Smith/University of Chicago) Sliman Bensmaia, a trailblazing neuroscientist working on brain computer interfaces allowing amputees and paralyzed patients to control prosthetic and robotic limbs while simultaneously feeling the natural sensations of touch, died Aug. 11 at his home in Chicago. He was 49. The University of Chicago, where Dr. Bensmaia was a professor of organismal biology and anatomy, announced his death but did not cite a cause. Dr. Bensmaia and his collaborators created algorithms that mimic the biological processes of how the brain interacts with limbs to generate sensations of touch. Then they implanted electrodes in the brain that connected to sensors on bionic hands. The feel of textures, temperatures and shapes reappeared almost like magic - surprising not just patients, but Dr. Bensmaia. After joining a Defense Department effort 15 years ago to make prosthetics more lifelike for wounded warriors, Dr. Bensmaia doubted that he and other scientists would ever get as far as they did in mimicking the sensations of touch. "I imagined it was not going to be possible," he told "60 Minutes" earlier this year. "There are 100 billion neurons in the brain interconnected with 100 trillion synapses. I mean, the human brain, it's like the most complex system in the known universe." Dr. Bensmaia and his colleagues began their research with monkeys, identifying neural activity patterns that occurred when they manipulated objects. The researchers were able to re-create those patterns in computer algorithms, then worked with engineers to create the devices. In 2016, collaborating with researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Bensmaia developed a robotic prosthetic arm for Nathan Copeland, a man paralyzed from the chest down following a car accident. President Barack Obama fist-bumps the robotic arm of Nathan Copeland at the University of Pittsburgh on Oct. 13, 2016. (Pete Souza/White House) Copeland was able to control the arm and hand with his thoughts, and he was able to feel sensations in his fingers and palm. The device itself was not physically attached to his torso. Copeland fist-bumped President Barack Obama during a demonstration of promising scientific breakthroughs at the University Pittsburgh. "That is unbelievable," Obama said. "Nathan is moving his hand with his brain." Sliman Julien Bensmaia was born in Nice, France, on Sept. 17, 1973. His mother and father are philosophers. He moved to the United States as a teenager, graduating from the University of Virginia in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in cognitive science. In 2003, he received a doctorate in cognitive psychology with a minor in neurobiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then joined the Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University as a postdoctoral fellow and associate research scientist. Dr. Bensmaia left Hopkins for the University of Chicago in 2009. He ran a large lab that employed engineers alongside cognitive scientists. His laid-back personality and style was refreshing, his colleagues recalled. "He was not formal at all," Nicholas Hatsopoulos, a colleague and collaborator at the university, said in an interview. "He always wore superhero T-shirts. He did not like dressing up formally. And he swore like a sailor, but not in a mean way. That's just the way he spoke." Dr. Bensmaia married Kerry Ledoux, University of Chicago psychology professor, in 2007. In addition to his wife, survivors include two children, Cecily and Maceo Bensmaia; his parents; and a brother. In addition to his work with amputees and paralyzed patients, Dr. Bensmaia was working with Stacy Lindau, a University of Chicago gynecologist, on a bionic breast for cancer patients who had undergone mastectomies. "Sliman's passion for restoring the human sense of touch had its origins in love," Lindau said in the announcement of Dr. Bensmaia's death. "He was drawn to the Bionic Breast Project because of the potential for very large-scale impact of his discoveries and because he saw uncharted territory in the scientific understanding of loving touch, specifically." The officer was trying to help when Dermot Dowd (31) turned on him, damaging his stab vest and uniform during the arrest. A YOUNG man who once killed two friends as a drink driver has been jailed again for trying to bite and punch a garda who found him passed out drunk on a doorstep. The officer was trying to help when Dermot Dowd (31) turned on him, damaging his stab vest and uniform during the arrest. The previous death driving incident in Donegal had weighed heavily on Dowd for years and he had found it hard to adjust to society after his release from prison, Dublin District Court heard. Judge Patricia Cronin jailed him for eight months for his latest offences. Dowd, from Crumlin, Dublin pleaded guilty to garda obstruction, criminal damage, threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and public intoxication. The court heard gardai were called to Blessington Street Upper, Dublin 7 on April 28 as members of the public had concerns for Dowd who was sleeping rough on a doorstep. The gardai attempted to wake him to no avail and called an ambulance. When he awoke, a garda tried to speak to him. He was under the influence of an intoxicant and began screaming and shouting at the garda and members of the public. The garda decided to arrest him and Dowd tried to punch him, grabbed hold of his stab vest and got blood on his fluorescent jacket. Fire brigade personnel had to assist the garda in restraining the accused, who tried to bite the gardas leg. Separately, last May 12, gardai were called to Spar on Amiens Street where it was reported Dowd had threatened staff who feared for their safety. He was shouting and screaming and waving his hands at them when gardai arrived and arrested him. Dowd also admitted theft in an incident on November 11 last year, when he stole two hats worth a combined 140 from a shop on St Stephens Green. The accused had 73 prior convictions, including public order offences. The most serious was from Letterkenny Circuit Court in 2018, when he was jailed for five years for dangerous driving causing death, as well as driving while over the alcohol limit. Defence solicitor Caroline Egan said this had weighed very heavily on him over the last number of years. He had a serious drink problem and had been homeless before living with his sister recently. He had been in prison on remand since August 15 when he appeared in court. Dowd had lost his mother at Christmas and had been drinking continuously since then. He now wanted to get things together and better his life, Ms Egan said. Hes somebody who needs help, she said. I was in prison during the pandemic and I found it very hard to adjust to society after my release, Dowd told the judge. Im very sorry for my behaviour. Ive given up my life of criminality, he said, adding that he was not using drugs and it was just drink really thats my downfall. The judge said Dowd was a gentleman who needs some assistance and gave him sentences totalling eight months, backdated to when he went into custody. Friends Kiara Baird (19) and Maria Wallace (38) were passengers in a car driven by Dowd when he lost control outside Ballybofey, Co Donegal, on September 21, 2016. After the crash that claimed the women's lives, he initially tried to claim that Ms Wallace, a mother-of-three, was driving the Citroen C3 car which crashed at Glenfin Road. He later admitted drinking for hours in a local bar with the two before getting behind the wheel. Ms Baird died at the scene while Ms Wallace died a short time later in hospital after both had been thrown out of the car in the crash. Dowd had pleaded guilty and as well as being sentenced, was banned from driving for 15 years. Jonathan Turley was taken away and returned to a cell at Maghaberry Prison earlier this month. Jonathan Turley is back behind bars, weeks after revealing how he has turned his life around. Turley, who was extradited back to Northern Ireland from Thailand to face charges over an attack on a taxi driver in 2014, was returned to Maghaberry on August 10. He had been living at the Innis Centre close to the city centre a hostel approved for probationists when he learned he was about to lose his place. Well-placed sources have told us that PSNI officers arrived and he was taken away and returned to a cell at the maximum security facility. The Sunday World can also reveal that Turley, whose criminal father Frankie was murdered in 2014, has been without his prescribed medication for the last 10 days. Sources close to his family have told us there are serious concerns about his mental wellbeing. Turley has claimed he has been subjected to ridicule and verbal abuse since his return to prison. When contacted, the Northern Ireland Prison Service told us: While the Prison Service does not comment on any individual in our care, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust are commissioned to deliver primary, mental health and addictions services to all prisoners in Northern Ireland and the provision of medication is a matter for the Trust. The Prison Service and the Trust also work together to support any prisoner who may be at risk of suicide or self-harm. In a brief statement the Probation Service told us they do not comment on individual cases but it is understood that if they can no longer safely manage the risk they may move to have that person recalled to prison. medication Sources say Turley is struggling without his medication. Prisoners are walking past him going choo choo which is driving him to distraction, said our source. It is a cruel reference to the fact his fathers body was found close to a railway siding in Finaghy. Last month in an exclusive interview, Turley, who was handed a 10-year sentence for stabbing a man, described how after years of turmoil and tragedy he had turned his life around. Despite a life of criminality the 41-year-old told us he was taking on the State and exposing the man he claims is an MI6 agent and the man who condemned him to a Thai prison cell. He spoke about how he survived a Thai prison, sharing a living space with 70 people, how the Northern Ireland Prison Service subjected him to mental torture, and how he is fighting to keep his daughter from the clutches of organised crime in Thailand. He also intends to unmask the men who murdered his father. Jonathan was 15 when Frankie Turleys body was found dumped by the side of a railway line in Newtownabbey. He was widely believed to have been the fourth man in an aborted armed robbery in which three people were shot dead by an undercover British intelligence unit. My Daddy was shot by the State, Jonathan Turley told the Sunday World. Currently studying psychology and theology Turley insists he is not the man people remember. I understand human behaviour, I understand how people think but most importantly I understand how the State behaves. People see me living in Thailand and they see someone on the run, living the high life. And dont get me wrong I did the whole Thai thing for years, it was what it was. dissident Turley spent his time holed up with on-the-run dissident Thomas Diver who he now claims is an MI5 agent and the man he blames for him landing in a Bangkok jail. Hes a dirty, rotten, stinking b*****d. I went to jail because of him. I shared a room with 70 people in that jail, we were fed rice that was six months out of date, we had to drink dirty water. What I remember is the cats and dogs with the scarves round their necks, they belonged to the prisoners and the scarves or bandanas were in the gang colours. Even the rats belonged to someone. Turley said he sought refuge in Thailand after Diver, who is wanted in connection with a dissident rocket attack on security forces in Ardoyne, reached out to him. It is understood he now believes his return to prison was prompted by his criticism of his treatment when last in jail. Turley had been accepted for a place at Queens to study Latin and had been due to attend a course meeting there the day he was returned to Maghaberry. He is also studying theology. Im living proof that you can change. Turley was extradited back to Northern Ireland from Thailand to face charges over the 2014 attack on a taxi driver His conviction last year was the latest in Turleys extensive criminal record. In 2008, he was jailed for ten years for stabbing a man five times. Turley now insists that he is a man of peace and his only concern is bringing his four-year-old daughter home from Thailand. I just want Pim to be here with me, thats all that matters. Thats my focus and intention. His life was saved by a prison officer who kept pressure on the wound with his bare hands until Smith could be transferred to Mater Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. AN INMATE, whose life was saved by a prison officer after he was stabbed in the neck, is now in lockdown after a bite attack on one of the hero officers colleagues. Serial offender Dylan Smith, with an address at Captains Road in Crumlin, south Dublin, had a shiv plunged into his neck by another inmate in the exercise yard of Mountjoy prison on the evening of Monday August 7th. His life was saved by a prison officer who kept pressure on the wound with his bare hands until Smith could be transferred to Mater Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. But, late last week and while recovering in hospital, Smith became aggressive to nursing staff while demanding access to phone calls. When prison officers on guard attempted to calm him, Smith bit one of the officers. A source said the officer was later given all necessary and preventative medical care in case of transmission of any kind of infection. Smith was afterwards removed from the Mater Hospital back to Mountjoy where he was placed and remains in a close observation cell. A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service said it does not comment on individual prisoner cases. "However, the Irish Prison Service can confirm that an incident occurred at the Mater Hospital on the, 18 August 2023, involving a Prison Officer. "The incident is being investigated and An Garda Siochana have been notified. "Any act of violence against a prison officer is unacceptable. "Any criminal act carried out within our prisons, including an assault on a staff member, should be reported to An Gardai Siochana for investigation and prosecution." On the evening of the murder attempt on Smith in Mountjoy, sources said his attacker walked straight up to him and, seemingly out of nowhere, pulled a shiv and stabbed him in the neck. It was quick, efficient and brutal, the source said. There was no dispute of any kind between this inmate and Smith no prior arguments or disagreements. Thats why they were trusted to be in each others company. The source said it now believed Smiths attacker was likely paid by a third party to give Smith a stripe. Smith was already on protection as a result of a threat from another faction in the prison. And prison authorities are now examining whether the order to attack Smith originated from this faction. It would be done for something like letting a drug debt slide, a threat being lifted or maybe even 1,000 being thrown to someone on the outside. Smiths most recent conviction came last April when he was given an eight-month sentence for assault causing harm to a female. Smith, who is well known to gardai, has spent a large part of his 20s in prison. In December 2014, he was jailed for four and a half years for his role in a number of violent crimes, including stabbing a bus passenger during a robbery and attacking a taxi driver while taking his vehicle. At his sentencing hearing for those offences, the court heard how a then 22-year-old Smith and an accomplice viciously attacked the taxi driver before they tied him up and dumped him headfirst into a ditch. The victim managed to free himself and was later treated for a skull and facial fractures. The following month they forced a passenger off a bus after Smith stabbed him in the thigh and robbed his phone and iPod. Smith then escorted the man to a nearby ATM in a garage forecourt, where he forced the victim to withdraw 200 in cash. He and his accomplice then made their escape in a nearby taxi, which they were later arrested in. The pair pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful seizure of a car and false imprisonment of a taxi driver on Tubber Lane, Lucan, on August 21, 2013. Smith of Captains Road, Crumlin, and also Weaver Road in Clonsilla, also pleaded guilty to robbery of a man at Topaz Garage on the Kylemore Road, Bluebell, on September 17, 2013. He also admitted possession of a knife and resisting a peace officer on the same date in Ballyfermot Garda Station. Smith was on bail for a robbery in Roscommon at the time of both incidents. The court heard he already had 57 previous convictions at that stage including robbery, threats to kill, possession of knives, theft and road traffic offences. Pieter Le Vert BL, defending Smith, handed in a number of psychological reports into court and said his client had a tough upbringing punctuated by episodes of violence. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed six years with the final 18 months suspended on Smith consecutive to his sentence from Roscommon. The chief suspect for prison attack on Smith is a career criminal in his mid-20s who is originally from Dublin but had been living in the west of Ireland before being jailed. He has a large number of previous convictions, including several for making threats to kill, seven for theft and over a dozen for public order offences. In 2019, he received an 18-month sentence for threatening to kill or cause serious harm to an officer in Mountjoy. Gardai have confirmed they are investigating the attack on Smith. In a statement, a spokesperson said: Gardai are investigating an assault on a man in his 30s that occurred on the evening of Monday, August 7, at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin. The man is currently receiving treatment for serious injuries at a Dublin hospital. Investigations into this matter are ongoing. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I heartily congratulate you and through you all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay the Independence Day. I believe that relations between Azerbaijan and Uruguay will continue to develop in the spirit of friendship and cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally, in line with the interests of our peoples. On this festive day, I wish you the best of health, happiness, and your friendly people peace and prosperity," the letter said. The leak is a major threat to Catholic officers and those working in MI5 The names of more than 10,000 officers and staff were leaked earlier this month A data breach of epic proportions, a police force scrambling for calm amidst fears of intimidation and an eye watering bill to fix a home-goal mistake which is unequalled. Nicola is joined by Belfast Telegraph Crime Correspondent Allison Morris to discuss the PSNI publication of a document detailing rank, grades and pay of their own staff. Allison details Catholic officers working within the force, the level of threat to MI5 officers named in the breach and of a mishap of industrial scale which threatens the very make up of Northern Ireland's law enforcement. Crime World Podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud. MORE EPISODES The victim, aged in his 30s, was taken by ambulance to the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar for treatment to what have been described as non life threatening injuries. A man is recovering this morning after he was allegedly stabbed in Longford town yesterday evening. Gardai rushed to the scene of the incident on Richmond Street in the midlands town after receiving a report that a man had sustained a single stab wound following an alleged assault. The victim, aged in his 30s, was taken by ambulance to the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar for treatment to what have been described as non life threatening injuries. A number of officers attended the scene shortly before 5:30pm where the man was found with injuries arising as a result of the alleged assault. "Gardai are investigating an incident of assault which occurred on Richmond Street, Longford town yesterday, Thursday 24, August 2023 at approximately 5.25pm," said a garda spokesperson. "A man (30s) was taken to Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar for treatment of injuries which are believed to be non life-threatening. It's believed the incident may be linked to an episode barely 24 hours beforehand when a window was allegedly damaged just yards from where last night's alleged assault is understood to have occurred. Gardai said a man in his early 30s was later arrested and detained in connection to that incident but has since been released without charge. "Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage which occurred at a premises on Richmond Street, Longford town on Wednesday, 23rd August 2023 at approximately 11pm," added the spokesperson. "A man (30s) who was arrested in relation to the incident has since been released." According to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, El Rico was the leader of a criminal organisation that carried out assassinations, traded in cocaine and laundered money Daniel Kinahan is alleged to be part of the 'Super Cartel' Ricardo Riquelme Vega, whose nickname 'El Rico' means The Rich One was sentenced to 11 years in jail Daniel Kinahan's 'super cartel' ally `El Rico has been moved from the maximum security Extra Secure Institution (EBI) in the Netherlands to a supervision unit as he prepares for freedom. The Dutch-Chilean drug trafficker Ricardo Riquelme Vega, whose nickname means The Rich One was sentenced to 11 years in jail after being convicted of running a gangland assassination ring. According to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, El Rico was the leader of a criminal organisation that carried out assassinations, traded in cocaine and laundered money. He carried out these operations together with Ridouan Taghi (45), another key Kinahan ally, who is facing a sentence for a series of murders. Daniel Kinahan is alleged to be part of the 'Super Cartel' While El Rico is suspected of involvement in certain specific assassinations, he was never convicted for any particular one, and his sentence was limited to 11 years. He has been transferred to a lighter prison regime, EenVandaag reports, as he is due for release in 2025. El Rico also had contacts with the Italian Raffaele Imperiale, who has meanwhile concluded a crown witness deal in Italy, www.crimesite.nl reports. It is not yet clear what Imperiale has said about Dutch fellow criminals. After his arrest in Chile at the end of 2017, El Rico was immediately placed in a high-security cell of the Extra Secure Institution (EBI) in Vught after being extradited to the Netherlands. However, the Council for the Administration of Criminal Law and Youth Protection (RSJ) has determined that there is no longer any reason to extend his stay in the EBI. He has since been transferred to one of the countrys Intensive Supervision Units (AIT) which also operate very strict prison regimes. But El Ricos lawyer Leon van Kleef said the decision comes at least three years too late as his client was illegally detained in the EBI. Judges had determined that an extension of El Ricos stay in the EBI was unreasonable, unfair and not right. The judges also point out that El Rico will be released at the beginning of 2025. The law states that an EBI detainee must be transferred to a more flexible prison regime shortly before release, in order to prepare for a life outside prison. El Rico had been convicted following a lengthy trial in a fortified court known as De Bunker located near Amsterdam airport. Raffaele Imperiale during his arrest His trial heard evidence that he had exchanged phone messages organising gangland murders with jailed drug boss Taghi. Judges were also told how Dubai-based Kinahan was in a video on a phone seized from El Rico following his arrest and extradition to Holland from Chile in 2017 that also featured Italian fugitive Imperiale and another unidentified man. It is alleged that Kinahan, El Rico, Imperiale, Taghi and another imprisoned Dutch drug lord Naoufal Belly Fassih were part of a cartel which dominated Europes drug trade. Belly Fassih was jailed for 18 years for attempted murder in Holland after he was extradited from Dublin in 2017. Co-accused Taghi who was separately on trial at De Bunker for allegedly organising seven murders, had been a fugitive from Dutch authorities for years until his arrest in late 2019 in Dubai, where he had previously been a guest at Daniel Kinahan's wedding in the seven-star Burj al Arab hotel in 2017. His texts to El Rico form a large part of the evidence against him. Leaked documents later showed the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) had compiled a dossier on the wedding party and estimated the gangsters had together imported 23 billion worth of cocaine into Europe. In 2017, the DEA said the cartel was shipping 100 tons of cocaine to Europe every year through ports such as Antwerp and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. After those arrests several gangsters fled their Dubai base and have since set up shop in Turkey, from where they organise the shipping and distribution of huge volumes of cocaine throughout Europe. We love you endlessly Rob Kearney and his wife Jess Redden have announced the birth of their first child together. The couple shared the happy news on social media this evening alongside a series of photos of their baby boy. Jess, an influencer and pharmacist, revealed in her post that she gave birth on Monday. Bobby Brian Kearney - hard to believe there was a world that you didnt exist in, we love you endlessly baby boy, they wrote in a post on Instagram. I dont think anything could have prepared me for total elation of bringing our son into the world, Jess added. We are doing great and taking some time offline to enjoy this newborn bubble that Ive always dreamt about dreams cant even compare. A number of well-known faces congratulated the couple on their new arrival including Doireann Garrihy, Joanna Cooper, Simon Zebo and Amy Huberman. The rugby legend and his wife announced they were expecting their first child back in February. Sharing photos showing off her growing baby bump at the time, Jess wrote: Weve been praying for you. Last week, Jess admitted that it had been the toughest so far on her pregnancy journey as she found herself physically struggling. Taking to Instagram, the Dublin native said she had just found out that she will be induced in a week and is a little nervous. Whatever you are feeling is normal and allowed, she wrote, alongside a photo of her in a bikini holding her baby bump. Once I started to give myself permission for feeling any emotion instead of fighting or resisting it is when I truly felt more content within myself. Jess said she had been so lucky with her pregnancy so far but was feeling the toll last week. The new parents tied the knot at Christmas in 2021 during a ceremony at St Senans Church, Kilrush, before celebrating at the five-star Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg, Co Clare. The number of people officially homeless in July reached yet another new record at 12,847 Figures published by the Department of Housing today show the number of people officially homeless in July reached yet another new record at 12,847, Focus Ireland said today. The figures show a significant rise of 247 people in one month compared to the 12,600 homeless in June this year. These latest figures show a 22pc rise in homelessness compared to July 2022 The figures also show another new record number of 1,839 families with 3,829 children homeless. The charity said it must be seen as unacceptable that thousands of children are homeless as they soon return to school after the Summer. Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan: The Summer is meant to be a carefree time for youngsters, but this year a rising number of children are dealing with the trauma caused by homelessness. We are working with the State to support these children, but it is still the reality that many will soon return to school from emergency accommodation such as hotels and family hubs. It is wrong that this is happening. As a society we must move beyond acknowledging that is disappointing that this is happening and very strongly agree that not only is it unacceptable but that more can and must - be done. We have seen before how firm action delivers results as from November 2019 to April 2021 family homelessness was cut by 45pc due to work by Focus Ireland and others in partnership with the State. During the pandemic, the Government response led to the successful implementation of collaborative policies encompassing health and housing, resulting in remarkable outcomes. One of these policies was the eviction ban and another was ensuring families who were homeless got priority for social housing. Focus Ireland said that family homelessness continues to rise primarily because families are finding it harder than ever to secure a new home and move out of homelessness. This means that not only are more families homeless, but they are also stuck in homelessness for longer. He added: The only long-term solution to ending homelessness in Ireland is a rapid build programme of new social and affordable housing, with allocations of social homes used to drive down homelessness. It is also vital that the building programme delivers the type of homes required, which is a good mix of social, rental and purchase which is affordable for families and individuals. Meanwhile, as the July Homeless Report is launched, Dublin Simon Community said it was disappointed to mark another month passing with an increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation nationally, now standing at 12,847. In Dublin 9,484 adults and children were housed in emergency accommodation in July, an increase of just over 2pc on the June figure. The homelessness charity has stated that the current level of demand for homeless services is unparalleled in the more than 50 years since its founding. Furthermore, the phenomenon of employed people entering emergency accommodation is persisting, according to its frontline managers. CEO of Dublin Simon Community, Catherine Kenny, has said, The delivery of housing units is not keeping pace with the unprecedented surge of people entering homelessness. This is compounded by the fact that the number of people exiting homelessness into housing is wholly unsatisfactory. We cannot understate the detrimental impact of homelessness on a persons health and wellbeing. It is a life-altering and traumatising experience, and being stranded in emergency accommodation for an indefinite period exacerbates that trauma. Ms Kenny added, As the foundations are being laid for medium to long term housing delivery, we are calling on Government to bring relief to the thousands of people being affected by the homelessness crisis in the here and now. Homeless services must be fully funded. All available capital funding for housing supply must be put to use. The delivery of one and two bed units is absolutely integral. The time has come to herald in a new age for society where homelessness becomes a dark but distant memory. Senator Ronan Mullen claimed there were many parents who did not want pornography to be available on childrens bookshelves A banner claiming there were 'only two genders, male & female' was hung by protesters outside Cork City Library during demonstrations which took place last month. An elected member of Cork City Council has described as unhelpful a social media post by Senator Ronan Mullen claiming public libraries were distributing pornographic material to children as young as twelve years of age. In a lengthy post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Senator Mullen claimed there were many parents who did not want pornography to be available on childrens bookshelves and claimed parents saw this as a cultural priming of their children towards their early sexualisation, exposing them to risk. Senator Mullens comments follow recent protests at Cork City Library by members of a group who entered the building and sought to remove books which they claimed were pornographic. The titles in question are believed to have concerned LGBTQ themes and material about trans-genderism. The protests at the library were met by counter protests of people who claimed that the protests were seeking to ban books and signalled fascist tendencies. Senator Ronan Mullen The Forsa trade union, which represents library workers, were also involved in protests as they said their members should not be intimidated while going about their duties. In his statement on X which did not specifically mention which books he was talking about, Senator Mullen said that courteous engagement with library staff on this issue was more than legitimate. "Peaceful complaints that do not target or seek to intimidate any person are perfectly acceptable, and sometimes necessary. he said. "The easy availability of pornography in libraries is unfortunately not surprising in this context, so right thinking parents might want to check out their library before putting their children at risk. Senator Mullen directed much of his post to a recent letter sent to library staff by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, in which he said it was great to see and Taoiseach writing to librarians to express his support for their work His fond memories of using libraries in his youth, of discovering a love of books, seeking to learn things or seeking solitude in a library, will have resonated with many of us who saw the letter. "But this is the third time this summer that the Taoiseach has spoken about librarians having to face library protests, and he has pointedly attributed motivations of censorship and book banning to protestors. On all occasions Leo has failed to get to the nub of the issue that there are many parents who do not want pornography to be available on childrens bookshelves, who see this as a cultural priming of their children towards their early sexualisation, exposing them to risk. A banner claiming there were 'only two genders, male & female' was hung by protesters outside Cork City Library during demonstrations which took place last month. Councillor Lorna Bogue, who represents the Rabharta Glas, said what was happening in the case of Cork City Library wasnt protest. Its criminal damage theyre going in and damaging Council property. "Thats an extremely unhelpful comment but Im not surprised he would make an unhelpful comment like that because he doesnt rely on the votes of councillors to be elected as he is elected through the NUI panel. "Hes encouraging people to engage in the damage of council property which, obviously, I think, doesnt behove his position. In his statement, Senator Mullen did not specifically refer to LGBTQ or transgenderism books just to pornography and stressed that he was referring only to courteous engagement with library staff and peaceful complaints which he said were perfectly acceptable and sometimes necessary. The Corkman has sought clarification from Senator Mullen on the books he was referring to in his comment on X but have yet to receive a response. This newspaper has also sought comment from the Forsa union, which represents library workers, to seek its response to Senator Mullens posting. Ivan Perry has issued the warning as cases of the virus increase Professor Ivan Perry says Ireland did well in many aspects on managing Covid, but theres still work to be done A TOP Irish health expert has said careful vigilance is needed as new potential virus threats continue to emerge. But even if a more dangerous version of viruses evolve Professor of Public Health at University College Cork, Ivan Perry, believes Ireland is now in a better position to deal with an outbreak. He said the fact that Covid is still circulating despite the vaccination programme is not a surprise. Thats what was expected to happen the virus has become endemic, which we all know, he said. It doesnt seem to be causing a major public health threat at the moment but that, of course, is in people who are well and vaccinated. Covid is now a permanent fixture in Ireland as the number of hospital cases spiked in the last two weeks. The effects of the current strains are not as dangerous thanks to vaccinations, but it could put pressure on hospitals during this years winter flu season. On Wednesday this week the HSE reported there were 404 Covid cases in hospitals nationwide, with 12 in intensive care and an 18 per cent positivity rate of tests being carried out. Clontarf Hospital in Dublin this week had to introduce visitor restrictions following an outbreak of Covid among a small number of patients. The HSE recently confirmed that the Eris variant of Covid which is even more transmissible than previous variants had been detected in Ireland The World Health Organisation has declared Eris a variant of interest and is asking countries to monitor it as cases grow globally. Professor Ivan Perry says Ireland did well in many aspects on managing Covid, but theres still work to be done But he advised anybody in their 50s or over to take up the vaccination the National Disease Surveillance Centre choses to cover this winter. He said since the peak of the pandemic some lessons have been taken on board and some havent. However, the decision to appoint public health doctors to consultant status will have an important positive effect. Over the past year or so a lot of these consultant posts have been filled, maybe over 80 posts, so thats going to be hugely positive on our overall capacity for public health medicine, said Professor Perry. It will become a very attractive speciality for medical students and people will come back from overseas to apply for these posts. Thats very much a positive development. Professor Perry said the next step to set up teams that include disease surveillance, lab scientists and health promotion experts has yet to happen. You need a multi-disciplinary team to protect the health and wellbeing of the population. Not just from infectious diseases, but other health issues, he said. He pointed out that while the data shows Ireland did well compared to other countries in dealing with Covid, we so far havent followed through on some measures to control respiratory diseases. On the less positive side its not clear that we have taken on board the importance of ventilation in schools and other public buildings. A programme of investment is required but with ventilation I think we protect people from a wide range of respiratory viruses that are common in childhood. Especially as Covid remains endemic and we cant assume that there wont be in the future strains that are going to pose a bigger threat than the current strain. Professor Perry cited the outbreak of bird flu as another potential source of a future pandemic which has seen some cases in humans but no spread from humans to humans. That is something that is always a risk in the background and if that happens or when that happens, the investments we make in clean air in schools and in public venues like bars and restaurants and cinemas will be very justified, he explained. We have to learn from the past we did many things well and its a question of looking coolly at the evidence of what worked and what didnt work. Unfortunately, we failed to protect the elderly in nursing homes and this will need to be addressed in future pandemics. He pointed to a paper published in The Lancet in which Ireland is listed with Norway, Iceland and Cyprus as a country with one of the lowest Covid-19 excess mortality rates in the world. In general terms we did better than the UK, which was one of the global outliers in terms of their performance. We were well within the European mainstream, probably better than most and most of the west of Europe. Professor Perry said we cant be complacent, but it means there is a lot of information available to help shape policy in any future pandemics. We got a lot right, through social distancing in the pre-vaccine period and we had an effective vaccination strategy. Privates Thomas Barrett and Derek Smallhorne were abducted and shot dead while serving on a UN mission in 1980 Privates Thomas Barrett, from Cork, pictured, and Derek Smallhorne, from Dublin, were murdered on April 18, 1980 A militia member convicted of murdering two Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon has been released early from his prison sentence. Privates Thomas Barrett and Derek Smallhorne were abducted and shot dead while serving on a UN mission on April 18, 1980. Mahmoud Bazzi admitted on Lebanese television that he was responsible for the murders but later retracted this and fled to the United States where he worked as an ice-cream seller. In 2015 he was deported for immigration violations and appeared before a military court in Beirut, where he was subsequently convicted in 2020 of murdering the Irish soldiers. Bazzi was given a life sentence, but this was immediately reduced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour due to his age. Independent.ie has learned that the convicted killer has now been released from prison less than three years after being sentenced. The Irish Government has been notified of his release although the reason for Bazzi walking free from jail early are not clear. Privates Thomas Barrett, from Cork, pictured, and Derek Smallhorne, from Dublin, were murdered on April 18, 1980 The Defence Force's Personnel Support Service has also contacted the families of Privates Barrett and Smallhorne to notify them of the development. The two murdered soldiers and their comrade, Private John O'Mahony, were in their last week of a six-month tour with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) when they were sent out to provide supplies to a post near the border with Israel. They were accompanied by an American officer, a French officer and two journalists when they were intercepted by a gang from the Israeli-controlled South Lebanon Army (SLA). The Defence Forces personnel were disarmed and separated from the rest of the group. Private O'Mahony was shot in the stomach and leg while his two colleagues were abducted and executed. The incident took place less than two weeks after the SLA attacked Irish troops in the village of At Tiri. Derek Smallhorne The Irish called in Dutch and Fijian reinforcements and during the battle two peacekeepers- Pte Stephen Griffin, from Galway and a Fijian- were killed. One member of the SLA, Massoud Bazzi, a brother of Mahmoud Bazzi, was also killed. During the April 18 incident, the three Irish peacekeepers were singled out by a gunman, who had been shouting my brother, my brother, and another man. A short time after the murders Mahmoud Bazzi appeared on Lebanese television and claimed he was responsible for the shootings. He subsequently retracted his statements, alleging that his commander had forced him to claim responsibility. Bazzi later relocated to the US where he settled in Dearborn, Michigan, and worked as an ice cream driver. When he applied for US citizenship, the investigation there was stepped up and he was arrested for administrative immigration violations by federal agents at his home. In 2015 he was put on trial before a Beirut military court. During the trial Private OMahony gave evidence identifying Bazzi as the man who shot him and abducted his comrades. A spokesperson for the Department of Defence said: The Department of Defence is aware of officially unconfirmed reports in Lebanon that Mahmoud Bazzi was freed from prison on July 31. We are currently seeking further details on the matter. In the meantime the Defence Forces Personnel Support Services are offering support to the families of Pte Thomas Barrett and Pte Derek Smallhorne, and continues to support Pte John OMahony, who was injured at the time. Stormont remains in stalemate because the DUP say they will not return to the Assembly until their concerns are addressed. Some of the Northern Ireland group on their trip to America, where they visited Washington and Alabama Stormont is in crisis but that didnt stop 10,000 of taxpayers money being spent to send MLAs on a trip to the US. Our health service is crumbling, schools are having their budgets slashed and vital infrastructure projects are being scrapped. Despite the financial meltdown facing the stalled Northern Ireland Assembly, Stormont chiefs managed to find the money to send seven MLAs on the all-expenses-paid trip to Washington and Alabama in March. The full costs of the trip are revealed for the first time today. The visit was organised by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) which runs exchange programmes to build relationships between young politicians across the world. Among those who travelled to the US were two MLAs from the DUP the party which caused the collapse of the Assembly last year due to their concerns over the Northern Ireland protocol. Stormont remains in stalemate because the DUP say they will not return to the Assembly until their concerns are addressed. However, that did not stop their MLAs from enjoying the recent trip to the US. The Sunday World has learned the total cost of the trip was 28,500. Most of the costs were covered by the US Department of State, which funds ACYPL. However, according to the MLAs latest register of interests, the Northern Ireland Assembly also contributed 9,800 to cover the costs of the trip. The seven MLAs who travelled to the US in March were: Phillip Brett (DUP); Deborah Erskine (DUP); Aisling Reilly (Sinn Fein); Emma Sheerin (Sinn Fein); Patrick Brown (Alliance); Peter McReynolds (Alliance); and Matthew OToole (SDLP). According to the Assembly, the purpose of the visit, which coincided with St Patricks Day celebrations in America, was to build relationships and knowledge between Northern Ireland political representatives and a range of political, civic and business leaders in the US, particularly in Washington. The Trip cost more than 10k During their visit, the group of MLAs met with a range of different organisations and individuals, including the governor of Alabama. They also attended several social events, including meals out at top restaurants. Mr Brett was in the US for four days, from March 14 to March 18, while Mr OToole was also there for four days, from March 15 to March 19. The other MLAs stayed for longer. The two Sinn Fein MLAs and their Alliance counterparts were on the US trip from March 15 to March 23. Ms Erskine stayed an extra day and was in the US from March 15 to March 24. The Sunday World contacted each of the MLAs and asked them what they believed they had gained from the trip. Given the current financial restraints on the Assembly, we also asked them if they felt the use of taxpayers money to help fund their visit to the US was justified. On behalf of Mr OToole, a SDLP spokesperson said: With the Stormont institutions still not functioning, it is important to build relationships with US political leaders, business groups and others in Washington who want to help Northern Ireland. This cross-party trip was organised by a reputable, long-established organisation and reported in line with Assembly rules. A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: Sinn Fein MLAs travelled to the US in line with their responsibility to represent their constituents. It is disgraceful that MLAs are unable to carry out their full duties as MLAs in the Assembly as a result of the DUPs continued blockade of the Executive. Taxpayers forked out 10K of the total 28K cost None of the DUP or Alliance MLAs responded to our questions. There was little media coverage of the local politicians trip to the US, and the politicians themselves posted very little about the visit on their social media accounts. However, Ms Erskine, who represents the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency, did speak about the trip in an article in a local paper, the Impartial Reporter. The article said the trip was funded by the US taxpayer but no mention was made of the Assembly also contributing to the costs. In the article, Ms Erskine said it had been a worthwhile trip. Each day has been a very jam-packed schedule, she said. I met with Joe Kennedy, US Special Envoy to NI on economic affairs, members of the judiciary system, the US State Department, city presidents, the chiefs of staff of political parties, Governor Kay Ivey [the governor of Alabama], political lobbyists and journalists. I have found that amongst those I have met, there is a real bond that exists between the two countries. It is important that links are maintained to ensure economic and social prosperity. The ACYPL website states it runs a variety of exchanges for rising political leaders from the US and around the world. ACYPL programs are designed for bipartisan groups of 7 emerging leaders under the age of 40 to experience another countrys political environment for 8-14 days, the organisation says. Participants visit the capital and 1-2 other cities to meet with government officials, political parties, elected leaders, policy experts, and members of the business community. Meanwhile, the financial crisis facing Stormont was again brought into focus this week after details emerged of revenue-raising proposals being put forward by senior civil servants at Stormont. Following the collapse of the Assembly in February 2022, ministers remained on the Northern Ireland Executive, which makes decisions on behalf of the Assembly, until last October. Since then, senior civil servants have been running the government departments at Stormont. MLAs having dinner in the USA They have now come with a series of money-making proposals, which include increasing the cost of school meals and home-to-school transport. It has also been suggested Housing Executive rents could rise, along with an increase in street parking charges. Other ways proposed by the various government departments at Stormont to bring in more money are the introduction of prescription fees, charging for home care packages and scrapping plans for free parking at hospitals in Northern Ireland. Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, who asked the civil service chiefs to come up with the revenue-raising plans, has stressed the need for more money to be found to meet the rising costs of running Northern Ireland. However, the proposals did not go down well with local political parties at a series of meetings with the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady at Stormont Castle on Thursday. Speaking after the meeting, Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald said the proposals would punish the public and claimed there was an ideological agenda at play. Its very clear its being done in an attempt to put pressure on the DUP, but what its actually doing is putting anxiety on people who are worried already, she said. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said his party believed revenue raising should be left to an incoming executive. We will look at our ability to fund public services, but the problem is not the need to find new fiscal measures to punish the people of Northern Ireland, he added. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described the current situation as dire. Were in a very difficult situation where there are lots of moving pieces, I think there are lots of ideas where there is consensus, she said. We know things like childcare are a major issue ... but to be able to draw up a meaningful programme for government, we need to relate it to a budget and we wont get clarity on that until we have clarity on when the Executive is going to be formed. Police say they are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of John Patrick White who has not been seen at his North London home since Sunday, August 13 The family of an Irishman who has been missing in Britain for almost two weeks have begged for him to make contact as police issued an appeal for help in finding him. Police say they are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of John Patrick White who has not been seen at his North London home since Sunday, August 13. Mr Whites family say the disappearance of the 61-year-old is out of character and have pleaded with him to make contact. Detectives say Mr White could be anywhere in the country while they are also making enquiries in Ireland. Mr White's brother William issued an appeal for his sibling to get in touch in a statement issued this week. "John, we are all worried and concerned about you," he said. "Whatever the issues that are troubling you, we love you, we want to help and we can help. "Please make contact with one of us or the police." Mr White who emigrated from Ireland in 1981 spent the majority of his time in England where he lived in the Holloway and Islington areas of North London. Mr White, who had last been living in Islington, was last seen on the evening of Sunday, August 13. Concerned relatives alerted police shortly before midnight on Monday, August 14 after discovering he was missing, An immediate investigation was launched by officers who began making enquiries across Britain and Ireland. Enquiries have since established that Mr White left his home between 9pm on Sunday, August 13 and 10pm on Monday, August 14. Mr White had a distinctive bicycle with him when he went missing. The blue bike does not have any insignia and has been spray painted. He withdrew cash from an ATM at a Post Office in Newington Green on Sunday evening, which was the last reported sighting police have of him. Mr White is described as approximately 5' 8" tall, of stocky build, with grey, shaved hair and blue eyes. When he was last seen, he was wearing a yellow T-shirt and blue jeans. Police have asked the public to help them, as they attempt to track Mr White's movements since he was last seen, while directly appealing to the missing man. "Since John's disappearance, we have completed extensive enquiries and searches in a bid to find him and we believe that he could be anywhere in the country," said Detective Inspector Adam Langley. "I am very keen to hear from anyone who knows John and who may have seen or heard from him since last Sunday. "I am also asking anyone in the Islington area with CCTV or doorbell cameras to check their footage for sightings of John. "Similarly, if you have seen his distinctive blue bicycle, which is also missing, please get in touch straight away. "Establishing John's movements in the 24 hours between Sunday and Monday evenings when he went missing is crucial if you have information please call us as a matter of urgency." He added: "John, please get in touch with police or go to any police station and tell them who you are. "Your family are beside themselves with worry, please, at the very least, reach out to them and let them know you are okay and where you are." Anyone with information that could assist in finding Mr White is asked to contact police on 101 or the Missing People charity on 116000, quoting 23MIS027679 . BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. The works on the section of the Zangezur corridor passing through the territory of Azerbaijan are coming to completion, said Turkish Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu during a meeting with media representatives in Ankara, Trend reports. The work on the Turkish part of the transportation corridor through Zangezur will be completed this year, he noted. "At present, works on the section of the corridor passing through Azerbaijan are being completed. We are also carrying out works in Diluju, Igdir, and Kars and plan to complete them this year," Uraloglu added. Earlier, economist-expert Eyyub Kerimli talked about the importance of the Zangezur corridor for economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan: "Five projects totaling $700 million are also being worked on between the nations, one of which is the development of the logistics and transportation infrastructure. As a result, Azerbaijan is taking action to increase its access to countries in Central Asia. All of this is also crucial for future Zangezur corridor operations and access to China and Central Asian nations in the context of a strategic partnership. Additionally, Azerbaijan is crucial to Uzbekistan's ability to access Europe in the future via the Zangezur corridor". To my knowledge there were no criminal charges against us regarding the racist allegations An Irish pub in Cape Town has been cleared of claims of racism made against it following a nine-month police investigation. Hanks Olde Irish pub on Bree Street in the South African city had been forced to temporarily close its doors after allegations were made last December in a video posted by Christopher Logan. Logan had alleged his friend, 25-year-old Thabiso Danca, was denied entry to the pub because of his race. The video made headlines after it went viral but in a statement released by the pub on Wednesday, it said police had found the allegations of racism were fabricated by individuals seeking to exploit a situation for personal gain. Pub owner Johnny Papadakis told the Mail & Guardian is now pursuing civil and criminal claims against Danca and Logan. Danca claimed he had barred from entering the pub on December 1 but a police investigation established that Danca failed to produce a valid ID upon entering the pub. Danca was then allowed entry when his friends verified his age but Logan, who was not present at the time of the incident, posted a video of the incident accusing the pub of racism. When he approached the pub the next day, the pubs owners opened a case of assault after Logan allegedly became aggressive. The pub was forced to temporarily close its doors after the video sparked racial tension and led to protests staged by the Economic Freedom Fighters. The South African Human Rights Commission also announced it would investigate the allegations of racism, although the commission has not made a statement on its findings. To my knowledge there were no criminal charges against us regarding the racist allegations, Papadakis said. The equality court sent us charges but when we addressed the issues we were met with silence. We have insisted they conclude the issue or address our response, which they havent because they cant get in contact with either of the accusers, The owners had denied the claims at the time, saying that over the past 30 years of operating businesses, they had never instructed their staff to discriminate, whether on the basis of gender, sexual orientation or race. We want to place on record that we are extremely concerned for the well-being and safety of the staff involved, therefore we will not be commenting any further while we conduct an internal disciplinary process about these allegations and the police conduct their criminal investigation into the case of assault opened against the individuals making accusations in the video, they said in a statement at the time. Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that the owners opened a case of assault against Dancas friends, which includes Logan, while Logan filed a counter complaint. The stewardess had reportedly told family members the plane was delayed due to a technical inspection A woman looks at the portrait of politician and warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin at a makeshift memorial Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is believed to have been killed in the plane crash The poignant last photo taken by the only woman who was killed when the plane reportedly carrying Wagner Group Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin crashed has appeared online. The photo was posted by flight attendant Kristina Raspopova on Twitter just before she boarded the private jet that went down on August 23. Ms Raspopova was one of the three crew who, along with seven passengers, was killed when the doomed flight from Moscow to St Petersburg ended up in a field 300km from the Russian capital. Her last post features a photo taken in an airport lounge while she waited for mystery repairs to be carried out on the plane. The stewardess had reportedly told family members the plane was delayed due to a technical inspection. Raspopova's last photo posted on Twitter Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led an aborted mutiny against Russia's armed forces in June, was on the passenger list of the Embraer-135 (EBM-135BJ) flight that crashed on Wednesday in the Tver region, north-west of the capital Moscow. According to Russia's state-run news agency Interfax, all ten bodies were recovered. Vladimir Putin has confirmed the death of Prigozhin, who, he said, had made some made some serious mistakes and met with a difficult fate. In a meeting at the Kremlin, Putin publicly referred to the crash for the first time, as he offered sincere condolences to the families of the 10 people on board, including Prigozhin. I have known Prigozhin for a long time, since the 1990s, Putin is quoted as saying. He made some serious mistakes in life, but he also achieved the necessary results for himself but also for the greater good when I asked him. He was a talented man, a talented businessman, the Russian leader said. Putin added that Prigozhins Wagner group made a significant contribution to the fight against Nazism in Ukraine. We remember this, know this, and wont forget it, he said. Putin said he was told that Prigozhin had returned from Africa earlier on Wednesday, shortly before his apparent death, and had held meetings with officials in Moscow. Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is believed to have been killed in the plane crash He said that Russian investigators would pursue the investigation into the crash to the end. Crash investigators in Kuzhenkino, in Russias Tver region, have been picking through the wreckage of the jet as part of the probe led by Ivan Sibul, who has previously examined other high-profile plane crashes. US and western officials said it was likely that an intentional explosion had brought down the plane, which crashed into a field, north of the Russian capital. A definitive conclusion has not been reached, but an explosion is the leading theory of what caused the plane to crash in a field between Moscow and St Petersburg, the New York Times has quoted US officials as saying. The explosion could have been caused by a bomb or other device planted on the aircraft, they said. A woman looks at the portrait of politician and warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin at a makeshift memorial The Pentagon said the US believed Prigozhin had been killed but did not give any specifics other than to deny the plane had been hit by a surface-to-air missile. Our initial assessment is that its likely Prigozhin was killed, spokesperson Brig Gen Pat Ryder said. Were continuing to assess the situation. "We dont have any information to indicate right now the press reporting stating that there was some type of surface-to-air missile that took down the plane. We assess that information to be inaccurate. One witness, Vitaly Stepenok (72) told Reuters he heard an explosion or a bang before seeing the jet plummet to the ground. Usually, if an explosion happens on the ground then you get an echo, but it was just a bang and I looked up and saw white smoke, Stepenok said. One wing flew off in one direction and the fuselage went like that, he said, gesturing with his arms to show the plane heading down towards the ground. And then it glided down on one wing. It didnt nose-dive, it was gliding. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has said Kyiv had nothing to do with the presumed death of Prigozhin. The Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted Zelenskiy telling journalists on Thursday: We had nothing to do with it. Everybody realises who has something to do with it. Meanwhile, Wagner fighters and a few dozen members of the public have been gathered at a makeshift memorial for Prigozhin in his home town of St Petersburg. Men in military camouflage uniforms have been seen laying flowers in front of portraits of Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, a close Prigozhin ally often described as the founder of the mercenary group, who was also named on the passenger list. New Zealand has seen its first case of where in the country is my 1965 Ford Falcon and, thanks to our notorious two degrees of separation, several car-mad Kiwis have banded together to find it. A resident at a rest home in the township of Opotiki was talking to one of the rest home cooks, Stephen Henderson, last week about his beloved Ford Falcon XP Hardtop. Henderson took to Facebook on August 17 and asked Facebook group NZ car related street scenes 1950s-1980s if they had come across the hot white ride. Hi all, I work in a rest home and one of the residents used to own this car back in the 70s would love to know if it is still out there somewhere ....cheers, he posted. Still in pristine condition, check out the red leather interior of the 1965 Ford Falcon XP Hardtop. Photo: Stuff. Its actually just recently come back into use. No WOFs between 2011 to 2019, but its got a current WOF. The current owner has had it since 1992, says one researcher. That car has been in the hands of a friend of mine for many years and I just wofed it, says mechanic Almo Briggs. Finally, the owner and self-confessed West Auckland petrol head Duncan Blakley claimed the car was at home in his garage. Thanks Almo for the call re my 1965 XP Falcon Hardtop. Fantastic track down. It has been in the family for over 30 years and loved even in the difficult times. She really turns heads then and now. Blakley loves his Falcon and says he was more than happy to take a cruise to Opotiki to meet the original owner. He plans to take a trip in spring, as shes a fine-weather vehicle, he says. The 1965 Ford Falcon XP Hardtop saved Blakelys life 10 years ago, now hes planning a trip to reconnect his pride and joy with its original owner. Photo: Stuff. I bought it in 1991. I am a bit of a petrol head myself. I grew up in the 70s and 80s scene where everyone had a V8. But mine is a little different to everyone elses. Blakleys Falcon is an Australian model, different to many of the United States imports of the same vintage often collected in New Zealand. Its a pretty rare car, to be honest.Ive had it over 30 years and have pulled it apart a few times. Blakley has used the car for drag races over the years, but the most surprising twist came one decade ago when the 1965 Ford Falcon saved his life. He was working under the car one day when he was hit on the head by one of the loose ends. I was modifying the car underneath it and took one side of it off and put the arm under the car. It swung around and hit me in the head. Blakley used the 1965 Ford Falcon for drag races over the years. Photo: Stuff. His son Ben found him almost knocked out and unwell on the garage floor. Luckily for Blakley, he was taken to hospital where he underwent a scan, which found a life-threatening brain aneurysm. They scanned my head and couldn't work out whats wrong with me. Turned out there was an aneurysm on my artery, an aneurysm with a daughter they call it. The vertigo was so bad he couldnt stand up without a walking stick at the time and was often seen to be drunk walking the pavements because of his vertigo. Kiwi classic car enthusiasts banded together to find this classic 1965 Ford Falcon XP Hardtop. The doctors gave him six months to live, and operated on Blakleys brain. Ten years later, he is nearly 60 and loves his Ford Falcon for more reasons than the pretty paint job and red leather interior. I would be dead, if it werent for the car. Theres a pretty good chance it [aneurysm] would have got me. The car saved my life, Ive got nine more years since, anyway. I would say its a miracle And just as the car was a miracle to him 10 years ago, it is still bringing joy, with next months hoon to Opotiki for a reunion with its first owner. It does feel great, Blakley says. We would be more than happy to go down, the car is immaculate. - Olivia Caldwell/Stuff. Papamoa resident Maggie Takawe has been on a tough journey battling cancer in the last 18 months. But she has never been alone in her fight. Along with her husband and two daughters, the Cancer Society has been wrapping support around the 47-year-old from day dot and is still keeping tabs on her now. Daffodil Day, coming up on Friday, August 25, is the Cancer Societys largest fundraising event. Maggie, with only a few extended family residing in New Zealand, has experienced exactly where this fundraising ends up. Her journey began December 2021. I felt a lump on my left breast one morning putting on my bra. I thought: Oh, whats that? I showed my workmates and they said: Go get it check just in case. Maggie, her husband and two daughters, aged 22 and 10, were living in Rotorua. Christmas was coming, which meant I couldnt get any bookings. So I had to wait until January. I went to see a doctor, had a biopsy and got the result that I cancer in my left breast. Shock Being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in March 2022 came as quite a shock. I didnt know what to do, where to start. But what was good is I was given all this information including a leaflet for the Cancer Society and a referral to help me through the journey. But she didnt even need to ring the number. They called me to say: We are the Cancer Society and we are here to help you. A nurse visited our home, she got my family and I some counselling. And she said: Whatever you need, please just ask. Maggie needed an operation immediately it was scheduled for March 2022. Then I found out I was pregnant. So I couldnt have the operation. The doctors needed to wait until I was past my first trimester. Maggie Takawe, third left, with her husband Joji Tawake and daughters Samsara Tiarre Tawake, 10, and Gloria Tawake. 22. Photo: supplied. One week before the operation, she had a miscarriage. It was sad...but when I look back I can see it was a blessing in disguise because I could focus on one thing. The operation went ahead, but in April Maggie was back in surgery after cancer cells were found in her lymph nodes. I had the two operations in Rotorua then was transferred to Tauranga, and completed my chemo in November. Continuous support Maggie says the Cancer Society has been by her side throughout her journey, and still supports her to this day. They provide me with counselling, transport to treatments, massages. Initially they were following up with me every two weeks to see how I was. They also provided meals they were very supportive and always there if we needed them. With limited family in NZ to lean on, Maggie says the societys wraparound support was a big relief. Yeah, it was a big relief thats someone was there to help you whenever you needed and if I was really down, apart from my husband and my church leaders it was so good to know someone else was there. They check on me regularly. They are so helpful and I am so grateful for the help they provide. Maggie had another surgery in January to scrape suspected cancer cells and replace them from her back, then received radiotherapy in March. Now I have daily medication and monthly injections and am monitored. Amazingly, Maggie went back at work at Tauranga Hospitals Kowhai House in May. The society? They still keep tabs on me; and still provide massages and other support. Maggie Takawe receiving treatment last year. Photo: supplied. Give generously During the last financial year Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty supportive care nurses provided advice, information, advocacy and support to someone with cancer or their whanau 9442 times. The regions volunteers drove 79,732km to ensure cancer patients made it to treatments. More than 1400 people attended Cancer Society supportive care programmes. And Cancer Society Waikato/BOP received 1310 new referrals. My family back home in Fiji asked me how Im going and I told them about the Cancer Society and that the services they provide in New Zealand are just so good. The Cancer Society is not directly government-funded and relies on support from the community to ensure no one faces cancer alone. Please give generously when you see a street collector this Daffodil Day. Or donate online at: daffodilday.org.nz. And remember every donation counts! An infectious disease expert wants an end to the ban on New Zealanders donating blood because they lived in the UK at the time of mad cow disease epidemic. The illness caused Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans who could potentially pass the infection on through blood transfusions. New Zealand excludes potential blood donors who lived in the United Kingdom, France or the Republic of Ireland for six months or more between 1980 and 1996. Massey University infectious disease ecologist David Hayman says there are currently no known cases in the world. "There's a large cohort of people in New Zealand who could potentially give blood but are excluded." The study estimated 10 per cent of New Zealand's active blood donors are excluded, contributing to periodic shortages of some blood products. "So given, we've got issues around blood supply and this would make more people eligible to give blood," says Hayman. The estimated risk associated with the group donating blood was extremely low, he says. "We estimated around one in a billion." Cases of vCJD peaked 23 years ago in 2000 and have since declined, with no new cases since 2019. Only three confirmed cases were ever linked to a blood transfusion. Australia and America lifted their deferrals in July and November 2022 respectively. The NZ Blood Service says it's aiming to follow suit, however, a number of steps need to be undertaken before the criteria could be changed. -Krystal Gibbens/RNZ. Two of the longest-serving members of the Green Party caucus farewelled Parliament on Thursday, delivering their valedictory statements. Eugenie Sage and Jan Logie, who became MPs in 2011, served roles in the Labour-led coalition from 2017-2020, but have decided to retire at the election. RNZ spoke to both of them ahead of their valedictories, asking them to reflect on their time in Parliament, what work they would like to see continue, and how they think they would be remembered. 'I don't think I'll be silent' - Eugenie Sage In her office, with Parliament TV playing in the background, Eugenie Sage admitted she had not given her valedictory too much thought. The House had been called into urgency, and Sage was still speaking to legislation going through. "I haven't really had a chance to come to terms with leaving. Writing a valedictory is a good way of trying to do that, but we have been very busy," she says. Before entering Parliament, Sage was an Environment Canterbury councillor, but lost the role in 2010 when the government replaced the council with commissioners. She says her first few years in Parliament were "debilitating" as there was not a lot of opportunity to achieve change, but she began to see a "pulse" for increased support for the Greens in 2017. Sage, who admitted she never intended to be an MP, certainly had no idea she would become a minister. She says 2017 was a combination of heartbreak, at losing co-leader Metiria Turei and MPs Mojo Mathers and Denise Roche, but also elation at being part of government for the first time, and being a minister. In 2017, Sage was appointed minister of conservation, minister of land information, and associate minister for the environment, with a responsibility for waste. Of those portfolios, she says she was most proud of associate environment, and of kickstarting a programme of work with a small team in the Ministry for the Environment which the government continues to implement - except for one. "The design of the container return scheme, that really needs to be put back on the agenda because we lag so far behind internationally. We've got a rubbish record on waste." Sage was instrumental in the ban on single-use plastic bags, which started in 2018. At the time, it had fierce opposition from the likes of National and ACT - and many consumers. Sage says it was a change which needed to be made. "The plastic bag ban highlights the enthusiasm for change, and it has become a matter of everyday life." Sage lost her ministerial portfolios in 2020, when Labour won its majority. Since then, there have been three ministers for Conservation: Kiri Allan, Poto Williams, and the incumbent Willow-Jean Prime. Sage says the turnover in the role was unfortunate, but was glad the role was finally in cabinet (Prime kept the portfolio when shuffled into cabinet in April). "It's seen as a junior ministerial portfolio. It shouldn't be." She says her biggest regrets were over things she tried to introduce but were voted down, such as a ban on new mines. She was also frustrated that big law changes could be made without cross-party consensus, leaving them vulnerable to being overturned by a change in government. "You get flip-flop policy-making, law-making, that just creates uncertainty. It's not a good use of all the investment of some others' time and the officials' time as well. We need to get better at developing consensus. James Shaw did that with the Zero Carbon Bill. That is an enduring framework, and that's quite a major achievement." She did not, however, regret her controversial attempt to entrench the Three Waters legislation, which at the time caused a constitutional headache. Sage insists water must stay in public ownership. "What we're doing with this legislation is corporatising it, which makes it much easier to privatise, if a future government wanted to do that." She says much was at stake for biodiversity if future governments did not take climate change seriously, with more frequent mast years and seed falls. "Rat and mouse plagues leads to stoke plagues leads to more predation. We need to protect the climate, and we need to protect nature, and we need to invest more in protecting nature," she says. Sage says her speech would focus on thanking volunteers and community organisations using their voices to demand better for nature - spaces she was likely to return to. "There are so many issues that need attention. I don't think I'll be silent, but I'm not sure how I will use my voice when I've left here." Asked how she thinks she'll be remembered, Sage says it was for others to judge. 'It's not about me, it's about the work' - Jan Logie Photo: Supplied/RNZ. Ahead of her valedictory, Jan Logie says her speech would be a "love letter" to the communities she had worked with before Parliament, during her time there, and would continue to work with. "In the most difficult times, politically, I wrote valedictories in my head and I thought it would be easy. But it's not." Logie, the 112th woman to serve as an MP, says when she entered Parliament it was still a "boys' club." She says once, an MP had made Parliament rise and clap the finalists of the Miss New Zealand competition, saying they had spent a "pleasant hour" in his office. "This kind of snickering, all around Parliament, it was just gross. They may as well have been in smoking jackets with cigars, looking at a pin-up calendar. It was just disgusting," Logie says, with a laugh. She says Parliament had made progress, but there was still a way to go. When the Green Party entered into the confidence and supply arrangement with Labout in 2017, Logie was appointed parliamentary undersecretary to the minister of justice, with a focus on domestic and sexual violence issues. She brought through a bill which created leave entitlements for workers affected by domestic violence. She says since the law came into force in 2019, she had heard from survivors and organisations about the difference it had made, but also from the bill's initial critics. "I've also heard from a business person who opposed the bill, who then after it passed was very surprised to find that women in their corporate office, friends and colleagues, actually, were accessing the leave. "And they had made assumptions about who the bill would be for, and I think saw the value of it when it came to people they actually had relationships with." When Labour won the 2020 election, Logie lost her undersecretary position, but through the Greens' co-operation agreement with Labour a minister for the prevention of family and sexual violence role was created for Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. Logie says it was imperative Te Aorerekura strategy launched by Davidson continued to be backed by successive governments. "My daughters, I want their kids to be able to look back at this time and go 'I can't believe that's what people used to do to women and kids.' And that's possible for that to get to that point where it's just not a norm in our society anymore. I feel really strongly that we're in the best place that we've ever been to be able to get us there." Logie has long had a disdain for the theatrics of Question Time, and admitted it was one part of Parliament she would not miss. "I studied theatre at university, and I have a great love of good theatre. And Question Time is not good theatre," she says, admitting as a "true lesbian cliche" she sometimes switched off by looking at pictures of her cats. She announced her retirement at the end of 2022, but has not had a quiet final few months at Parliament. As the Green Party's musterer (its equivalent of a whip), Logie was tasked, along with the Greens' chief of staff, with leading the probe into Elizabeth Kerekere's behaviour. Kerekere resigned from the party during the investigation. Choosing her words carefully, Logie described the situation as heartbreaking, but has no regrets over how the process was handled. "I genuinely believe that having a formal process provides safety for everybody, rather than just the political intervention without transparency. We followed a process, in this situation, I'm really sad that Elizabeth chose to resign and walk away before that was able to progress." Along with Kerekere, Logie has been one of Parliament's most vocal advocates for LGBT rights. As one of twelve openly LGBT MPs this term, she says she would reflect on the progress made in getting specific law reforms in terms of human rights for trans people, and the self-identification changes to birth certificates. "We had an easy political consensus around it, because it made sense," she says. She implored MPs not to take the progress made for granted, and not to fall for the fearmongering and scapegoating of trans people which had made its way to New Zealand. "It feels hard to hold that optimism, right at the moment. We're seeing not just the trans community being a target, but Maori and other communities and other women online. However, I have to balance that with the amazing things I see happening in our communities." Logie says she would continue to work with those communities. "I've always been political, and I can't see that changing. It's not a partisan thing, it's about the issues I care about. So, sorry in advance to my colleagues!" She says she was leaving Parliament with a sense of optimism for the Green Party. In fact, it is exactly why she is leaving. "My colleagues have got this. I don't need to be here to be doing the work anymore, because I totally trust them to be doing it and doing it really, really well. So that is a nice place to leave." She has not given any thought on how Parliament will remember her. "It doesn't need to, it's not about me. It's about the work. I'm imminently replaceable, and that's the strength of this place." - Giles Dexter/RNZ. Rangitaiki ward councillor Wilson James is hoping to see the resumption of Anzac Day ceremonies in Awakeri since a new war memorial monument has been installed. The Roll of Honour in the Awakeri War Memorial Hall has been replicated in granite and mounted on a rock in a memorial area at the entrance to Awakeri School and the Awakeri Events Centre carpark. Whakatane District Council community experience general manager Georgina Fletcher says the council has developed the memorial after consultation with Mr James, Awakeri School and members of the Awakeri community. She says the monument creates a link between the Events Centre and the school. Mr James says the new plaque memorialises 13 members of this small rural community who gave their lives in World Wars I and II. He says the families of some of those listed on the roll of honour still live in the area. Anzac Day ceremonies have previously taken place in the Awakeri War Memorial Hall, built in the 1950s before it was sold by Whakatane District Council in 2017. The hall sold for $135,000 and part of that money had been intended to go toward a new memorial at the new Events Centre beside Awakeri School. However, the money for the sale of the hall was barely sufficient to fulfill its obligation to accommodate the Awakeri Scouts in the adjoining building, which is now privately owned. In March last year, five years after the sale of the hall, the council asked staff to take another look at erecting a memorial in the car park between the school and the events centre. The plaque has been installed in the past two weeks, with little fanfare. A War Memorial Monument structure has recently been erected in Awakeri in remembrance of the Awakeri community war heroes. Ms Fletcher says council staff applied to Veterans Affairs New Zealand for funding assistance for the memorial, and $3000 was provided for the project. The overall cost to council was $8635. Hopefully, next year, we can have an Anzac ceremony here, says Mr James. He has visited the site on Anzac Day last year, leaving a wreath there, after attending the ceremony in Matata. Mr James, who was instrumental in the building of the Awakeri Events Centre, has long been keen for the original roll of honour to be moved across to the new centre. However, the owner of the Awakeri War Memorial Hall, Tyron Erasmus, is keen to preserve the old hall as a community facility with the roll of honour in place. Mr James says the new memorial is an appropriate place for it as it will be easily visible for students from Awakeri School as well as anyone using the Events Centre. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. ESquadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, of the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment 1 NZSAS Regt has been awarded a Chief of Defence Force Unit Commendation in recognition of its contribution to national security objectives and keeping New Zealanders safe. E Squadron was established to provide a chemical, biological, radiological and explosive capability as part of the whole-of-government response to domestic explosive disposal incidents, and has been fully operational since 2005. Since 2015, E Squadron has conducted more than 1,000 responses in support of the New Zealand Police and other government agencies, as well as supporting the clearance of remnants of war in the Pacific. Recent years have seen an unprecedented spike in the need for explosive ordnance disposal capabilities with support to the Christchurch terror attacks, the Whakaari/White Island tragedy, and the 2022 Parliament protests. Photo: Supplied. Special Operations Component Commander, Colonel Sean Bolton, says the recognition was a reflection of the high levels of commitment and dedication within the squadron. Maintaining operational levels, and the capability to respond to short-notice crisis events, demonstrates the professionalism and unrelenting pursuit of excellence by each and every member of EOD. These operators act in a manner that reflects New Zealand Defence Force values and in a way that New Zealand can be proud of. Colonel Bolton says the line of work now attracted members from the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Air Force and the civilian workforce. Photo: Supplied. Under 1 NZSAS Regt, the squadron delivers the continuous high-level training required to keep it at a level ready to respond. Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Kevin Short, says E Squadron had far exceeded expectations in keeping New Zealanders safe and contributing to New Zealands security objectives. The members have embodied the core values of the New Zealand Defence Force Tu Kaha courage, Tu Tika commitment, Tu Tira comradeship and Tu Maia integrity, and are deserving recipients. Educators working in the dynamic Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning (AEOL) field are trained to assess risks and respond. But are they ready for the fast-emerging impacts of AI? The main challenge is the way in which AI is growing and influencing our experiences of nature, of being a human and how we work even in outdoor settings, Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) outdoor and environment education senior lecturer Dr Chris North says. As Associate Editor of the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning (Q1), Dr North initiated a discussion about AI by inviting the editorial board and affiliates to provide insights from their diverse international contexts. The resulting article, The impact of artificial intelligence on adventure education and outdoor learning: international perspectives published this week, adds to understanding of the global situation with contributors from Kenya, Brazil, Japan, Wales, England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands. Educators and, in fact, all people need to be careful about the limitations of AI, but they can also benefit from this new and powerful tool, Dr North says. AI tools such as ChatGPT can plan expeditions, enhance experiences in nature, and create images and videos, however AI cant tell a reflective story of how an individual student experiences being in nature and the transformation in understanding that may occur. AI is not discerning in that it reflects the knowledge and information shared on the internet. It can therefore be biased, limited and superficial, he says. UCs Head of the School of Teacher Education, Dr Te Hurinui Karaka-Clarke discusses the danger of AI becoming a digitised form of cultural appropriation. One of the issues surrounding the use of AI and Maori knowledges is that AI has unsolicited access to knowledge that is available in both public and private domains, Dr Karaka-Clarke says. Maori iwi and hapu (tribes and sub-tribes) to whom the knowledge belongs have no way of controlling how their knowledges are used. Knowledge could be used out of context and for purposes not originally intended, Dr Karaka-Clarke says. My main concern is that outdoor leaders, students, and educators will end up being time poor, and because of this, use AI to generate local histories to share with others. This will mix and match different histories from different Indigenous groups, potentially even from around the world, to create a narrative of a place that is fictitious, he says. Unauthorised use jeopardises the authenticity and integrity of Maori knowledge. Other contributors examine how to prepare student-teachers who are likely to be teaching in a post-plagiarism world, how to contextualise AI amongst other technology embraced by the field, and how to become AI literate ahead of the technology curve. While AI could be a tool for democratising AEOL according to Kenyan academics Dr Nkatha Muthomi and Dr Gaita Njenga from Kenyatta University, Nairobi, it is important to acknowledge that ChatGPT and other digital technologies cannot replace the real-life experiences of outdoor education, which involve physical communication with others and engage all senses. Each individuals outdoor experiences is unique, and AI cannot fully replicate the sensations of smell, touch, light, wind, and more. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. The Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, received a Belgian delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions, Hadja Lahbib, who is on a visit to the country on August 25, the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis told Trend. The meeting discussed topical issues on the agenda of bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belgium and the current situation in the region. Gafarova informed the delegation about the current situation in our country and the region and noted that in 2020, as a result of the second Karabakh war, Azerbaijan put an end to the 30-year occupation of its lands and restored territorial integrity. Despite the fact that Azerbaijan has become a victim of the conflict, it was Azerbaijan that put forward a peaceful initiative to establish long-term peace and stability in the South Caucasus and normalize relations with Armenia based on the norms and principles of international law. Gafarova, speaking about the large-scale restoration and construction works carried out by Azerbaijan after the liberation of its lands, said that Azerbaijan is currently building modern cities and villages in the territories liberated from occupation. The Great Return program has already been launched, which provides for the return of internally displaced persons to their native lands. In addition, the Chairman of the Milli Majlis noted with regret that for 30 years, the violations of the rights of internally displaced persons and their expulsion from their native lands were ignored by the international community. This is an indicator of double standards. Sahiba Gafarova said that there are many reasons for these double standards: the Armenian lobby and propaganda, Islamophobia. At the meeting, Gafarova also informed about the mining of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, noting that the massive mining carried out by Armenia is the biggest obstacle to restoration work in the territories liberated from occupation. Speaking about false and fabricated propaganda, the Chairman of the Milli Majlis stressed that the Lachin road was and remains open and that there is no "blockade". The Republic of Azerbaijan, in accordance with the norms of international law, established the Lachin border checkpoint in April 2023. Gafarova highlighted that Azerbaijan has proposed the Aghdam-Khankendi road for the transportation of humanitarian goods to the city of Khankendi and surrounding villages, and this proposal has received support at the international level. However, unfortunately, Armenia does not want to use this road. Moreover, Armenians living in Karabakh are citizens of Azerbaijan, and Sahiba Gafarova said that the necessary steps have been taken to reintegrate them into Azerbaijani society. The head of the Azerbaijani state has repeatedly stated that Armenians living in Karabakh are our citizens, and they will have the same rights as all citizens of Azerbaijan. The Chairman of the Milli Majlis once again noted that the absurd statements put forward by Armenia that there is allegedly a "tense humanitarian situation" in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and that residents of Armenian descent living in the region allegedly "face a shortage of food and medicines" are nothing but manipulations aimed at misleading the international community. Sahiba Gafarova noted that it is surprising and hypocritical that Armenia, which ignored Security Council resolutions for almost 30 years, continued to keep Azerbaijani lands under occupation, ignoring the documents of all international organizations, including the UN Security Council, and submitted the issue of the Lachin Road for discussion in the UN Security Council. In addition, the Chairman of the Milli Majlis stressed that the Azerbaijani people want peace and stability. However, the peace agreement proposed by Azerbaijan has not yet been signed because Armenia wants to delay this process. Gafarova also criticized five unilateral and biased resolutions adopted in the Belgian Parliament against Azerbaijan over the past three years, stressing that these resolutions do not reflect the situation in the region. She also noted that the visit of the Belgian deputies only to Armenia violates the balance in relation to the countries of the region and highlighted that Azerbaijan has sent invitations to the leadership of the Belgian parliament, the head of the friendship group, and other parliament members, adding that such visits will provide more accurate and reliable information about the situation in Azerbaijan and the region, especially in Karabakh. If they visit Azerbaijan, they will witness what was done in AgdamHiroshima of the XXI centuryin Shusha. Gafarova said that not only in Aghdam but also in all our cities, districts, and villages that were under the occupation of Armenia, everything was destroyed. The Belgian Foreign Minister informed us about the objectives of her visit to the region, including our country, and the meetings held. Stressing the importance of mutual visits between Azerbaijan and Belgium, she noted that during this visit she held discussions on many issues and stressed the importance of ensuring peace and security in the region, including the mine clearance of territories. In general, Hadja Lahbib said that Belgium only intends to promote peace and the restoration of these territories. She noted that, over the past 30 years, a lot of destruction has occurred in these territories. Lahbib also spoke about the activities of political institutions in Belgium, multiculturalism, gender equality, and other issues. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. The introduction of Maori wards in the Western Bay of Plenty has prompted a community board member to resign, triggering a by-election. Waihi Beach Community Board deputy chairperson Alan Kurtovich told Local Democracy Reporting when he campaigned during last years election, he said he was against Maori wards. The council choosing not to consult with the community about the wards was the last straw, for the first-time community board member. I felt that the council let our community down quite badly. On Wednesday Western Bay of Plenty District Council announced Kurtovichs resignation, initiating a by-election to select a new community board member. This is the second by-election announced for the district in the past fortnight. The council notified Te Puke Community Board member Anish Paudels resignation for personal reasons on August 11. The Waihi Beach Community Board by-election was estimated to cost $14,500 and the Te Puke one would likely cost $22,950, the council says. At an extraordinary meeting last Thursday, the councillors voted nine three in favour of establishing Maori wards for the 2025 and 2028 elections. The issue of Maori Wards is not a new one, and mana whenua have long campaigned for them. In 2011 after a narrow vote the council decided not to establish them, in 2017 the council opted to have Maori Wards, but it was subject to a binding poll requested by the public. It was voted down in the poll with 78 per cent of the respondents opposed, just over 40 per cent of eligible voters took part. A legislation change since meant last weeks decision cannot be overturned by a binding poll. Kurtovich says the council would have followed the required steps in establishing the wards but based on the poll he felt the communitys views should be sought again. To me, not to be given that opportunity to find out how the community feels about that again is not correct. It might seem drastic, but at the end of the day I was elected to represent the community and they have chosen not to let the community have their say. He says he didnt know about last Thursdays council meeting until that day. If you're going to make such an important decision for our community, then the community needs to be engaged and told what's going on. Mayor James Denyer told LDR because the council had consulted previously, the communitys views were well understood. It [consultation] wasn't really going to gain any insight. I acknowledge there's strong opinions on each side. Denyer says during the debate at Thursdays meeting he acknowledged it was a difficult decision for councillors but also about doing the right thing. It's one of those issues you can't possibly please everyone. There's been a pretty strong request for Maori wards for the last 10-12 years and now we're the 36th council to do it. So, it's not exactly new ground. Under the Local Electoral Act 2001 there were no obligations to consult with any person before passing a resolution to establish Maori wards. Denyer says he was present at the Katikati - Waihi Beach Community Forum and the Waihi Beach Community Board meeting held in the days prior to last Thursdays council meeting. He says the topic of Maori wards came up and he was available for questions, but Kurtovich wasnt at those meetings. The process for Maori Wards, as part of the districts six-yearly representation review, was signalled in December to councillors, there was an update in May and a closed workshop in August, he says. Denyer says there were two councillors appointed to the community board and those councillors kept community board members updated. The agenda for the extraordinary meeting went up 10 days prior and it was also advertised in the newspaper. Waihi Beach By-election key dates: Nominations open/roll open: Friday August 25 Nominations close/roll closes: Midday September 22 Voting opens (if more than one nomination): Friday September 27 Voting closes: Saturday November 18 Nomination papers are available from: Waihi Beach Library and Service Centre, 106 Beach Road Western Bay of Plenty District Councils main office, Barkes Corner, 1484 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga Councils by-elections 2023 page www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/elections Electoral 0800 number 0800 922 822 Te Puke By-election key dates: Nominations open/roll open Thursday August 10 Nominations close/roll closes midday Thursday September 7 Voting opens Thursday October 12 Voting closes midday Friday November 3 Nomination papers are available from: Te Puke Library and Service Centre, 130 Jellicoe Street Western Bay of Plenty District Councils main office, Barkes Corner, 1484 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga www.westernbay.govt.nz/by-election-2023 Electoral 0800 number 0800 922 822 Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. When the night is done at her familys Turkish restaurant Seyda Coskun goes home, washes off the kebab oil from her shift and frets. Its like this most nights and has been for some time. As one of the remaining stores on Downtown Taurangas Devonport Rd, this is the harsh reality for those trying to make ends meet with a struggling business in a cost of living crisis. While all passer-bys might see are shopfronts among For Lease signs, and construction sites there are whole worlds of financial stress, waning hope and family burdens that toil within these businesses. Turkish restaurant and family business Abrakebabra opened in 2008 on Devonport Rd. Abrakebabras manager Seyda Coskun says: Back then the street was a lot more profitable. We actually existed back then. Years ago the environment was a lot more lifted. It was happy and people were more willing to spend money. Seyda Coskun, Hayati Gurleyen and Hatice Saribuga Gurleyen of struggling family business, Abrakebabra on Devonport Rd. Photo: Bob Tulloch. More hours, no paychecks Now, the business is taking it week-by-week. Seyda says the businesses is struggling with a lack of customers due to ongoing construction sites and lack of CBD parking. Our family is working far more hours and were not taking home pay cheques anymore because our staff need the pay cheques. She says restaurant losses are 40-45 per cent some weeks. With financial stresses and personal bills to pay, Seyda says its impossible to switch off from the business. It never goes awaymost nights Im just worrying because its a family business and it means a lot more than just working for another company. We are all we have. You go home, take a shower, and you wash all the oil and the kebab off you and just worry. Its awful. Construction continues Ongoing construction work on Devonport Rd and Elizabeth St is a huge problem for downtown businesses, says Seyda. Were not getting any notices when parts of the road are all blocked off. There is no compensation available...so were out of pocket. Devonport Rds construction sites include private developments and council projects. Tauranga City Councils future office block at 90 Devonport Rd is expected to be complete early-2025. Seyda says it would help customer foot traffic if construction work took a staggered approach. Itd be great if they could tackle one part of the city first, even one half of the street, then the other. While we will try to mitigate disruption where we can, we do need to balance it with making sure the transformation can take place as quickly as possible so we can get the heart of our city pumping again and local businesses can start benefiting from that," says Tauranga City Council's general manager of city development and partnerships Gareth Wallis. Carpark spots and costs Seyda says the CBD parking situation is also damning business on both customer and staff fronts. If customers can even find a park, theres then the parking charges themselves and theyre quite expensive. Cost of living as you know is going up. Our staff are leaving because they cant one, find a park; and if they can its too expensive which is just damning all of our businesses again. Gareth says TCC has been closely tracking city centre parking availability. Recent data from June 2023 shows, on average, only 50-60 per cent of on-street carparks are being used Monday-Friday. In parking buildings, during peak hours, no more than 70 per cent of carparks are used at any given time. Short-term plans are also progressing to develop a temporary carpark at 160-176 Devonport Road." Business strategy Tauranga Business Chamber CEO Matt Cowley met with struggling downtown businesses last week. Some businesses need help with business strategy to diversify their revenue sources, some need help with cash flow forecasting as their liquidity run-way is month-to-month, others need help renegotiating leases with landlords. The two most common issues are worsening lack of parking and the growing antisocial behaviour. Seyda says antisocial behaviour in the CBD, making customers and staff feel unsafe, isnt helping business either. So is there enough support for these CBD stores who have been in our community for years? Matt says if youre city centre business, the answer is: No. If youre a ratepayer in other parts of Tauranga whod be paying for the support, then maybe. Ultimately, if you ask a CBD business owner what support they want the most, its more carparking. Gareth says council has been implementing several short to medium term solutions to support local businesses at this time, through the City Centre Development Incentive Fund. Some of these initiatives include: partnering with Tauranga Business Chamber to provide free targeted support and mentoring to each businesss unique situation; and funded access to the Business Navigator programme managed by Mentoring NZ to ensure city centre businesses have expert advice and resources to get through this period of development," says Gareth. "The unfortunate part of that is that it takes us away from the business and we cant leave the business theres just no staff so it makes it a bit tougher on families," says Seyda, in regards to business mentoring support. "I appreciate it takes time to do anything. I just think they [TCC] need to appreciate weve already given them a lot of time and theyve caused us nothing but worry. No reassurance. No support. No real change. Support local Downtown Taurangas Chair Ash Gee says the community is encouraged have the Covid-19 support local mind-set towards downtown businesses. Continue to support your favourite businesses in the city centre that may be just a little bit harder to get to presently. Community support is required to help get our city centre businesses through this transformation phase. Abrakebabra doors remain open, while other businesses of Devonport Rd have shut up shop. Its really sad, and its kind of a reminder that that could happen to us which is really hard driving past all the closed businesses every day. It makes you think that really could be us, and who knows in however much time. Its quite scary. Seyda and her family have started a petition for people to support downtown businesses. Sign the petition at: https://www.change.org/p/support-tga-city-centre Jennie Rhodes La Herradura Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A young flamingo appeared on La Herradura beach (in Andalucia's Granada province) on the morning of Wednesday 23 August, surprising beachgoers. It was a swimmer who first noticed the bird near the shore. She picked it up and took it to the lifeguard post, where Granada's Centre for the Recovery of Endangered Species (CREAS) was notified. The flamingo, which didnt have a tracking device, was put in the first aid station facilities until CREAS professionals arrived, so that it wouldnt be disturbed by curious onlookers. The flamingo was kept inside the first aid station facilities until CREAS professionals arrived. SUR According to a representative from CREAS Granada, which is located on the antigua carretera de Sierra Nevada, km. 7 between Pinos Genil and Cenes de la Vega and who SUR in English spoke to on Thursday 24 August, the flamingo is recovering well and has no injuries, although it was dehydrated, weak and slightly underweight when it was brought in to the centre. They added that the bird would stay at CREAS for some time until staff are happy that it has fully recovered from its ordeal, before being taken to a lagoon with other flamingos. The representative went on to say that although they don't know where it had come from as it wasn't tagged, flamingos are struggling to find water sources due to the drought and they believe that this young bird had probably been separated from its mother after becoming tired during a journey to look for water. Javier Almellones Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram In the Guadalteba valley there still stand a number of noteworthy castles, such as the two in Ardales (Turon and La Pena), and Hins-Canit in Canete la Real. Due to its size and grandeur, the most notable is that of La Estrella (the star), located on a hill adjacent to the town of Teba. This fortress, considered the second largest in the province of Malaga, overlooks both the town and vast swathes of land that include the Guadalteba valley, the plains surrounding Antequera (La Vega), some of Seville's countryside and even the gateway to Ronda's mountain ranges. It once had 18 towers within a walled enclosure that covered 25,000 square metres. Among the structures that are preserved is the Torre del Homenaje, where there is a visitor centre. WHAT TO SEEPRICES AND HOURSWHERE TO EAT Castillo de la Estrella Remains of one of the largest fortresses in the province. Visitors' Centre The history of the castle and the siege featuring Sir James Douglas are explained in detail. Nearby Monolith dedicated to Sir James Douglas, the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz Real and the Tajo del Molino. Timetable Thursday to Sunday, 10am - 3pm Prices General: 2; concessionary 1. Under 18s free. El Cordobes: Restaurant serving traditional cuisine. Among the many tumultuous episodes that the Castillo de La Estrella has experienced over time, the best known is the one that took place when the fortress was captured by the troops of King Alfonso XI. In this 1330 siege, Scottish soldiers were also involved. The actions of this small, foreign band of men, led by Sir James Douglas, have gone down in history for many reasons. This knight, who had joined a group of foreign soldiers alongside the Christian army to take the fortress, actually had the greater mission of fulling the last wish of his Scottish king, Robert the Bruce (died 1329), to take his embalmed heart on a crusade to Jerusalem. However, at that time, the closest thing to a religious crusade was the so-called Reconquest of Al-Andalus by Castilian forces. For this reason, Douglas, obsessed with fulfilling his king's last wish, set forth to join the noble ranks of Alfonso XI's armies and participate in the siege of the castle at Teba. Sadly, in the taking of the fortress, this daring Scotsman and some of his compatriots lost their lives. Part of his mortal remains, along with the heart of the Scottish monarch, were returned to his home town, Melrose, a Scottish town that has been twinned with Teba for decades. Almost seven centuries since this event, it has now transpired that part of the corpse of Sir James Douglas was buried on the battlefield, a custom typical of Scottish soldiers at that time. It was a way of paying tribute posthumously to those who had fallen in battle. The custom involved separating the bones from the flesh, burying the latter in situ. This hypothesis, supported by some historians, was confirmed a few years ago, when it was discovered that a Celtic, funerary stele, (found in 2007 during building work for the high-speed train line), could be the grave marker for Douglas. Every year, on the last weekend of August, the Douglas' Days festival is held in the castle itself and in Teba town, which includes a medieval market and a historical re-enactment of this particular chapter in the life of the castle. Kino Verdu Menorca Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1993, (this year marks its 30th anniversary), Menorca boasts over a hundred beaches and coves, some more pristine and others less so. An island that belongs to the Balearic archipelago and a desired, coveted destination- much like the Mahon cheese, a culinary icon proudly promoted by this city. Its natural port, the second largest in the world after the legendary American Pearl Harbor, creates an immense body of water that makes its way between rocky walls and culminates in a lively street dotted with bars, shops and restaurants. In the centre of this inlet, the Islote del Rey (King's Isle) sits, near where the Sa Placa viewpoint rises up from the harbour (one of the best views to be had in the city). With the salty aroma of the sea air on the skin and the incessant sea breeze jiggling the rigging against boat masts, one pulls up to the historic city centre, full of buildings that reflect the legacy of the people who have left their mark on the island (Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims...), the church of Nostra Senyora del Carme, the medieval vestiges of the Portal de Sant Roc (an ancient city gate) or the Teatre Principal de Mao (the oldest opera house in Spain). Menorca cheeses. Turismo de Menorca As well as pristine beaches, fresh fish and the famous cheese, Menorca has many cultural offerings About eight kilometres away stands La Mola Fortress (an essential visit) and, to the north, stretches the Natural Park of s'Albufera des Grau, covering five reserves: the islands (and marshlands) of Addaia, Bassa de Morella (a lake), Es Prat (wetlands and coastal reserve), Isla d'en Colom (an offshore island) and s'Estany (a beauty spot with natural coves). Traditional food We can return, ravenous, to the heart of Mahon to buy food in the Mercat des Peix (fish market) or the Claustre, with their stalls selling tapas, snacks, wines, cheeses (of course) and other Menorcan products. Digestion is helped with a shot of its famous Gin Xoriger, the oldest gin produced in Spain (introduced by the British in the 18th century).. In Ciutadella, the best thing to do is just wander along its cobbled streets as they will take you on a tour of the main sights anyway: the main square Plaza des Born, giving access to the old quarter, with its town hall and the palaces of Salort and Torressaura; the Santa Maria cathedral; Ses Voltes shopping street and its porticoed arches; Plaza Nova, the baroque Can Saura (museum) and Roser church. Menorca: A clear commitment to gastronomy and sustainable tourism Last year, the island was declared the European Region of Gastronomy 2022 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, an award that recognises the cultural values of gastronomy as a value in itself and a stimulus to empower the local community and promote sustainable tourism. In this context, its collection of local recipes is laid-back (much like the island itself), aligned with local products, naturally inspired by the sea, and without neglecting its meats, such as those from the native vaca vermella cattle, black pigs, and its long-standing tradition of various cured meats. If we are on the hunt for good food, of which there is plenty on offer in this city, we could go to the 'Raco Des Palau Comellas Cardona' where we can satisfy our hunger eating organic beef and fish from the griddle. Later in the afternoon, for an aperitif (and to restock the pantry), a trip to the food market in Plaza des Peix, where the stalls and bars set out their delightful offerings like some gargantuan banquet. For dessert, to the pastry chefs at 'Forn Curniola', established way back in 1900, and where handmade buns, pastries and tarts from the region are waiting for you. At the heart of the island is the small town of Es Mercadal, crowned by the hill of Monte Toro, some 358m in height, providing splendid 360-degree panoramic views. To the north we come to the village of Fornells, with its charming fishing harbour and a deep, wide bay ideal for practising water sports: kayaking, sailing and scuba diving. There is also a defence tower, which claims to be the best preserved on the island, and the interior hosts a museum from which you can access a viewpoint. For the next food experience you can't go wrong with lobster stew and finish the meal off with 'carquinyols' (Menorca's soft, almond biscuits). A siesta and then onto the inland town of Ferreries, its boundary reaches the Mediterranean. In fact, some of the best, and least known, beaches and coves on the island nestle in its territory, such as Mitjana, or Galdana with its white cliffs. Also part of Ferreries' valuable, natural heritage is the countryside, the monuments and hiking trails such as the Cami Reial, the Barranc d'Algendar and Santa Agueda castle. Besides the beaches Alaior has steep streets that lead up to the highest point in the town, where the church of Santa Eulalia stands and where there is always some place open nearby to sample local snails with garlic potato puree. We can then head towards Es Castell, which, among its heritage attractions, are included the Castell de Sant Felip (16th century castle) and the Military Museum of Menorca . There are so many different ways to make the most out of Menorca, but perhaps the most magical one would be to 'fly over' all its Talayotic sites (prehistoric stone monuments, burial sites and defence towers), of which more than 1,600 are listed throughout these lands. Tony Bryant Mijas Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A British resident of Mijas has made an urgent appeal for people to support a Crowdfunder appeal organised to raise money for her 18-month-old grandson, who is in urgent need of immunotherapy treatment. Elizabeth Parker-Gleeson, who has lived on the Costa del Sol for almost 25 years, told SUR in English that her family has been "devastated" since her grandson Robin was diagnosed earlier this year with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that develops in nerve cells. Robin's parents, Rachel and Nick Samuel, who live in London, at first believed their son was not well because of teething problems, but after taking him to Great Ormond Street Hospital for an ultrasound scan, medics realised there something wrong, and he was diagnosed with the cancer, which, according to the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), affects around 100 children in the UK each year. Robin has since undergone eight cycles of chemotherapy, a stem cell harvest, and a lengthy nine-hour operation to treat the cancer, which started in his right adrenal gland and spread to his abdomen, pelvis, spine, and bone marrow. The chemotherapy shrunk the tumour by almost 60 per cent and the youngster is effectively cancer-free and in remission from his condition, which carries a 50 per cent chance of survival. However, Elizabeth, who last visited her grandson in London in March, points out that further chemotherapy treatment is "not an option". Robin with his gran. SUR "The treatment Robin needs is available in London, but he will first need to have another six months of chemotherapy in order to qualify for it. My daughter is not happy about this, because it will almost certainly make him infertile, and can cause severe liver problems, which will probably lead to other serious health problems throughout his life. Groundbreaking therapy After researching and speaking to doctors, the family decided on taking Robin to Barcelona for a less invasive immunotherapy which would be less damaging for his long-term health. "There is a groundbreaking therapy treatment available in Barcelona, but it is very expensive, so that's why we are doing everything we can to make sure he receives this vital treatment," Elizabeth explained. The crowdfunder appeal is currently at 94,000 pounds, and the family need to raise enough money for the first three treatments, which will cost 180,000 pounds. Once Robin has received this treatment, which he must have by the middle of September in order for a chance of survival, he will then need to travel to New York to have the final injection. "Robin is in remission at the moment, and he is eating well and is putting on weight. He has become a lot more active. When he was having the treatment, he stopped growing, and he stopped trying to crawl and didn't want to play with anything, but now he is showing signs of progress," his grandmother said. In order to raise the 300,000 pounds needed to finish the whole course of treatment, the family are currently organising charity events in London, while Elizabeth is "doing everything possible" here on the coast to boost the funds in order "to give Robin the best chance of beating the disease". "We have organised a fundraising event at Churchill's Pub in Los Boliches on Saturday 9 September. We have various activities taking place throughout the afternoon, along with a raffle with numerous prizes donated by local businesses. I am asking people to donate as much or as little money as they can," she said. Elizabeth is "hopeful" of hitting the target, although she says, "We have to try, as we really don't have any other option, because Robin needs this treatment in order to live a healthy life." www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-baby-robin-survive-cancer BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 26. Today, on August 26, Lachin City Day is celebrated in Azerbaijan. On that day, Azerbaijani Army units took full control of the city of Lachin, as well as the villages of Zabukh and Sus. According to the trilateral statement signed on November 10, 2020, Lachin was handed over to Azerbaijan on December 1, 2020. However, due to the fact that the Lachin road passes through the territory of Lachin, the city remained under the temporary control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Following the delivery of the alternative road, the Azerbaijani Army took full control of Lachin city, as well as the villages of Zabukh and Sus on August 26, 2022. The Azerbaijani flag was raised in the city. Thanks to the Great Victory gained by Azerbaijan under the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev in the second Karabakh war, Armenia was forced to leave Lachin district in addition to Aghdam and Kalbajar. Just before the celebration of Lachin City Day, on August 25, the first phase of the return of former IDP families to the village of Zabukh of Lachin district began. At this stage, 20 families, or some 88 people, will already be able to get to their newly built houses. Thanks to the victorious Azerbaijani Army led by Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Ilham Aliyev, the former IDPs can come back to their native land. Carlos Santana apologizes for anti-trans comments Guitar legend Carlos Santana is facing criticism after making anti-transgender comments at a concert recently. A clip from a Santana concert in Atlantic City, N.J., has gone viral, showing the musician telling the crowd: When God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are, he said. Later on, when you grow out of it, you see things, and you start believing that you could be something that sounds good, but you know it aint right. Because a woman is a woman and a man is a man thats it. Santana also said he shared his view with my brother Dave Chappelle, but later apologized in a statement. I am sorry for my insensitive comments. They dont reflect that I want to honor and respect all persons ideals and beliefs, Santana wrote. I realize that what I said hurt people and that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize to the transgender community and everyone I offended. He also told Billboard that he seeks to honor and respect all persons ideals and beliefs whether they are LGBTQ or not... It takes courage to grow and glow in the light that you are and to be true, genuine, and authentic. We grow and learn to shine our light with Love and compliments. Have a glorious existence. Peace. Spice Girls movie Girl power! The Sun reports the Spice Girls are getting a jukebox musical movie that will feature their greatest hits. The coming-of-age film will center on a superfan of the girl group, marking a totally different number to (the 1997 movie) Spice World. The Spice Girls are not expected to appear in it, but all five have reportedly signed off on the project to endorse it and allow their music to be in it. Geri Horner, a.k.a. Ginger Spice, is said to be leading the charge. New music TGIF: New music out this week includes releases from Miley Cyrus (with a nod to her Hannah Montana days), Tim McGraw, Selena Gomez, Zach Bryan, Mitski, Blackpink, The Killers, Jason Derulo, The Chemical Brothers, Prince, Yung Gravy/bbno$ and Al Green (with a cover of Syracuse University alum Lou Reeds Perfect Day). MORE BUZZ: Dune: Part Two officially delayed to 2024 due to strikes ( ET No rap song has topped Billboard Hot 100 for a year now ( BB Emmy-winning The Sopranos star Drea de Matteo strips on OnlyFans ( DM Kevin Hart in wheelchair after foot race with ex-NFL star ( ET Our Flag Means Death season 2 coming, adds Minnie Driver ( SF The Morning Show season 3 trailer features shakeups ( E! Kim Cattrall returns to SATC with And Just Like That cameo ( ET Wes Andersons second film of 2023 coming to Netflix soon ( SF Polo G arrested twice in California ( RS Pete Davidson and Chase Sui break up after 9 months of dating ( ET Cat Person trailer: Succession star is hookup from hell ( SF Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities. Update 10 p.m.: Suhejla Arnautovic has been found safe, deputies said Thursday night. Vernon, N.Y. Deputies in Oneida County on Thursday are searching for a girl who went missing overnight. Suhejla Arnautovic left just after midnight from her home on Bleeker Road in the town of Vernon in a 2011 Blue Ford F150 pickup truck, deputies said. The trucks New York registration is GPF3757, deputies said. She may be traveling to Newburgh in Orange County. Deputies ask anyone with information to contact them at 315-736-0141. Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950. Russell, N.Y. A 19-year-old woman was in the woods in St. Lawrence County with a fugitive when he and police looking for him exchanged gunfire, according to troopers and a media report. New York State Police released new details Wednesday about the Aug. 10 shooting that killed Shawn Sheridan, 34, in a wooded area in the town of Russell. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. The first stage of the return of families of former internally displaced persons to Zabukh village of Azerbaijan's Lachin district has begun, Trend reports. Some 20 families (88 people) are resettled within the first stage. Departure of families to Zabukh is carried out in front of the school building in Gobupark-3 array built for internally displaced persons in Lokbatan. According to the composition of families, 4 of them were provided with two-room apartments, 4 with three-room apartments, 8 with four-room apartments, 4 with five-room apartments. These families temporarily resided in Baku and Sumgayit cities, as well as Absheron district. Syracuse, N.Y. -- Before a hearing began Thursday morning for a man charged in a serious kidnapping and torture case, a Syracuse judge asked if the man had been offered a plea deal. Prosecutor Jed Hudson said that Hunter Armstrong, 19, has not been offered any plea agreement by the Onondaga County District Attorneys Office. NEW YORK (AP) A lawyer for the family of a Marine killed in Afghanistan said Thursday that a new version of a lawsuit accusing actor Alec Baldwin of unleashing his social media followers against them will soon be filed after a federal judge dismissed the original lawsuit but invited the family to rewrite it and submit it again. Attorney Dennis Postiglione, representing the sisters and widow of Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, said hell meet a Sept. 12 deadline set by the judge to renew allegations that Baldwin subjected family members to online threats and harassment after he posted and commented on a photo shared online by one of McCollums sisters, Roice McCollum, who had been in Washington during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Earlier this week, Judge Edgardo Ramos in Manhattan dismissed the familys defamation lawsuit, which sought $25 million in damages, but he invited a refiling of the lawsuit to correct deficiencies and renew claims of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In tossing out the original lawsuit, Ramos made various conclusions in Baldwins favor, including that his comments were protected by the First Amendment, that actual malice was not sufficiently alleged and that private messages, comments and social media posts did not support defamation claims. Postiglione said in an email that a rewritten lawsuit will be filed by the deadline that will address issues the judge raised. He added: Without getting into specifics, we disagree with the analysis by the Court but believe an amended Complaint will address the issues presented. Baldwin had donated $5,000 to the family after learning of the death of Rylee McCollum in a bombing at the airport in Kabul in August 2021, just weeks before his daughter was born. Baldwin had contacted Roice McCollum via Instagram, according to the lawsuit. In January 2022, Baldwin saw that Roice McCollum posted a picture of demonstrators from former President Donald Trumps rally taken on the day Congress counted the Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election, the lawsuit said. Baldwin told Roice McCollum he would share her photo with his 2.4 million Instagram followers and wrote: Good luck, according to the lawsuit. Roice McCollum said in the lawsuit that she did not take part in, nor did she support or condone the rioting that erupted at the Capitol, and was cleared of any wrongdoing after meeting with the FBI. A lawyer for Baldwin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Join NY Cannabis Insider for our next full-day conference on Sept. 21 at the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery in Buffalo. Tickets will sell out. Jeffrey Hoffman is a New York City-based attorney who hosts Ask Me Anything about Cannabis Legalization in New York each week on LinkedIn. Hoffman and NY Cannabis Insider have partnered to bring those sessions into print in a Q&A format. Hoffmans practice focuses on cannabis industry clients, including licensees in the adult-use market, practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis-adjacent product and service providers. He has a particular interest in social and economic equity cannabis license applicants, and he also informs and assists those convicted of cannabis offenses in getting such convictions expunged from their record. He can be reached at info@420jurist.com. The following AMA from August 9 has been edited for length and clarity. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: Where are we with all the lawsuits in New York? The Variscite federal case got settled. They assured the Michigan dude a license for when the AU licenses open up later this year. So we never got a ruling on the merits of that case. Related: A running list of all lawsuits filed against New York cannabis regulators There was another case filed in state court by the ROs and a few other plaintiffs. And now we have the disabled veterans lawsuit, which is very similar to the RO lawsuit except the ROs didnt ask for a TRO or injunction. Since those lawsuits are so similar, they have been given to the same judge and we will be working through them for many months as it does not appear that these will be settled. And I have a feeling that we will see many more lawsuits, including perhaps from minority- and women-owned businesses since they were not specifically itemized in the prioritization classes in the regs. How did this case get to the New York Supreme Court already? Because we in the legal profession here in New York like to play a trick on you, the unsuspecting public. While pretty much everywhere else calls their top court the Supreme Court, here in New York we do the exact opposite. Our *lowest* court is called the Supreme Court. Next, what everyone else would call a Court of Appeals for example, at the federal level the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit we call a department of the appellate division. So, for example, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department. And finally, just for good measure, here in New York we call the top court the wait for it wait for it wait for it Court of Appeals. Why is the case in Ulster County in Kingston? Wasnt it filed in Albany County? Yes, but the judge that caught the first case, the RO case, is in Ulster, and generally here in the legal profession, we dont like to have cases that are quite related where they are going to turn on the same issues go to different judges. Typically, what you like to do is give them all to the same judge. You dont want a bunch of different judges trying to learn the same thing, which is a waste of time. This one judge is going to know the material because hes already caught the first case, so lets just have him do all of them. Are the recent lawsuits going to push back the date for the standard licensing? No, and if anything, it might make it happen sooner, but I wouldnt bet on it. The judge ordered OCM to open the application. He didnt force a date, and I doubt OCM will move it up, but after the order they almost certainly cant delay it. Can the grower showcase events happen while there is the lawsuit? The grower showcases require an operational CAURD, and theres nothing so far that prevents an operational CAURD from continuing to operate. So I think the grower showcases go on. Do you have any intel on when the final regs will be promulgated? The regs are done the revised rulemaking period ended on July 31. And now were simply waiting for the Cannabis Control Board to adopt the regs at their next meeting, which we think will be the second full week of September. Join NY Cannabis Insider for our next full-day conference on Sept. 21 at the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery in Buffalo. Tickets will sell out. This guest column is from Steven, a New York legacy cannabis grower looking to become a legal cultivator. NY Cannabis Insider is withholding Stevens full name because he fears retaliation from the state for sharing his opinion. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of NY Cannabis Insider. My name is Steven. Im whats considered a legacy cultivator in New York State. I was selected for the Office of Cannabis Managements Cannabis Compliance Training & Mentorship Program and webinar, completed the program, and now await a certificate of completion. I see many groups coming forward to speak their minds about the tumultuous rollout and Id like to share with you how far the damage trickles down past the licensed cultivators and processors and the mess its causing. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: During the interview and application process for the CCTM, we were asked to completely unveil our identity and our experience with illegal cultivation. This was very difficult with no law to protect us from prosecution but with a promise of becoming the next round of licensed cultivators and processors in the great state of NY, it seemed necessary. The program commenced in February and ended in late April this year. I still have not received a certificate of completion as promised and have had no guidance as to whats the next step. So, at this point, we are vulnerable cannabis cultivators are still being prosecuted and I am now on a state list of legacy growers. With no trust in the OCM, this creates a whirlwind of stressors. The investment to become a cultivator as laid out by the MRTA is anywhere from $800k $3 million, according to my best estimate. I am a small-time grower looking to enter the New York market, so Ive had to seek investments. I have now lost two investors and currently dont have one because of the dismal outlook created by all of the state groups involved. Investors do not invest in your word I grow some really great weed. Instead, they need to see the operation, the product, the vision and the potential. With such a big investment and such a high risk, there is so much work to be done prior to even obtaining a license: How are we to make a living cultivating after being exposed; how are we to ready our future site for planting if we cant even get past the licensing process; how are we able to secure investment with nothing to show? Small cultivators were supposed to be given a head start against the ROs and other large companies to give us a chance. We cant even legally grow six plants as proposed for the average New York household at this point. We need to be able to work on genetics for the climate and soil we have, but right now, we cannot. We need to set up logistics and sales relationships with retail outlets, but we cannot. With the difficult regulations we need accountants and lawyers to help us, but without a clear path in sight or an investment, we have no chance. I hope the state starts to take everyone in mind and move this forward. We gave our trust to the state in a promise to be legitimate cultivators and we are now more vulnerable than ever, and we gave up our income to go legitimate. I hope my story can add to the strength of the movement of the New York cannabis industry, and give a voice to the smaller, hopeful NY residents looking to join the legal world of cannabis. Join NY Cannabis Insider for our next full-day conference on Sept. 21 at the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery in Buffalo. Tickets will sell out. A state Supreme Court judge exempted at least 23 Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary businesses from an injunction currently barring hundreds of conditionally licensed cannabis shops to open. During the Friday morning hearing, an attorney with the New York State Attorney Generals Office also told Judge Kevin Bryant that the Cannabis Control Board will hold a meeting on Sept. 12 at which they plan to vote on whether to approve general licensing regulations for the states cannabis industry. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: I want this to be as easy as possible, I dont want to waste unnecessary time, Bryant said about discovery motions plaintiffs made. He scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 15. Bryant issued an injunction preventing more than 400 CAURD licensees from opening their stores as part of a lawsuit brought against the state by four service-disabled veterans who intend to apply for dispensary licenses. The Coalition for Access to Regulated & Safe Cannabis a group representing some of New Yorks medical cannabis companies that is also suing the OCM in a separate case has also joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff. Last week, Bryant filed an order that said licensees who met all approvals before Aug. 7, 2023, will be allowed to open their stores. The order also states that the court may allow other CAURD dispensaries to open on a case-by-case basis, if state officials request permission from the judge. Earlier this week, lawyers representing the state filed a document listing 30 CAURD licensees that met this standard. Bryant on Friday allowed the exemption for all but seven dispensaries that the Office of Cannabis Management said should be allowed to open. Bryant said hed consider the plaintiffs objections with seven CAURDs on the OCMs list, and make a decision on their exemption later. The exempted list includes only one of 17 CAURD businesses from the Finger Lakes region, a major letdown for licensees who were barred from licensure until June due to a previous court injunction. In an emailed statement to NY Cannabis Insider, state Sen. Jeremy Cooney who represents much of the Finger Lakes region said the situation is unfair to CAURD licensees in the area. After months of settling the last lawsuit, less than 20 retailers were given a license this summer. Now, the far majority of these retailers are being told to get out of line, Cooney said. This is unacceptable and I will be making an announcement of our next steps soon. By Chris Sommerfeldt | New York Daily News New York Mayor Eric Adams administration is aggressively pursuing a new legal strategy for rolling back the citys right-to-shelter mandate and wants city lawmakers to ramp up public pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul for not doing more to alleviate the worsening local migrant crisis, the Daily News has learned. Top aides to Adams divulged the new details about City Halls migrant response in a private Thursday afternoon virtual briefing with members of the City Council and the state Legislature. Lisa Zornberg, Adams newly-appointed chief counsel, touched on the new front in the administrations bid to scrap the citys right-to-shelter rule after Republican lawmakers on the call pointed out that the mayors original request to do so appears to have stalled in court. We are exploring aggressively other legal strategies to bring a semblance of common sense and relief back to this space, Zornberg told the politicians. So I hear you, and Im on the job less than two weeks, and I can tell you this is my top priority. Asked to elaborate on what that strategy looks like, Zornberg said shes not at liberty to say amid the pending court case. But I do want to repeat that were not being lazy, she said. We think that there needs to be legal strategies to deal with this crisis in the same way that there needs to be operational strategies, political strategies, and were going full steam on that front as well. The decades-old right-to-shelter mandate, which requires the city to provide a bed to anybody who needs one, is being targeted for suspension by Adams administration because the mayor says its impossible for his team to comply with it at a time when there are more than 59,000 migrants living in local shelters. The case for lifting the mandate is being brought by Adams administration in Manhattan Supreme Court. Lawyers for Hochuls administration, which is a party to that case, have in recent court filings lambasted the Adams administrations handling of the migrant crisis, accusing City Hall of using state-provided resources in an inefficient way. But in Thursdays briefing, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams chief adviser, said its Hochul who should face public criticism for not doing more to help the city tackle the crisis and urged the lawmakers on the call to join her in haranguing the governor. We need our city partners to work with us to pressure the governor into understanding that this is a statewide issue, Lewis-Martin said. Earlier in the day, Hochul delivered a live-streamed speech from Albany, in which she called on President Biden to provide the city with more federal space for housing migrants and urged him to expedite work permits for newly-arrived migrants. But Hochul stopped short of calling on Biden to declare a federal emergency over the migrant crisis a key request from Adams that would open up new funding streams. The governor also did not pledge to sign an executive order that would prevent upstate counties from blocking the transfer of migrants from the city, another ask from Adams. Lewis-Martin took particular offense about Hochuls decision to not address those two points in her speech. The governor was on TV today, and she made it clear, in her mind, this is a New York City issue, she said. Later in the call, Lewis-Martin said of the other request: The only way the president will consider a state of emergency is if it comes from the governor, and shes not doing it. Addressing the lawmakers on the call, Lewis-Martin urged them to travel to Albany and directly press the governor for action. We cant be the ones thats driving it because then theyre going to say, Oh, its from the office of the mayor, she said. You all know what to do, and we need you to do it, she continued. If you need talking points, we can provide that ... For the governor not to [ask Biden to] declare a state of emergency in New York and to state this is only New York Citys problem is wrong. A spokesman for Hochuls office did not return a request for comment late Thursday. Amid the heightened friction between their teams, Adams and Hochul still agree that the Biden administration must do more to help with the citys crisis. However, Bronx Councilwoman Diana Ayala, a Democrat who leads the Councils General Welfare Committee, said on Thursdays briefing that shes not hopeful that Biden will do much. I find it very unlikely that the federal government is going to do the right thing here, considering that theres an election year next year, and Im just being really honest about that, Ayala said. Politics and immigration dont mix well. _____ 2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. By Robert Gavin | Times Union, Albany Albany, N.Y. The states watchdog panel for judges on Thursday censured a town justice in western New York for expletive-laced remarks on Facebook, including a post where she voiced her appreciation for the derriere of a Marine ambling down a street in Batavia. Jennifer Nunnery, an attorney since January 2015 and justice in the Genesee County town of Darien since January 2020, used profane, demeaning and otherwise inappropriate language, according to the states Commission on Judicial Conduct. The panels determination said Nunnery revealed having engaged in offensive and otherwise inappropriate behavior, both on matters related and unrelated to her role in the legal system. Nunnery, 40, received the second-most-stringent punishment from the commission, which can impose the lesser penalty of a public admonishment and ultimate discipline of removing a judge from the bench. Her conduct brought reproach upon the judiciary, the determination said. In accepting the jointly recommended sanction of censure, we have taken into consideration that (Nunnery) has acknowledged that her conduct was improper and warrants public discipline, that she was a relatively new judge at the time of the misconduct. ... We trust that (the judge) has learned from this experience. Nunnery, whose term expires at the end of the year, had no immediate comment when reached Thursday. At some point after Nunnery became a justice, she went on Facebook and announced her approval of the Marines backside. It was one of a number of instances in which she displayed a penchant for profanity-filled posts, the determination showed. Driving down the mean streets of Batavia after tanning and thought I recognized the ass of one of my favorite marines walking through the Tops parking lot lol, Nunnery stated. Its been too long! Good to see ya, ya f___ing boot! On Christmas Eve 2020, Nunnery posted on Facebook: F__ No .... the first incoming call from a client on my first day of vacation just came in at 8:56am. Seriously people I have enough work s__ to catch up on during my time off, Im not answering the phones!!! On March 15, 2021, Nunnery informed her Facebook audience that she had gotten her groove back. " ... You know whats more therapeutic than shopping? Cross examining someone and being absolutely F__ING AWESOME at ripping them apart on the stand like the baddest bitch there is!!!!! #ladyboss #bossbitch BAHAHAHA!... A week later, Nunnery added thoughts to a seven-year-old post that had been reshared. In the comments section, the judge offered these reminiscences: Omg everyone was so f__ing hungover lol and I remember drawing a d__ on his face when he passed out on the plane lol. The post, which drew 57 reactions and 31comments, prompted a supervising judge, Mark A. Montour, to speak to Nunnery; she removed the post. Nunnery violated state judiciary ethical rules which require judges to maintain high standards of conduct and promote public confidence in their integrity and impartiality. Nunnery violated the rules with inappropriate and undignified public posts and comments on Facebook, some of which referenced her role as an attorney in the legal system, the decision said. Judges are not permitted to engage in partisan political activity. In July 2021, Nunnery liked Facebook pages for the campaigns of Carrie Phillips, a candidate for Buffalo City Court, and Lindsay Bessey, a candidate for the Alexander Central School District Board of Education, the commissions documents said. Documents show Nunnery knew Phillips husband, an attorney in Wyoming County. The likes were considered endorsements. Judges are obliged, on and off the bench, to uphold the integrity and dignity of judicial office, and to avoid partisan political activity, said Robert Tembeckjian, the commissions administrator, in a statement. While those constraints apply regardless of the forum, a judge should be especially careful when communicating on social media, which can compound the impropriety of an inappropriate message by spreading it far and wide. The commissions determination said Nunnery had been contrite and cooperative with its investigation. The judge said she did not know that there had been separate privacy settings for each Facebook post. She removed the political likes from her Facebook page, the commission said. (Nunnery) now appreciates that the integrity of the judiciary is undermined when a judge publicly posts puerile and explicit content such as she did to Facebook and other social media, the determination said, adding that Nunnery also now appreciates that her publicly liking the social media posts or pages of political candidates at least appeared to convey that she was endorsing such candidates, which the rules prohibit. (Nunnery) commits to be especially mindful of her ethical obligations in any future use of social media. ___ (c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com By Muri Assuncao | New York Daily News A Black transgender woman who said she suffered abuse, mistreatment and denial of medical care at the Broome County Jail in New York has reached a landmark settlement seen as one of the strongest policies in the country to protect trans people in custody, her lawyers said. Makyyla Holland of Binghamton, N.Y., sued county officials early last year alleging she had been repeatedly discriminated against because of her gender identity during the six weeks she spent under Broome County custody in early 2021. I was harassed, mocked, misgendered and worse: jail staff strip-searched me, beat me up, placed me in the male section of the jail, and withheld my hormones for a period of time, forcing me to go into agonizing withdrawal, Holland told the Daily News in March 2022. Holland, who was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and had been on hormonal replacement therapy for about five years before she was taken into custody, said she also asked correctional officials to protect her from threats she received at the facility, but her pleas for help were ignored, according to the lawsuit. On Thursday, lawyers representing the 25-year-old training nurses assistant announced she reached a landmark settlement with the south-central New York county. Under the agreement, county officials have committed to implement a wide-sweeping policy to affirm the rights of trans, nonbinary and intersex people in custody. That includes conducting searches and housing trans people in units consistent with their gender identity with limited exceptions; ensuring that correctional officers respect a trans persons gender identity, including the use of pronouns and names; guaranteeing access to medical care free from discrimination; and facilitating access to gender-affirming items such as binders and wigs. Holland will also receive $160,000 in compensation. No one should ever have to go through what I went through at the Broome County Jail and I am so grateful that with this new policy hopefully no one else ever will; this is a great outcome, Holland said in a statement shared with The News. This policy and policies like it can impact a lot of my community, and I will continue to fight to ensure that no other trans person in New York or anywhere has to endure what I did. Holland was represented by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF), and the private law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Shayna Medley, TLDEF senior litigation staff, celebrated the agreement, saying the new policies will better protect transgender peoples safety while in custody. At a time when trans people are increasingly under attack across the country, it is even more important for states and local governments to affirmatively protect trans people in custody, she said. Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said he was pleased to reach an amicable agreement that establishes clear LGBTI Guidelines, which were previously nonexistent, while noting the agreement settles a lawsuit filed before he was elected sheriff. ------- 2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Geddes, N.Y. Few could argue that the Peanut Butter Paradise was the tastiest dessert at last years State Fair of Texas. After all, Nicole Sternes and Chris Easter sold 20,000 of the dressed-up deep-fried cinnamon rolls in the first 16 days of the fair, and picked up a Big Tex Choice Award for the best sweet along the way. Tommy Centore of Syracuse took notice. He saw this Lone Star couple sold two Peanut Butter Paradises every minute the fair was open. He also couldnt believe that customers were paying $20 for a medium-sized treat. I needed to figure out how we could do something like that here, he said in mid-July, a month before our Fair opened. But I wanted to make it better and cheaper. Centore has run a few stands at the New York State for more than two decades, and each year he introduces something sure to turn heads at his main stand, Tommy Cs on the Colonnade near the wine slushie stands just west of Chevy Court. Many of his novelties are based on fads from around the country but customized to appeal to Central New Yorkers. Last year it was the pulled pork sandwich mixed with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups based on a temporary craze from Kansas; the year before it was the Double Butter Burger, a Wisconsin favorite. The Texas version of the Peanut Butter Paradise is a cinnamon bun dipped in batter, deep fried, injected with caramel, smeared with peanut butter and sprinked with chopped Butterfinger bars, Reeses Pieces and topped with a peanut butter cup. The Texans use Duchess Honey Buns, a prepackaged roll sold in boxes of 12 for $6.88. Centore is buying his cinnamon rolls from The Mixing, a new bakery/diner at 103 Bennett Road in Camillus, the former spot of Second Chance Diner. Kaehla Gardner makes a fresh batch of her homemade cinnamon buns each morning and hands them off to Centore. Kaehla Gardner of the Mixing Bowl is making cinnamon rolls to be deep-fried at The New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) We have so many great bakeries in the Syracuse area. Why would I want to buy cinnamon buns in a box? Centore said. Danny Karleski, who manages Centores stand, is in charge of getting the local version of the Peanut Butter Paradise made. The process is mostly the same as those in Texas. Karleski and his staff batter up the soft cinnamon bun and give it about 40 seconds in hot oil. He pokes a hole in the center with his gloved finger to create a reservoir for the caramel sauce. After a good lathering of Peter Pan, Karleski scatters chopped-up Reeses Pieces and Heath Bars over the top, followed by a dusting of powdered sugar. I cant believe how good this thing is, he said. The bun is great to begin with, but everything else just makes it better. While Texas sells the original Peanut Butter Paradise for $20 (or two for $35), you can get the heavier CNY-sourced version for $10. Said Centore: Imitation is the best form of flattery, right? They should be flattered. The crew at Tommy C's stand at the State Fair deliver a Peanut Butter Paradise. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) **** Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. (AND he pays for what he and his guests eat and drink, just so you know.) You can also find him under @HoosierCuse on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for his free weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here. Syracuse, N.Y. -- If youre heading to the New York State Fair on opening weekend, you might have to dodge raindrops tonight and Saturday. Sunday, though, looks absolutely perfect: Clear skies, lower humidity and a high temperature of about 75 degrees. Today, scattered showers and thunderstorms will linger, and the day is likely to remain cloudy and humid, according to the National Weather Service. Chances of rain are about 40% through the morning, then drop to under 20% by dinner time. Total rainfall for today is expected to be under a tenth of an inch, unless a thunderstorm comes through and drops more. Theres a 40% chance of thunderstorms, the weather service said. Rain tapers off tonight, but a cold front will push through Saturday and again bring a 40% chance of rain. Like Friday, chances of rain decrease throughout the day, dropping to about 10% by the time the evening concerts kick off. And that should be it for rain for the weekend: The chances of rain on Sunday are less than 10%, and humidity levels drop to a more comfortable range. Sunday is likely to be sunny and warm. Monday looks like a repeat of Sunday, and rain appears in the forecast again by Tuesday. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. I was 51 years old when I left Zabukh, now I'm going back there at 82 years old. We are infinitely happy, Elbrus Asadov, a resident of Zabukh village in Lachin district, who is returning to the village said, Trend reports. The village has been restored and all conditions have been created in it, he added. "Now we return to our village with great joy and live wonderful days there. We have been waiting to return to our native land for 30 years. May Allah give strong health to President Ilham Aliyev, have mercy on our shahids and heal our veterans," he noted. Resettlement of 20 families (88 people) to Zabukh village of Lachin district in the first stage is carried out on August 25. A camera clicks. In a fraction of a second, the shutter opens and then closes, freezing forever the image in front of it. When the camera shutter blinked inside a jail in downtown Atlanta on Thursday, it both created and documented a tiny inflection point in American life. Captured for posterity, there was a former president of the United States, for the first time in history, under arrest and captured in the sort of frame more commonly associated with drug dealers or drunken drivers. The trappings of power gone, for that split second. Left behind: an enduring image that will appear in history books long after Donald Trump is gone. It will be forever part of the iconography of being alive in this time, said Marty Kaplan, a professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications. In the photo, Trump confronts the camera in front of a bland gray backdrop, his eyes meeting the lens in an intense glare. Hes wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, his shoulders squared, his head tilted slightly toward the camera. The sheriffs logo has been digitally added above his right shoulder. Some of the 18 others charged with him in Georgia smiled in their booking photos like they were posing for a yearbook. Not Trump. His defiance is palpable, as if hes staring down a nemesis through the lens. NOT LIKE ANY OTHER PHOTOGRAPH Trump facing charges is by now a familiar sight of 2023 to Americans who watched him stand before a judge in a New York courtroom or saw watercolor sketches from the inside of federal courthouses in Miami and Washington, where cameras arent allowed. This is different. As Anderson Cooper put it on CNN: The former president of the United States has an inmate number. P01135809, to be exact. But until he surrendered to face charges of trying to steal the 2020 election in Georgia, his fourth indictment this year, he avoided having to pose for the iconic booking photo like millions accused of crimes before him. Never mind that Trump, like all Americans, is innocent until proven guilty in court; the mug shot, and all it connotes, packs an extra emotional and cultural punch. A mug shot is a visceral representation of the criminal justice system, a symbol of lost freedom. It permanently memorializes one of the worst days of a persons life, a moment not meant for a scrapbook. It must be particularly foreign to a man born into privilege, who famously loves to be in control, who is highly attentive to his image and who rose to be the most powerful figure in the world. Indictment is a sort of bloodless word. And words are pale compared to images, said Kaplan, a former speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale and Hollywood screenwriter. A mug shot is a genre. Its frame is, `This is a deer caught in the headlights. This is the crook being nailed. Its the walk of shame moment. HE IS ALREADY LEVERAGING THE MOMENT Trump is unlikely to treat the mug shot as a moment of shame as he seeks a second term in the White House while fighting criminal charges in four jurisdictions. His campaign has reported a spike in contributions each time hes been indicted. And the imagery itself? Trump hasnt shied away from it. In fact, his campaign concocted one long before it became real. Months before he was photographed in Georgia on Thursday evening, his campaign used the prospect of a mug shot as a fundraising opportunity. For $36, anyone can buy a T-shirt with a fake booking photo of Trump and the words not guilty. Dozens of similar designs are available to purchase online, including many that appeal to Trumps critics. Now they have a real one to work with. Within minutes of the mug shots release, Trumps campaign used it in a fundraising appeal on its website. BREAKING NEWS: THE MUGSHOT IS HERE, reads the subject line of the campaigns latest fundraising email, which advertises a new T-shirt with the image. And this quote: This mugshot will forever go down in history as a symbol of Americas defiance of tyranny. In a show of solidarity, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, a photo of herself smiling broadly in front of a gray background, the sheriffs logo in the top left corner to mimic the jails style essentially her DIY mug. I stand with President Trump against the commie DA Fani Willis, she said, a swipe at the Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney who persuaded a grand jury to indict Trump. Recent history is full of politicians seeking political dividends from their booking photos. Theyve offered large smiles or defiant smirks and tried to make the best of their predicament. Yet this is one of just 45 presidents in all of U.S. history not only someone who held the keys to the most powerful government in the world, but who held a position that for many these days, both at home and overseas, personifies the United States. To see that face looking at a camera whose lens he is not seeking out thats a potent moment. Theres a power to the still image, which is inarguable, said Mitchell Stevens, a professor emeritus at New York University who has written a book about the place imagery holds in modern society and how it is supplanting the word. It kind of freezes a moment, and in this case its freezing an unhappy moment for Donald Trump, Stevens said. And its not something he can click away. Its not something he can simply brush off. That moment is going to live on. And its entirely possible that it will end up as the image that history preserves of this man. One male suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to Holy Cross following a shooting on Espinoza Road Thursday night (Aug. 24). Hirohito BHPian Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Dudhnoi Posts: 70 Thanked: 1,377 Times Longest trip on the Jimny so far When we started that afternoon, little did we know that our longest trip on the Jimny so far was about to unfold. The Jimnys boot was once again packed and we left in the afternoon amidst a drizzle. My wife and I were heading to the popular picnic destination called Bogamati in the Indo-Bhutan border approx 200 kms away. Thankfully this wasnt the picnic season and our plan is to attend a 3 day course on emergency first aid training, conducted by the Red Cross society of India. 100 kmph @3000 rpm After being on NH17 for about two hours, and then taking NH27, we reached Saraighat bridge over the Brahmaputra. Here we were joined by Chinmoy and Priyankar, in Chinmoys i20. He had tanked up his gypsy, but the heat outside made him change his mind. It started raining as we crossed Rangia town and by the time we entered Baksa district, the rain had given way to a rainbow. Rainbow in Baksa As we approached Bogamati, I got a call from Shekhar asking about our whereabouts. He mentioned about a raft waiting for us. We were slightly puzzled and kept moving towards our destination. Ahead we could see the Bhutan hills under the crimson evening sky. Bogamati at its foothills. We saw Shekhar at the parking area. Shekhar is a mountaineer, fit as a rock and an adventure junkie. He was recently part of the Assam mountaineering associations (AMA) team that attempted ascending the Kanchenjunga. With Shekhar was Rishan Doley, who I was meeting for the first time. But Ive been following the duos daredevilry on the Brahmaputra on their homemade raft, called Sibuk. While unloading the car, when I asked about future plans, he revealed they were sailing soon, this time from Sadiya, the Eastern tip of Assam to the sea. i.e. the Bay of Bengal. Four of us plus two paddlers boarded the raft with the setting sun. Then began the hurried calisthenics as the two paddlers kept diving side to side, speaking to one another, controlling the raft, trying to adjust to the fast moving water of Bornodi, sitting on either ends of the under-inflated raft. When we boarded, our feet were wet to the ankle. Whatever we could grab from the car, we were now holding them on our thighs, or strapped to our bodies. Shekhar and Rishan were driving back to Guwahati, and would be returning the next day. He had been asking for a party for the new Jimny and wed decided to meet here at Bogamati. As exciting as it was, watching the men navigate, the ride was woefully short and we entered the camp. Evening wasnt anything to write about, except for the yoga session and getting to see fellow participants, most of whom had come for the longer white water rafting course along with the first aid training. There were participants from Darjeeling, Ri-Bhoi in Meghalaya, Golaghat, Guwahati and Dudhnoi. 24 July. Long day ahead. 185 kms. The next morning, our yoga session started late. We used that time walking around the area. After the session, I took our car keys and ziplined across the river (Bornodi which flows from Bhutan. Bhutan apparently is just 500 metres in aerial distance from here.), to remove our cars. Which were parked in front of the stalls that open up during the day. During the night, live wires are placed around the cars to keep them safe from elephants. I spotted fresh Elephant poop near the cars, as I went to move them to another spot. Zip lined back, and after breakfast, the rest of the participants went about their rafting training with their instructors, while we waited for our instructors to arrive from Guwahati. We soon got to know that they wont be reaching before evening. With the heat, mosquito and the inability to move across the river at will, we decided to skip the training altogether and decided to head towards Arunachal, as we were close to the Assam - Arunachal border at Balemu. We hurriedly packed up, paid our bills and requested for a raft to take us across the river. By 11 am we were inside our car and the AC was a relief. Morning yoga session by the Bornodi river Crossing the Bornodi The road leading to Udalguri, dotted with tea gardens In less than an hour we reached the town of Udalguri, met Denny and had lunch at the Thursi restaurant, that serves authentic Bodo dishes. All four of us took jackets and hoodies from Denny, as we hadnt come prepared for the cold that lay ahead. We left Udalguri and soon Google map took us to a dead end, ending on a river. According to Google map, the area falls under Bekigaon and the river is called Galindi nadi. To our right was a bridge that was still under construction and is on the SH10. We tried figuring out if it was okay to cross the river. The sand felt soft and the water appeared to be deeper towards the middle. I couldnt decide keeping in mind that its monsoon and rivers arent to be taken lightly in the region. At that very moment we spotted an alto crossing the river with a glee from the other side. All our doubts vanished instantly! In the middle of river Galindi At Balemu crossing we showed our Inner line permit to the policeman manning the gate. The guys couldnt stop praising the Jimny. As we entered into Arunachal and drove on the Trans Himalayan highway, the road and the scenery looked transformed from what it used to be just a couple of months back in April, when Id covered this route in my 1985 SS80. Noticed the UV tinted windows while having tea near Ankaling At around 6 pm we reached Shergaon and decided to get some food packed for the night and some chocolates for the kids at the Khunpen Residential school in Morshing. Meanwhile the scene outside the restaurant where wed parked at Shergaon. While Ive been to Morshing very recently, I still missed a turn just when we were about to reach. It took us some figuring out in the dark without mobile network and navigation. We finally reached Domkho which is at a stones throw from Morshing. Since they are so close, with the drizzle not withstanding, my wife decided to walk with an umbrella to feel better. Its a different story that she hopped back into the car in no time, as she got scared of the dark. Dropped wife at the homestay where wed stayed the last time, and I went to Kunphen Residential school, to meet and greet our friend and owner of the school, Mr. Lobjang. Chimnoy and Priyankar were already there, sipping warm tea as I reached. 25th July drive to Lagyala Harsh terrain Since we had exhausted one night at Bogamati, we now only had one day i.e. 25th July, as we leave on 26th. At around 6.30, I took out the Jimny and went towards La Gyala which is just above Morshing. I had done this trail twice before. Once on my bike long time ago and the next time was in April of this year in my 1985 SS80 aka Hirohito. Both Priyankar and Chinmoy woke up on time, while my wife decided to rest in the room. In less than 5 minutes we were on the historic trail leading to La Gyala above the sleepy village where we are staying. Due to the seasonal rains the route is greener than what it used to be in April. As Chinmoys I20 had no fuel, and with a difficult trail upwards, the Jimny was the only vehicle now, for our short trip to La Gyala. I let both sit behind the wheel of the Jimny on this exciting trail, while I got behind the camera. The trail leading to La Gyala 3 months apart. Notice the difference in vegetation? My plan was to do the uphill drive from La Gyala towards the helipad and a war memorial (which I was yet to see). We found a gate on the trail towards the helipad, so first we went to the gompa to check if we could pass through the gate. As is the custom, were given tea and snacks to munch on, while we played with the adorable kitten and the pup at the La Gyala. The monks at the La Gyala were heading down to Morshing for some ceremony. But they allowed us to open the gate and go towards the helipad and asked us to close it while leaving. Last time I was here in April, we had left the SS80 outside the monastery and had trekked 30 minutes to the new Gompa that is being constructed above, just below the helipad. Just after crossing the gate, we landed on a moderately 4 x 4 territory. In no time we reached the new gompa but continued our ascent to the unused helipad. Apparently an army chopper had landed here when there was no helipad. But nothing has landed here ever since. We then headed back to find the war memorial. The Jimny for me, is perhaps the best upgrade from my SS80. It will continue the journey from where the SS80 left. Last April, we drove the SS80 till La Gyala and even pushed it a bit towards the helipad above. But decided to turn back, keeping the car out of harms way, as we had more traveling to do in that trip. 3 months later, we are back a little better equipped. Both on highways and in the wilderness. And we made it to the helipad this time. An obscure war memorial from the 1962 conflict. Hav. Pradip from SSB offered us tea and told us about Naga GG, which is where we were heading next My friend Dhriti, a singer, a sound engineer but also also a mountaineer, cyclist and a history buff, had given his copy of the Himalayan blunder for me to read. There is nothing like it if anyone is remotely interested in military history of India, or history in general. It described the situation on ground, almost 70 years ago, facing a formidable enemy, outnumbered and poorly equipped and the harsh terrain and the stark contrast between the two enemies. Speaking of history of 1962, very little has been known to the public, often myth filling the gaps. Sometimes, the 1962 war appears even older than the Second World War, during which Allied aircrafts crossed the Himalayan hump over Arunachal Pradesh on their way from bases in Assam to Chinas Kunming, often overloaded with supplies to support the Chiang Kai-shek army, who were fighting against the Japanese imperialist army. Close to 700 aircrafts were lost on these mountains over a period of 2-3 years of operation during the last phase of WWII. The remains of many such aircrafts still await discovery given the harsh and unforgiving terrain. I am involved in a project related to one such B24 aircraft that had fallen in Nagaland. That was my very first travelogue The massacre of the 126 Indian soldiers that the plaque here at the war memorial mentions, may not reveal the complete story. One account believes that they were retreating to La Gyala which would have been a better defensible position given its height advantage. But unaware about the Chinese presence at the top, the Indian troops ran into an ambush and were all killed. Meanwhile the tea and biscuits helped keep our spirits up, despite hunger setting in. After 19 kms and 3 hours of unadulterated fun, we finally returned to our homestay. Found some delicious breakfast of rotis and mildly fried home grown cabbage, cooked by our host. Post that, we took off for our actual destination for the day - a place called Naga GG, where GG stands for grazing ground. Something that I got to know only half a month later from an army friend who has been posted around the area. Morshing - Naga GG - Morshing 200 km On the way we would cross the all familiar Mandala top and then into some unfamiliar roads leading to Naga GG. Chinmoy is staying back, as he needed to sit with Lobjang (from the school). The three of us started our journey for the day at around 11 am. We landed on the narrow Mandala - Phudung road and arrived at the head of this trail leading to the Phudung war memorial, one that we had left unexplored the last time around. 800 metres of rapid downhill ended in a farm gate. We checked with the people manning the farm if this was the war memorial. They nodded in approval. Unfinished business What we then found was one of the most surreal war memorials that Ive ever come across. A plaque in the middle of a tomato garden! Its hard to imagine that two armies had clashed and Brigadier Hoshiar Singh had died at this very spot, fighting bravely, while reluctantly retreating from his post at Sela top. In less than an hour we reached Mandala top. This is where our familiarity ends. Instead of heading towards Dirang, we took the path less frequented leading to a new destination i.e. Naga GG. Both fuel and time were in short supply. Time was 2:09 PM. Range reading hovered around 90 km. I checked with the man at the canteen at Mandala top. He did some calculation 35 + 35 + 20 + 20 = 110 kms from Mandala top to Naga GG to Mandala top to Morshing. Mushkil hai, Rasta age Kharab hai. Yeh to chala jayega. Jimny hai na. While the range reading kept us to our toes, I knew deep down that it should be enough. Priyankar also said, the range might improve when we go downhill. As we left Mandala top towards Naga GG, after a bend in the road, a spectacular view greeted us, unlike anything that wed seen so far. While range kept fluctuating between 85 and 90 on the MID, I was confident that half a tank would take us at least 200 kms. NGG 37 kms. This place has been recommended by several friends including Dhritiman, Abinash and this time Denny. Finally we were off to discover something we hadnt seen before. Rain and a road under construction, everything that was thrown at it, the Jimny handled without breaking into a sweat. Had to briefly switch to 4H around an extended slushy section of the road. When this road is complete, its supposed to go all the way to Sela pass. We had some Maggi for lunch at at small shack in Naga GG and then started our return journey to Morshing. Once again we reached Mandala where Priyankar and I had some tea, while wife napped in the car. We could feel the cold as we stepped outside. Then we were once again back on the Mandala - Phudung road. Daylight was running out but we were glad the fuel held up and we were going to reach in good time to rest in order to do our return journey tomorrow. Reached back at our stay at Morshing at around 7 pm. Freshened up and then went to the school to hangout with Lobjang. 26 July, Return home Next morning before leaving, we went to Lobanjgs school once again to distribute the chocolate bars that we had brought for the children. Morning PT and parade were underway when we arrived. Thereafter we spent some time at the museum which is attached to the homestay. The lady of the house (uncles daughter-in-law), gave us some potatoes from her farm and tied a khada to my ORVM seeking blessings for the new car. Chinmoy purchased a bottle of petrol from a local shop, to make it till Shergaon, which is the nearest fuel station from here. Jimnys tank was still going strong. Morning PT in progress our host tying a khada seeking blessings for my car as we leave In less than an hour we were at Shergaon filling up our tanks. When we were here in April, we had seen small trucks brining in vegetables from the plains of Assam to be sold in places like Morshing. At this time of the year the role gets reversed. Vegetable produce could be seen stacked by the road, cabbages, tomatoes and potatoes, to be taken up by merchants and sold in the plains of Assam. We even convinced a pickup driver to part with two of his cabbages. The views enchanted us to stay back a little longer as we sped towards the hot plains of Assam. While the rain had washed off much of the mud from the Jimny, wed identified a waterfall where locals get their cars washed, and we went in for a Jimny shower. Crossed places like Khalaktang, Tenzingang and finally Udalguri. At Udalguri we met Denny and returned the clothes that we had borrowed from him, had lunch at Thwrsi restaurant once again. Denny along with Benson gave us company in their Ecosport till Paneri, where they had some work. The sky looked gorgeous as we reached Changsari in the outskirts of Guwahati. I mopped the windshield preparing for the night drive ahead, as we waited for Chinmoy and Priyankar to arrive. So we could to bid adieu, as they head towards Guwahati and we will continue our journey home which will be another 100 kms. Sunlight faded, AC on, lights on, windows up and the thrill began, of revving the nuts out of the 1.5 L NA petrol engine. I am used to this style of aggressive driving, having used the SS80 for a couple of years now which has a 4 speed gear. The only way to overtake anything moving at highway speed is to downshift and rev. Just like the SS80s carb engine going vocal, the Jimny has some oomph of its own coming from the engine, growling and passing the steady evening traffic behind, moving at 40-50 kmph. It was great fun, as the Jimny glided over the road undulations and the occasional diversions, demanding very little braking. The sound insulation does a great job too of keeping out road and traffic noise. But the suspension got to be the Jimnys trump card, both on the road and off it. We stopped 40 kms shy of home and decided to have our dinner, take a break and reorient ourselves to our routine life ahead, the heat, the mosquitoes and the traffic. The Jimny continued its magic as we were having dinner, as staff from the hotel went to get a photo clicked with this little celebrity. Reached home just after 10, clocking about 380 kms since morning. Surprisingly both of us were feeling fresh. Meanwhile got to know that Chinmoy had to throw himself into the sea of Guwahati traffic, after having to drop Priyankar at his house. He was still on the road, when we spoke after reaching home. 23 July, 2023When we started that afternoon, little did we know that our longest trip on the Jimny so far was about to unfold. The Jimnys boot was once again packed and we left in the afternoon amidst a drizzle. My wife and I were heading to the popular picnic destination called Bogamati in the Indo-Bhutan border approx 200 kms away. Thankfully this wasnt the picnic season and our plan is to attend a 3 day course on emergency first aid training, conducted by the Red Cross society of India.After being on NH17 for about two hours, and then taking NH27, we reached Saraighat bridge over the Brahmaputra. Here we were joined by Chinmoy and Priyankar, in Chinmoys i20. He had tanked up his gypsy, but the heat outside made him change his mind. It started raining as we crossed Rangia town and by the time we entered Baksa district, the rain had given way to a rainbow.As we approached Bogamati, I got a call from Shekhar asking about our whereabouts. He mentioned about a raft waiting for us. We were slightly puzzled and kept moving towards our destination.We saw Shekhar at the parking area. Shekhar is a mountaineer, fit as a rock and an adventure junkie. He was recently part of the Assam mountaineering associations (AMA) team that attempted ascending the Kanchenjunga. With Shekhar was Rishan Doley, who I was meeting for the first time. But Ive been following the duos daredevilry on the Brahmaputra on their homemade raft, called Sibuk. While unloading the car, when I asked about future plans, he revealed they were sailing soon, this time from Sadiya, the Eastern tip of Assam to the sea. i.e. the Bay of Bengal.Four of us plus two paddlers boarded the raft with the setting sun. Then began the hurried calisthenics as the two paddlers kept diving side to side, speaking to one another, controlling the raft, trying to adjust to the fast moving water of Bornodi, sitting on either ends of the under-inflated raft. When we boarded, our feet were wet to the ankle. Whatever we could grab from the car, we were now holding them on our thighs, or strapped to our bodies.Shekhar and Rishan were driving back to Guwahati, and would be returning the next day. He had been asking for a party for the new Jimny and wed decided to meet here at Bogamati. As exciting as it was, watching the men navigate, the ride was woefully short and we entered the camp.Evening wasnt anything to write about, except for the yoga session and getting to see fellow participants, most of whom had come for the longer white water rafting course along with the first aid training. There were participants from Darjeeling, Ri-Bhoi in Meghalaya, Golaghat, Guwahati and Dudhnoi.The next morning, our yoga session started late. We used that time walking around the area. After the session, I took our car keys and ziplined across the river (Bornodi which flows from Bhutan. Bhutan apparently is just 500 metres in aerial distance from here.), to remove our cars. Which were parked in front of the stalls that open up during the day. During the night, live wires are placed around the cars to keep them safe from elephants. I spotted fresh Elephant poop near the cars, as I went to move them to another spot. Zip lined back, and after breakfast, the rest of the participants went about their rafting training with their instructors, while we waited for our instructors to arrive from Guwahati. We soon got to know that they wont be reaching before evening. With the heat, mosquito and the inability to move across the river at will, we decided to skip the training altogether and decided to head towards Arunachal, as we were close to the Assam - Arunachal border at Balemu. We hurriedly packed up, paid our bills and requested for a raft to take us across the river. By 11 am we were inside our car and the AC was a relief.In less than an hour we reached the town of Udalguri, met Denny and had lunch at the Thursi restaurant, that serves authentic Bodo dishes. All four of us took jackets and hoodies from Denny, as we hadnt come prepared for the cold that lay ahead. We left Udalguri and soon Google map took us to a dead end, ending on a river. According to Google map, the area falls under Bekigaon and the river is called Galindi nadi. To our right was a bridge that was still under construction and is on the SH10. We tried figuring out if it was okay to cross the river. The sand felt soft and the water appeared to be deeper towards the middle. I couldnt decide keeping in mind that its monsoon and rivers arent to be taken lightly in the region. At that very moment we spotted an alto crossing the river with a glee from the other side. All our doubts vanished instantly!We finally reached Domkho which is at a stones throw from Morshing. Since they are so close, with the drizzle not withstanding, my wife decided to walk with an umbrella to feel better. Its a different story that she hopped back into the car in no time, as she got scared of the dark.Dropped wife at the homestay where wed stayed the last time, and I went to Kunphen Residential school, to meet and greet our friend and owner of the school, Mr. Lobjang. Chimnoy and Priyankar were already there, sipping warm tea as I reached.Since we had exhausted one night at Bogamati, we now only had one day i.e. 25th July, as we leave on 26th. At around 6.30, I took out the Jimny and went towards La Gyala which is just above Morshing. I had done this trail twice before. Once on my bike long time ago and the next time was in April of this year in my 1985 SS80 aka Hirohito.Both Priyankar and Chinmoy woke up on time, while my wife decided to rest in the room. In less than 5 minutes we were on the historic trail leading to La Gyala above the sleepy village where we are staying. Due to the seasonal rains the route is greener than what it used to be in April. As Chinmoys I20 had no fuel, and with a difficult trail upwards, the Jimny was the only vehicle now, for our short trip to La Gyala. I let both sit behind the wheel of the Jimny on this exciting trail, while I got behind the camera.My plan was to do the uphill drive from La Gyala towards the helipad and a war memorial (which I was yet to see). We found a gate on the trail towards the helipad, so first we went to the gompa to check if we could pass through the gate. As is the custom, were given tea and snacks to munch on, while we played with the adorable kitten and the pup at the La Gyala. The monks at the La Gyala were heading down to Morshing for some ceremony. But they allowed us to open the gate and go towards the helipad and asked us to close it while leaving. Last time I was here in April, we had left the SS80 outside the monastery and had trekked 30 minutes to the new Gompa that is being constructed above, just below the helipad.Just after crossing the gate, we landed on a moderately 4 x 4 territory. In no time we reached the new gompa but continued our ascent to the unused helipad.We then headed back to find the war memorial. The Jimny for me, is perhaps the best upgrade from my SS80. It will continue the journey from where the SS80 left. Last April, we drove the SS80 till La Gyala and even pushed it a bit towards the helipad above. But decided to turn back, keeping the car out of harms way, as we had more traveling to do in that trip. 3 months later, we are back a little better equipped. Both on highways and in the wilderness. And we made it to the helipad this time.My friend Dhriti, a singer, a sound engineer but also also a mountaineer, cyclist and a history buff, had given his copy of the Himalayan blunder for me to read. There is nothing like it if anyone is remotely interested in military history of India, or history in general. It described the situation on ground, almost 70 years ago, facing a formidable enemy, outnumbered and poorly equipped and the harsh terrain and the stark contrast between the two enemies. Speaking of history of 1962, very little has been known to the public, often myth filling the gaps. Sometimes, the 1962 war appears even older than the Second World War, during which Allied aircrafts crossed the Himalayan hump over Arunachal Pradesh on their way from bases in Assam to Chinas Kunming, often overloaded with supplies to support the Chiang Kai-shek army, who were fighting against the Japanese imperialist army. Close to 700 aircrafts were lost on these mountains over a period of 2-3 years of operation during the last phase of WWII. The remains of many such aircrafts still await discovery given the harsh and unforgiving terrain. I am involved in a project related to one such B24 aircraft that had fallen in Nagaland. That was my very first travelogue story (In search of a fallen aircraft) on team bhp.The massacre of the 126 Indian soldiers that the plaque here at the war memorial mentions, may not reveal the complete story. One account believes that they were retreating to La Gyala which would have been a better defensible position given its height advantage. But unaware about the Chinese presence at the top, the Indian troops ran into an ambush and were all killed. Meanwhile the tea and biscuits helped keep our spirits up, despite hunger setting in.After 19 kms and 3 hours of unadulterated fun, we finally returned to our homestay. Found some delicious breakfast of rotis and mildly fried home grown cabbage, cooked by our host. Post that, we took off for our actual destination for the day - a place called Naga GG, where GG stands for grazing ground. Something that I got to know only half a month later from an army friend who has been posted around the area.On the way we would cross the all familiar Mandala top and then into some unfamiliar roads leading to Naga GG. Chinmoy is staying back, as he needed to sit with Lobjang (from the school). The three of us started our journey for the day at around 11 am.We landed on the narrow Mandala - Phudung road and arrived at the head of this trail leading to the Phudung war memorial, one that we had left unexplored the last time around. 800 metres of rapid downhill ended in a farm gate. We checked with the people manning the farm if this was the war memorial. They nodded in approval.In less than an hour we reached Mandala top. This is where our familiarity ends. Instead of heading towards Dirang, we took the path less frequented leading to a new destination i.e. Naga GG. Both fuel and time were in short supply. Time was 2:09 PM. Range reading hovered around 90 km. I checked with the man at the canteen at Mandala top. He did some calculation 35 + 35 + 20 + 20 = 110 kms from Mandala top to Naga GG to Mandala top to Morshing.While the range reading kept us to our toes, I knew deep down that it should be enough. Priyankar also said, the range might improve when we go downhill. As we left Mandala top towards Naga GG, after a bend in the road, a spectacular view greeted us, unlike anything that wed seen so far. While range kept fluctuating between 85 and 90 on the MID, I was confident that half a tank would take us at least 200 kms.Rain and a road under construction, everything that was thrown at it, the Jimny handled without breaking into a sweat. Had to briefly switch to 4H around an extended slushy section of the road. When this road is complete, its supposed to go all the way to Sela pass. We had some Maggi for lunch at at small shack in Naga GG and then started our return journey to Morshing.Once again we reached Mandala where Priyankar and I had some tea, while wife napped in the car. We could feel the cold as we stepped outside. Then we were once again back on the Mandala - Phudung road. Daylight was running out but we were glad the fuel held up and we were going to reach in good time to rest in order to do our return journey tomorrow. Reached back at our stay at Morshing at around 7 pm. Freshened up and then went to the school to hangout with Lobjang.Next morning before leaving, we went to Lobanjgs school once again to distribute the chocolate bars that we had brought for the children. Morning PT and parade were underway when we arrived.Thereafter we spent some time at the museum which is attached to the homestay. The lady of the house (uncles daughter-in-law), gave us some potatoes from her farm and tied a khada to my ORVM seeking blessings for the new car. Chinmoy purchased a bottle of petrol from a local shop, to make it till Shergaon, which is the nearest fuel station from here. Jimnys tank was still going strong.When we were here in April, we had seen small trucks brining in vegetables from the plains of Assam to be sold in places like Morshing. At this time of the year the role gets reversed. Vegetable produce could be seen stacked by the road, cabbages, tomatoes and potatoes, to be taken up by merchants and sold in the plains of Assam. We even convinced a pickup driver to part with two of his cabbages. The views enchanted us to stay back a little longer as we sped towards the hot plains of Assam.Crossed places like Khalaktang, Tenzingang and finally Udalguri. At Udalguri we met Denny and returned the clothes that we had borrowed from him, had lunch at Thwrsi restaurant once again. Denny along with Benson gave us company in their Ecosport till Paneri, where they had some work.The sky looked gorgeous as we reached Changsari in the outskirts of Guwahati. I mopped the windshield preparing for the night drive ahead, as we waited for Chinmoy and Priyankar to arrive. So we could to bid adieu, as they head towards Guwahati and we will continue our journey home which will be another 100 kms. Sunlight faded, AC on, lights on, windows up and the thrill began, of revving the nuts out of the 1.5 L NA petrol engine. I am used to this style of aggressive driving, having used the SS80 for a couple of years now which has a 4 speed gear. The only way to overtake anything moving at highway speed is to downshift and rev. Just like the SS80s carb engine going vocal, the Jimny has some oomph of its own coming from the engine, growling and passing the steady evening traffic behind, moving at 40-50 kmph. It was great fun, as the Jimny glided over the road undulations and the occasional diversions, demanding very little braking. The sound insulation does a great job too of keeping out road and traffic noise. But the suspension got to be the Jimnys trump card, both on the road and off it.We stopped 40 kms shy of home and decided to have our dinner, take a break and reorient ourselves to our routine life ahead, the heat, the mosquitoes and the traffic.Reached home just after 10, clocking about 380 kms since morning. Surprisingly both of us were feeling fresh. Meanwhile got to know that Chinmoy had to throw himself into the sea of Guwahati traffic, after having to drop Priyankar at his house. He was still on the road, when we spoke after reaching home. Last edited by Hirohito : 24th August 2023 at 14:30 . Facepalm: If there's one company that you'd expect to continue its work-from-home policy, it's Zoom. Yet the communication tech giant called employees back into the office earlier this month. Now, leaked audio from CEO Eric Yuan has revealed his thinking behind the decision: he believes working via video calls stifles innovation and doesn't allow people to build as much trust. Zoom became synonymous with working from home during the lockdowns when the software allowed much of the world to stay indoors and continue their jobs. While many companies have ended or limited remote work, it was especially surprising when Zoom did it, given the nature of its famed product. Yuan mandated that employees living within 50 miles of one of its offices will have to start coming in at least two days per week. Leaked audio from an August 3 all-hands meeting shared with Insider revealed why Yuan made the controversial decision. He said that "remote work didn't allow people to build as much trust or be as innovative." "In our early days, we all knew each other," Yuan said. "Over the past several years, we've hired so many new 'Zoomies' that it's really hard to build trust." "Trust is a foundation for everything. Without trust, we will be slow." Yuan claimed it was hard to come up with great ideas on Zoom, adding that employees cannot have a great conversation. He also said people cannot debate because they tend to be very friendly when joining a Zoom call. He obviously never saw some of the profanity-and-anger-filled clips that circulated during the pandemic. Yuan's explanation seems to contradict Zoom's product page boasts of the video-calling software offering "immersive in-office collaboration right from home." Collaboration is mentioned three times on the page. Elsewhere, the section of the company's website about Zoom's Meetings feature boasts that 95% of customers report a greater sense of trust and an increase in performance. Seems nobody told Yuan. Following a furor over the policy, Zoom was also forced to update its Terms of Service this month to state it will not use audio, video, or chat customer content to train its artificial intelligence models without consent. A recent survey found that 8 out of 10 executives regret implementing their return-to-office plans and would have done things differently if they'd had better access to workplace data. What just happened? The latest report from "market intelligence" company TrendForce depicts an improving business scenario for the DRAM industry. The explosive rise of AI server procurements stopped revenue decline, with major manufacturers poised to return to profitability soon. Nvidia is essentially amassing a fortune by selling server GPUs for AI model training, and memory chip makers have likewise increased their shipment volumes for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and DDR5 products. For the second quarter of the year, TrendForce says that the DRAM industry has experienced a substantial quarterly increase in revenues. The rising demand for AI servers has driven growth in HBM shipments, TrendForce states, while retailers have built their DDR5 inventory up for the client side of the DRAM business. The industry reached a combined revenue of $11.43 billion in the second quarter (up 20.4% quarter-over-quarter), halting a decline that kept going for three consecutive quarters. Samsung, which is still the leading company in the memory industry with a slightly lower market share of 39.6%, experienced revenue growth of 8.6% QoQ reaching $4.53 billion. SK Hynix became the second largest memory chip manufacturer (30,1%) with an impressive revenue growth of 48.9% QoQ ($3.44 billion). Micron also experienced double-digit growth (15.7%) with $2.95 billion revenue. TrendForce highlights how, despite growing revenue levels, operating profit margins for the largest chip manufacturers are still in the negative. In the second quarter of the year, Samsung improved its margins from -24% to -9%. SK Hynix also increased its profitability perspective going from -50% to -2%. Micron experienced a smaller improvement going from -55.4% to -36%. The consulting firm says that the average selling price (ASP) for memory chips was "relatively stable" or growing, especially for HBM chips which have a higher ASP compared to DDR5 modules. For the third quarter of the year, TrendForce is predicting that the DRAM industry will continue to experience revenue growth. Suppliers will reduce their production output, prices will stop their declining spiral and operating margins will finally shift from losses to gains. Q2 provided a chance for growth to smaller chip manufacturers as well, with Nanya (2.0% market share), Winbond (0.9%), and other companies increasing their revenue levels. Taiwan-based PSMC was the only company to experience negative revenue growth compared to the previous quarter (-10.8%). Electronic Arts (EA) has decided to let go of 50 people under its BioWare studio. These include staff working on the "Dragon Age: Dreadwolf," which is in the late stages of development. BioWare's Gary McKay Gave the Announcement of Studio Layoffs According to Venture Beat, the announcement of layoffs could have a negative effect on the studio's morale and increase the difficulty of its development environment. BioWare studio is reportedly based in Edmonton, Canada. Gary McKay told employees about the move designed to make the EA-owned developer more "agile" and "focused." McKay works as the BioWare's general manager. EA-Owned Developer BioWare Studio Would be Letting Go Around 20 Percent of Its total Workforce According to the Wall Street Journal, EA is estimated to have around 12,000 to 13,000 employees, while BioWare has about 250 people. The company cut approximately 20 percent of its total workforce in the studio. It was reported that the decision was made for the studio to meet the upcoming project demands and to ensure high-quality standards moving forward. "It will allow our developers to iterate quickly, unlock more creativity, and form a clear vision of what we're building before development ramps up," McKay said in a statement. Decision Was Described as Unavoidable, and the Studio Was Trying to Go Through It Properly According to McKay, laying off some employees was "unavoidable." "To achieve this, we find ourselves in a position where change is not only necessary, but unavoidable. As difficult as this is to say, rethinking our approach to development inevitably means reorganizing our team to match the studio's changing needs," he noted. McKay added that they wanted the process to be handled with "empathy," "respect," and even "clear communication." Aside from this, an EA spokesperson also revealed how an agreement with game services firm Keywords that provides playtesting services was not met. In June 2022, some contractors of Keywords voted to unionize. According to recent news, EA was not able to reach a new contract with them. Because of this, the two entities would wait until September 27, when the contract is expected to expire. It remains unclear as to the fate of the contractors should EA pull their contract, but with the loss of a major client, it could result in some people losing their jobs unless Keywords can find another client to replace EA. Read Also: 'Starfield' File Size Will Eat a Chunk of Your Space-How Many GB Do You Need? Keywords' Next Move Remains Unknown After EA Expected to End Contract Although renewed work orders were given to Keywords since the unionization, the two companies were not able to reach agreeable terms, according to industry sources. It was reported that the contract requirements of Keywords were beyond what EA or Bioware needed, especially with the changed approach in development. The new layoff announcement comes just three months after the company decided to move production for "Star Wars: The Old Republic," one of its largest multiplayer online games, to Broadsword, a third-party publisher in Virginia. So far, Broadsword has already taken over other titles, like "Dark Age of Camelot" and the popular "Ultima Online." Related Article: 'God of War Ragnarok' Getting a Sequel for PS5? Sony Santa Monica Job Listing Provides a Hint 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. For those who are avid Apple enthusiasts, the iPhone cases produced by TORRAS from their latest Kickstand Case Series are a must-have. These cases are minimalistic in design but are endowed with any superior attribute that a phone accessory could offer. Their shockproof design ensures protection from countless drops, while their anti-yellowing technology eliminates concerns about yellow stains. TORRAS stands as a renowned global brand specializing in smartphone accessories and technologies. Since its inception in 2012, the company has garnered numerous accolades, including being recognized as the top digital accessory brand in China, becoming a best-selling entity on online shopping platforms, and securing a position among the Top 100 Chinese Cross-Border Brands internationally. By the year 2019, the establishment of TORRAS LAB came into fruition. This division stands at the forefront of the company's technological advancements, having introduced innovations such as Transternity, UPRO, ShockMAT, and Sliproof. As a result, TORRAS's iPhone cases have evolved into exemplary accessories that amalgamate functionality, durability, and contemporary aesthetics. In 2020, the company made headlines by introducing a kickstand that secured the top position in its category on Amazon. Merely a year later, in 2021, TORRAS celebrated the significant achievement of amassing 30 million users globally, thereby stamping its mark as a favored digital protection brand on e-commerce platforms. The subsequent year, 2022, witnessed another groundbreaking invention from TORRAS - the world's inaugural 3-in-1 MagSafe kickstand case. This revered product, now christened the UPRO Ostand, represents the latest addition to the Kickstand Case Series. In a recent achievement, TORRAS was honored with an iF Award for its Ostand iPhone cases. The product impressed the panel of judges in areas of differentiation, design, functionality, innovation, and overall impact, obtaining a commendable score of 280 points, which notably exceeded the requisite 265 points. 1 UPRO Clear The UPRO Clear, introduced by TORRAS, stands as their inaugural kickstand case. It boasts Transternity Polymer Isolation and Anti-Yellowing technology, ensuring the phone case retains its clarity and freshness for an extended period. What is Anti-Yellowing technology? Many enthusiasts of transparent cases have inevitably encountered the issue of yellowing with each clear iPhone case they've acquired. This discoloration diminishes the aesthetic appeal and often results in additional costs when the need for replacement arises. Thanks to TORRAS's Anti-Yellowing technology, the UPRO Clear maintains its transparency and fresh appearance for an extended duration. This iPhone case incorporates TPU/TPE material to effectively prevent discoloration resulting from UV rays, perspiration from hands, and even cosmetic products. Moreover, the UPRO Clear is compatible with magnetic wireless charging. While it presents a simple and minimalist design, its robustness cannot be understated. The case is fortified with X-Shock air cushioning and a cross-bracing shockproof framework, empowering it to endure drops from up to 10 feet. 2 UPRO Pstand Series The UPRO Pstand series currently features a standalone Pstand Case. This iPhone case is distinguishable with its built-in stand holder, enabling you to easily place it on flat surfaces for flexible viewing, suitable for both portrait and landscape modes. Designed with matte black edges and a smooth surface finish, the Pstand Case is an essential accessory for business travelers. Its minimal yet sophisticated style makes it a favored choice in corporate or professional settings. Moreover, it is SGS certified and tested to withstand an 8ft. drop, making it suitable for outdoor adventures as well. The case incorporates TORRAS' ShockMAT Airbag technology, rendering it shockproof and scratch-resistant, and making it an excellent option for protecting the iPhone lens. Additionally, the Pstand Case features the same 3D Nappa texture, ensuring slip resistance and reducing the risk of accidental phone falls. The five-axis laser processing adds ultra-fine textures, enhancing the case's elegance and delicateness, striking a perfect balance between durability and design. 3 UPRO Hstand The UPRO Hstand, offered by TORRAS, comes equipped with a stand adjustable both vertically and horizontally, accommodating various angles. The stand can be effortlessly extended from the sides or edges of the iPhone case. Despite its delicate appearance, it boasts considerable durability. The stand capably supports the iPhone's weight in both portrait and landscape orientations. Furthermore, its flexibility allows it to bend to specific angles, ensuring a hands-free user experience, be it during meetings, viewing content, or referencing mobile notes. Furthermore, the UPRO Hstand case is compatible with magnetic wireless charging. Its Airbag technology enhances its structure, minimizing vibrations when the case encounters hard surfaces. This case is robust and built to last, setting it apart from commonly available, inexpensive phone cases of lesser quality. 4 UPRO Ostand (Photo : TORRAS) The UPRO Ostand series presents two distinct iPhone case models: the Ostand Case and Ostand SS Shield-mate. Each of these cases is equipped with a ring at the back, allowing users to set their iPhones at angles ranging from 40 to 120 degrees, making them ideal for mobile viewing, capturing selfies, and conducting video calls. This ring additionally serves as a convenient holding mechanism, allowing users to grip their phones securely using a single finger. This design facilitates multitasking; individuals can comfortably hold other items such as purses, coffee, or documents while ensuring their phone remains safely attached via the ring. These cases prioritize comprehensive protection. The airbag design provides a 360-degree safeguard, boasting a shock resistance rate of 60%. Furthermore, the L-Shock camera airbag offers protection against scratches and shattering, while the X-Shock 3.0 corner airbags deliver robust cushioning for the case's corners. Additionally, the cases demonstrate potent magnetic capabilities, enabling attachment to any flat metal surface. For instance, one might affix the case to a refrigerator while following a digital recipe or to gym machinery when referencing a weightlifting tutorial. The cases are compatible with Halbach MagSafe, integrating 38 N52 magnets to ensure potent magnetic force, facilitating stable and reliable wireless charging. Thus, users can sidestep the frequent wear issues commonly faced by cable charger users, which often lead to replacement costs. Aesthetically, the UPRO Ostand cases feature a 3D Nappa laser texture, ensuring a non-slip grip that feels smooth in the hand. Additionally, they come with three interchangeable color buttons for a personalized touch. For general use, the UPRO Ostand Case is recommended. However, for more adventurous activities, the UPRO Ostand SS Shield-mate is preferable, available in four colors, and is best suited for live events. Both the latter cases are SGS certified and have been tested to withstand a drop from 12 feet. 5 UPRO Ostand National Park-Themed The UPRO Ostand National Park-themed case offers three distinct designs, each inspired by renowned US travel destinations: the Grand Canyon, El Capitan Falls, and Grand Prismatic Spring. These designs echo the hallmark features of the Ostand series and celebrate the unique beauty of each location. The Grand Canyon design is infused with captivating orange tones and portrays an individual standing alone on a rocky ledge, gazing into the canyon's profound depths. This image serves as a reminder of the countless wonders yet to be explored in one's journey through life. In contrast, the El Capitan Falls design is adorned in a refined shade of pink and showcases the towering presence of a granite monolith rising from level ground. This representation serves as a testament to nature's enduring message: individuals can surmount life's adversities by harnessing their inner strength and resilience. Lastly, the Grand Prismatic Spring design is marked by a lively green hue, symbolizing the splendor and energy of the largest hot spring in the US. This design features the spring's magnificent eruption, a gentle nudge that, amidst life's shifting scenarios, one can remain steadfast by recognizing and harnessing their inherent brilliance. Conclusion Across the globe, millions of people have opted for TORRAS due to its modern innovations. Potential customers can also benefit from the enduring durability it offers for their smartphone devices by selecting iPhone cases from its Kickstand Case Series. These cases promise top-tier iPhone protection of high quality, at a reasonable price. With anti-yellowing technology, airbag protection, and slip proof texture, the Kickstand Case Series highlights durable and stylish iPhone cases. Smartphone users are sure to impress when they purchase one of the best accessories for their mobile devices. Check them out at the official TORRAS store. Getting your new iPhone case now? Get 25% off for our collection box by using the code techtimes. 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After turning himself in at an Atlanta jail on charges related to his alleged involvement in overturning the 2020 election results in Georgia, former President Donald Trump has made a return to X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 24: Former U.S. President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he arrives at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump's X Comeback In a notable comeback, The Verge reported that Donald Trump shared his first message on X in over two and a half years. The message featured his mugshot and the words "Election interference. Never surrender!" accompanied by a link to his fundraising website. Marking his return to the platform, this message from Trump is his first since January 8, 2021, when Twitter suspended his account indefinitely, citing concerns about potential incitement of violence following the U.S. Capitol attack. While Elon Musk's involvement led to Trump's account restoration in November, he chose not to tweet again, expressing contentment with his own Truth Social platform, which he introduced during his suspension. Being a prominent contender for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump had consistently alluded to his eventual return to the platform, choosing the "right time" for his comeback, as noted by an individual familiar with his discussions. This insight was shared under anonymity due to the confidential nature of the conversations, as per Associated Press. Trump's reentry into the digital sphere occurred during his journey back from Atlanta to his summer residence in New Jersey, taking place while he was aboard his private aircraft on Thursday evening. Also Read: Secret Search Warrant Issued to Investigate Donald Trump's Twitter Data, Unsealed Court Documents Reveal The nature of Trump's future engagement on the platform remains uncertain-whether this post stands as a singular occurrence or signifies a regular posting pattern. He had previously shared the same message on Truth Social earlier that evening, concurrently maintaining his endorsement of the site as the night progressed. "I LOVE TRUTH SOCIAL. IT IS MY HOME!!!" he stated. Notably, this message represents a form of homecoming for Trump to a vital communication channel-one that played a pivotal role in his triumph over competitors during the 2016 primary and his ability to commandeer the news cycle for an extended period. Possible Reasons Back in January this year, Rolling Stone disclosed that Trump displayed reluctance to extend his exclusivity agreement with Truth Social, which was originally slated to conclude in June. Nevertheless, he initially shared his mug shot image on the Truth Social platform earlier on Thursday evening. Preceding this, he participated in a video interview alongside Tucker Carlson on X-a move synchronized with the timing of the inaugural GOP 2024 presidential debate. Notably, Tucker Carlson, having departed from the Fox News network in May, relocated his show to X as a continuation of his broadcasting presence. In November 18, 2022, Musk engaged in a Twitter poll, inquiring whether Trump should be reinstated on the platform. Just a day later, Musk confirmed his decision to reinstate Trump based on the outcomes of this poll, which garnered roughly 15 million responses. The majority, 51.8 percent, voted in favor, while 48.2 percent were opposed. At that time, the former president conveyed that he perceived no urgency to return, attributing his absence to the thriving performance of Truth Social. Trump also expressed reservations about Twitter, citing "a lot of problems" he identified with the platform. Nevertheless, he urged his supporters to cast their votes in favor of his reinstatement in the poll. Related Article: Donald Trump's Twitter Return to Happen? Elon Musk Posts Poll - Majority Says Yes 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new study conducted by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has challenged the common belief that social media is linked to depression in children and young adults. The study titled "Social media behaviours and symptoms of anxiety and depression: A four-wave cohort study from age 10-16 years" aimed to investigate the impact of platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok on young people's mental health. Social Media's Correlation to Anxiety and Depression Professor Silje Steinsbekk from NTNU's Department of Psychology led the research. Contrary to the widespread concern among parents and guardians, the study found no significant correlation between increased use of social media and the development of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children aged 10 to 16. The research followed 800 children in Trondheim over six years, collecting data every two years to track changes in mental health symptoms. The findings remained consistent across genders regardless of whether participants posted content or engaged with others' posts. The researchers also noted that there was no indication that those who experienced an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression over time changed their social media activities. The research also addressed concerns about body image. Earlier work by Steinsbekk's team found that girls who liked and commented on others' posts developed poorer body image over time, while boys did not experience this effect. However, posting to their own social media accounts did not affect self-esteem for either gender. Despite these findings, Steinsbekk acknowledged that social media has both positive and negative aspects. The study noted that social media can provide a sense of community and belonging, facilitating connections with friends and family. It can also serve as a platform for social support, particularly for young people with fewer friends. "Our study finds that if Kari or Knut increasingly like and post on Instagram or Snapchat, they are no more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety and depression," Steinsbekk said in a statement. "But that doesn't mean that they are not having negative experiences on social media or feeling addicted or excluded. Some youths may be particularly vulnerable, and those are the individuals we need to identify," she added. Read Also: 'Girl Dinner' TikTok Eating Trend: Health Experts React No Direct Link to Social Media The researchers emphasized the complexity of the relationship between social media and mental health. While the study found no direct link between social media use and depression symptoms, it acknowledged that certain individuals might still experience negative effects or feelings of addiction and exclusion. The team intends to further investigate different experiences on social media, such as cyberbullying and sharing explicit content, to gain a deeper understanding of their impact on young people's development and functioning. The Trondheim Early Secure Study has been gathering information from parents and children since the participants were four years old. This fall is the ninth data-gathering round, and researchers expect to continue understanding the complicated relationships between social media and mental health. "Young people's use of social media is a topic that often creates strong emotions in people. There is a lot of concern among both parents and professionals," Steinsbekk said. "We are hoping to contribute more knowledge about how social media affects young people's development and ability to function in society. Who is particularly vulnerable? Who benefits from social media? Does the way in which social media is used matter?" she added. Related Article: Kidulting: How Does This Trend Help Improve Mental Health? 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apptronik, a tech company headquartered in Austin, Texas, has unveiled its latest creation, Apollo, a humanoid robot designed to enter the workforce and quickly contribute to various tasks. Standing 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, Apollo's capabilities rival similar robots in the market. According to Apptronik, Apollo is the world's most capable humanoid robot and the first commercial humanoid robot. Apptronik's Apollo Humanoid Robot With a focus on practicality and efficiency, Apollo has been developed to operate on a single swappable battery pack for approximately four hours. This impressive duration sets it apart from other robots, as it can work continuously without frequent recharging. One of the standout features of Apollo is its lifting capacity, capable of handling up to 55 pounds (25 kg), a notable improvement over competitors like Figure's 01 and Tesla's Optimus robots, both with a 45-pound (20 kg) maximum payload, according to New Atlas. Apptronik CEO and co-founder Jeff Cardenas emphasized the significance of humanoid robots in addressing physically demanding tasks, particularly in challenging conditions. He said: "Humanoid robots are not just an answer to this challenge, they are a necessity - and because of our deep robotics lineage, Apollo is uniquely positioned to quite literally step in and make an impact." In its press release, Apptronik highlighted Apollo's ability to work collaboratively with humans in environments designed for mutual cooperation and incorporates safety features to ensure secure operation alongside people. Apollo's development drew on Apptronik's extensive experience in robotics, spanning a decade and encompassing over 10 unique robots. The company's expertise ranges from building exoskeletons to enhancing payload capacity in industrial robotic arms. This diverse background enabled Apptronik to design Apollo as a versatile robot with modular capabilities, adapting to various applications such as bipedal walking, wheeled operation, or stationary tasks. A significant achievement lies in Apollo's cost-efficient and energy-efficient design, informed by over a decade of refinement and 35 different models of electric actuation systems. This strategy optimizes performance per cost, facilitating mass production and affordability. Apptronik's proximity to the Texas-Mexico manufacturing corridor contributes to the scalability of producing humanoid robots at an accessible cost, according to the company. Read Also: This Bio-Inspired Robot Dog Can Run Almost Entirely on Its Own Apollo Robot's Battery System Apollo's battery system, with swappable four-hour runtimes, ensures uninterrupted operation and efficiency. This design enables Apollo to continue working after a simple battery exchange, eliminating the need for each unit to be charged via a plug-in process. Initially, Apptronik is concentrating on introducing Apollo to the logistics and manufacturing industries, targeting case and tote handling solutions. However, the company envisions Apollo's applications expanding into various sectors, including construction, oil and gas, electronics production, retail, elder care, and beyond. Apptronik anticipates Apollo's versatility will allow development partners to innovate and extend its utility to diverse workflows. Apptronik's collaboration with NASA on developing humanoid robots further underscores the significance of Apollo's capabilities. As a contributor to NASA's goals of enhancing human safety in hazardous environments and expanding humanity's reach in space, Apptronik aims to apply its experience to the commercial market. "We believe that Apollo is one of the most advanced tools humanity has ever created - how we apply it will change the way that we live and work," said Cardenas. Related Article: Are Robots Good for Business? New Study Reveals the Answer 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On July 31, 2023, a mutual memorandum was signed between the Innovation Management and TRIZ Institute (IMTI) and Gebze Organized Industrial Zone (GOSB) Technopark on joint implementation of science-innovation, scientific research and international projects. GOSB Technopark is one of the most prominent industrial zones in Turkiye that is totally investing based innovation center. GOSB Technopark mostly provides infrastructural (Electricity, water, waste water, natural gas and communication) and authorization services (reconstruction, environment, petition samples) within the framework of projects of both government and cooperative sectors. The main mission of the GOSB Technopark is to support the production processes of industrialists with value-added projects, by prioritizing the needs of the society and respecting the environment, based on leading approach. GOSB Technopark makes the following commitments to their participants, who have an important place in the national and international market, in order to provide uninterrupted and high-level service with the processes they have established by ensuring the security of all kinds of information in a manner to give priority to energy efficiency, which are high-quality, environment-friendly and in compliance with the OHS rules by acting in accordance with GOSB Technoparks Strategic Plan, within the framework of GOSB Technoparks vision. It has to be mentioned that over 100 companies (local and international) currently operate in GOSB Technopark. Innovation Management and TRIZ Institute (IMTI) was established in Baku. This organization provides academic training, academic publishing, consulting services, organization of scientific based conferences and moderating projects in different fields besides commercial activities. IMTI does not limit its services only in the local frame, but also does business all over the world. One of the main goals of IMTI is to achieve innovative novelties in Caucasus region. The main mission of IMTI is to prepare plans, projects, systems design/development, and programs that will help the companies, institutions, and regions to develop international innovation capabilities. According to the activity of IMTI, in 2019-2023, five mutual strategic cooperation agreements were signed between IMTI and GenTRIZ LLC (USA), The Altshuller Insttute for TRIZ Studies (USA), National Aviation Academy (Azerbaijan), Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (Azerbaijan) and Turnitin LTD (UK) and two other agreements with international research centers such as the School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University (UK), the Institute for Engineering Research and Publication (IFERP) of India . The mentioned agreements contain the whole improvement process of the industry, education, innovation and similar fields both in Azerbaijan and Caucasus. The Chairman of the Board of IMTI, Prof. Dr. Ali B. Kutvan emphasized, within the framework of university-industry-government cooperation, it is essential to work on adaptation of the local industry of Azerbaijan and Caucasus to the international level and to improve them regularly. In this matter, conducting research within the partnership with local and international institutes, research center is the highest priority. At the end of the signing, the parties wished success to each other in future projects within the framework of the memorandum. The US Department of Justice has taken legal action against SpaceX, Elon Musk's rocket company, over alleged hiring discrimination targeting refugees and asylum seekers. According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit, filed in an administrative court in the department, claimed that SpaceX falsely cited federal export control laws as grounds to only hire "US people," thus deterring refugees and asylum seekers from applying. This move allegedly violated the Immigration and Nationality Act. The department noted that SpaceX refused to hire or "fairly" consider applications from this group of people applying for positions that require advanced degrees or others such as cooks and welders. The US reportedly seeks fair consideration and back pay for people who were denied employment at the company due to the alleged discrimination, on top of undetermined civil penalties. SpaceX has yet to respond to this lawsuit. US Justice Department's Lawsuit Against SpaceX The Justice Department's lawsuit noted that from September 2018 to May 2022, SpaceX discouraged asylees and refugees from seeking employment and refused to hire them. The lawsuit alleged that SpaceX misled potential applicants by wrongly claiming that federal export control laws limited its hiring to US citizens and permanent US residents due to export control laws. However, the Justice Department noted that these laws also encompass asylees and refugees, giving them equal rights for employment. The lawsuit then accused SpaceX of not "fairly" considering applications from this group and ultimately failing to hire them. This alleged discrimination occurred across different stages of the hiring process, including discouraging asylees and refugees from applying and rejecting qualified candidates due to their citizenship status. Even jobs that did not require advanced degrees, such as crane operators, were reportedly affected by this alleged discrimination, including professionals in various fields like software engineering and marketing. The lawsuit noted that refugees and asylees who have undergone thorough vetting by the US government after fleeing persecution should not face discrimination in hiring based on their status. The Immigration and Nationality Act bars such discrimination unless mandated by law, regulation, executive order, or government contract, which is not the case here, according to the department. Read Also: SpaceX Will Launch DOGE-1 to the Moon Later This Year! US Seeks Remedies The US sought several remedies in response to the allegations, including fair consideration and back pay for those discouraged from or denied employment. The US also seeks policy changes to prevent future discrimination. The lawsuit noted that SpaceX, like other companies dealing with export-controlled items, must comply with regulations but isn't required to treat refugees and asylees differently from US citizens and green card holders in this context. "Our investigation also found that SpaceX recruiters and high-level officials took actions that actively discouraged asylees and refugees from seeking work opportunities at the company," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "Asylees and refugees have overcome many obstacles in their lives, and unlawful employment discrimination based on their citizenship status should not be one of them. Through this lawsuit we will hold SpaceX accountable for its illegal employment practices and seek relief that allows asylees and refugees to fairly compete for job opportunities and contribute their talents to SpaceX's workforce," Clarke added. Related Article: NASA, SpaceX Set to Launch Crew-7 to ISS-Here's How to Watch 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA's Artemis program is taking a unique approach to bridge space exploration and education by distributing tree seedlings that have flown around the Moon on the Artemis I mission in late 2022. This initiative aims to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and strengthen the connection between communities on Earth and the ongoing efforts in space. Artemis Moon Trees Collaborating with the USDA Forest Service, NASA will distribute seedlings from five different species known as Artemis Moon Trees. These seedlings were part of the nearly 2,000 tree seeds that were flown to space on the Artemis I mission. The distribution of these seedlings is seen as an opportunity to engage educational and community organizations, such as schools, libraries, museums, and more, in fostering an interest in space exploration. Interested organizations can apply for a Moon Tree seedling through NASA's Artifact Module, with the application window closing on October 6th. Eligible institutions include formal and informal K-12-serving organizations, universities, community organizations, museums, science centers, and government entities. The significance of this initiative lies in its ability to connect the achievements of space exploration to the everyday lives of people. As NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated, the Artemis Moon trees bring the "science and ingenuity of space exploration back down to Earth," and they carry the spirit of exploration to inspire the next generation of explorers. "Last year, these seeds flew on the Artemis I mission 40,000 miles beyond the Moon. With the help of the USDA, this new generation of Moon trees will plant the spirit of exploration across our communities and inspire the next generation of explorers," Nelson said in a statement. This distribution of Artemis Moon Trees represents the second generation of Moon Trees. The concept of Moon Trees dates back to 1971 when Apollo 14 Command Module Pilot Stuart Roosa carried tree seeds as part of his personal kit during the mission. The seeds were later germinated by the Forest Service and planted around the country, as part of the US bicentennial celebration in 1976. The new generation of Moon Trees carries forward the legacy of inspiration and curiosity ignited by the earlier Moon Trees. Read Also: Mystery Unveiled: Massive Granite Deposits on the Moon May Give Clues to Ancient Lunar Volcanoes 270,000 Miles from Earth The seeds that traveled 270,000 miles from Earth on the Artemis I mission included various species like sycamores, sweetgums, Douglas-firs, loblolly pines, and giant sequoias. These seeds were nurtured and cultivated by the Forest Service to become Artemis Moon Tree seedlings. Randy Moore, the Forest Service chief, emphasizes the symbolism behind these Moon Trees, stating that they represent the limitless potential of human determination. "These future Moon Trees, like those that came before them, serve as a potent symbol that when we put our mind to a task, there is nothing we can't accomplish. They will inspire future generations of scientists, whose research underpins all that we do here at the Forest Service." Related Article: NASA Will Land On The Moon For The First Time in 50 Years l Here's Everything You Need To Know About Artemis 1 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The College Board has a previous history of privacy issues that some students complained about. While they have no choice but to comply with the SAT and other placement exams, the non-profit organization should be responsible for keeping the students' data. According to an exclusive report by Gizmodo, the College Board has shared the SAT scores of students with Facebook and TikTok. The College Board Shares SAT Scores With Social Media Platforms. A Gizmodo reporter has observed that the College Board is allowing social media companies to know about the student's SAT and GPA scores. Using the search filtering tool, the org can search for an institution that will accept a C-graded student and those who got 420 out of 1600 SAT scores. According to the report, the College Board made use of a tracking technology dubbed "pixels" to share the data with TikTok and Facebook. Aside from the SAT and GPA scores, the students' user IDs were also observed to be shared on several sites. "We do not share SAT scores or GPAs with Facebook or TikTok, and any other third parties using pixels or cookies. In fact, we do not send any personally identifiable information (PII) through our pixels on the site. In addition, we do not use SAT scores or GPAs for any targeting," a College Board spokesperson said. Pixel-Searched Scores Caught Via Screenshot Gizmodo includes in the same report that it has the screenshot where the College Board is sending SAT scores to TikTok. It was confirmed by the spokesperson that the website of the organization was indeed doing this. According to the non-profit's representative, pixels exist to measure how effective the College Board's advertising is. The spokesperson adds the org did not share any personal data via pixels. The representative says that no phone numbers or names are shared with third-party apps. Related Article: College Exams No More? SAT Won't Be Online Anymore; What Happens Next? A Matter of Privacy Concern Because The College Board has already tainted its reputation previously, privacy advocates are calling out that this practice should be stopped or held to a "higher standard." With that, the College Board has violated the "Student Privacy Pledge," where it promised to never disclose any student information gathered through a school service. This suggests that even if the data isn't personal, the org should refrain from sending it for ad targeting. Back in 2019, a Chicago law firm reportedly filed a class-action lawsuit against the College Board. According to the report, the organization was selling millions of data from students' records. The lawsuit from Loevy & Loevy claimed that the College Board sold the data "without the necessary consent." The complaint says that the College Board was paid up to $0.47 for every student name sold to third-party platforms between September 1, 2016, through December 2019. Read Also: Does Social Media Really Cause Depression in Children? New Study Has an Answer 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google paid $24.861 billion in 2021 to be the top search engine on the internet SPIEGEL Survey: One in Two Is in Favor of Special Driver's Licenses for Heavy Cars and SUVs The Week of God the Tweeter: From the 37.5-Hour Workday to the Elections in Argentina "Got rid of attempts of foreign interference": a historian on the process of creating the Republic of Turkey The best burger in Europe is eaten between glazed saloons, has Korean sauce and is made in Valencia Two dead and two seriously injured in a shooting in the Gard We test the Dyson Gen5 Detect: it vacuums up to what you can't see "Plum Blossoms and Red Hearts" ended, and the editor-in-chief reviewed Haifei and revealed that the "spy war world" will continue Media people from both sides of the strait visited Bama, Guangxi, the "world's longevity hometown" to find the "health code" This is how it has gone for the school holidays: "The concept of difficult to establish" How to meet the "thirst for knowledge" of the new silver-haired people in the university for the elderly? Obesity: everything you need to know about Mounjaro, Lilly's star drug Why is it so difficult to return ten minutes between classes to the child? Murder of a doctor in a house Audio playback of the whole case in court Sergio Perez crashed in the first corner of his home race in Mexico The Metropolitano is already roaring and winning like the Calderon, 14 wins in a row and Simeone's record: "The scenario scared us" The forging of King Jude and Mark and Denise's "seriousness": "Their success is that of the Bellingham family" The second round of the group stage of the Olympic preliminaries: the prospects for the Chinese women's football team to qualify are mixed Sumo Kyushu Location New Entry Minoumi "I want to do my best as a sumo wrestler" The 2023 FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and China Rally Championship came to an end, and Xu Jun won the double championship Under the "strong real name", why are there still people who believe in "scalpers"? Mu Yankui: The CIIE is a window for China to set up a platform and share with the world The 14th anniversary of the Growth Enterprise Market: 168 companies increased their revenue by more than 5 times after listing National Energy Administration: In the first three quarters, the country's new renewable energy capacity was 1 million kilowatts National Energy Administration: Energy supply and demand were generally stable in the first three quarters, and prices were generally in a reasonable range Growth: why the French economy will slow down in the third quarter Economic downturn: It's not just inflation and higher interest rates that are weighing on the economy Ping An's performance in the first three quarters showed resilience, and the new life insurance business grew rapidly Food inflation in France is approaching 10%: is this the reality in supermarkets? The official opening of Huilong Expressway promotes the deep integration of northern Huizhou into the Greater Bay Area COMAC's first batch of two ARJ2 passenger-to-freighter aircraft was delivered and will soon be put into air cargo LFI: Can Raquel Garrido be expelled from the party after her remarks against Jean-Luc Melenchon? Bastrykin put under control the investigation of the case of riots in Dagestan Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Azarov announced a critical situation with medicines in the Armed Forces of Ukraine FSB: A Russian was detained, who gave the Armed Forces of Ukraine information about the protective structures of Crimea "It's important": French women satisfied with the inclusion of abortion in the Constitution Trump, who is riddled with lawsuits, was banned by the judge again and responded: Unconstitutional! Marjam Samadzade: State Secretary in Schleswig-Holstein has to leave early because of mail critical of Israel Altitude record for mammals: mice lived at an altitude of more than 6000 meters in the Andes What is the curse of the "eighth decade" that Ehud Barak feared and Abu Obeida waved? Scientists engineer a plant that can tell you the quality of the water The Intercept reveals the existence of a secret US military base in the Negev desert ICC prosecutor: The people of Gaza deserve justice and what is happening cannot be tolerated The whole of Uppsala without district heating the heating plant without electricity After 11 years of deep cultivation of coffee, sales increased by 61%, and Yihetang pushed a new coffee cloud of 9.9 yuan Focus on the construction of youth development cities: young people are more productive in cities Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have discussed the expansion of investment cooperation in the field of catering, Trend reports. According to the Azerbaijan Republic Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), a meeting was held with the newly appointed ambassador of Kazakhstan, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alim Bayel. Yusif Abdullayev, the head of AZPROMO, gave a presentation on the organization's activities and export promotion strategies, including logistics subsidization. It was mentioned that the organization is constructing "Eximbank" (export-import) instruments in Azerbaijan. It was also stressed that the agency's future plans call for the opening of AZPROMO representative offices overseas in order to increase international cooperation. Alim Bayel acknowledged the fast growing trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan and praised the potential for a rise in non-oil exports from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan. In addition, an investment project in the catering sector presented by the ambassador was discussed at the meeting. Previously, the revenue in the Azerbaijani public catering industry climbed by 22 percent to 1 billion manat ($588 million) from January through July 2023. Non-oil exports from Azerbaijan climbed by 0.5 percent in July 2023 and by 17 percent (up to $2 billion) during January through July 2023 year over year. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 24. Kyrgyzstan's main export partners among non-CIS countries in the first half of 2023 were Switzerland, accounting for 19.1 percent of the country's total exports; Turkiye at 6.5 percent; the UAE at 5.6 percent, China at 2.5 percent, and Iran at 0.9 percent, Trend reports. Among CIS countries, a significant portion of export deliveries went to Russia (29.8 percent), Kazakhstan (18.2 percent), and Uzbekistan (8.7 percent). During the period under review, Kyrgyzstan's exports to non-CIS countries surged 2.4 times year-on-year, up to $547.7 million. Exports to CIS countries also grew by 1.8 percent, totaling $759 million. Overall, Kyrgyzstan's exports reached $1.306 billion from January through June 2023, which is a 34.6 percent increase compared to $970.5 million recorded in the first half of 2022. The country's imports amounted to $5.398 billion, up 30.3 percent compared to the same months of the previous year ($4.142 billion). In total, Kyrgyzstans foreign trade turnover reached $6.7 billion in the reporting months, which is an increase of 31 percent compared to the first half of 2022 ($5.1 billion). The nonprofit organization that operates a statewide online charter school has purchased the former Dior Bar and Lounge building on Bennington Avenue. Dior has been closed since late January, when a shooting at the nightclub left 12 people injured. Three people have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of attempted murder in connection with the mass shooting. An East Baton Rouge Schools bus readies to leave Twin Oaks Elementary after loading up with students Friday afternoon, Aug. 18, 2023, as schools let out for the day in Baton Rouge, La. These are the words of Clare Carlisle, a professor of philosophy at Kings College London, who is the author of seven books, including one on the elusive Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, who famously chose not to marry. Juliet Aubrey as Dorothea and Rufus Sewell as Will Ladislaw in Middlemarch. George Eliots novel is an examination of marriage. Credit: Eliot understood that emotional truths are more layered than linear, with deep interior dimensions. These truths provoke political questions, spiritual questions, cosmic questions. Intense, subtle, tender, they must be handled with great care. This is what is so exciting about Eliots philosophy. She searched for truths not in order to form crisp definitions or moral judgments, but to make space for souls to grow, to stay curious, to feel alive. George Eliot craved emotional intimacy all her life. Credit: Getty The Marriage Question: George Eliots Double Life is Carlisle suggesting, via Eliot, that marriage is perhaps the most ambitious thing an individual might do, a leap into the open-endedness of another human being. With a clarity that terrified as much as thrilled her, Eliot saw marriage meant nothing less than immersion into anothers life. In a private letter to a close (male) friend she wrote: About marriages one can only rejoice with trembling. Carlisles book is a treatment of marriage as a philosophical subject, and where better to start than with the great writer and philosopher who more than 150 years after her death (at only 61) is still provocative and still modern in her thinking. She was always modern because she was always thinking. Nothing was lost on her. Eliot read, observed, discussed, thought and constantly developed her ethical imagination in a world that was changing with similar agitations, speed, and alarms as the tech world today. Most pertinent to the Victorians Eliot was solidly Victorian was the breakdown of the old religious certainties in which God was at the centre and morality was embalmed in church law. Eliot, then known as Mary Ann Evans, was raised in a deeply religious household and, while having the most flexible mind, her understanding of the need for certainties was instinctive. Actor Rachel Griffiths says people wrongly assume she got her big break in Muriels Wedding. In fact, it was in the Woolly Jumpers, a Geelong community theatre company. The newly opened Geelong Arts Centre. Credit: Peter Foster Speaking at the official opening of the new Geelong Arts Centre this month, the internationally acclaimed actor highlighted the importance of grassroots arts organisations. Rachel Griffiths paid tribute to community theatre at the Arts Centre opening. The $140 million performing arts centre in Little Malop Street, designed by ARM Architecture and funded by the state government, has taken four years to build. It houses two theatres (one seating 550 and another 250), an atrium, a restaurant, box office, and refreshed back-of-house and administration facilities. The larger theatre known as Story House can be adapted to create a standing area for audiences, with seats retracting under the stage. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 25. Kyrgyzstan and Belarus plan to resume regular flights on the Bishkek-Minsk-Bishkek route, Trend reports. According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, these plans were discussed in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, during the 11 session of the intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Belarusian commission on trade and economic cooperation. The session was chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Torobaev, and Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Anatoly Sivak. During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for Kyrgyz-Belarusian trade and economic cooperation. Additionally, the sides discussed topics such as collaboration in the industrial sector, transportation, agriculture, agro-industrial complex, interregional cooperation, and more. In August 2021, the Kyrgyz airline "Avia Traffic Company" launched a flight from Bishkek to Minsk. The flights were operated once a week using Airbus A320 aircraft. However, flight operations on this route were later suspended. A loophole in Australias visa system that allowed international students to abandon university courses for cheap private colleges, so they could work instead of study, has been closed. An investigation by this masthead this month revealed the policy had led to a sprawl of ghost colleges across Melbourne, where tens of thousands of students are registered to learn, but few attend their courses. Education Minister Jason Clare says the loophole has been closed immediately. Credit: Martin Ollman Under changes made by the federal government, students will no longer be allowed to move from a university to a vocational course until six months into their study. Most people coming to Australia on a student visa enrol in a university yet many end up in vocational education via a concurrent study arrangement, which allows them to enrol in both a university and vocational course at the same time. Baddiel knows this was wrong. He apologised several times through media over the years. Last year, he apologised in person and the pair recorded a difficult and lengthy conversation. An excerpt was used in Baddiels recent documentary, also called Jews Dont Count, and a longer version on Lees podcast. Baddiel says people who still use that incident to bludgeon him are not considering Lees own desire to move on. I have caught Baddiel on a whirlwind visit to Australia. He had an event in Melbourne and is a star guest at the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival, which is running in Bondi Beach until this Sunday. We meet for a late lunch on the day he arrives in Sydney. Id planned fish and chips on the beach and then a walk along the headland to show off Sydneys sparkle. But by the afternoon the weather was cold and drizzly, so we repaired to Hotel Centennial, a Merivale joint in Woollahra where the kitchen is open until 3pm. Our interview officially begins in the Uber on the way to the restaurant, making me feel like Im inside an episode of the Jerry Seinfeld Netflix show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The presentation of the whole duck before it is served. Credit: Janie Barrett I start with six oysters, while Baddiel orders trout and fromage frais flatbread with dill, capers and lemon. I see him admiring my oysters, so we trade a few bites. For the main, Baddiel suggests we share the roasted duck for two, a signature dish of the restaurant. Channelling how a Chinese restaurant might serve Peking Duck, the waitress brings out the whole bird to show us, and then takes it back for the kitchen staff to plate up three different ways. Theres duck breast with glazed skin alongside stuffed piquillo peppers and duck skin crackling, another plate with confit of duck leg, and a bowl of shredded duck in a salad of winter leaves. We both tuck in enthusiastically, though Baddiel confesses that he wishes he had the willpower to be vegan. As well as being a stand-up comedian, non-fiction author and documentary maker, Baddiel is also a childrens author, novelist, playwright and television writer. And arguably a public intellectual, though it would be terribly un-British for him to say it. His second non-fiction book The God Desire about being an atheist yearning for God to be real is out now. His next childrens book, about a child who is a brilliant chef, is out next year. He is also writing a musical with Dan Gillespie Sells that is an adaptation of his debut childrens book The Parent Agency. The trout and fromage frais flatbread with dill, capers and lemon. Credit: Janie Barrett People say I do so many different things, but I think I just do one thing, Baddiel says. Its all storytelling. He was inspired to write kids books by conversations with his own children when they were little. Baddiel found becoming a father challenged him to be a better, more empathetic person. Now he is on the verge of an empty nest. His daughter, 21, is at dance school in London and lives at home in Hampstead, but his son, 18, will go away to university in the English autumn. Im devastated about it because Im just unbelievably close to my son and get on with him incredibly well, Baddiel says. Hes kind of my best mate. (He also says his comic collaborator Frank Skinner is his best friend). Before we eat Baddiel takes a photo of the food for his son, who is a keen cook, and especially loves to cook duck. Baddiel used to be active on social media, especially X, formerly Twitter. He is still there, but not so much. He blames the internet for fuelling anti-Semitism, and social media for accelerating the notion that identity trumps objective truth. He agrees a little with those who say there is no such as cancel culture, theres just free speech and the consequences of free speech. But not completely he decries the tendency on social media to have a pantomime of good and bad instead of allowing for complex realities and personalities. He says the target of a pile-on can still suffer real harm even if they are not completely silenced. I ask how artificial intelligence might change that, and he answers with an observation about deep fakes. The terrifying thing about AI, if youre a public figure, is its really, really easy to copy your voice waves and [image] he says. If someone wanted to wake up tomorrow and have me or a version of me doing or saying something terrible itd be really hard to prove it wasnt me. The duck carved and served multiple ways is Hotel Centennials signature dish. Credit: Janie Barrett Another aspect of identity is the rise of authenticity casting, where a black character requires a black actor, and a deaf character a deaf actor, and so on. Dev Patel can play South Asian characters and also be David Copperfield, but Baddiel says it would be inconceivable now for able-bodied Daniel Day Lewis to win an Oscar for playing a man with cerebral palsy in My Left Foot. Baddiel was quoted recently criticising the casting of Cillian Murphy rather than a Jewish actor in the title character of Oppenheimer. Since then, there has been a public debate about Bradley Cooper portraying Leonard Bernstein with a prosthetic nose in the upcoming Maestro. In reality, Baddiel says he doesnt care about authenticity casting, but has somehow wound up as the go-to person for the British press. His point is more subtle: if authenticity casting is a thing, then it should be consistent and cover every minority group including Jews. He would be just as happy if actors could play anyone. Gas connections to new schools, hospitals and commercial developments in Parramatta would be banned under a new council proposal to force most new buildings to rely on electric power. In the most significant step yet taken by local jurisdictions to limit the use of fossil fuels, Parramatta Councils new Development Control Plan document to be debated at a council meeting on Monday reveals how, if approved, only electricity would be connected to commercial developments and all non-residential developments that are considered to be state significant. Parramatta Council could be the first council in NSW to ban gas connections to most new developments. Credit: Dean Sewell That includes most cultural, recreation and tourist facilities, schools and hospitals worth more than $20 million. Exemptions would be provided for buildings where the intended use of the building requires a process or equipment that is not able to be served by electricity, the plan says. The Catholic Church has lost a bid to restrict the family members of victims of child abuse by clergy from bringing civil cases against the institution. The Court of Appeal on Friday rejected the churchs attempt to overturn a decision made by the Supreme Court in August last year that the father of a former choirboy who prosecutors had alleged was sexually abused by George Pell is entitled to sue the church. Cardinal George Pell during his 2018 trial. He was found guilty but later had his convictions quashed. Credit: Justin McManus The decision paves the way for affected family members of other victims to sue the church over the impact of their abuse. The father alleged he had endured harm and suffering as a result of his sons death, which he attributes to the actions of Pell. The need for unity to overcome division The Voice is likely to do exactly what your correspondent (Letters, 25/8) calls for provide a transparent and accountable process for those with first-hand experience of Indigenous disadvantage to develop solutions. Those articulate and forthright Indigenous leaders rightly identify the urgent need to close the gap. A constitutional requirement for parliament to set up the process for advice on doing that is a positive step forward. If all those who desire closure of the gap look beyond politics and point scoring to the almost 250 First Nations people who proposed the Voice, and the more than 80per cent support for it in First Nations communities, unity can overcome division and progress can be made. Sophie Delaney, Brunswick West Opening our hearts to the less privileged As an older Australian, I am saddened by the No campaigns selfish and divisive attitude towards our Indigenous peoples right to have a Voice to parliament. The No Australians, many of whom are fortunate to have good employment, financial stability, comfortable housing and life choices, decry the basic right for others not as privileged as themselves to be heard. What has happened to our spirit of generosity and our mantra of giving a fair go to all? I despair. Heather Roche, Soldiers Hill THE FORUM Tackle the issues instead I agree with your correspondent (Letters, 25/8) that the referendum has brought out the worst in terms of racist comments. However, I do not believe a Voice will alleviate the problem. The damage has already been done by the government calling the referendum, resulting in Australia becoming more divided over Indigenous issues. A better option would have been for the government to forget about the Voice and instead go about solving the problems facing our Indigenous citizens. Tony OBrien, South Melbourne Yeah, nah, I dont know There has been a lot of discussion about what constitutes a valid vote on the referendum paper. Ticks and crosses are apparently inconsistently valued. The proper answer is to write your response in English, if you please. However, the sample voting papers I have seen do not provide sufficient space to write Yeah, yeah, yeah, nah. Julian Robertson, Mount Eliza Putting the locals first Canada is considering capping the number of foreign student visas to free up housing (The Age, 23/8). This concept makes so much sense. The enormous number of young students living in Australia occupy much of the scarce housing stock plus line the immense pockets of business entities universities. Yes, I do not think this issue was foreseen initially. However, now that we are aware thousands of locals are without an affordable roof over their heads, it is time to rethink our priorities. Cap overseas student numbers and free up a greater supply of housing for the people who call Australia home. Veronica Wright, Mount Martha Holistic care from GPs In the discussion regarding shortages in the health workforce (The Age, 24/8), it is apparent that most people have forgotten what GPs actually do, including, dare I say it, federal Health Minister Mark Butler. A GP provides care of the whole person, and has done at least 10 years training. A prescription for blood-pressure tablets is easy to write, but consideration of heart health, diabetes, smoking and weight must at least be thought about, if not discussed with a patient. A prescription for antibiotics for urinary infection is easy to write, but what if the woman has instead a sexually transmitted infection, a pregnancy or appendicitis? This scenario will happen all day in relation to different conditions. A pharmacist or nurse is not trained for this role. Their skills are in other areas. It is doing patients a disservice to provide an allied health professional when they should be seeing a GP. It will lead to poorer health outcomes in the long term, and nasty mistakes in the short term. Dr Julie Faragher, Soldiers Hill Why is no one listening? We need to have a royal commission into Australian universities regarding job security, pay, workloads, flexible working arrangements and limiting restructures. Staff and students have suffered enough. Essentially, the problems come from the vice chancellors and boards, the ones ultimately responsible for good and fair management. Many of the former are on huge salaries and have plush offices, while the latter seemingly have little idea of what is going on down below. I have seen this stuff first-hand. Is anybody listening? It is a national disgrace. Tony Gould, Elwood Time to give back Qantas has posted a $2.5billion profit (The Age, 24/8). Perhaps the company can now afford to pay interest on the money it refused, for three years, to refund us for our trip, which was cancelled when COVID-19 hit. Also, what about Qantas compensating the taxpayers for the government aid it received during the pandemic and which contributed to this profit? Clelia McCutcheon, Elsternwick Gradually shrinking No, Greg Tuck, it certainly isnt just you. (Letters, 25/8). Some supermarket products have remained at the same price but they have been reduced in size or weight. Marcia Roche, Mill Park Devoted to Trump Six out of eight Republican presidential hopefuls have pledged to support Donald Trump if he becomes their partys nominee, even if he becomes a convicted felon in the criminal trials ahead (The Age, 25/8). These crimes are so serious and unprecedented that it makes a mockery of the Republicans claim to be the party of law and order. Ross Chadderton, Mount Waverley That ad, again and again I was on the phone yesterday to a company and I hung up after more than an hour of waiting. I only waited that long because I was wearing a headset while working on my computer. During that time, I heard the same two ads ad nauseam. This is not an isolated incident and I cant help feeling that this is not good for anyone mentally. Clearly, these organisations need to hire more staff. John Cummings, Anglesea The survival of life Doing zip may be the only way society can go forward. Waleed Alys thoughtful piece on tax reform (Comment, 25/8) prompts questions about the need for restraint in growth and productivity overall to ensure a world in which humans can live and work sustainably. The pursuit of profit above all else is obviously not the way for survival of life as we know it. Geri Colson, Mentone Other knowledge gap Education Minister Natalie Hutchins says that initiatives such as the school tutoring program are useful to address knowledge gaps (The Age, 24/8). She says this is one of the ways the government is helping the students identified in NAPLAN tests as needing support. It is ironic then that the state government isnt funding the tutoring in schools program after this year. That sounds like a knowledge gap right there. Leigh Andressen, Heidelberg Heights Come clean on subsidies Re Why we wont quit coal just yet (The Age, 25/8): The Victorian government has signed secret deals with AGL and EnergyAustralia. The state government forgets that this is our money and taxpayers should know by how much we are subsidising these fossil-fuel dinosaurs. Max Sargent, Thornbury The new contribution Waleed Aly is spot on Australia has a massive tax problem. As part of the solution, how about we introduce an inheritance tax on estates above (say) $2 million. It would have to be at the Commonwealth level, so that the states did not compete for wealthy residents. The dutiable estates could exclude the family home, but should cover trusts and assets stashed in tax havens. To help sell it politically, it could be promoted as a millionaire recovery contribution definitely not to be referred to as a death tax. John Hughes, Mentone Successful treatment Thank you, Melissa Mason, (Comment, 23/8) for sharing your story and highlighting how modern anti-depressant medication has helped you better manage your challenges with anxiety and related issues. As a GP for 40 years, I found your article refreshing and affirming. A most satisfying aspect of general practice is to initially diagnose, then successfully treat patients with anxiety/depression, often with the aid of modern anti-depressant medications. There is much negativity regarding such medication which results from ill-informed media sources. This, in turn, prevents sufferers from receiving effective treatment. I hope your article will prompt more people with mental health challenges to discuss their issues with a GP and make an informed decision regarding treatment options. Dr Chris Fildes, Lilydale Back to the future During Mark Twains speaking tour of Australia in 1895, his view of Australian history was: It reads like the most beautiful lies. It seems that 130 years on, not much has changed. Mark Hulls, Sandringham AND ANOTHER THING Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding Russia There are more coincidences (invariably fatal) in Russian politics than in a Dickensian narrative. John Skaro, Malvern It certainly doesnt pay to have Putin as an enemy. Marie Nash, Balwyn Prigozhins last words: Tell Vlad it was only business, I always liked him, he knows that. Paul Johnson, Clifton Hill It looks like Putin is using Stalins playbook. Dirk van Florestein, Geelong West Putins good side a mirage. David Cayzer, Clifton Hill Putin is looking for a new chef. The last one retired due to illness. Applications invited. David Lyall, Mount Eliza I wonder if Prigozhin was feeling smug, drinking tea and looking out the window when his plane fell out of the sky. Pete Sands, Monbulk I suggest the forensics team looks for Putins fingerprints on the plane wreckage. George Djoneff, Mitcham Another gremlin in the Kremlin. Myra Fisher, Brighton East Politics Two wrongs may not make a right (24/8) but I suspect they make a far right. Helen Moss, Croydon Spend the $9.7 billion yearly on building public housing, not on explicit fossil fuel subsidies (25/8). A win-win for the economy. Jenny Smithers, Ashburton Re the Treasurers Press Club speech and answers: one must conclude we have a Tory opposition and a Tory government. Ruben Buttigieg, Mount Martha A tick should never be used for voting. Its too easy to turn it into a cross. Joan Peverell, Malvern Athens: Even as Greek authorities battled scores of bushfires, stretching from north to south on the mainland, the blazes encroaching on a treasured national park north of Athens provoked special anger. Mount Parnitha, a protected wildlife area widely known as the lungs of Athens, is normally a respite for city dwellers, especially as the heat of Greek summers has tipped to dangerous extremes. Smoke billows behind the Parthenon ancient temple on top of the Acropolis hill as a bushfire rages on the outskirts of Athens. Credit: AFP But this week, with the air acrid with the smell of burnt wood, residents and conservationists alike lamented the potential loss of one of the few green spaces left near the capital. They accused authorities of failing to protect a precious forestland that is home to more than 1000 species of plants and animals, including red deer and wolves. No other European capital has been blessed with such a hot spot of biodiversity literally at its doorstep, said Demetre Karavellas, director of World Wildlife Fund Greece, adding that the extent of the damage was still unclear as fires continued to rage. Its a crying shame. "Let Them Eat Cake" - DOE Announces $3.5 Million to Provide Workforce Development Opportunities in Energy Communities But First A Backgrounder By Art Intelli: "Let them eat cake" is a famous quote often attributed to Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France during the late 18th century. According to the popular legend, when she was told that the French peasants were starving due to a shortage of bread, she callously suggested, "Let them eat cake," implying that if they couldn't afford bread, they could eat a more luxurious alternative like cake. However, there is no solid historical evidence to support the claim that Marie Antoinette actually uttered these words. The phrase can be traced back to the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau's autobiography "Confessions," which was written when Marie Antoinette was only about ten years old and hadn't yet become queen. Additionally, the phrase "let them eat cake" had been attributed to other royals before Marie Antoinette's time. Regardless of its origins, the quote has come to symbolize the perceived indifference and disconnect of the ruling class towards the suffering of the common people. It's often used as an example of the ignorance and callousness of those in power when faced with the hardships of the less privileged. The U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced up to $3.5 million in federal funding available to help local communities across the country create a roadmap toward repurposing existing energy assets. The Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets initiative will assist communities where a significant portion of their local economy has historically been supported by energy assets, such as coal, oil, and/or natural gas power facilities and accompanying equipment and infrastructure. The initiative will help these communities build technical capacity and develop a workforce necessary to help revitalize energy systems, address environmental impacts, and tackle challenges associated with energy assets that have been retired, or are slated for retirement. This effort advances FECMs mission of minimizing environmental and climate impacts of energy systems and industrial processes while working to achieve net-zero emissions across our economy and the broader DOE mission of ensuring efficient transformation of the energy system while prioritizing labor and community engagement. As we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand deployment of clean energy technology and infrastructure, its imperative that we provide support to our nations energy communities to ensure they maximize economic, social, and environmental opportunities, said Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. Through this initiative, DOE will help our communities retain their local skilled workforces and productively leverage and repurpose the value of their existing infrastructure. The retirement of energy assets means that energy transmission and distribution infrastructure, electrical interconnection equipment, site and permitting licenses, and other related infrastructure may be available for alternative uses. At the same time, these communities must find opportunities to replace lost revenues and provide jobs for highly specialized workers. The Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets initiative will provide these communities with access to planning and other resources they need to develop a roadmap for a clean energy futuregiving them the chance to be active participants in crafting their own economic future. The Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets initiative is managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by DOE's Office of Technology Transitions. This agreement enables ENERGYWERX to broaden DOEs engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, facilitating the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of clean energy solutions. DOE intends to open the program for submissions in early September 2023. Visit the ENERGYWERX website to sign up for an informational webinar to be held on September 7, 2023 at 2:00-3:00 pm ET. Subsequent updates and announcements for the Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets initiative will be posted on the website. Questions about the initiative can be submitted to info@energywerx.org. FECM minimizes environmental and climate impacts of fossil fuels and industrial processes while working to achieve net-zero emissions across our economy. Priority areas of technology work include carbon capture, carbon conversion, carbon dioxide removal, carbon dioxide transport and storage, hydrogen production with carbon management, methane emissions reduction, and critical minerals production. To learn more, visit the FECM website, sign up for FECM news announcements, and visit the National Energy Technology Laboratory website. Qabil Ashirov International media outlets report that Canada is going to open its embassy in Yerevan and prior to this event, the Canadian top diplomat Melanie Joly met with Armenian Community in Montreal. At the meeting, she uttered the names of toponyms such as "artsakh," "nagorno Karabakh," and so on which Armenian separatists use against Azerbaijan. The usage of separatist wording by Melanie Joly caused protests in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani communities throughout the world. We resolutely condemn Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly voicing allegations in reference to the Garabagh region targeting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at the event of the Armenian community. This is not the first time the Canadian Foreign Minister issued one-sided statements supporting separatism and revanchist forces in the region, expressing pro-Armenian sentiments, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stated. The Network of Azerbaijani Canadians (NAC) and the Azerbaijani Canadian Community deplored Melanie Jolys speech as well. The communities emphasized that over 40,000 lives were lost in Armenias wars of invasion, the ethnic cleansing of 800,000 Azerbaijani civilians from their homes, the destruction of Azerbaijani cities, and the ongoing landmine catastrophe in Azerbaijans Garabagh region. The wording of the Canadian Foreign Minister raised the question of whether it was her own initiative or it was the stance of Canada. Besides, Opening an embassy in Yerevan by Canada also has not been received unequivocal. Because Armenia is a landlocked and the poorest country in the region. So, why does a big and wealthy country like Canada need Armenia? Azernews learned the opinion of the British Journalist and lawyer, Neil Watson on the issue. According to Watson, it was FMs own decision. But, he also noted that Canada is known for taking a pro-Armenian stance. Having seen the video and read around the subject, I am of the view that the use of separatist terminology and provocative wording by miss Melanie Joly is her own decision, although Canada itself is an overwhelmingly pro-Armenian country. We can say that the use of this wording and these claims are demonstrating to Armenia that it has a clear ally in North America which, by doing so, is providing support for the Russian perspective. This could ultimately give Armenia even more confidence in its attempts to protract the peace process as infinitum, leading to what Russia and Iran ultimately desire - a return to no peace and no war, Neil Watson said. The British journalist noted that Francophone background is the main factor in Jolys pro-Armenian stance. Besides, Watson added that Quebec is the only Francophone state in English-speaking Canada, and there is a separatist movement that has been very active for many decades. This factor forces Joly to emphasize the Armenian separatist movement. The answer is to be found in her Francophone background. Mme. Joly has French as her first language and will have obliviously absorbed French-language Armenian propaganda, including that regarding the situation over the Lachin Road. Furthermore, in Canada, there is an issue between the Francophone community in and around her home city of Montreal - the largest city in Quebec - and the English-speaking community. The Quebecois feel like a minority and sense their rights and history are under threat. There is a separatist movement that has been very active for many decades. Therefore they naturally empathise with the Armenian separatist movement, Watson opined. As for opening an Embassy in Yerevan, the British Journalist noted that the initiative is not being driven by economic concerns. The opening of the Embassy is not being driven by economic concerns. There are nearly 70,000 Armenian Canadians and this opening is to appease them, attract their votes, and also is due to the imagined commonality between separatist movements in Canada and Armenia that I mentioned earlier, Watson said. "Never give up". This is probably one of the most commonplace phrases that everyone has heard when they started building their career. Psychologists say that difficult life situations shape a person's personality. ADVERTISIMENT Many stars faced serious problems in their childhood: living in a trailer, working from the age of 5 or running away from home. Difficulties were not an obstacle on their way, but only hardened them and helped them become who they are today. OBOZREVATEL has collected stories of celebrities who never gave up and went for their goals. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker was born the fourth child in a family in a poor mining town in Ohio. Her parents divorced when she was two years old, and soon her mother remarried and gave birth to four more children. Parker's stepfather was often unemployed, so the future star started singing from childhood and earned money to feed her family of 10. ADVERTISIMENT Despite the difficult times and periodic social assistance, Parker's mother continued to encourage her children's interest in art. When the future Hollywood star was 11 years old, the family travelled to New York so that Sarah could audition for a Broadway play. The trip was successful - she and her brother were cast. Parker continued to work hard and eventually became the main character in the TV series Sex and the City. Writer Stephen King was penniless when he started his career. He lived in a trailer with his wife, also a writer. They both worked several jobs to support their family and pursue their creative work. The couple borrowed clothes for their wedding and lived without a phone because it was too expensive. ADVERTISIMENT King received 60 rejections from publishers before selling his first story, "The Glass Floor," for $35. Even his current bestseller, Carrie, was not a hit at first. Subsequently, Signet Books bought the rights to the paperback edition for $400,000, of which King received $200,000 and became famous all over the world. When actor Jim Carrey was 14 years old, his father lost his job and the family was going through a rough patch. They moved into a van, and the young aspiring comedian went to work in a factory after school for eight hours a day to make ends meet. At the age of 15, Kerry performed his first comedy act on stage. At the age of 16, he dropped out of school to focus on comedy. Soon he moved to Los Angeles, parked on the Walk of Fame every night and imagined his success. On one such night, he wrote himself an imaginary cheque for $10,000,000 for "acting services". Shortly before that date, he received the same fee for the TV series Dumb and Dumber. ADVERTISIMENT During her public life, journalist Oprah Winfrey has faced many challenges, such as criticism of her weight, racism and intrusive questions about her sexuality. However, in her childhood, Oprah went through even more turmoil. Winfrey was a victim of sexual abuse and was repeatedly molested by her cousin, uncle and family friend. Oprah became pregnant and gave birth to a child at the age of 14, the baby died two weeks later. The girl did not give up, graduated from high school with honours, received a full scholarship to college, made her way to television and is now the most famous journalist in the United States. ADVERTISIMENT Writer J.K. Rowling was divorced in the 1990s, living on public assistance and barely able to afford to feed her child in 1994. When Rowling was writing the bestselling Harry Potter novel, she was so poor that she couldn't afford a computer and didn't have the money to pay for a photocopy of the novel, so she hand-printed each version. The novel was rejected dozens of times, until finally a small London publishing house gave it a second chance after the CEO's eight-year-old daughter fell in love with the book. Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote about how dementia has changed the lives of Bruce Willis, Robin Williams and other celebrities. World-famous stars do not make public statements. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! For the first time in the history of terrestrial astronomy, astronomers have been able to look into a dark spot in Neptune's atmosphere. This was done thanks to the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. ADVERTISIMENT The results of the observations are described in a study in the journal Nature Astronomy. Temporary dark spots on the distant planet were first noticed in 1989, when they were shown to Earth scientists by NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft flying past the planet. For more than 30 years, these spots have puzzled scientists who have been trying to determine their origin. When the Hubble Space Telescope spotted a dark spot larger than the Earth's Atlantic Ocean, astronomers decided to use the latest technology to take a closer look at Neptune. "Since the first discovery of the dark spot, I've always been interested in what these short-lived and imperceptible dark objects are," said Patrick Irwin, lead author of the new study. He was able to use a telescope operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) to peer into Neptune's atmosphere from a distance of about 4.8 billion kilometres. ADVERTISIMENT ESO noted that this is the first time a ground-based telescope has observed a dark spot in Neptune's atmosphere. Large spots on giant gas planets are common and temporary. In particular, Jupiter's Great Red Spot has shrunk significantly in recent years and is likely to disappear completely in the near future. Scientists claim that these dark regions are clues to how the planet works. Similarly, we can understand what is happening to the climate on Earth by observing storms and aerosols. The VLT from which Neptune was observed is located on top of Cerro Paranal in the Chilean highlands. From this peak, the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument, which is equipped with the telescope, collects sunlight reflected from Neptune's clouds. As the scientists explain, MUSE made it possible to obtain a three-dimensional image of the Neptunian spot in "more detail than was previously possible". ADVERTISIMENT Based on these data, astronomers were able to measure the height at which the spot is in the atmosphere, as well as get clues as to why the spot looks dark. "In the process (of studying the dark spot - Ed.), we discovered a rare type of deep bright cloud that has never been identified before, even from space," said study co-author Michael Wong. The presence of the bright spot, according to scientists, indicates that Neptune's atmosphere is dynamic. ESO noted that the dark spot is likely the result of air particles collected in the layer below the visible layer, where "ice and fog mix in Neptune's atmosphere". The bright spot, on the other hand, is "rare" and represents "a completely new type of object". ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZREVATEL reported that a NASA telescope showed the bright death agony of a distant star. Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL's Telegram, Viber and Threads channels to keep up with the latest developments. THE MOMENT SCIENCE, possibly, had never had such a unifying effect on a nation -- as was seen in our country the moment Chandrayaan-3s Lander Module Vikram touched down on the lunar surface near the South Pole on the Moons farside. The whole Indian nation of 1.4 billion people was as if one person -- basking in the glory of national pride brought in by an unprecedented scientific achievement, trying its best to treasure the moment for permanence in individual and collective memory. The response of the Indian people across states and statuses was unique in every sense -- no other nation in the world in living memory had responded so unitedly to a scientific and technological achievement. The silk-smooth, cotton-soft precision landing Vikram achieved was a scientific, technological, visual marvel whose parallel may not be found easily elsewhere. It was sheer poetry -- carved permanently but delicately on human memory. The whole of India -- and of course also the world -- was waiting for that moment that looked so tremendously divine particularly against the experience of the 2019 crash-landing of the lander of Chandrayaan-2. The greatness of the Indian nation -- its Government, its people, its scientific community -- lay, however, in its ability to endure that sense of shock, and start preparing for another similar mission with greater focus on detail. The Moon Mission team of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) proved its worth by carving out a campaign to Moon whose failure many had assuredly anticipated -- for obvious reasons of the terribly high degree of difficulty involved in tackling the challenge of the Moons dark farside. The crash of Russias Luna-25 just a few days earlier had only strengthened those doubts. Despite all that, the ISRO made every challenge look like childs play. The Mission team proved the merit of not just its scientific brain but also its spiritual strength by demonstrating an unwavering, single-minded resoluteness that may not have a parallel in contemporary history of science. Such a scientific endeavour, tempered by prayers in every Indian heart, was bound to succeed -- which it really did -- paving the way for further such ventures into space. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi was prompt in verbalising the national aspiration in clear words when he highlighted the importance of the moment. He did define the next aims India will work for, which includes delving deeper into the limitless space to study the vast Solar System. Every Indian head and heart agreed with the Prime Ministers assertion! This is the sense of unity the Chandrayaan-3s success has generated, giving science an altogether different dimension in modern times. True, science should be utilised to heighten the quality of human achievement. But this one particular scientific achievement carried with it the unquestioning sentiment of the Indian nation. The prayers that took place everywhere in the country earlier and the celebrations that broke loose later indicated how science has a unifying ability that goes beyond ideological divides and petty political differences. India has achieved a long-standing dream of going to Moon. And without doubt, it will keep scaling newer heights in space in the future. At this moment, we recall the vision and action of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and thousands of scientists and dreamers who gave India a high position in the global community. We pay our deepest and highest respects to all of them. We also salute the current generations of Indias scientific community for giving the nation a tremendous reason to have unshakable faith in the idea of India. Finally, we join the nation to wait eagerly for further achievements of the Pragyan Rover. BJP has worked effectively to uplift underprivileged: Prabhat Sahu Staff Reporter City BJP President Prabhat Sahu highlighted significant strides made by BJP-led Government in Madhya Pradesh over the past two decades. While addressing a press conference on Thursday, Sahu emphasised that State has transformed from being underdeveloped to a leading example of progress and prosperity. He challenged Kamal Nath, former Chief Minister to explain his Governments accomplishments during their 53 year rule. He questioned why injustice was meted out to people of the State during that time. Sahu stated that the BJP has worked actively over 20 years to uplift the living standards of the underprivileged. He said the party has presented a report card to demonstrate positive changes they have brought. He dared the Congress to provide their 53-year record if they have the courage to do so. He said the BJP has introduced a new tradition of accountability, wherein its Government is held responsible for the actions taken during their tenure. He stressed the importance of answering the concerns raised by their Report Card and called on the Congress, which has been making misleading allegations, to respond to this initiative. Sahu also highlighted the 15-month tenure of Kamal Naths Government, during which they allegedly halted all the welfare programmes initiated by the BJP Government, effectively impacting lives of Sahariya, Bhariya and Baiga communities. He criticised Kamal Nath for signing suspicious documents just 15 minutes before his resignation, leaving behind a trail of doubts. Sahu said Madhya Pradesh is ready to become a leading State in the Amritkal (golden era) of India. He said the ensuing elections are crucial for shaping a developed and progressive state, liberating it from the clutches of poverty. Sahu expressed confidence that the blessings of States 9 crore citizens would be with them. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for steering India towards development right from the inception of his term. Sahu applauded Modis vision for making India the third-largest economy in the world, achieving a five trillion-dollar economy and promoting self-reliance. MP Rajya Sabha, Sumitra Valmiki, Ravindra Pachori, Shrikant Sahu, Ravi Sharma and others were also present on the occasion. BMC razes illegal structures around liquor shop where police team was attacked Staff Reporter The teams of Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) razed illegal constructions and encroachment of accused at Ayodhya Nagar liquor shop on Thursday. The action was taken after an attack on police team at the shop on Tuesday night. The cops from Ayodhya Nagar Police Station, accompanied the BMC team, were in action to prevent any untoward incident. The anti-encroachment cell of BMC reached Kakada on Thursday morning and razed the parking and other encroachment. Besides, the hand carts and other such shops were also removed that were running illegally in the area. The action continued for over two hours in presence of policemen on the day. Notably, constable Kalyan Singh of the Ayodhya Nagar Police Station and a driver in first response vehicle of police were assaulted by four accused late Tuesday night. The accused were drinking near the liquor shop around 1 am when the police team reached there. As constable Singh questioned the accused to for drinking and ordered driver to click their images, the four accused attacked him. Singh and driver Ajay Gaur sustained injuries in the attack. Singh has sustained fractures in his fingures. A video of the incident also went viral on the day which triggered panic on social media. The cops arrested two out of the four accused involved in the attack at the spot. The Bhopal Police has sent a letter to the Excise Department seeking action against late night operation of the shop. The Excise Department had earlier taken action against another liquor shop of the accused. Now, they will take action against the shop at Ayodhya Nagar soon. Assistant Excise Commissioner of Bhopal Deepam Raichura said that they are waiting for the letter by police department after which action will be taken at the shop where the recent incident occurred. BRICS to admit 6 more countries as members NEW DELHI : Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the bloc as the new members from January 1, 2024. TOP leaders of the BRICS nations on Thursday decided to admit Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the full members of the grouping that is largely seen as a counterweight to Western powers. The decision to invite the six countries to join the bloc as the new members was announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the final day of the annual summit of the BRICS that currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The new membership will take effect from January 1, 2024, Ramaphosa, flanked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said at a media briefing in Johannesburg. The South African President said an agreement was reached on the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures of the BRICS expansion process, which has been under discussion for quite a while. We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process, and further phases will follow, he said. South Africa is holding the current presidency of BRICS. We have decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to become full members of BRICS, he added. In his media statement, Modi said the expansion and modernisation of BRICS is a message that all institutions in the world need to mould themselves according to changing times. India has always fully supported the expansion of the BRICS membership. India has been of the view that the addition of new members will further strengthen BRICS as an organisation, and give a new impetus to all our common endeavours, he said. The Prime Minister said the decision to expand the bloc will further strengthen the faith of many countries in the multipolar world order. The grouping took shape in September 2006 and it originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). It was renamed as BRICS after South Africa was accepted as a full member in September 2010. At present, the BRICS represents 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. The BRICS member nations have been the main engines of global economic growth over the years. Chinese President Xi described the expansion of BRICS as a new starting point for cooperation in the grouping. It will bring new vigour to the BRICS cooperation mechanism, further strengthening a force for world peace and development, he said at the press briefing. Speaking remotely, Russian leader Vladimir Putin hailed the expansion. In his remarks, Ramaphosa said the BRICS valued the interests of other countries in building partnership with the grouping. We have tasked our foreign ministers to further develop the BRICS partner country model and a list of prospective partner countries and report by the next summit, he said. Through this Summit, BRICS has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, a world that is also inclusive and prosperous, he noted. Ramphosa said the BRICS is ready to explore opportunities for improving the stability, reliability and fairness of the global financial architecture. He said the summit agreed to task the BRICS finance ministers and Central Bank Governors to consider the issue of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms and report back to the leaders by the next summit. Cong MLA Sharma faces 22 questions in 2 hours Staff Reporter Congress MLA Sanjay Sharma from Madhya Pradesh was questioned by the city police for approximately two hours on Thursday in connection with the sensational murder case of Sana alias Heena Khan. The police asked 22 questions to MLA Sharma and recorded his statement, said police. Sharma, an MLA from Tendukheda Legislative Constituency, was suspected to have had contact with prime accused in the murder case -- Pappu alias Amit Shahu, during his time in hiding. A notice was served to Sharma on Monday, requesting his presence before the city police for questioning. He arrived in the city on Thursday morning and was subjected to questioning in the office of DCP Zone II Rahul Madne. A top police official said that Pappu was in contact with some persons closely associated with MLA Sharma after committing the murder. Sharma and Pappu had even met a day before Pappus arrest by Nagpur police in Jabalpur. Another accused Rabbu alias Ravishankar Yadav, known for aiding the absconding accused, was reported to have close ties with Sharma as well, the official said. Officials of the Crime Branch and Mankapur Police Station were also present during the questioning. Both Pappu Sahu and Rabbu Yadav were present, and Sharma was questioned face-to-face with the accused also present during the questioning, said an official. The police are trying to establish MLA Sharmas connection with Pappu and scanning the politicians role in the case. While speaking to mediapersons, MLA Sharma denied having any recent connection with Pappu, stating that he had not seen him for past 7-8 years. Pappu was working with us 15 years ago, said Sharma. An official said that Sharmas nephew and Pappu were reportedly accused in a murder case reported over a decade ago. Since then, a connection between Pappu and Sharma had developed. Sana Khans mother, Mehrunisha Khan, a Congress worker, also visited DCP Madnes office and expressed frustration over the investigation. However, after discussions with officials, she expressed her trust in the polices efforts. Mehrunisha dismissed Pappus claims of sextortion racket and asserted that he was misleading the police. Sana went missing on August 2 after a confrontation with her husband-turned-foe, Pappu. The relationship between the two had reportedly soured, with Pappu suspecting Sanas fidelity. The situation escalated on August 1 during a video call between Sana and Amit. Following the altercation, Sana traveled to Jabalpur on August 2 and entered Pappus residence, where a violent confrontation ensued, resulting in her murder. Cong MLA Sharma questioned for 2 hours by Nagpur Police Staff Reporter Congress MLA Sanjay Sharma from Madhya Pradesh was questioned by the Nagpur police for approximately two hours on Thursday in connection with the sensational murder case of Sana alias Heena Khan. The police asked 22 questions to MLA Sharma and recorded his statement, said police. Sharma, a MLA from Tendukheda Legislative Constituency, was suspected to have had contact with the prime accused in the murder case -- Pappu alias Amit Shahu, during his time in hiding. A notice was served to Sharma on Monday, requesting his presence before the Nagpur Police for questioning. He arrived in Nagpur on Thursday morning and was subjected to questioning in the office of DCP Zone II Rahul Madne. A top rank police official said that Pappu was in contact with some persons closely associated with MLA Sharma after committing the murder. Sharma and Pappu had even met a day before Pappus arrest by Nagpur police in Jabalpur. Another accused Rabbu alias Ravishankar Yadav, known for aiding the absconding accused, was reported to have close ties with Sharma as well, the official said. Officials of Crime Branch and Mankapur police station were also present during the questioning. Both Pappu Sahu and Rabbu Yadav were present, and Sharma was questioned face-to-face with the accused, said an official, who was present during questioning. Police are trying to establish MLA Sharmas connection with Pappu and scanning the politicians role in the case. While speaking to the mediapersons, MLA Sharma denied having any recent connection with Pappu, stating that he had not seen him for past 7-8 years. Pappu was working with us 15 years ago, said Sharma. Dr Aroras workshop on 26th Business Bureau To make businesses and practicing professionals aware about the importance and process of building brands AIMS (MBA), City Premier College and MKH Sancheti Group has organised Dr Sanjay Aroras workshop Build Your Brand to Build Your Profits on August 26 between 6:30 and 8 pm at the college- Wardha Road, Opp Sai Mandir, Hindustan Colony. Dr Sanjay Arora, a PhD in Brand Management, has also done specialized modules in Brand Management & Digital Marketing from IIM Bangalore and comes with over 38 years of professional experience of building and managing brands as the promoter of Shells Advertising Inc. This workshop has been designed to help SME business owners, practicing professionals like doctors, dentists, CAs, CSs, architects, advocates, finance and insurance advisors fashion and interior designers, consultants, managers and start-ups. He gives practical local cases studies with clear implementable steps using traditional tools like brand identity development, public relations, networking, customer experience and lifecycle management in a simple, lucid and usable format. Registrations strictly on a first-come, first-served basis for the very limited seats. For further details, interested persons may contact Mrunali on mob. 9423681777. Japans Fukushima N-plant begins releasing treated radioactive wastewater into sea OKUMA : THE tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant s operator says it began releasing its first batch of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday acontroversial step,butamilestoneforJapans battlewiththegrowingradioactive water stockpile. In a live video from a control room at the plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings showedastaffmember turn onaseawater pump with a click of a mouse, marking the beginning of the controversialprojectthatisexpected to last for decades. Seawater Pump A activated, the main operator said, confirming the release was underway. TEPCO later confirmedthattheseawaterpump was activated at 1:03 PM(0403 GMT), three minutes afterthe finalstepbegan.Itsaidanadditional wastewater release pump was activated 20 minutes after the first. Plant officials said everythingwasmoving smoothly so far. Japanese fisher groups have opposedtheplanforfearitwill further damage to the reputation of their seafood. Groups inChinaandSouthKorea have also raised concern, making it apoliticalanddiplomaticissue. But the Japanese governmentandTEPCO saythewater mustbereleasedtomakeroom for the plants decommissioning and to prevent accidental leaks. They say the treatment and dilution will make the wastewater safer than international standards. Chinas customs authorities ban seafood from Japan OKUMA (Japan), Aug 24 (AP) CHINESEcustoms authorities banned seafood from Japan in response to the FukushimaDaiichinuclear power plant starting its wastewater release on Thursday,customsauthorities said. The ban starts immediately and will affect all imports of aquatic products including seafood. Moon Power By Anjan Roy NOW THAT India has soft landed on the south pole of Moon, the dust it will raise will travel from Moon surface to the Earth. The landing of a rover vehicle will kick up lot of Moon dust called regolith for its typical characteristics which is minute and sticky and will cover the entire lander for a while which will is expected to cut off communications for some time. Only after the dust subsides, will the Moon rover roll out from the lander and start its movement across the surface after a while. The fact is that only four nations have so far been able to soft land on the Moon itself bears testimony that this is not an easy achievement. Were it so, many others would by now have landed there. By placing its rover on the Moon and conducting scientific experiments, India immediately gains recognition as a space super power. In fact, many of the global media is referring to India as such. This is a major recognition. There are larger implications of this achievement. Indias successful landing on Moon surface, more particularly after the failure of Russian landing bid just couple of days back, puts India on a geo-political plane which would be vastly changed. It gives some clear diplomatic gains and prestige which are multi-dimensional. India is only the fourth country in the world to put its lander on the Moon, that too in an area which is of critical scientific importance. The Vikram lander has arrived at the lunar south pole where sunlight does not reach mostly. So it is surmised if Moon has water, it would be in the form of ice particles in the southern polar region. The technical success in the lunar arrival vests a kind of geo-political hue on the country. India had earlier signed up to the American Artemis programme, which seeks to create a regime for Moon research and lunar governance for the future. This assumes importance as a host of countries are seeking to land on the Moon in the immediate future. These include, Israel, Japan, and the traditional space powers, including China, America and Russia. Until now, the United Nations had resolved that no one country can claim exclusive national sovereign claim on any part of the Moon. China, joined by Russia, have however not joined any of the international efforts for governance of Moon research and territorial rights. If anything, China has refused to fall in line with the international position on no national claims on the Moon. India on the other hand is in tune with the current international doctrine disallowing national territorial claims and as a vindication joined the Artemis programme for joint explorations and non-national ownership of any part of Moon. The space, willy-nilly, is fast becoming an extended stage of rivalry among the major Earth powers. Russia, in its fallen status, has aligned fully with China as the latter had displayed its capabilities by making three landings and more particularly on the other side of the Moon which is not visible to Earth bound observers. The US, on the other hand, although had placed its astronauts on the Moon half a century ago, has not undertaken much activity recently. The only other country which had placed its rovers in the twenty-first century is China. In this situation, American agreements on Moon research and exploration with India is a strategic achievement. India would be a valuable resource for Americas renewed Moon exploration bid. In this joint effort, several other democracies, like Canada, Japan and South Korea, are also joining in. That means, you have the newly emerging geo-political alignment the so-called democracies, on the one hand, with the authoritarians on the other. Because of Chinese behaviour on the Himalayan borders, India firmly remains outside of any joint effort with China. India is on the other side with America and the West in space related activities. The lunar landing has happened at a critically favourable time as well when the BRICS summit is being held in South Africa. Already, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had pitched the achievement as not just of India but for humanity at large. India will have a far higher profile at the BRICS summit now that the space capability has been so acutely demonstrated with the picture perfect landing. Chinas preponderance as the final space power would be challenged and the global south nations will take India so much seriously. This achievement will give boost to Indias hard technological image, as well as, its soft power influence over the global south. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already sought to capitalise on it by proposing a broader BRICS-level space initiative. These are diplomatic gains apart from the sheer scientific achievements of the whole endeavour. These are no less important in the life of a nation. Simply put, India now stands much taller in the comity of nations than when the lander was making its still critical descent on Moon surface. One wrong move from mission could have changed all that. Motherly love AFTER seeing J. Los film Mother, I had the epiphany that raising self-sufficient, resilient kids is the genuine measure of motherly love. Indian moms are conditioned to hold their children close to them both literally and figuratively. They cry when they are split up. It is misunderstood that crying for their children shows affection for them. A powerful and strong mother is viewed as a nonchalant individual. In her film, J Lo, a professional murderer, hides away from her young daughter while yet providing for her. Her sole concern is for her daughters protection. She never gives her a hug or shows any sign of affection. Her love is incredibly sustaining. By chance, I saw this film the week before my daughter was scheduled to leave for a fresh start. She was leaving my sight for the first time. I kept myself occupied all day long making plans for her stay away from home, but at night my subconscious would trouble me. Other family members felt the same level of worry that I did, when my baby (graduate engineer) was considering relocating. My husband and I kept reassuring each other that she is mature enough, and capable of managing in an unfamiliar setting. Lack of effort to escape the cocoon prevents the larvae from growing powerful wings. The narrative of the larvae developing into butterfly, is a highly important lesson in itself. Although we are all familiar with this tale, we continue to spoil our children and refuse to let them develop individuality. Its easier said than done. I was trying to come out as very strong in front of my kid, but as I left her off, I realised I had a lot of emotions bottled up inside of me. I made the decision not to put my mind under pressure and sobbed uncontrollably as I left by the bus. I dropped her off in Mumbai and then took a bus to Pune to meet my mother. My bus broke down because of the heavy weather, and it took me nine hours to travel to Pune. As a mother, I was crying for my child, while my mother was anxiously awaiting my arrival on the other side. I hadnt seen her in a while, and I could tell from the way she spoke on phone that she was in distress because her daughter was stranded on the expressway. As these feelings were at their peak, everyone was abruptly prompted to board another bus. Every time, serendipity occurs and teaches vital lessons. I just so happened to be sitting next to a psychologist who specialises in parent-child counselling. I found comfort in his words of knowledge. He advised me that happiness is fleeting and that it is a grave error to equate it with objects and feelings. A person is sad if he/she has no children, miserable with unkind children, or unhappy with extremely nice children who depart for a successful career of their own. However, Dil to bacha hai ji stays true. So, how can you discipline your thoughts, manage your emotions, and yet portray strength in front of your children? I suppose if the love is sincere and true, the feelings will settle down with time. The genuine definition of love is to be selfless and let your children explore their own world and potential. The Russian Wagner private military company will probably cease to exist as a quasi-independent parallel military structure. This is because of the deaths of its head Yevgeny Prigozhin and founder Dmitry Utkin, who crashed near Tver on August 23. ADVERTISIMENT This assumption was made by analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). They also pointed out why the Belarusan dictator Alexander Lukashenko, who two months ago "stopped" the armed march of the Wagner group on Moscow and sheltered the mercenaries in his country, is still silent about the death of "Putin's cook." "The Wagner group will likely no longer exist as a quasi-independent parallel military structure after the almost certain assassination by Russian President Vladimir Putin of PMC financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and founder Dmitry Utkin, as reported by Valery Chekalov, head of Wagner's logistics and security service on August 23," the summary said. Analysts say the PMC's central leadership is undermining its ability to reverse the effects of a campaign by the Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry to weaken, subdue and destroy the organization after the June 24 armed uprising. ADVERTISIMENT The Russian Defense Ministry has reportedly created separate private military companies that recruit current and former Wagner soldiers to take control of Wagner's operations abroad. Russian sources claimed that the Kremlin refused to pay the Belarusan government for sending mercenaries to Belarus and that financial problems had already led to a reduction in payments, allegedly forcing the Wagner members to resign. Satellite images from August 1 and 23 show that Wagner PMC dismantled nearly a third of the tents at its camp in Tsel (Asipovichy District, RB) installed the previous month. "This suggests that attempts to weaken Wagner may have led to a noticeable flight of its mercenaries from the contingent in Belarus." However, some bloggers have refuted claims that the militants are dismantling the camp in Tsel," ISW pointed out. ADVERTISIMENT On August 23, the National Resistance Center of Ukraine reported that an unspecified number of Wagner soldiers in Belarus camps had begun preparations to return to Russia after confirmation of Prigozhin's death in a plane crash that day. Experts say the central leadership of the Wagner PMC brought it to the "peak of its independence" during the offensive in Ukraine's Bakhmut and has been trying to maintain some semblance of that independence since its uprising in Russia in June this year. "The elimination of this central leadership would likely end any remaining means for Wagner to operate independently of the Russian defense ministry. It remains unclear whether the Kremlin intends to dissolve the PMC completely or reconstitute it as a much smaller organization fully subordinate to the Russian Defense Ministry. The third option of the restoration of Wagner as a quasi-independent organization under a new commander loyal to the Kremlin is possible, but unlikely," ISW suggested. ADVERTISIMENT They also mentioned the strange silence on Prigozhin's death on the part of the self-proclaimed leader of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Analysts do not rule out that their agreement of June 24 was most likely invalidated because of the destruction of the plane with the Wagner PMC leadership on board. Therefore, the Belarussian dictator will continue to remain silent so as not to provoke his Russian counterpart Putin and further jeopardize his already vulnerable position. "Considering Lukashenko's actions in direct talks with Prigozhin in June and further bragging about the role he played, he has embarrassed Putin quite badly. Prigozhin's assassination can be a possible cause of Lukashenko's both sharp reduction in his negotiating space with the Kremlin and an implicit threat against his continued attempts to resist efforts to integrate the Union State," ISW explained. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL, BBC earlier pointed out the "nuance" with the death of the head of the Wagner PMC. They emphasized that Prigozhin was already "dead" even after the march on Moscow and now partially repeated the fate of other opponents of Putin. Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! PSGIC employees stage demonstrations Business Bureau The public sector general insurance employees staged demonstrations against the Government, if their pending demands were not fulfilled by the Government. The call for the demonstration was given by the Joint Forum of Trade Unions and Associations (JFTU) in Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGIC) on August 23. A large number of PSGI employees gathered in front of the regional office of National Insurance Company Limited situated at Fidwi Tower, Mount Road, Sadar during lunch hour and staged huge demonstrations. Slogans were shouted against the Government and General Insurers (Public Sector) Association of India (GIPSA). After the demonstrations a gate meeting was held. The aggrieved employees demanded the merger of PSGI companies and removal of para inserted in the notification of previous wage revision regarding performance linked wage revision w.e.f. August 2022. Prashant Dixit, General Secretary, General Insurance Employees Union, Western Zone and Convenor, JFTU Nagpur Regional Unit said, To strengthen PSGI companies, merging of the companies is the only option. He further stated that recruitment in all cadres is the need of the hour. He appealed to the employees to build pressure on Government through agitations, dharna and strike to achieve their legitimate demands. Saurabh Tatekar conducted the meeting. A joint memorandum was submitted to the Chairperson, GIPSA through the Chief Regional Manager, National Insurance Co Ltd, Nagpur RO. Rajendra Saroj of National Insurance Co Officers Association and Praveen Dongre of All India SC/ST Employees Welfare Association also spoke at the meeting. World leaders congratulate PM Modi on Chandrayaan success at BRICS banquet JOHANNESBURG, AT THE banquet dinner during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was congratulated by several world leaders including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the success of Chandrayaan-3. Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi while referring to the Chandrayaan-3 mission, said the enthusiasm of our diaspora in South Africa for Indias achievements in the space sector is truly gladdening. Feeling the fervour all the way from Johannesburg for Chandrayaan-3! The enthusiasm of our diaspora in South Africa for Indias achievements in the space sector is truly gladdening, PM Modi tweeted on Wednesday. After the success of Chandrayaan-3, PM Modi dialled Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somanath from South Africas Johannesburg to congratulate him and said he would soon visit them in Bengaluru to greet the entire team in person. Somnath Ji, your name is Somnath, which is associated with the Moon, and therefore your family members will also be very happy today. Many many congratulations to you and your entire team from my side, PM Modi said in the telephone conversation. At this stage of the war, the Kremlin considers one of the goals of the criminal "special military operation" to be the " defense" of Russia. They say that there is a "terrorist threat" from Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This was expressed by Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He made the corresponding statement on August 25 after another restless night in Russia due to unknown drones. "The SMO is conducted, among other things, to stop terrorist drone attacks from Kyiv," the Kremlin spokesman issued. He also said that the war against Ukraine will continue "to exclude a threat from Kyiv in the future." Putin's spokesman ignored the fact that no UAVs threatened Moscow before the full-scale invasion. Explosions were heard in the Kaluga and Tula regions of the aggressor country on the night of August 25. The airspace over Vnukovo and Domodedovo Moscow airports was closed once again, the authorities introduced the already-known "Carpet" plan. As OBOZREVATEL wrote, drones were also seen over the territory of Ukrainian Crimea temporarily occupied by the Russians on August 25. It is reported that the village of Perevalnoye, where the 126th Coastal Defence Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia is stationed, was hit. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! CES Energy Solutions Corp. (OTCMKTS:CESDF Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $2.09 and traded as high as $2.64. CES Energy Solutions shares last traded at $2.64, with a volume of 14,820 shares trading hands. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CESDF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of CES Energy Solutions to C$4.40 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. TD Securities upped their price objective on shares of CES Energy Solutions from C$4.75 to C$5.00 in a research note on Friday, August 11th. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of CES Energy Solutions from C$4.60 to C$4.75 in a research note on Monday, August 14th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of CES Energy Solutions from C$3.75 to C$4.25 in a research note on Friday, August 11th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of CES Energy Solutions from C$3.75 to C$4.25 in a research note on Monday, August 14th. Get CES Energy Solutions alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CES Energy Solutions CES Energy Solutions Price Performance CES Energy Solutions Increases Dividend The stocks 50-day moving average is $2.12 and its 200 day moving average is $2.01. The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were given a $0.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a yield of 5.34%. This is an increase from CES Energy Solutionss previous dividend of $0.01. CES Energy Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.87%. CES Energy Solutions Company Profile (Get Free Report) CES Energy Solutions Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in design, implement, and manufacture of advanced consumable fluids and specialty chemicals in the United States and Canada. It provides solutions for drill-bit, point of completion and stimulation, wellhead and pump-jack, and pipeline and midstream markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CES Energy Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CES Energy Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (OTCMKTS:IIJIY Get Free Report) shares crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $39.45 and traded as low as $33.82. Internet Initiative Japan shares last traded at $33.82, with a volume of 154 shares traded. Internet Initiative Japan Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $3.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.16 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The company has a fifty day moving average of $37.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.41. Internet Initiative Japan Company Profile (Get Free Report) Internet Initiative Japan Inc engages in the provision of Internet connectivity and wide area network services; network systems construction, operation and maintenance; and telecommunications equipment. It operates through the Network Service and Systems Integration (SI), and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Operation segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Internet Initiative Japan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Internet Initiative Japan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Seplat Energy Plc (LON:SEPL Get Free Report) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 126.96 ($1.62) and traded as high as GBX 128.40 ($1.64). Seplat Energy shares last traded at GBX 127.30 ($1.62), with a volume of 4,428 shares. Seplat Energy Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of 742.61 million, a P/E ratio of 894.36, a PEG ratio of 0.09 and a beta of 0.58. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 127.21 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 114.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 42.78. Get Seplat Energy alerts: Seplat Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.64%. Seplat Energys payout ratio is presently 6,428.57%. About Seplat Energy Seplat Energy Plc engages in the oil and gas exploration and production, and gas processing activities in Nigeria. It operates through Oil and Gas segments. The Oil segment engages in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil. Gas segment, produce and process the gas. It operates across seven blocks including oil and gas assets in the prolific Niger Delta region. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Seplat Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Seplat Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 178 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $84,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Okabena Investment Services Inc. acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 60 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. 75.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Insider Activity In other Lockheed Martin news, Director John Donovan acquired 548 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $457.07 per share, with a total value of $250,474.36. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,543,982.46. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have weighed in on LMT shares. Susquehanna dropped their target price on Lockheed Martin from $575.00 to $550.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $500.00 to $475.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. StockNews.com began coverage on Lockheed Martin in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $579.00 to $555.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $532.00 price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $499.43. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Stock Performance LMT traded down $1.36 during trading on Friday, hitting $451.19. 251,690 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,201,730. The firm has a market capitalization of $113.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.46, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $455.18 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $464.65. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 1-year low of $381.55 and a 1-year high of $508.10. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The aerospace company reported $6.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.45 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $16.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.92 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 71.67% and a net margin of 10.48%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $6.32 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 27.08 earnings per share for the current year. Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be issued a $3.00 dividend. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is currently 43.88%. Lockheed Martin Profile (Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of A10 Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ATEN Free Report) by 24.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 68,303 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 13,448 shares during the quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. owned approximately 0.09% of A10 Networks worth $1,058,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ATEN. AtonRa Partners acquired a new stake in A10 Networks in the first quarter valued at $255,000. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of A10 Networks by 41.3% in the 1st quarter. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. now owns 645,837 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $10,004,000 after buying an additional 188,810 shares during the last quarter. Algert Global LLC lifted its position in shares of A10 Networks by 12.0% in the 4th quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 321,148 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $5,341,000 after buying an additional 34,450 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of A10 Networks by 6.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,315,280 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $21,873,000 after buying an additional 83,288 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sawgrass Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of A10 Networks by 69.3% in the 4th quarter. Sawgrass Asset Management LLC now owns 32,349 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $538,000 after buying an additional 13,239 shares during the last quarter. 85.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get A10 Networks alerts: Insider Activity In related news, General Counsel Robert Scott Weber sold 1,860 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.48, for a total transaction of $28,792.80. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 19,132 shares of the companys stock, valued at $296,163.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, General Counsel Robert Scott Weber sold 1,860 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.48, for a total transaction of $28,792.80. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 19,132 shares of the companys stock, valued at $296,163.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Dhrupad Trivedi sold 21,181 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.46, for a total value of $327,458.26. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 520,772 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,051,135.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 63,856 shares of company stock valued at $976,575. Insiders own 5.81% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of A10 Networks in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ATEN A10 Networks Stock Performance Shares of ATEN traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $14.54. 120,552 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 626,689. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $14.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $14.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.78 and a beta of 1.00. A10 Networks, Inc. has a 12 month low of $12.61 and a 12 month high of $19.79. A10 Networks (NYSE:ATEN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $65.82 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $62.38 million. A10 Networks had a return on equity of 23.20% and a net margin of 16.74%. Equities research analysts anticipate that A10 Networks, Inc. will post 0.65 EPS for the current year. A10 Networks Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.06 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.65%. A10 Networkss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.00%. A10 Networks Profile (Free Report) A10 Networks, Inc provides networking solutions in the Americas, Japan, other Asia Pacific, and EMEA countries. The company offers Thunder Application Delivery Controller (ADC) that provides advanced server load balancing; Lightning ADC, a cloud-native software-as-a-service platform to boost the delivery and security of applications and microservices; and Thunder Carrier Grade Networking product, which offers standards-compliant address and protocol translation services for service provider networks. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for A10 Networks Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for A10 Networks and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toyota intrigued users with the appearance of two more novelties in the lineup along with the premiere of the new Toyota Land Cruiser 250. One of them will be a compact SUV, which will be the cheapest Land Cruiser model. A possible design was shown in the network. ADVERTISIMENT Theottle showed the possible appearance of the new Toyota model on a YouTube channel. No details were reported by the Japanese company. Therefore, the author of the renders had a free hand. The designer used the appearance of the new Toyota LC 250 but applied its brutal stylistics to a compact body. Perhaps, the production version will resemble such a car in some way. The automaker is preparing another model in the lineup. The second crossover is a long and rather squat SUV. The car will be focused on comfort and roominess. Perhaps it is a large family crossover. However, it will probably be in a rough style with references to famous SUVs. ADVERTISIMENT Toyota wants to turn the Land Cruiser lineup into a popular sub-brand, as it was with Land Rover with Range Rover models. Everything started with one car, and now there are four of them in the lineup. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Kia presented its inexpensive practical crossover for a large family. Air Canada (TSE:AC Get Free Report) had its target price upped by equities research analysts at Citigroup from C$30.00 to C$31.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Citigroups target price suggests a potential upside of 38.58% from the companys previous close. A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on AC. Cormark boosted their price target on shares of Air Canada from C$23.75 to C$29.50 in a research report on Monday, August 14th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Air Canada from C$22.00 to C$23.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Veritas Investment Research restated a reduce rating on shares of Air Canada in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. National Bankshares boosted their price target on shares of Air Canada from C$32.00 to C$35.00 in a research report on Monday, August 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Air Canada from C$29.00 to C$33.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Air Canada presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$31.88. Get Air Canada alerts: View Our Latest Report on AC Air Canada Price Performance Air Canada Company Profile AC traded up C$0.02 on Friday, reaching C$22.37. 685,859 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,333,217. The stock has a market cap of C$8.02 billion, a PE ratio of -11.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.02 and a beta of 2.33. Air Canada has a twelve month low of C$16.38 and a twelve month high of C$26.04. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$23.99 and its 200-day moving average price is C$21.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 183,588.89, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 1.06. (Get Free Report) Air Canada provides domestic, U.S. transborder, and international airline services. The company provides scheduled passenger services under the Air Canada Vacations and Air Canada Rouge brand names in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market, and in the international market to and from Canada, as well as through capacity purchase agreements on other regional carriers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Air Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Air Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Hold from the nine research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $76.00. Several analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Aflac in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. VNET Group restated a maintains rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. 58.com restated a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Aflac from $72.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Aflac from $69.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Get Aflac alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Aflac Insider Buying and Selling Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aflac In related news, insider Virgil Raynard Miller sold 2,626 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.08, for a total transaction of $202,412.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,181 shares in the company, valued at $168,111.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link . In related news, insider Virgil Raynard Miller sold 2,626 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.08, for a total transaction of $202,412.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,181 shares in the company, valued at $168,111.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.60, for a total value of $34,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 27,085 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,885,116. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 30,170 shares of company stock worth $2,286,000 over the last ninety days. 0.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AFL. Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners bought a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Aflac by 85.1% in the 2nd quarter. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. now owns 372 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. 66.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Aflac Stock Performance Shares of Aflac stock opened at $74.32 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $72.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.94. Aflac has a 12 month low of $56.03 and a 12 month high of $78.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Aflac (NYSE:AFL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $5.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.52 billion. Aflac had a return on equity of 16.10% and a net margin of 24.48%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Aflac will post 5.98 EPS for the current year. Aflac Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 22nd. Aflacs payout ratio is 22.46%. Aflac Company Profile (Get Free Report Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Forte Capital LLC ADV lowered its position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 8.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 13,741 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,253 shares during the period. Forte Capital LLC ADVs holdings in Bank of America were worth $393,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Bank of America by 108,111.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 193,168,025 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,397,725,000 after buying an additional 192,989,515 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Bank of America during the 4th quarter valued at $3,436,543,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in Bank of America by 22.7% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 127,177,786 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,212,128,000 after buying an additional 23,532,190 shares during the last quarter. Snider Financial Group grew its holdings in Bank of America by 9,477.3% during the 1st quarter. Snider Financial Group now owns 14,448,357 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,956,000 after buying an additional 14,297,496 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in Bank of America by 3,474.6% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 11,658,881 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $480,579,000 after buying an additional 11,332,721 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.34% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Bank of America Stock Down 0.2 % NYSE:BAC traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $28.55. The company had a trading volume of 17,214,523 shares, compared to its average volume of 50,051,578. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $29.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $30.02. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. Bank of America Co. has a 1 year low of $26.32 and a 1 year high of $38.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $226.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.16, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.36. Bank of America Increases Dividend Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.04. Bank of America had a return on equity of 12.01% and a net margin of 19.97%. The company had revenue of $25.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.98 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.73 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Bank of America Co. will post 3.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be issued a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.36%. This is a positive change from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 25.29%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on Bank of America from $36.00 to $35.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Bank of America from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. StockNews.com started coverage on Bank of America in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on Bank of America from $52.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Bank of America in a report on Friday, June 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $36.39. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank of America Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of America In other news, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total transaction of $2,364,750.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 185,108 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,836,455.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total value of $2,364,750.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 185,108 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,836,455.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total transaction of $2,449,332.88. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,143,007.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About Bank of America (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited (OTCMKTS:BKCYF Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a decrease of 86.2% from the July 31st total of 5,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Price Performance BKCYF stock remained flat at C$3.41 during mid-day trading on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is C$3.43 and its 200-day moving average is C$3.08. Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public has a 1 year low of C$2.11 and a 1 year high of C$3.60. Get Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public alerts: About Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public (Get Free Report) Further Reading Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of banking, financial, and insurance services. It offers current, demand, savings, time, notice, instant access, and fixed deposits; housing, student, vehicle, mortgage, consumer, business and business premises, term, and home or investment loans; and asset finance, factoring, trade facilities, European financial, project finance, shipping finance, and syndicated and corporate lending services, as well as hire purchase services for car and equipment. Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equities researchers at Barclays started coverage on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm set an overweight rating and a $64.00 price target on the utilities providers stock. Barclayss price target would indicate a potential upside of 5.40% from the stocks previous close. A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group downgraded shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $70.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Monday, August 14th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $67.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $66.00 to $64.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.59. Get Public Service Enterprise Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Public Service Enterprise Group Public Service Enterprise Group Trading Down 0.0 % PEG stock opened at $60.72 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.67. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $62.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $61.67. Public Service Enterprise Group has a 52 week low of $52.51 and a 52 week high of $69.27. The company has a market capitalization of $30.31 billion, a PE ratio of 10.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.58. Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.09. Public Service Enterprise Group had a net margin of 23.99% and a return on equity of 12.64%. The business had revenue of $2.42 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.95 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.64 earnings per share. Public Service Enterprise Groups revenue was up 16.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Public Service Enterprise Group will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Public Service Enterprise Group In other news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 8,074 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.45, for a total value of $520,369.30. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 115,306 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,431,471.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 8,074 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.45, for a total value of $520,369.30. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 115,306 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,431,471.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 4,168 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.01, for a total transaction of $262,625.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 122,572 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,723,261.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 12,442 shares of company stock worth $795,147 in the last quarter. 0.57% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL acquired a new position in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $23,566,000. Asset Dedication LLC lifted its position in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group by 8.6% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 25,231 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,587,000 after acquiring an additional 1,996 shares during the period. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC lifted its position in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group by 277.2% during the 2nd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 28,682 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,796,000 after acquiring an additional 21,079 shares during the period. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $360,000. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 655,090 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $41,015,000 after acquiring an additional 43,229 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.37% of the companys stock. Public Service Enterprise Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company primarily in Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through PSE&G and PSEG Power. The PSE&G segment transmits electricity; distributes electricity and gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as invests in solar generation projects, and energy efficiency and related programs; and offers appliance services and repairs. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Public Service Enterprise Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Public Service Enterprise Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC lessened its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Free Report) by 15.9% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 567,392 shares of the companys stock after selling 107,138 shares during the quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLCs holdings in Molson Coors Beverage were worth $29,323,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 16.0% during the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 135,715 shares of the companys stock worth $6,710,000 after buying an additional 18,676 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc grew its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 4,158 shares of the companys stock worth $254,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the period. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC now owns 94,755 shares of the companys stock worth $4,897,000 after buying an additional 2,718 shares during the period. Leavell Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 17.3% during the 1st quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,846 shares of the companys stock worth $250,000 after buying an additional 713 shares during the period. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 81.7% during the 1st quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,566 shares of the companys stock worth $443,000 after buying an additional 3,852 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.73% of the companys stock. Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an equal weight rating and set a $63.00 price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. TheStreet upgraded Molson Coors Beverage from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Molson Coors Beverage from $72.00 to $69.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Barclays cut their target price on Molson Coors Beverage from $70.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Molson Coors Beverage from $47.00 to $50.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.88. Molson Coors Beverage Stock Performance Shares of NYSE TAP traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $62.64. 256,846 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,986,888. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 391.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.86. Molson Coors Beverage has a 52 week low of $46.69 and a 52 week high of $70.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $66.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $60.26. Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.78 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.15. Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 8.17% and a net margin of 0.31%. The company had revenue of $3.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.31 billion. Analysts predict that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.07 EPS for the current year. Molson Coors Beverage Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st will be issued a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.62%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 31st. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 1,025.00%. Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile (Free Report) Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, and ready to drink beverages. It provides its products under Aspall Cider, Blue Moon, Coors Original, Hop Valley brands, Leinenkugel's, Miller Genuine Draft, Molson Ultra, Sharp's, Staropramen, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer above premier brands; Bergenbier, Borsodi, Carling, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Jelen, Kamenitza, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian Lager, Molson Dry, Molson Export, and Niksicko, Ozujsko under the premium brands; and Branik, Icehouse, Keystone, Miller High Life, Milwaukee's Best, and Steel Reserve under the economy brands. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BZAM Ltd. (OTCMKTS:BZAMF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,100 shares, a drop of 99.1% from the July 31st total of 119,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 54,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. BZAM Price Performance BZAM stock opened at $0.12 on Friday. BZAM has a 52 week low of $0.11 and a 52 week high of $1.00. The company has a market capitalization of $18.14 million, a PE ratio of -0.44 and a beta of 2.12. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $0.14. Get BZAM alerts: BZAM (OTCMKTS:BZAMF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 30th. The company reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. BZAM had a negative return on equity of 33.44% and a negative net margin of 59.08%. The firm had revenue of $17.82 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.69 million. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that BZAM will post -0.2 earnings per share for the current year. About BZAM BZAM Ltd. operates as a cannabis producer with a focus on branded consumer goods. Its brands include the BZAM, TGOD, ness, Highly Dutch Organic, and TABLE TOP, as well as Dunn Cannabis, FRESH, and Wyld partner brands. The company operate facilities in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as retail stores in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Regina, Saskatchewan. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BZAM Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BZAM and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TLH Free Report) by 151.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 243,094 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 146,358 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc.s holdings in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF were worth $27,844,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF by 45.0% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,933,437 shares of the companys stock valued at $858,239,000 after purchasing an additional 2,461,682 shares during the period. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new position in shares of iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at about $177,960,000. Truist Financial Corp increased its position in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF by 102.7% in the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,287,274 shares of the companys stock valued at $139,257,000 after buying an additional 652,187 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF by 43.0% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,529,229 shares of the companys stock worth $165,432,000 after buying an additional 459,708 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF by 52.1% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,312,424 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,978,000 after purchasing an additional 449,401 shares during the period. Get iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF alerts: iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF Price Performance TLH traded up $0.07 during trading on Friday, hitting $104.09. 504,030 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 732,677. iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF has a one year low of $100.68 and a one year high of $119.79. The stocks fifty day moving average is $107.77 and its 200 day moving average is $110.52. iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF Profile The iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLH) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE U.S. Treasury 10-20 Year TR index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the U.S. Treasury TLH was launched on Jan 5, 2007 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TLH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TLH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report) by 1.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 226,778 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 2,742 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. owned 0.07% of iShares National Muni Bond ETF worth $24,433,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Providence Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Tri Star Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. First Manhattan Co. acquired a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, EPG Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Get iShares National Muni Bond ETF alerts: iShares National Muni Bond ETF Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF stock traded down $0.07 during trading on Friday, reaching $105.07. 1,294,571 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,464,556. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $106.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $106.56. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $101.35 and a twelve month high of $108.66. About iShares National Muni Bond ETF iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index). Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MUB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL Get Free Report) Director Charlene Barshefsky sold 1,796 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.93, for a total transaction of $272,866.28. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 48,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,421,020.85. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Estee Lauder Companies Trading Down 1.4 % Shares of EL opened at $150.72 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. The firms 50-day moving average is $181.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $212.05. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. has a twelve month low of $147.18 and a twelve month high of $283.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.22, a PEG ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 1.02. Get Estee Lauder Companies alerts: Estee Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 18th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.04) by $0.11. Estee Lauder Companies had a net margin of 6.32% and a return on equity of 21.79%. The company had revenue of $3.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.48 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.42 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. will post 3.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Estee Lauder Companies Dividend Announcement Hedge Funds Weigh In On Estee Lauder Companies The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 30th. Estee Lauder Companiess payout ratio is 94.96%. A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 714 shares of the companys stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $863,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. CNB Bank raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. CNB Bank now owns 2,018 shares of the companys stock valued at $501,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,167 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Finally, Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH now owns 2,266 shares of the companys stock valued at $562,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.81% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth EL has been the subject of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Estee Lauder Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the company from $270.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Telsey Advisory Group reduced their target price on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $250.00 to $210.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday. DA Davidson reduced their target price on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $214.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $207.00 to $172.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Oppenheimer cut shares of Estee Lauder Companies from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, June 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $211.04. Get Our Latest Report on Estee Lauder Companies About Estee Lauder Companies (Get Free Report) The Estee Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers a range of skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, cleansing devices, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Estee Lauder Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Estee Lauder Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US intelligence has confirmed that the head of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a plane crash. It is believed that this happened as a result of a bomb explosion on board the aircraft. ADVERTISIMENT The Wall Street Journal writes about it. According to the newspaper, the plane carrying the Wagner PMC curator was not shot down by a surface-to-air missile. The version that the plane was allegedly shot down by a surface-to-air missile was called untenable by US intelligence. At the same time, the intelligence services tend to consider the incident in the skies over the Tver region to be a deliberate sabotage. By the way, ISW believes that Putin almost certainly ordered the military command, represented by the Ministry of Defence, to shoot down a plane belonging to Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner PMC. The plane crashed in the Tver region of Russia on 23 August, and Russian media have already confirmed the deaths of the leader and deputy of the private military company in the crash. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the Russian dictator officially confirmed the death of the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Kremlin leader called him a talented businessman and a man of "difficult fate". ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Free Report) had its price objective raised by Citigroup from $260.00 to $282.00 in a research note released on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Citigroup currently has a neutral rating on the medical instruments suppliers stock. Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $290.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 24th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $284.00 to $303.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 7th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 16th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $295.00 to $310.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Finally, Raymond James cut their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $305.00 to $304.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $288.44. Get Becton Dickinson and Company alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Becton, Dickinson and Company Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.1 % Shares of BDX opened at $276.94 on Monday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $268.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $254.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.26, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $215.90 and a 1-year high of $287.32. Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $4.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.84 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 8.73% and a return on equity of 13.24%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.66 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.23 EPS for the current year. Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 7th. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 66.06%. Insider Activity In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,300 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.13, for a total value of $360,269.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,157 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,429,159.41. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, EVP David Hickey sold 2,974 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.85, for a total transaction of $826,325.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,199 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,166,692.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.13, for a total value of $360,269.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,157 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,429,159.41. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BDX. Biltmore Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $464,988,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 100 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Heritage Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 152.4% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 106 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc bought a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.57% of the companys stock. About Becton, Dickinson and Company (Get Free Report) Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company's BD Medical segment provides peripheral intravenous (IV) and advanced peripheral catheters, central lines, acute dialysis catheters, vascular care and preparation products, needle-free IV connectors and extensions sets, closed-system drug transfer devices, hazardous drug detections, hypodermic syringes and needles, anesthesia needles and trays, enteral syringes, and sharps disposal systems; IV medication and infusion therapy delivery systems, medication compounding workflow systems, automated medication dispensing and supply management systems, and medication inventory optimization and tracking systems; syringes, pen needles, and other products for diabetes; and prefillable drug delivery systems. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Connectus Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI Free Report) by 1.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 164,828 shares of the pipeline companys stock after buying an additional 2,008 shares during the quarter. Connectus Wealth LLCs holdings in Kinder Morgan were worth $2,886,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA raised its stake in Kinder Morgan by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA now owns 13,066 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $229,000 after acquiring an additional 559 shares during the period. RDA Financial Network boosted its holdings in Kinder Morgan by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. RDA Financial Network now owns 34,263 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $600,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the period. Atlas Brown Inc. increased its stake in Kinder Morgan by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. Atlas Brown Inc. now owns 12,837 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 593 shares in the last quarter. Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. raised its holdings in Kinder Morgan by 6.1% during the first quarter. Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. now owns 10,893 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $191,000 after acquiring an additional 624 shares during the period. Finally, Graybill Wealth Management LTD. lifted its position in shares of Kinder Morgan by 0.3% in the first quarter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. now owns 189,582 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $3,320,000 after acquiring an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. 61.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Kinder Morgan alerts: Kinder Morgan Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE KMI traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $17.32. 519,330 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,726,824. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The company has a market cap of $38.59 billion, a PE ratio of 15.52, a PEG ratio of 5.25 and a beta of 0.95. Kinder Morgan, Inc. has a 12 month low of $16.00 and a 12 month high of $19.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $17.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $17.21. Kinder Morgan Dividend Announcement Kinder Morgan ( NYSE:KMI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The pipeline company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.24. The company had revenue of $3.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.55 billion. Kinder Morgan had a return on equity of 7.79% and a net margin of 14.65%. The firms revenue was down 32.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.27 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Kinder Morgan, Inc. will post 1.1 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st were paid a dividend of $0.2825 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.13 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.52%. Kinder Morgans payout ratio is currently 101.80%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently issued reports on KMI shares. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $20.00 target price on shares of Kinder Morgan in a research note on Thursday, July 20th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Kinder Morgan from $20.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 18th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Kinder Morgan in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Kinder Morgan from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded Kinder Morgan from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kinder Morgan presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.10. Get Our Latest Analysis on KMI Insider Activity at Kinder Morgan In other Kinder Morgan news, VP John W. Schlosser sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.00, for a total transaction of $135,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 12,219 shares in the company, valued at approximately $219,942. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, VP Sital K. Mody sold 55,849 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.36, for a total value of $969,538.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP John W. Schlosser sold 7,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.00, for a total transaction of $135,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 12,219 shares in the company, valued at $219,942. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 12.64% of the stock is owned by insiders. Kinder Morgan Company Profile (Free Report) Kinder Morgan, Inc operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Pipelines, Products Pipelines, Terminals, and CO2. The Natural Gas Pipelines segment owns and operates interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline, and underground storage systems; natural gas gathering systems and natural gas processing and treating facilities; natural gas liquids fractionation facilities and transportation systems; and liquefied natural gas gasification, liquefaction, and storage facilities. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KMI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kinder Morgan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kinder Morgan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Connectus Wealth LLC acquired a new position in General Motors (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 50,105 shares of the auto manufacturers stock, valued at approximately $1,839,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of General Motors in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $493,248,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its stake in shares of General Motors by 93.0% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 14,763,488 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $496,644,000 after purchasing an additional 7,115,861 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of General Motors by 1,815.6% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,396,414 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $114,255,000 after purchasing an additional 3,219,114 shares during the period. Amundi lifted its stake in shares of General Motors by 40.5% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 9,074,267 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $343,189,000 after purchasing an additional 2,616,117 shares during the period. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its stake in shares of General Motors by 210.4% in the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 2,915,583 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $98,024,000 after purchasing an additional 1,976,402 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.83% of the companys stock. Get General Motors alerts: Insider Activity at General Motors In related news, President Mark L. Reuss sold 9,300 shares of General Motors stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.00, for a total transaction of $381,300.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 282,973 shares in the company, valued at $11,601,893. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In GM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Tigress Financial reaffirmed a strong-buy rating and set a $86.00 price objective on shares of General Motors in a research report on Friday, July 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on General Motors from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on General Motors from $37.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $48.00 target price on shares of General Motors in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their target price on General Motors to $40.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, General Motors currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $50.25. Read Our Latest Analysis on GM General Motors Stock Performance Shares of GM traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $32.83. The stock had a trading volume of 3,283,631 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,372,791. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.96. General Motors has a 12 month low of $31.10 and a 12 month high of $43.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $45.17 billion, a PE ratio of 4.59, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.37. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $37.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.36. General Motors (NYSE:GM Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The auto manufacturer reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $44.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $42.13 billion. General Motors had a return on equity of 16.70% and a net margin of 6.05%. General Motorss quarterly revenue was up 25.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that General Motors will post 7.6 EPS for the current year. General Motors Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 14th. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st will be given a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.10%. General Motorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.03%. General Motors Company Profile (Free Report) General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts; and provide software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names. See Also Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. lowered its stake in Capital One Financial Co. (NYSE:COF) by 45.4% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 10,844 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 9,008 shares during the period. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in Capital One Financial were worth $1,043,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Capital One Financial by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 32,870 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,161,000 after buying an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators increased its stake in Capital One Financial by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 1,769 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $170,000 after buying an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 1,383 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $129,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 5,358 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $703,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 2,102 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $275,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.73% of the companys stock. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $112.00 to $108.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $110.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 21st. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $109.00 to $116.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $100.00 to $110.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, Stephens raised their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $80.00 to $87.00 in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $109.09. Capital One Financial Trading Down 0.8 % Shares of COF stock traded down $0.78 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $100.70. The stock had a trading volume of 556,112 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,091,719. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $110.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $104.20. Capital One Financial Co. has a 52-week low of $83.93 and a 52-week high of $123.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.41 billion, a PE ratio of 7.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The financial services provider reported $3.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.31 by $0.21. Capital One Financial had a net margin of 11.94% and a return on equity of 9.72%. The firm had revenue of $9.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.96 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Capital One Financial Co. will post 11.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Capital One Financial Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 7th were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 4th. Capital One Financials payout ratio is 18.38%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Richard D. Fairbank sold 3,891 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.48, for a total value of $425,986.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,848,406 shares of the companys stock, valued at $421,323,488.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO Richard D. Fairbank sold 3,891 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.48, for a total value of $425,986.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,848,406 shares of the companys stock, valued at $421,323,488.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Robert M. Alexander sold 3,784 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.74, for a total transaction of $434,176.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 75,038 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,609,860.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 34,755 shares of company stock valued at $3,954,300 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.27% of the companys stock. Capital One Financial Profile (Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One Bank (USA), National Association; and Capital One, National Association, which provides various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Capital One Financial Co. (NYSE:COF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crescent Point Energy Corp. (TSE:CPG Get Free Report) (NYSE:CPG) has been assigned an average recommendation of Buy from the five research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$14.63. A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$12.50 price objective on shares of Crescent Point Energy and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Desjardins set a C$14.00 price objective on shares of Crescent Point Energy and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of Crescent Point Energy from C$15.75 to C$15.25 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Crescent Point Energy from C$12.50 to C$13.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Finally, National Bankshares reduced their price objective on shares of Crescent Point Energy from C$18.00 to C$16.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Get Crescent Point Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CPG Crescent Point Energy Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of TSE CPG traded down C$0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$10.73. 1,971,155 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,530,747. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$9.99 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$9.60. The stock has a market capitalization of C$5.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.09, a PEG ratio of -0.59 and a beta of 2.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.38, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 0.71. Crescent Point Energy has a twelve month low of C$7.57 and a twelve month high of C$11.54. Crescent Point Energy (TSE:CPG Get Free Report) (NYSE:CPG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported C$0.38 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.39 by C($0.01). The business had revenue of C$975.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$969.10 million. Crescent Point Energy had a return on equity of 5.90% and a net margin of 11.24%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Crescent Point Energy will post 1.7630332 earnings per share for the current year. Crescent Point Energy Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. Crescent Point Energys dividend payout ratio is 52.63%. Crescent Point Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report Crescent Point Energy Corp. explores, develops, and produces light and medium crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas reserves in Western Canada and the United States. It's crude oil and natural gas properties, and related assets are located in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba; and the states of North Dakota and Montana. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Crescent Point Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crescent Point Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dycom Industries (NYSE:DY Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The construction company reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.37, Briefing.com reports. Dycom Industries had a net margin of 4.71% and a return on equity of 20.89%. The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Dycom Industries Stock Down 2.8 % Shares of DY opened at $99.11 on Friday. Dycom Industries has a 52 week low of $77.33 and a 52 week high of $122.13. The firm has a market cap of $2.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.51 and a beta of 1.32. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $103.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $97.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 3.16 and a current ratio of 3.38. Get Dycom Industries alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Dycom Industries in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Dycom Industries in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. B. Riley reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $111.00 target price on shares of Dycom Industries in a report on Thursday. Raymond James initiated coverage on shares of Dycom Industries in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. They issued an outperform rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Dycom Industries from $132.00 to $127.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Dycom Industries has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $124.50. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of Dycom Industries by 18.9% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 2,380 shares of the construction companys stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its position in shares of Dycom Industries by 17.6% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 10,000 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,136,000 after purchasing an additional 1,494 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in shares of Dycom Industries by 27.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 58,065 shares of the construction companys stock worth $6,599,000 after purchasing an additional 12,460 shares in the last quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department grew its position in shares of Dycom Industries by 58.3% during the 2nd quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 15,841 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,800,000 after purchasing an additional 5,836 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its position in shares of Dycom Industries by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 33,973 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,861,000 after purchasing an additional 1,358 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.67% of the companys stock. Dycom Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Dycom Industries, Inc provides specialty contracting services to the telecommunications infrastructure and utility industries in the United States. The company offers engineering services to telecommunications providers, including the planning and design of aerial, underground, and buried fiber optic, copper, and coaxial cable systems; wireless networks in connection with the deployment of macro cell and new small cell sites; and program and project management and inspection personnel. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Dycom Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dycom Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mizuho upgraded shares of Edison International (NYSE:EIX Free Report) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report released on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has $75.00 price objective on the utilities providers stock, up from their previous price objective of $73.00. A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Edison International in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Guggenheim cut Edison International from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Edison International from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 15th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Edison International from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, July 21st. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Edison International from $79.00 to $86.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $73.00. Get Edison International alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on EIX Edison International Price Performance EIX opened at $69.56 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87. Edison International has a 12 month low of $54.45 and a 12 month high of $74.92. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.54. The stock has a market cap of $26.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.80. Edison International (NYSE:EIX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.06. Edison International had a net margin of 6.81% and a return on equity of 12.69%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.28 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.94 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Edison International will post 4.73 EPS for the current year. Edison International Cuts Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.7375 per share. This represents a $2.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.24%. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio is 118.95%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Edison International A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of EIX. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Edison International by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,530,226 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,121,569,000 after purchasing an additional 731,841 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in Edison International by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 37,085,024 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,575,555,000 after purchasing an additional 946,430 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Edison International by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 28,623,789 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,987,922,000 after purchasing an additional 244,115 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its stake in Edison International by 30.3% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 14,924,771 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,053,540,000 after purchasing an additional 3,468,195 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Edison International by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 13,994,142 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $987,846,000 after purchasing an additional 374,257 shares during the last quarter. 88.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Edison International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Edison International, through its subsidiaries, generates and distributes electric power. The company supplies electricity to approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California to residential, commercial, industrial, public authorities, agricultural, and other sectors. It also provides decarbonization and energy solutions to commercial, institutional, and industrial customers in North America and Europe. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Edison International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edison International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. lowered its holdings in ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Free Report) by 12.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 952 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 137 shares during the period. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A.s holdings in ServiceNow were worth $442,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. New Hampshire Trust grew its position in ServiceNow by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 599 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $278,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of ServiceNow by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 1,666 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $774,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Sigma Planning Corp grew its position in shares of ServiceNow by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 2,454 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,141,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of ServiceNow by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLC now owns 928 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $431,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirova grew its position in shares of ServiceNow by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Mirova now owns 2,525 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $980,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.72% of the companys stock. Get ServiceNow alerts: ServiceNow Stock Performance Shares of NOW opened at $549.49 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. ServiceNow, Inc. has a one year low of $337.00 and a one year high of $614.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 79.18, a PEG ratio of 5.73 and a beta of 1.02. The business has a fifty day moving average of $562.98 and a 200 day moving average of $502.09. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ServiceNow ( NYSE:NOW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The information technology services provider reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.34. ServiceNow had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 17.76%. The company had revenue of $2.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.13 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 3.59 EPS for the current year. NOW has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America lifted their price objective on ServiceNow from $600.00 to $700.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. KeyCorp raised their target price on ServiceNow from $547.00 to $675.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on ServiceNow from $525.00 to $545.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on ServiceNow from $586.00 to $665.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their target price on ServiceNow from $420.00 to $450.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirty have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $591.38. Read Our Latest Analysis on NOW Insider Buying and Selling at ServiceNow In other ServiceNow news, General Counsel Russell S. Elmer sold 1,223 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $546.99, for a total transaction of $668,968.77. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 4,136 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,262,350.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, General Counsel Russell S. Elmer sold 1,223 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $546.99, for a total value of $668,968.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now owns 4,136 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,262,350.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Gina Mastantuono sold 2,147 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.00, for a total value of $1,180,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,587 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,622,850. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 15,903 shares of company stock valued at $8,764,855. Company insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. About ServiceNow (Free Report) ServiceNow, Inc provides enterprise cloud computing solutions that defines, structures, consolidates, manages, and automates services for enterprises worldwide. The company operates the Now platform for workflow automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, electronic service catalogs and portals, configuration management systems, data benchmarking, encryption, and collaboration and development tools. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ServiceNow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServiceNow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 10.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 39,600 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,525 shares during the quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $1,922,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 66.5% during the 4th quarter. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 536 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the period. Tompkins Financial Corp raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 66.1% in the 1st quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 553 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Grove Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Howe & Rusling Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance Shares of EFV stock traded down $0.55 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $48.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,550,541 shares. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $49.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $49.04. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 52 week low of $49.15 and a 52 week high of $59.57. The company has a market cap of $16.20 billion, a PE ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.84. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. cut its holdings in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 1.0% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 8,124 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 83 shares during the period. FAS Wealth Partners Inc.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $1,392,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nordwand Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Travelers Companies during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. FWL Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. US Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. 81.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on TRV. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from C$183.00 to C$185.00 in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $188.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $183.00 to $180.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 25th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an equal weight rating and set a $185.00 price target on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Friday, July 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $194.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Travelers Companies has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $196.08. Travelers Companies Stock Up 0.5 % NYSE:TRV traded up $0.73 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $162.57. The company had a trading volume of 211,964 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,358,960. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a market cap of $37.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.24, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.59. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $170.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $174.83. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $149.65 and a twelve month high of $194.51. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The insurance provider reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($1.99). Travelers Companies had a net margin of 5.77% and a return on equity of 10.75%. The business had revenue of $10.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.97 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.57 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 12.01 earnings per share for the current year. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.46%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 7th. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is currently 42.60%. Insider Activity at Travelers Companies In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.05, for a total transaction of $1,750,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares in the company, valued at $2,464,704. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.29% of the stock is owned by insiders. Travelers Companies Profile (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ukrainian Defense Forces have approached the second line of defense of the Russian invaders near the village of Robotyne in the Polohivskyi district of the Zaporizhzhia Region. One of the well-known "war correspondents" of the aggressor country expressed concern about this situation and said that this is a critical moment on the battlefield. ADVERTISIMENT The corresponding data the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) presented in a report for August 24. Analysts noted that Ukrainian soldiers further expanded the breakthrough of the Russian Armed Forces' defensive lines in the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region. ISW drew attention to the footage published on August 24, which can be geolocated. It shows that Ukraine's defenders have advanced further towards the Russian defensive lines west of Verbove (18 km southeast of the town of Orikhiv) and south of Robotyne (10 km south of Orikhiv). At the same time, some bloggers of the aggressor country claim that the occupants maintain limited positions in the southern part of Robotyne and that fighting continues to the east of the locality. One of the enemy "war correspondents" believes that the occupants need to hold their positions for at least another month and a half to try to make progress on another section of the front line and try to change the situation on the battlefield in favor of the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT ISW also noted that the Commander-in-Chief of the AFU Valery Zaluzhny responded to criticism of the Ukrainian counteroffensive by referring to the Battle of Kursk, a week-long battle during World War II that eventually allowed the Soviet Army to regain significant portions of territory. As OBOZREVATEL wrote: - The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that there were 35 military clashes on the front on August 24. Our defenders continue the offensive operation in the Melitopol direction, where they consolidate on the achieved borders and implement measures of counter-battery fight. ADVERTISIMENT - The full text of the AFU General Staff's report published in the morning of August 25 can be found at the link. We have only verified information on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! FIL Ltd raised its holdings in Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS Free Report) by 11.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 15,423,380 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 1,613,888 shares during the quarter. Fortis accounts for 0.8% of FIL Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest holding. FIL Ltd owned about 3.18% of Fortis worth $655,622,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of Fortis by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 10,638 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $404,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Fortis by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 10,298 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $438,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Fortis by 6.5% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 5,031 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $201,000 after purchasing an additional 306 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Fortis by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,569 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $177,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the period. Finally, Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC increased its position in Fortis by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 9,958 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $424,000 after buying an additional 361 shares in the last quarter. 45.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Fortis alerts: Fortis Stock Up 0.1 % Shares of FTS stock traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $39.44. The company had a trading volume of 440,879 shares, compared to its average volume of 577,394. The company has a market cap of $19.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Fortis Inc. has a 12 month low of $34.76 and a 12 month high of $46.28. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $41.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $42.24. Fortis Cuts Dividend Fortis ( NYSE:FTS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.46. The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. Fortis had a net margin of 12.40% and a return on equity of 6.68%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.44 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Fortis Inc. will post 2.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 21st will be given a $0.427 dividend. This represents a $1.71 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.33%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 18th. Fortiss payout ratio is 76.92%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have commented on FTS. StockNews.com began coverage on Fortis in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on shares of Fortis from $61.50 to $60.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Raymond James decreased their price target on shares of Fortis from $65.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Fortis has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $60.21. Get Our Latest Analysis on FTS Fortis Profile (Free Report) Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 443,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 102,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,328 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Financial Advocates Investment Management decreased its holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Free Report) by 44.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,567 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 16,761 shares during the quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Managements holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $1,495,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of EEM. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 125,500.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 144,937,968 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,493,149,000 after purchasing an additional 144,822,572 shares during the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec raised its position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 112.2% during the 4th quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 1,244,119 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $47,152,000 after buying an additional 11,466,025 shares during the last quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth $324,358,000. National Bank of Canada FI raised its position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 779.9% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 8,239,022 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $325,111,000 after buying an additional 7,302,610 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 39,172,754 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,484,647,000 after buying an additional 6,765,030 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.70% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Down 0.7 % iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF stock traded down $0.27 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $38.60. 8,029,368 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 31,657,189. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 52-week low of $33.49 and a 52-week high of $42.53. The firms 50 day moving average is $40.04 and its 200 day moving average is $39.46. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Profile iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd cut its holdings in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 7.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 40,040 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 3,277 shares during the quarter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltds holdings in EOG Resources were worth $4,589,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ossiam grew its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 1,206.7% during the 4th quarter. Ossiam now owns 196 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Kalos Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Delta Asset Management LLC TN bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 89.58% of the companys stock. Get EOG Resources alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently weighed in on EOG. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $137.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on EOG Resources from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 14th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on EOG Resources from $125.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on EOG Resources from $139.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price objective on EOG Resources from $150.00 to $140.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $147.04. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 4,551 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.76, for a total transaction of $595,088.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 145,259 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,994,066.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 4,551 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.76, for a total transaction of $595,088.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 145,259 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,994,066.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total value of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,409,796.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 11,582 shares of company stock valued at $1,412,594. 0.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders. EOG Resources Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSE:EOG traded up $0.96 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $126.64. The companys stock had a trading volume of 883,430 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,444,787. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.47, a PEG ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a current ratio of 2.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $122.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $117.90. EOG Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $98.52 and a fifty-two week high of $150.88. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The energy exploration company reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.21. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 28.52% and a net margin of 33.58%. The company had revenue of $5.57 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.74 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.74 EPS. The firms revenue was down 24.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 10.92 earnings per share for the current year. EOG Resources Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.825 per share. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 16th. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.24%. EOG Resources Company Profile (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd decreased its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 0.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 96,087 shares of the companys stock after selling 438 shares during the period. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltds holdings in Altria Group were worth $4,287,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Altria Group by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 44,066,327 shares of the companys stock worth $2,000,861,000 after buying an additional 3,516,646 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 35,184,122 shares of the companys stock worth $1,606,259,000 after buying an additional 218,861 shares during the period. FMR LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 25,132,929 shares of the companys stock worth $1,121,431,000 after buying an additional 1,926,492 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Altria Group by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,517,169 shares of the companys stock worth $990,002,000 after buying an additional 1,192,266 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 108,222.5% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,590,308 shares of the companys stock worth $849,763,000 after buying an additional 18,573,146 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Altria Group from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.50. Altria Group Stock Performance Shares of Altria Group stock traded up $0.28 during trading on Friday, reaching $43.68. The company had a trading volume of 2,216,026 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,671,042. The company has a market cap of $77.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.59. The firms fifty day moving average is $44.58 and its 200-day moving average is $45.40. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $40.35 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.31. The firm had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 27.40% and a negative return on equity of 225.61%. Altria Groups quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.26 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS Free Report) had its target price hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $64.00 to $67.00 in a report released on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the information technology services providers stock. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on FIS. Credit Suisse Group reduced their target price on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $58.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $81.00 to $71.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $80.00 to $70.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $75.70. Get Fidelity National Information Services alerts: Get Our Latest Report on FIS Fidelity National Information Services Price Performance NYSE:FIS opened at $55.26 on Tuesday. Fidelity National Information Services has a one year low of $48.57 and a one year high of $96.67. The company has a market cap of $32.74 billion, a P/E ratio of -1.39, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.83. The firms fifty day moving average price is $57.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $57.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.74. Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The information technology services provider reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.48 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $3.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.71 billion. Fidelity National Information Services had a negative net margin of 161.74% and a positive return on equity of 12.54%. The companys quarterly revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.73 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Fidelity National Information Services will post 6.02 earnings per share for the current year. Fidelity National Information Services Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 7th. Fidelity National Information Servicess dividend payout ratio is currently -5.23%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Ellen R. Alemany acquired 760 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $58.82 per share, with a total value of $44,703.20. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 3,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $220,163.26. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Ellen R. Alemany bought 760 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $58.82 per share, with a total value of $44,703.20. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $220,163.26. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Erik D. Hoag sold 3,451 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.15, for a total transaction of $186,871.65. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 19,887 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,076,881.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.56% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 7,529 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $756,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,098 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $311,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 83.3% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 286 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the period. Shaker Investments LLC OH grew its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Shaker Investments LLC OH now owns 11,948 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $811,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 25.4% during the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 904 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.21% of the companys stock. Fidelity National Information Services Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fidelity National Information Services, Inc provides technology solutions for financial institutions and businesses worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Merchant Solutions, and Capital Market Solutions segments. The Banking Solutions segment provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; electronic funds transfer and network; card and retail payment; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity National Information Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity National Information Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Macys (NYSE:M Get Free Report) updated its third quarter earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of ($0.03) $0.02 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.27. The company issued revenue guidance of $4.75-4.85 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $4.86 billion. Macys also updated its FY 2023 guidance to $2.70-$3.20 EPS. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on M. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Macys from $23.00 to $17.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Macys in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of Macys from $20.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Macys from $12.00 to $10.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Macys from $15.00 to $13.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.64. Get Macy's alerts: View Our Latest Report on Macys Macys Price Performance M opened at $12.33 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.84. Macys has a fifty-two week low of $12.31 and a fifty-two week high of $25.12. The companys 50-day moving average price is $15.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Macys (NYSE:M Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 22nd. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $5.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.07 billion. Macys had a net margin of 3.15% and a return on equity of 22.46%. Macyss quarterly revenue was down 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.00 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Macys will post 2.83 earnings per share for the current year. Macys Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a $0.165 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.35%. Macyss payout ratio is currently 24.44%. Insider Buying and Selling at Macys In other Macys news, CEO Antony Spring sold 19,026 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.97, for a total value of $303,845.22. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 198,155 shares in the company, valued at $3,164,535.35. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Antony Spring sold 19,026 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.97, for a total transaction of $303,845.22. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 198,155 shares in the company, valued at $3,164,535.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Paul Griscom sold 8,044 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.90, for a total transaction of $127,899.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $175,869.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 51,610 shares of company stock worth $823,642. 1.52% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in M. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL bought a new stake in Macys during the second quarter worth approximately $798,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Macys by 61.7% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 42,490 shares of the companys stock valued at $682,000 after acquiring an additional 16,218 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its stake in shares of Macys by 10.2% in the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 47,836 shares of the companys stock valued at $768,000 after acquiring an additional 4,442 shares in the last quarter. GTS Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Macys in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $659,000. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its position in Macys by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 409,796 shares of the companys stock worth $6,577,000 after buying an additional 2,524 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.29% of the companys stock. Macys Company Profile (Get Free Report) Macy's, Inc, an omni-channel retail organization, operates stores, websites, and mobile applications in the United States. The company sells a range of merchandise, such as apparel and accessories for men, women, and kids; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods under the Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and bluemercury brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Macy's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Macy's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Natixis Advisors L.P. lessened its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 3.2% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 666,588 shares of the companys stock after selling 22,040 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $29,743,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Altria Group by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,248,000 after buying an additional 6,324 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $974,000 after buying an additional 929 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in Altria Group by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,690,000 after buying an additional 89,334 shares during the period. Finally, First Western Trust Bank acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at $498,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.50. Altria Group Stock Performance NYSE MO traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $43.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,375,947 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,665,703. The stock has a market cap of $77.14 billion, a PE ratio of 11.39, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $40.35 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. The companys 50-day moving average is $44.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.40. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.31. The company had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 27.40% and a negative return on equity of 225.61%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.26 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NBW Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET Free Report) by 3.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 927,987 shares of the pipeline companys stock after acquiring an additional 28,276 shares during the period. Energy Transfer makes up 2.8% of NBW Capital LLCs holdings, making the stock its 4th largest position. NBW Capital LLCs holdings in Energy Transfer were worth $11,572,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ET. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Energy Transfer by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 79,889 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $894,000 after purchasing an additional 3,501 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 424,932 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $4,755,000 after buying an additional 2,403 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 13.7% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 260,824 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,919,000 after buying an additional 31,407 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 159,249 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,782,000 after buying an additional 10,856 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 43.0% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 192,394 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,153,000 after buying an additional 57,880 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.47% of the companys stock. Get Energy Transfer alerts: Energy Transfer Stock Performance NYSE:ET traded up $0.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $13.15. 9,328,682 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,494,567. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.81. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $12.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.73. Energy Transfer LP has a fifty-two week low of $10.02 and a fifty-two week high of $13.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.85 and a beta of 1.70. Energy Transfer Cuts Dividend Energy Transfer ( NYSE:ET Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The pipeline company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by ($0.05). Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.05% and a return on equity of 11.85%. The business had revenue of $18.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.39 EPS. The companys revenue was down 29.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.26 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 21st. Investors of record on Monday, August 14th were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.43%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 11th. Energy Transfers dividend payout ratio is currently 103.33%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Bradford D. Whitehurst acquired 10,000 shares of Energy Transfer stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $12.43 per share, for a total transaction of $124,300.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,303,055 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,196,973.65. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Bradford D. Whitehurst bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $12.43 per share, with a total value of $124,300.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive vice president now owns 1,303,055 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,196,973.65. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Kelcy L. Warren purchased 1,150,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 21st. The shares were bought at an average price of $13.00 per share, with a total value of $14,950,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chairman now directly owns 64,578,477 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $839,520,201. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have purchased a total of 1,920,000 shares of company stock worth $24,901,800 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 3.28% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ET has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $17.00 target price on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $18.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Energy Transfer has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $16.67. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Energy Transfer About Energy Transfer (Free Report) Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates approximately 11,600 miles of natural gas transportation pipeline, and three natural gas storage facilities in Texas and two natural gas storage facilities located in the state of Texas and Oklahoma; and 19,945 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ET? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Energy Transfer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Energy Transfer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ORIX Co. (OTCMKTS:ORXCF Get Free Report) traded up 4.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $18.00 and last traded at $18.00. 2,238 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 58% from the average session volume of 5,346 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.25. ORIX Stock Performance The firms 50-day simple moving average is $17.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.21. ORIX Company Profile (Get Free Report) ORIX Corporation provides diversified financial services in Japan, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The company's Corporate Financial Services and Maintenance Leasing segment is involved in the finance and fee; leasing and rental of automobiles, electronic measuring instruments, and ICT-related equipment businesses; and provision of life insurance and environment and energy-related products and services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ORIX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ORIX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC trimmed its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 2.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,862 shares of the companys stock after selling 242 shares during the quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $440,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 26,693 shares of the companys stock worth $1,220,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 1.1% during the first quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 19,984 shares of the companys stock worth $892,000 after buying an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in Altria Group by 23.2% in the 1st quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 1,190 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 224 shares during the last quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in Altria Group by 11.9% in the 4th quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 2,113 shares of the companys stock valued at $97,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Finance LLC lifted its stake in Altria Group by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 21,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $987,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. 58.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Price Performance Shares of Altria Group stock traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $43.68. 1,914,311 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,668,619. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.39, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $40.35 and a 12-month high of $51.57. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $44.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $45.40. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.31. The company had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 27.40% and a negative return on equity of 225.61%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.26 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several analysts have recently issued reports on MO shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.50. View Our Latest Analysis on MO About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Oleksiy Danilov has stressed that the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which started in June, is going according to the approved plan. He explained that it is a complicated operation because the Russian occupants are well prepared. ADVERTISIMENT He said this in an interview with Radio Svoboda. Danilov noted that the advance of the Ukrainian defenders is taking place in a way that is now possible. "The counter-offensive is taking place according to the plan that was approved. This is a very complex operation. If someone thinks that this is an easy walk and that you can achieve the goal of liberating territories very quickly, keep in mind that the enemy is powerful and has a certain system of defense and defensive structures that he was able to build there", he said. According to the Secretary, the main condition for offensive actions is to keep the maximum number of our military alive and unharmed. "Therefore, it goes hard, but every day we step forward to the liberation of all our territories," he added. Furthermore, he added that the Western F-16 fighter jets will be used as much as possible by the Ukrainian defenders and this will change the situation on the front significantly. ADVERTISIMENT "As soon as the pilots pass the appropriate certification, they will be in our skies. F-16s will be in Ukraine shortly. I can't tell you the date, it can be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Procedures of appropriate training are taking place. They will be in our sky. Then there will already be a certain parity. As soon as F-16 appears and will be used by our AFU to the maximum, believe me, the situation will radically change before our eyes," Danilov emphasized. He added that Ukraine will fight until it liberates all its territory. "We have a war going on. It brings its adjustments every day. I am more than sure that until we liberate all our territory. We will not stop," the Secretary of the Security Council summarized. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian soldiers are advancing in several directions. The advance is very difficult, primarily because of the fields densely mined by the Russians. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL wrote: - The head of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov admitted that the Defense Forces "fell out of the schedule" in the liberation of the occupied territories and Crimea in particular. Events are developing slower than expected, but Ukraine continues to move towards its goal. - Budanov also said that our troops are capable of hitting the enemy in any part of Crimea temporarily occupied by Russia if necessary. Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Sasol Limited (NYSE:SSL Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $12.46, but opened at $12.89. Sasol shares last traded at $12.83, with a volume of 50,804 shares changing hands. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Sasol in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Get Sasol alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SSL Sasol Stock Up 3.2 % Sasol Increases Dividend The businesss 50-day moving average price is $13.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 2.12 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be given a $0.5321 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This is a positive change from Sasols previous semi-annual dividend of $0.39. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sasol Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SSL. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in Sasol by 67.0% during the first quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,994 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Sasol during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its position in Sasol by 148.3% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,490 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 890 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Sasol during the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in Sasol by 57.7% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,038 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,112 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.03% of the companys stock. Sasol Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sasol Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated chemical and energy company in South Africa. The company operates through six segments: Mining, Gas, Fuels, Chemicals Africa, Chemicals America, and Chemicals Eurasia. It offers acetate, acrylate monomer, ammonia, carbon, chlor alkali, explosive, fertilizer, glycol ether, hydrocarbon blend, inorganic, ketone, mining, polymer, and wax chemicals, as well as lacquer thinners, light alcohols, and phenolics or cresylic acids. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sasol Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sasol and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Free Report) had its target price decreased by Scotiabank from C$109.00 to C$107.00 in a research report report published on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Scotiabank currently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$93.00 to C$92.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$102.00 to C$105.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 24th. CSFB lowered their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$116.00 to C$111.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Cormark lowered their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$113.00 to C$109.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, CIBC lowered their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$110.00 to C$108.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Bank of Canada has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$105.71. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on NA National Bank of Canada Trading Down 0.6 % NA stock opened at C$99.38 on Monday. National Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of C$82.16 and a 12-month high of C$104.83. The stock has a market cap of C$33.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.67, a PEG ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.10. The businesss 50-day moving average is C$100.07 and its 200 day moving average is C$99.41. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 31st. The financial services provider reported C$2.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$2.40 by C($0.02). National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.30% and a net margin of 34.69%. The firm had revenue of C$2.48 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities analysts forecast that National Bank of Canada will post 10.0129741 EPS for the current fiscal year. National Bank of Canada Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 1st were given a dividend of $1.02 per share. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 23rd. This is a positive change from National Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.97. National Bank of Canadas payout ratio is presently 43.82%. National Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. Read More Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SentinelOne (NYSE:S Get Free Report) had its price target increased by investment analysts at Guggenheim from $16.00 to $19.00 in a report released on Wednesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Guggenheims target price would suggest a potential upside of 18.45% from the stocks previous close. Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on S. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on SentinelOne from $14.00 to $12.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. JMP Securities reduced their price objective on SentinelOne from $26.00 to $22.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered SentinelOne from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $20.00 to $14.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $19.00 price target on shares of SentinelOne in a report on Tuesday. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on SentinelOne from $19.00 to $18.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have given a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $19.81. Get SentinelOne alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on SentinelOne SentinelOne Stock Down 3.8 % S stock opened at $16.04 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $4.68 billion, a PE ratio of -11.46 and a beta of 0.31. The business has a 50 day moving average of $15.24 and a 200-day moving average of $16.06. SentinelOne has a 12-month low of $12.43 and a 12-month high of $30.00. SentinelOne (NYSE:S Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported ($0.15) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.17) by $0.02. SentinelOne had a negative return on equity of 21.67% and a negative net margin of 82.90%. The business had revenue of $133.39 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $136.62 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.33) earnings per share. SentinelOnes revenue was up 70.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that SentinelOne will post -1.23 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at SentinelOne In other SentinelOne news, CEO Tomer Weingarten sold 21,697 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.64, for a total transaction of $274,250.08. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 890,794 shares in the company, valued at $11,259,636.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Tomer Weingarten sold 21,697 shares of SentinelOne stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.64, for a total value of $274,250.08. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 890,794 shares in the company, valued at $11,259,636.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Ric Smith sold 15,498 shares of SentinelOne stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.64, for a total value of $195,894.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 547,204 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,916,658.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 288,179 shares of company stock worth $4,294,152 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 5.93% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 11.4% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 269,964 shares of the companys stock worth $4,076,000 after purchasing an additional 27,624 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 6.9% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 34,428 shares of the companys stock worth $519,000 after purchasing an additional 2,219 shares during the last quarter. GTS Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of SentinelOne in the second quarter worth about $1,361,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 664.2% in the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 548,295 shares of the companys stock worth $8,279,000 after purchasing an additional 476,548 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 94.4% in the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 150,144 shares of the companys stock worth $2,267,000 after purchasing an additional 72,923 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.87% of the companys stock. SentinelOne Company Profile (Get Free Report) SentinelOne, Inc operates as a cybersecurity provider in the United States and internationally. Its Singularity Extended Detection and Response Platform delivers an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities across an organization's endpoints; and cloud workloads, which enables seamless and automatic protection against a spectrum of cyber threats. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for SentinelOne Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SentinelOne and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research note published on Tuesday. The firm issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Stock Performance NYSEAMERICAN THM opened at $0.41 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $0.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.20 million, a P/E ratio of -40.94 and a beta of 0.75. International Tower Hill Mines has a 12-month low of $0.33 and a 12-month high of $0.75. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Free Report) (TSE:ITH) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 7th. The mining company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter. Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Tower Hill Mines About International Tower Hill Mines Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in International Tower Hill Mines by 187.3% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 215,462 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 140,462 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its stake in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 15.8% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 202,713 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 27,713 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 314.9% during the 4th quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 61,808 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 46,910 shares in the last quarter. 54.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Free Report) International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds or has rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU Get Free Report) (TSE:SU) was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Stock investors purchased 28,315 put options on the company. This represents an increase of 2,998% compared to the typical daily volume of 914 put options. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on SU. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Suncor Energy from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 13th. National Bank Financial raised Suncor Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, April 28th. UBS Group started coverage on Suncor Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. They issued a buy rating for the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Suncor Energy in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Suncor Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $44.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Suncor Energy presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $53.67. Get Suncor Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Suncor Energy Hedge Funds Weigh In On Suncor Energy Suncor Energy Trading Down 0.9 % Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GTS Securities LLC bought a new position in Suncor Energy during the second quarter valued at about $2,937,000. State of Tennessee Treasury Department bought a new stake in shares of Suncor Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $21,764,000. Formidable Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 49.9% in the 2nd quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLC now owns 10,798 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $317,000 after purchasing an additional 3,595 shares during the period. Colony Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Colony Group LLC now owns 794,429 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $23,293,000 after purchasing an additional 7,163 shares during the period. Finally, TAM Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Suncor Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,716,000. 56.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Shares of SU opened at $32.56 on Friday. Suncor Energy has a 12-month low of $26.42 and a 12-month high of $37.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.28. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $30.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $30.81. Suncor Energy Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 25th. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.393 per share. This represents a $1.57 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.83%. This is a positive change from Suncor Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. Suncor Energys payout ratio is currently 45.40%. Suncor Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products. This segment also engages in syncrude oil sands mining and upgrading operations; and marketing, supply, transportation, and risk management of crude oil, natural gas, power, and byproducts. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Suncor Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncor Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC decreased its position in shares of Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN Free Report) by 0.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 115,510 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 630 shares during the quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $5,846,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Devon Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $364,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Devon Energy during the first quarter worth $188,000. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 52.1% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 99,120 shares of the energy companys stock worth $5,861,000 after acquiring an additional 33,936 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. lifted its holdings in Devon Energy by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 414,354 shares of the energy companys stock worth $24,500,000 after purchasing an additional 34,870 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Devon Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.00% of the companys stock. Get Devon Energy alerts: Devon Energy Trading Up 1.3 % NYSE:DVN traded up $0.62 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $49.46. 1,498,429 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,904,818. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $50.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.68, a PEG ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 2.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.90. Devon Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $44.03 and a 12-month high of $78.82. Devon Energy Cuts Dividend Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The energy company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.18. The company had revenue of $3.45 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.26 billion. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 37.89% and a net margin of 28.10%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 38.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.59 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Devon Energy Co. will post 5.55 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.96%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.94%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DVN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on Devon Energy from $71.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Devon Energy from $63.00 to $60.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Devon Energy from $52.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Devon Energy in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $65.16. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Devon Energy Insider Buying and Selling at Devon Energy In other news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 7,870 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.13, for a total value of $402,393.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 210,548 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,765,319.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.63% of the companys stock. About Devon Energy (Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. M&G Investment Management Ltd. grew its stake in WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report) by 49.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 245,912 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 80,985 shares during the quarter. M&G Investment Management Ltd. owned about 0.10% of WestRock worth $7,377,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its holdings in WestRock by 14.7% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 39,928 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,878,000 after purchasing an additional 5,108 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of WestRock by 21.3% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 71,551 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $3,365,000 after acquiring an additional 12,559 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in shares of WestRock by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 35,219 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,656,000 after acquiring an additional 1,705 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its position in shares of WestRock by 0.9% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 208,790 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $10,379,000 after buying an additional 1,762 shares during the period. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of WestRock by 0.6% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 53,133 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,499,000 after buying an additional 340 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.54% of the companys stock. Get WestRock alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of WestRock from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on WestRock from $37.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 4th. StockNews.com began coverage on WestRock in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating for the company. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of WestRock from $42.00 to $37.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of WestRock from $29.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $35.78. WestRock Price Performance NYSE:WRK traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $31.79. 53,405 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,392,990. WestRock has a 1-year low of $26.84 and a 1-year high of $43.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The company has a 50-day moving average of $30.90 and a 200 day moving average of $30.23. WestRock (NYSE:WRK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The basic materials company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.39. WestRock had a positive return on equity of 8.75% and a negative net margin of 6.82%. The firm had revenue of $5.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.54 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that WestRock will post 2.87 earnings per share for the current year. WestRock Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 10th were issued a dividend of $0.275 per share. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 9th. WestRocks dividend payout ratio is presently -19.86%. WestRock Profile (Free Report) WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates in four segments, Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for WestRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WestRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB Free Report) had its price objective increased by Mizuho from $40.00 to $41.00 in a research note published on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Mizuho currently has a buy rating on the pipeline companys stock. A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating and issued a $39.00 target price on shares of Williams Companies in a research report on Tuesday, July 18th. TD Securities cut their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $39.00 to $38.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Williams Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $36.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. CIBC began coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a research report on Monday, July 17th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $35.50. Get Williams Companies alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Williams Companies Williams Companies Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:WMB opened at $34.52 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $33.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.08 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 0.49 and a quick ratio of 0.44. Williams Companies has a 1 year low of $27.80 and a 1 year high of $35.79. Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The pipeline company reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.03. Williams Companies had a net margin of 23.07% and a return on equity of 17.35%. The business had revenue of $2.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.66 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.40 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Williams Companies will post 1.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. Williams Companies Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 11th will be given a dividend of $0.4475 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 8th. This represents a $1.79 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.19%. Williams Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 82.11%. Insider Buying and Selling at Williams Companies In other Williams Companies news, SVP Scott A. Hallam sold 7,194 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.00, for a total transaction of $223,014.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 241,360 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,482,160. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Scott A. Hallam sold 7,194 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.00, for a total transaction of $223,014.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 241,360 shares in the company, valued at $7,482,160. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Scott A. Hallam sold 7,193 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.00, for a total transaction of $237,369.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 226,973 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,490,109. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 35,969 shares of company stock valued at $1,131,439. 0.44% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Williams Companies A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 96,588.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 63,423,739 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,086,641,000 after acquiring an additional 63,358,143 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG raised its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 15.2% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 31,131,423 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,024,224,000 after acquiring an additional 4,112,024 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 27,242,720 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $894,796,000 after acquiring an additional 273,005 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 23,515,457 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $767,309,000 after acquiring an additional 1,451,317 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 19,750,630 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $649,796,000 after acquiring an additional 136,216 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.71% of the companys stock. Williams Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises Transco and Northwest natural gas pipelines; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, as well as various petrochemical and feedstock pipelines. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Williams Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, said that Russia will not be able to defeat Ukraine militarily. But the aggressor country has a "plan B", which is to destabilise the enemy internally. ADVERTISIMENT He spoke about this in an interview with Radio Liberty. According to the NSDC Secretary, it is impossible to predict the development of the war. "It depends on many factors. Today, I don't think there is a person in the world who can give you these forecasts. Once again, I emphasise that forecasts in war are not a correct thing. It depends on a lot of circumstances, it depends on a lot of things that will happen, not only in Russia but also in other countries of the world. Because the whole world is interconnected. It is, I can say, a single coordinate system," he explained. Danilov noted that Russia is supported by some countries, such as Iran. He is convinced that if this were not the case, the occupiers would have run out of steam and would not have been able to conduct the kind of hostilities they are conducting. ADVERTISIMENT "The only thing I want to say is that the Russian Federation cannot defeat us militarily. Therefore, it has a plan B. It is to try to shake our country through internal destabilisation. But we will be vigilant here and will not allow the events that the Russian Federation is counting on with the help of those media collaborators whom we have recently been recording more and more, who came from Luhansk at one time, ran around with Colorado ribbons, and now they are sitting on YouTube... Unfortunately, not on the territory of our country, but nevertheless, they pretend to be Ukrainians and start telling us that they are analysing something there," he said. In addition, the NSDC Secretary commented on the death of the head of the Wagner PMC, Yevhen Prigozhin, noting that this is a blow to the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin himself. ADVERTISIMENT "Let's wait for it. We shouldn't touch something when it's so hot. We should wait until it cools down a bit. And we will understand all the events that took place," he said. According to Danilov, Prigozhin's march on Moscow in June could not have taken place without the support of the Russian Federation's security forces. "Prigozhin was not a crazy person to decide to organise that march on his own. Those people who gave him instructions to move towards Moscow, they stopped him. Moreover, everything that happens will have consequences. This is not the end of all these things that will happen in Russia," he explained. The NSDC Secretary also added that Russia has most likely begun a power transition. Putin is already losing control of his country. And there will be a lot of interesting events in the near future. ADVERTISIMENT "And I can once again note that the fragmentation of Russia has begun and is already underway. And if the West does not want to pay attention to this, does not want to prepare for it, then this is a big mistake of the West. And they need to understand that this will happen regardless of their desire or unwillingness. Russia will be fragmented," he concluded. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the Institute for the Study of War is confident that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin almost certainly ordered the downing of the plane belonging to the Wagner Group. Analysts believe that this was the Russian dictator's revenge for the humiliation caused by the armed rebellion of the Wagner group on 23-24 June. That is why the elimination of Prigozhin and the Wagner commanders was as demonstrative as possible. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! A Comprehensive Psychologist's Guide to Equipping Against Diverse Types of Faculty Sexual Misconduct, Including Establishing Boundaries for Social Interactions on and off Campus. Recent distressing incidents involving inappropriate behavior by male faculty members in Nigeria have ignited deep concerns, both nationally and internationally, for the empowerment, safety, and resilience of female students within the realm of education. In response to these distressing occurrences, in my capacity as sex offender evaluation and treatment psychologist I am compelled to take a stand and present a comprehensive approach aimed at not only acknowledging the gravity of these challenges but also equipping you, the students, with a robust toolkit of strategies, resources, and unwavering support to effectively navigate these turbulent waters. Instances of misconduct perpetrated by certain male faculty members, as distressing as they are, have served to expose unsettling and disheartening realities within the educational landscape. The emotional toll and vulnerability that such incidents inflict upon you, the female students, are deeply acknowledged and recognized as pivotal aspects of our collective mission to uphold your rights, ensure your security, and safeguard the sanctity of your education. In the face of these challenges, one of the most potent instruments you possess is knowledge. Acquiring an in-depth understanding of your rights as students and developing the ability to discern the nuances of misconduct provide you with the armor you need to confidently address any inappropriate behavior. By fully grasping your entitlement to a secure educational environment, you inherently empower yourselves to stand firm against any form of transgression. Your collective voice, when amplified with unity and determination, has the power to induce transformative changes within your educational landscape. It is imperative that you demand a higher level of transparency and accountability from your respective institutions. By insisting on thorough and impartial investigations for any allegations of misconduct, you not only champion justice but also contribute to creating an environment in which every student can learn and grow without fear. The strategic integration of modern DNA laboratories within healthcare and counseling services units at universities and other educational institutions brings forth a plethora of significant advantages. These advantages contribute to fostering a safer and more supportive environment for all members of the academic community. Foremost, this integration serves as an assurance that the collection of crucial forensic evidence is executed promptly and with precision. By having cutting-edge facilities within these units, educational institutions enhance their capacity to gather and preserve vital evidence. This evidence holds immense weight in legal proceedings and can significantly strengthen the cases brought against perpetrators. The availability of such evidence increases the likelihood of achieving justice for survivors, offering a more solid foundation upon which legal actions can be pursued. Moreover, the presence of modern DNA laboratories acts as a powerful deterrent against potential perpetrators. The knowledge that advanced evidence collection capabilities exist within the university setting sends a clear message that misconduct will not go unnoticed or unaddressed. This deterrent effect is an essential component of establishing a culture of accountability and respect within the institution. As a result, this proactive measure contributes to preventing instances of misconduct and creating an environment where all individuals can feel secure. Beyond the realm of evidence collection, the presence of trained personnel within these units plays a crucial role in providing survivors with comprehensive support. Trained professionals, equipped with a deep understanding of trauma and its effects, offer not only practical assistance but also emotional guidance. This holistic support system ensures that survivors are not navigating the legal process alone. Emotional well-being is given due consideration, alongside the legal aspects, fostering an environment of care and empathy. In essence, the integration of modern DNA laboratories within healthcare and counseling services units at universities and educational institutions embodies a multifaceted approach. It contributes to a more effective pursuit of justice, serves as a deterrent against future misconduct, and provides survivors with a robust support network. By combining cutting-edge technology, trained professionals, and a commitment to comprehensive well-being, these institutions create an environment that champions safety, equity, and respect for all. In light of this, our primary objective is to create an environment in which you can focus on your academic endeavors without being burdened by concerns for your personal safety. To this end, I have developed a multi-pronged approach that encompasses various strategies, ranging from education and community services to legislative changes and self-improvement initiatives. Recognizing the pervasive nature of issues such as sexual assault, harassment, and trauma, I amcommitted to providing you with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively combat these challenges. Decent and concerned peoplewholeheartedly value your well-being and your right to pursue your academic goals free from worry. By equipping you with strategies to stand up against abusive behavior and cope with traumatic experiences, Reasonable and concerned persons aim to foster a brighter and more secure future for each one of you. A cornerstone of our approach lies in education. Reasonable people firmly believe that comprehensive sexuality education programs are a powerful way to instill critical values such as consent, personal boundaries, and respect from an early age. By nurturing a culture that promotes healthy attitudes and relationships, we can significantly reduce the instances of misconduct and abuse that plague educational environments. In tandem with educational efforts, awareness campaigns play a pivotal role in challenging harmful norms, stereotypes, and power dynamics that perpetuate a culture of violence. These campaigns serve as a collective assertion against the practices and attitudes that enable misconduct, creating a space in which the dignity and safety of every student are upheld. Furthermore, I urge the implementation of stringent anti-abuse and anti-harassment regulations within educational institutions. By establishing a clear framework that unequivocally condemns such behavior, institutions send a strong message that they are committed to fostering a safe environment for all. This proactive approach requires the collective will of students, faculty, and administrators to ensure that policies are not just words on paper but actively enforced principles that safeguard the well-being of every member of the academic community. Your safety is paramount. To establish a strong support system, communicate your whereabouts and plans with individuals you trust. This could be a friend, family member, or roommate. When meeting with professors, especially in one-on-one situations, consider having a reliable third-party present as an observer. This observer can help ensure that interactions remain professional and respectful. Embracing these precautionary measures enhances your overall sense of safety and confidence in your academic environment. It is crucial for female students to establish and uphold clear boundaries when interacting with faculty members. While fostering positive relationships with educators is important, it's equally essential to recognize the distinction between professional and personal realms. To this end, female students are advised to refrain from engaging in activities that blur the lines of professionalism and could potentially lead to compromising situations. One key aspect of this delineation involves refraining from engaging in unofficial errands for faculty members without the knowledge and approval of relevant departments. Activities such as running private errands for faculty members, socializing outside of academic contexts, visiting their homes, participating in domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning, attending parties, consuming alcoholic beverages, dining together, and engaging in any other forms of social interactions with faculty members are strongly discouraged. It is strongly advised for female students to avoid engaging in any form of physical intimacy, including holding hands and light kissing, with faculty members. By setting and maintaining these boundaries, female students can ensure that their relationships with faculty members remain respectful, professional, and free from any hint of impropriety. These guidelines serve as a protective measure, contributing to a safer academic environment where everyone's rights and well-being are upheld. It's important to understand that these precautions are not meant to hinder positive interactions, but rather to establish a foundation of respect, professionalism, and appropriate conduct for both students and faculty members alike. When faced with a situation where a faculty member employs direct or indirect tactics to create difficulty in your academic journey, particularly during class sessions, exam periods, or mentorship interactions, it is of utmost importance to take swift action and report such behavior without delay. Your education and well-being are paramount, and any form of misconduct that impedes your progress or creates a hostile environment must be addressed promptly. By reporting such incidents to the appropriate authorities within your educational institution, you contribute not only to your own protection but also to the maintenance of a safe and equitable learning environment for all. Remember that your voice matters, and taking steps to address such issues reinforces the principles of fairness, professionalism, and respect that should define your academic experience. The strength of unity cannot be underestimated. Connecting with fellow students who share similar academic and emotional challenges offers a sense of belonging and understanding. Consider forming anonymous support groups where individuals with similar experiences, spanning different years of schooling, can come together. Traumatic feelings and thoughts may persist, but having a safe space to share and seek advice can provide enduring comfort and resilience. Your well-being is a priority. Trauma doesn't have to be endured alone. Seeking professional treatment or counseling empowers you to address trauma's impact on your mental and emotional health. Therapists can guide you in managing anxiety and taking back control over your life. Practicing self-care through activities like exercise, mindfulness, and connecting with others can foster a holistic sense of well-being, nurturing your mind and body. Overcoming isolation is achievable through collective efforts. Forming bonds, whether in person or via social media platforms, counteracts the isolation that often accompanies challenges. These connections can cultivate a profound sense of unity and strength, leading to a feeling of shared purpose and inner fortitude. Establishing supportive networks within academic circles is transformative. These networks provide spaces for female students to openly discuss their experiences, share insights, and offer emotional support. This process fosters trust, unity, and a shared understanding, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Prioritizing your security is essential. Informing trusted individuals about your plans and schedules creates a safety net. Additionally, when engaging with professors and lecturers, consider inviting a trusted friend or colleague to accompany you. This practice promotes transparency and professionalism while enhancing your overall sense of security and self-confidence. Strengthening professionalism and respect in academic interactions is paramount. A constructive step forward is for male professors to consider having a female colleague present as an observer during meetings with female students. This approach ensures transparency and safeguards against potential discomfort or misunderstandings. By voluntarily adopting this practice, male professors showcase their dedication to ethical behavior and foster an environment of trust. This proactive measure underscores their commitment to professionalism and mutual respect, creating a safe and inclusive academic environment for all. In light of the pervasive challenges faced by female students, reasonable persons understand the necessity of providing tangible tools that enhance personal safety. These tools have been carefully selected to offer discreet yet effective means of protection in situations that might compromise your security. Let's delve into the details of these tools: Defender Ring's Concealed Self-Defense Rings. These rings are not merely ornamental; they are designed with concealed blades that can be deployed swiftly for immediate self-defense. Wearing one of these rings, you carry with you a discreet yet powerful tool that can serve as a potent deterrent against potential threats. Cat Ear Keychains. These keychains are not only stylish accessories but also functional tools that serve a dual purpose. Shaped with pointed ears resembling a cat's face, they can be used as potential deterrents against unwanted attention or aggression. Their innocuous appearance masks their utility as tools that can create discomfort and discourage potential aggressors. Introducing Kubatons which are discreet, versatile self-defense tools with secure grip and striking support from ridges and points. Effective in various situations, training is crucial for optimal use. Kubatons are held between fingers with the ridged end pointing outwards. Techniques include striking sensitive areas for self-protection. Mastering techniques and responsible deployment empower confident self-defense. Flashlights, while primarily associated with illumination, can be valuable tools in enhancing personal security. They serve a dual purpose of temporarily disorienting an assailant by shining lightdirectly into their eyes, creating a window of opportunity for escape or seeking help. Additionally, they can serve as signaling devices in potentially dangerous situations. While these tools provide an additional layer of security, it's imperative to use them ethically and responsibly, adhering to legal regulations and ensuring that their usage aligns with the principles of self-defense and personal safety per the law of the land. In conclusion, your safety, well-being, and empowerment are paramount in our collective efforts to address and overcome the challenges posed by misconduct and abuse. By adopting a multi-faceted approach that encompasses education, awareness, policy changes, and practical tools, we aim to create an environment in which you can flourish academically and personally. Challenges of this magnitude demand a comprehensive response, and we are committed to standing with you every step of the way as you navigate and conquer these challenges. Remember, your strength, resilience, and pursuit of justice make a difference, not only in your lives but in shaping the landscape of education for generations to come. Best wishes and stay safe. Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A sex offender evaluation and treatment Psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA; and a former interim associate dean and 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. A former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. 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 has taught at various universities and colleges including Florida memorial University, Florida International University, Broward college, Lynn University, and a contributing faculty member at the Weldios university in Benin Republic, Nexus International University, Uganda, Nova Southeastern University and Walden University in USA. [email protected] CSW has learned that a second court hearing of the case to secure the return of 16 children from the Du Merci centres for vulnerable children was adjourned on 24 August. The first hearing of the case filed by Du Merci co-founders Professor Solomon and Mrs Mercy Tarfa for the return of the children to their care was deferred on 18 July after the lawyer representing the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, which currently has custody of the children, failed to attend the proceedings. The case was transferred to a vacation judge, as the presiding judge was due to begin annual leave. According to local sources, during the subsequent hearing at High Court 16, Miller Road, Kano city on 24 August, the female vacation judge began by stating the case should not have been transferred to her court, but eventually agreed to hear the arguments of both parties. During their submission, lawyers for the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development claimed they had evidence that proved the Du Merci centre ran a baby-making factory. The Tarfas lawyers countered by drawing the judges attention to the fact that this claim had been dismissed by High Court 16, Bompai Road, and by the Kano State Appeal Court. The judge asked them to produce these court judgements at the next sitting, and adjourned the proceedings until 20 September. The 16 children were among 27 who were seized from the Du Merci Centres in Kano and Kaduna States following the arrest of Professor Tarfa on Christmas Day in 2019 and placed in the government-run Nasarawa Childrens Home in Kano City. They were denied access to education until 2021, and one of them suffered deformities after being burnt in a fire and receiving insufficient treatment. In January 2021 the five youngest children, then aged between three and eight, were forcibly relocated to a remote facility, reportedly owned by the former governor of Kano State, where their names were changed and they were obliged to recite Arabic, study the Quran and attend a mosque. In June 2021 Professor Tarfa was acquitted of abducting children from their legal guardians and confining them in an unregistered orphanage. However, on 3 March 2022 he was convicted on a forgery charge submitted by the prosecution lawyer during that trial a day before resting his case. He was eventually acquitted and discharged by an appeal court on 27 January 2023. However, the children have still not been returned to the Tarfas custody. CSWs Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: Once again adjournments and deferrals are delaying justice for the Tarfas and prolonging the suffering of children who have been separated for almost four years from the only parents most of them have ever known. We reiterate that the children should have been returned to the Tarfas care as soon as the professor was acquitted of the child abduction charge, and the authorities continued failure to acknowledge and facilitate this in a timely manner only adds to the injustices this family has endured. Reparations must be made, and the next hearing must result in the return of the remaining 16 children without further delay. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has claimed that the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, is just undertaking the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme. This was contained in a statement released by the group on Thursday. The group alleged that years back, Musawa abandoned her NYSC in Ebonyi state but later showed interest in completing it. HURIWA also claimed that the minister was mobilised this year and got posted to a law firm in Abuja before her appointment. The group urged the NYSC to compel Musawa to focus on either her national youth service or the ministerial appointment. She was confirmed by the senate without proper screening and sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as minister of arts HURIWA wonders about the kind of scrutiny being conducted by the Department of State Services so much so that it wasnt disclosed that the minister is a youth corper, the statement added. Eddy Megwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the NYSC headquarters, reportedly confirmed to journalists on Thursday that the minister is a corps member. Yes she is a serving corp member, he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, a lawyer, Victor Giwa said the minister should be in her Place of Primary Assignment if she was serving. He said, If it is true that she is serving, she is not meant to hold public service at this time. In as much as she has enrolled to serve, everything she should be doing through her PPA. In fact, she ought to be in her PPA if it is true. I think this should have been spotted during the screening. Abbas Ganbay Almost three years after the liberation of the Armenian-occupied Garabagh territories of Azerbaijan and the shattering of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh myth, the conflict is being supported and exacerbated in the Garabagh economic region by the Armenian revanchists and some supporting "partners". There are obstacles to achieving a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the involvement of many behind-the-scenes groups in the conflict, and often not hiding their interests in promoting their insidious and anti-Azerbaijani agenda, create the ground for conflict and strife. In addition to Western interest in its involvement in the Garabagh zone, there are powers whose interests, both political and economic, are to keep the Caucasus in tension. Azerbaijan has repeatedly suggested to the Armenian authorities, as the losing side after the second Garabagh war, to temper its revenge and hatred in order to move towards peace and prosperity, both for the inhabitants of Khankendi and Yerevan itself. Azerbaijan continues to expand rapidly in all areas, and many investor countries are aware of the riches of the Garabagh region, and its geographical and economic position, and are ready to build strong relations with Baku. In the opposite policy in this issue, there is a dark side of the networks behind the scenes that supply weapons for military purposes to the losing side, i.e. Armenia. The presence of Armenians in India over the years has led to the establishment of a number of large and small Armenian settlements in various places in India, including Agra Surat, Mumbai, Chinsur, Chandernagore, Kolkata, Saidabad, Chennai, Gwalior, Lucknow, and several other places in modern India. Armenian settlements were also established in Lahore and Dhaka - now in Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively. Since Russia is now in conflict with the West and Ukraine, it will not be possible to supply weapons to Armenia in the same quantity as it was, and here India comes to the aid of the Armenians as a supplier of arms, thus confirming for the fourth time its policy of supporting the conflict in the Caucasus, namely the Garabagh issue. In 2019, India supplied HAL Cheetah light attack helicopters to Armenia, in 2020 India supplied Rodnik radar stations to Armenia, and in 2021 there were reports of India supplying arms to Armenia, including military hardware. According to Sven Petersen, a political expert on the former Soviet Union, India stepped up support to Armenia in the autumn of 2022 with $245 million worth of Indian artillery systems, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition. In May, Yerevan announced the appointment of a military attache to its embassy in New Delhi tasked with deepening bilateral military cooperation. According to him, the help that Armenia currently receives from India is a glimpse of hope for rekindling the war in Garabagh. However, Armenia should also take into account that India's goal is not to fully devote itself to Yerevan and stand behind it in the war until the end. Iran also assisted in the transfer of arms to Armenia by road. Iran acted as a transit country, initially receiving the cargo in the port of Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf and then transferring it to Armenia. Thus, the decision of both India and Iran to intervene in the Garabagh issue is driven by several factors, both economic and strategic, and Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Garabagh war has horrified New Delhi as it fears close cooperation between the Turkic states. India is looking to capitalize on arms sales to the losing side and Russia's preoccupation with the conflict with Ukraine. It is a matter of time how large arms sales to the conflict zone will turn out for Armenia if in Yerevan itself there is a struggle for power between clans, whose interests at the moment are to keep the people of Khankendi in favor of a place in Yerevan, but not for a peace agreement. Besides, the observation missions of the European Union, Canada, France, Russia, and recently the USA in the conflict zone have not yielded any result, as before the OSCE Minsk group, etc. The strike on the 126th Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the temporarily occupied Crimea on Friday, 25 August, was a joint special operation of the SBU Military Counterintelligence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Russian occupiers were successfully targeted by UAVs. ADVERTISIMENT Sources in the SBU told OBOZREVATEL about this. The interlocutors noted that it was a group of drones, but did not name their exact number. As a result of the strike, several dozen Russian soldiers were killed and several dozen more were injured. In addition, the Russian army's ammunition storage sites were hit. Military equipment was also seriously damaged. "The occupiers were completely unprepared for such a special operation by the SBU and the Armed Forces. Our drones managed to bypass all enemy defence systems," the sources said. They added that the occupiers will face even more such "surprises" in the future. ADVERTISIMENT On the night of 25 August, the occupied Crimea complained of another restless night due to a drone attack. Eyewitnesses reported the sounds of UAVs flying overhead and loud explosions in several areas at once. The Russian Ministry of Defence hastened to boast of "shooting down" all the drones, which, according to enemy estimates, numbered 42. However, later, Crimea admitted that a military facility had been hit by a UAV attack. The arrival took place in the village of Perevalne, where the 126th Separate Coast Guard Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is stationed. The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed the attack on the 126th Brigade and said that there would be more news in the near future. As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on the evening of 24 August, at least seven strong explosions were heard in the Gagarin district of the temporarily occupied Sevastopol. Pro-Russian local Telegram channels immediately started spreading information that it could be a "training exercise". ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! There is no denying the fact that not a few Nigerians are worried that the palliatives meant to be given to a category of Nigerians as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy would not be transparently and prudently distributed. The palpable and pervasive worry cannot in anyway be said to be misplaced as similar palliatives allegedly givento the so called The poorest of the poor, particularly during the ravaging days of Covid-19 pandemic were doused in the quagmire of suspicion. The suspicion was so thick that it could have literarily be sliced with a knife that the leadership of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) was compelled to deny the allegations that State governments hoarded the palliatives, which were looted in the wake of the #EndSARS protests. The Governors defensively said the looted food items in warehouses across the country were reserved for a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the vulnerable. In a similar vein, it would be recalled that the screening of Mr. Festus Keyamo during the time he was a minister-designate was shrouded in rowdy session as he was accused of disrespecting the National Assembly members over the implementation of the Special Public Works Programme (SPW Programme) in the 774,000 local government areas of the country, and of being corrupt when he was summoned to give an explanation on the implementation of the programme. The rowdy session was trigged by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Darlington Nwokocha (LP Abia Central) who raised issues against Keyamo when he appeared for screening as a ministerial nominee. Nwokocha, in his question during the screening of Keyamo demanded to know what happened to the sum of N52 billion allocated for the execution of the Special Public Works (SPW)programme, which was coordinated by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) under the supervision of the Keyamo, who was then the Minister of State for Labour and Employment. As gathered, the programme was targeted at employing 1,000 unskilled youths in each of the 774 local government areas for a duration of three months across the country, while the beneficiaries were expected to engage in public service works and receive a monthly stipend of N20, 000 during the period. Still in a similar vein, the former minister of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq in August 2020 dismissed a report that the sum of N15 billion was spent on the Home Grown School Feeding Programmeduring the COVID -19 lockdown. While giving an update on the Ministers presentation at the Presidential Task Force Press Briefing, the then Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Halima Oyelade in the ministry, explained that the Minister gave a comprehensive response to speculations and fake news circulating around sums purportedly spent daily on the provision of take-home rations under the modified Home Grown School Feeding Programme. According to her, the total sum of N523,273,800 was spent on Take Home Ration given to 124,589 households impacted between May 14, 2020 and July 6, 2020, in FCT, Ogun and Lagos States respectively between May 14, 2020 and July 6, 2020. At this juncture, it is expedient to recall that suspicion surrounding the giving of palliatives to vulnerable people is not peculiar to Nigeria as in July 2021 there were agitations in Kenya for the probing of COVID-19 cash transfer program. As gathered, the bone of contention was that the Kenyan governments cash transfer program failed to protect most of the vulnerable people who disproportionately suffered the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Against the foregoing backdrop, a Report released by Human Rights Watch alleged that political leaders funneled some funds to friends, relatives, and supporters; enrolled participants received less money than promised; and the implementation of the program was shrouded in secrecy. The foregoing situation in Kenya is not different from that of Nigeria as similar cases in this part of the world has been criticized through a number of questions as to how transparent it were in the transfers of cash and gifting of materials to vulnerable Nigerians in times of need such as during the COVID-19, and recently the proposed palliatives to so-called The Poorest of the poor in the country. Against the foregoing backdrop, it is not out of place to say that there is a heightened suspicion among not few Nigerians over the Federal Governments approval of N5 billion for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enable them procure food items for distribution to the poor in their respective states. Some of the innumerable questions been asked are Who are the poor of the poorest that would be deemed to be qualified to receive the supposed palliatives?, Does the government have a comprehensive data that captures their addresses and telephone numbers, and Will the government not divert the palliatives to their relatives and party members? The foregoing questions are been asked by not a few Nigerians as they do not trust some of our political leaders given the thievery dispositions and antecedent they are known for. Against this analytical view, it is expedient to conclude that from Kenya to Nigeria that similar stories over palliatives are been told. Chalong Police press defamation charge over TikTok post PHUKET: Chalong Police have charged a man with criminal defamation over a TikTok post that accused Chalong Traffic Police officers of stopping motorists at a traffic checkpoint only to get money, and not for improving road safety. policecorruptiontourism By The Phuket News Friday 25 August 2023 10:45 AM Comments posted with the video on TikTok. Image: via Chalong Police Comments posted with the video on TikTok. Image: via Chalong Police A screenshot of the video posted on TikTok. Image: via Chalong Police In Thailand, defamation is not only a civil suit action. It is a criminal offense. Under Section 326 of the Thai Criminal Code, defamation is defined as whoever imputes anything about another person to a third person in a manner likely to impair the persons reputation or place the person in contempt or hatred by others. Chalong Police confirmed the charge through a post on their own Facebook page on Monday (Aug 21). The charge alleges that the man had damaged the reputation of the Traffic Police Division of the Royal Thai Police, and specifically of the traffic police officers seen in the video. The man, not named by police, had uploaded a video showing Chalong Traffic Police stopping people on motorbikes at a checkpoint. Accompanying the post was the note in Thai: Chalong Police take everything followed by Dont care about anyones children. The post also included the hashtags, also in Thai: #PhuketProvince #Election66 #ChalongPhuket #takemoneyfromtourists #thievesinpoliceuniform The post had received more than 150 hearts and was forwarded at least 36 times. The man presented himself at Chalong Police Station on Monday to meet Pol Lt Col Peerasit Nupayan, Chalong Police reported. The man felt remorse for having acted recklessly, Chalong Police said. He presented a gift basket and apologised to all traffic police officers, and apologised to all traffic police who were unknowingly posted in the clip, Chalong Police added. However, despite the apology, Chalong Police are continuing with the charge, maintaining that they were carrying out their duties correctly at the time of the video recording, Chalong Police confirmed. The man acknowledged the charge against him, Chalong Police said. Of note, national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat in February issued an order stipulating the conditions under which police must set up checkpoints and conduct patrols and perform their duties at inspection points. The order was presented as highlighting that police officers must wear bodycams while performing duties at checkpoints. The order followed the Royal Thai Police coming under fire for a slew of cases involving corrupt officers, including the extortion of B27,000 from a high-profile Taiwanese actress for carrying an e-cigarette. The new checkpoint regulations were introduced by the national police chief in order to achieve transparency and standards, said the Traffic Police notice. "If body cameras are not available, checkpoints are not allowed. It is crucial that every officer wears the designated uniform during checkpoint operations and remains within the designated duty area, Pol Gen Damrongsak said. However, the same notice clearly noted that members of the public have the right to take photos and record videos of police performing their duties at police checkpoints. The notice was posted publicly just 10 days before a German tourist went public about a Chalong Police officer asking him to pay a fine of B5,000 for illegally riding a motorbike through the Chalong Underpass, then suggesting and accepting B2,000 cash by the side of the road. No receipt was given to the tourist for the cash handed over. Pheu Thai touts new airports for Chiang Mai, Phuket BANGKOK: The Pheu Thai Party is looking to refurbish airports all over the country and also build two new airports one in Chiang Mai and the other in Phuket as part of its aim to boost tourism, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday (Aug 24). By Bangkok Post Friday 25 August 2023 09:04 AM Travellers wait for flights at Chiang Mai international airport. The airport is currently in the first phase of an expansion project that would increase annual passenger handling capacity from 11 million to 16.5 million. Photo: Bangkok Post / file He said the government led by his party would go on the offensive to spur tourism, which accounts directly and indirectly for about one-fifth of the countrys economy, reports the Bangkok Post. All airports throughout the country will be refurbished to welcome tourists from all over the world, he added. Mr Srettha said the party had also set a target to build new airports in Chiang Mai and Phuket, two major destinations for local and international travellers. In Chiang Mai, the new airport should make the arrival and departure of tourists during the night more comfortable. The existing airport has some limitations, he said. Mr Srettha said the new Phuket airport should be exclusively for international flights. The existing airport handles both international and domestic flights and has reached its full capacity of 14 million passengers a year. Phuket International Airport has only one runway and the surrounding terrain does not allow for a second runway to be built. Airports of Thailand earlier proposed building a Phuket Airport No 2, which would actually be located in nearby Phang Nga province, but that plan is currently on hold. The Chiang Mai airport is currently undergoing the first phase of an expansion project to increase its capacity to 16.5mn passengers per year, from around 11mn now. It is expected to be completed in 2029. PM Srettha arrives in Phuket PHUKET: Srettha Thavisin, royally endorsed as the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand on Wednesday (Aug 23), arrived in Phuket this morning (Aug 25) to hear feedback and suggestions on how to improve the island. politicstourismtransporteconomics By The Phuket News Friday 25 August 2023 12:20 PM The visit, to include inspections and discussions with local people in Phuket and Phang Nga, is to continue today and tomorrow (Aug 25-26). Before departing for Phuket, Mr Srettha met the executives of Suvarnabhumi Airport to listen to problems in using Suvarnabhumi Airport. Joining the Prime Minister were Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, Chairman of the Policy Committee along with Tourism Policy Working Group members Chakraphon Tangsuthitam, Sudawan Wangsupakijkosol, Jakkaphong Sangmanee, Kanaphot Jomrit and Suksit Srichomkwan. After arriving at Phuket International Airport at about 11am this morning on Thai Smile Flight WE285, Mr Srettha and his delegation engaged in discussions regarding the potential expansion of Phuket Airport. The aim is to enhance the airports capacity to accommodate the growing number of tourists, with discussions including airport management. According to Mr Sretthas official itinerary, this afternoon he will participate in a meeting centered around innovative strategies for Phukets development. This meeting, to be held at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Chao Fah on Chao Fa West Rd in Wichit, will involve interactions with local business operators. In the evening, Mr Sretta will engage with business owners and tourists in the Old Phuket Town area. Later, he will be addressing the challenges related to establishing enjoyable attractions for tourists in the Patong Beach area. The Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Phang Nga tomorrow (Aug 26). There, he will join a meeting centered around health tourism along the Andaman coast. Following that meeting tomorrow, the prime minister will return to Bangkok. Trump arrested in election case, mug shot released ATLANTA: Former US president Donald Trump was arrested at a Georgia jail yesterday (Aug 24) on racketeering and conspiracy charges and released on a US$200,000 (B7 million) bond after having a historic mug shot taken. politicscrimepolice By AFP Friday 25 August 2023 09:42 AM This combination of file pictures created yesterday (Aug 24) shows booking photos released by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office of former US President Donald Trump (centre), former New York City Mayor and attorney of former US President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani (left) and former US President Donald Trumps White House chief of staff Mark Meadows (right). Trump, who is accused of colluding with 18 other defendants to overturn the 2020 election result in the southern state, spent less than 30 minutes inside Atlantas Fulton County Jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport. Like the other defendants in the case who have surrendered so far, the 77-year-old Trump had his mug shot taken during the booking process - a first for any serving or former US president. In the photograph released by the sheriffs office, he scowled at the camera while dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie. Speaking to reporters after his arrest, Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said it was a very sad day for America. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice, he said. I did nothing wrong. Trump posted the mug shot on his own Truth Social platform with the caption Election Interference and a link to his campaign website. A short while later, he also posted it on X - formerly Twitter, which was Trumps favorite bullhorn until he was banned from it after the Jan 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters. New owner Elon Musk reinstated Trump on X in November of last year, but Trump stayed away and posted instead on Truth Social. This was Trumps first post since 2021 on what had been Twitter. Trump was given the inmate number PO1135809 by the Fulton County Jail, which listed his height as six foot three inches (1.9 meters), his weight as 215 pounds (97 kilograms) and his hair color as Blond or Strawberry. The billionaire has been criminally indicted four times since April, setting the stage for a year of unprecedented drama as he tries to juggle multiple court appearances and another White House campaign. Trump was able to dodge having a mugshot taken during his previous arrests this year: in New York on charges of paying hush money to a porn star, in Florida for mishandling top secret government documents, and in Washington on charges of conspiring to upend his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. His arrest came one day after Trump spurned a televised debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring eight of his rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination - all of whom lag well behind him in the polls. He still stole the spotlight, though, with all but two of the candidates saying they would support him as the partys nominee even if he were a convicted felon. Court dates in election race A tight security perimeter was set up for Trumps booking at the Fulton County Jail, which is under investigation for a slew of inmate deaths and deplorable conditions. Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney who filed the sweeping racketeering case, had set a deadline of noon today for Trump and the other 18 defendants to surrender. Trump and 11 others have turned themselves in so far. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered yesterday and was released on $100,000 bond. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trumps personal lawyer when he was in the White House and vigorously pushed the false claims that Trump had won the 2020 election, was booked and released on Wednesday. John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who is accused of drawing up a scheme to submit a false slate of Trump electors to Congress from Georgia instead of the legitimate Biden ones, has also been booked and released. A few dozen supporters of the former Republican president gathered outside the jail, including Sharon Anderson who spent the night in her car. I think this is a political persecution and now thats turned into a political prosecution, Anderson told AFP. Trump is the first US president in history to face criminal charges. His various trials, if they take place next year, may coincide with the Republican presidential primary season, which begins in January, and the campaign for the November 2024 White House election. Special counsel Jack Smith has proposed a January 2024 start date for Trumps trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the last election with a lie-fueled campaign that culminated in the Jan 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. Trumps attorneys have countered with a suggested start date well after the election - April 2026. Willis, the Georgia district attorney, initially proposed that the racketeering case begin in March next year, the same month Trump is scheduled to go on trial in New York on charges of paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. Yesterday, after one of the defendants asked for a speedy trial, she proposed that it begin for all 19 in October of this year, a move met with an immediate objection from Trumps lawyers. The Florida case, in which Trump is accused of taking secret government documents as he left the White House and refusing to return them, is scheduled to begin in May. The temporarily occupied Crimea has recognized the strike on a military facility, probably during a drone attack on August 25. The 126th Coastal Defence Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet which is stationed in the village of Perevalnoye was hit. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, we are talking about dead and wounded occupants. Details of what happened in the Simferopol district were published by Crimean Telegram channels. "Today Perevalnoye was hit. The 126th Brigade is deployed here. As reported by our subscriber, there are three dead soldiers",the message stated. They also added that there were a lot of wounded, who were brought to the Simferopol hospital on Gorky Street. At the same time, it is noted that the information about the strike still needs to be confirmed. It is not known whether the event is connected with the night drone attack on the peninsula. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the Mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov confirmed that the base in the village of Perevalnoye was hit. "According to preliminary data, a bunch of occupants were delivered to the hospital in Simferopol. We are waiting for clarification from the General staff", he noted. Occupants in Crimea complained about another restless night because of the drone attack. Eyewitnesses claimed the sounds of UAV overflight and loud explosions in several areas at once, publishing relevant videos. At the same time, the occupational authorities and the Russian Defense Ministry rushed to boast of "shooting down" all 42 drones. As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on the morning of August 24, the Independence Day of Ukraine, explosions were heard in Crimea near the settlement of Mayak on Cape Tarkhankut. The media wrote that there was a battle involving watercraft and aircraft. Later, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed that it was a joint operation with the Navy. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Rubbishing the indigeneity claim Doctored history | What is the way forward ? No clear cut answer but it is more than clear that New Delhi and Imphal are still groping in the dark to come out with a formula to let Manipur take the first tottering step towards normalcy. It is also clear where Amit Shah stands, in so far as the question of drug smuggling from across the border as well as illegal cross-border immigration is concerned and this should have shut the mouth of those who have been playing the victim card with devastating effect. So much was the distorted story that at one point of time the clash in Manipur was portrayed as one along religious line, as one between the tribals and non-tribals and one group-read the majority-playing havoc with the lives of the tribal folks. At another level, attempts were also made to portray the genesis of the clash as one stemming from the demand that the Meiteis be included in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution of India. Thankfully the false narratives have started falling apart and giving a big lie to the tribal-non-tribal clash is the stand of the Naga people who have maintained an equi-distance posture but yet at the same time has not stopped short of rubbishing the historicity of the Anglo-Kuki War and the Kuki-Hills claim. Mercenary tribes and illegal immigrants-these are the terms used by the United Naga Council to refer to the Kukis and rubbish their claim and here is a case of the Naga community speaking out. This is where one is reminded of a spokesperson of the KNO proclaiming loudly that the Kukis move freely from Myanmar to Manipur and Assam for this is their ancestral land, many years back. This had eyeball effect back then, a sort of an appeal to the front benchers inside a movie hall screening a B Grade Bollywood flick, but the truism of this has had a devastating impact on Manipur and this can be seen in the ongoing clash. Again there are cases of some Kuki civilians asserting that they are here as guests of India and that their real place is at Israel, all captured on camera with the said video clip going viral. The said video clip was aired years back, before the clash that erupted on May 3 this year, but for reasons which must be clear to all, the very same video clip is once again doing the round on the social media, inviting hundreds of comments. These are facts, not something cooked up by The Sangai Express and this is where one wonders at the ingenuity of coming up with a name such as Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum. Indigenous to what is the question one may ask and this poser should be understood in the backdrop of UNCs stand and the statement delivered by Amit Shah in Parliament some time back. Accept the facts. Dont distort history. This is the first step that one may take towards taking Manipur to the path of normalcy. It will take time, again as Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself admitted, but the first step will need to be taken. The ITLF, the Committee on Tribal Unity, Kuki Inpi, Manipur will need to climb down from their high horses and debunk the slogan, Peace Later, Solution First for the solution that is being talked about here will only make things worse. The Co-ordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), will also need to study how to extend the hand of dialogue for Manipur cannot go on like this without an end in sight. Reams and reams of stories have been written on the impact of the clash on the people on either side of the divide, but one wonders why no credible story has come out on the bulldozed and levelled to the ground localities of the Meiteis at Churachandpur. The Imphal based media obviously cannot venture into Churachandpur at the moment but all the stories that have come out from there seem to have deliberately missed out on this point. Not even a photoshot of the localities where the Meitei houses once stood and hereby hangs a tale, a tale of pandering to the victim story that has been spun out with so much dexterity and maintaining a selective silence to give more credence to their manufactured stories. The false narrative is beginning to fall apart and this is where one can see the possibility of taking the first step to bring Manipur to the road of normalcy. Hardly, 13 days after the mysterious death of the firstyear student of Jadavpur University (JU) on 10 August, mystery shrouds over yet another death of a nursing student at SSKM Hospital, state-run premier teaching institute for postgraduate medical education and research in eastern India. Body of a second-year nursing student Sutapa Karmakar was found hanging inside the bathroom of Litton Hostel at SSKM Hospital on Thursday. Bhawanipore police station has registered an unnatural death case and started an investigation. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination at the hospital morgue. According to police sources, Sutapa, a resident of Raiganj in North Dinajpur, was not found in her hostel room since this morning. Boarders at the hostel, while looking for her, frantically saw the door of the bathroom closed from inside. They called her repeatedly seeking response but she did not respond to their calls. The boarders broke the door and found her hanging from the ceiling of the bathroom and rushed her to the emergency ward of the hospital where she was declared dead. Advertisement Police officials along with administrative officers of the hospital rushed to the spot soon after they were informed about the incident. Police have seized her mobile phone and a towel for investigation. Her family members in Raiganj have also been informed by the hospital authorities. Preliminary investigations revealed that it might be a case of suicide. Investigating officers are verifying her call lists in the mobile phone. Police are also exploring angles of love affairs that might lead to her death. Some boarders at the hostel said that nowadays she was staying reserved. As many as 35 per cent of engineering seats in Haryana government institutions and universities were found lying vacant in the 2022-23 academic session. Responding to a question during Question Hour on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Haryana Assembly on Friday, state Higher Education Minister Mool Chand Sharma said the total number of engineering seats in state government institutions and universities are 5,151, out of which 3,394 seats are filled and 35 per cent were vacant during the academic session 2022-23. He said currently, four state government engineering colleges and 12 state universities offer Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) or Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) courses. This apart, four Central government institutes in the state also offer B.E./B.Tech. courses. There is also one government-aided institute that offers B.E. or B.Tech. courses. Advertisement Sharma said one government-aided engineering college and one private engineering college are already operational in Nuh district. During the academic session 2022-23, 54 per cent of the seats are vacant in Mewat Engineering College Nuh (government aided). Meanwhile, on the first of the Monsoon Session , obituary resolutions were passed to pay rich tributes to those prominent personalities who have expired between the period from the end of the previous session and the beginning of this session. Leader of the House and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar paid tributes and read out obituary resolutions. These include Chaudhary Randhir Singh, former Governor of Sikkim, Parkash Singh Badal, former Chief Minister of Punjab, Rattan Lal Kataria, Member of Parliament, Jai Narain Khundia, former Deputy Minister of Haryana. Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta also read the obituary resolutions and paid tributes to the departed souls. The House expressed sorrow on the sad demise of freedom fighter Mahashay Parmanand, village Fazilpur Badli, District Gurugram. This House also expressed its deep sense of sorrow on the sad and untimely demise of those passengers, who lost their lives in BengaluruHowrah Superfast Express, Coromandel Express and a goods train collision in district Balasore of Odisha, on 2 June, 2023. The House also expressed deep sense of sorrow on the sad and untimely demise of those security personnel, who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at district Poonch on 20 April, 2023 and at district Rajouri on 5 May 2023, in Jammu and Kashmir. To meet the requirements of the MSME sector, an innovative one-stop business platform Udyog Plus has been launched. This new digital platform offers a wide range of financial solutions, including financing, protection, investments, advisory and value-added services for Delhi NCRs growing MSME sector. MSMEs in Delhi NCR can now avail business loans of up to Rs 10 lakh through a completely paperless digital journey of Udyog Plus. Advertisement The new B2B digital platform, launched by Aditya Birla Finance Ltd (ABFL), is integrated with government e-commerce websites via Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN) and private e-commerce websites to provide credit facilities to sellers on these platforms. Rakesh Singh, MD & CEO Aditya Birla Finance Ltd, said, We are excited to present Udyog Plus for our MSME customers in Delhi NCR, which will empower them to achieve new horizons of success. Delhi NCR is now home to more than 9 Lakh MSMEs, providing employment for a significant number of individuals. Through this platform, we aim to further strengthen ABFLs foothold in the MSME segment and provide them with a wide range of solutions throughout their business life cycle and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of Delhi NCR. In yet another trouble for Broker Network (operated by 4B Networks) founder Rahul Yadav, co-working company Innov8 has reportedly gone into arbitration with him over unpaid dues amounting to Rs 1.08 crore, a media outlet reported on Friday. 4B Networks rented out an Innov8 office space in Mumbai, but did not pay rent amounting to Rs 1.08 crore, reports Money Control, citing sources. 4B Networks reportedly did not give notice to Innov8 and packed up the office and left one day. Advertisement The case has been filed by Innov8 under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act after its attempts to resolve the issue failed, the report mentioned. The two companies are in arbitration under the aegis of Delhi High Court. Earlier, a vendor of Broker Network filed an FIR against him for alleged fraud and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police has issued a lookout circular for Yadav, and his bank accounts have also reportedly been frozen. The charges are under Sections 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 409 (Criminal breach of trust), 420 (Cheating) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR was lodged by one of the aggrieved parties, Vikas Omprakash Nowal, co-founder of advertising agency Interspace Communication Pvt. Ltd., naming the accused Rahul Yadav and Sanjay Sukhdeo Saini and their company 4B Networks Pvt Ltd. According to the FIR, Interspace put up a total of 83 advertisement hoardings at different places in Pune for a 4B Networks campaign. Interspace also generated 14 invoices for the work and sent them to the company but the full payment was not made. Yadav, who founded Housing.com. has denied all allegations related to any wrongdoing at the company. He is also currently in arbitration with the backer of his startup, Info Edge. Allcheckdeals India Private Limited (AIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Info Edge, invested Rs 276 crore in Yadavs 4B Networks and provided debt financing of Rs 12 crore. After Info Edge wrote down its entire investment of Rs 288 crore in the Yadav-led startup, it initiated a forensic audit into the prop-tech startup in which it holds a stake, as Yadav repeatedly failed to provide the information. The Supreme Court on Friday extended the interim bail to Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi government minister Satyendar Jain on medical grounds till September 1 in an alleged money laundering case. A bench of Justice A S Bopanna and Justice M M Sundresh extended the interim bail to Jain as senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi apprised the court about Jains medical conditions, stating that he has serious ailments and needs physiotherapy treatment. Singhvi appeared for Satyendar Jain in the case. Advertisement Opposing the extension of interim bail, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, told the bench that he should be treated like an ordinary prisoner and this is not a case of medical bail. ASG Raju said that an application seeking an independent assessment of Jains medical condition by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, is pending before the court. On May 26, 2023, the Supreme Court had granted six weeks interim bail to Satyendar Jain on medical grounds. On July 10, the court extended the interim bail by two weeks. Jain was given an extension of two weeks after the bench was informed that three hospitals GB Pant, Apollo, and Max have recommended surgery. Opposing the plea for interim bail, the ED had alleged that the medical papers being relied upon for interim bail, issued by the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash and the G.B. Pant Hospitals could have been fudged. The court had brushed aside the EDs objections to the veracity of the medical papers produced by Satyendar Jain and its insistence that he be sent for independent examination by AIIMS or R.M.L. Hospital. While permitting Satyendar Jain to take treatment from a private hospital of his choice, the bench had ordered to place before the court all the medical papers relating to his treatment during the period of interim bail on the next date of hearing. Ordering the release of Satyendar Jain, the top court had said that during the period of bail he will not try to meet or influence the witnesses or leave the NCT Delhi without the permission of the court. It had further directed Jain not to meet or speak to the media on any issue. Jain, being investigated by ED for alleged money laundering, has approached the top court challenging April 6 Delhi High Court order dismissing his bail plea. He is facing prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Special PMLA court had on November 17, 2022, dismissed his bail plea. Jain was arrested on May 30, 2022, and charged under various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by Enforcement Directorate and is presently in Judicial Custody. The ED case is based on a CBIs complaint alleging that Satyendar Jain had acquired movable properties in the name of various persons from February 14, 2015, to May 31, 2017, which he could not satisfactorily account for. Ukraine will receive US F-16 fighter jets "shortly". A decision on the transfer of ATACMS tactical missile systems to the Ukrainian army has not yet been made. ADVERTISIMENT Discussions on these missiles are ongoing, and US President Joe Biden has not yet said his final word. This was stated by the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley in an interview with the Al-Mamlaka Jordanian channel. Milley noted that the issue of transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine "is moving forward." "F-16. It's moving forward. There is a training program and they will probably get F-16s ... in the not-too-distant future," the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff noted. However, the issue of transferring ATACMS long-range tactical missile systems is still being hotly debated. Ukraine has been repeatedly asking for these systems to hit the rear of the enemy. Their range reaches 300 kilometers depending on the modification. "They received long-range artillery with the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), and the British provided other types of capabilities that other countries have. So they got a lot of artillery," Milley said, noting that "ATACMS is a controversial topic." ADVERTISIMENT According to the U.S. general, Ukraine has not received ATACMS for many reasons, and the issue is still "on the table." "President Biden has not said either 'no' or 'yes' yet," Milley said. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky revealed the details of receiving F-16 Western fighter jets. He said that Ukraine hoped to receive only 12 American fighter jets F-16. However, as a result, the transfer of more than three dozen of these airplanes has been agreed. Denmark volunteered to hand over 19 fighter jets, while the Netherlands agreed to transfer 42. The mass media also reported that Norway would transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but it is still unknown how many of them will be given. It became known that the United States decided to train Ukrainians on F-16. Training will begin in the fall. ADVERTISIMENT The Kannada cinema industry has bagged four awards in the 69th National Film Awards that were declared on Thursday while pan-India hit 777 Charlie starring Rakshith Shetty bagged the Best Kannada Film. Documentary Bale Bangara, directed by Anirudh Jatkaar, is honoured with Special Appreciation of jury members in the non-feature section. Ayushman, directed by Jacob Verghese and produced by Jacob Verghese, Dinesh Rajkumar and Naveen Francis, has received the Best Exploration Cinema award in the non-feature section. Senior film journalist Subramanya Bandoor has been honoured with the Best Film Critic (Special-Mention) award. Subramanya Bandoor is working as a film journalist for 43 years. He has been contributing articles and columns. Advertisement 777 Charlie was a super hit movie starring Rakshith Shetty and dubbed into all major languages of the country. The movie generated good reviews in all languages and won the hearts of canine lovers. The movie was directed by Kiran Raj and produced by Rakshith Shetty. Bale Bangara documentary is based on the life and struggle of senior artiste Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, a Padma Shree awardee. Nine women were killed and five others including the driver were critically injured injured when a jeep overturned and fell into a 25-metre gorge at Thavinhal near Mananthavady in Keralas Wayanad district on Friday. The deceased have been identified as Rani, Shantha, Chinnama, Leela, Shaja Babu, Rabiya, Mari, Vasantha and another unidentified person. The injured include Mani (driver), Latha and Umadevi. More details of the victims are not available. As soon as the accident happened, the residents of the area reached and started rescue operations. Later the Fire and Rescue Department personnel and police joined the rescue operations. The injured are undergoing treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital, Wayanad. The condition of the injured is stated to be critical. Advertisement The victims reportedly are plantation workers. The accident happened around 4 pm at Kannothmala near Thalappuzha near Mananthavady. The jeep was going to Makkimala with workers in a private tea estate. It is reported that the jeep plunged while passing through a curve. The jeep was completely destroyed in the accident. In the impact of the fall the vehicle split in two. Kerala Chief Minister Piarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed shock over the loss of lives in the accident and extended their condolences to the bereaved families. Chief minister Vijayan has directed Forest Minister AK Saseendran, who is in Kozhikode, to go to Wayanad and coordinate all measures including the treatment of the injured. With enthusiastic cheers of Bharat Mata ki Jai and Modi, Modi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm reception upon his arrival at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. After his flight landed at Athens International Airport, PM Modi made his way to the hotel, where he is scheduled to spend the day. He met with the eagerly waiting Indian diaspora, who were outside the hotel waving the tricolor and even playing drums to celebrate his visit. This visit marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has been to the country in the last four decades. The Indian community expressed their joy upon PM Modeis arrival in Athens, Greece. One of the Indian diaspora members said, I am very happy that PM Modi is here. After 40 years, the PM came. last time, then-PM Indira Gandhi arrived in Greece. Narendra Modi has been the PM for the last 9 years and he made a good name for India in the world. I am very proud that PM Modi came. Advertisement Meanwhile, Sanjiv Kumar, a Businessman, staying in Greece for the past 26 years, said, It was a great moment for us that PM Modi arrived in Athens. it gives us great pleasure. In the Greek community, we have a good name the Indians, always we have a good name. We are feeling very good. People love him. At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and she also brieflt interacted with him showing him a painting she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister. Earlier today, the PM arrived in Athens and was welcomed by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. PM Modi was also greeted with a ceremonial reception. His visit to Athens came after the Johannesburgs visit, where he was attending the BRICS summit. Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community, PM Modi said on his micro-blogging site X (formerly known as Twitter). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just arrived here from Johannesburg after attending the 15th BRICS summit, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi also posted a video on X. Bagchi said, A packed day of engagement lies ahead in Athens. He will little later lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Thereafter, he will meet the president of Greece and then hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece. He will also meet with business leaders from both sides. Before departing, he will have an interaction with the community who are all excited to receive him after the success of the Chandrayan mission, he said. A business lunch hosted by the Greek PM is also scheduled during the visit. The Prime Minister would also interact with the Indian diaspora in Greece. Previous high-level exchanges between the two countries have also included a visit by former Presidents of India, late APJ Abdul Kalam and former President Ram Nath Kovind in June 2018. The Greek President had also paid a state visit to India in 1998, and the then Greek Prime Minister had visited India in 2008. Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africas Johannesburg, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Modi of lying on Chinese occupation on land in Ladakh. The prime minister had said, Not an inch of our land in Ladakh has been taken away by anyone. Addressing a huge public meeting in poll-bound Kargil on the last leg of his visit to the cold desert region, Rahul Gandhi said he travelled to every corner of Ladakh on motorcycle and at Pangong in the eastern Ladakh he found one thing very clear that China has taken away Indias land. Advertisement Ladakh is a strategic place but it is unfortunate that the prime minister in the meeting of political parties said that not even an inch of land in Ladakh has been taken by China, he said. He mentioned his meeting with a cross-section of people across Ladakh to listen to the voice of what was in their heart. Taking an apparent dig at Modi, he said, Other leaders are busy doing their Mann Ki Baat. I thought of listening to your Mann Ki Baat. One thing is quite clear Gandhi Ji and Congress ideology is in Ladakhs DNA. The Congress leader said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are spreading hatred in the country. The Congress on the other hand is spreading peace and harmony everywhere in the nation. Speaking on his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul said, A few months ago, we walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, it was called Bharat Jodo Yatra. The aim was to stand against hatred and violence spread by the BJP-RSS in the country. The message that came out of the yatra was-nafrat ke bazaar mein hum mohabbat ki dukaan kholne nikle hain. In the last few days, I got to see this myself. At the time of the yatra, I could not visit Ladakh due to snow in winter. It was in my heart to conduct the yatra in Ladakh and I took it forward this time on a motorbike. The Congress leaders visit came as the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC) is set to go to the polls on 10 September. He said people of Kargil are patriots and have stood with the country during wars with Pakistan. Rahul said although Ladakh has become a Union territory (UT), people told me that their political voice is being muzzled. You are being deprived of your rights. You told me that the promises of employment made to you were false. He noted that the youth in particular feel that Ladakh has become the epicentre of unemployment. Rahul said BJP was suppressing the voice of Ladakh people, but we are standing with them and also giving full support in getting their rights. I will raise the issues related to Ladakh in the next session of parliament, he said. Ladakh doesnt have scarcity of natural resources and solar energy, and the people of BJP know this. This is a matter of land and they want to take away your land and give it to Adani but we will not let this happen, said Rahul, adding BJP knows if they give powers to you then they would not be in a position to take away your land, he added. The Congress leader announced Congress support to the demands of Lehs Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance that have chalked out a four-point agenda including full statehood for Ladakh, jobs for unemployed youth, protection under the sixth schedule and two seats in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for Ladakh. Later, Rahul left for Srinagar on a personal visit where he will be joined by his mother Sonia Gandhi next day, JKPCC chief Vikar Rasool Wani said. Thirty-five-year-old police constable Prahalad Singh, who received serious gunshot wounds in his head during an exchange of fire with vehicle lifters in a bid to nab them, succumbed on Friday at the SMS Hospital here. The cop was injured when a district special team (DST) of Sikandra police station in the Dausa district was chasing the vehicle lifters at Reta village on Wednesday morning. The deceased was rushed to a Dausa hospital before being referred to the SMS Hospital here yesterday. One of the bullets was removed from his head but another could not be taken out due to the delicacy of the brain. Eventually he succumbed to internal bleeding, the SMS Hopsitals Surgeon told the Police Headquarters here. Advertisement While reviewing the states law and order situation at PHQ this morning, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the Dausa incident was most unfortunate. A two-minute silence was observed as a tribute to Prahalad who lost his life while performing his duty. The CM announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, family pension, MIG-A grade house, and job to his family members. He also assured a recommendation to the Union government of a gallantry award to Prahalad. This is a relief package worth Rs 1 crore for the bereaved family. Meanwhile, one of the accused, Naveen Sinsinwar, who allegedly fired at the constable, was arrested from the forest area of Sikandra yesterday evening, a senior cop told the CMs review meeting. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said that Indians should be proud of their nation, give up negativity and recognise they have made achievements which are stupendous and phenomenal. Addressing the 25th Convocation of the New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM), he said the Chandrayaan-3s successful soft-landing on the Moons South Pole was the first-ever by any country. We are in the big four, and in a matter of time we will be number one, he said. The most important impact of the event was the emergence of India in soft power diplomacy, he said. The Vice President said all television channels of the world, whether in the Middle East, in Europe or the USA were focusing on the soft landing. Everyone was congratulating the Indian Prime Minister. It was a moment of joy, a moment of glory for us, he said. Advertisement There is hardly a global reputable corporation that does not have a presence of an Indian mind. You will find an Indian genius contributing to the upsurge of that outfit, Mr Dhankhar said. Recalling when he was elected to Parliament in 1989 and became a Minister, the situation in the country was such that to sustain our financial credibility, we had to send in physical form, our gold by a plane outside. Now, the International Monetary Fund says that India is the bright spot in the world for investment and opportunity. We have improved our dignity, a facet of soft power diplomacy, we have improved our dialogue level, we are focusing on shared prosperity and why you want shared prosperity Ill tell you. More than 1.3 billion people were facing Covid pandemic and still our Bharat was helping 100 countries with Covaxin. That is our culture. We take the world as one family, he said. The Vice-President said: We were taking care of our problems and giving a healing touch by hand holding others. We care for global security and improving our cultural connection. Mr Dhankhar said the Government had taken such initiatives that the youth today has an ecosystem where they get an opportunity to fully expand and unleash their talent and energy. You can achieve your dreams and secure reality for your aspirations. And that is why India is home to unicorns and start-ups that have stunned the world at large, he said. The big change that has come, youngsters may not be fully aware, senior people here will be fully aware, our power corridors were infested by power brokers. Those power corridors have been sanitized. The institution of power brokers is dead. It can never revive. Transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of governance, he said. The Vice President said the change had come about because there is zero accommodation for corruption. I call upon young boys and girls, think, if someone is being booked for transgression of laws, corruption or crime, do you want that person to take to the streets or do you want him to go to a court of law, he said. Mr Dhankhar said the countrys justice system is very robust and performs at the highest level. The entire world is proud of the Indian system they are delivering. The executive headed by the Prime Minister is delivering. We are having roads, railways, penetration of technology, we have world class structures, he said. But when it comes to the legislature, your representatives, the scene is dismal. As Chairman, Rajya Sabha, I dont see debate, dialogue, discussion. I see disruption, he said. The Vice President said Why should the legislature fail? Take a note of it. The Constituent Assembly worked for three years, gave the country its Constitution; not even once there was disruption, he said. Not once there was disturbance and they dealt with very difficult issues, divisive issues, contentious issues, Mr Dhankhar said. Justice B P Singh, Board Director, NDIM; Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum, Government of India; Mr V M Bansal, Chairman, NDIM, students, faculty members and eminent dignitaries were present. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) visited Galwan Valley during his tour to Durbuk sub-division. The L-G laid a wreath at the Galwan War Memorial and paid tribute to the jawans of the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives on 15 June 2020 while fighting against the Chinese troops. He also interacted with the jawans of the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He stated that he is ready to take up the gun again to fight the enemy if the need arises and added that he is sure that the jawans of the Indian Army and ITBP will protect every inch of the country and will take the war into the enemy area whenever the need arises. He commended the jawans of the Indian Army and ITBP for performing their service for the nations security, integrity and sovereignty with utmost nationalism and dedication despite living in challenging conditions. The L-G stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focused on the welfare of the jawans of the Indian Army and other armed and paramilitary forces. He also stated that even the enemy forces are aware of the bravery, courage and patriotism of the Indian Army and ITBP and assured to provide all possible support to them. He further stated that the country is in the safe hands of the Indian Army, ITBP and other armed and paramilitary forces. The L-G added that the future generations will remember their sacrifices for the nations security and for giving their tomorrow for the today of the citizens of the nation. The L-G felicitated the troops deployed in the Galwan Valley. He also visited the Tangtse Garrison and interacted with the jawans of the Indian Army. He felicitated jawans of the Indian Army for their exemplary services. With Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit warning Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of writing to the President under Article 356 if he fails to furnish the information sought by him through letters, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday asked the Governor to maintain decorum and not give such a threat to get the Presidents rule imposed in the state. The Governor should maintain decorum and not give the threat of Article 356. If they want to impose Presidents rule then it should be done in Manipur and Haryana, said Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang. Both Manipur and Haryana have BJP-led governments and were in the news recently over ethnic and communal clashes. Advertisement Kang said the Mann government was working within the Constitutional framework and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Union government of trying to interfere in the functioning of governments in non-BJP-ruled states. In a strongly-worded letter, the Governor advised the CM to act before he takes this final decision under Article 356 of the Constitution, and criminal proceedings under Section 124 of the IPC (assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power) over the CMs failure to give information sought by him (Purohit) through letters. The Governor said this is in spite of the clear provisions of Article 167 of the Constitution which makes it mandatory for the CM to furnish all such information relating to the administration of affairs of the state as the Governor may call for. Before I am going to take final decision regarding sending a report to the President of India under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and take a decision about initiating criminal proceedings under section 124 of the IPC, I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the State, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to law and the Constitution, the Governor said in the letter to the CM on Friday. Referring to his previous letters seeking information on a number of issues, Purohit said it appears Mann is deliberately refusing to give the information asked to him. The Governor also accused the CM of making derogatory remarks against him. He quoted several remarks made by the CM against the Governor. It included the remarks in which the CM had called the Governor a velha baitha (someone who had nothing productive to do) who kept sending him love letters. Purohit said through these derogatory remarks, the CM attempted to restrain him from exercising the lawful powers conferred on me under article 167 of the Constitution. Reminding the CM that not furnishing the information which was sought by the Governor would be plainly in dereliction of the constitutional duty which is imposed on the Chief Minister in terms of Article 167(b), in the letter Purohit said: . I have therefore to advise you, warn you and ask you to respond to my letters referred to above and give me the information sought by me. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to expedite the border troops disengagement and de-escalation in western sector of Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, Kwatra said the prime minister held a conversation with President Jinping on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. During the conversation, the prime minister highlighted Indias concerns at the unresolved issues along the LAC in western sector of the India -China border. PM Modi told the Chinese President that respecting the Line of Actual Control was essential in normalisation of India-China bilateral relations. Advertisement The two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation, the foreign secretary added. TV visuals showed the two leaders indulged in what looked like a brief and informal interaction. The conversation between Modi and Xi took place soon after member countries agreed to allow the expansion of BRICS. The grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa invited Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia to join. This was the second such conversation between PM Modi and President Jinping since the May 2020 standoff. The two leaders had discussed the border issues on the sidelines of last years G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. The bilateral relations between India and China, the two powerful Asian neighbours have always been marred by border disputes. The 2020 border standoff brought the two nuclear-armed nations almost to the brink of a full-fledged war. However, several rounds of diplomatic and corps-commander-level talks de-escalated the situation but several issues remained unresolved. So far, disengagement of troops has only taken place in areas like Galwan Valley and around the Pangong Tso lake. However, China is not yet ready to restore the status quo in the border area that was before the 2020 standoff. While both countries have been reiterating their commitment to peacefully resolve their border issues through dialogue and diplomacy, Chinas unreasonable claims on Indian territory are slowing the progress. India on Friday refuted Chinas claim that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg happened at New Delhis request. In an official statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at the latters request on August 23, 2023. According to news agency ANI, Indian government sources said that there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi. Giving details about the discussions that happened during PM Modi and President Jinpings meeting, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views and stressed the need to improve bilateral relations for the peace and stability of the world and region. Advertisement Two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest and President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region, the statement read. PM Modi presses President Jinping on unresolved LAC issues After the conclusion of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South America, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that PM Modi had a brief conversation with President Jinping. During the conversation, PM Modi highlighted Indias concerns about the unresolved issues along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China border. PM Modi told the Chinese President that respecting the Line of Actual Control was essential for normalisation of India-China bilateral relations. The two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation, the foreign secretary added. TV visuals showed the two leaders indulged in what looked like a brief and informal interaction. The conversation between Modi and Xi took place soon after member countries agreed to allow the expansion of BRICS. The grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa invited Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia to join as new members. The Netherlands has agreed to transfer all of its F-16s to Ukraine. However, except for those that will be used for training of Ukrainian pilots. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Dutch Defence Minister Keesu Ollongren. She visited Kyiv this week. As you know, the Netherlands is one of the European countries that changed their attitude towards Ukraine dramatically during the Great War. "On the part of the Netherlands, we need all the preconditions to be fulfilled first. Namely, that the crews are trained, that we understand that the infrastructure is ready, and that we have not only aircraft but also spare parts. We need the necessary weapons for them... Given this, we are realistic about next year; when Denmark will hand over the aircraft, they will decide for themselves. But everyone now wants it to happen as soon as possible so that we can strengthen Ukraine's air defence," the minister said. According to her, the Netherlands can provide Ukraine with all fighters, except for training ones. ADVERTISIMENT "We have 42 aircraft in total, but some of them will be used for training," the official said. Many people know this country because of the so-called "Dutch referendum". It was the referendum that almost suspended the Association Agreement. The Netherlands was generally sceptical about Kyiv's integration into pan-European structures, but the country suddenly became one of the main donors to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a supporter of Ukraine's accession to the EU. This support came from the clearly pro-Ukrainian government of Mark Rutte, which managed to decide to provide Ukraine with Dutch F-16 fighter jets. However, now Rutte's government is resigning and elections will be held in autumn. Will this break all the agreements, including the transfer of the aircraft? ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Ukraine has reached a "breakthrough agreement" on F-16 fighter jets. They will be in the Ukrainian sky. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the criminal defamation case filed by the Gujarat University over his comments in connection with the Prime Minister Narendra Modis degree. Refusing to issue notice on Kejriwals plea, a bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice SVN Bhatti said that the matter is pending before the Gujarat High Court and is listed for hearing on August 29. Posting Kejriwals plea for hearing on August 31, the bench expressed hope and trust that the High Court will decide on August 29 the plea pending before it. Advertisement Delhi Chief Minister has approached the top court challenging the High Court order declining his request to stay the criminal defamation proceedings filed by the University over his remarks. Gujarat University Registrar Piyush Patel had filed a defamation case against Kejriwal and AAP leader Sanjay Singh over their alleged comments after the Gujarat High Court set aside an order of the Chief Information Commissioner for providing information about Prime Minister Modis degrees to them under the Right to Information Act. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, said the High Court had wrongly refused to grant an interim stay on the defamation proceedings against him. On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the University, said there was suppression of facts by Kejriwal. On August 11, Gujarat High Court had rejected Aam Aadmi Party leaders plea seeking an interim stay on the criminal defamation proceedings against them. After which, Kejriwal moved the top court. Before that, a Gujarat Metropolitan court had summoned Kejriwal and Singh in the defamation case over their sarcastic and derogatory statements in connection with Modis degree. Later, they filed a revision application in the Sessions court challenging the Metropolitan courts summons in the case. However, the Sessions court on August 7 declined their plea for an interim stay on trial, after which they approached the Gujarat High Court. The revision application in the Sessions Court will now be heard on September 16 and High Court to hear the case on August 29. According to the University, AAP leaders comments targeting the Gujarat University were defamatory and hurt the prestige of the university which has established its name among the public. On March 31, the Gujarat High Court had quashed a 2016 order of the Central Information Commission which directed the Gujarat University to provide information on Modis degree to Kejriwal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a one-day state visit to Greece, was Friday conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N Sakellaropulou in Athens. The prime minister thanked the Greek president for the honour and said this showed the respect the people of Greece have towards India. I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and the people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India, tweets PM Modi. The Greek President also congratulated Prime Minister Modi on Indias historic Chandrayaan 3 landing on the Moon. The prime minister told her that the success of Indias Moon mission would help the entire humankind and the scientific fraternity. Advertisement The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind, PM Modi told President Katerina. PM Modi-Mitsotakis hold delegation-level talks The prime minister also held a delegation-level talk with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The two leaders also held a joint meeting of business leaders from both countries. In a post-meeting presser, PM Mitsotakis congratulated India for conquering the south side of the Moon. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Athens to a rousing welcome by the Indian diaspora amid chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai. The prime minister then laid a wreath for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis upon his arrival in Athens. In his departure speech, the PM said that his visit would open a new chapter in the multifaceted relationship between India and Greece. This will be my first visit to this ancient land. I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years, he said and added, I look forward to my visit to Greece opening a new chapter in our multifaceted relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Athens on a one-day state visit to Greece on Friday after concluding the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africas Johannesburg. PM Modi was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis upon his arrival in Athens. The prime minister also met hundreds of people from the Indian diaspora, who had gathered outside the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens to greet him. Informing about the prime ministers engagements during the one-day visit, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that PM Modi will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens and thereafter meet the President of Greece followed by a meeting with Greek PM and business leaders of both sides. Earlier in a speech before his departure to Athens, the PM said that his visit would open a new chapter in the multifaceted relationship between India and Greece. Advertisement This will be my first visit to this ancient land. I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years, he said and added, I look forward to my visit to Greece opening a new chapter in our multifaceted relationship. The tightly -packed itinerary will see PM Modi visiting the Tomb of Unknown Soldier and holding restricted delegation-level talks with Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. After the delegation-level meeting with his Greek counterpart, PM Modi will jointly address key business leaders from both countries. The prime minister will also interact with the Indian community. The last scheduled bilateral meeting of the prime ministers of India and Greece had taken place in New York in September 2019 on the sidelines of UNGA. Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to officially visit Greece in four decades. Indira Gandhi was the last prime minister of India to pay a state visit to the European nation in 1983. Addressing a press conference ahead of PM Modis two-nation tour, the Minister of External Affairs Monday termed Greece an important partner and Indias gateway to Europe and the EU market. The MEA also said that Greece has also been Indias supporter on several international issues including New Delhis bid to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Speaking about the agenda of PM Modi, the MEA said that during PM Modis visit, both sides will look to expand and diversify the trade and investment segment of their cooperation. During the visit, the two leaders are likely to sign several pacts in the fields of defence and security, partnership, infrastructure cooperation, shipping, energy, agriculture, and education among others. The crime Branch has busted a racket engaged in issuing forged university degrees , mark sheets and arrested two persons. The accused issued fake documents of various reputable private universities around the country in lieu of money. The police have recovered fake documents including the mark sheets along with sixmobile phones and one laptop. The cops conducted a raid at the office of the accused at Prateek Apartment, Paschim Vihar West, Delhi. The accused Shiv Shanker and Sunil Mishra were apprehended with the fake documents of various universities. Police said they were involved in producing the degrees of universities including Mewar University- Rajasthan, MUIT University-Noida, JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University-Rajasthan, Vinayak Missions University-Salem, MNS ITI-Haryana, Himalayan Garhwal University, Kalinga University etc. Advertisement The Special Commissioner of Police , Crime Branch Ravindra Singh Yadav informed The main accused Shiv Shankar was the mastermind and he was running this fake racket since the last 5-6 years. He has also previously been involved in a similar type of case in Mianwali Nagar. The other accused Sunil Mishra has been working with the main accused since the last two years. He was working as a tele-caller, receiver and delivery of the fake documents and handling the beneficiary visitors. The police are conducting further investigation to identify the others involved in the crime. The role of various Universities is also being probed. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani launched a direct attack on the Gandhi family and challenged Rajul Gandhi to contest from Amethi. Talking to reporters here, Irani said that everyone has the right to contest election from anywhere in a democracy and Rahul can also contest from Amethi. But history of running away from the constituency is not mine, but that of Rahul Gandhi, she added. Recently, newly-designated UP Congress president Ajay Rai had said that the people of Amethi want Rahul Gandhi to contest from their constituency. Advertisement Commenting on Rahul Gandhi, the Amethi MP said after he left the constituency, he went to south and made derogatory remarks about the citizens of Amethi. Those who call voters a monster, you think the people of Amethi will accept such people, she said while adding that the people of the constituency would never compromise on their self-respect. Not only this, in response to a question, she said he (Rahul) is the owner of his party and I am a worker of my party. She said she stayed put in the constituency even after losing an election. In the 2019 elections the public accepted our services. Today, the party is strong in every area from booth to district panchayat level, she claimed. She said the Gandhi family has always opposed the government of Modi and Yogi though under their rule, seven and a half lakh people of Amethi Lok Sabha constituency get free food grains. Does the Gandhi family think that the poor family of Amethi will give up free food grains just so that the Gandhi family can flourish? Does the Gandhi family think that five lakh farmers will give up their Rs 6,000 annually, 90,000 families will give up their homes so that the Gandhi family can settle down?, she asked. Indian budget airline SpiceJet informed a court on Thursday that it is facing financial challenges. The Delhi High Court, in a division bench, upheld a previous order that required SpiceJet and its promoter Ajay Singh to pay an amount of Rs 270 crore plus interest to Kalanithi Maran, the Chairman of Sun Group. The court refused to stay this order and warned that if Kalanithi Maran does not receive the payment by September 10, the airline will have to attach their assets. The next hearing will take place on September 11. Advertisement Previously, Marans legal representatives argued that SpiceJet and Singh submitted their affidavit in a non-standard format, which was not in accordance with the law. The Delhi High Court expected Singh to appear for his failure to comply with the courts order to disclose assets and revenue collection. SpiceJets statement regarding its financial difficulties came during the hearing in response to Marans lawsuit seeking payment of outstanding debts. Its worth noting that while Indias largest carrier, IndiGo, and Air India, owned by the Tata group, have placed orders for hundreds of new planes, another budget airline, Go First, filed for bankruptcy in May. They have scheduled the next hearings for both the Delhi High Court case and the Supreme Court case on September 11. Marans legal counsel requested the court to direct that 50% of the daily revenue collected by the judgment debtors be paid to the decree holders. They also sought this payment on a weekly basis. The counsel urged for prompt filing of asset disclosures and the submission of account statements within one day in court. They also called for the full payment of the arbitral award amount to the decree holders. How much do they have to pay? SpiceJet has made an offer to deposit 750 million rupees ($9.08 million) within 10 days. However, the presiding judge has issued an order, mandating the airline to pay 1 billion rupees ($12 million) by September 10. The judge also issued a stern warning, indicating the possibility of seizing the companys assets if they do not pay on time. In response to the courts ruling, SpiceJet released a statement affirming its commitment to comply with the order. The airline stated that it would make the specified payment within the stipulated timeframe. The world is celebrating Indias achievement in successfully landing Chandrayaan 3 on the moons south pole. Yet, as the mission unfolds, there are intriguing questions regarding the durability of the lander after 14 Earth days, equivalent to one lunar day. Heres what weve gathered so far. After this initial 14-day period, night descends on the moon for the next 14 days. During this lunar night, the lander and rover, named Vikram and Pragyan respectively, remain dormant due to their reliance on solar energy, as they can only operate in sunlight. Adding to the challenge, the moons nighttime is unforgivingly cold, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling -208 degrees Fahrenheit or -133 degrees Celsius. Such extreme cold conditions pose a significant obstacle to the smooth operation of the rover, lander, and their scientific instruments. Advertisement This unique situation arises because 14 Earth days correspond to one lunar day. Once the lunar night sets in, the situation becomes complex. The solar-powered lander and rover are expected to slow down significantly, raising concerns about the feasibility of sustaining their operations. The cost and resources required to keep these lunar explorers active during this period could become substantial, and its uncertain whether Chandrayaan 3 has the capacity to endure such an extended lunar night. However, the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have not ruled out the possibility of Vikram and Pragyan springing back to life when the sun graces the moons surface once more. Some enthusiasts in the scientific community assert that Vikram and Pragyan are destined to remain on the moon permanently. The propulsion module, lander, and rover will not return to Earth but will instead become fixtures of the lunar landscape. During the lunar night, the rover will maintain contact with the lander. This will serve as a relay station for data transmission back to ISROs mission command center. Nevertheless, direct communication with the rover during this period will not be feasible. Its worth noting that the strategic landing date of August 23 marked the beginning of a lunar day cycle. ISRO, however, had a contingency plan in case Vikram couldnt make it on that day. The backup landing date would be August 24. Searching for the epistemological comforts of home in a land of refuge may be counter-intuitive, but that has not stopped experts from making the case for Europe to build on its swift mobilisation to support Ukrainian refugees in the aftermath of the Russian invasion and put in place a roadmap for a unified continental asylum and refugee policy. The European response to the Ukrainian refugee influx has certainly demonstrated the power of collective political and social will in welcoming a population fleeing war. This is something which policymakers must keep in mind along with the extensive research that shows asylum-seekers and refugees can positively contribute to European societies and build lives for themselves if given adequate support and protection, assert Reva Dhingra and Sophie Roehse of the Brookings Institute in a recently published paper. Poland, neighbouring Ukraine, has become a new focal point of migration in Europe, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Almost 14 million crossings have been recorded from Ukraine to Poland since 24 February 2022, and nearly a million Ukrainians are currently recorded as refugees in the country of 38 million. As of this month, the UNHCR registered approximately 4.6 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe (excluding Russia). The European continent has not seen such levels of displacement since World War II. Yet, both the Polish government and civil society welcomed Ukrainian refugees. Additionally, the European Unions Temporary Protection Directive, adopted just days after Russias invasion, facilitated the humanitarian response by granting Ukrainians immediate legal status to reside in member states and rights to access services. But, as Dhingra and Roehse iterate, just a few months earlier thousands of migrants and asylum-seekers from Africa and West Asia were left stranded in the forest separating Poland and Belarus, and turned away by Polish border guards. The Belarusian government had dug its heels in by mid-2021 resulting in several thousand people from Iraq and Syria trying to enter Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia via Belarus in order to seek asylum in the EU. In response, the Polish government announced a state of emergency and constructed a 186-kilometre border wall to thwart any crossing attempts. The emergency order also denied aid workers, journalists, and civil society groups access to the border area and criminalised efforts to help migrants. The discrepancy between the treatment of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian asylum-seekers is now evident. Learnings from the experience of asylum-seekers beginning in 2015 offer a policy roadmap to improve Europes approach to migration, asylum, and integration. The authors emphasise that it is vital to bridge the disconnect between policy design and execution which leads to challenges in host communities to respond effectively to largescale arrivals of people seeking protection, especially if the legal frameworks and available support are distinct for different refugee and asylum-seeker populations. Bridging this divide requires an active role for municipal and local host governments, civil society, and refugee leaders in communicating the specific challenges they face. It would be a start. Advertisement We are living in extraordinary times, when geopolitics changes colours faster than a chameleon. With Russia on a downward trajectory, unable to get the better of its former satellite, Ukraine, and depending more and more on Chinese support for its very survival, the world order has changed irrevocably. The unipolar world, with US as its only pole, is seeing China emerge as the second pole ~ a formidable rival to the US. From scratch, China has risen phenomenally in the last fifty years, and from the time of the Trump presidency, the US has devoted much energy to stymie the Chinese upsurge. The current decade has seen trading disputes between US and China, deteriorating into an undeclared cold war, with the US denying advanced technology, particularly chip technology, to China, and China retaliating by sanctioning high-ranking US officials, and threatening Taiwan with annihilation. Specifically targeting China, the US has created new military alliances like Aukus and Quad. On the other hand, after touching a nadir in 1971, India-US relations have improved steadily, with the US becoming Indias largest trading partner in the last two years. There have been hiccups too; the Devyani Khobragade incident, Trumps levy on Indian imports, etc. Some major concerns have also emerged; the US has proved an unreliable ally, failing to provide material support to us when we were attacked by Pakistan in 1965 and 1999 and by China in 1962 and 2020. During the Indo-Pak war of 1971, the US actively supported Pakistan. After the Malabar naval exercises, we had hoped that the US would support Quad (an alliance of US, Japan, India and Australia) militarily and the Quad would evolve as a counterweight to China. Advertisement However, the formation of Aukus ~ a military alliance between the UK, US and Australia, which is Quad minus Japan and India ~ has preempted this possibility. Then there were the recent Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) against India, which involved sailing the destroyer USS John Paul Jones up to 130 nautical miles west of the Lakshadweep Islands, inside Indias exclusive economic zone, without requesting Indias prior consent. The violation of Indias marine boundaries was deliberately publicised by the Seventh Fleet Commander. Indias weak protests against this incursion were brushed aside by the Pentagon spokesman. Indo-Chinese relations are equally complex. While India had supported China in international forums since the 1950s, the Chinese response was always unpredictable; all we got for slogans of Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai was a full-fledged war in 1962. However, relations between China and India improved after Chinas detente with the West, so much so that China became Indias major trading partner, and India and China supported each other in international forums, on innumerable issues relating to trade and climate change. During this honeymoon period also, China remained implacably opposed to Indias more vital ambitions ~ Security Council membership and Nuclear Suppliers Group membership. China also periodically raked up contentious issues like sharing of river waters, deliberately slighting India in the process. With Chinas tacit support, Pakistan repeatedly needled India, and Pakistani terrorists kept the Kashmir cauldron boiling. Danger signals emanating from China were deliberately ignored by India, enamoured as we were by cheap Chinese imports. Border disputes lurked in the background, which sometimes boiled into standoffs like Depsang Plains (2013) and Doklam (2017), but lulled into complacency, the Indian leadership never retaliated, which may have been the main reason to embolden China to trespass into Indian territory, at multiple locations, along the entire Sino-Indian border in the summer of 2020. Three years after the Chinese incursion, thousands of Indian and Chinese troops are still standing face to face on the long Indo-Chinese border. China has used the military stalemate to build war infrastructure, including militarised border villages, like artificial militarised islands in the South China Sea, roads, and even two bridges over Pangong Tso. We have improved our border infrastructure substantially, but at the same time we have allowed journalists to show it live on TV. On its side, China has kept the pot boiling; on 9 December 2022, less than a fortnight after India conducted joint military exercises with the US Armys 11th Airborne Division, barely 100 kms from the Chinese border, around 300 PLA troops confronted an Indian patrol in Yangste area of Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh. Reminiscent of the Galwan clash, Indian and PLA troops engaged in hand-tohand combat. Some soldiers were injured, but thankfully there were no casualties. In identical statements before the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, On 9 December, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of the Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. However, the Chinese version of the Tawang clash was totally different. An editorial titled Indias border adventurism harms ties in the China Daily reads: But it is notable that the Indian troops have become more provocative in recent years, with a higher frequency of intrusions into Chinacontrolled areas The ever-closer military cooperation between India and the United States on the premise of countering an increasingly assertive and aggressive China may also have played a part in some Indian military hawks trying to push the envelope on the border issue Just days before the latest skirmish, India and the US conducted a high-altitude joint military exercise in Uttarakhand near the Sino-Indian border India must restrain its troops from trespassing across the Line of Actual Control and work with China to calm the situation. PM Modi, who claimed a warm relationship with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, met him 19 times after becoming the Prime Minister in 2014. Not counting their recent meeting at the G-20 Summit in November 2022, even after the Doklam standoff, Xi and Modi met four times: Xiamen in 2017 (September 3 to 5, 2017), Brics Summit, Wuhan (April 27 to 28, 2018), an informal summit in Quindao in the same year (April 27 and 28, 2018) during the SCO summit, in Mahabalipuram (October 11 and 12, 2019). Also, Mr Modi had visited China five times, the maximum for any Indian PM. The Indian leadership is in denial mode, using euphemisms like unilateral change of status quo for land-grabs; friction points for seized areas; and full restoration of peace and tranquillity for rollback of the intrusions. The Indian approach to Chinese aggression, that forgives their past transgressions in the hope that they would behave better in the future, has failed. Our naivete can be gauged from the fact that we have allowed Chinese trade surplus to rise to the level that it exceeds Indias defence budget, so that we are in effect, bankrolling Chinese aggression. Meanwhile, China has adopted a new land border law that would justify its illegal annexation of territory. The Indo-Chinese relationship can be one of mutual benefit. For India, Chinese imports are vital for developing infrastructure and manufac-turing capabilities. Not surprisingly, trade with China increased by 46 per cent in 2021, just after the border clashes, and is on an increasing trajectory. China, too, has its own compulsions, as it faces an eco-nomic slowdown, a shrinking population and an increasingly hostile West. For China, India is a huge market, as also a profitable target of invest-ment in technology, property and infrastructure. Pointing to a softening Indian stance, circumventing restrictions, Chinese investment is coming in via countries like Singapore. For example, Shein, a Chinese online fashion company, whose app was banned by India in 2020, is set to re-enter India in partner-ship with Reliance Industries. While, the US and its allies dread the coming together of India and China, and hope that Indias continuing friction with China will push it into a Western coalition against China, a Hobsons choice faces India: normalise relations with China and thus accept Chinese hegemony or align with the US, which if history is a guide, would offer only oral encouragement, should things spin out of control. There is also a third choice: we can remain non-aligned, ploughing a lonely furrow, and follow Theodore Roosevelts doctrine of speaking softly and carrying a big stick. The famous journalist Thomas Friedman summed up the Wests fear of India and Chinas technological progress: When I was growing up, my parents told me, Finish your dinner. People in China and India are starving. I tell my daughters, Finish your homework. People in India and China are starving for your job. It is a pity that India and China cannot see eye-to-eye. (The writer is a retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax) Whatever be the final outcome of his ongoing legal battles ~ and there is some doubt about whether the divisive former US President Donald Trump will even be eligible to run for the top job in 2024 ~ he is certainly back with a bang. But, as he and his supporters would argue, he never went away in the first place. Latest polls among the Republican Partys primary voters show that Mr Trump remains the undisputed leader of his party. Over 37 per cent of them strongly support the billionaire politician and view him very favourably while another 37 per cent are persuadable to him. Put together, that equals 74 per cent of those in the Grand Old Party who either will or could vote for him as their nominee for President. Such a voter base is unseen in recent times. But what does that say about the chances of his competitors for the Republican ticket? According to political analysts Elaine Kamarck, Anna Heetderks and Cambron Wade, Mr Trumps support base is his golden ticket to the nomination; this implies that competitors will have to decide to either resist or embrace his gravitational pull. The third option, of trying to occupy the middle ground, seems at the moment to be fated to end in tears given that has apparently disappeared from American centre-right politics with the advent of the Trump era. In opinion polls both at the state and national levels, he leads his opponents by 40 points or more, making him the undisputed frontrunner for the nomination. Most of his challengers are acutely aware of these figures and are showing marked reluctance in taking him on. Especially, if they hope of being tapped to join the Trump ticket or are aspirants for a Cabinet berth in the event he wins in 2024. There are some brave souls, though, such as Mr Chris Christie and Mr Asa Hutchinson who are standing in clear opposition to Trump. Of the third lot, or those candidates who oppose Trump on some issues and agree with him on others, there is not much to be said except to underline they will likely be among the first to be eliminated in the primaries. The analysts assert that several ideological and political features define Mr Trumps base, differentiating it from the rest of the Republican primary electorate. The first is a persistent belief in his innocence: 75 per cent of Trump supporters believe he did nothing wrong in his handling of classified documents and 92 per cent believe his actions following the 2020 election were within his rights. Secondly, the Trump base embraces America First policy positions, with 63 per cent opposing further aid to Ukraine, 76 per cent supporting less US involvement in world affairs, and 67 per cent opposing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Thirdly, the former presidents voters are drawn to existential and dystopian rhetoric about the state of the country. Lastly, they embrace a populist view of American politics, with 84 per cent saying elected officials should prioritise the common sense of ordinary people over the knowledge of experts. Support Mr Trump or vehemently oppose him, how do you argue with that? Advertisement The Russian Volunteer Corps has issued a new statement against the backdrop of the death of the leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The fighters called on the Wagnerites to go over to the side of Ukraine and thus avenge his "execution". ADVERTISIMENT The Russian Volunteer Corps published a video message on its Telegram channel. The fighters noted that they were addressing the mercenaries of the Wagner PMC, for whom "the words loyalty and honour have meaning and significance" (to watch the video, scroll to the bottom of the page). "Apparently, your commanders and founding father were cynically executed yesterday. It is obvious to everyone that they were killed on the orders of representatives of the highest echelons of the Russian government. Therefore, now you have a difficult but quite logical choice: either to join the stables of the Russian Ministry of Defence in the service of the killers of your commanders, or to preserve your honour and take revenge on their executioners by going over to the side of Ukraine," the RVC said. ADVERTISIMENT They added that they were calling for those Wagner mercenaries who had not committed war crimes on the territory of Ukraine to join their ranks. "We offer you to join our ranks and first complete this bloody meat grinder of the so-called 'SVO', and then march on Moscow again, but this time not to stop 200km from the Moscow Ring Road, but to go all the way!" - said the RVC fighters. They stressed that if the Wagnerites voluntarily defect to the side of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence will guarantee them safety and decent conditions. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, ISW believes that Putin almost certainly ordered the military command, represented by the Ministry of Defence, to shoot down the plane belonging to Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner PMC. The plane crashed in the Tver region of Russia on 23 August, and Russian media have already confirmed that the leader and deputy of the private military company were killed in the crash. ADVERTISIMENT Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has officially confirmed the death of the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Kremlin leader called him a talented businessman and a man of "difficult fate". Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Well-known novelists, creative authors, erudite thinkers and even authoritative dissertation writers are sometimes faced with questions about their works when the question of their publication arises: publish or perish; publish and be banned; publish and be damned, or be challenged? Seriously confronting these issues is extremely crucial; particularly for reputed authors as also for publishers and booksellers worldwide. The fact of the matter is that it is only complaisant, adroit and mature minds which conceive and publish their creative works, after months and years of effort. These works are awaited eagerly, read, cherished and remembered. Moreover, these works generally acquire a permanent, eternal station in global literature. Even a cursory glance at the literature of any world language will bear this out. And, once in a while a piece of creative writing is suddenly deemed to be too good to be accepted. It gets the attention of lumpen crowds who dislike and condemn its content, decry and prevent its sale, and demand state restrictions on its distribution. Then follow unruly mobs and ugly demonstrations. The protesters demand a ban on the publication saying it disturbs the values of our society, our country. Not long ago, senior BJP leader and the late former defence minister, Jaswant Singh, authored a book titled: Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence. It was banned in Gujarat in 2009. The ban was later ordered lifted by the court. In another case in 2016, a Tamil book, Madhorubhajan by Perumal Murugan was banned, but the court ordered against it saying: The choice to read the book is always with the reader. If you do not like a book, throw it away. There is no compulsion to read a book. Nearer home, in the capital city of Delhi, a book written by three highly educated and well connected Delhi University women teachers: Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story, was banned although a most respectable foreign publisher had signed the contract. 45,000 copies of the book had reportedly been printed and hundreds of supply orders had been received. But the ban stood. The moot point, however, is who should decide that a particular book should be banned, just because a small group of people feel that its contents are not in consonance with their views? Just recall, how and what under circumstances the ban on Salman Rushdies Satanic Verses in India in 1998 was imposed, though no one had even seen, let alone read it. The reason for the ban was said to be the publication of vile reviews of the book in some London newspapers. The late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi announced the ban without losing much time fearing violent protests by Indian Muslims. In India, hardly any set principles to ban books exist on record. Advertisement Most often, the Constitutions abridgement of fundamental rights through the article permitting reasonable restrictions is cited. In the United States, books are, and can be banned only by the American association of librarians, according to Professor Jamie Leigh, the New York City-based awardwinning writer, and a triple majorholding scholar in linguistics, French, and comparative literature at Purdue University. Book bans in the U.S. date back to 1873 under the Comstock Act, also called the Act for the Suppression of Trade in, and Circulation of, Obscene Literature and Articles of Immoral Use. Currently, as narrated by Marcia Amidon Lusted in the Greenhaven Publishing Companys 2018 publication titled: At Issue: Banned Books, in the U. S. book banning is rarely initiated by the government or religious leaders. Instead, it often comes from the public itself, such as concerned parents or organizations dedicated to upholding family values. Most of these campaigns take place on a state and local level, not on a wider national level. In any case, books in America are usually age-group denominated. The responsibility of banning a book doesnt vest with readers. For, restricting access to a book is significant as it affects not only the readers, but also booksellers, book publishers, authors, besides researchers and academics, social thinkers, lay and interested readers. Moreover, such book bans, ironically make it (the book) more popular as a result of notoriety. In addition, the American Library Association (ALA) also plays a vital role in the book-ban process. The ALA is a powerful body that commands a profound influence in matters of sale and purchase of books in most public and private libraries, barring those of colleges and universities. The ALA upholds free access to information, which amounts to prohibiting any impediment in the process of generating and delivery of information. The ALA-created Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) gets reports from interested communities, mass media, libraries, and schools around the country about demands for book banning and challenging protests. The OIF compiles a list of such disputed books on the basis of complaints and protests voiced by concerned quarters. Banning books may be morally detrimental, convey wrong values, or may be socially, ethically and politically provocative. Challenging some books may be improper and unjustified, particularly those authored by social workers, religious leaders and social activists. For such books could be useful in creating awareness against social evils, awakening oppressed sections of society to claim their constitutionally sanctioned right and privileges. Meanwhile, are there any good reasons to ban books? Yes, there are. As quoted earlier, Jamie Leigh has clearly averred that though there exist no prescribed rules and regulations in the USA to ban books, general guidelines have, of course, been laid down by the ALA, and the National Coalition against censorship. In addition, school librarians, teachers, parents and general public have sometimes ventilated views against many books, including the one authored by the 1993 Nobel Prize winner in literature, Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye. Though this is one of the most challenged books, it is freely available in all public libraries. Some of the expedient, oftenquoted reasons, to ban books in the U.S., particularly for school libraries are: racial themes; profanity; sex; violence; negativity; witchcraft; unpopular religious views; unpopular political views; books against the most individually hated persons; alternative lifestyles and unsuitability for some age-groups. In recent times, few other reasons have come into effect. These are: offensive language; explicit sexuality; nudity; drugs; anti-family; racism/communalism; homosexuality; sex education; and occult satanism. This list too has been modified of late. According to the ALA, 1,269 book censorship efforts were received in 2022. Incidentally, efforts to ban books nearly doubled in 2022 over the previous year. On attempted book bans, ALAs president Patty Wong is on record as having noted: People need to have access to a variety of books from which they can learn about different perspectivesDespite this organized effort to ban books, (US) libraries remain ready to do what we always have: make knowledge and ideas available, so people are free to choose what to read. Nearly 87 per cent of Americans reject banning books. The categories of books against which bans are frequently demanded are those with violence, LGBTQ, pornographic, homoerotic and sexually-explicit content. The ALA organizes a Banned Books Week annually to educate about ongoing censorship efforts. PEN America has also compiled a list of recently challenged titles. Though India, like the U.S., is a hugely vibrant democracy and an extremely diverse society, low awareness, low levels of education, social and cultural taboos and poverty frequently exercise tremendous pressure for banning books. But heres a brand new and fresh thought. As the world steps further into the 21st century, we several developments affecting books. Today we find books not only on paper, but also on gramophone records (outdated), on CDs, Kindle and other forms of e-books, and on screens of all sizes large, medium and small. The Covid19 pandemic brought the book to small kids on diverse digital media. Finally, its interesting to learn that there are some titles in India on which bans either limited to a state or nation-wide remain. These include The Red Sari by Spanish writer Javier Moro, said to be a fictionalized account Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence by Jaswant Singh, Great Soul Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle with India by Joseph Salem Lelyveld, Lajja- shame by Taslima Nasreen, a Bangladeshi author granted asylum in India and Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. (The writer is a veteran journalist and journalism teacher.) The leaders of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc have approved the expansion of the fivenation group by adding Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and the UAE as its new members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today while expressing the hope that the step would strengthen the belief of many nations in a multipolar world order. The expansion of BRICS and its modernisation is a clear message that all global institutions need reforms keeping in mind the present day realities. This is an initiative which can become a trendsetter for reforms in other global institutions, he said at a joint Press conference with other BRICS leaders at the end of the three-day 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. Mr Modi said India has always supported the expansion of BRICS. Its position was that the expansion would further strengthen it as a grouping and provide an impetus to the member nations joint efforts in different areas. This is the first expansion of the grouping since 2010 when South Africa was inducted into it. With this expansion, six of the worlds nine largest oil producers are now part of BRICS. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the membership of the six new BRICS countries would come into force from January 2024. Advertisement Others present at the press conference were Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Mr Modi was happy that the delegations of the five BRICS countries have arrived at a consensus on guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures for admitting the six new members. He was confident that the inclusion of these new members into BRICS would infuse new energy into the grouping. Noting that India has close historical relations with all the six countries, he said their inclusion in BRICS would add a new dimension to bilateral cooperation as well. He said India would try to evolve a consensus around those countries which have expressed their interest in joining BRICS as partner nations. After concluding his two-nation visit from Greece, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head straight to Bengaluru, Karnataka on a pre-scheduled visit. He will meet scientists of the ISRO team involved in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. After a 40-day journey into space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening, making India the first country to do so. Moreover, the Prime Minister joined the live telecast of Chandrayaan-3 landing online from South Africa. PM Modi hailed the Chandrayaan-3 mission creating history by achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface and said India is now on the moon. When we see such historic moments it makes us very proud. This is the dawn of new India, he said. Humne dharti par sankalp kiya aur chand pe usse sakaar kiyaIndia is now on the moon, he added. Advertisement India also became only the fourth nation after the US, Russia and China to successfully conduct a lunar landing mission. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft put down the Vikram lander on the lunar surface, tilting to a horizontal position ahead of landing. The spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota on July 14. A GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle was used for the launch of the spacecraft that was placed in the lunar orbit on August 5 and since then, it went through a series of orbital manoeuvres before zeroing in on the moons surface. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Snow will taper off and end during the morning but skies will remain cloudy during the afternoon. High around 40F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 100%.. Tonight Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low around 30F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Aaron Baer is the president of the Center for Christian Virtue. He wrote this for InsideSources.com . The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed the strike on the Russian 126th Coastal Defence Brigade in occupied Crimea. They said that there would be many similar news stories in the near future. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov. As you know, the strike took place on Friday, 25 August. "We confirm the information - there was an attack. This is not the first attack on the 126th Brigade. As Major General Kirill Budanov said in his last interview: Ukraine can now inflict defeats and carry out operations anywhere in the occupied Crimea. There will also be a lot of news there in the near future," said DIU spokesman Yusov. As you know, there is currently information about the dead and wounded occupants. However, according to the DIU, it needs to be clarified. In addition, there is information that many wounded occupants were brought from the military base to the hospital in Simferopol. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the temporarily occupied Crimea acknowledged the damage to a military facility, allegedly during a drone attack on 25 August. The arrival took place in the village of Perevalne, where the 126th Separate Coast Guard Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is stationed. This Friday, people in occupied Crimea complained of another restless night due to a drone attack. Eyewitnesses reported the sounds of a UAV flying overhead and loud explosions in several areas at once, posting the relevant videos. At the same time, the occupation authorities and the Russian Ministry of Defence were quick to boast of the "withdrawal" of all drones, which, according to enemy estimates, numbered 42. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Actor Aishwarya Lekshmi, who played boat woman "Poonguzhali" in Mani Ratnam's period drama Ponniyin Selvan, says her performance in the film has been so loved that fans are now revisiting her past work. The two-part historical epic, based on author Kalki Krishnamurthy's hugely popular 1955 Tamil novels of the same name, features the actor as a fierce boat woman, who helps the central protagonists. Ponniyin Selvan featured a bevy of stars including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, and Trisha Krishnan. Lekshmi had a relatively small screen time but the actor is grateful for the recognition that has come her way. "The role of 'Poonguzhali' gave me so much love, I was not expecting this. I'm grateful to everyone, who loved me as 'Poonguzhali' because it has opened a lot of doors for me, not just about the opportunity but people loving and knowing me, and then going back and seeing my other work," Lekshmi said. The actor, who has appeared in films like Mayaanadhi, Varathan, and Jagame Thandhiram, said she didn't want to do too many films after Ponniyin Selvan despite the many offers. "Contrary to what I would have expected, I was thinking I would be signing (films) right, left, and centre but that's not what happened. I made a conscious decision to work in films that gave me the happiness of being an actor, challenge myself, or are different from whatever I have done," Lekshmi said. The actor has signed three women-centric films in Tamil-language and an official announcement regarding the same will be made soon. "For me, it is not about the quantity, it is the quality of the scripts that I got to be part of. There's a director named Padmakumar, and he chose me because of Poonguzhali, a tiny bit of a character." A day before Ponniyin Selvan released, Lekshmi recalls speaking with Ratnam regarding her performance in the film and he advised her to let the audience evaluate her work. "I asked Mani sir before the release of the film, 'what do you think?'. Everybody (referring to her co-stars) kept saying, Mani sir 'texted', I'm like he never texted me at all. I knew it was a small part but I did ask him what he thinks, he said, 'You have done something, I have done something, we will know tomorrow once the movie releases'. "The character was also very much loved in the novel and that translated to me. Also, I was different from every character in the film, everybody was a royal, and I was not. So, that helped because they could see me as someone different. Lekshmi's co-star from her latest film King of Kotha, Dulquer Salmaan, who has worked with Ratnam on OK Kanmani (2015) , said that audiences in the North first learned about him as an actor thanks to the director. "Mani sir's films do that, they open doors for you because everybody is going to watch it across the country. Like, 'OK Kanmani' had that effect on me, I think people up in the North discovered me through that film," he said. In King of Kotha, Lekshmi plays Dulquer's love interest named Tara, who she describes as an ambitious woman. Actor Shabeer Kallarakkal, known for Tamil films like Rajnikanth's Petta, and Pa Ranjith-directed Sarpatta Parambarai, is thrilled to have made his debut in Malayalam cinema with King of Kotha. "For me the story, the scale of the movie, is what matters, this film had DQ (Dulquer), Zee Studios. I couldn't have asked for a better debut than this. It was an easy choice for me," he said. The Malayalam period drama is directed by debutant filmmaker Abhilash Joshiy. With Season 2 of 'Made in Heaven' kickstarting the debate around Glutathione, a drug that is said to lighten skin tone, doctors and researchers are agreeing that the topical use of the drug has been in use since quite sometime now. Much before the series went on air, glutathione has been in rampant use among those obsessed with fairness. That it led to a number of research papers in the academia is a proof of this as also aggressive marketing by pharma-cosmeceutical companies since the past few years has brought glutathione in the centre of debate. Glutathione has antimelanogenic properties which has led to physicians frequently administering it as a wonder drug for skin lightening and treatment of hyperpigmentation, especially in those with darker skin tones. Aggressive marketing and capitalization of pharma-cosmeceutical companies has led to a surge in this 'trend.' However, the unbridled and prodigal use of it, say experts, especially as a parenteral formulation, seems unjustified, "given the lacunae in our knowledge about its antimelanogenic potential, limited clinical evidence favoring its role in skin lightening, and the statutory ban/advisory issued by certain federal agencies." Glutathione is available in topical, oral and injectable formulations. While as per researchers, topical (that is creams and lotions which are applied on the skin) and oral forms are safe, the safety and efficacy of the intravenous forms have not yet been proven. In 2019, in the 'Journal of cosmetic dermatology,' a group of researchers studied the clinical effects of glutathione on skin color and related skin conditions. They evaluated the effect of glutathione on skin using four case studies of healthy individuals - three of them consumed it in oral form while one applied it as a cream on the skin. The study found that 'both oral glutathione with the dosage of 500 mg/day and the cream could brighten skin color in sun-exposed area measured by skin melanin index. But there was no significant difference observed in the reduction in skin melanin index in sun-protected areas of the skin. Some adverse events were reported but they were of a non-serious nature, the report observed. A year later, in 2020, researchers from the University of Allahabad published their report in the International Journal of Research in Dermatology stating that Currently, there is only a little considerable evidence in favor of glutathione as a therapy for hyperpigmentation, and there are many unsolved controversies that surround its use. Although the safety of topical and oral GSH proved to be good, their efficacy especially long-term remains questionable. Again, as per researchers from Patna Medical College, there is little convincing evidence in favour of glutathione as a therapy for hyperpigmentation at the present time. "The trials available to date that have evaluated the role of glutathione in skin lightening administered through different modes have numerous limitations. Although the safety of topical and oral GSH seems to be good, their efficacy (especially long-term) remains questionable. More evidence in the form of high quality trials with better study design, larger sample size, and long-term follow-up is vital, before our patients are subjected to glutathione-based treatments," reads the report by researchers as published on the NIH website (an official website of the US government.) According to Dr Smriti Naswa Singh, consultant dermatologist and cosmetic dermatologist practicing at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, Mumbai, "in the past few years I have observed that patients have been demanding prescription of glutathione, and asking questions whether intravenous is more effective than oral or cream/topical formulation. The need for quicker results for social emergencies like weddings etc. makes people come up with such demands to doctors. Social media has definitely increased partial awareness towards this. However, it must be noted that glutathione is not US FDA approved and Phillippines FDA has issued a warning against it." As per dermatologists, Glutathione works by decreasing the melanin production in the skin. It is effective for short term use in those with hyperpigmented conditions like melasma, facial melanosis and so on. Long term use of glutathione via IV injections should be highly discouraged, say doctors. IV glutathione in Philippines is associated with kidney, liver dysfunction, and stevens-johnson/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJ/TEN ) like drug reactions. "Strict avoidance of over the counter usage of glutathione is warranted. and patients should know that once they stop the glutathione, their original color will come back," says Dr Singh. The opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh urged the Election Commission of India to ensure that the expenses on campaign and publicity being incurred by the 39 candidates officially declared by BJP should be included in their poll expenses. A Congress delegation submitted a memorandum to the Madhya Pradesh chief electoral officer (CEO) Anupam Rajan. The party also urged the poll body to ensure that government events are stopped at the constituencies for which the ruling party has announced its candidates. The Congress alleged that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been misusing funds from the public exchequer for the publicity and campaigning of the announced candidates, which, they demanded, should be stopped. In an unprecedented move, the BJP announced its first list of 39 candidates on August 17, way ahead of the elections or even the imposition of the model code of conduct. These 39 seats are where the ruling BJP has been consistently losing. In the memorandum to the CEO, the Congress said the assembly elections have been set in motion in the state and various political parties started to announce their candidates. The BJP has announced 39 candidates who have started their election campaign and are spending lakhs of rupees in the process. The memorandum expressed hope that as per election rules, the candidates would be maintaining the accounts of these expenses, for which the ECI has set an upper limit. All these expenses should be compulsorily added to the poll expenses of the candidates, the Congress said. The memo further said currently the BJP is the ruling party in the state and CM Chouhan has been conducting incessant election tours and public meetings across the state. During these events in the assembly constituencies where the candidates had already been announced, major announcements were being made and the CM has clearly said if the people elect the candidate of the ruling party, the announcements will be fulfilled. This, the Congress said, comes in the category of inducement to voters and a violation of election process and conduct. The Congress memorandum further said the CM and other ministers were conducting election campaigns in favour of the declared candidates on public exchequer for political gains and this was against the rules. The party has demanded an immediate ban on economic announcements by the government in the constituencies of the declared candidates and stopping the rampant misuse of public funds in government events in these areas, so that the voting for 2023 elections could be conducted in a fair and independent manner. The Congress delegation that met the CEO included organisation in-charge of MP Congress Rajeev Singh, election work in-charge J.P. Dhanopia, vice-presidents Prakash Jain and Mahendra Joshi and chairman of the media department K.K. Mishra. A release order for Amarmani Tripathi, stamped by the Uttar Pradesh Governor, was issued just a day before the Supreme Court was to hear a petition on the matter. The apex court has now given the state government eight weeks to the government to send its response in the matter, while refusing to stay the order. On Friday, Anandiben Patel, signed an order for the release, citing good behaviour in prison. The letter also noted that Tripathi, soon to be 66 years old, had already spent 17 years, 9 months and four days in prison. He is charged under Sections 302 (punishment for murder), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. His wife is also jailed. On May 9, 2003, Madhumita Shukla, a poet, was found murdered at her home in Paper Mill Colony in Lucknows Nishatganj area. Shukla was in a relationship with then Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Tripathi and was carrying his child at the time of the murder. Tripathi was arrested and later his wife Madhumani was also made a co-accused. In July 2012, a special court in Dehradun upheld the life imprisonment awarded to the Tripathis by a lower court in Lucknow. Shuklas sister Nidhi, who has been pursuing the case relentlessly, had filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against the Tripathis, alleging that they spend more time outside the jail than inside it. Meanwhile, the convicts filed a number of mercy petitions on various grounds. Nidhi Shukla said, How could there be any good behaviour inside the prison when they have barely spent any time in there? Instead they have mostly been in hospitals where they have received VIP treatment with Amarmani also holding janta darbars. She also said that the Governor had probably been misled on the details of the case and hence had signed the order unaware of the fact that the Supreme Court was to hear it on August 25. In an earlier interview to The Week, Nidhi had said that while the Tripathis had been awarded life terms, true justice would only be served if they stay in jail. At present, according to the numerous RTI queries that I have filed, they have spent only 38 per cent time in jail- the rest of the time they were in the Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Gorakhpur (constituency of the states CM Yogi Adityanath). Amarmani contends that he has a bone disease. Can that disease not be treated in Uttarakhand where he is supposed to be in jail? On the eve of Independence Day, as every year, Nidhi had issued an appeal that the Tripathis name not be on the list of those prisoners who are released on various grounds. How can someone who spent almost no time in jail be released from it? I appeal to the people of this country to help my quest for justice. We shall present all proof in court. How long does our wait for justice have to be?, she said. It was her persistence that led the case to be transferred from UP to Uttarakhand as the family feared that the politicians clout would negate the chances of a fair trial. There has been no notable political reaction as yet on this turn. Tripathi is a heavyweight politician in eastern UP and parties could view him as an asset in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Supreme Court on Friday gave nod for the trial of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases connected to the Manipur violence to be conducted in Assam. SC asked the Gauhati High Court to nominate one or more judicial officers to deal the matters. A series of directions were laid down by the SC inorder to facilitate victims to give their statements via video conferencing from Manipur. A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud passed the order. SC was hearing a batch of pleas including a plea by two women from the Kuki-Zomi community who were seen paraded naked in a video and molested by men. SC also asked the solicitor general to ensure that proper internet facilities are provided in the violence-hit state to allow the video conference. "So you want the statements to be recorded in Manipur and not in Assam or wherever the victims are... Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court will take care and the entire process will be done virtually... We will not ask the survivor to travel to Assam.. and we will have statements and evidence recorded in Manipur," the Chief Justice was quoted by Bar and Bench. To the query over why Assam was chosen as the place for trial, Mehta said that it was chosen for better connectivity. SC asked the Gauhati High Court to nominate one or more officers above the rank of Judicial Magistrate First Class and sessions judge to deal with such trial cases. All applications for the production of the accused, remand, judicial custody, extension of custody, and other proceedings are allowed to be conducted on online mode, bearing in mind both distance and security issues at the courts that will be designated to conduct the trial, said SC. Even the arrest warrants will be issued by the investigating officer through the online mode. The judicial custody of the accused will be done in Manipur. The Justice Gita Mittal committee was appointed to oversee the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur on Monday. Over 10 cases including the sexual assault of two women were transferred to the CBI. Since the violence had destroyed many homes, many have lost their official identity cards and the SC had directed the state government collect details and ensure necessary IDs including Aadhaar card are made available to them. (With PTI inputs) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday asserted that there was no split in the party and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar continues to be its leader. He also said that some leaders have left the NCP by taking a "different political stand", but it cannot be termed as a split. Pawar was talking to reporters at his hometown Baramati in Pune district in the morning before leaving for Kolhapur, where he is scheduled to address a rally later in the day. A day earlier, his daughter and party's working president Supriya Sule called Ajit Pawar a senior leader and MLA of the party. "Now, he (Ajit Pawar) has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the assembly speaker and are awaiting his response," Sule, who is NCP's Baramati MP, told reporters. When asked about Sule's statement that there is no split in the NCP and Ajit Pawar is a leader of the party, Pawar senior said, "Yes, there is no question about it." "How can anybody say that there is a split in NCP? There's no question that Ajit Pawar is our party leader," he said. "What does a split in a political party mean? Split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level. But no such thing has happened here. Some people left the party, some took a different stand...In democracy it is their right to take a decision," he added. Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs had joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state on July 2. Replying to a query, Sharad Pawar also said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the NCP, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, will perform better than the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Maharashtra in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. When asked about a survey that projected the opposition INDIA alliance getting a good response against the NDA in the Lok Sabha polls, Pawar said, "I haven't seen the survey yet. But yes, we are talking with some survey organisations where we can clearly see that MVA will win maximum seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections." The INDIA alliance is scheduled to hold its third meeting on August 31 and September 1 in Mumbai. Talking about the onion exports duty issue, the veteran leader said, "The government should reduce the 40 per cent duty imposed on onion exports. There is no benefit to onion growers. Everybody knows that onion is considered an arable crop. Hence, the government should look into this sensitive matter." "I tried to contact some ministers in the Centre, but could not have a word with them. Talks about limitations on the export of sugar are also underway by the central government," he added. Young firebrand CPI(M) leader Jaick C. Thomas is the LDF candidate for the upcoming Puthupally constituency bypoll that was necessitated by the death of former Kerala chief minister and veteran Congress leader Oommen Chandy. This marks Jaick's third candidacy for the LDF in Puthupally, and he enters the election arena with a legacy of significantly reducing Oommen Chandy's winning margin in 2021, compared to 2016 and 2011. He is confident that the LDF has successfully altered the course of the election, and he points out the shift in perspective among those who initially predicted an easy victory for the Congress candidate and Oommen Chandy's son, Chandy Oommen. Excerpts from the interview: Q/ The UDF had a head start in both candidate selection and campaign launch. Initially, there was considerable analysis suggesting that the emotional impact of Oommen Chandy's passing would be the decisive factor in the upcoming polls. However, now that the initial campaign phase has concluded, do you believe there has been a shift in momentum? A/ While I, as an Left Democratic Front candidate, can make various claims, you, as journalists, have personally witnessed how the public, particularly women, have shown their support for me as a representative of the LDF and Leftist politics. This sentiment is evident in different parts of the constituency. During the initial phase, many believed it would be a one-sided contest, with an easy victory for the UDF candidate. However, it's evident that opinions have changed since. It's not just a strong competition; it's evolved into a closely contested battle. This is a showdown between two equally formidable contenders. This journey is far from over. As we approach September 5th - the voting day - you can expect the LDF to gain even more ground. Q/ Though Oommen Chandy has been victorious for five decades, it's important to note that Puthupally is a constituency with a robust foundation and structure for the LDF. Do you believe that if this system diligently works to secure votes, the LDF can secure a victory here? A/ Indeed, the LDF has a well-established organisational presence in Puthupally. In 2016, the esteemed former chief minister Oommen Chandy contested with a significant margin of approximately 33,000 votes. This constituency has historically provided such substantial support to Oommen Chandy. However, the LDF has not been deterred by this. We have persisted in our efforts, and in 2020, we witnessed a remarkable surge in LDF support in this area. Currently, six of the eight panchayats in the constituency are under LDF governance. Additionally, three block panchayatsMadappally, Pampady, and Pallomare controlled by the LDF. Furthermore, as an extension of this progress, we have observed the LDF leading in 60 out of a total of 182 booths in 2021 [assembly elections]. Chandy Oommen and Jaick C. Thomas | Abhijith Ravi Q/ The Orthodox and Jacobite factions of Malankara church have strong presence in the constituency. You have received positive remarks from the leadership of both factions, although a controversy did arise within the Orthodox Church following a comment from Kottayam Diocese Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Diascoros. A/ It's important to recognise that various churches, communities, social and cultural organisations hold their own perspectives and opinions when it comes to elections. These organisations may also criticise different political alliances, as we have seen in the past. However, in the current election climate, the challenges faced by India, experiences from other regions like Manipur, and the topic of secularism have emerged as significant election themes. In the face of communalism, the promotion of secularism stands out as a prominent political slogan for the CPI(M). We aim to unite all individuals and organisations that oppose communal politics. The primary issues at hand here are not the internal disputes between churches or communities, nor the unity or differences in opinions between religious groups. Instead, the focus is on the lives and livelihoods of the people and the transformations occurring in their lives. Different ideologies are having a discourse on that. In transforming the lives of people, what role did Leftist politics played? In the last five decades, did the Congress fail to contribute to the development of Puthupally? All these are questions being raised in this election. In this context, other disputes or even attempts to portray such conflicts hold little significance. Additionally, from the perspective of Leftist politics, we have prioritised safeguarding communities of believers from the divisive influence of communalism. This is an approach observed globally, as the Left does not take a communal stance that promotes one belief while attacking another. Q/ A Church Bill has been proposed as a potential solution to resolve the long-standing feud between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions. While the Jacobite faction views this bill as promising, the Orthodox faction has vehemently opposed it. They argue that they will not accept any state government intervention that seeks to bypass the Supreme Court verdict in their favour. In your discussions with both the Orthodox and Jacobite factions, has there been any dialogue or consideration of this proposed bill? Have any commitments or assurances been made to these factions regarding this matter? A/ The state leadership of the LDF and the CPI(M) have issued their responses. It's primarily an administrative matter, and I may not be the most appropriate person to comment on it. Both the LDF leadership and the CPI(M) state leadership have addressed this issue. The LDF is dedicated to resolving problems faced by the general public from all communities, not just one specific community. We are committed to addressing issues fairly and justly for all communities, and the people recognise our approach to politics in this regard. Q/ During the campaign, you emphasised the issue of developmental stagnation in Puthupally. Can you elaborate on the development model you are proposing as an alternative for the constituency? A/ Puthupally faces significant challenges, notably in terms of access to drinking water. In various parts of the constituency, residents are forced to dip into their own pockets to keep motors and source water from rock quarries, which they then filter for drinking purposes. In no other constituency in Kottayam district you would see this. If we win this election, we are committed to addressing it. Our pledge is not merely a cliched promise. Our vision for Puthuppally includes improving drinking water infrastructure, enhancing sanitation facilities, basic infrastructure development, and a wide range of other initiatives. We aim to guide Puthupally on to a path aligned with the 'Nava Kerala model' (New Kerala model) that is driving progress across the entire state. Puthupally does not even have a mini civil station. During the nomination process, we had to travel to Kottayam to submit our papers. Government offices and village offices in Puthupally are in dire need of renovation and modernisation. For instance, the government higher secondary school [in Puthupally], a legacy of a former chief minister, was in a state of disrepair. However, under the leadership of the LDF government, the school has been transformed into a state-of-the-art building. Puthupally has the potential for growth and advancement, and we are committed to making it a reality. Amidst a debate over the Centre's move to revamp criminal laws and the proposed names for the statutes, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, on Friday, said the government's endeavour is meant to shake off the colonial legacy and Indianise the laws. Why can't we call the bills meant to revamp IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act Bharatiya? The British disrupted our education system and our traditional legal system. They simply replaced the Irish in Irish Penal Code with Indian and imposed it on us, Meghwal said. The minister defended the government's move to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Evidence Act with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, saying we suffer from the mindset that all the good work has only been done in the West and we must emulate that. Meghwal's comments come in the wake of criticism over the government bringing in the three bills when, as per the detractors, it could have simply brought in amendments. There is also unease about the Indianised names of the bills, especially amongst the political parties in the south, over the use of Hindi names to describe the three proposed laws. The DMK said since English is the common language for the people of the country and there are many different languages, Hindi should not be mandatorily imposed on people. Meghwal was speaking at a function to launch Tele Law 2.0, an integration of the government's tele law scheme, which is meant to provide free-of-cost pre-litigation advice to people, and its Nyaya Bandhu scheme, under which people can avail the services of lawyers free of cost to help them with litigation. In the context of the launch of Tele Law 2.0, the minister said it was a myth that 'pro bono' legal work is a Western concept. He said he keeps hearing in the meetings in his ministry mention of the pro bono work being done in America or the UK. We are conditioned to think that pro bono legal work has happened only in the West and it is for us to learn from them. In fact, pro bono work is an integral part of the Indian tradition, Meghwal said. He cited the example of C.R. Das appearing for Aurobindo Ghosh free of cost in the Alipore bomb trial. Eighty-year-old Frances "Poppy" Northcutt is an American engineer and attorney who began her career as a member of the technical staff of NASA's Apollo programme during the space race. During the Apollo 8 mission, she became the first female engineer to work in NASA's Mission Control. Northcutt was hired in 1965 by TRW, an aerospace contractor with NASA in Houston, as a 'computress' for the new Apollo mission. Northcutt was stationed in the mission planning and analysis room. She and her team designed the return-to-earth trajectory that the Apollo 8 crew followed back from the moon. She was instrumental in identifying mistakes in the plan, including making calculations that lowered the amount of fuel used to swing around the moon. Apollo 8 was the second crewed Apollo spacecraft and became the first crewed mission to ever leave the earth's orbit. It successfully reached the moon, orbited it and returned to earth safely on December 27, 1968. Northcutt continued working with TRW and NASA for several more years, being an integral part of missions such as Apollo 13. After an oxygen tank exploded on the Apollo 13 mission, Northcutt and other engineers who developed the computer programme stepped in to find a way to get the astronauts home safely. The programme that she worked on was used to compute the manoeuvres used to return the spacecraft. Northcutt and the Mission Operations Team were later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Team Award for their work on Apollo 13. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK from Houston in the United States, Northcutt talks about her experiences managing the Apollo missions, especially Apollo 8, the challenges associated with lunar missions and the remarkable success that India and ISRO have achieved despite being late entrants in the space arena. Excerpts: Q/How was the experience of working in NASA's mission control centre for different Apollo missions? A/I was the first woman to work in an operational support role at NASA and was part of the team that developed the return-to-earth from the moon computer programme for different Apollo lunar missions. I was not on rolls with NASA but I used to work for a contractor (TRW) who provided services to NASA. At that time most of the people were not on NASA's rolls but used to work for different contractors. Initially we were expected to deliver a programme; people in mission control would then take the programme from us to further conduct different missions. I worked from the control room for the Apollo 8 mission as they had accelerated the schedule of this mission. We were in a big space race at that time with Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union). Our main objective was to meet the objective of then US President John F. Kennedy to land a man on the moon before the end of the 60s decade. There were also concerns that Soviet Union might be there on the moon before us. All this led to the acceleration of the schedule. Q/Was it challenging in the mission control room? A/Many people in the mission control room of NASA did not have the experience to manage such complex manoeuvers especially associated with lunar operations. So we were stationed in the mission control room to help the team with data computing and other aspects related to the lunar missions. Q/Which according to you was the most challenging Apollo mission? A/According to me Apollo 8 was the most challenging as it was the first lunar mission with humans on board. It did not land on the moon but was the first crewed spacecraft to successfully orbit the moon and return to earth. Our major concern was that when the spacecraft was on the back side or the dark side of the moon there was no communication with it. It was very scary; if something goes wrong we would not have known about it. They were there on the other side of the moon for around 25 minutes. It was very nerve-wracking thing because if something went wrong, one may not have time to take action. Q/Why was it nerve-wracking? (FILE) Poppy Northcutt in the mission control room in Houston A/At that time we also had very less computer power than we have today. Now you have more power on your smartphones then what they had on their spacecraft then. They did not have any on board capability to calculate manoeuvers on a real-time basis and everything had to be read to them from the mission control room here on earth. When they emerged from the back side of the moon they had to wait for the signal to come back and the tracking data to come in. So if you are in a bad situation, every minute counts. We worked for years to design that computer programme regarding the return to earth trajectory. Q/What are the challenges of a lunar mission particularly soft landing on the moon? A/With Chandrayaan-2, India tried to do a soft-landing around four years ago. It lost communication and crashed. Even the Japanese and the UAE tried recently but did not meet with success. Lunar missionsboth the crewed and the uncrewedare extremely challenging. You got to get everything right during a lunar mission and there is no scope for error. Communication is always an issue with a lunar missionwhile soft landing on the lunar surface, moon dust might affect some of the devices on the spacecraft. Everything has to work perfectly as there is nobody physically there to monitor the landing. In such a situation every second counts. It is then that the precision of your computer programme and the tracking data count. If there is a bug or malfunction in the programme, it could lead to a crash landing. Q/What do you think about ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission? A/I am sure that that they have figured out the problems associated with the crash landing of Chandrayaan-2 and have rectified them. It is remarkable to see the success that ISRO has achieved despite working on limited budgets. Though with higher budgets there are chances of faster development. NASA spends enormous amounts of money on its space missions. But I must commend ISRO because despite the Chandrayaan-2 setback they have once again bounced back and churned out Chandrayaan-3 in such less time. Though India was a late entrant in the space race, I must complement the rapid strides and advances ISRO has made as far as space missions are concerned. The only advantage of big budgets is that one can do things and scale much faster. If the rover of the Chandrayaan-3 is successful, it will test a lot of stuff on the moon's surface that will really help in scientific study. Every mission contributes to our knowledge. Q/Your opinion about the slingshot approach adopted by ISRO for Chandrayaan-3. A/ISRO's slingshot approach for Chandrayaan-3 is perfect as a fuel-saving technique. It is very economical. At the same time you are increasing the complexity of the computing that goes with such an approach. Earlier, we did not have this kind of computing capability. In human crewed missions one cannot expect to have such complexity to reach the moon as they have to reach the moon faster and then return back. Q/How was the situation way back in the 1960s? A/During Apollo missions in the late 1960s we did not not have the experience to understand the the how the human body will be effected by a long duration stay in space, espeicllay under zero gravity conditions along with radiation affects. The living space available for astronauts at that time was very small. Present day space stations are very spacious and astronauts have even space to exercise on board. Q/After 1972 the US went slow on lunar missions and did not send any more men to the moon? What do you think about this decision? A/I was very disappointed when they did not carry forward lunar missions post 1972. We had already invested huge amounts of money to reach the moon and carry out successive missions and yet we did not reap the benefits because we shut them down. Now India is headed to the south pole of the moon with Chandrayaan-3 mission as there are indications that there may be water there. If we had continued the Apollo missions we could have done many more missions to the lunar south pole of the moon and explored much more. All the successive missions started getting cheaper than the earlier Apollo missions as you perfected the mistakes in the earlier missions. Please tell us something about more about yourself. When I started working in the mission control room of NASA, the opportunities for women were very low in the United States. When I was in college there were expectations from a woman that you would either be a teacher or a nurse. I was able to take a few computer science courses when I was in college. NASA happened to be in Houston, Texas, and I was looking for a job then. I got the job and I was at the right place at the right time. When I started working I started developing interest in lunar missions especially the return-to-earth trajectory. Once the Apollo missions were stopped after 1972, I lost interest in lunar mission. Now I am working as a lawyer and I am active in promoting women's rights. I feel that in the US , women are present in planetary science but their numbers have decreased in computer science field. A spokesperson of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday denied speculations that the Kremlin was involved in the death of Wagner Group Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. The spokesperson said facts regarding the death could be established only once the investigation into the crash concludes. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman of Russian President told presspersons, Naturally, there are many speculations over this plane crash and the tragic death of the passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin. Of course, the West is selling these speculations from a certain angle. All of them are absolute lies, TASS news agency reported. Peskov added that reportage on the crash should be based on facts and only very few were available at the moment. Peskov said that more facts would be established as the investigation progresses. The spokesman did not confirm whether Putin would attend Prigozhin's funeral and said, President had a very full schedule. The Kremlin spokesperson claimed the mercenary group Wagner had no formal existence and said, Wagner existed as a group that had made a big contribution to Russias special operation in Ukraine. A preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded that the plane was downed by an intentional explosion. Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence on Thursday on the aeroplane crash that killed Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and other top leaders of the mercenary group. It is always a tragedy, Putin said condoling the deaths. Putin remembered Prigozhin as a talented person and as a man with a difficult fate. I had known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the start of the 90s. He was a man with a difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life. And he strove for the results he needed for himself, and when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months, Reuters reported. Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and top officers of his private military were presumed dead in a plane crash that was widely seen as an assassination, two months after they staged a mutiny that dented Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority. (With PTI inputs.) A history was scripted when former US President Donald Trump's mug shot was clicked at Fulton County Jail at Atlanta in Georgia on Thursday. With a scowl on his face, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, gave a "defiant look", reportedly carefully crafted to send across a message. Team Trump had discussed the mug shot prior to his surrender at Atlanta and the former President wanted to appear "defiant" and purposefully chose not to smile, sources told CNN. As per the jail record, Trump, who has inmate number No. P01135809, is "6 foot 3 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds." He is listed as having blue eyes and blonde or strawberry hair. For a section of American society, this mug shot may represent the strength of the justice system and a possible culmination of the former President's political life - he has 91 criminal charges across four cases. But, not Trump. Immediately after the mug shot was released by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office, Trump returned to the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, with a post showing his mug shot captioned "ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!" The post garnered more than 14 million views 50 minutes after going live. He also added a link to his 2024 campaign website in the tweet. The message on the landing page of the site read: "Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME". "Today, I walked into the lions den with one simple message on behalf of our entire movement: I WILL NEVER SURRENDER OUR MISSION TO SAVE AMERICA." This also marked Trump's return to the social media platform which suspended his account in January 2021, citing the risk of further incitement of violence following the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Soon after, the merchandise with the former presidents historic mug shot began to appear on Trumps 2024 presidential campaign site. The products include T-shirts and long sleeve shirts for $34, a $25 coffee mug and $15 beer Koozies. His campaign has also reported an increase in contributions. If anything, Trump's campaign had already been preparing for the mug shot. They had explored the prospect of using the mug shot as a fundraising opportunity months ago, with a T-shirt with a fake booking photo of Trump and the words "not guilty" being already sold. Sean Wilentz, a professor of American history at Princeton University, said the event is dramatically unprecedented. "Of all the millions, maybe billions of photos taken of Donald Trump, this could stand as the most famous. Or notorious." It is possible that in the future, the mug shot will seem the ultimate bookend to a political arc in the United States that began decades ago, with Richard Nixons "I am not a crook," Wilentz told The New York Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the G20 summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced here on Friday. "No, the president has no such plans, the official Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin spokesman as saying. The format of Putin's participation would be determined later, Peskov said. Putin did not personally attend the just-concluded BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. He was represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. President Putin decided against attending the first in-person BRICS summit after Covid-19 as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. South Africa is an ICC signatory and was expected to help in Putin's arrest if he was present in the country. On August 23, there were eight Republican candidates on stage at Milwaukee for the first debate of the 2024 primary race. But, the person who won the debate was the one who chose to skip the event. The leader of the Republican pack, former president Donald Trump, was confident enough to skip the debate. And he was right. Trump timed his appearance at the Fulton County Court in Georgia to surrender after being indicted on 13 counts, including racketeering, conspiracy and soliciting a public official to violate their oath. In the process, he became the first former president to have a mugshot taken, just like a common criminal. It made sure that Trump was not out of the news cycle despite skipping the debate. Trump, clearly, was the winner of the debate as well. He already has a 40-point lead in the polls. More importantly, with less than five months before the crucial Iowa caucuses, he is ahead in the state by more than 20 points. In New Hampshire, the next primary state, the lead is even higher. Nearly all his challengers are in single digits. Yet, none of the eight candidates on stage in Milwaukee did anything to challenge the status quo. Here was Trump facing multiple state and federal charges carrying serious jail time, and not being present to defend himself, but none of the challengers were bold enough to hold the former president accountable. He got a free pass. In fact most of the candidates, except perhaps former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, defended Trumps record onstage. Christie went ballistic, terming Trumps conduct "beneath the office of president of the United States." But then Christie is an outlier in todays Republican Party and there is no real possibility of him getting anywhere close to the nomination. Vivek Ramaswamy, meanwhile, was almost like a cheerleader for Trump. All, but two--Christie and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson--in fact, said they would support Trump as the nominee even if he was convicted in any of his four criminal cases. Hutchinson even said Trumps role in the January 6 Capitol riots could disqualify him from serving as president under the 14th Amendment. Yet, like Christie, Hutchinson is unlikely to make much headway, he might not even make it to the next debate. Among the serious candidates, DeSantis did not enjoy a good night, although he did not make too many mistakes. The Florida governors team was expecting that as Trumps closest challenger, he would be facing the maximum heat from other candidates. But, he was largely ignored. No one really bothered attacking him, showing his quickly diminishing stature. His performance was safe, but uninspiring, comprising scripted monologues and rehearsed lines. Even on hot-button issues like Ukraine and abortion, DeSantis struggled to explain and defend his views. Not what you expect from a candidate who is trying to break ahead of the pack and take on the leader. Post-debate reports say major donors and influential anti-Trump Republicans were unimpressed by DeSantiss performance. Still, with his deep pockets and PACs, he remains the biggest challenge for Trump. Meanwhile, the man who hogged the limelight in Milwaukee was the upstart Indian-American challenger Ramaswamy. He was enjoying himself on the stage, loving all the not-so-loving attention he got from his rivals. Nearly every other candidate tried to run him down, but he had an answer for all. When Christie equated him to ChatGPT, Ramaswamy suggested that the former New Jersey governor seemed to be auditioning for a show on MSNBC, a big slight for hardcore Republicans. He taunted Nikki Haley, who advocated continued American support for Ukraine, by saying that she was eyeing lucrative positions with defence contractors who wanted to prolong the war. By closely aligning himself with Trump, the 38-year-old Indian American from Ohio could be angling for a vice president spot. And Trump could consider him, bringing him head-on against Vice President Kamala Harris in November 2024. Trump, so far, has spoken fondly about him. Ramaswamy clearly said climate change was a hoax, demanded an end to all US support for Ukraine, assured a pardon for Trump if he was convicted and even said the US was living in a dark moment. No wonder the Guardian anointed him "Americas demagogue-in-waiting" while analysing the Republican debate. Finally, the night was a mixed bag for Pence and Haley. The former vice president defended his record on January 6, saying he stood up for the constitution, but at the same time endorsed all the policies of the Trump administration. It means he is unlikely to win over the support of both hardcore Trumpists as well as Trump haters. His passionate defence of the abortion ban, however, could galvanise evangelical support. But, beyond that, the road ahead is not that bright for the former vice president. Haley briefly challenged Trump, saying he was the most disliked politician in America and even made age an issue, a problem for Trump as well as Biden. But she was unable to go all out to distinguish herself and offer her as an option for the primary voters. Perhaps she is auditioning for another presidential cycle. In conclusion, it is safe to say that the first debate is unlikely to alter the fundamental mechanics or optics of the Republican race. Despite all his legal woes, Trump remains the frontrunner and clear favourite. The only one who got noticed on stage was Ramaswamy. But it remains to be seen whether the young challenger has it in him to go the whole hog. Former President Donald Trump has surrendered in Georgia on charges of plotting to overturn the state's 2020 election results. The arrest at Fulton County Jail on Thursday saw Trump's mug shot being taken, the first ever of a former US president in history. Trump was booked on 13 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy charges and soliciting a public official to violate their oath of office. The police booking mug shot of U.S. President Donald Trump taken on Thursday after he surrendered in Georgia in charges related to attempt to overturn Georgia's 2020 election result | Reuters Trump landed in Atlanta shortly after 7 p.m. and was driven, through the city's rush-hour traffic, to jail for the booking process. Wearing his signature white shirt and red tie, he offered a wave and thumbs up as he descended the steps of his private plane. Dozens of his supporters gathered on the roads between the Atlanta airport and the Fulton County Jail to cheer on him. He completed the process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair. The former President was released on a $200,000 bond after about 20 minutes. He soon headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey. Before boarding the plane back to New Jersey, Trump told reporters, "I did nothing wrong", stating the criminal case against him as "a travesty of justice." "We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest," he said, adding that the other criminal cases pending against him were "election interferences." The Fulton County Sheriffs Office later released a mug shot of former President Donald Trump, which saw him glaring at the camera. Jail records show Trump was placed under arrest and booked as inmate No. P01135809. This was also the first time his mug shot was taken, as he did not have to submit to a photograph when making appearances in his three other criminal cases. Interestingly, Trump also made a comeback to X, formerly Twitter soon after the arrest. In his first post since January 2021, Trump shared the address of his website and the mugshot with an all-capital letters caption: "Election interference. Never surrender!" Besides Trump, 18 others, including his ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have already been booked at Fulton County Jail. Giuliani surrendered on Wednesday and posed for a mug shot. Meadows, who had sought to avoid having to turn himself in while he sought to move the case to federal court, turned himself in Thursday. The bond was set at $100,000. All of the defendants have until noon on Friday to surrender. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has also requested an October 23, 2023, trial date. Meanwhile, ahead of his expected surrender, Trump hired a new lead attorney for the Georgia case. Prominent Atlanta criminal defence attorney Steve Sadow replaced Drew Findling, who had represented Trump as recently as Monday. Sadow said in a statement that the president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him. "We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open-minded jury finding the president not guilty," he added. "Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system. (With inputs from PTI) UK's Ministry of Defence, on Friday, said that it is 'highly likely' that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead, but there's no 'definitive proof'. The demise of Prigozhin would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on the Wagner Group, the UK's defence ministry wrote on X, the social media platform. Wagners leadership vacuum would be compounded by the reports that founder and field commander Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov also died, it further wrote. Prigozhin, the head of the mercenary group was killed in a plane crash on Wednesday. The group had played an important role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine-- mainly in ceding regions in the south and east of Ukraine. Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny against President Vladimir Putin, post which, he met with Putin and went on exile to Belarus. Experts believe that Prigozhin being killed in the plane crash was revenge for him staging a rebellion against Putin, even though the latter may have dropped criminal charges against him. On Tuesday, Prigozhin was seen in a video, in which he said he was recruiting Wagner strongmen for Africa. Also, on Wednesday, a senior army official, General Sergei Surovikin, who was said to be a VIP member of the Wagner group was dismissed from his post. US President Joe Biden said he wasn't surprised at the news that Prigozhin had died. Russian President Putin called the incident a 'tragedy.' If employees of the Wagner company were there, and the preliminary data indicate they were, I would like to note that these people made a significant contribution to our common cause of combating the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine, we remember this, we know it and we shall not forget," he said. New Delhi, 25 August, 2023: The G20 Universities Impact Summit: Implementing SDGs and Beyond was organised jointly by the O.P. Jindal Global University, Association of Indian Universities and the Times Higher Education of the United Kingdom on 23rd August in New Delhi. The conference had academics, policymakers and thought leaders who discussed and deliberated on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their implementation and impact in the Higher Education sector. This Summit was a unique precursor to the upcoming G20 deliberations set to take place in New Delhi, involving world leaders from the G20 nations. The Inaugural Address for the G20 Universities Impact Summit was given by Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Honble Minister of State for Education, Government of India, who highlighted the significance given to SDGs in Indias National Education Policy. He also released the Times Higher Education Report, Higher Educations role in advancing the SDGs in the G20: progress and opportunities at the G20 Universities Impact Summit in India and was joined by Mr. Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer and Mr. Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer, Times Higher Education, United Kingdom. Providing universal access to quality education is the key to Indias continued ascent, and leadership on the global stage in terms of economic growth, scientific advancement, national integration, and sustainable development. Our National Education Policy is a testament to provide a holistic and comprehensive education system that empowers individuals with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is heartening to note that the principles embedded within this policy align seamlessly with the aspirations of UN SDG 4. As we celebrate the harmony between our National Education Policy and UN SDG 4, let us remember that education is the foundation upon which every other Sustainable Development Goal stands. By ensuring quality education for all, we are fostering social equity, eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, improving health, and spurring innovation. By aligning education with real-world demands, we are not only addressing unemployment but also nurturing entrepreneurs and innovators who can drive sustainable economic growth, Dr. Subhas Sarkar said. In his Presidential Address, Shri V. Muraleedharan, Honble Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India stated the causal relationship between SDGs and Education, The National Education Policy 2020 is aligned with the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making both school and higher education better suited to 21st-century needs and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student. Schools and universities can play a significant role by introducing positive changes, interventions, and actual transformation in students. Therefore, I urge all of you to align your academic and professional goals with the SDGs of the world and create future-ready global citizens who are concerned not only about their development but also about the well-being of the entire planet. It's only when we achieve this objective that we can truly fulfill the real purpose of education. Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University, welcomed the august gathering, It is an honour to collaborate with global education leaders, thinkers, academics and educationists for a summit of this calibre in the weeks before the G20 Summit is to be held in Delhi under Indias Presidency. As part of G20 meetings that have been taking place over time, we need to underline the role of universities and higher education institutions in implementing the SDGs and also, to be imaginative and creative about enhancing the intellectual and social consciousness towards advancing the cause of SDGs. Today, India has 950 million people under the age of 35. India will be younger as other parts of the world become older. This remarkable opportunity can only achieve its true success if we are able to build a new approach towards implementing the SDGs, which has to begin in universities. Universities exist in the realm of ideas that can shape the future of the world and their capacity to contribute to public good. Mr. Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Times Higher Education, United Kingdom, released the Times Higher Education Report on Higher Educations Role in Advancing the SDGs in the G20: Progress and Opportunities and remarked, Higher education institutions role extend far beyond contributing to just SDG 4 - quality education - and the university sector has the power and influence to significantly impact all 17 of the SDGs. Collectively, G20 nations wield tremendous political and economic power and so their ability to address the SDGs is absolutely critical. The report draws on the unique data used to create Times Higher Educations Impact Rankings, which assess universities contribution to the SDGs through four key aspects: their teaching; their research; their outreach to governments and communities; and their stewardship of their own resources, such as their campuses and their staff. In his Introductory Remarks, Professor (Dr.) Mohan Kumar, Dean & Director, Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, shared the feelings of the UN Secretary General on the upcoming UN SDGs Report 2023 and pointed out that it made for somber reading as half of the world has been left behind and would resemble an epitaph if governments would not get their acts together. In that context, he pointed out that this conference is extremely timely, as the world is at the halfway mark in the journey towards achieving the SDGs in 2030. The Special Address was given by Mr. Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer, Times Higher Education, United Kingdom, who said, Higher education institutions have made huge strides in measuring their progress towards the SDGs and shows where they can maximise their impact at a local and national level. The G20 can leverage higher education institutions as powerful partners to reach the SDGs. The report identifies key opportunities fostering relevant research, building partnerships, and enhancing government-university collaboration to accelerate global sustainability efforts. Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities, who also gave a Special Address pointed out that Indias efforts to implement the SDGs need to be strengthened. The implementation of the SDGs cannot just be the responsibility of the government but also the prerogative of the universities. It is recommended that educational institutions incorporate SDG related courses and curriculum as well as degrees, diplomas, majors, minors and electives. Institutions should also monitor their carbon footprint on their campuses and adopt sustainable technologies to become carbon neutral campuses. High level sessions during the day included incisive discourse and discussions on pertinent issues like the Role of Universities in Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the G20 Nations; Higher Educations Role in Advancing the SDGs in the G20: Progress & Opportunities; Beyond the SDGs: Envisioning the Future of Global Sustainability; Science for Sustainability & Society. These sessions saw participation from senior industry experts including Mr. Gaurav Shrinagesh, Chief Executive Officer, Penguin Random House India, Mr. Tarun Girdhar, Chief Operations Officer, Mercer Mettl, Ms. Rakhee L. Malik, Director and Head HR, Kearney, India, and Ms. Mollshree Garg, Partner, Deal Advisory and Strategy, KPMG. The Summit concluded with the Valedictory Address by Professor (Dr.) Virander S. Chauhan, Former Chairman University Grants Commission (UGC), India, on the theme, Science for Sustainability & Society. The vote of thanks was given by Professor Padmanabha Ramanujam, Dean, Office of Academic Governance & Student Life, O.P. Jindal Global University. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with O.P. Jindal Global University and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], August 25: Books Mantra Publications, a leading publisher of children's books, has launched a new book inspired by India's Chandrayaan 3 mission to the moon. The book, titled "Chandrayaan 3: Exploring the Moon's Mysteries" was launched on August 23, 2023 at 7 PM IST. The book is authored by Ranjan Mohapatra, CEO of Books Mantra Publications and Clever Fox Publishing. The book tells the story of the Chandrayaan 3 mission, from its conception to its successful launch and landing on the moon. It also highlights the challenges and triumphs of the mission and the dedication of the scientists and engineers who made it possible. Chandrayaan 3: Exploring the Moons Mysteries is more than just a children's book; it is a story of resilience, determination, and the power of unwavering hope. As India proudly celebrates ISRO's successful launch and landing of Chandrayaan 3, this heart-warming book serves as a tribute to the spirit of exploration and the unyielding pursuit of knowledge. The journey unfolds through the lens of Chandrayaan 2, recounting its challenges and triumphs, and seamlessly transitions to Chandrayaan 3, highlighting the unwavering dedication of our space pioneers. Beyond the rockets and lunar landscapes, this story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the limitless potential that lies within every young dreamer. In a candid reflection, Mr. Ranjan Mohapatra, an accomplished author and visionary, shared, As I watched ISRO's Chandrayaan 3 broadcast live, and our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed we are on the moon, an exhilarating moment swept over me. It was the moment I had been eagerly awaitinga moment to release my book. The narrative had been nurtured for a considerable time, and as the announcement echoed, I promptly unveiled the book on Amazon and Books Mantra Online Store. Countless efforts have gone into its creation, and I'm confident that children will glean invaluable lessons from its pages. This beautifully illustrated book serves as a launchpad for imagination, encouraging children to dream big, be courageous, and pursue their aspirations fearlessly. As the world marvels at ISRO's achievements, Chandrayaan 3: Exploring the Moons Mysteries stands as a beacon of the human spirit's indomitable will to explore the unknown. Don't miss the opportunity to pre-order Chandrayaan 3: Exploring the Moons Mysteries exclusively on Amazon and Books Mantra Online Store. Join us on this celestial journey and let courage be your guide as you embark on a literary adventure that mirrors ISRO's own voyage beyond Earth's boundaries. Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/djFjg4N Books Mantra Store: https://booksmantra.com/product/chandrayaan-3-exploring-the-moons-mysteries/ (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Raipur, Aug 25 (PTI) NMDC's Nagarnar steel plant (NSP) in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district has commenced production, company officials said on Friday. The plant achieved the feat of producing its final product - HR (hot rolled) Coil on Thursday just nine days after the production of hot metal, they said. The 3 million tonne per annum capacity steel plant of the National Mineral Development Corporation -a central PSU, has been built at a cost of approximately Rs 24,000 crore over an area of 1,980 acres in Nagarnar village, more than 300 km away from capital Raipur. "On August 12, Amitava Mukherjee, acting CMD and Director Finance of NMDC had blown in the plant's blast furnace and set the ball rolling for the final commissioning. The production of the final product - HR Coil was started from Thursday, just nine days after production of Hot Metal in the unit, Rafique Ahmed Jinabade, the plant's General Manager and Chief of Communications said in a statement. "For over six decades we had been playing a pivotal role in the domestic steel market as a supplier of quality iron ore. With Thursday's (HR coil production) development we emerge as the newest entrant in the domestic steel market and have put Bastar on the steel map, Mukherjee said. Nagarnar Steel Plant's competitive advantage also stems from its iron ore supply linkage with Bailadila mines (in Dantewada district), barely 100 km from Nagarnar. The plant will also be producing special types of steels to be used in manufacture of generators, motors, transformers and automobiles at a later stage, it added. Amid reports of disinvestment of the NSP, Chhattisgarh Chief Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday (August 20) said the central government should not privatize it. Baghel had also claimed that the state government wants to run the plant but the central government is not allowing it to do so. Emotions of the people of Bastar are connected to this plant and the Centre should not play with it he had said. In 2020, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Baghel had urged the Centre not to privatise the upcoming steel plant and in the same year the Chhattisgarh assembly had passed a resolution stating that the house urges the Centre not to disinvest the NSP but if it is done, the state government is ready to buy it. Mumbai, Aug 25 (PTI) The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) on Friday said it has created a special task force of academic think tanks to address the shortage of talent in the hospitality industry. "As new opportunities continue to open up, the industry is also realising the need to attract new talent. To address this, we have created a special task force with key objectives including devising a strategy for making a career in hospitality attractive for students," HRAWI president Pradeep Shetty said in a statement. HRAWI will also look to revisit the current hospitality curriculum by involving academicians and industry experts to make suitable recommendations to the National Council and the Ministry of Tourism, he said. There are significant skill gaps in the Indian hospitality sector, particularly in the hotel management and food production segment, the association said. "We need fresh perspectives, ideas and skill-sets to take the industry to the next level. "... The special task force of academic think tanks will try to bridge the shortfall in talent, manpower and declining enrolment of students in hospitality courses," Shetty said. New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) Global logistics player DP World and Deendayal Port Authority will invest around Rs 4,243 crore to develop a greenfield cargo terminal facility in Gujarat. The project involves the construction of a mega-container terminal at Tuna-Tekra in Kandla near the existing Deendayal Port, at a cost of Rs 4,243.64 crore (USD 510 million) through a Public Private Partnership (PPP). To implement the plan, DP World and Deendayal Port Authority signed a concession agreement on Friday to develop the facility which will have an annual capacity of 2.19 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). The terminal will cater to future trade demand from Northern, Western and Central India, connecting the regions to global markets. The concession agreement was signed between S. K. Mehta, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority and Rizwan Soomar, MD & CEO, India Subcontinent, Middle East and North Africa, DP World, in the presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World. The project is expected to be completed in February 2027. It will connect to the hinterland through the network of roads, highways, railways and Dedicated Freight Corridors, supporting the growing demand for logistics solutions from across Northern, Western and Central India, connecting businesses in the regions to global markets. The project is part of the National Infrastructure Pipeline and will complement initiatives of the Government of India, such as the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan and National Logistics Policy. "The signing of the concession agreement is a momentous event as it marks yet another significant breakthrough in building best-in-class infrastructure in India under the Public-Private Partnership model. The Project aligns with Prime Minister's Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and would quadruple port handling capacity and develop multimodal logistics infrastructure to promote economic growth," Sonowal said after signing of the agreement. In his address, Sulayem said, "India represents a significant landscape for opportunity. The signing of this concession agreement marks another milestone in our collective efforts with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund to leverage DP World's expertise in logistics infrastructure and local knowledge to further strengthen India's supply chain to support the growth of trade and industry. DP World currently operates five container terminals in India two in Mumbai, one each in Mundra, Cochin and Chennai with a combined capacity of approximately 6 million TEUs. With the addition of Tuna Tekra, DP World will have a combined capacity of 8.19 million TEUs. New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) With the success of the Chandrayaan-3, the moon has changed from a symbol of aspiration to one of achievement and a simple glance every night upwards will be a reminder of what India as a nation has accomplished and what more it is capable of achieving in the future, B20 Chair N Chadrasekaran said on Friday. In his speech at the B20 Summit India, 2023 here, Chandrasekaran reminded the gathering that it was a "great privilege" to address the gathering specially "during the week that India successfully soft-landed a spacecraft on the moon. He said the moon has been "a symbol of aspiration for a long time", adding, "We say shoot for the moon when we want to strive for the impossible. For a millennia, India's greatest poets have gazed up at the moon and wondered at the unfathomable distance between us and the moon". Chandrasekaran further said, "But today we see the moon in a new light. Last week, millions and millions of Indians and those around the world witnessed the landing either on the television or online. For them the moon has changed from a symbol of aspiration to one of achievement." Now, he said, "every night a simple glance upwards will be a reminder of what we as a nation have accomplished and more of what we are capable of achieving in the future." India on Wednesday joined an elite group of three nations to have sent a spacecraft on the moon as Chandrayaan-3 landed a rover on the lunar surface to explore the uncharted territories near the south pole. The erstwhile Soviet Union, the US and China have successfully carried out soft landings on the moon and even getting back to earth samples of soil and rocks from the lunar surface. India's third lunar mission -- Chandrayaan-3 -- landed near the south pole of the moon, a place where no spacecraft has travelled so far. New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Friday said geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war are best addressed by the United Nations as G20 is an economic body to promote global growth. Speaking at B20 Summit India 2023 being organised by CII, Kant however expressed hope that India would be able to convince G20 nations for finding an amicable way out. He was responding to a question relating to the war. Several G20 groups have not been able to come out with a joint declaration on account of the war. Kant's comments come days before the G20 Summit under India's presidency scheduled early next month. "G20 is actually an economic body. It's a body for growth. The political body is the United Nations, but issues of war lead to challenges on food, fuel and fertilizer, and therefore there's a huge implication in terms of economics, that is what other countries are saying," he said. Stressing that "the war is not our creation", Kant said the challenge is to put developmental issues right in the forefront. "On the issues of war, last year in Bali, we fell back on the United Nations resolution, and ... we are quite hopeful that we will convince everybody to find an amicable (way out) to the geopolitical issues," he said. Referring to India's G20 presidency, he said it is happening at a time when the country has managed to accelerate its pace of growth. "India is the 5th largest economy in the world. Soon in 2027, it will be the 3rd largest economy in the world," Kant said, as he listed out priorities for India's G20 presidency. Kant highlighted the developments made by India in recent years with regard to infrastructure development, digital initiatives, and startups. Later talking to reporters, Kant said all task forces set up by B20 have made very positive suggestions. "We will examine them, take them to G20 Sherpas and see how many of these suggestions to take forward to the leaders," he said. Highlighting that the private sector is critical for growth, India's G20 Sherpa further said India's Prime Ministers philosophy as the leader of G20 is that the government must be a facilitator and a catalyst. When asked about suggestions for a common framework for the Generative Artificial Intelligence and resilient workforce for MSMEs, Kant said this is an issue where the leaders will take a call. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday will address B20 Summit India 2023, which will be attended by over 1,700 business leaders and experts from across the world. Business 20 or B20 is one of the G20 forums representing the global business community, which was set up in 2010. The G20 Summit will be held next month. In all, 54 recommendations and more than 170 policy actions will be released with the unveiling of the B20 India communique. The B20 presidency will be handed over to Brazil at the end of the summit on Sunday. The theme of B20 is focused on ensuring responsible, accelerated, innovative, sustainable and equitable access to all businesses. PTI RSN NKD CS ANZ NKD ANU ANU Mumbai, Aug 25 (PTI) Actor Aishwarya Lekshmi, who played boat woman "Poonguzhali" in Mani Ratnam's period drama "Ponniyin Selvan", says her performance in the film has been so loved that fans are now revisiting her past work. The two-part historical epic, based on author Kalki Krishnamurthy's hugely popular 1955 Tamil novels of the same name, features the actor as a fierce boat woman, who helps the central protagonists. "Ponniyin Selvan featured a bevy of stars including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, and Trisha Krishnan. Lekshmi had a relatively small screen time but the actor is grateful for the recognition that has come her way. "The role of 'Poonguzhali' gave me so much love, I was not expecting this. Im grateful to everyone, who loved me as 'Poonguzhali' because it has opened a lot of doors for me, not just about the opportunity but people loving and knowing me, and then going back and seeing my other work," Lekshmi told PTI in an interview. The actor, who has appeared in films like "Mayaanadhi", "Varathan", and "Jagame Thandhiram", said she didn't want to do too many films after "Ponniyin Selvan" despite the many offers. "Contrary to what I would have expected, I was thinking I would be signing (films) right, left, and centre but thats not what happened. I made a conscious decision to work in films that gave me the happiness of being an actor, challenge myself, or are different from whatever I have done," Lekshmi said. The actor has signed three women-centric films in Tamil-language and an official announcement regarding the same will be made soon. "For me, it is not about the quantity, it is the quality of the scripts that I got to be part of. There's a director named Padmakumar, and he chose me because of Poonguzhali, a tiny bit of a character." A day before "Ponniyin Selvan" released, Lekshmi recalls speaking with Ratnam regarding her performance in the film and he advised her to let the audience evaluate her work. "I asked Mani sir before the release of the film, 'what do you think?'. Everybody (referring to her co-stars) kept saying, Mani sir 'texted', I'm like he never texted me at all. I knew it was a small part but I did ask him what he thinks, he said, 'You have done something, I have done something, we will know tomorrow once the movie releases'. "The character was also very much loved in the novel and that translated to me. Also, I was different from every character in the film, everybody was a royal, and I was not. So, that helped because they could see me as someone different. Lekshmi's co-star from her latest film "King of Kotha", Dulquer Salmaan, who has worked with Ratnam on "OK Kanmani" (2015) , said that audiences in the North first learned about him as an actor thanks to the director. "Mani sir's films do that, they open doors for you because everybody is going to watch it across the country. Like, 'OK Kanmani' had that effect on me, I think people up in the North discovered me through that film," he said. In "King of Kotha", Lekshmi plays Dulquer's love interest named Tara, who she describes as an ambitious woman. Actor Shabeer Kallarakkal, known for Tamil films like Rajnikanth's "Petta", and Pa Ranjith-directed "Sarpatta Parambarai", is thrilled to have made his debut in Malayalam cinema with "King of Kotha". "For me the story, the scale of the movie, is what matters, this film had DQ (Dulquer), Zee Studios. I couldnt have asked for a better debut than this. It was an easy choice for me," he said. The Malayalam period drama is directed by debutant filmmaker Abhilash Joshiy. Washington, Aug 25 (PTI) Prominent American conservative media pundit and author Ann Coulter is facing a backlash for making racist comments against two Indian-American US presidential contenders -- Niki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy -- by calling them "Hindu business", according to a media report. During Wednesday night's first Republican presidential debate, Coulter characterised a heated exchange between former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as "Hindu business," NBC News reported on Thursday. Coulter, 61, in her tweet on the social media platform X said: "Nikki and Vivek are involved in some Hindu business, it seems". On Thursday, she started to face backlash, with Ramaswamys senior adviser and communications director, Tricia McLaughlin saying that Coulter could tweet whatever she wanted to. "Ann can tweet whatever she wants to," McLaughlin said in her tweet. She further said: "Vivek shares and lives by the same Judeo-Christian values that this nation was founded on and the way Vivek lives his family life offers a positive example for their own children and grandchildren". Ramaswamy, 38, is Hindu while 51-year-old Haley was born into a Sikh family and is a Christian, which she has been vocal about in her public life. The heated exchange Coulter appeared to refer to wasnt even about religion but rather US aid to Ukraine and Israel, the report said. Both conservatives and liberals have criticised Coulter for her comment. Replying to Coulter's racist comment, a random person in a tweet said: "Nikki Haley was born Sikh and is a practising Christian, you racist troglodyte". Sangay Mishra, the author of Desis Divided: The Political Lives of South Asian Americans", said: "Completely expected that she would attack them but using a white racist trope invoking a religion is beyond disgusting". It isn't the first time this election cycle that Coulter has been in the news for racist comments about Haley. In February, she was criticised for telling Haley to "go back to your own country" as part of a larger tirade on a podcast. Whats with the worshipping of the cows? Theyre all starving over there," she said during an appearance on the The Mark Simone Show podcast. "Did you know they have a rat temple, where they worship rats?" Coulter has also called Haley a "bimbo" and a "preposterous creature." Haley didn't immediately respond to requests for comment, the report said. Moscow, Aug 25 (PTI) Russian President Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the G20 summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced here on Friday. "No, the president has no such plans, the official Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin spokesman as saying. The format of Putins participation would be determined later, Peskov said. Putin did not personally attend the just-concluded BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. He was represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. President Putin decided against attending the first in-person BRICS summit after Covid-19 as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. South Africa is an ICC signatory and was expected to help in Putin's arrest if he was present in the country. Abuja (Nigeria), Aug 25 (AP) Niger's junta has authorised troops from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso to come to its defence, raising the stakes in a standoff with other West African nations who are threatening force to reinstate Niger's democratically elected president. The junta leader, Brig Gen Abdrahmane Tchiani, signed two executive orders authorising the "security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene on Niger territory in the event of aggression, senior junta official Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi said late Thursday, after hosting a delegation from the two countries in the Nigerien capital, Niamey. Sidi did not provide further details about the military support from the two countries whose military regimes have said any use of force by the West African bloc ECOWAS against Niger's junta would be treated as an act of war against their own nations. The agreement was the latest of several actions taken by Niger's mutinous soldiers to defy sanctions and consolidate a junta they have said would rule for up to three years, further escalating the crisis after last month's coup in the country of more than 25 million people. Niger was seen as one of the last democratic countries in the Sahel region below the Sahara Desert that Western nations could partner with against a growing jihadi insurgency. The ECOWAS commission president, Omar Alieu Touray, said Friday that the bloc's threat to use force to reinstate the deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum is "still on the table", rejecting the junta's three-year transition plan. Eleven of the bloc's 15 countries not including the military-ruled countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger itself have expressed commitments to deploy troops to restore democracy in Niger once a decision is made to intervene. The bloc would in the meantime continue to explore diplomatic options to reverse the coup, Touray told reporters in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja. The latest of such diplomatic efforts came Thursday when Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is the chairman of the regional bloc, sent a delegation of Islamic leaders to speak with the junta. Touray said the West African heads of state would decide on when to use force whenever it feels like all diplomatic means have failed. ECOWAS cannot just fold its hands, he asserted. Details of what has been called the ECOWAS standby force have not be released. Regional officials have suggested any military intervention would be like the force deployed in Gambia in 2017 to force Yahya Jammeh out of power as president after he refused to concede an election loss. The junta has been exploiting grievances among the population toward Niger's former colonial ruler, France. It also has accused Bazoum's government of failing to do enough to protect the country from Islamic extremists, and has asked the Russian mercenary group Wagner for help. On Friday, Niger also faced new sanctions when the US Millennium Challenge Corporation which has signed $750 million in grant programs with the country since 2008 suspended operations that focused on improving agriculture, women's literacy and roads in Niger. The coup was contrary to the principles of democratic governance, the US agency said. ECOWAS already has joined Western and European countries in imposing sanctions against Niger, including cutting the supply of its electricity from Nigeria and the closure of borders with the countries' neighbours. Touray acknowledged Friday that those sanctions have resulted in serious socio-economic crises in Niger, but said the sanctions were for the interest of the people of Niger. (AP) SCY SCY Athens, Aug 25 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held engaging interactions with prominent personalities from diverse fields during his maiden visit to Greece and discussed the possibilities of further popularising Indian culture in this country. The prime minister met noted professors, a musician and head of a religious organisation. "PM @narendramodi had an engaging exchange of views jointly with Professor Dimitrios Vassiliadis, Indologist and Sanskrit & Hindi professor at University of Athens, and Dr. Apostolos Michailidis, Assistant Professor at Department of Social Theology, University of Athens," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a post on X. They briefed Modi on their work on Indian religions, philosophy and culture. The discussions took place on the potential for deepening academic collaboration between Indian and Greek universities. "PM @narendramodi met Greek researcher, musician and friend of India, Konstantinos Kalaitzis, in Athens. PM appreciated Mr. Kalaitzis affection for India and his passion for Indian music and dance. They discussed possibilities of further popularizing Indian culture in Greece," Bagchi said. "PM @narendramodi met Guru Dayanidhi Das, head of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Greece. PM recalled their meeting in 2019 in India. He was briefed on ISKCON's activities in Greece," he added. Modi arrived in the Greek capital from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries. His daylong visit is the first by an Indian premier in 40 years. Modi is here at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The last high-level visit to Greece took place in September 1983 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi travelled to the country. India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. New York, Aug 25 (AP) Former President Donald Trump has returned to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, firing off his first message in 2 1/2 years shortly after he surrendered at an Atlanta jail on charges he conspired to overturn his election loss. He posted a photo of his mug shot and the words, Election interference. Never surrender! along with a link to his website, which directs to a fundraising site. It was Trump's first post since Jan. 8, 2021, when Twitter suspended his account indefinitely, citing fears he would incite additional violence following the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol building. His account was reinstated last November shortly after Elon Musk took over the company, but Trump had refrained from tweeting, insisting that he was happier on his own Truth Social site, which he launched during the ban. The message marks a homecoming of sorts for Trump to one of his most important megaphones one he used to dominate his rivals in the 2016 primary and to command the news cycle for years. Trump, who is running again for the White House in 2024, often marveled at how quickly his missives would travel from his account to cable news stations, under the banner, BREAKING NEWS. The return to X and the inclusion of a link to a fundraising page is also a reflection of just how much money Trump's campaign has been burning on lawyers representing the candidate and allies as he battles criminal charges in four jurisdictions. Trump's political operation entered the second half of the year in a strained financial position with its bank account drained by tens of millions of dollars that were directed toward defending the former president from mounting legal challenges as he seeks the White House again. The new post also came a day after Trump skipped the first Republican primary debate, choosing to instead tape an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that aired as counterprogramming. Trump has 86.5 million followers on what is now known as X, dwarfing his rivals in the 2024 race. But the platform has undergone significant changes since Trump left it, including Musk changing its name. Trump returned to Facebook in March, posting, I'M BACK! weeks after his personal account there was reactivated. But he has stuck with Truth Social, the Twitter lookalike he launched after he was suspended from Twitter and Facebook, to post a daily stream of missives, announcements and re-posts. That has included using the platform to break news of his indictments and planned surrenders as he has faced a mounting list of legal woes. As part of his deal with Digital World Acquisition Corp. to take Truth Social public, Trump had agreed so he wouldn't compete against his own company that it would be the first channel for any and all social media communications and posts coming from his personal profile, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. That included an exclusivity clause in which the former president was generally obligated to make any social media post on Truth Social and may not make the same post on another social media site for 6 hours for a period of 18 months, beginning Dec. 22, 2021. That period ended in June.(AP) AMS Thane, Aug 25 (PTI) The Navi Mumbai police have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals for staying in India without valid documents, an official said on Friday. Acting on a tip-off, the anti-human trafficking cell (AHTC) of the Navi Mumbai police raided a residential locality in Nerul on Thursday afternoon, the official said. The police apprehended Mofis Mansur Sheikh (61) and Vijayalakshmi Dineshkumar Ram (45), who were living there without valid documents, he said. An offence under various sections of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules 1950 and the Foreigners Act of 1946 has been registered against the duo, who were living in the locality for the last seven to eight years, the official said. Meanwhile, the Thane city police on Friday said it arrested a 32-year-old Bangladeshi national in Bhiwandi town last week. A team from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted a raid and nabbed Noor Hussain Abdul Salam Sheikh, a native of Chattagram of Bangladesh, an official from Kongaon police station said. After his arrest on August 19, the police interrogated Sheikh and found that was using IMO, a video-calling application to remain in touch with his family, he said. The arrested accused, who worked as a plumber, did not possess any valid documents to travel to or live in India, the official said. Kolkata Aug, 25 (PTI) West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose left for Malda on Friday morning where he would be meeting family members of the workers from the district killed in the railway bridge collapse in Mizoram. Bose boarded the Yuva Express after the Vande Bharat Express, in which he was scheduled to travel to Malda this morning, was cancelled due to some technical glitches. The governor after reaching Malda will visit the houses of the workers killed in the Mizoram bridge collapse, sources in the Governor's office said. Bose, who travelled in the second class of Yuva Express, took telephone calls on the moving train and addressed public grievances and issued instructions. "He also talked to Jadavpur University officiating Vice Chancellor and students over the phone in connection with the current fiasco there," the source said. The under-construction railway bridge in the Bairabi-Sairang new line project near Aizawl collapsed on Wednesday. Bodies of 22 workers have been found so far. Three injured are undergoing treatment in hospital. One worker is still missing and search operations are on for the missing worker. All the victims hailed from Malda district in West Bengal, police said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured all forms of assistance to those killed in the accident and demanded that the Railways provide jobs to the next of kin of the deceased. New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) In his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests and is conducive to peace and stability of the region and the world. This was said in a Chinese readout on Friday on the exchanges between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit in Johannesburg. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Xi India's concerns on the "unresolved" issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. The Chinese readout described the conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday as "candid and in-depth". "On August 23, President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit," it said. "President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region," it said. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace & tranquility in the border region," the statement released by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said. At a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at "expeditious disengagement and de-escalation". On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the prime minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the prime minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas," Kwatra said. "The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship," the foreign secretary said. "In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and deescalation," Kwatra added. The government refers to the eastern Ladakh region as Western Sector. PTI MPB http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you. TIR TIR Srinagar, Aug 25 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be reaching Srinagar on a two-day "personal visit" and will be joined by his mother Sonia Gandhi next day, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani said on Friday. However, Wani said, the two senior leaders will have no political engagement or meeting with any party leaders in Srinagar during the "family tour." Rahul has been in the Union Territory of Ladakh the past one week and will be leaving for Srinagar after addressing a public rally in Kargil Friday morning, the JKPCC president told PTI. He said he will be joined by his mother Sonia Gandhi on Saturday. Rahul reached Ladakh on August 2, his first visit to the region which was granted UT status after being carved out from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was also turned into a Union Territory with its special status under Article 370 revoked. Over the past one week, Rahul has gone round almost all famous places including Pangong lake, Nubra valley, Khardungla top, Lamayuru and Zanskar on his motorcycle before reaching Kargil on Thursday. Another Congress leader said Rahul will be reaching Sonamarg in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district from Kargil in the afternoon before moving to Srinagar where he will be staying for two nights at a houseboat and a hotel. New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) The Congress on Friday raised questions over the Adani Group's acquisition of the Gangavaram port and asserted that only a joint parliamentary probe can uncover how the conglomerate could "grab so many prize assets" in many strategic sectors so quickly and at a deep discount. Citing a media report, Congress general secretary said it documents the modus operandi behind the staggering rise of the "Modi-made Monopoly (3M)" in many strategic sectors with a case study of the acquisition of Gangavaram port. In a post on X, Ramesh said it leads to many "piquant" questions" such as how did Adani buy a debt-free Gangavaram port in Andhra Pradesh that should be valued at double of the Rs. 6,200 crore it paid, by any reasonable valuation metric. "How was it acquired at a much lower EBIDTA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) multiple than Adanis own deal with the debt-laden Krishnapatnam port and how did Adani pick up six ports in just nine years without any other bidding whatsoever," Ramesh asked. How did the Adani Groups EBIDTA grow 17 times in only five years from 2017-18, he further asked. Ramesh alleged that the stated strategy of the Adani group is "the acquisition of companies and services in the transport utility space" with a "sustained focus on acquisitions at a deep discount value". "Since February 5, 2023, we have asked the Prime Minister more than 100 questions on his special relationship with Adani, through the Hum Adani ke Hain Kaun(HAHK) series," the Congress leader said. "Only a JPC can uncover how PM Modi has helped his close friend Adani grab so many prize assets in many strategic sectors so quickly, and at a deep discount," the Congress leader said. The Congress has been questioning the financial dealings of the Adani group after US research firm Hindenburg alleged "irregularities" and charged the group with stock price manipulation. The Adani Group denied all the allegations made in the Hindenburg report and claimed there had been no wrongdoing on its part. Opposition parties have also been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani issue. Kargil (Ladakh), Aug 25 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday visited the Kargil War Memorial in Drass and paid rich tributes to the Indian Army personnel who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 war with Pakistan. The memorial is located on the 434-km Srinagar-Leh national highway and about five km from the city centre across the Tiger Hill, Kargil. "Kargil is not just a place, it is a saga of valour. It is the land many of our soldiers served in and resonates with their courage and sacrifice. This is the pride of India and all Indians realise their sense of responsibility towards the country. I bow to all the brave soldiers and martyrs of Kargil War," Gandhi wrote on his social media accounts. He also shared several pictures of him paying tributes at the memorial built in Drass town to commemorate the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. Gandhi concluded his nine-day tour of Ladakh with a public meeting in Kargil before offering his tribute at the war memorial en route to Srinagar. He also met local residents of Drass before leaving the town on way to Kashmir in a car, senior Congress leader Asgar Ali Karbalai told PTI. Gandhi arrived in Leh initially on a two-day visit on August 17 but later extended his stay by a week, touring almost all important locations in the Union Territory of Ladakh on his motorcycle. He rode his bike from Leh to Pangong lake, Nubra, Khardungla top, Lamayuru, Zanskar and Kargil. However, he left his motorcycle behind and boarded a car for Srinagar where he will be on a personal visit and will be joined by his mother, Sonia Gandhi, on Saturday. Jammu, Aug 25 (PTI) Additional Director General of Police Mukesh Singh Friday said that the Yuva Rajput Sabha activists detained for "breach of peace" will be released if any "prominent person" guarantees on their behalf that they would not repeat such an offence. During a protest on Monday by the Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) demanding the removal of the Sarore toll plaza, at least 27 of its activists were detained for violating restrictions around the toll plaza. Authorities had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which forbids the gathering of four or more people at a particular place, in and around the toll plaza late Monday night. The YRS is demanding the removal of the toll plaza on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in the Samba district, claiming that it was illegally set up to collect tolls from the common people. The Jammu ADGP said that a high-level meeting was conducted over the issue of the toll plaza. "All grievances which came up with LG were taken with the Centre for resolution. A team of NHAI will come here and a ground visit will be conducted to examine all the issues", he said. On the detention of the YRS activists, Singh said that some people have been detained for "breach of peace" and anybody else doing the same will be sternly dealt with. The ADGP said that the protesters would be released once any prominent person comes forward to provide a guarantee in a bid to release them. "They will be released the moment someone takes the guarantee," he said. The Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu (CCIJ) on Thursday gave a call for a bandh on August 26 to protest against the installation of smart meters in the city. Regarding Saturday's strike, the ADGP said all issues have been addressed, adding, "We will request them to call off the bandh as all issues have been resolved", he said. Meanwhile, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar Friday said that the installation of over 1.46 lakh smart electricity meters, around 80 per cent of the target, is complete in Jammu and a grievance cell has been set up to address complaints related to these meters. "Over 1.83 lakh smart meters are being installed in Jammu, around 80 per cent of which have been installed so far", he added. A grievance cell has been set up to address complaints of hefty bills from smart meters, if any, within two days, Kumar said. "Over 200 complaints have been received and 180 complaints have been addressed," he said. Kumar said the installation of smart electricity meters will provide consumers with "better facilities" and "empower" them. New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) Three bird species -- Common Babbler, Brown Rock Chat and White Browed Wagtail -- have declined rapidly in Delhi over the three decades, a new report says. Common Babbler numbers have dipped by 81 per cent, Brown Rock Chat by 65 per cent and White Browed Wagtail by 85 per cent during this period, according to the "State of India's Birds" report released on Friday. "The number of insectivorous birds is declining in Delhi due to the overall decline in the insect population. Though there is no data, anecdotal evidence confirms this," conservationist Sohail Madan, who contributed to the report, said. Of the 338 bird species studied in India for changes in numbers over the last 30 years, 60 per cent have experienced a decline, the report compiled using data from about 30,000 birdwatchers across the country, said. Also, 40 per cent (142) of the 359 species evaluated for change over the last seven years have declined, according to the report. The assessments rely on three indices: two are related to the change in abundance -- long-term trend (change over 30 years) and current annual trend (change over the past seven years) -- and the third is a measure of distribution range size within India. The researchers involved in the study said they do not have specific reasons for each species' decline, and stressed the need for rigorous research to find out why this is happening. "Also, it is not clear if there is a link between the increase in certain species and the decline in the others," one of the conservationists said. Jaipur, Aug 25 (PTI) The BJP will take out four 'parivartan yatras' covering all 200 Assembly segments in poll-bound Rajasthan to overthrow the "corrupt and anti-people" Congress government in the state, a party leader said on Friday. To be flagged off by Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Nitin Gadkari, and BJP national president J P Nadda, the yatras will cover a distance of more than 8,500 km, Narayan Panchariya, the convener of the party's election committee, said. Assembly elections in Rajasthan could be held before the end of this year, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The first 'parivartan yatra' will be flagged off by Nadda from Trinetra Ganesh temple in Ranthambore on September 2. It will cover a distance of 1,847 km, including 47 constituencies in Bharatpur and Jaipur divisions and Tonk district, in 18 days, he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the second yatra on September 3 from Beneshwar Dham in Dungarpur which will cover 52 constituencies in Udaipur and Kota divisions and Bhilwara district in 19 days. The third will be launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from Ramdevra in Jaisalmer on September 4 and cover 51 constituencies of Jodhpur division, Ajmer and Nagaur districts. The fourth yatra will be launched on September 5 from Gogamedi, Hanumangrh by Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and cover 50 constituencies in Bikaner division, Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Alwar districts. Panchariya said as part of the yatras, kisan and Dalit chaupals, motorcycle rallies, and meetings of women will be organised to seek votes for the party. The BJP's central and state leaders will also address rallies during the yatras. The yatras will begin with a resolve to overthrow the "corrupt and anti-people" Congress government in the state, Panchariya said. Bhadohi (UP), Aug 25 (PTI) A court here convicted a woman for culpable homicide of a four-month-old son of her sister-in-law and sentenced her to three years of imprisonment, police said on Friday. Munni Devi, 45, dropped four bricks one-by-one on the head of the son of her sister-in-law from the roof of a house as a result of a personal enmity, which resulted in the boy's death, Bhadohi Superintendent of Police Meenakshi Katyayan told PTI. The incident had taken place in a village under Gopiganj Police Station. Munni Devi was booked under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC after the incident. Additional District and Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court I) Subodh Singh convicted her on Thursday, Additional District Government Advocate Pravesh Tiwari said. Muzaffarnagar (UP), Aug 25 (PTI) A fast track court here on Friday sentenced a woman and her partner to life imprisonment for killing her minor sister in 2019. Judge Nishant Singla convicted Kajal and her partner Mohit in the murder case of the womans 12-year-old sister Himanshi four years ago," Additional district government counsel Virender Kumar Nagar told PTI. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 65,000 on each convict, he said. The minor girl went missing from her house in February of 2019. Her body was later found in a jute sack near her house. Police lodged an FIR of murder regarding the matter and began investigations, Nagar said. It was found in the investigation that Kajal and Mohit killed the girl to hide their relationship. "The minor girl came to know about the relationship of the convicts. They confessed before police that she had also seen them in an objectionable state," he said. Thane, Aug 25 (PTI) The civic body in Maharashtra's Thane city has warned of action against engineers involved in the repairs of school buildings in the city for slow place of work, an official said on Friday. Thane Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bhangar has issued show cause notices to engineers and warned of disciplinary action against them, the official said. As per a release, Rs 15 crore were sanctioned for repairing 34 school buildings, of these, work in only five schools has been completed so far. The work is being carried out at a slow pace in the some schools, while the repairs have not even begun in 12 such buildings, the release stated. In light of the delay, the civic chief has initiated action against executive engineers involved in the work, it stated. Westerly, RI (02891) Today Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. High 61F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy early with partial clearing expected late. Low near 40F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Former President Donald Trump opened up about his arrest and booking experience at Fulton County Jail in Georgia, dubbing it a terrible experience. Trumps arrest on Thursday night marked a historic moment as he became the first current or former US president to have his mug shot taken. In an interview with Newsmax host Greg Kelly, the 77-year-old recounted his time inside the jail, stating, Terrible experience. I came in, I was treated very nicely but it is what it is. He also revealed that he had never heard the term mug shot until he was subjected to the procedure during his booking. Adding a touch of humor, Trump mentioned, They didnt teach me that at the Wharton School of Finance. Trumps graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. Describing the overall ordeal, the former president characterized it as a very sad experience and a very sad day for our country. He expressed surprise at finding himself in such a situation, remarking, I went through an experience that I never thought Id have to go through, but then Ive gone through the same experience three other times. Its just like one thing after the next. What they want to do is they want to try and wear you out which they would never do Just an absolute horrible thing that theyre doing. He went on to criticize the process, saying, And Ive never seen anything like it. This is Third World country. Trump spent approximately 20 minutes in the dilapidated correctional facility after his grand jury indictment on August 14. The indictment encompassed 13 counts, including racketeering, conspiracy, false statements, and soliciting a public official to violate their oath of office. Following his release on a $200,000 bond, Trump adhered to an order that limits his social media posts concerning witnesses or co-defendants in the case, which involves 18 other individuals, including notable figures like Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Jenna Ellis. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have made a trip to the Kalbajar district. The head of state and the First Lady attended the inauguration of the 5.3 MW Soyugbulag small hydroelectric power station owned by the Azerenerji OJSC. President of Azerenerji OJSC Baba Rzayev informed the head of state and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva of the work done in the station. The Soyugbulag small hydroelectric power station, which is located on the Tartar river, has been totally renovated. The head of state launched the Soyugbulag small hydroelectric power station. A SCADA control system was installed at the station. The station has the 15.5 million kWh capacity per year. Sudan's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was seen Thursday outside his headquarters for the first time since fighting erupted more than four months ago with paramilitaries, army videos showed. Some of the footage filmed before dawn and posted on the army's Facebook page showed Burhan speaking to soldiers, with the caption indicating that he was at the Wadi Seidna air base north of Khartoum. In separate daytime images posted later, he is seen surrounded by civilians in the capital's twin city of Omdurman. AFP could not verify the footage or images but the agency's fact-checking department was able to determine that they had never been posted online before and therefore could very well have been taken on Thursday. Images of Burhan have rarely been released since fighting erupted on April 15 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Previous images showed Burhan inside the army headquarters in Khartoum, over which both sides have waged fierce battles to control. The latest footage comes as fighting rages around a key military base in the capital's south. The army has put out several statements and videos saying it has repelled RSF attacks since Sunday against Al-Shajara base but the paramilitaries claim they have taken control of much of it since Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, the RSF said 2,500 fighters from a movement led by former rebel leader Malak Agar, recently named by Burhan as his deputy to replace Daglo, had pledged allegiance to the paramilitaries. In a rare televised speech on August 14, Burhan accused the RSF and Dagalo of committing violations under the falsehood of promising to restore democracy. How can you bring about democracy by committing war crimes? he said, in a speech celebrating Sudan's annual Armed Forces Day. The war between the rival generals has killed thousands and devastated infrastructure in already impoverished Sudan, and has been concentrated mostly in Khartoum and the war-scarred Darfur region. Conservative estimates from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project say that nearly 5,000 people have been killed since then. But the battles have prevented the recovery of the bodies of many others thought to have been killed. According to United Nations figures, in the four months since the fighting broke out, more than 4.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Search Keywords: Short link: When Yevgeny Prigozhin launched his armed rebellion that challenged the Kremlin, Western officials predicted Russian President Vladimir Putin would seek vengeance against the mercenary leader. Two months to the day after the action that Putin labeled a stab in the back and treason, those forecasts seem to have come true, in ruthless and menacing fashion. Although authorities have not yet confirmed the deaths of Prigozhin and his top lieutenants from the Wagner private military contractor in Wednesdays plane crash northwest of Moscow, it sent an immediate chill through Russian official circles. Even amid the uncertainty, the message was clear: Anyone who dares to cross the Kremlin will perish. But even as the crash worked to restore an image of Kremlin authority that was badly crippled by the Prigozhin mutiny, it also sowed confusion and anger among Russian hard-liners, heralding perhaps other challenges to Putin as the war in Ukraine marked its 18th month. Many see the events as a sign of an intensifying government meltdown. Its not a state, its not Russia. Its just one sprawling mafia, one tentacle of which is colliding with others, said Dmitry Oreshkin, a professor at Free University in Riga, Latvia. While authorities are unlikely to announce the cause of the crash anytime soon, Prigozhins plane was seen plummeting from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly and missing a wing. One witness said the jet exploded in the sky and something sort of was torn from it in the air. Some Russian media speculated it was brought down by a bomb. Prigozhins supporters claimed on their messaging app channels that it was shot down by an air defense system, bluntly accusing authorities of assassinating him. None of the allegations cited any evidence. Oreshkin said the downing a private jet seemed to be a strong message to scare Russian elites into submission. This is a demonstrative action, he said. Prigozhin could have been quietly poisoned and he would have died of a heart attack, like many previous opponents of Putin or his generals. But apparently it was intended to serve as a show of uncompromising control over the situation. Other Kremlin critics have died from poisoning in what the Russian opposition and the West described as targeted killings that had Putins blessing, but none has been known to have perished in an air accident. Former Putin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov said the failure to punish Prigozhin initially had eroded Putins authority, sending an open invitation to any potential rebels and mutineers. He said it could have taken two months to act because Prigozhin was well-protected by his security and Russian spy agencies were waiting for the right opportunity. They could have worked on it for a long time and had the opportunity only now, Gallyamov said. While acknowledging that all the facts are still unclear, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the whole world immediately looks at the Kremlin when a disgraced ex-confidant of Putin suddenly falls from the sky, two months after he attempted an uprising. Western officials had believed Prigozhins days were numbered ever since the mutiny, noting that Putin would never forgive the humiliation. For Putin revenge is a dish best served cold, CIA Director William Burns said in July, describing the Russian leader as the ultimate apostle of payback. Prigozhins jet was tracked flying among the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Belarus in the weeks following the mutiny, and Wagner had raised its profile in Africa, hectic activity that led to speculation Putin considered the 62-year-old mercenary leader who over the years had won lucrative Kremlin contracts too valuable to discard quickly. Earlier this week, Prigozhin released a video purportedly from an unknown desert location, claiming Wagner was making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free. His mercenaries have been especially active in several African countries in recent years, extending Russias influence and enriching it with mineral wealth. Some Russian media claimed Prigozhin could have hoped to persuade Putin to entrust him with expanding those projects, even though the Defense Ministry apparently sought to take them over. Others pointed out that he might have violated the deal with the Kremlin by trying to continue his business activities in Russia and boasting about his exploits in Africa in the latest video. Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Endowment said its a signature tactic of dictatorial regimes to bring an enemy or a traitor closer before destruction, as criminal clans do. Oreshkin said authorities might have opted for using the plane crash to decapitate Wagner to prevent any threat his lieutenants might pose. It is clear that just removing one person is not enough, you need to remove his key people, because they probably had a Plan B in case of losing their boss, he said. Therefore, the ideal option is to eliminate them all together, which, in fact, happened. Those on the flight manifest included Dmitry Utkin, a former military intelligence officer who directed Wagners operations, and Valery Chekalov, its security chief. Alexei Mukhin, a pro-Kremlin political expert, said the crash gave Putin a demonic aura that his opponents wont be able to ignore, noting that Kremlin foes abroad will feel increasingly unsafe. Reports this week said Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who had links with Prigozhin, was dismissed as air force chief following what Russian media described as a two-month investigation into his possible connection to the mutiny a signal authorities were methodically trying to uproot any dissent in the ranks. While the jet crash certainly sent a message of toughness, Oreshkin warned it could have mixed results, creating confusion among hard-liners who admired Wagners role in Ukraine and lauded Prigozhins criticism of the military brass. Roman Saponkov, a military blogger who had supported Prigozhin, predicted it will have catastrophic consequences. People who issued that order dont understand the sentiments in the military, he said. Some Kremlin supporters sought to shift blame for the crash to Ukraine, without offering evidence. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, alleged Kyiv authorities were behind it to rally support on the countrys Independence Day, celebrated Thursday. It was Ukraine that killed Prigozhin, Markov said. Prigozhin wasnt a problem for Putin. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country had nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does. Wagner was one of the most capable elements of Russias forces but it has stopped playing any role in Ukraine after capturing the eastern stronghold of Bakhmut in May. Its remnants probably will be incorporated into the Russian military and lose much of their capability. It was the most capable Russian military unit that fought in Ukraine, Gallyamov said. Its quite obvious that now after its put under control of the incompetent top military brass, Wagner wont stand out from others. Even if confirmed, Prigozhins death probably wouldnt have an immediate impact on the battlefield, but it reflects escalating Russian infighting that could result in growing public dismay and eventually weaken Moscows hand in the conflict. Early expectations of victory in Ukraine gave way to increasing public fatigue in Russia, and now the phase of disappointment begins, which will last a few months and appears irreversible, Oreshkin said. (AP) Boeing and a key supplier say that a new manufacturing flaw could delay deliveries of the 737 Max, Boeings best-selling plane. Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems said they discovered improperly drilled fastener holes in the aft pressure bulkhead which maintains pressure when planes are at cruising altitude on the fuselages of some models of the 737 Max. Wichita, Kansas-based Spirit said late Wednesday because it uses multiple suppliers, only some units are impacted and it will continue to deliver fuselages to Boeing. Boeing said the issue does not affect safety of flight, and 737 Max planes already in service can keep flying. This issue will impact near-term 737 deliveries as we conduct inspections to determine the number of airplanes affected, and complete required rework on those airplanes, Boeing said in a statement. We continue to deliver 737s that are not affected. Aircraft manufacturers have wrestled with supply issues in recent years. Spirit AeroSystems builds the fuselage for Boeings 737 Max narrowbody jet and substantial sections of aircraft bodies in other Boeing models. The company builds components for Airbus aircraft as well. The flaw, in which some fastener holes were found to be elongated, is a setback in Boeings plan to deliver 400 to 450 Max jets this year, and some downward revision seems likely, said Cowen aerospace analyst Cai von Rumohr. The analyst said that Boeing has delivered only 17 737s in August, compared with 32 in July. Boeing gets about 60% of the planes purchase price upon delivery, so every delay of 10 deliveries pushes back cash flow by about $300 million plus the cost of inspections and remedial work von Rumohr said. In April, Boeing cautioned that production and delivery of a significant number of its 737 Max planes could be delayed because of questions about Spirit AeroSystems work on the fuselages. All Max planes were grounded worldwide for nearly two years after a pair of deadly crashes, and production flaws halted deliveries of the larger 787 jetliner several times in the past three years. Shares of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. were down 14% in afternoon trading Thursday, while Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing Co.s stock slipped more than 3%. (AP) A key portion of President Joe Bidens immigration policy that allows a limited number people from Central America and the Caribbean to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds was being debated in a Texas federal courtroom on Thursday. Under the humanitarian parole program, up to 30,000 people are being allowed each month to enter the U.S. from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Texas is leading a lawsuit filed by 21 Republican-leaning states to stop the program, arguing the Biden administration has overreached its authority. Other programs the administration has implemented to reduce illegal immigration have also faced legal challenges. But immigration law has for over 70 years granted presidents the authority to grant such parole, a lawyer with the UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy said during opening statements in the trial. The center is one of the immigrant rights groups arguing on behalf of seven people sponsoring migrants. One of the sponsors was expected to testify during the trial. The parole program was started for Venezuelans in fall 2022 and then expanded in January. People taking part must apply online, arrive at an airport and have a financial sponsor in the U.S. If approved, they can stay for two years and get a work permit. The program has been tremendously successful at reducing migration to the southwest border, attorneys for the U.S. Justice Department, which is representing the federal government in the lawsuit, wrote in court documents. A trial on the states lawsuit is being presided over by U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton in Victoria, Texas. Tipton, a Donald Trump appointee, has previously ruled against the Biden administration on who to prioritize for deportation. The trial was being livestreamed from Victoria to a federal courtroom in Houston, and was expected to last two days. Tipton was expected to issue a ruling at a later date. In court documents, Texas and the other states have called the Biden administrations program an extreme example of not enforcing immigration laws that require it to grant parole only on a case-by-case basis for significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons. While the Republican states lawsuit is objecting to the use of humanitarian parole for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, it hasnt raised any concerns for its use to grant entry to tens of thousands of Ukrainians when Russia invaded. Texas has also argued the parole program causes financial harm because it has to provide services, including detention, educational, social services, and drivers license programs, to the paroled migrants. The immigrant rights groups have defended the humanitarian parole program, saying its a safe pathway to the U.S. for desperate migrants who would otherwise be paying human smugglers and bogging down border agents. The program is also helping reduce the humanitarian crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, the groups said. As of the end of July, more than 72,000 Haitians, 63,000 Venezuelans, 41,000 Cubans and 34,000 Nicaraguans had been vetted and authorized to come to the U.S. through the parole program. (AP) Members of the anti-judicial reform Achim LNeshek protest group seem to change their minds every day about what theyre protesting against, whether its the so-called judicial revolution, womens rights, religious freedom, the Chareidi draft, or simply anti-Bibism. They found a new cause on Thursday morning Yehudah and Shomron. The protesters arrived early in the morning outside the home of Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich on the yishuv of Kedumim, and showing a total lack of derech eretz, made deafening noises as the residents of the yishuv were leaving to work and schools. Additionally, they blocked Smotrichs car from leaving the yishuv for at least a half hour, and clashes developed between the police and protesters. The protesters announced their latest cause, with a protest leader announcing in the microphone that they came to tell Smotrich Good morning and explain that hes not relevant and protest against the millions of shekels hes allocating to Yehudah and Shomron. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Watchdog says Ovo must address existing complaints and reduce new ones The energy regulator has told Ovo Energy it must improve its handling of complaints, after 'serious concerns' were raised by a Citizens Advice team working with vulnerable customers. Pressure has grown on Ofgem to act over the Bristol-based energy firm after This is Money sent it a dossier of 200 customer complaints in the last few months, with many believing they are not being billed correctly. Our investigation is ongoing. Ofgem has opened 'compliance engagement' with Ovo, and said it would be working closely with the firm to 'assess any detriment that there may be to customers' and set clear expectations and improvement targets. Concerns: Ofgem said Ovo needed to address outstanding customer complaints, and reduce the number of cases that are referred to the Energy Ombudsman Ovo will be required to address all outstanding customer complaints, as well as reducing the time it takes to resolve issues and reducing the number of referrals that are made to the Energy Ombudsman and Citizens Advice. If Ofgem does not see improvements in Ovo's performance, it said it would consider taking further steps, including enforcement action. As well as our dossier of cases, concerns have been raised by the Citizens Advice Extra Help Unit, which works with vulnerable energy customers in Scotland, as well as by the Energy Ombudsman itself. Ofgem said: 'The Energy Ombudsman is concerned that Ovo has problems implementing Energy Ombudsman remedies in respect of complaints referred to it. 'We understand that, despite engagement by the Energy Ombudsman, this situation became progressively worse over time. 'The Extra Help Unit, which assists vulnerable customers, reported that Ovo accounted for a significant volume of its open cases and is an outlier for aged cases.' In the cases we've sent to Ofgem and Ovo, some have said they had seen their monthly direct debit payments hiked by hundreds of pounds per month, while others had 'balance adjustments' of hundreds or even thousands of pounds, without an explanation of what these were for. One told us her usual monthly bill of 150 had been ratcheted up to 3,600 for one month alone. Improvements needed: Ovo has also been told by the regulator to reduce the time it takes for customers to resolve their complaints The opening of the compliance case does not imply that Ofgem has made any findings about non-compliance by Ovo - the company which took over SSE in January 2020. Ofgem said: 'When customers have a problem, it is important that suppliers take steps to put things right. 'We expect that all customer complaints are received, handled, and processed in a timely and efficient manner in accordance the relevant regulations and Ovo's licence obligations. 'Ofgem takes customer service and complaints handling very seriously and is disappointed with the lack of progress made by Ovo towards resolving these issues. A spokesman for Ovo added: 'Ofgem did not identify any non-compliance from Ovo on this matter. 'We continue to place serious emphasis on the support we provide to our customers and have assured Ofgem of this.' The Competition and Markets Authority will further investigate the private rental housing sector amid concerns over unlawful practices by landlords. The watchdog has also said it will deepen its probe into housebuilders as it is concerned that their growing control of great swathes of land may result in lower competition or slower building rates. The probes follow the launch of two studies in February. The CMA found that some landlords were unlawfully excluding tenants who were on benefits Its initial research into the private rental sector found that some landlords were unlawfully excluding tenants 'because they are in receipt of benefits, have children or pets, or because they have mental health issues or specific needs relating to a disability'. The CMA said it was ready 'to take enforcement action if needed' on five key areas that required further investigation. These include landlords unlawfully discriminating some tenants, as well as zero deposit schemes, sham licences and retirement housing fees. Zero deposit schemes involve the tenant paying a smaller, non-refundable sum - often one week's rent - or a monthly 'membership' fee, to alternative deposit scheme providers. In return, the company will offer a guaranteed security to the landlord, in place of a traditional deposit. But the CMA found that some landlords or estate agents failed to provide adequate information about the schemes to tenants. It also found that some letting agents used pressure selling tactics to get tenants to use these schemes, and pocketed undisclosed commissions. 'These practices could all prevent consumers from being properly informed about their potential liabilities under the schemes when deciding whether to sign up and mean they can face unexpected (and potentially unfair) costs later on,' the CMA said. The watchdog will also further investigate 'sham licences,' whereby landlords do not recognise consumer rights under tenancy agreements - a practice that often affects people arriving in the UK, such as overseas students. CMA deepens probe into housebuilders The CMA said it will further probe the UK's largest housebuilders' growing control of land banks, amid concerns that this 'may be limiting competition or slowing build-out rates in some areas'. It comes after a six-month study on homebuilders in response to concerns that builders were not delivering homes at an adequate pace or scale. The CMA has also identified other areas of concern which will be probed further, including estate management charges. It found that a large number of people said that they had had to pay very high maintenance fees for services, including the management of roads, water drainage systems, playgrounds, grass and woodland areas around the estate. 'Many respondents said that these fees were uncapped and had been rising at an increasing rate each year,' the CMA said. 'A significant number of respondents also alleged that the fees charged were disproportionate for the work carried out, with some arguing that they were still being charged but saw no proof of work actually being done.' Heineken has finally quit Russia 18 months after the invasion of Ukraine. The Dutch brewer, which also makes Amstel and Birra Moretti beers, has sold its business in the country, including seven breweries, to Russian company Arnest Group for 1. Heineken said it expects to incur a total loss of 256million as a result. Bosses at the brewer (whose alcohol-free Heineken 0.0 was advertised by James Bond actor Daniel Craig) admitted it 'took much longer than we had hoped', after it faced criticism for the slow pace of its exit in the wake of the outbreak of war. Shaken not stirred: The brewer's alcohol-free Heineken 0.0 was advertised by James Bond actor Daniel Craig Heineken had insisted it was trying to look after its local employees in Russia. In March last year, it said it was quitting Russia as the business there was 'no longer sustainable nor viable in the current environment', but added it wanted to ensure an 'orderly transfer' to a new owner. Chief executive and chairman Dolf van den Brink said: 'We have now completed our exit from Russia. 'While it took much longer than we had hoped, this transaction secures the livelihoods of our employees.' Heineken said Arnest, which is based in Tula Oblast, has guaranteed the employment of Heineken's 1,800 local staff for three years. The following companies are subsidiares of Pentair: ACP Pleatco Blocker Corp., APEL International LLC, Air Capital Filtration LLC, Aplex Industries Inc., Aquion, Aquion (Xi'an) Water Treatment Equipment Co. Ltd., Aquion Hong Kong Limited, Aquion Inc., Be the Change Labs Inc., Bylin Engineered Systems Inc, Century Mfg. Co., Clean Process Technologies, ClearWater Tech L.L.C., ETE Coliban Pty Limited, Enviro Water Solutions LLC, Erico Global, Everpure Japan Kabushiki Kaisha, Filter-Medic LLC, FilterDeal LLC, FilterSoft LLC, Fleck Controls Inc., Goyen Controls Co. Pty. Limited, Goyen Valve LLC, Greenspan Environmental Technology Pty Ltd, Guardian Filtration Products LLC, Haffmans B.V., Haffmans North America Inc., Hawley Group Canada Limited, Hypro EU Limited, Jung Pumpen GmbH, Ken's Beverage, Lincoln Automotive Company, MECAIR S.r.L., Manitowoc Ice, McNeil (Ohio) Corporation, Milperra Developments Pty Limited, Milton Acquisition ULC, Mobile Pool Builder Inc., Moraine Properties LLC, Nijhuis Pompen B.V., Nuheat, PES Pty Ltd, PFAM Inc., PTG Accessories Corp., Panthro Acquisition Co., Pelican Holding Corporation, Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems Inc., Pentair Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pentair Canada Inc., Pentair Clean Process Technologies India Private Limited, Pentair Commercial Services LLC, Pentair Denmark Holding ApS, Pentair Federal Pump LLC, Pentair Filtration Sales & Service Company LLC, Pentair Filtration Solutions LLC, Pentair Finance Group GmbH, Pentair Finance S.a.r.l., Pentair Finance Switzerland GmbH, Pentair Flow Control International Pty Limited, Pentair Flow Services AG, Pentair Flow Technologies LLC, Pentair Flow Technologies Pacific Pty Ltd, Pentair Flow Technologies de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Pentair France SARL, Pentair Germany GmbH, Pentair Global Holdings B.V., Pentair Global S.a.r.l., Pentair Group (Thailand) Limited, Pentair Holdings Inc., Pentair Holdings S.a.r.l., Pentair Housing Inc., Pentair Housing LP, Pentair Inc., Pentair International (UK) Ltd, Pentair International Holding S.a.r.l., Pentair International Sarl, Pentair Investments Switzerland GmbH, Pentair Ireland Limited, Pentair Janus Holding LLC, Pentair Janus Holdings, Pentair Kenya Limited, Pentair Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Pentair Management Company, Pentair Manufacturing Belgium BV, Pentair Manufacturing Italy S.r.L., Pentair Middle East FZE, Pentair Nanosoft US Holdings LLC, Pentair Netherlands Euro Finance B.V., Pentair Netherlands Finance B.V., Pentair Netherlands Holding B.V., Pentair Pacific Rim (Water) Limited, Pentair Pacific Rim Limited, Pentair Philippines Inc., Pentair Pleatco Acquisition LLC, Pentair Residential Filtration LLC, Pentair Sales LLC, Pentair Sudmo GmbH, Pentair Tamimi LLC, Pentair Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Pentair Transport Inc., Pentair UK Holdings Limited, Pentair US LLC 1, Pentair US LLC 2, Pentair US LP, Pentair Valves & Controls del Uruguay S.A., Pentair Water (Suzhou) Company Ltd., Pentair Water Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pentair Water Australia Pty Ltd, Pentair Water Belgium BV, Pentair Water Brazil LLC, Pentair Water France SAS, Pentair Water Group Inc., Pentair Water Holdings LLC, Pentair Water India Private Limited, Pentair Water Italy S.r.l., Pentair Water LLC, Pentair Water Latinamerica S.A., Pentair Water Operations Australia Pty Ltd, Pentair Water Polska Sp.zoo, Pentair Water Pool and Spa Inc., Pentair Water Proces Technologie Holding B.V., Pentair Water Process Technology B.V., Pentair Water Purification Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Pentair Water Spain S.L., Pentair Water Treatment (OH) Company, Pentair Water Treatment Company, Pentair Water Treatment Private Limited, Pentair Water do Brasil Ltda., Pentair Water-Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Penwald Insurance Company, Pigeon Point Systems Inc., Pleatco, Pleatco Holdings LLC, Pleatco Intermediate Holdings LLC, Pleatco LLC, Pleatco Mexican Holding Company LLC, Pleatco Mexicana S. De R.L. De C.V., Plymouth Products Inc., Porous Media Corp., Procam Controls Inc., Rocean, Seneca Enterprises Co., Shupeco LLC, Sta-Rite Industries LLC, Sta-Rite de Mexico S.A. de C.V., TVS Filters Acquisition LLC, Tupelo Real Estate LLC, Tyco Flow Control, U.S. Milton Holdings Inc., Union Engineering (NingBo) Co. Ltd., Union Engineering A/S, Union Engineering Holding LLC, Union Engineering Latam Ltda, Union Engineering North America LLC, Urban Organics Pentair Group LLC, Urban Organics Schmidt Real Estate Group LLC, Urban Organics St. Paul LLC, Water Ingenuity Holdings Corp., Webster Electric Company LLC, X-Flow B.V., and delMAC Filters LLC. Read More Former president Donald Trump has returned to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, firing off his first message in more than two years shortly after he surrendered at an Atlanta jail. He posted a photo of his mugshot and the words Election interference. Never surrender! along with a link to his website, which directs to a fundraising page. It was Mr Trumps first post since January 8, 2021, when Twitter suspended his account indefinitely, citing fears he would incite additional violence following the deadly storming of the US Capitol building. His account was reinstated last November shortly after Elon Musk took over the company. But Mr Trump had refrained from tweeting, insisting that he was happier on his own Truth Social site, which he launched during the ban. Mr Trump, the current front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, had been saying for months that he planned to return to the platform at the right time, according to a person familiar with his comments who was not authorised to disclose private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mr Trumps post came as he was aboard his private plane, flying back from Atlanta to his summer home in New Jersey late on Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether the post was a one-off, or whether he intends to continue to post regularly on the site. He had posted the same message on Truth Social earlier in the night and continued to promote the site late on Thursday. I LOVE TRUTH SOCIAL. IT IS MY HOME!!! he wrote. Nonetheless, the message marked a homecoming of sorts for Mr Trump to one of his most important megaphones one he used to dominate his rivals in the 2016 primary and to command the news cycle for years. Mr Trump often marvelled at how quickly his missives would travel from his account to cable news stations under the banner BREAKING NEWS. The new post came a day after Mr Trump skipped the first Republican primary debate, choosing instead to tape an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that was posted on X as counterprogramming at the start of the debate. The return to X with what was, effectively, a fundraising pitch is also a reflection of just how much money Mr Trumps campaign has been burning on lawyers as he battles criminal charges in four jurisdictions. Mr Trumps political operation entered the second half of the year in a strained financial position with its bank account drained by tens of millions of dollars that were directed toward defending the former president and his allies. Mr Trump has 86.6 million followers on what is now known as X, dwarfing his rivals in the 2024 race. But the platform has undergone significant changes since Mr Trump left it, including Mr Musk changing its name. He returned to Facebook in March, posting, IM BACK! weeks after his personal account there was reactivated. But he has stuck with Truth Social, the Twitter lookalike he launched after he was suspended from Twitter and Facebook, to post a daily stream of missives, announcements and re-posts. That has included using the platform to break news of his indictments and planned surrenders as he has faced a mounting list of legal woes. AS 62,000 students across the country opened their Leaving Certificate results this morning Ryan Tubridy shared a special message for them to his Instagram. The former Late Late Show host addressed his 240 thousand followers specifically the families of warriors who just sat State Examinations. He said; Leaving Cert people of Ireland, if you got what you wanted in your points and in your results congratulations, you did well. If you didn't don't worry, this is the most important part because it is something in the cosmos, the universe who knows nudging you somewhere where you weren't expecting to be. Ryan laughed Now take it from the old guy, if that happens embrace it, run into it and take it somewhere exciting and interesting because that is where you were obviously meant to be. Dont panic and remember family and perspective are more important than any points in the world. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ryan Tubridy (@instatubridy) Tubridy encouraged all the students to go have some fun tonight and get on with the rest of their life. Ryan was praised by followers for addressing the students and many thanking him for showing up for the children of Ireland. There were hugs, cheers and tears of joy at a secondary school in Dublin as some of the countrys 60,000 Leaving Certificate students collected their results. Approximately 80 students at Donahies Community School sat their exams in June, with a handful returning on Friday to see how they had got on. Some of the teenagers were able to access their results early online before 10am, while others found out their points from their teachers at the school. They gathered to congratulate each other and wish each other well in securing places at colleges and universities. Among the happy students was 16-year-old Mykyta Topcheiv, originally from Kyiv in Ukraine. He arrived in Ireland in March 2022 and while he was placed in Third Year initially, he decided to tackle the two-year Leaving Cert curriculum in just one full academic year all while also attending online lessons for his school in Kyiv. Mykyta collected an impressive 447 points from the exams, which he hopes will secure him a spot on a computer science course. He told the PA news agency: I didnt know if my visa would be continued for a few years more so I just wanted to be able to pass the exam, just to try, because I didnt want to lose this opportunity. The teenager added: I needed to learn the two-year programme in one year and actually I still study in my Ukrainian school online. Mykyta has final-year examinations in that school next year, but he added: I hope I wont do them because if I would be here in university, I dont need to finish in the other school. He said he did better than he expected and he hopes to study computer science. Elsewhere, Jodie McCarthy cried tears of joy as she was congratulated by her friends and family for her results. She said: Im delighted. Friends Sophie Brohoon, Niamh Woods and Rebecca Kavanagh celebrated their results at the school. Sophie said: Im so happy I passed the maths. I got my course with 50 points to spare, so Im so happy with how it all turned out. She hopes to study secondary school teaching in DCU. Rebecca, who also hopes to do teaching, said she was delighted to get 40 more points than what she thinks she needs. Niamh, who wants to study law and politics at DCU, said: I got like 120 more points than what I need. Im so happy, I never thought that would happen. School principal Peter Keohane said: Im delighted. Its all joy and happiness here this morning. So very, very happy with that. However, he added that some students may be disappointed with their results, saying: Always a very worrying day, you know. You just want them all to be happy. You know, its just the next stepping stone. This is an important day in their lives. But you know, somebody said to me one time: This day last year, what was your biggest worry? And I could never remember. So by this time next year, every one of them have the maturity and the intelligence and the ability to be exactly where they want to be. Some 61,736 students were receiving results on Friday, including 58,006 Leaving Cert candidates and 3,730 Leaving Cert Applied applicants. The National Parents and Students Leaving Cert Helpline on 1800 265 165 will operate from August 25 until September 2, at 10am to 6pm each day, except for August 27, when it will be open from 10am to 2pm, and September 2, when it will be open from 10am to 4pm. August 25, 2023 The digital era has ushered in an unprecedented demand for skilled software developers. Among the many lucrative paths within this field, becoming a Java developer stands out as a sought-after choice. If you're considering a career in outstaffing as a Java developer, you might be wondering about the financial rewards that await. In this article, we explore the earning potential for Java developers in outstaffing companies, shedding light on factors that influence compensation and the possibilities that lie ahead. The Java Developer's Skill Set Java, known for its versatility and wide-ranging applications, is a programming language that powers numerous software systems, web applications, and mobile apps. Java developers possess a robust skill set that includes proficiency in Java programming, understanding of Java frameworks (such as Spring or Hibernate), and the ability to develop and maintain applications. Check for 15 Important Java Developer Skills on Indeed. Java Developer's expertise is not only in coding but also in problem-solving, system architecture, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Demand and Supply The demand for skilled Java developers has grown exponentially as businesses increasingly rely on technology to drive their operations. Outstaffing companies, which provide remote development teams to clients, often have a consistent need for Java developers who can contribute to a variety of projects. This high demand, coupled with the scarcity of experienced developers, contributes to an environment where skilled Java developers can command competitive compensation packages. Factors Influencing Earnings Earnings in the outstaffing industry, as well as any other field, are influenced by multiple factors. Experience is a significant determinant junior developers might start with a certain compensation level, while mid-level and senior developers with years of experience could command higher salaries. The complexity of projects, specialization in specific technologies, and the developer's ability to contribute creatively can also impact earnings. Location Matters Location plays a crucial role in determining the earning potential of a Java developer in an outstaffing company. Compensation can vary greatly based on the region or country where the developer is located. Developers working in regions with a higher cost of living or a strong technology market might expect more substantial salaries compared to those in regions with lower costs of living. Outstaffing companies often consider these regional disparities when offering compensation packages. Remote Work Dynamics The outstaffing model often involves remote work, allowing developers to contribute to projects regardless of their geographical location. Remote work can impact compensation in various ways. Developers in regions with lower costs of living might find opportunities to earn competitive salaries while enjoying a higher quality of life. Additionally, the flexibility of remote work allows developers to choose environments that enhance their productivity and job satisfaction. Benefits and Perks Compensation in an outstaffing company extends beyond the salary figure. Many companies offer additional benefits and perks to attract and retain top talent. These perks might include health insurance, flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, and even travel allowances for on-site visits if required. Such benefits contribute to an overall compensation package that enhances the developer's work experience. The Path to Earning Potential To unlock the earning potential as a Java developer in an outstaffing company, a proactive approach to skill development is essential. Continuously improving your Java programming skills, staying updated with the latest technologies, and gaining expertise in relevant frameworks can make you a valuable asset. Contributing to open-source projects, building a robust portfolio, and networking within the developer community can also help you stand out and negotiate more favorable compensation. A Bright Future Awaits As the digital landscape continues to expand, the role of Java developers remains critical. Outstaffing companies recognize the significance of skilled developers and are willing to reward their contributions generously. The earning potential for Java developers in outstaffing companies is promising, with opportunities to command competitive compensation, work remotely, and enjoy additional benefits. By consistently honing your skills, adapting to industry trends, and seizing opportunities for growth, you can pave the way for a financially rewarding and fulfilling career as a Java developer in the dynamic world of outstaffing. August 25, 2023 Businesses constantly seek ways to enhance productivity and ensure the security of sensitive data. One tool that has gained significant prominence in recent years is employee monitoring software. The importance of choosing the right employee monitoring software thus cannot be overstated. This article explores what employee monitoring software is and provides essential tips to help you choose the best software in 2023. What is an employee monitoring software? Employee monitoring software are digital tools in workforce management. It assists employers in tracking and managing their employees' activities during working hours. The software helps companies monitor various activities. These include internet usage, application usage, and keyboard and mouse activity. The software even captures screenshots of an employee's computer screen. One of the primary purpose of the software is to enhance productivity. The other beneficial aspects include protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with company policies. Seven tips to choose the best employee monitoring software Here are seven tips to help you select your organization's best employee monitoring software. Define your monitoring objectives Before you even begin your search for the best employee monitoring software, it's crucial to understand why you need it. Define your monitoring objectives clearly. Are you looking to boost productivity, track project progress, ensure data security, or monitor remote workers? Understanding your goals will help you choose software that aligns with your needs. Consider user-friendliness A user-friendly interface is essential for both administrators and employees. The best employee monitoring software should be easy to set up and use. It should offer customizable dashboards and reports that provide valuable insights without overwhelming users with complex data. Controlio employee monitoring software, for instance, provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the monitoring process. Compliance with privacy regulations Employee privacy is a paramount concern. Ensure your chosen software complies with your region's data privacy and employee rights regulations. Look for features that inform employees about the monitoring and allow them to opt out of specific monitoring activities when legally required. Advanced monitoring features Depending on your specific needs, consider the range of monitoring features offered. The best employee monitoring software should include website and application tracking, screenshot capture, keystroke logging, and time tracking. These features can provide valuable insights into employee activities and help you make informed decisions. Remote work capabilities With the rise of remote work, choosing software that supports remote employees' monitoring is essential. Look for solutions that offer cloud-based access, mobile app compatibility, and the ability to monitor off-site employees securely. Many employee monitoring software excel by providing robust remote monitoring capabilities. Data security and encryption Protecting sensitive data is a top priority. Ensure that the employee monitoring software you choose employs robust encryption methods to safeguard the data it collects. Additionally, the software should have access controls to restrict who can view and access the monitored data. It will ensure only authorized personnel can use the information. Scalability and integration As your business grows, so do your monitoring needs. Pick a software that can scale with your organization's growth. It should be capable of accommodating additional users and devices seamlessly. Moreover, consider how well the software integrates with your existing tools and systems. These include HR software, project management tools, and communication platforms. Bottom line Choosing the best employee monitoring software is paramount in the ever-evolving workforce management landscape. Your choice should align with your specific monitoring objectives and your organization's unique needs. When selecting employee monitoring software, it's crucial to balance the benefits of increased productivity and data security with employee privacy and legal considerations. August 25, 2023 As the world embraces remote work and digital nomadism, Spain has emerged as a beacon for location-independent professionals seeking a perfect blend of work and play. Boasting a dynamic mix of modern amenities, rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, Spain stands out as an ideal destination for digital nomads, thanks to its great connectivity and widespread WiFi (News - Alert) access. With a thriving digital infrastructure, this European gem provides an exceptional environment for remote workers staying in Spain, who wants to find a place to stay for a short or longer period, to work while exploring the wonders of Spain. A connected nation Spain has long been at the forefront of adopting and investing in advanced technology, making it one of the most connected countries in Europe. With a reliable and robust digital infrastructure, digital nomads can rest assured that they'll have access to high-speed internet and a stable connection throughout their stay. Major cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia offer extensive coverage of 4G and 5G networks, making them great workation cities by ensuring seamless connectivity for remote workers who rely on video conferences and data-intensive tasks. The Spanish government's commitment to expanding and improving digital infrastructure further solidifies its reputation as a leading destination for digital nomads. Coworking spaces and WiFi-friendly cafes In response to the growing demand from digital nomads, Spain has witnessed a boom in coworking spaces. From trendy, modern facilities in big cities to cozy, artistic hubs in smaller towns, these coworking spaces cater to the needs of remote workers, providing them with well-equipped workstations, meeting rooms and networking opportunities. Moreover, for those who prefer a change of scenery while working, Spain is teeming with WiFi-friendly cafes. Whether nestled in bustling urban centers or tucked away in quaint villages, these cafes offer a charming atmosphere and reliable WiFi, perfect for digital nomads seeking inspiration from new surroundings. Exploring the beauty of Spain Beyond its digital amenities, Spain's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage offer digital nomads an array of unforgettable experiences. Whether it's basking on the sun-kissed beaches of the Mediterranean coast, trekking through the majestic Pyrenees, or wandering through historical cities with ancient architecture, Spain has something to cater to every nomad's desires. Embracing the local culture and traditions, indulging in mouthwatering tapas, and immersing oneself in the vibrant festivities further enhance the allure of living in Spain. The country's rich history, manifested through splendid landmarks like the Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, provides ample opportunities for exploration and inspiration. August 25, 2023 In the fast-paced technological landscape of Minneapolis, businesses increasingly rely on seamless IT solutions to thrive and stay competitive. Finding a trustworthy and competent local IT support company is critical to ensuring smooth operations and optimal performance. Whether you require swift troubleshooting, new system setups, or ongoing maintenance, a reliable IT partner can be the key to your business's success. With the abundance of options available, choosing the right local IT support company can be daunting. It requires careful consideration of several factors to make an informed decision that aligns with your business needs. This guide will explore essential factors to consider when selecting the perfect local IT support company to empower your business in Minneapolis. Assess Your Needs: The first step in choosing an IT support company is understanding what you need from them. Start by assessing your current technology infrastructure. What systems do you have in place? What are your pain points? Which areas require regular maintenance or upgrades? A clear idea of these requirements will help you identify which providers have the expertise to meet them. Look at Experience and Expertise: While plenty of generalist IT service providers are out there, specializing in one area (such as cybersecurity) could be more beneficial, depending on your needs. Ensure that any potential provider has experience working with companies like yours and understands their services. Take time to review testimonials from past clients on their website. Consider Response Time: When something goes wrong with your technology infrastructure, every second counts; extended downtime can cripple productivity and profits. Therefore, choosing an "Always On" provider who offers rapid response times is essential. This is imperative if there is an issue; look for someone who guarantees 24/7 availability over multiple methods (e.g., phone and email). Evaluate Communication Styles: Another crucial factor when choosing an IT service provider is evaluating their communication style during normal operations and when dealing with reactively-based problems. Do they keep you informed about project progress regularly enough without causing distractions? You should also discuss quantitative and qualitative means of assessing performance, for example, via regular service reports. Confirm Accessibility: Aside from physical proximity and availability, your IT support provider should be easily accessible by remote technology. Your requirements may differ depending on how youre using and maintaining various types of devices, but remotely accessing technical resources, such as helpdesk tools or a customer portal, can significantly improve the speed at which issues are resolved. Assess Fees and Payment Arrangements Regarding IT services, there are various payment models to consider, each catering to different business needs. The break-fix rate allows you to pay for specific projects or services as they arise, offering flexibility but potentially leading to unpredictable costs. On the other hand, the ongoing Service Level Agreement (SLA) packages involve a monthly retainer, providing a set number of hours or on-site visits consistently. This model offers stability and proactive support but may require careful consideration of the package's scope to ensure it aligns with your business budget and requirements. Before making a decision, it is crucial to discuss these options in detail with the IT support company, understanding the advantages and limitations of each approach to select the most suitable payment model that best meets your business's unique needs. Verify Credentials And Compliance levels: In general, IT companies must comply with certain standard industry practices, including but not limited to HIPAA, PCI (News - Alert) DSS, SSAE-16, etc. Depending on the field within which you operate, there is likely some certification that regulatory bodies require each partner company to know about; get proof of certificates before entering into any agreement with them. Again, trusting testimonials from peers in the same area can also provide great third-party recognition of expertise levels. Ensure They Have Data Backup Storage Software: An efficient disaster recovery plan is crucial in selecting a reliable IT company for businesses. Beyond trust alone, protecting priceless data demands a verified and effective Data Backup Software system. Knowing that valuable information remains safe and secure through off-premises backups offers peace of mind in the face of potential misfortunes. With expertly covered service disruptions, businesses can confidently deal with an authentic and trustworthy IT provider. Check The In-House Personnel Certification Level: In addition to the certifications aligned with the mentioned accreditation standards that focus on staff training and skill development, periodic enhancement holds the key to continuous professional growth. This not only adds value but also contributes to long-term client satisfaction. After all, the irreplaceable presence of a skilled and knowledgeable team member who can swiftly rectify errors when they arise is an invaluable asset to any endeavor. Ensure Scalability And Flexibility: When choosing an IT support company, consider your business's future growth and technology needs. The provider should offer scalable solutions to accommodate your company's expansion without significant disruptions. Additionally, flexibility is crucial as technology requirements may change over time. Ensure the IT support company can adapt to evolving technology trends and provide solutions aligning with your long-term business goals. [August 24, 2023] University of Phoenix Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) Support Diverse Workplace Community in Remote Workforce Tweet University of Phoenix is pleased to highlight the workforce community-building model of its employee resource groups (ERGs) that contribute to employee engagement and measures of employees' sense of authenticity, inclusion and belonging in a primarily remote workplace. The University ERGs engage in community building activities, mentoring and networking across departments as well as with external organizations and nonprofits. The growth of ERG engagement and activities over the last decade tracks with increased employee satisfaction surveys measuring aspects such as authenticity and belonging, which are indicators of retention and longevity. "It's been incredibly rewording to see how employees value their experience and connection with others and experience personal and career growth as a direct result," states Julie Fink, vice president of human resources, and executive sponsor of the ERGs. "We have seen our employee survey scores increase over the last six years, and I believe that our ERGs have been part of making a meaningful contribution to employee satisfaction and engagement in that time." In measures of authenticity and belonging, which reflect engagement, and which have a high impact on employee satisfaction and retention, survey results have consistently high ratings over the last six years and have actually seen an overall increase since the University of Phoenix remote workforce policy was established in 2020. Responses that employees feel comfortable being themselves at work, a measure of authenticity, rose 9 points between 2018 and 2023, and those who "feel a sense of belonging at University of Phoenix" rose 13 points in the same period. "Participating in ERGs is an opportunity to exercise leadership potential, and members and leaders are encouraged by HR to include those skills and experiences in their resumes as they apply for new positions across the University," shares Fink. By unanimous agreement of the Executive team, ERGs were implemented in 2016 to provide safe spaces for employees with diverse experiences to leverage avenues for networking, mentorship, and career opportunities, and have been embraced by employees to enhance their experience at the University. There are currently five ERGs: Allies of Pride, Veterans, African American Council for Excellence (AACE), Phoenix Women Rising, and La Fuerza. The University has a Unified ERG model, which means that the ERGs operate independently but have a collective, unified engagement with each other, frequently engaging to collaborate or provide resources for each other. Employees may join one or all five ERGs and currently, over a third of employees are members of at least one ERG. Membership in ERGs is open to any individual and not limited to the constituency the ERG supports. Tamiko Spann, MBA, manager, Financial Services, has been a member of the AACE ERG since 2017, serving as the inaugural lead and most recently on the Board of Trustees. Yearly, AACE celebrates historic and present monumental events that strengthen African American culture. "Employee Resource Groups offer employees the opportunity to network across various levels of the organization. ERGs are the pillars that strengthen the organization's diversity foundation through education and awareness," Spann shares. "Through the ERGs, I have been able to engage with others, expand my cultural awareness, and support others in increasing their knowledge around diversity and inclusion." The University ERGs frequently engage with community organizations and encourage members to be active in building relationships internally and externally. The Veterans ERG actively participates with the University's Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, which is legendary for its leadership of the University of Phoenix annual Memorial Day flag-planting. The ERG helps members find meaningful opportunities to engage with community organizations and support military and veteran experiences and background, of employees and of students. La Fuerza, the Hispanic, Latino, and allied communities ERG, recently collaborated with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce to hold a free, hybrid event on July 20, open to all La Fuerza members and the public, "Buenos Dias Networking Breakfast," and hosted by University of Phoenix. "Through our collaboration, we gained valuable insights into Latinas' Educational Equity, resource acquisition, and the collective efforts we can make to support one another," shared Deslie Ghiorzi, manager, Admissions & Evaluation and vice lead of La Fuerza. "I hope we get many more opportunities to work together, create more networking opportunities and share more powerful messages." The University's Employee Resource Groups (ERG) often collaborate with the Office of Educational Equity (OEE) and its "Inclusive Cafe" series, a monthly virtual meeting for faculty and staff designed to foster community building and raise awareness and dialogue about social justice and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. ERGs lead Cafe "takeover" sessions during awareness months with topics such as "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," with Phoenix Women Rising ERG, and "Coming Out: Being Seen and Helping Others Be Seen," with Allies of Pride ERG, "My Hair, My Rules," with AACE ERG, and "Flipping the script on marginalization," with La Fuerza. These events highlight the vibrancy of ERGs in the University's remote work culture as well as the engagement, resources, and networking support available through the ERGs. ERG leaders and members are actively engaged and volunteer to support the Inclusive Leadership Summit, a thought leadership event on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) managed by the OEE. Reflecting a commitment by University of Phoenix to cultivating a strong sense community among the diverse workforce and equally diverse working adult student body, the University has also established Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs). Learn more here about work culture at University of Phoenix. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor's and master's degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment 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/20230824165939/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 24, 2023] HANNAH PET HOSPITAL LAUNCHES HEARTWARMING "HANNAH BANDANA" CAMPAIGN TO CELEBRATE PETS AND THEIR PET PARENTS Tweet PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hannah Pet Hospitals, a renowned name in comprehensive Pet care, is thrilled to announce its latest endeavor, a captivating social media photo contest, inviting Members and the community to showcase their adorable Pets donning the iconic Hannah bandanas. These eye-catching bandanas have been spotted across the country, from the breathtaking Oregon Coast to the vibrant city of Clemson, South Carolina. The social media photo contest is designed to celebrate the deep bond between Pets and their devoted parents. Hannah Pet Hospitals believes in fostering a sense of community among Pet lovers and creating heartwarming moments that capture the essence of the human-Pet relationship. "Every Pet has a unique personality, and the Hannah bandanas perfectly capture that individuality," says Dr. Jaime Pickett, CEO & President of Hannah Pet Hospital. "Our contest is all about celebrating the joy and companionship that our beloved Pets bring to our lives." Participating in the contest is as easy as 1-2-3. Members simply need to take a picure of their furry companions sporting the vibrant Hannah bandanas and share it on their social media platforms using the hashtag #HannahBandana. This interactive initiative not only highlights the charm of Pets but also encourages people to connect and engage within the Hannah Pet Hospital community. As an added bonus, participants have the chance to win exciting prizes that reflect the spirit of the contest. From exclusive Pet care packages to delightful Pet accessories, the prizes are designed to enhance the lives of Pets and their families. What sets this contest apart is its dedication to inclusivity, welcoming participation from the entire Portland community. It's not just for Hannah Members; it's an open invitation for all Pet lovers in the metro area to join in the fun and showcase their furry friends. This level of community engagement sets Hannah's contest apart, fostering a sense of community and celebrating the wonderful bond between humans and their beloved Pets. So, whether you're a devoted Hannah Member or a passionate Pet enthusiast living in the Portland area, this contest offers a shared platform to celebrate the joy and companionship that Pets bring into our lives. The campaign is set to run through the end of September and Hannah bandanas are available at both of Hannah Pet Hospital's Portland and Tigard locations. Each photo winner is carefully chosen to reflect the unique personality of each Pet so creativity is encouraged. For more information about the contest and other initiatives by Hannah Pet Hospitals, please visit Hannah's Facebook page. About Hannah Pet Hospitals: Hannah Pet Hospitals is a prominent name in comprehensive Pet care, offering innovative and comprehensive services to enhance the lives of Pets and their families. With a devoted team of experts and a passion for nurturing the human-Pet bond, Hannah Pet Hospitals is committed to redefining the Pet healthcare experience. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hannah-pet-hospital-launches-heartwarming-hannah-bandana-campaign-to-celebrate-pets-and-their-pet-parents-301909724.html SOURCE Hannah Pet Hospital [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 24, 2023] Global Powerhouse Hedge Fund Brings Its 30 Years of Experience to Hong Kong and Singapore Markets Tweet HONG KONG, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With immense pleasure Balfour Capital Group (BCG) is delighted to announce Its presence as a Featured Speaker and Sponsor at the prestigious Venture & Capital Conference in Singapore, 31st August, 2023 This esteemed event is expected to gather a distinguished audience of over 1,000 attendees from various corners of the investment world. BCG will showcase its eminently successful Discretionary Trading Program. As a company that understands people, mathematics and the psychology of the global markets, BCG's outstanding returns have consistently been benchmarked against the S&P500. This program is masterfully managed by Steve Alain Lawrence, our Chief Investment Officer. Balfour Capital Group, is a distinguished boutique USD 250M investment management firm with profound specialization in delivering holistic wealth management services. BCG has over 30 years of experience with operations globally spanning the United States, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Featured speakers representing Balfour Capital Group Vikram Srivastava, BCG's Investor Relationship Manager for Hong Kong and Asia, and Dalip Chong, Business Development Manager for Asia and the Middle East, will be our featured speakers at the event. About Vikram Srivastava Vikram Srivastava is an illustrious figure in the investment arena boasting a prodigious background in Startup and Investment Management. He holds a degree from the esteemed University of Hong Kong in Electronics Engineering. With his impeccable ability to integrate mathematical prowess with investment acumen, he has successfully worked with hundreds of startups and investors globally. About Dalip Chong Dalip Chong, a seasoned business strategist, enriches Balfour Capital Group with a formidable resume. As the COO of EBISBank and a technology connoisseur pioneering a revolutionary digital genomic onboarding identity system, Dalip brings an unparalleled depth of expertise to Balfour. A Melange of Algorithmic and Human Ingenuity BCG is a well-established global institution that specializes in melding algorithmic investment strategies with human intuition. We offer an array of services, including a long-short portfolio, through our Hedge Fund, Investment Bank, and Brokerage operations, all under the tutelage of Steve Alain Lawrence. The Pillars of Balfour Capital Group Steve Alain Lawrence, our Chief Investment Officer, aptly stated, "Great companies are built on great people. At BCG, we take immense pride in having the best talent in the industry. Our ethos revolves around people and managing risk, especially in these electrifying times." For Inquiries: Vikram Srivastava Investor Relations Manager [email protected] +852-69170741 Dalip Chong Business Development Manager for the Middle East and Asia [email protected] +65-81158655 Website: https://balfourcapitalgroup.com We cordially invite all interested parties to join us at the Venture & Capital Conference in Singapore for an opportunity to explore groundbreaking investment strategies and gain unparalleled insights into the world of finance and investment. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/global-powerhouse-hedge-fund-brings-its-30-years-of-experience-to-hong-kong-and-singapore-markets-301909766.html SOURCE Balfour Capital Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The first of two incidents involving the killing of Israelis in the West Bank this week took place in Hawara, Nablus, in the northern West Bank, while the second was near the Hebron governorate in the south. This makes 2023 the bloodiest for Israelis since the Second Intifada of September 2000. Two Israelis a man and his son were shot on Saturday at a car wash near the town of Hawara. The assailant is at large, and the Israeli army continues to look for him. On Monday, an Israeli woman was killed and another wounded when their car was shot at near the Kiryat Arba settlement, Hebron. The Israeli army surrounded the city in search of the perpetrator who fled the scene. This brings the death toll of Israelis killed by gunfire in the West Bank and in Israeli cities to 36 since the start of 2023, compared to 31 deaths altogether in 2022. These attacks have sparked widespread Israeli ire against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, since it is their policies that resulted in retaliatory actions by Palestinians. Yehuda Fox, the commander of the Israeli army in the West Bank, described escalation in the West Bank as follows: Israel is facing a wave of terrorism, the likes of which we have not known for a long time. The Israeli cabinet and security council will meet on Sunday to discuss responses to attacks against Israelis. According to Israeli reports, Ben-Gvir, who called for this meeting to be held as soon as possible, will propose new measures to end the violence, including closing roads in the West Bank, denying work permits to Palestinians in Israel, and stepping up operations targeting militant cells in the West Bank. The Israel Broadcasting Authority quoted officials in the Palestinian Authority (PA) as saying: There are concerns that Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will take advantage of the escalation in the West Bank, to further damage the PA and accelerate its collapse. Israel called on the US to put greater pressure on the PA to play its role in pursuing armed groups in the West Bank, as reported by Israeli Channel 13 on meetings between Israeli and US security officials. Almost daily, the Israeli army carries out incursions into West Bank cities as part of what it claims are operations to hunt down wanted persons and members of armed Palestinian formations. According to statistics of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 2023 is one of the bloodiest years for Palestinians. Since the beginning of the year, Israeli army invasions have claimed 216 Palestinian martyrs, including 31 children, 11 women, and eight elderly people. Some 6,000 people were also injured, either by live or metal bullets, or due to asphyxiation caused by inhalation of tear gas used by the Israeli army. While some Israelis are calling for broad military action in the West Bank, similar to the operation carried out by the army in Jenin in early July, others are demanding that Palestinian armed factions in the Gaza Strip must be targeted in response to attacks in the West Bank. Israel accuses Hamas and Islamic Jihad of forming a combined military contingent in the West Bank, which they support with funds and military expertise to attack Israeli targets. The military capabilities of these armed formations have developed, and they are primarily active in Jenin and Nablus in the northern West Bank, closer to areas controlled by Israel. Avigdor Lieberman, former defence minister and leader of Yisrael Beiteinu Party, demanded the return to assassinating Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials in the Gaza Strip, in response to operations in the West Bank and Israel. The Israeli army has repeatedly targeted officials from armed Palestinian factions in Gaza, most recently in May when it killed three prominent officials in Islamic Jihad. This was the first move in a series of confrontations that lasted several days, during which Islamic Jihad launched hundreds of rockets into Israel, and Israel killed more of the groups prominent military officials. Israel also assassinated several Islamic Jihad military leaders in August 2022. Despite the declared detente in the Gaza Strip, the triggers for military escalation remain in place. On Sunday and Monday, the Israeli army said it used surface-to-air interceptor missiles to shoot down drones over Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Drones are a serious security concern for Israel, which believes that Palestinian factions continue to try to manufacture and develop the unmanned aircraft. There is also a possibility that factions close to Iran are receiving technology for manufacturing, especially after the success and effectiveness of drones in the Russian-Ukrainian war. On Saturday, armed factions in Gaza fired dozens of rockets, including long-range ones, towards the sea as part of military exercises. At the same time, Pales-tinian prisoners in Israeli prisons took steps to protest their treatment. Two days later, on Monday, thousands of Palestinians took to the streets on the border east of Gaza City, as part of demonstrations rallied by Hamas to mark the anniversary of the burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque. This was the largest mobilisation on the border in months. Some Israelis believe Hamas, which is facing immense economic pressure in the Gaza Strip where it has ruled for 17 years, may push for agitating the security situation with Israel to force Tel Aviv to make concessions to alleviate its financial crisis. * A version of this article appears in print in the 24 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: [August 25, 2023] a-Al2O3 Protective Layer That Sticks to Metal Surface with Functions of an Anchor and Peg Tweet Elucidating the mechanism of protective layers on fusion reactors that resist peeling TOKYO, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion reactors, fast breeder reactors, and solar thermal power plants are being developed as power plants with low environmental impact and no resource constraints. Since these power plants operate at high temperature with large-heat transfer, scientists are studying the use of components that use liquid metal (has excellent heat transfer performance) as a coolant. The liquid metal blanket (a metal wall installed in the core) and the liquid metal divertor (receives heat and discharges exhaust) are among the most important components of fusion reactors and have attracted attention as innovative energy conversion devices. However, the selection of structural materials that are chemically compatible with high-temperature liquid metals has been a challenge. Associate Professor Masatoshi Kondo of Tokyo Institute of Technology has taken liquid metal coolants and conducted research on their chemical corrosion resistance with leading structural materials. He found that the cause of corrosion is the leaching of metallic components from materials in contact with liquid metal and the alloying of liquid metal and steel materials. In that context, he found that corrosion can be significantly reduced by forming a compact protective oxide layer on the surface of structural materials of liquid metal components. The formation of a stable protective oxide layer that inhibits such corrosion is key to making liquid metal-based components a reality. The joint research team, led by Associate Professor Kondo, in collaboration with Yokohama National University and National Institute for Fusion Science, focused on the fact that oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) FeCrAl alloys form an a-Al 2 O 3 (alpha alumina) layer consisting of a compact structure, and identified factors that can promote layer growth and the mechanism that makes the layer resist peeling off from the substrate. The a-Al 2 O 3 layer provides outstanding protection in high-temperature liquid metal environments. The ODS Fe15Cr7Al alloy has excellent high-temperature strength and is a strong potential structural material for next-generation power plants. The alloy can be oxidized at 1000C in air for 10 hours to form an a-Al 2 O 3 layer. Figure 1 shows cross-sectional microscope image of the a-Al 2 O 3 layer formed on the ODS Fe15Cr7Al alloy and the distribution of its constituent elements. Although it is only 1.28 micrometers thick, about 1/80th the thickness of a human hair, it has an extremely compact structure with uniform distribution of aluminum and oxygen, as shown in Figure 1(b). At the same time, the team found that oxides of reactive elements such as Ti, Y, and Zr were formed in the a-Al 2 O 3 layer, as shown in Figure 1(c). This is because the reactive elements that the ODS Fe15Cr7Al alloy holds dispersed as tiny oxide particles in its microstructure have migrated into the layer to form oxides. Comparison of the microstructure and growth rate of the oxide layer formed by several types of FeCrAl alloys shows that alloys without reactive elements do not form these oxides in the layer, and their layer growth is slow. These elongated oxides of reactive elements act as "oxygen-only diffusion path" that promote layer growth and improve barrier properties (Figure 2). The protective layer must be resistant to exfoliation. In this study, the team performed a scratch test on the a-Al 2 O 3 layer formed on the ODS-FeCrAl alloy to measure the magnitude of the force required to scratch and peel the layer with a sharp needle. The results show that the ODS-FeCrAl alloy has excellent adhesion properties. The mechanism by which the a-Al 2 O 3 layer becomes resistant to exfoliation is summarized in Figure 2. First, the oxides of reactive elements formed from the substrate toward the layer grab the microstructure of the layer tightly, like pegs used to secure a tent, and contribute to the improved adhesion strength. This is called the pegging effect. An unstable interface with jugged structure was formed between the a-Al 2 O 3 layer and the substrate, and as shown in Figure 3(a), the depth of this jugged interface deepens as the layer grows thicker. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(b), the deeper the jagged interface, the greater the shear stress required to peel the a-Al 2 O 3 layer, i.e., the stronger the layer adhesion strength. In the pattern with the oxygen diffusion path described above, layer growth is promoted in a moderately non-uniform manner, resulting in a deeper jagged interface and a strong anchoring effect. There are other methods of forming oxide and other layers through a solution, but compared to such methods, the layers formed in this study have stronger adhesion and can withstand the flow of liquid metals with the compact structure. The development of a compact, peel-resistant barrier technology has provided a promising outlook for extending the service life of liquid metal components such as liquid blankets and divertors. The implementation of liquid metal technology in advanced power plants such as fusion reactors and in desalination and environmental cleanup technologies is expected to spur the creation of a carbon-neutral society. Reference Authors: Yoshiki Kitamura a, Masatoshi Kondob, Naoko Oono-Horic, Yoshimitsu Hishinuma d Title: Excellent adhesion of protective a-Al 2 O 3 layer formed on ODS FeCrAl alloys Journal: Surface and Coatings Technology DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2023.129787 Affiliations: a. Tokyo Institute of Technology, School of Environment and Society, Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, Graduate Major in Nuclear Engineering b Tokyo Institute of Technology, Institute of Innovative Research, Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy c Yokohama National University d National Institute for Fusion Science Contact Emiko Kawaguchi Public Relations Division Tokyo Institute of Technology [email protected] +81-3-5734-2975 About Tokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo Tech stands at the forefront of research and higher education as the leading university for science and technology in Japan. Tokyo Tech researchers excel in fields ranging from materials science to biology, computer science, and physics. Founded in 1881, Tokyo Tech hosts over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students per year, who develop into scientific leaders and some of the most sought-after engineers in industry. Embodying the Japanese philosophy of "monotsukuri," meaning "technical ingenuity and innovation," the Tokyo Tech community strives to contribute to society through high-impact research. https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/-al2o3-protective-layer-that-sticks-to-metal-surface-with-functions-of-an-anchor-and-peg-301909811.html SOURCE Tokyo Institute of Technology [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] Dowsure Signs multi-million-dollar Asset-Backed Loan with HSBC Tweet SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dowsure as a pioneer of digital API platforms for cross-border e-commerce, today announced that it has received a multi-million-dollar Asset-Backed Loan from HSBC. The transaction follows the strategic investment made by HSBC Ventures in July 2023. HSBC acted as the sole Arranger, Original Lender, Facility Agent, Security Agent & Account Bank for Dowsure's debut revolving asset-backed loan facility ("ABL"). The facility was provided to Hong Kong Credit Services Limited ("HKCSL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dowsure in Hong Kong. This is the inaugural ABL facility in the cross-border e-commerce sector under HSBC's New Economy Fund and will support Dowsure's offshore business growth aspirations. HSBC customised an asset-backed structure for Dowsure, backed by loan receivables originated by HKCSL to cross-border sellers on the designated e-commerce platform. The facility is fully committed at closing, but also allows for flexible drawdowns to align with the company's portfolio growth strategy, as well as maximising the cash utilisation efficiency. Byron Pei, Founder and CEO of Dowsure Technologies, said, "The innovatively structured ABL from HSBC will enable Dowsure to provide support for more SMEs engaged in cross-border e-commerce exports. This will be beneficial to participants in the cross-border e-commerce industry, regardless of sellers, service providers, or cross-border e-commerce platforms, who will benefit from the development capital provided under this program. Through the abundant funds provided by large international banks, combined with Dowsure's insights and innovation capabilities, it will help the industry to achieve faster and better development. This collaboration further nhances and reinforces the partnership between HSBC and Dowsure. Meanwhile, it means a new breakthrough in Dowsure's financing model, and we appreciate HSBC's support sincerely." Thomas Elliott, Managing Director, Head of Client Coverage, Commercial Banking, Hong Kong, HSBC, said, "HSBC has helped Dowsure raise debt financing through a bespoke, structured solution, focusing on high-quality financial assets originated by HKCSL, to provide flexibility and enable the high-speed development of Dowsure's business offshore. Alongside a strategic investment recently concluded by HSBC Ventures, the ABL facility provides Dowsure with additional capital to grow its loan portfolio and further its support for e-commerce merchants across Greater China." Dowsure, as the leading global API platform for cross-border e-commerce, has cooperated with banks to launch digital financial products through advanced models and algorithms to provide cross-border e-commerce sellers with faster, more convenient, and safer funding solutions. Over the years of delving into the cross-border industry, Dowsure has accumulated multi-dimensional capabilities in cross-border scenarios, system fulfillment, and risk control technology. Dowsure has invested millions of funds in supply chain finance platform research and development. Currently, it has reached cooperation with Amazon, eBay, Meta, Shopee and other platforms. Dowsure has realized the whole path tracking of sellers' capital chain with its exclusive technology, effectively reduced the default rate, and has helped many banks and financial institutions to expand new business scenarios. Dowsure has provided new lending business scenarios for more than ten banks and other financial institutions, successfully served more than 20,000 cross-border sellers, helped sellers finance more than RMB 3 billion, and boosted sellers' sales to more than 45 billion. About Dowsure Technologies Dowsure Technologies, as a leading global digital API platform for cross-border e-commerce, was established in 2016. Through API technology and advanced models and algorithms, it collaborates with banks to launch digital financial products, providing faster, more convenient, and secure funding solutions for cross-border e-commerce sellers. With years of experience in the cross-border industry, Dowsure has accumulated multidimensional capabilities in understanding cross-border scenarios, system implementation, and product innovation. Dowsure has established partnerships with platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Meta, and Shopee and has helped banks and financial institutions expand into new business scenarios. Currently, Dowsure has provided new loan business scenarios for over ten banks and financial institutions, serving over 20,000 cross-border e-commerce sellers, helping sellers receive financing exceeding 3.5 billion RMB, and achieving sales exceeding 45 billion RMB. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/dowsure-signs-multi-million-dollar-asset-backed-loan-with-hsbc-301909928.html SOURCE Dowsure Technology Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. Awarded Top Cancer Immunotherapy Solutions Provider 2023 Tweet AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc (OTCQB:OTLC) ("Oncotelic", the "Company" or "We" or Our), announced today it was featured in Life Sciences Review, Cancer Immunology Edition and has been awarded a Top Cancer Immunotherapy Solutions Provider 2023 with other aluminous organizations. This edition features the Companys science and planned clinical trials across multiple oncology indications and promising therapeutics. https://www.lifesciencesreview.com/oncotelic For over 35 years, I have focused on the clinical research and development of immunotherapy, for various oncology indications, and working with many of the Centers of Excellence and key opinion leaders. This has given me the opportunity to focus on the treatment of patients, which is my passion. I am honored for the recognition for both Oncotelic and me personally, said Dr. Anthony Maida, Chief Clinical Officer - Translational Medicine. About Dr. Anthony Maida Dr. Maida, an expert in immuno-oncology, currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer Translation Medicine and is also a Board Member of Oncotelic. Prior to joining Oncotelic, Dr. Maida served as a Senior Vice President at Northwest Biotherapeutics. Prior to joining Northwest Dr. Maida served as Vice President, Clinical Research and General Manager, Oncology, World-wide at PharmaNet, Inc. Prior to joining PharmaNet Dr. Maida served as Chairman, Founder and Director of BioConsul Drug Development Corporation and Principal of Anthony Maida Consulting International, servicing pharmaceutical firms, venture capital, hedge funds and Wall Street. Dr. Maidas skill set includes the leading execution and oversight of research, clinical and scientific development, regulatory and manufacturing for the development of various oncology immunotherapies, finance, and operations,. Over the past 25 years Dr. Maida has served in a number of executive roles, including, Chairman, CEO, COO, CSO, CFO and business development. Over recent years Dr. Maida has raised, or assisted in financings, nearly $200 million for emerging biotechnology companies. Dr. Maida serves as an advisor, consultant and technical analyst for CMX Capital, LLC, Sagamore Bioventures, Roaring Fork Capital, Toucan Capital, North Sound Capital, The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and vFinance; the later three companies are located on the East Coast. Additionally, Dr. Maida has been retained by Abraxis BioScience, Inc., Northwet BioTherapeutics, Inc. and Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Osaka, Japan). Dr. Maida holds a Ph.D. in Immunology, a B.A. degree in Biology, a B.A. Degree in History, a MBA and a MA in toxicology. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Association for Cancer Research About Oncotelic Oncotelic (f/k/a Mateon Therapeutics, Inc.), was formed in the State of New York in 1988 as OXiGENE, Inc., was reincorporated in the State of Delaware in 1992, and changed its name to Mateon Therapeutics, Inc. in 2016, and Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. in November 2020. Oncotelic is seeking to leverage its deep expertise in oncology drug development to improve treatment outcomes and survival of cancer patients with a special emphasis on rare pediatric cancers. Oncotelic has rare pediatric designation for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG through OT-101) through its 45% joint venture, GMP Biotechnology Limited, melanoma (through CA4P), and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML through OXi 4503). Oncotelic also acquired PointR Data Inc. in November 2019 to build an AI driven biotechnology company. Further, Oncotelic acquired AL-101, during the 4th quarter of 2021, for the intranasal delivery of apomorphine. We intend to develop AL-101 for the treatment of Parkinson Disease, erectile dysfunction, female sexual disorder and hypoactive sexual desire disorder. All these ailments have a very large population suffering from them and there is a need for treatments for each. For more information on AL-101, refer to our Annual Report on form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 19, 2023. Oncotelic's Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may", "expect", "anticipate" "hope", "vision", "optimism", "design", "exciting", "promising", "will", "conviction", "estimate," "intend," "believe", "quest for a cure of cancer", "innovation-driven", "paradigm-shift", "high scientific merit", "impact potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans related to the operations of the JV, taking the JV into an initial public offering or the success thereof, the progress, timing of clinical development, scope and success of future clinical trials, the reporting of clinical data for the company's product candidates and the potential use of the company's product candidates to treat various cancer indications as well as obtaining required regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials and upon granting of approval by the regulatory agencies, the successful marketing of the products; building and the success of our nanoparticle platform and the related success of launching the platform, the success of the launch of a company with a DAO infrastructure, the success of the entity and the plans surrounding the pet and animal health, the ability for the Company to register the tokens of Pet2Dao, the actual filing of a registration statement and approval of the tokens as registrable securities with the SEC through a registration statement, the ability of the tokens to be tradable or any value such tokens may have if they become tradable.. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements or may not occur at all. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates and unexpected litigation or other disputes, taking the Company or its affiliates through initial public offerings. These risks are not exhaustive, the company faces known and unknown risks, including the risk factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 19, 2023 and in the company's other periodic filings. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact Information: For Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc.: Investor Relations [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] This Week in Transportation News: 13 Stories You Need to See A roundup of the week's most newsworthy auto and transport industry press releases from PR Newswire, including advances in supersonic flight and vehicle electrification. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the auto and transportation industries stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. Read more of the latest auto- and transportation-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNtrnsp on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for Greenland Technologies and SaverOne. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-week-in-transportation-news-13-stories-you-need-to-see-301909702.html SOURCE PR Newswire [August 25, 2023] BingX Integrates ALGOGENE to Elevate Algorithmic Trading SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BingX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, recently announced a significant advancement in its trading ecosystem through its integration with ALGOGENE, a one-stop algo-trading platform. This strategic partnership with ALGOGENE empowers BingX users with seamless access to the trading platform through standardized protocols. ALGOGENE serves as a comprehensive algo-trading platform that empowers users to learn, develop, test, and execute quantitative strategies. Leveraging the advantages of Big Data and AI, ALGOGENE engages in data-driven investment for algorithmic trading. The platform offers a range of solutions fr Algorithmic Trading, encompassing quantitative model development, real-time strategy testing, live trading deployment, algo investment, and customer training. The collaboration with ALGOGENE propels the realization of algorithmic trading's potential within the dynamic landscape of the cryptocurrency market, signifying a pivotal moment for both platforms. It underscores BingX's ongoing dedication to furnishing cutting-edge solutions and enhancing the trading experience for its users. Elvisco Carrington, PR and Communications Director of BingX, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "This collaboration with ALGOGENE widens the horizons for BingX users, granting them access to an array of analytical tools and historical data. We're excited to join forces with ALGOGENE to offer this advantage to our users, reaffirming BingX's commitment to delivering innovative solutions in the ever-evolving realm of crypto trading." Being a global crypto trading gateway, BingX boasts connections with numerous brokers worldwide, including CCXT, AstraBit, and Tealstreet, which allows its users to effortlessly manage and deploy investment strategies across multiple platforms. About BingX BingX is a leading crypto exchange that offers spot, derivatives, copy, and grid trading services to over 100 countries and regions worldwide with over 5 million users. BingX continues to connect users with expert traders and the platform in a safe and innovative way. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bingx-integrates-algogene-to-elevate-algorithmic-trading-301909998.html SOURCE BingX [August 25, 2023] Viz.ai Signs License Agreement with UCSF to Commercialize Three Cardiac Artificial Intelligence Algorithms Tweet Viz.ai, the leader in AI-powered disease detection and intelligent care coordination, today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to commercialize three AI algorithms for the automated detection of cardiovascular diseases. Developed at UCSF by leading researchers, these AI algorithms to detect cardiac amyloidosis, pulmonary hypertension, and supraventricular tachycardia are based on analysis of electrocardiograms (ECGs), the most widely used diagnostic test for characterization of cardiac structure and electrical activity of the heart. "We are enthusiastic about the possibility of applying these AI-powered algorithms in clinical practice to enable knowledge and discovery, and to provide timely insights for decision-making," said Anthony Francis, executive director of the Office of Technology Management and Advancement from the University. "These algorithms improve on existing systems and meet or exceed clinically accepted standards of care." Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death around the globe, with over 18 million fatalities annually. Accordingly, early detection and treatment are of paramount importance. Viz.ai offers a comprehensive AI-powered platform that can auto-detect a wide range of suspected cardiovascular diseases using regulatory-cleared algorithms and facilitate care coordination with HIPAA-compliant communication tools. Following regulatory clearance, these three new algorithms will be a part of Viz.ai's expanding ffering, which includes ECG-based AI algorithms, ECG viewer, AI-interpretation of echos and echo viewer, enabling cardiac care teams to detect disease earlier and coordinate care in real time. "Collectively, cardiac amyloidosis, pulmonary hypertension, and supraventricular tachycardia affect up to 75 million people worldwide and are extremely difficult to detect or can take years to diagnose. Earlier cardiovascular disease detection and management are critical not only to improve patient lives and increase access to life-saving treatments but also to reduce healthcare provider burnout," said Steve Sweeny, vice president of life science business development and strategy at Viz.ai. "We are proud to work with UCSF to develop more AI-powered tools that can advance cardiac care." About Viz.ai, Inc. Viz.ai is the pioneer in the use of AI algorithms and machine learning to increase the speed of diagnosis and care, covering more than 220 million lives across 1,400+ hospitals and health systems in the U.S. and Europe. The AI-powered Viz Platform is an intelligent care coordination solution that identifies more patients with a suspected disease, informs critical decisions at the point of care, and optimizes care pathways and helps improve outcomes. Backed by real-world clinical evidence, the Viz Platform delivers significant value to patients, providers, and pharmaceutical and medical device companies. For more information visit viz.ai. About UCSF The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. UCSF Health, which serves as UCSF's primary academic medical center, includes top-ranked specialty hospitals and other clinical programs, and has affiliations throughout the Bay Area. UCSF School of Medicine also has a regional campus in Fresno. Learn more at ucsf.edu or see our Fact Sheet. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825174835/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] DoIT Unveils Revolutionary AIoT Pelagic Fishery System and Other AI Technologies at 2023 Meet Greater South Tweet TAIPEI, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), has showcased a selection of 30 innovations from startup teams and R&D institutes at the 2023 Meet Greater South, one of the leading startup expositions in Asia. Among the highlights of the opening event was the unveiling of DoIT's Pelagic Fishery AIoT Value-Added System, an advanced drone application system that utilizes four drones to precisely locate and track schools of pelagic fish. Dr. Chiou Chyou-Huey, Director General of DoIT, emphasized the significance of this advanced drone application system, stating that "the Pelagic Fishery AIoT Value-Added System marks that Taiwan is introducing AI technologies into pelagic fishing for the first time." Compared to using helicopters for fish search, this innovation boasts a threefold increase in efficiency and a 65% reduction in operational costs. This AIoT pelagic fishery system incorporates efforts of local enterprises, pelagic fisheries, non-governmental organizations that contributed to the key technologies, and the drone supply chain in Taiwan. Director General Chiou expressed optimism that this AIoT system would catalyze the industrialization of drone fleet services for pelagic fisheries. The event also showcased an array of other AI-powered exhibits, including the Edge Cloud Low-Latency Computing Software and Hardware Innovation Technology, which is co-developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Institute for Information Industry (III). Integrating a management platform and AI accelerator cards, this innovation can perform data transmission and analysis within 100 milliseconds, while effectively halving deployment costs for enterprises. With its excellent low-latency computing capability, this technology finds broad applications in venues demanding substantial AI computing power, such as 5G-enabled smart shopping malls and advanced smart factories. DoIT also introduced an advanced AI display solution called the Magic Surprise Craft, which features an angular three-sided naked-eye 3D display and real-time interactive perception technology. Developed by ITRI, this AI display system can detect human body movements even when off-screen. Eslite Spectrum is set to demonstrate this innovation in stores in Japan this upcoming fall. The extensive potential of this innovation has led ITRI to collaborate with AI-related enterprises in the United States, making successful inroads into the global automotive parts sector. Business Contact: Ji Yi-Shan, DoIT Researcher Phone: +886-2-23212200 Ext. 8155; +886-910-660322 (Mobile) Email: [email protected] On-site ITRI Media Contact: You-Qi Chen, Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI Phone: +886-3-5917174; +886-921-066256 (Mobile) Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/doit-unveils-revolutionary-aiot-pelagic-fishery-system-and-other-ai-technologies-at-2023-meet-greater-south-301910016.html SOURCE ITRI [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] Netherlands-Based ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland Selects YuJa Video Platform to Serve More Than 38,000 Students Attending 12 Colleges Tweet ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland, the biggest vocational educational institute in the Netherlands, has selected the YuJa Enterprise Video Platform to provide a video and media creation, hosting, storage, and distribution solution across its campuses. The institution put out a tender for a video solution through SURF, a collaborative organization for IT in Dutch education and research. The institution was seeking a video platform to enhance functionality, ease management of content and make processes more future proof. In addition, leaders wanted to prepare for an increase in digital media, make content more easily available to a wider audience, support educators and students in daily teaching and learning activities, improve the searchability of digital content, and enable archiving. Beyond these benefits, the institution will have the ability to add captions, embed video quizzes, and share content among a variety of audiences, as well as comprehensive analytics, gradebook integration, adaptive bitrate streaming, device compatibility, and other features that eable success for instructors and students. YuJa also integrates with Canvas, the institution's learning management system. YuJa works with a variety of institutions in the Netherlands, including the University of Twente, Wageningen University and Research, and Eindhoven University to provide all-in-one video and media solutions. "As a leader in ed-tech solutions, YuJa is committed to providing institutions with a comprehensive video and media experience that makes it easy for instructors, students and others to create engaging, interactive content in a secure, organized manner," said Nathan Arora, Chief Business Officer at YuJa, Inc. "We're excited to expand our reach in the Netherlands and for ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland to experience the broad features and tools provided." ABOUT ROC VAN AMSTERDAM-FLEVOLAND The ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland (ROCvA-F) offers more than 300 vocational education programs in all industries in the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Diemen, Hilversum, Hoofddorp, Almere and Lelystad. ROCvA-F is the biggest vocational educational institute in the Netherlands and market leader. ROCvA-F has more than 38,000 students and 12 colleges. ABOUT YUJA, INC. YuJa is a leader in ed-tech solutions. Our platforms provide organizations of all sizes with the tools to educate, engage, inspire and collaborate. We serve learning enterprises within all sectors, including higher-ed, K-12, government, healthcare, non-profit and corporate. We have legal headquarters in Delaware with primary U.S. offices in Silicon Valley, California, and Canadian offices in Toronto. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825485052/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] Invitation to Tecsys' Conference Call on September 8, 2023, Covering First Quarter FY2024 Results Tweet MONTREAL, Aug. 25, 2023 /CNW/ -- Tecsys Inc. (TSX: TCS) will release its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 ended July 31, 2023 on September 7, 2023 after the markets close. Tecsys President and CEO Peter Brereton, and CFO Mark J. Bentler, will host a conference call on September 8, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. EDT to present and discuss the results with the analysts. Subject: Q1 FY2024 Financial Results Conference Call Date: September 8, 2023 Time: 8:30 a.m. EDT Phone number: (877) 209-9554 or (416) 981-9007 The call can be replayed until September 15, 2023 by calling (800) 558-5253 or (416) 626-4144 (access code: 22027896). Abut Tecsys Since our founding 40 years ago, much has changed in the realm of supply chain technology. But one thing has remained constant; by developing dynamic and innovative supply chain solutions, Tecsys has been equipping organizations for growth and competitive advantage. Serving healthcare, distribution and converging commerce industries, and spanning multiple complex, regulated and high-volume markets, Tecsys delivers warehouse management, distribution and transportation management, supply management at point of use, and retail order management, as well as complete financial management and analytics solutions. Tecsys' shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TCS. For more information on Tecsys, visit www.tecsys.com. Forward Looking Statements The statements in this news release relating to matters that are not historical fact are forward looking statements that are based on management's beliefs and assumptions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties, including but not limited to future economic conditions, the markets that Tecsys Inc. serves, the actions of competitors, major new technological trends, and other factors beyond the control of Tecsys Inc., which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. More information about the risks and uncertainties associated with Tecsys Inc.'s business can be found in the MD&A section of the Company's annual report and the most recently filed annual information form. These documents have been filed with the Canadian securities commissions and are available on our website (www.tecsys.com) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Copyright Tecsys Inc. 2023. All names, trademarks, products, and services mentioned are registered or unregistered trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Tecsys Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] Video Surveillance Market worth $83.3 billion by 2028 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets Tweet CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global video surveillance market is expected to be valued at USD 53.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 83.3 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Growing security concerns, the embrace of smart city projects, increasing demand for analytics, and advancements in AI-driven video analysis collectively fuel the video surveillance market. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=645 Browse in-depth TOC on "Video Surveillance Market" 190 Tables 53 Figures 278 Pages Video Surveillance Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $53.7 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $83.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Offering, System, Vertical and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Need for high-capacity storage systems and increased bandwidth Key Market Opportunities Increasing adoption of smart devices for remote monitoring Key Market Drivers Deployment of AI-driven video analytics algorithms Video Surveillance market for a software segment to hold the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The software segment in the video surveillance market is projected to exhibit the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) due to several factors. Firstly, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have led to the development of sophisticated video analytics software, enhancing the capabilities of surveillance systems. Secondly, the increasing integration of video surveillance with other technologies such as IoT and access control necessitates robust software solutions. Moreover, the demand for real-time monitoring, data analysis, and remote access drives the adoption of software platforms. The innovations in cloud-based solutions further boost the growth potential of the software segment in the video surveillance market. Video Surveillance market for IP Video Surveillance System segment to hold the highest market share during the forecast period. The significant growth of IP video surveillance systems can be attributed to various factors. IP cameras offer higher image quality and advanced features compared to analog alternatives, aligning with the shift towards digital technology. Additionally, the integration of video surveillance into the Internet of Things (IoT) framework enhances overall security and operational efficiency through seamless data sharing. The ability to provide remote access and real-time monitoring meets modern security demands, while the incorporation of AI-powered analytics further bolsters threat detection and response capabilities. Video Surveillance market for infrastructure vertical to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The infrastructure vertical in the video surveillance industry is positioned for the largest CAGR due to the escalating need for advanced security solutions in urbanization and smart city initiatives. Critical infrastructure like transportation hubs, utilities, and public facilities demand robust surveillance systems to ensure safety and operational efficiency. Growing investments in infrastructure modernization, particularly in both developed and developing regions, drive the adoption of video surveillance technologies. Regulatory mandates for increased security measures in critical facilities further contribute to the rapid expansion of this vertical. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=645 Video Surveillance market for Asia Pacific to hold the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Rapid urbanization, particularly in countries like China and India, drives the demand for robust security measures across various sectors. Concurrently, the escalating security concerns in both developed and developing economies fuel the adoption of advanced video surveillance technologies. The region's increasing investments in smart city initiatives further amplify the integration of surveillance systems for enhanced safety and efficient urban management. Moreover, technological advancements, including AI-powered analytics, find strong footholds in the Asia Pacific, contributing to the prominence of Asia Pacific in the global video surveillance market. The video surveillance companies includes major Tier I and II players like Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Zhejiang Uniview Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), i-PRO Co., Ltd. (Japan), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China) and others. These players have a strong market presence of video surveillance across various countries in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and RoW. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=645 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: AI in Video Surveillance Market by Hardware (AI Cameras, Monitors, Storage Devices, Servers), Software (AI Video Management Software, AI-Driven Video Analytics), Service (VSaaS), Deployment (On-premises, Cloud-based), Vertical - Global Forecast to 2028 VSaaS Market by Type (Hosted, Managed, and Hybrid), Vertical (Commercial, Infrastructure, Residential, Public Facilities, Military & Defense, and Industrial) and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, Rest of the World)- Global Forecast to 2027 Mobile Video Surveillance Market by Offering (Hardware, Software, Service), Application (Railways, Buses, Transport Vehicles, Police Vehicles, Drones), Vertical (Law Enforcement, Transportation, Industrial) and Geography - Global Forecast to 2027 Home Security Systems Market Size, Share, Industry Growth Analysis Report by Home Type (Independent Homes, Apartments), Security (Professionally Installed & Monitored, Do-It-Yourself), Systems (Access Control Systems), Services (Security System Integration Services), Global Growth Driver and Industry Forecast To 2027 Access Control Market by Offering (Hardware-Card-based, Biometric, & Multi-technology Readers, Electronic Locks, Controllers; Software; Services), ACaaS (Hosted, Managed, Hybrid), Vertical and Region- Global Forecast to 2028 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/video-surveillance-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/global-video-surveillance-market.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/video-surveillance-market-worth-83-3-billion-by-2028---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-301909890.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Beiqi Yinxiang Automobile will start selling the Kenbo 600 SUV here in mid-January. The model falls roughly between the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe in size but will cost about W20 million, about W5 million less than its Korean rivals (US$1=W1,208). Chinese carmakers hope to make greater inroads into the Korean market next year. Beiqi Yinxiang is an affiliate of BAIC Motor, one of China's top five carmakers, which already sells a minivan and mini-truck at some 30 dealerships across the country. An importer said there is already some buzz about Chinese passenger cars being good value for money, "so we'll stake our future next year on the sales of SUVs, which are popular here." Chinese electric vehicle makers are also eyeing the Korean market. BYD, China's biggest automaker, will start sales here next year after establishing a Korean branch in October. BYD is expected to focus on selling small electric buses. Foton, China's leading maker of commercial vehicles, is also eyeing the electric bus market here and is currently conducting a test run in Korea, which has drawn interest from some local governments. But it remains to be seen whether Chinese cars can win over picky Korean motorists. The Chinese cars imported in the first 11 months this year were worth a mere US$60 million, far behind established imports from the U.S., Europe and Japan. "Chinese automakers have improved the quality of their cars, but they'll have to overcome many obstacles like bias against Chinese products," said Lee Hang-koo of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. [August 25, 2023] UBS Advisor Daniel Green Named to Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State List Tweet UBS Wealth Management USA announced today that Financial Advisor Daniel P. Green, based in the firm's Knoxville, Tennessee office, has been named to the Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State list for 2023. This is the fourth consecutive year that Daniel has appeared on the Forbes Next-Gen rankings. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825239484/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) "We are very proud to once again see Daniel recognized for his achievements and dedication to helping clients achieve their business and financial goals," said Chris Cannon, Knoxville Market Director at UBS Wealth Management USA. "Daniel exemplifies the qualities that we value in our financial advisors, and we congratulate him on this recognition." Daniel has been with UBS since 2013. He and his team, The Green Group, have developed nd refined a process that uniquely serves families of entrepreneurs preparing to transition their business. This guidance is paired with advice on investments, retirement, and estate planning. Daniel earned his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Tennessee, and holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation from the Exit Planning Institute. In recognition of his professionalism and dedication to clients, Daniel has also previously been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list (2021-2023). The 2023 Forbes/SHOOK Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State list is comprised of over 1,400 Advisors across the country. Born in 1984 or later, they manage nearly $2.5 trillion in cumulative assets. The ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative measures including phone and in-person interviews, compliance records, and revenue generated for their firms. For the full list and further information visit: https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-next-gen-advisors/. Notes to Editors About UBS UBS convenes the global ecosystem for investing, where people and ideas are connected and opportunities brought to life, and provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as to private clients in Switzerland. UBS offers investment solutions, products and impactful thought leadership, is the leading global wealth manager, provides large-scale and diversified asset management, focused investment banking capabilities, and personal and corporate banking services in Switzerland. The firm focuses on businesses that have a strong competitive position in their target markets, are capital efficient and have an attractive long-term structural growth or profitability outlook. UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 regions and locations, with about 30% of its employees working in the Americas, 29% in Switzerland, 20% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 21% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs more than 72,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). https://www.ubs.com UBS 2023. All rights reserved. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. Although neither UBS Financial Services Inc. or its employees pay a fee in exchange for these ratings, UBS may hire RJ Shook to be a speaker for events. Past performance is not an indication of future results. For press use only. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825239484/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] ROSEN, NATIONALLY REGARDED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action - HE Tweet WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HE) between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 23, 2023. SO WHAT: If you purchased Hawaiian Electric securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Hawaiian Electric class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18336 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 23, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen LawFirm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made false and/or misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Hawaiian Electric's wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; (2) accordingly, despite knowing the degree of risk that wildfires posed to Maui, the Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (3) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Hawaiian Electric class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18336 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825228597/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] Minister Boissonnault announces federal investments to support business growth and job creation in Edmonton region Tweet Over $12.2 million through PrairiesCan will help 11 innovative companies across Edmonton to scale-up operations and enter new markets EDMONTON, AB, Aug. 25, 2023 /CNW/ - The Edmonton region is home to a skilled workforce, one of North America's fastest growing technology sectors and some of Canada's most innovative, high-growth companies that are strengthening our economy. The federal government is committed to supporting Edmonton's leading-edge companies to continue growing and creating quality jobs that Canadians can count on. Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of more than $12.2 million for 11 companies across sectors ranging from clean technology and healthcare to quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Examples of local companies receiving support include: Alberta Honey Producers Co-operative Ltd. is receiving $1,822,945 to expand and modernize honey processing and packaging operations, as well as to increase its capacity and bolster sales growth in both North American and Asian markets. is receiving to expand and modernize honey processing and packaging operations, as well as to increase its capacity and bolster sales growth in both North American and Asian markets. Boreal Laser Inc. is receiving $1,259,660 to launch a suite of products that incorporate enhanced technologies with the ability to measure gas emissions reliably and scale-up growth in global markets. is receiving to launch a suite of products that incorporate enhanced technologies with the ability to measure gas emissions reliably and scale-up growth in global markets. Copperstone Technologies is receiving $1,912,485 to design and build state-of-the-art robots to meet demand for its remote operated hazardous environmental monitoring services. is receiving to design and build state-of-the-art robots to meet demand for its remote operated hazardous environmental monitoring services. DrugBank (incorporated as OMx Personal Health Analytics Inc.) is receiving $715,000 to improve the functionality of its pharmaceutical knowledgebase software and to support international sales growth through product-led growth and partnerships. is receiving to improve the functionality of its pharmaceutical knowledgebase software and to support international sales growth through product-led growth and partnerships. Zero Point Cryogenics Inc. is receiving $604,140 to establish a manufacturing facility with custom dilution refrigerator production capability and to scale-up marketing to capitalize on the growing demand for cryogenic systems in the quantum computing industry. Today's investments are expected to help support the creation of 475 jobs. Federal funding is repayable and is provided through the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program and the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF). PrairiesCan administers these federal programs in Alberta. Quotes "Today's investments will help some of the Edmonton region's most innovative companies to grow their manufacturing capacity, launch new products and expand to new markets. This is good for Alberta businesses, helps strengthen and diversify Alberta's economy, and lays the foundation for quality jobs that Albertans can rely on." - The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan "The Edmonton metro region is an economic powerhouse. Whether in renewable technology and healthcare, quantum computing and artificial intelligence, or the energy sector, the companies we're investing in will be key to our economic prosperity for years to come. Today's investments are about supporting local, innovative businesses that are creating jobs and building an economy that works for everyone." - The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages "Edmonton is booming, achieving 96% growth in ecosystem value in the past year through the power of collaboration. These 11 remarkable companies receiving PrairiesCan funding today are key contributors in positioning Edmonton as an inclusive global innovation capital, delivering solutions to the world's toughest challenges, and enhancing international competitiveness. Having supported a number of these high-growth startups through Edmonton Unlimited, we are now excited to see their flourishing operations, hot new jobs, and technological breakthroughs." - Catherine Warren, CEO, Edmonton Unlimited "Support from the PrairiesCan BSP program is crucial to Boreal Laser's growth plan. The funding will be used to invest in the people, products, and processes necessary to enable Boreal Laser to "Cross the Chasm" from niche to mainstream gas detection markets." - Dr. Hamish Adam, Director, Boreal Laser Quick facts PrairiesCan funding for 11 Edmonton and area companies is being provided through the Business Scale-up and Productivity program, as well as the Jobs and Growth Fund. The Business Scale-up and Productivity program supports high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services, or technologies. Funding is interest-free and repayable. The Jobs and Growth Fund helps job creators and the organizations that support them future proof their businesses, build resiliency, and prepare for growth. Funding is interest-free and repayable. Backgrounder The total of $12,246,084 in funding will provide more opportunities for business growth and jobs across key sectors to support a prosperous economic future across Edmonton. Eleven companies are receiving federal funding to scale-up and expand into new markets. A total of 475 jobs are expected to be created as a result of these investments. Federal funding is repayable and has been allocated through the Business Scale-up and Productivity program, and the Jobs and Growth Fund. Both programs are administered in the Prairie provinces through PrairiesCan. Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) - $2,711,410 The BSP program supports high-growth businesses that are seeking to improve productivity, scale-up and commercialize technology. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of two years. Today, PrairiesCan announced support for three companies: Boreal Laser Inc. ($1,259,660) Launch a suite of products that incorporate enhanced technologies to reliably measure gas emissions and scale-up growth in international markets. Launch a suite of products that incorporate enhanced technologies to reliably measure gas emissions and scale-up growth in international markets. NanoSpeed Diagnostics Inc. ($736,750) Obtain certification required to manufacture and market its proven rapid healthcare device in North American markets. Obtain certification required to manufacture and market its proven rapid healthcare device in North American markets. DrugBank (incorporated as OMx Personal Health Analytics Inc.) ($715,000) Improve the functionality of its pharmaceutical knowledgebase software and support international sales growth through product-led growth and partnerships. Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) - $9,534,674 The JGF is a $700-million federal program to support regional job creation and position local economies for long-term growth. The Fund provides businesses and organizations with either interest-free loans or non-repayable funding to help job creators and the organizations that support them to prepare for growth, build resiliency, enhance competitiveness and create jobs. Today, PrairiesCan announced support for eight companies: Alberta Honey Producers Co-operative Ltd. ($1,822,945) Expand and modernize honey processing and packaging operations to increase capacity and support sales growth in North American and Asian markets. Expand and modernize honey processing and packaging operations to increase capacity and support sales growth in North American and Asian markets. Applied Quantum Materials Inc. ( $619,500 ) Increase manufacturing capacity to meet global demand for non-toxic silicon nano materials used in products across the electronics, healthcare, construction, energy and consumer goods industries. Increase manufacturing capacity to meet global demand for non-toxic silicon nano materials used in products across the electronics, healthcare, construction, energy and consumer goods industries. Copperstone Technologies ($1,912,485) Design and build state-of-the-art robots to meet demand for their remote operated hazardous environmental monitoring services. Design and build state-of-the-art robots to meet demand for their remote operated hazardous environmental monitoring services. Onlea Enterprises Inc. ($285,000) Develop and market an expanded product line of artificial intelligence-enabled online learning tools and services to create inclusive learning experiences. Develop and market an expanded product line of artificial intelligence-enabled online learning tools and services to create inclusive learning experiences. Samdesk (Incorporated as Social Asset Management) ($1,600,000) Increase sales of its advanced artificial intelligence assisted crisis detection and alerting services across new global markets and industries. Increase sales of its advanced artificial intelligence assisted crisis detection and alerting services across new global markets and industries. TC Scientific Inc. ($1,190,604) Expand operations of specialized scientific and analytical services that enable companies in the life sciences sector to test their products. Expand operations of specialized scientific and analytical services that enable companies in the life sciences sector to test their products. True Angle Medical Technologies Inc. ( $1,500,000 ) Refine existing technologies and integrate technology to increase market size for mobile dysphagia treatment devices which provide real-time feedback for clinicians and patients to monitor progress in executing rehabilitation exercises. Refine existing technologies and integrate technology to increase market size for mobile dysphagia treatment devices which provide real-time feedback for clinicians and patients to monitor progress in executing rehabilitation exercises. Zero Point Cryogenics Inc. ( $604,140 ) Establish a manufacturing facility to produce custom dilution refrigerators and to scale-up marketing to capitalize on the growing demand for cryogenic systems in the quantum computing industry. Associated links Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) Stay connected Follow PrairiesCan on Twitter and LinkedIn Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378 TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388 SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] MP Chahal announces investments in business growth and digital technology in Saskatchewan Tweet $600,000 through PrairiesCan to support economic development initiatives in Saskatchewan REGINA, SK, Aug. 25, 2023 /CNW/ - Saskatchewan has a diverse and growing economy, built on a strong entrepreneurial culture and technological advancements that help support the needs of Canadians. With vibrant research and innovation sectors, an expanding labour market, and a community of innovative business creators, Saskatchewan has ample opportunities to continue that economic growth in a way that leaves no one behind. PrairiesCan was created by the Government of Canada to support that future for communities across the province. Today, George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, on behalf of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of $600,000 to help Saskatchewan businesses, and organizations that support the business community, access the resources needed to scale-up and bring innovative products and services to new markets. These investments will help ensure that Saskatchewan businesses have the tools and information to thrive, and they will help the province advance by matching a diverse population with the rich economic opportunities in the region. Immigrant, minority, and Indigenous business owners will be better positioned for success from support focused on their unique needs. The Saskatchewan health care community and patients will benefit from new technology that helps mitigate current challenges. As well, the digital technology sector will be able to advance with a clearer picture of the regional labour market. Quotes "Our government is continuing to work with innovators, business leaders and industry associations to ensure that they have the support they need to succeed. Today's investments in business and organizations that support business will help diversify labour markets in Saskatchewan and grow digital technology enterprises that serve the Prairies and beyond." The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan "Maximizing business growth on the Prairies requires innovative solutions and a strong understanding of the needs of entrepreneurs and local labour markets. Our government is investing in digital technology, diversity and inclusion, and targeted research to help businesses grow smarter, for a strong economy of the future." George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview "The Regina & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to play a part in fostering and enhancing a diverse and inclusive business community in Regina and Saskatchewan. The sharing of different perspectives and experiences will lead to innovation, new partnership opportunities and a more robust local economic outlook." Tony Playter, CEO, Regina & District Chamber of Commerce "Funding from the Business Scale-up and Productivity program from Prairies Can helped Lumeca build technology that is now being piloted here in Saskatchewan. This crucial new technolgy enables remote physicians to keep rural Emergency Departments from having to close temporarily due to the ongoing staffing challenges affecting health systems globally." "Our most recent funding project [Labour Market Economic Impact Study 2023] in partnership with PrairiesCan and Innovation Saskatchewan, will be launched in early September 2023, and will be a benchmark for the technology sector in Saskatchewan. The data collection will be utilized by private, public and entrepreneurs in the growing technology ecosystem" Darcy McLane, CEO, Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association Inc. Quick facts PrairiesCan is investing $600,000 today in Saskatchewan through three different programs: today in through three different programs: The Regina & District Chamber of Commerce is receiving $250,000 under the Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program to develop a pilot program to support immigrant, minority and Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs in Regina and surrounding area. under the Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program to develop a pilot program to support immigrant, minority and Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs in and surrounding area. Repayable funding of $200,000 under the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program will help Lumeca Health Inc. expand their market reach and improve their emergency communication platform, Lumeco Go. under the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program will help Lumeca Health Inc. expand their market reach and improve their emergency communication platform, Lumeco Go. The Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association Inc. is receiving $150,000 under the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program to conduct a labour market economic impact study of Saskatchewan's digital technology sector. Backgrounder These investments in the Saskatchewan economy support business growth and digital technology through repayable funding direct to business, and targeted initiatives for business organizations which are non-repayable. Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) The CEDD program contributes to the economic growth and diversification of communities across the Prairie provinces. Through this program, PrairiesCan enables communities to leverage their capacity and strengths to respond to economic development opportunities and adjust to changing and challenging economic circumstances. Today, PrairiesCan announced the following CEDD-funded project: Regina & District Chamber of Commerce ($250,000) Develop a pilot program to provide resources, learning and mentorship opportunities to local immigrant, minority and Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs in Regina and surrounding area. Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Through the BSP program, the Government of Canada supports high-growth businesses seeking to improve productivity, scale-up and commercialize technology. BSP offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated high-growth businesses that have been operating in the Prairie provinces for a minimum of two years. The following BSP funding was announced today by PrairiesCan: Lumeca Health Inc. ($200,000) Expand market reach by hiring sales and marketing staff and enhance and add new functionality to its proprietary emergency communication platform, Lumeca Go. Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) The RIE program helps create, grow, and nurture inclusive regional ecosystems that support what business needs to innovate from start to finish. Through RIE, targeted investments in not-for-profit organizations support businesses in priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally. RIE also promotes inclusive growth by helping under-represented groups more fully participate in the innovation economy. Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association Inc. ($150,000) Conduct a Labour Market Economic Impact (LMEI) study of Saskatchewan's digital technology sector. Associated links Prairies Economic Development Canada Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) in the Prairie provinces Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) in the Prairie provinces Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) in the Prairie provinces Stay connected Follow PrairiesCan on Twitter and LinkedIn Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378 TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388 SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] Kirby McInerney LLP Continues Investigation of Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS) on Behalf of Investors Tweet The law firm of Kirby McInerney LLP is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Altice USA, Inc. ("Altice USA" or the "Company") (NYSE: ATUS). The investigation concerns whether Altice USA and/or certain of its officers have violated the federal securities laws and/or engaged in other unlawful business practices. On July 25, 2023, media outlets reported that Altice USA co-founder and former Chief Operating Officer Armando Pereira had been placed under house arrest in Portugal in connection with an investigation into alleged corruption, tax fraud, and money laundering at Altice Portugal. On this news, the price of Altice USA shares declined by $0.25 per share, or approximately 7.25%, from $3.45 per share to close at $3.20 on July 25, 2023. If you purchased or otherwis acquired Altice USA securities, have information, or would like to learn more about this investigation, please contact Thomas W. Elrod of Kirby McInerney LLP by email at [email protected], or by filling out this contact form, to discuss your rights or interests with respect to these matters without any cost to you. Kirby McInerney LLP is a New York-based plaintiffs' law firm concentrating in securities, antitrust, whistleblower, and consumer litigation. The firm's efforts on behalf of shareholders in securities litigation have resulted in recoveries totaling billions of dollars. Additional information about the firm can be found at Kirby McInerney LLP's website: https://www.kmllp.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825802202/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 25, 2023] West Palm Beach selected as host site for a second time for Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp - APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON! Tweet WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Time is running out to apply to participate in the Mark Cuban Foundation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamp hosted by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) in West Palm Beach. Applications for the no-cost bootcamp are closing soon! The AI bootcamp is targeted toward underserved high school students (9 - 12-grade) and offers participants a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI. FPL has been selected as one of the more than 28 host companies across the U.S. for fall 2023. If accepted, participants will engage in a four- week bootcamp held on consecutive Saturdays from October 14 to November 4. It is imperative that students commit to attending all four sessions. The bootcamp sessions will take place from 2-6p.m. ET. No prior experience in computer science, programming, or robotics is required. The applications for both students and parents can be submitted through markcubanai.org/fplpr. During the bootcamp, students will explore the world of artificial intelligence, including ethical implications and real- life applications , such as , TikTok recommendations, smart home assistants, facial recognition, and self-driving cars. Participants will also discover the features of Large Language Models like ChatGPT, which can answer questions, create original stories, and even gnerate computer code. To provide a beneficial learning environment, trained volunteer corporate mentors , who are knowledgeable in AI, machine learning, and data science , will lead the students through the curriculum. Throughout the bootcamp, students will have the opportunity to work with open-source tools and develop their own AI applications related to computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI. The Mark Cuban Foundation provides the bootcamps curriculum materials, trains corporate volunteer mentors, and recruits and scores applications for local students selected to attend the camp. In addition, the Mark Cuban Foundation and FPL work together to provide food, information on transportation options, and access to laptops for students at no-cost to use during the bootcamp. This bootcamp is facilitated with support from the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp Program's media partner, Notified, a globally trusted technology partner for investor relations, public relations and marketing professionals. It was a lot of fun, I learned things I didn't even know were possible with AI and their real-world applications showed me just how much it will change our world." - Brandon B., 10th Grade, 2022 AI Bootcamp Participant Founded by Mark Cuban in 2019, the AI bootcamp initiative has hosted no-cost AI bootcamps for students across several U.S. cities, including Dallas, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Atlantic City to name a few. The Mark Cuban Foundation has impacted 900+ students to date and has a goal to increase that number year-over-year. Students interested in applying to the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp should do so before Friday, September 8, 2023 at markcubanai.org/fplpr. To see our 2023 camp locations and to learn more about the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamps, please visit markcubanai.org/faq. Contact: Lauren Ronse, Mark Cuban Foundation Phone: 405-973-7577 Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] If I was a jerk, I'd post the picture but apropos for our spirit of fun on #TBT . . . Let's merely remember: Our twice elected Mayor of Kansas City had a mugshot drop before he became the head honcho at city hall. Accordingly . . . Mug shots aren't really as big of a deal as they were not so long ago . . . The world changes and keeps changing . . . Still . . .There really is only one, maybe two stories worth blogging for the late night & early morning . . . And this is it: "In Donald Trumps mug shot taken at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday, hes looking straight into the camera. His platinum blonde cotton candy wisp of hair shimmering in the harsh jailhouse lighting. His eyes locked in a hard stare. His mouth flattened in a grimace. Instead of smiling like some of his co-defendants, he appears to be scowling. " Again . . . If all this was supposed to be calculated effort to bring him down . . . It's not working. Former President Trump remains the GOP front runner by far . . . From our perspective, TKC doesn't like the guy's politics, reputation and I wouldn't trust him sell ice water Trump Ice during a heat index of 124 . . . BUT, I'd vote for him over the guy who recently talked about a kitchen fire after an inferno claimed hundreds of lives in Maui. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Here Is Trump's Mug Shot, the First Ever of a Former President Trump's booking in Atlanta is the fourth time he's faced criminal charges in six months, but the first time he's posed for a mug shot. Donald Trump's Mug Shot Released, a Historic First for Any U.S. President The release of Donald Trump's Fulton County booking photo comes as the former president answers to his fourth set of felony charges this year, the latest in relation to his and his allies' alleged attempts to overturn the results of Georgia's 2020 presidential election Trump returns to Twitter, now X, for first time in 2 years with mug shot post It's his first post on the platform, now called "X," since Jan. 8, 2021, You decide . . . A quick roundup as the heat made more news than the current spate of Summer violence and property damage . . . Some of these are repeats but only because newer stories had more info . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . 'My back window was busted': After security upgrades, Kia and Hyundai owners face new challenge The aftermath of failed theft attempts is costing vehicle owners thousands of dollars in damage. Off-duty Kansas City cop carjacked at gunpoint while trying to stop assault: Prosecutors The Kansas City police officer was in plain clothes when he witnessed an assault near Third Street and Grand Boulevard. The assailant allegedly pointed a gun at him and stole his car. 1 man shot after disturbance with girlfriend in Grandview A 39-year-old man was shot after being involved in a domestic disturbance with his girlfriend on Thursday evening in Grandview, Mo. Sheriff's office agrees to destroy evidence obtained from raid on Kansas newspaper - Kansas Reflector Police secretly copied one or more computers they seized from the Marion County Record and unlawfully failed to hand over the copy when they returned evidence last week, an attorney for the newspaper asserts. Random act of violence left Liberty 20-year-old dead: court records FOX4 has new details following a deadly car crash in Liberty, Missouri, where investigators say a driver intentionally hit a 20-year-old woman. Inmate's death at Missouri prison is the third this month, eighth this year An investigation continues into the death of a Missouri prison inmate - the third inmate to die at the same lockup this month and the eighth this year. Midwest Innocence Project argues Missouri death row inmate is innocent The Midwest Innocence Project says the state of Missouri needs to allow Board of Inquiry to conclude investigation of case against Marcellus Williams, sentenced to death for the 1998 murder of former St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter Felicia Gayle. Deputy shot during standoff in Missouri; suspect at large Authorities are scouring Lincoln County, Missouri for a man who initiated a standoff and shot one sheriff's deputy before fleeing. Kansas judge seals court documents in car chase that ended in officer's shooting death The gunfire left Officer Jonah Oswald of the Fairway Police Department and car chase suspect Shannon Wayne Marshall dead. University of Kansas PD warns of scam targeting families of KU students University of Kansas police warns that scammers are calling students families, claiming students are arrested, demanding money for bail. Family of Clay County man killed in hit-and-run offering $5K for information on case The family of a 30-year-old man killed in a hit-and-run in Clay County on July 30 is offering a $5,000 reward for information that can lead to an arrest in his death. Developing . . . Averting any chance of a strike, public high school teachers and the provincial government want to continue contract talks until Oct. 27 and send any outstanding issues to binding arbitration after that deadline, the Star has learned. The tentative plan, expected to be announced Friday afternoon once it receives the go-ahead from leaders of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, would mean labour peace in high schools across the province, keeping teachers and students in classes while putting pressure on other teachers unions to reach similar agreements. All Ontario teachers have been without contracts since last August. The proposal is the first breakthrough after sporadic bargaining over the past year that has seen little progress. The move would cover 60,000 members of the secondary school teachers union, which includes teachers in every public high school, as well as early childhood educators and other school staff in various boards. They are expected to also vote on the matter. The plan would also mean bargaining with local school boards, which covers more administrative issues and follows the high-stakes provincial-level talks dealing with costly items such as salaries will continue to March 2024, and any items not agreed to will also be sent to binding arbitration. The surprise news comes after both the secondary teachers union and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario announced last week that they were frustrated with talks and would hold strike votes in September. The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association has since set an October date for a strike vote. For the Ford government, labour peace in schools is some good news as it remains engulfed in the ongoing Greenbelt debacle that this week saw the matter handed over to the RCMP to look in to irregularities related to the $8.28-billion land swap. The government and teachers unions had made little progress in talks. Teachers were seeking deals to address cost-of-living pressures, similar to that of the provinces nurses who recently received raises of about 11 per cent over two years following arbitration. Educators are also looking for back pay to make up for wages that were capped at one per cent under provincial legislation that has since been overturned by the courts, which will be covered by the proposed arbitration if no agreement on that issue is reached. The government, which has mandated four-year agreements with education unions, had been offering 1.25 per cent annually. Earlier this week, NDP education critic Chandra Pasma criticized the province for failing to reach deals with the teachers unions. We know this government has the financial resources to ensure that students get the supports they need from caring adults in the classroom and that education workers and teachers are treated with the respect they deserve, Pasma said. Teachers and education workers have been patient, but their patience is running out. The school year is nearly here. Its time for (Education Minister) Stephen Lecce to come out of hiding and secure a fair deal so our students can return to the classroom without disruption. Enough is enough. Last week, the government and unions representing elementary and English Catholic teachers agreed that a new literacy screening tool the province wanted to implement this school year for students in the primary grades would be delayed. The unions had complained to the Ontario Labour Relations Board that the province brought in a policy that conflicted with collective agreements that ensure teachers can use their professional judgment on such assessments, and that educators need training and resources for any new tools. Last fall, the province reached a deal with 55,000 education workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, after imposing then rescinding legislation that attempted to ban strikes and impose a contract using the Charter of Rights notwithstanding clause. A man is dead and a woman suffered serious injuries following a shooting in west-end Toronto Thursday evening. The gunfire erupted near Northcliffe Boulevard and St. Clair Avenue West at 7:36 p.m. Toronto police said two victims, a man and a woman, were found shot. The man was pronounced dead in hospital while the woman suffered serious injuries and was also taken to hospital. A firearm has been located. The suspect fled on foot. Police said Thursday night they don't have a description of the shooter and haven't yet established a motive in the case. Anyone with information should call the homicide squad at 416-808-7400. Excitement around ChatGPT -- an easy to use AI chatbot that can deliver an essay or computer code upon request and within seconds -- has sent schools into panic and turned Big Tech green with envy. The potential impact of ChatGPT on society remains complicated and unclear even as its creator Wednesday announced a paid subscription version in the United States. Here is a closer look at what ChatGPT is (and is not): Is this a turning point? It is entirely possible that November's release of ChatGPT by California company OpenAI will be remembered as a turning point in introducing a new wave of artificial intelligence to the wider public. What is less clear is whether ChatGPT is actually a breakthrough with some critics calling it a brilliant PR move that helped OpenAI score billions of dollars in investments from Microsoft. Yann LeCun, Chief AI Scientist at Meta and professor at New York University, believes "ChatGPT is not a particularly interesting scientific advance," calling the app a "flashy demo" built by talented engineers. LeCun, speaking to the Big Technology Podcast, said ChatGPT is void of "any internal model of the world" and is merely churning "one word after another" based on inputs and patterns found on the internet. "When working with these AI models, you have to remember that theyre slot machines, not calculators," warned Haomiao Huang of Kleiner Perkins, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm. "Every time you ask a question and pull the arm, you get an answer that could be marvelous... or not... The failures can be extremely unpredictable," Huang wrote in Ars Technica, the tech news website. When Karthik Kanagasabapathy was five years old, his parents brought him to ride the Scarborough RT on its inaugural public trip from Kennedy to McCowan. A little kid who was fascinated by trains, he joined the crowds of people who had gathered to experience Scarboroughs first taste of rapid transit on March 22, 1985. It was absolutely jam packed and I was having the time of my life, he recalled until the crowd got a little too much, he started crying, and his mom pulled him off a couple of stops early. Kanagasabapathy had hoped to be on the RTs final journey, in the late hours of Nov. 18, the day the aging transit line was set to be decommissioned. But on Thursday, the TTC announced the RT was shutting early, following a July derailment that sent five people to hospital and halted service on the aging transit line for good, as it turns out. The TTC does not yet know what caused the last car on a southbound train to break free on the evening of July 24, but the transit agency has decided to permanently close the RT while it focuses on speeding up replacement measures initially planned for the winter, like priority bus lanes, according to a news release. The news marks the bitter end for a piece of infrastructure that has been the focus of political controversy for much of its life, both at City Hall and Queens Park. It also marks the start of an arduous period for Scarborough commuters, who will now be pushed onto buses for at least seven years as they await the RTs replacement, the Scarborough subway extension. The plan for November, before the RT derailed, was to replace the train service with more than 70 express buses, including dedicated shuttles between Kennedy and Scarborough Centre, and some rerouted buses along other routes feeding into Kennedy station. These buses were to be aided by priority bus lanes, signal priority, left-turn lanes exclusive to buses, a queue jump lane, and stopping and turning prohibitions. The city is now expediting these measures. We recognize the urgency in having this plan ready to go, said TTC CEO Rick Leary. With the support of our board and city council, we will have more pieces of our replacement plan ready to go sooner than planned. Plans call for a busway to eventually run along the old RTs right-of-way, saving commuters 10 minutes each way. That project is currently in the design process and Mayor Olivia Chow has promised to build it, either by getting the required $55 million from the province or finding it in the citys already-squeezed budget. The city has previously estimated the busway could take two years to complete, but in Thursdays news release, the TTC said it is looking to build and open the right-of-way sooner, by getting a head start on ripping out the old RT infrastructure. Growing up in Scarborough, Kanagasabapathy remembers what a game changer the RT was for his immigrant family, and what it meant for Scarborough to be connected to downtown in a whole new way. It totally changed transit in the city. Scarborough Town Centre, the mall, became such a central hub for people in Scarborough, whether it be adults or whether it be youth, because everything connected through there, he said. And if you needed to get downtown, you could do it faster. Instead of taking a 40-minute bus ride to Kennedy Station, you could zip over to Scarborough Town (Centre) on the bus, and then hop on the RT and you were just there. For all of the promise that it offered Scarborough residents, the RT was plagued by problems from the beginning due to its technology, called Intermediate Capacity Transit System, which was imposed upon Toronto by the province, but soon proved finicky. Deemed too costly to fix, attention quickly turned to replacing the RT. Under then-mayor David Miller, the province agreed to fund an LRT in its place, but that plan was scrapped by Rob Ford in favour of a subway extension of Line 2 Bloor-Danforth. But years of political wrangling and ballooning costs prevented anything from being built, even as the RTs condition worsened. The Scarborough subway extension is now underway but is not expected to be complete until 2030. At the end of 2020, then-mayor John Tory admitted the crumbling RT would have to close before the subway was ready. Then, in July, the RT derailed. Speaking to reporters at City Hall on Thursday, Chow said, Scarborough residents deserve so much better. Her priority now, she added, is to push the TTC to implement transit priority measures and build the busway as fast as possible. Its not the best scenario, but lets just get the best out of what we can do now and not wait, she said. People are very emotional, not just that (the RT) is closing, but why its closing, said Shelagh Pizey-Allen, executive director of transit advocacy organization TTCriders, which held a funeral for the RT on Wednesday night. People are upset that weve known about the RT closure date for years now and that interim solutions still arent in place. While the RTs untimely end was not a surprise for Scarborough residents, many feel sentimental about its closure. This line meant different things to different people, said Pizey-Allen. It was rickety Ive seen pictures of the bottom of the train held together with duct tape but it still holds a special place in peoples hearts. The RT is a very important piece of Scarboroughs history, said Jamaal Myers, councillor for Scarborough North and TTC board chair. For many residents, he said, the RT represented opportunity. That was their way to access other opportunities in the rest of the city that was the way for people to come visit us who didnt own cars. As a kid, Kanagasabapathy was enthralled by the RT. I always wanted to be in the very front car so I could sit and watch the tracks and go through the tunnels, he said. A few weeks ago, before the RT derailed, Kanagasabapathy had a Saturday off, and he decided to go for a ride on the RT, channelling the wonder of his five-year-old self. Barbara Dickson walks into a Manville Road autobody shop and past a sign saying Employees only, stepping on wood floors built thick enough to be earthquake proof and then down rickety steps into the tunnel below. Tires and car bumpers filled much of the eight-foot-wide space, but the group Dickson leads is thinking of the Second World War, when four kilometres of underground passages, including this one, connected Canadas largest munitions factory just off what would later become Scarboroughs Golden Mile. An air compressor chugged nearby as Dickson, author of a 2015 book on the factory and its mainly female employees, reached a sealed door marked, Electrical subsystem No. 10. This is history, right here, she said. But for how much longer? Despite the publication of Dicksons Bomb Girls: Trading Aprons for Ammo, and Bomb Girls, a 2017 documentary in which Dickson and five bomb girls are interviewed, nothing stands on the 346-acre site of the General Engineering Company of Ontario (GECO) complex to tell stories of the 21,000 plant workers, 17,000 of them women, and what they accomplished. Most tunnels have been filled in or destroyed. Of 172 original wooden buildings, 20 are left. With a wave of development about to roll through the Golden Mile, the GECO lands southeast of Warden and Eglinton avenues may be next. The site has no heritage designation, which, Dickson said, means anything left of the complex, which built bomb fuses and helped send more than a quarter-billion rounds of ammunition overseas, can be destroyed at will. We have to preserve it somehow, she said during a recent tour of past buildings where women changed into white GECO uniforms and the spot where a cafeteria served 1,100 full-course meals every 30 minutes. Do people even know these women worked here? Participants in an Aug. 17 tour enter a tunnel under an autobody shop near Scarboroughs Golden Mile. During the Second World War, four kilometres of passages connected buildings in a vast General Engineering Company of Ontario munitions plant.| Mike Adler/Metroland Families lived in emergency housing in plant buildings after the war, their children venturing into tunnels. Dickson met a bomb girl while in a church group and eventually befriended many more. The first subterranean passage she saw was under a restaurant kitchen. She said her dream is to house a museum in one of the surviving GECO buildings, get a designation and historical plaque for the site and have its stories taught in schools. This is Scarboroughs history and a story that makes Scarborough proud, she said. Other people share Dicksons passion, including relatives of the many GECO women whose wartime experiences she recorded. A group called Bomb Girls Banner Committee wants to hang banners with photographs of the plant and individual workers on Scarborough streets. After Dickson presented their plans at a June meeting, Scarborough councillors asked the city to work with the committee to honour the role the Scarborough Bomb Girls played to support the troops. Forty banners will hang on Eglinton Avenue from east of Warden Avenue to Pharmacy Avenue, and others may be added from Birchmount Road to Victoria Park Avenue in future years if funds are available. Tamara Hermann said her mother, Margaret Neufeld, who worked at GECO and was interviewed by her daughter for Dicksons book, would have found a memorial or museum at the site very meaningful. Neufeld saw her GECO service as being part of a great sisterhood, recalling the food was remarkable and she loved the uniform, thinking it was pretty darn cool, said Hermann, who joined Dicksons tour. The Scarborough Historical Society has kept some artifacts from the General Engineering Company of Canada plant on the Golden Mile that produced munitions during the Second World War. | Dan Pearce/Metroland David Dickson, the authors husband and editor, said Dickson has written a second book, 101 Bomb Girl Stories, which was pieced together from interviews of the women and their families and needs a publisher. The Scarborough Historical Society has GECO memorabilia including brass bomb fuses like one Dickson passed around before the tour in its archives at 6282 Kingston Rd. Streets south of the plant lands bear the names Cleanside Road (Cleanside referred to the part of the plant where no production took place) and Fusilier Drive. Of all the tools that are available to the city and citizens to ensure human-centred planning none are presently available to Mount Dennis, just as the onslaught of redevelopment is beginning. Its like a comedy of errors steaming toward a real, and very prescient, ancient tragedy. Here in about one square kilometre, Mount Dennis, a vibrant, can do, Yimby (YES in our backyard), is about to become overwhelmed with 20,000 new residents and no real plan, no real human context, no real vision. The Picture Mount Dennis Study, commissioned by the City of Toronto, which informed the citys recently adopted Secondary Plan, merely recognizes three categories of land use: commercial, residential, mixed use. What about community use? What about affordable retail? What about rental housing and affordable housing? Unfortunately it gets worse. The Picture Mount Dennis Study and the Secondary Plan lacked the courage to set targets for affordable housing in an area that has in our city always been more affordable and welcoming. After 40 years of watching industry leave, the whole process lacked the courage to address local business retention. Honestly, the whole process failed to consider the look and feel of a proud working-class neighbourhood. It did not reflect the heart of this community. At the same time as massive 50-storey buildings are being proposed, we lost the ability to bargain with developers to put aside funds to ensure there were places and infrastructure for people to meet, exercise, be together. Developer funding from what was known as Section 37 was replaced by the province with a community benefits charge. But this minimum funding will come well after the fact and on a site-by-site basis. Forget comprehensive social and economic planning in Mount Dennis. With the coming of the new Eglinton Light Rail Transit, the community is in the process of being financialized by the private sector. It doesnt have to be this way. Affordable Housing and having lots of it is a desire of this community. Whatever affordable housing is proposed doesnt stand a chance. There is no comprehensive program. We are in desperate need for solutions now that will recognize and respond to the urgency of our situation. Yet there is a glimmer of hope. On June 20, 2022, city council approved Coun. Frances Nunziatas Mount Dennis For All Plan after it was reviewed and voted on by 227 local residents on June 17. It calls on the city of Toronto to adopt and support specific actions and targets to support affordable housing, anti-Black racism, Indigenous reconciliation, economic opportunity, the natural and built environment. The plan offers some hope but inaction by the city means that the developments will all be approved before the plan comes into being. As a community, Mount Dennis is ready to play its part in building and protecting our inclusive future together. Peter Frampton is the Learning Enrichment Foundations executive director. The following is the final instalment of a three-part series. It was viewed by the FBI and New York attorneys office as a big deal. To record an induction ceremony was a major accomplishment, said Jerry Capeci, mob expert and gangland columnist. The RCMP Project Otremens team had a small window to celebrate the promotion of the police-agent, now a bona fide made man in New Yorks Bonanno family. With his elevated status in the underworld, the agent had become ensconced deeper into the inner workings of the Mafia. He was trusted. Why would anyone doubt the loyalty of a made man in the mob? The agent was privy to secretive, mob conversations and the tapes rolled. The mob intelligence garnered was voluminous, yet, as the risks began to outweigh the rewards, a final event of significance occurred on Nov. 1, 2017, during a recorded conversation between the police agent and Domenic Violi labelled undercover scenario 315. The wiretap evidence has not been tested in court. How was Florida? the agent asked. Youre going to get good news, said Violi. Youre going to hear something very, very good. Dont say nothing. Nobody. Violi began to detail his promotion to the No. 2 position in the Buffalo Mafia after beating out several American mob counterparts, all vying for the position during meetings in Florida. They made me No. 2, underboss of uh the, Violi continued. Not here. Of the whole thing? The whole thing, Violi confirmed. Fk, congratulations Dom. Im happy for you. This one guy, he goes Dominic, you know you made history. Nobody ever in Canada got this position, said Violi. He goes but the commission said because youre part of a group, were allowed to be part of it. The commission was reference to the upper echelon of the five major mob families in New York who rule on underworld decisions. The police agent had already become a made man in one of those families Bonanno. Their conversation turned back to the topic of Buffalo, New York. He goes, its over a year that weve been talking about it, and Joe goes to me, you probably dont know it, but when you were coming here (Buffalo), we were talking. He goes, you answered every, every one (question) perfect, Violi said, recalling his conversation with Joe. Like the guy said, he goes, people kill for that position. He (Joe) goes, I told them, they all said you deserve it. Thats that. (pause) I was shocked. "Sure. Beautiful. Youre allowed to go to the U.S.? asked the agent. Yeah, Im allowed. Whos gonna let me know? He (Joe) said hes gonna reach out to my friends down in New York?" They know. Uh, Columbo knows. Uh, Gambino knows, Violi said, referencing two of the other New York families that sit on the commission. I just met the guys from Columbo. "Thats gonna change a lot of things for us here, said the agent. Big time. Dom. This is big. Youre gonna be able to do we could be able to make a lot of moves here, said the agent. Make a lot of moves there, said Violi. A lot of moves. Yeah. The upper echelon of the RCMP-CFSEU and prosecutors attributed the information they discussed to be credible and the experts agreed. One of the most important unwritten rules in any Mafia organization is if you are talking to a made member, you cannot lie, especially when you know you are dealing with another made man, said Antonio Nicaso, Queens university professor, mob expert and author of over 40 books on the subject. So, if Dom (Violi) claimed he was the underboss of the Todaro family and he was convinced he was talking to another made man, then 100 per cent he was telling the truth. To skeptics who viewed the Buffalo mob as dead, Nicaso added: I will never write the obituary of La Cosa Nostra. Mere days after this November 2017 wiretapped conversation, Project Otremens was dismantled. The four-year Project involved 319 undercover operations when the mobster-turned-police-agent was deployed by the RCMP to wear a wire and record his friends in the Mafia. Takedown day involved the arrests of several mobsters in southern Ontario, the GTA and New York involving 30 police agencies and 12 search warrants in Hamilton, York, Niagara, Innisfil, Vancouver, and Montreal. Thirteen mobsters were arrested in Canada and four in the U.S. Among those arrested were Dom and Joey Violi and Damiano Zummo, the New York mobster who presided over the induction ceremony of the police agent becoming a made man in the Bonanno crime family that was recorded by the RCMP. The Violi brothers pled guilty to drug charges. Dom received an eight-year sentence while Joey was sentenced to 16 years. In November 2021 Dom received day parole. In April 2023 Joey was day-paroled to a halfway house. The mobster-turned-agent was whisked away into the witness protection program under a new identity to an unknown location after Project Otremens concluded. He would have been required to testify under his true identity had the case gone to trial. A prosecutor assigned to the massive file referred to the investigation as the legacy project. For the men and women in Milton who worked Project Otremens it was. Stephen Metelsky is an author, professor, and retired Halton regional police detective. Twitter @StephenMetelsky Have a story idea? Reach him at HaltonCrimeConfidential@gmail.com. A Russian missile attack wounded at least seven people early Thursday in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor, said on Telegram that six of the injured were hospitalized. Lysak said Ukrainian air defenses shot down one Russian missile but that strikes from others destroyed a transport facility and damaged a dozen other buildings including a bank, a hotel and two residential buildings. The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down three Ukrainian drones over Russian territory. Genres : Comedy : Comedy Running Time : 95 min. : 95 min. Directed by : Adele Lim : Adele Lim Starring : Ashley Park, Sherry Cola Synopsis : Follows four Asian American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through China in search of one of their birth mothers. In Tobago...where Carnival is underway... there were no reports of Serious Crime ...despite By Jeff Murphy, August 25, 2023 WARRENSBURG, MO Consistent with its role in providing educational programs and opportunities that promote history and culture, the University of Central Missouri College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is co-sponsoring the first visit to Missouri by the Chair of the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH). The history-making keynote speech by NEH Chair Shelly C. Lowe will be presented at Maple Woods Community College, 2601 NE Barry Road, Kansas City, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 as part of a tour giving her an opportunity to learn more about Missouris cultural assets and humanities offerings. According to the Missouri Humanities office, which is coordinating Lowes visit to the state, her free presentation will focus on the importance of humanities and will highlight how our roots and routes shape individual experiences and national stories. As a partner in making this event possible, CAHSS encourages campus members and the general public to attend the event. It is free but requires registration which is available by clicking on the link to the registration page. NEH was founded in 1965, and this is the first time since its founding that a chairperson has visited Missouri, which contributes to the uniqueness of this event in Kansas City. Chair Lowes tour and presentation also provides a significant opportunity for UCM to network and strengthen its collaboration with state and national organizations that support the types of programs CAHSS offers. The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is proud to collaborate with Missouri Humanities to co-host Chair Lowes keynote address, said Michael Sawyer, Ph.D., dean of CAHSS. The work of the National Endowment for the Humanities in fostering excellence in humanities scholarship and education is critical to our understanding of culture and history, and to American democracy itself. A seasoned educator with lots of higher education experience, Lowe has served as NEH Chair since Oct. 5, 2021. She is a proud Navajo Nation citizen from Garnado, Arizona, with a professional background that includes serving as Executive Director of the Harvard University Native American Program, Assistant Dean in the Yale College Deans Office, and Director of the Native American Cultural Center at Yale University. Additionally, Lowe spent six years as the Graduate Education Program Facilitator for the American Indian Studies Programs at the University of Arizona. Individuals on campus who have questions about this event can contact Sawyer at 660-543-4750 or msawyer@ucmo.edu. Ukrainians attack Russia on the latters territory using Ukrainian-made weapons and have a full moral right to do so. Thats according to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who spoke at a press conference in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The press conference was held in a bomb shelter amid an air raid alert. "Ukraine is attacking the territory of Russia with Ukrainian weapons. And after I was in Bucha, where Russians were killing women in children with their hands tied, shooting them in the head. I think the Ukrainians have a moral right to do what they are doing, Senator Blumenthal said. He noted that Ukrainians live under constant attacks, so it is necessary to deliver more air defense capabilities to the country. The Joe Biden administration is ready to provide more air defense systems, but the problem is that these systems must first be produced so suppliers should see incentives to fulfill production orders sooner, noted Blumenthal. The senator also emphasized the need to speed up the training of Ukrainian war pilots on F-16 fighter jets. In his opinion, these aircraft could become a game changer on the battlefield. As reported, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who was also on a visit to Ukraine, noted that with only 3% of its defense budget spent on assistance to Ukraine, the United States helped the Ukrainian forces destroy half of the Russian army. Photo: National Review From February 24, 2022 to August 24, 2023, Ukraines Defense Forces eliminated 259,160 Russian invaders, including 340 in the past day alone. Thats according to the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces, Ukrinform reports. Also, as of August 24, the Ukrainian defenders destroyed 4,375 enemy tanks (+2 in the past day), 8,511 (+23) armored fighting vehicles, 5,333 (+15) artillery systems, 723 (+1) MLR systems, 494 (+3) air defense systems, 315 (+0) warplanes, 316 (+0) helicopters, 4,344 (+20) operational- and tactical- level drones, 1,406 (+0) cruise missiles, 18 (+0) warships/cutters, 7,773 (+28) trucks and tankers, and 801 (+1) units of specialized equipment. As Ukrinform reported earlier, in the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled assault attempts by Russian troops. Portugal has expressed its readiness to join the training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16 fighters. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference with President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a Ukrinform correspondent reported. "Portugal is a member of our tank and aviation coalition. Today, Portugal has confirmed its readiness to join the training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16 aircraft," the Head of State said. Zelensky also discussed with his Portuguese counterpart the possibility of expanding defense cooperation, in particular, the supply of armored medical equipment and demining equipment to Ukraine. The President also informed the Portuguese leader of the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine's defense needs. As reported, the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, arrived in Kyiv for the first time the day before. "We did nothing wrong at all, and we have every right, every single right, to challenge an election that we think is dishonest," Trump added. He declined to answer questions from the press. Before boarding his plane at Atlanta's airport, he spoke briefly to reporters about his arrest. "What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows that," Trump said. "What they're doing is election interference," he added. He arrived at the jail shortly after 7:30 p.m. EDT and his mugshot was taken there. This marks an unprecedented fourth time that Trump was to be arrested and booked in the past five months. Former U.S. President Donald Trump left the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta about 20 minutes after he arrived to be booked on felony charges of racketeering and conspiracy linked to his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 reelection loss in Georgia. No previous U.S. president has been charged with criminal offenses, but Trump is now facing 91 charges across the four indictments for his alleged actions before, during and after his single-term presidency ended in early 2021. He faces 13 charges in Georgia, where Willis on Thursday called for an Oct. 23 start date for his trial and that of 18 co-defendants. But Trump and others could object to a trial starting in two months. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee will ultimately pick the date. Even with the array of charges he is facing, Trump is the leading Republican contender for the party's 2024 presidential nomination to run against the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden. Regardless of when the trial in Atlanta might start, Trump is already facing weeks of criminal trials he would be obligated to appear at in the first half of 2024. But he made a calculated decision that his national polling lead over other Republican presidential hopefuls is so commanding -- 40 percentage points or more -- that he skipped the party's first presidential debate Wednesday night. The 77-year-old Trump, if convicted in any of the cases, could face years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing while assailing the three prosecutors pursuing the four cases against him and two of the four judges randomly picked to oversee his trials. He has claimed that the allegations leveled against him are a political witch hunt aimed at thwarting his 2024 campaign to reclaim the presidency. In agreeing to the bond for his release in Georgia -- the first time he has had to post cash to stay free pending trial -- Trump also agreed to not threaten or intimidate witnesses, including on social media platforms. For months, Trump has claimed that Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who has filed two of the cases against him, is "deranged" and a "crackhead," while contending that two other prosecutors, Alvin Bragg in a New York case, and Willis, both of whom are Black, are "racist" for filing their indictments against him. About half of Trump's 18 co-defendants have already met Willis' demand that they surrender by noon on Friday. Former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani, best known as the New York mayor during the 2001 al-Qaida terrorist attacks on the city, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell all turned themselves in on Wednesday and were released on bail. Trump's last White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former senior Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark both reached $100,000 bond deals with Willis to secure their release pending trials. Ahead of his flight to Georgia, Trump hired veteran Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Steve Sadow to oversee his defense. Sadow said in a statement that Trump "should never have been indicted," adding, "he is innocent of all the charges brought against him." He added that "prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system." The Georgia case against Trump stems broadly from his taped Jan. 2, 2021, telephone call to the state's election chief, Brad Raffensperger, asking him to "find" 11,780 votes, one more than Biden's margin of victory, so he could claim victory in the state. Until Trump, no Republican presidential candidate had lost the state since 1992. In addition, Trump is accused in Georgia of conspiring to create a slate of fake electors in the state to cast their ballots for him, rather than the legitimate ones for Biden, when Congress met on Jan. 6, 2021, to certify the election outcome in the Electoral College. At stake were Georgia's 16 electoral votes, although the state counted the popular presidential vote three times, with Biden winning each time. The U.S. does not pick its presidents in the national popular vote, although Biden won 7 million more votes than Trump in 2020. Rather, the national outcome is determined in 50 state-by-state elections, with the biggest states holding the most sway in the subsequent Electoral College vote count. Trump contested the outcome in seven states he narrowly lost to Biden, claiming that voting irregularities and cheating cost him another four-year term in the White House. Overturning the Georgia result by itself would not have changed the national outcome. To this day, Trump denies he lost the election. But dozens of judges have ruled against his fraud claims. None of the seven states Trump contested reversed its conclusion that Biden had legitimately won its electoral votes. The Ukrainian Air Force fleet will have several types of aircraft, and Ukrainian war pilots will become "Top Guns" of the 21st century. This was stated by the head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, Andriy Yermak, who spoke in an interview with DW, Ukrinform reports. "There are 14 countries in the air coalition today, and their number is increasing almost every week. I think we will talk with all partners in order to find the optimal form for Ukraines Air Force fleet, which will include several types of aircraft," Yermak said. According to him, today this is about forming a new Air Force fleet, and there are several types of aircraft that can be added to it, besides F-16s. "I'm not a military man, this is done by professionals, but as far as I know, there are several types of aircraft that can be combined. That's why, of course, this process is currently underway," said the head of the Presidents Office. He recalled that President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team recently returned to Ukraine after a series of very successful visits to Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Greece, as a result of which Denmark and the Netherlands expressed readiness to provide a number of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which motivates Ukrainian soldiers at the front. "I spoke, for example, with General (Oleksandr ed.) Syrskyi (Commander of the Ground Forces - ed.), asking him how our soldiers felt in the wake of the news that we had already heard a specific number of F-16 fighters to be delivered. So he told me that everyone is really very happy, and that it really motivates our soldiers. Thats because very soon, I'm sure, we will reign over the sky as well. I think that our pilots will definitely become the "Top Guns" of the 21st century," emphasized Yermak As reported, Volodymyr Zelensky last weekend made a blitz tour to Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark. On August 20, the Netherlands and Denmark announced their decisions to send a number of their F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Ukrainian war pilots and maintenance specialists have already started mastering these aircraft. The actions of Ukraines Defense Forces will not be limited to strikes on the temporarily occupied Crimea as an actual ground operation is part of the plan. This was stated by the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry, Kyrylo Budanov, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, reports Ukrinform. "The importance of the special operation in the temporarily occupied Crimea is about people remembering and believing that victory, their liberation and return to normal life is not far off. No one has forgotten about them, and no one is going to leave them there. And when certain strikes occur on the territory of Crimea, it will not end there. There will be a ground operation, there will be a return of our territories. Soon everyone will see their return home," said Budanov. Answering a question of the possibility of liberating Crimea through diplomacy, the top military intelligence official noted that "any diplomacy is powerless without real force." As Ukrinform reported earlier, GUR units conducted a brazen landing operation in temporarily occupied Crimea. During the effort supported by Ukraines Navy, Ukraines defenders landed on the shore in the area of Olenivka and Mayak settlements and engaged in a firefight with the invaders, incurring losses on enemy forces. Photo: GUR The head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, Andriy Yermak, notes that no one can predict the events at the front, especially those related to a counteroffensive, but he is convinced that the Ukrainian military can surprise the world. He said this in an interview with DW, Ukrinform reports. "Today, no one can predict 100 percent how things will develop... I believe that the counteroffensive continues. Every day there is at least some progress, and certainly something, some things change, because every day something happens. And I hope that this time we will surprise the world," said Yermak. According to him, the effort is certainly developing more slowly than Ukraine would like, for which there are legitimate reasons. First of all, this is about a large swath of mined lands, as well as a lack of required weapons systems In addition, the head of the Presidents Office noted, Ukrainians have a different philosophy toward their people, which is what makes them different from Russians. "We think about our people, and the Russians in no way. The Russians do not count people, for them they are just, sorry, the kind of meat that they throw into a grinder. And they dont even extract many of their killed from the battlefield. And therefore, of course, this is a war not only between Russia and Ukraine, it is a war of worldviews, philosophies, dictatorship against democracy," Yermak said. As Ukrinform reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing despite being slow in the face of difficult challenges. From February 24, 2022 to August 25, 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 259,630 Russian military personnel, including 470 soldiers over the past day. This is stated in the report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published on Facebook. Moreover, the Ukrainian troops destroyed 4,378 (+3 over the past day) enemy tanks, 8,521 (+10) armored combat vehicles, 5,361 (+28) artillery systems, 724 (+1) MLRS, 495 (+1) air defense systems, 315 aircraft, 316 helicopters, 4,356 (+12) operational-tactical UAVs, 1,409 (+3) cruise missiles, 18 ships/boats, 7,790 (+17) vehicles and fuel tanks, 802 (+1) special equipment units. The data are updated. As reported, over the past day, the aviation of the defense forces launched a strike on an enemy command post, 13 more strikes on personnel concentration areas, and three strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems. Missile and artillery units hit two enemy command posts, two areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, five artillery systems on firing positions, an air defense system, an ammunition depot, and an electronic warfare system. The number of Russian mercenaries in Belarus is gradually decreasing, mostly they go to Russia. Andriy Demchenko, a spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, said this on the air of the 'United News' telethon, according to Ukrinform. "Even before the events of August 23, which took place in the Russian Federation, we recorded that the number of Russian mercenaries in Belarus was decreasing. Not significantly, but gradually the number of mercenaries in Belarus was decreasing. And now it is clear that since the 23rd their number has continued to decrease," the spokesman said. Demchenko noted that after the events of August 23, the stay of Russian mercenaries in Belarus should be treated differently. He said that, according to the State Border Guard Service, they left for Russia under the pretext of vacation and never returned to Belarus. According to him, the situation on the border with Belarus is generally under control. "We did not record any unexplained actions that could have taken place on the other side," he added. As reported, on August 23, a private plane crashed in the Tver region (Russia), with the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on board, according to preliminary information. Swiss journalists showed photos and video from the place of storage of Leopard 1 A5 tanks, which were bought by the Swiss company RUAG in 2016 and are stored in Italy. Regarding them, an investigation is being conducted in Switzerland over the intention to transfer these combat vehicles into the ownership of the German company Rheinmetall for further repair and shipment to Ukraine. The photos were published by investigative journalists of the Swiss public TV channel RSI (part of the SRG holding), Ukrinform reports. They are parked in an open space and covered with green tarpaulins in a depot near Gorizia (city and administrative center of Gorizia province in northern Italy near the border with Sloveniaed ed.) There are at least 95 tanks, arranged in nine regular rows. Almost all of them - except for three vehicles - are protected by tarpaulins that fail to conceal their precise shape and thus their model: these are the 'Leopard 1s' purchased in 2016 by the Swiss public company RUAG. These are old vehicles that the Italian army wanted to get rid of, the TV channel reported. It is noted that RSI-Swiss TV publishes for the first time photos and videos of them. They (tanks ed.) have been lying unused for years. They have neither been dismantled - to reuse their components - nor reconditioned, to make them operational, the report says. It is noted that RUAG had rejected RSI's request to show pictures or videos to actually verify their condition. The tarpaulins (with which the tanks are covered - ed.), however, make it impossible to assess whether they are rusty scrap metal or combat-ready tanks. There are glimpses of tracks that in some cases appear to be in good condition. In others, signs of time and fouling emerge. It is impossible to establish with any certainty the degree of effectiveness of the equipment and armaments, the report says. Moreover, RUAG itself says that the condition of tanks are very bad and these vehicles are not suitable for war. The Italian company Goriziane - in a video published on its website - shows that it can recondition a tank of this type in a month and a half. And make it operational. Ukraine now has a huge need for these Leopards, which are now in short supply in European arsenals. Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark, among others, were to buy them from Switzerland and ship them to Kyiv, RSI noted. The already signed contract, the text of which is available to RSI, says that RUAG would sell them to Rheinmetall if the government in Bern approves that. Which, however, never came. At the end of June - in the name of the defence of its neutrality - the Federal Council rejected the re-export request, considering them to be war material, journalists say. An investigation is ongoing in Switzerland. Defence Minister Viola Amherd wants to see this through. She has announced an independent investigation to try to shed light on the purchase from the Italian armed forces. But also on the attempted deal with the Germans a few months ago, the investigators said. As journalists note, for almost seven years, the tanks have remained under these green sheets, next to a cornfield. As Ukrinform reported, on June 28, the Federal Council of Switzerland rejected RUAG SA's application for 96 Leopard 1 A5 tanks on the basis of neutrality legislation. The specified tanks are now stored in Italy and are unserviceable. They were planned to be transported to Germany for modernization, and then sent to Ukraine as military aid. Photo: RSI President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan the blocking of the grain corridor by Russia and the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula. The head of state announced this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. "Many important issues: The peace formula, preparations for the Global Peace Summit, the risks associated with Russia's blockade of the Black Sea grain corridor," Zelensky said. He also thanked Turkey for its constant and consistent support of Ukraine. As reported by Ukrinform, the President of Ukraine said that Ukraine has created an alternative 'grain corridor' in the Black Sea, but it needs to strengthen air defense. Latvian Defense Minister Inara Murniece announced the transfer of another Mi-17 helicopter to Ukraine. Latvia hands over another Mi-17 helicopter to Ukraine She wrote about this in the social network X ( Twitter), according to Ukrinform. The National Armed Forces of Latvia have delivered another Mi-17 helicopter to Ukraine. Ukraine is successfully fighting and regaining more and more occupied territories, the post says. Inara Murniece added that Latvia will stand with Ukraine side by side until total victory of Ukraine! As reported, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said at an international conference on Ukraine's recovery in London in June that his country would transfer all its helicopters to Ukraine. Thirty-five military clashes have occurred between Ukraines Defense Forces and Russian invaders in the past 24 hours. The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Russian troops have launched two missile strikes and 39 air strikes, and opened fire with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) on Ukrainian positions and settlements 72 times over the past day. Following Russian terrorist attacks, casualties among civilians were reported, as well as the damage caused to residential houses, schools and other civil infrastructure. The threat of Russian missile and air strikes is persisting all over Ukraine, according to the General Staff. In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remained rather unchanged. In the Siverskyi and Slobozhanskyi directions, over 25 settlements were affected by Russian mortar and artillery strikes in the Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions. In the Kupiansk direction, Russians launched air strikes near the Kharkiv regions Kyslivka and Pishchane. Such settlements as Hrianykivka, Synkivka, Kupiansk and Orlianske were affected by enemy artillery and mortar strikes. In the Lyman direction, Russian occupiers conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near the Luhansk regions Novoiehorivka. The enemy launched air strikes near the Kharkiv regions Chervonyi Stav; the Luhansk regions Tverdokhlibove and Makiivka; and the Donetsk regions Vesele. Over 30 settlements were affected by Russian artillery strikes. In the Bakhmut direction, Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near the Donetsk regions Klishchiivka. Over 25 settlements were affected by enemy artillery strikes. In the Avdiivka direction, Russian occupiers conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near the Donetsk regions Pervomaiske. Enemy artillery strikes affected the Donetsk regions Novokalynove, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sieverne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske. In the Marinka direction, Ukrainian forces continue holding back Russias onslaught near the Donetsk regions Marinka. The enemy launched an air strike near Krasnohorivka. Russian artillery strikes affected Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Kurakhove, Novomykhailivka, Kostiantynivka and Hostre. In the Shakhtarske direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled enemy attacks near the Donetsk regions Vuhledar. Russian invaders launched air strikes near Vuhledar, Vremivka, Blahodatne, Staromaiorske and Urozhaine. Over 10 settlements were affected by enemy artillery strikes. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian occupiers launched air strikes near the Zaporizhzhia regions Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka and Robotyne. Over 20 settlements were affected by enemy artillery strikes. In the Kherson direction, Russian artillery strikes affected Khreshchenivka, Dmytrivka, Mykilske, Kherson and Dniprovske. Meanwhile, Ukraines Defense Forces continue the offensive operation in the Melitopol direction, where they are gaining a foothold within the recaptured frontiers and carrying out counterbattery measures. In the past 24 hours, Ukraines Air Force has launched 10 strikes on Russian personnel clusters and one strike on an enemy surface-to-air missile system. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit one Russian surface-to-air missile system and three artillery systems in firing position. The former chairman of the board of Ukrgasbank and former governor of the National Bank, Kyrylo Shevchenko, has been served with a new suspicion of creating a criminal organization and money laundering. According to Ukrinform, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) reported this. The NABU and Ukraines Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have updated the suspicion against Shevchenko. Now he is suspected of creating a criminal organization and money laundering. In addition to Shevchenko, his former deputy at Ukrgasbank, Denys Chernyshov, and the former director of the NBU's department for corporate VIP clients, Oleksii Liutyi, were charged with the same articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. According to the investigation, the management of Ukrgasbank, having information about the placement agreements concluded with large clients, forged a number of documents according to which 52 individuals and legal entities allegedly helped to attract clients to the banking institution. For such assistance, they received an agency fee of over UAH 206 million in 2014-2019. The accounts to which the remuneration was paid were opened only at Ukrgasbank. This provided the members of the criminal organization with the opportunity to access, control and dispose of these funds, the NABU emphasized. Members of the criminal organization from among the bank's employees could withdraw funds independently both at the bank's cash desks without the persons in whose names these accounts were opened and by transferring funds to other accounts. In other words, the remuneration was paid to the accounts of fictitious persons, and the full disposal of funds was carried out by members of the criminal organization, the NABU noted. In this way, the criminals seized over UAH 206 million. A number of financial transactions were carried out to legalize and disguise the illegal origin of these funds. The money was used for their own enrichment, providing kickbacks to the heads of state-owned business entities for placing significant amounts of money in the bank and financing other illegal activities, the NABU informed. As Ukrinform reported, on October 24, 2022, the NABU put three Ukrgasbank officials on the wanted list, who, according to the investigation, were involved in embezzling over UAH 200 million. Among those involved in the case is former NBU Governor Shevchenko. On October 6, the NABU notified him of suspicion. In November, Shevchenko was put on the international wanted list. On December 8, the High Anti-Corruption Court arrested Shevchenko in absentia. In June of this year, the NABU's director, Semen Kryvonos, said that the Prosecutor General's Office had sent a request for Shevchenko's extradition. China's atomic energy authority condemns Japan's release of nuclear-contaminated water Xinhua) 08:27, August 25, 2023 BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan's release of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean seriously jeopardized the rights and interests of the marine environment and undermined the security and development interests of the global nuclear energy industry, said China's atomic energy authority Thursday. The China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) said in a statement that the move by the Japanese government gravely undermined the authority and credibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA's evaluation of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan was conducted upon Japan's unilateral request, which in nature is technical assistance and advisory evaluation, has no international legal effect, and cannot give Japan any legitimacy or justice to its nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan, the agency stressed. The Japanese government has been wantonly using the comprehensive assessment report released by the IAEA last month to hype up the safety and harmlessness of nuclear-polluted water, which is selfish and irresponsible, and shows a total disregard for international public interests, the CAEA added. "China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this action. The Japanese government should immediately stop this erroneous move," the CAEA said. The Fukushima nuclear accident 12 years ago has already released many radioactive materials into the sea. Japan should not again harm the people of neighboring countries and even the world out of its own interests, said the statement. The CAEA said Japan should never discharge the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean without providing credible evidence on the legitimacy of the decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, the reliability of purification devices, the authenticity of source data and the environmental impact, without obtaining the understanding of stakeholders (including its neighboring countries), and without establishing long-term monitoring and on-site supervision arrangements led by the IAEA and recognized by all stakeholders. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The importance of the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States was discussed on Thursday in the farewell meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and the outgoing US Ambassador Kelly Degnan, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. The officials reviewed both the current agenda and future plans of the "priority areas" of bilateral cooperation, the Georgian foreign office said. Darchiashvili thanked Degnan for fruitful cooperation and for her contribution to deepening the relations between the two countries. The US Senate officially confirmed Robin Dunnigan as the countrys new Ambassador to Georgia in late July. Dunnigan served as the Charge dAffaires and Deputy Chief of mission at the US Embassy in Austria between 2018-2021. She will replace Degnan, who has served in Georgia since 2020. Samsung is launching a cooking app for recipe searches, food photo sharing and more. Samsung Food will also provide integration with Samsung's kitchen appliances and help users order ingredients from sponsors. Samsung said Thursday that it will unveil the app at the IFA, Europe's largest home appliance exhibition, which opens in Berlin next month. The app will be available in 104 countries in 8 languages starting from Aug. 31, and users can download the app through the App Store and Google Play. In fact the app is merely a renamed version of Whisk, the world's largest recipe-sharing app, which Samsung acquired in 2019. It will now be artificial intelligence-enhanced to provide personalized recipes taking users' preferences into consideration as well as nutritional balance levels. Customized recipes can then be cooked with Samsung's high-end Bespoke oven, which will reflect temperatures and cooking times automatically. Other Samsung kitchen appliances will be added in the future. On the occasion of Independence Day of Ukraine, Turkiyes Baykar Makina has gifted an unmanned combat aerial vehicle to the Ukrainian intelligence. The relevant statement was made by the Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Baykar Makina has congratulated Ukraine on Independence Day. On August 24, the Ukrainian intelligence received the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) as a gift from the manufacturer of famous drones, the report states. Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate expressed gratitude to the Turkish company, having noted that the new weapon, which will help Ukraine to destroy the enemy and defend its freedom and independence, is the best gift for the holiday. Russia's efforts to destroy grain exports in the Black Sea region are planned blows to global security, aimed at provoking crises in various regions of the planet. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his video address, Ukrinform reports. The Head of State noted that he met with Minster for Foreign Affairs of Turkey Hakan Fidan in Kyiv on Friday, stressing that it was an important meeting. "This is both a security component, and our joint diplomatic work, and fundamental humanitarian things that we do together. In particular, this is the release of our people from Russian captivity. We talked about the situation that arose due to the vile Russian attacks on grain exports in the Black Sea region. It is obvious that these are blows to global security. They are planned, they are aimed at provoking crises in various regions of the planet," Zelensky emphasized. Read also: Zelensky meets with Turkish Foreign Minister and discusses preparations for Global Peace Summit According to the President, Ukraine, together with Turkey, can restore security step by step, which has already happened many times. "I believe we will do even more together," said Zelensky. As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Minster for Foreign Affairs of Turkey Hakan Fidan in Kyiv. The United States spent less than 3% of its defense budget on helping the Ukrainian military, and this helped destroy half of the Russian army. This was stated by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who spoke at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports. "The United States spent billions during the Cold War to prevent Russian aggression. Now, we have spent less than 3% of our defense budget in Ukraine to help the Ukrainian military, and they have destroyed half of the Russian army. It is the best investment ever for American security. Ukraine is a great partner! We haven't seen a partner like this since Churchill," Graham said. The Senator also noted that American intelligence was very wrong in the run-up to the Russian invasion, greatly overestimating the might of the Russian army. He noted that senators were told, when the Russians invaded, that Kyiv would fall in four days, and the whole country in three weeks. This was the biggest misunderstanding of the Ukrainians, and the overestimation of the Russian army by the U.S. intelligence, Senator Graham admitted, noting that he, himself, thought that the Russian army was better than it turned out to be. As reported, the White House is convinced that Congress will approve the allocation of additional funds necessary to continue providing support to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation with U.S. President Joseph Biden and thanked him for supporting Ukraine. I spoke with Joseph Biden and thanked him for his Independence Day greetings, Zelensky posted on Telegram. He stressed that the US took the lead in rallying global support for Ukraine. This crucial leadership enabled our struggle and bent the arc of history toward good. Together, we prove that freedom and independence are worth fighting for. I thank President Biden, the U.S. Congress, and all Americans for this. You can count on Ukraine in protecting our shared values, the President stressed. As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and thanked him for his speech at the Crimea Platform summit and constant support for Ukraine in the war. Slovenia has joined the G7 declaration of support for Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on the social platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Ukrinform reports. Grateful to the Government of Slovenia and personally to Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob for joining the G7 Declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine. Both our nations share values of freedom and democracy, as well as the desire for peace and justice throughout the Euro-Atlantic area, he noted. Read also: Luxembourg joins G7 Declaration of support for Ukraine As reported, the NATO summit was held in Vilnius on July 11-12. The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries agreed on the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. Later, a number of other countries joined the declaration, and the list continues to grow. Photo: os.wikipedia.org President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska have honored the memory of the countrys defenders fallen in the Russian-Ukrainian war and have taken part in the solemn event Prayer for Ukraine. On Thursday, the presidential couple laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance near St. Michael Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to the Office of the President of Ukraine. During the ceremony, a company of honor guard lined up, and the sound of a surma was played. Volodymyr Zelensky and Olena Zelenska observed a moment of silence in memory of the fallen heroes. The President of Ukraine also honored the memory of activists killed during the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. On behalf of the Head of State, a basket of flowers was laid at the memorial cross on the Alley of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv. Additionally, the presidential couple took part in the solemn event Prayer for Ukraine, which was held at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Representatives of churches and religious organizations also joined the event. The chamber choir performed Our Father. Afterwards, short prayers for Ukraine and speeches by church leaders and heads of religious organizations were delivered. President Zelensky thanked the clergy for their prayers and words of support. Congratulations on Independence Day of Ukraine. I wish all of us victory, Zelensky said, addressing the participants of the event. A reminder that, on August 24, 2023, Ukraine is marking the 32nd anniversary of its independence. Photo, video: Office of the President of Ukraine Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets discussed the return of children deported by Russia with President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. "A warm and very open meeting with President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The return of deported children, the Ukrainian Peace Formula, interaction between our institution and the Portuguese delegation... Discussion of specific things that we can implement in the near future," the Ombudsman posted on Telegram. He noted that he had received an invitation to visit Portugal and invited the President of Portugal or his representatives to join the annual conference dedicated to Human Rights Day. At the Center for the Protection of Children's Rights, the Portuguese president spoke with a girl according to Lubinets, "it was very emotional." The Ombudsman thanked Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for helping Ukraine. As reported, the President of Portugal arrived on a visit to Kyiv for the first time. Photo: Dmytro Lubinets, Telegram Ive seen the future, and its poreless, writes Elise Hu, a former NPR correspondent in Seoul, in her book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. Hu lived in Seoul for five years and was introduced to the attitude of oemo jisang juui which translates to looks are supreme. She learned to tolerate the mothers at school, who continually asked her when she was going to take care of her problem. Her problem was her freckles. She had to explain to her daughters why she wouldnt give them free cosmetic procedures when they got good grades, which was a standard practice in their class, and she had to put up with the widespread suspicion that her three-year-old wore eyelash extensions. She even got used to the fact that her passport photos were retouched by default, she tells EL PAIS by phone. In her book, she recounts what its like to live in the capital of a country that is defining the new global aesthetic canon, with more than 9,000 beauty brands part of the K-beauty phenomenon. The triumph of the pan-Asian beauty canon in the West was symbolized in the transformation of British social media influencer Oli London into an Asian teenager, specifically into a clone of Jimin, the star of the K-pop band BTS. Over five years from 2013 to 2018 Oli spent $300,000 on 18 surgeries, including a canthoplasty to reconstruct the eyelid for a more slanted eye; a face lift; a brow lift, a temple lift and a full denture reconstruction. For the first time in my life, I feel beautiful, he told his Instagram followers, adding that he no longer wished to be referred to as British, because he wanted to be Korean. Although he transitioned back to a British man in 2023, his journey was a sociological and cosmetic surgery milestone. In 2010, sociologists began to identify the trend. Academic Kimberly Kay Hoang was the first to describe the pan-Asian face. This look dilutes the features of the rest of Asias ethnicities, privileging the Korean standard: a mix of algorithmic data, filters and K-beauty products. The pan-Asian canon is defined by smooth, poreless white skin, large slanted eyes, a small rosy mouth, and a fine, well-defined jaw. In a 2017 article, Kay recounted how Vietnamese prostitutes in Khong Sao Bar, a Saigon nightclub, underwent various surgeries and procedures to whiten their skin and narrow their noses. The goal was to appear more Korean, a look that elevated them aesthetically and freed them from the stigma of appearing poor, rural and backward. The Khong Sao Bar which is frequented by businessmen who spend between $1,000 and $2,000 a night has connections with surgeons from Singapore, Thailand and Korea, who are trained to perform rhinoplasty in line with Korean beauty standards. Kay recounts that U.S.-trained doctors, in contrast, give womens noses a Western look that is unattractive to their clients. These are the standards of Gangnam Beauty, a term which refers to South Korean women who undergo multiple surgeries to reach their aesthetic ideal. In the book, Beyond Whiteness: Perspectives on the Rise of the Pan-Asian Beauty Ideal, authors Jeaney Yip, Susan Ainsworth and Miles Tycho Hugh point out that this canon, dominated by white skin more characteristic of Caucasians than Koreans, is a mix of European and Oriental traits that reflects the changing relationship between Asia and the West. The pan-Asian ideal emerges in an economy of visual production as a marker of cosmopolitanism [], which has not been achieved by association with the West, but through the strategic incorporation of European elements into a predominantly Asian look, for the sake of making it look more worldly, the authors explain in a joint email. The pan-Asian canon also intersects with the so-called Instagram face. In the 2019 essay, The Age of Instagram Face published in The New Yorker, Jia Tolentino describes this look as a template of ethnically ambiguous features, constructed by filters and cosmetic surgery. Its a young face, with poreless skin, round eyes, a small nose, full lips, high cheekbones and a strong jawline. On this template, surgeons sculpt, often on demand, the aesthetic ideal of our time. According to Emily Raimundo, an expert in Korean culture, this ideal is a combination of various beauty standards Hollywood, K-beauty, Bollywood and social media filters. Its a look thats in line with what Jodi Melamed, a professor of African Studies at Marquette University, describes as neoliberal multiculturalism, a racial capitalism in which native diversity is diluted in favor of a watered-down but profitable image of multiculturalism. Experts in mimetic theory say that humans are very good at imitating, and tend to wish for whatever our nearest neighbor has. And in the online world, that neighbor is the global population. But there are concerns that we spend too much time on social media, which encourage users to erase their individuality and fit into certain templates, be it on Instagram or TikTok. Social media platforms [...] are machines for producing desire. Their equalizing structure what is most widely celebrated about them converts all users into each others potential models, doubles, and rivals, locked in a perpetual game of competition for the intangible objects of desire of the attention economy, warned Geoff Shullenberger, a professor from New York University. There have always been aesthetic ideals and we have always dreamed of achieving them. There are just two differences that distinguish us from our grandparents. On the one hand, the beauty canon is not just transmitted via the cinema and television, but reaches us via our cellphones, which make it appear more attainable. And on the other, we are confident that all technology, including operating rooms and surgeons, is on our side. It is likely that in a few years time, we will all look a few inches more alike. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi speaks during the 15th BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 24, 2023. Iran and Saudi Arabia were among six countries invited Thursday to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies, in a move that showed signs of strengthening a China-Russia coalition as tensions with the West spiral higher. The United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia were also set to enter BRICS from Jan. 1, 2024, joining current members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to make an 11-nation bloc. The announcement came after two days of talks at a summit in Johannesburg involving Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the discussions virtually after his travel to the summit was complicated by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against him over the war in Ukraine. Putin welcomed the six countries by video link. He did not mention Wednesdays plane crash that left Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and some of his top lieutenants presumed dead. While there has been momentum for a BRICS expansion for months pushed largely by China and Russia the five leaders were locked in closed-door discussions for two days Tuesday and Wednesday before emerging with an agreement on expanding and a list of countries on the last day of the summit. BRICS is a consensus-based organization that needs all members to agree on decisions. The bloc was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009 and added South Africa in 2010, making Thursdays announcement in the heart of Johannesburgs high-rise Sandton financial district its most significant decision in more than a decade. Mohammad Jamshidi, the political deputy of Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, called joining BRICS a strategic victory for Irans foreign policy. Felicitations to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution and great nation of Iran, Jamshidi wrote on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. Raisi attended the summit, as did Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who said the oil-rich kingdom could be a leader of the bloc given its resources, wealth and access to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. However, in a twist, Saudi Arabias membership appeared uncertain after Prince Faisal told the Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya later Thursday that the kingdom appreciated the invitation but would first study the details before the proposed Jan. 1 joining date and take the appropriate decision. BRICS currently represents around 40% of the worlds population and more than a quarter of the worlds GDP, with that set to increase. The potential new members include three of the worlds biggest oil producers: Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran. This membership expansion is historic, Chinese leader Xi said. It shows the determination of BRICS countries for unity and development. Over the years, China has stood in solidarity with developing countries through thick and thin. Saudi Arabia and the UAE might provide new capital for BRICS New Development Bank. However, economists also noted that Argentina and Egypt are the International Monetary Funds two biggest debtors and have required bailouts. Ethiopia, Africas second most populous country with 120 million people, has been at odds with the U.S. and European Union over their criticism of the recent conflict in the countrys Tigray region. Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez said that joining BRICS was a new opportunity that strengthens us. BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of the Global South. All five current members and dozens of other developing countries represented at the summit repeatedly called this week for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the IMF and the World Bank. Many in the developing world view those institutions as Western-led and unfair to them and a stream of leaders made speeches Thursday calling for change. While that sentiment and challenging the current international order is useful for China and Russias geopolitical aims, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech to the BRICS summit that the calls for reform were valid. He quoted figures that said, on average, African countries pay four times more for borrowing from international financial institutions than the United States and eight times more than the wealthiest European countries. Redesigning todays outdated, dysfunctional and unfair global financial architecture is necessary, but it wont happen overnight, Guterres said. Yet we can and must take practical action now. More than 20 countries had formally applied to join BRICS ahead of the Johannesburg summit and more than 20 others had expressed interest, indicating how the bloc might resonate with many as an alternative. Cooperation is key to our collective survival, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said. South African officials pushed back against characterizations that BRICS was taking an anti-West turn under the influence of China and Russia. Putin and Xi laced their speeches with criticism of the U.S. and its allies earlier in the summit, although Xi did also call for a lowering of the temperature in reference to the geopolitical climate. Putin used a 17-minute prerecorded address on the opening day of the meetings to lash out at the West over the financial sanctions imposed on Russia as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine. The expansion of BRICS also appears to expand China and Russias sphere of influence, especially in the Persian Gulf. While Saudi Arabia had been touted as a likely new member, Irans inclusion wasnt expected. In the end, three Gulf nations were in line to possibly join. Until recently, the inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE together in the same economic or political organization would have been unthinkable, as tensions escalated following the collapse of Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal. But the UAE became the first to reengage diplomatically with Iran, and Saudi Arabia and Iran announced they had reached a separate detente in March, notably with the help of Chinese mediation. China has recently pushed for more of a presence in the Gulf and has sought closer relations with all three nations, particularly Iran, from which it has imported oil. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also maintained relations with Russia amid the war in Ukraine, annoying the U.S., which has long provided security guarantees for the major oil-producing nations. The U.S. and its Western allies clashed with Russia and Iran at the U.N. Security Council last month over Tehrans uranium enrichment and its reported supply of combat drones to Russia that are being used to attack Ukraine. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition HayonWye, United Kingdom, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Aug, 2023 ) :On the banks of the River Wye on the border between England and Wales, Pat Stirling flings a plastic measuring jug tied to a rope into the water. Up and down the river, a team of 250 others have been doing the same, hoping to save it from an unfolding ecological crisis. "The river is declining. The next thing is it's partially dead, then it's completely dead," Stirling told AFP between tests. The researchers say that after years of being ignored, their data has finally forced admissions about a pollution problem caused mostly by chicken manure. The Wye Valley and its meandering river have notably inspired the Romantic poet William Wordsworth who eulogised it in the 1798 poem "Tintern Abbey". Stretching 250 kilometres (155 miles) from its source in mid-Wales to the Severn estuary, the Wye cuts through stunning countryside. But in 2020 signs began to emerge that the river and its rare wildlife were under threat. People noticed that the usually smooth stones on the floor of the river had become "slimed up", said Stirling, 43, a carbon footprint consultant originally from Australia. - 'Disgusting stuff' - Bird and insect life dwindled and anglers noticed that fish were struggling to grow to larger sizes. Most noticeably, the Water Crowfoot -- an aquatic flowering plant that the river was once thick with -- was disappearing. First thoughts turned to a nearby sewage treatment plant. But as nothing had changed in the way the plant operated locals concluded that it was no more polluting than previously. "You can take a shot of sewage overflow but what you can't take a photo of is the shocking amounts of animal manure coming out of the intensive poultry units," Stirling said. A study of planning applications on both sides of the border pointed to the vast number of poultry units that had sprung up along the river in recent years. Campaigners estimate that there are now 20 million farmed birds in the area of the River Wye in over 760 units. The units supply a chicken processing plant run by Avara Foods in Hereford, which a decade ago won a huge contract to supply UK supermarket giant Tesco. After one reported pollution incident, Stirling investigated and found "this horrendous smell and this truly disgusting stuff everywhere". - 'Declining' - "Something had gone awfully wrong. I took samples and identified that it was coming from a specific farm", he said. The manure produced by the chicken sheds contains high levels of the essential nutrient phosphorus, excessive amounts of which damage water quality. The manure is either spread onto farmland and then washed into the river by rain or into the river directly from the ground where it is dropped by free-range chickens. Wye phosphorus levels were "nearly 60 percent greater than the national average", Lancaster University scientist Paul Wither told MPs last year. Conservation watchdog Natural England, which advises the government, in May downgraded the water quality rating of the river, following declines in important species like Atlantic salmon and white-clawed crayfish. Stirling said he believed the updating of the classification to "unfavourable-declining" only happened due to the noise generated by campaigners and "citizen scientists" like him. He welcomed the body's interest but added: "We also know they would never have done anything if we hadn't (got involved in testing)." - Positive signs - If the river is to avoid the two lowest categories -- "part-destroyed" or "destroyed" -- the authorities need to urgently pull the right "levers", he said. Some of the signs are positive. In a letter to farmers this month, Avara foods explained that contracts would be changed so their manure could not be sold within the Wye catchment area. Its aim was to make sure that "our supply chain is demonstrably not part of the problem by 2025", it said. The firm told AFP that although they would play their part to "mitigate the impact of our supply chain" Avara Foods were not "direct polluters". "Farms in our supply chain use or sell poultry litter... yet we recognise the potential impact this may have," it added. Stirling said he believed Avara's new position was linked to a law suit in the United States involving its joint owner, food giant Cargill, and other poultry producers. A judge in January ruled that the companies were responsible for degrading the Illinois River in a similar way to the pollution of the Wye. For now Stirling and his team of citizen scientists will carry on testing and feel hopeful they can make a difference. "What gets measured gets managed and we are seeing that happen. We are getting traction because of the public data noise," he said. Addis Ababa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Aug, 2023 ) :The head of Ethiopia's violence-stricken region of Amhara, which the Federal government has placed under a state of emergency, has stepped down, according to an official statement reported Friday. Amhara's parliament "has accepted the resignation submitted by the regional president, Dr. Yilkal Kefale, and appointed Arega Kebede in replacement," the body said in a statement reported by the official Amhara Media Corporation. The resignation on Wednesday came after the legislature, known as the Regional Council, discussed "the region's current security situation", it said. "After the discussion a consensus agreement was reached (on the need) for consistent reform," it said. Tension in the northern region ratcheted up this year after the end of a devastating war in the neighbouring region of Tigray that also drew in fighters from Amhara. In April the federal government announced it was dismantling regional forces across the country. The move triggered protests by Amhara nationalists who said it would weaken their region. Clashes erupted in early July between the national army and local fighters, prompting the authorities in Addis Ababa on August 4 to declare a six-month state of emergency. A mosaic of more than 80 ethno-linguistic communities, Ethiopia has long struggled to manage the diversity within its borders. It is structured as a federal republic, comprising nine regional states that are arranged on ethnic and linguistic lines, and two administrative councils, which includes Addis Ababa. The Amhara region is inhabited mostly by the Amhara people, the country's second most populous ethnic group. The Regional Council, which is dominated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party, had appointed Yilkal in October 2021. His successor is a relative unknown on the political scene. (@Abdulla99267510) The commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, convens its inaugural meeting to deliberate on the election roadmap. ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-August 25th, 2023) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities for all political parties in the upcoming elections. Stressing the importance of conducting the elections on schedule and upholding transparency throughout the process, the commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, convened its inaugural meeting to deliberate on the election roadmap. Delegates from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) engaged in comprehensive discussions during the session. The PTI delegation, which included prominent figures such as Dr. Babar Awan, Barrister Ali Zafar, Umair Niazi, and Ali Muhammad Khan (via video link), underscored the constitutional obligation to hold elections within the mandated 90-day timeframe. The delegation emphasized the need for the immediate release of detained party members, granting authorization for political rallies, and ensuring equitable access to political opportunities, aligning PTI's stance with that of other parties. On the other hand, the JUI-F delegation, headed by Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, Jalaluddin, Maulana Darwish, Kamran Murtaza (via video link), and other key members, highlighted the significance of timely constituency delimitation, particularly following the official release of census results. The delegation advocated for comprehensive measures to facilitate all political parties, candidates, and voters in the upcoming elections. They stressed the importance of accurate voter registration, correction of polling station lists, and appointment of impartial returning officers and district returning officers for a transparent electoral process. In addition to the exchange with PTI and JUI-F representatives, the commission affirmed its commitment to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with major political parties. The discussions also involved the active participation of Election Commission members, the Election Commission secretary, and other senior officials. Barrister Ali Zafar later addressed the media, assuring full PTI support for ensuring free and fair elections within the stipulated 90-day period. He highlighted the necessity of constitutional amendments before embarking on the delimitation process, particularly the revision of articles 51 and 106 of the Constitution to accurately determine the allocation of National Assembly seats. Both parties collectively expressed their determination to prevent a recurrence of the issues faced during the 2018 elections, emphasizing the need for a transparent and credible electoral process that garners the nation's trust. Moreover, United States Ambassador Donald Blome engaged in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, reaffirming the US's commitment to supporting "free and fair elections." The ambassador conveyed the United States' intention to strengthen its relationship with Pakistan based on the choice of the Pakistani people. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the ECP's dedication to conducting impartial and transparent elections remains a cornerstone of the democratic process in Pakistan. (@Abdulla99267510) Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch says Pakistan will examine the latest developments and make a determination about its future engagement with the Group. ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-August 25th, 2023) Foreign Office said that Pakistan did not make any formal request to join BRICS group of nations. Responding to the queries of media persons in Islamabad today about the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan will examine the latest developments and make a determination about its future engagement with the Group. She said Pakistan is an ardent supporter of multilaterism and as a member of several multilateral organizations it has always played an important role for global peace and development. She said Pakistan shall continue its efforts for fostering the spirit of international cooperation and revitalization of inclusive multilateralism. Responding to a question, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan has repeatedly shared concerns with the Afghan authorities about the terrorism threat emanating from Afghanistan. She said Afghan authorities should honour their commitments of not allowing their land for terrorism against other countries including Pakistan. To a question, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan's position on Taiwan question is consistent and principled. She said we adhere to one China policy and regard Chinese Taipei as an inalienable part of peoples republic of China. When asked about the recent Indian ceasefire violation on the Line of Control, the spokesperson said this is unacceptable, urging India to desist from such actions and ensure that the ceasefire understanding continues to hold. The Foreign Office Spokesperson said the UN Special Procedures for human rights have again expressed serious concerns about the revocation of Jammu and Kashmirs special status by the Indian occupation forces and imposition of restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association against civil society actors, human rights defenders, political figures and journalists in IIOJK. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the latest communication by the UN Special Procedures is a comprehensive document, covering multi-faceted human rights abuses in IIOJK, under the cover of counter-terrorism laws. She said it indicts India on its human rights record and the grave situation in IIOJK. The spokesperson urged India to bring an end to its repression of the Kashmiri people so that they are able to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Aug, 2023 ) :Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Friday expressed grief over the demise of the father of senior journalist and General Secretary of the Karachi Union of Journalists (Dastoor) Naimat Khan. The minister, in a condolence message, prayed to the Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss. Solangi said he was saddened by hearing the news of the demise of Namait Khan's father. He said he shared the grief of the bereaved family. Last Sunday, Celia Esquivel once again felt that something had been taken from her. On July 11, Yvan, the child she had long desired, died at just eight and a half months from an acute meningitis that had hospitalized him for two months of his short life. Since then, Celia had visited him every week to pray and leave flowers. But this past Sunday, when Childrens Day was celebrated in Peru, Celia Esquivel suffered the loss of her baby for a second time. When she arrived at the Sol de Oro cemetery, located in the San Sebastian district of Cusco, she found an open grave where Yvan had been buried. His stuffed animal lay beside the loose earth. When she leaned in, she saw that the glass of the coffin was broken. Someone had taken her babys remains. Celia collapsed. Her father, Yvans grandfather, hugged her. I just want justice for my son, for him to reappear. Whoever knows something, tell me. I want to find him, please. Leave him for me wherever you can. Return his body to me. He needs to rest, the mother has begged in various national media outlets. The cemeterys custodian told her that he went by her sons grave the previous day and everything was fine, so it is thought that the tomb was robbed on Sunday night. Even so, Celia Esquivel has complained of the indifference of the administrators of Sol de Oro. No one wants to take responsibility, she says. The municipality of San Sebastian has promised to review the security cameras of nearby streets to find the criminals. But the family laments the prosecutors slow response. They havent taken fingerprints from the coffin or the broken glass. They could have closed Cuscos borders. They need a forensic analysis. They should review the telephones of everyone who works in the cemetery. The truth needs to be made known, Celia has said. She does not know the motive of the robbery. I can think of a lot of things, even that they have trafficked him. God sees everything, she adds. Rafael Esquivel, Celias father and the childs grandfather, argues that the kidnapping was done by a specialist, as the coffin was not completely unearthed. The robbers lifted only the head of the coffin to then break the glass and remove the body. The municipality of San Sebastian is responsible. Thats why we pay for burial. How many cases like this are there? Doing this isnt easy. It was done by people who know what theyre doing, he says. Yvans tomb is a few steps from a wire fence separating the cemetery from a highway. The cemetery, the family says, does not have many security personnel. The districts director of Social and Human Development, Julio Jaen Rodriguez, says that the mother is receiving support. He argues that the municipality of San Sebastian is also a victim: We dont know the motives. This is in an investigation phase. We cannot jump to conclusions or assumptions at this point. What we want to emphasize is that we are also victims, because the security in the cemetery has been compromised. Unscrupulous persons have carried out the criminal act of profaning the tomb of the minor, he said in defense of his institution. The news has alarmed the Cusco population. Just a month ago, the remains of another baby, an eight-month-old fetus who died before birth, were robbed. Shirley Pachas Carbajal, the mother, denounced that the act occurred in the Antonio Lorena emergency hospital. The authorities explanation was that the robbers forced open the morgues back window. They promised an exhaustive investigation, but the case has not been solved. I cant find peace for my suffering. He is a little angel. I ask from the heart that you help me find my son, Celia Esquivel implores. The police are trying to find a link between the two cases. Meanwhile, two mothers and two families suffer: one could not bury her son, and the other was left with an empty tomb. The cadaver of an eight-month-old baby was robbed from the Sol de Oro cemetery. Cortesia (@ChaudhryMAli88) War and hunger threaten to "consume" all of Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of malnourished children are at risk of dying, the UN warned Friday, decrying a dire lack of aid funding Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Aug, 2023 ) :War and hunger threaten to "consume" all of Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of malnourished children are at risk of dying, the UN warned Friday, decrying a dire lack of aid funding. After four months of a bloody power struggle between Sudan's army and its former ally the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), thousands of people have been killed and infrastructure devastated in the already impoverished country. "The war in Sudan is fuelling a humanitarian emergency of epic proportions," said the United Nations' humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths. "This viral conflict -- and the hunger, disease and displacement left in its wake -- now threatens to consume the entire country. " Since the war erupted on April 15, pitting army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, nearly 5,000 people have been killed, according to conservative estimates from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project. But the battles have prevented the recovery of the bodies of many others thought to have died. More than 4.6 million people have meanwhile been forced to flee their homes, either within the country or across its borders as refugees, according to UN figures. James W. Meade: A Lifetime of Drawing Exhibit on Display at USM Fri, 08/25/2023 - 02:32pm | By: Caroline Neese The University of Southern Mississippis (USM) Gallery of Art and Design presents James W. Meade: A Lifetime of Drawing, a retrospective exhibition of works by James Walter Meade in celebration of his lifetime of art making and 50+ years of teaching, drawing, and painting at USM. The exhibition, sponsored by Partners for the Arts, opens Friday, August 25 with a public reception from 5-7 p.m. in the George Hurst Building in the Gallery of Art and Design. The exhibition runs through September 22, 2023. James W. Meade: A Lifetime of Drawing includes over 100 works spanning over 60 years of drawings by James Meade, including his first self-portrait drawing from high school and drawings from his graduate and undergraduate studies. A native of Virginia, Meade attended the University of Virginia-Wise and obtained bachelors and masters degrees in art from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Georgia. Meade studied under the renowned American artist Hiram Williams. Meade has a lifetime of experience as a world-renowned artist. Meades work has been displayed in approximately 140 exhibitions, including 40 one-man shows and 17 overseas. Hes also lectured at universities in Asia and Europe. Meades accomplishments as a world-renowned artist are evident; however, his lasting legacy lies in his dedication as an educator. Meade began his journey at USM in 1971 when he arrived at the Hattiesburg campus to join the faculty of its then Department of Art as an assistant professor. Meade has left an indelible mark on USM by sharing his lifetime of artistic experience and expertise with generations of students. Former student JJ Foley reflects fondly on his time as Meades student. He taught with enthusiasm, with honesty, and respect. We became very dear friends and his knowledge and genuine love continues to inspire and encourage me to this day, 47 years after I first entered his classroom, Foley said. "Jim Meade's way of thinking about art making and the clarity of his teaching were so important to me. His influence affected me as I know it did many others, said former student Ken Weathersby. It was foundational to my studio practice and has always informed my own teaching." Longtime friend and colleague Janet Gorzegno, professor of drawing and painting, notes the impact Meades expertise and craft has had on the USM art community. "My longtime Drawing and Painting colleague and friend James Walter Meade has touched many souls throughout his 50+ years at USM. His color class is legendary. His brilliant instruction on linear and tonal composition has set numerous art students on a lifetime path to create significant and impactful visual art, said Gorzegno. James W. Meade: A Lifetime of Drawing will reveal a compelling blend of refined aesthetic sophistication with raw personal honesty. Visually engaging as a gestalt, Meade's drawings powerfully reflect the human spirit, said Gorzegno. Working with James Walter Meade over the years in Drawing and Painting has not only energized my sense of purpose for our program, it has enriched my life." The exhibit can be viewed at the Gallery of Art and Design in the George Hurst Building, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For questions, contact Mark Rigsby at 601-266-5200. Pet Food Collection Event set for Sept. 6 on Hattiesburg Campus; Canned Food Drive for Animals to Continue Through Oct. 2 Fri, 08/25/2023 - 02:54pm | By: David Tisdale The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) chapters of Sigma Alpha Lambda, a leadership and service fraternity, and Association of Office Professionals (AOP) will host a canned pet food drive event Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the breezeway of the Luckyday Scholars Residence Hall, located on the north side of the Hattiesburg campus across from Spirit Park. This event will feature complimentary cuddles with puppies from across the Pine Belt. Donations at this event will support the work of North Star Animal Rescue in Columbia, Mississippi; donations will also be accepted in support of North Star through Oct. 2 at bins located on the Hattiesburg campus at the Liberal Arts Building, the Payne Center, Scianna Hall, Asbury Hall, Wesley Foundation, and Cook Library. Come by and learn more about Sigma Alpha Lambda, AOP and/or North Star Rescue, each of which is looking for members or volunteers. Your donations will help to feed the many abandoned animals (formerly someones pets) who have been rescued by North Star Rescue. For more information, email Jennifer Lewis. 24-Hour Campus Safety Escorts On-demand safety escorts are available 24/7 on the Main, Downtown and Southwest campuses through Rowdy Watch and the UTSAPD. This service is designed for community members who have safety concerns and would like to have a security officer walk with them, for their safety, as they make their way across campus to their next destination. Students, faculty and staff can call 210-458-4242 at any time to request a safety escort. Thanks to a partnership with Centro San Antonio, Downtown Roadrunners can also contact Centro at 210-224-7747 to request a safety escort by one of their trained ambassadors. LiveSafe at UTSA The LiveSafe app connects the Roadrunner community to real-time safety resources to help them stay safe and secure. The app provides reports of suspicious or dangerous activity and gives users the option to share their location with UTSAPD in an emergency. The app also offers a SafeWalk feature so family members and friends can track their loved ones as they walk across campus. When walking on campus students are encouraged to walk in a buddy system and in well-lit areas as a way to stay safe. Important Safety Tips Visit the UTSAPD website to get safety information on a variety of topics, such as alcohol and drugs, sexual assault and abuse, and personal and social media safety. The UTSA Risk Management website also offers safety tips. Keep Your Bike Safe Students have access to free bike storage on the Main and Downtown campuses through UTSAPD, which will store a bike in a secure location, safe and indoors while the owner is away for the weekend or on holiday breaks. Bikes are accepted at the Bosque Building. Visit the UTSAPDs Bicycle Drop-Off page or call 210-458-4242 for more information. Free U-Locks Are Available to Students UTSAPD also offers free U-locks, which lock a bicycle frame and wheel to the bike rack. Locks are available 24/7 from UTSAPD dispatchers in the Bosque Building. Students can also stop by the Public Safety Community Support Center in the Student Union (SU 1.00.40) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call 210-458-6250 to get a free lock. Operation ID Protects Personal Property Operation ID provides free engravings to secure personal items, keep personal items, including laptops, phones, tablets and bicycles. Email UTSAPD Community Affairs to schedule an appointment or stop by SU 1.00.40, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to request an engraving. Victim Support Services UTSAPD provides support services on and off campus. Its goal is to ensure the Roadrunner communitys safety and to provide a safe space for victims of crimes. Contact UTSAPD 24/7 at 210-458-6250 or 210-458-4242 for assistance. Campus safety escorts are available for the 'Runner community via the UTSA Police Department, Rowdy Watch and Centro San Antonio. Thomas Dougherty, the Warburg Chair in International Relations at Simmons University since 2021, is the 2023-24 Milward L. Simpson Visiting Professor at the University of Wyoming. The Casper native will teach two courses this fall in UWs School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies. (Thomas Dougherty Photo) A Casper native with a long career in international diplomacy will be the Milward L. Simpson Visiting Professor at the University of Wyoming during 2023-24. Ambassador Thomas Dougherty, the Warburg Chair in International Relations at Simmons University since 2021, will begin his post this fall in UWs School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies (SPPAIS). He will teach two courses: Introduction to African Studies and Americas Forever Wars. It means a great deal and for a variety of reasons, Dougherty says of being named the Simpson Visiting Fulbright Professor. When I was executive director of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission (2016-2021), I was very pleased to enter into a partnership with UW to bring distinguished Australian Fulbright scholars to Laramie as Milward L. Simpson Visiting Professors. It is an enormous honor for me now to serve as the Milward L. Simpson Visiting Professor myself. Tom has been a great friend of the University of Wyoming and was instrumental in setting up our partnership with Fulbright-Australia, says Stephanie Anderson, a professor and head of SPPAIS. We are absolutely thrilled to have the ambassador teach for us, especially in this area of expertise -- Africa. This will not be Doughertys first foray into teaching at UW. As a lecturer, he taught African Studies undergraduate courses during 2020 and 2021. A career diplomat, Dougherty was a foreign service officer in the U.S. State Department from 1989-2016. He served in Africa, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Washington, D.C. He was deputy chief of mission in Australia, serving at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra from 2013-16; was U.S. ambassador to Burkina Faso from 2010-13; and directed Fulbright programs in several countries, including the very large program in Iraq, where he served as minister-counselor for public affairs during 2009-2010. His extensive experience in Africa includes serving as acting deputy assistant director for West African Affairs from 2007-09; deputy chief of mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2004-07; and deputy chief of mission and charge daffaires in Malawi from 2001-04. From 1989-2001, Dougherty was a public affairs officer in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Germany, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Saudi Arabia and Senegal. Before joining the U.S. Foreign Service, Dougherty worked in international schools in Belgium and Switzerland, and he was a Fulbright grantee himself in Indonesia and Singapore in 1988. He is fluent in French, German and Italian and speaks basic Arabic. He received his bachelors degree in American civilization from Brown University, followed by graduate work at the Universita per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy, and nondegree coursework at the Foreign Service Institute, UCLA and Pepperdine University. He received a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship in 1987 to study the works of George Kennan. With that collective world experience to share, Dougherty says, Above all, Id like students to develop a greater awareness of international affairs and how they affect us in various ways here in Wyoming. And should any of the students then consider pursuing international careers themselves, so much the better. When he is not in the classroom teaching, Dougherty plans to spend as much time outdoors as possible in Wyoming and visit friends and places throughout the state that I have not had the chance to see in years, he says. Being back in Wyoming has given Dougherty time to reflect. It truly does seem full circle in many respects. My father had very little good to say about almost any politician but, as a young man in Casper in the 1950s, he had the chance to meet Milward Simpson. And he often said Simpson was a model of what a politician should be, he says. So, to find myself back in Wyoming as the Milward L. Simpson Visiting Professor really does feel like a full circle of sorts. The Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at the University of Wyoming is one of six nationwide recipients of a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program grant. Awardees are all state entities that will assist small businesses in advancing cybersecurity infrastructure and mitigating cyber threats. The Wyoming SBDC Networks deployment of the two-year, $1 million grant, which begins Aug. 31, includes services that will directly address cybersecurity concerns for its clients and small-business owners in Wyoming. The Wyoming SBDC Network will use CyberWyomings Made Safe in Wyoming cybersecurity train the trainer program to address cybersecurity topics. Our initial phase to further train and educate additional staff and partners is exciting, says Jill Kline, Wyoming SBDC Network state director. We will be able to guide and assist more clients through important cyber risk management strategies. We look forward to gaining additional skills to support Wyomings entrepreneurs. CyberWyomings content will allow Wyoming SBDC Network advisers and several partner program advisers to become certified experts in assessing their clients cybersecurity needs and vulnerabilities as well as assist in developing strategies and resources to increase their cybersecurity readiness. Any client who is developing or revising a business plan will be assisted with developing a risk management plan that will include in-depth cybersecurity threats or mitigation planning for cyberattacks. According to a U.S. SBA survey, 88 percent of small-business owners felt their business was vulnerable to a cyberattack. Yet, many businesses cannot afford professional information technology solutions, have limited time to devote to cybersecurity or do not know where to begin. Others to receive the cybersecurity grants are the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Indiana Economic Development Corp., Ohio State University, Old Dominion University and the Hawaii Cybersecurity Assistance for Small Businesses. Cyber threats can be devastating to small businesses. The SBAs second cohort of cybersecurity pilot grantees will help our small businesses avoid dangerous cyberattacks that can create costly disruptions to their businesses and our nations supply chains and digital infrastructure, says Isabella Guzman, administrator of the U.S. SBA. The SBAs Cybersecurity for Small Business Program leverages the full power of our state governments, territories and institutions of higher learning to provide turnkey, timely solutions to small businesses. I am excited to see this expansion across Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Hawaii and Wyoming. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA. A member of the Wagner private mercenary group pays homage to Prigozhin (pictured in the photo on the left) and Utkin, outside a Wagner office in the city of Novosibirsk, on Aug. 24, 2023 . The destruction of the private plane belonging to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group, claimed the lives of its 10 occupants this past Wednesday. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, has published a list containing the names of the people who had allegedly boarded the aircraft, an Embraer Legacy 600 under the registration number RA-02795. There were no survivors. Seven senior members of the mercenary company were on the plane, including Prigozhin and his deputy, Dmitri Utkin. Two pilots and a flight attendant also perished. On June 23 and 24, Prigozhin engaged in a confrontation with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the rest of the Kremlin leadership. He flexed his muscle by taking the city of Rostov-on-Don and marching his private army towards Moscow. This was done to demand the removal of the incumbent high command. After 24 critical hours, he gave up his mutiny, with a guarantee by the Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko, a Putin ally that his security would not be endangered. Prigozhins number two, the enigmatic Dmitri Utkin, 53, also appeared on the list of occupants of the crashed plane. Unlike Prigozhin known as Putins chef this former commander from the armys intelligence service (GRU) rarely appeared in public. The name of the Wagner company comes from him, however, since his nomme de guerre was the surname of the German composer Richard Wagner. Along with other Russian commanders such as Strelkov, from the FSB, arrested today for criticizing the high command Uktin participated in the paramilitary actions that provoked the war in Donbas in the spring of 2014, when the pro-Russian protests in Donetsk and Lugansk were dying down. According to the Russian media group RBK, he also intervened in Syria. In 2016, he appeared at an event where Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order of Courage. The soldier is also known for leaking a photo of himself, in which various emblems of the Nazi Waffen-SS could be seen tattooed on his body. Despite the fact that the Kremlin constantly repeats the line that its objective is to denazify Ukraine, one of the Wagner Groups units Rusich has the Black Sun (another Nazi symbol) as its emblem. Another occupant of the plane was Valeri Chekalov, who was born in Vladivostok in 1976. Nicknamed Rover according to the Saint Petersburg newspaper Fontanka he was Wagners third leg, responsible for the firms logistics. He was also the head of Neva, a company that had a multitude of businesses linked to Prigozhins firms, and director of Evro Polis. In 2017, Evro Polis received a juicy contract from the Syrian regime: in exchange for providing protection to oil and gas facilities, Chekalovs firm obtained a quarter of the output. Little is known about the other alleged deceased, although some media outlets suggest that they were part of Prigozhins private escort. Among those on board was a 38-year-old veteran of the Syrian war named Yevgeny Makarian (nicknamed Makar), who has appeared on the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets, listed as an enemy of the country. His father was acquitted of a murder trial a decade ago. He joined the mercenaries in 2016. Along with Makarian were Sergei Propustin nicknamed Kedr, a member of Wagner since 2015 and the 31-year-old mercenary Alexander Totmin, also on the Myrotvorets list for having been involved in Sudans armed conflict. There is no information about Nikolai Matuseyev, another occupant of the plane. The captain of the plane was named Alexei Lyovshin. The newspaper Vesti Novosibirsk interviewed an Su-34 fighter-bomber pilot with the same name at an air show in 2018, although it hasnt been confirmed whether they are the same person. No details have appeared about his co-pilot, Rustam Karimov. A woman was also on board: cabin crew member Kristina Raspopova, 39, who was born in Soviet Kazakhstan. The morning of the tragedy, she posted a photo on social media, showing her breakfast and a suitcase labeled Cabin. According to channel 74.RU, the victim was the older sister of the deputy prosecutor of the city of Yemanzhelinsk, located in the Chelyabinsk region. A source from that channel reports that Raspopova went to Moscow to pursue her career. There, she was hired by the MNT Aero company. Before the flight, she didnt tell her family that she would travel with the head of the mercenaries, only with someone important. I just knew that she worked on a [private] plane thats rented to anyone who can afford it, said an unnamed source who was close to Raspopova. From prison to running a multi-million-dollar empire Much has been written about the career of Prigozhin since he began to raise his voice at the end of 2022, angered by his great rival, Defense Minister Shoigu. Born in Leningrad (present-day Saint Petersburg) in 1961, he spent nine years of his youth in a Soviet prison for robbery. However, the economic crisis that Russia went through in the 1990s gave him a new opportunity. Founder of the Concord catering company, Prigozhin met the emerging Russian elite at his restaurants in Saint Petersburg, as Putin was simultaneously making his way to the presidency. He never left the restaurant business, but little by little, he took over the dirty tasks of the Kremlin. He founded the troll factory that stirred up social media and elections in some Western countries. And, in 2014, he created the Wagner Group. The mercenary company would act as a paramilitary branch of the army in foreign operations, whenever the Kremlin didnt want to officially participate. From supporting the Syrian regime, to aiding in the invasion of Ukraine, to protecting African governments in exchange for their mineral wealth, Prigozhin made millions. However, Prigozhin wasnt part of Putins inner circle in a way like someone such as Shoigu was. He didnt even have enough clout to deal with the governor of Saint Petersburg, who frequently denied him catering contracts. His confrontation with the defense minister escalated as Wagner bled out this year in the Bakhmut offensive, when demands for more ammunition went unanswered by Moscow. If, in the spring, he began referring to Shoigu as a bitch, his tone went even further in May, when he directly called out the Russian leader for not sending him enough weapons: And the happy grandfather thinks that hes doing fine. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Show more Show less VOA CONNECT EPISODE # 293 AIR DATE: 08 25 2023 MASTER FULL SHOW TRANSCRIPT OPEN ((VO/NAT/SOT)) ((Topic Banner)) All Are Welcome Here ((SOT)) ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) We really believe that anybody can be housed with the right supports and with the right community around them, and with the affordability figured out, people that can come in to make those other support needs. ((Animation Transition)) ((Topic Banner)) All Aboard! ((SOT)) ((Morgan)) If you see someone at risk of falling onto the tracks, please get help immediately. Tell a police officer or an MTA employee. Be safe and happy Autism Awareness Month. ((Open Animation)) BLOCK A ((PKG)) STOMPING GROUND ((TRT: 12:54)) ((Topic Banner: All are welcomed here)) ((Producer: Marsha James)) ((Camera/Editor: Philip Alexiou)) ((Map: Arlington, Virginia)) ((Main characters: 1 male; 3 female)) ((Sub characters: 2 female; 1 male)) ((Blurb: Independence living for people with disabilities)) ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) Friday chaos. ((Hannah Bowen Art Therapy Intern, George Washington University)) Friday chaos. Awesome. Thank you. ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) Our Stomping Ground came to be because there were a group of parents that had children with different disabilities. And as they were aging out, they recognized that there had to be some plan. So, we are very proud of the idea that we are housing people that traditionally would have been either institutionalized or in group homes. ((Hannah Bowen Art Therapy Intern, George Washington University)) Okay, Lisa. Do you want to share yours? And what did you title yours to be? ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Happy thoughts with friends at Gilliam. ((Hannah Bowen Art Therapy Intern, George Washington University)) Happy thoughts with friends at Gilliam. Awesome. Do a little celebration. And then we have Huan. Huan, what did you title your piece? ((Huong Pham Huans Mom)) Say it loud. Say it loud. What is it? ((Huan Vuong Gilliam Place Resident)) Happy together. ((Huong Pham Huans Mom)) Good. Right. ((Hannah Bowen Art Therapy Intern, George Washington University)) Happy together. Awesome. Merrill, did you want to hold that up? Thank you, guys. I thank everyone. I thank all of you for sharing this space together. ((Paul Osgood Gilliam Place Resident)) The meaning behind mine was that even though it's a mess, its pretty. And its just, even though it may look like that, anything could be art. ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) And we are really not saying there is anybody that cannot be housed. With the right supports, and with the right community around them, and with the affordability figured out, with people that can come in to make those other support needs, we really believe that anybody can be housed. And you can see from the friends you've met in our communityour friend, Huan, he spells to communicate, you know. How can someone who spells to communicate live alone? What happens if there's an emergency in the building? How does he get his needs met? He is thriving at his building. ((NATS)) ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) Our friend, Paul, actually did have his own apartment, but he was very isolated. ((Paul Osgood Gilliam Place Resident)) All right. Come on in. What I like about living here is that I get to be with such wonderful people like Donna, and meet such cool people like Huan, and like Ben and Emma and everybody. And the community is so inclusive because there's so much more to do here than there was in Falls Church. And it's such an open community, a welcoming community of people here for like people with disabilities. And, you know, over there I didn't do anything and I didn't know anybody. I didn't know any neighbors. They didn't. What they didnt, I didn't. So I just spent my time inside. I was a couch potato. Here, I'm welcomed with open arms and I feel like that is something I should express. And, you know, that's why I like it here. I watch TV. I play on my tablet. I play video games. I'm a gamer at heart. So, I do a lot of like things that keep me busy. I feel like I have grown and matured a lot more since moving to Stomping Ground, moving to Gilliam place and becoming part of this community. And after moving here, you know, I was taught to be respectful, to be a good person, and to respect people and to respect myself. And I think that they've helped me with that. And I've grown to, you know, just be a better person. ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) Ben is the same way, again, an individual that doesn't talk. We just kind of relegate them to where they need to be segregated so they can be safe. This idea of safety and people with disability just having to be safe, and it really rubs against an idea that we love and that we pursue in the disability world. We hear it from self-advocates is that they deserve the dignity of risk. There is risk of moving outside the family home. There is risk in moving outside of the group home. But what is there for them to experience that, to live their fullest life, to have friends, to be able to have more say in the direction of their lives. I really think we can make the argument that that is going to be a greater chance of that happening outside of a group home or outside of the family home. And these are risks. I'm not saying there aren't risks, but it is that dignity of risk. ((NATS/SOTs)) ((Bertra McGann Bens Mom)) Yeah, so Benjamin is a resident of Gilliam Place, which is one of the OSG [Our Stomping Ground] properties. He's been there for maybe three years, one of the first of these young adults to move in. As Ben said, Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen. My husband, Steve and I assumed Ben would be living with us the rest of our lives at least, and then would live with siblings. So, when Ben was able to communicate a preference to live independently in his own apartment, we were floored, and we weren't sure about how to make this happen. And thanks to the advocacy and leadership of OSG demonstrating to parents that this capacity exists, the facilities exist, and OSG brings the programs and helps build a community which nets this endeavor together. You know, you have horror stories of young adults moving into apartments. There's no furniture. They have no community. They're just sitting there in tears. OSG kind of wraps this thing up in a bow and makes certain that the resources, and the programs, and the services are there. You know, when you prove to yourself that you can do something, it manifests itself in so many ways, including, you know, increased confidence, increased initiative. He certainly seems happy. When he has an opportunity, he says, I love my life. And what more can a parent ask? ((NATS)) ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) Lisa spent many years in a group home, and it was a beautiful group home, and I'm sure she felt safe and loved. But she didn't have the type of control of her life that she now has. Like if Lisa wants to go on a walk at the end of the day, she takes her walker. She looks at the phone to see, is our group going out there? And she will go out and take advantage of having friends in a community that knows her. She also has all these opportunities that are available to her in her building. She loves the art therapy. She loves, you know, will do group dinners, get transportation now to her job site with the weaving. All of that is now available to her because she can access it. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Oh, yeah. I'm so sorry. I wasnt thinking right. Just, so I'm getting ready to go to work. Would you like to say something about that pet kitty cat picture I made? ((Stephanie Sabin Program Manager, Community Systems Incorporated)) You did a good job with them. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Yeah. ((Stephanie Sabin Program Manager, Community Systems Incorporated)) Your wall of art. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Yes. You ready to roll? Ready to roll, Michelle? ((Stephanie Sabin Program Manager, Community Systems Incorporated)) Well Lisa, you wanted me to take you. ((Lisa Good Hughes, Gilliam Place Resident)) Yeah. Okay, Miss Beautiful. ((Stephanie Sabin Program Manager, Community Systems Incorporated)) All right, ready? ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) I'm worried about my meeting. I'm worried about my socializing. ((NATS/SOT)) His car is up here. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Good morning, Janet. ((NATS)) ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) So, here I go. Thank you. ((NATS)) TEASE ((VO/NAT/SOT)) Coming up ((Topic Banner)) Our Stomping Ground Continues. ((SOT)) ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Ill be weaving and I do tapestry. I do stitching. Everything else. BREAK ONE USAGM SHARE ((LogOn Voice Diagnosis Tech (TV/R) HEADLINE: LogOn: Could Your Voice Help Diagnose Your Next Illness? TEASER: Technology analyzing thousands of voices may play a role in the future of medicine BYLINE: Julie Taboh DATELINE: Washington PRODUCER: Julie Taboh, Adam Greenbaum SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn, Amy R TRT: 1:54 & 2:00 [[Voice experts have long known that a person's voice can provide important information about their emotional, physical and mental health. Now a U.S. government-funded project is collecting and analyzing thousands of voices and using artificial intelligence to diagnose illnesses. VOAs Julie Taboh has more.]] ((Courtesy: Allison Long/USF Health)) ((NATS patients voice being tested)) ((NARRATOR)) Dr. Yael Bensoussan examines the vocal cords of a patient. At the University of South Florida Health Voice Center, she treats patients with a range of voice disorders, such as upper airway, voice and swallowing disorders. And lately, shes been helping to lead a new project to build a database of 30,000 human voice recordings and train computers to detect diseases through changes in the human voice. ((Radio track: She spoke with VOA via Skype.)) ((Dr. Yael Bensoussan, Voice Specialist)) ((SKYPE)) Not only to build that data, but also to develop the guidelines on how to share that data, how to collect that data, and also how to use that data for future AI [artificial intelligence] research. ((Courtesy: Weill Cornell Medicine)) ((NARRATOR)) She works with a team of 45 investigators across 12 different universities in North America as well as a startup in Europe. ((NATS - Parkinsons voice demo, Text on graphic: "Parkinson's disease")) They study voice samples to help them detect illnesses like Parkinsons disease ((NATS - Glottic cancer voice demo, Text on graphic: "Glottic cancer")) ((NARRATOR)) cancer ((NATS - Vocal fold paralysis demo, Text on graphic: "Vocal Fold Paralysis")) ((NARRATOR)) And voice disorders such as vocal fold paralysis The team also studies mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. ((Dr. Yael Bensoussan, Voice Specialist)) ((SKYPE)) So when somebody is depressed, sad, has anxiety, of course their speech changes. ((NARRATOR)) ((Courtesy: NIH)) The study is one of four data-generation projects funded by the National Institutes of Health's Bridge to Artificial Intelligence program, designed to use AI to tackle complex biomedical challenges. ((Dr. Yael Bensoussan, Voice Specialist)) ((SKYPE)) They realized that there was such a big gap between the technology that we had available, and the clinical knowledge, and what we use in clinical care in our hospitals. ((NARRATOR)) And doing it while maintaining participants privacy. [[Radio track: Grace Peng is one of the coordinators of the National Institutes of Healths Bridge2AI program. She spoke with VOA via Zoom.]] ((Grace Peng, National Institutes of Health)) ((Zoom)) We want to think about the ethics associated with collecting people's voices. And how do we keep it private? ((NARRATOR)) ((Courtesy: NIH)) The study will start enrolling participants in the coming year. ((Julie Taboh, VOA News, Washington)) BUMP IN ((ANIM)) BLOCK B ((PKG)) STOMPING GROUND continues. ((NATS)) ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) So, here I go. Thank you. This is Peter and he's really helpful. He's really nice. Here I come. This is one of the bags I did, right? Right here. ((NATS)) ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) And so everything's cool with me and Ive been doing a lot of stitching. I just made, finished making a cat. This is what I made and I'm going to put it like in a show. Ill be weaving and I do tapestry. I do stitching. Everything else. Coffee. Please, please can you do that? ((Emily Wroten Direct Support Professional, Service Source)) Do you want it with creamer? ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Yeah. ((Emily Wroten Direct Support Professional, Service Source)) And two sugars. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Two sugars, please. ((Emily Wroten direct support professional, Service Source)) Okay. Coming on up. ((NATS/SOT)) You're a very important person. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Yeah, I am very important. I am also going to be doingtonight is art group. That means at the Gilliam, and then I have book club. This what I'm working on. ((NATS)) ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) Emily, need your help. I dont even know what I just did, but it fell through. ((Emily Wroten Direct Support Professional, Service Source)) You know what? It's a good start. You can put your shovel down and get your beater down. Your beater. And then get your weaving materials in the crank. And after that, I can come over and tighten. But you got to put it here. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) But I made a mistake and it's supposed to be a cross body bags. I followed the iPad, but I followed the numbers. I picked out the pattern, and we both picked out the colors. So, this is what I do all day like that. ((NATS)) ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) This is complicated but I'm hanging in there. And then we bring, once we get it done, we bring it back in the back, then get it ready. Right, Emily? That's how theyre going to look when I get it done, right Miss Emily? And it's going to be really nice and then we do, we also do tote bags, and we dothese are...what are these? Are makeup bags? ((Emily Wroten Direct Support Professional, Service Source)) Yep. ((Lisa Good Hughes Gilliam Place Resident)) These are makeup bags. These are cards that we sell. End of August will be my fifth year here. So, been working. Somehow I knew how the weave is because I wanted to try it, and I learned it with training here. This is my first tapestry. It's been, this is what I do. All day weave or do tapestry. It's just been really, really nice to haveI love working here and these are my favorite friends. ((Donna Budway OSG Director, Programming and Community Outreach)) One of our missions, we hope with OSG, is that we're going to be able to get funders and governments and bureaucracies to understand that this very sustainable, very affordable, very inclusive, very replicable model could have better outcomes for people, not only throughout our state, but throughout the country and in other countries as well. ((NATS)) TEASE ((VO/NAT/SOT)) Coming up ((Topic Banner)) All Aboard! ((SOT)) ((Elliot)) Please take trash with you and use the garbage cans on the platform. Thank you for riding with MTA New York City Transit. BREAK TWO USAGM ((LogOn Underwater Drones (TV, R) HEADLINE: LogOn: Underwater Drones Take Off Like Those in the Air TEASER: The discovery of the Endurance shipwreck in Antarctic waters this year has encouraged hobbyists to take up underwater drones BYLINE: Genia Dulot VIDEOGRAPHER: Genia Dulot PRODUCER: Genia Dulot SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn TRT: 2:01 [[As they overcome the challenges of operating in water, underwater drones are becoming more available for hobbyists, researchers and public agencies. Genia Dulot reports.)) ((NARRATION)) Jesuit Robotics, a high school robotics team from Sacramento, California, has been designing remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, for more than a decade. [[For Radio: Charlie Diaz, a member of the Jesuit Robotics team]] ((Charlie Diaz, Jesuit Robotics)) We developed the grippers ourselves, the cameras, our modularly adjustable buoyancy systems. ((BROLL: Shots of Jesuit Robotics team)) ((NARRATION)) Jesuit Robotics recently exhibited its underwater drone at a competition in Long Beach, California. Called the Manatee, this underwater drone can map shipwrecks or work on environmental projects. ((Charlie Diaz, Jesuit Robotics)) We have our custom AI detection software. Our bottom gripper helps us to restore seagrass beds. ((NARRATION)) ((Courtesy: FALKLANDS MARITIME HERITAGE TRUST, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC / AFP)) Entrancing many, the recent discovery by ROV of the Endurance, which sank in Antarctic waters in 1915. That effort cost an estimated $10 million. ROVs have been slow to take off among hobbyists, however. Several startup companies are making design changes and adding technology to make drones work better underwater and reduce costs. Blue Robotics, a Los Angeles firm, works on waterproofing underwater drone parts such as the thruster, which propels the ROV in the right direction, and has added various sensors measuring temperature, pressure and depth. [[For Radio: Rustom Jehangir is founder and CEO of Blue Robotics]] ((Rustom Jehangir, CEO Blue Robotics)) Instead of trying to protect the motor from the water, why dont we make a waterproof motor? Thats really the innovation here. ((Courtesy: Blue Robotics)) ((NARRATION)) These new underwater drones cannot go to the deep sea, but they are being used in conditions unsafe for human divers, and by hobbyists, says Fritz Stahr, an ocean technology expert. [[For Radio: Fritz Stahr, a judge at the competition, and chief technology officer at Open Ocean Robotics, a marine technology firm.]] ((Fritz Stahr, Ocean Tech Expert)) The ability for everybody or more people to be that explorer, to be that person who understands whats going on in their local environment, is really important. ((NARRATION)) Unlike aerial drones, technology has yet to solve the problem of underwater communications. For now, these drones are controlled by a tether. ((Genia Dulot for VOA News, Los Angeles)) BUMP IN ((ANIM)) BLOCK C ((PKG)) AUTISTIC TRANSIT PROJECT ((TRT: 07:57)) ((Topic Banner: Autism Transit Project)) ((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor)) ((Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin)) ((Editor: Kyle Dubiel)) ((Map: New York City, New York)) ((Main characters: 0 female; 8 male)) ((Sub characters: 4 female; 0 male)) ((Blurb: When his personal life was touched by autism, Jonathan Trichter made a career change, beginning a small program in New York, which has grown into the fastest growing special needs platform in the country. This led to the Autism Transit Project, where autistic kids got to write and record subway announcements to be played as part of Autism Awareness Month.)) ((NATS/MUSIC)) ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) The first part of my career was largely finance. A little bit of Wall Street, a lot of corporate restructuring and venture capital. Some success, lots of failures. And this is probably my greatest success. I'm pretty sure it'll be the first line of my obituary. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) My personal life was touched by autism and it was at a pivotal moment in my career when I was looking to do something else more impactful, and I fell in love with it. We started, it was a passion play, a small program in New York, and it took off. Now it's a medium-sized program in New York, and in September, it'll be two programs in New York. And then we open in Connecticut and then Washington. And now we're growing. We are arguably the fastest growing special needs platform in the Northeast, if not the country. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) For a long time, special needs kiddos were neglected, and then they were warehoused ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) and left to their own devices and modern therapies and techniques. We know that these children can advance and could become more independent and access a greater piece of the human experience and participate in civic life, you know, at a higher level. So our mission is to do just that, to push these kids, advance them, give them the opportunity to fail, because only with that opportunity can they possibly succeed. It treats them with dignity and treats them equally and gives them every chance to partake in the human experiment. So that is our mission. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) We perform a number of therapies, special ed[ucation] instruction that helps these kids be regulated and matriculated into ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) living their most independent and most accessible lives. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) So we've now opened four schools. One of them is ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) in New York City called, the Foundry Learning Center. We have one in the state of Connecticut called, Hubbard Day. We have one in the state of Washington called, Emerald Learning, and we're opening up a second in September in Queens, also New York, and that's called, Foundry 613. And the 613 has to do with the ratio of staff to students. ((Thomas)) 242nd street. 238th street. 234th street. Marble Hill. 225th Street. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) When you're around kids with autism, you're familiar with this phenomenon, where they perseverate, which is a fancy word for focusing intensely on things that neuro-typical people find asocial. And this can often be feats of mechanical engineering that we encounter every day. This is especially true of mass transit and trains. And so, that combined with the fact that these same children ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) don't come to language naturally, like neuro-typical children do, they will grasp onto phrases that they hear in places where they're focused. And as a result, it's not unusual ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) for the first full sentence that a child utters to be something they hear in a train station. In New York, it might be, "Stand clear of the closing doors." From there, it was not a great leap for me during Autism Awareness Month, to ask the MTA [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] last year, ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) if they'd allow these kids to record their own versions of the announcements they hear. And to their credit, the MTA agreed. That made a bit of news. We then went out larger to other mass transit agencies in large urban areas. ((NATS)) ((Subway Announcer)) Stand clear of the closing doors, please. ((NATS)) ((Morgan)) If you see someone at risk of falling onto the tracks, please get help immediately. Tell a police officer or an MTA employee. Be safe and happy Autism Awareness Month. When Jonathan made the project started last year, I was so into it. I was ready. ((Elliot)) Hi, my name is Elliot. I'm 11 years old. ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) Thank you, MTA for letting me use my assistive communication device to make an announcement during Autism Awareness Month. The MTA works hard to keep our stations and tracks clean. You can help too. Please take trash with you and use the garbage cans on the platform. Thank you for riding with MTA New York City Transit. ((Elliots Mom)) He's very proud of his own voice. ((Raphaels Mother)) It gets exciting for Rafael to be able to share his love of trains with others. For him, it's not just a way of getting from place to place, but he enjoys the planning, finding out the timing of the trains, and kind of estimating ((Rafael)) the models. ((Raphaels Mother)) the models. He was sharing his interest about the latest train model with another boy in the other room. ((Benjamin)) Please keep hands and feet away from doors at all times. Make sure not to litter or else critters will come. Please be safe and have a happy New Year Day. Bye. Have a good day. ((Benjamins Mom)) That was excellent. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) One thing that surprised me as I did this project and went around to the launch events that these transit agencies hosted ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) was that, a few times, staff from the transit agency would attend in their own personal time. And they approached me and confessed that they were on the spectrum and they turned their disability into a career advantage. ((NATS)) ((Thomas)) Hi. This is Thomas. I'm nine years old. Thank you MTA for letting me make an announcement as part of Autism Awareness Month. I want to work in all shops and I also want to really, really be a driver, especially the R211 subway cars that are now in revenue testing on the A Line. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) Well, it's also the case that there are some countries and cities around the world with state-of-the-art mass transit systems that, you know, put ours to shame, but with more mixed histories on how they treat their disabled communities. ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) This would be a great project for them to roll out in their train stations to help spread awareness in more understanding and tolerance of those who are neuro-divergent in those cities and countries. And I have every reason to believe, including faith, that in places like Tokyo, Berlin, Paris, and other places like that, that their transportation officials would embrace this project. ((NATS/SOT/MUSIC)) ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) ((Conductor)) Go, hit the horn. ((NATS/SOT)) ExactlyDyckman, 200 street. ((Thomas Mom)) I think there are all these positive feelings that, you know, when we're talking about the supports they need or awareness, it's all about like the hard things. But that love and that joy is so strong, as strong as any of the other negative feelings might be. And I don't think people get to experience that, and they should. Just like find an autistic friend and let them take you to their favorite place and you will never have a better day in your life. ((Courtesy: Jonathan Trichter)) ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) Well, my hope for the Autism Transit Project, I would like it to different but similar and no less to the widest possible audience. And of course, broadcasting them and showcasing them in places where they're comfortable, like train stations where hundreds of thousands of passengers who are neuro-typical but might not think of the neural-typical communities, often will hear them, and for a moment, stop and realize all of that. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) For the kids that go to my schools are a good life, a good instruction, self-confidence, real core capabilities. I want to them learn how to read, write, and be autonomous. I want them to have a career path. I want them to love. I want them to be loved, and I want them to be part of the human experience and feel confident in participating in it. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) Did you have a good time? You do it again next year? ((Thomas)) Yes. ((Jonathan Trichter Creator, Autism Transit Project; Co-founder, Foundry Learning Center)) All right. I like it. Next year they're going to let you drive the train. ((Thomas)) Yeah, yeah. ((NATS/MUSIC)) ((PKG)) NATURE KICKER: MOUNT MAJOR ((TRT: 02:04)) ((Topic Banner: Nature: Mount Major)) ((Text on screen: Mt. Major in Alton, New Hampshire, is one of the most popular peaks in New Hampshires White Mountains.)) ((Camera/Editor: Linus Manchester)) CLOSING BUMPER ((ANIM)) voanews.com/connect BREAK THREE USAGM SHARE ((LogOn: Space Camera (TV, R) HEADLINE: LogOn: Giant Camera Focuses on the Invisible TEASER: Camera will document the universe for 10 years, gathering data for dark energy and dark matter research BYLINE: Matt Dibble VIDEOGRAPHER: Matt Dibble PRODUCER: Matt Dibble SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn, Reifenrath TRT: 1:55 [[In California, a camera the size of a car is being prepared for its mission: documenting unseen phenomena in the universe. Matt Dibble has the story.]] ((Courtesy: SLAC)) ((NARRATOR)) At the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California ((Courtesy: SLAC)) ((NARRATOR)) engineers are building the worlds largest digital camera. The LSST camera, as its called, ((Courtesy: Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA)) ((NARRATOR)) will be installed at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in southern Chile to record images of the night sky over a ten-year period. ((Courtesy: Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA)) ((NARRATOR)) By observing a wide swath of the universe over time, researchers expect to gain insight into some of sciences biggest questions. [[For Radio: PhD student Theo Schutt is running final tests on the camera.]] ((Theo Schutt, Stanford University Ph.D Student)) How old is the universe, how fast is it expanding, why is it expanding? So we're really like going for the 95% of the universe that we basically don't understand at all. ((Courtesy: NASA)) ((NARRATOR)) Scientists theorize that 95% of the universe is made up of dark energy and dark matter, which cant be seen directly. ((Courtesy: SLAC)) ((NARRATOR)) However, the effect that dark energy has on its surroundings can potentially be detected if observed over time. [[For Radio: ...says astrophysicist Aaron Roodman, who leads the camera project.]] ((Aaron Roodman, Rubin Observatory Deputy Director)) We can study it by looking at galaxies, ((Courtesy: NASA)) studying how the light from distant galaxies has been bent by all the matter between us and the distant galaxy. ((Courtesy: Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/ Todd Mason Productions)) ((NARRATOR)) The camera will record on most nights, essentially compiling a time-lapse movie. ((NARRATOR)) Each image will be made up of about 3 billion pixels, ((Courtesy: Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA)) about 300 times the size of a smartphone image. ((end courtesy)) ((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory CG: SLAC)) Funded by the US government, the project will share images ((Courtesy: Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA)) with international researchers, directing attention to short-lived phenomena as they happen. ((Aaron Roodman, Rubin Observatory Deputy Director)) Within two minutes, we will compare ((Courtesy: NASA)) the objects we see in it the stars, galaxies, asteroids ((end courtesy)) with how they previously appeared in prior images. And we will flag any differences. ((NARRATOR)) Researchers are eagerly expecting the unexpected. ((Matt Dibble for VOA News, Menlo Park, California)) BUMP IN ((ANIM)) SHOW ENDS The Camp David trilateral security agreement between the United States, Japan and South Korea is likely to drive Beijing to be more aggressive in the South China Sea, analysts say. The trilateral summit, the first stand-alone gathering of leaders from the three countries, yielded security measures aimed directly at what the participants described in a joint statement as China's "dangerous and aggressive behavior," especially in the South China Sea. The agreement calls for the three allies to commit to consult with each other to coordinate their response to regional threats. It also requires them to expand joint military drills and hold annual talks. In a statement, the three countries called out China for "dangerous and aggressive behavior supporting unlawful maritime claims" in what appeared to be a rebuke of China's aggression in the South China Sea. Clint Work, a fellow and director of academic affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America, told VOA Korean in an interview that direct mentions of China's behavior in the South China Sea and its claims had not appeared in previous U.S.-South Korea statements. "To mention all these specific Chinese behaviors and claims is a new development. And to have it in a trilateral document is notable," he said. China's protest Beijing expressed deep displeasure with the summit. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called the meeting "an act of gross interference in China's internal affairs, a deliberate attempt to sow discord" between Beijing and its neighbors. The spokesperson also rejected criticism of Beijings behavior in the South China Sea. "The U.S., together with its allies, frequently conducted military exercises and close-in reconnaissance in waters around China, including the South China Sea, to flex muscle and intensify tensions in the region," the spokesperson said at a news briefing on Monday. 'Salami-slicing approach' Analysts say the trio's military exercises and increased ballistic missile cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region will likely push China to strengthen its existing aggressive approach in the disputed waters. "China will stage its own military exercises in response, perpetuating the action-reaction cycle," said Carl Thayer, professor emeritus of politics at the University of New South Wales Canberra, in an email to VOA Khmer. Thayer added that although the trilateral partnership on ballistic missiles is mainly directed at North Korea, "the greater interoperability and proficiency in ballistic missile defense" resulting from the partnership will offset the threat posed by China's ballistic missiles. "China's response will be to improve its offensive capabilities and increase the number of ballistic missiles it can deploy," he said. John Ciorciari, professor of research and policy engagement at the University of Michigan, said in an email to VOA Khmer that in the short term, China will likely act assertively to show that closer cooperation among South Korea, Japan and the U.S. is counterproductive, but in the long term, "the stronger trilateral cooperation is likely to induce more caution in Beijing." "China is not likely to engage in dramatic military escalation, but it will probably take economic measures to punish South Korea and Japan. This could accelerate economic decoupling," Ciorciari said. "China will likely continue pursuing its salami-slicing approach in the South China Sea, building steadily without escalating to major-power armed conflict," he added. Sweeping maritime claims China has made sweeping claims to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a combined area estimated to hold 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The claims have angered competing claimants, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. In July 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled against China in a claim brought by the Philippines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China, despite being a signatory to the treaty that established the tribunal, refused to accept the court's ruling. China has been increasingly aggressive in asserting its claim, using naval presence and exercises to deter opponents from inside and outside the region, and carefully conducting gray zone operations offensive tactics below the use of armed force by its coast guard, maritime militia and fishing vessels to harass and intimidate littoral states. Beijing is also constructing what appears to be an airstrip on Triton Island, a contested territory that is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard released a video showing a China Coast Guard vessel firing a water cannon at one of its ships. The United States has no territorial claim over the contested waters but has asserted that freedom of navigation and flight, as well as peacefully resolving disputes, are in its national interest. VOA's Korean Service contributed to this report. The number of tourists visiting China is a fraction of the level it was before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, despite the country fully opening in March. China has not published official nationwide tourism statistics since 2021. However, regional statistics show foreign visitors are staying away. In Shanghai, international tourist arrivals from January to May this year totaled just over 910,000, with almost half arriving from Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. Four times as many tourists visited Shanghai before the pandemic in 2019. Zero-COVID Chinas zero-COVID policy closed the country to foreign tourists from January 2020 until March of this year. Chinese citizens showing coronavirus symptoms were forced to isolate as police and security forces locked down entire blocks despite such restrictions having been lifted in most other parts of the world. Those images left an impression on foreign travelers. People are thinking, How about the pandemic, during that time there was the very strict lockdown. Would I be locked down? And of course, they would not. But people are worried about that, said Wendy Wu, the founder of Wendy Wu Tours, an operator of tours to China and other Asian destinations. Political tensions Wu said customer demand for the companys tours to China are around 35% to 40% of pre-pandemic levels. Political tensions also put off some visitors. Sometimes, because of political reasons the governments felt not very friendly, among China and the West relations and that has certainly impacted the customers decision to go or not, Wu said. The lack of foreign visitors, even after three years of lockdown, means that many of Chinas main attractions are much quieter. Warm welcome Before the pandemic there were plenty of tourists, plenty of foreign visitors you are just one among hundreds of thousands, it was nothing, Wu said. But now, because theres so few, [tourists] are asked to take a photo wherever they go and treated like a celebrity, like 30 years ago, and it is incredible. Of course, it brings people together, Wu told VOA. They get to see all these natural wonders and attractions. But right now, [the Chinese are] even more friendly than ever before because they have not seen a foreigner for so long. Japanese visitors China was a major destination for Japanese tourists and business travelers before the pandemic, but demand has failed to return, according to Yoko Hayano of JTB Tourism Research and Consulting. Since the coronavirus pandemic, all air routes have not yet been restored, Hayano told VOA. The number of airline seats available [to China] is still only about 30% compared to 2019, so there is a big impact. Meanwhile Japan is experiencing a boom in foreign tourism. The number of tourists visiting Japan from China is increasing rapidly, so in that sense, there are fewer airline seats that Japanese people can use, Hayano said. Political tensions between Tokyo and Beijing also weigh on tourism. Japan warned Friday that its citizens in China should keep a low profile after Beijing strongly criticized Tokyo for releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Scientists have said the plan does not present a health risk. Revival China is trying to revive inbound tourism. Earlier this month, Beijing and Washington agreed to double the number of direct passenger flights between China and the United States starting in late October to 24 per week still far below the number of flights before the pandemic. Meanwhile the Chinese government is trying to ease foreigners access to mobile phone payment systems as the country moves rapidly toward becoming a cashless society. Visa applications are also being simplified for some countries. In Australia, in New Zealand and in many countries in Europe, they already scratched the need for fingerprints since 11 August. So thats good news, tour operator Wu told VOA. Milena Hildete Teixeira, a 27-year-old Brazilian, will never forget the day when she was invited to be on the interview panel for Roda Viva. The prestigious TV program showcases influential figures, who spend two hours answering questions from journalists. That day, the whole neighborhood stopped what they were doing to watch me on the program. It was very cool! This young woman grew up in a favela a slum where dreaming of a bright future was a rare luxury. Journalism didnt even cross her mind until a teacher said it would a good career path for someone with her outgoing personality. Taking a chance, she applied with little confidence to a university program and was admitted. Now shes the pride of the family and its first college graduate. Teixeiras time at the university changed her life. The pivotal factor that provided her with this crucial opportunity is the quota system that has been in place for a decade. This affirmative action system reserves 50% of admissions to the top Brazilian public universities for students from public high schools, with a priority on those from disadvantaged backgrounds: poor, Black, Mestizo and Indigenous students. I am living proof that quotas work. I personally think Brazil has really excelled in this, she told us in a video call from Brasilia, where she now works as a journalist covering the National Congress. Two months after the United States Supreme Court dealt a blow to race-based affirmative action in higher education, Brazil reaffirmed and extended its own system. Brazils National Congress, dominated by white, middle-aged men, made the momentous decision on August 9 and Teixeira was there to report it for the CBN radio station. Two other prominent women were there that day, who also say university admission quotas gave them unique opportunities: Dandara Castro, a 29-year-old legislator from President Lulas Workers Party, and 39-year-old Anielle Franco, Brazils Minister of Racial Equality. The recently approved update to the quota system has made significant changes. It permanently establishes socio-racial quotas, subject to review every 10 years. It also broadens the eligibility criteria for family income to ensure that it benefits not only the wealthy, but also includes quilombolas descendants of rebellious slaves who live in communities established centuries ago. There were concerns that Brazils most conservative Congress ever would eliminate policies that benefit people with historically limited opportunities. The implementation of quotas, along with significant expansion of higher education advocated by the Workers Party, has led to unprecedented diversity in university classrooms. These classrooms now better reflect the demographics of Brazil compared to the beginning of the 21st century. Previously, upper-class whites made up 55% of the student body. However, a recent study by the Nexo digital news outlet revealed that lower- and middle-class Mestizo and Black students now make up the same percentage. In other words, the number of non-white students has quadrupled to 1.2 million in just 20 years. A large favela (slum) in Sao Paulo, with luxury apartment buildings in the background. Christopher Pillitz (Getty Images) Teixeiras mother runs a tiny bar in Salvador (northeast Brazil) and her father does odd jobs. Both have limited schooling, and made significant sacrifices for their daughter to enroll at the Federal University of Bahia. Every day, Teixeira had to commute two hours each way to the university. During her senior year in high school, there was no language-skills teacher for three months, and Teixeira was worried when she started college. I didnt talk at all. I was scared of saying something wrong, of making mistakes. The classrooms were full of white students in Brazils Blackest state capital Salvador was one of the main ports of entry for slave ships from Africa. I have always seen quotas as a form of reparation. I believe I should be compensated because my ancestors were enslaved, said this young professional who proudly wears curly hair that generations of Black women diligently straightened. After slavery was abolished in 1888, Brazilian Blacks were left without land, education or job opportunities. Meanwhile, the government attracted European and Japanese immigrants by offering them land and credit. Teixeira, Franco, and Castro represent a generation that has revolutionized Brazilian society. Despite being children of domestic workers, they have earned degrees in fields like law, sociology and medicine. Their rapid ascent is remarkable considering they live in one of the worlds most unequal countries with the lowest level of social mobility. According to a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), it takes nine generations to move from poverty to middle class in Brazil, whereas in Denmark, only two generations are required. The first time I went to the dentist, I was 22 years old and working! exclaimed Teixeira. When she decided to attend university, she anticipated a positive change in her life. But she never imagined the transformation would be so profound. It changed everything, you know why? It changes your focus, the way you talk, dress, comb your hair, eat... It gives you access to other spaces and other perspectives on life. Living and working in the heart of Brazils modern capital city wasnt just an unattainable dream it never even crossed her mind. Expectations were as short as the walk to the corner store. Like India, Brazil has highly regarded public universities, while basic education is severely lacking. Higher education was once the purview of privileged Brazilians who worried about their childrens prospects and loudly protested when quotas were introduced in 2012. However, a decade later, few voices advocate for abolishing quotas, despite the predictable right-wing grumbling. Rachel Quintiliano, a strong advocate for gender and race equality, says that the current system not only leads to personal and family advancement but also contributes to the countrys overall development and progress. A columnist for Raca magazine, she said, Quotas play a crucial role in reducing inequality by nurturing an intellectual elite. Increasing the representation of Blacks in [positions of power] over the next 15 or 20 years will lead to more equitable laws. She acknowledges that earning a college degree is only the first step, as job opportunities remain scarce. There is persistent racism here, along with many other barriers and daily micro-violence. The impact of quotas in Brazil is significantly greater than in the U.S. because over half of Brazils population is comprised of Blacks and Mestizos, while African Americans make up only 14% of the U.S. population. Segregation was also much more severe in the U.S., so racial identification is more challenging. Brazil implemented a self-identification process, demonstrating an impressively low rate of fraudulent self-identification at just 1%. When there is uncertainty regarding a students racial identification, a procedure named hetero-identification is utilized. Initially criticized as racial tribunals, their decisions are ultimately decisive. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Seventy years after a CIA-orchestrated coup toppled Iran's prime minister, its legacy remains both contentious and complicated for the Islamic Republic as tensions remain high with the United States. While highlighted as a symbol of Western imperialism by Iran's theocracy, the coup unseating Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh over America's fears about a possible tilt toward the Soviet Union and the loss of Iranian crude oil appeared backed at the time by the country's leading Shiite clergy. Nowadays, hard-line Iranian state television airs repeated segments describing the coup as showing how America can't be trusted, while authorities bar the public from visiting Mossadegh's grave in a village outside of Tehran. Such contradictions are common in Iran, where "Death to America" can still be heard at Friday prayers in Tehran while many on its streets say they'd welcome a better relationship with the U.S. But as memories of the coup fade further away along with those alive during it, controlling which allegory Iranians see in it has grown more important for both the country's government and its people. "Maybe the U.S. did this out of fear of the emerging power of the Soviet Union, but it was like wishing for an earthquake to get rid of a bad neighbor," said Rana, a 24-year-old painter who like some others who spoke to The Associated Press gave only her first name for fear of reprisals. For Iranians, "the rancor has never melted." The August 1953 coup stemmed from U.S. fears over the Soviet Union increasingly wanting a piece of Iran as Communists agitated within the country. The ground had been laid partially by the British, who wanted to wrest back access to the Iranian oil industry, which had been nationalized earlier by Mossadegh. Though it looked initially like it failed, the coup toppled Mossadegh and cemented the power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It also lit the fuse for the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which saw the fatally ill shah flee Iran and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini usher in the theocracy that governs the country. Today, several who spoke to the AP about the coup and possible relations with the U.S. put it in the context of Iran's ailing economy, which has been battered by years of sanctions after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Lower tensions with the U.S. "will bring more money for my business," said Hossein, 47, who runs a canteen for cab drivers in southern Tehran. "Now taxi drivers spend less compared to the past years and it is because of these bad relations, sanctions." Majid Shamsi, who works as a parcel carrier in central Tehran, said he was ready for the countries relations to improve. "I know about this bitter history, but it should come to end sometime soon," Shamsi said. "Young people in Iran seek a better life and it cannot come as a result of enmity with" the U.S. Even during increasingly common protests by teachers, farmers and others in Iran, some of the regular chants include: "Our enemy is here; they lied to us [that the enemy] is the U.S." "Iran today should accept a deal with the U.S. like what it did to release dual nationals," added teacher Reza Seifi, 26. "I need it for my better future, for a better future for all." But as with the exchanges with the U.S., there are limits to how far Iran's government will go in remembering Mossadegh. Last weekend, state television's English-language Press TV aired a segment with a journalist standing on Mossadegh Street in northern Tehran. However, over the last 20 years, police have restricted access to those wanting to visit his grave in his ancestral home in the village of Ahmadabad, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of Tehran. Some found other ways to mark the 70th anniversary of the coup. "I could not go to his grave to pay tribute, but I have visited the graves of his supporters and allies like Hossein Fatemi," said Ebrahim Nazeri, 32, as he, his wife and two children stood at the graveside of Fatemi, Mossadegh's foreign minister who was executed after the coup. "He was a hero like Mossadegh." Another visitor to Fatemi's grave, teacher Ehsan Rahmani simply said that "the U.S. planted hatred in the hearts of Iranians" through the coup. For Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 1953 coup represents what he views as the continued threat from the U.S., whether that be from economic sanctions or the nationwide protests that have gripped Iran after the death last year of Mahsa Amini. On Thursday, Khamenei told members of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard that Washington had planned to overthrow the country's theocracy through a coup like in 1953 through its military. Iran carried out mass executions and purges of its regular military after the revolution. However, some remain hopeful Iran could reach a detente with the U.S., as it recently did with Saudi Arabia. "I dream that the supreme leader allows talks and better relations with the U.S.," said Mohsen, 29, a furniture shop salesman in northern Tehran. "He allowed the restoration of ties with Saudi Arabia. He can allow the same for the U.S." This month, the Taliban are marking two years since they retook control of Kabul, a swift blow that shocked the international community and set in motion a frantic evacuation led by the United States. The violent and chaotic final phase of the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021 saw more than 122,000 people airlifted to safety, but at least 180 people, including 13 U.S. military service members, were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near Hamid Karzai International Airport's Abbey Gate entrance on August 26. Critics of the evacuation known officially as a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation or NEO say there is plenty of blame to go around. "It was a Kafkaesque exercise in bureaucracy and red tape with no clear lines of authority while lives were on the line," said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, at a Senate hearing about a month after the evacuation ended. "We were unprepared," he said. Was the State Department to blame? U.S. officials who spoke to VOA at the time of the fall, and again in recent weeks, have placed the blame largely on the State Department. They say the U.S. Embassy in Kabul repeatedly ignored Taliban gains that were meant to be seen as "trip wires" to signal the need for a NEO. On May 1, 2021, the Taliban controlled roughly 75 Afghan districts, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Long War Journal. By July 12, the Taliban controlled more than 210 of Afghanistan's roughly 400 districts. But as Afghan territories fell like dominoes, efforts by the military to conduct an interagency tabletop exercise to prepare for the evacuation were delayed. The State Department continued to "move the date because Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on vacation," according to one official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to talk to reporters. Two officials told VOA that the State Department initially did not want the evacuation to include Afghan nationals who had worked with U.S. forces and had applied for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to the United States. Instead, State wanted the military to focus solely on airlifting U.S. citizens and embassy personnel. VOA asked the State Department how many Afghans seeking SIVs the U.S. wanted to include in its initial evacuation plans, but the department declined to comment. According to an after-action report by U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, during the interagency tabletop evacuation exercise on August 10, Afghanistan's crumbling situation was presented to Biden administration officials with a prediction that Kabul could be fully isolated within 30 days. However, diplomats did not order an evacuation that day. "There was a reluctance [from State] to plan for the worst, and a reluctance to start the needed evacuation," a U.S. official close to the evacuation planning told VOA. The State Department finally ordered the military to conduct an NEO on August 14, one day before Kabul fell. "There was not a sufficient sense of urgency," wrote authors of an After Action Review on Afghanistan released by the State Department this year. Who was in charge? By definition, NEOs are "conducted by the Department of Defense when directed by the Department of State," and officials have said friction between the two led to the haphazard evacuation. SEE ALSO: 'Hunger Games' Evacuations as US Left Afghanistan NEOs are overseen by the chief of mission, who was U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson. One official told VOA that in addition to "waiting too long" to order the NEO, Wilson appeared to have "no policy [for] prioritizing how to get folks out." Sometimes SIV applicants would get processed by State, other times not. Multiple C-17s left Kabul airport without any evacuees on the first day of the evacuation, said another official. The State Department flew in a second ambassador and others to help with the NEO after Kabul fell, but processing remained the slowest part of the evacuation, frustrating military leaders, including Rear Admiral Peter Vasely and Brigadier General Farrell Sullivan, the officers responsible for coordinating the evacuation. According to one official, Vasely was instructing military personnel to "load and go" in an effort to get as many people as possible onto planes so they could be fully processed in a safer location outside Afghanistan. State Department personnel, on the other hand, wanted to fully process potential evacuees before they boarded a plane. International television audiences were shocked by scenes of desperate Afghans clinging to the undercarriages of planes as they took off, only to fall to their deaths. The chaotic situation further devolved on August 26 when a suicide bomber unleashed a massive blast outside the airport's Abbey Gate, where thousands of Afghans were clustered in a frantic effort to enter the facility in hopes of boarding an evacuation flight. The attack, attributed to the Islamic State extremist group, killed an estimated 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members who had been manning the gate and trying to maintain order. Was the military at fault for not using Bagram? In the days, weeks and months after the attack, many criticized the U.S. military plan to use Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) for the evacuation rather than Bagram Airfield, the Soviet-built base about 50 kilometers north of Kabul that had been the hub of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades. Command Sergeant Major Jake Smith oversaw the U.S. military departure from Bagram at the beginning of July 2021, as part of the scheduled departure of the last U.S. forces from Afghanistan. U.S. President Joe Biden on April 14 of that year had ordered the military to remove all of its troops from Afghanistan by September 11, with the exception of a few hundred to protect the embassy. The Biden administration later changed the military's withdrawal deadline to August 31. In the spring of that year, Smith had recommended Bagram for any NEO, saying the vast military base had far better resources and capabilities than HKIA to handle the operation. "Bagram could house 35,000 people without overloading the infrastructure, whereas HKIA could hold under 4,000. Bagram held the logistical capability to meet the requirements of 130,000 people, HKIA did not," he told lawmakers. Bagram also had one more runway than HKIA. From a security assessment, too, Smith told lawmakers in July that Bagram was a better option than HKIA. "The events that happened on Abbey Gate, I believe, that would have not occurred in Bagram," he said. In 2017, Kabul was deemed so insecure that then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to meet him at Bagram Airfield. Similarly, in November 2019, President Donald Trump landed at Bagram, but did not take the less than 15-minute helicopter flight to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul because of security considerations. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, blames U.S. civilian decision-makers for ignoring Smith's proposal to execute the NEO from Bagram. "This was a prime example of the arrogance of civilian decision-makers who had never served in the military and had no real experience in Afghanistan haughtily ignoring those who did," Rubin wrote to VOA. To keep Bagram Airfield operational, U.S. military leaders say they would have needed at least 2,500 troops on the ground, significantly more than the Biden administration had ordered them to keep in the country. U.S. forces vacated Bagram on July 2, at which point U.S. Central Command said the military withdrawal was "more than 90% complete." By July 12, a month before Kabul fell and the day the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Austin "Scott" Miller, relinquished command, the only American troops that remained in Afghanistan were those assigned to protect the embassy and those assisting Turkish forces with security at HKIA. "What we wanted was an elegant solution that was not attainable," retired General Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command who oversaw the NEO, told VOA last year. "We wanted to go to zero militarily yet retain a small diplomatic platform in Afghanistan that would be protected." SEE ALSO: VOA Exclusive: Former CENTCOM Commanders Say the US Not Safer Following Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan In September 2021, McKenzie told a House Armed Services Committee hearing, "I did not see any tactical utility to Bagram." Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the same hearing that "Bagram would've required exceptional levels of resources." Neither of the military officials spoke about Smith's proposal to use Bagram for the NEO. "The size of Bagram and its associated terrain would have demanded a much, much larger amount of troops to defend it," Gian Gentile, a retired U.S. Army colonel and associate director of the Army Research Division at the RAND Corporation, a global policy research group, said in an interview. "That view is the usual post-facto military lament that if policymakers would have only let us run the show, everything would have been fine," he told VOA. "But again, that is a contorted inverse on how things work in a democracy." Could Ghani have changed the outcome? Days before he fled from Afghanistan in three helicopters with his wife and closest aides, Ghani vowed he would not run away, even at the cost of his life. Such assurances, and intelligence estimates about the strength and resilience of Afghan defense forces, prompted U.S. officials to believe that Kabul would not fall to the Taliban, even if the group claimed the rest of the country. Ghani's unexpected flight on August 15, however, left Afghanistan without a state for the U.S. to deal with while opening the door for the Taliban to walk into the deserted Presidential Palace in Kabul, less than three miles from the U.S. Embassy. "If [Ghani] had not fled, things would have been different," Sediq Seddiqi, a former deputy minister and spokesperson to Ghani, told VOA. By staying, Seddiqi said, the Afghan president could have prevented the mayhem that followed his escape. Others who knew Ghani and worked for him disagree. "I believe President Ghani had totally lost credibility," said Omar Zakhilwal, a former Afghan minister. "If he had stayed in Kabul, the only thing he could have saved would have been his honor as a leader but not the government it was just too late for the latter," Zakhilwal told VOA. Whether any U.S. or Ghani government action could have prevented or mitigated the events of August 2021 in Kabul remains in dispute, but neither the dramatic scenes at Kabul airport, nor the loss of life on August 26, can be reversed. Milley told The Washington Post on Friday that he supported investigations, including those by House Republicans, into the Afghanistan withdrawal. The Dutch Supreme Court on Friday upheld a ruling that a Palestinian man cannot sue Israel's former defense minister and another former senior military officer over their roles in a deadly 2014 Gaza airstrike. The highest Dutch court confirmed findings by judges in two lower courts that Benny Gantz and former Air Force Commander Amir Eshel are protected from civil proceedings in the Netherlands because they have "functional immunity." The long-running case was brought by Ismail Ziada, who lost six members of his family in the airstrike that lawyers for the two Israelis argued was part of an Israeli military operation during the 2014 Gaza conflict. Ziada wanted the Dutch court to order Gantz and Eshel to pay damages. His legal team argued that the men didn't have immunity because their actions amounted to war crimes. In a written reaction, Ziada said he was "disappointed and angered" by the Supreme Court ruling and is considering appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. "The Court has once again chosen to put politics over people and blocked access to justice. Today's ruling only deepens the injustice we have suffered," he added. Israel's Justice Ministry told a lower Dutch court that an internal Israeli military investigation determined the airstrike had killed four militants hiding in the house. It said the attack was permissible under international law. Gaza's Hamas rulers themselves have said that two militants were in the building. Gantz thanked his country's justice and foreign ministries for leading "the push that led to the dismissal of the lawsuit against me and against the former Air Force Commander Major General (ret.) Amir Eshel in the Netherlands." Gantz who was military chief of staff at the time of the airstrike in Gaza and Eshel had immunity because they were carrying out Israeli government policies, Dutch courts in The Hague ruled. The Supreme Court agreed in a short written ruling issued Friday. Gantz is now head of the centrist opposition party National Unity in the Israeli Knesset. Eshel, a former director general of the Defense Ministry, was named this month as a senior fellow at the hawkish Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Gantz welcomed the dismissal of the lawsuit, crediting what he described as Israel's "strong and independent judicial system" that protects Israeli soldiers and commanders "even in front of international courts." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative government is currently pushing to overhaul the country's judicial system and weaken the Supreme Court, a move that the Israeli security establishment has worried could render the country more vulnerable to international prosecution. "As the system protects us it is our duty to protect it and preserve its strength and independence," Gantz said. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS held a news conference Friday in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, hours after coup leaders in Niger announced an alliance with neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali. ECOWAS said it was worried about reports that made it sound as if the bloc is beating the drums of war toward Niger. ECOWAS President Omar Touray told journalists that Friday's press conference was convened to set the record straight. Touray said ECOWAS was worried that its announcement earlier this month that it might use military action to restore constitutional order in Niger was being misinterpreted in media reports. He said, "ECOWAS has neither declared war on the people of Niger nor is there a plan, as has been purported, to invade the country." Touray said the ECOWAS heads of state and government only activated a full-scale application of sanctions against Nigers military rulers, including the possible use of force. He said that authorities would resort to this measure only after deciding that dialogue alone is not deterring coups in the region. "The current development in the Republic of Niger adds to the list of attempted coups d'etat in the region, Touray said. So, you can understand why the heads of state and government have decided that this is one coup too many and resolved that it was time to end the contagion. The situation in the Republic of Niger is particularly unfortunate, as it comes at a time the country is comparatively well in terms of security and economic growth." Military takeovers are increasing in West Africa, with seven coups since 2020. The ECOWAS president said the bloc was concerned about the welfare of the people of Niger and that it had noted reports of increased insecurity and human rights violations since the military took over in late July. Touray said military administrations in the region have not demonstrated capacity to deal with complex political, social and security challenges. On July 26, soldiers of the presidential guard overthrew Niger's democratically elected leader, President Mohamed Bazoum, and have since held him hostage, ignoring calls for his release. ECOWAS on August 10 said it had activated a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger. Touray spoke to journalists Friday. "In the interim, the region is employing other elements of its instruments and engaging with the military authorities, as can be attested to by the several missions that have been fielded to the country, he said. Nonetheless, preparations continue towards making the force ready for deployment." Last week, Niger's junta announced a three-year transition plan and, on Thursday, authorized Mali and Burkina Faso's forces to intervene in the country in the event of any military invasion by ECOWAS. Both countries had warned that invasion of Niger by ECOWAS would mean a declaration of war. Security analyst Chidi Omeje says there's too much at stake to risk military action. "I expect them not to put the issue of military intervention on the table at all, Omeje said. It shouldn't be discussed because you have to look at the consequences of a military intervention in Niger Republic. In that region, how are you going to mitigate the influx of refugees in Nigeria?" ECOWAS is hoping that diplomatic efforts will pay off and make it unnecessary to deploy forces. But so far, the junta has resisted pressure to relinquish power. On August 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Leonid Pasechnik, the acting head of the Luhansk Peoples Republic a Moscow-controlled breakaway enclave in eastern Ukraine. Their discussion in the Kremlin covered Russias war in Ukraine. Russian state broadcaster RT reported that Ukraines counteroffensive had expended much manpower and equipment but failed to yield any significant territorial gains. Summarizing Putins comments, RT said: Ukraine is senselessly turning its own soldiers into cannon fodder for Russian troops and is not treating their own soldiers as humans. Or, in Putins words: They are throwing [Ukrainian soldiers] on our minefields, under our artillery fire, acting as if they are not their own citizens at all. It is astonishing. That is false. The RT article cited concerns expressed by Western officials in recent weeks over whether Ukraines counteroffensive will succeed. However, contrary to Putins claims, a key reason for those concerns has been Ukraines efforts to avoid unnecessary combat losses. Putin and others have written off Ukraines counteroffensive as a failure since it was launched in June. A Washington Post report published on August 17 was one in a series of recent articles suggesting Western officials are increasingly skeptical Kyiv will be able to reclaim large swaths of territory Russia has captured in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia currently occupies roughly a fifth of Ukraine. The Washington Post article, citing a U.S. intelligence assessment, said that Ukrainian forces would fail to reach the southeastern city of Melitopol, which would prevent Kyiv from meeting its principal objective of severing Russias land bridge to the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington D.C.-based think tank, and other analysts dispute that capturing Melitopol is the only way for Ukraine to sever the Russian land bridge. U.S. officials have also said that Ukraines tactical failures have stalled the counteroffensive. They believe Ukraine has deployed too much of its forces to the east, thus hamstringing their ability to make a breakthrough in the south. The Institute for the Study of War and other analysts dispute that Ukraines tactical shift has been ineffective. Ukraine has recaptured over 50% of the territory Russia seized after invading on February 24, 2022. However, estimates suggest they have only taken a sliver of that territory approximately 100 square miles since June. General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, told U.S. officials his forces are on the cusp of a breakthrough, the Wall Street Journal reported on August 24. The pace of Ukraines counteroffensive and its choice of tactics reflect a desire to stem casualties. In May, Britains Defense Ministry said Russia had constructed some of the most extensive systems of military defensive works seen anywhere in the world for many decades, including a particular effort to fortify the northern border of occupied Crimea. Russias artillery-backed defensive fortifications, including trenches, razor wire, anti-tank traps and kilometers-wide minefields some with up to five mines per square meter have created a formidable obstacle to Ukrainian advances. All of these defenses are laid out in a zig-zag pattern which enables mutual fire support between trenches and ensures obstacles such as the minefields, the lines of dragons teeth [concrete pyramids designed to hold up armored vehicles] and the anti-tank ditches are covered by both direct and indirect fire weapons, wrote Steve Brown, a former British Army ammunition specialist and bomb disposal officer, in the Kyiv Post. Russian tactics to destroy mine-clearing equipment, including stacking mines on top of each other, has often forced Ukrainian sappers to clear mines manually, sometimes by crawling across minefields. Russia has also been able to replant cleared mine fields using drones. The Washington Post reported that "Ukraine incurred major casualties against Russias well-prepared defenses in the first week of the counteroffensive. Western officials had anticipated that Kyiv would accept those losses as the cost of piercing through Russias main defensive line. Instead, Ukraine chose to stem those battlefield losses through a tactical shift that involved what Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow with the National Institute for Strategic Studies, a Ukrainian-government think tank, called a slow attrition process, involving small-scale engagements across the front. The New York Times reported that clearing minefields is a painstakingly slow process, and almost any big push against dug-in Russian defenders protected by minefields would result in huge numbers of losses. That, U.S. officials fear, has made Ukraine become casualty averse. Likewise, The Financial Times reported that U.S. officials have pressed Ukraine to be less risk-averse to increase the chances its forces can break through Russian lines in the south. Ukrainian officials said minimizing casualties is necessary to preserve Ukraine's longer-term fighting potential, The Wall Street Journal reported. Lawrence Freedman, an emeritus professor of war studies at King's College London, said there is a difference between being risk-averse and reckless. He argued that it is not clear Ukraine would have made greater gains if they had mounted larger-scale assaults, although the casualties would certainly have been higher. Ukraine is pushing back slowly but surely, imposing heavy costs while eating away at Russian capabilities, Freedman said. For its part, Russia relied on "human wave attacks during its winter offensive in eastern Ukraine, resulting in massive casualties, particularly among Wagner Group mercenaries. Unnamed U.S. officials recently told The New York Times that half a million Ukrainian and Russian troops have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russian forces made up 300,000 of those estimated casualties, including 120,000 deaths. Ukrainian deaths were estimated at 70,000. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has released comprehensive casualty estimates. India's prime minister and China's leader agreed Thursday to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions at the disputed border between them and bring home thousands of their troops deployed there, according to an official from India's foreign ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of a Johannesburg summit where the BRICS bloc of developing economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa invited six other countries to join the group, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told Indian reporters that Modi, in an impromptu meeting with Xi, highlighted India's concerns about their unresolved border issues. The disputed boundary has led to a three-year standoff between tens of thousands of Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Ladakh area. A clash three years ago in the region killed 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese. Kwatra said the two leaders agreed to intensify efforts but did not say anything about what Xi's response to Modi's expressed concerns or elaborate on details of what the Indian prime minister said. The Chinese embassy in New Delhi later tweeted a foreign ministry statement saying that President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations served their common interests and was also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region," it said. Indian and Chinese military commanders had met last week in an apparent effort to stabilize the situation. A Line of Actual Control separates Chinese and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India's eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in its entirety. India and China had fought a war over their border in 1962. China claims some 90,000 square kilometers of territory in India's northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh with its mainly Buddhist population. India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometers of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau, which India considers part of Ladakh, where the current faceoff is happening. The handling of the war in Ukraine isn't as significant to American voters as the economy, health care, immigration, abortion and some other issues. Polling suggests that concerns about the costs of the war resonate with working-class Republican primary voters, says Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Pennsylvania. An AP-NORC poll conducted in January 2023 shows that almost a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, support by Democrats had dropped from 71% to 63% while Republican support had dropped more, from 53% to 39%. The United States has committed more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. That includes more than $43 billion in military aid. Dozens of Republicans in the House, and some GOP senators, have expressed reservations about and even voted against spending more federal dollars on the war in Ukraine. Many of those Republicans are aligning with former President Donald Trump's objections to U.S. involvement overseas. This week's first GOP presidential debate and recent comments on Ukraine by Trump, who leads in polling for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination shows that previous bipartisan backing of Ukraine will face a stress test as the campaign intensifies and the leading Republican contenders show antipathy toward American backing of Ukraine. Borick said U.S. President Joe Biden is not likely to win votes solely on his handling of Ukraine. But how the war plays out in the months ahead could help or diminish the president's broader argument about his administration's competency and success at restoring U.S. leadership on the international stage after four years of Trump's "American first" foreign policy approach. "Right now, Ukraine isn't as prominent an issue for voters, but we're seeing conservative presidential contenders such as Trump, [Vivek] Ramaswamy and [Florida Governor Ron] DeSantis setting the stage questioning how much U.S. treasure we're spending over there that we could be spending at home," he said. Prigozhin's reported death On Friday, the Kremlin labeled as "an absolute lie" the Western conjecture that Russian President Vladimir Putin masterminded Yevgeny Prigozhin's death. The chief of the mercenary Wagner group reportedly was on the jet that crashed Wednesday evening just outside of Moscow. Prigozhin's name was on the passenger manifest, and he reportedly was among the 10 people aboard who died in the crash. Putin cited "preliminary information" saying that Prigozhin and his top associates in the Wagner mercenary group had all been killed. Earlier on Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov scolded Biden for suggesting that the Russian president had orchestrated Prigozhin's death. "It is not for the U.S. president, in my opinion, to talk about certain tragic events of this nature," Ryabkov said Friday. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Biden said he was not surprised by Prigozhin's reported death. "There's not much that happens in Russia that Putin's not behind," he said. Asked by The Associated Press whether the Kremlin had received an official confirmation of Prigozhin's death, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referenced Putin's remarks from a day earlier. Nigers military junta announced Friday that Burkina Faso and Mali have pledged their support to the coup leaders, who took power in Niger last month, and offered military assistance should Niger be attacked. At a news conference in Nigers capital, Niamey, the deputy secretary-general of the Niger Foreign Ministry, Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi, said the three countries signed an agreement for mutual assistance in matters of defense and security in the event of aggression or terrorist attack." Sidi said Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Olivia Rouamba and her counterpart from Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, were in Niger on Thursday and signed the agreement with Nigers president of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Motherland, Brigadier General Abdrahamane Tchiani. Sidi said the agreement authorizes the defense and security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to "intervene in Nigerien territory in the event of aggression." Last week, members of the Economic Community of West African States announced they had agreed to use military force to restore democratic rule to Niger should diplomatic efforts fail. Members of Nigers presidential guard deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and have held him and his family under house arrest since then. Niger is the fourth nation in West Africa since 2020 to suffer a coup, following Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali. The juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali have said that any military intervention of their neighbor would be considered a declaration of war against their countries. Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric Company on Thursday over the fires that devastated Lahaina, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. Witness accounts and video indicated that sparks from power lines ignited fires as utility poles snapped in the winds, which were driven by a passing hurricane. The Aug. 8 fires killed at least 115 people and left an unknown number of others missing, making them the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century. Hawaii Electric said in a statement it is "very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding." The lawsuit said the destruction could have been avoided and that the utility had a duty "to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of electricity, and to keep vegetation properly trimmed and maintained so as to prevent contact with overhead power lines and other electric equipment." The utility knew that high winds "would topple power poles, knock down power lines, and ignite vegetation," the lawsuit said. "Defendants also knew that if their overhead electrical equipment ignited a fire, it would spread at a critically rapid rate." A drought in the region had left plants, including invasive grasses, dangerously dry. As Hurricane Dora passed roughly 800 kilometers south of Hawaii, strong winds toppled at least 30 power poles in West Maui. Video shot by a Lahaina resident shows a downed power line setting dry grasses alight. Firefighters initially contained that fire, but then left to attend to other calls, and residents said the fire later reignited and raced toward downtown Lahaina. With downed power lines, police or utility crews blocking some roads, traffic ground to a standstill along Lahaina's Front Street. A number of residents jumped into the water off Maui as they tried to escape the flaming debris and overheated black smoke enveloping downtown. Dozens of searchers in snorkel gear have been combing a 6.4-kilometer stretch of water this week for signs of anyone who might have perished. Crews are also painstakingly searching for remains among the ashes of destroyed businesses and multistory residential buildings. For now, the number of confirmed dead stands at 115, a number that the county said is expected to rise. Maui County on Thursday released eight additional names of people who have been identified, including a family of four whose remains were found in a burned car near their home: 7-year-old Tony Takafua; his mother, Salote Tone, 39; and his grandparents Faaoso Tone, 70, and Maluifonua Tone, 73. The FBI and Maui County police are still trying to figure out how many others might be unaccounted for. The FBI said Tuesday there were 1,000 to 1,100 names on a tentative, unconfirmed list. "Our primary focus in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy has been to do everything we can to support not just the people of Maui, but also Maui County," Hawaiian Electric's statement said. Hawaiian Electric is a for-profit, investor-owned, publicly traded utility that serves 95% of Hawaii's electric customers. It is also facing several lawsuits from Lahaina residents as well as one from some of its own investors, who accused it of fraud in a federal lawsuit Thursday, saying it failed to disclose that its wildfire prevention and safety measures were inadequate. Maui County's lawsuit notes other utilities, such as Southern California Edison Company, Pacific Gas & Electric, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have procedures for shutting off power during bad windstorms and said the "severe and catastrophic losses ... could have easily been prevented" if Hawaiian Electric had a similar shutoff plan. The county said it is seeking compensation for damage to public property and resources in Lahaina as well as nearby Kula. Other utilities have been found liable for devastating fires recently. In June, a jury in Oregon found the electric utility PacifiCorp responsible for causing devastating fires during Labor Day weekend in 2020, ordering the company to pay tens of millions of dollars to 17 homeowners who sued and finding it liable for broader damages that could push the total award into the billions. Pacific Gas & Electric declared bankruptcy and pleaded guilty to 84 counts of manslaughter after its neglected equipment caused a fire in the Sierra Nevada foothills in 2018 that destroyed nearly 19,000 homes, businesses and other buildings and virtually razed the town of Paradise, California. A three-year probe of Lebanons caretaker prime minister and his family over corruption allegations has been closed by Monaco's judicial authorities for lack of evidence, the premier's office said Friday. Prime Minister Najib Mikatis office said that Morgan Raymond, the deputy public prosecutor in Monaco, told the Lebanese premier's legal team of the closure of the case, which was raised by unspecified Lebanese plaintiffs on allegations of illicit enrichment and money laundering. Mikatis office said Monaco's decision showed that the case was fake and meant for political purposes. It added that Mikati and his family would take legal action against those who were behind these lies and rumors. In 2021, a trove of leaked documents named the Pandora Papers, that were examined by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and Daraj, a Beirut-based independent digital media platform, showed that for years, Lebanons politicians and bankers have stowed wealth in offshore tax havens and used it to buy expensive properties. Mikati has owned a Panama-based offshore company since the 1990s. He used it in 2008 to buy property in Monaco worth more than $10 million, Daraj reported from the documents. The leaked documents also showed that Mikati's son Maher was a director of at least two British Virgin Islands-based companies, which his fathers Monaco-based company, M1 Group, used to obtain an office in central London. Mikati at the time released a statement saying his family fortune was amassed prior to his involvement in politics and was compliant with global standards and regularly scrutinized by auditors. They spent two hours in the water, at dawn, without knowing how to swim. They say that they shouted for help, that they whistled very loudly, but that no one came. They were alone in the middle of the English Channel the strait that separates France from the United Kingdom until they were finally rescued. On August 12, it was confirmed that at least six people had died in the shipwreck, the second-deadliest event in the Channel since November 2021. But even so, Afghan citizens Mohsin, Aref Amir, Hajjomid and Sadaqat will try again. They see no other option. While they wait to board another boat to the U.K., they hide among the trees on the outskirts of Calais a port city in the north of France along with hundreds of other migrants. They live in fear of being evicted by the police. The French city has been synonymous with barbed wire, concrete walls, fences and high-tech cameras for several years now. Police patrols are common, taking place in the middle of the night and at unexpected checkpoints, inspecting the vehicles that head towards the local beaches. The city council led since 2008 by Natacha Bouchart, of the right-wing Les Republicains has even authorized the placement of hundreds of rocks around the town, to prevent the installation of tents. The objective is to avoid the setup of a new Jungle, a camp inhabited by 10,000 refugees before it was dismantled in 2016, and to stop irregular immigration to the United Kingdom through the Channel, one of the busiest maritime crossings in the world. Today, the camps are smaller and more dispersed. NGOs have denounced that the police dismantle a camp every 48 hours. The harassment is constant. [The police] didnt come yesterday, so theyll probably be here tomorrow, anticipates Mohsin Zazai, a 24-year-old Afghan who has been in Calais for more than a month. His friends were in the boat that sank that Saturday. He lives with them in a tiny settlement, which can be reached via dirt roads and by jumping over a pool of greenish water. In the surroundings, police vans come and go at all times. The current strategy is to further bolster the number and size of patrols. This past March, the British government promised to contribute more than 540 million euros ($583 million) over the course of three years to intensify controls. The NGOs working on the ground, however, consider this effort to be counterproductive. None of the implemented strategies work, says Pierre Roques, coordinator of the Auberge des Migrants association. The more the border is protected, the more indispensable the [human] traffickers become, he explains. Another of the consequences, he points out, is that the exits from French soil are moving further and further south. Earlier in August, French rescuers saved 25 people from a drifting boat off the coast of Le Touquet, 44 miles south of Calais. From there, the journey is even more dangerous, since it lasts longer. Mohsin, like his friends, arrived at a beach at night to get onto an inflatable boat. But he changed his mind when he saw the state it was in. However, 24-year-old Aref Amir decided to stick with his plan. He says that the boat had capacity for 40 people. But we were more than 60, he recalls. The young man is originally from Mazar-e Sarif, in northern Afghanistan. The [person] who was [steering] the boat had no experience, he continues. Those who offer to sail the boat usually get a more advantageous price for the journey. Mohsin and his friends paid between 1,500 and 2,000 euros each to risk their lives. Two Afghan survivors of a shipwreck in the English Channel prepare tents for the night in the forest where they are hiding, waiting for their chance to try again to cross into the U.K. at Calais, France, on August 17, 2023. Samuel Aranda On board were two Sudanese nationals and two Iraqis, now indicted for their possible responsibility in the shipwreck, according to the prosecution. But most of the passengers were from Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power in August 2021, following the abrupt withdrawal of American and allied troops. This takeover is one of the reasons why they emigrated. A relative of Mohsin, for example, was killed by the fundamentalists. Others say that they were policemen during the previous government and that they received threats after the Islamist group captured Kabul. The objective, now, is to reach British territory by any means necessary, start a new life and leave behind the violence that accompanied the thousands of miles traveled. Sadaqat, a 17-year-old survivor of the shipwreck, shows EL PAIS the wounds on his hand. At his side, Hajjomid, 21, assures this newspaper that his worst experience was in Bulgaria, where the security forces set dogs on him. They no longer want to look back. Either we get to the U.K. or we die, they repeat, when asked if they will keep trying after the accident. Shipwrecks rarely discourage crossings. On August 16, four days after the drama, 444 migrants arrived at the shores of England in eight different boats, according to official figures. The beach of the village of Sangatte, in northern France, one of the most common departure points for boats used by migrants trying to reach the United Kingdom. Samuel Aranda Most of the migrants hoping to cross the English Channel are from Afghanistan and Sudan, a country at war. But there are also new arrivals from Albania, Syria, Lebanon, Guinea, Eritrea and Yemen. To reach Calais, many have had to cross the Mediterranean Sea, also by boat. And, while they know that the government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has toughened the British immigration policy, they see no other option. Since the closure of the port and the Eurotunnel terminal in 2018, more than 100,000 migrants have crossed the maritime corridor, according to figures from the British authorities. So far this year, there were almost 17,000 crossings. In 2022, there were 45,000 much more than in the two previous years combined. At the camp in Calais, Mohsin is now in charge of phone calls hes the only one who still has his mobile device. Every hour, he receives messages from family and friends of the other survivors, whose mobile phones were confiscated by the police. The Paris Prosecutors Office, which is in charge of conducting the investigation into those behind the shipwreck, tells EL PAIS that this is standard procedure, as the phones can provide crucial information to help the authorities identify the traffickers. In the group, which consists of about 15 people, there is a child under the age of 13. His uncle, who lives in London, calls him through Mohsin twice in just two hours. Hes worried; he asks his nephew to behave himself and to not smoke. As night falls, the group builds a small bonfire and prepares a dish of rice with chickpeas. To drink, there is tea with milk and sugar. The food is distributed by the Calais Food Collective, a small NGO that also places large water tanks in different parts of the city. Recently, the organization accused the police of removing one of these tanks from the middle of the city center. Installing any permanent infrastructure is impossible, laments Chloe Magnan, 26, one of the teams volunteers. Another volunteer, 23-year-old Fanny Donnaint, adds: Theres no evolution. Theres always a police presence our work [is always being] obstructed. Neither Mohsin nor Aref Amir nor Hajjomid nor Sadaqat know how long they will remain on the outskirts of Calais. For now, they try to make themselves comfortable. Next to some blue tents, they place a blanket on the grass to sit down. After a long silence, they say that they hope that the bodies of their friends the six deceased Afghans can return to their country of origin. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Norway is donating F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on a visit to Kyiv on Thursday. The exact number of the donated jets was not immediately clear, but Gahr Stoere said that it would probably be fewer than 10. Norway is the third European country, after the Netherlands and Denmark, to announce donations of fighter jets to Ukraine for use in Ukraines fight against Russia. Also Thursday, the U.S. announced sanctions on 11 individuals and two entities involved with the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the sanctions were imposed "for their roles in the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukraines children to camps promoting indoctrination in Russia and Russia-occupied Crimea and who have imposed Russian indoctrination curriculums in those regions of Ukraine." Speaking at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: "The United States will not stand by as Russia carries out these war crimes and crimes against humanity." Ukraine believes more than 19,500 children have been deported since Russias invasion. Thursday also marked Ukraine's Independence Day. "Today we are all celebrating the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Thirty-two years of uninterrupted independence, which will endure. Which we will not allow to be torn apart. And which Ukrainians will not lose grip on," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address. Operators of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant said Friday that initial ocean water samples taken since the discharge of wastewater from the plant were well within the acceptable range for radioactive material. At a news conference near the plant in Fukushima prefecture, officials from the Tokyo Electric Power Company TEPCO told reporters they took samples Thursday of water from 10 locations within three kilometers of the power plant. They reported all the samples showed the concentration of tritium a radioactive material that is the biproduct of nuclear reactors was below TEPCO's self-imposed limit of 700 becquerels per liter. The World Health Organization has set a limit of 10,000 becquerels for drinking water. A becquerel is an internationally recognized unit of measure for radioactivity. The testing and reports are part of Japan's efforts to be transparent about the discharge of the treated radioactive water. TEPCO officials say the discharge is necessary to continue with the cleanup and decommissioning of the plant, which was damaged by a powerful earthquake and resulting tsunami in 2011. Earlier Friday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held an online meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi to discuss the discharge of the water. The United Nations agency last month approved the planned discharge and Grossi reiterated on Friday that it was safe. Nonetheless, the plan has been met with protests in Japan and abroad. China customs officials announced a ban on Japanese seafood, and South Korean political and civic groups held protests. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department Friday issued a statement in support of Japan, saying, as the IAEA has concluded, Japan's process is safe and consistent with internationally accepted nuclear safety standards. "The United States is satisfied with Japan's safe, transparent, and science-based process," it said. The statement concluded by saying, "We welcome Japan's continued transparency and engagement with the IAEA as well as with regional stakeholders." The Pentagon says the military will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets inside the United States beginning in October. Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagons press secretary, told reporters on Thursday that the training would involve several Ukrainian pilots and dozens of Ukrainian ground staff who will provide maintenance of the aircraft given to Kyiv. The training is part of a U.S. and European effort to provide advanced fighter jets to Ukraine for long-term defense. Ryder stressed that the F-16s are not intended for the current counteroffensive underway against Russian forces. The flight training will be conducted at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to this training, the pilots will conduct English-language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, given the complexities and specialized English thats required to fly these aircraft, Ryder said. Training typically lasts about eight months for a new F-16 pilot in the United States, but an experienced pilot could complete the training within about five months, according to Ryder. Courses include centrifuge training to learn how to cope with gravitational forces, basic fighter maneuvers and weapons employments. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for advanced fighter jets to help defend its cities from Russian forces. Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands have announced they will supply the F-16s to Ukraine. The U.S. militarys top general warned in May that F-16s wont act as a magic weapon for Ukraine, but the U.S. fully supports those leading the F-16 training and transfer process. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also warned the cost to get these aircraft to Ukraine and sustain them would be high. Ten F-16s is a billion dollars. You add the sustainment costs, thats another billion dollars. So, youre talking about $2 billion for 10 aircraft [while] the Russians have 1,000 fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, he said. During a police raid earlier this month on the Marion County Record newspaper in Kansas, law enforcement secretly copied data from at least one computer they seized during the raid and didnt return it when ordered to do so, the outlets attorney said. Officers illegally copied 17 gigs of data from the newspapers computer system, said Bernie Rhodes, the newspapers lawyer. "This simply raises even further the level of suspicion that what occurred here was not done for any legitimate purpose," Rhodes told VOA. On Aug. 11, local police led by Chief Gideon Cody raided the weekly newspapers office and the co-owners home. They seized computers, cellphones, hard drives and other items, which were then held in a storage locker at the sheriffs office. Police later said the raid was over a complaint filed by a local restaurant owner that a Record reporter had committed identity theft by looking up public information through the Kansas Department of Revenue website. After the raid was widely condemned by press freedom groups and news organizations around the world, the county attorney ruled on August 16 that there was insufficient evidence to justify the raid, and a judge ordered the seized devices to be returned. Eight seized items were included on the inventory list provided to the Record. But when the district court released an inventory list earlier this week, it included nine items, according to Rhodes. The missing item is listed as OS Triage Digital DATA in the court filing. "Its called fruit of the poisonous tree," Rhodes said, using a legal metaphor that describes evidence obtained illegally. This latest development supports the belief that "the entire search was invalid," he said. The Marion County Sheriffs Office did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment. This development confirms the newspapers concerns about what the police may have done with their seized devices. "Im concerned about what the police looked through," Record publisher Eric Meyer told VOA earlier this week in Marion. "Theyre supposed to look for certain things. But who watches the watchers? You dont know." Rhodes told VOA that if the newspaper cannot come to a resolution with the city, they plan to take legal action over the raid. "We would intend to sue Chief Cody, the police department and the city of Marion for the constitutional violations that occurred," he said. The future of U.S. aid to Ukraine under a potential Republican White House remains very much in doubt, one day after eight candidates for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination clashed over the subject in the partys first presidential primary debate. On stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday, the candidates displayed a range of attitudes toward U.S. support for Ukraines effort to fend off the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022. Some called for the elimination or reduction of U.S. support, while others spoke forcefully in favor of extending it. The dispute highlights a sharp divergence of opinion within the broader Republican Party over the war in Ukraine, one that has been reflected in public opinion polls since last year. Recent polling by CNN has indicated that a large segment of the Republican electorate wants to cut or eliminate U.S. funding, with 71% saying that Congress should not authorize new funding, and 59% saying they believe the U.S. has already done enough to support Kyiv. The Republicans on the debate stage did not include former President Donald Trump, who is currently leading the field by a wide margin in public polling. Trump, instead, recorded an interview that aired at the same time as the debate. DeSantis critical of Europe Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who early in his campaign stumbled over his position on Ukraine, was first among the candidates to address the issue on Wednesday, saying immediately that he would make additional U.S. aid contingent on an increase in aid from European countries. Europe needs to step up, DeSantis said. Im going to have Europe step up and do their job. Statistical data on aid to Ukraine show that while the U.S. has sent the most to Ukraine in total dollars, European countries have given the most on a GDP basis. The candidate most adamant about restricting U.S. aid to Ukraine was Vivek Ramaswamy, a tech businessman who has no experience in public office. Asked if he would support increased funding to Ukraine, Ramaswamy said, I would not, and I think that this is disastrous, that we are protecting against an invasion across somebody else's border, when we should use those same military resources to prevent ... the invasion of our own southern border here in the United States of America. He went on to contend that U.S. support for Ukraine is driving Russia further into Chinas hands, and he accused politicians in favor of maintaining support for Ukraine including some on stage with him of placing that countrys concerns above the needs of the U.S. He also appeared to ridicule their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I find it offensive that we have professional politicians on the stage that will make a pilgrimage to Kyiv to their pope, Zelenskyy without doing the same thing for people in Maui or the South Side of Chicago. Spirited defense Several other contenders former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie sharply criticized Ramaswamys position, defending continued U.S. support for Kyiv and arguing that U.S. interests are at stake in Ukraine. Christie, who recently traveled to Ukraine, reminded the audience of the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine, and of the many thousands of Ukrainian children who have been taken from Ukraine and resettled in Russia. If we don't stand up against this type of autocratic killing in the world, we will be next, Christie said. Pence rebutted Ramaswamys claim that U.S. aid to Ukraine is detracting from the countrys ability to address its own problems, saying, Anybody that thinks that we can't solve the problems here in the United States and be the leader of the free world has a pretty small view of the greatest nation on Earth. We can do both. Haley invokes experience Haley, who also served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration, noted that aid to Ukraine has totaled only about 3.5% of the overall U.S. military budget. She also attacked Ramaswamy for a number of his stated positions on foreign policy, including his public statement that he would not object to Chinas hostile takeover of Taiwan after 2028. He wants to hand Ukraine to Russia, Haley said. He wants to let China eat Taiwan. He wants to go and stop funding Israel. You don't do that to friends. What you do instead is, you have the backs of your friends. Ukraine is the front line of defense. Ramaswamy retorted by suggesting that Haley is hoping to join the boards of U.S. military contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, who manufacture much of the equipment the U.S. has sent to Ukraine. Haley pointed out that she has no affiliation with either company and added, You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows. Trump comments In an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that was released on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Trump only briefly addressed the conflict in Ukraine. While criticizing President Joe Biden for going on vacation, he said, Hes supposed to be working. Hes supposed to be getting us out of that horrible, horrible war that were very much involved in with Russia and Ukraine. Trump went on to call for an end to the war. He also claimed that he could stop it easily, and that Russia never would have invaded Ukraine if he had been president. He offered no evidence for either claim. US aid seen as vital Politics aside, experts told VOA that continued U.S. aid to Ukraine is essential to the countrys struggle against Russia, and that cutting it off would have major consequences. In an email exchange, Nicholas Lokker, a research associate in the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, told VOA that U.S. support is critical to Ukraines continued defense. Washington has so far provided the most military aid of any country by a wide margin. And without this aid, it is quite likely that Ukrainian forces would be in much worse shape than they are now, he said. The United States has also had a very important role in coordinating aid deliveries from more than 40 countries through its leadership of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, without which Kyiv would be less likely to receive the type of support that it needs most, he added. Gian Gentile, a retired U.S. Army colonel who now serves as associate director of the RAND Corporations Army Research Division, told VOA that a withdrawal of U.S. support would be a disaster for Ukraine. He said it could entail cutting off not just money and materiel, but training for Ukrainian forces. The whole Ukrainian offensive would stop, he said. They would have to try to consolidate what they have and move into a defensive standpoint across the board. But the damage might not stop there, he said. If Russia knows that there's no U.S. support, that might be enough for them to begin their own major counteroffensive or offensive operations to retake what they've lost, Gentile said. And without U.S. support [for Ukraine], [Russia] could be pretty damned successful. Russia said early Friday that it has downed dozens of drones launched from Ukraine. Russias Defense Ministry said that 42 drones were destroyed over Crimea nine shot down by air defense forces, 33 by electronic warfare. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. There were no immediate reports of fatalities. The U.S. Defense Department said Thursday that it will train Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16 fighter jets. The Defense Department said in a statement that the training will be held at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, and will be facilitated by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing. The U.S. training is "in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses," Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said. The training will begin in October, after the Ukrainians complete an English-language course set to begin in September. Meanwhile, Norway is donating F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on a visit to Kyiv on Thursday. The exact number of the donated jets was not immediately clear, but Gahr Stoere said that it would probably be fewer than 10. Norway is the third European country, after the Netherlands and Denmark, to announce donations of fighter jets to Ukraine for use in Ukraines fight against Russia. Also Thursday, the U.S. announced sanctions on 11 individuals and two entities involved with the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the sanctions were imposed "for their roles in the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukraines children to camps promoting indoctrination in Russia and Russia-occupied Crimea and who have imposed Russian indoctrination curriculums in those regions of Ukraine." Speaking at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Ukraine Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: "The United States will not stand by as Russia carries out these war crimes and crimes against humanity." Ukraine believes more than 19,500 children have been deported since Russias invasion. Thursday also marked Ukraines Independence Day. "Today we are all celebrating the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Thirty-two years of uninterrupted independence, which will endure. Which we will not allow to be torn apart. And which Ukrainians will not lose grip on," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address. In the ongoing political battle between the Biden administration and the Republican governor of Texas over border enforcement, a few sanctuary cities are caught in the middle: They welcome recently arrived asylum-seekers but often lack the money to assist their resettlement. Since last summer, Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants to cities known as sanctuaries for asylum-seekers, including Chicago, New York, Denver and Los Angeles. Officials from these cities are asking for federal money to take care of thousands of migrants. In New York, Mayor Eric Adams says the citys shelter system has been overwhelmed by the nearly 100,000 migrants and asylum-seekers who have arrived since spring 2022. He is asking for federal funding and urging the federal government to expedite the processing of work permit applications so migrants can legally work in the United States. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that per U.S. immigration law, migrants cannot apply for a work permit until six months after they have applied for asylum, which itself can take months. "This should be handled at the border and ensure when people come in, number one, they should be allowed to go to the destinations that they desire and not just incentivized to go to New York or Washington or Chicago, as it currently is being put in place, Adams said. Then we should ensure that the entire country absorbs this influx of asylum-seekers so that we are not leaning on three cities in the northern part of the country." What is a sanctuary city? According to Michael Kagan, professor of law at the University of Nevada, sanctuary is a political term, not a legal one. "Its origin is actually not in any government policy, Kagan said. Its origin was in civil disobedience, especially in a network of churches in the 1980s that said they wanted to provide sanctuary to Central American refugees that the government was trying to deport. And so, it was an act of civil disobedience, basically telling the government if you want this person, you're going to have to storm a church to get them." When a city adopts a sanctuary ordinance, he said, it generally means they are not going to allow their local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officers in charge of detaining and deporting immigrants on noncriminal immigration matters. "[But] that doesn't mean [local government] will get in their way. Local governments can't obstruct the federal government. It just means we're not going to lend you our manpower and our resources to help you do your job," Kagan said. How many sanctuary places are there in the U.S.? The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, or LIRS, a nonprofit organization that supports refugees and migrants in the United States, said that 11 states California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington claimed sanctuary status as of March 2021. There are also many counties and cities in the United States known as sanctuaries. "It is important to remember that sanctuary city officials do not promote breaking the law, the LIRS website says. Officials in these cities still take and report fingerprints to the FBI, as directed. Sanctuary policies allow local officers to decline to enforce a federal request for detention during deportation considerations. Instead of holding an individual in jail beyond the regular release date, local officials follow constitutional guidelines and their own legal regulations." Why are migrants bused to certain cities? Abbott began chartering buses in April 2022, sending recently arrived migrants from the southern border to Washington, New York and Chicago. He did this after the Biden administration said it would halt Title 42 border enforcement. The pandemic-era immigration policy allowed authorities to turn away migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Title 42 enforcement expired on May 11. According to Abbott, the busing program was started to prevent border communities from being overrun by asylum-seekers. His office said the bus trips are voluntary and migrants are allowed to travel only after they have been processed and released by the Department of Homeland Security. Migrants have to show documents received from U.S. immigration officials to prove they have been processed. By October 2022, after months of migrant arrivals, New York Mayor Adams told a news conference the situation had become a crisis "created by human hands. We're going to do what we have to do in New York, but we do need help to deal with this crisis." The New York City government has spent $1.45 billion a mix of city, state and federal funds in fiscal 2023 on housing, food and other services for migrants. The federal funds come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In June, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that FEMA will provide $104.6 million in additional grant funding for the care and assistance of asylum-seekers in New York. Kagan said the help the federal government sends to states to assist migrants has nothing to do with sanctuary policies. The assistance that New York is asking for is assistance that Abbott's jurisdiction is already receiving, he said. Border crossings According to the latest government data, migrants crossing the southern border without authorization increased in July after back-to-back months of low numbers. The increase in illegal crossings in July was significant and mostly made up of families. They accounted for 60,161 of the 132,652 migrants apprehended at the border. China's discontent over security and economic agreements that Seoul forged with Washington and Tokyo at a Camp David summit leaves open a possibility it could respond with coercive economic and military measures against South Korea, experts say. During last week's summit at the U.S. presidential retreat of Camp David, South Korea agreed with the U.S. and Japan to hold regular meetings to put into practice security and economic measures, bringing trilateral ties closer than ever before. In a statement, the three leaders reaffirmed the "importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Beijing has often warned Seoul and Japan not to be drawn into the Taiwan issue. "It was natural that we would discuss some of the concerns and issues related to actions carried out by the PRC that are of significant concern to our three countries and to many others around the region and around the world," said Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, at a news briefing on Tuesday. Also at the briefing, Kurt Campbell, U.S. national security coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, said the security environment in Asia has "caused anxiety" for Japan and South Korea. He highlighted Russian and Chinese warships operating in waters near Japan, China's "massive" military buildup, which he described as "provocative," and North Korea's missile launches. Daniel Russel, who served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs in the Obama administration, said, "China is more likely to inflict economic punishment against [South] Korea if it believes the government in Seoul can be bullied into making concessions." He continued, "Nothing in the Yoon administration's first year in office suggests that such a strategy would work. However, if Beijing believes it can exploit the kind of domestic differences on policy that are normal in democracies, we might see an uptick in disinformation and manipulation efforts." Military aggression Some believe the potential for military aggression by Beijing cannot be discounted. As the trilateral agreements are put into practice, China could "start sending submarines and other warships into the South Korean exclusive economic zone in regular transits, trying to establish its right to be in that area," said Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation research group. Chinese and Russian aircraft have frequently entered South Korea's air defense zone, including in June when Seoul sent fighter jets to ward them off. David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, said, "China has really driven South Korea and Japan together, just as North Korea has" moved the countries toward each other, and has led them, along with the U.S., into closer trilateral economic and security ties. He continued, "The more China does, either security- or economic-wise, the closer the three countries will be, because [Beijing] is not going to be able to break the relationship with its action, its coercion. Chinese coercion is just going to make the relationship stronger." When the U.S. THAAD missile defense system was deployed to South Korea in 2017, Beijing retaliated by banning South Korean Lotte Group supermarkets in China and suspending Chinese tourism to South Korea. This time, however, experts think even if China were to retaliate economically, it would be different. "China's own economy is in trouble," Maxwell said. "Like-minded democracies and free-market economies are likely to work together to prevent China from conducting any kind of successful economic warfare." During the trilateral summit, Washington, Seoul and Tokyo agreed to set up an early-warning system to prevent disruptions in global supply chains. Also, at a Hiroshima summit in May, the G7 leading industrial nations agreed to cooperate in supporting countries that become victims of China's economic practices. Beijing unleashed harsh criticism of the latest trilateral agreements, even as it acknowledged that Seoul had explained the summit results. "Following the U.S.-Japan-ROK summit at Camp David, the ROK briefed China on the meeting and explained it through diplomatic channels," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin at Tuesday's briefing. "We urge relevant countries to be prudent with words and actions, stop smearing China's image and harming China's interests," continued Wang. "We hope that the ROK will join China and other countries in the region in rejecting the outdated pattern of division." The Somali government said its army captured a major al-Shabab base in central Somalia, marking a significant victory in its military offensive against the al-Qaida linked group. On Friday, Somalia's army, alongside security forces from the country's central Galmudug region, entered the historic district of Elbur, about 400 kilometers (249 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, shortly after al-Shabab militants hastily fled the district. General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin, the chief of Somalia's army, told VOA that the allied forces are currently engaged in operations to secure the district and dismantle explosive devices planted by the terrorist group. "Despite their attempts to fight back, they were unable to resist us and eventually fled," Muhyadin told VOA. 'The country will find peace' Elbur, located in the central Somali region of Galgaduud, has been a stronghold for al-Shabab for nearly a decade and its capture represents a significant blow to the group. "The capture means to us that al-Shabab was defeated, and the country will find peace," Muhyadin said. Meanwhile, the Somali government said at least 32 al-Shabab militants were killed Friday in the Lower Shabelle region during two operations conducted by government forces in collaboration with international partners, according to state media. Fighters capture military base In a separate development, local fighters in the Sool region, 786 kilometers (488 miles) northeast of Mogadishu, said they have captured an important military base from Somaliland, the breakaway republic of Somalia. Fighters loyal to SSC-Khatumo said that they seized the Gojacade base on the outskirts of Las Anod town the scene of fighting between Somaliland forces and SSC fighters for several months. SSC-Khatumo spokesperson told VOA that there are casualties on both sides, claiming the fighters captured weapons and dozens of soldiers as prisoners. In a statement, Somaliland said its army withdrew from their positions in the eastern part of the Sool region for "strategic military purposes and is in the phase of reorganizing and preparing to counter the enemy." Somaliland added that some of its forces are missing after encountering difficulties in reaching their intended destinations. Hunger, disease and displacement threaten to destroy Sudan as war spreads throughout the country, fueling a humanitarian emergency of epic proportions, according to Martin Griffiths, U.N. emergency relief coordinator. The longer this fighting continues, the more devastating its impact is going to be, Griffiths warned in a statement issued Friday. He said the conflict, which has ravaged the capital, Khartoum, and Darfur since April 15, has spread to Kordofan. Food stocks in South Kordofans capital, Kadugli, he said, have been fully depleted, and clashes and road blockages prevent aid workers from reaching the hungry. The U.N. humanitarian chief expressed concern about the safety of civilians in Al Jazirah province, the breadbasket of Sudan, as the conflict moved closer to that area. Hundreds of thousands of children are already severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death if left untreated, he said. Millions more will have their education replaced by the devastating traumas of war, becoming a lost generation. Since violence erupted in a power grab between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in mid-April, the U.N. refugee agency says more than 3.6 million people have been displaced inside Sudan and nearly 1 million have fled across the border as refugees. Griffiths warned that many impoverished host communities are struggling, and that a protracted conflict in Sudan could tip the entire region into a humanitarian catastrophe. The World Health Organization has verified that 53 health facilities have been attacked during more than four months of conflict, resulting in 11 deaths and 38 injuries. It said 67% of all main hospitals are out of service, and hospitals that remain fully or partially functional risk closing for lack of medical staff, supplies, water and electricity. Services have been discontinued in many areas, including maternal and child health, management of severe acute malnutrition and treatment of patients with noncommunicable diseases, said Tarik Jasarevic, WHO spokesperson. He said the onset of the rainy season will increase the risk of outbreaks of water-borne and vector-borne diseases. There are reports of dengue, measles, acute watery diarrhea, but also cases of severe acute malnutrition from different states, he said. Of the 11 million people in need of humanitarian health services, the WHO said, approximately 272,000 are currently pregnant, 30,000 of whom will deliver next month. It is expected that 6,000 newborns and 4,500 currently pregnant women may experience some complications, said Jasarevic. There is no access to emergency care for newborns and pregnant women, which risks losing more lives. UNICEF reported the conflict has uprooted at least 2 million children from their homes, with nearly 14 million in urgent need of humanitarian support. It said many children face multiple threats, including acute hunger, malnutrition, lack of clean water and killer diseases. James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson, said another threat is that of child recruitment. We know of strong anecdotes coming from partners of children being compelled to become instruments of war to kill and, no doubt, to be killed. To be forced to be this violent expression of hatred among adults, he said. That is happening. And, unfortunately, it is yet another sign of [the] lack of respect of children and international law in this conflict, he said. Shortly after the war broke out, the rival warlords signed a Declaration of Commitment to abide by international humanitarian law. While the opposition forces agreed to several short-lived truces, all attempts to mediate an end to the war have failed. Diplomats say both sides assert that they can win. Of course, pressure can be brought to bear on these parties, said Jens Laerke, deputy spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. I think the U.N. is constantly calling on member states and everybody with influence on them to try to convince them that a truce to a cease-fire would be a good idea. He said that does not take away from the day-to-day operations in the field, where humanitarians indeed do manage to negotiate on a very localized basis with localized commanders access to people in need. While this is not at a scale where it should be, he said that it is possible. So, of course, we do not throw our hands in the air and say we cannot do anything here, so let us go home. We stay. We try to deliver as much as we can, whenever we can, he said. It is no coincidence that Yevgeny Prigozhins final video is dedicated to Africa. Nor that one of the last-known photographs of the Wagner Groups leader was taken at the Russia-Africa summit held at the end of July. The African continent had in recent years become one of the mercenary organizations main focuses of influence and income, a trend that seemed to be accentuated after the failed rebellion against Vladimir Putin in June. Lured by natural resources and million-dollar security contracts, and with the declared aim of extending Russian influence on the continent, thousands of Prigozhins mercenaries are now operating in countries including Sudan, Libya, the Central African Republic, and Mali. After the death of its patron, Wagners future in Africa looks uncertain. But shared interests on the one hand, the profits Russia benefits from; on the other, the security gained by the regimes that hire the mercenaries as a Praetorian Guard make it likely that the corporations activities on the continent will continue to some extent. PMC Wagner is conducting a reconnaissance operation to make Russia greater on all continents and Africa freer, Prigozhin said in the video released last Monday, in which he can be seen with an automatic weapon in his hands and in a desert landscape similar to the Sahel, with some of his men in the background. Although he does not specify his location, it could well be Mali, more specifically the town of Sevare, where Wagner has one of his main bases of operations. Lets make it a nightmare for ISIS, al-Qaeda and other thugs. We are hiring real bogatyrs [ancient Slavic warriors] and continue to fulfill the tasks that were set before us and that we promised we would handle, Prigozhin continued, as quoted by CNN. Wagners failed mutiny against the Kremlin raised the first doubts about the continuity of the mercenary company in Africa, but the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, swiftly dispelled any uncertainty. This will not affect relations between Moscow and its African friends [...] Wagners work in the Central African Republic and Mali will continue. [Wagners mercenaries] are doing a good job, Lavrov told Russian media. Now it is Prigozhins death that is sowing doubts, although the extent and solidity of the networks created for Moscows benefit point to Wagners continued presence on the ground in Africa. More information Extreme poverty and terrorist violence fuel instability in the Sahel region Gold and diamonds in exchange for security for President Faustin-Archange Touadera: this was the formula with which companies from the Wagner sphere arrived in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2017. By handing over vast sums of money and access to the countrys natural resources, Prigozhin managed to get the rebel groups to accept a peace agreement a year later. Since then, the CAR has become one of Wagners major centers of operations in Africa, from where they have launched a campaign of financing activists and social media propaganda to gain ground on the West. The more in the shadows, the better: in July 2018, three Russian journalists investigating Wagners activities in the CAR were killed under mysterious circumstances. But this presence in the CAR is not an isolated event in Wagners expansion across Africa. The first reports of the presence of Russian mercenaries in Libya date back to 2018 and point to their involvement in the civil war, on the side of Field Marshal Khalifa Hafter, the head of the Libyan National Army. Eventually, the number of mercenaries exceeded 1,000. The third Wagner on the African continent is Sudan, where it has allegedly been involved in gold mining since 2017, when dictator Omar al-Bashir weaved his first ties with Prigozhin. Currently, Wagner is a staunch ally of General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces fighting the regular government army in the Sudanese civil war. Cornered by defeats suffered against the jihadist Al-Shabab insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, in 2019 Mozambique enlisted Wagners services to ensure the security of strategic sites. However, after being ambushed and suffering severe losses, the company decided to withdraw from a country of dubious profitability. From 2020 onwards, most of Wagners propaganda and military efforts have been focused on the Sahel. In August 2020, a group of colonels with close ties to Russia staged a coup detat in Mali. Driven by strong popular support and a wave of anti-French sentiment, the military junta initiated a process of rapprochement with Moscow and a break with Paris that led in 2022 to the expulsion of the French forces who had been fighting jihadism in the country for almost a decade. To replace them, the coup leader Assimi Goita recruited the services of Wagner, who deployed around 1,500 mercenaries in successive waves. Based mainly in the center and east of the country, they now fight alongside Malis regular army. As in Syria or Ukraine, the brutal methods of Prigozhins mercenaries in Africa have been the subject of investigations by human rights organizations and EU and U.S. sanctions: summary executions of civilians and torture have been documented in Libya and the Central African Republic, but and most recent and damning example is the Moura massacre in Mali. Between March 27-31, 2022, Malian soldiers and suspected Russian mercenaries foreign military personnel speaking an unknown language according to testimonies of local residents executed 500 civilians and raped 58 women, according to a U.N. report. Mali has denied the findings, claiming that all those killed were members of jihadist groups. As in Mali, the coups in Burkina Faso and Niger have been accompanied by demonstrations by citizens displaying Russian flags and pro-Wagner slogans. Despite the rapprochement with Moscow of Captain Ibrahim Traore, the leader of the Burkinabe military junta, Wagners presence in the country has not been confirmed. In Niger, it is still too early to assess the role that the mercenary company might play in the fight against jihadism, but the rift between the military coup leaders and France is more than evident. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Donald Trump turns himself in to authorities in Georgia on charges linked to efforts to upend his 2020 election loss. Was the Russian plane crash presumed to have killed the mercenary leader an accident? Companies use artificial intelligence to make life-like avatars of people, who have died. The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said Friday members voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike at three Detroit automakers if agreement is not reached before the current four-year contract expires on September 14. The authorization was approved by 97% of voting members at General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis, said UAW President Shawn Fain, who leads the union that represents about 150,000 workers. Fain reiterated that the union did not plan to extend the deadline to get a new labor contract. "The deadline is Sept. 14, he said. We have a lot of options that we are looking at but extension on the contract is not one of them." Separately, President Joe Biden, who met with Fain last month, told reporters in Nevada he is concerned about a potential UAW strike. "I think that there should be a circumstance where jobs that are being displaced are replaced with new jobs" for UAW members "and the salaries should be commensurate." Some senators want national UAW agreements to cover jobs at battery joint ventures that currently pay less. Fain said workers had made numerous concessions over the last two decades including giving up wage hikes, defined benefit pensions and post-retirement health care benefits. "We're fed up," Fain said, listing a series of demands. "We've sat back for decades while these companies continue to just take and take and take from us." Fain has outlined an ambitious set of demands, including wage hikes of 46%, an end to the tiered wage system that pays new hires less than veterans, reinstating cost-of-living adjustments and restoring defined-benefit pension plans for new hires that the automakers ended in 2007. At Stellantis, just 30% of hourly U.S. workers are eligible for defined benefit pensions. Fain said he expected the Detroit Three, as this cluster of automakers are known, to come to the bargaining table next week with counterproposals to the UAW demands. He said talks were "still going slow" after opening in July. Analysts estimate a more than 50% chance of a strike. It was not clear how long it would take a strike to significantly reduce the Detroit Threes inventories. Through July, Stellantis U.S. Ram, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge each had more than 100 days of inventory but many specific popular models have less. The vote does not guarantee a strike will be called, only that the union has the right to call a strike if there's no agreement by September 14. GM, Ford and Stellantis have said they want to reach a deal that is fair to workers but also gives the companies flexibility, as the industry shifts to electric models that have fewer parts and require less labor. Ford shares were up 1%, while General Motors were unchanged in afternoon trade. The U.N.'s humanitarian chief said Friday the conflict in Sudan and the humanitarian crisis it has spawned are threatening to consume the entire country. In a statement issued Friday, U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs chief Martin Griffiths said the intense fighting between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that has ravaged the capital city Juba, Khartoum and Darfur since mid-April has spread southeast to Kordofan state. The top U.N. humanitarian official said that as a result of clashes and road blockages, food stocks have been fully depleted in South Kordofan's capital, Kadugli, and aid workers have been prevented from reaching the hungry. In West Kordofan's capital, El Fula, humanitarian offices have been ransacked and supplies have been looted. The U.N. aid chief said he also is extremely worried about the safety of civilians in Al Jazira State, as the conflict moves closer to Sudan's breadbasket region. "The longer the fighting continues, the more devastating its impact," said Griffiths. Some places have already run out of food. Hundreds of thousands of children are severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death if left untreated." He called on the international community to "respond with the urgency this crisis deserves." Griffiths' warning comes as Sudan's army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was seen Thursday outside the army command compound in Khartoum for the first time since fighting erupted more than four months ago. In video and pictures posted to social media, Burhan also can be seen speaking to soldiers in what is said to be the city of Omdurman, across the Nile River from Khartoum, with paramilitaries. Agence France-Presse reports some of the video appears to have been filmed before dawn. One photo of Burhan has a caption indicating it was taken at the Wadi Seidna Air Base 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) north of Khartoum. None of the posts have been independently verified. The army has been fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, for control of the capital and several major cities since April 15. All attempts to mediate have failed, and diplomats say both sides are asserting they can win. Neither side has gained an advantage during the fighting that has inflicted high civilian casualties, and the U.N. says it has displaced more than 4.5 million people. In the video at the Wadi Seidna Air Base, Burhan greeted cheering soldiers. "The work you are doing should reassure people that the army has men, and that Sudan is being protected by the army," he said. Burhan's video appearance comes on the heels of the RSF's multiday attack on the Armored Corps base in southern Khartoum, which is the army's single remaining stronghold in the capital outside its headquarters. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the RSF, has frequently mocked Burhan for what he has called hiding in a bunker, although Dagalo has only been seen in video once since the war began, speaking to soldiers last month outside a house at an unidentified location. The fighting already has generated a humanitarian crisis that has closed hospitals, and caused electricity and water outages, along with food shortages. Now, the rainy season is underway, threatening to make the situation worse, sparking disease outbreaks and hindering transport. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and Agence France-Presse. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will start a four-day visit to China this weekend. The announcement came shortly after the Biden administration issued an executive order restricting certain U.S. investments in China. The Department of Commerce said on Tuesday that Raimondo will visit Beijing and Shanghai from August 27 to 30 and meet with senior Chinese government officials and American business leaders. The trip is intended to deepen communication between the U.S. and China on issues relating to the U.S.-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by U.S. businesses, and areas for potential cooperation, according to a press release from the Commerce Department. Analysts said that as China's economy may be in long-term trouble, Beijing hopes to use Raimondo's visit to reverse the impression that China is no longer friendly to foreign companies. But the trip may not bring any breakthrough. Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told VOA that Beijing welcomes Raimondo's visit because of her influence on several economic and trade issues that China cares about. "Secretary Raimondo is a pretty big player in all transactions involving either trade in goods or services, electronic services of various kinds, technology flows and investment flows in both directions," Hufbauer said. "My guess is that the Chinese authorities will be interested and quiz her quite closely about what limits she sees on these restrictions that are being put in place, what kind of flows of goods, of technology, of investment are still permitted by the U.S., and what are basically either prohibited or very closely scrutinized." Move seen as goodwill gesture Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order banning U.S. investments in sensitive technologies in China, aiming to restrict China's ability to develop next-generation military and surveillance technologies. However, right after Raimondo's trip was announced, the U.S. government unexpectedly removed 27 Chinese companies and institutions from the "Unverified List" of sanctioned commercial entities, which was widely seen as a goodwill gesture from Washington to Beijing. The 27 Chinese entities include lithium battery material maker Guangdong Guanghua Technology and sensor maker Nanjing Gaohua Technology. China's Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday that the move is beneficial to the resumption of normal trade between companies of the two countries and is in line with the common interests of both sides. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry also visited China this year. These meetings could pave the way for Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the APEC summit in the U.S. and meet with Biden this fall. 'Intense competition requires intense diplomacy' National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Raimondo's trip is "an encapsulation of the approach that the Biden administration is taking, where we are engaged in an intense competition with the PRC, but intense competition requires intense diplomacy to manage that competition so that it doesn't tip over into conflict. "Secretary Raimondo will carry with her the message that the United States is not seeking to decouple from China, but rather to de-risk, and that means protecting our national security and ensuring resilient supply chains alongside our allies and partners while we continue our economic relationship and our trade relationship," Sullivan said in a press briefing this week. Raimondo is expected to meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, among other economic policymakers. Clark Packard, a research fellow at the Cato Institute, told VOA he expects Raimondo to bring up U.S. concerns about recent Chinese restrictions on the export of some critical minerals, seen as retaliation for the American measures. "I don't know if that falls on deaf ears because China would argue, 'We weren't going to move forward with this, but this is in response to your export controls on semiconductors and advanced computing,'" said Packard. "I don't know how well that will be received, but again, I think it's positive that the two sides talk. My hope is it's not just an airing of the grievances on both sides because, while I think it's important to engage, you do want to see some movements." Packard said he doesn't expect Raimondo's trip to make any substantive breakthroughs on key issues, partly because the Biden administration is "getting a lot of pressure from Congress to continue to ratchet up tensions." "I think that there's so much political pressure on the Biden administration to not appear weak on China, which is going to prevent any sort of massive thawing in the relationship even if both sides want that to happen economically," he said. Sullivan said, "We are not sending Cabinet officials to China to change China, nor do we expect these conversations to change the United States; rather, we each have the opportunity through this high-level engagement to ensure that there is a basic, stable foundation in the relationship, even as we compete intensively in a number of domains." Likely start of a working group According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the planning, one likely deliverable from the trip is a working group between the commerce agencies of the two sides to discuss U.S. export controls aimed at preventing cutting-edge American technology from being used by China's military. In a letter to Raimondo and Blinken last week, four U.S. Republican lawmakers said, "U.S. export control policy towards the [People's Republic of China] should not be up for negotiation, period. Decisions on the nature and scope of U.S. export controls should be taken in Washington, not Beijing "It is time for U.S. officials to accept that China has no intention of abandoning its policies that led to expanded U.S. export controls in the first place," said the letter. "In this vein, we urge you, prior to your trip, to publicly clarify that U.S. export controls are non-negotiable and that the PRC should expect more, not less, U.S. export controls moving forward." The letter was signed by Senator Bill Hagerty and Representatives Mike Gallagher, Michael McCaul and Young Kim. The trip also comes as the Chinese economy is grappling with stagnant growth, a real estate crisis, sluggish exports, high youth unemployment, and weak consumer confidence. Analysts believe the downturn in China's economy gives Beijing more reasons to ease tensions with the U.S. "With Secretary Raimondo, one thing they might do is try to lay out how friendly China still is to foreign business, to foreign firms that want to invest in China in a lot of sectors, including household products, but also including things like technology products, Qualcomm, whatever Apple products in China and so on," said Hufbauer. Former U.S. President Donald Trump left the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta about 20 minutes after he arrived to be booked on felony charges of racketeering and conspiracy linked to his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 reelection loss in Georgia. He arrived at the jail shortly after 7:30 p.m. EDT and his mugshot was taken there. This marks an unprecedented fourth time that Trump was to be arrested and booked in the past five months. Trump was released pending trial after paying a $200,000 bond his lawyers negotiated earlier this week with Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis. Before boarding his plane at Atlanta's airport, he spoke briefly to reporters about his arrest. "What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows that," Trump said. "What they're doing is election interference," he added. "We did nothing wrong at all, and we have every right, every single right, to challenge an election that we think is dishonest," Trump added. He declined to answer questions from the press. No previous U.S. president has been charged with criminal offenses, but Trump is now facing 91 charges across the four indictments for his alleged actions before, during and after his single-term presidency ended in early 2021. He faces 13 charges in Georgia, where Willis on Thursday called for an October 23 start date for his trial and that of 18 co-defendants. But Trump and others could object to a trial starting in two months. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee will ultimately pick the date. Even with the array of charges he is facing, Trump is the leading Republican contender for the party's 2024 presidential nomination to run against the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden. Regardless of when the trial in Atlanta might start, Trump is already facing weeks of criminal trials he would be obligated to appear at in the first half of 2024. But he made a calculated decision that his national polling lead over other Republican presidential hopefuls is so commanding 40 percentage points or more that he skipped the party's first presidential debate Wednesday night. The 77-year-old Trump, if convicted in any of the cases, could face years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing while assailing the three prosecutors pursuing the four cases against him and two of the four judges randomly picked to oversee his trials. He has claimed that the allegations leveled against him are a political witch hunt aimed at thwarting his 2024 campaign to reclaim the presidency. In agreeing to the bond for his release in Georgia the first time he has had to post cash to stay free pending trial Trump also agreed to not threaten or intimidate witnesses, including on social media platforms. For months, Trump has claimed that Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who has filed two of the cases against him, is "deranged" and a "crackhead," while contending that two other prosecutors, Alvin Bragg in a New York case, and Willis, both of whom are Black, are "racist" for filing their indictments against him. About half of Trump's 18 co-defendants have already met Willis' demand that they surrender by noon on Friday. Former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani, best known as the New York mayor during the 2001 al-Qaida terrorist attacks on the city, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell all turned themselves in on Wednesday and were released on bail. Trumps last White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former senior Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark both reached $100,000 bond deals with Willis to secure their release pending trials. Ahead of his flight to Georgia, Trump hired veteran Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Steve Sadow to oversee his defense. Sadow said in a statement that Trump "should never have been indicted," adding, "he is innocent of all the charges brought against him." He added that "prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system." The Georgia case against Trump stems broadly from his taped January 2, 2021, telephone call to the state's election chief, Brad Raffensperger, asking him to "find" 11,780 votes, one more than Biden's margin of victory, so he could claim victory in the state. Until Trump, no Republican presidential candidate had lost the state since 1992. In addition, Trump is accused in Georgia of conspiring to create a slate of fake electors in the state to cast their ballots for him, rather than the legitimate ones for Biden, when Congress met on January 6, 2021, to certify the election outcome in the Electoral College. At stake were Georgia's 16 electoral votes, although the state counted the popular presidential vote three times, with Biden winning each time. The U.S. does not pick its presidents in the national popular vote, although Biden won 7 million more votes than Trump in 2020. Rather, the national outcome is determined in 50 state-by-state elections, with the biggest states holding the most sway in the subsequent Electoral College vote count. Trump contested the outcome in seven states he narrowly lost to Biden, claiming that voting irregularities and cheating cost him another four-year term in the White House. Overturning the Georgia result by itself would not have changed the national outcome. To this day, Trump denies he lost the election. But dozens of judges have ruled against his fraud claims. None of the seven states Trump contested reversed its conclusion that Biden had legitimately won its electoral votes. Tom Helbig of Tomfoolery Outdoors found HOPE on the trail as he passed through Alexandria. Tom is cycling about 4000 miles this year on his way to complete a four-year mission to cycle around the perimeter of the United States. Residents of the village of Kuzhenkino, in western Russia, recorded footage Wednesday as Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhins plane jerked in a near-vertical fall before hitting the ground. The fuselage left behind a trail of smoke. The aircraft had taken off from Moscow for St. Petersburg with 10 people on board, including Prigozhin. At 18:19 local times, something happened to the aircraft. For 32 seconds it violently ascended and descended as if taking evasive maneuvers. Then it disappeared from the radars. I want to express my sincere condolences to the families of all the victims, this is always a tragedy, Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Prigozhins entourage has blamed for the death of their leader, said Thursday. I knew Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early 1990s, added Putin, who described him as a talented businessman. He was a man of difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results needed both for himself and when I asked him about it for a common cause, as in these last months, the Russian president added. The air crash occurred two months after Prigozhin led a brief Wagner mutiny against the Kremlin, directing columns of armored vehicles toward Moscow before calling a halt to the uprising, in what was the biggest threat Putin has faced in his more than two decades in power. It is not yet clear what killed Prigozhin and the Wagner leadership on board, as well as the two pilots and a stewardess, but both U.S. intelligence services and some Russian media have pointed to an attack on the plane. In its preliminary analysis, Washington has cited the possibility of a bomb on board, or some other form of sabotage. According to the Pentagon, the plane crashed as the likely result of a plot to assassinate Prigozhin, but does not appear to have been shot down by a surface-to-air missile, as social media channels close to Wagner had claimed. U.S. President Joe Biden stated Wednesday that he was unaware of what had happened, but that neither was he surprised. There is not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind, he said. Russian newspaper Kommersant reported Thursday that air crash experts said the cause of the incident could be an explosion in the tail section of the plane, which detached from the aircraft. Residents in the area told Russian media that they heard two explosions before witnessing the aircraft hit the ground. On impact, the fuel tanks became a fireball. An attack or an explosion on board triggered the disaster, added analysts consulted by Kommersant. The proof is the destruction of the commercial airliner in midair. Its tail section was found far from the crash site and numerous holes are visible in the wreckage, including the wing, they added. The Kremlin has rejected any external analysis. Weve immediately launched an investigation, a case was opened, investigators are working. I would suggest to focus on the facts, not on what the Western media say, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, as reported by the Tass news agency. Putin: There is no doubt here There is no doubt here. Lets see what the investigators say in the near future. And now examinations technical examinations and genetic ones are being carried out. This will take some time, said Putin. The Flightradar24 website, which specializes in commercial aviation, published its data of the last moments of the Embraer Legacy 600 in which Prigozhin was traveling, according to Putin himself. The remains of all the victims were so charred that the morgue in the town of Tver, where they were transferred on Thursday, sent biological samples of the bodies to Moscow for genetic analysis. The plane took off from an airfield northwest of the Russian capital at 17:59 local time. Eleven minutes later, it reached an altitude of 8,500 meters and continued in level flight until 18:19. Then something caused the aircraft to plummet toward the ground for the flights final 32 seconds on record. It took more than 24 hours for the head of the Russian republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, to comment on the incident: He did not see or did not want to see the full picture of what is happening in the country. I asked him to put aside personal ambitions for matters of utmost national importance. Everything else could be decided later, but he was like that, the Chechen leader said. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who was close to Prigozhin, has not made any statements. Lukashenko, who acted as a mediator between Putin and Prigozhin during the June 23-24 mutiny, personally guaranteed the safety of Wagners owner in exchange for putting an end to his rebellion. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition There was a time when Batman fans rejected Keatons wiry energy, thinning hair, and modest stature, making his return in The Flash a kind of vindication. Photo: Warner Bros. This piece was originally published in June. We are recirculating it now timed to The Flashs streaming debut on HBO Max. Im Batman, Michael Keaton declares in that old dramatic whisper, and the crowd goes wild all over again. Thirty-one years after the star of Tim Burtons Batman and Batman Returns hung up the cape and cowl, he has donned them anew for another DC superhero spectacular. Keatons caped crusader, brought out of retirement via the reliable sci-fi magic of time travel, plays a supporting role in The Flash. But that hasnt stopped Warner Bros. from making him central to the marketing with the iconic Bat symbol looming large on the poster and the trailers dominated by glimpses of the actor in his old battle garb, ritualistically uttering dialogue from a bygone era of comic-book movies. The roars of applause that greeted these scenes during coming attractions and advance screenings made it clear: Audiences have been dying to see Keaton back in black. That excitement must be vindicating, on some level, for the star. Because it wasnt always this way. If you could go back in time, Barry Allen style, to the fall of 1988 during the lead-up to Batmans historic release youd see some starkly different reactions to the idea of Keaton, of all actors, under the mask of comicdoms most beloved vigilante. Back then, Im Batman wasnt guaranteed to earn cheers. Judging from the general response to the casting, it might have easily provoked an annoyed retort: No, youre not! When the news broke in 1988 that Keaton had nabbed the lead role in Burtons expensive, buzzed-about adaptation, fans werent just perplexed. They were outraged. This was before the internet gave every enthusiast an easy way to log their disdain at the click of a button. To make their disapproval heard, they had to put pen to paper. Warner Bros. is said to have received some 50,000 letters complaining about Keatons casting. Signed petitions also made the rounds. So vehement was this analog write-in crusade that major publications covered the backlash as breaking news, filling columns with incensed quotes from the everyday Bat aficionado. The Wall Street Journal even devoted its front page to the controversy. Part of the skepticism stemmed from Keatons physical suitability for the suit, or lack thereof the ways that he did not fit the typical profile of an action hero, even in his youth. He was five-foot-ten with a medium build and what comic-book writer Beau Smith described in that Journal story as a receding hairline and a less-than-heroic chin. A couple years earlier, Frank Miller had made Batman look like Clint Eastwood in his dazzling, dystopian graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns. Keaton, to put it mildly, struck a less imposing figure, especially compared to the more seemingly apropos stars, like Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson, who were both in consideration for the role before Burton and his producers settled on their unlikely leading man. Michael Keaton in The Flash. Photo: Warner Bros. But it wasnt just that Keaton didnt look the part. His sensibility seemed, to the average fan, all wrong for the caped crusader. It was the actors dramatic departure in the same years addiction drama Clean and Sober that allegedly won him the role and won over an in-house skeptic, producer Michael Uslan. But audiences at that point knew Keaton primarily for his work in comedies like Mr. Mom and Burtons previous movie, Beetlejuice, in which the star played the title role of a prankster apparition much closer in anarchic spirit to Batmans archnemesis, the Joker. How was this cutup going to convince as a creature of the night, striking fear in the heart of hoodlums? Concealed behind these complaints, like a secret identity protected by a mask, was the real insecurity that Keatons casting stoked. Putting a comic actor in the dark rubber duds seemed to hint that Burton would be taking a derisively parodic approach to Batman, playing him for laughs. Keaton had to shoulder the legacy of a fanbases lingering resentment toward what was then the most popular of Batman adaptations, the eternally campy 60s Adam West TV series that drained every drop of menace and danger from the mythos. Acclaimed 80s story lines like Millers and the disturbing Alan Moore one-shot The Killing Joke had reclaimed the superheros gravity, rescuing him from the frivolity of his previous live-action iteration. The concern was that Burton planned to walk that image rehabilitation back. Such worries would prove unwarranted. Burton may not have been much of a comic-book fan, traditionally speaking, but his vision for Batman was much closer in spirit to The Dark Knight Rises than it was to Wests divisive tenure in the tights. Perhaps thats one reason fans came around to Keaton. Or maybe they just needed to actually see him in costume and in action. An early press still, showing off the cumbersome but cosmetically appealing Batsuit, is sometimes credited for turning the tide and assuaging some fears. So, too, is the films oddly music-free first teaser, a collection of shots and lines from the movie including Im Batman that went a long way toward convincing people that Burton wasnt going to reduce Batman to a wham-pow joke again, and that he had operatic aims. The irony of fans changing their mind about Keaton is that he did, in a sense, end up bringing a comic element to Batman, or at least to his alter ego, the wealthy orphan with the secret nightlife, Bruce Wayne. The actor looks dashing enough in a tuxedo, wandering Wayne Manor during a charity gala. But from the moment Keaton opens his mouth, hes doing a certain eccentric shtick, playing Wayne not as a suave playboy but a fidgety neurotic whose immense, sheltering privilege has left him a little socially inept. Keaton, in other words, makes Wayne a rather likable weirdo one of Burtons signature sympathetic misfits. Youre not exactly normal, are you? asks love interest Vicki Vale, which puts a fine point on it. If theres a through-line in these instances of fan chilliness, its a masculine paranoia. Wasnt that the big issue with Keaton all along, that he wasnt macho enough? Batman and Burtons weirder, nastier, superior sequel find light humor in a rich aristocrat trying to balance his life in the public eye with his crime-fighting duty. In the first film, we get amusing scenes like the first date between Wayne and Vale, sitting awkwardly down for dinner on opposite sides of a long table in a room he claims hes never entered before. Later, Keaton stammers through his attempt to explain who he really is, silently mouthing that same classic line when Vickis back is turned a classic bit of screwball. Returns sidelines Wayne more, cutting his screen time in favor of the flamboyant villains. At the same time, the sequel would allow Keaton more room to be amusingly flustered, navigating a classic rom-com subplot in which Wayne and Michelle Pfeiffers Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, tiptoe into a fledgling courtship while trading blows on rooftops. Theres even a slight comedic quality to Keatons Batman. As much as Burton succeeded in framing him like a real threat, an almost vampiric force of ungodly vengeance in striking silhouette, he also found the faint humor in the superheros taciturn nature through droll stares, silent reaction shots, and Keatons impeccable deadpan timing, somehow only enhanced by the stiff costume the actor had to endure for days on end. Hes borderline Chaplin-esque at times, a straight man at others; theres comic tension in the discrepancy between his poker-faced stoicism and the theatrical capering of Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, and their clowning, back-flipping goons. What Keaton really brought to the part, though, was a human dimension. This is what the filmmakers saw in him. The image of Batman is a big male model type, but I wanted a guy whos a real person who happens to put on this weird armor, producer Jon Peters told the New York Times. Burton shared his vision, hoping for a star who could make dressing up like a winged beast look like a convincing psychological choice, not a merely juvenile one. Thats something a Hollywood he-man like Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of the actors floated by disappointed fans ahead of Batmans release, could have never delivered. And in a real way, Keaton laid the groundwork for the stars that took up the mantle after him, setting the live-action precedent of emphasizing the man as much as the Bat of playing Bruce Wayne like a tortured soul, vanquishing his demons through psychodramatic cosplay. Of course, the premature hate for Keatons casting would prove influential as well. Plenty of the actors successors in the role have faced their own gauntlet of initial doubt and disdain, only to be embraced once fans actually, well, saw the movies they appeared in. Our most recent Batmen, Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson, both took their social-media licks. Louder still was the uproar over the casting of Heath Ledger as the Joker a retrospectively boneheaded conniption fit with unmistakable undertones of homophobia, given Ledgers Oscar-nominated performance in Brokeback Mountain a few years earlier. In fact, if theres a through-line in these instances of fan chilliness, its a masculine paranoia. Wasnt that the big issue with Keaton all along, that he wasnt macho enough? That the Bat-faithful would come to accept him in the role and eventually, loudly bellow for his return suggests that fans dont always really know what they want. They had to see the star in action to understand why he ultimately made sense as their adolescent hero, wiry energy and thinning hair and modest stature aside. Maybe theres a lesson here in not kowtowing to the diehards in advance. Give them what they dont know they want, and they might end up clamoring for it still, three decades later. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: BMG, Chrissi Poland, Flyana Boss, Getty, Kyle Gordon, Warner Bros. Pictures In an era of rending horrors, nothing smooths those pesky wrinkles out of your brain like a nonsense bop. One of the biggest hits of World War II was the soundtrack to a Donald Duck cartoon. In the 1980s, novelty hip-hop songs like Biz Markies Just a Friend served as a counterpoint to Ronald Reagans horrendous policy decisions. And, as Planet of the Bass has demonstrated, a whole subgenre of laughable EDM emerged after the fall of the Iron Curtain in the early 90s. Yes, unstable times are a fertile breeding ground for joke tracks. To paraphrase Logan Roy, we are not serious people. Because we live in psycho times ourselves, we have been inundated with a new set of songs to help wipe our minds clean: Kylie Minogues insidious Padam Padam, the Barbie soundtracks bombastic Im Just Ken, DJ Crazy Times ludicrous Planet of the Bass. At a time when nobody can agree on anything, we can all take a memetic song and twist it to our POV. (Thats why most viral tracks also have a Christian parody version.) To celebrate, were ranking the silliest songs of the summer by how well they keep the Horrors at bay. Consider these selections terror management. 9. This wonderful remix of an awful person is at the bottom of the list because, alas, the Attenzione Pickpocket lady was milkshake-ducked. In retrospect, are we really surprised a woman who made it her mission to publicly shame random women for being pickpockets was fascist? This song is still okay to listen to, though, because Pickpocket Lady didnt like when people didnt take her crusade seriously. Silliest Part: When the bass drops A Good Distraction From: Personal health issues, but not the global rise of authoritarian populism 8. Jack Black is the king of joke songs (with Kyle Gass as, like, a kickass duke). But Peaches is hampered by its wholesome, child-oriented nature. Also, the part that sticks in your brain isnt quite long enough to really scrub other thoughts out. One word (peaches) on repeat is good. But compare how much stickier something like Ms. New Booty is in ones brain. Booty booty booty, yes, but also rockin everywhere and Ive found you, Ms. New Booty. Your brain can flip between lines like slides on a carousel. Silliest Part: Peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches A Good Distraction From: Realizing your kid is listening to the same humorous songsmith of your own youth 7. Silliest Part: Sitting is the opposite of running aroum A Good Distraction From: That youre probably never going to get to really sit down (a.k.a. retire) 6. This song originated as a response to sex-negative internet weirdo Sister Candy. If you buy her one margarita, she will spread her legs! she shouted at a Louisiana State University crowd. Comedian Angel Laketa Moore freestyled the song on her podcast Heres the Thing, and the rest is history. Bachelorette parties will never be the same. Silliest Part: Definitely the pegging part A Good Distraction From: The puriteens 5. Oppie has a boppie. FilmTok went wild for this song, which has 21 tempo changes and was recorded in one continuous take. This is for all the Camila Cabellos who dressed up for Oppenheimer instead of Barbie. Silliest Part: The seventh tempo change. Then theres a lull. Then it gets funny again, like the Simpsons rake joke. A Good Distraction From: Looming nuclear annihilation 4. A serious song that became the soundtrack of the summer through a bit, You Wish blurs the line between novelty and the un-novel. Are you a disappointment? No, youre just about to sin again. Blast at the highest volume as you run through a crowd. Silliest Part: I be Michael Phelps, all the brand deals that Im swimmin in / You can call me Dr. Evil cause I got many men A Good Distraction From: How little cardio youve actually done this summer 3. Poor Ryan Gosling, charting with this song and nothing off Dead Mans Bones. But Im Just Ken was a balm. Especially among debates about what Barbie had to say about gender, commercialization, existential dread, and the IP-ification of all art. Silliest Part: The lil kissies Ken gets from Ken and Ken in the dream ballet A Good Distraction From: The consolidation of all media into, like, four companies. 2. Even the Jonas Brothers have fallen for this earworm. Planet of the Bass is the product of comedian Kyle Gordon and his harem of interchangeable Ms. Biljana Electronicas. Which woman is your favorite, guy? Let us know in the comments! Silliest Part: Oh, Ive got an idea. World peace! A Good Distraction From: Geopolitical instability in central Europe 1. For one glorious Pride month, the whole world beat in sync with the heart of Kylie Minogue and this fizzy, infectious pop song. Padam became the watchword, meaning yassified, cunty, stupid, and Zeitgeisty all at the same time. Even the most random people paid tribute. As Minogue herself said, Big up, Hobbycraft Wimbledon! This was the song we needed for Pride 2023. Silliest Part: The one Padam? that sounds like a question before the chorus hits A Good Distraction From: The erosion of human rights in America Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed After the victory of Lulas progressive government and the failed coup detat promoted by former president Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian Army finds itself in a delicate situation. It is caught in a crossfire: that of how to maintain its image of respect for democracy, and how to punish those who participated in the attempted military uprising. And all this while maintaining the respect the military has always been held in by public opinion since the end of the dictatorship, after which the Armed Forces, together with the Church, have always topped the polls of the most-valued Brazilian institutions. The parliamentary investigations into the failed coup, and the revelations by the Military Police on the plot hatched by Bolsonaro to prevent Lulas victory, have made the Army high command nervous at the same time as placing the new administration in an uncomfortable position. It should also be noted that the military leadership is caught between a decline in popular credibility and the need to punish those possibly responsible within the Army for the attempt to overturn the result of the 2022 elections. More information Why Bolsonaro is no longer the Trump of the tropics This climate of mutual distrust between the government and the military led Lula, on the eve of his international trip for the BRICS meeting in Johannesburg, to convene an urgent meeting with the commanders of the three branches of the Armed Forces. As the columnist Miriam Leitao, who was tortured during the dictatorship, wrote in O Globo: Only a country in crisis holds a meeting, on a Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the presidential palace between the military commanders and the president. Skilled in political and union negotiations, Lula took advantage of the meeting to talk about the budget increase for a military that finds itself at a precipice, as on this occasion, it is not only facing a sharp drop in public opinion, but also the displeasure of Bolsonaros followers, as revealed in the polls, for not having adhered to the threatened military coup. The military high command has confirmed that those found guilty of supporting the failed coup detat will be punished according to the law, while trying to reassure the troops in general of the arrival of new financial backing from the government. The confusion surrounding the possible support of the military for the coup attempt promoted by Bolsonaro is based in the 19th century. The Constitution of 1891 included article 142, which is still a source of debate today. It is what Bolsonaro termed the four lines of the Constitution and on which he relied when promoting a military uprising. Article 142 states that the Armed Forces are the guarantee of constitutional powers. It has always been a divisive provision, and one that Bolsonaro used during his four years as president to threaten the installation of a military state. We are in the 21st century but carrying the same distortion of the 19th century. That the Armed Forces are the guarantee of constitutional powers, despite being the greatest threat to those same powers, wrote Leitao. The latest popular polls on the military reveal that it has lost credibility among Bolsonaros followers precisely because it did not support a constitutional rupture to its conclusion, as well as among those who continue to support democracy because the military appears to be directly or indirectly involved in the failed coup attempt. The military understands that some of its members are now suspected of being the authors or accomplices of an attempt to return the country to the era of the dictatorship, and at the same time it needs to pacify troops who find themselves discredited by a large section of society. The meeting of the military commanders with Lula indicates that this pacification will be based on special economic aid being offered to the Armed Forces. The difficult issue facing the Lula government, which during the presidents past administrations rarely questioned the military, is how to reconcile an open dialogue with an Armed Forces that faces serious accusations of having supported Bolsonaros coup pretensions but at the same time seems unwilling to confront the former trade unionist, despite the offer of economic perks that provide the easiest path to quelling unrest in the rank and file. It was precisely these same financial benefits that Bolsonaro offered that led to the brink of an institutional rupture and returned the military to the forefront of Brazilian politics. Lula is aware of all this, a fact that is becoming more evident every day, and is trying to appease the three branches of the military while the government turns a blind eye to the possible involvement of the Army in the failed coup, in order to be able to govern in peace. Lulas government is eager to close the chapter to focus on economic reforms to improve the situation of millions of Brazilians living on the verge of poverty, while at the same time employing its international activism to place the country in the limelight as a fundamental piece in the new and difficult international equilibrium in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the end of which nobody feels able to predict. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Lollobrigida comments slammed on social media in Italy. Italian agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida has sparked outrage for claiming that in Italy "the poor often eat better than the rich" because they buy high-quality food at low cost directly from the producer. Lollobrigida made the controversial claim on Thursday at the annual Rimini Meeting while comparing Italy's "interclassist" system to America where he said a major social gap exists between the rich and the poor in terms of the quality of food they eat. The comments by Lollobrigida - a senior member of the rightwing Fratelli d'Italia party of his sister-in-law Italian premier Giorgia Meloni - have provoked an outcry on social media and from opposition politicians in Italy. Il ministro Lollobrigida al #Meeting23: Da noi spesso i poveri mangiano meglio dei ricchi pic.twitter.com/sOUuPkVknN Marco Fattorini (@MarcoFattorini) August 24, 2023 , leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), said there was "no need for parodies when there is a government like this, a government that lives on another planet." Elly Schlein , leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), said there was "no need for parodies when there is a government like this, a government that lives on another planet." She added that there are "many Italians" who struggle to afford their groceries, despite the fact that "unfortunately there are some ministers who think that the poor eat better than the rich." Alessandro Caramiello, head of the parliamentary agriculture committee of the populist Movimento 5 Stelle, said that Lollobrigida had "outdone himself this time", describing his remarks as "a slap in the face to all those people today in serious difficulty." Lollobrigida, whose full title is minister for agriculture, food sovereignty and forestry, was at the centre of controversy earlier this year for warning against the "ethnic replacement" of Italians amid a rapidly declining birth rate in the country. Share Comment on this story Comment Add to your saved stories Save For decades, Haiti has struggled to avoid tumbling into deeply challenging conditions. It has been repeatedly beset by poor leadership, dictatorships, and natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, which are often followed by outbreaks of disease. Get a curated selection of 10 of our best stories in your inbox every weekend. ArrowRight Today, the nation of more than 11 million people seems to have reached a nadir. After the assassination of the president in 2021, civil order has essentially been neutered. The shaky parliament is no match for the nations large, heavily armed gangs. Kidnapping, rape, murder and drug dealing have soared, with crime rates doubling in a year. Port-au-Prince, the capital, is among the most dangerous cities in the Americas. Tragically, all this is occurring in a nation that is the second-oldest free republic in the hemisphere (having won its independence from France in 1804). As the security situation continues to deteriorate, many international observers are calling for a new United Nations stabilization and security mission, similar to the one in place from 2004 to 2017. Is it time to send the blue helmets back to Haiti? Advertisement I know Haiti well. As commander of US Southern Command from 2006 to 2009, I visited often and studied the history, culture and language of the nation, which is the poorest in the Americas and among the least affluent in the world. Nearly 60% live in abject poverty, including 4 million children. I speak French, and learned a bit of the official language, Creole. Haitians told me then that they were grateful for our assistance and engagement or at least, they were initially. In my many visits, I spent significant time with the UN mission leaders. Known as the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), it was composed of roughly 5,000 UN forces, half military and half police. The military component was mostly Brazilian, and typically a Brazilian Army 3-star general was the overall commander. Chile was also a major contributor, as were Argentina and several other South American nations. Soldiers from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka also provided major contingents. Many police officers from India and Pakistan were also engaged. In total, more than 50 nations participated (roughly the number who sent troops to Afghanistan). Of note, the US which was of course deeply committed in Afghanistan and Iraq throughout the period of the mandate did not contribute significant forces. On the positive side of the ledger, the UN troops brought a modicum of stability to Haitian society, reducing violence and increasing access to food and school. But sadly, the mission earned a mixed reputation in Haiti. One critical reason was a severe outbreak of cholera which killed tens of thousands of Haitians that has been credibly traced to the water systems installed to support the UN troops. There were also multiple reports of criminal acts by the UN troops, including raids, rape, kidnapping, illegal detention and extrajudicial executions. Advertisement I remember the Brazilian 3-star general Carlos dos Santos Cruz telling me how challenging it was operating with so many nations in the UN mission, and that the deep underlying poverty of Haitian society made it difficult to create longer-term stability. Later, when I went on to command the UN mission in Afghanistan, I gained a better appreciation of the challenges he faced during those years. These are large, complex missions conducted under extreme duress. Yet letting Haiti continue to drift into gang-run anarchy is not a viable solution. Nor does Haiti currently possess the capacity to overcome its challenges without outside intervention. A new UN mission, using the extensive lessons learned from the first MINUSTAH experience, seems necessary. Obviously, this must be done with the permission of the current government, and the best approach would be to constitute the force as much as possible from the Americas. Advertisement By partnering with the Organization of American States, the UN could provide regional command and control as it did in MINUSTAH. This time, given that the demands of Afghanistan and Iraq are gone, US engagement even leadership is mandatory. We should remember the Haitian refugees who came to the US in the 1980s on boatlifts, who ultimately numbered more than a hundred thousand. The US has a strong interest in a stable Haiti with reasonable internal security and a shot at economic development. Share this article Share The new mission should probably be scaled at roughly 5,000 personnel, divided between military and law enforcement. Their headquarters and bivouacs will have to be scrupulously constructed and maintained to avoid any hint of repeating the cholera experience. The lessons of the first mission should be incorporated into their charter, as well as what the international community has learned subsequently in Afghanistan (where the Provincial Reconstruction Teams offer some ideas worth considering). There is no quick or easy fix to the challenges facing Haiti. But it is a neighbor in desperate need, and if the US can lead an improved UN mission this time with US personnel it would be in our interests to help Haiti get back on its feet. Advertisement More From Bloomberg Opinion: Canada Should Invest in Nuclear Submarines: James Stavridis Europe Is Pledging Ukraine Weapons It Cant Make: Max Hastings Biden Says Democracy Is Winning. Its Not That Simple: Niall Ferguson This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. 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 on the boards of American Water Works, Fortinet, PreVeil, NFP, Ankura Consulting Group, Titan Holdings, Michael Baker and Neuberger Berman, and has advised Shield Capital, a firm that invests in the cybersecurity sector. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2023 Bloomberg L.P. I wish for his sake that he could have been, for just a little while, unfamous a random face in the crowd again. The implementation of the European Union conditions for granting Georgia the membership candidate status later this year was discussed on Thursday in a phone call between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. Darchiashvili emphasised the importance of Spains support during a crucial period on Georgias European integration path, the Georgian foreign office said. He provided the Spanish counterpart with comprehensive information about the efforts made by the Georgian Government in terms of fulfilling the recommendations of the European Commission. Darchiashvili thanked the Spanish side for its unwavering support for Georgia's European integration and said he hoped the progress achieved by the country would be properly recognised" by the candidate status. In his turn, Jose Manuel Albares stressed Georgia was a "part of Europe" and had reaffirmed his Government's firm support" for Georgia's European future. Screens have become ubiquitous in our lives, but at what age is it okay to use them? A recent study recommends limiting screen time during the first year of life. The research study of 7,000 infants and their mothers found that excessive screen exposure can negatively affect communication and problem-solving skills as the child matures. Increased screen exposure correlates with more pronounced outcomes. Consequently, exceeding four hours of daily screen time has been linked to developmental delays in communication and problem-solving among children between the ages of two and four. However, the recent study by researchers from the University of Sendai (Japan) and published in the JAMA scientific journal refrains from directly attributing these delays to screen usage. Moreover, the study found that these effects tended to dissipate as children reach the age of four. These findings confirm earlier research that links the amount of time young children spend in front of screens with their subsequent development. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that children under one year of age should avoid television, video games, cellphones and tablets altogether. For children ages two to five, screen time should be limited to no more than one hour per day. The scientific evidence is clear, but implementing these recommendations can be challenging. Many parents rely on screens to keep young children occupied while juggling their responsibilities. Screens are easily accessible and affordable, and they capture a childs attention like nothing else. This makes it difficult to completely eliminate screen time when raising a child. According to a meta-analysis of 95 studies, only one in four children under the age of two meet the WHO standards. Screens often are used by busy families as babysitters, but many are unaware of the negative consequences, said Diana Oliver, a journalist who writes about motherhood and raising children. Its a way of alleviating the disruption and inconvenience of a young child. But at the same time, it shirks individual responsibility and raises a bigger issue. We should ask ourselves if our lives are conducive to having children, said Oliver. The Sendai University study also examined the groups socioeconomic conditions and concluded that they play a crucial role. Mothers of children with high levels of screen time were characterized as being younger, having never given birth, and having a lower household income, lower maternal education level, and having postpartum depression. It seems growing up in front of a television or smartphone is ultimately a matter of socioeconomic status. Two decades of living with screens Just 20 years ago, screens in an average home were limited to televisions and desktop computers. However, with the explosion of smartphones, tablets and consoles, screens have become almost ubiquitous. Neuroscientists have recently started examining the effects of screens on babies brains to address concerns and provide evidence-based insights. Differentiating between various screen activities can be challenging. Watching educational videos, video calls with relatives, and viewing viral clips on TikTok have different effects. However, many studies fail to distinguish between the content. The current study did not evaluate the content babies consume, but did highlight previous findings that suggest certain videos can be beneficial. A meta-analysis showed that greater screen use was associated with decreased language skills, whereas screen time spent on educational programs was associated with increased language skills, said the study. Screens have only been around for a short time, and neuroscientists still lack a complete understanding of their effects on people. However, there is no doubt that physical experiences and human interaction play a crucial role in enhancing a childs social and cognitive skills. While screens may offer convenience, they cannot replicate the same effects. Patricia Kuhl is one of the worlds leading brain scientists and runs experiments with more than 4,000 babies each year. What weve discovered is that little babies, under a year old, do not learn from a machine, she says, pointing to several brain scans on a computer. Even if you show them captivating videos, the difference in learning is extraordinary. You get genius learning from a live human being, and you get zero learning from a machine. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the August 19 Edition of Good Weekend. See all 19 stories . Its a sunny winter morning in the southern suburbs of Sydney, and at the Tynan Motors car yard there are six monster US pick-ups in a row. They make even the nearby Jeeps, SUVs and regular utes look tiny. Most are RAM 1500s, which are huge enough, but to the right is an even bigger bopper, a RAM 2500. Its well over six metres long, has a stonking great diesel V8 engine and weighs more than twice as much as a typical family SUV. Im tall, yet the chromed grille almost reaches my shoulder. The side windows start at neck height. Its hard not to think of The Simpsons Canyonero, Twelve yards long, two lanes wide, 65 tons of American pride! The young salesman, Hugo, knows Im not a potential buyer, but hes happy to go through his routine. He opens doors, points to features, extols the roominess, the comfort and the towing capacity. He stresses, again and again, just how much people love the size. The 1500 range starts out at about $96,000, Hugo says, but most spend about $170,000 on the RAM Limited model. As I hoick myself up into the Limiteds drivers seat, I hear about the advantages of adjustable air suspension, 360-degree cameras, a Harman Kardon sound system, leather-trimmed seats with heating and cooling built in. Absolute luxury, Hugo says. There are three anchor points in the back as well, so you can actually fit three baby seats. Loading The US pick-up truck category, which took off in Australia with the launch of the RAM in 2015, is hot. Australians bought a record 5724 RAMs and Chevrolet Silverados in the first half of 2023, up 65 per cent on the same period last year. Thats still only a small percentage of the new vehicle market, but no other style of vehicle is growing as quickly. Other makers are trying to catch up. Fords F-Series pick-up is imminent, priced from about $107,000, and the company is reporting strong advance orders. The similarly sized Toyota Tundra should go on sale early next year. All are manufactured in the US, where pick-ups have dominated the sales charts for more than 40 years. Jeff Barber, RAM Trucks Australias national manager, is effusive about what US style pick-ups offer, and why their popularity is increasing: [They enable] a range of customers to travel business class whether theyre towing, on work sites, on family road trip adventures or even doing the school run. Advertisement Why do people buy these things? I could find no local research and had to turn to an American with English and Australian antecedents to find out. Alexander Edwards is president of Strategic Vision, a market research company that surveys more than 200,000 new vehicle buyers in the US annually. Edwards is not one to give an answer thats brief or bereft of figures. Fortunately, he agrees to summarise his arguments. Via video call from his Californian office, the fresh-faced 50-something believes that Australian and American buyers have many of the same values and priorities. The workhorse ability of pick-ups is important in rural and regional areas of both continents because they can carry and tow much greater loads than regular utes. In such places, If the truck cant do job A, it doesnt matter what the image is. Pick-up trucks are also about protection, real and perceived, about keeping my tribe safe including from crime and political unrest. Size is a cue of security. They get a vehicle that says, I may not go off camping but I could, if I wanted to. Alexander Edwards, president of US market research company Strategic Vision But its not only people who need to cart farm equipment or tow a four-horse float that are buying such vehicles. Edwards turns to his screen and reads out some figures: 31 per cent of American pick-up owners never tow, 30 per cent never go off road and 11 per cent never put anything in the tray. For many who do, it might be just once a year. He says buyer motivation in the US breaks roughly into thirds: those who need the capabilities, those who are buying on image and those who are in between. There are people out there, and its more often a male, who is married, who has kids still in the home, has a nine-to-five job or is an entrepreneur they never have the time to go out and do the things that they want to do. So they get a vehicle that says, I may not go off camping but I could, if I wanted to. The Chevrolet Silverado (top) and Fords F150 both big sellers in the US are being imported and converted to right-hand drive. Theyre taking care of business, theyre feeding their family, their doing the work they need to do Because theyre the ones who they feel the buck stops with them, [they say], I want a vehicle that can do whatever I want to, because I need that to feel good about all those other sacrifices I make. Pick-ups might be the most extreme example, but Australians are opting for bigger and bigger vehicles, year by year. The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes regularly top our bestseller lists; indeed, more than three-quarters of new vehicles we buy are SUVs or utes, making the traditional sedans and wagons bit players. But US-built pick-up trucks are on a different scale, literally. The Ram 1500 TRX is advertised as THE APEX PREDATOR OF THE PICK-UP TRUCK WORLD. Yes, in all-caps. The advance blurb for the Ford F-Series says simply, This is Going to Be Big, while the HSV version of the Chevrolet Silverados Australian website declares, These heavy-duty trucks perform as aggressively as they look. Advertisement Loading Pick-up advocates tend to be passionate, likewise their critics. It doesnt help that, just before Good Weekend speaks with him, Professor Peter Newman has exchanged words with a driver of one of those extraordinary things. He explains, In my street in inner-city Fremantle, there was enough space for three cars and I parked in the middle with space for one in front and one behind, and this big burly thing came up behind me and just sort of half-parked. The man leaned out and said, Please move forward, I need to take these two spots. I said, What are you driving a thing like that for here? and he got very angry and said, Move your bloody car or Ill push it out the way. Newman, professor of sustainability at Perths Curtin University, says big SUVs and pick-up trucks often block the vision of other drivers and waste space and resources, and thats before climate change is even considered with their fuel use. Theyre just so big, he says, joking, I can fit in the back with my Toyota Prius. He adds, And theres always one male in it, and thats it. The self-declared activist academic has been campaigning since the 1980s for walkable cities. These, Newman says, are not only more liveable but generate far more wealth. He points to Copenhagen and Vancouver as the kind of cities Australia should be modelling its future on. But huge vehicles tend to undermine any good work in this direction. In dense, traditional city centres and inner cities, they are completely inappropriate. The emergence of the pick-up as something other than a work vehicle can be traced to 1964 and a 25 per cent tariff imposed on light trucks imported into the US, most notably the top-selling van and pick-up versions of Germanys VW Kombi. This was the then US President Lyndon B. Johnsons revenge for a European impost on US poultry, but the chicken tax stayed and the US automotive industry gravitated towards producing pick-ups with passenger comforts and marketing them to regular consumers. Conveniently, these trucks have also been given an easy ride on emission and safety legislation, the latter despite vehicles with a high centre of gravity having compromised handling, and those with high bonnets being deadlier. A report by the USs Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in April said such vehicles were more likely to knock cyclists down (rather than flick them up), where they can be run over by the vehicle as the driver attempts to stop. Advertisement Loading Yet the Ford F150 pick-up is the single bestselling vehicle of any type in the United States, with the Chevrolet Silverado second and the RAM third. All three are built with left-hand drive, but that doesnt stop companies shipping them to Australia, pulling them apart and adding hundreds of bespoke new parts to convert them to right-hand drive. So much so, they are the foundation of our new motor industry, employing more than 1000 assembly line workers, mostly with Victoria-based contractor Walkinshaw. Australia has no fuel efficiency standards and new combustion vehicles sold here have improved their average emissions by only a few per cent in the past decade. In April, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said that Australian new cars use 40 per cent more fuel on average than those in the European Union and promised to introduce fuel efficiency standards. But progress is slow: draft legislation is only expected by the end of the year and the department confirms any new laws will be framed to protect the continued sale of vehicles Australians love, such as utes and four-wheel drives. Whether pick-ups will even be included is unclear. The Fiat Topolino, top speed 45 kilometres per hour, is creating excitement in Europe but like other electric quadricycles is banned from Australian streets. Some see hope in electrification. But, with current technology, batteries make pick-ups even heavier and even more brutal in a collision. They also reduce the payload, drastically cut the range when towing and increase the price. And electric pick-ups still take up just as much space. Is there any way to reverse the trend to ever-bigger vehicles? In European cities such as Paris and Rome, the electric quadricycle is providing one solution. With a classification between a motorcycle and a car, these four-wheel micro-vehicles have a maximum speed of 45 kilometres an hour. Primarily two-seaters, their light weight means even a small battery pack can give them a range of 70 to 80 kilometres. They can be parked nose to curb, two or three per a regular car space. Another benefit: in many cases they are 50 per cent cuter than a button. Look no further than the new Fiat Topolino, which is also available in a Dolcevita version, with roll-back roof and nightclub-style velvet ropes for doors. Clearly they arent going to mix safely with pick-ups or even regular utes and SUVs. Professor Newmans solution is to ban larger private vehicles from city centres in favour of electric micro-mobility, which is to say scooters, e-bikes and quadricycles. You dont put these quadricycles on freeways, says Newman. The SUVs will eat them up. But in cities there are no great safety risks because they dont get to any great speeds, theyre just helping to make it all work. Advertisement Monique Ryan has not turned out to be the small-L liberal she promised to be. And voters locally are questioning whether shes delivered anything for them or had any impact at all. The Liberal Party regards Kooyong as a highly competitive target seat at the next election. The elephant in the room is the 52-year-old former treasurer, Josh Frydenberg. Josh Frydenberg, who now works in the private sector. Credit: Eddie Jim He is still wrestling with his decision on whether to re-contest. This process has been made trickier by the emergence of a potential underdog preselection opponent, 30-year-old Amelia Hamer, who comes from Liberal royalty. Shes the Oxford-educated grandniece of former Victorian premier Sir Rupert Dick Hamer. Could Frydenberg win? Two polls suggest the seat is up for grabs. One, conducted by polling firm KJC Research last week and paid for by Frydenbergs allies, shows him ahead 53.5 to 46.5, with Frydenbergs net favourability at +20 and Ryans at +8. Another poll, commissioned by the left-leaning Australia Institute in late July, shows Ryan ahead 51-49. RedBridge pollster Kos Samaras, who has worked with the Climate 200 funding vehicle that helps finance the teals, believes Frydenbergs chances rely less on Ryans local output than on national dynamics and a broader shift from the two major parties. Ryan says she has not seen his Kooyong polling. RedBridge director and former Labor assistant state secretary Kos Samaras. Credit: Wayne Taylor The driver behind the teal movement was yes, the anti-Morrison factor, but underpinning it was a growing sentiment the two-party system wasnt working for people, he said, emphasising the Coalitions record-low vote had dipped nationally in polling since the last election and was even lower in Victoria. Figures provided by Ryans office show more than 13,000 voters have enrolled in Kooyong since the last election, including about 7000 aged under 34. If youre losing Aston in a byelection, why would you be picking up Kooyong, which has an unusual number of Gen Zs enrolling to vote? says Samaras. Kooyongs voter base could change yet again if it is affected by the redrawing of electoral boundaries. ABC election analyst Anthony Green said it was likely Kooyong would take in more of the suburbs in Labor-held Chisholm, which sits east of Kooyong further away from the CBD. As you move away from Hawthorn and Kew, Green explained, it becomes less blue ribbon for the Libs and it will probably weaken their margin slightly. In those suburbs well-heeled streets, Ryan has probably been encountering more Voice to parliament sceptics than she and the Yes campaign would have expected. Loading The Kooyong volunteer base which is larger than Zoe Daniels in Goldstein has switched focus to the Voice, knocking on more doors than campaigners in any other seat. But going big on the Voice carries an element of risk: both of the local polls show only a slim majority of Kooyong voters on track to vote Yes. Ryan notes Frydenberg hasnt said a peep about the Voice (he has said almost nothing about any topic since the last election). She believes Opposition Leader Peter Duttons trenchant opposition to the proposed Indigenous Voice would only hurt the Liberals in Kooyong, where she says a number of Liberal voters have joined her Yes army. Simon Holmes a Court, who lives in the heart of Ryans electorate and founded the Climate 200 political crowdfunding group, said the vibe in the electorate had changed. The grandmothers for refugees group previously held regular protests outside Frydenbergs office. As Holmes a Court explains, Ryan invited them in for tea the first time she encountered them. Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court. Credit: James Alcock Ryan echoes Holmes a Court. Judging her performance, she explains, should be less about counting road upgrades or swimming pools and more about her engagement with voters. They dont want pork barrelling, they dont want deliverables, they are sick of it. Its about values. Others arent so sure. Kooyong residents approached on the streets of Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell on Friday were subdued in their endorsements for the local member and her rival. Kooyong voters were subdued in their endorsements for Ryan and Frydenberg. Back: Andrew Field, Eva Roge and Ally Gallagher. Front: Marnie Walker with Bob. Credit: Joe Armao Of the 10 voters this masthead spoke to, four supported Frydenberg, five were noncommittal, and one was pro-Ryan. Eva Roge said we all seem to be quite deflated, when asked about Ryans performance, while Marnie Walker said: You hear more about the things she has messed up rather than the things she has succeeded in doing. These people become popular, I dont know why, says my guide, Kiki, with a shrug. Some foreign person selects them and puts them on TV and then theyre famous. But so many stalls here make food that is just as good. Chiang Mais Cowboy Hat Lady and her stall Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak was made famous by Bourdain. Credit: Alamy Weve been talking about Cowboy Hat Lady, a woman famous around Chiang Mai, and now also around the world, for her street-food stall called Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak. There, she sells just one dish: khao kha moo, slow-braised pork served over rice, with pickled mustard greens and an egg. And she serves it to the masses while wearing a cowboy hat. The foreign person who made her so famous, meanwhile, is none other than Anthony Bourdain, the late TV presenter who visited this northern Thai capital in 2014 and called past Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak for a plate of pork and rice. As a purveyor of good food, you dont need much more to secure a lifetime of popularity. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The idea blossomed from the acronym coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim ONeill to describe the potential of four fast-growing global economies. It launched as BRIC in 2009, before South Africa was added the following year. A man watches a large screen showing CCTV broadcasting news of Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering his speech at the BRICS Summit held in South Africa, at an outdoor shopping mall in Beijing. Credit: AP However, in the shadow of Russias war on Ukraine, the resulting severe economic sanctions on the Putin regime and worsening trade disputes between the US and China, the bloc wants greater clout to expand its influence. The original idea [...] was to group countries with similar growth characteristics, maybe with similar investment returns, and it never really came to anything, said investment analyst Chris Weafer, a strategic consultant specialising in Russia and Eurasia. Now, there is a strong chance that BRICS could actually evolve into something more substantial. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his opening remarks at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. Credit: Reuters Weafer said the grouping had attracted a willing audience throughout the developing world with the pledge to be a unifying voice. It has allowed for Moscow and Beijing to go to countries in BRICS, and others like Saudi Arabia essentially saying, this could happen to you, we need to work together, we need to create a stronger group to survive the actions of the Western world. Host nation South Africa also sees potential in the group to rebalance the world order away from the West, in favour of what is known as the Global South (roughly, developing countries south of developed ones). Who else wants in? The five original BRICS members account for 40 per cent of the global population and more than one third of the worlds economic output. But more than 40 nations are now interested in joining, some of which sent delegations to the sidelines of the summit. On Thursday, the sought-after invitation landed for six nations. Significantly, the worlds top oil exporter Saudi Arabia is among them, a move which connects some of the worlds largest energy producers with the biggest consumers. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the summit at Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Credit: Reuters Indias former ambassador to Saudi Arabia Talmiz Ahmad this week told the Associated Press Saudi Arabia would bring extraordinary importance to this grouping if it were to join. Some analysts say the bigger the bloc, the greater the influence. However, ONeill told Bloomberg more member countries could make it harder to find common ground. Loading Beyond the admittedly hugely powerful symbolism, Im not quite sure what having a lot more countries in there is going to achieve, he said. The growing queue of interested nations reflects a larger trend of multi-aligning, where states turn to informal groups with different powers, said senior fellow of the Rising Power Alliances Project at Tufts University, Mihaela Papa. Countries see possible benefits in aligning with a multipolar agenda, belonging to the club for economic benefits, pursuing specific BRICS initiatives to reform global finance and transitioning to local currencies, she said. What about Russias war on Ukraine? People receive medical treatment at the scene of Russian shelling, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: AP If and when enlargement happens, interactions become more complicated and reaching consensus more difficult, which risks turning BRICS into a G7-like group. Who benefits from growing the club? For China, BRICS is another powerful engine to spread its influence and challenge American dominance, particularly in developing nations. I think thats especially true for the Middle East, Africa, and, to some extent, Latin America as well, Brian Hart, fellow for the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said in a summit preview last week. In published remarks, Hart argued the expansion strategically favours China, but may be less advantageous for smaller economies in the group. Not inside the meeting: Ukrainian supporters protest near the venue of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. Credit: AP The director of the China program at Washingtons Stimson Centre, Yun Sun, said Beijing sees BRICS as one cornerstone of the alternative world order China is trying to shape. Given the sway both political and economic it carries within the group, BRICS is one of the instruments for China to align with like-minded countries and present an alternative to the West-dominated order, she said. While India may seek a cautious approach to new members, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week said he fully supports an expansion. Loading Russia sees expansion as beneficial to its cause by proving it still has allies despite western-led sanctions, and while Brazil is wary of diluting its influence, it has been keen to welcome neighbour Argentina to the group. And what about the war? Putin was also patched in by video-link to attend a pre-summit banquet with fellow BRICS leaders. He did not travel to South Africa for the summit because he is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes in Ukraine. He used his speeches by video to accuse the West of continuing neocolonialism, while other bloc leaders called for global equality. Loading Brazils Lula, meanwhile, called for BRICS to play a greater role in working to end fighting in Ukraine, adding that he could not remain indifferent to the deaths and destruction that increase every day. He has previously nominated Brazil to lead a mediator group to help end the war. While the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa have talked about the need for peace, all have maintained diplomatic relations with Russia while including it in new initiatives under the BRICS umbrella. That said, the war has changed the ability of the [BRICS] New Development Bank to operate, given its ties to Russia, and [the fact that] President Putin could not join the summit, Papa said. with Bloomberg, Reuters In early August, Chinese Coast Guard ship blocked and fired a water cannon at a Philippine resupply vessel which was transporting provisions to the crew on a dilapidated warship that Manila deliberately grounded almost a quarter of a century ago as a mark of its territory. The incident near Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the contested Spratly Islands, left the Philippines up in arms and has renewed discussion about joint patrols in the area in an effort to counter Chinas coercion. Filipino protesters demonstrate outside Chinas embassy in Manila after the incident this month. Credit: Getty Images The United States is likely to start such operations with its long-time security partner before the end of the year, a Philippine National Security Council official said this month, and Australian patrols with the Philippines are also being considered. We have thought carefully about how we might coordinate and cooperate with the Filipinos in relation to maritime activity. There has been a lot of thought that has gone into that, Marles said on Thursday from Malaysia, where he was meeting with his counterpart before heading to the Philippines. Im sure how we work together in the maritime domain will form part of the conversations that I have with the new defence secretary. We need to have a region which is operating in accordance with established global rules and we are here to support that. A Chinese Coast Guard ship aims a water cannon at a Philippine military resupply boat near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands on August 5. Credit: Philippine Coast Guard The south-east Asian archipelago is becoming more important to the nations strategic outlook and Albaneses trip marks the first visit of an Australian prime minister to the Philippines since Malcolm Turnbull in 2017. The Labor government has also sought to stabilise fraught diplomatic and trade relations with China, and supplementing Australias existing freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea could anger Beijing. Marles, however, believes Australia can walk the line of supporting the Philippines without throwing affairs with China off course. Any bilateral patrols would not venture near Chinese-occupied land features in the waterway, a policy Australian governments have maintained to avoid provocation. The Sierra Madre, a Second World War warship intentionally grounded by the Philippines in 1999 as a mark of its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Credit: AP I think as long as we are engaging very clearly and sensibly and understandably in pursuit of our national interest, that is something that every country will be able to understand including China, Marles said. Its consistent with also seeking to stabilise our relationship with China. Richard Heydarian, a political scientist at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, said Manila was eager for its key allies and partners to present a show of strength and unity of purpose in the face of Chinas aggression. Loading In light of the rising tensions over the Second Thomas Shoal, which could become the next big flashpoint in the South China Sea, the urgency for these joint patrols has dramatically escalated, he said. I think the Philippines right now is really looking for any sign of support from like-minded powers but especially in this case because the United States is a treaty ally, Australia has a status of [visiting] forces agreement and Japan is also negotiating a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines as well. After his predecessor Rodrigo Dutertes pivot towards China, Marcos has this year reinforced defence ties with the US, lifting the number of military bases its troops can access to nine. Among the four new facilities the US was granted use of was one on the island of Palawan, facing the Spratly Islands. Australia also has long-standing security relations with the Philippines, particularly in military training, counter-terrorism and in providing resources such as vessels and drones for the Philippine Coast Guard. More than 2000 Australian Defence Force personnel and Australian warships are involved in pre-arranged combined air, land, sea and amphibious exercises taking place in the Philippines and its waters this week. A naval transit with Japanese vessels was also conducted as the HMAS Canberra and HMAS Anzac made their way there and there were plans for Australia, the US and Japan to stage a three-way naval drill off the Philippines on Wednesday, although it didnt eventuate because American ships were deployed elsewhere. However, the Australian government has so far not lived up to its rhetoric about supporting the Philippines against clear breaches of international law by Beijing, according to Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Idyllic holiday destinations can become a true hell like that which various Greek islands and Sicily have experienced this summer due to wildfires, or extreme heat waves, such as the four that have hit many parts of Spain this summer. Both phenomena are part of the catalog of disasters linked to human-induced climate change that stems from our dependence on fossil fuels. The climate crisis threatens peoples health and national economies. And in the case of tourism, where Europes position is at stake it is the most-visited region on the planet whose tourist sector moves around 2 trillion ($2.171 trillion) each year the forecasts point to significant impacts and a reduction in visitors to some areas as global warming progresses. But will the damage be the same throughout Europe? No. There will be winners and losers, and the south of the continent has the worst prognosis, according to analysis undertaken by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), scientific advisors to the European Commission. EU policy aims to maintain Europes status as a leading tourist destination, explains the report, which includes work by Spanish analysts David Garcia-Leon and Juan Carlos Ciscar. The JRC study, entitled Regional impact of climate change on European tourism demand, seeks to provide an approximation of how visits to different destinations may change depending on the level of warming that occurs. In all of the scenarios, eight Spanish regions are among the most affected by the reduction in the number of overnight stays: the Balearic Islands, Murcia, the Valencia region, Extremadura, Andalusia, the Madrid region, Castilla-La Mancha, and Catalonia. In addition, Spain will be the European country that will lose the most visitors, after Cyprus, Greece, and Portugal. Global warming is already hovering around 1.2 Celsius. This means that the average surface temperature of the entire planet is 1.2 C warmer than in the pre-industrial era before humans became dependent on burning fossil fuels for energy, and greenhouse gas emissions skyrocketed. As long as the world economy depends on the fuels causing these emissions, warming will continue to increase, as gases accumulate in the atmosphere and remain there for decades or even centuries. In its study, the JRC proposes four scenarios for temperature increases: two that are optimistic (warming remains at 1.5 C or 2 C) and two that are pessimistic (warming reaches 3C or 4C). In the eight Spanish regions mentioned, reductions in overnight stays are forecast in all of the four scenarios that were analysed. Although the situation is complicated in the case of a temperature increase of 3 C and 4 C. The Balearic Islands, for example, would lose up to 8.16% of overnight stays if there was an increase of 4 C, while the reduction in Murcia would be 6.8%, and 3.2% in the Valencia region. For this analysis, the JRC experts took 2019 tourism data as a base, which is the most similar to current data, after several years of negative impact from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Greek region of the Ionian Islands severely hit by wildfires this summer would be the most affected by this four-degree warming scenario, with a 9.1% reduction in overnight stays. It is followed by the Greek islands in the North Aegean Sea (-9%), those in the South Aegean (-8.6%), and Cyprus (-8.2%). In fifth and seventh places, respectively, are the Balearic Islands and the Region of Murcia in Spain. The study analyzed the effects in 267 European regions. In 50 located further south on the continent tourist losses are forecast in a scenario of 4 C of warming. At the opposite extreme, considerable increases of over 5% in overnight stays are anticipated in 53 regions. The region that would benefit most is West Wales, in the United Kingdom, where there would be increases of almost 16%. We found a clear north-south pattern in changes in tourism demand, with northern regions benefiting from climate change and southern regions facing significant reductions, the report explains. This pattern is more acute for scenarios of higher levels of warming, it adds. To carry out their analysis, the JRC experts drew up a historical evaluation that estimated the statistical relationship between overnight stays, the so-called tourist climate index (which focuses on comfort linked to weather conditions) and other economic variables. The type of destination is also taken into account, whether it is urban, coastal, rural, winter mountain, or mixed. And based on these data, they forecast how the tourist demand will evolve for months and the variations in overnight stays. Tourists at Rome's Fontana delle Naiadi, during a European heatwave in August in which temperatures exceeded 40 C in some cities. YARA NARDI (REUTERS) Fulfilling the Paris Agreement In terms of the monthly demand, changes are expected in tourism seasonality patterns. Northern European coastal regions are expected to register a significant increase in demand during the summer and early autumn months, while southern coastal regions are expected to lose tourists during the summer, especially in the more severe climate scenarios, the scientists explain. Regarding tourism demand in general, the climate impact is positive in all warming scenarios, with a projected increase in demand in the whole of Europe of between 0.35% and 1.58% depending on the scenario. But the aggregate results hide a high degree of heterogeneity between regions, warn the authors of the report, which points to this north-south difference. By country, Cyprus (with a reduction of up to 8.28% in tourist demand in the worst warming scenario) is hit the hardest. It is followed by Greece (-7.26%), Portugal (-3.31%) and Spain, with a fall of 3.14% if warming reaches 4 C. But within Spain the situation also varies. And there will also be winners and losers. The regions that benefited most from the increase in overnight stays are Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia. If warming reaches 4 C, the tourist demand would increase by 7.2%, 4.2%, and 3.1% respectively in these regions. But that is the worst case scenario, and would mean a breach of the Paris Agreement. The climate treaty signed in 2015 forces the signatory countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero from the second half of the century. This pact establishes the goal of keeping warming below 2 C and, as far as possible, below 1.5 C. That is the safety limit that scientists have set. Complying with what was agreed in Paris would also be good news for the Spanish tourism sector. In the scenario of an increase of only 1.5 C, the JRC study predicts a reduction of only 0.31% in tourist demand in Spain; with an increase of 2 C, the decrease would be 0.4%, far from the 3.14% expected if it reaches 4 C. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A person wears a face mask as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets Manhattan on June 7, 2023 in New York City. The smoke from Canadian wildfires that drifted into the U.S. led to a spike in people with asthma visiting emergency rooms particularly in the New York area. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published two studies Thursday about the health impacts of the smoke, which shrouded city skylines with an orange haze in late spring. A medical journal also released a study this week. When air quality worsens, an asthmatic feels it before anyone else, said Dr. Adrian Pristas, a pulmonologist based in Hazlet, New Jersey, who remembered a flood of calls from patients in June during the days of the heaviest smoke. People with asthma often wheeze, are breathless, have chest tightness and have either nighttime or early-morning coughing. I have no doubt that every asthmatic had an uptick in symptoms, Pristas said. Some were able to manage it on their own, but some had to call for help. Each of the studies looked at different geographic areas one was national, one was specific to New York state and the last focused on New York City. Nationally, asthma-associated ER visits were 17% higher than normal during 19 days of wildfire smoke that occurred between late April and early August, according to one CDC study that drew data from about 4,000 U.S. hospitals. Hospital traffic rose more dramatically in some parts of the country during wildfire smoke: 46% higher in New York and New Jersey. A second study released by the CDC focused on New York state only, not New York City, because the state and city have separate hospital data bases, one of the authors said. It found asthma-associated ER visits jumped 82% statewide on the worst air quality day, June 7. The study also said that the central part of New York state saw the highest increases in ER visits more than twice as high. The third study, published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, focused solely on New York City. It found more than a 50% increase in asthma-associated ER visits on June 7, said the studys lead author, George Thurston of New York University. None of the studies looked at other measures of health, such as increases in heart attacks or deaths. Wildfire smoke has tiny particles, called PM2.5, that can embed deep in the lungs and cause severe problems for asthmatics. But problematic as the wildfire smoke was, an analysis showed it had lower amounts of some toxic elements found in urban air pollution, Thurston said. The third study also attempted to compare the surge in ER visits during the wildfire smoke with what happens at the height of a bad pollen season and the wildfires led to about 10% more ER visits. Thats reassuring. It may not have been as bad as it looked, Thurston said Jeffrey Acquaviva, a 52-year-old asthmatic in Holmdel, New Jersey, found that conclusion hard to swallow. Yeah, right, said Acquaviva, who works at family-owned construction business. As the smoke got worse in June and the air in his backyard grew thick and golden, Acquaviva changed the filters on his air conditioners and stayed indoors for 2 1/2 days. His symptoms still got worse his breathing dangerously difficult and finally he was taken by ambulance to a hospital and stayed there three days. Pristas, Acquavivas doctor, recalled how invasive the smoke was: There was nowhere to hide. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Authorities work at the scene of a fatal shooting on Aug. 23, 2023, at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in rural Trabuco Canyon, California. AP Gunfire at a popular Southern California biker bar killed three people and wounded several others, and the gunman believed to be a retired law enforcement officer was fatally shot by deputies, authorities said. Hours after the shooting Wednesday evening at Cooks Corner, in Orange Countys rural Trabuco Canyon, authorities said at a news conference that they were still gathering information and interviewing witnesses. Authorities arrived within two minutes of the first report of a shooting, and the gunman was also soon dead, Orange County Sheriffs Sgt. Frank Gonzalez said. Dozens of patrol cars and ambulances swarmed the bar. Three other people and the gunman were pronounced dead at the scene. Six others were taken to the hospital, five of them with gunshot wounds, the Orange County Sheriffs Department posted on social media. Two were in critical condition, according to a statement from Providence Mission Hospital in nearby Mission Viejo. At the news conference, Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock did not provide details about the gunman or how the shooting unfolded. The gunman was a retired officer with the Ventura Police Department, Cmdr. Mike Brown said the department was told by Orange County authorities, according to the Ventura County Star newspaper. He worked at the agency from 1986 to 2014, Brown said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was monitoring the shooting and coordinating with local officials as more details become available, his office tweeted. Cooks Corner has long been a place for motorcyclists to gather for live music, open-mic nights or just a cold beer after a long ride. It calls itself the oldest motorcycle bar in Southern California and hosts a regular Wednesday spaghetti night, with a band. Hours before the shooting, rows of motorcycles and bikes framed the gravel entrance, where plaques describe the bars history. It has become known as a community gathering spot for a wide range of people. Weve experienced major earthquakes, forest fires, floods, recessions and other disasters. Weve gotten through all of them and came out stronger. Ride down and check us out, the bar says on its website. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Former biotech executive Vivek Ramaswamy (r) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the first Republican candidates debate of the United States presidential campaign in Milwaukee (United States), on Wednesday. BRIAN SNYDER (REUTERS) Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a faithful ally of Donald Trump, said Wednesday in Milwaukee that the eight Republicans participating in the primary debate for the 2024 presidential elections should withdraw from the race and give their support to the former president, who has been indicted in four separate cases. None of the candidates backed down, but six of the eight raised their hands to say that if Trump is nominated, they will support him, even if he is convicted as a felon. This group included the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, who seemed to hesitate and wait to see what the others were doing before raising his arm. His indecision turned into one of the viral moments of the debate, which turned into a missed opportunity for DeSantis to close the gap with Trump. But Vivek Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old billionaire entrepreneur of Indian origin who is third in the polls, stole the limelight with his millennial Trumpism. And Trump, even though he did not take part in the debate, also came out stronger. The DeSantis campaign had drawn up a strategy for the debate, according to a document that it posted online and later withdrew: 1. Attack Joe Biden and the media 3-5 times. 2. State GRDs [Governor Ron DeSantis] positive vision 2-3 times. 3. Hammer Vivek Ramaswamy in a response. 4. Defend Donald Trump in absentia in response to a Chris Christie attack. DeSantis was able to do the first two points, but was not very original. But he did not hammer Ramaswamy in a response unlike former vice president Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Trump U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley. And it was Ramaswamy, not DeSantis, who defended Trump when Christie attacked him. More information Questions on Trump ignite Republican presidential debate DeSantis who is second in the polls, although more than 35 points behind Trump had the prerogative of opening and closing the debate, and was expected to be the center of attention. But he gave no memorable retort, his rivals seemed to ignore him, and his performance was reduced to a few intermittent monologues (on the economy, the use of deadly force on the border with Mexico and beyond, his management in Florida, especially during the pandemic; and his criticism of Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, who is under investigation). Whats more, he showed no charisma or naturalness. Worse still, he was boring. The debate a Fox News blockbuster with thousands in attendance and an audience of millions was a missed opportunity for him. It was Ramaswamy who filled the void left by Trump. He was such a staunch supporter of the former president declaring him the best president of the United States of the 21st century that it was not entirely clear why he was running against him in the primaries. He supported the lie that climate change is a hoax. He vowed to stop supporting Ukraine and their Pope Zelenskiy. He presented himself as the defender and aspiring heir to Trump. It was a strategy that won over the Trump base, the majority among Republicans. Who the hell is this skinny kid with a funny last name? Thats how he introduced himself, stealing a line used by Barack Obama when he was running in the Democratic primaries plagiarism that Chris Christie pointed out. Indeed, the former governor of New Jersey had the sharpest comeback against Ramaswamy. Ive had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT, said Christie. Pence and Christie both called Ramaswamy an amateur and a rookie, to which he claimed he was free from the shackles of professional politicians. In the exchange on Ukraine, Haley also pointed out that Ramaswamy had no foreign policy experience, and it shows. She was applauded by the audience, but the fact that most of the attacks on Ramaswamy came from the two most unpopular candidates made him even stronger. Ramaswamy seemed to enjoy drawing the spotlight and putting on a show. And the U.S. media hailed him as the winner of the debate. Haley, the only woman in the Republican race, scored points with her practical and rational messages, calling for a basic consensus on abortion and showcasing her foreign policy expertise. But foreign policy does not win elections. Sen. Tim Scott, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson made little impact. Pence left the debate having achieved his goal of explaining to the Republicans that he had no power to annul Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential elections, as Trump requested, without violating the Constitution. Ramaswamy did not comment, but DeSantis, Burgum, Haley, Scott and, above all, Christie, expressly acknowledged this. Christie was the most critical voice of Trump. He argued that regardless of whether the criminal charges against the magnate are justified or not, Trumps conduct is beneath the office of president of the United States a comment that was booed by the audience. Christie fulfilled his objective, but he doesnt have the slimmest chance of winning the Republican nomination with that message, which ignited the debate in the scant quarter of an hour dedicated to the former president. Trump came out of the debate unscathed. At the same time that the debate began, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson laid out the red carpet for him in a friendly pre-recorded interview that, as of Thursday morning, had been watched 200 million times on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the interview with the controversial presenter, Trump said he had no interest in getting harassed by people that shouldnt even be running for president. Trump who was arraigned on Thursday in Atlanta for his fourth indictment will not take part in the second Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley (California) on September 27. Some of the candidates who qualified for the first debate may not qualify for the second, if they drop further in the polls. Trumps strategy to not attend the debate came with risks. The biggest was that that DeSantis, his main rival, would dominate the debate and surge in the polls. But that was far from the case. Ramaswamy, an avowed Trumpist, was the center of attention. No one was especially brilliant. And the fact that six of the eight candidates said they would support Trump, even if he was convicted, is another win for the former president. For these reasons, Amy Walter, editor of the influential Cook Political Report, concluded that Trump won the first debate. If Trumps opponents dont think that being convicted is disqualifying, why should any GOP voter? she asked. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Allentown, PA (18103) Today Cloudy with bouts of showers and light rain, mainly during the morning through midday. Seasonably cool and drier later in the afternoon with perhaps a few breaks of sun. It will turn breezy as well.. Tonight Becoming partly cloudy and colder overnight. Still breezy. Reading, PA (19601) Today Cloudy with bouts of showers and light rain, mainly during the morning through midday. Seasonably cool and drier later in the afternoon with perhaps a few breaks of sun. It will turn breezy as well.. Tonight Becoming partly cloudy and colder overnight. Still breezy. KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2023 - 20:52 | World, All Vice President Lai Ching-te, a leading candidate in the Taiwan presidential election next January, said Friday the island's democracy will be undermined if Beijing successfully interferes in the poll. Lai, the leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, told foreign media in Taipei that mainland China will seek to interfere in the upcoming election by various means. Beijing accuses Lai of being a "troublemaker" who clings to the separatist position for Taiwan's independence. Following his U.S. stopovers during a trip to Paraguay earlier this month, China staged military exercises near Taiwan and decided to suspend mango imports from the island. "Even as Beijing engages in unfair trade practices against our agricultural products, potentially in an effort to undermine the upcoming elections, we remain clear-eyed about our long-term prospects," Lai said. He praised Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP, who is ineligible to seek a third consecutive term, saying she has been recognized worldwide for her very steady diplomatic, national defense and cross-strait policy, as well as work toward peaceful development. Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since they split in 1949 due to a civil war. Beijing views the self-ruled democratic island as a renegade province and remains adamant about its eventual reunification, even if it means using force. New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih from the Nationalist Party and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, chairman of the Taiwan People's Party, are two other prominent opposition presidential candidates. Related coverage: Tsai vows to bolster Taiwan self-defense on China bombardment anniv. China holds drills near Taiwan following vice pres.'s U.S. stopovers Japan, U.S. leaders agree on new missile development KYODO NEWS - Aug 26, 2023 - 14:34 | World, All, Japan Japan, the United States, Australia and the Philippines have held joint naval drills in the South China Sea, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Friday, amid China's continuous attempts to obstruct Manila's supply activities at military footholds in the water. The four countries' training on Thursday comes after a Chinese coast guard vessel shot a water cannon at a Philippine military-chartered boat near the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea early this month. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest destroyer, Izumo, and destroyer Samidare took part in the drills, the ministry said. The two Japanese vessels will dock at the Manila port from Friday through next Thursday, according to the ministry. Izumo is set to become a de facto aircraft carrier after undergoing additional renovations slated to begin next year or 2025. The U.S. Navy's littoral combat ship Mobile, Australia's amphibious assault ship Canberra, frigate Anzac and F-35A fighter jets, and the Philippine Navy's landing ship Davao Del Sur were the others involved in the exercises, the ministry said. The ministry said in a statement that the purpose of the training is to "strengthen collaboration toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific," a Tokyo-promoted concept widely seen as countering Beijing's rising clout in the region. The joint exercises had initially been scheduled for Wednesday as trilateral drills as the Philippine forces had planned to forgo participating in them, according to sources close to the matter. The U.S. Navy had been expected to send its amphibious assault ship America, the sources also said, but it was replaced by Mobile. The Philippines, facing increased military pressure from China in the South China Sea, is considering joint maritime patrols with Japanese, U.S. and Australian ships, according to the sources. Japan, the United States, Australia and the Philippines held their first-ever defense ministerial meeting in June in Singapore, agreeing to strengthen security cooperation to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. China, claiming sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, has swiftly constructed artificial islands equipped with military infrastructure in these waters, which host some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. In February, the Chinese coast guard aimed a military-grade laser at a Philippine patrol vessel in waters near the Second Thomas Shoal. Related coverage: Japan, U.S., Australia eye ship deployment to Philippines for drill Japan mulls easing restrictions on lethal weapon exports China holds drills near Taiwan following vice pres.'s U.S. stopovers Wits and the Bank of China produce the first Chinese Investors Confidence Index for South Africa The index, called CICISA is a quarterly index that tracks the evolution of the investment climate or investment attractiveness of South Africa over time. Wits University and the Bank of China have produced the first Chinese Investors Confidence Index for South Africa during the Brics Summit, held in Johannesburg this week. The index, called CICISA is an index that tracks the evolution of the investment climate or investment attractiveness of South Africa over time. It monitors a set of quantitative economic indicators, sourced from market data, that are selected to capture key aspects of the economy considered important for Chinese Investors. The indicators covering the period from 2012 to 2022 are converted into common units and aggregated into four sub-indices that focus on different dimensions of investor confidence and ultimately into the composite over all CICISA. As the single largest trading partner and major investor in South Africa, gauging the South African economy from the Chinese investors perspective is highly relevant, says Professor Volker Schoer, research director at the Wits School of Economics and Finance. The objective of this innovative index is to provide a tailored view of the South African economy that is reflective of uniquely Chinese perspectives of South Africas investment climate and business environment. In order to develop the index, a team of economists at the School of Economics and Finance under the leadership of Prof Uma Kollamparambil worked in close collaboration with CEO Dr Chen Longjian, Mr Du QiQi and experts from the Bank of China in South Africa. To complement the objective economic performance indicators, the team surveyed 55 Chinese owned companies that operate in South Africa, to provide some insights into the subjective assessment of Chinese investors confidence. The companies were asked, among others, to rate the SA economy, legal system, political system and social cohesion. Results show that the companies were only moderately confident. They expressed their concerns about South Africas political stability, social cohesion, energy crisis, lack of skills and other barriers to doing business. Irrespective, the Chinese-owned companies still expressed a positive outlook with respect to growing their own workforce, investment in fixed assets, and future revenue expectations. When asked to compare South Africa against other countries on the African continent as an investment destination, they on average consider South Africa to be more attractive. The data was compiled in a comprehensive report that consist of four chapters including country and provincial overviews, the CICISA index itself and a complementary chapter of contribution by experts who provide context and insights into current South African priority areas such as technological innovation, digital commerce, fintech and green economy. Through the sharing and publication of the CICISA, the team hopes to provide a new and profound perspective for government agencies, enterprises, financial institutions, research institutions, and other relevant professionals to study and understand the South African investment environment. We plan to update the Index annually, striving to create a continuous report that is up-to-date and has investment reference value. KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2023 - 11:48 | All, World Donald Trump on Thursday became the first former U.S. president to have a mug shot taken when he surrendered at an Atlanta jail to be booked on charges related to his attempts to reverse his 2020 election loss in Georgia. Trump, facing his fourth indictment in the last five months, has agreed to a $200,000 bond and other bail conditions, including not threatening witnesses or his 18 co-defendants. He was released after a speedy booking process which lasted about 20 minutes and also saw him fingerprinted. Despite facing a total of 91 felony counts at the state and federal levels, Trump maintains a large lead in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. His appearance at the Fulton County jail came a day after the party's first primary debate, which he skipped, calling it meaningless. Trump's mug shot image, released to the public by local authorities, showed him glaring at the camera. A number of his backers and pundits suggested that he will use the photo to his political advantage and turn it into a new campaign tool. "What has taken place here is a travesty of justice," Trump, wearing his signature navy suit, white shirt and red tie, told reporters before boarding his private plane to head back to New Jersey, footage of which was aired by broadcasters. "We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong." Trump also quickly posted the image of the mug shot on his social media website, Truth Social, with the words "ELECTION INTERFERENCE" and "NEVER SURRENDER!" He posted the same image on his Twitter account in what was his first post on the platform since January 2021. Trump was indicted on Aug. 14 in the Georgia case on 13 counts, such as violating the state's anti-racketeering act and conspiring to impersonate a public officer. It came roughly two weeks after the 77-year-old was charged by a federal grand jury with four felony counts also related to efforts to overturn his defeat to then Democrat candidate Joe Biden in the previous presidential election. Trump's other pending trials are for a New York case stemming from a hush money payment to a porn star and for a federal case over his retention of classified national security documents at his resort in Florida. The former president has denied any wrongdoing in all four cases, calling them politically motivated and accusing Democrats of trying to derail his 2024 campaign to return to the White House. Hours before Trump's appearance at the jail, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis responded to a speedy trial request from one co-defendant by asking a judge to start the trial on Oct. 23, moving the date up from March 4 next year as she had proposed earlier. But Trump's legal team later informed the court that he opposes the newly proposed date, with wrangling over a trial schedule continuing and his many legal troubles already causing logistical difficulties. Prosecutors have requested that arraignments take place in the week of Sept. 5. Related coverage: Trump hit with 4th indictment, this time in Georgia Trump pleads not guilty to charges over bid to undo 2020 election Trump indicted for efforts to overturn 2020 presidential election Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It primarily invests in common stocks and purchases out-of-the-money, short-dated S&P 500 index put options and sells out-of-the-money S&P 500 Index call options of the same term as the put options with roll dates that are staggered across the options portfolio. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the S&P 500 Index and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund was formed on July 31, 2007 and is domiciled in the United States. EQT Corporation is a US-based natural gas exploration and production company operating in the Appalachian Basin, primarily in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. The company was founded in 1888 as a utility company, but it has since transformed into one of the largest natural gas producers in the US. EQT's mission is to be the leading producer of clean-burning natural gas in the US while focusing on operational excellence, innovation, and environmental stewardship. EQT's core business is producing natural gas, which is sold to customers in the US and Canada. The company operates over 23,000 wells across the Appalachian Basin and owns over 670,000 acres of natural gas reserves. EQT's target market includes utility companies, industrial customers, and natural gas marketers. The company's key customers include Dominion Energy, National Fuel Gas, and Peoples Natural Gas. EQT's headquarters are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it employs over 1,200 people. EQT has received numerous awards for its commitment to environmental stewardship and safety. In 2022, the company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the seventh consecutive year. An experienced and knowledgeable management team leads EQT. Toby Rice serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of EQT, bringing over 20 years of experience in the natural gas industry. He previously served as the CEO of Rice Energy, which was acquired by EQT in 2018. EQT has experienced significant growth recently, with revenue and net income increasing yearly for several years. EQT's profit margin has remained strong, averaging 27% over the past three years. EQT's debt levels have increased recently, with the company's long-term debt rising. However, the company's debt-to-equity ratio has remained below the industry average, indicating that EQT is managing its debt effectively. EQT's valuation metrics are generally in line with industry peers. EQT's price-to-earnings and price-to-book are slightly lower but have paralleled industry peers. EQT's dividend yield is slightly below the industry average. EQT has had a volatile but generally positive share price. In 2021, the company's share price increased by more than 50% due to an increase in natural gas prices and the company's successful cost-cutting measures. However, the company's share price has since declined due to concerns about regulatory changes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on natural gas demand. EQT's trading volume has declined recently, indicating investor sentiment towards the company may have soured. EQT operates in the natural gas industry, facing significant challenges in recent years due to regulatory changes and the rise of renewable energy sources. The industry is heavily regulated, and natural gas companies face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and shift towards cleaner energy sources. Despite these challenges, EQT has managed to maintain its position as one of the largest natural gas producers in the US. EQT has several growth opportunities that it can pursue in the coming years. One potential area of growth for the company is renewable energy. EQT has already begun investing in renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar power and could expand its presence. The company could also pursue expansion opportunities in other regions outside the Appalachian Basin. Finally, EQT could explore potential mergers and acquisitions to expand its business and diversify its revenue streams. EQT faces several risks and challenges in the coming years. One of the most significant risks is the increasing regulatory pressure on natural gas companies to reduce their carbon footprint. The company must invest in new technologies and processes to meet these regulatory requirements, which could be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, EQT faces significant competition from other natural gas producers, both domestically and internationally. Finally, the company is exposed to fluctuations in natural gas prices, which can be volatile and unpredictable. KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2023 - 21:42 | All, Japan Duty-free sales at department stores across Japan totaled 31.3 billion yen ($214 million) in July, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 for the same month thanks to the return of individual travelers from mainland China, data by an industry body showed Friday. It marked the first time duty-free sales for a single month exceeded such levels since March 2020, when the number of foreign visitors to Japan plummeted, the Japan Department Stores Association said. The return of Chinese travelers following the easing of restrictions related to COVID-19, coupled with a weak yen, has led to strong purchases of luxury brands and other high-end items, according to the association. Around 320,000 foreign visitors made purchases in the country, an elevenfold increase compared to the same month the previous year. These visitors came from countries such as South Korea and Singapore, in addition to mainland China and Taiwan. The average amount they spent per purchase was 97,000 yen, the association said. More visitors and increased spending are anticipated, with Beijing's approval early this month of the resumption of Japan-bound group tours for its citizens. "There is no mistake that it will be beneficial if the group tours fully return," an association official said. Overall sales at 181 stores operated by 70 companies increased 8.6 percent from a year earlier to 475.8 billion yen, marking the 17th straight month of growth, bolstered by strong demand for summer clothes as temperatures soared, the association said. But compared to July 2019 figures, total sales were down by 1.5 percent, it said, as regional areas saw slower economic recovery compared to cities where voracious demand for luxury items was driven by affluent clientele. In Japan's 10 major cities, including Tokyo and Osaka, department store sales grew 11.0 percent from a year earlier, marking the 22nd consecutive month of growth. Sales in other cities also saw an uptick, reporting a 1.6 percent increase for the first rise in three months. Related coverage: FEATURE:Korea boom in Japan sparked by drama 20 yrs ago kept going by young FEATURE: Rise in Japan's unmanned rail stations creating concerns July foreign entries to Japan at 2.3 million, 78% of pre-pandemic level Fidelity European Trust PLC is an open-ended equity fund launched and managed by FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited. It is co-managed by FIL Investments International Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Continental Europe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across all market capitalizations. It also invests in value oriented growth stocks. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the FTSE World Europe ex UK Index. Fidelity European Trust PLC was formed on November 5, 1991 and is domiciled in the United Kingdom. PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad, an investment holding company, engages in production and delivery of energy and solutions business. The company operates through Olefins and Derivatives, Fertilisers and Methanol, Specialties, and Other segments. It offers polymers comprising HDPE blown films, blow moulding, and pipes; linear low density polyethylene; and homopolymer, copolymer, and terpolymer polypropylene. In addition, the company offers ethylene, propylene, ethylene glycols, butyl carbitol and cellosolve, butanol, butyl acetate, polyethylene glycols, tergitol, nonylphenol ethoxylates, ethanolamines, and gas treating solvents; methanol, paraxylene, benzene, methyl tertiary butyl ether, and butadiene; ammonia; PETRONAS Aireblue, a diesel exhaust fluid; oxo-alcohols; and water-based mud additives. Further, it engages in processing feedstock into syngas, carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide derivatives, propylene derivatives, and related chemical products. Additionally, the company owns, operates, and manages Kertih marine facilities; processing natural gas into urea and ammonia; reselling, formulating, and manufacturing silicones, lube oil additives, and chemicals; and real estate business. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad operates as a subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Berhad. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company Limited engages in the research and development, production, wholesale, and sale of medical devices in the People's Republic of China. It operates through Medical Device Products, Orthopaedic Products, Interventional Products, Pharma Packaging Products, Blood Management Products, and Others segments. The company offers vascular and non-vascular access infusion devices, infusion sets, syringes, puncture needles, specialized single-use clinical collection kits, digital products for clinical care, digestive nutrition, and primary care products; and general anesthesia consumables, local anesthesia consumables, anesthesia auxiliary consumables, ICU equipment, open and minimally invasive surgical equipment, wound healing dressings, wound suture, wound cleaning, and nonvascular catheter supporting extracorporeal devices. It also provides blood collection, irradiation, storage, separation, and sterilization products; blood collection and blood glucose testing devices; trauma, spinal implant, artificial joints, sports injury, soft tissue repair, reconstruction implant, orthopedic filling, and orthopedic related surgical tools; tumor intervention, vascular intervention, and interventional imaging; and prefilled syringes and pre-filled flush syringes. In addition, the company engages in the manufacturing of implantation materials and artificial organs; medical PVC granules, plastic packing bags, and carton boxes; industrial automatic equipment and parts; molds; hemodialysis equipment; and X-ray based irradiation machines. Further, it is involved in the finance leasing and factoring business; provision of asset management, enterprise consulting, enterprise management advisory services, logistics and storage, and computer technical services; and sale of electronic products. The company was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Weihai, the People's Republic of China. KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2023 - 09:00 | World, All, 3/11 Fukushima Retailers in some parts of China ran out of salt Thursday as Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean prompted Chinese consumers to hoard the item, local media said. Shoppers are concerned that the ocean discharge could contaminate seawater and affect salt production. Beijing municipal authorities called on citizens to refrain from panic buying, assuring that the city has sufficient supply, according to the reports. Shortly after the devastating earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March 2011, Chinese consumers hoarded salt amid worries that the accident could compromise the safety of sea salt. Chinese consumers also believed the rumor that iodized salt can help protect against nuclear radiation. Related coverage: China bans Japan seafood after water release, rallies in H.K., Seoul Japan PM asks China to lift seafood import ban after water release Japan begins releasing Fukushima treated radioactive water into sea Smiths Group plc operates as a technology company in Americas, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through four divisions: John Crane, Smiths Detection, Flex-Tek, and Smiths Interconnect. The John Crane division offers mechanical seals, seal support systems, power transmission couplings, and specialized filtration systems. The Smiths Detection division provides sensors and systems that detect and identify explosives, narcotics, weapons, chemical agents, biohazards, and contraband. The Flex-Tek division offers engineered components, flexible hosing, and rigid tubing that heat and move fluids and gases. The Smiths Interconnect division provides specialized electronic and radio frequency board-level and waveguide devices, connectors, cables, test sockets, and sub-systems used in secure connectivity applications. The company serves general industrial, safety and security, energy, and aerospace markets. The company was formerly known as Smiths Industries and changed its name to Smiths Group plc in 2000. Smiths Group plc was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile, or SQM, is a Chilean-based company primarily producing and distributing fertilizers, lithium, and iodine. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile. With operations in Chile, the United States, Argentina, and China, SQM is a global leader in producing and distributing specialty plant nutrition and potassium nitrate products and a key player in the lithium industry. SQM's management team is led by Ricardo Ramos, who has been Chief Executive Officer since 2018. Ramos joined SQM in 2001 and has held various leadership positions. Before becoming CEO, Ramos served as SQM's Chief Financial Officer. In recent years, SQM has experienced strong financial performance. SQM has reported revenue and earnings increases yearly for the past several years. Earnings per share have also increased yearly. Additionally, SQM has seen steady profit margins, with a gross profit margin of 35.4% in 2023 and a net profit margin of 18.5%. SQM has a moderate level of debt. In terms of ownership, SQM is primarily owned by various institutional investors, with the largest shareholders including Pampa Calichera and PotashCorp. SQM's valuation metrics compare favorably to industry peers. The company has a price-to-earnings and a price-to-book ratio lower than industry averages. Regarding market performance, SQM has experienced some volatility in recent years. In Q1 of 2020, the stock saw its five-year low of around $15 per share. However, shortly after hitting that low, the stock started rising, and in Q2 of 2022, it hit an all-time high of around $115 a share. Trading volume has been equally volatile, with an average volume of approximately 1.8 million shares. SQM operates in a highly competitive industry, with key competitors including Albemarle Corporation and FMC Corporation. The global fertilizer market is projected to reach $199 billion by 2027, driven by increasing demand for food and agriculture products. Additionally, the lithium market is expected to grow significantly, driven by increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and other applications. SQM faces regulatory and political risks, particularly in relation to its lithium operations. Looking ahead, SQM has identified several growth opportunities. The company plans to increase its specialty plant nutrition product production and expand its lithium market presence. Additionally, SQM has announced plans to invest in new technologies like blockchain to improve supply chain transparency and efficiency. SQM has achieved a solid financial performance over the past few years, with revenue and earnings growth outpacing the industry average. However, the company's reliance on lithium has become a concern for investors due to potential market fluctuations. Lithium accounts for over half of the company's revenue, and changes in demand or pricing could significantly impact its financial performance. Moreover, the competitive landscape of the lithium industry is rapidly evolving, with new players entering the market and established competitors investing heavily in production capacity. Additionally, regulatory changes, such as new environmental regulations or tariffs, could impact the company's operations and profitability. Furthermore, changing consumer preferences, such as a shift towards electric vehicles, could alter the demand for lithium and other key products, adversely affecting SQM's growth prospects. Uber Technologies Inc. is a San Francisco-based company providing mobility, food and package delivery services and freight transport. Uber operates in approximately 10,500 cities in 72 countries. The company sets fares based on local supply and demand at the time of booking and receives a commission from each booking. The company has 131 million monthly active users and 5.4 million active drivers and couriers worldwide. Uber was founded in 2009 by Oscar Salazar Gaitan, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp and was initially named Ubercab Inc. The idea for Uber came about after Camp and Kalanick spent a pricey $800 hiring a private driver on New Year's Eve, and Camp needed help finding a taxi on a snowy night in Paris. Camp, Oscar Salazar and Conrad Whelan built the prototype for Uber's mobile app, with Kalanick as the chief advisor to the company. Ryan Graves became the first Uber employee in February 2010 and was named CEO in May 2010. In December 2010, Kalanick succeeded Graves as CEO, and Graves became the chief operating officer. Uber's current CEO is Dara Khosrowshahi, who replaced co-founder Travis Kalanick of Uber in August 2017. Uber debuted in San Francisco in 2011, opening its services and mobile app to the public after beta testing in May 2010. Initially, the application hailed black luxury cars, which cost about 1.5 times as much as a regular taxi. In response to San Francisco's taxi operators' objections, the company changed its name from UberCab to Uber in the same year. Uber's early team consisted of talented individuals from various fields, including a computational neuroscientist and a nuclear physicist who worked on enhancing the accuracy of Uber's car arrival predictions beyond what Google APIs offered. In the summer of 2012, Uber rolled out UberX. This budget-friendly alternative permitted drivers to use their cars provided they passed background checks and met insurance, registration and vehicle quality standards. UberX expanded to 35 cities within a few months, demonstrating its popularity among cost-conscious riders. In August 2014, Uber extended its services by introducing Uber Eats, a food delivery platform. It also unveiled a carpooling feature in the San Francisco Bay Area, which soon spread to other cities globally, enabling passengers to share rides and save on fares. Uber has faced legal action in several jurisdictions due to its classification of drivers as gig workers and independent contractors. Ridesharing companies like Uber have disrupted taxicab businesses and allegedly caused increased traffic congestion. Additionally, Uber has been criticized for various unethical practices, such as ignoring local regulations, some of which were revealed by the leak of the Uber Files between 2013 and 2017 under the leadership of Travis Kalanick. In August 2016, DiDi acquired Uber's business operations in China, and in exchange, Uber obtained an 18% equity stake in DiDi. DiDi also pledged to invest $1 billion in Uber as part of the agreement. Later that year, Uber purchased Ottomotto, a startup specializing in developing autonomous trucks. The acquisition was valued at $625 million, and the founder of Ottomotto, Anthony Levandowski, was previously accused of stealing trade secrets from his former employer, Waymo, to establish the company. In the same year, Uber also bought Geometric Intelligence, the cornerstone of "Uber AI," a department dedicated to exploring and researching AI technologies and machine learning. The Uber AI project disappeared in May 2020. Despite the controversies, Uber has committed to carbon neutrality globally by 2040, and by 2030, in most countries, rides will move exclusively to electric vehicles. The company has also formed various partnerships and acquisitions, such as with IT Taxi in Italy, Cornershop for grocery delivery and Postmates for alcohol delivery. Uber continues to expand its services and develop new offerings, such as Uber Works, Uber Green and Uber Eats. The company has recently announced plans to become an emission-free platform and is investing in self-driving cars. 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Bard Inc, CME America LLC, CME Ltd., CME Medical (UK) Limited, CME UK (Holdings) Limited, CRISI Medical Systems, CRISI Medical Systems Inc., Caesarea Medical Electronics, Cardal II LLC, Care Fusion Development Private Limited, CareFusion (Barbados) SrL, CareFusion (Shanghai) Commercial and Trading Co. Limited, CareFusion 213 LLC, CareFusion 2200 Inc., CareFusion 2201 Inc., CareFusion 302 LLC, CareFusion 303 Inc., CareFusion Asia (HK) Limited, CareFusion Corporation, CareFusion Corporation., CareFusion D.R. 203 Ltd., CareFusion France 309 S.A.S., CareFusion Israel 330 Ltd., CareFusion Italy 312 S.p.A., CareFusion Manufacturing LLC, CareFusion Mexico 215 S.A. de C.V., CareFusion Netherlands 328 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 503 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 504 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands Financing 283 C.V., CareFusion Resources LLC, CareFusion S.A. 319 (Proprietary) Limited, CareFusion Solutions LLC, CareFusion U.K. 244 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 305 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 306 Limited, Carmel Pharma AB, Carmel Pharma Inc, Cato Software Solutions, Cell Analysis Systems Inc, Cellular Research, Cellular Research Inc., Clearstream Technologies Group Limited, Clearstream Technologies Limited, Clontech Laboratories Inc, Corporativo BD de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Critical Device Corporation, Cubex, Cytognos, Cytopeia Inc, DLD (Bermuda) Ltd., DVL Acquisition Sub Inc., Davol Inc., Davol International Limited, Davol Surgical Innovations S.A. de C.V., Difco Laboratories Incorporated, Distribuidora BD Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dutch American Manufacturers (D.A.M.) B.V., Dymax Corporation, Embo Medical Limited, Enturia de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Enturican Inc., FJ International Inc., FlowCardia Inc., FlowCardia LLC, FlowJo LLC, Franklin Lakes Enterprises L.L.C., GSL Solutions, Gamer Lasertechnik GmbH, GenCell Biosystems, GenCell Biosystems Ltd., GeneOhm Sciences Canada ULC, GeneOhm Sciences Inc, Gentest Corporation, Gesco International Inc., Gesco International LLC, Glentech Inc, HandyLab Inc, HandyLab Inc., IBD Holdings LLC, Iontophoretics Corporation, JoHome LLC, Kabushiki Kaisha Medicon (Medicon Inc.), Liberator Health and Education Services Inc., Liberator Health and Wellness Inc., Liberator Medical Holdings Inc., Liberator Medical Supply Inc., Limited Liability Company Bard Rus, Loma Vista Medical Inc., Loma Vista Medical LLC, Luther Medical Products Inc, Lutonix Inc., Med-Design Corporation, Med-Design Investment Holdings Inc., Med-Safe Systems Inc, Med-Safe Systems Inc., MedChem Products Inc., Medafor Inc., Medegen LLC, Medinservice.com Inc., Medivance Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NOW Medical Distribution Inc., NOW Medical Distribution LLC, Navarre Biomedical LLC, Navarre Biomedical Ltd., Neomend Inc., Nippon Becton Dickinson Company Ltd., Omega Biosystems Incorporated, P.R.C. (Isialys) Societe a responsabilitie limitee, PT Becton Dickinson Indonesia, PharMingen, PharMingen., Plasso Technology Ltd, PreAnalytiX GmbH, Pristine Access Technologies Inc., ProSeed Inc., Procesos para Esterilizacion S.A. de C.V., Productos Bard de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Productos Para el Cuidado de la Salud S.A. de C.V., Puls Medical Devices AS LC, PureWick Corporation, Roberts Laboratories Inc., Rochester Medical Corporation, Rochester Medical Ltd., Saf-T-Med Inc, Safety Syringes Inc., Scanwell Health Inc., Sendal S.L.U., SenoRx Inc., SenoRx LLC, Shield Healthcare Centers Inc., Sirigen Group Limited, Sirigen II Limited, Sirigen Inc., Sistemas Medicos ALARIS S.A. de C.V., Specialized Cooperative Corporation, Specialized Health Products Inc., Specialized Health Products International Inc., Specialized Health Products International LLC, Staged Diabetes Management LLC, Straub Medical AG, Straub Medical AG, Surgical Site Solutions Inc., TVA Medical Inc, TVA Medical Inc., Tepha Inc, Tepha Inc., Tissuemed Ltd., Tri-County Medical & Ostomy Supplies Inc., TriPath Imaging Inc., Tru-Fit Marketing Corporation, Vas-Cath Incorporated, Vascular Pathways Inc., Velano Vascular, Velano Vascular Inc., Venclose Inc., Venetec International Inc., Venetec International LLC, Visitec, Y-Med Inc., Y-Med LLC, and ZebraSci Inc.. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of WPP: 24/7 Real Media UK Ltd., 41?29! Media Internet, AD Venture Worldwide Inc, AKQA, AKQA Denmark A/S, AKQA GmbH, AKQA Inc., AKQA Limited, AQuest, Acceleration, Acceleration eMarketing Inc, All Global, Always (Shanghai) Marketing Services Co Ltd, Arctouch LLC, BCW LLC, BWR PR, Beijing Benpao Century Technology Development Co. Ltd., Benenson Strategy Group LLC, Black and Deen, Blast Radius, Blast Radius Inc., Bomtempo Anahory e Ralha, Bottle Rocket, Bottle Rocket LLC, Brindfors Design AB, CB Associes S.A., CMI Media, CMI Media LLC, CONEXANCE MD, CT Finances SA, Catalyst Online LLC, Cavendish Square Holding BV, Center Partners, Cerebra, Cockpit Holdings Limited, Cognifide, Commarco, Commarco GmbH 120274, Cordiant Communications Group Limited, Dawson Integrated Marketing Communications, DeepLocal Inc., Design Bridge, Design Bridge Limited, Dewey Square Group, Ecommera, EffectiveUI, Enduring Organisation, Entreprise de Communications Tank Inc., Essence, Essence Global Group Limited, Essence Global LLC, Eurosem Belgium SA/NV, F.biz, FAST - Financial Administration Solutions & Technologies Srl, Finecast Limited, Finsbury LLC, Forward Limited, GREY Dusseldorf GmbH, GTB Agency LLC, GTB Shanghai Advertising Co. Ltd, GTB Stat LLC, GWE LLC, Geometry Global Japan GK, Geometry Global LLC, Geometry Global Limited, Glendinning Management Consultants, Go Direct Marketing Inc., Gorilla LLC, Grey, Grey Advertising Limited, Grey Global Group LLC, Group M France SAS, Group M Worldwide LLC, Group SJR LLC, GroupM (Shanghai) Advertising Co. Ltd, GroupM Argentina Trading S.A., GroupM B.V., GroupM Chile SAC, GroupM Competence Center GmbH, GroupM Denmark A/S, GroupM Japan KK, GroupM Limited, GroupM Market Advertising Co. Ltd., GroupM Media India Pvt Ltd, GroupM Pakistan (Private) Ltd, GroupM Singapore Pte Ltd, GroupM Srl, GroupM UK Digital Limited, Guangzhou Dawson Marketing Communication Co. Ltd, H-ART, HERING SCHUPPENER Consulting Strategieberatung fur Kommunikation GmbH, HeathWallace, Hill & Knowlton Limited, Hill and Knowlton Strategies LLC, Hirschen Group GmbH, Hogarth California LLC, Hogarth Worldwide Inc., Hogarth Worldwide Limited, Icon Brand Navigation Group, IntelliQuest Information Group Inc, International Meetings & Science LLC, J Walter Thompson Middle East and North Africa E.C., J Walter Thompson Publicidade Ltda, J.Walter Thompson Bridge Advertising Co. Ltd., John Street Inc., KBM Group LLC, KR Media UK Limited, KR Wavemaker SAS, Kantar TNS, Kinetic Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Kinetic Worldwide Limited, LLC GroupM, LLC Wavemaker, Landor LLC, M Media Group Pty Ltd, M2 Digital Inc., Marketeers Vietnam, Marketing Direct LLC, Marketing Perspectives Limited, Mather Direct GmbH, Maxus Communications (UK) Limited, Media Club SpA, Media Insight SNC, MediaCom - Warszawa Sp.z.o.o., MediaCom AS (Norway), MediaCom Agentur fur Media-Beratung GmbH, MediaCom Communications Pvt Ltd, MediaCom Danmark A/S, MediaCom Group Limited, MediaCom Istanbul Medya Hizmetleri A.S., MediaCom TWENTYFIVE GmbH, Mediacom AG, Mediacom Australia Pty Limited, Mediacom Canada, Mediacom Iberia SA, Mediacom Italia Srl, Mediacom LLC, Mediacom Middle East & North Africa Holding W.L.L., Mediacom North Limited, Mediacom Paris SA, Mediacom Worldwide LLC, Mediaedge:CIA Worldwide Limited, Mediaedge:cia India Pvt Ltd, Medialets, Memac Ogilvy & Mather Holding Inc, Mind Share Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., MindShare Canada, MindShare GmbH, MindShare Hong Kong Limited, MindShare Polska Sp. z.o.o., Mindshare Media UK Limited, Mindshare SA, Mindshare South Africa (Gauteng) (Proprietary) Limited, Mindshare SpA, Mindshare Spain SA, Mindshare USA LLC, Mirum LLC, Mirum S.A. de C.V., Motion Content Group Limited, OPR AGENCY PTY LIMITED, Ogilvy & Mather Brasil Comunicacao Ltda, Ogilvy & Mather Group (Holdings) Limited, Ogilvy & Mather Pvt Ltd, Ogilvy & Mather S.A.S, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide LLC, Ogilvy Australia Pty Ltd, Ogilvy Commonhealth Worldwide LLC, Ogilvy Public Relations GmbH, Ogilvy Singapore Pte. Ltd., Ootworld, OpenMindWorld LLC, P Four Consultancy, PTR Comunicacoes Ltda, Penn Schoen & Berland Associates LLC, Penn Schoen Berland, Pep LLC, Plano.Trio Comunicacao, Potato London Ltd, Premiere Group Holdings Limited, Prism Sport + Entertainment, Promotion Execution Partners LLC, Public Strategies Inc., Quasar Media Private, Quinn Gillespie & Associates, Quirk, RLM Finsbury, Rasor Holdings LLC, Ray + Keshavan Design Associates, Real Media, Red Fuse New York LLC, Regional Management Group SAS, Russell Square Holding BV, Salmon Limited, Salmon Ltd, Sandtable, Scangroup, Set Management LLC, Shanghai Easycom Advertising Co. Ltd., Shanghai Linjie Marketing Services Co. Ltd., Shanghai Ogilvy & Mather Advertising Ltd, Shire Hall Group, Spafax Airline Network Limited, Spafax Networks LLC, Stickleback Limited, Sudler & Hennessey LLC, Superunion Limited, Swift + POSSIBLE LLC, Syzygy AG, TMARC, Taxi, Taxi Inc., Team Garage LLC, The Brand Union, The Cocktail Global S.L., The Finsbury Group Limited, The Glover Park Group, The Glover Park Group LLC, The GroupM ESP Clever Company S.R.L. de C.V., The Lacek Group LLC, The Marketing & Communication Agency, The Ogilvy Group LLC, The Performers Group, The Young & Rubicam Group of Companies ULC, Triad Digital Media LLC, Twist Image, Two Circles, VML LLC, VMLY&R, WPP (Thailand) Ltd, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP AMC Holdings, WPP AUNZ, WPP Beans Limited, WPP Brands (UK) Limited, WPP Brands Development Holdings (UK) Limited, WPP Brands Holdings (UK) Limited, WPP Deutschland Holding GmbH & Co. KG, WPP Finance 2013, WPP Finance 2015 Limited, WPP Finance Co. Limited, WPP Finance SA, WPP Group (UK) Ltd, WPP Group Canada Finance Inc., WPP Group U.S. Finance LLC, WPP Group USA Inc., WPP Health Limited, WPP Holdings Spain S.L., WPP Jubilee Limited, WPP Luxembourg Gamma Three Sarl, WPP Luxembourg Sarl, WPP Luxembourg Turris S.a r.l., WPP Marketing Communications (Hong Kong) Limited, WPP Marketing Communications Germany GmbH, WPP Media Ltd, WPP Montagu Square LLC, WPP Mexico S.R.L. de C.V., WPP Ottawa Ltd, WPP Samson Limited, WPP Sigma Limited, WPP Sphinx Limited, WPP Square one B.V, WPP UK Germany Holdings, WPP Unicorn Limited, WPPIH 2001 Inc., Warwicks, Wavemaker A/S, Wavemaker Australia Pty Ltd, Wavemaker BV, Wavemaker Canada ULC, Wavemaker Czech s.r.o., Wavemaker Global LLC, Wavemaker Global Limited, Wavemaker GmbH, Wavemaker Hong Kong Limited, Wavemaker Hungary Kft, Wavemaker Italia S.r.l., Wavemaker Limited, Wavemaker MENA FZ LLC, Wavemaker Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Wavemaker Publicidad Spain S.L., Wavemaker Sp.z.o.o, Wavemaker Taiwan Ltd, Wavemaker Servicos Publicitarios Ltda, Who Digital, Witgoud Investments B.V., Worldwide Mediacom Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Wunderman A/S, Wunderman Thompson (UK) Limited, Wunderman Thompson LLC, XMKT Group, Xaxis LLC, Xaxis US LLC, Y&R Propaganda Ltda, Young & Rubicam, Young & Rubicam LLC, clarus digital, dBOD, groupm Germany GmbH & Co. KG, mPlatform LLC, plista GmbH, thjnk, and thjnk AG. Read More General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the Nigers National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, signed an order authorizing defense and security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to enter the territory of Niger in case of an attack against it, Azernews reports, citing TASS. On August 24, head of the caretaker government Ali Lamine Zeine met with ministerial delegations from Mali and Burkina Faso, the news agency reported. The delegations confirmed their desire to fight terrorism and extremism together with Niger, ANP said. Representatives of the three countries stressed "the need of strengthening cooperation mechanisms, intelligence data sharing and joint operations for purposes of increasing efficiency to counter the activity of terrorist groups," the news agency said. Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali agreed "to provide each other with capabilities for mutual defense and help in the sphere of defense and security in case of an aggression or terrorist attacks," ANP reported. This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows a view of an empty beach in Yotsukura Town of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. They are worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) TOKYO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. A live video provided by the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) showed a staff member turning on a seawater pump at around 1:00 p.m. local time (0400 GMT), marking the beginning of the controversial ocean discharge, while concerns and opposition persisted among local residents and fishermen as well as in neighboring countries and Pacific island nations. The radioactive wastewater has been diluted as planned before being discharged via an underwater tunnel 1 km from the plant, TEPCO said. INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION Shortly after Tokyo began discharging the water into the sea, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a nationally televised address that the South Korean government will strictly maintain import restrictions on Japan's fishery products, stressing that an easing or lifting of import restrictions on Japanese seafood, which South Korean people are concerned about, will never happen. He urged Tokyo to offer South Korea transparent and relevant information on the nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge that will continue for the next 30 years. In Seoul, 16 South Korean university students were arrested by police for attempting to enter the Japanese embassy in protest of Japan's dumping of the contaminated water. About 40 other fellow students held a press conference near the embassy against the discharge before being dispersed by the police. Civic and environmental groups held protests across South Korea on the same day, calling for a reversal of Japan's decision to release the water into the ocean, according to local media reports. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement that "China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We have made serious demarches to Japan and asked it to stop this wrongdoing." The Fukushima nuclear accident which took place 12 years ago was a major catastrophe that already caused the leakage of large amounts of radioactive substances into the ocean, the spokesperson said, adding that there could be a man-made secondary disaster to the local people and the whole world if Japan chooses to dump the water into the ocean just to serve Japan's selfish interests. On Thursday, China suspended imports of all seafood products from Japan, with the Chinese customs authorities saying they are greatly concerned about the risk of radiation contamination following the water's release and have strengthened restrictions on food imports from Japan to "protect the lives and health of the people." In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, several dozen demonstrators protested against the discharge in a rally held in front of the Consulate-General of Japan, with participants saying Japan is "selfish" and that "the ocean belongs to the whole world." Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare has condemned Japan's decision to dump the water. A press release from the Prime Minister's Press Secretariat earlier said Sogavare "delivered a strong statement against Japan's decision to release nuclear-treated water into our ocean which has an impact on our people, ocean, economy and livelihood." Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Matai Seremaiah said Japan's decision needed robust actions, urging polluters to "seriously consider other options." DOMESTIC OUTCRY Under scorching heat, hundreds of Japanese from all across the country gathered in front of the TEPCO headquarters in central Tokyo on Thursday morning, demanding that the Japanese government and TEPCO stop the release. Protesters, holding banners and placards with drawings of marine products and Godzilla, a radioactive sea monster depicted in a science fiction movie, chanted slogans of "No ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-tainted water" and "Stop polluting the sea with radioactive water." Taeko Fujimura, an official at Japan's National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, also known as Zen-Noh, said the ocean discharge "cannot be forgiven" and was "extremely unreasonable." "Have you now obtained the understanding of the relevant parties? Have you properly explained your actions to them?" Fujimura shouted amid the crowd of protesters. She told Xinhua that in Zen-Noh's previous talks with TEPCO, it clearly stated that apart from tritium, there are various other radioactive substances that will remain in the tainted water in large amounts even after the second round of the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treatment. Fujimura stressed that the ocean discharge will cause significant environmental damage. "It will pollute the sea, the marine life within it, the environment, and the Earth." "We, as the agricultural cooperative, cannot allow such destructive actions by TEPCO...We must stop the ocean discharge as soon as possible," she said. Among the protesters was Sachiko Uno, who told Xinhua that she had come to "stop them from polluting the ocean." "One of the world's top-level nuclear accidents occurred in Fukushima despite safety promises made by the government and TEPCO. Now, they have become the world's first by beginning to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. This is a 'double damage,'" said the 73-year-old woman. Uno is also worried about TEPCO's credibility. "It says the radioactivity concentration in the nuclear-contaminated water meets the standards, but I can't believe that at all. The reliability of the measuring instruments themselves is questionable," she said. "Our opposition to the discharge has not changed a bit," the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations said Thursday in a joint statement with a local group in Miyagi Prefecture, northeast Japan. "Fishermen throughout the country witnessing this moment have become more anxious," it said. On Wednesday, citizens from the prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi and Ibaraki announced that they will take the Japanese government and TEPCO to court to stop the release plan. Plaintiffs will formally file the lawsuit on Sept. 8 at the Fukushima District Court, arguing that the discharge would violate the fundamental principle that polluters are not allowed to spread harmful substances, and infringe upon people's right to a stable life. Legal representatives of the plaintiffs stated that both the Japanese authorities and TEPCO bear significant responsibilities for the Fukushima nuclear accident, and their current decision to intentionally release nuclear-contaminated water is a "double harm." CONCERNS OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater also sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. Yoshio Satomi runs a hot spring hotel with a history of more than 300 years in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. He told Xinhua on Wednesday that since the nuclear accident occurred 12 years ago, the number of guests from other places of Japan has decreased and it is even rarer to see foreign tourists. When asked if he is worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits, he said, "This time, such news spread all over the world, and it is Fukushima again. I feel very sad." Citing the latest local media poll that more than 70 percent of Fukushima residents believe that the government's explanation does not make them better understand the discharge plan, Satomi stressed that the government does not understand the concerns of the people of Fukushima Prefecture. Chiyo Oda, also an Iwaki citizen, told Xinhua via email that the Japanese government had made a hasty decision to discharge radioactive wastewater into the sea and violated its promise. "This is an atrocity that proceeded without sufficient explanation to the people." Haruo Ono, a 71-year-old fisherman in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, told Xinhua on Tuesday that "for us, the ocean discharge is a matter of survival. We have endured and survived these 12 or 13 years, but fishing levels have not yet returned to the level before the March 11 earthquake." "Under such circumstances, does Fumio Kishida, as the Prime Minister of Japan, have the right to pollute our workplaces?" the man asked. Ono further said that after the disaster, wholesalers at Tokyo's famous Tsukiji fish market were reluctant to purchase fish from Fukushima. "Once the ocean discharge starts, we are worried about whether the fish can still be sold," he said. TEPCO said it plans to carry out the first round of release over 17 days to discharge 7,800 tons of the radioactive wastewater. In the current fiscal year through next March, a total of 31,200 tons are slated for discharge, equivalent to the storage capacity of 30 tanks, it said. A person is seen at a beach in Yotsukura Town of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. They are worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows a view of an empty dining room in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. They are worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) This photo taken on Aug. 22, 2023 shows a view of Tsurishihama beach covered with weeds in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. They are worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) This photo taken on Aug. 22, 2023 shows a view of Tsurishihama beach covered with weeds in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. They are worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) This photo taken on Aug. 22, 2023 shows a warning board at Tsurishihama beach in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater sparked waves of anger among local people in Fukushima, especially the fishermen and business owners. They are worried that the release would lead to a further decline in tourist visits. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. Xi co-chaired with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue here on Thursday. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Thursday delivered a keynote speech at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue and urged China and Africa to join hands for modernization. China is willing to launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, which will support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realizing industrialization and economic diversification, Xi said. The initiative stressed that through the nine programs under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Belt and Road cooperation and the Global Development Initiative, China will channel more resources of assistance, investment and financing toward programs for industrialization. China will launch the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization, Xi said, adding that China will help Africa expand grain plantation and encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investment in Africa. The plan aims at helping Africa achieve food self-sufficiency and independent sustainable development, promote food production in Africa, effectively boost Africa's ability to safeguard its food security, and help it reach related goals in agricultural modernization. China will host the second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture in Hainan this November, said Xi, adding that China will provide additional emergency food assistance to some African countries in need to help Africa tackle the current food crisis. China will also launch the plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, planning to train 500 principals and high-caliber teachers of vocational colleges, and 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa every year, Xi said. In 2013, Xi announced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China's Africa policy. "Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle," Xi said. The Chinese president noted that China is pursuing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, while Africa is making all-out efforts to build a new Africa that enjoys peace, unity, prosperity and strength. Xi called on China and Africa to work together to create a sound environment for realizing their respective development visions by promoting just and equitable international order, practising true multilateralism and unequivocally opposing vestiges of colonialism and hegemonism in all forms. China is ready to work with Africa to implement the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate the resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and cooperation, facilitate the political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues, and safeguard world peace and stability, he said. The Chinese president also said China and Africa should work together to build an open and inclusive world economy, advocating for the building of an open world economy, where developing countries are better involved in the international division of labor and share the fruits of economic globalization. "We should overcome estrangement between civilizations through exchanges, promote inclusiveness and mutual learning between civilizations," Xi said. Noting that there are various paths leading to modernization, Xi said that the African people have the most say on which path suits Africa best, and advancing modernization through integration is the independent choice made by African countries and people. Looking ahead, China will work with Africa to enhance the synergy of their development strategies, and will continue to support Africa in speaking with one voice on international affairs to keep improving its international standing, Xi said. China will also work actively at the G20 summit next month to support the African Union's full membership in the group, Xi said, adding that China supports making special arrangements on the UN Security Council reform to meet Africa's aspiration as a priority. Chinese President Xi Jinping co-chairs with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan] Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with participants attending the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 24, 2023. Xi co-chaired with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue here on Thursday. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] (Source: Xinhua) Weather Alert ...FREEZE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Temperatures dropping into the mid to upper 20s. * WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From Monday evening through Tuesday morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing. && BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan's release of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean seriously jeopardized the rights and interests of the marine environment and undermined the security and development interests of the global nuclear energy industry, said China's atomic energy authority Thursday. The China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) said in a statement that the move by the Japanese government gravely undermined the authority and credibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA's evaluation of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan was conducted upon Japan's unilateral request, which in nature is technical assistance and advisory evaluation, has no international legal effect, and cannot give Japan any legitimacy or justice to its nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan, the agency stressed. The Japanese government has been wantonly using the comprehensive assessment report released by the IAEA last month to hype up the safety and harmlessness of nuclear-polluted water, which is selfish and irresponsible, and shows a total disregard for international public interests, the CAEA added. "China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this action. The Japanese government should immediately stop this erroneous move," the CAEA said. The Fukushima nuclear accident 12 years ago has already released many radioactive materials into the sea. Japan should not again harm the people of neighboring countries and even the world out of its own interests, said the statement. The CAEA said Japan should never discharge the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean without providing credible evidence on the legitimacy of the decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, the reliability of purification devices, the authenticity of source data and the environmental impact, without obtaining the understanding of stakeholders (including its neighboring countries), and without establishing long-term monitoring and on-site supervision arrangements led by the IAEA and recognized by all stakeholders. People gather in Busan, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2023, to protest against Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater. (NEWSIS via Xinhua) BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The global community should be alarmed by Japan's release of nuclear-contaminated water into our shared ocean, and the country must be urged to reconsider this unjustified and irresponsible action. The Japanese government, in disregard of strong criticism and opposition from the international community, unilaterally started releasing the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean on Thursday. As a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has said, its impact goes beyond Japan's borders, and the issue is by no means a private matter for Japan. The Fukushima nuclear accident is one of the world's most serious nuclear disasters to date. As a result, the contaminated water is known to have more than 60 radioactive elements, known as radionuclides, which makes its discharge completely different from the normal operation of nuclear power plants. No viable technology exists to effectively treat such a multitude of nuclides, and certain long-lived variants might disperse through ocean currents, leading to unforeseeable repercussions for marine ecology and human health. The Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), Japan's key facility for treating nuclear-contaminated water that was put into trial operation in March 2013, has frequently experienced malfunctions. The world needs to know how to ensure the efficacy and reliability of ALPS as the facility ages. Not only the volume of nuclear-contaminated wastewater in the plant is substantial and its composition is complex, but the disposal timeframe will last for an unprecedented duration. The lack of credibility and scientific assessment has cast doubts on the rationale behind Japan's 30-year release plan, and proceeding with the plan unilaterally without sincere international engagement would set an even more dangerous precedent at a time when the planet, particularly its oceans, is facing numerous challenges and threats. Japan should have actively engaged and gathered input from all stakeholders, including domestic fishermen and the neighboring countries around the Pacific Ocean region. But it never intends to have thorough consultations with other concerned parties. Japan "rationalizes" its release plan with only the safety assessment conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but the assessment has quite evident limitations and faces allegations of biases. The IAEA cannot prove that the ocean discharge plan is the only and optimal option for treating the nuclear-contaminated water. China urges the Japanese side to consider the international community's concerns, execute the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water in a scientific, secure and transparent manner, and accept strict international supervision. The release of nuclear-contaminated water must cease unless a transparent monitoring system is in place. By dumping the water into the ocean, Japan is spreading the risks to the rest of the world and passing an open wound onto the future generations of humanity. Gaadi, Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanages ninth feature, was finally released in Colombo early this year and then screened in cinemas across the country. The film had been shown two and three years earlier at various international film festivals, winning awards in Dhaka, Chennai and at Brisbanes Asia-Pacific Screen Festival, but its Sri Lankan release was delayed by COVID-19. Tikiri (Dinara Punchihewa) and Vijayaa (Sajitha Anthony). [Photo: Sanjaya Mendis/Gaadi] Written and directed by Vithanage, Gaadi is set during the last year of the feudal Kandy kingdom in the early nineteenth century as British colonialism made its final effort to take control of the entire island. The 103-minute movie explores the brutality of caste oppression, centring on a complex relationship between Vijayaa (Sajitha Anthony), a member of the Gaadi caste, and Tikiri (Dinara Punchihewa), a young woman from the ruling Kandy aristocracy. Although Tikiri has very little dialogue Punchihewas depiction is convincing and portrayed through subtle facial expressions and body language. The Gaadi were the lowest caste in Kandyan society, the feudal kingdom that emerged in the early 15th century and which came to dominate the central and eastern interior of the island. Gaadi, which means Children of the Sun, held a similar social position to the Dalits or the untouchables in Hindu India. According to ethnographic records, the Gaadi worshiped the goddess Ratnawalli and Vithanages use of their dialect, music and dancing provides the film with important allure and authenticity. The Kandy aristocracy and other upper castes referred to the Gaadi as Rodiya (Refused) and subjected them to harsh discrimination. Gaadi caste members, who were banned from growing crops or drawing water from public wells, survived by hunting, forest foraging and begging. Strict caste laws demanded, among other things, that the Gaadi, men and women alike, should not wear any clothing above their waists. The movie begins with Sinhalese noblemen Ehelepola Adigara (Ravindra Randeniya) and Bulathgama Dissave (Shyam Fernando) conspiring with British emissary John DOyly (Mohamed Adamaly) to depose Sri Wikrama Rajasingha, the then Kandy king who was of south Indian origin. DOyly claims that he is only interested in expanding trade and pledges to support Ehelepola as the new king. The plot fails, however, and the scheming noblemen go into hiding. The king orders severe punishment of the wives of the plotting noblemen. This includes Tikiri, Bulathgama Dissaves teenage wife. Under feudal law, these women can only preserve their honour by publicly committing suicide. If they fail to do so they must become wives of Gaadi men. John DOyly (Mohamed Adamaly) plotting with Ehelepola Adigara (Ravindra Randeniya). [Photo: Sanjaya Mendis/Gaadi] In one of Gaadis most emotionally powerful scenes, the victimised high-caste women, each wearing red-flower garlands and a huge stone tied around their necks, are lined up on a pier jutting out into a river. One by one and beginning with the oldest, they drop into the deep water and disappear, their red garlands slowly bubbling to the surface. Tikiri, the last in line, walks to the edge but then turns back, refusing to jump. This is a signal to a group of young Gaadi men who have been forewarned by feudal authorities to assemble on the other side of the river. Knowing that the first Gaadi man to get to the teenage girl can marry her, they furiously swim across. Vijayaa is the first to reach the other side and claims her. Vithanages film then focuses its attention on the social complexities confronting the two protagonists as they attempt to deal with their own pre-conceptions of each other and the harsh realities of life for the Gaadi and other lower castes. Tikiris refusal to commit suicide is a courageous act, challenging this brutal convention and by implication other feudal codes, including the treatment of women like chattel slaves. The young woman cannot, however, shake off her own aristocratic upbringing and its ingrained caste prejudices. She repulses all Vijayaas overtures, resisting any suggestion that she is now his wife, and rejecting other Gaadi social codes. Tikiris resistance creates tensions within the clan, which now faces more repression from other sections of the nobility. Vijayaa is transfixed with the beautiful young woman but decides that they must leave, assuring the clan leader that he will rejoin only after he has convinced her to accept Gaadi traditions. Members of Vijayaa's clan. [Photo: Sanjaya Mendis/Gaadi] What follows is a series of interweaving episodes as the penniless Vijayaa and Tikiri, at odds with the customs of their respective castes, attempt to survive in the wilds and find somewhere safe. Notwithstanding his physical strength and energy, Vijayaa is a gentle young man with a poetic sensibility. He protects her from the natural hazards of the jungle while providing food, clothing and shelter. In a fireside night scene, he dances and sings a Ratnawalliye poem as she lies listening inside a temporary hut that he constructed for her. The song refers to Tikiri as a goddess and calls on her to descend from the tree of caste prejudices. The couple initially interact with a poor and badly injured farmer who agrees to pay Vijayaa to catch wild buffalo but this hopeful prospect fails after they are later attacked and tortured by three other suspicious farmers. Vijayaa and Tikiri briefly assist a fleeing nobleman and his entourage. They are captured by British troops and their local hirelings who have been terrorising and destroying local villages opposing the invasion. Vijayaa and Tikiri, who get away as the British are preparing to shoot the nobleman, eventually reunite with Vijayaas clan. Gaadi does not indicate how the British and their local allies overturn the king. Its aftermath is portrayed though in a victory ceremony organised by colonial emissary DOyly. The event is attended by two British military officers, along with Ehelepola Adigara and other high-caste collaborators. The ceremony involves a performance of traditional songs and dances by Gaadi women, with Vijayaa, Tikiri and other clan members in attendance. Tikiri recognises Dissave, her former husband, seated on the victory platform. She stands up and stares at him, perhaps hoping that she will be acknowledged and reunited with her family. He responds by ordering his thugs to remove her. Vijayaa is viciously attacked when he tries to protect her. DOyly, who is infatuated by the dancers, is puzzled by the violent fight, and asks Adigara what has caused it. This is what happens, Adigara contemptuously replies, when you invite outcasts to perform. Outcasts are like dust. If you play with them, you get dirty, he says. This chilling response foreshadows a terrible turn of events for the Gaadi clan, a tragedy that only Vijayaa and Tikiri survive. The scene is reminiscent of the violent pogroms unleashed by the countrys political elites against Tamils and other oppressed layers. For this writer it recalled the brutal attacks on Tamils living in Colombo by Sinhala thugs in 1983. The films end titles state that Britain repudiated its previous promises to the Kandy noblemen and made Ceylon a colony on February 15, 1815. A few decades later the British abolished the duty system based on caste, the end titles say, and that the Gaadi integrated themselves with other lower strata of society. But as the film makes clear, Vijayaa and Tikiri, both exiles from their former caste positions, face an uncertain future. Towards the end of the film, Vijayaa, with Tikiri a few yards further back, stands on the edge of large rock that overlooks a huge valley. It metaphorically suggests that even though they have risen above their caste divisions, the world beneath, where they must make a life together, remains torn by harsh and unforgiving social divisions. Importantly, Gaadi punctures the mythology of contemporary Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinists who claim that a supreme culture prevailed in Sri Lanka until the British took control. Contrary to these claims, the film reveals the harsh reality of life for the lower castes who were treated as sub-humans and frequently subjected to violent persecution and even murder. Vithanage is well known for his sensitive explorations of class relations and communalist divisions in contemporary Sri Lanka (see: The Walls Within, Death on the Full-Moon Day, August Sun and With You Without You). His examination of the countrys feudal period and how caste and other artificial identities poison human relationshis first dramatic history filmmaintains this intelligent and vital approach. Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand on stage before a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee. [AP Photo/Morry Gash] Wednesday nights Republican debate, the first in the campaign for the partys presidential nomination, showed the face of a party that is fascist in all but name. The Republican Party is not simply moving to the right, it has reached a new stage defined largely by ex-president Donald Trump and the fascist thugs who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in the first major coup attempt in US history. Trump, of course, did not attend the debate, citing his 40-point advantage over his rivals in current opinion polls. The eight candidates who took the stage in Milwaukee followed his example, however, in a deeply degrading spectacle characterized by constant shouted interruptions, mutual mudslinging, and the advocacy of one position after another that would, only a few decades ago, have been considered the province of ultra-right fringe groups like the John Birch Society and the Ku Klux Klan. It is pointless to analyze the debate as though it was an exchange of political views or an exploration of policy differences. To one degree or another, all the candidates conformed to the Trump playbook, based on one of the few books he has read, the speeches of Adolf Hitler: fascist demagogy, reframed for American circumstances, with a mixture of religious fundamentalism, anti-immigrant nativism and anti-intellectual backwardness. It is impossible to exaggerate the level of stupidity and ignorance on display, expressed in hackneyed phrases, reactionary sound bites, and a visceral hatred of the working class, voiced by one candidate after another. Senator Tim Scott said the solution to the crisis in education was to break the backs of the teachers unions, by which he meant crushing the teachers themselves, who have engaged in massive strikes, not the stooge unions run by millionaire bureaucrats and CIA agents. Former Governor Chris Christie said that the teachers unions were the biggest enemy of America, and boasted that he had slashed public employee pensions during his eight years in office in New Jersey. Former Vice President Mike Pence declared that he was the only candidate willing to state openly that there had to be major cuts in Social Security and Medicare. None of the others on the stage indicated opposition to this proposal, which would devastate tens of millions of retired and disabled workers. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for shooting migrants stone cold dead to stop them crossing the US-Mexico border, and said that he would dispatch US Special Forces into Mexico on his first day as presidentin effect, the invasion of Mexico by the US military. IT multimillionaire Vivek Ramaswamy condemned all measures taken to protect working people during the COVID-19 pandemiceffectively arguing that the current policy of letting the virus run rampant should have been adopted from Day One. And he called climate change a hoax, in response to a question that cited record heat waves, wildfires and unprecedented rainfall events. On abortion, the candidates differed only on how far the attack on the democratic rights of women could be taken, given the overwhelming popular support for these rights, expressed in referendums in Kansas, Ohio, Michigan and other states. Most supported a national ban on abortions. Senator Scott declared, We cannot let states like California, New York and Illinois have laws protecting abortion rights. The moderators from Fox News waited until the second hour of the debate to raise the issue of Trump and his attack on democracy, and their questions were phrased in the easiest terms for the candidates on the stage. Would they support Trump if he won the nomination but were convicted of a felony charge? Did they think Pence had done the right thing on January 6, when he refused to try to block certification of Trumps election defeat? These questions notably avoided a far more direct posing of the issue: Did the Republican primary hopefuls believe that the 2020 election had been stolen, as Trump claims incessantly? Did they plan to challenge the legitimacy of the 2024 election should the Republican candidate lose? None of the candidates raised this issue either. They sought to cover up the significance of the attack on American democracy and have it both ways, endorsing Pences conduct on January 6, when he declined Trumps request to violate the US Constitution, and backing Trumps legitimacy as an eventual nominee, even if he were convicted of felony crimes linked to his political coup. Despite the various prosecutions, in Atlanta and Washington D.C., on Trumps actions to overturn the 2020 elections, the conspiracies against democracy are ongoing. Trump indicated as much in his interview with fascist former Fox commentator Tucker Carlson, conducted on Carlsons webcast. He hailed the January 6 rioters while agreeing to Carlsons suggestion that America was moving towards civil war. He described Democratic Party leaders as savage animals. They are people that are sick. Really sick. Trump has a wide lead in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination, according to opinion polls, and is competitive with Biden in the general election. His entire campaign is based on bogus claims that the 2020 election was stolen, that he was the rightful victor, and that his election in 2024 will be followed by a campaign of retribution against his political opponents. How is it possible that this would-be fascist ruler, not even three years after a failed attempt to overthrow the Constitution and establish himself as a dictator-president, now has a viable perspective of returning to power? This is entirely the responsibility of the Biden White House and congressional Democrats, who have devoted themselves since 2021 to saving the Republican Party and maintaining the capitalist two-party system, the political instrument of the corporate ruling elite. They have limited the investigations into January 6 to the personal role of Trump and his immediate circle, protecting both the congressional Republicans and powerful sections of the military-intelligence apparatus that acted in sympathy with the coup. While Trump and the Republicans are preparing fascistic attacks on the working class, Biden and the Democrats offer nothing but war with Russia in Ukraine and the buildup towards war with China, both of them posing the danger of World War III. This is combined with an internal war against the working class, in which Biden utilizes the union bureaucracy to suppress the class struggle and impose cuts in wages, benefits and jobsthe sacrifices required to pay the costs of war and militarism. The Democrats and Republicans are both parties of the financial aristocracy. The struggle against Trump and the threat of fascism cannot be waged through pressure on the Democratic Party or support for any Democratic Party politician, including Biden in 2024. It requires the independent mobilization of the working class, both in the United States and internationally, on the basis of a socialist and antiwar program. Shortly before 7:45 p.m. local time, ex-President Donald Trump surrendered to arrest at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump, booked as inmate No. P01135809, is facing 13 felony charges and is accused of engaging in a criminal enterprise to overturn the 2020 election, along with 18 other co-conspirators. Among his co-defendants are former White House Chief of Staff and congressman Mark Meadows and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Ex-President Donald Trumps mugshot on August 24, 2023. [Photo: Fulton County sheriff's office] As of this writing, 12 of the 19 defendants in the case brought by Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis have turned themselves in. Prior to Trumps booking, Meadows turned himself in and was released on a $100,000 bond. Mugshot of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. [Photo: Fulton County sheriff's office] The treatment of Meadows shows the strictly limited character of the Georgia investigation, as well as the federal investigation by Special Counsel Jack Smith in Washington, which indicted only Trump while naming Meadows as an unindicted co-conspirator. Neither in Atlanta nor in Washington was there any mention of a very prominent link between Meadows and the fake elector schemes run in Georgia and six other battleground states after the 2020 election. It was Virginia Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who texted Meadows constantly over the scheme and implored state legislators in many states to appoint pro-Trump electors. Virginia Thomas sent out dozens of emails to these state legislators in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 elections by inducing Republican-controlled legislatures to approve Trump electors and send their names to Washington, rather than the names of the Biden electors actually chosen by the voters. Virginia Thomas was not mentioned in either indictment, nor is she one of the unnamed unindicted co-conspirators, since she does not fit the descriptions offered by the prosecutors. She also went unmentioned in the report of the House Select Committee into the January 6 attack. This silence is a demonstration of the efforts of the Democratic Party and the Biden administration to focus the investigation on Trump and his immediate circle, while protecting wider sections of the Republican Party and the military-intelligence apparatus. On Thursday, Harrison Floyd, the former director of Black Voice for Trump, also surrendered at the jail. Floyd did not have a previous bond agreement and is still being held inside the jail. Floyd was charged earlier this year with assaulting an FBI agent. According to CNN this past May, Floyd shoved the agent as the FBI was attempting to serve him with a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury in Washington D.C. This is the fourth time this year that Trump, the Republican front-runner for president, has been indicted on criminal charges, although this is the first time a mug shot was taken. Within minutes of his mug shot being released, the Trump campaign blasted the image to his email list requesting donations. Prior to Trumps numerous indictments, no US president had ever been criminally charged. Of course, prior to Trump, no US president, with the support of his party and vast sections of the police-military-intelligence apparatus and US Supreme Court, had ever launched a coup that culminated in a fascist mob storming the US Capitol. The Fulton County Jail, where Trump was briefly booked, is currently under a Justice Department investigation over its deplorable and inhumane conditions. A recent investigation by Business Insider found that in just over the past three years, 23 people died in custody at the jail, peaking at four deaths in one week and two deaths in one day. Last September, revolting images emerged from inside the jail showing the corpse of LaShawn Thompson riddled with bugs and lesions. Thompson, who had not been convicted of a crime when he was left to rot inside his cell last year, was one of 14 inmates who died inside of Fulton County jail in 2022. Lashawn Thompson after spending three months in Fulton County Jail. [Photo: Michael D. Harper, Esq] While Thompson, who was only accused of a misdemeanor, was left inside a bug-infested cell for months after he was arrested, Trump, facing multiple felonies that culminated in the deaths of several people on January 6, 2021, only spent approximately 22 minutes inside the jail. After getting his fingerprints and mug shot taken, Trump returned to his motorcade, which used a back entrance to enter and exit the facility, departing as quickly as it came. By 8:30 p.m., Trump was already back on his plane heading home to his estate in New Jersey. In campaign rallies and on social media, Trump constantly complains about a two-tiered justice system. However, the lightning speed with which Trump was processed through the notorious Fulton County Jail is a testament to the real two-tier class-based justice system in the US. Trumps arrest was anything but the normal dehumanizing, degrading and deadly experience afforded to workers and their families. Seeking to maximize political publicity, Trumps campaign coordinated with the Fulton County District Attorneys office to ensure his booking took place during prime time television viewing. Throughout the afternoon and evening, the major television networks breathlessly reported Trumps movements and social media posts. After Trump landed in Atlanta, reporters from the networks embedded themselves in Trumps extensive motorcade, which featured dozens of police officers lining the street to the jail, along with a motorcycle and black SUV convoy/escort. Despite Trumps repeated calls for protests outside the jail, only a few dozen fanatical fascists braved the scorching Georgia sun for a glimpse of their leader. Among them were failed Florida congressional candidate Laura Loomer and current Georgia Representative and QAnon advocate Marjorie Taylor Greene. Before departing for New Jersey after his booking, Trump gave a brief interview on the tarmac. While careful to avoid violating the conditions of his bond, Trump railed against the prosecution, claiming that it was a travesty of justice and election interference. As he does in every interview and campaign speech, Trump claimed that 2020 election was rigged and stolen and that he did nothing wrong. Earlier Thursday it was revealed that Trump had hired a new local lawyer, Steve Sadow, to head his criminal defense in Atlanta. Sadow has previously defended high-profile rappers, such as Usher, Rick Ross, T.I. and Gunna, the latter of whom recently faced a RICO case in Fulton County. In a statement issued Thursday, Sadow said that Trump should have never been indicted and that he was innocent against all the charges brought against him. Prior to his booking, Trump attacked radical left, lowlife District Attorney Willis and boasted of the claimed millions of views his pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson accumulated on Twitter/X. In his interview with the fascistic former Fox News commentator, Trump doubled down on his attacks against his political opponents, referring to the Democrats as savage animals that are sick. Asked by Carlson if he thought America was moving towards civil war? Trump replied, There is tremendous passion. There is tremendous love. Defending the failed coup, Trump called January 6 a very interesting day that was not reported properly. Trump mused, There was love in that crowd. There was love! And unity. I have never seen such spirit and such passion and such love. And I have also never seen simultaneously and from the same people such hatred of what they have done to our country. Pressed by Carlson if he thought open conflict was possible, Trump added, I dont know. ... I can say this. There is a level of passion I have never seen, there is a level of hatred that I have never seen. And that is probably a bad combination. Macquarie University Vice Chancellor Professor S. Bruce Dowton. [Photo: Macquarie University Meet the Vice-Chancellor] To Vice Chancellor Professor S. Bruce Dowton, The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) is writing to you to demand the affiliation of our club at Macquarie University, which has been blocked despite having fulfilled all the requirements months ago. On May 3, the IYSSE held a successful Annual General Meeting to reaffiliate our club. The IYSSE had previously been a registered club for 12 years, before being removed in a bureaucratic, anti-democratic cull in 2022 that saw the elimination of 45 percent of clubs. In response to our successful AGM this year, Paul McKay of Macquarie University managements Student Engagement, Inclusion & Belonging division wrote on May 29 to inform the IYSSE that it would not be affiliated. The decision was made on the false grounds that the IYSSE shares the same aim and purpose as the Macquarie Socialistsa club linked to the pseudo-left, pro-imperialist Socialist Alternative. The IYSSE has thoroughly exposed the fraudulence of this assertion. Macquarie Socialists themselves have publicly stated that they reject the claim that we share the same aim and purpose as IYSSE. No organisation outside university management asserts that the IYSSE and Macquarie Socialists share the same aims and purpose. The false grounds for the refusal to affiliate the IYSSE have been thoroughly refuted, yet university management maintains its block on our affiliation and has erected a wall of silence in the face of the IYSSEs exposures. McKay responded to the IYSSEs exposure of the lying pretence used to block the clubs affiliation by stating that the application has been closed. The IYSSE launched a campaign against this censorship in May. Nearly 600 have signed a petition against the attack on our club. Dozens of Australian youth, academics, Macquarie University researchers and students and alumni, US high school students, and IYSSE chapters internationally have submitted powerful letters protesting the universitys block on the IYSSE. The letters have simply been ignored by the Student Engagement department, in a move that not only speaks to a contempt for democratic rights, but that also undermines the standing of Macquarie University in Australia and internationally. In his last email, dismissing the IYSSE, McKay instructed it to check the outcome of your formal complaint for additional details. But the complaint, submitted by the IYSSE to the relevant university body, has met with a similar response. According to Macquarie Universitys Complaints, Appeals and Discipline divisions online information, formal complaints result in an initial assessment within 20 days of lodging your complaint regarding next steps. More than 70 days after the IYSSE lodged a complaint, we have received no next steps. Students are entitled to ask: does this complaints department even exist? Does it have employees? If so, what exactly do they do? Is its purpose to investigate and address complaints, where appropriate, or to ignore, stymie and block them until the complainant goes away in discouragement? That at least two university bodies, which are nominally separate, are working in tandem to stonewall the IYSSE raises the question as to whether this political censorship is university policy. Such a policy of political censorship would contradict Macquarie Universitys Ethics Statement which claims the university is committed to the promotion of equality of opportunity, acting justly, and holding university members accountable. It is beholden upon you, therefore, to clarify this situation. Either Macquarie University supports political censorship, and its statements about inclusion and equality are a sham aimed at drumming up enrolments. Or you adhere to basic civil liberties and will affiliate our club forthwith. In addition, basic issues of transparency, which the university also claims to uphold, are at stake. We demand to know which members of Macquarie University management have been involved in discussions on the IYSSEs affiliation. Have any members of the university executive, including you, Vice Chancellor Dowton, been involved in these discussions? Less than two months before the university barred the IYSSE, we held a meeting at Macquarie University opposing the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. Right-wing Ukrainian nationalists attempted to prevent the IYSSE from holding that event. What were the discussions in the university management around the IYSSEs April 4 meeting? That meeting was part of an international series organised by the IYSSE warning of the escalating threat of a nuclear third world war. In every country, the meetings have come under attack from far-right, nationalist forces. In this context, the IYSSE has provided an explanation for Macquarie University's censorship: it is an attempt to shut down the only organisation advancing an anti-war perspective, under conditions of an explosion of militarism threatening a global catastrophe. As the IYSSE has explained, the conflict in Ukraine is a US-NATO proxy war against Russia. The war was stoked and prepared by Washington, which is exploiting it to advance the longstanding aim of inflicting a catastrophic defeat on Russia. This is viewed as an essential step in the drive to war against China, which has been identified as the chief obstacle to US global dominance. The IYSSE opposes the reactionary capitalist oligarchy in Russia, along with the Stalinist regime that long ago restored the profit system in China. We advance an independent, socialist perspective based upon the unity of the working class in a struggle against the source of war, the capitalist system itself. The ruling elites know that given a fair hearing, such a perspective can win substantial support, as it has at key turning points in history before. That is why the IYSSE has come under attack. The Macquarie University leadership must immediately rescind its political censorship and affiliate the IYSSE. Failure to do so, or to reply in a timely fashion to this email, can only be interpreted by students as a tacit admission that our explanation for your refusal to affiliate the IYSSE is accurate. Sincerely, The IYSSE at Macquarie University Email: iysseaus@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/IYSSEaustralia Twitter: @IysseA Instagram: @iysse.aus Over the past two months, it has become clear that Ukraines offensive, promoted relentlessly by the US media as a turning point in the war, has produced a bloody disaster. Russian officials claim tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the offensive, while Kiev does not even keep a public count. Ukraines armed forces have not achieved any meaningful breakthrough, and their territorial gains are almost impossible to see when viewed on a map of the entire country. In response to this obvious debacle, the Biden administration and the Pentagon have publicly claimedin the form of anonymous statements to the US mediathat the failure of the offensive has been due to the Ukrainian militarys unwillingness to carry out suicide charges. In an article titled Ukraines Forces and Firepower Are Misallocated, U.S. Officials Say, the New York Times reports complaints by the White House and Pentagon that Ukraine is returning to its old ways of wearing down Russian forces with artillery and long-range missiles instead of plunging into minefields under fire. It adds, American planners have advised Ukraine to concentrate on the front driving toward Melitopol, Kyivs top priority, and on punching through Russian minefields and other defenses, even if the Ukrainians lose more soldiers and equipment in the process. In other words, US officials cited by the Times accuse Ukraine of reluctance to sacrifice the lives of its soldiers, under conditions in which hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian troops have already been killed. In the Times account, the US is urging Ukraine to focus all its forces on a massive charge against the heavily mined Russian lines, similar to the early weeks of the counteroffensive when such tactics resulted in catastrophic losses. The Times description of the dangers Ukrainian forces face is harrowing. The fighting is taking place on mostly flat, unforgiving terrain, which favors the defenders. The Russians are battling from concealed positions that Ukrainian soldiers often only notice when very close. Hours after Ukrainians clear a field of mines, the Russians sometimes fire another rocket, scattering more mines in the same location. The report concludes, Only with a change of tactics and a decisive move can the counteroffensives pace change, said one U.S. official. Reflecting on the Times article, chairman of the WSWS international editorial board David North remarked on Twitter, A clear indicator of the Ukrainian counter-offensives disastrous failure is the blame game. The emerging narrative is that the Ukrainian regime didnt heed US advice. In truth, Ukraines misfortune stems from adhering strictly to US recommendations. The statements by US officials to the New York Times were reiterated in a Wall Street Journal article entitled U.S., Ukraine Clash Over Counteroffensive Strategy, which alleges that Washington has expressed serious frustration with Ukraines strategy. One official lamented, We built up this mountain of steel for the counteroffensive. We can't recreate it... Its gone. The Wall Street Journal reiterates the primary US grievance that the Ukrainian military is too cautious with its troops lives. Keeping casualties low is necessary to maintain their long-term combat ability, the Ukrainians argue. However, U.S. officials believe the Ukrainians limited attacks on small fronts hamper the offensive, the Journal writes. In an earlier article titled Ukrainian Troops Trained by the West Falter in Battle published on August 2, the Times elucidated the USs motivations in calling for extensive rushes against fortified defensive positions. The article reads, The Americans advocated combined arms tacticscoordinated attacks by infantry, armor, and artillery forces. Western officials praised this method as more efficient than the expensive strategy of wearing down Russian forces through attrition, which could drain Ukraines ammunition supplies. In a perspective earlier this month, the World Socialist Web Site wrote, Given the ammunition shortage, US officials have advocated frequent attacks on Russian trenches, leading to countless casualties. Evidently, American generals view Ukrainian lives as more expendable than ammunition. Even as the US and NATO increasingly acknowledge the Ukrainian counteroffensives futility, they are ramping up weapons deliveries to the country. On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed it would commence F-16 fighter jet training for Ukrainian pilots in October. Simultaneously, Norway announced Thursday its intention to dispatch its own F-16 fighters to Ukraine, joining the Netherlands and Denmark. As the scale of the carnage becomes evident, the US media insists on an endless war in Ukraine. Earlier this week, the Washington Post published an editorial titled War in Ukraine has raged for 18 months. Prepare for more. Noting Nearly half a million casualties, including almost 200,000 dead, the Post dismisses any peaceful settlement of the war. No end to the slaughter is foreseeable, it declares. The editorial ends, The conflict could persist for yearsintensifying, subsiding, or stalling. In an op-ed in the same newspaper, General David Petraeus, who before the offensive asserted that a decisive breakthrough would occur within days, contends that the right response to the debacle is to intensify the conflict. The USs provision of over $44 billion in arms, ammunition, and support has been commendable. But we must do more and with greater urgency. The time to act is now. A private jet that reportedly carried the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Evgeny Prigozhin, along with six top commanders and three crew members, crashed on Wednesday, August 23, in the Russian Tver region. Everyone on board died in the crash. A portrait of the owner of private military company Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin lays at an informal memorial next to the former 'PMC Wagner Centre' in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, August 24, 2023. Russia's civil aviation agency says mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was aboard a plane that crashed north of Moscow. [AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky] Two months ago, on June 24-25, Prigozhin led a short-lived coup attempt against Putin and the army leadership, based on an appeal to pro-NATO factions in the Russian oligarchy. Prigozhins Wagner troops had earlier played a central role in the war in Ukraine, which the Putin regime launched in February 2022 after years of imperialist provocations, based on the bankrupt conception that, through limited military action, it could force the imperialist powers to the negotiating table. The passenger list released by Russias aviation agency included, in addition to Prigozhin, Dmitri Utkin, a former member of Russias military intelligence (GRU). Utkin is believed to have been the main founder and top commander of Wagner and was known to hold neo-Nazi views. Another leading Wagner figure on board was Valery Chekalov, who was reportedly in charge of managing both Prigozhins personal security and Wagners finances, which largely derived from state funds. The other four passengers were also leading Wagner commanders. While the Kremlin has not officially confirmed that Prigozhin has died, Russian President Vladimir Putin released a video Thursday evening, offering his condolences to the family of the victims of the crash. The Russian president said that if the Wagner leaders had indeed been on board, they should be remembered as people who have made a substantial contribution to our common cause of fighting the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine. He added that he had personally known Prigozhin since the early 1990s and that he considered him, despite serious mistakes, to have been a talented man, a talented businessman who would yield necessary results whenever he had assigned him a task for our common cause. Prigozhin, a fascistic figure and ex-convict, had previously been Putins personal chef. For many years, he enjoyed the presidents personal protection while building Wagner as a significant paramilitary force and business empire that turned Prigozhin into billionaire. Despite earlier denunciations of Prigozhin and his supporters as traitors, Putin met with Prigozhin and dozens of Wagner commanders just days after the insurrection, and the Kremlin effectively gave carte blanche to the organization in the weeks that followed. Wagner troops continue to operate in Africa on behalf of the Russian government, and on Monday, a Wagner recruitment video surfaced on the internet that appeared to show Prigozhin in a desert in Africa. Wagner troops were also relocated to Belarus whose president, Alexander Lukashenko, had brokered a deal between Putin and Prigozhin during the coup attempt. In the wake of the failed coup attempt and the relocation of Wagner groups to Belarus, tensions have been growing between NATO member Poland and Belarus, with Poland substantially increasing its troops on the border with Belarus in recent weeks. Despite the apparent reintegration of Wagner into the Kremlins foreign and military policy, however, there are many indications that the infighting within the state and ruling class had continued. Also on Wednesday, hours before the plane crash, the Kremlin announced that General Sergei Surovikin was removed as the head of the Russian air force. Surovikin is considered the originator of the heavily mined Russian defense lines in Ukraine, which have managed so far to stall the NATO-backed counteroffensive. He was the best known supporter of Prigozhin in the army command and had not been seen since the coup attempt. The causes of the plane crash remain unclear. The Kremlin is investigating the incident but has not provided an explanation. On Thursday, US officials declared that a preliminary investigation by US intelligence found that the crash was likely caused not by a surface-to-air missile, as had been initially reported, but by a bomb on board the aircraft. The Ukrainian regime of Volodymyr Zelensky, which has engaged in multiple incursions of Russian territory and drone strikes on Moscow over the past months, immediately denied any involvement, suggesting that Putin was behind the crash. The Western media too has been quick to suggest that the plane was downed at the order of Vladimir Putin as a revenge for the coup attempt and a message that was meant for his rivals in the Russian oligarchy. It can certainly not be excluded that the Putin regime, which arose out of the Stalinist bureaucracys destruction of the Soviet Union in 1991 and is steeped in the methods of gangsterism, or a section of the Russian state apparatus was behind the downing of the plane. However, it is far from the only possible version of events. It must also be noted that the other cases that are frequently cited in the outlets like the New York Times as examples for previous alleged attempts by Putin to eliminate his political opponentsincluding the murder of Boris Nemtsov, and the alleged poisoning of Sergei Skripal and of the NATO-backed oppositionist Alexei Navalnywere not only part of the relentless anti-Putin and anti-Russian campaign leading up to the war but also highly dubious and never really clarified. The official media account of Navalnys alleged Novichok poisoning in 2020, in particular, was so mired in contradictions as to be bordering on the ludicrous. As for Prigozhin and the Wagner leadership, it is clear that they did not lack enemies inside or outside of Russia, and various political forces had an interest in seeing them dead. It is noteworthy that early on in its coverage of the plane crash, the Washington Post drew attention to the Pentagon leaks earlier this year, which revealed discussions by the US, Ukraine and other allies about plots to eliminate Prigozhin. Based on the leaked document, the Washington Post reported in April that US airstrikes in February 2018 had killed several hundred Wagner fighters in Syria. Another US attack in Libya, where Wagner had also been destroyed, had destroyed a Wagner logistics aircraft, according to one leaked document. The Post wrote, At a time when Wagner leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin has been preoccupied with Kremlin infighting over the paramilitary groups deepening involvement in the war in Ukraine, U.S. officials depict Wagners expanding global footprint as a potential vulnerability. One document in the trove lists nearly a dozen kinetic and other options that could be pursued as part of coordinated U.S. and allied disruption efforts. The files propose providing targeting information to help Ukraine forces kill Wagner commanders, and cite other allies willingness to take similar lethal measures against Wagner nodes in Africa. Regardless of who and what was behind the downing of the plane, the death of much of the leadership of Wagner is set to further intensify the crisis of the Putin regime and the conflicts within the Russian oligarchy and state apparatus. Amidst the NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, these conflicts have themselves become a component of the warfare. The imperialist powers have long deliberately fueled the infighting within the oligarchy as part of their efforts to bring about a regime change in Moscow, which is itself a central war aim of Washington and Berlin. As the World Socialist Web Site stressed in its statement on Prigozhins failed coup attempt, the crisis of the regime and the conflicts within the oligarchy are ultimately rooted in the very class character and historical origins of the ruling oligarchy in the Stalinist reaction against the 1917 October Revolution and the restoration of capitalism by the Soviet bureaucracy. Whatever their disagreements about foreign policy, all of the warring factions of the oligarchy fear nothing more than a movement in the working class and are, above all, concerned with safeguarding their assets and achieving, in one way or another, a settlement with the imperialist powers. The Biden administration launched a new income-based repayment plan for student loans this week. Known as Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE), the plan reduces monthly student loan payments for borrowers by decreasing the percentage of a persons income they must pay. President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] Starting next July, SAVE participants will pay 5 percent of their discretionary income above 225 percent of the federal poverty line based on their family size. For graduate loans the rate will be 10 percent with a weighted average between the two for borrowers with both. Until then borrowers will pay 10 percent of their discretionary income, defined as their post-tax income minus the 225 percent of poverty level threshold. Based on these figures, the Department of Education expects that 1 million people will not have to make any payments through the SAVE plan. A single person making $15 an hour, or just over $30,000 a year, would be eligible to pay zero dollars a month on their loan. The income-based plan decreases the percentage by half when compared to other income-based repayment plans and also voids interest accrual if the monthly payment does not cover it. Additionally, married couples will not have to report their combined income and spouses will not count towards a persons family size. After 20 years for undergraduate loans, and 25 years for graduate loans, borrowers would become eligible for the remainder of their loan to be forgiven. For those with less than $12,000 in loans, they would be eligible after 10 years, plus an additional year for each extra thousand dollars up to the 20-year threshold. SAVE was initially proposed in January and comes just weeks before payments are scheduled to begin again in October. Interest accrual begins in September. Participants in the REPAYE income-based program will be automatically enrolled in SAVE and 30 million borrowers will be invited to enroll by the Department of Education. The Biden administration has touted the plan as a major reform that will drastically reduce student loan payments and provide a pathway for debt forgiveness for millions of borrowers. In the aftermath of the Supreme Courts decision to strike down a Biden administration plan to forgive $10,000 in student debt for all borrowers the Democratic Party has heavily promoted the SAVE plan. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told reporters Monday afternoon, With the SAVE plan, we are making a promise to every student. Your payments will be affordable. Youre not going to be buried under a mountain of interest, and you wont be saddled with a lifetime of debt. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said President Bidens SAVE plan helps Americans with student debt by capping interest growth and lowering monthly payments. Thats real money back in peoples pockets. SAVE may reduce monthly payments for many borrowers, and the reduction in interest confronts a major issue that millions have struggled with for decades. Some loans are so large that the interest is greater than the payments made, causing the total loan to grow over time instead of being paid off. But despite the vast praise from the Democratic establishment, there are a number of remaining issues with the plan. Parents who took out loans on behalf of their children are not eligible for SAVE. They are only eligible for the most expensive plan that requires participants to pay 20 percent of their discretionary income for 25 years. There have also been reports from borrowers of irregularities in their loan balances and the application process. Business Insider interviewed one woman whose monthly student loan payment was set to more than $49,000. She reported that she had made multiple efforts to contact her loan service provider over several weeks but that the error had not been corrected. If the issue is not rectified before October 15 when payments resume her bank account would be overdrawn. Others have reported on social media that their estimated monthly payments under SAVE are larger than before, or through other programs, while issues with the application process have been reported by others. Issues with the program process may be addressed but there are longstanding issues with income-based repayment programs that are not resolved by SAVE. Under previous repayment programs, only 32 people had ever had their student loans forgiven after decades of payments as of March 2021, a product of the abysmal management of student loan accounts by federal contractors in charge of managing the records of borrowers. The issue was so severe that the Biden administration recently announced the forgiveness of $38 billion worth of loans to 800,000 people who had made payments for 20 years or more but never saw their remaining balance forgiven due to improper record keeping and reporting by student loan servicers. This action was almost immediately challenged in federal court by The New Civil Liberties Alliance on behalf of the right-wing Cato Institute and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Nothing in the new SAVE plan does anything to correct the egregious mismanagement of billions of dollars of debt. Without addressing this issue it is entirely possible that millions of people will never actually see the debt forgiveness they have been promised under SAVE. For low-income borrowers the plan will potentially reduce their monthly payments to zero and the voiding of unpaid interest will help control the inability of millions to pay down their loans. But even these reforms are limited in their scope. Millions of borrowers will continue to be saddled by extensive debt and the cost of higher education will continue to balloon, sending more and more students into debt for an education. The plan is also paired with the expanding assault on education funding in the United States. When the plan was first announced earlier this year, the Department of Education announced that the program would coincide with an intensive review of the performance of university programs, specifically the ratio of debt to income that students take on after graduation. This is a thinly veiled attack on the humanities and low paying social service professions such as social work. Programs in history, social sciences and the arts will be targeted for funding cuts as part of the growing calls among the American ruling class to enforce austerity and make funds available for war with Russia and China. While millions of people will be relieved by the reduction in payments, the SAVE plan is a purposely limited effort to stem the mass outrage over the Democratic Partys refusal to handle the student debt crisis. Nearly $1.7 billion in student debt will remain, and the Biden administration continues to insist that it cannot do any more to assist student borrowers, particularly rejecting calls that it abolish all student debt. To the extent that the Biden administration has intervened to manage the debt crisis it is because of the broader economic issues caused by crushing student debt. Millions of people burdened with large debts are unable to pay for homes, vehicles, even basic food items. According to the Student Debt Crisis Center student loan borrowers are 61 percent more likely to experience food insecurity and eight times more likely to have insecure housing. By reducing monthly payments and interest the Biden administration hopes to free up money for consumer spending as fears of recession grow. The Biden administration, languishing with just a 40 percent approval rating, is also looking ahead to the 2024 election year with hopes that student debt reform will boost its prospects amid a growing resurgence of the class struggle in the United States. A police officer is seen outside the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, Aug. 24, 2023. Former U.S. President Donald Trump turned himself in on Thursday to the authorities in Atlanta for the Georgia election interference case. (Photo by Matthew Pendry/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday returned to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after he was banned from the service more than two years ago. Trump on Thursday night posted a mug shot of his with the caption: ELECTION INTERFERENCE, NEVER SURRENDER! The mug shot was taken earlier Thursday when he surrendered to authorities in Atlanta for the Georgia election interference case. Within two hours, his post gained some 485,000 likes, 142,000 reposts, and 47,300 quotes. Trump had his Twitter account banned after the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, reinstated Trump's account in November 2022. Trump, however, did not immediately post anything. Trump, who is seeking re-election, returned to X one day after his interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson was aired on the platform, to coincide with the first Republican presidential primary debate. Before being banned, Trump was a heavy Twitter user with more than 86 million followers. After the Twitter ban, Trump started his own social media platform, Truth Social, which has only a fraction of followers compared with his account on X. A police officer is seen outside the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, Aug. 24, 2023. Former U.S. President Donald Trump turned himself in on Thursday to the authorities in Atlanta for the Georgia election interference case. (Photo by Matthew Pendry/Xinhua) People gather outside the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, Aug. 24, 2023. Former U.S. President Donald Trump turned himself in on Thursday to the authorities in Atlanta for the Georgia election interference case. (Photo by Matthew Pendry/Xinhua) A recently released neighborhood surveillance video has exposed as a pack of lies the Philadelphia Police Departments claims surrounding the killing of Eddie Irizarry, 27, on August 14. Eddie Irizarry [Photo: Irizarry Family] Officer Mike Dial shot Irizarry six times as the victim sat in his car on East Willard Street in Philadelphias Kensington neighborhood. Irizarry was pronounced dead hours later at Temple University Hospital. Police initially claimed that Irizarry got out of his car and lunged at them with a knife after being pulled over for reckless driving. Instead, the footage shows that Irizarry made no move against police, nor was he even outside of his vehicle during the incident. The shooting took place a mere five seconds after officers stepped out of their vehicle. Irizarry did not even have time to roll down his window to speak to the officers, who approached the young man after he drove down a one-way street in the wrong direction. The surveillance footage shows what can only be called murder. Irizarry pulls over on a narrow side street, and moments later a police car pulls up behind him. Two officers step out of the vehicle, with one, Mark Dial, drawing his gun. Dial immediately walks towards Irizarrys driver side window, which is rolled up, and opens fire at close range. He shoots Irizarry, who has not moved, six times. After a few moments, the officers drag Irizarry from his car and place him in their cruiser. Irizarry was pronounced dead at 12:48 p.m. at Temple University Hospital. In light of the footage, the Philadelphia Police Department has amended its initial story, claiming a reporting error. It dropped the claim that Irizarry lunged at police, and has now indicated it will dismiss Dial after a mandatory 30-day suspension. Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw spoke in defensive terms about the departments change of position. We have nothing to hide here, Outlaw told a news conference. We make mistakes. We did say out there on the scene that this was preliminary information. Unfortunately, the information that was released has pretty dire consequences in establishing and framing a narrative that quite frankly was not true. Irizarrys family attorney, Shaka Johnson, rejected these claims. That was not a mislead, that is a blatant lie, and an attempt to sort of mislead an investigation, and quite frankly, to corrupt the court of public opinion, he said. The exposure reveals a basic truth about the American police. In almost every case where police kill a civilian, the authorities claim that the victim attempted to attack the police, or that he or she carried a weapon. On the basis of such claims, police are not only exonerated for murders they have committed. They are seldom even investigated. With increasing frequency, however, video evidence exposes police lies. The neighborhood surveillance footage came to light only because of the work of the family. Johnson, the family attorney, said that he was denied access to police body cam footage by the District Attorneys Office. Family members then went to the neighborhood where Irizarry was shot and consulted the neighbors, one of whom provided the video. The family decided that it needed to be made public. Irizarry was originally from Puerto Rico and was working as a mechanic prior to the shooting. He spoke little English, creating an even more confusing situation for him as the officers shouted at him in the few seconds prior to opening fire. Family members said they were extremely skeptical of the narrative the police initially presented. They said Irizarry was not a violent man nor was he troubled in any way. His aunt, Zoraida Garcia, said he was a good kid. Irizarry also didn't have any criminal record prior to the encounter. Although family members say Irizarry had schizophrenia, the condition was being treated. The Fraternal Order of Police, an organization dedicated to the protection of crooked and ruthless police officers, gave its backing to Dial. Fortunato Perri, a lawyer for the organization, said that Dial has the full support of the Fraternal Order of Police as we continue to review the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Irizarrys death is another reminder of the brutality of the police, an instrument of the state for class suppression and protection of private property. So far in 2023, 725 people have been killed by cops. Only a handful of days have passed since the beginning of the year in which no deaths have been reported at the hands of the police. Although minorities are killed at a disproportionate rate, whites still comprise the largest single racial group of those killed by the police each year. Such basic facts show that while racism is certainly present, police violence and brutality are not solely based upon race. The defense of private property by the police means the enforcement of social inequality. This essence of the work of the police attracts and cultivates within their ranks the backward elements, fascists, racists and the like, to combat the working class. The overwhelming majority of police victims, like Irizarry, are workers. TRIPOLI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah on Thursday announced that a senior Islamic State (IS) member responsible for deadly attacks in capital Tripoli in 2018 had been arrested. The country's security forces on Tuesday afternoon arrested an IS leader, who was involved in planning and leading suicide operations targeting the headquarters of major government institutions and government employees in 2018, said Dbeibah in a speech. The Libyan prime minister vowed to fight all forms of terrorism in and outside the country, pledging to work to stabilize the country, reform the security and military institutions and normalize life in all parts of Libya. In 2018, the IS carried out three attacks in Tripoli on the headquarters of the Higher Commission of Elections, the National Oil Corporation and the Foreign Ministry, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens of others. by Xinhua writer Zhang Yunlong JINAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- In the sunlit lands to the south of Mount Tai, nestled along the banks of the ancient Zhu and Si rivers, lies the city of Qufu. It was in this city -- found in modern-day Jining in Shandong Province, east China -- that the Duke of Zhou established the state of Lu more than 3,000 years ago. It was the dawn of a new culturally-rich era, including the birth of Confucius and other ancient sages. "Governance based on virtue is like the North Star taking its place in the sky, while all the other stars revolve around it," Confucius once said. This philosophy of "governance virtue" as a cornerstone of Chinese traditional political culture continues to this day, and Jining has developed a distinctive model of education to cultivate moral excellence in officials. Under the theme of "promoting excellent traditional culture and cultivating virtuous leaders," Jining established the Jining Executive Leadership Academy for Governance Virtue Education, the country's first academy dedicated to governance virtue of officials, in April 2016. The academy runs on-site classes at cultural heritage sites such as the Temple of Confucius (the main temple for worshipping Confucius), the Kong Family Mansion (the official residence of the direct descendants of Confucius called "Duke Yansheng"), and the Cemetery of Confucius (where Confucius and his descendants are buried). It explains the contemporary value of traditional governance virtue ideology, and attracts officials from all over the country. So, what's new about this model? Firstly, it lies in its content. Chen Chong, secretary of the academy's Communist Party of China committee, emphasized that the institution focuses on the political and contemporary relevance of its teaching content, adding that the elucidation of the importance of "building public commitment to the greater good, public morality, and personal integrity" is its core task. Highlights of the on-site teaching content include "promoting moral excellence" at the Temple of Confucius, "people-oriented governance ideals" at the Mencius Temple in Zoucheng City, and "traditional thoughts on clean governance" at the Kong Family Mansion. The lecture on fighting against greed, given to officials at the Kong Family Mansion, is just eight-minutes long, yet it leaves a lasting impression. On an interior wall of the residence is a vivid image: a ferocious beast with a gaping mouth and glaring, greedy eyes. It eagerly devours treasures, even having the audacity to try to swallow the sun, leading to its downfall into the sea. "In the Ming Dynasty, Duke Yansheng commissioned this painting to warn himself and future generations to be wary of greed," explained Prof. Chong Shuxian from the academy. How do we guard against greed? Confucianism offers valuable insights. Firstly, one must establish a correct view of justice and benefits. Secondly, one must maintain a keen moral rationality. Lastly, the role of institutions cannot be overlooked. Confucianism stressed the importance of following rites, stating that without a profound grasp of rites, individuals will find it challenging to establish themselves in society. The term "rites" in ancient times referred to both moral principles as well as laws and rules. "Greed prevention" is an ancient subject that continues to be widely discussed today. Chong Shuxian further explained, "When faced with temptation, we must be aware of the harm that corruption poses to us. We must resist temptation, abide by regulations, and uphold the purpose of serving the people. With this spirit, we can make correct judgments and choices in many aspects of our lives." Jining's innovation in governance virtue education also lies in its teaching methods. Integrating classroom teaching, on-site teaching, experiential learning, and ceremonial music education, it makes modern China's demands of governance virtue deeply resonate with officials. In addition to on-site teaching at cultural heritage sites like the Temple of Confucius, the academy has also introduced experiential projects such as woodblock printing and bronze rubbing at places including the official residence of the direct descendants of Yan Hui, a revered disciple of Confucius. Experiential learning programs are also offered at rural homes to showcase how the traditional values of integrity and filial piety have helped enhance social governance. Operas have even been created to help nourish officials' governance virtue. Among them is "Guan Zhen Bei," which is dedicated to a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) four-sided stone tablet that bears inscriptions of four themes, namely benevolence, integrity, justice, and diligence, and is kept at the Mencius Temple. "The way to innovation, whatever its forms, either creative transformation or development of fine traditional culture, all starts with 'self-awareness.' Only by knowing our own culture can we have confidence," emphasized Liu Xubing, deputy head of the Confucius Research Institute. Indeed, many participants attending governance virtue education programs say they have personally witnessed the vibrant traditional culture in Jining, and have gained a significantly higher level of cultural confidence. The academy has hosted more than 1,800 sessions, training over 100,000 students from national ministries, and 31 provincial-level regions, as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR. They even include some senior public servants from Belt and Road countries. Kong Hong'en, a lecturer in the academy, has a sincere desire to sow the "seeds" of interest in fine Chinese traditional culture among the students through his lectures. "I am delighted to see that students often contact me to schedule visits with their families and children, and even organize trips for their kids' classmates to come and learn about traditional culture at the Confucius Temple in Qufu," he said. "Some students return after completing their own study and bring their colleagues here to receive governance virtue education, too." Hundreds of South Korean politicians and ordinary people gathered Friday in central Seoul to rally against Japan's nuke wastewater discharge. Produced by Xinhua Global Service YouTube Right after former President Donald Trump was arrested and booked in Georgia, rapper Forgiato Blow, the self-described Mayor of MAGAville, dropped Real America, his new single fuming about the most recent criminal indictment against the ex-president. While the song is your run-of-the-mill pro-Trump propaganda from a man who calls himself Trumps Nephew, the video goes full cringe mode by casting several personalities from far-right conspiratorial network One America News, including the channels 82-year-old owner decked out in shades. The song shares its title with the primetime OAN show hosted by Dan Ball, who features prominently in the video and introduces the song with a monologue about how patriots are fed up because Trump has been indicted for the fourth time by the corrupt Biden regime justice system. Throughout the video, which is barely two minutes long, Forgiato Blow is not only shown behind the anchors desk at OAN with Ball but also walking through the halls of the network and interacting with the staff. Ball, meanwhile, bops along to the beat whenever hes not holding up an American flag, bumping fists with the rapper, or ripping up a paper with the phrase Trump Indictment #4 written on it. When Blow isnt fear-mongering about Democrat pedophiles or raging against dumb Georgia district attorney Fani Willis, he heaps praise on OAN, the network thats been dumped by nearly every cable provider in the United States. Cant get enough media news? Subscribe to Confider, The Daily Beasts media newsletter here. Father and a journalist, he never changed for the fame / 30 years later, Dan Balls legendary man / Get real, read between the lines / FJB middle finger to the other side, Blow raps at one point. OAN founder and owner Robert Herring also makes a cameo, wearing sunglasses and mugging for the camera with his arms crossed while standing next to a man wearing a flak jacket for some reason. Patriot like Mr. H / 83 years in this place / liberals need a safe space / they burn a flag in your face, Blow shouts during Herrings appearance. And on and on it goes. Other scenes include the rapper running through a newsroom while producers and reporters rip up more Trump Indictment papers, and Blow sitting down with OAN anchors Stella Escobedo and Alicia Summers. (Both hosts have built TikTok followings by peddling OANs far-right programming while covering up their affiliation with the little-watched network.) Alison Steinberg, who joined OAN last year after gaining social-media attention for her homophobic and anti-mask tantrums, also briefly appears in the videosmiling while writing Mayor of MAGAville on a whiteboard. Anyway, if you were desperately waiting for a hip-hop collaboration between a dying Trumpist network and the guy who recently sang an ode to MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, then you are definitely in luck. Subscribe to Confider, The Daily Beasts media newsletter, and get juicy scoops in your inbox every week. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A few days after Alice Cooper espoused transphobic views and denounced gender-affirming health care in a Stereogum interview, the shock rocker has been dropped by makeup brand Vampyre Cosmetics. Cooper had signed a partnership deal with the goth-themed cosmetics companywhich describes itself as proudly women owned, disabled owned and LGBT+ ownedjust two weeks ago, per the New York Post. In a statement shared on Instagram, the brand said: In light of recent statements by Alice Cooper we will no longer be doing a makeup collaboration. We stand with all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and believe everyone should have access to healthcare. All pre-order sales will be refunded. In the Stereogum interview, Cooper said he worried that men would claim to be transgender in order to pose as women and commit sexual assault in womens bathroomsan argument thats long been understood to be a discriminatory anti-LGBTQ myth. A guy can walk into a womans bathroom at any time and just say, I just feel like Im a woman today and have the time of his life in there, and hes not in the least bit Hes just taking advantage of that situation, Cooper said. Well, thats going to happen. Somebodys going to get raped, and the guys going to say, Well, I felt like a girl that day, and then I felt like a guy. Where do you draw this line? In the same interview, Cooper also lambasted gender-affirming health care. Im understanding that there are cases of transgender, but Im afraid that its also a fad, and Im afraid theres a lot of people claiming to be this just because they want to be that, Cooper told Stereogum. I find it wrong when youve got a 6-year-old kid who has no idea. He just wants to play, and youre confusing him telling him, Yeah, youre a boy, but you could be a girl if you want to be. Alice Cooper on Why Johnny Depps Staying in the Band and Being Mislabeled Republican That wasnt the only recent interview to land the rocker in hot water. Cooper, a longtime friend and bandmate of Johnny Depp, told Vulture this week that he believes the highly publicized defamation trial between Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard was so blown out of proportion. I dont think [the trial] was ever mentioned on the tour because nobody cared, Cooper said. I never watched a moment of the trials. It was such a Hollywood thing. I knew Johnny was gonna win because how many people have other exes literally on their side testifying for him? That never happens. I turned it right off and said, Well, you know, Johnny will weather this storm and when hes onstage, hes our guitar player. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Johnny Depp's defamation trial didn't take center stage during his tour with Hollywood Vampires, according to bandmate Alice Cooper. In conversation with Vulture, Cooper weighed in on his bandmate's highly-publicized 2022 trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, sharing that he didn't recall the legal battle ever being mentioned on the tour "because nobody cared." "I never watched a moment of the trials," Cooper said. "It was so blown out of proportion." Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper attend MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Aerosmith at West Hall at Los Angeles Convention Center on January 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California Rich Fury/Getty Images Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper He added, "It was such a Hollywood thing. I knew Johnny was gonna win because how many people have other exes literally on their side testifying for him? That never happens. I turned it right off and said, 'Well, you know, Johnny will weather this storm and when he's onstage, he's our guitar player.'" (Depp's former girlfriend, supermodel Kate Moss, testified on his behalf, disputing rumors that he once pushed her down a flight of stairs.) When asked if there was any hesitancy to bring the actor on tour in light of the domestic abuse allegations leveled against him, Cooper said, "Not at all." He said, "If you talk to Johnny about it, it was something that happened. He was just like, 'Yeah, yeah, what's the next song?' ... I don't know why they would televise the proceedings, right? It's because of the fame of both people." Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper Erhan Sevenler/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper Cooper added, "The best thing I said about the whole thing was, 'They should do a remake of War of the Roses with Johnny and Amber.' Who's not gonna go see that? I'm going to see that! To make it even better, make their lawyers Angie [Jolie] and Brad [Pitt]. All you need is a really funny director, and that's gonna be a monster hit." Cooper formed Hollywood Vampires with Depp and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry in 2012. The supergroup concluded a tour across the U.S. and Europe last month, which had kicked off about a year after Depp's trial against Heard in Virginia came to a close in June 2022. The jury had found that Heard defamed Depp when she wrote a 2018 Washington Post op-ed that recounted her experiences as a domestic abuse survivor. This month, Netflix released Depp v. Heard, a new docuseries about the trial. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: Amber Heard will reportedly not face further charges for illegally bringing her dogs into Australia. The actress was charged with illegally importing the dogs and producing a false document at the time. Heard reportedly failed to declare the presence of dogs, which violated Australian quarantine laws. Now, new reports revealed that prosecutors are no longer taking any further action against Heard. Trending: Sophie Turner & Joe Jonas Divorce Rumors Cause Confusion As Fans Spot The Actress At His Concert Britney Spears Reportedly Believes Sam Asghari Leaked Cheating Allegations Travis Barkers Urgent Family Matter Cause REVEALED Britney Spears Ex-Husband Jason Alexander Kicked Out Of Gym After Alleged Stalking Britney Spears Reportedly REJECTS Lucrative Instagram Deals Keep on reading to learn more. Amber Heard Illegally Imported Her Dogs Into Australia MEGA In 2015, Amber Heard got into trouble with Australian authorities for illegally importing her dogs into Australia. At the time, the actress took her two dogs to the Gold Coast to join her then-husband, Johnny Depp , on a film set. Upon entry, Heard failed to declare the presence of dogs, which violated the country's quarantine regulations. In July of that year, a rep for the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions confirmed that they'd charged Heard with one count of illegal importation of her Yorkshire terriers. They also charged the "Aquaman" actress with one count of producing a false document to authorities upon entry. She Pled Guilty Regarding The False Document MEGA At the time, Heard pled guilty to the charge of providing a false immigration document and was sentenced to a one-month good behavior bond. Per ABC News, the Australian authorities decided to drop the charge of illegally importing the two dogs. According to the publication, Heard's attorney insisted the actress never meant to lie and not declare her dogs. However, in 2020, several claims popped up that Heard was aware of the quarantine regulations. A statement from Kevin Murphy, Depp's former employee, corroborated these claims during their defamation trial. Murphy testified that not only was Heard aware, but she also pressured a staff member to claim responsibility for the crime. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, this testimony led to Australian authorities opening an investigation into Heard for perjury during her 2016 hearing. Australian Prosecutors Chose To Drop The Case MEGA On Tuesday, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry announced that prosecutors are dropping the investigation against Heard. They released a statement which read, "Prosecution action will not be taken against actress Amber Heard over allegations related to her sentencing for the illegal import of two dogs into Australia in 2015." The statement revealed that they had investigated the evidence that Heard was lying about being unaware of the quarantine rules in 2016. They also examined the employees' testimonies to determine if they were made under duress. However, the statement concluded, "A brief of evidence was referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, who has made the decision not to prosecute in this instance having applied the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth." So, Heard is free from worrying about any further charges on this issue. Amber Heard And Depp Had A Controversial Separation MEGA Heard has been in the middle of several controversial trials, including her defamation trial against Depp. The former couple separated and finalized their divorce in January 2017 but soon started fighting each other with allegations and trials. Their most recent public battle was the defamation trial, where Depp claimed Heard defamed him in a Washington Post editorial. The trial lasted for seven weeks and was heavily publicized and trended on social media. During the trial, the former couple's lawyers fought to prove whether Depp was abusive to Heard or if it was the other way around. It concluded with the jurors unanimously deciding in favor of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor. He was awarded a total of $10.35m in damages for the defamation suit. MEGA However, it wasn't a total loss for Heard, who won her defamation countersuit against her ex-husband. She claims a Depp agent called her allegations against him "an abuse hoax." The actress was awarded $2m from her $100m demand for damages. Both Heard and Depp seem to have moved on, with the actress taking up residence in a new country, Spain. In a recent conversation with Deadline about her career and returning role in "Aquaman 2," the actress candidly spoke on the legal battle, sharing her willingness to leave things in the past. "You know, I just want to make movies and be appreciated as an actress," Heard said. "I dont want to be crucified to be appreciated as one." CAPE TOWN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The South African parliament issued a statement on Thursday night to welcome an avocado export agreement with China, calling it "concrete evidence of the immense benefits that BRICS holds for us and all our partners." According to the South African Avocado Growers' Association, estimated three-year average annual avocado production in South Africa is 139,400 tons, 45 percent of which is exported fresh to Europe. With the opening of the Chinese market, South Africa has an opportunity to further expand its avocado plantings, which will greatly contribute to employment through direct jobs on farms and indirectly through downstream opportunities, said the statement. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has hired the Levinson Group, a well-known crisis management firm based in Washington, to support its communication strategy as the dual strike by actors and writers continues, according to an insider with knowledge of the situation. Ever since the Writers Guild of America initiated a walkout in early May as its labor contract expired, the studios and streamers represented by the AMPTP have grown concerned that theyve come across in the media as antagonistic. The Levinson Group helps corporate clients dealing with reputation and risk-related issues. The company will work alongside the PR consultants already in place for the AMPTP. The PR firm is run by Molly Levinson, an Emmy-award winning producer, who previously served as political director at CNN and CBS. The Levinson Groups website highlighted accolades shes received from trade publication PR News, including its naming her a Top Women in PR in 2021 and referring to her as a known problem solver when it awarded her Crisis Manager of the Year in 2017. The hiring of the Levinson Group comes on the heels of this past Tuesdays meeting between the negotiating committee and several studio CEOs, including Disney chief Bob Iger and Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav, to discuss the studios counteroffer, which the WGA roundly rejected. The companies counteroffer is neither nothing, nor nearly enough. We will continue to advocate for proposals that fully address our issues rather than accept half measures like those mentioned above and other proposals not listed here, a WGA memo to members read. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news of the PR agencys hiring. The post AMPTP Hires Crisis PR Agency the Levinson Group Amid Ongoing Writers, Actors Strikes appeared first on TheWrap. Bachelor in Paradise Season 9 Cast Revealed See Photos ABC on Friday revealed the 18 familiar faces heading to Mexico for Season 9 of Bachelor in Paradise, and its quite the crew. More from TVLine Theyll be welcomed by Jesse Palmer, who is returning as host, with Wells Adams behind the bar. The new season begins with a two-hour premiere on Thursday, Sept. 28 (9/8c). Of course, this casting announcement is just the latest in a long line of recent developments in Bachelor Nation. Earlier this week, The Bachelorettes 20th season ended with Charity Lawson getting engaged to contestant Dotun Olubeko, who in turn broke the news to Lawson that shell also be competing on Dancing With the Stars this fall. That same night, we learned that finalist Joey Graziadei will return to lead the upcoming 28th season of The Bachelor. As if that wasnt enough, we also have The Golden Bachelor to look forward to. Gerry Turner, a 71-year-old pilot, will look for love (again) in the seniors-only version of the dating competition, which has us wondering will those contestants also find their way to Bachelor in Paradise someday? Read on for a breakdown of the 18 bodies hitting the beach in Season 9, then drop a comment with your thoughts below. Any early predictions? Sam Jeffries Sam Jeffries Sean McLaughlin Sean McLaughlin Rachel Recchia Rachel Recchia Peter Cappio Peter Cappio Olivia Lewis Olivia Lewis Mercedes Northup Mercedes Northup Kylee Russell Kylee Russell Kat Izzo Kat Izzo Jess Girod Jess Girod Greer Blitzer Greer Blitzer Eliza Isichei Eliza Isichei Cat Wong Cat Wong Brooklyn Willie Brooklyn Willie Brayden Bowers Brayden Bowers Blake Moynes Blake Moynes Aaron Schwartzman Aaron Schwartzman Aaron Bryant Aaron Bryant Will Urena Will Urena Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter Click here to read the full article. Donald Trump has surrendered and been arrested in Fulton County, Ga. for his alleged attempts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss in the state. The former president, along with 18 of his allies, was charged earlier this month under Georgias racketeering laws, marking the fourth indictment of Trump since March. During a press conference held earlier this month, Fulton County law enforcement officials made clear that Trumps planned arrest would follow standard protocol. It doesnt matter your status, said Sheriff Patrick Labat. Well have mug shots ready for you. More from Variety Trumps mug shot was indeed released by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office via CNN following his arrest on Thursday evening. Although #TrumpMugShot has been trending on Twitter since early Thursday morning, the cable news networks were not as packed with wall-to-wall pre-coverage as Trumps previous arrests. For example, Trumps first arrest on April 4 for involvement in a hush money scheme with adult film actress Stormy Daniels was covered extensively on TV networks the day of the surrender; there was even analysis of his plane flying from Florida to New York the night before. Around midday Thursday, Fox News and MSNBC were both more focused on discussing the alleged Russian plane crash that killed Putin rival Yevgeny Prigozhin, with CNN discussing Wednesday nights Republican debate. However, the networks began to focus on coverage of the situation as Trump began traveling to Georgia. CNN and MSNBC declined to carry the statement that Trump released to the press after he was processed and released. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began her case against Trump following the release of a Jan. 2, 2021 phone call conversation between the then-president and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In the call, Trump urged Raffensperger and election officials to find the supposed 11,779 missing votes needed to win Georgia over Democrat Joe Biden. During the announcement of Trumps indictment earlier this month, Willis said, Their indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgias legal process for election challenges the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgias presidential election result. While the Georgia case mirrors the grounds of election disruption found in the prior three indictments against Trump, it stands out due to its large sweep of additional defendants that aided the former president in his attempts to overturn election results. The 18 other defendants charged include former New York Mayor and Trumps attorney Rudy Giuliani, whose mug shot went viral on social media Wednesday night, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark. All 19 defendants including Trump were given until noon Aug. 25 to voluntarily surrender. 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. MACKINAC ISLAND Does it get much better than ice cream, games, and a movie? What about if it was all on the Parade Ground of Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island? And what if it was all free? Thats exactly what is happening at Fort Mackinac on Saturday, Aug. 26, beginning at 8 p.m. The view of the harbor from Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island in July 2017. Sponsored by Mackinac Associates and Douds Market, guests are welcome to enter Fort Mackinac at the Avenue of Flags to enjoy an ice cream social, games on the parade ground with costumed interpreters from the fort, and a showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory under the stars. We thank Mackinac Associates and Douds Market for sponsoring this sweet event at Fort Mackinac, said Dominick Miller, Mackinac State Historic Parks chief of marketing. Were excited to be a part of the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival and are looking forward to a fun evening of family fun. The gate will open at 8 p.m. Games will take place on the Parade Ground and will have a traditional 1880s flair with foot races, relay races, catch and tug of war. The movie will begin at dusk, which should be around 9 p.m. Murdicks Fudge, one of several fudge shops on Main Street in downtown Mackinac Island, Michigan on July 1, 2020. The Mackinac Island Fudge Festival runs Aug. 25-27. Starting on Friday, events include a coloring mural, fudge tasting and making, dancing and an art walk. On Saturday, the Michigan Sugar Queen and Court will visit local fudge shops. The Fudge Festival Flavor of the year will be revealed at Mays Candy Shop at noon. On Sunday, the festival wraps up with the Fudge-o-lympics at Windermere Point, which will also host Family Fun Games like a slow bike race, sugar sack relays and more. For more information about the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival, visit mackinacisland.org/mackinac-island-fudge-festival-2. Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Enjoy ice cream social and movie in Fort Mackinac Aug. 26 Trevian Kutti , who previously worked as a publicist for R. Kelly and the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has turned herself into authorities in Georgia for her role in Donald Trump's alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. She was arrested on Friday and was one of the last of the 19 defendants charged in an indictment with conspiracy to overturn the Georgia election results to turn herself in. Her booking photo from Friday, Aug. 25, as seen below, was released by Fulton County authorities less than 24 hours after Trump's mugshot arrived. Illinois pastor Stephen Lee was the last individual to turn himself in, doing so shortly after Kutti did on Friday. She and Lee were granted a $75,000 bond this week for allegedly pressuring a Georgia worker to falsely admit she was rigging the election in favor of President Joe Biden . The booking photo for Trevian Kutti: pic.twitter.com/893142Pded philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 25, 2023 Twitter: @Phil_Lewis_ The election worker, Ruby Freeman, and her daughter Shaye Moss, were accused by Kutti and various Trump allies including Rudy Giuliani of rigging the results against Trump by delivering fraudulent Biden votes. Kutti visited her home in January 2021 and falsely claimed she was a "crisis manager." I cannot say what specifically will take place I just know that it will disrupt your freedom and the freedom of one or more of your family members. You are a loose end for a party that needs to tidy up, Kutti told Freeman in body camera footage where she tried to accuse her of voter fraud. In the clip, she put Harrison Floyd, the former Black Voices for Trump director who also turned himself in this week, on speakerphone and he suggested Freeman would go to jail if she didn't admit to wrongdoing. More on this On Thursday, Donald Trump turned himself in to Atlanta authorities on charges of 13 felonies. He is among 19 co-defendants named in the sweeping indictment related to the 2020 presidential election. Trumps charges included violation of the states RICO Act, solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, filing false documents, and more. Trump is being represented by Georgia attorney Steve Sadow, who most recently worked with Gunna. "The President should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him," Sadow said. "We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open-minded jury finding the President not guilty. Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the President have no place in our justice system." After he was released, Trump addressed the press on the tarmac before reboarding his plane. "I really believe this is a very sad day for America," said Trump, who is the first former president to get a mugshot. "This should never happen. If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election. I thought the election was a rigged election, a stolen election, and I should have every right to do that. What has taken place here is a travesty of justicewe did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows it. Butter sculptures have become a major attraction at some state fairs across the midwestern United States, but many fans were disappointed to learn that one famed butter sculpture - in the shape of the cow - wasnt entirely made of butter. When this years Illinois State Fair came to an on 20 August, a photo was posted to X - formerly known as Twitter - of the state fairs traditional butter cow being taken apart. However, what people had assumed was a sculpture made only out of butter was not the case at all. Instead, the sculpture was made out of some sort of frame with butter coated on top. The cow was sculpted by Sarah Pratt, a legacy dairy farmer whose daughter had also sculpted a butter calf for the state fair. The photo, which was posted by @217Problems, has been viewed over 15m times. Now, people have described the butter cow scandal as #ButterGate. I feel deceived, one of the comments began. It should have been a solid block of butter. If we cannot believe in butter cows, what can we believe in? The disappointment I feel learning that the butter cow is not solid butter is akin to discovering Santa isnt real, another user said. Its not solid?! I thought they either carved it from a solid block of butter or had a special cow-shaped mold they like inject liquid butter into! a third commenter wrote. According to the Illinois State Fair website, the butter cow has been the unofficial icon of the fair since the 1920s. However, people are describing the frame holding up the sculpture as false advertising because it was never explicitly mentioned on the website. Rather, the website reads: 500 pounds of unsalted butter are used to sculpt the life-size figure by hand. RIP the 2023 butter cow pic.twitter.com/gCt7lFL0Xy 217Problems (@217Problems) August 21, 2023 OK, so whos joining the false advertising class action lawsuit because another comment read. This Illinois State Fair butter cow is much like the iconic Iowa State Fairs own butter cow, which actually does disclose the sculptures building process. The Butter Cow starts with a wood, metal, wire and steel mesh frame and about 600 lbs of low moisture, pure cream Iowa butter, the website reads. Once inside the 40-degree cooler, layers of butter are applied until a life-size butter cow emerges - measuring about 5-1/2-ft high and 8-ft long. Each year, much of the butter is recycled and can be reused for up to 10 years. As upset as this news might make some people on social media, the butter artists themselves say theyve been asked why its not just made of butter. Paul Brooke, the lead sculptor for the American Dairy Association Mideast butter cow display at the Ohio State Fair, told the New York Times that its because of sculpting principles. It would work without the armatures if you could start with a huge block and just do the whole thing just by carving removal of butter, it would stand, Brooke told the outlet. Instead, artists are shipped thousands of butter sticks rather than just one big block of butter. Pratt also told the New York Times that not using a frame similar to the one in the viral photo would be like taking all of the bones out of a dairy cow and expecting it to stand. Still, this hasnt stopped people from still being shocked over the revelation. Seeing the butter cow like this makes my stomach churn, a comment read. Kroy Biermann filed for divorce from Kim Zolciak on Thursday. (Prince Williams / WireImage) Kroy Biermann has restarted his efforts to divorce wife Kim Zolciak, months after the " Real Housewives of Atlanta " couple called off the separation. Biermann submitted his second divorce petition Thursday in Georgia's Fulton County Superior Court, according to legal documents reviewed Friday by The Times. The petition said the reality stars have separated and their "marriage is irretrievably broken." A legal representative for Zolciak did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment Friday. According to the petition, Biermann is seeking "sole legal and sole physical custody" of the four minor children he shares with Zolciak sons Kroy Jr., Kash and Kane and daughter Kaia. He is also seeking child support, alimony and the family's mansion in Alpharetta, Ga. Read more: Amid Kim Zolciak-Kroy Biermann divorce, Bethenny Frankel skewers them for unpaid bills In May, Biermann, 37, and Zolciak, 45, both filed separate petitions for divorce. Since then each party has made scathing allegations against the other involving irresponsible spending and drug use according to TMZ. A legal representative for Zolciak who has two adult daughters from previous relationships slammed Biermanns allegations in a June statement to People. "To continuously spread lies in an attempt to paint Kim as an unfit mother for his own gain is harmful and incredibly misleading regarding Kims efforts to raise her children," the statement said. Read more: Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann call off divorce after weeks of contention After months of contention, Zolciak and Biermann seemingly called off their divorce in early July. Zolciak filed a dismissal without prejudice in Fulton County Superior Court, taking back her complaint for divorce, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times. The reality stars married in 2011. They appeared in Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and were the face of the spinoff series Dont Be Tardy." Neither Biermann nor Zolciak addressed the separation on social media. In a series of Instagram stories Friday, Zolciak showed off a handful of luxury handbags she is selling from Chanel, Prada and Louis Vuitton. In each segment, she listed the price for the item, said the bags were authentic and touted their "excellent, excellent" condition. Zolciak is selling more of her luxury goods including dresses and pants online on the Biermann's Closet website. The website also sells clothes previously worn by Biermann and their six children. Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. When asked to describe North of Bourbon, the eatery's owners have been known to offer up two words: "Southern elegance." It seems Southern Living magazine agrees. The Germantown bourbon bar and eatery, with New Orleans influences, snagged a spot on the magazine's list of "The South's Best New Restaurants of 2023," which was published Friday. Out of 25 restaurants, ranging from places in Tampa to Atlanta, North of Bourbon got the No. 8 spot and served as the sole Louisville representation. Since opening in Dec. 2021, North of Bourbon has stood out for its large and unique collection of the liquor in its name. The food menu got plenty of praise by the team at Southern Living, who pointed out chef Lawrence Weeks and his Louisiana influences. "Theres an earnestness and honesty to the cooking here that honors the ingredients and dishes found farther South," the write-up stated. In a previous visit to North of Bourbon, co-owner Eric Jennings told the Courier Journal about the menu changing seasonally and sticking with fresh, local ingredients. No matter the time of year, patrons will find Delta-style dishes. "A lot of people like to call it Creole or Cajun, but in our chef's mind it is Southern ingredients," Jennings said. "He pulls a lot from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, the Carolinas. It's all-encompassing of the South." More: Louisiana-inspired North of Bourbon blends fare and flair: Here's 5 things to know The Southern Living article highlighted items such as duck gumbo, mirliton Caesar salad and yakamein (a classic New Orleans noodle soup). Other top restaurants on the list include Pizza Grace (Birmingham, Ala.), Conifer (Bentonville, Ark.) and Bardea Steak (Wilmington, Del.) "The establishments on this list stand out in an industry thats crowded, competitive, and full of talent," reads the article. To read the full list, visit southernliving.com. Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville's North of Bourbon named a top new restaurant in the South Disney appears to be having a Squid Game moment. The star-studded Korean spy series Moving has become Disney+ and Hulus most watched K-drama ever in the U.S. and globally within just seven days of release. The show launched on Disneys streaming services Aug. 9 and has become the companys most popular series in any language, based on hours streamed, across the Asia Pacific region, including in Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. That means viewers in Asia have already watched Moving more than Disneys core franchise series like The Mandalorian. (Disney declined to share more precise viewership data.) More from The Hollywood Reporter The global consumer response towards the first 11 episodes of Moving has exceeded our expectations, said Carol Choi, Disneys executive vp original content strategy in APAC. From the U.S. to all across APAC, it is fast becoming a breakout hit with its captivating storyline, world-class cast and incredible postproduction effects all coming together to deliver exceptional storytelling. Moving is an adaptation of a popular webtoon created by the influential Korean artist Kang Full, whose works have been adapted into several local films. The show stars some of the biggest names in Korean film and television, including Ryu Seung-ryong (Miracle in Cell No. 7), Han Hyo-joo (20th Century Girl) and Zo In-sung (Smugglers) in his long-awaited return to the drama series format. Moving tells the story of a group of South Korean spies working to protect their super-powered children from harm and exploitation at the hands of malicious government agencies. Initially recruited because of their extraordinary abilities including flight, instant healing and enhanced senses, the spies disappeared without a trace after being tasked with carrying out increasingly dubious missions. Now with their children exhibiting similar abilities and a dangerous assassin rapidly picking off super-powered individuals, the parents must leave their peaceful lives behind to become the monsters they once were. The first 11 episodes of Moving are now available on Disney+ and Hulu, with two new episodes dropping every Wednesday. A three-part season finale is slated for Sept. 20. Disney+ launched in South Korea in November 2021 and has steadily ramped up its local content output to tap into the surging global popularity of K-drama. Some of Disneys most well received Korean titles include the Blue Dragon Series Award-winning Big Bet, starring Korean screen icon Choi Min-sik (Oldboy) as a law-breaking casino operator; The Zone: Survival Mission; Soundtrack #1; and Snowdrop. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Paul Wight teases that Captain Insano will make an appearance at AEW All In. Wight played Captain Insano in the 1998 movie The Waterboy. He brought the character into the wrestling world on the November 16, 2022, episode of AEW Dynamite. There, he made a cameo in a music video from The Acclaimed. Since then, Wight has teased that the character could make another appearance, but it has yet to come to fruition. However, the legend is teasing that Captain Insano might pop up at AEW All In. DAZN Wrestling shared a clip of an interview with Wight, in which he was asked whether fans will see Captain Insano return. If I were a gambling man, which Im not, I would bet very strongly that theres a high, high probability that Captain Insano will probably make it to Wembley, Paul Wight said. Will Captain Insano return to the ring this Sunday at #AEWAllIn? ? ? "There's a high, high probability that Captain Insano will probably make it to Wembley" @PaulWight Find out in 2 days by ordering NOW at https://t.co/u6g41dwCiN or on the DAZN app in select countries? pic.twitter.com/ioD8JQMcZH DAZNWrestling (@DAZN_Wrestling) August 25, 2023 Additionally, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that, per sources, Captain Insano gear has been made for possible use of the character. Sapp wrote that a potential match involving Insano was discussed for the show. The bout would see Insano and The Hardys face Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, and Satnam Singh. However, Jeff Hardy cant get into the United Kingdom. Plus, Singhs status for the show is unclear due to potential complications. Paul Wight has not wrestled since March 2022, as he has been recovering from surgery. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available. The post Paul Wight: Theres A High Probability Captain Insano Will Probably Make It To AEW All In appeared first on Wrestlezone. Primary school students visit an exhibition hall of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine at the Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, June 12, 2023.(Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences/Handout via Xinhua) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has approved and released standards for traditional Chinese veterinary terminology, which will be implemented from March 1, 2024, according to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine has developed over thousands of years, and features a complete theoretical system and unique diagnosis and treatment methods, said Wang Guibo with the Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences under the CAAS. However, the terminology standardization was lacking, he added. The standard was drafted by experts from the Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as other Chinese universities. It covers the description and application of traditional Chinese veterinary terminology, in a bid to accelerate international academic exchanges, and guide the clinical, scientific research and teaching of Chinese veterinary medicine. The standard systematically defines 554 terms such as yin and yang, and the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth and metal), utilized in teaching, diagnosis and treatment, scientific research, management, publication and academic exchanges of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine. The standard is expected to promote the clinical application and research and development of more new technology and products of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, and support the development of China's animal husbandry, Wang said. The team also drafted standards for acupuncture on equine animals, which was implemented on Feb. 1, 2023. A United Airlines pilot made a sweet announcement to his flight attendant mother as they took their first flight together. The pilot, Cole Doss, shared a now-viral video to Instagram earlier this month of his pre-flight announcement, while on a plane from Washington, DC, to Madrid, Spain. He said that there were some of the most talented flight attendants on the plane, including his exceptional mom. He continued his speech by describing the gratitude he has for his mother, and the ways in which she helped shaped the start of his career. Shes been one of my biggest supporters in my life and in my career becoming a pilot, ever since my very first flight lesson, he said, before plane passengers started to clap for him. After smiling at his mother and noting that he was not done with his speech, he said that he was thrilled to be working on the same flight as his mother for the first time in his career. Im especially honoured and excited to be able to fly her for the first time today, and to be able to share this experience with all of you on our flight to Madrid, he concluded. To my mom, I love you. And to everyone on board, welcome aboard our family-friendly skies. The video ended with Doss holding his mothers arm up in the air, before she said thank you to the camera. In the caption of his post, the United Airlines worker reflected on the opportunity he had to fly with his mother. He once again praised her for being his biggest supporter as he became a pilot. The highlight of my career came to life when I was able to work a trip with my mom and fly her for the first time! he wrote on Instagram. Shes been my biggest supporter in becoming a pilot. We had the best trip to Madrid together. Ill never forget this experience and everyone who helped make this possible. In the comments of the video, which has amassed more than 24,100 likes, many viewers went on to praise Doss sweet message. I may or may not be crying in the galley. This is wonderful, one wrote, while another added: Stop it. Im crying. What an incredible experience for you and your mama. I love this. A third wrote: This is the cutest thing Ive ever seen! Congratulations Cole! United Airlines official Instagram account also responded to the video, commenting: Family that flies together stays together! Thanks Mom! Speaking to Good Morning America, Doss specified the flight to Madrid was not only his first time working with his mother, but it was also the first time that she took a flight with him as the pilot. That was the first time I was able to fly my mom ever, he said. In flight school, she was a little nervous about the small planes, so I was never able to fly with her there. He explained that he paid tribute to his mother through the in-flight announcement because mothers and flight attendants, in general, deserve all the credit they can get. I wanted to do something incredibly special to pay back my mom and let everyone know that this was a really cool and momentous event for the both of us, he added. As he specified that he and his mother were on the same flight back to Washington, DC, he also joked about how she made their relationship known to fellow travellers. She was really proud of me so Im sure she probably told most of the passengers that her son was flying up front, he said. The Independent has contacted Doss for comment. This isnt the first time that two family members have had the opportunity to work on a flight together. In July 2022, a mother-and-daughter team of pilots - Captain Holly Petitt and first officer Keely Petitt - flew their first plane together for Southwest Airlines. During a pre-flight announcement, Holly also had the opportunity to introduce her daughter to passengers on the plane. Today is a special day for me. I would like to introduce to you your first officer, a brand new member of the Southwest team of pilots, and my daughter, Keely Pettit, she said, before Keely walked out of the cockpit and gave her mother a hug. Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin alluded to potential civil war Thursday, lashing out at not just Democrats going after prosecuting Donald Trump but also to the bunch of frickin RINOs running the Republican Party for not defending Trump enough. We do need to rise up and take our country back, Palin told Newsmax host Eric Bolling, asserting that the prosecution of Trump could be leading the country into a violent split. Bolling asked the former Alaska governor about Trump being fingerprinted and having his mug shot taken in Atlanta, and she sounded off. I think of those who are conducting this travesty and creating this two-tiered system of justice and I want to ask them, What the heck? Do you want us to be in civil war? Because thats whats going to happen, Palin said. Were not going to keep putting up with this. And Eric, I like that you suggested that we need to get angry. We do need to rise up and take our country back. In addition to Democrats, Palin pointed the blame at her party for not standing up more for Trump. The RNC (Republican National Committee) thats whats lacking when it comes to collective anger, which can be healthy and it can be useful. Where is the RNC. They hold the purse strings to the party. They have the platform. and yet theyre too timid. A bunch of frickin RINOs running the thing, Palin said, referring to Republicans in Name Only that some GOP members call others for not being loyal enough to Trump. They better get their stuff together, Palin said. Watch video of the segment at the top of this file, courtesy of Media Matters. The post Sarah Palin Warns of Civil War After Trump Arrest: We Do Need to Rise Up (Video) appeared first on TheWrap. Scott Michael Foster is absolutely down for a revival of Greek and has hopes for where his character, Cappie, is today. I have my [own] opinion. I think he's probably operating a fish taco stand in Baja, California somewhere, selling tacos and hanging out by a beautiful beach, Foster, 38, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting his upcoming Netflix film, Choose Love, in an interview conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. After taking a beat, Foster quickly added: And somewhere, hopefully, with [his girlfriend] Casey. Foster starred on the ABC Family series from 2007 to 2011 as John Paul Cappie Jones, the lovable president of Kappa Tau fraternity with major Peter Pan syndrome. The comedy-drama focused on sorority and fraternity life on the fictional campus of Cyprus-Rhodes University, but Foster believes the shows success stemmed from breaking down the stereotypes that come along with Greek life. A lot of times college shows sort of focus on the stereotypical partying aspect, the drinking and the hookup culture and it was so much more than that, he told Us. [Greek] was really about who you are between the ages of 18 and 22 and the growth that happens, the change that happens, the friendships that are built. It was more than just, you're partying. Thats an easy trap to fall in. I think we just were smart enough to avoid that. Fosters character arguably experienced some of the most growth throughout the series, majorly in part to his will-they-wont-they romance with girlfriend Casey (Spencer Grammer). While the show introduces them as exes, viewers follow them throughout the four seasons as they find their way back to one another and cement themselves as one of TVs most iconic couples. Casey and Cappie end their story driving off into the sunset, but fans have often wondered where their characters along with the rest of the Cyprus-Rhodes gang would be today. In 2016, Freeform announced plans to debut a Greek: The Reunion movie. The two-hour film would have gathered together the cast for their five-year reunion but the network decided not to move forward with the film. Foster, however, is still ready to reprise his role if the time comes. There was talk a few years ago about a feature [film]. I know that ended up not happening, but I think I can speak for most of us from the cast [when I say] that we had a good script come along and they were willing to do it, he said. I think a lot of us would entertain the idea as long [as it] honors the original story. I think we'd all be very happy with it. Whether the cast will reconvene on screen remains to be seen, but Foster looks back on his time with Greek fondly and credits the series for helping craft him into the actor he is today. Scott Michael Foster on 'Greek'. YouTube Greek was those early days, right? So I was still trying to figure out who I was as a person, much less what I learned as an actor, he explained. And that role [of Cappie] was pivotal in shaping how I approached [my] future characters. He was written very smart, very funny and very witty. So I think that really helped me bring that into future auditions and roles. I definitely think that was such a good role for me to start off with because it helped me embrace that side, which I might not have embraced before. Foster has brought those lessons to his latest work, the upcoming romantic comedy Choose Love. The actor portrays Paul, the steady boyfriend of Cami (Laura Marano) who must choose between him and two former flames. The Netflix film, which features an interactive feature and multiple endings, introduces Paul as the dream guy but Foster insists theres more to the character than meets the eye. There's layers to him, he told Us. He's definitely more than just what he says on paper. He loves Cami and wants to be with her but there are always problems. I don't know how much I can say, but let's say he's definitely more complex than the log might say. Choose Love premieres on Netflix Thursday, August 31. Tim McGraw has been a pioneering figure in country music for more than 30 years but he insists his life and career wouldnt be where they are without the ongoing support of his wife, fellow musician Faith Hill. In an interview this week to promote his new album, Standing Room Only, the three-time Grammy winner gushed about his nearly 27-year marriage to Hill, whom he described as one of the greatest artists of all time. I guarantee you, had I not gotten married to Faith at 29 years old, A, I probably wouldve ran my career into the ground, McGraw told Apple Musics Zane Lowe, and B, I wouldve died already with my career into the ground one or the other, and it wouldnt have ever been where its at now. McGraw married Hill in October 1996 in an intimate ceremony at his aunts Rayville, Louisiana, home. The couple share daughters Gracie, 26, Maggie, 25, and Audrey, 21. Faith Hill (left) and Tim McGraw. Faith Hill (left) and Tim McGraw. As is the case in most marriages, however, the pair have had their ups and downs. Speaking to Esquire in 2021, McGraw cited Hill as his inspiration for getting sober in 2008. I remember a moment when I was getting out of bed and going to the liquor cabinet and taking a big shot at 8:00 in the morning and thinking, I have to wake the kids up, he recalled. I went straight to my wife and said, This is where Im at. I was scared. She just grabbed me and hugged me and changed my life. He touched on his past experiences with addiction once again in his Apple Music interview, noting: I think when the kids got old enough that they could notice things is when she finally said, Youve got to figure this out. Hill and McGraws partnership extends to their professional lives, too. In 2017, they released their first collaborative album, The Rest of Our Life. Last year, they co-starred on 1883, an Emmy-nominated spinoff of Yellowstone. Elsewhere in his Apple Music chat, McGraw said he continually seeks Hills advice when it comes to making music. Im always playing her the songs that I want to record and playing the mixes as Ill go along, and theres times we dont agree, said McGraw, who described Hill as a brutal but honest critic. Theres times where she goes: I dont like the way that sounds. Well, I do, and thats the way its going to stay. And the same thing when shes making a record. Watch Tim McGraws full Apple Music interview below. Related... Welcome to the land of the midnight sun! Alaska, the largest state in the US, boasts an extensive coastline with countless beaches to explore. With its vast coastline and rugged wilderness, its no wonder that so many people flock to this region every year. Alaska also offers a variety of beach experiences suiting everyones needs. So, whether youre planning a family vacation or a secluded escape, Alaskas coastline has something for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready to discover the top 7 best beach places in Alaska that you wont want to miss 1. Kodiak Island Beaches Snowy mountain behind White Sand Beach on Kodiak Island via Getty Images Kodiak Island is known for its rugged wilderness and stunning coastline. The beaches here offer a mix of sand and pebbles, making them perfect for beachcombing and exploring tide pools. Try out Pasagshak Beach for a great spot to fish, or Fossil Beach for a unique archaeological experience. For those interested in history, the Kodiak Island Archipelago has been inhabited for over 7,000 years and has a rich cultural heritage 2. Halibut Cove Located just a short boat ride from Homer, Halibut Cove is a hidden beach gem. This is said to be one of the best beaches in Alaska. The town itself is only accessible by water taxi or ferry, adding to the secluded feel. The beach boasts crystal-clear water and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Additionally, the town has a rich history, dating back to the early 1900s when it served as a fishing and cannery community. Today, visitors can learn about the areas past at the Halibut Cove Historical Society Museum. With so much to offer, Halibut Cove is truly a hidden gem worth discovering. 3. Sitka Beaches Sitka offers a variety of beaches, each with its own unique appeal. Sandy Beach is a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming, while the nearby Whale Park offers a chance to watch for whales and other marine life. If you want a more secluded experience, head to Starrigavan Beach for a peaceful retreat. 4. Nome Beaches View of coastline of Nome, Alaska, USA via Getty Images Nome may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering beaches, but its coastline offers some hidden gems. Try out the Nome River Mouth for a spot to dig for gold. Alternatively, if youre looking to observe some of Alaskas magnificent wildlife, make your way to Teller Wildlife Refuge and witness musk oxen and other indigenous creatures in their natural habitat 5. Kachemak Bay State Park Looking for the best beaches in Alaska along with some other activities to explore? Well, the Kachemak Bay State Park offers miles of coastline to explore, with secluded beaches and stunning views of glaciers and mountains. You can also try out China Poot Bay for a chance to see sea otters and other marine life or the nearby Grewingk Glacier for a unique hiking and beach experience. Families can also explore the parks rich history and culture by visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center or the Anchorage Museum. 6. Kenai Peninsula Beaches The setting sun crests the summit of the active volcano, Mount Redoubt. Ninilchik, Alaska via Getty Images The Kenai Peninsula is home to some of the most popular beaches in Alaska. Visit Ninilchik Beach for a chance to fish for halibut, or the nearby Homer Spit for a bustling beach experience. For a more secluded option, try out the nearby Kachemak Bay State Park for miles of untouched coastline. Ninilchik Beach is an anglers paradise where you can try your luck at catching halibut while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. If youre in the mood for a livelier beach experience, head over to the Homer Spit and soak up the sun while people-watching and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. With so much to offer, the Kenai Peninsula is a must-visit spot for a secluded vacation on a beach in Alaska with your family. 7. Chugach State Park The Chugach State Park offers a variety of beaches, each with its own unique appeal. Try out Eklutna Lake Beach for a chance to swim in crystal clear water or the nearby Bird Point for stunning views of the surrounding mountains. For a more secluded experience, head to the nearby Portage Lake for a peaceful retreat. Families can also explore the parks rich history and culture by visiting the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center. With so much to see and do, Chugach State Park is the perfect location for families who want a beach vacation with a touch of adventure and culture. When planning your trip to these gorgeous beaches in Alaska, be sure to pack accordingly for the weather and bring along any necessary gear for your chosen activities. Additionally, remember that some of these beaches may require a bit of hiking or boat access, so plan accordingly. Whether youre looking for a secluded escape or a family-friendly destination, Alaska has it all. Plan your trip today and discover the beauty of the stunning beaches in Alaska. Also, read to know Sun, Sand, and Surf: Top 10 Beach Destinations in the USA The post Top 7 Beaches in Alaska for a Secluded Family Escape appeared first on Momtastic. Liam Neeson 's got a brand new action vehicle to show off his particular set of skills. "Retribution" is out now, exclusively in theaters. (Yahoo News; Everett Collection) When it comes to being an action star, Liam Neeson has a very particular set of skills. The Northern Irish actor, also known for his roles in blockbusters like Love Actually, Silence, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and the Oscar-winning Schindlers List, has been expertly portraying gunslinging heroes since stepping into the role of ex-CIA agent and protective father Bryan Mills in the 2009 film Taken. Now, Neesons back behind the wheel of a new action thriller, Retribution, which rolled into theaters this weekend. Heres what you need to know about the new Liam Neeson movie, plus where it falls in the ranking of Liam Neesons top 10 action movies (and how to watch all of them). When does Retribution come out? Retribution premiered exclusively in theaters on August 25, 2023. Get Tickets Retribution plot The new Liam Neeson movie follows a father who receives a strange phone call while commuting with his kids one day. The mystery caller has rigged the car with bombs, sending the family on a high-speed, high stakes chase across the city completing confusing tasks to appease the attacker. Retribution cast Alongside Neeson, the Retribution cast includes Noma Dumezweni, Lilly Aspell, Jack Champion, Embeth Davidtz and Matthew Modine. Liam Neesons top 10 action movies Ranked according to Rotten Tomatoes audience scores, not critics, since Neesons action movies tend to score really Rotten in the eyes of critics. 1. Honest Thief (2020) - 87% Liam Neeson, Kate Walsh, Jai Courtney, Jeffrey Donovan, Anthony Ramos and Robert Patrick star in Honest Thief, a 2020 action film about a notorious bank robber who decides to turn himself in, only to find his confession has fallen into the hands of two crooked cops. Watch on Prime Video In what is arguably Liam Neesons most iconic action movie, an ex-CIA officer must track down a group of human traffickers after they kidnap his teenage daughter while on vacation in France. Maggie Grace and Leland Orser also star. Watch on Starz 3. The Marksman (2021) - 83% Neeson stars in this heart-wrenching action thriller as a former Marine living peacefully as a rancher on the Arizona-Mexican border. When he finds himself responsible for the safety of an 11-year-old migrant boy, everything changes. Rent on Amazon In Blacklight, Neeson plays a fixer for the FBI who starts to question everything when a journalist uncovers the bureaus true agenda. Watch on Prime Video Neeson stars as an expert assassin who draws the line at working for a dangerous crime organization in the 2022 action thriller Memory. Watch on Prime Video Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Patrick Wilson and Neeson star in 2010s The A-Team. Watch on Hulu 7. Retribution Alongside Neeson, the cast of this new thriller includes Noma Dumezweni, Lilly Aspell, Jack Champion, Embeth Davidtz and Matthew Modine. Retribution is now playing in theaters. Get Tickets Neeson and Julianne Moore co-star in this thriller about a U.S. Air Marshal who finds himself the prime suspect in his own case on a transatlantic flight to London. Watch on Netflix 9. The Grey (2012) - 61% Its Neeson vs. a pack of wolves in the Alaskan wilderness in this 2012 action drama The Grey, which also stars Dermot Mulroney and Frank Grillo. Watch on Netflix 10. Run All Night (2015) - 56% Neeson stars in this 2015 mob thriller alongside Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman and Common. Watch on Max Brad Pelo, executive producer and president of The Chosen, talks to news media at the Salvation Armys Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, Texas, on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News MIDLOTHIAN, Texas Brad Pelo, president and executive producer of the Angel Original historical drama The Chosen, defines success for the show a little differently. Throughout his life, Pelo has worn many hats. When he was 16 years old and living in Orem, Utah, he told The New York Times, I made up my mind in my preteen years that I was never going to be the normal middle-American person. I made up my mind Id be everything from president of the United States to a millionaire tycoon. Related Pelo was interviewed by the Times because he was a young entrepreneur, making video tapes of home listings for real estate agents in 1979. Since then, Pelo graduated from Brigham Young University and he has been the president and co-founder of Folio at Microsoft, a founding team member of Ancestry.com, CEO of i.TV and president of Radiant, among other positions. The Chosen isnt his first foray into being an executive producer. Hes done that before for the annual Stadium of Fire concert and the movie The Legend of Johnny Lingo. After leading a set visit on The Chosen, Pelo sat down with the Deseret News to talk about what its like working on the show and the shows success so far in the way he sees it. How Brad Pelo describes The Chosen If Pelo had to choose three words to describe the show, he said he would choose: disruptive, playful and curiosity. I would describe the vision of The Chosen as disruptive by virtue of the way were telling the story. I would say that it also is playful. I think were experiencing a Jesus that is meant to be our friend, is meant to be someone we would like to hang out with, Pelo said. Then, I would also say that this vision of The Chosen brings curiosity into the question, Pelo added. It invites us to reevaluate what his (Jesus) life might mean to our life. In recent weeks, the show has proven to be disruptive. It was the first show to be granted an exemption from SAG-AFTRA to continue filming, and theres been a TV Guide and Newsweek cover story. The show also got added to The CW Networks broadcast show roster. The news about the CW picking up the show came after the announcement about the Lionsgate deal, which means Lionsgate will have the rights to distribute The Chosen. Its all about distribution, Pelo told the Deseret News. We can create the story, but were very limited in our ability to put it onto the platforms. He mentioned a handful of platforms used in the U.S. and used internationally. The broadcast and television networks are different, and we dont have relationships with all of those people. Lionsgate does, Pelo said. So, our partnership with Lionsgate really opens the doors to all of those platforms around the world. What makes The Chosen so successful? When asked about what it means for the show to be successful, Pelo didnt mention awards or ratings, he said, We receive hundreds, literally thousands of emails from people telling us that this wasnt the Jesus that they thought was out there. Some of the people who send these emails didnt grow up in faith knowing Jesus and other people previously had negative assumptions about Jesus. And yet theyre experiencing something very different, Pelo said. That, to me, is success. We want people to know Jesus. Hearing this sentiment on the set of The Chosen isnt out of the ordinary. I genuinely dont care about the multitudes, Dallas Jenkins told the Deseret News in a prior interview. I care about five and two. I care about making sure that the loaves and fish that I make are as good and pleasing to God as they can be. And everything after that is just a bonus. Why Pelo believes in portraying Jesus as welcoming in The Chosen Pelo believes theres power in Jonathan Roumies portrayal of Jesus as being very welcoming and full of love. Could I be more like that? Could we be more like that as a society, whether its in our churches or in our civic organizations? Pelo said. He thinks seeing Jesus in this way can contribute to the healing of the woundedness of the cultural divide. So we really hope that were planting seeds, Pelo said. Whether you accept Jesus on his terms as the son of God, or whether you simply see the kind acts of a man and the healing, whether its miraculous or not to you, of lives. Pelo said hes experienced this kind of seed-planting and subsequent change firsthand. Inevitably, as I walk away from that screen, for a period of time, I just want to be a better person. I really do. I want to feel the way I felt while watching the television show. I think that alone improves my psyche for the world in dealing with it. Related The Chosen Season 4 release date The Chosen Season 4 is expected to release in either January or February 2024. Jenkins said in a livestream, Season 4 is actually coming in theaters and The Chosen is looking to release all future seasons in theaters. Royalist is The Daily Beasts newsletter for all things royal and Royal Family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday. Friends of Prince William and Kate Middleton have said the couple will be irritated at Prince Harrys decision to give a speech in London on the eve of the anniversary of Queen Elizabeths death, while sources have also told The Daily Beast that Harry is not likely to see his father or brother, and will not be expected to attend any private or public family gatherings to mark the late queens passing. The distinctly chilly welcome comes after Harrys office announced Thursday that he would be appearing at the WellChild awards on Sept. 7, and making a speech. Given that Sept. 8 is the anniversary of the queens death it seems inconceivable he wont refer to or pay tribute to his late grandmother, especially as he missed last years WellChild Awards as he scrambled to get to his grandmothers side. Prince Harry Peace Talks Are Not Happening, Royal Sources Say William and Kate are due to make an as-yet unconfirmed public appearance outside of London on Sept. 8, at which they will remember the late queenand there will inevitably now be questions as to whether Harrys dramatic insertion of himself into the weeks events will overshadow their plans. A source in their office told The Daily Beast that the precise details of their engagement would be announced soon. A friend of William and Kates said the couple would likely have no intention of meeting up with Harry or doing a joint engagement with him, unsurprisingly, some might say, given the parlous state of relations between the formerly very close brothers. Meghan Markle is not coming with Harry to the U.K., it was also reported, instead traveling direct from their home in California to Dusseldorf, Germany, for the opening of the Invictus Games, the Paralympic-style event for wounded former servicemen that Harry established. Harry is reportedly going to still be in the U.K. on Sept. 8and his decision to be in the country on the actual anniversary of the queens death will look to some like a calculated provocation. The royals have previously said that, despite William and Kates engagement, there will be no formal public events specifically structured around marking the anniversary. King Charles and Queen Camilla will not appear in public, instead spending the day in what courtiers have termed private reflection. This follows the precedent set by the late queen herself who would spend the anniversaries of her fathers death privately. A friend of Prince Williams told The Daily Beast, It is increasingly hard to work out what Harry wants to be and do. He was appointed to be a patron of WellChild because he was a member of the royal family. Now this is something that he apparently wants to carry on doing in his capacity as a private individual. William and Kate will be irritated, especially by the date, but will just ignore it. What else can they do? They said that William and Kate would not extend an olive branch to Harry by inviting him to appear with them, or to meet for private conversations. Earlier this week, a source told The Daily Beast that reports that Harry was due to meet his father for what was termed peace talks were incorrect, saying: Charles wont be seeing Harry and nor will William. No chance. He feels utterly betrayed by what Harry wrote about him in the book and said about him on Netflix. Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls" William, in particular, feels deeply wounded by what he sees as his brother betraying him by relating family secrets and private conversations in his memoir Spare. William and Kate were also angered by Harry appearing to criticize their decisions around bringing up their children as young royals, The Daily Beast understands. Staff at Kensington Palace have already said that William and Kate will make a public appearance on the one-year anniversary of Elizabeths death. Given that this is the day after Harry makes his speech, there might yet be a possibility that the two camps can accommodate each other, if Harry avoids any public engagements on the actual anniversary. The real nervousness at the palace will be that Harry may choose to further disrupt the delicate choreography of the day by making some kind of surprise appearance on the 8th itself. A friend of King Charles sought to shrug off the impact of Harrys visit, telling The Daily Beast: Harry is a private citizen. What he does on the anniversary of the queens death is entirely a matter for him. The king certainly wont be changing his plans in reaction to what Harry is doing. Asked if the king would be concerned that an appearance by Harry at a marquee charity event could distract media focus, the friend said, I dont think anybody is under any illusions about the challenges that they face going forward with Harry. But the bigger picture here is that this is the anniversary of the monarchs death, people will want to mark it in different ways. The friend said Harry, who is expected to be based in London, would not be meeting with his father in Scotland. Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reacts as she, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Queen Camilla and King Charles attend the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, in London, Britain, September 19, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville There is little doubt however that Harrys arrival in London for the WellChild charity, of which he has been a patron for many years, will be the subject of intense media attention, not least because it will be in many ways a re-run of the dramatic events which occurred in 2022. Harry and Meghan were in the U.K. to attend the ceremony last year when news broke that the queen was dying. Harry canceled his WellChild commitment and raced to Scotland in a desperate effort to see his grandmother one last time, but she had died by the time he got there. He wrote in his memoir that he was told by Charles not to bring his wife, who wanted to come. He was also excluded from joining a royal party onboard an RAF jet, and was forced instead to charter a small aircraft to make his own way to Scotland. Harry complained in his memoir that he learned of her death via a BBC news alert on his phone as his small plane came in to land at Aberdeen airport, although the palace said he had been told the news privately before it was announced in public. Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, and the Sussexes did not respond to requests for comment on whether Harry would meet other member of his family while visiting the U.K. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Zack Snyder looked to Terry Gilliams directors cut of Brazil when crafting the world of Rebel Moon . Snyder confirmed during a recent Rebel Moon press preview Q&A (via Slash Film) that a directors cut was already part of the plan with Netflix for the Rebel Moon release. The Star Wars-esque feature will debut in two parts, titled A Child of Fire and The Scargiver, respectively, this December and next April. Directors cuts and featurettes will also reportedly be released on the streaming platform. More from IndieWire Snyder cited Gilliams 1985 sci-fi dark comedy starring Jonathan Pryce, Bob Hoskins, and Robert De Niro as part of the reason why he is intrigued by directors cuts in general. I was like, Thats cool. That makes it a lot easier than this,' Snyder said of the approved directors cut option. Because its one of those things that I guess I was always inspired by movies like Brazil, or theres a great history of directors cuts that are just cool. When I was in film school, I just always thought that was cool, that there was this other movie that you could discover. Snyder continued, So for me, when you make a movie, you have a lot of voices in your own creative mind telling you what would be narratively just the strongest solution. And then you have this other tug on you I do, anyway that is like, Well, what if theres rabbit holes that are really amazing to go down and just kind of learn about different aspects of the characters?' He added, I think its been the experience of my relationship to the fans of the movies that Ive made is that theyve always seen [the directors cuts] as like, OK, whats that? What am I going to learn in there, in those eggs that come at Easter time? What will be those [references]?' Fans of Snyders DC universe films like Batman V. Superman were part of what pushed Warner Bros. to release the #SnyderCut of Justice League in 2021. Snyder previously revealed that Warner Bros. passed on Rebel Moon multiple times. Snyders producing partner and wife Deborah Snyder addressed how Rebel Moon operates outside of the strict confines of IPs like Star Wars and the DCU. Once, it was a Star Wars film, and I never wanted it to be, Deborah Snyder said of the failed Star Wars movie idea that eventually became Rebel Moon. She added, I remember, I said to Zack, I just feel like your hands are going to be tied so much in what that IP is, even though it kind of lived outside of it. So I was kind of happy when that fell apart, because I always felt like it was better. We learned so much with all our years working with the superheroes and creating those worlds, and to do something now thats wholly original we got to do a little bit of that in the world of zombies, and with Las Vegas, but to do something that is fantastical, we say its a science fantasy more than science fiction, and to take all those skills that Zack has been honing, and to do something in this space, just seemed really exciting. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. When their 9-year-old daughter, Valentina, accidentally left behind her beloved American Girl doll during a flight earlier this summer, Rudy and Celeste Dominguez tried everything they could think of to reunite their daughter with her "best friend," Beatrice. [Beatrice] means a lot to me. She brings me happiness and shes my best friend, Valentina explained to Good Morning America. When she was missing, when we got settled into our hotel, I felt very bad. I felt like my heart was broken. The Plano, Texas family searched everywhere for the lost doll with brown hair, including their travel baggage, without success. PHOTO: Beatrice, an American Girl doll, was left on a plane in Tokyo and was taken to the lost and found at Haneda Airport in the Japanese capital. (Courtesy of Rudy Dominguez) We checked our bags to see if maybe she was in there but we all remembered seeing her on the plane so once we did the search, didn't find her, we called the airline and then we sent an email to the airline looking for her, Rudy Dominguez recalled. The family also spread the word about the misplaced doll through a Facebook post a message that eventually reached pilot James Jim Danen, a first officer for American Airlines who's based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, not far from Plano. PHOTO: Rudy Dominguez and his daughter Valentina say they're grateful for Danen's generosity and help in locating and reuniting Valentina with her beloved doll. (Courtesy of Rudy Dominguez) MORE: Girl who had Minnie Mouse doll by her side for 40 brain surgeries has 'sparkle back' after toy was found Danen said he jumped at the chance to help young Valentina locate Beatrice, who was last seen on July 20 on a plane in Tokyo, Japan, where the family had a stopover on their flight back to the U.S. from Bali, Indonesia. "It's my nature. I like helping people ... that's just what I like doing," the veteran pilot, who often files to Tokyo and back, told ABC Dallas affiliate WFAA. "I was really glad I could do something nice for somebody." Danen said he reached out to Turkish Airlines' lost-and-found at Haneda Airport in Tokyo and was able to locate the missing doll after two tries. He then took photos with Beatrice in various airports and on flights as he carried her back home to Valentina in Texas, over 5,800 miles away. MORE: Elmo lost for a decade finds its way home to deceased toddler's mom On Monday, Danen drove to the Dominguez family home in Plano and personally returned Beatrice to Valentina, along with some Japanese treats and a map that showed all of Beatrice's travels. WFAA was there to capture the in-person reunion on camera. PHOTO: First Officer James Danen of American Airlines helped reunite 9-year-old Valentina with her lost American Girl doll named Beatrice. (Courtesy of Rudy Dominguez) I felt over the moon, Valentina said of seeing Beatrice again after a month-long separation. I knew Beatrice was gonna be mad at me but I was happy that I could see her again. "I think it's another sign of there's a lot of kindness in this world, Dominguez said of Danen and his actions. I'm really happy that Jim was able to help us and thankful for him." After Valentina was reunited with Beatrice, she thanked Danen, gave him a hug and asked him a crucial question. "Was she well-behaved on the flight?" Valentina inquired. "Very well-behaved, yes," Danen responded. Celeste Dominguez said the experience of losing and then reuniting with Beatrice the doll has taught us a valuable lesson, has taught the girls a valuable lesson: When someone reaches out, help them out if you can. Pilot reunites girl with lost doll from halfway around the world originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China will extend the preferential tax policy for overseas talent working in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to Dec. 31, 2027 to support the area's development, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Friday. High-calibre overseas talent and professionals in short supply who work in the Greater Bay Area will get subsidies from Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality to offset the difference between the individual income tax on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, according to a circular jointly released by the MOF and the State Taxation Administration. The subsidies will be exempt from individual income tax, said the circular. The MOF also announced that a departure tax refund policy for overseas tourists will be implemented in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, from Sept. 1. Ramaswamy had a big debate night. What's next? Entrepreneur and GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy had a big night Wednesday on the primary's first debate stage. Now, he'll have to capitalize. Ramaswamy has seen a rise in the polls in recent weeks, and he got the lion's share of attention Wednesday after several candidates went after him. While being the target of attacks may not seem like a plus, Ramaswamy needs to be further introduced to voters given his lack of prior public service. The barbs helped put him the middle of the debate's grabbier moments and gave him the aura of someone other candidates may fear. MORE: 7 takeaways from the 1st GOP primary debate PHOTO: Former biotech executive Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at the first Republican candidates' debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign in Milwaukee, Aug. 23, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) Sources in and around the campaign told ABC News they hope the debate will serve as a springboard and that Ramaswamy will keep up the frenetic campaign pace that helped fuel his pre-debate polling bump. "I think you'll see this campaign capitalize on the performance of the debate to the highest extent possible and build a constituency and solidify the groundwork for real grassroots movement," said one source close to the campaign. "I think you'll see different endorsements come out of the woodwork over the next couple of weeks." Ramaswamy, thanks to his polling position and the absence of former President Donald Trump, was at center stage Wednesday night, right next to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was viewed as Trump's most serious primary rival, but has been unable to establish himself as the unequivocal second place contender. And Ramaswamy's position made his back-and-forths all the more visible. MORE: Climate change, mental health and UFOs: Moments you may have missed from the 1st GOP primary debate Ramaswamy mixed it up mainly with former Vice President Mike Pence, who went after him unprompted near the start of the debate, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, all of whom knocked his political experience. "Now is not the time for on-the-job training," Pence said. "We don't need to bring in a rookie. We don't need to bring in people without experience." Christie later said the Ramaswamy of sounding "like ChatGPT," referring to the popular AI tool, and Haley cast him as insufficiently supportive of Ukraine and other allies, saying he had "no foreign policy experience, and it shows." PHOTO: Entrepreneur and author Vivek Ramaswamy and former Governor from South Carolina and UN ambassador Nikki Haley gesture as they speak during the first Republican Presidential primary debate at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Aug. 23, 2023. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Ramaswamy fought back, boasting that a new generation is needed in Washington and that voters support a more domestic-focused president, throwing back elbows with the kind of pugnacious tone that has made him a media darling and boosted his social media presence -- while also alienating some in the GOP establishment. "Well, @NikkiHaley just stuffed Vivek in a locker," GOP strategist Kevin McLaughlin wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, during the debate. "Ramaswamy comes across like the guy in high school that everyone wanted to beat up. In fact, I thought Christie was going to slug him at one point," GOP strategist Bob Heckman said on ABC News Wednesday night. Still, his campaign viewed the exchanges as a boon as he increases his name recognition. "I think it was Vivek versus the entire GOP establishment. Clearly, they were threatened by him," Ramaswamy spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told ABC News Thursday. "He did introduce himself to the to the American people [Wednesday] night," she added. "Most people had no idea who Vivek was even four months ago, much less before that. People take some time to warm up and to gain trust, and that's what we're working to do." MORE: GOP candidates make their case in first debate It's unclear just how much of an introduction the debate served for Ramaswamy in the absence of any new polling since Wednesday night, but the event undoubtedly got his name in front of more voters, offering him a chance to continue his support. Ramaswamy was already deploying a go-everywhere strategy, keeping up a frenzied travel pace and accepting seemingly every interview request, a plan that'll likely go into hyperdrive now. He's already gone to places few national Republicans venture, including the south side of Chicago and the impoverished Philadelphia neighborhood of Kensington. Ramaswamy is campaigning in Iowa Friday. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidates, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy participate in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum, Aug. 23, 2023 in Milwaukee. (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images) "... Then Saturday, and then next week, we'll be in New Hampshire and Iowa," Tricia McLaughlin said. "We're going to capture this lightning in a bottle and run with it." "It's ground and pound," said New Hampshire state Rep. Fred Doucette, who is a strategist for Ramaswamy's campaign in the state. "He's willing to meet anyone, anywhere, speak to anyone, anywhere because he knows that's where it matters. It's not about the political pundits. It's not about the polling. The real polling is the eye contact." As he presses the flesh, Ramaswamy will have to continue pounding his controversial policy positions, which were on full display Wednesday. The entrepreneur is running on a platform pushing a revamp of the federal government and called the "climate agenda" a "hoax" at the debate, with critics casting him as out of the mainstream as too combative. "Vivek was a disaster," said GOP pollster Robert Blizzard, who is working for DeSantis' campaign. "Let Pence and Vivek hurt each other, who cares." But Ramaswamy's supporters insist his policies match up with voters' beliefs. MORE: Ramaswamy breaks from GOP orthodoxy on foreign policy, sparks pushback ahead of first debate "We have a multitude of events planned, and my phone has been blowing up since [Wednesday] night, quite frankly," Doucette said. "Somebody who's coming with solid policy, solid solutions to big problems that we face as a nation, I think, will play well." Beyond policy, Ramaswamy is also anticipated to continue defending Trump. Ramaswamy doubled down on his defense during the debate, saying Trump was the "best president of the 21st century," an effort that could make Ramaswamy appealing to Trump's hardcore base -- and one that didn't go unnoticed from the man himself. "This answer gave Vivek Ramaswamy a big WIN in the debate because of a thing called TRUTH," Trump posted on Truth Social early Thursday morning. "Thank you Vivek!" Still, should Trump's legal problems not keep him off the campaign trail, the former president remains the overwhelming primary front-runner, potentially minimizing the impact the debate could have going forward -- giving strategists flashbacks to the two-tiered debate system in the 2016 primary that gave unfavorable billing to lower-polling candidates whose campaigns were on life support and ended up failing. "This reminded me of the undercard debates of 2015," said one unaffiliated GOP strategist Wednesday night. "It's the hospice debate of 2023." Ramaswamy had a big debate night. What's next? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The mug shot of former President Donald Trump, released by Georgia officials Thursday night, was available for purchase online from independent sellers within hours on tote bags, flasks, baby clothes and even underwear. A heart necklace for $39.99. A shower curtain for $44.99. A mouse pad for $14.95. The historic image gave rise almost immediately not only to products offered by Trump's presidential campaign, but it also fueled a robust online marketplace, as sellers offered scores of products on online platforms like Etsy and CafePress. The mug shot appears alongside other products offered by independent sellers that promote conservative efforts, like Trump's re-election, but it also can be found among the offerings from vendors selling products featuring typically liberal messages, such as supporting LGBTQ+ rights. Trump and 18 others were charged in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, where President Joe Biden was the winner. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied any wrongdoing. Watching TV coverage of Trump's surrender at Georgia's Fulton County Jail on Thursday night, Genevieve Compton grew disgusted about his alleged crimes and disparaging remarks about some poll workers. MORE: Georgia election case live updates: All 19 defendants have surrendered Compton, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based human relations consultant and a registered Democrat, turned to her Etsy business as a way to take action. She found Trump's mug shot image online minutes later, drew up a couple of designs and soon offered two mugs for sale, vowing to devote part of the revenue to a voting rights organization, she said. "I was so angered," Compton, who began selling other products on Etsy eight months ago, told ABC News. "I can do a lot of donating from the proceeds." As of Friday morning, Compton said, she had sold 12 mugs featuring the mugshot. While modest for large vendors, the sales exceeded the total number of products Compton had sold over the last few months, she said. Having observed the initial reaction to the mug shot image as it spread across social media on Thursday, Compton figured that her customers were a mix of Trump supporters and critics. "There's this sense that some people are seeing this in solidarity with Trump," Compton said. "And some people are seeing this as this dude who did all of these horrible things and is finally being held accountable." PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he arrives at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, on Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Alongside the mugs featuring Trump's mug shot, Compton sells a rainbow-colored pin with the word "ally" as well as another brightly colored pin that reads "love is love." When asked about the incongruity of offering such products alongside an image of the Republican presidential frontrunner, Compton said: "There are a lot of people out there who are happy he's being held accountable I'm in that group." Chris, an Etsy seller who declined to provide their real name for fear of backlash but goes by that moniker on the site, said they started thinking days ago about plans to make Trump mug shot products. "Anybody who makes merch always watches the news," the Chicago-area tech worker told ABC News. During nearly five years as a seller on Etsy, Chris says they have offered beverage mugs featuring President Joe Biden, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. "I knew when the mug shot was going to drop," they said. On Thursday night, after finding a Trump mug shot image on X, formerly known as Twitter, and verifying its authenticity, Chris designed some mockup beverage mugs and posted the offerings on Etsy, they said. MORE: Trump mug shot released by Fulton County Sheriff's Office When asked about the importance of posting items quickly, Chris told ABC News, "It's just as important as it is for you to get the story out first. The quicker you get out there, the more eyes fall upon it." Trump-related products typically sell well, Chris said, attributing their popularity to the enthusiasm of Trump's core supporters. "If you're passionate about your Marvel comics, you'll go to see every doggone movie that Marvel puts out," they said. As of Friday morning, Chris had sold dozens of mugs, they said, adding, "The orders are still coming in. It's nothing to sneeze at." After initially offering about six mug shot mug designs, Chris said they plan to double their available mug shot products by Friday afternoon. Unlike Compton, Chris approached the mug-shot products solely as a business opportunity, they said. "When it comes to making money, I don't care about people's political preferences. I don't see red or blue I see green." ABC News' Ivan Pereira contributed reporting to this story. Shower curtains, mugs & more: Trump mug shot merchandise now online originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Woman rescued from kidnapping after passing note to gas station customer, authorities say An Arizona woman was saved from an alleged kidnapping by passing a note to a gas station customer that said to call 911, authorities said. The woman was allegedly kidnapped from a car dealership in Phoenix Monday morning by a man "wearing a wig and pretending to be an Uber driver," according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. The man allegedly restrained the victim with zip ties as they drove toward Las Vegas, spending Monday night at a Lake Mead park, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said. PHOTO: The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office released this photo of a note involved in an alleged kidnapping. (Yavapai County Sheriff's Office) Around 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday, while at a gas station in Seligman, Arizona, the woman slipped a note to another customer that said "help" and "call 911" and included a description of the van she was traveling in, where they were headed and a phone number, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, which released a photo of the note. MORE: 3 charged in kidnapping Michigan newborn twins from 30-year-old mother The customer called 911 and provided responding Yavapai County Sheriff's deputies with a description of the woman and man she was with and the direction they were traveling on Interstate 40, authorities said. The deputies alerted the Arizona Department of Public Safety to assist in locating the van. PHOTO: The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office released this photo of a vehicle involved in an alleged kidnapping. (Yavapai County Sheriff's Office) The van was subsequently found on I-40 with the victim and man, the sheriff's office said. The suspect -- identified as Jacob Wilhoit, 41 -- was detained without incident and multiple firearms were found in his vehicle "in plain view," the sheriff's office said. Wilhoit was booked on charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and aggravated assault, the sheriff's office said. It is unclear if he has an attorney who can speak on his behalf. PHOTO: The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office released the booking photo of Jacob Wilhoit. (Yavapai County Sheriff's Office) The victim and suspect knew each other, the sheriff's office said. Deputies learned the victim had been reported missing by her mother and entered as a missing/endangered person earlier that afternoon, with Wilhoit named a person of interest, the sheriff's office said. MORE: 19-year-old woman kidnapped from park and killed was allegedly randomly targeted: Police "It is a crazy story, but one that we wanted to tell specifically because of what the victim did for herself to help herself," Yavapai County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kristin Greene told reporters. "A lot of us might've looked at this person like she was crazy, and thank goodness this customer took her seriously and the customer called 911," she added. Greene said the sheriff's office plans to release more details on the case on Monday. Woman rescued from kidnapping after passing note to gas station customer, authorities say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com After Michigan police received a distressing phone call, a slew of unexpected heroes turned up on the scene to offer their support. The incident happened in April 2018, after Detroit authorities were made aware of a man threatening to jump onto a freeway. 13 truckers parked side-by-side and formed a 'safety net' to save a man who was attempting to commit suicide. The frightening scenario happened just after 1 a.m. on April 24, 2018, after Michigan police were alerted to a man who was threatening to kill himself by jumping from an overpass above Interstate 696. As several law enforcement officers and negotiators rushed to the scene, local police decided to come up with a plan. In a race to save the unnamed man, authorities phoned and flagged down semi-trucks that were in the area, who upon arriving, parked their trucks side-by-side to form a "safety net" in case the man decided to jump, attempting to save his life. RELATED: After Spending 21 Years In Prison, A Man Surprises His Favorite Teacher By Showing Up At Her House "That's a practice we use if we have a jumper," Sgt. Jason Brockdorff of the Huntington Woods Police Department told The Detroit News, adding that this is actually something both the local police and truck drivers have trained for. Once the truckers were in place, authorities were able to safely talk the man down from the overpass. "We try to do it every time, to lessen the distance someone would travel if they were to jump. Fortunately, that didn't happen." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to CBS News, Michigan police blocked off the westbound lanes as the truckers fell into line across the eastbound lanes of the highway. In total, a row of 13 truck drivers remained in formation underneath the overpass for the next four hours as police worked to get the man to safety. RELATED: A Woman Found A Grave Labeled 'Unwanted Baby Girl' & Tracked Down The Mother To 'Right The Injustice' She Regretted It When She Found Out What Really Happened Once the trucks were in place, authorities felt more at ease to speak with him, and eventually, both they and the negotiators were able to take the man down and he eventually walked off the bridge on his own. A shot of the trucks parked was shared by Michigan Police on their Twitter page. This photo does show the work troopers and local officers do to serve the public. But also in that photo is a man struggling with the decision to take his own life. Please remember help is available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. pic.twitter.com/RBAlCIXT1o MSP Second District (@mspmetrodet) April 24, 2018 "This photo does show the work troopers and local officers do to serve the public. But also in that photo is a man struggling with the decision to take his own life," they wrote. The poignant photo of the 13 truck drivers serves as a reminder that even in moments of utmost vulnerability, people are willing to listen, extend a hand, and offer the support needed to find a way back to solid ground. It's also a testament to the remarkable ability of people coming together to create both a physical and metaphorical "safety net" not just of physical protection, but of compassion and support for one another. RELATED: A Little Boy Opened A Lemonade Stand To Raise Money To 'See The World' Before He Loses His Vision Entirely Nia Tipton is a Chicago-based entertainment, news, and lifestyle writer whose work delves into modern-day issues and experiences. This article originally appeared on YourTango If you weren't already a Taylor Zakhar Perez fan, after watching Red, White & Royal Blue, you surely are now. Zakhar Perez, who plays Alex in the movie, is taking lessons from his character. Alex, he says, is "this bombastic, annoying, energetic over-the-top guy that sometimes doesn't look before he leaps and puts people into different predicaments that they probably shouldn't be put into, but he just doesn't careI wish we could all just be, you know, out there like that." Here, 5 things to know about Taylor Zakhar Perez: 1. He's one of eight siblings. He was born on Christmas Day 1991 in Chicago, and grew up in Chesterton, Indiana. His mom, who is Mexican, was an esthetician and his dad had an auto-body shop. He has seven siblingsfive sisters and two brothersand he's the third youngest. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Tragically, one of his sisters, Kristy, died earlier this summer. One of his sisters (though he didn't specify which one) got him into acting, telling the New York Times, "She did like 40 performances of 'Annie' one winter you know, thats like the go-to play in community theater. I went with my parents, and I was watching it like, OK, this is fun, I could do this. So then they asked if I wanted to get involved ushering and just handing out the playbills, and Im a 12-, 13-year-old kid, why not?" 2. He was a competitive swimmer. Throughout his childhood and high school, he swam competitively, and almost swam at the collegiate level until he decided to go to UCLA, where he studied history and Spanish. "I think back on if I had just focused on one thing, would I be that farther along? Would I have popped sooner or would I have had more opportunities? But I also think that I had a lot of growing up to do," Zakhar Perez told WWD. "If I would have hit at 20, I probably would be a mess by 30. So Im really grateful for the time that I had to grow as a human and be away from my family. I have seven siblings, and I love them all dearly, but you need that time to be away and understand who you are and what you want, and not what your parents want, and then you come full circle of, Oh, they just wanted the best for me. And you stop resenting. Then you do all the work." 3. He's very outdoorsyand his type, he says, is adventurous. Zakhar Perez has hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, and, according to the Hollywood Reporter, "he has also scaled the Inca Trial to Machu Michu in Peru, explored the Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari hikes in Tanzania and South Africas Lions Head and Table Mountains. As far as his stateside favorites, Perez can often be found in California at Eagle Peak and El Capitan in Yosemite, Mount Baldy and Sycamore Canyon." He also surfs: Unsurprisingly because of his love for the outdoors, his type, he says, is someone who is ourtdoorsy like him: "I love adventurous people, someone that says yes all the time. I paddle board and hike and surf, so I feel like my friends are my type. Im a huge proponent of dating friends or people youve had heart-to-hearts with before you become intimate. Emotional intimacy is way more important to me than sexual intimacy." 4. His first big break was in The Kissing Booth 2. After, he also starred in The Kissing Booth 3, and appeared in Minx. His biggest role to date is in Red, White & Royal Blue, where he plays Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the president. ROB YOUNGSON 5. Latinx representation is really important to him. "For me growing up, [the movie] Selena was my familys cultural enjoyment. We watched it probably once, twice a month, even if it was just in the background. We just loved it, loved it. Selena [Quintanilla] always reminded me of my mom because I never really saw women of color that looked like her on television," he told ET. "And honestly I think the nearest one next was Eva Longoria on Desperate Housewives. That was the next strong, leading, Latina woman that we watched in the household." He added, "I just want to see less drug dealers, less gang members, less violence, [have] them less criminalized than a guy that plays guitar at school that has his Mexican swag on. Just like we normalize all different types of communities LGBTQ, Black, Asianwe have to normalize Latinx characters as well. Im looking forward to that." You Might Also Like "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The classics in the wine world have earned that categorization for a reason, and well always be fond of the vinos voted as the best wines for beginners . Sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir, merlot and cabernet sauvignon showcase the basics and display the most common flavors and aromas youll come across on most restaurant menus and at wine shops. In other words, these quintessential wines are a great starting point to get acquainted with the world of wine. Gaining familiarity and knowledge with dominant and commonly found wines helps to cultivate a personal point of reference for what you do or dont like, says Nick Leo, co-owner of the natural wine bar/shop The Cave DSM in Des Moines, Iowa. However, you shouldnt feel obligated to like something just because it's ubiquitous or popular. If youre willing to take a small risk by trying something new, you introduce the opportunity for a potential big reward: a new favorite wine. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In addition to simply being fun to sample a style outside of your comfort zone, sipping something new beyond that usual Caymus cab or Rombauer chardonnay allows you an opportunity to potentially discover a new favorite, says Aubrey Bailey, founder and co-owner of Cadet Wine & Beer Bar and co-founder and co-owner of Chispa Bar in Napa, California. These varieties have the ability to show a broad spectrum of aromatics, body and flavor. There are so many amazing producers playing with any number of different and unique varietals, she explains. Youll probably also learn something new. Leo says exploring lesser-known wine styles may teach you some lessons about culture or history of a specific region. If you normally like a white wine from Spain, peek around at what other grapes thrive in that region. Chances are, youll find a neighbor that you might also enjoy. Or if you typically lean towards wine thats crisp, bright and refreshing at this time of year, ask at your local wine shop or at a restaurant if the staff is loving anything similar. As a cherry on top, youll probably also save some money if you flesh out your wine collection with some more unique grapes and blends. These wines are often available at a really accessible price point because they are less sought after, adds Katherine Sturgill, certified sommelier, wine director and general manager at Daisies in Chicago, Illinois. Lesser-Known Wine Varieties to Try When youre ready to take it to the next levelor are simply seeking something new and differentits time to drink outside of the box, the wine experts we spoke to agree. Start with these under-the-radar wine styles. Touriga Nacional If you enjoy cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel or merlot, youll likely love this red made from small, thick-skinned grapes native to Portugal. This wine isn't shy, and it delivers a big punch of ripe blueberry, plum and black currant flavors, often with a hint of spice or slate. Since its full-bodied, high in tannins and usually offers a decent amount of acidity, touriga nacional also has stellar aging potential and is brilliant served alongside barbecue, steaks, tomato-based stews and hearty casseroles. Portugal boasts a rich wine culture and was once the largest exporter of wine to the United States before the French wine explosion in the 1920s, says James Couty, food and beverage manager at Pendry Chicago and Chateau Carbide Chicago, Illinois. Shop Now 2019 Herdade do Rocim Touriga Nacional b-21.com $17.98 Hybrid Grape Varieties Most wine grapes we knowlike pinot noir, chardonnay, or syrahare from the vitis vinifera family, which is indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, Sturgill says. But there are actually 78 other families of grapes, some of which are indigenous to the U.S. When you cross vines of grapes from different families, youre left with a hybrid grape, many of which can be resistant to certain diseases or extreme heat, cold or drought more than their vitis vinifera peers. Initially, when colonizers came to the U.S., they tried to make wines from these grapes, but these wines were written off as being foxy, Sturgull says, meaning that they were thought of as too musky or wild. However, there has been a resurgence of the use of hybrids, especially in the Midwest. I think as climate change continues to affect viticulture, we can explore hybrids more seriously. Marquette, vidal blanc, chambourcin, la crescent, seyval blanc, norton and frontenac are common examples; ask at local wineries what grapes thrive in your neck of the woods. Shop Now Brut Ombre Rose iscbubbly.com $25.00 Orange Wines Dont let the name fool you. These wines arent always the color of the orange in your fruit bowl; theyre often a muted tone thats most akin to rose, Couty says. Orange wines range from golden to amber to pink in hue. I believe we will see more of these wines hitting the table especially during the coming summers, as they become more popular and familiar with consumers. Orange wines are made in a similar style as red wine, just with white grapes like gewurztraminer, riesling, muscat and pinot grigio. Aging white grapes with the skins of the fruit allows some of the pigment to seep into the juice, and this tint remains even after the skins are strained away and the wine is aged a bit more before being bottled and sold. Since the grapes that set the stage for an orange wine are so diverse, orange wines can be everything from light and citrusy to full-bodied and intense. The most common flavors include grapefruit, honey, cooked stone fruit or sour beer-like. By the way, some natural wine brands offer orange wines, but not all orange wines are natural. Since this wine category is just now really growing in popularity in America, in many parts of the country, youll have the best luck finding orange wines at restaurants and shops that specialize in natural wine. Shop Now Monje - Orange Wine drinktinto.com $35.00 Muscadet This crisp white wine has roots along the Atlantic coast of the Loire Valley in France, Leo says, and due to the salty ocean air and the nature of the grape, the wine packs a pleasant salty and stony quality, along with high minerality, Leo says. Muscadets are incredibly food friendly as well as very reasonably priced. Its not the same asor related tomuscat, moscatel or moscato. This is a dry, light-bodied white that usually tastes like tart green apple, lemon, lime and saline. It pairs beautifully with seafood, salads and goat cheese. Leo recommends this wine varietal to anyone who currently enjoys sauvignon blanc, vinho verde or similar acidic white wines. Shop Now 2022 Domaine de la Pepiere Clos des Briords Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Cuvee Vieille Vignes grainvine.com $25.00 Dry, Sparkling Reds Weve come a long way from the syrupy-sweet lambruscos you might remember being all the rage in the 1980s. Todays sparkling redsincluding Italian lambrusco and its cousins made with aglianico, piedirosso and other red grapesare dry, refreshing and one of the best partners for everything from pizza night to cheese and charcuterie parties to Thanksgiving dinner. Dry sparkling reds are incredibly food-friendly because they have acid, tannin and generally a frothy type of effervescence that can pair with so many types of food, Leo says. I think every restaurant that serves brunch should have these types of wines on the menu. (Rather than being ultra-bubbly, red txakolina is an effervescent adopted member of this category. If youre craving something with more spice and smoky green pepper notes, seek out something like this Spanish red txakolina .) Shop Now Denny Bini Lambrusco $20.97 White Malbec Also known as blanc de malbec, this wine varietal made in this color has been growing in popularity in the U.K. and South America for the last decade, but is only recently debuting stateside. Harvest of the red grapes usually begins early (January or February rather than March through May), which allows the grapes to be plucked just after theyve ripened. This yields a wine thats low in sugar, low in alcohol and brightly acidic. The grapes are first gently crushed, destemmed and pressed then aged in stainless steel so that the wine ages completely sans skinsand is crystal white in color. Talk about a tide change from the punchy red malbec thats known for its dark berry and chocolate flavors. White malbec generally smells a bit like red fruit, even though it is starkly white, and it tastes like green apples, white peach, cherry, raspberry and citrus. Try it with chicken, turkey, seafood, vegetarian fare or your favorite spicy takeout. Shop Now Trivento White Malbec Reserve 750ML bremerswineandliquor.com $10.99 Pinot Meunier Typically only found as a blending grape in classic Champagnes (which, to earn the C Champagne, must include pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier grapes grown in the Champagne region of France), a handful of winemakers are transforming this red grape in its single-varietal, still glory. If you swoon over sangiovese, gamay or pinot noir, keep your eyes out for this up-and-coming wine style. Many sommeliers describe pinot meunier like its cousin pinot noir, just a little lighter, with a hint less tannins and a bit more acidity. It tastes like cherries, blackberries, pomegranate and mushroomssome styles are also slightly floraland its a dreamy companion to pork, mushroom risotto or roast chicken. Shop Now 2020 Estate Pinot Meunier bouchaine.com $68.00 You Might Also Like Denmark is quickly becoming one of the world's most fashionable countries, and it's for good reason. The rise of Scandi chic is something that continually influences our day-to-day wardrobes and on an industry level, Copenhagen's seasonal fashion week showcases are becoming a staple event within the cultural calendar. As a result, more and more of us are looking to the distinctive locale for inspiration on what clothes to wear, what products to buy and most importantly: how to use and style them. With that in mind, the market is continually growing, bustling with new beauty and fashion brands for us to devour. That's where the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair comes in, a bi-annual trade fair that showcases the best of the best in terms of rising brands, and helps its attendees discover what's worth investing in for the season ahead. As guests of CIFF this year, Hypebae assessed the fair's extensive portfolio of brands, curating a must-have list across apparel, accessories, skincare and beauty. From tan-empowering SPF and outdoors-inspired athleisure to chunky fine jewelry and B Corp-certified body care, let this list be the ultimate guide to achieving Scandi girl chic this season. Read on for our list of the best brands from Copenhagen's International Fashion Fair 2023. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement CDLP copenhagen international fashion fair beauty skincare bodycare underwear bags rings CDLP Design house CDLP once specialized in menswear, focusing on crafting quality essentials and basics. Recently, the brand made its foray into womenswear, offering a curated range of midweight and heavy-weight T-shirts, bralettes, underwear and socks. Crafted with lyocell, the heavy-duty yet super soft pieces offer superior breathability and boast natural moisture-wicking properties, alongside matching sets and separates in a range of varying silhouettes. Darling copenhagen international fashion fair beauty skincare bodycare underwear bags rings Darling Premium vegan skincare brand Darling offers high performing products with sun protection at their core. Designed to safely enhance your tan, the brand's range of broad spectrum SPF products include sun sprays, face creams and body washes with antioxidant properties that aim to promote long-lasting, healthy tans while delicately moisturizing the skin. HVISK copenhagen international fashion fair beauty skincare bodycare underwear bags rings HVISK Danish fashion brand HVISK draws inspiration from the vibrant streets of Copenhagen, offering a playful range of bags that prioritize high quality and standout color palettes. The brand's name derives from the term 'word-of-mouth' and acts as a nod to the ways information spreads in modern times. Combining a mix of useful silhouettes, HVISK offers handbags, shoppers, wallets and crossbody styles in a range of printed fabrics and floral designs. Josephine copenhagen international fashion fair beauty skincare bodycare underwear bags rings JOSEPHINE, Alvin Santos Fine jewelry brand JOSEPHINE prides itself on offering contemporary styles with a high quality heritage. For many of us, the term "fine jewelry" naturally lends itself to dainty chains or stacking rings, but JOSEPHINE aims to offer chunkier styles with more of an edge, that still retain the same level of quality and craftsmanship. 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Prioritizing natural ingredients and vegan formulas, the brand was created by Copenhagen-based founders with over 30 years of experience within the cosmetic industry. Working with active ingredients like AHAs and Niacinamide, Bodyologist offers a selection of serums, creams, cleansers and scrubs for the hands and body. The Jogg Concept copenhagen international fashion fair beauty skincare bodycare underwear bags rings The Jogg Concept The Jogg Concept caters to women with an active lifestyle. Centered around a core theme of colorful expression, the brand creates clothing to support both everyday life and sporting activities, resulting in simple, playful pieces spanning outerwear, athleisure and loungewear. Featuring matching sets, cozy fleeces and accessories, the brand will make a vibrant addition to any wardrobe. COPENHAGEN MUSE copenhagen international fashion fair beauty skincare bodycare underwear bags rings COPENHAGEN MUSE COPENHAGEN MUSE is an affordable luxury fashion brand based in Copenhagen. Developed with the aim of creating timeless designs that can be reinvented season after season, the brand focuses on simple silhouettes with sculptural details and contemporary tailoring. Offering a range of elevated basics with a twist, COPENHAGEN MUSE fuses subtle Scandi minimalism with cutting edge creative. Perched on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina, Landrum is the stuff of small-town dreams. Venture on a drive through the areas rolling hills and pastureland, while taking in views of the mighty Blue Ridge Mountains. When youre ready to get to know the community of just over 2,500 people, a quaint downtown awaits with a healthy collection of antique shops, boutiques, and welcoming local restaurants. Surrounding downtown, youll find outdoor attractions like a you-pick lavender farm, a nature preserve, and historic covered bridges. Heres how to spend an idyllic weekend in Landrum, South Carolina. Getty Images The Best Things To Do In Landrum, South Carolina Landrum is known for its gorgeous landscapes, so you wont want to waste a second indoors. Start with a drive to see Campbells Covered Bridge, which is the states only remaining covered bridge. Constructed between 1909 and 1911, snag some photos with the iconic red pine covering that spans across Beaverdam Creek. A short drive away, youll find Poinsett Bridge, the oldest remaining stone bridge in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the South. Some say the bridge is haunted, but regardless of if youre not a fan of the paranormal, youll want to see 16-foot Gothic archway for yourself. Courtesy of Red Horse Inn After a short driving tour, get out and stretch your legs at the Blue Wall Preserve, a 575-acre preserve where hiking trails crisscross all around the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A favorite hike to check out is the Palmetto Trail at Blue Wall, an easy 2.7-mile route along the Blue Wall Passage of the Palmetto Trail. The extended hike runs through downtown Landrum and Lake Lanier for 14 miles. If you visit Landrum in the late spring or early summer, be sure to make a stop at Elf Leaf Farm, a family-owned operation offering you-pick lavender. Harvest season falls between April and July, with mid-June as the peak. For more seasonal bounty, pay a visit to the Landrum Farmers Market, which is located downtown from April through December. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Rows of brick buildings and colorful awnings span downtown Landrum, which is not only a great place to window shop but an absolute paradise for antique lovers. Start at The Shops at Landrum Antique Mall, where youll find everything from vintage furniture, treasures, and collectibles to teas, soaps, scarves, and new clothing. Find fine arts and crafts at The Millstone Gallery. The best thing about shopping downtown? Everything's a stone's throw away. In fact, Foothills Amish Furniture, P3 Retail for Rescue, and Carriage House Consignments and Estates Sale are all located on the same block. Courtesy of The Hare & Hound Pub The Best Places To Eat In Landrum, South Carolina Local eateries are a big part of the culture and the community in Landrum, so take time to visit a few favorites for lunch or dinner. Harvest House trends casual during the day with a large menu of homemade sandwiches, salads, and soups. At dinner, youll find everything from filet mignon to vegetable risotto to pecan-crusted trout. Just be sure to start your meal with the Fried Green Tomato Tower (layers of tomatoes, pimento cheese, and bacon drizzled with balsamic glaze) and end with Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie or Great Granny Smiths Southern Banana Pudding. Another beloved neighborhood haunt is The Hare & Hound Pub, a former mercantile that has served as a classic pub and restaurant since 2002. On the menu youll find traditional pub fare like Fish & Chips and Guinness Beef Pie, along with Southern delicacies like the Friday and Saturday special Ricks Famous BBQ Ribs. Stone Soup Market & Cafe does a bit of everything. Visit the market for specialty food products like local and imported cheeses and meats, sauces, house-made baked goods, gourmet crackers, and dips, as well as grab-and-go meals and take-home casseroles. Sit down in the cafe for fresh salads, sandwiches, burgers, and wood-fired pizza, plus wine, beer, and craft cocktails. You can even bring your furry friend along and watch them frolic in the dog park located directly behind the building. At Southside Smokehouse, Chef Sarah McClure dabbles in cuisine from across the South with dishes ranging from traditional Carolina-style barbecue to Shrimp Creole and Fried Oyster PoBoys. If you order a smoked meat platter, youll have a choice between Lexington pulled pork, sliced pork, chopped chicken thighs, Cajun sausage, and Newberry hash, a South Carolina staple of barbecue pork and sauce mixed with potatoes. While Landrum offers a fair share of excellent Southern and homestyle cooking, thats not the only cuisine the tiny town excels in. Head to Soulisas Fine Thai Dining for a creative menu of Thai, Japanese, and fusion eats. Order the Pad Karee Roast Duck and decide how hot you want your curry on a scale of 1 to 10. Sushi lovers will also be pleased to find an extensive selection. A platter for two includes two specialty rolls, two orders of nigiri, and two orders of sashimi for just $55. Courtesy of the Red Horse Inn The Best Places To Stay In Landrum, South Carolina Traditional hotels are decidedly not the way to go when visiting Landrum. Instead, let your stay be part of your escape by booking a room or a cottage on a sprawling horse farm or in the rolling countryside. The Red Horse Inn gives a wonderful glimpse into quiet Upstate life, where youre encouraged to unwind, unplug, and breathe in the fresh air. The 200-acre property features six private cottages as well six inn rooms, plus a wine bar and a flower-filled courtyard. On Saturdays you can take part in an Alpaca Wine Experience, where you'll sip on Chardonnay while getting up close and personal with fuzzy and friendly alpacas. Courtesy of The Red Horse Inn For another pastoral hideaway, stay overnight at Barking Fox Farm, a 43-acre horse farm tucked into the Blue Ridge foothills. The rambling property is home to only two guest cottages, so youll want to book early for a chance to experience the peace and tranquility of this very special place. Each cottage is equipped with a full kitchen, elegant chandeliers, 11-foot ceilings, and a whirlpool tub. Your refrigerator is stocked with eggs and milk for breakfast, and theres also a daily delivery of pastries from a local bakery. Home away from home has never been sweeter. For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. Claude Ruiz-Picasso, the younger son of Pablo Picasso, has died in Switzerland at age 76. His death on Thursday was confirmed by Jean-Jacques Neuer, his lawyer for the past 25 years. A young Claude Ruiz-Picasso with his father - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images In a statement emailed to CNN, Neuer said: Claude Ruiz-Picasso, son of Pablo Picasso, has died. He was the administrator of Picassos estate from 1989 to 2023. He leaves behind his wife, Madame Sylvie Picasso, nee Vautier, and two children, Jasmin and Solal. Picasso had a famously complicated love life, having had two wives, many mistresses and four children. Claude was born in 1947 to the artist Francoise Gilot. Gilot went on to have another child with Picasso, their daughter Paloma, two years later. Picasso also had a son, Paulo, from his first marriage to dancer Olga Khokhlova in 1921, and a daughter called Maya in 1935 with Marie-Therese Walter. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Picasso Museum in Barcelona, the city where the artist spent his adolescence, reacted to the news of Ruiz-Picassos death in a string of posts on X, formerly Twitter. The museum expressed its condolences for his death, 50 years after the passing of his Spanish-born father. It said that in addition to managing the Picasso estate, Ruiz-Picasso had worked as assistant to the famous photographer Richard Avedon and as a photojournalist for Time Life,Vogue and Saturday Review. According to the museum, the French government awarded him its highest honor, the Legion dhonneur, in 2011 for his work as an artist. The museum paid tribute to Ruiz-Picasso for his work as member of the board of Picasso Museums Foundation and the active role he had in diffusing Pablo Picassos work. Ruiz-Picasso was heavily involved in the Picasso Celebration project to mark half a century since his fathers death, which involves 50 exhibitions and events this year across France, Spain and internationally. The projects website reacted to the news with a black-and-white picture of Ruiz-Picasso as a child with his famous father. Fashion designer Paloma Picasso is now the artists only surviving child. Her mother, Gilot, died earlier this year at age 101. Gilot met Picasso, who was 40 years her senior, in 1943. Their relationship ended by the mid-1950s, after which she married artist Luc Simon. CNNs Benjamin Sutton contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A woman has claimed that Delta Air Lines staff allegedly lost her dog. Now, shes taken to social media in a desperate bid to find her missing pup. Former passenger Paula Rodriguez has claimed that Delta staff allegedly lost her dog, Maia, last Friday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia. Rodriguez was reportedly flying in from the Dominican Republic when she was denied entry to the United States by US Border Control officials. In an interview with Atlanta News First, Rodriguez explained: They told me very kindly, Were so sorry but you dont meet the requirements to enter the US. Youve been denied entry, and you need to be sent back home to Santo Domingo. Rodriguez added: They told me, Youre going to have to sleep in a detention centre, and your dog cant come with you. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement After spending a night in a detention centre separated from her beloved pet, Rodriguez was set to take a flight back home on Saturday morning. But when she was prepared to board her flight, her dog was reportedly nowhere to be found. Rodriguez said that she was in tears as she told border officials that she wouldnt board without her dog, but they allegedly informed Rodriguez that by law, they couldnt have her in the airport for more than 24 hours. When she arrived in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez explained that she tried to get answers from Delta officials. I started making calls, I started making claims, nobody knew where she was, Rodriguez told Atlanta News First. Rodriguez revealed that she had finally heard back from a Delta representative the following Monday, but they told her that Maia had broken out of her kennel and was reportedly missing since Saturday. After that, Delta hasnt called me once or emailed me about the whereabouts of my dog, Rodriguez claimed. She also informed the Atlanta-based outlet that she had rescued Maia from the streets and shes had her since shes been one month old. Andrew Gobeil, the senior director of communications for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, explained to Atlanta News First: ATLs operations teams conduct runway and airfield inspections throughout the day. At this time they have not encountered the dog, but will continue to remain vigilant should she appear. If she is seen, ATLs staff will attempt to capture her and return her to the airline and her owner. This embedded content is not available in your region. Meanwhile, representatives from Delta Air Lines have told Atlanta News First that they remain dedicated to finding the dog. However, the company denies Rodriguezs claims that they have not been in contact with her since she lost her dog. Delta teams have been working to locate and reunite this pet with the customer and we remain in touch with the customer to provide updates, a Delta representative said. Delta people feel deeply concerned for the customer and the dog and were committed to ongoing search efforts, working closely with the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation and other stakeholders. The Independent has contacted Delta and Rodriguez for comment. The Zangazur Corridor is a strategic transportation route extending from the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, to Kars, Turkiye's eastern province, passing through Armenian territory near the country's border with Iran. Work on the Turkish section of the new transport corridor that will pass through Zangazur is set to be completed this year, according to Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Azernews reports. According to him, an alternative corridor is being established from Azerbaijan to Kars (through the Zangazur corridor): At present, the work on the Azerbaijani part of the corridor is about to be completed. We are also doing work in Dilucu, Igdir, and Kars, and it is planned to be completed this year. This will be a very serious alternative, the minister said. The corridor is part of a big transportation project connecting Baku with Istanbul and is crucial for increasing regional connectivity throughout the Caucasus and across greater Eurasia, joining Turkish, Russian, Central Asian, Iranian, and Armenian territories and linking Europe to Asia. The connectivity the corridor will enable will also help galvanize trade relations between different states. The Zangazur Corridor plays an important role in giving Azerbaijan unrestricted access to its Nakhchivan enclave without any Armenian checkpoints while it passes through Armenian territory near the Tehran-Yerevan border. It is also part of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor, which will serve as a linking point between Russia and Iran, increasing Tehran's access to the region. The corridor is seen as a way to unite the Turkic world, with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev stating that it will "connect the whole Turkic world". Turkiye's land connection with Azerbaijan also means that Ankara will have better access to Turkic states in Central Asia, with which it has strong historical and cultural ties. The Zangazur Corridor is a big deal, as it has the potential to significantly boost interregional connectivity far and wide. The corridor is being supported by both NATO and Russia and is seen as a way to improve relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. With work on the Turkish section of the new transport corridor set to be completed this year, the Zangazur Corridor is set to become a reality. This undated photo taken by Li Wenyong shows a Hainan gibbon and its baby ape at the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest in south China's Hainan Province. (Forestry Department of Hainan Province/Handout via Xinhua) HAIKOU, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- As Li Wenyong hunkered down under a tree and adjusted his camera, several daring Hainan gibbons hung their bodies upside down and touched his head and equipment with their hands. Li, 53, is a forest ranger at the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest in south China's Hainan Province. He resides in Miao Village of Qingsong Township, which is under the jurisdiction of Baisha Li Autonomous County. It is the nearest village to the park's Bawangling area, which is the habitat of the Hainan gibbons. In addition to patrolling the mountains, he is also responsible for monitoring the gibbons. Every day at the break of dawn, Li prepares some water and food and embarks on his journey into the mountains. His job is to find and observe Hainan gibbons based on their sounds, and record the mammals' latest situation with a camera and pen. Hainan gibbons, which live in rainforest trees over 10 meters high, rarely set foot on the ground out of prudence. The black-crested apes can only be found in the rainforests in Hainan. Known as the world's rarest primate, Hainan gibbons have been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This undated photo shows Li Wenyong taking photos of Hainan gibbons at the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest in south China's Hainan Province. (Forestry Department of Hainan Province/Handout via Xinhua) In the 1950s, the Hainan gibbon population stood at over 2,000. However, their numbers took a dramatic nosedive in the 1980s, dwindling to just about seven. This alarming decline pushed them to the brink of extinction. In recent years, thanks to growing protection efforts, their population has risen. Latest official figures show that the gibbon population has increased to 37, consisting of six families in the island province. Li used to be a farmer. He recalls that decades ago, local villagers began to open up land in the mountains because they had no land of their own. The situation led to forests being cut down, and the habitat of Hainan gibbons was threatened. The gibbons retreated deeper into the mountains. In 2010, Li was hired by an animal and plant research organization to help find and record Hainan gibbons. The gibbons' long arms, dark faces and their interesting hair left Li feeling intrigued. Li was both nervous and scared the first time he saw the Hainan gibbons up close. "I was nervous because I was afraid that they would hide, and I would not be able to record them properly," he said. "I was also worried about poachers." Li loves listening to the sounds of the gibbons. They give a warning call when encountering a flying squirrel. They make a warning sound to remind family members to stay alert when they see an eagle atop a tree. Every morning, the male apes sound the "assembly horn" to gather everyone before setting out for food. "Without protection, this species would be extinct and never seen again," Li said. This undated photo shows Li Wenyong checking photos of Hainan gibbons he took at the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest in south China's Hainan Province. (Forestry Department of Hainan Province/Handout via Xinhua) In order to protect Hainan gibbons, Hainan authorities have launched relocation projects, with residents in the mountains moving out to give their living space to the gibbons. Hainan has also seen more than 266.7 hectares of the gibbons' habitat restored through afforestation, and more than 300,000 tree species planted as food for the gibbons. Local forestry authorities have set up special monitoring teams, with many rangers going into the rainforests and devoting all their energy to the protection of Hainan gibbons. Over the past 13 years, Li Wenyong has taken 100,000 pictures of Hainan gibbons. He had one of them printed out and posted in the center of a wall in his living room. It is a picture of a Hainan gibbon family of three looking for food in a tree, one of Li's favorite pictures. "I will guard them forever, until my legs can no longer run," Li said. Yesterday, August 24th, Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort, Nevada, announced that they'd been forced to prematurely conclude summer operations because of flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Hilary. Now unavailable summer activities at the resort included mountain biking, sightseeing, and hiking. The closure is joined by a similar measure enacted by the U.S. Forest Service in the region. According to a Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort press release shared with Powder yesterday, the federal agency announced the extension of closures "on all National Forest System areas, roads, and trails in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area" until further notice. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort is within the SMNRA. In the press release, Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort representatives reported that "chairlifts, trails, and other essential facilities and infrastructure were impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary." Courtesy: Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort The storm deposited 9.8 inches of rain last weekend. Infrastructure and residential property surrounding Lee Canyon were damaged by heavy flooding, too, including homes, trail systems, and roadways. "This was an extraordinary storm event, which has left significant damage to Lee Canyon and the Spring Mountains," said Dan Hooper, Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort's general manager, in the press release. "Our goal is to ensure public safety. When the U.S. Forest Service deems it safe, Lee Canyon's teams will begin restoring affected areas." The resort plans to contact bike park day ticket and pass holders about their options going forward. Hooper concluded the press release by assuring Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort clientele that "we will be ready for the start of the 2023/24 winter season." In the comments section of the included Instagram post, several people expressed love and support for the resort. "I am so sadden but know the resort will come back better than ever! Stay safe!!!! Let us know if you need help from volunteers. #weloveourmountain," wrote one. "Thank you to the entire staff for all their hard work. Yall rule. See you when the snow falls," said another. Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional skier or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos. Yesterday, Japan began its decades-long release of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. In 2011, a 9.0 earthquake destroyed the plant, leaving the area uninhabitable. Although the International Atomic Energy Agency approved the plan, it remains controversial. China, South Korea, and Taiwan are a few of the countries that banned various Japanese food products. Residents of nearby Nahara are concerned it will hurt their rebuilt community. To show the world they feel it's safe, local surfers revived the Iwasawa Surfing Games, a 25-year-old contest that died in the earthquake. The news segment above is captioned: ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "As Japan releases treated radioactive water into the ocean, locals in Fukushima are bracing for potential backlash. But, at Iwasawa Beach in Nahara town, some residents are hoping to allay fears by surfing above such concerns. "The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is right along the coastline further down from Iwasawa. Twelve years ago, three reactor cores at the plant melted and radiation was released into the atmosphere and ocean after a magnitude nine earthquake triggered a massive tsunami." Kentaro Yoshida, event organizer and Iwasawa local revived the contest to support his community. He feared the wastewater release "will once again make Iwasawa untouchable in the eyes of beachgoers." In the clip above, CNA news said around 160,000 Fukushima residents had to abandon their homes after the earthquake. Yoshida was happy with the contest's turnout. Over 190 surfers entered, around double what he expected. Former Japan surfing champ Tetsuya Nakamura is trying to be positive: "I am worried, but we can't continue to be worried. We should all go into the water and help draw a crowd." *** Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos. H&M is tip-toeing its way back into the Ukrainian market. The Swedish fast-fashion retailer temporarily closed stores there in February last year when Russia invaded the neighboring country. On Thursday, H&M said it plans to gradually reopen most of its stores in Ukraine starting in November. More from Sourcing Journal The Monki owner said it has been in close dialogue with partners and authorities, as well as local stakeholders regarding how to best support the country and the communities where it operates as Ukraine looks to rebuild. H&M plans to partner with organizations on the ground on relief and rebuilding efforts. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The retailer emphasized that the safety of employees and customers will always be the first and foremost priority. It will continue to monitor developments in the country as it prepares to reopen stores where possible. Russias invasion of Ukraine last year escalated the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014. In addition to Ukraine, H&M also suspended sales in Russia and Belarus in March 2022. H&M did not break down the number of stores it has in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, but previously said 181 stores were affected by the move to pause operations. Losing the three countries has affected business, CEO Helena Helmersson shared in a recent company presentation. The third quarter has largely been impacted by our decision to pause sales and then wind down the business in Russia, she wrote, noting the significant effect on sales and profits. Meanwhile, H&M is set to launch a collection of gender-neutral childrens apparel and accessories next month with Eva Chen, former Teen Vogue editor and Instagrams director of fashion partnerships. Earlier this month, the company announced plans to begin phasing out operations in Myanmar, where the Cos and Monki owner said it would be probing 20 alleged instances of labor abuse at its supplier factories. Earlier this year, the company said it was merging its youth brands Monki and Weekday to create one destination for younger customers. At the same time, H&M was also reviving Cheap Monday, the denim label it discontinued in 2019, but will now bring back next year with a small assortment of jeans. The fast-fashion chain is making investments in Brazil, where it expects to launch branded stores and an e-commerce platform in 2025. The company has had a Latin American presence since 2012 when it entered in Mexico, before expanding to Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica. Click here to read the full article. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." For the past few years, weve been hearing that rum is about to have its breakout moment, as whiskey drinkers discover the joys of an alternative brown spirit and brands both new and old expand their portfolios. Rum brands have been waiting for their Pappy Rum Winkle, some limited-release, highly-allocated rum that will spawn a thousand dudes posting selfies on Instagram after waiting in line for 24 hours to score a bottle. Well, that hasnt quite happened yet, but this might actually be a good thing. While there are some really expensive expressions out there on par with the most coveted bourbon or scotch releases, you can still get a quality bottle of rum aged for more than 20 years for less than $150 - something that would be considered a steal for a single malt or bourbon. Of course it should be noted that age doesnt necessarily equal quality, but a carefully matured rum brings layers of flavor and complexity that can rival any whiskey. Rum remains a favorite of expert bartenders and beverage directors who see a lot of potential in the category. It's been exciting to see the trajectory [rum] is on over the last few years, says Matthew Belanger, bar manager at Death & Co Los Angeles. It seems like we are moving away from a branding- and marketing-centric model in favor of a more transparent model, much like in the world of mezcal, where new products are focused on highlighting terroir through single-producer bottles from specific regions. According to Javelle Taft, bar manager at Death & Co.s East Village outpost, its important to remember the origins of rum when considering the spirit today, something that certain brands are actively striving to do. Rum was birthed out of colonialism and slave labor, he says. Since the turn of the century, Caribbean island style rum producers are working hard to reset the tragic history of where rum is today, in comparison to how it started. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Both Taft and Belanger acknowledge that many people consider rum to be a very sweet spirit and theres some truth to that as many brands are legally allowed to add sugar, and do so. But the ones that dont make this very clear. The new guard of terroir-driven rums are significantly less adulterated than their predecessors, says Belanger. Taft says that one of the best things about the rum category is that it cant be defined by one flavor profile. I think in general, rum is in a creative state, he says, which is why it can be used in so many different cocktails. The bottom line is that there is a rum for everyone. If you are looking for something with zero additives, you are in luck. And if you prefer something sweeter to use for your Dark n Stormy, theres a rum for that, too. Here are 13 of the best rum brands, in all styles, to drink this summer. Mount Gay Mount Gay Barbadoss Mount Gay has been around in one form or another for about 300 years (Remy Cointreau has owned the distillery since 1989). Master blender Trudiann Branker is the first female to hold that title there, and shes made a big impact on some of the core expressions. A few years back, the age range of the blend of rum in Black Barrel was increased from two to seven years to three to seven years, and the finish in heavily charred bourbon barrels was dramatically expanded from four weeks to six months, really amping up the flavors. For XO, the age range in the blend has been shifted from five to 17 years to eight to 15 years, and rum aged in cognac barrels is now included. This year, the sixth Master Blender Collection was released called The PX Sherry Cask Expression, a blend of column and pot still rums aged for at least 20 years in American whiskey barrels and then finished for a year in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from Spain. This limited edition is pricey, but its well worth seeking out. Shop From $26, reservebar.com Ron Barcelo Ron Barcelo This Dominican rum brand was founded in 1930, but has come a long way since then. The distillery is now a carbon-neutral operation that makes rum from sugarcane grown by local farms and plantations. There are many different expressions in the catalog to explore, from the Organic, to Gran Anejo which is aged up to six years, to the Imperial Porto Cask which is matured in tawny port barrels. The classic Imperial Premium Blend was released as a 40th anniversary special edition earlier this year, a blend of reserve rum aged in French and American oak toasted to different levels resulting in a wonderful sipping spirit. Save this bottle for a neat pour, because there are plenty of other Barcelo rums available that work well in cocktails. Shop From $15, drizly.com Appleton Estate Appleton Estate Appleton Estate master blender Joy Spence believes there should be two categories of rum: flavored rum (with sugar) and true rum (no sugar added). In Fred Minnicks book Rum Curious, she is quoted as saying, You want to add sugar? You can, but the two should be separated. By law, Jamaican rum is not allowed to have sugar added, and the quality of Appleton Estates earthy rums show why its not needed. The 12- and 21-year-old expressions are excellent (and the latter is relatively affordable considering its age), and there are even older bottles to consider like the Ruby Anniversary Edition, a blend of five rums aged between 35 and 45 years in the tropical Jamaican climate. Also of note is the recent 17 Year Old Legend, a one-time release that is an attempt to recreate the J. Wray & Nephew rum used in the original Mai Tai in the 1940s. This is a seriously good sipping rum, if you can find a bottle. Shop From $26, reservebar.com Plantation Rum Plantation Rum Alexandre Gabriel, owner of Maison Ferrand, takes a cue from his native France for his Plantation Rum brand. Sugar is sometimes added to the rum, and Gabriel compares this to the dosage used in champagne production. The company is upfront about it (the website contains detailed information), which goes a long way in the industry. There are various bottlings sourced from countries around the Caribbean, most of which are aged for a secondary period of time in French cognac casks. There are so many bottles to explore from Plantation, including a range of single cask expressions and vintage releases sourced from countries like Fiji, Panama, and Peru. Recently, the Under the Sea Vintage Collection No. 2 was released, a collection of six vintages from different countriesPanama 2008, Jamaica 2007, Fiji 2009, Guyana 2007, Barbados 2013, and Venezuela 2010. Shop From $21, drizly.com Holmes Cay Holmes Cay Holmes Cay is focused on one thingreleasing the best single cask rum it can find, with no sugar or adulterants added. These bottles are often pretty high octane, with ABVs ranging from about 55 percent to a hefty 64 percent. But add a little water if that seems a bit intense, and the flavors really start to shine. Two new releases from the brand focus on unaged rums from Distillerie de Savanna of Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, part of a single origin collection. The first is Reunion Island Agricole Rum, made from fresh cane juice and bottled at 100 proof. The second is Reunion Island Grand Arome Rum, made from molasses and bottled at nearly 120 proof. Peruse the rest of the collection to find expressions from Australia, Belize, and usual suspects Jamaica and Barbados. These are rums that you should take your time with, the way you might with a complex scotch whisky. Shop From $50, caskers.com Diplomatico Diplomatico Diplomatico is produced in Venezuela from molasses and sugarcane honey, which the distillery describes as the syrup left over after the first boiling of sugarcane, with a higher sugar content than molasses. Reserva Exclusiva is a dependable spirit to have in your home bar, made in a variety of still types and aged for up to 12 years in oak casks. The higher-end Ambassador is also quite good, a rum aged for a minimum of 12 years in white oak before being finished for two years in PX sherry casks. The Single Vintage release highlights a specific year of productionthe 2007 was aged for 12 years in bourbon, single malt, and American oak casks before being finished for a year in sherry butts. As permitted by Venezuelan law, there is some sugar added to the rum during aging, but the sweetness complements a palate full of banana, oak, and vanilla. The brand was acquired this year by drinks giant Brown-Forman (owner of Jack Daniels), so expect to see much more of it in the future. Shop From $32, reservebar.com Rhum JM Rhum JM The rum produced on the island of Martinique is known as rhum agricoleinstead of using molasses to make the spirit, sugarcane juice is fermented and distilled into something that is familiar but decidedly different. Try Rhum JMs white rum to really experience how unique the spirit is, with grassy and earthy notes that complement this pleasantly dry unaged rhum. The brand takes its cues from cognac in terms of age designations, with VO, VSOP (aged three years), and XO expressions. There are also some excellent vintage releases to try, like the 2009 Chairmans Reserve, a blend of pot and column still rum aged for at least 11 years. Even more recent is Terroir Volcanique, a blend of three-year-old rums aged in new American oak barrels toasted to custom levels that is meant to highlight the terroir where the rhum is made. Shop From $43, drizly.com Don Q Don Q Bacardi may be the biggest distillery in Puerto Rico, but Destileria Serralles makes what might be the most popular rum as far as the locals are concernedDon Q. This inexpensive rum is named after Don Quixote and has been around since the end of Prohibition. The brand has a slew of different expressions, including an anejo that is a blend of rum aged from three to ten years, a couple of single barrel releases, and an interesting Vermouth Cask Finish that spends four to six weeks in Italian oak vermouth barrels after aging in American oak for five to eight years. Two new cask-finished expressions were released last spring, rums that were given secondary maturation periods in port and zinfandel wine barrels. And if youre more into flavored rum, this summer saw the arrival of Don Q Naranja which was aged for 18 months in oak barrels and then infused with orange flavor. Shop From $17, reservebar.com Brugal Brugal Brugal is another Dominican rum, and its core 1888 expression is double aged in both bourbon and sherry casks (kind of like many single malt whiskies) to develop its flavors. The number 1888 refers to the year in which Adres Brugal founded the brand, and more than 130 years later its still going strong. There are some less expensive expressions to try like the Extra Viejo, and of course there are ultra-premium rums to sip as well. Andres Brugal, named after the founder, was a limited release of less than 500 bottles that blended together some of the distillerys rarest reserves. And the brand-new Coleccion Visionaria was matured in a special cask seasoned by toasting Dominican cacao beans to add notes of spice and dark chocolate. This rum is slightly dry, full of chocolate and nutty notes, and is an all-around fantastic sipping spirit. Shop From $12, drizly.com Rolling Fork Rolling Fork The whiskey scene is full of independent bottlers and blenders, and this model has gained traction in the rum world as well. A company like the aforementioned Holmes Cay is one of them, and now Rolling Fork is offering some stiff competition. This Kentucky brand was actually founded in 2017, but has been getting more attention recently for its pricey but high quality Lost Cask Collection and Rolling Fork Series. The first release from the company was actually a blend of rum and rye whiskey called Fortuitous Union, but since then there have been some excellent single casks rums from various countries of origin. Shop From $65, seelbachs.com Flor de Cana Flor de Cana This Nicaraguan rum distillery has made sustainability a main focus, in addition to producing tasty rum that has no sugar or artificial ingredients added. There has been some confusion about what the numbers on the bottles mean over the years, but a representative for the brand confirmed that they do indicate the minimum age of the rumin other words, that 12 on the bottle means every drop is at least 12 years old. The rum itself is quite good and not overly sweet (thanks to that lack of additional sugar), with big oak, vanilla, and tropical fruit notes. If youve got some cash to spend, try the high-end V Generaciones, a 30-year-old single barrel rum that holds up as a sipping spirit next to any whiskey you can think of. Shop, From $34 drizly.com Renegade Rum Renegade Rum The rum from this new Grenadian distillery might be some of the most interesting and challenging that youve ever tried. Renegade, founded by Waterford Whiskys Mark Reynier, makes rum in the style of rhum agricole by using sugarcane juice instead of molasses. The distillery released several pre-cask expressions of unaged rums, each focused on the terroir of a specific farm that the cane was harvested from (some barrel-aged versions are on the way as well). Dont expect the sweet, molasses, caramel flavors of your typical Caribbean rumthese are savory, spicy, citrusy, and completely unique, which will prove to be very satisfying to anyone who wants to really nerd out on the category. Shop $69, astorwines.com Ten To One Ten to One This is a newer brand that was founded by Caribbean native Marc Farrell, who wanted to create rum blends sourced from reputable distilleries that did not use sugar, color, or additives for flavor. Ten to One keeps it simple with two main expressionsa dark rum blend from Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic; and a white rum sourced from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. There have been some special collaborations over the past few years as well, like a dark rum aged in Uncle Nearest bourbon barrels and last years 26-year-old Founders Reserve. These are excellent rums that you can enjoy in a cocktail or on their own. Shop, From $36, flaviar.com You Might Also Like Parady played school teacher Alice Garvey on the hit series. Hersha Parady , the actress who played school teacher Alice Garvey on the hit TV series Little House on the Prairie, has died. Paradys son, Jonathan Peverall, told The Hollywood Reporter that his mother died from a brain tumor at his home in Norfolk, Virginia, on Wednesday. She was 78. Peverall opened up about Parady's medical condition on a GoFundMe page he created to raise funds for her care. He shared that his mother suffered from meningioma, "robbing her of her strength, her memory, and sadly, her vibrant personality. My mother was a talented actor, but more importantly a beloved presence in many heartsmore than I had ever realized. I have been consistently astonished by the number of people that have expressed to me her impact on their lives, Peverall wrote in an announcement of her death. I want to convey my thanks to all of you for your support, but also to those of you that have shared with me your personal relationships and experiences with my mom; you all have shown me a part of her life that I had only glimpsed over the years." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Born in Ohio in 1945, Parady made her first appearance on Little House on the Prairie as Eliza Ingalls, sister-in-law of Charles Ingalls , during the shows third season. She was later cast as Alice and played the role in seasons four, five, and six before her character met a tragic end in a house fire. Parady's Little House on the Prairie co-star Melissa Gilbert paid tribute to her on Instagram Thursday. "Bawdy, ballsy, sexy, funny, warm, generous, talented, kind, hilarious, brilliant Hersha Parady has shuffled off this mortal coil," Gilbert, who starred as Laura Ingalls in the long-running series, wrote. "I adored working with her. I sure loved her an awful lot." After Little House on the Prairie, which ran for nine seasons on NBC, Parady appeared in 1984's Raw Courage, 1995s The Break, as well as various television projects. In addition to her son, she is survived by three grandchildren and her siblings, Patty, Kenny, and Bobby. Rest in peace, Hersha. For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. Need a pick-me-up after lunch? An Italian woman has argued that theres one coffee choice you should avoid. Italian social media entertainer, The Pasta Queen, has advised her followers to stop ordering a cappuccino in the middle of the day. The popular foodie, whose real name is Nadia Caterina Munno, took to social media to explain why most Italians dont drink the hot beverage past noon. In her video, an individual behind the camera asked Munno if she would like a cappuccino, to which she firmly replied: No. Why do Italians not drink cappuccinos past 12? she rhetorically asked. Then, she slammed her hand down on the counter before answering: Because its a breakfast drink. But thats not the only reason why. Munno explained how coffee has the ability to awaken your senses, which is why cappucinos should only be consumed before 10 in the morning. If you really want to push it till 11, but not 12, she added. Munno also said that consuming a copious amount of food in the middle of the day shouldnt be washed down with a cappuccino, because theres already enough going on. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While after lunch may not be the proper time to drink a cappuccino, other coffee options are not off the table. Munno suggested an espresso for the perfect energy boost, but regular drip coffee works fine, too. When youre eating a meal, you have enough going on with all those calories and cheeses, she remarked. All you need is a quick espresso. The passionate pasta lover pointed out how drinking a cappucino would elicit the same reaction from Italians that Americans would display if someone chose to eat a hot dog for breakfast. Thousands of her 2.2m followers flooded the comments with their food etiquette suggestions. Some admitted they had tried to order a cappuccino in Italy, but their server refused to give them one. Other individuals refuted Munnos message, adding that they also ate hot dogs for breakfast. The delicious thing to do in Italy is let them believe they can control your food. Then drink and eat what you want, where you want, and when you want, one critic commented, while another added: Ill drink my cappuccino when I want. To me, its like a dessert. Filipino here with our hot dogs with garlic rice and egg, a viewer wrote. Meanwhile, another skeptic said: If it is in my cup, I can drink at 8 pm too. 3 am too. My cup, my rules. One experienced asserted: I can vouch for this... I am Italian and know of this rule yet it did not phase me I still ordered my cappuccinos in the afternoon and watched several natives enjoying one as well. Its just steamed milk with espresso? Not sure what the big deal is? I say drink what you want, when you want. Respectfully, she continued, while another Instagram user agreed: Im Italian and I love drinking cappuccino in the afternoon. The Independent has reached out to Munno for a comment. Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Key Takeaways A recent study shows when adults begin taking statins at age 75, they may reduce their cholesterol more than younger adults who take statins. Older adults may reach target cholesterol levels with a lower starting dose. Statins remain among the most effective and best-studied tools for managing high cholesterol, so patients and their providers should work together to find the lowest effective dose. A new study out of Denmark shows that individuals who begin statins after the age of 75 may see a greater reduction in their cholesterol levels than patients who start at a younger age. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Statins are a fundamental piece of heart disease prevention because they lower LDL cholesterol. This is the type of cholesterol which leads to plaque formation, causing strokes and heart attacks. For the recent study, published in the August 2023 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers followed 83,000 patients aged 18 and older who began one of two common statinseither Zocor (simvastatin) or Lipitor (atorvastatin)between January 2008 and March 2018. All participants had high LDL cholesterol levels (or bad cholesterol) before and during statin use. Related: Should You Use Generic Cholesterol Medications? Researchers noticed that as patients became older, their immediate response to statins increased. People aged 75 and older had a 2.62% greater reduction in LDL cholesterol with low-to-moderate intensity statins (20 milligrams) than those below age 50. Takeaway Of the participants, just over 10,300 (13%) were 75 or older when they began statin therapy. People below age 50 made up 20% of the study participants. But its not the cholesterol reduction itself that researchers are most excited about. Its the fact that there may be no need to increase medication dosage among older adults in order for it to be effective. Adverse events are generally more frequent at higher statin doses, and older persons are more susceptible to adverse events, so lower doses may be better tolerated and sufficiently effective in older patients, Marie Lund, MD, PhD, told Verywell. Who Was Included in the Study? About half of the patients were using statins for primary prevention of heart disease (they had no previous heart disease, but risk factors were present), and the other half for secondary prevention (they had previous heart disease). The reduction in LDL was the same for both groups. We compared the LDL cholesterol response by 5-year age groups and found that the response increases linearly with age, senior paper author Marie Lund, MD, PhD, told Verywell. A 60-year-old initiating a low-to-moderate-intensity statin is expected to have an LDL cholesterol response that is greater than a 50-year-old, but smaller than a 70-year-old, all other things being equal. The study did not include individuals already on statins, did not account for BMI, and did not follow LDL cholesterol levels beyond six months of starting statins. The patient population was primarily of White European ancestry. Related: HDL and LDL Cholesterol Range by Age Lower Doses, Fewer Side Effects The drop in cholesterol seen amongst older participants in the clinical trial is unlikely to lead to improved outcomes, said Adedapo Iluyomade, MD, a preventive cardiologist at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida. A study in JAMA suggests that for every 39 mg/dL drop in LDL cholesterol, there is a 20% drop in cardiovascular disease risk, leading to fewer events such as heart attack and stroke, Iluyomade told Verywell. The roughly 23% LDL differences seen in this current study are unlikely to correlate with a significant reduction in risk for older participants versus younger participants. While the comparable drop in cholesterol levels may not be substantial, the reduction in side effects may be significant for the older population. Because most individuals who begin statins will need to be on them long-term, side effect concerns can be a barrier to entry when it comes to starting statins. Related: This New Drug Lowers Cholesterol Without the Side Effects of Statins Its essential to recognize that statins are generally well-tolerated. However, long-term use may be associated with rare side effects such as muscle pain and liver issues, Iluyomade said. Multiple studies have suggested that a significant portion of muscle pain reports are due to the nocebo effect of fearing side effects before taking a medication, he added. The decision to prescribe statins must always be individualized, considering the patients overall risk profile and potential benefits in reducing cardiovascular events. Since older patients may be able to achieve their target cholesterol goals with a lower dose of statins, they may be able to reduce their risk of experiencing medication side effects. Statins remain one of the most effective and best-studied classifications of medications. An estimated 92 million U.S. adults (about one-third of the population over the age of 50) were taking statins in 20182019. More evidence supports statins than just about any other kind of medication. But each patient on statins and their provider should have a continuing conversation about their medication. Statins usually begin to lower cholesterol within a few weeks, and cholesterol levels are typically monitored every 6 to 12 months when on statins, said Iluyomade. The new data doesnt change these general guidelines, but emphasizes the importance of individualized care, considering factors such as age and intensity of statin therapy. What This Means For You If your cholesterol levels require the use of statins, know that your dosage may depend on your age. If youre already taking statins, dont change your dosage without speaking with your healthcare provider. At 88, MaryAnn Sterling shows no signs of slowing down. Too many grandchildren need care. Sterling founded Rockledge-based Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in 1995, five years after she took custody of her 6-year-old grandson. For the better part of the past three decades, she has devoted herself to helping other grandparents re-entering the world of parenting. That devotion earned her a place among USA Today's Women of the Year for 2023. Sterling is Woman of the Year for Florida. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. It recognizes women nationally and in each state who are advocates for equity, inspire change, lift up others and give everyday women a place to see themselves. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement That's exactly what Sterling does through Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. The organization offers support groups, legal help, parenting classes and tutoring. Through community donations, it also provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, toys and gifts and school supplies. Mary Ann Sterling, executive director of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, started the organization in the 1990s to help other grandparents. To honor Sterling and the national recognition she has brought to GRG, a lunch is planned for 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Space Coast Convention Center, 301 Tucker Lane, Cocoa. "Let's fill this luncheon hall to show MaryAnn what a difference her dedication to supporting grandparents in their role as parents again has meant to our county," the event page for the luncheon reads. "MaryAnn has dedicated the last 29 years to keep the 'Child First' and her work has not gone unnoticed. She is the recipient of USA Today's 2023 Woman of the Year as the Florida Honoree! "If MaryAnn and GRG have touched your life or someone you know, please plan to be part of this celebration!" Tickets are $40 or $300 for a table of eight. Get them at eventbrite.com (Search "MaryAnn Sterling") or email Lil Hobson at hobscotch59@gmail.com for information on how to pay by check. MaryAnn Sterling: A Florida grandma found herself parenting her grandson. Now she helps others do the same. During an interview in January, Sterling said her grandson, Matthew Armstrong, came to live with her in 1990 after his mother, Lynda Dawn Sterling, was killed in a car accident. "I lost my daughter, and I got my 6-year-old grandson to raise," she said. She didn't really have time to grieve. Suddenly, at 55, her life was filled with school work and ball games and bedtime routines. At the ballpark, she met other grandparents in similar situations. In Brevard County, 1 in 47 children are being raised by their grandparents, Sterling said. She started GRG with six people; the organization now includes more than 1,600 members. "I can remember when I first started, I would go to a support group meeting, and nobody would be there but me," she said. "I just didn't give up." Matthew is now a successful attorney in Orlando. Meanwhile, Sterling continues to prove that getting older doesn't have to mean giving up the things you love. "You know what I have on my refrigerator door?" she said in January. "'You're never too old to have dreams and to know that they can come true.' And I want to be sure, that no matter how old I get, I still have something to offer. I hope I do. And I'm going to keep on trying." Suzy Fleming Leonard is a features journalist with more than three decades of experience. Reach her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Find her on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Luncheon to honor Brevard woman who founded grandparents' organization A message in a bottle sent all the way from Ireland has washed up on a North Wildwood, New Jersey beach. Frank Bolger was out with his wife Karen and their granddaughter doing a customary trash pick-up before their beach day. Bolger originally thought the bottle was trash, but upon closer inspection he recognized its value. We were walking on the way back, we were right on the water's edge and [I saw] a clump of seaweed, and I saw the bottle and I was getting ready to throw it out and I noticed there was a note in it, Bolger told News 12. We had to take it home to get the note out, it was jammed in the bottle so tightly, Bolger explained to Irish Central. He told them the find was ironic, as North Wildwood has a huge Irish-American population. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The note reads: Greetings from Ireland. I have thrown this bottle into the sea for someone to find another day. Maybe it's traveled down to Africa or to Iceland! I won't know if someone found this, but I hope it is found! It is dated July 17, 2019 and signed Aoife, a female name pronounced ee-fah. Next to her name is the helpful moniker note writer. Bolger has never been to Ireland, but his family did emigrate from there to the U.S. in the mid-1800s. He reached out to Irish Central on Tuesday in the hopes of finding Aoife. The entire Bolger clan is excited to show her how far the bottle traveled, even if it didnt make it to Africa or Iceland. The Wildwood Sun shared photos of the find on Facebook, helping the story go viral. With any luck, technology will soon unite the Bolgers and their penpal. The mass-exploitation of MOVEit Transfer software has rapidly cemented itself as the largest hack of the year so far. While the full impact of the attack will likely remain untold for months to come, there are now more than 1,000 known victims of the MOVEit breach, according to cybersecurity company Emsisoft. This milestone makes the MOVEit breach not just the largest hack of 2023 but also one of the largest in recent history. The fallout began in May when Progress disclosed a zero-day vulnerability in MOVEit Transfer, its managed file transfer service used by thousands of organizations around the world to move large amounts of often-sensitive data over the internet. The critical-rated vulnerability allowed attackers specifically the notorious Clop ransomware and extortion gang to raid MOVEit Transfer servers and steal customers' sensitive data stored within. Since then, Clops attacks and threats to publish the stolen data if it doesn't receive payments have continued unabated, as have the number of known victim organizations, known impacted individuals and the costs associated with the fallout. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement We take a look at the MOVEit mass hack by the numbers. 60,144,069 Just as the number of known victim organizations crossed the 1,000 milestone on August 25, the number of impacted individuals also surpassed the 60 million mark. This figure, published by Emsisoft, is sourced from state breach notifications, SEC regulatory filings and other public disclosures. Emsisoft notes that while there will invariably be some overlap in terms of individuals impacted, the number is only likely to increase as more organizations continue to confirm MOVEit-related data breaches. 83.9% U.S.-based organizations account for 83.9% of known MOVEit corporate victims, according to Emisoft's researchers. Organizations in Germany account for about 3.6% of total victims, followed by Canadian companies at 2.6% and firms in the United Kingdom at 2.1%. 11 million In July, U.S. government services contracting giant Maximus became the largest victim of the MOVEit breach after confirming that hackers accessed the protected health information including Social Security numbers of as many as 11 million individuals. The Virginia-based firm said at the time that it had not yet determined the exact number of individuals affected. The scale of this incident is closely followed by the compromise of the French government's unemployment agency, Pole emploi, which recently confirmed a breach impacting the personal data of up to 10 million people. This makes the French agency the second-largest known victim of the mass-hack. Rounding out the top five MOVEit victims list is the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (6 million). Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (4 million) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (3.5 million). 30.86% About one-third of hosts running vulnerable MOVEit servers at the time the mass-hacks began belonged to financial service-related organizations, according to security analysis firm Censys. The report, which analyzed 1,400 MOVEit servers that were openly accessible on the internet, found that 15.96% of hosts were associated with the healthcare sector, 8.92% were linked to information technology organizations and 7.5% were attributed to government and military entities. $9,923,771,385 This is the estimated total cost of the MOVEit mass-hacks so far. The number is based on IBM data, which found the average data breach last year cost $165, coupled with the number of individuals confirmed to have been impacted. However, as noted by Emsisoft, only a handful of corporate victims have so far reported the number of individuals known to be affected. Emsisoft said that if the number was scaled, the cost would be at least $65 billion to date. 2021 Researchers believe that Clop may have been sitting on its MOVEit exploit as far back as 2021. U.S. risk consulting firm Kroll said in a report that while news of the vulnerability first emerged in late May, Kroll researchers identified activity indicating that Clop had been experimenting with exploiting this vulnerability for almost two years. It appears that the Clop threat actors had the MOVEit Transfer exploit completed at the time of the GoAnywhere event and chose to execute the attacks sequentially instead of in parallel, Kroll states. $10,000,000 The U.S. State Department offered a $10 million bounty related to information on the Clop ransomware group after records from a number of departments entities were compromised in the MOVEit breach. The Department of Energy confirmed to TechCrunch that two of its entities were among those breached. $100,000,000 This is how much money Clop could earn from the MOVEit mass-hacking campaign, according to ransomware recovery company Coveware, with that sum derived from just a small handful of victims who gave into the hackers' demands and paid significant ransom payments. "This is a dangerous and staggering sum of money for one, relatively small group to possess. For context, this amount is larger than the annual offensive security budget of Canada," said Coveware. Zero This is the amount of government data that Clop claims to hold on government, city or police services. In a post on its dark web leak site, the gang said it would do the polite thing and delete all government-related data. Clop has not provided evidence for this claim, nor has TechCrunch been able to verify its claim. "We are only financial [sic] motivated," the hackers wrote. SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region saw its foreign trade increase by 2.9 percent year on year to about 2.86 trillion yuan (about 397.9 billion U.S. dollars) in the first seven months of this year, according to Shijiazhuang Customs. The region's foreign trade accounted for 12.1 percent of the country's total in the period. From January to July, the region's imports reached 2.1 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.6 percent, while its exports amounted to nearly 754.09 billion yuan, up 6.7 percent year on year. The region's imports and exports to the European Union (EU), the United States, Australia, and Brazil increased in the first seven months of the year, up by 2.1 percent, 0.6 percent, 12 percent, and 34.9 percent, respectively. During the period, mechanical and electrical products accounted for over half of the region's total export value. Meanwhile, the export of automobiles reached 29.09 billion yuan, up by 115.7 percent year on year. In terms of imported commodities, crude oil imports stood at the first place in the first seven months of the year, while high-tech products imports grew rapidly during the period. Nearly four years after it was originally revealed, the Tesla Cybertruck is finally nearing launch. The automaker recently built a production candidate of the vehicle at its Austin, Texas facility, meaning that the truck is entering the last phases prior to customer delivery. In this home stretch, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called on employees to ensure that the build quality of the Cybertruck leaps above and beyond the company's prior standards. In fact, according to a leaked email published by Cybertruck Owners Club, Musk is requesting tolerancesthe allowable deviation of any component from its desired designbelow 10 microns for all parts used in the vehicle's final assembly. That's equivalent to one hundredth of a millimeter. "Due to the nature of Cybertruck, which is made of bright metal with mostly straight edges, any dimensional variation shows up like a sore thumb," Musk's email reads. "All parts for this vehicle, whether internal or from suppliers, need to be designed and built to sub 10 micron accuracy." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He continues: "That means all part dimensions need to be to the third decimal place in millimeters and tolerances need be specified in single digit microns. If LEGO and soda cans, which are very low cost, can do this, so can we. Precision predicates perfectionism." Now, measuring for precision in just about any manufacturing industry is very achievable. The problem is that tighter tolerances often equate to a more expensive product, and the tolerances that Musk is calling for equate to about half the diameter of human hair. For reference, Bugatti uses 3D scanners following assembly of its multi-million-dollar hypercars to validate tolerances down to 5 microns. The more precise something is, the more difficult it can be to achieve reliably. In the manufacturing world, both of those attributes can be expensive to accomplish. From a tooling perspective, precise equipment is expensive in general. But consumable itemslike stamping dies and machining toolscan wear out and require replacement. Large amounts of waste may be produced as parts become increasingly out-of-spec, requiring tooling replacement to rectify. An example might be replacing a casting mold, something Tesla already does regularly when building its cars today. It's also difficult to affordably achieve micron-level accuracy with manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting, which is how Tesla once said it would score the sheet metal of the Cybertruck's exoskeleton so it could be folded like "origami." Labor is another area where precision can become expensive. A production line can only output so many vehicles in a day, and the most limiting factor is often the human element. If people work faster, the work may be less precise. And if there are techs at the end of the assembly line checking for tolerances and other various quality control deliverables, those out-of-spec vehicles may quickly pile up for repair before they leave the lot. Granted, it's very unlikely that Tesla will be measuring panel gaps with a micrometer and expect tolerances under 10 microns, but it would appear that Musk is calling for perfection with general part dimensions. That means upstream providers or production lines may be the ones responsible for doing this with bolts, screws, and other components used during final production. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1694403816920137880 Tesla doesn't exactly have a glowing reputation for precision and perfection today. Its quality control has been a longstanding problem, and while it has certainly improved, vehicles are still arriving with imperfections like panel gaps and paint chips that are considered to be in-spec as long as they're under 2 millimeters in diameter. In fact, the Tesla community has taken pre-delivery quality inspections into its own hands, even building checklists and web apps to help with the process. To see Tesla looking to improve upon this is definitely a step in the right direction. But there's something to be said about being realistic in such efforts, and Musk has called for similar quality improvements in the past, with results that still aren't ideal today. Either way, the Cybertruck is due to hit the streets soon. Tesla is aiming for its first delivery event to take place by the end of the quarter, which ends in just over a month. The automaker recently added an invitation to the delivery event as a referral reward to its app, per Electrek, though a hard date has not been revealed for the event or first deliveries. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: rob@thedrive.com Meet three chefs and a brewer who are leading the way in Asheville, North Carolina. As I bit into a flaky croissant filled with a Mallorcan chorizo spread, the smoky taste of paprika took over my senses. After this spicy start to my day, I wandered over to a pop-up serving Filipino barbecue, drawn by the sweet smell of pork skewers caramelizing in a soy glaze. Later, I enjoyed a tangy bowl of ceviche and a frozen pisco sour, relishing the tart citrus. Extraordinary food experiences like these are now common in Asheville, a town of transplants with a thriving multicultural community. On a recent trip to the North Carolina mountains, I met four people who are defining the citys culinary footprint. Family-style Filipino Food The first thing Silver Iocovozzi learned to cook was rice. His mother always had a batch ready when he got home. Rice has texture and warmth and steam and gumminess, Iocovozzi says. It gives you the comfort of cooking. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Iocovozzi was nicknamed Neng Junior after his mother, who is known as Neneng to her friends. He was raised in North Carolina, but his moms Filipino culture played a huge part in his upbringing. While the family enjoyed American classics like Campbells soup and grilled cheese, Iocovozzi also cherished the days when his mother served fried eggs with tomatoes and onions beside a heaping pile of rice, topped with banana ketchup a staple in Filipino pantries. TIM ROBISON/COURTESY OF CHAI PANI From left: Chicken pakora at Chai Pani; chef Meherwan Irani, founder of Chai Pani These food memories inspired Iocovozzi to open Neng Jr.s, a 17-seat restaurant in West Asheville in summer 2022. (This year, its a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.) One standout dish is duck adobo, rich with fat and crispy skin, accompanied by a thick, coconut-forward sauce. Another is ice cream made with sharp cheddar and mimolette, a hard French cheese, that mimics the keso sorbetes sold as street food in the Philippines. The restaurants decor is a colorful celebration of LGBTQ culture. The centerpiece is a painting by Drake Carr, showing Iocovozzis mother posing in a glamorous yellow dress, with the chef to her right, and other queer people of color surrounding them. From the frock extends a yellow ribbon, which Iocovozzi says represents the passing down of tradition and recipes through time. EVAN SUNG/COURTESY OF CURATE The bar at Curate. Neng Jr.s has already taken off as one of the citys hottest tickets (reservations are often booked up a month out). Iocovozzi says, I just try to emulate that friendly or familial quality of a gathering at a house where everyones in the kitchen and hanging out, watching while you cook.. Street-style Indian Food Many restaurants in the U.S. have a similar roster of dishes from northern India: tandoori chicken, saag paneer, chicken tikka masala. This cuisine doesnt represent what Meherwan Irani grew up eating in Maharashtra, in western India. Naan was something I ate maybe once a year, he says. But spiced snacks topped with sauces, called chaat, and other street foods are dishes that every Indian can relate to its affordable and approachable. Thats why Iranis first restaurant, Chai Pani, which opened in 2009, shows off the biggest hits of his childhood: uttapam, a pancake made with a rice-and-lentil batter; chicken pakora, juicy yet fried crisp with a curried-chickpea coating; and his favorite, bhel puri a delightfully bright and crunchy combination of puffed rice, dry chickpea noodles, roasted chickpeas, cilantro, and onions, all tossed with tangy tamarind, green-herb, and spicy-garlic chutneys. SABRINA HILL/COURTESY OF 7 CLANS BREWING Morgan Owle-Crisp, the founder of 7 Clans Brewing. The restaurant has been a resounding success: Irani is now a five-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast, and last year won in the foundations Outstanding Restaurant category. Elsewhere in Asheville, Irani operates Spicewalla, a spice shop, and Buxton Hall, a barbecue restaurant. He also established Buxton Chicken Palace inside the new S&W Market, a food hall he helped create. For Irani, the experience of being Indian and calling the South home remains essential to the story of his food. Sometimes that requires being completely true to the way the dish wouldve been made in India, and sometimes that means changing it to a version thats appropriate for where you are, he says. And I am in the American South.. Heritage and Hops Asheville is a beer town, but until Morgan Owle-Crisp started 7 Clans Brewing in 2017, there were no Indigenous-owned breweries, despite the area being the original home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, of which Owle-Crisp is a member. In 2018, the brewery debuted a blonde ale that incorporates a hint of corn a tribute to Selu, the original mother in Cherokee creation stories, who was born from the first corn plant. Also in 2018, the brand released a chestnut-brown ale and an IPA, and the beers were soon carried by stores around the state. EVAN SUNG/COURTESY OF CURATE From left: Appetizers and drinks at Curate, Chef Katie Button, co-owner of the Asheville tapas restaurant Curate. Now the brewery has seven different beers, plus rotating seasonal flavors. The variety of ingredients that you can use to capture time and place was important to me, Owle-Crisp says, referring to the native plants, including chestnuts, corn, and strawberries, that she uses in her brews. She admits that her business has raised eyebrows in her community. Historically, theres been a stigma around Native communities and alcohol in 1832, the U.S. government even banned the sale of alcoholic beverages to Indigenous people. Until the tribal council passed a referendum in 2021, alcohol wasnt allowed within the Qualla Boundary (which defines the territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), except in the local casino. So when Owle-Crisp was looking for a space, even when I had access to my own tribal lands, I had to go outside of the community. She opened her taproom in Biltmore Village, south of downtown. Even people who live in North Carolina sometimes forget there are Native people, she says. For me the brewery was a way to say that we are still here.. If you ask around town, people will consistently tell you that Curate, a tapas restaurant, is a cant-miss. At the helm is South Carolinaborn chef Katie Button, who pivoted to the culinary world after dropping out of a Ph.D. program in neuroscience. She got her start at Cafe Atlantico in Washington, D.C. and also met her now-husband, Felix Meana. Later, the two went to Meanas hometown of Roses, Spain, to work at Ferran Adrias famed El Bulli. In 2011, the couple moved to Asheville with dreams of settling down and building a restaurant. (Meana is a co-owner of Curate.) They considered other cities, but as Button recalls, driving into Asheville I swear this happens to a lot of people, its not just me there was this moment where we said, Oh my gosh, this is it. Focusing on Spanish cuisine was a natural fit. Curates menu is simple, allowing the excellent produce and meats to shine. Naturally, it serves perfect, thinly sliced jamon iberico de bellota, made from acorn-fed pigs. Then theres pulpo a la gallega, a Galician-style octopus dish simply seasoned with sea salt, olive oil, and a touch of paprika. But the must-order item is berenjenas con miel: warm, crisp slices of fried eggplant drizzled with honey (even better when paired with the house-made rosemary ice cream). Last year, Button and Meana opened La Bodega by Curate, a cafe and wine bar that also sells Spanish products, around the corner from the main restaurant. The long road has paid off: Curate won the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality. Weve been working hard to introduce our team to new things about Spain and Spanish food, Button says. And thats what we also do with our guests create newness and excitement. A version of this story first appeared in the July 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Everyone to the Table." For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Prince Harry acts differently on his own compared to when he is with his wife Meghan Markle, a body language expert has claimed. A body language expert has said that Prince Harry is 'on duty' when he is with Meghan, and is more 'open' when he is alone. There is a 'notable distinction' in his non-verbal communication. In other royal news, Kate Middleton's candy pink clutch bag is giving Barbie vibes and she styled it perfectly. Prince Harry is returning to the UK next month, just a day before the anniversary of the Queen's death on September 8. The Telegraph reported that the Duke is set to, "deliver a speech at the WellChild Awards in London on September 7". ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Meghan has attended the awards with Harry several times in the past but will not be making an appearance this time, as Harry is reportedly making the visit to the UK without her. Now, body language expert Darren Stanton has drawn comparisons between Harry's behavior when he's joined by Meghan, compared with when he is alone - and he says there's a big change. Prince Harry He said, "There is a notable distinction in his non-verbal communication when Harry is on his own compared to when he is with Meghan, he almost feels like he needs to be on duty when he is with Meghan, he seems a little bit more aware of his surroundings, like he has to present a certain brand. His body language isnt as open and hell often be more reserved." Darren added, "When he is on own, Harry has a sense of openness that we rarely see otherwise, he is very authentic in his emotions and his confidence increases as he doesnt need to take on a protective role." Harry won't be rushing back to California - where he and Meghan reside with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - immediately following the WellChild Awards, as he is expected in Dusseldorf on September 9. Therefore it would make no sense to travel all the way back to the US when he is expected in Germany just a few days later. 'romantic misunderstandings' might be on the way for Meghan Markle, according to the stars The Prince is travelling to Dusseldorf for the Invictus Games, where he will be met by Meghan who will be travelling from Montecito. This schedule means that the Prince may stay in the UK or Germany to mark the one-year anniversary of his grandmother. Although the Prince may be in the UK for this anniversary, it is unlikely that he will be meeting up with his brother or father while he is back. The Telegraph explained, "he is not expected to see the King, who will be at Balmoral, or his brother Prince William, with whom he has not been in contact for many months." Wisconsin's 15,000-plus lakes, including two Great Lakes, are understandably popular among fishermen, boaters, hunters and water sports enthusiasts. However, they also attract a less desirable group: aquatic invasive species. We spoke with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources aquatic invasive species program coordinator Amy Kretlow and DNR Great Lakes specialist Kari Fenske about which of these species pose the greatest threats to our state's ecosystems, economy and recreation. Here are eight invasive fish, plant and other aquatic species experts say to watch out for. Eurasian watermilfoil impedes boats and native plant growth Eurasian watermilfoil is a feather-like aquatic plant with reddish stems and leaves. It has been documented in over 800 Wisconsin waterbodies. Its effects vary across waterbodies and can be economic, social and ecological, Kretlow said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Milfoil populations can form large, floating vegetation mats that prevent boaters from traveling through infested waters. These same mats can block sunlight from reaching native plants, reducing their vitality. This allows the milfoil to outcompete native species and decreases biodiversity. Eurasian watermilfoil first arrived in Wisconsin in the 1960s and generally spreads through accidental transport on boats and other equipment. Wisconsin's invasive species law, Wis. Admin. Code NR 40, prohibits the transport of "aquatic plants, live animals and water from a waterbody, with some exceptions for bait." Before leaving a boat launch, boaters are required by law to "inspect and remove" any aquatic plants and animals from their boats and equipment, and they also must drain all water from their boats and equipment. Cold-resistant curly-leaf pondweed blocks waters from recreational enjoyment Curly-leaf pondweed is a submersed aquatic plant with wavy leaves that look like lasagna noodles. Like Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed can "form extensive mats and impede recreational activities like fishing, boating and swimming," Kretlow said. When compared to most native aquatic plants, this species starts growing earlier in the spring and withstands colder temperatures. Kretlow said some studies show curly-leaf pondweed can outcompete native plants "since its tolerance with cold temperatures allows it to start growing earlier in the year," while other research indicates that, because it grows earlier, it doesn't always directly compete with native species. What is known is that the species has "midsummer die-offs," which remove some of the competition for native plants but also release phosphorus into the ecosystem. "The midsummer die-off (releases) phosphorous into the water column as it decomposes, which can potentially cause algae blooms in some of the lakes," Kretlow explained. "And then, when the algae blooms, the algae will decompose and use a lot of oxygen, which could lead to a dissolved oxygen crash." According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a dissolved oxygen crash occurs when more oxygen is consumed than produced in an aquatic ecosystem. This can cause some native species to move away, weaken or die. Whether or not an oxygen crash will occur following a midsummer die-off depends on factors like the lake's watershed, nutrient composition and depth, the DNR states. European frog-bit forms dense, floating mats in areas where it takes hold, choking out native vegetation and cutting off oxygen and sunlight to the water below. European frog-bit is prohibited in Wisconsin European frog-bit is a free-floating aquatic plant native to Europe and northeast Asia. This species especially likes to inhabit calm or slow-moving waterbodies and looks like "small lily pads" with little, light-colored flowers, Kretlow said. Like the two species above, populations can form large mats that impede navigation and negatively impact native species. However, while Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed are restricted species in Wisconsin, European frog-bit is a prohibited species, meaning it is further regulated by the DNR. The DNR defines prohibited species as species that are either not currently found in Wisconsin but could pose a significant threat if introduced or "small pioneer stands of ... species that are isolated to a specific watershed in the state or the Great Lakes." European frog-bit falls into this second category. The species was first introduced to North America in the 1930s as an ornamental plant and spread to the Great Lakes in the 1970s, Kretlow said. The first population found in Wisconsin was discovered in 2021 along the Green Bay coastal areas of Marinette and Oconto counties. Conservations in the Green Bay area have undertaken extensive efforts to prevent the species' spread. Last year, Kretlow said, a population was found in Brown County, but a DNR hand-pulling event seems to have vanquished it. She said if you encounter what you believe to be an invasive species, especially a prohibited species like European frog-bit, it's best to contact one of the DNR's five regional aquatic invasive species biologists. 'Very aggressive' red swamp crayfish outcompete native species Also a prohibited species, red swamp crayfish are "dark red with raised bright red spots covering the body and claws and a black wedge-shaped stripe on the top of the abdomen," the DNR states. They are two to five inches long. These crayfish are omnivorous and feed on aquatic plants, snails, insects, fish, amphibian eggs and other young organisms, Kretlow said. They are also "very, very aggressive" and chase off native species, she continued. In some ecosystems, they've been known to "decimate amphibian life" by eating amphibian eggs. Red swamp crayfish are native to the coastal Gulf plain region from the Florida panhandle to Mexico and can now be found "in Southern Mississippi River drainage areas all the way up to into Illinois," Kretlow said. Purchases from pet stores and for crayfish boils are major avenues by which red swamp crayfish reach Wisconsin. It is illegal to transport red swamp crayfish to Wisconsin for crayfish boils unless they are dead and frozen because crayfish can escape into our ecosystems during transportation, Kretlow said. The financial burden of removing released or escaped invasive crayfish is too great to allow for live importation, Kretlow wrote in a follow-up email. In 2009, red swamp crayfish were found at two sites in southeastern Wisconsin. It took the DNR over $750,000 and "years of work" to clean up the site, Kretlow wrote. Faucet snails carry parasites that kill off waterfowl Pale brown faucet snails only grow up to a half-inch long according to Wisconsin Sea Grant, but they host parasites that cause large-scale die-offs of birds and waterfowl species. This hurts ecosystems, as well as the economy because it greatly diminishes hunting opportunities for waterfowl hunters. The snails can also "clog water intake pipes, infest municipal water supplies and compete with native snails for resources," Wisconsin Sea Grant states. Native to Europe, the snails were likely first released into the Great Lakes through boats' ballast water and spread through hitchhiking on people's clothing and equipment, Kretlow said. The species is now commonly found in major fishing spots like freshwater ponds, shallow lakes and canals. "So that's why we're really, really stressing to fishermen to be cleaning their boots and their equipment, because (the snails) can last for a really long time outside of the water and be transferred on soles of boots and stuff to another area," Kretlow said. A quagga mussel-covered rock retrieved by a diver in June 2021. Quagga mussels have outcompeted zebra mussels in Lake Michigan Tan, black-striped quagga mussels no bigger than "an adult's thumbnail" according to the DNR are a relatively recent arrival in Wisconsin, but have already substantially altered the ecosystem, especially in Lake Michigan, Great Lakes specialist Kari Fenske said. Lake Michigan historically had good nutrient levels and food webs, but the introduction of quagga mussels about a decade ago changed that because they are really good filter feeders. Fenske said people have noticed that Lake Michigan is "a lot clearer than it used to be." because quagga mussels filter out things like still plankton and phytoplankton, fundamentally altering food webs in the lake. Quagga mussels' waste from doing this filter feeding releases phosphorus into the water, which can lead to "a lot more outbreaks of Cladophora, a native macro-algae," Kretlow explained. Cladophora poses problems for both commercial fishermen and agencies like the DNR trying to conduct fishery surveys. If you put a fish net which is usually very hard to see in the water overnight in an area with Cladophora present, the net will attract the algae, making the net visible to fish which will then be much less likely to swim into it, Fenske explained. A map showing the changes in quagga mussel and zebra mussel population density in Lake Michigan overtime. Zebra mussel populations have declined as quagga mussel populations have outcompeted them. Furthermore, quagga mussels have even largely outcompeted zebra mussels, another notorious invasive species that once also caused substantial problems in Lake Michigan, Fenske said. Quagga mussels are bigger and can withstand deeper depths and colder temperatures than zebra mussels. According to the DNR, both mussel species can clog water intake pipes and underwater screens, which plugs up pumps at power and water treatment plants, costing "millions yearly" to fix. Additionally, mussels can build up on piers, break walls, buoys, boats and beaches, hindering summertime fun. A round goby swims above zebra mussels in a Great Lakes invasive species exhibit at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium in 2006. Too-small round gobies drive off species fishermen actually want The round goby is a small, soft-bodied fish with a black spot on its dorsal fin. It's native to Eurasia and arrived in the U.S. Great Lakes in the 1990s through boats' ballast water. The species poses problems because it eats the eggs and young of native fish species, Fenske said. It's also aggressive and outcompetes native species for shelter, nesting sites and food sources like snails and mussels. This reduces native species' numbers. Additionally, unlike these natives, round gobies do not grow big enough to be desirable for commercial or recreational fishing. "They've been quite frustrating because they eat the eggs of things like yellow perch, which people do want," Fenske said. Scientist Jim Lamer holds an invasive silver carp on the Illinois River. Expensive efforts are underway to prevent the spread of black, silver, bighead and grass carp Four invasive carp species the black, silver, bighead and grass carp are targets of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a billion-dollar effort to keep invasive species in Illinois waterways out of the Great Lakes. The invasive carp compete with native fish and negatively impact ecosystems and economies, each in different ways. Because of their stomach structure, Fenske explained, all four species can "feed nearly continuously and really mow down whatever their prey is." Black carp eat native mussels and snails, and the DNR worries, if they made it into the Great Lakes, they would "decimate" native snail populations. Silver carp pose a threat to boaters and other recreational lake-goers because they jump out of the water when disturbed. "If there's a high population of silver carp, as you're motoring through the river, they literally can leap into the air, hit people and cause serious damage to people and property," Fenske said. Bighead carp are planktivorous, and studies have shown that they negatively affect zooplankton and native planktivorous fish populations. Finally, grass carp have been found "at least twice" on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan, Fenske said. Grass carp can eat so many plants that they have been used as plant control in other states. However, using grass carp for plant control, including fish of the sterile triploid variety, is illegal in Wisconsin. More: Dense thorn bushes, 2-foot-wide flowers and more. These are Wisconsin's worst invasive plants. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These invasive fish, aquatic species most threaten Wisconsin habitats Graves containing the skeletal remains of four Civil War soldiers and three amputated human legs are the latest discoveries to come out of an archaeological excavation at a 161-year-old battle site in Virginia. In 2021, archaeologists with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (CWF), a living-history museum, began examining the site, which contains the Powder Magazine, a central storehouse where the Confederate army kept its ammunition. The octagonal structure was originally commissioned in 1714 and was renovated in the 1880s. However, prior to the dig, there was no indication that soldiers had been buried there, according to a statement . The Powder Magazine was also the site of the Battle of Williamsburg, which took place on May 5, 1862, during the Union army's unsuccessful attempt to seize Richmond, the Confederate capital at the time. The bloody battle resulted in an estimated 3,800 total deaths and injuries, according to the American Battlefield Trust . "Our goal was to better understand the magazine and how it operated," Jack Gary , director of archaeology for the CWF, told Live Science. "As we excavated, we weren't expecting to find graves. We discovered what we thought was a posthole for a fence, but instead we found a skull." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Further digging revealed three individual graves: one small burial containing the amputated legs, another housing three Confederate soldiers, and a third with a lone individual. The men were buried side by side; their bodies had been carefully placed in the graves, with their hands draped over their stomachs, according to The Washington Post . Related: Kentucky man finds over 700 Civil War-era coins buried in his cornfield "The well-preserved nature of the skeletons let us see every element of the bones," Gary said. "This lets us fully document the remains in situ [at the site] using 3D photogrammetry," a technique in which hundreds of photos are taken to create a digital 3D image. The examinations revealed that the skeletons were riddled with injuries, some endured during battle and others caused by existing conditions. For example, one skeleton had a minie ball (a conical bullet commonly used during the Civil War) lodged in the spine, and another had a musket ball embedded in the pelvis. A toothbrush found at a Civil War battle site. "The bone had started growing over the musket ball," Gary said, "so he had been living with it inside him but was still out there fighting." A third skeleton had a small piece of shrapnel, similar in size to a pencil eraser, next to its shoulder, possibly from an artillery shell. The fourth skeleton had no obvious wartime injuries, according to The Washington Post. Aerial view of a building at a Civil War site. In a separate grave, archaeologists found three amputated legs, with two amputated below the knee and one amputated above the knee. One of the limbs contained a bullet embedded in the foot. Archaeologists also unearthed several artifacts in the graves, including a toothbrush with a bone handle, a porcelain snuff bottle, a trouser buckle and two $1 U.S. gold coins, according to the statement. "These were likely personal effects that were in their clothing when they were buried and gives us some sense of what they carried into battle with them," Gary said. "This starts to paint a picture of what it was like for these soldiers; they're not just nameless casualties." RELATED STORIES Mass grave of Revolutionary War mercenaries and rare gold coin unearthed in New Jersey Top-secret special-ops submarine from World War II discovered after 20-year search 'Witch bottle' found in Virginia dates to the Civil War Archaeologists are reviewing a list of 20 casualties treated at a hospital that once stood on the site, hoping to find the names of the fallen soldiers. The remains are currently with the Institute for Historical Biology at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where researchers are studying the bones to see if they reveal any additional information about the soldiers, such as their height and how old they were when they died. Once further research is completed, archaeologists will "ensure that all four of the individuals are reburied as respectfully as possible," Gary said. Valorie Mitchell, a paramedic with the Salt Lake County Health Department, gives Jason Mettmann a vaccination during a free COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic at the Tongan Methodist Church in West Valley City on Oct. 15, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Its too soon to say what to expect from a new strain of COVID-19 thats already being called alarming, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but updated vaccines are now coming earlier than anticipated as cases continue to climb. The federal agencys risk assessment for the BA.2.86 variant thats been dubbed Pirola warned it may be more capable of causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received COVID-19 vaccines. Related The initial assessment is that there is no evidence the new variant makes people sicker, but hospitalization rates for the virus are being closely monitored to identify any potential early signals that the BA.2.86 variant is causing more severe illness. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The increase in hospitalizations nationwide for COVID-19 more than 21% weekly as of mid-August is not likely driven by the new variant, the CDC said, adding that assessment could change as more data becomes available. As of Wednesday, the day the risk assessment was posted, nine BA.2.86 cases had been identified three in Denmark, two in South Africa, one in Israel, one in the United Kingdom and at least two in the United States. The CDC said one of the U.S. cases was someone detected through a federal program that tests nasal swab samples voluntarily provided by international travelers arriving at participating airports. The agency did not provide further details, but a British tabloid, the Mirror, reported that case was an asymptomatic woman returning to Virginia from Japan who was tested on Aug. 10. The other U.S. case was found by the University of Michigan. News source Bridge Michigan reported the state health department there said the infected person is from the Ann Arbor area and is an older adult with mild symptoms who was not hospitalized. Related The CDC also said theres a preliminary indication the BA.2.86 variant was present in a U.S. wastewater sample collected as part of routine monitoring in the National Wastewater Surveillance System but did not specify where. So far, the new variant has not been detected in Utah, which sequences samples weekly that are collected from sewage treatment plants throughout Utah as well as from positive tests for the virus. Its a matter of time, Kelly Oakeson, chief scientist for next generation sequencing and bioinformatics for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, told the Deseret News earlier this week after testing Monday didnt turn up the new variant. Oakeson called Pirolas more than 30 mutations alarming because its comparable to the sudden changes seen in the omicron variant that drove cases to record levels in Utah in early 2022. The CDC said there are still questions about the transmissibility of BA.2.86, which, like other variants currently circulating, descended from omicron but noted it has already jumped across multiple continents. At this time, we dont know how well this variant spreads, but we know that it spreads in the same way as other variants, the risk assessment said. Topping the list of recommended precautions is getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Related The latest update to the virus vaccine, formulated to target an earlier omicron variant, XBB.1.5, also known as Kraken, will be available as early as of mid-September at doctors offices and pharmacies, the CDC said, if it receives federal authorization. Previous estimates suggested it might take until October to roll out what the government has said will be an annual COVID-19 vaccination for most Americans around the same time as their yearly flu shot. The faster schedule comes as COVID-19 is on the rise nationwide. Other precautions advised by the CDC to protect against the new variant are: Staying home when you are sick. Getting tested for COVID-19 if needed. Seeking treatment if you have COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick. If you choose to wear a mask, wearing a high-quality one that fits well over your nose and mouth. Improving ventilation. Washing hands. Our editors independently select the products we recommend. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links. A real clotheshorse likely already knows about Stussy and Carhartt, but perhaps not 22AMPS. And yet, all three share the same level of craftsmanship, having been produced from the same manufacturer: Venedik Textile, in Turkey. Today's Top Deals At the beginning of the pandemic, everyone and their sister started a fashion brand. COVID-19 and the Great Resignation begat an entrepreneurship boom, and it turns out that many people had Project Runway ambitions. That passion (and, quite frankly, talent) didnt always translate to good clothes, though. In fact, the sudden glut of Instagram brands producing subpar final products seems inescapable, though it isnt entirely the fault of the new companies ideas. Their garments are often made in factories that skimp on quality, and finding manufacturers that dont do so is a needle-in-haystack enterprise for newcomers to the industry. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement William Lasry, 24, is aware of that roadblock. Over the past few years, hes toured about 50 factories around the world, posting videos of the ones he likes and endorses on his Instagram. For a small fee, startups can subscribe to Lasrys Patreon and learn what factories are crafting garments well. Inversely, fashion collectors and enthusiasts can see which new brands are using the same high-quality factories as their favorite brands to discover a new standout designer. Lasrys goal is to show products that manufacturers have made in the past, brands theyve produced for, and factories minimum quantities and price ranges. It means that small brands get a sherpa to guide them through the world of quality manufacturing, and fashion followers discover a treasure trove of great, under-the-radar brands producing clothes at the same places as catalog companies; Lasrys subscribers get a head start on owning something by the next Junya Watanabe, for instance, knowing that the designer shares a manufacturer with the Japan-based brand Nonnative. Lasry calls his workshop reconnaissance Glass Factory, based on the premise that hes making manufacturing transparent. His experience running his own brand in college a now-defunct streetwear brand called Wun-Off means he knows firsthand how hard it is to identify a good manufacturer. Before that, his introduction to that world was through his father, who ran a denim manufacturing business for 30 years, which is how he started visiting factories in the first place. And those visits proved valuable, he tells SPY. Theres a disconnect between the brand and the manufacturing process, he says, adding that in a lot of countries, its crucial to have a middle man. In his experience, many factories in Turkey and Italy, for instance, try to take advantage of new entrepreneurs, overcharging for their services and prioritizing their existing roster of clients. You need to be well-prepared to reach out to these brands, he says. You need to have every single detail your trimmings, measurements planned out well in advance. The exponential growth of fast fashion over the past few decades hasnt helped, either. According to the Industrial Designers Society of America, industrial designers typically focus on appearance, functionality, and manufacturability, but most of the changes have been happening in the last step. Companies are cutting corners to get clothes out faster, creating global environmental, health, and labor issues. Many brands arent overseeing their products once theyre in a factorys hands, Lasry says. Most of the brands that got started on Instagram in the last two years have not visited their factories I guarantee it, he adds. And if they did, they would see things they didnt want to see. Lasry builds relationships with manufacturers by reaching out to them directly. When he asks to tour their facilities and film their setups, he says that they are often surprised but are pleased by the idea of exposure and new customers. Take one video of Lasry at TadaKnit a factory in Okayama, Japan, with only 10 employees that he says manufactures for Purple Label North Face, Real McCoys, and Beams Japan knitwear products, in addition to smaller brands. Theyre experts in cutting and sewing with some of the most well-trained staff Ive ever seen, Lasry says They do T-shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, and polos for many Japanese brands. I had the pleasure of interviewing Tada [Shigekazu] himself and then getting a tour of the factory from him. Every single product in their repertoire was beautifully crafted, he adds, before showing a copy of Shigekazus business card at the end of the video. A middleman is necessary, Lasry argues, and he positions himself as an indispensable one for the manufacturers he recommends. Some companies, like California-based manufacturer Argyle Haus, reach out to Lasry directly, too. Not every company works the way we do and I understand the need to have an experienced middleman to assist, Houman Salem, Argyles founder, tells SPY. [Middlemen] are hard to find and can oftentimes be quite expensive, but with proper vetting, it would be advantageous to have someone with experience guide you through the process if youre working with companies that dont provide the consultation the way we do. People who subscribe to Lasrys Patreon who are launching or looking to launch new brands say that the process of finding good manufacturers and establishing relationships with them is frequently mystifying. Lasry references bad experiences hes had shopping on Alibaba, for example, one of the worlds largest retailers. It reported $248 billion in transactions on its platform last year, more than eBay and Amazon combined. Alibabas novelty is that its a wholesale marketplace for consumers looking to buy a large quantity of an item at once, negotiate with manufacturers, and create custom items. The quality, however, varies greatly a cursory search across startup subreddits shows that theres a whole internet underground for new brands trading information on how to find a reliable manufacturer on Alibaba. Nicolae Loghin, 24, for instance, is a fashion designer and founder of the London-based streetwear brand wonderkid. He tells SPY that his foray into fashion was complicated by the kind of manufacturing woes that users are often talking about on those subreddits. Loghin has been making clothes for six years under different brand names of his own, only now feeling confident enough in the final look and product to keep going with wonderkid. He says that at the start of his career, he placed more than 20 orders with manufacturers where details would be slightly off, such as stitches under a hoodies armpit not meeting at the same point. Loghin echoes Lasry, saying that his output improved once he built relationships with manufacturers over time and learned about the processes behind production in more detail. I note how fast they want to move into production, he gives as an example. No respectable manufacturer will rush through sampling and pattern drafting. Thats the gambit for new brands looking to earn their stripes in the fashion industry. For Lasrys audience of fashion enthusiasts, the goal is finding out what the hidden gem brands are. Lasry and Salem both tell SPY that bigger brands will often have manufacturers sign NDAs, meaning that they cant advertise that the companies make their products there. Its to preserve the secrecy thats so characteristic of the industry; it also hides that the factories are capable of handling brands with very different sensibilities. Unialsitex in Turkey covers both Philip Plein and The Gap, for instance, according to Lasrys spreadsheet. It also ensures that the quality of sought-after brands remains rare and that those brands can distinguish themselves from startup competitors on the hunt. In one video, Lasry spotlights the Italian manufacturer Olmetex, for example, a fabric supplier for Chrome Hearts, which is fairly popular. The Hong-Kong based brand Nilmance, however, is far less renowned but also sources its fabrics from Olmetex, producing its own variety of high-concept technical jackets and flight pants looks that are unique, well-made, and for the savvy shopper, standouts in a crowd. More Top Deals from SPY Best of SPY Click here to read the full article. Leo Figgs, a transgender teenager, holds in his hands three years worth of empty testosterone vials hes been collecting on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. Shortly after Leo Figgs and his mother found out Kentucky lawmakers passed one of the most restrictive transgender laws in the country, they got a call from a number they didn't recognize. It was Leo's doctor calling on what the Lexington family said was an "untraceable" phone. Stock up on testosterone, the doctor told them, before it's too late. Meanwhile, a Fort Thomas teen has transferred to a boarding school in Michigan, out of reach from the limitations imposed by the Kentucky law. They're among about 300,000 transgender teens in the United States, according to the Williams Institute. But unlike most others, they've had to plan how to deal with a new Kentucky law that requires minors in schools to use bathrooms that to not match their gender identity, allows teachers to use pronouns to which the student objects, and prevents minors from getting gender-affirming care, which includes puberty blockers and hormones, among other restrictions. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The law was passed in March, with the Republican-controlled legislature easily overriding a veto from Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear. Two men had opposing views on Senate Bill 150 while inside the state capitol Wednesday afternoon when the Kentucky Senate voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto. March 29, 2023 It's one of a wave anti-transgender laws nationwide. This year alone in the United States, 78 bills targeting LGBTQ rights have been signed into law of almost 500 introduced by lawmakers, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. But for transgender minors and their families, gender identity isn't a political platform. It's their lives and they're navigating how to live them while people they don't know legislate them. That means stocking up on hormones, attending schools in another state, and considering moving out of Kentucky to find safer communities. 'I do not have the same rights' Corio's mom was worried about repercussions at her job in education if she shared her name publicly, so she requested to remain anonymous. She was also worried about the safety of her child, who is using only their first name in this article. They both knew what was coming for transgender youth in Kentucky before the new law was passed. The Fort Thomas 17-year-old and family watched Northern Kentucky state Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, introduce legislation four times to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Maddox represents Grant and Gallatin counties, along with parts of nearby Boone and Kenton counties. Corio and their mom saw similar bills introduced in Tennessee and other states over the past few years. It was only a matter of time, they both knew, before Kentucky would regulate where Corio could use the bathroom and what their medical care options could be. Corio is nonbinary, meaning they do not strongly identify with being male or female. It's an identity that falls under the transgender umbrella because they do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth and use they/them pronouns. After one year at a Northern Kentucky high school, Corio transferred to a boarding school in Michigan the Interlochen Center for the Arts. The family made the choice to pull money out of Corio's college fund to pay the expense. It costs $73,200 annually to board and attend, though the family pays about $35,000 due to scholarships. That means they all will have to figure out a different way to pay for Corio's college. But it's worth it for the family. During Corio's freshman year at a Northern Kentucky high school, they were supported by faculty and administration. They said they experienced some teasing from classmates, but the real pushback came from parents. At one point a parent approached Corio's mom to tell her Corio was using the boys' restroom at school. That wasn't true. The two of them had decided it wasn't safe for the 5-foot-tall, 100-pound freshman to use the boys' restroom at school. Corio speaks about their time as a trans teen living in Northern Kentucky. But the fact that adults were trying to keep tabs on where her child was using the bathroom was what pushed Corio's family to invest in a safer, more accepting school option. Corio enthusiastically started at the boarding school last year, where they have a large community of LGBTQ friends, unlike in Kentucky. The new law aimed at transgender minors was introduced and signed into law about seven months later. "Honest to God, I thought about World War II and Londoners how people would send the children up north to avoid the bombings. ... They sent those kids to the Lake District in the UK," Corio's mom said. "Interlochen is my Lake District," Corio added about the safe haven. Corio socially transitioned into being a male during the pandemic, using he/him pronouns. They later decided being nonbinary worked better for them because they don't feel like they are male or female. Corio's mom knows that while her child's transition doesn't involve medication, if Corio had come out as a young child, they both would have wanted to consider all the medical choices available to them. "I'm also angry that they took away my rights as a parent. I do not have the same rights as other parents in Kentucky to make medical decisions for my child," she said. For Corio, the anti-transgender rhetoric and laws in the state means they don't plan on living in Kentucky full-time ever again. "I don't want to live in a place where they're actively targeting my community," they said. 'We're not going to be collateral damage' Leo Figgs has been presenting as a boy since he was about 8 years old and came out as trans when he was 12. He's been on puberty blockers or testosterone for years. His short hair and masculine clothes let him fly under the radar at school. A lot of people don't even know he's transgender. When his doctor called the family after the state law passed, it hadn't gone into effect yet. Regardless, the doctor still wrote a testosterone prescription to last Leo over a year. Nationwide, testosterone can already be a difficult prescription to get. It's a Schedule III controlled substance, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and insurance coverage can be limited to a few months or prescriptions at a time. The drug can also be on backorder and injection supplies can require a separate prescription. Amy Figgs, right, embraces her son, Leo Figgs, while holding some of Leos empty testosterone vials on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. The new limitations on hormones in the state affect more than transgender minors. It also affects minors who would otherwise need a prescription for hypogonadism, endometriosis and other medical conditions. "We've chased testosterone to several pharmacies" throughout Lexington, Amy Figgs said. In this instance, Figgs went to several pharmacies before thinking to get the prescription filled in bulk at Costco. There, the family was able to get enough testosterone 10 milliliters which will last them 40 weeks. Leo said new restrictions on medical care are harmful to a population of teens who are likely already distressed about their identity. "They're already struggling with the idea of coming out and being trans and then this happens. And now they legally pretty much can't (seek treatment)," Leo said. At school, his gender is still officially marked as female but not all of his teachers have noticed. They call out his name on the first day of school, take a look at him with his short curly hair and baggy clothes, and move on, Leo said. Leo and his mom said there weren't any conversations with the school district in the weeks leading up to the start of classes and the first few days of school have been uneventful. So, for his senior year, he's going to just keep doing what he's been doing for years using the bathroom he's always used (though he doesn't often use the restroom at school) and telling teachers what he is called by friends and family. And if the new law changes all that? "I think that we will have to find a school (college) in a safe state, and then I will follow him there so that he always has a home in a safe state, as well," Amy Figgs said. "I understand things could get better and things will probably get better but we're not going to be collateral damage in the interim for that." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How trans youth in Kentucky are trying to navigate new law On August 23, a Michigan man appeared in federal court after he allegedly ventured off-trail in a thermal area of Yellowstone National Park and burned himself in a scalding-hot thermal feature. Forty-nine year-old Jason D. Wicks of Hillman, Michigan pled not guilty to the charges. According to a press release issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of Justice District of Wyoming and shared by the National Park Service, he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident. Related: Watch: Tourists Swarm Grizzly Bear with Two Cubs in Yellowstone National Park Lori Hogan, spokesperson for the Wyoming District Attorney, told CNN that the man sustained non-life threatening burns to his foot when he entered the hot spring on the night of Tuesday, August 22. Wicks' official charges include thermal trespass and endangering himself and others while intoxicated, according to court documents obtained by CNN. Yellowstone is home to more than 10,000 thermal features, and the park has the highest concentration of geysers found anywhere in the world. Some of the more easily accessible geothermal areas in the park have established trails and boardwalks. Ample signage in these areas warns visitors of the extreme danger in venturing off trail. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement During the summer of 2022, a dismembered foot was found floating in a thermal pool in the West Thumb Geyser Basin near Yellowstone's Lake Village. The man was later identified as 70-year-old Il Hun Ro of Los Angeles, California. There's speculation that Il ventured off-trail while visiting the West Thumb area and unintentionally fell into the 140-degree Fahrenheit Abyss Pool. No additional remains were ever located, but investigators did note the existence of a "fatty substance" inside the Abyss Pool where his foot was found. Read Next: Did Someone Plant Invasive Brook Trout in a Pristine Yellowstone Trout Stream? As a condition of his release from custody, Wicks is banned from both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks until his charges are resolved. The incident remains under investigation, the press release states, and no trial date has been set. Yesterday, we shared viral footage of a large crowd of tourists amassing around a sow grizzly bear with two cubs in Yellowstone National Park. Today, we're highlighting another example of life-threatening stupidity that occurred in Grand Teton National Park, which sits immediately south of Yellowstone in northwestern Wyoming. Related: Watch: Tourists Swarm Grizzly Bear with Two Cubs in Yellowstone National Park The video, shared by the @touronsofyellowstone Instagram page on August 4, shows a lone grizzly bear feeding on an extremely fresh elk carcass. It's not clear when it was filmed or how the elk died, but it might have been hit by a car, since both the dead elk and the bear are right next to the shoulder of a nearby road. As the wild scene unfolds, gawking tourists can be seen outside their vehicles snapping photos of the visibly agitated bear. See if for yourself below. "Some might think that this griz would be too occupied to care about the tourons, but this is probably one of the most dangerous positions to be in," the caption reads. "Grizzly Bears become very protective when it comes to their food, the griz might think that these ppl are a threat and it would take him literally seconds to reach one of these tourons!" ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement At the beginning of the short clip, a woman in a safari hat yanks a young girl in for a closer look while a little boy next to her clicks away on an SLR. The family of wildlife watchers appears to be no more than 15 yards from the feeding grizzly as it tears hunks of flesh and hide from the dead elk's shoulder. "Oh...it's eating a deer," someone says. "Oh my God!" exclaims another person from behind the camera. The bear pants as it gazes up at its tormentors in between bites of fresh elk meat. One of the tourists is seen sitting atop the passenger-side door of a small cross-over S.U.V. The shocking scene appears to violate every tenet of bear safety that's ever been written on a sign or put into pamphlet, but no one in the video seems to notice or care. "Ok, that's enough," someone says, and the clip cuts out. Read Next: Grizzly Bear Kills Woman Near Yellowstone National Park "Obviously no ranger was present, and those children being there and so close just gives me massive amounts of anxiety," the caption reads. "There is a reason you should keep 100 yards or more from bears, especially Grizzlies." A grizzly on a fresh kill, or even a cached food source, is a notoriously dangerous critter. In the Spring of 2021, a man was mauled and later died from his injuries after attempting to photograph a 20-year-old boar that was guarding a moose carcass near West Yellowstone, Montana. Investigators ended up shooting and killing the 411-pound bear after it charged them from a concealed location behind a clump of trees. A report filed at the time said that the bear was still protecting the same moose carcass when it charged the teama full day after the initial attack. SANAA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Houthi group in Yemen has warned of an escalation of the civil war if the government does not pay the salaries of civil servants in Houthi-controlled areas. Abdulmalik Al-Ajri, a member of the Houthi negotiating delegation, said that the situation has reached a critical point due to the issue of suspended salaries, which seriously threatens the fragile ceasefire in the country. "The responsibility of the authority and the government rests with the responsibility of restoring the employees' basic right to salaries," the Houthi-run al Masirah TV quoted the official as saying on Friday. Al-Ajri stressed that if the situation reaches a dead end, things will take an escalatory course, which they "do not wish for," according to the report. He called on the international community and the United Nations to realize that the issue of salaries has become a serious threat to the fragile ceasefire. The process of paying the salaries of public sector employees in Yemen has stopped since 2016, as a result of the collapsing economic situation and the financial division between the Houthi-controlled north and the government-controlled south. The Houthis have recently been facing increasing demands and pressure as civil servants in Houthi-controlled areas rallied to claim their overdue salaries. The Houthis say their salaries must be paid by the internationally recognized government, which controls the oil resources. However, the government says the Houthi group should fulfill its commitments in previous UN-sponsored agreements and transfer revenues of the Red Sea Hodeidah port and taxes to the central bank. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi group seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa. Costco may be a household name in several states across the country. But for a select few, the beloved wholesale warehouse is an uncommon sight. That's about to change for two states that are gearing up to welcome their first-ever Costco store. On August 23, Cranston, Rhode Island Mayor Kenneth Hopkins announced that the state will be getting its own Costco. "After many months of speculation, discussions, and development meetings, I am pleased that the formal steps will be rolled out that will soon lead to the establishment of a Costco Wholesale facility in Cranston," Hopkins said in a statement. Costco's first Rhode Island location was initially proposed three years ago, but the plan was ultimately scrapped over objections. The upcoming Costco is slated to go up in about 18 months. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Following suit is Maine, which will get its first Costco store in the city of Scarborough. Plans for a 161,100-square-foot store, alongside a gas station and parking lot, were approved by the Scarborough Planning Board back in August 2022. At this time, the Costco is expected to open in late 2023 or early 2024. There are currently 860 Costco warehouses, with 591 locations in 46 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. California currently takes the top prize for the most Costco locations, with a whopping 134 open stores. Next in line is Texas, with 38 stores, followed by Washington state, with 33 states. Now that Rhode Island and Maine are scheduled to get their own stores soon, only two states remain completely Costco-free: West Virginia and Wyoming. Costco warehouses are between 80,000 to 230,000 square feet in size, with an average of 146,000 square feet. As for membership data, the store boasts 124.7 million cardholders across 69.1 million households. For many customers, Costco remains their go-to place to fulfill all their shopping needs, whether that's groceries, household essentials, electronics or other budget buys. And while most Costco locations offer positive shopping experiences, some rank significantly higher than others, per consumer reviews. Want more great food writing and recipes? Subscribe to Salon Food's newsletter, The Bite. FinanceBuzz, a finance-focused online platform, found that South Carolina locations continue to hold the highest average rating in the nation, with customers praising their overall cleanliness and friendly staff. Right behind are Ohio and Tennessee, which both boast clean facilities, friendly staff and great variety and availability of products. The platform also noted that the single highest-rated store in the country remains the Costco located in Cumming, Georgia. The second highest-rated Costco location in the country can be found in Kansas City, Missouri, while the third can be found in San Antonio, Texas. Read more about Costco: "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Decorating has few rules, but one of them is this: Prepare to be surprised. Sometimes the biggest projects turn out to be the smoothest rides. Clients who in the beginning seem hardest to please can turn into lifelong friends. And sometimessometimessmall projects turnout to be landmarks, the high points in a career. Such is the case with the apartment in these pages, a pied-a-terre for someone who lives in London but spends enough time in New York that they got tired of hotel rooms. I knew this project would be special the moment I walked in and saw the way the pure white architecture worked in concert with technology, as on a boat (look how those registers interact with the beams). Then there was the blockbuster view. The apartment had one of the strongest identities of any space I have ever seen in New York, as if one were living in aloft at the Cloisters; the modern windows were as strong a design element as the medieval walls. Architect David Hottenroth, with whom I often collaborate, executed a very precise restoration, one of the only new design elements being to change down lights at the outer perimeter from round to square. But the pressure was on me to add something to what was already a masterpiece just sitting empty. William Waldron Probably because of its compact size, I could not imagine that this project would become one of the stars of my book (published this month by Vendome). I mean that visuallyjust look at the pictures by William Waldronbut also mentally, in terms of the Big Idea behind the design. Its one of the concepts I have most enjoyed thinking through, beginning with a moment of misty sadness as I sat on the stairs and reminisced about a lost New York and ending with big smiles as I wrote the passages about this project for the book, excerpted here. Tiny but mighty, as they say. William Waldron In the introduction I spoke of the importance of memory for me in designing. Lets take a closer look at what that can mean. Fifty-Second Street and the East River is a major nexus of memory for me. I grew up farther north on the Upper East Side, but I learned to swim in the River Club pool; my father always had a fixation about moving to Sutton Place, which my mom would not abide (he finally moved to River House after she died). I remember the talk about that neighborhood alluding to a certain sense of glamour either lost or in the past, and the excitement of seeing Greta Garbo walking home to the Campanile, where she famously lived. William Waldron I never gave the Campanile much thought after those days, but not long ago my friend the designer Tom Scheerer sent me pictures of an apartment for sale there that Mica Ertegun had done in 1983 for a very elegant persona kind of dress rehearsal for the far better-known project she was to work on a few years later for Bill Blass (white architecture, brown English furniture). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement I shared these photos with a repeat client of mine who was searching for a pied-a-terre, and she bought the place sight unseen. This is the ultimate sign of trust in ones decorator, and it has happened only twice in my career. William Waldron As long as the trust was flowing, I pitched a very personal concept for the design. This project is about a New York moment in time, right? Past or future? Why choose? Lets make it a trip through memory of great New York apartments I have knownor known ofwith furniture chosen as quotes and allusions to them. It is a map of the history of the city as I remember it, or at least one aspect of it: the remarkable apartments that honed my taste. Thats how we get the commode based on one in the von Bulow apartment, interpreted here by Mike Diaz with guts and brio, using 300-year-old timber. Its how we get the sleekMies van der Rohe chairs at the round dining table, which I first saw Mark Hampton use in Anne Basss apartment. Its why we have the handsome mahogany gueridon I found in Hudson,New Yorkwhich Blass would have loved, and probably eaten at (he once told me emphatically how much he preferred a small dining room), and the long banquettes inspired by Carter Burdens apartment across the street at River House. William Waldron Its why, amid all the modernism, there is an 18th-century silver tureen; we are channeling the Patino apartment and all its grand French silver, done in the early 1980s by Francois Catroux (whose own chrome Nuage tables are here). These are pebbles leading back to the past, at least as I have arranged them. They can tell you what it was like to see those incredible places, even the ones I knew only from pictures. I do miss the people, the great characters who lived like that, who made New York an astounding place to learn about style in the late 1970s and early 80s. William Waldron But we have the future here, too, since any good project belongs to its time. Im speaking of furniture by Pierre Yovanovitch and Wendell Castle, as well as the view of the new Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park by Louis Kahn at the tip of Roosevelt Island, a sight that reminds us that New York never stands stilland never runs out of ways to surprise us. From David Netto, by David Netto, 2023. Published by Vendome. Shop Now David Netto amazon.com $69.75 This story appears in the September 2023 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW You Might Also Like STAUNTON Nearly two years after it was announced that a Staunton girl was dead, a much-anticipated trial for one of the two suspects accused in her killing is set to begin Friday in Augusta County Circuit Court with jury selection. Because of the amount of media publicity the case has generated, a total of 225 potential jurors have been summoned, well over the usual amount of people called for a jury trial. Travis Brown, 31, of Waynesboro, is charged with aggravated murder, murder, child abuse, concealing a dead body, conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, conspiracy to commit child abuse and conspiracy to conceal a dead body. Candi Jo Royer, 43, who was Brown's live-in girlfriend, faces identical charges and will head to trial in October. Three-year-old Khaleesi Cuthriell Brown and Royer are accused of abusing and killing 3-year-old Khaleesi Cuthriell. Her body was never recovered. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Khaleesi was the daughter of a Staunton woman who, before being taken to Middle River Regional Jail, gave her child to Royer in October 2020 to care for her. About 11 months later in September 2021, the woman, who was still being held, told a jail official Khaleesi was missing. That same month, Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith said the girl was dead. A court filing suggests the girl was killed in 2021 between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, about three months after being given to Royer. Pennsylvania State Police and the United States Marshals Service arrested Brown and Royer at a motel in South Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 12, 2021, after the suspects fled the area. Both were extradited to Virginia. On Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, numerous Virginia State Police search and recovery vehicles were at the Augusta County home of a woman implicated in the case of a missing toddler. A day before Khaleesi's death was announced, Virginia State Police search and recovery vehicles were seen parked at a home the pair once shared on Cattle Scales Road in Augusta County outside of Waynesboro. The couple rented the property from one of Brown's relatives, according to the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. Court files show that investigators confiscated numerous items for testing. A wire handle found wrapped with tape contained the DNA of both Khaleesi and Royer. A picture frame also had Brown's DNA, and Khaleesi's DNA was found on a wall. Carpeting taken from the trunk of a 2002 S60 Volvo, along with carpet from the backseat of a 2001 Toyota Camry, were tested but did not contain DNA, court files said. Investigators have also looked into the couple's Facebook activity and financial records. Travis Brown. In November 2020 in a Facebook posting by Royer, she said, "Travis is always posting pictures of new automobiles or motorcycles as the newest addition to our family, but I would like to introduce the newest addition to our family." Royer gave Khaleesi's first name and put up several photos of the toddler. Another person on her Facebook page asked who the child belonged to, prompting Royer to respond, "At the moment mine. Until her parents are able to care for her we will." A few weeks before their arrests, authorities charged Brown with assault and battery after it was alleged he attacked Royer. Records obtained from Augusta County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court show that Royer said Brown hit her several times during an argument about a month before they went on the run. Royer said her lip was busted in the alleged attack and that she was choked. "During the past couple of weeks we've had several arguments that have turned violent," said Royer, who successfully sought a protective order and said she didn't want Brown around their daughter. There is no mention of Khaleesi in Royer's report. Friday's jury selection will entail 225 potential jurors being called to the Augusta County Circuit Courthouse. They will appear in court in three separate shifts throughout the day, according to Augusta County Clerk Steve Landes, until the jury is slected. Normally, just 50 to 60 jurors are called for a jury trial, Landes said. If convicted on any of the felony charges, Brown has opted to allow the judge to sentence him instead of the jury, which will take place at a later date. Community meeting to save the Shea House in Fairview Cemetery Suspect in 'targeted shooting' arrested in Augusta County Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Jurors called for Augusta County murder trial in toddler's slaying Members of the public pack the Salem City Council Chambers July 10 to speak about a proposed payroll tax. Another vote on the contentious employee-paid payroll tax is coming up at Monday's Salem City Council meeting. Councilor Julie Hoy is bringing forth a motion to repeal the Safe Salem tax before the issue goes on the special election ballot in November. In a 5-4 split, the council voted last month to impose a .814% tax on wages for people working in Salem, regardless of where they live, as early as July 2024. It is expected to generate $27.9 million annually and cost a person earning the average hourly rate of $29.90 the equivalent of $506.24 a year. The funds generated could only be used for community safety, which includes police services, fire, emergency medical services, 911 call services, code enforcement and unsheltered services. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The tax has drawn sharp criticism and immediate community backlash. After hours of testimony and deliberation, the council voted to skip sending the issue to voters and instead opted to implement it themselves. Councilors Hoy, Vanessa Nordyke, Deanna Gwyn and Jose Gonzalez voted against the payroll tax. Mayor Chris Hoy and councilors Virginia Stapleton, Linda Nishioka, Trevor Phillips and Micki Varney voted in favor of it. Within days, the Oregon Business & Industry, a statewide chamber of commerce and trade association, launched an effort to refer the tax to voters. Officials with Let Salem Vote said the proposal was vague, the tax was too high, the administrative burden was significant and there was little assurance as to how the funds would be spent. "At a minimum, the community deserves a chance to vote," Angela Wilhelms, OBIs president and CEO, said. The group successfully got the more than 3,986 verified signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot. Meanwhile, Stapleton joined forces with residents and volunteer planning and budget committee members to start a Save Salem campaign to promote a "yes" vote on the measure and, they said, prevent cuts on critical city services. Stapleton said the group was created to show the community what was at stake if they fail to address the nearly $30 million budget shortfall. According to the city, a $15 million reduction would be the equivalent of decreasing services by 65 police officers, six fire stations ($2.3 million each), or all park maintenance ($9.3 million) and the library services ($6 million) combined. "While the Safe Salem payroll tax will directly support emergency response and homeless services, we are calling this campaign Save Salem because the city can't balance a $30 million shortfall without drastic cuts to emergency response, the library, parks, Center 50+ and other vital community programs, former budget committee Chair Paul Tigan said. Whats on the ballot is nothing less than Salem's character. In her motion, Hoy called for the passage of an ordinance repealing the tax and a special council meeting to conduct a second reading on the ordinance to get it passed in time to get the issue off the ballot in November. "Repealing this ordinance will allow us to reset and take the time we need to bring the community together on what solutions to our budget crisis they support," Hoy said in her motion. "Repealing the payroll tax ordinance will, I believe, be a first major step toward healing. While the looming budget deficit is bad enough a trust deficit is an even bigger problem." She predicted the city will spend $220,000 of taxpayer money to hold the special election only to watch the proposal fail. "We can work together to build trust," Hoy said. "I hope you will join me in support." Other agenda items include: A resolution for internal borrowing of $1.8 million from the city's Utility Fund to the Airport Fund for property acquisition and improvements for additional parking at Salem Municipal Airport. The city is considering buying an adjacent property at 2790 25th St. SE near the airport now that commercial service is set to begin. Acquisition of a property for the Macleay Road SE/Caplinger Road SE Pedestrian Improvement Project. The project includes curb construction, ADA-compliant sidewalk, asphalt widening and a pedestrian crossing with a center island. Construction is scheduled for 2025. Acquisition of property for the 2024 Pavement Rehabilitation Project on Commercial Street from Fabry Road Southeast to the Interstate 5 ramps. A vote on adopting the final order to affirm the planning administrator's decision to approve the application for a 436-unit apartment complex in West Salem in the 2100 block of Doaks Ferry Road NW. The administrator previously approved the application, and the West Salem Neighborhood Association appealed the decision. The City Council re-affirmed the decision during its last meeting on Aug. 14. How to participate in the meeting The meeting is at 6 p.m. It will be held in person at the City Council Chambers at the Salem Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. SE and also can be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish. Those wishing to comment in person can sign up on the rosters at the chamber entrance before the start of the meeting. Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or preregister between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom. For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter at @wmwoodworth This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem payroll tax: City Councilor Julie Hoy calls for repeal This rendering shows a conceptual plan for mixed-use development in Johnstown, across from the Intel factory project in New Albany. The New Albany Co. has proposed a 417-acre mixed-use project within Johnstown. JOHNSTOWN City of Johnstown officials have viewed The New Albany Co. developments from afar, although not that far. Now, The New Albany Co. has a plan for a development inside the neighboring city. The New Albany Co. proposed to the Johnstown Planning Commission on Tuesday the Johnstown Gateway Planned District, a mixed-use development on 417 acres, just north of the Intel site, bordered by Green Chapel to the south, Clover Valley to the west, Mink Street to the east and north of Duncan Plains to the north. The site includes 286 recently annexed acres and 131 acres already in the city. The proposed development is divided into five areas and allows for manufacturing, commercial, data centers, office, warehouse, parking structures, retail, park land and potentially more than 1,000 housing units. More: Waiting game: Intel, other semiconductor companies waiting for CHIPS Act to start flowing ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Tom Rubey, director of development for The New Albany Co., said the idea is to develop a large area with an overall vision that evaluates the effect it will have on the community. This is the start of a long-term relationship with the city of Johnstown," Rubey said. "Right now, we need to find out what the community thinks. This is the basic concept: that you have a mixed-use area right across the street from Intel that includes a residential component, that feeds into the larger community vision." The New Albany Co. plays a big role in economic development For more than 20 years, The New Albany Co. has played a big role in developing manufacturing sites in western Licking County, on land annexed into New Albany, south of Johnstown. The recent 286-acre annexation of Monroe Township land brought Johnstown south to meet the New Albany city limits on Green Chapel Road, across from the Intel Corp. site, where construction on a $20 billion computer chip manufacturing facility continues. Intel expects production at the largest commercial development in Ohio history to begin in 2025. This map shows the 417-acre planned, mixed-use development The New Albany Co. proposes in Johnstown. Aaron Underhill, an attorney for land use and development for The New Albany Co., said the proposal seeks to capitalize on the Intel development for the benefit of Johnstown. If the city approves, non-residential development could occur in the area next year, he said. This is largely driven by economic development opportunities, Underhill said. The location couldnt be much more perfect for suppliers and other industries that will kind of play off the Intel project. The main goal is to create opportunities for job growth and big investment in the city. Johnstown recently added the Planned Development District for tracts of land at least 350 acres. Before that change, The New Albany Co. proposal would not have been permitted. A newly created board will oversee major economic development projects in the planned district. The New Albany Co. proposal shows one of five sub areas where multifamily developments could stand on their own, with no other uses. Two other areas allow multifamily accompanied by other uses. The housing density in the planned district would be about three units per acre, which could mean 1,251 units on the 417 acres. Two of the five sub-areas do not allow for multifamily housing. More: Typical sales prices in one central Ohio city approach $1 million In todays world, really, you need some housing; you need some restaurant, service opportunities that help attract these companies," Underhill said. Some express concerns over proposed development The New Albany Co. officials said the plan is to limit school-age children in the housing developments by limiting the size of bedrooms and the number of bedrooms. An estimated 95% of the units will be one- or two-bedroom. They pointed to a 128-unit New Albany development with six to eight students. Johnstown-Monroe School Board President Tim Swauger said the proposal is too new for him to have an opinion but said previous estimates in the district have underestimated the number of students. "When we look at multifamily, we get nervous," Swauger said. "Our past multifamily (developments) have given estimates of 0.5 (per unit), and we got 1.5." Swauger said the high school is 40 to 50 students from capacity, and building a new high school would require an investment of $50 million and at least 100 acres. Underhill said part of sub-area 2 is owned by the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, which has a contract to sell land on the north side of Duncan Plains, and east of the U.S. 62 intersection, to developer Huntington Industrial Partners. Cheryl Robertson, a former Johnstown council member and a former member of the economic development committee, told the planning commission, "We promised not to have a distribution center there. We wanted a manufacturer or office building but not a distribution center. "They're not attractive, and where it's located, coming into Johnstown, that's not a good look. If you don't want this look in New Albany, we don't want it in Johnstown, so keep that in mind. That's how we feel." Rick Platt, executive director of the Port Authority, said Huntington has indicated plans for a speculative industrial building but not a warehouse. Alternate funding streams sought for future improvements Rubey said funding to pay for infrastructure improvements in the area could be paid for by the creation of a New Community Authority, like exists in the New Albany Business Park in Licking County. The owner of the land would agree to an annual voluntary real estate assessment, which is 9.75 mills in the New Albany Business Park. When the land sells, the assessment is already in place. The assessment is only for new develpments, not existing residents. Its a way for development to help pay for itself, Rubey said. Its a consistent stream of revenue. The NCA is governed by its own board, with a majority of its members appointed by the city, but operates independently from the city, Rubey said. kmallett@newarkadvocate.com 740-973-4539 Twitter: @kmallett1958 Johnstown Gateway planned development district subareas Subarea 1 (187.39 acres): Permitted uses: Office, major institutional, manufacturing, production and industrial, data centers, warehousing, park land. Conditional uses: Parking structures. Located south of Duncan Plains Road and east of Clover Valley Road. Subarea 2 (68.38 acres): Permitted uses: Office, manufacturing, production and industrial, data centers, warehousing, park land. Conditional uses: Parking structures. Includes area 2B, owned by the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority. Located north of Duncan Plains Road. Subarea 3 (70 acres): Permitted uses: Community institutional, neighborhood commercial, multifamily residential, mixed-use, parking structures, park land. Located midway between Green Chapel and Duncan Plains roads and west of Mink Street. Subarea 4 (60 acres): Permitted uses: Office, community institutional, neighborhood commercial, multi-family residential, mixed use, parking structures, park land. Conditional use: Major institutional, auto-related. Located immediately north of Green Chapel Road and west of Mink Street. Subarea 5 (32.37 acres): Permitted uses: Office, major institutional (with subarea 1 or 4), community institutional (if under mixed use), manufacturing, production and industrial, data centers, warehousing, neighborhood commercial, regional commercial, multi-family residential (as part of mixed use), mixed use, parking structures, park land. Conditional use: Auto-related, parking structures. Located immediately north of Green Chapel Road, midway between Clover Valley Road and the western edge of subareas 3, 4. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: The New Albany Co. seeks 417-acre, mixed-use development in Johnstown Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! APPLE DROPS ITS OPPOSITION TO CALIFORNIA RIGHT TO REPAIR BILL Broken iPhone? Soon, you might have more options for fixing it. Tech giant Apple has dropped its opposition to SB 244, Californias Right to Repair bill that would require electronic and appliance manufacturers to provide product owners and service and repair shops the means to diagnose, maintain and fix those items. The company told the website TechCrunch that it supports the bill so all Californians have even greater access to repairs while also protecting their safety, security, and privacy. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The decision comes after three other states Colorado, Minnesota and New York have passed similar laws. CALPIRG, which champions SB 244, released a statement commending Apple for changing its mind. When you buy something, you should be able to do what you want with it. But when it comes to repair, for too long, electronics manufacturers have made it difficult to live by that core principle, said CALPIRG State Director Jennifer Engstrom. This move by one of the biggest tech companies in the world is a sign that the Right to Repair is an idea whose time has come. Now, Californias legislators need to fix our laws so we can fix our stuff. According to TechCrunch, Apple has softened its stance toward the self-repair movement, likely in anticipation of continued state and federal legislation. BONTA CONDEMNS TEMECULA SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR FORCED OUTING POLICY For the third time in recent weeks, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released a statement condemning a Southern California school district for adopting a policy that requires teachers and other school staff to out transgender students to their parents. This time, the it is Temecula Valley Unified School District, where the board squared off this summer with Bonta and Gov. Gavin Newsom when it rejected a proposed social studies curriculum that included Harvey Milk. Temecula Valley Unifieds new policy is similar to ones adopted by Chino Valley Unified School District and Murrieta Valley Unified School District, requiring schools to notify parents if a student requests to go by a different name or pronoun. Chino Valley Unified is currently the subject of a civil rights investigation for doing so. The rise in school districts adopting policies that target Californias vulnerable LGBTQ+ student population is of grave concern, Bonta said in a statement. He added that his office is closely monitoring the situation and that it will not tolerate districts compromising the safety and privacy of transgender and gender nonconforming students. CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES MULTILINGUAL AD CAMPAIGN FOR HATE HOTLINE Earlier this year, the California Civil Rights Department unveiled a new hotline where people can report acts of hate. Now, the state is promoting the hotline with a new multilingual ad campaign that will include radio, print and digital ads. Ads will run in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Hmong, Tongan, and Mixtec, according to the department. This new ad campaign is part of our ongoing efforts to support healing for all those targeted by hate and reach people who have historically been underserved. Whether its violence motivated by bias, racial slurs, name-calling, or discriminatory refusal of services, there is no place for hate in California, said department Director Kevin Kish in a statement. The new ad campaign comes amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ activity across the state. As mentioned above, multiple school districts have adopted policies that out trans students to their parents without regard for their home environment. And in Lake Arrowhead, a man fatally shot a woman who was confronting him for removing her LGBTQ Pride flag. Since the hotline was launched, it has received 180 calls about acts of hate. QUOTE OF THE DAY The President broke his promise to the people of Grizzly Flats. The least he could do is take a little time during his vacation to see for himself the consequences of that broken promise. Victims of the fire continue to struggle, some living in RVs and trailers. - Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, in a statement. Best of The Bee: Gov. Gavin Newsoms plan to overhaul how California counties pay for behavioral health care is one step closer to going before voters in March over heavy opposition from patient advocates, service providers and local government officials, via Maggie Angst and Lindsey Holden . Unionized maintenance workers in California state government have approved a new labor agreement that gives workers modest raises alongside various bonuses and stipends targeted at attracting and retaining workers in hard-to-fill positions, via Maya Miller . The Sacramento Police Department released draft reports last month detailing the rifles, vehicles, drones and other military equipment in its inventory, as mandated by Assembly Bill 481, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in September 2021, via Samson Zhang . The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday it has completed its release of approximately 23 million fall-run Chinook salmon raised in Central Valley fish hatcheries, via Alex Muegge. President Biden on Friday told reporters there has been no request for him to be interviewed by the special counsel looking into his handling of classified documents. Theres no such request and no such interest, told reporters in Lake Tahoe, where he has spent the past week vacationing. NBC News reported earlier in August that attorneys for Biden were in talks with the special counsels team about terms for a possible interview, though neither the White House nor Bidens lawyers ever publicly confirmed such negotiations. Attorney General Merrick Garland in January appointed Robert Hur as a special counsel to investigate after documents from Bidens time as vice president with classified markings were found at his Wilmington, Del., home, and at a University of Pennsylvania office in Washington, D.C., that he used after the end of the Obama administration. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Biden has maintained he did nothing wrong, and his team has noted that his lawyers notified and cooperated with the Justice Department after discovering the documents, while Trump resisted turning over the classified materials he kept after leaving office. A separate special counsel had already been appointed to oversee the investigation into former President Trumps mishandling of records after roughly 300 records bearing classified markings were discovered at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Trump has since been charged by the Justice Department over his retention of those documents. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A wild brawl went down but the toilet water didnt at a wings restaurant in Central Florida on Saturday night, and five people ended up arrested. According to a court records, at a little before 10 p.m., police officers went to a disturbance at Papa Bees in Longwood, about 15 miles north of Orlando. The officers spoke with two employees who say they had been attacked by five women eating together at the restaurant. The first victim, a supervisor, said that at about 8:45 p.m. she got word that a toilet was clogged with toilet paper; the bathroom was subsequently cleaned. READ MORE: Florida man accused of dunking woman in a barrel of tar She told officers that she kept an eye on the womens table as they were the only patrons in the restaurant at the time. After a few minutes, another woman from the same table got up to use the restroom. When the customer exited, employees checked and found the toilet was clogged yet again. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement At this time, the supervisor informed the women that Papa Bees workers were aware that someone in their party had damaged the loo and that they needed to pay their bill and leave. READ MORE: Passenger has meltdown aboard flight, says someone is not real At that time, the patrons became irate and began yelling at the supervisor, according to the charging affidavit. The argument escalated, with one of the diners standing up and hitting the supervisor in the face with a closed fist. The remaining four members of the dining party then joined in, punching, kicking [and] pulling hair, the complaint said. The Longwood police officer noted that the victim had lacerations behind her left ear and bruises to her inner thigh and right arm, consistent with her account of the incident. Police then spoke with another victim, a waitress who attempted to step into the fracas to help her co-worker. She told authorities that while trying to intervene, one of the suspects slapped her. An officer saw bruising to her left eye, consistent with the victims account. Other employees broke up the brawl. They told cops that after one of the suspects hit the second victim, that all hell broke loose, with cups, salt and pepper shakers and chairs flying. The party of five, ranging in age from 18 to 26, attempted to escape, but were caught by cops. The suspects told officers that they were paying for their tab when an employee approached them and was very rude and disrespectful, accusing them of intentionally clogging the toilet. One suspect said that the waitress came at her first, but surveillance footage shows that was not the case, said the police report. All five were arrested and taken to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, charged with battery, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. They were released after each posting $1,026 bond. If Volodymyr Zelensky ends up seeing any clips of Wednesday nights Republican debate in Milwaukee, one could bet that he would respond by redoubling his lobbying efforts among GOP leaders in Washington. Ukraines bitter struggle with Russia has now lasted far longer than boasting Kremlin officials had once predicted, thanks in part to the fierce resistance staged by the Ukrainian army and due to the steady stream of weapons and supplies fueling that army from the West. But if the words of Republican presidential contenders this week were any indication, that metaphorical pipeline from Washington may suffer the same fate as the Nord Stream project blown to smithereens. The topic of Ukraine was one of the most divisive issues to hit the stage Wednesday evening. A question about the issue was a scene-setting for the nights biggest showdown, a stunning rebuke of Vivek Ramaswamys understanding of geopolitics by ex-UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who was clearly ready to school any Republican willing to suggest Americas retreat from its global military footprint. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement You will make America less safe. You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows, Ms Haley admonished him. Former Ambassador Nikki Haley slams Vivek Ramaswamy at the GOP debate on Ukraine and foreign policy: You are choosing a murderer over a pro-American country ... You would make America less safe. You have no foreign policy experience and it shows. It shows. pic.twitter.com/NRilZGZf7G The Recount (@therecount) August 24, 2023 But theres one issue with that admonishment: Ms Haleys standing in the polls. Shes not exactly a frontrunner right now; that spot is occupied by Donald Trump, whose most famous foreign policy position may well be his well-enunciated skepticism towards Nato. And in second place is Floridas Ron DeSantis, who himself has raised the idea that aid to Kyiv should dry up or be reduced. And then theres Mr Ramaswamy, the loudest critic of Americas foreign military aid programmes to actually attend the debate, thanks to Mr Trumps absence. Should either of the two leading contenders falter, Mr Ramaswamys surging campaign all but guarantees that the hawkish wing of the GOP will be playing second fiddle, at least for the near future. The scene onstage contrasted sharply with the dynamics of the Democratic Party, headed by incumbent President Joe Biden. Democrats, especially their voters, are strongly unified around the idea of supporting Ukraines military, though sharper divisions present themselves when the question of drawing a red line for direct military action is presented. Presuming purely for analysis sake that one of the Republican candidates currently in the race wins next years presidential election, these voices are not going away. Even a vocally pro-Ukraine Republican like Ms Haley or former Gov Chris Christie would face a growing chorus of voices in their own party against the idea of further aid, making the passage of such legislation through Congress all the more dependent on Democratic votes. A President Haley or President Mike Pence will still have to deal with the Marjorie Taylor Greenes and others in their party, and that may mean some serious concessions. Complicating the issue (and so many others) is the ongoing scandal surrounding Hunter Biden, President Bidens adult son. The younger Mr Biden has been accused by Republicans of using his fathers name and influence to secure lucrative business deals and gifts in exchange for access to then-VP Biden. And hes accused of doing so in Ukraine, before Russias invasion ramped up last year. Many on the far-right who believe that the Justice Department is not taking those allegations seriously have argued relatedly for an end to aid to Ukraine, which they portray as being run by a corrupt government closely tied to the Bidens. In short, the path forward for Kiev is riddled with uncertainty. For all the shows of support, the US-Ukraine dynamic will almost certainly shift if the keys to the White House change hands in 2025. What remains to be seen is how convincing either sides argument will be in the first real intra-party battle for the Republican Party in almost 10 years. BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the United States' arms sale to China's Taiwan region, a defense ministry spokesperson said on Friday. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query on the U.S. Department of State's approval of selling infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets worth around 500 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan. The arms sale has grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and severely violated the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique, the spokesperson said. The move has posed a threat to the well-being and safety of Taiwan compatriots and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Zhang said, noting that China has lodged solemn representations with the United States. The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Zhang said. China urges the United States to honor its commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence," immediately cease providing Taiwan with arms, and cease elevating military contact with Taiwan, Zhang said. He said that any attempt to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail, and seeking "Taiwan independence" by military means will lead nowhere. The Chinese People's Liberation Army will always remain on high alert to resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and firmly maintain peace and stability across the Strait, Zhang said. What is creepypasta? The popular genre has been around since 2007 Creepypasta is a fiction subgenre that consists of mini-horror stories passed along online and through the years. From chain emails to TikToks, its grown to encompass both the chilling and the satirical. Creepypasta derives from another fiction genre called copypasta, which refers to a copy and paste format of a block of text meant to be shared over and over online. Know Your Meme reports that the term creepypasta first appeared on the 4chan community in 2007. Creepypasta can be told through text or video and can consist of a single story or even a series, such as the popular TikTok show, Not Your Normal Kids Show. Slenderman and Jeff the Killer are popular examples of creepypasta figures. Jeff the Killer is also an example of the startle subgenre, as sudden text or flashing lights often accompany his figure in an effort to startle the viewer. This embedded content is not available in your region. Many creepypasta characters have their own histories, which can differ depending on whos telling the story. Jeff the Killer, for instance, has a backstory as a 12- or 13-year-old boy who was bullied so badly he ended up in the hospital disfigured from his injuries and when he woke up, he took on a new, cursed persona intent on seeking out revenge. This embedded content is not available in your region. Creepypasta was extremely popular in the early 2010s, with some of the movement cooling in 2015 after stories reportedly influenced two separate crimes. In Wisconsin in 2014, two preteen girls allegedly stabbed their classmate 14 times and claimed to police that the attempted murder was to appease Slenderman. The following year, in Indiana, a 12-year-old girl claimed that the creepypasta character Laughing Jack told her to stab her stepmother. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Today, the genre has evolved to include less frightening stories that retain their original scary framework with an intentional humorous component. For example, some people share creepypasta videos with content that doesnt quite match, such as telling a scary story while cutting up a whole cantaloupe in a parked car. This embedded content is not available in your region. For some people, creepypasta is also a form of nostalgia, as the figures and stories that once haunted them in their younger days become fond memories of fears they once had. This embedded content is not available in your region. Hes still my crush 5 years later, joked @gracie_sl4ys in a comment. Some creepypastas are satirical to mock some of the predictable themes used in horror stories, such as the And Then a Skeleton Popped Out trope. A 2023 Reddit thread also discussed the evolution of creepypasta. The thread commented that part of its initial apparel was that it felt very real, while many creepypasta stories today have abandoned that aspect. I think, in contrast to old creepypastas that most of the new ones lack elements that make it actually creepy or scary, Redditor Fair_Jelly wrote. I believe the key aspect of a good creepypasta is the intrusive thought of it being real and it having actual reasons to be feared. Its pretty obvious that all creepypastas are fake, however triggering second thoughts in the read is what made so many top creepypastas what they are. However, with the popularity of newer creepypasta stories and characters, such as the popular YouTube series Skibidi Toilet that Gen Alpha is said to be devouring in droves, it might just be true that creepypasta, like all good Internet lore, will live on. In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News follow us here! The post What is creepypasta? The popular genre has been around since 2007 appeared first on In The Know. More from In The Know: What is 'Error Code 1001' in Roblox and is it real? 'Not Your Normal Kids Show' is TikTok's new favorite creepypasta series Why are people ending posts with 'there's a man out front'? It's from a creepypasta story. What is 'Skibidi Toilet'? Creepy YouTube series is being called 'Gen Alpha's Slenderman' The House majority next year could be determined in a state-by-state fight over redistricting thats taking place right now. And Democrats are calling in the big guns. Former President Barack Obama hosted a fundraiser for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee on Thursday. The event in Marthas Vineyard raised $1.5 million, the committee told POLITICO, ahead of a crucial stretch of redistricting fights that will play out in the closing months of this year. The only danger is that we get complacent, Obama said at the fundraiser for the premiere Democratic group working on redistricting battles, according to a readout obtained by POLITICO. Because one thing weve learned is that the other side doesnt quit. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The NDRC is helmed by Eric Holder, who served as Obamas first attorney general. Obama has been a vocal supporter of the NDRCs efforts in the past, which were launched in early 2017 after the party was largely overrun in redistricting fights in the previous decade. Democrats have been aggressive in recent fights over maps, and analysts found that lines are among the most balanced in decades. Yet a series of court rulings state courts blocked some of Democrats more aggressive gerrymanders, while some of Republicans stood for the midterms could have tipped the control of the House toward the GOP. But increasingly, the battle over state lines does not end when that first map is drawn, with recent court fights re-opening the mapmaking process in a handful of states across the country. We are now living in an era of perpetual redistricting, John Bisognano, the president of NDRC, wrote in a memo accompanying the recent fundraiser that was shared first with POLITICO. The memo from the committee projects that there are five states that could see new maps by the end of this year which is enough to tip control of the U.S. House of Representatives to either party, Bisognano writes. Perhaps most pressingly is Alabama. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court upheld a lower courts findings that the states old maps likely violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Black voters. (An NDRC affiliate is involved in this suit.) Litigation is ongoing after the GOP-dominated legislature seemingly defied that lower federal courts order to draw an additional Black-majority district in the state. But should that seat be drawn, there would be two majority Black and likely Democratic seats in Alabama. Alabamas still engaging in resistance, and NDRC has to be there, along with other civil rights organizations, to ensure that this victory in the Supreme Court is actually translated into peoples votes being counted in Alabama, Obama said at the fundraiser. Similarly, a Louisiana case that was put on hold pending the Alabama Supreme Court decision is set to pick back up in October, and it could also result in another majority Black, Democratic-leaning district, as could an ongoing case in Georgia. Perhaps the biggest prize for Democrats is New York. After a lengthy legal battle, a court threw out a Democratic-drawn gerrymander for the midterms. Democrats are now suing in state court, arguing that last years court-drawn lines were temporary. A largely advisory redistricting commission could put forward new lines by the end of this year. But what Democrats are hoping for is that the mapmaking process ends up in the hands of the Democratic-dominated legislature. A similar gerrymander to the one the party tried to implement for last years election would make seven of the 11 seats currently held by Republicans more Democratic-friendly. But it isnt all good news for Democrats in 2023. Republicans in North Carolina will get their chance to reclaim some seats in a gerrymander of their own, after the partisan balance of the state Supreme Court flipped and the newly-conservative judiciary said it wouldnt weigh in on partisan gerrymandering. Republicans will redraw their congressional districts later this year and could pick up as many as four seats in the Tar Heel State more than erasing any gains the party could see out of increased Black representation elsewhere in the South this year. All told, Bisognano wrote that as many as 27 congressional districts across 13 different states could be reshaped ahead of the 2024 elections, leaving more than a half-dozen states on the board for potential redraws in 2024. Those include Florida where a judge earlier this week grilled attorneys for the state on the legality of a map pushed by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis that dismantled a stretching 200-mile seat that was majority Black. Recent victories do not mark the end of redistricting for the decade they mark the start of the next chapter in the fight for fair maps, the memo reads. This fight isnt coming, its happening right now and NDRC is the tip of the spear. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced after a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force that the drought watch has been lifted for 47 counties, including Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence. The watch remains for 20 other counties. Latest Pennsylvania drought watch map from DEP. The drought watch also has been lifted for Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland and Wyoming counties. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Submarine escape: Take the escape room challenge aboard a WWII submarine at Carnegie Science Center Adams, Berks, Bucks, Cameron, Chester, Clarion, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Venango and York counties remain on drought watch. How DEP determines drought conditions To determine drought conditions, DEP assesses information from public water suppliers and data on four indicators: precipitation, surface water (stream and river) flow, groundwater level, and soil moisture. The DEP Drought Coordinator monitors the indicators along with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which maintains gauges in streams and wells in many locations across Pennsylvania. Ways to conserve water at home Residents on drought watch are asked to reduce their individual water use by 5 to 10%, or a reduction of 3 to 6 gallons of water per day. Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents for more stringent conservation actions. See the list of public water suppliers that have requested or mandated water conservation in their communities. Unique event: Underground Railroad Walking Tour with guest speakers event set for New Brighton There are many ways to conserve water at home, including: Run the dishwasher and washing machine less often, and only with full loads. Shorten the time you let the water run to warm up before showering, and take shorter showers. The shower and toilet are the two biggest indoor water guzzlers. Check for and repair household leaks. For example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily. Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets. Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30% less water and 40-50% less energy. This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: DEP drops Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence counties from drought watch Mouthwatering gelato is a highlight of many tourists' Italian vacations. Mouthwatering gelato is a highlight of many tourists' Italian vacations. All summer, Americans have been flocking to Italy to enjoy the fresh pasta, pizza and, of course, plenty of gelato. The latter has a particular hold on American travelers, many of whom declare that the frozen treats they tried in Italy were far superior to the ice cream they eat in the United States. But technically, gelato is just the Italian word for ice cream. So is there actually a difference? The first thing to know is ice cream has a legal definition in the code of federal regulations in the U.S., said Douglas Goff, a professor emeritus in food science at University of Guelph. The legal definition specifies a minimum content of milk fat and milk solids. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The United States Department of Agricultures standard for ice cream requires that products using this label contain at least 10% milk fat, also called butterfat, and 20% milk solids. Ice cream must contain at least 1.6 pounds of total solids to the gallon and weigh at least 4.5 pounds to the gallon as well. Gelato, on the other hand, is not subject to any such requirements in the U.S. (Members of the Italian parliament have introduced a bill that would regulate the process and composition of what can be designated as artisanal gelato in that country, however.) As a result, theres more latitude to what you can produce and market as gelato. Still, dessert experts tend to follow some general norms and criteria. Gelato is a lower fat frozen dessert, and it typically ends up being somewhere around the 4-7% fat mark, said Steve Christensen, executive director of the North American Ice Cream Association. Usually when you have less fat, you have less air, also known as overrun. So with less fat and less air, gelato is generally a lot richer and denser than a higher fat ice cream. Basically, both desserts contain some combination of milk, cream, sugar and some sort of flavoring, but the proportions are not the same. Ice cream is also more likely to have eggs as an ingredient. Gelato is ice cream, but with more milk than cream and less eggs, said award-winning chef and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi. She added that gelato is churned at a slower rate and with less intensity, which means less air is incorporated. As a result, its got a thicker, creamier texture whereas ice cream is much fluffier. This difference in composition affects the way the flavors permeate each frozen treat. Some experts believe that gelatos denseness, lower butterfat content and difference in ingredient sourcing means its flavors are more intense. If youve ever been so fortunate to have gelato in Italy, it probably tasted better than anything in the states, Tosi said. This is probably because of recency bias, Italian romance (were all victims to vacation pulling at our most ideal heartstrings), and because dairy, in Italy specifically, has a totally different pasteurization standard. The milk is not heated as high so essentially the dairy going into the gelato is more flavor-filled. On the other hand, ice cream can be better for a long-lasting taste experience. For ice cream, more fat means a more decadent experience, said Tyler Malek, co-founder and head ice cream maker of Salt & Straw. With a fattier base, ice cream holds flavors to your taste buds longer and more intensely, making it perfect for expensive ingredients like organic dark chocolate and vanilla bean. Gelato is lower in butterfat, so it doesnt get in the way of more delicate flavors, like strawberry and pistachio. When were working with a more delicate flavor, well approach it as a gelato or sherbet to really let it shine through. Gelato makers typically gravitate toward classic Italian flavors like stracciatella, pistachio and nocciola (hazelnut). Theres a little more experimentation in U.S. ice cream with unusual flavor combinations and mix-ins. Im a very more is more ice cream pint shopper, Tosi said. Big swirls and gobs and goo thats what I look for. When I eat ice cream, I want it to count. Ice cream and gelato also differ in terms of the optimal temperature for serving. Gelato requires a slightly warmer temperature to preserve that creamy, elastic-like texture, while ice cream would melt and become too soupy in those conditions. Because it is so much lower in fat and has little to no eggs for stabilization, in order to be at its best taste, [gelato] must be served within 24 hours of its production, noted Ben Van Leeuwen, CEO and co-founder of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. Its worth noting, however, that ice cream aficionados would say the treats at an ice cream shop are best served within 24 hours of production as well. Still, theres a reason why you see tons of ice cream offerings in the freezer aisle of the grocery store and even for purchase at ice cream shops but dont see a lot of gelaterias selling frozen pints. Ice cream is hard frozen, so it lasts longer. Many gelaterias sell their product in a five-liter pan called a napoli, Christensen noted. So the rotation of product is a lot faster, and youre always eating something that was made very fresh versus something thats been sitting at the bottom of a three-gallon bucket for a week. Artisanal gelato is traditionally stored in stainless steel containers, often with the lid on top. Artisanal gelato is traditionally stored in stainless steel containers, often with the lid on top. Stainless steel napoli pans are typically rectangular, but theres also a storage option called pozzetti, which refers to rounded tubs made of the same material. These come with lids that cover the gelato and protect it from ambient air and humidity. The first sign of a delicious gelato is not being able to see the gelato in the freezer case, Van Leeuwen said, referring to the artisanal gelaterias that keep the lids on their containers. The other telltale sign of mediocre gelato is when it is piled high in the case with intricate candy bar typed ingredients piled on top, he added. Generally when it looks like this, it is being made in the shop, but with industrially produced bags of powdered mix and pre-made add ins. He believes this approach leads to gelato that is not artisanal, tastes overly stabilized and overly sweet, and lacks the punch of flavor in higher quality products. In Europe, many gelato makers are following family recipes and pasteurizing their own mix right there where they make their gelato, Christensen said. That artisan process of sourcing ingredients, cooking the mix and then taking it straight from their pasteurizer to the ice cream machine isnt as common in the U.S. as in Europe. The fresh and bespoke nature of gelato throughout Europe is incredible. Related... When police responded to a loose dog report at a Wisconsin park, the sweet girl headed right toward an officer. Then she jumped into the squad car, according to an Aug. 25 Facebook post from the Platteville Police Department. The dog was wearing a pink collar, police said. And attached to the collar was a heartbreaking note. Please help, the handwritten note says. Take me to a shelter. My name is Lola. Authorities have since taken Lola into safety and provided her with food and water, as seen in a photo shared by police. Now, officers are asking for help finding Lolas owners. We would like to speak with them, police said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In Platteville, it is illegal to abandon animals. Platteville is about 70 miles southwest of Madison. Rescuers feared the worst rushing to save dog stranded on Texas balcony. Then it moved Owner told they cant bring dog on plane so they abandoned it at airport, cops say Trooper gets call for abandoned dog, officials say. Then something special happened The Department of Justice on Thursday filed a lawsuit against SpaceX, accusing Elon Musk s rocket company of practicing routine, widespread, and longstanding hiring discrimination against people with asylum or refugee status. For years, the California-based organization discouraged those who arent U.S. citizens or permanent residents from applying for jobs, the suit alleges. SpaceX is also accused of refusing to hire or consider such people when they did apply which would amount to a blatant violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Because of their citizenship status, asylees and refugees had virtually no chance of being fairly considered for or hired for a job, the lawsuit states. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk made comments online that were cited in a new lawsuit against his rocket company. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk made comments online that were cited in a new lawsuit against his rocket company. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The complaint cites online job postings and comments made by the companys CEO as evidence of discriminatory practices. Though Musk who was born in South Africa and later became a U.S. citizen is not directly named in the suit, he has held the position of chief executive since the companys founding. In a video shown at an international space conference in 2016 and posted to YouTube, Musk claimed that a typical work visa was insufficient for employment at SpaceX, the DOJ writes. A social media post that he published in 2020 stated that job applicants must at least be permanent U.S. residents also known as a green-card holders to be hired, according to the lawsuit. He blamed the hiring limitation on an unspecified U.S. law regulating advanced weapons technology. The post remained online as of Thursday. US law requires at least a green card to be hired at SpaceX, as rockets are considered advanced weapons technology Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 16, 2020 The DOJ also claimed that an online job application tool used by SpaceX rejected applicants who identified as asylees or refugees. In one rejection from 2021, a SpaceX recruiter allegedly told an applicant that they could not be hired because of their asylum status. The applicant was, however, noted by the recruiter as having some impressive experience, according to the lawsuit. In another instance, in 2020, a senior recruiter allegedly rejected an applicant and listed not U.S. citizen or green card as the reason. The company blamed such rejections on a set of State Department rules known as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, according to the lawsuit. SpaceXs online hiring tool allegedly had a code that was given to these applicants: not authorized to work/ITAR ineligible. SpaceX, headquartered in Hawthorne, California, is accused of routine, widespread, and longstanding hiring discrimination. SpaceX, headquartered in Hawthorne, California, is accused of routine, widespread, and longstanding hiring discrimination. ITAR restricts workers ability to export certain goods, software, technology and technical data. Under the rules, U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylees are permitted to access export-controlled items, whereas anyone else may need authorization from the federal government. The DOJ noted in its filing that SpaceX regularly conducts export compliance assessments, which check to see whether new and existing workers require authorization to access export-controlled items. Citing data that the company provided to the federal government, the lawsuit states that only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents were employed by SpaceX from Sept. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2020. Four months after SpaceX was notified of the DOJ launching an investigation into potential discriminatory hiring practices, the company hired an asylee in late 2020. Not a single refugee was hired from September 2018 to May 2022, the suit states. A representative for SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Asylees and refugees are migrants who have fled their home countries, and official asylum or refugee status gives them indefinite permission to live and work in the U.S. Lawful permanent residents also have permission to live and work in the country indefinitely. Asylees and refugees have overcome many obstacles in their lives, and unlawful employment discrimination based on their citizenship status should not be one of them, said Kristen Clarke, an assistant attorney general with the DOJs Civil Rights Division, in a statement announcing the legal action. Clarke said the DOJ intends to hold SpaceX accountable and seek relief that allows asylees and refugees to fairly compete for job opportunities and contribute their talents to SpaceXs workforce. Related... Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are the coffee industrys biggest byproduct, and theyre filling up landfills worldwide. Looking to keep SCG out of landfills, where they produce more carbon dioxide and methane, scientists from RMIT University in Australia developed a concrete thats 30 percent stronger when infused with SCG. Not only could this innovation keep coffee grounds out of landfills while making concrete stronger, it could also curtail the environmental degradation that comes from sourcing natural sand, the fine particle aggregate found in concrete. Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are the most wasteful byproduct of the entire coffee industry. By one estimate, 60 million pounds of the stuff ends up in landfills around the world. If that wasnt bad enough, as organic material decomposes, it gives off methane and carbon dioxidetwo no good, very bad gasses that are driving climate change. Thinking of ways to address the ecological concern, scientists from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia created a biochar (a substance created from pyrolysis) of coffee grounds that actually enhanced the strength of concrete by 30 percent. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Cleaner Production . The disposal of organic waste poses an environmental challenge as it emits large amounts of greenhouse gasses including methane and carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change, Rajeev Roychand, lead author and professor at the RMIT School of Engineering, said in a press statement. The inspiration for our work was to find an innovative way of using the large amounts of coffee waste in construction projects rather than going to landfillsto give coffee a double shot at life. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Every year, concrete used in construction projects relies on extracting 55 billion tons of natural sand as the particulates rough exterior provides more surface area for water and cement to bind. Sadly, this sand is often sourced from river beds and banks, which disrupts the natural environment. So, replacing sand with spent coffee grounds could solve two ecological problems at once, since SCG are similarly fine particles. Roychands team first scoured coffee shops in Melbourne to source a fresh supply of SGC. The grounds were then dried and heated to different temperatures662 degrees or 932 degrees Fahrenheitbefore undergoing an oxygen-free process known as pyrolysis, where organic molecules vibrate and break down into smaller components. This creates what is known as biochar, a lightweight, charcoal-esque substance. Our research team has gained extensive experience in developing highly optimized biochars from different organic wastes, including wood biochar, food-waste biochar, agricultural waste biochar, and municipal solid-waste biochar, for concrete applications, co-author Mohammad Saberian said in a press statement. This biochar, created from two different temperatures, was then incorporated in various percentages into Portland cement as a replacement for fine aggregate (in this case natural sand). After pouring in molds, removing air bubbles, and drying at room temperature for 24 hours, the team analyzed the twelve difference mixtures using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and came up with a clear winner. A SCG biochar heated at 662 degrees Fahrenheit and replacing 15 percent of natural sand as an aggregate yielded concrete 29.3% stronger in compressive strength. The researchers also found that pyrolysis was vital for this strength enhancement, as untreated SGC show[ed] that the leaching of organic compounds from the SCG hinders the hydration reaction of cement particles, thereby significantly hampering the compressive strength of SCG-blended concrete, according to the paper. The team is now working toward field trials and eliciting interest from industries that could benefit from this coffee-infused enhancementboth in their cups and in their concrete. You Might Also Like Facing a potential refiling of criminal charges in the fatal 2021 shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins , Alec Baldwin on Wednesday failed in an attempt to have a civil case over the tragedy dismissed. In a technically challenged virtual hearing this morning before New Mexicos First Judicial District Court judge Bryan Biedscheid, Baldwin and co-defendants El Dorado Pictures and Rust Movie Productions motion to dismiss was denied. The judge also denied an additional motion to stay the matter until the criminal trial is over. More from Deadline ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Earlier this year, Rust crew members Ross Addiego, Doran Curtin and Reese Price took Baldwin and the production companies to court for negligent and reckless conduct. Facing a plethora of cases arising out of the shooting on the indie Western, the defendants had a back-up plan to have the Addiego, Curtin and Price case stayed until the Rust criminal trial is over. Proclaiming that he doesnt know the state of criminal prosecution with Mr. Baldwin at present, Biedscheid said today it was surprisingly common that a defendant straddled both a criminal and civil case. Seemingly leaning towards not pausing this matter, the judge did open the door to defendants being able to assert their constitutional rights as they see fit going forward as he denied the stay. This is the second significant courtroom shift in the Rust matter this week. On Monday, the criminal trial of armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed over Hutchins death was pushed to February 21, 2024. Although no official word was given for the latest delay in the much-delayed criminal trial, scheduling issues around witnesses seems to be at the core of the move. The trial is expected to last about two weeks though that could change if Baldwin is back in the case. Gutierrez-Reed and Rust producer-star Baldwin who was pointing a Colt .45 gun when it discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza were orignally charged in late January with two counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter. Up against a wall of constitutional criticism and more, the charges against Baldwin were dropped in April, but recently appointed special prosecutors noted at the time that the charges could be refiled at a later date if evidence emerged. Additionally, prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis added an evidence-tampering charge against Gutierrez-Reed two months later, saying the armorer did transfer narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of herself. At present, Gutierrez-Reed is at a maximum of 18 months behind bars and about $5,000 in fines if found guilty. Amidst all that, a recently released forensics report on the controversial firearm itself commissioned by Morrissey and Lewis rejected Baldwins long insistence that he never pulled the trigger on the gun. Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver, the August 2 report from weapons examiners Lucien Haag and Michael Haag. Despite damage the gun endured in previous examinations, the Haags findings replicate the conclusions of the FBI from later last year. Charges against Mr. Baldwin are being considered but a final decision has not yet been made, said Morrissey last week. No timeline on said final decision has been unveiled, but it is expected in the next month at most. In todays hearing, plaintiffs attorney Alex Cervantes noted there are a lot of moving parts in the case. She also exclaimed that Rust decided to hire inexperienced contractors like armorer Gutierrez-Reed to cut costs assertions that have come up over and over in the various cases involving Rust. Arguing the negligence claims, Cervantes noted the multiple crew members who resigned the day of the October 21, 2021 shooting, citing safety concerns as has been mentioned in a number of cases around Rust. Its all there, this is a robust complaint, added Cervantes, asking Biedscheid to reject the dismissal motion. Defendant attorney Robert Schwartz argued that Baldwin simply had a producing agreement that gives him virtually no power on Rust. The notion flies in the face of Baldwins previously stated status on the film, which he conceived with director Joel Souza. The very contract that theyre asserting created this relationship did not create this relationship. Schwartz unsuccessfully advised the court today that the stay on the civil matter and any discovery be put in place for a couple of weeks until it is decided if Baldwin will be pulled back into the criminal prosecution. After the judges rulings, Schwartz called the matter a real injustice as Baldwin is on the verge of being charged criminally. Whether or not Baldwin does return to the criminal case, Rust the movie wrapped its resurrected production this spring after filming in Montana. Which means that the movie could be released as the various civil trials continue through the courts in California and New Mexico. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Fox News is challenging a lawsuit filed against it last month by an Arizona man who said he was defamed by commentary on the network that falsely implied he was acting as a covert government agent when he participated in the protests leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In a motion filed Wednesday to dismiss the complaint, Fox lawyers argued that its on-air hosts were entitled to raise questions about why the man, Ray Epps, was not arrested - a discussion that is "exactly what the First Amendment protects." Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. The network's lawyers wrote that the statements Epps found defamatory were protected opinions, not assertions of fact - a legal argument also Fox attempted, unsuccessfully, when defending itself against defamation claims from a voting technology company before settling the case for $787.5 million in April. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Even if Fox hosts implied a factual conclusion about Plaintiff, it reflected only their interpretations based on disclosed facts," the network argued, highlighting that the challenged comments were made on opinion shows, not news programs. While it's standard for a defendant to plead for dismissal, the motion provides Fox's first public response to Epps's claims. The network did not release a statement when his lawsuit was first filed. Most of the Fox News speculation about the Marine veteran and business owner's role on Jan. 6 was aired by former star host Tucker Carlson, who was fired by the network in April. In one January 2023 segment cited in the lawsuit, Carlson reminded his audience that law enforcement had not yet charged Epps despite being seen in a video clip from Jan. 5 urging fellow protesters to "Go into the Capitol." "Why is that? Well, let's just stop lying," Carlson told his viewers. "At this point, it's pretty obvious why that is." (Epps's attorneys have said that he has since been told that he will be charged in the case.) Two months later, after showing surveillance video from the insurrection, Carlson referred to Epps as a "mysterious protester" who "was not considered an insurrectionist." "You can draw whatever conclusions you like from that video," Carlson added. "We have ours, and we shared them with you." In its motion to dismiss, Fox News argued that Carlson had simply presented his case to the audience. Fox News also argued that Epps is, for the purpose of this case, a limited-purpose public figure, meaning that he chose to make himself part of this public controversy by appearing at the Capitol that day - and later, giving news interviews. That standard would require Epps to convince a jury that the network acted with actual malice, the higher standard that non-private figures must demonstrate in order to prove a defamation claim. It means Epps would have to prove that Fox hosts such as Carlson knew what they were saying was false or had a high degree of knowledge that it was probably false. But Epps has "failed to allege actual malice," Fox argued. Related Content As the Maui fires raged, senior victims had to fend for themselves Despite shooting, hope fades for gun laws in Tennessee special session A terrifying fire struck Maui in 2018. Officials were warned of a repeat. DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for concrete action to address the widening global North-South divide in a bid to create a just international economic order. A statement issued late Thursday by the Directorate of Presidential Communications said President Hassan made the appeal during the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue, held on the sidelines of the Aug. 22-24 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. To this effect, the president urged fellow world leaders to deepen strategic partnerships in financial, trade, investment, and economic areas. "In times like these, in which we face serious global challenges, the international community should be united, not fragmented, and should be willing to take collective measures in addressing issues of global concern, such as poverty, climate change, health, food insecurity, conflicts, and others," she said. Hassan urged global leaders to find a way to address deeply-rooted and self-reinforcing structural problems, including the existing international financial architecture that inhibits developing states from accessing long-term and affordable financing for development. The president also underscored the continued relevance and validity of multilateralism, which stands as a key pillar in addressing most of the global geopolitical challenges. She commended the BRICS group of countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, for their efforts towards the advancement of the South-South as well as the African agenda for growth, development, and integration. Article first published: Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, 7 a.m. ET The National Hurricane Center's 7 am Wednesday advisory reported that the system strengthened enough to get a name: Tropical Storm Franklin. Tropical Storm Franklin is 25 miles south-southwest of Barahona Dominican Republic and 105 miles west-southwest of Santo Domingo Dominican Republic, with maximum sustained wind of 50 mph. Its moving 10 mph to the north. "... the center of Franklin is expected to cross the island of Hispaniola today and emerge over the southwestern Atlantic waters later today or tonight." meteorologists state. "Some weakening is likely today while Franklin moves over Hispaniola, followed by re-strengthening beginning on Thursday after the center moves over the Atlantic." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement YESTERDAY (Tuesday): Yesterday, the system strengthened enough to get a name: Tropical Storm Franklin. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: - Dominican Republic entire south coast from Haiti border eastward to Cabo Engano - Dominican Republic entire north coast from Haiti border eastward to Cabo Engano - Haiti entire south coast from Anse d'Hainault eastward to the Dominican Republic border - Turks and Caicos Islands A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours. Interests elsewhere in Haiti should monitor the progress of this system. HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND: RAINFALL: Franklin is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with higher amounts around 15 inches mainly across central portions of Hispaniola into Thursday. Additional rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches, with storm total maxima of 4 inches, are expected across Puerto Rico through tonight. WIND: Tropical storm conditions are likely occurring within the warning area on the south coast of Hispaniola, and are expected to spread northward today and tonight. STORM SURGE: Minor coastal flooding is possible along the coast of Hispaniola in areas of onshore winds. Source: National Hurricane Center This article was generated by the Sun Herald Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com. Full hurricane coverage at sunherald.com/news/weather-news/ As the school year begins anew in Virginia, many districts around the state are rejecting Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin s new school policies that advocates say discriminate against transgender students. His administration is scrambling to find ways to compel school districts to adopt these controversial new policies. During a Fox News interview on Monday, Youngkin criticized schools that arent adopting his administrations controversial Model Policies on Ensuring Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginias Public Schools for transgender students, stating that it is the law and they dont have a choice. Appearing on The Story with Martha MacCallum, Youngkin griped how many districts around the commonwealth are considering or have chosen to forego implementing the 2023 policies that have been in the works since last September and were finalized in July. Its the law, and the law is very clear that I issue model policies, and local school districts have to adopt policies consistent with the model policies, Youngkin explained to MacCallum. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The policies require students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their assigned sex at birth. They also require that all parents provide written permission to the school if a student wishes to use a name or pronoun that differs from their official records. Furthermore, schools must disclose to parents if students share information regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity with school staff. The Advocate spoke with Niko, a transgender teen who goes to school in Arlington. Niko made headlines for calling out Gov. Youngkin on his transgender model policies for trans students at a CNN town hall event in March. Youngkin appeared stumped when Niko asked which bathroom Youngkin thought the teen should use. I think it shows that hes grasping at straws, Niko said. Youngkin doesnt have a lot to stand on right now. I think that this is a topic that is firing people up right now, and so its something that hes able to rely on. Niko added, If you saw the town hall, I think you know that he doesnt really know what hes talking about here. You could see that there was a moment where he realized that he didnt really know what he was going to say. I think that its telling that the fight that hes chosen is to talk about schools and talk about trans issues in education, but that he doesnt seem to understand what that means and that he doesnt have a good answer for what bathroom I should use. Niko notes that until that interaction, Youngkin hadnt spoken about gender-neutral bathrooms, which he brought up in response to Nikos question. The district where Niko goes to school has rejected Younkins new policies. Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, Francisco Duran, told The Advocate recently that he believes that his districts current policies align with Virginia law and that he would not implement the governors discriminatory new guidelines. Its very important for me to make the statement because when the model policies came out, many of our families, our staff, and our students were very concerned with what they meant for them, he said. As the superintendent of all students, regardless of their background, its my responsibility to ensure we provide a welcoming, safe environment for them. On Thursday, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares gave his opinion regarding new guidelines the Virginia Department of Education set forth regarding transgender and nonbinary students. As part of a release issued by the attorney generals office on Thursday, Miyares said the new guidance complies with federal and state nondiscrimination laws, adding that the model policies comply with the Equal Protection Clause, Title IX, and the Virginia Human Rights Act, noting local school boards are required to adopt policies that are consistent with them. An opinion on the guidelines was released at the request of Governor Glenn Youngkin, who expressed support for the guidelines, saying that children should trust your parents, Miyares said. The opinion stated that under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children. The opinion continued, Parents, not government, are in the best position to work with their children on important life decisions, and no parent signs up to co-parent with the government. The Model Policies ensure that all students are treated with dignity and that parental involvement remains at the center. These policies are fully compliant with the law, and school boards across the commonwealth should support and implement them. Chances are you understand how students grades are determined. Theyre assigned homework and take tests, and depending on how they fare, teachers give them an A, B, C, D, or F. But lets say an entire public school rather than just its students is going to receive a letter grade. How, exactly, should it be evaluated? This is the question the Tennessee Department of Education wants answered as it prepares to hand public report cards to schools throughout the state this fall. And on Wednesday evening, department officials held a public town hall at the Macon Cove campus of Southwest Tennessee Community College to gather thoughts on the matter from community members. I want to make sure to invite all of you who are attending today to contribute to the discussion, said Chelsea Crawford, TDOE chief of staff, during the meeting. We're here to hear from you. Grading a school The meeting came long after the conceptualization of school letter grades in Tennessee. TDOE chief of staff Chelsea Crawford stands at the podium and moderates Wednesday's town hall. In 2016, a law was passed requiring TDOE to develop a school letter grading system. Schools would receive grades on an A to F scale for the previous academic year, which would give parents a chance to see how they were performing. Theyd also be able to compare the results to the schools past grades. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Originally, the first grades were slated to be assigned to schools in the 2017-18 academic year. But implementation was delayed first by online testing challenges, then the COVID-19 pandemic. And around seven years after the laws initial passage, the grading system has yet to be deployed. A new implementation date, however, has been set for November; and TDOE wants to determine how to most effectively and fairly evaluate the schools. While metrics had already been settled on after the laws passage, the educational landscape has changed significantly in recent years. And now, TDOE officials are traveling throughout Tennessee, gathering feedback from community members on how grades should be taken. Differing districts The departments tour began in mid-August and will run through early September, and this week, officials made two stops in the Memphis area. On Tuesday evening, they held a public town hall at Bartlett High School. Then, on Wednesday, they held the one at Southwest where local administrators, teachers, and educational support staffers arrived to give their thoughts on the letter grades. Before they spoke, though, Crawford ran through six potential grading determinants that TDOE is already considering. Attendants sit during the TDOE's town hall at Southwest Tennessee Community College on Wednesday. Heres a quick breakdown: Academics: the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations on state tests; Growth: the progress or improvement students are showing on state tests, compared to the progress students are showing statewide; Absentee rate: the percentage of students at a school who miss 10% or more days of the school year; English Language Proficiency: the progress of students at a school who are learning English; Graduation rate (for high schools): the percentage of students at a school who successfully finished high school in four years plus a summer; Graduation preparedness (for high schools): the percentage of graduating students at a school who show theyre ready for college or a career. It didnt take long for attendants to comment on some of these potential determinants. Brian Curry, a member of the Germantown School Board and the first attendant to speak, raised his concern over growth potentially being a heavily weighted factor. The Germantown Municipal School Districts students, he noted, already tend to perform well on standardized tests and continuing to improve when theres less statistical room for growth can be challenging. We're at 80% for third-grade literacy weve got a goal to go to 90%, he said. That's going to be astronomically tougher than it was going from 70% to 80%... We might go from 80% to 81%, or 80% to 82%. But we shouldn't be penalized, because it's hard, at that point, to try to get that extra percent or two. On the other hand, not every school district is in the same position as Germantown. Many students in Memphis-Shelby County Schools come from low-income families, and they often face a variety of challenging external factors like housing, transportation, and food insecurity that can impede learning. The districts standardized test scores are lower than the state average, and MSCS officials and teachers are seeking to steadily improve them as they support students. Just this week, the district announced it had scored the best possible marks on TDOE's growth-focused assessment for the second year in a row. Thus, growth is an important factor for the district. And Angela Whitelaw, MSCS Deputy Superintendent of Schools and Academic Support, noted this during the Wednesday meeting. I also want it to be fair for those schools based on the students that we serve, that our students are recognized for their growth, she said. Not saying that we don't want to be measured by the same criteria points. But I do think that there are always two sides to every story. So, I just want to make sure that is brought out and thought about, as we continue to look at it. The differences between school districts in the Memphis area and throughout the state led Curry to question whether they should all be graded with the exact same criteria. I don't know that you can look at every school across the state in the same category. And Ill say this: MSCS deals with challenges that we in the suburbs can't even dream of, he said. They're playing a different game than we are I almost wonder if there's some advantage to categorizing your large districts in a category where weights might be a little different compared to the suburbs. It wasnt the first time this type of point had been made to TDOE, as Crawford, the department chief of staff, noted that similar comments had been made at the Bartlett town hall the previous night. More: Odell Horton Jr. named next MSCS general counsel, chief legal officer The premise of the question was, Are we comparing apples to apples? Or are we comparing apples to bananas to tangerines to grapes? she said. The notion about, How do you how do you ensure as much of an apples-to-apples comparison in this process, has been brought up a number of times. The next level Others in attendance said it was important to make sure that the meaning of the grades and the process behind them were clearly explained to parents, while one asked whether a schools success in the arts in addition to academics could be considered for grading. Some noted variables that can at times be outside a schools control, like absentee rates. Throughout the hour-and-a-half town hall, Crawford thanked attendants for their feedback and expressed a desire for it to be taken into account as TDOE moves forward. The last town hall is set to be held on Sept. 7 in Shelbyville. After this, the department is expected to convene working groups, which will be made up of community stakeholders that look closely at the feedback and help determine how the schools are graded. For many present, the hope seemed to be that the grades would legitimately help improve local schools not potentially serve as a strike against them. As Whitelaw said, the grading system shouldn't be "designed to hurt," but "designed to inform parents... and to push us to that next level." John Klyce covers education and children's issues for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at john.klyce@commercialappeal.com. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TDOE, Memphis community leaders, talk new school letter grade system LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A group of Las Vegas guests have filed a lawsuit against New York-New York Hotel and Casino after a live bat was found in their hotel room, a Clark County District Court document said. The lawsuit alleges that the group from Arizona, which includes three families and four minors, had to undergo treatments after they were potentially exposed to rabies and were unable to test the bat for the disease. The families were in town for a volleyball tournament in April 2022. The Rucker family was staying in a hotel room in New York-New York, which two children from other families visited during their stay, the lawsuit explains. On the morning of April 11, Marcus Rucker woke up after he heard a noise coming from the curtains near the window in his familys hotel room. He allegedly found a live bat hanging on the curtains, which he then killed before putting the animal in a cup and placing it in a nearby stairwell, the document stated. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Inspectors find bed bugs at several Las Vegas Strip hotels Later in the day, Rucker reported the incident to the front desk employee of the New York-New York Hotel and Casino. The next day, on April 12, Rucker reported the incident to the Maricopa County Arizona Health Department. The lawsuit said he was told that he should have the bat tested for rabies or immediately seek treatment for exposure to rabies. Rucker called the New York-New York hotel and spoke with an employee, asking for the bat to be turned over for testing. The employee told him the bat had already been disposed of by hotel employees and was not available for testing. Rucker and his family, as well as the other two children, then had to receive treatment for severe and prolonged exposure to a known carrier of rabies, a lethal disease, as well as a prolonged exposure to a contaminated area where Plaintiffs slept because the bat could not be tested. They were required to undergo a series of injections to prevent contracting rabies, which were painful, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit states that the hotel and employees governed the sanitation of hotel guest rooms, cleanliness of hotel guest rooms, and the extermination of vermin and pests from hotel rooms for the health and safety of hotel guests and prevent hotel guests from being exposed to diseases, such as rabies, from animals, vermin, and pests. 5 recalls in 4 weeks: All the things from Trader Joes you should toss It goes on to allege that policies and procedures were insufficient and/or ineffective to prevent the incident and that employees did not observe or follow them. The plaintiffs also say the hotel should have known to preserve the bat for testing and their failure to do so lead to the potentially unnecessary treatment. The lawsuit states that as a result of the incident, the families experienced severe and prolonged exposure to rabies, as well as pain, suffering, emotional distress, medical treatment, loss of wages, time away from work and/or school. MGM Resorts, the operators of New York-New York Hotel and Casino, did not immediately respond to a request for comment at the time of publication. The lawsuit states that the plaintiffs are seeking at least $15,000 in damages from the incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. HARBOR SPRINGS The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has downgraded the full body contact advisory for Zorn Park in Harbor Springs to a partial body restriction. A partial body contact advisory continues today for Richardi Park in Bellaire. The advisories are posted at the beaches. E. coli levels testing between 301 and 1,000 per 100 ml qualify for partial body contact advisories, based on Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) water quality standards. With a partial body contact, wading, paddling, and fishing are considered safe. People enjoy a sunny day at Zorn Park City Beach in Harbor Springs on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Zorn Park Update A water sample collected Thursday as a follow-up to elevated levels of E. coli showed 443.9 per 100 milliliters (ml), which requires a partial body contact advisory. The beach is located at 151 E. Bay St. in Harbor Springs. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Richardi Park Update A water sample collected Thursday as a follow-up to elevated levels of E. coli showed a level of 366.0 per 100 ml, also requiring a partial body contact advisory. The park is located on East Antrim Street in the Village of Bellaire. Both beaches will be resampled Monday. Results will be shared with the public Tuesday, Aug. 29. Water sampling is done throughout the summer months to monitor E. coli levels at many public beaches. The levels change frequently, impacted by the presence of fowl, waves, and more. When a sample comes back that creates an advisory of any type, the water at that beach is sampled again the next day to keep the public updated. The health department posts beach monitoring reports weekly on its website at nwhealth.org/beach.html. Through an EGLE supported web-based program, the public has real-time access to beach water quality results for beaches all over Michigan. Information can be found at deq.state.mi.us/beach. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Health department extends two active beach advisories The family of Ta'Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant woman fatally shot Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 by Blendon Township police, sit outside their Columbus home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, including her grandmother, Nadine Young, 61, right, and her two boys, Ja'Kobie Young, 6, left and Ja'Kenli Young, 3. Ta'Kiya was due in November, according to family, but the baby girl fetus died with her, the Franklin County Coroner's Office said. Around 6:20 p.m. Aug. 24, a Blendon Township police officer fatally shot a pregnant 21-year-old woman in the parking lot of the Kroger store at 5991 S. Sunbury Road. The following afternoon, Blendon Township police Chief John Belford released a statement detailing what led up to the shooting. The Franklin County Coroner's office confirmed the woman's identity as Ta'Kiya Young, 21, of Columbus. The coroner's office also confirmed Young was pregnant at the time of her death and the fetus did not survive. Blendon Townshp police on the scene Thursday evening of a reported officer-involved shooting just outside the pharmacy walk-up windown at the Kroger store at 5911 Sunbury Road, just north of the Route 161 interchange. The shooting was the second fatal shooting involving law enforcement in Franklin County within 24 hours and the fourth in August. Around 10:40 p.m. Aug. 23, a Columbus police officer fatally shot 36-year-old Jamie Overstreet during a foot chase. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Police accused Overstreet, who had multiple warrants out for his arrest for alleged violations of a protection order, of pulling a gun during the chase, and a gun was found at the scene. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting. Here's a look at what we know and what we don't about Young's shooting. Who was involved? The Franklin County Coroner's office identified the woman who was shot as 21-year-old Ta'Kiya Young. The identities of officers involved have not been released. Evidence visible at the scene indicated Young was the driver of a dark-colored four-door sedan. The car was on the sidewalk and appeared to hit an outside wall of the Kroger, near the walk-up pharmacy window. The driver's side door is open on a four-door sedan reportedly involved in a shooting incident Thursday evening, Aug. 23, 2023, involving a Blendon Township police officer in the parking lot of the Kroger store at 5911 Sunbury Road, just north of Route 16, near Westerville. The car apparently went over the curb of a sidewalk outside the grocery store's walk-up pharmacy window and appears to have struck an exterior wall and/or column. A Dispatch reporter saw the driver's side door of the sedan was open at the scene, and there was what appeared to be signs of an injury and medical treatment near where the car was. Videos taken at the scene by bystanders appear to show emergency medical personnel providing treatment to Young, including CPR, while she was on a gurney. Young's family said the officer involved is Connor Grubb; however, Blendon Township has not confirmed this information, citing Marsy's Law. What happened before the shooting? Chief Belford said a store employee flagged down two officers who were helping someone with car problems in the Kroger parking lot were flagged. The employee alerted the officers to multiple people, including Young, who had allegedly stolen items from the store. The other suspects fled in other vehicles. Belford said one officer approached the driver's side of Young's vehicle while the other moved in front of it. They told her more than a dozen times to get out of the vehicle and to stop, he said. Young put the vehicle in gear, Belford said, and the vehicle moved forward, directly toward the officer in front of her vehicle. That officer fired a single gunshot through the windshield, hitting Young. The officers ran after Young's vehicle, which went about 50 feet and onto the sidewalk in front of the store's walk-up pharmacy, where it hit a wall. Belford said the officers broke the window on the driver's side of Young's car in order to get her out and began medical treatment immediately. An emergency room doctor in the parking lot also provided assistance until paramedics arrived, Belford said. The officers did not know that Young was pregnant, as she was in the car before they approached her, Belford said. Who was killed? Ta'Kiya Young, 21, died at Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital in Westerville, where paramedics took her after the shooting. Young's family said she was was expecting a baby girl in November. What has Ta'Kiya Young's family said? Young's grandmother, Nadine Young, told a Dispatch reporter a day after the shooting that she had not yet spoken to anyone from BCI or seen body camera footage. "All I know is that my granddaughter was killed by the police," she said. "I thought she was grocery shopping." The elder Young said she had raised her granddaughter for most of her life and was excited to have another great-grandchild. Ta'Kiya Young had a 6-year-old and 3-year-old son, her family said. The family of 21-year-old Ta'Kiya Young, the 21-year-old pregnant woman killed Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 along with her baby girl fetus when she was fatally shot by Blendon Township police, sit outside their Columbus home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, including her grandmother, 61-year-old Nadine Young. Ta'Kiya was due in November. Nadine Young described her granddaughter, who had just turned 21 in August, as a "goofy, fun-loving person" who enjoyed pranks. The family is being represented by local attorney Sean Walton, who has represented the families of other people killed by police in Franklin County. Walton said any witnesses to the shooting should call his law firm. Other family members have posted memories and photos of Young on social media, expressing their shock and anger over her death. Young's family has called for the termination, arrest and prosecution of the officer involved. Was the shooting captured on body camera video? Blendon Township officers do wear body cameras, according to information provided to the Dispatch in 2021 by Chief John Belford. The body camera footage of the shooting was released Sept. 1. Why is BCI investigating the shooting? Belford told reporters in the hours after the shooting that he requested BCI conduct an outside investigation. Having BCI handle police shooting investigations has become common practice around the state, with agencies like Columbus police asking the state agency to handle all investigations in which an officer shoots and injures or kills someone. Where is Blendon Township? Blendon Township is located near Westerville in northeastern Franklin County. The township police department had 17 officers as of October 2022. When will more information be released? An autopsy report is being completed by the Franklin County Coroner's office. Coroner's reports take several weeks to be completed. BCI's investigation is also ongoing. What happens next in the investigation? An autopsy will be conducted by the Franklin County Coroner's office. When BCI's investigation is completed, it will be sent to the Franklin County Prosecutor's office for review. The prosecutor's office policy has been to present all fatal shootings involving police to a grand jury for review of possible criminal charges. Can the Civilian Police Review Board look at this case? The Columbus Civilian Police Review Board cannot review this case because the board only looks at matters involving Columbus police officers. Prominent gun violence activist was teacher of killed woman Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, co-founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, said at a small demonstration of about 15 people outside the Kroger store late Friday afternoon that she was Young's teacher. A teacher at Columbus City Schools' Champion Elementary, Thomas-St. Clair remembers Young as tenacious and someone who worked through adversity in her life toward graduation from high school. "Young people make mistakes, but because I make mistakes, I should learn from them and not die from them," she said. While her organization's advocacy typically focuses on the plague of street violence, she said she thinks Blendon Township police "got it wrong" in shooting Young" "When I'm hearing that shoplifting now equates with losing your life and you're pregnant?" Thomas-St. Clair said. "That deserves outrage." Fraternal Order of Police: 'Guns not the only danger officers face' In a Friday release, Brian Steel, executive vice president of Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9, said "guns are not the only danger officers face," vnoting that ehicles are also deadly weapons when used with the intent of harm. "But regardless of the circumstances, the death in this case is heartbreaking," Steel said. "The lodge extends its condolences to the family for its loss of this young woman." Have there been other violent incidents at this Kroger store? In January, a 24-year-old woman who had been shot at another location was found in her car in the Kroger parking lot. The woman, Amara Jones, had driven to the Kroger after the shooting. The suspect in the case, Rodney Perry, was arrested and charged with murder. His trial is currently scheduled for September. Additionally, there have been two fatal shootings at other Kroger stores in the Columbus area this year involving armed security guards hired by the store. Kroger did not respond to a call from The Dispatch for comment about Thursday's fatal shooting. Dispatch reporter Mark Ferenchik contributed to this story. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner cbehrens@dispatch.com @Colebehr_report This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blendon Twp. police fatally shot a woman Thursday. Here's what we know Bryan Kohberger has waived his right to a speedy trial less than two months before proceedings over the University of Idaho student homicides were to take place. Anne Taylor, the lead public defender for Mr Kohberger, the suspect in the case, informed the court on Wednesday that one of the significant factors that determined the decision was inadequate time for proper legal counsel ahead of the planned 2 October start. She told the court that the defence wished to reset the trial date just one time, and not again after it is rescheduled. The prosecution plans to pursue capital punishment for Mr Kohberger, who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one charge of felony burglary connected to the deaths of four University of Idaho students on 13 November 2022. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Judge John Judge, presiding over the 2nd Judicial District in Latah County, Idaho, recognised the significance of the highly observed case. Prior to officially approving the trial postponement, the judge confirmed with Mr Kohberger many times, ensuring he understood the rights he was forfeiting and his intent to proceed. Mr Kohberger responded, Absolutely. Mr Kohberger, 28, stands accused of the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho students at a residence off-campus on King Road in Idahos Moscow city in November. The individuals who lost their lives were seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both aged 21, alongside junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both aged 20. Please pray for our family today, said Goncalvess family on Facebook earlier in the day. We are afraid he is going to waive his rights to a speedy trial. If he does, trial will not be starting on Oct 2nd and it is very likely that it wont take place for years. We want to get this trial over. Just thinking it could be years absolutely kills me. Mr Kohberger, enrolled as a PhD student in Washington State Universitys criminal justice programme, was arrested in December in connection with the murders. He was subsequently extradited from their parents residence in Pennsylvania back to Idaho. Law enforcement established Mr Kohbergers connection to the case when DNA recovered from his parents home corresponded with DNA identified on a knife sheath discovered at the crime scene. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which represents more than 85,000 health care workers in seven states and the District of Columbia, announced Thursday that its members would vote to authorize a strike between Aug. 26 and Sept. 13. This would be the largest strike of health care workers in the history of this country, said Dave Regan, president of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW). The strike could begin as early as Oct. 1. Since the International Brotherhood of Teamsters ratified a new contract with UPS on Tuesday, averting a strike of more than 300,000 Teamsters, the Kaiser coalition is currently embroiled in the largest single-employer negotiations in the U.S. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The coalition is demanding Kaiser address staff concerns related to unsafe staffing levels and unfair labor practices related to bargaining. Four months into negotiations, Regan said the coalition had not received a counterproposal from Kaiser Permanente. Our priority is to reach an agreement that is mutually beneficial and ensures we can continue to offer our people market-competitive pay and outstanding benefits, Kaiser Permanente said in a statement. We are confident that we will reach an agreement that achieves that goal, before the contract expires on September 30. And we are confident that our new agreement will strengthen our position as a best place to work and ensure the high-quality care our members expect from us remains affordable and easy to access. A worker strike would have huge impacts on hospitals and patients in California, Colorado, D.C., Oregon, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia and Washington. Kaiser and the coalition last negotiated a contract in 2019. In 2020, health care workers were thrust onto the front line of the pandemic, working through worsening conditions that exacerbated staffing issues at hospitals across the country. In a May survey of 33,000 healthcare workers by SEIU-UHW, two-thirds said theyd witnessed delays in or denial of care due to understaffing. Its heartbreaking to see our patients suffer from long wait times for the care they need, all because Kaiser wont put patient and worker safety first. We will have no choice but to vote to strike if Kaiser wont let us give patients the quality care they deserve, said Paula Coleman, a clinical laboratory assistant at Kaiser Permanente in Englewood, Colo. Kaiser Permanente acknowledged it has experienced staffing challenges driven by the pandemic and its lasting effectsmade worse by the backlog in care and the increase in needs and acuity were seeing across the country. The nonprofit said that it has hired 6,500 new workers and is aggressivley recruiting to meet a goal of 10,000 new hires set by Kaiser Permanente and the coalition. Kaiser Permanente is the largest nonprofit health care provider in the U.S. It reported profits topping $3 billion in the first six months of 2023. In 2021, Kaiser Chairman and CEO Gregory Adams received around $15.6 million in compensation, according to the nonprofits most recent Form 990. Dozens of executives received more than $1 million that year. Kaiser can afford to end this dangerous understaffing, but they choose not to. For the sake of our patients and our colleagues, were prepared to authorize a strike because Kaiser cannot keep bargaining in bad faith and committing unfair labor practices, said Nahid Bokaee, a pharmacist in Sterling, Va. Updated at 4:21 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Kremlin claims to have recovered the flight recorders from Yevgeny Prigozhins doomed private jet, which crashed in Russia on Wednesday, presumably killing the Russian mercenary boss and nine others on board. The investigation seized the flight recorders, a detailed examination of the scene continues, the Russian Investigative Committee said Friday, according to state news agency TASS. At present, items and documentation that are important for establishing all the circumstances of the crash are also being seized, and the necessary forensic examinations will be ordered. Planes can be equipped with two flight recorders, often referred to as black boxes, that serve different purposes. Cockpit voice recorders record audio in the cockpit, and flight data recorders log an airplanes operating conditions, like altitude, heading or direction. The Russian Investigative Committee reported having recovered multiple recorders from the flight, indicating that they have their hands on both types of black boxes. Russian authorities also claimed to have recovered all 10 bodies from the crash site on Friday, and are working to confirm the identities of those who died through DNA testing, according to the BBC. Molecular-genetic tests are now being carried out, investigators were quoted as saying. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Early reports this week suggested that the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile before plummeting in the northwest region of Tver in Russia. But on Thursday, Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder said there is no information to indicate that is the case. The Demise of Prigozhin, Putins Dear Friend Turned Biggest Problem U.S. officials, however, do appear to agree on one thing: that the crash was no accident, but an assassination of Prigozhin. In another bizarre twist, reports that emerged on Telegram Thursday alleged that one of the flight attendants aboard the aircraft, Kristina Raspopova, had reported strange repairs on the plane ahead of the scheduled flight. The 39-year-old allegedly described the ordered fixes as incomprehensible in phone conversations with family members, according to the VChK-OGPU Telegram. Also aboard Prigozhins plane on Wednesday was 53-year-old Dmitry Utkin, another notorious Wagner commander who allegedly gave the mercenary group its name. The plane crash came exactly two months after the Wagner leader staged a coup against the Kremlin, ordering his fighters to march on Moscow in what ultimately amounted to a failed mutiny. After a deal between Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin, thousands of Wagner recruits were relocated to Belarus, to be hosted by Putins leading ally, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. In the time between the mutiny and the plane crash, many experts speculated that Putin would eventually exact revenge on Prigozhin, who had been publicly criticizing the Kremlins strategy in Ukraine for months before ordering his fighters to take arms and storm Moscow. On Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims that Moscow had masterminded Prigozhins assassination calling them absolute lies. Kremlin Rips Claims Putin Ordered Prigozhins Death as Absolute Lie There is now a great deal of speculation surrounding this plane crash and the tragic deaths of the planes passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin, he said. Of course, in the West, all this speculation is presented from a well-known angle. Wagner fighters who remain in Belarus, meanwhile, have already threatened to retaliate against Moscow for the death of their leader. There are many discussions about what Wagner would do now. Well say one thingwere already starting off, one fighter said in a video published on a Telegram channel associated with Prigozhins private army. Expect us. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Prince Edward And Sophie Rhys-jones On The Day Of Their Wedding. Duchess Sophie married Prince Edward on 19 June 1999, and unlike other women who have married into the royal family, Sophie was allowed to keep her wedding tiara. The tiara is now estimated to be worth a staggering 1.25million and belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth. Since her wedding, Sophie has worn the tiara to other royal ceremonies including the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in 2010. In other royal news, this is the intimate five-word comment Prince William made to Kate during their famous balcony kiss. Duchess Sophie was given a privilege when she married Prince Edward that other royal women such as Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton did not receive - she was allowed to keep her wedding tiara. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Royal brides usually have to return their loaned wedding tiaras to the monarch in the UK, but it's thought that Sophie was allowed to keep hers. This assumption has been made due to the fact she's worn it on several royal occasions since her big day. The diadem, known as the Anthemion Tiara, was chosen from the late Queen Elizabeth II's personal jewellery collection - as per tradition - for Sophie's big day, which saw her wear a 'private' second wedding dress. Duchess Sophie Since her wedding day back in 1999, Sophie has worn the tiara on a number of occasions, including the wedding celebrations of European Royals like Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson in 2004, the 2001 wedding of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit in Oslo and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling's wedding in 2010. According to The Court Jeweller, it's believed that "the tiara is composed of four anthemion elements that were originally alternative pieces of Queen Victorias Regal Circlet." They added that the circlet, "was made with a set of detachable fleur-de-lis, Maltese cross, and anthemion elements that could be swapped out and rearranged." And Maxwell Stone, a diamond expert at Steven Stone told Express.co.uk, Sophies beautiful diamond tiara was chosen from Queen Elizabeth IIs private jewellery collection." Duchess Sophie "However, the Anthemion tiara also pays tribute to another former monarch, as it was reportedly constructed using four pieces from Queen Victorias Regal Circlet." "Its also possible that the tiara serves as a tribute to Prince Philip, due to its use of anthemion a technique used in ancient Greek times. Before he married Queen Elizabeth II, the late royal was Prince of Greece and Denmark. Its incredibly difficult to put a price on such a magnificent piece. Id estimate it to be worth approximately 1.25million. Kate Middleton wore a stunning Cartier Halo tiara which boasted a whopping 739 brilliant-cut diamonds as well as 149 baguette diamonds for her nuptials to Prince William back in 2011. While Meghan Markle wore Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, which was made in 1932, for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. However, both Meghan and Kate had to return their loaned tiaras to the Queen. People attend a rally against Japan's dumping of nuke wastewater in Suva, Fiji, Aug. 25, 2023. On Friday, hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua) by Guo Xinhui SUVA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- "Japan, I am angry!" "Keep our Pacific nuclear-free!" On Friday, hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. The protesters, led by the Fiji Non-government organization Coalition on Human Rights, called for international actions to halt Tokyo's move to protect the ocean and the future generations. Despite widespread denunciation at home and abroad, Japan on Thursday started discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. "This is a horrendous and horrible move by Japan," said Lusia Lagilevo, a protester from Citizens' Constitutional Forum. "It's a disrespect to our rights as human beings." "Although we are from small island countries, we still deserve to have our rights, our dignity and our freedoms respected," Lagilevo told Xinhua. Lavetanalagi Seru, co-founder of Alliance for Future Generations, said the Pacific has had a history of nuclear testing, and the people in the Marshall Islands are still grappling with the enduring aftermath of nuclear contamination. The Marshall Islands' history bears the indelible scars of 67 nuclear bomb tests conducted by the United States from 1946 to 1958. "We can't allow history to repeat itself, as we depend on the ocean for our livelihoods. It's source of economic opportunities for many of us," Seru said, adding that the impact and the scientific evidence is not yet clear and strong enough to convince them that it's safe. Noelene Nabulivou, co-organizer of the event, was leading the chants of "Japan! Take your money! Take your aids! Take your waste! We don't need it," attracting more and more people to join the chorus of outrage. "We are oceanic people. So we have to protect ourselves, we have to protect our food security, and we have to make sure that as we move from here to the future every generation of us can have the same things that we enjoy," said Nabulivou, who is also the founder of Diverse Voices and Action for Equality. Nabulivou told Xinhua she hopes the Pacific leaders and every country in the world can hear their voices and plea. People attend a rally against Japan's dumping of nuke wastewater in Suva, Fiji, Aug. 25, 2023. On Friday, hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua) People attend a rally against Japan's dumping of nuke wastewater in Suva, Fiji, Aug. 25, 2023. On Friday, hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua) People attend a rally against Japan's dumping of nuke wastewater in Suva, Fiji, Aug. 25, 2023. On Friday, hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua) People attend a rally against Japan's dumping of nuke wastewater in Suva, Fiji, Aug. 25, 2023. On Friday, hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua) Everyone has happenings they'll never forget, and I had that kind of experience recently on Aug. 12, Veterans Appreciation Day in Barre. Chris Higgins invited me to drive his 1942 World War II Army Jeep from his house to the VFW Post 2 Legion Hall, where it was to be exhibited to celebrate veterans! It was a very memorable 5-mile drive, and many thoughts ran through my head as I slowly made the trip. I felt so honored. No woman back in 1942 could drive a military vehicle or participate in a combative role. Equal rights for women has come a long way. Today women are not excluded from any military mission. We can be soldiers, pilots, vehicle drivers, mechanics. Author Carole Gariepy driving with her husband Gerry in 1942 Army Jeep As Gerry and I journeyed through town, we realized what a rugged little vehicle the Jeep is, no cushy ride, and it had a stiff-to-maneuver standard shift. It was built for rough terrain, built for work, built to last. We also noted how vulnerable a soldier would be with the open sides and top. The helmets were very heavy and protective, but the rest of your body was exposed. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There were many interesting vehicles on display in the Legion parking lot. Chris Higgins is very proud of the Jeep I drove; it was the type his grandfather drove in World War II. It served such an important role that it is referred to as a war hero. Chris also exhibited his very unusual 1944 half-track. It looks like it's half Jeep and half bulldozer, wheels on the front and iron tank tracks on the back. It transported 13 soldiers and surely could go anywhere. A 1944 half-track The deuce and a half-truck (a 2 1/2 ton truck) from 1970 carried cargo, troops and artillery in Vietnam. It had a winch on the front that could pull stuck vehicles out of the mud, or if it got stuck, another vehicle could pull it out. Owner Tony Walton, a 30-year veteran, said, "A winch can save a vehicle." The 1985 Humvee was used in several wars and is still used today. It can navigate challenging desert terrain and was especially useful in the Gulf War of 1991. It is used to carry troops and cargo. Owner Richard Levesque, a 41-year veteran, said, "In combat, machine guns were mounted on the top." Protective shields can be attached to sides when needed. Levesque, who worked in medical command in Iraq, also exhibited his 1985 Humvee ambulance. The 1985 Humvee ambulance Exhibitors were from Massachusetts Military Vehicle Collectors Club The exhibitors were members of the Massachusetts Military Vehicle Collectors Club. The vehicles on exhibit ranged from World War II to the Afghanistan War. Media Coordinator Mark Levesque pointed out a 1952 Korean War Jeep and said, "That's the kind Elvis drove when he was in the Army." The Jeep looked a lot like the 1942 one I drove, so I hadn't given it much attention until I heard the Elvis report. Everyone of my generation loved Elvis, and even loved him more after he was drafted in 1958 and refused an offer to be in the Army's Special Services to entertain the troops. He proved he was an everyday guy who didn't want to be treated any differently from the other soldiers. Honoring veterans Many area historical societies honor veterans. The Historical Society of Phillipston has a permanent pictorial display, plus a list of the town veterans and the wars they served in. The Big E in West Springfield will honor veterans with a free pass on Sept. 16. The whole country will have parades, speeches and special activities on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. (I was very pleased when I read that Sudbury will have presentations on PTSD to help people better understand the lasting serious effects the traumatic experiences of war can have on veterans, something we all need to understand.) Driving the little 1942 Jeep, looking at the decades of military vehicles, and having the opportunity to talk with veterans certainly made it a day of appreciation, a day not to forget. It made me realize that every day should be Veterans Appreciation Day. Those folks gave a lot, some gave their all. Carole Gariepy is a Phillipston resident and author of Dragging Gerry around the World and Why Go There? This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Driving a 1942 Army Jeep for Veterans Appreciation Day in Barre A 43-year-old man has been charged in an armed carjacking turned high-speed police chase that ended with a police sergeants stolen vehicle crashing through a Kansas City, Kansas, residence. Van Calvin Callahan of Kansas City, Kansas, was charged in the Western District Court of Missouri with one count of carjacking, one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a release by Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S Attorneys Office for the Western District of Missouri. On Aug. 22, police were dispatched to East 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard near The City Diner on reports of an armed carjacking just before 11 a.m., according to court documents. Police allege Callahan had walked behind an elderly man, who authorities believe he did not know, and shouted Im going to kill you! Then, Callahan beat the man over the head with a construction sign, stomped on his chest and poured liquid over him, according to sworn testimony by an officer. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As the man lay on the ground, Callahan allegedly kicked him in the back of the head twice. and threw a plastic cup at his head. The man attempted to pull a firearm from his pocket. He pointed it at Callahan, but the 43-year-old allegedly grabbed it, redirecting it toward the man. Callahan pulled the trigger, only to find the weapon was unloaded, according to court documents. An off-duty police sergeant flagged down by a Kansas City Area Transportation Authority supervisor attempted to help the elderly man. Callahan then allegedly pointed the firearm at the arriving sergeant and pulled the trigger. No bullets were fired. The sergeant ran for cover, leaving behind his BMW. Callahan allegedly commandeered the car and fled the scene. Two guns were inside the personal vehicle at the time. The sergeant provided medical treatment to the elderly man, who suffered lacerations on the back of his head. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. A KCATA driver told the sergeant he witnessed Callahan beat the elderly man over the head with a bottle. Surveillance video from another KCATA vehicle further showed the struggle to grab hold of the mans gun, according to court documents. At 12:10 p.m. that afternoon, police located the missing BMW in Kansas. They engaged in a high-speed pursuit. A woman sitting in the passenger seat of the fleeing vehicle jumped outside the car and was taken into custody. She later alleged to police that both her and the driver, Callahan, had used substances before the pursuit. As the chase continued, the BMW allegedly swerved off the Kansas roadway and struck a Kansas City, Kansas, residence. Callahan fled the scene on foot. A police helicopter followed him and he was brought into custody shortly after. Authorities placed Callahan in federal custody following his arrest. He will remain there pending a detention hearing on Aug. 29. A man who was shot by a Washington Park police officer after stealing his car then fleeing the scene was struck by a different squad car and passing motorist as he lay in the road in Granite City, according to Illinois State Police. He was pronounced dead at the scene, a news release states. The man was identified as Kyeiiree Meyers, 28, of St. Louis, state police said. It all started at 10:52 p.m. in Fairmont City, where police there were conducting a traffic stop near Collinsville Road. The unidentified Washington Park officer responded to assist the Fairmont City police. Moments before the traffic stop, a man later identified as Meyers got out of his car and started walking toward Illinois 203, according to state police. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The Washington Park officer approached Meyers, who ran, with the officer running after him, the press release states. Meyers and the officer got into a physical altercation. Meyers was able to break free from the officer and gain access to his police squad car, the press release said. Meyers rammed the police car into a pillar near the officer. The officer fired his duty weapon, striking Meyers in the squad car, the release states. Meyers continued to flee, driving away at a high rate of speed, state police said. An ISPERN (Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network) broadcast was made and several agencies began searching for Meyers, the news release said. At 11:00 p.m., Meyers got out of the stolen squad car on Illinois 162 at Mockingbird Lane in Granite City. He was laying in the roadway when a Pontoon Beach Police Department Squad car and a passing motorist struck him, the release said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release. State police said this is an ongoing investigation, with no further information released at this time. Frank Bolger was visiting a Wildwood, N.J., beach with his wife and granddaughter when they found a message in a bottle from Ireland. Photo by Atlantios/Pixabay.com Aug. 23 (UPI) -- A family cleaning up trash on a New Jersey beach discovered a message in a bottle that was apparently thrown into the water in Ireland about four years earlier. Frank Bolger said he was visiting the 14th Street Beach in Wildwood with his wife, Karen, and granddaughter, Autumn, when they found a bottle with a slip of paper inside. "We found the bottle in some seaweed right at the water's edge," Bolger told IrishCentral. "We had to take it home to get note out it was jammed in the bottle so tightly." The note was dated July 17, 2019, and was signed, "Aoife." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Greetings from Ireland," the note reads. "I have thrown this bottle into the sea for someone to find another day. Maybe it's traveled down to Africa or to Iceland! I won't know if someone found this, but I hope it is found!" The family shared their discovery with The Wildwood Sun by the Sea Magazine, which posted photos of the message to Facebook in the hopes of finding the sender. N.C. Senate President Phil Berger presides over the N.C. Senates session at the N.C. Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (Ethan Hyman/ehyman@newsobserver.com) Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a separation of powers bill on Thursday, calling it unconstitutional. With a General Assembly under total Republican control, it will likely be overridden and then end up in the courts. Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 512, which takes some appointment power on various state governing boards away from the governor and gives it to the General Assembly, as well as some members of the Council of State. It is likely to end up in court as a test of the state Constitution. This legislation will hurt the effective and efficient use of taxpayer money by impairing the Governors constitutionally required duty to execute the laws passed by the legislature, Cooper said in a statement announcing the veto. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The bill interrupts the critical work of boards and commissions to protect public health, provide clean air and water, recruit new jobs, lower electric bills and more. Fundamentally it violates the separation of powers enshrined in the state Constitution. The courts have consistently rejected these legislative power grabs in McCrory v. Berger and other cases. Legislative efforts to seize executive power are unconstitutional and damage vital state work, Cooper said. The office of the North Carolina governor is already weak by design compared to other states, and if Republicans successfully overturn Coopers veto, it will take away even more power. Veto override likely The House and Senate hold veto-proof supermajorities so could override Senate Bill 512 without Democratic support. The debate has fallen mostly along party lines, with Democrats opposed and Republicans in favor. If it becomes law, the change will mostly impact the next governor, as Cooper leaves office in January 2025. House Speaker Tim Moore, a Kings Mountain Republican, said when the bill was first introduced in committee that he expected it to end up in court. House Rules Chair Destin Hall, a Caldwell County Republican, said during a debate that even lawyers, judges and our state Supreme Court cant agree on who has the authority in North Carolina. Before the bill passed the General Assembly earlier this month, House Minority Leader Robert Reives, a Chatham County Democrat, said that consolidating power in this body is a bad, bad, bad idea. The legislative session has yet to end, though lawmakers have been in recess most of the summer except for a voting session last week, during which they overrode previous Cooper vetoes. Lawmakers will be back in Raleigh in September, when the long-delayed state budget is expected to pass. Coopers veto isnt a surprise. I believe that the legislation is unconstitutional, Cooper told reporters in June, saying that the governor should keep the same appointment power instead of it being reduced. There are several boards and commissions that would have fewer appointments made by the chief executive. We disagree with him as to whether or not its constitutional, Senate leader Phil Berger, an Eden Republican, said recently. And well see what the courts say if he decides to sue. Republicans also have a majority on the N.C. Supreme Court. FRAMINGHAM Frustration with the state continues to mount at City Hall, as Framingham officials find themselves increasingly strained from having to arrange for the care of a continuous wave of homeless migrant families that are being placed into the city. With little notice from the state, migrant families began arriving in Framingham on July 28. The first wave, which included 39 people mostly ethnic Haitians who were seeking asylum in America as a result of instability in their home country were initially moved into the Red Roof Inn on Cochituate Road (Route 30). Migrants were dropped off at the hotel which sits right off the Mass Pike by the state, with the city having to scramble to arrange for services and donations to get them situated. The state did assign a care coordinator, Framingham nonprofit Jewish Family Services of Metrowest, to handle such tasks as getting families enrolled in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, teaching them how to access public transportation, assisting with employment certification and other services. Framingham Fire Chief Michael Dutcher, left, chats with Lino Covarrubias, CEO of Jewish Family Services of Metrowest during an emergency task force meeting Friday called by Mayor Charlie Sisitsky to address the placement of migrant families into city hotels. The meeting was held at the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority on Blandin Avenue. 'Lack of communication': Framingham reports about 40 Haitian migrants are staying in city hotel ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But in the past week alone, 132 additional individuals have been moved into the city, staying in two different hotels. And with the state not assigning an additional care coordinator, and JFS unable to take on more families, city officials have had to hastily organize an emergency team to welcome these newer migrants. Framingham requests help from additional charities "The state has told the city that they have run out of providers," said Susan Petroni, the city's public information officer. "The number one thing that we are pushing is that we want an organization like SMOC (the Framingham-based South Middlesex Opportunity Council), who are the care providers for families in Marlborough, or Jewish Family Services, who are the care providers for families in the first hotel, to take care of the families in Framingham. We are looking at the state to give us a provider." In response, Gov. Maura Healey, while attending an event Thursday at MassBay Community College in Wellesley, said the state is in search of additional providers, and is looking for different groups to step up and help migrants as they come into Massachusetts. Gov. Maura Healey told reporters Thursday during a visit to MassBay Community College in Wellesley that the state is seeking more help from private entities to accommodate migrants entering the state, Aug. 24, 2023. "We continue to be in close conversation and communication with officials in Framingham and in communities around the state," she said. "We are now housing migrants in more than 80 communities around the state, and one of the reasons we issued an emergency declaration last week was to get the word out because we need help. We need more people coming forward from the private sector, from philanthropy, from our faith community, to help provide those services. "We are doing all we can as an administration." Migrant families have been arriving in Framingham after going through one of the state's immigration welcoming centers. State officials ensure migrants meet the requirements set by Massachusetts to be granted emergency housing, then those deemed eligible are moved into temporary shelter. But with so many migrants entering the state, it has run out of temporary housing and so families are instead moved into hotel rooms. Red Roof Inn in Framingham, July 31, 2023. Drop-off opportunities: As more refugees arrive in Framingham, city partners with clergy group Healey says migrant placement is 'fast-moving process' Framingham officials are notified only after families are moved into the city. Healey said the state is trying its best to communicate with communities that are getting migrants, but that more families are arriving every day and the process to house them moves rapidly. "We are doing our best to make sure there is clear communication between the state and cities and towns," she said. "It's a very fast-moving process, it isn't the way we would have designed this, but it is the situation we have because, frankly, Congress' failure to pass needed immigration reform. We understand the frustrations and concerns, and we also appreciate how willing local officials and communities have been to engage with us on this issue." Edwards Church member and volunteer Mary Memmott, a Framingham resident, helps Kris List, of Framingham, unload donations from her vehicle at Edwards Church in Framingham, Aug. 21, 2023. List's daughter, Melina, an Emerson College student, donated the items. Last Sunday, the city announced it was partnering with the Framingham Interfaith Community Association, a network of more than a dozen local religious organizations, to help organize donations for the more recently arriving families. "The mayor called a task force meeting where we have invited all service providers in the city, including the members of the Framingham Interfaith Community Association (FICA)," Petroni said. "We are using the FICA to collect donations and they are going to distribute those donations to those who need them most." Framingham COVID-era relief fund is reactivated The city announced Wednesday that it has partnered with the Foundation for MetroWest to reactivate the Framingham Emergency Relief Fund, a COVID-era project that provides emergency funding and reimbursement to nonprofits that are assisting those in need. "We are extremely grateful to the Foundation for MetroWest for reactivating this fund so we can help the families that have been placed in hotels by the commonwealth," Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky said in a statement released Tuesday night. "I convened a task force meeting last week of all the social service organizations in the city and in MetroWest to work together to help these asylum-seeking families. There are many hands trying to deal with this humanitarian crisis but these organizations could use financial resources and this fund with provide grants to these nonprofits. The state did provide some medical assistance on Tuesday, as nurses arrived in Framingham to evaluate the health of some migrants. Framingham Superintendent of Schools Robert Tremblay was among the attendees at Mayor Charlie Sisitsky's emergency task force meeting on Friday at the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority. The meeting discussed the city's response to the placement of migrant families in three city hotels. Behind Tremblay is Paul Mina, president and CEO of the United Way of Tri-County. 'Looking for work': Why employment for asylum-seeking refugees is a long road "Tuesday was the first day we were able to have Mass. Department of Public Health nurses out to visits with each of the families at the third hotel," said Petroni. "We are waiting for them to continue their evaluations at hotel number three, and then they will look at the second hotel. They are addressing any health needs I can say we have multiple women who are pregnant at the third hotel." Sisitsky said Framingham is not directly expending any public funds to address migrant needs, but the city is asking for time from city employees, as well as arranging for volunteers and donations. "We are not expending any dollars from the city, only time from city employees," the mayor said in his statement. "Everything else has been volunteers, donations or other organizations that we have reached out to for assistance." Petroni said the state has told the city to expect more people to be moved into Framingham, although the city does not know if it will be at one of the three hotels currently housing migrants, or an additional hotel. The Red Roof Inn is the only Framingham hotel that has been publicly identified as one housing migrants. To donate to the Community Foundation for MetroWest, visit communityfoundationmw.org. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: With growing Haitian migrant population, Framingham looks for help Sherri Papini, the Redding mom who faked her own kidnapping, has been moved from federal prison to a halfway house in Sacramento after serving less than a year of her 18-month sentence. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said the mother who drew worldwide attention during her faked abduction, is at a "residential reentry center," also known as as halfway house, in Sacramento, where she will receive services to help her readjust to life outside prison. After going missing in early November 2016, Papini turned up three weeks later, on Thanksgiving morning, saying she had been kidnapped, tortured and had injuries, including a brand on her right shoulder. It was not until March 2022, when the FBI arrested Papini, that she admitted to faking her kidnapping and inflicting the injuries. She later admitted to being voluntarily in Costa Mesa, California, with an ex-boyfriend the entire time. Sherri Papini leaves the federal courthouse after Federal Judge William Shubb sentenced her to 18 months in federal prison, in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. Federal prosecutors had asked that she be sentenced to eight months in prison for faking her own kidnapping in 2016. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) She pleaded guilty in federal court to lying to the FBI and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. She turned herself into federal authorities in November 2022 to serve her sentence at a prison in Victorville. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement However, she was recently transferred to the halfway house in Sacramento. A Bureau of Prisons official would not say when she was sent to the halfway house. According to the bureau, the halfway houses "provide a safe, structured, supervised environment, as well as employment counseling, job placement, financial management assistance, and other programs and services." Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today! This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Sherri Papini, Redding mom behind kidnapping hoax, out of prison early PETERSBURG Police have launched a death investigation after a 19-year-old was found shot inside a car Friday afternoon near Walnut Hill Elementary School. According to a post on the Petersburg Police Facebook page, the incident was reported around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of South Boulevard and Wakefield Street. Matthew Gibbs, of Columbia, South Carolina, was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died. Police believe Gibbs was shot at another location and driven to the place where he was found. The scene played out in front of Walnut Hill Elementary School. Students do not return until Sept. 5, but the school was placed on a brief lockdown to protect staff. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement An investigation into Gibbs death is under way. Anyone who has information about it is asked to contact Crime Solvers at (804) 861-1212. More: Shooting in Colonial Heights prompts lockdown of city school This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Police say man found shot in car near school has died Former President Donald Trump's expectation that he would lord over Wednesday's GOP presidential debate in absentia turned out to be a no-show, too. Over two hours on a stage in Milwaukee, the Fox News televised encounter gave eight presidential candidates alternating opportunities to shine, utter rehearsed soundbites, lure applause and fire salvos at each other. But more than anything, they stood out for the first time in a campaign trail that has been dominated by Trump. Trump's campaign team had sought all along to keep the former president, who skipped the debate but will appear in Atlanta to answer to an indictment on Thursday, at the center of the debate's attention. Earlier Wednesday, Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita predicted that "everything is going to be about him" citing what he said was a lack of original ideas by the eight rivals who accepted the invitation to Milwaukee. In fact, tonights Republican undercard event really shouldnt even be called a debate, but rather an audition to be a part of President Trumps team in his second term, the statement said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But that wasn't the case. Here are 10 takeaways, including the sharpest blow on Trump, "the elephant not in the room," as Fox co-moderator Brett Baier put it. On the country's fiscal crisis, Trump gets almost equal blame with Biden One of the few direct mentions of the former president came early, in the first segment of questioning about the country's economy, debt and deficits. Specifically, moderators Baier and Martha MacCallum noted the Trump White House added $7.4 billion to the national debt, including $3.5 billion before COVID emergency spending. After stating he had supported the December 2017 Trump administration tax cuts, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina was reminded of the trillions in red ink Trump fiscal policies contributed to the U.S. debt. Scott replied the tax cut boosted the economy, driving joblessness down to 3.5% and setting employment records for Blacks, Asians and Hispanics. Fact-checking GOP debate: DeSantis' claims on crime, CRT, Hunter Biden, schools, Ukraine, COVID-19 Chris Christie? Nah, Nikki Haley got the sharpest hit on Trump Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, said the "truth is our Republicans did this to us, too" singling out former Vice President Mike Pence , Gov. Ron DeSantis and Scott for repeatedly supporting increases in the nation's debt ceiling. Then she took aim at Trump. "Donald Trump added $8 trillion to our debt and our kids are never going to forgive us for it," she said. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speak during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Mike Pence touts Trump administration, not Trump Pence rattled off a number of achievements during his term as vice president in the Trump administration, from the tax cuts to the U.S. Supreme Court justices that overturned Roe v. Wade. But he barely mentioned his former boss. "With all due respect to my friends on this stage, and even to one who is probably looking on, I think I am unquestionably the best prepared, the most tested, the most proven and qualified conservative in this race," Pence said. Debate moderator: Fox's Bret Baier buys Palm Beach house for $37 million in private deal "The elephant not in the room" and Trump's criminal cases Raising the issue of the four separate indictments and 91 criminal charges that have been filed against Trump, Fox's Baier called Trump "the elephant not in the room" for his absence. The segment started with one of the oddest hand-raisings in debate history. The question was whether the candidates would support Trump if he were to win the nomination despite being convicted of any of the felony counts against him. Brett Baier: "If former President Trump is convicted in a court of law would you still support him as your parties choice?" pic.twitter.com/Ya4iKXuzSF Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) August 24, 2023 Half the candidates, including businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Haley, immediately raised their hands. DeSantis and Pence then meekly lifted theirs. Former governors Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson refused to do so. The topic let Christie take on Trump on an issue that has been a central talking point in the former New Jersey governor's stump speeches. "Someone's got to stop normalizing this conduct," Christie said. "Whether or not you believe the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of President of the United States." Republican presidential candidate former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks as Republican presidential candidate former New Jersey governor Chris Christie listens at Fiserv Forum during the first 2023 Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. But Ramaswamy ripped into Christie. "Honest to God, your claim that Donald Trump is motivated by vengeance and grievance would be a lot more credible if your entire campaign were not based on vengeance and grievance against one man," said the GOP rising star. DeSantis at the debate: Florida governor takes a back seat as other candidates mix it up Christie shot back by quoting Trump saying he would "suspend" parts of the U.S. Constitution, lecturing Ramaswamy on the presidential oath to defend and protect and not "suspend" the American government's founding document. Booing of Christie forces debate stoppage time While Christie's attacks on Trump did garner cheers, it also drew the most prolonged booing and jeering of the evening. At one point, Baier turned to the audience and admonished the crowd for their heckling and interruption of the New Jersey governor. He said the longer they kept Christie, or other candidates, from being able to talk, the more time would be lost for all the candidates to speak. And those fireworks came before GOP candidates debated Jan. 6 The bantering and verbal jousting continued as moderators asked whether they believed Pence had acted correctly on Jan. 6, 2021, a question that even sparked jousting between DeSantis and moderator Baier. DeSantis refused to answer. "This election is not about Jan. 6, 2021. It's about Jan. 20, 2025 when the next president takes office," the governor said while embarking on a soliloquy on the Biden administration, the American people and the priorities for the next president. DeSantis' deflection got called out by the moderators and his rivals on stage, including Christie who said Pence deserved the nation's thanks for upholding the Constitution and not "grudging" gratitude. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 23: Republican presidential candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pauses during a break in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum on August 23, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eight presidential hopefuls squared off in the first Republican debate as former U.S. President Donald Trump, currently facing indictments in four locations, declined to participate in the event. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775986322 ORIG FILE ID: 1635015072 DeSantis then relented, saying: "Mike did his duty, I have no beef with that." But Baier didn't leave it at that, singling out DeSantis for a public upbraiding for complaining about the question. "Let me just say, Gov. DeSantis, we spent an hour talking about policy, former President Trump is beating you by 30, 40 points in many polls so it is a factor in the GOP primary," Baier said. One more Jan. 6 reference to Trump ... the "P" word Businessman Ramaswamy called on the seven other GOP presidential candidates on the stage to join him in pledging to pardon Trump. None did. In fact, Ramaswamy again got lectured, this time on the fact that a pardon is offered to those who have been convicted of or have pleaded guilty to a crime and have expressed remorse for their wrongdoing. Wait, who built the wall? Trump or Pence? MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 23: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence participates in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum on August 23, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eight presidential hopefuls squared off in the first Republican debate as former U.S. President Donald Trump, currently facing indictments in four locations, declined to participate in the event. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775986322 ORIG FILE ID: 1635028138 During an exchange on border security, including immigration and drug trafficking challenges, Pence, with all "humility," took credit for what has been Trump's long-standing signature policy: the wall. Pence insisted he played a major role during the 2018-2019 government shutdown in pressing the new Democratic House majority for a spending measure he said included money for the border wall. "I was negotiating on Capitol Hill around the clock," Pence said. He also took credit for the implementation of a border policy where people seeking entry into the United States had to remain in Mexico until their petitions were resolved. He said he procured support from Mexico to send that country's national guard to the border for added security. As president, he said he would again engage the Mexican government and military to fight the drug cartels. Trump didn't show up, but Ronald Reagan did get invoked Before their closing statements, the Fox telecast showed the Ronald Reagan presidential site in Simi Valley, California, noting that it will be the site of the next debate in September. Reagan, the 40th president, was invoked several times during the debate. In his closing statement, former Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson said the solution to America's woes was neither another four years of President Joe Biden or Trump. Hutchinson said he would lead with "bold ideas" and a renewal of "optimism" and "bring out the best of Americans." "A president's number one responsibility is to bring out the best of our people," he said. "That's what Ronald Reagan did." Was Trump not debating a mistake? Former Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany this week called Trump's decision to skip the encounter a huge political miscalculation, as reported by The Hill and HuffPost. McEnany said that in not debating, Trump would "give others the opportunity to shine. You give others two hours to throw lobs at you. Will that turn out to be the case? Stay tuned to see what post-debate polls say. Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Debate takeaways: Who attacked absent Trump at GOP debate? Nearly 400 educational intimidation bills have been introduced by state lawmakers over the last two and a half years, a troubling sign of where academic freedom in this country is headed. Between January 2021 and June 2023, Republicans in state legislatures introduced 392 educational intimidation bills, according to a new report published Wednesday from PEN America. While only 38 of those bills actually passed, this tidal wave of legislation represents an ongoing campaign to make teachers afraid to teach. PEN America classifies educational intimidation bills as different from traditional educational gag orders, which explicitly prohibit materials and subject matter that can be taught in classrooms. Educational intimidation bills do not act as direct censorship, but rather encourage self-censorship from teachers, librarians, and administrators by creating environments where free speech is chilled. They often bill themselves as parental rights bills, hiding their radical nature behind more neutral language. Missouri has introduced 30 such bills, the most of any state in the country, but all of the measures failed. Florida was able to pass the most, with 15 pieces of legislation signed into state law, thanks in large part to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has led a war on woke in education. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to PEN America, these bills have been able to become so popular because of clever rhetorical framing. By framing such bills in terms of curriculum transparency and parental rights, supporters hope to make them appear benignas simple common sense, the report by PEN America said. They are not. The bills contain provisions allowing for enhanced inspection of curricula, teachers, and library facilities. Some allow opt-outs so that parents can remove their children from certain kinds of instruction, or institute opt-ins requiring parents to proactively approve certain material, thus making restriction the default of education. Many of the bills also expand student and classroom monitoring. These educational intimidation bills are based on model legislation prepared by conservative think tanks such as the Manhattan Institute, the Goldwater Institute, No Left Turn in Education, and the Parental Rights Foundation. Manhattan Institute senior fellow Chris Rufo is quoted in the report, explaining the rhetorical shift from gag orders to educational intimidation. The Left will expect that, after passing so-called CRT bans last year, we will overplay our hand. By moving to curriculum transparency, we will deflate that argument and bait the Left into opposing transparency, Rufo said in 2022. Around 45 percent of the bills PEN America tracked also included an anti-LGBTQ provision, like the mandatory outing of students via reporting mechanisms for parents to be alerted of any perceived changes to students gender identity and sexual orientation. Other anti-LGBTQ provisions include banning the use of preferred pronouns, discouraging discussions about gender and sexuality, and placing pressure on teachers and administration to limit their speech, as well as to monitor and police the expression of their students. So far in 2023, 17 educational intimidation bills have passed. Perhaps with the introduction of the educational intimidation label, the left will have its own rhetorical device to fight those who seek to limit free speech, the rights of students, and the rights of other parents. BANGKOK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged on Friday to enact measures aimed at boosting the number of Chinese tourists to the country. The Pheu Thai Party in a statement quoted Srettha as saying during his visit to the tourist island of Phuket that the return of Chinese tourists remains below pre-pandemic levels and stressed the need to ease entry restrictions while enhancing overall confidence in Thailand as a travel destination. Srettha highlighted the tourism sector as a key driver of economic recovery, particularly in the short term. With the upcoming peak tourist season in a couple of months, he emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and businesses to prepare for the anticipated influx of visitors. He also revealed plans to expand airports in popular tourist cities such as Chiang Mai and Phuket, aiming to accommodate the anticipated surge in tourist arrivals. In a social media post, Srettha set a goal to increase Thailand's tourism revenue from 1.9 trillion baht (about 54 billion U.S. dollars) to 3.3 trillion baht (about 94 billion dollars) by 2024. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the kingdom is on course to meet the whole-year foreign tourist target of 25 million, compared with 11.15 million in 2022. In 2019, Chinese tourists accounted for about 28 percent of the nearly 40 million foreign tourists to Thailand. RICHMOND, Ind. A Richmond man whose driving privileges had been suspended for life is accused of leading a Wayne County sheriff's deputy on a chase that ended with a crash in Ohio. James Edward Miller, 47, was arrested on Aug. 17 after his SUV left Upper Alexander Road in Preble County, Ohio, east of Richmond and crashed. A deputy had pursued a Ford Explorer, driven by Miller, after observing it twice cross the center line on Porterfield Road. The deputy said he recognized the SUV's driver to be Miller, who he was aware had a suspended license, The ensuing chase into Ohio eventually reached State Line Road before the Explorer turned onto Upper Arlington Road. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Its speed was estimated at 55-60 mph when it entered a curve and crashed. A female passenger and a dog were also in the SUV at the time. Miller tried to persuade authorities the woman had been driving the vehicle. Preble County investigators said they found crystal meth, liquid meth and drug paraphernalia inside the Explorer. The registered owners of the SUV said they had left it at an acquaintance's house for work on its brakes. They said Miller did not have permission to drive the vehicle. Miller is charged, in Wayne Superior Court 3, with driving after a lifetime suspension, a Level 5 fleony carrying up to six years in prison, He is also charged with two Level 6 felonies, both carrying a maximum 30-month sentence auto theft and resisting law enforcement. He was already set to stand trial Sept. 29 on a driving-after-a-lifetime-suspension count, also filed in Wayne Superior Court 3 on May 5. According to Wayne County court records, the Richmond man has been convicted of driving after a lifetime suspension (at least three times), battery, driving while suspended (four times), forgery, possession of meth, possession of paraphernalia, receiving stolen auto parts and theft. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Deputy's pursuit of suspended driver from Richmond ends with Ohio crash Shortly after Marisa J. Rodriguez was picked up in Chautauqua County for driving a missing Summit Township man's Cadillac on April 13, a Pennsylvania State Police trooper investigating 66-year-old Michael Maisner's disappearance said he asked her what might have happened to Maisner. According to Trooper Eric Conroe, Rodriguez said that she had seen Maisner in his Crestview Drive house two weeks earlier. She then made statements that Maisner must be dead as she mentioned Percocet, Christmas and someone named Flower, and said Maisner fell down the stairs, Conroe said. Questioned further about how Maisner died, Rodriguez said he was pushed down and raped by a girl, and that drugs were involved, according to the trooper. He said when he asked Rodriguez what happened to the body, she said it was thrown somewhere at Shades Beach in Harborcreek Township. But additional evidence unearthed in the investigation, including suspected human remains found at Maisner's home and videos, photographs and various topic searches found online, would lead state police to charge Rodriguez, who had lived with Maisner for a time, with killing him and disposing of his body in parts unknown. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Conroe outlined the events in the case against Rodriguez during her preliminary hearing before Summit Township District Judge Brian McGowan Thursday afternoon on first-degree murder and other charges in Maisner's disappearance and death. Police: Photos, videos link woman to killing of missing Summit Twp. man found in fire pit McGowan held Rodriguez for court on all charges, including felony aggravated assault and access device fraud and misdemeanor counts of abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, following the hearing, which lasted less than an hour. She remains in the Erie County Prison without bond. Rodriguez, clad in an orange prison uniform, interrupted testimony at times as Conroe spoke under questioning by Assistant District Attorney Emily Downing as the only witness presented by prosecutors on Thursday. She asked out loud at one point if she would ever get to speak, then said, "Well, I'm guilty." At another point, Rodriguez said, "Then I cut him up," before she was stopped briefly from talking. "Then you guys came in and grabbed all the guns," Rodriguez then added before remaining quiet for the remainder of the hearing. More: Missing person probe leads to discovery of suspected human remains in burn pit in Summit A missing man and a murder investigation Still unknown in the case against Rodriguez is what led her to kill Maisner, as state police allege, and what happened to his body after he died. The only suspected remains that have been recovered so far were some small parts of body tissue located in a floor register of the front room of Maisner's house and some burnt bone fragments found in a makeshift fire pit that state police said was located behind Maisner's garage. State police sent the tissue out for DNA testing and collected a DNA sample from Maisner's brother. The tissue DNA was consistent with the DNA of a male relative of the brother, according to testimony at the hearing. The Erie County Coroner's Office has not ruled on Maisner's death and has not received information on whether testing on the collected remains have confirmed that they are Maisner, Coroner Lyell Cook said Thursday. Some of the main evidence that state police used in accusing Rodriguez of killing Maisner were photos and videos state police found in reviewing an iCloud account associated with her. They included images of a revolver and of Maisner with bullet holes to the back of his head and to the center of his torso, Conroe testified. Pennsylvania State Police have charged 35-year-old Marisa J. Rodriguez in the death of 66-year-old Michael Maisner at his home on Crestview Drive in Summit Township sometime between March 28 and April 13, 2023. State police suspect Maisner was killed in late March, based on time stamps on the photos, according to Conroe's testimony. State police launched a missing persons investigation into Maisner's whereabouts on April 13, after Conroe said members of Maisner's family reported that they had not heard from him for some time. As part of the investigation, state police also served a search warrant on a Google account associated with Rodriguez. The search history included searches in late March on what happens to a body 24 hours after it dies, if a person shot in the head dies instantly and how many times does someone have to be shot with bullets for the person to die; and searches in early April about cutting open a dead body, cutting a dead body with a chainsaw and how to burn a body with gasoline, according to Conroe's testimony. Conroe additionally testified that, in a check of Maisner's financial records, state police learned that Rodriguez had used nearly $600 of Maisner's money to purchase items including cleaning supplies, gasoline, a fuel container and an electric chainsaw. Police had just launched their investigation into Maisner's disappearance when, on the evening of April 13, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office stopped Rodriguez while she was driving Maisner's missing Cadillac in the county. The car was impounded and Rodriguez was detained before she was eventually brought back to Erie County. Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Woman held for court in disappearance, killing of Summit Township man Savannah City Council unanimously voted on the evening of August 24 to rename the square formerly known as Calhoun after Black Civil War-era nurse and educator Susie King Taylor. The square formerly known as Calhoun has a new name: Taylor Square. At its regular Aug. 24 meeting, the Savannah City Council ended the long debate over the fate of the square located at Abercorn Street and East Wayne Street by voting to name the square after Susie King Taylor. Taylor was born into slavery near Savannah in 1848 and throughout her life served the Union Army as a nurse, was an educator and authored "Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33d United States Colored Troops, Late 1st S.C. Volunteers," as the only Black woman to publish a memoir of her wartime experience. Background: Pioneering Savannah teacher Susie King Taylor's undertold story comes full circle ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement About the petition: Group seeking to change name of Calhoun Square proposes honoring Susie King Taylor FILE: Calhoun square was named in honor of John C. Calhoun, a United States Senator from South Carolina, who served as the Vice President under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. A long awaited decision The line to enter the Savannah City Council meeting wound through the lobby and to the door as the public and city employees crowded the standing-room-only meeting chambers. "We've gone through too much, we've spent a lot of time we are going to handle this as a community should," Mayor Van Johnson said. This is the first time in over 140 years Savannah has renamed a square the last time was when St. James Square was renamed to Telfair Square. The group petitioning for the name Susie King Taylor, formally Susie King Taylor Center for Jubilee, Inc., began three years ago the effort to remove John C. Calhoun 's name from the square. Calhoun (1782-1850) was a South Carolina politician, U.S. vice president, separatist during the U.S. Civil War and staunch advocate for slavery in the United States. Back to the removal: Thursday could be Calhoun Square's last day. Savannah council to vote on name removal. Debate: To rename or retain? Calhoun Square effort receives support, opposition from Savannah In November 2022, city council unanimously voted to remove Calhoun's name, kicking off the process to rename the square. Since then, the community came up with a slate of 15 names for the square including a range of historic and important public figures in Savannah history from educators to preservationists. There were several community engagement meetings, public comment opportunities and hearings about the proposed names in front of the Park and Tree Department and Historic Site and Monuments Commission. Ultimately, out of the 13 names still in the running, council unanimously voted to rename the square to Taylor Square, short for Susie King Taylor Square, and to include an educational placard about the history of the square and its name. This placard will include the previous name of Calhoun Square and details about the change. Mayor Johnson said that the council will have to approve this placard, along with other departments in the city, and in the future there will be opportunities for public engagement about that placard. Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier (District 1) motioned to have no new placard with Calhoun's name on it, and was joined by two other members, but the motion did not carry. Mayor Johnson argued that not only would this erase history, but it would not represent the struggle and hard work citizens put in to recognize a wrong in the community and working to find a name that better represents the city. "I want to thank the commission, and the individuals that started this process three years ago," Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely said. "It took courage into patience and it took tenacity." FILE: Patt Gunn, co-founder of the Center for Jubilee, Reconciliation and Healing, speaks to the crowd at the Come Sunday event in Calhoun Square. The Center succeeded Aug. 24 in having the city rename the square after Susie King Taylor. About Susie King Taylor "We have an opportunity to have a new sunrise in Savannah, let's begin with a woman on a square," said Patt Gunn, co-founder of the Susie King Taylor Center for Jubilee, Inc. Out of all the squares, she said that most are named for white men, but there isn't a single one named after a woman. She said Taylor was a third-generation enslaved person who had remarkable historical impacts on the Savannah area. She was taught to read, write and count, and Gunn said this was done despite anti-literacy laws aimed at preventing Black people like Taylor from learning. She sought to spread that wisdom by starting clandestine schools. Taylor went on to join Union forces in the U.S. Civil War as a nurse. "We received a call from Whoopi Goldberg," Gunn said, in addition to the Michelle Obama Foundation. She said that neighbors and the community came together as coalition members from "all walks of life" to continuously push the issue over the years across the finish line. While it was not always easy given how many detractors there were resisting a name change, Gunn said the process was a "wonderful journey" meeting all the other applicants uplifting historical figures of Savannah. What's next? As Mayor Johnson said, while the name is decided there is still procedural items left on the table that will require formal proceedings and public comments in the future, such as determining the language on placards put into the square. Additionally, the city will face a lawsuit. Before Mayor Johnson could begin the presentations hearing the petitions for different names, a spectator stepped to the front and raised his hand, stating he'd like to speak before the meeting proceeds and voiced frustration at not being able to speak to council. Johnson denied this request since the meeting was hearing presentations of names, not public comments. They yelled back that the city will have to go to court, referencing the lawsuit levied by David Tootle, a Savannah resident opposing the renaming on the basis it violates Georgia laws pertaining to protection of public monuments. All the city council members echoed a similar sentiment: This does not have to be the end. They were encouraged and impressed by the thorough, rich histories brought by the petitioners that helped everyone learn more about Savannah history and noted that there are still places, and new constructions, that present opportunities for those names to find homes across the city. The city is seeking to increase funding and resources to historic monuments, and alderwoman Blakeley went so far as to say that now there is a process, if others feel inclined they too can seek to rename another square. Marisa is an environmental reporter. She can be reached at mmecke@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Calhoun Square renamed by city council after Susie King Taylor After more than three years, Donald Trump has returned to Twitter, now called X, to tweet his booking photo following his arrest in Georgia on 2020 election charges. Trump, who hasn't posted on Twitter since he was banned in 2021 after the Capitol riot, has been peppering his 6 million plus followers with daily updates on Truth Social. On Thursday, the former president posted a photo of his Fulton County booking photo hours after being arrested and released in the Georgia election case. With Twitter emerging as a popular political hub for conservatives under the social media company's billionaire owner, Elon Musk, and as Trump's legal troubles escalated, the former president reclaimed his favorite megaphone. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump being back on Twitter is going to give him a megaphone both for running again in the Republican primary but also to try to impact American politics and make it all about him again, said David Karpf, an associate professor of media and public affairs at George Washington University. Georgia arrest brings Trump back to Twitter The Georgia case is one of six civil and criminal trials Trump faces as he campaigns for president in 2024. He has dismissed the criminal cases as political prosecutions. Musk reinstated the former president's Twitter account, including his blue check mark and 87 million followers, after the former president announced his 2024 presidential bid in November. But Trump did not start tweeting again until after his arrest Thursday. Will Donald Trump upstage Elon Musk? Karpf is betting Trump, who forged his rhetorical style with the New York City tabloids in the 1980s and then refined it on NBCs The Apprentice, will quickly resume his role as the main character on Twitter, supplanting Musk. Trump, who frequently spreads misinformation online, has continued to falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen. That reality show, rambunctious style translates quite well to social media, Karpf said. His sort of personal rule that all attention is good attention and the worst sin is people not talking about you, that has served him pretty well and hes quite gifted at it. How X could boost Trump in GOP primary, legal troubles That social media savvy will serve Trump well during the GOP primary and could help him keep his significant edge over other Republican candidates including runner-up Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to Karpf. He is better at seizing attention than they are and as the Republican party network works out who they want their nominee to be, his ability to use Twitter to occupy the attention of a nation is going to be a real asset, Karpf said of Trump. Former president Donald Trump What about Trump and TruthSocial? Trump, who has certain contractual obligations to TruthSocial and has an incentive to prop up the value of his social media company, had previously said he would not return to Twitter even if invited. Rejoining the social media platform was a trade-off for Trump, says Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida. TruthSocial is not as powerful a megaphone although many of his followers repost his messages on Twitter. "'Do I want more attention or do I want more money?'" Ritter said. Hes infatuated with money and hes infatuated with attention. Thats a tough call. Former U.S. President Donald Trump poses for his booking photo at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday in Atlanta. Why Elon Musk wanted Donald Trump back The decision to reinstate Trump's account marked the highest profile figure Musk has welcomed back to the social media platform since his turbulent $44 billion takeover of Twitter, now X, last year. Especially at a time when the platform is struggling to keep its most active users engaged, Musk had a strong financial motive to bring back Trump, who is just the kind of mega-personality who drives engagement there. Trump also returned to YouTube and Facebook after his suspensions were lifted. The de-platforming of Trump and other figures on the political right sparked outrage among conservatives who accused Facebook and other major social media platforms of censorship and liberal bias. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump returns to Twitter, now X, tweets booking photo after arrest A small number of Ukrainian pilots and support personnel will arrive in the U.S. next month for F-16 fighter jet training, the Pentagon announced Thursday. The group will start supplemental English-language training in Texas at Lackland Air Force Base in September and then in October head to Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona for training on F-16s, Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said at a news briefing. The training in the U.S. is expected to run concurrently with a program led by Denmark and the Netherlands in Europe. Last week, the Pentagon said it would host training in the U.S. if capacity was met in Europe but officials have since decided it's faster to go ahead and offer up training. "We know that as the Danes and the Dutch prepare to train those pilots, that at a certain point in time in the future, capacity will be reached. So preemptively, acknowledging that and leaning forward in order to assist with this effort is the impetus for why we're doing this now," Ryder said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The announcement comes after the Biden administration gave assurances last week that the U.S. would expedite transfers of F-16 jets to Ukraine once training is complete. The Ukrianians for months have been asking for the jets to help in their fight against Russia's invasion. President Biden in May said he would greenlight F-16s for Ukraine for its long-term defense. The Pentagon has maintained that the fighter jets are not meant for the country's counteroffensive. Ryder on Thursday did not give a timeline for how long training would take because it will depend on each individual pilot's skills, but he said that, in general, for American pilots already fluent in English, training can take up to eight months. Trump's mug shot released after he is booked in Fulton County jail Trump speaks out after being booked in Atlanta jail in 2020 election case Trump surrenders at Atlanta jail in 2020 election interference case Nathaniel NJ Foster after he suffered brain damage while disembarking from a United Airlines flight in 2019 (Stoll Law) United Airlines has agreed to to pay $30m to the family of quadriplegic man who was left brain damaged after he was violently removed from a flight. Nathaniel NJ Foster Jr, 26, who uses a wheelchair, ventilator, and tracheal tube, suffered the injury as he was deplaned from a United Express flight from San Francisco to Monroe, Louisiana, on 8 February 2019, while traveling to a funeral with his family. His family alleged in court that a ramp supervisor had aggressively pushed Mr Foster, causing his body to jerk forward and then fall back, according to Reuters. Usually four to six staff helped him to disembark, but the complaint stated that only one attendant was initially available. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The staff member called for help and a supervisor arrived with an aisle chair. When the family requested additional assistance, the supervisor reportedly said: Fine. Do it yourself, then ... Im out, according to the court filing. A baggage handler contracted to United then secured Mr Foster to his chair with a belt, and aggressively pushed him causing him to slump to one side. His mother Pamela Foster sought medical help after hearing him whisper I cant breathe, which would be his last words. He remains in a vegetative state, according to a statement released by the family in June. According to court papers, the gate agent laughed and told a surgeon who offered help we got this. Mr Foster, from Pleasant Hill, California, went into cardiac arrest and suffered significant brain damage, according to Reuters. United Airlines has agreed to pay $30m to the family of a man who was left brain damaged after his removal from a flight (Getty Images) He was left unable to eat solid foods or speak, and his life expectancy has shrunk from 39 prior to the incident to 31.5, the complaint stated. After a one day trial in San Francisco federal court, United agreed to pay $30m to his family. The settlement needs to be approved by a judge. United Airlines declined to comment when contacted by The Independent. In a statement to Reuters, the airline said: Our top priority is to provide a safe journey for all our customers, especially those who require additional assistance or the use of a wheelchair. We are pleased to share that this matter has settled. The Fosters attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a press statement prior to the trial, his mother Pamela Foster said that the family had received repeated assurances from United that NJ would be properly cared for. What happened to our son, to our family, cannot be undone, Mrs Foster said. We hope that through our loss, lessons present themselves so that no other family has to suffer. The familys attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to Reuters, $12m of the settlement will go towards legal costs, and $3m would cover other costs associated with the trial. US intelligence is trying to figure out what led a plane to crash in Russia, apparently killing Yevgeny Prigozhin. Theories include an explosion caused by a bomb or other sabotage. Prigozhin, who led a mutiny against Russia's military, was presumed dead on Wednesday. United States intelligence is working to figure out what caused a private jet to crash outside of Moscow, resulting in Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's apparent death. Early theories on what may have caused the plane to plummet from the sky reportedly include an explosion caused by a bomb, a surface-to-air missile, or some other kind of sabotage like tampered-with fuel. Prigozhin the head of the mercenary group who staged a short-lived mutiny against Russia's military two months ago was presumed dead on Wednesday after a Wagner-affiliated plane crashed in Russia's Tver region. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In the aftermath, Russian state media reported that Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on the plane that went down, killing all 10 people on board, including Prigozhin's right-hand man Dmitry Utkin. Preliminary information from the US intelligence community has suggested that the plane crashed as the result of an intentional explosion, according to multiple reports, including the Associated Press. Anonymous US and Western officials did not provide details to the AP on what may have caused the explosion, but one official said a preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded that it was "very likely" Prigozhin was targeted. Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin in happier times a 2010 tour of a school lunch factory outside Saint Petersburg. Alexey Druzhinin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images That official told the AP that the explosion seemed to match Russian President Vladimir Putin's "long history of trying to silence his critics." The New York Times, citing American and other Western officials, also reported that an explosion is the primary theory of what caused the plane to fall out of the sky. A bomb or another device placed on the jet could have caused the blast, the anonymous officials told the Times. US intelligence was also looking at the possibility of contaminated fuel, according to the Times. Anonymous US officials told the Wall Street Journal that the plane was downed in an assassination plot and that initial assessments suggested that a bomb exploded on board or some other sabotage. Two anonymous US officials, citing preliminary information, told Reuters that it was likely a surface-to-air missile that came from inside Russia shot down the Wagner-linked plane. However, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters Thursday there was no indication to suggest that a surface-to-air missile caused the plane crash. Ryder added that the Defense Department believes it was "likely" that Prigozhin was killed. Meanwhile, Putin on Thursday broke his silence on Prigozhin's apparent death, calling him a "man of complicated fate" who has made "serious mistakes" in life. There has been long-standing suspicion Prigozhin could face revenge from Putin after the Wagner chief led the armed uprising in June against Russian military brass. Read the original article on Business Insider OSLO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Norway will donate IRIS-T anti-aircraft missiles and demining equipment to Ukraine, the government said on Thursday. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store during his visit to Kiev on Thursday, it said in a press release. Norway will also donate portable sets for explosive-based demining and explosive charges, and these will aid in creating passages through minefields, the government said in an earlier press release. This photo of Levi and Martha Coman, along with their son, Will, circa 1854, is from "Memories of Martha Seymour Coman," published in 1913. Benjamin and Catherine Coman were living on a farm in Eaton, New York, with their eight children when Catherine gave birth to Levi Parsons Coman on Jan. 5, 1826. Tragically, Catherine died soon after his birth. Most of what is known about Comans life is found in his wifes book, Memories of Martha Seymour Coman, published in 1913. He graduated from Clinton Hamilton College in New York and accepted a position near New Orleans as a tutor for a wealthy planters children. About 1847 Coman came to Newark, Ohio. Martha related her first memory when she saw Levi at church. He was dressed in a dark green coat and plaid pants of green and brown which led her to believe he was a journeyman tailor. When she told her mother about him, Mrs. Seymour reasoned that he was the new teacher for Mr. Corning, who recently moved to town and had several boys in his home. Mr. Corning asked a friend, who happened to be Comans cousin, if he knew of a good tutor. The cousin gave a good reference of Levi, who was then hired. Veterans column: Hebron brothers die from disease during Civil War ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement According to Martha, it wasnt long until he became superintendent of the Sunday school, a job she wrote he took very seriously: He had teachers meetings and we had essays to write. Mine always seemed to need alterations that made it necessary that he should call and explain it to me. Then he wanted me to go with him to find other teachers and call on them. My father on coming home one evening asked where I was. Mother said that I had gone with Mr. Coman on some Sunday school business. He remarked rather impatiently that he never knew a Sunday school to require as much attention as that one did! When Levi spoke to Martha about marriage, she wrote, It was an entire surprise, and it was a considerable time before I could give him an answer. Her father objected because they didnt know much about him, but Martha eventually said yes. On June 28, 1849, the 23-year-olds married at the First Presbyterian Church in Newark. The newlyweds moved in with Marthas parents on Locust Street. Coman went to work for Marthas father. Over the next few years, they had two children. In 1855, Coman, who studied law, was admitted to the bar. In 1856, Marthas father bought a one-story cottage at Sixth and Locust streets for the couple. By 1861, the family, which now included four children, had added on to the home. Veterans column: Hebron classmates John Brown, Bob Bowers join the US Army in Korean War When the Confederates fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, the family hoped the conflict would be over quickly. With the Norths defeat at Bull Run on July 21, 1861, Coman saw the war wasnt going to end soon. Martha wrote, My husband was an Abolitionist and had made political speeches. At this crisis, he said, The men who have been talking must do something more now. And he began to raise a company for the Seventy-Sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. Doug Stout is the Licking County Library local history coordinator. You may contact him at 740.349.5571 or dstout@lickingcountylibrary.org. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Veterans column: Newark's Levi Colman starts Sunday school gig Dr. Deanna Behrens is a pediatric critical care physician in Chicago, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Refugee Immigrant Child Health Initiative as part of the academys Illinois chapter. This aerial photo taken on July 28, 2023 shows the first direct China-Central Asia freight train from Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's international trade in goods and services in July exceeded 3.77 trillion yuan, or 526.5 billion U.S. dollars, official data showed on Friday. Exports of goods neared 1.83 trillion yuan and imports surpassed 1.44 trillion yuan, resulting in a surplus of 385.5 billion yuan, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said. Services exports totaled 183.8 billion yuan last month, and services imports were at 315.3 billion yuan, resulting in a trade deficit of 131.5 billion yuan. Visitors learn about Yunnian-A, a smart auto-body control system, at the exhibition booth of Denza during Chengdu Motor Show 2023 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 25, 2023. The Chengdu Motor Show 2023 kicked off here on Friday. Some 1,600 cars of more than 120 brands from home and abroad are exhibited at the show. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Visitors test drive vehicles during Chengdu Motor Show 2023 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 25, 2023. The Chengdu Motor Show 2023 kicked off here on Friday. Some 1,600 cars of more than 120 brands from home and abroad are exhibited at the show. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Visitors look at a vehicle displayed during Chengdu Motor Show 2023 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 25, 2023. The Chengdu Motor Show 2023 kicked off here on Friday. Some 1,600 cars of more than 120 brands from home and abroad are exhibited at the show. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Visitors conduct online live-streaming during Chengdu Motor Show 2023 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 25, 2023. The Chengdu Motor Show 2023 kicked off here on Friday. Some 1,600 cars of more than 120 brands from home and abroad are exhibited at the show. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) People visit the Chengdu Motor Show 2023 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 25, 2023. The Chengdu Motor Show 2023 kicked off here on Friday. Some 1,600 cars of more than 120 brands from home and abroad are exhibited at the show. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Visitors try VR driving simulation devices during Chengdu Motor Show 2023 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 25, 2023. The Chengdu Motor Show 2023 kicked off here on Friday. Some 1,600 cars of more than 120 brands from home and abroad are exhibited at the show. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Cum se poate preveni cancerul de colon Cum se poate preveni cancerul de colonMedicul Vlad Rosca dezvaluie care sunt cele cateva reguli esentiale pentru a evita cancerul de colon. Nutritionistul spune ca daca se tine cont de acestea sansele de a se dezvolta boala scad cu peste 70%. Acesta spune ca tot ceea ce este viu trebuie hranit pentru a exista, la fel si in [citeste mai departe] YORK Due to a request from Candy Cronk Otte for a Quilt of Valor for employee Danielle Londene, family, friends and coworkers gathered at Kopsa-Otte to present a quilt. Georgia Schropfer a member of Piecemakers Quilt of Valor group gave a brief talk about the organization accompanied by a slide show. Danielles service synopsis was read by friend Elllyn Hansen. The quilt was wrapped around Danielle by her husband Ryan, son Zayden and daughter Carzyn. Piecemakers Quilt of Valor is a gathering of quilters that meet each month alternating in Bruning and Ohiowa to work on quilts. Danielles quilt was pieced by Betty Edzards and quilted by Cindy Bartels. Danielle Londene joined the U.S. Army National Guard, in the York, NE Unit in October 2003, the same year she graduated from high school. She remembers being in High School when the airplane attacks took place on September 11th. She joined the Military in October of 2003 with the thought in mind of wanting to serve, and thinking that if enough people voluntarily served, we could avoid draft and we would be able to stop the fighting from taking place on our own turf. After basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO, she was transferred to Nevada where she was deployed to Iraq from there in 2006 2007. Danielles job was that of a truck driver. She started out driving semis and while deployed and drove Heavy Equipment Transport Systems -HETS. In Iraq she would haul tanks and armored vehicles from base to base. Honestly one of my favorite things was jumping out of the truck and watching the shocked looked on peoples faces that it was a female driving the truck. That look never got old! When we were on convoy outside of the wire, it was interesting to experience life and what we are accustomed to here in the United States versus being in Iraq. Her deployment made her appreciate showers (there were many times our troops did not have running water and had to use bottled water to shower) cooked meals, shoes, hygiene products, etc. At various bases she was able to interact with children and adults that were born in Iraq. Veteran Londene says, My deployment dates are very near and dear to my heart. My deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom had very memorable dates. We were deployed to Fort Bliss Texas on July 4th, 2006, to get ready for our deployment and we had boots on ground overseas on September 11, 2006. Because of her deployment, Danielle received the following medals: Army Commendation Medal National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver Wheeled Vehicle Clasp After deployment ended, she returned to the United States, where her duties were split between the Nebraska and Nevada Units. Danielle tells us I met a lot of lifelong friends who have turned into family. It was amazing to meet people from all over the United States and other countries mostly truck drivers, mechanics, and gun truck security due to the base we were located on. It was an honor to serve my country while fighting for our freedom! She was honorably discharged in October 2011 at the rank of Specialist. Thank you for your service to our country Danielle Londene. YORK In a long budget session this week, the York County Commissioners (with a split vote) agreed to cut 10% of the countys funding for outside agencies such as CASA, York Adopt A Pet, Region V, Blue Valley Behavioral Health, Blue Valley Community Action, Yorks Kilgore Library, Hope Crisis Center, the Southeast Nebraska Development District and the York County Development Corporation. In the vote, they denied the requested increases and they made the 10% cuts based on what the countys contributions were in the 2022-23 fiscal year. This comes as they continue to try to cut approximately $900,000 in expenses from the preliminary budget, in order to be under the countys lid requirements. This budget has been the most challenging Ive dealt with in nine years as a commissioner, said Commissioner Randy Obermier, who did vote against the cut for outside agencies. During our last budget workshop, we went through every fund, Obermier said to his fellow commissioners. We came up with a list and we visited with department heads about making further cuts. At that point, they discussed options for different departments and ways to fund operational requests if possible. Then Commissioner Daniel Grotz asked if they would be discussing funding for the outside agencies. Commissioner Stan Boehr, while the board reviewed different requests, said, With Adopt A Pet and the library, I dont want them to get increases, I think we should decrease them. These are things we can live without. We need to pay our employees, we need to take care of our employees. And when it comes to CASA losing a great amount of funding, well, that was their error that they didnt apply for their grant properly so I guess that was some sort of punishment in that they didnt get that money. State law calls for animal control, so we have to fund York Adopt A Pet in some way or hire an animal control officer, Obermier noted. Since we have a tight budget, why dont we cut them all by 10% of what they got last year, CASA, Adopt A Pet, the library, all of them, Boehr said. A list of agencies was read aloud, which would pertain to his suggested 10% cuts, to include CASA, York Adopt A Pet, Region V, Blue Valley Behavioral Health, Blue Valley Community Action, Yorks Kilgore Library, Hope Crisis Center, the Southeast Nebraska Development District and the York County Development Corporation. Boehr made a motion to cut those entities funding, saying, We gave our employees pay increases, which is important, and this will help off-set that. Commissioner Jack Sikes seconded that motion. All the commissioners, with the exception of Obermier, voted in favor. Obermier voted no. Because the majority was reached, the 10% cuts will be built into the budget. Following that vote, they addressed an issue earlier brought up by Commissioner Woody Ziegler. Ziegler asked for an additional $4,000 to be placed in the election fund, for next year, to pay for strictly hand-counting of ballots during next years election cycle. Id like to see $4,000 added to the election budget so we can hand-count all the ballots instead of by using the counting machine, Ziegler said. This would increase trust in our elections. We will put more work into the process but I think we will see it provides more trust in the results. AIso it will take two to three hours more to do it. But there wont be any questions about the integrity of the machines. It will create long days for workers and there will be challenges. We will have to recruit more election workers. It wont come without its challenges but the benefits to York County will have merit. This has nothing to do with the people who are running our elections here, its not about the people here. Its about the credibility issue regarding the electronic machines. I just want to say that the board of commissioners has no say in how the election is run, said Obermier. That is up to the election commissioner, who is the county clerk. We can increase the budget but that doesnt mean she will do that. Typically, the York County Clerks office starts counting primary and general election ballots (with the machine) at 8 p.m. and they typically finish up about 2-3 a.m. Hand-counting could push the process well into the next day. Obermier said he wanted to hear a vote on this matter, as this decision would be made by someone else and we have already built plenty of funds into the election for next year. Ziegler made a motion to put an extra $4,000 into the election fund, which was seconded by Commissioner Jack Sikes. Ziegler, Sikes and Boehr voted for the increase in funds for the election. Obermier and Grotz voted no. With majority rule, the extra funding will be budgeted for the election, although again the commissioners have no say in how the election is run or how the ballots are counted. Following that vote, Obermier turned to Boehr and said, Now we arent cutting the budget? Im getting mixed signals here. In other budget work: The county board will be using inheritance fund money to pad the cash reserves, purchase a cruiser for the sheriffs department and a pickup for the roads department rather than use taxpayer dollars. They will continue to mull over the idea of creating an adult diversion program. Proponents say the creation of this program will help cut costs associated with court-appointed attorneys, jail stays and probation. The commissioners said they wanted to go over the latest information on this theory before making a decision. The costs of hiring an outside human resources firm will be paid with ARPA funds. The budget work will continue into September. The changes in figures will be put into the ongoing, working preliminary budget then the commissioners will see where they are, in staying under the law-mandated lid. Malayalam film star Fahadh Faasil is known for his intricate acting and roles in various movies. Recently, the movie star expanded his horizons and worked in Tamil movies earning him even more fame. The actor made headlines for his roles in movies like Pushpa, Vikram, and others. However, this time the actor is in discussion for his brand new luxury car. Fahadh Fasil and his wife, Nazriya Narin recently celebrated their wedding anniversary while also adding a brand new Land Rover Defender SUV to their garage worth over Rs 2.11 crore (ex-showroom). With this purchase of the Land Rover Rover, the Malayalam star has joined the likes of Arjun Kapoor, Prakashraj, Ayush Sharma, Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and Sanjay Dutt as the owner of the off-road-oriented SUV. Also read: Bhojpuri Actor Khesari Lal Yadav Buys Land Rover Defender SUV Worth Over Rs 1.19 Crore Based on the pictures, available on the internet, Fahadh Faasil seems to have bought the Gondwana Stone Metallic colour of the SUV. Besides, the Gondwana Stone paint scheme, the luxury lifestyle SUV is available in multiple other colours including Tasman Blue Metallic, Pangea Green Metallic, Santorini Black Metallic, Eiger Grey Metallic, Fuji White, Yulong White, Carpathian Grey, Silicon Silver, Hakuba Silver, and Lantau Bronze. The Land Rover Defender is sold in three different forms in India, including Defender 130, Defender 110, and Defender 90. As evident from the pictures Fahadh Faasil and his wife Nazriya Narin have bought the Defender 90. It is to be noted that Defender 110 is the 5-door variant whereas the Defender 90 is the 3-door variant of the car. The prices of the Defender 90 in India start from Rs 94 lakh (ex-showroom) in India and go up to Rs 2.19 crore (ex-showroom). Based on the information available, Fahadh Fassil has chosen the Defender 90 powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine. The V8 engine produces 296 Bhp and 650 Nm of peak torque and gets a 4WD setup. Besides, Land Rover Defender, Fahadh Faasil owns multiple other luxury cars including, Lamborghini Urus, Mini Countryman, and Porsche 911 Carrera S sports, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said he will unveil a 100 per cent ethanol-fueled variant of Toyota's Innova car on August 29. The Union minister, who has been exhorting automakers to come out with alternative fuel-powered and green vehicles, had last year launched a hydrogen-powered car, Toyota Mirai EV. "On August 29, I am going to launch the popular (Toyota) Innova car on 100 per cent ethanol," Gadkari said while addressing the Mint Sustainability Summit here. This car will be World's first BS-VI (Stage-II), electrified flex-fuel vehicle. Watch Maruti Suzuki Invicto Review: Gadkari said that he started taking interest in biofuels in 2004 after the petrol price hike in the country and visited Brazil for this purpose. He opined that biofuels can do wonders and save a lot of forex which is being spent on the import of petroleum. "If we want to become Atamnirbhar (self-reliant) we have to bring this oil import to zero. At present it is Rs 16 lakh crore. This is a big loss to the economy," Gadkari said. He stressed that India needs to take more sustainable measures as pollution is a big problem in the country. "We have taken a lot of (sustainability) initiatives but we need to take more because pollution is a problem. Ecology and the environment are very important. We need to reduce air and water pollution. We have to improve the quality of water in our rivers. This is a big challenge. We need to protect our ecology and environment," he said. Also Read - Tata Motors To Launch 3 New Electric SUVs In India Soon: Nexon EV Facelift To Curvv EV He also said that various road projects worth Rs 65,000 crore are expected to be completed by the year end which includes the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. He also pointed toward the harmful impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides saying this causes cancer-like diseases. He opined that organic farming can create a lot of wealth and move us towards sustainability. "We need to educate people to change waste into wealth," he said. He also hoped that the logistic cost would come down to nine per cent from 14 to 16 per cent at present with the construction of more highways. Athens: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that India and Greece agreed to double the bilateral trade by 2030 and upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic level, adding their commitment to the ongoing India-EU trade and investment negotiations as well as for the early implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership. PM Modi, during his daylong visit to Greece, the first by an Indian premier in 40 years, held bilateral talks with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis to strengthen bilateral ties with the European country. Both leaders reiterated the need for further broadening and deepening bilateral engagements, in the field of defence, shipping, science and technology, cyber space, education, culture, tourism and agriculture. PM Modi announced the signing of an agreement for cooperation in the Agriculture Sector today. An MOU was signed on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture, including the establishment of a Hellenic-Indian Joint Sub-committee on Agriculture for facilitating sectoral cooperation for mutual benefit. "PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and I agreed that our trade ties need to become even stronger. We have also decided to work on a migration and mobility partnership agreement in the coming times. We will also work towards deepening ties between our educational institutions," PM Modi said. Both leaders directed their senior officials to ensure regular dialogue in the areas including political, economic, defence, security and public diplomacy. They also agreed to encourage direct flights between Greece and India. "The two Prime Ministers expressed their strong support for the ongoing India-EU trade and investment negotiations and the early implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership. Building on the foundation of the long-standing warm and close relationship between their countries and peoples, the two leaders decided to upgrade Greek-Indian bilateral ties to the level of a "Strategic Partnership and agreed to work to further expand bilateral cooperation in political, security and economic spheres. The two Prime Ministers also decided to take steps to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries. "Building on the foundation of the long-standing warm and close relationship between their countries and peoples, the two leaders decided to upgrade Greek-Indian bilateral ties to the level of a "Strategic Partnership and agreed to work to further expand bilateral cooperation in political, security and economic spheres." The two Prime Ministers also decided to take steps to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries. Favouring Diplomacy and Dialogue to resolve the Ukraine issue, PM Modi said, Greece expressed its support for the India-EU Trade and Investment Agreement. Over the Ukraine issue, both countries support diplomacy and dialogue. For Greece's cooperation at the UN and other international platforms, I thanked him (Greek PM). Both the leaders endorsed that the India-EU relations would mutually benefit and will have regional and global impact and also expressed their strong support for the ongoing India-EU trade and investment negotiations. PM Modi informed that an agreement in the agriculture sector has been signed between the two countries and a decision on the migration of skilled workers is also being made. The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whenever, wherever, and by whom-so-ever committed and the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism. PM added, An agreement has been signed for cooperation in the Agriculture Sector today. To make skilled migration between the two countries easier, we have decided to strike a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement soon." The EU as a bloc of 28 countries is Indias largest trading partner. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. In 1950, India and Greece established diplomatic ties, and the current meetings between the leaders of India and Greece have demonstrated a desire to diversify the existing ties. Taking into account the long-standing cultural exchanges between India and Greece, both PM Modi and his Greek counterpart Mitsotakis welcomed efforts to promote exchanges in all forms of art. "They also agreed to encourage joint efforts in preserving and protecting ancient sites, and strengthen cooperation within UNESCO," the joint statement read. Moreover, Greece was welcomed into the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by Prime Minister Modi. He also looked forward to Greeces membership of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Whereas, on the other hand, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed confidence that under Indias leadership, the G20 will successfully advance its goals., as he welcomed Indias Presidency of the G20 Forum. PM Modi arrived in Athens for a day visit, after attending the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg. At the Athens International Airport, PM Modi was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. He received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the hotel in Athens with members of the diaspora who had gathered outside the hotel chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' and 'Modi, Modi.' PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983 by Indira Gandhi. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. With Terminal A set to open to the public from November 1, and Etihads ceremonial flight due to take place on October 31, Abu Dhabi Airports has said that arrangements were all in place for the launch and it was ready to receive the first passengers. SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's foreign currency deposit rose for the third successive month due to solid demand for the U.S. and Japanese currencies, central bank data showed Friday. The deposit, denominated in foreign currencies, came in at 105 billion U.S. dollars at the end of July, up 5.17 billion dollars from a month earlier, according to the Bank of Korea. The continued growth came as some companies deposited the U.S. and Japanese funds raised from abroad. The deposit, denominated in the U.S. dollar, gained 4.42 billion dollars from a month earlier to 87.86 billion dollars at the end of July, while the Japanese yen deposit added 0.83 billion dollars to 8.31 billion dollars. The euro deposit shed 0.07 billion dollars to 6.02 billion dollars, and the Chinese yuan deposit declined 0.22 billion dollars to 1.38 billion dollars. Foreign currency deposit, owned by companies, climbed 4.5 billion dollars to 89.68 billion dollars in the cited month. AIMIM chief and Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi today tore into the Narendra Modi government over border row with China. Taking to Twitter after China released a statement post the meeting of President Xi Jinping and PM Modi, Owaisi accused the Modi government of keeping the country in the dark. He also alleged that the Prime Minister's Office is going around asking for meetings with the Chinese President and asking what PM Modi is trying to hide. "Our PM is going around asking for meetings with the Chinese President while keeping his own country in the dark about the real situation on the Ladakh border. What is Modi trying to hide? Why is the Modi government putting pressure on the army to accept anything as a solution to the border crisis? Why is it not insisting on a return to status quo ante of May 2020? Why is Modi rewarding Chinas illegal military move?" said Owaisi. The Lok Sabha MP further asked why can't PM Modi stand up to Xi. "Our brave soldiers have stayed on the border for 40 months and are not cowed down by the Chinese. Why cant Modi stand up to Xi, and trust our soldiers? Is this loss of territory acceptable to Modi? The capitulation by the Modi government before China on the border issue is shameful and dangerous. This is not Modis private property, it is a matter of national security and needs to be debated in a special session of parliament," Owaisi said. Our PM @PMOIndia is going around asking for meetings with the Chinese President while keeping his own country in the dark about the real situation on the Ladakh border. What is Modi trying to hide? https://t.co/edAC7bbUhe Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 25, 2023 Owaisi's remarks came after China in a statement said that the meeting between Xi Jinping and Modi was held on the Indian side's request. "President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region," said China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. NEW DELHI: After concluding his two-nation visit today, from Greece Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head straight to Bengaluru, Karnataka on a pre-scheduled visit. He will meet scientists of the ISRO team involved in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. After a 40-day journey into space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, 'Vikram', touched down on the uncharted lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening, making India the first country to do so. Moreover, the Prime Minister joined the live telecast of Chandrayaan-3 landing online from South Africa. PM Modi hailed the Chandrayaan-3 mission creating history by achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface and said India is now on the moon. "When we see such historic moments it makes us very proud. This is the dawn of new India, he said. Humne dharti par sankalp kiya aur chand pe usse sakaar kiya...India is now on the moon," he added. India also became only the fourth nation after the US, Russia and China to successfully conduct a lunar landing mission. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft put down the Vikram lander on the lunar surface, tilting to a horizontal position ahead of landing. The spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota on July 14. A GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle was used for the launch of the spacecraft that was placed in the lunar orbit on August 5 and since then, it went through a series of orbital manoeuvres before zeroing in on the moons surface. In the ever-competitive world of social media, building a strong presence on platforms like Instagram is crucial. Many businesses and individuals turn to services like UseViral to bolster their accounts with increased followers, likes and engagement. But is UseViral truly effective, or does it fall short of the promises it makes? In this review, we'll dive deep into UseViral's services, exploring user reviews, comparing it with alternatives, and giving an in-depth analysis of its features. We'll focus on the essential keywords: UseViral Review, alternatives, Instagram, and buying Instagram followers. Understanding UseViral's Offerings UseViral is a company that specializes in providing social media growth solutions, especially for Instagram. By leveraging its vast network, UseViral helps its users buy Instagram followers, likes, and views. This aids in creating a more substantial and influential social media presence. The services are tailored to look organic, thus ensuring that Instagram's algorithms don't flag the account. UseViral is not just about numbers; it's about quality. Their services include: Buying Followers: For platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Purchasing Likes and Views: Increasing engagement on YouTube, Facebook, and more. Tailored Packages: Customized growth plans to suit different needs and budgets. 24/7 Customer Support: Assistance and support round the clock. Buying Instagram Followers Through UseViral Purchasing Instagram followers is one of the primary services offered by UseViral. They offer various packages that cater to different needs and budgets. Their process involves a thorough understanding of your target audience and niche, enabling a more precise and natural growth pattern. The followers are real accounts, thus reducing the risks of having fake or bot followers that could damage your account's reputation. Buying Instagram followers through UseViral is a strategic move rather than a mere vanity metric. Here's what sets them apart: Real Followers: No bots, only genuine and active users. Targeted Growth: Follower demographics can be targeted as per requirements. Safe Practices: Compliance with Instagram's rules and policies. Gradual Growth: A natural and organic growth pattern, avoiding red flags. Quality of Engagement & Community Building with UseViral UseViral's emphasis on quality over quantity sets them apart from many other services in the market. The followers provided by UseViral are not just numbers; they are meant to engage with your content, thereby improving your overall engagement rate. Community building is also a priority. By targeting the right followers who align with your content, UseViral fosters a sense of community around your brand or personal account. UseViral emphasizes building a community rather than just inflating numbers: Enhanced Engagement: More likes, comments, and shares on posts. Community Building: Connecting with followers who resonate with your brand. Reputation Management: Enhancing online reputation through positive engagement. Sustainable Growth: Fostering a community that grows with you. Alternative Websites The social media growth market is crowded, with several alternatives to UseViral. Here, we'll compare UseViral with some of the other popular services: Likes.io: A user-friendly platform that focuses on organic growth. While similar to UseViral, it might not offer the same level of targeting options. Stormlikes.net: Known for its quick delivery and affordable packages, Stormlikes.net may lack some of the more refined engagement strategies of UseViral. Stormviews.net: This platform offers views and likes but may not have the comprehensive growth strategies that UseViral provides. Instafollowers.io: Specializing in fast delivery of followers, Instafollowers.io's services may not be as organic or engaging as UseViral. Social-viral.com: With a strong focus on affordability, social-viral.com might not match UseViral's quality of followers or engagement levels. Comparing UseViral to Alternatives In the realm of social media growth, there are numerous platforms offering similar services. UseViral stands out as one of the prominent names, but how does it compare to its competitors? Here's an in-depth analysis: 1. UseViral vs Likes.io Quality of Followers: Both platforms focus on real followers, but UseViral emphasizes more on community building. Pricing: Likes.io might offer slightly cheaper packages, but UseViral ensures quality with competitive pricing. Customer Support: UseViral provides 24/7 support, while Likes.io's support timings may vary. 2. UseViral vs. Stormlikes.net Services Offered: UseViral offers a broader array of services, including YouTube and TikTok, while Stormlikes.net is mainly focused on Instagram. Targeting Options: UseViral provides more nuanced targeting options to reach specific demographics. Growth Speed: Stormlikes.net may offer quicker growth, but UseViral ensures more organic and gradual growth to maintain authenticity. 3. UseViral vs. Stormviews.net Platform Support: Stormviews.net specializes in YouTube views, while UseViral's services extend across various social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter. Quality Assurance: UseVirals commitment to real engagement can provide more lasting growth compared to mere view counts. Pricing: While Stormviews.net may have budget-friendly packages for YouTube, UseViral offers comprehensive social media growth packages. 4. UseViral vs Instafollowers.io Transparency: UseViral emphasizes transparency in pricing and practices, while Instafollowers.io might have some hidden charges. Service Quality: UseVirals focus on real followers and engagement may offer better long-term value. Customer Experience: UseViral's 24/7 customer support gives it an edge in ensuring customer satisfaction. 5. UseViral vs Social-viral.com Service Range: Social-viral.com offers similar services but may lack the cross-platform support that UseViral provides. Community Building: UseVirals approach to community building distinguishes it from Social-viral.com's more number-focused strategy. User Reviews: Both have favourable reviews, but UseViral's reputation for quality and support often places it ahead. While UseViral competes with several other platforms in the market, its commitment to quality, real engagement, transparency, and comprehensive customer support sets it apart. By offering genuine growth rather than merely inflating numbers, and by considering the unique needs and goals of its users, UseViral emerges as a reliable option for individuals and businesses looking to expand their social media reach in 2023. Its approach to community building and emphasis on authentic engagement aligns with the current trends and demands of the ever-evolving social media landscape. User Reviews and Complaints Understanding what real users have to say about a service can provide the most honest insight into its quality, reliability, and effectiveness. Here's an analysis of the user reviews and complaints concerning UseViral: Positive Reviews Quality of Service: Many users praise UseViral for its focus on delivering genuine followers and engagements. The organic growth has helped them boost their online presence significantly. Customer Support: The 24/7 customer support provided by UseViral has received accolades for being responsive and helpful, addressing issues promptly and providing effective solutions. Ease of Use: The platform's user-friendly interface is another point of praise, allowing even those who are new to social media marketing to navigate the services with ease. Targeted Growth: Users have appreciated the ability to target specific demographics or regions, allowing them to reach their desired audience effectively. Transparency: Transparency in pricing, with no hidden fees, has been commended by users, who appreciate knowing exactly what they are paying for. Negative Reviews and Complaints Growth Speed: Some users have expressed concerns about the gradual growth pattern, expecting quicker results. However, this approach by UseViral is intended to maintain authenticity. Price Point: A few users have found the pricing slightly higher compared to some alternatives. But most of these users also acknowledge the quality they receive for the price. Platform Limitations: While UseViral offers services across multiple social media platforms, some users wish for a broader selection or more specialized services for specific platforms. Technical Glitches: There have been isolated reports of minor technical glitches or delays, but these seem to be promptly addressed by the customer support team. Neutral Reviews Balancing Quality and Speed: Some users have a mixed opinion, appreciating the quality but wishing for a faster growth rate. This reflects a balance that UseViral tries to maintain between natural growth and rapid expansion. Comparison with Alternatives: A few users have found success with UseViral but also point out that other platforms may offer comparable services, sometimes at different price points. The majority of user reviews for UseViral in 2023 reflect a positive experience with the service. While there are some complaints, they often revolve around misunderstandings of the platform's philosophy of prioritizing quality and authenticity over rapid but potentially unsustainable growth. The responsiveness of customer support and the overall transparency and integrity of the platform have garnered appreciation from a diverse range of users, contributing to its reputation as a reliable tool for social media expansion. UseViral's Performance Across Different Social Platforms While UseViral is often associated with Instagram, it's essential to recognize that their services extend to other social platforms as well. Here's how UseViral performs across different social media: Twitter: UseViral provides Twitter followers, retweets, and likes. Their strategy focuses on building a credible Twitter profile that mirrors organic growth. YouTube: From subscribers to views and likes, UseViral has tailored packages to enhance YouTube channel visibility. TikTok: In the ever-growing TikTok market, UseViral aids in boosting followers and engagement, appealing to the platform's young and dynamic audience. Facebook: UseViral's services on Facebook focus on enhancing page likes, post reactions, and overall engagement. Misconceptions About Buying Followers There's often a stigma attached to buying followers, mainly because of some services that provide fake or bot followers. However, UseViral's approach is different: Real Followers: Unlike some services that offer bots, UseViral ensures that the followers are real, active users. Compliance with Platform Guidelines: UseVirals methodology complies with Instagrams and other platforms guidelines, minimizing risks. Customized Growth Strategies: They provide customized growth strategies that align with the brand's voice and target audience, making the growth seem more organic. How to Make the Most of UseViral's Services Maximizing the benefits of UseViral requires more than just purchasing a package. Here are some strategies to complement their services: Content Quality: Continuously producing high-quality content that resonates with your audience. Engagement: Engaging with your followers by responding to comments and messages to foster community. Consistent Branding: Maintaining a consistent brand voice and aesthetics across all posts. Summary of UseViral's Pros and Cons To provide a more balanced view, heres a summary of UseViral's main pros and cons: Pros: Offers real, engaging followers. Provides services across multiple social platforms. Emphasizes natural growth patterns. Transparent pricing with no hidden charges. Cons: Delivery speed may be slower compared to some alternatives. Pricing may be on the higher side for premium packages. Conclusion: Is UseViral Worth It? UseViral's services stand out in a market filled with dubious offerings. Their commitment to organic growth, real engagement, and cross-platform support makes them a worthy consideration for anyone looking to boost their social media presence. While they may not be the cheapest option, the value they provide in terms of genuine growth makes them a solid choice. However, like any service, it's crucial to align expectations and understand that UseViral is a tool to supplement, not replace, robust social media strategies. As always, quality content and genuine engagement with your audience remain the cornerstones of success on social media. Combining UseViral's services with a coherent social media strategy can lead to meaningful growth, building a community that resonates with your brand. In the landscape of 2023, where authenticity and connection are more critical than ever, UseViral may be the catalyst you need to achieve your social media goals. (This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.) NEW DELHI: Indian sources have dismissed the recent claim made by China saying the China-India talks on the margins of the 15th BRICS Summit happened at the latters request. A statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry stated, President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at the latters request on August 23, 2023. Meanwhile, Indian sources have said that there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting. The sources also confirmed that the two leaders, however, had an informal conversation in the Leaders Lounge during the BRICS Summit. The Chinese Foreign Ministry statement also added that the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest and President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. At the 15th BRICS Summit that concluded in Johannesburg on Thursday, sharing details of a conversation between India-China meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that in a conversation with President Xi, PM Modi highlighted Indias border concern. "On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, the Prime Minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas," said Kwatra. "The Prime Minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship. In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," Kwatra added. On Thursday, both leaders (PM Modi and Xi) greeted each other ahead of the BRICS leaders' briefing where they were seen interacting briefly on the stage. The relations between New Delhi and Beijing have been strained since the border standoff for which talks have been going on. India and China held the 19th round of Corps commander-level talks earlier this month at Chushul-Moldo on the Indian side. According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, They agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through military and diplomatic channels. In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas. As the global pandemic has wreaked havoc in the hospitality industry, defying predictions and surpassing expectations, Cyberweb Hotel has emerged as a beacon of innovation and prosperity. This Hotel Technology leader has served over 1200 establishments worldwide. Their suite of services encompasses digital marketing, reputation management, revenue optimization, hotel transactions, and financing solutions, serving hoteliers across all 50 states. At the helm of this trailblazing venture is visionary CEO Mr. Hiten Bhuta, a driving force behind the revolution in hotelier operations. Armed with cutting-edge technology, Cyberweb Hotel's offerings include premier Hotel Review Management and Digital Marketing Services, empowering hoteliers across the globe to elevate their service standards. The heart of Cyberweb's success lies in their team of over 100 experts who bring to the table a proprietary arsenal of tools, strategies, and operational insights. This assembly of expertise propels hoteliers to curate guest experiences and revenue streams with utmost precision. The result: heightened guest satisfaction and an unburdened focus on exceptional service. Their esteemed clientele encompasses both independent and franchised establishments, spanning renowned brands like Hilton, Marriott, Choice, Wyndham, Best Western, and Accor. A cornerstone of Cyberweb's unparalleled success is their unique approach to customer satisfaction. Their annual digital marketing prowess generates a staggering $100 million USD in revenue for their clients, managing and responding to a million revenue transactions. Through their Management services, they guarantee a minimum annual revenue enhancement of $100,000 USD. Moreover, their Hotel Loans and Financing solutions, coupled with a private lender network, have been instrumental in securing millions of dollars for their clients. Their Hotel Buying-Selling solutions provide a seamless, commission-free platform, making property transactions effortless. Beyond profit margins and market strategies, Cyberweb Hotel is the catalyst for meaningful connections that span diverse backgrounds. Satisfied guests, inspired by their experiences, embark on journeys that stimulate economic growth and foster community development. Cyberweb's role in bridging gaps between nations fosters a globally interconnected world, where experiences transcend borders. Evident in their illustrious track record of over 500 five-star reviews, Cyberweb's commitment to excellence stands as a beacon. Their distinctive internal work processes guarantee an exceptional client satisfaction rate of 100%, setting a gold standard for the industry. Through an unwavering dedication to customer-centric approaches, Cyberweb emerges as an industry leader, synonymous with exceptional experiences, and a resounding choice for discerning hoteliers. Mr. Hiten Bhuta's visionary leadership and Cyberweb's contributions extend beyond accolades, gaining recognition from esteemed world leaders. A prestigious Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Commerce on September 3, 2014, underscored his remarkable achievements. Noteworthy meetings with influential figures like U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Governors Gary Hart and Matt Bavin were lauded in an official tweet on June 22, 2018. Further commendation came from Missouri Governor Mike Parson, acknowledging Mr. Bhuta's leadership in Tourism Innovation on September 13, 2018. Cyberweb's contributions have rippled through the U.S. hospitality landscape, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Their engagement spans numerous national-level tourism boards and 14 state-level tourism associations across America, including Massachusetts, Kentucky, Ohio, and more. Their enduring commitment to empowerment and industry growth continues unabated. In the initial months of 2023, Cyberweb Hotel has fortified its position as a frontrunner. Their leadership role is exemplified by impactful presentations at multiple hotel conferences, where valuable insights and training empower thousands of hoteliers to chart their success. Mr. Hiten Bhuta's journey epitomizes success that transcends national borders. His trajectory, from a start-up technocrat to an inspirational figure for entrepreneurs in both India and the United States, underscores the power of determination and innovation. In sum, Cyberweb Hotel's exceptional contributions to the hospitality sector garner resounding recognition and appreciation. Their collaborative efforts have birthed innovations that empower hoteliers and enrich communities, establishing a new benchmark for excellence. (This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability, claims or any errors or omissions in the content of the article.) New Delhi: Vijay Deverakonda's portrayal of the strong character of Arjun Reddy truly transformed the actor's status. Moreover, it also left an indelible mark on the annals of Indian cinema. The character shaped the trajectory of the actor's career and propelled him into the stratosphere of fame. When 'Arjun Reddy' first hit the screens, it was more than just a movie; it was a phenomenon. The titular character, as portrayed by Vijay Deverakonda, managed to captivate hearts, evoke conversations, and ignite debates. Arjun Reddy was no ordinary character; he was a turbulent of emotions, vulnerabilities, and flaws that some liked and some frowned upon.It wasn't just his exceptional acting skills that stood out; it was the sheer rawness and authenticity he brought to the role. Arjun Reddy was more than a mere character; he was a mirror reflecting the complexities of love, heartbreak, and the human condition itself. In no time, 'Arjun Reddy' became an internet sensation, with social media platforms abuzz with discussions, debates, and memes about the character. Vijay Deverakonda's mesmerizing performance gave birth to a cultural phenomenon, inspiring fan art, merchandise, and fervent admiration from across the globe. The true testament to the triumph of Arjun Reddy and Vijay's portrayal was the subsequent Bollywood remake, Kabir Singh. The fact that Bollywood, known for its discerning tastes, decided to recreate the magic of Arjun Reddy spoke volumes about the brilliance of Vijay's performance. It was a recognition that transcended language barriers and underscored the universality of the character's impact. Vistara, Indias full-service air carrier and a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, today announced the addition of a new route to its growing international network. The airline will be flying direct daily flights to Male from Delhi starting October 1, 2023. Vistara will operate its A320neo aircraft featuring a three-class configuration on the route as it enhances connectivity between India and the island nation of Maldives. Vistara will accept all eligible customers meeting visa/entry requirements in both countries, as specified by the respective government bodies. Delhi-Maldives-Delhi: Return Airfare Economy Class: Rs 26,999 Premium Economy: Rs 34,999 Business Class: Rs 82,999 Maldives-Delhi-Maldives: Return Airfare Economy Class: MVR 5,099 Premium Economy: MVR 6,599 Business Class: MVR 14,799 Delhi-Maldives: Flight Timing Delhi - Maldives: Flight No. UK 0273 will fly daily from Delhi International Airport at 1045 hrs and reach Maldives at 1420 hrs. Maldives - Delhi: Flight No. UK 0274 will fly daily from Maldives at 1520 hrs and reach Delhi International Airport at 1955 hrs. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, "We are thrilled to introduce direct connectivity between Delhi and Male our second route to the exquisite beach destination, in addition to Mumbai-Male. This new route will enable us to provide our customers with enhanced access to one of the worlds most popular holiday destinations while also imparting further momentum to the existing bilateral cooperation between India and the Republic of Maldives. With our state-of-the-art product and intuitively thoughtful services, we are certain that our customers will appreciate the choice of flying Indias best airline on this new route. Vistara is Indias highest-rated airline on Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and it has been the winner of several Best Airline awards, besides being lauded for world-class cabin cleanliness and upholding high safety standards. The only Indian carrier to feature amongst Worlds Top 20 Airlines, Vistara has been named 16th Best Airline globally while also being recognised as the Best Airline in India and South Asia for the third time in a row. Vistara commenced its commercial operations on January 9, 2015 and the airline currently has a fleet of 61 aircraft, including 46 Airbus A320neo, 10 Airbus A321, 1 Boeing 737-800NG and 4 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and has flown more than 45 million customers since starting operations. New Delhi: The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) on Friday told the Supreme Court that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was playing badminton after being given bail in a fodder scam case on medical grounds, as it sought cancellation of the relief granted to the former Bihar chief minister. Lalu Prasad Yadav's counsel opposed any move to cancel the leader's bail, saying he has undergone a kidney transplant recently. The CBI has approached the top court seeking cancellation of Prasad's bail in the Doranda treasury case in which he has been sentenced to five years in prison. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the CBI, submitted that the Jharkhand High Court order granting bail to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader was "bad in law" and "erroneous". Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Prasad, opposed the CBI's application on account of the former union minister having undergone a kidney transplant surgery. Sibal told the bench that Mr Prasad has served 42 months behind bars in the case. "He is playing badminton. He has been granted bail after conviction in the case. I will demonstrate that the high court order is bad in toto. There's a short question of law. The bail has been granted on the erroneous assumption that he has spent more than 3.5 years considering that sentences are concurrent and not consecutive," S V Raju told the court. Lalu Prasad Yadav has so far been sentenced in five cases of the Rs 950 crore fodder scam, which took place between 1992 and 1995 when he was the Bihar chief minister and held the finance and animal husbandry portfolios. Huge money was withdrawn from different treasuries in Bihar and present-day Jharkhand on the basis of fake and forged bills and vouchers related to fodder, medicines and artificial insemination. A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and M M Sundresh adjourned the matter to October 17. In his reply to the CBI's appeal seeking cancellation of his bail, Lalu Yadav has cited poor health and said no purpose would be served by keeping him in custody. The Jharkhand High Court granted bail to Prasad, 75, on April 22, 2022, in the Doranda treasury embezzlement case. The former Bihar chief minister was sentenced to five years in prison and slapped with a fine of Rs 60 lakh by a special CBI court in Ranchi in February 2022 in connection with the fifth fodder scam case involving embezzlement of more than Rs 139 crore from the Doranda treasury. Shravana Putrada Ekadashi August 2023: The Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Shravan month is called Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. According to Hindu religious beliefs, it is said that a person who observes the fast of Shravan Putrada Ekadashi gets the same virtuous fruit as the Vajpayee Yagya. Apart from this, due to the virtuous effect of this fast, the devotees get the boon of having a child. August 2023 Ekadashi: Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Date ( ) Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is going to take place on August 27, 2023, as per Drik Panchang. Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2023: Vrat Timings & Shubh Muhurat Shravan Putrada Ekadashi Sunday, 27 August 2023 Ekadashi Start Date: 27 August 2023 at 12:01 AM Ekadashi End Date: 27 Aug 2023 at 09:32 PM Shravana Putrada Ekadashi: Significance The Pausha Putrada Ekadashi and the Shravan Putrada Ekadashi are two of the 24 Ekadashis that are very important to devotees who are married and eager to start a family. The sacred month of Shravan, which is devoted to Lord Shiva, contains Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. Because Lord Shiva holds Lord Vishnu in such high regard, the Shravan Putrada Ekadashi has even more significance because the devotee receives Lord Shiva's immediate blessings for honouring it. Shravan Putrada Ekadashi Vrat (Fast) Ritual - Get up before sunrise take a bath and wear clean clothes. - Light a ghee lamp in front of the idol of Lord Vishnu. - Use Tulsi, seasonal fruit and sesame in worship. - Stay fast on the day of fasting and after worship in the evening, if you want, you can take the fruit. - By reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, special blessings of Lord Vishnu are received. - There is great importance in the night vigil on Ekadashi. Do bhajan kirtan in Jagran. - After providing food to Brahmins on Dwadashi Tithi, donate them. - In the end, break your fast after reciting the vrat katha Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha As per the Bhavishya Purana, Lord Krishna told a story to Yudhishthira about King Mahijit of Mahishmati. King Mahijit had everything that one could think of- a loving wife, a wealthy kingdom and loyal subjects. However, the king did not have a son whom he could name his successor to the throne. The king performed many rituals to seek divine blessings to have a son but didnt get any help and as a result, he became very sad. One day in the court, the king expressed his sorrow in front of his subjects. The subjects driven by their loyalty towards the king vowed to find a solution to his problem. The subjects started wandering in the forests discussing the kings problem with many sages. Then, the subjects met with Sage Lomesh who listened to the problem and by his divine meditative powers saw that the reason why King Mahijit is unable to have a son of his own in this life is a very serious sin that he committed in his previous life. Sage Lomesh told the kings subjects that in his previous life, the king was a merchant and while passing through a forest, he came across a pond. Being very thirsty he rushed to drink some water. However, there was also a cow with her calf who came to drink water from that pond. But he looked down in arrogance upon the cow & her calf and chased them away. While he drank water from the pond and quenched his thirst, the cow and her calf were left thirsty. Due to this sin that he committed he was cursed with not having a son of his own. Sage Lomesh told the subjects that the king along with his queen should observe the Shravan Shukla Paksha Ekadashi Vrat which is also known as Shravan Putrada Ekadashi Vrat and also told the subjects to do the same themselves and offer their Punya (good deed effects) that they would accumulate by observing the Vrat. The subjects went back and gave Sage Lomeshs message or instructions to the king. Everybody including the king, queen and all the subjects observed the Shravan Putrada Ekadashi Vrat with the subjects eventually offering their Punya to the king. Just as the holy sage Lomesh said, the king and queen were soon blessed by a baby boy who became a worthy successor later on. Such is the significance of the Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) New Delhi: The BJP on Friday rejected Rahul Gandhi's charge that China has encroached on Indian territory as baseless and absurd, as it asserted that it is the opposition party that has committed a "historic, unpardonable crime" in dealings with Beijing. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi quoted from selected works of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to say that his government had sent over 3,500 tonnes of rice in 1952 for the consumption of the Chinese Army which was "starving". He also asked Congress to release its reported agreement with the Chinese Communist Party when the UPA was in power. Addressing a press conference, he alleged that the decision to send rice for the Chinese Army when India's relations with China had started getting strained was not a mistake but a "historic and unpardonable" crime. Gandhi has a habit of making baseless and absurd comments about China, he said, adding that the former Congress president makes remarks on India, its people and the RSS in a similar vein. During the Doklam crisis, he had met the Chinese ambassador, Trivedi said. The BJP leader asserted the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has notched up unprecedented success in its handling of India's military, diplomatic and economic affairs. The Congress has always tried to weaken the country when in the opposition, he said and asked the party to learn from the BJP which supported the then governments during crises involving neighbours be it Pakistan or China. While the Congress government refused to punish Pakistan for its support to terrorism as it thought that this would harm peace talks, Modi's policy is that terror and talks cannot go together. There is an atmosphere of peace and security while terror blasts routinely happened under the UPA, he said. Raking up the border issue, Gandhi on Friday said at a public meeting in Kargil that every individual in Ladakh knows that China has "taken away our land" and claimed that Prime Minister Modi's assertion that not an inch of land was taken away was absolutely false. Trivedi also mocked the opposition's criticism of a national award for 'The Kashmir Files', a commercial blockbuster that depicted the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits but came under criticism for its depiction of Muslims. A jury has selected it and those standing for the freedom of expression should respect the choice, he said. He alleged that the opposition links the Muslim community with crimes and terrorism and does not like a "good and truthful Muslim". Such a stand harms India and Muslims, he said. On Gandhi's criticism of the RSS, the BJP spokesperson said Nehru had praised the Hindutva organisation's support to the government during the war with China in 1962 and had invited it to attend the Republic Day parade in 1963. Rahul Gandhi should decide if he is right or Nehru was, Trivedi said. SUVA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Fijian people marched on the streets of Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean on Friday. The protesters, led by the Fiji Non-government organization Coalition on Human Rights, called for international actions to halt Tokyo's move to protect the ocean and the future generations. Despite widespread denunciation at home and abroad, Japan on Thursday started discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Produced by Xinhua Global Service New Delhi: Around 70 students were rushed to the hospital on Friday after experiencing stomach aches and vomiting subsequent to consuming the midday meal at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya School in Delhi, said a police official. Providing more information, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C stated that a call was received by the Sagarpur police station around 6 p.m., reporting that approximately 70 male students from classes 6th to 8th had vomited after consuming the midday meal at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya School in Durgapark, Sagarpur. A police team promptly arrived at the scene and discovered that the students had been transferred to DDU Hospital and Dada Dev Hospital in Dabri, said the DCP. According to the school authorities on-site, the students were given Soya Juice after the midday meal, which resulted in stomach pain and vomiting. The Crime team was summoned to the location, and remnants of the food and juice were collected as evidence. After serving Puri Subji in the midday meal, Soya juice was distributed to the students in classes 6th to 8th. Upon receiving complaints of pain, the further distribution of food and juice was halted, said the DCP. All students are presently in stable condition. An FIR will be filed under the appropriate section, and an investigation will be conducted, the DCP added. NEW DELHI: In his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests and is conducive to peace and stability of the region and the world. This was said in a Chinese readout on Friday on the exchanges between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit in Johannesburg. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Xi India's concerns on the "unresolved" issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties. The Chinese readout described the conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday as "candid and in-depth". "On August 23, President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit," it said. "President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region," it said. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace & tranquility in the border region," the statement released by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said. At a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at "expeditious disengagement and de-escalation". On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the prime minister had interactions with other BRICS leaders. In a conversation with President Xi Jinping of China, the prime minister highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas," Kwatra said. "The prime minister underlined that maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship," the foreign secretary said. "In this regard, two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and deescalation," Kwatra added. The government refers to the eastern Ladakh region as Western Sector. Kargil: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who was in Kargil for the last part of his Ladakh tour, slammed the BJP for trying to snatch the land of the people of Ladakh and hand it over to the Adani Group. He also claimed that the BJP does not give proper representation to the people of Ladakh because they want to take their land and use it for their own benefit. "BJP knows that if you get representation, they will not be able to take your land. This is all about land. They (BJP) want to give your land to Adani so that he can build his plant here, but not share anything with you. We will never let this happen," he said. The ex-Congress chief also alleged that China was occupying Indian territory in Ladakh and that the PM lied about it. "Ladakh is a strategic place and it is clear that China has taken India's land. It is sad that the PM said in the opposition meeting that China has not taken even an inch of Ladakh. But this is a lie." He also talked about his Bharat Jodo Yatra, which he started from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and how he could not visit Ladakh due to bad weather and administrative reasons. He said he fulfilled his wish this time by riding a motorbike. "The purpose of the Yatra was to stand against the hate and violence spread by BJP-RSS in the country...The message of the Yatra was-'we have come to open a shop of love in the market of hate'. I saw this myself in the last few days. I could not come to Ladakh during the Yatra because of snow in winter. It was in my heart to do the Yatra in Ladakh and I did it this time on a motorbike." He also shared his experience of meeting locals and migrant workers from Bihar and UP and said they told him that they get full support and cooperation from Ladakhi people. He said this is in their DNA and they have the same ideology as Congress. Earlier, Gandhi interacted with some people on his way from Padum to Kargil on Thursday evening on the last day of his week-long visit to Ladakh. He also posted pictures of his interaction with people on his Facebook page. "I got a chance to interact with many lovely people of Ladakh, on my way from Padum to Kargil shared love with them, and received a lot of it in return. Also, met the youth of Kargil and had a conversation with them." "The stories of bravery and martyrdom from the Kargil war fill us with pride and inspire us to make sacrifices for the country," Rahul Gandhi said in a social media post. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Leh on August 17 for a two-day visit to the Union Territory and later decided to extend his tour till August 25. He also interacted with Army veterans in the main market here on Monday. 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The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Gorakhpur: Former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, serving life sentences in the poet Madhumita Shukla murder case, were released on Friday evening, ahead of the completion of their terms. The Uttar Pradesh prisons department on Thursday issued an order for their premature release, citing the state's 2018 policy on remission, since they have completed 16 years of their sentences. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the couple's release. The couple is currently admitted to the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur. The prison department had also cited the couple's old age and good behaviour. Amarmani is 66 and Madhumani 61, Gorakhpur district jailor A K Kushwaha said, adding that though the duo has been released, they will continue to remain at the BRD Medical College. Tripathi's son Amanmani Tripathi told reporters here that his parents were under doctors' supervision and based on their advice, further steps will be taken. Amarmani Tripathi, who was elected from the Nautanva constituency, was a minister in the state's BJP government in 2001 and also in the BSP government formed in 2002. He has also been with the Samajwadi Party. During the day, the Supreme Court also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government, Tripathi and his wife, seeking their replies within eight weeks on a plea filed by the poet's sister Nidhi Shukla. Nidhi Shukla, who had been at the forefront of this legal fight, earlier said she feared for her life and that of her family members in case the two are released. Poet Madhumita, who was pregnant, was shot dead on May 9, 2003, in the Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. Amarmani Tripathi was arrested in September 2003 in connection with the murder of the poet with whom he was allegedly in a relationship. A Dehradun court had sentenced Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi to life imprisonment for Madhumita's murder in October 2007. Later, the High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital and the Supreme Court upheld the sentences. The case was probed by the CBI. "I have been telling everyone that this is going to happen. I have procured the documents through an RTI which clearly states that 62 per cent of the jail term that the two are said to have served had been spent out of jail. "I submitted documents to all responsible persons telling them that between 2012 and 2023 he was not in jail. The government documents, which I have got through the state information commission, after a long fight, bear this out," Nidhi Shukla said earlier in the day. She alleged that the Tripathis misled authorities to get a premature release. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the release of former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, who are serving life term in poet Madhumita Shukla murder case. The Uttar Pradesh prisons department had on Thursday issued an order for the premature release of Amarmani Tripathi, citing the state's 2018 policy on remission, since they have completed 16 years of imprisonment. A bench of Justices Aniuddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi issued notices to the state government, Tripathi and his wife while seeking their replies within eight weeks on a plea filed by the poet's sister Nidhi Shukla. The prisons department also cited their age and good behaviour as Amarmani is 66 and Madhumani is 61, the official said citing the order. Amarmani Tripathi and his wife are currently admitted to the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. Poet Madhumita, who was pregnant, was shot dead on May 9, 2003, in Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. Amarmani Tripathi was arrested in September 2003 in connection with the murder of the poet with whom he was allegedly in a relationship. A Dehradun court had sentenced Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi to life imprisonment for the murder in October 2007. Later the Nainital High Court and the Supreme Court upheld the sentence of the couple. The case was probed by the CBI. Months ahead of the crucial assembly elections, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh is likely to go for a cabinet expansion to keep in mind the under-represented constituency or woo the voters of key electoral seats. According to reports, the cabinet expansion is likely to take place around 7 p.m. today. As per reports, Rajendra Shukla, Gaurishankar Bisen and Rahul Lodhi can be inducted into the Chouhan cabinet. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Governor Mangubhai Patel on Tuesday and since then, there has been discussion about long-awaited cabinet expansion. Three ministerial posts are still vacant in the Shivraj cabinet. While a cabinet expansion is likely today, no formal announcement has been made in this regard so far, reported ABP News. The names of Gauri Shankar Bisen, Rajendra Shukla and Rahul Lodhi are doing the rounds as future ministers of the Shivraj cabinet. Rahul Lodhi is the nephew of former Chief Minister Uma Bharti. He has been elected as MLA for the first time from the Kharagpur assembly seat of Tikamgarh. Gaurishankar Bisen has been elected as an MLA for the 7th time from Balaghat. He was elected MLA in 1985, 1990, 1993 and 2003. He has been a member and chairman of several committees of the Vidhansabha. He has held the post of Director of District Cooperative Bank and Bhumi Vikas Bank Balaghat and Vice President of Balaghat District BJP. Bisen also won the Lok Sabha elections in 1998 and 2004. He was made the Vice President of Madhya Pradesh BJP thrice. Rajendra Shukla has been elected as an MLA four times from the Rewa seat. He is considered a big face of the BJP in the Vindhya region. Shukla was first elected as an MLA in 2003. Since then he has been winning elections continuously. In 2018, the BJP had captured all eight seats in the Rewa district of Vindhya. Rajendra Shukla has been a minister in the MP government before. Madhya Pradesh will go to the polls around November this year with Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking another term as the Chief Minister. MP Assembly has 230 seats. In the 2018 polls, the Congress had restricted the BJP to less than majority mark forming government in the state. However, a rebellion led by Jyotiraditya Scindia led to the collapse of the Congress government, reinstating Shivranj Singh Chouhan at the helm once again. Nagapattinam (TN): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin launched here on Friday the expansion of the state government's breakfast scheme for primary school children across the State. Without naming the BJP-led union government, he slammed it for 'betrayal' over the National Education Policy and NEET. With the expansion, about 17 lakh students in all the 31,008 state-run primary schools would be benefited. When Stalin inaugurated the initiative last year, 1.14 lakh students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in 1,545 government primary schools were covered under the scheme. After serving food to children at the Panchayat Union Middle School in Tirukkuvalai, marking the inauguration of the expansion of the scheme, Stalin said the plan is launched in the primary school where former chief minister, the late M Karunanidhi studied and the day is a golden day. "Though several welfare schemes have been implemented after I took over as chief minister, this breakfast scheme gives me a satisfaction," he said and quoted a verse from Tamil epic Manimekalai which meant giving food is equivalent to giving life. . "The Dravidian model regime is working as a life-giving government.". Reformist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy, Dravidian icons C N Annadurai and Karunanidhi had said nothing -be it poverty or caste- should be an obstacle to access education. "I am following their footsteps and fulfilling their dreams." Stalin said the DMK regime is guided by the ideal of social justice taking all kinds of knowledge to all communities unlike the Guru Dronacharya--Ekalavya episode of Mahabaratha. "Still there are some betrayal gurus who are placing barrier walls in the name of National Education Policy and NEET," Stalin said.. The Chief Minister asserted that "this is the time of Ekalavya and not Dronacharya, everyone will get everything, this is the time of Dravidian ideology reigning supreme." . In Chennai, his son and cabinet minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched the scheme's expansion. Elected representatives belonging to the ruling DMK, allies including Congress inaugurated the scheme in their constituencies.. Tracing the origin and upgradation of the free meal scheme in schools in Tamil Nadu, the CM said Thiagarayar, chief of Justice Party, the parent outfit of the Dravidian movement launched the mid-day meal plan in 1922 in one school, the Chennai's Thousand Lights Corporation School. In 1955, former chief minister K Kamaraj launched the full-fledged scheme and the DMK regime came up with additional nutrition plan --by providing "baby bread"-- and upgraded it in 1971 during Karunanidhi's tenure as CM. In 1975, Karunanidhi implemented the Integrated Nutrition Scheme and it was further expanded by late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran during his tenure (1977-87). In 1989, Karunanidhi provided egg to children and later banana, boiled pulseslentilspotatoes were served to students who did not prefer egg. Sweet pongal was also provided on the birth anniversaries of leaders. During late J Jayallithaa's regime further 'variety rice' was added. "All these schemes were mid-day meal schemes, right from the Justice Party's regime that began in 1921 and till 2021 (AIADMK government till April that year).". Stalin said the breakfast scheme was implemented by him after his interaction with students of a government girls school in Chennai, where many had not taken food before attending classes. "Though officials cited financial burden, I told them that there cannot be a more important thing than this and directed them to implement the breakfast scheme." . Also, a study was conducted which revealed anemia among many students and hence the breakfast scheme was implemented with care. "I would like to mention the fund allocation for the breakfast scheme as investment, which will be profitable to the country in the form of talent, skill and ability.". Five objectives of the scheme are to ensure children attend school without hunger, see that there is no nutrition deficiency, no anemia, increased attendance and reducing the burden of working women.. "Our goal is to see that all the five objectives are fulfilled. We will achieve our goal. There is no doubt. The future Tamil society is set to be benefited." He also referred to a state initiative to address nutrition deficiency among children below six years of age and underscored that about 62,000 children out of 92,000 witnessed significant improvement following provision of nutritious food items. The government is for all those people who are helpless. The CM requested officials and staff involved in food preparation and serving it to children to implement the scheme with care and affection. He urged students to concentrate on studies. The Chief Minister joined the children for breakfast and interacted with them. In his address, Stalin listed welfare schemes like fare-free travel for women in government town buses, Rs 1,000 assistance to girl students and the Rs 1,000 basic income scheme for women, set to be launched on September 15. Stalin had earlier said order had been issued on June 7, 2023 to extend the breakfast scheme to all the 31,008 government primary schools, across urban and rural Tamil Nadu, aimed at benefiting 15.75 lakh primary students. The government has embarked on expansion considering the excellent outcome witnessed in the preliminary phase. Stalin had days ago invited elected representatives to launch the plan's extension in a government primary school in their respective constituencies. The DMK has all along been opposing NEET and NEP maintaining that it is against social justice, state autonomy and poor and rural students. The test and policy went against the interests of those belonging to the oppressed and backward sections as well. In his Independence Day address, the CM had announced the free breakfast scheme's expansion. On September 15, 2022, Stalin launched the breakfast scheme's initial phase in Madurai. Tirukkuvalai in Nagappatinam district, about 23 km from Tiruvarur, is the native place of Karunanidhi. Athens: Adding another feather to his cap, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour in Athens, Greece on Friday. President of Greece Katerina N Sakellaropoulou felicitated PM Modi with the Grand Cross after the latter called on the former during his day-long official visit to Greece. Reacting to it, PM Modi thanked the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government there and the people of Greece. "This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India," the PM tweeted. I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people of Greece for conferring upon me The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India. @PresidencyGR pic.twitter.com/UWBua3qbPf Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held delegation-level talks with his Greek counterpart Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. What's The Order Of Honour Award? The Order of Honour was established in 1975. The head of the goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the Star with the inscription ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONOURED. The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour is conferred by the President of Greece to Prime Ministers and eminent personalities who by reason of their distinguished position, have contributed to enhancing the stature of Greece. The citation says- In the person of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an honour is bestowed upon the friendly people of India. It also says, On the occasion of this visit, the Greek State Honours the Prime Minister of India, a statesman who has tirelessly promoted the global reach of his country and who works systematically for Indias economic progress and prosperity, bringing about bold reforms. A statesman who has brought environmental protection and climate change among the top priorities of international activity. PM Modis decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest has also been recognised. MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also tweeted, ''A special honour reflecting the strength of the India-Greece partnership. PM @narendramodi conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by @PresidencyGR Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou. A special honour reflecting the strength of partnership. PM @narendramodi conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by @PresidencyGR Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou. pic.twitter.com/6qlMXiO7a6 August 25, 2023 PM Modis decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest has also been recognised. "Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3," posted PM Modi on X. PM Modi commenced his visit to Greece by paying tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens earlier today. Later on, he received a ceremonial guard of honour. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. During their meeting, the Greek president congratulated PM Modi on the success of Indias moon mission Chandrayaan-3. "The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind... The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind," PM Modi said. "Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3," posted PM Modi on X. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties. BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has seen substantial progress in advancing a five-year national action plan on disability prevention, said the National Health Commission (NHC) at a press conference ahead of the seventh National Disability Prevention Day that falls on Friday. The action plan, designed for the period from 2021 to 2025, laid out specific measures for controlling the occurrence of birth defects and disabilities caused by development disorders, according to a document released by the NHC. Policy-making in this regard has been stepped up and comprehensive prevention and treatment measures have been effectively expanded to cover the pre-marital, pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and neonatal stages. Data from the NHC shows that the coverage of pre-marital health check-ups and pre-natal health screenings increased by 6.3 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively, in 2022, compared to 2020. Meanwhile, more than 90 percent of the country's newborns received health screenings for inherited metabolic disorders and hearing impairment last year. The rates of mortality attributable to birth defects among infants and children under the age of five both dropped more than 20 percent from 2018 to 2021, according to the data. The action plan places equal emphasis on improving medical diagnosis and treatment to prevent and reduce disabilities caused by illnesses and injuries, as well as enhancing rehabilitation services. Work on controlling the occurrence and development of visual and hearing impairments has been progressing continuously, with nationwide promotion of public awareness of the importance of eye and ear health, said the document. It said that efforts have been made to strengthen medical treatment for diseases and disaster-related injuries that might cause disabilities and promote the concept of early rehabilitation. Services rendered for people with disabilities, such as contracted family doctors and rehabilitation treatment, have been improved to raise their quality of life, the document noted. By the end of 2022, contracted family doctor services had covered more than 20 million people with disabilities. Primary-level medical institutions have been encouraged to provide diverse and innovative rehabilitation service models. The document said continuous efforts will be made to implement the action plan. Further initiatives by the NHC include issuing a plan on enhancing the capacity for birth defects prevention and treatment, and prioritizing measures targeting major diseases such as congenital heart disease. Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin is not planning to attend the G20 Summit in India next month, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian media on Thursday. The main emphasis now is a special military operation, the Kremlin spokesperson said. Putin had also skipped the recent summit of BRICS countries in South Africa and addressed the gathering via video link. India holds the G20 Presidency this year and the G-20 Summit will be held from September 8-10 in New Delhi. The summit will have distinguished guests from all over the world. The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world's 20 major developed and developing economies, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation. The International Criminal Court (ICC) had earlier in March issued an arrest warrant for Putin and another Russian official. The warrant is believed to be one of the first charges against Putin for war crimes in Ukraine, part of a global effort to hold the Russian president and the Russian Federation accountable for atrocities beginning with the full-scale February 2022 invasion. Putin has been accused of alleged war crimes. The warrant cites him and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, commissioner for children's rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territory to Russia. The Kremlin has however refuted the allegations, noting it does not cooperate with the ICC. On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. The invasion has killed tens of thousands on both sides. Russian forces have been accused of mass civilian casualties and of torturing captured Ukrainian soldiers. Earlier in July, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain initiative, an agreement that had permitted Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports a year ago, despite the war, to help alleviate a global food crisis. Athens: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the Indian diaspora members at the community event organised at the Athens Conservatoire on Friday and said that the country has made the world aware of its capabilities by hoisting Tiranga on the Moon. He said, "This is the month of Sawan, of Lord Shiva. In this holy month, the country has made a new achievement. India has become the first country to land in the dark zone, at the south pole (of the Moon). By hosting its flag on the moon, India has introduced its " PM Modi while addressing the event said that India has achieved a new milestone and became the first country to land at the Moon's south pole. He added, "By hoisting the Tiranga (on the moon), we have made the world aware of India's capabilities. Congratulatory messages are pouring in from across the world. The social media is full of congratulatory messages. When the achievement is this big, its celebration also continues. Your faces say that wherever you might be in the world, India beats in your heart. I congratulate you once again on the grand success of Chandrayaan-3." #WATCH | Athens, Greece | PM Modi says, "By hoisting the Tiranga (on the moon), we have made the world aware of India's capabilities. Congratulatory messages are pouring in from across the world...The social media is full of congratulatory messages. When the achievement is this pic.twitter.com/RG9smEyPMB ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 The event was embarked with the Punjabi folk dance, Bhangra, which was performed by the young Indian community members and was attended by hundreds of Indian diaspora members. Later on, PM Modi along with the Indian community members sang the Indian National Anthem and the diaspora chanted slogans of "Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai". PM Modi arrived in Athens for a day visit, after attending the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg. At the Athens International Airport, PM Modi was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. He received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the hotel in Athens with members of the diaspora who had gathered outside the hotel chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' and 'Modi, Modi.' PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983 by Indira Gandhi. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited New Delhi in 2019. On the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019, Prime Minister Modi met with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in New York. India and Greece have civilizational links that have become stronger in recent years as a result of collaboration in sectors such as marine transport, defence, commerce and investment, and people-to-people ties. New Delhi: Rakhi Sawant and her estranged husband Adil Khan Durrani have been hitting headlines for their recent allegations against one another. Adil Khan, a Mysuru-based businessman was arrested by the police earlier this year after his wife and actress Rakhi Sawant registered an FIR against him and accused him of cheating, fraud and assault. Following his reelase from the prison, Adil held a conference where he came out with several shocking allegations against the actress. To counter this, Rakhi also held a press conference to set the record straight. In the meantime, Rakhi's best friend Rajshree and her frenemy Sherlyn Chopra also sided with Adil and they both filed separate FIRs against the actress. Amidst the fiasco, Rakhi jetted off to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to perform Umrah. She said, "I feel very fortunate that today I am going to Umrah for the first time. Please pray for me and I will also pray for everyone there." However, before taking off for her spiritual journey, Rakhi lodged a complaint at Oshiwara Police Station against Sherlyn Chopra, Rajshree, and Adil Khan Durrani. The former Bigg Boss contestant also accused them of hacking her Instagram account. While speaking to the mediapersons, Rakhi shared, "I don't have access, Adil and Rajshree have hacked my 10 million followers Instagram account, they don't let me eat or sleep. I go home and they just continue to torture me." Upon visiting Rakhi's Instagram account, it was found unavailable at the moment. On Thursday evening, Last evening, the Bigg Boss contestant was spotted paying a visit at the Mahim Dargah. Talking to the media, she shared, "I have come here to pray that these evil people who are troubling me stay away from me. They have lied and put false allegations on me. I have come here for peace." New Delhi: Former US president Donald Trump returned to X formerly known as Twitter posting his mugshot which was released by the Fulton County jail. Trump shared the edited version of the mugshot on 'X' on which was written "Election Interference. Never Surrender!" Within an hour of him posting his mugshot, the post on the X garnered over 420k likes and was already reposted by over 127k X users. The Historic mugshot was released by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office, CNN reported. Jail records show Trump was placed under arrest and booked as inmate No. P01135809. Meanwhile, the former US President has been released on bond after completing the booking process at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, according to jail records, CNN reported. Jail records show that the former US President was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday (US local time) night in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. He was at the jail for about 20 minutes. Trump on addressing reporters after being arrested and released from jail, said: I did nothing wrong, CNN reported. Trump described the criminal case against him as a travesty of justice. We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest, he said. Trump also addressed the other criminal cases pending against him, saying, This is one instance but you have three other instances. This is election interference. Trump was released after he agreed to a USD 200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys. The former president covered the cost of the bond by putting 10 per cent toward it and he worked with a local Atlanta bonding company Foster Bail Bonds LLC, sources told CNN. Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. His odds of being released without a cash bail were slim in Georgia. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here. Earlier on Thursday, Trump surrendered at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta to be booked on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgias 2020 election results, CNN reported. Protestors gathered outside the jail could be heard yelling against District Attorney Fani Willis, who charged Trump and 18 others in the election subversion case. Lock Fani up! the former president's supporters chanted, as per CNN. Trump landed at Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Thursday. Prior to Trumps arrival, law enforcement amped up security outside of the Fulton County jail. More than ten agencies from the Metro Atlanta area were at the scene. Canine units were deployed to make sure there were no explosives and drones could be seen flying in the air. Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis (D) gave Trump, his 18 co-defendants a deadline of Friday at noon to voluntarily surrender after indicting them last week. According to The Hill, the jail has gained a reputation for its poor conditions. An investigation into the facility was opened by the Justice Department last month over concerns that an individual died there covered in insects and filth. The sheriffs office has since announced that another inmate who was being held on a shoplifting charge, died in the jail Thursday. The state judge overseeing the case has approved two defendants bond agreements. John Eastman, an attorney involved in strategizing a scheme to submit false slates of pro-Trump electors, agreed to a USD 100,000 bond, and Scott Hall, who is charged in connection with an elections office breach, agreed to a USD 10,000 bond, court filings show. Willis charged the 19 co-defendants in a 41-count indictment last week focused on racketeering charges. It is the fourth set of criminal charges Trump faces, according to The Hill. Former US President Donald Trump has been released on bond after completing the booking process at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, according to jail records, CNN reported. Jail records show that the former US President was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday (US local time) night in connection with the Georgia election subversion case. He was at the jail for about 20 minutes. Trump on addressing reporters after being arrested and released from jail, said: I did nothing wrong, CNN reported. Trump described the criminal case against him as a travesty of justice. We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest, he said. Trump was released after he agreed to a USD 200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys. The former president covered the cost of the bond by putting 10 per cent toward it and he worked with a local Atlanta bonding company Foster Bail Bonds LLC, sources told CNN. Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. His odds of being released without a cash bail were slim in Georgia. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here. Earlier on Thursday, Trump surrendered at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta to be booked on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgias 2020 election results, CNN reported. Protestors gathered outside the jail could be heard yelling against District Attorney Fani Willis, who charged Trump and 18 others in the election subversion case. Lock Fani up! the former president's supporters chanted, as per CNN. Trump landed at Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Thursday. Prior to Trumps arrival, law enforcement amped up security outside of the Fulton County jail. More than ten agencies from the Metro Atlanta area were at the scene. Canine units were deployed to make sure there were no explosives and drones could be seen flying in the air. Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis (D) gave Trump, his 18 co-defendants a deadline of Friday at noon to voluntarily surrender after indicting them last week. According to The Hill, the jail has gained a reputation for its poor conditions. An investigation into the facility was opened by the Justice Department last month over concerns that an individual died there covered in insects and filth. The sheriffs office has since announced that another inmate who was being held on a shoplifting charge, died in the jail Thursday. The state judge overseeing the case has approved two defendants bond agreements. John Eastman, an attorney involved in strategizing a scheme to submit false slates of pro-Trump electors, agreed to a USD 100,000 bond, and Scott Hall, who is charged in connection with an elections office breach, agreed to a USD 10,000 bond, court filings show. Willis charged the 19 co-defendants in a 41-count indictment last week focused on racketeering charges. It is the fourth set of criminal charges Trump faces, according to The Hill. FUZHOU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- "We are looking forward to cooperating with China." Eleven envoys from eight countries are given a closer look at China's fishery industry at a five-day tour starting from Tuesday in east China's Fujian Province. Produced by Xinhua Global Service ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia's quarantine agency has tightened quality control on seafood imported from Japan after the start of discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. In a news release issued on Thursday, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision said that Russia shares the concerns of many countries regarding the impact of nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge on food safety, thus the agency introduces a regime of enhanced control on radiological parameters of fish and seafood imported from Japan. "If an excess of radioactive material is detected, restrictive measures will be taken in relation to the supply of such goods from Japan," the agency said. Despite widespread denunciation at home and abroad, Japan on Thursday started discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's National Meteorological Center on Friday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms as heavy downpours are expected to lash multiple regions of the country. From 2 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Saturday, heavy downpours and rainstorms are forecast to hit regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, Henan, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Gansu, Qinghai and Tibet, according to the center. Some parts of these regions are forecast to experience heavy rainfall, with maximum hourly precipitation surpassing 60 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales, the center said. It has advised local governments and residents to take appropriate precautions. Schools and kindergartens have been asked to ensure the safety of children, while drivers have been advised to remain alert and cautious due to potential road waterlogging and traffic jams. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. People gather to protest the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) decision on releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of the TEPCO in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. Despite public concerns and raging opposition from both home and abroad, Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) TOKYO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. The Japanese government and certain organizations claim that the released water is safe, but environmental activists argue that all the possible impacts have not been studied and the wastewater disposal will take decades to complete. FLIP-FLOPPING During a meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan's National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations (JF Zengyoren) on Monday lodged a serious protest to the government's decision and action to release Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean. Masanobu Sakamoto, head of JF Zengyoren, said the group strongly opposes the ocean release project, which would ruin the reputation of seafood from Fukushima and nearby areas. The Fukushima Daiichi plant was destroyed in March 2011 after a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake generated powerful tsunami waves that caused the meltdowns of three of its nuclear reactors -- one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. Japan's fisheries industry, hit with years of reputational damage from radiation fears, has long opposed the plan. People fear it would lead to a sharp drop in sales, including export restrictions to major markets. In 2015, the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and the Japanese government swore in writing to organizations such as JF Zengyoren that they would not discharge the nuclear effluent into the ocean until they had the understanding of local fishermen and other stake-holders. However, six years later, the Japanese government unilaterally decided to discharge millions of tons of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in 2023 after "treatment and dilution," and the discharge process may last 30 to 40 years. In the absence of sufficient scientific evidence, and transparency of related information, the irresponsible discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater will inevitably lead to serious consequences, said experts. BROAD CONDEMNATION "China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We have made serious demarches to Japan and asked it to stop this wrongdoing," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday. Noting that the disposal of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water is a major issue about nuclear safety, the spokesperson said its impact goes beyond Japan's borders, and the issue is by no means a private matter for Japan. China also suspended imports of all seafood products from Japan on Thursday due to concerns over the risk of radiation contamination. Shortly after TEPCO began discharging the contaminated water into the sea, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a nationally televised address that the South Korean government will strictly maintain import restrictions on Japan's fishery products. Protesters broke into the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Thursday, after unfurling banners to protest Tokyo's release of wastewater. "The sea is not Japan's trash bin," read one of the banners. "Stop releasing contaminated water at once." The Japanese government's reckless move to release the radioactive wastewater also sparked waves of anger among local people, especially Japanese fishermen and business owners. Despite the scorching heat, hundreds of Japanese from across the country gathered in front of the TEPCO headquarters in central Tokyo on Thursday morning, demanding the Japanese government and TEPCO stop the release. Haruo Ono, a 71-year-old fisherman in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, told Xinhua on Tuesday that "for us, the ocean discharge is a matter of survival." "Does Fumio Kishida, as the prime minister of Japan, have the right to pollute our workplaces?" the man asked. LONG-LASTING HARM Critics say a lack of long-term data means that it is impossible to justify the tritium left in the contaminated water after processing poses no threat to human health or the marine environment. Although about 200 tonnes of treated wastewater were released on the first day, noted experts Thursday, however starting Friday, the pour volume will increase to 7,800 tonnes over 17 days. More than 1.3 million tonnes of wastewater -- enough to fill more than 500 Olympic-size swimming pools -- currently contained in numerous water storage tanks at the TEPCO facility, are set to be poured into the ocean, which could take up to 40 years to complete. By dumping the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, Japan is spreading huge risks to the rest of the world, and openly passing long-term harm onto future generations of humanity. A recent public opinion poll showed that the disapproval rate of the Japanese government headed by Kishida has reached 50 percent for the first time since last December, with 88.1 percent of surveyed expressing concerns and objection over dumping radioactive wastewater into the sea. Xia Lidong (3rd R), a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), explains for scholars during their visit in Shanshan County of Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong) URUMQI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A conference on the inheritance and development of Turfan studies has attracted over 100 domestic and foreign scholars to the city of Turpan in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The sixth International Conference on Turfan Studies was held from Monday to Wednesday, during which experts shared their latest findings and visited archaeological sites. Among the relics they visited was the Xipang Jingjiao monastery relics site in Turpan, also known as Turfan. Texts including Buddhist and Taoist manuscripts in Chinese and Nestorian manuscripts in Syriac had been unearthed there. Liu Wensuo, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University, said the site is a rare early Nestorian site in China, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Liu's team cooperated with cultural relics institutions in Xinjiang to excavate the site in 2021 and 2023. He said the site is of high academic value, as it reflects cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road. "When you walk into the site, history comes to life to you," said Erica Hunter, a University of Cambridge scholar. She shared her research on the Syriac manuscripts discovered at the site, and explained the site's religious and economic functions. "I learned so much from the Chinese scholars. The richness of cultures in Turpan means a lot to China and the world." Turfan studies are interdisciplinary studies of Turpan's cultural heritage, and have attracted significant attention in the international academic community. Over the past century, experts and scholars of classic philology, archaeology, history, linguistics, paleontology and other fields from around the world have contributed to Turfan studies. Scholars attending the conference also visited the Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes in Turpan's Shanshan County, which can be traced back to the fifth century. The Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Academia Turfanica conducted new excavations earlier this year. Xia Lidong, a researcher at CASS who was involved in the excavations, said that artifacts such as Buddha statues, Buddhist scriptures, Chinese ink brushes, inkstones and textiles were unearthed from the site. He said the murals in the grottoes had many features seen in grottoes found in Gansu Province and other parts of Xinjiang. "The interactions, exchanges and integration of multiple cultures are reflected in the Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes," Xia said. Zhang Liangren, a professor at Nanjing University's School of History, said that thanks to Turpan's dry natural conditions, ancient clothing, food, utensils and other artifacts have been well preserved, offering clues for studies of the ancient Silk Road. This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows the Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes in Shanshan County of Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhao Chenjie) This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows the Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes in Shanshan County of Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong) Xia Lidong (3rd L), a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), explains for scholars during their visit in Shanshan County of Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Chenjie) This photo taken on Aug. 21, 2023 shows the opening ceremony of the sixth International Conference on Turfan Studies in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhou Ye) Wassim Mansouri, first vice governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, speaks at a press conference at the Central Bank of Lebanon in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 25, 2023. Wassim Mansouri on Friday warned that a lack of reforms would expose Lebanon to the risk of isolation from the international financial system.(Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The central bank's first vice governor, Wassim Mansouri, on Friday warned that a lack of reforms would expose Lebanon to the risk of isolation from the international financial system. "Every single day of delay in approving reforms increases the chances of the collapse of the state," Mansouri said at a press conference at the Central Bank of Lebanon, adding that "the central bank is ready to cooperate in passing needed reform laws in successive parliamentary sessions if necessary." Mansouri also called for "separating the monetary authority in Lebanon from any political debates," warning that "a state of stagnation and failure to pass laws will lead to the growth of the cash economy." Mansouri also stressed that the central bank will not cover the budget deficit by lending to the government and will not print Lebanese currency to cover the state's expenses. "The state must improve the collection of bills and reduce smuggling to improve revenues," he said. Mansouri has taken the helm of the central bank after Lebanese authorities failed to appoint a successor to former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, whose mandate ended on July 31. With Lebanon having operated without a president for nearly ten months and a still not fully empowered cabinet, progress on critical financial reforms required to alleviate the country's severe and unparalleled economic crisis remains at a standstill. Wassim Mansouri, first vice governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, speaks at a press conference at the Central Bank of Lebanon in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 25, 2023. Wassim Mansouri on Friday warned that a lack of reforms would expose Lebanon to the risk of isolation from the international financial system. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from both home and abroad. "The Japanese government has lied to us," an inn owner from Fukushima told Xinhua. "We want the discharge to stop." Produced by Xinhua Global Service Global water demand is projected to increase by 20 to 25% by 2050, while the number of watersheds facing high year-to-year variability, or less predictable water supplies, is expected to increase by 19%, reported Wam, citing a study published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). New data from World Resources Institute's (WRI) Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas shows that 25 countries are currently exposed to extremely high water stress annually, meaning they use over 80% of their renewable water supply for irrigation, livestock, industry and domestic needs. Water stress is defined as the ratio of water withdrawal to available water resources. Even a short-term drought puts these places in danger of running out of water and sometimes prompts governments to shut off the taps. The most water-stressed regions are the Middle East and North Africa, where 83% of the population is exposed to extremely high water stress, and South Asia, where 74% is exposed. The WEF study says living with this level of water stress jeopardises peoples lives, jobs, food and energy security. Water is central to growing crops and raising livestock, producing electricity, maintaining human health, fostering equitable societies and meeting the worlds climate goals. Without intervention such as investment in water infrastructure and better water governance water stress will continue to get worse, particularly in places with rapidly growing populations and economies. Without better water management, population growth, economic development and climate change are poised to worsen water stress, the study warns. By 2050, an additional 1 billion people are expected to live with extremely high water stress, even if the world limits global temperature rise to 1.3-2.4C (2.3-4.3F) by 2100, an optimistic scenario. For the Mena region, the projections of global water demand increase mean 100% of the population will live with extremely high water stress by 2050. Thats a problem not just for consumers and water-reliant industries, but for political stability. In Iran, for example, decades of poor water management and unsustainable water use for agriculture are already causing protests tensions that will only intensify as water stress worsens. The biggest change in water demand between now and 2050 will occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. While most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are not extremely water-stressed right now, demand is growing faster there than any other region in the world. By 2050, water demand in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to skyrocket by 163% 4 times the rate of change compared to Latin America, the second-highest region, which is expected to see a 43% increase in water demand. This increase in water use, mainly expected for irrigation and domestic water supply, could foster major economic growth in Africa projected to be the fastest-growing economic region in the world. However, inefficient water use and unsustainable water management also threatens to lower the regions GDP by 6%, said the report. Increasing water stress threatens countries economic growth as well as the worlds food security. According to data from Aqueduct, 31% of global GDP a whopping $70 trillion will be exposed to high water stress by 2050, up from $15 trillion (24% of global GDP) in 2010. Just four countries India, Mexico, Egypt and Turkey account for over half of the exposed GDP in 2050. Global food security is also at risk. Already, 60% of the worlds irrigated agriculture faces extremely high water stress particularly sugarcane, wheat, rice and maize. Yet to feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050, the world will need to produce 56% more food calories than it did in 2010 all while dealing with increasing water stress as well as climate-driven disasters like droughts and floods. In fact, WRI research shows that solving global water challenges is cheaper, costing the world about 1% of GDP, or 29 cents per person, per day from 2015 to 2030. Whats missing is the political will and financial backing to make these cost-effective solutions a reality. A few key ways to improve water management and reduce water stress include: *Countries can improve their water governance, incentivise water efficiency in agriculture, adopt integrated water resource management, and enhance water infrastructure through nature-based solutions and green infrastructure. Protecting and restoring wetlands, mangroves and forests can not only improve water quality and build resilience against droughts and floods, but also save money on water treatment costs. *International development banks and other lenders should consider strategic debt relief programs, like debt-for-nature swaps, or debt relief in return for a commitment to invest in biodiversity or resilient infrastructure, such as mangrove restoration or wetland conservation. These nature-based solutions can achieve positive climate and water outcomes in countries unable to afford improved water management on their own. *Policymakers in water-stressed countries should prioritise water-prudent energy sources like solar and wind to avoid power shutdowns caused by water shortages. *Cities should develop urban water resilience action plans, learning from the group of six African cities already piloting such approaches. Treating and reusing wastewater could also create new water sources for cities. *Farmers should use more efficient water measures, such as switching to water-efficient crops or using methods like sprinkler or drip irrigation versus flooding fields. *Companies should set science-based water targets, which are in line with what the science says is enough to stay within Earths limits and meet societys needs, learning from a growing number of businesses that have already set such targets. MANILA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 3.4 million foreign tourists have visited the Philippines this year, equivalent to 71.4 percent of the tourism sector's target, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Friday. Aside from the 4.8 million foreign visitors target, the government also aims to welcome more than 85 million domestic travelers, the PCO said. The Philippines has simplified visa applications for foreign tourists by launching an online e-visa system to lure more tourists to visit the Southeast Asian country famous for its pristine and powdery sand beaches. According to official data, the Philippines received over 2.65 million foreign tourists in 2022, raking in 3.84 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, which was 6.2 percent of the country's GDP. CAIRO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian expert has said initiatives proposed by China have promoted the strength of BRICS and the world economy. He said as an attractive gathering, more and more countries desire to join BRICS, which signals its increasing influence as an economic force. He noted that cooperation among BRICS member states is a model to learn from. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Lawmakers of the South Korean main opposition Democratic Party marched in downtown Seoul on Friday to express their strong opposition to Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean. (recorded) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- BRICS grouping major emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is to more than double its members with the admission of six more countries. This historic expansion, which was announced at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, involves Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and their membership will take effect from Jan. 1, next year. Observers told Xinhua that the expansion bears witness to BRICS' charm and vitality, helps amplify the voices of the Global South, and mirrors the resolve of the group and the wider developing world to safeguard global equity and justice and promote peace and development. INCLUSIVE, WIN-WIN MOVE Seventeen years since its inception, BRICS has witnessed fruitful cooperation results in economic, political and cultural spheres, and continues to prosper in a spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. The BRICS countries have written a wonderful story of the joint development of countries with different systems, cultures and regions, which has become a flagship of South-South cooperation. Experts believe the expansion will represent a historic and new starting point for BRICS cooperation. Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, tweeted his felicitations to Iran's accession to BRICS, calling it a "historic move." BRICS' expansion in a well-studied manner "would increase its strength and effectiveness and enhance its regional and international role, in a way that contributes to achieving greater and faster development rates," said Abdel-Sattar Eshrah, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Egyptian-Chinese Business Council. "It would create many opportunities for joint cooperation among BRICS members in various fields," the Egyptian business leader said, adding that BRICS' expansion is to boost the abilities of its members to address economic, financial and political crises and challenges. Filipe Porto, a researcher at the Federal University of ABC and a member of the Brazilian Foreign Policy Observatory, said although the five founding member states have very different national conditions, the spirit of win-win cooperation has kept the BRICS mechanism dynamic and drawn interest from more countries. FOR A MORE JUST WORLD The rise of emerging economies, represented by BRICS nations, is fundamentally altering the global landscape. With the historic expansion, the BRICS mechanism will have a greater voice in driving global governance reforms toward a more just and equitable direction, infusing the world with greater certainty and stability, said experts. For emerging markets and developing countries, joining BRICS enables them to jointly pursue development while safeguarding national sovereignty and economic independence. This allows them to engage in global development with equality and dignity, said former Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuni. Ahmed Ibrahim, a Saudi political analyst, said the BRICS mechanism has "introduced a new model of global governance," which has generated a strong cohesive force among emerging economies and developing countries. The BRICS cooperation mechanism, which features openness, transparency, inclusiveness and non-discrimination, caters to the needs of developing countries and strengthens their say in global governance, said Bambang Suryono, chairman of the Indonesian think tank Asian Innovation Research Center. FORCE FOR PEACE, DEVELOPMENT BRICS countries practice true multilateralism, insist on maintaining the international system with the United Nations at the core, support and strengthen the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as the core, and oppose "decoupling and supply chains disruption" as well as economic coercion. Experts believe that the BRICS expansion will further strengthen the forces for world peace and development. "A main objective of BRICS is to encourage increased levels of trade and cooperation among member countries, and BRICS has been successful in advancing this objective since its first meeting in 2006," said Kenneth Creamer, a member of South Africa's Presidential Economic Advisory Council. Recalling the history of the Non-Aligned Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, Creamer said that many countries in the Global South have come together then to work towards a more just and inclusive world order, and with BRICS many countries are teaming up to advance this vision again. Andrey Gubin, an associate professor with Russia's Far Eastern Federal University, believes the expansion of BRICS proves that the world is in dire need of a more equitable and fair multilateral cooperation mechanism. In his view, the BRICS cooperation mechanism features an emphasis on social and economic development, improving human capital, technological progress and benefitting all mankind, which is in line with the common pursuit of most countries. At the round table of the BRICS family sit developing countries with different nationalities, languages and civilizations, who work together to build an international order featuring equality, harmony, non-interference in internal affairs and respect for each other's development models, said Sebastian Schulz, a researcher at the National University of La Plata in Argentina. This future-oriented international order will enable countries in the world, especially developing countries, to achieve faster and higher-quality development, said Schulz, who expects that the BRICS expansion will enable more developing countries to become positive builders of the international order rather than merely passive participants. Ahmed Ibrahim, a Saudi political analyst, believes that under the BRICS cooperation mechanism, emerging markets and developing countries will continue to grow in strength, which will inject a strong impetus into the development of a multi-polar world, effectively counteract unilateralism and hegemony, thus contributing to global peace and prosperity. RAMALLAH/GAZA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A 20-year-old Palestinian on Friday succumbed to wounds he sustained during an Israeli military offensive in the northern West Bank city of Jenin in early July, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement. Izz Aldin Kan'aan died in the hospital due to a severe head injury he sustained from Israeli soldiers' gunfire, it read. Also on Friday, dozens of Palestinians were injured during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank and near the border area between Israel and the eastern Gaza Strip during protests, Palestinian sources said. In a statement, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said that at least 25 Palestinians suffered suffocation after inhaling teargas fired by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the village of Kafr Qaddum near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilya. Murad Ishteiwi, coordinator of the popular resistance committee in the village, told Xinhua that Israeli soldiers stormed the village and used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The PRCS statement also said that 13 Palestinians suffered suffocation after inhaling teargas fired by Israeli soldiers during clashes that broke out in the village of Beit Dajan near the northern West Bank city of Nablus. In Gaza, three Palestinians were injured during clashes with Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel. There was no immediate Israeli comment on the clashes. For several years, the Palestinians have been organizing weekly demonstrations in villages and towns in the West Bank to denounce Israeli settlement expansion and land confiscation. Since January, 33 people, most of them Israelis, have been killed in a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians, and more than 200 Palestinians, including children and women, were killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers, according to official figures. Barrels of wine in Urla town, Izmir province, Turkiye, on Aug. 23, 2023. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) by Burak Akinci IZMIR, Turkiye, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Aegean region of Turkiye is a wine lover's paradise. With its idyllic climate and terrain perfectly suited for winemaking, the region is home to more than half of the country's wine production. One of the most popular wine destinations in the Aegean is the town of Urla. Located just a short drive south of Izmir, Urla is home to a thriving wine industry and a vibrant wine tourism scene. The Urla Wine Route is a popular way to experience the region's wine culture. The route winds its way through the vineyards and wineries of Urla, offering visitors the chance to taste some of the region's finest wines. Grapes in Urla town, Izmir Province, Turkiye, on Aug. 23, 2023. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) In addition to tastings, the Urla Wine Route also offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of winemaking in the region, visit the wineries, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. "A wine tourist spends on average over ten times more than an ordinary tourist," said Can Ortabas, owner of a winery in Urla and founder of the wine route, emphasizing the importance of attracting to Turkiye, an international tourism hub, upscale voyagers. He envisions this trail as a strong contender on the global wine map, reminiscent of renowned wine regions like Bordeaux in France and Tuscany in Italy. Turkiye has a long history of winemaking, dating back to 7,000 years ago. Today, Turkish winemakers across the country, especially in the Aegean region, are finding success in the cultivation and production of both local and imported grape varieties, winning awards and making their mark on the international market. Umay Ceviker, a wine enthusiast and boutique producer based in Ankara, speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Ankara, Turkiye, on Aug. 23, 2023. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) "The Aegean climate bestows a veritable cradle for Turkish viticulture, benefiting from its lower latitudinal positioning. This affords us the canvas to curate wines harnessing both international grape varietals and native treasures," said Umay Ceviker, a wine enthusiast and boutique producer based in Ankara, in an interview with Xinhua. However, there are also challenges. Turkiye's wine-making sector has been grappling in the last decade with huge taxes and marketing obstacles due to the ban on promoting all alcoholic drinks. With challenges at home, producers have set their eyes on foreign markets, including China. Ortabas said for the first time, a group of Turkish winemakers will open a stand at the 2023 China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November. "We are very excited, this will be a first for us." Vineyards in Urla town, Izmir province, Turkiye, on Aug. 23, 2023. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Currently ranked 30th in wine production with the fifth-largest wine yard area, Turkiye is making strides towards gaining more international recognition in winemaking, as noted by Ceviker. "With time on our side, Turkiye is asserting its rightful place in the world of wine. Our diverse range of grape varietals and winemaking techniques hold the promise of a brilliant future," he concluded. DAMASCUS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Seven members of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group were killed by the Syrian army in the northern province of Aleppo on Friday, a war monitor reported. The army hit two vehicles of the HTS in the western countryside of Aleppo, killing seven militants and injuring several others, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UK-based watchdog group said the death toll will likely rise as some militants are critically wounded. Tension has been brewing between the HTS, which is previously known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, and the Syrian army with both sides exchanging fire in northern Syria. On Monday, Syrian forces intercepted and shot down three weaponized drones dispatched by the HTS in the northwestern provinces of Idlib and Hama, according to the state news agency SANA. On the same day, Russian airstrikes conducted in the Idlib region killed eight HTS militants, according to the Observatory. HTS, a former al-Qaida affiliate, has established control over a large swathe of Idlib. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L, C) welcomes visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R, C) in Athens, Greece, on Aug. 25, 2023. Modi made an official visit to Greece on Friday, reportedly with a heavy business agenda. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) According to Greek media, the Indian leader was accompanied by leading businessmen, in order to explore the possibility of using Piraeus port for Indian exports. ATHENS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an official visit to Greece on Friday, reportedly with a heavy business agenda. Modi held talks with his Greek counterpart, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who told the press afterward that the two sides will strengthen cooperation on trade, defense, security, infrastructure, education and culture. Modi said the two countries have decided to upgrade their relationship to a "Strategic Relationship." Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) welcomes visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Athens, Greece, on Aug. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) According to Greek media, the Indian leader was accompanied by leading businessmen, in order to explore the possibility of using Piraeus port for Indian exports. In the wake of Brexit, India is considering alternative routes for exporting its products. Modi's visit, described as "historic" by media outlets of both countries, is the first official visit of an Indian prime minister to Greece in 40 years. Xia Lidong (3rd L), a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), explains for scholars during their visit in Shanshan County of Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Chenjie) URUMQI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A conference on the inheritance and development of Turfan studies has attracted over 100 domestic and foreign scholars to the city of Turpan in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The sixth International Conference on Turfan Studies was held from Monday to Wednesday, during which experts shared their latest findings and visited archaeological sites. Among the relics they visited was the Xipang Jingjiao monastery relics site in Turpan, also known as Turfan. Texts including Buddhist and Taoist manuscripts in Chinese and Nestorian manuscripts in Syriac had been unearthed there. Liu Wensuo, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University, said the site is a rare early Nestorian site in China, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Liu's team cooperated with cultural relics institutions in Xinjiang to excavate the site in 2021 and 2023. He said the site is of high academic value, as it reflects cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road. "When you walk into the site, history comes to life to you," said Erica Hunter, a University of Cambridge scholar. She shared her research on the Syriac manuscripts discovered at the site, and explained the site's religious and economic functions. "I learned so much from the Chinese scholars. The richness of cultures in Turpan means a lot to China and the world." Turfan studies are interdisciplinary studies of Turpan's cultural heritage, and have attracted significant attention in the international academic community. Over the past century, experts and scholars of classic philology, archaeology, history, linguistics, paleontology and other fields from around the world have contributed to Turfan studies. Scholars attending the conference also visited the Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes in Turpan's Shanshan County, which can be traced back to the fifth century. The Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Academia Turfanica conducted new excavations earlier this year. This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows the Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes in Shanshan County of Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong) Xia Lidong, a researcher at CASS who was involved in the excavations, said that artifacts such as Buddha statues, Buddhist scriptures, Chinese ink brushes, inkstones and textiles were unearthed from the site. He said the murals in the grottoes had many features seen in grottoes found in Gansu Province and other parts of Xinjiang. "The interactions, exchanges and integration of multiple cultures are reflected in the Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes," Xia said. Zhang Liangren, a professor at Nanjing University's School of History, said that thanks to Turpan's dry natural conditions, ancient clothing, food, utensils and other artifacts have been well preserved, offering clues for studies of the ancient Silk Road. JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue on Thursday. Following is the full text of Xi's remarks: Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Create a Great Future for China and Africa Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China At China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue Johannesburg, August 24, 2023 Your Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, Your Excellencies Heads of State, Colleagues, It is a great pleasure to co-chair with President Ramaphosa the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue. I feel a particular warmth seeing my African friends face to face after five years, to celebrate our friendship and chart the way forward for our cooperation. I wish to thank all the colleagues for attending the dialogue, and send sincere greetings to leaders of other African countries who are not with us today. Africa is a fertile land of hope in the 21st century. This is my 10th visit to the continent. Each time, I feel the new development and changes in Africa. As the Organization of African Unity marks its 60th anniversary this year, I wish to convey heartfelt congratulations to you all and to the African people. Over the past 60 years, under the banner of Pan-Africanism, African countries have made big strides on the path of independence, seeking strength through unity and integration. You have demonstrated the strength of Africa in the struggles to uphold multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries. With steady progress under Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), the official launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and growing coordination among the subregional groups, Africa is becoming an important pole with global influence. In 2013 after I became Chinese President, I was here in Africa for my first foreign visit and announced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China's Africa policy. Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle. Together with our African friends and drawing strength from the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, we have pressed ahead on the path of solidarity and cooperation, stood for justice amid shifting global dynamics, and looked out for each other in face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have taken China-Africa relations to new heights and entered the new stage of jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Colleagues, China is marching toward the Second Centenary Goal of building itself into a great modern socialist country in all respects that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful when the People's Republic marks its centenary. We are pursuing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Africa is moving at an accelerated speed toward the bright prospects envisioned in Agenda 2063, and making all-out efforts to build a new Africa that enjoys peace, unity, prosperity and strength. China and Africa must work together to create a sound environment for realizing our respective development visions. -Working together to promote a just and equitable international order. We should carry forward the spirit of sticking together in times of adversity, practice true multilateralism, and unequivocally oppose vestiges of colonialism and hegemonism in all forms. We should firmly support each other in defending core interests, stand strong by the just calls of developing countries, and work for a more just and equitable international order. -Working together to safeguard a peaceful and secure global environment. Africa is working unremittingly for the goal of silencing the guns. China is ready to work with Africa to implement the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate the resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and cooperation, facilitate the political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues, and safeguard world peace and stability. We should uphold harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and protect the security of the global eco-environment. -Working together to build an open and inclusive world economy. What we need is to remove barriers rather than erect walls, open up rather than close off. We should carry out extensive consultation and make joint contribution for shared benefit, reject the winner-takes-all approach, and build an open world economy where developing countries are better involved in the international division of labor and share the fruits of economic globalization. We should overcome estrangement between civilizations through exchanges, promote inclusiveness and mutual learning between civilizations, and make new contributions to human progress. Colleagues, There are various paths leading to modernization. The African people have the most say on which path suits Africa best. Advancing modernization through integration is the independent choice made by African countries and people. On this path to modernization, China has all along been a firm supporter, and walking side by side with Africa. Over the years, China has helped Africa build a large amount of connectivity infrastructure, carried out extensive cooperation with the AU and subregional organizations, and assisted the construction of several signature Pan-African projects, including the AU Conference Center and the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Looking ahead, China will work with Africa to enhance the synergy of our development strategies. Through Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and in light of Agenda 2063, China will intensify dialogue and communication with Africa at various levels, and support the African agencies for integration, including the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System and the African Union of Broadcasting, among others, in creating cooperation mechanisms with China. China will continue to support Africa in speaking with one voice on international affairs and continuously elevating its international standing. China will work actively at the G20 Summit next month to support the AU's full membership in the group. China supports making special arrangements on the U.N. Security Council reform to meet Africa's aspiration as a priority. China will call on multilateral financial institutions to enhance the say of African countries. To chart the course for our practical cooperation in the next stage and help Africa bring its integration and modernization into a fast track, I wish to make the following three proposals: -China will launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization. China will better harness its resources for cooperation with Africa and the initiative of businesses to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realizing industrialization and economic diversification. In implementing the nine programs under the FOCAC framework, China will channel more resources of assistance, investment and financing toward programs for industrialization. -China will launch the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization. China will help Africa expand grain plantation, encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investment in Africa, and enhance cooperation with Africa on seed and other areas of agro-technology, to support Africa in transforming and upgrading its agricultural sector. China will host the second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture in Hainan this November. To help Africa tackle the current food crisis, China will provide additional emergency food assistance to African countries in need. More importantly, China has confidence that Africa will attain food self-sufficiency through its own efforts. -China will launch the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. China plans to train 500 principals and high-caliber teachers of vocational colleges every year, and 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa. China will invite 20,000 government officials and technicians of African countries to participate in workshops and seminars. To support Africa in strengthening education and innovation, we will launch the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan and 10 pilot exchange programs of China-Africa partner institutes. Colleagues, The world today is undergoing transformation and turmoil, and changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. At this point of history, we all face the tasks of how to address the deficit in development, overcome security challenges and enhance mutual learning between civilizations. In view of this, I have put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, called for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and advocated building a community with a shared future for mankind. These proposals have received the extensive support of African countries. China and Africa, through our creative explorations for modernization, are giving our answers to the questions of our times, and making joint efforts to advance the great endeavors of win-win cooperation, harmonious coexistence and shared prosperity of civilizations. Next year, China will host the FOCAC meeting, where we may come together again and draw up new plans for our development. It is a big gathering that both sides are looking forward to. I am confident that China and Africa will carry forward the traditional friendship, enhance solidarity and coordination, and bolster our cooperation across the board. As we join hands to advance modernization, we will deliver a better future for the Chinese and African people, and set a fine example in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Thank you. Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) CEO Ali Al Baqali has congratulated more than 90 trainee students on the completion of their On-Job-Training (OJT) programmes, carried throughout this year At a ceremony was held at the companys premises, AL Baqali said: Success is never achieved in solo, and recognition is the way to applaud the trainees achievements and inspire them to do more to reach their objectives. Every year, Alba welcomes university and school students for hands-on training placements across its various operational and support functions as per their respective specialisations. Since the beginning of 2023, Alba has provided OJT opportunities to 141 students, of whom 54 were females.-- TradeArabia News Service MOGADISHU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A two-day meeting that brought together people from different parts of Somali society ended in Mogadishu, the country's capital, on Thursday, with a call for more to be done to expand Somalia's civic space and human rights advocacy. The UN-backed meeting attended by ministers, academics, civil society organizations, journalists, and members of parliament agreed on a need to strengthen collaboration between civil society and state institutions, especially the parliament. "The participants also called for an open space that allows freedom of expression, recognizing civil society and media as crucial to Somalia's ongoing reconstruction and democratization," the delegates said in a joint statement issued on Thursday evening. Somali State Minister for Women and Human Rights Development Amina Hassan Ali said civil society organizations are key since they are in touch with the people even in areas that can not be accessed by government officials. "These community-based organizations are active on the ground and if they are not empowered, our impact as a government will not be felt," Hassan said, noting that the organizations are well positioned to interact with grassroots communities, identify the community needs, and complement government efforts. In addition to expanding the country's civic space, participants also discussed ways to empower civil society organizations (CSOs) to become active in their communities, speak out on critical human rights concerns, and be able to amplify their voices collectively on advancing human rights in Somalia. Kirsten Young, chief of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia's Human Rights and Protection Group, stressed the important role of CSOs in representing citizens and presenting issues that concern the public to authorities. She particularly highlighted civil society's collaboration with the federal parliament to enact human rights legislation on topics such as juvenile justice, disability rights, and child rights. "What is interesting that we have seen in the last few weeks, is that the parliament has been holding hearings on issues that citizens have brought to the parliament - issues of concern for them," said Young. The participants also discussed other issues including women's political participation. by Marwa Yahya CAIRO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian analysts have expressed optimism about the potential benefits of Egypt's inclusion in the BRICS group, anticipating positive impacts on its political and economic arenas. Egypt, along with five other countries, was invited on Thursday to join the BRICS, an acronym for an emerging-market bloc that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. "The group will help Egypt continue its moves to liberate the economy, expand markets, and increase exports," said Gamal Bayoumi, head of the Cairo-based Arab Investors Union. With the combined population of BRICS countries making up 40 percent of the world's total and their global gross domestic product accounting for a quarter of the world's total before the expansion, many countries want to join the BRICS due to its principle of equal partnership and respect for different perspectives, Bayoumi added. Egypt's political stability, strategic location at the meeting point of three continents, and strong economy as Africa's second-largest are the advantages recognized by the BRICS, Bayoumi noted. In the past few years, Egypt has initiated many development projects, among them the opening of a new branch of the Suez Canal to attract more foreign currency, the construction of a new capital to ease traffic congestion in Cairo, and the expansion of its transportation networks to facilitate trade. Egypt's membership in the BRICS will enable it to obtain soft loans from the bloc's New Development Bank instead of borrowing money at high interest from other international banks, he said. On Friday, Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said "Egypt's accession to the BRICS will increase its exports and investment opportunities as well as the inflows of foreign investment." "This positive step reflects Egypt's economic and political weight in stimulating economic cooperation and enhancing trade exchange between Egypt and the bloc's member states," the minister noted. Maait also highlighted the advantages of doing business in national currencies within the BRICS, which could reduce import costs and alleviate pressures on Egypt's public budget that has already been strained by costs on essential commodities like wheat and fuel. However, Bayoumi acknowledged that joining the BRICS presents a challenge for Egypt, as it needs to enhance its industrial sector and increase agricultural production to meet the demands of big markets like China and India, two of the world's most populous countries. Naser Abdel-Aal, a political science professor at Suez Canal University, regarded Egypt's inclusion, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in the BRICS as "an influential step toward a world order with a fairer distribution of resources." He said that adding more countries to the BRICS would promote global development and achieve welfare for all nations, stressing that the BRICS is an international partnership that seeks to create a mutually beneficial order catering to each member state's unique attributes, particularly the developing countries. "The Middle East countries invited to join the BRICS, which include Egypt, is the world's balance scale. Their energy reserves qualify them to make important decisions that add to the political significance of the BRICS," Abdel-Aaal noted. Adding three Arab countries to the BRICS can counter hegemonic policies imposed onto the region, Abdel-Aal added. The 15th BRICS Summit announced on Thursday that six countries, including Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have been invited to join the group, and their membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. HARARE, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) and other regional bodies on the continent on Friday commended Zimbabwe for holding a peaceful election. In separate preliminary statements following this week's general elections, observer missions from the AU, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) hailed the peaceful environment that characterized the pre-election period and voting day. Zimbabweans voted on Wednesday to choose a president, new members of parliament and representatives of local governments. Voting was extended to Thursday in some parts of the country, particularly in Harare and Bulawayo, due to logistical challenges. "The AU-COMESA EOM (Elections Observer Mission) observed that the 2023 harmonized elections were conducted up to the counting process, in a generally peaceful and transparent manner despite logistical challenges with the availability and distribution of local authority ballot papers in some areas," said Goodluck Jonathan, head of the joint AU-COMESA election observation mission. "The AU-COMESA EOM commends the people of Zimbabwe for their patience, resilience, and commitment to express their will at the polls." "As the country awaits the announcement of results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the mission urges all stakeholders to remain committed to the rule of law and democratic principles until the conclusion of the process," he said. Jonathan said the mission is continuing to observe the tallying process and will issue a comprehensive report within two months. Nevers Mumba, head of the SADC EOM, said the mission observed that the pre-election and voting days were peaceful and calm. "The mission commends the people of Zimbabwe for maintaining a peaceful political environment during the pre-election period and on voting day." He said the mission will release its final report after the validation and proclamation of final results, adding that the SADC long-term observers will remain on the ground to continue with the post-election observation until Sept. 1. In the event of any electoral disputes, the mission appeals to all contestants to channel their concerns through established legal procedures and processes, Mumba said. "The mission urges all political parties and the people of Zimbabwe, and all other stakeholders to allow the ZEC to announce the final results as legally mandated." Despite the challenges related to the delayed opening of polling stations, polling generally took place in a peaceful and secure environment, said Mphasa Mokhochane, head of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC countries (ECF-SADC), in a preliminary statement. The ECF-SADC is an independent regional organization of election management bodies of SADC member states. "The mission congratulates the people of Zimbabwe on the manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the electoral period, despite the logistical challenges experienced during the process," Mokhochane said. SUVA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Fiji on Friday opposed and strongly condemned Japan's dumping of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, saying it is "extremely selfish and irresponsible." The embassy said in a statement that the discharge will spread the risks of nuclear contamination to Pacific Rim Countries including China, and the rest of the world. The issue is by no means a private matter for Japan, the statement said, adding that the Japanese government has given scarce response to international concerns so far. The embassy said Japan failed to prove the legitimacy and legality of the ocean discharge decision, the long-term reliability of the purification facility, and the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear-contaminated water data. It also failed to have thorough consultations with other stakeholders, the embassy added. "The ocean sustains humanity. The Blue Pacific is home to all human beings including Chinese and Fijian people, and is the foundation that Pacific Island Countries survive on," the embassy said. "It is not a sewer for Japan's nuclear-contaminated water. The tragedy of marine nuclear contamination cannot and should not be repeated." VIENTIANE, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have signed an agreement on the establishment of an ASEAN Center for Climate Change to enhance coordinated and integrated approach in regional climate change response. The deal, signed on Thursday in the Lao capital Vientiane, is part of the commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and Nationally Determined Contributions. The center will set out national plans and strategies on climate change responses, including mitigation and adaptation, which reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. The center will also prepare regional coordination on climate change initiatives among member states with relevant national governments and regional and international organizations, and provide policy recommendations on addressing climate change to member states. Other goals include creating capacity building programs to improve working competencies on addressing climate change. JAKARTA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) finance ministers and central bank governors on Friday reiterated their commitment to jointly restore and rebuild the regional economy, especially through digital economy development. Under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship, the commitment was concluded on the last day of the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting held here from Aug. 22 to Aug. 25. Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati told a press conference after the closing of the meeting that the forum underlines the importance of strengthening ASEAN's macroeconomic policy mix, which encourages member states to utilize the digital tools available to access financial markets in the region. On the same occasion, Perry Warjiyo, governor of Indonesia's central bank, said financial cooperation among ASEAN members should focus on promoting recovery. "This can be done by advancing payment connectivity, encouraging digital financial literacy and supporting inclusive economic growth through digital economy. We should also promote sustainable finance and green economy," Warjiyo said. To support the achievement of sustainable long-term growth in the ASEAN region, Sri Mulyani said the finance ministers and governors agreed to increase infrastructure financing through the repositioning of the ASEAN infrastructure fund into the ASEAN Green Fund. AYBAK, Afghanistan, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four commuters were killed and nine others injured in two road crashes in north Afghanistan's Samangan province on Thursday, a traffic police official Neyaz Mohammad said Friday. In the first accident, a car overturned due to reckless driving on the Baghlan-Samangan highway in the Qachen area of Samangan province on Thursday evening, leaving four dead on the spot and eight others injured, while minutes later in the same area, two cars collided, leaving one commuter injured, the officials added. All the injured have been taken to the hospital for medical treatment. A day earlier, on Wednesday, a road accident also killed one commuter and injured four others in Afghanistan's Nuristan province. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L, C) welcomes visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R, C) in Athens, Greece, on Aug. 25, 2023. Modi made an official visit to Greece on Friday, reportedly with a heavy business agenda. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an official visit to Greece on Friday, reportedly with a heavy business agenda. Modi held talks with his Greek counterpart, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who told the press afterward that the two sides will strengthen cooperation on trade, defense, security, infrastructure, education and culture. Modi said the two countries have decided to upgrade their relationship to a "Strategic Relationship." According to Greek media, the Indian leader was accompanied by leading businessmen, in order to explore the possibility of using Piraeus port for Indian exports. In the wake of Brexit, India is considering alternative routes for exporting its products. Modi's visit, described as "historic" by media outlets of both countries, is the first official visit of an Indian prime minister to Greece in 40 years. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L, C) welcomes visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R, C) in Athens, Greece, on Aug. 25, 2023. Modi made an official visit to Greece on Friday, reportedly with a heavy business agenda. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) welcomes visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Athens, Greece, on Aug. 25, 2023. Modi made an official visit to Greece on Friday, reportedly with a heavy business agenda. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) VILNIUS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Danish company European Energy has unveiled the biggest solar farm to date that it will build in Lithuania and the Baltics. Located in the municipality of Anyksciai, the farm will have a fully operational capacity of 65 megawatts (MW) of alternating current (AC), the company said in a press release on Friday. The solar farm will cover an area of over 120 hectares. When fully operational, it will have more than 140,000 installed solar panels. The farm's total output will be 90,000 megawatt hours (MWh) a year, which corresponds to the electricity consumption of around 24,000 households in Europe. As of August 2023, European Energy has constructed more than 300 MW of grid-connected renewable energy capacity in Lithuania and has been responsible for the grid connection of six wind parks. This is nearly 25 percent of Lithuania's total wind capacity. The solar farm in Anyksciai is not the only one European Energy is planning to connect to the Lithuanian grid. The company also has solar farm projects in Jonava and Skuodas. These are slated to be connected to Lithuania's national grid by 2026. "Our goal in Lithuania is to support the transition to a green economy, to contribute to the energy independence of all Baltic countries, and to implement global goals related to climate change. Therefore, we are constantly investing to further strengthen the renewable energy sector of Lithuania," Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Knud Erik Andersen said. WARSAW, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) is investigating whether an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that has killed seven people in the south of the country might be the result of intentional tampering with the water system, authorities said here on Friday. The bacteria that cause the illness have been found in 113 patients hospitalized in the southeastern city of Rzeszow and the surrounding area, health authorities said. The seven people who have died were aged between 64 and 95 years and had other health conditions. Stanislaw Zaryn, acting deputy coordinator of the ABW's special services, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that the investigation is a routine to rule out intentional activity. RMF, a private radio station in Poland, also reported on Friday that agency officers were checking local water systems and that so far they had found no reason to suspect sabotage. Rzeszow Mayor Konrad Fijolek said on Thursday that the authorities were also testing water samples for Legionella bacteria and that the results would be known on Monday. Legionnaires' disease, caused by the Legionella bacteria, can result in a severe form of pneumonia. The most common form of transmission is inhalation of contaminated aerosols produced in conjunction with water sprays, jets or mists of contaminated water sources, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Saudi Arabia will host the Seamless Saudi Arabia 2023 conference and exhibition from September 4 to 5 in Riyadh in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objective to achieve digital transformation in the financial sector. Under the auspices of the Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Ayman Al Sayari, and in strategic partnership with Saudi Payments, the event will be held under the theme The Future of Payments, Fintech and Banking across Saudi Arabia. The conference, Saudi Arabia's most significant event that covers the latest innovations in payments, fintech, retail, e-commerce, home delivery and digital marketing, will be attended by over 450 local and international companies and more than 200 startups. It will include several dialogue sessions with over 450 expert speakers from across the globe. The strategic partnership of Saudi Payments stems from the kingdom's leading position in the financial sector regionally and internationally and affirms its pivotal role in keeping pace with SAMA digital transformation initiatives. Saudi Payments special pavilion will showcase the latest digital services and solutions it provides to the national payments ecosystem. Its leaders will participate as keynote speakers in the dialogue sessions and workshops. - TradeArabia News Service NEW YORK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump turned himself in on Thursday to the authorities in Atlanta for the Georgia election interference case, with his iconic mug shot and those of his accused acolytes heating up tittle-tattle that they not only told about the defendants' cynicism, but an irony of the U.S. political system. "As soon as it was taken, it became the de facto picture of the year. A historic image that will be seared into the public record and referred to for perpetuity - the first mug shot of an American president, taken by the Fulton County, Ga., Sheriff's Office after Donald J. Trump's fourth indictment," noted The New York Times in a report posted on Friday. "As such, it is also a symbol of either equality under the law or the abuse of it - the ultimate memento of a norm-shattering presidency and this social-media-obsessed, factionalized age," it added. "In the future the mug shot will seem like the ultimate bookend to a political arc in the United States that began decades ago." "It's dramatically unprecedented," Sean Wilentz, a professor of American history at Princeton University, was quoted as saying. "Of all the millions, maybe billions of photos taken of Donald Trump, this could stand as the most famous. Or notorious." In the photo, Trump is posed against a plain gray backdrop, just like the 11 of his fellow defendants whose mug shots were taken before him, including Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell and Rudolph Giuliani. "He has long favored a scowl over a grin, the better to project strength," said the newspaper in another article published on Friday. SMILE MUG SHOTS "The traditional mug shot is usually a grim affair: poorly lit and sullen. It is a permanent portrait of shame -- the legal system's scarlet letter," said The New York Times. "It is, almost by definition, unsmiling." "But the booking photos emerging from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Atlanta, where Donald J. Trump and 18 others are being charged with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, include several that are oddly cheerful," it noted. Trump's former lawyer Jenna Ellis smiles broadly, as does David Shafer, the former chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. Scott Hall, a Trump operative, fails to repress a smirk. Sidney Powell, accused of peddling debunked conspiracy theories about the election, reveals a twinkle in her eye. "The statement that all of their facial expressions convey unmistakably? Defiance," it said. "Modern politics in the age of social media is, as much as anything, a battle to create, control and define visual images. And the mug shot, pioneered in 1840s Belgium as a utilitarian method of identification, is becoming a new front in that fight." "But the way his accused co-conspirators have been composing themselves for the camera of the criminal justice system, and for the lens of history, evokes the other supporting roles they are playing, in what seems an extraordinary production of political theater - one in keeping with Mr. Trump's oft-repeated contention that the prosecution is a farce and a joke," it added. North Dakota DEQ Reprimands Scientist for Water Safety Concerns Environmental expert faced retaliation after flagging public water system issues. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)which safeguards the state's air and waterhas come under the spotlight for taking punitive actions against one of its own. In a statement dated August 23, the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined that the DEQ had unlawfully retaliated against an environmental scientist who flagged concerns about the public water system throughout a six-month period. The scientists complaints included the identification of discrepancies in data collection and reporting and a pattern of downgrading severe sanitary violations to minor ones. After the scientist contacted DEQ management and subsequently the EPA, the DEQ presented them with a written reprimand for the latter action. Employees have the right to report potential violations related to safe drinking water and it is illegal for employers to retaliate against those who do, OSHA Regional Administrator Jennifer S. Rous from Denver said in a statement. Our investigation and actions on the environmental scientists behalf showcase the U.S. Department of Labors commitment to staunchly defending workers rights. In response the DEQs actions, OSHAwhich enforces the whistleblower clauses of the Safe Drinking Water Acthas now directed the agency to rescind the written reprimand from the scientist's personnel file. The DEQ and the scientist have 30 days to contest or seek a hearing. In this article, we will look at the 17 highest paying countries for lawyers. We have also covered key trends and developments in the legal industry. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Lawyers. Lawyer Shortages in the United States The shortage of lawyers in the US, particularly in rural areas, is reaching a critical point, leading to what are known as "legal deserts." This scarcity hinders access to justice, especially in civil matters like wills, divorces, and evictions. Such regions also often have less than one attorney for every 1,000 residents that worsens the challenge. In areas with limited legal representation, people might have to travel long distances for legal assistance or go without it, leading to unequal outcomes in court. However, despite these challenges, the financial landscape of law firms describes a completely opposite story. How Well are Law Firms Doing Globally? The Global 200 which are the highest-grossing law firms worldwide, amassed a combined revenue exceeding $185.6 billion in 2022. Moreover, the top 100 grossing law firms globally, as ranked by Law.com International, experienced a notable 15.3% uptick in revenue and crossed a cumulative total of over $147 billion. Furthermore, there was an almost 17% surge in average profits per equity partner and crossed $2.2 million in the past year. The promising financial standing of law corporations also translated into higher salaries for lawyers. For example, the average salary of a corporate lawyer is $145,259 in the US. On the other hand, the highest attorney position is that of a partner at a law firm that is annually paid $230,440 on average. Speaking of high salaries, the highest paid lawyer in the world is Richard Scruggs with a net worth of $1.7 billion. While we have already established that as one of the major industries being revolutionized by AI and automation, the legal industry is one that will highly benefit from the revolution. Let's explore what and how some giants are driving and facilitating this revolution around the world. Story continues How is the Legal Industry Being Revolutionized by AI and Digitalization? Thomson Reuters Corp (NYSE:TRI) is propelling the legal profession into a new era with its adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI). With over $100 million yearly investment in AI, Thomas Reuters Corp (NYSE:TRI)s vision is to empower professionals by automating workflows, offer powerful insights, and boost efficiencies through content-driven AI technology. Through a strategic partnership with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Thomson Reuters Corp (NYSE:TRI) is introducing a plugin with Microsoft 365 Copilot which is the advanced AI platform from Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT). The partnership is essentially aimed at revolutionizing legal research, drafting, and client collaboration. Thomson Reuters Corp (NYSE:TRI) plans to incorporate generative AI across its product suite, particularly to enhance Westlaw Precision, where lawyers can obtain answers to intricate legal queries in seconds as well as Practical Law to provide faster access to attorney expertise fused with AI capabilities. The transformative impact extends to legal document review and summary, where generative AI rapidly sifts through relevant documents, saving lawyers valuable time. On the other hand, LegalZoom.com Inc (NASDAQ:LZ) has revolutionized the legal sector through its digital contributions that have consistently empowered individuals and businesses to access legal services with ease. Established in 2001, LegalZoom.com Inc (NASDAQ:LZ) has facilitated over 4 million business formations and provided services to more than 4 million customers. Its user-friendly online platform offers a wide range of customizable legal documents, including over 150 legal forms for business and personal needs. Notably, LegalZoom.com Inc (NASDAQ:LZ)s impact extends beyond basic document preparation. With a reported 60-day refund policy, it ensures customer satisfaction and strives to maintain its 4.5-star rating on Forbes Advisor. The company's incorporation services start at $0 and can range up to $299, making legal assistance affordable for startups and small businesses. Furthermore, LegalZoom.com Inc (NASDAQ:LZ)s comprehensive services extend to providing legal advice through a network of licensed attorneys available for consultation. The company's mobile app enables customers to manage document processing, appointments, and access business formation documents from anywhere. Highest Paying Countries for Lawyers Photo by Bram Naus on Unsplash Our Methodology To list the highest paying countries for lawyers, we identified the countries with the highest demand for lawyers and then made a list for 27 countries with the average salaries for lawyers. Of those 27, the 17 with the highest average salaries were selected and have been ranked. We acquired the data for average salaries of lawyers for each country from ERI Economic Research Institute. The list is presented in ascending order. Here is a list of highest-paying countries for lawyers. 17. France Average Salary: $102,950 To become a lawyer in France, one has to obtain a law degree that typically takes five years to complete. The cost of education is incomparable to the US due to free higher education. However, French law degrees are extremely competitive as they require a solid background in French law. Lawyers in France serve both the public and private sectors, with a changing job market due to digitization. 16. New Zealand Average Salary: $105,486 To become a lawyer in New Zealand, one needs to complete an approved LLB degree, the Professional Legal Studies Course, obtain certificates of completion and character, be admitted to the High Court, and hold a current practicing certificate issued by the Law Society, as per the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006. New Zealand is also one of the highest paying countries for accountants. 15. Austria Average Salary: $108,780 To become a lawyer in Austria, you need a law degree from a university, followed by five years of practical training, including court experience and work at a law firm. Austria is one of the highest paying countries for lawyers. 14. United Arab Emirates Average Salary: $112,486 Pursuing a legal career in the UAE offers a blend of international business exposure, cultural diversity, and the chance to shape legal frameworks in a flourishing and evolving environment. UAE is also one of the highest paying countries for neurosurgeons. 13. Norway Average Salary: $113,750 A legal career in Norway allows one to serve a robust welfare system, contribute to gender equality in workplaces, and focus on environmental regulations. For instance, Norway's progressive approach to parental leave and renewable energy laws underscores its commitment to social well-being and sustainable practices that make it an attractive destination for lawyers who want to pursue a meaningful career. Norway is one of the highest paying countries for lawyers in Europe. 12. Netherlands Average Salary: $113,900 To become a lawyer in the Netherlands, one has to complete a law degree at a Dutch university, followed by a 3-year Professional Education Programme for the Legal Profession. The next step is to register in the National Register of Lawyers (LAT), fulfill training requirements, and maintain ethical standards under the Netherlands Bar Association. 11. Hong Kong Average Salary: $117,372 With its common law tradition, Hong Kong offers exposure to a range of legal cases like international business transactions, maritime law, and arbitration. Its status as a financial hub ensures a demand for legal expertise in commercial and financial matters. For instance, during the Alibaba IPO, Hong Kong lawyers navigated intricate regulatory issues. Moreover, the countrys rule of law, English proficiency, and cultural diversity provide an environment conducive to professional growth and cross-border collaboration for lawyers. 10. Ireland Average Salary: $118,984 Becoming a lawyer in Ireland offers the chance to engage in a dynamic legal practice and work in a range of areas like corporate law, human rights, and international relations, with ample opportunities for growth and impact. Ireland is one of the highest paying countries for lawyers. 9. Australia Average Salary: $120,206 To become a lawyer in Australia, one has to complete a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or a Juris Doctor (JD) postgraduate degree. Then, undergo Practical Legal Training (PLT) through programs like the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP). One has to then seek admission through a Legal Admissions Board, obtain a practicing certificate, and fulfill any required criminal history checks. Australia is one of the countries where lawyers are high in demand. 8. Canada Average Salary: $121,559 In order to become a lawyer in Canada, one must first complete an undergraduate degree and then successfully complete the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Following this, the individuals should then apply to a law school and complete the required law degree. Subsequently, aspiring lawyers will need to undergo an articling period with a law firm or complete the Law Practice Program. Finally, passing the bar admission exams for the specific practice area is essential to gain licensure as a lawyer in Canada. Owing to the streamlined immigration processes in Canada, it is one of the best countries for foreign lawyers. 7. Belgium Average Salary: $122,626 As a lawyer in Belgium, one can contribute to shaping and interpreting laws that govern areas such as contract law, commercial law, and human rights. With Brussels being a major hub for international organizations and European Union institutions, lawyers in Belgium can actively participate in matters of global significance that make it an appealing choice for those seeking a dynamic and internationally-oriented legal career. 6. Germany Average Salary: $124,123 Germanys esteemed legal education system and well-regarded universities provide a solid foundation for aspiring lawyers. Moreover, the economic strength of Germany and its pertinent role in the European Union make it a favorable destination for legal professionals that wish to engage in complex legal matters with domestic and international implications. Germany is also one of the highest paying countries for engineers. Click here to see the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Lawyers. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 17 Highest Paying Countries for Lawyers is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we look at the 30 most economically powerful countries in the world. You can skip our analysis of the global economic power dynamics, and head over directly to the 10 Most Economically Powerful Countries in the World. As the old adage goes, there is no free lunch. Large and prosperous economies around the world have used development assistance, or simply foreign aid, as a foreign policy tool to expand their national interests. While in doing so they have without doubt contributed to improving human welfare, but the primary motive behind channeling billions of dollars to weaker, developing countries has always been to receive something back in return. Aid has been used to reward friendly countries for their compliant policies, and aid has been withdrawn to destabilize nations with antagonistic regimes. Abubacarr Tambadou, Gambias Justice Minister in 2020 took Aung San Suu Kyi to the world court in The Hague over the persecution faced by Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, but it is hard to conceive that an African country would seek to do the same with any Chinese leader over the happenings in Xinjiang province with Uyghurs, primarily due to hefty development aid a number of African countries receive from China. Pakistan pulled out of the 2019 summit of Muslim nations hosted by Malaysia after Saudi Arabia and UAE expressed reservations about Islamabad joining the meeting, which they felt could rival the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Both of these countries host large Pakistani expatriate communities and have repeatedly assisted Pakistan in times of financial distress. Similarly, powerful countries have also used foreign investments as a means of pursuing foreign policy goals by expanding their cultural influence. Due to the size and strength of their economies, these countries are home to some of the worlds largest corporations with funds available to expand geographically. One much talked about example in the last century has been the global expansion of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO). After American troops went overseas for World War II, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) vowed to make Coke available for the soldiers wherever they were and began building bottling stations on the Western Front and the Pacific. Story continues After the war was over, the company started expanding its operations across Europe and Asia, and that marked the beginning of a concept that came to be known as coca-colonization a term that signified the Americans pushing forward their ideals in areas under their sphere of influence. In 1948, the French government openly stood against the drink and even accused The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) of being an espionage network. As of 2015, Coca-Cola is distributed in more than 200 countries. Coca Cola is considered to be the second-most commonly understood word in the world after okay according to the company's website. Another brand that rode the coattails of Americas economic and cultural dominance is Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI). It is hard to imagine any garment today that is as widely embraced and worn across the world as jeans are. First designed in the 19th century by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) for laborers, jeans, despite gaining popularity in the decades that followed, were worn only in the western states of the US till World War II. Soon the trend caught up among middle class Americans and started to gain popularity in Europe as well where American soldiers often wore Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI)s jeans when they were off duty. Jeans represented symbols of democratization and a happy, prosperous American way of life for the Europeans. Fast food culture is also widely seen as a representation of American marketing dominance. Brands such as McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD), Dominos Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ), and Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM)'s KFC and Pizza Hut have thousands of outlets around the world today. China has the most Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM)s KFC restaurants in the world. India is the second largest market for Dominos Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ) after the United States, while China and Japan race to claim second spot for the most McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD) outlets by country. Methodology We have ranked the 30 most economically powerful countries in the world using two metrics: nominal GDPs of these countries in 2022 and the average foreign aid given by these nations to developing countries between 2020 and 2022. Data measuring the size of the GDP has been sourced from the IMF, while OECD's Net ODA Database and other reliable and independent sources were studied to get figures related to the foreign aid these countries gave out. Equal weightage has been given to both metrics and then summed to get an aggregated score. We have listed countries in this article in ascending order of those scores. 30 Most Economically Powerful Countries in the World S-F/Shutterstock.com Lets now head over to the list of the most economically powerful countries in the world. 30. Portugal GDP (2022): $252 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $478 million Score: 1.067 Portugal is the 50th largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP. It gives an estimated 0.23% of its GNI as foreign aid in official development assistance. 29. Taiwan GDP (2022): $762 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $383 million Score: 1.117 Taiwan is commonly referred to as one of the four Asian Tigers along with Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea due to its consistent high economic growth over several decades. 28. Israel GDP (2022): $523 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $413 million Score: 1.125 Israel is one of the most advanced nations in the world and spends heavily on research and development. The size of the Israeli economy was measured at $523 billion in 2022 by the IMF. 27. New Zealand GDP (2022): $242 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $616 million Score: 1.130 New Zealand spent 0.23% of its GNI on foreign aid in 2022. It is a powerful economy with a strong currency which is the tenth most traded currency in the world in the foreign exchange market. 26. Czech Republic GDP (2022): $290 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $558 million Score: 1.131 The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is located in central Europe. Despite being a landlocked country, it has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. You can read more about this in our article, 25 Wealthiest Countries in the World by GDP Per Capita. 25. Finland GDP (2022): $281 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $1.5 billion Score: 1.175 Finland has a population of just over 5.5 million. In 2022, the size of its GDP was measured at $281 billion by the IMF. Finland is one of the most economically powerful countries in the world. 24. Austria GDP (2022): $472 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $1.6 billion Score: 1.30 Austria is the 25th largest donor in the world, having a foreign aid per capita of $165 between 2018 and 2022. You can read more about this in our article, 25 Countries that Give the Most Foreign Aid Per Capita. 23. Ireland GDP (2022): $530 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $1.59 billion Score: 1.301 Ireland is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and recorded the second highest economic growth over the last five years, estimated to be 9.14%, according to the IMF. 22. United Arab Emirates GDP (2022): $508 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $1.62 billion Score: 1.340 The Emirati nation has the second largest economy in the Arab world. In 2022, the GDP growth rate was measured at 7.6% and the size of the economy was estimated to be $508 billion. The UAEs government is aiming to double the size of the economy by 2031. 21. Poland GDP (2022): $688 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $1.79 billion Score: 1.405 Poland gave 0.51% of its gross national income in development assistance aid in 2022, which amounted to $1.79 billion. It is one of the most economically powerful countries in Europe. 20. Denmark GDP (2022): $391 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $2.91 billion Score: 1.411 Denmark has the sixth highest GDP per capita in the world estimated to be $68,008. It is one of the few countries that meet the UNs target of spending 0.7% of countries gross national income on foreign aid. 19. Belgium GDP (2022): $582 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $2.64 billion Score: 1.439 Belgium is one of the most influential countries in the world, and hosts the headquarters of several large international organizations including the European Union and NATO. In 2022, it gave 0.45% of its GNI in foreign aid to developing countries. Belgium has a GDP per capita of more than $51,000. 18. India GDP (2022): $3.4 trillion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $2.3 billon Score: 1.516 India is the fifth largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP and third when ranked by purchasing power parity. Much of Indias foreign aid is given to its neighbors as well as regional countries, such as Bhutan, Nepal, and Afghanistan. 17. South Korea GDP (2022): $1.67 trillion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $2.78 billion Score: 1.524 South Korea is one of the fastest emerging markets in the world. It ranks as the 13th largest economy in the world and 4th in Asia by nominal GDP. 16. Australia GDP (2022): $1.70 trillion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $3.31 billion Score: 1.578 Australia is one of the most economically powerful countries in the world. The Australian Dollar is the premiere currency of the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for close to $500 billion of daily trade in the forex market. You can read about the Australian Dollar and other strong currencies in our article, 15 Most Powerful Currencies in the World. 15. Switzerland GDP (2022): $807 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $4.05 billion Score: 1.586 Switzerland gives an average of $4 billion in foreign aid each year. In 2022, it donated 0.56% of its gross national income on official development assistance. Switzerland gives the fifth most foreign aid per capita averaged at $415 per person each year. 14. Spain GDP (2022): $1.4 trillion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $3.8 billion Score: 1.587 Next on the list is Spain, a European economic powerhouse, whose GDP was estimated to be worth $1.4 trillion in 2022 by the IMF. Much of Spains foreign aid goes to Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. 13. Norway GDP (2022): $579 billion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $4.94 billion Score: 1.604 Norway has spent an average of 0.97% of its gross national income on foreign aid between 2018 and 2022. It has the third highest GDP per capita in the world estimated to be $89,154 making it one of the wealthiest nations in the world. 12. Saudi Arabia GDP (2022): $1.11 trillion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $5.13 billion Score: 1.674 Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest exporters of oil in the world, because of which it has become a trillion dollar economy. It is the largest fund donor in the Gulf region. 11. China GDP (2022): $18.1 trillion Average Foreign Aid Per Year (2020-2022): $4.8 billion Score: 1.702 According to OECD estimates, China gives about $4.8 billion in foreign aid to developing countries. It is the largest economy in the world when ranked by PPP and the second largest in terms of nominal GDP. A huge chunk of Chinas aid is channeled towards African countries. Click to continue reading and see the 10 Most Economically Powerful Countries in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 30 Most Economically Powerful Countries in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. Accenture PLC: A Snapshot Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN) has recently been in the spotlight, drawing interest from investors and financial analysts due to its robust financial stance. With shares currently priced at $316.75, Accenture PLC has witnessed a surge of 0.83% over a period, marked against a three-month change of 9.19%. A thorough analysis, underlined by the GuruFocus Score Rating, suggests that Accenture PLC is well-positioned for substantial growth in the near future. Accenture PLC's Winning Formula: A Deep Dive into Financial Metrics and Competitive Strengths Understanding the GF Score The GF Score is a stock performance ranking system developed by GuruFocus using five aspects of valuation, which has been found to be closely correlated to the long-term performances of stocks by backtesting from 2006 to 2021. The stocks with a higher GF Score generally generate higher returns than those with a lower GF Score. Therefore, when picking stocks, investors should invest in companies with high GF Scores. The GF Score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 as the highest rank. Accenture PLC's GF Score components are as follows: Each one of these components is ranked and the ranks also have positive correlation with the long term performances of stocks. The GF score is calculated using the five key aspects of analysis. Through backtesting, we know that each of these key aspects has a different impact on the stock price performance. Thus, they are weighted differently when calculating the total score. With high ranks in financial strength, profitability, and growth, and decent ranks in GF value and momentum, GuruFocus assigned Accenture PLC the GF Score of 96 out of 100, which signals the highest outperformance potential. Accenture PLC: A Brief Overview Accenture PLC is a leading global IT-services firm that provides consulting, strategy, and technology and operational services. These services run the gamut from aiding enterprises with digital transformation to procurement services to software system integration. The company provides its IT offerings to a variety of sectors, including communications, media and technology, financial services, health and public services, consumer products, and resources. Accenture employs just under 500,000 people throughout 200 cities in 51 countries. With a market cap of $199.8 billion and sales of $63.55 billion, Accenture PLC has an operating margin of 14.42%. Story continues Accenture PLC's Winning Formula: A Deep Dive into Financial Metrics and Competitive Strengths Financial Strength Breakdown According to the Financial Strength rating, Accenture PLC's robust balance sheet exhibits resilience against financial volatility, reflecting prudent management of capital structure. The Interest Coverage ratio for Accenture PLC stands impressively at 213.18, underscoring its strong capability to cover its interest obligations. With an Altman Z-Score of 7.5, Accenture PLC exhibits a strong defense against financial distress. With a favorable Debt-to-Revenue ratio of 0.05, Accenture PLC's strategic handling of debt solidifies its financial health. Profitability Rank Breakdown The Profitability Rank shows Accenture PLC's impressive standing among its peers in generating profit. Accenture PLC Operating Margin has increased (1.37%) over the past five years. Accenture PLC's strong Predictability Rank of 4.0 stars out of five underscores its consistent operational performance, providing investors with increased confidence. Growth Rank Breakdown Ranked highly in Growth, Accenture PLC demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding its business. The company's 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate is 13%, which outperforms better than 61.58% of 2392 companies in the Software industry. Moreover, Accenture PLC has seen a robust increase in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) over the past few years. Specifically, the three-year growth rate stands at 16.9, and the rate over the past five years is 15.8. Accenture PLC's Winning Formula: A Deep Dive into Financial Metrics and Competitive Strengths Conclusion Accenture PLC's financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics highlight the firm's unparalleled position for potential outperformance. The GuruFocus Score Rating underscores this potential, making Accenture PLC a compelling investment opportunity. GuruFocus Premium members can find more companies with strong GF Scores using the following screener link: GF Score Screen This article first appeared on GuruFocus. MEXICO CITY, August 25, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a-" (Excellent) of Reaseguradora America SPC Ltd. (RAM Re) (Cayman Islands). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. RAM Re is a subsidiary of ASSA Compania Tenedora, S.A. and owned ultimately by Grupo ASSA, S.A., a financial services holding company publicly traded on the Panama Stock Exchange. The ratings reflect RAM Res balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). RAM Re is registered as a segregated portfolio company, licensed as a Class B(iii) insurer under the Cayman Islands insurance law, which allows large clients to place proprietary risks through underlying cells. AM Best recognizes the strategic role that RAM Re aims to achieve in the groups overall regional strategy; however, RAM Res business profile is considered limited given its accessibility to markets when compared with other commercial reinsurers. The ratings also reflect RAM Res very strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), sound operating performance and its affiliation to Grupo ASSA, S.A., which provides synergies and operating efficiencies, as well as parental support and an appropriate ERM framework. AM Best expects RAM Re to maintain risk-adjusted capitalization levels supportive of its ratings amid material changes in its business profile, driven by ongoing developments in its segregated portfolio cells. Concerns regarding business volume growth and new portfolio integration, which historically have pressured the companys capital base, continue to be offset through the successful implementation of RAM Res strategy, which is reflected in consistent profitability and underpinned by three segregated portfolio cells. Story continues Factors that could lead to positive rating actions include sustained improvements in RAM Res capital base while maintaining risk-adjusted capitalization at a very strong level, supported by the successful materialization of developments concerning RAM Res business profile, including its strategy driven by the integration of a new segregated portfolio cells. A deterioration in risk-adjusted capitalization levels, driven by an unsuccessful materialization of developments concerning RAM Res business profile, including the failed adoption of its strategy attempting the integration of a new segregated portfolio cells, along with diminished parent commitment, could lead to negative rating actions. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230825928321/en/ Contacts Salvador Smith Senior Financial Analyst +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 109 salvador.smith@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Eli Sanchez Director, Analytics +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107 eli.sanchez@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com The paradise island of Saint Lucia, one of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles, is finalising preparations to host the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023 on August 26. Leading travel and tourism figureheads from across the Caribbean and the Americas will attend the red-carpet reception at Sandals Grand St Lucian, where the industrys best organisations will be named. The evening will mark the opening leg of World Travel Awardss (WTAs) landmark 30th anniversary celebrations that will reward and acknowledge travel excellence. Categories cover the entire spectrum of the industry, ranging from hotels and resorts to airlines and tour operators. WTA Founder Graham Cooke said: We are honoured that the beautiful nation of Saint Lucia will host our Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023. Saint Lucia is a cornerstone of the Caribbean travel and tourism economy, and I am delighted that this captivating island will play a pivotal part in our 30th anniversary tour. I look forward to joining the most senior travel industry figureheads from across the Caribbean and The Americas for what promises to be a fabulous event, acknowledging the organisations setting the benchmark for travel and tourism excellence, he added. Dr Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Information, Saint Lucia, said: We are excited to host the prestigious World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023 and join forces with the global travel and tourism industry to celebrate the 30th anniversary of World Travel Awards. The impact travel and tourism have on our island's economy cannot be overstated. Lorine Charles-St Jules, CEO, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, said: This will be an incredible boost to our tourism sector as we continue to aim for excellence in the hospitality industry. We are delighted to welcome leaders from across the world and to immerse them in the hospitality and culture of our stunningly beautiful island. - TradeArabia News Network With a vision to cultivate a thriving technology and innovation ecosystem, this investment aligns with their Industry 4.0 focus and IPO ambitions. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2023) - With a strategic vision to dominate Industry 5.0, AntsBees Sdn Bhd is excited to announce a substantial investment of up to RM4 million to support emerging tech start-ups in their pursuit of operational excellence. AntsBees is a leading innovator in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics automation solutions that is taking a bold step toward nurturing the tech ecosystem. AntsBees Announced RM4 Million in Bid to Empower Tech Start-Ups To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/177712_c8a8cf0a74914ab7_001full.jpg AntsBees Sdn Bhd, renowned for its expertise in AI and robotics automation, is committed to extending its knowledge and financial resources to fuel the growth of promising tech start-ups. In line with its mission to enable digital transformation for organizations, AntsBees seeks to invest in or acquire businesses operating in the dynamic landscape of Industry 4.0. This strategic move aims to bolster AntsBees' position as a formidable tech conglomerate within the ever-evolving tech industry. Dr. Priscilla Prasena, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AntsBees Sdn Bhd, expressed her enthusiasm for this initiative. "We are keen to extend our expertise and platforms to start-up companies and extend financial aid to grow together. Having been in the market and enabling digital transformation for organizations, we would like to invest in or acquire new businesses related to Industry 4.0 and in doing so, further strengthen our position towards becoming a stronger tech conglomerate," said Dr. Priscilla Prasena. Furthermore, as CEO of Prestine International, Dr. Prasena's appointment is strategic, signaling AntsBees' commitment to advancing AI, digitalization, and manufacturing programs in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The company envisions building an AI ecosystem in line with its sustainability goals, which aim to provide robust technological infrastructure to the broader community. Story continues Dr. Priscilla Prasena reiterated AntsBees' commitment to overcoming challenges and achieving its set objectives. "As you can see, we do not take our business lightly and are always aligning ourselves to develop AI, digitalisation, and manufacturing programmes. We are rooted in our AI and Robotics Process Automation expertise and we have been proving success competing with larger technological giants. As we grow, we will continue to prove ourselves - first within the APAC region, and then, of course globally," Dr. Prasena said. For more information about AntsBees and its initiatives, please visit https://antsbees.net/. About AntsBees: Established in the year 2012, AntsBees provides solutions, development, and training in Big Data, Project Management Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Marketing as part of industry 4.0. AntsBees Sdn Bhd provides both basic and advanced ideas for Industry Revolution 5.0. Our business is to help clients manage and derive useful insights from the vast amounts of structured and unstructured data at their disposal. The company is focused on bridging the gap between business and technology, and in doing so, we provide exceptional and positive experiences to customers across various markets. Contact Info: Name: Eric Yong Email: eric@antsbees.net Organization: AntsBees Sdn Bhd Website: https://antsbees.net/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/177712 MStudioImages / Getty Images As national Womens Equality Day approaches on August 26, 2023, it might lead you to wonder how women fare compared to men when it comes to net worth in the U.S. The fact is, while things are getting better, women still have a long way to go before reaching true income (or wealth) parity. See: Heres the Average Retirement Age in 2023 for Men vs. Women Find: How Rich Are President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris and the Wealthiest US Politicians? Women at the Top End of Wealth According to Forbes Billionaires list (as of 2021 and analyzed by FinanceBuzz), only 12% of billionaires in the U.S. are women. And, compared to the wealthiest male billionaires, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, the wealthiest women billionaires hold just about 1/3 of the wealth of their male counterparts. Comparing Wealth for Average Men and Women When you get down to middle- and lower-income earners, the picture isnt much brighter. A data study from Earnest in the same year revealed that men have roughly double the net worth of women. Earnest analyzed cash, investment and debt balances on tens of thousands of applications for student loan refinancing. While this data only points to a specific demographic people requesting student loan refinancing the sample size was vast enough to draw speculative conclusions. Earnest found that the average male applying for student loan refinancing had a net worth of roughly $12,188, while female applicants had a net worth of just $5,541. Men and women held roughly the same amount of cash reserves, less than $10,000, and men had slightly more debt $24,095 for men compared to $23,511 for women. When youre talking about investing, the value is clear. Earnest calculated net worth based on cash plus investments minus debt. The average male in the survey had invested $26,717, while the average woman had just $19,541 put aside in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and other investments. This divide may grow as time goes on. At just a 5% return (lower than you might expect from the S&P 500), in 30 years the average male applicant should have $120,000 set aside, while average female applicant would hold $87,563. Story continues Also: Heres How Much Every Living US President Is Worth Where Does Biden Rank? Expert Tips for Women Investors Sallie Krawcheck, founder of Ellevest, offered tips for women to address this disparity in a previous Earnest blog post. She suggested its not that women are afraid to invest, as outdated myths might have people believe. Its that women make less than men and, therefore, have less to invest. Women may also shy away from riskier investments that might net higher returns. Krawcheck advised women to begin investing early to leverage the power of compound interest and negotiate higher wages to earn more to invest. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Average Net Worth of Men vs. Women The board of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) has announced that it will be paying its dividend of $0.24 on the 29th of September, an increased payment from last year's comparable dividend. This takes the annual payment to 3.4% of the current stock price, which is about average for the industry. Check out our latest analysis for Bank of America Bank of America's Dividend Forecasted To Be Well Covered By Earnings While it is always good to see a solid dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is feasible. Having distributed dividends for at least 10 years, Bank of America has a long history of paying out a part of its earnings to shareholders. Taking data from its last earnings report, calculating for the company's payout ratio shows 25%, which means that Bank of America would be able to pay its last dividend without pressure on the balance sheet. Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to fall by 4.8% over the next 3 years. However, as estimated by analysts, the future payout ratio could be 34% over the same time period, which we think the company can easily maintain. Bank of America Has A Solid Track Record The company has an extended history of paying stable dividends. The dividend has gone from an annual total of $0.04 in 2013 to the most recent total annual payment of $0.96. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 37% over that duration. It is good to see that there has been strong dividend growth, and that there haven't been any cuts for a long time. The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow The company's investors will be pleased to have been receiving dividend income for some time. Bank of America has impressed us by growing EPS at 13% per year over the past five years. With a decent amount of growth and a low payout ratio, we think this bodes well for Bank of America's prospects of growing its dividend payments in the future. Bank of America Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock Overall, a dividend increase is always good, and we think that Bank of America is a strong income stock thanks to its track record and growing earnings. The distributions are easily covered by earnings, and there is plenty of cash being generated as well. We should point out that the earnings are expected to fall over the next 12 months, which won't be a problem if this doesn't become a trend, but could cause some turbulence in the next year. All of these factors considered, we think this has solid potential as a dividend stock. Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Bank of America (of which 1 doesn't sit too well with us!) you should know about. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks. 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. BEST Inc. (NYSE:BEST) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript August 24, 2023 Operator: Good day, and welcome to the BEST Inc. Second Quarter 2023 Results Conference Call. All participants will be in listen only mode [Operator Instructions]. Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Johnny Chou, Chairman and CEO. Please go ahead. Johnny Chou: Thank you, operator. Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining BEST's second quarter 2023 earnings call today. We are reporting another outperformed quarter achieving both top line growth and bottom line improvements across our business. Our group gross margin turned positive at 4.2% in the second quarter and we narrowed our net loss by 48.7% year-over-year. BEST Freight and the BEST Supply Chain Management each reached non-GAAP profitability and generated positive cash operating cash flow for the quarter. Meanwhile, BEST Global continue to bounce back from the impact of COVID, delivering improved revenue and gross margin with ongoing momentum in cross border volume and revenue on a quarter-over-quarter basis. Now let me review each of our business units in more detail. Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com For BEST Freight, Chinas economy gradual recovery after COVID, which continue to weigh on the industry's recovery. With our focus on quality and operating excellences, BEST Freight second quarter volume and revenue grew by 7.2% and 15.2% year-over-year, respectively. We have also made considerable gain with Freight's gross margin. It reached to 5.3% in Q2 compared with negative 7.8% in the same period a year ago. In addition, Freight achieved profitability for the quarter. As service quality remains the cornerstone of our Freight services, our focus moving forward will be on further improving our core competencies in the market. We will continue to develop digital transformation to improve our operating efficiency and ability to provide our key accounts with high quality services. Story continues In addition, we will continue to synergize with BEST Supply Chain Management to capitalize additional business opportunities. We expect BEST Freight to continue to be profitable in Q3 and Q4 this year with positive operating cash flow for the full year of 2023. Moving on to BEST Supply Chain Management. We continue to benefit from the market's increased demand for third party integrated logistics services partners with a higher level of service offerings. With our capabilities in technology and integrated services, we are becoming more efficient and further differentiating BEST across market. In the second quarter, revenue from BEST Supply Chain Management increased by 6.7% year-over-year and its gross margin reached to a record high of 10.9%. Furthermore, we continue to expand our customer base. In Q2, we brought in 36 new key accounts and 33 new tender wins. BEST Supply Chain Management's robust growth showcases that our strategy to continuously invest in and improve our digital transformation capabilities and drive synergies across our business is working. We are extending our services to cover more market segments and maximizing overlapping opportunities with BEST Global by utilizing our cross border and fulfillment capabilities. We expect BEST Supply Chain Management to generate ongoing profit and positive cash flow for the remaining quarters this year and for full year of 2023. Looking at BEST Global. As we continue optimizing our organizational efficiency and developing our integrated logistics services capabilities in Southeast Asia, we are improving the service quality, network coverage and expanding our reach in cross border opportunities. On the heels of COVID, BEST Global's business is showing clear signs of recovery. During the second quarter, our key account business has grown 25% quarter-over-quarter, driven by our robust cross-border capabilities, total volume for our cross border business in the second quarter increased by approximately 54% quarter-over-quarter. We believe the steps we have taken place BEST Global on a firm path to growth and profitability. As we continue to execute on our strategy in the second half of 2023, we expect Global's parcel volume to continue to increase quarter-over-quarter and its operating margin and the bottom line to show steady improvements for the remainder of the year. In summary, we saw remarkable improvements across our business lines in the second quarter. Our dedication in delivering best-in-class service quality and digital transformation continue to be our primary focus. In addition, leveraging synergies among our business units differentiates our offerings and gives us clear competitive advantage. We are confident that with this growth momentum, we are able to drive sustainable growth and profitabilities in near future. With that, I would like to turn the call over to our CFO, Gloria, for further review of our second quarter financials. Go ahead, Gloria. Gloria Fan: Thank you, Johnny, and hello to everyone. As we continue to accelerate the recovery of our business in the second quarter, both BEST Freight and BEST Supply Chain Management delivered robust growth momentum and reached non-GAAP profitability. Our group's gross margin turned positive and our net loss narrowed by 48.7% year-over-year. In addition, we have significantly reduced our selling, general and administrative expenses by 31.4% year-over-year due to our continuous effort in cost reductions and operating efficiency improvements. Our balance of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short term investments remained strong at RMB3.2 billion at the end of the second quarter. Moving to the details of our financials. Our total revenue for the second quarter was approximately RMB2.1 billion compared with RMB1.9 billion in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily due to increased revenue of BEST Freight and the BEST Supply Chain Management. Our ongoing work to improve our organizational efficiency and reduce costs continue to bear fruit. We reported gross profit of RMB88.8 million for the quarter compared with a gross loss of RMB89.3 million in the same period of last year. Accordingly, our gross margin percentage reached 4.2% compared with a negative 4.6% in the same period of last year. Our net loss from continuing operations in the second quarter narrowed by RMB165.7 million to RMB174.4 million from a net loss of RMB340.1 million in the same period of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations improved in the second quarter to negative RMB124.9 million compared with negative RMB270.3 million for the same period of last year. With that overview, let's move on to the key financial highlights for our business units. For BEST Freight, second quarter revenue was approximately RMB1.4 billion compared with RMB1.2 billion for the same period of last year. The increase was primarily due to increased freight volume and higher average selling price per ton. Freight's gross margin percentage was 5.3%, a 13 percentage point improvement from the same period of last year. Adjusted EBITDA for BEST Freight was RMB20.4 million compared with negative RMB34.5 million in Q2 last year. Revenue for BEST Supply Chain Management increased by 6.7% year-over-year in Q2 to RMB481.2 million, and the gross margin improved by 2.7 percentage points to 10.9%. Excluding the tax advantage of RMB18 million recognized in Q2 last year, adjusted EBITDA for BEST Supply Chain Management improved by RMB13.5 million compared with the same period of last year. For BEST Global, we are gradually recovering from the impact of COVID. Q2 revenue for BEST Global decreased by 0.7% year-over-year to RMB239.4 million, primarily due to the decrease in volume in [Thailand]. Its gross margin percentage was negative 20.2%, a decrease of 5.5 percentage points year-over-year. Q2 adjusted EBITDA for BEST Global was negative RMB100 million compared with negative RMB97.7 million in Q2 last year. Our operating expenses, excluding share based compensation, totaled RMB245.7 million or 11.5% of revenue compared with RMB356.1 million or 18.4% of revenue in the same period of last year. Our operating expenses decreased by RMB110.4 million, representing a 31% decrease year-over-year. Selling, general and administrative expenses for Q2 were RMB216.6 million or 10.1% of our total revenue, which represented a 31.3% decrease year-over-year due to reduced headcount and bad debt expenses. R&D expenses were RMB29.1 million or 1.4% of the total revenue. This compared with RMB40.9 million or 2.1% of total revenue in Q2 last year. In summary, our stellar second quarter results highlight the effectiveness of our quality focused and technology driven strategies and we believe BEST is on track and stepping firmly on a clear path towards our next stage of growth. For the second half of 2023, we expect BEST Freight and BEST Supply Chain Management to continue delivering profitability and positive operating cash flows. For BEST Global, we expect a fast recovery of parcel volume and much improved bottom line. This concludes our financial update. We will now open the call to questions. Thank you. Operator? Johnny Chou: Thank you for joining our call. We appreciate your support of BEST. Please reach out to our Investor Relations team if you have any further questions. We look forward to speaking with you soon. Thank you very much. Operator: The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation, and you may now disconnect. See also Analysts Just Trim Price Targets for These 10 Stocks and 17 Highest Paying Countries for Lawyers. Bitcoin dropped to around the US$26,000 level Friday morning in Asia, giving up much of the previous days gains. Ahead of the U.S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powells Friday speech at Jackson Hole, investors are looking for signs of an end to the rate hike cycle, with repercussions for the crypto market. Ether moved lower to near the US$1,600 support level, while most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies logged losses. Solana led the losers after its own day of gains Thursday. The Forkast 500 NFT index gained slightly as the Solana blockchains new partnership with e-commerce platform Shopify points to better times ahead for NFTs. U.S. stock futures traded mixed after Wall Street closed lower on Thursday, with all three major U.S. indexes logging losses of over 1%. Bitcoin gives up gains as cautionary mood prevails Bitcoin dropped 1.40% in the last 24 hours to US$26,081.21 as of 07:20 a.m. in Hong Kong and traded 2.90% lower for the week, according to CoinMarketCap data. The worlds leading cryptocurrency reached a low of US$25,914.93 on early Friday, a 2.9% decline from its high daily high of US$26,688.48 on Thursday. According to Samer Hasn, market analyst at Australia-based global multi-asset broker XS.com, the current caution in the crypto market is due to increased regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has brought lawsuits against a number of digital asset firms, including Ripple Labs, Binance.US and Coinbase. Luxembourg-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp said Thursday it will stop Ether staking services for U.S. customers from Sep. 25 in light of recent regulatory developments. Hasn said the negative sentiment may continue to put pressure on the cryptocurrency market in the coming weeks or months until a regulatory and legislative environment that regulates the cryptocurrency market becomes clear. He pointed to data from blockchain intelligence firm Santiment that shows Bitcoin whales moving large amounts of the token to their wallets as a further sign of a decline in market sentiment. Story continues The relatively huge movements in cryptocurrency wallets, led by Bitcoin, may continue to weaken the confidence of participants and fuel a state of caution about what may happen in the future in the market and lead to collapses or wide fluctuations, Hasn added. Greta Yuan, head of research at Hong Kong-based digital asset exchange VDX, said that investors have to recognize that the bear market is not over yet. With trading volume across the market still weak, Bitcoins price could remain in the range of US$25,000-27,000 for some time, she added. Alongside Bitcoins losses, Ether also dipped 1.40% to US$1,652.77 and was down 3.27% over the past seven days. Most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies traded lower over the past 24 hours. The exception was Binances BNB token, which edged up 0.58% to US$217.48 but still logged a weekly loss of 1.87%. Mastercard said it will end four crypto card programs in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Bahrain by September 22. The global payment giant was partnered with Binance on the four programs. No reason was provided for the cancellations, first reported by Reuters on Thursday. Solanas SOL token led the losers, falling 3.09% to US$20.90 for a weekly loss of 4.98%. SOL reached a four-day high of US$21.99 on Thursday as it announced that Solana Pay a free-to-use payment protocol built on the Solana blockchain has partnered with Canada-based e-commerce platform Shopify to allow USDC stablecoin payments for online shopping without intermediary fees. The total crypto market capitalization dropped 1.23% to US$1.05 trillion. Trading volume fell 22.52% to US$27.41 billion. Signs of life for NFTs? The indexes are proxy measures of the performance of the global NFT market. They are managed by CryptoSlam, a sister company of Forkast.News under the Forkast.Labs umbrella. The main Forkast 500 NFT index edged up 0.20% over the past 24 hours to 2,274.13 as of 10:00 a.m. in Hong Kong, but was still down 7.36% for the week. Forkasts Ethereum and Cardano NFT indexes dropped, while the Solana and Polygon indexes moved up. Global sales are up to over US$15m in the past 24 hours and the Forkast 500 has been flashing green over this period. I wouldnt expect this to last though, said Yehudah Petscher, NFT strategist at Forkast Labs, via a note. Total NFT trading volume rose 24.48% in the past 24 hours to US$15.20 million. Volumes on the Ethereum, Solana, Polygon and Cardano blockchains all logged increases, while the Bitcoin networks volume dropped, according to data from CryptoSlam. Solana spearheaded the increase in NFT trading volumes, surging over 125% in the past 24 hours to US$2.24 million and second place in CryptoSlams volumes ranking. A majority of these sales are behind a new profile-picture (PFP) collection called Meegos that was created by Blocksmith Labs. In just a few hours the collection has 10x the sales as the second ranked Solana collection, totaling over US$1 million in sales today, Petscher said. Meanwhile, Solanas recently-announced partnership with e-commerce platform Shopify has provided a much-needed boost to the NFT market. Most NFTs you have to pay for with crypto, and we need crypto adoption, Petscher said in a video posted to YouTube Thursday. This is just an inevitable step to bring people into Web3, like what were seeing with Paypal and their introduction of a stablecoin, so mass adoption is happening, he added. Ethereum-based Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) continued to top the 24-hour sales volume for NFT collections. It rose 6.64% in the past 24 hours to US$1.28 million. Solana-based Meegos and Mythos Chain-based DMarket placed second and third in the ranking. Meanwhile, art NFTs especially generative art remain a big seller, despite the bear market. Momentum, a generative art collection by Dutch artist Rik Oostenbroek, was released on Thursday as part of Velocity an NFT series launched by crypto exchange Bybit and Formula One racing team Oracle Red Bull Racing. It sold out within the day. Elsewhere, Eric Calderon, founder of generative art platform Art Blocks, released his heart + craft NFT collection on the Arbitrum blockchain on Friday. Each of the NFTs in the collection contain a generative art piece and a 3D printable model that can be used to generate physical replicas of the artwork. Powell speech to shed light on Fed policy U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell|Getty Images U.S. stock futures were trading mixed as of 11:10 a.m. in Hong Kong. Wall Street closed lower at the end of regular session trading Thursday. All three major U.S. indexes fell more than 1% as the Nvidia-led tech rally subsided. Main stock indexes across Asia also dipped on Friday morning. Chinas Shanghai Composite Index, Hong Kongs Hang Seng, South Koreas Kospi and Japans Nikkei all logged losses All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powells opening speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Friday, which will be attended by central bank leaders from across the world. The speech will provide further insights into the Feds future monetary policies. The Fed raised its interest rate to between 5.25% and 5.50% in July, the highest level in 22 years. Powell said following Julys meeting that the central bank will take a data-dependent approach when deciding how to reduce the countrys annual inflation below its long-term goal of 2%. Fading expectations of recession have brought the focus back to inflation and a potential tight Fed, analysts at Bank of America said in note viewed by Reuters. Risk assets have started showing more signs of weakness than at any other point this year, they added. We therefore think equities are more at risk of a macro-driven shock than the market is pricing in. Ahead of Powells speech, Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins told Yahoo! Finance on Thursday that the Fed might need to raise the interest rate further and keep it elevated for longer. I think it is going to take some time to really be sure we are seeing sustained realignment of demand and supply that is needed in order to bring inflation back on a path that will get back to 2%, said Collins. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker told CNBC on Thursday he thought the Fed should keep the interest rate as it is for a while. The economy could see rate cuts in 2024 depending on the data, he added. The CME FedWatch Tool predicts a 19.5% chance for a 25-basis-point rate hike at the Feds next meeting in September, up from 13.5% on Thursday. (Updates with equity section.) We have selected seven stories from this week's news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. Property mogul Srettha Thavisin will be Thailand's 30th prime minister after lawmakers on Tuesday voted him into office, in a day of high political drama which also saw former leader Thaksin Shinawatra return to the kingdom after a 15-year exile and whisked straight to jail to serve an eight-year sentence. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Read the full story here. The Brics leaders say they will explore opportunities in the use of local currencies. Photo: AP alt=The Brics leaders say they will explore opportunities in the use of local currencies. Photo: AP> At the Brics summit in Johannesburg on Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current chair of the group, said Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would become full members from January 1, 2024. Read the full story here. Illustration: Eunice Tse alt=Illustration: Eunice Tse> Since mainland China and Hong Kong resumed quarantine-free travel on February 6, more than 22.4 million visits, or about 900,000 every week, were made to Shenzhen through six land border crossings by late July. But this trend of Hongkongers taking trips across the border is leaving the city's F&B sector bemoaning the loss of business. Read the full story here. Chinese President Xi Jinping failed to show up at the Brics Business Forum on Tuesday in South Africa, where he was expected to deliver a speech alongside his counterparts. In his place, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao read the speech that criticised the US over its tendency toward "hegemony". Story continues Read the full story here. Hong Kong is Japan's second-largest market for fisheries exports, with mainland China being the largest. Photo: K. Y. Cheng alt=Hong Kong is Japan's second-largest market for fisheries exports, with mainland China being the largest. Photo: K. Y. Cheng> A Hong Kong ban on Japanese seafood that took effect this week will not be lifted until government tests and third-party evaluation prove goods from the 10 prefectures affected are safe following the release of nuclear waste water into the sea, environment officials have said. Read the full story here. Illustration: Davies Christian Surya alt=Illustration: Davies Christian Surya> Two years after the bond default by one of China's biggest real estate developers created the first shock waves, Beijing's promise that everything is under control is becoming increasingly harder to sell to investors. Read the full story here. The woman's survival story went viral when the Zhejiang provincial government promoted it online for China's Doctors Day on August 19. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin alt=The woman's survival story went viral when the Zhejiang provincial government promoted it online for China's Doctors Day on August 19. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin> A doctor in China who saved the life of a stranger by noticing the symptoms of a brain tumour in a woman eating at the same restaurant was celebrated as part of the country's Doctors Day earlier this month. Read the full story here. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Rishi Sunak will travel to India next month for talks with the countrys prime minister, Narendra Modi - Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images A multibillion-pound free-trade deal with India is under threat from a row over the UKs demands for new curbs on the production of cheap generic drugs. Indian negotiators have rejected Britains demand that patents on drugs should be extended before cheaper copies can be produced as a means to protect pharmaceutical giants businesses from generic competitors. It is another dispute delaying the deal ahead of Rishi Sunaks trip to India next month for talks with the countrys prime minister, Narendra Modi. Kemi Badenoch, the trade secretary, is also in India this week in an attempt to give political impetus to the discussions. The differences over drug patents as well as Indias demands for more visas for nurses and care workers have dampened hopes of any imminent announcement. It is thought final agreement on a free-trade deal is unlikely before the end of the year although there is a possibility parts of it could be announced before then. It came as Covid vaccine maker AstraZeneca on Friday launched legal action against Joe Bidens administration over legislation that allows the US government to negotiate prices on behalf of members of its national health insurance programme, Medicare. The measures are expected to save Medicare $100bn by 2031 and came in response to public pressure to lower drug prices for its patients, who are typically older or disabled. However, medicine manufacturers have complained that this will reduce profits and hinder research into new therapies. British pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca, which generates 40pc of its revenue from the US, said it has been forced to cut investments in rare diseases and cancers as a result of President Bidens legislation. At the heart of the Indian drugs patent row is Indias thriving generic drug industry which is set against Britains pharmaceutical prowess that has led to the development of world-leading drugs such as vaccines for Covid. Britain wants India to accept so-called TRIPS-plus arrangements, which offer longer patent protection for drugs than normally applies under the international agreements to which India has signed up, according to a leaked draft of the free trade agreement. Story continues An official at Indias commerce ministry told The Telegraph that the Indian government was strongly opposed to the UKs demand for patent term extensions on drugs and claimed it was unlikely the UK would be able to get it included in the final agreement. Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch, who is in India this week, has received more than 120 letters urging her to withdraw proposals - SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP He said the Indian government was committed to protecting access to affordable medicines and that it would not agree to any provisions in the trade deal that would make it more difficult for generic drug manufacturers to operate in India. We are still in negotiations over the trade deal, and it is possible that the UK may withdraw its demand for patent term extension, he said. More than 120 health and human rights groups and experts have written to Ms Badenoch this weekend urging her to withdraw the proposals which they claimed could threaten the supply of generic medicines not only to low and middle-income countries but also globally. In their letter, the health experts cited as an example this years decision by the Indian patent office to reject an attempt by Johnson & Johnson to extend the patent on its tuberculosis drug Bedaquiline. This case opened the door for other companies to produce affordable generic versions of Bedaquiline, with some health experts estimating the cost of treatment could be cut by up to 80pc, said the experts from 28 countries ranging from Italy and Thailand to India, Ghana and Vietnam. They added: Depriving people of affordable medicines would increase health inequality, as only the wealthiest in our countries may be able to afford these medicines. Moreover, it would add further financial burden on our already stretched health systems. Opponents of the UK proposals have warned they could have a knock-on effect in the UK. Four in five of the medicines and drugs used in the NHS are generics, of which a third are from India, meaning about one in four medicines are un-branded Indian versions. However, officials at Ms Badenochs business and trade department have strongly denied such claims. The NHS, its services and the cost of medicines are not and have never been on the table for any trade deal. We will never agree provisions that would increase the cost of medicines for our NHS, said a department spokesman. The UKs approach to IP is to strike a balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring access to affordable medicines this has not changed. As revealed this week by The Telegraph, India is also demanding more visas for nurses, care workers and IT professionals as the price of a free-trade deal. UK ministers have, however, said there will be no special treatment for Indians under the Governments points-based immigration system for skilled workers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A Burlington startup is taking on Amazon in an effort to keep the millions of dollars Vermonters spend with the online giant in the local economy instead. Myti (pronounced "mighty") is providing Chittenden County businesses with an online platform to sell their goods, and then is delivering those orders to customers using electric vehicles including a Tesla Model 3 and a Tesla Model Y. The website launched on June 28. Located on the Hula Lakeside co-working campus in Burlington, Myti has 11 employees, including Bill Calfee, founder and chief visionary officer. Calfee said the idea for the business came to him when he returned to Vermont in the summer of 2018 after being away for years. Growing up, Calfee split his time between Washington, D.C., and Dorset, Vermont. Bill Calfee, founder and chief visionary officer of Myti. Calfee spent the eight years prior to returning to Vermont living on a sailboat with his wife and young daughter, wandering between the Bahamas and Maine, and crossing the Pacific Ocean to spend two-and-a-half years in French Polynesia. Calfee is a serial entrepreneur, having built and sold two businesses in Vermont, one dealing with water quality issues, and the other with making buildings more energy efficient and healthier to work in. Amazon eroding sense of Vermont community? After he returned to Vermont, Calfee spent a year figuring out what to do next. He said it was the sense of community he always felt in Vermont that brought him back, and as he looked around Burlington, where he had settled, he was concerned that feeling was being threatened by businesses like Amazon. "I grew up in a small town and shopped at all my local stores," Calfee said. "I was just really struck by how people were so busy and how they were not shopping locally. Amazon had created this. It's a brilliant business model, but that brilliant business model was sucking the life out of all these communities, like the small one I grew up in, as well as a bigger one here in Burlington." Story continues Myti delivers orders to customers using electric vehicles like this Tesla. By analyzing Vermont sales tax revenues, Calfee said he determined that Vermonters are spending about $450 million a year with Amazon. "So imagine if that money stayed in our communities and what impact that could have," he said. 18 stores on the Myti platform, and counting Myti currently has 18 stores available on its platform, including Homeport, Kiss the Cook and Lenny's Shoe & Apparel. "We charge stores a 10% fee on all orders, which includes credit card processing, and we waive the fee for the first 90 days the store is on the platform," Calfee said. "The idea is to let them try it before they start paying for it." Myti delivery vehicles on the Hula Lakeside campus in Burlington. Orders are picked up from shops twice a week and delivered to customers three times a week, according to Brooke Isabelle, Myti's shopkeeper care specialist. "We deliver to Chittenden County and plan on expanding our delivery range and addition of shops to include Washington County in early 2024," Isabelle said. Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Burlington startup Myti launches local online alternative to Amazon NEW YORK (AP) Carlos Ghosn, the former rock star businessman who fell from grace and fled authorities smuggled in a music instrument box, is getting what his dramatic story deserves a multi-part documentary series. Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn is the juicy real tale of how the auto executive went from attending red carpets as the head of both Nissan and Renault to fleeing to Lebanon with the help of a former Green Beret. The Carlos Ghosn story is unbelievable in the sense that its a Shakespearean tragedy in which we have an archetypal tragic hero who everybody wants to root for but knows the train crash is coming, said Sean McLain, a consulting producer on the Apple TV+ series and Wall Street Journal reporter. FILE - Former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn speaks during an interview in Beirut, Lebanon on June 23, 2023. Ghosn, the former rock star businessman who fell from grace, is the subject of a multi-part documentary series, Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn," premiering globally on Apple TV+, Friday, Aug. 25. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) The four-part series, which starts Friday, takes a wider lens to Ghosn's story, tracing the childhood and rise of the auto executive which Time magazine once put ahead of Bill Gates among the 15 most influential global business executives. Voices included are Louis Schweitzer, former CEO of Renault; Andy Palmer, former COO of Nissan; Arnaud Montebourg, former French minister of economy; Takashi Yamashita, former Japanese minister of justice; and Hiroto Saikawa, former Nissan CEO. 'No place like home': Ex-Nissan exec Greg Kelly returns after 3-year detainment in Japan Most crucially, director James Jones went to Lebanon and sat down with Ghosn and his wife, Carole, on camera. Jones got the job before he'd secured access to the couple but knew he had to have them participate. You need to hear from the people in the room. You cant just have pundits commentating on what happened or kind of rehashing the story second-hand, Jones says. For me, getting Carlos and Carole Ghosn to talk frankly was a huge thing and I think that the series would have been a struggle to make without that. Many viewers may tune in because of the brazen way Ghosn left Japan in 2019 after being accused of financial improprieties. He turned to Mike Taylor, a former Green Beret, who hid the executive in a large music instrument box with breathing holes drilled in and got him out on a private jet. Story continues My initial reaction was like, Is there enough for four parts?' I know hes an interesting guy who is a brilliant businessman, and the escape is thrilling," said Jones. But then when I spent the time reading up about it, it did feel rich and the kind of thing thats quite satisfying to really get your teeth into. The Brazilian-born Ghosn took refuge in Lebanon, his ancestral homeland, which has no extradition treaty with Japan. He denied the financial improprieties charges and said Japan's justice system was unfair. I did not escape justice. I fled injustice, he said at the time. The series also investigates Japans legal system, which critics say amounts to hostage justice, allowing suspects to be questioned for days without a lawyer present while they are kept in solitary confinement in a small, spartan cell. The conviction rate of over 99% has raised questions over forced confessions. The case against Ghosn centers on elaborate calculations to compensate him after retirement for a pay cut he took beginning in 2009, when disclosure of big executive pay became a legal requirement in Japan. Ghosn argues the case against him was concocted in a power struggle within Nissans boardroom and the series does show a conspiracy by Nissan officials to get rid of Ghosn because they feared a merger with Renault. He was wronged and yet these allegations look very bad, said Jones. And by hiding out in Lebanon, hes not helping the appearance of innocence. Ghosn may have escaped but not everyone who helped him did the same. Taylor was sentenced to two years in prison, while his son, Peter, was sentenced to one year and eight months for his part. They claim in the series that Ghosn never paid them for their work helping him escape. Jones sees the Ghosn saga as a cautionary tale of a leader who lost his bearings. The executive may have believed that because he'd saved Nissan and Renault that he deserved extra compensation. He thought he had saved these companies from extinction and made them successful and made them in his own image and therefore was kind of entitled to play by his own rules to some extent, he said. McLain, whose book with fellow Wall Street Journal reporter Nick Kostov Boundless informed the series, said Ghosn's fall illustrates the need for checks and balances in the C-suite. He was going to retire a very wealthy man, but because he wanted more, what hes going to be known for from now on is spiriting himself away from Japan by hiding in a box. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ex-Nissan head Carlos Ghosn's rise, fall and escape heading to TV Key Insights The projected fair value for Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH KGaA is 15.00 based on Dividend Discount Model With 15.30 share price, Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH KGaA appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH KGaA's peers seem to be trading at a higher premium to fair value based onthe industry average of -564% Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH & Co. KGaA (FRA:MUT) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH KGaA The Model We have to calculate the value of Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH KGaA slightly differently to other stocks because it is a beverage company. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. We use the Gordon Growth Model, which assumes dividend will grow into perpetuity at a rate that can be sustained. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.4%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 4.4%. Compared to the current share price of 15.3, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. Story continues Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = 0.6 / (4.4% 0.4%) = 15.0 dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH KGaA 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 4.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. 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 shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Mineralbrunnen Uberkingen-Teinach GmbH KGaA, there are three fundamental aspects you should assess: PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German 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. Key Insights Ken Holdings Berhad's estimated fair value is RM0.53 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Ken Holdings Berhad's RM0.56 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate When compared to theindustry average discount of -17,029%, Ken Holdings Berhad's competitors seem to be trading at a greater premium to fair value Does the August share price for Ken Holdings Berhad (KLSE:KEN) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! 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. View our latest analysis for Ken Holdings Berhad Crunching The Numbers 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. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last 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, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM10.1m RM8.83m RM8.15m RM7.80m RM7.65m RM7.63m RM7.69m RM7.82m RM7.99m RM8.20m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -19.36% Est @ -12.49% Est @ -7.68% Est @ -4.31% Est @ -1.95% Est @ -0.30% Est @ 0.85% Est @ 1.66% Est @ 2.23% Est @ 2.63% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM9.1 RM7.2 RM6.0 RM5.2 RM4.6 RM4.2 RM3.8 RM3.5 RM3.3 RM3.0 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM50m We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 11%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM8.2m (1 + 3.6%) (11% 3.6%) = RM122m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM122m ( 1 + 11%)10= RM45m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM95m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM0.6, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. 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 Ken Holdings Berhad 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 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.020. 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. Moving On: Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. 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. For Ken Holdings Berhad, there are three important aspects you should explore: Risks: Be aware that Ken Holdings Berhad is showing 3 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those is potentially serious... Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian 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. By Selena Li HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's securities regulator met with representatives from top Western asset managers on Friday to reassure them about the country's economic prospects, as its post-COVID recovery falters, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The China Securities and Regulatory Commission (CSRC) held the virtual meeting with at least half a dozen global financial institutions on Friday, said the people, who declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media. Fang Xinghai, a vice chairman of the CSRC hosted the meeting from Beijing, the sources said. An executive from Fidelity International was among those from the large funds attending, according to one of the sources. The CSRC did not immediately responded to Reuters' request for comment. Fidelity declined to comment. Bloomberg first reported the CSRC meeting on Friday. The meeting comes as Beijing scrambles to shore up investor confidence in the market, which has been hobbled by a deepening property sector crisis and weakening growth in the world's second-largest economy. China's benchmark CSI300 has fallen more than 11% since its high for the year in February. The economy grew at a sluggish pace in the second quarter amid weak demand at home and abroad, prompting analysts to downgrade their growth forecasts for the year. Beijing has taken a series of measures to bolster markets. However, the modest stimulus has so far failed to satisfy investors, who want a stronger policy response, including massive government spending. Chinese authorities are planning to cut the stamp duty on stock trading by as much as 50%, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources, in a further attempt to revitalise the struggling stock market. After a meeting with pension funds, big banks and major insurers, the CSRC said on Thursday that it was encouraging medium and long-term investors, such as state pension funds and wealth management funds, to increase their equity investments. The confidence-boosting meetings come as global funds are seen accelerating their exit from Chinese assets. (Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Sharon Singleton) Market Data Library Logo Coal tar pitch is a dark, viscous liquid that is a byproduct of the production of coke and coal tar. It is used in a variety of applications, including asphalt, roofing materials, paints and coatings, and carbon electrodes. The global coal tar pitch market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2022 to 2031, driven by the increasing demand for coal tar pitch from end-use industries such as the aluminum, construction, and electrical industries. Brooklyn, New York, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coal-tar pitch is a thick black liquid that remains after the distillation of coal tar. It is used as a base for coatings and paint, in roofing and paving, and as a binder in asphalt products. Both coal tar and coal-tar pitch contain many chemical compounds, including carcinogens such as benzene. It is soft to hard and brittle substance containing aromatic resinous compounds along with aromatic and other hydrocarbons and their derivatives. It is used as road tar, in waterproofing roofs and other structures and to make electrodes. Coal Tar Pitch Market is the increasing demand in the automobile industry. Aluminum-grade coal tar pitch is used in the production of aluminum sheets. It is a lightweight and fuel-efficient automobile that lead the market demand. Coal Tar Pitch Market Report Overview: The global Coal Tar Pitch market report provides comprehensive insights into driving factors, restraints, opportunities, and trends, with the provision of in-depth supporting information, data, and statistics and actionable insights. Though covered and provided extensively across the report, the data and information format are simple, yet dynamic in order to ensure ease of reading and understanding, as well as presenting and maximizing leverage and use. According to Market Data Library analysis, the Coal Tar Pitch was US$ 4.1 Billion in 2022. Furthermore, the Coal Tar Pitch market to register a CAGR of 4.5 % which is expected to result in a market forecast value for 2031 of US$ 6.09 Billion. Comprehensive analysis and insights into the global Coal Tar Pitch market provide valuable information for businesses in the industry. Clarity and understanding of market trends help companies tailor their products to meet customer demands more effectively. Story continues Request Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]): https://marketdatalibrary.com/download-sample/14556 Coal Tar Pitch market share and revenues are provided in detail for previous years in order to showcase the evidence upon which our estimations and forecasts are based. Sensor market growth rates and differences, as well as comparisons and relatable data are provided to further support all findings. Data points are provided for each year from historical to end of forecast period and this format is followed for each segment region and respective countries, as well as sub-segments and others. Vital details of major companies in the market are provided in the company profile section of the report. Cover includes financials, recent developments, strategies, product launches, agreements, expansion, mergers & acquisitions, and others. The global Coal Tar Pitch market report is segmented according to form type, grade, applications and regions. Regional segmentation includes North America (United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, BENELUX, NORDIC, and Rest of Europe); Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand, & Rest of Asia Pacific); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, & Rest of Latin America); Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Israel, and Rest of MEA). Coal Tar Pitch Market Trend Analysis and Insights: Some of the key trend analysis and insights of Coal Tar Pitch are: Aluminum Production: Coal Tar Pitch is used in the production of carbon anodes used in the process of aluminum smelting. The demand of this product is highly affect the Coal Tar Pitch Market as it is used in the mainly, automotive and construction. Graphite Electrode Industry : The Manufacture of Graphite Electrodes is done with the coal tar pitch, which are essential in electric arc steelmaking. Coal Tar Pitch market is affected by the steel industrys demand and growth. Environmental Factors : Environmental concerns about pollution and emission has been a major factor that can affect the coal tar pitch market. The production process and costs of coal tar pitch can be influenced by the strict regulations on emission and waste disposal. Price Volatility : Coal Tar Pitch Market can be affected by price fluctuations in raw material, market demand and production facility. Price fluctuations can be managed by the companies that depend on the coal tar pitch. Research and Development: Coal Tar Pitch Sector companies can invest in research and development to improve the quality of the products, and explore alternative and environmentally friendly methods. Through investing in research and development, companies can lead the coal tar pitch market. What Factors Are Restraining Growth of the Coal Tar Pitch Market? The factors restraining the Growth of Coal Tar Pitch Market are: Alternative Products : Alternative materials are used in the production of aluminum and substitute materials for graphite electrodes. This can affect the demand of coal tar pitch market as the industries can face competition from these materials that offer comparable and improved performance without some of the environmental drawbacks associated with coal tar pitch. Raw Material Price Volatility : The Price Variation in raw materials required for the production of coal tar pitch such as coal and crude oil can impact the overall production costs and profitability of coal tar pitch manufacturers. Limited Availability of High-Quality Raw Materials : The production of high-quality coal tar pitch requires specific types of coal and refining processes. The limited availability of high-quality raw materials can affect the production of coal tar pitch. Research and Development Challenges: In developing sustainable processes for the production of coal tar pitch that mitigates environmental concerns can be challenging and requires proper research and development efforts. If You want to Purchase Specific Insights by Segment/Region/Competitor, Request for Customization: https://marketdatalibrary.com/free-customization/14556 What are the Opportunities for Leading Coal Tar Pitch Market Manufacturers? The opportunities for leading Coal Tar Pitch Market Manufacturers are: Sustainable Production Methods : Manufacturers can invest in research and development to innovate the process to reduce emissions, minimize waste reduction and enhance energy efficiency in the production processes. Diversification of Products : By developing Specialty products for industries beyond aluminium and steel such as the chemicals and construction sectors, manufacturers can expand the product demand. Investment in research and development : Manufacturers can invest in research and development that can lead to new innovations in coal tar pitch manufacturing and the applications. They can improve the product quality, developing new formulations and finding new ways to enhance the performance characteristics of their products. Market Research and Forecasting : Manufacturers can keep a close eye on the market trends, product demand and technologies that can help in the growth of coal tar pitch market. Alternative Materials: Manufacturers can collaborate with researchers and industry partners to develop alternative materials that can replace coal tar pitch in various applications. This can lead to explore bio-based alternatives and carbon-neutral materials. Region-wise Analysis of Coal Tar Pitch Market: What are the Factors Driving the Coal Tar Pitch Demand in North America Region? In North American region, the aluminium and steel industry is a major consumer of coal tar pitch used as a binder material in the production of carbon anodes used in the smelting process. Additionally, coal tar pitch is used in various construction materials such as roofing materials and coatings. The growing demand of the construction sector can lead the growth of coal tar pitch market. What Fuels Coal Tar Pitch Demand in Europe? In Europe, the construction and infrastructure sectors are the major drivers of coal tar pitch demand. Coal Tar Pitch is used in road construction, roofing materials and protective coatings. Furthermore, research and development in the coal tar pitch in various applications can also drives the market. The European Automotive sector, which uses coal tar pitch-derived materials in coatings and other applications can affect the demand of coal tar pitch based on factors like vehicle production trends and consumer preferences. What are the Factors Contributing to the Significant of Asia Pacific Coal Tar Pitch Market? In Asia Pacific Region, countries like China are major hub for various industries like aluminium, steel and chemicals. These industries require coal tar pitch for applications like carbon anodes in aluminium production and graphite electrodes in steel making. This region is investing in renewable energy projects that contribute the demand of coal tar pitch. Government initiatives and investments in the projects create a demand for construction materials that drives the growth demand of coal tar pitch market. What are the Aspects that are Driving the Coal Tar Pitch in Latin America? In Latin America, Rapid growth urbanization and Population contributes to the demand for construction material requires for residential, commercial and industrial development that leads to the demand of coal tar pitch-based products. Additionally, the expansion of various industries like automotive, manufacturing and energy, fuels the demand for coal-tar pitch-based products like coatings, adhesives and other industrial materials. This region is also exploring renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. Coal tar pitch is used in the production of wind turbine blades and the growth of renewable energy projects that can contribute to the coal tar pitch demand. What is the Stance on Coal Tar Pitch Market in Middle East and Africa? In the Middle East and Africa, industrial growth and infrastructure development drive the demand for construction materials. The countries are booming with large-scale projects such as airports and urban development. Additionally, they are investing in steel and aluminium production. Coal tar pitch is used in the production of graphite electrodes ad carbon anodes used in these industries. However, local manufacturing industries use coal tar pitch in various applications that leads the demand and growth of coal ta pitch market. Leading Coal Tar Pitch Manufacturers & Competitive Landscape: The Coal Tar Pitch market is highly competitive, with several key players vying for market share and actively engaging in strategic initiatives. These companies focus on product innovation, technological advancements, and expanding their product portfolios to gain a competitive edge. These companies are continuously investing in research and development activities to enhance their product offerings and cater to the evolving needs of customers in terms of efficiency, performance, and sustainability. Request Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]): https://marketdatalibrary.com/download-sample/14556 Key Developments: Company List: Koppers Inc. Coopers Creek Chemical Corporation Himadri Specialty Chemicals Ltd. Rain Industries Limited JPE Holdings, Inc, Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical Co., Ltd. Shanxi Coking Company Neptune Hydrocarbons Bathco Ltd. China Steel Chemical Corporation Hengshui Zehao Chemicals Co., Ltd Shandong Gude Chemical Co., Ltd Crowley Chemical Company, Inc. Shanghai Baosteel Chemical Co. Ltd. Research Scope Report Metric Report Details Market size available for the years 2021-2031 Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2031 Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 4.5% Segment covered Form, Grade, Applications, Regions Regions Covered North America: The U.S. & Canada Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, & Rest of Latin America Asia Pacific: China, India, Japan, Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN, & Rest of Asia Pacific Europe: Germany, The U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Poland, BENELUX, NORDIC, & Rest of Europe The Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, and Rest of MEA Fastest Growing Country in Europe Germany Largest Market North America Key Players Koppers Inc., Coopers Creek Chemical Corporation, Himadri Specialty Chemicals Ltd., Rain Industries Limited, JPE Holdings, Inc, Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical Co., Ltd., Shanxi Coking Company, Neptune Hydrocarbons, Bathco Ltd., China Steel Chemical Corporation, Hengshui Zehao Chemicals Co., Ltd, Shandong Gude Chemical Co., Ltd, Crowley Chemical Company, Inc., Shanghai Baosteel Chemical Co. Ltd. If You want to Purchase Specific Insights by Segment/Region/Competitor, Request for Customization: https://marketdatalibrary.com/free-customization/14556 Coal Tar Pitch Market Segmentation: By Form Type: Solid Coal Tar Pitch Liquid Coal Tar Pitch By Grade Type: Aluminium Grade Coal Tar Pitch Graphite Grade Coal Tar Pitch By Applications: Aluminium Electrode Graphite Electrode Roofing Coating Material By Region North America United States Canada Europe Germany United Kingdom France Italy Spain Russia Poland Benelux Nordic Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea ASEAN Australia & New Zealand Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa United Arab Emirates Israel Rest of MEA Get this Report at a Special Discount Now: https://marketdatalibrary.com/buy-now/14556 Important Questions Answered in this Report: Q: What are some key factors driving revenue growth of the global Coal Tar Pitch market? A: Some key factors driving revenue growth of the global Coal Tar Pitch market are Aluminium Production, Graphite Electrode Industry, Environmental Factors, Price Volatility, Research and Development. Q: What are some major challenges faced by companies in the global Coal Tar Pitch market? A: Some major challenges faced by companies in the global Coal Tar Pitch market are Alternative Products, Raw Material Price Volatility, Limited Availability of High-Quality Raw Materials, Research and Development Challenges. Q: How is the competitive landscape in the global Coal Tar Pitch market? A: The market is competitive, with key players focusing on technological advancements, product innovation, and strategic partnerships. Factors such as product quality, reliability, after-sales services, and customization capabilities play a significant role in determining competitiveness. Q: What are the potential opportunities for companies in the Coal Tar Pitch Market? A: The potential opportunities for companies in the Coal Tar Pitch Market are Sustainable Production Methods, Diversification of Products, Investment in research and development, Market Research and Forecasting, Alternative Materials. Q: How is the Global Coal Tar Pitch Market segmented? A: The market is segmented based on factors such as Form, Grade, Applications and Regions. CONTACT: Market Data Library Tel: +1-(718)-312-8686 Email: sales@marketdatalibrary.com Website: marketdatalibrary.com/ Fighter jets soar in July before the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 170 kilometers (105.5 miles) with start in Mont-de-Marsan and finish in Bordeaux, France. Developers of what is being billed as the nation's first cobalt and nickel refinery and a bastion for national security and against China in Lawton, say construction of the pilot plant will proceed on a fast track. Bartlesville-based Westwin Elements, a year-old startup, said it is working on plant design with Ambler Architects, also based in Bartlesville. Westwin did not name a general contractor. "This strategic partnership (with Ambler) guarantees an accelerated timeline for completion, estimated to span just three to five months," Westwin said after a Tuesday groundbreaking ceremony at an industrial park in southwest Lawton. The company added in a press release, "This landmark facility marks a significant step towards reducing America's reliance on foreign countries for its raw material supply chain while fostering economic growth and job opportunities in the region." Westwin said its refinery complex will produce advanced metals for defense, aerospace, transportation and manufacturing. More: Stitt, former Boeing CEO break ground on nation's first cobalt-nickel refinery in Oklahoma; call it matter of national security Specifically, the company said it will produce nickel powder and cobalt used in super alloys for jet engines, in stainless steel for industrial machinery and in precursor salts for lithium-ion batteries, as well as nickel sulfate and cobalt sulfate used in lithium-ion batteries, in catalysts for petroleum refining and other uses. In addition to cash from prominent investor and former Boeing Co. CEO Dennis Muilenburg, Westwin said it has secured $5.4 million in Series A investment and pre-approval from a private lender to fund construction. It is unknown whether Westwin will try to avail itself of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes funding for rare Earth mineral mining, extraction and refining. Daniel Smith, vice president of external affairs, declined to discuss Westwin's "federal agency subsidy endeavors." Story continues Details of Westwin Elements' deal with economic development authorities in Lawton An incentive agreement with the city of Lawton, the Lawton Economic Development Authority and the Comanche County Industrial Development Authority, approved earlier this year, was recently amended. Elements of the agreement include: Westwin is leasing 40 acres in the industrial park to build the pilot refinery. Construction is to start no later than October, with construction by late spring of next year. For the pilot facility, Westwin will employ 85 full-time employees total: 40 employees in 2024 and an additional 45 by 2026, with an average annual salary of no less than $100,000 plus benefits. The city of Lawton, Lawton Economic Development Authority and Comanche County Industrial Development Authority are providing upfront assistance with a $3 million loan to build the pilot plant, to be forgiven when Westwin meets the benchmarks. "The pilot facility is being built to satisfy a feasibility study and Westwins stakeholders." EGO Power+ 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Handheld Blower Once the feasibility study on the pilot plant is judged successful, Westwin can transition to building the commercial refinery agreed upon with the city of Lawton, Lawton Economic Development Authority and Comanche County Industrial Development Authority. According to the city of Lawton: The commercial refinery will prompt further benchmarks Westin must meet, including making a minimum of $732.5 million of capital investment, with 735 full-time employees with an average salary of no less than $100,000 plus benefits. Westwin will issue 30 shares of unrestricted common stock to the Lawton Economic Development Authority, with a current value of $400,000, at the time of commercial construction. The plan is for commercial construction to begin no later than 2027 and occupy a total of 480 acres of the industrial park, which is owned by Comanche County Industrial Development Authority. Westwin Elements says it adheres to 'highest ethical and environmental standards' in sourcing cobalt and nickel An Amazon Rivian electric delivery truck fleet is shown in March in Oklahoma City. Westin did not say where it will obtain cobalt and nickel, however, one of the elements, cobalt, comes mostly from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which Westwin said accounted for 74% of the global supply in 2022. Congolese diplomats were present at a "VIP breakfast" Westwin held Tuesday in Oklahoma City. Sourcing and processing of the minerals will hold to the "highest ethical and environmental standards," the company said, with processing, including carbonyl and electrowinning techniques, guided by 200 years of combined expertise. Westwin Elements introduced itself Tuesday to guests and dignitaries, and the state, with a whole day of events the breakfast in OKC, chartered bus to Lawton for a site tour and groundbreaking, then a reception and dinner back in Oklahoma City. "The support we received from our guests, including Oklahoma business leaders, state officials and international dignitaries, (was) truly inspiring," said Smith, the external affairs vice president. "Your belief in our mission to establish a critical minerals refinery in Lawton, Oklahoma, speaks volumes about the collective commitment to innovation, sustainability and economic growth. "As we break new ground, both literally and figuratively, we are excited about the future that lies ahead. Together, we're forging a path towards reducing reliance on foreign sources for raw materials, while also contributing to the prosperity of the Oklahoma community." SIGN UP: Weekly e-newsletter, Real Estate With Richard Mize Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize. You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 12 months of subscriber-only access for $1 a month. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma cobalt-nickel refinery on fast track to beat China (Bloomberg) -- Databricks Inc., the closely held software maker widely viewed as a candidate to go public, is in discussions with T. Rowe Price about a new funding round that would value the company at $43 billion, two people familiar with the matter said. Most Read from Bloomberg The talks are preliminary and could fall apart, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. If the round is successful, Databricks valuation would be considerably higher than the $38 billion it reached two years ago in funding led by Counterpoint Global. A spokesperson for Databricks, which provides tools for data, analytics and artificial intelligence, declined to comment. The Information reported earlier that the company was in fundraising discussions with investors. In an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer Ali Ghodsi said the company was well capitalized and didnt need to raise money, but might consider doing so for strategic reasons. Theres always talks with investors, he said. Were getting inbound requests all the time. While many startups are seeing valuations fall and have been forced to take downrounds from investors, San Francisco-based Databricks is riding a wave of interest in AI. Earlier this year, Databricks said it was introducing Dolly, a large language model that will help customers build their own ChatGPT-like generative AI applications. In June, the company said it had hit $1 billion in annual revenue. Also that month, Databricks announced it would acquire generative AI platform, MosaicML, for about $1.3 billion. Until markets turned down at the start of the year, Databricks was a contender for an IPO, but Ghodsi said Thursday that the company didnt have a date in mind. Story continues The markets are closed, he said. If they had not been closed, we would have already been public. --With assistance from Natalie Lung and Brody Ford. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Elanor Investors Group (ASX:ENN) Full Year 2023 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: AU$151.4m (up 31% from FY 2022). Net loss: AU$17.0m (loss widened by 44% from FY 2022). AU$0.14 loss per share (further deteriorated from AU$0.10 loss in FY 2022). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Elanor Investors Group Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls Short Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 166%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates. Looking ahead, revenue is expected to decline by 32% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, while revenues in the Hospitality industry in Australia are expected to grow by 7.2%. Performance of the Australian Hospitality industry. The company's shares are down 3.8% from a week ago. Risk Analysis You should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Elanor Investors Group (including 1 which doesn't sit too well with us). 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. Key Insights The projected fair value for C.I. Holdings Berhad is RM3.24 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity With RM3.49 share price, C.I. Holdings Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value C.I. Holdings Berhad's peers seem to be trading at a higher premium to fair value based onthe industry average of -73% How far off is C.I. Holdings Berhad (KLSE:CIHLDG) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. 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. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for C.I. Holdings Berhad Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last 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. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM54.0m RM44.9m RM40.1m RM37.6m RM36.3m RM35.8m RM35.8m RM36.3m RM36.9m RM37.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -25.51% Est @ -16.79% Est @ -10.69% Est @ -6.42% Est @ -3.43% Est @ -1.33% Est @ 0.13% Est @ 1.16% Est @ 1.87% Est @ 2.38% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 9.4% RM49.4 RM37.5 RM30.6 RM26.2 RM23.1 RM20.8 RM19.1 RM17.6 RM16.4 RM15.3 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM256m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond 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 (3.6%) 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 9.4%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM38m (1 + 3.6%) (9.4% 3.6%) = RM664m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM664m ( 1 + 9.4%)10= RM269m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM525m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM3.5, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. 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. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. 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 C.I. Holdings Berhad 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 9.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.864. 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 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. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For C.I. Holdings Berhad, we've compiled three further elements you should look at: Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for C.I. Holdings Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here. 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian 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. Belt and Road cooperation has made massive advances: official Xinhua) 08:34, August 25, 2023 David Maina Kamore patrols at the construction site of Konza transformer substation in Machakos County, Kenya, May 5, 2023. David Maina Kamore, 32, is an electrical engineer, a profession he had been dreamed of since his childhood, at the Konza transformer substation. (Xinhua/Han Xu) BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Massive advances have occurred through jointly building the Belt and Road over the past decade, said a Chinese government official. In a recently published signed article by Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's national economic planner, the official said that over the past 10 years, China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents on the joint construction of the Belt and Road with 152 countries and 32 international organizations, covering 83 percent of the countries with which China has established diplomatic relations. Infrastructure connectivity has become more accessible through Belt and Road cooperation, Zheng said, citing various landmark projects, such as the China-Europe Railway Express, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and the China-Laos Railway. The China-Europe Railway Express has reached 211 cities in 25 European countries, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has connected China's central and western regions with more than 300 ports in over 100 countries, said Zheng. From 2013 to 2022, the import and export of goods between China and countries along the Belt and Road increased by an average of 8.6 percent annually, Zheng said, adding that their cumulative two-way investment has exceeded 270 billion U.S. dollars. In the overseas economic and trade cooperation zones built by Chinese enterprises in the countries along the Belt and Road, 421,000 local jobs were created over the past decade, Zheng said. "It is estimated that by 2030, the joint construction of the Belt and Road would have helped lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty in the relevant countries," Zheng said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) -China's central bank has asked domestic lenders to scale back outward bond investments according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, the latest in series of increasingly strong steps to support the yuan. The directive, issued this week, is for banks to restrict southbound purchases under the Bond Connect scheme, and is aimed at limiting the supply of yuan offshore, the sources said. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media. The PBOC declined to comment on the content of the window guidance. The move is the latest in a raft of recent efforts to make it harder to short the yuan and to prop up the currency against the U.S. dollar. As China's financial markets suffer losses and heavy outflows, and investors grow impatient at the lack of more forceful action to address the stalling economy, the move also adds to the sense that policymakers see steadying the currency as an urgent task. The currency weakness underlines one of the key challenges for Beijing in its efforts to revive growth as any major monetary easing measures could further inflame yuan depreciation pressure and speed up capital outflows. The guidance "could reduce mainland capital flowing out through the bond market," said Ken Cheung, chief Asian FX strategist at Mizuho Bank. "And it could also drive offshore yuan yields higher to support the renminbi." The yuan, which is down more than 5% against the U.S. currency this year, hit a 10-month low of 7.3180 per dollar last week, coming within a whisker of levels last seen during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. It has since firmed to trade steady at 7.2872 on Friday. The offshore yuan has also steadied, but the spread between onshore and offshore forwards, a measure of the cost of borrowing yuan has spiked to its widest in five years and points to a squeeze for offshore short sellers. One-month yuan borrowing costs in Hong Kong - another measure of offshore liquidity, which rises when supply is tight also hit near five-year highs earlier this week. Story continues "The magnitude of the squeeze is still quite mild, maybe serving as a warning to speculative flows of such short CNH positions," said Zhi Xiaojia, chief China economist at Credit Agricole. BEARS BEWARE Under the two-year old Bond Connect scheme, the subject of the central bank guidance, mainland institutional investors can buy Hong Kong traded bonds and at the end of July they held some 426.98 billion yuan ($60 billion) in offshore paper. It is not clear if the request to cut back such holdings refers to banks' investments or those owned on clients' behalf. However July was the first month of the year where the total fell, dropping by 24.6 billion yuan from a month earlier. The money flow is not enormous, but because the move follows other efforts at stalling short sellers, sources familiar with the guidance believed it would send a powerful signal. At the same time, the PBOC has also been nudging banks to stop subscribing to Negotiable Certificates of Deposit (NCDs) issued by offshore banks, two separate sources earlier this week, another step aimed at cutting offshore yuan trade. "Restricting yuan from flowing to offshore market could tighten offshore yuan liquidity to raise the financing cost," said one of the sources, who reckons the central bank's move is a strike against foreign yuan bears. Increased yuan bill sales by China's central bank in Hong Kong this week also helped tighten liquidity in the offshore market to help stabilise the yuan, a former central banker said. For weeks the central bank been setting the yuan's trading band above market expectations, and state banks have been buying yuan in onshore and offshore foreign exchange markets. Earlier this week China's major state-owned banks were drawing down offshore yuan liquidity in London and New York trade, driving the sudden rise in yuan forwards. ($1 = 7.2862 yuan) (Reporting by Beijing and Shanghai Newsroom; Writing by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) - - - Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Washington state Rep. Tom Dent as a state senator. The article has been corrected. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. OTHELLO, Wash. - From miles away, you can smell this 8,700-person hamlet on the high plains of central Washington. To locals, it smells like home. To anyone else, it's the smell of french fries. Othello produces more frozen french fries, hash browns and tater tots than anywhere else in the world - 1.5 billion pounds a year, or 15 percent of North American production. Every 10 minutes for roughly 10 hours a day, a truck carries more than 60,000 pounds of potatoes into town. Over the next two decades, Othello is positioned to produce even more. The town is abundant with renewable energy and sufficiently far north for its surrounding potato farms to flourish as the Earth grows hotter. Potato processors are betting hundreds of millions of dollars that Othello will be a haven from climate change. "Yes, we're a boomtown," said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan. But rapid investment has brought rapid growth, and now - like many places across the American West - Othello is running out of water. Unless local officials can come up with $400 million to pipe water from Columbia River canals to the north, the region's wells could run dry in as few as five years. Population growth and climate change pose significant challenges for water management across the country. Only 2.5 percent of the planet's water is freshwater, much of which resides in underground aquifers - half of which will be depleted in the next 40 years, according to Colorado State University research. In Othello, the water shortage threatens "the livelihoods of farmers and the continued existence of multiple communities in eastern and central Washington," said Sara Higgins, executive director of the Columbia Basin Development League, the group tasked with funding the expansion. Story continues "But this isn't just about them," Higgins said. "This is about an entire country's food security." - - - Othello has emerged as a rare winner of climate change as the world endures what may be the hottest year in recorded history. Though central Washington is essentially a desert, the government-funded Columbia Basin Project transformed the region into a world-class food basket in the 1950s by damming the Snake and Columbia rivers and constructing a network of groundwater wells. Cherry and apple orchards and fields of potatoes soon sprouted in place of sagebrush, forming the region's economic backbone. Then Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, blanketing the area with 6 inches of volcanic ash. The ash formed a chemically supercharged soil that transformed local farming economies into global ones. Now, the area can grow twice as many tubers per acre as the famed potato fields of Idaho, said Dale Lathim, executive director of the Potato Growers of Washington. "It's an agricultural mecca," Lathim said. "We're not the best farmers in the world. But we are the most blessed." More recently, Othello has emerged as a center of climate resilience. Last year, droughts sent California's total potato production tumbling 30 percent. Meanwhile, the Midwest shifted some potato growing seasons amid hotter, drier weather that prevents the temperature from dropping into the ideal range at night, leading to an overall decline in quality. "You need nights that are reasonably cool to grow potatoes," said Nicholas Bond, a climatologist at the University of Washington. "That's why commercial fields are in the northern states of the U.S." Columbia Basin potato farmers have been able to overcome lower yields even during the hottest summers by producing high-quality crops. In January, McDonald's said hash browns from potato giant J.R. Simplot's Othello plant scored highest among the fast-food chain's global producers. A framed photo commemorating the honor hangs in the lobby of the factory's office, signed by each of its managers. High-quality potatoes also take less energy to process, said Steve Marek, plant manager for McCain Foods, Othello's largest potato processor. McCain's Othello factory is also its most water-efficient. Processors are investing accordingly. Last year, McCain unveiled a $300 million expansion in Othello, the first of several planned upgrades, Marek said. But doubts have been raised about the town's long-term viability. Five years ago, Simplot considered a move to the nearby town of Moses Lake over concerns about the company's water supply, but ultimately decided against the move when Logan secured grants for a new reservoir. - - - On a recent August morning, about two dozen local officials gathered in Republican state Rep. Tom Dent's airplane hangar about 15 miles from Othello for their monthly strategy session about the looming crisis. Irrigation experts say the region's wells are on track to run dry by 2028. It's the "one thing we really talk about at this meeting," said Jon Erickson, development coordinator for the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District. The wells were never meant to be a long-term water source. They were supposed to be a temporary solution until the rest of the Columbia Basin Project was completed, said local irrigation consultant Dan Haller, adding that the rise of environmental regulations during the 1970s stalled development. "Environmental review became challenging. Federal budgets changed; priorities changed," Haller said. "So the project did not get built out." Fifty years later, the wells are depleted, creating what the Columbia Basin Development League calls "a looming economic and environmental catastrophe." State officials have plans for pumps and pipelines to connect the Columbia Basin Project to canals carrying water from the Columbia River to the north. Unlike the Colorado River, which serves 40 million people across seven states, the Columbia is not yet oversubscribed: Only 3 percent of its water flow is currently being tapped. "There's not a water shortage - there's a lack of infrastructure," Higgins said. "The water is right there." But work on the project has been slow. So far, the working group has secured more than $125 million from a combination of federal and state grants. But an estimated $400 million is needed to finish the job; the development league is looking to federal, state and local governments for help, with grants from the Agriculture Department as its next target, said Kristina Ribellia, director of the Columbia Basin Conservation District. If the project is completed, Othello would have water for 70 years. If not, the potatoes - and the potato industry - could disappear. The consequences would be widespread; Washington is the second-largest grower of fruits and vegetables by dollar value, behind only California. - - - At McCain's Othello plant, quality assurance manager Shane Gehin's job includes checking the hash browns. So on a recent July afternoon, he bit into a steaming patty of shredded spuds. He moved them around in his mouth, closed his eyes and, for just a moment, chewed. "Yep," he said, writing a quick note. "That's a perfect hash brown." The plant manager compares it to a food critic's task. "It's a sensory experience," Marek said. "Like tasting wine." Gehin's tasting laboratory is among many additions to the new plant, a sprawling facility that houses multiple potato-focused microclimates. On hot days, employees in non-air-conditioned areas sport T-shirts soaked by steam from water that drips off potatoes. Workers in packing areas, kept at 35 degrees Fahrenheit, wear jackets as they transport bags of frozen product. The machinery is so loud that most workers communicate through headsets. Between McCain and its Idaho-based rival, J.R. Simplot, more than 700 Othello residents work in potato processing, 13 percent of the adult population. McCain and Simplot have helped turn potato processing into one of the state's largest industries. Last year, frozen french fries became Washington's second-most valuable agricultural export after seafood, a 16 percent increase from 2021. Industry officials expect potato demand to grow with the world's population. By 2050, McCain says, it will need to increase production by 70 percent. Using current technology, that would require 67 percent more farmland - and 65 percent more water. Both McCain and Simplot are members of the Columbia Basin Development League, and Higgins said the processors are "engaged and involved" in plans to expand the region's water supply. "None of us are immune from the impacts of climate change," McCain said in a statement, adding that "the processing facility in the Columbia Basin [is] a key part of this journey." - - - Cousins Adam Weber and Deven Johnson are sixth-generation Columbia Basin residents and the third to run a potato farm in nearby Quincy, Wash. For now, business is booming: McCain's recent upgrade created demand for an additional 11,000 acres of potatoes. But Weber and Johnson said the looming water shortage is a "huge concern." Without ample water, local growers would have to pivot to less-profitable dryland farming of crops like wheat and corn, or take up different work entirely. One proposal for resolving the crisis would require farmers like Weber and Johnson to bear the financial brunt. That plan calls for the issuance of municipal bonds, financed by landowners in exchange for water rights to the new irrigation system. Landowners would pay $123 a year per acre of irrigation for 30 years, Erickson said - 65 percent more than they pay for irrigation now. Farmers could opt out of the fee by choosing to rely on depleted wells. But the state's Department of Ecology could shut them down at any time. "This region is nothing without water," Weber said. "Without it, we'll be back to the sagebrush." Some farmers say the extra cost would be worth it. The added processing capacity from companies like McCain means there's no longer a limit to how many acres of potatoes local farmers can grow, which has led to once-modest family farms exploding in size. When Weber's grandpa started Weber Farms in 1962, he grew potatoes on 80 acres. The cousins now farm 4,500 acres. Wages are high, and not just for farm owners. Average farm wages in the region are 40 percent higher than across the border in Idaho, said Lathim. Tractor drivers can command six-figure salaries, and farmworkers make as much as $30 an hour. Nonfarmers have noticed the current bounty - and can afford to face the future risk. Two of the largest local landowners are the Church of Latter Day Saints and an investment firm linked to tech billionaire Bill Gates. Amid the uncertainty, some farms are hedging the risk by pivoting to real estate. Weber and Johnson have been developing a 900-acre luxury community 30 miles from their potato farms, where a recently completed four-bedroom house is listed for more than $1.5 million. - - - Since becoming Othello's mayor in 2014, Logan has leveraged the presence of McCain and Simplot to get government funding for the infrastructure needs not of a small town, but an economy of global scale. Othello isn't accessible by a major freeway, but it has an immaculate, six-lane Main Street, repaved just three months ago. Its 20 largest roads have been repaved since Logan took office. The next upgrade for the town will be sidewalks, he said. "I would say there are instances and certain grants, especially park grants, where the city has received more than its fair share compared to surrounding communities," Logan said. The town's identity has become entwined with the potato processing giants, and McCain in particular. The company's plant changed its slogan to "We are Othello" in 2021. The mayor and McCain both share the same political lobbyist. Last month, the town hosted the state's Little League all-star tournament for the first time, thanks in part to sponsorships by McCain and Simplot. In the spring, McCain was the star of the town's parade. Simplot regularly sends out a french-fry truck to feed kids near the town's newly renovated park. Across from McCain's factory is a brand-new housing development, where many McCain managers, including Marek, are building homes. Locals refer to it as "McCain housing." "This is one of the most symbiotic relationships that I've ever seen in any business setting," Lathim said. "They need us, and we need them." Logan thinks Othello could pivot in the worst-case scenario: that the water shortage goes unsolved. "I think we could diversify into tomato processing, into more cold storage, potentially," the mayor said. "But potato manufacturers leaving Othello would be devastating." The potential losses would be more than economic. Potatoes are part of the town's culture. "I'll be at a restaurant, and my wife will ask me what I'm doing. I'm grading the fries," said Leo Garza, a quality manager for Simplot. Zeke Rodriguez, plant manager of Othello's Simplot factory, worked his way from the factory floor to a corner office over 35 years with the company, which paid for his college degree. Above his desk is a photo not of his family, but of the company's founder, J.R. Simplot. "I owe it to him," Rodriguez said, pointing to the photo. "Everything I've built here with my life, I've built through Simplot." - - - Laura Reiley contributed to this report. Related Content 5,000 pilots suspected of hiding major health issues. Most are still flying. As the Maui fires raged, senior victims had to fend for themselves Despite shooting, hope fades for gun laws in Tennessee special session A Gainesville, Georgia, company wants $4.56 million in Delaware taxpayer money for a cold storage warehouse in Claymont. Agile Cold Storage plans to be one of the first companies in First State Crossing, a mixed-use redevelopment of the former steel mill in Claymont. Spanning 425 acres, plans for the project include offices, retail, housing and additional industrial space. The project will also take advantage of the new Claymont train station, which is expected to open in November before Thanksgiving, according to Delaware Transit Corp. CEO John Sisson. Delaware Prosperity Partnership president and CEO William Kurt Foreman speaks during a meeting in 2018. Agile Cold Storage's grant request will be heard at a Council on Development Finance meeting Monday. Applicants are brought to the council by the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a privately run organization set up by Gov. John Carney to oversee the state's economic development. Since the partnership's founding in 2018, the council has never rejected a grant applicant. Agile Cold Storage is seeking the money from Delaware's Strategic Fund, a pool of state money directed toward business retention and attraction. The requested grant represents almost a quarter of the fund's $20 million allotment for 2023. YOUR POWER BILL: Why Delaware public advocates are opposing Delmarva Power's electricity price hike Agile Cold Storage Marketing Director Marissa Rosenbloom declined to comment, saying the company will discuss the project only after the Monday meeting. Delaware Prosperity Partnership Communications Manager Susan Coulby deferred to the Division of Small Business when asked for Agile Cold Storage's application or any details regarding the company's plans. The Division of Small Business provided a heavily redacted version of the application. Agile Cold Storage plans to create 130 jobs related to the Claymont facility over the next three years. According to the application, there will be five managerial jobs, 16 engineering or skilled labor jobs and 109 unskilled or semi-skilled jobs by year three. The estimated wages and benefits of those roles are redacted. Story continues The balance of the grant ($4,560,500 is requested) will be used for site readiness. Agile Cold Storage estimates the total project cost at $135 million. Information regarding the company's finances and ownership is redacted. Details about the proposed warehouse In presentations to the state's preliminary land-use review board and the New Castle County Planning Board, the company's representatives described a two-phase project. The first phase is a 220,392-square-foot one-story warehouse. The second phase is a 97,500-square-foot addition. Under the company's plan, the facility will be built south of Naamans Road and west of the I-95 and I-495 interchange. It's just north of the Knollwood community. A truck entrance will be constructed at Ridge Road and an employee entrance will be across from the Tri-State Mall property. The project's 31.6-acre site was used as a storage area and scrap yard by the steel mill. It went through a remediation program prior to the project's proposal. Other warehouses planned nearby The Agile Cold Storage facility is one of several warehouse projects in development in Claymont. First Industrial Realty Trust, a Chicago-based real estate company, is building a 358,000-square-foot warehouse south of Naamans Road near its intersection with Ridge Road. It is the first part of First State Crossing to commence construction. The warehouse will be entered from Philadelphia Pike, according to plans shared earlier this year. A warehouse under construction off Naamans Road on Aug. 23, 2023. It is one of multiple warehouses proposed or under construction in Claymont near I-95 and I-495. It is expected to cost about $60 million and be completed in the first quarter of 2024, according to a June press release. PREVIOUS REPORTING: Why developers say Claymont's steel mill site is the key to the area's revitalization At the Tri-State Mall, across Naamans Road from the Agile Cold Storage site, New York-based KPR Centers has approval to build a 525,000-square-foot warehouse. The company has not announced a tenant. Demolition of the Tri-State Mall occurred earlier this year, and a small retail space included in the project is under construction. What happens next The $4.56 million Agile Cold Storage is seeking would be the largest Strategic Fund grant awarded since Prelude Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company based at the DuPont Experimental Station, received $5.5 million in 2021. Since 2018, the state has given grants worth more than $4 million to five companies: Prelude Therapeutics, chemical producer Solenis, FinTech startup Investor Cash Management, Amazon and pharmaceutical maker WuXi STA. The council meeting will be held Monday at 9 a.m. at the Buena Vista Conference Center at 661 S. DuPont Highway. It is the only opportunity for oral public comment. Written public comments can be submitted to Andrea Wojcik of the Division of Small Business at business@delaware.gov. Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Agile Cold Storage wants Delaware money for Claymont facility Market Data Library Logo The demand of glycolic acid-based products in various industries drives the growth of Glycolic acid market. Glycolic Acid Market demand also increases as the demand is in food, textile industry as the population increases in various regions. Brooklyn, New York, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glycolic Acid(CHO) is one of the types of Acid Hydroxyl Acid (AHA), which is obtained from sugarcane. It is Colourless, Odourless water-soluble, non-volatile, and less flammable that is derived from natural source. It is prepared by the reaction of formaldehyde with synthetic gas in the presence of catalyst. It is used in various industries such as personal care, Food, Mining, Water Treatment, and many more. Comprehensive analysis and insights into the global Glycolic Acid Market provide valuable information for businesses in the industry. Clarity and understanding of market trends help companies tailor their products to meet customer demands more effectively. Glycolic Acid Market Report Overview: The global Glycolic Acid Market report provides comprehensive insights into driving factors, restraints, opportunities, and trends, with the provision of in-depth supporting information, data, and statistics and actionable insights. Though covered and provided extensively across the report, the data and information format are simple, yet dynamic in order to ensure ease of reading and understanding, as well as presenting and maximizing leverage and use. According to Market Data Library analysis, Glycolic Acid Market was US$ 32.8 Million in 2022. Furthermore, the Glycolic Acid Market is to register a CAGR of 6.7% which is expected to result in a market forecast value for 2031 of US$58.80 Million. Story continues Request Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]): https://marketdatalibrary.com/download-sample/14505 Glycolic Acid Market share and revenues are provided in detail for previous years in order to showcase the evidence upon which our estimations and forecasts are based. Sensor market growth rates and differences, as well as comparisons and relatable data are provided to further support all findings. Data points are provided for each year from historical to end of the forecast period and this format is followed for each segment region and respective countries, as well as sub-segments and others. Vital details of major companies in the market are provided in the company profile section of the report. Cover includes financials, recent developments, strategies, product launches, agreements, expansion, mergers & acquisitions, and others. The global Glycolic Acid Market report is segmented according to form, source, applications and regions. Regional segmentation includes North America (United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, BENELUX, NORDIC, and Rest of Europe); Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand, & Rest of Asia Pacific); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, & Rest of Latin America); Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Israel, and Rest of MEA). Glycolic Acid Market Trend Analysis and Insights: Some of the key trends Analysis and Insights of the Glycolic Acid Market: Personal care and Cosmetic Industry : Glycolic acid is used in cosmetic products that added the benefits of penetrating into the skin and exfoliating the outer layer of the skin. As the demand of cosmetic products are soaring, the demand of glycolic acid is increasing. Food Industry : Glycolic acid is used as a preservative and a flavoring agent in food. However, it is used for the food packaging. This trend boosts the market of Glycolic acid. Sustainability and Environmental Concern : Glycolic acid is a biodegradable substance that can replace conventional coal-derived and plastic-derived plastic materials. This Factor can drive the glycolic market in a faster manner on the behalf of environmental concerns. Pharmaceutical Industry : Glycolic Acid is used in treating acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles as it is antiaging, antioxidant, keratolytic and anti-inflammatory. As the demand for facing these challenges, the demand of glycolic acid is climbing up the market. Textile Industry : Glycolic Acid is used in the textile industry as a dyeing and tanning agent. It is used in the processing of textiles, leather materials making it more supple and durable. These properties help in the growth of glycolic acid market. Water Treatment: Glycolic acid is used in the treatment of water for the removal of metal deposits and that can accumulate in water pipes, boilers and heat exchangers in the industries. What Factors Are Restraining Growth of Glycolic Acid Market? The factors that restrain the growth of Glycolic Acid Market are: Health and Environmental Concerns : The excessive use of glycolic acid can affect the skin and restrain the growth of the market. It causes skin irritation, swelling and inflammation of the skin. Additionally, if the chemical peel products are used on a daily basis can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Safety Concerns : Glycolic acid is an ingredient used in various applications such as skincare. It causes skin irritation and adverse reactions, if not used in a proper manner. Technological Challenges : The Production of glycolic acid involves complex chemical processes. This creates the technological challenge in the production of new products that are based on glycolic acid and affects the growth of glycolic acid market. Production Cost: The production of high-quality glycolic acid can involve complex processes that increase the production cost. This cost affects the demand of glycolic acid among consumers and industries. What are the Opportunities for Leading Glycolic Acid Market Manufacturers? The opportunities for Leading Glycolic Acid Market Manufacturers are: Biodegradable Polymers : The process of ring polymerization of glycolide, a diester of glycolic acid make a compound named as Polyglycolic acid which is used in the medical industry. The properties such as low toxicity, degradation make a biodegradable polymer for biomedical devices and tissue engineering applications. Manufactures can innovate the use this acid in various industries that can drive the market growth of Glycolic Acid Market. Research and Development : Manufacturers can invest in more research on the Glycolic acid by collaborate with the research institutions, universities and organizations. The new innovation of products based on glycolic acid can drive the growth of Glycolic Acid Market. Rising Utilization in Industrial Cleaning Applications : Glycolic acid is used in household, industrial, and institutional cleaning applications that drives the growth of glycolic acid market. The glycolic acid-based products are also used in the other industries such as food & beverage industry due to the low corrosive and cleaning efficiency. Natural and Organic trends: The demand for organic and natural products is climbing up in the market, and manufacturers can explore eco-friendly and sustainable sourcing of glycolic acid and products based on this acid. If You want to Purchase Specific Insights by Segment/Region/Competitor, Request for Customization: https://marketdatalibrary.com/free-customization/14505 Region-wise Analysis of Glycolic Acid Market: What are the Factors Driving the Glycolic Acid Demand in North America Region? In North America, the demand for glycolic-based products such as lotions, Ointments, Peel-offs, and Anti-aging creams is climbing up due to the presence of a large aging population in this region. The population is growing with the personal care products demand which boosts the demand of glycolic acid-based product market. Additionally, glycolic acid is also used in the food as a preservative and flavoring agent. The demand is increased in food industry which also drives the glycolic acid market. What Fuels Glycolic Acid Demand in Europe? The demand of glycolic-based products increases as the population increases in Europe. The glycolic-based products used in various industries that lead to the growth of the glycolic acid-based market. Glycolic acid is biodegradable, and non-reactive in nature. The high use of glycolic acid is in the cosmetic industry that leads to the demand of products based on glycolic acid. In this region, consumers are more focussed on nail care, and hair care which drive the glycolic acid-based products in demand. What are the Factors Contributing to the Significant of Asia Pacific Glycolic Acid Market? In Asia Pacific Region, the demand of cosmetic products based on glycolic acid contributes to the growth of the glycolic acid market. Glycolic acid is used in lotions, ointments, medicines and other applications. As there is an increase in rapid urbanization and population, the demand of skin care products increased. This factor leads to the growth of the glycolic acid market. What are the Aspects that are Driving the Glycolic Acid in Latin America? In Latin America, consumers spend on personal care products, and industrial cleaning agents, in the textile industry, drives the demand of glycolic acid. Glycolic acid-based products are used in these industries that drives the growth of the glycolic acid market. In this Region, as the population increases the demand for the products that are based on glycolic acid is growing. What is the Stance on the Glycolic Acid Market in the Middle East and Africa? In Middle East and Africa, the demand for glycolic acid-based products increases as they are biodegradable materials that are concerned with sustainability. The government also shows interest in investing in industries that are based on glycolic acid. Many manufacturers invest in research and development of new technologies and products that are based on glycolic acid drives the growth of the glycolic acid market in this region. Leading Glycolic Acid Manufacturers & Competitive Landscape: The Glycolic Acid Market is highly competitive, with several key players vying for market share and actively engaging in strategic initiatives. These companies focus on product innovation, technological advancements, and expanding their product portfolios to gain a competitive edge. These companies are continuously investing in research and development activities to enhance their product offerings and cater to the evolving needs of customers in terms of efficiency, performance, and sustainability. Request Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]): https://marketdatalibrary.com/download-sample/14505 Key Developments: August 01, 2023: The Sale of Glycolic Acid Business to Iron Path Capital-backed Pure Tech Scientific, LLC for $123 Million, completed by Chemours Mark Newman, Chemours President and CEO stated that the sale of the Glycolic Acid Business is consistent with our focus on sustainable growth for our three principal businesses and creating value for our shareholders and this transaction reflects our unwavering commitment to the disciplined execution of our strategy to compete where we are best positioned to win, enhance the quality of our earnings, and make meaningful investments that help solve some of the worlds biggest challenges through the power of our chemistry. Company List: Avid Organics Cabb Group GmbH China Petrochemical Corporation Crosschem Lp Hebei ChengxinCo., Ltd. Hefei TNJ Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Jiaxing Jlight Chemicals Co., Ltd. Phibro Animal Health Corp., Saanvi Corp Shandong xinhua pharmaceutical co. Ltd. The Chemours Company Velocity Chemicals Ltd., Water Chemical Co., Ltd Xinji City Taida Sinopec Co., Ltd. Zhonglan Industry Co., Ltd. Other Prominent Players Research Scope: Report Metric Report Details Market size available for the years 2021-2031 Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2031 Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 6.7% % Segment covered Forms, Source, Purity, Applications, Regions Regions Covered North America: The U.S. & Canada Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, & Rest of Latin America Asia Pacific: China, India, Japan, Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN, & Rest of Asia Pacific Europe: Germany, The U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Poland, BENELUX, NORDIC, & Rest of Europe The Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, and Rest of MEA Fastest Growing Country in Europe Germany Largest Market North America Key Players Saanvi Corp, Phibro Animal Health Corp., The Chemours Company, Velocity Chemicals Ltd., Water Chemical Co., Ltd, Xinji City Taida Sinopec Co., Ltd., Zhonglan Industry Co., Ltd., Avid Organics, Cabb Group GmBH, China Petrochemical Corporation, Crosschem Lp, Hebei ChengxinCo., Ltd., Jiaing Jlight Chemicals Co., Ltd., Shandong Xinhua pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. If You want to Purchase Specific Insights by Segment/Region/Competitor, Request for Customization: https://marketdatalibrary.com/free-customization/14505 Glycolic Acid Market Segmentation: By Forms: Natural Industrial By Source: Sugarcane By Purity: 99% Purity 60% Purity 30% Purity Others By Applications: Personal care Food Textiles Pharmaceutical Adhesives Paints Household Water treatment and Simulation Others By Region North America United States Canada Europe Germany United Kingdom France Italy Spain Russia Poland Benelux Nordic Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea ASEAN Australia & New Zealand Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa United Arab Emirates Israel Rest of MEA Frequently Asked Questions: Q: What are some key factors driving revenue growth of the global Glycolic Acid Market? A: Some key factors driving revenue growth of the global Glycolic Acid Market are Personal care and Cosmetic Industry, Food Industry, Sustainability and Environmental Concern, Pharmaceutical Industry, Textile Industry, Water Treatment. Q: What are some major challenges faced by companies in the global Glycolic Acid Market? A: Some major challenges faced by companies in the global Glycolic Acid Market are Health and Environmental Concerns, Safety Concerns, Technological Challenges, Production Cost and many more. Q: How is the competitive landscape in the global Glycolic Acid Market? A: The market is competitive, with key players focusing on technological advancements, product innovation, and strategic partnerships. Factors such as product quality, reliability, after-sales services, and customization capabilities play a significant role in determining competitiveness. Q: What are the potential opportunities for companies in the Glycolic Acid Market? A: The potential opportunities for companies in the Glycolic Acid Market are Biodegradable Polymers, Research and Development, Rising Utilization in Industrial Cleaning Applications, natural and organic trends and may more. Q: How is the Global Glycolic Acid Market segmented? A: The market is segmented based on factors such as Source, Applications, Forms, Purity and Regions. CONTACT: Market Data Library Tel: +1-(718)-312-8686 Email: sales@marketdatalibrary.com Website: marketdatalibrary.com/ By Tim McLaughlin and Tom Hals (Reuters) - Hawaiian Electrics CEO received an annual bonus last year tied to profit, worker safety and bolstering the supply of renewable energy, but not linked specifically to reducing wildfire risk, according to a Reuters review of company disclosures. The states largest utility is being investigated over its role in the blaze that killed more than 114 people on the island of Maui earlier this month, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century. The county of Maui on Thursday sued Hawaiian Electric, accusing it of acting negligently by failing to shut down electric equipment, which the county said started the fire. Now, some investors, regulators and power industry analysts say pay incentives should be tied to cutting risk, a strategy that could help prevent catastrophic wildfire losses nationwide. California utilities, which have also been blamed for deadly wildfires, have done so, but they are alone. Its a principle of human nature that people and businesses follow their incentives, so if we tie executive pay at many levels of the organization, not just the CEO, to safety and wildfire safety, then the organization will work harder to meet those goals, said consultant Alison Silverstein, a former adviser to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. No cause has been identified. A class-action lawsuit blames the Honolulu-based utility company, alleging it failed to shut off power lines despite warnings that high winds might blow them down and spark wildfires. The utility declined to comment for this story. Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura received a cash bonus in 2022 based on her performance against 10 measures including profit and customer satisfaction. Wildfire risk mitigation was not on the list, according to the utilitys pay disclosures. Kimura received 74%, or $337,500, of her potential bonus award that year her first as CEO - because she missed seven out of 10 target goals, according to the disclosures. Wildfire risk had been a concern for several years before the blaze ripped through Lahaina, a historic resort town in Maui. Story continues The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization identified Lahaina as a hotspot with recurring fire starts in 2018. "Dry! Windy! Hot!", the report exclaimed in a description of Lahaina and nearby areas. U.S. electric utilities in other tinderbox states, including Idaho, Oregon and Washington, have also not tied compensation to the performance of utility executives charged with developing wildfire mitigation plans, according to a Reuters examination of their company pay disclosures. California is the exception. Deadly conflagrations there in recent years including the Camp Fire blaze that killed 86 people in 2018 - have forced investor-owned electric utilities to link wildfire mitigation efforts to executive pay. San Diego Gas & Electric, a unit of Sempra, pegged 20% of target bonus payouts for 2023 to wildfire mitigation and 33% to other safety measures, according to a plan that received preliminary state approval this month. Hard-hit PG&E has spent $39 billion over the past five years on improvements that include wildfire mitigation; linked its CEO pay to fire preparation; and has seen its share price soar nearly 40% in the past year from a low suffered in wake of utility-caused fires in California. Its tragic the lessons learned in California have not been applied everywhere else, said Michael Cerasoli, portfolio manager of the TrueShares Eagle Global Renewable Energy Income Fund. That California model, though relatively untested, should be more broadly adopted at utilities as climate change intensifies droughts and the frequency of severe windstorms in parts of the country, according to eight experts and utility investors interviewed by Reuters. Hawaiian Electric focused on different issues other than fire safety and has lost almost $3 billion in market capitalization since the Maui fire, said Michael Underhill, chief investment officer at Capital Innovations. If you want certain behavior from utility management you need to incentivize those behaviors and get regulators to buy-in to allow a reasonable return on those investments, which is also good corporate governance, he said. TURN IT OFF To be sure, some CEOs without direct pay incentives for wildfire management say they are working hard to prevent blazes. In Idaho, another state buffeted by severe wildfires this year after an intense drought, the largest electric utility also does not explicitly link executive pay to cutting wildfire risk, according to its latest pay disclosure with the SEC. But Idacorp Chief Financial Officer Brian Buckham recently described wildfire mitigation efforts as substantial: caution is the rule during the dry season, when even the undercarriage of a utility truck can ignite crackly sage brush. If the conditions are what we would call risky, we won't even drive in there with our trucks, Buckham said at an Aug. 16 investment conference. Idacorp declined to comment on its pay practices and how they relate to wildfire mitigation. Oregons big utility Portland General Electric Co did not return messages seeking comment for this story. Both states have significant fires now, according to authorities. Larry Glazer, a co-founder of Bostons Mayflower Advisors, whose $4 billion in managed assets include utility holdings, said U.S. electricity systems suffer from decades of massive under investment. The issue is much bigger than Hawaiian Electric, he said. You dont want a wildfire disaster to be the catalyst for a change in public policy, said Glazer, who supports linking executive pay to wildfire mitigation. But thats where we are. (Reporting By Tim McLaughlin and Tom Hals; editing by Peter Henderson, Noeleen Walder, Rich Valdmanis and Marguerita Choy) heineken beer Heineken is to take a 300m (257m) loss on its Russian operations after selling the business for a token 1. The Dutch brewer said it had reached a deal with packaging and consumer goods company Arnest Group, which has now taken responsibility for Heinekens 1,800 employees in Russia. Heineken has already stopped selling its eponymous beer in Russia, as well as other Western brands it sold there such as Guinness and Miller. However, some beers, notably Amstel, have still been on shelves. Heineken said that brand would now be scrapped in Russia and it pledged not to licence any other beers to brewers in the country. With the sale, Heineken has avoided the fate of fellow brewer Carlsberg, which had its business assets seized by Russian authorities. Carlsberg chief executive Cees t Hart said last week he had lost contact with Russian employees since its subsidiary, Baltika Breweries, was commandeered by the Kremlin. Carlsberg chief Cees t Hart says he has lost contact with Russian employees since the Kremlin seized its subsidiary - Carsten Snejbjerg/Bloomberg Heineken had previously faced accusations of breaking the promise it made to leave Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The brewer has called the claims absolutely untrue and misleading. Heineken had ring-fenced its Russian operations, not taking any profit from them, but argued that finding a buyer who could take on its local employees was a better outcome than shutting the business down and laying staff off. Arnest Group is owned by Russian businessman Aleksei Sagal. Its main business is manufacturing aerosols and the company has worked with partners including Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive and LOreal, according to the Roscongress Foundation, which promotes Russias economic interests. Dolf van den Brink, chief executive and chairman at Heineken, said: Recent developments demonstrate the significant challenges faced by large manufacturing companies in exiting Russia. While it took much longer than we had hoped, this transaction secures the livelihoods of our employees and allows us to exit the country in a responsible manner. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. By Heekyong Yang SEOUL (Reuters) -Hyundai Motor's unionised workers in South Korea voted on Friday for possible strike action after two months of talks with the company over wage increases and an extension of the retirement age stalled last week. The union, one of the biggest in the country with about 44,000 members, said 88.93% of its members had approved strike action unless the company accept the demands. A strike would mark the first such action in five years related to wage negotiations at the South Korean carmaker and could disrupt delivery of some popular vehicles, which Hyundai has been struggling to ramp up due to prolonged component shortages. The union is seeking a minimum basic monthly pay increase of 184,900 won ($139) and a performance pay equating to 30% of Hyundai's 2022 net profit. It is also demanding an increase to the retirement age to 64 from 60. A union official said it will continue working-level negotiations with the management regardless of the result. Hyundai Motor did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. South Korea's rising life expectancy and weaker social safety net, such as retirement pension, have attributed to workers' demand to raise the retirement age, according to experts. "South Korea has relatively low pension replacement rates, compared to other advanced countries in Europe," said Park Ji-soon, a social security law professor at Korea University's School of Law. "While those advanced European countries have replacement rates at about 60-70%, South Korea's rate practically stands at about 30%, which make it difficult for people to replace their pre-retirement wages," he said. Unionised workers at Hyundai in South Korea held a four-hour strike for one day in July in support of a general strike, but it was not related to the union's wage negotiations with the management. Analysts said the union would likely avoid prolonged industrial action partly due to unfavourable public sentiment, as the auto industry remains one of few bright spots in the country's sluggish economy. Story continues "We are not expecting the strike to last too long even if the union does stage a strike. However, if the strike lasts longer than three days, which could be viewed as about 10% of Hyundai's monthly output, it could visibly disrupt Hyundai's operations," said Kim Jinwoo, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities Shares in Hyundai Motor closed down 0.1%, versus the benchmark KOSPI's 0.7% fall. ($1 = 1,328.0600 won) (Reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Michael Perry and Mike Harrison) New Products Shine at World Athletics Championships as Company Accelerates Global Market Expansion BUDAPEST, Hungary, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- iFLYTEK's Consumer Business Group hosted a Global Partner Summit in Budapest during the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships (WAC Budapest 23), where iFLYTEK serves as the WAC Budapest 23 Official Event Supplier, providing the Championships with automatic translation software, hardware products, and other services. Nearly thirty worldwide partners participated on-site. An iFLYTEK Sales Director Discussing Consumer Products Engagement with the WAC Budapest 23 and the global community through technology is part of iFLYTEK's 2023 international expansion strategy. The company held its first international expansion strategy conference and a product launch in Singapore last June. iFLYTEK has since initiated worldwide business activities and provided product technology support for numerous international sporting events, significant government conferences, and large-scale exhibitions. During the Budapest Global Partner Summit, international consumers could experience and purchase iFLYTEK's intelligent hardware products. iFLYTEK Sales Directors introduced the company's lineup of consumer products to attending partners, including: The iFLYTEK Smart Translator, a flagship product that serves cross-language communication needs through both online and offline capabilities; The iFLYTEK Smart Recorder and the iFLYTEK Smart Recorder Pro, which possess high-quality recording capabilities with real-time transcription to swiftly transcribe words into text for enhanced notetaking and work efficiency, and operate transcription engines within the devices themselves for offline use and data security; The iFLYTEK Smart Dictionary Pen, a lightweight product with dictionary knowledge that aids language learners by enabling text queries and translations through simple scanning actions. At the WAC Budapest 23, international athletes seamlessly communicate through the iFLYTEK Smart Translator. Meanwhile, reporters at the media center are using the iFLYTEK Smart Recorder and the iFLYTEK Smart Recorder Pro to enhance their reporting efficiency. Story continues iFLYTEK Consumer Business Group Vice President Zhao Xiang delivered a speech at the Summit, emphasizing the strong global potential of iFLYTEK's technologies. He noted that consumers have consistently embraced iFLYTEK's products in China and that the products are very competitive globally, especially when paired with local electronic industries' supply chain capabilities. iFLYTEK is committed to enhancing international collaboration, expanding business domains, and assisting the global community in addressing increasingly complex challenges through its advanced capabilities. About iFLYTEK iFLYTEK is a listed company in the Asia-Pacific Region focusing on intelligent speech and technology. For more information, please visit https://www.iflytek.com/en/. iFLYTEK Consumer Business Group Vice President Zhao Xiang Speaking at the Global Partner Summit Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iflytek-holds-global-partner-summit-301910323.html SOURCE iFLYTEK ATHENS, Greece (AP) The prime ministers of India and Greece pledged to boost their countries trade, business and defense ties Friday during a visit to Athens by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modis visit is the first to Greece by an Indian prime minister in 40 years since Indira Gandhi visited the country in September 1983. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the two countries enjoyed relations stretching back to antiquity. Based on these strong foundations of our long-term relations, we have the great joy of upgrading our cooperation now to a strategic relationship, Mitsotakis said in a joint televised statement distributed by Greeces state broadcaster. Reporters were not permitted to attend, and no questions were taken. Modi said the two decided to reinforce bilateral relations in the defense and security sectors, as well as in infrastructure, agriculture, education and technology. In the sector of defense and security, we agreed to reinforce our military ties and our defense industries, Modi said, according to a Greek translation of his comments. The two countries will also aim to double bilateral trade by 2030, Modi said. Commercial trade between India and Greece stood at 1.32 billion euros in 2022, Mitsotakis said in an article for the Times of India released by his office Friday. Modi said the two countries signed an agreement Friday regarding agricultural production that will also allow for cooperation in research, animal rearing and animal products. India and Greece also want to facilitate skilled migration, "so we decided that an agreement will be signed soon on mobility and migration, Modi said. The two also discussed the great importance of establishing direct flights between Greece and India, Mitsotakis said, noting great opportunities in the sectors of tourism as well as economic cooperation in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Transparency Market Research The global market is anticipated to see growth from 2021 to 2031 as chronic diseases including cancer, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders become more prevalent Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Aug. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In 2021, the worldwide infusion therapy market was valued at approximately US$ 41.7 billion. This valuation is projected to experience a consistent growth trajectory, with an expected CAGR of 6.7% from 2022 through 2031. By the year 2031, the infusion therapy market is poised to achieve an impressive market worth of US$ 78.9 billion. The growth of the market is being driven by an increase in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), which are brought on by contact with contaminated equipment, bedding, and air droplets across facilities. There is a growing need for home infusion treatment to provide the best care and lessen the risk of infection. Another element driving the market is the creation of inexpensive, user-friendly home infusion kits. Large volume pumps as well as small volume pumps are the two primary kinds of infusion pumps. While tiny pumps are used to distribute hormones and drugs, large volume pumps are utilized for delivering nutrition. In the context of chemotherapy infusion, a pump that regulates the pace and volume of infusion introduces the drugs (from a list of around 100 agents) used for treating cancer. Chemotherapy drugs are administered via a vein in the patient's hand or arm. They can also be injected under the skin or infused through a particular port. These drugs keep circulating in the body and combat the illness. The use of sophisticated infusion pumps that may reduce mistakes, like the IP-200 infusion system, is anticipated to drive market expansion. For more insights into the Market, Request a Sample of this Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=42137 Connect with our team of research specialists and unlock the optimal solution for driving your business growth Story continues Market Snapshot: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue US$ 41.7 Bn Estimated Value More than US$ 78.9 Bn Growth Rate - CAGR 6.7% Forecast Period 2022-2031 No. of Pages 233 Pages Market Segmentation Product, Indication, Therapy, End-user Regions Covered North America,Europe,Asia Pacific,Latin America,Middle East & Africa Companies Covered B. Braun Melsungen AG,Medtronic plc,Becton, Dickinson and Company,ICU medical (Smiths Medical),Baxter International, Inc.,Polymedicure,BIO-MED,Terumo Medical Corporation,MEDIPRIM GmbH,Fresenius Kabi,Cardinal Health Key Findings of the Market Report The accessories sector led the global industry in 2021 in terms of products. According to indication, the global market for infusion treatment in 2021 was led by the cancer sector. The antibiotic/antiviral sector led the worldwide market in 2021 in terms of treatment. In 2021, the hospitals end-user sector dominated the world market. Based on region, the market for infusion treatment in North America was thought to be one of the most profitable. Market Trends for Infusion Therapy In 2021, the hospitals end-user sector dominated the global market. The same trend is likely to exist during the forecast period as well. There has been an increase in instances due to the discovery of new coronavirus strains in various regions of the world. The quantity of hospital admissions has grown as a result. For critical care, many patientsespecially the elderly as well as those with serious lung infectionsare put on ventilators. Such individuals need continuous intravenous nourishment to maintain appropriate nutrition. For In-depth Competitive Analysis, Buy Now: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=42137 Story continues "Iran is unwaveringly determined to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and is willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries and actively promote the cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiatives." Thursday's entries more than doubled membership in Brics, and constituted the bloc's first expansion since 2010, when South Africa was admitted. The meeting between Xi and Raisi on Thursday was the two presidents' second meeting this year. In February, Raisi was welcomed in Beijing with the highest protocol and signed 20 cooperation deals in the fields of agriculture, trade, tourism, environmental protection, health, disaster relief, culture and sports. They also met in Uzbekistan last September during Xi's first foreign trip since the Covid-19 pandemic. The two countries have moved closer as they each have faced confronted worsening tensions with the West. Raisi thanked Xi for his help brokering a detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Beijing hosted some secret negotiations between the two Middle Eastern rivals and the two sides in March re-established a diplomatic relationship that had been severed for seven years. In July, Iran also officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a Chinese and Russian-led security group including India, Pakistan, and four Central Asian countries. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Four days may not be much, but for the two people at the center of The Bridges of Madison County, its enough time to discover the kind of love that is so deep and all-consuming you would change your whole life. This unabashedly romantic musical about an Italian American housewife and a globe-trotting photographer is beautifully brought to the stage at Signature Theatre. Finely directed by Ethan Heard, The Bridges of Madison County begins the Arlington companys 202324 season and immediately goes for the heart. Staged in the intimate setting of the Max theater, the production will make viewers feel as though they are a part of this tight-knit farming community as well as Francesca and Roberts private little world. Everything feels heightened as the connection between these two lonely characters grows stronger by the minute. Based on Robert James Wallers best-selling novel, The Bridges of Madison County captures the burgeoning love between a warbride who has settled in rural Iowa and the ruggedly handsome National Geographic photographer who blows into town. Leaving behind her dear Naples, Francesca has created this comfortable and static life with her husband and children, Carolyn and Michael, but its apparent that shes not truly happy. After Bud and the kids leave for the Indiana State Fair, Robert arrives asking for directions to a famous local bridge. In just a short time after sharing stories and meals and lots of longing looks and side glances, Robert awakens something inside of Francesca that reminds of her former life and self, and he finds the light hes been searching for all this time. After the film adaptation with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, it was only a matter of time before Francesca and Roberts whirlwind relationship translated into a stage version specifically a musical. With a book by Marsha Norman, this tender love story gets an added emotional boost with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, whose works include Parade and The Last Five Years. His songs are full of gorgeous imagery and lyricism. Signature Theatre has found the perfect Francesca and Robert, with the casting of Erin Davie and Mark Evans. The palpable chemistry between the two performers drives this story, drawing viewers into their characters personal moments that are thick with feeling. Davie is luminous as the compassionate housewife, who feels whole again, and later becomes torn between her family and the newfound love that hits her like a lightning bolt. A new face on the Signature stage, Davie holds numerous Broadway credits including Diana, Sunday in the Park with George and Side Show (Im still bothered by that musicals early closing). Bridges provides plenty of opportunities to showcase Davies golden vocals, with moving songs, such as To Build a Home and Almost Real, which offer a window into her current and past lives. Coming off the off-Broadway musical parody Titanique, its wonderful to see Evans back at Signature and in a more dramatic role. A magnetic actor with a smile that would make anyone melt, Evans is also armed with powerful vocals. His delivery of introspective songs Wondering and It All Fades Away are both heavy hitters. Brown has a gift for composing sumptuous musical scores and intensely moving and uplifting songs. And The Bridges of Madison County is brimming with them. Davie and Evans voices intertwine exquisitely, especially on the big soaring musical numbers Falling into You and the skyrocketing showstopper Before and After You/A Million Miles. Other musical highlights include Another Life, a slinky tune from Marina Pires as ex-wife Marian; and Get Closer, a Patsy Cline-sounding number sung by Marge, whos keeping a close eye on the happenings at the Johnson farm. Rayanne Gonzales is a scene-stealer as the snooping, but good-hearted, next-door neighbor. Scenic designer Lee Savage transports audiences into Winterset, Iowa, with a warm and homey setting. A large walkway, with seating on either side, is bookended by rustic red barns. Moveable wooden storage chests line the stage, becoming seats on a train or truck, benches at the state fair or outlines of the famous Roseman Bridge. And video screens wrap around the entire space, changing colors with the musicals moods. Filled with strong performances and heart-piercing emotion, The Bridges of Madison County is gem of a show that lingers long after its over. Go ahead and weep away, youll be in good company. The University of Mary Washington hosted Move-In Day on Wednesday, welcoming just over 1,000 first-year and transfer students for the fall 2023 semester. The incoming class comprises students from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, Texas, Delaware, Florida and Washington, D.C. as well as from the United Kingdom, India, Egypt and Canada. Just over 11% of the first-year class of 770 students is from out-of-state, according to data provided by UMW. There are 220 transfer students coming to the university from the U.S., as well as from Austria, Germany, Japan and the U.K. More than 2,000 students will be living on the UMW campus. They include the largest group of honors students in the universitys history. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 28. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears made history two years ago when she became Virginias second woman and first Black woman elected to statewide office. In her newly published memoir, How Sweet It Is, she reflects on her life and her evolution in faith and politics. It wasnt easy to reflect on some of the hardships along the way from losing a home to foreclosure after an old Marine Corps back injury flared up, leaving her unable to work, to a far greater loss, when her oldest daughter and two grandchildren were killed in a car crash in Fairfax County in 2012. Its very hard because its a life of tragedy, of rising from the ashes, but I think also a life of hope, she told the Richmond Times Dispatch in an interview ahead of the books publication. Earle-Sears, who was born in Jamaica, writes that when she was 18 in 1982, the death of her grandmother had her feeling hopeless and directionless before she joined the U.S. Marines setting her on a path to becoming a naturalized citizen who would later run for and win elected office. While in the Marines, she trained to be an electrician and a diesel mechanic. She also gave birth to her first daughter, DeJon. Juggling her military career as a young single mom was a triumph and a struggle. Once she was out of the Marine Corps, she gained a supportive husband, Terence Sears, a Marine Corps officer, who adopted DeJon. The couple would have two additional daughters. In a richly eclectic career outside politics, Earle-Sears would work as director of a homeless shelter; sell used cars; work as a program manager for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; serve as CEO of the Blue Ridge Association of Realtors; own and operate an appliance repair, plumbing and electric company; and write a book called Stop Being a Christian Wimp! She served a two-year term in the House of Delegates after knocking off Del. Billy Robinson, D-Norfolk, a 20-year veteran, in 2001 to become the first Black female Republican elected to the House. In 2004, she took on Rep. Bobby Scott, D-3rd, but received just 31% of the vote. Before her history-making run for lieutenant governor in 2021, Earle-Sears served on the State Board of Education as an appointee of Gov. Bob McDonnell and mounted a 2018 write-in campaign for U.S. Senate, trying to offer an alternative to Republican nominee Corey Stewart. (Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., easily beat Stewart.) Faith and tragedy Earle-Sears, a devout Christian, writes in the book about messages from God at key junctures in her life. God is a consuming fire for me, Earle-Sears writes. When He speaks to me, He speaks to me. I will not deny this. Her faith is a prominent part of her life, and it comforted her when DeJon and her two granddaughters, Victoria and Faith, died in the 2012 crash. Earle-Sears writes that her oldest daughter was bipolar and subject to extreme highs and extreme lows that got worse when she did not take her medication. Earle-Sears also writes that she and her husband had raised the grandchildren for nearly seven years. Once DeJon seemed permanently stable, Earle-Sears writes that she wanted the children to stay mostly with their mother, as she did not want to come between DeJon and her young children. The children went to live with their mother in early 2011. Reflecting on the tragedy, she writes: You ask yourself: What could I have done? What could I have done? I just did not comprehend how bad it was. The experience also drove home the importance of mental health reforms, she said, pointing to efforts the state has made in recent years to expand resources for patients and workers in the field. Nothing is perfect, but its a start, she said. Her memoir oscillates between personal, professional and spiritual as Earle-Sears recounts key points in her life where she faced struggles or personal and professional growth. At times, it also takes the tone of a self-help book as she offers readers encouragement on education, work ethic and Christian devotion. Earle-Sears writes that her service in the Marine Corps reinforced a lesson she had already learned from her family: There is no such thing as cant. At another point, she advises readers on taking an active part in developing their skills. Life waits for no one, she writes. Either you are ready or you are not. She recounts a childhood and adolescence spent between Jamaica and America. Her mother remained in her home country while her father immigrated to New York in 1963 amid the push for equal rights in a segregated America. Defending the American Dream is the secondary title to Earle-Sears memoir and, throughout the book, she stresses how education can lift people from poverty. She cites her fathers immigration story as an example he came to America with $1.75, she said, and went on to become a mechanic and welder for airline Pan Am. He worked on jet engines at JFK airport in New York. Her father is now comfortably retired in Georgia. There are times things havent been easy, but she said: I just want my life to be an encouragement. Here are a few other takeaways from Earle-Sears memoir: A Trekkie A self-described huge Star Trek fan, she recalls seeing herself in the character of Lt. Uhura, a communications officer on the Enterprise not just because she was a Black woman on television in the late 1960s, but also because the Black and female character played a prominent role in the fictional crew. Earle-Sears appreciates the gender parity the various Star Trek shows and movies have demonstrated, and its something she believes she experienced herself in the Marines. Plus, Uhura was a character known for her intelligence. Education has been a lifelong passion for Earle-Sears, who has degrees from Tidewater Community College, Old Dominion University and Regent University. On education Earle-Sears remembers excelling at her courses when she moved to America as a child. There were no nerds back in Jamaica, she writes. We were all competitive bookworms. A thirst for education continued in her adulthood as she learned trade skills while serving in the Marines, and juggled earning college degrees as a working mother. During her term as a state delegate, she pushed for charter schools and school choice is a cause that she and Gov. Glenn Youngkin continue to champion. As Democrats have argued for more investment in K-12 public education more broadly, Earle-Sears supported a bill from Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, that would have created a voucher system for parents to send their children to a school of their choice. She hopes the bill can succeed in the future. (Parents) dont want to be limited by their ZIP code, Earle-Sears said in the interview. A Black Republican Earle-Sears writes that she had long assumed she was a Democrat, having spent a good portion of her youth in New York, where that political alignment was common. When she was in her early 20s, she began to pay more attention to politics and the role the government played in peoples lives. During Vice President George H.W. Bushs 1988 presidential campaign, his conservative stances on lowering taxes and reducing abortions appealed to Earle-Sears. She writes that the political turning point in her life came when she heard Bush say: If all you ever have is welfare, you will never have anything to pass on to your children. It stood out to the young mother. I felt my soul agreeing with him, she writes. It is our duty to do more for our children. With welfare, we possess only up to the limits of the governments checks. She writes that it was an epiphany: I said to myself: Oh my God, Im a Republican. She jokes that her daughters now call her cheap, and she calls herself frugal. As she is a firm believer in the American dream that hard work is the key path to prosperity she writes that the Republican Party started to confirm her approach to life. As she got more involved in local and regional politics, she writes that she initially wanted to work behind the scenes. I never particularly wanted to be a politician, she writes. I wanted to be the person behind the politician. But God had other plans. By 2021, she had become frustrated by two Democratic administrations, the blackface scandals during Gov. Ralph Northams term, and the Northam administrations COVID-19 policies such as school closures and restrictions on businesses and churches. (At the time of her campaign, Earle-Sears refused to disclose her vaccination status, but she did encourage people to get vaccinated.) Earle-Sears topped five rivals to win the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, then edged Democrat Hala Ayala in the general election. Earle-Sears writes that Moses returned after 40 years and that she returned after nearly 20 years out of elective office. Just call me Little Mo. Throughout the book, Earle-Sears chafes against expectations that Black voters should be Democrats. Not all feel this way, but some Black Democrats have appointed themselves leaders over us, and if you dont keep in line, then they are going to cast you out, she writes. Well, too late. Its a healthy thing for Black people to be on both sides of the political spectrum. Early in the book, Earle-Sears writes that as a Black woman in the former capital of the Confederacy she is proud to stand as second in command in a state that gave rise to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. I am a Virginian, she writes. The phrase recalls the closing line from the inaugural address of the nations first elected Black governor. In January 1990, L. Douglas Wilder had proclaimed: I am a son of Virginia. On Donald Trump In November 2022, two days after the GOP failed to make sweeping gains in Congress, Earle-Sears publicly broke with former President Donald Trump, telling Fox Business that it was time for the GOP to move on. Watch the latest video at foxbusiness.com You had to think, well, even if you dont like the mans personality, hes getting the job done, she writes. We wish that he had just kept quiet. Earle-Sears writes that while she backed many of Trumps policies, she could not countenance his personal insults toward others. I did not agree with those methods whatsoever, Earle-Sears writes, and I thought the people engaged in them were unhinged. In sum, she writes: For the good of the nation, I do not think he should run again in 2024. The campaign trail gun photo In the book, Earle-Sears refers to a 2021 campaign photo in which she holds an assault-style weapon. It was not staged, she asserts, but stemmed from an impromptu campaign trail stop at Clark Brothers Range in Warrenton when she was en route to another event. Beautiful day = Range day! Marines know how to use guns and I wont ever support a red flag law! The 2nd Amendment says shall not be infringed! #SemperFi Always good to see my friends at Clark Brothers Guns. pic.twitter.com/nNXq4SjazT Lt. Governor of Virginia - Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) April 15, 2021 I put on a green coat to keep the spent gunpowder blowback off my blouse, she writes. When you look at the photo taken there, you can see that I still have my earplugs in. Nothing staged there. She did go on to post a series of photos to Twitter with a promise not to support red flag laws which are when courts can grant temporary orders to remove firearms from people who appear to pose a threat to themselves or others. Meanwhile, the Twitter images went viral. To her supporters, it was a clear demonstration of her promise to support gun access. It also drew pushback from advocates and legislators (mostly Democrats) who advocate for restrictions aimed at public safety. On whether she will run for governor Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares are often mentioned as likely candidates for the GOP nomination for governor in 2025. Will she run? No solid answer just yet. As Youngkin has said when asked if he will run for president, Earle-Sears asserts she is focused on this years General Assembly elections. What Ive been consumed with since (the 2023 legislative session) was over is winning back the Senate, she said. Republicans currently have a majority in the House, while Democrats have the majority in the Senate where Earle-Sears presides. All 140 seats are up for grabs in November. with a handful of competitive districts key to each party holding the line or gaining the majority of each chamber. Both parties are pushing for early and absentee voting the Democrats with Project Majority and the Republicans with Secure Your Vote Virginia. Earle-Sears ended her chat with The Times-Dispatch with a familiar call to action. We have to win absentee ballots; we have Secure Your Vote, she said. We believe in our system. We have a great voting record here, and weve just got to increase it. A man who is still facing bank robbery and other charges in Stafford County was ordered Thursday to serve 12 years in prison for attacking another inmate while awaiting trial. Karl C. Mitchell, 34, was sentenced by Judge Bruce Strickland to a total of 30 years with 18 years suspended. He was previously convicted by a Stafford Circuit Court jury of aggravated malicious wounding. The charge stems from a July 15, 2021, incident in the Rappahannock Regional Jail in which Mitchell attacked one of his cellmates during a disagreement about the existence of Satan. The inmate had his head split open in the attack. Mitchell was in jail after being arrested for an April 2021 bank robbery at the SunTrust Bank in North Stafford and multiple thefts in Fredericksburg, Culpeper and elsewhere. The bank robber got away with an undisclosed amount of money after handing a teller a note in which he implied that he had a gun. A two-day jury trial is scheduled to start early next month in Stafford. Mitchell has insisted on a jury trial, even though he has already admitted to the robbery during a court hearing and during an interview with police. He has also admitted to some of the thefts, court records show, saying he needed equipment for a landscaping business he was planning to start. Mitchell is no stranger to incarceration. He spent 12 years in a Georgia prison after committing two bank robberies there. He fled to Georgia after skipping bond on other charges in Stafford. A mariachi band plays and dancers swirl in Gabriel Perezs creation. Flowers bloom in bold colors pink, yellow, blue, orange and purple in a mural that celebrates the life of a man who left a legacy of baking to his family. Perez, a senior at Wayne State College, recently completed the colorful work of art on the exterior of the Artesan Bread store at 215 N. Main St., in downtown Fremont. He began working on the mural which wraps around the building in mid-July and finished it by the end of that month. The south side of the building features a scene of women dancers with flowing skirts and the mariachi band. That was meant to be more of a fun and lively side, Perez said. Flowers, along with a portrait of a baker, adorn the east side of the store, where people can buy fresh-baked bread and sweet treats. Edna Suarez, whose husband Raul Moreno owns the business, said they wanted a mural that would reflect his hometown, Aguascalientes, Mexico, and the Mexican culture. A picture of a baker on the mural depicts Morenos late father, Eusevio, who left a legacy of baking for his 16 children. Most of Suarezs brothers-in-law are bakers. We wanted to keep the tradition going, she said. Suarez said they wanted a picture of Eusevio painted on the building to honor him. Also on the murals east side is a picture of an arch, which she said is the most-visited place in Aguascalientes. Bright colors were chosen for the mural. You dont see that as often around Nebraska, where these lively colors are added, Perez said. And while hes used a brush to create other artwork, Perez uses spray paint to create the outdoor murals. He liked painting the mural. I like being able to do what I enjoy doing and be able to show it to others that this isnt just and East or West Coast thing, but it can be brought into the Midwest, Perez said. Perez noted that the East and West coasts have more street artists and a wave of pop culture, something he appreciates. Theres something for everyone, he said. Everyone can relate to it in some way or form. Perez has enjoyed interacting with area residents, including shoppers, who made various comments about his work. Sometimes, people are shocked about me being allowed to spray paint, he said, adding that others simply mentioned they like the mural. Perez is from Pender where he graduated from high school in 2019. Hes double majoring in studio arts and graphic design and triple minoring in art history, social media and web and mobile app development at Wayne State. He paints murals to help pay for college. Perez began painting murals in 2019 and now has painted more than 20 murals in more than 10 towns. His first was inside the Senor Tequila Mexican Restaurant in Fremont. For that mural, he used a paintbrush to create a cityscape and a man harvesting plants and a Nebraska logo. Hes painted murals on multiple buildings in Pender. Hes painted murals in West Point, too. In 2021, Perez painted an outdoor mural on the U.S. Post Office in Wisner that featured the towns name, buildings significant to the community and farm equipment. Perez wants to create more works of art. I hope to continue painting murals all around the Midwest and hopefully start up art festivals to run those to bring more art to the general public, he said. Suarez is pleased with the mural on the Artesan Bread store. I love how it came out, she said. He (Perez) is very talented. Hes great. Lt. Alex Ozuna wondered if the boy in her Bible study might become a lawyer. He was the kid who always questioned me or wanted to debate something from the Bible, Ozuna said. He had me on my toes, studying Gods word so I could have the right answer for him. Through Salvation Army programs, Ozuna helped the 17-year-old who was from a family of eight siblings get a $1,000 scholarship. He was the first person in his family to go to college. He became a paralegal. Years later, she and her husband, Lt. Oscar Ozuna, have begun striving to make a difference in the lives of youth and adults at the Salvation Army of Fremont. The couple came in June and already oversee several ministries, which besides pastoral care include: a social service program with a hygiene pantry; Sunday morning church service; Wednesday night Bible study, a womens ministry group and a Monday night youth program. Oscar also plans to launch a mens ministry group. Alex, whose parents were Salvation Army pastors, lived in different places with her two brothers and sister. Wherever they were stationed at, we moved, said Alex, who graduated in 2006 from Liberty High School in Bakersfield, California. Although she grew up in the church, Alex said a life trauma caused her to look for God wholeheartedly. When I gave my 100% to God, my life changed around fast, she said. I was in a very abusive relationship that made me realize that God is the important man in my life andwhen I did thatI got back into church. She became a youth pastor. My ministry started there when I started to see Gods hand at work, because I was able to help young women, like myself, whod been in abusive relationships. She noted something else. When you finally say yes to God, the change he can do in your life and then the miraculous blessings he brings upon you when you say yes to serving him is amazing, she said. Most of Alexs jobs have been with the Salvation Army from an administrator to a case manager. Shes studied early childhood education in college and is earning a certificate to work with afterschool programs or as a program director for camps. Alex said she met her wonderful husband, Oscar, in 2013. Oscar is from Burbank, California, where he graduated from high school in 2004. He went to college to become an aircraft mechanic. He worked at Auto Zone for eight years as a customer service rep and became a supervisor. Hed later work for DNJ, shipping out engine parts around the world. Alex and Oscar were engaged in 2014. While he wasnt a Christian at the time, she introduced him to what she did in her church. He volunteered at feeding programs for the homeless and Vacation Bible School. He fell in love with that, she said. Thats where God called him into becoming a case manager. They married in 2015. The Ozunas moved to Washington State, where he did construction work. The first year was tough. He was laid off three times from different jobs. The last time, he had to tell his wife that they couldnt celebrate her birthday, because he had to save his paycheck for their upcoming bills. I went into our bedroom and I started crying, he said. I felt hopeless. I was the man that has to take care of his family. Alex came into the room. You need more help than just physical help, she said. You need spiritual help. She led him in prayer to confess his sins and ask forgiveness, believing Jesus died to save him and then accepting Christ as his Savior. Although Alex was attending in a different church at that time, her husband wanted to begin going to a Salvation Army church, because hed seen the good work that type of church did when hed previously done volunteer work with her. I brought him to salvation, but he brought me back to the Salvation Army, she said. They began working with kids programs in the Salvation Army. In 2019, they went to school to be pastors through the Salvation Army. They graduated, this year and were commissioned as lieutenants. This is their first assignment. The Sunday service starts at 10:45 a.m. at 707 N. I St. They have an average of about 40 attendees. Bible study is from 6-7 p.m. and Womens Ministry is from 7-8 p.m., both on Wednesdays. The Womens Ministry includes a Bible study and a craft or a guest speaker, who will talk about on a given topic such as nutrition. Sometimes, they have an outing, like an ice cream shop tour. The ministry provides fellowship for the women participants and a break for moms. I think women when they get together are more powerful than when theyre by themselves, she said. Youth programming is from 5-7 p.m. Mondays. It includes a meal from 5-6 p.m. and program from 6-7 p.m. The program includes a devotion and life skills, such as budgeting, maintaining a bank account, cooking, learning to ride a bike or creating a resume. Alex was involved in a program like this in California and recalls how she was blessed by students who said theyd gotten a job and thanked her for helping them with their resume. They also oversee the Salvation Armys social service program. Because Fremont has food pantries and people also can get food stamps, the Ozunas are focusing on hygiene items such as detergent, dish soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Alex said the Salvation Army has the Pathway of Hope program, which helps people get back on their feet by working with different organizations. Shelly Morgan is the case worker. Oscar wants to start a mens ministry. In the future, hes also like to start SA Gaming. This is a new Salvation Army program. You start with a devotion and then the kids come and play video games, he said. This gaming is designed to help kids from playing online games with adults and becoming victims of trafficking. Were trying to keep them safe and playing video games with each other as a community so that theyre safe as well as having fun ad learning about God, Alex said. Oscar said the Salvation Army is looking to buy some gaming computers and console. But in order for us to do that, we also want to see if we can get some type of donation, he said, adding, We need to remember that our children are the future and we have to get them in a good and safe environment. The Ozunas have an 8-year-old son, Sergio, and are expecting another son in November. Theyre looking forward to future. Those wanting more information about local Salvation Army opportunities may call 402-721-0930. UScellular has hired Chris Alvarez as the local brand marketing manager on its brand operations and delivery team for Nebraska and the Northwest. In this role, Alvarez will look to inspire and empower sales teams to engage with their local communities. He also will lead the vision and creative strategy for local sponsorships and unique marketing opportunities by bringing them to life in the local markets. More than 80 employers actively seeking the unique talents of Americas veterans will be on-site representing a range of industries, from construction to medical to administrative and logistics, with career opportunities from entry level to senior management. In addition to employment assistance, the veterans expected to attend can utilize career counseling and resume assistance, network with fellow veterans and military personnel, and get support with their Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and claims assistance all at no cost. The Nebraska Republican Party State Central Committee met in Norfolk on Aug. 18 and 19. Dodge County was represented by Scott Eveland, Elaine Grothusen, and John Grothusen. The event was at Divots Lodge and Conference Center. The business meeting was on Saturday. Friday night the GOP gathered heard from Kellyanne Conway, former President Trumps campaign manager and key White House advisor. Conways message emphasized some winning strategy for the next election. On Saturday, State GOP Chairman Eric Underwood conducted the State Central Committee meeting. At the meeting, 130 of the possible 150 statewide committeewomen and committeemen were present to conduct the business. The business included consideration of several proposed amendments to the Nebraska GOP Constitution. The proposed amendments pertain to party officials making endorsements and some party administrative matters. Resolutions considered by the 130 committee members included Recognition of American Heritage Month and ideas for improving election security. Reports were approved for the GOP Political Plan and the Legislative Plan. Because of agreements between the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee setting dates for the 2024 national conventions earlier than in the past, the 2024 Nebraska Republican State Convention will be May 18, 2024, earlier than in previous elections. The Nebraska Primary Election is May 14, 2024. The Nebraska procedure for delegates to the National Convention was approved. The Republican National Committee convention will begin July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. The meeting also allowed for one-on-one conversations with several state senators, state school board members; public service commissioners, and numerous candidates. The next Nebraska State Central Committee meeting will be January 2024. The next Dodge County Republican meeting will be in October. The Denver Public Schools Board of Education voted 6-1 Thursday to approve Superintendent Alex Marreros firing of McAuliffe International Middle School Principal Kurt Dennis. But not without board members sniping at one another. Director Scott Baldermann was the lone dissenting vote. The board voted to accept Marreros actions for all the employees, unnamed, in whats called a Personnel Transaction Report with new hires, layoffs and terminations, including Dennis. It is unknown, as a personnel matter, how many employees comprise whats called the Personnel Transaction Report. In explaining his no vote, Baldermann took aim without mentioning by name Vice President Auontai Anderson for holding a news conference to discuss the investigation of a seclusion room under Dennis watch at McAuliffe in which Black students were locked inside. I cant support the process, Baldermann said, reading from a prepared statement. Other members rushed to Andersons defense. Its troubling that we have a board member who chooses to make accusations about things that didnt happen, said Director Scott Esserman. Even Director Charmaine Lindsay, who is notoriously quiet during board meetings, weighed in on Dennis firing, saying the whistleblowers accusations were certainly horrific and appalling. I had plenty of information before the seclusion room to vote to terminate, Lindsay said. At least seven whistleblowers have stepped forward with concerns over a monitored seclusion room with photos that show a latch on the outside of the door to room 121E and a padlock on a window at McAuliffe. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Anderson and others have characterized room 121E as an incarceration room. Typically, the personnel report is included in the consent agenda, which contains a number of items board members can vote on with a single motion. The board, however, opted to discuss Dennis termination. A popular principal among many parents, Dennis July 3 firing has generated public outrage and a petition with more than 6,200 signatures demanding his reinstatement. Roughly a dozen parents and students spoke in support of reinstating Dennis during public comment in front of the board on Monday. The majority of his supporters publicly were white, something that wasnt lost on board members Thursday. Dennis attorney, David Lane, has said the firing stemmed from an interview the then principal gave the Denver Gazettes news partner 9News, after two administrators at East High School were shot in March. In that 9News interview, Dennis said the district pressured him to accommodate potentially dangerous students. Under state law, students in seclusion rooms must be continually monitored either through a window or video camera. The district widely uses whats referred to as a de-escalation room as a sort of time out for agitated students to calm down. Lane has previously said that the seclusion room at McAuliffe was used for a couple of students last academic year and was approved by the district, a school psychologist and the students parents. The incident is being investigated by DPS and was referred to the Denver Police Department, Anderson has said. A recent decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on the Clean Water Act has water watchers cautiously waiting to see how states will respond in protecting quality in waters previously covered by the federal government. The case Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency redefines the terms by which a body of water can be protected under the Environmental Protection Agency's "Waters of the United States" rule. The high court in May ruled 9-0 in favor of the Sacketts, an Idaho couple who in 2004 bought land on which they wanted to put a home. The parcel was located about 300 feet from Priest Lake, one of the state's largest. They began backfilling the lot with dirt and gravel, which earned them the attention of the EPA. The agency said the land contained a protected wetland. Racz said the wetlands were across a paved road, connected by a ditch and creek to Priest Lake. The EPA blocked that development, in part because the Sacketts did not obtain a permit for dredging and filling from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages wetlands. The federal agency issued a compliance order with the threat of fine of $40,000 per day. The Sacketts sued, a process that took more than 14 years to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court heard oral arguments last October before unanimously ruling on the case. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, relied on a 2006 opinion in Rapanos v. United States from Justice Antonin Scalia. That viewpoint held "any wetland that does not connect at its surface to another body of federally protected water doesnt merit the same degree of protection." Alito noted "the wetlands on the Sacketts' property are distinguishable from any possibly covered waters." Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed an amicus brief in defense of the EPA. In a statement following the decision, Weiser said the court's ruling turned a state/federal partnership to protect streams and wetlands "on its head." "The courts new definition of waters of the United States will return our nation to a patchwork of rules and undermine water quality protection efforts in Colorado," Weiser said. "And it will do so without the benefit of a transition period to give states and regulated parties time to adjust to a new regime that will have to replace the existing one." Weiser believed the court's new test for which waters would be protected by the Clean Water Act would strip streams and wetlands in Colorado of federal protections because those waterways "are temporary in nature, lack year-round flow, and dont have a continuous surface connection to navigable waters." Colorado would have to step in to address the impacts of dredge and fill activities that in the past were managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Weiser explained. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Attorney Gabe Racz of the firm Vranesh and Raisch and Carrie Noteboom of the Colorado Attorney General's Office discussed the May 25 decision and what comes next during a Tuesday session of the Colorado Water Congress' summer conference. Noteboom said Colorado maintains many interests in the rule, including water quality and species protection; water rights administration; interstate compact obligations; agricultural interests; recreation economy interests; regulatory certainty, state resource constraints and climate change. The court didn't need to decide for all waters, she said. This was a case about adjacent wetlands. How that affects Colorado: Two-thirds of Colorado's waters are temporary in nature and lack year-round flow. A large percentage of wetlands are not connected to perennial streams by surface flows, she added. A new EPA final rule will be issued Sept. 1, Noteboom said, adding: "We're be curious to see how it grapples with our permanent waters." The state is also seeking input on how to figure out what to do next, Noteboom said. "The court threw a large segment of water quality protection back to the states under Sackett, and the state must now figure out what kind of water quality program it wants going forward," she said. That's a responsibility tasked to the Water Quality Control Division of the state Department of Public Health and Environment. Noteboom explained the state has its own program for wastewater treatment and other related pollution control. It will now have to come up with one for dredge and fill projects for waters no longer deemed to be under the protection of the EPA rule and previously managed under the US Army Corps of Engineers. The regulatory universe of the EPA rule no longer applies to a large percentage of Colorado's waters, she said. It's also something that is likely to show up in front of Colorado's General Assembly sooner rather than later, Racz added. Racz said "it's the job of the legislature to make sure" the indecision created by Sackett doesn't take place. Congress created the problem by originally using the term "navigable waters," a overly-broad phrase that has led to decades of legal fights, he said. Any legislature that will create a regulatory program will need specificity. The big lesson of Sackett, Racz said: "If something is too vague, you leave decisions up to the courts that they shouldn't be deciding." Jacobs, a defense contractor in Colorado Springs, has laid off employees working on a contract to support Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station. A company statement sent in response to The Gazette's questions stated it released 50 people from the Space Support Contract II on July 24. The decision was driven by the amount of work and funding made available to the contract, according to the statement In a presentation to investors the contract was listed as providing weapons operations, maintenance and sustainment support for the North American Aerospace Defense Command with a value of $434 million over six years. A 2020 news release said the contract would also provide operations and maintenance for Cheyenne Mountain's information systems infrastructure. The company has supported employees by offering them available jobs on other contracts, the statement said. "While funding is always variable in the aerospace industry, we endeavor to anticipate variations and redeploy people wherever possible," the statement said. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The company did not inform the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment of its layoffs because it was a small percentage of the workforce. Jacobs employs approximately 1,500 people in Colorado Springs, the company said. The job losses happened as Colorado Springs has celebrated a string a economic development wins. Last month, the community was selected as the permanent home of Space Command, which has an estimated $1 billion economic impact. The decision is expected to help aerospace and defense contractors decide whether to move or expand in town. Defense contractor, Boecore announced earlier this week it plans to hire 600 people as part of a planned expansion to its software development, system engineering and cybersecurity work. The company plans to put $8 million into its expansion. Labor Day weekend is coming, and it will be the unofficial start of the 2024 presidential election campaign. The 2024 presidential primaries are just five months away, and potential nominees are opening their campaign headquarters in early primary states such as South Carolina and Nevada. Presidential campaign debates are already underway, as are presidential campaign speeches and rallies. This is a good time to review Colorado political realities as the state sits on the verge of the 2024 presidential election. We will be using a new statistic in our analysis. We call it the Two-Party Registration (TPR). It presents only the registration figures for the two major political parties Democrats and Republicans and ignores unaffiliated voter registrants. It seeks to present a clear picture of the exact relationship between the major parties in a particular Colorado county. Statewide the TPR is 53.1% Democratic and 46.9% Republican. That gives the Democrats a lead in statewide party voter registration but not that big a lead. Notice that the Democratic TPR and the Republican TPR always add up to 100%. We therefore present the TPR with just the number for the political party that is in the majority in the county. Colorados TPR is thus 53.1% Democratic and nothing more need be said. The Republican TPR is always 100 minus the Democratic TPR and vice versa. As the 2024 presidential race gets underway, let's look at rural agricultural Colorado. It takes up a lot of space on the map but only contains about 10% of the state's population. It is also bright red Republican. On the Eastern Plains close to the Kansas border there is Kiowa County with a TPR of 89.0% R; Cheyenne 88.7R; Washington 90.7% R; Baca 80.4% R; Yuma 84.1% R; Phillips 82.5% R; and Kit Carson 85.3% R. And it is solid Republican in rural agricultural Colorado in the west side of the state close to the Utah border: Moffat County 86.4% R; Rio Blanco 92.5% R; and Dolores, 79.5 R. The major Democratic Party areas in Colorado are Denver, Boulder, and the major ski counties high in the Rocky Mountains: Denver has a TPR of 82.2% D; Boulder 78.7% D; San Miguel (Telluride ski area) 73.2% D; Pitkin (Aspen) 73.0% D; Summit (Breckenridge) 64.8% D; Eagle (Vail) 58.7 D; Routt (Steamboat) 57.0% D; and Gunnison (Crested Butte) 59.1% D. Also trending Democratic are the close-in Denver suburbs: Adams County 61.5% D; Arapahoe 60% D; Broomfield 59% D and Jefferson County 56.1% D. It thus would be easy to describe Colorado electoral politics as being defined by an urban-rural divide, but it is more complicated than that. Urbanized counties such as Denver and Boulder can be very Democratic, but there are other Colorado urbanized counties, such as El Paso County (Colorado Springs) and Weld County (Greeley), that consistently vote Republican. El Paso Countys TPR is 63.1 R; Weld 62.4% R; Douglas 64.5% R; and Elbert (next to Douglas) 83.1% R. In addition, nine Colorado counties can be described as purple, or political party competitive, in their TPR figures. We regard a TPR ranging from 45% D to 55% D as competitive. Here are the nine counties with relatively balanced voter registration between the Democratic and Republican parties: Alamosa 52.2% D; Chaffee 51.3% R; Clear Creek 54.2 % D; Conejos 53.0% D; Garfield 53.9 R; Gilpin 54.7% R; La Plata 51.3% D; Larimer 51.6 D; and Ouray 51.4% R, Except for Larimer County, which is on the Front Range, all of these counties are relatively small in population and located in rural Colorado far away from the Front Range. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Here are notable realities about Colorado's political landscape that should be kept in mind as Colorado prepares for the 2024 presidential election: 1. East of Denver International Airport and the Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado is just as red Republican as Kansas and Nebraska, but that is less than 5% of the state's population. 2. Postcard Colorado, which includes the scenic mountain areas of Crested Butte, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Aspen, Vail, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Snowmass is almost as Democratic as Boulder, Colorado or Santa Fe, New Mexico, or Santa Monica, Calif., or Silicon Valley, Calif. 3. Garfield County includes the small cities of Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Rifle. A large county geographically, it includes rural agricultural areas that support Republicans. In addition, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale provide services and overflow residential areas for the Aspen and Snowmass ski areas nearby. That produces votes for Democrats. We consider Garfield County, competitive at 53.9% R, to be half a ski county. And it has voted Democratic in recent elections. 4. About 85% of Colorado voters live along Interstate 25 in what is called the Front Range. That thickly populated corridor has red counties and blue counties fighting it out in every presidential election. 5. Third political parties only rarely play much of a role in Colorado statewide elections. One example was in 1992, when billionaire Ross Perot ran for president on the Reform Party ticket and split the Republican Party vote, thereby enabling Democrat Bill Clinton to win Colorado that year. The Libertarian Party has almost 40,000 registered voters in Colorado, over 6,000 of whom live in El Paso County (Colorado Springs). That is the largest Libertarian Party vote of any Colorado county. The Green Party has about 8,000 registered voters, with 1,200 of them living in Denver. 6. Colorado is not the only state to have a plurality of voters who choose not to align themselves with the two major political parties. Alaska and Massachusetts are about 55% independent or unaffiliated. Rhode Island has about as many as Colorado. So, Colorado is in third or fourth place among the states for percentage of voters registered unaffiliated, followed by Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey. 7. There are several plausible reasons for these rises in unaffiliated voters. Many of the new migrants to Colorado from other states wish to live here for a while before deciding on their preferred political party. Many younger people register to vote when they are teenagers and are getting their drivers license at the Motor Vehicle Department. They are caught off-guard when they are asked about their party preference and dodge the question by registering unaffiliated. It is also likely, as several Republican state party officials fear, that the controversial Donald Trump presidency has turned some well-educated and well-to-do new voter registrants against the Republican Party. 8. Party registration rates don't necessarily predict elections voting. Thus Alamosa County, which registers Democratic, voted for Republican Trump in 2020. Garfield, Chaffee and Gilpin counties, with Republican registration advantages, voted for Biden. And the Trump vote in Republican strongholds like Douglas and El Paso counties was decidedly less than registration rates would have predicted. 9. Based on the recent past, it is highly likely that unaffiliated voters will decide forthcoming elections in Colorado, especially those in big I-25 counties such as Larimer, Jefferson and Douglas. 10. The 2020 presidential election indicated blue-ward trends in and around Denver and red-ward trends in Pueblo and southern Colorado. Here's a quick look at Colorado as it enters the 2024 presidential election. On the Front Range, populous Democratic counties such as Denver and Boulder will fight it out with populous Republican counties such as El Paso, Douglas and Weld. Much smaller electoral battles will take place in rural Colorado, where ski and other resort-oriented counties that favor the Democrats will tussle against rural agricultural counties that favor the Republicans. Stayed tuned. A Colorado Springs man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on child pornography charges, according to a news release Friday from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado. According to the press release Brandon Bourret, 47, was sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl while living in the Philippines in 2011, and created sexually explicit material with the minor that he brought back to the United States. The press release states that Bourret would go on to abuse the minor until 2014 and upload images and video of the abuse online. The press release additionally states there was a second victim assaulted by Bourret and that he uploaded sexually explicit images of the victim online as well. The press release states that Bourret was sentenced by a federal judge in Denver on Aug. 16. The exploitation of children is a grievous and intolerable crime, United States Attorney Cole Finegan said. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners, this predator has been stopped in his tracks. This isn't the first time Bourret has been convicted of sex-related crimes by federal judge. According to prior reporting from The Gazette, Bourret was sentenced to 29 months in federal prison in 2016 for selling a hacking program that allowed its users to obtain nude photos from private online albums facilitating blackmail against victims. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Bourret also sold email addresses associated with hacked accounts "knowing that this posed a substantial risk of facilitating online extortion," said Jeff Dorschner, who was a U.S. Attorney's spokesman at the time. The scheme started in 2008 and continued through 2013, when federal authorities opened an investigation and collaborated with Photobucket's operators in blocking access to the program. Bourret was the creator of the software application that resulted in his 29-month prison sentence, according to The Gazette's prior reporting. Prison records show that Bourret is being held at the federal prison facility in Englewood. A student at a Colorado Springs School middle school was arrested Thursday after an altercation with a school resource officer, according to police. The SRO responded at Sabin Middle School in Colorado Springs School District 11 around 11 a.m. to a disturbance in the office involving a student who became violent during a meeting. The student damaged property and threatened staff members, despite attempts by the school staff and SRO to de-escalate the situation, according to an online police blotter entry. The student attempted to harm themselves, prompting the SRO to step in, resulting in the student assaulting the SRO, police said. More officers were called to assist. The student was arrested for interfering with the school and allegedly assaulting the SRO. The SRO was left with minor injuries but remained on duty. The campus was placed on a hold status, but school operations returned to normal by noon, police said. El Paso County and Colorado Springs officials have announced upcoming road closures for repaving and other maintenance. On Colorado Springs' northeast side, south of Northgate, both westbound lanes of Old Ranch Road closed Tuesday between Chapel Hills Drive and Lexington Drive to allow for "emergency" paving repairs, a city spokesperson said. Crews are expected to complete construction by Sept. 15. A detour is in place at the site, officials said. The paving is funded by ballot issue 2C, a voter-approved 0.62% sales tax increase to fund road improvements throughout the city. In November 2019, voters approved a five-year extension of the 2C paving initiative, which runs through 2025. A portion of South Academy Boulevard will see nightly closures beginning Monday. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. South Academy Boulevard lanes between Interstate 25 and Colorado 115, just north of Fort Carson, are expected to close between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. for fog seal operations, including removing old chips, replacing the seal, and repainting pavement markings, that are funded through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. "Access to ramps and side streets will be maintained for the duration of the project," officials said. The closures will last "four working days, weather permitting," the county said. A separate repaving project for a short stretch of road in unincorporated El Paso County could take up to four months to complete. Construction is also set to begin Monday on Silverton Road between Old North Gate Road and Summit Drive, north of the Discovery Canyon Campus. Drivers may experience single-lane closures, but the road will be open to traffic, the county said. When the Colorado Education Association voted to condemn capitalism earlier this year, Marxist teacher Tim Hernandez cheered the teachers unions newfound license to publicly advocate & lobby for anti-capitalist policies at the CO Capitol. Now, the Aurora Public Schools Chicano studies teacher is among three candidates vying for House District 4 in Denver, vacated by recently elected City Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. The 26-year-old firebrand was dismissed by Denver Public Schools in May 2022 for reasons that remain undisclosed, gaining Hernandez notoriety when he sparked student walkouts. If elected tomorrow by the Democratic Party vacancy committee, his alignment with other far-left legislators will shape the Democrat-dominated General Assembly and pursue their primary project to attack social grievances and annihilate white supremacy. Yet Hernandezs candidacy raises red flags. In a recent tweet, he asserted that it (f)eels important to remind us today that we will not legislate our way out of white supremacy. Its an odd take from someone who wants to join the legislature. However, as an avowed communist, Hernandez champions radical change often with violent rhetoric. Your [communist] theory will not save you, he admonished a radical crowd outside the state capitol in May. The revolution will happen in the hood. It wont be led by those who are the most well-versed in Lenin or Marxist theory, he emphasized. The revolution will be led by the people And I say all of this because Im a teacher. Hernandezs revolutionary vision is alarming. I am absolutely advocating for a cultural revolution where we dismantle individual and systemic white supremacy, he admitted in a January 2021 tweet, adding that this would be a FORCEFUL cultural revolution. The term cultural revolution evokes Chinas horrifying Cultural Revolution, orchestrated by Chinese Communist Party founder Mao Zedong. One of historys most brutal atrocities, Maos revolution claimed millions of lives while attempting to eradicate old ideas, culture, customs and habits pitting indoctrinated children against their subversive parents. All Communist Parties, upon attaining power, have become completely merciless, warned the late Soviet dissident, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who spent years imprisoned in the former Soviet Unions Gulags. But at the stage before they achieve power, it is necessary to use disguises. Lets be clear: As a well-versed Marxist educator, Hernandez surely knows this history yet he obscures it within a heroic social justice narrative. His willingness to advocate for any form of disruption to (white supremacy) and every manifestation it has underscores an ends-justify-the-means mentality. If legislation cant resolve his concerns, why run for office? Does he genuinely believe potential violent outcomes are justified to pursue his goals? I emailed him similar questions, among others, but did not receive a response by deadline. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Though these extreme statements might seem like mere strategic exaggerations to amplify personal power and promote Marxist ideas, they likely reflect Hernandezs actual beliefs. This isnt theoretical. It carries real-world policy consequences as exemplified by his views on youth involvement in gangs. In May of 2021, Hernandez vigorously criticized North High Schools approach to potential gang affiliations based on clothing and urged a focus on understanding the root causes of gang issues instead. It would have been a reasonable defense of free speech if he stopped there. But he didnt. Policing clothing has everything to do with conformity, white supremacy, and colonization, Hernandez wrote. Stop shaming gangs and love your kids instead. Stop shaming gangs? Earlier this year, Turquisha Moore Armstrong, a 39-year-old Black mother of eight, likened gangs to a religious cult recounting to the Denver Gazette how her deceased 16-year-old and 12-year-old sons were recruited into this world and died as a result. Grown men in these gangs are picking out our young kids because they know theyre juveniles, she shared. The Gazettes reporting has observed a shocking trend of ever-younger children joining gangs and perpetrating violent crimes, which worries experts. Rev. Leon Kelly, founder of Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives in the 1980s, noted a stark shift in the average age of youth caught up in gangs. Whereas they used to be 17- to 24-year-olds, Kelly said, gang life now ensnares kids from age 16 to as young as 10. Yet somehow, Hernandez believes gangs offer beautiful examples of economic opportunity and social safety a claim clearly contracted by reality. His extraordinary ideology begs the question: Does Tim Hernandez remotely grasp the grim reality of gang violence violence that is shattering communities and taking young lives before theyve really even begun? Lets be real: Deterring kids from joining gangs is all about showing love and concern. It has nothing to do with shaming. Glorifying such a perilous lifestyle, as Hernandez strangely does, accomplishes the opposite. How can a Rep. Hernandez be trusted to safeguard young people while embracing an ideology that condones destructive choices? Set aside Hernandezs debatable claim that white supremacy permeates American society and government. The fact that a teacher and aspiring state representative repeatedly invokes violent rhetoric to advance his ideological views should concern every Coloradan. Left or right, such rhetoric must never be tolerated let alone rewarded with positions of power. At a time of deep division and profound challenges, Colorado needs leaders committed to constructive dialogue and collaborative solutions. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on Twitter (X) @SengCenter. At times, its amusing when John Hickenlooper speaks before thinking. But sometimes, its reckless and even comes across as clueless which was the case when Colorados junior U.S. senator made an appearance at the Denver Press Club last week. After confirming for the media he would seek a second term in the Senate in 2026 as anticipated, he held forth on the Biden administrations deliberations over relaxing federal laws against marijuana possession and use. The White House is considering reclassifying pot so it carries lower penalties. I dont like the reclassification, Hickenlooper said, as reported by The Gazette. I think it should be declassified He continued, We had an incredible Healthy Kids survey in Colorado, and it demonstrates over the last 12 years there has been no increase in experimentation, consumption and frequency. Then, Hick mused aloud: In many cases, we are probably better off with more marijuana consumption and probably less alcohol consumption. People smoking pot as a part of their relaxation is not any worse off than people who have been drinking. Without making excuses for societys widespread alcohol abuse where shall we begin debunking Hickenloopers ill-informed nonsense about pot? Perhaps with the irony that this is the same politician who, as Colorados chief exec, opposed legalization. Weeks before the states voters approved a November 2012 ballot proposal allowing recreational marijuana sales and use, then Gov. Hickenlooper famously uttered, Colorado is known for many great things marijuana should not be one of them. He added, It sends the wrong message to kids that drugs are OK. He was right back then. Whats changed? He seems to think its the data. Only, hes wrong. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. While we all should welcome limited evidence of a relatively recent dip in marijuana use among Colorado youth between 2020 and 2021, amid COVID, according to the states annual Healthy Kids survey the broader trend line is far more troubling. Healthy Kids survey data from previous years revealed pot use among the states children had skyrocketed between 2017 and 2020, suggesting the pandemic-related drop was temporary. The federally commissioned Monitoring the Future Survey of the entire U.S. in 2022 seemed to confirm that; it found the pandemic-related decline in pot use among youth hasnt continued. Over the longer run, research by Oregon Health & Science University last year found adolescent pot use in the U.S. has increased dramatically by about 245% since 2000. And among other leading indicators, the Monitoring the Future Survey also found pot use by young adults 19 to 30 reached an all-time high in 2021, 29% vs. 21% five years earlier. Even more troubling was Hickenloopers glibness about the effects of pot use that we are, somehow, better off with more marijuana consumption and probably less alcohol consumption. Its unfathomable how a member of the U.S. Senate could be so oblivious to the growing body of research on marijuanas crippling impact on kids. Typical is a Columbia University study released just this past May that found teens who use pot are two to four times more prone to psychiatric disorders, depression and suicide. Colorados own official state webpage on pot use points out its dangers to youth that it causes learning and memorization deficiencies weeks after marijuana use; that its especially addictive for young people; that it makes them likelier to attempt suicide. And thats not to mention pots peril on our roads, especially for young drivers. Youd think Hickenlooper, at 71, the father of two including an eight-month-old would choose his words, and facts, more carefully on the subject. At least as carefully as he chose them a dozen years ago. The Gazette editorial board This could happen again Re: Mountain Shadows Water Tank, Aug. 21 A straightforward way of solving this problem, and preventing it in the future is to tear down the offending tank, rebuild it to the original specs, and terminate or demote the Colorado Springs Utilities employee and manager responsible. Although expensive, it is nothing compared to the loss of trust in Utilities leadership (meaning the City Council). Until management says one of the above personnel actions has occurred, relying on the time honored bureaucratic response that personnel actions are not discussed, this kind of incompetence and willful neglect will certainly happen again. Dave Vandenberg Colorado Springs Lighten the load My granddaughter is a sixth grader in middle school in Academy District 20. She weighs 90 pounds. Her backpack weighs almost 25 pounds! She has been told that she needs to bring all of its contents to school every day. This was an issue for her in elementary school as well. We have brought it up to teachers and school administration but to no avail. I think teachers and admin should try carrying these backpacks around all day! I think there are a few things that might help since there are no lockers available for the students. The laptops that they are hauling around are heavy, about 10 pounds. Why cant they be kept on computer carts at school and be checked out when needed? Also maybe not everyone has heavy backpacks, maybe it depends on the classes they have. Since this is a health issue, cant the students with concerns go to the nurses office and have their backpacks weighed. According to the Cleveland Clinic, children should not carry more than 15% of their body weight in their backpacks. If it is over this amount, then someone needs to find ways to reduce the weight. Kids have enough of a load these days, they dont need to carry it all on their backs. Come on, District 20, help lighten the load a bit! Deb Barnes Colorado Springs When are we told? On Page A4 of the Tuesday Gazette, CDOT spokesman Tim Hoover was quoted as saying We would never spring tolls on the public without warning. . . . But again, we would never spring tolls on our drivers without several weeks notice. Really Tim? Then please tell us when did CDOT first tell us local voters that our Pikes Peak Rural Transportation money would be used for a toll road in the I-25 Gap between Monument and Castle Rock? Tony Woloch Colorado Springs Believing false claims Recently, a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation dispelled many beliefs Americans have about health, the COVID-19 pandemic and guns. It concludes that there is muddled middle percentage of people who believe that many false claims are true. These false claims are such as that COVID-19 vaccines have caused thousands of sudden deaths in otherwise healthy people. Completely untrue. Another false claim is concerning reproductive health where people think sexual education promotes sexual activity in teenagers. In reality, it is just the opposite. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. One of the most erroneous beliefs is that guns make people safer. About 60% of the population believe this false claim. In fact, never has any study supported this notion. One study shows that examining 133 school shootings or attempted shootings, for over 39 years, not one which had armed guards were associated with significant reduction in injuries. Also, having guns in the home makes it less likely to be killed by a gun than people who dont have a gun, is a completely false claim. Studies have shown that it is an elevated risk for dying of a homicide with guns in the home. It also raises the incidents of suicide. There is a large number of people who think most gun deaths are gang related. This is also a false claim, whereas only about 13% of homicides are gang related. Couple this information with the fact that gun deaths are the leading cause of death in children ages 1-19 years old. Plus, the U.S. has over 10 times the gun deaths of children than any other country. What better plea could there be to end gun violence, establish much more stringent gun control and safety and to look to the future to completely eliminate guns from our society. Jac Roberson Colorado Springs Outstanding recognition event I want to thank the Korean American Association of Southern Colorado for its outstanding activities to honor the Korean Independence Day, held Saturday at the Alta Suites/Hotel. It was honor for our veterans to be invited and join in recognizing this significant day in their history and acknowledge the numerous contributions that Koreans have made to the United States and to the Colorado Springs community. Elizabeth Kim deserves great credit for organizing such an event. We are the only organization of Korean veterans in Colorado, and our members are grateful to have been asked to participate. Mike Thomason, Dutch Nelsen Chapter, Korean War Veterans Association (Chapter 9), Colorado Springs No place for 21st century morals The article about the life of Cathay Williams (Buffalo Soldier) was very good until ... The author tried to suggest that she might be transgender. Absurd. We cannot interject our 21st century morals into a story about a 19th century woman. Give me a break! Randy Rothe Colorado Springs Misconduct from Arapahoe County prosecutors and a trial judge's refusal to provide a key jury instruction prompted Colorado's second-highest court on Thursday to overturn a man's bank robbery convictions. In 2019, jurors convicted Steven Dudley Smith of robbery, menacing and kidnapping charges related to four bank robberies. Although police caught Smith at the scene of the final robbery, there was only circumstantial evidence linking him to the three others. Moreover, Smith's defense at trial was that a "mobster"-like person coerced him into committing the fourth. A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals determined prosecutors improperly suggested to the jury that Smith was guilty because he exercised his constitutional right to silence, and the commentary was severe enough to warrant a new trial. Further, then-District Court Judge Michael Spear wrongly decided Smith's jury did not need to analyze whether he actually committed the final robbery under the mobster's duress. Spear believed the evidence did not show Smith was under duress because Smith reportedly had two minutes to seek help and avoid robbing the bank. "Maybe two minutes is enough time for action movie heroes to find ways to get themselves out of an emergency," countered Judge John Daniel Dailey for the appellate panel, "but it may not be enough for an Ordinary Joe who is unused to being put in tense, precarious, and potentially life-threatening situations." Case: People v. Smith Decided: August 24, 2023 Jurisdiction: Arapahoe County Ruling: 3-0 Judges: John Daniel Dailey (author) Christina F. Gomez JoAnn L. Vogt Background: Colorado appeals court reverses assault conviction due to Denver prosecutor's misconduct In late 2017 and early 2018, there was a series of bank robberies in the Denver metro area. The first three all featured a White male suspect, but the details of each robbery and the description of the suspect someone in his 20s or 40s varied. Smith, 64 at the time, was caught attempting to rob a fourth bank in April 2018. In his telling at trial, Smith's construction company owed $100,000 to Genesis Capital Ventures, a lending and debt collection business. The day of the robbery, Smith met with "Vincent," who was allegedly linked to Genesis Capital. Vincent brandished a gun, flashed a picture of Smith's fiancee and daughters, and told Smith if he did not rob a nearby bank in two minutes, there was "going to be a lot of blood." Smith requested that his jury be allowed to evaluate duress as an affirmative defense meaning the prosecution, in addition to proving the crimes, would also have to prove Smith did not face an immediate threat or he had a reasonable alternative to robbing the bank. Spear denied the defense's request, finding that even if Smith was truly acting on Vincent's orders, "there is an opportunity, as existed in this particular case, to notify others, to perhaps use a phone to in some way contact law enforcement." Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. During trial, the prosecutors allegedly committed misconduct at various points. The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office indicated the prosecutors were W. Casey Brown and Jonathan Blasewitz, but the appeal was unclear about the role each man had. Both have since left the office and neither immediately responded to an email seeking clarification. On cross-examination, one of the prosecutors addressed Smith's statements upon his arrest, when he told a federal agent he "had to" rob the bank. After receiving his Miranda warning, Smith chose to exercise his rights to silence and to an attorney, and did not speak further. The prosecutor repeatedly asked Smith to confirm that the trial was the "very first time anyone is hearing about this story" involving Vincent. The prosecutor asked several additional questions about why he did not "attempt to reach out with this story" to police. The defense objected, but Spear allowed the questions. On appeal, Smith challenged multiple aspects of his case, but the appellate panel agreed two issues were decisive: the duress defense and the prosecution's suggestion that Smith's post-arrest silence meant he was making Vincent up. The panel found Spear was mistaken when he declined to instruct the jury to evaluate whether Smith acted under duress. Although they could disbelieve Smith's version of events, it was possible for jurors to conclude Smith had no immediate alternative to avoid harm to himself or his family but to rob the bank, Dailey wrote. As for the prosecutor's questioning, the Colorado Attorney General's Office argued to the appellate panel that Smith "opened the door" to questions about the Vincent story by testifying to what he told the federal agent that he "had to" rob the bank. But that statement came before his Miranda warning, explained Dailey in the Aug. 24 opinion. The prosecutor's questioning implied that if the Vincent story were genuine, Smith would have volunteered it to police. Therefore, jurors should be suspicious of Smith's decision to invoke his constitutional protections. "The questioning was, then, used as a means of creating an inference of Smiths guilt. And because the questioning was quite extensive, we cannot say that the error in permitting it was harmless," wrote Dailey. The panel ordered a new trial. Although they did not decide any of Smith's other claims on appeal, the appellate judges implied the prosecutors committed further misconduct by asking about Smith's communications with his attorneys, effectively calling Smith a liar to the jury, and making improper emotional appeals to jurors. The case is People v. Smith. State Sen. Larry Liston on Thursday endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in what appears to be the first formal endorsement in the 2024 Republican presidential primary by a sitting GOP legislator in Colorado. The Colorado Springs Republican was among more than 20 state and local officials endorsing DeSantis on the day after he participated in the Republican National Committee's first primary debate in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. Liston told Colorado Politics that he's long been impressed by DeSantis and considers him an electable alternative to primary frontrunner former President Donald Trump, who skipped the debate and was set to turn himself in on criminal charges in Georgia on Thursday. "DeSantis doesn't carry the baggage that Trump does," Liston said, adding that he believes Democrats will hammer the former president's vulnerabilities if he's the GOP nominee, throwing the election to President Joe Biden. "Republicans are looking desperately for an alternative to Trump. I think Biden is very beatable by anyone but Trump," Liston said. "I want to win." Colorado is set to join at least 14 other states holding a presidential primary next year on March 5, known as Super Tuesday because more delegates will be allocated on that day than any other day in the primary calendar. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Trump has held a commanding, double-digit polling lead for months over nearly a dozen Republican challengers, with DeSantis parked firmly in second place. Others in the race include businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Ava Hutchinson and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who all appeared at Wednesday's debate. According to FiveThirtyEight's national polling average as of Thursday afternoon, Trump had the support of 51.6% of voters, followed by DeSantis at 14.8% and Ramaswamy at 10.3%, with the others trailing in low single-digits. Trump carried Colorado's 2020 presidential primary against nominal opposition with 92% of the vote but went on to lose the state to Biden in the general election by 13.5 percentage points. Liston said he thinks DeSantis has a shot at winning Colorado's primary next year but conceded that it's still early, so hard to predict what might happen in the next seven months. The Republican presidential candidates' campaigns have so far been concentrating efforts in a handful of early primary and caucus states dominated by New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina and have yet to start organizing in a big way ahead in Colorado. The Coen brothers arent exactly known for creating film worlds where youd want to pop in for a beer and a bite. (No Country for Old Men, Blood Simple, Barton Fink) But The Big Lebowski? Bottoms up! In the 25 years since its release, the now-cult movie about a slacker dude, mistaken identity, bowling, kidnapping and a befouled rug that really tied the room together has inspired the creation of countless quirky drinking events, as well as a number of quirky brick-and-mortar watering holes the world over. Colorado Springs addition to that eclectic landscape, Lebowskis Taproom, opened in mid-August at 3240 Centennial Blvd. I tell my team, the theme of the movie is chill and chaos, and I think thats kind of like life, said taproom owner Monica Kowalski. Thats the kind of vibe were going for in here the chill, after the chaos. Kowalski grew up in southern Colorado, the daughter of a coal miner, and granddaughter of Ben and Mary Valdez, who for generations ran The Colorado Bar on main street in Trinidad. She always envisioned leaving her corporate job before she turned 60 to embark on a retirement career as an entrepreneur. That timeline got bumped up when the company she worked for downsized, she said. Fortunately by then, she was homing in on a concept for her next chapter. A longtime fan of the movie, Kowalski didnt realize just how big Lebowski had become before she, her husband and their travel companions visited Iceland five years ago, and asked for recommendations for a restaurant popular with locals in Reykjavik. In Iceland, the American visitors were directed to Lebowski Bar. Suddenly Kowalski started seeing the world through Dude-colored sunglasses. Lebowski-themed bars, of all shapes and sizes, were everywhere. Theres one in Glasgow. One in Austin, and in Iowa. Theres The Ringer in L.A., Kowalski said. None are chains or franchises. Theyre all independently owned, and just a homage to this amazing movie that I loved. And hey, Lebowski is just a few letters off from Kowalski. Opening Lebowskis Taproom was really about inspiration, and timing, and also the location, which we love, she said. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The location hasnt been a boon for everyone whos opened a business in the end unit of this shopping plaza at Centennial Boulevard and West Fillmore Street. The spot most recently held T-Byrds Tacos and Tequila, and before that a pizza parlor, and before that a Mexican restaurant. The neighborhood is fundamentally changed, and still changing, from the one in which previous tenants operated, Kowalski said. We think its a great location. First of all, being in a busy shopping center across from the VA, and then just the up-and-coming building thats happening all around here, the apartments and town homes, said Kowalski, who leased the space and began remodeling July 1. Construction on Outlook Centennial, a 312-unit apartment complex on 15 acres northeast of the intersection, is well underway, as is a road extension project that connects Centennial, via Fontanero Street, to Interstate 25. Plus, you cant beat the unobstructed view of the Front Range and Cheyenne Mountain from our dining room or the patio, Kowalski said. The menu of upscale pub food is inspired by Kowalskis global travels and her familys culinary traditions, with dishes named for characters and catchphrases from the movie. One of the best-selling sandwiches is The Bunny, a fun version of a sassy grilled cheese made with blackberry jam, creamy Brie & Swiss cheeses and bacon. Think eclectic taste combinations, and familiar pub fare with a southern Colorado twist, said chef Lourdes Garcia, one of 16 taproom employees. Simple, but elevated, said Garcia. To me, its been about seeing guests start experiencing what we have here as soon as they walk in the door ... and leave inspired and in a better mood, because of the time they spent with us, because of the food and drinks. As for libations, the focus is on Colorado-made, with a rotating selection of spirits and brews and one flagship beer, created for Kowalskis Lebowski by the Springs Wackadoo Brewing. Naturally, theres a nod to Lebowskis cinematic drink of choice, the White Russian. Actually, make that nine nods. We have a strawberry White Russian thats topped with Fruity Pebbles, Kowalski said. Ive seen grown men sitting there with the little spoon, eating their White Russians. The Dude surely would approve. For more than a decade, congressional town halls have been a partisan flashpoint in Colorado, though traces of that contentious history were nowhere to be found on a sunny morning last week in the crowded community room at a facility for active older adults in Brighton. Instead of the chanting and angry questions that once routinely confronted members of the state's DC delegation at their town halls, more than 60 community members, local officials and facility residents joined U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for a spirited discussion mostly devoted to issuess important to seniors, including the future of Social Security and Medicare. The harsh words instead landed outside the meeting, in a flurry of press releases from across the aisle that blasted Caraveo for sharing the spotlight with her party's leader. Caraveo was elected last year to represent Colorado's new 8th Congressional District by a slim majority, and all indications are that she'll face a difficult and expensive reelection bid next year in a seat pegged as a toss-up by election experts and both national parties. The House majority could hinge on the results in the district, which covers parts of Adams, Weld and Larimer counties, stretching from the suburbs north of Denver though rural and exurban stretches to Greeley. Drawn by the state's independent redistricting commission to be competitive, the district is nearly evenly split between Democrats and Republicans and boasts the highest concentration of Hispanic voters in the state. With the assistance of Brighton City Manager Michael Martinez, Caraveo and Jeffries fielded questions for an hour at Eagle View Adult Center, covering topics ranging from the mental health crisis and gun violence to the role healthy food can play in combating the obesity epidemic. "Back at home, I grew up in the cornerstone Baptist Church and had a Sunday school teacher who once said to me, 'Jeffries, on the question of public speaking, always remember: be brief, be bright and be gone," Jeffries said at the outset, drawing laughter and setting the tone for the event. Serving his sixth term representing a district in Brooklyn, Jeffries stands to become the first Black speaker of the House if Democrats win the majority in the chamber in next year's election. It was a far cry from the tense town halls conducted by Colorado's members of Congress during the early days of the Obama and Trump administrations, which regularly spawned front-page stories about lawmakers facing down hordes of unhappy constituents if the lawmakers held town halls at all. In an incident that drew national attention, Republican Mike Coffman, who represented the Aurora-based 6th Congressional District, ducked out the back of a library in early 2017. He cut short a scheduled town hall after protesters swarmed the event to let him know about then-President Donald Trump's plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Coffman lost his bid for a sixth term the next year. Republican Cory Gardner won his first term in the House in 2010 on a wave of discontent fueled by the tea party movement's anger at town halls over then-President Barack Obama's signature health care legislation. By the time Trump took office, however, Gardner was in the U.S. Senate and quickly put the regular town meetings he'd been holding on hold after left-leaning activists adopted the same tactics his supporters had used to pressure Democrats. While he eventually gave in barnstorming the Front Range to hold three traditional town halls in a single day in August 2017 Gardner was met with steady criticism for the remainder of his term for declining to hold traditional town halls open to the public. He lost his bid for reelection to the Senate in 2020. During this year's August congressional recess, most of the Democratic members of Colorado's delegation have scheduled a barrage of in-person town halls, though the state's three Republican House members are instead showing up for appointments with various constituent groups in meetings that aren't announced in advance or open to the public. Caraveo, for instance, held a joint town hall in Northglenn with U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet that drew more than 300 people the night before the smaller gathering in Brighton with Jeffries. In addition this week, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper had a town hall in Grand Junction, U.S. Rep. Jason Crow held a town hall at a senior residential facility in Arapahoe County and U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen held town halls at both ends of her district, in Arvada and Canon City. U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse is planning to hold something he's pioneered known as a service town hall bringing together constituents to do something in the community, like trail maintenance or sprucing up a community center next week in Fort Collins. At their town hall in Brighton, Caraveo and Jeffries opened with pledges to protect Social Security and Medicare in the face of pressure from some House Republicans they said have been pushing to raise eligibility requirements or trim benefits. As a doctor caring for our community, Ive seen firsthand how these programs protect our parents and grandparents," said Caraveo, a Thornton pediatrician. Her father, she noted, retired after working construction for 51 years but didn't save much for retirement. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "He always said he had four piggy banks in the four kids that he put through college," Caraveo said. "And so Social Security is something that he relies on every single day to have a dignified retirement, and he relies on Medicare for his health care." Jeffries made a similar point. An important part of the American dream, "particularly when it comes to retirement with grace and dignity, is Social Security and Medicare. And, notwithstanding the efforts by some in Washington to take away those hard-earned benefits from you, our promise and your congresswoman is fighting to make sure that we never let anyone take away your Social Security and your Medicare, not now, not ever." After the town hall concluded and attendees lined up to have their pictures taken with Caraveo and Jeffries, Adams County Commissioner Lynn Baca, a Democrat and Caraveo ally, said she was satisfied with what she'd heard. "I'm very pleased with the work that Congress is doing," Baca said. "I know that there are some challenges working across the aisle, but I'm very confident in the delegation. They'll get things done for our citizens." The Republican candidate already running against Caraveo, however, denounced the event before it happened. "Caraveo's willingness to campaign with a New York City liberal whose radical agenda would destroy the suburbs and small towns that make up CO-08 is exactly why she'll be a one-term congresswoman next year," Weld County Commissioner Scott James said in a statement released in advance of the town hall. On the day Jeffries and Caraveo held the town hall, James' campaign and the National Republican Congressional Committee, which has been berating Caraveo since she took office, amped up their critiques. Seizing on remarks Jeffries made a day earlier at a roundtable on gun violence prevention with Neguse on the University of Colorado's Boulder campus, the Republicans turned their attack to the Second Amendment. Describing his determination to press for tougher gun control legislation while Republicans control the House, according to Colorado Public Radio, Jeffries said: We got diabolical intensity on the other side. I say to folks back in Washington, we have to be prepared to match and exceed that diabolical intensity with righteous intensity. The NRCC claimed in a release that Jeffries had called all gun owners "diabolical" and took umbrage over it. James' campaign more accurately characterized Jeffries' remarks as directed at conservative gun control opponents but nonetheless expressed outrage over the possibility the Democratic leader thought all gun owners were "diabolical." Ernest Luning has covered politics for Colorado Politics and its predecessor publication, The Colorado Statesman, since 2009. He's analyzed the exploits, foibles and history of state campaigns and politicians since 2018 in the weekly Trail Mix column. Coloradans Michael Bennet, John Hickenlooper left their marks in presidential debates | TRAIL MIX Colorado politicians might not prefer primaries, but most have weathered them | TRAIL MIX Colorado Republicans clash over proposal to boot unaffiliated voters from GOP primaries | TRAIL MIX Photo exhibition brings charm of Jingdezhen porcelain to Bulgaria Xinhua) 08:37, August 25, 2023 People view a display panel of a photo exhibition entitled "Beautiful Jiangxi: Showing Her Charm to the World - Story of Jingdezhen Porcelain" in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Aug. 22, 2023. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) Bulgarian visitors enjoyed a photo show of porcelain from Jingdezhen, a world-famous "porcelain capital" in east China's Jiangxi Province. SOFIA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition titled "Beautiful Jiangxi: Showing Her Charm to the World - Story of Jingdezhen Porcelain" opened here Tuesday on the Lovers' Bridge near the National Palace of Culture. It features 60 posters with information and photos about pottery and ceramics making in the city of Jingdezhen, a world-famous "porcelain capital" in east China's Jiangxi Province. A woman views a display panel of a photo exhibition entitled "Beautiful Jiangxi: Showing Her Charm to the World - Story of Jingdezhen Porcelain" in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Aug. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Marian Draganov) The two-week event is organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria and the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangxi Province. A woman in her 50s who gave her name as Kathy, told Xinhua she liked the exhibition. "I received information about the city of Chinese porcelain," she said. People view a display panel of a photo exhibition entitled "Beautiful Jiangxi: Showing Her Charm to the World - Story of Jingdezhen Porcelain" in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Aug. 22, 2023. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) Kristian Galabov, a 20-year-old student at the Technical University of Sofia, said he found the exhibition interesting and beautiful. Dimitar Pavlov, also a university student, found the exhibition very interesting, and he was especially curious about production technologies of the different types of ceramics displayed. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is likely to provide public funding for emergency contraception for victims of sexual assault and rape as a state program remains in limbo. The move comes as more than 160 reimbursement requests for emergency contraception provided to sexual assault survivors from across the state are pending approval from the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. According to records obtained by The Gazette, and first reported by Iowa Public Radio, the reimbursement requests from hospitals and pharmacies across the state total about $7,000. The vast majority are from this year, but one dates to August 2020. One is coded as confirmed child abuse. Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird paused the funding as part of an audit of the victim services administered through her office. Bird announced the audit upon taking office in January. However, it was not until early April that sexual assault response teams and other victim advocacy organizations learned of the policy change after her office confirmed it to the media. Though the payments are not explicitly required by law, it has been the states longtime policy to cover the cost of emergency contraception from the victim compensation fund. In rare cases, the fund also has paid for abortions for rape victims, Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, director of the victim assistance division under the previous attorney general, Democrat Tom Miller, has said. Bird, a Republican, defeated Miller in the 2022 election. The Attorney Generals Office said in April it was reviewing the practice to evaluate whether this is an appropriate use of public funds as it conducts an audit of victim assistance services. The Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a request for comment on the current state of its review process. Bird said during an appearance last month on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS that policy decisions made as a result of the audit, including whether to stop state funding for emergency contraception and abortions for rape victims, will be permanent and will not require legislative action. Iowa law requires the state to pay for many of the expenses facing assault survivors who seek medical help, including the cost of forensic examinations to collect evidence and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. That is funded through the states victim compensation fund, which comes from fines, fees and penalties paid by criminals. No taxpayer dollars go into the fund. Sexual assault nurse examiners who spoke to The Gazette say hospitals and pharmacies are continuing to dispense medications to victims who request them, and continue to submit invoices to Birds office seeking reimbursement. Patients are not being billed at this point. For now, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is temporarily holding claims while it awaits the outcome of the audit. University of Iowa Health Care is committed to supporting the health care needs of sexual assault victims, according to a statement from UIHC. We are currently preparing for any potential operational changes that may be necessary in the event the Iowa Attorney Generals Office stops payment of emergency contraception for sexual assault victims. During its Wednesday work session, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors heard a funding request from the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team to provide emergency contraception at no cost to patients. The board was in agreement to allocate $10,000 and appears likely to approve the item at its formal meeting next week. Asking victims of sexual assault to forgo or to shoulder the cost of emergency contraception is further traumatizing them. No one should be required to pay for necessary health care due to a crime committed against their body, said Katy Rasmussen, coordinator for the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team. The team consists of sexual assault nurse examiners, emergency room staff, rape victim advocates, law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys, Rasmussen said. The team helps sexual assault victims navigate the medical and legal systems, as well as help them on their healing process. For the fiscal year that ended in June, the team saw 101 patients. Of those, 46 were prescribed emergency contraception. Rasmussen said many patients dont have financial means to pay for this medication, and using their insurance can put them in greater danger if they share insurance with their abuser. We are disappointed the Attorney General isnt sustaining this support for victims, but somebody needs to and so were going to step up and do it, Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan told The Gazette. Bird has been a vocal opponent of abortion. But sexual assault nurse examiners, along with other victim advocates, have emphasized that emergency contraceptives are not abortion pills. The medication delays or prevents ovulation, preventing a pregnancy from occurring, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Planned Parenthood North Central States issued a statement Thursday calling on Birds office to reinstate the reimbursements, saying sexual assault survivors deserve compassionate, comprehensive care that she is cruelly putting that out of reach. The last thing they should have to worry about is affording the care they need after being attacked, Ruth Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement. Des Moines Area Community College is a harder target for cyberattacks and scams than it used to be, President Rob Denson said, but it takes constant effort and vigilance to stay that way. He and his staff will receive fake attachments, fraudulent messages from people claiming to be coworkers and applicants with intentions of taking financial aid and running rather than attending classes almost every day, despite best efforts to head them off. Threat actors are always looking for you to let down your guard, he said. In efforts to keep campus safe, some Iowa community colleges are having to put increasingly more time, manpower and money toward cybersecurity efforts. Aaron Warner, CEO of cybersecurity company ProCircular, said community colleges are targets for bad actors because they house a lot of sensitive information, their student populations see continuous turnover, and theyre made to be as accessible as possible. The often-chaotic time just before school starts is also utilized by cybercriminals, as faculty and staff are busier and less likely to catch suspicious emails or other activities. Its an unfortunate byproduct of the fact that theyre a community organization, Warner said. They are designed to interact as best as possible with the community. Bad guys take advantage of that. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced employees to work from home, Warner said the opportunities to conduct cyberattacks expanded. Gone was the castle-and-moat style of keeping sensitive information on one secure network as data was transferred onto home computers and laptops. The risk of a successful cyberattack or intrusion didnt so much rise as become more distributed, he said. DMACC and Iowa Central Community College have already faced in real time what ProCircular simulates for training a breach in cybersecurity. Iowa Central Community College was hacked in 2018, and DMACC saw a breach in 2021. Both colleges amped up security efforts in response, which they still keep up today. Colleges work to stop ghost student scam One problem DMACC has worked to curb is ghost students, or applicants who use fake or stolen identities to seek financial aid. Denson said the college started seeing more fraudulent applications around two years ago, coming in groups from certain areas in different states and filing for loans without any intent of actually attending classes. For around a year, DMACC staff have been calling every applicant to confirm their identity before putting their information into the system, Denson said. While this practice has cut down on ghost student applications, its not the easiest task to undertake. In fall 2022, DMACC admitted more than 1,600 full-time, first-time students. Admissions staff and recruiters called each applicant and recorded the confirmation of their identity in the DMACC system a time-consuming process, Denson said, as many students arent easy to reach over phone or email. Its a terrible use of time, its not the best use of their skills, but its something weve got to do, Denson said. What we dont want to do is get a fraudulent app inside of our learning management system. At its peak in late July 2022, Denson said the college was receiving around 15 fraudulent applications a day. Since implementing this practice, Denson said that number has decreased significantly, but one or two a day still pop up. Denson said the amount of time and manpower needed to verify so many applicants pulls people away from their other work. We would rather have recruiters out recruiting and advisors talking to students about their career, rather than verifying somebodys identity, he said. In order to lower the risk of a fake student infiltrating Iowa Central Community Colleges systems, President Jesse Ulrich said staff purges all records of inactive students those who applied but never signed up for classes or interacted with the college in any way every semester. Cybersecurity is costly Staff and faculty at both community colleges receive training on how to spot and report phishing, and receive random test phishing emails. Iowa Central Community College has members of its IT team dedicated to servers and infrastructure, and DMACC has a cybersecurity expert on retainer. Security software, training and insurance all require funds, Ulrich said, which could be used in other areas of the college. Anytime you are putting more resources into cybersecurity, whether thats through people, software, paying more for insurance; all of those things pull from the general fund or other areas of our funds to be able to really meet the core purpose of community colleges, Ulrich said. Both colleges have cyber insurance; Denson said the colleges annual insurance cost is five times what it was, and the deductible has doubled. Even divulging details on its cybersecurity insurance could put the college at risk, Ulrich said, as threat actors will look through public records to determine how well-insured schools are and use that in attacks. Its kind of a lose-lose situation for higher ed when were put in that situation, he said. However, having these safeguards isnt really a choice, Denson said its a necessity, and one that isnt going away soon. According to SonicWalls 2023 Cyber Threat Report, educational institutions were cyber criminals top targets for malware attacks. At the recent annual Community Colleges for Iowa conference, Ulrich said cybersecurity was among the top 10 challenges facing higher education today. ProCircular works with more than just community colleges to evaluate cybersecurity efforts, but the leaders at colleges Warner has met are among the most understanding of the issues and how to tackle them, he said. Much of the companys training involves ensuring people know what to look for, how to respond in the event of a breach and helping them allocate resources in the right areas. U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn introduced legislation in April to help curb cyber attacks against K-12 schools by increasing available resources, expanding cyber attack prevention information sharing and improve national tracking of cyber attacks. While no bills targeting cybersecurity in higher education have been introduced, a spokesperson for Nunns office said they are working with as many entities as possible to help tighten cybersecurity across the board. Community Colleges for Iowa Executive Director Emily Shields said there has been interest in the state Legislature in working to curb cybersecurity breaches in higher education, but many of the best practices suggested in discussions are already being practiced by community colleges. When it comes to funding, Shields said colleges would rather see more dollars go into general funds than specific silos like cybersecurity, as it allows them to be more flexible in allocating resources. The organization has worked to help keep colleges informed about cybersecurity threats and avenues to help fend off attacks, in the event one does occur, she said. The conversation always is not if this is going to happen in your college, its when, Shields said. Everybodys anticipating. You will have cyberattacks, probably plural its making sure youre ready for that. The most and least lucrative college majors in Iowa The most and least lucrative college majors in Iowa The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is likely to provide public funding for emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault and rape as a state program remains in limbo. The move comes as more than 160 reimbursement requests for emergency contraception provided to sexual assault survivors from across the state are pending approval from the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. According to records obtained by The Gazette, and first reported by Iowa Public Radio, the reimbursement requests from hospitals and pharmacies across the state total about $7,000. The vast majority are from this year, but one dates to August, 2020. One is coded as confirmed child abuse. Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird paused the funding as part of an audit of the victim services administered through her office. Bird announced the audit upon taking office in January. However, it was not until early April that sexual assault response teams and other victim advocacy organizations learned of the policy change after Bird's office confirmed it to the media, according to interviews and emails obtained by The Gazette under a public records request. Though the payments are not explicitly required by law, it has been the states longtime policy to cover the cost of emergency contraception from the victim compensation fund. In rare cases, the fund also has paid for abortions for rape victims, Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, director of the victim assistance division under the previous attorney general, Democrat Tom Miller, has said. Bird, a Republican, defeated Miller in the 2022 election. The Attorney Generals Office said in April it was reviewing the practice to evaluate whether this is an appropriate use of public funds" as it conducts an audit of victim assistance services. The Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a request for comment on the current state of its review process. Bird said during an appearance last month on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS that policy decisions made as a result of the audit, including whether to stop state funding for emergency contraception and abortions for rape survivors will be permanent and will not require legislative action. Iowa law requires the state to pay for many of the expenses facing assault survivors who seek medical help, including the cost of forensic examinations to collect evidence and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. That is funded through the state's victim compensation fund, which comes from fines, fees and penalties paid by criminals. No taxpayer dollars go into the fund. Sexual assault nurse examiners who spoke to The Gazette say hospitals and pharmacies are continuing to dispense medications, and continue to submit invoices to Birds office seeking reimbursement. Patients are not being billed at this point. For now, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is temporarily holding claims while it awaits the outcome of the audit. "University of Iowa Health Care is committed to supporting the health care needs of sexual assault victims," according to a statement from UIHC. "We are currently preparing for any potential operational changes that may be necessary in the event the Iowa Attorney Generals Office stops payment of emergency contraception for sexual assault victims." During its Wednesday work session, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors heard a funding request from the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team to provide emergency contraception at no cost to patients. The board was in agreement to allocate $10,000 and appears likely to approve the item at its formal meeting next week. Asking victims of sexual assault to forgo or to shoulder the cost of emergency contraception is further traumatizing them. No one should be required to pay for necessary health care due to a crime committed against their body, said Katy Rasmussen, coordinator for the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team. The team consists of sexual assault nurse examiners, emergency room staff, rape victim advocates, law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys, Rasmussen said. The team helps sexual assault survivors navigate the medical and legal systems, as well as help them on their healing process. For the fiscal year that ended in June, the team saw 101 patients. Of those, 46 were prescribed emergency contraception. Rasmussen said many patients dont have financial means to pay for this medication, and using their insurance can put them in greater danger if they share insurance with their abuser. We are disappointed the Attorney General isnt sustaining this support for victims, but somebody needs to and so were going to step up and do it, Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan told The Gazette. Bird has been a vocal opponent of abortion. But sexual assault nurse examiners, along with other victim advocates, have emphasized that emergency contraceptives are not abortion pills. The medication delays or prevents ovulation, preventing a pregnancy from occurring, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Planned Parenthood North Central States issued a statement Thursday calling on Birds office to reinstate the reimbursements, saying sexual assault survivors deserve compassionate, comprehensive care that she "is cruelly putting that out of reach." The last thing they should have to worry about is affording the care they need after being attacked, Ruth Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement. Here's how over-the-counter birth control could disrupt limited access to contraception Here's how over-the-counter birth control could disrupt limited access to contraception Current access to contraception is uneven across the country Battles for access are primarily happening at the state and local level Federal actions can have significant impact Conversations about access to contraception will continue for years A majority of likely Republican caucusgoers in Iowa approve of the states ban of most abortions after six weeks, the most recent Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows. The poll showed 58% of likely Republican caucusgoers said the so-called fetal heartbeat law gets it about right on the issue of abortion, the Register reported Wednesday. Thirty percent of respondents said the law is too restrictive of the procedure, and 9% said the law imposes too few restrictions. The law bans most abortions after embryonic cardiac activity is detectable, usually after about six weeks of gestation, with narrow exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. These poll results show that Iowans who plan to participate in the Republican caucuses on Jan. 15, 2024, do not necessarily share the same beliefs on abortion as the majority of Iowans. The March 2023 Iowa Poll found 61% of Iowans across all political leanings said they believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases. A temporary injunction on the abortion law was granted July 17, three days after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed it at the Family Leadership Summit after a legislative special session. The injunction means abortion is still legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. But abortion access advocates and medical providers said if enforced, the new law will outlaw most of the abortion procedures currently performed in Iowa. President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States Ruth Richardson said in a statement Wednesday that Iowas ban will not only impact access to abortion, but access to obstetric and gynecological services as well. Where you live shouldnt dictate the care you can access but that is not the reality in America today, Richardson said. When states ban abortion, when states criminalize doctors for providing life-saving procedures and deny them the right to use their training to help patients, its no surprise that practitioners choose other places to practice. But it doesnt have to be this way, we can restore everyones freedom to decide what health care is best for them. The University of Iowa Obstetrics and Gynecological Residency is the only OB-GYN residency program in the state. Under its accreditation requirements, it must include training or access to training for providing pregnancy termination. If the new law is enforced, students must be provided with activities like simulations to learn how to administer these services, or must travel to areas where there are no restrictions on abortion to directly access clinical experience. Students in the UI residency program spoke against the measure during the legislative special session, saying that the ban may motivate them to leave the state after their training. Iowa is currently facing a shortage of maternal health care resources as of 2020, there were no OB-GYN providers in more than half of Iowa counties according to March of Dimes data. During the regular 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed measures introduced by Reynolds to address the maternal care shortage, including $560,000 in funding for the creation of a new OB-GYN fellowship program. In addition to supporting abortion restrictions in Iowa, 54% of likely GOP caucusgoers also said they would be more likely to favor a candidate who supports a federal 15-week ban on abortion. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have avoided directly weighing in on federal abortion law proposals. Some candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, have said they support federal abortion restrictions such as a 15-week ban. Others have said abortion laws should be left to the states, including entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. The Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll was conducted Aug. 13-17 by Selzer & Co. with a sample of 406 registered voters in Iowa who are likely to attend the Republican caucuses. Results based on the full sample have a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. Maria Helena P.T. Machadoss bilingual edition of Brazil Through the Eyes of William James expertly gathers and examines Jamess sketches, written correspondence, and diaries produced during the Thayer Expedition to the Amazon basin in 1865 and 1866, offering a fascinating glimpse into the formative voyage of one of North Americas preeminent thinkers. While adding to an important body of travel literature set in Brazil that spans from the early colonial era (Hans Staden) to the 20th century (Claude Levi-Strauss), the handsomely illustrated volume offers a comprehensive cultural and historical critique of the expedition and its participants, contributing to a greater understanding of U.S.Brazilian relations amid the contentious political climate of the U.S. Civil War era. Jamess letters and journal entries are both typical of the era in which they were written and, as Machados argues in her lengthy introduction (comprising half the volume), highly idiosyncratic documents to the point of being mildly subversive. Consisting primarily of correspondence to his parents, brother Henry, and sister Alice, Jamess missives raise considerable doubts about the expeditions defining goals, namely, to find evidence supporting the creationist agenda of leader and Harvard luminary Louis Agassiz. As Machados points out, Agazziz was one of Charles Darwins most formidable and charismatic critics as well as one of the foremost U.S. public intellectuals of the period. As such, the Swiss-born scientist received a great deal of financial backing and accolades from both the U.S. South and imperial Brazilian government. Although on a number of occasions, James, in his letters, declares admiration for his professor, in his journal entries he reveals the full range of his sentiments: that he abhors the tedious work of collecting species after new species, each new discovery evidence, in Agazzizs mind, of the stasis of nature and therefore a repudiation of evolutionary theory. James clearly considers his mentor intellectually impressive and physically tireless yet something of a self-righteous blowhard. Never, he writes, did a man utter a greater amount of humbug. Jamess amusing caricatures of Agazziz and fellow voyagers reinforce his irreverent attitude toward their central mission, and provide a clear indication as to why he chose to abort the Thayer Expedition after 8 months of travel. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding Jamess communication with his family? A. James, for fear of criticism from Agazziz, had to be implicit about the contents of his journal entries. B. James used the correspondence with his family to voice his disillusion with his work. C. It was necessary for James to create the illusion that he admired Agazziz so as not to raise his professors suspicions. D. James was secretly a critic of Darwins theory of evolution. E. James, unlike his creationist professor, was a staunch atheist. In the passage, the author is primarily concerned with A. summarizing the results of a study B. analyzing the reasoning behind an argument C. considering an opinion D. speculating about a set of circumstances E. defining categories In the context in which it appears, body most nearly means A. organism B. carcass C. trunk D. consistency E. collection Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding Jamess communication with his family?A. James, for fear of criticism from Agazziz, had to be implicit about the contents of his journal entries.B. James used the correspondence with his family to voice his disillusion with his work.C. It was necessary for James to create the illusion that he admired Agazziz so as not to raise his professors suspicions.D. James was secretly a critic of Darwins theory of evolution.E. James, unlike his creationist professor, was a staunch atheist.In the passage, the author is primarily concerned withA. summarizing the results of a studyB. analyzing the reasoning behind an argumentC. considering an opinionD. speculating about a set of circumstancesE. defining categoriesIn the context in which it appears, most nearly meansA. organismB. carcassC. trunkD. consistencyE. collection A Pittsylvania County supervisor representing the area where developers want to construct a planned community addressed lingering concerns Tuesday night, a week after an ordinance change and rezoning cleared the way for the project. Tunstall district supervisor Vic Ingram said the situation has created concerns and questions even after the vote, some of which he quickly dismissed as myths. Four men who formed Southside Investing are looking to build a mix of single-family homes, town houses and apartments on 580 acres of land in Axton. Facilities for seniors and a grocery store also are part of the overall community. Developers two are local and one owns land in the county say it would address a dire need for housing in the area already, and a problem that would only be compounded should a major company land in the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill. It was very obvious that people do not understand the governmental process, and I dont mean that in a bad way, Ingram explained in an hourlong video session Tuesday evening via Facebook. For example, he countered claims from the public that it was an under the table deal by flatly saying thats not true. Ingram learned of the development idea in December. Theres a lot that goes into a process like this that cannot be shared with the general public until the time is appropriate, he explained. First, theres an application process thats presented to the community development department with the county. Then its vetted by county staff to ensure its a sound proposal. The next legislative processes involve the planning commission which analyzes the requests and sends along a recommendation to the board of supervisors. In this case, there were two separate issues at hand. First, Southside Investing wanted to use the residential planned unit development zoning option, but sought to change some language to bring it up to date. At the same time, staff from the county also realized it was a good idea to update parts of the code. Residential planned developments are a mix of residential and commercial components. After supervisors approved the code change, next up was officially rezoning it from agriculture to residential planned unit development. Both were approved Aug. 15 by the board. I realize some people are not still happy with that and regardless of what I say will not make any difference, Ingram said. I hope you understand that we can agree to disagree. To muddy the waters in an already confusing process, the board wants to make further adjustments to the zoning language for these such developments. Supervisor Bob Warren said Aug. 15 the changes came about because of worries from residents that even more planned developments would soon pop up across the county, squeezing multiple homes into a small area. These tweaks will come up for a vote at the September meeting after a public hearing and include increasing the minimum size from 5 to 25 acres and requiring all projects be connected to public water and sewer. The board also wants to amend the code to create a setback of 100 feet, a concession Southside Investment already made to neighboring property owners. Setbacks are basically buffers from a project to a nearby property. The ordinance itself has been on the books for about 20 years and after research staff members discovered only five times this zoning option was used in the county, which is the largest in terms of land mass in Virginia. The advantage to the option is in density, meaning more homes can be built in a smaller space than other zoning categories. The zoning changes last week were just the very first in a long line of approvals needed to get the project rolling. Its going to be at least 18 months before we can even think about moving a piece of dirt, Todd Curtis, one of the investors, told the Register & Bee recently. Ingram expounded on that, again countered to what he called myths. They will not do anything until the traffic impact analysis is done, Ingram said. That itself can cost up to $75,000 and will be fully paid for by the developers. It goes to the Virginia Department of Transportation to determine what kind of traffic the roads can handle safely. Ultimately, that will determine how many housing units can be constructed. I just felt like based on the traffic impact analysis, that the project would probably be cut back substantially, Ingram said. I dont know that to be true. When it comes to things like needed traffic signals and such, the developers would need to foot the bill, just like bringing water and sewer to the project. It does not fall on the burden or back of the taxpayer, Ingram said, another worry aired by those against the development. Each step of the way there will be public hearings on individual aspects. For example, Southside Investing wants to build a grocery store, which would require a special use permit. Ingram was taken aback by some residents saying they didnt want a grocer in the area, contrary to chatter he often hears from people saying they wish such an establishment would come to the rural region. In fact, the intense pushback from the whole deal surprised him. I thought everyone would be so happy, Ingram said, listing off things like more housing options and the grocery store. I really thought over the last 33 years when people said they wanted a grocery store they would be ecstatic, when an option would finally come, he said. Instead, at the Aug. 15 meeting, many people said they were happy driving to places like Danville, Martinsville or Eden, North Carolina, to do weekly shopping.Turning to the notion that a new development would bring higher taxes to property owners, Ingram referenced a video where a farming couple worried about not being able to provide for the family. Those poor people were saying what they believed, but it was based on what someone else fed them, Ingram said. Early estimates report the project would generate about $3 million more in taxes per year for the county. When you have growth, in essence it helps to keep taxes low, he said. Thats not to say that property values wont rise over time, especially when amenities are constructed nearby. But he reminded as other supervisors have done that the board has the power to control the tax rate. Simply put, just because a homes value rises, it doesnt mean someone will pay more taxes. Supervisors can lower the tax rate so the overall bill would remain the same as previous years. Do not panic that your taxes are going to go up overnight, he said, again stressing this is a 10-year build. Jumping back to the megasite, Ingram echoed a familiar refrain from other economic leaders: its not a matter of if a major industry will set up shop locally, its only a matter of time. With the hope to land thousands of jobs comes a need to have housing options. Ingram said a local dentist told him his establishments spends thousands of dollars each year to recruit new dentists, only to have them leave because of a lack of housing. Ticking off a list of other items to address, Ingram clarified a misconception of the previous agriculture zoning. It is not and has never been farmland, he said. Nearly everything in the county had an agriculture designation since it was an all-encompassing category that also meant a house could be build there. The land in question was once owned by the Grants the family that owned the Danville Register and The Bee until 1996 and used as a retreat. It then was turned into a Girl Scout camp but has been vacant for decades. Ultimately Ingram said this has been the most heart-wrenching decision hes ever had to make, but was looking toward the future when it came time to cast his vote. One day soon were going to land that major corporation and the history of this county will be changed forever, he said. With that we have to have adequate housing. Five environmental groups are suing to block Gov. Glenn Youngkins effort to pull Virginia out of an interstate pact to cut the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The lawsuit, filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court, says the Air Pollution Control Board and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality do not have the authority to pull Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. A state law enacted by the General Assembly in 2020 required Virginia join RGGI, a 12-state program under which power plants have to pay to buy offsetting allowances for every ton of carbon emissions. Environmentalists say RGGI is a powerful tool to cut emissions. Since joining RGGI, the five groups 138-page lawsuit says, carbon dioxide emissions from Virginia power plants in Virginia have decreased by nearly 17%, from about 32.8 million short tons in 2020 to about 27.3 million short tons in 2022. Because the amount of allowances declines every year, the price of emitting greenhouse gas keeps rising, and that is meant to encourage power plants operators to slash that pollution. Funds paid by Virginia power plants for their excess emissions, meanwhile, have paid for more than $328 million to help low- and moderate-income Virginians with ways to cut energy use and more than $295 million for flood control, a major issue in low-lying coastal and Chesapeake Bay communities. RGGI is a proven regional program that reduces carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, according to the lawsuit, filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, Appalachian Voices and Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. A month after his election, Youngkin said he would pull Virginia out of RGGI, calling it a tax on ratepayers and a bad deal for customers and businesses. Environmentalists and several Democratic legislators have argued ever since that because it was the General Assembly that required Virginia to join RGGI, only the legislature can pull the state out. Youngkin is using a decision of the Air Pollution Control Board to repeal its regulation on RGGIs operation in Virginia to end the states participation in RGGI when its current contract with the body expires at the end of 2023. The fact is that the General Assembly made a specific legislative decision to require Virginia to participate in RGGI, and only the General Assembly may revisit that choice, the five groups lawsuit stated. The lawsuit said the 2020 law requiring Virginia to join RGGI does not allow the board to repeal its regulation. It also said the board and the state Department of Environmental Quality, along with DEQ Director Michael Rolband, exceeded their authority and violated the state constitution by basing the repeal on the grounds that it would reduce utility bills. The board was able to do so only after Youngkin appointed new members to make a majority, which he was able to do because of two unexpected vacancies, according to the lawsuit. The Virginia Clean Economy Act, also enacted in 2020, gives the State Corporation Commission authority to review how utilities pass on RGGI costs to customers. The Air Pollution Control Board is authorized only to take action to abate, control and prohibit air pollution. It is not authorized to regulate utility costs and certainly not these specific costs, which the General Assembly expressly determined could be recovered in this way, according to the lawsuit. The SCC said last month that Dominion Energy could pass on more than $355 million of RGGI costs to customers, through a surcharge of 0.4425 cents per kilowatt hour on electricity used after Sept. 1. It translates to a bit more than $4.42 on a benchmark 1,000 kilowatt-hour monthly bill, which currently costs $125. Youngkin has long said he wants to pull Virginia out because the way this state regulates utilities means they are free to pass on any costs they incur under RGGI to customers. That means the incentive to cut emissions from payments for RGGI allowances does not work here, so that those payments become a kind of tax on Virginians, Youngkin argued. RGGI remains a regressive tax which does not do anything to incentivize the reduction of emissions, Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles said, in response to the lawsuit. He said the Air Pollution Control Board does not believe Virginia is required to be in RGGI, adding that the citizens of Virginia should not be subjected to this unnecessary tax. Voyles said the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the board had the authority to act as it did. But the groups lawsuit said staying in RGGI at least through 2030, as the law now requires, would fund energy-efficiency improvements for as many as 130,000 Virginia homes, saving each an average of $676 a year. RGGI is a market-based effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. Dominion, the states biggest utility, has put the total cost of RGGI allowances since 2021 through the end of this year at $640 million. It collected $84 million through an RGGI-linked surcharge in effect from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2022, before it asked the SCC to suspend that surcharge after Youngkin announced he would pull Virginia out of the pact. Dominion told the SCC it recovered an additional $183 million of RGGI-linked costs through its base rates. The balance that it is spending and will spend through the end of this year is what it is recovering through the new surcharge. Without our participation in RGGI, Virginians will be exposed to increased greenhouse gas emissions and more severe climate impacts with little or no support for their mitigation from the state, said Faith Harris, executive director at Virginia Interfaith Power & Light. The weatherization and flood preparedness funds created due to our participation in RGGI were sound and practical solutions to stabilize Virginias economy in the face of rising energy costs, sea levels, temperatures and severe weather conditions. RGGI is working for Virginia, and Virginians know it, she said. Given the intense warning signs weve received this summer, from record-setting heat to the horrifying wildfires affecting more and more Americans, it makes no sense to pull out, said Andrea McGimsey, executive director of Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. Gov. Glenn Youngkin Seven people were displaced when fire ripped through a row of townhouses in Kill Devil Hills Thursday evening. Crews from the Colington, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head fire departments were dispatched just before 4 p.m. to the 100 block of Colington Pointe Drive, as callers reported seeing smoke as far away as Kitty Hawk, the Colington Volunteer Fire Department said in a news release. Colington Fire Chief Glenn Rainey arrived to find heavy fire in the end unit of a three-story, four-unit townhome block. A second alarm was called, bringing firefighters from the Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Roanoke Island fire departments. Firefighters were able to make a quick initial attack as the fire spread to neighboring units in the structure, the release said. Two homes sustained major damage, one moderate damage and a fourth very minor damage. Three of the units were occupied at the time and six people safely evacuated. A total of seven people were displaced, five of them year-round residents, the release said. Neighbors and the American Red Cross are assisting them. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The blaze is the second major fire in Kill Devil Hills this month. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and local investigators are still working to determine what caused an Aug. 11 fire that killed three Maryland vacationers including a 13-year-old girl and injured three others. Achievers The North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners has announced that 66 North Carolina candidates passed the Uniform CPA Examination in June. Local individuals include: Anna Elizabeth Vincent of Browns Summit; Wesley Brian Atkins, Hayden Lee Edmondson and Jayla Channell Rivers, all of Greensboro; Abby Renee Baukema of High Point and Maitland Elizabeth Gurney of Stoneville. * * * * Emily Hinton, principal of Lindsey Architecture, successfully completed the Design-Build Institute of Americas comprehensive education and certification testing program to achieve the design-build industrys highest designation as a nationally certified Design-Build Professional. Two to six years of substantial, documented direct project experiences in design-build project delivery experience is an additional prerequisite for this certification. Lindsey Architecture has delivered dozens of design-build projects since its inception in 2008, including the Greensboro Rotary Carousel; a Glen Raven expansion in Norlina; an aircraft hangar at Virginia Tech and multiple corporate and industrial projects for various clients. Currently, Lindsey Architecture is the prime design partner on the design-build teams for two new projects working with the Greensboro Science Center and City of Greensboro. Announcements Tap Hopper has formed an official distribution relationship with Pack Leader USA. This is Tap Hoppers second distributor partnership of the year, the first being Twin Monkeys Canning Systems. * * * * The Fresh Market is hosting a register roundup through Aug. 27 at all of its stores to raise money for those affected by the fires in Maui. The funds raised during the event will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines to provide meals to people impacted by humanitarian, natural and community crises around the globe. Currently, the nonprofit is providing meals to first responders and affected community members, in distribution points and door-to-door wherever needed. Additionally, WCK has positioned food trucks across several severely impacted areas. The WCK Relief team was quick to mobilize soon after the fires spread and has provided more than 50,000 meals to people in need throughout Maui and the Big Island. On the Move Salem College has named Brett C. Woods vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. He previously served as interim dean of the Wanek School of Natural Sciences at High Point University. Piedmont Business Capital recently hired Michael McKinney as the organizations new executive director. McKinney, who began on Aug. 1, will lead the organization in its mission to continue to redirect economic opportunities toward the African American population in Greensboro to scale neighborhood outcomes from poverty to prosperity. Kylee Crook 19 will lead Guilford Colleges Bonner Program. The college also named Jennifer Urdaneta-Cassoma 17 as the campus and community engagement fellow. She will work alongside Crook. Both were Bonner Program participants. Ayesha Swinton of Guilford College recently began her new role as director of the office of transformation & inclusion, which reports to the president. The new office replaces the division of diversity, equity and inclusion. Schell Bray has welcomed two new attorneys to the firm. Amanda B. Lingerfelt has joined the real estate practice group as title attorney, and Jesse R. Offchiss is the firms newest associate within the trusts and estates practice group. Zeledith Blakely, who has served as GTCCs associate dean of adult education for the past seven years, has been promoted to dean of adult education. Announcements The Triad Chapter of the North Carolina Native Plant Society will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Kathleen Clay Edwards Library Meeting Room, 1420 Price Park Drive, Greensboro. Adam Webb will present Whats in a Name: Understanding Species, Cultivars & Hybrids. He will discuss the importance of using botanical names rather than common names for native plants. Cultivar and hybrid terms and their importance in identifying plants will also be discussed. Webb is the cochairman of the Triad chapter and has been a member of the NCNPS since 2016. He currently works at Franks Perennial Border and Southern Soother in Winston-Salem. Awards Henry K. Burtner American Legion Post 53 (Greensboros oldest legion post) recently held their annual awards banquet. The awardees are: North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year, Trooper Justin T. Mitchell; Guilford County EMS, Paramedic Tena Mahar; Guilford County Sheriff Office Deputy of the Year, Deputy Omar De La Rosa and K-9 Mazo; Guilford County Sheriff Detention Center Officer of the Year, Officer R. Johnson; Greensboro Fire Department Person of the Year, Engineer Wesley Johnson; Greensboro Police Department Person of the Year, Office C.A. Gosmon; and 2023 American Legion Tar Heel Boys State Citizen, Neal Roberts. Thereve been a lot of great country songs about small towns and the working class, but none of them came out this summer. Im a country music fan. I like the old stuff, but shoot, Ill gladly sing along to most of the new stuff as I hum down the highway. I love the storytelling lyrics, the fun wordplay. I like the slide guitar, the twang. I love Reba and Loretta. I love Garth and Dwight. But this summer, country music took a few embarrassing blows. The music video for Jason Aldeans Try That in a Small Town was quickly pulled off Country Music Television after listeners raised the alarm that it appeared to glorify extralegal, vigilante violence. Aldean argued this wasnt his intent, but it certainly didnt help that his all-white band filmed the video in front of the Columbia, Tenn., courthouse the exact spot where a Black teenager was pulled out of the jail, dragged behind a car and lynched. Besides conjuring some of the worst of American history, Aldeans song tried to exacerbate the supposed urban/rural divide while giving an approving nod to the violent retribution against ones political enemies. Interspersed between shots of Aldean singing in front of the courthouse are news clips intentionally evoking Black Lives Matter protests. Its long been a Fox News trope that those protests were violent, though more than 93% were entirely peaceful (ACLED, 2020). Internet sleuths have demonstrated that much of Aldeans footage is from outside of the U.S. They DO try that in a small town Fact doesnt deter Jason Aldean. If he lived in a small town, he might know that racial justice protests have never been limited to urban places. Columbia, Tenn., was the site of huge racial justice protests in the 1940s (of note, those protests against Jim Crow by veterans returning from the war did turn violent). And rural folks did in fact try that in their small towns again in 2020: Thousands of small towns held local demonstrations after the murder of George Floyd and many continue organizing today (ACLED, 2020). Not only does Aldean not live in a small town, but he also didnt grow up in a small town (to be fair, he also doesnt write his own songs). Thus, its no surprise his homogenous view of rural America is wildly off the mark. Nationally, rural communities are rapidly diversifying (Brookings 2020) and certainly the rural South has never been all-white. Here in North Carolina, the proportion of the urban Black population (21.3%) and the rural Black population (20.4%) are nearly identical (U.S. Census 2020). Small towns are not the province of conservative whites nor is rural America inflexibly conservative. While the story goes that rural voters have long felt abandoned by Democrats, they also see the shallowness in Republican pandering. In North Carolina, it was voters in Cabarrus County that held off a Republican supermajority last year, voters in Granville County who elected a progressive Black man to be their sheriff, and voters in Alamance County who elected the first Latino to the legislature in 2020. Rich Men North of Richmond As a longtime country fan, I was inclined to ignore Aldean because I know for every passing Toby Keith there is a Willie Nelson and a Dolly Parton. But then last week the right doubled down on their supposed ownership of the genre and championed Rich Men North of Richmond by Oliver Anthony. Where Aldean seems overproduced and, frankly, a bit like the wealthy elite that he is, Anthony seems much closer to his subject matter (he lives in a small Virginia town, not in a big Nashville mansion). Anthony sings some real and resonant truths about working America, such as enduring hard work for low wages and trying to balance a life that, no matter how we try, doesnt add up to what weve been promised. This is the stuff that for a long while has made up good country music. But, behaving as if it were the first country tune with blue-collar lyrics, conservative pundits and hacks quickly championed Anthonys song. Unfortunately, it wasnt his working-class truth-telling that skyrocketed Anthony into the limelight, but instead the lines where he grossly turns his back on his own neighbors. Anthony doesnt stick with blaming the rich men for his woes as the songs title promises, but instead turns his ire on the obese milkin welfare. He acknowledges that young men are putting themselves six feet underground but he doesnt mention Big Pharma. He sings about overtime hours for bt pay but seems to think his taxes paying for his neighbors fudge rounds is the reason he is struggling, not his bosses refusal to increase his pay. Somehow, song spares Wall Street The right-wing talk show hosts making him famous are far less concerned about Anthony selling his soul than they are in his myopic inability to look as far north as Wall Street. But theyve always preferred those of us more willing to punch down than to look up. Thats what we can learn by the celebration of Anthonys blame game on other poor people and of Aldeans call to arms against our own neighbors. The right is securing their battle hymns and setting their marching orders to music as they prepare for 2024, but theyre doing that on our small town working peoples backs. I suspect that both voters and the rest of country music will have something to say about all that. This weekend I will drive up to Virginia to see my parents, who live in the same town as Oliver Anthony. But it wont be his song playing on my radio, and it certainly wont be Aldeans. Im going to stick to the country music that sings for, not against, us. Maybe Ill pop in John Prines Paradise. Or Isabells Something More Than Free. Joroszs Hometown. Haggards Hungry Eyes. Fortunately, I have plenty to pick from. RALEIGH If you maintain a diversified portfolio of politically active friends and you really ought to, if you want to perceive the world as it is rather than as you imagine it to be its essential to learn how to best to handle passionate disagreements about controversial issues. When the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down UNC-Chapel Hills race-conscious admissions policies, for instance, some of my personal relationships came under severe stress. Id long argued that my alma maters policies were illegal and unwise. I predicted the university would lose the case, and that its leaders needed to prepare for that eventuality. Over the course of many conversations, before and after the decision, I discovered that good friends of mine felt very differently about the issue. They saw the plaintiffs in the case, Students for Fair Admissions, as either misguided or disingenuous. They expressed concern that a courtroom loss by UNC would inflict severe harm on minority students, restricting their access to high-quality education and the opportunities it brings. Some even argued that North Carolinas economy would suffer, too, with our talent pipeline shrinking and fewer students being exposed to diverse environments while in college. I responded to their predictions, and they to mine. We tried to remain civil and open-minded, and for the most part I think we were successful. In particular, our conversations were most constructive when we moved away from theoretical claims and speculative forecasts to focus on more concrete topics. For example, I pointed out that selective universities in states such as California, Texas, Michigan and Florida stopped using race or ethnicity in the admissions process many years ago. In some cases, elected officials had mandated an end to the practice. In others, voters had done so through ballot initiatives. These states are home to some of the highest-ranked universities in the nation. Had minorities largely disappeared from their campuses as a result? No. Had their economies been harmed by the policy change? Also no. Consider what happened at the University of Floridas flagship campus in Gainesville. Before then-Gov. Jeb Bush abolished racial and ethnic preferences in 1999, about a quarter of students on the campus were non-white minorities. By 2020, they made up nearly half of total enrollment. Black students formed a slightly smaller share at that university 5.7%, vs. 6.6% in 1997 but the numbers of Hispanics and Asians grew significantly while the African American share rose at other large campuses such as the University of Central Florida. Data from other states showed similar patterns. As the college-aged population had diversified, so had enrollments across most university campuses, selective or not. Some students whose grades, test scores, and other credentials werent sufficient to enter their first-choice schools had enrolled at high-quality alternatives. At the most selective schools, shares of Asian students surged. When I made these observations to my worried friends, it seemed to make them less confident in their dire predictions. Then they gave as good as they got by helping me understand how the Supreme Courts decision made many Black and Hispanic students feel. Would those already enrolled under the previous system truly feel welcome on campus after the decision? Would their younger siblings or peers perceive the new system as fairer? Would they see their future prospects as brighter or dimmer? The resulting conversations didnt persuade me to change my opinion about the admissions case. Nor did my friends change their minds, as far as I know. But each of us left with a lot to think about. Thanks to many factors among them the decline of traditional sources of authority, the polarizing effects of social media, and the destructive choices of irresponsible leaders our public discourse is increasingly crude, coarse and corrosive. The problem isnt that we disagree. Thats inevitable! The problem is, in part, that we all too often air our disagreements as a kind of political theater rather than attempting, with real curiosity and mutual respect, to learn from them. TUSCOLA The Vault Art Gallery in downtown Tuscola has good reason to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 26 and that's because there have been times that it seemed like it might not survive at all. "Every time there's turmoil or we lose a group of artists, I think, 'Oh, no, how are we going to survive this?" said longtime Vault artist and board member Joanna Drost of Sullivan. "But we've managed to hang in there somehow. We always get new artists to replace those who leave. I guess it's a leap of faith. The only way the Vault stays open is that we have artists there who want to keep it open." The Vault will celebrate being open a decade from 1-5 p.m. Saturday with live music from The Halos, of Charleston, along with food and beverages. The event will also give customers a chance to meet and talk with the artists. The Vault started by John McDevitt as the Vault Arts Collective in August 2013. He had previously owned a similar gallery called the Factory Art Studios, located in an old shoe factory in Sullivan. When the owner of the building died, McDevitt started looking for other locations to move the gallery and Tuscola won out a large tax increment financing loan and grant from the city was a major factor. The Factory Art Studios was known for hosting large events with live music, bringing an edgy, youthful feel to sleepy small-town living. The idea was to transfer that same vibe, along with the work from local artists, to Tuscola. The new name, the Vault Arts Collective, was inspired by the large vault located in the former bank building. While the collective was initially a success, family concerns developed for McDevitt, along with financial issues. He decided to close the business in 2017. At the last minute, a buyer stepped up with long Tuscola ties, Mike Carroll and partners Jim Higgins and Jerry Reynolds. With the purchase came a slight name change, to the Vault Art Gallery, to more accurately describe the space where local artists sell paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, soaps, vintage clothing, records and more. Artist and Tuscola resident Kirby Pringle was appointed manager. Carroll and his group owned the Vault for one year, and decided to close the business in 2018 as it was not doing as well financially as hoped. Instead, a group of 50 artists rallied together and were able to form a cooperative that was able to purchase the Vault. The city of Tuscola owns the building and the Vault artists lease the building. But then the Covid-19 lockdowns hit and the Vault closed its doors in the winter and spring of 2020. It was uncertain whether the Vault would survive the financial hit. And because of its cooperative structure and the lack of any paid staff Vault artists work one day per month as part of their rental agreement it did not qualify for grant money. The uncertainty of the past decade is also why the anniversary celebration is being called the "Miracle on Main Street." "It's amazing in many ways that we are still here," Drost said. "I don't know what it is about Tuscola and the Vault, but that building wants us there. I want that place to be open, not just for Tuscola, but for the whole area. I'm glad it has remained open not only for the artists as a venue to sell their artwork, but as a cultural center for Central Illinois." Board President Debbie Nivens of Tuscola, also an art instructor at EIU, has similar thoughts. "I think the title of our anniversary celebration says it all. Despite the many challenges, we have proven that we are something that the area enjoys," Nivens said. "We're still here. And not only are we still here, but we are thriving." "I would like to see us become a center of the arts for the entire area, that includes music, dance, theater, art classes, photography classes anything art-related that we can get in there. I think there is a demand for that," Nivens said. "Nearly every customer we get mentions what a cool and unique place it is. I've never heard anything negative. Everyone is always complimentary. We want to build on that uniqueness." DECATUR Decatur Fire Department crews responded to two calls Thursday stemming from to smoldering insulation and wiring. Firefighters were first called to a house at 353 S. Illinois St. at 3:35 p.m. According to a department news release, the first crew to arrive could locate no smoke or fire, but upon further investigation, uncovered an illegal power hookup and notified Ameren Illinois. The wiring had scorched joists and insulation in the attic that were smoldering. Ameren disconnected the power at the utility pole and all crews worked together due to the extreme heat. The Red Cross is assisting five adults who were displaced. While working on that call, firefighters were dispatched to a report of smoke coming from a home in the 400 block of South Oakland Avenue. According to a news release, a previous call had come for the same address for an outlet that had stopped working, and Ameren had disconnected power as a precaution. No hot spots were detected during the previous call to that address, but the homeowner stayed on site and called the fire department back. Firefighters cut an investigation hole in the roof and discovered smoke coming from insulation above the bathroom. The wiring had been previously damaged and had scorched the insulation. Crews removed insulation. A firefighter had to be treated for heat stress but was able to return to duty. The Red Cross assisted the displaced family of two adults and four children. Close South Macon firefighter Gavin Brand practices clearing out a window during a recent training exercise. South Wheatland firefighter Michael Warnick tears down a curtain to get it out of the way during training for practicing forced entry. Blue Mound Fire Department lieutenant Brian Vanscyoc practices clearing out a window during training. Blue Mound Fire Department lieutenant Brian Vanscyoc practices clearing out a window. Blue Mound firefighter Brandon Teitsort practices clearing out a window during a training exercise at an unoccupied house owned by the Macon County Conservation District. South Macon firefighter Ryan Flemming practices clearing out a window during a training exercise at an unoccupied house owned by the Macon County Conservation District. Firefighters from South Wheatland, South Macon, Mount Zion and Blue Mound fire departments suit up for training at an unoccupied house owned by the Macon County Conservation District. PHOTOS: Macon County firefighters put their skills to the test South Wheatland Fire Department, with South Macon, Mount Zion and Blue Mound, used a house on Dipper Lane that is slated for demolition as a training site. South Macon firefighter Gavin Brand practices clearing out a window during a recent training exercise. South Wheatland firefighter Michael Warnick tears down a curtain to get it out of the way during training for practicing forced entry. Blue Mound Fire Department lieutenant Brian Vanscyoc practices clearing out a window during training. Blue Mound Fire Department lieutenant Brian Vanscyoc practices clearing out a window. Blue Mound firefighter Brandon Teitsort practices clearing out a window during a training exercise at an unoccupied house owned by the Macon County Conservation District. South Macon firefighter Ryan Flemming practices clearing out a window during a training exercise at an unoccupied house owned by the Macon County Conservation District. Firefighters from South Wheatland, South Macon, Mount Zion and Blue Mound fire departments suit up for training at an unoccupied house owned by the Macon County Conservation District. CHICAGO For some working in downtown Chicago, daily commutes are about to get a whole lot wetter. The Chicago Water Taxi will resume service three days a week starting Sept. 5. A lone boat will make trips three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday, between Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop and Michigan Avenue in Streeterville. The West Loop stop is located between Ogilvie and Union Station, while the Michigan Avenue stop is located near the intersection of North Rush Street and East Kinzie Street. The fall water taxi will run during rush hour, with trips every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 9:15 a.m. and again from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. The first trip of the morning will leave from Ogilvie and the last trip will depart from Michigan Avenue. The taxi is operated by Wendella Tours and Cruises, which also runs architectural boat tours down the Chicago River and into Lake Michigan. The boats ran only on the weekends in 2021 and 2022, after the COVID-19 pandemic sent typical river commuters into work-from-home mode. Wendella chose Tuesday through Thursday based on data from Metra and Kastle Systems, a security company which tracks swipes into office buildings, said Andrew Sargis, chief of operations for the taxi. A majority of commuters will be working onsite those days, so those are the days were going to start, Sargis said. Metra reported a slight dip in commuting in August, which Sargis attributes to vacations. Water taxi service is expected to stop in late November, though Sargis said Wendella might run boats into the winter or expand to other days of the week depending on demand. A potential plan to stop service in late November and restart in the spring could also be in the works if the fall commuter taxi proves popular enough, Sargis said. Were excited to get going again, and we really hope people turn out, Sargis said. Wendella has been running water taxis since 1962. Named RiverBus in 1999, the bright yellow boat rebranded to Chicago Water Taxi in 2007. Chicago Water Taxi suspended service in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has attempted to restart three times in the years since, Sargis said. Weekend service in 2021 and 2022 catered more to tourists than to daily commuters, 400,000 of whom rode the Chicago Water Taxi between March and November 2019. Starting Sept. 5, the taxi is back to courting commuters, Sargis said. Ultimately the water taxi started as a service for locals, Sargis said. Throughout the years, we slowly started going to areas that were more touristy and running on weekends. And thats something we may or may not plan to do in the future. The sole Chicago Water Taxi on the fall route seats 95 passengers at a time. Riders can purchase a 10-ride pass for $25 or a single-ride pass for $6. Shoreline Sightseeing, another Chicago boat operator, will also continue running water taxis into the fall. The service, which also operated daily this summer, makes seven stops between Navy Pier and Chinatown. Tickets range from $5 to $21 depending on age and route, with day passes for $30 (or $12 for children). Shoreline puts out a unique schedule each day based on weather conditions. Weather cancellations and delays become more likely in October and November, said Shoreline Water Taxi employee Vanessa Smith. Usually, we try and run as late as we can, but its all weather dependent, Smith said. As the beloved yellow Chicago Water Taxi prepares for duty, Sargis says he hopes Metra customers whose final destinations are River North and Streeterville see the river taxi as the most convenient option. We know its a better quality of commute than most land transit, just because youre out in the river and theres no traffic, he said. GRANITE CITY A man who was shot by a Washington Park police officer after stealing his car and then fleeing the scene was struck by a different squad car and a passing motorist as he lay in the road in Granite City, according to Illinois State Police. He was pronounced dead at the scene, a news release states. The man was identified as Kyeiiree Meyers, 28, of St. Louis, ISP said. It all started at 10:52 p.m. Wednesday in Fairmont City, where police there were conducting a traffic stop near Collinsville Road. The unidentified Washington Park officer responded to assist the Fairmont City police. Moments before the traffic stop, a man later identified as Meyers got out of his car and started walking toward Illinois 203, according to ISP. The Washington Park officer approached Meyers, who ran, with the officer running after him, the press release states. Meyers and the officer got into a physical altercation. Meyers was able to break free from the officer and gain access to his police squad car, the press release said. Meyers rammed the police car into a pillar near the officer. The officer fired his duty weapon, striking Meyers in the squad car, the release states. Meyers continued to flee, driving away at a high rate of speed, ISP said. "An ISPERN (Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network) broadcast was made and several agencies began searching for Meyers," the news release said. At 11 p.m., Meyers got out of the stolen squad car on Illinois 162 at Mockingbird Lane in Granite City. He was laying in the roadway when a Pontoon Beach Police Department Squad car and a passing motorist struck him, the release said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release. ISP said this is an ongoing investigation, with no further information released at this time. Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair THUMBS UP! To the Millikin University service requirement. The Day of Service is a traditional part of New Student Welcome Week at Millikin, where first-year students spend their first days on campus learning about the community, getting familiar with the campus and settling in. "We have this idea at Millikin of the Big Blue Bubble," said Madelyn Letourneau, a student experience ambassador. "And we want to pop our Big Blue Bubble. We want our students to get involved." It's a superb tradition. THUMBS UP! To Illinois Republicans' plans. At the party's annual day at the Illinois State Fair, Republican leaders conceded that it will not be "an overnight process." Still, they aim to make Illinois "a two-party state" again and then, eventually, flip it red. State Party Chair Don Tracy emphasized fundraising and voter turnout over the demonization of political foes. A two-party state is truly best for all. THUMBS DOWN! To potential air disasters. The U.S. has not had a fatal plane crash involving a commercial airline in more than 14 years. But the New York Times reports the system is struggling. Of 313 air traffic control facilities nationwide, just three as of May met staff targets. Officials worry the shortage is leading to close calls, in which planes nearly crash. There were at least 46 near misses involving commercial airlines last month. There are nearly 1.4 million flights in the U.S. each month, but as an FAA spokesman said, "One close call is one too many. Over the past decade, the number of fully trained controllers has fallen 10% while air traffic has increased 5%. THUMBS UP! To Mount Zion's Pony Express Days. In its fifth decade, the event brings people back to the town and gives residents a chance to get reacquainted and have their last gasp of a quiet summer. THUMBS UP! To an end to many DMV lines. Starting Sept. 1, Illinois Department of Motor Vehicle facilities will begin the Skip-the-Line program. The program is designed to help eliminate lines and unpredictable wait times and to encourage more Illinoisans to use the department's online services. Anything helps in the effort toward eliminating DMV frustrations. THUMBS UP! To a victory. Bloomington's Victory Church congregation gathered at its regular worship site at 18180 U.S. Highway 150 for the first time in more than 18 months. A fire spread throughout the church Jan. 10 last year. The church continues efforts to raise funds to finish rebuilding. THUMBS UP! To the American Civil Liberties Union bringing a possibility to the fore. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill that makes anyone in Illinois who engages in doxing to be found civilly liable in court. The bill passed through the House and Senate with bipartisan support. Doxxing can take the form of publishing with malicious intent someones home address, phone number, Social Security number or any other identifiers on social media or elsewhere on the internet. A person could be civilly liable if they share information with knowledge or reckless disregard that the person whose information was shared publicly would be reasonably likely to suffer death, bodily injury, or stalking. Legislators clarified that constitutionally protected protesting is not a form of stalking, and neither protesting nor news reporting can be considered doxing. The ACLU protested that the law could be applied with a much wider net than intended. That may never happen. But the ACLU bringing the discussion to the fore makes us aware of the possibility. It's the responsibility of all of us to keep an eye out for it. Ballad Health Systems flagship acute care hospitals again scored poorly in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Star ratings but health system officials claim the rankings are unfair, can be confusing and potentially cause consumers to make dangerous decisions. In the most recent ratings issued July 26, Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center two of the systems largest, most heavily staffed, tertiary care facilities received one star on the CMS five-star scale. Holston Valley Medical Center, Ballads third major tertiary care facility, received two stars. It represents the latest round of poor rankings under the Star system for this regions most important health care facilities. By contrast, Ballads Smyth County Hospital received five stars while Indian Path in Kingsport and Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton each received four stars, Franklin Woods in Johnson City and Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap each received three stars and Johnston Memorial in Abingdon received two stars. Nationwide, 248 hospitals both large and small received one-star ratings. In the Internet age, people go online to check and leave ratings and reviews for practically everything from restaurants, hotels and cruise lines to shopping preferences. Consumers often consider such ratings in making purchases and decisions. These are not hotels. These are really complicated organizations, said Alan Levine, president and CEO of Ballad Health System, who cautions that potentially lifesaving decisions should not be based solely on a single rating. Ballad was established in 2018 from former rivals Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System, in a move approved and overseen by the states of Tennessee and Virginia. What has changed since the merger is we have deliberately channeled our highest risk patients to JCMC, HVMC and BRMC, thus putting a disproportionate burden on those hospitals when it comes to Star ratings, Levine told the Bristol Herald Courier last week. The complications and mortality of sicker patients are then attributed to those hospitals, which Levine calls one of the major flaws of the rating system. CMS Star rating system The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have issued hospital ratings since 2016. The agency began issuing similar star ratings for nursing homes in 2008. The overall star rating for hospitals summarizes quality information on important topics, like re-admissions and deaths after heart attacks or pneumonia, according to the CMS website. The overall rating, between 1 and 5 stars, summarizes a variety of measures across five areas of quality into a single star rating for each hospital. The five measure groups include mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care. The overall rating shows how well each hospital performed on an identified set of quality measures compared to other hospitals in the U.S. The more stars, the better a hospital performed on the available quality measures, according to the Medicare website. On the front of its ratings page, Medicare advises consumers on how to best utilize the information. Star ratings can give you information and help you compare hospitals locally and nationwide, but you should consider a variety of factors when choosing a hospital, like physician guidance about your care plan. Along with the overall rating, you should look at other aspects of hospital quality like rates of infection and complications, and patients experience of care based on survey results. Researching that data requires sifting through a series of packed spreadsheets, information about improvements and declines and an exhaustive series of web pages listing everything from patient survey results to complications and deaths. Creating accountability When it comes to evaluating health care facilities, Levine helped write the book. In 2004, as Floridas health secretary, Levine established the nations first state reporting of hospital outcomes. We were the first to create hospital transparency. I created it in Florida and then brought it to Louisiana, Levine said, adding he was subsequently asked by the federal government about applying the program on a national scale. My advice at the time was go condition by condition, service by service and identify what characteristics hospitals do that leads to better outcomes and measure a process of care measures, he said. They veered, at some point in 2015 or 2016, and decided they wanted to have a simple system so they created the Star ratings. It came out in 2016 and was widely panned. CMS went back to the drawing board and Congress acted. They asked them to delay the Star ratings but they didnt. They changed the methodology and changed it again in 2020, Levine said. Levine argues the system which measures only traditional Medicare patients doesnt include socio-economic factors and health co-morbidities in its rankings. It would be easy to conclude Im making excuses. Im not. As long as the Star rating methodology is what it is now, and all these other variables are true about our region, its not going to change dramatically. Smyth County will be five stars and Bristol and Holston Valley will be one and two stars, Levine said. A former Medicare executive, with knowledge of the rating system, spoke with the Herald Courier on background, on the condition of anonymity, due to this persons current position. The former official agreed with Levines assessment 100% that the ratings dont take into consideration social determinants, economic levels or general health of patients. Efforts were made to improve the rating systems ability to accurately reflect hospital outcomes but the issue is complicated, changes occur slowly and the process can become political. One change to the rating process, for example, could reflect poorly on some hospitals and cast others in a better light. Are these ratings fair? Are they accurate? Do they really represent what is going on? I think its fair to say they dont or that there are some caveats to all of this, the former official said. Patients from lower socio-economic status or who have more social determinant issues definitely impacts their health so theyre coming in as a sicker population, the former official said. The Ballad argument In 2021, Ballads big three hospitals all saw their Star ratings improve from one star to two. In an email to his board of directors at that time, Levine declined to promote the change because of ongoing concerns with the rating system. He said this regions challenges including poverty, above average rates of cancer, diabetes, obesity and behavioral health combine to skew the numbers when the sickest are combined in those three facilities. I have always had concerns about oversimplifying measurements of health care organizations because Ive not yet seen a methodology that adequately accounts for poverty, social determinants and the variations in the populations hospitals serve, Levine wrote in the May 2021 email to the Ballad board of directors. As an example, he compared local results to some comparably sized Nashville hospitals that received three and four-star ratings. However they serve a population that includes 50% with commercial insurance compared to the 20% of commercially insured patients in this region, Levine said. The Star ratings are comparing two unlike populations, Levine said. Theyre comparing Sullivan County hospitals with a 25% Medicare fee-for-service population with Davidson County, which has a 50% Medicare pay-for-service population. You cant compare that. Thats only one of the issues. This regions population also varies widely in Medicare coverage. In Washington County, Tennessee, 54% of Medicare consumers are enrolled in a managed care plan, or HMO. The rate is 63% in Sullivan County but 75% in more rural, less populated Hancock County. The Star ratings are limited only to Medicare fee-for-service populations and dont include lower acuity, healthier patients in Medicare Advantage plans. The population of patients in [Ballad] hospitals are sicker, higher acuity and more likely to experience infections and other issues, he said. One case in point is diabetes. Rates are on the rise nationally with 11% of the U.S. population diagnosed with diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tennessees diabetes incidence rate ranks among the five highest states in the U.S., at 14%. All 10 Tennessee counties within Ballads service area ranked between 11% and 18% at or above the national median. Diabetes in adults, especially if untreated, can create a whole range of complications including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, and other problems with feet, oral health, vision, hearing, and mental health, according to the CDC. A review shows this region has higher rates of cancer, cardiovascular and diabetes-related deaths than the rest of Tennessee or the U.S. Suicide rates are higher here than the national median, as are the levels of opioid medication prescriptions, non-fatal overdoses and babies born with neo-natal abstinence syndrome. Other sources Both the Tennessee and Virginia Departments of Health monitor Ballads health care and financial performance on an ongoing basis. Neither relies on the Medicare Star ratings as a measure of quality under the Tennessee COPA or Virginia Cooperative Agreement which were used to establish the Ballad system. For hospital quality performance, quality monitoring measures will include CMS Hospital Compare measures. Hospital Compare measures that are identified as target quality measures and measures of payment and value of care will be excluded from quality monitoring measures, according to the Tennessee Department of Healths overall evaluation document. Quality monitoring measures will be evaluated for the entire patient population and will not be restricted based on the patients payor status. Specifically, these measures will not be limited to the Medicare population, according to the TDH document. In 2021, the American Hospital Association issued a statement saying, CMSs failure to account for social risk factors in calculating measures like readmission biases the ratings against those hospitals caring for more vulnerable patients. Star rating methodology has changed frequently and significantly since its inception comparing a current rating to a previous rating could be very misleading, according to the association. In 2019, the New England Journal of Medicine asserted that all hospital rating systems are flawed. The publication ranked all of the hospital quality measuring services available and gave the CMS Star system a C grade, terming the system mediocre. It rated U.S. News rankings highest with a grade of B. LeapFrog received a C-minus and Healthgrades received a D-plus. That report was also critical because the CMS ratings are based solely on data from patients with traditional Medicare. Levine said Ballad hospitals have received high marks from other rating services, including U.S. News, The Joint Commission, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Quantros. Ballad does not participate in the LeapFrog health ratings, Levine said, because the process is extremely labor intensive for system employees since it requires self-reporting. The Joint Commission accredits hospitals for the Medicare program. Ballad sought and received Joint Commission special certification in specific categories for some of its hospitals, including BRMC. Additionally, Blue Cross Blue Shield identified two Ballad hospitals Bristol Regional and Holston Valley among just four statewide in Tennessee that it classifies as efficient. They cant all be wrong, Levine said. So to simplify all of this into a star rating when all of these things are true does a huge disservice to the hospitals and to the community. Because the worst thing that can happen, if someone has chest pains but says Bristol has a one-star rating, Im not going there. Im going to Sycamore Shoals or Smyth County because theyre five-star. HICKORY The Hickory Elks Lodge 1654 hosted the second annual Bike/Walk-a-Thon on Aug. 12 to raise money for Past Exalted Rulers (PER) scholarships. There were 26 Elks and five nonmembers biking, walking or volunteering. Special guests were Skye Bailey, who won Most Valuable Student in 2022 from the Grand Lodge in Chicago and her family, as well as the vice president to the Elks West District Robert Arrington from Waynesville. To date, this event has raised over $3,500 in scholarship money. Hot dogs and hamburgers were donated by the Hickory PER Association for fellowship after the event. This is an open event that anyone can participate in. Last month, North Carolinas engineer licensing board disciplined the designer of Hickorys fallen arches by reprimanding him and fining him $5,000. Paul Gilham, the engineer who designed the arches which fell only months after installation in February 2022, initially faced a different penalty: a one-year suspension of his license. This information and other details about the investigation into the arch collapse are revealed in documents from the N.C. Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Here is a look at some key information from the documents: Gilhams punishment In July, the N.C. Board of Examiners posted its final decision revealing the penalties against Gilham, who serves as the president and chief engineer of Oregon-based Western Wood Structures. He was ultimately reprimanded and issued a $5,000 fine. But the documents show he originally faced more severe discipline. A review committee of the licensing board warned Gilham in a notice in February that they found sufficient evidence to support a charge of gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct and would recommend the full board sanction Gilham by suspending his license for one year. Gilham had the option of requesting a settlement conference, which he did. Following that process, the settlement committee recommended the revised penalty of a reprimand and $5,000 fine. Andrew Ritter, the executive director of the licensing board, said the discussions of the settlement conference are confidential. He added that the $5,000 penalty is the highest fine the board has authority to impose. Inappropriate and flawed The documents lay out the most detailed public account so far of Gilhams perspective on the arch collapse and his response to the claims made against him. In a letter addressed to the licensing board in July 2022, Gilham denied the specific allegations against him, which included claims he improperly factored wind loads and that he wrongly analyzed the arches separately rather than modeling them as a single structure. At the same time, Gilham also acknowledge some fault in the design. He wrote that his own analysis found the computer model used to design the elements and connections for the arches was inappropriate and flawed. Specifically, Gilham said he mistakenly included a compressed cable in the analysis which should have been removed. This analysis yielded results (deflections and member forces) that were significantly smaller than the result obtained from the analysis performed with the cable removed, Gilham wrote. This misanalysis was a contributing cause of the collapse of the decorative arches. I am currently working through counsel with representatives of the city of Hickory to remedy this failure. Gilham also sat for an interview with the boards investigator where he indicated that he probably should have said no thank you to the job but at the time he thought he could make the arch design work, according to a summary of the interview. In an email after that interview, the investigator questioned whether Gilham was planning to license his company, Western Wood, with the board. According to the boards records, Pauls company has never been licensed to operate in North Carolina, yet the company name was used on the plans and other document he prepared for this project, the investigator wrote in the email. Tom Davis, Gilhams attorney, said Gilham was not planning to license the business with the board because it was a construction company not entitled to be licensed by the board of examiners. He added that Western Wood has been registered to do business in North Carolina. This did not appear to be satisfactory to the licensing board, which listed Gilhams association with firm that is not licensed as required by (state law) among his violations in the disciplinary order from July. The value of the loss is clear Gilham and Western Wood are among the parties facing lawsuits from the city of Hickory in connection with the collapse of the Hickory arches. Neill Grading & Construction Co., Dane Construction and WSP USA Environment and Infrastructure are the others. In a February email to the board investigator, Gilhams attorney Tom Davis addressed the lawsuit, saying at one point the city has not been able to quantify the damages it allegedly suffered. He continued: Part of the citys problem with their damages calculation appears to center on the fact that some of the funding/financing of the project originated with the NCDOT. The city has not been able to determine if those funds are nonrefundable grant funds or funds which are reimbursable to NCDOT. Asked to respond to the statement in the email, Hickory Deputy City Manager Rodney Miller said: The value of the loss is clear. We are not sure what the defendants attorneys are referring to in the email he references. Elsewhere in the documents, Carl Burchette, the attorney for Hickory, said preliminary estimates suggest damages of more than $1 million. The arches themselves cost around $750,000. Public confidence was lost Hickory Public Works Director Steve Miller was also among those interviewed as part of the investigation. Miller described the fall of the arches as a shock and told investigators he did not know why the arches fell. He stated that the city had no idea winds of less than 35 miles per hour could bring the arches down when they were designed to withstand 100 mph winds, according to the interview summary. Miller also addressed the question of whether there would be any new arches in Hickory. He stated that the work is still under warranty but for many citizens, public confidence was lost and the city doesnt want the arches rebuilt, according to the interview summary. Grown-ups usually dont pack laptops in pool bags. But then again, most adults at least those who cant be accused of being workaholics arent hip-deep in the business of running for governor. Perhaps that explains the unusual sight of state Treasurer Dale Folwell, an announced candidate for the states top executive since March, crunching numbers under an umbrella on an otherwise sun-kissed Saturday afternoon. It is getting to be serious fundraising time, after all. Fall behind now, and its game over. And Folwell, a Republican, is serious about his candidacy even if too-early poll numbers and the fundraising totals that go hand-in-glove with them may not be to his liking. How serious? According to 2023 mid-year, semi-annual campaign finance reports, Folwell loaned his campaign a cool $1 million. With very favorable, 0% interest terms, of course. Impressive start Even with that loan pushing his total campaign receipts to more than $1.2 million, the states chief financial officer is trailing other candidates with far better name recognition. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is far and away the leader on the Republican side of the ledger. The Friends of Mark Robinson committee reported total receipts of more than $2.28 million some $1.9 million in 22,930 aggregated individual contributions that pushed his cash-on-hand total to $3.2 million. Walker 4 NC, the campaign committee backing former GOP Congressman Mark Walker reported total receipts of $553,714. A fourth Republican candidate, retired health-care executive Jesse Thomas, just filed his organizational papers earlier this month and a fifth, a former state legislator named Andy Wells from Catawba County, loaned his campaign $51,000 to bring his total receipts to a little more than $63,000. Dwarfing them all, at least in terms of socking away cash, is Attorney General Josh Stein, the only Democrat of note in the race to succeed Gov. Roy Cooper. The Josh Stein for North Carolina committee reported total receipts of $11.2 million with $10.7 million from individual contributions. The Stein committee had $8.2 million cash on hand. Those are eye-popping totals seven months out from the state primary elections. Historically, candidates dont talk about fundraising, loans or finance reports. Theyll say the financial horse race isnt worth discussion, that fundraising is a necessary evil and then attempt to steer conversations to issues. Or rivals. So for smart analysis and insight, we turn to political scientists such as Dr. Michael Bitzer of Catawba College. With Steins and Robinsons significant numbers, it is the serious start of fundraising for 2024, Bitzer wrote in an email, because money helps lay a sufficient foundation for the overall campaign in terms of personnel, organization, advertising and grassroots operations. As we say, money is the mothers milk of politics, and what these numbers tell me is that North Carolinas gubernatorial contest next year will probably be one of the most expensive in the nation. Indeed. With Cooper barred by law from seeking a third consecutive term, candidates see an open path toward becoming governor. Unseating a popular incumbent is a big ask especially in a so-called purple state where Democrats and Republicans typically run hard in statewide contests. (Control of the General Assembly and the states congressional delegation, thanks to gerrymandering, is another matter entirely.) As for the race for governor, the filing of mid-year campaign finance reports indicate that the dash for cash a reliable predictor of a tsunami of television ads next year is on. The fact that Folwell made his campaign a loan shows that the Winston-Salem native will not go down without a fight. As to Folwells initial loan to jump-start his campaign, its not surprising in todays politics that those with the resources of private financial means can kick start their campaign, but it makes a notable difference in terms of where the grassroots and donor class are driving their money towards, Bitzer wrote. True. But no matter its source, having a sizable war chest should help Folwell pump up his name recognition and his numbers. Expensive campaign A poll released earlier this summer by the conservative John Locke Foundation took the temperature of potential matchups between different Republicans and Democratic frontrunner Stein. Only Robinson, well known to political types for bombastic (and frequently homophobic) rhetoric, led Stein at 41.5% to 40.8%. Stein led Folwell (39.4% to 33.8%) and Walker (39.4% to 36.8%). Part of the reason, of course, is name recognition. Stein and Robinson have used their positions to boost theirs. Folwell is trying, too, by engaging in a public battle with the states giant health-care providers over transparency in pricing. A report produced by his office and the Duke University School of Law upped the ante and highlighted his efforts. Its analysis showed that between 2017 and 2022, 5,922 debt collection lawsuits by tax-exempt health systems including Atrium Health targeted more than 7,500 patients and their families in North Carolina. The suits resulted in more than $57 million in judgments for the hospitals, researchers found, including millions in interest and fees. State law allows hospitals to charge 8%. Of course, expanding Medicaid in the state to some 600,000 poor North Carolinians eligible for the program would help dramatically. But a months-long delay in implementing the expansion as well as years-long opposition to doing so in the first place can be laid squarely at the feet of Republicans who control the Legislature. Either way, that should be a topic of debate for the 2024 gubernatorial campaign along with tax policy and the state of public education. Thats going to take dough. A pile of it. Probably part of the reason also for the dramatic numbers for Stein and Robinson is the realization that money will be continuously needed if both succeed in capturing their respective party nominations, Bitzer wrote. (And) building a war chest now sends cues and signals to other donors about the seriousness of investing in their campaigns, especially for the general campaign next fall. Directors Guild of Canada Alberta Chapter. THE ABANDONS & BILLY THE KID Lay Off Alberta Crews Due To Hollywood Shutdown Many American film and TV productions have shut down across Canada as a result of the breakdown in contract talks between 8 Hollywood studio/streamers and the writers and actors guilds, leaving film crews struggling to make ends meet. Netflix is part of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and therefore one of the struck companies which means SAG-AFTRA actors cant work on its new western series The Abandons, that was expected to start shooting in Alberta mid-month. Related: Lena Headey to Star in Netflix Western The Abandons Filming in Alberta Similarly, season 2 of Epixs Billy the Kid, which had been filming in Calgary since May 23rd, had to pause production when the SAG strike began on July 14th. Next door in B.C., Disneys big budget movie Tron: Ares with Jared Leto shut down before it started principal photography this month, laying off 150. Related: Tron: Ares Shuts Down in Vancouver Before it Starts Laying Off 150 The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May 2nd with the SAG-AFTRA guild joining them on the picket line on July 14th. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. The conservative activist behind the Supreme Court's upending of affirmative action in college admissions is suing two corporate law firms for their fellowships aimed at bolstering diversity, an escalation of a broader campaign to dismantle diversity initiatives in the private sector. The American Alliance for Equal Rights filed lawsuits Tuesday against Perkins Coie in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas, and against Morrison & Foerster in the Southern District of Florida in Miami. Both lawsuits allege the law firms' diversity fellowships excluded applicants based on their race, and both demand that the programs be shut down. "Excluding students from these esteemed fellowships because they are the wrong race is unfair, polarizing and illegal," said Edward Blum, president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights, the plaintiff in both lawsuits. "Law firms that have racially-exclusive programs should immediately make them available to all applicants, regardless of their race." Perkins Coie spokesman Justin Cole said the firm has been "a leader in efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession" and that its "commitment to those values remains steadfast." "We will defend this lawsuit vigorously," Cole added. Morrison & Foerster did not respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit against Seattle-based Perkins Coie, which employs more than 1,200 lawyers in the United States and Asia, focuses on two paid fellowships for first- and second-year law students. The filing says the fellowships are limited to students of color, those who identify as LGBTQ+ and students with disabilities, and that such requirements discriminate based on race. "So between two heterosexual, nondisabled applicants - one black and one white - the latter cannot apply based solely on his race," the lawsuit says, which it claims is a violation of Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Morrison & Foerster, headquartered in San Francisco, has more than 1,000 attorneys and offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. AAER's lawsuit alleges the firm's Keith Wetmore 1L Fellowship for Excellence, Diversity and Inclusion "excludes certain applicants based on their skin color." The fellowship, which has been running since 2012, is described in the application as being for "first-year law students who are members of an underrepresented group in the legal industry." It includes a paid summer associate position, guidance from a team of attorney mentors and a fellowship award ($25,000 if the student completes the full summer program with Morrison & Foerster, and an additional $25,000 if the student returns the following summer and accepts a full-time position upon graduation.) "These lucrative positions are six-figure jobs that come with five-figure stipends," the complaint notes. Since late June, when the Supreme Court ruled against racial consideration in college and university admissions, there's been a rush of legal activity aimed at translating the court's race-blind stance to the employment sphere. In July, 13 attorneys general sent a letter to the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, warning that the overturning of affirmative action could have ramifications for corporate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In recent months, America First Legal, the conservative nonprofit organization backed by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, has filed complaints against Nordstrom, Activision Blizzard and Kellogg's, alleging that their DEI policies constitute racial discrimination. Private employers are broadly barred from using race as a deciding factor in matters of employment, and policies and practices used by companies to increase diversity and inclusion in their ranks are not at all similar to the tactics at play in college admissions, according to Stacy Hawkins, a law professor at Rutgers and a former corporate employment lawyer who specializes in diversity. "What employers are doing now is really not affirmative action," Hawkins said. "Quite frankly, the most risky thing an employer can do is make any employment decision explicitly on the basis of race or gender." Both lawsuits seek temporary restraining orders that would bar the firms from selecting fellows, as well as permanent injunctions ending the programs. The lawsuits also ask for declarations stating that the firms' fellowship programs violate the civil rights statute. The law industry has long struggled to diversify its workforce. Though Black people comprise about 14 percent of the U.S. population, less than 5 percent of practicing attorneys are Black, a share that has grown less than 1 percent since 2010, according to the American Bar Association. About 10 percent of practicing attorneys fall into other minority groups. Overall, the share of ethnic minorities in the legal profession has grown 6 percent since 2010, according to the association. The Perkins Coie fellowship for first-year students was created in 1991, with the goal of developing "legal communities that accurately reflect the rich diversity of our communities," according to the firm's website. The firm created the second-year student fellowship program in 2020. Morrison established its fellowship in 2012 to increase "diversity and inclusion within the firm and throughout the legal profession." Krissy Katzenstein, partner at law firm Baker McKenzie, said legal precedent up until now has allowed for narrow exceptions for efforts by companies "to address some sort of historical imbalance." But these practices must be targeted, temporary and "done in a manner that doesn't unnecessarily trample the rights of other employees." Even before the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action, DEI practices by companies - whether they take the shape of inclusive recruiting practices, employee affinity groups or programs geared toward underrepresented groups - were facing rising opposition, both internally and externally, Katzenstein said, adding that she has already heard anecdotal reports of increased legal claims of reverse discrimination. The flood of legal action is coming at a critical moment for corporate DEI efforts. Amid scrutiny and calls for public action in the wake of George Floyd's murder, companies made $340 billion in commitments to racial equity efforts between May 2020 and October 2022, according to data from McKinsey. But companies have been backpedaling in the past year amid recession fears, with big companies paring back DEI roles, just as these practices become a political and legal target. David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at New York University, said he sees the current wave of legal pushback as a direct response to the commitments companies made after George Floyd's murder. He's not surprised to see the political storm gathering around these issues. "At its heart, it really is political," Glasgow said. "The whole point of DEI is acknowledging that some groups have a harder time than others in having equal access to opportunity at work. It's been a political fault line for decades." So far, legal attacks on corporate DEI policies have yet to make much of an impact. Earlier this month, a federal judge in Washington state threw out a lawsuit that argued Starbucks was violating its duty to shareholders by endeavoring to diversify its workforce. The suit targeted Starbucks' goals for hiring people of color, awarding contracts to "diverse" suppliers and advertisers, as well as its tethering of executive pay to diversity performance. "If the plaintiff doesn't want to be invested in 'woke' corporate America, perhaps it should seek other investment opportunities rather than wasting this court's time," said Chief U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian, who dismissed the suit as frivolous. In the cases against Perkins Coie and Morrison Foerster, AAER is alleging that the firms are violating a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 which prohibits racial discrimination in contracts. "The law abhors racial discrimination. The lawyers who help administer that law are supposed to abhor it too," the complaint against Morrison & Foerster states. By operating a fellowship program specifically for law students of Black, Latinx and Indigenous descent, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community, "Morrison has been racially discriminating against future lawyers for more than a decade." The legislation at play, which was passed after the Civil War to protect the rights of people freed from enslavement, is being used along with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to claim that companies' attempts to eradicate racial inequality qualify as racial discrimination, according to Kenneth Davis, professor of law and ethics at Fordham University. "Federal laws that were intended to ensure equal opportunity and rights for people of color are now being used as a weapon to deny them rights," Davis said. "It's the height of irony." As vice president, Biden, in his own words, bragged that he had threatened to cancel the deliverance of American foreign aid to Ukraine unless Shokin was dismissed. So what is Congress to do now -- un-impeach and exonerate an innocent impeached Donald Trump, and instead impeach a guilty Biden for essentially the same allegations? After all, the Left redefined the impeachment bar in 2019 as leveraging foreign aid to Ukraine to benefit one's political career. And that is exactly what Joe Biden did to ensure his son could continue to raise millions for the Biden family with foreign governments, while being shielded from political consequences. An impeached Trump also was accused of using the power of government to go after his likely 2020 presidential rival by suggesting that Joe Biden and his family were corrupt, and should be investigated by Ukrainian officials for fraud and bribery. Despite Joe Biden's denials, Trump was right: there was plenty of evidence to link Ukrainian unwarranted payoffs going into Biden family coffers. So Trump in 2019 had good reasons to ensure that none of the Bidens were still burrowed deeply into the Ukrainian payoff machine. In contrast, Biden had far less grounds to unleash the full powers of government against his probable 2024 rival ex-president Trump. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith is not charging Trump with bribery of the Biden sort. He does not allege that Trump gave special foreign policy preferences for those foreigners who paid his family for such services. Instead, Smith argues that Trump unlawfully took out classified presidential papers --although Joe Biden did nearly the same. Biden kept quiet about his vast removal of classified documents for over a decade. Not until Trump was being investigated did Biden suddenly notify the government of his illegal removals. In contrast, a combative and boisterous Trump fought openly and constantly with federal archivists over which of his papers at his Mar-a-Lago estate were truly classified. Prosecutorial leaks floated all sorts of unproven nefarious agendas that had prompted Trump's disputes over his presidential papers. But no one to this day has seriously asked why senator and then Vice President Biden secretly and weirdly removed and kept such sensitive material for years. Recent reports allege that Hunter Biden may have been treated with kid gloves by prosecutors, partly because Hunter's lawyers had threatened otherwise to call Joe Biden to the stand as a favorable witness. Government prosecutors under pressure from the White House apparently balked at the nightmare of a befuddled president of the United States testifying under oath about the supposed innocence of the very guilty Hunter Biden. In truth, the former drug addict Hunter has played lots of such strange games with his own family. In his laptop communications, Hunter whined that no one in the family appreciated his hard work at family grifting. He sounded petulant that his father forced him to fork over half his income to the Joe and Jill Biden household. At time of universal scrutiny of Hunter, the last thing any sane first son might do would be to hawk his own childish paintings at exorbitant prices to those wishing to buy influence with his father the president. In effect, Hunter was almost daring the White House to stop his blatant grifting artistry. Instead, the Bidens moved Hunter into the White House, apparently to keep him under closer watch. Hunter is still out of control. He could take the family down with him unless President Biden continues to shield him from prosecution. Ironically, the double standard used by Biden and the media to hound Trump has only raised new questions of fairness. Why had the Biden family -- with its far greater legal exposure -- never faced such serial indictments? A Republican House of Representatives had ended prior Democratic protection given to the Bidens. And the Ukraine war has again turned attention to the Biden-Burisma connection and Hunter's shaking down of Ukrainian officials. Finally, Joe Biden can no longer work a full day. He mutters. He stumbles. He serially lies. He hijacks solemn occasions commemorating national tragedies by trying to one up the grieving with his own self-absorbed stories -- most of them irrelevant and narcissistic half-truths. If a cognitively and criminally challenged Biden cannot finish his term, we will finally learn the full story of 15 years of Biden family corruption. The Bidens will lose the only impediment -- Joe Biden's political machinations -- left in the way of an honest, full-blown felony investigation into what is likely the most corrupt presidential family in American history. ( Hanson's latest book is "The Dying Citizen" from Basic Books. Buy it in hardcover at a 36% discount! by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 40% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR.) (COMMENT, BELOW) Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Residence in Classics and Military History at the Hoover Institution, a professor of classics emeritus at California State University at Fresno, and a nationally syndicated columnist for Tribune Media Services. ROBINSON A Robinson woman accused of concealment of a homicidal death and obstruction of justice regarding the death of a rural Lerna man was in Crawford County Circuit Court for a pre-trial conference Wednesday. Angela Newcomb, 58, faces charges in connection with the case of Ryan Waggoner, who was last seen June 2 at his home in Lerna. His body was later discovered near the Embarras River in southwest Crawford County. She has pleaded not guilty. Newcomb sat in court with her attorney, Jim Lane, as he asked the court to suppress evidence, including a video statement. Lane told Crawford County Circuit Judge Chris Weber he had received a packet of new evidence Wednesday morning and will need time to look at it. Crawford County States Attorney Cole Shaner countered that he had a hard drive full of evidence. Following Shaners comment, Lane withdrew his motion. Newcomb was arrested June 28 following a raid on her North Lincoln Street home by Illinois State Police. She was released on bond on June 30. Her next pre-trial hearing is set for Oct. 25. Newcombs son, Lance Newcomb, is in the Cumberland County jail, charged in that county with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death in the same case. The charges allege that he shot Waggoner at his rural Lerna home and transported the body to Crawford County. Lance Newcomb, 24, lived in Lerna with Waggoner, who Illinois State Police investigators have said was a father figure in his life. He pleaded not guilty during his preliminary hearing on Aug. 21 in Cumberland County Circuit Court. He has a status hearing set for Sept. 11. Hiley Schulte, 52, of Robinson also was arrested in connection to this case on a Crawford County charge of concealment of a homicidal death. Schulte, also free on bond, has not entered a plea as she awaits her Sept. 18 preliminary hearing. Her attorney is Lou Viverito. Who are they? IL children reported missing as of August 12 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law Thursday a bipartisan state House bill that aims to prohibit the use of predatory real estate service agreements. House Bill 422 the Unfair Real Estate Agreements Act was shelved for more than two months before resurfacing Aug. 15 in the gatekeeper Senate Rules and Operations committee. On Aug. 16, the Senate passed HB422 by a 45-0 vote and the House by a 117-0 vote. Cooper did not comment on signing HB422, which goes into effect immediately. However, HB422 proponent state Attorney General Josh Stein said in a statement that predatory businesses will not be allowed to trick North Carolinas homeowners without consequences not on my watch. Im grateful to the legislature for passing and Gov. Roy Cooper for signing legislation to put an end to these unfair real estate agreements. HB422s lead primary sponsor is Rep. Kyle Hall, R-Stokes, who has a portion of Forsyth County in his district and also is a Realtor. Senate bill sponsors included Republican Joyce Krawiec and Democrat Paul Lowe of Forsyth County. A major focus of the legislation is addressing the business model of MV Realty of Florida, which has been sued by Stein in March for marketing and selling these agreements. Stein is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions, restitution for consumers and other monetary penalties. According to Stein, his office has received more than 20 complaints about MV Realty, which began doing business across the state in August 2020. The company has signed up more than 2,100 North Carolinians to its Homeowner Benefit Program typically people who are facing financial hardships and are in need of cash. The bill summary said the impetus is that several real estate companies have been using a predatory business model to target seniors and financially insecure homeowners with cold calls, even those on the Do Not Call registry. A N.C. Justice Department review of the lending practice determined that in the states four largest Multiple Listing Service areas Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Greensboro-Winston-Salem and Asheville there have been more than 2,000 homeowners that signed an agreement with one of these firms since fall 2000. The companies offer to provide cash payments, typically less than $1,000, to homeowners in exchange for agreeing to exclusively utilize that companys services to list their property at any time over the next 40 years. What bill sponsors say is concerning is that the signed contracts include a memorandum that is filed with the county that serves as a lien on the propertys title. According to HB422, it is unfair to an owner of residential real estate who enters into such an agreement or to other parties who may become owners of that real estate in the future. The law prohibits the recording of such agreements so that the public records will not be clouded by them and provides remedies for owners who are inconvenienced or damaged by the recording of such agreements. The law declares that such an agreement is unfair if it is effective and binding for more than one year from the effective date of agreement. It also provides consumers with the ability to recover damages, costs and attorneys fees that may be proved against the agent, service provider or person named in the agreement. Some 35 years ago, pundits and politicians had such little regard for the Democratic presidential field, they labeled the candidates the seven dwarves. The Republicans who debated Wednesday night in Milwaukee showed they might deserve to be characterized as a 2024 version. Of course, one of those 1988 dwarves Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis became the Democratic nominee, though he lost the November election. These GOP hopefuls may be doomed to retain their small stature, given the looming off-stage figure of Donald Trump. The overwhelming GOP leader in early polls snubbed the first 2024 GOP debate, explaining in a pre-taped interview with Tucker Carlson that ran at the same time: Do I sit there for an hour or two hours, whatever its going to be and get harassed by people that shouldnt even be running for president? His decision looked pretty good, as his eight rivals repeatedly wrangled on issues like abortion, Ukraine and Trumps suitability to run again, hoping to establish themselves as his main rival, his potential running mate, or, if his legal troubles catch up with him, his replacement at the top of the GOP ticket. If any helped themselves, it was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who displayed a modicum of moderation while not deviating from conservative positions, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was largely unchallenged while directing his comments at the GOPs Trumpian base. But Trumps dominance was underscored when all but former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson raised their hands when asked if they would back him if he again won the GOP nomination. One of the few surprises was that the chief target was not DeSantis, perhaps reflecting a sense that he is fading though still second to Trump in most GOP polls. Instead, the rapidly rising Vivek Ramaswamy, a glib 37-year-old entrepreneur and Trump defender, drew repeated rejoinders for his inexperience, foreign policy positions and carefully honed applause lines. Ive had enough of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT, Christie told him, invoking the artificial intelligence processing tool. Ramaswamy touted the need for a political outsider to start a revolution in Washington where have you heard that before? prompting former Vice President Mike Pence to say, now is not the time for on-the-job training. Christie called him the same type of amateur as former President Barack Obama. When Ramaswamy opposed more U.S. aid for Ukraine, Haley assailed that and his opposition to helping Taiwan, Israel and other U.S. friends. You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows, said Haley, who was Trumps ambassador to the United Nations. Ramaswamy shot back, wishing her well in your future career on the boards of (defense contractors) Lockheed (Martin) and Raytheon. The former South Carolina governor opposed Pences call for a national standard limiting abortions, declaring we need to stop demonizing this issue and seek a consensus while maintaining opposition to abortion rights. Consensus is the opposite of leadership, said Pence. DeSantis, unsmiling and serious, may have avoided fire by avoiding many questions. Asked if he favored a federal ban on abortion, he touted his states six-week ban. And he said he wont support more aid to Ukraine unless European allies pull their weight, which Haley said they are doing. He initially tried to avoid answering if he thought Pence was right in rebuffing Trumps pressure to reverse the 2020 results. But when pressed, he said, Mike did his duty. I got no beef with him, a position backed by all but Ramaswamy. It took nearly an hour before the Fox News moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum raised the former presidents four pending indictments. But their questions provoked some of the sharpest debates of the evenings, and loud boos from the audience when Christie and Hutchinson said Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election disqualified him from returning to the presidency. Someone has to stop normalizing his conduct, Christie said. The conduct is beneath the office of the president of the United States. As boos overwhelmed the applause, Christie replied, Booing is allowed, but it does not change the truth. Ramaswamy spoke up on behalf of the former president, calling Trump the best president of the 21st century, as the crowd cheered. We have to end the weaponization of justice in this country, he added, an applause line that several others delivered during the evening. Hutchinson, meanwhile, raised the possibility of Trump being barred legally from the presidency by a clause in the post-Civil War 14th Amendment that bars from office anyone engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, a position advocated by several legal scholars but unproven and possibly unenforceable.But most of the two-hour debate focused on issues, which pre-debate polls showed was what Republican voters wanted. By the way, Dukakis wasnt the only one of those seven 1988 Democratic dwarves to achieve some political success. Al Gore became the 1992 Democratic vice presidential nominee and its 2000 presidential nominee, albeit a losing one. And 1988 also-ran Joe Biden outlasted and outdid them all, becoming vice president and then president. The 2024 dwarves will be lucky to match them. Turnpike Troubadours and The Avett Brothers played what was in essence a co-headlining concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday that paired the Oklahoma country band with the North Carolina outfit thats todays top roots music group. The Avetts opened the evening with a joyfully magnificent 70-minute set that was their best Lincoln performance yet with acoustic numbers such as the fiddle-cello-stand-up bass riff rooted Satan Pulls The Strings, the instrumental hoe-down of Old Joe Clark and Morning Song sounding better than Ive ever heard and their rock n roll the British Invasion power-poppish and the guitar-driven rave of Vanity into "Kick Drum Heart fully kicking in. The brothers Seth and Scott were each in fine form, trading off stints at the piano and on lead vocals and combining for the always captivating sibling harmonies on I Wish I Was. Other standouts in a great show included a touching Scott Avett solo performance of Murder in the City, the surging anthem Head Full of Doubt and the gospel-esque Aint No Man. The sets peak, not surprisingly, came on I And Love And You, arguably the Avetts' best, and best known song, which saw the brothers trading off lead vocals and Scott leading the crowd on the closing choruses which sounded lushly beautiful. Im a big Avett's fan and could go on and on about the band. The concise version is that the Avetts are as versatile as any roots music band could be, impressively moving form Appalachian acoustic music to electric rock, from heartfelt love songs to the flippant Distraction 47. Perhaps the best descriptor of the Turnpike Troubadours show and music comes from Brought Me, a new song from the bands just-released album, A Cat in the Rain. In it, frontman Evan Felker delivers a grateful message to fans who stuck with the band through a long hiatus as he dealt with his sobriety. And the fans returned that sentiment throughout the Troubadours' 90-minute set that included three songs from the new album as the band worked its way through its contrasting catalog that moves from songs like The Bird Hunters that are reminiscent of country-tinged Bob Dylan, to fiddle-and-steel honky-tonk and the stomp of The Mercury. And, importantly, Turnpike Troubadours are far from generic contemporary country, as a trio of mid-set detail-filled, geographically specific songs vividly illustrated. That run started with A Tornado Warning, which identifies I-35, the interstate that runs north from Texas to Kansas and describes waiting for the sky to fall in a manner that any Plains dweller immediately recognizes. Then came Easton & Main, a number that namedrops Tulsas legendary Cains Ballroom, where the honky-tonker would fit just fine. And it ended with the handclapping, accordion and fiddle driven Cajun-tinged Shreveport. Turnpike Troubadours isnt a show band. Felker stands at the microphone and sings as the other five members work on their instruments. Or, in the case of Hank Early, multiple instruments, including the steel guitar, accordion and dobro, on which he joined Felker on a duet performance of Diamonds & Gasoline. A couple of observations of the crowd, more specifically, Section 106, also convey much about the dual headlining show. During the Avetts' set, about half the crowd, obviously there to see the North Carolinians, stood while the Troubadours fans sat, some talking through the entire set. As the Oklahomans' closing set ran past 11 p.m., a stream of Avett fans left the section while the TT loyalists revved up for the finish of Long Hot Summer Day," The Housefire and Something to Hold On To. Thats the best indicator that the audiences for the groups dont overlap that much. But after Thursdays show, each should have made some converts as the quality of both couldnt be missed. 30 incredible moments at Pinnacle Bank Arena KISS Concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena, 7.22.16 Florida Georgia Line Cher Eric Church Elton John Pink in Lincoln, 3/6/18 Lorde at Pinnacle Bank Arena Garth Brooks Concert, 10.20.2017 Metallica Red Hot Chili Peppers Carrie Underwood performs in Lincoln Jason Aldean, 09/19/2013 Katy Perry Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Fleetwood Mac Pearl Jam Michael Buble Red Hot Chili Peppers Shania Twain at Pinnacle Bank Arena Billy Joel Concert Alice Cooper pyro Stevie Nicks Paul McCartney Blake Shelton performs at Pinnacle Bank Arena Lil' Wayne performs at Pinnacle Bank Arena JAKE OWEN Bob Seger Cyndi Lauper Bon Jovi Concert John Mayer Justin Bieber Performs at Pinnacle Bank Arena, 6.21.16 Miranda Lambert, 10/10/2013 Ask anyone in the U.S. Navy from a rear admiral to a communications officer to one of the vaunted Blue Angels if they're recruiters for their military branch, and you're sure to be answered in the affirmative. "We're all recruiters," said Lt. Paul Kruger, a member of the Navy's Blue Angels, who stood in front of his royal blue Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet on Thursday at the Lincoln Airport in preparation for the weekend's Guardians of Freedom air show. "... We love bringing the Navy everywhere." In other words, it's every sailor's job from swabbie to pilot to admiral to promote the Navy. There might not be a better calling card for the Navy than the Blue Angels, who travel from city to city performing their aerial stunts. If you go With more than 100,000 guests expected each day for the Guardians of Freedom Airshow on Saturday and Sunday, attendees are advised to plan for possible congested traffic conditions. The free event is from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day in Air Park, Northwest 38th Street. Additional information is available at lincolnairshow.com/maps. To avoid traffic challenges, community members and event attendees are urged to visit lincoln.ne.gov/closures or use the Waze mobile app. "It's a great recruiting tool for the military as a whole," said Kruger, an Arizona native who spent Thursday rocketing through the Lincoln area (you likely heard or saw his plane). "You know, we get a lot of places that don't have a lot of military influence. So for those people and those kids out there, it's their first touch point with the military." And that might be the resounding theme to Navy Week in Lincoln a place that is hundreds of miles from the nearest naval station where dozens of visiting sailors have spent the week shining a positive light on their military branch with visits to the area schools, service organizations and senior centers. And while the mission statement for the week will never call Navy Week a recruitment tool, it does have a residual effect that couldn't come at a better time. "Certainly, I think those interactions the sailors telling their stories and engaging with the public I can only see it helping in our war for talent today," said Rear Adm. Robert E. Wirth. "... Things like this only help in our efforts." It's no secret that recruiting not just in the Navy, but also the Army and Air Force is way down this year. According to a Wall Street Journal report last month, the U.S. Army expects to end up about 15,000 short of its target of 65,000 recruits, while the Navy expects to fall short by as many as 10,000 of its goal of nearly 38,000 recruits for the year and the Air Force has said it is anticipating coming in at 3,000 below its goal of nearly 27,000 recruits in 2023. With a low unemployment rate, the competition for young men and women is stiff for everyone, said Petty Officer 1st Class Fred Gray, who oversees Navy recruitment in Lincoln. "Businesses are actually enticing more and more young Americans to come work for their companies by offering things that the military has been offering for decades," Gray said. That includes signing bonuses and paying for college. More alarming, Gray said, is the high number of teens that draw red flags with their inability to pass a physical examination or a criminal background check. "They just aren't eligible due to health concerns, prior criminal activity, and things like that," he said. On Thursday night, Wirth threw out the first pitch at the Lincoln Saltdogs game at Haymarket Park. Minutes earlier, he administered the Oath of Service to a half-dozen naval recruits. The best of the Guardians of Freedom Airshow in Lincoln Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2016 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2011 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 1991 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2006 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2006 Guardians of Freedom Airshow 2006 Meet Summer, a pearly white Goldendoodle with soulful eyes, fur as soft as a downy quilt and a personality as gentle and sunny as of course a summer day. She cuddles up to children who are scared, who cant quite find the right words to teenagers often angry at the world to adults who simply need a break. She doesnt judge. She doesnt scold or nag. She needs no words, only nuzzles as she brings calm and comfort to the halls of HopeSpoke (formerly the Child Guidance Center), a nonprofit organization in Lincoln that provides behavioral and mental health services to children, adolescents and families. Summer brings joy wherever she goes, says Katie McLeese Stephenson, executive director at HopeSpoke. Dogs seem to have an instinctive way of knowing when someone is struggling. Theyll simply go over and lay their head on a lap. And thats all they need to do. Stories of Summer A therapist at HopeSpoke shares this lovely story of Summer just one of so many. Ive seen a 15-year-old client for over a year and Summer has helped my client with the mindfulness sensory of touch. They pet Summers cotton ball head and use this soft touch to slow their body down and focus on breathing. As we process socially anxious events, we focus on the touch of Summers soft head, which helps my client center their emotions and express their feelings, their anxiety triggers My client even carries around cotton balls when they are outside of sessions because cotton balls make them think of Summer. The pup has indeed earned official Domesti-PUP certification, but perhaps more importantly, she knows how to let a child hug her or lie down beside her how to encourage belly rubs and strokes behind the ears. When kids walk into any of our facilities, they just light up when they see a dog, McLeese Stephenson says. HopeSpokes first therapy pup was George, a Saint Bernard/black lab mix who flunked out of service-dog school because he was too friendly. Teddy came next, a lab/chow that came from the Near South Neighborhood Association and left far too soon. But HopeSpoke was not quiet for long, as late last year Summer arrived, the groups third Domesti-PUP therapy dog. Summer is definitely still part puppy, very high energy, McLeese Stephenson says. But she also has a very chill side to her. She is responsive and loving. And finally, she adds, best of all, when anyone puts their arms around Summer, she is just so very, very soft. Here are some more comments about Summer from clients: Summer is helpful because she is calm and she helps me calm down. When I am frustrated and cant talk to staff, I can talk to Summer. Dogs have a way of bringing down big emotions, helping in a moment of distress or upset, McLeese Stephenson explains. They help individuals soften, be a little more vulnerable. Young children will sometimes even talk to a dog, share their story, reveal things they wouldnt normally disclose to a therapist. Wide-ranging responsibilities Summers responsibilities are wide ranging, rotating among all the various programs at HopeSpoke, as well as attending both group and individual therapy sessions. And shes equally good for our staff, McLeese Stephenson says. Summer is quickly learning who has treats for her in their office, who might leave their trash can unattended. Formally, the pup belongs to HopeSpoke, but she goes home each night with Jackie Prater, director of the organizations Extended Day Treatment Program. In the evening shes the Prater family pet. But every morning when she dons her Domesti-PUP vest, she immediately understands her role, McLeese Stephenson explains. She and our previous therapy dogs have added a completely new dimension to the environment here providing an extra layer of safety and comfort. And thats exactly what the Viking Foundation envisioned when it approved a grant to fund Summers purchase and training. We recognize the comforting and healing effects dogs are able to provide especially to children in distress, says Steven Eggland, founder and president of the Viking Foundation. HopeSpoke and their young clients needs matched perfectly with our core values, particularly those values relating to our efforts to help young people with challenges. More about HopeSpoke HopeSpoke was founded in 1949 when local health care professionals started recognizing treatment for childrens mental health services needed to be different from that of adults. For the first 70 years, the organization was known as the Child Guidance Center. But in 2018, it was renamed HopeSpoke, a brand that reflected the groups core mission: to inspire healthy futures for children and their families through comprehensive behavioral and mental health services. Lincoln was very progressive in understanding childrens unique needs, well ahead of the national movement, McLeese Stephenson says. Over the years, the organizations comprehensive services have blossomed with growing community needs. Currently HopeSpoke: Provides mental health services to students in 16 public schools elementary, middle and high schools collaborating with teachers, counselors and social workers. Operates the Extended Day Treatment Program after-school hours during the school year and full mornings during the summer for children ages 5-12 who need intensive counseling and therapy for trauma and behavioral challenges. Provides holistic, trauma-informed care for adolescent males ages 13-18 at the Therapeutic Group Home. Supplies transitional counseling and suicide assessment to youth detained at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center. Offers telehealth services that afford another level of flexibility. It continues to amaze me how Summer connects with children without ever saying a word, McLeese Stephenson says. They see her, and somehow they immediately know they are going to be safe, loved and cared for. And thats what were all about here. More about the Viking Foundation The Viking Foundation has distributed nearly $1 million in modest grants to dozens of nonprofit organizations over the past 10 years. The next grant deadline is Oct. 1. For more information, see vikingfoundation.webs.com. A Lincoln man and his accomplice were charged Thursday for their alleged role in the gunpoint robbery of a woman Monday outside a gas station near the city's airport, according to court filings. A 23-year-old woman called police to the U-Stop at 2925 N.W. 12th St. at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, where she said she was approached by a pregnant woman who asked if she wanted to buy a pair of Jordan sneakers, Lincoln Police Officer Robert Medina alleged in the court filings. The woman led the 23-year-old to a spot behind the gas station, where a man appeared, pushed her against the store's wall and flashed a handgun, Medina wrote in the filings. "Where's the money?" the man, later identified as 22-year-old Elijah Taylor, is alleged to have asked the woman. The woman handed over $400 in cash she had on her person, Medina said, before Taylor allegedly issued a warning to the woman. "If you tell on me I'll blow yo a** down," Taylor allegedly said. Police identified Taylor and 22-year-old Deondra Lake the pregnant woman accused of luring the victim to the other side of the gas station after officers recognized the pair in surveillance footage that captured the incident, Medina wrote. Officers arrested the pair Tuesday at an apartment near North 14th Street and Fletcher Avenue before taking them to the Lancaster County jail. Prosecutors on Thursday charged both of them with robbery. Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers A district judge has quickly shot down Aubrey Trail's request to file a petition seeking to force the states hand to carry out his death sentence for the murder and dismemberment of Sydney Loofe. Early this month, Trail had filed a motion asking to file the case without paying the filing fee. Lancaster County District Judge Kevin McManaman since has overruled the motion "because it asserts frivolous legal positions." In a three-page order last week, the judge gave two reasons. One, he said, those whom Trail sued Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Rob Jeffreys, the director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services do not have a clear duty to set his execution date. And, two, Trail "does not have the right to dictate when the state will execute him." McManaman pointed out that only the Nebraska Supreme Court can set the date, by statute. "The inescapable truth is that the only entity that can give the relator (Trail) the relief that he wants is missing," he wrote. McManaman said Trail also can't fix it by simply adding the Supreme Court as a party because the district court, "as an inferior tribunal, has no power to tell the Supreme Court what to do." He said it isn't uncommon for death-row inmates to "volunteer" to be executed by choosing not to pursue postconviction relief. Since 1976, over 10% of death-sentenced prisoners executed in the U.S. had hastened their own executions. In Nebraska, direct appeals are mandatory in capital cases like Trail's. McManaman said it isn't clear if death-row inmates could elect to forgo further proceedings and await their execution. Though, case law suggests they could. But this case isn't about that, he said. Instead, Trail argues he has a clear right to his own death warrant, McManaman wrote. "It is true that the Supreme Court has a ministerial duty to issue a death warrant, but nothing in the statutes suggests that a prisoner can enforce that duty. Put simply, the relator does not have the right to die on demand," he said. The judge gave Trail 30 days to pay the fee if he wants to go forward, despite the order, which suggests the suit is likely to fail. Trail, 56, has said he does not wish to conduct any further litigation staying the execution of his sentence in state or federal court. In 2021, Trail was sentenced to death for Loofes murder. The Lincoln store clerks disappearance the night of Nov. 15, 2017, led to a multistate manhunt for Trail and his girlfriend, Bailey Boswell, who in Facebook videos claimed to know nothing about it. Their cellphone records, though, led police, deputies and the FBI to fields and ditches in Clay County, where they made the grisly discovery of Loofes remains left scattered in trash bags. At trial in June 2019, jurors found Trail guilty. Two years later, he was sentenced to death. Boswell got a life sentence for her part in the crime. In September, while his automatic, direct appeal still was pending, Trail sent a motion to the Supreme Court from the Tecumseh prison asking them to set an execution date. He said they refused to let him file it because hes represented by counsel. Then, in November, just shy of the five-year anniversary of the 23-year-old Lincoln womans disappearance, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed his conviction and death sentence. In an email Thursday, Trail said he is trying to find an attorney who will help with the motion pro-bono. Lincoln attorney Tim Noerrlinger was appointed to represent him on post-conviction matters only. He said he would only go forward with a post-conviction motion "if it is obvious that I'm gonna sit here no matter what I do, which is what it looks like." "The judge's ruling was about nothing but the state's inability to carry out an execution and not letting me call their bluff," Trail wrote. He asked why he should even have to do all this when there's nothing stopping his sentence from being carried out. "Why do I have to fight to get the state to simply DO their jobs," Trail said. In July, the Journal Star confirmed the Department of Correctional Services was not in possession of any lethal-injection chemicals. Asked if steps were being taken to try to obtain them, Jeffreys said in an emailed statement: "My role and the role of NDCS is to carry out the order of the court." The inmates on Nebraskas death row and their crimes Raymond Mata Jr. Jose Sandoval Jorge Galindo Erick F. Vela Jeffrey Hessler John L. Lotter Roy L. Ellis Marco E. Torres Jr. Anthony Garcia Nikko Jenkins Aubrey Trail Patsy Koch Johns said Thursday she won't seek reelection to her long-held District 1 seat on the Nebraska State Board of Education. Koch Johns, a Democrat, ran unopposed in 2020 for the nonpartisan seat representing Lincoln and northwest Lancaster County. The decision to leave wasnt one that came easily, though, she said. She has dedicated much of her life to education and still isnt ready to say goodbye, even though she won't run again. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything in the world. It has been a wonderful experience, said the former Lincoln High teacher who was also a Nebraska teacher of the year. Now I'm not saying it's always been easy, and that I always succeeded in what I felt was important for kids and to provide for them, but I am saying that it was definitely worth my years. Kristin Christensen of Lincoln, a registered Democrat, has already tossed her name into the hat for next year's election, hoping to represent District 1, which encompasses Lincoln and northwest Lancaster County, on the board. A mother of three, Christensen was raised in Norfolk and has lived in Lincoln for more than a decade. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has been working as a special education teacher for eight years. She currently works at Sheridan Elementary School as an academic intervention teacher. Student success is at the top of Christensens priority list, and she believes students should have high-quality resources available to them. Another pillar of her campaign is teacher support. As the nationwide teacher shortage continues, Christensen said she is devoted to the recruitment, development and retention of teachers. She also plans to focus on collaboration between elected officials and community members. Christensen has been endorsed by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Board of Education members Lisa Fricke and Deb Neary, multiple current and former state senators, a slew of City Council members and Koch Johns. Because she has a background in education and fresh insight as a teacher, Koch Johns feels Christensen will bring a fresh perspective to the board. I ran immediately after I retired, so I was just coming out of the classroom. I felt like I had my finger on the pulse of education still, and I think that that's super important. Kristin has that, Koch Johns said. Shes just like me she has the desire to serve even deeper. Correction: This story has been updated at 10:00 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2023, to note Patsy Koch Johns is not seeking reelection to the State Board of Education. Top Journal Star photos for August 2023 Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley has notified the Lincoln Airport Authority that he plans to audit the use of $3 million in federal COVID-19 stimulus funds on a failed airline. In a letter to airport Executive Director David Haring dated Friday, Foley said his office had "received concerns regarding millions of dollars in funding" to Red Way Airlines. Red Way earlier this week announced that it will cease operations at the end of the month after less than three months in business. As part of a deal to start new service at the Lincoln Airport in June, Red Way received a revenue guarantee backed by $3 million in leftover American Rescue Plan Act funds $1.5 million each from the county and city. The money was meant to be used to supplement startup losses the airline incurred in its first months. However, former airport authority board member Nick Cusick, who resigned last month, told the Journal Star the airline had already used more than $2 million in its first two months of operation. It's not clear whether it will be entitled to any more money. Foley, in his letter, said his office will be auditing all funding received by Red Way and all expenditures made by the Lincoln airport authority on behalf of or in relation to Red Way's Nebraska operations. In a statement, John Olsson, chairman of the airport authority, said the airport already had been planning to do its own audit of the Red Way operations, and the board, "looks forward to cooperating with the State Auditor, as well as our community partners the Lancaster County Board and the Lincoln City Council to coordinate all efforts to ensure a transparent audit process moving forward. Red Way was a creative solution the airport came up with after having trouble finding another airline to start service at its newly remodeled and expanded terminal. The airline was technically providing charter service through Global Crossing Airlines, although to customers, it looked and operated like a regular commercial airline. Service began in early June to seven cities, and though the airline seemed to be doing well, flying more than 13,000 total passengers in June and July, it was apparently bleeding money. Red Way used more than $900,000 from the incentive fund in June, and Cusick told the Journal Star it withdrew even more than that in July. What was left was deemed to be not enough to safely get them to the finish line, Cusick said, causing Red Way to make the decision to pull the plug. In a Facebook post Wednesday, Red Way said it faced "insurmountable challenges as a small startup," and the "compounding of costs and lack of resources have made it impossible for us to sustain operations." The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners issued a written statement on Wednesday, saying it is deeply disappointed and troubled at this unexpected and sudden turn of events. The board said there are many unanswered questions regarding the Red Way project, (and it) looks forward to receiving a full accounting of this situation as the Lincoln Airport Authority charts a new path forward to serve our community. Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird declined to comment on Wednesday. Photos: First Red Way flight departs from Lincoln Airport A 33-year-old Trumbull woman was found dead early Wednesday morning in Garfield County, according to a press release from the Nebraska State Patrol. Amanda Summers was found along Nebraska 91 several miles east of Burwell. The State Patrol said her death is suspicious. As part of the investigation into Summers' death, troopers arrested Calvin Measner, 22, of Burwell Thursday morning on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer and tampering with evidence, the press release said. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the State Patrol in investigating Summers' death. The investigation is ongoing. Top Journal Star photos for August 2023 Omaha police arrested a man Thursday on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Adrrell Taylor earlier this month. Kye Moss, 33, was arrested in Minneapolis with assistance from the Minneapolis Police Department and the North Star Fugitive Task Force and will be extradited to Omaha, according to a press release from the Omaha Police Department. Moss is from Omaha, according to OPD spokesman Officer Michael Pecha. At 2:44 a.m. on Aug. 3, police responded to a shooting near 17th and S streets where they found Taylor. Taylor was taken by paramedics to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Taylor left behind 5-year-old daughter, Ava. Based on the outpouring on his Facebook page, he touched a lot of other lives, too, his mother told the Omaha World-Herald after his death. He was an amazing son, an amazing brother, an amazing uncle and an absolutely amazing father, said his mother, Tammy Taylor. He was just a big supporter of anyone he came in contact with. I have so many people calling me, its unreal. Taylor was a graduate of Millard North High School, where he played offense and defense for the Mustangs. Top Journal Star photos for August 2023 TOWN OF WATERFORD Retired businessman Greg Horeth has been selected to join the Racine County Board as the new representative for the Waterford area. The County Board chose Horeth over two other applicants Tuesday to fill the vacancy left by Supervisor Tom Hinczs death midway through his term in District 19. Horeth will serve out the remainder of the two-year term, which expires in April. The Town of Waterford resident said he feels honored to be chosen, and he already is working to orientate himself to his new role in the community. I am extremely excited about it, he said. The other applicants for the appointment were Waterford Village President Don Houston and Town of Waterford activist Ed Olender. The County Board voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Horeth on the recommendation of Board Chairman Tom Roanhouse. Supervisor Don Trottier of Racine said he is impressed by Horeths background, and he is happy to welcome the new District 19 representative to county government. His credentials are great, Trottier said. I will support him based on that. County supervisors serve two-year terms at a salary of $7,000 a year. District 19 includes the Town of Waterford, a portion of the Village of Waterford and a portion of the Village of Rochester. Horeth, 67, retired recently from the hospitality industry, where he served as an executive for hotel operator Spire Hospitality. As a town homeowner since 2013, currently residing at 29308 Forest Isle Lane, Horeth serves as chairman of the Waterford Waterway Management District. He also has been active in the Tichigan Lake Lions Club and in Waterford Balloonfest. Horeth said he has not yet identified any specific areas of interest in county government. But he looks forward to seeing his committee assignments and getting to work. Im a very proactive individual who doesnt wait for things to come to me, he said. I dont wait for things to happen. In Photos: A look at the construction of Hotel Verdant 1. Yes. If KHA cant continue to run it, the city should step in. Its a necessary asset to the area. 2. Yes. The city already uses it as a warming and cooling center. It would be a smart move. 3. No. It may be in the citys interest to help subsidize insurance for the center, but nothing more. 4. No. The city doesnt need the added burden of staffing and insuring the center. Its a bad idea. 5. Unsure. It may be seem like a good idea, but other options should be explored as well. Vote View Results The Kenosha Plan Commission raised a number of issues about the conceptional plan of a proposed private high school on the citys north side near Gateway Technical College on Thursday evening. Commissioners raised numerous questions about parking, traffic flow, congestion, water drainage and retention, school purpose and other matters during their regular meeting in the Municipal Building. Area residents also raised concerns about how a charter school not affiliated with Kenosha Unified School District would impact their quality of life. The commission took no action on the matter, voting only to receive and file the proposal. Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum High School currently operates in the former St. Marys Catholic Parish School, 7400 39th Ave., but could eventually move to a new building at 3311 30th Ave., across the street from the Gateway Technical College campus. The proposed building is 44,520 square feet, made up of four main labs (transportation, building trades, welding, and automation and robotics), classrooms, offices and a commons. School staff said they would accept students from across Wisconsin and have capacity for some 600 high school students. According to commission documents, the schools plan is to move closer to Gateway for dual-credit purposes, and to strengthen the relationship with the technical college. Documents estimate the project value at approximately $10 million. The school receives private and public state funds. KTEC High School, a tuition-free charter school under a Governance Board, welcomed its first classes of freshmen and sophomores last fall, with approximately 43 students in each grade enrolled. The high school, which is not part of Kenosha Unified School District, opened last year under a charter from the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. KTEC has operated K-8 campuses in Kenosha since 2007. City staff raised issues with locating a new school on vacant farmland located across the street from Gateway Technical College. Developers in their proposal provided one full access into and out of the site on 30th Avenue. The access would align with an existing median break and a southbound left-turn area is proposed to be constructed. Also proposed is an emergency gated access to the rear of the property that would connect with an extension of 28th Avenue north. This site was chosen due in part to the curriculum of the proposed charter high school focusing more on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills that will benefit from working with Gateway. According to the operational plan for the high school, a total of 600 students and 25 faculty could use the school at full build out, commission documents state. Staffs main concern for the project is site access, the documents state. Staff is concerned with how potentially 625 students and staff could be dropped off, picked up and/or drive to and from the site on a daily basis through one access point, especially when most traffic movements are condensed to morning drop off and afternoon pickup. Staff is also concerned in emergency situations how first responders would access the site if students and staff are trying to leave the site at the same time. One option raised is to make the access to 28th Avenue a full access point. However, that could cause additional traffic in the existing neighborhood, according to city staff, which was a stated concern by residents of that neighborhood during a recent neighborhood meeting. Schools of similar size and student population in the city have multiple public street access points to the site to ease traffic safety concerns. On Thursday, neighborhood residents expressed concerns about the dearth of on-site parking and fears that student vehicles could overflow into the abutting neighborhoods and lower property values. Commissioner Lydia Spottswood questioned whether developers efforts are in line with larger city projects currently in the works. Spottswood said shes seen no coordination between the school and city staff. How are you syncing up with local planning efforts? Spottswood asked, adding it may be beneficial for KTEC staff and its governors to hold public information sessions. Commissioner Vincent Ruffolo asked the applicants if any other sites are considered. The applicants stood by their selection. This is uniquely, I would argue, quite a good site for a school, said pre-development project manager Ethan Mansfield, of Performance Charter School Development. Weve been developing charter schools for more years than Ive been at the company. Ive been at the company for several years. ... This is a good site. Mayor John Antaramian said he is not sure the proposed site is the best place for the school at this moment. KTEC's Angela Andersson said the high school aims to serve the needs of students that may be different than students served in other schools where this is giving you a pathway, there are all of these off-ramps if you think about how technical education works. Andersson said off-ramps include careers and training in the trades or preparedness for two-year associate degrees at a technical college. Its really about giving another option to students for these high-demand, high-wage careers where we arent filling the pipeline into those careers as much as that industry need us to do that, Andersson said. Kenosha Unified administrator Kris Keckler spoke during the meeting to emphasis that KTEC High School is not affiliated with KUSD. On Aug. 10, Iran released four Americans held in a notorious Tehran prison. They joined a fifth in less restrictive house arrest, with the understanding all will leave the country in the near future. In exchange, negotiations are underway to release $6 billion in Iran assets, frozen in South Korea, for use in humanitarian purposes. The funds may be moved to a third country, where their release and use could still be directly, closely monitored. Switzerlands diplomats in Iran have played a central role in these important talks. The governments of Oman and Qatar are also being helpful. Meanwhile, on August 7 U.S. officials announced the arrival of 3,000 new Navy and Marine Corps personnel to the Middle East, along with aircraft and ships. Over the past two years, Iran has seized or attacked 20 internationally flagged commercial ships in the area. Iran continues to be a focus of frustration for United States foreign policy. The fundamentalist Islamic regime in Tehran has long voiced hostility to Israel as well as the U.S., punctuated from time to time with public threats of apocalyptic destruction. Consequently, the steady expansion of Irans uranium enrichment program causes understandable concern. Possible development of nuclear weapons is an ongoing menace. The Trump administration withdrew from an international nuclear agreement to restrain this. Immediately after World War II, Soviet troops occupied northern Iran. The Truman administration successfully pressured Moscow to withdraw. Later, British and CIA operatives overthrew the elected government. Domestically, Iran experiences continuing public demonstrations. Economic conditions are one cause. Last September, Mahsa Amini, a young woman, died in police custody, sparking mass public protests. Her offense was not properly wearing the headscarf decreed by authorities. In 1979, Islamic revolutionaries overthrew the pro-U.S. Iran regime. This abruptly ended Irans previous posture as a close American ally. After ousting the autocratic Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, militants seized the American embassy, took hostages and held them for months. The lengthy crisis poisoned Tehran-Washington relations and helped Ronald Reagan decisively defeat incumbent President Jimmy Carter in 1980. During the Reagan administration, the U.S. supported Saddam Husseins Iraq in a lengthy eight-year war with Iran. The 2009 presidential election sparked mass demonstrations against alleged election fraud. Use of cell phones to report the demonstrations revealed broad public discontent. Dictators can no longer completely suppress information, though Tehran tries. The Shahs modernization policies over the long term fostered a relatively well-educated population. There is a sizable middle class. The urban population has been expanding steadily. Women have influential roles in a wide range of professions. The relatively modern economy and society contrast with other nations where fundamentalist Islam plays a major or dominant role. Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Jimmy Carters national security adviser, actively analyzed Iran developments until his death in 2017. He regularly noted that the fundamentalists running the country face fundamental problems. Brzezinski believed Iran could move in the same direction as Turkey. That nation constitutionally is a secular state, and remains a member of NATO, even though a fundamentalist, sometimes challenging political party controls the government. Nearly a decade before the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, former President Richard Nixon in his book Beyond Peace argued that invading provocative Saddam Husseins Iraq would be a mammoth blunder. Invasion would destabilize the region and expand influence of Iran, our actual regional diplomatic and strategic rival Here as elsewhere, events confirm President Nixons insights, and should inform policy. An aerial view shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which started releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, Thursday. Reuters-Yonhap By Holly Chik As Japan started releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant last Thursday, scientists are calling on the public to take advice from experts in health and radiological protection in order to dispel myths and allay overblown fears of contamination. Some experts are even suggesting a multinational monitoring mechanism under which scientists from countries possibly affected by the discharge participate in water and seafood testing inside Japan to build trust. International nuclear researchers said while the discharge into the Pacific Ocean poses limited health impacts, Korean scientists could monitor radioactivity in water and seafood to ensure their safety for the local population. In Korea, the government has said it saw no scientific or technical problems with the planned discharge of the contaminated water. But Seoul will demand an immediate halt of the release if the concentration of radioactive material in the water exceeds standard levels. The administration will also be ready to file an international lawsuit if Japan's release deviates from the original plan. Locally, public concern remains high with protests against the plan to release over decades more than 1 million metric tons of treated radioactive water, enough to fill 500 Olympic-size swimming pools. Surveys have shown that a majority of people are worried about seafood and ocean contamination. Korean environmental activists hold fish dolls with radioactive signs during a rally against the Japanese government's plan to release into the Pacific Ocean wastewater from the disabled Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant, at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Thursday. AFP "People should not be worried about consuming seafood, sea salt or swimming in the ocean," Jim Smith, a professor of environmental science at the University of Portsmouth in Britain, said. "The treated wastewater release at Fukushima is similar to routine releases of treated wastewater from other nuclear sites around the world," said Smith, who studies the long-term environmental consequences of the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents. "Less radioactive tritium (a form of hydrogen) will be discharged from Fukushima than from many other nuclear sites around the world, including in Korea," he said. He said the local scientific community could provide evidence by measuring radioactivity in water and seafood samples. "The Japanese authorities and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plan to do this and openly publish their results, but it would help people in Korea if their own scientists also monitored the release to give more confidence in the results," he said. The Korean government said three nuclear safety experts from Korea were sent to Japan, Sunday, to visit the office of the IAEA, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, and monitor the Fukushima wastewater discharge. The visit came according to an agreement signed between Korea, Japan and the IAEA under which experts from Seoul will visit the IAEA office every two weeks to check whether the discharge is being carried out as planned. After the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami destroyed the plant's cooling systems and caused three reactors to melt, water was pumped in to cool the melted fuel and fuel debris at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The contaminated water then went through a filtration system called Advanced Liquid Processing System which removes most of the radioactivity before being stored, according to the IAEA. But the system is not able to remove carbon-14, a radioactive form of carbon, and tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen that is naturally occurring and a by-product of nuclear power plant operation. Storage tanks hold contaminated water at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima prefecture, Japan, in this Feb. 21, 2021 photo. AFP-Yonhap In early July, the IAEA approved Japan's plan, saying the controlled, gradual discharges of treated water "would have a negligible radiological impact to people and the environment" in a safety review report. Tilman Ruff, an infectious diseases and public health physician and associate professor at the University of Melbourne, said radiation doses to people from the Fukushima radioactive wastewater will be low, far below the high doses associated with short-term health impacts. "The risk is not sufficiently high to warrant stopping swimming in the sea or eating products from the sea," said the co-president of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, a medical organization dedicated to global nuclear weapons abolition. However, "the dumping might reasonably influence people's choice of which products to consume," he said, adding that people should limit unnecessary radiation exposure. Korean sentiment on Fukushima wastewater release worsens Thousands rally in Seoul to protest Fukushima wastewater release Fukushima operator says released water samples within safe limits US reaffirms support for Japan's release of treated water Korea to toughen tests on farmed seafood amid Fukushima woes China bans Japanese seafood over Fukushima nuclear waste water release "We know that there is no dose of radiation below which no biological harm results, so all unnecessary and avoidable exposures should be minimized. Even small doses of radiation incrementally increase the risk of cancer, chronic disease, especially heart attacks and strokes, and these risks persist for the life of the exposed person," he said. He said young children and females who are most susceptible to radiation impacts and people who live on the coast and depend on seafood for their nutrition are at greatest risk of being harmed by consuming tritium. Ruff suggested that citizens in Korea and the Pacific region should urge Tokyo to manage the wastewater in safer ways, such as purification, long-term storage and using the water to make concrete, instead of releasing it into the ocean. He also said environmental and health agencies in countries around the Pacific receiving ocean currents from the east coast of Japan should regularly test seafood imported from that area and closely monitor the content of the discharged water. "This water has been in direct contact with damaged and disrupted nuclear fuel and so contains many different isotopes, many much more concerning than tritium," he said. "Planned dilution of the discharged water will not diminish the total amount of radioactive material discharged." "The main problem with the dumping is that hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to additional radiation over many decades, and that these trans-boundary and trans-generational exposures could readily be avoided," he said. Adrian Bull, chair in nuclear energy and society at The University of Manchester, said the levels of tritium in the water to be discharged are several times lower than the World Health Organization guideline, making the water safe for drinking as it emerges from the plant. According to Tokyo Electric Power Company, the plant's operator, the treated water contains around 190 becquerels (unit of radioactivity) of tritium per liter, below the WHO drinking water limit of 10,000 becquerels per liter. Bull added that "there is no evidence that tritium builds up in plants, animals, including humans, so these very low trace levels can't cause any impact even over many years. "The massive dilution effect of the Pacific Ocean simply reduces concentration of anything in the water straight away, and means that any impact on the waters around Korea will be totally undetectable." He said public health agencies in Korea and other countries could test levels of radioactivity, especially tritium, in seawater around Korean shores, on top of the monitoring done by the IAEA. "This is not because I expect any increased levels of radioactivity to be detectable but simply to provide hard data to confirm the lack of any effects," he said. Recognizing the significant worry among the public, he recommended that "Korean citizens take their advice from experts in radiological protection and public health, and not from anti-nuclear pressure groups." David Krofcheck, a senior physics lecturer at The University of Auckland in New Zealand who studies environmental radiation, said the wastewater release will not bring "detrimental health impacts." He said the cancer-causing nuclear fission nuclei, namely cesium-137, strontium-90, and iodine-129 and iodine-131, produced in nuclear fission reactors, were removed to levels below the WHO safety limits, in a quarter of the water that had been filtered. "I do not foresee any long-lasting environmental or health impacts, particularly if the remaining 75 percent of the wastewater is filtered to the same extent as the initial 25 percent scheduled for slow release." In Hong Kong, a demonstrator tears off a cardboard with an image of a radioactive barrel during a protest after Japan's announcement to release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, Thursday. Reuters-Yonhap He said he would like to see scientists from China, Korea and Taiwan be involved in water and seafood radiation testing inside Japan. "This would go a long way towards building trust among all parties in the North Pacific," Krofcheck said. "Korea should not worry about tritium deposited into the ocean, as the ocean is a natural sink for tritium on earth. Tritium is part of the normal background radiation to which we are exposed in living our lives." Nigel Marks, an associate professor of physics at Curtin University in Australia who studies nuclear materials, echoed that proper treatment of the water means it will not impact people and marine life near the Fukushima plant, nor further away in the waters of Korea. "I have deep compassion for members of the public who feel scared. But the scientific truth is there is nothing to worry about," he said. He said studies in Korea have shown that the Fukushima tritium cannot be measured in Korean waters "as it is so utterly miniscule" in the ocean which already contains tritium. "From a practical level nothing needs to be done for Korean water, or seafood or salt originating in Korea. Any measurements would entirely be for show, as a means for gaining public confidence," he said. He said seafood from the Fukushima region has been safe to eat once the accident stabilized and will remain safe after the water release with regular monitoring to be continued. He also suggested the public turn to experts for advice. "It is the job of scientists to interpret data as it stands, and on this issue it is abundantly clear that releasing the water is both safe and reasonable." Holly Chik is a science reporter with the South China Morning Post. She is currently based in Seoul, reporting for both The Korea Times and the South China Morning Post under an exchange program. An anonymous area resident has generously donated $5,000 to support Kids Art this year at the Driftless Area Art Festival in Soldiers Grove. It is well known that creating art improves academic performance, enhances well being and health, and ignites creativity. It also provides a deeper understanding of oneself and ones place in the world. This is why youth art has been a crucial part of the Driftless Area Art Festival since its inception in 2004, says Camille Smith, festival chair. Making art increases empathy and opens the mind to new ideas and experiences. As an advocate of the many benefits of engaging in the visual arts, the anonymous donor wanted to incentivize young people to enter the Kids Art division at the art festival, not only for the youth that create the art but also the teachers who guide them. Prizes will be increased this year, and the art department of schools of top-placing student artists will also receive funds for art supplies. The schools that participate put a lot of work into this, and in many schools the teachers pay for needed supplies out of their own pockets. We need to assure them that we believe in their school art programs. We know the inestimable importance of art programs and want to help, added Jamee Stanley, co-chair of Kids Art. We are so very thankful to our donor who clearly knows the significance of art in the lives of area youth, indeed of everyone," added Jane Holzhauer, co-chair of Kids Art. The Driftless Area Art Festival is a great place to showcase the talented youth of the Driftless region. The entries are reviewed by a panel of judges and the winning participants will be given monetary awards at a ceremony on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. This anonymous donor joins the new Kids Art partner Royal Bank to focus a spotlight on our young artists. They join our other partners: Community Development Alternatives, Peoples State Bank, Richland Hospital and Clinics, Driftless Medical Spa, The Village of Soldiers Grove and Wisconsin Public Radio. The 2023 Driftless Area Art Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. In addition to the more than 80 visual artists, culinary arts and free kids activities, the event also features performing artists both days. Admission and parking are free. More details on the festival can be found at driftlessareaartfestival.com. Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the arrest of Lacy Rae Storkson, 41, and Dexter S. Yarbough, 54, both of La Crosse, on Thursday, Aug. 24, at two separate locations. On Thursday, Aug. 24, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Dexter Yarbough came to the Vernon County Sheriffs Office to report his identification card and an electronic tablet were missing after giving a female a ride from La Crosse to rural De Soto. At approximately 7 a.m., a deputy sheriff and K-9 Dax located a female along South Creek Road, where the towns of Genoa, Harmony and Sterling all meet in rural De Soto. The investigation continued and the female, identified as Lacy Storkson, was taken into custody on an outstanding apprehension request, similar to an arrest warrant, and booked into the Vernon County Detention Center. The investigation continued and at approximately 8:30 a.m., Dexter Yarbough was taken into custody at the sheriffs office, following a positive canine alert on a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu that Yarbough had been operating. Yarbough was booked into the Vernon County Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Yarbough appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court and was released on a $10,000 signature bond with several conditions including no contact with a specific address on Oliver Road in rural De Soto. Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher. Yarbough is due back on court on Sept. 26 at 8:30 a.m. Storkson will be held on the previous probation violation pending further instructions by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The initial theft complaint was unfounded. Further testing on an unknown substance found in the vehicle was completed with a positive result for the presence of fentanyl. The investigation continues by the Vernon County Sheriffs Office. If you have any information about this crime or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 608-637-8477, or submit an online tip at www.p3tips.com Callers are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000 and can remain anonymous. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday the city of Chippewa Falls is seeking funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to improve its public drinking water system. According to a press release, the project includes the replacement of lead service lines throughout the city. The federal Safe Drinking Water Loan Program has determined the project will not result in significant adverse environmental effects, and no further environmental review or analysis is needed before proceeding with funding the project. The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of this project by Sept. 6 to the Department of Natural Resources, C/O Michelle Brietzman, Community Financial Assistance, CF/2, 101 S Webster St. P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. People can also email DNRCFELEnvironmentalReview@wisconsin.gov or call 608-490-0187. Based on the comments received, the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the funding process. The analysis would summarize the departments consideration of the projects impacts and reasonable alternatives. Sarah Dixen wanted an immersive experience. Her interest in the Armenian Genocide took root with the 100th anniversary in 2015. At the time, she admitted she knew little about it but started to educate herself through books, podcasts and articles. She incorporated it into her lessons as a history and social studies teacher at Winona Senior High School. But she wanted more. She needed to learn from experts in the field. She needed to understand how the Amernian Genocide impacted the course of world history over the next century and continues to shape the worldview of so many today. Dixen was one of 15 secondary teachers nationwide selected to participate in the GenEd Teacher Fellowship Program. As part of the program, Dixen traveled to Armenia for 10 days to take part in a unique, memorable and transformative professional development opportunity. The experience was amazing, Dixen said. I learned from professors and historians, and I experienced the rich and vibrant Armenian culture. The time to talk to Armenians and Armenian-Americans was so valuable to start to understand the impact of their history on their worldview. Dixen became interested in the Armenian Genocide through teaching AP World History. The Armenian Genocide happened during World War I. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians more than half of the Armenian population living in what was a protected area of the Ottoman Empire were killed on the orders of Turkish leaders. I realized I knew very little about this genocide before teaching world history, and that was not uncommon, Dixen said. I educated myself and wanted to understand more about how and why this happened. That led Dixen to apply for the GenEd Teacher Fellowship Program, which is sponsored by the Genocide Education Project, a nonprofit organization assisting educators in teaching about human rights and genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, as the predecessor of the pattern of genocides that followed. While in Armenia, Dixen and her fellow educators spent time at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute, combing through primary source documents, studying artifacts and absorbing the in-depth museum exhibit. They also spent time going on excursions around the city and surrounding areas to deepen their understanding. Dixen didnt stop there. Afterward, I went on to travel in Georgia, she said. I went to museums and explored the region around the capital. I was able to learn about the post-Soviet Union history of this region and it gave me a much broader understanding of the current global politics of the area. The second phase of the fellowship program requires that Dixen lead professional development activities for other educators in the region under the supervision of The Genocide Education Project. Winona high school history students will also benefit from this experience for years to come. I will teach more about the Armenian Genocide, not only in the context of World War I, but also how the pattern of genocide shows up over and over in modern world history, Dixen said. I believe it is very important for our students to understand the steps that lead to genocide and to recognize this is something that has occurred numerous times. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will observe Monday's 60th anniversary of the March on Washington by meeting with organizers of the 1963 gathering and relatives of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial. The Oval Office meeting will be held six decades after President John F. Kennedy and King met at the White House on the morning of the march on Aug. 28, 1963. All of King's children have been invited to meet with Biden, White House officials said. Biden also will speak later Monday at a White House reception commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit legal organization that was established at Kennedy's request to help advocate for racial justice. Two White House officials provided details of the Democratic president and vice president's plans on the condition of anonymity because their schedules have not been officially announced. The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is still considered one of the greatest and most consequential racial justice demonstrations in U.S. history. The nonviolent protest attracted as many as 250,000 people to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and provided the momentum for passage by Congress of landmark civil rights and voting rights legislation in the years that followed. King was assassinated in April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Black civil right leaders and a multiracial, interfaith coalition of allies will gather in Washington to mark six decades since the first march. This year's commemoration comes at a difficult moment in U.S. history following the erosion of voting rights nationwide and the recent striking down of affirmative action in college admissions and abortion rights by the Supreme Court and amid growing threats of political violence and hatred against people of color, Jews and LGBTQ people. White House officials say Biden and Harris, who are seeking reelection in 2024, are working hard to advance King's dream of equal opportunity for every American. Harris is the first Black person to be vice president. Biden signed executive orders to advance racial justice and equity throughout the federal government and to expand access to the right to vote. Voting rights legislation backed by Biden and Harris has stalled in a divided Congress. Biden recently designated a national monument to honor Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Till is the Black teenager from Chicago who was tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. The killing helped galvanize the Civil Rights Movement. Harris has been outspoken about what she says are attempts by "extremists" to rewrite Black history, including the Florida Board of Education's recent approval of a revised curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate. The new standards include instruction that enslaved people benefited from skills they learned while in bondage. BOSTON A Boston man who opened multiple bank accounts that were used by others to deposit money embezzled from victims of online romance scams, including one woman who was cheated out of $720,000, was sentenced Thursday to six months in prison. Mike Oziegbe Amiegbe, 45, was also sentenced to three months of home confinement, three years of probation and was ordered to pay nearly $830,000 in forfeiture and restitution to victims, according to federal prosecutors. Amiegbe from 2017 through 2020 used at least nine aliases and fake passports to open accounts at multiple banks in the Boston area, according to court documents. Those accounts were used by the scammers to deposit the victims' money. Amiegbe then quickly accessed those accounts and either withdrew the fraud proceeds in cash from ATMs or with a cashiers check, prosecutors said. The money was sent to others overseas. On some occasions he was seen on bank surveillance video conducting those transactions, according to court documents. One of the victims was a 70-year-old San Antonio woman who was defrauded out of $720,000 by someone who purported to be a U.S. Army soldier in Syria, according to court documents. The scammer contacted the victim through social media and gradually earned her affection and trust, convincing her that they were in a romantic relationship even though they'd never met or spoken on the phone. That person told the victim that he had come into millions of dollars while working in Iraq, and asked her to send him money so that he could access it. Some of that victim's money was sent to accounts opened by Amiegbe, prosecutors said. In February 2022, he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Boston to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The Nigerian Prince and 8 other common cybercrime characters The Nigerian Prince and 8 other common cybercrime characters The Nigerian Prince The Federal Student Loan Administrator The Phishing Boss The IRS Agent The Vehicle Warranty Department Professional The Phone Company Bill Collector The Aid Worker The Tech Support Guy The Package Delivery Company This article appears in the August 25, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. Free Niger, Africa and France From Their Occupiers! [Print version of this article] The following statement by Jacques Cheminade, President of the Solidarite & Progres political party in France, and a former candidate for the presidency of France, was first published by the Schiller Institute in France. Links have been added to this English translation. View full size S&P/Johanna Clerc August 15Lets be clear from the outset: war-mongers in Paris and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) must immediately cease their neo-colonial activities, and France must no less immediately demand the dissolution of NATO. It is only on the fulfillment of these two conditions that the Sahel countries and France will be able to establish win-win relations, all exercising their full sovereignty. I write this without expecting any immediate miracles, but absolutely committed to persevering. I am convinced that we will succeed. For I know that our world is tilting toward the global East and South on the eve of the August BRICS Summit in South Africa, which will be a decisive step toward a new, fairer world order. In this context, at a time when Africans intend to take control of their own destiny, the French government is parading around like a Francafrique zombie. Having itself been occupied by the financial oligarchy, it can only behave as an occupier in turn. During my 2017 presidential campaign, I called on France to drive out its financial occupiers and break the stranglehold of the CFA franc. This is what gives me the right to speak today on behalf of our common future as peoples to be liberated. The path to follow is simple if we have the political will to free ourselves from the grip of domineering ideologies: 1. Bury Francafrique [the French colonial overlordship] once and for all, not with empty words but dismantle it with concrete actions. Not military or economic domination, but cooperation and co-development instead. 2. At the international level, act for peace and security through mutual development, following the route mapped out by the cooperation between BRICS member countries and Chinas BRI (Belt and Road Initiative). Its no longer a question of a colonizer/colonized face-off, but of multilateral cooperation, including for France, with China, Russia, Brazil, Turkiye and India, all defined by mutual economic development, which is the new name for peace. No more CFA franc, now de facto the CFA euro, but national currencies issued by national banks, backed by public credits for human development. 3. Some French senators have said, We should have had development brigades for schools, water and food. Not just the France of robocops driving around in armored cars. Lets take them at their word, here and now. Lets offer African countries (free to accept them or not) real projects decided by and with them, with the participation of their peoples. Lets be clear on this point: Im convinced that the captains, lieutenant-colonels, and colonels of African armies, together with their soldiers, represent the interests of their peoples far better than elites elected under various undemocratic influences. 4. Africa must no longer be a chessboard for financial speculation, effectively handed over to armed terrorist groups. We must help armies, civil servants, and police forces combat the drug trafficking that causes states to disintegrate and destroys the nations people. The main war must be waged against the all-out money laundering engaged in by the major Western financial establishments. The war must have as its first target the corrupting financial mafia at the top in the Western metropolises. 5. It is no longer economically or humanely tolerable that the French-speaking countries of West Africa are among the poorest in the world, and the most deprived in terms of public health, education, access to clean drinking water, and electricity. It is no longer acceptable that more than 80% of Nigers population has no access to electricity, even though that country has some of the richest uranium deposits in the world. Those who understand the importance of civil nuclear energy for the world to come, can not allow the continued treatment of Niger as a colonial source of cheap plunder and embezzlement. View full size S&P Video Utopian? No, Im optimistic, and with good reason. First and foremost, let me repeat that the world is moving toward a fairer order of mutual development. For a long time, Lyndon LaRouche, along with his friends and collaborators in the Schiller Institute, have been laying the foundations for a development policy for Africa, against the IMF and the Washington consensus. Yes, we were rejected, as were the African leaders fighting for their people, but today a new light is shining in this dramatically changing world. Africas youth population, the largest in the world, has immense expectations. This is an immense opportunity, provided we give them a future by helping to train them to be engineers, researchers, and skilled workers in every field, from space to rural development and medicine. At the end of July, our associate Sebastien Perimony was one of the few Western guests at the Russia-Africa Forum in Saint Petersburg. He took part in the enthusiasm for a new approach, beyond colonialism and neo-colonialism. Not against France, but on the contrary, to ensure that France takes its rightful place in the world to come, provided that our peace movement and the reason of the worlds leaders succeed in preventing war. I myself have long studied the ideas of Cheikh Anta Diop. Today, I hope that in the awakening of Senegal and France, the university that bears his name will truly become the living expression of everything he hoped for. The time seems right for this dialogue of civilizations and cultures. I can see the question coming: Is it reasonable, and possible, to believe you with the current French government and the presidency of Emmanuel Macron? If we think in terms of a fixed world, the answer is no. Solidarite & Progres, and the Schiller Institute are playing their part in the dynamic toward the world to come. The first, as a political party in France, the other as a source of inspiration and action worldwide. The sound of war drums can be heard in the distance. Those who choose not to hear them, cant stop them coming closer. This editorial appears in the August 25, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. EDITORIAL The Coming Transformation [Print version of this editorial] Aug. 22A choice must be made; an earthquake is brewing; the pressure is building; the rupture is inevitable; the abyss cannot be straddled. The globe cannot survive half slave and half free. A new paradigmrepresented by the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and bilateral and multilateral agreements for security and developmentchallenges and would overcome the failing hegemonic power of Anglo-American NATO. But that would-be world imperium is willing to lead the world into nuclear warfare to prevent its system from being challenged. These two outlooks can no longer exist together on this planet. We will succeed in transforming NATO, by an international effort, or we may all perish in the death throes of a collapsing hegemon. The move toward a new paradigm shows new impetus every day. The defense ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran met in Russia Aug. 16. The following day, the Iranian foreign minister visited his Saudi counterpart in Riyadh. Regarding the rising BRICS grouping, former Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl said in a recent interview: We observe a total transformation of geopolitics, international relations, which also affects institutions. The haughty blindness to the changing world situation had become apparent to Kneissl upon her taking office, when she asked staff for documentation on how the EU and Austria saw the BRICS: There was not a single paper, not a single one. And this is what I call Eurocentrism, you see, because this was absent during debates in the EU. And it is interesting that they were simply not interested in this, and now Macron is knocking on the door, seeking to get in, saying: May I come to the party, please? No, I have not actually been invited, but I would like to become a part of the party. Meanwhile, looking to the supposedly democratic side of the fraudulent democracy-vs.-autocracy division of the world, the electoral process in the United States is becoming something no self-respecting banana republic would tolerate. Donald Trump, the leading opponent to the incumbent president by far, has been subjected to four indictments in an absolutely obvious attempt to prevent his return to the White House, and to send a message to anyone else who might try to achieve a change in the United States, that the six ways from Sunday that Sen. Chuck Schumer cravenly said the intelligence community would use to retaliate against Trump, are just the tip of the iceberg. The last two indictmentsone federal and one in the State of Georgiarely significantly on claims that Trump knowingly lied about the election. That is, they claim that Trump knew he had lost, knew that there had been no vote fraud, knew that there had been no ballot improprieties, knew that the 2020 election had been the most secure ever, etc., but still persisted in making claims to the contrary for the purpose of staying in office. Meanwhile, the exact same prosecutor who offered a wildly generous plea deal to Hunter Bidena deal that was slapped down almost immediately by the judge, once she read itwas promoted to become the special counsel for investigations into the Presidents son! These chilling developments show both how unencumbered by principles are those who think that anything is acceptable if it stops Trump, and the extent to which the ideals the United States was created to embody are being sacrificed by those seeking to fully transform the nation into the sort of Empire against which it won its independence. It is more urgent than ever to achieve in NATO-land a radical reconfiguration, of seemingly impossible scope and speed. BRICS Leaders Announce Historic Expansion with Six New Members Aug. 24, 2024, 2022 (EIRNS)At a press conference held early this morning in Johannesburg, attended by four leaders of BRICS nationsChinas President Xi Jinping, Brazils Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey LavrovIndias Modi announced that leaders of the five member nations had agreed by consensus to welcome six new nations to become full-fledged members of the BRICS: Argentina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Their membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Notably, Modi and Xi were seen chatting as they walked into the room together and had a brief bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit. In his remarks, Modi announced that the group had agreed on the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures for expansion of the BRICS and emphasized that the modernization and expansion of the BRICS should serve as a model for all global institutions that need to reform in changing times. India has always favored expansion of the BRICS, he said, underscoring that this new expansion will provide energy and direction to the group. After extending a welcome to the six new members, he added that for other countries that had expressed interest in joining the BRICS, India will work to build a consensus so that these nations can participate in BRICS as partner countries which will be discussed at the next BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia in October 2024. Xi Jinping told reporters that the five members unanimously agreed to invite the six new nations to join, and called the expansion historic, as it shows BRICS determination to pursue unity and cooperation with the broader Global South. The expansion represents a new starting point for BRICS cooperation, he said. It will bring new vigor to the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen motion toward world peace and development. As long as we work together, he added, theres a lot that BRICS cooperation can achieve, and the future will be bright. In his remarks, Brazils Lula da Silva stated that the relevance of the BRICs is confirmed by the growing number of countries interested in joining the BRICS. Brazil welcomes with great satisfaction the six nations as new members of the BRICS, he said. He also extended warm congratulations to my dear friend, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, a great friend of Brazil and of the developing world. He observed that many said that BRICS were too different to shape a common vision. But experience demonstrates the opposite. Our diversity strengthens the fight for a new order which accommodates the economic, geographical and political plurality of the 21st century. Lula also reported that the BRICS had set up a working group to study the adoption of a reference currency that could be used for transactions among member countries. He said that is could increase our payment options and reduce our vulnerabilities. Brazilian magazine Epoca quoted the President as saying that in this world in transition, the BRICS offer us a source of creative solutions to the challenges we face. He called for even greater expansion of the group in the near future. New Member States Welcome Invitation To Join the BRICS Aug. 24, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Leaders of the six nations revealed as new members of the BRICS responded to the announcement by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning. Egypt: In a statement released by the Egyptian Presidency, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said, We value the trust bestowed upon us by all member states of the [BRICS] bloc, with whom we share robust ties, and we look forward to fruitful collaboration with them in the coming period, as well as with the invited countries. This comes with the aim of achieving the groups objectives of enhancing economic cooperation among member states, he said, adding that the group is meant to uphold the voices of Southern nations in addressing diverse developmental issues in a way that supports the rights and interests of developing countries. United Arab Emirates: From Johannesburg, U.A.E. President Mohammed bin Zayed tweeted on X that We respect the vision of the BRICS leadership and appreciate the inclusion of the U.A.E. as a member to this important group. We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world. Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed what he called a great moment for his country. Ethiopia stands ready to cooperate with all for an inclusive and prosperous global order, Abiy tweeted. Iran: President Ebrahim Raisi, in Johannesburg, called the decision of to expand the BRICS commendable, and said Irans membership will have history-making benefits. BRICS can help solve the problems of the international community, he remarked, underscoring that global trust in the effectiveness of BRICS is increasing. Moreover, the Islamic Republic of Iran very resolutely supports the successful endeavors of BRICS in line with de-dollarization from the trade and economic interactions between the members and also making use of local currencies. Saudi Arabia: Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said from Johannesburg that we look forward to developing this cooperation to create new developmental and economic opportunities and elevate our relationship to the aspired level. According to Al Jazeera, the Prince told Saudi channel Al Arabiya that the Kingdom welcomed the invitation but would review the details in order to make an appropriate decision before the January 1 date for joining. Argentina: In a message to the nation this morning, President Alberto Fernandez emphasized that membership in the BRICS strengthens us and opens a new scenario for Argentina. Now we are going to be protagonists of a common destiny in a bloc that represents over 40% of the global population. We will continue to strengthen fruitful, autonomous and diverse relations with other nations of the world, as the BRICS are for Argentina a new opportunity. ... Projecting a peaceful, friendly, realistic and dignified nation toward the world is at the heart of our foreign policy, he said, reported Pagina 12. Intelligence officials from the United States and Western countries believe that an explosion brought down the plane presumed to carry Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and others. One of the officials told the Associated Press that the explosion was in line with Russian President Vladimir Putins long history of trying to silence his critics. The official was not permitted to comment publicly and did not want to be named. Russian officials have not officially confirmed the identity of those who died on the private plane. However, President Putin expressed sympathy on Thursday to the families of those who were reportedly on the plane. He also spoke of Prigozhin, saying, He made some serious mistakes in life, but he also achieved necessary results. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden said he did not know what happened, but he said, Im not surprised. He added, Theres not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind. The mutiny Prigozhin founded the Wagner group. It is an organization of fighters based in St. Petersburg who offer their services for money and are not officially linked to the Russian military. The fighters were known to support military leaders in Africa and the Middle East. They had also been supporting Russian President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. But Prigozhin criticized Putin and his military leaders and launched what was called a mutiny earlier this year. On June 23 and 24, he and his soldiers moved against Russias leaders, shooting down aircraft and started a convoy of military vehicles targeting Moscow. The anti-Putin move ended when the two men reached a deal that permitted Prigozhin to go to Belarus. Reports, however, said he was able to move safely and freely between Russia, Belarus and parts of Africa. He appeared at a meeting between Russia and African nations in St. Petersburg in July. Many wondered why Prigozhin seemed safe after moving against Putin. Other opponents of the Russian president had been sickened, killed or imprisoned in the past. On Wednesday, rescue workers found 10 bodies, which included members of the Wagner group and the airplane crew. Russian media reports said Prigozhin was on the plane, citing unnamed people. The lights on the groups main building in St. Petersburg were lit in the shape of a cross overnight. By Thursday, supporters made a small memorial with red and white flowers and Wagner Group flags. There was no official statement from Russia's leaders on the crash or its cause. However, Rosaviatsia, Russia's aviation agency, published a list of those on board and it included Prigozhin. A reporter from the Reuters news agency went to the place of the crash on Thursday and spoke to people who said they heard a loud sound before seeing the airplane fall to the ground. One person, Anatoly, said he heard a metallic bang and not the kind of noise from a thunderstorm. Part of the planes tail and other wreckage were seen on the ground. Flight information services showed the plane flying normally until it disappeared from radar. Prigozhin supporters called him a hero on messaging services. They said the flight had either been shot down by a missile or destroyed by a bomb on board. Those claims have not been verified, and Russian officials say they are investigating the crash. Im Jill Robbins. Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by The Associated Press and Reuters. ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story presume v. to think something is true without knowing that it is mutiny n. when a group of people under the command of an officer, such as sailors or soldiers, take control away from the person who commands them and refuse to do their duty convoy n. a long line of vehicles traveling together often for protection cite v. to write, say or report the words of someone else, especially in news or educational report verify v. to prove that something is true or correct coincidence n. when two things happen at the same time but are not connected to each other We want to hear from you. What do you think caused the crash in Russia? Iran and Saudi Arabia are among six countries set to join the BRICS economic group next year. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia are the others to become members in 2024. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Brazil, Russia, India and China formed the group in 2009 to increase economic cooperation among growing economies. South Africa joined in 2010. The group has called for more representation of developing countries and those in the south in world affairs. The group announced the addition of new members Thursday at its meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. BRICS currently represents around 40 percent of the worlds population and more than 25 percent of the worlds economic output. That is set to increase with the new members, which include three of the worlds biggest oil producers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran. Changing world BRICS nations have long called for reforms of organizations like the U.N. Security Council, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. They say the current structures "reflect yesterday's world. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is the host of the BRICS meeting this year. He said the expansion is an effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, a world that is also inclusive and prosperous. In a sign of BRICS growing influence, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended Thursday's expansion announcement. He said that international organizations must reform to reflect today's power and economic realities. Chinas President Xi Jinping called the expansion historic. He added that the group wanted unity and development. However, some observers have questioned whether the group will become anti-Western with the expansion. Chinas relationship with the United States is at a low point. Russia faces Western economic measures for its invasion of Ukraine. New members cheer the announcement Mohammad Jamshidi is the top political aide of Irans President Ebrahim Raisi. He called the decision to add his country a victory for Irans foreign policy. China and Russia were supporting Irans inclusion. However, Brazil, India and South Africa, which have strong ties with the U.S., only gave their approval more recently. UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the BRICS announcement. He said his nation would be joining an important group and would work with all nations and people around the world. Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said in a statement that his country would work to raise the voice of the Global South. The expansion also helps Ethiopia, Africas second most populous country and one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent. Its government is working to reconnect with international partners and financial organizations after a violent two-year conflict in the countrys Tigray area. South African officials say more than 40 countries have said they want to join BRICS. And 22 countries have officially asked to join the organization. Im Andrew Smith. Andrew Smith and Hai Do adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press and Reuters. ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story reflect -v. to mirror or show an aspect of something prosperous -adj. wealthy or doing well economically Wilkinson Development Corp. embarked on a brag tour Wednesday. During the recent Governors Summit in Kearney, Gov. Jim Pillen recognized that Nebraskans dont brag enough about their successes. The Wilkinson team took that to heart and decided immediately after the summit to rent a party bus for their team to tour the accomplishments completed and those projects just beginning. Wilkinson Development is a born-and-raised company from North Platte and proud to focus all their energy on Nebraska. Their team of 20 employees started the day with a private groundbreaking ceremony in North Platte at their exit 179 development. Over the last month, Jantz Earthmovers have been removing bushes and trees and scraping the sod. Dirt is now being added to the site to prepare for the truck-stop building footprint to follow. Construction on the building is expected to start this fall. The Lexington Chamber of Commerce then greeted the Wilkinson party bus at the companys newest truck stop in Lexington. The community has watched the expansion of this site over the past 18 months, and the most recent addition was the opening of Noels Mexican Restaurant. Lexingtons truck-stop renovation expanded it from 7,400 square feet to 14,000 square feet and added showers and a truckers lounge. Inside the building, you will find spray-paint art that incorporates the Minutemen and Minutemaids of Lexington and a mural in the southeast corner. We opened the end of May that most of the community already knows, said Clarine Eickhoff, COO of Wilkinson Development. Our brand is growing and we serve only Nebraska, from Sidney to Lincoln. We are excited about where we are going, especially our expansion in the trucker industry and the high-volume fuel business that we are adding onto our sites. Eickhoff spoke about what sets Fat Dogs apart from other truck stop businesses: What separates us is the experience you get in our stores. We are edgy and very 2023. We try to accommodate not only your families, with room to get out and stretch and have a fun environment. We dont want you to feel like youre being rushed out the door because there is no room to stretch your legs. Company staff also toured the building at their biggest truck stop, which is under construction on Interstate 80 at Grand Island. The almost 9-acre development is outside city limits in Hall County. The company is investing in the intersection on Highway 281 to maintain NDOT standards for traffic and safety control. The truck stop will be open in 2024. Finally, Wilkinsons received words of gratitude from the mayor of Lincoln, director of the Lincoln airport and the Lincoln Chamber regarding their recent investment and groundbreaking for a large Lincoln Fat Dogs Travel Center at the airport exit. Unfortunately, due to the heat, their groundbreaking ceremony in Lincoln and trip to visit the site was canceled. The Lincoln truck stop will also open in 2024. All locations are along I-80, north of the interstate in Nebraska. Having a significant contribution to Nebraskas transport infrastructure with seven travel centers, Fat Dogs continuous renovations and expansions speak volumes about its commitment to serving both the local and traveling communities across the state. Fat Dog travel centers offer a variety of services to travelers. The stores feature well-equipped convenience stores, designated truckers lounges, top-notch shower facilities, vast assortment of snacks, and an array of souvenirs to remember each journey. Further enhancing its service offering, each travel center will house a quick-service restaurant, catering to the needs of travelers on the go. Visiting Fat Dogs is more than just a gas stop, its an unparalleled experience of being NOWHERE while taking in the unique art each travel center showcases. Wilkinson Development CEO Mark Wilkinson said of the developments across the state, These locations represent more than just new facilities; theyre a testament to our ongoing dedication to Nebraskas communities and the countless travelers and truckers on I-80. A Lexington woman will serve 6 1/2 years in federal prison for drug trafficking. Sanjuana Garcia-Ramirez, 40, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamines with the intent to distribute. She was sentenced Thursday in Omaha by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher, according to a press release from acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr. After release, Garcia-Ramirez will begin a four-year term of supervised release. According to Lehrs press release, officers went to Garcia-Ramirezs Lexington residence on Jan. 5, 2021, where they believed she was selling methamphetamine. At the time Garcia-Ramirez was in the Nebraska problem-solving court program for a previous methamphetamine conviction. At the home, officers found 53 grams of meth, which they believed Garcia-Ramirez intended to distribute. The investigation revealed Garcia-Ramirez used her cellphone to facilitate her drug trafficking. Messages revealed her asking a drug buyer, How much are you wanting, and providing the buyer with the quantity and price of the drugs she could sell. In a December 2020 message, Garcia-Ramirez wrote, Im not using I promise, and, Its all about the money its all. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Lexington Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Dawson County District Judge James E. Doyle IV has been named the recipient of the 28th Annual William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, one of the highest judicial recognitions in the country. Doyle will receive the award from Chief Justice John Roberts at a recognition ceremony at the United States Supreme Court in November. The award, presented by the National Center for State Courts, honors state court judges who demonstrate the outstanding qualities of judicial excellence, including integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, professional ethics, creativity, sound judgment, intellectual courage and decisiveness. Mary McQueen, president of the National Center for State Courts, said Doyle has spent his more than two decades of judicial service focused on solving problems for the people of central Nebraska. The solutions he has developed have served as models for other courts across rural America, she said. McQueen said he also has promoted the use of technology to allow people in his rural community to more easily access justice. Judge Doyle is a state court judge who reflects Chief Justice Rehnquists view that a certain humility should characterize the judicial role. Judges and justices are servants of the law, not the other way around, she said. Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican nominated Doyle for the honor, highlighting his many career accomplishments, and also noting that Doyle who is set to retire Aug. 31 has provided leadership in a part of America that seldom gets the spotlight. He said Doyles home court in Lexington, a town of about 10,000 people, is heavily Hispanic but includes other immigrants of various nationalities. Many of this diverse citizenry work at a large meat packing plant. Judge Doyle also serves in three other very rural counties near Lexington. Those counties are sparsely populated, frequently needing services provided by Zoom or other electronic technology, Heavican wrote. Justice Jeffrey Funke praised Doyle for his strong legal acumen, his commitment to the rule of law and his respect for all who appear before him or work with him. Doyle, who has been a judge since 2001, was appointed in 2008 to chair the problem-solving court committee of the Nebraska Supreme Court. Under his direction, the state has established a problem-solving court in every judicial district. In April, Doyle was awarded the Legal Pioneer Award by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation for his innovative contributions to the improvement of justice. During the pandemic, Doyle had the novel idea of using YouTube for court proceedings, got approval for a pilot program and currently is the only judge in the state who broadcasts his court proceedings live online. He is an innovator, and this pilot program has provided many benefits to the public and the media, Nebraska Court of Appeals Judge Frankie Moore said then. A Lincoln man from Iraq was called a liar and a danger to the community at his sentencing Thursday for raping a woman here in 2021. Mohammed Al Saad called the case all lies from a woman he said was his girlfriend and, in a presentence interview, expressed frustration she was being called the victim and not him. Prosecutors said Al Saad had made denials since day 1 in the case. First, he said he didn't have sex with the woman. Then when confronted with DNA evidence he switched gears and said she was his girlfriend and it was consensual. Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Julie Mruz said that when a probation officer asked him who was to blame, Al Saad said: "My girlfriend, of course." The woman wasn't his girlfriend, she said. "It's as simple as this: Mr. Al Saad will say anything and everything to paint himself in the best light," Mruz said. On April 19, 2021, a 39-year-old woman reported a sexual assault, saying Al Saad had helped her move that day, along with others in her community. After they left, Al Saad pulled her into the basement, hit and choked her, and forced himself on her. She eventually escaped, ran to a nearby gas station and called 911. Police arrested Al Saad five months later after a state lab report showed his DNA in the sexual assault evidence collection kit. He ultimately pleaded no contest to second-degree sexual assault and assault by strangulation, though since has tried multiple times unsuccessfully to withdraw his plea. On Thursday, Mruz said the woman's bravery and courage in coming forward should be commended, adding that it hasn't been an easy road for her, "especially in her community." "The state is certain that Mr. Al Saad is a violent man and a danger to women in this community," she said. Defense attorney William Harris said that though Al Saad pleaded no contest, he maintains his innocence, knowing that it ultimately may affect his sentence. "But his truth is his truth," he said. Harris said Al Saad, who is 29 and has only been in this country for a few years, has had a difficult time transitioning, especially with the different dynamics here between men and women. "He understands it's a different country and he has to adjust to the customs and terms of this country," the attorney said. Harris said Al Saad, who is married, admits he had an affair but denies it was a sexual assault. In prison, he said Al Saad plans to address his alcohol issue, "which obviously played a role in him getting charged." Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post said Al Saad's record, which includes a domestic assault while he was out on bond, shows his propensity for violence toward women. "What you describe as a miscommunication was actually a violent sexual assault," he said. "You've taken no responsibility for your actions, and you continue to concoct stories with your wife to avoid any responsibility." (Al Saad's wife, Debra Cozine, got probation and 60 days in jail for attempting to tamper in a related case.) Post said, frankly, that it was remarkable that the victim came forward with everything that was put in her way. "The conclusion from all of this, Mr. Al Saad, is you lie, and you are a threat to this community," the judge said. He then sentenced him to 21 to 23 years in prison, the max that he could on the charges. Al Saad is expected to appeal the sentence. Photos: Nebraska volleyball's annual Red-White scrimmage A court in Berlin has sentenced the former East German leader, Egon Krenz, to six-and-a-half years in prison. Krenz, 59, was convicted of instigating a shoot-to-kill policy employed by border guards against people trying to flee East Germany. He was convicted on four specimen charges of incitement to manslaughter relating to people who were shot dead as they tried to escape to West Germany via the Berlin Wall. Two other former members of the East German leadership, Gunther Kleiber and Gunther Schabowski, were sentenced to three years in prison. Around 1,000 people were killed trying to escape to the West after the Berlin Wall went up in 1961 it came down in 1989. For much of the 1980s Krenz was a key member of the National Defence Council which decided border policy. Krenz, who always maintained that the court had no right to try him, stood impassively as he was sentenced. After sentencing Krenz was handcuffed and taken into custody through a back door, avoiding reporters waiting at the front. Speaking to the press after Krenz had been taken away his lawyer, Robert Unger, announced his client would appeal. Throughout the 18-month trial he remained unrepentant, saying both victims and perpetrators had been hostages to the Cold War. Mr Krenz succeeded his mentor, Erich Honecker, as East German leader in 1989. In an attempt to bolster the Communist regime in the face of mass protests, he decided to open the wall on 9 November that year. He was ousted by the party a few weeks later. East Germany and West Germany merged the following year. Since unification hundreds of former East German border guards and officials have been convicted for shootings at the former border. The trial of Krenz and his comrades is likely to be the last high-profile trial of leaders of the former East Germany. Courtesy BBC News In context Egon Krenz did not go to jail immediately, pending the outcome of an appeal. Krenz argued that he could not be convicted in the newly reunited Germany because he had been living at the time under the laws of East Germany. But in 1999 a court rejected his case and he began his prison sentence in January 2000. He later appealed to the European Court of Human Rights but lost. Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and top officers of his private Wagner military company were presumed dead in a plane crash that was widely seen as an assassination, two months after they staged a mutiny that dented President Vladimir Putins authority. Russias civil aviation agency said that Prigozhin and six top lieutenants were on a business jet that crashed yesterday [Macau time], soon after taking off from Moscow, with a crew of three. Rescuers found all 10 bodies, and Russian media cited sources in Prigozhins Wagner company who confirmed his death. Police cordoned off the field where the plane crashed a few hundred kilometers north of Moscow, as investigators studied the site. Vehicles were seen driving in to take the bodies for forensic examinations. At Wagners headquarters in St. Petersburg, lights were turned on in the shape of a large cross. Prigozhins supporters brought flowers to the building in an improvised memorial. U.S. and other Western officials long expected Putin to go after Prigozhin, despite promising to drop charges in a deal that ended the June 23-24 mutiny. I dont know for a fact what happened, but Im not surprised, U.S. President Joe Biden said. Theres not much that happens in Russia that Putins not behind. Prigozhin supporters claimed on pro-Wagner messaging app channels that the plane was deliberately downed, including suggesting it could have been hit by an air defense missile or targeted by a bomb on board. These claims could not be independently verified. Numerous opponents and critics of Putin have been killed or gravely sickened in apparent assassination attempts. The downing of the plane was certainly no mere coincidence, Janis Sarts, director of NATOs Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, told Latvian television. The crash came the same week that Russian media reported that Gen. Sergei Surovikin, a former top commander in Ukraine who was reportedly linked to Prigozhin, was dismissed from his post as commander of Russias air force. Surovikin hasnt been seen in public since the mutiny, when he recorded a video address urging Prigozhins forces to pull back. As news of the crash broke, Putin projected calm, speaking at an event commemorating the WWII Battle of Kursk and hailing the heroes of Russias war in Ukraine. Yesterday, he addressed the BRICS summit in Johannesburg via videolink, talking about expanding cooperation among the groups members. He didnt mention the crash and the Kremlin made no comment about it. While countless theories about the events swirled, most observers saw Prigozhins death as possibly Putins punishment for the most serious challenge to his authority of his 23-year rule. Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said on Telegram that no matter what caused the plane crash, everyone will see it as an act of vengeance and retribution, and the Kremlin wouldnt really stand in the way of that. In the revolt that started on June 23 and lasted less than 24 hours, Prigozhins mercenaries swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot. They then drove within about 200 kilometers of Moscow in what Prigozhin called a march of justice to oust the top military leaders who demanded that the mercenaries sign contracts with the Defense Ministry. They downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots. Putin first denounced the rebellion as treason and a stab in the back and vowed to punish its perpetrators, but hours later made a deal that saw an end to the mutiny in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and a permission for them to move to Belarus. Details of the deal have remained murky, but Prigozhin has reportedly shuttled among Moscow, St. Petersburg, Belarus and Africa where his mercenaries have continued their activities despite the rebellion. He was quickly given back truckloads of cash, gold bars and other items that police seized on the day of the rebellion, feeding speculation that the Kremlin still needed Prigozhin despite the mutiny. Flight tracking data reviewed by The Associated Press showed a private jet that Prigozhin had used previously took off from Moscow yesterday, and its transponder signal disappeared minutes later. Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell, one of its wings apparently missing. A freefall like that can occur when an aircraft sustains severe damage, and a frame-by-frame AP analysis of two videos was consistent with some sort of explosion mid-flight. Prigozhins death is unlikely to have an effect on Russias war in Ukraine. His forces fought some of the fiercest battles over the last 18 months, but pulled back from the frontline after capturing the eastern city of Bakhmut in late May. MDT/AP A plot of land on Avenida Wai Long retrieved by the government will be turned into a public parking lot, a bus transit terminus, and some social facilities. In response to lawmaker Ella Leis written inquiry, Acting Director Sam Weng Chon of public works cited his counterparts at the Land and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU). The DSSCU was cited as disclosing that the use of the land plot has been changed, with a significantly reduced number of apartments planned. Responsible bureaus will decide the requirements of basic supplementary facilities, while the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) will conduct further design on the project. The social facilities will at least meet the provisions as set out in the Planning Draft. In her inquiry, Lei pointed out that only 1,500 square meters of social facilities were said to remain under the new development plan for the project. She was unhappy with this, as she believes sufficient social facilities must be available to cater to the basic needs of future residents. She even pointed to the Seac Pai Van public housing district as evidence of her views, saying that when the first group of residents moved into the residential district, few to no social facilities were available. Her second question focused on standards and guidelines governing the proportion of social facilities to an overall project, because they are absent in Macau, but have been in place in Hong Kong. She wondered if the government would establish such guiding tools. While citing the DSSCU, Sam said that the government should make overall considerations of the proportion of social facilities in each district, taking into account the population structure, development status and other indicators. AL Iran and Saudi Arabia were among six countries set to join Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in the BRICS economic bloc from next year, the bloc announced yesterday, a move that will likely throw more scrutiny on Beijings political influence in the Persian Gulf. The United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to become new members of BRICS from 2024. BRICS was set up in 2009 as a group of emerging market economies and has become one of the leading voices for more representation of the developing world and the Global South in world affairs. It currently represents around 40% of the worlds population and more than a quarter of the worlds GDP, although that is set to increase with the new members, which include three of the worlds biggest oil producers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran. Recently, questions have been raised over if BRICS is taking an anti-West turn under the influence of China and Russia amid Beijings deteriorating relationship with the United States and Russias stand-off with the West over the war in Ukraine. Mohammad Jamshidi, the political deputy of Irans President Ebrahim Raisi, called the decision to add his country a historic move. A strategic victory for Irans foreign policy, Jamshidi wrote on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. Felicitations to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution and great nation of Iran. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country presently chairs BRICS, made the announcement on the six new members on the final day of the blocs summit in the financial district of Sandton in Johannesburg. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are attending the summit and were present alongside Ramaphosa for the announcement. This membership expansion is historic, Xi said. It shows the determination of BRICS countries for unity and development. Over the years, China has stood in solidarity with developing countries through thick and thin. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not travel to the summit after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March for the abduction of children from Ukraine. He has participated in the summit virtually, while Russia was represented at the announcement in Johannesburg by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. While Saudi Arabia had been touted as a likely new member if the five current BRICS members reached a consensus on expansion, Irans inclusion had been viewed as possibly politically problematic. China and Russia were pushing for expansion, but Brazil, India and South Africa, which have strong bilateral ties with the U.S., only gave their approval more recently. The current members agreed on the final details of expansion after two days of talks in Johannesburg, although Ramaphosa said the idea had been worked on for over a year. The BRICS leaders began their talks in Johannesburg on Tuesday night and were locked in discussions most of the day Wednesday, thrashing out the final details. BRICS is a consensus-based organization and all members have to agree on policies. Its the second time that BRICS has decided to expand. The bloc was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa was added in 2010. In an online message, United Arab Emirates leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the BRICS announcement and said his nation would be joining an important group. We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world, Sheikh Mohammed said on X. Until recently, the inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates together in the same economic or political organization would have been unthinkable, as tensions escalated following the collapse of Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal and a series of attacks attributed to the country since. But as the coronavirus pandemic receded, the UAE became the first to reengage diplomatically with Iran, following missile attacks on Abu Dhabi claimed by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen. In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced they had reached a separate detente with Chinese mediation. China has sought closer relations with all three nations, particularly Iran, from which it has imported oil since the collapse of the nuclear deal. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE also have maintained relations with Russia amid Moscows war on Ukraine, much to the chagrin of Washington, which long has provided security guarantees for the major oil-producing nations. Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said in a statement that his country would cooperate and coordinate with the rest of the members to achieve the blocs aims in economic cooperation, and to raise the voice of the Global South. The news was also a major boost for Ethiopia, Africas second most populous country and one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent, as its government works to reengage with many global partners and financial institutions after a devastating two-year conflict in the countrys Tigray region ended last year. The war caused billions of dollars of damage and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, under pressure from the U.S. and European Union, has turned to other partners like China, Russia and Gulf nations for support. GERALD IMRAY & MOGOMOTSI MAGOME, JOHANNESBURG, MDT/AP The Biden administration has approved a $500 million arms sale to Taiwan as it ramps up military assistance to the island despite fervent objections from China. The State Department said yesterday [Macau time] it had signed off on the sale of infrared search tracking systems along with related equipment for advanced F-16 fighter jets. The sale includes the infrared systems as well as test support and equipment, computer software and spare parts, it said. Although the deal is modest in comparison to previous weapons sales, the move is likely to draw fierce criticism from Beijing, which regards self-governing Taiwan as a renegade province and refuses to rule out the use of force to reunify it with the mainland. This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipients continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability, the State Department said in a statement. The proposed sale will improve the recipients capability to meet current and future threats by contributing to the recipients abilities to defend its airspace, provide regional security, and increase interoperability with the United States through its F-16 program, it said. The announcement came just hours after Taiwans leader Tsai Ing-wen renewed a pledge to strengthen Taiwans self-defense as she visited a war memorial from the last time Taiwan and China battled. Tsai, visited the outlying islands of Kinmen where the conflict was fought 65 years ago, commemorated those who died. The State Department announcement also follows an angry Chinese reaction to the transit through the United States of Taiwanese deputy leader William Lai on his way to and from an official visit in Paraguay last week. In recent years, China has stepped up its military activity in the waters and skies around Taiwan, sending fighter jets and navy vessels near the island or to encircle it. MATTHEW LEE, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP Climate change more than doubled the chances of the hot, dry weather that helped fuel the unprecedented wildfire season in eastern Canada that's driven thousands from their homes and blanketed parts of the U.S. with choking smoke, according to an analysis. What's more, human-caused climate change made the fire season in Quebec from May through July 50% more intense than it otherwise would have been and increased the likelihood of similarly severe fire seasons at least sevenfold, researchers said. "The biggest takeaway is, this is because of us that we have seen so many fires this year," due to greenhouse gas emissions, said Yan Boulanger, a research scientist in forest ecology for Natural Resources Canada. He was one of 16 researchers who collaborated on the analysis for World Weather Attribution, an initiative that aims to quickly evaluate the role of climate change in the aftermath of extreme weather events. Canada is in the middle of its worst wildfire season on record, with more than 5,800 fires burning over 59,000 square miles from one end of the country to the other, according the the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. In Quebec alone, more than 20,000 square miles has burned so far this year an area 176 times larger than all of last year. Though the analysis, released Tuesday, looked only at a region of Quebec, hot temperatures and drought conditions also were at a record level in the rest of Canada, "and we know that those fire-prone conditions also are increasing in severity, especially out West," Boulanger said. Ongoing wildfires have burned dozens of structures in a resort area of British Columbia and prompted authorities to evacuate about 20,000 people from Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories. Fire Weather Index The analysis estimated the peak intensity of the fire weather by looking at real-world observations in a metric called the Fire Weather Index which estimates wildfire risk by combining temperature, wind speed, humidity and precipitation averaged over seven days. The researchers then compared that to a world without climate change using multiple computer simulations and historical weather data, a technique widely accepted in the scientific community. They found that the fire-weather conditions this year were twice as likely. They also assessed the cumulative effect of the weather conditions from January to July, determining that the duration of those conditions was seven times more likely. Peter Reich, a forest ecologist who wasn't involved in the analysis, said he was glad researchers didn't try to prove climate change caused the fires, but instead looked at the probability that the conditions that led to this year's fire season would have occurred with or without climate change. "To me, the scariest finding is just the magnitude of the greater likelihood of intense fire weather because of climate change," said Reich, head of the Institute for Global Change Biology at the University of Michigan and a professor at the University of Minnesota. "It's not just 10% more likely or 20% there's a 600%" greater likelihood. Broad impacts Although the analysis did a good job of assessing extreme fire weather, it didn't capture how broadly it affected the entire country, especially in the arid West, which would show an even stronger connection to climate change, said Mike Flannigan, a professor for wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia. "I've never seen such a wide geographical area in Canada on fire at the same time and fire season is not over yet," he said. Reich said the findings likely would apply across the planet because hotter temperatures increase the drying power of the air, and climate change makes fire vulnerability, severity and risk much higher by increasing the flammability of the materials and weather conditions that will produce and carry fire at the same time. "It kind of feeds on itself," he added. Canada's fire season began early, after snow melted quickly and the warmest May-June period in more than 80 years combined with sparse rainfall to dry out vegetation and make it more flammable. Windy conditions also drove the wildfires throughout most of the country. 'New reality' In Canada, 5% of the population identifies as Indigenous First Nation, Metis or Inuit yet researchers say they were disproportionately affected by wildfires because their communities often are isolated and in some of the most fire-prone areas, like the boreal forest. Scientists say that risks will increase as the planet continues to warm. "That's a very big wake-up call" for communities that need to adapt, Boulanger said. Flannigan said widespread, hotter fires are "the new reality" and will require new approaches to preventing and battling increasingly dangerous and intense blazes. "Unfortunately, we're going to see more fire and smoke in the future," he said, explaining that there won't be enough rain to compensate drier fuels, leading to higher-intensity fires that are becoming almost impossible to extinguish. He added: "We're really in uncharted territory." WAR IN UKRAINE KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine on Thursday marked its second Independence Day since Russia's full-scale invasion, with officials vowing to keep up their fight to drive out the Kremlin's forces and local people remembering their fallen loved ones. The national holiday coincided with the war's 18-month milestone, giving a somber mood to the commemorations. "We remember everyone who gave their lives for freedom and independence, for the free future of Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, families visited a cemetery where fallen Ukrainian soldiers are buried. Kateryna Krotchenko, the mother of Serhii Krotchenko who was killed near Bakhmut, cleaned his grave. "He was an ordinary boy who loved life and dreamed of something," she said. "Therefore, he did not accept the fact that war had come to our land and decided to (sign up) voluntarily." Zelenskyy said an independent Ukraine is "what we are fighting for." That battle has earned the support of foreign allies, especially NATO alliance member countries that have provided Kyiv with sophisticated new weaponry. The new weapons have allowed Ukraine to launch a counteroffensive. Ukraine's defense ministry marked the day with a series of social media videos that mixed gratitude with wry humor to thank those allies individually for their support. The United States' video was set to Frank Sinatra's "Our Love is Here to Stay" and ended with a cheeky "thanks for the F-16s" and the words "too soon?" The U.S. has agreed its allies can send Ukraine the fighter jets, but the lengthy process has been a source of frustration to Kyiv. Speaking to Norwegian news agency NTB in Kyiv, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Thursday that Norway will provide more F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, but the number will probably be less than 10. Gahr Store said he informed Zelenskyy of the aircraft donation and that Norway would discuss the number of planes as well as the transfer timetable with Kyiv and other allied countries. Norway will be the third European country to donate F-16 warplanes. U.S. to host Ukrainian pilots for training on F-16s in September: Pentagon Xinhua) 08:44, August 25, 2023 An F-16 fighter jet performs at the air show in Houston, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2020. (Photo by Lao Chengyue/Xinhua) It typically takes eight months for a new F-16 pilot with not a lot of training on the U.S. side to complete the process, and "within the five-month range" for an experienced pilot receiving "upgrade training." WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United States will begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in September at U.S. Air Force bases in two southern states, the Department of Defense announced Thursday. The training, which will include "several pilots and dozens of maintainers," will start in September with English-language classes to be offered at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told a press briefing. After the trainees grasp the necessary language skills, they will then be trained on how to actually fly the F-16, and this process will begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, Ryder said. The training in the United States "will be the fundamental fighter pilot training," he said, adding that the exact curriculum for the Ukrainian pilots will depend on their levels of experience, of which an assessment is also part of the training program. Photo taken on Feb. 19, 2020, shows the Pentagon seen from an airplane over Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) On the duration of the training, Ryder said it typically takes eight months for a new F-16 pilot with not a lot of training on the U.S. side to complete the process, and "within the five-month range" for an experienced pilot receiving "upgrade training." Currently, European countries are leading the effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and other advanced fighters made by Western countries, with Demark and the Netherlands now prepared to undertake the task. The U.S. government previously said it would do its part to provide training on U.S. soil if and when Europe reached the full capacity. Without giving a specific timeline of F-16 deliveries, Ryder said it could be months ahead, adding that European countries are looking to provide the aircraft "and the United States will support that effort through the third-party transfer process." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) WASHINGTON Sixty years ago, Andrew Young and his staff had just emerged from an exhausting campaign against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. But they didn't feel no ways tired, as the Black spiritual says. The foot soldiers were on a "freedom high," Young recalls. "They wanted to keep on marching, they wanted to march from Birmingham to Washington," he said. And march they did, in the nation's capital. Just four months later, they massed for what is still considered one of the greatest and most consequential racial justice demonstrations in U.S. history. The nonviolent protest, which attracted as many as 250,000 to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, helped till the ground for passage of federal civil rights and voting rights legislation in the next few years. But in the decades that followed, the rights gains feeding the freedom high felt by Young and others came under increasing threat. A close adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Young went on to become a congressman, a U.N. ambassador and Atlanta's mayor. He sees clear progress from the time when Black Americans largely had no guarantee of equal rights under the law. But he hasn't ignored the setbacks. "We take two steps forward, and they make us take one step back," Young said from the offices of his Atlanta-based foundation. "It's a slow process that depends on the politics of the nation." At 91 years old, an undeterred Young will gather again with Black civil rights leaders and a multiracial, interfaith coalition of allies Saturday to mark 60 years since the first March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, an event most widely remembered for King's "I Have A Dream" speech. Organizers of this year's commemoration don't see this as an occasion for kumbaya not in the face of eroded voting rights nationwide after the recent striking down of affirmative action in college admissions and abortion rights by the Supreme Court, and amid growing threats of political violence and hatred against people of color, Jews and LGBTQ Americans. The issues today appear eerily similar to the issues of 1963. The undercurrent of it all is that Black people are still the economically poorest in American society. Organizers intend to remind the nation that the original march wasn't just about dreaming of a country that lived up to its promises of equality and liberty to pursue happiness. They wanted legislative action then, and they want the same now. The survival of American democracy depends on it, the organizers say. "It's inevitable to me that this nation, as Martin Luther King said, will live out, one day, the true meaning of its creed," Young declared. 'I have a dream' Six decades ago, from the steps of the monument to President Abraham Lincoln, King began his most famous speech by decrying economic disparity, quality of life issues, police brutality and voter disenfranchisement. He brought his remarks home with the sermonic delivery of his dream of social and class harmony transcending racial and ethnic lines in America. His words have resounded through decades of push and pull toward progress in civil and human rights. Today, the March on Washington is a marker by which racial progress is measured. But drivers of that progress namely the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 have teetered precariously on the edges of partisanship. "(King) said in the speech, 'We come to here, Mr. Lincoln, because 100 years ago, in 1863, you promised that we'd be full citizens, and America has not fulfilled the promise,'" said the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network and co-convener of the 60th commemoration of the march. King also said America had given Black Americans a check for equality that had been marked "insufficient funds" in the bank of justice. "They came in '63 to say the check bounced," Sharpton said. "We come in '23 to say the check didn't bounce this time. They put a stop payment on the check. And we're coming to say, 'You're going to take stop payment off the check, and you will pay your debt.'" Sharpton's organization expects tens of thousands to attend Saturday. 60 years later Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton was a 26-year-old Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee worker in Mississippi in 1963 when she became part of the staff that organized the March on Washington. "As I flew from New York to Washington, I could see that the march would be a success because as far as the eye could see, there were crowds," she said. "We weren't sure how big because there had never been such a large march before, but it was overwhelming." Norton, now 86, and Washington's nonvoting delegate, said she knew once she saw how many people had come that "the march was not only successful, but they would help us with what we wanted the march to do." Now, 60 years out, she said the political environment is so polarized it is hard to imagine the legislative achievements in the aftermath of the 1963 march being possible now. Young, the King adviser and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said he thinks it unwise for him to predict how successful this year's march will be. "If there is a place where we can learn to live together as brothers and sisters, rather than perish together as fools, it's the United States of America," he said. "As I flew from New York to Washington, I could see that the march would be a success because as far as the eye could see, there were crowds. ... We weren't sure how big because there had never been such a large march before, but it was overwhelming." Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton The second of two men convicted in the killing of a 22-year-old man outside a Southwest Side gas station in 2021 was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison. Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz said that while Avieon L. Little, 26, is now claiming he wasnt at the gas station where Christopher Somersett shot Keshaun Q. Davis-Williams multiple times through the window of a car, the evidence shows he was. But while the claim is egregious, his actions were not on par with Somersetts, she said. The public clearly needs protection from someone who takes no responsibility, Berz said. But that doesnt mean hes the person who ran up to the car and executed Keshaun. Hes not. Littles 15 years in prison will be reduced by about two years, as credit for the time he has spent in jail since his arrest. After his release from prison, he will be on extended supervision for 10 years. Investigators said Somersett shot Davis-Williams, of Dodgeville, on July 5, 2021, at the BP gas station on Verona Road, while Little stood in a car wash bay and fired gunshots that struck the back of the car that Davis-Williams was in. None of his shots struck Davis-Williams. Little, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty on Dec. 6 to first-degree reckless homicide as party to a crime for his role in Davis-Williams death. The original charge of first-degree intentional homicide was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. During a plea colloquy with Berz at the time, Little confirmed that he was pleading guilty to the reckless homicide charge because he had committed the crime. But Assistant District Attorney Valerian Powell said that in Littles statement to the writer of a state Department of Corrections pre-sentence report, Little now claims that at the time of the shooting he was still in the car in which he and Somersett had arrived and that a third person who had gotten into the car, whose name Little says he does not know, had gotten out with Somersett. I think when it comes to this case, hes just a liar, Powell said of Little. Littles attorney, David Anderson, also said he was dismayed to see the statement in the report, but placed the blame on Somersett. Despite an explicit order to keep Little and Somersett apart while they were in jail, he said, Somersett and Little were placed together in a two-person cell at the Oneida County Jail in Rhinelander after the two were transferred there. Anderson said their placement together was around the time that Little would have been interviewed for the report, and he theorized that Somersett had influenced Little to make the statement. Anderson said Little deserved a seven-year prison sentence for his actions, but said his involvement pales in comparison to what Mr. Somersett did. In court, Little doubled down, asserting the statement was true, that there was another person in the car besides him and Somersett, and arguing that the car had dark tinted windows and nobody could see who was in it. But Berz reminded him that police had used city street camera footage to see where the car was that night and who had gotten in and out of it. Two people, just you and Mr. Somersett were in the car, Berz said. Little and members of his family who spoke during the hearing argued that Little was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that he was only with Somersett because he had taken a ride from him. Wrong place, wrong time, yeah, Little said. Being around the wrong person, yeah. Me being a killer, thats not me, and you all cant paint that picture of me. A Chicago man pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced homicide charge for the 2021 shooting death of a 20-year-old Madison man on the citys Far East Side. Jeremiah L. Cain, 19, who had been charged in September 2021 with first-degree intentional homicide for the Labor Day shooting death of Nicholas Cooke, pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide as part of a plea agreement dismissing the more serious charge. First-degree intentional homicide carries an automatic life sentence, while first-degree reckless homicide carries up to 40 years in prison followed by 20 years of extended supervision. Deputy District Attorney William Brown said there was no deal on a sentencing recommendation, so both he and defense attorney Michael Covey are free to argue what they believe the correct sentence to be. The decision will ultimately be up to Circuit Judge Julie Genovese, who set a sentencing hearing for Nov. 13. Cooke was shot to death during an apparent argument on Sept. 6, 2021, near the intersection of Martha Lane and Acewood Boulevard, according to a criminal complaint. The complaint states the shooter was later identified as Cain, who was 18 years old at the time. He is listed in the complaint as having had an address on Cottage Grove Road, but evidence collected by police from an apartment, which included a charter school identification badge, also showed him to have ties to Chicago. Cain was arrested on March 22 during a traffic stop in Chicago. Authorities said he had a gun with him when he was arrested. After Cookes death, his family told the State Journal that Cooke was a Memorial High School graduate who was attending Madison Area Technical College and that he had started his own clothing business. The complaint states a witness said he heard an argument outside his home and looked to see a reddish SUV parked facing west on the south side of Martha Lane, with three males standing nearby speaking with the driver until the discussion escalated into an argument. As the argument went on, the complaint states, the SUV began to move slowly forward. Two of the men ran off, but the third, later identified as Cain, pulled out a gun and fired twice at the driver. The SUV went west on Martha Lane, then turned south on Acewood Boulevard, the complaint states, and when police arrived, they found the SUV had crashed into a utility pole. Police attempted to resuscitate the unconscious driver, Cooke, who was pronounced dead a short time later at St. Marys Hospital. An autopsy found Cooke sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest, including one that struck his heart, a lung and other internal organs, the complaint states. Police used video surveillance to trace the movements of the males who were outside the SUV, leading them to an apartment where children were present. One of the children identified a person in a surveillance image as his uncle, JJ. Another family member also identified Cain from the still images, the complaint states. Social media has revolutionized the world in ways that few could have envisioned two decades ago. In 2022, Pew Research found that 95% of teenagers used social media platforms for benign sorts of outreach and self-expression sharing their photos, perspectives and communicating with friends and family. Despite the prominence of this engagement in the lives of American teens, lawmakers across the country are weighing legislation that would require social media platforms to impose age restrictions for access to online forums. They are concerned that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are responsible for declines in teen mental health. As the Centers for Disease Control recently reported, feelings of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among teens have increased with time spent online. Seeing this correlation, policymakers are thinking of ways to solve this perceived problem. While no conclusive link has been made between the two phenomena, policymakers around the country have proposed solutions that while well-intended have the unintended consequences of undermining user privacy and First Amendment rights. For example, a recently proposed bill in Wisconsin would require that social media companies designate all accounts as youth accounts unless proven otherwise. The bill would require those accounts be banned from accessing social media between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Presumably, this would be accomplished by requiring everyone to submit an ID or through the use of facial recognition technology. Wisconsin minors' access to social media would be dramatically limited under GOP proposal The proposal calls for a "digital curfew" to prevent minors from accessing social media apps during overnight hours and would require parental consent to create accounts. The creation of an online record tied to the identification of every comment or post a user has made online could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech. The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized a right to anonymous speech in the First Amendment. As early as 1960, the high court affirmed the ability of groups to be able to anonymously criticize oppressive practices and laws and to hand out anonymous pamphlets, leaflets and books. The Federalist Papers, written in favor of the adoption of our Constitution, were published under fictitious names. Regardless of how one feels about social media, anonymity has sometimes been used for the most constructive purposes. And regardless of whether anonymous speech is perceived to have value or not, the government is prohibited from making any law abridging the freedom of speech. Moreover, social media companies have demonstrated a vulnerability to online hacking. This could lead to the exposure of sensitive personal information to cybercriminals who can then steal users identities. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is not alone in proposing unconstitutional legislation that also risks creating unnecessary cybersecurity vulnerabilities and free speech concerns. Arkansas and Utah have recently enacted similar laws that would require social media platforms to verify the age of their users and require those under the age of 18 to get parents permission before opening an account. Fortunately, alternatives exist that can strengthen online protections and restrict access to content thats inappropriate for young audiences. Indeed, these alternatives can also bolster cybersecurity, rights to privacy and avoid running afoul of constitutional liberties. One intriguing solution has emerged in Florida. The law requires that public school students be taught age-appropriate information about common dangers on social media. Starting in sixth grade, students would learn about the social, emotional and physical consequences one can experience through engagement on social media. Students will also be instructed about the permanence of information that is posted online, and encouraged to think about whether they may regret sharing something later. The law also requires that social media-related instructional materials be made available to parents a provision that will ensure social media education can continue when students leave the classroom. Stop Big Tech from starving local news STATE JOURNAL VIEW: Congress should allow fair negotiations with Google and Facebook This Florida model is a reasonable approach. Without this education, arbitrary filtering systems will do little to prevent motivated young people from accessing what they want. Schools are already mandated to provide instruction on a number of different topics vital to helping students develop into successful adults. For example, a Wisconsin law passed in 2017 required that schools provide instruction on a number of areas of financial literacy, from building up savings to understanding how credit works. We think that developing a healthy relationship with social media is equally important in the modern world. This alternative legislation is not a silver bullet and risks will remain. But it will go a long way to ensure teenagers understand how to stay safe online. As with every aspect of raising a child, the diligence of parents and families is critical to ensuring that the worst outcomes of social media are avoided. Modeling Floridas approach of educating students would support parents rights to guide and prepare their children for the modern media environment. Rather than pursuing the heavy hand of state government, we urge policymakers to instead consider legislation that informs kids and empowers parents to safely navigate the social media world. For a couple of hours Wednesday night, it was nice to pretend the Republican Party is ready to engage in a competitive primary season that step-by-step winnows a reasonably impressive field of candidates to a single standard-bearer who can put an end to the Joe Biden presidency. The first Republican debate was a good show, energetic, passionate and a true brawl over the issues that will motivate voters to the polls in 2024. For nearly an hour, Donald Trumps name was barely mentioned. It was nearly possible to forget about the former president and indulge the fantasy that one of these Republicans might emerge as the GOP nominee. But a check of X, formerly known as Twitter, where a recorded interview of Trump by podcaster Tucker Carlson, airing simultaneously with the debate on Carlsons former Fox Network, burst the bubble. The Carlson-Trump sideshow was averaging 75 million impressions, according to X. Nothing happened on the debate stage in Milwaukee to change the reality that the GOP race is still all about Trump. But since there was a debate, the temptation to treat it as if it mattered is irresistible. And who knows, theres a possibility Republican voters will come to the realization that, as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said, Trump is the most disliked politician in America. We cant win a general election that way. Haley, Trumps former U.N. ambassador, was the nights clear winner. She was forceful, informed and in command. On the scale of presidential gravitas, Haley scored the highest among the eight debaters. At the bottom was young entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, 38, who has been surging in the polls on the strength of vapid sound bites that touch on every conservative talking point. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie nailed Ramaswamy, whose positions were as skinny as his suit, as the ChatGPT candidate a perfect description. He was as annoying as a gnat, and thus the other candidates spent much of the night swatting at him. The attention didnt help him. Ramaswamy delivered the most bizarre line of the night in calling Trump the greatest president of the 21st century. If he feels that way, why is he running against him instead of working for his campaign? On Trump, the candidates were inexcusably timid, except for Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, both of whom were unequivocal in calling out the former presidents moral and ethical shortcomings. (Trump, meanwhile, was on X saying of Jan. 6, People in that crowd said it was the most beautiful day they experienced, and lending credibility to the idea of a coming civil war.) Democrats will assure abortion is the motivating issue in 2024, and again Haley came out on top on that issue, speaking to the constituency Republicans need to win back women. She advocated a compromise that would ban late-term abortions but allow states to keep the procedure legal. Former Vice President Mike Pence pounced on that, declaring Republicans must put principle on abortion ahead of winning elections. Pence tried to speak to those Republicans who keep saying they like Trumps policies, but not his behavior, touting the Trump-Pence agenda. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who signed a heartbeat bill into law, declared his state the most pro-life in the country. If his state had a few million more people, he might be a dark horse for vice president. It was disappointing to watch South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott struggle to find a lane. Hes a bright guy, with an inspiring life story, but proved himself not ready for prime time. Now, the biggest loser. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did nothing to reverse his slide. Hes got a great record in Florida, but he presented as shrill and perpetually angry. QUOTE She was forceful, informed and in command. On the scale of presidential gravitas, Haley scored the highest among the eight debaters. Again, this very likely is a moot exercise. Id be shocked if the polls show Trump lost ground for not being in Milwaukee. But it was therapeutic to live briefly in a make-believe world in which the Republican Party had moved beyond Trump. Republicans have never been afraid of debating the issues. Unlike the other side, which conspires to silence and censor anyone who disagrees with them, Republicans embrace the marketplace of ideas. Wednesdays Republican presidential primary debate was a perfect example. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to attend the first presidential debate as a guest of the RNC. The crowd was wild, and I was thrilled to see so many young engaged voters in the audience. Over the course of two hours in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, eight Republican contenders debated a wide range of pressing issues, including the Russia/Ukraine War, how much aid America should send to foreign nations, what limits the federal government can place on abortion, and what if anything should be done about climate change. The shadow of 2020 dominated the discussion, as candidates debated what should have been done in the wake of a crooked election, the unjust COVID-19 lockdowns, and the summer of rioting by Black Lives Matter and Antifa. Of course, one of the biggest subjects of discussion was not on the debate stage on Wednesday. Former President Donald Trump, who appears to be the frontrunner for the 2024 nomination, chose to skip the debate and instead spoke to Tucker Carlson on Twitter (now X). Rather than discussing his primary opponents, Trump took aim at the one man who is most responsible for our nations current predicament: President Joe Biden. Trump rightly called out Bidens failed administration, from his foreign policy disasters to his plans to ban gas stoves. Trump also worried about the level of division in our country, but explained that as president he must represent all Americans. These debates show the importance of next years presidential nominating caucus in Idaho. After the Secretary of State and the Legislature attempted to move the presidential primary from March to May, only to eliminate it entirely, and the governor signed it into law, the Idaho Republican Party overwhelmingly agreed to host a nominating caucus on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Registered Republicans are invited to meet with their neighbors and make their voices heard regarding the presidential nomination. The winner of Idahos caucus will earn our states delegates to the 2024 Republican National Convention. We invite all of the Republican presidential candidates to come to Idaho and make their cases to our voters I have already received word that several will be making that trip. Ever since Americas first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, the GOP has led the way in wrangling with the most important issues of our time. The next president will shoulder the enormous responsibility of putting America back on track, which means the voice of the voters is more important than ever. Idaho Republicans are ready to play their part. VILNIUS, Lithuania Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may have gotten support and vague assurances from NATO leaders in Vilnius this week, but he ultimately returns home without a clear commitment that his country will be joining the club any time soon. Instead, the alliance leaders said they were removing obstacles on Ukraine's membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war with Russia is over. For many, that argument gives Russia's president a pretext to prolong the war, which President Vladimir Putin ostensibly launched to keep Ukraine from joining NATO. But if Ukraine joins NATO in the middle of the war, then Russia is at war with the entire NATO alliance. At the core of this conundrum is Article 5 - NATO's common defense guarantee under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on them all. WHAT DOES ARTICLE 5 SAY? Article 5 is at the heart of the 31-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It states that an armed attack against one or more of the members shall be considered an attack against all members. It also states that if such an armed attack occurs, each of the members would take, individually and in concert with other members, ''such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.'' That security guarantee is the reason previously neutral Finland and Sweden sought to join NATO and why Ukraine and other countries in Europe also want in. WHEN HAS IT BEEN INVOKED? Only once, in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States, paving the way for NATO's biggest ever operation in Afghanistan. But NATO allies have also taken collective defense measures including joining the U.S. to fight the Islamic State group in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as help keep the peace in the Balkans. HOW DOES THIS IMPACT UKRAINE? NATO's credibility hinges on Article 5 and its commitment to offer membership to any European country that can contribute to security in Europe and North America. But Ukraine, currently in the middle of war with Russia, would oblige all 31 member countries to spring to its defense militarily, potentially igniting a wider war with a nuclear-armed country. Article 5 also becomes problematic when the territory of a member is unclear. For instance, Russian forces entered Georgia in August 2008, a few months after NATO leaders first promised the country it would join, along with Ukraine. That country's NATO application is still pending. Russia continues to occupy large swaths of Ukraine in the east and south, further muddying the picture. U.S. President Joe Biden summed up why he didn't think Ukraine is ready for NATO membership. ''If the war is going on, then we're all in the war... we're at war with Russia, if that were the case,'' he said in an interview with CNN ahead of the summit. How NATO has grown since 1997 and its changing relationship with Russia 2004 new members: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia 2009 new members: Albania and Croatia 2017 new members: Montenegro 2022 aspiring members: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia, Sweden, and Ukraine A former kindergarten teacher and childrens director was charged Tuesday with a child sex crime. Aaron Doyle Mirtsching, 41, of Morganton, was charged with three counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Burke County Sheriffs Office. The charges came after investigators received a tip from Internet Crimes Against Children, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. Warrants filed at the Burke County Courthouse accuse Mirtsching of possessing material containing explicit visual representations of two female children and a male child. The ages of the victims ranged from 8 to 13 years old, the warrants say. A Feb. 11, 2022, post on the New Dimensions School Facebook page indicated Mirtsching was a kindergarten teacher that school year. In a statement to The News Herald, New Dimensions School Director Lisa Ervin said Mirtsching resigned at the end of the 2022-23 school year. She said the school is cooperating with all authorities involved with the investigation and they are not aware of any allegations involving the school. Mirtsching also was the childrens director at Thrive Church in Morganton, according to a news release from the church. The release said Mirtsching was immediately relieved of his duties with the church once the senior pastor was notified of the charges. Church staff had no prior knowledge of any on-going investigation before Mirtsching was arrested, the release said. We issued a public statement and made decisions (Tuesday) as soon as we learned the charges (were) filed, said a statement sent from the churchs senior leadership team to The News Herald. We are cooperating with any and all law enforcement and authorities. There are no charges or accusations about Thrive Church being involved in this case at all other than him being a recent employee. Thrive Church said it conducts a background check on all church leaders, employees and staff, and offers its full cooperation and support to law enforcement. Mirtsching was arrested without incident, the news release from the sheriffs office said. His bond was set at $20,000 secured, and hes due to appear in court Thursday. A Hickory man has been charged by the McDowell County Sheriffs Office with assault. On Saturday, Aug. 19, deputies with the McDowell Sheriffs Office responded to an Old Fort residence about an assault. Upon arrival, they observed signs of forced entry and injuries to both victims, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. The victims told the deputies that the male suspect, Clifford Brian Mauldin, 43, of Hickory, had forced his way into the residence which led to a physical altercation, the release said. Mauldin fled the scene before deputies arrived. The sheriffs office said Mauldin was arrested a short time later by officers from the Hickory Police Department. Detective Burlin Ballew with the McDowell County Sheriffs Office charged Mauldin with felonious assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and felonious first-degree burglary. Mauldin was issued a $175,000 secured bond, according to the news release. Grown-ups usually dont pack laptops in pool bags. But then again, most adults at least those who cant be accused of being workaholics arent hip-deep in the business of running for governor. Perhaps that explains the unusual sight of state Treasurer Dale Folwell, an announced candidate for the states top executive since March, crunching numbers under an umbrella on an otherwise sun-kissed Saturday afternoon. It is getting to be serious fundraising time, after all. Fall behind now, and its game over. And Folwell, a Republican, is serious about his candidacy even if too-early poll numbers and the fundraising totals that go hand-in-glove with them may not be to his liking. How serious? According to 2023 mid-year, semi-annual campaign finance reports, Folwell loaned his campaign a cool $1 million. With very favorable, 0% interest terms, of course. Impressive start Even with that loan pushing his total campaign receipts to more than $1.2 million, the states chief financial officer is trailing other candidates with far better name recognition. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is far and away the leader on the Republican side of the ledger. The Friends of Mark Robinson committee reported total receipts of more than $2.28 million some $1.9 million in 22,930 aggregated individual contributions that pushed his cash-on-hand total to $3.2 million. Walker 4 NC, the campaign committee backing former GOP Congressman Mark Walker reported total receipts of $553,714. A fourth Republican candidate, retired health-care executive Jesse Thomas, just filed his organizational papers earlier this month and a fifth, a former state legislator named Andy Wells from Catawba County, loaned his campaign $51,000 to bring his total receipts to a little more than $63,000. Dwarfing them all, at least in terms of socking away cash, is Attorney General Josh Stein, the only Democrat of note in the race to succeed Gov. Roy Cooper. The Josh Stein for North Carolina committee reported total receipts of $11.2 million with $10.7 million from individual contributions. The Stein committee had $8.2 million cash on hand. Those are eye-popping totals seven months out from the state primary elections. Historically, candidates dont talk about fundraising, loans or finance reports. Theyll say the financial horse race isnt worth discussion, that fundraising is a necessary evil and then attempt to steer conversations to issues. Or rivals. So for smart analysis and insight, we turn to political scientists such as Dr. Michael Bitzer of Catawba College. With Steins and Robinsons significant numbers, it is the serious start of fundraising for 2024, Bitzer wrote in an email, because money helps lay a sufficient foundation for the overall campaign in terms of personnel, organization, advertising and grassroots operations. As we say, money is the mothers milk of politics, and what these numbers tell me is that North Carolinas gubernatorial contest next year will probably be one of the most expensive in the nation. Indeed. With Cooper barred by law from seeking a third consecutive term, candidates see an open path toward becoming governor. Unseating a popular incumbent is a big ask especially in a so-called purple state where Democrats and Republicans typically run hard in statewide contests. As for the race for governor, the filing of mid-year campaign finance reports indicate that the dash for cash a reliable predictor of a tsunami of television ads next year is on. The fact that Folwell made his campaign a loan shows that the Winston-Salem native will not go down without a fight. As to Folwells initial loan to jump-start his campaign, its not surprising in todays politics that those with the resources of private financial means can kick start their campaign, but it makes a notable difference in terms of where the grassroots and donor class are driving their money towards, Bitzer wrote. Expensive campaign A poll released earlier this summer by the conservative John Locke Foundation took the temperature of potential matchups between different Republicans and Democratic frontrunner Stein. Only Robinson, well known to political types for bombastic (and frequently homophobic) rhetoric, led Stein at 41.5% to 40.8%. Stein led Folwell (39.4% to 33.8%) and Walker (39.4% to 36.8%). Part of the reason, of course, is name recognition. Stein and Robinson have used their positions to boost theirs. Folwell is trying, too, by engaging in a public battle with the states giant health-care providers over transparency in pricing. A report produced by his office and the Duke University School of Law upped the ante and highlighted his efforts. Its analysis showed that between 2017 and 2022, 5,922 debt collection lawsuits by tax-exempt health systems including Atrium Health targeted more than 7,500 patients and their families in North Carolina. The suits resulted in more than $57 million in judgments for the hospitals, researchers found, including millions in interest and fees. State law allows hospitals to charge 8%. Of course, expanding Medicaid in the state to some 600,000 poor North Carolinians eligible for the program would help dramatically. But a months-long delay in implementing the expansion as well as years-long opposition to doing so in the first place can be laid squarely at the feet of Republicans who control the Legislature. Either way, that should be a topic of debate for the 2024 gubernatorial campaign along with tax policy and the state of public education. Thats going to take dough. A pile of it. Probably part of the reason also for the dramatic numbers for Stein and Robinson is the realization that money will be continuously needed if both succeed in capturing their respective party nominations, Bitzer wrote. (And) building a war chest now sends cues and signals to other donors about the seriousness of investing in their campaigns, especially for the general campaign next fall. As Boom Supersonic prepares for its first test flight, the aircraft manufacturer said Thursday it has advanced on three key developments. Boom, based in Denver, is constructing a $500 million superfactory at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. Boom has said it would begin test flights in 2026 from PTI. It projected having at least 1,761 jobs at full production capacity in 2030. The first development is conducting ground tests, including taxiing, of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, Calif. The second is that Boom has received an experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration following a detailed aircraft inspection. The third is gaining letters of authorization that chief test pilot Bill Shoemaker and test pilot Tristan Brandenburg to fly the XB-1 aircraft, as well as letters of agreement with airspace authorities that permits flights over the Mojave desert. The Mojave base is symbolic for Boom in that it is the same airspace where then-U.S. Air Force Capt. Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 aircraft. It is also where the Mach 3+, strategic reconnaissance SR-71 Blackbird aircraft first flew in 1964. The recent progress made towards XB-1s first flight reflects the teams collective efforts to build and safely fly the worlds first independently developed supersonic jet, Blake Scholl, Booms founder and chief executive, said in a statement. In preparation for flight, Booms test pilots have completed hundreds of hours in the simulator for aircraft evaluation, operations development, training and human factors assessments. The test pilots maintain flight proficiency in a T-38 trainer aircraft the same aircraft that will be used as a chase plane for all flight tests of XB-1. The three General Electric J85 engines that power XB-1 produce a combined maximum thrust of 12,300 pounds of force. Boom disclosed in June it had chosen Jupiter, Fla., as the site for the initial production units for its engine, which will be called Symphony, ground test, flight test and certification with Florida Turbine Technologies, where that group has operations. Boom said that PTI will be the home for Overtures final assembly line. Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon from Day One, running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel, also known by the acronym SAF. Boom also revealed in June Overtures full systems configuration as the aircraft program advances toward production. The schematics feature avionics, flight controls, hydraulics, fuel systems and landing gear all designed and developed for optimal performance, efficiency and safety. Booms commercial order book stands at 130 aircraft, including both orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, Japan Airlines and United Airlines. Boom said Overtures landing gear is compatible with international airport runways and taxiways designed for takeoff and landing on over 600 routes around the world. Overture is being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water or twice the speed of todays fastest commercial aircraft with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. Overture will be powered by four wing-mounted engines that also enable the airliner to cruise just under Mach 1 over land. These engines are different from the XB-1 demonstrator. At those speeds, flying from Miami to London in just under five hours and Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours are among the possibilities, Boom has said. Construction is under way at PTI, with completion expected on the 400,000-square-foot facility in the second quarter of 2024. The current goal is manufacturing up to 33 Overture aircraft per year at full production with its first production line, and a similar production target with a planned second line. Boom executive Kathy Savitt reaffirmed in May the timeline of beginning equipment installation in 2024, assembly in 2025, first rollout in 2026, first test flight in 2027, Federal Aviation Administration certification in 2029 and then first passenger flight later in 2029. Savitt said the expectation is having about 400 employees within two years. Specifically, were going to be looking for manufacturing, engineers, technicians, mechanical and industrial engineers, operations and facilities management and supportive administrative staff, Savitt said. Episode 104: In a country where reverence and tradition are waning, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada debate whether the pledge remains an effective way to express the best values of being an American. Links to stories discussed during the podcast: Here's why we should say the Pledge of Allegiance, by Richard Kyte Is the Pledge of Allegiance just an empty, performative ritual? by Nicholas Goldberg, Los Angeles Times Here is a breakdown of laws in 47 states that require reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, by Brad Dress, The Hill About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Pat Bennetts prescription is a bit more complicated than Take a couple of aspirins and call me in the morning. But a quartet of baby-aspirin-sized sensors implanted in her brain are aimed at addressing a condition thats frustrated her and others: the loss of the ability to speak intelligibly. The devices transmit signals from a couple of speech-related regions in Bennetts brain to state-of-the-art software that decodes her brain activity and converts it to text displayed on a computer screen. Bennett, now 68, is a former human resources director and onetime equestrian who jogged daily. In 2012, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks neurons controlling movement, causing physical weakness and eventual paralysis. When you think of ALS, you think of arm and leg impact, Bennett wrote in an interview conducted by email. But in a group of ALS patients, it begins with speech difficulties. I am unable to speak. Usually, ALS first manifests at the bodys periphery arms and legs, hands and fingers. For Bennett, the deterioration began not in her spinal cord, as is typical, but in her brain stem. She can still move around, dress herself and use her fingers to type, albeit with increasing difficulty. But she can no longer use the muscles of her lips, tongue, larynx and jaws to enunciate clearly the phonemes or units of sound, such as sh that are the building blocks of speech. Although Bennetts brain can still formulate directions for generating those phonemes, her muscles cant carry out the commands. On March 29, 2022, a Stanford Medicine neurosurgeon placed two tiny sensors apiece in two separate regions both implicated in speech production along the surface of Bennetts brain. The sensors are components of an intracortical brain-computer interface, or iBCI. Combined with state-of-the-art decoding software, theyre designed to translate the brain activity accompanying attempts at speech into words on a screen. About a month after the surgery, a team of Stanford scientists began twice-weekly research sessions to train the software that was interpreting her speech. After four months, Bennetts attempted utterances were being converted into words on a computer screen at 62 words per minute more than three times as fast as the previous record for BCI-assisted communication. The leaders of the BRICS countries, meeting in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023, adopted the Johannesburg Declaration II, in which they reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter, which defends territorial integrity, non-interference in the affairs of States and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Declaration underlined the importance of reaching a solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue, in accordance with the Resolutions and parameters of the Security Council, aimed at achieving a lasting political solution to this artificial conflict. It undeniably confirms the prevalence of the Moroccan position, which has consistently insisted on the need to respect and support this process conducted exclusively under UN auspices. Disavowed by the BRICS in its abortive attempt to harm the Kingdoms interests, Algeria (and its separatist puppet) finds itself, once again, against an international legality that it constantly seeks to transgress. Algiers gesticulations ended, for the umpteenth time and much to the despair of their instigators, with a clear and unambiguous call for respect, explicitly reiterated by the BRICS, for the political process conducted under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, the international community, whether at the UN, in African countries or around the world, backs the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which perfectly meets all the parameters of pragmatism, realism, compromise and sustainability required by the Security Council. In this respect, the Security Council considers that the resumption of the political process can only take place within the framework of roundtables, with the full participation of Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario, and Mauritania. No interaction between the parties, collectively, can take place without scrupulous respect for this framework established by the Security Council. Attempts to include this issue in the debates were rejected by the BRICS members, none of whom referred to it in their national declarations. These countries, none of which recognizes the puppet entity, have thus clearly rejected the instrumentalization of the BRICS to serve lost causes. This blow sounds like a lesson to those who persist in trying to give international resonance to a viscerally isolated way of thinking. The BRICS stance demonstrates the groups attachment to its relations and strategic partnerships with the Kingdom, despite attempts at foreign interference. Indeed, Morocco has strategic partnerships with 3 of the 5 BRICS countries, and particularly dynamic and strong relations with Brazil, within the framework of a multidimensional relationship, including political, economic, agricultural, and commercial aspects. The Summit also ratified the humiliating rejection of Algerias bid to join the group of high-performing economies. In fact, neither President Tebboune, nor the Prime Minister, nor even the Minister of Foreign Affairs were willing to make the trip and face up this affront, despite their close relations with the Pretoria regime. The choices and strategies adopted by the BRICS are, to say the least, in stark contrast to Algiers much-vaunted aspirations to become a member of a grouping with which, in the final analysis, it seems to have little in common. The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, said this Thursday August 24 in Johannesburg that the country wants to cooperate with the BRICS countries and that it intends to access funds from the multilateral organizations Bank. We welcome the fact that it gives priority to the financing of vital economic and social infrastructures, highlighting the concrete need to build roads and bridges, schools, hospitals, dams and other water retention and management systems, among others, said the Mozambican Head of State, speaking as a guest at the 15th Summit of the organization, which took place in South Africa. Referring to the New Development Bank of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), he stressed that it should reduce the infrastructure deficit on the African continent. These infrastructures are very important in boosting economic progress, which could create well-being for Mozambicans, he added. Filipe Nyusi took part this Thursday in Johannesburg in the BRICS Plus Dialogue and BRICS Outreach initiative, as part of the Summit. By joining these dialogues, Mozambique does so with the conviction that the BRICS can be another prominent way to share interests and efforts through concrete actions, providing mutual benefits in an environment of complementarity and solidarity that characterizes the global South on various issues of structural interest to our states, explained the President. He also acknowledged that the BRICS cooperation initiative with non-BRICS countries such as Mozambique, combined with its expansion, represents added value for the materialization of African initiatives for the continents development. Zimbabwes triple presidential, legislative and local elections continued for a second day on Thursday August 24, particularly in the capital. While the opposition was already crying fraud before announcing the extension of the vote due to numerous malfunctions, some forty Zimbabwean observers were arrested on Wednesday evening, on suspicion of coordinating the alleged publication of election results. The general elections were due to end on Wednesday, but the presidency decided to extend them by a day due to numerous malfunctions and delays in opening polling stations. Two candidates are among the favorites: incumbent president Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, and opponent Nelson Chamisa, a 45-year-old lawyer and pastor. Voting is still continuing in some constituencies, said Rodney Kiwa, Vice-Chairman of the Electoral Commission (ZEC), early on Thursday evening. For the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the opposition party to which Nelson Chamisa belongs, the mess observed during the triple ballot shows that the electoral process is fundamentally flawed, that it is incapable of producing a free and fair result, commented its spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi. The CCC accuses President Emmerson Mnangagwas ruling Zanu-PF party of organizing these malfunctions in order to create confusion to muddy the waters. This argument could be strengthened by the arrest on the evening of Wednesday August 23 of 39 Zimbabwean observers belonging to two civil society organizations specializing in electoral matters. They were arrested in a hotel in the capital Harare, as they began a parallel but unofficial vote count. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Observed Mortality and Baidu Index (BI) in Beijing and Heilongjiang Province. A and B, left panels: Observed monthly mortality rate in 3 universities of China, and BI (monthly mean) in Beijing and Heilongjiang province, January 2016 to January 2023. The dotted vertical line represents the removal of the zero COVID policy in December 2022. The figure displays the BI trends, represented by light blue lines. Dark blue lines represent morality rates in Tsinghua University (THU) (A, left panel) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) (B, left panel), and the light gray line represents mortality rates in Peking University (PKU) (A, left panel). A and B, right panels: Association between weekly death counts and BI (weekly mean), November 2022 to January 2023. Weekly deaths from PKU and HIT were used. Weekly death counts from THU were not obtainable. The orange, brown, and gray squares represent weeks in November 2022, December 2022, and January 2023, respectively. Credit: JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.30877 A pair of public health researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Public Health Sciences Division, in Seattle, Washington, working with two independent colleagues, has found that in the two months after China halted its zero COVID policy at the end of 2022, 1.87 million excess deaths occurred in that country. In their study, reported in JAMA Network Open, the group used obituary data from three Chinese universities along with other data obtained using the Baidu search engine regarding deaths in China likely due to COVID-19. During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, deaths from the disease were remarkably lower in China than in other countries. This was due, it is believed, to officials in China enacting a program called the zero COVID policy that placed tight restrictions: People were ordered to quarantine, and authorities enacted a program of regular testing, closed many workplaces and schools and instituted mandatory mask policies. Such restrictions took a tremendous toll on the Chinese economy, and the government eased restrictions, finally doing away with the zero COVID policy in December 2022. Two months later, the Chinese government reported that approximately 60,000 people had died from the disease up to that point. In this new effort, the research team took another route to assess the Chinese death tally following the lifting of the zero COVID policy. As has been done in the U.S. and other countries by other teams, the researchers ignored figures cited by official government agencies regarding the number of people that died of COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic. Instead, they analyzed excess deaths derived from sources listing the number of people who died over a given period of time and comparing those numbers against the same period of time in other years. The difference, they suggest, is likely due to COVID-19 deaths categorized as something else. In this new effort, the research team obtained data published by three universities in China and also used data found using the Baidu search engine for deaths of people over 30 by any cause in the areas where the three universities were located. They used math techniques to estimate deaths across the whole country for the two months following cessation of the zero COVID policyit came to approximately 1.87 million excess deaths. More information: Hong Xiao et al, Excess All-Cause Mortality in China After Ending the Zero COVID Policy, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.30877 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 2023 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Information and the fetal microchiome. We present a schematic of how (i) lower-than-average and (ii) higher-than-average diversity of mating partners impacts the genomic variability of the fetal microchimeric population. Panel (a) illustrates how the genome composition of the microchiome reflects mothers mating diversity. Panel (b) illustrates plausible cell communication mechanisms transmitting information on future relatedness to siblings. Panel (c) illustrates cellfetus communication mechanisms which condition the extraction of resources. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1142 New research by academics from Royal Holloway and The University of Western Ontario suggests that fetal cells in pregnant mothers, left from previous pregnancies with more than one partner, could raise the risk of health complications such as pre-eclampsia, during pregnancy and autoimmune diseases after pregnancy. The paper is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Through their entire life, mothers harbor fetal cells from each of their pregnancies. These cells are genetically different from the mothers' own cells as they receive half of the genes from mum, but the other half from dad. The persistence of fetal cells in mothers turns them into what scientists call a microchimera. The term microchimera reflects that mothers are formed by a combination of cells from different bodiestheir own and all her childrenin the same manner that the mythological chimera was formed by the combination of the bodies of lion, snake, and goat. Offspring cells in mothersfetal microchiomeshave been linked to autoimmune and reproductive health problems, but it is unclear their role in causing these health complications. The key may be the genetic diversity in offspring cells introduced by the diversity of mating partners and the availability of this information in the mother's own body. Intriguingly, pregnant mothers having different partners in previous pregnancies are ten times more likely to experience pre-eclampsia than pregnant mothers having the same partner, according to a previous study. Professor Francisco Ubeda, from the Department of Biological Studies at Royal Holloway, said, "This evolutionary study is particularly interesting, as we do not know why women, who fall pregnant with different partners over time, have more health complications. "This is consistent with the medical observations that microchimeric cells are more likely to be present in mothers experiencing preeclampsia and that mothers with multiple partners are more likely to experience preeclampsia. "We contend that in this role, genetically diverse microchiomes are more likely to result in health problems and suggest medical interventions to address these problems. For example, changing the composition of the microchiome from more diverse to less diverse either by eliminating cells that are different or supplying cells that are equal." More information: Francisco Ubeda et al, Microchimerism as a source of information on future pregnancies, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1142 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In this July 23, 2020, file photo, Dr. Tien Vo leaves after talking with a family quarantining after they tested positive for the coronavirus, in Calexico, Calif. Vo, who tested tens of thousands of people for COVID-19 in the pandemic's early months in a badly-stricken California desert community has pleaded guilty to misbranding cosmetic drugs, authorities said Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File A "rock star" doctor who tested tens of thousands of people for COVID-19 in the pandemic's early months in a badly-stricken California desert community has pleaded guilty to misbranding cosmetic drugs, authorities said Thursday. Dr. Tien Tan Vo acknowledged in a plea agreement that none of the injectable botlinium toxin, or lip fillers, used by his Imperial Valley clinics from November 2016 to October 2020 were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, federal prosecutors said. Vo, who endeared himself to patients for his boundless energy to contain the virus' spread, admitted purchasing most of the cosmetic drugs from the operator of a "med spa" in Mexicali, Mexico, who smuggled them into the United States without declaring them. Vo said he received $100,767 for services performed with unapproved drugs and devices. As part of his plea agreement, the 47-year-old doctor agreed to return the payments and pay a fine of $201,534. He also agreed to pay restitution to victims. No one answered the phone at Vo's offices Thursday night. Motorists lined up for hours at Vo's clinics in 2020 to get tested for COVID-19 in California's often-forgotten Imperial County. At one point, the farming region along the Mexican border had the state's highest infection rate and its two hospitals were overwhelmed. The county is largely Latino and low income, Alex Cardenas, a former mayor of El Centro, called Vo "a rock star" at the time. The doctor's two clinics did more than 27,000 tests during the pandemic's first five months, with a positive rate between 25% and 30%. Vo, who emigrated from Vietnam as a teenager, often delivered meals and checked on patients at home during the pandemic. "They really need a doctor here," he said in 2020. "They're not very hard to please. They chat with me. They text me every day." Vo is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16 for receipt of misbranded drugs and being an accessory to an accomplice who smuggled the unapproved drugs from Mexico. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison. "All members of our community should be able to trust that their doctor is acting in their best interest," said Andrew Haden, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California. "Through this prosecution, we are protecting patients from unapproved and potentially unsafe drugs and will always seek to thwart those who would exploit patients for financial gain." 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: One 10 ml vial of 1000 mg ketamine. Credit: Psychonaught/Wikipedia Ketamine can be used to manage treatment-resistant depression but researchers warn it should be done so sparingly. In an editorial in this week's New Zealand Medical Journal, Dr. Ben Beaglehole, Associate Professor James Foulds and Professor Roger Mulder, all of the University of Otago, Christchurch, examine the use of ketamine to treat mental illness in New Zealand and how this is evolving. They believe greater access to ketamine to manage treatment-resistant depression is beneficial, but do not support a "large-scale rapid increase" in ketamine use. In New Zealand, ketamine is mainly used in research settings although there is limited use by publicly funded specialty services. Recently, treatment has been offered by private providers. Studies have shown ketamine is associated with large short-term improvements in depression symptoms, but can lead to high rates of relapse when treatment ends. Managing these relapses will be a challenge for clinicians, Dr. Beaglehole says. "Additionally, there are concerns about the abuse potential of ketamine and other adverse factors including bladder issues and possible memory side effects." While most ketamine used recreationally is produced offshore, lessons learned from other medications indicate there may be some misuse and diversion of prescribed ketamine for illicit use. "Patients who undergo this treatment will need to be carefully selected and closely monitored for adverse outcomes. "The potential offered by ketamine is exciting but history suggests tempering our enthusiasm given lessons learned from other exciting treatments in our past." The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists recommends restricting use to treatment-resistant depression (outside of research settings) and ensuring its use only occurs in services where clinicians are familiar with the drug and support structures are in place. Dr. Beaglehole says ketamine is best initiated by specialty services for the primary indication of treatment-resistant depression, although careful attention to equity of access is required. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: For the first time in a decade, the rate at which American adolescents received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has not increased, new data show. Current guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that both girls and boys receive the vaccine at ages 11 or 12, although vaccination can begin as early as age 9. HPV vaccines protect against cervical and other cancers strongly linked to the virus. They are typically delivered in two doses given over a period of six months to a year. A new report says uptake of the vaccine by adolescents had risen steadily since 2013. But an analysis of 2022 data found that "for the first time since 2013, HPV vaccination initiation did not increase among adolescents aged 13 to 17 years," according to a team led by agency researcher Cassandra Pingali. The data comes from an annual federal survey of U.S. households. In 2022, 76% of children aged 13 to 17 were found to have received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, the new report found. Looking specifically at 13-year-olds, 52.7% of those who turned 13 in 2022 had gotten at least one dose of the vaccineno real change from the 52.9% observed in 2020. Much of the stagnation in immunization rates occurred among children covered by Medicaid, the researchers noted. Between 2015 and 2021, rates of vaccination against HPV were higher among kids covered by Medicaid than those covered by private insurance, Pingali's group said. But that changed in 2022. Last year, coverage among Medicaid beneficiaries "declined by 3.3 percentage points compared with coverage in 2021," even as coverage among kids covered by private insurance remained stable. As has long been the case, kids not covered by any form of insurance continued to have the lowest rate of vaccination in 2022just over 39% of uninsured kids who turned 13 in 2022 had gotten vaccinated, the report found. Paying out of pocket can prove expensive for families: According to Merck, which makes the HPV vaccine Gardasil, the shots cost about $268 per dose. Rates of uptake of the HPV vaccine also varied widely by state. For example, while almost 95% of kids in Rhode Island had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine by 13 to 17 years of age, that number fell to 61% for children living in Mississippi, Pingali's group reported. The investigators noted that many of the kids going without vaccines are eligible for free immunization through the federal government's Vaccine for Children (VFC) program, which provides no-cost vaccines to children who lack health insurance or otherwise can't afford the cost. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was clearly a factor: Compared to 2019, "VFC provider orders for HPV vaccines decreased 24% during 2020, 9% during 2021, and 12% during 2022," the study authors noted. All of this highlights "the continued need for outreach among adolescents eligible for VFC," they said. "The VFC program is vital to reach and administer vaccines to eligible adolescents to maintain vaccination coverage in underserved communities," Pingali's team added. Pediatricians and family doctors can do their part as well: "Providers should review adolescent immunization histories to ensure that adolescents are up to date with all recommended vaccines," the CDC team advised. The new report was published Aug. 25 in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a primer for parents about the HPV vaccine. Journal information: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Copyright 2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain In 2021, Arni S.R. Srinivasa Rao, Ph.D., presented a critique on the formula of net population replacement levels at the International Population Conference 2021 in Hyderabad, India. It was one of the first times he had publicly shared his latest research on population replacement commonly calculated through net reproduction rate (NRR). A blog on the same topic written by him also appeared in Population Association of America's "PAA Affairs." Rao, the director at the Laboratory for Theory and Mathematical Modeling in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, has published extensive research around the United Nation's Human Development Index, which is comprised of three measures of a nation: health, knowledge and standard of living. His HDI research also included pre-colonial HDI values for India and other colonial countries. In the years since that presentation, Rao and co-author James R. Carey, professor and entomologist at the University of California, Davis, have worked to refine their proposed formula for population replacement using a new concept called partition theorem approach. Their article, "Stationary status of discrete and continuous age-structured population models" was recently published in the journal Mathematical Biosciences. "The current model of NRR is not a bad formula; it just has never allowed for measurement of the status of population replacement immediately," Rao said. "You have always had to wait years to calculate it properly and see if it was correct. This new formula we developed will allow that to happen in a more timely and accurate fashion." Population replacement level looks at how many women who are of reproductive age (1545 years old) are producing girls during their reproductive lifetime. For example, according to World Population Prospects 2022, the NRR value for Peru was estimated 1.047. Rao argues that does not actually mean the replacement population has occurred for Peru around 2022. Using his proposed population replacement for Peru, Rao has calculated that is still far to attain. "Our research questions the timeliness of the value of NRR in deciding the stationary process of the country. We proved associated theorems on discrete and continuous age distributions and were able to derive measurable functional properties," Rao said. "As the population growth rates for an ever-increasing number of countries trend toward replacement levels and below, new demographic concepts and metrics are needed to better characterize this emerging global demography now, not later." Despite important annual exercises to understand the population replacement levels and stationary status of populations, there are several limitations in their approaches which Rao addresses. He argues that a proper measure needs to be adopted by the UNDP that can compute the annual level of population replacement. Due to the fact that NRR is inherently static, Rao states that more study is needed to properly identify the criteria required for specifying population stationarity than are currently used. He also notes that populations are inherently dynamic due to the ever-changing age structure and trajectories of birth and death rates. It is because of this that conducting repeated comparisons of the age structure through partition theorem-based studies over several decades will shed important, timely light on the dynamic component of stationarity in a country. In his work, Rao was able to show just how intuitive his theorem was through real-world analytics, including Theorem 3, which showed when the sum of the difference between proportions of the lifetable population and the actual population at the age for all such age in a population becomes zero then the sum of the difference between proportions of populations for a set of age values greater than zero will be exactly equal to the negative sum for all those values of age below zero. Rao stated, "This theorem brings an innovative implication of the partition theorem to light. Such implications and interpretations of population stationary were not seen earlier." Rao notes that constructing sets based around populations and representing them as a collected union of various sets based on a specific set of properties makes it easier and presents a more holistic approach in handling population data sets. In his research, Rao was able to provide first-time country-specific analysis for a carefully curated selection of countries based around the newly proposed measures. He does note that traditional survival analysis-based or life table-based approaches are applicable for shorter-time projections, and his proposed formula provides population replacement levels in a given year based on the data available around that year. Earlier, Rao developed the first AI model for the identification of COVID-19 through apps. His recent work involves partition theorem in populations, chicken-walk models, Rao's Partition Theorem in Populations and Rao-Carey Fundamental Theorem in stationary populations, multilevel contours and bundles of complex planes. "Our article not only adds to the recent developments in stationary population models but brings fresh thoughts on the interpretation of stationary populations and more meaningful population analysis involving both stationary and non-stationary populations." More information: Arni S.R. Srinivasa Rao et al, Stationary status of discrete and continuous age-structured population models, Mathematical Biosciences (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2023.109058 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) are short and rare atrial arrhythmias that resemble atrial fibrillation detected by implanted pacemakers, defibrillators, and loop recorders that enable long-term monitoring of heart rhythm. AHRE are found in 1030% of patients with implanted devices. AHRE episodes resemble atrial fibrillation. Therefore, patients with AHRE are often offered treatment with blood thinners (oral anticoagulation) without ECG-documented atrial fibrillation. So far, the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation has never been tested in patients with AHRE. The Non vitamin K antagonist Oral anticoagulants in patients with Atrial High rate episodes trial (NOAH-AFNET 6) compared the anticoagulant edoxaban to placebo in an international investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy outcomes trial. The paper is published in the New England Journal of Medicine. NOAH-AFNET 6 randomized patients with AHRE episodes lasting six minutes or longer detected by implantable devices, and aged 65 years or more with at least one additional stroke risk factor of heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, or age from 75 years. This patient population was outside of the approved indication of edoxaban. Prof. Paulus Kirchhof, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany, principal investigator of NOAHAFNET 6 explained, "Whether anticoagulants can prevent strokes in patients with device-detected AHRE, was not known. Although AHRE resemble atrial fibrillation, NOAHAFNET 6 demonstrates that patients with AHRE are better managed without anticoagulation." Between 2016 and 2022, NOAHAFNET 6 enrolled 2,536 patients in 206 sites across 18 European countries. Patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 fashion to anticoagulation or no anticoagulation. Anticoagulation consisted of edoxaban in the dose approved for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (60 mg once daily, reduced to 30 mg once daily according to approved dose reduction criteria for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation). No anticoagulation consisted of placebo containing no active compound or aspirin 100 mg once daily in patients with an indication for antiplatelet therapy. The analysis included the data of 2,536 patients aged 78 on average; 37% were women. The patients had additional stroke risk factors (median CHA2DS2-VASc score 4.01.3) and a median AHRE duration of 2.8 hours. All patients were followed until the end of the trial. In September 2022 it was decided to terminate the trial after enrollment of all patients due to the observed trend towards futility for efficacy combined with expected safety concerns. The analysis of the full data confirms this: Stroke, systemic embolism, or cardiovascular death occurred in 83 patients in the anticoagulation group and 101 patients in the no anticoagulation group (stroke: 0.9% versus 1.1% per year, systemic embolism: 0.5% versus 1.1% per year, cardiovascular death: 2.0% versus 2.2% per year). This means no significant difference between treatment groups (HR 0.81 [0.6;1.08], p=0.15). A major bleeding event or death occurred in 149 patients in the anticoagulation group (5.9% per year) and in 114 patients in the no anticoagulation group (4.5% per year), thus more often in patients randomized to anticoagulation (HR 1.3 [1.02;1.67], p=0.03). This was mainly driven by a doubled rate of major bleeding (2.1% versus 1.0% per year), a known side effect of all anticoagulants. Prof. Kirchhof commented, "As expected, anticoagulation increased bleeding. The low stroke rate with and without anticoagulation was unexpected. The results of NOAHAFNET 6 clearly suggest to demand ECG documentation of atrial fibrillation prior to initiation of oral anticoagulation. The results also call for randomized trials evaluating anticoagulation in people in whom smartwatches detect arrhythmias that resemble atrial fibrillation." Prof. Andreas Goette, St. Vincenz Hospital, Paderborn, Germany, NOAHAFNET 6 sponsor representative, concluded, "Our results underpin evidence from other trials which indicated that in patients with AHRE anticoagulants may not be as effective in preventing strokes as previously thought. Further research is needed to identify patients with AHRE at high stroke risk and to find the optimal treatment for these persons." More information: Paulus Kirchhof et al, Anticoagulation with Edoxaban in Patients with Atrial High-Rate Episodes, New England Journal of Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2303062 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Provided by Kompetenznetz Vorhofflimmern e.V. (AFNET) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: First-year residents training during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly less likely to screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) versus residents training before the pandemic, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in JAMA Network Open. Michelle K. Ptak, from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined changes in PTSD symptoms among first-year residents training before and during the first pandemic wave (March to June 2020). The analysis included participants in the Intern Health Study (2018 to 2019 [prepandemic; 1,137 participants] and 2019 to 2020 [during pandemic; 820 participants]). The researchers found that among nonresidency factors, only neuroticism was significantly higher among residents training during the pandemic versus prepandemic residents (score mean difference [MD], 0.9). Residents training during the pandemic reported significantly lower weekly duty hours (MD, 3.1 hours), lower mean reports of medical errors (score MD, 0.04), and higher workload satisfaction (score MD, 0.2). During the pandemic, residents were significantly less likely to screen positive for PTSD (7.1 versus 10.7 percent; odds ratio [OR], 0.64; P = 0.01) and workplace trauma exposure (50.9 versus 56.6 percent; OR, 0.80; P = 0.01) compared with prepandemic training residents. "These findings identify work hours, workload, and medical errors as potential targets of intervention to prevent PTSD among residents," write the authors. More information: Michelle K. Ptak et al, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among First-Year Resident Physicians Working Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.30241 Journal information: JAMA Network Open Copyright 2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Yearly mean number of any daytime and out-of-hour contacts with the general practitioner and hospital contacts in the 10 years preceding index for cases and controls, and yearly incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CI. Credit: Human Reproduction (2023). DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead164 Endometriosis is a chronicoften painfulillness that only affects women. New research shows potential for shortening the path to diagnosis and treatment. In the years prior to being diagnosed with endometriosis, women with the chronic illness have more contact than average with their GP, private gynecologist and the hospital service. Researchers analyzed 129,696 Danish women's utilization of the health care sector, with particular focus on the 21,616 women who were diagnosed with endometriosis between 2000 and 2017. "We can see that even 10 years before being diagnosed, women affected by endometriosis utilize the health care system slightly more, and we can see that the interaction increases in the years leading up to their diagnosis of the illness," says Ph.D. student Anna Melgaard from the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University. She is the first author of the study, which has just been published in Human Reproduction. "The study is particularly interesting to women with endometriosis because previous research shows they often experience repeated contact with health care professionals and a feeling of being tossed about the health care system. Our study validates this perception," says Anna Melgaard. The study is also interesting for health care professionals who interact with women of childbearing age and who are being passed around the health care sector, she points out: "This can hopefully help shed light on the fact that women should be referred for further diagnosis sooner." Bypassing a years-long process Endometriosis is an illness associated with long delays in diagnosis. It can take up to ten years from the time a woman first experiences symptoms until she is diagnosed. There are probably several reasons for this, Anna Melgaard explains: "Women can find it difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal symptoms and might therefore not seek medical attention immediately. Doctors may also have insufficient knowledge about endometriosis and can tend to normalize symptoms, which can result in incomplete examinations, inadequate referrals and referrals to the wrong specialist," she says. The researchers hope the study can help shed light on the serious consequences of delayed diagnosisnot only for the women affected, but for the health care sector as well, which could use its resources better. "With this study we can underscore that the delayed diagnosis of endometriosis is not due to the fact that women do not visit the doctor," says Anna Melgaard. The researchers are currently following up on the study at the Department of Public Health. The goal is to help health care professionals identify women with endometriosis-like symptoms in order to reduce the time from symptom onset to diagnosis. "We're now taking a look at the specific reasons why women contact the health care system. The aim is to identify any contact patterns for patients with undiagnosed endometriosis. This would help women get diagnosed and treated fasterand hopefully avoid spending years adrift in the health care system," says Anna Melgaard. More information: Anna Melgaard et al, Utilization of healthcare prior to endometriosis diagnosis: a Danish casecontrol study, Human Reproduction (2023). DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead164 Journal information: Human Reproduction Gunshots were fired at a house in Lolo late Tuesday night, sending one man to the hospital, officials reported. A disturbance reported at the 1100 block of Napton Way in Lolo drew a response from Missoula County deputies late Tuesday night, just before midnight. According to a Missoula Sheriff's news release, the disturbance happened between a man and woman living at the house. The woman left the house after the man allegedly picked up a gun located inside. Highway patrol met the woman and moved her to a safe area. Several shots from inside the house were then heard by first responders at the scene. Shortly later, the man was seen in a common area of the house and was told to surrender himself to authorities, which he did, the news release stated. The man had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the news release. He was treated on-scene by medical staff and was brought to Providence St. Patrick Hospital. The release didn't specify the man's condition as of Thursday afternoon. No other injuries were reported. Missoula Sheriff's detectives and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are actively investigating the case, the news release said. DCI investigates when shots are fired with law enforcement on-scene. Missoula Police, Missoula Rural Fire and Missoula Emergency Services responded, too. Polsons new police chief took the reins last week. After serving as interim chief, George Simpson officially took over as the citys new law enforcement chief on Thursday. Simpson started his tenure with the police department about eight years ago. Hes since served as both a sergeant and a captain, according to a news release sent out by the city of Polson. The City of Polson is excited for the contributions that George Simpson will make to our community in his new role as Police Chief, said Ed Meece, Polson city manager, in the news release. Chief Simpsons leadership will further enhance the departments ability to demonstrate excellent public service to the citizens of Polson. In April, Polsons former police chief Wade Nash retired following a DUI arrest in Polson city limits. Simpson was subsequently appointed as interim chief. Simpson also worked in the Lake County Sheriffs Office and in law enforcement in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from the FBI Executive Command College and FBI Executive Development Supervisor & Command Leadership Institute. Before that, Simpson served nine years in the U.S. Navy. According to the news release, Simpson was up against 20 other applications that came in through a national search. Candidates were evaluated by 14 different people during the hiring process. A Kalispell man will spend two and a half years in federal prison for threatening to kill U.S. Senator Jon Tester, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Kevin P. Smith, 46, was sentenced on Thursday. He pleaded guilty in April to one count of threatening to murder a U.S. Senator, after Tester's staff discovered several threatening voicemails on the senator's phone on Jan. 30. Smith left Tester 60 voicemails at his Kalispell office, according to prosecutors. In one voicemail, according to court documents, Smith said, "There is nothing I want more than to have you stand toe to toe with me. You stand toe to toe with me. I rip your head off. You die. You stand in a situation where it is physical between you and me. You die." A second message allegedly states "I would love to f------- kill you. I would love to see your FBI at my door. I would love to see something in the news." Smith's voicemails spurred the U.S. Capitol Police and FBI to investigate the case. When Smith was arrested, authorities recovered 19 guns at his house, including four shotguns, five rifles, eight pistols, a home-made silencer and 1,186 rounds of ammunition. Prosecutors said public discourse is essential to a free society, but Smith crossed the line repeatedly. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Smith's time in prison will be followed by three years of supervised release. The Missoula Redevelopment Agencys board on Thursday discussed ways to use Tax Increment Financing to actually build workforce housing in Missoula instead of just supporting infrastructure improvements for those projects. The MRAs staff have come up with a broad set of policy recommendations, and the board discussed the document during a presentation. We see this as a big benefit and a tool to meet our broader housing policy goals in the city, said Emily Harris-Shears, the citys housing policy specialist. The move comes in the midst of a persistent affordable housing crisis in Missoula, where housing prices have escalated far beyond wages for years. The agencys goal is to offer incentives to developers who build housing for certain income levels. If the board approves the new recommended guidelines, among other provisions, they would stipulate that developers asking for TIF assistance must either build workforce housing in their project or contribute a portion of the TIF award to the citys Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Some types of projects, including projects for nonprofits or requests for less than $100,000, would be exempt. In Missoulas Urban Renewal Districts, developers are eligible for Tax Increment Financing to help pay for some of the costs of improvements to a blighted area that benefit the public. The TIF is usually paid back through the increased property taxes the site generates after it is redeveloped. The Missoula Redevelopment Agency plans to implement its workforce housing program goals by partnering with developers to acquire, construct, and improve income-qualified workforce housing, explained MRA deputy director Annie Gorski. Since it was formed in 1978, the MRA has dedicated more than $17 million worth of TIF funds to public infrastructure that has supported construction of an estimated 2,469 new housing units that are completed, under construction or planned. About half of those units have a deed or use restriction requiring them to remain affordable. But the TIF has been used for things like sewer and water connections, sidewalks, street lighting, utility work, site demolition, abatement of hazardous materials and other related work. This new provision would allow TIF funds to go directly to the brick-and-mortar of workforce housing. In 2021, the state statute that dictates how Tax Increment Financing can be used was changed to include workforce housing in the definition of infrastructure. And during the last legislative session, the state passed a bill to define the income range of 60%-140% of Area Median Income as the range to qualify for workforce housing. That would mean a family of four in 2023 in Missoula County would be making between $51,840 and $120,960. There is limited public funding in Montana to encourage construction and/or preservation of housing at the lower end of this income range, but none available to build rental housing at the middle and upper end of this range and none to build for-sale housing at the upper end of this range, Gorski said. The new pilot guidelines will be presented at a future to the City Council. The pilot program would last for a year or so, depending on the number of projects that apply for funding. The proposed workforce housing guidelines require that housing constructed with TIF remain affordable for 30 years for rental projects and 75 years for sale projects not in a Community Land Trust, Gorski said. Long-term affordability will be guaranteed through a deed restriction, use restriction, Community Land Trust, or other acceptable mechanism. Board member Tasha Jones said she felt like the period of affordability should be more of a recommendation rather than set in stone so as to avoid a situation where a developer walks away from a project because it doesnt pencil out. Board member Ruth Reineking advocated for keeping the period of affordability for the term of the pilot project. Then, if it appears to be a problem after a year, the board could change it, she said. Board member Karl Englund noted that Missoula desperately needs workforce housing because teachers and nurses in town cant afford rents or home prices. In 2022, 97% of homes sold in Missoula County cost more than a family earning Missoulas Area Median Income could afford. The Area Median Income for a family of four in Missoula in 2023 is $86,400. A family of four must earn between 200% and 240% of Area Median Income in Missoula to afford a median-priced home here. The median sales price of homes sold in Missoula in 2022 was around $530,000, so a family of four would have needed an income of between $172,000 and $206,000 to afford that home without paying more than 30% of their monthly income to the mortgage. Reineking said the new policy will have a great public benefit and she encouraged her fellow board members to play that up when talking about it in public. Board member Melanie Brock said she hopes that builders who are developing commercial projects will be incentivized to include workforce housing. Hopefully well get commercial/retail project (builders) into the mindset of we can put workforce housing on the top of this building, Brock said. Developers or builders who are interested in learning more should contact Gorski at 406-552-6155 or email gorski@ci.missoula.mt.us. A former youth pastor and teacher charged earlier this week with a child sex crime was issued 10 new charges Thursday. Aaron Doyle Mirtsching, 41, of Morganton, was charged with 10 counts of indecent liberties with a child, according to court documents. The charges all involve the same victim, who is said to be under the age of 16, court documents said. Mirtsching was charged Tuesday with three counts of third-degree exploitation of a minor, according to information previously released by the Burke County Sheriffs Office. Those charges came after BCSO received tips from Internet Crimes Against Children. Once information on those charges was released, the sheriffs office said it received an additional report involving Mirtsching that led to the charges issued against him Thursday. Mirtsching previously worked as a kindergarten teacher at New Dimensions Charter School, a position from which he resigned at the end of the 2022-23 school year, according to information from the school. He also had worked as a youth pastor at Thrive Church, but a statement from the church said he was relieved of his duties as soon as church leadership was made aware of the initial charges against him. It is not clear how Mirtsching knew the victim listed in the new charges. He is being held under a $50,000 secured bond at the Burke County Jail, according to information from BCSO. During his first appearance on the indecent liberties charges Friday, Mirtsching said he wanted to hire his own attorney. District Court Judge Scott Conrad advised Mirtsching that each of the new charges against him could carry a sentence of up to 59 months in prison just shy of five years for each charge. A longtime friend of Mirtschings family told reporters after court Friday his friends and family were shocked. Its a shock, he said. Still in disbelief. He said theyre trying to support Mirtschings family, and said he had trusted Mirtsching around his own children for years. Its not something that I can fully fathom him being, even being capable of, the friend said. The News Herald was the only news outlet in court when Mirtsching appeared on the exploitation charges Thursday. When a reporter asked him about the charges, he said he had no comment. Renowned London artist Peregrine Heathcote is bringing elements of the Mining City and Montana alive with vibrant colors in the heart of Uptown Butte. The Hotel Finlen has been a symbol of elegance and tradition for decades, so owners JJ and Shanna Adams commissioned Heathcote to add a new layer of charm to the landmark and to celebrate the rich history and culture of Butte. Heathcotes paintings have been exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the Royal Academy and are collected and displayed all over the world. The BBC recently filmed a documentary on his work. Ive been an admirer of his work for many years and its surreal to have him here painting a mural for our community, said Finlen Owner and General Manager JJ Adams. His work evokes many of the themes we strive for at the Hotel Finlen timelessness, intrigue, quality, glamour and travel. Cavalier Galleries says Heathcotes paintings conjure up a world of intoxicating glamour and intrigue, slipping across the boundaries of time to fuse iconic pre-war design with modern conceptions of beauty and silverscreen-era romance. Heathcote had never been to Butte before Wednesday night, when he and his wife and studio manager, Louise Heathcote, flew in from Salt Lake City following a nine-hour flight from London. Hes painting the mural on a section of the Finlen Motor Inn off of Broadway Street. It will be 12 feet high, 10 feet wide with a script along the bottom taking up just over a foot. Heathcote started work Friday and figures the painting could take three weeks or so to complete. Hes staying at the Finlen, of course. He says hell be painting a figurative scene that is representational as opposed to abstract so when you look at it youll know what it is. It will have elements special to the place, including the Finlen, of course, which turns 100 next year. It will feature the mile-high, mile-deep Mountain Con Headframe and Our Lady of the Rockies in Butte, and Lake McDonald and the mountains of Glacier. In addition, weve got a 95-year celebration from when Charles Lindbergh was here in the Spirit of St. Louis, so thats going to be in the mural, Heathcote said, noting that he specializes in vintage travel. Shanna Adams said JJ stumbled across Heathcotes work several years ago and they have probably been talking to him for maybe a year-and-a-half about coming here. We thought it was a good fit for the brand and everything we were trying to do, she said. The project will cost about $25,000, with about half paid through an artist grant by the Superfund Advisory Redevelopment Trust Authority. The Urban Revitalization Agency might contribute too. It took a while for the vision of the painting to take shape. JJ Adams sent Heathcote some pictures of previous work he liked and since hed never been to Butte, Heathcote walked down Broadway Street virtually on the internet. The initial sketches were composition ideas, Heathcote said. He (Adams) made some suggestions which he thought would be more beneficial, so we worked with those suggestions and came to a point where he was very happy with the idea, the layout, and I was as well. Heathcote said there is a rich cultural heritage about Butte evident in its mining history and architecture and other elements. It was pitch black when he and Louise got here Wednesday night but Heathcote awoke early Thursday morning to a place that really resonates with my creative heart. It was very quiet and there was a street cleaner working away and he was so friendly and polite and nice and it had a sort of emptiness about it. It was just inspiring, he said, taking a deep breath. Theres full color and theres beautiful buildings that seem to have been restored so well. But theyre quite empty, some of them, so theres an element of eternal possibility. Once the mural is finished, he said, it will be treated and weatherproofed to preserve it as long as possible so that everyone can enjoy it as long as possible. The timeline for now is flexible. Im hoping Ill be able to achieve the results in three weeks, Heathcote said. Its an open-ended ticket. Ill be here as long as it takes to create an amazing piece that everyone is happy with. Montanas sprawling countryside is only a skip away, of course, and Louise said they hoped to see some of it. Compared to home, she said, everything is so big here. Peregrine Heathcote was born in London in 1973. He graduated from the Florence Academy of Art in 1995 and currently lives and works in Chelsea, London. You can see more of his work at www.peregrineheathcote.com or on Instagram @peregrineheathcote Murray State to examine development of School of Veterinary Medicine By Shawn Touney | Aug 25, 2023 The Murray State University Board of Regents adopted a resolution of support at its Friday, Aug. 25 meeting to create a task force and begin a feasibility study to examine the statewide shortage of veterinarians and work toward the development of a School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University. MURRAY, Ky. The Murray State University Board of Regents adopted a resolution of support at its Friday, Aug. 25 meeting to create a task force and begin a feasibility study to examine the statewide shortage of veterinarians and work toward the development of a School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University. The state of Kentucky currently does not have a School of Veterinary Medicine, and approximately 70 students from Kentucky are accepted each year to out-of-state veterinary schools. In the United States, there are only 32 veterinary colleges accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 86,300 veterinarians in the United States and this occupation is expected to grow by over 19% by 2031. The BLS also reports a total of 122,800 veterinarian technologists/technicians are working today and the field is expected to grow by 20% by 2031. Murray States Hutson School of Agriculture has the largest estimated pre-veterinary medicine/veterinary technology enrollment of any university in Kentucky, and is just one of three programs in Kentucky that is fully accredited by the AVMA. Murray State students are provided valuable hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for success upon graduation. The Universitys A. Carman Animal Health Technology Center, located on Murray States West Farm in Calloway County, offers state-of-the-art equipment and supplies to prepare students for a career in the field of veterinary medicine. The Breathitt Veterinary Center at Murray State University, under the direction of the Hutson School of Agriculture, is located in Christian County and is a nationally preeminent animal disease diagnostic laboratory dedicated to protecting the invaluable assets of Kentuckys equine, livestock and poultry industries. The center is the only Level 1 Laboratory Status designated by the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory system and one of only 60 laboratories in the United States (one of 23 laboratories with Level 1 status). The center serves as an important teaching and learning facility for Murray State students. I am grateful to our Board of Regents for adopting this resolution of support as we look toward this opportunity of researching and pursuing a School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University, said Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson. Statistics indicate that there are an insufficient number of veterinarians to meet the growing needs both within Kentucky as well as nationally. Further, a significant number of students in the Commonwealth are attending out-of-state universities to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. We have a tremendous obligation to continue to identify needs and create opportunities for our region and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Importantly, we will work with the General Assembly, Governor; Commissioner of Agriculture; Council on Postsecondary Education; Kentuckys federal congressional delegation and state, local and federal agencies, among others as we advance this initiative. I am very excited about this potential opportunity for our students and for our state, said Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture Dean Dr. Brian Parr. This effort represents a great need in the field of animal agriculture. The PreVet/Vet Tech program in the Hutson School of Agriculture has long been a program of excellence that has seen great growth over the last two decades. I believe that this initiative is the next logical step in the development of our school to help meet the needs of the agricultural industry. After waiving his right to a speedy trial, an Iowa City man charged with four counts of attempted murder for a May 3 shots fired incident, has rescinded the waiver and is demanding to be tried within 90 days. According to court documents for Charles Edward Smith Jr., 28, final pretrial conferences are scheduled for Oct. 6 in the Muscatine County Courthouse, with a jury trial scheduled to begin on Oct. 16. In addition to the attempted murder charges, each a Class B felony that can bring up to 25 years in prison, he is also charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class C felony that can bring up to 10 years in prison; trafficking in stolen weapons, a Class C felony; and three counts of child endangerment - non-injury, an aggravated misdemeanor. Smith was arrested after Muscatine police served a warrant in connection with a shots fired call at Cedar Park Apartments. The shots reportedly struck a residence and a vehicle. Police are still attempting to locate a second suspect in the incident. Court records say that at 9:41 p.m. May 3, police were called to 1816 Logan Street to reports of gunfire. A subject reported her residence had been shot at after a disturbance with several subjects. According to video evidence police recovered, Smith, Dejeion Terrell Moore, 20, of Rock Island, Illinois, and another subject exited an apartment building together and fired several shots before returning to their residence. Several of the shots went into a residence. At the time of the shooting, four subjects, including an 11-year-old, were exiting the apartment. A subject in a nearby vehicle reported also having three children in the vehicle. She told police she was there to pick up the other subjects and remove them from the situation. A search warrant was executed on the apartment Smith and Moore had come from and two handguns were located. One of the handguns had been reported stolen from Davenport. Police are still seeking Moore. He is considered armed and dangerous. The public is encouraged to call 911 if they see him and should not try to approach him. Moore faces the same charges. Photos: Logan Shoemaker Sentencing 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-001 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-002 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-003 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-004 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-005 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-006 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-007 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-008 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-009 080918-qct-qca-shoemakersentence-010 Muscatine Power and Water (MPW) is confident the area energy grid will be able to continue providing electricity to the area, even while other providers in Illinois and Wisconsin were facing blackouts. Prolonged use of air conditioning is being blamed for blackouts in the Chicago, and Milwaukee areas that began Wednesday evening and were continuing through Thursday that have left just below 10,000 customers without electricity. The areas impacted are under severe heat warnings with temperatures in the triple digits, just like Muscatine and its surrounding areas. Ryan Streck, director of Muscatine Power and Water utility service delivery, said the utility is not at a point of making public appeals to conserve energy, which would be the first step toward shedding load, or rolling blackouts. This is probably as close as we are going to get to a load shed event this year, Streck said. Im optimistic we wont see an event locally. When an energy grid does not have sufficient resources to meet demand, it can reduce usage to increase supply. This can happen by requesting users conserve energy or by implementing controlled outages to avoid uncontrolled outages. Streck said the temperature Thursday set a new record high for the area. Forecasts predict the temperature will cool off beginning Friday and continue to cool off over the weekend. He commented that the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) grid which provides power over 15 states in the Midwest is predicting energy generation to be pretty close for the demand, although recent reports show slightly more electricity is being produced than is needed. An initial report showed that MISO may not have had enough electricity during a peak time, which is about 2 p.m. Thursday. MISO covers about 45 million customers. The steps we have taken is that we review all our offers and make sure everything we are telling MISO is correct, Streck said. Our generating units can hit their maximums and everything can handle what it is intended to handle. Throughout the United States and Europe, millions of people have been baking under the late-summer heat wave. Many outdoor activities have been cancelled, schools have closed early, and hospitals have reported an uptick in emergency room visits. Several areas are predicting 2023 will be a record hot summer. People are advised to stay hydrated, remain in air conditioning, stay out of the sun and to check on relatives and neighbors. It is also advised that children or pets should not be left in a vehicle for any amount of time. People spending time outside are advised to reschedule strenuous activity to morning hours and to know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. On Thursday morning, Streck said he was working with area industries that use a large amount of electricity. The plan is if load has to be shed, the industries will be given advance notice and be able to shut down on their own to take stress off the electrical grid as a way of minimizing the impact on Muscatine. Americans can get $7,500 off these EVs this yearis it enough to sway consumers? Americans can get $7,500 off these EVs this yearis it enough to sway consumers? Slim selection While most people expect to see vegetables and handmade crafts at the farmers market, one local business has made the Muscatine Farmers Market the place to be to buy a delicious homemade pretzel. In April of this year, Jenny Franklin and her family officially started Twisted Sister Pretzel Co., after several years of making pretzels for fun. Thanks to a #MakeItMuscatine Startup Grant, Franklin was able to cover expenses for licensing, training, equipment and all the materials for her business and the booth at the farmers market. While the business sell pretzels and lemonade (courtesy of the business other half, Little Brother Lemonade), Franklin said the main goal of her booth was to teach her kids entrepreneurship and give them something tangible to work with. The goal is really to teach them responsibility through hard work, providing top notch customer service, and creating something (a product and an atmosphere) and to have fun while doing it all, Franklin said. There are many hats in business that a small business owner has to wear, and I want my children to learn all of those aspects to running a business so that one day, if they say, Hey, I want to open a roller skating rink! or I want to be a welder and work in my own shop they would have the basic skills to run their own operation. Family has always been a big component of her business, she said, right down to the name being based on her four kids her eldest daughter, aka the Twisted Sister, and her three little brothers. It's a mouthful, but memorable and fun! We also have the best team working together to make all of our events and markets happen," Franklin said. "Without the team effort, Twisted Sister wouldn't be as cool! Franklin also emphasized how important it was for her to have awesome customer service and provide her customers a great experience in addition to the appealing treats and refreshing drinks. Each of Twisted Sisters Philly-style soft pretzels are hand rolled and baked fresh, making each one look one-of-a-kind. Franklin and her team also occasionally modify their recipe to fit better with a catering job or special event. For example, for one of the Almost Friday Fests, we made a special chili, lime salted pretzel perfectly paired with a Baja crema sauce, she said. While the recipe seems so simple, there is a lot (of love) and perfect timing that goes into the making of our perfectly imperfect soft pretzels I think what makes our products so appealing is that we are slinging warm, delicious, hot, buttery, salted comfort deliciousness, and having a ton of fun doing it. As for long term goals, Franklin said she hopes to provide pretzels products and lemonade to local and regional pubs and restaurants. She has also considered possibly open a separate safe location for people in domestic abuse situations to be able to have a safe place to come to work and learn new skills. That's very long term, down the road sort of stuff, and I feel like if everything aligns, I will be able to make that happen, she said. So this little mom-and-pop pretzel business can hopefully someday give back to this small community in big ways. That's the plan. In the meantime, Franklin and her team are going to continue enjoying their time at the Muscatine Farmers Market, which she considers to be a truly special place. They welcome and support all new vendors and the other vendors have become some of our biggest cheerleaders," she said. "The market has given us so much flexibility in our scheduling, and we keep the business from having the pressure of having to perform at a certain level to meet higher overhead expenses. Its also given us regular customers and a great relationship with the community. For those wishing to get one of Twisted Sisters pretzels outside of the farmers market, they can send Franklin a message through the Twisted Sister Pretzel Co. Facebook page to begin the order process. Getting dairy from farm to table is a complex process and farmers are adapting to get it there A different way to farm: Using agritourism to bolster dairy operations Getting dairy from farm cow to your fridge is more complex than you think Technology is reinventing dairy production and its helping farmers keep pace State regulators have suspended the license of a hospital nurse suspected of diverting anesthesia or painkillers from surgical patients. The Iowa Board of Nursing has alleged that certified registered nurse anesthetist Benjamin Albert misappropriated patient medications or supplies in 2022 while working as an anesthesia provider at an undisclosed acute-care hospital. Albert was first licensed to practice in Iowa in October 2021. According to the board, the staff at the hospital claimed Albert was tasked with providing anesthesia to surgical patients who subsequently came out of the operating room more awake than was typical. The patients also reported high levels of pain despite records showing they were given larger than normal doses of narcotic pain medication, according to the board. In January 2022, Albert was allegedly seen in a darkened hospital operating room that he was not scheduled to work in. According to the board, the lights were switched off and Albert was observed accessing an electronic medication-dispensing machine. The board alleges that during the undisclosed period when Albert worked for the hospital, he withdrew a total of 550 micrograms, or just under two ounces, of narcotic medications that could not be accounted for. Pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Board of Nursing, Albert has agreed to an indefinite suspension of his license pending the completion of chemical dependency and mental health evaluations and the completion of any treatment that is recommended. If no such recommendation is made, Alberts license will be reinstated subject to three years of probation, which will include a requirement for chemical screening. Albert now lives in Illinois, where his nursing license is in good standing with no public record of any disciplinary action. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable to reach Albert for comment. Other Iowa-licensed nurses recently sanctioned Fnu Sokem Ngale Mbuuh-Kulle of Johnston, who was accused of providing false information to the board in December 2018 and April 2019, which resulted in her being approved to work in Iowa as a licensed practical nurse. She agreed to surrender her Iowa nursing license. Lizette Ngamalue of Johnston, who shares the same address and apartment number as Sokem Ngale Mbuuh-Kulle, was accused of providing false information to the board in 2019, which resulted in her being approved to work in Iowa as a licensed practical nurse. Ngamalue agreed to surrender her Iowa nursing license. Nkeng Ngwemoh of Ottumwa, who is charged with falsification of an application or credentials that were submitted to the board for licensure a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, or advanced registered nurse practitioner. The board first issued Ngwemoh a license in 2017. The disciplinary case has yet to be resolved. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has announced that all students in possession of their admission letters should report to their respective universities with or without school fees. Speaking before the National Education Committee on Thursday, CS Machogu said no student ought to be dismissed from school due to a lack of fees. The First-year students are expected to report to school next week on Monday. All students will be admitted as we are processing the funding for first-year students, Machogu said. We will be giving the universities the funds so that they dont say that we are admitting first-year students without the funds. The Education minister was responding to inquiries from MPs regarding whether students who havent yet received their scholarships or loans and havent settled their fees will be permitted to enter their institutions on Monday. Machogu said students are not required to delay their reporting to school until they have received their scholarships or loans. The CS said that the ministry will send a circular letter to universities, urging them to admit students into their institutions. As of August 23, a total of 75,272 students have submitted applications for scholarships and loans. Only 30 per cent of university applicants have successfully applied for university funding days before the institutions opening date, Machogu disclosed. A United States restaurant chain owned by a Kenyan, is in legal trouble in Washington DC. Swahili Village, a chain of restaurants owned by Kenyan immigrant Kevin Onyona is being sued by DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb for alleged wage theft. The upscale restaurant has been serving Kenyan and East African dishes along D.C.s power-dining M Street NW corridor. It has since expanded to 4 other cities, among them Beltsville, Maryland; Newark, New Jersey; Manhattan, New York etc. Swahili Village has been featured at least 3 times on Alex Chamwadas Daring Abroad. The DC restaurant is popular among Kenyan delegations visiting the US, including top politicians. It was actually opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2020, and nicknamed The Consulate. According to the AG, the restaurant has been involved in a systematic wage theft, most of which happened during the Covid pandemic. Were suing DC restaurant Swahili Village and its executives for systematically stealing wages and tips from servers, hosts, runners, bussers, and bartenders. My office is committed to enforcing the Districts wage and labor laws and standing up for DC workers, he tweeted. NEW: Were suing DC restaurant Swahili Village and its executives for systematically stealing wages and tips from servers, hosts, runners, bussers, and bartenders. My office is committed to enforcing the District's wage and labor laws and standing up for DC workers. AG Brian Schwalb (@DCAttorneyGen) August 23, 2023 The AG argues that owner Kevin Onyona and COO Emad Shoeb allegedly owe their workers hundreds of thousands of dollars in backpay. The lawsuit alleges that Onyona consistently paid many servers $5 per hour, including tips, yet DCs minimum wage stood at $14. As the restaurant got busier, Onyona is accused of: not submitting overtime payments to his employees, failure to distribute tips, failure to offer paid sick leaves, and not maintaining accurate payroll records. Some individual employees are said to be owed over $5,000. Many of them are African immigrants. After receiving a tip, the attorney generals office spoke to more than a dozen Swahili Village employees during a lengthy pre-suit investigation. Onyona, a self-trained chef, arrived in the US in 1999, where he first set up shop in Suburban Maryland. By 2022, the DC restaurant alone had over 60 employees. Swahili Village is a popular hangout spot for African dignitaries and diplomats, hence the nickname The Consulate. You can read the full complaint here. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki provided an update on the ongoing security operation in Northern Kenya, saying the situation in the disturbed areas has improved. During an appearance before the National Administration and Internal Security Committee of the National Assembly, CS Kindiki disclosed that 78 percent of the livestock has been successfully reclaimed, and the government has recovered 200 voluntarily surrendered firearms. Kindiki also announced that phase II of the security operation starts next month. We have delayed forceful disarmament for strategic reasons but we are getting there, CS Kindiki said. We are processing necessary Cabinet papers in readiness for phase two. We will be seeking Cabinet approval to embark on education programmes, agriculture projects, and construction of peace schools, he added. The minister also disclosed that the government has recruited 2,057 police reservists and trained 1,354 officers. The Government will build 10 new markets in Nyandarua County this financial year. President William Ruto said the development will present to small traders a decent place to conduct their businesses. A conducive environment will make entrepreneurs to earn more from their work, he observed. He spoke on Thursday in Shamata Town in Ndaragwa Constituency where he commissioned the tarmacking of Maili Kumi Kariamu, Warukira-Shamata and Mairo Inya Salama roads. He pointed out that the upgrading of more than 400 Kilometres of roads in Nyandarua County will guarantee farmers of a rich environment for their fresh produce. Upgraded infrastructure means better earnings, more jobs and enhanced growth for our country. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Governor Moses Badilisha and MPs led by their host George Gachagua were present. The President added that the 50-Kilometre road network will cut transport costs and minimise post-harvest losses. He said it is the Governments plan to redeem the glory of agriculture, which for a long time has been Kenyas economic bedrock. He announced that more milk coolers will be distributed in the region to guard farmers from losses during market fluctuations. We must turn milk farming into a cool business. We will not allow a litre of the product to go below Sh50. He said the Government has reduced tax on animal feeds so that the cost of production can go down. We also commit to shield our farmers from illegal and unnecessary milk importation. Mr Gachagua said the Government will continue creating and expanding economic opportunities for the youth to thrive. By PCS TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has revealed plans to establish an office in Kenya to oversee and manage the apps operations across the continent. As earlier announced by President William Ruto, Chew held a virtual meeting with the Kenyan Head of State Thursday. It was agreed that the short-form video hosting service would work with Kenya in reviewing and monitoring its content. The move, President William Ruto said, will ensure that content on the platform adheres to agreed guidelines. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew committed to ensuring that content is moderated to fit community standards. This new development means that inappropriate or offensive content will be expunged from the platform. During the meeting, Mr Chew also pledged to hire more Kenyans to work for the platform. This comes just days after a Kenyan presented a petition in Parliament seeking to ban TikTok in Kenya. On Tuesday, August 15, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula confirmed receipt of the petition by the CEO of Bridget Connect Consultancy, Bob Ndolo. The petitioner argued that although TikTok has gained popularity among the youth in the country, the content shared on the platform is unsuitable, promoting violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, vulgar language, and offensive behaviors. Ndolo pointed out that internet in Kenya lacks regulation by the Communications Authority of Kenya, making it challenging to control the content uploaded on TikTok effectively. He cautioned that unless TikTok is banned in Kenya, its addictive qualities could result in a decline in academic performance and increased mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation among Kenyan youth. Lets start with a horror story. Theres a fire in the hills east of St. Helena. Embers are sweeping downhill toward Silverado Trail, which residents are using to flee town. The Pope Street Bridge is a mess and the Trail cant handle all the traffic, so by the time the fire starts igniting the brush on the side of the road, cars are lined up in bumper-to-bumper gridlock. That worst-case scenario is essentially what happened on Front Street in Lahaina, the city on Maui that was wiped out on Aug. 8 by a fire that killed more than 100 people. St. Helena has gotten lucky since the 2020 Glass Fire, but the July 30 fire along Sanitarium Road in Deer Park reminded us that were still vulnerable. We are not, however, unprepared. Thats the encouraging message we got last week from Chris Warner, co-lead on the St. Helena Fire Safe Council. Warner wants us to think positively and appreciate the work weve done, but also stay a little bit scared. We think thats a healthy attitude prepared, scared, but not hysterical or complacent. St. Helena has come a long way since the Glass Fire, when residents of Vineyard Valley Mobile Home Park voluntarily evacuated when they saw flames on the eastern hills on the other side of Silverado. The city hadnt issued a mandatory evacuation for Vineyard Valley, but Warner said the experience underscored that if you ever feel unsafe, you should leave. Vineyard Valley has since undergone several evacuation drills, using Pope Street and the levee. The more drills the better, especially for places like Vineyard Valley, Stonebridge and Hunts Grove. A shaded firebreak has been created west of the Sylvaner subdivision, and there are plans to maintain it annually. Fire mitigation work has taken place on Sanitarium, Deer Park, Spring Mountain, Langtry and White Sulphur Springs roads. Cost-sharing grants of up to $3,500 are available for landowners to create defensible space and clear flammable vegetation. If you participate in the program, youll get a certificate from the St. Helena Fire Department or Napa County Fire Department that might help you get insured. Local fire departments, Cal Fire, the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation, Napa Countys 20 Fire Safe Councils and Community Organizations Active in Disaster seem to be collaborating more seamlessly than ever. The failure of the Measure L wildfire prevention tax in 2022 was disappointing, but it performed well Upvalley and provides a base of support that we can build on for a future ballot measure. Napa County supervisors arent rushing, focusing instead on an overarching structure for Napa County fire suppression and prevention agencies and programs. As residents, many of us have signed up for Alert Napa County (Everbridge), organized our short-notice go-bags, picked up Evacuated tags from the police department, learned about home hardening, and memorized our Zonehaven evacuation zone. (If you havent taken these steps, look for links and tips in the citys Aug. 1 newsletter.) Warner told us hes encouraged to see St. Helenas volunteer spirit being applied to fire prevention. As a community, we have the wealth, determination and economic incentive to make St. Helena a hard target for wildfires. If we keep up the good work, theres no reason that St. Helena should be the next Lahaina. Lets stay ready, stay positive, and stay scared. The Land Trust of Napa County not only owns Walt Ranch, it will own the 2,300-acre property free and clear of debt. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. A $7 million grant awarded Thursday by the state Wildlife Conservation Board will make the difference. The Land Trust earlier this year bought the ranch in the hills between the city of Napa and Lake Berryessa for $24.5 million, with $7 million being in loans. It would be huge for the Land Trust to be able to pay off all the debt and would really have an impact on our ability to do other conservation in Napa County, the Land Trust's chief executive Doug Parker said prior to the meeting. The Wildlife Conservation Board saw the value in turning Walt Ranch into a nature preserve that someday will be open to the public. This land includes oak woodlands and grasslands. The property is a critical addition to the wildlife corridor that extends from the San Francisco Bay area to the Oregon border, an agency report said. A mosaic of natural features results in a high biodiversity ranking. Plants and wildlife include the Jepsons leptosiphon, Napa bluecurls, dwarf calicoflower, western red bat and foothill yellow-legged frog, it said. Plus, the land's elevation and water resources will provide a haven for wildlife and plants escaping sea level rise, according to the wildlife board. Walt Ranch for years was the focus of an intense Napa County land use battle. Craig and Kathryn Hall of HALL Wines won county approval to plant 209 acres of vineyards there. Opponents upset over the pending removal of an estimated 14,000 trees in the watershed challenged the approval in court. Napa County eventually won the court battle. But that wasn't the final word. Earlier this year, the Halls gave the Land Trust a chance to buy the land. They donated $6.5 million of the $24.5 million purchase price. The Wildlife Conservation Board is providing $7 million, the state Coastal Conservancy $7 million, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation $4 million. The Land Trust still wants to build a $4 million fund to pay for Walt Ranch maintenance and expenses. Parker mentioned such costs as trails, erosion control on old ranch roads and fuel reduction work. Also, the Land Trust must do a management plan for Walt Ranch. Parker said the plan will, among other things, determine the best places for the public to access the property. People can go to https://napalandtrust.org/walt-ranch-forever-protected to learn about the Land Trust fundraising effort for Walt Ranch. PHOTOS: Napa Pedal Crusher Pedal Crusher 1 Pedal Crusher 2 Pedal Crusher 3 Pedal Crusher 4 Pedal Crusher 5 Pedal Crusher 6 Pedal Crusher 7 Pedal Crusher 8 Pedal Crusher 9 Pedal Crusher 10 Pedal Crusher 11 Pedal Crusher 12 Pedal Crusher 13 Pedal Crusher 14 Pedal Crusher 15 Pedal Crusher 16 Pedal Crusher 17 Pedal Crusher 18 Pedal Crusher 19 Russias Makhachkala airport closed until November 6 France releases city electric cars that can be driven without driver's license Thugs attack bus carrying women, children in Russias Makhachkala Slovenia donates 120,000, through Red Cross, to forcibly displaced people from Karabakh Overall 3342 children died in Gaza since start of war Israel bombs areas near Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza Palestinian Red Crescent: Israel demands evacuation of Gaza hospital UN peacekeeper wounded in Lebanese shelling Israel Armenians newspaper: Situation in Israel still difficult Iran President: Zionists were defeated, forced to retreat Death toll of Palestinians in Gaza exceeds 8000 Azerbaijani Defense Minister also visits China Israeli airstrikes on two houses in Gaza kill 13 civilians Israeli army names main priority UN Secretary General criticizes Israel again Building of Jewish cultural center is set on fire in Russia UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting Russian MoD: Crimea was attacked by 36 Ukrainian drones at night Armenian Defence Minister leaves for China Forcibly displaced teachers from Artsakh can continue work in Armenia Death toll of mine accident in Kazakhstan reaches 42 Israeli PM deletes controversial post from social media, apologizes Israeli opposition leader, National Security Minister criticize PM At least 331 Israeli soldiers killed since start of war with Hamas Baku arrests Iranian spies who wanted to create Kerime state in Azerbaijan Lemkin Institute calls on UN to prepare proper mission to Artsakh Moscow, Ankara effectively coordinate efforts to tackle important regional issues Israeli army boosts contingent in Gaza, enters deeper into enclave Aide to Aliyev, Iran Ambassador discuss Azerbaijani-Armenian relations US Eisenhower aircraft carrier enters Mediterranean Sea Road accident in Armenia leaves 2 dead Iranian President: Israel has crossed the red lines Artsakh President: Russian side was in observers position Armenia Security Council Secretary meets assistants to US Secretary of State, France President Armenia PM sends condolences to Kazakh President over mine accident Death toll of mine accident in Kazakhstan reaches 33 Russian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministries confirm the need for normalization between Baku and Yerevan Hamas ready to release eight hostages at Russia's request RA Economy Ministry, JP Morgan discuss international market accessibility Hamas says there is no progress in hostage negotiations Germany ready to send over 1 thousand military personnel to Middle East Fatal car accident occurs in Yerevan Tunis President says Palestinians have right to stand firm against Israel Armenia Economy Minister, British Chamber of Commerce reps discuss coop Israel promises to allow trucks carrying aid into Gaza Erdogan: Israel should end madness and stop attacks on Gaza If Gaza is destroyed, it will create catastrophe for decades, if not centuries Palestinian Red Cross loses contact with all workers in Gaza IDF expands area of ground operations in Gaza north Moldovan President explains increasing of defense spending US, Israeli defense ministers discuss military operations in Gaza Chinese FM calls Taiwan independence biggest challenge for Sino-US relations US may not have enough funds to help Ukraine, Israel at once IDF expands ground operations in Gaza Strip US calls its strikes on targets in Syria message for Iran Iran warns of potential new fronts against US Armenia says yes to UN resolution on Gaza truce UN General Assembly adopts resolution on Israel-Hamas truce UAVs, missiles attack US base in Syria Israeli army says its actions are not ground invasion Jordanian FM on Gaza ground war: Catastrophe for years to come The Washington Post: US calls on Israel to rethink Gaza ground invasion Georgia legislature head: There are positive developments for signing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement CoE congress adopts declaration on humanitarian situation in Karabakh, neighbouring cities and regions Lindsey Snell: Armenians who stayed in Karabakh aren't allowed to speak to their loved ones without being monitored Charles Michel: EU leaders announced they intend to continue mediation on Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement Armenia parliament speaker: Very possible that there will be some positive change soon in relations with Turkey Eurasian Development Bank issued bonds on Armenia stock exchange for first time Pashinyan to Szijjarto: Armenia-Hungary dialogue continuity is important Hungary FM does not answer question about vetoing EU statement on Azerbaijan military aggression against Karabakh Armenia official: I dont share assessment that we are further aggravating relations with Russia Armenia deputy FM on Lavrov statement: Those maps were provided to parties by various mediators Hungary FM speaks positively about Armenia's possible joining Black Sea electric cable project Peter Szijjarto: Hungary is ready to contribute to protection of Christian heritage in Karabakh Melanie Joly: EU monitoring mission in Armenia ensures vital stability in South Caucasus. FM: Armenia's participation in Black Sea power cable project is under consideration Canada FM: I was moved by strength, courage of Armenian women who fled Karabakh (PHOTOS) Armenia FM, US official discuss regional security issues Caucasian leopard spotted in Armenias Zangezur Biosphere Complex Imedi TV: Armenia, Azerbaijan PMs meet in Georgia Sanctions are only way to stop Azerbaijan aggression against Armenia, European Parliament member says Armenia, Hungary FMs tete-a-tete kicks off in Yerevan US State Dept.: Reaching of peace agreement not only in interests of Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also of broader world Mijatovic: Azerbaijan must guarantee Armenians human rights, including to return to their homes in safety Newspaper: There is deep disagreement in Armenia ruling party with PM's anti-Russian policies Armenia ready to buy natural gas from Azerbaijan after resolving their political differences, deputy minister says Kia updates K5 sedan India considering possibility of delivering Armenia new batch of military equipment, media report CoE Congress of Local and Regional Authorities condemns Azerbaijan over Karabakh, adopts declaration Minister: Armenia's economy has doubled over past 3 years (PHOTOS) Armenia official on EAEU energy market: Not all arrangements are carried out in full Deputy PM: Armenia's trade with other CIS countries increased by 55% Zakharova: EU monitoring mission in Armenia is gathering intelligence against Russia, Iran Armen Grigoryan, Joshua Huck discuss security situation around Armenia Russia MFA spox: Moscow ready to host Azerbaijan, Armenia FMs Zakharova: Charge d'Affaires of Armenia was summoned to Russia MFA Armenia former ambassador to US: Yerevan should increase Washington's attention on South Caucasus Canada FM, ambassador visit EU civil monitoring mission in Armenia Brussels to call on Armenia, Azerbaijan to complete normalization process by years end Minister briefs Belgium envoy on Armenia high-tech infrastructure (PHOTOS) Specialists at the Scientific Center for Translational Medicine at Sirius University in Russia conducted research on the mRNA vaccine against tuberculosis, which they developed this spring. The results showed that the new medicine is the most effective among those existing in the world today, Gazete.Ru was told at this university. "Currently, the only approved vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis is BCG. Its main drawback is that it does not provide full protection against pulmonary tuberculosis in adults. Scientists around the world continue to search for new vaccines against tuberculosis, primarily for adolescents and adults. Within the scope of a grant, our scientific team has set itself the task of developing an effective alternative to the BCG vaccine," said Roman Ivanov, Director of the Scientific Center for Translational Medicine at Sirius University. Experiments have shown that when rodents are injected with an mRNA vaccine, a more pronounced T-cell response is formed; and it is this that plays a key role in the destruction of the pathogen. According to the Sirius University scientists, such a vaccine will be effective even if new strains of the pathogen appear. Zhoghovurd daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: According to the last year's publications of the Statistical Committee, the distribution of asylum seekers in the Republic of Armenia by gender, age group, and country of citizenship in January-June 2023 is as follows: The citizens of Iraq seek asylum from Armenia the most; this year their number was 131 people. In second place are the citizens of Ukraine: 115 people in the past 6 months. In third place are the citizens of Iran: 40 people. To our surprise, Russia is the 6th in this series; only 18 people from the RF [(Russian Federation)] citizens have applied for getting asylum [in Armenia] in the past 6 months. In a way, this is not surprising, as for the Russians, Armenia is now a conduit for receiving financial resources from abroad. Many of them become citizens [of Armenia], but either stay here or go to another country with an Armenian passport, as we Armenians can visit many countries without the need for an entry visa. Citizens of Nigeria, Israel, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Turkey, and [some] other countries seek asylum from Armenia. Among the 117 safest countries in the world, Armenia is 25th; maybe this fact also forces people to ask for asylum [in Armenia] or become RA citizens. The 23-year-old man who was injured in the tragic accident on the Yerevan-Gyumri motorway has died in hospital, informs the Ministry of Health of Armenia. "Sadly, the doctors could not manage to save the life of the person who was injured in the accident, in critical condition. "1 of the victims of the accident in Shirak Province continues to be treated in the intensive care unit, is in stable condition, improvement is observed. "3 [other] victims receiving treatment in various departments of the medical centers are in stable or moderate condition," the health ministry noted. The aforesaid young man who died was Eduard Koloyan, 23, and he was the fiance of Amalya Mnatsakanyan, 24, who had died in the same tragic accident. Earlier we reported that a tragic road accident took place on the Gyumri-Yerevan motorway, near Lanjik village of Armenias Shirak Province, at around 12:27am on August 14. It was found out that a passenger minibus and a truck collided on the aforesaid motorway. Eleven people were killed as a result. Six others had sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The truck driver is also among the injured. The minibus passengers of this tragic accident were returning from a trip to eastern Anatolia. According to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, the accident took place in the Yerevan direction of the aforesaid motorway. The minibus was traveling towards Yerevan, whereas the trucktowards Gyumri. Criminal proceedings have been launched under the Armenian Criminal Code article on violating the requirements aimed at ensuring road traffic safety or the rules ensuring the safety of road traffic or vehicle operation. There is a certain concern among Armenias businessmen engaged in exporting to Russia regarding the exchange rate of the Russian ruble. This was stated by the Russian Minister of Economic Development, Maksim Reshetnikov, after a working breakfast with representatives of Armenian and Russian business circles, which took place in Yerevan. Speaking at the subsequent joint press conference with the Minister of Economy of Armenia, Vahan Kerobyan, the Russian official noted that the contacts between Armenia and Russia are growing. "Trade is growing, mutual investments are growing, mutual interest is growing. Business understands better than anyone the window of opportunity that has opened, especially considering the long-standing and deep ties of Russian and Armenian business. We tried to talk about the macroeconomic situation, give forecasts and assessments. "Transport, customs, new canals, and other traditional matters were also discussed. We have agreed that we will keep all matters under control, give comprehensive answers to the business, and if necessary, we will correct some things," Reshetnikov said. For his part, Vahan Kerobyan noted that matters related to investments, new projects, and logistics were discussed, too. "We have defined a considerable amount of work, and we will get a good result while completing all these tasks," said the economy minister of Armenia. The driver of the truck involved in the tragic accident on the Gyumri-Yerevan motorway was arrested at night, the Prosecutor's Office informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Earlier we reported that a tragic road accident took place on the Gyumri-Yerevan motorway, near Lanjik village of Armenias Shirak Province, at around 12:27am on August 14. It was found out that a passenger minibus and a truck collided on the aforesaid motorway. Eleven people were killed as a result. Six others had sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The truck driver was also among the injured. The minibus passengers of this tragic accident were returning from a trip to eastern Anatolia. According to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, the accident took place in the Yerevan direction of the aforesaid motorway. The minibus was traveling towards Yerevan, whereas the trucktowards Gyumri. Criminal proceedings have been launched under the Armenian Criminal Code article on violating the requirements aimed at ensuring road traffic safety or the rules ensuring the safety of road traffic or vehicle operation. A public prosecution had been launched against the driver of the truck involved. We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, and we are against any change of borders. Iran's ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, stated this in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am. Below is the text of this interview. Mr. Ambassador, during the ongoing economic exhibition in Yerevan, you noted that Iran supports the territorial integrity of Armenia and will take steps in that regard. What steps did you mean? We [i.e. Iran] have already started to take those steps. We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, and we are against any change of borders. We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia as we recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We are not against the opening of communication channels, we provided such channels to Azerbaijan as well. But all channels of communication should be under the control of the countries in whose territory they are located, especially in the case of Armenia. But if Azerbaijan tries to open the so-called Zangezur corridor by force, what will Iran do? What help can it provide to Armenia? As I said, we support the opening of communication channels, but they should be under the control of the Armenian government. Nothing will change by force. Will Iran take steps to prevent such a development? When I say Iran will support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, everything becomes clear from that. 20:50 Weeks after its procession came under attack and was stopped in Haryana's Nuh, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday said a "shobha yatra" would be taken out in the area on August 28 and asserted there was no need to obtain permission from the administration for such religious events. The organisation, however, said it would inform the administration about the procession and was open to discussion on its form and size as "we do not want to cast a shadow on a G20 event", scheduled in Nuh in the first week of September. The Haryana government on Saturday ordered the suspension of mobile Internet and bulk SMS services in Nuh district till August 28 in view of the call for the procession. Six people, including two home guards and a cleric, were killed in the communal clashes that erupted in Nuh and its adjoining areas when the VHP procession was attacked by a mob on July 31. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said the yatra would be taken out by the Sarva Hindu Samaj of Mewat, not the VHP. "Sarva Hindu Samaj has decided to take out and complete the yatra.... We also do not want to cast a shadow on G20 event in any way. We are ready to discuss with the administration about the size and form of the yatra to be taken out on August 28, he said. He also appealed to people of other areas of Haryana to take out similar yatras in their respective localities and not join the one in Mewat. "We have given a call to people to ensure that no one from outside Mewat come and join the yatra there on August 28," he said. VHP working president Alok Kumar will join the yatra along with others from the organisation, he said. Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, who is the president of Sant Samiti, and other "revered" sants and seers will lead the yatra, he added. "A decision has been taken that Sarva Hindu Samaj of Mewat will take out Jalabhishek Yatra on August 28 as scheduled. There is no need to obtain a prior permission of administration for taking out such a religious yatra, Jain told reporters. "Does anybody take permission for Kanwar Yatra or Muharram procession....administration is only informed about such events. Accordingly, the administration will just be informed about the Jalabhishek Yatra, her added. Xi, Modi hold rare sitdown for border talks Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi met while attending the Brics summit in South Africa. File photo: AP President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held "candid and in-depth" talks to ease tensions along their shared border, Beijing said on Friday, after a rare face-to-face encounter between the two leaders. Relations between the world's two most populous countries have been in deep freeze since a deadly Himalayan border clash that killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops in 2020. Tens of thousands of soldiers have since been massed along both sides of the border. They remain despite about 20 rounds of talks between top military officials of both countries. The leaders met on Thursday while attending the Brics summit in South Africa in what the Foreign Ministry characterised as a "candid and in-depth exchange of views". "President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples," a ministry spokesman said on Friday. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace." India's foreign secretary said Modi had highlighted unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that divides India's Himalayan region of Ladakh from Chinese territory, where the deadly 2020 clash took place. "Modi underlined that... observing and respecting the LAC are essential for normalising India-China relationship," Vinay Kwatra told reporters Thursday. (AFP) It was a proud moment for Esha Deol as her first film as a producer Ek Duaa got a special mention at the 69th National Award in the category of Non-Feature Films. Esha took to Instagram and shared the stills from the film along with a gratitude note. https://www.instagram.com/p/CwVIGzXttq2/? The note read, Over the moon as my film EK DUAA has won at the 69th NATIONAL AWARDS. As a producer & actor in this film to get this recognition in the non feature special mention award means the world to me. The subject of our film is about female foeticide,save the girl child & for this to get recognition at the National awards is so overwhelming. She added, I want to thank everyone & specially my fans for their love support prayers & duaas .Congratulations to the entire team of Ek Duaa & specially my director Ramkamal Mukerjee for making this film together with me. Much love & gratitude. Ek Dua tells a powerful story about female foeticide. Through its compelling storytelling, the film effectively raises awareness about the consequences of this social problem. The winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced on Thursday. Alia Bhatt (Gangubai Kathiawadi) and Kriti Sanon (Mimi) bagged the Best Actress award while Allu Arjun won the Best Actor (Male) award for his performance in Pushpa (The Rise Part I). Meanwhile, Esha made her acting comeback last year, with the thriller series 'Rudra: The Edge of Darkness' alongside actor Ajay Devgn which premiered exclusively on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar. She will also be seen in an upcoming series 'Invisible Woman' alongside veteran actor Suniel Shetty, which is backed by the film arm of Saregama India -- Yoodlee Films. Rajesh M Selva of 'Thoongaa Vanam' and 'Kadaram Kondan' fame is helming the project. (ANI) After meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh left his residence. Manipur CM along with a few of his cabinet colleagues came to the national capital on Thursday. Earlier today, Biren Singh highlighted the guidance provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in restoring peace in the state and said that after listening to them there is peace in the state. "We take his advice all the time. After listening to PM Modi's and Amit Shah's statements in the Parliament there is peace in Manipur. This is routine work for the rehabilitation and settlement of displaced people. We are here to take the advice of the Home Minister," Biren Singh said while talking to the reporters. Reacting over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statement on Manipur violence, the Chief Minister said that if he is in Ladakh, he should speak of Ladakh. "How did Rahul Gandhi think of Manipur while being in Ladakh? Speak of Ladakh, if you are going to Ladakh. What is happening in Manipur today was all created by Congress. Politics should not be done over human lives," he said. PM Modi, in his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort on Tuesday, appealed for peace in strife-torn Manipur saying that people across the country stand with the people of the Northeast state. "The whole country stands with the people of Manipur. Peace is the only way to resolve all disputes. The Centre and the Manipur government are making every effort to ensure that peace returns to the state at the earliest," PM Modi said.' Manipur had been on the boil for the last four months since May 3 after ethnic clashes broke out between two tribal communities Meitis and Kukis when the Manipur High Court asked the state government to consider adding one of the communities to the list of Scheduled Tribes. (ANI) According to the police the watchman's body was found hanging at around 7:30 am on Thursday. "A person who worked as a watchman at Jevargi Congress MLA Ajay Singh's residence in Kalaburgi was found dead in the premises of MLA's residence. His body was found hanging at around 7:30 a.m. Further investigating is underway," Kalaburagi City CP, Chethan R said. (ANI) Uttarakhand cabinet on Thursday approved Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Rule 2023 under which compensation for the victims of wild animal attacks will be fast-tracked, said authorities. Under this rule, those who suffer a minor injury from an animal attack will get Rs 15,000 and for a serious injury, the compensation will be Rs 1 lakh. And those who die in an animal attack, their next of kin will get Rs 6 lakh, said authorities. The cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also decided to provide a 50% discount on state transport buses for all the students who travel for writing competitive examinations. (ANI) According to a press release issued by JN Pankaj Inspector General of STF, Bhubaneswar, the accused Kanhu Charan Pradhan was earlier booked in at least six cheating cases. "Kanhu Charan Pradhan and his associates cheated innocent people by impersonating themselves as high-level government officials. They Have prepared fake ID cards and impersonated themselves as senior officers of various departments of Govt of Odisha and Govt of India," said the press release. (ANI) Questioned by reporters on being blamed for the incident CV Ananda Bose cryptically said "ISRO will help us with advanced technology in containing ragging in the campus." Earlier on Tuesday, uproarious scenes unfolded in the West Bengal Assembly after state Education Minister Bratya Basu laid the blame for the student death at Jadavpur University (JU) on Governor CV Ananda Bose. The minister also linked the case with the ongoing tussle between the Raj Bhavan and the Trinamool Congress government over the appointment of vice-chancellors of state universities. Responding to the allegations, the Governor said, "Im a responsible Governor. I will be very glad if someone acknowledges it. Meanwhile, Governor Bose also congratulated the ISRO scientists for their massive success after the Chandrayaan-3 landed on the moon's south pole. A first-year undergraduate student, Swarnodip Kundu, died after falling from the second-floor balcony of the varsitys main hostel on August 9. His family alleged that he was a victim of ragging, evoking condemnation and outrage across the state. As many as 12 people have been arrested in connection with the JU student death to date. Earlier, a four-member fact-finding committee was formed by the state government in light of the student's death. The committee was asked to submit its report within two weeks. (ANI) Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally in Kargil during his last leg of the Ladakh visit mounted an attack on the BJP alleging that it wants to take away the land of Ladakhi people and give it to the Adani Group. Gandhi further alleged that because of the same reason they don't give proper representation to Ladakhi people as after that they will not be able to take the lands of locals. "BJP people know that if you were given representation then they will not be able to take away your land, this is all about land, they (BJP) want to take away your land and give it to Adani so that he can set up his plant, but dont share the benefits with you. But we will never let this happen" he said. The former Congress president once gaint claimed that China was grabbing Indian territory in Ladakh "Ladakh is a strategic location and one thing is very clear that China has taken away India's land. It is sad that the PM in the opposition meeting said that not even an inch of Ladakh has been taken by China. But this is a lie." Taking about his plans to visit Ladakh during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and how because of inclement weather and administrative reasons he was not able to come Gandhi said, "A few months ago, we walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, it was called 'Bharat Jodo Yatra. The aim was to stand against hatred & violence spread by BJP-RSS in the country...The message that came out of the Yatra was-'nafrat ke bazaar mein hum mohabbat ki dukaan kholne nikle hain'. In the last few days, I got to see this myself. At the time of the Yatra, I could not visit Ladakh due to snow in winter. It was in my heart to conduct the yatra in Ladakh and I took it forward this time on a motorbike." Further sharing his experience of interaction with locals and migrants from Bihar and Uttra Pradesh Rahul said, "When I interacted with the labourers who came here from Bihar and UP and asked them about how they feel here, they said that they get full support and cooperation from Ladakhi people and they help them whenever required. So this is in your DNA and you have the same ideology which is of Congress party." Earlier Gandhi interacted with a group of people on his way from Padum to Kargil on Thursday evening on the last leg of his week-long tour of Ladakh. He also shared pictures of his interaction with people on his Facebook page. "Got a chance to interact with many lovely people of Ladakh, on my way from Padum to Kargil shared Mohabbat with them, and received tons of it in return. Also, met the youth of Kargil and had a conversation with them." "The legends of courage and martyrdom from the Kargil war invoke a great sense of pride and inspire us to make sacrifices for the country," Rahul Gandhi said in a social media post. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Leh to begin his two-day visit to the Union Territory on August 17 and later decided to extend his tour till August 25. Earlier Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday interacted with Army veterans in the main market here. During his visit, he also paid tribute to his father and former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, on his 79th birth anniversary from the banks of Pangong Lake in Ladakh on August 20. (ANI) The FIR was registered on a complaint filed by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha worker named Sonu Tirkey alleging that Marandi used defamatory remarks against Hemant Soren and his father Shibu Soren, chief of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in a speech published on a Facebook page on August 16. Tirkey alleged that Marandi had used derogatory remarks against Soren's family for his political benefits and that has hurt Soren's as well as the tribals' sentiments. The FIR was registered under Sections 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), and 504(2) (intentional insult) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said. Marandi, in his speeches made during the yatra, which he commenced on August 17 from the CMs constituency of Barhait, attacked the father-son duo and the JMM-Congress-RJD government in the state, alleging it promoted nothing but loot and corruption. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last month appointed former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi as president of its Jharkhand unit. (ANI) Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Friday said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav is being troubled unnecessarily using investigating agencies by people holding power at the centre. Nitish Kumars comment came after CBI moved the Supreme Court against Lalu Prasad Yadav's bail, almost one and half years after the Jharkhand High Court granted him relief in connection to the multi-crore fodder scam (Dumka, Chaibasa, Doranda, Deogarh treasuries). "He is being troubled unnecessarily...Those at the Centre have been troubling everyone no one is being spared." Speaking about the caste-based census in the state Kumar said, "When the Bihar census is published everyone will analyse it. Many states also want to do the same." Earlier, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav also questioned the CBI for challenging the grant of bail to RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav saying that such efforts will "continue till elections". "This effort will continue till elections. The greatest fear they have is from Bihar. So they are investigating," Tejaswi Yadav said while speaking to reporters on the CBI's latest move. The RJD leader said that they are not deterred by the CBI's actions and will present their side to the court. "We will present our side to the court. Nothing will happen from this no matter how much they harass us. We are clear from our side what we will do," the Deputy Chief Minister said. Speaking on the alleged efforts of the central government to harass opposition leaders through central investigating agencies, Tejaswi Yadav said, "No one fears them nor will anyone bow to them. We will fight and we will win." (ANI) Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawas son, Udhayveer Singh Randhawa has been booked for allegedly assaulting a law student in Chandigarh, the police said. According to a First Information Report (FIR) by the police, the law student identified as Narveer Gill lodged a complaint against the minister's son for an alleged assault, after which the police booked him for assault on Thursday. The law student Narveer Gill, was also booked after Randhawas son lodged a counter-complaint against him. "I Udhayveer Singh Randhawa, son of Sukhjinder Singh was at a restaurant in Sector-17 Chandigarh when Narveer Gill attacked me and took off my turban. I caught hold of his hair in the restaurant but he ran away to the Sector 17 Plaza. When I caught him and brought him to the police station Sec-17, he purposely hit me on my neck and took off my turban, which can be seen from the camera recording of the restaurant. This is the third attempt by him on me and I have made a complaint to the Punjab Police to kindly resolve my complaint," stated the FIR filed Udhayveer Singh Randhawa's complaint. The police said cross-FIRs were registered against Udhayveer Singh Randhawa and Narveer Gill on the basis of their respective complaints and an investigation is underway. (ANI) Photo: Parliament of Canada South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings. This summer has been the worst wildfire season in Canada, and it reached that landmark not in August, or even July, but on June 25. The British Columbia situation is similar. By June 18, the Donnie Creek fire officially became the largest fire in provincial history. Fires all over the southern Interior followedin Osoyoos, Kamloops, Adams Lake, West Kelowna, Keremeos, Twin Lakes, the Fraser Canyon and more. The human and environmental toll has been enormous. More than 1,800 fires have burned more than 1.6 million hectares of forest, many homes have been lost, thousands have been forced to leave their homes and five people have lost their lives, including four firefighters killed in the line of duty. I attended a memorial service in Penticton for Zak Muise, a young firefighter who died while working on the Donnie Creek fire. It was a moving experience to see firefighters from all over the provinceand several (crews and) trucks from the United Statesgather to pay their respects. I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of all the firefighting crews, on land and in the air, working in very difficult conditions, extremely hot weather and steep terrain, doing their best to keep us all safe. I toured the Osoyoos neighbourhoods with Osoyoos fire personnel and Harjit Sajjan, the new federal emergency preparedness minister, to see how close the Eagle Bluff fire came to homes in one large neighbourhood. Many homes were within a couple of metres of blackened brush, and it was remarkable that every home in a large neighbourhood was saved from a fast-moving fire. This fire season has overwhelmed crews, emergency planners and governments from coast to coast in Canada. While its tempting to think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime year of catastrophic fires, the experts tell us this hot year may well be one of the coolest in the coming decades. We must adapt to this and change how we fight fires, how we prepare for them and how we repair communities that have been impacted. One idea Ive been trying to promote is that of a national wildfire fighting force. Fighting forest fires is a provincial responsibility, its clear that most provinces get quickly overwhelmed when periods of dry, hot weather produce ideal conditions for combustion and any point of ignition quickly grows into an unmanageable conflagration. A well-trained national force could be deployed into regions where large fires are likely, and be in place so they can rapidly attack any fire that pops up, putting it out before it gets out of hand. This force could work all year-round, thinning forests around communities at the interface with forests, reducing the chance of catastrophic fires in coming years. Even in a well-prepared province like B.C., with a large, well-trained force in the BC Wildfire Service, we have to bring in crews from all over the world in summers like 2023. A national force of 400 to 500 members would be able to respond more quickly and efficiently. We could also increase our inventory of specialized water bombers. Canada still makes water bombersthe DHC-515 is the latest in a line of successful models. Unfortunately, the long list of orders for it all come from overseas. Building a squadron of these planes for use here in Canada would not just help our fire-fighting capabilities but also boost our aerospace industry. It is heartening to see how our communities are stepping up to help one another. Many people have contacted my offices asking how they can help evacuees and other people affected by fires in our area. One route is through the United Ways B.C. Wildfire Recovery Fund, where you can donate and find information on volunteer opportunities. Canadian Red Cross has also set up a British Columbia Fires Appeal to help those in need. Those wanting to help can also contact local food banks, as well as Salvation Army and B.C. SPCA offices. CanadaHelps.org has compiled a list of organizations that are verified safe places to donate. Of course, one of the easiest ways to help is to be extremely careful in the woods. About one-quarter of the wildfires in B.C. this summer were caused by people, whether through campfires, cigarettes, or just sparking brakes. One careless move could destroy forests, homes and livelihoods. Please follow directions and stay informed with information from your local government authority and First Nation. Lets all stay safe and continue to help one another. Richard Cannings is the NDP MP for South Okanagan-West Kootenay. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. During his his Ladakh visit the former Congress President Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue of alleged Chinese intrusion and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lying about the issue. BJP MP Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi on Friday slammed Rahul Gandhi and asked whether he is paying back to the grant received by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Earlier in the day Congress MP Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in Kargil said, "Ladakh is a strategic location and one thing is very clear that China has taken away India's land. It is sad that the PM in the opposition meeting said that not even an inch of Ladakh has been taken by China. But this is a lie. I dont understand, why time and again Congress MP Rahul Gandhi showers love on the talks by China. Is he paying back the grant received by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation or does he have relations with the Chinese Communist Party? responded Sudhansh Trivedi on Friday during a press conference in the national capital. Further, Trivedi questioned the Congress on its relationship with China. He also claimed that China is passing through its worst diplomatic isolation post-Tiananmen Square massacre by referring to a Chinese think tank. "We want to clear their (Congress Government) relationship with China and our relationship with China. After our Government came under the leadership of PM Modi, in 2020, a think tank from Beijing said that 'China is passing through its worst diplomatic isolation post-Tiananmen Square' massacre, said Trivedi. "Your (Congress) policy was that peace talks will not be affected by terrorism (Between India and Pakistan) but our policy is that peace talks and terrorism can't go hand in hand...Therefore, they (Congress) should not lecture us on peace and security at least," said Trivedi further. During Doklam, the meal he shared with the Chinese Ambassador was not revealed by him but by a photo shared by China," said Trivedi. (ANI) Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his last leg of Ladakh visit reached Kargil War Memorial in Dras and paid tribute to the fallen soldiers on Friday. During his visit to the war memorial, he was accompanied by several party workers. Kargil War Memorial, is a memorial built by the Indian Army in the town of Dras, commemorating the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. Earlier on the day Congress MP while addressing a rally in Kargil mounted an attack on the BJP alleging that it wanted to take away the land of the Ladakhi people and give it to the Adani Group. Gandhi further alleged that because of the same reason they don't give proper representation to Ladakhi people as after that they will not be able to take the lands of locals. "BJP people know that if you were given representation then they will not be able to take away your land, this is all about land, they (BJP) want to take away your land and give it to Adani so that he can set up his plant, but dont share the benefits with you. But we will never let this happen" he said. The former Congress president once again claimed that China was grabbing Indian territory in Ladakh. "Ladakh is a strategic location and one thing is very clear that China has taken away India's land. It is sad that the PM in the opposition meeting said that not even an inch of Ladakh has been taken by China. But this is a lie." Taking about his plans to visit Ladakh during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and how because of inclement weather and administrative reasons he was not able to come Gandhi said, "A few months ago, we walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, it was called 'Bharat Jodo Yatra. The aim was to stand against hatred and violence spread by BJP-RSS in the country...The message that came out of the Yatra was-'nafrat ke bazaar mein hum mohabbat ki dukaan kholne nikle hain'. In the last few days, I got to see this myself. At the time of the Yatra, I could not visit Ladakh due to snow in winter. It was in my heart to conduct the yatra in Ladakh and I took it forward this time on a motorbike." Further sharing his experience of interaction with locals and migrants from Bihar and Uttra Pradesh Rahul said, "When I interacted with the labourers who came here from Bihar and UP and asked them about how they feel here, they said that they get full support and cooperation from Ladakhi people and they help them whenever required. So this is in your DNA and you have the same ideology which is of Congress party." (ANI) The Supreme Court on Friday ordered to transfer trial of criminal cases being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Manipur violence to Gauhati in Assam. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said there have been victims in valleys and in hills in Manipur and we cant go into who suffered more, there are victims in both communities. The bench said victims and witnesses will be able to give testimony electronically from their homes in Manipur rather than physically coming to the court in Gauhati. It passed a slew of directions on the trials in the cases bearing in mind the overall environment in Manipur and a need to ensure a fair process of criminal justice administration. It directed that the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court nominate one or more officers above the rank of Judicial Magistrate First Class and sessions judge to deal with such trial cases. All applications for the production of the accused, remand, judicial custody, extension of custody, and other proceedings are allowed to be conducted online mode, bearing in mind both distance and security issues at the courts that will be designated to conduct the trial, the bench further directed. It said that judicial custody shall be permitted in Manipur. The statement of witnesses under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is permitted to be recorded in the presence of a local magistrate in Manipur. The Acting Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court shall designate one or more Magistrates for this, the top court directed. It further ordered that test identification parades be conducted through video conferencing in the presence of a Manipur-based Magistrate. Applications for search and arrest warrants will be issued by the investigating officer through the online mode, it added. Further, the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court shall nominate judges who are conversant with one or more languages spoken in Manipur to deal with the criminal trial. It also took into note an assurance given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that proper internet facilities shall be provided in Manipur to allow such video conferences. The above directions shall not preclude those who wish to appear physically in Gauhati, the bench added. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the Kuki community, opposed the transfer of CBI cases to Assam and suggested that instead these cases should be shifted to Mizoram or hills in Manipur. As Gonsalves said trials should happen in the hills, the CJI said, There have been victims in valleys and in hills. It would be difficult for people who suffered in valleys to travel to hills, and the other way round. We are not on who suffered more. The top court is seized of the cases relating to the violence in Manipur between Meitei and Kuki communities. The violence in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3. Violence has gripped the entire state for over four months now and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. (ANI) West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that those former students illegally staying at Jadavpur University hostels are "anti-national" and part of the "tukde tukde" gang. Speaking to reporters while participating in a Bharatiya Yuva Janata Morcha protest march against the Jadavpur University student death case, Adhikari said, "They are antinational and belong to the tukde tukde gang. They spend their time on drugs and give antinational slogans. During elections they say- No vote to BJP, No vote to Modi ji". Suvendu Adhikari said that the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad student's protest should have been allowed by the police as they are a 'disciplined' political force. "Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad is a very disciplined political force, they stand for the nation and for the students. Heavens would not have fallen if they had been allowed to walk in the protest," the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader said. Adhikari also claimed that women protesters were manhandled by the police and their clothes were also torn. "We do not have words to express our condemnation. Women protesters were manhandled by police personnel who were men. Even their clothes were torn apart," he said. Speaking about their demand in the Jadavpur protest, Suvendu Adhikari said, "We want drug-free, ragging-free Jadavpur...Save Jadavpur University is our slogan. We are holding a peaceful protest march following the instructions of the court." Earlier on Friday, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Mohan Bose chose sarcasm to take on the state government that has apparently laid the blame for the death of a student in Jadavpur University due to ragging on him. Questioned by reporters on being blamed for the incident CV Ananda Bose cryptically said "ISRO will help us with advanced technology in containing ragging in the campus." First-year undergraduate student, Swarnodip Kundu, died after falling from the second-floor balcony of the varsitys main hostel on August 9. His family alleged that he was a victim of ragging, evoking condemnation and outrage across the state. (ANI) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that the West Bengal government should implement the central medical insurance scheme AB-PMJAY at the ground level for the benefit of people in the state. We are committed to providing quality healthcare services to all citizens of West Bengal. The government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to providing quality healthcare services to all citizens of the state. The State Government should implement Ayushman Bharat at the ground level for the benefit of the people of West Bengal, Mandaviya said, adding that the Central government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the health services in the state are of the highest quality. The minister reviewed various programmes delivering health services in the state, including the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). PMJAY, launched on September 23, 2018, gives an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh to eligible families. So far, 30 of 33 states have agreed to the co-branding plan except for Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal which have opted to remain out of it. Accusing the central government of taking all the credit for it, West Bengal pulled out of the scheme in 2019. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said she would be willing to rejoin if the Centre funded the scheme fully. During his visit, Mandaviya reviewed the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, the National TB Elimination Program, the status of funds released under the National Health Mission (NHM), Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Telemedicine services, Medical Education, and Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Program. Speaking on the occasion, Mandaviya referred to the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre and said, The Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre is a great initiative to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services to people near their homes. Mandaviya added that 800 sub-centres have been approved at a cost of Rs 288.72 crore in West Bengal under the National Health Mission. Two urban community health centres were approved at the cost of Rs 10 crore and 37 new urban PHCs at the cost of Rs 27.75 crore. Besides, 404 Ayushman Bharat Urban Health and Wellness Centres have been approved, he said. The Union Health Minister also reviewed the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program and the status of funds released under the National Health Mission. The government of India is committed to eliminating Tuberculosis by 2025 and emphasized that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that the funds released under the National Health Mission are utilized effectively, he added. The union minister further said that under the 15th Finance Commission, 223 Block Public Health Units have been approved at the cost of Rs 180.12 crores and 719 sub-centres have been approved at the cost of Rs 290 crores in the state. West Bengal has witnessed 10,358 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres being operationalized with a footfall of 16,82,87,430 and 2,08,42,397 teleconsultations have been carried out, he added. He said that the PM-ABHIM is a great initiative to provide quality healthcare services to the people of West Bengal. "We are also working to ensure that the Telemedicine services are available to all citizens of the state," he said. In his review of the medical education and the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme, the minister stated, We are committed to providing quality medical education to the people of West Bengal. We are also taking all necessary steps to ensure that the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme is successful." (ANI) Responding to Congress leader Ajay Rai's remarks that party MP Rahul Gandhi will contest from Amethi in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday said that the people of this parliamentary constituency are "respected" and will not compromise with their self-respect. The Union Minister was in Amethi to announce a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by the largest aircraft manufacturing company Boeing to open 100 medical camps in her constituency. While speaking to reporters, Smriti Irani said the "Gandhi family", who have always opposed double-engine government, thinks that the people in Amethi would give up all their benefits just so that "they can flourish". "Under the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, around 7,50,000 people in Amethi get free food grains. Does the Gandhi family think that the poor will give up their food grains, just so that the Gandhi family can flourish? Does the Gandhi family think that 5 lakh farmers of Amethi will leave their annual Rs 6000 just because the name of the Gandhi family can shine? Do they think that 90,000 families in Amethi will give up their homes for them?..." Irani said. Amethi used to be a Congress stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, where Rahul Gandhi lost to Smriti Irani by a margin of around 55,000 votes in the 2019 elections. Earlier this month, Congress state unit chief Ajay Rai confirmed that Rahul Gandhi will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi. "Rahul Gandhi will contest from Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Ajay Rai said. "It is the demand of the Congress workers and the public there...Congress workers want to work on their shortcomings to make sure Rahul Gandhi wins from Amethi," he had said. Responding to it, the Amethi parliamentarian, said that in a democracy, everyone has a right to contest elections from any constituency. "In a democracy, everyone has the right to contest elections from anywhere, but I am asking today, those who made derogatory remarks about the citizens of Amethi, saying that the conscience of our people is dead... and those who call voters demons (Rakshas). Do you think the respected people of Amethi will accept such people," the Union Minister said, adding that the people in Amethi will never compromise with their self-respect. (ANI) Earlier in the day, nine people were killed when their jeep fell into a gorge near Kannothumala in Mananthavady of the Wayanad district. "Condolences on the tragedy that left the state in tears. There are reports that the condition of three people in the jeep is critical. Minister AKSaseendran is entrusted to coordinate necessary matters including the treatment of the injured," the Chief Minister said. Meantime state Health Minister Veena George has informed that she has directed department heads to ensure expert treatment to the injured people. State Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer also expressed his condolences, saying that he is joining in the sorrow of the deceased person's family. (ANI) The Centre is likely to issue a new set of guidelines to be followed by state governments for the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes under exempted categories in the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, an Environment Ministry official informed on Thursday. The new act terminates the need for the central government's approval for strategic linear projects, security-related infrastructure up to 10 hectares; or defence-related projects. "We are working on a set of guidelines that will be out soon to ensure there is no misuse of these exemptions. The exemptions have been made for strategically important projects to make the approval process less cumbersome," the official, on the condition of anonymity, told ANI. When asked what all will be in the guidelines, the official explained: "The guidelines will mention what measures should be taken, conditions of planting trees and what would be counted as violations." Last month, the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill (2023) was passed by both houses of the Parliament. The new act seeks to amend the decades-old Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The amendments include the insertion of a Preamble to broaden the scope of the Act, changing the name of the Act to Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, the Ministry of Environment said last month in a statement. Specific exemptions have also been passed which include exemption of strategic projects concerning national security located within 100 km of the International Borders, Line of Actual Control, Line of Control, 0.10 hectare of forest land proposed to provide connectivity to habitation and establishments located on the side of roads and railways, up to 10 ha of land proposed for security-related infrastructure, and up to 5 ha of forest land in Left Wing Extremism Affected Districts for public utility projects. The official clarified that decisions regarding the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes were taken by the state government before 1980. The 1980 Act made it mandatory to obtain additional prior approval from the central government. The act has drawn criticism from environmentalists who allege that the new act exempts unrecorded deemed forests from its provisions and that will lead to the destruction of forests. With the amendments, all those forest lands that do not fall in the reserved area but are available in government records before 1980 will not come under the purview of the Act. Thisdiverts away from the Supreme Courts 1996 verdict which had ensured every forest mentioned in government records gets legal protection againstdeforestation. Critics argue that terms like proposed, ecotourism facilities, and any other purposes can be exploited or misused for activities damaging forests and ecosystems in forest lands. They also argue thatplantations are a significant threat to Indian forests as they replace the natural ecosystems, affect soil quality, andparticularly threaten the native biodiversity. However, the official clarified that the land that is not registered as a forest under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act but any other government record as of or after October 1980 will also be considered a forest. "The act mentions that the land that is mentioned as a forest by the revenue department, forest department, authority, and community or council documents will be considered as forest," said the official. (ANI) As the Supreme Court refused to put a stay on the premature release of former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife, in poet Madhumita Shukla's murder case, the son of the couple said that this is the moment for which he was waiting for 20 years. "This is a blessing of the Almighty. For 20 years, we have been waiting for this, for our parents. Today, that hour has come. My family and I are all very happy. Everyone is delighted, it can't be described in words," Amanmani Tripathi said. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to put on hold the premature release of Amarmani Tripathi (66) and his wife Madhumani (61). However, responding to the development, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said that the couple's release ahead of the completion of their terms is not sending a good message regarding women. "I think this release is sending a type of message to the entire country stating the condition of women. Whether it is the case of Bilkis Bano or this (Madhumita murder case), such orders of release, being issued, are not sending the right message to our Indian culture, civilization and women," Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife said. The Uttar Pradesh prisons department had on Thursday issued an order on the premature release of the Tripathi couple, who have been serving life sentences for their involvement in the murder of Shukla at her Lucknow residence on May 9, 2003. The order was issued citing Uttar Pradesh's 2018 policy on remission since they have completed 16 years of imprisonment and their age and good behaviour. Poet Madhumita Shukla, who was pregnant, was killed and Amarmani, then a minister in the Mayawati-led government, was arrested immediately after the crime. His wife was arrested later as the main accused for plotting the murder. The case was first handed over to the CBCID and then to the CBI. Later, on the plea of the Shukla family, the case was transferred to Uttarakhand. Both the CBI court in Dehradun and then Uttarakhand High Court pronounced them guilty of the crime and awarded life terms in 2007. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasised the integral role of public cooperation in ensuring the success of the Safe City Project. While reviewing the progress of the 'Safe City Project' on Friday, the Chief Minister said that CCTVs should be compulsorily installed in commercial establishments, intersections, government and private hospitals, as well as educational institutions. "The importance of CCTV in crime control should be explained to common people, businesspeople, and institution operators in order to encourage them to install CCTV cameras, said CM Yogi Adityanath. The Chief Minister stated that although people can keep the data of their CCTV footage safe with them at their convenience, it should be ensured that the footage is only made available to the police when necessary. "In addition, Municipal Corporations, the Smart City Project, or local administrations and police will install CCTVs wherever they are needed," he said. The Chief Minister has issued a directive to ensure that all police stations are equipped with CCTV cameras within one week. During the review meeting, the Chief Minister stated that the "Safe City Project" is proving to be very helpful in achieving the goal of ensuring women's safety, dignity, and self-reliance. "Through this project in the state, under the Lucknow Police Commissionerate, modern control rooms, pink police booths, Asha Jyoti Kendras, CCTV cameras, help desks for counsellors in women's police stations, panic buttons in buses, and other security measures were implemented. Now we have to expand it further," said the CM. The Chief Minister said that the 17 Municipal Corporations and Gautam Budh Nagar are to be developed as "Safe Cities" in the first phase by implementing financial management through convergence and inter-departmental coordination. "In the second phase, the municipalities of 57 district headquarters and, in the third phase, 143 municipalities should be linked to the Safe City project. Special branding should also be done by putting a signboard of 'Safe City' at the entrance of all such cities. In this way, Uttar Pradesh will be the first state in the country to have the highest number of safe cities," he said. He said that at present, the Safe City project is focused on the safety of women. "We should expand it and also link it to the safety of the elderly, children, and divyangjans. Through Safe City, the campaign to create a safe, secure, and empowered environment for women, children, the elderly, and divyangjan people in public places will get the necessary impetus," CM further said. During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries from relevant departments reported on the ongoing progress of the Safe City project. The Chief Minister was informed that so far the police have identified 9396 places for installation of CCTVs in Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, and Varanasi smart cities, out of which 3489 have been installed with cameras so far. More than 7600 locations in Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Firozabad, Mathura-Vrindavan, Shahjahanpur, Meerut, and Ghaziabad will have CCTV cameras installed. For this, the process of agency selection is going on. In the meeting, the Chief Minister also saw a presentation about the 'UP Safe City App' and gave the necessary guidelines. He also said that once a month, special programs should be organized at the district level for women, children, the elderly, and divyangjans. "Listen to their problems, solve them appropriately. Identify successful women, children, elderly, and the divyanjans and present them as role models. This effort will be inspiring for others," he said. The Chief Minister said that to realize the concept of Safe City, verification of drivers of public transport vehicles is necessary. In this case, the drivers of taxis, e-rickshaws, autos, tempos, etc. should be duly police-verified. (ANI)